Feet First

Location: UNSC Never Forget, Beta Four Barracks

Date: July 4, 2531

Time: 1900 Hours

Forty-eight hours before a drop always felt like a strange limbo. Too much time to sit and think about what was coming, but not enough time to fully process it. Beta Four spent most of the first day preparing—checking gear, running drills, and reviewing maps of New Damascus.

The tension was thick, but we all knew better than to let it get to us. We had been through this before. A city under siege, a hostile environment full of unknowns—it wasn't new, but it didn't make it any easier.

Ramirez was the first to break the silence, tossing a flashbang grenade from hand to hand as he lounged on his bunk. "So, who's taking bets? What do you think we'll see first when we hit the ground—Grunts or Jackals?"

Slink smirked from across the room, her legs propped up on a crate as she fiddled with one of her detonation devices. "Jackals, easy. They love setting up those damn shield walls in city fights."

Doc snorted, not looking up from her datapad. "I'd put money on Grunts. There's always a swarm of them on the front lines."

Ramirez grinned, spinning the flashbang in his hand. "I dunno, I'm thinking an Elite or two. Those bastards love showing up when we least expect it."

I stayed quiet, going through the mental checklist of my gear. My M392 lay across my lap, freshly cleaned and inspected for the tenth time since the briefing. I could hear the others joking and bantering, but my mind was already on the mission ahead. The thought of going in first, of clearing the way for the main force, weighed heavily on me. It wasn't fear, exactly, but the awareness of the danger. This wasn't a simulation. This was real.

Location: UNSC Never Forget, Drop Bay

Date: July 5, 2531

Time: 0400 Hours

The drop bay was cold, the air thick with tension as we suited up for the mission. The rest of the ship was quiet, save for the hum of machinery and the occasional clang of boots on metal as other ODST teams prepared for their own deployments. The final hours before a drop were always the same—calm, focused, and heavy with expectation.

Allen stood near the SOEIV pods, his helmet tucked under his arm as he watched us prepare. His eyes were sharp, but there was a calmness in his expression. He had been through this enough times to know what to expect. It was that calmness that kept us grounded.

"Final checks," Allen said, his voice steady as he watched us finish gearing up. "We're going in fast and hot. Once we hit the ground, we stick to the plan—clear the landing zone for the main force, secure the research facility, and hold until reinforcements arrive."

Ramirez grinned, adjusting the straps on his armor. "Just another day at the office, huh?"

Slink gave him a smirk, her helmet in hand. "If the office was on fire and full of aliens trying to kill us, sure."

Doc rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, her attention focused on checking her medkit one last time. I could see the tension in her movements, though she hid it well. The medic always had the hardest job—knowing she'd be needed, but not knowing when or how bad it would be.

I stood by my SOEIV pod, helmet under my arm, going over the mission details in my head. The map of New Damascus flashed in my mind—the research facility, the key objectives, the potential choke points. This was going to be a street fight, no doubt about it. Urban warfare at its worst.

Allen walked over, stopping in front of me. His eyes were steady as he looked me over. "You ready for this, Casper?"

I nodded, my grip tightening on my helmet. "Yes, sir. Ready as I'll ever be."

He gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. "Good. Remember, we've trained for this. Stick to your training, stick to the plan, and we'll get through it."

I nodded again, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination settle in my gut. There was no turning back now.

Location: UNSC Never Forget, Drop Bay

Date: July 5, 2531

Time: 0430 Hours

The countdown to the drop began, the red lights flashing through the bay as the drop doors opened. The SOEIV pods were locked into place, their hatches ready to seal us inside for the descent.

"All right, Beta Four," Allen called out as we moved to our pods. "This is it. We hit the ground fast, we clear the zone, and we get the job done. Stay sharp. Stay alive."

The team moved in sync, each of us stepping into our pods and locking ourselves into the harnesses. The familiar claustrophobic feeling settled over me as the hatch sealed shut, the interior of the pod dimly lit by the green glow of the HUD.

The comms crackled to life, Allen's voice cutting through the silence. "Beta Four, sound off."

Ramirez's voice came through first, his usual humor intact. "Beta Two, ready and eager to blow stuff up."

Slink followed, her tone sharp and focused. "Beta Three, locked and loaded."

Doc came next, her voice steady. "Beta Four, medkit secured."

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I responded. "Beta One, ready to drop."

The countdown hit zero, and with a jolt, the pods launched into space, hurtling toward the surface of New Damascus.

Location: Atmosphere over New Damascus

Date: July 5, 2531

Time: 0500 Hours

The descent was brutal, as always. The pod shook violently as we entered the atmosphere, the heat of re-entry glowing red against the edges of the viewport. My body was pressed into the harness as the G-forces hit, but I kept my breathing steady, my eyes locked on the HUD.

"Remember the plan," Allen's voice came through the comms, calm despite the chaos of the drop. "We hit the LZ, secure the area, and push toward the facility. Stay together, no heroics."

The comms crackled again, this time with Ramirez's voice. "Copy that, boss. No heroics. Got it."

The HUD flashed with the LZ's coordinates, the landscape of New Damascus growing larger as we plummeted toward the surface. Through the clouds, I could see the outlines of the city—skyscrapers, industrial complexes, and the research facility in the distance. Fires dotted the horizon, and I could already see the flashes of plasma and gunfire on the ground.

The pod jolted hard as the retro-thrusters fired, slowing our descent just before impact. My heart raced as I braced for the landing.

Location: New Damascus, Landing Zone

Date: July 5, 2531

Time: 0510 Hours

The pod hit the ground with a bone-rattling thud, the hatch blowing open with a hiss of compressed air. I unbuckled myself and leapt out, my rifle already in my hands as I took in the chaos around me.

The landing zone was a warzone. Covenant forces were already in the area—Grunts, Jackals, and Elites moving through the rubble as UNSC forces scrambled to set up defensive positions.

Allen's voice cut through the comms. "Beta Four, form up! Secure the LZ!"

I sprinted toward cover, my rifle snapping up as I fired off a burst at a nearby Grunt. The alien squealed as it fell, its methane tank hissing. Ramirez was already setting up his SPNKR, firing off a rocket that sent a group of Jackals scattering.

"We need to clear this area before the main force arrives!" Slink shouted over the comms, her MA5C spitting fire as she took down two more Grunts.

Doc was right behind me, keeping her head low as she moved to the nearest group of UNSC Marines, already tending to one who had taken a plasma hit to the arm. "Stay sharp, Casper!" she called out as she worked.

I pressed myself against the wreckage of a transport truck, my heart pounding as I reloaded my rifle. The drop was over, but the real fight was just beginning.

"Keep pushing forward!" Allen ordered, his voice calm but urgent. "We need to clear the LZ before the Covenant brings in reinforcements!"

The sound of plasma fire and explosions filled the air as we fought our way through the LZ, the chaos of battle all around us. But despite the noise, despite the danger, I felt the familiar focus settle over me.

We were Beta Four. And we were going to get the job done.