[Hells Sniper]

Jacob stood up as he watched a pelican land in a clearing a few dozen meters away. He looked over to Dirty Joe, who was already helping Folee to the pelican. The Cross siblings had already ran over with the stretcher and were helping Athios on to it. Jacob helped as well and together they carried Athios back to the pelican. Jacob then ran back out to retrieve his weapons and ammo from his Drop pod. The pilot had left the cockpit and was helping Folee apply biofoam to the wound. Jacob walked into the pelican and looked at the pilot. Jacob: CPO...we gotta move. The pilot simply nodded and ran back in to the pelican and started the flight sequence, within a few moments they were in the air and the team was settled in, helping everyone with appropriate medical treatments. Jacob, on the other hand, was standing at the edge of the passenger bay, staring into the distance with his sniper in one hand. He could see the burning phantoms and vehicles from where they were flying and knew that the Suicide Squad had done well. He turned around and looked at the members. Jacob: Good job out there. Athios: Not good enough...we missed the weapons depot. Jacob nodded, he understood how the Sergeant must have felt. Not completing one of three objectives was basically a failure. Jacob: You all would have died...and I don't care what the UNSC calls you, losing soldiers is never a good thing. Athios nodded, he knew what Jacob was trying to tell him. That's when Jaclyn spoke to Jacob. Jaclyn: What about your team? Jacob shook his head. Jacob: I haven't had a team in a year. A few men died under my command and the rest were split between units. I've been hunting as a lone wolf ever since. Jaclyn simply nodded. And the rest of the team kept quiet as Jacob turned back around and stared down into the planet. As the pelican moved away, Jacob was contacted by Admiral Harrison. Harrison: Captain...I heard mission success? Jacob: Vehicle depots hit...weapons depot was left unharmed. All members of the squad retrieved. Harrison: I see. What is their status? Jacob: Two wounded. Harrison: Understood. Captain...I need you on another mission, ASAP. Jacob: Sir? Harrison: The city of White River is about to be hit by a massive Covenant wave and I am currently doing all efforts to hold the line. Bombing run is coming in, and I can't risk sending any more troops or the area would be too cluttered to coordinate. Jacob: Just tell me what I have to do... Harrison: With the Covenant armada under wraps on the other side of space, the Covenant forces on the ground are going to eventually run out of forces. Harrison paused, there was a bit of talking on his line before he returned to Jacob. Harrison: CPO MacLaren is going to land you in White River...you are to form up with the 33rd Marine Platoon, their Captain was just killed in gunfire. Lt. Mendez has taken over. They are at the Bentz Hotel, civilians are scattered all along that area. Jacob: What do you need me to do? Harrison: Reports indicate that the Covenant will be hitting that spot first and foremost...I want you to setup a two-mile wide perimeter to make sure no alien gets by. You are the acting Captain for all the forces in that area. Jacob: Numbers? Harrison: High in the Covies. A hundred or two for us. I am redirecting Omega Legion, as well as a few other squadrons to that area. Civilians are spread thick over there...two squads are going to be needed just for escort. Jacob: Understood, sir. I'll get it done. Harrison: Good. CPO Mac has already been informed of the change. ETA six minutes to target. Harrison out. Jacob took a deep breath, and then began to check his weapons. Concurrently in the city of White River: Omega Legion was holding the line against a Covenant wave numbering in the hundreds. The added firepower from the 45th and the strategic flanking from the 19th ODSTs proved greatly in the long run. They had managed to push the elites back another hundred meters, giving civilians a bit more breathing room. Carmicle and Colby were currently behind a damaged bridge, taking pot-shots at any elite that got too close. Troy and Limos were in the process of getting a few dozen civilians from a home twenty meters away. Troy was outside, directing the people towards the nearest UNSC marine squadron that would escort them to the closest evac shuttle. Troy: Let's move people! Over there, go go go! Troy would turn around every few moments and fire his assault rifle at any alien that got too close. Limos was also doing the same thing, firing his SMG at the suicide grunts the elites were sending down the mountain. Every few seconds the civilians would hear the sound of plasma grenades exploding and jump, slowing the process down. Suddenly, Troy heard Limos yell and turned to see him lying behind a downed tree, holding his shoulder. Troy contacted Carmicle and Colby. Troy: Sarge! Limos is down and I can't coordinate these civilians to the others without ba--- That's when Troy heard the civilians scream in agony, turning to face them, he saw an elite shooting at half the crowd, while swinging his energy sword at the other half. Within seconds, six civilians were killed and Troy had no alternative. Troy fired his weapon at the elite, charging him and draining his shields. He jumped into the air and drew his knife, going in for the kill, but the elite moved out of the way and Troy slid on the ground. Troy turned around and saw the elite impale another civilian. Civilian: Oh my God! Run for-- The elite impaled another civilian. Troy yelled just as the elite was shot at by Carmicle and Colby who were running over to aid Troy. Troy looked around...eight civilians were dead, but Troy had to keep the others moving. Troy: Everyone move now! Do not stop! Troy moved through the crowd of civilians and looked inside the building, the last civilian cleared the area and Troy ran over to Limos with the others. Limos: Goddamn plasma... Carmicle began to apply first aid as he was the one with the most experience. That's when every UNSC and ONI soldier received a signal from the Vigorous Inferno. Harrison: This is Admiral Harrison...I want everyone to pop green smoke! I am sending bombers in to clear the area and I don't want them hitting friendlies, form a perimeter and pop the smoke! Carmicle broke the line. Carmicle: Admiral, sir, there is no perimeter! We are all scattered here! Harrison: Goddamnit. Then pop the smoke and do your best to form up with other squadrons. Reports indicate White River is about to be hit with a massive wave of Covenant forces and I do not want to lose that evac center! Carmicle: Understood, sir! Harrison: Omega Legion, Grand Squad, Philly Squad, and Wall Sqaudron, I need you to move to the Bentz Hotel on the double! A Captain Sharpmen is going to directing efforts to secure a perimeter after the bombs drop. That is the location where we will be hit the hardest! The 33rd marine platoon is already entrenched there...so saddle up and move people! Harrison out. Carmicle turned to Limos, who nodded. Limos: I'm good, let's move.