Master Chief
Backstory:
Born on March 7, 2511,John lived with his mother and father in Elysium City, on the colony world of Eridanus II. He attended the Elysium City Primary Education Facility Number 119.
At the age of six, John was identified by Dr. Catherine Halsey as one of 150 preliminary candidates for the SPARTAN-II program. John was an ideal physical and mental candidate, standing a head taller than the majority of his schoolmates, having greater physical proportions, possessing greater strength, exhibiting superior reflexes, and having an aggressive drive for success. By the time he was conscripted, he had a string of forty-five victories in what Dr. Halsey referred to as a "brutal version" of King of the Hill, resulting in him having a chipped tooth and his opponents suffering various bone fractures.
John and the rest of the children chosen for the SPARTAN-II program were brought to the Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex, their new home for the next several years. There, Dr. Halsey informed the children of their new purpose: they were destined to become protectors of Earth and all its colonies. The next morning John discovered his service tag, stitched into his training uniform, and his new name: John-117. John began adjusting to his new life.
At the age of 14, John underwent the dangerous SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures. These procedures resulted in the death of thirty trainees, with twelve more physically disabled. John was one of thirty three Spartans who made it through the process unscathed, while the wounded were sent to the Office of Naval Intelligence. Even before his cybernetic and genetic augmentation, at 14 years of age, John had a physical body of an 18-year old Olympic athlete. Far beyond the physical alterations, the enhancements boosted the Spartans reflexes, strength, enhanced eyesight, and rendered their bones nearly unbreakable.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Cyborgization,
Weapon Mastery (Military technology mastery with UNSC and Standard Covenant Weapons, High-Tech weapons mastery with Forerunner Technology and Heavy Covenant Weapons),
Stealth Mastery,
Martial Arts Expert,
Pain Tolerance
All previous plus Adaptability with MJOLNIR Spartan Armor,
Enhanced Senses (Such as Enhanced Awareness, Hearing, Night and Telescopic vision with MJOLNIR Helmet),
Healing (With Spartan Shields, Biofoam, Regenerator and Regeneration Field),
Forcefield Creation with Bubble Shield, Invisibility with Cloaking (Invisibility) and Active Camouflage,
Statistics Amplification with various Boosts and Equipment,
Resistance to Temperature and Radiation,
All previous plus Attack Reflection and Forcefield Creation with Hardlight Shield,
limited Flight with Thruster Pack,
Can see Invisible beings and X-Ray/Thermographic Vision with Promethean Vision,
Resistance to Virtualization (After being imbued with the Genesong, resisted the Composer's effects, which transforms biological lifeforms into computer AI's)
Equipment:
MA5 Assault Rifle,
M6 Magnum pistol,
Energy Sword,
Bubble shield
Weaknesses: If he gets hit with enough force his armor might lock. Shields cannot regenerate while in the middle of rapid-fire attacks. MJOLNIR regenerating shields grant little protection against close-quarters combat attacks.
Marcus Fenix
Backstory:
Sergeant Marcus Michael Fenix (COG tags CSID 293982-3932F-A1) ES is a former retired Gear soldier in the Coalition of Ordered Governments army. A legendary war hero, Marcus served with distinction in the Pendulum Wars, which earned him the Embry Star, the COG's highest military award, for his actions during the Battle of Aspho Fields. He is also a convicted "coward" for his actions at the Battle of Ephyra.
Like the rest of humankind, he saw everything change on Emergence Day. Marcus bravely fought against the Locust for ten years until the Battle of Ephyra, where he abandoned his post to rescue his father, Professor Adam Fenix, but could not reach him in time. With his father presumed dead, Marcus was tried for dereliction of duty and sentenced to 40 years in Jacinto Maximum Security Prison. He was incarcerated for four years before being released by his longtime friend Dominic Santiago and reluctantly rejoined the COG army for a mission that could change the course of the war.
Initially a Private, Marcus was quickly promoted to Sergeant to replace Lieutenant Minh Young Kim as squad leader after the later's death. Along with the rest of Delta Squad, he successfully detonated the Lightmass Bomb and destroyed much of the Locust Hollow. With his reputation restored, Marcus continued fighting against the Locust, culminating in the Sinking of Jacinto. After the COG moved to Vectes, Marcus fought against Stranded insurgents and the rising threat of the Lambent.
After the COG collapsed under the constant struggle to survive, Marcus and the rest of Delta banded together with other Gears and civilians aboard the CNV Sovereign, seeking a way to survive in the new world. Eighteen months later, Chairman Prescott returned with the startling news that his father was alive. Marcus led humanity to victory over the Locust and the Lambent, but was at a loss of what to do next after losing both his father and Dom along the way. He was married to Anya Stroud who gave birth to his son James Fenix. Twenty-five years after the end of the Locust War, Marcus came out of retirement when the Locust reemerged as the Swarm. Although briefly an enemy of the state, Marcus is later pardoned and is officially reinstated into the COG army.
Powers and Abilities:
Superhuman Physical Characteristics,
Highly Skilled Combatant,
Master of Multiple weapons,
Statistics Amplification via Active Reload,
Explosion Manipulation with Bolo Grenades,
Minor Precognition (caught multiple locust ambushes by merely feeling them coming),
Resistance to Biological Manipulation (Swarm Pods break down victims on the cellular level. Marcus resisted this effect for hours, when most normal people would have long since dissolved)
Explosion Manipulation with various weapons,
Healing and Enhancement of Durability with Stim-gas Grenades,
Resistance to Sleep Manipulation with the Adrenaline Injector (The adrenaline injector injects aerosolized adrenaline directly into the users lungs, forcing them to either stay awake or waking them from even comatose-like sleep),
Resistance to Poison Manipulation with Gas Masks (Cleans the air of molecular particles),
Biological Manipulation with Venom Bomb (The toxic gas produced by this bomb appears to target all organic material, not just Swarm or COG),
Equipment:
Mark 3 Lancer Assault Rifle,
Gnasher Shotgun,
Bolo Grenades,
Snub Pistol
Weaknesses: Can become extremely angry to the point of irrational action. Active Reloads require perfect timing to pull off. The Fabricator requires power to generate items, which it slowly gathers. He cannot be equipped with all of his weaponry at once.
Song: Gears of Halo
Marcus Fenix, a seasoned COG Gear soldier, stood in a dimly lit underground facility, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced gaze. He had received intel suggesting that this location may hold crucial information needed to turn the tide against the relentless Locusts. Armed with his trusted Lancer rifle and a no-nonsense attitude, he ventured deeper into the dark corridors, prepared to uncover the secrets hidden within.
As Marcus Fenix continued his investigation within the dark facility, he unexpectedly stumbled upon a mysterious figure clad in green full-body armor. The man stood before him, clutching an assault rifle in his hands. Fenix did not recognize this unknown individual, but he noticed a number 117 embroidered on his chest plate. Could this be the legendary Spartan John-117, also known as the Master Chief?
"Stay right there,"
Fenix warned, his Lancer rifle raised and aimed at the mysterious figure.
"Identify yourself."
The air was thick with tension as the COG Gear soldier confronted the enigmatic stranger, his caution and wariness evident in his voice. John's voice was steady and unyielding as he firmly replied,
"Put your weapon down." Despite the tense situation, he refused to be intimidated, the resolve in his eyes unwavering. But Fenix, ever the defiant warrior, met John's stance with equal determination, unwilling to budge.
"I asked you first," He spat back, his grip tightening on his Lancer rifle. The tenuous standstill persisted, but the COG Gear soldier's patience wore thin. In a reckless display of impatience, Fenix opened fire, his shots ricocheting off Master Chief's energy field and barely grazing the Spartan. In a swift maneuver, Master Chief jumped over a barrier and took cover behind a metal crate, avoiding the barrage of bullets.
John, ever vigilant, surveyed his surroundings as he took cover behind the metal crate. Turning his attention to his trustworthy AI partner, a helpful digital copy of Cortana, he posed a question.
"Anything on this guy?" he asked, referring to the COG Gear soldier.
Cortana diligently initiated a scan, searching for any available information that might reveal the soldier's identity or affiliations. Unfortunately, the scans yielded no matches, leaving Cortana with the unfortunate news:
"No, I have no knowledge of this man. Seems pretty trigger happy, though."
As the fragment grenade sailed through the air, Master Chief recognized the impending danger and reacted swiftly. Just as the explosive device landed near his hiding spot, the Spartan leapt out of the way, narrowly avoiding the worst of the shrapnel. With lightning-fast reflexes, he evaded the immediate danger and found momentary refuge behind a nearby wall, narrowly escaping the blast radius.
Master Chief surveyed the battlefield, his analytical gaze assessing the situation. With a calm tone, he addressed his AI companion,
"Just keep an eye out for openings."
Switching to his M6 Magnum pistol for accuracy, Master Chief continued his measured counterattack. From his cover behind the wall, he fired carefully aimed shots over the corner, returning fire to suppress Marcus Fenix's attacks. As Marcus paused to reload his Lancer, taking cover for a fleeting moment, Master Chief seized the opportunity to launch his counterattack. In a swift and calculated move, the Spartan leader charged from his concealed position, intent on engaging the Gear soldier in close combat.
Marcus, realizing Master Chief's intent, quickly prepared himself for the impending confrontation, bracing himself for the ensuing clash. Master Chief swiftly aimed a punch at Marcus' face, but the Gear soldier managed to catch the blow, showcasing his quick reflexes. Without missing a beat, Marcus retaliated by attempting to stab at Master Chief with his combat knife. However, to his disappointment, the steel tip shattered upon impact against the impenetrable armor of the Spartan leader's titanium alloy armor.
The exchange of blows continued to escalate, with Marcus and Master Chief trading blows furiously as they both punch each other's face. Despite the impact, neither combatant would back down. As the Gear soldier threw a punch, Master Chief swiftly blocked it, countering with a powerful kick that sent Fenix crashing backwards against the nearby stone wall.
Marcus Fenix was left momentarily stunned by the impact against the wall, but his agile instincts kicked in, allowing him to roll out of harm's way just in time. As he swiftly regained his composure, he narrowly escaped a devastating punch from Master Chief, who unleashed a powerful blow that completely shattered the concrete wall behind where Fenix had just been moments before. The force of the punch echoed through the surrounding area, indicating the immense strength behind the Spartan's attack.
Refusing to cower before the might of the Spartan, Marcus Fenix mustered his determination and summoned his inner grit for another attack. He launched himself forward with a defiant shoulder tackle, sending Master Chief crashing to the ground. Without missing a beat, Marcus unleashed a flurry of punches, his fists connecting repeatedly with the Spartan leader's helmet-clad face. Despite the sheer force behind each blow, however, the helmet proved to be unyielding, absorbing the impact and leaving no obvious signs of damage. Master Chief, while engaged in the fierce struggle with Marcus, quickly posed a question to his AI companion.
"Any weaknesses?"
The ever-present and resourceful AI, swiftly initiated a rapid analysis of the ongoing battle. Her algorithms and sensors diligently scanned the data, searching for any potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the formidable Gear soldier. She noted how he seems to have an anger problem.
"I have identified a noticeable aggression in his fighting style,"
The AI relayed, her voice calm and composed despite the chaos unfolding.
"He seems to be driven by intense anger, which could potentially lead to impulsive decisions. This heightened emotional state might open up opportunities for tactical advantages but also risks recklessness. Use his anger against him if possible."
In the midst of the ongoing skirmish, Marcus Fenix halted his relentless assault for a moment, his attention piqued by the sight of Master Chief seemingly talking to himself. His voice resonated with a mixture of confusion and frustration as he inquired,
"Who are you talking to?"
Seizing the momentary distraction in Marcus' attack, Master Chief swiftly reacted, intercepting his opponent's punch with a fluid motion. Without hesitation, he swiftly countered, forcefully clashing his helmet into the Cog's soldier's face. The collision sent Marcus stumbling backwards, his nose throbbing from the unexpected blow. Master Chief stood tall, his stance assuming a ready position as he addressed Marcus Fenix directly.
"You fight like a mindless brute,"
John observed, a hint of disdain evident in his voice.
"Amateur."
The Spartan leader's words were calculated and deliberate, intended to further provoke and enrage his adversary. He banked on the information provided by his AI guide, hoping to exploit the COG soldier's apparent anger issues and reckless tendencies.
"Why you little!"
Marcus Fenix, bristling with anger and frustration, withdrew his Snub pistol and immediately engaged Master Chief in a fierce close-quarters battle. The COG Gear soldier grappled with the Spartan while simultaneously attempting to fire his pistol at point-blank range.
Master Chief's energy shield absorbed most of the fired bullets, cushioning the impact as his armor proved formidable against the onslaught. Undeterred, the Spartan leader reached out to seize the Snub pistol while enduring the hail of gunfire. With a powerful grip, he crushed the weapon in his armored hand, rendering it useless.
Undeterred by the loss of his Snub pistol, Marcus swiftly adapted, using the crushed weapon itself to deliver a powerful pistol whip blow to Master Chief. The impact staggered the Spartan, momentarily leaving him off-balance. Seizing the opportunity, Fenix swiftly produced a pair of Bolo grenades and looped their strings around John's throat, successfully securing the explosives around his enemy's neck.
With his formidable adversary momentarily subdued and vulnerable, Marcus Fenix seized the opportunity to deliver a fierce knee strike to Master Chief's gut. The force of the blow sent the Spartan stumbling backward, creating a small distance between them. Sensing the upper hand, Marcus swiftly pulled out his trusty shotgun and took aim, firing a powerful shot at the grenades encircling Master Chief's head. The explosion unleashed a violent shockwave, hoping to inflict severe damage upon the Spartan leader.
As Fenix unloaded his shotgun shot and the ensuing blast of explosives, Master Chief's energy field absorbed the initial impact, but the strain was too much for it to handle. Sensing the imminent failure of his defenses, Master Chief activated a bubble shield generator, creating a protective barrier that enveloped him just in time to shield him from the shower of bullets fired by Marcus' Lancer rifle.
Marcus, recognizing that his Lancer rifle's bullets were ineffective against the bubble shield, resorted to alternative means. He revved up the chainsaw attachment attached to his rifle, preparing for close-quarters combat. With a determined charge, Marcus lunged at Master Chief, aiming to slash at him with the revved-up chainsaw. But the Spartan leader was no less prepared for the close engagement. In a swift and calculated move, John counteracted Marcus' attack, blocking the chainsaw strike with his Sangheili energy sword. The clash of their weapons sent sparks scattering in all directions.
With a powerful kick to Marcus' chest, Master Chief created some distance between them, allowing him to rise to his feet and ready himself for the continued fight. Their weapons met in a series of wide slashes, the clash of metal and sparks filling the air as their weapons clashed, each hit echoing with a metallic symphony. As the intensity of their combat reached a fever pitch, Master Chief seized the opportunity to taunt Marcus Fenix with a challenging remark.
"That all you got?" the Spartan leader taunted, his voice laced with a hint of cockiness. The comment hung in the air, daring Fenix to respond with increased fury. Marcus, fueled by the adrenaline of the fight and further fueled by Master Chief's goading taunt, reacted in a burst of frustration. He leaped at John with a snarl, his chainsaw-equipped weapon poised for a desperate strike. Marcus' attack was driven by raw anger, his actions fueled by the mounting frustration and the desire to prove his own strength and skill in the face of the Spartan's provocation.
John swiftly dodged and parried each of Marcus's frenzied strikes, displaying his impressive reflexes and combat prowess. However, amidst the clash of their weapons, Marcus skillfully took advantage of a brief opportunity to target Master Chief's armored wrist, aiming to disarm him. His aim was true, causing the energy sword to slip out of the Master Chief's grasp and soaring into the air in a graceful arc.
Marcus seized the momentary advantage, lashing out with his chainsaw in a fierce downward swing, aimed directly at Master Chief's chest plate. The attack unleashed a shower of sparks as the chainsaw scraped against the armor, leaving behind evident marks. However, the chain of the chainsaw, although able to inflict some damage, ultimately buckled under the strain and snapped, leaving Marcus without a functioning melee weapon.
Master Chief, in a display of impeccable timing and quick reflexes, caught his energy sword as it descended from the sky, activating the weapon in a smooth motion. With a fluid motion, he plunged the plasma-powered sword into Marcus Fenix' chest armor, the energy blade effortlessly cutting through the metallic defenses and penetrating deep into the COG soldier's chest cavity.
Marcus' agonized cry pierced the air as he glanced down at the energy sword embedded deep within his chest cavity. His body slumped onto the armored Spartan, blood trickling from his mouth, evidence of the fatal blow he had suffered. In a final act of defiance, the COG soldier mustered the strength to spit a mouthful of blood onto Master Chief's visor, the crimson liquid staining the glass-like material.
As the energy sword deactivated with a soft hum, Master Chief displayed no visible reaction to the spitting incident. With a measured and almost gentle gesture, he pushed Marcus Fenix down onto his back, laying the mortally wounded COG soldier onto the floor. The Spartan's stoic expression remained unchanged, devoid of any visible sign of annoyance as he stood over his fallen adversary. As Master Chief stood over the fallen Marcus Fenix, his AI companion spoke up, her voice filled with contemplation.
"Well, that was certainly something,"
The AI remarked, a hint of reflection in her words. She pondered the possibility of a more peaceful resolution, had the two opponents engaged in dialogue instead of violence.
"Shall we continue?"
In response to the AI's question, Master Chief nodded calmly.
"Let's proceed," he intoned, dismissing any contemplations as they moved on.
Strength: Unfortunately, between these two soldiers who can fight swarms of enemies at a time, Master Chief has the advantage in all of the important categories. Fenix may be able to overpower a Locust called Skorge who can cut a tank in half with a chainsaw, but even your average Spartan soldier is capable of delivering a tackle that can shatter boulders that require the equivalent of 644 pounds of TNT being delivered through the shoulder, whereas Gear soldiers are supposedly a 14th of that strength. This includes their lifting strength in which Fenix might be at peak human strength of lifting between .2-.5 metric tons of weight, but Master Chief is that strong even without his Mjolnir armor. Wearing the armor can let him lift up to 5 tons with little effort.
Speed: In terms of movement and reaction speed, both appear to be equal with no significant edge over the other, but Master Chief is the only one to dodge gunfire at point black range, which would require moving at minimum over twice the speed of sound.
Skill: Master Chief has the superior skill in both longevity and combat style, cryosleep aside. Master Chief is relatively ten years older than Marcus, and has been conscripted into the Spartan program at 6, while Marcus enlisted at 17. Not only that, but while both soldiers are deadly in close and long range combat, Fenix is more comfortable shooting behind cover, only resorting to physical when it just happens. John, meanwhile, freely engages in any range at his leisure, moving back to shoot at a distance, and then running, jumping or grapple hooking towards his foes for a high speed knuckle sandwich.
Experience: I consider both combatants to be relatively equal. In terms of the variety of creatures, Fenix has fought more types of creatures that require multiple soldiers along with him to exploit different kinds weaknesses. But John has more experience fighting foes with combat intelligence similar to his own, and is more capable fighting armies on his own with only his AI as a support.
Powers: In terms of equipment, Marcus has more weapons to use, especially if he has the fabricator to be able to use all of it, but not only is Fenix unable to use all of it, it takes times to switch in between them. Not to mention, Master Chief has more advanced weapons, able to use plasma based weapons, which can kill other Spartans. Speaking of, Marcus doesn't really have anything that could get past John's Mjolnir armor made of thick titanium alloy, or his various energy shields to tank most of COG's military grade artillery.
The winner is Master Chief
Next time:
"All living things, kneel before your master!"
"One day, it will be my job to save the world. But I still have a lot left to learn."