8 months after the War with Tyrams forces.
Location: Reach
Classification: ONI Highcom.
Target: Former ONI Special Operations, Lieutenant Castiel, S-111.
Lieutenant Commander Eridamis Noronmel of ONI Special Operations HighCom.
Message for Members of the board of Directors, ONI HighCom.
Information strictly classified, anyone that attempts to read this file that does not have the authorization will be dealt with immediately.
Message: This man was one of the few Spartan IIs selected to participate in a top secret ONI experiment involving the training of these men in becoming the perfect Stealth Operations Soldier or Assassins as the temple Guardians called it. There were only three successful Spartans to undergo the training required and were instilled in various places across the universe. The three soldiers were separated to ensure that they were not all eliminated at once, since they were the only ones with their particular skill and ONI could not risk such a high investment going to waste.
From the information we can gather this is what we know of the others.
Castiel S-111: Codename Ghost given by the head Director within the Freelancer program. Ghost ascended to Assassin Master during their time in the temples and serves as the leader of the three, Given the Title (Umbra mortis) By the Temple Guardians this man is responsible for the success of various ONI Operations across the galaxy. His reputation as an Assassin is well known through out ONI HighCom and the UNSC HighCom, this man is extremely dangerous and must be dealt with accordingly.
Jacob S-843: Codename Strife given by his assassin superior Ghost, this man reached the rank of Assassin and acts as a second to Ghost, this man's abilities with a blade have gone unmatched and was the sole cause of the success he created during his Operations. Not much is known of Strife but what we have obtained could prove to be valuable in the future.
Derik S-554: Codename Theron given by his assassin superior Ghost, Theron achieved the rank of Assassin along side Strife and worked as one of ONI's P.U.R.G.E. Operatives during many insurrectionist assaults, his skill in close quarters combat exceeds any member in the UNSC and ONI, his strength can be matched with some of the strongest sangheili warriors which makes him a versatile weapon capable of mass destruction. Although the same rank of Assassin as Strife, he lets the Ranking order go as it is and focuses on the mission objective. Again, we have little information regarding Theron or Strife as they disappeared not long after Ghost.
The target, Lieutenant Castiel was sent on various insurrectionist purges as well as information snatch and grabs from abandoned outposts that had been left during the Human-Covenant war. After 3 years of service, the Director of the Freelancer program had recruited Castiel into the freelancer program thus ending all communications with this soldier. This however was unacceptable and most of ONI agreed that a high priority soldier such as this does not "Go Dark" for an extended period of time without the knowledge of ONI Highcom. Years past before ONI operatives finally tracked a solid beacon emanating from an abandoned ONI research facility. This man is a direct threat to security and must be dealt with, ONI has sent in an elite team of Special operations Orbital Drop Shock Troopers as well as a two man team of headhunters to ensure the target is eliminated.
"Command, come in this is Captain James Taylor of the 78th ODST, we are nearing the facility and the beacon is still strong."
"Copy Captain, this is Command. He does not leave that place alive, understood?"
"Understood Command, Taylor out."
Thrusters roared as the Pelican made contact with the concrete floors within the courtyard of the ONI facility. The back hatch of the Pelican slowly opened revealing the ONI Drop troopers within, "Alright soldiers, command wants this guy dead and they sent us to ensure that he stays that way." The Captain said as they filed out searching the perimeter, the research facility looked like it had undergone serious plasma damage which wasn't surprising considering the entire canyon was used during the human-covenant war for cover from most of the air force that scouted the rocky crags of this desolate place. Looking back over at the main gates he noticed many craters and deep plasma damage to the outer walls of the facility indicating that quite a few wraith tanks had probably passed through here. Looking back at the facility itself he could see two entry doors, one at the second level of the compound, and one on the first level just a few meters away from their location, "Corporal I want the head hunters to proceed to the second floor and cut off any alternate escape, we will head through this door and see if we can't find our guy."
The soldier nodded and moved over to give orders to the big brutish soldiers that had been scouting the perimeter. The Captain turned his attention towards two of his men making their way towards the main door, checking to see that his rifle was indeed loaded he walked towards the door. One of his soldiers, Corporal Chris Hoffman was working on the door trying to break the codes and allow them entry, "How much time do we have Corporal?" The Captain asked, The soldier didn't even look up as he responded, "I have to get past the security walls that went up when this facility came under attack, and I'm just about... Got it! Captain, security system offline we can get into the base." The Captain nodded as the Corporal stood up and readied his shotgun, taking point he activated the panel causing the door to slide open. Making their way into the base they soon had to turn on their thermal imaging, allowing them to seek out their target in the darkness that was the ONI facility. "Check your Radar, this man is known for using Active Camouflage, if we can pinpoint the mass of red blips while he is in hiding we can find him faster." The Captain said as he led his men down a ramp that went to the bottom floor of the place. Looking around he could see there was indeed a fair amount of damage within the base just as their was outside of the base but this was on a smaller scale, assault rifle rounds had penetrated the thick concrete walls were as the plasma scorched the surface. A large covenant Grav-lift had been placed in the center of the building close to some sort of strange art design, what it was supposed to represent he wasn't quite sure but he wasn't here to speculate on the quirky artistic taste of the spooks in ONI, he was here to eliminate one of their ex-specialists. Moving on they made their way into what looked like a control center, the area had screens that showed the outside of the base as well as the main rooms inside the facility,
"Corporal, scan those cameras, see if you can find the him."
The soldier nodded and set off towards the screen filled room followed close behind by two other soldiers. Captain Taylor and his Lieutenant walked much more slowly, taking in much of their surroundings. Aside from the scorch marks, bullet holes, and small pieces on the ground, the control center looked just like it would if the place was not in ruins, looking over he could see the Corporal hard at work searching the database for any information, then just as they reached the room he looked up at the Captain,
"Sir, we found the signal he's in the facility Second floor in the Operations room."
The Captain nodded and looked at his Sergeant and motioned for him and his lieutenant to follow.
"Corporal, stay here and make sure his beacon stays online." With those words he walked out of the room and continued to one of the lifts leading up to the second floor followed close behind by three of his men.
The Second floor was worse off than the first, and that was putting it lightly. Walls were torn down, wires and cables jutting out in a tangled mess. Leaving the lift room they made their way through a long corridor, lights flickered as the reserve power of the facility struggled to maintain itself on the second floor. There was a general unease flowing through the men, especially the Captain though he masked his emotions quite well, although the helmet and visor probably helped a little. "The signal is just across the catwalk, he's close sir, watch yourself up there."
The Captain acknowledged before taking point and heading towards the beacons signal. "I don't see anything, Captain are you sure it's not a false reading?" Asked the Lieutenant as they entered the Operations room,
"Oh he's here alright, and if what his file says is true, we are going to need those headhunters."
They continued into the Operations room guns at the ready, the Captain stopped before one of the computer screens and looked at it, "Corporal there is a video log attached to this computer. Can you open it up?"
"Got it sir, file is opening now."
The screen goes black for a moment, the video is slightly blurred but then focuses in revealing a large black Pilot helmet outfitted for a Spartan sitting on the table, the rest of the room is dark and shuffling could be heard in the background. The noises continued on for quite some time before a large dark figure could be seen, he was holding what appeared to be sheets of paper in his left hand as his right rested at his side. The figure stayed back just enough to keep the light from revealing his face, "Captain James Taylor, of the 78th ODST." The figure said surprising the Captain, "I am aware that ONI has sent you to "Deal" with me, and as you should know, I am not one that can be taken easily." He said in a deadly serious tone, "I have read your file and I know that you and your team are more than capable of taking down foes greater than a Spartan-II, but let me just say this... Is it worth losing all of your men in an attempt to kill one?" He paused for a moment as if to give the Captain time to think before continuing on, I am giving you one chance to be reasonable, leave now and no harm will come to you and your men. Heed this warning Captain, for I am giving you a choice, if you make the wrong one there will be no going back..."
Play song #2: watch?v=5WvfZu…
The figure takes a step back into the shadows leaving only the image of the helmet on screen, it was quiet for a long time until a large gauntleted hand grabbed the top of the helmet and lifted it up as a large lower body moves past the screen causing it to bug out and go black, The Captain looked up at his men, as they looked back to him, he could feel the uncertainty in them, "Don't listen to him, we will hunt this bastard down and show that he is nothing. Spread out! Search for him!" The Captain yelled as the soldiers quickly comply spreading out and searching for any possible source of their target. The Captain raised his assault rifle and started searching the room, "Sir beacon has gone dark" Corporals voice came in over the radio
"Switch to your HUD, everyone watch for the red blips!"
"Sir I'm picking something up on my radar, I think it'~" All at once the Lieutenants line went dead, leaving nothing but static. "Lieutenant! Come in Damn it!"
"Corporal I want this place on lockdown, all doors, any exit point. He will not escape!"
"Yes, Sir." The Captain and his squad ran to the Lieutenants last known location, "I don't see anything Captain!" a soldier said as he searched for any sign of the Lieutenant. Looking around the Captain noticed droplets of blood hitting the ground three feet from what appeared to be an air duct in the wall, looking inside he couldn't see a thing, the hole looked as black as the void, consuming any light that attempted to find it's way in. Something dripped onto his shoulder and he looked up in surprise, "Oh my God..." Was all he could say as he sat looking at the lifeless corpse that was his Lieutenant, he appeared to be tangled in some steel cables and was hanging suspended in the air a good 15 ft off the ground, "Form up! Stay close! He's around here somewhere..." They all complied forming in a tight circle looking around rifles at the ready, "Sir, headhunters are on standby... Should I grant them access to the base?"
"Y-yes do it."
Perspective: Lieutenant Commander Hudson Jones. 13th Headhunter regiment.
"Lieutenant, the Captain has granted you access to the base, proceed in and deal with the target."
"Copy, Hudson out." Hudson nodded to the other headhunter as they entered the base from the upper sectors. The place was devoid of any light, sparks would fly from the walls lighting their path as they walked, Raising his shot gun he led them through the many door ways and passages until they finally came to the main hall in the upper levels, "Sir, we are in and awaiting orders."
Static erupted before a voice came over the com, "Get your asses down here! We need back up!" His voice cut out as random spouts of gunfire sounded off from the background, "Captain, Whats going on?" Hudson said as they started moving again at a quicker pace. When they arrived at the upper levels they had a clear view of the courtyard beneath them.
He could see a few dead ODST's and no sign of the commander or the target, "Commander We have an overview of the courtyard what is your location?" He asked as he looked around for any way they could reach the lower levels. Locating the stair well they continued to the lower levels still no word from the commander, "I don't like this Hudson, why haven't we heard from the Commander?" Asked the other Headhunter, Hudson was silent still unsure himself about what happened to them, but he didn't voice his opinion. Instead he marched down the stairs and made his way into the court yard where they had been. Looking around he could see the fallen ODST's were not the commander. "Commander this is Hudson, what is your location over?" Static erupted from the radio as a voice struggled to maintain signal, "Com- Commander Huds- G- Control roo-" Hudson could barely make out what the voice said but he knew where it wanted him to go, "Let's move!" He said running toward the control room his ally following close behind. As the door to the room slid open they could see that the place had undergone recent combat, bullet holes covering most of the rooms surface, a few scorch marks from grenades. They walked up the stairs and saw a few of their squad dead.
"Commander? Commander! Where are you?" Hudson shouted as he raised his weapon keeping his head on a swivel. He looked to the control room itself and saw some more of his squad laying dead around the screens and control panels, "Commander Hudson." A weak voice said, Hudson looked over at the screen room and could make out the body of the Corporal that had been communicating with him over the radio trying to move as he rested his back against the control panel, Hudson ran over as the other headhunter checked the rest of the room. He knelt down beside the Corporal checking him for injuries, "What happened?" Hudson asked as he found a deep knife wound in the man's side. The Corporal coughed a bit before speaking, "He came... The target... *Cough* He killed them all, he took the Commander... *Cough* *Cough* He stopped to breathe before he continued on. I'm the only one that survived." Hudson pulled out his Bio foam canister and began filling the wound, "Corporal where did he take the Commander?" The Corporal was silent for a moment but he motioned up with his thumb before coughing again. Hudson set the Bio foam down and slowly lifted his head to the rafters above, "Oh Shit." He said as he looked upon the corpse of his commander as he dangled from the support beams, he had been hung by the neck with multiple stab wounds running across his chest and abdomen. Another set of coughing sounded from the Corporal as he tried to breathe, "We will get this guy, and he will pay for this."
Hudson said, as he stood up. A blast sounded from behind and Hudson spun around to see his fellow headhunter fly across the room and slam into the hard glass on the wall. His shields were sparking and his chest piece was smoking. Hudson ran over only to get tackled by something much bigger than himself, as they skidded to a stop he saw that the thing was the target as he lifted his hand and tried to bring his knife down on Hudson's skull, he blocked the strike with his forearm and fought to keep him from plunging the knife into his body, Assault rifle fire sprayed around the room scoring hits on both Hudson and the targets shields, looking over he could see the Corporal as he attempted to shoot at the assailant. The target took the advantage and slammed his fist into Hudson's visor before grabbing the collar piece of his armor and lifting him up, "You should have taken my offer and left." The man said as he threw Hudson across the room, sparks flew as his armor skidded across the floor before abruptly stopping as he hit the wall. Hudson was dazed but he could still hear as the assault rifle rounds died off and he could hear a scream. Slowly he got to his knees and looked over to where the Corporal had last been, the target had picked him up and was looking at him as the Corporal struggled in his grip. Then all at once the Corporal went limp and the target dropped his body on the ground, Hudson looked over to his comrade only to see him struggle to get up, he had something in his hands, "Eat this you piece of shit!" He screamed as he pulled the pin on a grenade and threw it as hard as he could towards the target.
The target reacted with lightning speed as he spun around and grabbed the grenade in mid flight before throwing it back towards the headhunter. His ally didn't have time to react as the grenade bounced off the wall next to him before going off. The light was blinding and it tore the headhunter to shreds, the blast slammed Hudson against the wall as shrapnel pierced his body, his vision blurred and his ears were ringing. He laid on the ground head facing towards the area his ally had once been, his vision blurred most of the room but he could make out the burnt husk of the former headhunter, he could also make out a large black figure making it's way towards him, Hudson tried to get up but the shrapnel had destroyed his left arm and severely damaged one of his legs keeping him where he was as he gasped for air. The ringing in his ears dulled and he could hear the figure speaking to him, "I'm sorry this had to happen Hudson, I truly am. I gave your commander a choice, but he made the wrong one." He said as he grabbed Hudson by his collar piece and sat him up straight, the target knelt in front of him and looked into His visor, putting a hand on Hudson's shoulder before speaking, "You are a great warrior, and I wish we could have met under better circumstances." The target sighed as he let his hand fall off Hudson's shoulder.
He seemed deep in thought but after a short few moments he looked back up at Hudson, "I feel there should be some form of formality between us." He said as he grabbed his helmet and slowly slid it off. He set his helmet on the ground next to him, Hudson looked at his facial features, he looked to be in his late 20's with dark brown hair that wasn't buzzed but fairly short. His dark green eyes scanned Hudson's visor and he could make out small bright green flecks that scattered across his iris. His face wasn't hardened and aggressive like he had expected it to be, but instead a very serious expression lay across his features, he looked down and sighed, "I wish things could have been different. War is hell, and bad things happen to good people." He paused for a moment His face hardening as he looked back at Hudson, "and It's the cowards that hide behind us that should answer for this not you." He said, Hudson began to feel light, he lost feeling in his arms and legs and his breathing was becoming shallow, the targets face softened a bit and he smiled, "Your journey is not over Hudson, you will begin anew. Travel to the light my friend, you will find everlasting peace. A sanctuary away from this place." Hudson's vision began to fade as he look at his target, "My name is Castiel, and I will never forget you." Hudson smiled slightly under his helmet before letting out his last breath and fading into darkness.