I do not own Halo; nor do I own the characters in the Halo series. Only Microsoft and 343 industries do, but massive credit goes to Bungie for creating the franchise we all come to know and love. I own only OCs I have created. I will also accept OCs to be a part of this. Submit them on PM or on review if you like and I will put them in the story.
As always, please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 1: First Drop
The Battle of Earth was humanity's last stand against an alliance of alien races known as the Covenant. Fourteen years before the invasion of Earth, there was a special top-secret project in the works called the Hoplite program. It started with children ranging from the ages between eight through fourteen, the first half composed of orphans with no families that were taken by either insurrectionists or the Covenant. While the second half on the other hand, were runaways from Earth and its colonies. On some rare occurrences, some of the candidates were six or seven years old. Most of these children were put in various selected military academies for youths which served not only as an orphanage but also a school. Aside from standard school curriculum, they were being taught tactics and strategy. When they reached the age of thirteen and fourteen were the required age at the time of the project, they would receive rigorous military training and learn every martial art style. Once the Hoplites became eighteen years old, they would be drafted in the military of the United Nations Space Command. The end goal of the project was to have soldiers who were in peak human condition. The first two batch of Hoplites were made of two thousand soldiers, with nearly all of them dead in the Covenant war except a few. Those that survived trained the next batch of Hoplite youths. There was a total of fifteen hundred candidates were present by the time the Covenant invaded Earth. Soon after, the Hoplites encountered a group of teenagers who were not only around their age but were much faster, stronger, and perhaps even smarter than them. In actuality they were the children of Orion candidates, colloquially known as Spartan 1s. Their children were called Spartan 1.1s, augmented since infancy to prevent any defects and enhance their abilities to their true potential. These 1.1s formed a group calling themselves Vanguards of Sparta, their main objective: taking the fight against the Covenant before they could ever reach Earth.
Unfortunately, they never got the chance when the invasion began changing their plans. An army of fifteen hundred Hoplites and sixteen Spartan 1.1s stood together to fight back against the Covenant in order to defend humanity or die trying through sacrifice. The Hoplites and Spartan 1.1s were mentored by parents of the Spartan 1.1s and highly approved officials of the UNSC's choosing, making sure they efficiently worked as a team and sometimes on their own. Well-armed and outfitted in MK1 and MK2 versions of the Semi Powered Infiltration armor, with two symbols distinguishing the 1.1s and Hoplites separately from each other. The 1.1s emblem was that of a spartan helmet with two swords crossed, while the Hoplites two spears behind the spartan helmet. Resources given to them by a Professor Ian Cray, project lead scientist of the Hoplite program and Lt. Col Gwen Novak. They were put under the command of Lt Col. Novak, who also participate in co leading the project with Cray. Using guerrilla warfare and military tactics, they fought alongside the UNSC in order to turn the tide of war through corners of the Earth. They fought under Lt Col. Novak's leadership, then were put under the command of Gen. Mitchell Hughes on some rare occurrences. Once the Human-Covenant war was over due to the efforts of Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan John-117 and the sacrifice of countless soldiers, only one hundred and eighty-five Hoplites survived along with thirteen Spartan 1.1s. They honor the dead of those they lost and remember the sacrifices made to finally end the war. Many of them felt unsure of what purpose was left for them after the war with the Covenant finally reached its end. However, factions of insurrectionists resumed their attacks against the UNSC and there were also splinter factions of the Covenant vying for control in the following years to come.
The brass in the UNSC called these survivors the 198th, a group of young soldiers who were augmented since birth and trained to peak human condition that survived the end of the war which lasted for twenty-seven years. The Hoplite program was scrubbed and decommissioned after the end of the Covenant war, the candidates being no more than military cadets. Not having much longer to live due to terminal cancer, Prof. Cray made one last request to the World Security Council. His final proposal was to have the surviving Hoplites along with the Spartan 1.1s to be fully integrated into the SPARTAN-IV program. They agreed to the professor's proposal on the condition that the 198th would enlist themselves into the UNSC military, to which the majority already did so without hesitation. They began their training as Spartan IVs, being taught by their instructors who were the very best of the best from the previous generations of Spartan. Upon their graduation, they receive their full Mjolnir armor and became Spartans. When it came to the mindset of the Hoplites now branded Spartan IVs, each and every last of them fought with a purpose as they serve the UNSC. A purpose to find a place where they can truly belong in life, serving their roles in the galaxy. Most of them found that purpose alongside the Spartan 1.1s integrated with them, those they considered comrade-in-arms since the invasion of Earth and after the war itself. Putting in blood, sweat, and sacrifices from their fallen brothers and sisters who they fought together with in order to protect humanity. They became the second class of Spartan IVs on February 6, 2554, as they continue their service with honor, respect, and distinction.
Four years have passed since then, and a new threat has arisen. A threat which was discovered six months ago by the UNSC most prized ship: Infinity. The very ship that upon arrival not only they found the Master Chief, from an emergency transmission from the lost UNSC frigate ship Forward Unto Dawn. A Forerunner shield world was also discovered, including a living Forerunner known as Ur Didact. A mad Forerunner who destroyed the lives of those living in New Phoenix but was stopped by Master Chief, along with help and sacrifice from the smart AI and ally companion known as Cortana. However, only most of the higher ups knew of what really happened. The powers that be decided to shift the blame on Covenant remnants, due to uncertainty regarding if the Didact was a confirmed kill or still alive somewhere in the edges of the galaxy. Months after the New Phoenix incident on Earth, the UNSC ordered the Infinity to start another campaign in Requiem. The Infinity called in available Spartan fireteams for the Requiem campaign, as there was one group that stood out among the rest. A group of four that consisted of a fireteam from the 198th itself.
Inside the UNSC ship, four people in their twenties are in a workshop checking their weapons and armor statistics. One was a man with Latin descent, short brown hair and green eyes inspecting the specifications to his armor. The second was a blonde-haired woman with side part layered bob-cut hair and blue eyes hitting a training dummy in nothing but her fatigues. The third was an Asian man with dark crew cut hair checking the armor systems on his data pad, while a dark-skinned woman with amber hazel eyes and short wavy black hair was cleaning her gun. A camera zoomed in, examining the four Spartans starting from left to right in their respective stations and who they were.
Kevin Morales Spartan-056: Team leader and marksman. Enlisted in the UNSC Air Force, serving as a pilot and army airborne trooper. Homeworld: Alluvion
Janissary James Spartan-148: CQC/Assault expert and support gunner. Enlisted in UNSC Navy and served as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. Homeworld: Earth
Benji Wong Spartan-229: Experience in covert operations. Served in the UNSC Army as a counterintelligence officer. Recon Specialist and sniper. Homeworld: Earth
Natasha al-Cygni Spartan-374: Weapons specialist and demolition expert. Served in the UNSC Marine Corps after enlistment. Homeworld: New Jerusalem
"So, we're heading to Requiem, huh?" the woman cleaning her weapon asked. "Infinity is heading back there, again?"
"Command believes there to be a growing number of Covenant activity on the same shield world Master Chief was found." the man stated, as he sent his specification to the armor bay before turning to the woman who asked. "We're basically wiping out any occupants and securing Forerunner technology at this point, Nat. Nothing major."
"It just seems there's more to this, Kev." she replied at the man. "I can't help but feel that the higher ups are hiding more than what they're telling us. I don't like going in with a glass half full." Natasha glanced at the other two. "Jan, Benji. What do you two make of this?"
"Could be that Command is taking precautions after what happened in New Phoenix. Even though everyone's been wiped out in the city, it's still being quarantined." Ben theorized as he sat the data pad down on the table. "So, you can understand why the Brass doesn't want any Covenant loyalists getting their hands on forerunner technology."
Jan landed a couple of jabs on the training dummy, dodging an incoming hit from the dummy itself. "The point is we won't know until we get there." she said sending one more hit before grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat off her face
"Attention, Crimson." All four looked to see a yellow hologram of an AI resembling a WWII US air force. "We're preparing slipspace travel. Time to head over to S-deck, Spartans. Your orders will be given to you briefly."
"Wilco, Roland. Crimson will be there, ASAP." a fifth female voice said as the ship AI disappeared, showing a green holographic AI of a hooded figure staring at the team. "Ready to go, Crimson?"
"Looks like we're good to go. Time to go to work, Crimson." the others nodded. "Gear up. Jan, grab Oracle and let's go." he said as Crimson left with Oracle in hand via datachip module
Crimson reached S-deck in their tech bodysuits, seeing every Spartan being armored up as they followed along. Once Crimson was getting armor on, Commander Sarah Palmer gave a speech.
"Ladies... and other Spartans, listen up. Your new workplace is a planet first discovered by humanity six months ago called Requiem. Some of the old hands here know what you're in for. The rest of you... are due for an education. The eggheads upstairs want to set up research bases. But before they can, we need to fend off some Covenant squatters. The Covies... they believe this is the home of one of their gods. The way I see it? If those freaks want to meet god, it's our duty to help them along!"
Kevin's armor was the Air Assault variant. LG-50 Bulk legs and GV-09 forearms with a silver visor. Janissary was fitted with the Rogue armor while her visor was midnight black. Twin-plated forearms and XG-89 Marrow legs. Benji put on his helmet after being fitted with his CIO armor with Contoured arms and legs. He gave a nod to Kevin and Jan before looking at their last member with those three green circles on his CIO helmet. Natasha inspected her helmet as she stared at her gold visor lenses before putting it on, fully equipped in her EOD armor with outer-plated forearms and legs. Their armor was crimson red with gray stripes, more fitting for their fireteam namesake. Their coat-of-arms was a yellow shield with a white jolly roger skull. They were on their pelican since the word go, their weapons already strapped inside their transport and all set. Many pelicans descended from the bays of the Infinity, making their way down to the shield world all the way being covered by F-41 Broadswords scrambling away incoming Covenant fighters.
"This is Crimson-One. We're entering Requiem's atmosphere, descent on five seconds... and we're in!" the pilot informed, looking at the Spartan fireteam. "Hang on back there!"
"Get ready, Crimson! We're dropping in hot and ready into the jaws of Hell!" Kevin shouted
Kevin armed himself with the M392 Designated Military Rifle and M4D magnum, along with a pair of frag grenade. Jan was armed with a MA40 Assault Rifle while Natasha took the BR55HB battle rifle for herself. Benji on the other hand had an SRS 99-S5 anti-material sniper rifle. When they had reached the planet's atmosphere, they saw the inside of Requiem through the pelican's windows. On the outside of Requiem, it was a whole metallic world. But on the inside, all they could see is a desert. They were also able to see pelicans belonging to Castle, Domino, Ivy, and Majestic fly in toward designated paths.
"Oracle, is this the entirety of Requiem?" Kevin asked as the AI popped up on their VISRs.
"This is only one of the landscapes. There is an arctic, grassland, and a volcanic landscape. It also has a jungle according to the records of when the Infinity was anchored here and discovered by Master Chief." the AI stated
"Charming. What's our objective?" Jan queried
"Pretty simple, really. Eliminate enemy forces around the canyon and destroy three power core generators. Easy task for you, Crimson."
"We'll see." Nat said as the pelican was above the LZ, opening the doors. "Ladies first!" she shouted, being the first to drop as Jan followed after once the hatch
Kevin and Benji dropped down with boots on the ground as the pelican flew away. The LZ was supplied with weapons and ammo, along with warthogs and mongooses. They were a squad of six marines at the ready. Kevin and Jan were in one warthog while Benji and Nat were in the other, both having a marine on the turret. The remaining marines were right behind them on mongooses as they drove their way to the canyon. They opened fire on Grunts as Nat took one out on the shade turret. Three Elites threw plasma grenades at the marines in one of the mongooses, taking out three marines in the process while the fourth marine was fatally wounded. Kevin and Nat got out of the warthogs, coming to the aid of the fallen soldier as Jackals and more Grunts arrived before he succumbed to his injuries. The marine on the warthog turret began suppressing on the Grunts, Jackals, and Elites. Six of the Grunt were taken out follow by two jackals, only to be shot in the head by sniper while the other was hit with plasma fire. Judging from stream of light, it was a beam rifle from a Jackal sniper as Kevin filled it with enough lead. Another marine was sent flying due to a plasma detonation as an Elite felt something heavy on him from behind. He started to feel a sharp pain, the other Elite noticed and saw the attacker was Jan. Before he fired his plasma rifle, Benji shot him in the head with his sniper rifle as one of the generators was destroyed.
"One down. Two to go." Nat stated, now eyeing a wraith nearby. "Come to Mama." she got inside the Covenant mortar tank, aiming it high enough to get the trajectory right. After spotting another generator that was kilometers away, she fired as the plasma mortar hit on impact. "That's two down."
"Nice, Crimson. Using the enemy's toys against them." Spartan Jared Miller said on the comms. "Heads up, Crimson. You got company." he added as a Phantom suddenly appeared, dropping off Covenant reinforcements
"When in doubt, improvise." Nat replied, calm and collectively as she sent them flying away with the mortar blast. "What's the play here, Crimson-1?"
Kevin stabbed an Elite at its neck before finishing it off with one shot, taking out three Grunts along the way. "We take care of that last generator and clean out any stragglers and possible incoming reinforcements. Crimson-3, you ride shotgun with me. Crimson-2, you man that Gauss turret. Crimson-4, you follow us and provide us cover fire with that Wraith."
"Affirmative." Jan said manning the turret
Ben took out the last grunt with his sniper rifle. "Got it." he said jumping in the passenger side of the warthog.
"Will do." Nat responded as she followed behind her team
Crimson took the IFF dog tags of dead marines and pocketed them, their way of bringing them to the Infinity to confirm casualties and honor the fallen. A pelican could drop by and bag the bodies later once the mission was complete. They continued on their way finding three ghosts heading toward them and a pair of shade turrets. Nat made short work of them by sending a plasma mortar blast their way, destroying two ghosts while Jan blew up the third ghost with Gauss turret. She fired at the shade turrets destroying them as Kevin drove the warthog for the third generator, with Jan firing off a shot. It exploded in a purple fire as it lit up the quarry. Kevin glanced as he quickly turned right, dodging a plasma mortar to where they were. Jan shot the Gauss turret at the Elite on the mounted gun as another Phantom dropped by. It was blown away by Nat, with a few Elites and Hunters jumping off before the explosion. Nat decided to take care of the Hunter by sending them plasma mortar fire while Jan fired with the mounted turret. Bullets and plasma burns covered them while Benji shoot the remaining Elites with the sniper rifle while their shields were down.
"Last generator's been disabled." Kevin turned on the comms in his helmet. "Spartan Dalton, this is Crimson. Scramble us a ride home."
"Pelican already En route, Crimson." Dalton informed the team
Benji spotted Phantoms off in the distance through his scope. "We got Phantoms, incoming!"
"Take 'em out, Crimson! No stragglers make it out of here!" Kevin ordered
The Phantoms dropped off more Covie units to root Crimson as Nat got out of the damage Wraith she commandeered. She decimated the Wraith, as Nat planted a plasma grenade she took from a fallen Elite. She jumped away from it before it exploded in a green fire. Two Ghosts attempted to ram as Benji shot a grunt driving while Nat hijacked the other, sending the Grunt flying away with a kick before she drove it herself. More drop pods sent in reinforcements as Nat drove in shooting with the Ghost while Jan and Benji laid out some fire at the remaining Covenant units. A Phantom dropped off with Elites, Grunts, and a pair of Hunters. Jan fired more shot at the Hunters as Nat rammed over Grunts and fired on Elites, as one jumped on the Ghost she was driving. Before the Elite could make his move, Benji shot it dead in its tracks. Nat turned the Ghost around and shot at the Hunters from behind, while Benji and Jan finished them off. The Pelican hovered above them as it landed, as Crimson got out of the vehicles and into the Pelican.
"Commander Palmer, this is fireteam Crimson. Mission successful. We're heading back home now." The Spartan Crimson leader informed the Commander as they jumped inside the Pelican
"Already? Everyone's still hip deep in bad guys. Impressive work. Miller, congratulate the team." Palmer responded, surprising Crimson entirely as they looked at each other
"I've never heard Commander Palmer complement anyone before, so not a bad day at the office. See you on Infinity, Crimson." Miller said as the Pelican flew away, heading back to the Infinity