CHAPTER 2
A New Mission
0901 Hours, November 13th, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Sol System, Planet Earth
Above Europe inside the Pelican Firefox
The console of the Pelican lit up with warning lights and a few alarms began blaring. Instinctively, Brock looked as far back on either side of the dropship. "What's going on?" he asked. The pilot pressed a few buttons and a camera view switched on. A pair of sleek, Covenant fighters took positions just behind their ship.
"Seraphs at our five and our seven, activating anti-vehicle defenses!" the pilot announced. "Prepare for a bumpy ride!"
Brock watched through the stern cameras as the Pelican's rear-facing 70mm cannon sprang to life. Streaks of yellow peppered an enemy Seraph as it charged up its Plasma Cannons to counter. The Pelican's shots were easily absorbed by the fighter's shields. Brock quickly retreated to the tail end of the ship to join his fellow Spartans.
"We've got a pair of Seraphs on our tail and this ship isn't equipped to destroy them before they do it" Brock said calmly.
"What maneuver were you thinking?" Rachelle asked.
"You guys still got those frag grenades?" Brock asked. The other Spartans nodded, seemingly confused. "Myrin, grab a Sniper Rifle and get ready." A winking green light assured Brock his orders were being followed. He turned back into the cockpit. "How long until those Seraphs are ready to fire?" he asked.
"Five seconds and they'll blast us apart!" the pilot yelled.
"Quick, can we survive a direct hit?" Brock asked.
"Maybe . . ." the pilot answered.
"Activate the launching ramp, now!" Brock yelled and ran back with his teammates.
Rachelle and Forrest stood, hefting a fragmentation grenade each. Myrin had an S2 AM Sniper Rifle at the ready. The sound of plasma being fired echoed in the air. The launching ramp slowly began opening, before being completely torn and melted away by a blast of blue fire. Another shot slammed into the starboard side of the ship, tearing away a huge portion of its titanium armor.
"First grenade away!" Brock yelled.
Forrest didn't hesitate, chucking the explosive device toward the nearest Seraph. Myrin sighted and squeezed off a shot from his Sniper Rifle. Shrapnel and fire swept over the Seraph, covering it in a ball of smoke. When the ship emerged, its shields flickered off and 70mm armor piercing rounds tore through it. Within a few seconds, the Seraph was reduced to a smoking comet and began a fast descent for the ground.
"Second grenade away!" Brock commanded.
Rachelle nodded and threw the sphere of destruction with all her might. A bead of sweat ran down Myrin's forehead under his helmet. He tapped the trigger and watched the ensuing explosion. This time, the remaining Seraph fighter came out shooting. For a moment, the Pelican and Covenant ship exchanged fire. Brock sprang and tackled Rachelle out of the way as a blast of plasma shot into the ship. At the same time, the Pelican's shots tore into the Seraph's cockpit and the fighter began its fall.
Brock looked toward the cockpit, noting there was no longer a wall between the cargo bay and it. Their pilot still sat at the controls, a large section of her hair and armor burned away. Her skin was pink and blistered from the heat. Brock tapped her on the shoulder.
"You good to go?" he asked. She nodded in response.
"Just a sunburn, no worries" the pilot said.
Brock turned back to the other Spartans. "Good job Scimitar, now sit back and enjoy the view" Brock ordered.
2242 Hours, November 13th, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Sol System, Planet Earth
ONI base STRONGHOLD, five miles east of the Maine shoreline
Colonel James Ackerson sat down at his desk, eyeing the data reader in his hands. On it, the screen showed a read out of all the Spartans he would be meeting in the morning. Having never actually met any of his brain babies, the Colonel was actually fairly excited to see his ideas brought to life. Even though it was Ackerson who started the SPARTAN-III project, all he had ever requested to see was their mission progress reports. All mission accomplished by the way. He only wished Dr. Halsey could be here to see his crowning achievements.
The first Spartan on the roster was SPARTAN-G221, Brock. The young Spartan was originally born on Harvest, back before it had been glassed by the Covenant. He immediately volunteered to get revenge upon the alien bastards when given the opportunity. Throughout his training, Brock specialized in tactics, quickly becoming the leader of his own team. While not above average in many areas, Brock stood out none the less because of his courage, always willing to risk his life for the sake of others. It was this quality about him that had gotten him many friends and awards.
Next up was SPARTAN-G007, Rachelle. Born on Jericho VII, Rachelle was also quick to accept the responsibility of serving as a Spartan. Having a big mouth and a fiery temper, she got into many brawls at the beginning of her training. She excelled in hand-to-hand combat, even managing to outfight her trainers after only a few months.
After Rachelle came SPARTAN-G059, Forrest. Coming from the exact same town as Rachelle, Forrest was also born on Jericho VII. A little hesitant at first, Forrest was finally talked into becoming a Spartan-III. From a young age, Forrest had always taken an interest in explosives. He had even blown up an ammunition warehouse using packages of C-12, nearly getting him shot by camp guards. Though rebellious, Forrest made one hard core Spartan.
Lastly was the most interesting case of them all, SPARTAN-175, Myrin. Not originally asked to volunteer, the young man from Biko had instead shown up at the recruiting office and held the secretary at gun point until she agreed to sign him up. Immediately, Myrin got himself noticed for his impressive shooting skills. It was rumored that he was a better shot than any other SPARTAN-III.
Colonel Ackerson set down his reader, smiling and lighting a cigar. He took a hit off the cigar and smiled, they were perfect for the mission he had in store for them.
Suddenly, a flash of distorted light caught the Colonel's eye. He grabbed the handle of his Magnum sidearm and held it at the ready. "I know you're there, show yourself!" Ackerson yelled. No response came. The Colonel stood up, glancing around suspiciously. "I'll fire!"
"No need to get hostile Colonel" a deep throated, raspy voice said. Slowly, the body of a full grown Elite warrior materialized, its optic camouflage shield fading away. The Elite stood a full two feet above the Colonel and was clad in the pearly white armor of a Special Operations Commander. "It is only I, Reks 'Tormunee."
"Damn stealthy son of a bitch, just don't enter my office like that, I should shoot you next time" Ackerson growled. He clipped his magnum back in its hilt and took another puff from his cigar. Even though the humans and Covenant separatists had agreed to a temporary alliance, Ackerson was wary of his newfound "allies". "What do you want Reks?"
"My leaders have just been briefed on your plans to defeat the Loyalists" 'Tormunee said.
"What's your point?" Ackerson asked.
"They want to help" the Elite answered.
"Oh yeah, and what exactly do your big slimy friends plan to do?" the Colonel probed.
"I have been authorized to offer you the help of our Divine Unit, a Special Operations force led by me" the Elite explained. "Thus far, all missions involving the landing on Forerunner technology have been successful for them. They know what they're doing."
"Tell your bosses I accept their proposal on one condition, my boys have command" Ackerson said.
"Of course Colonel," 'Tormunee said, bowing. "Always a pleasure."
Ackerson eyed the SpecOps Commander as he left, making sure the Elite wasn't up to anything fishy. Then the Colonel took a final puff of his cigar and went back to work.
0500 Hours, November 14th, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Sol System, Planet Earth
ONI base STRONGHOLD, debriefing room
Team Scimitar sat patiently, awaiting the appearance of their so-called host, a Colonel James Ackerson. From what intelligence they could gather, it was he who had started the project in which they had been turned into super-soldiers. Brock was excited to meet the man, almost like having a father return home from war.
Finally, the single door leading into and out of the debriefing room opened and an older man entered. Ackerson strode in, set four readers on the long wooden table and cast glances at each of the Spartans.
"Morning soldiers, how was Berlin?" he asked casually.
"Alive as always Colonel" Brock responded. Ackerson nodded and smiled. He tossed a reader one by one to each of the Spartans.
"Enough chit-chat, we've got business to conduct" the man said. "If you'd please take a glance at the readers I've thrown you, you'll notice they are labeled Top-Secret and for your eyes only, of course you speak not a word to anyone about what you're about to read. Now, please bring up Page 1, Section 5."
"You'll notice this is a blueprint of Installation 05, aka Delta Halo. Please not all areas highlighted in red, as these mark hot spots completely overrun by either Covenant or Flood forces" the Colonel explained.
Brock noted that almost the entire blueprint was red with said areas. Ackerson brought up a projection the blueprint and pointed near the center of an unoccupied area of the Installation.
"You will land here, Sector G-7," Ackerson said. "From there you will be met by a SpecOp force of Covenant separatists. They will lead you here, Sector M-9. Your mission will be to retrieve three Sentinels, as seen above."
The projector switched to the image of a hovering drone made of some unknown metal. In the center of a pair of metal beams, a single "eye" rested. On the image, the Sentinel's eye lit up and a beam of golden energy shot forward.
"Sentinels use beams of focused heat to attack their prey, namely the Flood" Ackerson said. "We've sent a few science teams to try and capture one of them, but so far none have returned alive. The Sentinels were originally designed to contain any spread of the Flood, but their weaponry has also proved useful against the Covenant and our Marines."
"Section Three of the Office of Naval Intelligence has designed a bullet containing enough electrical charge to short circuit the AI of these drones. You will be given a full clip of these bullets for use on the standard S2 AM Sniper Rifle. Simply tag one of the little suckers with these and it'll be lights out. Any questions?"
Brock raised his hand.
"Yes?" Ackerson asked.
"How long do we have to complete the mission?" the Spartan asked.
"Five days" the Colonel answered. Forrest raised his hand.
"Sir, if I'm not mistaken, it takes three times that just to reach Delta Halo even in a Corvette-class ship" Forrest stated.
"I know Spartan, you're not taking a UNSC ship," Ackerson said, "you'll ride in on the separatist Destroyer Blind Fury. Estimated time of arrival is twelve hours upon jump into Slipspace. Of course, the ship will have to fight its way a safe distance away from the planet before it can attempt the jump, a safety protocol."
Myrin raised his hand. "If we succeed, how will the 'Sentinels' be used, sir?"
"To create enhanced combat drones soldier, which we plan to use to defeat the Covenant and the Flood, when the time comes" Ackerson answered. "Now, prepare for departure immediately. The Armory is two floors up, the first door to your right."
Team Scimitar stood up, pushed in their chairs and began walking toward the exit.
"Oh and Spartans . . ." Ackerson began. The super-soldiers stood about face.
"Give 'em Hell up there, and bring me back those Sentinels or don't come back at all."