Author Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo Franchise in any way, shape, or form.
Chapter 1- No Mercy for the Merciless
June 2, 2555, 0800 Zulu
Raptim System, Azterc Orbit
UNSCS Troop Ship Argonev
I remember the smoothness of her skin and the softness of her eyes. The way she looked at me when I was on her mind. Her laughter the only thing I ever want to hear. All shattered like glass. All lost with a single careless, cold order from a faceless ship captain to abandon the civilians he had been ordered to rescue to save his own ass. I lost the only person I felt anything for. Now lost like sand in the wind.
Lieutenant John Everest stood on the brink of utter self-destruction at the mere utterance of the now fallen fortress world of Reach. An ODST by trade and farmer by heart, Everest conducted himself the best he could as a soldier of such an elite caste, he was the best. An unshakeable, unbeatable Helljumper of impossible resolve brought to tears by the destruction of his home.
And to think that Gene wasn't one of the few civilians to make it made him shutter with utter disgust at himself, not being able to protect the only thing he fought for – to come home and hold her in his arms again.
"El Tee, everything alright?" A voice of smooth political upbringing resounded through the Officers' mess. 2nd Lt Roland was not the type to sit around while his father, a sitting senator discussed and debated for results; he produced them.
"Everything is fine Pretty boy. Just praying the lord doesn't take my only love away besides himself." Everest got up and moved to the dish dispenser. "Lets give those Covie bastards something to think about down there." John sighed, "this is our soil, time to soak it rich with Alien blood. Prep our boys and girls for combat, we got some making up to do."
Roland gave a crisp salute and echoed "Aye Aye Sir." They both moved to the elevator and Roland keyed for the main HEV launch bay.
"ATTENTION ON DECK!" Marines moved into rightly fitted and strict lines as the orders came through booming deck sergeant.
"We shall be jumping into the harsh winter of Azterc. This planet is the size of the Sun located in the Sol System. It is rich with resources and civilian population. We will secure our LZ so that the leathernecks of the 4th Core may make a new home here. By NO means are you to bed down and get comfy in the cold soggy soil."
On a brightly lit screen a older gentleman appeared with a trimmed appearance and a rather large holo projector behind him. General Newton moved to the side as a holo projector illuminated his previous position with a map of Azterc. "As the 2nd ODST Division you shall carve a path through the swath of Covenant forces stationed in the area." He pointed to several distinguishing shapes contoured on the map. "The 32nd, 33rd, and 34th Battalions shall take this hill designated 'Alpha-Charlie-Tango'. With this position taken we shall have the means to spearhead the rest of the region and with luck resurrect the old tank making plant contained with in. The Covenant has seemed too destroy or occupy it, lets make them regret that. Dismissed!"
The UNSCS Argonev as a troopship was appraised at 3 km long. Being multi-leveled the ship carried an entire core numbering one million Marines and their assorted equipment. The giant cruiser came into orbit and prepared to drop the HEV pods of twenty- thousand ODSTs into the fray below.
The UNSC fleet Orbiting Azterc came with a few upgrades too. The Sangheili had provided ONI with schematics to shields, Plasma based weaponry, and slipspace technology. ONI was all too happy to take the schematics, bribe political officials for funding, and put new projects in the field.
"Man I love my new Gauss rifle, those mother fucking brutes look like my shit after a good meal." The marine continued to rant around about the new M1A when Everest strolled in.
" Attention on deck Hell jumpers, we go in sixty!" Everest appeared through the automatic blast doors. ODSTs and technicians brought themselves to attention as the distinguished officer strutted through the HEV bay.
Everest commanded the finest outfit in the entire division. Delta Company of the 32nd battalion numbered two hundred strong of the finest killing machines that ever graced the human race. These hardass jarheads had seen it all. From Troy to the damned Ark itself, they were simply put, the best there was short of the Spartans themselves.
The 32nd Battalion itself was pitied among other ODST units as they were often assigned to move in tangent with Spartans and provide utility to them when needed. Sometimes a sizeable distraction or just good ol' back up made all the difference for.
"Well ladies we got last minute info, we will be reinforcing the Spartans on the surface, I want no accidental friendly fire or I'll ship you home to your momma with your balls in your mouth and a boot imprint so far up your ass its imprinted on the bottom of your fucking puke for brains. DO YOU GET ME MARINES?" In a wild but controlled Chorus the entire Battalion responded to Captain Lenard with a combined "SIR YES SIR" blaring the comms of anyone listening.
"Damn right you do." The ships dumb AI came over the board, "15 seconds to drop, good luck."
The HEVs Launched and if only sound could be heard in space a machine gun like firing could be heard as the HEV Launchers sprayed over twenty thousand prospective killers to their destination: Hell.
As they whizzed by Everest could make out the distinct shape of the new Neptune Class Battleship measuring in at 6 kilometers exchange fire with a Loyalist Assault Carrier. The ship being of its size had reactors onboard to stabilize a turreted Super Magnetically Accelerated Cannon or known simply as SMAC or the affectionate nickname given to it by its sailors GOD SMAC.
The Turret could turn 360 degrees with an impressive amount of speed. The turret turned and fired, but not at the Assault Carrier in front of it, but the one sneaking to flank it. The resulting hit went straight through the ship's shields from port to starboard efficiently gutting the middle of the whale-like structure.
"I want clean comms all the way down marines, once groundside all are to rendezvous at waypoint markers on your HUDs. The enemy numbers are put around 1 and a quarter million, this will not be an easy task marines. Keep your head down and don't forget, use your new shields, ONI decided that its our turn to be super so-," Lenard's pod exploded as a plasma bolt flew through it.
"Captain Everest the Battalion is yours to command per protocol. I hereby field promote you to the rank of Captain." Colonel Yeats could be heard calmly giving out more orders in the background as more and more pods were being destroyed. "Ok marines prepare for disembarkment in 20 seconds," Everest cleared his throat, "our objective is to capture a town with a rather sizeable bridge in it. The Brutes aren't at war with us over holy extermination, they are here for purely territory, they have prisoners and Highcom has expressed an interest in getting them back so watch your fire."
A huge shaking sensation was felt as the HEV pod went through its various stages before a mighty WOOMP was felt and the door disengaged. Plasma fire and rockets screamed overhead as Marines staggered about for cover and cohesion. A King HEV slapped into the ground next to Everest. As he managed to gain his composure a Mac Track rolled out. These new Scorpions armed with a tank sized Gauss cannon, shields, and armor could crush their way through nearly any resistance.
The familiar whoosh of a Wraith sounded not to far in the distance as nine of these nightmares hovered about over the hill. The scorpion was quick to react and accordingly knocked out two before coming under heavy fire. "I want heavy suppression fire on that left flank. Keep those fuel guns away from the scorpion." Everest moved to a crater nearby when he was suddenly hurled into the air by a massive force. He landed on his stomach knocking out all the air in him. Getting up, he looked to see a brute chieftain charging him with grav hammer held high. Suddenly a green blur came up and out of nowhere with a Grav hammer of its own proceeded to knock the giant bear in the stomach knocking it over then crushing its head with one final swing.
"You like your new shields Everest? They just saved your life from that Grav hammer." The erratic beeping sound seemed to fade now as Everest got up and struggled to stand from the pain.
"Not so fast now sir here's some biofoam." The medic proceeded to insert biofoam through an intake in Everest's armor. Feeling a slight alleviation of the ribs Everest made a move to get up and was helped through by Will-043. "Good to see ya again buddy, how was that Onyx shit for ya?"
Will shifted his stance as he let Everest balance himself, "The usual, shooting covenant, running suicide missions, and saving your sorry ass." Everest laughed and jeered back, "Thanks man and how many times has Delta came to save your sorry ass compadre?" Will snorted and responded, "More than I care to remember, so what's the deal with these new Gauss Rifles, I've been killing brutes with one well placed shot sometimes, they just seem to shred their targets. Not even shield wearers have any decent chance." Suddenly another WHOOMP was heard.
A another king sized HEV arrived with a Grizzly sporting dual Gauss cannons, it quickly accelerated over the hill and could be heard joining the symphony of gunfire.
"Sir this Grizzly just took out 4 wraiths in quick succession. Boy oh boy this day just keeps getting better we have already taken the outskirts of the town with fast movers. What are your orders from here?" Lt Anders of Alpha stood atop a warthog overlooking the carnage before him.
"Make a punching bag out of the enemy lines to the Northeast and get snipers in the tall towers ahead."
"Affirmative Sir, Anders out."
They had out rightly slaughtered all Covenant in their way. The Covenant was either playing easy or the UNSC had finally caught up in the technological race.
A warthog pulled up next to Everest and 3 Green Armored figures climbed out. His HUD identified them as Spartan-117, Spartan-058, and Spartan-104. Will-043 stood with Kelly-087 on the opposite side as they had trekked by mongoose.
"Well if it isn't the Green bean Brigade. I guess this mission is top priority if you yahoos are here too." Everest laughed and saluted Master Chief, "I assume you need our assistance in taking the facility?"
"You know it, when your ready to move out let me know. We are ready to roll, but it looks like you need some patching up. That and you should order your tanks together they seemed scattered about chasing enemy armor. The new tech candy really has them going nuts." Master Chief sighed and continued, " We have orders to not only retake the facility but to capture the rumored prophet within. They seem to think the core computer has information key to their war effort."
Another Warthog pulled up and a Corporal got out, walked over to Everest, and saluted. "Your ride is ready Sir. I have orders to take you to the mobile Command post up ahead."
Everest leaned on Will then jumped up into the passenger seat of the Warthog. "Alrighty boys and girls lets start playing. All companies forward. Get all four Grizzlies together; I don't want them running rampant through the countryside. Corporal step on it."
"Yes Sir." The Corporal proceeded to pace the warthog up to 80 KPH as they glided along through the carnage of the previous fight. "So Sir I hear this is the first battle with the new weaponry we got from high up. Do you know if we get to keep them or if its just testing sir?" Everest shifted to get more comfortable, the biofoam worked wonders on the broken ribs but hardly helped with the pain.
"I think that we shall keep the rifles as the ammo they use is by far much cheaper, its caseless and much more effective. Not to mention all the other goodies the Navy and us got. Did you not see the Perseverance and Dawn's Glory making mince meat out of the Covenant armada? I believe this war just took a turn for the worst for our friends on the other side." Everest relaxed as the Warthog came to a sudden but soft stop at a remarkably blown in building.
"This is my CP Anders? What the hell are you thinking, this position is too exposed, call for an elephant to be deployed somewhere west of the bridge and I'll take up residence there, find me a fucking doctor too, I need to get back into this battle!"
Everest limped forward and proceeded to use the nearby communications cart as a temporary crutch.
"Sir I have General Newton on the line sir. He wants to know how our current position is holding."
"Tell him it's the situation is progressing." Everest let out a heavy sigh. Things seemed to be moving in their favor but the loss of Captain Lenard really put a dent in their plans. It forced Everest to move Roland to command Delta and he wasn't sure if the fresh 2nd Lt was ready for two hundred from a previous platoon of forty. He just hoped everything went right or they were in deep shit.
Outside the distant whine of a warthog could be heard. On his HUD display Everest recognized the symbol of ONI and let out a deep sigh. Whatever the Office of Naval Intelligence wanted, it wouldn't be good most of the time. This branch of the Navy specialized in making people's lives hard and annoying. The cost of their missions was a high amount of blood and guessing by the appearances of this fellow his men and women would be paying that price.
The ONI Captain walked up and Everest immediately saluted. "At Ease Captain Everest." Everest relaxed and took off his helmet, the spook continued, "Congratulations on your promotion Captain Everest, but I'm afraid you're going to be tested on your capacity to lead this unit very soon." The ONI Captain shifted to the other side of the room. Being of the Navy this Captain was the Navy Equivalent of a Marine Colonel. "Well son I guess I should introduce myself, I'm Captain Richards of ONI Section III, Beta Subdivision. We overlook the Spartan Program directly under Dr. Catherine Halsey." The Captain pulled out a Cigar and proceeded to light it.
Everest ran his fingers through his short military style haircut before pursing his lips together, " Well Sir I understand that this facility is of major importance to you spooks but with all due respect I don't feel like sending my soldiers into a hotly contested zone only to be massacred by covenant forces."
Richards took a drag before continuing, "Well son you will just have to fight through it, you have the Spartan Red team with you and two Spartan III teams –Rapier and Shanghai- will be joining you. Your objective will not be the Facility itself. That damn factory is dug in with five entire legions defending it. Leave that to the rest of the 2nd, your objective will be to take a small covenant outpost being guarded by an entire legion. You will have a Frigate supporting you via orbit with fresh supplies, air support, artillery, and NAV data. Here is the data disk on the specifics. Good luck and by the way, you should find your new command post coming very soon." The ONI Spook saluted and walked out, jumped in his warthog and drove away with the most nonchalant look on his face. This individual must send marines to their deaths in the droves if he handles suicide missions as a profession thought Everest.
A series of way point markers appeared on his HUD.
"Ok we are moving to the church straight ahead, Lt. Col Wyvern telling me that is where we can find the nearest field hospital and across the street is a hotel, we will setup in the hotel lobby and proceed to advance from there." Everest groaned as the pain in his ribs jutted through his nerves. His ribs didn't exactly agree with the exertion he was creating on them as he moved to jump into the warthog. As he eased himself into the passenger seat the corporal driving gunned forward and advanced through the wreckage of the small town.
The 32nd hand advanced with elements of the 109th Armored contingent assigned to it by high command through most of the Loyalist forces in the area. Three Years ago the fighting would still be taking place in the ruins on the edge of town but with the recent advances in technology the UNSC had gained from cooperation with the Sangheili was huge strides compared to the baby steps taken during the war with captured technology. Most of the tech shined with the new survivability of UNSC units in the form of armor made of interweaved ceramic layers with nano-fibers of composite Titanium B. All armored units had heavy shielding capable of taking up to two or three wraith main cannon hits before failing. A standard marine's shield could hold out against at least half a dozen plasma rounds before failing. Helljumper shields could hold out for about a dozen before falling to repeated fire. But the thing with Helljumper and Spartan shields with that they had a constant recharge so they had to be peppered with constant fire to be brought down efficiently and effectively. Then again the Brutes weren't that smart and so would just keep shooting. But of course by then their surrounding forces or they themselves would be dead.
Everest shook himself out of the trance and raced out of his Warthog came to rest in front of the medical station nestled inside the church. Across the street the newly promoted captain could see the hollowed out Hotel that would serve as his battalion CP –Command Post-. Everest walked into the Church and was immediately greeted by a young el-tee in a white lab coat that was greased with blood from top to bottom. She seemed to be around thirty, older than himself even which indicated she had joined straight out of medical school. Her complexion was of an average Caucasian female with blonde hair and brown eyes.
" Doctor Rochin how bad does it look to you?" Everest shuffled off a sigh as she opened his breastplate and examined the gruesome bruising. Under the armor one could make out the nasty discoloration that looked like some form of an exotic fruit that had been grown in the Pacific region of Earth. All forms of colors were present but had a domination of blue, yellow, and black. " Well John it looks like you got hit pretty good. But your clear for frontline duty and being the usual badass you are." Everest grinned at this, Tatum Rochin tended to have an uplifting personality making her great at medically treating injured personnel giving them hope that they might live through the wounds they had obtained.
"So how does the battle seem to be going? I have a lack of wounded in here compared to usual." Dr. Rochin moved to the other side of the room to grab a needle. She tapped the back and liquid came spitting out onto the dusty concrete floor.
"The battle is surprisingly going extremely well. The entire battalion is advancing on covenant positions throughout the town. The 109th is backing us as we take the town. But the brutal door-to-door fighting is going to start taking its toll here soon. So be ready for casualties coming in." Everest sighed as he realized that even with all the advantages they had now, the UNSC was not invincible.
"Well don't be getting yourself killed on account of doing something stupid. I would really hate one of those bodies over there being one of yours." Rochin finished wrapping him in a bandage and slapped him on the back. "Go pay your respects to the enemy for me." Rochin smiled and saluted. "You got it Doc, but I'm afraid that spook who came through earlier has something very bold for us to accomplish. See you on the flip side." John returned the salute and moved through the corridor out into the main chamber of the Citadel.
The room was on the south side of the Gothic-like Citadel as the main double doors face east. The inside was spacious with painted glass windows and beautiful rows of oak benches. At the front an altar sat with a red carpet running the length of the citadel from west to east. Priests were saying rites to the dead as they lay at the foot of the stairs to the altar. In the corner a priest began playing a song of morbid content on a well-tuned violin. Outside the requiem of war could be heard, the sirens singing their songs of death. The rhythms of song interspersed with cries of the dying and silence of the dead. Everest sighed and walked out of the citadel, the ground was soggy with snow and wet all over. The cries of war became amplified as the walls of the citadel were left behind. Soon he would be thrust straight into the devil's playground and there was little to nothing he could do about it but buck up and be as ready as he and his helljumpers could be.
A Corporal came running out of the hotel to him and saluted." Sir the CP has been setup, all companies are currently holding positions at five major points of contact. Light casualties are being reported throughout the front lines and procedures are being conducted to evacuate them. We are ready to move when ready sir." Everest walked with the corporal to hotel and into the CP. The entire lobby had to be about a third of the size of the Cathedral's main hall. A staircase was on either side leading to rooms with a center desk for greeting guests. In the middle of the floor stood a fountain that had since seized to function with the surrounding combat. On it's left stood a table with holograms moving throughout, red representing Covenant Loyalist positions and blue the 32nd advancing steadily forward along the town's main boulevard. On the right stood communications equipment as radio feeds were received from all around the UNSC battle network.
Everest walked to the communications technicians and asked about pending orders, "Sir we have received orders straight from High Command that would are to advance took some obscure location located in the mountains to the north. The valley seems isolated from the rest of the battlefield and mountain ranges. Seems like a perfect location to go unnoticed. HC seems to have specified that we capture a high-ranking prophet that resides in the outpost. Fleet seems to have pushed the Covies' fleet back and an Assault Carrier is sitting directly over the Outpost now along with 4 CCS Battle Cruisers. The entire 2nd and 3rd ODST Divisions are being rerouted to this pass sir, it's not just our mission anymore." The technician took a deep breath and exhaled.
" Thank you Bob for the sitrep. So we are basically just going to sit tight and wait for the rest of the division?" Everest was uncomfortable with having to wait out for the rest of the division to get here, this meant that those five ships would be pouring reinforcements into the valley which made one legion jump to ten at the very least. They were going in outnumbered but certainly not outgunned.
"Pretty much sir, we have to hang tight and hope for the best, Intel tells us that the Covies are advancing with an entire regiment on our position. About five-dozen light and heavy armor units with them. Sats in orbit are picking up 18 Phantoms and 34 Banshees as well sir." Bob took a breath again and went back to looking at his screen.
Staff Sergeant Bob Virgo had been in the marines for over 15 years and survived too many engagements to really recall. He had served as a frontline grunt for 10 of those years and then got a transfer to the battalion command staff and worked with Intel. Virgo being experienced as he was, made for a great source to differ on battlefield decisions affecting the battalion as a whole.
"So what do you think we should do Virgo? I'm thinking of pulling our boys and girls back to defensible positions until Division gets here." Everest rested against the table and fumbled with his helmet.
"Well sir I would think we should do just that. Have the armor dig in at rubble positions and hold, we have that frigate for fire support so we are in a good position…wait sir the frigate is having to provide support for the entire division now. The Covies are hitting us hard." Bob started calling the respective company commanders to pull back and prepare defensible positions.
" Dammit, any good news at all?" Everest inclined his head toward the other Technician, 1st LT Allie Sanchez, the women in charge of the comm.
"Well sir the Sangheili have just arrived in system with a fleet of Warships, They are deploying a company to us." Sanchez picked up her headphones as more static came through. "Yes sir, Kodiaks are enroute? Affirmative I will alert the Captain." Sanchez took of the headset and looked at Everest, "Sir the elites are sending Honor Guards to help us, any reason why they would send us their very best? Oh and the Fleet master sends his best wishes." Sanchez gave him a glare of curiosity to which he responded.
"Well you see me and those elites go way back." His reply warm and crisp, his eyes darting up to the top right of his eyelids as his brain shot through old memories of fighting off the Brute invasion of Sanghielos back in late 2553.
"Well sir high com is rather curious to know about it, what should I tell them?" Sanchez rolled her eyes knowing ONI had to have their hands in everything.
"I stabbed a Chieftain through the heart with an energy sword and killed several brutes assaulting the High Councilor's Citadel on Sanghielos. That's pretty much it Lt. The rest is in my after action report which is highly classified." Everest responded in kind, not wanting to go any deeper into it. That was a time that solidified the bond between the Elites and Humans. Now days the Elites would follow the Humans almost fanatically.
The Elites felt the need to right their wrongs, so in doing so they found that they needed to follow the humans wherever they went in war or peace. Joint colonies of the two species were a result of such loyalty. The Elites would send ships to protect human interests anywhere. This showed Humanity that they had a new stalwart ally and by now wounds had started to mend and the two races found a common ground and had formed an alliance known as the Orion Conglomerate. The hunters, majority of the grunts, and Hurgalok had all joined shortly afterward.
Sanchez shifted and spoke, "Sir we are receiving Elite transmissions, they have landed and are right off Alpha companies left flank." Everest moved to his right and answered, "Alright tell them to form up and split into 5 different support groups to support each individual company and have their leader report here. Order the Phantoms on standby to the LZ two clicks South of us." Sanchez answered with a crisp salute and returned to duty as Everest moved to the Warthog outside the HQ. He stepped into the drivers seat and shouted, "Corporal get your ass in the gunner slot and lets move." The corporal complied and mounted up. Everest sped off to the battle. Fate waiting to assign him his share of glory and tragedy, he thought about Gene, about Roland, about his future as he drove towards the heart of the conflict ahead. The Covenant would know no mercy today.
Gene, one day I will hold you again.
Author's Notes: Hey everyone would just like to thank you for reading through my first fanfiction. I will be updating quite regularly and would like to get someone to Beta my story for me. Currently I'm still working out the kinks in Chapter 1 and updating it. I had originally broken Everest's ribs but decided against it, I know somewhere in here I still have it labeled as such. Hope I didn't do too bad. Read and Review!