Chapter 11-Steel Shard Academy, Part II

One hour before rescue

As three Pelicans landed on the Infinity, Chris, Chief, Locke, and their fireteams were greeted by Lasky and Twilight.

"Spartans, sorry to get you out there again so soon. A storm's coming in.'

"Nothing we can't handle." Chris said.

"Captain!" a Marine yelled. "Roland says he needs you in the control room!"

"Right." Lasky said. As the group headed to the bridge, Ramos gave an artificial sigh.

"What's going on?" Chris asked the AI.

"I've just got a bad feeling about this." he said.

"We'll be fine." Chris said as they entered the bridge. Roland motioned them over to the table, and he sighed.

"We've got a problem. A massive amount of Prometheans just warped in."

"Where?" Lasky asked.

"Nowhere near the combat zone. It's right here." Lasky said, pulling up a map. Twilight immediately paled upon seeing the display.

"What's wrong?" Mark asked.

"That's Steel Shard Academy." she said.

"That military school you told us about?" Chris asked.

"Yes. If the Prometheans are warping there…" Twilight said. "The 2500 students there would get slaughtered. The greatest amount of arms on campus is the sidearms the security staff use."

"Um...not to interrupt, but we're receiving reports that the Griffons are on the flank." Roland said.

"We can't be at two places at once." Chris said.

"Right. Chief, Locke, take your fireteams and head to the combat zone. Crimson, get to this academy and secure it." Lasky said. "Go!"

As the Spartan fireteams rushed out, Twilight looked out the bridge window at the raging storm outside. She grimaced and turned back to the table.

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As the Pelican bearing Fireteam Crimson soared through the skies, Chris and the fireteam were checking their weapons. Chris stood up and pulled down the data display from its rooftop mount.

"We're heading in fast and hard." Chris said. "There's most likely going to be civilians, so watch your fire and check your six."

"Spartans!" the pilot yelled. "The storm's too strong! I'll get you as close as we can, but we'll have to extract at the forest near the academy! Anywhere else is suicide!"

"Got it." Chris said.

"Academy in three!" The pilot replied. As the Spartans jumped into the ruins, the Pelican circled around and headed towards a forest grove. Chris and the fireteam activated the flashlights in their helmets, and Zag activated his Promethean vision. As they walked towards the main gate, Chris reached under the destroyed portcullis and lifted, allowing his team to pass under.

"This place took a beating." Grant said, eyeing the destroyed buildings and the bodies strewn about.

"Damn right." Mark said.

"Focus, team." Chris said. "Ramos, can you scan for survivors?"

"Trying to…wait, intercepting a transmission!" Ramos said.

"Mayday, mayday, this is Cadet Nightingale, broadcasting. Steel Shard Academy has been attacked, I repeat, there has been an attack on Steel Shard Academy. Unknown forces massacring survivors. Excessive casualties, I repeat, excessive casualties! HELP US!" the voice yelled over the comms.

"Ramos, trace it!" Chris yelled. "Double time!"

"Like I said, I'm on it. Found it. Not too far away! Hurry, I'm reading Prometheans near you!" Ramos replied. As a marker appeared on the Spartan's HUD, the Spartans ran. As they neared the signal's origin, they stopped. A Knight was blocking their path. Mark walked up behind it and assassinated it, while the Spartans looked into the transmitter room. Chris growled at the sight of two Soldiers pointing Suppressors at five survivors, all children. Mark motioned to Noble Six, and they rushed the two Soldiers. Chris planted his knife in the skull of one, while Six pinned the other with his knee and shot a full magazine of his Magnum into the Promethean's face. As the two spartans looked down at the five survivors, Chris sighed.

"We got your message. Let's go, we don't have much time." he said. The children nodded in shock.

"Ramos, inform Captain Lasky I have five survivors. We'll rendezvous at the forest for extraction, Crimson out."

"How'd you find us?" A cream-colored filly asked.

"We got your message." Chris replied.

"Why'd you come for us?" a midnight blue colt said.

"You're the only known survivors." Six replied.

"In this campus?" The colt asked.

"In the school." Chris said. The children sighed in sorrow at this.

"We don't have much time to make it to the forest grove. Stay close and keep your head down." Chris said. As the two Spartans walked out, Mark walked over and saluted.

"The storm's getting worse. The Pelican's located at a small orchard in the forest, but it's too far to walk it. We need transport."

"The garage isn't too far from here." the colt said. "There should be a cargo truck there that they use for deliveries."

"Good. That's where we are headed." Chris said. As the Spartans circled up around the five of them, they walked out into the pouring rain.

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As the Spartans arrived at the garage, Chris took the driver's seat, while the Spartans and survivors piled into the back.

"Get ready." Chris said. "You five okay?"

"Yeah!" the colt said. "Just get us out of here!"

"On it." Chris said, gunning the engine. As the truck roared to life and started to drive, Chris floored the accelerator. Surging out of the garage, the sudden noise attracted the attention of several Crawlers and Soldiers, who started firing at the truck. The Spartans fired back, while the survivors cried and kept their heads down as Hard light bolts ripped through the truck's chassis.

"We're heading through the gate, brace yourselves!" Chris said. Zag and the rest of the group grabbed hold as the truck smashed through the portcullis and drove into the forest. A Knight Battlewagon looked on.

"After them!" he roared, and several Tarantulas and a Phaeton began the chase.