Plains of Ash and Fields of Glass
By Brennan Theler
Disclaimer: Halo, Halo: Reach, the Covenant, and Noble 6 are ©2001 Microsoft, 343 Industries
A/N: Hello my readers! This is a prequel of sorts to my first story, All Things in Heaven and Earth, explaining exactly why Noble 6 is still in the land of the living.
While this will likely be updated more often than ATIHAE, the updates will be shorter, so make sure to check back often!
Comment or PM me for anything you want to know or rail on me for.
Run classrec001216974. … Authorization confirmed. Beginning playback….
*START RECORDING*
CLASSIFIED: Hello, Noble 6. This is a classified, Level-4 debriefing of your experiences on Reach. So, let's start at the beginning. As the Prowler UNSC Navajo went out-system, the last feed from your helmet camera was you beginning a last stand, surrounded by Elites. How did you escape that certain death?
(2 minutes of silence)
CLASSIFIED: Any time now.
(3 minutes of silence)
NOBLE 6: I remember that day. I remember it all too well….
He closed his eyes as he saw the dagger plunged towards his face. His good arm was held down by another Elite, and he couldn't feel his legs. He could, however, feel the pool of blood—his own—he was lying in.
However, his acceptance was broken by a familiar sound, that of a highly-modified sniper rifle. The Elite about to end his life with an energy dagger was blown away, the dagger cutting his cheek instead of burying itself in his forehead. The other Elites reared up, mandibles flaring. Another shot sounded, followed by two more rapid-fire bullets imbedding themselves in each Elite's cranium.
The other Elites had already left by Phantom, as they thought (and rightly so) that a single, badly injured SPARTAN with no ammunition or explosives would be able to be handled by a full squad of Ultras and Zealots. However, a second, near-full strength opponent changed the equation badly out of favor for the small squad.
With half their number already done in by either Noble 6 or the new enemy, the remaining 8 roared as they looked around the dusty battlefield for their new opponent. However, another 4 rapid-fire shots sounded, and four more Elites fell. However, the shots were from the same direction, and the few Elites left roared and charged in that direction. 4 more shots sounded, and the rest fell.
Walking out of the dust storm, his rescuer appeared, wearing a set of Green MJOLNIR armor, carrying a large sniper rifle, a pistol, and dozens of clips of ammunition. Various survival items were strewn around, attached to his armor and weapons.
Jun-A266 knelt down next to Noble 6, unlocking a large medical kit. In his distinctive accent, he said, "Good thing I showed up, eh Six? Just in time to ruin the Covvies' party."
Noble 6 felt his arms go numb, a relief from the obviously broken bone in his lower left arm. While his bones were tough, they were in no way invincible like SPARTAN-IIs. Soldiers made for suicide missions didn't need unbreakable bones. Of more concern was his vision graying out, a symptom that he recognized as the beginning of death due to blood loss.
Jun tsked. "You really did a number on yourself, Six. But you also did a number on those Covvies, too. You deserve your reputation. Nearly a day, fighting alone, with no support and little ammo. That's quite the feat, even for a SPARTAN."
Noble 6 couldn't concentrate on his words anymore, for his hearing had started to fade in and out. All he heard was a meaningless string of sounds to his slowly asphyxiating brain.
The last thing he heard before falling into unconsciousness was, "I'm going to have my work cut out keeping you alive, Six. But you can't die on me. SPARTANS never die."
(1 minute of silence)
NOBLE 6: I'd like to stop for now.
CLASSIFIED: That's fine, Noble 6. We know that this is extreme emotional trauma for anyone, especially considering… the later events and the current situation. Feel free to take the rest of the day off, but remember we will be continuing this tomorrow.
(3 minutes of silence, than scraping sounds of chairs moving)
CLASSIFIED: End recording.
*END RECORDING*
