Aces and Eights; Dead Man's Hand
Six years ago--maybe more, for all he remembers-- Anthony Michael Reynolds wouldn't have believed he could do half of what he'd done in that time, let alone lately. Setting his PINpoint, hoping to anyone who might be willing to listen to one lone soldier, Reynolds attempted to make for his own 'verse where he hoped Ace of Swords company would still be. At the very least he hoped to run into his squad.
The terrain was rougher than he remembered, pock marked with bullet holes and scorched from the Covenant's very own plasma weapons. There'd definitely been a fight; Reynolds hoped the bright splatters of colorful dried blood meant the Aces had won. When nothing appeared immediately on his HUD Reynolds pressed forward warily. He was still out of ammo and someone had taken the time to police weapons and anything else that could have proved useful, though he still couldn't be sure if friend or foe had been the one to do so. Reynolds didn't like being out of ammo, more so back on the battleground than he had in the Nexus.
He sighed tightly to himself and pressed his back to an outcropping of rocks, closing his eyes a moment to think. Where would Aces Alpha be right now? After the firefight, if he'd of been Mal or any of the other squad leaders, he'd want to find higher ground that could be easily fortified. With a vague nod to himself Reynolds had a look around for any likely examples where a base could be set up. They'd been running silent before so, until he saw signs of his company he'd follow those previous orders which meant he couldn't switch to Alpha squad's frequency and 'ask for directions'.
In his armor Reynolds made short work of the hills, heading onward and upward in hopes of finding his impromptu family. On his way he found more bodies both UNSC officers and the mangled bodies of Elites and Jackels. Reynolds didn't like any of it, fingers clenching around his rifle.
Atop a cliff, facing a number of rocks and a smattering of trees Reynolds suddenly registered movement ahead of him. Were he not in battle he might of cursed--as it was he just thought the litany of curses, wisely keeping his mouth shut and not revealing his position. From the fallen marines he'd managed to pick up a few clips worth of ammo; he hoped it would be enough as he moved methodically forward.
He was greeted by an Elite and three grunts with needlers. Knowing the crystals would cause more trouble, he went to disable the Grunts first, pushing his position backwards so as to keep distance between himself and the blue clad enemy. The Grunts shrieked but could do nothing but die once Reynolds was through with them, the Elite roaring and firing precise plasma shots in Reynolds' direction. He dived for the ground and rolled to his feet only to continue firing.
"Shit!" He cursed when he needed to reload, the Elite heading quickly his way with those damn shields still intact. Reynolds moved to meet the alien head on, ready to beat him with the butt of his weapon--but the chance never came. The creature gave an anguished cry and it's finger gripped the trigger in death, firing a few shots directly at Reynolds. He thanked God and Maynard for his armor in those scant few seconds, looking around for what had taken down the thing.
He only had a moment to register the handshake protocol begging for his attention on his HUD before weight suddenly slammed into him from atop and behind him, the clang of metal on metal setting his teeth together as he tumbled. The warning tones that indicated his shield was low shrilled loudly. He was disoriented until he heard a familiar voice--"Idiot!" He assumed by the way his teammate was acting the area was
secure and actually laughed, grinning like a fool despite himself.
He could hear his own laughter echoed from above, another green Spartan standing there watching them but watching the surroundings wearily as well. Reynolds assumed it was Drew by the set of his shoulders and shook his head a bit. He'd found them.
Vita was still atop him when she smacked his helmet, jarring his head inside of it with another chiding, "Idiot!" before she relented and gave him a very brief awkward embrace.
"Happy to see you too."
The female Spartan snorted and climbed off her teammate, sniper rifle at the ready again on the double. Drew jumped from his perch above them to offer Reynolds a hand up. The noncom gratefully accepted with a quiet thanks. "Where's everyone else?"
Vita motioned with her weapon back in the direction Reynolds had been heading. "Covenant troops have been trying to patrol the outskirts of our base--looking for a way in." She snorted again. "Alpha's been on mop up duty on this side. I think the real question is where the hell have you been?"
"...You were KIA. Everyone saw you get vaporized. Not that anyone's complaining. We could still use you and I'd rather be up by one than have to scrounge the rest of the ranks for a sixth." Drew shook his head very slightly. "They put you on the MIAs..."
"Might even be enough to get a rise out of Mal, heh heh. Getting you back from the dead and all," Vita interrupted.
Reynolds had no explanation for them. "...Spartans never die. Now shut up and point me to some ammo. I'm practically out and if you're expecting more Covenant troops I'd like to be ready."
Vita handed over four clips, one of which Reynolds immediately slammed home. "That's all I've got to spare right now. Make 'em count."
The terrain was rougher than he remembered, pock marked with bullet holes and scorched from the Covenant's very own plasma weapons. There'd definitely been a fight; Reynolds hoped the bright splatters of colorful dried blood meant the Aces had won. When nothing appeared immediately on his HUD Reynolds pressed forward warily. He was still out of ammo and someone had taken the time to police weapons and anything else that could have proved useful, though he still couldn't be sure if friend or foe had been the one to do so. Reynolds didn't like being out of ammo, more so back on the battleground than he had in the Nexus.
He sighed tightly to himself and pressed his back to an outcropping of rocks, closing his eyes a moment to think. Where would Aces Alpha be right now? After the firefight, if he'd of been Mal or any of the other squad leaders, he'd want to find higher ground that could be easily fortified. With a vague nod to himself Reynolds had a look around for any likely examples where a base could be set up. They'd been running silent before so, until he saw signs of his company he'd follow those previous orders which meant he couldn't switch to Alpha squad's frequency and 'ask for directions'.
In his armor Reynolds made short work of the hills, heading onward and upward in hopes of finding his impromptu family. On his way he found more bodies both UNSC officers and the mangled bodies of Elites and Jackels. Reynolds didn't like any of it, fingers clenching around his rifle.
Atop a cliff, facing a number of rocks and a smattering of trees Reynolds suddenly registered movement ahead of him. Were he not in battle he might of cursed--as it was he just thought the litany of curses, wisely keeping his mouth shut and not revealing his position. From the fallen marines he'd managed to pick up a few clips worth of ammo; he hoped it would be enough as he moved methodically forward.
He was greeted by an Elite and three grunts with needlers. Knowing the crystals would cause more trouble, he went to disable the Grunts first, pushing his position backwards so as to keep distance between himself and the blue clad enemy. The Grunts shrieked but could do nothing but die once Reynolds was through with them, the Elite roaring and firing precise plasma shots in Reynolds' direction. He dived for the ground and rolled to his feet only to continue firing.
"Shit!" He cursed when he needed to reload, the Elite heading quickly his way with those damn shields still intact. Reynolds moved to meet the alien head on, ready to beat him with the butt of his weapon--but the chance never came. The creature gave an anguished cry and it's finger gripped the trigger in death, firing a few shots directly at Reynolds. He thanked God and Maynard for his armor in those scant few seconds, looking around for what had taken down the thing.
He only had a moment to register the handshake protocol begging for his attention on his HUD before weight suddenly slammed into him from atop and behind him, the clang of metal on metal setting his teeth together as he tumbled. The warning tones that indicated his shield was low shrilled loudly. He was disoriented until he heard a familiar voice--"Idiot!" He assumed by the way his teammate was acting the area was
secure and actually laughed, grinning like a fool despite himself.
He could hear his own laughter echoed from above, another green Spartan standing there watching them but watching the surroundings wearily as well. Reynolds assumed it was Drew by the set of his shoulders and shook his head a bit. He'd found them.
Vita was still atop him when she smacked his helmet, jarring his head inside of it with another chiding, "Idiot!" before she relented and gave him a very brief awkward embrace.
"Happy to see you too."
The female Spartan snorted and climbed off her teammate, sniper rifle at the ready again on the double. Drew jumped from his perch above them to offer Reynolds a hand up. The noncom gratefully accepted with a quiet thanks. "Where's everyone else?"
Vita motioned with her weapon back in the direction Reynolds had been heading. "Covenant troops have been trying to patrol the outskirts of our base--looking for a way in." She snorted again. "Alpha's been on mop up duty on this side. I think the real question is where the hell have you been?"
"...You were KIA. Everyone saw you get vaporized. Not that anyone's complaining. We could still use you and I'd rather be up by one than have to scrounge the rest of the ranks for a sixth." Drew shook his head very slightly. "They put you on the MIAs..."
"Might even be enough to get a rise out of Mal, heh heh. Getting you back from the dead and all," Vita interrupted.
Reynolds had no explanation for them. "...Spartans never die. Now shut up and point me to some ammo. I'm practically out and if you're expecting more Covenant troops I'd like to be ready."
Vita handed over four clips, one of which Reynolds immediately slammed home. "That's all I've got to spare right now. Make 'em count."