Chapter 1: Awakening
ONI FILE:
STATUS: CLASSIFIED
SECURITY CLEARANCE RECOGNISED…
BEGINNING RECOLLECTION OF EVENTS…
SPARTAN: KATE-B241
AGE: 29
GENDER: FEMALE
AFFILIATIONS: UNSC, ONI
DATE: July 23rd 2552
TIME: 0530 hours
Kate awoke as she usually did.
The time she had woken up at ever since her spartan 3 training began.
For what little time away she had from missions she treasured being able to wake up in a bed. Not in a trench or an abandoned near destroyed apartment complex. An actual room with a bed.
She was on earth at Facility Bravo-6, which served as the headquarters of the UNSC Security Council. She had been out on missions for a while now and had been sent to earth to get some rest. Although she had insisted she was fine to continue going on missions. But she had actually began to enjoy her time off.
She had spent most of the time at the gun range and at the gym, training herself and improving herself. But she had been testing out the new MKVB armour which she found to be a great improvement over her old SPI armour. As much as she loved it.
But she had her issues whilst staying at the barracks. For one she would often get the overly nosey marine trying to spy on her and occasionally the odd ONI officer trying to blackmail and bribe themselves into getting what they wanted.
She recognised that most of them had been away for years. So being a spartan, and a female one especially, brought a lot of attention to herself. Wanting to see what she looked like under the armour and whether all the rumours were true.
But the ONI officers, she just had to laugh at. Most knew the truth and were naive enough to think that they could use that to take advantage out of her. Oftentimes when this would happen she would swiftly give them something to remember not to mess with a spartan. Oftentimes those ONI officers got sent to the council and they would be dealt with accordingly.
Kate had been checking for an update on whether she was being sent on a mission daily. Although she was enjoying herself she couldn't truly relax knowing that the covenant was out there killing and conquering.
She got out of her bed and began her routine. Folding her bed according to UNSC regulations. She made herself an omelette and toast. The dictated standard meal for UNSC personnel. Then entering her bathroom. A brisk cold shower to wake herself up followed by cleaning herself and the equipment of her gear. The techsuit she wore was comfortable and when she did not need to wear armour on she often would keep it on.
By 0600 hours she was fully ready. She stood outside her door. Her MKVB armour fully equipped and activated. Although she decided against wearing her helmet as this was a non combat zone. Marines stood a click away with binoculars on a rooftop trying to see inside her room. She saw them instantly and gave them an appropriate response of the middle finger.
She walked along to the head of UNSC mission command. For an army there was an endless amount of offices. She felt out of place as she walked through them. She waited outside the door and stood at attention before a young woman came to greet her, it was clear she had never even seen a second of combat. The woman stared at kate, she knew that she wasn't an ordinary soilder but she seemed to nervous, perhaps even scared to bring it up. But kate had never been a people person and it was restricted to share the details of her past.
The woman lead her along a flight of stairs to another office, at least this time she recognised the name on the outside of the door:
"General Winston H. Maxwell"
He was in charge of giving UNSC personnel briefings and missions. The woman said that the General would be just a moment as she turned around and walked away. But as Kate waited for him she realised that he was going to be much longer. Kate reached into her front pocket on her breast plate. A packet of cigarettes. Although smoking was not allowed inside UNSC buildings. No one was around.
She sat down on a chair which seemed awfully too small for her until eventually the door slid open. A small gathering of marines came out of his office in a rush. Some seemed to be on the verge of tears.
Kate quickly put out her cigarette. Although the General was a good one he was firm on UNSC codes and regulations.
His hair was greying and his short cut beard gave him a sense of wiseness. But she knew that he was experienced. Kate entered his office and he stood at his desk mumbling to himself. He looked up and took notice of her. He pointed her to a chair, which was again too small for her - especially in the armour, but she didn't complain. "Thank you for being so on time Spartan. Those marines could learn a thing or two from you."
The Generals office was full of memorabilia of his past accomplishments. Medals. Photographs. Even the skull of an elite lay above his leather chair. Pretty awesome for a General she thought to herself.
He flicked on a projector. It showed a UNSC frigate. "You will be guarding this ship as it makes it's way to reach. This ship needs to be there as apart of a UNSC major operation and so do you." As he talked he flicked through more images showing the frigate in greater detail "Details of this are still sparse at this point but for the moment what we do know is that some sections of your journey shall be in non slipspace travel. You will be a vital asset in protecting the ship and making sure it arrives safely. Understood Spartan?"
"Understood commander." Kate saluted and went to walk out the door but before she could "Oh and Spartan? Keep that helmet on at all times." Although Kate disliked wearing it at times she had to agree with him. "Yes sir."
Kate walked out of the building and along to the UNSC shipyard. Details of the ship she was to boards location appeared on her helmets HUD.
She walked past row after row of UNSC ships. A few were taking off. Most were being repaired thanks to the covenant. Some looked more like clumps of burnt metal than warships. Row after row of ship. She followed the pointer on her HUDs to the ship.
Upon arriving she saw the ship. It was large sized destroyer. The "Spear of Vengeance" written on it's port side. She saw cargo being lifted onto it alongside troops boarding it. It was long but still stood tall. Red lines had been painted across it alongside plenty guns. Fit for combat too. Good.
She walked to the front of the ship and greeted the Captain. She looked experienced and like she knew what she was doing and that is what mattered to her. Her records definitely backed up her appearance.
Captain Aldine. She greeted her with a firm handshake and a smile. She was informed of the requirements of keeping a spartan on board and told her where about she would be staying whilst on the ship. A private quarters had been fitted for multiple spartan personnel but as she was the only spartan she would be the only one using it.
Although she was officially on a mission there was still little action. She wanted to be in the thick of it. Killing covenant and wiping them from the earth. She enjoyed killing them. She knew she shouldn't have those thoughts but she couldn't help herself. But she remained focused on the mission at hand. Her feelings and thoughts didn't matter. Only her effectiveness in completing her mission.