RP:Operation: WARDOG

Rules
Rule 1: What I say goes

Rule 2: Try not to make dozens of posts before everybody else can reply :]

Rule 3: The obvious of no godmodding

Rule 4: If you want somebody to die, ask the owner of the character.

Rule 5: The RP occurs in the Necros Era

Rule 6: UNSC forces are split into three groups, the active SOCOM, which is mostly the SPARTANS and supporting special forces, ONI, who are keeping an eye out for them and the 5th fleet, who are arriving in several weeks

Rule 7: There is a death cap of three SPARTANS. Well two, I claimed one already. First come first serve

Rule 8: The RP will be fought in a 'unusual' method, that will be detailed later

Rule 9: You can add your units up now

Rule 10: RP will begin in febuary, so you got plenty of time to get your heads sorted for it

Rules on Adding new units

 * SPARTANS: on the SPARTAN-IV Program (Ajax 013) page is a list of all squads. Feel free to take control of one of these platoons or just take control of a squad, or even just a team. Be sure to obey the squad structure, I'll tell you if your doing it wrong, for more help, see Halo Fanon:SPARTAN IV.
 * ONI: ONI are there in a observation capacity. They'll be operating the tacical command centres and satillites support the SPARTANS and giving them tactical support.
 * SOCOM: aside from the 117th, other SOCOM units present include
 * Special Naval Support Unit: Operating observing Prowlers that support the 117th with observation and intelligence gathering
 * Special Reconnaissance Service: Special Recon will be there in small amounts, providing some recon for the 117th
 * Special Aviation Attack and Reconnaissance Unit: SAARU will be delivering the SPARTANS on day 1
 * Advance Naval Warfare Group: The ANWG will be launching hit and run raids on the orbiting Brute fleet to distract them before the arrival of the 5th fleet and keep the 117th safe.
 * Joint Evaluation and Tactics Group: JETG will be there for evaluation of the SPARTANS


 * UNSC 5th Fleet: They will have a comparitvately short part of coming in, blowing up anything in space and securing groundside and relieving the IVs. Feel free to add your own battlegroups, regiments and squadrons, most of you should be familiar with how they work.
 * Brutes: No real rule, just remember, your standing in the way of 2000 7 foot tall tank armoured demons, who are now superior to you in every way imagineable. :]

Order of Battle
I'm sure your all familiar with how I do Role Plays on here, but WARDOG will be something a little... different. The operation will commence over a number of 'weeks' (not in real time) and within each week, there is at least one raid for each SPARTAN platoon. After this raid, its patrolling buisness, recon, and brief breaks, happy camping and the such. This RP will be as much devoted to emotional development as it is to 7 foot tall green humanoid tanks tearing about space apes. I'll post the raids and details for them for you fellas, then you go and tear some suckers up, with me effective acting as 'Dungeon Master' for those clued in on Dungeons and Dragons nonsense. Eventually there will be 'final raids' which is done by battalion, so expect it to be bigger, better and bolder. :P

Introduction
"I am your worst nightmare. I have conquered fear, I have come to terms with terror and pain is my best friend. I will come from nowhere, I will dissapear without a trace. My brothers and sisters will lay down their lives for me, as I will for them. I am a UNSC SPARTAN-IV. The first and last line of defence."

- SPARTAN-A044

It is October, 2611. While winter begins on the world of Hannibal III, the war against the Remnant heats up. The 117th Special Operations Regiment is fresh from thier victory, Operation: DEVIANT and now is ready for a challenge. Thier 'test run' had ran smoothly and now they have a chance at truely proving thier worth. The world of Hannibal III has recently been occupied by Brute forces, who are turning it into a slaving operation to bolster thier failing war machine and now, SOCOM and the 117th have drawn up a plan to defeat the Brute occupiers. While the USNC Navy struggle to resist raids and move through captured territories to Hannibal III, the SPARTANS, as part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) force, will wage a guerilla campaign on the surace of Hannibal III against the occupying force, while Navy elements harass their forces in space, ensuring a even protection for both in the coming battle.

The plan for the SPARTANS could not be more simple. Get down to the surface, get into hiding, then wage a war of terror on the Brute forces. They will raid convoys, interment camps, supply depots, vehicle depots, ammo and fuel dumps, garissons, command posts, supply links, lines of communications and airfields. They will strike out from thier hiding places in the vast caves, waterways and forests of Hannibal III then melt back into the darkness. When the time comes for the UNSC to finally liberate the world, they will attack en masse at the weakened enemy forces. Fourth Battalion would attack the last of the enemies head quaters, ensuring total confusion in the lines of communication and command, Third Battalion are assigned to attack a number of cross road villages, bridges and mountain passes, take them and hold them against Remnant counter attack until relived and destroy a number of key bridges to hamper enemy movement in and out of the designated landing zones. Second Battallion are assigned to securing enemy anti aircraft positions and landing zones and set up forward landing zones for UNSC troops. First Battallion would attack the city of New Oxford en masse and push Brute defenders out by any means. After all this, they would hold against whatever the Brutes could throw at them until the 5th fleet arrives to relieve them.

For the SPARTANS, this is thier trial by fire.

United Earth Government (Necros)
Commander: Lieutenant General Andrew James Lewis

SOCOM
Commander: Lieutenant General Andrew James Lewis

Ground Forces

 * 117th Special Operations Regiment
 * First Battalion
 * Albion Company
 * Bravo Company
 * Charlie Company
 * Second Battalion
 * Delta Company
 * Easy Company
 * Foxtrot Company
 * Third Battalion
 * Ghost Company
 * Halo Company
 * Indigo Company
 * Fourth Battalion
 * Joker Company
 * Kilo Company
 * Lambda Company


 * SRS: A Squadron
 * SAARU: E and F Squadron

Air Forces

 * Attached Airforce units
 * UNSCAF 3rd Squadron
 * Ross East Jr.

Navy Forces

 * Special Naval Support Unit
 * 8 Minerva-class Prowlers
 * 1 Athena-class Prowler Cruiser
 * UNSC Converge


 * Advance Naval Warfare Group
 * 7 Loki-class Stealth Frigate
 * UNSC Loki
 * 1 modified Horus-class Light Cruiser
 * UNSC Storm Rider
 * 3 modified Isis-class Light Cruiser-Carrier
 * UNSC Highwind
 * UNSC Fate of the Gods
 * UNSC Yggdrasil
 * Unsc hazard

UNSC 5th Fleet
Commander: Admiral Patrick Munro

Ground Forces

 * 613th Marine Brigade "White Feathers" - Brigadier General Pierce Hae-jin Hayase
 * 77th Airborne Regiment "Fly Fly"
 * 17th Armored Battalion "Hell on Wheels"
 * 45th ODST Battalion "Tip Of The Sword"
 * 98th Marine Aircraft Wing "Night Scare"
 * 6th Marine Combat Logistics Group


 * 101st Orbital Shock Regiment Screaming Eagles


 * 25th Marine Expeditionary Brigade- Brigadier General Francis Davidson
 * 345th German Armored regiment
 * 226th Infantry Battalion Excalibur
 * Royal 22e Régiment
 * 1st Special Service Force

Navy Forces
130 ships (10 battlegroups)


 * 1 Heimdall-class Frigate
 * UNSC Red Tide

ONI

 * Lieutenant Commander Jamal-002

Naval Forces

 * 1 Athena-class Prowler Cruiser
 * UNSC Azrael

Covenant Remnants
Commader: Field Chieftain Alectus

Ground Forces
Grand Validus Pack
 * 7 Brute packs
 * Validus pack
 * Bardus pack
 * Pravus pack
 * Amplus pack
 * Astus pack
 * Vitiosus pack
 * Mauravauntus pack
 * 2 Armored packs
 * 3 Aerial Support packs

Sign up

 * Ajax 013
 * Hollywood101x
 * ODST Joshie
 * ONI recon 111
 * Actene
 * Delta-269
 * Matt-256
 * Lordofmonsterisland
 * 117649AnnihilativeRepentance
 * EliteMaster117
 * Arbiter7290
 * Masterchief46517
 * ShockTrooper
 * Spartan-118
 * SPARTAN-984
 * Spartan-091
 * CF001
 * SPARTAN 119
 * Jawsredfield
 * Spartan 112
 * MasterGreen999
 * FightWithHonor
 * Chim
 * Colass
 * Odysseas-spartan-53
 * SPARTAN-501
 * Just Another Grunt

Ajax 013

 * Faction:
 * Unit/ship:
 * Rank:
 * Equipment:
 * Equipment:


 * Faction:
 * Type:
 * Function:
 * Commander:
 * Unit Size:
 * Unit Size:

ODST Joshie

 * SPARTAN-G024
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit/ship:
 * Rank:1st Lieutenant
 * Equipment:MA6B Carbine MJONLIR Mark VII


 * Shark Platoon
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Platoon
 * Function:Search and Destroy
 * Commander:SPARTAN-G024
 * Unit Size:42 SPARTANs


 * Squad Mako
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Squad
 * Function:Search and Destroy
 * Commander:SPARTAN-E024
 * Unit Size:13 SPARTANs


 * SPARTAN-E024
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit/ship:
 * Rank:Sergeant
 * Equipment:BR09 SR MJONLIR Mark VII


 * Joshua McCallan
 * Faction:UNSC/101st Orbital Shock Regiment3rd Battlion Juliet Company
 * Unit/ship:
 * Rank:1st Lieutenant
 * Equipment:BR09 SR M7A SMG M6B Body Armour


 * Squad Bull
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Squad
 * Function:Search and Destroy
 * Commander:SPARTAN-E200
 * Unit Size:13 SPARTANs

Hollywood

 * Grey Platoon
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Platoon
 * Function: Search and Destroy
 * Commander:Second Lieutenant David Plissken
 * Unit Size:38


 * Squad Charcoal
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Squad
 * Function:Reconnaissance
 * Commander:SPARTAN-B053
 * Unit Size:12 SPARTANS


 * 613th Marine Brigade
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:Ground Force
 * Function:Ground Combat
 * Commander: Brigadier General Pierce Hae-jin Hayase
 * Unit Size: 6,000+

ShockTrooper

 * Squad Omaha
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:S-IV Squad
 * Function:Assault Squadron
 * Commader:SPARTAN-H024
 * Unit Size:12 SPARTANs


 * Squad Remagen
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Function:Support Squadrron
 * Commmander:SPARTAN-H014
 * Unit Size:12 SPARTANs


 * Paul Jackson
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:UNSC 6th Marine Combat Logistics Group
 * Rank:Sergeant
 * Equipment:MA6A Individual Combat Weapon System, Battle Rifle 09 Scoped Rifle, and Marine Combat Armor

Masterchief46517

 * Taskforce Echo
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: Naval Force
 * Function: Naval Combat
 * Commander: Rear Admiral Jacobson
 * Unit Size: 5 Ships

Delta-269

 * SPARTAN-G156
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit/ship:
 * Rank: Sergeant
 * Equipment: M1091 SRS, M10 PDWS


 * Squad Gold
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Squad
 * Function: Assault/Sniper team
 * Commander: SPARTAN-G156
 * Unit Size: 13 SPARTAN-IVs

FightWithHonor

 * SPARTAN-C059
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit:Bear Platoon, Charlie Company, First Battalion, 117th Special Operations Regiment
 * Rank: Lance Corporal
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR Mark VII/EOD Variant, A/R Defuser, M-1126 Explosives Installation Tool, Entrenching Tool, 120lb. Bergen Pack, M7A Sub Machine Gun, M6L Personal Defence Weapon System, M362 Anti Tank Mine, M127 Anti Personnel Mine, C-14 Plastic Explosive, M2 AM Grenade, M43 Smoke Grenade, M4 Tactical Knife.


 * Bear Platoon
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Platoon
 * Function: Combat Engineering, Weapons, Recon
 * Commander: SPARTAN-C108
 * Unit Size: 41 SPARTAN-IVs


 * SPARTAN B-101
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Weapons Team Juliet, Teal Squad, Blue Platoon, Bravo Company, First Battalion, 117th Special Operations Regiment
 * Weapons and Equipment: MJOLNIR Mark VII, AIE-486I Heavy Machine Gun, MA6B Carbine, 40lb. Bergen Pack, M7A Sub Machine Gun, SPARTAN-E075 Defence Weapon System]] 12.7x99mm, 100 round ammunition belt x4, M19 sling, A pouch (M6B carbine ammo), T pouch (Med pack), V pouch (waterproof), W Pouch (Rations)


 * Weapons Team Juliet
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Weapons team
 * Function: Combat Engineering, Weapons, Recon
 * Commander: SPARTAN-B101
 * Unit Size: 2 SPARTAN-IVs


 * SPARTAN-E075
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:Eel Platoon, Easy Company
 * Weapons and Equipment:MJOLNIR Mk. VII, M81C ULMG, M9 HE-DP, M7A SMG


 * SPARTAN-C197
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:Bear Platoon, Charlie Company
 * Weapons and Equipment:BR09, M7A, Binoculars


 * SPARTAN-C108
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:Bear Platoon, Charlie Company
 * Weapons and Equipment:MJOLNIR Mk. VII Command Variant, MA6B Carbine, M57, Smoke Grenade

Matt-256

 * SPARTAN-108
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Albion Company
 * Rank: Captain
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR Mark VII, Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, Data Pads, Frag Grenades


 * Albion Company
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Company
 * Function: Information gathering, information handling
 * Commander: SPARTAN-108
 * Unit Size: 200 SPARTAN-IVs


 * Fox Company
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Company
 * Function: Mid-Ranged Combat
 * Commander: SPARTAN-115
 * Unit Size: 200 SPARTAN-IVs


 * Ulric Domes
 * Faction: Civilians
 * Unit: None
 * Rank: Civilan, bartender, former SWAT operative
 * Equipment: Pistol

Lordofmonsterisland

 * SPARTAN-012
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Kilo Company
 * Rank: Lieutenant
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR Mark VII, Assault Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Frag Grenades


 * Fenrir Platoon (and all subdivisions; squads, teams, S-IVs)
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Kilo Company
 * Rank: Not Applicable
 * Equipment: Varies -- MJOLNIR Mark VII, Weapons, Grenades

ONI recon 111

 * SPARTAN-H091
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Halo Company
 * Rank: Corporal
 * Equipment: M41B2 MAV/AM, HBR10HB-SR, MJOLNIR MK-VII

Chim
Eagle Platoon
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Platoon (Under Ghost Company)
 * Function: High Precision Raiding
 * Commander: Wisp Chimasu
 * Unit Size: 41 Operatives


 * Wisp Chimasu
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon
 * Rank: Captain (?)
 * Equipment: FPI MK V - MA6A ICWS, BR09 SR


 * Squad Stellar
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon
 * Function: Single Squad Missions (Reconnaissance for Platoon)
 * Commander: SPARTAN-G116
 * Unit Size: 13 Operatives


 * SIV-G116
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar
 * Rank: Sergeant
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR MK VII - MA6A ICWS+M025 Rocket Launcher, M12 SMGx2


 * Fire Team Alpha
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar
 * Function: Advance reconnaissance
 * Commander: SIV-G023
 * Unit Size: 4 Operatives
 * SIV-G001 (Scout); MJOLNIR MK VII Scout - M12/S SMGx2, BR09SR+Suppressor - Camouflage Cloak Mark II
 * SIV-G144 (Marksman); MJOLNIR MK VII Scout - M1091 SRS23, MA6B Carbine, Camouflage Cloak Mark II
 * SIV-G023 (Leader); MJOLNIR MK VII - MA6B Carbine+M024 Grenade Launcher, M6L PDWSx2
 * SIV-G079 (Heavy); MJOLNIR MK VII - BR09SR, M122 Light Machine Gun+Suppressor


 * Assault Team Bravo
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar
 * Function: CQB, Anti Infantry, Ordinance Disposal
 * Commander: SIV-G101
 * Unit Size: 4 Operatives
 * SIV-G101 (Loader/Leader); MJOLNIR MK VII/CQC - M12 SMGx2, M108A1 CAWSx2.
 * SIV-G036 (Heavy Weapons specialist); MJOLNIR MK VII/CQC - AIE-486I Heavy Machine Gun, M108A1 CAWS.
 * SIV-G080 (Combat Engineer); MJOLNIR MK VII/EOD - MX12 Directed Ion Energy Rifle, M108A1 CAWS.


 * Nick SIV-G100 (CQB Specialist)
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar, Assault Team Bravo
 * Rank: Private
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR MK VII/CQC - MA6A Individual Combat Weapon System+M023 Shotgun (Assault Rifle with attached Mauler), MX4 Light Support Weapon (Human Plasma Rifle), M4 Tactical Knife (Knife)


 * Fire Team Charlie
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar
 * Function: Perimeter Formation and Holding, Sniping support, Anti-Vehicle
 * Commander: SIV-G034
 * Unit Size: 4 Operatives
 * SIV-G092 (Suppressor); MJOLNIR MK VII - BR09SR, M122 Light Machine Gun+Suppressor
 * SIV-G034 (Leader); MJOLNIR MK VII - MA6A ICWS+M024 Grenade Launcher, M6L PDWSx2
 * SIV-G117 (Marksman/Spotter}; MJOLNIR MK VII Scout - M1091 SRS23, MA6A ICWS+M023 Shotgun


 * SPARTAN-G049 (Sniper/Anti-Vehicle)
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Unit: Ghost Company, Eagle Platoon, Squad Stellar, Fire Team Charlie
 * Rank: Private
 * Equipment: MJOLNIR MK VII Scout - MX12 DIER, MA6B Carbine+M025 Rocket Launcher -

colass
Hazard company
 * Lt Dukes
 * Unsc hazard
 * Ensign Phillips
 * The Duke of Hazard

civilians


 * millennium hand and shrimp gang

SPARTAN-984

 * SPARTAN-A034
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit/ship: SPARTAN-IV
 * Rank: Sergeant
 * Equipment: M7S SMG, Shotgun, MA6B Carbine, MJOLNIR Mark VII CQB


 * Marathon Squad (Under Epsilon Platoon)
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:SPARTAN-IV Squad
 * Function:Information gathering, technology gathering, information warfare
 * Commander:SPARTAN-A034
 * Unit Size:Currently only the CO

CF001

 * Francis Davidson
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:25th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
 * Rank:Brigadier General
 * Equipement:M90D Close Assault Weapon System


 * Mary Lee Davidson
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:Battlegroup Everest
 * Rank: Vice Admiral
 * Equipement:M57


 * Genevieve Tanner
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:1st Special Service Force
 * Rank:Colonel
 * Equipement:M73D Carbine,M7A Sub Machine Gun


 * Isabella Portelli
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:1st Special Service Force
 * Rank:Colonel
 * Equipement:MA6A Individual Combat Weapon System, M10 Personal Defence Weapon system


 * Jim Ambrose
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:25th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
 * Rank:Sergeant Major
 * Equipement:Battle Rifle 09 Scoped Rifle


 * Steve Daniel Huang, Senior
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:226th Infantry Battalion Excalibur
 * Rank:Colonel
 * Equipement:Sniper Rifle System 99G-S3 Anti-Material

SPARTAN 119

 * Ross East Jr.
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Unit:UNSCAF Third Squadron
 * Rank:Major
 * Equipment:I-660 Spear, M98 Compact Machine Pistol


 * UNSCAF 3rd Squadron
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: Special Operations Fighter/Bomber Squadron utilizing either F/I-905 Claymores or I-660 Spears depending on mission.
 * Function: High-risk aerial operations, both air-to-air and air-to-ground.
 * Commander: Ross East Jr.
 * Unit Size: seven pilots

MasterGreen999

 * Validus
 * Faction: Covenant Remnants
 * Unit: Grand Validus Pack
 * Rank: Chieftain
 * Equpment:Gravity Hammer


 * Grand Validus Pack
 * Faction: Covenant Remnants
 * Type: Regular pack
 * Function: Varied; depends on current situation
 * Commanders: Validus, Bardus, Pravus, Amplus, Astus, Vitiosus, Cruentus
 * Unit Size: 200 Brutes

Jawsredfield

 * Squad Hammerhead
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV squad
 * Function: Search and Destroy
 * Commanders: SPARTAN-E195
 * Unit Size: 13

Sgt.johnson

 * SPARTAN-A015
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Function: Explosive Ordinance Disposal
 * Andrew James Lewis
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Function: Commander of SOCOM
 * SPARTAN-002 (Sgt.johnson)
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Function: Military Adviser

Odysseas-spartan-53

 * Fireteam Bravo (Wasp Platoon)
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Function: Search and destroy
 * Leader: SPARTAN-D053
 * Unit size: 4 SPARTAN-IV's


 * Fireteam Delta (Wasp Platoon)
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Function: Search and destroy
 * Leader: SPARTAN-D078
 * Unit size: 4 SPARTAN-IV's

Spartan 112

 * Crimson Squad
 * Faction: UNSC
 * Type: SPARTAN-IV Squad
 * Function: Search and Destroy
 * Commander: SPARTAN-B019
 * Unit Size: 13 SPARTAN-IVs

Just Another Grunt

 * Fire Team Papa (Barracuda Platoon)
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:SPARTAN-IV Fire Team
 * Function:Stand around and look good doing it (?)
 * Commander:SPARTAN-E054
 * Unit Size:4 SPARTAN IV's


 * Assault Team Whiskey (Dog Platoon)
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:SPARTAN-IV Assault Team
 * Function:Deplete UNSC food and air resources (?)
 * Commander:SPARTAN-C006
 * Unit Size:4 SPARTAN IV's

Actene

 * Squad Silver
 * Faction:UNSC
 * Type:SPARTAN-IV squad
 * Function: Urban Warfare, Mechanized Warfare, Standard Combat
 * Commander: SPARTAN-B071
 * Unit Size: 17 SPARTAN-IVs (including commander)


 * Sergeant Kavin's Militia
 * Faction: UNSC/Hannibal Civilians
 * Type: Civilian Militia
 * Function: Slave rescue, minor guerilla action
 * Commanders: "Sergeant" Dom Kavin (self appointed rank), Corporal Simon-G294 (Alternate History), Corporal Myles Owens
 * Unit Size: Variable

Roleplay
12th of October, 2611, 10:51, Nova System, Arcturas, Training area B03-1

“Joyeuse, its all clear, run the program.” First Lieutenant Stephen Mitchell said, rubbing his armoured gauntlet across his shaven head

“Yes sir.” The red hologram responded with a smile. She had the visage of a young and shapely woman with short hair with code running across her body and a deep red tone to her body.

“All platoon leaders, operation is go.” Mitchell spoke into the radio set

A response buzzed through the radio and put Mitchell at ease. He thumbed a second button on his radio pack, patching into a private channel.

“Sir, are you sure I can’t tempt you with the prospect of a warm seat in the TOC (Tactical Operations Centre)?” Mitchell laughed

“No.” The response came, in a dead pan voice.

Mitchell frowned and then switched off the radio pack then looked back to the array of screens in the TOC, displaying an apparently unihabitated village with a large road crossing. He looked over the wide area and smiled. Somewhere, hidden excellently, was almost 200 15 year old super soldiers and their commanders. It almost made Mitchell proud to not be able to see them. He leaned back and watched the events begin to unfold.

First Sergeant Kenneth Tabard stood on top of the concrete tower, leaning on the left side of it and looking over the area down in the valley beneath them. In the training area officially called Military Operations in Urban Terrain, but more commonly known to the SPARTANS as ‘Frag Village’. He looked down at then turned to the large, imposing figure looming over her and the front of the tower.

“Lieutenant Commander...” He said quietly

He seemed to shift his armour, his massive armoured form seemingly moving.

“You have a problem First Sergeant?” He said, his voice was quiet, elegant, yet cold and chilling, something that made him frightened. He was a barely human monstrosity who fought in wars before he was even born. Even after all of that, he didn’t look as ancient as he should. He looked closer to 40. His helmet was firmly planted on a desk in front of him, along with a small holographic projector.

“No El Cee. It’s just that... I know you like being with your Bravo Company. Why not now?”

“Where we are going... they have to become self sufficient. I can’t always be there for them.” He said, picking up a pair of binoculars and zooming in on Frag Village. Tabard raised a set of thermal goggles and observed the field as well, smiling.

“Not a trace.” He smiled.

The holographic projector in front of him erupted and displayed Joyeuse.

“Ready sir, just give the word.” She smiled

“Go.” He said simply.

The SPARTAN looked to the distance and spied a purple blob in the distance. It quickly approached, with more following, and more airborne targets taking flight.

“Which sim it?”

“11B. Limited mobile air support and airborne units, tanks, troops at full capacity.” She smiled

The SPARTAN was silent and waited, his attention grabbed by this little village. Covenant Remnant forces poured in, lead by a Wraith, straight down the main road cutting through frag village. As the lead one closed to existing the village there was an explosion, tearing apart the vehicle, sending incendiary shards into the air which fell back to earth as rain drops of flames. A brutal cacophony of fire opened up, bringing a sinister smile to the SPARTAN’s face. On the ground in Frag Village, 200 SPARTANS leapt from their hiding positions in the buildings, under the ground, in the fields and opened fire. Bullets lashed out, slashing apart Brutes, fires consuming them, explosives blowing them to pieces. Anti air craft missiles snaked up, cutting down dropships and Banshees, sending them tumbling into the fields and exploding. Wolf Assault Suits stormed out of their hiding places, cutting enemies apart and getting into close combat, followed by other SPARTANs, finishing off the survivors. Within minutes it was over and the SPARTANS melted back into the surrounding areas, fleeing by foot or Warthogs.

“Joy, timing.” He asked

“3:36 minutes Ajax.” She responded

“That’s too long. Remnant reinforcements would be hounding them soon. Get them back to Camp Sparta, organize some drilling with the teaching AIs and patch in Eurydice, now.” He ordered, picking up his M108A1 Close Assault Weapon System and putting the sling over his shoulder. He turned back to Joy to see her sharing the holo projector to see a floating, revolving yellow luminescent cube labelled ‘Eurydice’. Ajax immediately frowned and looked to Jaw, his dead hazel eyes giving her a steely gaze.

“Joy, sort her out.”

“With pleasure ‘Jax.” She smiled slyly.

The image of Eurydice fuzzed into existence in place of the cube and immediately she began to struggle against Joy and act flustered. Eventually she settled but crossed her feet over each other and looked down, stroking her arm behind her back. She was a deep blue in cooler with her dropping into purple at the end of her arms and legs. She had an impossible and strange hair style, a collection of geometric buns floating freely of each other and surrounded by a holographic band.

“Uh... hello sir.”

“Eurydice, Joy and Mitchell will send you the combat data, analyse it, compile a report, put it through Thermopylae server and pass it onto me once you’re done.”

“Uh... yes sir...” She said nervously. Ajax picked up his helmet and placed into on his head before he leapt from the tower, making Staff Sergeant Tabard wince.

“Good bye ladies.” He said, clambering onto the ladders and sliding down. The holograms both faded, with Eurydice giving Joy a little push

Tabard landed beside a small crater and walked over to a parked olive green M18 Wolfhound Command Vehicle and walked to the back ramp which had been dropped down. Ajax was leaned over Mitchell, observing recordings of the battlefield.

“Bring it up with Warren, his platoon dropped behind, it could simply be because of their wolves but it’s stressful. Bring it up with Raina that she is far too willing to get into close combat. She was lucky these were only holograms.

“Yes sir.” He said, picking up his comm set.

Ajax walked out the TOC in the back of the Wolfhound and pulled up the back ramp, shutting it and then walked to the front and climbed in, Tabard following him. He started up the engine and began to roll it back to their home camp, with Ajax lying back and gently adjusting the wheel.

“Sir, you know, if you keep pushing these kids, they are eventually going to break.” Tabard said, resting his MA6B on his shoulder

“They can’t afford to break. We’ll push them until they find that point, and then overcome that.” Ajax said, seemingly not caring

“Can we really do that? Isn’t that running a serious risk?” Tabard said

“The SPARTANS can’t have any kind of limit, no kind of barriers. If they break, they can’t continue being SPARTANS. It is a Darwinian but it’s true.” He said, staring ahead

Tabard smiled, hiding his more genuine shock at this statement. He knew his Lieutenant Commander cared for his charges but they were SPARTANS first, his ‘children’ second. Tabard looked back to the road as the grounds of Camp Sparta came up on them quickly.

Ajax paced through the gates of Sparta HQ, his helmet under his shoulder, with his camo cloak tied around his shoulder, making him look like a true Greek warrior. At the heavy bulkhead entrance another SPARTAN, slightly shorter than Ajax, waited, lying against the entrance, her arms crossed. He helmet was clipped onto her waist, revealing her tanned skin, a tell tale sign of her being a third generation Dust colonist, despite being Caucasian in heritage and her auburn hair.

“What took you so long Ajax?” She laughed.

“Sorry El, still drilling Bravo.” He said, walking right past her, making her pout.

“You’re still trying to get them up to your expectations? You know, that might never be possible.”

He didn’t turn to face her and thumbed in a code on the door panel, making it open. The holographic image of a large, almost dog like lion with red fur, a golden mane and a snarling face appeared.

“Fu, is this necessary?” Ajax frowned

The large lion prowled around him, sniffing before sitting to the side and nodding.

“Your clear zero one three.” He growled

Ajax passed him, followed by Elise but stopped and looked back.

“Fu, you overgrown feline, why aren’t you checking her with the ARGUS sensors?”

“I trust Miss Elise more than you.” He said, fading

Ajax snarled and turned, his camo cloak flowing behind him. Elise took a couple of quick steps to catch up with him and moved next to him, brushing up alongside him slightly.

“You know, a lot of the AIs don’t trust you.”

“Of course they don’t, Ajax is what is graded as a ‘wizard-class hacker’” The voice of Joyeuse sounded out before her hologram, life sized, appeared on the other side of Ajax, leaning on him as well, making Elise frown.

“Hey, get off Joy, I saw him first.” Elise scowled, part a real warning, part friendly joking.

Joyeuse laughed and handed Ajax a holographic slate, which exploded with textual data and images, which he scanned through with hand motions.

“So I was right. Tell Eurydice to pass on the improvement stratagems and unit reports onto the respective units. I want everybody well rested and prepared for their next bout of training.” Ajax said, crushing the holographic slate like paper and tossing it away.

“You know, you can keep pushing the SPARTANS, but do you think the officers can keep up?” Elise said leaning against Ajax slightly

“It’ do or die for them as well as their charges.” Ajax said in an uncaring tone. An excellent shield he had made decades ago to protect him from harm from others.

Vincent ‘Ace’ Warren leaned in the cheap plastic chair, his feet resting on the mess table in front of him. The air in the room was thick, acrid and stank, a result of Ace and a few of the other officers and non coms chain smoking Sweet William Cigars while waiting for the analysis of today’s exercise.

“You know jack ass, those things will kill you.” Raina scowled, the smoke making her feel terrible.

“You know, that’s a fucking urban legend. They identified the carcinogenic materials and chemicals that turn into tar in your lungs years and years ago and replaced them.” He smiled, blowing out puffs of smoke in rings

“You kids have no fucking idea.” Rotilla said, gently revolving a cup of water

“Oh, you do that ‘no drinks, no drugs, no sex’ crap right?” Keller smiled, nudging his ribs

“Respectively sir, drinking and smoking is one of the few pleasures we have in the marines, outside of hitting some prostitutes during shore leave.” Gunny Highway said, his cigar rhythmically moving with his speech.

“I don’t do straight edge any more anyway. Waste of fucking time. All these young scene kids coming along and corrupting it. Stupid fucking vegans and shit. I may have been straight edge but I still like a plate of steak.” He said, sipping the water

“Well, that’s just how shit goes.” Pliskken sighed from the other end of the table.

“Life’s a bitch, then you die.” Raina smiled, revolving her cup gently in her hands.

“No, life is a bitch, then your wife leaves you.” Highway laughed

“I’ll second that!”

In the middle of a brief and largely male orientated cheer the hologram of the shy Eurydice appeared.

“Uh, I... I have the analysis here.”

“Great job Eurydice.” Ace smiled “Upload it to my PDA.”

“Already done. It’s on everyone’s PDA. Also, all operation training theatres are open, the list is on Thermopylae server. You know the way it goes, first come first serve.”

Everyone retrieved their PDAs and began to observe their info before muttering amongst themselves.

“Fuck’s sake, Ely is hesitating again.” Ace scowled

“You know, that brat puts you through an awful lot of trouble, just fucking replace her.” Raina said, observing her own

“Ely is a good combat leader until her squad decide to do shit their way. She knows how to lead and direct them but they won’t fucking follow.”

“Ugh... I got the opposite with Motoko. She won’t fucking help her unit.”

“Well, live and learn, let’s go sort those kids out.”

Ace ducked under the half closed shutter outside the hangar and walked calmly in as the Wolf Armoured Suits were put through maintenance. He saw his own, ‘Victoria’ get moved to the maintenance area which made him wince a little bit.

“Hey, be careful with Vicky.” He said, making the techs shake their heads had him. He gritted his teeth then pulled himself away and moved to his squad leaders who were busy fussing over their own wolves.

“Oi, sergeants.” Ace shouted, grabbing their attentions. “I got the reports back from our field engagement. We got problems, again.”

All of them nervously looked to each other then back to their CO. They were all the same height as him and had much superior muscle tone to him but all saw him with a healthy mixture of fear and respect.

“Deunan, your leaving your squad behind again, even the ones in Wolves. I’ve booked you in a trip through the mountain assault course. If you even dream of finishing before your unit, I’m bunking you back down to swabbie.” He said, making the other two laugh and Deunan blush “As for you Ely. You’re letting your unit run riot. Bring them under control or you face the same. I booked in for kill house training. Better keep it together or you’re screwed as well. And... Uh Mike.... you did good, keep it up.” He said, patting the SPARTAN on his back

The SPARTANS looked to each other, with slightly mixed expressions. Ace frowned and then left, leaving them be. As he left, he saw the large green form of a Wolf limp around the assault course, making him frown.

“Sergeant-B095!” He shouted, immediately making the Wolf turn to spot him.

“Uh.... Lieutenant....” A female voice responded from it

“Yeah, I know it’s you. You can’t take your wolf at walking pace with your modifications.”

“I know, I like the agility, increasing the tension in the sheath and shock absorbers allows me to go further and a lot faster.”

“But your screwing the endurance, they wear out a lot faster like that.” He sighed, kicking one of the legs gently.

“El-Tee...”

“From the sounds of things, out next operation, you’re going to need endurance.”

“Sir... You’ve gotta tell me what the next operation is.”

“I’d love to Sarge, but our friendly local ass buster in charge will drum me out of the whole entire corps if I tell you. All I know is, it’s some kind of long endurance operation. Talk to the techs to get Tachi sorted out.” Ace said, finally leaving

Sergeant B095 watched him walk away then waddled away, only to have something push her in the back. She stumbled and regained her balance. She turned around to face Second Lieutenant Raina, who had a coarse grin on her face.

“He’s an asshole, but he’s right. By the sounds of things, we are gonna be in the field for weeks. Can’t have your Wolf in and out of the repair shop.”

“Uh, sure thing.” She said, waddling away to the shop. However, it wasn’t quite over yet.

She finally dismounted, leaving it hooked up to a maintenance frame and as she stepped out, she felt a chill up her spine. A shadow loomed over her, shadowing her. She knew who it was immediately.

“Lieutenant Commander.” She said, turning round to meet the eyes of Ajax.

“Motoko. Come with me.” He said, immediately turning and walking away.

Outside Jerome-C001 waited, looking rather sheepish. Motoko followed her company leader blindly to the communication centre, a large building with a satellite dish on its roof. Once inside, he led them down to a communications room. He forcibly sat them down in front of two consoles then put his hands on their shoulders.

“Both of you are gifted with hacking, even beyond my capabilities. What ONI would call ‘Wizard-class’. I need you to hack something.”

“Sir, why not just use one of the support AIs?” Jerome asked

Almost as if on cue, Joyeuse arrived, appearing on a holotank.

“One probably Charlie zero zero one.” She said, placing a hand on her hip “Seeing as how ONI had a hefty amount of influence in my construction, they have countermeasures to trace me.”

“That’s why Joy and the other AIs will be running an overlapping maze barrier, to protect us from back hacks. Meanwhile, I need you two to dive the target directly.”

“Okay, what’s the target?”

“High Command’s server.”

Both the SPARTANS looked at Ajax as if he was mad.

“Wouldn’t that get us locked in Jail for... ever?”

“Only if they catch you. Besides, we’re only taking a peep at their deployment orders. High level ones.”

“So, the plan?”

“We open a live communication channel and then bounce the message signal through Canaris Major, the Gagarin Nebulae nodes and Nova Bellum. From there, straight to earth, bouncing the signal should make it difficult to trace. From there you two are going to do a direct dive, I’ll be running the primary support with a defensive maze barrier. Joy and any AIs she can harangue into helping us will run a secondary overlapping maze barrier. However, that barrier is only a last resort, as soon as it hits their barrier, you will have to begin extracting yourselves or the ONI attack barriers will lobotomise the pair of you.”

Both of them looked and listened, Ajax having their rapt attention before finally, in unison, shaking their heads.

“It would be quicker and more secure if we bounce the signal around the system.”

“Then we bounce it out of the system in the opposite direction, while sending another signal to Earth.”

“So it looks like we aren’t hacking from Arcturas?”

“Right. Then it’s all up to how long we take to take.”

“Yeah, do we have any particular objectives?”

“Check CODENAME: ATHENA and CODENAME: SPECTRE personal messages and check deployment orders. Search for anything relating to the code name ‘WARDOG’.”

“Okay, will do Sir!” Motoko said “Joyeuse, run Server Thermopylae, sub room CORINTH, password Delta Bee Six Zero Six Ee Alpha Red.” Ajax said, Joy responding with a nod then fading.

Motoko began plugging a fibre optic cable link into her Neural Interface, followed by Jerome and Ajax. Immediately she dived into technicolour acid trip that was cyberspace. Her avatar approached a large circular object, decorated in code. ‘Arcturas’. Jerome and Ajax followed.

Immediately Motoko and Jerome created a web of fake links and passages, immediately creating a confusing pattern. She and Jerome immediately took the web passage beamed over laser links through slipspace. Immediately upon entering the system, they hit the large and powerful UNSC network.

“Launching decoys, initiating ghost hacks.”

“Jerome, keep me covered, I’m going to do a Brute Force attack once all the ghosts and decoys take effect.”

As soon as various duplicate and faked attacks initiated, it a hole the size of a small country in their defensive barrier, allowing Jerome and Motoko to enter their network.

“SPARTANS, keep your wits about you, their attack barriers are already trying to back hack my maze barrier. Providing they keep as they are going, it will hold for two minutes.” Ajax’s voice echoed through their heads.

“Aye aye sir, keeping on it.” They said, busting through layer after layer of defensive barriers.

“I’m coming close to HIGHCOM. These attack barriers are insane, they’re illegal!”

“My Maze Barrier is collapsing, initiating AI defensive protocols.”

On a satellite floating several hundred kilometres above the surface of Arcturas, activity bustled in its advance matrix arrays, the super conducting weave that filled the Satellite was excited by a wave of electron transfers. The cyberspace room created from this wave of data formed into what was commonly called ‘Thermopylae server. Inside the generated room, the AIs of the IV program resided to trade information and commune. However, deeper inside laid a range of hidden servers, CORINTH was one of them.

“So why were we gathered here?” Nemesis growled, impatiently tapping her foot

“Nemmy, calm down.” Themis grumbled

“Seriously, why has that SPARTAN gathered us?” Juliet sighed, growing impatient as well

“Because he trusts us implicitly. This is a difficult task...” Odysseus said, trying to stifle her complaints.

“That SPARTAN... thirteen. I’ve barely talked to him, why would he trust me?”

“He trusts your handler, Zero Nine One. He trusts you by proxy.” Artemis said

With a burst of code, resembling rising flames, Joyeuse arrived.

“Ladies, Gentlemen, unaffiliated avatars and demonic entities.” Joy said, signalling out Jjaro and Baphomet. “You were called here because Ajax needs some back up.”

“Why? What exactly does the walking slaughterhouse need us for?”

“He needs some AI cover... he’s hacking HIGHCOM.”

The room went silent before they all looked to each other and nodded.

“Find, sounds like a challenge.” Apollo smiled

“Ajax, AI support is running fully active, the barrier is up, any back hacks are going to get lost and trashed.”

“Good work Joy, keep the system running. You kids need to pull out, now, this mission is failed.”

“Negative sir, we’re almost in.”

Ajax disconnected his neural interface and got out of his chair in the communication room. He ran to the kids and was ready to pull the plug on this when he saw exactly how close they were.

“You need to hurry.” He growled, looking at their faces, their eyes staring blankly into the screens placed over them. “Joy, things have changed, keep them covered.”

After what felt like an eternity, both of them disengaged.

“Finally, you’re lucky you weren’t fried. What did you get?”

“Uh, we only got one thing sir. This ‘CODENAME: ATHENA’ just cleared operation WARDOG with SOCOM. Whatever it is, it’s going ahead in a month’s time.”

“Joy, you heard the kid, pass the message to platoon leaders and the other company commanders. G2 load outs, long endurance, one month prep.”

“Will do sir.”

“And Jerome, Motoko...” Ajax said, backing off, his face physically grimacing. “Good work.”

“Lieutenant Commander, I have a message for you. Lieutenant Commander zero one three. He’s requested a gathering of all regimental, Battalion and company commanders.” Baphomet growled, fire dribbling from his nose and mouth.

“Right on cue Romanov.” Mel-038 smiled

“Tell Ajax that if he doesn’t stop snooping and being so impatient, bad things will happen.”

“Yeah. I will tell him that.” She smiled, leaning back in the plush leather seat.

“Anyway. Pass on my disregards. Tell that sociopath that if he does it again, I’m closing Sparta’s uplink.”

“Will do. I’ll talk to you later Major General.” She said, putting down the phone.

“ONI, ma’am?”

“Bunch of troublesome fucks that they are.” Mel sighed, taking a bottle of whisky from her draw and taking a quick swig of it, straight from the bottle. “Ahhh.... that hit the spot. Well, ONI may be a nuisance, but Romanov is a good ally of the PHALANX Program.”

With that she rose out of her seat and left her office, heading to the regimental command.

Kelly-087 peered through the door then swore to herself when she saw everyone was already sat in the briefing room.

“Come on Kelly. We’re waiting for you.” Ajax frowned from the pedestal, leaning on the computer desk in front of him. Cheeks bright red, she opened the door and walked in with a sulk, sitting down beside Fred.

“Okay, listen up.” Colonel Teufel began. “HIGHCOM just approved joint operation WARDOG.”

With that Ajax jabbed a number of buttons, making a holographic image of a planet appear, titled ‘Hannibal III’. The word rotated gently, exuding a soft blue glow before the hologram focused on the western continent.

“I’m sure you’re all familiar with your objectives but I’m going to recount them again. The operation is simple. It will be a several month long sustained guerrilla with multiple objectives. We are to destroy enemy communication, transport and command systems, severely damage the enemy’s ability to fight through attacking their fuel, ammunition, infantry, command and vehicle supplies and inflicting terror and fear tactics on the enemy. Using the planet’s natural vast forests, mountain ranges and plains, along with natural and artificial water ways, we will maintain stealth while inflicting maximum damage upon the opponent. A number of Special Recon Service Personnel on the ground have already begun designating Landing Zones and company command positions.”

“In about 1 day, long range dropships from the Special Aviation, Attack and Reconnaissance Unit are gonna pick the regiment and ship us out. We’ve got until then to finalise out gear.” Ajax said, highlighting and UNSC combat group made up of UV-497 Terns and Isis and Horus fast attack capital ships.

“I don’t need to tell you how important it is we are ready, so dismissed.” The colonel said, resting on his walking stick.

As the SPARTAN-IIs filtered out, Mel and Fred hung around, waiting for Ajax and Teufel. As all three were II class one team leaders, they had seen a position of ‘higher echelon’ over the others though nobody questioned it. The squad leaders had guided them through the Covenant War.

“What’s up?” Teufel asked, shutting down the display.

“What will you and the rest of the regiment and battalion command staff do sir?” Fred asked, crossing his arms

“I’ll be on the Prowler, Converge. Battalion command will be spread across four Minerva-classes. From there we can provide intel, command, recon and electronic support.”

“And what about supplies?”

“A SAARU detachment attached to the High Wind, Yggdrasil and Fate will provide supply runs, along with gunship and aerial support whenever needed.” He said, beginning to walk out of the room

“You know. This could finally be a challenge.” Mel smiled, leaning on the pedestal.

“Be careful what you say.” Fred said, brushing past them and exiting.

“Fred, your being a stoic arse, as always.” Mel shouted, running after him, leaving Teufel and Ajax in the room.

“Lieutenant Commander. Is something wrong? You’re not feeling nervous about this?” Teufel asked

“No! No sir... It’s just.... I can’t explain it but I have a bad feeling. I’m going to play this mission carefully.”

“Frightened of a few Brute occupiers?”

“...perhaps. There’s something unnerving me. I guess we’ll find out groundside.”

“Do whatever you see fit. You’re pretty much on your own out there.” Teufel said, a smile cracking his wrinkled face. It only unnerved him more. Ajax didn’t feel fear or anticipation of a fight, but something didn’t sit well with him. He could hear the whispers in the back of his skull urging caution.

“But.... Lieutenant Commander..... WHY?!” Leona-B059 shouted, the pitch hurting Ajax’s ears

“The Fox You-Lat is too noisy for any close infantry assault missions and isn’t fast enough to keep up with Warthog formations.”

“Sir, with respect her top speed is just over 100 kay. That can easily keep up with the Warthogs.” She said, matter of factly

“Leona. Stop with this.” Ajax said, stopping in his walk, making the relatively short Leona bump into him. “We both know what happens when you operate it for longer periods at high speeds. Its fuel consumption is through the roof, meaning you’re going to have to stop to refuel often and you’re going to have to carry a small oil tanker with you, meaning if even a spiker or plasma burst hits you, you’re going to make a napalm bomb look like a napalm grenade. Besides, the engine will just disintegrate. At top speed for long periods of time, the fuel injectors being to wear, the combustion chamber begins to fall apart, the main drive train begins to collapse and the chances of the engine and fuel tank exploding increase exponentially. You’d be driving a time bomb. Not to mention, the amount of excess heat that engine will make you a huge target on Infrared. Your tank would probably be less visible to heat seekers if it was on fire.” He explained, towering over her “Do you understand?”

“Yeah... I understand sir.”

“Good, now go get armed up, pickup is in three hours.” Ajax said, moving on. He walked between the billet huts of the company then out onto Bravo Camp parade ground. Warthog Assassins of varying types were lined up, gear and extra equipment being stowed. Most of the cargo hogs had a Wolf exoskeleton latched onto the back. SPARTANS were rushing around, grabbing all their preferred arms, as much ammo as they could carry, rations, ordnance, equipment and anything else they needed. He came across Squad Charcoal trying to load their guy as quickly as possible but generally making a hash of thinks. He approached to sort them but Gunnery Sergeant De La Rosa came over to them and made an audible growl, setting the SPARTANS straight. He turned to face his commanding officer with a half grin.

“Good work Gunny, keep it up.”

“Wilco.” He replied turning back to them

He could see Red Platoon getting berated by Keller for loading their hogs with nothing but ammo, Warren desperately trying to get the last of the Wolves operational, including a full refit of Motoko’s Wolf, a job that would take up to a day for a UNSC technician, though those two working together could perhaps manage it in time. Finally he stopped with Raina, whose entire team, par the exceptions of Motoko and her disassembled Wolf, we’re all ready and sorted.

“Exceptional First Lieutenant.” He smiled, making the officer beam with confidence.

“Hey, me and my unit usually keep in top condition.” She smiled “Unlike that slacker Warren.

“Go easy on him. He’s had to refit eight wolves this morning. All things considered, he’s doing a good job.”

“Yeah yeah, take his side. Anyway El-Cee, where’s your gear?”

“That’s what I came about. I want a volunteer to go to my officer, grab all my gear and armour, including a packet of sweet William cigars in the top draw and get them over here in under twenty minutes.” He asked, looking over the silent platoon. Immediately Tony and Jack leapt up, volunteering. Ajax nodded, sending them both away.

“You know sir, those things will kill you.”

“No, these days tobaccos had been rendered-”

“Not that smartarse comment again.” Raina interjected, cutting up her superior officer “The heat signature will get you fucked. That’s if those Kongs don’t sniff you out first. I heard their sense of small is hyper sensitive.”

“It's actually over sensitive. The smell of smoke, among other things, can cause irreparable damage to their olfactory sensors, rendering them Anosmic. Effectively, it puts them down a sense and gives us an edge. Sense of smell is a vital one for Brutes, to make up for poor ranged hearing.”

“Ahhhh, I remember hearing rumours of a UNSC gas based weapon that would render Brutes Anosmic.”

Ajax looked up to see Jack and Tony already returning with his gear.

“That was quick...”

He grabbed his gear off them, including a heavy bag holding his armour and headed off to one of the empty billets to change. Being in his armour again felt good, familiar. His MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armour, Close Quarters, Mark Seven was like a skin. He began to anchor on all his combat gear, including numerous pouches, grenades, explosive devices, knife holsters and pistol holsters and loaded his weapons, ranging from two M33 Revolvers, a Heavy Battle Rifle zero nine with a 25 mike mike grenade launcher, a M108A1 CAWS, a tactical knife and a machete. He hoisted his bag onto his back, containing supplies, rations, command gear and with both his weapons strapped on and walked outside. Despite the extreme weight of his gear he moved unhindered. He came out, with everybody finally ready and a number of trucks arrived for transport. He clambered into his command Hog, dumping his supplies in the back and then setting it off, heading up a convoy heading to the airfield just outside the base. Other Warthogs and trucks fell in line, bring the force of two hundred SPARTANS on their way.

He parked his Warthog at the staging area and got out just in time to see Mel walk over and berate him.

“So monster boy, your company readied up?”

“Ready as they will ever be.”

“Well I just got word, the group picking us up just entered an orbital window over the other side of the world, they should be here shortly.”

“My fellow demon, I don’t sense Joyeuse’s presence. Where is she?” Baphomet asked, his holographic avatar missing.

Ajax was silent, frozen in fear. Melanie would never let him live this down.

“Sir, I got Joy here.” One of his SPARTANs shouted, holding the data chip and holographic image of Joy in his hand, who looked utterly unhappy. He tossed it over to Ajax, her hologram violently tumbling before he slammed the chip into the back of his head.

“Hey don’t be so rough!” She squeaked.

“That’s what she said.” A SPARTAN quipped. Ajax quickly glared at him, making him duck down behind a Hog in an attempt to avoid him.

“You forgot your AI support?” Jared chuckled, walking over

“At least mine isn’t stuck in my brain.”

“I heard that.” Juliet said with disdain

Elise walked over, immediately bringing a calming presence.

“Ajax, your being forgetful. That’s not like you. Somethin’ on your mind?” She said, resting against him, her head coming to around his chin.

“Nothing.” He muttered, walking away and making her frown.

“You know, I can always tell when you lie.”

“I bet.” He scowled

“You know, you should take care. If your mind is this convoluted, it’s going to get hellish groundside.” Leonid said from behind El, making Elise physically jump in surprise

“Leo you skulking bastard, don’t do that.” She said, trying to calm herself.

“Yeah, don’t kill her before the Brutes try to.” Lavernius said, walking past Leonid and tapping him on the back of the head. Ajax could see the murderous look in his eyes, even with his full visor down. Lavernius was in turn hit over the head by Cassie, who chortled when he looked in the wrong direction in response.

“Simmer down.” Fred said, hopping over the bonnet of a Warthog to reach the group.

“Man... I’m getting antsy for combat now.” Mel frowned

“I know the feeling. That anticipation before a kill.” Jared smiled

“When you can almost taste their blood and their dying blood...” Leonid added in the end

Everyone looked at Leonid with a slight look of disdain.

“What’s wrong with you?!” Cassie laughed

Ajax didn’t say anything. In truth, all these SPARTANS knew it was the truth, they were all soulless monsters, this facade was simply them grabbing at the last remnants of their soul in an effort to protect the bloodthirsty creatures they truly were. Ajax never denied the blood fevered creature he was deep down, he never bothered to. A sociopathic killer is what he is, at least he did it for a good cause.

His morbid train of thought was interrupted by a series of distance sonic booms.

“Looks like the Yggdrasil has arrived with escorts. That’s Albion and Charlie’s pickup.” Mel said as a swarm of dropships descended.

“Good luck. You’re going to need it.” Cassie said, sitting down on the edge of a Warthog.

With a series of barks, Albion and Charlie began to load up en mass to the dropships parking on the landing strip. Ajax’s attention was drawn away by three Tern Stealth intersystem dropships, swinging in low.

“Bravo, look sharp, our transports are inbound!” he bellowed, making his unit rally up.

As the run way cleared, the heavy dropships touched down, the doors opening up on the vehicle.

“Bravo 1, you’re with me on transport one! Bravo 2, you’re with Mitchell, Bravo 2, you’re with Rotilla. Move out, and LOAD UP!”

Ajax clambered back into his warthog and guided it into the hull of the dropships then locked it down. He left Raina to over look the loading and headed up the internal stairs to the second floor, picked out a spot and lay down, using his bag as pillow. It was rough by he didn’t mind. He pulled off his helmet and dumped it beside himself.

“So you’re just going to sleep off this trip, you lazy bum.” Joy scowled, her hologram burning up beside him

“Still pissed?”

“You left me behind!”

“Yeah well, it’s not my fault. I simply forgot.”

“God, a forgetful super soldier. Halsey would be turning in her grave.” Joyeuse frowned

With that comment Ajax immediately sat bolt outright and turned at the red hologram.

“Shut up. Now.”

“What... about Halsey?”

“Don’t mention her ever again.”

“You know, technically I AM her?”

“Just... go away”

“You know, when she was on her death bed...”

“Shut up...”

“She asked where you were.”

“Shut up!”

“When she was told you were still out on your mission, she smiled and just said ‘good work’.”

That last sentence made Ajax roll over, away from Joy.

“Your heartbeat has risen and your emotional response has changed. Are you crying?”

“Joy... just... stop.”

“Fine, fine.” She sulked, disappearing

Raina came up, with the first load of SPARTANS who immediately began to settle down and find places to rest.

“You're planning to sleep sir?”

“It's a three hour journey. When we touchdown, we’ll need to be in top performance.”

“I just never imagined a SPARTAN to just drop and sleep like this.” She chuckled

“I may be a half human, soulless killing machine, but I still require sleep from time to time.” He said, snorting

“Hahaha, fine.” Raina said, resting herself

“Okay, everybody is loaded up, let’s get this bird moving!” The pilot intercom buzzed.

With that the four variable engines strained and whined, pushing the large drop ship into the air. It kept gaining altitude before the engines were fully activated. With a series of increases in pitch, the engines moved their inlet spike, allowing oxygen into the combustion chamber, to closed then began to add oxidising material into the combustion chamber, bolstering it to high speeds and allowing it to travel out of the confines of a planetary system. The group of three Terns moved under the shadow of the lead Isis-class Light Cruiser Carrier, the Yggdrasil, with The High Wind, Fate of the Gods and Celsius following in with their own Terns. In front of them the Prowler group and the lead offensive ship, the Horus-class Light Cruiser, Storm Rider, as well as a large number of escorting Loki-class Stealth Frigates.

“Opening up slipspace route to Eta Minor System... and we are go!”

Ajax felt the ship physically lurch as the particle accelerator shunted a hole in slipspace and pulled them in.

“Time for my beauty sleep...”

“Thirty minutes out people, thirty minutes to orbit.” The intercom squawked

Ajax sat up and rubbed his eyes, the voice waking him up. The first thing he saw was a number of Bravo Company scrabbling away and Raina and Joyeuse laugh softly.

“Wait.... what’s going on?”

“Maybe you should look in the mirror.” Joy smiled.

Ajax picked up his helmet and tossed it in his hands, so the visor faced him

“You little sods.” He growled

In a thick black permanent marker, somebody had added a small moustache to his face.

“WHO DID THIS?” Ajax shouted, throwing down his helmet and leaping up

“Whoa, Sir, calm down.”

The SPARTANS physically cowered in front of him, nobody wanting to own up for fear of being killed by this raging volcano of a man.

Ajax wiped some of it away and then let out a soft and weak chuckle. He understood that they were simply kids and this is probably the last chance they have to be children.

“We’ll I’m not going into combat looking like a Belgian Detective.” He joked, trying to wipe it away

“Uh... sorry sir.... but it was permanent...”

“....you’re doing the heavy lifting groundside.” He said, putting on his helmet.

“Oh, that was funny.” Joy laugh, her voice ringing in his helmet

“You could have warned me when they started doing it.”

“And missed that priceless look on your face?”

“... You’re just like Halsey.”

Ajax pulled his bag onto his back straps and pulled his HBR 1 from his bag and swung the sling over one shoulder.

“Okay everybody, nap time is over, arm up and get ready.”

“This is UNSC Charlemagne, activating active jamming in three minutes.”

“When that thing goes loud, half the hemisphere is going to go dark...” One of the SPARTANS smirked, looking out the window

“Totally. With its passive defence systems, it’s going to take them hours to find it too.”

“Cut the chatter and get read.” Ajax grunted, holding onto a overhead rail

“Our electronic countermeasures and active camo are keeping us off their sensors. Preparing for orbital burn in ten... nine...”

“Okay SPARTANS, this is it, be ready for anything groundside!” Ajax shouted, moving to the inter floor stairs.

“ Six... five...”

“Remember your training, remember your comrades, remember how to fucking shoot straight.”

“Three...”

“And DO OR DIE!” he shouted, just as the drop ship entered orbital burn, flaming through the upper atmosphere like a flaming meteor. The drop ship immediately began to shake but the SPARTANS held firm, keep a hold of themselves.

The dropships quickly burnt through the upper atmosphere, the shields protecting them held firm.

“Okay, we’re in, no triple A locks, RADAR is clear.”

“Heading over projected LZ now... I see it?”

“Where?”

“From current Azimuth, sweep angle X minus eight degrees and keep her steady.”

“Ah, I see it, drop zone on friendlies bearing green flares, right?”

“Keep her steady, go in hot.”

The large drop ship, followed by three more, all pattered a dark blue against the night sky, barely visible if it wasn’t for the faint plasma trails form the quick orbital entry.

The SPARTANS moved down stairs and began loading their gear and themselves into the Warthogs, with each warthog keeping a SPARTAN behind to release their cargo straps, keeping them pinned down and steady.

“Remember what we taught you out there and nothing can possibly go wrong.” Ajax barked, starting up his Warthog.

He felt the distinct lurch of the drop ship touching down motioned for the Warthogs to be released. The crew chief opened up the wide airlocks, allowing them to leave. The last of the SPARTANS mounted up and rolled out, down into the pitch black meadow they had landed in. He could see the lights of the other drop bays and sounds of more Warthogs disembarking.

“Mitchell, Rotilla, good journey?”

“As good as can be expected sir.”

“I taught the kids poker.” Rotilla laughed, putting the straight laced Mitchell slightly on edge.

“Quit the chatter, everybody, lights off.”

“Uh, sir, not all of us are genetically engineered to see the in the dark.” Lieutenant Keller said, her voice quite pathetic and passive in tone

“Use thermals, just make sure you can’t be spotted.”

As the Warthogs began to bunch up, ready for moving out, Ajax drove up beside the one visible human by the flare used to guide them in. The baleful red light of the flare cast hundreds of shadows across his ghillie suit, making him look like some kind of shadowy creature born from swamp marshes.

“SRS boys right?” Ajax said, stopping his Warthog beside him

“Yeah, Captain Gren, A Squadron. We uploaded everything you need to TACCOM, we got your forward base on there and a route planned.”

“Good work, you guys bugging out now?” Ajax said, leaning out of the Warthog.”

“Hahahah, hell no sir, we’re going to go do forward recon for you sir.”

“Okay, keep up the excellent work Marine, we’ll see you later.” Ajax said, heading the Warthog off again, the convoy heading up behind them.

Their ‘base’ was a short distance away and was certainly a good position. It had a relatively narrow cave entrance but a exceedingly large interior, meaning they could set it up as a Warthog/Wolf repair bay. Along with a roof tunnel they could use to run a aerial and enough stable sub caves to set up a armoury, workshop and numerous sleeping quarters, along with engineering teams working on punching holes in the side of the cave to give them firing ports. All in all, it had been a good position. Once everybody began to settle down and rig up any gear they could, Ajax went to find Mitchell, who was busy overlooking the installation of a holographic projector.

“Mitchell, I want you to grab a team and do some patrolling. Pick whoever you want.”

“Yes sir!” He said, giving a crisp salute before pushing on his throat microphone.

“Team Nal Gae, Tsubasa, we’re going on patrol, meet me and the cave entrance. Team Ha Neul, you’re tailing us on over watch, keep to the high ground and keep a eye on us. Now move it, on the double.” Mitchell ordered, grabbing up his rifle and moving out.

Ajax watched him leave then turned back to the SPARTANS working away in front of him.

“Lets see if we can’t get our C3 (Command, Control and Communication) systems up before the other companies.” He smirked, making his SPARTANS work harder.

“Those SRS boys sure did scope some nice spots.” Elise laughed

“Elise, stop slacking dammit.” Ajax barked “I’m trying to do work here myself.

“All work and no play makes Ajax a very dull sociopath.” Elise pouted “Besides, you should see this. We’re on a mountain, got enough caves and over hangs to hide our gear and mount our comms, got enough foliage cover to keep us from being spotted from the air, the top of the mountain gives us views of the surrounding area and the mountain paths are like the perfect killzones.”

“Well stop talking about them and start using them!” Ajax barked, cutting her off

“God he’s so serious in combat. We’ll, you heard the big bad man, I want out weapon teams setting up firing positions all the way up the hills, sniper positions set up and I want enough mines down here to choke a blitzkrieg. You’ll sleep out your positions, eat at your positions and live at your positions, do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Right, somebody go deal with recon. I’ve got to catch forty winks.... I never slept on the journey here...”

Lieutenant Commander Mel-038 carefully crept along the outer wall of the compound, followed by a handful of other SPARTANS. She got to the gate, meeting the gaze of another Charlie SPARTAN. She nodded and both moved around the corner, into the old abandoned refinery.

“Clear up!”

“Clear down?”

“Motion detectors clear!”

“Okay ladies, bring the Warthogs up, everyone, start digging in, I want this position made into a operable command centre in under three hours. In the meantime, I’m heading back out, I want recon and patrol volunteers, now!” She bellowed, making the SPARTANS stop and look amongst themselves.

“Lieutenant-087, what’s your position like?” Fred asked, with a distinctly stuff attitude.

“It’s okay I guess. I think we drew the short straw though. It’s pretty much a section of small hills in the middle of the western plains. Pretty exposed from the air, but some netting with deal with that.” She frowned.

“Hey... wait a second. 058 isn’t responding to my communiqué.” Fred said, slightly worried

“That’s probably because Linda and Ghost have gone to ground and gone dark. You know what Linda is like.

Indeed she had. Ghost Company had gone to ground in a thick wooded area, covering their transports in thick bushes and netting, along with the trademark active camo panels of the Warthog Assassin RAV. They had begun setting up a intricate network of trenches and foxholes, along with sniper and look out positions in the tall trees. Of course, Linda was cautious enough to send out whoever was willing to scout the surrounding valley.

Yes, this post is long overdue, long awaited, and probably less than you hoped for. However, now putting my ‘phase system’ into use, everybody is in a ‘rest’ phase as such, meaning they are staying at base, in this case, building it while a handful are on recon. Just go around, have a look, were all far enough from their bases to avoid any kind of serious contact. As for SPARTAN Companies I didn’t mention here building bases, that’s because I left it up to respective authors to make it themselves. In the meantime I’ll work on gathering some raids for all of you to go unleash on some unsuspecting space apes. Also, once you all have your positions sorted, I’ll create a ‘map’, detailing base locations, targets and major locations.

Day 1
Time: 0433

1
Joshua-G024 strolled along the wooded area of where they had landed; He had Recon Team Golf and Sniper Team Hotel out on patrol. While he and the rest of Shark Platoon where building there Base for the Operation. The mood was light and the SPARTANs were all calm and were chatting away.

"God, like the good old days" Maria-173 said to Joshua -The Platoon Sergeant for Shark Platoon-

"Yeah, I know." Joshua said, "'Cept this time it's a whole damn regiment except a few Squads."

Maria walked out to help some SPARTANs struggling to erect some walls. Joshua was on edge, he hated missions like this. They usually ended up with so many people getting killed. He wanted Amy by his side, but she was on Recon with the S-IVs to make sure they weren't gonna get themselves killed.

"SPARTAN-E024!" Josh barked

"Yes Sir!" He said jumping to attention.

"Get your Squad to set up your Machine Gun, that way." He said pointing East, the easiest way to attack his camp.

"Got it ell-tee" He said and began to give his Squad the ell-tee's orders.

Josh sat down near the fire that had been started, took off his Helmet and took a drink. This is gonna be a long one He thought.

Lieutenant   Mc  Callan  18:50, 9 February 2009 (UTC)

2
Time: 0445

SPARTAN-E195 shifted her hand slightly, and Fireteam Delta stopped behind her. She had chosen Delta purely because of SPARTAN-E051. She knew of His condition, and that would be good in case of an Ambush.

"What is it, Ma'am?"

The voice that spoke was Delta's leader, SPARTAN-E147, and Gemma replied with a simple "We're going back."

The Team crouched and walked slowly through the trees and foliage, and wondered how Echo and Foxtrot was doing. The team kept a hand of their Carbines, and soon, base was in their sight.

"Welcome Home, Delta."

Over the COM came the Voice of SPARTAN-E049, and Gemma smiled inside her helmet.

"Thanks, Dean. How's Sammy Holding up?"

"It's Sam, alright? Sammy is the name of a Chubby 5 Year Old."

SPARTAN-E031 sounded slightly angry, but he kept his tone of serious power in it. Gemma always felt slighty worried when Same used that tone. She never knew why.

"How's the bunker coming, Sammy?"

"God, It's coming along fine! Fine. Just as long as Dean helps."

"Hey, Keep building will ya? Bobby looks like he's gonna hit ya. Actually, don't dig, cause I want to watch."

Gemma laughed at the brothers squabbling. She found it amusing when they did that.

Love is Noise   Love is Pain  Love is these blues  19:47, 9 February 2009 (UTC)

3
SPARTAN-B015 crept forward past a moss covered boulder and towards the sounds of water. With each step only the slightest of noise was made, everything was quick and calculated and graceful. B015's weapon at the ready, until finally coming to a drop off. Twenty feet down was a small river, the water painted green from the surrounding brush that allowed only the luckiest rays of light to shine down onto the ground. B015 looked out across the jungled mess of trees, branches, boulders, and vines while he could simply feel the rest of his team fall in around him. The four SPARTANs created a circle, their weapons outward and ready for any target. SPARTAN-B017 kneeled in position but yet at the same time close to B015.

"Tsubasa to Ha Neul." B015 spoke through the intercom on his helmet.

"Ha Neul has you." came a reply from SPARTAN-B044.

"Made it to Alpha One, no contacts. Heading towards Alpha Two in seven mikes."

"Copy that Tsubasa."

"Alright ladies, let's go." B015 spoke in a voice just over a whisper, light enough to be carried away by the wind. In a matter of seconds Recon Team Tsubasa of Squad Charcoal, Grey Platoon, Bravo Company was gone as if never there.

"Chris you get that?" Spoke Jung-Suh, SPARTAN-B044.

With only a gentle nod SPARTAN-B053 replied in his usual manner. Christopher was a still as a rock, the long slender frame of the M99C Special Application Scoped Rifle ready to speak for him.

"Christian's handling Tsubasa pretty well don't you think?" Jung-Suh spoke softly only get get yet another gentle nod. She looked at him somewhat annoyed, "I'd hurt you if this wasn't such a pleasant spot." And it was, they had placed themselves by a gentle waterfall where the water had covered up their trail and gave them an elevated view of the jungle before them.

"What are you going to do when we're done here?" Jung-Suh asked after waiting for a moment. They were both such opposites, she loved to talk and socialize while Chris for the most part was someone who prefered being alone and rarely talked. However she knew that she could get him to talk, most of the time.

"Have a cigarette." He replied almost devoid of emotion. Jung-Suh brought up her gauntleted hand and came down on his helmet. He looked at her then spoke once again. "I'm not having one around you."

"I told you you shouldn't smoke." She hated the fact that he had started smoking a few years back. Nobody was quite sure how he was able to get a hold of them but then again nobody really cared, he was a good sniper and leader. They let it slip, but she constantly roared at him to stop. So in what many had concidered a sign of affection he avoided smoking around her, it had annoyed her so much.

"Nal Gae to Ha Neul." Spoke their intercom from SPARTAN-B009.

"Ha Neul has you." Jung-Suh replied quickly.

"We've got nothing heading to Bravo Two."

"Copy that Ha Neul." and with that the two SPARTANs went quiet again. And just for safe measure Jung-Suh hit Chris once more and repeated, "Don't smoke."

Gunnery Sergeant De La Rosa walked with some pride, it felt good to be on an actual mission. A sense of excitement that had been gone came back to him. He walked past Squad Silver as they readied their gear and joked with one another with their rivalry. He grinned when he saw Weapons Team Sora from Squad Charcoal begin to wrestle with each other, the teens didn't seem to mind that this was the real deal now. No more simmulations. He finally came to a stop in front of his LT. A David Plissken who held a Sweet Williams Cigar between his lips and read a hologram map that lightened the dimmly lit caverns they were based in for the moment.

"Alrighty LT." De La Rosa said and immediately began pointing out three locations. "Chris has got his recon teams here and here and he's set up nest here by this waterfall. It's pretty nice there, could go for a swim later on." he said with a grin then continued. "Team Tsubasa is heading here and Nal Gae is heading here."

"I still don't understand those goddamnt names." Plissken said looking at the map with his arms crossed.

"Asian thing LT." De La Rosa said then looked at Plissken in a quick motion that caught the Second Lieutenant by surprise De La Rosa snatched the cigar from his mouth while yelling out "BAM!" a quirk he became known for. "Told you we'd make a cold landing."

Plissken looked at him for a moment, he had been worried about landing under fire for some odd reason. "Bastard." he said then reached for another cigar. "Just be sure Grey is ready to move at any notice I want Silver as first response and Slate up and ready on standby."

De La Rosa nodded then began to walk away with the cigar in his mouth and a grin on his face.

Hollywood

4
Sergeant Eric Kavin leaned over the radio man's shoulder. "Try to reach them again," he ordered.

The militia trooper shook his head. "Sir, I've tried five times already with no response at all. Either South Base is having equipment difficulties or..."

His voice trailed off as both he and his superior had the same thought. South Base had been conducting more missions than was safe lately and had reported in a marked increase in Covenant activity in their sector. It wouldn't be the first militia holdout to be obliterated since the Remnant had officially taken Hannibal III, but it would be the largest.

"Alright." Kavin sighed. "Get into contact with West Base, it's the closest to South's position. Have them send a group out to see what's going on."

As the radio operator hurried to obey, Kavin glanced around the crude bunker that made up East Base's command center. Crammed within its tight confines were over a dozen other humans, all consulting region maps or monitoring the shorter ranged radios that monitored the transmissions from East Base's patrolling teams. All of their electronic equipment was below sub-standard and unreliable. Parts had had to be replaced by components never meant to be used in the machines they had been repurposed for, and as breakdowns became more and more common it was becoming more practical to rely on prayers rather than engineering to ensure their continued service.

As Hannibal III had fallen to the Remnant invasion most of the regular UNSC military forces had stood their ground and been destroyed by the enemy's overwhelming numbers. The planet's militia forces had nearly suffered a similar fate before they had decided to retreat into Hannibal III's woodlands. From there they had been launching small raids on Covenant outposts and slaving pens, hoping to free captured humans in order to increase their numbers. From this battered collection of scattered compounds had emerged four main bases of operation: North, South, East, and West Bases. From these "strongholds" the militia were able to conceal themselves from the occupation and provide shelter for any civilians who had evaded or escaped from capture.

The raids had mostly been successful, but since the militia forces had no true leader coordination was made difficult, and the unreliability of the long ranged radios further hampered inter-base cooperation. And now that it seemed that South Base had been taken out, the situation seemed worse than ever.

Kavin stalked from the command center's metal and concrete interior and out into the chilly morning air. All around him were tents and rickety buildings meant for storing weapons. The men and women of East Base were busy trying to scrounge up something to eat amidst the snow. Food, ammunition, equipment, and every other thing a guerilla force needed were growing scarcer by the day.

A militiaman jogged up to Kavin, out of breath from what must have been a long run. "Sir! I've got news from Corporal Owens!"

One of Kavin's two second in commands, Owens was currently stationed at a reconnaissance platform about a mile away from the main compound.

"What's he got?" Kavin wasn't sure if he could handle any more news about Covie troop movements.

"You won't believe this sir, but we got a visual on a whole bunch of ships coming down, landing all over the place! They've gotta be reinforcements sir!"

Reinforcements. That meant more troops, more supplies, and almost definitely people who could help pull the heavy load off of the beleaguered militia's back. For the first time in weeks, Kavin felt happy.

"We're saved."

SPARTAN-B071, Mark, head of the SPARTAN-IV Squad Silver, faced the sixteen other SPARTANs in his squad.

"While Charcoal gets to have the first chance at some fun with the Covenant, we have been given the task of beginning work on our platoon's base of operations," he began, only to be cut off by a few scattered groans from his squad. He silenced them with a cold glare.

"Before we even begin to think about sleeping quarters and defensive positions, we will be building a secure place to keep our Warthogs, and before that happens we are going to go over every composite scrap of those magnificent vehicles until we are absolutely sure that there is nothing at all amiss with them. They will be our primary means of damaging the Covenant and I do not want any malfunctions in the middle of a raid. Is that understood?"

"You got it. sir," drawled Hector-B010, head of the squad's Assault Team. "You want us to pump the wheels some while we're at it?"

Mark ignored the comment with practiced contempt. "I want those Warthogs completely checked over by 0700 people. Shift it!"

Squad Silver sprang into motion. Mark may have been imperious, authoritative, and downright unlikeable at times but he always managed to include a certain note in his tone of voice that not only demanded but required obedience. Besides, they all liked playing with Warthogs.

5
SPARTAN-C014 grunted as he scraped his leg across the abstractly shaped rock that jutted out of the ground infront of him. His armour made a squeal as it fizzled across the rock. Lynch repeated the movement again, though this time faster, sending a spark flying off onto a broken off branch, landing amongst its yellow dried out leaves. The leaves crumpled and turned black as a flame spread across them, and beneath his helmet Lynch smiled. The Spartan picked the stick up, and shook it slightly to spread the fire, before jamming the stick into the neckpiece of the SPARTAN sitting next to him. Marcus turned as his shield fizzled around the branch, “Please stop that.”

“Or what Marky-boy?” Lynch could barely stifle his chuckle when a he felt a fist smash into the back of his helmet.

“Lynch, stop this. We’re practically on show here and I don’t want you making us all look like a pack of unrefined thugs, go do your thuggery else where….thug.” Ruby, the Commander of his Assault Team, snorted at him, in her ineloquent yet somehow refined manner. Lynch dropped the flaming branch and with a salute, meant moreso as an insult than as a sign of respect, the Spartan slinked away, leaving his team-mates to stomp out the burning branch.

“Hey.” Another Spartan said cheerily as he passed Lynch by, though all he got in reply was a cold glare. Lynch walked over to the trench many of the Soldiers here seemed to be digging around their base and wondered if they’d ever have to use it.

“Hey hey hey! Lynchy-kins!” Another Spartan said as he flopped down next to him, his feet dangling down into the trench. The shirtless marine below them looked up and bit his lip as he turned back to digging out the trench.

“Hey Guido…they bring the water canisters down yet?” Lynch eyed SPARTAN-C127’s Canteen, noticing the deeper colouring around its brim.

“Can’t say I know, so what is up? Where are the others?”

Lynch “They’re over there, by that rock; you get a pretty good view of the pathway.”

The marine beneath them looked up, “Hey, could you two lend us a hand or something?”

Guido turned from Lynch with a groan and flicked out his leg, kicking the shovel from the Marines hands, “I’m afraid I’m just too important with busy Spartany issues to lighten your workload.” He grunted as he stood back up and turned to Lynch, “You want to go see Rube?”

“Nah, she’s pissed at me.”

“You want to go piss off Mark?”

“That’s why she’s pissed.”

“Damnit, so what are we meant to do? Just lounge around for a few days until some buggers get into a brawl?”

“Alright Gang! Guess what!” SPARTAN-E051 said with evident glee as he paced before the lined up members of Fire Team Papa.

“What is it?” Chris-E126 asked, anticipating some kind of trick.

“Nope, you have to guess.”

“Could it be that you’re finally coming out of the closet?” Remus–E192 mumbled as he kicked away a rock.

“No, but good try.” Clint, the Fire Teams commander said awkwardly.

“It’s orders…” Chris sighed and his response was confirmed by a nod from their commander.

Remus glared at him, “Orders are what you’re so happy about?”

“As if you’re not excited!” Alice-E099 said, “We can go out and do something fun as a team, our first real combat scenario, aren’t you guys excited?”

The other two Spartans mumbled, so their commander continued, “We’re going to do some patrolling around the place, make sure the paths are set in stone and safe from harm and all that, and we can go shoot some Brutes if they happen upon us, shoot to kill and kill them till they’re dead.”

“Yay!” Remus said sarcastically.

“Yay!” Alice cheered with a high-pitched squeak, unaware of the sarcasm behind her team-mates voice, causing the Spartans on either side of her to droop with a sigh.

6
Jamal-002 pushed himself around the TOC, his oversized arms propelling the wheelchair across the room, and the new spinning chair design allowed him to turn around and act at multiple consoles. Staring at the screen, which at first fluttered with static, and then resolved a clear image, Jamal picked out multiple Brute encampments, as well as what appeared to be a motor pool.

''How could they have kept their equipment up and running for this long? Weren't those Prophets in charge of all of this?''

He shrugged it off, wrote down his thoughts onto a notepad, and then pushed himself towards another console, which showed the constantly updated feed from the STARS III Drone. It maintained a geosynchronous orbit over the planet, and so, it only surveyed one area... unless it was told to do otherwise.

For the moment, that area was rather large, and after flipping through multiple views, Jamal finally found what he was looking for.

The SPARTAN-IV encampments.

They had been dropped in the other day, using Stealth Pods and other Stealth Insertion methods, and HIGHCOM/CENTCOM demanded proof that they had been successfully deployed.

Quickly taking a snapshot, the picture was sent towards a secure location on the UNSC Athena's servers, being prepared for a Burst Message to the two commands.

After wheeling towards his small desk in the corner of the TOC, Jamal checked his papers on force size and composition, as well as the S-IV's plan for their campaign on Hannibal IV.

Shouldn't be too hard.

More coming soon.

-- SPARTAN -002 [The Hero] [The Team] [A New Chronicle] 13:48, 10 February 2009 (UTC)