King Leon: The Story of Grey Team

by Zachary Watkins

The members of Grey Team are some of the fewest Spartans to actually be MIA. After being on a mission far outside the confines of UNSC space, and on battlefields too distant to be easily recalled, they have now missing for over a year. What happened?

2. Chapter 0

Chapter Zero:
Cold Coffin

1250 hours, August 17, 2547
Aboard the UNSC Enduring Journey

It took Gray Team only three minutes to load their weapons and equipment onto the ship. 20 minutes later, the Staff Members of the Enduring Journey were finished loading supplies and after another five minutes they were done warming her up. The three Spartans marches towards the Cyro Room, silently. Even Terri was quiet at the thought of being frozen for-how long would it take? The first ELR mission took 2 and half years to get to the mission and back, and the other two took 2 years back and forth.

After punching in the code for the Cyro Room door to open, the three Spartans were hit with the usual smell; a cold and moldy stench that seemed unnatural. They had already stored their MJOLNIR Armor. Wearing clothes while frozen was hazardous; the material would be frozen to your skin. The armor might kill you. They met with Lieutenant (Junior Grade ) Clent Tresim, who was the Cryogenic Operator ofthe Enduring Journey. He stood at a small Main Computer where he would direct the delicate operation of correctly freezing a person. Around him were five Ensigns furiously tapping away at their keyboards.

"Welcome Spartans. Early, as usual. Well, let's get to it. We could wait until the designated time before we put you to sleep, or . . .?", "We are ready as soon as you are, Lieutenant." Leon told him, Clent smiled, and said, "Good. You three know what to do. Once you are done undressing, just lie in the Cyro Pods." Leon, Paul, and Terri walked over to separate stalls and undressed, and after packing their clothes and various accessories into their lockers, they got into their pods.

Clent nodded at one of the ensigns. After tapping a few keys of his keyboard, the Plexiglass tops of the pods closed shut. The Lieutenant's voice came out of intercoms located on the side of the pods; "This trip will take 2 and a quarter years to get there. There will be breaks 3 times, every eight months, for exercise and stretching. See you soon, soldiers." All Leon could see was a way-to bright light above him, so he closed his eyes. Seconds later, a cold, moldy mist filled the pod, and Leon fell quickly asleep.