DISCLAIMER: Halo and all related content belongs to the creators of the game and series, Bungie. Some story events are slightly altered to fit this version of the story

July 24th... 2552... Did I get that right? That's today... Shade stared down at the helmet in her hands. The helmet of a SPARTAN-III went perfect the rest of her armor, with a slight tint of blue coloration. With a sigh, she put the headpiece on as the Warthog continued down the road towards a camp of sorts. A pair of Falcons passed overhead just as the female SPARTAN glanced up. Are they for return, or pick up? Guess I'll find out soon enough. The driver of the Warthog hadn't looked at Shade the entire trip, nor had he talked to her. Was she really that intimidating? She shrugged off the thought. Maybe he was just concentrating on the road.

Eventually, after a bumpy drive, the vehicle came to a stop and one of the Falcons landed nearby. Guess it's pick-up time, huh. Just in time then. Shade wanted to thank the driver for the ride, but he didn't seem to be paying attention. She just climbed out of the Warthog and headed over to the barracks she assumed the rest of the team was in. On her way, she noticed a man in the already landed Falcon she passed by. His armor, green MJOLNIR by the looks of it, made him seem like one of Noble Team, and the sniper resting next to him with the clip he was filling gave the impression he was a sniper. 'Least he covers what I can't. Sniper rifles are way too hard to use for me. He seemed to look up and watch Shade pass by, but she didn't pay him much attention.

She soon located the others, one clearly having a conversation, although Shade herself hadn't caught the first part. Seemed like the blue Spartan was the one talking to someone else over holo-communication, is looked like.

''And now you're sending us?'' the Spartan was asking.

While they were having their chat about whatever it was, Shade came in and looked around. The first to catch her attention was the one Spartan with his helmet on. He seemed to be busy running a knife of sorts along his armor, which didn't look that much of a smart idea. But whatever, it wasn't her armor. He looked up from what he was doing and gave the female Spartan a good old look of his skull-patterned helmet. He was probably trying to look tough, but didn't exactly work on Shade. She was about to move forward and try to start conversation, but someone else stopped her. A light blue set of armor was worn by another female Spartan, and Shade wanted to comment on how it's nice to know she wouldn't be working with men the whole time, but refrained from it. From her look alone, she didn't seem like someone to mess around with. The light-blue armored woman took a moment to look over Shade before turning to the darker blue armored male, the one who was having the conversation.

''Commander.'' is all the woman had to say to get his attention. And the attention of a much bigger Spartan. Damn, I'm gonna need some names to remember if this is the team. Shade thought to herself.

''So that's our new number six.'' the large Spartan said, and it confused Shade. New number six? Do they even know my name?

It was the skull helmet's turn to speak next. ''Kat, you read her file?'' he asked the one in light blue. One name, what about the rest?

''Only the parts that weren't covered in black ink.'' Kat responded. Huh? My file was partially inked? I don't understand...

The Commander went back to talking over the holo-comm. ''Anyone claimed responsibility, sir?'' Shade went back to not listening to them. It wasn't something she cared about. She looked over to the large Spartan, and there was something a little off. A shape beside him. And he seemed to know about it, from the way he held the shape a bit.

''What's wrong, Six?'' the large Spartan asked quietly, not interrupting the chat going on. Shade motioned to the shape next to him. ''Oh, this guy?'' The large Spartan gently pushed the shape toward Shade, revealing it to be an Elite! It was a Spec Ops soldier, as it wore the armor related to the rank. It didn't seem to be struggling against the situation, but definitely wasn't pleased with it. ''We found this one snooping around, and it claimed to be against the Covenant for whatever reason.''

The Elite growled lowly. ''I've told you not to call me an 'it'.'' he muttered, loud enough for both nearby Spartans to hear. ''And you clearly believe me, Demon. Otherwise you would have...'' He seemed to stop for a moment to think about something. He growled a little more. ''Doesn't matter. You can't.''

Shade was more confused by this then anything else. Today had been an odd day so far. ''Can't what?'' she asked. However, she couldn't get an answer before the Commander was done with his conversation. He had turned to look at them.

''If you ware done talking to it, it's time to go.'' he said, causing another growl to come from the Elite. He came over to Shade, motioning for the large Spartan to head out. ''Lieutenant,'' he started, catching Shade's attention along with the Elite's. ''and you, I suppose.'' he added, aimed more at the Elite.

''Commander, Sir.'' Shade replied.

''Let me introduce you to the team's names. I'm Carter, Noble Team's leader. Light blue is Kat, Noble Two.'' Carter started, beginning to lead the two outside. ''Emile and Jorge,'' he motioned to each respectively, Emile the one in the skull-helmet and Jorge being the big guy. ''Four and Five. You're riding with me, Noble Six. As are you, Elite.'' The three made their way over to a Falcon set outside.

''It may be helpful for you to know my name, although it is complicated and I have abandoned it. I rather settle for something shorter, and easier to remember.'' the Elite muttered to Shade, only her hearing. ''Considering that me and you will be unlike the other Demons here.'' Shade wanted to question him about it, but she just listened. She would ask later. ''You may call me...Nick, as unlike us 'Elites' as it may seem.''

''Well, nice to meet you, Nick.'' Shade replied, grinning beneath her helmet. ''I'm Shade.'' Funnily enough, Nick had two weapons on him, despite the situation earlier.

As the three got on the Falcon, Carter continued to talk. ''Not gonna lie to you, Lieutenant, you're stepping into some shoes the rest of the squad would rather leave unfilled. Me, I'm just happy to have Noble Team back up to full strength. Oh, and I've seen your file. That includes the part ONI censors didn't want me to. Glad to have your skill set, but we're a team. That lone wolf stuff? That stays behind, got it?''

Shade nodded. ''Loud and clear, Carter, sir.'' she replied, sounding very relaxed about this. There wasn't a lot of room left for Nick, but Shade was fine with letting him sit with her, no matter how much he disagreed. After enough reasoning and a bit of annoyed grumbling from Nick, everyone was seated and ready to go. Carter signaled for the Falcons to take off and the sniper finally got a sentence out to Shade.

''Welcome to Reach.''