1230 hours, September 29th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)
Botanical Garden, Station Alpha, New Ghent.
"Tell me, Aethyta. What can we expect from the Batarians?" Cole asked the Asari Matriarch as he looked out into the cold darkness of space. He saw a faint reflection of himself in the window, noting his growing stubble and sleep-deprived eyes. He decided to do something about those later. "From what ONI has been able to gather, they are reclusive, but also incredibly proud. Just what kind of soldiers are these Batarians? Can they provide any genuine support?"
Cole noted the first Batarian dreadnought moving towards Station Alpha. It would be the first of many ships to arrive and take up positions with the gathering armada. He counted Turian, Salarian, Elcor, Asari, Volus, and even a handful of Hanar ships, all in a defensive perimeter around the station.
Aethyta was dressed in beautiful robes that required small thumb-sized antigrav drones to keep it from scraping across the floor of the observation deck. She stood out from the soberly dressed humans in military uniforms and held a commanding presence that Cole found somewhat intriguing. Cole had to remind himself she was also the most powerful person on the entire station, capable of killing anyone aboard with contemptible ease.
The Matriarch crossed her arms and shrugged crudely, the gesture at odds with her refined clothes. "The Batarians are proud and stubborn. They consider themselves superior to everyone else, and will fight you to prove it." She paused. "They're also mean sons of bitches who will endure hell and love every moment. They love close quarters combat and the kind of weapons that scare the crap out of their enemies. They're excellent in the attack but mediocre in defense."
Cole mused it over, then gave Aethyta a curt nod. "I read the reports on Alluvion and how the Covenant won due to their superiority in CQC," Cole said. "Perhaps we should distribute the Batarians amongst the forces attacking Chi Rho as heavy shock regiments? Something to throw at enemy strongpoints and clear them with brutal precision."
Aethyta nodded. "That would be effective. The Batarians are despots who think they are a master race, but they're also incredibly brave. They'd climb over their own dead to fight the enemy in hand to hand if that's what their honor demanded. Having them on our site will be a real boon. And perhaps it might teach them some humility as well. At times, I've proposed that a gentle hand might guide the Batarians along a better path."
"I'll take you at your word." Cole nodded, then glanced around to see if he had been followed. He wasn't and started to move again, heading towards the section of the Station dedicated to the Asari.
Cole and Aetytha passed a pair of Asari guards that gave them a cursory scan with their omni-tools, before letting them through into the Asari habitation deck.
The Asari had taken their quarter of the station and truly made it their own. They'd set up several ornate statues, and began tending to extensive flower gardens. Cole guessed that the Asari station took an inordinate amount of the oxygen and water supplies of the station. There were clubs, theatres, and even some small stores run by camp followers. To Cole's career military mind, it looked incredibly unprofessional, but he couldn't deny the effectiveness of the Asari soldiery.
"I see that the Asari have really made this their home." He said, feeling somewhat awkward at how casual the Asari were when not on duty. It felt like a student party, but all the Students had mind powers, knives, and a readiness to kill. "I thought the rumors of narcotics and parties were just excited rumor-mongering from the crewmen. Evidently not."
"It's not as outrageous as it looks," Aethyta said, pointing at a large tree around which two dozen Asari were performing what looked like a mixture of dance and meditation. "The Asari revel in the freedom of expression and their bodies, Fleet Admiral. We know when to have fun, and when it is time to get the job done. Although your crewmen have been a bit too focused on our bodies, and not enough on our art and poetry. " Aethyta said with a hint of bitterness to her voice. "I'd be lying if I said the fetishization of my species doesn't get on my nerves at times."
"Sailors can get lonely." Cole chuckled. "But, I'm happy to see you've kept potential thrillseekers out of the Asari quarter."
As they passed the abundant biodiverse botanical garden in the center of the Asari section, they came upon the entrance to the section reserved for the Asari officers. Room after room of luxury and plenty that were the same for the leader of small Commando teams, to city guards that had been mustered for war. Cole let Aethyta take the lead and followed her down a short hallway that led to a large door, guarded by two Asari of the Serrice Guard with Shotguns in their hands. Cole had no doubt that if anyone looked remotely suspicious, they'd gun them down on the spot. It was a sobering reminder that while the Asari looked youthful and energetic, many of them had spent decades or centuries training in the art of war. ONI warnings stated that if an Asari couldn't defeat you by talking, they'd do so with force. The two guards opened the door, then stood back at attention, eyeing Cole warily.
Matriarch Aethyta's private accommodations were simple but beautifully designed. The simplistic human furniture had been ripped out and replaced with Asari ones. Lavish pillows, painted walls, a luxurious carpet on the floor, and beautiful drapes. While the simple bed had been replaced with a lavishly decorated one covered with pillows.
"Those guards were the meanest looking Asari I have ever seen. Serrice Guard, if I recall correctly?"
Aethyta nodded. "They are. I used to run with them when I was fresh out of the strip club." She took a deep breath and smiled. "Good times."
"A… strip club?" Cole asked, mouth agape. The woman in command of the Asari Expeditionary Force and ground commander for the Citadel Expeditionary Force was a stripper! His mind had trouble processing the information. It went against all hid personal codes of conduct for officers. Aethyta evidently saw this as her smile turned into a wicked grin.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Cole. I used to be an exotic dancer. You'd be pressed to find a Matriarch in the Coalition hasn't done something embarrassing in their youth."
Cole tried to compose himself, but he couldn't. A stripper. Aethyta had been a stripper. "How the hell did you get this position?"
Aethyta's smile turned into a frown. "I spent some time aboard a warship and two centuries as a Commando. But Councillor Tevos got me for a different skill set." She sat down behind her desk, motioning for Cole to take the seat opposite hers.
He sat down, instantly noting that it was the best chair he had ever sat in.
"The Asari Military is tribal and divided. Divided between thousands of components, each with their own leaders and loyalty. My specialty is in keeping these parts working together, as well as being a mostly neutral middle ground between the many Asari factions. I keep the Asari bands and fleets together, and tell them what High Command has ordered."
"Then why aren't those part of High Command?" Cole asked. "Some of these Asari Matriarchs are outstanding tacticians who provide invaluable advice to UNSC Generals and Admirals during battles. But to be honest, some would be better suited to your position."
"Politics," Aethyta said. "I'm not part of any cliques or power blocs in Asari society. There can only be one leader of the Asari Expeditionary Force, which comes with a great many privileges. So I got the job. I keep everyone working together, and nobody will throw a fit over me leading. They all think I'm a warmonger with my head in the clouds." Aethyta laughed heartily. "Welcome to Asari politics. It's complicated and annoying."
"It's a hassle to deal with this," Cole said, taking a deep breath. "Having tens of thousands of Commandos, of whom only a handful have more men under their command than a captain, is a bitch to organize. " Cole noted his foul language and chastised himself internally. He prepared himself for the rant he was about to deliver.
"You have sergeant equivalents that command fifty commandos, and former generals running around with a private band of five commandos. And the former commands the latter because of some political deal that stretched back three hundred years. But then the Sergeant snuffs it, and the UNSC Marine Corps Captain in charge of the UNSC half of the combined operation assumes command over the unit. Only for the Matriarch to claim that her low rank was because of an oath to serve the sergeant-equivalent, and with that gone, now she is a Lieutenant and outranks the human. So when the individual objects, she throws him against a wall with her mind, then threatens to flay the Marines present with her biotics if they don't follow her in a direct assault on the Covenant, all the while screaming an incoherent battle cry."
"They assault the Covenant with overwhelming force and win the day. And then she is arrested by the military police for assaulting an officer. Only for the Asari's followers to break her free by using their biotics to lift the building she was locked in, and run off with it. It was a small miracle they didn't kill anyone in the breakout!"
Cole exhaled as he finished his rant. "Did I mention something like that has happened twice? That's not counting the times an Asari has used her womanly wiles to twist some thirsty marine officer around her fingers. And I won't even start about those vigilantes you call Justicars running around without any controls on them."
Aetytha looked at him with an expressionless look on her face, then nodded. "That's not the worst story I have heard. If I could do something to improve this, I would. But it will take time to move the Asari from peacetime glorified mercenary bands and parade guards to an actual large scale military. Throw in political cliques and centuries of intrigue, and you've got yourself a confusing mess." She paused, seemingly lost in thought. "For now. I'll agree on standing orders being that Asari forces will be attached to UNSC or Hierarchy units, and start enforcing discipline more harshly."
Aethyta opened the large drawer meant for datapad storage and retrieved a sizeable purple bottle, muttering in anger as she kept rummaging around. "Here. Have a drink. You've been working yourself to the bone, Fleet Admiral. You're a mess, and you look like you need it. Maybe a massage and a haircut as well." Aethyta said, retrieving two glasses and pouring a shot of the liquid in both, sliding the first one over to Cole, who took it and downed the shot.
Cole coughed in surprise as the liquid burned his throat on the way down, covering his hand with purple alcohol. He hadn't expected something purple to be so strong. Aethyta had already downed hers and looked with some concern at Cole, then at the bottle, gritting her teeth with an awkward look as she read the label.
"What kind of drink is this?" Cole asked pained, but suppressing a chuckle. It was funny to see Aethtya's composure cracked. "This burns worse than moonshine." He coughed again.
"Ninety proof, fruit juice, and nanotech to repair the damage on the way down," Aethyta said, a measure of guilt in her voice, teeth clenched as she looked at the empty glass in her hand. "My bad didn't know you were a lightweight. Shall I get you something lighter?"
"Give me another shot. My mother didn't raise a quitter." Cole said, still coughing up the purple liquid. He got a handkerchief from his pocket, putting it in front of his mouth each time he coughed. "There is nanotech in this swill?"
The Asari Matriarch smiled again. "Food additive nanotech is the new fad in Citadel Space. I have nanotech in my stomach that lets me eat like a krogan with the munchies, but keep my figure." Aethyta said, pouring Cole another shot, which he downed. Cole slammed the shot glass down triumphantly, noticing Aethyta beaming with pride.
"Why haven't the guards busted in yet?" Cole asked. "Do you usually have guests choking?"
The Asari Matriarch shook her head. "Soundproofed faraday cage. I don't like cameras watching me while I sleep, especially ONI."
Cole waited a few moments, trying to hear the telltale sound of soldiers rushing the door. By his calculations, any listening device outside would have overheard Cole's coughing and choking already, and a rapid response team would have kicked down the door already. "Well, you succeeded, because no guards are kicking the door down," Cole said. "Perfect. Matriarch, I need your assistance." Cole poured himself another shot and downed it, this time without the act.
Aeythta's formerly demure appearance suddenly switched over to an aggressive warlike posture. She poured herself a shot, downed it, then nodded at Cole. "What are you playing at, Cole? You ask for a private meeting, then fake choking to see if ONI is listening in on this room."
Cole leaned forward, bridging his hands. "I think I have a way we can bolster our fleet with two hundred ships, but the owners are hesitant to commit themselves. They want assurances for good treatment. Assurances that the UNSC can not provide them with."
"Rebels?" Aethyta said. "I've read about your insurrection. A nasty bit of business to be sure. You have a group that wants to join arms with humanity? At times, we have helped the Turians negotiate with Turian separatists, I can find some specialists to assist you in this."
Cole nodded. "I've known about an informant of theirs in my fleet for a while now. I think that with the war changing, now is the perfect time to talk peace with the more reasonable elements of the insurrection. But if there is to be any hope of success, we would need neutral arbitrators."
Aethyta slowly nodded. "You think the rebels would be willing to talk if they had a promise by the Asari to guarantee any decision? More than if they just had to trust the UNSC to uphold its side of the bargain."
Cole nodded. "Exactly. A foreign backing of any peace deal might be just what is needed to get both sides to stick to an arrangement."
"I won't inquire further. But if any talks happen, I'll work to make the Asari step in and see if we can arrange something."
-
1700 hours, September 29th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)
Tactical Planning Center, Deck 10, UNSC Punic
John had not seen this many Spartans together in one place in years.
Twenty-six Spartan-II commandos had been mustered from every corner of the UNSC, more than HIGHCOM had predicted could be gathered on such short notice. The Spartans, some of whom hadn't seen each other in over a decade, were gathered together around, squatting or sitting as they caught up. To an uninformed outsider, they were barely talking, but to John, they were an excited mob. Their body language was near-ecstatic for a Spartan, with small movements and hand gestures, each telling a whole story of their own. Spartans were making the Spartan smile on their faceplates, a swipe to the left with a single finger, or on those of each other. The closest thing to a kiss any Spartan ever went.
John counted every Spartan, noting the presence of the new Red Team, Green Team, Gold Team, Spartan Group Omega, Black Team, and even the ever-elusive Grey Team alongside his Blue Team - twenty-six Spartans in total, more than had been deployed on the same mission for decades.
"Officer on deck!" Fred yelled, and all the Spartans dropped what they were doing and moved into position, standing up straight and saluting.
Fleet Admiral Cole stepped into the small briefing room, followed by an ONI agent that hung carefully behind. The agent did not wear any rank insignia of any kind, although that didn't mean much. A pair of ODST's stood watch at the doorway.
"Welcome, Spartans. I am sorry for calling you on such short notice and depriving you of the usual cryo-sleep recovery periods. But we are running the clock here." Cole motioned towards the ONI agent, who took a data crystal from his pocket and inserted it into the holo-tank at the center of the room. He then stepped back, crossed his arms, and continued to observe.
"Spartans. Welcome to Operation: JUDGEMENT." Cole said, igniting his omni-tool and pressing a button. The holotank in the middle of the room lit up, showing an image of a glassed planet. John's mood instantly soured when he saw the small purple cityscapes from orbit. Were the Covenant colonizing the world? The idea nagged at him.
Cole continued. "This is the former colony of Chi Rho in the Ectanus 45 system. It is where you will be deployed next." Admiral Cole motioned towards a holographic display of the planet in question. "I have with me, Commander Jondum Bau of the STG, and commander of Coalition intelligence assets. He will be briefing you on your next mission after I have explained the situation. The ONI agent is Lieutenant Haverson. It is his division that has uncovered what we are about to see."
"Spartans," Cole said, turning to face all the Spartans, looking them over one by one. "For the last four months, you have proven a vital part of our continued efforts against the Covenant. Over thirty colonies have been saved or retaken thanks to your tireless efforts. But what I am asking of you now goes beyond any of that."
"On Chi-Rho, the Covenant has constructed seven large city-sized naval yards, equipped with formidable anti-orbital weaponry and theater-scale shields. In conjunction with significant Covenant naval presence, that means that timely and sustainable fire support is unlikely. We believe that at full capacity, these yards can produce fifty CCS-class battlecruisers combined each month and service a total of up to a thousand Covenant ships. If they are not stopped, and their fleet support base comes online, then our destruction is all but guaranteed. In light of this, the UNSC and our allies have assembled the largest fleets in both our collective histories, as well as up to thirty million soldiers for deployment on the planet itself."
Cole looked around, his expression turning slightly to surprise and concern as no Spartan reacted to the revelations. He continued. "Operation: JUDGEMENT is the name for the joint offensive against the Covenant forces in the system, designated as ARMAGEDDON. You will be given a crucial role during this battle."
Cole pressed a button on his omni-tool, and seven points of light appeared on the holographic representation of the planet. "While the Coalition navy engages the Covenant in orbit, the six smaller cities will each be attacked by a force of roughly three million soldiers. These soldiers will be launching assaults upon the outskirts of the city and contesting the defenders. Using this distraction, Citadel special forces will insert into each city in numerous locations, and dedicate themselves to seizing priority targets and disabling the Covenant's capability to launch effective counter-attacks. "
"ONI and NAVSPECWAR have agreed to this unprecedented spartan deployment for the most important part of the surface battle. While the cities are under siege, and Citadel special forces are debilitating the Covenant's response, you will be inserted into these cities to disable their central reactor cores, which will disable their defensive shielding and anti-orbital weaponry.."
A large Spartan in the rear stood at attention and raised a hand at that. "Permission to speak, sir?" It was Jorge-052, the largest Spartan by far, and possibly the strongest as well.
"Permission granted, Spartan" Cole said.
"Sir, you said we are disabling the reactors. Why are we capturing these bases if they are so dangerous?" John asked, even if the answer was starting to already form in his mind. But he still needed confirmation.
Cole nodded. "These shipyards are constructed like Covenant super capital ships. Their superstructures can withstand direct nuclear strikes, and each complex has its own energy shield. The Covenant is also using an unknown gravitic manipulation technology to keep everything from collapsing into the ground. Deploying tactical nukes might only destroy a small segment of the Facility. In all likelihood, you would only destroy the building the nuke was deployed inside. Therefore, we will cut the heart out of these bases and disable them for good. Does that satisfy your query?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The Spartan nodded, lowering his arm.
Cole pointed at a spot on the hologram and zoomed in on it. The largest Covenant city came into view. It was twice as big as any of the other ones. "The seventh target is different from the others. ONI and the STG have confirmed our fears that the Covenant has tapped into an active shield volcano to provide the raw materials they need for construction, as well as monumental amounts of geothermal power. Due to the risks involved, this target is to be neutralized by disabling the containment mechanism the Covenant use to stop the volcano from erupting, followed by an immediate exfiltration before the volcano erupts. According to simulations, even a non-catastrophic eruption will put it out of commission."
"The distribution will be as follows: Spartan teams Red, Gold, Grey, Black, and Team Omega will each be deployed to one of the cities, while Blue Team will be tasked with ensuring the destruction of the supervolcano yard. Omega is to be split into its component parts, with Omega and Alpha each hitting a different assembly yard. Green Team will be stationed aboard the supercarrier Trafalgar as a mobile reserve that will hit the first Assembly yard to be disabled. They will then be sent along with the team that disabled, said yard, to aid the nearest. This will repeat until every city is neutralized."
There was the faintest of a grumble from Spartan Group Omega over the COM, outside of the Admiral's hearing. The largest force of Spartans in the UNSC, Spartan Group Omega, and its two constituent teams each excelled on their own but were almost legendary when working together to hold the line. Omega was specialized in assaults and CQC, while Alpha excelled in fast movement and precision strikes. Like all Spartans, they were proficient in all fields, but each Team still had something they were more skilled at.
Like always, Blue Team got the most dangerous assignment, and John wouldn't have it any other way.
"You will be deployed using new experimental stealth drop pods. These pods are equipped with a new experimental cloaking system. According to Eezonic Materials Group, the designs are constructed from components taken from Covenant cloaking systems, combined with Salarian cloaking technology. Not to mention kinetic barriers and mass effect fields for better speed and softer landings. Speaking of which, please allow me to introduce you to Commander Jondum Bau of the STG. He will be overseeing Coalition Special forces deployments on Chi Rho."
Cole waved for the ODST's at the door, who stepped aside to open it and let a Salarian inside. The Salarian walked up to where Cole stood, nodding respectfully at the Spartans. "Greetings, Spartans. Like your Admiral said, I am Jondum Bau, representative of the Salarian Union in the CEF, and Commander of the STG. It is a pleasure to be working with you." The Salarian was without a helmet, and his all too human smile unnerved John.
Kelly tilted her head at the Salarian, then looked at John, making a subtle shrug with her right shoulder, then flexing her right arm. Spartan code for: "Real? Need clarification"
John subtly tilted his head in the other direction, put some more pressure on his right foot, then clenched his fist once. "Unknown. Irrelevant.."
One spartan held up a hand. It was Joshua-028, the moral heart of the Spartans. The one who always went out of his way to run to the rescue of civilians. John hadn't seen him since Harvest.
Cole nodded. "Permission to speak, soldier."
"Why is a Commander in charge of a mission this important?"
There were finely calculated shoulder shrugs and twitches that affirmed assent.
Jondum Bau, to his credit, merely smiled. "I am a Commander of the Special Tasks Group. Our numbers are small, and therefore our hierarchy is not as extensive as the human or turian one. My rank as a Commander in the STG would be equivalent to a General or Admiral in your nomenclature. And as such, I have been assigned to represent my people as representative of the Salarian Union for the Coalition High Command, and the one in charge of the intelligence assets of the Citadel Expeditionary Force."
"You will afford Commander Bau with the same respect that you'd show me." Admiral Cole informed the Spartans.
Joshua-028 nodded, snapping off a short(for a spartan) salute. "Understood, Sir. My apologies."
"No offense taken. Now onto the objective." The image changed to a satellite picture of one of the Covenant Assembly Yards, then the image split, with a heat map appearing next to the orbital view. Each of the yards had a significant heat source at the core, spreading out in all directions via a series of tubes.
"Unlike the shield volcano, the smaller Assembly Yards use artificially induced volcanism, pumping up magma through this large central chamber, and then separating it along these lines for processing. We believe we are dealing with some form of nanoscale engineering to convert this magma into feedstock for the Assembly Forges, marker here, and here." Jondum pressed a button on his omni-tool, and several green areas lit up on display. "We believe that the best way to disable these factories with the least amount of damage to their delicate components, as well as the most efficient, will be to disable the primary fusion reactor, here." A large Cylindrical building was highlighted in red.
Jondum continued when no Spartans asked any questions. "The battlecruiser recovered upon New Ghent is teaching us many things, things we had never even dreamed of before we realized the Covenant had made them work. But progress is painfully slow. The Covenant black-boxes their technology, to a fault. According to intelligence provided by a "Doctor Halsey," our only example of Covenant shielding technology that can be analyzed is in the form of what appears to be an antique energy shield, recovered in 2526. Analysis has determined that Covenant technology is not by itself unintelligible to our science, but is purposefully obfuscated through the implementation of self-destruct mechanisms. The Assembly yards will be mid-construction when we arrive, and therefore be filled with technology not yet rigged for self-destruction. A chance like this might never come again."
The hologram changed to a long cylindrical device, as big as two HAVOK tactical nukes stacked on top of each other. It had three large magnetic claws at the bottom and a control panel on the side of it. The design was something John had not seen before, and he assumed it was alien.
"UNSC tactical nukes are a formidable weapon, but they are not what we need now. We need something supremely destructive, but with a smaller radius. You will be equipped with Asari warp bombs. With these, you'll puncture the reinforced housings of Covenant fusion reactors. This will disable the reactor, but not trigger a full detonation. This will leave the Covenant only scuttling as an option to disable the Assembly Yards."
"The STG and SPECTERS will be running interference and providing whatever support we are capable of by launching simultaneous strikes to your stealth infiltration. This will hopefully draw attention away from you and make your mission easier. These forces will be performing their own objectives but will be ready to assist you at a moment's notice. As your objectives exceed theirs in importance."
The Salarian activated his omni-tool and slowly waved it in front of him. "I am sending a guide to each of your omni-tools on which Special Forces will be deployed, their capabilities, and strengths and weaknesses. You will be supported by Salarian STG, Turian armigers, and Blackwatch, as well as Asari commandos and Justicars. These forces will be transported aboard the UNSC ships that will deploy you, and be running training exercises with you during transit."
John noted that his omni-tool had received the message. He would read it after the briefing.
The Salarian smiled, then saluted the Spartans. "I wish you the best of luck. Alas, I am not cleared for the next part of this meeting." The Salarian stood up and walked out of the room. The ODST's closed the door behind him.
Admiral Cole looked pleased, then nodded. "What I will reveal next is classified top secret, even from you. This information is only available to the Security Council, and the highest echelons of UNSC Command. But as we will not be able to hide it from you, it will be revealed publicly." Cole looked at the door opposite of the one that Jondum Bau had entered. "Colonel Ackerson. You can send them in." Cole said to the ONI agent.
"Spartans. My name is Colonel Ackerson. I am here to tell you about a game-changer for the Spartan program. In light of the war turning into an offensive one for humanity, and near-equal naval parity having been achieved against the enemy, CINCONI and the UNSC Security Council have agreed to change the nature of the Spartan Program."
John cocked his head at that. Was the UNSC finally going to start creating more Spartans? He certainly hoped so.
The second door into the chamber slid open, and seven Spartans walked in. They were wearing Mark Four Mjolnir armor. They did not have any numbering on their chest pieces, nor did they look like the Spartans that weren't earmarked for Chi Rho. John instantly stood on edge, eyeing the new arrivals skeptically. The Spartans around him did the same, breaking protocol to turn their heads to look at the new arrivals. None of them spoke up, discipline holding, but their body language spoke volumes about how confused they were in the form of minute twitches and head tilts.
Ackerson coughed, then spoke up. "Spartan Twos. I would like you to meet the Spartan Three program. Your successors, and from today onwards, comrades in arms."
John could scarcely believe it! He had always thought that eventually, the UNSC would create more Spartans, but over the years, as no new recruits materialized, his hopes had started to wane. But now he was looking at the next generation of Spartans. He felt a feeling of pride in his chest at seeing more soldiers bearing the Spartan name.
"The Spartan Three program had been concealed from you until now due to the heavy secrecy around their creation. But with the war turning around, the UNSC needs every spartan in the fight. And they need them to be led by the very best that is available," Ackerson smiled, beaming with pride. "Therefore, by command of the UNSC Security Council and ONI, the Spartan Two and Three programs will be merged into the new Spartan Branch. You will be provided with new specialized facilities, training locations, and a steady stream of new recruits."
Kelly turned her head towards John and swiped her left finger across his faceplate. She was excited, and so was he. The other Spartans in the room flashed their HUD lights green to show approval or made subtle gestures with their hands that showed their support of what was happening.
"These Spartans are the best that the first Company of Spartan Threes had to offer, and they will become a part of your deployment to Chi Rho. Afterward, you will be taken towards your new training location, where you will personally begin instructing the four-hundred and twenty-seven new recruits that await your arrival. These, you will forge into the greatest fighting force in human history, and then prepare to lead them into Covenant space when the counteroffensive begins."
Ackerson walked in front of the new arrivals, introducing them one by one. "I would like to introduce you to Noble Team: Emile-A239, Carter-A259, Jun-A266, Thom-A293, Kevin-A282, and Rosenda-A344." The new arrivals took off their helmets, and John noted they all looked young for Spartans. They had to have been trained relatively recently. He already thought of his options with six more Spartans, and hundreds more being trained. But they were, without a doubt, Spartans.
Then it struck him. He wasn't sure if he would be given command. John raised a hand to inquire further. "Permission to speak, Sir?"
Ackerson turned to look at, nodding curtly.
"Who will be in operational command of the Spartan Branch?" John quietly hoped he would lead.
"I have been given organizational control over the Spartan Branch, but all field operations and personnel assignments shall be handled by the current leader of the Spartan Threes. "Ackerson looked at the final unnamed Spartan, who stepped forward. "Lieutenant, please step forward."
The new Spartan reached for his helmet and, with a hiss of air, removed the helmet. What came next was a face that John hadn't seen in over a decade. A Spartan that had gone missing a decade ago, and had been mourned by all members. A long lost brother had returned, and John's heart almost soared with joy, even if he didn't show it outwardly.
"At ease, John. " Said Kurt-051, his IFF beacon lighting up and marking his rank out to be a Lieutenant. "It's good to see you all again."