Chapter 4

Overdue Library Book

Glossary

ODST – Orbital Drop Shock Troop

UNSC – United Nations Space Command

ONI – Office of Naval Intelligence

HUD – Heads up Display

Oscar Mike – On the Move

Hotel Charlie – Harvest Capital

Sitrep – Situation Report

VISR – Visual Information System Relay

Wilco – Will Comply

Klick – Kilometer

Naruto and the rest of Fox squad sat in the shade of the mountain they had just cleared of enemy troops catching a few moments of rest. Shikamaru and Gaara were smoking while lying on their backs staring at the sky, Neji and Tenten broke down their rifle giving them some quick on the spot maintenance, and Hinata sat off to the side checking her medical supplies with Kiba's help. Sasuke sat on a rock slightly away from the rest of the squad reloading his spare magazines, he was the only one still wearing his helmet, thought he did leave his visor on the clear setting.

"Catch Sarge." Sasuke turned and instinctively raised his hand to catch the canteen tossed his way. Naruto sat next to Sasuke placing his helmet and rifle between his legs for quick access. Sasuke smirked and pulled his helmet off then took a few gulps of the water in the canteen.

"What's the Sitrep with the other squads?" Sasuke asked handing the canteen back to Naruto.

"Alpha and Bravo came out mostly intact but Charlie and Delta took a beating. Echo squad is gathering the wounded for evac." Naruto answered taking a swig of the canteen.

"Yes, it seems we were the lucky ones." A voice called out behind Sasuke and Naruto. Both turned to see Kakashi walking up to them.

"Your late Captain, you missed all the fireworks." Sasuke said calmly.

"Yes well I got a little sidetracked after the drop. You see a black cat crossed my path so I took the long way around the enemy." Kakashi answered seeming to smile with his one visible eye.

"Oh what a load of bullshit." Naruto exclaimed. "You got lost didn't you? Either that or you waited till the shooting stopped to come out of your pod."

"Careful Corporal, you're addressing a superior officer." Kakashi warned.

"Really? What kind of Captain doesn't wear a helmet during a combat drop?" Naruto asked pointing out Kakashi's lack of an ODST helmet.

"Maybe I'm claustrophobic." Kakashi hissed narrowing his eye. Any further comment by Naruto was cut short when they heard Gaara call out.

"Pelican drop ships coming in Sarge." The squad looked up and saw several hundred pelicans descend down on the mountain range dropping off vehicles and troops.

"Control calling Fox unit, please respond. Repeat: Control calling Fox." Sasuke heard a voice coming from his helmet. Quickly he grabbed his helmet and put it on.

"This is Fox, go ahead Control."

"New orders just came down from ONI; your unit is to proceed to Hotel Charlie. Admiral Cole wants any information that could lead the Covenant to anymore of our colonies scrapped ASAP. Your objective is the local library." Ino said as relevant pictures scrolled across Sasuke's HUD.

"Wilco Control. We'll get it done." Sasuke turned to Naruto. "Gather the squad and get us some Warthogs Naruto."

"Stow your gear people we're Oscar Mike, Let's go!" Naruto shouted happily, and the squad instantly snapped to their duties grabbing their gear and putting their helmets on.

***

Ino sat at her station onboard the UNSC Hokage, bathed in the blue glow of several holo screens that showed various information on her squad. Including Vitals, GPS, and a view from their helmet cams. Her fingers danced across her keyboards as she heard footsteps approach behind her. Captain Sarutobi walked calmly onto the logistics deck and watched the officers go about their duties. He had given them standing orders not to stop their work when he entered knowing how important their work was. A young woman with blue hair pulled into a tight bun walked up to the captain and saluted.

"Lt Commander Konan, how is the deployment proceeding?" Sarutobi asked returning the salute.

"Proceeding within the acceptable timetable Captain. The ODST squads cleared a good landing point for us." Konan replied.

"Good, now that Admiral Cole has taken out the Covenant Carrier we just need to retake the ground while they're without reinforcements." Sarutobi mused as he lit his pipe. "Speaking of our ODST squads, who have we sent on that mission Admiral Cole ordered?"

"Fox Unit of the 597th was deployed for that mission." Konan answered. 597th being the name of the ODST battalion assigned to the Hokage.

"Fox? I don't believe I'm familiar with that squad." Sarutobi replied.

"They had just arrived when we were ordered to the Harvest System sir. Lt Yamanaka is their Control Officer." Konan gestured to Ino's station. Ino turned from her station and saw the Captain and her superior standing behind her. Quickly she hopped out of her seat and snapped a salute.

"As you were." Sarutobi said calmly. "Lt bring up the data on Fox's Commanding Officers."

"Aye Captain." Ino said as she tapped a few keys and Sasuke and Naruto's file appeared on screen. "Sgt Uchiha is in command of Fox unit sir, his training record states that he graduated at the top of his ODST class with exceptional skill with throwing knives. His second in command is Corporal Uzumaki, Graduated second in his class though it's noted that he has a penchant for disobeying orders that he doesn't agree with, and is often borderline insubordinate, something I can personally attest to. The only person he's noted to follow orders from is Sgt Uchiha. Corporal Uzumaki is also the current Marine Corp knife fighting champion." Ino stated.

"Uzumaki you say?" Sarutobi mused as he stared at Naruto's picture before chuckling softly. "I see, carry on Lt." Sarutobi said before turning and heading off the deck. Ino heard someone giggling softly in the station next to her.

"What's so funny Karin?" Ino asked the glasses wearing redhead.

"Insubordination huh? Where I come from its called flirting." Karin said standing up and walking over to Ino.

"I have not been flirting, and neither has he. He just can't stop talking." Ino huffed.

"Well why not? I mean he is kind of cute in a primitive sort of way." Karin said appraising the picture of Naruto.

"Primitive? Please, with those whisker marks he has a far more exotic look." Ino replied.

"So he's not cute in a primitive way?"

"No."

"But he is in an exotic way?"

"Yes, I mean no!" Ino clapped her hand over her mouth realizing what she said.

"Thought so." Karin laughed as she walked back to her station.

"Fox to Control." Sasuke called over the radio.

"Go ahead Fox." Ino replied.

"You left your com on."

***

Back on Harvest a pair of Warthog jeeps raced through a procession of scorpion tanks before breaking off and heading down a side road. Naruto drove the lead Warthog with Kakashi riding alongside. Kiba was in the rear gunner position. Sasuke drove the second Warthog with Neji seated beside him, instead of a chain gun in the back was a bench allowing the rest of the squad to ride semi comfortably.

"I'm just saying, it doesn't look like a warthog to me." Shikamaru muttered.

"If it doesn't look like a warthog what does it look like then?" Tenten asked.

"I don't know, a puma I guess." Shikamaru replied.

"What the fuck is a puma?" Kiba asked over their helmet radios.

"It's a big cat, kinda like a lion." Shikamaru answered.

"You just made that up didn't you." Neji said looking over his shoulder at Shikamaru

"I did not. It's a real animal." Shikamaru growled.

"Hey Shikamaru, do you see the tow hooks on the front? Those look like tusks, do know of any animal other than a warthog that has tusks?" Sasuke asked.

"A walrus." Shikamaru replied easily.

"Damnit Shikamaru stop making up animals." Kiba snapped.

"You guys are dicks." Shikamaru muttered.

"Ok then, were gonna stick with warthog unless someone has any other animals they'd like to suggest." Neji said. "Well Shikamaru? Anything else? Unicorn perhaps?"

"No." Shikamaru growled.

"Phoenix?" Tenten asked.

"No."

"Bigfoot?" Kiba offered.

"No."

"Leprechaun?" Said Naruto.

"No."

"Hey Gaara, what's that Mexican monster that eats the goats?" Sasuke asked.

"Chupacabra." Gaara answered.

"Hey Shikamaru Chupathingee how bout that one?" Sasuke asked.

"You know what? Fuck all you guys."

***

Later the squad arrived at the city outskirts just as Harvest's sun began to set. The Warthogs continued on their path towards the library. Kakashi coordinating their direction with Ino's assistance.

"Lots of good places for an ambush here Sarge." Neji said looking at the rooftops of the tall buildings with his binoculars.

"Shikamaru, give me eyes." Sasuke ordered. Shikamaru nodded and loaded an odd looking shell into the grenade launcher on the bottom of his Battle Rifle. Taking aim Shikamaru fired it into the air. A high pitched whistling sound accompanied it for a moment before fading.

"Sonar recon up. Feed coming back to us now… uploading to VISR system." Shikamaru said consulting his tech pad.

"Alright people VISR up." Sasuke ordered. The squad adjusted the HUD to VISR mode and watched as the terrain was outlined in yellow lines and quasi night vision. A small map of the city appeared in the bottom corner. "The library is designated Nav marker Alpha." The warthogs continued on their path.

"What kind of system is that you're running on your helmets?" Kakashi asked.

"It's a system Shikamaru came up with when he was still a Marine. It uses a combination of sonar mapping and uploaded blueprints to enhance the visual feed in our helmets." Kiba answered.

"INCOMING!!!" Before anyone could react a large green energy blast struck in between the Warthogs tossing them into the air, their passengers hurled from their seats. Sasuke landed hard and scrambled to find some cover.

"FOX UNIT SOUND OFF!" Sasuke screamed. The squad instantly replied back letting him know everyone was okay. They were lucky; their high impact ODST armor had saved them all from serious injury. Kakashi stepped around the overturned warthog adjusting his beret.

"We've got to move quickly. We're just a few klicks from the objective." Kakashi said consulting his GPS. The squad gathered near the downed warthogs. "We'll just have to proceed on foot. We've got a good head start, and I believe that was a long range missile attack of some sort. So that means we have a good five minutes before-UGH!" Kakashi suddenly cried out and dropped to the ground a large steel spike embedded in the side of his skull.

"AMBUSH! TAKE COVER!" Naruto yelled and the squad threw themselves to the ground behind whatever cover they could find.

"Tenten shooter on the roof!" Tenten took aim on the large gorilla like alien that Sasuke pointed out. Her rifle jerked once and she saw the creature clutch his arm and disappear over the roof.

"MEDIC!" Shikamaru shouted. Hinata rushed over the other side of one of the Warthogs and crouched over Kakashi's fallen body.

"Sarge! We got enemy infantry pouring out of that mall over there." Neji calmly reported. Waves of enemy Grunts began rushing out of the mall.

"Goddamn covies laid a trap for us!" Naruto cursed.

"Hinata what's the status of the Captain?" Sasuke asked. Hinata looked up and shook her head. Sasuke swore under his breath. "Gaara, NUKE EM!" Gaara nodded and pulled what appeared to be a red pulsing grenade round which he proceeded to load into his Battle Rifle's grenade launcher.

"Nuke em? What the hell does that mean?" Kiba asked. Gaara stepped out from behind cover and launched the grenade into a graceful arc that took it into the mall over 200 yards away.

"Just something I've been playing with in my spare time. Now everybody get down and cover your heads." Gaara and the rest of the squad ducked down behind a low wall. After a few seconds nothing happened and Kiba stood up looking at the mall. "Kiba get down! It's gonna be big!" Gaara warned.

"Is it gonna be today?!" Kiba shouted back. As soon as he finished his sentence the mall exploded in a massive fireball that rose up. Kiba was instantly thrown back as the shockwave hit.

"Does that answer your question?" Gaara asked. Gaara was about to say something else when he noticed a soft rumbling beneath his feet that was slowly increasing. "Oh fuck. Sarge we gotta go NOW!" Gaara took off sprinting at full speed. The squad not knowing what was happening but trusting in their squad mate followed.

"Gaara what the fuck are we running from?" Tenten asked looking over her shoulder as he ran.

"I overestimated the city foundation. Apparently the city architecture can't take a small thermonuclear explosion." Gaara answered.

"Human terms Gaara." Naruto shouted.

"The center part of the city is about to collapse into the sewer system." As if on cue the concrete began cracking and breaking apart. Behind them a deafening boom erupted as several building began to fall.

"KEEP MOVING!" Sasuke screamed before he dodged a piece of falling debris.

"HEY GAARA, HOW ABOUT NEXT TIME YOU JUST LET THE COVIES KILL US INSTEAD OF DROPING A FUCKING CITY ON OUR HEADS?" Naruto shouted hopping over and abandoned car.

"FINE THEN, SEE IF I SAVE YOUR ASS THE NEXT TIME AN ARMY OF GRUNTS IS BEARING DOWN ON YOU!" Gaara shouted back. The building just behind them came crashing down.

"JUST A LITTLE FURTHER AND WE'LL BE BEYOND THE CENTRAL SEWER SYSTEM!" Shikamaru shouted.

"THROUGH THAT BUILDING!" Sasuke pointed to a building directly in front of them. Kiba pushed ahead throwing his shoulder into the door knocking it down. "OUT THE BACK! MOVE! MOVE! MOVE!" Sasuke was the last thru the doorway; the building behind them collapsed falling on the building they were in. Kiba still in front came to a large window on the other side that led to a park. Kiba leapt through the window the squad followed, building falling down around them. Sasuke dove out the broken window as the last wall fell and the whole building came tumbling down blanketing the area in dust.

"Did everyone make it?" Sasuke asked gasping for breath.

"We're all here Sarge." Kiba answered.

"Just another day in the corp." Naruto muttered.

"Hoorah." The squad groaned tiredly as they sat down to catch they're breath.

"Control to Fox please respond." Came Ino's slightly frantic voice over the radio.

"This is Fox, go ahead Control." Sasuke replied.

"Finally, I've been trying to contact you guys for the past fifteen minutes. Ever since you entered the city something has been jamming me." Ino said quickly.

"Yeah, we got ambushed by a Covenant force when we arrived." Naruto explained.

"Copy Fox, any casualties?"

"The Captain didn't make it." Sasuke said softly.

"Copy that Fox." Ino said quietly.

"On your feet troopers. We still got a job to do." Sasuke stood wiping the dust off his helmet.

It was a short march from there to the library. From this point on Fox stuck to the shadows and back alleys wary of another ambush. Sasuke and Naruto hoped that the damage to the interior of the city would make it difficult for the Covenant to track them. So far they hadn't seen any further sign of Covenant activity.

"Ok we're here." Shikamaru said staring up at a large building that looked more like a church than a library.

"Standard procedure people. Naruto, you're on point." Sasuke ordered. Shikamaru stepped forward and put his hand on the door knob and shifted to the side. Kiba and Naruto lined up on the other side of the door. Shikamaru held up three fingers and counted down. On one he yanked the door open and Naruto and Kiba dashed thru splitting up as they crossed the threshold.

"Clear left."

"Clear right." The rest of Fox entered behind them weapons sweeping the lobby.

"Shikamaru, where's the objective?" Sasuke asked.

"Computer server is in a room at the other end of this floor." Shikamaru answered.

"Alright that's where we're going then. Naruto take Kiba and Neji and clear out the upper floors. Shikamaru, lead the way" Sasuke said. Naruto and his group headed up the stairs while Shikamaru led them to the back of the library. Once they got there Shikamaru plugged his tech pad into the computer server.

"We got a problem Sarge. The power to the terminal is out, and I can't wipe the server." Shikamaru muttered.

"Can't I just blow it up?" Gaara asked.

"Negative, ONI doesn't want to take the risk of enemy forces recovering the data from the wreckage. Did you get all that Control?" Sasuke asked.

"Copy Fox. There should be a backup generator in the basement. You'll have to go down there and manually start it up though." Ino replied.

"Wilco Control. Gaara take Hinata and set up a welcome mat at the entrance. Covenant forces will be here soon. Shikamaru be ready to scrap the data as soon as I get the power back on."

Sasuke took off toward the maintenance stairs and found the entrance down into the basement. As he entered the pitch black basement his VISR system calibrated itself and cast the room in an eerie yellow glow. His eyes swept the room corner to corner following the marker on his map he quickly found the generator. Setting his Assault Rifle down Sasuke began to pull the cord trying to start the generator. After several tries he was about to give up when he heard a soft click behind him. Years of military instinct kicked in and Sasuke dove to the side narrowly dodging a green energy beam that cut through the space where his head once an instant before. Sasuke hit the ground and rolled before coming up and drawing a throwing knife. Without fully standing Sasuke twisted in place and tossed the blade. The bird-like Jackal standing at the end of the basement squawked once as the blade lodged itself in between its eyes before collapsing in a heap to the ground. Sasuke swore and picked up his rifle just as he heard his radio beep.

"Heads up Sarge! We got Covies inbound!" Naruto shouted over the com.

"Yeah I know, I just had a run in with a Jackal down here." Sasuke turned around and struck the side of the generator jumpstarting it. "Power's back on Shikamaru get to work. Everyone else form up in the lobby, we'll hold them there till the job is done."

Sasuke ran up the stairs and met the rest of the squad in the lobby. Naruto and Kiba were tossing furniture in a pile creating makeshift cover. Sasuke hopped behind the reception counter and trained his rifle on the door. Outside an ominous rumbling steadily grew louder, short bark like noises could be heard just outside. Sasuke looked over at Gaara and nodded. Gaara grabbed his detonator and pressed a button. The resulting explosion of several pounds of explosives placed in the parking lot on numerous abandoned vehicles resulted in the creation of a dozen 2 ton frag grenades. The front doors rattled from the shock and then only the cries of wounded were heard before another noise emerged. A loud angry roar swept across the library and slowly along with it the angry roar of a large group of Covenant rushing for the door.

"Shikamaru, it's about to get very crowded here." Naruto said over the com.

"Troublesome blonde I'm working as fast as I can." Shikamaru snapped.

"Work faster." Sasuke growled.

*BOOM*

The front door shook as something heavy slammed up against it.

*BOOM*

"Steady." Sasuke cautioned.

*BOOM*

"Steady." Then suddenly the doors burst inward and a horde of grunts rushed in.

"KILL EM ALL!"

The lobby was filled with the sounds of bullets being fired and the smell of ozone as energy weapons discharged. The Grunts were cut down by the dozens as they ran through the doorway right into the combined firepower of Fox squad. However, they were steadily depleting their ammo.

"FRAG OUT!" Naruto yelled. Kiba and Gaara tossed a pair of grenades out the doorway and were rewarded with a pair of muffled explosions outside.

"Job's done Sarge. Virus uploads complete." Shikamaru called out.

"EVERYONE FALL BACK! Naruto call us in a ride!" Sasuke shouted.

"Fox to Control, we need an evac ASAP!" Naruto shouted as he ran down the hall catching up with Shikamaru in the main library area. Naruto stopped when he thought he heard something behind him. Just as he turned around a large creature crashed through the window next to him. It stood nine feet tall resembling a gorilla covered in deep blue armor and holding a black pistol like weapon with blades on the bottom. ONI called them Brutes. It bellowed a challenge and raised its weapon.

"NARUTO MOVE!" Sasuke screamed and slammed into Naruto pushing him out of the way. The brute swung its weapon striking Sasuke in the side of the head with its blades shattering his visor. Sasuke cried out in pain and was knocked off his feet landing five feet away. The Brute roared again and tried to raise his weapon again but tackled by Kiba and Neji at the knees. Hinata followed up leaping on the Brute's chest knocking it to the ground before she shoved her rifle in its mouth and squeezed the trigger.

Naruto looked over and saw Sasuke lying on the ground blood dripping out of his helmet. Naruto clenched his teeth and looked back at the entrance watching as several Jackals entering. Naruto suddenly saw red and charged the Jackals drawing his combat knife. The first raised its plasma pistol, but Naruto was already too close. He ducked low and stabbed the Jackal in the chest, and spun swinging his knife upward slashing thru the second. He grabbed the third holding his blade against its neck using it as a shield the other Jackals began trying to shoot Naruto through their own comrade. Naruto tossed his shield into one jackal and tackling another stabbing it in the ribs as he went down. As Naruto hit the ground he rolled to the side and drew his pistol shooting a jackal standing over him in the head. Still from his back Naruto fired three more rounds killing two Grunts as they ran into the room. Naruto stood up and without looking shot the last Jackal that was pinned beneath one of his fallen brethren. Naruto calmly flicked the green blood from his knife before sheathing it. Naruto turned toward the squad when he looked to his side and saw one of the large bookshelves suddenly tilt and start to fall over. Naruto cursed and dove barely avoiding being buried underneath the bookshelf. Standing on the other side loomed a massive being nearly ten feet tall, clad in almost medieval armor, and carrying a shield nearly as big as it was. Its other arm seemed to end in a large cannon.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me." Naruto cursed. The cannon began to glow as it charged up. "INCOMING!" Naruto screamed and dove once more dodging the massive energy blast that ripped at the floor and everything else in its path. The rest of the squad opened up with their weapons, but the bullets bounced harmlessly off its shield and armor. Taking a huge gamble and praying he was right about the creature's weak spot Naruto sprinted around the back of his squad.

"KIBA! SHOTGUN!" Naruto yelled as he ran past. With barley a pause in his fire Kiba grabbed his shotgun and tossed it behind him. Naruto snatched it in midair as he passed. Running hard around the bookshelves till he came to be behind the creature Naruto began firing the shotgun as fast as he could into its back. Bright orange blood splattered Naruto as he kept firing. The shotgun ran dry as Naruto got within arm's reach. Dropping the shotgun Naruto grabbed a grenade of his belt, yanked the pin, and shoved it into the hole he'd made in its back. Just when Naruto released his hold on the grenade the creature swung its shield arm back smashing Naruto full force sending him crashing through one bookshelf and into another. Dazed, Naruto looked up and through his blood splattered visor saw the creature aim its weapon at him. The weapon reached full charge just as it's back exploded. Naruto let his head fall to the floor as the creature collapsed. Dimly Naruto thought he heard someone shouting his name. Everything started to grow fuzzy and the only thing Naruto could hear was a high pitched whistle in his ears. Naruto weakly tried to stand as he saw Kiba come running up to him. The last thing he saw was Kiba looking down on him before he blacked out.

"SHIT! Naruto's down!" Kiba swore.

"Get him back over here.' Neji ordered. "What about Sasuke?"

"Hinata's got him stabile." Tenten replied. Kiba hoisted Naruto on his shoulder and ran back to where the rest of the squad was holding up. Kiba laid Naruto next to Sasuke and Hinata began to check his injuries.

"MORE CONTACTS COMING THROUGH THE DOOR!!!" Shikamaru screamed. Everyone immediately opened fire. Suddenly they heard a crackle on the radio followed by a voice.

"Fox Unit, this is Pelican 642: Wind Dancer, do you copy?"

"Copy Wind Dancer. I hope your nearby cause we're not gonna be able to hold up much longer." Neji answered.

"Roger that Fox. ETA for evac two minutes." Temari replied.

"You heard her. Two minutes, hold the line!" Neji shouted. Bullets ripped at the walls and tore through the Covenant ranks as they filed through.

"I'M OUT!" Shikamaru screamed as he ran out of ammo.

"HERE!" Gaara tossed him a magazine. Hinata ran dry as well and picked up Sasuke's rifle and continued to fire. Tenten was down to her pistol.

"LAST FRAG!" Kiba called and tossed his grenade. Its explosion was then followed by several loud thumps above them.

"Those weren't explosions." Gaara mused. Hinata flashed several signs at Shikamaru and his eyes widened.

"FUCK! They're on the roof!" Shikamaru cursed.

"Temari, the LZ is hot! Abort evac! Repeat, abort the evac!" Gaara shouted in the com.

"NEGATIVE! YOU GET YOUR ASS TO THAT ROOF! I'LL WORRY ABOUT THE LZ!" Temari screamed back.

"Temari it's no good we're surrounded. We'll never make it to the top!" Gaara argued.

"I'M GETTING YOU OUT OF THERE EVEN IF I HAVE TO FLY THIS SHIP THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR. NOW YOU GOT 30 SECONDS, MOVE YOUR ASSES!"

"Understood." Gaara growled out.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered. Then he turned to Gaara. "I think I'm starting to like your sister."

"You stay away from my sister you lazy bum." Gaara hissed.

"Guys, plan the wedding later. Right now let's get the fuck out of here." Tenten pleaded.

"Kiba grab Naruto, I'll get Sasuke. We're gonna go full speed to the roof and just punch through anything in our way." Neji shouted grabbing Sasuke and throwing him over his shoulder. Hinata and Tenten took point. Their guns flashing as they fired on any Covenant that stood in their path. Running full speed up two flights of stairs enemies at their back energy weapons and explosive needles bursting all around them. Finally, they reached the top Hinata and Tenten hit the door together taking it off its hinges, and came face to face with about twenty heavily armed Jackals. Everyone froze for an instant. The Jackals already had their weapons raised.

"HIT THE DECK!!!" Boomed a Temari's voice over a loudspeaker as the Pelican rose up over the edge of the building. The squad instantly complied and dropped to the ground. Just in time as Temari tore through the Jackals with the Pelicans auto guns. The Pelican rotated and the rear opened up allowing Fox to board.

"Everybody strap in, it's gonna be a rough ride!" Temari shouted from the cockpit. The rear hatch already closing.

"We're good to go!" Tenten shouted as soon as everyone was situated. Everyone was thrown back in their harnesses as Temari gunned the engines. The Pelican roared across the rooftops before starting to gain altitude.

"I thought Pelican pilots were supposed to have a copilot?" Neji asked.

"We are but no one will fly with me." Temari answered. The eyes of everyone in the squad widened and they glanced at each other.

"Temari, why won't anyone fly with you?" Gaara asked warily.

"Well the thing is- SHIT!" Temari swore and the Pelican shuddered before banking hard and diving back down to the city.

"What the problem?" Tenten shouted over the roar of the engines.

"We got a pair of Covenant Banshee on our tail!" Temari shouted. The Pelican leveled off as it reached the city and began passing dangerously close to buildings.

"Then why the hell did we come back down in the city!?" Tenten screamed.

"Because we can't outrun them! They're faster in open air then we are. The only shot we have is to lose them in the city." Temari explained. A green ball of energy exploded above them and smaller blue energy beams splashed of the Pelicans armor.

"So let me get this straight. We're being chased by two ships that are smaller and faster and your plan is to out maneuver them inside the city?" Shikamaru asked calmly.

"Yes." Temari banked hard to the side again barely avoiding hitting the tower she passed.

"I'm starting to see why your sister flies alone." Shikamaru said to Gaara. The whole cabin area spun as Temari executed a barrel role. When everything righted itself the squad saw another green plasma bomb hit a support beam on a bridge in front of them. The resulting explosion caused a chain event that had the bridge collapsing.

"LEFT!" Tenten shouted.

"RIGHT!" Neji shouted.

"STOP!" Kiba closed his eyes.

"LET ME DRIVE DAMNIT!!!" Temari screamed. She pushed the engines to full and dove as low as she could actually bouncing the ship off the water and made it under the collapsing bridge. One of the Banshee tried to follow her and wasn't as successful. "That's one down!" Temari laughed.

"Ah to hell with it." Shikamaru pulled off his helmet and released his restraints.

"Shikamaru what are you doing?" Neji asked. Shikamaru stumbled as the ship continued dodging the enemy fighter before he made it to the cockpit. Temari looked incredulously at him.

"You need a copilot." He said simply as he sat down and strapped in. Temari merely nodded. "Hard left." Temari complied and found them coming upon a narrow space between two tall buildings.

"OH SHIT! EVERYONE THINK SKINNY!" Temari angled the Pelican completely sideways and held her breathe. The Pelican groaned as it scraped the sides of the buildings narrowly passing through.

"I GOT AN IDEA! WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHOOT US IN THE HEAD? I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE CLEAN UNDERWEAR TO CHANGE INTO!" Kiba growled angrily.

"HEY, I WILL TURN THIS PELICAN AROUND RIGHT NOW IF YOU DON'T CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE MISTER!" Temari snapped back. Hinata made several signs at Tenten.

"HINATA SAYS WE HAVE WOUNDED BACK HERE GOD DAMN IT!"

"TELL HINATA WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE WOUNDED OR WORSE IF WE DON'T LOSE THIS LAST BANSHEE!" The pelican shuddered as it was hit again.

"We're not gonna be able to take much more." Shikamaru warned. Temari got a strange look in her eye and Shikamaru felt the Pelican decelerate. "Temari we're slowing down. Why are we slowing down?!" Shikamaru asked getting increasingly worried.

"I'll hit the brakes and he'll fly right by." Temari said disturbingly calm.

"YOU'RE GONNA DO WHAT?!!" The whole squad screamed at once. Temari closed her eyes for a second then pulled the throttle stick back as hard as she could. It was like slamming into a brick wall. The Pelican seemed to freeze in midair. The Banshee screamed overhead and passed them.

"Burn em." Temari growled. Shikamaru squeezed the auto gun trigger and several hundred rounds tore through the air obliterating the Banshee.

"Ok, now can we go home?" Kiba asked.

"Yeah, I think we've had enough fun for one day." Shikamaru answered.