The Halo Effect IC

[Shade Leshyr]

Time moves on and stories in the grains of sand come and go. Often, we focus on the bigger parts while the smaller ones remain unnamed and yet it is often the smaller parts that make the biggest difference. For a part to become big, it must first be small. These are the stories... after Halo... after the destruction of the arc...
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"Ease her in Shade, easy." came the voice of Shade's flight CO as he angled his Hornet into the designated berth a little too quickly. He couldn't help it, he'd been cooped up on that damn pelican for way too long as they went through the new security precautions to discourage rebels from trying to break into the base. His hornet was like a second home, yes, but he was curious to see the planet he'd been assigned to. With the Marines and Navy watching out overhead, it was unlikely that they'd get jumped on any time soon without advanced notice. This was like a vacation in a way.

The hornet dock dinged as his aircraft locked in, allowing him to shut her down and open the hatch, jumping out eagerly. The husky brushed his flightsuit off gently and looked around, waving to pilots he knew as they exited their own craft. Across the hanger, Navy and Marine personnel were loading their own ships, ready to be off planet now that the Air Force and Army had arrived. It made Shade pause. What the hell where the Army and Air Force doing while the Marines and Navy rushed out to meet challenges head on? Sitting on worlds already claimed in case rebels might make a push to retake the world... which was unlikely with the latter nipping at their tails at all times.

With a sigh, Shade scratched his head and decided to find the messhall in this new place, wandering through the stark, gray walled halls.
___________

Lukav fingered the blade at her side, her only true weapon that she could rely on. Sure, her commanders insisted that she carry a plasma rifle as well, but she treated it with disdain, hate even. She was a swordsman... no, a swordswoman, though she could never claim the title outright. The musk of males surrounded her in the tightly crowded phantom they had clambered into as their ship dropped from slipspace, bringing them over a world only recently taken from the 'rebels' the humans spent so much time fighting while the servants of the liar Truth still roamed the galaxy. That's why she was here, and the Sangheili around her. Rumors had traveled to the ears of their platoon that Covenant forces had been sighting in the area.

Her mandibles ground together. Just thinking of the Covenant, the lies she'd been forced to accept to keep Sangheilios safe, made her skin crawl and she shifted in her seat. A soft hum was the only indication that the phantom had lifted off and exited the hanger, moving down toward the planet. Where she was sitting, she was only three chairs from the pilot's station and she heard the male driving responding to a hail from the human forces already on the ground. She rolled her eyes. The green hue of their phantom was so easy to differentiate from the ugly purple the covenant favored so much.

The humans were another thing... by the treaty signed by the Arbiter, any Sangheili on human soil had to have a human partner to help them get around and also back them up if the locals rioted, and vice-versa for a human on Sangheili worlds. She considered it as the phantom descended to the planet, hoping she would get paired with a human worth his, or her, since the humans recognized the prowess of an angry female, weight in food. The phantom gave off a strange hum as it reached the ground, the hatches on either side opening to let the eager warriors of Sangheilios leap out to the soft dirt, their boots making a satisfying thump as they hit dirt. The heavy voice of their veteran-in-charge, a heavy footed Sangheili missing his left hand, barked out orders for them to line up opposite to an already positioned line of humans in their "marine green," his red armor flashing in the sun...
____________

Shaun lugged his machine gun in his hands as he followed the small infiltration group the rebels had managed to slip on planet with the help of a stealth cruiser now orbiting on the far side of the planet's moon. In all, this was not his domain. This was a recon mission to see how dug in the UNSC was, to check if there was any chance of pushing them off their soil. The large figure paused, looking around. Despite all the grass and vegetation that had grown back, there were still reminders of what the Covenant had done. On the horizon, there was a hollow where once a mountain had stood, here and there were pieces of land so glassed that nothing grew there... and yet the UNSC had forgiven the elites for what they had ordered, arguing that they had been brainwashed.

Hah! So was every member of the UNSC that thought the Spartans were true heroes. They were the monsters and a government that allowed them to exist had no place governing the colonies! A deep hiss echoed out from under his blast helmet as he hoisted his machine gun, checking to make sure his rocket launcher was still strapped to his back. No, he wasn't recon, but he was here to make sure that if the recon group came under attack, they could survive until evac arrived. The small group continued down the small valley they had decided to use to get into a good vantage point, so they could see without being seen.

The valley broke a few miles ahead and Shaun settled down as the recon group began to set up their equipment, one crawling to the crest of a small hill with a pair of binoculars to peer out toward the base the UNSC had occupied....

[arinot]

Roshin silently calculated the best points of entry to the UNSC base. He also thought about his reasons for becoming a rebel, even as he recorded distances on a notepad thanks to an impromptu range finder he'd placed onto the binoculars he was using.

The work he did in the UNSC didn't very much help him when he first joined these... rogues. And their views often tended to be much harsher than his own. They hadn't seen how the Spartans were made, nor the corruption within the military. But he knew that just being vocal as a UNSC paid engineer wasn't going to do anything other than get him fired, or even silenced for good. No, he was going to destabilize the almost totalitarianistic government, and slowly help people realize the strength they had as people. Together they destroyed the covenant, and together they would make a better world. Yet when he first joined and tried to explain these things, he was almost killed. It was only by showing his understanding of UNSC regulations and tactics that they begrudgingly accepted him
And these abilities helped like anything. patrols tended to have the same kind of patterns, and just a little ingenuity went a long way to evading and even incapacitating without a kill. the fewer kills, the better message the rebels could send...

but today looked like it was going to be different. The UNSC was uncharacteristically aggressive this time around. Maybe they'd decided that the reputation the rebels had built through the insane numbers of operations they'd completed was something to worry about.
But that was fine... today was going to be about entering, making an impression, and misleading the enemy.

And despite not having served any wars, the years of experience inside the UNSC and on the field with the rebels had taught him enough about how to survive.

Roshin slid from the hill to hand worn, browned, pages from the notepad to those who needed it: the snipers and commanders. Roshin noted that it was going to be rough; just noting the patrols outside took 2 pages. who knew what was in there

[Snowshoe]

Kel jogged on a plateau outside the UNSC base, fully armored and armed. His human 'handler' sat in the red dust outside the ring Kel was jogging around, disassembling and reassembling his assault rifle, the pieces laid out on a metal sheet on the ground in front of him.
Week four, Kel thought to himself. And nothing's happened on this rock yet. I can feel the commanders concern though. Something is about to happen.
"Hey, Kel, come over here."
The Sangheili turned out of the track, walking to where his partner sat, the assault rifle cleaned and reassembled now.
"what?"
The human wiped his hands on the greasy rag he had used for cleaning and stood, tucking the rag into his belt as he did so.
"How did you get here? We were told some elites would be coming, some nonsense about a glorious future, a new alliance, and you were one of those first few to show up. I've respected your privacy for a few weeks, but I would like to know. People are talking."
Kel sighed. He'd expected this question to come sooner or later. At least it had taken a while for anyone to ask.
"what do you know of my race, human?"
"Not much, you fellas are pretty secretive. You were a part of the covenant for a while, had a falling out of some sort, and now you're on our side. I think."
"more or less," Kel answered "but I meant about our society. Do you know anything about that?"
"nope. 'side from some of your higher ups wearing awful shiny headgear, makes 'em real easy to find."
Kel grinned at that, his jaws lifting in a surprisingly human motion that quickly disappeared.
"Our society is almost the definition of rigidity, and rising through ranks is unheard of. All the lower classes have to separate them from each other is an honor they hold sacred." The remnants of the smile disappearing as his mandibles curled, almost spitting the word, 'honor', into the dirt.
"It is a system impossible to explain to an outsider, so I will be brief. Combat is the fastest way to rise for a commoner. A gladiatorial system that thousands have died in, struggling to rise, searching for an increase in their honor."
Kel shifted his weight onto his other foot, clenching his fingers together.
"I disapproved of this system. I became an outcast, and was shunned. So I did the only thing I could. I joined the military. The rest of the story is fairly standard. I heard there was a search for Sangheili willing to work with humans, and I leaped at the opportunity. I was a blight on the honor of the others around me, and I was accepted almost without question. And here I am."
Kel turned to his side, looking off the edge of the plateau he stood on towards the UNSC base, one of the few areas on this planet that contained natural grass, the red dirt of the glassed world turning into a patchy grey and green.
"And unless I am mistaken, we are in rotation at the firing range right now. We should go."
The Sangheili set off towards towards the base, lapsing into the slow jog he had held earlier. His human companion shook his head, hefted his rifle, and set off after him.

[Buzzwolf]

So this was what Recon had become, unneeded for the moment in the field but less than three hours ago, and already the squad had been selected for escort duty.

The UNSC obviously either had no worries of the planet being taken back, or they were believing the Elites to pose more of a threat than any remaining rebel forces. He had yet to figure out which part of that was a good thing.

"Recon!" all the marines of Third stood a little taller at the crack of the captains voice. Captain Titus, hardass, burly old school recon to the core, believed in earning every bit of respect and privledge you got, but the man had their backs like no other and had more than earned his respect, no matter how hard he ran them into the ground...never was it without a reason "Marines, these...Sangheili" the name rolled off the mans tongue odd with his outer rim accent "Have decided to visit our beautiful planet because men higher and more important than you, deemed it so!" He barked out, pacing between the two lines of warriors "Now! These Sangheili need someone to show them around, keep them out of trouble! and whatever alien things it is they like to do!" A snicker came from down the line, a wolf holding back a laugh. the captain didn't even turn as he addressed him "Put a lid on it Corporal Joker! you will have your chance to bullshit with your Sangheili shortly! Marines! Standing before you, is your new Best friend! You will do everything together! you will not lose your new best friend!" he paused as he looked one of the Sangheili up and down, his dulled eye gazing through the alien, the long scar over the same eye giving him quite the intimidating appearance. The beat and battered prothestic arm didn't do anything for the image either "By UNSC Law, Sangheili found without their escorts are to be immediately removed from the planet and returned to their ships for judgements of their own, by the same law, the human escort recieves no punishments for loosing his charge. I however, have my own laws, and I will run your ass into the ground and make you wish you had their punishments if you so much as let them out of your SIGHT. Do you get me!? Good!." he finished without waiting for the expected response "Now shake Hands, and play nice Marines. dissmissed"

The Feline stood at a perfect parade rest till the dissmissal was called, his fingers fingers flexing impatiently as he looked over the charge standing before him, easily the biggest, if not simply the tallest, of the elites there. It only made sense he supposed, hell, even Joker was already trying to bullshit with the elite standing opposite him, getting a helluv a curious stare from the sangheili. The Captain already appearing to be speaking with the Sangheili in charge of the group of aliens.

A low rumble rose from the felines chest. He could already tell this was going to be a pain in his ass. "Alexei" He rumbled out in his deep bass of a voice, crossing his arms habitually "What do they call you Sangheili?"
______

A roar of engines overhead drew the momentary attention of anyone below as Pelican 352 tore overhead, a smoke trail staining the sky as one of the engines sizzled in a ball of fire. "Tower, This is Pelican 352, Call sign Wild Thing, requesting immediate landing, we've taken fire, Engine two was hit and rapidly loosing altitude." Her nimble fingers dancing over the controls as she fought to maintain control over the bird.

"Roger that Wild Thing, Runway seven is designated for emergency landings, can you make it there?" the radio crackled

A display with the location of runway seven compared to her location "I see it tower, no promises" she'd make it. she always made it, even if she had an engine out, she'd made it this far, no way she was setting the bird down early on this run.

"Acknowledged Wild Thing, runway is clear, and crash fire rescue is inroute"

"Roger" She slapped one of the panels, cutting off the transmission, leaning to the side to yell back into the cargo hold of the pelican "Hold on boys! Taxi rides about to get wild!" she yelled back at the group of marines strapped into the dual rows of hold seats.

A bubble of turbulance shook the unstable aircraft, getting a nervous laugh from one of the marines "more than usual Ma'am?" he joked

She shook her head with a chuckle "We're just getting started..." the landing strip appeared beneath them as they tore over the treeline, emergency vehicles already hurrying from the main hanger toward strip seven "Brace yourselves boys!" she yelled back, throttling up and back on the controls just moments before the pelican slammed into the runway, a plume of fire erupting from the damaged engine and leaving a scorch trail beside the trail of torn and destroyed concrete, The pelican bouncing and grinding into the hardened concrete as it slid.

Tipping as it finally started to stick, the wing began to drag into the concrete, slowing it further and spinning the craft as it slowed, finally coming to a stop and rolling with a heavy thud down on it's belly. Every harness in the craft suddenly released as the sergeant in charge started yelling orders at the Marines, ushering them quickly out of the damaged craft. Her fingers danced over the controls once more as she ran the system through an emergency shut down and isolation procedures, turning and dashing out of the craft with the rest of the men a moment later, leaving the pelican to shut down on it's own.

Emergency teams rushed by her as she hurried away from the pelican, some medical personnel hurrying over to the group, checking through the squad for possible whiplash and head injuries, one hurrying over to her, setting a hand on her shoulder to get her attention "...Ma'am? are you alright ma'am?" she blinked and shook her head, shaking the cobwebs she hadn't realized had built, away.

"oh, yes...yeah, I'm fin--" she stopped. blood. she tasted blood. she touched two fingers to her lip, pulling it away to see the thin trickle of blood on her fur. her tongue explored the spot of pain. she'd bit her lip. "I bit my lip! son of a bitch..." after a laugh from the medic and quick check of her condition he patted her shoulder

"You'll be fine Ma'am, but that severe wound on your lip worries me, it just might need some stitches" the wolf smirked as she punched his shoulder "take it easy for a little bit Ma'am, we'll take care of the bird from here, go grab yourself some chow and just relax for a bit. The mechs'll keep you updated on her repair status"

She nodded and laughed "Alright Sergeant, you better take care of her, she's gotten more men out of the field than I care to count, she a good bird.." she sighed and shook her head as she watched the emergency teams scramble over the bird. she couldn't count how many times that bird had gotten her and her charge out of trouble...she just hoped they could put her back together this time. she climbed into the back of the truck taking the rest of the Marines back the half mile to the main hanger. Food and rest is what they told her. she snorted, and muttered as she flopped into the nearest open seat "...Ain't no rest for the wicked"

[Shade Leshyr]

Shade made his way through the pastel walls, dodging around pilots moving equipment, until he reached the messhall. Even as far as military messhalls, Shade considered this to be rather sad. Dents and stains gave away the fact that a battle had taken place in it. The tables scattered around the room showed signs of recent welding.

Shaking his head, the canine waded through the mass of military personnel, making his way up to the serving line. No one else seemed interested in eating at the moment, so the husky was able to get in and out with his tray quickly. Searching for a seat, the young canine took a spot by the window, chowing down as soon as he sat, until a thin trail of smoke caught his attention, "That ain't good"

__________



Lukav watched the humans as their leader explained the situation to them like he thought the Sangheili didn't understand. Or maybe he was making the point to both parties with how loud he proclaimed the punishment for wandering away from their escorts. It was enough to produce a shiver from the Sangheili warriors that heard him over the barking orders of their veteran-in-charge. The two groups stared each other down as they listened to the leaders explaining what they were to do until their COs stepped back and ushered them toward each other.

Lukav was expecting one of the flat-faced humans, so she paused mid-step when she caught sight of the feline-natured being before her. He was a fine specimen of his species she guessed, but did his mentality match? She looked him dead in the eyes as he asked her name and, instead of answering, took a step forward and roared at him, her mandibles splitting as wide as possible.

Marine and Sangheili alike whirled, weapons drawn, to the sheer volume of the roar. The marine sergeant began to step out to intervene, thinking that she had been insulted, but the veteran-in-charge gently stopped him, explaining her actions in a hushed tone. Lukav held the roar until she had used up all the air in her lungs before letting her mandibles close. The feline hadn't flinched, not a twitch. Lukav's mandibles twitched as she gave a short nod of respect "You'll do."

Stepping back, Lukav placed her right fist over her upper heart, "I am Lukrrat Tallinee, swordsman of the Sangheili. What is your-" a sudden gurgling from her stomach cut her off, making her blush and realize that she hadn't eaten for several cycles.

__________

Shaun aimlessly chewed on a piece of grass he had stuck between his teeth as the binocular wielding rebel did his thing. They were in position, now all Shaun had to do was discourage the curious, which were non-existent at this point. The report traded hands and the two snipers and the squad leader looked at it intently. Shaun twisted his ears, listening as the report was read off: warthog patrols, sentries, sentry guns, an ass load of personnel on the ground. The UNSC was determined to hold this place it seemed. It was strange, the UNSC usually wasn't this paranoid. Did it have something to do with the Sangheili cruiser in orbit?

Shaun was dragged out of his musings as a low thrum entered his ears. He barked out for the other rebels to be quiet as it grew to a small roar. Nervous, Shaun gently unlatched his rocket launcher and checked that it was loaded properly before kneeling and waiting. With a dull roar and a smoke trail, a wounded pelican raced over their heads, nosing down even as it flew over them.

The report came through their radio band a moment later, "Team Zulu has engaged! What the hell happened?!"

"Sir, rookie got trigger happy"
"Goddamnit! Recon teams pull back, pull back to checkpoint Bravo! UNSC is gonna be all over this place in a few minutes!"

Shaun stood, putting the launcher on his back again and hefting his machine gun. The small setup the recon team had put up was taken down almost as fast, the snipers rubbing away at the signs of their presence. Taking up a position at the back of the group, Shaun followed them back through the valley.

[arinot]

Roshin stared as the Pelican wavered and faltered in the sky
"Like a bird with a broken wing... damn, who gave a rookie an anti-vehicular weapon?!"
He slipped his dirty binoculars into his pack and unholstered his M6D pistol, affectionately nicknamed Mr. Sniper HandCannon, and flipped down his marine HMD holographic eyepiece.
Both were the among few things he managed to "borrow" before leaving the UNSC. Generally, He'd be carrying a M6C, but today was surveillance day, not infiltration... which was why he even needed the eyepiece in the first place. Smartlink made it hard for certain weapons, like the M6D to be used effectively. But with the eyepiece, Roshin could take full advantage of the scope on the handcannon, which was one of a few things that made him an asset.
"You heard the radio! Checkpoint Bravo!"
And then he was on the run once again, but relegated to staying upfront and ensuring that they weren't getting cut off

[Buzzwolf]

"Ma'am, my men and I cannot thank you enough" The sergeant in charge patted her shoulder, a broad smile on his wolfen face "That was the most impressive flying I've seen in a long time!" a roar of cheers from the squad filled the small space of the flight line shuttle, making her flinch and chuckle at the sheer volume

"Just doing my job sergeant" she responded, almost off handed as her mind finally slipped into gear after the initial shock "One of your jarheads got a radio on you by chance I could use?"

"Heads up!" a radio came flying through the air of the small space to her, making her laugh as she caught the improvised projectile, she gave him a nod as she flipped it on and cycled through the channels till she found the one she wanted

"Command, this is N 352" she waited a moment for acknowledgment before continuing "Pelican 352 is under the care of Crash, Fire, Rescue, Port side engine damaged and in need of replacement. Fire undertaken while on approach over the Eastern ridgeline, likely rebel forces in the vacinity. Recommend immediate push on their location command."

There was a short pause on the line as the operator on the other end passed or took word down before it crackled to life "Roger that 352, Advisory has been passed up chain of command, stand by on orders to move 352" with a nod and comfirmation she tossed the radio back to the owner

"You heard 'em Marines, time ta kick some ass!" the sergeant yelled, getting a chourus of cheers from the squad and a laugh from the vixen as the truck carried them to the hanger chowhall "Grab some food and report back gents! we have some very rude men to find to have shot down our rides bird!"
______

The elite, instead of introducing himself, did the last possible thing he expected...and he'd almost half expected to see the flash of plasma blade, but instead the Elite reared back and roared, full out, ROARed in his face, a good twenty seconds no less.

He was trained to handle worse, and didn't so much as budge, reaching up after he finished to wipe a glob of saliva from his dark facial fur. the wide eyes of his team mates watching intently at his next move, a low 'Hoo shiiiiit...' coming from somewhere down the line. A flick of the wrist and the glob hit the ground "...cute" he said, a building rumble in his chest, The captain clearing his throat and giving him 'the look' made him pause, the building growl fading to a low rumble of annoyance "Fine. I hope you eat what's put in front of you, I ain't making any special alien shit for ya"

A crackle of the captains radio drew everyones attention for a few moments as he listened, before turning and relaying the message "Marines, stay away from the airstrip till further notice, a pelican came in on a hot landing and is in critical stages of danger to those around. CFR has quarintined the area until the situation has been dealt with, get some chow and stand by on word to move Marines, we may just have a purpose yet"

[Shade Leshyr]

Shade finished his dish in a rush, eager to find out what the hell was going on around this place. The alarm lit up only a moment later and the PA blared across the loudspeaker "All personnel, prepare for attack, repeat, prepare for attack!" Shade's face fell. In his entire career up to this point, he'd never had to prepare for an attack, never even had to unload as fast as he had have to do today. Jumping up with the rest of the various diners, Shade rushed into the hallway and skidded around the corner toward the hanger while the ground-pounders raced for the armory and those already armed rushed for the vehicle bay.

What the hell is going on, Shade thought to himself, trying not to get clumped up with the growing number of pilots all trying to be the first one into the hanger, we chased the rebels away not too long ago, they should be running, not on the offensive! The canine was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the navy pilot until it was too late. She had come from the direction of the warthog bay and Shade slammed into her, going top speed, sending them both to the ground in a tangled heap. The stunned husky saw stars as he tries to rise only to find the form of the navy pilot firmly on his chest and face.

He raised his hand to tap her, but stopped. The alarms had stopped and the muted words of the base commander came faintly to him "Stand down, stand down! There is no threat of immediate attack! Everyone is to stand down!" Blinking, Shade felt a chuckle rise from his chest. Someone in communications was about to get the ass-chewing of a lifetime. God was he glad he was a pilot...

____________________

Lukav nodded in respect and opened her mouth to respond when the alarms went off. Her blade flashed to life as she turned, scanning the area for hostiles, as did the rest of the visiting elites. Even as the call to stand down came, the aliens stayed tense, surveying the area. Some carrying beam rifles took off, looking for vantage points, much to the dismay of their escorts who chased after them, calling out. Looking up, Lukav watched one of the Sangheili snipers scale a short way up the wall of the base, hanging from the side at a precarious angle, scanning the open plains for enemies. His rifle dropped and Lukav could barely make out the confused look on his face, which made her relax. The red-armored figure of their CO flashed as he angrily snarled at the snipers to return to the ground, but she could see the pride in his eyes at how fast his unit had reacted.

One by one, the elites reassembled and Lukav turned back to Alexei, "Is it customary for your people to employ random alarms," she asked seriously, deactivating her blade, "an unusual tactic, but I guess it has a use for keeping your kind on your toes." She looked around in contempt at the way the "marines" cast glances back at the base, like they were second guessing their superiors. How did they maintain order? Shaking her head, she returned her gaze to Alexei, "Perhaps we could get some food before your superiors determine it acceptable to do that again?"
____________________________

Shaun chuckled as the recon soldier shouted about giving a rookie a rocket launcher, "The same people that sent us here in the first place. Let's just get the hell out of here before we're left here." Thundering after the recon squad, Shaun fell into his own thoughts for a moment, but something caught his attention, "Hold up," he called out, coming to a halt, "something isn't right... the birds, they're quiet..." Indeed, the music of birds that had followed the team through the valley up til now was eerily absent, only the soft wind making noise as it rustled the grass.

Shaun rumbled as he lifted his gun into the ready position, a sixth sense in him telling him to be ready. A scream made him jump and whirl, training his weapon on one of the team's radios, "HELP," came the loud yell, "team Charlie under attack! Suffering casualties! It's the-" The feed cuts out with a high-pitched squeal. Immediately, a series of rustles and clicks surrounded the team. Shaun looked around nervously, "Whatever is going on, we need to get moving..."

As if to accent his sentence, the radio came alive with the recon leader's voice, "All teams proceed with caution, but keep moving..."

[arinot]

"HELP," came the loud yell, "team Charlie under attack! Suffering casualties! It's the-" The feed cuts out with a high-pitched squeal.
Roshin's pupils dilated quickly from an adrenaline rush.

The UNSC responded quick, that's true... but this was a bit too quick... there was no way they could have detected them... right?
And the clicks seemed all too... familiar to stories he'd heard.

He thought a little harder. This was a hostile force that was recognized by whoever called on radio, but most likely weren't UNSC forces...
The flood were wiped out a long time ago, they could be back... but it still wasn't likely. Hell, it was only after they were gone Roshin felt the ethical line with continuing the spartan project was crossed...
Covenant forces still existed in small parts here and there, but what would they be doing here?
Leaving one main possible combatant, which would explain the clicks he'd heard

He edged up to a cluster of recon soldiers
"Hey, set one of those sniper rifles to night vision and do a quick scan... I feel like there may be cloaked elites..."