EDEN ORBIT - ODST PHOENIX SPACE STATION
APRIL 29TH 2558 05:25AM
ODST: Samuel Cross

The squad thought it would be funny if I was rudely awakened by a safe grenade against my helmet leaving me with an ear popping bang and a heavy thud. After the ringing in my ears subsided I could hear one familiar voice above the din of all my other squad members.
It was James Glendale. The cocky, loud, stubborn and most ignorant member of our task force, yet still a good friend.
"Morning sunshine, boss wants to talk so huddle up."
I just gave him a death glare, I am not one to be woken up so gently. I stood up slowly just to make him understand that I will do what I want and how I want. As I was approaching the table which the Captain and our squad leader KC stood behind, I heard my name being spoken. "Wait what about me captain?" I queried. My voice sounded excited, I never get specifically mentioned.
KC looked up at me, her voice sounded worried but she had a very strong poker face on.
"You, James, George and Vexis will be dropping in from the beach side of the Cortexia satellite facility, while the rest of us drop in from the hillside and Forrest area of the facility. We'll rally on the inside."

James's curiosity had got him again so he had to ask, "But KC why are we doing an all rounder instead of the normal hailstorm? Is there something big about this or is it just your idea of tactical movement?"
KC tried to hide her fear again but I could see right through it. I saw it all. She knew some of us wouldn't be coming home after this.
"James there is something big about this, the covenant have attacked and a most of the security units are either dead or wounded. It's our job for today to approach them from all sides and give them a little surprise welcoming party.
Now the scientists are working on top secret weaponry at the facility so we're going to help them out."
I could see that James was scared of this operation but he spoke with anger, he had always hated the covenant but never told us why. Whatever it was it must've left a deep scar, "So what we're going to be a stupid suicide squad just to save some fucking scientists from the covenant? I thought that's the useless Spartans job!" He shouted in his rage.
I snapped at him and took the opportunity to punch his blond haired and blue eyed face while his helmet was off. I'd knocked him to the floor and before I spoke. "FUCK you James, may I remind you my brother is a spartan and he'd kick your sorry ass anytime!"
KC seemed pissed at me for doing what I did but spoke calmly, "boys we should save that fire for the fight up ahead, but to answer you James the Spartans have their hands pretty full at the moment. The flood have crashed on Eden, the covenant have also found a forerunner artifact on our planet and I'm not really one for details but all hell is breaking loose."
At that moment I got scared. Petrified I stopped and stared off into nothingness just thinking, wondering if Michael is safe. After all he's the only family I have left.

Vexis shook his head and readied his sniper rifle. "So when is it raining boss?"
The captain looked towards Vexis and spoke sternly, "you will all be jumping at 09:40 so gear up, fill your stomachs and do what ever else it is that needs to be done by then. Good luck squad and may you all die an honourable death." After those words he turned around and walked out to his quarters. The rest of us stood there stunned for about a minute or two. I was much more worried about Michaels life than my own. James looked at me and I could see the fear in his eyes. Lucky that no one could see what emotion was stamped on my face, but I'll just say if you could've seen you would call me a wuss.
James tapped me and whispered to me, "hey bud sorry about earlier I totally deserved it, you got a strong arm though keep it in good use." He smiled and rapped me on my shoulder before walking off
I slowly followed, it was time to eat and I needed it. But just as I was about to leave the briefing room KC called me back. She was standing there, alone. Well what else would you expect from a solo operative or as the boys call them, lone wolves. I walked over slowly, truth be told I was kind of scared. At this moment my thought was mainly, "why the hell is KC wanting to talk to me?"

Her voice spiked into my ears
"Samuel just make it look like your in a hurry please, I need to prepare to drop as well you know." I started jogging slowly towards her and I asked with a slight bit of hesitation in my tone, "yea KC what do you need?"
She leaned against the table and looked at me with worry in her eyes. "Look Samuel, there's something really crazy and important I need to tell you," Is what she said, not once breaking eye contact with me. The pause afterwards was too much for me to take I just couldn't take it it went quite for too long "Look KC you said you can't take your time so get on with it," I snapped. Her eyes shot open as if she was surprised that I had stood up against her.
She then narrowed her eyes and I could tell she wasn't impressed with me anymore. Her tone was serious, a lot more serious than usual, "you are leading your ground squad Samuel, from where you drop to the facility and even there you're still in charge of them, just don't screw this up." With that she stood up and left. I stood there for the next couple of minutes trying yo process what had just happened before I headed off to the cafeteria for some breakfast. It was the usual order for me; a set of three freshly baked slices of bread, a of a lot of bacon, and fries with a side of coffee, black and sweet, just the way I like it is the way to go,mostly because the stations milk tastes disgusting.

At 09:00 I just had to do something that was closed to the drop pods but there was nothing except; sleep, clean my gun, inspect my gear, pick a fight with James or go try and talk to Vexis. But I'd already done all of that about three times each. I had nothing to do and time was my enemy. Just as I was on the verge of falling asleep again KC storms the room and rushes everyone to the pods, she sounded scared and angry.
"Move it boys, to the pods! GO!"
I ran to my pod as quickly as I could but in front of my pod James grabbed my shoulder and spoke softly, "hey Sam, don't go dying on me okay, KC knows we're not going to make it so good luck and hopefully I'll see you on the ground."
I swear the man was going to cry out of fear but he activated his visor and entered his pod.
KC got in hers and sooner than what I expected we were dropped. KC spoke over the Coms, "okay listen up boys Samuel is going to lead beach head, Yokè will lead Forrest fire and I will lead the hillside squad. Good luck, you're going to need it." After those words we entered orbit and the communication cut off. Within a minute or two we had landed.