Hey guys EZP, here. I talked to the author of Halo: Civil War, Cor Tenebrae he said I could use his OC Joyeuse as a Chief's new AI and I changed her up a bit just so she could fit. ALL CREDIT GOES TO HIM. Updated as of 9/27/2014
"It took two fleets, Earth's Defense Grid, and the Infinity, hell it wasn't even us it was the Master Chief and a nuke to blow up a Forerunner ship."
FADM Arthur Cross to IADM Thel 'Vadam and FLEET MASTER Rtas 'Vadum on the New Phoenix Incident, c. July 24th, 2557
Chapter 2: War Has Started
1256 hours, July 27th, 2557 4+ days Post-New Phoenix Incident
Cabin 189, UNSC Infinity, In orbit of Phoenix, Earth, Sol System, UN Core Systems, UN Space
John-117 also known as the 'Master Chief' had done nothing but eat, sleep, and mourn Cortana for the past four days. The UNSC had done what they could for him. The United Colonies took his return were mixed at best. He was greeted with a hero's welcome in the form of a brunch (and later an interview) with Secretary-General Ruth Charet, Lord Terrence Hood, and other high ranking members of UN and the UNSC, a parade, and as well being invited to a concert called Believe. He had also received condolences for Cortana; not only that he was given official United Nations citizenship by the Secretary-General but also honored with numerous titles and decorations, the SPARTAN-II was overwhelmed by the attention.
'Don't make a girl a promise...If you know you can't keep it.' A phrase both Cortana and Parisa had said to him a couple times. He looked back out to Earth and descended into memory.
Flashback: 4 days ago...
1117 hours, July 23rd, 2557, 4+hours Post-New Phoenix Incident
Port Observation Deck-1, UNSC Infinity, In orbit of New York City, Earth, Sol System, UN Core Systems, UN Space
Walking towards the Port Observation Deck-1 was FADM Arthur Cross, and just as he was going to enter the room, his former subordinate the newly minted Captain Thomas Lasky exited the room where Chief chose to take solitude in. Upon seeing his former boss Lasky saluted. "Admiral on deck!" He said as he gave him a salute.
"At ease," He said as he returned it, "and Tom please don't go all formal on me, your my friend remember?"
"Uh, why are you here Artie?" Lasky asked him.
"You know why."
"Sir, with all do respect, I think we should give him more time." Lasky told him
"You want to know why Halsey gave Cortana to him," Arthur said to him, Lasky looked at him; his face showing signs of obvious confusion, "they are like Ying and Yang, opposites attract Lasky."
"And how do you know that?" Lasky asked his high ranking friend.
"Because, it's how a certain lady and I act toward each other." He answered, and went through door Lasky staying by there, thinking about what he said.
He saw the Spartan-II leaning against the bulkhead look out towards Earth. Ever since Cortana sacrificed herself for him, he'd been mourning her death; and it was well known that besides Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson and Captain (SPARTAN Corps) Parisa Rezaï (though there were some rumors that she held romantic feelings for him) the AI was his only Non-Spartan friend. He saw the recovery teams looking through the wreckage. The UNSC had given what sympathies they could for the hero.
"Hey Chief," As soon Cross said this he turned around and saw him immediately, "looking lonely am I correct?"
"Yes sir." The Spartan-II told him.
"Nice to see you Chief, Earth's beautiful isn't it, grew up in the Big Apple, after that I went Corbulo Academy of Military Science, then the Special Operations Training Center on Reach, and besides it's good to have a home come to." Cross said to his friend, "hey Chief, I just came because someone important wants to meet you."
"Sir?" He asked the man standing next to him.
"You'll find out soon enough Spartan," He told him in what sounded like cryptic tone, "now let the eggheads look at your armor Chief, get a suit on and meet me in the hanger."
"Yer sir."
And then Chief walked after giving off a salute. Arthur walked out of the room, to hear Lasky say to him: "What did you say to him?", he just nodded and continued to the hanger with soldiers and crewmen/women giving him salutes and he returned them. As he got to the hanger he saw F-41 Broadsword Exoatmospheric-Multi-Role-Strike-Fighters (ExMRSF) and F-709 Longsword Fighter-Bombers reentering the hanger and landing. He saw his D79H-TC Pelican dropship waiting for him. He also saw his pilot conversing with two ODSTs.
"All I'm saying is that it can be very easy to throw up in a drop pod." Lt. (Full Grade) Richard "Hawk" Hawkins said in defense to the two ODSTs.
"Yeah it happened on my first drop, but after three or more drops you'll get used to it." An ODST nicknamed Mickey agreed.
The other one called Romeo. just chuckled and said to him, "Like you did at Mombasa."
"You are never going to let it go are you?" Mickey asked his teammate who shook his head no.
"Hawk get the Pelican ready for takeoff." Cross ordered him and he complied shaking his new friends' hands and started to walk towards his dropship.
"Got Chief to come planetside with us?"
"Sure did." Arthur told his training buddy.
"You think this is a good idea, I mean we should introduce him to the Secretary-General when he wants to." Hawk said, worried.
"It's not my decision Hawk, Charet wants to meet him."
They turned to see the Chief had boarded the Pelican during the short time they were talking in a suit that was tailored for Spartan-IIs. He had brown hair that was buzzed, he also had numerous scars from the Great War on his face as well, he had blue eyes, and considering that he's a Spartan he had a muscular build like other S-IIs. Arthur nodded to Hawk and he went to cockpit and starting the Pelican.
"Looking good Chief." Arthur commented on suit.
"Thanks."
"Hello passengers," Hawk said over the intercom, "this is your pilot speaking, hope you like the skyline of the Big Apple, because our destination is the Secretariat Palace."
"The Secretariat Palace?" Chief questioned.
"Secretariat Palace, it's a 99 story skyscraper built to replace the Republica Tower, as it was destroyed when the Covies hit Earth." Arthur answered his question.
"So the UN is back in power?"
"It was still the same, up until the February of 2554, which was when the Reformation Act of 2554 was signed," Arthur told him, "now the United Nations is a supranational and representative federation now; I'm guessing Del Rio didn't tell you."
"He was more worried about getting here." Chief replied.
"Well, he was always a by-the-book asshole, Chief." He told his friend, he could swear he heard the Spartan chuckle.
"New York Control this is Foxtrot 1-1, I'm en route with CROSSBOW and the MASTER CHIEF requesting permission to land at the Presidential Palace, over." Hawk asked.
"Permission granted, Foxtrot 1-1." was New York Control's response to the request.
"On approach now." Hawk replied.
"That's your codename Arthur?"
Arthur just nodded, Chief got up and went to cockpit to look outside followed by Arthur. The Spartan looked out to see the beautiful skyline of New York City the capital of the United Nations of Earth and Her Colonies, an advanced super metropolis that made a name for it's skyline currently dominated by the Galactic Trade Center, The Chief could see the New York Orbital Elevator System off in the distance on it's man-made island. Then he saw that they were approaching a building match the height that Arthur had described. Though the Battle of Earth did a number on the city's population, much of the city was intact and refugees (from the colonies that were attacked by Covenant) assisted in rebuilding the city. Along with being the largest city in the United Republic of North America, it is also the largest city on the planet.
"Who were the Covenant that attacked us at Requiem?" Chief asked.
"They call themselves the Covenant Remnant," Arthur informed him, "they are a loose coalition of Covenant Splinter Factions that aren't allies with us, basically Covies who continually defy the the Treaties of Voi and Vadam City, a few of the factions are normally called terrorist groups or cults and the de facto leader is Supreme Commander Jul 'Mdama."
"Was he with the Loyalists?"
"No, he's more of a technocrat who can hold a grudge." Arthur told him.
"Hey, will you two get back in your seats, we're touching down now." Hawk told the both of them, they obeyed and went back to their seats.
They felt a thud as the Pelican landed on the helipad, they got up walked towards the back of the dropship as the ramp went down they walked out and the sun briefly blinded the Chief and after he a brief moment his eyes adjusted to the light before noticing dozens of guards on high alert. Chief looked to the east and saw the skyline of New York City including 'antique' buildings such as the Old World Trade Center buildings, the Empire State Building and the UN Building, then he looked back to the guards. Most of them wore suits with bulletproof vests expect for officers, then he noticed some more guards come out the door lead inside the building all of them expect for one were like the ones he saw outside. The leader of the group a woman around 24 years of age had a M6C/SOCOM Sidearm in right her hip holster and a M7 Caseless Submachine Gun strapped on the back of her belt, there was a patch over her heart like officers on the Infinity.
"Master Chief it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Arthur it's good to see you again." The leader greeted him and held out her hand, Arthur nodded to her.
"And you are?" The Spartan asked her, shaking her hand.
"Helena Harper, United Nations Secret Services." Helena introduced herself.
Chief looked over to Arthur and he said. "The UNSS is responsible for protecting government officials, as well as the investigation of major financial crimes throughout our territory, there is a few Spartan fire teams among them."
"I'm the head of the SecGen's security." Agent Harper added.
"That too." Arthur replied.
"The Secretary-General is waiting in her residence," Helena said to them, "best not to keep her waiting."
Then Chief noticed there weren't any members of her team present and Arthur motioned to come inside, as he walked in some of the UNSS agents saluted him. He had also heard things such as: "Holy shit, it's the Chief.", "It's good to see you alive, sir.", "My condolences for Cortana, Master Chief.", and "Hope you get back to kicking ass, sir." then he saw a few faces he thought that he wouldn't really see again. It was James, Musa, and Fhajad, while James went MIA during Reach; Musa and Fhajad were crippled during augmentations, Musa was confined to a wheel chair, but Fhajad was standing, most likely due to the rehabilitation process.
"Good to see you again boss." James greeted him and held out his hand.
"I thought you were dead James?" Chief asked him.
"Well, let's just say that a Covenant prison ship found me and wanted to take me to their leaders for an immediate execution and paraded around their holy city, long story short I killed the Covies that were taking my cell and hijacked said ship I arrived at Earth to find it under siege." James explained, he had the Senior Chief Petty Officer insignia on his dress uniform.
"Where's the others?" Chief asked zero-g combat expert.
"The Third Fleet found Isaac and Vinh under CASTLE Base, while the other surviving Spartan-IIs were scattered for different missions."
"Now who's idea was that?" Chief asked.
"Mine," And Chief looked to Arthur, "Spartans Kelly and Fred are training the Sangheili on how to deal with insurgencies, while Isaac and Vinh are assisting the Confederacy of Free Systems with a civil war in their territory; Naomi is serving with a ONI black ops unit call sign Kilo-Five, and my men managed to find survivors on Reach shortly after the war ended, Linda is helping me with finding the kids of SPARTAN-1s, Gray Team entered the Sol System in the early hours of March 3rd, 2553, they'll be reassigned to your command along with Maria; I also found a few brain-dead Spartans and they were subjects in Project: TAHITI and just brought them back through honest-to-God medical technology."
"You've been busy."
"It's been a busy four years." Arthur commented.
"It was," Fhajad spoke for the first time, "with the Reformation Act of 2554, Insurrection factions have been disbanded due to the reforms, though there are a few who have been trying for total independence."
"John, you can talk to us later," Musa told him, "the Secretary-General is waiting."
"Come on." Cross told him to get moving and Chief nodded.
They kept walking toward wherever Agent Harper was taking them to and the numbers of the guards and staff started to increase; they turned a corner and saw a security checkpoint. One of the guards looked towards them, he saluted; and looked towards the Master Chief and said: "Your friend will have to go through security sir, ma'am."
"Let the Chief come through, Lieutenant." A voice said as a hologram appeared on the holo pedestal, a AI who looked like the first African-American President of the United States: Barack Obama.
"Who are you?" He asked the AI.
"I am United Nations Smart AI BHO-2340-432-12," the AI introduced himself, "my given name is Obama and I serve as the assistant to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in diplomatic meetings."
"Oh," the UNSS Lieutenant, "sorry about that Chief and my condolences for Cortana, sir."
"Thanks." The SPARTAN-II replied.
"Come on." Arthur told him to get moving.
Walking through the checkpoint the Chief saw a heavily guarded door with two guards with MA5Ds and also M739 Light Machine Guns strapped on their backs. The door opened and Arthur and Helena went inside, then one of the guards motioned for Chief to come inside and he followed Arthur and the UNSS officer. They had entered a room that had a view of almost the entire city, they were few members of the staff inside, but what had gotten his attention was a woman of about 48 years of age, looking over the city. She turned around, smiled at them and said in a heavily French accent: "Master Chief it's a pleasure to finally meet you, I am Secretary-General of United Nations Ruth Charet." she held out her hand.
"Ma'am." Chief said, grabbing her hand and shaking it.
"When the public heard the news they were ecstatic at best, I can't believe I'm shaking hands with you Chief."
"Fan?" The Spartan asked her.
"Even when I was in the marines."
"Former-military?"
"Used to command the Hades Corps until Paris IV fell, it was my homeworld, I went into politics so I can represent my fellow colonists." Ruth answered. The majority of Paris IV's colonists were of French descent, hence the name, so it was common sight to see so much French cuisine in restaurants.
"So what new with the government?" the SPARTAN asked.
"The United Nations is now a representative, constitutional, supranational federation," Ruth told him, "The colonies have the rights they deserve now and most of the Insurrectionist groups have been disbanded, though there are stubborn ones, which started the Colonial Civil War by bombing New York three years back."
"Colonial Civil War?"
"Yes," Ruth sighed, "It's been a source of hatred for the remaining Insurrection groups."
"When can I join up?" Chief asked her.
"Woah, hold it there SPARTAN, don't always go rushing into fights, I should know," Arthur told him in a concerned tone, "I almost got killed by Covies back on Ciricinus IV."
"But sir-" Chief was about to protest when Arthur cut him off by saying: "Chief, you've been fighting for almost your entire life, you need a break."
SecGen President nodded in agreement. "Sorry, Chief," Ruth said in an apologizing tone, "but Arthur is right, you need a break, you can relax on the Infinity though."
End of Flashback...
1312 Hours, July 27th, 2557, 4+ days Post-New Phoenix Incident
Cabin 189, UNSC Infinity, In orbit of Phoenix, Earth, Sol System, UN Core Systems, UN Space
Chief's flashback ended as the door opened and Captain Thomas Lasky entered the room in a hurry. "Chief, you, myself and few others are needed in the briefing now." Lasky said to him in a panicked tone, motioned to the door and within minutes they were one of many trams on the human flagship that make getting around much easier. 'What's wrong, the Brutes are fighting amongst themselves, the Storm is still on Requiem with the Prometheans, and the Didact is dead, but there could be a Forerunner weapon or a NOVA about to go off.' Chief thought to himself, the only time he'd seen him like this was at the Academy on Ciricinus IV.
"Captain," Chief asked, "What's going on?"
"All I was told that something about an how a science expedition was ambushed by unknown forces." Lasky answered him.
"First contact?"
"I guess so."
To be continued in Chapter 3...
Codex:
Reformation Act of 2554: Signed by Ruth Charet, it was a monumental part of human history, it was where the citizens of Earth and Her Colonies received more rights, it known as the unofficial end to the Insurrection. Though now with the Colonial Ciivl War and the ongoing border conflicts against rogue Covenant groups such as the Storm it is now being called into question.
UNSC Infinity: The lead ship of the Infinity-class multi-role command vessels are battle carriers a cross between a battleship and carrier, she is due to become the 23rd flagship of the UNSC Navy after the retirement of the Valiant-class cruiser UNSC Big Ben (CB-78) in 2558. Armed with 4 CR-08 Series-9 MAC Guns, 16 Mark II 'Sabot' Anti-Air/Anti-Ship Cannons, Dozens of Mark 2551 'Onager' Mini-MACs, Primus-class deck guns, M, nearly one hundred Point-Defense-Guns, a number of conventional missiles, and then 42 nukes (34 Shiva-class nuclear anti-ship missiles, 18 Hyperion-class Interstellar Ballistic Missiles). Home to 17 thousand men and women, the best and brightest of the UNSC. The Infinity is the flagship of Task Force Dakota; currently made up of Battlegroup Infinity, two carrier strike groups (24, 19, and 76), several Cruiser Battlegroups (Autumn, Dawn, Amber, Leviathan, Stanforth, Heaven). TF-Dakota, Third Fleet is one of best naval formations in the UNSC. Number of escorts is 15 Autumn-class heavy cruisers, 16 Springfield-class light cruisers, 13 Diablo-class heavy aviation cruisers, 63 Destroyers, 78 Frigates, 10 carriers (3 Yamato-class escort carriers, 3 Poseidon-class light carriers, 3 Patton-class fleet carriers, and 1 Enterprise-class supercarrier), twelve prowlers, ten Rebecca Haze-class assault ships, and six Lightning-class assault carriers.
The Colonial Civil War: The now declared civil war with the New Colonial Alliance, (the Eridanus Confederacy, the Socialist Republics of New Korea and New Vietnam, the New Federation of Victoria, and the United Federation of Human Systems), it has started spread to other colonies as terrorists from either of the factions listed above, enter United Nations space.
United Nations Secret Services: The UNSS is responsible for protecting government officials and as well as the investigation of major financial crimes throughout Human territory, there is also a few Spartan fire teams among them.
Arthur Cross: A native of UN capital of New York City; he is strong, caring, and tough, Arthur Cross is a patriot at heart. He's a strong believer in democracy, freedom, peace, and equal rights; this New Yorker also believes that supranationalism and the colonies having their basic rights. The New Yorker has a long standing distrust of the Office of Naval Intelligence, stemming from what happened to Ciricinus IV, as he was attending the Corbulo Academy at the time, and managed to survive by working with Zuma Squad, the remnants of Hasati Squad, and SPARTAN-117. 3 years later, the New Discovery Incident occurred, resulting in the UNSC razing the colony with nukes. Arthur would later aid in the defense of Iota Eridanus II. In 2537, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and put into command of the UNSC Enterprise (CVN-26). Arthur is currently married to his high school crush Alison O'Conner, succeeding where her now dead fiancé: Leonard Church failed.
"The very existence of a rogue SPARTAN puts every last one of us in danger. Tell me this director, is one of them is worth more than millions, even billions of the United Nations' citizens?"
Colonel Yaag Rosch (Codename: SHORTSWORD) commanding officer of Internal Security Command (ISCOM), on the threat of rogue SPARTAN-IIs, IIIs, or IVs to Director of Naval Intelligence Margret Parangosky, c. March 5th, 2556; Post-Bombing of Philadelphia.
I told you they'll be some cameos. We will return to the Second Chances and the Spirit of Fire in the next chapter. I'll add more too this chapter later. I'll be updating the chapters too. I hope you noticed that I'm putting Yaag Rosch in this fan fiction, he'll appear after the crew of the Second Chances are rescued by the Galactic Alliance, (SPOILERS) and will be investigating a breach in ONI protocols, and he will be a good guy.
EZP Out!