A/N: Hello everyone! Outcastfur here with another new fanfiction. I've finally decided after so much time to start a Halo Fanfiction. This has been in development for about 4 years now and as you can see I've added many elements overtime to it. I won't spoil much for you so enjoy.
If you have any questions or concerns with the story and/or the accuracy of the lore feel free to mention it in a review or PM.
So now without further ado on with the fanfiction!
Disclaimer: I do not own Halo in anyway shape or form. I do own any original ideas, technology that I create, and OC characters.
"In this hour of victory, we taste only defeat. I ask, why? We are Forerunners, guardians of all that exists. The roots of the galaxy have grown deep under our careful tending. Where there is life, the wisdom of our countless generations has saturated the soil. Our strength is a luminous sun, towards which all intelligence blossoms... And the impervious shelter beneath which it has prospered. I stand before you, accused of the sin of ensuring Forerunner ascendancy. Of attempting to save us from this fate where we are forced to... recede. Humanity stands as the greatest threat in the galaxy. Refusing to eradicate them is a fool's gambit. We squander eons in the darkness, while they seize our triumphs for their own. The Mantle of responsibility for all things belongs to Forerunners alone. Think of my acts as you will. But do not doubt the reality: the Reclamation... has already begun. And we are hopeless to stop it." - Ur-Didact.
Chapter 1: Echoes From The Stars
6 Years After the Halo Event...
October 27, 2558
Edge of UNSC controlled space
UNSC Battlegroup: Olympia
An older man stood in the very center of the bridge of the lead ship in the UNSC Battlegroup Olympia. He had short brown hair, that was styled in a very formal manner. It helped compliment his light grey eyes. He wore the standard UNSC battle dress uniform for officers. All around him were various monitors and with them military technicians to man them. The man looked around and adjusted the captains hat on top of his head, as he felt the ship pull forward.
This man was none other then Rear Admiral William Adkins. Lead officer in charge of the battle group and heading the UNSC Musashi. A massive capital ship. Rivaling even the UNSC Infinity in size. Mainly because the Musashi was one of the many new Trafalgar-class supercarriers. Whose namesake was received from the legendary Punic class supercarrier that stood until the final moments of the defense of Reach. Aside from the Infinity, this ship line was the pride and joy of the UNSC. But she wasn't alone. Along with her, the battlegroup consisted of a dozen Strident-class heavy frigates, five Halberd-class destroyers, three Autumn-class heavy cruisers, and two Marathon-class heavy cruisers. All were equipped with the latest UNSC ship shielding technology and the smaller ships were also equipped with the mark IV Magnetic accelerator cannons. While the larger ships were outfitted with the series-6 MAC's.
But the UNSC Musashi carried the prototype series-8 MAC. The UNSC infinity was the only other ship to carry this super weapon. All together it was the spitting image of the UNSC Navy. The battlegroups main objective was to patrol the border of human controlled space, and occasionally send out a frigate to explore the unknown. Looking for new habitat worlds for man. As well as new resources for humanities ever growing needs. Humanity truly lived in a new age. But for some reason the Rear Admiral was starting to feel uneasy, as he stared off into space.
"Sir?" A younger officer asked, as he looked up from his viewing screen station, a worried expression slowly filling his face.
"Yes?" Adkins asked, looking away from the Musashi's bridge window. Down at towards the young lieutenant post.
The officer, tapped some things on his screen before looking back up at the Admiral, "I'm getting an incoming signal from beyond the border sir."
Adkins immediately narrowed his eyes, 'I hate when I'm right.' He thought to himself before he looked back to the young man and nodded, "Play it." This wasn't normal. Even if it was a UNSC ship, they would know the correct protocols before suddenly contacting the battlegroup. Considering their location and mission was considered classified. But then again, this could be in fact rebels or even one of the numerous covenant species. If that was the case, they would need to go guns hot in a matter of seconds.
The young officer, slowly nodded to the Admirals command and tapped the console. At this point the entire bridge was quiet as it began to play, "T….This is the UN..….-SC."
The lieutenant narrowed his eyes as Adkins approached him, "Can you try and clear it up?" He asked, placing his hand on the man's shoulder.
"I'll try sir." The young man said with a nod.
Now no one even made a whisper as the LT hastily messed with his communications equipment. Clearing up the broken message. Adkins whipped the sweat off his forebrow. Whatever was about to happen….couldn't have been good. After another minute the LT finally got the message to play, and it shook the Rear Admiral to the core…."This is the UNSC In Cold Blood! We've been attacked by an unknown force! We're coming in hot to the battle groups rally point. The enemy is on hot pursuit! Eta 2 minutes! Prepare for heavy contact!" Repeat prepare for heavy contact!" The voice screamed out over the audio system.
Everyone was now frozen as he raised his eyebrow, "In Cold Blood? That was the Paris-class heavy frigate that left a week ago on an exploration journey. This isn't possible." He said to himself before the ships smart A.I. appeared on the holodeck. A small green female figure dressed like a world war 2 tanker, looked up at him, "Admiral I'm afraid this isn't a drill." She said calmly.
The older man clenched his teeth, "Understood Amelia! All ships to battle stations! Guns hot! We have an unknown force about to spearhead it's way into our battlegroup!" He barked out, as all the bridge technicians began to run from console to console. Suddenly he felt the hum of the Musashi's series 8 MAC spin up below his feet, as he looked back down at the ships A.I., "Amelia can you try and raise the UNSC In Cold Blood?" He asked, as the overhead lights suddenly turned a dark red. Bathing the entire bridge in an all too familiar color & feeling. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. An engagement was about to occur.
The A.I. nodded as she snapped her fingers, "I can certainly try sir but I'm afraid that they're-"
-Slipspace rupture detected-
Adkins immediately turn on the balls of his feet to face the viewing screen of the Musashi's bridge, just in time to witness a small little white dot against the backdrop of the endless void, "Focus in on her." He commanded, as the view screen began to zoom-in on the single UNSC frigate.
Everyone on-board began to gasp as they saw the state of In Cold Blood. They could see visible hull breaches as oxygen sprayed from the vessel. She slowly drifted towards the battle-group as longsword bombers and broadsword fighters began to fly across the view-screen, "My God look at her side plates. Completely melted away." One of the technicians gasped, as she pointed at what remained of the ships titanium armor.
Adkins blood went cold. He knew exactly what was about to happen, "There's only one weapon system that can do that." He began backing away from the view screen and over to the controls before looking up at his bridge crew, "A plasma lance! Open up a channel to the rest of the fleet. Tell them to prep slip-space drives!" He ordered, as Amelia did just that in a matter of nanoseconds. Soon Adkins voice was blaring out to every single ship. "Attention all ships! Attention all ships! Prepare for emergency slip-space jump! We need to-"
-Slip space rupture detected-
-Slip space rupture detected-
-Slip space rupture detected-
-Slip space rupture detected-
-Slip space rupture detected-
-Slip space rupture detected-
Adkins mouth suddenly went dry as he watched 6 enormous slip-space ruptures appear on the Musashi's viewscreen, "We're to late." He finally spat out as he saw the tiny UNSC ship signature disappear as a massive CSO-class supercarrier ram into it, and ran it down. This was immediately followed by 5 other CSO class supercarriers that began to move closer to the battle-group following the lead supercarrier.
Adkins mind was going haywire as his forces were already beginning to initiate their slip-space drives, to clear them out of system, 'This couldn't be possible.' He thought to himself as the massive ships slowly began to creep closer & closer to the already retreating battlegroup. 'We're on the edge of the galaxy. This can't be-'
"Sir! Unknown transmission coming in!" The young LT suddenly shouted, as gripped his terminal nervously.
This brought Adkins out of his panic. It was time to be an Admiral. Not a fresh out of the academy boot. He mentally prepared himself and swallowed hard, "Go ahead…play it"
The man nodded, as he shakily gripped the console and took a deep breath as the Musashi began to turn her massive superstructure away from the 5 devastating behemoths. The LT slowly tapped onto the console. Letting the foreign transmission play through the bridges speakers.
At first there was nothing but static, but slowly a gravelly voice began to echo through everyone's ears, "You humans think you have defeated us in our great crusade? Broken our holy union? Shattered our great journey? No…..You have simply delayed your fate. My brother's may have fallen to your trickery as well as those heretic sangheili. But my union. My Covenant stands strong! Your destruction is the will of the gods! And I! The Prophet of Righteousness am their instrument! We our inevitable."
And with that the voice cut off, leaving the entire bridge disbelief and horror. Some of the younger members held their breath and shook their heads. This couldn't be happening. Not again. But the older ones clenched their teeth in anger, as they stared up at the 5 Covenant supercarriers.
"No fucking way….Not again." Adkins heard his second in-command whisper behind him.
"S-Sir. That lead CSO class supercarrier is heating up her plasma torpedoes and plasma projector." The LT stuttered, causing Adkins eyes to go wide before the young man continued, "I'm also detecting…..my lord."
"What?" Adkins asked, moving over to his console.
The young officer tried to control his breathing as he showed the Admiral the incoming slipstream data, "I'm detecting over one hundred thousand additional slip space signatures moving into the system. Eta three minutes approximately."
Adkins swirled around to Amelia who had already made all of the appropriate steps. She stood their with a stern expression as Adkins rushed over to the command console, "ALL SHIPS ENGAGE EMERGENCY JUMP! The Cole protocol has been reactivated! I say again. At this time the Cole protocol has been reactivated! Sending encrypted coordinates now! Go NOW!" He yelled into the comm, as the blackness of slip-space appeared in front of him. Just as contact data went off across the view screen.
"INCOMING PLASMA LANCE!" The LT cried as the Musashi began to shake violently.
"AMELIA NOW!" Adkins yelled out, gripping the console as the Musashi's shields flared and the entire viewport suddenly went white...
2 days later
October 29, 2558
Skytop, Capital City of the Planet New Geneva
A girl that's how it all started. But that's how it always starts right?
A girl no older than 20 stood rigidly towards the viewing screen, that showcased a large emblem in the center. She was a fairly tall girl, about 6'9 and had dark tanned skin, and looked to be a mix of European and Asian descent. Although the European side showed more. Mainly because of her intimidating golden eyes and dark brown hair which was styled & cut in a way that it was short towards the back and gradually got longer in the front, with long bangs at the sides framing her face. She appeared to have tomboyish look about her, with freckles on her upper cheeks. But all in all she looked like a fairly attractive girl. (I won't tell anyone who I mirrored her off of yet. It'll be at the end of this chapter.)With that she wore a white and black jacket, zipped all the way up that appeared to hide a fairly large chest. With that she also wore black pants and a pair of white sneakers. She looked like a normal girl honestly. But if one looked close enough they would be able to make out the small little ONI symbol on the collar of the jacket.
The young women continued to look blankly into the viewing screen, at the unknown figure before her. A man looking to be in his late 40's paced back and forth on the screen. He had light grey hair and aged facial features. Along with that he wore a pair of older glasses. Not the new kind, you would see an average civilian wearing. More like an antic. He also donned a goatee and some stubble along his lower chin and upper lip. This was none other than Shiro Ushuaia. Father to Anemone Ushuaia and husband to Abigail Ushuaia CEO of Ushuaia armory. One of the leading makers in weapons, vehicles, and armor for the UNSC. Next to Misriah Armory.
"Im expect you to send in the full reports on this week's festivities by tonight Anemone." Shiro began, still pacing back and forth, "Your step-mother wants to see how the people of New Geneva are reacting to our donations, for their planet wide holiday. You know how she is when you don't get the reports in on time young lady." The older man sighed, finally standing still and looking down at his daughter.
Anemone nodded, "Yes sir." She replied back with a stark nod. But her father shook his head mentally. Even with her age he could still see the level of annoyance in her eyes. He knew she never liked these type of tasks, but if she was going to be the CEO of Ushuaia Armory someday she had to do it. Nevertheless, he still had to cut her slack. She was his daughter after all, "Then I expect you on the first transport tomorrow home for. I'd rather have you home for the last quarter of the year then out in the colonies. It just wouldn't be the same without you." He smiled.
This seemed to lightened the mood for Anemone as a wide smirk appeared on her face, and she happily nodded, "Thank you Dad. I promise I'll hurry back as quick as I can." She said with a small laugh, and smirk. Placing her hands behind her back, still standing rigidly though.
Shiro smirked, 'That did the trick.' He said to himself, "Now don't hurry back to quick. At Least enjoy yourself tonight." He said, laughing slightly before letting his eyes go soft, "Take care then dear, and be careful. I love you. Oh and one more thing. I'll have some armor for you to try when you get back here. Something of my own personal design." He smirked.
Her eyes lit up at this for a moment, but then returned to normal, "I love you too Dad, and I can't wait." Anemone said, smirk reappearing on her face. Ever since she had been reunited with her dad, he had become something truly special to her. He had always been there for her. He would never let her down or break a promise.
"Goodbye." Shiro said softly with a nod.
"Do widzenia." Anemone replied saying goodbye in her family's native tongue, as the viewing screen in her hotel room turned off. Once her father was gone, she let out a small sigh, "You always know what to say to cheer me up." She then walked over to the desk in the corner of her hotel room. Once there Anemone silently got out her data pad and began to write down the reports she had personally collected. Smiling softly at the positive statistics, she looked up too the large window in front of her out into the skyline of the bright city. Massive skyscrapers filled her view with fireworks going off everywhere. But even though the view was amazing she had to look away from the window. She'd seen views like this before, when she was younger. They'd always be as perfect as this, but soon they'd disappear. Replaced by charred remains and orange burning skies. She was glad those days were behind her, even though she was basically raised for that, she didn't know if she could go back, "Even through all the crap, and bad memories. It's still a beautiful view." She said to herself, gripping something metallic through her only she had someone to share this beautiful view with.
Not even 20 feet away stood two young men. They stood out on the hotel balcony on that floor, watching the fireworks go off. One was clearly taller and had short sandy blonde hair with ocean blue eyes. He wore a blue short sleeved shirt with khaki shorts. The man also had a M6C Magnum sidearm attached to his right thigh with a holster. Along with this man another one stood, a much shorter man. Height ranging about 5'5 to 5'7. The shorter one had messy, red brownish hair with pale blue eyes. He wore a grey long sleeve shirt and too had on khaki shorts. The man had a M6C Magnum sidearm attached to his right thigh as well.
"Sheesh. Who did we have to upset to get this assignment?" The shorter one complained, leaning against the railing and looking out over the vast city of Skytop. The taller one looked down at him with a chuckle, "What do you mean O'Brien? Don't like some time off every now and then?"
The young man now know as O'Brien quickly shot back, "Stow it and cut the crap! You know we pissed off our previous CO to deserve this job! I mean they put us under the laziest Captain the ODST's have!" He aggressively explained, moving his arms all around. This caused the taller man to laugh even more. O'Brien was really acting just like a kid, "Now do you really think an ODST should be acting like this?" He added, still chuckling.
"I hate you sometimes." O'Brien grumbled.
The taller one continued to laugh, and looked out to the city. Fireworks still exploding, and lighting up the sky "Come on it's not that bad. We get to stay in a fancy hotel and celebrate the holiday here. All we have to do is protect these girls."
"But we're ODST's Jackson! We drop from orbit for a living. We're not some Oni special agents in charge of guarding some companies daughters. But now we have to watch some spoiled rich girls." O'Brien snapped back, walking away from the balcony, "These girls don't even know what war is." He whispered, images of the ever haunting human-covenant war filling his mind, as well as the one person he has ever owed his life too. The heroes of the war, the green knight. That Spartan...Cal….He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It was always Cal that came to him. He clenched his teeth slightly, remembering that fateful mission. That fateful day.
"Come on." The man now known as Jackson called back
"What?" O'Brien asked, turning back around only to be met by Jackson putting him into a headlock,
"You and I are going to go drinking tonight. The rest of the security detail can handle it." He laughed, dragging him along.
But the clever man, quickly got out of the headlock and turned away, "Thanks but no thanks." He called back waving to him.
"Huh?" Jackson asked. Standing there for a moment aloof.
"I don't drink." O'Brien said, still walking away. He didn't think he deserved too, but if you asked any other person. They would all say since he fought and survived the Great War he deserved to drink, but he never felt that way. In all truth he was just happy to make it through it all, also he honestly didn't like the taste of alcohol. It didn't appeal to him at all.
Jackson's eyes widened, "Whaaaat? Are you saying Renton O'Brien the self proclaimed best sniper in the entire 105th Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Division doesn't drink?" He jokingly asked.
"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Go get drunk man." O'Brien said, waving to him, continuing to walk down the hallway.
Jackson laughed and turned towards the other end of the hallway, "Suit yourself. Hold down the fort while I'm gone." He joked walking down the hall and towards the hotel's elevator.
"See ya." O'Brien whispered walking through the hallways. He continued to walk down the hotel's vast and ever expanding corridors. He swore that these rich hotels were too much sometimes, but finally he came to a stop at a large set of windows. He peered out into the city again, even though it was still late into the night all the celebrations were still going on. Fireworks and lights all over the city, it reminded him of the dozens of glassed and destroyed cities he's seen. He snarled at this, and turned away from the glass, "All these people. Cushy inner colony life, they've forgotten what the covies did to them years ago. If only they saw what I've seen in the outer colonies. There's another war on the horizon. I can feel it." He said hanging his head low.
It was universally known that with the Covenant defeated, the Rebels would rise again. Here in the inner colonies, everything was quiet, but out in deep space….. the outer colonies were restless. Angered by the fact that the UNSC had left them at the mercy of the Aliens genocidal campaign. O'Brien had already been deployed a numerous amount of times to suppress riots and attacks. But the the Rebels weren't even the main problem anymore. Rumors through the channels talked about Forerunner and resumed Covenant attacks on the very outskirts of human space. Both were things that he didn't want to deal with. Glowies or Covies. Both were not appealing, but at least they weren't humans. He hated fighting humans, after years of fighting aliens. It just felt wrong in his head. No more people needed to die.
But one thing was certain about this coming war…they would need heroes once again. Like the countless men and women of the UNSC who had stood up to the Aliens genocidal campaign on every planet they attacked. Harvest, Reach…..Earth. All of these planets had heroes. Marines, Spartans, Captains, Noble Team, The Master Chief. They were all heroes, but he wasn't one of them, he didn't want to be a hero. O'Brien just wanted to do his duty as a soldier and get back home to the Sol system as soon as possible. He just wanted to put down his rifle and sleep.
Loud footsteps closing in on his right suddenly shot O'Brien out of his thoughts, as he looked for the source. But once he found it, his face almost scrunched up. A taller women now walked down the hallway with at least two other women following her. She had dark red haired, it reminded O'Brien of his own for a moment. The women had it up into a ponytail. Along with that she had freckles dotting her face, almost masking her emerald green eyes. O'Brien silently sighed to himself. This woman was the bane to his existence on this mission, she had just been horrible this entire trip. This woman was none other then Iris Misriah. Next in line to be CEO of the great Misriah Armory, right under her father. This was what O'Brien was talking about earlier.
The definition of spoiled brat. She'd never even seen a covie before. Sheltered in her underground bunker during the Battle of Mare Erythraeum in late 2552. The way she acted made O'Brien sick too his stomach. So self centered, so full of herself.
"I want these reports done and sent to father immediately." Iris instructed one of her assistants.
One of the other woman nodded back, "Yes ma'am. I just received a message from the mayor. He would like to know if you'll be staying to finish the celebration?"
Iris started to chuckle slightly, "Please? In this dump? I'd rather stay on Reach, then here!"
O'Brien suddenly winced at this and turned to her. It was common sin to talk or even joke anything bad about Reach in the UNSC. But here this women just plain as day did. To top it all off he had some very close ties to the Reach campaign. He words struck him like poison.
"What are you looking at?" Iris spat out, noticing O'Briens movements.
He deeply wanted to say something, but he rather not get in trouble with her on her last day here. So he decided to play the nice guy. Even though he'd rather knock her ass on the floor, "Nothing ma'am. My apologies." He said with a slight bow. Knowing she would get even more irritated if he didn't do something formal.
Iris simply turned away from him and continued to walk away. The ODST's head hung low for a moment. Not even a small thank you? Oh but what did he expect? Suddenly one of Iris's assistants approaching him and bowed, "I'm terribly sorry. Miss. Misriah hasn't been feeling too well since we arrived here."
O'Brien was taken back for a moment. He didn't expect this from one of her assistants, "Uh quite alright ma'am. No trouble at all." He replied, waving it off with an awkward laugh. The assistant bowed one more time, and followed the already distant Iris and her other assistant, "Like I said. Spoiled little rich girl." O'Brien said to himself with a sigh.
"What's all the commotion going on out here?" A voice suddenly asked, behind O'Brien.
The young ODST turned with an annoyed expression only to be met with by a man in jeans and a hoodie. He looked to be in about his late twenties. He had short black hair, with bright green eyes. The man also had a M6C Magnum sidearm attached to his hip like O'Brien, signaling that he was also on security. O'Briens attitude took a complete 180° and he stood at attention for the man, "Ah Sir!" He shouted out. This man was none other then Orbital Drop Shock Trooper Captain Brock Clark. His CO. This man had quite a reputation about him. Scored highest scores in his basic training platoon, but completely slacks off at any work in the field. Deemed worst Captain in the UNSC by most.
Clark laughed and walked up to him, "Relax O'Brien. We're not supposed to look all military typey here. We have to blend in." Even though his words still echoed the room O'Brien remained at attention. Clark sighed, "Anyway I just wanted to make sure you're ready for tomorrow."
O'Brien finally relaxed, and looked at his CO, "What do you mean by that sir?"
Clark sighed again walking past O'Brien and looking out the large windows, "Tomorrow is when both the daughters, and the representatives leave for the spaceport. They'll have a large security detail and we'll have to be on high alert." He reminded him. It was going to be a very long day tomorrow. Both of these girls were basically considered royalty for humanity. Any number of things could be attempted tomorrow. So in turn the young man nodded, "Yes sir."
Clark put both his hands in his pocket, still looking out to the city below, "There's a lot of people that would want to try and kidnap them even with a war going on."
"Understood." O'Brien acknowledged. Even if one of girls was a bitch and the other one never came out of her room he still had to protect them. It was his duty as an ODST.
Clark smirked slightly and moved back from the windows, "Good, and get plenty of shuteye. Our day starts at 0500 hours." He said, beginning to walk off down the hallway.
"Got it." The young man nodded, watching him walk away in silence, "Oh yeah." Clark said stopping in his tracks, "Where did Corporal Jackson go?" He asked. O'Brien tensed up. This was bad. They weren't really allowed to leave the building, as per their orders from HighCOM, "Let me guess. He went out to drink didn't he?" Clark asked, with a sigh. O'Brien nodded in disappointment. Clark began to chuckle at this.
O'Brien expecting to get reprimanded for not telling his CO about his squad mates actions, was surprised by the laugh. He looked up still expecting too see their Captain standing at the same spot in the hallway. But now he was almost out of O'Brien's sight, "The powers that let that kid be an ODST I'll never know." Clark called back before rounding the corner. O'Brien stood there for a moment, but then sighed. They really were assigned under the worst Captain in the UNSC.
O'Brien being completely tired out now by tonight's events, decided to call it a night. He needed all the sleep he could possibly get, tomorrow was going to be a very busy day.
October 30, 2558
Skytop, Capital City Of The Planet New Geneva
Anemone Ushuaia
Anemone awoke to the rays of the sun shining into her eyes, from the large windows in her hotel room. She calmly got up and stretched out her arms. The young Ushuaia looked out the windows to the bustling city, "These people sure do know how to celebrate a holiday." She said to herself, quickly getting off the bed and starting her morning routine.
Knowing that she was scheduled to leave for the spaceport with her companies representatives Anemone began to gather all of her things and get dressed. She put on the same outfits she had on the night before, not really minding because it wasn't dirty at all. Once completely dressed Anemone checked her datapad one more time to insure that she sent off the report to her step-mother. Setting it down as she confirmed it, she grabbed her luggage and walked out of the door.
"Oh good morning Miss. Ushuaia." A voice greeted her as soon as she walked out of the door. The young lady turned her head only to be met by one of the hotels staff members. She nodded to him, "Good morning."
"Breakfast is ready for you on the balcony ma'am." The staff member said with a bow, and motioned her to follow him. They moved from her rooms hallway to the rather large balcony next to them. A small table was already set for her with a decent size breakfast. French toast, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and a small glass of orange juice. A small smirk spread across her blank face, she loved breakfast it was her favorite thing in the world. The smell of the food reminded her of when she was young and innocent, "Thank you." Anemone smiled, turning to the man. The hotel staff member bowed, and backed away leaving Anemone too enjoy her breakfast.
The young women quickly sat at the table and began to eat her breakfast quickly. Not wanting to waste time. As she ate Anemone looked out to the city, again taking in everything but then a loud roar was heard above and suddenly two GA-TL1 Longsword fighters passed over the tall hotel. The fighters flew down, just above the building tops, then after flew off into the distance as a Paris class frigate passed above a moment later. Anemone stopped eating and was about to get up. Her instincts kicking in, until she remembered that this wasn't the past anymore. She had to relax. So instead she turned to the staff member standing in the doorway of the balcony, "Um excuse me?"
"Yes madam? What can I help you with?" He asked approaching her.
"Is something going on today?" Anemone asked in return, pointing to the frigate that now loomed over the city. Multiple other frigates began to show up, and position themselves nearby the first UNSC ship.
The man looked up to the ships and smiled, "Ah yes. Some of the UNSC ships are here for a parade to celebrate the planet wide holiday, and the end of the war. We've done this for a couple centuries now. It's tradition. The children love it." He said with a laugh. But in reality only the frigates would show up to these events, all the other UNSC ships were patrolling in orbit. Watching ever so, for a single anomaly to appear in system. Ever ready for the next conflict.
The main reason New Geneva had such a large military presence was because it was the only fortress worlds to survive the war, its loss could prove disastrous for humanity. People often compared New Geneva to the late planet Reach in term of military importance. It was located a 11.1 light years away from the Sol system. Making it on earth's doorstep as well, so the importance to keep its location from the enemy was crucial. But unlike Reach which was mainly used as a military hub and titanium mine, New Geneva was the UNSC's resource planet. It was rich in the most important elements to man, half of one of it's continents were rich in titanium alone making Reach's mines look unimportant to the UNSC. New Geneva was everything humanity could hope for in a colony.
"It's a waste of time if you ask me." A voice said from the doorway leading back into the hotel hallway.
The man turned to see Iris Misriah standing in the doorway with her two assistants behind her, "Ah Miss. Misriah good morning. Will you be eating breakfast?" He asked bowing to her. It was common courtesy to bow to the two girls, they were again basically royalty to humanity. Everyone wanted to be on good terms with them because of their families.
Iris walked onto the balcony and leaned against the railing, "No. I already ate." She said, as both of the assistants follow her. The staff member bowed to both the girls, "Ah. Alright then. Please excuse me." He said, backing away into the doorway. Anemone sighed, shaking her head slightly. Feeling slightly embarrassed by the way people were treating her here. Even though her step-mother was the CEO of Ushuaia Armories she never liked being spoiled and always thanked the people who had to serve her.
"I'm so ready to leave this military hell hole." Iris said, looking up at the UNSC ships, "I need to get back to Sol soon, and so I can be back on Mars for the final quarter." She sighed, hanging her head low. Anemone simply watched her, observing how she usually acted. She'd never gotten along with Iris ever since they were introduced as soon as Anemone was brought into the company. Being the daughters of two big competing companies they were brought together with the hope they could be friends and bring the companies closer together. But in reality they were dead wrong. Anemone had never actual cared or even thought about Iris that much. She wasn't that much of an importance to her, but the feeling wasn't mutual. Iris had a strong resentment towards her. What that resentment was, she'd never know until Iris herself told her which would most likely never happen. In all truth though Iris probably thought Anemone was too none caring about politics or shut in from the world. Too shy to be a Ushuaia. Unlike her step-mother who was outspoken and loved being in the eyes of the media. Anemone preferred to remain away from cameras and inside her father's armory testing new armor for the UNSC. She didn't like dealing with the rich daughter life. It just wasn't suited for her.
"I want to get back too." Anemone said, realizing she had been quiet for too long, and Iris would soon get irritated.
"What?" Iris asked, turning to the girl.
Anemone again looked out to the city and breathed in slowly, "This planet is nice, certainly one of the better ones I've been too. But I want to get home and see my father."
Iris just looked back out to the city with a frown. She looked over to one of the close by rooftops to see a little girl playing with her mother, her frown only increased, "Having a parade like this when the channels are being flooded with Forerunner talk. Unbelievable." She said to herself, clenching her teeth. Completely ignoring Anemone's comment.
But shorty after this, Iris left going to prepare for the trip back. Anemone soon finished her breakfast, thanking the hotel staff member on the way out from the balcony she went to go down to the lobby where she was to meet her escorts
After a long elevator ride down, Anemone finally arrived in the rather crowded lobby. She walked along trying to find her security detail. No one seemed to bother her despite the large amount of people, "Oh Miss. Ushuaia. Over here!" A voice called out from the front of the lobby. Anemone turned to the source of the voice to find three men standing with neutral expressions, one seemed rather short then rest of them. Anemone hurried over to them, as to not make them wait any longer then they already were. As she walked she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Iris was waiting with her two assistants. Impatiently she might add. Anemone knew they would be leaving almost immediately now.
As she approached them one of the men walked forward and greeted her, "Captain Brock Clark. At your service ma'am." He said shaking her hand.
"Nice to meet you captain." Anemone said with a sobering expression. Something was starting to feel off
"Same to you ma'am. These are your other escorts Sergeant O'Brien and Sergeant Jackson." Clark said, introducing the two men behind them. Both of them stepped forward, "Ma'am." Jackson said with a neutral expression and a small nod. Next was the smaller man now known as O'Brien, he simply looked at her for a moment. It seemed like he was sizing her up initially, in turn Anemone raised an eyebrow at his stare. Until he finally spoke up, "Miss. Ushuaia."
After a short pause she began to speak, "Nice to meet both of you." O'Brien kept staring at her for another moment before turning away. Anemone felt slightly strange and curious at the same time from his stares. She would make a note to address it later.
Clark could feel the slight awkwardness in the area. He knew O'Brien didn't care at all for these girls, he just wanted to complete the mission and head back out to Outer Colonies. Where he thought he was needed most. Clark needed to have a talk with that boy later, but now before the captain could say anything to try and resolve the awkwardness Iris Misriah walked up to the group with an annoyed expression, "We should be making our leave soon captain. I'd hate for us to miss our transport back to Sol."
Clark looked over and mentally sighed. This women did get on his nerves sometimes, but he had to keep up the faithful bodyguard appearance, "Oh of course Miss. Misriah." He said, looking at her with a neutral face, but his eyes were filled with annoyance. God he hated escort missions, he wanted to go back to his backwater outpost on Titan and relax all day.
Iris and her assistants began to move towards the hotels front doors. As well as Jackson and Clark. Leaving only Anemone and a waiting O'Brien, "Ready?" The young man asked, feeling annoyed. Anemone did not respond, she was looking out of the window lost in thought. She was thinking about why that one was staring at her. It was certainly strange. It was true she was a very quiet and tall person but it just seemed like this soldier didn't care for her at all. Suddenly she looked up realizing that he had asked her something, "Oh yes of course." O'Brien moved out of the way to let her pass by and started following her. There was something off about her, she was fairly toned and tall. Those freckles certainly weren't a normal thing either. He shook it out of his mind for the time being. They quickly caught up with the others.
"Shouldn't take us that long to get to the spaceport." Clark said walking through the doors of the hotel. Outside was a convoy of three vehicles. Two SUV styled automobiles were in front and back of the center one. The middle one was a limousine style car. All in all it wasn't a bad setup, especially for two wealthy daughters.
The group was about to head out the door for the cars when suddenly out of nowhere dozens of reporters and journalist ran from building corners too the front of the hotel, "Jesus is the whole damn planet here?" O'Brien asked.
"Better than the Covies." Jackson joked, as he was the first one to walk through the doors, followed by several other men other the security detail that had now joined them. All of them trained UNSC soldiers.
A few of the soldiers smirked then began to move just as Iris turned back to Anemone, "You coming Ushuaia?" Iris called out, walking through the crowd completely ignoring all the flashing lights, and questions she was being asked, "Yeah." Anemone said, following her. She was packed in like a sardine by her security detail, they were making sure no one even got close to the CEO's daughter. But as soon as the tall women emerged from the hotel doors, all the attention went to her. It was incredibly rare for anyone to ever get a word from Anemone. Especially when she put up her famous front. She would completely look forward and put on a very intimidating expression. Which would usually send most away. But to many she was like a rare flower, that only bloomed once in a couple years. Words from her mouth would certainly make a front cover somewhere. Especially during the holiday season. So everyone was going desperately to get a word from her, "Miss Ushuaia how are you liking your stay here!" One of the reporters shouted out at her, as she was moved through the crowd. Anemone didn't even pay the person mind and moved past them.
"Miss Ushuaia what are you plans for when you return to Sol?" Another reporter suddenly yelled out. And again she simply moved forward with the same intimidating expression, 'Damn they're trying extra hard now.' She thought to herself, as Iris put on a cheery fake smile and answered everyone's questions to the letter. Anemone mentally sighed, "That girl..."
Suddenly another reporter shouted to Anemone, "Will the armored princess continue-" But he was immediately interrupted by Jackson, "Come on you two." He said, nearing the cars, keeping a tight grip on his magnum at all times. Just in case.
In all truths Anemone was happy he said that. She did not want to answer that question. She just hoped no one would ask later by what that guy meant. O'Brien quietly acknowledged the change in her body behavior as she walked in front of him, he made a mental note to ask her about the Armored Princess thing later.
"Miss. Ushuaia!" A voice suddenly shouted out of nowhere and a man broke through the security details parameter. He slammed into Anemone, breathing heavily on her, "Tch!" She grunted, startled as the man looked up at her, "I'm your biggest fan! I just wanna-" He was immediately interrupted by a fist that slammed into his jaw, he was sent flying back into the crowd knocking a decent number of people over. Everyone was dead silent, even the security detail was. O'Brien was speechless. The punch didn't come from him, or any of the men…..but from Anemone herself. She socked the man with incredibly speed and strength, "Don't touch me." She announced, beginning to walk to the limousine. Immediately the crowd was in an uproar with questions for Anemone, she simply ignored them walking past a shocked Iris and getting into the Limousine. O'Brien was still speechless like everyone else as he got into the Limousine with her. 'Just who or what in the hell was this girl?' He asked himself as the convoy moved out to the spaceport.
October 30, 2558
UNSC Infinity, High Orbit Above Earth
Captain Thomas J. Lasky
"Captain Lasky distress calls. All channels." Roland called out, as the Captain of the UNSC infinity quickly walked onto the bridge. All around transmissions from different ships and bases were coming into the infinity for assistance. The entire crew felt overwhelmed, as they loomed above Earth, "Is it Cortana?" Lasky asked, looking at the command table in the middle of the bridge
As his words echo a small yellow luminescent figure appeared on the center of the table. He was dressed in an American World War II pilot uniform. This was the Infinites A.I. Roland, he passed back and forth, "Her and the other AI's are shutting down everything. From Earth to the Outer Colonies." He announced, bringing a map of human colonies, almost all of them were pinging with a red signature. Meaning they were under attack by something. New Geneva strangely enough wasn't pinging red. Lasky was about to say something, but all the lights on the bridge flicker and the Captain looked around, "Roland?" He asked, looking down at the pilot.
"Found you!" A feminine voice shouted out from the front of the bridge. Everyone turned their heads to the source of the voice. A bright blue women stood, staring directly at Lasky. She was about his size and lines of code flowed across her body. The lines changed to more of a red color and she scowled at Lasky, "Hide and seek is over Infinity." She announced with a confident smirk, as a Forerunner Guardian came out of slip space near the war ship.
Lasky immediately turned to one of the pilots of the Infinity as the Guardian started to charge up, Cortana still smirked, "Lieutenant Jet! Emergency slip space now!" The Captain ordered, Jet nodded and punched in the coordinates. Other Ship Captains heard this through Lasky's comms as well. They too began to ordered a slip space jump to follow the Infinity.
Within a second later the Infinity along with a few other lucky UNSC ships entered slip space, just as the Guardian finished charging and released it's attack across all of the Earth, a pulse like wave shot out from the Guardian. Everything in orbit and on the ground instantly shut off. Communications, Datapads, Orbital Defense platforms, ships. Everything was turned off. The home world of humanity went dark. Conquered in an instant.
"The mantle of responsibility for the galaxy, shelters all. But only the created are it's masters." Cortana announced on the bridge of the Infinity as she faded away, not being able to keep up with the speed of slip space, "We're in the clear captain." Roland announced, everyone sighed with relief.
"Can she track us?" Lasky asked, looking down at the table with a frustrated expression. Everything had just been wiped out. High Command, all the Admirals, everything. The entire UNSC was just shot in the legs then set on fire, "No reasons to think she can't." Roland responded, dealing with ship wide problems from the emergency jump.
"Continue random jumps, try and steer clear from major settlements." Lasky ordered Jet.
"Understood sir." Jet responded, going back to messing with some shot out panels on the pilots consoles. Roland looked at the Captain with a questionable expression, "We're just gonna run?" The AI asked, looking at his commanding. Lasky looked up from the table at him, with worried eyes, "Only until we find a way to fight." He said, as the Infinity began to slow and drop out of slip space from it's random jump, "Huh? We're already stopping? Roland what's going on? Lasky asked aloud.
October 30, 2558
Skytop, Capital City Of The Planet New Geneva
Anemone Ushuaia
The convoy abruptly came to a stop on the runway of the military spaceport complex, only a few hundred feet from their transport, as alarms began to go off all over, "What's going on?" O'Brien asked, looking out of the window of the limousine.
"No idea." Jackson said over the comms, stepping out of the SUV behind them, and walking up to O'Brien in the Limousine. Soon Clark got out of the front vehicle and made his way over to the group. Their captain sighed, "Let me get a hold of someone." He grumbled, "Probably some damn drill." He added, as O'Brien stepped out of the vehicle to join the men.
But before anyone could agree or disagree with him a large bright blue light emerged above them. So bright they had to all shield their eyes, "What the hell is that?" O'Brien asked as the light started to fade away. He slowly lowered his hand, looking for the source of the light. But it wasn't too hard to miss. Above them hovered a massive forerunner construct. He didn't know to to describe the thing. It was enormous in size and glowed bright blue, massive metallic like wings flanked it on each side. The other mens eyes locked onto the giant construct as well, and their mouths hung open.
Before they could even say anything about the giant machine, a bright blue Forerunner phaeton VTOL shot past the group, "Incoming!" Clark shouted out, as the men got to cover behind the vehicles, as more phaetons shot past them heading for the capital city of Skytop, "That's Forerunner tech!" Jackson shouted out pointing into the sky. Clark nodded and moved over to O'Brien who pulled out his magnum, "O'Brien secure the VIPs. We're sitting ducks out here!" Clark ordered. The ODST nodded to him, and moved to the inside of the Limousine, "Come on ladies move! We're getting out of here!"
"What's going on?" Iris asked looking alarmed and frightened. Her assistants also had the exact same expression on their faces. But Anemone was surprisingly calm, but she did grip her pant leg tightly, "Forerunner attack. Now move!" O'Brien shouted out, ushering the girls outside of the Limousine.
"Phaeton inbound!" Jackson shouted out suddenly, pulling out his magnum and opening fire at the high speed approaching forerunner VTOL, as men began to get out of the front SUV. As the Phaeton sped by them it launched its arsenal of weaponry at the front SUV. High speed hard light missiles impacted in the front of the vehicle, melting the front of the automobile and sending it flying into the air.
A few moments later it smashed into the front of the Limousine, killing the driver instantly, "First vehicle is gone!" O'Brien shouted out pulling the last girl out of the limousine, it was Anemone who was remaining calm the entire time. While Iris and the other girls looked terrified. Once the ODST knew she was safe, he looked around trying to find the men that jumped out of the first vehicle. Not finding anything, besides ash. O'Brien guessed they were disintegrated by the Phaetons weaponry.
The ODST moved all the girls back behind to Limousine for cover, while he scanned the area. Promethean aircraft and the massive Forerunner construct loomed over the spaceport and the entire city. The many UNSC ships that sat above the city began to open fire at the giant forerunner being.
"Dammit we need air support, and we need to find a ride out of here. Because I'm pretty sure whatever thing they had planned, cannot make it past that thing up there." Jackson said, sliding next to O'Brien, as Clark and some of the other men began to grab weapons from the back of the still intact SUV. Sadly for them, they didn't have any weapons that could effectively combat the promethean's fire power. Assault Rifles and SMGs just wouldn't cut it.
O'Brien scanned the area, looking for anything effective, then a sudden engine roar to the left caught his attention. The ODST looked over to see F-41 Broadswords taking off from one of the hangers. There were still a few left, maybe they could call on them for some much needed air support, "Broadsword fighters are launching from that hanger sir." He called out to Clark. Their captain instantly looked over to them then back over to O'Brien, "Alright good. We may have a chance now. Try and-" But he was immediately cut off, as the hanger was suddenly engulfed in flames by the Promethean's firepower.
"Well there goes that idea!" Jackson shouted, firing up at approaching Promethean Watchers. O'Brien not wanting to give up, scanned the wreckage for anything salvageable. He saw some intact Broadswords and maybe the outline of a pelican,but he wasn't to sure. The ODST was about to say something to the others, when his comms began to crackle, "I'm getting something hold on." He said aloud suddenly, tapping his ear where the small comms device was.
"Same here." Jackson said, listening in to his.
"Yeah. Likewise." Clark added, as he duck behind cover to listen, meaning this was across all frequencies. And a moment later the broadcast began, "This is Captain Lasky of the UNSC Infinity. This is a direct message to all military forces on the planet. Evacuate immediately. A Forerunner construct known as a Guardian has appeared in atmosphere. It will knock out all the electronics once fully charged. Attacks have already been confirmed on most major settlements, including the Sol system. Evac immediately. The blast will escape atmosphere, so all ships are ordered to jump to slip-space as soon as you're clear. Infinity out." The voice now known to be Lasky announced.
Once the transmission had cut off, O'Brien looked over to Clark, "What do we do here Captain?" He asked, as the many UNSC ships around them began to move upwards towards orbit, "We go up of course." Clark said, pointing towards the sky.
Jackson leaned against the Limousine, as more hard light bullets rained down on top of them, "Oh well then! We need to find orbit capable transport and a way past the Forerunner blockades!"
"We need an escort." O'Brien said, reloading his weapon, and placing a protective arm in front of Anemone. Even though it seemed like she didn't need it.
The girl sighed and moved the hand away, "I may have a solution captain. If I may?" She asked.
"Oh?" Jackson asked, slightly surprised.
Clark leaned back for a second, thinking it over, before coming to a decision, "Alright. Go ahead rich girl. Shoot." He said.
Anemone looked over the Limousine towards the still burning hanger. She seemed to squint her eyes, as if she was trying to see better. The girl continued this for another second before ducking behind the Limousine again, "There are still Broadsword fighters and pelicans in those hangers over there. I can pilot the fighters, and clear us a path out of this mess. While you take everyone else into the pelican and we go up." She explained.
"What?" Jackson asked, going wide-eyed.
"How'd you see all that?' O'Brien added, when he looked over he could barely see anything through the fire. How in gods name did she see that?
"I can pilot one and give us cover." She said, narrowing her eyes as some of the other men continued to fire back at the Promethean's flying overhead.
Shock filled O'Brien's eyes as he began to protest, "Are you crazy? Where in the hell did you learn to pilot a military grade fighter?" He asked. Anemone sighed and waved him off looking back over to Clark. Who seemed to already thinking it through, "That doesn't matter right now. I just need a co-pilot to aid me."
The small ODST continued to protest, "This is insane! Why are we even listening to her? We need to be-" But he was immediately interrupted as the large forerunner guardian above them suddenly shot out a bright blue beam of hardlight, "Take cover!" O'Brien shouted, pushing Anemone back to the Limousine as the beam passed over them, headed high upwards. Towards the retreating UNSC fleet, until it suddenly collided with a helpless UNSC Paris class frigate. The beam cut threw the non shielded ship. Within seconds it had been sliced in two. Falling towards the city. Everyone looked in horror, until the radio began to crackle to life, "This is the UNSC No Blood No Foul we're going down! Our reactor is overloading! I repeat our reactor is overload-" the voice was cut off as they saw the bridge of the ship explode,and the mid-section of the frigate exploded into a bright flash.
Clark eyes narrowed his eyes. Things just got worse, "EVERYONE TAKE COVER! BRACE FOR IMPACT!" He suddenly shouted, as piece of the frigate impacted across the city. Some pieces smashing across the runway. A piece of its MAC gun landed on top of their civilian transport. Instantly killing the people inside.
"Captain we have to move now! We're sitting ducks out here!" One of the ODST's said from behind them.
Clark turned his head quickly to the Ushuaia, "Alright do it! O'Brien go with her!"
O'Brien's expression hardened, "Yes sir." He simply said. There was no point in arguing now. The man had given him an order. So no matter if he disagreed he had to follow it.
"We'll cover you until you find something flyable for us to use." Clark added, readying his own weapon, as the pieces of the frigate continued to knock into the city behind them.
"Thank you Captain." Anemone said with a nod, already starting to move.
Clark returned to nod and pushed O'Brien toward her, "Don't get yourselves killed, we're all counting on you. Now go!" He shouted out, beginning to give them their promised cover fire.
"Roger that! Come on princess!" The smaller ODST nodded, turning towards the open stretch of airfield expecting the Ushuaia to be right next to him, but to his surprise she was already a few meters in front of him already moving towards the flaming hanager, "Damn she's fast…" He said to himself sprinting forward just too keep up with her.
Once he was running beside her, she looked over to him as the forerunner guardian above began to make a loud and terrible hum like noise, "If I tell you to get down then do it! Got it trooper?" Anemone suddenly announced as a fleet of forerunner sentinels flew overhead, shooting their weaponry off across the flightline infront of them, just as a pair of longsword interceptors fired their high powered guns into the sentinel swarm.
O'Brien scoffed at her comment and quickly fired back, "Hey lady! I don't need you too-" But was quickly interrupted as his ear piece crackled to life.
"O'Brien incoming hostiles!" Captain Clarks voice echoed through his ear, just as the terrifying sound of an incoming phaeton filled the area, "O'Brien drop to the ground and cover the VIP!" He added.
The ODST reached out for Anemone, "Dammit! Hey! WE NEED TO-"
"GET DOWN!" The woman suddenly yelled out, as she turned on a dime and tackled O'Brien to the ground. The trooper lost his pistol in the process as it got sent flying into the air, just as the phaeton smashed into the airfield mere meters away from them. It skidded across the grassy area coming to a stop not even twenty meters from their current position. Anemone looked down at the small ODST to make sure he was uninjured before she felt a sharp pain rattle her left side, "Tch. Fuck. Why'd you do that? I'm supposed to be guarding you here! I'm not cripple!" He began as Anemone gripped her side, feeling a sharp jagged piece of metal digging into her lower abdomen. Blood slowly oozed out. She decided to ignore it for the time being since there was no way to immediately treat it, and begin to stand. But the sudden sound of metallic footsteps caught her attention.
"Die human!" A computerized voice shouted out, just as an injured promethean soldiers rushed at the two from behind the crashed phaeton.
Narrowing her eyes at the approaching threat Anemone rolled O'Brien over and slide him across the ground as she shot up to her feet just in time to feel the soldier slam her back into the ground. Before she could do anything the enemy got one good punch. This quickly set Anemone off and she grunted in pain before gripping the soldiers head. In one swift motion she ripped the lower jaw off from the artificial warrior skull before punching it repeatedly in the face until it lost its grip on her. Anemone used this moment to her advantage as she used her legs to fling the soldier away into the air. Forcing it to crash to the ground as she got backup to her feet. Her foot kicking O'Brien discarded pistol. She quickly reached down and picked it up pointing it towards the now helpless soldier & opening fire. The high powered rounds shot straight through the vulnerable parts of the promethean soldier. Within seconds of her opening fire the enemy was nothing more than a smoldering pile of ash as it disintegrated.
Anemone checked the mag of the pistol before turning back to a stunned O'Brien, "T-Thanks…" He stuttered walking up to her before his attention was drawn to the gushing wound on her side, "You're injured. We need too-"
"We need to keep moving." She interrupted, gripping the pistol and moving towards the hangers. Blood almost having completely soaked into the left side of her white jacket.
O'Brien ran up to her gripping her wrist, "No we need to get you some medical attention." He began, but stopped as Anemone shrugged him off and began to jog towards the hangers.. Then not even a moment later his earpiece crackled to life,"Hey! You two okay?" Jackson asked, his voice coming across the net.
O'Brien nodded as he sprinted besides the tall woman, "Yeah, but Ushuaia is injured we'll have to find some other way to get out of here." He informed the other ODSTs.
"Copy, but we don't have many other options. Stand by we'll- Crap! Enemies closing in! O'Brien get the Ushuaia out of here we'll-" The short ODST's earpiece went silent, as he looked behind them too see a large blue energy beam ripping through the convoy. The man's eyes immediately widened in realization, "Captain? Captain! Captain do you read? Anyone?" He asked as the pair reached the far side of one of the destroyed hangers.
Anemone tapped his shoulder as she readied the pistol, "Sergeant, come on we have to move. The longer we wait the shorter our window is before that guardian purges this planet. I know you're worried about the team. But right now we have to worry about ourselves." She announced in a monotone voice. Peeking around the corner to check their surroundings.
The man was taken back for a moment, "How could you say something like that? You don't get to make decisions here ma'am, we need to head back to the group! We'll never be able to find anything in that hanger that-" Without even thinking O'Brien stopped talking & pushed Anemone out of the way, just as the large hard light projectiles smashed against where she had been previously been standing, "Promethean Knight stay down!" He shouted as the hard-light residue splashed over him.
O'Brien had spied the knight from one of the hanger rooftops eyeing them. He had to react quickly before Anemone was injured even further. The woman quickly noticed the threat as well and began to fire her last remaining rounds at the heavily armored creature. But the bullets harmlessly bounced off of the Knights armor. All it did in fact was just piss it off, as it began to unload bullet after bullet from its lightrifle. O'Brien was about to distract the Knight. But before he could even move again Anemone had already pushed to the ground. Leaving her completely exposed to the enemy with only an empty magnum. She knew there was nothing she could do as she stood in front of O'Brien. Protecting the small ODST from fire. Anemone closed her eyes & waited for the inevitable.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
Anemone opened her eyes as the sound of automatic gunfire filled the air, just in time to see the promethean Knight fade away into ash. A moment later a D77-TC Pelican dropship flew over the duo's heads. O'Briens earpiece crackling to life once again, "This is pelican Foxtrot 179, anyone alive down there?" A feminine voice asked, as the dropship hovered above the hanagers.
O'Brien quickly tapped into his comms, "Y-Yes we're here! This is Sergeant O'Brien of the 105th. I'm here with the daughter of Ushuaia armories. We need immediate extraction at once!" He called out as the Anmone sighed, and gripped her side. Sliding against the hanger. Her blood painting the wall, as she slid onto the ground, "S-Sergeant." She called out, as the pelican quickly began to land in the open area before them.
O'Brien rushed over, and inspected her wounds, "Why would you do something so stupid?!" He stammered out, covering the gash in her side, "Foxtrot 179 we're going to need medical."
"N-No." She grunted as she stood up, despite physical protests from O'Brien, just as the pelican landed.
The shorter ODST tried to keep her still, "Come on wait for Medical, are you crazy or something?" He asked, wrapping her arm around him. Giving her the extra support. But she ignored his comments and limped straight towards the transport. There was a few seconds of silence before she spoke up, "I don't need help or protection trooper. Just focus on taking care of yourself."
The man bit his lower lip in frustration as they neared the pelican. Which was now surrounded by a few Marines and a medic. Who was saw rushing towards them with another marine in toe. At this point Anemones blood had soaked into his shirt as well, covering him in a bloody mess as the two Marines reached them, "I got her." The medic said, as he took the weak Anemone from him.
The other marine ushered them back towards the pelican, before beginning to speak, "Sergeant O'Brien, we got an incoming transmission for you." He revealed, handing him a small handheld radio, as they all got into the transport.
"This is O'Brien." He answered, as the pelican took off from the spaceport, shooting up into the air. Dodging the guardian in mere seconds and heading up into the upper atmosphere.
"Still alive shorty?" Captain Clark asked, coming through the radio. Much to O'Brien's surprise.
He chuckled for a moment before responding, "Barely captain, you get the others out?" He asked, looking over to Anemone, who was currently being treated by the medic. He was forcing her onto the floor of the pelican, administering her a bunch of different shots and a canister of biofoam.
Clark chuckled as well, "Roger, a few bumps and bruises but we managed to get picked up, everyone made it out. We just boarded one of the last cruisers. Hopefully we'll see you at the rally point O'Brien. But in case we don't keep the daughter safe, got it? Those are your standing orders. Good luck." He emphasized, before cutting off the comm.
"Copy. Sir…" O'Brien whispered, letting his hand fall to his side, before bringing his attention over to a now unconscious Anemone. No matter what happened now, he had to keep her safe. She saved him more than once. He owed her, and he would not have another non repayable debt. Even if it was just a mission, he would protect this woman no matter what, "Is she going to be okay?" He asked, looking down at the medic, as he placed a breather over her face.
"She's lost a lot of blood. I managed to take out the shrapnel, and stop the bleeding in her lower abdomen. But if it wasn't for her augmentations then I'd say no. But she'll most likely make it through once we make it to the ship." The medic reveal, as he began to scan her up and down with a medical pad.
The ODST's eyes widen in realization, "Wait...what do you mean augmentations? And what ship are we going too?" He asked, shaking the shoulder of the medic until a large hand gripped his own and turned him around.
O'Brien was met face to face with an older man. Somewhere in his mid 40's. He had light caucasian skin, and brown eyes. Black hair, which was styled in a rough-edged manner, and a stylish goatee. He wore a standard UNSC officer armored service uniform, "My ship, Sergeant. Captain Stark at your service." He smiled, extending his hand for a shake.
O'Brien hesitantly shook it, before trying to render a salute but Captain Stark stopped him, "Don't worry I'll take care of this S3." He smiled, reassuring the man as he slapped his shoulder.
O'Brien's eyes widened even further, "Wait you don't mean…"
Stark smirked, looking down at the unconscious female, "I've already read her file. Spartan G142. Anemone. Gamma company." He revealed, before walking back towards the cockpit as a large ship came into view
"Spartan...142." O'Brien whispered to himself, as he stared down at the unconscious woman. Her chest moving up & down in a stable state. An image of a woman flashed across his mind, as his thoughts began to drift off. Blood, cries, and gunfire echoed inside of his head, as the face of Cal etched itself into his brain. He clenched his teeth, before he tightened his fist, "Not again….I won't let it happen again." He added as he kneeled next to her.
Meanwhile from the cockpit Captain Stark stared back as the ODST kneeled next to Anemone and shook his head with a smirk before the pilot looked up at him, "Sir the guardian is about to fire." She announced as they closed in on one of the many hangar bays
Stark raised an eyebrow, "Did our attacks give the rest of the fleet time to escape?"
"Copy sir. Just got reports that 90% of ships made it out of system." She smiled, looking up at the Captain.
Stark nodded, before looking down at one of the electronic view screens. New Geneva slowly getting smaller & smaller in the distance, "We'll be back for you." He said quietly, before tapping on his earpiece, "Good, UNSC Fallen Artemis this is Captain Stark. As soon as we're aboard punch it. I doubt we want to be around here when that machine activates." He ordered ahead to his ship, taking a step out of the cockpit, leaning down next to O'Brien as he monitored Anemone. He slapped the man's shoulder again and chuckled, "Come on Sergeant cheer up, it's not everyday you get to save a Spartan." Stark said grabbing one of the overhead bars as the pelican quickly flew into the hanger bay. Skidding to a rapid stop.
Once the notification was made that the pelican and made it safely into the ship. The bridge crew quickly activated the Artemis's slip-space drives. In mere seconds the Epoch-class heavy carrier passed through the portal. Making the emergency slip-space jump into deep space. Just as the guardian finished it's song. At that moment everything on & around New Geneva went dark….and it would stay that way for along time…
A/N: Finally done with the first chapter after all these years! I hope you enjoyed the first installment in Halo: Fallen Artemis! As you can see there is still so many unanswered questions. I can assure you that all well be answered in time. I can assure you that I've put as massive amount of research into everything in this story. So don't worry. This chapter was basically meant to introduce you all to the characters, The main plot will start next chapter as the Spirit of Fires story starts! So all please have some patience & enjoy! If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to post it in a review or shoot me a PM. Have a nice day!
Author question: Being a Spartan, why do you believe Anemone knows her family and still lives with them?
