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"...And maybe your grave."

November 27 2525 - Hour 1926

CPL Logan 'Log' Sutton

Damascus Materials Testing, Vhalkem, Planet of Chi Ceti IV

Training session ended earlier than usual.

It's been a rough month as expected. While the suit helped handle the duress I was put through, I didn't stop for a moment to train on my own after the sessions were over. Call it paranoia or not, but I could see myself facing the Covenant once again without the suit. And I really couldn't rely on luck alone if I wanted to survive that possible future encounter.

Still, today was going to be special. Big shit is happening today, and the situation is as grim as I remember it being. The only military ship the UNSC had at the moment was the UNSC Commonwealth, a Paris-class heavy frigate, and we were dealing with the CRS-class Light Cruiser 'Unrelenting'. The shields were a problem, especially when the first skirmish between the ships saw the MAC Cannon destroyed by a Plasma Torpedo. None of the other weapons within the Frigate could actually puncture through the shields of the enemy ship.

As I was discharged by the program due to the emergency, I had the time for Dr. Gerhardt to install the latest firmware with all fixes to the older ones before getting sent onboard the Commonwealth. The BALMUNG Mk. I had yet to be 'researched' further before being able to receive further major expansions, but it was expanded roughly a week ago when 'Variant B' was conceived. It was literally the Mk. I, except it received a couple of new protective plates made of a composite alloy which held better against plasma. It wasn't a big upgrade, but anything that let me survive a couple of blasts was more than welcomed.

The ride with the Pelican was fairly quiet, especially since I wasn't the only soldier on board the cargo section. I didn't need to ask any questions to realize that I was in the company of Spartants. Not Blue Team, much to my inner fanboy's dismay, but I recognized a few of those numbers and I had boarded the ship with another known team. I saw a 092, a 130 and a 042 - the Red Team from Halo Wars. Once the vehicle landed inside the hangar and we all disembarked, I found myself more nervous at being among other Spartans and being the one that stood out the most due to my suit.

Yours has more personality.

Sif picked up my discomfort and tried to hand out a modest compliment to counter it.

"That's because you're in it," I whispered back, getting a chuckle from the AI as we paced to reach where Captain Wallace, the big boss here in this ship, was having a conversation with a Spartan and... a woman. It took me so little to recognize her, and having prepared for this possible encounter didn't make it any less awkward for me. Still, I approached and stopped right by the side as I was noticed by the trio.

"Corporal Logan Sutton, sir."

"Corporal, I'm glad to see that you got accustomed to the suit. Sif?"

I brought my left palm upward, allowing for the AI to form her chosen avatar.

"Captain Wallace, Doctor Halsey and... I believe you are Sierra-117."

...Holy fuck, I actually forgot. He was already there but... I think he was 14 at this point? He look so fucking tall already.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I understand thanks to Doctor Gerhardt's report that you have gained a degree of skill in decrypting and manipulating the AI used by the Covenant, am I correct?" Halsey quickly shifted the conversation on the main element that saw us being pulled into the operation they were plotting. The AI nodded.

"The Covenant lacks smart AIs, and those they have are mostly used for weaponry locking and interception. I was able to study their system and find weaknesses within ships like the one we're facing," Sif elaborated. "I can turn a few ships blind, but I don't need to explain why I can't remove the sight from their eyes."

Too many ships would be easy to spot on. It had to be a few. Either two or three Pelicans packed with Spartans and some of the unused rockets from the Pelicans we were boarding would do.

"I suppose we can instruct six teams, two for each Pelicans and have Corporal Sutton on board with-"

"Blue Team and Green Team."

Of course I was to stick with her favorite group. It was no secret Halsey had a degree of preference, but I couldn't exactly blame her with how successful the team was compared to other spartans. Green Team... it took me a little more time to remember who was part of it as there were many Spartans that became part of it or even the whole team itself at times where the previous group was wiped out. 023, 029, 093. Daisy, Joshua, and Grace. The first one actually made me a bit sad since I recognized how this one died and... well, I wasn't planning to give the Covenant any of our super-soldiers during this war. Second one was a leader-kind of fellow, he would adapt faster than anyone else, and Grace... she was an explosive specialist. 'nuff said with just that.

Still, I need to keep my eyes on Daisy.

That woman sure is fixed with these three... or one. Definitely 117.

I didn't say or do anything to respond to Sif, knowing that any action would be picked up by Halsey one way or another. And I really didn't want to get a woman of that caliber suspicious about me. With the mission details ironed out and leaving us ready with a precise plan to follow, I went to retrieve a M392 DMR and a M7 SMG before boarding the Pelican together with John.

The Spartans were quiet as they all started to organize by the vehicles they were meant to board, and I could tell there was still a degree of tension within them. First engagement against the Covenant, nothing had prepared them to this degree of warfare... except their capacity to adapt faster than other humans. Soon, the operation started and the Pelicans took off as we started to approach the objective at a cautious speed. Too fast, and the Covenant were going to see something was wrong.

The ride didn't remain quiet as the first one that landed me in the Commonwealth. This time, a Spartan decided to build up enough bravery to actually... raise her hand.

"Sir, permission to ask questions of the enemy."

I blinked at the way Grace addressed me. Sir? It would have been a surprise if I hadn't heard from Captain Wallace himself I was in command of these two Teams. I was more of a minder due to my rank being below theirs, but they still responded to me as their superior.

"Granted."

The young woman nodded. "From what Dr. Halsey showed us, the Covenant has various means to use heavy weaponry, but there is one in particular that I don't think was detailed on its usage. It was... the 'Needler'."

"What about, 093?"

"How many needles are required to stick on the target to cause detonation?"

I like her.

Of course you would.

I saw a couple of head shakes, making me realize that the explosive expert was trying to broaden her capacity to make things go loud and 'boom'. Knowing this was actually good in the scope of the operations, I gave her a proper answer.

"Seven or more. The explosion should be strong enough to bypass shields, so I suggest taking cover and killing anyone using that kind of weapon as quickly as possible," I commented curtly, my words being taken seriously from the nods I got out of this. "And since we've got some time before landing, if anyone has questions tied to the upcoming operation, feel free to ask."

There was some silence, but I could tell a few of them were actually considering the offer.

"Sir, is it... true that the species nicknamed 'Elites' are all provided with Energy blades?" Kelly-087 asked politely and I hummed.

"No. As far as I know, only those of high ranks are allowed to keep theirs. From what I got, it was some sort of important weapon in their culture, so only those that 'proved their worth' can get it."

A sigh, Kelly looked at the ground. "Wouldn't mind getting one."

"If they deploy Zealots, you might get the chance of getting one. Just don't get too cocky or too close when they aren't open for a quick death."

This time the girl nodded and... I saw John actually raise a nervous hand up.

"Sir?"

I nodded, and the Spartan took a moment to think up a proper question.

"What is the... correct line of action to take in case you are injured or killed?"

That was actually cold, but I could agree that it had a fair reason to be pushed up. Some of the Spartants actually looked at John in what I could only assume was shock at that forwardness, but before the man could backtrack about it, I decided to humor him.

"If I die, 117, you will have the duty of retrieving Sif while the chain of command will be split between you and 029. The mission has a priority, but I will work to try and get you all through it without any losses."

The answer seemed to bring some relief on board, but it left me to think about one thing I had ignored until this very moment. If I rushed forward and led them around, I was going to be a bigger target and I couldn't rely on any shields if shit got too hot. Hopefully I was going to find enough covers to not get barraged with plasma by any force dispatched to stop us.

I hope you understand you're not going to die. Not with me around to yell where not to go.

I held back a snort, but she could see my smile and sighed.

You know. I think it's fitting how we both need each other on more than just the psychological level. Now, let's give them hell like we did back on Harvest.

At that, I had to nod, and none of the Spartan spotted me doing that, causing Sif to giggle at my reaction.

Ah... let's have a long conversation once this is all over. I need to hear you lament my teasing. It makes it just so... amusing.

You may be a close friend of mine, Sif, but you're still a bitch when you want to be one.

Another giggle, almost as if she caught on what I was thinking from my expression alone. Nothing more was said as the Pelican shook and I could tell we had just entered inside the ship. Especially when everything started to shake as the few troops within the large room were definitely starting to target the vehicle. The ramp unlocked and revealed the inside of the ship, giving us the way to get out and start killing some of those scumbags. It felt so similar to what happened to Harvest and... I prepared my DMR while Grace and Joshua took care of the few grounds nearby, allowing us to walk out of the ship unscathed.

"Blue Team, Green Team- let's clear up the area and move to handle our task. Find some cover and avoid plasma when possible."

Instead of nodding, I saw six green lights appear on my HUD, signalling the little connection between my suits and theirs as Sif took care of the connection among teams. The resistance was less present compared to last time, and maybe this had to do with the fact that the hangar picked for the occasion was less-guarded. Despite any easy time at these first stages, I didn't do anything to stop being too careful about every single corner. A single grunt could easily kill us if there wasn't maximum attention for any surprises.

The hangar was soon clear enough to get us to move. Sif quickly set up checkpoints for the teams to start rushing for. We had to arrive at the same spot, but we were splitting to avoid any issues by keeping in the same hallway.

It was time to hit the Covenant once again, this time showing them what they had been trying to steal from the facility. This first mission was going to be a deathless run, of that I could bet all my money on.

AN

And so it begins.

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