Before the driver can get the Warthog moving, Lewis steps onto the road and fires his sniper rifle. The bullet goes through the chest of one of the Innies on the back and then through the back of the driver's skull. The rebel's corpse falls on the steering wheel, blood splattering all over the windshield. Lewis is immediately hit in the arm by one of the remaining Innies, and so dives behind cover again.

Aaron, seeing that it is just him and the gunner left, quickly pulls the dead body of the driver into his own seat, while taking the seat the corpse left vacant. He promptly slams his foot down on the pedal, hoping that the battered Warthog can make it to HQ in one piece, under all this fire.

Berlinsky emerges onto the road, holding his M247, and opens fire. The Warthog is pounded by bullets, and the last Innie on the back is killed. Berlinsky keeps firing, but soon the 'hog disappears from view. Berlinsky curses and throws his machine gun aside.

Berlinsky: They know we're coming! How're we supposed to take their base now?!

Martin: It was that slippery son of a bitch...

He turns to McCoy.

Martin: Hey, radar, see if you can contact the Ticonderoga; might prove you're good for something...

McCoy: Right, uh... On it. (COM) Ticonderoga, this is Private McCoy from Third Squad. The Insurrectionists are alerted to our presence, and we've taken some casualties. In our current condition, it will be almost impossible to complete the mission. Requesting reinforcements ASAP, over.

There is a moment of silence, before the Ticonderoga's captain finally responds.

Ticonderoga (COM): Roger, Third Squad. We have two more squads awating deployment. We're sending them your way, ETA fifteen minutes. Good luck.

As he drives, Aaron notices the Warthog slowly listing to the left, and also finds he is unable to reach maximum speed. Once he is sure he is out of range of the UNSC Army Rangers, he quickly stops the 'hog to find a flat tire. Thankfully, the 'hog is still able to get him back to base, although his tracks would be easy to follow.

An Albatross flies over the area, and lands a few metres behind the Army Rangers. The ramp lowers, and two squads of soldiers clad in full UNSC Marine armour walk out.

Berlinsky: Jarheads? This is supposed to be an Army operation. The fuck are you guys doing here?

A Marine walks past Berlinsky, holding an MA5B.

Marine: Cleaning up the mess you landlubbers made, obviously.

Aaron watches the Albatross land from within the walls of the FaSUM compound. He quickly radios Richter to warn him, then heads to the perimeter to help direct the soldiers.

Amundsen: (muttering) Arrogant, self-important...

Marine: Save it, ranger. What happened to the Innies here?

Amundsen blushes suddenly.

Amundsen: We got most of them, but the target... uhh...

The Marine gives a short, bark of a laugh, and is joined by one or two others.

Marine: Well, you may as well stick around. You'll get to see how it's really done - how we do it in the Corps!

This gets an 'oorah' from the clustered Marines, who then disperse into their units and get ready to move on.

Berlinsky holds up his keycard.

Berlinsky: Just so you know, I have this thing here which will allow us to enter the complex, so if you guys could provide a distraction while we get in, that'd be great.

(Berlinsky's still an NPC here, by the way.)