Mars was under full lockdown as the recent attacks from Admiral Lance had damaged a lot of infrastructure. The Governor, Jace Markson, had ordered very strict curfews, restrictions, laws and more to the point that Mars was effectively a military police state. State soldiers, former UNSC marines, were on every corner and patrolling the streets mostly in transport warthogs. Most of them decked out in riot gear and shields. Civilians either ignored them or just moved on with their day.
This was the Mars that Kelly had to live in. Granted she didn't like it, but there wasn't much she could do. Since she retired and the UNSC fell, Spartans could no longer fight for Mars. It wasn't much of a surprise as Jace was very Anti-Spartan, as is most of his staff. They didn't like Spartans or what they stood for. If it wasn't for a standard human rights charter, then he would have either expelled or imprisoned all Spartans. While that could happen in the future, he was more concerned with the Inter-solar war that was currently raging.
Other than the so-called Martian Republic, there was also the Jupiter Federation and the Saturn alliance. All there vide for control of the Solar System. But it was largely a stalemate. While the different forces had troops, they didn't have enough ships to transport them. Or fight in space battles. So, they were largely relegated to strafing runs targeting any structures that they could. The different factions were making new ships, but that took time and resources, which they may not have.
The only 'battlefield' that the forces fought over was Luna to get access to the mines. Kelly sighed as she continued to walk. Her tall and muscular stature was hard to miss, and several people moved out of her way. Not everyone supported Jace's legislation, but that didn't mean much as they moved out of her way more in trying to avoid association rather than fear or hate.
Not that she could blame them. She had heard a story involving one of her Spartan brethren who helped out a woman who fell. The next day, not only was that woman dead but her entire family was arrested for 'harbouring' Spartan sympathies. So, people avoided her, unless she went to the shops. It was harder to justify the killing of shop workers or accusing them of harbouring sympathies when one is getting their food. Not to mention that it affects the economy and taxes. But that didn't stop shops from overcharging like there was no tomorrow.
Which wasn't a big deal. She and her fellow Spartans have dealt with worse eating conditions. She moved into one of the parks and sat on a bench just looking over the hills and trees. Leaning back, she just looked up at the skies wishing to return. Not for any reason, but just to see the planet from space again. Time slowed as she just watched the clouds drift by. She didn't know how long it was until someone interrupted her with a five-tone tune. Her eyes widened as she sat up and looked to see a woman with a facial tattoo sitting next to her.
The woman said nothing but looked out to the side watching a group of kids. "It's a good day isn't it?" the woman asked.
Kelly didn't nod but turned to look back up at the clouds. "Indeed, it is," she sighed. "But I'm not a big fan of shadows,"
"I understand, I used to hunt heads for a sports group," the woman's tone was very neutral.
That made her blink. "That's impressive, are you here to headhunt me for a sports group?"
"I'm not, but I am here to head hunt you for a club who seeks to… correct a situation," Kelly's brow furrowed at that.
"Does that involve the system we are in now?"
"Yes, it also involves travellers from outside the system, and possibly your friends," the woman said. "We need all the help we can get. And we will help you. We have spare equipment,"
"I cannot guarantee that all of my friends would be interested," Kelly muttered. "But I'm sure several will help,"
"We'll take any help," the woman said. "Wearhouse 9-7, sector 4. In 3 days, Paris will be waiting,"
Kelly blinked and looked at the woman who stood and walked off. "She's alive?" she muttered. "Guess she is determined to find John again," shaking her head she stood. "Might as well get to work,"
OOOOO 3 days later.
Kelly and 10 Spartans in total, stood around a group of shipping containers. While the area wasn't used as much, it was still suspicious for 10 6-7 foot genetically augmented super-soldiers standing around waiting to move.
"Split up," Kelly said. "Come in at irregular times and entrances,"
"What do we do if we're spotted?" one of the Spartans asked.
"Head back home, or do something else. We'll inform you about what's happening later," The Spartan nodded. "Ok split,"
The group of 10 Spartans made their way out of the crates, but a few stayed behind making it look like it was only a few were there for something like a game. Kelly waited an hour before she made a move, but not directly towards the warehouse. Instead, she popped into a few shops grabbing a few snack items before making her way to the warehouse.
OOOOO Mars Presidential Palace, 5 days later.
Jace sat back as his military advisors presented their proposals to him. But each one sounded worse than the last. Most of them required the use of civilian ships as makeshift drop ships, but the others required the use of the Spartan freaks in deployment. Something he outright refused to do. Spartans were created to subjugate people, and those resisting the rule of the UNSC. They may have been useful during the human-covenant war, but that didn't excuse them for being UNSC enforcers.
But his rivals had no such compunction of not using them. They used them to the best of their abilities. However, the overall situation meant that their use was very restrictive to the point that they could only be used during major attacks. It allowed Jace's forces to counter the freaks of nature and remove them from the picture. A dead Spartan couldn't be used again and meant a big loss for the other factions in Sol.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair as he listened to the last of the proposals.
As the last general finished, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You do all realise that these plans require me to conscript ship captains right? Something that will not only make me and you unpopular but will also affect the economy and our abilities to reinforce our armies and build ships. It's not a legitimate option that we can use to fight against the other factions," his eyes then focused on a white-uniformed admiral. "And I thought I have made my position on Spartans clear. They will not be used, under any circumstances,"
"But sir..." the admiral stared but a gunshot ran out across the room and the admiral fell dead.
"Anyone else care to object?" Jace said as he held the smoking pistol in hand but the generals were silent as they looked at the dead admiral. "Good," the president said as he set the gun down. "I want options, realistic ones that do not involve requisitioning unarmed civilian ships or using Spartans. In regards to the latter, I want Spartans stripped of th…" he didn't complete that sentence as gunfire echoed out in the hall.
The President pointed his pistol towards the door along with the generals in the room. But they didn't check behind them as a group of jetpack ODST flew up and smashed through the glass behind them. Glass shards flew across the room hitting some of the generals. Some of them fell to the floor, while the president turned and tried to fire at ODST, but the lead grabbed his wrist and pulled the pistol from Jace's hand.
"LET GO OF ME YOU DAMNED FOOL! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?" he yelled.
The ODST leaned in. "Oh, I know, but why do you think I care?"
Jace just stared daggers at him as three large soldiers entered. Their size and the way they moved made it clear that these people were Spartans. As soon as he saw them, fury rose inside of him.
"You goddamn scum!" he declared. "I'll…" he began but the lead ODST slammed his fist into Jace's face breaking his nose.
"What happened to this guy?" one of the Spartans asked as she walked up to the admiral.
"Jace shot him," one of the wounded generals said. "Admiral Rash wanted to use Spartans in an attack. He died for his suggestion," as the general spoke, he shot a look at Jace with his eyes burning. "If you're looking for a ground commander, I'm more than willing to join,"
"You damned traitor!" Jace shot. "I'll have your head for this,"
"Fuck off. You shot my friend and I never saw Spartans as anything less than human," the general shot. "Your delusional,"
The doors opened and a spartan in brown ODST-like armour walked in followed in by two others. One in blue the other in olive green.
"Area secured Six," the lead ODST said and the brown armoured Spartan nodded.
"Good work," she looked to the generals "Get these guys some help," she walked up to the president. "President Jace, good to finally meet you,"
"Fuck off freak," he muttered.
Six removed her helmet and smiled. "I would, but I have news. As of…" she checked her watch. "Huh, broke, anyway…" she picked up a remote and pressed it turning on a tv screen.
As the medics moved in, the news reporter began to talk. "News has been confirmed, about 1 hour ago the Presidents of the Jupiter Federation and the Saturn Alliance have come to an agreement with the former Spartan known as Parisa. The now President of the Mars Federation has agreed to let Jupiter and Saturn stay in command of their respective worlds, in return for resources and manpower in order to counter the Warlord factions that are popping up across former UNSC space. The previous President of Mars has been imprisoned by his forces. No trial date has been set, but Parisa has declared that she will begin getting a staff soon,"
Jace watched with mounting horror as he saw the news report. "No, that's not right. I'm the president of Mars not that bitch,"
"Too fucking bad," the traitor general said as he aimed his pistol and fired.
The round went through Jace's head killing him. No one raised their weapons.
"He tried to escape and was shot in a firefight," Six shrugged. "Either way, we got what we wanted,"
The others nodded before the radio came on. Six hit the controls and a hologram of Parisa came on.
"Six, as you've heard I've secured both Jupiter and Saturn. Their presidents will meet with accidents in a month or two and their replacements will take over," she said. "How're things on your end?"
"One casualty and one who's throwing their lot in with us," Six said.
"Jace?" Parisa asked.
"Yes, he's gone,"
"Good, that's one less problem to deal with," a chill filled the room as the coldness of her words sank in.
OOOOO Present day.
Parisa cracked her neck as she stood and looked out into the vastness of space. She didn't want to be President, but it was the only way to get John back and reunite the human race. She had to do things that she wasn't proud of. But all of it was for the greater good of humanity, at least that is what she told herself. Looking down at herself, she cracked her neck again he needed to be ready for this.
"They are ready for you ma'am President," Dana said.
"Ok, then, let's move,"