What is it that makes one a hero?

What is it that makes one put another's needs before his or her own? In over 30 years of non stop war, heroes have risen; and fallen. From the campaigns of Harvest to the destruction of the Covenant, there are some heroes that stand out to us; The Spartans. Super solders that secured humanities survival from the aliens genocidal invasion and inevitable extinction. Whether they be the II's the III's or now the IV's. Everybody knows of their heroics and unofficially, their sacrifice. But a few stories of other soldiers stand out. Regular main-line infantry that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. These stories that have gone unchecked in human history due to politics and bureaucracy. Planets that were once thriving population centres now turned to ash, but what about the middle? The events leading to? These are the stories of campaigns past that now, have been lost to the history books. Campaigns such as the Covenant invasion of Actium, and the heroics and selflessness of the 12,000 men and women that stood bravely against them; the 53rd Armoured Division. They're stories would be hidden from the public, but their spirit lives on, and they're sacrifice will never be forgotten to those who live on.

Admiral Andrew Winters

UNSC HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6, UNSC Security Council. Sydney, Australia

August 1st 2545 11:45 hours

Winters stood in the centre of a large room, a UNSC crest was painted white on the ground beneath him. Winters stood in his formal white uniform, hands behind his back and at ease. Five figures sat in chairs looking down on him from a crescent-shaped table. The room was pitch black except for lamps on each of their desks. Winters wouldn't be able to see were it not for the small lights. The figures; each of them the highest ranking officers in their field; Air Force General Dellert, Army Major General Nicolas Strauss, ONI Admiral Serin Osman, Marine Corps. General Hogan and head of the Security Council; Lord Terrence Hood. This is the second time he had to report to the council, and he wasn't overly fond of his first visit.

"So that's it then. That's your revised report Admiral?" General Hogan asked

"Yes sir, the whole thing" Winters replied

"I assume, then, thats its accurate?" Hood asked, flipping through the multi-paged report

"To the T, sir" Winters replied again

"Actium was lost, and the 53rd?" asked Maj. General Strauss

"As I stated in the report, to our best knowledge, they shared the same fate" Winters replied again

"Unfortunate" General Dellert stated

"When will Stanforth give his report to the council?" Lord hood asked, lying back in his chair

"Vice-Admiral Stanforth is still in custody for war crimes General, I don't see..." Winters started

"Your request to have Stanforth see a war crimes tribunal has been reviewed and overwritten" Strauss stated

"Councilors, your aware of the crimes that Stanforth and his co-conspirators are being tried for?" Winters asked in a puzzled tone

"We are aware Admiral thank you" General Hogan stated

"Then you know what they were planning, what they wanted to do" Winters replied

"We are, but in times of war, up keeping morale is important and the indictment of three ONI assets is not something we wish to publicize as we continue to lose our footing in this war" Lord Hood stated

Winters clenched his fists together, while still retaining a respectful posture. He knew in the back of his mind where this was headed, he just dident want to admit it yet.

"Admiral Osman, any final words?" Dellert asked

"I know this may be troubling for you Admiral, but Stanforth is a great asset to us, and in a time of war this resolution will make sure these soilders have a second chance. Mr. Minteith would understand would be here" Osman replied

"Say what you want, it won't make your decision any better" Winters stated in a disgusted tone, crossing his arms waiting for the inevitable reply

"Thank you for you input Admiral, you're dismissed" Lord Hood stated, pointing to the door

"And Admiral?" Winters said, staring Osmand in the eyes "His name was Colonel Minteith. He at least deserves the dignity of being addressed properly, given you've taken everything else"

Winters stormed out of the room while still trying to keep calm. A battle ready MP in his formal uniform opened the large double door for him and closed it again after Winters exited into the main complex, sweeping his hat underneath his arm as he collected himself for the coming situation. Winters feared this outcome as he kneeled before a young girl sitting on a metal bench outside the briefing room. She was hugging a stuffed bunny with her hair in a ponytail. The girl grasped the bunny tightly. Her mother stood beside her, becoming more alert as Winter's approached

"Well?" The mother asked hesitantly, her hands shaking from anxiety "What did they say?"

"I'm...sorry Lisa, they won't change their minds" Winters said regrettably

The mother started to cry, turning away from her daughter as she rubbed a wrinkled cloth under her eyes. The young girl looked up at her mother, confused. She looked back at Winters, still puzzled by the situation.

"What's going to happen to my daddy now?" the little girl asked. Winters grabbed her hand kissing it while thinking of a delicate way of putting the situation to such a young child

"We will remember him for who he was. A hero. Even if no one else will"

Halo: Actium