UNSC In Amber Clad Log

ENTRY 0

Another Halo

Sergeant Major Avery Johnson

October 20th, 2552,

17:42 EAT {East Africa Time}

Sergeant Major Avery Johnson grunted before closing a door above him by pulling down on the handle. Taking a break in an ODST pod was not exactly what the Sergeant had in mind, but after the long day, it was nice. Lighting a cigar, the Sergeant Major in his green NCO uniform closed his eyes enjoying the sweet smell and taste. The red light from the screen projector in front of him was dim enough so he could rest without any annoyance.

This was the first breathing space he had in almost a month, and he enjoyed it. Most soldiers dread a rest, when they close their eyes all they see is the screams of death from the previous battle. But in this case, the Sergeant was desensitized to all of it. His age still enlisted, he has seen dozens of his troops slaughtered to the Covenant, so many fallen. It is not that he does not care but it has its… sterilizations. He has become quite acquainted with the thought of loss. He was an E9, one of the highest enlisted, everyone around looked to him for guidance, morale, and even strength. It was his job to see them through and his burden to bear… but something ticked different… almost snapping him from the inside.

Nothing in his life had prepared him for what came next. Cortana over the intercom spoke words of sheer terror into his heart. It racked his chest with fear and uncertainty. If four words could send this man of iron to the realm of insanity, it would be these,

"That… is another Halo."

Sergeant Johnson's eyes widened as he choked on his cigar, something that rarely happens. A flood of emotions wrecked his core, and every single negative memory came back to him. The escape pod he was in felt tight and claustrophobic, and everything seemed off.

"Say what?!" he yelled.

Another female voice came through the intercom, Commander Miranda Keyes, the ship's commander, "I thought Halo was some sort of superweapon?"

"It is. And if activated, this ring will cause destruction on a galactic scale."

Although the two kept talking, Johnson went numb. His mind froze, eyes dilated. Something about it still being there was enough to almost make him weep. He was an E9 in the Marine Corps, he was supposed to be a strong leader, a figure to look up to, to inspire. But something about the thought of another Halo destroyed that idea.

What now? Or were they to continue into the bowels of the unknown with the Flood? Would they finally finish their job and infect the world with their terrible disease? The rabbit hole of his mind treaded deeper into the intrusive thoughts. Until the moment snapped when the Commander spoke aloud to him snapping him back to reality,

"Chief, take first platoon, hard drop. Secure a landing zone. Sergeant, take two flights of pelicans and follow them in."

"Aye-aye ma'am," he said. Grunting once the door lifted. He strided out of the ODST pod closing the door behind him with a quick and hard shut.

Ambling passed each pod he knocked his fist against each one. Hearing a knockback in response each time, he nodded seeing if they were ready. It was quite a relief seeing his men ready for the fray ahead. He knew what they were about to go into, but any ODST would know that death follows them like a pack of hungry rabid wolves.

You either gotta tame 'em or kill 'em, he thought.

Lights quickly spun around, blaring in a bright red. The wailing siren knocked him out of thought. It pierced and rang aloud the halls of the nearby, preparing those inside the pods for the drop.

As he moved past the launch bay he could see them one by one shooting out from the bottom. Air rushed through as they fired out like a metal ball to a cannon. About thirty or so dropped hard, having a quick shaft behind closing fast so their airlock does not open within the ship.

As the last pod gave way, he stared back at them for a moment, just one. Enough to recollect, to think on what was. It was a sod and taboo for a man of his stature to dwell on such things, but it still was there anyway.

Alright peeps here we are! New story! I released two chapters cause I want there to be some beef in the reading there for y'all. I hope you wall like the concept cause well... romance fics are so boring and undone nowadays. It's like people just try to rush the character development to JUST get to the smut. It's kinda sad and boring lol. Anyway, I want to write something more... something different. Would not be surprised if the comment section gets filled up with weirdos lol. DO NOT worry this will NOT affect the other story (I love both of them) Men and Machines.

Any thoughts or questions feel free to comment! I'll be looking forward to this fic! Anyone wanna chill or talk dm and I'm down! Thanks! It's ya boi signing out! See you all in the next one.

stay safe, stay healthy,

~1DL1NG KN1GHT