As the Spartan's truck drove through the forest, Mark looked out the rear of the truck and swore loudly.

"We've got Prometheans!" he yelled, firing his Assault Rifle at the pursuing Tarantulas. The large Promethean units fired back, scoring a few hits on the Spartan's shields.

"I can't handle them alone!" Mark yelled.

"Hang tight!" Chris said. "David, Ken, get on it!"

As the other Spartans resumed fire on the Prometheans, the Phaeton flew over the Tarantulas and opened fire, striking the truck.

"Fuck! Phaeton!" Grant yelled, taking shots at the Phaeton's engine with his Sniper Rifle.

"Zag! Can't you fabricate a heavy weapon?" Chris yelled.

"Negative!" Zag replied. "There is too much interference in the network!"

"Damn! We'll have to outrun them!" Evan yelled, firing his shotgun.

"Hang on! I'm flooring it!" Chris yelled, as he gunned the engine. The truck surged forward, the engine groaning in protest. As the pursuing Prometheans kept firing, scoring hits on the truck, Chris swore.

"We can't evac while that Phaeton's in the air! Take it out!"

"We're trying!" Mark replied, shooting at the Phaeton. "That thing's got tough armor!"

"Get ready!" Chris yelled. "Evac zone incoming!"

As the truck drove into the clearing, the Pelican awaited them. The Pelican's door opened revealing Jorge, who was armed with a Spartan Laser.

"Get onboard, NOW!" bellowed the colossal Spartan. As the Spartans disembarked from the truck and rushed aboard, the students scrambled after them. Jorge confirmed everyone was aboard and safe before calling to the pilot.

"Get us in the air, NOW!" Jorge yelled. The Pelican took off, with hard light bolts swarming around it. The Phaeton pursued, shooting a volley of rounds at the escaping Pelican.

"Jorge!" Six yelled.

"On it!" Jorge yelled. Aiming the Spartan Laser at the Phaeton, he smiled underneath his helmet.

"Goodbye, motherfucker." Jorge said as he fired. The beam from the Laser struck the Phaeton in the engine, sending it crashing down to earth.Jorge stowed the Laser on a weapon rack before sitting down.

"Infinity control, this is Fireteam Crimson. We have five survivors. We're heading home."

"Confirmed, Crimson." Palmer replied. "We've got bad news. The Griffons are throwing one last offensive at us. Drop off the kids at the Infinity, then proceed to the frontline."

"Got it, ma'am." Chris said. As the pilot adjusted course, Chris sat down and sighed. Looking over at the surviving students, who were sitting in silence, each looking at a Spartan. Chris slowly took off his helmet, followed by Grant, Evan, David, Ken, Six, Jorge, and Mark. Zag nodded and took a position near the rear of the Pelican. The students looked at the humans in awe and nervousness.

"How old are all of you?" Nightingale said.

Six looked at Chris, who shrugged.

"That's classified." Six replied.

The students nodded and sat in silence. Nightingale looked out the rear window of the Pelican at the burning, desolated academy. The light from the fires illuminated the sky, as if it was a vigil for the dead. Nightingale looked over at Zag, who turned to him and held something out. Nightingale took it and gasped. It was a charred piece of glass, the edge completely smooth and cool to the touch.

"Keep it." Zag said. "I believe it is...fitting."

Nightingale, lost for words, nodded and placed the stone in his pocket. The Pelican soared through the sky, the sun rising on the new day.

================================

As the Pelican set down in the Infinity's flight deck, the survivors of the attack looked around in shock.

"You're the survivors, right?" Twilight asked, walking forward. The five of them nodded and hastily bowed.

"Oh, stop it. I hate formalities." Twilight said, slightly embarrassed. "Chris, are they...the only ones?"

"Yes." Chris said. "There were no other survivors."

"Alright." Twilight said. As she escorted the colts away, Lasky walked up.

"Spartans, I hate to send you out so soon, but we've got a problem at the frontline. Blue and Osiris have radioed for reinforcements. Seems the Prometheans have launched a full-scale assault. Osiris and Blue are requesting reinforcements."

"We're on it." Chris said as the fireteam boarded the Pelican.

Author's Note

Update!