A/N: Sadly I cannot take credit for this masterful piece of writing. This was originally a Warhammer 40k piece I came across written by an anonymous author unofficially titled "Ave Imperator". However, I found it touching enough to try and adapt it to the Haloverse and this is the result. This is for all those Marines who can't return home for Christmas. Now if you excuse me, I have to go cry some manly tears... (sniff)
Twas the night before Christmas
he fought all alone,
in a four foot deep trench lined
with bodies and stone.
I was travelling the stars
with gifts for the land,
when I saw this lone Marine
making his brave stand.
I looked near and far,
I looked all about,
no warthog, no scorpion,
his survival was already in doubt.
No sergeant yelled orders
to this Marine – no backing
to fight this ridge full of enemies
formed from pure evil, attacking.
His armor in tatters,
his eyes nearly blind,
a sobering deduction
raced through my mind.
His position was doomed,
went my train of thought
and this soldier's brave stand,
would all be for naught.
The Marine stared unblinking
silent and alone,
his rifle at the ready
against his shoulder bone.
His face was so calm,
in the face of calamity,
it was not how I pictured
a Marine of Humanity.
Who was this brave hero
whose position I'd spied,
warring against
this unstoppable tide?
I now knew that all Humans
I would see this night,
owed their lives to these Marines,
who were willing to fight.
Soon all round the galaxy
the children would play,
and grownups would praise
this bright Christmas day.
They all lived their lives
each month of the year,
because of the Marines,
like the one standing here.
A tear came to my eye
For those who stood alone.
On a cold Christmas Eve
on a planet far from home.
Their great sacrifices,
I could never betray,
so I took up a weapon
to join in the fray.
The soldier did turn
And I heard a rough voice,
"My friend, rest easy,
this death is my choice;
I fight for freedom,
for this is my duty,
my life is my peoples'',"
from his mouth I heard truly.
Then the Marine turned
to face the incursion
of the foul aliens and
their unholy perversion.
I kept watch for hours,
until the night was still
and the Marine lay broken
on a bloody red hill.
I could not just leave
on that cold grim dark night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
And as the Marine lay dying,
his soul strong and pure,
he cried, "Semper Fi!
It's Christmas! This world is secure!"
I kneeled before the fallen,
A great victory he'd won.
"Merry Christmas, brave soldier,
rest in peace, my son."