Chapter 8-Extraction

As the Spartans walked back towards the Blackbirds, Chris looked over at the colossal form of Jorge, who was walking alongside Six. Chris sighed and focused his thoughts.

"You okay, Chris?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. You?"

"Could be worse." She replied. "To be honest, being kidnapped and treated to dinner wasn't exactly on my itinerary."

"Amen to that." Grant said.

"Heads up, Spartans." Chris said. As they neared the landing zone, all of the Blackbirds were accounted for, as well as the spartans.

"We good?" Chris asked Locke, who nodded.

"Let's go…"

"Chris! We've got company!" Ramos yelled. "Griffon field guns are heading towards the border!"

"Fuck! This was a trap! They knew we would come get Twilight, drawing our attention away! Board up!" Chris yelled. As the Spartans rushed aboard, the sound of thundering guns could be heard in the distance.

"Pilot! DOUBLE-TIME!" Chris roared. The pilot nodded and the three Blackbirds cloaked and sped off towards the docked Infinity.

"Crimson, this is Lasky. The Griffons are launching a full scale invasion! We need you back here now!" Came Lasky's voice over the radio.

"We figured as much, Captain. We're on our way!"

"We've got Prometheans!" Evan yelled, shooting his DMR at two pursuing Phaetons.

"I'll handle it." Jorge said, drawing his Rocket launcher. As the Phaetons drew closer, Jorge fired a single shot. The rocket flew true, slamming into the Gunship at its weak point. The Phaeton exploded and spiraled out of control, slamming into the second. The two badly damaged Phaetons crashed to the earth. Chris looked over at Jorge, who was putting away his Rocket Launcher.

"Nice shot." Six said.

"Someone should take a picture. Just like Sword Base, eh?" Jorge said.

"Just like Sword Base." Six replied.

"We're almost there!" The pilot yelled. As the Spartans readied themselves, the sound of Griffon shells slamming into Canterlot's defensive walls resonated all around them. Setting the Pelicans down, the Spartans disembarked on the Infinity's flight deck. Lasky, Palmer, and Celestial greeted them.

"Good work, Crimson." Palmer said. "Jorge-052, is that correct?"

"Yeah. And who might you be?" Jorge asked.

"Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer. I command all the Spartans aboard the Infinity."

Jorge hastily saluted.

"Sorry about that, ma'am." He said.

"Not a problem. If you are wondering, Doctor Halsey is in the Science wing." Palmer replied.

"She's here?" Jorge asked.

"She is." Lasky replied.

"It seems my presence is needed, Captain."

Everyone turned to see Halsey walk up, accompanied by a squad of Marines.

"Ma'am? That you?" Jorge asked.

"Jorge? It's been too long." Halsey replied.

"It has. You know, dying and all that." Jorge said.

Halsey smiled.

"Good to have you back, Jorge."

"Um, if I may interrupt…" Roland said. 'We've got a major Griffon incursion towards the Everfree. The Equestrians need backup immediately."

"Get going!" Lasky said, and the Spartans headed off to battle once again.

Author's Note

It Lives!