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  • Subject: Event Horizon
Subject: Event Horizon
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  • Exalted Legendary Member

Some can come away from reading "War and Peace" thinking it a simple adventure story, while others can read the ingredients on a gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

HALO: First Strike, page 249
Linda's medical data winked on a display along with the entire Spartan roster: a long list of evert Spartan's current operational status. Only a handful was left, almost every one of them listed as wounded in action or missing in action.
"No KIAs?" Dr. Halsey murmured. She touched SPARTAN-O34's entry. "Sam is listed as missing in actin. Why would that be? He died in 2525."
"ONI Section Two Directive Nine-Three-Zero," Cortana replied. "When ONI went public with the Spartan-II program it was decided that reports of Spartan losses could cause a crippling lose of morale. Consequently, any Spartan casualties are listed MIA or WIA, in order to maintain the illusion that Spartans do not die."
"Spartans never die?" she whispered. Dr. Halsey swiveled out of the contour chair and pushed the monitors out of her way with a sudden violence. "If only that were true."



Mission time: 0 hours
Briefly looking down, I stepped into the abyss without a moments hesitation. Air born for 9.532 seconds, and landing upright, scarcely even feeling the shock. A feet no Human should be able to do. A mere second after going ground side I quickly raised my rifle and efficiently killed off a group of grunts 50 meters away. It took 2.9 seconds, a new personal record. The Pelicans quickly followed. Descending from the sky and releasing waves of Marines and ODST ground-side.
I took a moment to view my surroundings, A barren landscape pocketed with craters and made black by The Covenant as they wiped the area clean of UNSC forces before landing. The only movement where that of UNSC forces. Not a sliver of grass remained as testament that it wasn't always like this. Yet the place echoed of silence and sorrow. But also memories, as if he'd been here before...

What looked like snow began to slowly drift down from the sky.I caught a piece as it descended to the ground, realizing it was the last ashy remains of the legions of soldiers who once stood garrisoned here. I wasn't revolted, I'd seen worse.
The large line of hill's in front of me was eerie, almost peaceful. It continued to both my right and left, into the horizon where it morphed into a small mountain range. Behind me somewhere in the distance was the large generator plant they where assigned to protect. Soldiers rushed past me to fulfill there objectives. Then all Hell broke lose... A large explosion echoed to my right. Th shock wave threw me into the air. Sprawled on the soft ash covered floor I could feel ripples of heat travel through my body from the plasma mortar that landed just feet away. Under my armor I could feel my skin begin to blister, my vision blurred until darkness was absolute.

"Sir! Sir! are you awake?" "He's been hit hard" "Damn it... have we lost him corporal?" "Negative, reading a pulse Sir" "... Get a pelican in here ASAP."

I could feel myself slowly regaining conciseness. "I'm not finished yet" I said as I cautiously got to my feet. Pain racked my body, but i had been trained to ignore it. "Sir," A short but muscular marine said "We've got reinforcements inbound, Where pulling together ground forces to take that hill". I looked at the crater about 10 feet away from me, my Armor had no doubt saved my life... but there where others who where less fortunate. Five marines and what looked Like an ODST lay on the ground, couldn't be sure with the melted armor and charred skin. Making sure my rifle was securely attached to my back I began marching to the hill, slowly, due to the multitude of wounded dotting the field. The Ash was descending faster now. The sky was darkening, seemingly defying the time of day as if it had intentions of its own. Pelicans began roaring overhead, depositing Tanks and artillery at the top of the hill. Then flying forward to engage the enemy.These where shortly followed by Hornets as well as short and long swords. Covenant artillery echoed behind me but quickly subsided.

Pelicans carrying vehicles where arriving by the dozens on the hill, escorted by hornets and hawks. Explosions echoed on the other side as well as all around me as the bombardment continued. A Long Sword descended from the sky and was shot down by AA fire from the other side of the hill. The pilot lost control and landed right on top of a Pelican full of wounded.
It was complete Anarchy. here was little coordination now among the soldiers. The silence was gone and had been replaced by sounds of pain, agony, gunfire, and those accompanied with death.

Then I was running.
Those kids on my team right behind me. Ahead was the bell, and that John kid who got there first...

I was still running, not to a bell but to death, chaos, war. The top of the hill was 100 yards away when it happened. The wall of tanks and Warthogs was engulfed in blue plasma. But turning back was not an option. Whole pieces of Tanks flew past me in balls of white flame. A scarab beam vaporized a whole chunk out of the side of the hill. Fire now rained down from the sky along with ash. It was nothing less than hell. Then I made it. I was there. All that running since I could remember, all that training and years of of fighting and killing. Was all for this. As I gazed at the horror below, for the first time since childhood I felt alone... afraid. Ever since I could remember I had been trained to work as a team. Tested, and changed in ways that could scarcely make me human. . Spartans hardly wonder why. It was simply part of the existence.

What was it all for? Every battle they won on ground seemed insignificant. Every victory mirrored by an even greater defeat. Only slowing the relentless march of an enemy that would eventually destroy every thing they had be given to protect. But Spartans were not supposed to question. Only follow. Now gazing at the carnage below I knew I probably wouldn't make it... But i've known that for a while now haven't I?

This is part 1 of my little mini series. There are 7 parts total. Comments or input?

  • 08.24.2009 11:20 AM PDT