"Alright, Nova, Aqua Team is on their way. I am marking your extract point on your HUD. You have half an hour to get to the extract point, or they will leave without you." Luna's voice said over the COM. "I know you guys can do this, just get it done."

"You've got it, your highness." Nova said, switching off her radio. She checked her HUD, seeing that the extract point was marked as Hanger C. "Alright Draft, we need to double time it to Hanger C. Let's move."

"Wait Nova, I'm running low on ammo. Could we take a detour to the armory?" Backdraft asked.

Nova pulled up a holomap of the Nightingale. The armory appeared to be only a short distance away from them. Nova nodded to Backdraft. "Sure, Sergeant." She said.

"Alpha team, do you read me?" Luna asked.

"Princess... er, Captain Luna, is that you?." A males voice responded.

"This is she. Alpha, what is your status?"

"I-It's only me and somepony else that's left. Everypony else is dead."

"How are you two holding up?"

"Badly. W-we... we have no means of escape, and the hostiles aren't letting up... dear Celestia, they are breaking through!" Shortly after, Luna could hear the screams of the two survivors as they were literally ripped apart by the necromorphs. She cursed to herself and threw aside her headset. 'At least I got somepony out...' Luna thought to herself.

"Door's locked." Nova muttered. She felt a hoof tap her shoulder as she turned around to see Backdraft holding a det charge in his hooves.

"Took it off Pinkie. Thought it might help." He said, handing it to Nova. She cracked a smile and set up the det charge. They ran back behind a wall as Nova readied the detonator.

"Clear!" She declared as she flipped the switch. The two blast door were flung down the hall by the force of the explosion. The floor seemed to make a squishing sound as they walked inside of the armory. The two ponies looked down at the ground, which was covered in weird, brown biomass.

"What is this stuff?" Backdraft asked.

"I don't know, but it's grossing me out." Nova responded.

"I couldn't agree more." Backdraft said. Suddenly, they noticed a glowing, red orb floating towards them. Both of them raised their weapons as it stopped in front of them.

"Greetings!" It began, "I am 2401 Penitent Tangent. I am the Monitor of Installation 05."

"Installation 05?" Both Backdraft and Nova asked in unison.

"Yes, one of the seven installations. You might know them as Halo rings."

"Hay... low?" Backdraft asked, confused.

"Yes. My makers made these installations to wipe out the flood."

"Are these necromorphs the flood?" Nova asked.

"No. The necromorphs and the flood are two different creatures, though both are serious threats. The necromorphs are said to have wiped out the Precursors, and have caused massive damage against my makers."

Before either of the ponies could say another word, the floor started to shake, knocking both of the ponies to the floor. Backdraft got up and helped Nova up off the floor. The Monitor looked off into the dark hallway.

"Oh my..." It muttered in a concerned tone.

"What is it?" Nova asked.

Before the Monitor could respond, a large, muscular necromorph charged into the armory, nearly trampling the two ponies.

"What is that thing?!" Backdraft asked the Moniter.

"It is an advanced form of necromorph only known as a "brute". It is very dangerous." The Monitor stated.

"Good enough for me!" Nova declared as she walked up towards the brute, firing her shotgun as she went. However, the necromorph seemed to only absorb the buckshot, as it charged forward and rammed into Nova, sending her flying into a wall.

"How do I stop this thing?!" Backdraft demanded.

"Aim for the glowing biomass!" The Moniter replied. Backdraft nodded and picked up a nearby assault rifle, unloading on the brute. The rounds tore through the brutes yellow flesh, as one of its arms fell off and it collapse to the ground. Backdraft quickly charged up and bucked the yellow biomass with all his strength, ripping through its arm. He then pulled out a frag and tossed it at the Brute. He rolled away as the frag exploded, killing the necromorph.

"An interesting note, for future reference, is that glowing biomass typically marks a weakness." The Monitor stated.

"Yeah, I'll remember that." Backdraft muttered as he trotted over to Nova, who was attempting to get up. "Woah, easy now!" He said as he helped her off the floor, supporting her. "You've got a broken wing and possibly a fractured ankle. You are in no shape to move."

"But we need to... go on without me..." Nova muttered.

"That's not going to happen." Backdraft stated, before turning on his radio. "Luna, do you read me, over?"

"I read you, Sergeant. What is your status?" Luna asked.

"We've ran in a bit of a complication. Nova is injured, and she is in no shape to be moved. Aqua Team is going to have to come in here and get us, or we are royally screwed."

"Alright... just stay at your current location. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Backdraft said as he switched off his radio. He picked up Nova and carried her over to a nearby chair, placing her in it. "We're going to wait here for an evac. Why don't you lay low while I hold off the necromorphs."

"But-" She began.

"No buts. If someone is going to survive this, it's going to be you. Even if I fail, the Spartan's will be here soon, and they will save you... wish me luck." Backdraft said as he gave her a gentle hug and walked away, picking up a nearby flamethrower as he walked towards the entrance of the armory.

The pelican hovered in Hanger C, wear a horde of necromorphs were waiting. The pelican flipped around as the pelican bay door opened, revealing Applebloom carrying a missile pod. She opened fire on the horde, explosions soon blanketing the horde. The team of Spartans soon jumped down onto the floor below them, quickly mowing down the survivors of the horde.

"Sweetie Belle, this is Luna. Can you hear me?" Luna requested.

"That's affirmative, Captain. What do you need?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"There has been a change in plans. Nova is injured, and we need you guys to go in and save their plots. They are waiting for you in the armory." Luna stated.

"You've got it, Captain." Sweetie Belle replied.

"Remember, take out the limbs." Luna reminded the Spartan.

"Thanks Captain, we won't fail you." Sweetie Belle said, switching off her radio. "Alright girls, change in plans. Surprise,
Firefly, you stay with the pelican. Applebloom, Scootaloo, on me. Remember, aim for the limbs." She said, walking away from the pelican. Scootaloo and Applebloom ran after her.

"What's with the change in plans, boss?" Scootaloo asked.

"One of the ponies we were supposed to pick up got injured, and they barricaded themselves inside the armory. Luna wants us to go in and save them." Sweetie Belle replied.

"Sounds fun, let's go." Scootaloo said as the three Spartans galloped away.