So a few friends of mine who read my previous fic, We were Soldiers, said they would like to see sort of a prequel. Well I decided that I will make a prequel to my other Fic about Gunnery Sergeant Carter Fenix, then a Staff Sergeant, and what he went through during the Battle of Reach. There may be some inconsistencies with certain details such as his age and the Battle of Reach itself; if you spot one I would appreciate it if you would message me so I can edit it. And without further ado I give you Invasion.
Chapter One
Retirement
0930 Hours, July 23, 2552 (Military Calendar)/
Reach, Camp Victory, Epsilon Eridani System
"Fifty one, Fifty two, Fifty Three," Staff Sergeant Carter Fenix shouted out every push up he did. It was a great motivator, but it was mainly because if he didn't he would lose count. After hitting seventy, he quickly flipped onto his back and knocked out seventy strenuous sit ups. He pulled himself out of the hot sand of the beach and began his 3 mile jog along the beach of Lake Aranyos.
It was a crisp morning. The sun was shining high in the sky. Seagulls flew here and there picking fish and other delicacies from the ground. Carter wasn't the only human on the beach however, there were hundreds of other ODST's and marines working out, swimming or just kicking back and relaxing. By the way everyone was so carefree and happy; you would have never guessed there was a war going on.
Camp Victory lay on the southern coast of Reach's largest continent Eposz. It was where most of the Elite 11th ODST Shock Troops Battalion was located when on shore leave. Also the 72nd Marine Expeditionary Force had a majority of their troops stationed here as well.
Carter ran on, but slowly noticed he was slowing. His breathing rate had increased and his legs ached but he pushed on. The thirty nine year old veteran was coming to that age when marines started considering retirement. Twenty years in the service was a lot; most marines didn't even survive that long, but twenty years fighting a genocidal alien race bent on destroying humanity was even more. Carter, however, had done his part and survived; now he was ready to call it quits. Now most marines wouldn't be allowed to retire, especially battling the Covenant, but he had people in high places.
His run ended short of three miles when a group of younger ODST's passed him without breaking a sweat. He liked to think that they had started more recently then he did, but he knew deep down that wasn't the case.
He made his way back into the actual military base and headed towards the barracks. He entered his platoon's barracks to find no one in there. "They must be at chow."
He quickly changed out of his workout clothes into his fatigues. Without missing a beat he headed out and made his way to the administrations building. This was the command and control center for all of Camp Victory. He showed his ID card and then entered the building. Armed guards were everywhere. If the Command Center were to get hit, then the whole head of the 11th ODST and 72nd MEU would be cut off.
He strolled through the many hallways making his way up to the 3rd floor. He came across the room of the 11th ODST Battalions commanding officer. Colonel Nelson Striker also known as Colonel First Strike. He had a habit of always hitting the Covenant where it hurt in quick assaults. In his four years as an ODST with the 11th, Carter had never been on a defensive line. Striker had the whole goddamn battalion always attacking targets. He had said that defensive jobs were for the regular marines. ODST hit the enemy hard and fast. This tactic so far had been working into there favor. Even though they hadn't bee able to win every single battle they were in Striker made sure that they got out with as little casualties as possible.
Carter knocked, "Come in," a stern voice responded. Fenix opened the door and swaggered in. Sitting at his desk, Colonel Nelson Striker looked up at the person standing in his room. "Aw Carter how are you old friend? Come take a seat," Striker said stroking his graying horse shoe mustache. The Colonel was only forty nine which was only a decade older then Fenix. The difference in their rank however was substantial.
"I'm fine Nelson, oh I am fine this great morning," Carter responded as he took a relaxed position in the chair facing opposite of Striker.
Striker leaned back resting his hands behind his heads, "So let me guess; you here for the retirement papers?" Carter nodded, "Yes sir I am. I did my twenty and I think it is high time I get out of here."
Striker sighed and stood up. He walked over to a cabinet drawer near the wall and began scrounging through it. "Carter, you have been one of my longest serving non coms, since I joined the 11th. You are a valuable part of this unit and I would hate to see experience like you leave." He pulled out a file and looked over the name. Striker sat back down sliding the file over to Carter.
"You ever think of becoming a training sergeant?"
Carter shook his head, "Nope Carol and I have decided that if I'm leaving, I'm leaving. No half-assing it." Striker sighed, "Veterans like you are hard to come by. Most people don't survive fighting the Covenant for two decades like you have. Hell I only served as an infantry man for four years before I got a Major job and was pulled off the line."
"I'm sorry Nelson… I just think it's my time." Striker nodded, "Then you will be missed devil dog. Just sign on the dotted line right there and I'll sign it later. I talked to your Company Commander…" Carter looked up from signing the sheet, "Captain Hartford?"
Striker nodded, "Yup, she said that she isn't sure about the new grunts in your unit being ready for action without you. She seems to have taken a liking to you, eh?"
Carter chuckled, "Yeah she sort of has. But I made sure she knew I had a wife and I haven't had much problems since." Cater finished signing the sheet and handed back to Striker, "Say who are they going to get to replace me?"
"Oh she said something about Sergeant Latham, you know anything about him?"
"Yeah Latham is a reliable soldier, I can see him taking command," Carter made his way to the door. As he turned the knob he looked back at Striker, "Sir it has been a pleasure I will make sure to come see you before I leave off for good."
"Alright you adhere to that promise Staff Sergeant," Nelson said before digging back into his filing cabinet. Carter closed the door behind him and made his way down the hall.
After leaving the Administrations building he made his way to the mess hall. It was almost lunch time and his squad should be there as usual. He entered commotion of the mess and caught sight of them eating at their usual table. Carter got into the line for chow. After he got his tray full of food he headed over to his squad.
He sat down next to Corporal Joe Finnegan. He was a burly 6'2 Earthling who was also the squads LMG gunner. He wielded the MK25 SAW to great efficiency earning him the nickname "Machine Gun Joe". Next to him was his best friend since grade school Corporal Sean Springs. He was African American and was proud of it; he was also near a genius. Had he not joined up to fight then he probably would've went to college and invented some cure for some impossible disease. Many think he joined up just to keep an eye on Joe. Next to Springs sat Lance Corporal Susan "Suzie" Bestoli. She was of Hungarian descent and born right here on Reach. She had the prettiest face any woman could have ever had and her eyes could charm a wild bull. It was a wonder why a girl like that would join up n a war like this; she was better off being a model for clothes. Carter had to admit, deep down inside he had slight feelings for Suzie. Across from her sat Private First Class Jonathan Gomez, the squads Filipino radio man and demo specialist. Next to him sat the lovely Kelly Nyugen. The Private from China. Cater had a feeling that she and Gomez were in a secret relationship, but he was one to break up such a thing, especially when the next day could be your last. Next to her sat Carter's replacement, Sergeant Luke Latham. Luke was a nice guy, but could take command when the time came. Next to Luke stuffing his face with Mac and cheese was Private Nick Lenihan. The youngest member of the team at only the age of twenty.
"So Staff Sergeant," Joe said downing a sizeable portion of his plate, "You really leaving us?" Carter looked down at his plate as he answered sullenly, "Yes I am. I 'm sorry guys but I just can't go back on another deployment; my body probably won't be able to take it. But I promised myself I would stick with you guys through training and see you off when you deploy in a couple days."
"I can't believe we are being deployed already," Lenihan spoke through a mouthful of food, "It seems like just yesterday I arrived here for ODST training." Suzie looked away from his bad eating habits in disgust, "Chew with your mouth close rookie, and believe it that we are being deployed, because those Covies will chew you alive."
"Suzie…" Carter muttered, but it was too late the cycle of torment had started.
"They going to fill you with so much plasma you are gonna feel it in the after life," Springs remarked.
"Those Elites are going to skin ye alive with those energy swords of theirs," Joe chuckled.
Carter sighed. This is what usually happened every few days when they were all gathered at the table, the veteran ODST, in this case Joe, Springs, Bestoli and Latham would jeer and try to scare the newer members of the squad who had never saw any action. Carter had tried to put a stop to it, but it never worked.
After a few more minutes of scaring the culprits stopped and resumed eating. It was silent until Lenihan asked, "Do you think the Covenant will ever find and attack Reach?"
Joe laughed a heart laugh, "The Covenant attacking Reach would be suicide on their part. It would be like a mouse attacking a elephant, doomed to fail from the start."
"Don't be so sure their Joe," Latham chimed in, "Ever hear of that one story of the elephant being afraid of the mouse." Joe looked over at the sergeant, "What's that supposed to mean Latham?"
"Just saying I wouldn't be surprised if before the end of this year the Covenant have Reach in their gun sights…or whatever they use." Joe smiled, "Willing to put money on it?"
Luke smiled feverishly, "Hell I'll put ten bucks on it." Luke and Joe reached out and shook hands finalizing the bet. "Easiest ten bucks I have ever made," Joe remarked. Nyugen rolled her eyes, "Let's just hope your dumbass is right."
The rest of the afternoon went by uneventfully. They trained a little on the gun range and worked out less. It was a lazy day and no one wanted to do anything. Carter dismissed himself from the others and made his way over to Camp Victory's hospital. He entered and went to the second floor. He could walk these hallways with his eyes closed. He had been here everyday at this exact time for the past four months. He entered the break room and found his wife Carol Fenix.
She was tall and slender. Like Suzie she had an incredibly pretty face and eyes. She worked as a nurse here in the hospital treating wounded marines and UNSC servicemen and women. He snuck up behind her while she was resting at a table and poke her sides. She jumped up and stared at him in shock, "Carter! What did I say about doing that?"
Carter leaned over and kissed her, "Sorry honey, I couldn't resist." Carol shook her head, "Well let this be the last time or next time I'm going to kick your ass."
Carter smirked, "I like it when you talk dirty." She rolled her eyes and smiled, "Did you talk to Colonel Striker?"
"Yes ma'am," he said taking a seat across from her, "He should be signing the papers as we speak." Carol took a sigh of relief, "That's good. I should be done with my nursing duties in about a week. After that we can both leave and live peaceful lives somewhere far away."
Carter looked away, "But how long can we live in peace with the Covenant breathing down our necks?" Carol didn't answer the question. Instead she took Carter's hands and placed them on her stomach. Carter was confused at first but after a few seconds his eyes lit up like the morning sun, "What did the doctor say?"
Carol nodded while tears ran down her face, "Yes baby. I'm pregnant." Carter embraced his wife and they stayed like that for a while. "Finally our family is coming together. Don't worry honey our lives will be peaceful I shall make sure of that."
Carol smiled and kissed her husband, "Thank you."
1328 Hours, July 24, 2552 (Military Calendar)/
Reach, Camp Victory, Epsilon Eridani System
Fenix and his men finished lunch at their usual time and then proceeded out to the firing range with the rest of their company for a little afternoon shooting. The range was positioned outside and provided a wide variety of targets and ranges.
The squad was lining up and taking sots while Carter watched over them and made critiques. "Nyugen, your aim is a little high, with the MA5B you want to fire in short controlled burst to minimize recoil."
Private Nyugen readjusted her aim and fired. Her shots sunk right through the card board cut out of a grunt. She gave a slight squeal of delight after seeing her work. Next to her Latham fired his BR with almost pinpoint accuracy.
The sergeant was the teams' best marksman. Not exactly a sniper but longer range then a regular infantry. He unloaded his entire clip into the grunt target over a hundred meters away. Every shot hitting the squat alien in the upper body or head. Carter had to hand it to him, the kid was a natural shot, he was happy that he will be replacing him.
Joe and Sean were chatting away while they fired. Most of the time they treated it like a competition. First one to get a certain amount of hits would buy the drinks later on, but today they seemed too engrossed in their conversation to care. Carter couldn't help but over hear.
"So did you hear about them Army troops that were sent into Visegrad to investigate the recent disappearances that have been going on?" Joe asked. Sean fired his rifle and looked over at his friend, "Yeah, they think it's some insurrectionist shit."
Joe shook his head, "I don't know bout all that, all I know is that those disappearances have been weird. People just disappearing in the middle of the night, it's like some fucking horror movie." Their conversation ended when a flatbed truck pulled up behind them.
They all turned around to see Colonel Striker with Captain Hartford right on his heels. The 1st platoon Lieutenant, Hiroyuki Kaneda, took of his helmet and stepped forward saluting, "Sir, what is the meaning of this?"
Striker ignored the question and instead addressed the many men and women of the company, "Echo Company is to report to the battalion HQ and get ready for deployment." A chorus of confusion came forth from the ODST of Echo Company. Captain Hartford raised a hand for silence, "Listen up Troopers, we are deploying a little earlier then expected, so get into the back of the trucks and prepare to go."
Echo Company reluctantly got into the back of the multiple flatbed trucks that had assembled. Carter led his squad over to a nearby truck. He wasn't sure what was going on but this might be the last time he would see them. He followed them until he was close enough to Striker.
"Nelson what's going on?" He inquired depolarizing his visor. The Colonel motioned to the truck, "Get in the truck Staff Sergeant." Carter was confused, "What about my retirement papers?"
"I'm denying them currently…." Carter was taken a back by what he just heard. He took a step forward and glanced at his superior threateningly, "What do you mean you're denying them… you said…"
"I know what I said Staff Sergeant, but now is not the time." Striker turned to walk away. Carter grabbed him by the shoulder, "Hell yeah it is the time. If I get deployed with the rest on some far off planet I might not come back to see my baby. What the fuck makes this deployment so much different?"
Striker whirled around and blankly stated, "Winter Contingency has been declared." Carter's hands dropped to his sides. Winter Contingency meant only one thing.
The Covenant was on Reach.
About an hour later all of Echo Company was gathered in the many hangars around the airfield of Camp Victory. Most had their helmets off and were simply baffled why they were being deployed earlier then scheduled.
Captain Hartford stood in front of them with Colonel Striker. She arranged for silence and like school children the company fell silent.
"There's no easy way to say this," Striker began, "But I'll just go a head and start. The Covenant are on Reach." There was whispering that rippled throughout the crowd like a tsunami. Nelson Striker waited until they fell silent again before continuing, "At 0300 hours this morning we lost contact with an Army unit that was sent to Visegrad to investigate the recent disturbances there. At 0728 hours a group of Spartans, Noble Team, were sent to find out what happened to the army troops."
"Shortly after the team were redirected to the Visegrad relay. Long story short they learned the Covenant were responsible for the recent disappearances. Winter Contingency has been declared for all of reach, but mainly Eposz."
"So what is our next move?" An ODST in the front inquired. That's where Captain Hartford came in, "We are being deployed to Forward Operating Base Phoenix, located some two hundred miles east of here. We will be occupying the base until further notice. Your sister companies have been deployed elsewhere on the planet."
"Why there you might ask?" Striker spoke up. It was as if he was readying all their minds, "FOB Phoenix is situated in a large gorge just west of the Pirahha Scablands. If the Covenant is located in the Viery Territory then we can use this base as a point to hold and cut them off from any other part of the country."
Hartford took over, "You got your orders. Pelicans will be waiting for pickup. Dust off is in an hour. Grab your weapons and ammo and get your gear. If the Covenant thinks they can simply waltz right up into our strongest base and win. Then they haven't mess with the 11TH ODST battalion. Let's go kick some Covenant ass!"
"Oorah!" Echo Company shouted in response. They began to leave, everyone getting ready for the up and coming battle. Carter was furious that he had to fight. Now don't get it wrong. He was happy that he would be leading his team into battle, but he was furious that he wasn't going to be able to retire like he planned.
God I hope I survive this battle, he thought to himself.
Next to him Latham walked up next to Joe, "Hey Joe I know this is a bad time and everything, but…. I think you owe me ten bucks."
Well there's the first chapter of my new fanfic. I hope you guys enjoyed it. This story shouldn't be near as long as my other one. I plan maybe 10-15 chapters at the most. Well that's it for now read and review!