Halo: Heart of Darkness/Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Send in the Marines
March 23rd, 2553, 23 days after the official end of the human-covenant war

Vladmire System, in orbit of Vladmire IV, Onboard UNSC Aviator 

Spartan-003 stood on the bridge of UNSC Aviator. The Aviator was a Phoenix class colony ship, refitted for the post war campaign as a transport vessel. It held hundreds of vehicles, aswell as ten albatross heavy dropships. Commander Shepard walked onto the bridge and Ben-003 gave a salute.