Filter
Top Products
202
HALO: FIRST STRIKE
Dr. Halsey stuffed the alien crystal into her lab coat pocket
and knelt next to Kelly. She checked her vitals on the data pad
and shook her head. She looked at John, her expression grim.
"She's alive ... barely. She needs help."
"Let's not be rude," Admiral Whitcomb barked. "Welcome
our guests, Master Chief!"
"Perimeter fire," the Master Chief ordered. "Keep it tight.
Dispersion pattern Delta. Go!"
The Spartans simultaneously stepped into a semicircle, as-
sault rifles pointed outward. In unison they thumbed their weap-
ons' safeties and opened fire. Right behind them Locklear,
Johnson, Haverson, and the Admiral took up position inside the
circle. They primed and threw grenades.
John paused and turned his attention to Kelly. He hauled her
limp body off the floor and draped her over his shoulder.
The Covenant forces hit the ground and edged closer, but they
didn't return fire. Dozens of Elites dropped as armor-piercing
rounds peppered their armor and frag grenades detonated with
thunderous force. The Jackals who followed their masters on the
ropes landed in the middle of the carnage, maneuvered in front
of the Elites, and overlapped energy shields. It was typical Elite
bravado—they had to be the first into the battle ... even if that
meant they'd die for that honor.
The Chief had no problem satisfying their honor. He slapped a
fresh clip into his rifle and continued firing.
Jackals and Elites cautiously advanced on the firing Spartans.
A second line of Jackals angled their personal energy shields
over their heads to prevent any grenades from being tossed into
their midst.
Polaski's dropship descended from the hole in the ceiling,
spun about, and eased to a stop a meter above the cracked
blue-tiled floor. Both side hatches of the craft hissed open.
John handed Kelly to Fred as he leapt on board; he helped Dr.
Halsey and the Admiral inside next. Locklear and the other
Spartans jumped into the second hatch. Sergeant Johnson and
the Master Chief were last to board—just as their feet touched
the ramp and they grabbed on to the rungs, Polaski accelerated
off the deck.
The Master Chief watched the Covenant as the dropship