This was actually one of the first stories I ever wrote- but I've only recently decided to submit it. I'm re-reading through the story and submitting it Chapter by Chapter. Hopefully should have the entire story up soon.
Reviews much appreciated.
(Note- This story was created very early on in the Halo Series development- may not entirely follow now established canon)
Chapter 1- In the Beginning…
It occurred in the year 2525. An alliance of power hungry alien races calling themselves the Covenant finally made their advance against humanity. United in their oaths to the Prophecy known solely as the 'Great Journey' they sweep the galaxy in search of any remnants of the fabled Forerunners. Though an alliance through hatred is a fragile one at best. Through the ages there have been rebellions between races, mass uprisings. These were quickly put down.
Through the years to come these aliens have destroyed many of the human colonies, one by one they have degraded the once grand human empire down to a handful of measly colonies. Out of desperation the Office of Naval Intelligence, a shady organization deep within the command structure of the UNSC authorized the SPARTAN II program to be lead by Dr. Catherine Hasley. Under the command of Dr. Hasley her attendants scouted the remaining human colonies in search of children with specific traits which could range to above average intelligence, agility, strength, speed etc. Once chosen the subjects, unknown to their families, were taken from their homes and replaced with engineered clones. The subjects were then escorted to the UNSC fortress planet of Reach, the final line of defense against the Covenant and Earth.
These children were then given intense military training and underwent biological enhancements to improve bone density, improved senses and accelerated healing. As the project progressed, and the list of surviving subjects diminished, the subjects received an advanced suit of armor codenamed project MJNOIR. This armor was so advanced and demanded so much from the wearer that only someone with the Spartans skeletal structure and reflexes could operate.
Many amongst the UNSC and even more amongst the Insurrectionists, who had long ago abandoned UNSC rule, saw the Spartans as abominations. Their solid suits of armor made them appear as more half human, half machine. Many who met a Spartan for the first time stared at them with slack jaws and glazed eyes.
After the final Human colony had fallen all that remained was Reach and Earth. Finally, with their backs pressed against the wall and the cold touch of th3e Covenants blade at the UNSC's throat the Spartans were given their most critical mission of all, one which could turn the entire course of the war. The Spartans were to capture a Covenant Ship, access their navigation computers and determine the location of the Covenant homeworld. Then, using the ship as a disguise, they were to infiltrate the Covenants homeworld and capture a member of the Covenant leadership known as a Prophet Hierarch and return them to UNSC controlled space. From this UNSC command hoped they could use their captured prisoner to learn more about the Covenant and perhaps even force a peace treaty between the two of them and end the fighting before the human race was wiped from existence forever. But, mere hours before the operation was due to commence, a new situation began to develop.