Chapter 35
Location: Miranda Colony - Outer Wastes
Date: April 12, 2533
Time: 0430 Hours
The early morning darkness was thick, the horizon barely visible as the Pelican descended into the wastelands beyond Miranda Colony. The only sounds were the low hum of the engines and the rhythmic clinks of gear as the squad checked their weapons one last time. We were on our way to disrupt a critical Covenant supply line running through the barren landscape, but we all knew the Covenant wouldn't let us do it without a fight.
I glanced at Alice, who was seated across from me, her helmet already on, her eyes focused on the mission ahead. She gave me a small nod, her way of saying, "We've got this," but I could see the tension in her posture. We both knew this wasn't going to be easy.
"Two minutes to drop," Doss called from the front of the Pelican, his voice cutting through the silence.
I tightened the straps on my armor, feeling the familiar weight settle over me. My rifle was secured across my chest, ready to go. Around me, the rookies were preparing, their faces a mix of determination and nerves. They were starting to get used to the pace of this war, but every mission was a new challenge, and none of them knew what to expect.
I caught Barnes's eye, and she gave me a quick thumbs-up, her helmet's visor reflecting the dim light inside the dropship. She was steady—always had been—but I could tell she was feeling the pressure too. We all were.
The Pelican shuddered as it touched down, the ramp lowering with a hiss of hydraulics. The cold air of the wasteland hit us like a wall, carrying the faint scent of dust and smoke. We moved out quickly, spreading into formation as we secured the area around the landing zone.
"Keep your eyes open," I muttered into the comms. "The Covenant won't be far."
The terrain was rough—rocky, uneven, with deep canyons and scattered debris from old UNSC outposts that had been abandoned long ago. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and I didn't like the feeling I was getting from the quiet.
Alice fell in beside me as we moved out, her rifle raised as she scanned the surrounding area. "How long do you think we've got until they hit us?"
"Not long," I replied, keeping my voice low. "Intel said they've been running regular patrols through here. If we're lucky, we can hit the supply line before they realize we're here."
"And if we're not lucky?" Alice asked, a smirk in her voice.
"Then we'll have to improvise," I said, trying to keep the mood light. "Like we always do."
Location: Miranda Colony - Covenant Supply Route
Date: April 12, 2533
Time: 0500 Hours
We reached the edge of the supply route just as the sun began to rise, casting long shadows across the rocky landscape. In the distance, I could see the faint glow of Covenant vehicles moving along the dusty road—Ghosts, Wraiths, and supply transports, all making their way to reinforce the frontlines.
"Targets spotted," Alice whispered over the comms, her scope trained on the convoy.
I nodded, signaling for Bravo Fireteam to take up positions along the ridge. We had the high ground, but the terrain wasn't ideal for a prolonged firefight. If we were going to disrupt the supply line, we had to hit them fast and hard, before they could call in reinforcements.
"Barnes, get that launcher ready," I ordered, my eyes scanning the convoy. "We take out the Wraiths first, then move in on the transports."
Barnes nodded, already setting up the M41 SPNKR on a rocky outcrop. She was steady, her hands moving with practiced precision as she lined up the shot.
"Ready on your mark, Sergeant," she said, her voice tense but controlled.
I took a deep breath, my finger hovering over the trigger of my rifle. The Covenant forces were moving steadily, unaware of our position. It was now or never.
"Fire," I said quietly.
The first rocket streaked through the air, hitting the lead Wraith dead-on. The explosion rocked the convoy, sending debris flying as the Covenant vehicles screeched to a halt. Ghosts veered off the road, their pilots scrambling to assess the situation, while the remaining Wraiths powered up their plasma mortars.
"Move!" I shouted, signaling the rest of Bravo Fireteam to engage.
We opened fire, our rounds peppering the Covenant forces as we descended from the ridge. Plasma fire lit up the sky as the Ghosts returned fire, their blue bolts sizzling past us as we ducked behind cover.
Alice's voice crackled over the comms. "Alpha is moving in on the transports. We'll cover your flank."
I nodded, firing off another burst at a group of Grunts who were trying to take cover behind a supply crate. The convoy was in chaos now, and that was exactly what we needed.
But the Covenant wasn't going down without a fight.
Location: Miranda Colony - Covenant Convoy
Date: April 12, 2533
Time: 0515 Hours
The battle intensified quickly.
We had taken out two of the Wraiths, but the remaining Ghosts were proving to be a problem. They were fast, weaving through the rocky terrain, their plasma cannons firing nonstop. I could feel the heat of their shots as they streaked past, close enough to singe the air.
"Barnes, hit the second Wraith!" I ordered, reloading my rifle as I ducked behind a boulder.
She didn't need to be told twice. Another rocket screamed through the air, slamming into the side of the second Wraith and sending it toppling over in a burst of fire and smoke. One more down.
But just as I thought we were gaining the upper hand, I heard a deep, guttural roar from behind the convoy.
I turned, my heart sinking as I saw them—Brutes. A full squad of them, barreling toward us with a mix of spikers and brute shots in their hands. The Ghosts were bad enough, but Brutes? This was going to get ugly.
"Brutes incoming!" I shouted into the comms, signaling for the rookies to fall back and regroup. "Stay behind cover and don't let them get close!"
The Brutes were charging fast, their heavy armor glinting in the early morning light. I fired off a few rounds, but they barely slowed down, their shields absorbing the shots like they were nothing.
I was about to call for Alice and Alpha Fireteam to flank them when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something flying through the air—a Brute spike grenade, hurtling straight toward me.
Everything seemed to slow down as the grenade spun toward me, the jagged spikes glinting in the light. I had a split second to react, and before I even knew what I was doing, my hand shot out, grabbing the grenade by the handle in mid-air.
I stood there for a heartbeat, staring at the grenade in my hand, disbelief washing over me. How had I even done that?
But there was no time to think. I twisted, hurling the grenade with all the force I could muster. It spiraled through the air, arcing toward a Ghost that was bearing down on us.
The spike grenade hit its mark, embedding itself in the Ghost's engine. The explosion that followed sent the vehicle spinning out of control before it smashed into a nearby supply crate and erupted in flames.
For a moment, the battlefield went silent.
Everyone—UNSC and Covenant alike—stared in disbelief. I could feel the eyes of my squad on me, their jaws practically hanging open. Even the Brutes seemed stunned, their charge momentarily halted as they tried to process what had just happened.
And then, from the other side of the battlefield, a high-pitched voice cut through the silence.
"Augh, guys! IMPS, THEY ARE IMPS!"
I blinked, turning to see a terrified Grunt pointing in my direction, its tiny hands shaking as it backed away from the fight. The word Imps echoed across the battlefield, repeated by the other Grunts as they scrambled for cover.
I couldn't help but grin. Imps. That's what they were calling us now.
Before I could say anything, the battle roared back to life, plasma bolts and gunfire filling the air once again. I ducked behind cover, adrenaline still surging through me as I tried to catch my breath.
"Cass, what the hell was that?!" Alice shouted over the comms, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
"I have no idea," I replied, diving for cover as a plasma bolt sizzled past my head. "But let's finish this fight."