User:DS2117/Becoming a Soldier

Foreward
Inspired by Halo and my daily life as a NJROTC cadet. The story begins years before the events on Planet Reach. It is about Kristen; a young female cadet who joins the NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) Program. After graduating High School, she decides to join the Navy, but her eyes soon fall upon the UNSC (United Nations Space Command). Instead of defending her country, she desires to defend her planet. After years of tormenting training, she is now Platoon Leader of a platoon of ODST. Kristen and her platoon are ordered to Planet Reach, a place where Spartans are born. Soon, hell breaks loose on Reach with the arrival of the Covenant. Kristen has no choice but to link up with Noble Team and defend Reach for as long as they can. "Either we fight or die... We don't have the option to run."

Prologue
Blood dripped from her forehead, mixing with her sweat of exhausted adernaline. Her shattered visor reflected her agonizing pain with a broken expression. Her mind faded in and out of consciousness. Every moment she blinked her eyes, flashbacks of the past smacked her in the face. The familiar face of her Drill Sergeant appeared before her. "Get up, Moore!!!! Get up! The job ain't finished yet, Cadet!"

Kristen obeyed the ghost of her long lost superior and sat up with a groan. She clenched her ribs, trying to see if they were broken. But the pain was nothing compared to what she saw. The great stronghold; Planet Reach, scarred in black ashes and damaged landscape. Kristen turned her head to the left and her heart sank. They say "Spartans never die, they're just missing in action..." The scene was terrible to set eyes on. Kristen couldn't believe that the Spartan was gone, forever... And never coming back.

Prologue.

PART 1: CADET

Chapter 1: Recruit

Many years before the events on Reach...

Kristen Moore walked into the crowded campus puzzling on where to go. "Augh, High School." She said in her mind. Starting new as a freshman was terrifying for Kristen. Then she spotted out a familiar face.

"James!" She cried out.

James quickly turned with a surprised look on his face. He was a Year 2 Cadet of the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Ranking as Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, he was the average ranking cadet.

"Hey Kristen!" He answered back.

They fought their way through the crowds of other students.

"You ready Kristen? You ready for your first day of ROTC?"

"Maybe... I don't know. All I can think about is Mini Boot Camp coming up."

James just smiled and teased her for a moment.

"It's not that bad, Kristen. It really isn't, yeah they yell at you but it's not personally. Ok?"

Kristen just looked away, thinking about what he said. He was an experienced cadet, he knew what happened and what will happen to her. All she could do was take his advice and proceed forward.

"Ok." She said finally.

James smiled and lead her to the ROTC room, her long four year training was about to begin.

Kristen was taken by the large amount of trophies that were in the ROTC rooms. Room 401 was for the new cadets and room 402 was for the upper classmen.

“1st Sergeant will begin class in about ten minutes, alright Kris?” James said in a welcoming manner.

“Ok, James. You don’t have to baby me all the time, I’m not your little sister ya know.” She teased.

“We’ll see who’s laughing tonight at my house.” James said.

“Uh your house? It’s my house this time.”

James just playfully rolled his eyes. Kristen and James were good friends, neighbors in fact and they would have “Friday Pizza Nights” at each other’s house.

“Ok smartass, I’ll see you after class. Bye.” James waved goodbye and disappeared into the next room.

Kristen smirked and sat down in chair. She sat in silence for a few minutes before familiar faces walked through the door. It was her good friends Laura, Griffin, Nicole, and Jacob. They all greeted each other high fives and hugs.

“Is James already in class?” Jacob asked, he was a Year 2 as well.

“Huh? Oh, yeah he’s next door.” Kristen said pointing at the door.

“That ass! I’m going to get him for leaving me!” Jacob said in a sassy matter and went next door, leaving Nicole, Laura, Griffin, and Kristen in the room.

Chapter 2: Boot Camp

Chapter 3: We Break You to Rebuild You

Chapter 4: Cadet Seaman

Chapter 5: Ships That Sail At Sea

Chapter 6: Friends Come and Go

Chapter 7: Cadet Petty Officer Second Class

Chapter 8: Dying Company

Chapter 9: Leaders Are Either Born Or Made

Chapter 10: Cadet Master Chief

PART 2: CHANGING WORLD

Chapter 11: Ships That Sail in Space

Chapter 12: First Mission

Chaptet 13: United Nations Space Command

Chapter 14: Old Traditions, New Uniform

Chapter 15: Hellish Training

Chapter 16: Orbital Drop Shock Trooper

Chapter 17: Platoon Leader

Chapter 18: Pack Up

Chapter 19: Planet Reach

Chapter 20: Winter Contingency

PART 3: WAR

Chapter 21: Feet First Into Hell

Chapter 22: Meeting Up With Noble Team

Chapter 23: Noble Six

Chapter 24: Spartans and ODSTs Can't Love

Chapter 25: In the City

Chapter 26: The Package

Chapter 27: Get to the Pillar of Autumn

Chapter 28: Chose to Stay Behind

Chapter 29: Lone Wolf

Chapter 30: Last Stand