Halo 3: The Rookie
A/N: Alright, this is a redone, better version of chapter 1. I'm in school, so I have no idea when I can write, but I am back and will not let the story die.
Chapter 1: A man and his gear
UNSC Double Tap, Charon-class light frigate, in orbit around glassed UNSC Colony Draco III
May 3, 2553, 8 months after war's end.
Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck was nervous. The reason why was simple and sad. Down there, on Draco III, were the charred ruins of Karnak, his hometown, and somewhere there, the spot where his parents and sister were gunned down in cold blood. He was scared to go down there and face his past.
His reminiscing was cut short by a short grunt of pain from nearby. Looking up, he saw Romeo stumbling back after bing delivered a short, sharp jab by the Rookie. Bucks frown turned into a tightly controlled smile, as once again the Rookie defended himself against Romeo's attempt's to wake him rom his frequent naps by hitting him with his sniper rifle.
Standing up, Buck's thought's turned from his old family to his new, and he vowed with every piece of his soul that he would protect them. He would do whatever he had to.
SSV Normandy, May 3, 2183
Approaching Arcturus relay
What many people did not know was that the cockpit of the Normandy was not meant to hold four people in such a small space. Especially when one was a Turian with many sharp, pointy edges.
"Thrusters… check. Navigation… check. Internal emissions sink engaged. All systems online. Drift… just under 1500 K". This was from Jeff "Joker" Moreau, the Normandy's pilot.
"1500 is good. Your captain will be pleased". This second voice belonged to Nihlus Kryik, Turian soldier and Council Spectre. He them turned and left, presumably to find Captain Anderson.
Joker turned and watched him go, making sure he was halfway across the CIC before speaking.
"I hate that guy."
Beside him sat an Alliance Lieutenant, Kaiden Alenko, who, after staring at Joker for a moment, put his head in his hands and sighed."Nihlus gave you a compliment… so you hate him?"
Joker glared at Alenko like the answer was obvious. "Look, you remember to zip up your jumpsuit on the way out of the bathroom? That's good. I just jumped us halfway across the galaxy and hit a target the size of a pinhole. So that's incredible!"
"Besides, Spectres are trouble. I don't like having him on board. Call me paranoid".
"You're paranoid. The council helped fund this project. They have a right to send someone to keep an eye on their investment".
"Yeah, that is the official story. But only an idiot believes the official story".
Commander Jane Shepard, the cabin's last occupant and fellow sarcasm user, leaned in and replied "Joker you always expect the worst, and I believe the official story, officially."
Joker thought for a second but stayed silent, before relenting and sighing, "Well, bad feelings are an occupational hazard. We don't go anywhere unless there's a good reason, so… what are we doing here?"
Before anyone could answer the console beeped and Captain Anderson's voice rose from the
Intercom. "Joker, send Shepard here now, and find a comm buoy, send mission reports to Alliance command, Anderson out."
"Hey, should we have warned him that Nihlus was looking for him?" Joker turned and looked at Shepard, who stared back before turning and walking down the hall. "Well, guess not"
A/N: I'm writing with a tablet so it's slow-going. Next chapter will be longer. Constructive criticism appreciated. This story is not dead.