Halo… After the War
Peace has come to the broken Nations. The scars that have been inflicted would not heal, but the goal was to prevent anymore from happening.
The year is 2258, 3 months after the war ended, and both sides are trying to do whatever they could to keep the peace, and tame the riots on their planets. One idea was presented from the UN, to transfer population, humans to the Covenant world, and Covenant to the human world. With nothing to lose, and much to gain, both sides half heartedly agreed, having no idea what their actions will lead to.
My name is Steven Arrows, I served in combat for three years, as a Marine, joining illegally at the age of 16, and I felt a strong patriotic feeling to help the earth in its struggle. But the war is over now, and I, having skipped collage, was sent back under high honors from Fleet commander Harper to a collage in New York. I was to spend two years there, and have help from the government to find a job, but I already knew what I was going to be, a football player. I had a love for the game from day one, playing for hours daily, practicing constantly. I also had an amazing shot, people suggested I become a sharpshooter, but I wasn't interested in that profession. I entered the war, a happy, cheerful person, I exited, a depressed, unmotivated man with nothing to live for. With no family, and most of his friends dead during the bloody war, I didn't care what happened to me; at least, that was what I thought.
The transport touched down, I lifted my hand above my eyes to cover them from the smoke and dust. Me and about a dozen more marines had exited the transport, and into a dirty, and very unstable landing area. The lights from the city in the distance.
"Kinda reminds me of Washington." A soldier said, clearly bored. Who wasn't? We were all waiting for news of our visas being accepted, and the cold day was made worse with the minor drizzle, wetting our close. The site of the once glorious city was madding, and how the government authorized the importation of Covenant civilians and soldiers, the people who started this all.
"Gentlemen!" A Sgt. yelled, drowning out all over sounds, a marine with an umbrella walking at the same pace as he was, covering the Sgt., "You have served the military for many years, and we thank you!" He patriotically yelled, his voice, the sound of a bomb exploding, he was pacing back and forth, looking at the ground, "We will do our best to repay you, beside your huge payroll." The Sgt. Joked, knowing we only get paid 5000$ a month. "You're going to collage lads!" He informed, his words met with negative sounds and grunts, even though they already knew, I just stood still. "And for you who are tight on cash, I need one volunteer to step up to house an Elite." He said, the look on his eye, signaling that he wasn't joking. It was met with stunned silence and coughing, but I really didn't care, I stood at attention., unwavering.
"Anyone? No? Well then, now it gets interesting for one of you." He said, looking along our ranks to pick a victim,"Well, Arrows, you look interesting, your hired, you get paid an extra 10,000$. Congratulations." He said a look of mischief in his brown eyes. Sinkers and sighs of relief filled our tired lines, as the threat passed over everyone, except me. We were led into a raggedy old airport with only marines standing at attention along the walls of the corridor, the city lights gleaming through the window. We walked for a minute or so until we came upon visa station, with a lady and two marines standing behind the counter. I stood in line recounting the memories of my army life, and the two brothers I had to leave behind… I heard they both were KIA. Both on the same day… on my birthday.
Flash back…
"Well Private Arrows! Happy 17th birthday! I'm surprised you survived this far!" My hearty Sgt. Yelled, slapping me on the back.
"Yeah. Glad to have you with us this long!" another voice rang.
"Let's hope you have another!"
"Thanks guys." I said, looking around the dirty, cramped room at all the cheerful faces surrounding me.
"Well, it wouldn't be a birthday without a gift… here." My Sgt. Half whispered as he handed me a box of chocolates.
"Thank you sir!" I happily said, my words drowned out by distant explosion, and close bursts of machine gun fire. I heartily took the box, anticipating the pleasure so many take for granitite. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the distance explosions causing our unsteady dorm to shake.
"Arrows! Arrows!" a breathless messenger burst through the door, the rain flying in the room.
"Shut the damn door man!" shouted a man in the dorm.
"Private, Private. Calm down, catch your breath." Our Sgt. Said.
"Yes sir… sorry sir." The messenger gasped for breath, finding them hard to come.
"Arrows, your brothers… both of them… dead, both… sorry sir." The messenger said, looking at the ground.
My world just crumbled around me that day… I joined the army because of them, and their encouragement helped me go on. I looked at the ceiling with unseeing eyes, my mouth failed to say words, my knees trembled.
"They were together, in the trench, a bomb killed them with two others-."
"MARINE!" The Sgt. Shouted at the messenger, wanting to sooth my grief.
"Sorry sir… but they found a letter on one."
The messenger shyly handed me the dirty note, which was dotted with blood.
I opened it up it read…
Dear little bro,
Happy illegal 17th! We all hope you will have many more! It is hell up here in central command, were supposedly surrounded and they get closer every day. I'll keep my promise those, me and your other bro will stay alive and have that welcome home party we've been talking about…
The rest of the letter was blown off; he was righting it when he died. I didn't know how to react.
End of flash back…
"Next… Next. Next?" the accounting lady said, slowly bringing me back to reality.
"Marine! Next." An impatient marine behind me said.
I walked up, not regarding the complaint behind me, lost in my thoughts.
I sat down, setting my gear next to me and waiting for the paperwork.
"Welcome home sir." The accounting said looking me in the eye.
"Thank you." I said, looking back.
"Your visa is good… and you're the one housing the Elite right?" she asked.
"Yes mam, how long does he stay… and when does he come." I asked.
"He stays with you for about a… 3 months, and he arrives in two days." She said, satisfying my questions.
"Here you go sir, you'll start school in a week, along with the Elite, and it is a cross national, other Covenant pop. Will be there." She said, looking at the papers on her desk.
"Thank you." I said, taking the papers and my gear, walking to the waiting line of marines.
