Author's Note: For this chapter, I was working hard on this specific chapter and hope I did the characters in this latest chapter respectively. I would not mind your opinion if I did the characters well or how I can do them better to the best of my abilities.
As always, please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter 8: Crimson and Blue
The UNSC received an emergency transmission coming from New Babylon, a colony world in the Leonis Minoris System on October 4th, 2557. Predating four months before the Second Campaign on Requiem. The planet's settlements were being attacked by Covenant forces led by Sanghelii terrorist leader Garl Moram. They sent out a distress call for any UNSC forces nearby, with only half of a Spartan fireteam still alive stationed on the planet. Casualties consisted of civilians and soldiers alike once the attack began as UNSC sent out a fireteam to excess the situation. Command had sent in Fireteam Crimson to lend aid and repel invading Covenant forces on New Babylon. The team were armed to the teeth, ready for combat as they now waiting for those pelican doors to open once they were planetside. Jan and Kevin picked up the standard assault rifle and DMR while Nat armed herself with an M7 sub-machine gun and missile launcher. The rest of Crimson heard Benji whispering something silently to himself, wondering what he was saying as he held his sniper rifle close to his chest. They stared at him while exchanging glances at each other, then looking back at Kevin as the team now focused on the mission. The pelican doors opened to how the settlement being attacked by Covenant as UNSC forces attempted to repel invading forces.
"Benji." said person looked to Nat. "You good?"
"I'm fine."
"What were you whispering two seconds ago?" Jan asked
Benji replied. "May fortune favor the worthy, and may our fallen comrades watch over us from above as we step into hell."
Kevin was the first to stand. "Time to move." he said as they jumped through the pelican hatch and ran out of the pelican.
They assisted forces in the settlements stationed in New Babylon from Covenant forces as they protected and escorted civilians out of the firefight. Kevin led a fireteam of marines to flank the Southeast section in town while Jan and Nat assisted ODSTs in the Northwest section. Once the citizens were safe and secure in emergency bunkers, Crimson laid the groundwork with UNSC forces to repel the Covenant out of the settlement. New Babylon was unscathed during the Human-Covenant war, due to the sacrificial loss of New Harmony and New Constantinople.
"What's the situation here, Oracle?" Jan asked, reloading her weapon.
"A spartan team has just arrived at the UNSC research facility called Daedalus and are quickly repelling hostile forces. Garl Moram has sent in additional forces to eliminate them."
"Define "additional" in terms of..." Benji trailed, looking at the map display on the forces in Daedalus.
"In terms of sending in one assault carrier, seven Wraiths and a dozen Covenant dropships closing in on Daedalus." Oracle stated. "He is also sending a corvette cruiser and two scarabs along with a Covenant regiment to New Thebes."
"Moram must be desperate." Nat replied. "Whoever this Spartan team are, they're really giving these covies something to be scared about." she added, loading up the last missile launcher before tossing Jan a SAW machine gun.
"Let's lighten their load and take out those scarabs before they reach the city." Kevin said in the cockpit of the pelican with the pilot, as he flicked his comms. "All remaining forces head over to the Daedalus facility to provide assistance for their defenses. Kilo and Echo squad, you're with us hitting that Covenant force heading toward New Thebes. After that, we'll backup the Spartan team at the Daedalus facility." he ordered, now out of the cockpit and with his teammates.
"Understood, Spartan!"
"Roger that!"
"So, immobilize the scarabs before they can reach Daedalus and fend off remaining enemy forces with the spartan team there." Nat said. "Let's get it done."
"Location of scarabs are west of your position just by several miles out."
"Pilot. Get us close for a quick drop off on the nearest scarab."
"Aye. Copy that, Spartan!"
"What about the Corvette class ship heading for the city?"
"We could use the scarab's focus cannon." Benji suggested. "Theoretically, that will do some damage on that bringing down that corvette if we're lucky. Plan B: we detonate a nuke inside the corvette if that isn't enough."
"Sounds like a plan, then. Benji, you and Nat take Kilo squad to one of the scarabs. Jan and I got Echo in taking the other one."
"First scarab eta three minutes."
Nat shouldered a missile launcher, while reloading her m7 and tossed Benji his sniper rifle. "Think the forces sent over to Daedalus can hold out for as long as they can?"
"I'm certain of it." Benji assured, pointing at a shotgun as Nat tossed him the weapon as well before holstering his rifle. "Especially since they have a Spartan team there, the facility should be fine with the reinforcements we sent over there."
"Let's hope they sent in are the best of the best." Nat replied
Nat and Benji jumped down on the scarab, killing grunts and jackals while Kilo squad descended behind them. The pelican took out and headed to the second scarab as Jan and Kevin jumped onto it, with Echo squad behind them. Weapons trained to begin their operation as the ODSTs followed the Spartan duo heading inside the scarab. Crimson along with Kilo and Echo kill off the Covenant forces inside the scarab, each making their way to the controls. After a moment or two, they gained control of the scarabs as the focus cannon were aimed at the corvette cruiser. Both fired simultaneously as the twin blasts connected a direct hit toward the Covenant vessel. There was a small explosion of purple fire once it descended, crashing down away from the city as a searing explosion could be seen and heard. This little retaliation no doubt caused a lot of attention as Covenant dropships headed toward the captured scarabs.
"We got covenant incoming!" a member of Kilo squad shouted out.
"They just reached our scarab!" yelled a member of Echo squad
"One of you help Kilo squad! Jan, you do the same with Echo!" Benji and Nat heard Kevin say on comms
"I'll go."
Nat side glanced at Benji. "You sure you got this, Benji?"
Benji nodded back at Nat. "Just be ready to go when we overload these scarabs." he said as she began prepping the core to overload
Benji ran out and took cover by a shield wall as he took shots at two Elites, dropping the pair dead in their tracks. He quickly reloaded his weapon and sniped off an Elite about to kill one of the ODSTs of Kilo squad. Benji heard footsteps as he glanced to see a swinging energy sword seven inches closer to his face, using his sniper rifle as a shield and evaded the deadly blow. He twisted around from another slash and fired off three shots from the shotgun, two that destroyed the shield while the third went to the head of the Elite. He dodged an incoming slash from another Elite as he lunged the butt of the shotgun across its mandibles, breaking a tooth loose from its jaw. He attempted to open a shot toward the Elite's head, but it quickly gripped the barrel in unbridled fury as Benji's neck was grabbed. Benji then lifted his legs up to the Elite's arm while it was choking, using his leg strength to throw the Elite off balance. Once down on the ground, Benji snapped the Elite's neck. Another Elite planted his foot on his chest forcefully as it prepared to impale him with an energy sword.
The Elite was suddenly stabbed in the nape from behind by Nat. "Reactor's overloading and we got some wounded." she said, helping Benji up off the floor of the scarab as they went to help the injured ODSTs.
"Jan, are you and Kevin good on your side?" Benji queried through comms channel, using a biofoam to keep a shocktrooper's condition stable.
"All set and ready to go." Jan replied. "Just set the reactor on the scarab we're on to overload."
"Crimson. I have discovered through Covenant chatter that there are attempts of stealing a Forerunner artifact from the Daedalus facility on the outskirts of the New Thebes." Oracle informed the team.
"The attack on the settlements and glassing attempt on the city was just a distraction. It was all about the artifact from Daedalus." Kevin deduced from their comms.
"Pelican Charlie-172, request immediate pick-up." Nat called to the pilot.
"On my way, Spartan."
"Off to Daedalus, then. Let's hope they have a medical center for these Helljumpers." Benji added as Nat nodded in reply.
The pelican arrived as the doors opened up for Benji and Nat to carry half of the wounded ODSTs while the other half followed unscathed. Another pelican did the same for Jan and Kevin along with Echo squad, as the second pelican followed behind pelican Charlie-172 before the scarabs erupted in purple flames upon explosion. The pelicans flew over to the battle torn Daedalus facility at top speed, and nine minutes later they saw the battlefield that was the archaeological facility. Crimson saw there was a whole armada storming the facility's defenses as the Covenant was hounding them with five Wraiths and a Scarab. Two Anti-Air Wraiths spotted the two pelicans and opened fire on them. One of the wings and starboard engine was hit in pelican Charlie-172, causing it to swerve left as the pelican crash landed in a canyon. The other pelican's engines were hit and injured the pilot on the cockpit. ODSTs dropped down on a cliff while Jan got the pilot out and jumped after them. Kevin took control of the pelican and aimed it a Scarab readying another blast from its cannon. He sat the pelican on a collision course toward before jumping out of the crashing pelican himself, using the thrusters and his momentum to glide down behind the Anti-Air Wraiths. He killed a grunt and chucked its remaining plasma grenades inside both Wraiths, as he dashed away from the Wraiths before they exploded in hot plasma fire.
All but one of the ODSTs in Kilo squad were dead and a pilot wounded as Benji and Nat covered them in a holdout. Squads of Jackals, Elites, and Grunts poured Covenant fire on them while they took cover as some of their Jackals and Grunts were getting shot down by Jan and Echo Squad. Kevin quickly arrived soon after as his shields just dropped, shooting a Jackal in the head before using its hand-held energy shield for cover. The shield protected them from Covenant fire as his shields recharged in time, bashing an Elite across the face with the shield itself. Nat rushed in and used the staggered Elite as a meat shield after its own shields dropped, placing a grenade in his hand and kicked the Elite away toward another Elite and a pair of Jackals. The explosion killed the Jackals and destroyed the Elite's shields as it was shot in the head by Benji. He made short work of the Grunts with a few potshots, focusing his attention on three Jackal snipers. Benji lined his shots and take out the first two, taking aim at the last one. Before he could, one of the ODSTs spotting something hurtling toward their way.
"Incoming!" one of them shouted as plasma mortar hit their cover point.
"Echo, Kilo! Double time on Daedalus for the wounded. We'll lay down some covering fire-"
Another mortar blast hit Benji and Crimson as their shields dropped after impact, as three mortar blast headed toward the surviving ODST from Kilo and Echo squad fleeing to Daedalus. They quickly took cover by a boulder, but the near majority of Echo squad was hit as they were now pinned down by Covenant fire. The pilots help moved the wounded to cover and took their weapons, taking cover with the Kilo ODST. The Covenant force was closing in on them and Crimson, ready to go for the kill as Crimsons shields were slowly recharging once they saw three Hunters and a Wraith heading their way. Jan saw an Elite charging and leapt at Kevin with an energy sword, only for him to move away just in time. Before the Covenant could get the upper hand, all of them were getting taken out one-by-one at a quick pace. Death by bullets and grenade explosions cut apart Crimson turned to a SPARTAN team in front of them. One of the SPARTANs was male wearing blue tinted Centurion armor, with his weapon of choice being a M395B DMR and a magnum as his sidearm. The other a female wearing Hermes, with a light blue tinted color carrying a custom-made M45 shotgun. The third was also a woman wearing gray-tinted Argus armor, wielding a customized SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle. But the last one had Crimson shocked, thankfully their helmets hid their expression as they saw the last member of the SPARTAN team. One wearing very familiar green Mark VII Mjolnir armor, and the detail shown on it indicated it endured a lot of battles. It was at that moment Fireteam Crimson were in the presence of the legendary Blue Team.
"Looks like you need a hand." the legend himself Master Chief formed up in front of Blue team, weapon at the ready. "Blue Team, weapons free."
All Fireteam Crimson could do for a few moments to see the fabled SPARTANs, the originals themselves in action as they pressed on fighting. Linda rang out multiple headshots on every Covie while Chief, Fred, and Kelly sprinted through the raiding force. Kelly was ahead of the two due to her innate speed, firing shot-to-shot at charging Elites with energy shields while Fred used his mastery of close quarters combat to take out the Elites with only his knife. The Master Chief took down more Elites, taking a plasma grenade from one of their corpses and leaped above a Hunter as he stuck a frag grenade inside it from behind. He rushed toward the Wraith as it fired a mortar at him, leaving Master Chief to bring out a dome shield to protect him from the blast. He leapt out of the dome shield as Linda shot the Elite on the turret twice, leaving a plasma grenade inside the Wraith before jumping off it. The detonation destroyed the Wraith as it went up in smoke and blue flames. Once the battle was over, Fireteam Crimson stared in awe at the legendary Blue team. The SPARTAN-II team walked over to ODST squads Kilo and Echo before making their way toward Crimson.
"Fireteam Crimson?" the response of Sierra 117 snapped them out of their stunned and amazed trance.
The four stood in attention. "Sir!"
"At ease." Fred-104 said. "Are you four wounded?"
"Nothing too serious, sir. Though, some of these Helljumpers and that pilot are wounded. The rest didn't make it we hit the ground. We probably would've been six feet under if you hadn't shown up." Benji stated. "We were on our way to Daedalus before our pelicans were taken down by Covenant Anti-Air. This is all that's left."
"Daedalus isn't far from here. A few klicks away from where we came." Kelly-087 stated. "Due west."
"We'll follow your lead, then." Jan replied.
"I'll take point. Which one of you is a sniper?" Linda-058 asked
"I am, ma'am." Benji answered, Linda nodded and motioned Benji to follow her as they cover the front.
Master Chief glanced at Kevin. "Are you the leader of your team?"
"Affirmative."
"You're with Sierra 087 covering our six." Kevin nodded at Master Chief as Kev did what was ordered to him. "One of your men can cover with Sierra 104 while the other is with me." Jan nodded in reply as Kevin went beside Kelly watching from behind.
Jan noticed Nat staring at the Master Chief carrying an injured ODST. "Nat?" said person turned to Jan. "You alright?"
Nat glanced at Master Chief before looking back at Jan and replied. "Yeah. It's just... it's nothing important right now. Let's just get to Daedalus. These men need some medical attention."
Crimson and Blue Team make it to the Daedalus facility, with Crimson taking the wounded to the med bay afterward. They were then ordered to the facility's ready room where a familiar man in an army General's uniform waited for them alongside Blue team. The fireteam made a salute upon the General Mitchell Hughes, who simply nodded. To their surprise, all of Blue Team but Master Chief had their helmets off. It was the first time they saw the faces of the Legendary Spartan-II team, safe for Master Chief. Fred had more facial scars than the rest and streaks of silver in his dark hair, along with a noticeable scar up the center of his hairline. Kelly had a rough angular face and brown hair in a ponytail. Linda was much paler than the two with red hair. Crimson could tell just by their weathered and partially scarred faces that there were years, even decades worth of experience and combat in their eyes.
"As you were, Crimson." he said as all four squad mates took their helmets.
"Gen. Hughes. We weren't expecting to see you here, sir." Nat said.
"I'm stuck on clean up duty for Daedalus in the meantime. But let's get down to why you're here, Crimson team. Oracle, would you care to do the honors?" a holographic display of an Elite in Zealot armor with a scarred face. "This mean son-of-a-bitch is Garl Moram, nephew to Ripa Moramee. Since the fall of the Covenant and end of the war, he's been the right-hand man to one Jul M'Dama." a display of an octagon object appeared on holograms. "Moram obtained this in the middle of the attack on Daedalus. Fireteam Hollow fought back to defend the artifact, but they didn't fight hard enough for what Garl had in stored for them and are confirmed KIA."
"What was this artifact Garl Moram stole from Daedalus?" Benji queried.
"A Forerunner defensive device." Linda answered. "It was able to shield the entire planet away from prying eyes. Apparently, this artifact is the reason why New Babylon wasn't attacked like New Harmony and New Constantinoples during the war." she stated.
"So, it's kept the Covenant from attacking New Babylon." Benji remarked before making a frowned expression. "Delaying the inevitable attack at least."
"Almost. Covenant were able to discover that New Babylon was shielded by forerunner technology and planned to hit the planet in a full-scale assault." Oracle stated to them.
"But something had to have changed that." Kevin replied. "The question is what make them reconsider attacking New Babylon?"
"Halo." Chief said as Crimson's attention was turned to the Master Chief. "The discovery of the Halo ring and the near impending attack on New Babylon were on the same day."
"Meaning Halo's discovery is the reason why New Babylon wasn't glassed by the Covenant. This means that in a way, Halo saved New Babylon." Jan deduced to the conclusion.
"And the only people who know about this are in this room." Nat replied.
Hughes sighed. "Not exactly."
"General Hughes. Incoming call from the UNSC security council, sir." Oracle informed as the general sighed exasperatedly.
"Patch us through, Oracle." everyone turned their attention to the screen as lead member from each branch of the UNSC were shown, including another familiar face to Crimson.
"Admiral Hood."
"Crimson, Blue Team. Job well done on making sure New Babylon and the Daedalus facility stayed in one piece." the Admiral commented both teams on a mission accomplished.
"Thank you, sir."
"Be that as it may..." spoke CINCONI Admiral Serin Osman. "Only Blue Team guaranteed the safety of the Daedalus facility and the rest of its contents." her attention then turned to Crimson while she bore a condescending demeanor. "Fireteam Crimson were supposed to rendezvous at the facility first before Blue Team and secure the artifact."
Kevin felt insulted by Osman's sudden rebuttal. "Forgive me, admiral; but I was under the impression that protecting the colony was the main priority." Jan said.
"The artifact was the top priority, Spartan James. You and your team were to focus your efforts on aiding forces in Daedalus, safeguarding the artifact with Fireteam Hollow." Osman stated, in a stern and near harsh tone. "The colony settlements and New Thebes was a secondary objective prior to Blue Team's arrival."
Kevin took a step forward. "I made the call that we prioritized the city over the facility once word of a SPARTAN team was deployed on the way to Daedalus." he said with admittance and a tone of resolve. "Protecting the city and the lives living there mattered more than the facility itself at the time."
"Crimson leader, are you aware of what this artifact can do?" Kevin narrowed his eyes at Osman before she continued. "This artifact... this Sigil is what kept New Babylon hidden in the dark from prying Covenant eyes during the war. With the artifact taken from our hands, Garl and his fleet could be anywhere and everywhere. Completely hidden from the UNSC's radar, thanks to an artifact that can allow them to remain undetected should they get the idea to attack Earth or any one of our colonies. And you let them get away with the forerunner artifact in question."
"Asset retrieval wasn't a direct objective. Even if we knew, there were more urgent matters to contend with." Kevin said, confidently to Osman's rebuke.
"Like making sure this planet wasn't glassed like all the rest, for starters." Nat muttered in under her breath.
Hughes glanced at Crimson, particularly Morales before turning his attention to the security council. "The artifact being taken away by Garl Moram... is a big problem, along with the fact he's aligned with Jul M'dama. A bigger problem, but it isn't a total loss." he said reassuringly. "Due to Fireteam Hollow's efforts, they instilled a deep range tracker in the Sigil before they were KIA. Oracle can track it with the use of our long-range probes and pinpoint its exact location."
"It's a start." Admiral Hood turned his attention to Master Chief and his team. "Blue Team. You and Crimson will retrieve the artifact and eliminate Garl Moram. We had planned on sending in Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091. They were to rendezvous with Harvey-B197 and Rosenda-A344, but we currently have them occupied elsewhere at the moment."
Master Chief nodded. "We'll get it done, sir." he said as Crimson and the rest of Blue Team left the ready room.
"Godspeed, Spartans." Hughes said as both Spartan teams and the majority of the Security council tending to other matters. However, Admiral Hood remained and focus his attention on Master Chief
"Master Chief. John." Chief turned his head to Hood. "There's one more thing you should know before you go."
Crimson and Blue Team were given a GA-TL1 Interceptor fighter Longsword prior to discovering Garl Moram's location. Blue Team loaded up weapons while Crimson checked the systems of the Longsword and supplies before departing Daedalus and New Babylon. Due to Oracle's pending of long-range scanners and probes throughout the Milky Way, she discovered where the Sigil was located when one of the scanners pinpoint its location. More importantly, the location of both Garl and the Sigil were located in the Perseus Arm. Kevin and Kelly followed the course set by Oracle on the location while the rest of both teams prepped for the mission. Once they reached their destination, the majority of Crimsons eyes were wide with shock and sudden awe at what they saw in front of them. An ocean planet with a jungle moon. But between the two was a colossal ring, follow by a Covenant assault carrier and a few corvette cruisers in orbit.
"Is that...?" Jan trailed, still stunned at the sight before her.
"Yes, it's a Halo ring." Chief answered.
"Which ring is this one?" Benji asked in sudden curiosity.
"Installation 06. Designation: Kappa Halo." Oracle stated as she appeared on the holo unit by the cockpit. "It appears the UNSC has not discovered this ring."
Chief turned his head to Crimson's AI. "What's the assessment of the ring's terrain?"
"Interesting to say the least."
Kevin glanced at Oracle. "What is it?"
"Unlike most Halo rings based on records the UNSC has regarding the Halos, the terrain on this ring is different. Most of the ring is covered in dense forests and jungles. Hard for me to decipher how it has maintained its viability at the moment. I must say it is very remarkable this ring has still maintained a natural habitat despite lack of water on visual scans."
"Looks like we find out where Garl Moram headed off to." Fred said, spotting large machines of Forerunner technology leaving the ocean planet heading toward the ring. They formed themselves in a line, trailing down into the ring. "I wonder what those machines are doing in that planet. Sentinels?"
Linda shook her head. "Unlikely. They're not refraining from any patterns to sentries accustomed to the ring."
"I take it this isn't a first time you've seen a ring." Jan remarked to Blue Team
"It's a second time for the three of us. This would be Chief's fourth ring so far." Kelly replied in a dry humorous tone
Kevin and the rest of Crimson turned to Chief. "What do you think, sir? You've had experiences with these rings. How do we proceed?"
Master Chief stared at the Halo ring, then the small fleet of Covenant ships patrolling between the ocean planet and jungle moon. "We slip in undetected first. Once we enter the ring, we'll prep for a strategy once we get a proper assessment for ourselves." Chief side glance at Nat before turning to Kevin. "Relinquish control of the Longsword. There's something I wish to discuss with you in private."
"Of course." Kevin stepped out of the pilot side and relinquished it to Kelly. "Ma'am, you have control." he said, heading with Chief to speak privately.
Jan noticed them walk away from the cockpit. "Wonder what that's about."
"We can ask Kev once the mission's over." Benji replied.
The Longsword flew under the radar due to its stealth systems, remaining hidden to avoid detection by Covenant patrols guarding the Kappa Halo. With the help of Oracle jamming the Covenant's systems to temporarily stay out of sight, and warning of possible encounters with any patrols before reaching the ring. The Longsword flew by the rainforest landscape of Kappa Halo, using vertical mode to land upon a large cliff as avian creatures flew away from the vehicle. The hatch doors of the Longsword opened as both Blue Team and Fireteam Crimson stepped out with weapons in hand. Oracle stayed on comms and remained in the Longsword as she was authorized full control. Location of where the Sigil was based on the tracker proved to be quite difficult, even for Oracle herself to detect.
"I am unable to get a proper reading on the Sigil's exact location."
"Oracle can't pinpoint the artifact's location. Must be due to some sort of jamming tower somewhere on this ring." Kevin turned to Master Chief. "Speaking of this ring, what's the play now that we're on it?" he asked.
"After we deal with the jamming tower, we'll split up into two teams. Blue Team will find and eliminate Garl Moram." Chief declared as he turned Crimson. "Fireteam Crimson, you will locate and retrieve the artifact."
"Yes, sir."
"Oracle, where's the location of the jamming tower?" Jan asked, loading up her SAW machine gun as she took out an SMG to Nat
"If my calculations are correct, the jamming signal is several klicks southeast of your location." Oracle stated. "Be advised the tower is guarded regularly by patrols, follow by a small efficient force stationed in an outpost nearby the tower."
"Patrol patterns?" Chief queried.
"Unknown. Recommend both teams proceed with caution upon arrival."
Chief and Blue Team nodded at each other. "Understood." he motioned Crimson to follow them.
Blue team and Crimson trek the forest, the sound of avian life breaking the silence that echoed throughout. Linda and Benji went up ahead due to their expertise as snipers, whereas Kevin accompanied Kelly as another scout. This left Chief and Fred with Jan and Nat, remaining vigilant and alert while trekking the jungle. Chief took glances behind Jan and Nat before observing his other surroundings as he pressed on, with Fred turning his left and right cautiously. Suddenly, they heard a thundering sound as they hid and took defensive positions with their weapons in different directions. A sudden drop of water hit the Master Chief's wrist as he stared upward, seeing more water drops hit his armor. Nat took her hand out while holding her weapon in the other, a raindrop hit the palm of the hand as she glanced at Jan before keeping two hands on her SMG.
"Oracle, is this... rain?" she asked.
"Affirmative. The machines we saw earlier upon our arrival were simply taking water from the ocean world."
They pressed on to their objective, in spite of momentarily setback. "Which explains why we got raindrops here. Maybe every so often, these machines bring water from the planet and dump it down once a certain cycle." Jan theorized.
"Now we know what those machines were for. Weather control of the ring, which explains how it maintains it viability for so long." Nat replied.
"Could make for a good fog to infiltrate that jamming tower." Fred said. "Once that tower's down, everyone knows their objective."
Master Chief nodded his head in agreement with as he opened comms. "Linda, assessment of the tower?"
Elsewhere in a cliff, Linda and Benji skirt across to the top of the tower as a way to get a view of it in their sights. One foot moving all the while making they didn't fall that could attract their attraction or cause of death. Linda was the first on the cliff, as she checked the area out with the scope of her rifle before Benji followed behind her. He went by her side, scoping out the guards in the outpost with his sniper rifle. Four jackals were beam rifles stood into attention as the majority consisted of Grunts along with only a few Elites stationed at the outpost.
"Outpost near the tower. Mildly guarded. No idea how long it was before the next patrol arrives."
"We can have Oracle sync in if they have a terminal." Benji suggested. "Beforehand, we can take care of that small force. Once we get the information off on how patrols operate after we deal with that jamming tower."
"Good enough for me." Linda aimed her rifle at the Jackal on the south gate. "Line up shots on the snipers when ready."
Benji aimed his weapon at the Jackal sniper on the east. "Yes, ma'am."
Nearby the outpost, Kevin and Kelly signal Benji and Linda of their location. "Take the shot on your mark." Kelly radioed in as her and Kevin got ready.
Linda glanced at Benji, motioning him to take his shot once she fired a shot at two Jackal snipers up north. Benji quickly shot down the two snipers on the south side of the outpost as Kelly and Kevin slipped past their defenses. Linda spotted Chief, Fred, Jan, and Nat slowly making their way to the outpost. They link up with Kelly and Kevin as they covered one side, while the rest of them covered on the other side. With a nod, they flanked the Grunts and Elites on both sides. Grunts went down easily while the rest scattered away, cowering in terror while the Elites charged them plasma rifle and carbine fire. Two Elites charged at Fred and Jan with energy swords as she dodged one of their attacks, opening fire on one of them while Fred brought his knife. He plunged his knife at the Elite's mouth with speed and swift grace, while Jan kicked the other Elite across the jaw as she fired several rounds to the chest. The final shot went through the head as she beat an Elite warrior to the ground once his shields went down, a knife through the neck as it bleed out to death.
A Covenant Phantom dropped by as two Hunters jumped down on the ground, firing their plasma cannons at the Spartan teams. Kevin headed off elsewhere in the outpost, avoiding incoming plasma fire while doing so. Nat evaded a plasma blast as he fired his missile launcher taking out one of the Hunters, while the other charged straight toward her. She dodged the incoming strike from the Hunters as she leaped behind it to avoid another attack. Chief leapt at its back and fired rounds from his assault rifle at the Hunter's back before shoving a grenade inside. He jumped out as the Hunter exploded in half in only a couple of seconds. The other was sniped by Linda as Benji shot down two Elites with his weapon, sniping a few stragglers in the process. A Phantom flew over to Linda and Benji's position, firing hot plasma at them as they ran. They dropped down from rock to rock on the bluff, heading into the forest as a plasma mortar hit the attacking Phantom. The phantom crashed down on the bluff, blowing into pieces as the debris fell and the ground under.
"Phantom's down and out of your hair." the two heard Kevin say. "Courtesy of this Wraith I found."
"Appreciate the assist. We're heading to the outpost now."
Benji and Linda made their way into the outpost, walking by the corpses of dead Grunts, Elites, and Hunters. Linda walked by her team while Benji uploaded Oracle into the terminal as she shut down the jamming tower. The tower itself powered down, humming quietly as it the power went off before with the rest of Crimson heading toward Benji's way. Blue Team walked toward Crimson as Oracle appeared from Jan's hand.
"Terminal hacked. I have entered their systems without any notice." Oracle said. "I'm uploading the patrol patterns and Covenant comm chatter to your HUDs now."
"Any idea where we find Garl Moram and the Sigil?"
"The digital tracker is barely working as it is. As for Garl Moram, I have found out he is located in a heavily guarded forward base. Fifty meters north of your position."
"And the Sigil? Where is the forerunner artifact located?"
"Seventy-four meters northwest from the forward base Garl Moram resides."
"Patrols?"
"Mildly guarded for now. Suggest you retrieve the artifact as soon as possible." Oracle advised.
"We have our objectives. Fireteam Crimson, retrieve the artifact. We'll eliminate Covenant Commander Garl Moram."
Kevin and the rest of Crimson nodded. "We'll get it done, sir." Kevin said to Fred-104. "Crimson, let's move out."
Blue Team and Fireteam Crimson headed to their respective objectives. Blue Team would infiltrate the forward operation base and eliminate Garl Moram. Crimson team's objective was to retrieve the forerunner artifact known as the Sigil. Both teams were aware of the patrols in and out of Kappa Halo, avoiding detection of said patrols and taking out any stragglers that lingered for too long. Crimson made their way to a cavern sector after Jan and Nat wiped out the guards before heading in deep in the structure ahead. Meanwhile, Blue Team arrived at the FOB as they made their way inside infiltrating the base. They used their knives to quietly take out their targets, using speed and stealth to remain undetected while Linda covered their rear. Chief and Kelly covered the left and right side of the base inside, with Fred and Linda going on ahead of them. Fred went in first, putting his close quarter combat skills to professional use as the throats of Jackals were slit as Linda lined up a shot at an Elite. She pulled the trigger and fired a shot the Elite through the head, falling to the ground dead in a pool of his own blood. Chief sneaked behind another Elite and snapped his neck, while Kelly took the third one with her knife after she climbed up his back. As the fastest of Spartan-IIs, Kelly ran at her top speed to an Elite who entered as she tackled him and jumped on his head with enough to kill him.
"The great Demon has arrived." Blue Team quickly turned as their weapons were aimed at the direction of the voice. They looked to see Garl Moram displayed in holographic form. "I see you have brought your brethren with you. That is good. My army aches for a good challenge. With you here, they will get what they have bargained for."
"Where is the artifact?"
"In my possession. But that is the least of your concerns." Garl said as the hologram shut off in front of Blue Team
A pack of Banshees flew in the air as two dozen Phantoms arrived at the base, surrounding the Spartan-II team. Above Blue Team, were a couple of corvette-class cruisers and a Covenant assault carrier. Two Banshees fly in, opening fire at Blue Team as they got into cover. Kelly rushed past them, heading to a pack of Elite warriors and Jackals while Fred took on three Zealots with energy swords. Linda took shots off at Jackal snipers and another Elite zealot, as she dodged a deadly blow from an energy sword and pulled out a magnum pistol from her side. She fired at point-blank range as the Elite's shield went down before the second to last bullet entered its skull. Chief did what he did best, fight as a true warrior on the battlefield as he rifle butted a Jackal from behind with his assault rifle. Firing out shots at Jackals and Grunts before his shields were hit by an Elite. He rushed toward the Elite, sliding across it and laying a charley horse kick on its bend leg. The Elite staggered down long enough for Chief to snap its neck before taking a plasma pistol. He overcharged plasma bolts to disrupt three Elite energy shields as he fired his assault rifle, killing the three of them. He fired one last plasma bolt at an Elite, emptying the rest of his bullets at the Elite zealot before reloading his weapon.
While the fighting in the FOB was continuing, Crimson ventured deep in the forerunner structure of the ring. They moved with caution and focused on their surroundings, seeing sentinels fly around elsewhere inside the structure. It was at that moment that Crimson spotted something headed their way, as they aimed their weapons at the unknown figure. Upon closer inspection, the figure turned out to be a floating eye they realized was a monitor for Kappa Halo.
"Identify." Kevin said to the monitor.
"Greetings, I am 16807 Abashed Eulogy. Monitor of Installation 06." it greeted.
Benji was the first of the four to speak. "You seem quite chipper for a monitor. What are you doing here?"
"I noticed a detection of a forerunner object here in this installation. I took it upon myself to investigate this occurrence." Abashed Eulogy stated, staring at the fireteam with its only eye. "And now that I see you here, you must be the one who brought it here."
"Not us exactly. Looks like you have your guests to thank for that." Jan remarked.
"Guests? You did not arrive here with an artifact of my creators, then?"
Nat walked up to the monitor. "No, we didn't. The ones we're after did. It's why we're here. You wouldn't happen to know where it is, would you?"
"Why, yes. I believe I do!" Abashed Eulogy said in an excited tone. "Follow me, please!"
Crimson followed Abashed Eulogy to the location of the artifact, running in full speed as the AI was leading them to the artifact. They knew their objective was to find the Sigil, but they couldn't help to feel that something felt off. Crimson have known that Blue Team had logged in more missions and operations than any other Spartan, which meant they were very capable of handling themselves. It seemed easy, but with their experience nothing was ever easy. Their doubts happened to be correct when they were spotted Garl Moram holding the sigil in hand, strapping the artifact into a device beneath the ring. He stepped back as the Sangheili commander took notice of Crimson with the monitor known as Abashed Eulogy.
"What is this? Little demons here in my presence." their weapons were trained on the scarred Elite. "I was expecting only the Demon and his brethren. You, however; nothing more than an unexpected surprise. I was also not expecting an oracle with you as well."
Crimson looked to their surroundings to see Elite zealots behind them, armed with nothing more than energy swords and plasma rifles. They turned to Garl, who only chuckled with amusement.
"Time to see what you are made of little demons." with a flick of the wrist, Garl ordered his Zealots to attack.
Crimson opened fire as the Elite zealots did the same, with one about to slash Jan's armor. Luckily, she evaded and fired at the Elite's shields. Another charged at Kevin who dodged and hit the Elite across the jaw with the butt of his DMR, along with a kick to the face. Benji sniped one of them from a mid-distance, shooting another Elite's leg before pulling out a magnum and killing the zealot. Nat took one behind Jan down after its shields dropped, delivering a roundhouse kick to an Elite's face before emptying half of the magazine to its body after its shields dropped. Garl shouted in his native tongue as more Elites along with three Brutes in Jiralhanae power armor appeared behind them, charging at Fireteam Crimson. Their roaring gave Crimson a warning as the fire team charged toward the Elite warriors and Brutes. Jan slide down as the Brute swung his gravity hammer, gunning him down with her SAW machine gun. Nat blasted two Elites and a Brute away with her missile launcher, seeing an Elite about to struck her down. She leapt back as the energy sword pierced through her missile launcher, cutting it in half. Kevin dodged a hammer strike from a Brute minor, grabbing a spike grenade before the Brute took a shot to the head in return as he hurtled the spike grenade at a Elite behind Jan. Benji finished off an Elite with one last shot with his sniper rifle, before being sent flying back by a hit from a Brute's gravity hammer.
"Damn it." he swore, grunting as the Brute charged at Benji to finish him off, only to be killed with SMG fire from Nat.
"You alright?" she asked, helping him off the floor as he barely got up from the attack.
Benji groaned from the sharp pain. "Just tell me that Brute who almost molly whop me to death is dead."
"He definitely is."
Benji looked ahead of Nat. "Incoming!" he said pushing them away from each other as Garl Moram attacked.
"This is the best humanity has to offer? Little demons at play of being their bigger monstrosities?" Garl said not impressed, stepping on Benji's chest. "Frankly, I am disappointed."
"A couple of things. One: first impressions are what counts. And second..." he fired a shot at the device holding the Sigil. "Don't underestimate us just yet."
What seemed to be a bullet was nothing more than a sticky detonator as it exploded three seconds after Benji detonated it. The device destroyed, and the Sigil rolling around on the ground. All of a sudden, a swarm of Sentinels flew by above them as a pack of Enforcers appeared among them from below. Both Sentinels and the Enforcer attacked everything in sight as Crimson made a run. The last Brute was killed by an Enforcer while Garl grabbed the Sigil and took off running with a jetpack, attempting to head topside.
"Someone needs to go after Garl!"
"On it!" Nat shouted as her and Benji went after Garl.
Kevin took a shot at the sentinel after destroying its shields, as Jan tossed a live grenade one of the Enforcers. It exploded at the touch of the Enforcer as it was up in flames, with Kevin and Jan firing at the rest of the Sentinels before making a run for it. They used their thrusters while sprinting to build more speed as the Enforcer behind them. Meanwhile with Benji and Nat, they were still on the chase for Garl Moram. They heard the ground shaking from below them and took it as a cue to speed up their objective. Rocks came down from above as Garl moved to avoid being hit, only his jetpack to be taken down by a fifth rock. He was close to the exit outside, firing his plasma rifle at the incoming Spartan duo behind him. With no time to waste, Benji gave Nat a boost as he lunged her toward Garl Moram. She used the thrusters on her suit to speed up her momentum and velocity as she landed on top of him, the Sigil loose from his grasp. Nat made for it but evaded when Garl attempted to slash her with an energy sword. Unknown to both of them, the energy sword inflicted damage on the sigil itself as it was split in half.
"NOO!" Garl kicked Nat to the chest, sending her flying back. "You little have ruined EVERYTHING!"
Benji swift his knife toward Garl, completely slashing his eye out. He screamed in sharp agony as he swatted Benji, only for the crimson Spartan to dodge the blow and aim for Garl's jugular. Garl caught the blade in his hand, blood pouring out from his palm while he held the knife. Out of nowhere, Nat kicked Garl's hind leg with enough force to bring him down, breaking a part of his leg in the process. Before she could grab his neck, Garl elbowed her and grasp Benji's neck. In one last effort, Benji plunged his knife at Garl's mouth as he went through his head killing the Elite commander.
A green hand extending to Benji, as he looked to see it was Chief. "Are you injured?"
"It's nothing, sir." Benji assured as he got up while Chief helped Nat on her feet, looking upward when he had spot something in space.
"This is Captain Garrett Blake of the UNSC Zenith's Prospect. Nice work out there, Spartans." the captain of the Freedom's Prospect said. "Colonel Novak sends her regards and figured you could use the pick-up."
Crimson looked up to see two UNSC frigate and a halcyon-class ship above the orbit of Kappa Halo, taking out a Class Assault Carrier and three corvette ships.
"We appreciate the assistance, Zenith. 117, out." Chief turning his attention to Nat, before turning to Benji. "Where's the rest of your team?"
"Far behind us." Benji said, noticing Nat's helmet as she looked at Master Chief. "I'll go make sure they made it out in one piece."
Nat stared at the legendary Master Chief until he noticed her gaze. "What is it? Are you wounded?"
"What? No, no I'm fine." Nat held her EOD helmet tightly. "We fail the mission. We were supposed to retrieve the Sigil, but it got destroyed in half."
"The mission was also to eliminate Garl Moram, and keep the Sigil was out of enemy hands." Chief stated to her. "You completed the mission."
"But the objective was to retrieve-" Chief cut her off.
"The missions change. They always do." he interjected.
"They can't all change! There's supposed to be a way to complete the mission as intended!" she snapped, before calming herself. "There is always another way for the mission to stay the same. Has to be."
"There never is."
"Chief, when have you ever lost someone on a mission? Someone important?"
"When Blue Team had its first mission fighting against the Covenant. We had lost one of our own." Nat looked at him. "His name was Samuel, Sierra-034. Wounded and his armor compromised, we had to leave him behind with a bomb planted inside a Covenant ship we infiltrated. He gave his life so we could escape and complete the mission."
"Some people I knew did the same in the last day of the Covenant War." Nat brough out her dogtags. "Before them, I lost my brother. He was on Reach when it fell." the thought of her brother's death made Nat shed a tear. "You... you served alongside my father ever since the UNSC discovered Halo, and during the final days in the war against the Covenant. He gave me his dogtags as a good luck before... before..." Nat began bursting into tears as she sobbed.
Chief placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know." he said to her.
Nat looked at Master Chief with a teary-eyed look of surprise. "You know?"
"Admiral Hood took me everything." Master Chief turned to Nat as he knelt beside her. "You're Johnson's daughter. I see much of him in you. He was the best soldier I ever met... and he was a good friend."
"My dad... what were his last words before he died?" she asked Master Chief
"His final words were to never a friend of mine go. And... to send him out with a bang." Chief said with a tone of honesty and sincerity.
Nat stiffened and wiped the tears off her face. "Sounds just like him."
"I know he would be proud to see who you've become... Natasha. Good work, soldier."
Nat put her helmet back on when she noticed her teammates approach her and Master Chief. "Thank you, sir."
"Oracle just radioed in with the rest of Blue Team. They'll be on their way to pick us up in a few." Kevin informed them. "Nat, everything good?"
Nat nodded assuringly. "Yeah. Everything's good."
"Alright, you and Benji help me secure the perimeter until that Broadsword arrives." Nat nodded on command as she went with Kev and Benji, leaving only just Jan and Master Chief
Jan glanced at Chief. "I noticed you and Nat having a chat, what you said to her." she said. "Thank you for doing that."
"I knew her father. She sounded unsure of herself regarding the mission, I told her otherwise." Chief replied. "I know Johnson would be proud of his daughter."
"Nat talks about a lot when we met, even had a talk with him once before he went with you." Jan said. "My dad didn't like you guys. The 2s, I mean. He believed you weren't human at all, just emotionless killing machines. But after seeing you talk to Nat and me talking to you right now, you're still human. It's just buried deep inside that 1000-pound suit of armor."
"It does have a certain weight to it." Master Chief said dryly as the Broadsword appeared and landed.
Jan stiffened a laugh. "And the great Master Chief has jokes. Who would've thought? I don't know if we all should be impressed or terrified." she joked as Blue Team were by the hatch.
"Sir." Chief turned to see Benji. "Would you and Blue team train us before you go?" he asked.
Chief glanced at Blue Team as they nodded in reply. "We will. For the time being until our next mission."
Once the pieces of the Sigil were delivered to an unknown location; one the Office of Naval Intelligence would disclose, Blue Team began training Fireteam Crimson. The UNSC would establish a research station on Installation 06, with Abashed Eulogy providing with whatever information that was of value. It was at least two weeks, but the longest two weeks for Crimson's entire life. Fred helped Benji train in CQC, to help him improve better with close encounters. Kelly tested Crimson in seeing who among them were the fastest of their team by chasing her. Kevin wasn't fast enough to catch the Spartan-II, with Benji and Jan coming close. It surprised them that Nat was able to nearly keep up with Kelly, being the one to tag the Spartan-II herself. Linda had them practice with snipers to shot at long distances, while wasn't a problem for Benji since he was the better sniper out of the ground. As for the Master Chief, he had on daily obstacle course and Blue Team when they were conscripted as children. He trained them how Senior Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mendez trained him and the other Spartans. Both teams participated in war games against each other not just to hone their skills, but for Blue Team to see how Crimson team fared. Chief even thought it best to take a hand in Johnson's playbook, remembering the time Johnson outdid them with rookie ODSTs after they first trained. Fireteam Crimson lost match after match but started learning from their failed experience to counter every part of Blue Team's actions. They were close until Blue Team was called upon for another mission, as Crimson saluted the Spartan-II team before heading off to their next mission. In two months later, Fireteam Crimson would be shipped off to the UNSC Infinity for the second campaign Requiem.
Back in Copernicus, Fireteams Crimson and Majestic were fending off an attack from the Forsaken, Fireteams Crimson and Majestic. They were aided by Jun-A266 and Rosenda-A344, along with Commander Palmer. While they fought an army of Forsaken, some of the comm chatter from DeMarco and Madsen were debating the types of Forsaken before Palmer ordered them to stay quiet on comms. Benji seem to agree on the names for them, naming the Sharquoi Cyclops was apt, and fitting given their appearance. The Pytauri were named Berserkers, while the Q'lin and Raloka were now called Stalkers and Marauders. He would have to ask Oracle to update the Forsaken on the UNSC database, once they left Requiem alive that is. Jun and Benji along with Madsen took shots at Marauders, and Stalkers as they flew scattered with a flight harness. Jan followed her mentor, Rosenda in using their skills in CQC against the Berserkers and a charging Maruader. Palmer and DeMarco shot down incoming Stalkers and Maruaders heading toward their way, with Palmer herself kicking a Stalker hard on the face as it fell below.
Nat alongside Thorne and Grant fought off a pack of Maruaders, Stalkers, and Berserkers on one side. On the other side Kev and Hoya charged at a Maruaders and Berserkers. Kev fired his DMR at one of the Maruaders, damaging its shields before killing it. A Brute spike grenade was thrown his way, as Kev caught it and threw it at a Berserker before it exploded. Hoya butted a Berserker in the head, fired off his shotgun at point-blank through the chest. DeMarco slashed a Maruader with an energy sword, before blocking an attack from a Berserker's ax. The Berserker was shot in the head by Palmer as another tackled her, energy ax in hand. A sniper round took care of the Berserker as it fell, with Palmer glancing to see it was Jun. Rosenda used the last Berserker's momentum against him as she snapped his back, before seeing a Cyclops head toward the Spartans. All of a sudden, an orbital bombardment hit the Cyclops and the remaining Forsaken. All except for Jun and Rosenda turned to see it was Kevin holding a target locator, as he holstered the weapon onto his side before making his way to the Spartans.
"That's the last of them."
"For now."
"Attention, Spartans. Can you hear me?"
"We hear you, Doctor Glassman. What's the situation?"
"This projection device Majestic found shows two more artifacts down on Requiem just like the one in the hangar. Now, they are Requiem end of a slipspace conduit which is physically connecting Infinity to Requiem."
"Correct, Doctor." Oracle said. "If we can deactivate them, Infinity should be free to move from Requiem. Both teams will be sent to the locations of the other artifacts. The necessary deactivation codes will also be sent your way."
Thorne looked up once he heard the loud sounds of ships. "Commander!"
The Spartans looked up to see a fleet of Covenant ships leaving Requiem; particularly CRS light cruisers, Liches, along with an RCS Covenant cruiser flying past them.
"Ah, hell." Palmer said.
"Battle stations!" they heard Lasky ordered.
They heard another voice which happened to be Roland. "Captain, they're not attacking. They're leaving."
Crimson and Majestic looked unease. "Why are they in a hurry to take off all of a sudden?" Jan asked.
"The artifact onboard Infinity and the other two in Requiem, it is pulling the ship with it." Oracle stated to the Spartans. "Just as Doctor Glassman has stated, the Infinity is anchored the two artifacts similar to what we have. Like Requiem, the Infinity is being pulled elsewhere."
"Where, exactly?" Jun queried.
"Straight into the sun!" Roland answered.
"Palmer, you and Majestic get that device offline here. Crimson, you're with us!" Jun ordered.
"Sir! Let's move it, Spartan!" Palmer and Majestic heading inside Copernicus, to continue on with their objective.
"Oracle, where is the other artifact located?" Jun asked as a Pelican awaited them.
"Ahead of the warrens, near a downed Harvester. I will find a solution to power the Harvester by having Spartan fireteams finding a power source."
"Then, that's where we're going." The Pelican housing Jun and Rosenda along with Fireteam Crimson headed off into the warrens.