Chapter 2: Skyfall


UNSC Sol

9 Days after the slipspace Incident.


9 Days. So far 9 days have passed where 19 000 human beings are stuck on a giant piece of titanium. Morale among the crew so far has had its ups and downs. Many were upset that they would never see their families again after we announced that we were no longer in UNSC-controlled space and stuck in an unknown start system. Riots were threatening to break out the first couple of days after the announcement was made, thankfully the Military Police on board managed to prevent them.

Some crew members pleaded that we use the slipspace drive. Although that is tempting, the problem is we are nowhere near the UNSC, and we have no idea where we are. Equalizer estimates that if we find out where UNSC-controlled space is, it will take approximately 2000 years of slipspace travel and Sol wasn't equipped with Cryo technology, so yeah, we are stuck here whether we like it or not…There's also the problem of the slip space drive, we just can't risk putting everyone's life in danger when the damn thing is malfunctioning.

The good news so far is that the entirety of Sol's crew is at 100% combat effectiveness and morale is somewhat high. However, one of the ship's psychologists said we needed to get some soldiers and crew planetside as fast as possible before they snap and do something stupid and dangerous.

This is why Becket finally approved Agent Dawson's request to scout for an area on the continent to set up a forward operating base. But Becket did change one part of her objective. Do not interact with any local Xeno population. After all, Secrecy is our biggest weapon so far.


Fleet Admiral Becket

Becket's footsteps echo throughout the wide corridor as he makes his way to Hangar A where two Pelicans are prepared to take two marine platoons planetside. But first, he has a stop to make per the request of Sol's Biology division. Presenting his biometric ID card at the security door, the door's red light turns green allowing Becket entrance into the Biology Wing.

Entering the Biology wing Becket searches for a certain scientist. "Morgan, where are you?" Appearing out of the corner was a black individual dressed in a white research uniform with giant glasses. 'Who still uses glasses in this day and age thought Becket'. "Ahh Admiral, you came".

"Morgan you are supposed to salute me since I am your superior officer". Becket addresses Morgan with a small smirk on his face. "Uhhh no Admiral sir, I am part of Sol's civilian wing" Becket can't help but sigh and mutter. "Fucking Civies, why did you request my presence here Morgan, I need to see off the scout teams soon and wish them success in their mission."

"Ah yes, this is actually about the scout teams sir. If I may ask, could we perhaps send 2 scientists with the scout team to determine if the local wildlife is safe and of course to obtain soil samples to determine if the area is suitable for crops and finally to retrieve some local wildlife, flora, fauna and possibly some of the local inhabitants…. alive?"

"You want my soldiers to babysit your scientists in a potentially hostile environment…. ugh Fine I will allow it. But we aren't going to abduct the local inhabitants we aren't even going to contact them unless it is necessary, understood?" Becket asks Morgan Sternly.

"Yes, Admiral I understand perfectly" Morgan sounds a bit disappointed that he can't get his hands on some aliens to experiment on.

"Oh, Morgan one more thing, make sure the two scientists you select are equipped with CBRN equipment, we don't know if the air planetside is toxic for us, and one more thing. I want those scientists to test the air quality when they touch the ground."

After speaking with Morgan, Becket finally departs en route to Hangar A to see off the first scout team.


Hangar A

Lieutenant Joseph Blackburn

"Jesus, why does it have to be us that have to go to the surface?" One of the soldiers in Blackburn's platoon complains. "Fuck knows Tom, all that I know is that the ONI Spook personally chose our platoon and our sister platoon for this mission," Blackburn responds while going over the final weapon checks of his MA40 Assault Rifle.

"Yeah, but I hear we also have to fucking babysit those two Civies over there while they play with some dirt and collect fucking oxygen." Tom points out to the two scientists from the Biology Department standing out in the crowd of Marines due to their pristine white CBRN gear. "Look at them standing there like losers, you think us big bad marines are intimidating for them?"

Blackburn can't help but let out an exasperated sigh. "Tom…just please don't scare them. They are just coming with us to check if the environment and wildlife are safe for us humans okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I just don't like babysitting alright, got enough on my plate right now since I won't be able to see my little girl ever again."

"I know, we just need to focus on this okay? Let the civies play with their fancy tech while we play hero." Blackburn tries to reassure Tom. "I just know your little girl will be safe there back home"

The hangar quickly got quiet in an instant. Wondering why Black scanned the hangar until he spotted a figure standing on the Catwalk….wait not just anyone, it's the fucking Fleet Admiral! "First Platoon form up single file!" Blackburn shouts as he, Tom, and the rest of the platoon form up standing at attention while looking up at the Fleet Admiral. With second platoon quickly followed suit and the four Pelican pilots standing in between the two platoons.

Feeling the Admiral's gaze upon us Blackburn can't help but shiver. Those cold dead eyes of the Admiral feel as if he is studying everyone in front of him, trying to figure out what we think…Fuck he knows we are nervous. "At ease Soldiers." Upon hearing those words the stressful tension that was clouding the air instantly vanished.

Before anyone could relax the Admiral spoke up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you are all aware of the importance of your mission" All eyes are on the Admiral as he walks from left to right on the Catwalk while still staring into our eyes. "In about 5 and a half months we will run out of food and unfortunately our Hydroponics bay will not be able to keep up to our current demands."

"That is where you all will come in. Now I am not a procrastinator people. I am not going to wait till the final month to worry about our food supply. That is why you all have been chosen by our local spook to scout a pre-selected area on the planet underneath our feet so that we can set up a FOB."

We all watch anxiously as Becket leans on the railing and rests his arms on the Balcony. "Not just that, you all will also help those two scientists hiding behind the Pelican to collect some samples of local flora and fauna." In an instant, everyone's gaze is directed at the two scientists in CBRM gear standing near one of the Pelican's rear landing gear.

"Eyes on me people, stop scaring the Civies." With all of our gazes back on the Admiral he continues. "After you determine a perfect location for our soon-to-be FOB, we will send down Prefab structures along with some Engineering platoons to begin immediate construction of the FOB. You two platoons will be permanently stationed there and act as security for our engineers and scientists until we can send more troops."

The Admiral gives a nod to the four pilots, causing them to run to their Pelicans. "You will have close air support available in case something happens." Upon finishing the sentence the two Pelicans' engines start to roar causing some of the marines to jump out of surprise earning a laugh from Tom, 'guess this is it, we are going into unknown and hostile territory…alone' Blackburn thought solemnly.

"Oh and one more thing gentle, don't interact with the local Xenos that inhabit our future home. Hoorah!"

Every Marine including Tom and myself shouted back with enthusiasm before running to our Pelican sitting on the left side. "HOORAH!"

With everyone packed inside the back of the Pelican the realization of what the Admiral just said hit us like a MAC round. "Wait, did the Admiral just say that there are aliens that inhabit the planet?" Private Jeffrey asks out with wide eyes. "Oh fuck I think he did!" "Just fucking great more Alien scum to deal with." "Man this shit is just straight fucked up." "You think some of them aliens are hot and down to fuck?" "Ewww gross Allen why the hell would you have sex with a Xeno?"

I can't help but laugh as we suddenly brushed the issue aside that we are going to set up camp on an alien-invested planet. "Just wish our superiors briefed that we are going to a planet full of Xenos."

"What do you guys think these Xenos would look like?" As someone asks that question I feel my stomach lurch as the Pelican takes off. "Probably something ugly with tentacles and shit." "I just know that Allen would hit that." With everyone chatting as we make our descent to the planet I can't help but be stressed, what if the Xenos are hostile, or worse what if they are friendly?

"Hey, Blackburn what do you think they would look like?" Tom suddenly asks me…' what do I think they would look like? "I dunno, imagine they look human like us." As I said that the entire Troop Bay went silent until the scientist spoke up. "That would be extremely unlikely and it would also put everything we know about our biology into question…plus it would be morally fucked up."

Everyone can't help but shrug and accept the scientist's words. After all, she has a degree in biology and we don't. "Whatever you say four eyes." Responded someone from the far side of the troop bay causing all of us to burst out laughing.

"Ladies and gentlemen this is your Captain speaking we will be touching down in approximately 6 minutes, I want all of you off my bird in under 30 seconds alright? Thank you for your co-operation."


4 minutes later

"Okay people listen up we will touch down in 2 mikes, second platoon in the other Pelican will be our QRF in case shit hits the fan. The moment the hatch opens I want you all to fan out and to protect our VIP. And do not under any circumstance take off your CBRN equipment until the all-clear is given. Hoorah?!"

Blackburn was immediately met with an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone else in the Troop Bay of the Pelican. "HOORAH!"

Upon touching down the marines immediately piled out of the Pelican followed by the two scientists before forming a perimeter around them. "This Angel Dust we are dust off, moving into a holding pattern."

With our Pelican out of the AO, we all observe our surroundings. It is eerily quiet, surrounding us is a vast open field of desert. No trees, but some rocks, and boulders in the distance, the perfect place for an FOB. "All units fan out and secure the area, Four Eyes how's the air or whatever you call it?" Blackburn asks the female scientist whose new nickname is Four Eyes.

"Lieutenant the readings I'm getting so far are promising but a bit concerning. The oxygen is perfectly safe for us to inhale, but the concerning part is that it is the same as on Earth." Explains Four Eyes.

"How exactly is that concerning Four Eyes?"

"Well lieutenant, on all of our colonies the oxygen differs slightly from each planet, which is of course normal. But this planet's oxygen is the same as Earth's down to the smallest particle. That should be impossible…"

"Uhhh okay well worry about this later. Is the air safe for us to remove our CBRN equipment?" I ask slightly concerned. "Yes, it is perfectly safe Lieutenant."

"Okay, thanks all unit's air quality is safe to remove CBRN equipment." After removing the equipment 'better inform Command'. "Overlord this is Metal Zero One over."

"We read you Metal Zero One, send traffic."

"Sir Oxygen levels are completely safe for us to inhale and we found the perfect location for a FOB. Vast open desert with solid ground and a clear view of our surrounding AO."

"Affirmative Metal Zero One, Second platoon is going to touch down shortly. Your two platoons are to secure the surrounding AO while we send Engineers and Prefabs down to begin construction immediately."

"Copy that Overlord." Hmmm, the night sky here is beautiful. I can see all the stars because there isn't any light pollution-….wait a damn minute. "Overlord we might have a situation."

"Explain Metal Zero One".

"Well just to confirm there is only one moon orbiting the planet correct sir?"

I ask while staring into the night sky ignoring the second Pelican touching down.

"Uhhh affirmative Metal Zero One, there is only one moon orbiting the planet. Why?"

"Overlord…because I am staring at two moons."

"….Copy that. Ignore it for now we will handle it. Focus on securing the area. Engineers and Prefabs are en route eta 7 minutes, Overlord out."

Turning my attention back to my marines I begin issuing out orders. "First platoon we are to set up a perimeter North and East while the second platoon will set up a perimeter in the West and South, move out!"

As we move I can't help but think what this strange planet has in store for us.

The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men. It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man.

-Albert Einstein.


Author notes

That is the second chapter done. I took my time with it and used Grammarly to make some grammar improvements. (Thanks for the advice anonymous Guest).

Ugh, now I need to focus on when this takes place. So far I am debating Originium Dust just so that Team Rainbow can be included and have them interact with a futuristic Xenophobic humanity.

The FOB is built in Sargon.

If you have any suggestions that should be added to the story please PM me or put it in the review. Until next time.