Chapter XI
Planet Iridanus, Polaris System
1800 22 January 2540
Soldier Quarters, UNSC Eagle
It felt weird to be back in space after the last couple of days. Couldn’t sleep a minute. The horrors of war kept getting to me, but I know my training should’ve taught me better. It did teach me better. I wonder why this was any different. The intercom in my room came to life. Brigadier General Garza’s voice came through.
“Harper, suit up and meet up with the rest of the team in the debriefing room. Wear your whites today. It’s been put into your trunk. Got one hour.”
“Aye, sir.”
The comm. turned off and I went to take a quick shower. I got back into the main room and looked at the empty room. Four bunks and trunks, but not much else. We each got our own room this time, as well done present for the battle. I looked opened my trunk, and the dog tags I collected stared at me. I shook my head and put them in my pocket. I looked at my trunk again and saw that the snow variation of our suit was in there, along with the Arrowin 4th identifiable gold band on the shoulder.
I decided to suit up later, and decided to get some food. I walked out of the room and didn’t lock it. Nothing to steal but my armor, and whoever was ever caught with that was a dead man.
The mess hall was down the corridor, take the first left, and take that hallway as far as it went. I had to make a stop though, all the way down the corridor, though.
“Here, I got something for you.” I said.
The man at the postal desk looked at the dog tags in my hand and grunted. I I think that that was his way of acknowledging the dead.
“I hope that their families will keep a memory of their fallen.” I continued.
“Every man fallen to the Covenant will be a hero to Earth.” he replied. “Too many have you had to see, though. How many is there?”
“More than I would have ever wished to collect.”
“I’ll make sure loved ones get them.” He took the tags from me. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Thanks.”
I walked out and went to the chow hall. It was filled. Quite a few Marines, some tech specialists, other jobs, here and there. It’s like the high school lunch room. Everyone with their own cliques. I ordered from the machine, and used my military credits to get enough of what I needed. Propaganda posters were everywhere, reminding us that we’re fighting for Earth. Also there were some personal ads and ads for whatever anyone could have desired. Nothing that I needed, at least not now, anyway.
I went and sat down at some table where only three other Marines and two engineers were sitting. The engineers were very much involved in their conversation, something about the quantum theory mechanics involving of how guided plasma and pulse lasers are possible. The Marines, however, were down to earth enough to figure that I existed.
“Where are you from?” the nearest one asked.
“Daemon.”
“***. Hell of job you guys are doing down there.” another said, from the other side of the table.
“Hell, just another day on the job.”
“*** yes.” he replied.
“So, I presume that you guys are assigned to the ship.”
“That’s why we’re here.” the nearest said again. “I’m Lance Corporal Mejia. This one next to me is Pfc. Costin. The one across from me is Pvt. Deen.”
“’sup. Sgt. Harper. So, what’s happening up here?”
“It’s been off and on.” Mejia started. “We’ve been able to match them ship for ship. We’ll have reinforcements here in two days, but word is that the Covenant is also racing more ships here. It’s just a matter of who gets here first. Covies only. want to strike here. One of the areas with the least orbital stations. We’re worn out to a handful now.”
“Any boarding action yet?” It came out more a blurb. My face was stuffed with a banana.
“Nah, we’ve kept them off. Especially where we’re at. This is the heart of our defense. Whoever is going to take this planet will suffer as much as we will.”
“How’s planet side?” Deen asked.
“A hell of a fight. A big one in Rubidard.”
“***. I remember when me and my wife vacationed there just three years ago. Probably will never look the same.”
A siren then went off.
“Damnit.” swore Costin.
“All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha.”
“All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha.”
Everyone in the room grunted. Everyone got up and started running out the doorways. It seemed orderly. Must’ve done it so many times already. I left my food and ran back to my room. And the door slid open for me. Gilbert was already in the room, along with Diaz.
“There’s that ***. Running around in his just a shirt and pants.” commented Diaz.
“Pants are only recent. Your wife was in here not too long ago.” I replied.
“***!”
Diaz took a swing at me. I blocked. Gilbert went between us and side kicked Diaz. I, however, received a slug on the cheek. “All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha. All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha.”
“*** can’t hear the sirens. Harper, suit up. Diaz, let’s go to the briefing room.”
They left the room while I dressed in the whites. I walked out of the now empty room, all suited up, carrying my helmet in tow. To get to the briefing room, I walked through several corridors, and one service vent. Went I got to the door, two squads of Daemons walked out. The whole room had screens on it of what was happening outside as well as the battle below. There were only two squads left in the room. Brigadier General Garza and Fleet Admiral Lopez were there debriefing everyone of their duties. They finished with the other squad and our squad was the last one left.
“Soldiers, Listen up!” Garza started. He gave us a grin. “Guess which who’s the spearhead in this assault?”
“Hell yeah!” Shouted SGT. Adams.
“The men on the ground have already gained ground on Every Square up to the government district. The best squads will be along all of the frontline, leading the attack forces. You won’t have much support from other Daemons. The division assigned to this battle is already committed to the acropolis, as are a large percentage of our forces. We have to match the Covenant, who has galvanized their efforts there as well.”
Lopez started to brief. “What we plan to do is sweep around and surround. Capturing the government sector will allow their right flank to collapse. The main supply line is there. SGT. Price had effectively crippled the route, but they’re clearing the debris and is returning to normal status. We must strike before the road is completely cleared and rebuilt.”
“What about Zulu company?” asked Czaja.
“We’ve lost contact with them an hour after the attack started. It may be radio silence to avoid detection still, or it may be worst-case scenario. In any case, we will plan as if it failed. Who knows? Maybe our full assault will give Zulu the chance to strike, if they are still alive.” A man dressed in a captain uniform entered the doorway.
“Well,” the fleet admiral continued, “I wish you the best of luck. God speed. Go kick some Covie ass!”
“Yes sir!”
Lopez saluted and we returned it. He swiftly made his way to the door and him and the captain made their way out. BG Garza continued on.
“This time you’ll be hot dropped in, to create confusion. But fortunately, you should all be dropped behind Covie lines. You and allied forces will sandwich the line and make it easy to take them over. The only problem we have is the frigate looming overhead. Longswords will be used to disrupt the frigate allowing you a clean drop. The landing will be near the Covie lifeline. Disrupt them their and storm their forward HQ.”
An ensign entered through the door now.
“General Garza. The Admiral would like a conference.”
“Thank you.” Garza turned to look at us. “Hot dropping at 0100 tomorrow. Get some rest.”
He saluted, and we returned it back. With that, he made his way swiftly out the door.
“Lookin’ forward to this.” commented SGT Gonzales.
“Yeah. This should be fun.” Czaja said with a smirk.
“Hey, bet I could kill the most Covenant while we’re there.” remarked Adam.
Everyone started with bloating their egos, sounding tough. I put in an advertisement for myself when needed. It was all in good fun. The main thing on my mind was finding Price. We’ll be dropping where he was last and also not too far from the forward HQ. This is going to be tough.
“Hey guys. I think Harper will kill the most. Of course, that’s only if he uses his mental powers of his to think someone to death.”
I awoke from my trance in time to catch Adams slugging me in the arm.
“Ain’t that right?”
“My bad. Didn’t get to eat all my food. I think I need to hit the mess hall again.” I replied. “I think I’ll just head down there and see what I can get. I’m going to need my energy to bash in an elite’s skull.”
“Meet us in the sparring room after that. We’ll be warming up in there.”
I started to make my way to the door, but the sirens came off again.
“All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha.”
“All hands to battle stations. Alert level Alpha. Covenant ships incoming. Prepare for combat.”
The side view screens in the room flickered and then showed outside cameras.
“Damnit. I was looking forward to eating again.”
“Oh ***…” Diaz swore.
I looked at the cameras.
Looks like the Covenant reinforcements came…
"...You might think I'm losing my mind, but I will shy away from the specifics..."
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