A/N:
(Keith) So, since Corey isn't here for this one, I guess I will be doing this chapter solo. Basically, this chapter is a transcript of "Noble Actual", the opening cutscene to Reach. However, as you guessed, and like the rest of the Halo: All or Nothing, will have mine and Corey's own personal twist. That being said, enjoy the chapter.
Planet Reach
July 24, 2552, 0728 Hours
A single M831 Troop Transport, or commonly referred to by the UNSC as a "Troop Warthog," drove down a dirt trail at a considerable speed, trailed by two UH-144 Falcons. Inside the Troop Hog sat a single soldier as the Warthog's pilot. Sitting next to him was a SPARTAN-II supersoldier, on his way to meet his new fireteam. The SPARTAN, looking at his new Explosive Ordinance Disposal, or EOD, helmet, equipped with a Command Network Module, or CNM, slowly turned the helmet around in his hands. He took a deep breath, and donned the helmet.
Shortly after, the Warthog arrived at the camp, following the landing of the Falcons. The SPARTAN-II jumped out of the side seat of the Warthog, only to be greeted with the "smiling" face of a SPARTAN-III, wearing a variant of the MJOLNIR Mk.V/S Powered Assault Armor consisting of a Scout Helmet with the HU-RS attachment, a cloth around his neck, and three SRS99-AM Sniper Rifle rounds on his left shoulder, as well as a combat knife on his right. He was busy loading a clip when he saw the new SPARTAN walk past him. His response was a short sigh, followed by him returning his attention to the sniper clip.
As the SPARTAN neared the main Quonset Hut, his finely-attuned senses picked up the voice of someone who appeared to be talking over a speaker system.
"Contact with Visegrád Relay was lost last night. All signals flatlined at twenty-six hundred hours. I responded with trooper fire teams, which have since been declared MIA." the first voice said. A second voice then chimed in, "And now you're sending us."
The SPARTAN-II neared the doorway, when the first voice answered, "The Office of Naval Intelligence believes deployment of a SPARTAN team is a gross misallocation of valuable resources. I disagree."
The SPARTAN finally reached the doorway, and decided to enter. But, before he could, he was stopped short by a female SPARTAN-III with a prosthetic arm. The SPARTAN-III wore Mk. V as well, with the Air Assault helmet and shoulder pauldrons, with an FC-I attachment. She turned her attention to a trio of SPARTANs, one of which being a SPARTAN-III, and said plainly, "Commander."
The three SPARTANs diverted their attention to the lady SPARTAN and the new guy. The two SPARTAN-II's immediately recognized him. The largest SPARTAN spoke to the others in the trio, "So that's our new number six." in a thick Hungarian accent. The new guy stepped foward, and a SPARTAN-III sitting in the background spoke to the lady SPARTAN, "Kat, you read his file?" Kat replied with "Only the parts that weren't covered in black ink."
The Commander turned his attention back to the screen. "Anyone claim responsibility, sir?" The man on the screen answered the Commander's query. "ONI thinks it might be the local insurrection. Five months ago, they pulled a similar job on Harmony. Hit a relay to take out our eyes and ears, then stole two freighters from dry-dock. That cannot happen here. Reach is too damn important. I want that relay back online, Noble One." The Commander replied with "Sir. Consider it done." The man he was communicating with closed the comm channel with "Then I'll see you on the other side. Holland out."
As the SPARTANs stood up, the Commander grabbed his Commando helmet from the table and turned to face the new SPARTAN. He called the SPARTAN by his rank, rather than his name. "Sergeant Major." The Sergeant Major replied with "Commander, sir."
The Commander continued; "I'm Carter, Noble team's leader. That's Kat, Noble Two, and Emile, Noble Four. I assume you are already familiar with Jorge and Kevin, Noble's Five and Seven?" The Sergeant Major confirmed Carter's assumption. "Me and Kevin are actually close friends." Carter gave a snort, and continued, "I thought so. Well, anyway, you're riding with me...?" The Sergeant Major finished his sentence for him, "Brian. Sergeant Major Brian-113 of the UNSC Arm..." Carter cut him off by saying "I am aware of your choice to be affiliated with the Army branch of the UNSC, however an odd decision that may be." Carter signed for Brian to follow him out.
Carter began explaining to Brian why he is here. "I'm not going to lie to you, Brian. You're stepping into some shoes that the rest of the squad would rather leave unfilled." He continued once they sat down in the Falcon alongside Kevin and the last SPARTAN that Brian had yet to be introduced to, though he assumed him to be a Sharpshooter or Rifleman. "Me, I'm just happy to have Noble back up to full strength. Just one thing. I've seen your file. Even the parts the ONI censors didn't want me to. I'm glad to have your skill set, but we're a team. That lone wolf stuff stays behind. Clear?" Carter signals for the other Falcon, carrying Kat, Emile, and Jorge, to get airborne. Brian acknowledges Carter's request, "Got it, sir." The unidentified SPARTAN-III introduced himself. "So, you're the new Noble Six, huh?" Brian shook his head "yes", and the SPARTAN continued. "Welcome to Reach. I'm Jun, team sniper." He offered his hand to Brian, who firmly shook it. "I'm Brian, SPARTAN-II sniper of the disbanded Epsilon team. It's nice to know another sharpshooter has my back." Jun laughed at this. "Well, Kevin has told us a lot about you. I'd like to challenge you to a game of killscores, sometime." Brian smirked, "You're on." Kevin piped in when he felt he wasn't getting enough attention. "You know, I have said so many good things about your abilities and personality, and you have yet to say 'hello' to me. See anything wrong here?" Carter, starting to get annoyed, said, "Alright, Noble. Now that pleasantries are out of the way, let's try to keep the comm channel clear." Kevin attempted to argue, "But he hasn't said..." Carter cut him off. "Okay, consider that an order. Copy, Kevin?" Kevin withdrew without a word.
A/N
(Keith) Well, I hope you like it, and I hope I didn't make anything too redundant. As 343 Industries said at the end of Halo 4, "A journey begins with a single step." This is only my... er... mine and Corey's first actual chapter, and I guess that makes this OUR first step on a great, great jounrey. I hope that we will see a long and prosperous series with the world you have left in our delicate care, (And without a word against us!). See you in Chapter 1: Winter Contingency!