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 the hatch 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, and string of missions, it was nice. Lighting a cigar, the Sergeant Major in his green NCO uniform closed his eyes enjoying the sweet smell and taste.

It was an expensive cigar that he had been saving for months. Lord Hood personally gave it to him after his previous mission which was required to have certain death in the title. Seeing a man such as this stare at the abyss of death and return was quite a feat. So much so that the Fleet Admiral himself came to award him. Such a cigar was worth hundreds of credits within the UEG (United Earth Government) and was of the finest of dining.

Looking back to that moment, he could still remember the slight face that he made when he looked down at his box to receive the awards. Always thought they were a bit primitive in his mind. Rewards for those who sought glory, not the protection of their country, of their family. But in mind, people do need heroes, so if this could be seen as a way to be a light to others it is acceptable.

A gathering of many officers and staff in their white sailor uniforms. The bridge deck is shown to the blank voice of space. all their various stations and operations would halt due to this award situation. Standing up front to attention was the Sergeant Major. This crowd of men and comrades cheered him on as he was to receive his valor for his duties within the service. Lord Hood, the Fleet Admiral himself personally oversaw the ceremony.

"Sergeant Major, the Colonial Cross is awarded for acts of singular daring and devotion, for a soldier of the United Earth Space Corps, is one of the highest honors that the UNSC can bestow."

Next to him was the Master Chief himself, the legendary Spartan who saved him from the hell that he was in only just a few weeks ago. Standing erect to over seven feet tall, and dressed in outstanding Mk. VI MJOLNIR was one of the most expensive pieces of military tech made by man. Golden visor glistening in a shiny new nature, he was the pinnacle of humanity's achievement.

On the other side of the Spartsn also in this awarded formation was Commander Miranda Keyes. She had her officer cap and had her dark hair drawn back behind her ears. Thick dark eyes that were beginning to water in tears, she almost could not even speak from the stutter in her throat. To think Johnson remembered her being just in military school a little over half a decade prior. The daughter to his best friend, to stand side-by-side with her award ceremony to this magnitude was very humbling.

He remembers her bright smile and gleaming spirit going in, no he sees only a tired officer much like those around her who have seen all the death, all the suffering, she just wanted it all to end.

Each word that Lord Hood spoke to her became a melody to her soul out to the cosmos itself to God upon his throne, if he exists.

"Commander Miranda Keyes," he said.

She stepped forward from the crowd of officers and came in line next to the Master Chief and Johnson at attention.

Hood stood in front of her with a small metal box with a small-looking glass. On the inside, was a the red linen texture. It held a medal, brightly shining with a small pin to hold it. It was the Colonial Cross, one of the highest medals once could achieve, even in death this thought rang inside of her.

"Your father's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. His bravery in the face of impossible odds reflects great credit upon himself, and the UNSC. The Navy has lost one of its best."

Her hands shook as she reached out to take the small box. As she did, her father from above in the heavenly realms hugged her soul inside as she clung to the case. It was suffocatingly tight but it was something she needed. This was his presence for just that one moment. One moment more, she could feel him just one more time.

The red light from the screen projector in front of him was dim enough so he could rest without any annoyance. Reflecting off his dark face his pores were revealed to show that he was just recently sweating, telling of his exhaustion.

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. At 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. His soul was irked with pain if that were even possible. The equivalent to a death in the family level of grief, and the highest felt level of terror. The demon on his shoulder squealed in joy seeing the man in such a stunned state.

His eyes widened greatly and the sweat came out of his face once more. Fingers shriveled and twitched and it became hard to breathe.

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 destroy 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 strode 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 will 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 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