[Hells Sniper]

Furium stood at the sight of Xyrho. He looked at him and then back to Dangerus, who was now greeting Xyrho. Dangerus: Shipmaster, I thank you for coming on such short notice. Dangerus nodded at Xyrho. He extended his hand towards Furium. Dangerus: This is one of my War Chieftains, Furium. He is...as loyal as I'd hope. I must ask you to tell him what you told me. He will be leading many of the ground teams in search of the artifact. Furium crossed his arms, he looked at Xyrho, and noticing Dangerus' general politeness towards him, simply nodded. Meanwhile: The medics nodded at Calhoun. Medic: Glad you said that, we have to do a pickup of some wounded at the spaceport, that's where the forces are regrouping. We'll drop you off there and then return your squad mates to the care of the Mind's Attrition. A few moments later, the pelican lifted off and headed towards the spaceport. Concurrently: Harrison nodded, he always hated hearing the numbers, but he needed to know. Harrison: Alright, Captain. I want you to pull every injured man off the front lines, the reinforcements being provided from the rest of the fleet should be enough to cover that and some. Harrison paused. Harrison: Any man or woman whose been fighting is to be pulled off the line, periodically, to get some rest and some grub in their stomach. Understood? A few dozen meters away, the Suicide Squad and their two new members were still sitting around arms and armor, eating and rearming themselves. Carmicle: I'm more of a combat medic than anything, but I've been studying medicine for six years now. Athios nodded, he half-smiled. Athios: I don't think we've ever had a medic before, it'll be a welcoming change. Carmicle nodded as he resupplied himself. Athios looked at Troy. Troy: You want my story, or just what I can specialize in? Athios looked at his team, they nodded. Athios: Let's go with story. Troy smirked, he nodded. Troy: Shit, uhm...I don't know where to start. I lived on Arcadia...my family was pretty well known, that is until the Covenant attacked. Troy shrugged. Troy: I was the only one carrying the Miles name to get out alive, so when I got to Paradise Lost, I started rebuilding it, and my luck started to hold a little bit longer...if you could call it luck. Troy grabbed some assault rifle magazines and slid them into his ammo pouches. Troy: I joined up right before the invasion started and was transferred to Reach for ODST training. This...is my first big fight. I've had skirmishes before, but nothing like this. The team fell silent around Troy, until Jaclyn finally patted him on the shoulder. Jaclyn: I think with a story like that, they should've transferred you here first. Troy chuckled a bit as did the rest of the group. Paul: Welcome to the squad, boys. Troy smiled and grabbed a few grenades from the pile. Athios: In any case, we get the feeling that you're an all-around assault type of guy. Troy: Yes, sir I am. Athios: Good, you'll be teamed up with Jaclyn, Carmicle you're with Folee and as always, Paul and I are buddies. Athios shrugged. Athios: As well as covering the team, you each have someone to cover your backs, get acquainted. Learn each other's skills. Once the order is given, we're first to move. Oorah? The team yelled Oorah back loudly, obnoxiously. Down the way, Jacob could hear the Oorah echo through the spaceports, he managed a smile. Jacob: At least we still got the will to fight. Jacob was walking over to the medical station when he saw the lead medic, the same one who grabbed MacLaren a few hours ago. Jacob: Medic! The medic looked over from his work and saw Jacob. Jacob: You picked up a pilot a few hours ago, CPO MacLaren, what's her status? The medic nodded. Medic: As far as I know, sir. She's on the Vigorous Inferno with Doctor Murphy. She had minor cuts and bruises, but her leg was the worst part. I did what I could, applied stitching and all that, and she seemed good. From what I can say, she should be up within a few hours. Jacob nodded, he was very relieved. Jacob: Thanks Doc, that'll be all. The medic nodded and returned to his work as Jacob walked away. He was thankful MacLaren was safe and sound, especially after his little stunt. Jacob shook his head, trying to get past all of that. He already witnessed the death of an entire city, something that still plagued his mind, and he continued to witness the deaths of countless civilians and marines, alike. It was something he had never gotten used to. No matter who he saved, no matter how many, there would always be the ones he couldn't. The two marines, what seemed like weeks ago. Nicholas Vistan, Albert Jameson. Dozens of others who followed him into that fight who were forever lost to the Covenant. Jacob inhaled slowly, he thought about all the civilians lost out there. There was nothing he could do, but just fight. And no matter how hard he could fight, there would always be the ones he could never save. It was never about the numbers he saved, it was always about the numbers he couldn't saved. The ones who had no hope. That's why he fought, that's what he told himself every day. To fight for the fallen, to fight for his family, to fight so one day he would be able to join the fallen himself. To finally see the end of war. Until then, all Jacob had was the will to fight, and the everlasting hatred for the Covenant. This kind of war was the only kind he knew and he couldn't imagine a world unlike this one. One day, he hoped he would see it. Either on the verge of his final defeat, or on the verge of his final victory. Then again, aren't they one in the same?