Key:
"Text" - speech
'Text" - thought
"Text" - nonverbal speech
Text - onomatopoeia
Chapter 9: Charlie Foxtrot
September 4th, 2568
Fort Keyes, Minerva, Lambda Rho System
"So Commander McKnight, you seem to know your Spartans well. How would you describe the Spartan Company here?" McKnight was growing frustrated with the interview. PR was not her favorite part of the job. "I'd have to say that they are some of the best soldiers I've worked with. Each fireteam is unique in their own right. Some are," the Commander struggled to find the right word, "unorthodox to say the least."
The reporter, her cameraman and the Commander continued through the parade grounds. The reporter would ask the occasional question while her cameraman got b-roll footage. Overall the parade grounds were noisy. Units running physical training, warthogs moving supplies, the usual. Off to one side there came noises that definitely did not belong on base. From where the three stood they could hear the faint chanting of "Chug! Chug! Chug!" McKnight felt her comm-pad vibrate. Checking the notification she found that a transfer was in progress and that this wasn't the first one today. 'Oh no.' The cameraman managed to get a good close-up of what was happening. He didn't see much, but through the throng of Marines he caught a glimpse of a fireteam insignia. "Hey, does one of your teams have a logo that's a bird with assault rifles on an orange shield?" McKnight let out an exasperated sigh. "Why did it have to be them? Why?" The reporter looked at the Commander with a look of shock. "Who are they? Why do they have you so worried?" McKnight deadpanned the woman. "You haven't met Fireteam Phoenix yet. They're completely psychotic. Maybe even sociopaths."
Almost as soon as she finished her sentence the crowd parted and Andrew stepped forward. The cameraman didn't notice the massive dog racing towards him. At least not until Andrew yelled. "Sylas! Auf mich," the fur missile skidded to a halt, nearly bowling over the now terrified cameraman. Andrew lost his composure and started to laugh hysterically. Just as soon as Sylas had arrived, he left the three to regroup with his handlers. Andrew was still in stitches, leaning against Thermer as his Commander and her companions arrived. "ATTENTION!" All personnel snapped to attention, a massive shit eating grin plastered on Andrew and King's faces. "What the hell is going on over here?" Andrew spoke up. "The Marines didn't believe King could down an entire bulk jug of hot sauce from the mess. So we bought three and placed bets. When we noticed the camera I thought it would be hilarious to sic Sylas on it and recall him at the last possible second. It was," Andrew looked at the reporter, "please tell me you got that. I want that on the news."
Silence. There was nothing but pure, unadulterated, awkward silence. King chose to break it. "Yo, camera guy? Catch this, I'm about to clean house. These boys are about to lose two hundred credits each. Andrew, I wanna shotgun this, stab it when I get it in the air." King twisted the cap off and punched a hole in the safety seal. Just as he got the bottom up Andrew stabbed the jug. In just ten seconds King downed the entire jug and crushed it against his head. Andrew looked between King, the cameraman, the reporter and McKnight. King had sauce dripping down his chin, McKnight was having a hard time keeping composed and the two civilians had an odd mix of emotions on their faces. "Did she call us psychotic yet? We're not. We just don't have the personality of a cardboard cutout drenched in vanilla ice cream," Andrew's statement went mostly unnoticed while the Marines transferred over their losses. Sam snickered while they walked off grumbling amongst each other. The cameraman broke the new silence, "I didn't know the military still used service dogs?" Thermer finally spoke, "Normally we don't. However a project led to us having one. Sylas is just as capable as we are." The reporter finally snapped out of her stupor, "What kind of project if you don't mind me asking?" McKnight was about to speak when Andrew blurted out, "The kind where if I told you, I'd have to kill the two of you and expunge all evidence. Sylas is the only MWD of his kind and therefore any intel regarding anything other than his role on the team is well beyond your clearance, assuming you have clearance."
"Smooth move big guy," Sam stepped passed Andrew with an air of confidence the rest of his team knew meant one thing. "So, what's a beautiful lady like you doing on a military base anyway?" The three remaining members of Phoenix groaned collectively. "Sorry, I only date grown men with all of their body parts." Sam didn't let up, much to the chagrin of his team. "Lady, I may be part robot, but I'm all man. Especially where it counts." Thermer stepped up and slapped Sam in the back of the head. "Need I remind you of SHARP, Spartan Caster?" Sam glared at their leader. "So, if you'd like we can do a private interview in my quarters. I can make sure there aren't any interruptions." McKnight decided to put her foot down. "Spartan Thermer, do I need to send you to additional SHARP training?" The reporter only sported a mildly confused look with an overlay of irritation. Andrew decided to answer her unspoken question. "Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention, SHARP. So, do you know a place where I can get a decent drink. All I know of is a club just inside the city." She thanked whatever deity was there for the normal question. "The one with the Slavic gang? That's really the only place I know of. Those guys are always antsy now. You know why?" Andrew laughed for a second. "Yeah I know why. I beat three of them within an inch of their lives for pulling a gun on me." The reporter looked shocked for the briefest second. "Maybe I'll see you down there some time. Commander, I think we have everything we need for our story." With that the three left the team and headed towards the main gate.
September 6th
22:37 Local Time
"I still can't believe Andrew managed to cockblock both of you." King spoke as he checked his gear. "He didn't cockblock me, the boss did." Thermer looked at Sam. "Nah, that was your own doing. 'Sides, the Commander is who cockblocked me." King threw his arms up. "Whatever, my point still stands. The local celibate with no sex drive has more game than either of you." Andrew was checking Sylas' armor. For something meant to stop bullets, it was pretty lightweight. "King, shut up and get your shit in gear. We should reach the AO in three mikes."
As if on cue a holoprojector lit up the pelican's troop bay. "Phoenix, as you know Echo-614 will clear out your LZ. From there you will enter the hangar and investigate. This private spaceport has been receiving several shipments daily and we have reason to believe that it's linked to an insurrection group from Dolorosa. The same one you fought while searching for Charlie-Five. If it has a gun pointed at you, kill it. We're opening a channel between your team and us. You will refer to us as 'Command' over comms. Godspeed Fireteam Phoenix." The dropship darkened again as the projector shut down.
The Pelican's gunner leaned through the bulkhead between the cockpit and troop-bay. "Hope you boys are ready, we're going hot in one Mike." Andrew turned to King and picked Sylas up. King clipped the massive dog to the rigging that had been provided to Andrew. The sound of the gunship's chin gun reverberated through the vessel. Within a minute the gunfire ended and the ship descended to a safe jump height. "Time to tag 'em and bag 'em," Andrew whooped. As soon as the Spartans hit the ground they went to work getting Sylas unclipped and approached the port's hangar and warehouse. The scene surrounding the port was as expected. Chunks of the tarmac, weapons and gore were scattered everywhere. "Echo 614, this is Phoenix actual, move to overwatch position and wait until further notice. Command, we are approaching the hangar. Safeties off Spartans. It looks hostile, cut it down." Thermer's HUD displayed four acknowledgement lights, three from the team and one from the Pelican.
Boom! Andrew's diversion went exactly as planned. The breaching charge drew the attention of everyone in the hangar. None of them heard the door get kicked in. None of them expected a 52kg armored German Shepherd to rip one from his feet and clamp down with enough force to snap his neck. The fight in the hangar was over before it started. The building was empty save the bodies and equipment. No cargo vessel to be found. No crates of gear. Just tools and refueling equipment. "Command, hangar is clear. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it looks like we missed the window to capture the cargo ship. Moving to the warehouse," Thermer reported. "Copy Phoenix Actual. Try not to destroy any of the supplies in the warehouse. Secure any intel possible."
Sylas stopped dead in his tracks as they approached the warehouse. Andrew recognized the tell immediately. "Explosives in target building. Zero Three swap to your GPMG. Don't want those explosive slugs setting off anything volatile. I vote we cut the power and get Zero Four on the roof. There are several skylights he can take shots from. They won't see it coming." Thermer nodded in agreement, effectively giving Andrew's plan the go ahead. Andrew pulled rappelling gear from the side pouches on Sylas' armor and handed them off to Sam before heading around the side of the building in search of a fuse box. "Judging by the fact that you actually brought these, I'm gonna say you've been planning this since briefing." Sam got an acknowledgement light in response.
"Zero Two in position."
"Zero Four in position."
"Acknowledged, Zero Two prep exothermic breach and kill the lights." While Spartans King, Caster and G199 were a thorn in his side, Thermer could reign in their more "eccentric" traits and use them to his advantage. In this case, it was Andrew's love for anything that burned its way through metal. Two flashes from Andrew told Thermer all he needed. "Kill the lights. Command, Phoenix Actual is going dark. NV on, Spartans." The resident Spartan-III fired twice into the fuse box and set off the thermite breaching pad. The small explosion from his end of the building signaled Thermer and King to bust down the front door.
Sam didn't bother covering Andrew or King, they could handle themselves with their MGs. He dropped the magnification of his scope down to 2x power and smashed the skylight in. "Zero Four providing cover fire, Boss. You mark 'em, I'll drop 'em." A marker immediately popped up on his HUD. Crack! The 14.5x114mm round shredded through the target's chest. "Shot to the heart, and I'm to blame." Andrew and King flashed red to Sam. "C'mon! That was a good one." Andrew flashed red again. "Sam, if I ever hear you say that again, I'll turn your prosthetic into a glorified potato masher. Bang! Sylas!" Andrew's comm cut short. Two more flashes came from Andrew's direction. "Zero Three, Two is in trouble mop up your lane and go assist him. Four, keep an eye on Two's breach point." Sam swapped out to his DMR and moved to position as quick as possible.
King's GPMG rattled dry as he finished off the last hostile in his row. "Lane cleared, shield recharging and swappin' Meme Machine for Bullet Hose." Thermer flashed green at King. "Copy Zero Three, as soon as your shields are charged move to check on Zero Two. He's been radio silent for too long." King flashed green back. Passing the end of Thermer's lane King grabbed an enemy by the head and slammed them into the shelves neck first. The combatant dropped in a limp pile immediately. King swept the corner that led into Andrew's lane and took fire from the direction of Andrew's tag. "Friendly fire! Friendly fire!" King stowed his SMG and rounded the corner with his hands in the air. Stepping over the bodies Andrew had left, King slowly made his way towards his brother in arms. "Zero One, Two's lane is empty. Five is standing sentry on Two's position." Thermer flashed green. "Sylas, tritt zurück. Es ist King." The augmented dog stood straighter and perked his ears up as King approached. "Thanks, not sure if I could stop him from taking my leg if I tried. Need a hand?"
Thermer's MA37 spat lead into the leg of his last target. The man dropped to the ground and was finished with an armored boot to the head. "Building clear. Sam, rendezvous with us on Andrew's position." The team leader jogged to his two machine gunners. Something he omitted from his orders was Andrew's condition. Those flashes from his lane were a flashbang followed by gunshots. As soon as they happened his HUD flashed injury reports from Andrew. What he saw when he came around the corner was worse than what he expected though. Two empty cans of biofoam laid at King's side and the brown armored Spartan was wrapping the explosives expert in gauze tape. Andrew himself was injecting something into his inner bicep. "Hey boss. Sorry, needed help while I smoothed out." Thermer looked at the one body that was out of place; a Sangheili, or what was left of one. The pool of violet blood it rested in mixed with the trickle from Andrew's torso. "The hell happened to that one?" Andrew pulled his helmet off and set it aside, spitting out blood before answering. "Well, he kicked the dog, shot me, and then threatened to wear the dog's skin like a cape. So I took his shotgun, blew off his arm and beat him to death with it." Thermer stared at the Elite's caved in skull. "With the arm or the gun?" Andrew blinked a couple times. "Yes." Thermer just stood there unamused. "Phoenix Actual, this is Command, collect any intel you can and evacuate. Longsword bombers are en route to level the site. You have five minutes." Thermer looked at King and Caster, then back to Andrew. "You two, go grab every datapad you can find. I'll call in the dropship and get this shithead and the dog out of here."
The Pelican hovered in place. Andrew convinced the pilot and copilot to stop and "watch the fireworks." The injured Spartan-III watched as the bombers came into view. He counted down on his hand and stared at Sam. "Here comes the boom." On queue the warehouse detonated outward, the shockwave sent rubble flying out into the surrounding terrain. "That's how you do it, Sammy Boy." Sam slugged Andrew's shoulder in response.
September 13th, 14:30 Local Time
Fort Keyes
Andrew stepped into the briefing room, Sylas at his heels. The presence of an O.N.I agent, Sangheili Representative and Commander McKnight did not bode well for the recovering soldier. He saluted as soon as he saw McKnight, wincing as the quick movement pulled at his injured abdomen. "At ease Spartan. I presume you already know why you're here?" Andrew sat down. "Sylas, setz dich. I'm gonna guess it's about that Charlie Foxtrot of an operation last week?" The Commander nodded. "Specifically the Sangheili you killed and the fact that all of the data pads your team recovered were wiped when you returned. So, spin us a yarn Spartan. Then we'll compare it with your helmet footage." The Spartan leaned back gathering his thoughts, but before he could answer the representative asked a question. "Why did you bring this dog with you?" Andrew looked the Sangheili up and down. "Well, after the incident we're about to discuss Sylas became much more attached. I believe he suffered some amount of psychological trauma during combat. He hasn't left my side since. That was part of my initial report after I was released from the recovery room. Now, to the story," the Spartan put his hands flat on the table and prepared his tale.
"We arrived on site aboard Echo 614, the copilot cleared an LZ with the chingun and we jumped three point five meters from the ramp to the tarmac. King helped me unclip Sylas from my rigging and we set a diversion at the hanger. Breached a wall and used the ensuing confusion to enter the front door. Not many hostile combatants in there, no cargo ship and no contraband. Moving to the warehouse we had Spartan Caster get up on the roof to provide cover from the skylights. Sylas had detected explosives inside. I cut the power and used exothermic compound to breach the metal wall near the fuse box. Once my entry point was well … open, Thermer and King breached the front. Sylas and I entered and downed several combatants. The team made their way through relatively quickly. Sam fired a shot and quipped some classic song lyrics. I joked something in response and then it happened. A flashbang clattered down the aisle I was in, it stunned Sylas and my visor couldn't polarize in time. While I was blinded the Sangheili in question advanced with an M45 Tactical. He fired two shots into my abdomen, breaking my shields and injuring me. He kicked Sylas aside and said something about wearing him like a cape. It was about that point I found my footing and lost control. I disarmed him and fired the weapon into his shoulder. I proceeded to rip his arm off and beat him with it. Unsatisfied with the lack of blunt force damage it was causing I dropped the arm in favor of the shotgun and caved that split chin's skull in."
The representative stood up and glared at the Spartan. "You will watch your tongue. He was an honorable warrior and I'll be damned before a human with the temperament of a Jiralhanae disgraces him with such a slur." Andrew and Sylas stood in unison, the MWD putting itself between its handler's legs in a defensive stance. "First off, why the fuck are you defending a terrorist? That honorable warrior fucking TORTURED OUR SOLDIERS A MONTH AGO! SECONDLY, IF YOU'VE GOT AN ISSUE WITH HOW I PROTECT MY SQUAD MATE AND DEFEND MY LIFE THEN SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST! YOU THINK I WAS PISSED THEN?! I'LL SHOW YOU PISSED OFF!" The two were centimeters from each other. "Spartan G199 stand down and calm your MWD now," McKnight put her foot down stopping the two from ripping each other apart. "Sylas, tritt zurück," Andrew and the dog sat down in unison. The representative hissed a question at the Spartan, "Tortured?" Andrew looked at the Elite again. "Yeah, last month Phoenix was deployed to find a missing platoon that had found strange comms interference. Turns out the interference was caused by several Covenant communication jammers that had been placed in an abandoned town. If you're thinking it was a trap, you're right. We arrived at the town to find them all dead. Many had been killed in a ritualistic method of torture known as a blood eagle. Almost all of the blood eagled soldiers had bruising from a Sangheili hand. The size of the bruise matches the one I killed last week. To say he had it coming is an understatement."
McKnight whispered to the O.N.I agent before speaking. "Andrew, please inform the representative why you reacted the way you did. The real reason if you will." Andrew looked between her and the dark suited man as if to ask if they were serious. "I am a Gamma Company Spartan Three. Gamma Company received specific augmentations that Alpha and Beta Companies did not. These augmentations cause Gammas to enter a bipolar rage when faced with sufficient stress and trauma. After having my intestines turned into Swiss cheese and my dog threatened, the augments kicked in. I saw red and killed him in a method I saw fit. After that I sat in a pool of my own blood and waited for either a teammate to show up and help me or for death to take me. King rounded the corner a minute later and I fired off three rounds before he identified as friendly. I told Sylas to stand down and King patched me up while I took my smoothers, which counteract the bipolar integration augments. We completed the secondary objective and bugged out."
"Why didn't you hold your fire when he said the code phrase," the representative asked. Andrew looked at him confusedly. "What code phrase? He didn't say shit before flashing me and puttin' holes in my gut. Commander, play my helmet cam." The four people in the room watched the incident in question played on the briefing projector. Just like Andrew said, no hesitation in the Sangheili warrior's actions. The O.N.I agent squirmed as they all turned to him. Andrew broke the silence. "Which brings us to the missing data. The data O.N.I wanted us to retrieve." The agent stepped in before the Spartan could get another word out. "That it does. Now, if you don't turn it over I'll have you court martialed for insubordination and war crimes. Do I make myself clear?" Andrew leaned forward, fiddling with his boot before standing up and slamming a knife into the table. "Like hell you will. You try that, and I'll leak everything I saw on those datapads. I'm sure the public would love to hear about O.N.I providing terrorists with weapons. I'm sure Thel 'Vadam would love to hear how you used one of his warriors in a deep cover mission, only to use Spartan forces to tie off the loose end he presented. You Delta-6 bastards think you've got the upper hand, but you're dead fucking wrong. Commander, you will have my full report on the data I collected and viewed tomorrow morning at oh-seven hundred. This man is not in my chain of command, nor is he in my branch of service. I will be damned if he coerces me into giving him data that should be reported to you." Andrew ripped the knife from the table and put it back into the boot sheath. The Spartan's voice had been unsettlingly calm throughout, though his expression betrayed that. Wrath and disgust emanated off him. McKnight looked at him and grinned, "Very well Spartan G199. I expect you at my office at oh-six fifty with the files in hand. We will discuss your findings and find proper disciplinary action for your outbursts. You are dismissed. The rest of us have very important matters to talk about." Andrew stood and snapped a crisp salute. "Aye Commander. Representative, I'm sorry for what I had to do. Had things gone the way they should've, your warrior would have been on the dropship with us. Sylas, auf mich."
Translations
Auf mich- With me
Tritt zurück- Stand down
Es ist- It is
Setz dich- Sit down
AN: Well this took a while to finish and get published. I wanted to push Phoenix into murky waters with this chapter. Chapter 10 will directly follow this one. Remember, Andrew is a brute of a soldier, but his time with O.N.I taught him a thing or two.
