Location: UNSC Forward Operating Base, Virek
Date and Time: May 23, 2553 – 0700 Hours
The base is buzzing with activity, every Marine, pilot, and officer working to prepare for the operation that could finally crush the URF threat on Virek. After yesterday's recon mission, we now have the intel we need to take them out. The URF is gathering its forces for a major attack, but Baird and the higher-ups plan to hit them before they have the chance to move.
I've been stuck in the med tent for the past day, recovering from my wound, but I won't be sitting this one out. Not a chance. Emily—no, Em—has been hovering over me, making sure I don't push myself too hard, but she knows as well as I do that I need to be out there with my squad.
"I'll be fine," I tell her as I sit up on the cot, testing the bandage around my side. The pain is still there, but it's manageable. "I can't miss this."
She frowns, crossing her arms. "You just got out of surgery, Tom. I know you want to be out there, but if you push too hard—"
"I won't," I cut her off gently, reaching for her hand. "But I can't sit here while the squad goes out. This is it, Em. We've got a chance to stop the URF for good."
Her expression softens, but there's still worry in her eyes. "Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I will," I say, squeezing her hand. "I promise."
She gives me a small smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Alright. But if you come back here in worse shape, I'm not letting you off easy."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," I reply with a grin.
As soon as I'm cleared to leave the med tent, I make my way to the armory, where Santiago, Dash, and O'Neill are already gearing up. The tension in the air is thick, but there's also a sense of determination—a feeling that this is the moment we've been waiting for.
"Look who's finally back," Santiago says with a grin as I walk in. "Thought you were gonna sit this one out."
"Not a chance," I reply, grabbing my gear and strapping on my armor. "I'm not missing the big finale."
"You good to go?" O'Neill asks, his eyes scanning me for any sign of weakness.
"I'm fine," I say, though I can still feel the dull ache in my side. "Nothing I can't handle."
Dash shakes his head, chuckling. "You better be. We've got a hell of a mission ahead of us."
Once we're all geared up, Lieutenant Baird briefs us on the operation. The URF has consolidated its remaining forces at a heavily fortified base in the hills north of the main settlement. Our job is to recon the area, pinpoint their command structure, and call in airstrikes to soften them up before the main UNSC force moves in.
"This is it, Marines," Baird says, her voice steady and authoritative. "The URF is making its final stand, and we're going to break them. Stick to your training, watch each other's backs, and we'll come out of this on top."
We nod, a collective sense of readiness filling the room. We've been through hell together, and now, it's time to finish this.
As we head out toward the Warthogs, Santiago falls in beside me. "You think this is really it? That we'll get them all?"
"We have to," I reply, scanning the horizon. "If we don't, they'll just keep coming. We have a shot to end it here."
He nods, his face set in grim determination. "Let's make it count, then."
The Warthogs roar to life, and we head out toward the URF base. The ride is tense, the landscape speeding by as we approach enemy territory. This is it—the final push. If we can take down the URF here, we'll stop their attacks on Virek for good. But it's not going to be easy. Their base is heavily defended, and we know they'll fight tooth and nail to protect it.
As we crest a hill overlooking the URF base, we pull to a stop and dismount. The base is sprawling, with makeshift barricades, entrenched positions, and guard towers. It's a fortress, but we've seen worse.
"Alright, here's the plan," I say, crouching behind a rock as we survey the base. "We split up into two teams. Santiago, you and Dash take the west side. O'Neill and I will hit the east. We'll recon the area, mark their command post, and call in the airstrikes. Once the bombs drop, we regroup and head in with the main force."
"Got it," Santiago replies. "Let's do this."
We move out, staying low as we approach the URF base. The tension is thick, every step bringing us closer to enemy territory. My heart pounds in my chest, but I push the fear down, focusing on the mission. This is what we've trained for.
As O'Neill and I make our way around the east side of the base, I spot the URF command post—a heavily fortified bunker at the center of the compound. It's crawling with guards, but we've got a clear line of sight for the airstrike.
"This is it," I whisper into my comms. "Command post is marked. Ready for the strike?"
"Affirmative," Santiago replies. "West side is clear. Call it in."
I nod, keying my comms to the air support channel. "This is Beta Four, we have eyes on the target. Requesting airstrike at grid coordinates 274 by 350. Confirm, over."
"Copy that, Beta Four," comes the reply. "Airstrike inbound. ETA 30 seconds."
I grip my rifle, watching the skies as the seconds tick by. The sound of incoming jets roars in the distance, and then—boom. The first explosion hits, shaking the ground beneath us as the bombs fall on the URF base. Flames and smoke rise into the sky, and the enemy forces scatter in chaos.
"Move in!" I shout, and we charge forward, taking advantage of the confusion. The UNSC reinforcements are close behind, and the final assault begins.