Hello and welcome to the first installment of Fireteam Eon trilogy. This features a brand new cast of characters that many will leave quite a lasting impression. I have a few other things to say, but I'll put it at the end of the chapter. I hope you enjoy this new series and as always, be sure to drop a review telling me what you think.
Firebase Noble, Reach
August 2557
A boon to Reach's slowly recovering military might; Firebase Noble was the largest installation on the continent of Eposz. Home to many significant amounts of infantry, armor and air force units, the brave men and women inhabiting were responsible for Reach's ground defense. The naval blockades overhead were strengthened and on the ground weapons and intelligence of the enemy had been much improved since the UNSC had fought one of the most valiant battles in human history.
If Reach were to fall to the mighty Covenant again, they'd best be bringing a fleet more powerful than the one before.
Firebase Noble had begun construction the second the Unified Earth Government gave its approval with the consent of safety issues. Remarkably, at the beginning of 2557, the assembly was already a few days ahead of schedule. The resolve to rebuild weighed heavily on the workers, most of them indifferent to overtime shifts. The base was completed in June of 2557 and already rapidly growing in conjunction to neighboring New Alexandria.
The insurrectionists have made their swift return, vowing to resume their war against the so called "imperialistic" UNSC. Now with a rogue Covenant force that had the potential to become threats, it was little rest for the military.
With the unparalleled success of the previously classified Spartan-IIs and the later suicide Spartan-IIIs, the Office of Naval Intelligence activated the Spartan-IV program. This time, consisting of adults willingly who had come from other branches of the Defense Force. In fact, the Spartans were getting their own special forces branch, although significantly smaller than the others, as the augmentation ingredients and MJOLNIR armor were quite pricey, although much more abundant.
Recruitment for the Spartan-IVs were high, a surplus of candidates. Thus some of the first initiates such as Sarah Palmer and Edward Davis had to take some time to instruct the others. Although grueling, the process singled out the ones that were best suited to the program and they were thus accepted.
Palmer only had a slight word of a Firebase Noble based team of Spartans. She had been offered to lead such, but declined, insisting that the Infinity contingent of Spartans seemed much shinier to her career.
Only given slight details should have been a clue, as it was much more secretive and powerful to lead the Spartans based at Noble. Equivalent to the most covert and specialized operations, the group technically did not exist.
Known as the Thirty Seventh Special Shock Division, the few Spartans reporting to this group were all highly specialized, even when picked straight out of boot camp. The 37th specialized in multiple operations where normal forces and even other Spartan squads would most likely fail. In their short history, the success record stretches to nearly every mission. Some of their roles included; special reconnaissance, recovery, counter terrorism, raids, sabotage, black and covert ops, HVI protection and assassinations. Their versatility expanded to limitless possibilities.
To many who were a Spartan, the pinnacle of their record would be serving aboard the UNSC flagship Infinity. The 37th remained hidden from most Spartans, a very reputable unit to be part of, but it had a catch.
The commander of the 37th established the new law that set the unit apart from most others. All Spartans operating must have a relationship, regardless of sexual orientation as long as the mission will not be compromised. The reasoning for that was the statistics of those in a relationship; married, engaged or such were in a much lower chance of taking risks and returning from a mission alive. With the augmentations suppressing sexual drives, the 37th issued a new drug in their own process which restored it back to normal while keeping the other benefits untouched.
Fireteam leader Spartan Paul Demarco and the rest of Majestic sat down at a table in the mess hall, trays laden with food. Being on station at Noble temporarily, he had just gotten briefing of Majestic's first assignment since their graduation as IVs.
Majestic was the top fireteam of the dozen that had graduated from the training. Consisting of him, Henry Madsen, Jesse Hoya and Tedra Grant, they had utilized remarkable teamwork in their final match. Impressed, Palmer, who identified herself as just Infinity Spartan Commander via a written message had sent a request to have Majestic transferred aboard the flagship for its second deployment on Requiem in about six months, which every member swiftly accepted. They were excited and ready to go, but several assignments predated them. First were counter terror operations in Rio and a deployment to the Azores. There they would meet Majestic's newly appointed fifth member there and then it was only a month before they left for Infinity.
Demarco was laughing with Madsen on the subject of ladies when they returned from tour when suddenly the door burst open, followed by storms of screams and growls in an alien language. Some of the non-Spartans jumped at the sound, hearing it countless times on the battlefield.
Waving his arms in a fruitless attempt to free himself, the single sangheili zealot continued struggling. His armor had yet to be removed, but he was unarmed, having been confiscated of his T-50 concussion rifle and sword. A large collar was strapped around his neck, with a long metal cord being held by a Spartan that was not encased in his MJOLNIR armor. He wore the simple black undersuit with adapters that easily hooked in the new GEN2 combat suits. The Spartan would step inside the armor bay where the ring of robotic arms would assemble the armor quickly and thoroughly.
The sangheili zealot flailed his arms, again, his movements yanked the cable and his handler resisted, having a second Spartan, this one a bit bigger come to assist. Tugging on the sides, they finally managed to stop the movements. Guarded by a third Spartan who seemed a bit younger than the others, they moved the elite through the mess hall.
Demarco watched as the fourth Spartan backed them up. He had the eyes of a leader and probably led that four man team. After scanning the mess hall, he spotted Majestic and made a beeline for them.
"They Spartans too?" Madsen asked aloud to nobody in particular.
"I had no idea that Spartans were based in Noble." Hoya added. "Doesn't matter, I'd rather be on Infinity."
The lead Spartan came in front of their table and halted. "Fireteam Majestic?" He had a darker shade of skin and his age was in his mid-thirties. His eyes remained calm and kept a knife-edged focus.
Demarco stood, casually saluting, "That's us."
"Spartan Lusana, Fireteam Eon. To answer your question," He looked back at Hoya, his stare seeming to shrink him into his seat, "Yes, there are Spartans based in Noble, but only a handful of fireteams. Anyway, I need at least two more Spartans to help us escort this captive to his ride to Trevelyan."
Demarco stood up as well as Grant. Before the others could react, he waved them down, "Just finish up and get ready. Our ride to Rio leaves soon."
The journey was made in silence. Every now and then the captive would struggle fruitlessly in an attempt to break free, which was usually met with the restraint of Eon's other members.
"Eon huh?" Demarco leaned over to Lusana, who was watching their captive. "I've never heard of you guys."
"You likely never will."
"Were you assigned here or did you choose to be based at Noble?"
Eon leader sighed, "I was assigned to the base. The Spartan unit was my goal and choice."
The teams made their way over to another pelican outside where a special chair had been reinforced with bonds to keep the elite from thrashing. With the marines taking over and quickly securing the prisoner inside, they gave a salute and the pelican's thrusters whined to life.
Lusana and his Spartans faced Demarco and Grant, "Thank you Majestic. We always need a few more guns to help while escorting their hingeheads."
"No problem." Grant's accent caused a couple of them to smile slightly, "Glad we could be of assistance."
After shaking hands with each members of the opposite team, Majestic returned to their table in preparation to be deployed to Rio de Janeiro.
Eon on the other hand was far from having their day finished. They instead filed past the few others in the hallways until they came to a large unique shaped silvery building. Automatic doors opened up and inside they were screened before giving access to the doors in front that read; authorized personnel only.
The massive structure contained everything and was the brain and soul of the 37th SSD. The atrium resembled that of a business HQ lobby. Sunlight filtered through glass on the roof and the ground's marble floor sparkled. The emblem of the 37th, a black and light green delta stealth design was in the center. To the sides were glass displays of four different MJOLNIR armor sets, a gray Mark V(B), a green Mark VI, a red Mark VI of the Security variant and finally a sharp violet set of the rare HAYABUSA armor.
Doors on either side led out to where the main areas of the HQ and where all the action was. The barracks to the right only had enough room for the four active fireteams that were in the unit. Of course, there was always reserve personnel.
"Welcome back." Eon was greeted by an armored Spartan coming from the main mission areas. The 37th commander, callsign Cardinal had been selected as the inaugural leader when a general in the military conspired with him to form the ultra-top-secret covert op team.
"Cardinal." The four members crisply saluted. He gave them a nod and they stood at ease.
"Did the warlord back out once we made our entrance?" Eon had been deployed to a refugee world where a skirmisher warlord attempted to monopolize the resources away from the suffering humans. Without even being seen, they slaughtered some of his best troops and left them to rot in his "palace" along with a threatening message if he had ever decided to return.
"He was out before we could call for an evac." Eon Two gave a smirk, "Little bitch ass ran off before we could have any fun."
"I'm glad to hear that Fowler. I got your mission ready and am willing to brief you now or you can head to the War Games where Hades has scheduled you guys a quick exercise against Fireteam Jaguar."
The team exchanged quick glances before Lusana spoke up, "I think it's best we don't keep Jaguar waiting."
Cardinal nodded, "Alright. Hades and I will brief you guys once you've finished."
How was that for an introduction? Don't worry, you'll know quite a bit about them as the story progresses.
And now for my announcement...
I know that I revealed that there is a Blades Season Two. I thought Season One was a blast writing, Blessed Composition, Resolve's Light and Havoc Pressure were all enjoyable to write and read. Now I am at a standstill with releasing the first parts of Dark Vein, the first of the second season. Already a good portion has been written and the general synopsis has already been laid out, so I clearly know what I want to write. If I wanted to, I could release it right now, but I don't want an overwhelming amount of work and not enough time.
I'm not sure what I am going to do, but one thing's for certain, I will continue to write out Venomous Honor like I planned. If I publish the Blades' next epic adventure, I'll let everyone know...well maybe I will do part. Teaser anyone?
Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone! You give my writing purpose!