We were shocked to hear the words come out of her mouth did she say Spartans, as in us, it was all starting to make sense now, no wonder Stacker has been so hard on us.
" You can of course decline, however Kelly." She said getting my attention.
I looked up at her. " You out of everyone here show the most promise you will be able to do a lot of good if you accept." She told me.
" I accept." I automatically said, hey I know I just became a Helljumper but this was a good opportunity for me
" Just as I thought." Athena commented.
She looked over to Stacker. " I told you she would say yes." She said making him snort.
" I will also say this, since this is brand new technology you won't be as strong as the 2s or 3s, but you will be significantly stronger than your average soldier." Watson told us.
" Another note to add since you are adults, you will only receive half the augmentations." Halsey added
" So what will it be?" Kelsi asked the rest of us.
" Well if Kelly said yes you can count me in." Makoa said.
" Me too." Manny joined with Carlos, Rigo and the rest of my squad saying yes.
" We already became ODSTS so I see why not." Jesus added.
Kelsi nodded approvingly happy to see we all agreed.
She turned over to Athena, well Athena say hello to your new Spartan technically speaking." She said.
The next day
They quickly transported us to a classified space facility Spooks littered the place, where we awaited our augmentations, we stood in the room stripped down to our underwear waiting for them to get the equipment ready. Unsurprisingly to everyone they decided to make me squad leader which no one opposed. Now I can tell Manny and Makoa to shut the fuck up whenever I want.
Halsey then entered our room. Makoa turned red as he was almost naked in front of the doctor making Rigo and Manny chuckle.
" The equipment is ready, As I told you before the procedure is excruciating, so if you want to back out do so now." She warned us. Nobody moved from our spot, we all made up our minds a long time ago.
She nodded. " All right then follow me." she said. We followed the doctor into the other room seeing multiple desks and machines, Watson was also there, upon seeing her Manny shot her a playful glare, causing her to roll her eyes.
The two doctors guided us to our designated operating table. They strapped us down and went to the main console. This is it this will be the final time I will be a normal human being afterward I will become a Spartan technically. Just like they told us we will be upgraded versions of the 1s so we wouldn't be the demigods of war that the 2s were however, it was better than nothing.
As soon as the machines hit me I immediately screamed out in pure agony. The pain was the worst I have ever felt in my body, it was unbearable. I screamed and kicked on the table trying to break free of my restraints. Everyone else screamed in pure pain. I kept on crying and screaming as the machines did their work and pumped me full of drugs. The pain stopped for a little while as I recollected myself. But only began again when the machines went back to work.
I writhed in pain and kept on screaming. I will not wish this on my worst enemy.
I knew that it was going to be painful but no amount of training prepared me for this, this kept on going for another hour. I kept on screaming and screaming until my voice gave out. I then felt the machines cut into my head.
This continued for several more minutes until it was finally over.
The binds released. I struggled to get up as my squadmates were still writhing in pain on the table. Rigo was throwing up in the corner. I was lightheaded as well. A bunch of medical personnel came in automatically tending to us.
" All right Corporal Kelly can you see how many fingers I am holding up." One of them asked me.
" Uhm 2." I said.
" All right good, follow us we will take you to see some medical evaluations." He told me. The rest of us followed them out and we were brought to another room to get our check up.
Besides the huge amount of pain and nausea, the medics and Watson concluded that we were fine, and Halsey came alongside Kelsi.
" How are we feeling Helljumpers?" the doctor asked us.
" Besides from the painful pounding in my head doing good." Makoa sarcastically remarked.
" I see you kept your humor Shefte." She smirked. Makoa responded with a thumbs-up.
" Helljumpers? Aren't we technically Spartans?" Rigo asked.
" Yes and no." Halsey said.
" Like I said before due to you being adults we had many limitations when it came to the augmentations." She told him.
" So what are we exactly?" Chips asked this time.
" You are slightly improved versions of the first ORION soldiers however we only did a few augmentations for you, if we did more the likelihood of you dying was too high.
" So doc what exactly can we do?" Manny asked.
" Was just getting to that" She said Watson then gave Halsey a holopad "To start with you all got muscular enhancement injections you can figure out what that is." She started we all nodded.
" The second you all got Superconducting Fibrification of Neural Dendrites" she said, Makoa gave her a confused look, followed by Manny, Carlos, and Chips.
She sighed " It is an alteration of bioelectrical nerve transduction to shielded electronic transduction. 300% increase in subject reflexes. Anecdotal evidence of a marked increase in intelligence, memory, and creativity." She finished.
The three of them all nodded in understanding.
" Increase of intelligence and creativity does that mean Makoa is cured in his autism." Rigo joked causing everyone to laugh, while Koa only rolled his eyes in annoyance. Halsey shook her head in dismay, but oddly enough she seemed used to this
" If you are all done goofing around let's continue, 3rd a Catalytic Thyroid Implant, increases muscles and bone density." She said.
" Now that is all of the augmentations that you all have, but Kelly, Makoa, Manny, and Ashley thanks to Athena you were able to get more augmentations than the rest." She told us.
" Bruh why Makoa?" Rigo complained.
" Would you rather risk dying or getting crippled?" Halsey shot back shutting him up.
Watson handed her another datapad. " As I was saying you four all got Occipital Capillary Reversal, an increase in perception, whats final is a Spartan Nueral interface that will let you directly connect with an Ai."
" That is it with you four, but Kelly you still got some more." She said turning to me.
" I thought any more augmentations and I would die." I said.
" Well thanks to Athena's predictions your chances of dying or getting crippled were zero, so let's get started." She told me.
" Carbide Ceramic Ossification Advanced material grafting onto skeletal structures to make bones virtually unbreakable, however in your case we had to scale back on it so you won't die, so your bones can very much break it would just take a lot more effort." She said.
I nodded understanding. " And Finally Cardiocascular reinforcement, your heart is reinforced so it won't strain on your muscles, so you are half as strong as a 2 or 3, but we will have to see you in the field to test that out." She told me.
" So what you are saying is, is that Kelly gets all the cool stuff." Makoa commented.
" What I am saying is that Kelly here is significantly stronger thanks to the extra augmentations." Halsey answered him.
" So are we Spartans? Or very much still human?" Rigo asked again.
" Hybrids will be a more accurate term, all of you being alive is a breakthrough in Spartan technology however, due to your age we had to compensate." She said.
" Which means, I will reiterate you are far from being a Spartan 2 or 3, you are just substantially better than your average soldier or ODST." She told us.
" Until we get more data on what you can do, I suggest trying not to eat bullets." She finished handing the holopad back to Watson.
" Wasn't planning on it." Makoa joked.
A bunch of crates were then pushed into the room.
" Anyways now to your armor." She told us.
" We modified your ODST armor to have energy shields, causing it to weigh slightly more than normal, but your augmentations will help with that." She told us.
" No mames, how much is slightly." Carlos asked.
" 30 pounds more." She answered. Well shit that's heavy.
Each crate had our name on it.
" We outfitted each armor to your roles." She told us. We all put our black ODST uniforms on and started strapping on our armor
Carlos was the first to open his. His helmet was outfitted with an O/I [Ocular/Intergration] attachment. A Sharpshooter shoulder pad and a regular one for his right. Alongside the regular thigh armor.
Rigo was outfitted with a regular ODST helmet with no attachments except for the tac-light attached, with regular shoulder pads and thigh armor outfitted with a regular backpack. Jesus was next and had the same helmet with a tac light nothing special, and a backpack
Chips, our demolition experts, was issued a CQB shoulder pauldron with a demolition backpack.
Sara got the regular BDU except that the chest piece had a medical UNSC symbol in the center alongside her shoulder pauldrons and a small rucksack with a knife attached to the back.
Ashley got a radio backpack, her helmet was outfitted with a CNM attachment on the right, a tac light on the left, and regular ODST pauldrons.
Makoa was given standard shoulder pauldrons, a helmet with the O/I attachment, and no backpack.
Manny was given a heavier variant of the armor with a CQB shoulder pauldron and heavy rucksack that came along with it his helmet had an up-armored attachment. Our chest pieces had the UNSC logo on the left and the ODST Skull on the right. As for me, I opened my box, I first spotted my helmet, I picked it up admiring it, it had a CNM module with a tac light. The BDU had a few extra pouches added but was the same as almost everyone else's.
I strapped the chest piece onto me and did my thighs and shoulders like a jigsaw puzzle, all that training paid off. A final touch to our armor was a Gunjir Knee pads.
Watson then came back and handed something to Halsey.
" All right all of you line up." She told us, felt weird to not be yelled at for once. In her hands revealed the Ai chip, Athena then appeared and waved at me smiling, she was happy to see me.
" Jane Kelly you two have already met." Halsey said.
" Yes ma'am." I responded
" You should be considered honored an AI choosing you." She told me.
" I know ma'am." I said back
Halsey then walked up to me.
" I don't then need to tell you the importance of keeping her safe if she falls into the wrong hands— I understand." I interrupted her.
" Take care of her." She said. I grabbed the chip but Halsey placed a hand on mine. " Do you have it?" She asked me.
" I have it" nodding my head, the doctor let go as I took the chip out of her hands Athena grinned at me.
" I'm waiting." She joked with me.
" Oh right sorry." I said. Everyone watched as I inserted the Chip into my helmet. "AI connected." the heads-up display said. " Funny your suit's architecture is not that different from the Athens." She told me.
I shook my head. " Didn't you already said that?" I told her.
" Yes, but with your helmet, but I said that only to get a reaction out of you." She chuckled.
" Well, don't get any funny ideas." I said making her laugh.
" All right all of you follow me to the command center Admiral Paragrosky just arrived." Halsey said. We all followed the two doctors out, to meet the Admiral.
We all entered the room one by one. In there was Parangrosky, who didn't seem to pleased when she saw Halsey a long side Kelsi she waved at me
All of us lined up and saluted the admiral.
" At ease." she told us.
She then pressed a button on the table. She was showing us pictures of the dead innies at the UN attack.
" Look familiar?" She asked us.
We all nodded our heads. She then pressed another button showing us a 3d map of New York. " We were able to track the insurrection cell responsible for the attack, we were able to locate their location in Brooklyn somewhere it would only be a matter of time before we pinpoint exactly where they are, LT Brunet here has been assigned to you and will tell you the rest of the details." She told us taking in the information.
" The local NYPD SWAT will be there to assist, I will be taking command of you." Kelsi joined in.
"Any questions?" She asked
" Any civies in the area?" Manny asked.
" According to intelligence, there is a slight possibility of non-combatants." She answered.
"Any other questions?" We all shook our heads.
" Good then as of right now you have a week to get ready for this op." She said.
" Also we have a new squad member for you." Halsey said catching our attention. The doors opened and there she was standing in her MJOLNIR armor,
Kat her armor was still colored light blue with her airhead helmet.
" Hello helljumpers seems like we will working together" she smirked.
" Well, this is awesome, having a Spartan in the squad." Makoa said.
" Kat, against our judgment, decided she wanted to be paired up with you lot." Parangrosky spitefully said.
" At my recommendation Admiral." Athena quickly shot back, making her roll her eyes.
" I suggest getting some rest you are dismissed." Kelsi told us.
We saluted the Admiral as we followed Kelsi out.
" Dr Halsey we need to talk." Parangrosky said, I wasn't the only one who felt it but the tension between the two was obvious. Makoa was of course worried, but it wasn't any of our business.
We followed Kelsi to our temporary barracks but I waited for everyone else to go in.
I tapped Kelsi on her shoulder.
" So uh we are assigned to you." I said to her.
"Yes." She responded.
" So where does that leave us." I asked her desperately taking off my helmet.
The LT bit her lip and averted her eyes away from me.
" I... don't know Kelly I have never been with a woman before and since I am your superior I think it would be best if we remained friends." She told me breaking my heart. I was trying so hard to hold back my tears.
" Kelsi you can't be serious, just because you are my superior doesn't mean we can't be together." I said desperately.
She sighed " Jane don't get me wrong you are a great person, but I am going through a divorce right now, and to put the icing on the cake I am your officer." She told me. The tears were desperately trying to leak but I kept my composure.
" Listen I need to get going, you should get some rest, Jane." She told me. She then took her leave I watched until she was out of sight, I then started breaking down tears streaming down my face. I leaned my back against the wall and put my hands into my face. I knew it. Who was I kidding I never had a chance to begin with.
I shouldn't have never kissed her I regretfully thought. I felt like such a fool for pursuing her, I kept on crying and crying until I noticed a blinking light coming from my helmet.
Shit, I forgot. I grabbed my helmet off the floor and put it back on.
" Jane you ok?" Athena worriedly asked me.
" I am alright" I sniffled.
Her face then appeared on my hud giving me a questioning look.
" Really?" She asked me.
" No" I cried breaking down into another fit.
" It is ok Jane everything will be ok" She cooed me.
" How?" I asked her.
" She rejected me." I croaked.
Athena sighed. " Jane she will come around keep your chin up, and if she doesn't her loss." She told me.
" I feel so stupid for thinking I had a chance." I vented.
" So stupid!!" I yelled out.
"Oh Jane." Athena looked sadly at me.
" I know will make you feel better, hold out your right hand." She said.
I don't know how this was supposed to make me feel better but here goes nothing. I did as I was told but nothing happened.
" Uhm Athena?" I asked her.
" Flick your hand." She told me. I flicked it and there she was. She appeared on the palm of my hand her entire self like she would on the command table of Athens.
" There now you can see me better." She told me.
I gave her a questioning look.
" Probably wondering why you don't need to take out my chip, well thanks to the new armor and technology, you don't have to risk taking me out of your helmet." She explained to me.
" But anyways back to you, Jane don't be so upset over her she may come around." She told me.
" What makes you so sure?" I asked depolarizing my helmet.
" You know I am a AI , remember also I can still see your face right?" She laughed.
" Oh sorry." I embarrassingly said causing her to chuckle more
" I hope you are right Athena." I responded genuinely hoping that I have a chance with her
" If I am wrong which I am not, that is her loss Jane because you are the whole package." She winked at me making me blush.
" Oh... Uhm thanks" I embarrassingly said.
" Go get some rest Kelly you are heading out tomorrow." She told me.
" That is probably a good idea" I responded standing up and going into the room. Once in everyone else was fast asleep including Kat as well. dead tired from receiving our augmentations
" Yo, you alright Kelly?" Ashley asked who was still up.
" I am fine Ash, go to sleep we have a big day tomorrow." I told her.
Ashley gave me a questioning look, she knew something was bothering me, but decided not to pry thank god I was still wearing a helmet. " Whatever you say." She said laying back down.
I sat down on the bed. " Hey Athena" I whispered.
" Hmm" she responded.
" Sorry about that." I said apologetically, referring to Kelsi.
" Don't worry about it, we are partners now." She told me, catching me off guard.
Partner huh will have to get used to that. " Oh you should come up with a squad name." She told me.
I went into deep thought about it, I mean Hunter was on the table but, I felt like there was something better, we were not Marines anymore we were Helljumpers but then it clicked. " Sierra" I said.
Athena smiled. " I think that is an awesome name." She told me
I took my armor off and put my helmet on the nightstand and jumped onto my bed. " Goodnight Jane" She said.
" Goodnight Athena" I said, closing my eyes and falling into a deep sleep.
Halsey's POV:
As soon as the ODST/Spartans left the room Parangrosky angrily turned to me, here we go.
" I would of liked to have sent them to New York earlier." She crossed her arms.
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
" And risk them getting killed, They just received their augmentations they need rest and time to recover, it should be a week" I responded protectively.
" And while they do that the Innies might pack up shop and get away." She said angrily.
I crossed my arms at her. " Admiral please, Athena already predicted that the likelihood of that happening was low." I condescendingly said.
" And still a chance of them getting away!!" She said.
" Also aren't they Spartans, I am pretty sure they can handle it!!" She said.
" Hybrids technically, " I said correcting her.
" Same thing!!" She yelled.
" Admiral no need to shout, your opinions are noted." I said looking at my nails, angering her even more.
" Don't talk to me with that tone Halsey, Hood may have pardoned you but I am your boss." She warned me even though I hid it the woman did scare me, but I was not going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that.
" One mistake, or get out of line ever I will throw your ass into prison so fast you can't blink" She threatened me.
I rolled my eyes. " Am I dismissed admiral?" I asked her.
" This isn't over Doctor, tread lightly from now on" She finally warned me.
She angrily walked out of the room. Parangrosky does a good job of masking her emotions. I consider it an honor that I am one of the few people who could get under her skin. Ah well, I am tired. I made my way to the exit to my quarters. I need some sleep.
3 Days later.
Kelly's POV
It has almost been a week since we were all training and testing out our new armor and abilities with Athena's Guidance and Kats we discovered our Strengths and weaknesses, being hybrids as Halsey called it we were stronger than your average soldier, not a Spartan but beggars can't be choosers. But for the past 3 days Kelsi has been nothing but professional with me, I do check her checking me out from time to time, but she doesn't talk to me unless it is related to work.
I don't get it sometimes I want to have a relationship with her, but ended that very quickly. But what did bring me a smile to my face was Rachel. I don't know what it was but I find myself attracted to her.
Makoa, Manny, Ashley, and me less so. We were testing our abilities in the simulations.
While we were training we went to personalize our armor as well more like forced by Makoa. I don't know why I agreed with him to put a Punisher Skull on our armor, but I relented, other Helljumpers had the Jolly Roger so why not.
Half its face or skull was covered by a Spartan helmet signifying we are hybrids a mix between super soldier and ODST
Makoa proudly wore it on his chestpiece. With Carlos, Manny, and Chips on there left shoulder pauldrons with a 105th on the top. Oh did I mention we were officially part of the 105th Shock Troop Division one of the most legendary units of the ODSTs, unofficially assigned to ONIS section three to run some black ops missions for them.
Privilege of being special forces. Back to Makoa though, Rigo was very much against the idea but with some convincing he relented. Rigo Opted to have the Skull on his chest as well. Sara was on her right shoulder though, Ash opted to be on her left.
Me I added more pouches to the front of my chest piece so I put it on the left shoulder as well. I must admit Makoa did choose a cool symbol, even Kat opted to wear one as well.
The final touches we added were all our blood types on our right pauldrons too, that was Sara's idea being the medic and all.
" All I got to say we cooked on this armor." Makoa commented making Rigo groan.
" Why is it you use 21st-century slang?" He asked him making Makoa laugh, " Why not? the lingo they used was hilarious." He laughed.
" No, it isn't." He said non-cholantly.
" Arguing as usual you two." Halsey walked in with Kelsi by her side making them shut up. I immediately waved to her, she simply smiled back
" When are they not." Kat commented rolling her eyes
She then stopped in her tracks, widening her eyes. " What did you all do to my armor?" She asked horrified.
" Just some light adjustments we made." Makoa said approaching here
" I see that." She responded.
" Well then back to business." She said quickly changing the conversation, with Kelsi handing her a holopad.
" So from the combat tests this past 3 days we were able to get a lot of data on your abilities and limitations." She told us.
Rigo raised his hand. " Yes, Ruvalcaba " she said her Spanish on point.
" When are they going to send us out? I didn't go through that surgery for nothing." He said.
" Your time will come." She responded.
" The time is now actually." Paragrosky said pushing past Halsey. Causing Makoa to angrily look at her. The doctor though seemed unfazed by it.
" Paragrosky what are you talking about?" She asked.
" We have pinpointed the insurrectionists' location, you are being sent in" She told us making us excited.
" Admiral a word." Halsey said walking up to her.
" You guys are leaving in 2 hours get your gear and make sure you have everything." She continued ignoring her.
" Hell yeah finally some action!!" Manny yelled.
" All of you will do no such thing." Halsey ordered.
" Uh wh—" Rigo was then cut off when the doctor gave him a death stare that even made Kat fidget. Feeling the tension in the air Kelsi ran out of the room as quickly as possible.
" I think we should leave." Makoa commented dragging a stunned Rigo away. The ten of us exited out of our barracks as things were about to heat up between the ONI spook and doctor.
Halsey's POV
As soon as they left the room, I angrily turned to Paragrosky who gave me a neutral face. " They are not ready it has only been three days." I told her.
She rolled her eyes at me. " 3 days is enough time for them to get used to their abilities."
" Find someone else to do it." I responded making her scoff.
" Catherine, you know that we are undermanned and that all of your Spartans are off doing other missions." She said smugly angering me even more but I kept my cool.
" It is Doctor Admiral." I warned her.
" Well of course doctor." She said sarcastically.
" They should not go they just barely got used to their augmentations, they need more time." I told her.
" Halsey, what is your problem? Why are you so against using them this is what they were trained for? I dont remember you being this protective of the other Spartans." She asked me a series of questions.
I took a deep breath in. " Ok 1 I have no problem regardless of how I feel for you personally." I stated, the Admiral crossed her arms waiting for me to continue. " 2 We were fighting a war for our survival so it is not like I had a choice when it came to Spartan deployments." I said with conviction, also not mentioning the fact that I knew of their capabilities, but even then some died.
" And three was not at all ok on the suicide missions that you sent the Spartan 3s on wasting their potential." I said almost tearing up looking at the losses of them.
" Doctor, they are soldiers it is not a safe occupation." She said getting annoyed with me.
" Admiral Paragosky, like I have said before they are technically not Spartans, besides Kat, all of them are watered-down versions of the 2s." I responded to her.
" And yet we entrusted one of them with a smart AI." She responded to me.
" A moot point Admiral, may I also mention the amount of money that went into this project, If one of them dies all of it would go to waste." I said back.
" They are soldi— more than just soldiers my Spartans are my next step for humanity." I interrupted her.
" I am going to Admiral Hood I am not going to let you throw away th— Maybe I could be of assistance." A synthetic voice interrupted me.
Appeared on one of the tables was " Athena I thought you were with Kelly" She finished for me.
" I told her to put me back into the bases system, but anyways to add my two sense to this I think they are ready." She told me surprising not only me but the admiral as well.
" What makes you say that?" I asked her.
" I do not think you are giving them enough credit, They had enough time to train with their armor and abilities." She told me.
I sighed. " Are you sure Athena, because the data says—- you made an error in one of predictions." She told me.
" Oh." I said embarrassingly not liking I made a mistake.
" So doctor are you willing go forward with this operation?" Paragrosky asked me.
I took a deep breath in. " Fine if Athena says they are ready, then they are ready." I answered her.
The admiral nodded and started walking to the exit. " But if any of them get hurt or die, I will hold you responsible." I warned her.
" Get your pets ready." She simply responded.
" They have names you know." I shot back watching her leave.
Kelly's POV
" No mames they have been in there forever." Carlos complained.
" Yeah mate, wonder what is taking so long." Chips added.
Honestly, I do not know why Halsey was getting so protective, it kind of reminds me of my mother when I was back in high school before she disowned me. " Makoa you know Halsey why is she taking so long?" Manny asked his brother.
" What makes you think I would know?" Makoa responded annoyed.
" She is your girlfriend." Rigo smugly said.
" Ok first off no she is not, that was a one-time thing, plus I am pretty sure she doesn't want to date someone 40 years younger than her. " He responded.
" So you do like her?" Jesus said this time, making Makoa go silent.
" Bro, we established this already remember back on the Athens when he was describing her." Rigo said.
" Oh yeah, thats right." Carlos laughed.
The doors then opened making everyone go silent. The admiral brushed past us with Halsey behind. We all looked at the doctor waiting for her to say something.
" Get ready in 30 minutes a pelican will be waiting for you in the hanger bay, Lt. Brunet will brief you on the way there." She told us.
All of us erupted into some cheers happy we were finally going to see some action. But what Makoa and I noticed was that the doctor seemed sad. The rest of the squad started heading to the armory. Not Makoa though he stayed with Halsey, I took cover behind the hall to eavesdrop.
" Uh doctor Halsey, are you alright?" He asked her. She sighed.
" I am worried about you guys, to be honest, I do not think you are ready." She said to him.
" What is there to worry about we are Helljumpers, plus with some augmentations." He said.
" THAT IS NOT ENOUGH!!" She snapped stunning Makoa.
What was those tears, " It wasn't enough for Jorge, Samuel and hundreds of other Spartans." She cried.
" Halsey." Makoa said empathatically, hugging her.
" No matter how good of a soldier you are it may still not be enough." She kept on crying.
" We will come back I promise you." Makoa said pulling her closer.
" I hope you do." She said. They stayed like that for another 5 minutes, until he finally let her go, and they parted ways.
I then confronted Makoa. " So uh are you and Halsey a thing?" I asked him making him turn red.
" Well uh." He stuttered.
" You should shoot your shot." I encouraged him.
" I want to do that, but to be honest I am scared." he told me.
" Scared of what exactly?" I asked him
" Well for one, she is the smartest person I have ever met, why would she want to date a dumbass like me." He answered me.
" Ok good point, but ever heard of opposites attract each other." I joked with him.
" Kelly." He said annoyed.
" I am just kidding, but on a real note you should go for it she seems to like you." I said.
" Yeah maybe in a motherly type of way, 40 years age difference remember?" He told me. I sighed.
" Makoa, who cares about that, you should give it a shot hell her intelligence may balance out your stupidity." I joked making him shake his head. I touched his shoulder
" Come on let's go, but consider what I said." I told him, making him grunt in annoyance.
All of us were in the Pelican heading towards Brooklyn, we were wearing our armor now. We were all checking our weapons and gear, and none of us were nervous, I mean fighting Aliens from space would do that to you. It was late at night perfect for the occasion.
" All right the house you are heading to is in a very urban area so watch your fire, hostels are considered armed and dangerous." Kelsi briefed us over the radio.
"Any more intel on the innies?" This question comes from Athena.
" Nothing worth noting, stay safe ODSTS." She finished.
" I do not know about you but I like a little bit more intel with my intel." Athena joked with me.
Making Makoa and Manny chuckle.
" Approaching the LZ in 5" our pilot told us.
" Everybody check your gear." I ordered them. Almost all our firearms were just silenced versions of UNSC weapons, specifically the silenced SMG
On an off note, I was glad that Halsey made me squad leader I was already abusing my power and shutting up the two morons, who couldn't go without arguing for at least a minute.
Our pelican finally landed at the police headquarters in Brooklyn where we met the swat team. " Sergeant Harold Lewis NYPD SWAT." Their team leader greeted us shaking my hand.
He looked over in awe at the sight of our armor, but what got his attention was Kat in her MJLNR. " I was expecting special forces, but I didn't expect a Spartan." He commented. Huh, I guess we still look like normal human beings.
" Well isn't he observational." Athena joked.
" I am assuming you know why we are here sergeant." I asked him.
The officer nodded at me. " Yes ma'am, ONI briefed us we will take you to the target's location and provide support." He told us.
" Lead the way." I said.
All of us went into the back of the two vans we will be taking, provided by ONI. We all sat in silence.
" So this is our first op together huh." Makoa said trying to break the silence.
" Honestly can't believe we made it this far." Rigo said.
" Innies are not going to know what hit them." Manny gloated.
" Hey everybody stay focused alright." I interrupted them.
" We don't have that much intel so anything could happen in there, so keep your head on a swivel, any questions?" I asked them, and all of them of course shook their head no, all the questions they did have were answered back at base.
The ride continued in silence, everyone wasn't nervous but eager to try out their new gear, only one indifferent was Kat despite fighting alongside her for a year, we know very little about her, maybe I can help her open up to us, Spartans have always been an anomaly.
" We are approaching the objective in five." Our driver told us.
" All right everybody get ready." I said
The vans went into the back alley behind the house. I opened the doors as we disembarked with the SWAT team. We moved up silently to the back gate, as one of the officers broke the gate with a bolt cutter as we went into the backyard, we kept moving up.
Another officer deployed a ladder in one of the back windows which Makoa started to climb up. I was joined by Ashley to breach the door. She unlocked it with a lockpick. Sierra 1 going into the interior." I said over the radio.
Manny went in first clearing the corridor with Jesus right behind him.
I followed behind as we stacked up on the next door.
" Ready?" I asked them, and they all nodded their heads.
I signaled them to breach, Jesus opened the door followed by Manny and the rest of us. The next room we went in was the kitchen. The oven was heating something up. Makoa crawled through the window with Kat behind him. " Helen is the food ready." A voice asked
" I think the pizza is done." A female voice said, before we knew it the door opened.
Thankfully Jesus quickly grabbed her and covered her mouth preventing her from screaming.
" Quiet." he threatened shoving her down onto the floor. He went hands-on and zip-tied her, she did what was told and stayed silent as the SWAT officers took her away.
We stacked up on the next door. " Why exactly did we plan on trying to take the UN building?" A voice said.
" It is what the general wanted." Another answered.
" The attack was a disaster we lost half our number." The first voice said.
Rigo pulled out a heat signature from his wrist. " Got 5 Innies in the next room." He said.
" All right, Makoa place a breach charge on the door." I ordered. He did as he was told and set the charge down.
" Ready, breach." I said. Koa detonated the charge as the door blew open, surprising the rebels.
"Shit there here!!" One panicked.
They all tried to reach for their firearms. But we made short work of them. I placed 2 shots in one as he tried to grab a rifle off the table. Makoa shot one in the head, splattering the wall behind him with blood. The rest were quickly cut down by the rest of us. We moved through the room checking for any stragglers.
" Room clear." Manny said moving up.
" Entering through the front door" An officer said coming in.
" Fuck they are here!!" An innie panicked upstairs.
" What should we do?!!" Another yelled followed by some panicked footsteps. "Take the shotgun, hide in the bathroom!!" The other one was ordered.
We stacked up on the stairs with Kat taking point. We slowly made our way up checking our surroundings. Once we were on the second floor I motioned Manny, Makoa, and Ashley stacked on one door. Kat and I stacked on the other one with Jesus and Carlos, while Chips, Rigo, and Sara moved to the next set of stairs.
Makoa kicked down the door, and the trio went in and what followed was a bunch of gunfire. Kat with one swift kick destroyed the door. Surprising two Innies. They both immediately fired but Kats's armor soaked up all the damage, I took one out with a quick shot to the head with Carlos killed the other one with a shot to the head as well with his Silenced Assault rifle.
" Jason, Ralph NOOO!!" a female voice yelled.
" Put your fucking hands up lady!!" Jesus screamed.
" Put them up!!" Carlos Joined.
The lady sadly made the stupid choice of going for the weapon on the bed but before she even reached it, Carlos and Jesus emptied a few rounds into her. Her lifeless body hit the ground.
" Dumb bitch." Jesus commented.
Kat and I cleared the back of the room, finding a huge arsenal of weapons and makeshift bombs.
" That is a lot of bombs." Athena remarked.
Yeah, you are telling me.
Carlos and Jesus moved up and were ambushed by an innie with a shotgun. He opened fire using an overturned table as cover. Their armor absorbed the shotgun shells with ease. " UNSC lapdogs!!" He insulted shooting more rounds
When he popped his head again Carlos shot it with pinpoint accuracy. His head leaking with blood.
Kat and I caught up with them at the other end of the room. Jesus went to open the door to the bathroom. Before he even touched the knob. Someone opened fire through the door. Jesus jumped out of the way while Kat and I unloaded our mags into the bathroom, riddling the door with bullets. It opened out came a dead innie his lifeless body hitting the ground.
Jesus checked the bathroom. " Clear!!" He yelled. I nodded at him. We exited the room with Makoa and Manny shoving a female Innie to the ground zip tying her the Swat officers then grabbed her and took her away. We regrouped at the next set of stairs with Manny taking point this time. We moved up slowly, we came up on a door, and almost immediately someone started opening fire Carlos got hit a few times but his shields protected him.
" Manny the door!!" I yelled.
He kicked the door down, while Makoa moved up and tossed a flashbang. " Ah Blyat!!" An innie screamed. We went in guns blazing taking three of them out with ease.
We kept going through the room followed by more gunfire. Manny lifted a bed up revealing a rebel. Well, I figured out where the gunfire came from. He quickly two tapped innie killing him. While Sara and I went to clear the bathroom. I kicked down the door. Empty. Sara and I nodded to each other. We regrouped on the other side of the room with Manny, Jesus, and Makoa.
Manny kicked down the door and we went in. " No no no!!" A woman screamed running to a baby crib.
" Hands I want to see hands!!" Jesus yelled.
The lady continued screaming grabbing what I was assuming was her baby. " No no please don't hurt us!" She yelled.
" Ah, shit!!, SWAT get in here." Manny yelled over the radio.
Two officers barged in scaring her even more, causing her to go into the back corner
" Secure her and shut that damn kid up!!" Manny ordered.
" Manny chill she is just prote—- Should not have fucked an innie. then" He interrupted Makoa.
Makoa unpolarized his helmet, oh great I know where this is going.
" Cool it both of you." I ordered them before they could get into another stupid argument.
Our other squadmates cleared the rest of the room, so we made our way back to the last set of stairs.
" All right, last set stay frosty Sierra." I told everyone. They all nodded at me and we went up the stairs leading us to the basement. Once up there was only one room left. We stacked on it like the rest of the rooms.
Makoa placed another charge down.
" Ready breach!!" I yelled.
The breach charge blew off the door were we rushed in opening fire on a few rebels.
They fired their weapons but our armor absorbed all their gunfire.
Jesus tossed a grenade. It exploded killing and maiming him he screamed in agony as the rest panicked. and ran further into the back of the basement.
Makoa and I gave chase. While the rest of the squad dealt with the stragglers.
" Get rid of the evidence!!" One screamed.
" Burn it burn it all!!" Another shouted.
Once we reached the back. We saw two innies burning a bunch of papers and maps.
" Drop your weapons!!" Makoa ordered trying to get them to surrender. Unfortunately, the two rebels did the opposite of what he asked and pulled their weapons up. Makoa and I immediatley opened fire killing the two.
Once their bodies hit the floor, we investigated the burnt papers that the innies were trying to get rid of. " This is Sierra we are code 4." I said to command.
" Roger that Sierra wraps up, and returns to base." Kelsi responded
" What the hell are they trying to do?" Makoa asked picking a paper of the ground.
" Hmm, interesting seems like this cell was planning an attack of some kind." Athena commented.
I was looking at the paperwork on the table, but I was getting nothing it was too badly damaged. I flicked my hand with the AI appearing.
" Athena any Idea on what they are planning?" I asked her.
She looked at all the paper and burnt maps.
" Hmm, it seems they were planning to attack something but thanks to those two it will take me some time to figure out." She told me referring to the two dead rebels on the floor.
I nodded at her. " Makoa bag what evidence you can." I told him.
" Hopefully the spooks will be able to decipher what the hell they were trying to do." He commented.
" With my help, they should be able to." Athena responded,
Makoa started bagging what evidence remained. Athena let out a sigh.
" Something wrong?" I asked her. She looked up at me sadly
" They were smart to use maps and paper, if they put their planes in an online system I would been able to figure out what they were doing." She sadly said.
" Don't worry we will figure it out." I told her reassuringly.
She smiled back at me appreciating my comment.
" Hey, we got a live one here!!" Carlos shouted.
" Makoa you got this?" I asked him before leaving.
" Yeah, I got it send one of the SWAT guys to help me." He told me.
I nodded at him and went back to the rest of the squad. Once I got there. I saw that Sara was applying a tourniquet to the innies leg, or what remains of it.
" I say we just kill him." Manny said.
" You want to piss of the Spooks?" Rigo asked him.
" After what these dickheads did back at the UN building yes." He answered back.
I walked up behind Sara. " How is he doing?" I asked, to be honest, I could care less since the guy is a terrorist.
" He will live, I stopped the bleeding we will take him back to base, and leave him for the spooks." She told me.
" When he gets back to base hopefully ONI can let me have a crack at him." Athena enthusiastically said. The rebel coughed out some blood.
" All right all the evidence is bagged and ready to go." Makoa said walking in. with two Swat officers carrying the evidence. He glanced at the injured terrorist and snorted. " We are taking him with us?" He asked.
" Yeah for ONI." I answered him.
" And of course, the spooks are going to question him." He complained. The stretcher then came in and carried the rebel out.
" All right everybody let's head back to base." I told them. We made our way out of the house passing the occasional NYPD officer that was here. They started to bag the bodies already.
Once outside I saw the two female civilians being escorted to a police cruiser. One still had a baby in her hands, she looked at me and gave me a sad glare before being put into the cruiser.
" Do you think one of the dads could b– best not think about it Koa." I interrupted him, I did not want to think about it no point in doing so.
We made our way back to the Van but were stopped by Officer Zimmermann, " I would like to thank you for today, no casualties impressive Helljumpers." He complimented us.
" Glade to have served with you." I said back.
" Well, I am just glad we didn't lose anybody." He said
" Likewise, but we must get going" I said wanting to leave.
" Of course wouldn't want to keep you waiting." He responded. Everyone got into the back of the van, with Kat being last.
" I am glad they are on our side." Zimmermann said.
" Me too." I said crawling into the back of the van. I waved goodbye to the officer as we made our way back.
The ride back was silent, we were happy that nobody got hurt or worse, but all of us were left uneasy about the baby and her mother, I tried not to think about it, but I would be lying to myself denying we most likely killed the father of that child. So this was how it was going to be for now then, when fighting the Covenant we never really thought about their friends and family, hell they were aliens. But killing your fellow species, how many of them are father or brother, family member? I guess I would have to get used to it.
" You alright Kelly?" Athena asked me.
Forgot she is still with me.
" Yeah, I am fine." I quickly answered her.
She sighed. " You know I am here if you need me." She told me. I was about to answer back when the van abruptly stopped. " Alright end of the line, I will be seeing you Helljumpers." Our driver said. We all exited out and made our way to our Pelican. Once inside it took off as we watched New York city disappear into the distance.
Somewhere else
Shit shit shit, they attacked the safehouse, we are screwed now. Because of that, we were forced to relocate to one of our warehouses, but it probably be a matter of time before they found us even worse a Spartan. I was walking back and forth losing my mind.
" You need to calm down Dimitri." Yara told me.
" How can I be calm!!" I snapped.
" They attacked the safe house, we are screwed they might have found the planes!!" I screamed.
" If they did what they were told to do our men would have burned all the evidence." He responded.
" And if they didn't?" I asked.
" Doubt it." He simply said how can he be so calm about this.
" At the end of the day, it is the commander's choice to proceed through with the plane." He said.
" No way we are– LT the commander wants you." One of my men told me.
Finally, I have been calling him for hours.
" Commander sir." I saluted he appeared on the tv screen annoyed by my abrupt call.
" Why exactly are you calling me?" He asked.
" Uhm sir they attacked the safehouse." I told him his expression remained unchanged.
" And?" he asked. I was surprised he was taking this news well.
" Did they discover our planes?" He followed up with another question.
" Well no we do— then proceed with the attack, I don't need to tell you how important your task is." He said.
" Well yes but s— So proceed with the original plan and everything will be fine so stop wasting my time." He said.
But sir–" Before I could respond he hung up the call.
"Damn it!! What now!" I yelled frustrated.
" We do what we're told like he said." Yara told me.
" I guess it is almost time, get the men ready we knew this was a one-way trip when we got here." I grimly said.