Quotes from Eric S. Nylund

John only knew three ways to react to people. If they were his superior officers, he obeyed them. If they were part of his squad, he helped them. If they were a threat, he neutralized them.

Sam's death had shown them that the Covenant were not invincible. They could be beaten. At a high cost, however. John finally understood what the Chief had meant—the difference between a life wasted and a life spent.

approached the two guards, smiling. John knew her smile wasn't friendly. She was smiling because she was finally getting a chance to put her training to the test. Kelly waved to the guard and pulled open the door. He asked her to stop and show her identification. She stepped inside, grabbed his rifle, twisted, and dragged him inside with her. The

How are you, Master Chief?" she asked. She stared pointedly at the hand pressed to his forehead in a tight salute. Slowly, he dropped his hand. She smiled. Unlike everyone else who greeted the Master Chief and stared at his uniform, medals, ribbons, or the Spartan insignia, Dr. Halsey stared into his eyes. And she never saluted. John had never gotten used to that.

Inbound Covenant air support," Blue-Four reported over the COM link. "ETA is two minutes, Chief.

How are you sure we're alive?

You're their CO. You have to inspire and command their respect. I'm their drill instructor. I get to be their worst nightmare.

She was honey-sweet and perfect... But that was just the surface layer; deeper there was more: darkness and sadness and pain

Relax," she said. "We're supposed to be parents inspecting the school for our little girl." She slipped her arm through his, and although she would have thought such a feat impossible, the Lieutenant stood even straighter.

when you were out of options, then you were using the wrong tactics? You had to bend the rules. Shift perspective—anything to find a way out of a hopeless situation.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The air rippled with synthetic pleasure and the taste of vanilla.

She made an ancient and arcane gesture at the machine with one finger.

Excuse me, young elven princess, but have you heard the word of your lord and savior, Diablo, today?

After all, it was survival of the fittest few.

When in unknown territory, before you did anything else, make darn sure you look around to see if someone was about to blow your head off.

Jiralhanae: the Elite name for the Brute race

He couldn't know the future. He had to do what he could to save every person. Today. Now.

Rest can be as deadly a weapon as a pistol or grenade.

Maybe our luck will change.

attacked the men I had assigned to guard it.

There had to be more to life than chasing money and grabbing Power.

4 of us, and 2,000 of them. Piss-poor odds. For them.

Honer and self sacrifice. Death does not diminish these qualities in a soldier. We shall remember.