GROTESQUE, EDEN SOLAR SYSTEM, UNSC REDEEMER
APRIL 28TH 2558 23:09
SPARTAN: 147 Michael Cross

It was eight hours before we could reach the distress signal from Eden, it came from a city called Krio. The military forces stationed there sent out word that they needed help, but and amazingly enough, Cortexia is only a few miles away. This meant that if things were to go extremely bad the ODST's would have to join in on the fight. Yet again as Conner had said 'he might even not be alive when that time comes.'

I sighed as I let go of the railings I was holding on to and started walking back to the REDEEMER. Just as I took my first step an explosion against the main hull of the docking bay rocked the ship, damaging the shielding system. Luckily, it wasn't a strong enough blast to destroy it and I scanned out into space to see what had hit the station; a covenant cruiser was speeding off towards us the distance on the horizon.
Zero Michael dispatched from the bay all the air having been sucked out, I had to grab onto the railing system yet again to not be pulled out into the abyss. Once the ship started moving forward into the atmosphere of Eden, I took one final look at what might be the last time I see the grand sight of an old friend. Suddenly, I was yanked back by my captain and my eyes flung open, wide with surpise.
"Come on son this place is about to blow, we have to get out of here NOW!" he yelled. I nodded in response not having anything to say and started running across the bridge towards the Redeemer.
I could hear the screams of pain and cries for help behind me and it killed me to know I couldn't do anything to help, about it. The station was under heavy fire and the defensive turrets weren't cutting it. As I ran I could hear the sound of energy swords activating, that was it. The covenant had the station, it belonged to them now.
We reached the metallic fort just in time when a pack of jackals swarmed us, luckily we were in and the doors shut tight. Our ships over shield started soaking up the damage dealt to us, the engines thrusters opened up and blasted us towards the planet with maximum power. That was the fastest I have ever seen the Redeemer go.

Luckily, we weren't followed and I got a few hours of sleep without disturbance. When I did awake though I heard the captain of the ship talking to the Zero Michigan, it had been shot by a covenant battle cruiser. I asked for the area in which its going down, thankfully it was around the Krio research facility.
My hopes shot up that Sam or an ODST would go and rescue them. I can't loose my best friend, not in such a dishonorable way. I didn't see any possible thing I could do, at the moment I felt useless which is actually a little funny. A great and powerful spartan turned into a scared and insecure wimp, people matter to me even though I don't always show it, they still do. I slowly made my way to one of the communication operators and asked if I could use the radio. She looked at me and spoke gently, "Mike you know that isn't really allowed and that only com personnel may use it. But since you saved me a few times before I guess I have to repay the favor. What channel is it that you want?"
I was stuck between one of two choices; I could either speak to my little brother or my best friend. My decision was immediate, "punch me through straight to spartan 408 Conner Stollens com radio." She gave me a quick nod and soon after I could hear my earpiece scramble up then clear out. Conner spoke out in a distressed tone, "hello? Can anyone copy?" I replied swiftly, "Conner, its Mike from the Redeemer what's going on down there?" His tone slowly became more settled, "Michael Cross? Well it's bad we've been shot down and the crew is injured, thankfully the shields took most of the damage and the covenant think we're all dead I haven't seen a single scouting banshee squadron yet." I sighed with huge relief and spoke with a smile on my face, " that's great I'm hoping the ODSTs will rescue you just if you see Samuel tell him his big brother misses him would ya?" After my sentence finished the signal got jammed and we lost coms with them, at least I knew he was safe.
I gave a thank you to the com operator and walked off towards my squad who was already getting geared up for battle.

Luther McCoy our tech wizard looked at me and gave me a half smile while patching his arms, he called me closer with his hand once he was done. I moved closer and he pulled out a gun that didn't look like standard UNSC gear. He whispered with a very energetic tone like a young kid who just got something they've been waiting for, "hey Mike check it out. It's that pistol that I've been telling you about. Has a scatter effect on its rounds, just like a shotgun but also an automatic fire system. it's ammo capacity is about 20 rounds in one clip and the best thing, I get see how she works in pure battle." He's enthusiasm was always a good thing but sometimes it got the best of him, I gave a smile and replied, " I see your hard work won't go to waste this time, keep it up okay." I left him and scanned throughout our squad, but Raider wasn't in sight, and I needed a quick briefing about what our mission is and what the tactics are going to be. That's when Jackson grabbed my shoulder and whispered into my ear, "hey Cross just imagine if your oh so important little brother died out there, and you can't do shit about it, huh? Actually the bigger and even better question is how would you even know about him right?" I turned around and grabbed him by the collar of his silver armor, "alright you fucking asshole listen here, I've had it with you and your snotty comments. Insult me again or say anything disrespectful about my brother EVER in your life again and I'll be sure to end it for you. GOT IT!"