บท 10: Helljumpers and Hard Decisions
The wreckage of the Covenant dig site was still settling behind us as we caught our breath. The ancient structure had crumbled into the earth, and while the immediate threat was gone, the weight of the mission still hung heavy in the air. This wasn't the end, not by a long shot.
Just as we regrouped, a new sound broke through the tension—a familiar, low hum. I turned, spotting a UNSC pelican descending toward our position, its silhouette framed against the now darkening sky. It didn't take long for me to recognize the distinct black armor of ODSTs filing out as soon as the hatch opened.
These weren't just any ODSTs.
Leading the charge was Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck, his presence immediately commanding attention. His team followed behind him—Alpha 9, the infamous squad that had survived some of the most brutal battles Earth had ever seen. Dutch, Romeo, and Mickey moved with practiced efficiency, their helmets gleaming under the faint light as they approached.
"Helljumpers, huh?" Yang muttered, giving them an approving glance. "This just got interesting."
Buck, his helmet clipped to his side, strode up to us with the confident swagger only a seasoned ODST could pull off. "Heard you could use some extra hands," he said, his voice smooth but edged with experience.
"We don't mind the company," I replied, stepping forward. "Name's Hawk—Jasper Spears. And you're Buck."
He gave a quick nod. "You got it. Alpha 9 reporting for duty. We've been reassigned to help with these Covenant operations. Looks like you stirred up one hell of a hornet's nest."
"We've got plenty more where that came from," Ruby chimed in, offering Buck a grin.
Buck returned the grin, but there was a seriousness in his eyes as he glanced past us, taking in the wreckage of the dig site. "You stopped whatever the hell the Covenant was digging for?"
"For now," I replied, holstering my shotgun. "But it's not over. The structure's down, but we don't know what else they might be planning. And the Covenant's not going to take this loss lightly."
"Yeah, they don't do 'lightly,'" Romeo muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
New Objective: Coordinate with Alpha 9 to Combat Covenant Forces.
Bishop's voice crackled over the comms, cutting through the tension. "Hawk, listen up. Covenant forces are regrouping at multiple sites across the region. Intel suggests they're preparing for another large-scale assault. We need all available teams to secure key locations before they make their next move."
Buck frowned, his jaw tightening. "Sounds like they're not wasting any time. What's the plan?"
"We'll divide into two teams," I said, already formulating the strategy in my head. "Team Alpha will focus on securing the Covenant's next target while Team Bravo moves to intercept their reinforcements."
"I'll take Alpha 9 and sweep their command center," Buck said, cracking his knuckles. "You sure you can handle intercepting those reinforcements?"
I nodded. "We've got this."
New Squad Assignment: Alpha 9 and Team RWBY.
We boarded the pelicans in two teams, Alpha 9 with Buck, Dutch, Romeo, and Mickey taking one bird, while Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and the rest of us loaded up into the second. The engines roared to life, and we lifted off, heading toward the Covenant's regrouping points.
As we flew, I couldn't help but glance over at Ruby, who was sitting quietly next to me, her usual spark dimmed by the weight of everything we'd just seen. The team had been through a lot in a short amount of time, and we all knew it wasn't going to get easier from here.
"Something on your mind?" I asked, breaking the silence.
Ruby looked up at me, her silver eyes catching the faint glow of the pelican's interior lights. "Just… thinking. That structure. The Covenant. They're after something big, and I feel like we're always one step behind."
"We'll catch up," I said, trying to sound confident. "We just need to stay ahead of their next move."
She nodded, but the uncertainty lingered in her eyes. "I hope so."
The Covenant regrouping point came into view soon after. The pelican dropped us off a few clicks from the location, the roar of its engines disappearing into the distance as it lifted back into the sky.
We moved quickly, our boots crunching over the rough terrain as we closed in on the Covenant encampment. The site was heavily fortified—plasma turrets and shield generators lined the perimeter, and squads of Elites patrolled the area. It was going to be a hell of a fight.
"Alpha 9's already on the move," Buck's voice crackled over the comms. "We're hitting them hard at their command post. You better take out those reinforcements before they swamp you."
"We're on it," I replied, signaling for the team to spread out.
Objective Update: Neutralize Covenant Reinforcements.
Ruby, Yang, and Nora took position on a nearby ridge, providing overwatch as the rest of us prepared to move in on the Covenant forces. The sky above was thick with the smoke of distant battles, and the air was tense with the promise of another firefight.
"Alright, Hawk," Yang said over the comms, her voice tight with anticipation. "Just give the word, and we'll light 'em up."
"Do it."
The first shots rang out, cutting through the air as Ruby's battle rifle fired off a precise burst, taking down an Elite before it could react. Yang followed up with a barrage of shotgun fire, her signature grin spreading wide as she charged into the fray.
I led the charge on the ground, my shotgun barking as I took out a squad of Grunts. Covenant forces scrambled, but we were already moving too fast. Pyrrha's rifle snapped off precise shots, cutting through enemy shields, while Weiss and Blake coordinated their movements, flanking the enemy and clearing a path forward.
New Skill Unlocked: Combined Assault
Description: Increases effectiveness when combining UNSC forces with allied squads in large-scale battles. Improves coordination and communication during combat.
"Keep pushing forward!" I shouted, firing off another round at an Elite.
The Covenant's numbers were thinning, but their reinforcements were still pouring in. The ground shook as a Covenant Wraith came into view, its massive plasma cannon charging up.
"Watch out!" Ruby yelled, diving behind cover as the Wraith's cannon fired, sending a burst of plasma crashing into the rocks.
"We've got to take that thing out," I muttered, reloading my shotgun. "Nora, you up for it?"
Nora grinned, already reaching for her grenades. "You know it!"
She charged forward, dodging enemy fire with reckless abandon as she closed in on the Wraith. With a single, well-placed throw, she lobbed a grenade into the open hatch of the tank.
"Boom, baby!" Nora shouted as the Wraith exploded in a brilliant flash of fire.
Objective Complete: Neutralize Covenant Reinforcements.
The last of the Covenant forces fell, and the battlefield fell silent. We regrouped, catching our breath as the dust settled.
"Alpha 9's cleared out the command center," Buck's voice came over the comms again. "Nice work taking out those reinforcements. Meet us at the extraction point, and we'll regroup for the next phase."
I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. It wasn't over yet, but we were making progress.
As we made our way to the extraction point, Ruby walked up beside me. "Thanks, Hawk," she said quietly, a small smile playing on her lips. "I feel like we're finally getting somewhere."
I gave her a nod. "One step at a time, Ruby. We'll get through this."
And with Alpha 9 fighting alongside us, I was starting to believe it.
Character Sheet:
Name: Jasper Spears
Callsign: Hawk
Occupation: Pilot, formerly of the Frontier (IMC)
Affiliation: UNSC (Temporary, allied with ODSTs)
Rank: N/A (Pilot)
Attributes:
Agility: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Tactics: 9/10
Marksmanship: 8/10
Leadership: 7/10
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