Location: UNSC Forward Operating Base, Virek
Date and Time: May 14, 2553 – 0800 Hours
The sun is just starting to rise over the mountains as we gather in the forward operating base's briefing room, the air heavy with tension. It's not often that the entire platoon gets pulled in for a debrief, and when it happens, it's usually serious. There's a nervous energy in the air, the kind that comes when you know bad news is coming but don't know exactly what it's going to be.
Lieutenant Kane stands at the front of the room, his face stern as he waits for everyone to settle in. He's been on edge lately, more so than usual, and I can tell today's briefing isn't going to ease that tension. Whatever he learned from Battalion, it's weighing on him.
"All right, listen up," Kane says, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "We've been seeing some changes in enemy tactics over the past few weeks, and Command wants us to be ready for what's coming next."
He pauses, glancing around the room to make sure he's got everyone's attention. Bravo Fireteam sits together, with Santiago beside me, while the rest of 2nd Platoon fills in the other seats. There's a mix of curiosity and concern on everyone's faces.
"The URF has been getting bolder," Kane continues, pulling up a holo-display that shows a map of Virek with key hotspots marked. "They've been moving away from large-scale operations and focusing on smaller, more precise attacks. We're talking ambushes, sabotage, and most concerning—using civilians as shields."
He gestures to the display, highlighting several recent skirmishes. "You've all seen it firsthand. They're digging in deep, using the local infrastructure to hide and making it harder for us to engage without risking collateral damage. This isn't just about tactics. It's about turning the local population against us."
The room goes quiet, the weight of his words settling over us. We've been feeling it on the ground—the way civilians look at us, the way they hesitate to interact with UNSC forces. Every engagement feels like a double-edged sword. If we go too hard, we alienate the people we're here to protect. If we hold back, the URF takes advantage.
Kane clears his throat, his eyes narrowing as he continues. "Battalion's Intelligence Officer, the S-2, has confirmed that the URF is deliberately targeting areas where civilian casualties will be high. They're using this as propaganda—making us look like the invaders, the ones who are tearing this planet apart. And it's working."
A murmur ripples through the room as the reality of the situation sinks in. This isn't just a fight for territory anymore. It's a fight for hearts and minds.
Sergeant Mallory from 4th Squad speaks up, his tone edged with frustration. "So what do we do, sir? If we keep pulling punches, they're just going to keep hitting us harder."
Kane nods, his expression grim. "That's the balance we have to strike. We can't afford to escalate every engagement into a full-blown firefight. We need to be smarter. More precise."
He pulls up a new display, showing various civilian-heavy areas across Virek. "From here on out, the ROE is strict. Deadly force is authorized only against confirmed hostiles with hostile intent. We are to minimize civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure at all costs. That means more reconnaissance, more precision strikes, and less brute force."
The tension in the room builds as the squad leaders exchange glances. We've all been through enough to know how hard that's going to be. The URF is using every dirty trick in the book, and now we're the ones who have to hold back.
Corporal Graves from 1st Squad leans forward, his brow furrowed. "How do we stop them if we can't engage fully? They're not exactly playing by the rules."
"That's why we have to adapt," Kane replies, his voice firm. "We'll be working closely with Battalion's S-2 to get better intel before we move. Every mission will be planned with civilian safety in mind. And we'll be using more of our ECM and counter-IED tech to avoid traps before they even become a threat."
He looks around the room, his gaze settling on each squad in turn. "This isn't just about fighting smarter—it's about winning the support of the people. The URF is trying to paint us as the enemy, and every civilian we protect is a step toward proving them wrong."
I sit back, absorbing his words. It makes sense, but it doesn't make it any easier. We've been trained to engage, to neutralize threats, but now we're being asked to do more than just fight. We're being asked to be protectors, diplomats, and warriors all at once.
"I know this is going to be a challenge," Kane says, softening his tone slightly. "But we've got the tools, and we've got the training. This isn't just a fight for territory—it's a fight for the future of this planet. We can't let the URF win that battle."
After the debrief, there's a low hum of conversation as the squads break off into smaller groups. Bravo Fireteam gathers around, with Santiago giving me a knowing look.
"They're asking a lot from us," he says quietly. "More than just pulling the trigger."
I nod, feeling the weight of his words. "Yeah. But if it keeps people alive, it's worth it."
Dash leans in, his usual carefree expression replaced with a rare moment of seriousness. "We've seen what happens when civilians get caught in the crossfire. We've got to be careful, or this whole place is going to turn against us."
The other squads are having similar conversations, with Mallory from 4th Squad and Graves from 1st Squad debating the best ways to handle the URF's new tactics without putting civilians at risk. There's frustration, but also determination. We know what we're up against, and we know it's not going to be easy. But we're in this together.
As the debrief wraps up, Kane gives us one last nod. "We move out in 24 hours. Be ready. Dismissed."