Halo Recovery

- Retake the City -

Prologue

June, Seventh, 2553

It was a time of recovery for Earth after the Human-Covenant War. The cities were being rebuilt, research programs continued, U.N.S.C. forces were being reorganized, and human life was thriving. All seemed fine until the U.N.S.C. Destroyer “Ray of Hope” was devastated by an attack from three Covenant Frigates. The same thing happened to the Cruiser “Final Destination“, it was destroyed near the same coordinates. The area in space where the attacks had taken place were banned from all public ships until the truth was uncovered and it was, slowly approaching Earth was a massive Covenant fleet consisting of twenty-five Covenant Frigates, twenty Covenant Destroyers, and fifteen Covenant Cruisers. The tragic news spread. The Covenant had regrouped. All hope was lost.

Rough Landing

August, Fourteenth, 2553

The losses from the Human-Covenant War were severe to say the least but now an even worse threat had arose, A massive Covenant fleet has arrived on planet Earth sending waves of troops to destroy major population centers. Now, three Scarab Tanks bulldozed through the massive city New York while two Covenant Frigates and fourteen Phantoms hovered in the darkened sky above and without the Master Chief to save the day this time, they would have to do it themselves. New York was one of the largest cities in the world with towering buildings, industrial factories, and on top of all of that it was the center of many political discussions so it was necessary to protect it. The U.N.S.C. sent in all the help they could, but sadly it was only a minor strike force consisting of three Pelicans containing six squads of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, seven Hornets, two Scorpion Tanks, four Warthogs, and one hundred-eighty-nine Marines. They would have to wait for backup because of major shortage of recourses. The first Pelican of the strike force rushed into the large city, down the car lined street, and around the corner of a building and was quickly annihilated by a Scarab Tank’s Plasma Cannon. The remaining two Pelicans outmaneuvered the Scarab Tank by using the tall buildings as cover and blew it to pieces with some well placed fire by there mounted Machine Gun Turrets. Though the Scarab Tank defeated, the explosion impacted on one of the Pelicans and it spun out of control then crashed into the ground. Only five O.D.S.T.s survived: Private Cody Jackson, Private Dylan Henson, Corporal Hannah Madison, Sergeant James Cryder, and Lieutenant Kane Harrison. They moved swiftly away from the crash sight avoiding the Grunt search parties. Lieutenant Harrison told James to scout ahead.

He replied with a smirk, “Yes sir.“.

Life in the Big City

August, Fourteenth, 2553

James moved slowly through the dark, cramped alleys looking for a safe route out of the city. James quickly ducked behind an old dumpster as soon as he heard the roar of three Ghosts headed his way. He weighed the situation and decided to take out the Ghosts by himself. He jumped onto the nearby roof and sniped a Grunt driving one off the Ghost with his Battle Rifle causing the Ghost to disengage itself. He then jumped off the roof and boarded the second Ghost. He removed the pilot at the same time crushing his environmental suit. He then chucked a Plasma Grenade at the remaining Ghost and blew it into tiny little pieces with a bright explosion that eventually faded away. He jumped of the Ghost and signaled the others to follow. About an hour later James, still the scout was quickly jumping over cars, under falling buildings, and through explosions avoiding each hazard with the others close behind. James climbed up a devastated building and told the group to halt.

Lieutenant Harrison barked "What what's going on up there? Private Jackson get up there and tell me what's going on!"

“Yes sir.” he replied climbing up towards James position then he suddenly froze, consumed with fear.

Lock and Load

August, Fourteenth, 2553

Four Banshees, two Phantoms, a Scarab Tank, seven Brutes, four Jackals, and a plentiful supply of Grunts gathered around the O.D.S.T. Squad’s position still unaware of their presence. The stench of dead bodies was in the air. Cody rushed down to tell the others what was happening.

Lieutenant Harrison said “My god we’ll never get out of here alive.”

“Lieutenant Harrison I know a way out of this mess.” said James.

“Then speak up son” replied Lieutenant Harrison.

“All right see that subway tunnel?” Replied James pointing at one of the newer subway tunnel entrances built in recent months, “We would need to climb down there to avoid the ring of death over there but, we’ll take a lot of fire from hostile ground troops.”

“Ok then let’s move out squad!” said Lieutenant Harrison in a foul tone.

Down in the Subway

August, Fourteenth, 2553

The O.D.S.T. Squad moved slowly through the dark tunnels when Hannah detected seven enemies on her motion sensor. They moved up with there weapons ready to fire. They burst around the corner only to see plasma bolts coming strait towards them. They ducked and evaded fire from six Grunts holding Plasma Pistols lead by one Brute using a Brute Spiker. Bullets and plasma bolts seared through the dry air until James nailed the Brute in the chest with his Battle Rifle. The Brute fell to the cold ground laying there stone dead as if the sheen on his blue armor had been extinguished and the Grunts cowardly scrambled into the darkness.

Cody speaking in his usually dull personality said “What a nice welcome party.“ The team of O.D.S.T.s advanced. After an hour of walking through the subway and being attacked several times they decided they were far enough away from the center mass of Covenant troops to climb out of the subway.

Complete Failure

August, Fourteenth, 2553

Once they climbed out of the subway they ran into a couple of Jackals with Covenant Carbines and got into a huge firefight but Dylan’s good eyesight and skill with a Sniper Rifle saved them all. They advanced. They kept moving through the city with their guard down because they had not been attacked by any Covenant troops since they stepped out of the subway. As they walked through the streets bodies burnt to a crisp lay upon the ground.

“Something’s not right here.“ Lieutenant Harrison said suspiciously. They started to hear something like footsteps that seemed loud and heavy enough to crack the pavement, their motion sensors showed two large objects headed strait for them, then two Hunters suddenly burst around the corner firing there Concentrated Fuel Rod Cannons. James and Cody ducked under a crashed Banshee for cover. Hannah and Dylan were avoiding the blast using tactical maneuvers while Lieutenant Harrison was firing rounds of bullets doing hardly any damage. The Hunters were firing their concentrated Fuel Rod Cannons simultaneously. They were about to be wasted but out of sheer luck the remaining Pelican that was not shot down flew by to see what the Hunters were firing at. It quickly dispatched the Hunters using its mounted Machine Gun Turret. It then landed to pick up the crashed survivors. Nearly two-hundred Marines had spilled into the city that day for the strike but they were easily picked off. You could even see blood drenched sidewalks littered with corpses. The U.N.S.C. forces reluctantly decided to retreat back to New York Military Base Alpha to regroup.

Realization

August, Twenty-third, 2553

“All right men keep moving.” Shouted Sergeant Cooper as James walked by the loading docks. Almost everyone in one of the largest cities on Earth had died in nine days. The order finally came to send in a one thousand man assault on New York in cooperation of New York Military Base Alpha, New York Military Base Beta, and New York Military Base Gamma. James and his squad were of course part of this U.N.S.C. military strike. When the attack started Marines, Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, Mongooses, Warthogs, Scorpion Tanks, Hornets, Pelicans, Shortswords, and four Frigates stormed through the city of New York. You could hear the march of troops on the ground and the roar of vehicles’ engines. He entered his squad’s bunk room staring out the window at the chaos in deep thought when the automated doors slid open.

Lieutenant Harrison waltzed in with a Shotgun strapped to his back and said “Ready to move soldier ?”.

James replied “Yeah… I just wish we could be some help this time but New York is beyond help.”.

“You know your orders Soldier.“ said Lieutenant Harrison.

The doors opened again and Corporal Chaise walked in and said “Are you two finished? We need to take off.”.

Mount Up

August, Twenty-third, 2553

James’s Pelican was about to land when Dylan grabbed a Battle Rifle and said “Jump feet first into Hell everyone.” at the same time Cody was loading a Shotgun. Hannah pulled a Sniper Rifle off the wall. Dylan’s spirit lifting didn’t help at all.

Then James loaded his Assault Rifle and said “Let’s move team.”

Lieutenant Harrison said “I’ll give the orders here! But um yeah let’s move out.” They jumped out of the Pelican and headed strait for their target, the center of the city, where the main concentration of Covenent troops were.

“All right if we can take that out we’ll be good to go.” said Lieutenant Harrison. They activated a Flare and it’s shining brightness signaled two Pelicans to drop off a Warthog and a Mongoose. Once they arrived you could see the huge, menacing mounted Machine Gun Turret on the back of the Warthog. James hopped in the driver seat of the Warthog, Lieutenant Harrison sat in the passenger seat, and Cody jumped into the gunner seat. Hannah mounted the driver seat on the Warthog and Dylan hopped in the back with a Rocket Launcher. The engines fired up and they drove into the city.

Get there Fast and Don’t be Last

August, Twenty-third, 2553

Citizens scrambled as the two vehicles raced through the city.

Lieutenant Harrison said “Where are the Covenant?”.

“Planning to ambush us probably.” replied James, and as if on cue two Brute Choppers appeared out of nowhere. The Brute Choppers were getting closer firing their Automated Turrets. Dylan nailed one with a Rocket launcher and Cody brought down an array of bullets on the other Brute Chopper. It exploded with a small blast.

Dylan remarked “That was an ambush?”.

“No, there were not enough for an ambush.” said James.

“Cut the chatter you two!” barked Lieutenant Harrison, “We’ve go hostile movement in the next area!”. they rushed into the next area shocked at what the saw. There were two Banshees, four Wraiths, five Prowlers, nine Brute Choppers, twenty Ghosts, and one dreaded Scarab Tank. They were going to retreat but it was to late they had already been spotted.

They rushed in and Dylan shot down a Ghost with his Rocket Launcher screaming “Holy ***!”.

Cody was bringing down a shower of bullets on the Brute Choppers, only three exploded.

James was crushing Grunts under the tires of the Warthog screaming “God *** it, there’s too many!”

“We’re takin’ to much damage!” screamed Hannah.

The Mongoose was about to be hit and James spun the Warthog around and took the hit for them. The Warthog exploded and James was flung onto the Scarab Tank, his visor cracked and his ribs halfway broken. Blood spewed out of his mouth, he could not see the others.

“Their probably dead anyway.” he muttered to himself hatefully. He managed to crawl into the engine room. Brutes started to pile on him growling, beating him as hard as the could. He could feel Brute Spiker rounds pierce his back. He thought with all the brief time he had left. He then decided to commit suicide in a last ditch effort to save the others, if they were still alive that is. He lit a Plasma Grenade and chucked it at the Brute Chieftain standing near the power core. It detonated and the Scarab Tank exploded taking out everything within a fifty meter radius. The blaze of the explosion could be seen on the other side of the city.

Insanity

August, Twenty-fourth, 2553

“I must complete the mission.” said an unknown dying voice from a dusty pile of rubble near the fallen Scarab Tank.

“What happened here? It’s all a blank. All I remember is an explosion” Said Hannah while moving a shattered Mongoose from a pit of dirt so that she can emerge from it. Dylan gabbed her hand helping her out of the pit. Cody kicked a pile of Grunt corpses off his leg so that he could move.

Lieutenant Harrison launched a Ghost in the air in disgust screaming “He blew himself up and compromised are mission! That dirty rat! I trained him myself and this is what he repays me with.”

“Lieutenant Harrison with all due respect, he sacrificed himself just to save us. We would have died anyway and the outcome of mission would be no different had he not done that.” said Cody.

“Quiet soldier or I’ll shove my boot up your ass!” yelled Lieutenant Harrison.

“I think you need to shut your trap Lieutenant Harrison, because I don’t think you have any idea what your talking about!” bravely yelled Dylan.

“One more word and I kill you all!” said Lieutenant Harrison madly.

“Sir, we need to get you in bed! Your sick!” said Hannah.

“So I guess your all dead then!” screamed Lieutenant Harrison.

“No! You are!” said the unknown voice in a ill tone as a shot from a Beam Rifle pierced Lieutenant Harrison’s body. He fell with a thud, revealing his attacker.

James stood four meters from the others with a Beam Rifle in his hand quietly saying “ I’m sorry.”. Everyone gathered, even James, to mourn over there old teachers death.

That’s all that matters

August, Twenty-fourth, 2553

“What do we do now?” asked Hannah in a helpless voice.

“The only thing we can do… finish the mission.” said James in a regretful tone.

“Have you gone crazy too?” asked Dylan.

“What do you mean? said James.

“I mean how do we bust through enemy lines, get to the center of he city, start the countdown of that bomb, and get out alive?” said Dylan.

“Both the Warthog and the Mongoose were destroyed! We couldn’t get out in time even if we ran like nuts!” said Cody.

“We’ll salvage.” replied James picking up an Assault Rifle from dead Marine’s hand.

“But…” said Dylan stopping his sentence.

“Corporal Madison.” said James.

“Yes sir?” Replied Hannah.

“Find Pelican number 0-213.”said James.

“But sir, that Pelican was shot down,” said Hannah.

“I know.” James replied strangely with a smirk.

“It’s seventy-two meters from our position sir!” said Hannah.

“We‘ll head out in the morning!” said James loudly.

If at First you Don’t Succeed, Blow Everything Up

August, Twenty-fifth, 2553

The team of O.D.S.T.s had arrived at the crashed Pelican and were staring at it. There was a Scorpion Tank sitting near the Pelican magnet.

“I saw this Pelican crash and I took a guess the Scorpion Tank was still in one piece.”. said James.

“I’ll drive!” said Dylan.

“No, I will.” said James. James hopped into the driver seat, Hannah hopped in the gunner seat, Cody jumped on top of the tank with a Rocket Launcher he found in the crashed Pelican, and Dylan got on to with Flamethrower that was also in the crashed Pelican. They drove off heading to the center of the city. They encountered a wraith on the way but dispatched it quickly.

“Why are there no people around here?” said Hannah.

“Because there all hiding! God, what’s with you today? You sound so stupid!” Said Cody.

“I meant why are there no people anywhere, not even hiding.” said Hannah looking as if she was thinking hard.

“There are people here, their laying on the streets with blood gushing out of their heads.” said Dylan jokingly. James stared at the sky above filled with smoke as the U.N.S.C. Frigates struggled with the Covenant Frigates.

“Cut the Chatter you three! We‘re here!” yelled James trying to sound as intimidating as Lieutenant Harrison did, before he went crazy that is. A Scarab Tank leg landed right in front of them crushing the cement. Cody fired his Rocket Launcher and hit the leg of the Scarab Tank but, it did not have much of an effect. Luckily the Scarab Tank had it’s concentrated Fuel Rod Cannon focused on a Pelican and it’s mounted Plasma Canon was firing at Hornets, so they were safe from the Scarab Tank. The only problem was two Anti-Aircraft Wraiths were firing right at them with their rapid fire Fuel Rod Cannons. The Scorpion Tank fired with its Cannon and mounted Machine Gun Turret and took down the first Anti-Aircraft Wraith. Cody fired a missile From his Rocket Launcher and killed a pack of Jackals. Dylan burned approaching Brutes to death with the Flamethrower. The second Anti-Aircraft Wraith fired another wave of Fuel Rod Cannon rounds hitting the Scorpion Tank making it skid over a group a grunts.

“God! Their limbs jammed up the Scorpion Tank!” Shouted James.

“What now?” said Dylan.

“Everyone out and get in that bunker! We need to arm that bomb!” replied James hastily.

“Cody swapped his Rocket Launcher for two Sub Machine Guns and cleared a path into the bunker. They entered and closed the door before the Brutes could follow.

“Lets hurry!” said James. In the middle of the room sat a HAVOK nuclear bomb. It was there in case this ever happened. Hannah armed the bomb because she new the most about nuclear weapons on top of being squad medic. The bomb could not be detonated by remote as a fail safe so they would have to make it out or die. James was not worried about his safety though, he was concerned for the remaining twenty-thousand citizens still in the city.

“Okay we’re good to go!” said Hannah.

“Now how out of here?” asked Dylan.

“Come in O.D.S.T. squad four. Do you read me?” said a voice over the radio.

“We read you Pelican 2-147!”replied James.

“We’re standing by for dust off at approximately three miles from your position. Get down here in five minuets or we’re leaving you here to die! Over!” said the voice over the radio.

“We’ll be there! Over!” said James as the radio switched off.

“How?” asked Cody.

“Open the door.” James said pulling out a Fragmentation Grenade. The door opened and Drones poured in. James threw the Fragmentation Grenade and it landed on a Drone. It exploded and took the Drones out. “Move!” James shouted.

“Look there’s a Warthog!” said Hannah.

“All right, everyone hop in.” said James.

Run Away

August, Twenty-fifth, 2553

There was a Troop Warthog sitting near what was left of a building Dylan and Cody hopped in the back. Hannah jumped into the passenger seat. Her Helmet as cracked open exposing her blond hair. She threw it to the ground and grabbed a Rocket Launcher. James jumped into the driver seat and hit the gas peddle. The Warthogs engine fired up and they sped off towards Pelican 2-147. They rammed a Brute and almost flipped the Warthog.

“Go, go, go, go, go…” James kept repeating.

“Watch out for that Wraith!” Screamed Hannah. James hit the breaks going into a sliding jump using he Wraith as a ramp. The Warthog flew into the air and landed on the next street over.

“Nice shortcut.” Dylan said. The Warthog scorched across the road and ran over a Brute with a Mauler.

“Holy ***.” said Cody.

“What?” asked James.

“Look.” replied Cody. A huge blast was following them.

“God *** it. The bomb.” said James ramming the gas peddle. They saw the Pelican fifty meters ahead. They almost hit the Pelican when James slammed on the brake and all of them flew into the pelican.

“Punch it!” James yelled. The Pelican flew out of New York watching the city as it burned into nothing.

Rebuild and Move Out

August, Twenty-sixth, 2553

James was sitting on rock outside the pit of rubble that use to be New York city, one of the worlds oldest cities.

“I’m sorry.” said Cody “I know this was your home.”.

“It’s okay, I haven’t even been here in five years. What a homecoming party.” said James.

“Sir, I need to have a word with you.” said Lieutenant Jones.

“What is it?” asked James.

“It’s about your ‘deceased’ Lieutenant Harrison.” answered Lieutenant Jones.

“Sure.” said James.

“Now you said he was shot down by a Jackal with a Beam Rifle?” asked Lieutenant Jones.

“Yes sir.” answered James.

“Hmm, I’ll let that slide for now because we have more pressing matters at the moment.” Said Lieutenant Jones.

“What is it?” asked James curiously.

“Capitan Leon needs you.” said Lieutenant Jones.

“What for?” James asked looking at the Frigate “Cloak and Dagger” in the sky.

“I don’t know, something to do with those *** Elites. Anyway, we leave tomorrow.” answered Lieutenant Jones.

“But we don’t have a squad leader!” shouted James.

“Well, it looks like you’re the new squad leader then.” said Lieutenant Jones.

James turned to get one final look at the city remembering that he once met the Master Chief of the Spartan-II program.

“There are two ways a person can die in a war, either their lives are wasted or their lives were spent.” is what the Master Chief told James. James wondered, were the lives in New York city wasted, or spent?

“What now James, where are we going?” asked Hannah.

“Everyone pack up. We’re leaving in the morning.” answered James not even knowing where they were going himself.