-=Author's note=-
So do you guys recall when I said during my last update on Out of Republic Reach that I said I was going to change the formatting of my story telling to have a smooth transition? Yeah, same applies here. Hope you guys enjoy.

Ruby: "So this Carlos Sanchez guy was a big threat?"

Nightmare: "Yeah, he was. We had just caught the guy and we're being prepared to leave with him and that's when we got the call... the Covenant had found Reach."

-=July 24th, 2552, 13:00 hours=-

Nightmare: "Sounds like your past come back to haunt you huh?"

Carlos: "I don't have anything to say to you."

Hardcase: "Thank God, I'm sick of hearing your excuses."

They arrived to their pelican with their prisoner in cuffs.

Pilot: "Sir we just got this, it wasn't for us but we managed to intercept it."

He played the message and at first it was static but it cleared up in about a second.

Holland: "I'm barely getting you, what's your situation, over?"

UNKNOWN: "Colonel this is Noble 1, there are no rebels, the Covenant are on Reach, acknowledge?"

Holland: "Come again Noble 1, did you say Covenant?"

UNKNOWN: "Affirmative, it's the Winter Contingency."

Holland: "May God help us all."

The entire group was in shock, even Sanchez. They all stared at eachother for a few seconds before speaking up.

Shadow: "Was that Commander Carter of Noble team?"

Hardcase: "And did he just say what I think he just said?"

Nightmare: "Winter Contingency... we have to get back to Reach."

Sanchez just sat down on the seat and laughed like a mad man.

Nightmare: "What's so funny?"

Carlos: "Don't you see? The Covenant are going to give us the freedom we so greatly deserve. Death."

Nightmare: "Do you ever shut up? Anything from the Savannah?"

Pilot: "Yes sir, they're prepped and ready to depart for Reach."

Nightmare: "Good, everyone get strapped in, we're leaving."

Hardcase and Shadow did what they were ordered and got in their seats and lowered the harnesses to keep them secure. The pelican made for oribt and went to the U.N.S.C Savannah. As soon as they docked the ship made a jump to Slip space and soon arrived at Reach. The Covenant fleet was already there and took some of Reach's orbit.

Nightmare: "They already seem hard at work."

Shadow: "Any word from Holland?"

Nightmare: "Nada. Let's get to Sword base, Dr. Halsey wants this guy alive."

Harcase: "I wouldn't mind putting a couple of rounds in the back of this guy's skull."

Just as he said that he put a pistol to his head and Sanchez shook in fear. Nightmare had to rip the pistol out of his hand.

Nightmare: "What part of alive don't you understand?"

Hardcase: "The very definition of alive."

Shadow: "Wow, you'll never change."

Pilot: "Sir, I just got news that Sword base has been cleared out completely. We've been ordered to depart immediately."

Nightmare: "Wouldn't want to keep Doctor Halsey waiting, otherwise the dragon comes out."

They arrived at Sword base and saw the bodies of both Marines and Covenant. When they made it to Doctor Halsey's quarters, she was already talking to Noble team. They were halfway through the conversation.

Carter: "If he was a civilian male in his mid 60's, he died with a Covenant energy sword through his abdomen."

Halsey: "Elites then."

Jorge: "They engaged us as well, it was just uhh, just after we found your scientists daughter, ma'am, she was hiding in the-"

Halsey: "Irrelevant, the elites, tell me more about them."

Jorge: "Three, Zealot class, one got by us, the leader from the looks of him."

Halsey: "Zealots, you're certain?"

Jorge: "Armor configuration matched."

Six: "Shield strength too."

Carter: "I gave the order not to pursue, our primary objective was to get the stations relay back online."

Halsey: "Your primary objective? Commander, are you a puppet or a Spartan?"

Nightmare: "Umm, apologies for the interruption, ma'am, but we have we have your prisoner."

Halsey: "Thank you Zeta team, if you would give us a moment."

Emile, Noble 4 with the skull carved on his helmet had a small conversation to start.

Emile: "So this is the infamous Colonel Sanchez."

Nightmare: "Yep, this is him."

Emile: "If I'm being honest I don't think this will matter much now."

Nightmare: "You have your orders, I have mine."

Emile: "Right. Well my teams clearing out, good luck."

Noble team cleared out of the room and Hardcase pushed the prisoner foward.

Nightmare: "Looks like they had fun, shame we missed all the action."

Halsey: "I'll never understand how you can simplify this into some kind of game, Sean. Anyway, Colonel Holland informed me of your return and for that, I'll be delivering Colonel Sanchez to him. Anything else to report."

Nightmare, Hardcase and Shadow: "No ma'am."

Halsey: "Good. Zeta team you are dismissed."

The team cleared the room and made their way back to the Spartan acedemy where they were trained. They needed to see if it was attacked yet and needed boots on the ground to repel them.

-=Author's note=-

Nightmare: "It is about damn time you updated this story."

David: "I agree, I could've wrote my will by the time it took you."

Carol: "Or I could've killed David."

David: "Hey!"

Me: "Oh lord, I'm never gonna hear the end of this... anyway yes, they're right, it's been too long and I apologize."

Nightmare: "You should be, you've been too focused on writing a story of already existing characters, and the fact that you're using Jedi means that you have an obsession with Star Wars."

Me: "Jesus will you ever stop bitching at me because of this?"

Nightmare: "You based me off yourself mostly, minus the bitching part."

Me: "... thanks Nightmare. This chapter is a little short, I know, but hope you guys enjoy this so far. I'll be seeing you later."

Nightmare: "Also subscribe to my youtube channel at Nightmare Gaming!"

Me: "You don't have a damn youtube channel!"

~Chelchis