The COM channel pinged and the soldier ran. Water splashed the dark purple MJOLNIR amour of Spartan Lieutenant K-096 as he sprinted through the stream. Large ripples formed in the wake of his mud encrusted boots, bounced onto the rocks and splattered the surrounding area with a fine spray. Panting slightly, he jumped the remaining 6 feet and landed squarely on the opposite bank – creating inch deep indents in the hard packed earth. Recovering swiftly, 096 started up the hill as a red dot appeared on the motion tracker of his HUD. Noting this, he tightened the grip on his gun, activated his mission timer and proceeded over the slope. A single white coloured Elite – an Ultra – was stationed there, guarding Gold Teams last remaining Warthog. Breathing deeply the Spartan set his targeting reticle over the aliens chest and opened fire. The regenerative force field flared white as bullets pounded into it. Growling in alarm, the Elite dived away and discharged several bolts of electric blue plasma back at the Lieutenant. Ducking to a semi crouch, he felt a surge of static as the missiles passed over his battle scared helmet and into the base of the opposite hill – scoring a black furrow in the dirt. He quickly rose to a different angle and resumed his attack. Squeezing the trigger he released a barrage of armour piercing rounds directly at the unfortunate creature. Projectiles ricocheted off the amour and the Elite buckled as the shield failed. The Spartan swung the MA37 assault rifle onto the magnetic clasps of his reverse plate and drew out his M6GB sidearm. Activating the scope, 096 zoomed in and placed one .50-caliber round directly between the aliens eyes. As if in slow-motion the creature stiffened and keeled over onto it's side – dead. The Lieutenant glanced at the clock – engagement time: 3.9 seconds. The soldier sidestepped the steady trickle of violet blood oozing from the hole in the warriors forehead, strode over the corpse and heaved himself into the Warthog. He turned the ignition key and pressed his foot to the accelerator as the engine rumbled to life. The all-terrain tires span for a second before catching in the groves of the cracked soil, they rotated and propelled the vehicle forward. 096 drove down the gradient, through the stream and onto the rudimentary dust track ahead.

Spartan Warrant Officer H-098 threw his last fragmentation grenade at the approaching Elite and watched the shrapnel bounce harmlessly off the pale blue armour. He was down to his last, half empty clip of ammunition and was without immediate backup. He pinged the COM channel – desperate for some assistance. Clicking off his guns  safety, he raised the rifle at the Elite, as if to deter it from firing the weapon. The WO steadily shuffled backwards, but the alien kept walking, showing no sign of fear – only a look of pure malice burned in his eyes. Careful not to take both his eyes off of the Elite, he quickly glance to the left to find that he was mere inches away from plummeting off the cliff edge. He stepped away from the precipice; narrowing the distance between the two foes. When he had covered at least 2 metres, the Spartan snarled and opened fire at the Covenant warrior. 16 rounds of armour piercing metal took milliseconds to hit the target. As the trigger clicked, 098 flung the rifle directly at the aliens face, knocking it backwards. But not before the creature had squeezed its firearm – sending a crackling green sphere of pure energy hurtling at the Spartans visor.

Elite Minor Ralu 'Rybenlu watched the feeble human fling one of their petty grenades at his feet, laughing as his shields deflected the explosion like it was a gentle breeze. Even though he despised the vermin, he did admire the humans determination to survive. 'Rybenlu reached for his plasma pistol sidearm – having lost the rifle while attempting to defend his kindred. The ape had massacred 4 of his brothers and was still trying to kill him – now was the time to honour their sacrifice. Slowly, he raised the gun so it lined up with the Demans face and advanced towards it. The Spartan started to back away towards the cliff – how foolish of him. As 'Rybenlu advanced, the human shouldered its inferior projectile based weapon. If he was lucky, the Elite could throw the ape of the cliff himself. Grinning at the thought, he watched as the alien glanced over its shoulder and begin to make his way forward towards his demise. Suddenly the human growled and release an onslaught of missiles into the energy shield, taking 'Rybenlu by surprise. Before he had time to recover, the now empty rifle was flung between his mandibles – draining his shields and severely stunning him. As he stumbled backwards, he lost concentration, his fingers twitched the firing stud and the sidearm unleashed a lime coloured bolt of plasma.