Hello everyone! I'm back. I spent most of my vacation in Mexico (And what little rest of the summer I had) working on this when I had time. Your welcome. ;).
"They may just be the finest SPARTANS ever."
Lieutenant Commander Kurt Ambrose.
Surface of 'Naboo' 23:00 hrs, June 29 2557/UNSC Military Calendar/Ship Standard Time.
The forest we were in was vast, untamed, and especially foggy. Nighttime didn't help us either. If we were anyone else it would have been impossible to move, however our SPI Mark III armour had the latest in VISR technology making it appear as if it was daytime instead of night.
"Radio check, Rapier." I said. As Fireteam leader it was my job to make sure my team was okay and combat ready.
"Rapier 2 reporting in boss." Julianne, Rapier 2 said as she materialized on my left hand side.
"Rapier 3 ready to rock and roll!" Michael, Rapier 3 yelled. Even though we were in a private COM channel reserved for the Fireteam I couldn't help but quickly check the dense forest surrounding us for hostiles that might've heard his outburst.
"Rapier 4 here. Good to go chief." Sophie, Rapier 4 said as she de-cloaked to the far right of me.
I received a green acknowledgment light from Rapier 5. Typical Emily. I thought. She probably won't speak until we're out of the 'Red Zone'.
The red zone was our word for hostile territory, or to put it bluntly any shape of ground we didn't feel secure in.
"Current ammo and supplies?" I asked. "I have Ten Magazines for the MA5K2. five mags for the M6C and one flash-bang grenade." I said. I liked to double check my teams ammo and supplies the moment we touched the ground so I could remember who had what and if we lost anything during the drop.
"Same thing boss except I have my datapad updated with everything we know about the hostiles." Julianne said. As she was our technical expert I expected her to have updated her 'pad', she was also our resident scout.
"Since you restricted us from bringing our special toys all I have is the same as you and Julie. It sucks by the way. What can I blow up with a flash-bang?" He turned to see our reactions. I slowly shook my head. "Exactly, Nothing!" Michael said. As our explosives expert I knew he was mad about having no C12 on him but I was almost going to reprimand him if he kept this up.
"I have the same as the rest of the team. I only have one can of foam though. Guess we'll have to share. And lighten up Mikey. Jeez." Sophie said. Patting her left leg which had a case of Bio-Foam strapped to it.
"I have the standard MA5K2 but with an 4x smart-link scope aswell as an M6C, same as you Rapier lead." Emily said, de-cloaking beside one of the forests dense trees.
"Good. I want a standard formation to the south, head for the Rangers dropsite. Radio silence from here on out unless it's an emergency." I said, quickly doing a visual check of my weapon before pointing towards our objective.
We all cloaked again and headed out. Julianne whent first. About 10 metres ahead of the rest of us. I was second, followed by Michael to my back right then Sophie to my back left. Emily was 5 metres behind us.
As we were walking I couldn't help but feel like I was on Onyx again. The forest was eerily similar. Albeit a little less foggy but still quite similar.
Julianne yanked me out of my train of thought when she abruptly flashed a red acknowledgment light. Stop.
I quickly went over to her. Finding her crouched behind a bush.
she gave me the sign for unknowns ahead. Her thumb pressed into her palm with her other fingers inwardly curled. She then pointed toward three figures wearing dark brown uniforms and what looked like steel helmets who were on patrol. They were alert but not overly cautious or uneasy. Julianne flashed two amber acknowledgment lights. The signal for a SPARTAN team member to request orders.
"Don't fire. Hold. Rapier on me. Quietly." I said. The rest of the team made their way to me and I quickly explained the situation.
"They will probably see us, sir. We have to take them out." Michael said.
"I agree boss." Emily said. Bringing her weapon up to target the nearest unknown.
"Sophie what do you think?" I asked. Staring at my teams medic.
"Doesn't seem right chief, killing them and all. Your call though." She said. Turning to look at me.
"Five..." I said.
"sir..." She looked at me unsure
"take them." I said, face expressionless behind my helmet. I heard the six suppressed rounds hit their targets and in less than five seconds all three unknowns were dead on the forest floor.
"Rapier 2 check them for I.D." I said.
She ran towards them, the photo reactive panels in her armour blending in perfectly with the surrounding forest.
"I.D tags them as members of the local security forces boss." She reported. "Orders?"
"Keep moving. I'll ask the Captain when we link up." I said. Motioning my team forward.
We made it to the Rangers dropsite in good time but they were already on the ground unpacking their supplies. I headed over to Captain Jennings and reported the three dead locals.
"This may make our job harder SPARTAN. Anyway your teams tent is over there along with the supplies you requsted. Get pitching SPARTAN." She said pointing towards a folded up forest cameo tent. Five duffel bags were beside it in a row Along with sleeping bags. I thanked her before making my way towards my team.
"Alright our tent is over there along with all our supplies." I heard Michael give a small 'woo' from inside his helmet.
We spent the better part of 15 minutes pitching our tent and putting our supplies in it. We slept diagonal to the door with our bags at our feet. Perfect.
The rangers had their tents in staggered lines with squads digging foxholes 100 meters to the west, towards the city.
It was a standard deployment to be honest. The only thing that wasn't standard was our objective. We had to get into the capital city without being seen and get to the planet's ruler, without being seen then we had to secretly make an alliance with her and get out of the city, once again without being seen. Easy. I mused. In reality I would have preferred one of the infamous suicide missions SPARTAN III's were known for to this.
Surface of 'Naboo' 09:00 hrs, June 30 2557/UNSC Military Calendar/Ship Standard Time
I woke up on time as usual. Kevin was already up checking his armour's photo reactive panels while Sophie was trying to get Michael up, and upon him successfully awaking tackled Sophie to the ground in a small fit of anger. Emily was outside of the tent cleaning her weapon and calibrating its scope. I quickly did a check of my own equipment.
-Rifle. Check.
-Pistol. Check.
-Ammo for both. Check.
-Datapad. Check.
-Armour. Check.
"Rapier form up!" Kevin yelled, interrupting my checking. I quickly ran towards him.
"SPARTAN G-123 reporting as ordered Petty Officer!" I said, coming to attention.
"SPARTAN G-244 reporting as ordered Petty Officer!" Michael said, also coming to attention.
"SPARTAN G-317 reporting as ordered Petty Officer." Sophie said.
Emily came to attention but said nothing, as usual.
"We are heading into the city. Pack lightly it's just recon." Kevin said, a small smile on his lips.
"So do we get backup?" Sophie asked. "Five people going into a heavily guarded city alone seems alittle insane. Sir." She added.
"The Rangers will be on standby to assist if needed but yes we are going in alone. And lighten up Sophie, we were trained for the sole purpose of suicide missions So this is nothing." Kevin continued while quietly chuckling. "Remember that time on New Barbados."
"I don't forget dead friends, I thought you didn't either." Sophie said with a small hint of sadness in her voice.
I lowered my head and I saw Emily put a reassuring hand on Sophie's shoulder.
Kevin realized he had overstepped a line and started to apologize but Michael stopped him.
"We don't have time this guys. Let's go." He said walking in the direction of our armour and weapons. When he passed Sophie he said something so quiet my helmets voice recorders barely picked it up.
"Don't forget they were our friends to."
We left the camp a half hour later and made the slow, careful journey to the city in a diamond formation with Kevin in the middle. None of us talked during the walk. About twenty minutes into our journey we left the cover of the forest and saw our objective for the first time. The city was vast but had a certain character that cities back home lack.
Most of the buildings were only two stories tall but were artistically crafted. If we hadn't been enemies of the state I would have de-cloaked and went to meet the populace, however the white armoured imperial troops patrolling the crowded streets made me remember why we were here.
I quickly looked at their armour and weapons. The armour itself looked pristine meaning the troopers themselves took pride in the armour or were forced to clean it. The helmet was somewhat bulky in the front but it wasn't a major concern. I however wouldn't trade my SPI armour if my life depended on it, ever. The weapons were small black carbine sized rifles with a scope of some kind. Easy to use in an urban setting like this and small enough to be clipped to the troops belt as two troopers walked past me.
Aliens of all shapes and sizes were all over the place buying and selling goods and just talking with each other. My finger was dangerously close to pulling the trigger and it took every ounce of my strength to not gun all of the aliens down. I knew the rest of the team felt the same way, because through all the oaths and orders and missions all every SPARTAN III wanted to do was kill Covenant or anything remotely non-Human. There was talk of an alliance between us and the sangheili but I thought the idea was laughable. Even the average grunt would hate the idea and would never agree.
We had gone into an alley to orient ourselves. I pulled out the datapad and checked the map of the city the STARS satillite had made up. We were about a block from the palace. I let a small smile creep onto my face. Perfect.
It was still early morning and I doubted the Queen or whoever we were supposed to see was up yet but I followed orders and completed objectives even if I had to wake her myself we would speak with her.
We carefully made our way towards the palace and snuck past the guards. There was almost an incident when Sophie noticed a small crying girl and wanted to help but Kevin stepped in, reminding her that we weren't here for crying little girls, we were here to talk to the planets ruler.
We found the Queens chambers and quickly devised a plan, still keeping a wary eye out for anyone that would spot us. Our invisibility wasn't perfect and the panels could fail at anytime.
"Rapier 3 and 5 guard the door. Rapier 2 and 4 on me." Kevin said, quietly opening the door.
We made our way silently through three rooms before finding the queen. She was remarkably young most likely only twelve or thirteen, she had dark brown hair and green eyes and, to my embarrassment was completely naked from the waist up and only had an undergarment on with no bra. Handmaidens quickly picked out clothes for her but she took her time. I quickly averted my eyes before checking my photo reactive were still active.
"Uh chief. What do we do." Sophie asked, clearly embarrassed.
He took a second to think. "head back a room and I guess wait." He said. Making haste.
It took ten minutes but she quickly came out. Kevin de-cloaked in front of her and hesitantly knelt. Sophie and me did the same.
The queen was taken aback by three armoured figures kneeling in front of her and she nearly fell over in surprise. She screamed as we appeared from thin air. Her handmaidens quickly stepped in front of her and pulled pistols from their robes, telling her to stay back. I prayed they wouldn't shoot and it turned out my prayers came through as the queen told them to lower the weapons after some very tense moments.
"Don't shoot, we come as allies." Kevin quickly said as he lowered his weapon to the floor.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"We are trying to ascertain the same of you M'lady. Are you the Queen?" Kevin asked.
She hesitated before confirming it with a nod.
"I am Queen Apailana of Naboo. And seeing as you haven't killed me yet. Of which I think you've had more than one chance I ask you for your reasons to disturb me." She said.
Kevin stood up and motioned for Sophie and me to do the same.
"I ask again, who are you?" She said.
"I am Petty Officer First Class SPARTAN-G097 and these are my colleagues SPARTANS-G123 and G317 and our superiors would like to propose a meeting. Secretly, of course." Kevin said.
"And your superiors would be..." the queen asked, from a frighted child into a politican.
"The United Nations Space Command, the military arm of the Unified Earth Government. Ma'am." Kevin continued, not missing a beat.
"And this United Earth Government wants a secret meeting why, Petty Officer."
"One of our colonies was destroyed by the empire. We want payback and we know you have anti imperial feelings. All we ask is that you consider an alliance and know that any talk of 'rebels' is really us. Your men will not be harmed if we can help it."
"We?"
"There is a larger group of our forces on your planet and we have ships cloaked in orbit. Forgive us for the intrusion." Kevin said.
"This is...a lot to think about. How will I contact you for the meeting?" The queen asked.
"Send a guard with your response during an imperial patrol, have them place their hands above their head and kneel on the ground when we dispatch the others."
I then realized Emily had flashed three red acknowledgment lights, the signal to retreat. I quickly brought my weapon to bear on the door. Most likely startling the guards and frighting the queen but that wasn't my concern.
"Rapier 5, what's your status." Kevin asked over the com.
"Two hostile drones coming down the main corridor, be advised they're fast."
"Have you been compromised?"
Emily was about to reply when we heard a weapons discharge.
"Move Rapier. Number five what's your status?" Kevin asked as the three of us headed towards Michael and Emily.
We opened the last door to find Emily taking cover behind a pillar. She turned towards us, giving a small greeting via the 'SPARTAN Smile'
"Hostiles have me pinned, sir. Michael's trying to get behind them. They have shields, like domed things. Weapons have no effect." She said.
I engaged my cameo in an attempt to run to another pillar and managed to get a good look at the drones.
They were walking on three thin legs with a hunched body and a ball like shape in the middle, in all they looked really flimsy but the energy shields really helped. Nothing we fired got through.
"Rapier 3 are you in position?" Kevin asked, firing at the drones.
"Yes sir and I have a pack of C-12 for each of these piles of junk."
I saw him appear behind the drones and slowly place the explosives inside their shields before cloaking again. He appeared beside me and held up ten fingers. If I hadn't known him since December 2545 I would have never known what he was doing but to me it was clear.
We ran as fast as our legs could carry us and ended up jumping out of a window to avoid the blast which occurred ten seconds after the explosives were placed. After that we faded into the city and made our way back to base.
Planet of Kamino, Tipoca City, 12:00 hrs, June 30 2557/UNSC Military Calendar/Galactic Standard Time
This latest batch was a joke! I'll never understand why the army is clones, are ordinary people not good enough? a thousand of these clones would never stand up to a common rebel, never mind a full fledged professional army! I thought bitterly.
My name was Johnssa Hilleg and I was head instructor for the Republic's and now the Empire's clone trainees on Kamino, and upon learning that the Empire had found a new civilization and had destroyed one of its worlds I was quite furious. I wasn't a stranger to worlds made barren by orbital bombardment or the concept of war itself. I was mad, however because my trainees didn't know what to expect from their opponents.
I would have continued my silent rantings had I not been interrupted by one of my aids.
"Colonel Hilleg, sir. We just received this from the garrison on Naboo. They have requested an additional company to bolster their strength in light of a failed assassination attempt on the queen." he paused to place a datapads chip into a hologram projector, an image appeared on the projector. "These are images of the assassins, sir. Aswell as all the tactical data we've gained on them, for your viewing sir." The aide said before saluting and stepping out of the room.
I stared at the image with a small hint of pride and of worry. The image was most likely taken from a droids photoreceptors but I could see the figures quite clearly. There were four of themselves, one of them was in the open aiming and firing their weapon, a slugthrower as people called them here perfectly while running towards cover. The other three were either in cover or in the midst of firing. I stared at the weapons they held and the armour they wore. It was SPI armour. The symbol of a SPARTAN III and the last thing so many covenant troops never saw.
I turned away from the image and walked towards a closet in the far corner of my room and upon opening it saw a set of armour almost identical to the ones the 'assassins' were wearing. The only differences were that mine was matte grey and had signs of battle all over It. There were burn marks along the chest piece and forearms and the gold visor was cracked. I smiled, knowing atleast some of my SPARTANS were still fighting.
I made it my goal to help them in anyway possible because somewhere, deep down I knew I wasn't Colonel Johnssa Hilleg...
I was Lieutenant Commander Kurt Ambrose.
Sooooo, how was that?
I have a beta (I think) So thank you for beta'ing half the chapter theotherpianist
(I wanted to get this to you guys before I go back to school so I only have half the chapter beta'd)
I realize I kinda skipped out on how Rapier got away but I decided to just end it there.
I'll explain what happened on New Barbados later in the story but your all welcome to take a guess. Nothing specific like 'oh I think it's little Timmy from around the corner' just say if you think the dead friends were fellow soldiers or civilians.
Also Kurt! I'll explain how he's here later but he will factor in I promise you.
Until next time please review and favourite/follow this story if you haven't already. Please.
