Characters sheet
Hans Dietrich: Corporal, former SPARTAN, ODST
Dani: Private, alien, ODST
Kearns/Zero: Private, intelligence, ODST
Xaantra: Corporal, alien, ODST
Jameson: Private, ODST,
Harris: Lance-Corporal, ODST, machine gunner
Sanderson: Sergeant, ODST
Smith: SAC pilot
Barro: SAC copilot
Janice-689: SPARTAN-II
Bob-055: SPARTAN-II
Davers: Synthetic, medical officer
Lieutenant Commander Stanson: commander of the UNSC John Pershing
CHAPTER 1
UNSC John Pershing, home of the 36th Battalion, 105th Shock Troop Division, 2531
In orbit over Acheron
Corporal Hans Dietrich got up from his cryotube. His squad was waking up around him. Dani, his girfriend, Xaantra, Zero, Harris and Jameson. Their platoon leader, Sergeant Alex Sanderson was already up. "Alright up an at 'em, marines. Another glorious day in the Corps."
They got up walked to their lockers. Xaantra got up on the chin-up bar, her cat-like tail swishing. Dani started to kick her under her tits, while she did the exercise.
Dietrich put on a pair of drawers and and fatigue pants. Harris pulled on t-shirt marked 'Peace through Superior Firepower'. "Another glorious day in the corps. huh?"
"Don't bitch, Harris." Dietrich flexed his augmented muscles. He had tattoos of twin dragons on each arm. He looked around. The chicks still weren't dressed, though that was more so that everyone could get an eyeful of Xaantra's flaming skull Helljumper tat.
They heard the call on the intercom. "ODSTs of Sanderson's platoon, report to the bridge."
The platoon dashed up the stairs. Sanderson was waiting at the door. The sergeant had a hard, angular beauty. Her skin was tanned deeply and she had scars on her right cheek. Seeing her reminded Dietrich of the orange scar over his own left eye.
They entered to see Lieutenant Commander Stanson and a pair of...SPARTANs?
Dietrich recognized them. Janice and Bob. Two of the kids he had went through the program with. They had been kidnapped at six and gone through brutal training. After getting his augmentations, he had escaped with Ralph-033. He wasn't going to be anyone's puppet.
Janice looked with disdain at the rag-tag group. Convicts, aliens, rookies. Dietrich knew they weren't run-of-the-mill soldiers, but they were good. Real good.
Stanson smiled. He was a tall man with black hair and a serious preference. "Relax, marines. Today you have a mission."
He nodded to Janice, who brought up a holographic display. "Acheron. Formerly home to the colony, Hadley's Hope. Until they were killed. But the 'unidentified hostiles' were terminated by an exploding reactor."
Harris raised his hand.
Stanson pointed. "Yes, Dietrich?"
"Harris, sir. He's Dietrich." Harris jerked a thumb towards the corporal. "How do I get out of this chicken-shit outfit?"
Sanderson took the cigarette from her mouth. "Stow that shit, Harris."
Dietrich raised his hand.
"Yes Dietrich?"
"Sir, Janice just said the unidentified hostiles were terminated. Why are we going back?"
"ONI wants us to check it out." Bob nodded his red-haired head. "Since the atmospheric processers were destroyed with the colony, we'll need vacc suits."
Dani yawned. "Whatever. I just need to know when and where." She faked a pistol with her hand. "Pow!"
"Yeah, they said aliens, she thought they said illegal aliens and signed up." Harris joked and punched the female alien on her shoulder.
"Fuck you man." She gave Harris the finger.
They sat at the table in the mess hall. A middle-aged man carried his tray to the table. Jameson stopped him.
"Hey Davers, do that thing with the knife again."
Davers smiled as the marines egged him on. He took the knife that Jameson handed him. Harris snuck behind him and put Jameson's hands together.
"Hey man, what the hell are you doing?" Jameson started to freak out.
Davers put the knife-tip in between Jameson's thumb and index fingers. "Brace yourself."
Davers' hand and the knife were a blur as it moved in between each finger. Jameson screamed. Harris laughed and held his friend's hands together. The others stared, awestruck.
Davers stopped and handed Jameson his knife. "Thank you."
Stanson chuckled as the man sat down at their table. "I thought you never miss, Davers."
Janice looked at the white android fluid trailing down Davers' thumb. "You're a Synthetic?"
"I prefer 'artificial person'."
Bob's jaw dropped. "Nobody said anything about an android."
Stanson looked at the SPARTANs. "Why are you surprised? It's becoming regulation."
Dani leaned over to Dietrich. "Your ex too good to eat with grunts like us?"
Dietrich smiled at his girlfriend's wisecrack. Her turquoise skin was smooth with some leathery patches on the shoulders and knees. She wore her jet black hair in a regulation military haircut. Harris leaned over and made kissing sounds.
Bob took a look at the ODST on the end of the ther table. He had blonde hair cut into a flat-top and buck teeth. "What's your name?"
"Duh, Private Kearns, intelligence." The man's slurred speech made Bob think this was the only place they could put him.
"Or Zero." Harris remarked.
"Duh, don't call me that!" Kearns turned to the rest of the group. Sanderson stood up.
"Pipe down, troopers, or I'll have you on KP duty for a month!"
Harris clicked his tongue. "Aw give 'im a blow-job, why dontya? We're just having fun."
Sanderson clenched her teeth and gripped the man by his collar. "Say it again, wise-ass, and I'll toss you out the airlock!"
Janice looked at the lieutenant. "And you don't do anything about this?"
"Not much I can do." Stanson finished his last bit of food. "They handle themselves."
Janice sighed. This would take a lot of getting used to.
The ODSTs filed into the Specialized Assault Carrier. Smith took the cigarette from her mouth. They had completely filled the weapons locker with equipment. The armor was all set. The SPARTANs were all on board.
Janice was a bit skeptical about the vehicle. "Are you sure this will take us down safely?"
"Look lady, my job is to get you down there. Then, I wait till you guys are done with your stuff." Smith looked out at the launch bay through the cockpit.
The ODSTs assembled outside. Sanderson put her headband on. "Alright, Helljumpers. Feet first into hell once again! And remember: Practice truth-"
"FEAR NOTHING!" The response thundered in her ears.
"Good! Now move out."
They climbed in. Sanderson and Dietrich made their way to the cockpit. Sanderson licked Smith behind the ear. The pilot made a sound like purring. Dietrich turned away. The relationship was no secret, but sometimes it went too far.
The squad buckled in for the drop. Smith switched on the systems and opened the bay doors. Dietrich braced for the freefall.
They fell. Hurtling down at terrific speeds. The squad members whooped and laughed. It was thrilling and terrifying. The rush of adrenaline was essential to get the men started.
They fell. They fell towards the moon. The moon of Acheron.
End of chapter 1. Chapter 2 coming soon.