Backdraft and Nova walked through the ice covered remains of a small town. A few days ago, they were deployed to this colony to defend it against a Covenant attack. Now, only their squad was left, and the planet was enveloped in nuclear winter. Barely able to see through the blizzard they were trapped in, Nova and Backdraft trekked forward, hoping to find some form of shelter, or maybe some survivors.

"Sarge, where's everypony else?!" Backdraft heard Nova call out to him. He pulled up the status of his squad on his H.U.D. Apart from him and Nova, everypony else was K.I.A.

"Dead!" Backdraft replied coldly. He continued to look around, hoping to find a building that was still intact.

"Backdraft, I think I've found some place we can take cover in." Nova called out. Backdraft could scarcely make out her hoof pointing towards a building, which was relatively intact.

"Good job! Let's move!" Backdraft replied. The two ponies galloped up to the building.

"I got your six." Nova said, shouldering her BR85. Backdraft nodded and readied his own firearm, a BR85HB SR with a plasma grenade launcher attached to its barrel. In recent times, the U.N.S.C. developed multiple new weapons, such as the the MA6B, MA6 SAW, and the MA57 Assault Rifles, the M7A1 SMG, the M392A1 Light Weight Carbine, the M90A2 Tactical Shotgun, and the BR85, and it's variant, the BR85HB SR. Sadly, this wasn't enough to change the tide of the war, as the Covenant continued their wave of destruction through the colonies.

Backdraft gently nudged the door open, his battle rifle ready to fire at a moments notice. He slowly crept in, Nova in tow.

"Clear." He whispered to Nova. She nodded and closed the door behind them.

"We can get extracted once the storm clears... if it clears." Nova stated. The two looked around the room they were in, obviously what used to be a living room. The furniture was overturned, the windows were broken, and there was a few holes in walls.

"Shit!" Backdraft called out as he tripped over an unseen chair. Backdraft's eyes widened as he looked in front of him, seeing the severed hand of a small child.

Backdraft awoke and suddenly sat up, sweating and breathing heavily. He looked around his room, a small, but comfortable room the size of a one bedroom apartment. He rolled out of his bed, yawning loudly as he grabbed a cup of coffee.

"Another bad dream?" Backdraft heard a voice ask. He looked over to his bed to see Nova leaning up, her cyan mane unbraided and messy, concern showing on her face. Backdraft nodded, pouring the coffee into two small mugs. He felt Nova brush up against him as she trotted up next to him, snatching her mug and downing it, before wrapping her forehooves around him.

"Was it Equis?" Nova asked.

"No. It was Griffith IV." Backdraft replied. Nova shook her head.

"Covenant bastards..." She muttered, refilling her mug.

"We ended up killing the bastards responsible, remember?" Backdraft stated.

"That won't bring back all those innocent civilians that they slaughtered." Nova pointed out.

"Good point..." Backdraft muttered.

Nova hugged him tightly. "I'm sure they are in a better place."

Backdraft allowed himself to smile and looked at her. "You should really keep your mane like that. You look much sexier than usual." He said with a wink.

Nova hit him playfully on the shoulder. "Give it a break, Casanova."

Before Backdraft could say anything more, Luna's voice boomed over intercom system. "ODST Fireteam Delta, head to the bridge immediately!"

"Grab the M7's!" Backdraft ordered. Nova nodded and tossed Backdraft a nearby M7A1 SMG. He slammed a magazine inside it and slung it over his shoulder, galloping out of the room with Nova in tow.

Nova and Backdraft ran into the bridge, their SMG's raised in the air.

"What's the problem, ma'am?" Backdraft asked. Luna sat calmly in her chair, looking over the two ODST's. She calmly took a quick sip of her tea and set it aside.

"There is no problem. Stand down, troopers." Luna said calmly. Backdraft and Nova slowly lowered their SMG's and set them aside.

"Then what is it, Princess?" Nova asked.

"I understand you need some replacements." Luna said.

"Yes ma'am, we lost everypony else on Griffith IV." Backdraft stated.

"Then may I introduce you to your new squadmates." Luna said, as three ponies decked out in ODST armor walked in. She pointed her hoof at the first pony, a mare with a dark gray coat and a black/silver mane, who was armed with a SRS99E-S2 AM Sniper Rifle. "This is Lance Corporal Octavia, your new marksman."

"Sir!" She called out, saluting Backdraft.

"This is Sergeant Lyra, your new vehicle expert and medic." Luna said, pointing to a mint colored unicorn holding a suppressed M7A1 SMG. Lyra nodded to the two.

"And finally, this is Private First Class Berry Punch, your new demolitions expert." Luna stated, pointing at a pink pony with a mulberry mane, who was clumsily clutching a M90A2 with a holographic sight and a laser sight attached to it.

"Hmm?" Berry asked sleepily.

"Don't worry, they know what they are doing. Even if their styles may be a little... unorthodox."

"What do you-" Nova began.

"Check the files." Luna quickly interrupted.

Berry stumbled forward and leaned against Backdraft. "Hey there sexy... wanna head back to my room and give each other a warm welcome?" She asked with a suggestive wink.

"Back off, he's mine." Nova ordered, stepping forward threateningly.

"You heard the Sergeant Major, Berry. I don't think she's somepony you want to fuck with." Lyra stated sternly.

"And besides, the only pony who gets to fuck with her is me." Backdraft said, stepping away awkwardly from Berry and leaning up against Nova. A bright blush appeared on Nova's cheeks. "Alright squad, let's go down to the range and see what you mares can do."

"I'm afraid that is not possible, Gunnery Sergeant." Luna stated, handing him a large manila folder, labeled 'Above Top Secret - Eyes Only'. "We have a mission for you and your squad. Briefing is at 1900 hours."

"Yes ma'am. See you then." Backdraft said, before walking away. After he walked out of the bridge, he carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a small photo. The photo was of a large ring floating through space, labeled Beta Halo.