The Unlucky Spartan

by Shadowindesire

Petty Officer Master Chief is the luckiest Spartan to have come out of the program created by Dr. Halsey. As we know the world must balance itself, so for every good there must be a bad, by this logic if John was the luckiest then who was the unluckiest?

9. Chapter 9

1000 Hours, August 01, 2552 (Military Calendar) /

Epsilon Eridani System, Reach UNSC Military Complex,

planet Reach

Déjà was ready. For the last twenty or so years, she had compiled research upon research so that she could absorb and fully understand it once she was changed into a smart AI. If she tried to absorb all this information now her processor would overfill, she wouldn't be able to function. So she sat aside the information for later use.

Déjà felt something intrude her system, another AI was in her location. "Oh." Déjà said out loud.

She had met the Doctor's new AI dubbed 'Cortana' before. Cortana and Déjà would converse, they would check the process that Déjà would be going through to reach the level that Cortana has. "So you see if we add more electrolytes there we can increase the probability to forty eight point five three six nine one percent."

Cortana had a quirky personality, her blue and purple clashed together as she smirked. She was a direct image of Dr. Halsey, it was creepy in a way. "Thank you Cortana. I would like to be left alone while I wait now."

"Hmph. Fine!" Cortana wasn't to enthralled to be kicked out and she knew damn well that Déjà couldn't actually keep her out, even if she wanted to. Cortana had been designed as a smart AI but her specialty was hacking. She could literally get through any UNSC scripts, but she was designed for a special mission. ONI Branch Three was supporting this mission, it would hopefully turn the tide of the war.

But Déjà didn't care about that, you could almost say she was being very self centered. She was trying to make herself better for the use of another, but could that be called self centered since its for someone else as well? This conundrum was soon pushed out of her head as videos flickered to life all around her.

"Daniel zero four seven. Combat videos for the last twenty years. Code: 'IwishIwasaSpartan'." Soon every video Daniel had recorded via his helmet camera was playing in front of Déjà. She was 'practicing'. She had been practicing for the last year or so. She wasn't just about to fail him.

She pulled up a single video with her touch, enlarging it as the others faded away. 'Dwarka Battle. Year 2533, July 23. Victory: no.' The video showed static then brought a close up of two marines. "They sent a Spartan!?" the marine's head turned, "They sent two! Alright! We might just get out of this alive!"

Déjà flicked her wrist and the video began to fast forward. The picture was moving to fast for the human eye to watch, but she could still see what was going on. She slowed it down however, to take notes in this particular part.

Daniel's camera swiped left then right, the marine named "Hert" primed a grenade and tossed it towards a group of Grunts. "Oh no! Not again!" one yelled.

Daniel was making pin point precision, hitting every target. He turned to Ruchi, she made three hand signs. Two fingers down, one finger straight, then two fingers crossed. Déjà had seen these signals before, Ruchi had said in Spartan talk "Two down,we should press on and hope there is no resistance."

Déjà once again flicked her wrist and the movie sped forward. More firefights, then running, securing the building and then the purge. The mission was a success, Daniel ran back to get a Pelican, got into a dogfight then landed. But something was wrong, Déjà had reviewed this video before, she knew what was coming next.

She let the video play out in real time. Daniel looked around, opened the door to the main hall and walked in. He paused, most likely checking his radar Déjà decided, and turned. On the screen was a bloodied Spartan.

"Ruchi…" Daniel said out loud. Déjà looked on, flicked her wrist and the video continued. Daniel had taken the Pelican, got back to the Gettysburg and talked to the Captain. The video ended abruptly after that. Déjà pulled up files upon files of Daniel's behavioral patterns post 2533. At first he wavered, took more risks then he should have. He would refuse to talk and sometimes eat, was slowly killing himself. He would let marines walk into their deaths, it seemed he didn't care.

Daniel had tremendous strength but a human's heart can only take so much. A report from John one one seven popped open, greedily she read it.

Mission Report: John 117

Boarding of the Gettysburg

Ten days after the loss of Dwarka.

I was there for the thawing of Daniel zero four seven. I wouldn't say it was a peaceful awakening. I had to pin him down to explain the situation, after explaining the situation he was more then willing to help.

I understand more then anyone his current pain, losing any one of the Spartans hurts , however, Ruchi was Daniel's partner. While most Spartans worked alone thanks to the missions we received, those two got paired up in almost every mission.

I digress, during the battle Daniel refused to stay in position and would carelessly react towards the Covenant. Although we did manage to push the Covenant out of ship, Daniel had attempted to-

"Déjà, its time."

Déjà shook her head, she had completely forgotten the time, embarrassed was an understatement. Dr. Halsey had stayed the same over the years, although her hair now changing colors to a more gray and a few wrinkles here and there. Dr. Halsey pulled out Déjà's chip and began to walk down to the lab. This is where she would either kill an AI or make her into what she wanted.

Rounding the corner, Dr. Halsey saw the glass doors slide open. Two marines stood on either side of the door, guns fully loaded for any intruders. But that was unlikely. They were in ONI Castle Base, hundreds of feet underneath the surface.

Smiling and showing the marines her ID, she passed through the door and entered lab forty seven, ironic. The lab had a quite a few generators scaling the walls, at least ten computers, and an electronically designed table specifically for this project.

Putting Déjà's chip into the table, she flickered to life. "Doctor." Both nodded to each other. A silence fell upon the two, Halsey was busy pushing buttons and preparing all the computers to dump the correct data and processing information into her.

"One question Doctor."

Halsey spun around, she looked nervous. "Yes, Déjà?"

"Will this hurt?"

"Let's hope not." Halsey gave a weak smile.

0 Hours, August 27, 2552 (Military Calendar) /

Epsilon Eridani System, Reach UNSC Military Complex,

planet Reach

Daniel smiled. Reach hadn't changed at all. His eyes wandered around the complex, the familiarity that he held was an incredible feeling, something he didn't get to feel often. He looked over to the barracks and a flash of light hit him, a memory replayed through his mind's eye. A young Daniel and young Ruchi were outside training.

Ruchi's death had effected him greatly. At the time he became rash, uncontrollable. His thoughts were suicidal and down right wrong. He always asked for the hardest missions they could give him and he always came out of them alive. His title of "The Unlucky Spartan" had faded from him. No more did small things happen or embarrassing moments go through his life. No, now he was stuck with his best friend dead because of the Covenant, not bad luck.

The first few years were the worst. Soon, however, he started to cope. Started thinking like himself again, started protecting marines once more. He even began cracking jokes here and there. Dr. Halsey was to thank for this, she apparently dubbed over as a psychologist as well. Was there anything that woman couldn't do? Daniel wondered to himself.

Daniel was eventually back to one hundred percent. It took time, a good fifteen years to get back to where he once was. But when he was back so was the… unfortunate problems. Slipping on the ice planet, accidentally walking straight into the enemy camp (and destroying it in the process) and who could forget the reuniting of Mendez. Daniel shook the memories out of his mind, even as he got older it seemed he kept something that the other Spartans had forgot. A human side.

Not to say the other Spartans were inhuman, it just seemed that Daniel would laugh more openly or get hurt more and show it, such was the case with Ruchi's death. His emotions would play out more then the other Spartans.

Daniel went to scratch his chin but something blocked him, "The armor…right." Daniel shook his head and the itch left, something good about being a Spartan, your brain can control what you feel and don't feel…most of the time. The itch persisted however, going on and on, a small biting sensation against his skin. He let out a heavy sigh as he began a mental debate to take off his helmet.

"Ah…" Daniel let out a sigh as he scratched his newly freed chin. His hair, thanks to Mendez, had been discovered and was recently shaved. Daniel sighed as he felt the top of his head, "It will grow back. It is just hair."

If Spartans could be sneaked up on, Daniel would have jumped. He spun on his heel, saluted then smiled to the carrier of the voice. Doctor Catherine Halsey ran her hand through her now graying hair. "Good to see you, Ma'am."

She smiled, "You always were fond of your hair." Daniel let out a smirk as she continued, "Please follow me."

Daniel followed and listened closely, "After the presentation I will need to speak to you directly. It is classified on all levels." There was a pause. "I pulled some strings for you."

Daniel looked at her with confusion, although she couldn't see it as he was wearing his helmet again. 'Pulled some strings.' He wondered what that meant exactly. Could ONI be interested in him or perhaps they would demote him for his careless actions after Ruchi's death? No, he worked too hard to be stripped of his rank, he was now only one rank below John.

The double doors swung open and Daniel let out a smile, the rest of the Spartans were here. John was the first one to walk up. "Daniel…"

-

"So then he was like, NO I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY SENT A SPARTAN!!!!! And I was like YEAH BELIEVE IT….PUNK! But then a million pirate ninja's appeared out of no where and they all had rocket launchers and fired them off at once! Then ten no TWO HUNDRED Covenant cruisers fired off their plasma down at me. I dodged EVERYTHING."

Hand movements galore, Ruchi would have been proud. The other Spartans smirked at Daniel, even if they knew he was lying it was always interesting to talk with him. "Spartans, head to the briefing room." The loud speaker boomed. The Spartans stopped what they were doing and began heading to their destination.

-

Daniel entered with the other Spartans, sitting down he smiled. Even though the briefing room was quite large the Spartans sat together, as close as possible. Dr. Halsey and Captain Keyes entered the chamber.

The Spartans stood at attention and saluted. Keyes returned their salute. "At ease," he said. He escorted Dr. Halsey to the center stage. He sat while she stood at the podium."Good evening, Spartans," she said. "Please take your seats."

As one, they sat down.

"Assembled here tonight," she said, "are all surviving Spartans save three, who are otherwise engaged on fields of combat too distant to be easily recalled. In the last decade of combat there have only been three KIAs and one Spartan too wounded to continue active duty. You are to be commended for having the best operational record of any unit in the fleet." She paused to look at them. "It is very good to see you all again."

She slipped on her glasses. "Admiral Stanforth has asked me to brief you on the upcoming mission. Due to its complexity and unusual nature, please disregard your normal protocol and ask any questions you have during my presentation. Now, on to the business at hand: the Covenant."

Holographic projectors exploded the visuals in front of Dr. Halsey. In a neat row all the Covenant ships from carrier to cruiser, were shown. Along side that were the Covenant creatures scaled to about one third their original size. A grunt, a Jackal, some weird floating creature that had a couple of tentacles and six eyes. The next creature was also new to Daniel, it was a behemoth, hulking around in armor. It had a large fuel rod cannon in is hand and a giant shield in the other.

A spike of adrenaline burned through the Daniel at the sight of the enemy. Intellectually, he knew that the images were not real . . . but after a decade of fighting, his instincts were to kill first and get the details later. This was true for all the Spartans in the room, some even clenched the seat.

"The Covenant are still largely unknown to us," Dr. Halsey began. "Their motivations and thought processes remain a mystery—though our best analysis points to some compelling hypotheses." She paused, and added, "The following information is, naturally, classified.

"We know that the Covenant—our translation of their name for themselves—are a conglomerate of a number of different alien species. We believe that they exist in some kind of caste structure, though to date the exact nature of that structure remains unknown. Our best guess is that the Covenant conquer and 'absorb' a species, and adapt its strengths into their own.

"The Covenant's science is imitative rather then innovative, a by-product of this societal 'absorption,' " Dr. Halsey continued. "This is not to say that they are lacking intelligence, however. During our first encounter they gathered computer and network components from our destroyed ships . . . and they learned at an astonishing pace.

"By the time Admiral Cole's fleet arrived at Harvest, the Covenant initiated a communications link and attempted a primitive software infiltration of our ship AIs. In a matter of weeks, they had learned the rudiments of our computer systems and our language. Our own attempts to decipher Covenant computer systems have only been partially successful, despite our best efforts and decades of time.

"Since then they have made increasingly successful forays into our computer networks. That is why the Cole Protocol is so important and carries the punishment of treason for failure to comply. The Covenant may one day not need to capture a ship to steal the information within its navigational databanks."

Daniel listened intently. His eyes wandered from the pictures, to Dr. Halsey and then to Captain Keyes. The Captain cupped an antique pipe in one hand; the Navy officer puffed on it once, and stared thoughtfully at Dr. Halsey and the examples of the Covenant vessels. He slowly shook his head.

"As I stated earlier," Dr. Halsey continued, "the Covenant are a collection of genetically distinct groups in what we believe is a rigid caste system." She waved toward the Grunts and Jackals. "These are most likely part of their military or warrior caste—not the highest ranking caste, either, given how many are sacrificed during ground operations. We believe there is a 'race' of field commanders, which we are currently calling 'Elites.' "

She stepped toward the floating, tentacle aliens. "We believe these are their scientists." As she moved closer, the figure animated; the image showed the creature disassembling an electric car of human manufacture.

She pointed to the giant armored creatures. "This was recorded on Sigma Octanus Four. A heavily armored warrior superior to either Grunts or Jackals."

The massive aliens also sprang into motion, lumbering into combat, until Dr. Halsey froze the images in place. She turned and strolled back to the podium. "ONI hypothesizes at least two additional castes. A warrior capable of commanding ground forces and possibly piloting their ships, and a leadership caste. We have deciphered a handful of Covenant transmissions that refer to—" She paused, checking notes on the data screen in her glasses. "—Ah, yes. 'Prophets.' We believe that these Prophets are in fact the leadership caste, and that they are viewed by the Covenant rank and file with an almost religious reverence."

Dr. Halsey removed her glasses. "This is where you come in. Your mission will involve these so-called Prophets, and will be executed in four phases.

"Phase one. You will engage the Covenant and sufficiently disable, but not destroy, one of their ships." She turned to face Captain Keyes. "I leave that in the capable hands of Captain Keyes and his newly

refitted ship, the Pillar of Autumn ."

Captain Keyes acknowledged her compliment with a curt nod. He tapped the stem of his pipe on his lips thoughtfully. Daniel looked over the Captain one more time, he knew him and had read the reports of Captain Keyes' actions at Sigma Octanus IV . . . and began considering the odds of actually capturing a Covenant vessel. Even for a Spartan, it would be a difficult mission.

"Phase two," Dr. Halsey said. "Spartans will board the disabled Covenant ship—neutralize the crew, and crack their navigation database. We will do precisely what they have been trying to do to us: find the location of their home world."

Daniel raised his hand.

"Yes, Master Chief?"

"Ma'am. We will be given mission specialist personnel to access the Covenant computers?"

Somehow he felt like he was a young sixteen year old again. Every time. Every freaking time.

"In a manner of speaking," she said, and looked away. "I will come to that point in a moment. Let me assure you, however, that these specialists will cause you no serious complications during this phase. In fact, they will prove rather useful in combat. Shortly, you shall have a demonstration."

Daniel huffed. Protecting scientists wasn't his idea of fun. Not only would they be a great liability they would be using the Spartans as a defense. Even if they could fight they would be a weak link in the combat.

"Phase three," Dr. Halsey said, "will consist of taking the captured Covenant ship to their home world."

Several questions immediately formed in the Daniel's mind. Who would pilot the alien ship? Had any one ever deciphered the Covenant control systems? It seemed unlikely since the UNSC had never captured one of their ships before. Were there Covenant recognition signals that had to be sent when entering their space? Or would they just steal their way in-system? When a plan had so many missing pieces of data, the Spartans had been trained to stop and reconsider its effectiveness. Unanswered questions led to complications—"snags." And snags led to injuries, death, and failed missions. Simple was better.

He held his questions, though. Dr. Halsey surely would have planned for these eventualities.

"Phase four," she continued, "will be to infiltrate and capture the Covenant leadership and return with them to UNSC-controlled space."

Daniel looked around. A even more questions formed in his head, he looked over at John. He would not get shut out again. He raised his hand.

She nodded toward him.

"Dr. Halsey," John said, "you did say 'capture' the Covenant leaders—not eliminate them?"

"Correct," she replied. "Our profile of Covenant society indicates that if you were to kill one of their leader caste, this war could actually escalate. Your orders are to preserve any captured Covenant leaders at all costs. You will bring them back to UNSC headquarters, where we will then use them to broker a truce, possibly even negotiate a peace treaty with the Covenant."

Before Daniel could effectively be angry at John the word 'peace' ran through his head. The alternative to winning wasn't necessarily losing. If you chose not to play a game, then there could be neither winning nor losing.

Dr. Halsey took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Some of you already suspect this, but I shall state it anyway for emphasis. It is my opinion, and that of many others, that the war is not going well . . .

despite our recent victories. What is not widely known is how badly it is going for us. ONI predicts that we have months, perhaps as much as a standard year, before the Covenant locates and destroys our remaining Inner Colonies . . . and then moves against Earth."

The Daniel had heard the rumors—and promptly dismissed them—but to hear the words from someone he trusted chilled him to the core.

"Your mission will prevent this," Dr. Halsey said. She stopped and frowned, lowered her head, then finally looked up at them again. "This op is considered extremely high risk. There are unknown elements involved and we simply do not have the time to gather the required intelligence. I have persuaded FLEETCOM not to order you on this mission. Admiral Stanforth is asking for volunteers."

Daniel instantly stood up. He could avenge Ruchi this way and save humanity all in one. He turned and saw that all the other Spartans had stood as well.

"Good," she said. She paused and blinked several times. "Very good. Thank you."

She stepped away from the podium. "We will meet with you individually within a few days to continue your briefing. I will show you how you will get our computer experts on board the Covenant vessel... and I will show you the one thing that will let you get through this mission in one piece: MJOLNIR."

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TRANSMISSION END

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This one took awhile to get out. I wasn't sure how exactly I wanted to piece this or if I wanted to have Daniel angsty for awhile. As you can see I decided with this one. I may or may not have flashbacks that go back to what he was feeling. There will definitely be a flashback at one point dealing with the Mendez incident that I mention. Thank you for reading my story and I look forward to your comments, hate, love, ect.

Thank you again. =]