A/N: Hey everyone!
Thanks in advance for checking out my fan-fiction. This story follows the ODST squad Alpha Twelve during the late days of Operation Trebuchet. All the characters are original, however a lot of time, effort and research was done to make this as cannon as possible. I wanted to create a scenario as realistic as possible in accordance to Halo lore.
Alot of this was inspired by the Halo novels.
Let me know what you guys think, enjoy the story and drop a review if you liked it.
Mid June, 2524 Operation Trebuchet
132nd Shock Troops Battalion
Special Operations Task Force Alpha-Twelve
Gunnery Sergeant Tony Carlisle
Specialist David Collier
Lance Corporal John Tunudo
Private First Class Vincent Miles
Chapter 1: Mission Briefing
Gunnery Sergeant Tony Carlisle took a moment to take in his fireteam as they gathered around the briefing room. It became part of his routine to assess the squad's morale before briefing them. The mood was somber, Operation Trebuchet had been going on for over ten years, most of the civilian population either lost someone or knew someone who lost someone in all the fighting. The long bloody feud between the United Earth Government and outer colonies had taken its toll on humanity. There was even talk of capitulation in the UEG Congress after a decade of spilled blood.
"All right everyone, listen up. We're going to Green Hills as an expedition force. The Innies hit the planetary comm relay station and they're using it to jam all long range communication. There's been no word from the planet for two days."
As usual Specialist David Collier was the first to speak up, the insurrection only gave him an excuse to do what he loved, blowing stuff up.
"Oh boy I love field trips, how we getting there boss?"
"Our ride is the UNSC Sessrúmnir, it'll drop us off at Green Hills on its way to resupply Sprague's fleet at Harvest."
Private Miles pitched in next, he was the engineer of the group, anything the squad needed fixed, driven or piloted, there was no one better for the task. "What is she?"
"Retrofitted Phoenix class."
The old Phoenix colony ships weren't known for being state of the art, especially after a military refit from colony ship to support carrier. Lance Corporal Tunudo was the next to complain, he was the group's sharpshooter, more often than not, his precision was needed achieve the mission objectives. "Not exactly a luxury liner."
"Stow it" Tony replied, "The fleet resupply is the ship's priority, we're merely hitching a ride. Command assumes local efforts are either underway or have failed. There's been no word from the planetary garrison thanks to the jamming signal. The garrison at Green Hills was being transferred, they're currently undermanned. Making contact with the garrison is a secondary objective, the primary objective recapture the relay and kill the signal. We'll drop a few kilometers from the relay station undercover of night, far enough so no one hears the pod impacts. We'll move on foot to the relay station and shut down the jamming signal. UNSC Frigate Armstrong will be on station to provide support and reinforcements. But remember that won't happen until the jamming signal is terminated. FLEETCOM won't be keeping us company on this one."
"Fun, when do we board?"
"Grab your gear, we're going now."
As the squad gathered their gear and boarded the Sessrúmnir, Tony took some time to reminisce, Alpha-Twelve had been his squad for six years, only himself and David Collier remained from the original team. Glancing at his friend since ODST training, Tony watched as he packed enough explosives to bring down a military installation, as well as his trusty M41 Jackhammer rocket launcher. John joined as a replacement two years after the squad was formed, Tony had come to reply on his skills, although his sense of humor sometimes left much to be desired, he watched as John packed his SRS99 sniper rifle, a rifle he constantly insisted was lucky. Vince was a still relatively new to the squad joining in a few months ago after a raid on a munitions dump went south. Tony had explained he didn't need to be addressed by his rank, but he still called him sarge. Tony was weary about getting close to the young private, sooner for latter he knew his time would be up. Six years under Naval Special Warfare, running special operations. Six years of high risk missions against the insurrectionists. Alpha-Twelve was originally six members, now down to four Tony was all too familiar with losing those under his command. Still he wouldn't trade his job or his fellow team members for anything.
While the rest of the team settled in the ODST barracks near the stern of the ship, Tony made his way to the bridge per the captain's invitation. The deck plates and bulkheads were still in perfect condition, the ship was retrofitted recently. The lift doors opened and he was welcomed by the sight of naval officers pushing buttons and watching displays. He stepped onto the bridge and saluted, "Permission to enter the bridge, sir?" captain Whittaker turned around from the display he was examining. He was perfectly groomed in his pristine white naval uniform. Whittaker was practically untouched by ravages of war, still bright eyed and regulation happy. Whereas over a decade of military service was apparent in the eyes of the war weary sergeant.
"Ah yes, Gunnery Sergeant, join me. I'd like a word."
While it wasn't Tony's first time on a ship's bridge usually a captain doesn't usually invite an ODST sergeant to join him, although he was no ordinary ODST his fellow soldiers didn't know that.
"Sir?"
He gestured to a cabin off to the side. Tony entered first and let his gaze wander the room. It was sparsely decorated apart from a desk with a terminal and a single chair behind it. Behind that was a shelf with some books and a small amount of personal effects. captain Whittaker casually strolled over to the desk and sat down, while Tony stood at attention.
Whittaker glared at him for a few moments like a shark sizing up his prey, It was obvious he held little regard for the ODST's presence on his ship. Then again ODSTs had a fleet wide reputation for playing fast and loose with regulations. After a few more moments he finally spoke up.
"I'm used to following orders, sergeant. But I don't like being lied to."
"I'm afraid I don't under-" Tony tried to reply before he cut him off.
"I have orders to carry much needed supplies to Admiral Sprague's fleet, then out of the blue NAVCOM countermands my orders and adds a thirty six hour delay to my departure to pick up and drop off your team, not to mention the detour I have to take."
"That's correct, sir."
"Now I was told to exit slipspace, drop your squad on Green Hills and continue on my way. All while not having any contact from the planet, which in itself is suspicious. Is there anything you care to add to this briefing?"
Alpha Twelve weren't typical ODSTs, being under direct command of NAVSPECWAR meant the squad colored outside the lines a few times. This wasn't the first time they left their fellow soldiers operating in the dark, but normally they don't confront the squad about it.
"The briefing is accurate sir, I cannot share anything beyond that."
Tony swore he could hear his teeth grind together.
"Very well Gunnery Sergeant, I'll go along with your cloak and dagger games, but I want to be absolutely clear, I have no intention of putting my ship in danger. If I see any sign of trouble at all I will scrub your little mission. Are we clear?"
'Probably wants to keep his uniform pristine white.' Tony thought to himself.
"Yes, sir!"
"Dismissed!"
"Typical military bureaucrat flexing his muscles" Tony muttered under his breath as he left the bridge.
He boarded the tram to make his way aft. At two and a half kilometers long made the Phoenix classes one of the largest ships in the UNSC fleet. The colony ship that once housed thousands of colonists, terraforming equipment and everything needed to ready a planet for human life now housed approximately six thousand marines, and factories capable of making everything from rifles to MAC rounds. Military retrofits of this type were uncommon, however as the insurrection grew the UNSC not only required more ships but the ability to supply its forces for longer, more extended durations. The retrofitted phoenix-classes were their solution.
The tram ride was brief, stopping several times as marines and naval personnel went about their business. As he watched, Tony took note of the crew's mood, most of them were optimistic, almost cheerful. A far juxtaposition from the somber ODST sharing the tram. Many of the marines were freshly trained, replacements that would be transferred to the fleet, the naval officers were inexperienced at best, being on a supply ship gave them little opportunity to see combat. Fortunately none of them felt the need to start a conversation with the ODST.
Tony excused himself as he left the tram and made his way to the HEV bay. A large space containing its own armory, briefing tables, and about six hundred SOEIVs. The bay was empty save the members of Alpha-Twelve readying their equipment for the mission. As Tony stepped in David tossed over his customized M392 DMR.
"How was your visit to the principal's office?" he chuckled.
"Our ferry captain isn't happy being kept in the dark." He caught the weapon, and examined for any grime or defects. "Good cleaning."
"You can thank Vince, he drew the short straw." said John from the corner of the room, he was busy cleaning the barrel of his SRS99 sniper rifle. Normally the squad would all service their own gear, but the sergeant was out having a chat.
"You're welcome." Vince chimed in. "and next time you see the captain let him know I have a complaint about the accommodation."
Tony cracked a smile, "I'll be sure to pass on the message."
After prepping all the gear for the mission, the squad spent most of their time in the nearby ODST barracks and common rooms with the six hundred other ODSTs stationed on board the Sessrúmnir. Tony stared into his opponents face, a fellow ODST named Charlie sitting across the table from him. Charlie made no movement at all, concealing his thoughts behind a practiced grin. He looked left to his fellow squad member David hoping for some advice for his next move only to be disappointed. David had lost interest in the game, his low patience already looking for something else to amuse him. Tony looked to his right at a young private named Angela she watched with great interest, noticing his glance she merely shrugged.
"Alright I'll call." Taking a sizeable stack of chips from his pool and placed in the center of the table. "Two pair.", Tony said as he flipped over his cards revealing a pair of sixes and tens. Charlie was the only other player who hadn't folded, the pot between the four of them had grown to a substantial sum.
Charlie revealed three eights and a pair of jacks with a big grin. "Full house."
"Aww, come on, that's the fourth hand in a row." Tony replied with exasperation.
Angela questioned "How does he do it?"
Charlie held the same grin, "I cheat."
David, at the realization he had been conned out of his money suddenly returned his attention back to the poker game, he looked like he was about to punch him.
Charlie held up his hands, "I'm kidding!"
The ship's Intercom interrupted the ODST's poker game.
"Bridge to Sergeant Carlisle, Bridge to Sergeant Carlisle.
Tony shrugged with a smile as he stood up "Sorry ladies, gotta go."
Charlie spoke up, "You're just tired of losing."
His response was an empty can of soda hitting his arm.
Tony made his across the common room to the nearest ship intercom. "This is Sergeant Carlisle."
"Bridge reports we'll be dropping out of slipspace in 20 minutes, after that we'll be over your target in 13.
"Thank you, is that all?"
"Captain wants to reiterate, there will be no contact from the planet?"
"Affirmative."
"Very good Sergeant, get your team prepped for drop, Bridge out."
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Alpha Twelve is not endorsed by Microsoft or anyone officially involved in the producing or managing of Halo. As such, it does not contribute to the narrative of the fictional universe.