- pawnanism
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- Intrepid Mythic Member
This would be a good time to point out that the US Government seriously did consider nuking the moon during the Cold War as a show of force. Project A119.
"A large explosion on the Terminator line would put the sun behind the mushroom cloud, making the explosion visible with the naked eye from Earth."
Then the US decided they'd just send in Neil Armstrong to land on it. Neil Armstrong - the one man on the earth that was considered a suitable replacement for a nuclear missile.
Chapter 1
It had been ten years since the Human-Covenant war. Ten years since the battle on the Ark with the Flood. Humanity was rebuilding. New colonies sprang up over the old, glassed planets that were destroyed by the Covenant.
The UNSC was as strong as ever. The newly completed SPARTAN-IV program gave humanity a fresh breed of the galaxy's strongest warriors. Nine hundred Spartans clad in a new, lighter version of MJOLNIR, would protect Earth and her colonies against any threats.
LW MJOLNIR was designed by Vice Admirals Tyler Witzleb and Juan Gonzalez. It was nearly five hundred pounds lighter than Halsey's Mark VI, and had a super-advanced shielding system that was nearly impenetrable.
The peace with the Elites was shaky. As humanity moved further in the galaxy, the closer they came into Elite territory. The Elites were reluctantly patient with the new colonies, but warned to come no further. The humans did no such thing. They continued to advance, and the Elites retaliated. Just like they had during the war, colonies lit up like fireworks. A cool black glass covered the attacked colonies.
The UNSC struck back. Weapon technology had increased over the past ten years, and the UNSC harvested the plasma technology that the Covenant possessed.
***
“Sir, normal space transition was a success. We've lost the Elites for a little while,” Lieutenant Jackley said.
Commander Hayes paced back and forth next to the display screen. “Send a message to the Atlantic. Tell them to jump to the Sigma Octanus Orbital MAC Station. Dock at Eagle station and repair. We are going to make the jump as well. We can't take another direct blow from the Elite's plasma cannons.”
“Aye, sir. Slip space capacitors are ninety percent charged. Prepare for transition.”
***
“Go! Turn left!” corporal Dawson shouted. The hardened ODST veteran was now on a suicide mission to complete orders from a Spartan.
“Take the FENRIS warheads to the gravity lift the Elites have set down. Place them around the perimeter and set a detonation timer for six minutes.” the Spartan said.
Dawson knew better not to mess with a Spartan; especially one from Omega Squad. It seemed like an easy mission until their location had been compromised. Three banshee fliers were trailing behind. The asphalt road ignited in flame and spewed hot ash and debris at their warthog. They lacked a gunner, therefore had no means of defense.
“Damn, why did I enlist?” Dawson muttered.
“Look! The gravity lift is just over that hill.” the driver shouted.
The warthog launched off the hill and was airborne for a full ten seconds when it exploded. The surrounding area vaporized and the ground troops were killed instantly.
***
Shincrekt led the trio of banshee fliers. “Don't let the humans reach the lift!” he shouted in his native tongue. As the human vehicle flew into the air, he fired his craft's plasma cannons. The plasma stuck and everything turned black.
Chapter 2
SPARTAN-O210's heart sank as he watched the two ODST's warthog explode along with the surrounding area. He slammed his fist into the metal grating of the prowler, The Inca. Vice Admiral Juan Gonzalez had ordered Omega squad to fall back to the ship and prepare for an emergency jump to Sigma Octanus. Now he stood watching the view screen as the very place where he had stood less than thirty minutes ago turn to fire and ash.
“You did the right thing,” Vice Admiral Gonzalez spoke suddenly. “They were good soldiers. They will be remembered for their heroic actions.” He paused. “Ten years ago, when you were taken and put into the Spartan program, what was it like? I guess it doesn't matter to me, but I'm the one that helped design the armor that you are wearing. I helped protect you, Robert.”
Robert was shocked. He didn't know what to say that would be respectful, and yet the truth. All he said was, “It was hell, sir.”
“That's what I suspected.”
“Sir?”
“We recruited twelve hundred candidates. Nine hundred survived. It must have been hard watching three hundred of your squad mates, your friends, die by our hands.”
Robert winced. Ten year old memories flooded his mind. Memories of his friends' bodies being destroyed by the augmentations. Finally he said, “Those Spartans are still alive.”
Vice Admiral Gonzalez looked at him, puzzled.
“Spartans never die, sir. The UNSC saw fit to that.”
Gonzalez nodded, straightened, and saluted. Robert returned the salute, and Vice Admiral Gonzalez turned and walked away.
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I'm planning on adding more. You guys like it?