Jamie sat in the mess when the sirens sounded off. Scurrying to her feet, she, as were all the other personnel rushed to their action stations. Having just come from a joint exercise with a squad of Marines whom were stationed on the Lunar Colony, her ODST armor was already snapped in snuggly. Securing her helmet as she moved down the corridors, she heard a hiss and click as a vacuum seal formed. 

Passing a window, she looked out. Far off, above Earth's low orbit, a brilliant flash blossomed in the darkness of space. Another quickly followed.

"Holy shit!" a Marine pointed out the window as other stopped to watch. "Were those the defense platforms? Oh shit!"

Jamie saw enough. She kept moving as her eyes stared right ahead while keeping tabs of the HUD icons on her helmets visor. Comm chatter was already coming through from her squad as the order to regroup was given. Finally, reaching the armory, she sent a confirmation and to her locker. She grabbed her M395 DMR and M7. The familiar weight felt wonderful in her gloved hands as she strapped the M7 to her secondary holster and filled her utility pouches with miscellaneous equipment from the quartermaster. 

"Schuster!" Jamie looked back as she was about to step through the armory exit. It was Cole from her squad. "Ready to smoke some Covenant?"

Jamie smiled as they moved towards the rendezvous position. "Thought they'd never come," she said. "Still can't believe they blasted through Reach."

"One word. Plasma."

The ODST scoffed as the speakers overhead sounded the alarm for broaders. The two rounded a corner as their squad came into sight.

"Schuster! Cole! Drop ships coming in," said their CO as others formed a defensive perimeter. "Front and center!" 

They both fell in. Jamie checked her DMR and chambered a round. She breathed out slowly. Her mind become focused. She was ready.