Yet another Story that I had to upload just for the sake of it.

Yes I know that I still have other stories to Update, but rest assured that I will get to them... eventually.

For now enjoy my new story.

Also you know the deal, I don't own anything except my Spartans. And possibly the moon they are on. Everything else belongs to 343.

Mid 2547

The alien moon was filled with the sounds of native fauna as night slowly began to set in. Deep within the underbrush of the moons shrub-land, two shadows moved from cover to cover, avoiding being in the open for two long. Coming to the crest of a hill, the two shadows went prone to hide their silhouettes. In the pale light of the planet overhead, one could barely make out the details of the two individuals. Both were equipped with the latest iteration of Semi-Powered Infiltration armor marking them as Spartan IIIs. One had as standard SPI helmet and forest green coloration on his armor. The other was colored charcoal and wearing a modified ODST Helmet. Adorning this particular Spartan were multiple knives.

The charcoal Spartan immediately activated his helmet's VISR mode to scan the terrain ahead. As he watched the land before him become bathed in green, he heard his partner ask "So, what are we dealing with?"

Rather than respond, the Spartan waited for the scan to be completed. Once it did, he simple stated with a barely noticeable Australian accent "Three outposts. Five hostiles each. Jackals and Skirmishers only."

"Well that sounds kinda boring. We won't even have to really try to take them out." The green Spartan said, disappointed at the limited number of enemies.

Crawling back from the crest of the hill, the charcoal Spartan responded by saying "Good thing we aren't going to be hitting 'em."

His green partner immediately whisper shouted "What?! Why the hell not, Rex?"

Stopping where he was, the now identified Rex gave the green III his full attention and said "Because that would take too long and more than likely give us away. We need to get past these outposts and get to the objective. So check your mouth and fall in new guy."

Grumbling under his breath, "New Guy" did as he was told and followed Rex. The two Spartans then moved towards the Covenant outposts, careful not to make too much noise and give away that they were there. Fortunately, the avian aliens were rather lax at the moment, more than likely due to the absence of any of the larger Covenant species. As they drew nearer to the alien structures, both Spartans activated their Optical Camouflage and began to slowly make their way forward. The night was without wind and the path in front of them was relatively clear. Save for the occasional call of an animal, the darkness was quiet. There was nothing that could…

A sudden rustling caused both IIIs to stop in their tracks and survey their surroundings. Confusion set in as both their eyes and VISR equipped helmets showed nothing. After several moments trying to determine where the rustling was coming from, they noticed that the bushes around them were moving of their own accord. Realizing that the wind had gotten the best of them, the exasperated Spartans resumed their trek. Once past the outposts the duo picked up their pace. After a thoroughly uneventful hour the pair arrived at a cliff overlooking their target.

According to ONI, the structure below them was a command and control center for Covenant naval and merchant traffic, as well as an information hot bed that could easily hold a wealth of Intel. Intel that could possible turn the tide of the war. The Spartans' mission was to eliminate the bases security and upload a covert AI that would send data to an ONI stealth satellite in orbit. Then they would 'retreat' allowing the Covenant to believe that the mission had failed and thus the centers' operations could go on as normal. Of coarse, they would not be alone on this mission, another pair of Spartans were hitting a supply point half a continent away.

Currently, Rex was cleaning his M6G sidearm while "New Guy" monitored enemy movements. After a few minutes, Rex asked "So how's it look?"

Not moving his head, "NG" said "About what we expected. Infantry in the thirties. Grunts all over the place, Bird Brains intermixed or on over watch and big guys kicking everyone else around."

Nodding, Rex then asked "So, we dealing with Gators or Gorillas?"

Looking up, 'NG' asked "What?"

Rolling his eyes Rex said "I asked, 'Are we dealing with Alligators or Gorillas?'"

"Oh. Uh, yeah, its Gators. Bout a dozen of them."

Once again nodding Rex said "Good, that means swords. They hurt like hell, but at least you have a chance of surviving. Brutes would mean hammers…."

'NG' shook his head and said "Get hit by one of those and your insides are mush at best."

Chuckling, Rex slid his pistol onto his thigh, allowing it to magnetize. Standing, he rolled his shoulders and said "Good thing we don't have to worry about that. Now come on, we got a party to start."

The first indication the Covenant got that something was wrong was the sound of Unggoy screaming. The ranking Sangheili present, believing that the vermin were overreacting to some local predator, sent one of his warriors to discipline the methane sucking filth. It was only when he heard the startled cry of the aforementioned Sangheili that the officer realized that there was something more dangerous than animals hiding in the dark. Activating his energy sword, the officer began barking orders to his troops.

It was then that the attack came. The silence was broken by the sound of harsh barks of weapons fire. Unggoy that were not cut down in the initial barrage scattered in fear as the attackers rushed from cover. The officer immediately rushed towards the closest enemy, who was focused on a trio of T'vaons. He allowed his species equivalent of a grin to form on his face as his target realized too late that it was in danger. With a mighty roar, the officer swung his sword down…. and hit nothing.

His enemy had somehow managed to step out of the way of his attack. As he tried to understand what had happened he felt as sharp pain as a knife was driven into his neck.

Rex ripped his knife from the Major's necks and with a flourish sent it flying at a Jackal. He then leveled his MA5K at an Elite Minor and hosed him down with depleted uranium tipped bullets. Once that threat was eliminated, he continued his assault forward. As he ran, he tossed a grenade to his right at a group of Grunts. As it exploded, Rex switched his attention elsewhere. To Rex's left, his partner was killing his third Elite before turning on a pair of Skirmishers with needle rifles.

Returning his attention back to the enemy ahead of him, Rex found the last of the Jackals forming a shield wall. Prepping a disruptor, Rex skidded to halt behind a large rock and sent his little "party favor" flying. The disruptor land at the center of the formation and detonated, sending out an EM pulse that washed over the Raptor-like aliens. Their wrist mounted shields immediately shorted out, allowing Rex to spray the entire line. Continuing on, the two Spartans joined together to finish the last of the outer security. Within minutes the last of the external forces were eliminated.

The two Spartans then moved to the main entrance, preparing to open the door and rush the control center. Of course they would have to deal with the troops that were no doubt coming to counter the duos assault. As if on que, the door opened and a squad charged out of the door, only to be greeted with bullets in the back. With those forces taken care of, the Spartans sprinted into the building. Along the way, the two intruders "borrowed" some of the locals' weapons. Rex had acquired a Plasma Repeater while his compatriot had grabbed a pair of Plasma Rifles.

Upon reaching the control center, the Spartans proceeded to eliminate any Covenant resistance while allowing the ones that ran to escape. Once the room was clear, Rex immediately went to work uploading the AI while his fellow Spartan covered him, neutralizing any hostile stragglers. After a short amount of time the upload was complete and the pair made their way to the exit to proceed to the next phase of the operation. As they walked, the two placed "explosives" on the walls.

Approaching the door, Rex finally broke the silence, saying "You did good out there, Ben."

The now identified Ben focused on Rex and said "So you do remember my name. I thought you had forgotten it or something. The whole new guy thing was kinda bugging me."

Rex shrugged and replied "Eh, I was just being an asshole. I figured you had to earn me saying your name."

Ben chuckled a bit and simply said "Bastard."

"That I may be." said Rex as the Spartans exited the building "But now I can sincerely say, welcome to…."

Rex never got to finish his sentence as pair of plasma blades erupted from Ben's chest.

Yes, before anyone asks I did receive inspiration for this from the Headhunters short story. Even the cliff hanger.

I won't give anything awaaaaaay...

*SPOILER ALERT*

An Elite killed Ben.

With that out of the way this is Sierra-Bravo 243 saying I CANT WAIT FOR HALO: GROUND COMMAND!