Flight of the Phoenix: Book 1

Prologue
Military Calendar: Jun 23rd, 2569. Time: 1527 Location: *Secure access key required* Mission: *Secure access key required*


 * Spartan-D339 sprinted behind the rock as plasma thudded overhead. The squeal of an Unggoy was heard as he fished out another clip for his MA5C and rammed it home.  He fervently wished that Commander had been able to get the new Spartans their augmentations in time, but funding was short.

A high pitched squeak made him look up. A grunt was on the rock staring down at him, pistol coming around. Dammit, dammit, dammit. He pushed of the rock as a bolt burned the grass where he was not a split second before. He spun and put three rounds in the villains head. Rising from his position on the ground, he assessed the situation with a practiced eye. He was only 13 years old, but seven years of military training was more than enough to assess danger. Spotting two nearby ODSTs, he made for their cover. He rushed over and spotted the Brute hurling a plasma grenade. "Get down!" He screamed, grabbing the ODSTs pushing them away. The grenade landed behind him, and glowed brighter. There was no time to move. Hot plasma boiled along his back, cooking skin and flesh, eating him hungrily...

Chapter One: The Egg
Military Calendar: August 5th, 2562. Time: 0900 Location: *Secure access key required* <br?


 * The young boy jerked awake as the hatch opened, spilling three thousand ten year old boys and girls out on to a large field. Blinking in the early morning hours, they began doing what most six year olds do.

They played, and fought, until a bunch of men brought them under control with glowing rods. He was spared, not being the playing kind. He never was the playing kind, not since the monsters burned his mommy and daddy... He was roughly shaken and ordered to watch a man. The man was very direct. "Greetings, recruits. My name is Commander Damian Lash. You have all been called here for a specific purpose.  You are to be Spartans, our greatest warriors." The children shifted, knowing of what he spoke of but not comprehending. "Each of you has lost someone. Many humans have after the Great War.  But you will be given a chance that few humans will ever have.  It is my duty and responsibility to prepare you to take vengeance for what you have lost." Vengeance, thought the young boy. Yes, vengeance is a good cause to fight. The man continued to speak. "You will be furnished with the best technology and training that we can provide. I will only be with you for a short while, but in that time I hope that you will begin to show who you will become.  Handlers!" The men with glowing rods shepherded them to a very large building, in which they were each given a small bed and locker. Looking inside the locker, he found several uniforms similar to the ones the "handlers" had worn. It was strange, these seem custom tailored to fit him, which was odd, considering he had never met these strange people before. After and hour (he was told the time was 1000 now) the handlers fetched them, split them all in to groups, and put them in large, round rooms with seats around the walls facing inward. He took a place at the front of the seats, nearest the center of the room. A large human, motherly in nature, sprang in to life. The kids shrank back a bit, never having seen an AI before. "Greetings", said the AI. "My name is The Librarian." The Librarian smiled warmly. "My job is to teach you the history of the human race and other subjects, such as math and science." For four years their days were much the same. The young boy made friends, and when the time came to form teams, they all joined him. They are Phoenix Team. The young boy took the name Wings-D339, as he is the one that holds the team aloft, above the others.

Chapter Two: Formation
Military Calendar: November 19th, 2566. Time: 0900 Location: *Secure access key required*


 * The young Spartans stood at attention out on the parade grounds. Commander Lash was leaving, and they were to receive a new commander.

Phoenix Team was first out on the grounds as always, front and center. Therefore his team got the honor of being first to see the new commander. A Pelican soared down over the trees as Commander Lash walked to greet the incoming commander. Many of the other Spartans shifted, and Wings glanced over to make sure the rest of his team remained still. They did. Good. The Pelican touched down, and the hatch opened. Out marched a giant, encased in entirely in green armor, minus a helmet, which Wings spotted attached to his pack as the soldier turned to greet Lash. Phoenix was close enough to hear the conversation between the two. Thankfully, Lash was good enough to call "at ease". Some of the recruits were rocking on their feet, about to faint.