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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
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"Planning a Blitz"
January 26 2528 - Hour 0914
MAJ Logan 'Log' Sutton
Aboard the UNSC Roman Blue, En route to Sigma Octanus IV
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The Spartans were now under my command and... I already needed them on the ground.
While Operation HUNDRED DAYS was unfolding, we received news that the garrison fleet standing on Sigma Octanus IV had been obliterated by a big Covenant one. Troops on the planet reported an excessive use of violence by the aggressors, something that was further expanded as acts of cannibalism were even more frequent than on Harvest.
"They are using prisoners and criminals as frontline troops," Sif explained, revealing a few clues which gave her assumption a fair amount of credibility.
The behavioral patterns compared to other 'violent' troops, peculiar symbols branded on their backs by plasma-powered sticks and a lack of general cohesion when it comes to orders. Mostly Brutes, mostly those that gave no shit on the Covenant's Creed and were just out to murder anything on sight. This was not a good situation as the capture of the planet opened a front for Reach, and we didn't have enough resources there to hold.
Which is why, after consulting with Captain Hood, Sif and I created created Operation DATAFLIP. Two main directives were issues for the plan:
1) Serin would lead a large portion of the BALMUNG Battalion to Reach and fortify the planet for an eventual invasion. Halsey was going to tag along with the prerogative to outpower any ONI official trying to prioritize specific bases over others. Anything she knew on an objective manner could help Earth was to be evacuated at once;
2) I was going to lead most of the Spartan-IIs on Sigma Octanus IV and retake the planet with the aid of the Roman Blue, Pillar of Autumn, Leviathan, Hannibal and the Valiant plus a couple dozen of other cruisers and around a hundred destroyers. We needed that planed back or we were going to have bigger problems than just losing Reach.
As the 'team' was split, I took this chance to finally have a talk with the whole 'Spartan Brigade' and make sure that the parameters for this mission were set accordingly. The room provided for the meeting was massive, but barely enough to contain the entire brigade. I was a lone 'Marine' among hundreds of Spartan-IIs... and it made me a bit nostalgic about what happened a few years ago.
Ah, they grew up so nicely~. Papa is proud.
"Lads and Lasses, I am glad to see that most of you made it to this point. Those that are not here, I am sure, died valiantly in the field and to allow more people to bring the hope that we carry on even now," I started to say, looking all around at the visors aimed at me. "As of recently, I became your commanding officer. I shall make sure to stand up to the expectation that a proper leading officer should have while in charge of an equally impressive group of formidable soldiers that many times went unsung due to the shady dealings of some people. No more, I say, and this next mission shall be a proper test to show what your full potential is."
I turned to Sif's holographic avatar and she nodded while manifesting a large window with numerous picture on it.
"Our goal is to retake Sigma Octanus IV. While the official records will say it is only because of its strategic location for any invasion into the Inner Colonies, the truth is that its importance is far more relevant than how it may characterize the next few months of the war," I continued, my face bearing a grim look. "The planet has some old ruins of Forerunner-descent. This means great technologies and potential knowledge that could undermine the survival of the galaxy as a whole. In the specific, it might contains info on a terrible device which we currently own knowledge of but are trying to keep them away from."
A new picture was created, showing a large ring.
"This is a Halo. One of Seven pieces to be precise," I hummed. "This pseudo-colony which could allow life to exist within its surface is in truth a trap deployed by the Forerunners during their last fight against a parasite which was capable of spreading fast. The weapons would unleash a powerful beam capable of erasing life on 3/4 of a whole galaxy... each."
I saw some unease spreading over the ranks.
"Yet, the real issue, in my opinion, is that the parasite that was meant to lead to death by hunger is still alive on those rings. If the slumber is disturbed there, then we will have a big fucking problem. And I want that to not be a issue for anyone," I announced. "Which is why, under the authorization from the big boss of FLEETCOM himself, I want you all to get creative and brutal in this occurrence."
I saw a hand raising up and I nodded at... John. Curious to see him be the one asking questions, but I wasn't surprised.
"Yes?"
"Is this related to what happened in Troy, sir?"
I nodded. "FLEETCOM wants retribution. Moderate one at that, but I trust you to not start eating Covenant troops around. I want you to be ruthless, but within the limits of humanity. Children were devoured, innocent kids that did nothing to deserve that sort of fate. I don't need to explain why this is kind of shit is vile and unforgivable."
There was some mumbling at this, but I wasn't done just yet.
"I want each and every single one of you to be in your most vicious state of mind. There will be no innocent foes on the planet, there will be no one deserving of mercy. Sigma Octanus will fall, that's unquestionable, but I want your conduct to show the Covenant how stupid their idea was to employ penal battalions to try and scare humanity. That what they did was only pissing us even more. Is that clear?"
"Sir, yes sir!" A single chorus raised up and I smiled at the result but-
Then I saw a hand shoot up in the middle of the rows and I leaned to the side to see who it was. I couldn't see the number on their chestplate, but I still nodded.
"Yes?"
"Do we have a limit on the kind of weaponry we can use on the planet, sir?" A certain explosive gal inquired and I found myself grinning in recognition.
"You have not, but I expect you to not take it too far, Grace."
The girl had the decency to hold a sheepish posture at that last bit and the chiding tone within it.
"And yes, I will not demand a strict rule of conduct if not extremely necessary. Just behave properly when possible and we will all have a lovely relationship for the remainder of this bloody war."
Most of them eased down at this.
"Lastly!" I interrupted the peace and drawing their attention. "I want to say something and I am sure Grace will be happy to hear this. By the end of the day, I want all of you to do one thing in particular: have fun, kids."
And this time, I wanted all of them enabled to do some war semi-crimes in the names of the Greater Good. And to see Grace's creativity at work within such a larger environment- I wanted a genius like her to express her full potential after all.
AN
I have been craving to write this chapter for so long. Only because I wanted Grace to return and to be given the command she likes the most. Next time, Grace will have some fun~.