Disclaimer: I do not own HALO® or anything involved with HALO®, I am simply a fan who enjoys the universe BUNGIE® has created.

Author's Note: This story takes place during Halo 2, and contains some spoilers for those who haven't beaten it yet. You have been warned.

Stranded

Prologue: Delta Halo

"Cortana, what exactly am I looking at?" Captain Miranda Keyes asked of the AI.

"That, is another Halo," Cortana responded simply.

"Say what?" Sgt. Johnson sputtered over the intercom.

"So this is what my father found," Miranda said, leaning forward in her chair.

As the captain broke out of her wonder, she began to give orders. Lieutenant Jonathon Wesley continued to look at the magnificent ring world floating in space before IN AMBER CLAD. He had to get on that ring. As a agent of ONI it was his duty to find all the information he could on it.

There were sudden thumps that emanated from the bottom of the ship. Jonathon snapped himself from his thoughts and concentrated on the real world. He realized what had happened, they had launched drop pods. Probably that freak, Master Chief, and some ODSTs. Jonathon had to get on that ring.

"Captain, I request to go to the surface," Jonathon said to Captain Keyes, going for respect and manners first.

Miranda looked at him in his uniform. The black leathery material was so clean that it shined. His coat came down around the back of his legs, and the cap on his head was trimmed in gold. There was the ONI insignia on his chest, and a silver zipper, but other than that it was clean of decorum.

"Very well, join Platoon 6, but remember that Sgt. Little is in command of the marines, not you," Miranda responded to his request, knowing full well that ONI agents usually tried to sneak themselves into top authority.

"Yes Captain," Jonathon replied, and turned.


In the ship's armory, Platoon 6 was suiting up. Each marine donned Tactical armor and helmets, grabbed some grenades and shoved them into pouches on their hips. Each soldier was given M6C pistol for their sidearm, and they took a heavier weapon that would suit their role on the battlefield.

Sgt. Nathan Little loaded his BR55 battle rifle, and looked over his platoon. It was a small group, as it had seen some heavy fighting on Earth before IN AMBER CLAD followed the Covenant ship through slip space.

Pvt. Danny Connors, Pvt. Sara Dedrick, Cpl. Hank Thompson the sniper, Pvt. Gary Potter the rocket trooper, Pvt. Amy Jackson armed with a shotgun as well as a regular battle rifle, Pvt. Jim Wesson, and Cpl. Mike Rogers who had an SMG strapped to his hip.

All the marines grabbed as much ammo as they could carry, they didn't know when they would get a chance to rearm and reload.

Then the intercom buzzed.

"Sgt. Little, this is the captain, I'm placing Lt. Wesley in your platoon," Miranda said, then the intercom clicked off.

"Son of a bitch, I hate ONI," Jim yelled, kicking the wall.

"Don't we all," Nathan said with a frown.Nathan had heard all about ONI agents, most didn't have any real combat experience at all, and that could endanger the lives of the marines.

He would follow his orders, but he didn't like it, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen, and soon.

"Okay guys, report to the docking bays, we're expected on the surface soon enough. Let's show these alien bastards why you don't screw around with the marines," Nathan called out.

The marines in the room cheered, raising clenched fists into the air in a cry of defiance.

The platoon left the armory and marched through the corridors of IN AMBER CLAD to the docking bay. They weren't supposed to leave just yet, so the marines went about the bay to help out wherever they could.

Nathan though, had been found by Lieutenant Wesley. The ONI agent walked right up in front of the marine sergeant. Nathan immediately disliked him. The man was arrogant, and he carried himself like the hero that saved a thousand worlds. He was clean, not a single hair on his face, and acted liked his shit was golden and smelt of roses. He was slightly taller than Nathan, and, looked down at the sergeant like he was an annoying little child that wanted attention.

"Sgt. Little I presume," Wesley said, stamping on an obviously fake smile and holding out his hand.

"I'm going to tell you something here and now, sir. I will not let these marines die to serve your own needs, and you are not in command. This is my platoon, and despite your rank, its still mine," Nathan said, looking the man in the eyes with a steel gaze, and didn't back down. He completely ignored the offered hand.

Nathan saw a wave of uncertainty pass over the Lieutenant's features, but all traces of it were quickly erased. The man lowered his hand, and looked around to make sure no one had seen that.

"Don't get in my way Sgt. I have a duty to perform here," Wesley said, and with that walked away, his coat snapping slightly as he spun on his heel.

Nathan watched him leave, then turned back to his own troops. He had already decided, if Wesley tried anything at all, he would kill the ONI agent.


Wesley fumed as he walked through the corridors, making sure not to stray too far from the docking bay. He tried to keep a calm face, but the Sgt. Could be a problem. If he got in Wesley's way, he would have an accident that would shorten his life span dramatically.

Wesley managed to smile.