Staff Sergeant Selco walked down the path to the Barracks. Selco was a man in his early forties, with short cut brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He had the air of a man who had seen things that no man should have to see, but always came back for more.

As Selco walked through the doors to the barracks, a young marine crashed into him. Clearly a new recruit, the marine got to his feet, and Saluted

"I'm so sorry sir!"

Selco considered the man standing before him. He was about 20, and looked like he had never seen anything more unpleasant than a martini glass that was empty.

"Marine, Do you see any Bars or Stars on my Uniform?"

The marine, clearly unsettled, shook his head slowly.

"Then why would you Call me Sir? Are you a fool, or just so confident in your abilities that you don't think it necessary to obey the military customs?"

The marine was looking thoroughly terrified now, opened his mouth to say something.

"Don't speak back to me, Private! Now get out of my sights right now!"

The young private turned, and bolted back the way he had come, as though hell itself was on his heels.

Selco stared after the young private. They were growing more arrogant these days. One would think, with the covenant practically knocking on the door, they might learn some humility. He walked into the mess, looking for the first sergeant for some orders, but found the mess deserted. He looked at the noticeboards, checking for news. Yet again, nothing. There had been no new orders or news posted for over a week now, as if there had been an uneasy standstill in the war. He turned to leave, only to run into a man standing there. There was a thwack, and a stab of pain, and then staff sergeant Selco knew no more.


Staff Sergeant Selco came to in what he recognized as the C.O's office. As he gazed around, he saw photo's of people, as well as many papers in stacks near a long full filing cabinet. He became aware of voices coming from the next room. He heard the general's voice, as well as two others he didn't know.

"Really colonel, I don't understand why you though such force was necessary. Simon's been in the marines over 10 years, and-"

Selco started as he realized they were talking about him. He listened back in. a different voice was talking now.

"-that all caution should be taken. He was only knocked out, and smith caught him well before he hit the ground."

At this, a confirmation from the second voice spewed forth.

"I don't approve of this, gentlemen, but there seems to be no harm done in this case. Just don't let it happen again. Now, let's step into my office. He should be awake by now."

Simon Selco, who had been edging slowly towards the door on his hands and knees, jumped to his feet and hurried back, standing at attention. He wasn't disappointed, as the three men came through the door almost straight away. Selco saluted, and the General returned the salute, before sitting down.

"Please Simon, take a seat."

A this, the general extended an arm to the chair opposite him. Selco hesitated for but a second, before taking the seat offered to him. The other two men, One of a large, Muscular build, and who Selco recognized as the man who had knocked him out in the mess, he recognized as the colonel who the general had been talking to. The other was a thin reedy man, who Selco recognized as a Captain.

"Simon." Began the general, reclaiming Selco's attention.

"As you know, you have been with the United States Marine Corps. For over 10 years. During this time, you have proven yourself time and time again. Your Courage and selflessness have saved many lives, and, in time, I have no doubt that you will save many more. At the present, however, these qualities have volunteered you for a… Special mission. You, along with these two gentlemen behind me,"

At this, the general gestured over his shoulder

"Have been selected to go on a special mission. As we can only spare Two officers for this, and they will be required to stay on ship to co-ordinate the mission you will be on, we will require great leadership from our Enlistedmen. You are henceforth promoted to Sergeant Major. You will be the ranking marine, bar these two gentlemen behind me. Your disappearance will be easily explained. As far as everyone you know is concerned, you have been killed in action during a routine mission. You were ambushed by the covenant, and overpowered."

At this, Selco started. As far as everyone was concerned, he was dead. His parents would be in mourning… his girlfriend would move on... in time they would come to forget him.

The General gave him a full minute to let this sink in, before he again started talking.

"Your mission will be this. You, will be onboard our latest, state of the art ship. You will Jump deep into covenant territory. Your mission, is to covertly set up a base of operations on the far side of the galaxy. Should you succeed, you will undertake guerrilla warfare on the covenant, using the smaller ships in the bays to fly to nearby planets. But enough about that, it can be explained in greater detail by the good colonel here at a later date. You will board the ship, Novus' Lightning, The NL for short, at 0600 Hours Tomorrow. Dismissed."