Noble 7

Minutes later, the Falcon touched down in the fortified Sword Base courtyard. It was like a central hub of UNSC activity. Army troopers were everywhere, all moving with purpose like ants in a colony. Except these ants were frenzied. Other Falcons were landing and teams were coming and going while individual troopers cleared the bodies of the fallen from the previous battle and swept for ammunition.

Seven followed Carter and Burke out of the Falcon. Jun stayed where he was.

Carter turned to him and said, "Jun, circle back and assist Jorge and Emile."

"On it, boss."

The Falcon kicked up a gust of wind upon take off that only Burke and the nearby troopers felt. Carter led the way into the bunker-like entrance of the base.

"With me, gentlemen."

There were even more troopers milling around inside. A few whistled and cheered when they saw the three Spartans. One passed them by on her way out with a rocket launcher hefted on her shoulder.

"Lookin' good boys!" she called to them.

The trio navigated through the bunker and into a side room containing a single elevator. On the way, Burke grabbed a DMR and a fragmentation grenade from a wall-mounted weapons rack. Seven already had a DMR and as much ammunition for it as he could carry, so he just grabbed the last two frags. At the elevator, Carter pushed the button and gave them their orders as he waited for the car to come down.

"Word is that Sword Base has been getting hit all day. Covies really seem to want to get in here. I need you two to greet them at the front door the next time they land. I'm heading up to the war room to set up shop with Sword Control. I can coordinate things better from there."

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime and Carter stepped inside. He added one more bit of advice, a reminder, just before the doors closed.

"Be sure to give them a warm welcome."

"Our pleasure," Burke responded before they slid shut.