You heard three consecutive bangs.

Bang.

You looked down the range, seeing the three compact holes in the targets bullseye. Linda was lying prone on the ground, and her personalized S7 sniper rifle propped up on her shoulder. She was only in her helmet. Her undersuit sat bare. She had on some standard issue UNSC cargo pants. This is what Spartans usually wore when they weren't needed in their Mjolnir power armor. Not that you guys even had any yet.

She turned her head and gazed down the range as well before turning her helmet and glancing over her shoulder.

"You owe me twenty bucks."

You had to admit, she was an incredible shot. Probably the best in the program. She stood up, folding the bipod back under her rifle, and turned to face you. She was about six foot nine. She was augmented, just not fitted into her Mjolnir armor yet. Though that was coming later this month.

That was five years ago. She was still a great shot. Probably even better.

The two of you were lying on the ground, staring at the busling covenant base. Phatoms and corvettes loomed overhead, providing an ever-present sense of dread and unease. Any second, they could start raining down plasma, melting your armor, and boiling your insides. A painful death indeed.

You heard her shift, the metallic clicks of her armor brushing against her sniper stock entering your enhanced ears.

"The Sangheili are getting ready to move. We've gotta shift."

She groaned as she pushed herself up and grabbed her rifle. You did the same. Your massive bodies encased in these suits of armor moved incredibly silently. It was rather shocking.