Chapter 1:
"For The UNSC"
Camp Currahee on the Planet Onyx September 2552
"Let's Move It Spartans! This is not a stroll through the park!" senior drill instructor Jackson yells at the top of his lungs in a very militaristic manner. Early this morning Chief Mendez instructed the drill instructors of Camp Currahee to take the Spartan IIIs of Gamma Company to the obstacle course. That order was given a little over four hours ago as the backsides of Gamma Company were greeted with the mid-day sun. While normally most of the Spartans would hardly break a sweat from running the obstacle course this time was different. The D.I.'s had Gamma run the course in full battle dress along with packs that served to slow the Spartans down. As a result most of the Spartans were building up quite a sweat, but nowhere near exhaustion.
Jackson moves away from the rest of the drill instructors as a message comes across the radio. "That's enough for today boys and girls, bring Gamma back to base." Chef Mendez replies over the radio. There is a brief pause before Mendez is speaking once more "Oh and tell the Guardians to report to Ambrose's office immediately. The boss wants to see them." The radio cuts out in a fit of static, before being over taken by silence.
With a nod from Jackson, he and all the other D.I.'s in a unanimous voice yell "Gamma Company cease activity!" With that Jackson exclaims "Return to base for rest. You deserve it Gamma. Now move out!" By this time most of Gamma was already moving back to camp. "Guardian squadron front and center!" Jackson yells once more. A group of five armored Spartans split apart from the rest of Gamma and walked towards the senior D.I. as order to.
"Sir you ask for us?" the leader of the squad known Shepheard asks. Wondering why of all the squadrons that made up Gamma Company that senior drill instructor Jackson ask for his. Did they do something wrong during today's exercise? Or did Jackson simply just want to be a major dick today. He did not know, but Shepherd is certain that whatever D.I. Jackson wants with his squad it is nothing good.
"Guardians" Jackson begins to speak with a smirk. Who names the squads again? I mean really? They couldn't come up with something more original then "Guardian Squadron. " Jackson thought to himself, however with every bit of professionalism that he could muster he continues to speak "The big man himself wants to see you in his office pronto. And before you ask no I don't know why. Now move it Spartans."
"Yes sir!" the members of Guardian squad snap before walking back towards camp. Crap we must have really messed up now if Lieutenant Commander Ambrose wants to chew us out personally. I mean sure we're not the fastestnor the strongest squad in Gamma but we make up for it with guts, determination and sheer force of will. Shepheard thought to himself.
*LINE BREAK*
"Shepheard you got any idea why we're getting called up to the big man's office?" the one known as Bruce asks. An orphan due to the events of Reach in which resulted in the fall of the planet. Bruce is the biggest and tallest one from Guardian squad and while not the brightest of the squad he can pack one hell of a punch. Specializing in heavy ordinances such as the feared Spartan Laser, explosives and mid ranged weaponry. This along with strong sense of duty and a gung ho attitude has earned him the nickname "Hero" among his fellow squad mates.
"Yeah Boss what's up?" Sam's feminine voice cuts through before Shepheard has a chance to reply. While Bruce possess a gung ho attitude, Sam was far more calculating and yet when the time called for ferocious in battle channeling her inner animal. Extremely loyal to her squad who became like a second family to her after the deaths of her family on Jericho VII. Known to her team mates as "Wolf" Sam specializes in mid ranged weaponry, close quarters combat (CQC), and alien weaponry.
"If Jackson didn't know why we're getting called up to Ambrose's office. What makes you think Shepheard here knows?" Daniel adds his two cents to the ongoing conversation amongst the Guardians. Orphaned after the many skirmishes on Arcadia between the UNSC and Covenant forces. Daniel also possesses a soft spot for those in need and a compulsion to help others. Nicknamed the "Professor" by his fellow Guardians due to his fascination with knowledge, books and tactical insights. As a result Daniel serves as the squad's field medic while also specializing in mid-range weaponry.
"Really guys? Let the man speak will you. The Boss can barely get a word out without being interrupted by one of your questions." Jessie's voice cuts in before Shepheard can reply. Also orphaned after the events of Jericho VII, Jessie drifted around until she was recruited by ONI for the Spartan III program as a means of vengeance against the Covenant. Known as the "Ghost" by her team mates due to her skills with a rifle and natural covert tendencies. Jessie specializes in long range weaponry and CQC. Jessie also a strong believer in swift justice and yet can become shy around those she barely knows.
"Thanks Jessie" Shepheard says between chuckles as the squad quiets down once more. "I'm in the dark about this as much as you guys are. I don't know why the big man called us up." Shepherd continues to speak with a less humorous voice. Another Orphan of the planet Reach, Shepherd experienced firsthand the fanatical religious devotion of the covenant by witnessing the violent murders of his family. Facing death at the hands of the covenant, Shepheard did not expect to live. Only to be saved at the last minute by UNSC evacuation forces. Shepherd despise those who would seek to harm those who cannot protect themselves and is determined to protect his squad. Dubbed as the "Boss" by his fellow Spartan team mates due to his natural leadership abilities and charisma. Shepheard specializes in mid-range weaponry, CQC, and alien weaponry.
"But whatever the reason" Shepheard pauses gaining the attention of his fellow Spartans "We're in this together." This results in affirmative agreements from the Spartans of Guardian squad.
"One for all…" begins Daniel.
"And all for one…" Sam says next.
"United we stand…" continues Bruce.
"Divided we fall…" finishes Jessie
*LINE BREAK*
"Now I bet you're wondering why I called you up here correct?" begins Lieutenant Commander Ambrose as he closes a file and looks at the five battle dressed Spartans. The Spartans of Guardian squad nod in affirmation. "Well Guardians as you know in a few days Gamma Company will be graduating and then shipping out to face the Covenant and help save the UNSC. You on the other hand are not…" Ambrose speaks.
"Sir! You can't!" Sam interrupts the Lieutenant Commander.
"Sir! We deserve justice for what those hinge heads did to us!" Bruce almost yells. Both however are soon silenced by a single harden stare from the former Spartan II.
Shepheard takes a steps forward catching the Ambrose's attention before speaking with a forced calmness "With all due respect sir, you can't be seriously considering denying our rightful share of blood. After all those monsters did to humanity…" Shepheard stops once he sees the Commander raise his hand.
"Don't be so hasty to jump to conclusions Guardians, you misunderstand me. While the Guardians will not be shipping out with rest of Gamma, you will still be vital to the war effort." Ambrose pauses before continuing "ONI has a special mission for one squad in Gamma. One in which I endorsed Squadron Guardian above the others to ONI. I hope I was not mistaken given this recent breach in professionalism. A covert one I might add..." that last part directed towards Bruce.
"No Sir, you haven't. We were just dishearten at the possibility of not getting back at those hinge heads bastards for what they did, with the rest of Gamma Sir." Bruce speaks aloud.
"That may be Bruce, but it doesn't excuse the fact that all of you are Spartans and represent the UNSC at all times. So I suggest that in the future that you don't let your passions solely rule you." The Lieutenant Commander stares at his Spartans with disapproval, before continuing in a much more relaxed voice "Anyways back to the topic on hand. I myself don't know much about this particular mission aside from a few details and a basic outline. ONI is withholding all the details, something about compartmentalization of information or whatever."
Sam takes a step forward drawing the Commander's attention "Sir? If you don't even know about our mission, then who does?"
Smirking at the Spartan's response before leaning forward to speak "Why the head of ONI of course. The Admiral Margaret Parangoskyn herself." Pausing long enough to activate the large monitor behind him. Reveling an aging woman who despite her age was quite arguably the most powerful being within the UNSC. "Hello there Guardians. As Kurt here probably informed you already, ONI needs you for a specific mission. A high priority mission which after I make sure this connection is secured and you accept it, will divulge the details to your team." She stops and nods her head to someone out of view of the camera.
The Spartan's share a few glances amongst one another before they all take a step forward. "Ma'am we accept. The Spartans of Guardian squadron go where we're needed." Replies Shepheard.
"You Spartans will attempt a resonance mission into uncharted UNSC space to locate the signal of what ONI analysist are claiming to be of Forerunner origin. I don't need to inform you that if they're right, then hopefully this can yield something that can rapidly bring an end to this war." The admiral speaks before pausing once more "That being said the UNSC does not possess the assets nor resources to attempt a wild geese hunt even if the analyst are correct. That's where you come in. You will be sent to this remote location via eight Disposable Slip Space Orbital Drop Shock Pods and confirm the presence of Forerunner technology."
Like a student asking permission to speak Jessie raises her hand capturing the admiral's attention before speaking "Ma'am you said eight pods? Who else will be accompanying us on this drop?"
"No else will be accompanying you on this mission. The other three pods will contain all the equipment and supplies that your team will need to survive for an extended amount of time… This isn't your run of the mill recon, we honestly don't know what you will find there. Hence the abnormal amount of supplies." Parangoskyn adds with some level hesitancy "You will be gone for an extended amount time Spartans, too long for any real form of support to reach you in time should you require it. However you will be sent with the best tech that the UNSC can spare…."
*LINE BREAK*
The UNSC Frigate Independence, Outer UNSC controlled space, October 2552
"Wow ONI wasn't kidding when they said the best tech they could spare. This Armor is ten times better than our old SPI Mark II armor." Hero states while inspecting the new SPI armor variant that ONI gracefully provided for the Guardians. Known as the Semi Powered Infiltration and Reactively Integrated Tactical Shielding Armor prototype or S.P.I.R.I.T.S. Armor for short, it was far more durable then the Mark II SPI armor counterpart and is one of the first set of armors to possess both combat shielding technology and covert stealth technology.
While the combat shielding of the SPIRITS armor is nowhere near as powerful as its MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor cousin, it will stop a few direct bolts of plasma energy before failing and having to deal with the actual body armor of the Spartans. Which in reality was just a slightly less bulky version of the SPI mark II armor. There were other upgrades that the ONI engineers implemented within the suit such as a full heads up display, an oxygen supply of fifteen minutes, and best of all the armor was lightweight enough that it could be easily taken off and on like regular body armor. Of course the only real draw back was that one could only use either the combat shielding or the covert stealth technology one at a time. Or risk the possibility of shorting outing the suit.
"Yeah no kidding." says Wolf as she admires herself in her new and shiny SPIRITS Armor before glancing over to Boss. "What do you think Boss man? Like the new threads?" she asks with smirk clearly evident across her face.
With a small laugh Boss replies with "Yeah there's a certain degree of elegance and deadly quality to it, plus that suit really makes your eyes pop Wolf." A smirk of his own plastered across his face.
"Oh brother. Really Boss that's the best you got?" replies Ghost while shaking her head in response Boss' reply. "How romantic really, you're a regular Shakespeare you know that Boss." Says Ghost before walking over to where Professor is at and helping adjust his SPIRITS Armor.
"Thank you Ghost, but really Boss you and Wolf need to keep it in your pants. Or at least get a room and spare the rest of us your PDAs." Replies Professor while motioning for Ghost to turn around so he could adjust her suit as well.
"Yeah well, where's the F-" starts Boss before being interrupted by a loud siren that cuts across the ship's PA system.
"Attention all personal this is not a drill. All hands to battle stations! I repeat again. All hands report to battle stations! Looks like we have company boys and girls. Let's go give the Covenant hell." The voice over the intercom replies before cutting out.
Approaching the lone UNSC frigate is a single Covenant Destroyer class ship. Captain Johnathan Applesmith sits in his command chair and begins shouting orders to his officers. "Yuri spin up the MAC gun and prep Archer pods A4 to D7." Turning to another officer Applesmith yells "Amanda bring us up to flank speed and begin calculating a slip space solution. We're only here to deliver the packages and then we're getting the hell out of doge!"
Connecting himself to the Spartans radio channel Applesimth begins speaking "Listen up Guardians the Covenant just arrived. In lieu of this we're expediting our time tables, so suit up Spartans you're in for a jumpy ride."
"Acknowledge Captain. We're already heading to the pods now. ETA 20 seconds. Just hold on Captain." Replies Boss. Over the radio comes a grunt in acknowledgement from the Captain.
"Fire!" yells Applesmith. In response the UNSC Independence shutters as it fires the MAC Cannon followed by a swarm of Archer missiles. A few seconds later there is flash of purple from the Covenant ship displaying the once invisible shield to the naked eye. The ship is forced back due to the sheer velocity in which the MAC round slams into the ship, temporary weakening the shield. While most of the ordinances explode on the ship's shielding's there are very few that make contact with the Destroyer; however the few that do explode against their ship in a brilliant display of raw power.
In retaliation Covenant Destroyer response to UNSC attack with their own. Unleashing two plasma torpedoes streaking towards the UNSC frigate, followed by several streaks of projected energy. A little less than a few seconds later the Covenant's attack makes contact with the UNSC Independence, dodging the first plasma torpedo and intercepting one of several projected energy. The frigate shutters as the plasma torpedo makes contact with ships portside. Exposing several layers of decks littered with the now unmoving bodies of the UNSC brave sailors.
"Guardians launching in Five…Four…Three…Two…" Begins Boss over his direct com line to the Captain and his fellow team mates. "One…Launch!" Yells Shepheard as eight pods explode from the ship and rocket off to the slip space rupture.
"Good luck Guardians…" mutters the Captains before his eyes widen in shock. Just as the eights pods near the Slip Space rupture there is a brilliant flash of purple as a lateral plasma torpedo explodes. With it the pods transponder signal are lost as well as the eight pods of the Guardians. "My god" Whispers Applesmith before being shock out of his stupor by another projected energy blast making contact with the ship. "Amanda! Get us the hell out of here, we can't take another hit like that!" The captain yells above the now busy command bridge.
As the Independence turns disengages the enemy and limps away as fast as possible it releases another barrage of archer missiles at the Covenant ship. "How long till we enter slip space!" The captain questions loudly. "Only a few more seconds sir!" replies Amanda without hesitation.
A few seconds later the UNSC frigate enters slip space and disappears. Leaving the lone Covenant Destroyer amidst the vast emptiness of space.
A/N: I've played with the time line a little, so that it suits my purpose for this story. As always both Halo and Game of Thrones belong to their respective owners and I make no money from this, I merely do this for fun.