This chapter may be disappointing some of people who read it. I was planing to add more stuff to it, but if I added all that I wanted to add in, it would easily be too long for "casual" readers to read. It still might be.
Date: March 21, 2706
Location: UNSC controlled space, outer colonies
In a black void of space, three ships were moving towards a planet, just past an asteroid field. The ships in group are a pair of Longsword Mk.2-class escort fighters and a Colony-class freighter. They were flying in standard formation, if it could be called one. The freighter in middle, while both longsword escorts, took positions on the sides of the freighter.
The longsword Mk 2-class has been designed for long range escort/patrol and scouting operations. It is 24 meters longer, than the one being used in Great War. Its armament has been greatly improved for its class and consists of gauss cannon, a pair of heavy 80 mm rotary cannons and 2 micro archer missile pods with 36 missiles inside of each of them. For defense it has both energy shield and pulse laser point defense for missile defense. Furthermore, this class is outfitted with forerunner slipspace engine, allowing it to travel system to system on its own, with no need of carrier or other ships.
The colony class freighter has been designed in years after the Great War, solely for transporting large amount of materials needed for rebuilding process. To achieve this, the colony-class is four times larger than older freighter ships, easily the side of destroyer-class warship. Due to the fact that there were many covenant loyalists, who still believe that halo activation would bring them to great journey and increasing amount of Kig-yar pirates, the colony-class also carries an impressive array of armament for its type. While all colony-classes have 50 or 80 mm point defense guns or even a magnetic accelerator cannon turret, some owners of colony-class freighters put on covenant weapons, while in some cases they even have magnetic accelerator cannon provided from black market. It defensive measurements consist primarily of point defense guns operated by ship bound A.I. and energy shield, power of which is equal to covenant destroyer.
However, there was something different about this certain freighter. It was in fact a UNSC Destroyer, the Dawn of War. Equipped with a hologram prototype technology designed by ONI, it now searches for sign of pirates that raided several shipments of material meant for joint colony between the mankind, elites and the brutes. Since the raids happen in space that the UNSC controls, and thus the Elite and Brute Empires are not allowed investigating them. The Dawn of War is a heavy destroyer, meaning it has thicker armor and shield, rivaling those of a light cruiser.
The Dawns escort longswords are remote controlled, since they will most likely be first ones to be attacked by pirates. The fake freighter image was made without any weapons that could harm a capital ship, to make it more appealing target for raiding. This is what Dawn captain, Victor Angelos is planning on. As soon as they would, the Dawn would utilize its electromagnetic pulse generator to disable and if possible capture the pirate ship. To achieve this, the Dawn has a platoon of Hell jumpers and a company of UNSC marines. He even managed to get a fire team of Spartan IV, lead by near mythical Spartan 2.
"Captain, we are at the location where pirate raids are most common" spoke the Dawn navigation officer, Ensign Adam Hirano.
"Thank you Ensign Hirano, is the ship imitator still working at full strength?" The ship imitator is how the crew of The Dawn referred to ONI ship hologram technology, given that it does not have any official name. "Captain, as you with no doubly already know, ONI has already tested it against both the elite and the brute sensors. It fooled both of them into thinking that our fake signature and image is real" spoke ONI operative send on board the Dawn.
"Thank you for this already knows information, Major Rebeca Chung, but what I need to know is how it operates now" replied captain Angelos and the Dawns A.I speak "Ship imitator works just as planned, pirates shouldn't be able to detect the Dawn of War under our holographic cover."
"Thank you Diana that is what I wanted to know"
"Captain, were at point where most attacks occulted, I recommend we set longswords scans to active scan" recommended The Dawn weapon officer, Lieutenant Julia Bearden. "Agreed, Diana, have longswords perform an active scan"
"Scanning, longswords so far only things picking up on them are space debris and rocks. No trace of pirates detected, human or Elite or any other type of ship…hang on….I got something"
It was then that longsword on the port side of the "freighter" took direct hit from a plasma turret. Diana had the starboard longsword performing maneuvers that a human pilot would do at this scenario. A second shot came from above the freighter and impacted the port longsword, destroying it.
After its escort was eliminated, then the attacked had revealed itself. The attacker turned out to be a CCS-class battle cruiser that covenant utilized during the Great War. The massive purple ship then moved above the Dawn and launch docking clamps. They however did not reach the desired effect, as they simply bounce of the Dawn's shield.
"Gothca" proclaimed Captain Angelos as shields flared when docking clams hit them "Diana, EMP now!" A blue colored bubble sprung from the Dawn of war and engulfed the attacking CCS battlecruiser. The electromagnetic pulse engulfed the massive covenant ship and took away its power from it. Now it just drifts in space harmlessly.
"Well Done Diana" congratulates Angelos to the Dawns AI. He then turned on comlink and spoke "Sergeant White, as soon as docking tubes are attached, I want you and your men on that ship, on the double!"
XXXXX
"Sir Yes sir, you heard him helljumpers, show those pirates when the UNSC shock troopers are made of!" spoke sergeant white to his helljumpers as they readied their gear. The ODST gear now consisted of similar weapons that their ancestors used during the Great War. The only real improvement is that their new type of battle rifles now fired bullets in a similar fashion that their Magnetic Accelerator Cannons do on board their ships. This upgrade slowed their rate of fire for a little, but in turn it gave them greater firepower needed to breach covenant shield and much greater range plus accuracy.
Theirs sidearms, include either SMG or Magnum pistol. SMG did not get the same upgrade that the battle rifle got, instead their upgrade focused on providing same rate of fire as well as higher damage. Pistols however had similar upgrade to battle rifle only much smaller in scale.
Their armor received upgrade, and is now as durable as Mjolnir mark 5, except that it's scaled down so that non-augmented personal can use it. At the same time, it has double layer of energy shield, meaning that while enemy may breach first one, the second one will kick in until the first one is recharged. It should be noted that second one is weaker than first one. However the main advantage is that it provides its user faster reflexes.
A team of nine ODST, lead by Spartan IV gathered around each three of docking tubes. Those teams objectives are to clean the boarding area of any hostiles before marine reinforces would arrive. Marines are armed with either assault rifles or shotguns. Assault rifle has same upgrades like SMG has, faster rate of fire, greater damage and little to no recoil. Shotgun on other hand has slightly increased range. The main focus on shotgun upgrade is stopping and penetration power.
As soon as docking tube open, the ODST teams storm into battlecruiser. They were meet by a hail of plasma fire from pistols and rifles. The Spartans at front had to fortify their shields in order to repel the steam of plasma and allow the ODST behind them to open fire while the IVs slowly advance forward. The enemy that they were facing was comprised of Unggoy, Kig-yar and a few Jiralhanae leading them. Unggoys were firering either plasma pistols or needlers. The Kig-yar too used plasma pistols in combination with energy shields, as well as plasma carbines and occasionally beams rifles. Their leaders, the Jiralhanae mostly utilized their own version of plasma rifles or their trademark weapon, the bruteshot.
The Spartan IV mark VIII Mjolnir armor, allow them to "fortify" their shields for almost unlimited amount of time. This fortified mode makes energy shields incredibly thick, preventing even the heaviest weapons from penetrating them, thus making them practically invincible soldiers on the battlefield. The down sides of this however, is that while in fortified mode, the Spartan cannot run or move very fast and due to the fact it only effects the front of the armor, the back of Spartan is still vulnerable, thus an ally covering Spartan six is required.
"Kevin, brute, 12 o'clock high!" yelled an ODST to his teammate behind him. The ODST, now know as Kevin took aim with his battle rifle and fired. He was rewarded with a Jiralhanae scream as trio of bullets hit him in the chest, puncturing its armor and shattering inside his body. "Good call Mark, get me another target!" The ODST Mark took cover behind Spartan IV, who was firering her specialized weapon, the M9 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle, or better known, the Spartan gun. It was for all its purpose a Spartan laser that was converted into an assault rifle. That meant, it has greater rate of fire and larger batteries that allow it for more shots. That also meant its much weaker then M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle, but it was never indented to take on armored tanks, but if the need requires for just that, the M9 laser can be charged to fire stronger shots, to take out targets with heavy armor, such as hunters.
"Heavy grunt pair, 9 o'clock, methane gas canisters!" The expressions "heavy grunt" meant that Unggoy to which Mark was referring to either carried a heavy weapon, such as fuel rod cannon, or they were setting up/mounting a shade turret. An acknowledgment light winked on his HUD and then an explosion was heard, quickly followed by flash or light that signified the methane tanks have exploded. Mark was just about to congratulate Kevin on excellent shot when he noticed that he was focusing on Kig-yar pair. It wasn't an ODST who took a shot, it was the Spartan IV.
"All teams, be advised, I gained control of battlecruiser life support, make sure you have your helmets on, I will be shutting it down in 5…4….3…2…1" spoke disembodied voice of a woman over Mark ear peace. It was the Dawns artificial intelligence, Diana. As she finished her countdown, the Kig-yar and the Jiralhanae started gasping for air that was no longer there for them to breathe. That only left the Unggoy who were still a threat to them, since they were breathing methane inside their tanks, strapped to their backs. When they witness their comrades and leaders chocking and gasping for air, they panic and most of them run around or retreated deeper into the ship. Those that remained were cut down by concentrated fire of both ODST and their Spartan leader.
"Dawn? This is Sergeant White of strike team 1, hostile at our end has been neutralized" spoke ODST officer, with a white hand painted onto of his helmet. He was on the right side of Spartan IV who was providing cover with her shields.
"This is Squad leader Cox, of strike team 2, hostile eliminated, we do however have two men wounded, requesting retrieval and reinforcements"
"Squad leader Mitchell reporting, all hostile either dead or retreating"
"Copy that team leaders, I'm restoring life support to UNSC controlled parts of the ship" spoke Dawns AI and true to her words, a moment later fresh air filled the captured compartment. "Be advised boarding parties, enemy presence is still large inside the ship, I'm counting almost a 1000 Unggoy and about 80 Sangheili still alive on the ship. I was unable to deactivate life support on Ship Bridge, and sensors there have been disabled, so I do not know what is in there."
"Roger that, we will advance as soon as marine reinforcements arrive, sergeant white out"
XXXXX
Back on the Dawn, captain Angelos monitored the advance of his forces in capturing the ship. Diana decision to shut down life support when she got the chance, greatly reduced the battlecruiser crew number, and there for reducing chances for casualties on human side. However it also reduced the chances for ODST or Spartans to capture prisoners. This is what mostly bothered the ONI operative on board his ship.
As he access the schematic on the battlecruiser they were boarding and then bringing it onto tactical display map he called out "Diana, progress report" For the first time their trap has been sprung, the AI revealed itself on pedaster nearby. She appeared as a young woman of athletic build and wore a very short tunic. She was holding a bow in her right hand and had a quiver mounted other shoulders.
"Strike team 1 suffered no casualties and is on their way towards the reactor room" a holographic display of Team 1 members biosigns appeared on display map as well as a marked their current position. "Team 2 has two ODST have been critically wounded, due to by far largest resistance encountered so far, by bruteshot and have transported them back onto Dawn" a display of team 2 biosigns appeared next to team ones and Diana then isolated the wounded biosigns "Chances for wounded ODST to survive the necessary surgery are 85%. I have already selected their replacements from the ODST still in reserve. Once back to full strength Team 2 will proceed towards their objective, the hangar" After marking their position on tactical map she then presented the biosigns of team 3 "Team 3 has no casualties as the resistance they encountered was relatively light, a squad of Unggoy and a Jiralhanae leading them. They are now on their way towards the brig, in case if there are any prisoners there." As she marked their position on the tactical map she continued "I could not access the sensors in the brig, so I d not know if there is anyone in there, as a precaution I chose not to shot down the life support inside the brig"
"So all in all we are making good progress" spoke captain and turned to view he could see from the bridge.
"If you count that there may be no survivors to question" remarked Major Chung and turned her attention to a lone dot close to the battle cruiser bridge. "And who may that be captain?" Angelos turned and look at the dot major was referring to "That major, is the David-036, Spartan 2, and he is getting your prisoners major, don't you worry about it."
XXXXX
Spartan 036 had not participated in initial boarding action. Instead he was ordered by the captain to proceed on his own. He received a pair of detonators, with enough power needed to breach battlecruiser outer hull, which he achieved during the chaos ensued by the boarding action. After he took cover behind one of disabled plasma turret he activated the trigger, waited for debris to be washed into space harmlessly and went inside. Inside he encountered no resistance, which wasn't at all surprising, consider ring that he blow up a hole in ship hull, so whoever or whatever was inside this corridor was not freezing in cold vacuum of space. "This is David-036, I'm inside"
"Copy that Spartan, I infiltrated the battlecruiser system, they have limited protection against me, I now have full control of the ship" spoke Diana over his com and placed a marker on his HUD "The bride is located not far from your location, however be advised, I know nothing of what is in inside, you may face a hunter pair"
"Roger that, Spartan out" with that said, he broke the com link with Diana and unsung his suppressed SMG. It didn't matter much that the SMG was silenced now, since the aliens on board already know that they were attacked, however he took it more because of sentimental value and above all else, it was useful in both close combat due to its high rate of fire and it was accurate enough to score critical hits in exposed armor of Jiralhanae even when on the move. He also carried a special version of ODST battle rifle, the special part being the bullets filled with special foam that once impact on target they lock target armor, rendering it impossible to move, but first target shields must be taken out for this bullets to have the desired effect. Next he had a pair of fragmentation and a pair of stick grenades, and finally, his favorite weapon, the new type of Sangheili plasma sword he managed to trade in last time he was on shore leave.
He slowly advanced along the corridors, keeping a close eye on his motion tracker. He heard Diana speaking of shutting down life supports on the ship and he felt how his armor automatically sealed itself to prevent air from escaping. His motion tracker then registers a pair of contact just up ahead. He sprinted forward and brought his weapon to bear, ready to fire on whomever or whatever was around the corner. As he turned around it, he saw a pair of Sangheili struggling to breathe. David pointed his weapon at each of them and fired quick bursts into each alien head. Both of them fell on the ground dead, with purple blood spraying his boots and the metal ground. David gave no more attention to dead aliens and continued forward. It didn't take him long for him to reach the doors that lead to the bridge. He then slowly opens them a little and looked inside. Luckily for him he spotted no silhouette that would gave out a hunter presence. That however does not mean they are not there.
He did however spotted a Sangheili sitting on gravity chair, which surprisingly still had power and disturbance in the air that signified a presence of a cloaked Sangheili nearby. He turned on his helmet visual enhancements that allow him to see cloaked Sangheili inside. As soon as he turned it on, trio of Sangheili wearing stealth armor were visible. David replaced his SMG for the battle rifle and knock on the door, twice
"Knock knock, is there anyone inside? Cause if you are, I'm afraid I'll have to kill you" This got the exact reaction he wanted. Doors open up and right in front of him the first stealth Sangheili raised its plasma blade, ready to stab him. Of course he didn't want that, so he fired quick bursts of bullets into shield-less armor. Bullets impacted and spread the purple foam on stealth armor, rendering it useless. The attacking Sangheili was no frozen like a statue so David just pushed it of the balance and onto the flood. He was then attacked by the second elite in stealth armor, only to receive bursts of bullets into its chest at close range. The second elite were also neutralized. This only left another stealth elite and the shipmaster. He quickly scanned the room, but didn't find the third one. With a corner of his eye he noticed nothing new on the motion detector. He did however felt someone grabbing his arm that holds the trigger and another one placing a sword on his neck. The third one somehow managed to sneak behind him and get a hold on him
David didn't hesitate and hit the elite with the back of his head. The elite roared in pain and before David could react, the elite cut his rifle in rage with his energy sword. This left the Spartan at a disadvantage, as his orders are to capture anyone on bridge alive and now he lost the weapon that allowed him to do so. So he did the only other thing he could. He grabs the remaining elite by his sword arm and twisted it. He could hear a faint sound of cracking sound coming from elite wrist and then the elite drop his sword. This allowed David with a chance needed to knock his opponent out with a punch in the face. The last stealth elite fall on the flood unconscious. It was then that he heard clapping from behind him and turned. It was the Sangheili shipmaster who was clapping at him and then spoke.
"Well done demon, you are what the legends on your kind spoke of, but can you take on a true Sangheili warrior like me and survive?" shipmaster then draw his energy sword and activate it. Twin blades made out of plasma appear in his hands as he took stance that many Sangheili before him did when fighting with plasma sword. David smiled behind his CQB helmet, as he was now in the element he was the best in. He picked up a deactivated plasma sword from the immobilized stealth elite and activates it. On this sword, twin blades also appeared, except that they were in red color instead of blue like the one the shipmaster has.
David took similar pose to match the one his opponent has, however he kept his blade on his waist level, while his opponent held it high above him. As they both waiting for the other one to make their first move they begun to circle, watching the opponent moves carefully while trying to find a weakness in each other stance. David remembered what his NCO Mendez once said about close combat, that it's like chess only that chess pieces are replaced with arms and legs. Since nothing came from his opponent, David decided to make the first move. He sprung forward and attempted to slice shipmaster arm off. He either anticipate this maneuver, or he just got lucky because he rolled out of David way and attempted to slice his exposed back, only to be repelled by Mjolnir shield. David, who quickly regained his momentum turned around and with his left hand formed into a first punched the Sangheili shipmaster into his chest. The force of the punch sends the elite a few feet backwards, but just like David, he too recovers fast.
"Just to make it more of a fair fight" spoke in calm voice as he turned off his energy shield "I have turned off my shields, now it's an even fight" this time he was clearly mocking him. Sangheili shipmaster then roared in anger and charged the demon. David too charged him, and when they meet a flurry of motion followed as both of them tried to outmatched the other with their swords. It was like someone had put it reverse, as neither managed to hit the other.
However, after the shipmaster tried to decapitate the Spartan he missed, thus allowing David to grab shipmaster sword arm and hold it tightly. This way he managed to reduce his attack capabilities as the elite only had his left arm free. And now he used that arm to grab Spartan by his throat and attempted to choke him. David however simply slashed the elite with his energy sword across his stomach area. This slash bypassed the elite shield, resulting in a serious injury. The elite grip on David throat weakens and then released as the elite grabbed the wound on his stomach. David released his arm and the shipmaster fell on ground.
"You're lucky Sangheili" spoke David as he kneel next to him and bring out a small first aid kit from his belt "My orders are to capture you as a prisoner , not to kill you" as he imply a improved version of biofoam onto Sangheili wound. A moment later he induced a full syringe of anesthesia. The shipmaster then took a deep breath and when he exhaled he also closed his eyes and when David check for pulse he quickly figure it out that they anesthesia worked. David then stood up and contact the Dawn "This is Spartan 036, mission accomplished, tell Major Chung that ONI now has four Sangheili to interrogate"
"Understood Spartan, standby, a team of ODST is making their way towards the bridge they will transport the prisoners back onto Dawn" Spoke Diana to him and then added "Major Rebeca Chung sends you congratulations for your capture of shipmaster." With that said, Diana left his comlink, so now all that David could do was wait for ODST to reach him.
Date: October 12, 2163
Location: Horse Head Nebula, Minuteman Station, Cerberus
"Report number 341-1
To: The Illusive Man
From: Operative Miranda Lawson
Sir, as you know we have found wreckage of unknown origin. While the wreckage is unknown it oddly feels feels…familiar. Further research revealed what we believe to be a name for the ship. Oddly it was written in English and it read "Forward onto Dawn". We believe that what we discovered is a fraction of ship. The technology of the ship is impossible to identify, due to the extensive damage it took, however, we discover a pod of some sort inside the wreckage that, from what we could determine form our scans, contains a human life sign. Further investigation suggested."
The Illusive Man, after reading the massage set it down on his chair handle and turned to his console to check the date that operative Miranda send it along. It wasn't much however he was clearly impressed over the readings that have been taken by scanning the pod. He immediately contacted Miranda and as soon as her holographic image appeared he spoke.
"Are you sure that these finds are correct?"
"Yes sir, we double and then triple check it. The life form inside that pod is human. But if we can believe our scans, that human is, well a superhuman for the lack of better words sir."
"Did we make any progress on opening the pod?"
"Sir, I believe that we will be able to open it quite soon. I officially request additional guards, in case if this "superhuman" is hostile"
"Granted, I'll assign cruiser for additional support and three squads of troopers just to be safe."
"Thank you sir"
"And Miranda"
"Yes sir?"
"I don't need to remind you that we are at war do I? Make sure that superhuman will be ready to fight for the humanity" ordered The Illusive Man as he lighted his sweet Williams cigar and put it in his mouth.
"I'll do what is necessary sir" as she said that, The Illusive Man exhaled a column of smoke and terminated the transmission from his end.
"Ma'am, what are The Illusive Man orders?" asked a junior Cerberus scientist. Miranda stood up and looked at the young scientist "To open the pod, and see just what is inside"
"Yes ma'am" the junior scientist then bring out a pad and handed it over to Miranda. "As you can see, the pod is keeping the person inside alive by cryogenically freezing it. This means that the person inside could be for impressive amount of The Illusive Man and if readings are correct, got up like it was taking a nap ma'am"
Miranda took the tab herself and examined it. She was visibly impressed. She then walked outside her quarters and towards the area where this pod that cryogenically freezes its user was located. Once she entered in she noticed quite a few technicians and scientists poking around it. The pod was about ten feet tall and four feet wide. It had a glassy canopy, but due to its nature it was frozen so any looks inside of it were currently limited. For now, her attention was directed to a technician operating an Omni tool, so she first walked over to him.
"Have we discovered how to open it yet?"
The technician to who she was speaking to look up from her Omni tool and replied "I believe so, with your permission I would like to try and open it now ma'am"
"Permission denied, first I want extra security posted around here, I already spoke to The Illusive Man about just that and reinforcements are on their way. Once they arrive we will attempt to open the pod!"
"Yes ma'am"
Technician then returned to her work of scanning the pod for any information's available on. This triggered something on the pod itself. A pedaster open on top of the pod and a holographic image of a human woman show up. In appearance she was very similar to Avina, the citadel V.I. except that this holographic image had larger amount of numbers and equations passing throe her "veins" then Avina ever had. This woman looked around the room, and then focused her eyes on Miranda.
"What are you?" asked Miranda this person. "Cortana, serial number CTN 0452-9"
"Are you a V.I?"
"Clarify"
Miranda was taken a back a little by this comment. She did not expect to explain what a virtual intelligence is.
"A virtual intelligence is a sophisticated program designed to make modern computer systems easier to use"
"Affirmative, I am a V.I."
"Well then Cortana, what could you tell us about the person inside this pod?"
"The pod you are retiring to is a cryo pod, needed when traveling using slipspace jump. The person inside is a John 117, a Spartan super soldier"
"A super soldier? A Slipspace? Are you referring to mass relays?"
"Error, power is limited, recharge required" the image of Cortana then shot down and disappeared. Miranda sighs and placed this in information gathered for The Illusive Man. What she didn't know is that Cortana is in fact an artificial intelligence and on top of that she already managed to infiltrate the minuteman station. So she already know that if she revealed herself as artificial intelligence they would most likely try to dismantle her and/or kill the master chief. She intercepted and monitored the conversation between this Miranda Lawson and a so called The Illusive Man. She then decided that she will stay hidden until master chief is awakened and decide upon his decision.