Halo: Company of Shadows
A story taking place alongside the Halo universe, about a non-existent team of 6 hyper-lethal SPARTAN III's, and few unexpected allies.
Chapter 1: Betrayal
10:30
Eridanus System
Eridanus II
Southern Hemisphere
June 2551
Five SPARTAN III's made their way across what remained of a human city. It was the only place that the Covenant hadn't decided to glass and the Office of Naval Intelligence had sent this group of super soldier's to find out why.
The soldier taking point, had armor painted pure black, with his helmet resembling an infamous shadow warrior from an era long since past. He was pointing his MA5b Assault Rifle straight forward, his M6d standard issue side arm was holstered on his right leg, and on his waist behind his back was a magnum revolver. This SPARTAN always believed in being prepared incase of a long drawn out firefight, and had a large amount of ammunition for his primary, secondary, and tertiary weapon. Behind him, was a SPARTAN whose armor was painted pure white, and had adapted to use the ODST variant of the standard MJOLNIR helmet. His loadout consisted of a pair of SMG's equipped with silencers in both his hands, and a pair of M6d pistols holstered at his sides. He was scanning the area to the left of the man on point, yet so far had not spotted any movement. The SPARTAN in the middle was scanning the area to the right of their point man. his armor was painted steel grey, and he had opted for the CQB MJOLNIR variant for his helmet. He swept the shotgun he carried from one alley to the next, daring anything to jump out at him. The fourth SPARTAN in the formation wasn't carrying a standard UNSC weapon. instead he had a chain gun that looked like it was taken off a Warthog in his hands. Strapped to his back was a SAW heavy assault rifle, and a Spartan Laser. Draped over his chest and along his waist, were various grenades and explosives. He had customised his armor with the EOD MJOLNIR variant of the orginal design that was meant for the SPARTAN II's, and he had painted his armor a dull red. Bringing up the rear of the group was a SPARTAN III who had painted his armor a very dull blue, and had customised his armor with the MJOLNIR Scout variant. He was scanning the rooftops with his SRS92AM UNSC Sniper Rifle. He had a DMR strapped across his back, and like three of his five squadmates, had an M6d pistol holstered at his side.
The SPARTAN taking point stopped, and held his hand up in a closed fist. The signal for his company to halt. The soldier's behind him came to a stop instantly and leveled their weapons in anticipation for a fight.
"Movement ahead." The lead SPARTAN said in an even tone. "Looks like it's on the other side of the building in front of us. Ghost go take a look, tell us what we got." He gestured to the last SPARTAN who nodded, and scaled the building in front of them, using the holes blasted into it by the Covenant during the initial strike. A few minutes passed before Ghost's voice echoed in their headsets.
"Courtyard ahead." Ghost informed them in his scratchy British accent. "Big one, and you were right boss, we got lots of contacts down here. Looks like a standard invasion force. Grunts, Jackals, Elete's, plus a lot of heavy armour. I count five Wraith tanks. Thankfully no Scarabs."
The black armored SPARTAN nodded. "Copy Ghost. Alright men, prepare to en-" He was cut off by Ghost's voice again.
"Hold up boss. I've got Phantoms inbound. At least twenty. They're landing now and... Christ what the hell are those ugly bastards. Azrael you gotta see this, I think we've new Covie species."
The black SPARTAN called Azrael's brow furrowed behind his helmet. "Come again Ghost? A new species of Covenant?" He asked his sniper evidently very confused.
"You heard right boss. New Covies, and the Elete's ain't happy they're here." Ghost replied.
After a few seconds, Azrael nodded. "Alright, we're heading into that building. We observe, but do not engage. We don't know what this new Covie species is capable of, and I don't want anyone taking risks. With Wolf injured, we're a man short, so nobody engages. Texas, Destroyer, I'm serious about this." He said as he looked at the steel colored and red colored SPARTAN's respectively. "Do not engage until I give the order understand?"
Texas and Destroyer responded with a unison "Yes sir."
The group of SPARTAN's then stacked up at the back entrance to the building Ghost had scaled. Azrael and Texas on the left, the white armored SPARTAN and Destroyer on the right. Azrael looked over his shoulder at Texas, and jerked his head, indicating that the shotgun wielding member of their team take point. Texas nodded once, and slowly pushed open the door. After making sure that his entrance was clear, he waved his team inside. Azrael came in first, followed by his white armored squadmate, with Destroyer bringing up the rear. Together they swept the building making sure it was clear, before making their way to the front, so they could peer out the window's and get a better understanding of the unfolding situation.
"Holy hell, what the fuck are those?" The white armored SPARTAN said in a tone between surprise and disgust.
"Whatever they are Blitz." Azrael responded. "Ghost was right. They are ugly motherfuckers."
The Covenant species in the courtyard that had gotten out of the Phantoms, were nothing that the UNSC had seen before. They were a head taller than the Elete's, much more muscular, with thick fur covering their entire body, and a mouthful of razor sharp fangs. In the center of the courtyard, what looked like the leader of this group of furry Covenant, had gotten into an argument with an Elete clad in golden colored armor.
"Looks like Goldie over there ain't too happy that King Kong and his monkey's showed up." A southern drawl said over the team channel.
"Copy that Texas." Azrael responded. "Tensions seem high between these two. Looks like their about ready to rip each other's heads off at any second."
Almost immediately after Azrael spoke, the Elete's opened fire on 'King Kong' and his 'monkeys.' They in response returned fire. However the Elete's combat prowess was no match for the 'monkeys' numbers, and in the ensuing skirmish, several Elete's were quickly cut down, until the 'Goldie' roared, and the remaining Elete's retreated to the building's to Azrael and his team's left.
"Alright! Time to see if these ugly fucks can stand up to and onslaught of .50 cal shells!" Destroyer exclaimed, as he stood and brought his chain gun to bear. But was quickly brought back down by Azrael.
"Stand down Destroyer!" Azrael ordered.
"But Az, we can-"
"Trust me, I want the chance to see how durable these ugly bastards are too, but We're gonna follow the Elete's."
"Why?"
"Because something tells me they're leaders just betrayed them. Our mission is to find out what the Covenant are doing here, and those Elete's are going to tell us what."
Ghost's voice chimed in over the team's headsets. "And just how are you going to manage that boss?"
Behind his helmet, Azrael smirked. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
