AN: I don't own Halo and its franchise, only this story and its characters. Please read and review.
Halo: My own life
Chapter 7 – Intermission
Day 5, after leaving Advance, 1311 hours, Fort Laurendale, Reach
We finally arrived safely back to Reach. The Cole Protocol had taken into effect immediately after the retreat order was given. A journey, in what supposed to take 5 hours through Slipspace had taken us 3 days. It was quite troublesome, but somehow the protocol got us back safely.
5 hours by Slipspace sounded very near to Reach, but when I analyzed the route taken, I found out that we actually took a shortcut. The longer route was a trading line and it was safer in terms of protection from pirates and travelling through Slipspace. The shorter route was actually an uncharted line.
I was surprised by this knowledge as it was quite risky. Travelling through Slipspace would make ships go faster, but without proper calculations, all of us might end up dead hitting something or swallowed into a black hole. I don't how Rear Admiral Fornay had done it, but I'm sure he was desperate in saving the survivors of Advance. He was lucky. This time anyway.
To tell the truth, the outcome of the campaign was more like a strategic withdrawal. From the ground perspective, we've won the campaign. From the space perspective, we were stuck on a stalemate which could lead to our loss if our ships were to continue. I'm not sure if the Vice Admiral's decision was the best choice, but considering the survivors of Advance were still alive, maybe it was right choice to take. Still, the last I heard about the Vice Admiral, he was under some sort of inquiry.
Concerning the Spartan fire-teams, I wondered what had happened to them and also the outcome of their mission. Considering the past though, grunts like us, the lowest tier in the Marine Corp., were not given the privilege to know anything. Even then, I'm sure only a handful of high-ranking military officers knew the outcome of the Spartans' mission.
All of us had spent almost 2 hours being debriefed. Truth be told, I really hate trying to remember things from a few days ago as I'm not that good in remembering events, especially when a lot of things happened in a single day.
With better medical facilities here on Reach, they can finally fixed my wound properly, unlike in Advance where the medical station just gave some injections to prevent further bleeding, stitch it up and applied biofoam. And because of that, I've been walking around with a slight pain from that wound. It was fortunate though that it was more like a flesh wound, only deeper. The equipment here, however, managed to heal of my wound directly. Since it was a few days old, the equipment took about 2 hours to regenerate my living flesh of the surrounding wound to certain point. The equipment only works within hours after receiving the wound, leaving a scar for the rest of my life.
Reading was a good thing, but in this case however, it was the total opposite. Reading the news reports of only the victories made me realised that there was always something the media was hiding from the civil population. It was a controlled propaganda that succeeded in what it does, in which case, succeeded in making me joining the military.
Seeing how much we lost in Advance Campaign, I began to see the true picture of war. With every victory, there was always a dark side and this was what the media was trying to hide. I always thought that with humanity spreading so far out in the Milky Way, there won't be any sort of shortage. Now, I'm not so sure.
Lucid was an agricultural planet. If we lost that, how many more planets will we lose? If the Covenant kept on destroying human-controlled planets, I fear that we might have shortages in food, raw materials and human resources in the near future.
The reading and all of these thoughts were quite depressing, so I shut down my personal datapad and went to sleep.
Day 7, after leaving Advance, 1937 hours, Fort Laurendale, Reach
The remainder of First Battalion had gathered at 1 of the 3 mess halls. Each hall was just enough to fit about 1000 people, just enough for a single battalion. There were so much less of us now. Getting the first hand experience going through the war and in the end, seeing the cost of just 1 campaign was quite depressing.
There were 10 marines in a squad; 5 squads in a platoon; 5 platoons in a company; 4 companies in a battalion; 3 battalions in a regiment. All that amounts to 3000 fighting marines in a regiment. Then, there was another battalion of 600 marines attached to the regiment which was referred as Regimental Headquarters Section.
Out of the 1000 marines in this battalion, only 510 survived that campaign. Now, there were about 80 marines left in Company A, slightly more than half. Of all the 15 commanding sergeants, only 3 had died, 1 of which was Sergeant Verril. Company A was quite fortunate that it was not more than that. Having all the commission officers alive was also a good thing, as we don't really need to reorganize the existing hierarchy.
However, it could take a while for the regiment to regain its full strength. Because of that, the 31st Marine Regiment was grounded on Fort Laurendale for a month. Even with the drastic increase of recruitment intake for the military, the training procedures were taking too long and even then, only about a quarter of them took their chances with the Marine Corp. It was certainly not enough to really fill in the gaps in every marine regiment.
Major Zhou came in suddenly. All of us stood up.
"As you were, marines," he replied. He looked at the remainder of his battalion solemnly. "There were a thousand marines when we started out to Advance. We lost four hundred and seventy three on Advance. The other seventeen were unable to work with us anymore."
He picked up a glass of beer and raised it up. "To those we've lost, may God embrace them with open arms. For those who are unable to join us, may God heal them from scars of this war."
He emptied a quarter his glass and continued on talking. "As you know, the regiment had lost a lot of good marines. Officially, the Thirty-First Marine Regiment is grounded for a month until we get those replacements."
From what I can see of the major, I saw that he found it hard to say the word 'replacements'.
"There is a new military policy that will be implemented within the next week. The policy requires us to reform the regimental structure. The structure right now is three thousand fighting marines with a supporting battalion of six hundred. We are to reduce that to just three thousand. That means there will be lesser fighting marines in each regiment while maintaining the headquarters section. Obviously, the command structure will be the same."
The major stopped to take a breath and continued, "Meanwhile, we are given a two-week furlough. It will start tomorrow. For those who are able to go home, I strongly recommend you all to go home. For the others whose homes are too far away, I suggest you limit your movements to the nearest town. I do not want any trouble with the local populace, especially from this battalion. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Major Zhou drank a bit more and left the mess hall. It was a quite short speech, but I'm sure that no one could ever understand that so many people died within a 24 hours. Nobody talked after the major left, leaving only the noise of sipping and gulping of drinks. A few left immediately though, including Hoomer, who took only two sips. As for rest of the Squad 3, we stayed on, and when I reached to a quarter of my glass, I left the mess hall.
Day 9, after leaving Advance, 1001 hours, Fort Laurendale, Reach
The 2-week furlough started yesterday, but Rluma and I had to stay back at base, pending an inquiry on our acting positions in the squad. Our performance as acting commanders of Squad 3 during the Advance Campaign had seemingly attracted the top brass.
The thing was, I'm not even sure if my performance was eligible for the promotion. I felt that I haven't done anything much, but if I do get it, I don't know what to feel actually. A part of me wants this position, but the other part feared of failing.
If it wasn't because of the inquiry though, I would have stayed on Reach as the journey to Rylus could take me about 6 days by Slipstream. Since I can only spend about 2 days with my family, I would rather spend exercising and some training with all those 14 days.
Out of the 6 that remained in this Squad, only 2 used the furlough properly. Marcus Yang's home was 4 days away from Reach, so he got around 6 days to spend with his family. The squad's corpsman, Kelly Quack, was from Circumstance, a planet from the same system as Reach. The journey from Reach to her planet only took about 7 hours without ever using Slipstream. Having some of the top universities in the Inner Colonies, I once considered attending 1 of them. However, my grades were not good enough to pass through entrance exam.
For Susan Sum, she would have taken about 10 days to get to her home planet. Located in the Inner Colonies, and with the distinctive name called the Silver Crown, the planet was formerly a silver mining colony converted into a high-end residential planet about 40 years ago. Technically, Silver Crown and Rylus were on the other end of the Inner Colonies that required a long journey from Reach.
I certainly do not want to ask Tammy Hoomer about her past with Sergeant Verril and Sergeant Kratos, but fortunately, some information can be acquired through higher ranking. Apparently, Hoomer and Verril were from the planet Relbourne. As much as I like to read, humanity had colonized too many planets for me remember what and where that particular planet was. Their files never mentioned their past before joining the military or the extent of their relationship, but from the looks of it, wherever Verril went, she somehow managed to follow him. I think that was the situation when Kratos met both of them in boot camp.
Rluma was a son of welder living in an industrial planet called Mallendum located in the Outer Colonies. The planet was 4 days away and he could have gone home right now if it wasn't for the promotion inquiry. It was a damning thing and also a blessing that the past was never mentioned in our military records, but I was glad that it was more towards a blessing.
Homer came in suddenly, preventing me from sleeping. She walked briskly to her bunk and packed her things.
"Hoomer, your transfer's been approved?"
She stopped, sighed and shook her head. "Yes."
"Look, I'm sorry about everything."
"I don't need your apologies, Stewart. I just need to get out of here," she said as she resumed her packing.
"May I know what unit you're transferring to?"
"ODST. My sniping and camouflage skills are better utilized as one of them than as a regular marine."
"Then why didn't you join them in the first place?'
She stopped again, but never answered. I certainly knew it was because of Verril. The extent of Hoomer's relationship with Verril was left ambiguous, but if I had to guess, Hoomer might have fallen in love with him.
"Good luck in your unit," I said as she finished packing.
"No, I wish you good luck. You need it more than me." With that, she just left.
I regretted that we hadn't departed on better terms. I returned to my bed, but I was unable to sleep.
Day 10, Fort Laurendale, shooting range, booth 1, 1533 hours
Taking up a light training course during the furlough was one of the best things to do when you have a lot of time to use, especially when Captain Schuller himself was leading the entire training course.
"Cease fire at the shooting range," shouted the company Gunnery Sergeant, twice.
I took out the ammunition clip from my rifle and checked it. There were 3 more bullets inside, so I unload the fourth bullet from the rifle.
"Acting Lance Corporal Stewart?" called out the Gunnery Sergeant.
"Sir, yes, sir," I replied as I quickly stood up.
"Get out of the shooting range. Captain Schuller wants to meet you."
When I heard that, I was immediately nervous of what the captain might want to talk to me.
"Yes, sir," I replied as I quickly sprinted to the captain.
I saluted but the captain responded, "At ease, Stewart. This is an informal meeting. Walk with me."
As we walked around the base, "Do you remember the time when we talked about your possible promotion on Advance?"
"Yes, I do, sir."
"Well, congratulations, you just got promoted. However the inquiry had decided that you would remained as a Lance Corporal. The formal presentation will be at my office after the furlough. I already notified Rluma on his own promotion. Disappointed?"
"A bit, sir, yes."
Captain Schuller just nodded. "Now, to the question of a new Corporal in Squad 3, I already applied for a transfer for an experienced marine from the Thirty-Second. She will be here in a few days. I already told Rluma about this."
"May I know who she is?"
"I will give the file once the transfer is confirmed. So be patient."
"May I ask who will replace the sniper and the specialist?"
"That depends on the Marine Corp, isn't it?" he asked, which sounded rhetorical. "How are you holding up, experiencing your first campaign and all?"
"Doing all right, sir."
"Everyone said that the first time, but I know from experience that it was not the case for most of them. A lot broke down after their second campaign. If you feel uneasy in any case, head to the doctor. Are you clear about that?"
"Yes, I am, sir."
"Your file mentioned that you came from an industrial planet called Rylus?""
"I am, sir."
"Are you related to Colonel Stewart of the Nineteenth Marine Regiment?"
I considered what I should answer, "In a way, we are. He's my uncle."
"Your family would be proud of you. Getting promoted to a Lance Corporal with a few recommendations was something that doesn't happen often at this level. Keep it up and you might be a Lieutenant after your second campaign."
"Thank you, sir."
"And don't be too proud however that it would blind your path."
"Yes, sir."
"You better resume your training, Lance Corporal."
"Yes, sir," I replied and left.
Day 24, Fort Laurendale, Squad 3 Barracks, 1617 hours
I just got out from the shower. I took my time wearing my proper uniform as today was the formal presentation of Rluma's and my promotion.
Marcus Yang and Kelly Quack finally came home yesterday. I could see their faces that they enjoyed their furlough. I was actually quite happy in getting this promotion, but on the other end, the fact that I was unable to enjoy it with my family really bothered me, even though I managed to call them about the news.
Having those files of the replacement marines given to us by electronic transfer was quite new to me. Just an extra job that comes with the rank. I was glad though that the Marine Corp was considerate enough to fill up the new sniper and new specialist into the squad. However, our new Corporal was not filled up as of yet, leaving the remainder of Squad 3 anxious to know who she was.
At about 1646 hours, we left for the captain's quarters. We arrived almost 2 minutes before 1700 hours. At exactly the time, Rluma knocked the door. We heard a voice behind the door, ordering us to come in. We saluted and the captain responded.
"Acting Sergeant Urumee Rluma, you are now officially promoted to Sergeant of Squad Three," said the captain as he stood up and gave Rluma 2 chevrons.
Rluma used his left hand to receive it and saluted by his right hand. "Thank you, sir."
Captain Schuller then moved towards me and said the same thing. "Acting Lance Corporal Mark Stewart, you are now officially promoted to Lance Corporal of Squad Three."
"Thank you, sir," I saluted as I took the 2 chevrons.
"You know, I shouldn't be doing this, but I always like doing things hands-on. At least I know who the NCOs are. Concerning your Corporal, you know it is confirmed but no info yet, isn't it? Her file will be given to both of you in the next few minutes to your datapads. She herself will be coming in the next hour."
"Thank you, sir," Rluma replied.
We saluted and left.
Her name was Melysha Conners. According to her file, she was from the agricultural planet called Rydan. I was taken aback as Rydan was in the same planetary system as Rylus. With so many people from my planetary system joined the military, I wasn't surprised if I were to meet any 1 of them. I just never thought that I would meet 2 people coming from the same system joining the same squad.
Her file stated that she was a capable marine and leader that led her to be promoted to Corporal just a year ago. Unfortunately, she became 1 of the 4 survivors and the only senior officer of her squad to live through the Advance Campaign. Knowing this, her prospect of being a sergeant was quite high since a lot of non-commissioned officers coming out from boot camp haven't experienced combat.
If she wasn't transferred to this squad, would she still stay on with her squad and lead them? I wondered. I was beginning to feel that we had just robbed her from her freedom of choice.
Day 27, Fort Laurendale, outside Squad 3 Barracks, 1731 hours
A Warthog stopped in front of Squad 3's Barrack. A woman came out from the passenger seat, took her bag from the back of the vehicle and walked towards Rluma and me.
"Sergeant Rluma?"
"Yes, I am. Corporal Conners?"
She quickly put down her bag and saluted. "Corporal Melysha Conners reporting for duty to Squad Three."
Rluma saluted back and held out his hand. "Welcome to Squad Three."
"Thank you, sir," she replied as she shook his hand.
"This is Lance Corporal Stewart," Rluma introduced me.
I quickly saluted and she replied.
"Come on in and get to know the rest of the squad."
At 1841 hours, Squad 3 gathered at the mess hall.
The military reform policy had decreased the number in the squad from 10 marines to just 9. Including in that policy also was to lengthen the duration of a corpsman assigned to a squad from 1 campaign to 2. I don't know what the reason was, but it was good to know that Quack would still be with us.
Just 2 days ago, 3 new marines arrived to the squad. The first was Private Ramon Aldore from New Paris, gunner; the second, Private, Specialist Class Jeannie Thompson from Leyton; and the last, but not least, Lance Corporal Aisako Fuijita, sniper, from Rylus. Getting to meet people from the same home world was exciting actually, but for the name like mine which was quite common, many had asked me similar questions.
"I've read an article about a prominent family on Rylus whose name is Stewart. Are you somehow related to them?" asked our new Corporal.
"If I were to get a dollar for every question like that, I would have become a very rich person after I finish my military service."
"You haven't really answered the question."
I sighed and answered, "There are so many people with that name, especially on Rylus. It is perfectly understandable that anyone with the Stewart name might be mistaken for that particular family."
"Sorry for the misunderstanding then."
"Say what you want to say, Stewart. I still believe you're from that prominent family," said Fuijita.
"If I am, what is that gonna do with you?" I asked.
Fuijita was quiet for a while, "Nothing at all. Just that the family was revered since they were one of the founders of Rylus. They are like the national heroes to us, even now since they are playing a big role in the war effort."
"So do all of us. Great leaders, maybe they are, but heroes, it is overrated."
"Why are you so against them, Stewart? A family that shares your name has done nothing to you," said Marcus.
"I'm not against them. I just don't understand why strangers treat them as gods of sorts. They are still human beings just like us. They eat, breathe and when they die, they just go to box."
With that, everyone was quiet. Well, it was a good thing that I managed to drive home a point.
We spend the remainder of the month having doing team-building exercises. Our new Corporal turned out to be quite strict, which was a good thing in a way and at the same time, she was understandable to our plight. I was not really sure about having 2 Lance Corporals in Squad 3, but that was how it was.
Having read Fuijita's file, I learned that she had gotten her rank while going through her training. Like me, she went through a difficult training mission. However, she succeeded by using her unique skill and she accepted her rank.
"Practice makes perfect," that was the common saying. That, I know, was true, but going through a real mission was the only thing that matters as it will show us whether or not we're ready.