date as of writing this update: May 5th, 2020
A/N: did some small updates for the chapter after looking a bit through the lore. it's not much but it should make somethings make sense. still feels like a rush job but I'd like to change a few things
below message hasn't changed:
Also, Noble 6 In this story will be whoever you like, basically your ideal Spartan from Halo Reach, I want to keep the element of player choice from the game, so how they look and their gender is up to you, which is why the text will be non-binary, so you could continue reading it as male, female, or remain non-binary. And with that, lets-a go!
"Where… Where am I?"
A voice called out in the void of darkness. Nothing came with detail, not a soul, just the black abyss of nothing. The figure continued to look outwards, finding an endless vacuum. Slipspace? the figure thought.
The figure stood still, however, remain vigilant, as this wasn't the first time, they found themselves in a situation that contradicts their sense. The blackness remained silent until an unembodied, elderly voice responded.
"The Force, where you are"
The figure looked around, wariness coming to their senses without forthcoming, only to find nothing. They tried to reach for the rifle that was holstered onto their back, only to yet again find emptiness. Actually, they couldn't feel anything, not their MJOLNIR, not a weapon, not even their own hands. Even so, their training was unparalleled, in which they centered themselves in a more defensive position, ready to strike at anything that could be considered hostile.
"Who's out there?! Identify yourself!" the soldier called out.
"One you will not meet. However, a message, I must pass on." The old voice spoke.
"What message?" the soldier responded, with a firm voice, remaining vigilant.
"A team you will become apart, I know. All but one, perish they will."
"Noble team?" the soldier questioned.
"Noble? Hmph. Perhaps, I presume." The voice spoke, almost amused.
The soldier remained silent, watchful, surveying the black in an attempt to find the source of this voice, yet all that remained was his presence and this... voice.
"Your team, a dark fate awaits them, yourself included." The voice continued, "However their fates, you can prevent. All but one, may survive."
The soldier still said nothing but began to lessen their strained stance, intrigued by what this voice offered, yet remained wary if this was a brand new Covie trick.
"A bomb, how the first will fall. A soldier, you must keep. And a pack, must they survive"
"the next, a sniper from above. Protection, they need be. a barrier perhaps"
"And a third, a blade plunged through, but your presence not needed, the one you've saved, the roll is filled."
The soldier took what the voice spoke, but was still wary of what 'wisdom' they offered. It only affirmed their confusion; what was he talking about? who are they talking about? this isn't UNSC regulation, is it? if this was Covenant, it made no sense to what they already knew.
"What about the last one, how could I save them at least." the soldier inquired, demanding how this voice wouldn't tell how or who the one was meant to fall. the voice grumbled, but not in disgust, more like... intrigue?
"Honorable, your spirit is. Good hearted, I can see you becoming. But sacrifice, a leader must make" the voice cooed.
Silence once again built in the endless, with the soldier remaining indecisive, but slowly getting impatient.
"Why are you telling me this?" the soldier questioned.
"A galaxy of mine, foreign it is with yours. Crumble under autocracy, it is. Your intervention needed indeed."
The soldier looked out to the void, unsure of all this voice offered. They looked around again, still searching for its source, "Why? What's the purpose for all of this?" they asked.
"Only the Force may guide, even when not present, it is with you."
Was the only answer the voice gave, before a light shined off the distance, glowing brighter by the second. The soldier looked towards the light and was instantly overwhelmed by the light. They attempted to cover the light with their arms, but still overwhelmed them.
Noble Six woke up so suddenly, their heads spinning from what felt like a dream, or was it something else? they felt as if the dream was... something more, like an omen.
"Is there a problem, Sir?" questioned a voice.
Six looked towards the source, realizing it as a Trooper, one tasked with escorting the Spartan to their new destination; a meeting point with several other Spartans designated as Noble Team.
"Negative," Six responded, ending it there as they looked down to their helmet, the visor staring back. Six flipped the helmet around, before putting on, the onboard systems of their MJOLNIR booting up, with the full set now able link up their systems with its HUD and shields. As they waited for the diagnostic check to complete, Six's thoughts wondered back to the dream. It was indeed rather strange, seeing as Six never dreams from their own knowledge; no nightmares of their victims no of their desires. Just darkness, then the next day. And yet the first dream they'd have, had no correlation with their experiences. Six quickly shrugged off the thought, as they've realized the hog they've ridden was arriving at their destination. They leaped off the warthog as they began to trek towards a Command shelter, ready to meet their new team.
REACH, Szurdok Ridge, Ütközet
August 13, 2552
20:50 Hours
Reach has been invaded, a CSO-class Covenant Super-Carrier looms over the planet, sending waves upon waves of destruction on the planet occupied. 60 percent of the available UNSC fleet has been recalled to Reach, but was expected to arrive in 48 hours. This means backup would be fruitless to this point, and Noble team isn't waiting that long. Instead, Spartan Catherine-B320, also known as Kat, or Noble-two sanctioned a plan.
Now, the team find themselves huddled together in a cave as the sounds of a weight crushing steps of a Scarab could be heard off in the distance. the team huddled to surround Kat, who knelt on the ground as she used a rather large knife to carve onto the dirt they stood as she explained the plan.
Objective? Destroy Covenant Carrier in geosynchronous orbit above us" she started as she carved into the ground, keeping it brief as it is.
"This sanctioned, sir?" questioned one of the Spartans of Noble Team, Jorge-052, also known as Noble-Four, donned a heavily modified and overly bulky build of the MJOLNYR platform among the rest as he looked to their commanding officer, Carter-A259; Noble-One.
"What do you think?" was Carter's response to his question.
"Oh" was all Jorge could say, as everyone in the team knew very well how plans Kat usually think of become, eccentric.
"Method? A slip space drive in lieu of the nukes we don't have" Kat continued, stopping her carving as she focused her eyes onto each of the members of Noble Team. "Delivery system? us. Solvable? Getting us up there"
"That, and getting our hands on a slip space drive" she ends the briefing, standing up to her feat as she hands back the knife she borrowed to the original owner, Emile-A239; Noble-Four. "Thank you for sharing" she says after Emile retrieves his knife back to sheath it.
"So all we need is orbit capable transport and the single most expensive piece of equipment made by man" asked Carter rhetorically.
Kat shrugged slightly as she responded, "As a soldier in the field, I couldn't possibly have access to those kinds of resources"
"That said, a good place to look might be... I don't know. The nearest launch sight in the nonexistent Sabre program, dismissed by the administrations as preposterous rumor..." she stopped her nonchalant suggestion to look towards Noble-Six, the rest of the team following her gaze, "...And in which our newest member, was certainly never a pilot"
"You're scary. You know that?" Emile voiced his concern regarding the calm yet also somewhat worrisome nature of their second member.
"All we need is a greenlight from Holland" Kat spoke, turning to Carter.
"Good luck with that" was Carter's response, not expecting much where this would go as he slouched forward to lean on an arm.
Then, Kat being the unexpected, "You're the one asking him" was what she responded with as she pulls out a comm pad.
Carter stared at the pad for a brief moment before stepping forward to grab the device, shaking his head in disapproval as he did so. He walked past all the members of Noble Team as he mentally concluded how this would go.
"Oh, there's no way in hell he's gonna go for this" spoke Carter as he finally went to confirm his contact with their commanding officer.
As the team waited for a response, Noble-Six seemed to drift of into their thoughts, which is a surprise to see from ONI's personal grim reaper. Yet, something about this situation seemed oddly familiar for the Spartan, but they couldn't exactly place as to why. An augmented slip space drive turned to bomb, this idea seemed oddly familiar...
'bomb, how the first will fall. A soldier, you must keep. And a pack, must they survive' the memory suddenly booming in Six's mind
The Spartan flinched, sharply turning around to see someone had spoke to them. Yet all they saw was Emile, Kat, and Jun-A266;Noble-Three. The two former noticing the flinch the Spartan made, but made no attempt to address it, simply glancing at them, while the latter simply stared out the outside of the cave. Noble-Six centered their gaze back forward towards the Commander, but instead opted to look down to the ground.
It couldn't have been real, right? That was just that, a dream, nothing of note. And yet... when the Spartan was in that... place, it felt almost real, like it was not a dream, but place in which all that existed was their very existence. This was more to this, it had to. But perhaps, the soldier could follow along. All they knew was if it was true, and if this was all over, they have to report this.
That voiced mentioned keeping a soldier alive, I need to pick the right one.
Operation: UPPERCUT
August 14, 2552
12:50 Hours
A Covenant Corvette, en route to the Super-Carrier, was boarded by Noble-Six, several marines, and Noble-Four. Jorge was stationed to protect a Pelican, meant as a means to get off the Corvette, while Six was tasked to taking the bridge, along with setting a course for the Corvette to meet with the Supercarrier. 4 marines were also tasked to follow Six, while they make their way to the bridge of the Corvette.
Six went up to assassinate an elite ultra, which oversaw the destruction of a Paris-class heavy frigate, the UNSC Savanah, the very ship that donated her slipspace drive. Six motioned for the other marines to follow as the elite fell to the ground, before opening a door that would lead to the bridge. They stopped and looked towards the platoon.
"Which one of you was responsible for rigging the bomb?" Six questioned.
The platoon looked dumbfoundedly at the spartan by the request, but one soldier stood upfront.
"I am, sir" the trooper spoke out.
"Name and rank?"
"Ben Walker, Private First class, sir"
"Private, stick close to me and keep your head low, the rest of you, fan out for cover and ready yourselves, pick your targets wisely."
"Yes sir!" said the platoon, as they ready themselves to siege the location.
Casualties were expected as they took the bridge. Fortunately, after taking it, three survived, Noble-Six, the squad leader of the platoon, and Pvt B. Walker. After the course was set, Jorge called them all back for immediate assistance. But as they were one their way to exit the bridge, Six's mind shifted, slapping him with that of something he'd missed. 'And a pack, must they survive'
Pack... the M-SPEC Reentry pack is what they meant. Noble-Six thought. they remembered one of the soldiers that accompanied them was one of the Sabre pilots, which meant they would have a pack necessary to get Jorge off. Looking around the bridge, their visor settled upon the corpse of a soldier, laying by a structure near the entry point they came in from. The trooper laid flat onto his stomach, his limbs sprawled outwards with his right hand cradling a magnum. Six knelt before the passed trooper, putting a hand on the trooper's helmet as a nod of respect, before reaching underneath the neck guard to reach for his dog tags. once retrieved, they focused their attention onto the pack itself, finding the release levers on its side. Once the pack released, he called out for private. walker.
"You wanted me sir?" he asked, coming by the Spartan's side.
"Take this, we'll need it" they said, handing the pack towards the trooper.
Walker looked quizzical at the need of the Spartan, but before he could ask, Noble-Six was already trudging for the exit. the trooper looked back down at the pack, still unsure what to make of the Spartan's intentions. Never the less, he dropped his rifle so he could clamp the pack onto his back, before rearming himself, heading where the squad leader and Spartan had gone.
Once they arrived, it was a full firefight between the two parties, with Covenant forces on one side, and Jorge on the other. Quickly, Noble-Six and the two surviving troopers engaged to assist.
"Distance is closing on this vessel's refueling track with the Covenant Super-Carrier. Seventy-six seconds to endpoint." Spoke the A.I. DOT, which monitored Reach.
Jorge attempted to activate the timer of the bomb, in order to destroy the Super-Carrier, however, something was wrong. Jorge attempted to start it again, only to receive a declining beep in return.
"Dammit." He said, attempting another effort to start the timer, only to get the same result. "So, it's gonna be like that."
He looked towards the Six for a moment, before lightly smacking the panel in frustration.
"Well, I got good news and bad news." He said, turning to face Six.
"This bird took some fire and her thruster gimbal is toast. Which means the only way off this slag heap is gravity."
"And the good news?" asked Six.
There was a pause before Jorge responded."That was the good news"
"At current velocity, fifty-three seconds to endpoint." interjected DOT
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Jorge spoke, sounding slightly defeated as he took off his helmet, dropping it in the process.
"Bad news is, timer's fried. I'm gonna have to fire it manually." he informed, straight to the point
"That's a one-way trip." Six notified.
"We all make it sooner or later." He said with a smile, "Better get going, Six, they're gonna need you down there."
"No, they'll need you both."
Six and Five turned towards the voice of a marine, with a plasma wound on his shoulder. Private Ben Walker stood out from the corpses of trooper and Covenant alike, the last surviving trooper.
"I'll fire the bomb, you two get to the surface." Walker said to the two Spartans.
"You sure you're willing to commit to this, as Six stated; this is a one-way trip," Jorge spoke, facing the wounded marine.
"Sir, I'm already injured, and I've majored in demolitions, along with getting this death-trap strapped to the bird. This pack is worth more to you than it is to me." he said, disabling the magnetic clamps of his pack. He cradled the pack on his grip, walking towards the overgrown Spartan, "Besides, two active Spartans is better than one Spartan and an injured trooper."
"So You're willing to take the plunge, soldier?" questioned Jorge.
"Reach was my home, and like hell, I'll let it fall. so do me a favor, and make sure it stays safe" Walker responded, in determination.
"Hmph" Jorge huffed with a smile, kneeling down to retrieve his fallen helmet, putting it back on, "Then it's best we get going."
Noble-Five retrieved atmospheric pack before holstering it on his back, following Six towards the edge of the hangar bay, readying themselves for reentry. The pair stopped by the edge, and Jorge looked back at the soldier, already prepping the drive for activation.
"Soldier." He called out.
Walker turned, gazing at the Spartans.
"Make it count." He said before pushing Six and himself off the rig.
The two gazed out to the ship, as it approaches the massive Super-Carrier. Seconds later after they've leaped, sparks appeared from the Corvette, as it charged for a rupture. Soon, a massive slipspace bubble emerged from the ship, consuming it, Walker, and a large section of the Super-Carrier. The falling Spartans watched as the bubble disappeared, leaving an EMP field and the remains Super-Carrier in its wake, as they plunged to the planet's surface.
Noble-Six awoke from the wreckage, with surprisingly Jorge somewhat close by. Both were injured from the fall, as they picked themselves up from the wreck.
"you're still with me Six?" Jorge asked, trudging his way to the other spartan.
Noble-Six picked out an M6G Magnum Sidearm from the pack they wore throughout the mission, leaving it.
"My arm's most likely cracked, possibly fractured, but I'll manage. You?"
"I'd say I've got a cracked rib cage, but otherwise I'm fine."
Six looked towards Jorge, an M6 Magnum of his own on his hand, both holstering their weapons.
"We should get moving, radio's fried from the impact and it looks like New Alexandria is 6 klicks north," Jorge explains, pointing North of their position. "We're not done yet."
The two set out, Jorge leading the walk while Six followed along. Speaking of following, Six started to reminiscent with their thoughts once again, yet they couldn't believe it. Six realize had they not allowed that Soldier to survive, let alone obtaining the reentry pack, Jorge would have been the one to stay aboard to detonating the bomb, and thus, losing their only SPARTAN-II. As they thought, they remembered how two more were supposed to die, but with this knowledge, perhaps they really could prevent them. All they needed, was to find the very moments in which they were meant to pass.
New Alexandria, Eposz
August 23, 2552
15:34 Hours
They've trekked for the past 9 days, as they reached over a ridge, overseeing an invasion of 3 Covenant Corvettes over a massive city Jorge recognizes as New Alexandria.
"The bastards really have a foot on Reach now have they," Jorge spoke, the two unholstering their magnums.
"Let's go, who knows how many civilians have already died."
Six watched on a beachside as several civilian transport ships make their way off of Reach. Six and Jorge had to separate to support as many other marine strongholds over civilian evacuation.
"Civilian transport away. You've saved a lot of lives today, Spartans." A marine spoke through the radio as transports made their way off the city. Suddenly, the radio began to flair in static, as another voice began to spoke from the comms.
"Do you copy? …Repeat, this is Noble-Two. Noble Six, Noble Five, do you copy?" Kat's voiced into the comms, getting a hold onto the two Spartans.
"This is Six, Go ahead, Noble-Two." Six responded quickly.
"We picked up yours and Noble-Five's transponder an hour ago but could not risk open comms. Covenant has this city sealed tight, you still with me Jorge?"
"Loud and clear Noble-Two." Jorge responded over comms.
"Understood, what's the situation at Starport and Portside exits?"
"The last transport is away." Six answered.
"same situation here." Jorge followed.
"Alright. We're bringing you to us."
The comm channel ended as Six signaled a flare to pick them up.
One soul down, now the other two.
New Alexandria, Eposz
August 23, 2552
18:57 Hours
Six and Five were on a Pelican, en route to a landing pad where Noble-One awaits them. As they approach touch down, Noble-Six holsters a DMR, as Jorge inspects his newly acquired M247H Heavy Machine Gun, unfortunately, it was not the same as his personal chaingun, Etilka. The Pelican passed a burning wreckage of a building, before touching down at a landing pad with two Falcons, with Noble- One awaiting the two Spartans.
Six jumped off the Pelican as it took off with Jorge, walking by Noble-One as one of the Falcons lifts off.
"Your report will have to wait, Lieutenant." He says, "The Covenant are jamming all Comms to Command. Kat needs your help running a counter-op. Jorge will do the same on the far side of the city."
Six continues walking to his designated Falcon, with two marines already situated on the side-mounted turrets.
…
All of Noble team awaited above the higher level, with Jorge and Emile-A239, or Noble-Four sitting by a nearby wall, Jun-A266, Noble-Three leaning on a railing, surveying the surrounding area, Kat working with a damaged comm relay a connection with command and Carter-A259, Noble-One or Noble leader leaning on a crashed Covenant Banshee awaiting for her to finish.
"Look at this place. Used to be the crown jewel… Hmph Not anymore." Spoke Jun-A266, also known as Noble-Three, as he pears out the burning city with a pair of binoculars.
He lowers the binoculars and turns around to see Noble-Six who've arrived after running the op. "Hey. You made it." He said, sounding slightly proud of their return.
"It's a regular family reunion." Spoke out Emile-A239, or Noble-Four, "Hey Big man! Your buddy's back."
"I have eyes, Emile." Jorge spoke, sounded slightly annoyed, which prompted a light chuckle.
"You sure your new toy has done the job?" asked Emile.
"It's not Etilka, but still gets the job done." Responded Jorge. only resulting in Emile to laugh from the remark.
"Does it really matter whether it's your gun or not?" questioned Emile.
"To me, it does."
"Both of you, cut it." Carter ordered as he approaches the railing. After standing by it, Jun started, "Sir, that true Gauntlet, Red and Echo teams assigned to civilian evac ops?"
Carter seemed unimpressed how Jun knows this intel, as those orders were reserved for senior officers, and he knows how and who was responsible for this breach. He turned Toward Kat.
"Those are senior-level communiqués." He spoke.
"I hear what I hear. Point is, why put Spartans on defensive deployments?" She responded, wanting to know about this revelation.
"I need that link to SATCOM, Kat." Carter ordered, ignoring her question.
"Chasing it, but this console's got more shrapnel in it than transceivers…" her tone slightly annoyed. She also realized Carter hasn't answered her previous question.
"You didn't answer my question."
"You want to know if we're losing." Carter points out.
"I know we're losing… I want to know if we've lost."
Carter looked back at the burning city. The air was thick with smoke and rain, the fire spread throughout the city, on buildings off the distance and from the ground, with Covenant ships looming overhead. Kat quickly went back to working with the heavily damaged comm unit, to see if a secure channel was even possible. Fortunately, she found a signal coming from Colonel Holland, but what concerned her was that they were being hailed… and in an open channel.
"Colonel Holland! Hailing us— What's he doing on an open channel?" she said with uncertainty
"Let's hear it." Spoke Carter, turning back to Kat.
"-in the southwest quadrant of the city, over?" Holland spoke through the channel.
"Sierra-two-five-nine. If you are receiving, I am authorizing override of radio security protocols to link with this channel."
This was concerning for the team, with their superior officer hailing their Spartan team through an open channel, knowing that this signal can be traced to where it's being sourced. Carter walked towards Kat, stopping just behind her
"How long for a secure link?" Carter asked
"I can't guarantee secure anymore."
"Could the Covenant trace it to us?"
"I could." Kat spoke, nodding her head.
"Noble leader, this is a Priority One hail." Holland continued to hail through the comms, "If you are receiving, acknowledge immediately."
Kat picked up a portable comm link connected to the channel and handed it over to Carter, "Keep it brief."
"Carter, here. Yes, sir…" he spoke through the comms, as he Holland spoke through the comm, however only he was able to hear it.
Meanwhile, Jun continued to survey the outside. As he did, noticed movement patterns from Banshees, Spirits, and Phantoms, all distancing themselves from the tower they were situated on as if they were retreating, maybe evacuating.
"We got movement. Multiple Covenant vehicles vacating the area." Jun informed, "And they're in a hurry."
"How often do you see Covenant retreat for no reason?" Emile questioned, looking towards Jorge, who raised an eyebrow.
Then Kat's comm pad began to flare up, detecting a spike in ion scrambling. "Radiation flare! Big. Forty million roentgen." She advised,
"Just lost Holland. What's going on?" Carter questioned, looking towards Kat.
"Atomic excitement scrambled the signal. Ninety million now!" she continued.
"Source?"
"Airborne. Close."
"How close?"
Before she could answer, a burst of light shined through the window. Out of the building, a massive Plasma lance was blasted right next to the tower, it's blast created a shockwave that blew through the window of the building, and knocked over any of Noble team that was standing, or sitting up.
"THAT CLOSE!" Kat shouted.
As the lance continued to burn through, all of Noble team began scrambling to their feet. Six helped Kat to hers, during which, they noticed something. Her armor's tech seemed slightly scrambled, from the shockwave, with yellow lights on her chest plate and wrist screen flickering, attempting to remain active before they went out cold, fading into black.
She picked up her helmet from the ground and raced with Six for the elevator, with Jorge already awaiting the two inside, though taking much space due to his chaingun.
As they both entered, they noticed Jorge's body language tense in anger by the sight of his home being glassed. Kat quickly punched the elevator to move to the bottom floor.
"First glassing?" she questioned the two, as they remained silent, "Me too." She says as she puts on her helmet.
'the next, a sniper from afar. Protection, they need be. a barrier perhaps.' Six suddenly remembered.
Barrier, what did it mean by barrier? the only barrier MJOLNIR possessed was... their energy shielding system!
"Noble-Two, your shields are down." Six pointed out.
Kat quickly looked to her wrist-attached screen, which showed her armor's diagnostic. It was dimly lit, with an indication of her shields being disabled that Kat could barely make out.
"Good eye Six. Don't worry it's an easy reboot." She spoke, as she tapped into it. Soon, the lights on began to flicker in yellow, before turning green, and a yellow shield-like aura now surrounding her form. Good, now let's hope it's enough for that sniper. Thought Noble-Six.
"Kat, any idea where to go." Carter asked through the comms.
"already on it." She says, tapping into a comm pad, "Our best option is a fallout bunker on sub-level two, ninety-six meters North East. We get orders from Holland sir?"
"We're being redeployed to Sword Base." He spoke coldly.
"Sword? Covenant own it now." Jun reacted, not believing out of all places they were deployed to, it's the Covenant occupied Office of Naval Intelligence base.
"Which is why want us for a torch-and-burn op. Keep Doctor Halsey's excavation data from falling to enemy hands" Carter responded almost harshly.
The first elevator opened, with Nobles-One, Three and Four running through a damaged hallway, with a cave-in from the ceiling, showing the clouded night sky of New Alexandria, or at least what's left of it.
"If it hasn't already." Said Noble-Two, her elevator doors, with her shields now calibrated and fully charged.
"Maybe, but according to Holland, the Covenant are still hunting for something." Carter responded with a huff. The three stopped by a room, with heavy-duty doors and civilians that couldn't evac quick enough.
Kat, Six and Jorge all ran behind, with Jorge slightly trailing, much to Emile's frustration.
"Where does he get off calling a demolition Op Priority One-" she continued to voice. But when they loomed over the massive hole; a pink needle screamed from the top. The needle shattering from the impact onto Kat's shield, creating pink shards from the impact. Her shields flared to protect the user while she stumbled on her feet, before quickly unholstering her magnum to the sky.
"Shit! Contact, Contact!" she shouted.
What was seen was a Phantom that loomed over the cave-in, with an elite Zealot over by the edge, a needle rifle on hand. She and Noble-Six quickly started firing onto the elite, which also began to fire upon the team. Shortly after, Nobles-One, Three, Four and Five unloading their shots at the elite. Soon after, the Phantom quickly began to evacuate the airspace, leaving Noble team alone in the ruins.
"C'mon! C'mon! Get in!" Carter ordered.
"Let's go! C'mon!" Jun added.
With that, the rest of Noble team darted for the door. Once inside, Carter pressed for the door controls to begin closing, albeit slowly, as the last 3 members arrived inside, sealing off the dangers.
It's done… now let's hope it's enough for the last one.
Sword Base, Babd Catha Ice shelf, Eposz
August 29, 2552
26:37 hours
Noble team broke through the Covenant defenses stationed in around ONI Sword Base, tasked with blowing the base into nothing but rubble. The team found themselves within the facility, overlooking a cornered room, with the bodies of marines littered throughout the room. The walls were charred in plasma scoring. Carter reconfirmed DOT with their revised rendezvous point, much to Jun's dismay. Soon, the walls by the corner of the room opened, revealing a dark chasm, leading further down the base. Apparently, this doorway and the revised route was the cause of an unidentified AI, with a greater clearance compared to DOT's.
"So Jun, you wanted to know of the base's secrets, here they are," Kat spoke amusedly, much to his disappointment.
The team continued down the tunnel, ending up at a tram. Reluctantly, they each stepped onto the tram, one after another, while watching for any sign of movement.
"Your new AI friend tell you anything else? DOT?" Carter questioned the A.I., to find no response.
"DOT?"
"She's been expecting you."
…
After defending a facility identified as a Forerunner construct, including a laboratory housing an AI construct that lead Noble team down the chasm, and Dr. Catherine Halsey. Noble team entered the facility, which leads to a long pathway into the heart of the facility, along with Dr. Halsey's Lab.
Inside of the lab observed a forerunner structure, the Doctor herself, and an AI construct Halsey described as one who've chosen a being to take her. Noble team was most perplexed by this statement, none more so than Kat.
"I'm aware smart A.I. are much more sophisticated, but an AI construct choosing a wearer is unheard of." She states.
"Well as you now are aware, she's not just any smart A.I. This'll be the next step in technological advancement and evolution. Starting with this one." Halsey replies.
She pulls out a cylindrical chamber from a station, within it carries the very essence of this new A.I. and walks towards Noble-Six.
"Take it, Lieutenant. …She has made her choice."
Six looks at Carter, which he responded with a nod. He looked back at the small chamber before grabbing it with both hands.
"Do you have it?" Halsey asks, not letting go.
"Yes," Six replies.
"Say the words, please."
"I have it."
With that, the Doctor released her grip from the chamber, now in the hands of the Noble Spartan.
Minutes later, Noble team and the Doctor now find themselves outside of a hangar, with two stationed Pelicans, one to escort Halsey to a nearby base, and the other to escort Noble to a Halcyon-class light cruiser, The Pillar of Autumn, where the A.I. was directed to be stationed with.
"Doctor Halsey, Noble-Three will escort you to Castle base." Carter said, arriving at the Pelicans.
"I require no escort, Commander." Halsey retorted.
"Jun, make sure nothing falls into enemy hands." Carter spoke to Jun, ignoring Halsey's request.
"I'll do what's necessary, sir…" Jun replied. "Good luck."
"You too, riflemen."
"Try not to get her killed, Jun." Jorge said as both parties made their way to their respective Pelican.
"Hehe, I won't." chuckled Jun.
While en route to the site, Noble team's pelican were being engaged by Covenant Air forces, a Phantom and 2 Banshees. As a result, their bird was heavily damaged, with its back thrusters destabilized, and its right wing ablaze, with Noble-One now injured.
"Noble leader, seek immediate medical attention. "DOT commented, detecting his status, "Noble leader, please respond."
Noble-Two and Six went up to the cockpit to check on him, while Noble-Four and Five attempted to shoot down their pursuers.
"Please respond, Sierra-Two-Five-Nine. You are alarming me.", the Pelican took another hit from a barrage of Banshee fire, damaging it even further. By aft, Emile pulled out a grenade launcher and fired onto one of the Banshees, its EMP disorienting the craft to crash on the second banshee.
"He's hit!" Kat shouted, now by his side, who removed his helmet, "He's got ruptures throughout his armor and body, I'm not—"
"Not sure how long she's gonna stay together." Carter announced, Ignoring Kat's concerns, "Skies are jammed up anyway. Gotta get you off her, Lieutenant.", his voice was gruff, more than usual.
"Commander—" Kat plead.
"Don't wanna hear it. Get the package to the Autumn."
"Done." Noble-Six replied, but not without pause. By that time, Six was by Kat's side.
"Not yet, it's not…" Carter said, looking back. His face was littered with blood, pooling out of his nose, mouth, and ears, with his right eye now blood red.
"Noble-Two, Four, Five go with him. It's a ground game now."
"Understood Commander." Kat replied.
"It's been an honor, sir." Emilie spoke, pounding his shoulder in salute.
"As from me." Jorge added.
"Likewise." Carter responded to each of Noble team, "…I'll do what I can to draw their fire."
The team made their way to the rear end of the troop bay, preparing themselves for a drop.
"Six…" Carter called out, which Six turned back, "That A.I. chose you… She made the right choice."
With that, Noble-two and Five set themselves on the left side of the hangar door, while Six and Four huddled by the right, with the A.I. chamber in Six's hands.
"ON MY MARK…!" Carter called out, holding out his hand as a count down. The team holstered whatever weapons they had, Jorge cradling his Chaingun as they all readied to jump.
Carter's hands began to count down until it made into a fist, "MARK!"
Noble team fought through waves upon waves of Covenant forces on their way to the Pillar of Autumn, many stood in their way, from drones, jackals, brutes and even Scarabs. The team now finds themselves inside a cave, after dealing with a swarm of drones. On their way, they found the exit of the cavern, but what followed made things far more difficult.
"Noble, you've gotta… situation." Carter spoke through the comms. As he said that, a Scarab emerges from outside the cave, towering over Noble, and effectively balancing their exit. The team readied their weapons, expecting a fight.
"Mother…" Emile gasped in the sight.
"Commander, what do you suggest?" Kat questioned.
"Stay put. You'll get by, only with my help you will."
"Commander, you don't have the firepower!" Emile protested.
The Scarab began to charge its main projector, aiming directly at Noble team, but before it could unleash it, Carter's Pelican Drew its attention away, discharging its gun. The Pelican flew by, with the Scarab now drawn to the massive burning bird.
"I've got the mass." Carter finally spoke.
"No… No, he's not —" Jorge spoke, baffled for what Carter planned.
"He is." Kat finished.
"Solid copy. Hit 'em hard, boss."
The Scarab brought its attention back to Noble team, charging it weapons again for another attempt. In the meantime, Carter raced towards the Scarab at full speed with no sign of turning, firing its chin-mounted cannon. "You're on your own, Noble… Carter out."
The Pelican rammed straight through the Scarab, almost knocking it in the air. The impact rippled through the air, with fire bursting through the Scarab. The Scarab tried to get back on its feet, but the damage done by the crash was severe, with several more explosions chained throughout the Scarab, as it toppled over a cliffside, plummeting down until a blast was heard. Noble looked out for a moment, seeing their first casualty was their own commanding officer.
Six, however, took it more so than the crew. That dream mentioned one of us had to go down. Goodbye Commander. they thought, referring back to their dream.
"The crevice is just east of our position, less than a klick." Kat started, "if we move, we'll make it just in time before departure."
"Let's move out."
"Good to see you, Spartan. Halsey assured me I could count on Noble." Spoke a man identified as Jakob Keyes, the Captain of The Pillar of Autumn, who has personally arrived with a pelican to collect the cargo. Noble-Six handed off the small chamber to the captain.
"It wasn't a Noble mission if it was easy, sir." Spoke Jorge, who was stationed with Six to cover the landing pad for Keyes's arrival. Noble-Two and Four were on a different platform, which stationed a mass driver, used to cover the Autumn during its escape.
The platoon prepared themselves to leave on the Pelican they came in with, until Keyes noticed a round, purple ship approaching from the west side of The Pillar of Autumn.
"Cruiser! Adjusting heading for the Autumn!" Keyes spoke, "Noble-Four, Noble-Two I need fire on that Cruiser or we're not getting out of here! do you copy?"
"Copy that, captain!" Kat spoke through the comms.
"You'll have your window, sir." Followed Emilie.
The platoon boarded their pelican, prepping to return, with only Noble-Six and Five still on the platform.
"Bridge, this is the captain. We have the Package. Returning to the Autumn. Over." Keyes commed
"Copy that." Spoke a bridge officer
Suddenly, a Phantom flew over, destroying one of the Pelicans that supported the main Pelican Keyes was on. It crashed onto the platform, knocking Six and Jorge off their feet. The Phantom then made its way to the mass driver, dropping off 2 Elite Zealots, while firing on Noble-Six and Five.
One of the Zealots drew its sword and attacked Emile who was on the cockpit of the cannon. Emile shot the Zealot before it could make this move, however, and exited the cockpit to finish it off, with a shotgun blast point-blank. During which, the second Zealot approached Emile from behind.
"Who's next?!" he called out, not aware of the upcoming attack
"Behind you!" called Kat, who pounced on the Zealot before it could attack.
The two stumbled around, trading fists until the Zealot threw Kat off the Mass Driver. It went to focus back to Emile, only to end up staring straight into the barrel of a shotgun. Emile pulled the trigger, staggering the elite back as its shields took the brunt of buckshot, Emile took the opening and loaded another shell in the chamber, firing a second shot to finish it off.
"Didn't expect that! Huh!" Emile shouted at the dead alien, "Kat, you good?"
"Never better…" she replied, recovering herself.
The Pelican made its way back to the platform, expecting to pick up the Spartans.
"Spartans! Get aboard! We gotta get the hell outta here!" one of the Marines called out.
"Negative, I'll cover the Autumn from here. If Reach is gonna fall, I'm going with it." Jorge protested.
"Not alone you're not." Six replied.
"Six you're not—"
"If one of Noble falls, we all fall, big man," Emile spoke through comms.
"I sanction that as well." Kat followed.
"We'll keep the Covenant off your back... Good luck sir." Six said, nodding his head to Jorge, which he reluctantly nodded back.
"Good luck to you, Noble team." Keyes answered back as his Pelican made a B-line for the Autumn.
The Autumn is away... The mission is complete… And Reach has fallen.
Noble Team, or what's left of them, with Carter gone, and Jun off-planet, stood upon a platform, overlooking a field, littered with debris, whether of a ship or building origin, it was hard to tell due to the hazy fog that covered over the area. Bodies of Marines and Spartans alike littered the field, with weapons and Armor abilities all equally scattered. Covenant ships and patrols overlooked the area, with their familiar hum filtering the air as they fly overhead. The team surveyed the field, all clutching weapons of their own. Kat, a magnum, Jorge a modified chaingun, Emile a shotgun, and Six a DMR, as they prepare for their last stand until it's their turn for their flames to die out, along with the planet they stand upon.
Six's thoughts drifted back to the dream, the one that lead Noble to where they are now. From what they've seen, and the actions they've pulled off, lead them to believe that if they had not done those things, they would have been just them on this field, alone. Not that they're used to fighting alone.
Alright, little voice, we're here, they're alive, and we're here… so what is it you want now? Six thought.
"It really has come this, hasn't it…" Jorge spoke first, breaking the silence.
"It really has… you did say you never wanted to leave Reach." Emile replied.
"Yeah… but not like this…", his tone sounding sad.
"Don't worry, I know we'll win this war, and when we do, they'll come back for it." Kat spoke, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Jorge looked over to Kat, staring into her helmet, assuming he's looking at her eyes. He nodded from the small comfort, with her nodding back.
"Six, got something to say?" she said, turning to face them.
Six looked around to see Kat, Jorge and Emile had their eyes on them, awaiting a response. They sighed, looked to the ground for a moment.
So?…..
"Listen, I—" Six started.
"Reclaimers…" boomed a soft, female voice.
The team scrambled for their weapons, all back-to-back with weapons at the ready.
"The hell was that? Kat?" Emile spoke.
"Source unknown, can't trace it." She replied, her voice stern as they look for the voice.
"There is no need for hostilities, I'm here to give you a new future…" said the disembodied female.
"Who are you?" Jorge questioned.
"I am a Forerunner, here to show you a new path, but there isn't much time…"
"A Forerunner?" Emile asked.
"Wait, how's this possible? Your species are extinct." Kat spoke.
"Kat was it?"
"They're the race that created that structure back down the doctor's lab."
"Reclaimers, soon a portal will reveal itself, through it, is your best chance for survival..."
"What portal?" Six questioned.
Soon, a small slipspace portal appeared on the far side of the field, revealing two small pillars. The team gazed on, as the rupture closed, and the pillars oriented themselves to form another, more stable portal.
"Go, now! While it remains..."
"Wait, where the hell does it go?" Jorge questioned
"Who cares… if it's our ticket out of here, might as well." Emile retorted.
"We're not leaving Reach." Jorge scowled.
"I don't think we have a choice, multiple pings just peered into the radar," Kat spoke.
"From where." Six asked.
"EVERYWHERE!"
"Jorge! we gotta go, man!" Emile snapped at the heavy Spartan-II.
Jorge grumbled in remorse, not wanting to leave his home in this state, but he knew deep down, there was nothing more he could have done. He remembered the time he was about to sacrifice himself to detonate the slipspace bomb back at Operation: UPPERCUT, only to realize a Covenant fleet arrived over Reach.
After he growled one last time, he booked for the portal, effectively living his chaingun. Emile, Kat, and Six soon followed suite. Six looked around as they marched onward, seeing countless of Elites of various ranks, Jackals and Grunts racing to their position, seeing the Forerunner portal. They fire upon the Spartans, doing whatever they can to get them away from the portal.
Jorge was the first into the portal, followed by Emile and Kat. Six peered once again before it was their turn to jump in. They saw even Field Marshalls chasing them behind, blades drawn, and plasma whizzing past. Six jumped into the portal, right as the portal closed shut, and the Zealot swung forward. The remaining Covenant scrambled to obtain the Forerunner pillars, but another slipspace rupture appeared. The pillars entered the rupture before closing, leaving a very, very angry Covenant behind.