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  • Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell
Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell

There once was an ugly barnacle. He was so ugly that everyone died.

The end.

SCFH

I really like the story. Can't wait for the next part. Keep it up, and good luck!

  • 04.04.2010 8:55 AM PDT
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Popular story! If only mine was the same :p

  • 04.04.2010 9:33 AM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell(Part 9 is out!)

How'd you find me?

Yeah, so I have found some time to write this after all. Here's the next part. Oh, and please, get other people reading! I want more followers- I mean readers_

10. Right Back Where We Started

Richard stared at the armor clad figure I front of him. The Spartan sat next to the ONI operative and said nothing. His armor was completely black, and looked different than any Mjolnira armor Richard had ever seen. It's visor only went halfway down the helmet and had a raised part on the top. The torso had more armor plates than most Mark V armor, and the arms were more protected at the forearms. Richard didn't actually think that he was looking at a Spartan II. He had heard whispers of a secret ONI project to make more Spartans. Was the soldier in front of him a result of that project?

The Spartan turned his golden visor to Richard. He had been scanning the buildings on either side of the road for any trace of life and had barely seen Richard out of the corner of his visor. He was done inspecting the buildings on either side of the road, and his head had snapped back into place and his eyes were trained on Richard. Richard had somehow been faster than the super soldier, though, and he was able to turn away before the Spartan's eyes had settled on Richard.

When Richard looked at the buildings on the other side of the road, though, he saw something in the window of a building. Movement? Definitely a figure. And it wasn't the large hulking shape of a brute or an elite or the small shape of a jackal, grunt, or drone. And it was too small to be a hunter. Besides, hunters always came in twos. They wouldn't fit into the small space that he had seen the figure in. Quickly, he told everyone what he had seen and the diver stopped a few yards from the building. The ONI operative looked at the Spartan, giving him a look from behind his visor saying "Hurry up."

The super soldier began to walk to forward, assault rifle pointed forward for any approaching attacks. The other ODSTs followed close behind, except for the driver and the soldier in the passenger seat, who had begun to patrol the perimeter of the building with the warthog, also scanning the sky for enemy aerial attacks.

The building's hallways and corridors were narrow and long, with doors lining the long wall. The Spartan took point, focusing his eyes on the end of the cramped hall. Richard hung back at the edge of the group of ODSTs and the single Spartan. His eyes kept moving around the hallway, expecting an ambush from any one of the many doors surrounding them. The gravity hammer he had taken from the brute chieftan was held ready in his hands. Anything happened, he was ready for a fight.

The Spartan stopped short in the middle of the hallway. He indicated a door with his index finger and quietly stole up to it. He then kicked down the door. A shotgun shell exploded against his shields as he entered the room.

Richard heard loud swearing coming from the room. Two people exited, one of them, a man of about fifty, was cursing in anger, something about "robots don't deserve to be in the armed forces." The other, a young man of about nineteen, lowered a shotgun, and Richard instantly knew that the nineteen-year-old wanted to be in the armed forces. Richard could tell that the older man had also been in the UNSC, and he was reminded of his father. He was also reminded of the situation that got him to join the ODSTs.

"Soldier!" the Spartan walked over to Richard. He was tall, six foot three, Richard guessed, and his voice was deep and somewhat intimidating. "Is one of them the figure you saw?"

"Yes." Richard was excited when he saw the Spartan, but he wasn't going to start acting like an idiot in front of him. Richard was ready to leave the building. They had found the civilians, and Richard was certain no one else was in the building. A desperate radio transmission changed that.

"This is the perimeter scouts! We have visual confirmation of hunters! I repeat: visual confirmation of- " the radio transmission was cut short by the sound of assault canons firing then screaming. The screaming was replaced by silence.

"It seems we're walking," the ONI operative said. "With hunters."

Richard and Red were sent to take out the hunters. The Spartan was going to be a distraction. It seemed that he was excited by the plan. He wanted to take the hunters head on. Richard thought that if it was up to the Spartan, he'd charge at them both alone and unarmed.

The hunters had totally destroyed the warthog and killed both the driver and the passenger. They were now searching for any other humans in the area. They found one.

"Hey, you big eels! You might be able to kill a warthog, but you can't kill me!" the Spartan taunted, and the hunters bought into the taunt. They powered up their assault cannons and began to fire on the Spartan, who dodged their attacks easily. Richard and Red circled around to the back of the hunters. Red took out her black sniper rifle and aimed.

"That gravity hammer's good at close range, but I don't think it's going to have any effect on them from here," Red stated nonchalantly as she aimed for the unarmored back of one oft the gargantuan worm colonies. Richard took out his magnum.

"That's why I keep this around," Richard replied as he took out his magnum to aim at the back of the second hunter. The Spartan was still dodging around the hunters and was still taunting them. Richard and Red took aim at the two giant grouping of worms and fired.

"Took you long enough," the Spartan said, kicking the dead bodies of the hunters, enjoying disrespecting his no longer living foes. "Lets get back to the other troopers."

Richard shrugged. It was time for them to find someway back to the LZ.

[Edited on 04.07.2010 6:49 AM PDT]

  • 04.07.2010 6:48 AM PDT
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Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I love reading this :D

  • 04.10.2010 11:40 AM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell(Part 11 is out!)

How'd you find me?

Yeah, I'm back from vacation so now I can write this without any interruptions. I'm also writing this at 11:20 P.M. so nobody is going to read this anytime soon. Go figure. Onward to Part 11! I promise more description this time.

11. Time Flies

Richard inspected the ONI operative's wound. It was raw and a nauseating pink, with a spike from a spiker rifle embedded in the center. Before Richard sealed the wound with biofoam, he would need to remove the shimmering golden shrapnel. Richard looked around the small field hospital he was in. Wounded soldiers and civilians moaned in agony on stretchers. Medical officers rushed around the makeshift tent, tending to the numerous amounts of wounded. One soldier was wailing louder than the others. An energy sword had severed his arm.

Richard took a second to compare himself with the other medical officers rushing around. He didn't feel like he was one of them anymore, he felt more like what his father had been: a soldier, fighting for the human race. Richard only considered this for a second, though, and continued to work on his patient.

After he, Red, and the Spartan had killed the hunters and returned to the other ODSTs, a group of three elites and a brute attacked them. The brute was the one who fired the spike into the ONI operative's kneecap. Richard had killed the brute after unloading a clip of ammo into its face. Red had killed another one of the aliens, and another soldier used a rocket to kill the last two elites. They had then rendezvoused with an elephant with more civilians and went back to base. One hour was left before the transport landed and took civilians and soldiers alike on a random slipspace jump and then one to Mars. That was if they survived.

"Will I live?" Richard looked down at the ONI operative. He was a man of about forty, and he was going bald. Richard continued to work on the operative's knee. He needed to concentrate.

"Yes." Richard began to carefully remove the spike. "But I don't think you'll be able to walk for a while."

The ONI operative propped himself up on one elbow. He looked Richard dead in the eye. "Do you know why I was dropped down here?"

"No." Richard slid the spike forward a bit more, wiggling the tip to loosen it a bit more. The operative cringed, but he still continued to talk.

"Recruitment. ONI is looking for soldiers like you and your squad. We're making ourselves a group of elite ODSTs that we can send in to do things other soldiers can't. You're record speaks for yourself. Your squad has done amazing things. We want you to keep doing them... for us."

Richard was shocked. His squad was called one of the most effective, as was Bones', but joining ONI? They were spooks, all smoke and mirrors. And it wasn't Richard's choice.

"I don't speak for my squad," Richard said, finally removing the spike with tongs. He then dropped the spike into a white hazardous materials box and filled the operatives wound with biofoam. The operative cringed for a second time but still said nothing.

"But you do," the ONI operative stood up and used rod holding up the tent to support himself. "When your sergeant died, you became the commanding officer of your squad. Your choice."

Richard thought about it for several seconds. The he stopped. ONI already owned them. They owned the entire UNSC, controlling everything from the shadows. Why not work for them?

"Can Skull and Bones join too?" Richard had made the decision. He had already figured out how everyone would react. Cowboy just liked killing the covenant for what they did to humanity. Red was somewhat amoral and just wanted enjoyed killing. Bones was completely loyal to Richard because Richard had saved his life on more than one occasion. Skull was completely loyal to Bones, and would go with whatever decision he made. And Richard still had something to prove to a dead man.

"Those two? When the rest of their squad died and they joined up with yours, they became another part of your squad. As long as the girl can stand up and use that rocket launcher, she's in."

The ONI operative shook Richard's hand firmly before leaving the tent supported by another soldier. As he left, he called over his shoulder, "Welcome to ONI."


*****

"That ONI guy told you that?" Cowboy, Red, Bones, and Skull stood around Richard as he told them of what had transpired in the medical tent.

"Yes. As of now, we work for ONI," Richard said flatly, showing no emotion in his voice. But inside, his stomach was churning. Even though he had made his decision, he wondered how much more of himself he would lose to war. Though he was doing this all to prove something to his dead father, would he really approve of Richard joining ONI?

"Will they tell the UNSC?" Bones asked. Richard could tell that he was also feeling uncomfortable. Just because he was loyal to Richard didn't mean he didn't have some doubts.

"They've probably already contacted them," Richard answered. He was right. ONI had already told the UNSC that it was taking some manpower.

"Who's in command?" Red asked. Richard just didn't get her. First, she was cold and disconnected. Then, she was polite and kind. Now back to cold and disconnected. Richard didn't think he'd ever understand her.

"Me." The reply was a simple one. Richard put his helmet back on after removing it for the short briefing in the middle of the LZ. "Now come on. We're getting on the last elephant out. We're going to rescue as many civilians as we possibly can before that transport lands."



[Edited on 04.12.2010 7:14 PM PDT]

  • 04.10.2010 10:05 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Right, so now that the Munchies story is far more popular than mine, I need to pump these stories out faster than ever! Oh, and anyone reading please post comments. I want you to acknowledge you're reading! Please! You're giving me
an inadequacy complex. Oh, and Dead Major: this is the part where the romance comes in. Woooooo-hoooooo! Please tell me if the romantic part is too much.

12. The Beginning of the End
Half an hour was left before the transport landed to evac the civilians and remaining soldiers. Richard and the rest of his squad were in an elephant with seven-teen civilians and ten ODSTs, counting them. The cargo hold and higher levels were packed. There were five extra people in the cockpit besides the driver. Richard was on top of the cockpit with Red, scanning for enemy soldiers. They were also looking for any more civilians. When they got back, it would take until the transport landed to prepare the four hundred plus civilians for their massive egress. It had been decided that the two hundred fifteen ODSTs would be carried in fifteen pelicans that were coming down with the transport. It wouldn't exactly be comfortable, but at least the ODSTs would
get back to their ships. Richard's squad, along with the ONI operative and the Spartans, would be carried in the fifteenth pelican, a specialized ONI version. It had improved flight and better weapon systems than the more commonly used
pelican. It also had an onboard smart A.I. The pelican would be assigned to Richard's and the Spartan's (who was also joining ONI) squad for transport during missions. Not all of their missions would have them drop in from space.

"Hey Red?" Richard had scanned every dark, abandoned building on each side of the street that the elephant was rolling down, and he was certain that he could take his eyes away from the depressingly dark street.

"What?" Red had done the same as Richard and was also certain that there was nothing for them to be worrying about for the time being.

Richard cleared his throat. Last time he talked to Red about this, she punched him in the face. Hard. His nose still hurt. Still, he had to ask
her. "Why do you act like this?" He took off his helmet. He wanted this to be a face-to-face conversation.

"Like what?" Red also removed her helmet. Her eyes narrowed, and she focused on Richard with a piercing gaze.

"Well, before and after the drop, you acted like I was beneath you, just an annoying nothing. Then, after you hit me in the face, you apologized and acted like you really were sorry for doing it. What's up with that?" Richard knew that he should shut up, that Red wouldn't take kindly to what he
was saying. But he wouldn't back down.

"How do you know I'm not just messing with you?" Red's face was unreadable, a cold mask. Richard knew he had to be careful.

"Because you wouldn't be. You're not the type of person who plays games with people's heads. You're straightforward." Richard could tell that the end results of this conversation wouldn't be good.

"Richard, have you ever had trouble expressing your feelings?" Red's face softened, and she brushed some air out from behind her ear. Richard was suddenly confused. What turn was the conversation taking?

"Yes." Richard thought he was beginning to understand what was happening. He was no longer confused, just very surprised.

"Look, Richard... I definitely have... feelings for you." Red seemed embarrassed as she talked. Richard was about to be even more embarrassed.

"Red, from the first moment I met you, I know I loved you. I don't even know your name, yet I still love you more than anything in my life." Richard
felt extremely uncomfortable. Especially because he didn't exactly consider himself a "catch" for someone as beautiful as Red.


"So the reason you've put up with my crap is because you're madly in love with me?" Red smiled slightly. Most people would have been done with her by then if she treated them like she treated Richard. Richard wasn't exactly most
people.

"Yes." Red grabbed Richard quickly and kissed him. He wasn't expecting it, but accepted it gratefully. The kiss lasted for five seconds, and Richard enjoyed every moment of it. Then Red let him go.

"We can't do this right now." Red turned away from Richard and fitted her helmet back onto her head. Richard did the same. Still, he felt wonderful. Red was in love with him, and he was in love with her. What could go wrong?


Simple: phantoms.


*****

Richard unloaded a clip into an elite's face. It collapsed to the ground, dead. Cowboy charged into a group of elites and killed them all with well placed shotgun shells. Bones used his M7S to gun down a lance of jackals while
Skull used her rocket to destroy another phantom before it even landed. Red sniped off a grunt's methane tank, causing it to explode and knock down an elite. Richard fired a magnum round into the elite's now un-shielded face, killing it. More ODSTs killed the advancing waves of covenant troops.
Everything seemed to be going well until a stealth elite attacked Red. It kicked her to the ground in the same way the elite she had killed earlier had done to a marine. This one, too, would be interrupted before it could finish the job.

Richard charged at it and knocked it to the ground. Both his weapons skidded away. He'd have to kill it another way. Then he had an idea. He broke the
arm that held the alien's sword and the other back with his knee. Then he took out a grenade and shoved it into the elite's mouth. He pulled out the ring and flipped the elite over. Then the grenade exploded.

The elites skull, helmet, and energy shield absorbed most of the blast, and Richard was just flung backwards by the explosion. His helmet smashed into the side of one of one of the abandoned buildings, slightly concussing him, and his
arm had smashed into the cement wall in a very painful way. At least he was alive.

Standing up, Richard realized he was holding on to the elite's severed head. Shrapnel jutted out of the head at odd angles. The eyes looked glazed over and dead. The lower mandibles were gone, and the higher two mandibles were
mutilated by shrapnel and kinetic force. Purple blood dripped from the neck and covered Richard's armor and fingers and pooled around his feet. Some was also left against the wall because the skull had been smashed by the impact. Richard tossed the disturbing trophy away in disgust. When had he
become so brutal?

"That was amazing, Rich!" Cowboy rushed to Richard's side and patted him on the back. "The way that elite's head popped off- there are blood and guts everywhere!" Cowboy seemed excited over the grotesque event. Richard wanted to
throw up. It was the single most violent act of his life. Not only had he killed the elite, he had removed it's head with a grenade. He felt awful over what he had done. But still, he had saved Red's life. And the elite was going
to die anyway. What else was he going to do?

The ODSTs re-entered the elephant. Again, it began to slowly roll to the LZ.

*****

The covenant had sent almost all their forces in Palahazsa to destroy the transport. It didn't matter; all two hundred fifteen ODSTs were there too.
Richard's squad was at the front lines, firing into the waves of covenant troops. The wall of debris was even larger now, and the covenant weren't going to make it past that wall. Even ODSTs who entered pelicans weren't ready to
stop fighting yet, and used the turrets in the pelicans holding bay to fire on covenant infantry. Richard and his squad were slowly moving backwards towards their pelican. Finally, when the transport was raised several miles into the
air, they were ready to board. They sprinted towards their pelican and entered quickly, sending a spray of bullets at the covenant until the door closed. They buckled themselves in across from the Spartans.

The ONI operative walked out of the cockpit and stood in front of both the Spartan and ODST squad. "Glad you all made it," he said, throwing them all a false warm smile. Richard wasn't looking at him, though. He was staring into
the cockpit.

"Who's flying this thing?" he asked, removing his helmet to brush his hair from his eyes.

"That would be me," the onboard A.I. spoke. The noise bounced around the cabin, echoing as if spoken into a humongous microphone.

"Everyone, meet War Dog," the ONI operative stated, looking at the face of every soldier in the hold. Everyone had removed their helmets after Richard. "For the rest of your careers with ONI, he will live inside your heads. Clear?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" The soldiers recognized an order when they heard one. They could live with an A.I. hanging out in their brains for the rest of their life. It was better than some other things that happen to people who work for ONI.

"Good." The ONI officer strapped himself into the co-pilot chair; the trip to ONI's newest Stealth Cruiser, the Marauder, would be a long one.

  • 04.12.2010 8:30 PM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell(Part 12 is out!)

How'd you find me?



*****


"We're here." Richard unbuckled the strap holding him in his chair and stood up, picking up his helmet to carry it under his arm. The Spartans did the same and so did the rest of his squad. The pelican's door opened, and everyone
exited.

"All right troops," the ONI operative said, standing in front of them, looking each one in the eye, "this ship, the ONI Marauder, is your new home. It is one of the most advanced ships currently at disposal to the Office of Naval
Intelligence. It is invisible, it is massive, it is lethal, and it is your new home. Every mission you partake in for the rest of your lives will start from this ship. You're either getting off this ship is in a HEV or in that pelican.
The only way you're getting back up is in that pelican or another approved transport. And the only way you leave ONI is in a body bag, you understand me?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Everyone said it in unison.

"Good. ODSTs, head to the barracks and change into your dress uniforms. Leave the armor; we've got upgraded BDUs in the armory. Spartans, change into your dress blues too; you're going to meet the ship's captain." The ONI operative walked out of the hangar, leaving the newest additions to ONI alone.

"Where do we go now?" Bones was the first to speak; he didn't mind feeling like an idiot.

"I can help." War Dog's voice sounded, and a blue image of him appeared, a dark colored wolf with a scar over one eye. Richard had never seen an A.I. represented by an animal. "That way; follow the blinking lights." War Dog
pointed his snout out a different door than the one the ONI operative had left from. "Then follow the blinking lights again; you'll find the captain."

"Thank you, War Dog," Richard said, saluting the canine figure.

"Don't mention it." War Dog jumped forward into the pelican, disappearing in a blue flash. Richard could get used to working with ONI.


[Edited on 04.13.2010 6:42 PM PDT]

  • 04.13.2010 6:42 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

The reason I did this in two posts was because it was too long to do in one.

  • 04.13.2010 6:43 PM PDT
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No matter how many seals are killed by sharks a year, it never seems to be enough :D

:D niceeeeeeee! Great action, great internal conflict, and a sweet romance part. You really characterized red well.

And the only way you leave ONI is in a body bag, you understand me?"

I love this line!

  • 04.13.2010 7:30 PM PDT
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Kickass bro! I just caught up completely. Good stuff man, I could picture it all :D

  • 04.13.2010 7:34 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Damn it all, only the Munchies and Dead Major are posting. What do I need to do to get some recognition around here? Beat up Wolverfrog? Wait, how far away is the U.K.? Kidding! Here comes part 13!!!!!!! (Sorry about how I spelled com-pressurized. It's hard to spell Did I just spell it right? Son of a-)



13. A Call To Arms

The bridge was long, about six yards long. All types of equipment and readings were displayed on the many computer monitors. Everyone operating them had a white and blue jumpsuit that said ONI on it. At the end of the bridge was a large observation deck similar to the bridges of Marathon class cruisers, except that there was no lower level. Just a solemn figure looking out the window.

Richard could see the expression on the captain's face. It was somewhat obscured by his long scar, but Richard could see that he was grimacing at the massive space battle occurring in front of them. Covenant ships and UNSC vessels alike were lost in humongous colorful explosions. The Marauder was ready to help the Covenant's ship explode that much faster; its mac gun was charged, the pulse lasers were ready to fire, and the missile launchers on the ships hull were warmed up. A single Covenant Carrier would be totally destroyed by the powerful barrage the ship was ready to unload. However, The Marauder was on a stealth mission, and that meant complete invisibility. Literally, too; the ship was undetectable electronically and by the naked eye, all thanks to stolen Covenant tech.

"Captain Riley, sir," the ONI operative had been outside the bridge, waiting for the ODSTs and Spartans. He hadn't taken the time to change into his dress uniform, and was still wearing his Recon armor. "The new squad is here."

Riley turned around, his lip curled into a frown. He was inspecting the ODSTs, but didn't glance at the Spartans. He kept frowning till he saw Richard. The hulking figure strode over to the ODST, standing a head taller than him. He's huge, Richard thought, looking up at the man.

"What's your name, soldier?" Riley looked down at Richard, his face an unreadable mask.


"Corporal Richard Martin, sir!" Richard saluted the taller man, who Richard guessed was of Irish descent.

"Corporal, eh?" Riley held his chin in thought. "I'm guessing you're in charge of this squad, then?" Richard nodded. He had no idea what Riley was getting at. "This fine group o' soldiers, they need someone with a higher rank than corporal. Welcome to ONI, Lieutenant Richard Martin." Riley took Richard's hand and shook it firmly.

"Thank you, sir." Richard kept his composure in front of the captain; Richard didn't care about the promotion, really. His father had died when he was still a private; it didn't matter what he rank was.

"You also outrank any marine on the battlefield or any captain on a ship; same thing goes for your squad. You are, after all, ONI now." Richard still didn't care; bossing people around was never a joy for him. "Oh, and we've figured out your first assignment. "Richard sighed; he had been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Riley pointed out the window at a frigate under heavy fire from the Covenant. "See that frigate? You ODSTs and Spartans are going to take a pelican straight into that ship. Like I said, welcome to ONI."

*****

The new BDU was a comfortable fit for Richard. Instead of the usual open finger design, the fingers had a membrane like material over them for more protection and for the EVA the mission would call for. Standard ODST BDUs could keep the wearer alive for fifteen minutes in a vacuum. The upgraded versions
Richard's squad was wearing had an improved oxygen tank and carbon filters,
giving the user a total of thirty minutes within a no-oxygen environment. The suits also provided extra protection against plasma fire and ballistic weaponry. The software used in the suits was also upgraded, allowing the VSIR full access to the ONI database and space for a single A.I. However, War Dog was sticking to the pelican. ONI wasn't going to send him into direct combat.



"Well look at you, my little killing machines," the ONI operative said as he walked down the line of soldiers that the Spartans and ODSTs had formed. He was still nursing his leg wound, and Richard guessed he wouldn't be combat operational for a month or more. "Well, except

for the Spartan IIIs. They're Ackerson's little abominations. Well, now I christen you Stiletto Squad. Go forth and kick some covenant ass."



Richard put on the new Recon variant helmet he had been given. The armor was a midnight blue, while the armor worn by the rest of his squad was a grayish and was normal ODST BDUs, besides the enhancements. The red cross that had been on his other armor was also on this one. Richard also carried medical supplies in his rucksack. It seemed Richard would always be identified as a medical officer, even if he was leader of the new ONI Stiletto Squad, an elite group of Spartans and ODSTs.



Richard remembered that the ONI Operative had mentioned someone named
Ackerson was the man who had come up with Spartan IIIs. Richard decided to find out more about the man and looked him up using the VSIR and the neural interface as he hopped aboard the pelican. Richard was hit with a wave of information and decided he'd sift through it later.

"So how's it feel?" Richard looked up. He had been staring into space, not wanting to think of what lied ahead. One of the Spartan IIIs had asked the question. The Spartan was wearing black Mark V[B] armor. Richard's new HUD gave him much more logistical data on the Spartan's armor and the Spartan's own status. Richard was also given information on the Spartan's background that was downloaded directly into his mind via the neural interface. Richard wasn't sure if he had the proper classifications for the data, but if ONI let him see it he must have been allowed.

"How does what feel?" Richard didn't know what the Spartan was talking about.

"Being in command of a secret squad of Spartan and ODSTs all working for
ONI spooks."

Richard shrugged. "I'm not sure. Just because I was told I'm in command doesn't mean I know what it's like yet." He was telling the Spartan what he honestly thought; he hadn't really experienced a combat situation where he was the commanding officer yet.

The Spartan nodded his head. "Good answer." He removed his helmet and put out his hand. " Dave, Spartan 252, Alpha Company. Glad to make your acutance."

Richard removed his helmet and gave Dave's hand a firm shake. "Lieutenant
Richard Martin, ONI operative. Glad that I know one of the Spartans on the team."

"If you two are done with introductions, we're ready making our final approach." War Dog spoke with condescending sort of voice. Richard could tell that the A.I. would make an annoying but necessary ally.



The Pelican stopped moving suddenly. Richard and Dave quickly put their helmets back on and sealed their suits. Just as soon as they did, the pelican
de-compresssurized and opened into space. The Spartans and ODSTs floated out and towards the UNSC frigate. Immediately, information on the Frigate appeared on Richard's HUD. It also showed where the closest airlock was. Richard drifted towards it.

"War Dog, think you could get this thing open?" To answer Richard's question, the door opened, and Richard and the rest of his squad floated inside. The door closed, the airlock pressurized, and they were inside the ship.

Captain Riley's voice buzzed inside Richard's ear. "Soldier, your orders are to provide combat support for the ship and her crew. As soon as you think the Covenant are winning, though, head to the bridge, set the fusion reactors to blow, yank the A.I., then evac. Understand?" Richard gulped. He was about to agree to a morally gray action.

Would he do it?

"Understood, sir." Richard terminated the comm link and turned to his
squad. "Let's move out, troops."

*****

  • 04.18.2010 4:55 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Richard's assault rifle fired a spray of bullets into the brute's hairy face. The towering ape collapsed from the bullets that tore into its flesh. Richard reloaded his assault rifle, using rounds that he had picked up from a dead marine. David had finished the brief struggle he had had with an elite, ending it with his combat knife shoved into the elites throat. David flicked the blood from his knife and pressed two fingers to the comm.

"Fin, how's that scouting coming along?" Fin was another Spartan III. He was fast and wore SPI armor, so his teammates often sent him to do scouting runs.

"All done." The voice came from inside the hallway. Suddenly, Fin materialized in front of Richard, his dark grey armor reflecting light from the overhead lamps. "Kim, Ralph, and the ODSTs just cleared out the enemies around the lifeboats and in the hangar. The bridge is also secure. We might not have to blow the frigate," Fin concluded.

Richard shook his head and headed towards the bridge. "You always need to prepare for the worst."

*****

"So, what's the damage?" Richard stood in front of the captain with the rest of Stiletto Squad. They all stood around a holographic display of the ship. It showed damaged parts, important parts necessary for the ship to operate, and spots where the Covenant had boarded. The Covenant boarding parties had tried to reach many of the important parts of the ship, but most of their advances were stopped. However, they had reached the engines and slip space drive, along with the artificial gravity generator. And nothing good could come of them poking around there.

"We're going to need someone to head down to the FTL reactors and clear out the Covenant," the captain said, looking at Richard expectantly.

"If you're asking for something, just state it outright." Richard turned to the rest of his squad. He hated it when people were coy with what they were getting at. It annoyed him greatly. "Come on Stiletto Squad, let's move out."

"I'll come too," Richard turned around. The onboard A.I. had said it. He was fairly new, and his avatar was an ODST. Richard took a liking to him immediately.

"The more the merrier," Richard said, transferring the A.I. to his armor. "Besides, we could use someone who knows the ship."

*****

"Why is the A.I. with you?" War Dog sounded into Richard's comm. Richard was beginning to dislike his constant companion. The rest of Stiletto Squad agreed.

"Hands-on field support." Richard didn't like having to talk to War Dog. He was getting in the way of the mission. Still, Richard could get him to shut up, momentarily. In response to Richard's answer War Dog terminated the comm. link. Richard was glad that was conversation ended as quickly as it began.

"Hey boss, we're almost to the engine room," Ralph, the Spartan that Richard had met on Reach, said. He was at the front of the group with Kim. Finn and Dave had explained that they were close.

"Right. I'll take point. Cowboy and Ralph, you're behind me. Cover each other's backs. Skull, Bones, stay behind Cowboy and Ralph. Take out everything too big for us to get. Red, Kim, kill anything we don't see. Target the soldiers on the higher levels too."

"What about me?" Finn asked, staring at Richard. He was from the Beta Company of Spartans, and was only nineteen years old. Richard didn't want to see him die, and it was all the more likely because he was shield-less SPI armor. However, Richard had come up with a plan.

"Finn, scout ahead. Get in without being noticed. Tell us every enemy combatant that's in the room. Do not engage. We need to know what we're up against." Richard thought it was convincing enough. So did Fin. He nodded before running down the hall. Richard remembered when he was that trusting and innocent. It was a long time ago. He had been younger than Finn. Ah, the good old days. But right then, Richard had no time for reminiscing. He had a job to do.


  • 04.18.2010 4:56 PM PDT
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Epic. This is awesome man, keep it up!

  • 04.18.2010 7:45 PM PDT

-eddy!
huh! What? It was the other guy, honest! ;)
'it was a sniper!' looks down at my sniper
uhh yeah? hes got one too. XD

me likey!
lol this is simply amazing cant wait for more

  • 04.19.2010 12:06 AM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo ODST: Dropping Into Hell(Part 13 is out!)

How'd you find me?

Yay! Part fourteen! I know it's short... I still need to work on description! Raaaagh!

Part 14. Fastest Cyborg Alive

"Guys, I'm in." Finn's voice crackled over the secure channel. His SPI armor controlled the sound so only anyone else on the channel would hear it.

"Roger," Richard acknowledged. Richard and the rest of Stiletto were still further down the hall from the FTL and would be there shortly. However, it would be better if they knew what they were going up against. "What do you see?"

"Twenty-four grunts, most have plasma pistols, six elites with plasma rifles. There are five or six drones with needlers. Seven sniper jackals on the higher catwalks. And there are some sort of squid things, too. They're checking out the FTL. Some are looking at the artificial gravity generators and the reactors, too. They're not even bothering with the carousels we use for gravity. They have these tentacles; I think they're scanning the FTL, or something. It's hard to tell. I'll transfer the feed."

Suddenly, a video appeared on Richard's HUD. It was being streamed to him directly from Finn's visor. Richard saw the "squid things," and searched the image using his VSIR. The result showed something called an engineer, a non-combatant Covenant species. Richard studied the data with curiosity. The information said that the engineer was an idiot savant with technology. Richard wondered what a captured engineer could do for ONI. Already, he was thinking like an ONI operative.

"Those squid things are called engineers; they're the Covenant's tech repair species. They also have an energy shield that extends to other Covenant forces in the area, so we're going to have to kill most of them."

"Most?" Richard could hear doubt in Finn's voice. He's only a boy, Richard thought to himself. Even if he was a Spartan, he was barely old enough to enlist. Richard had waited until he was twenty to join, but Finn was only nineteen. Spartan or no, to be in situations like that at such a young age? Still, he was a soldier, and he had a duty.

"Yes. Finn, when we charge in there, I want you to grab one of those engineers. ONI would want one for study. And I'm in no mood to not give ONI what it wants." Richard's answer was cold and precise. What had happened to the good old days when he was a simple medic? Those days were over. Oh well, Richard thought. Everything comes to an end.

"Roger," Finn acknowledged, trying to be strong. However, Richard heard a quiver in the Spartan's voice, and he felt bad for the young soldier. He deserved better.

"Everyone understand the plan?" Richard looked at everyone in turn. Richard could tell without even seeing their faces that they had grim frowns of determination on. They were ready to kill some Covenant. So was Richard.

Richard cut the comm. link and spoke normally to the rest of Stiletto. "Why does Finn wear SPI instead of Mark V?" For Richard, it was an important question. He wanted to understand why Finn was the only Spartan III in the squad that hadn't upgraded his armor.

"SPI is better for him," Dave replied simply. "It's lighter, more maneuverable, more compact, and has camo panels. It's everything a scout needs."

"But isn't Mark V safer?" Richard was now very interested in Finn's armor choice.

"Finn feels more comfortable in that armor," Dave replied, shrugging. "A lot of his friends died wearing it. He's wearing it as a way to honor them. And he doesn't like Mark V, either. I think another reason he kept his SPI armor is because he's emotionally attached to it."

Richard understood now. Finn was so young, but had lost just as much, or maybe more, to the war. And if he wore SPI armor because it had sentimental value to him, that was fine. As long as he could get the job done, Richard was okay with Finn keeping it as long as it didn't impede the mission.

"We're here," Ralph said, coming to a stop in front of the door. Cowboy pulled out his shotgun at the same time Ralph did. They were ready for a fight. Bones checked the massive laser on his shoulder and Skull loaded a rocket into the barrel of her rocket launcher. Kim and Red both checked their snipers. Richard pulled out his assault rifle and changed out the clip before contacting Finn over the radio.

"Finn, we're by the door," Richard spoke into the comm. "Get ready to move."

"Roger." That was the only response that Finn gave before the door cracked open and all hell broke loose.

*****

Finn had had no trouble getting in to the engine room. He was able to slip in with an elite that had just returned from a quick patrol. The only hint of his presence was a small breeze. As soon as he was in the room, he had dashed to the higher catwalk. There was a pile of several storage containers that he had ducked behind effortlessly. Again, not a single creature had noticed his entrance. However, that was due mostly to his armor's camo panels. They needed a recharge, though, so he would have to spy on the room while visible.

Carefully, Finn looked over the containers in front of him and examined the room. He took in every detail of it, every screw, every dust mite, and of course, every single covenant force in the room, and made a perfect replica of it in his mind. Everyone knew he could run fast; what they didn't know was he was one of the smartest Spartans ever. With an I.Q. of 197, he could do amazing calculations and other feats with his mind. His brain activity was also off the charts, and thoughts bounced around his head like pinballs. All this, however, did not help the fact that he was scared. It did, however, help him remember tat he needed to contact his squad and quickly opened up a comm. link to Richard and the rest of Stiletto.

*****

After hearing the change in plan, Finn began to plan out what he would need to do to grab one of the engineers. He had figured out that the closest one was the least likely to be hit by stray plasma or fire from Stiletto. He'd grab it and run. Another major part of his plan was the engineer's energy shields. If he grabbed it, he'd also be protected, and wouldn't have to worry about getting hit and his SPI failing. Finn had even planned out the exact route he would take to get to the life pods. He was ready as soon as Stiletto called.

As Finn sat there waiting in anticipation, Richard's voice came over the comm. Go time.

*****

Richard plunged his combat knife into the elite's gut, ripping through its intestines. He pulled out the weapon and his arm. Both his arm and knife were purple from the elites innards. Richard kicked the dead husk of an alien away and used his assault rifle to kill an elite that's shields had been knocked down by a frag grenade. The other elites were all dead, lying in pools of their own blood. Grunts and jackals also lay dead on the floor, the grunts venting their contained methane atmosphere. The jackal's beaks were wide open, as if they had been screaming when they died. Drones were scattered about the room, some lying dead next to engineers that had been totally destroyed by rockets and Spartan laser fire.

Richard inspected the mess carefully. Was this what it meant to be in ONI? You became a butcher? A monster? So be it. It was Richard's decision, and he had chosen it. Once more, he scanned the room. Something was missing: a single engineer.

"Anyone see what happened to Finn?"


[Edited on 04.23.2010 9:38 PM PDT]

  • 04.23.2010 9:34 PM PDT
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Amazing as ever. I love your writing man. Packet with action and internal conflict. As I have said before, this story deserves more attention than it gets. Just keep it up, and it will.

PS. You're already on the top forum topics list, that's something to be proud of on its own :D

  • 04.25.2010 5:47 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Part 15. Take the Octopus and Run

Finn had grabbed the engineer as soon as Stiletto entered the room. He had activated his camo panels, making him almost disappear, before jumping off the catwalk he was on and grabbing on to an engineer. It squirmed in his arms, trying to break free, but as he hit the ground and rolled it realized it was endangering himself and the Spartan currently holding him like a football. Finn had then charged out the door, the engineer making squeals of protest. The squeals didn't matter, though; Finn was running, and wouldn't stop.

As soon as he entered the hallway, Finn deactivated his active camo. There was no need for it any more. He just needed to keep running. If he saw any Covenant, he would just keep running. He might even run through them, maybe test out how strong the engineer's shield was.

"Finn, where the hell did you go?" Dave's voice radiated from Finn's comm. into his ear. "And do you still have the engineer?"

"Yes. I think I'm by the lifepods, let me check," Finn replied, stopping in one of the frigates many corridors. Instead of using the map that had been downloaded into his helmet, however, Finn checked the mental map that he had made in his head. He trusted it more, "Yeah, definitely by the lifepods. But do we really need to take one? I mean, the hangars not that far, and we beat the Covenant on the ship-"

"Actually, that's wrong. We need to bail, and soon. The Covenant's ship is getting ready to blow this frigate to smithereens. They're warming up all of their plasma weaponry. War Dog's in posisition with the pelican. He's going to grab your life pod as soon as you eject. He'll pick us up later," Dave told Finn all this without even considering it. For Dave, it was business as usual. Easy for him to say; he was almost a decade older than Finn, he had done a lot more. Finn, on the other hand, wasn't old enough to drink. Still, Finn was a Spartan. He might as well earn himself an under age beer.

"Right. I'll take the engineer and grab a life pod, War Dog will pick me up, and we'll wait for you?"

"Affirmative. Just remember to stay out of combat. That engineer is important."

"Whatever you say, Dave," Finn replied, starting to sprint through the frigate's hallways once more. He wasn't stopping for anything.

*****

"Finn's on the move, Richard," Dave turned to his C.O., who was shorter than him by at least a foot.

"Good. Then it's time for us to move too," Richard turned away from the fusion reactors he had been staring at. "Fighting Spirit, I want you to sound an evacuation alarm. Tell everyone to abandon ship. Then set a course to ram the Covenant ship."

"That won't really put a dent in that cruiser," Fighting Spirit, the A.I. that Richard had picked up, replied.

"I know. That's why you're also going to detonate the reactor when it hits. We'll take out the Covenant ship and give us some time to escape." Richard started walking towards the door. The Spartans and ODSTs followed without hesitating. Fighting Spirit was a bit surprised by the order, but understood its necessity.

"One destroyed frigate coming up," Fighting Spirit replied, accessing the ship's controls.

*****

"You're a lot of trouble, you know that?" Finn pushed the engineer into the Bumblebee lifeboat and quickly sealed the door. Even more Covenant had boarded and were heading towards Finn's location. Moving towards the front of the cramped vehicle, Finn sat in the pilots seat with the engineer floating besides him. It hadn't been easy getting to the lifeboat. Finn had fought through small pockets of Covenant forces. Most he'd been able to kill quickly with jabs from his combat knife. There were two hunters who gave him the most trouble. Normally, he'd just jump over them and keep running, but the corridor he was in had been two tight. They had spotted him as he turned the corner, still holding the engineer tightly. So he had to slide between of the giant behemoth's metallic legs. As he slid, he took out his magnum and fired several shots into the monsters' backs, killing them both. However, there had been an entire squad of Brutes behind them and he had to fend them off. All while holding on to the engineer. Being the youngest and fastest sucked.

Still, Finn had made it, and he was ready to leave. He looked at the engineer who was floating contently next to him. "You ready?"

To reply, the engineer let out a high-pitched squeal.

"I'll take that as a yes," Finn said, and he released the small craft from the frigate.

*****

"This isn't good!" Dave had just emptied his entire magnum into the Elite zealot's armor and didn't even leave a mark. Cowboy and Ralph's shotgun rounds bounced off the ship's bulkheads because the elite was moving to fast to be hit. Skull and Bones had taken out their M7Ss for fear of killing their rest of their squad. However, they're efforts failed, and the zealot attacked Richard, kicking him across the corridor. Richard smashed against the other end of the bulkhead, a good five yards away. He started to drift into unconsciousness, but before he was out, he saw Red fire a sniper round into the elite's face, killing it.

*****

Richard's vision was blurry. It felt like he was in motion. He looked down to see heavy armor clad boots smashing down the corridor. He looked in front of him of him and realized that he was being carried by Dave.

"Dave?" Richard's head ached, and he was certain he felt blood dripping from the back of his skull.

"Hi Richard," Dave replied, turning his head quickly to look at Richard. "You're heads bleeding. That's the second concussion today, according to Red.

"She's right. Where are we going?" Richard tried to get his bearings, but he was afraid he'd vomit if he did, so he just closed his eyes and tried to stay awake.

"Airlock," Dave replied to Richard, looking forward again. "War Dog's gonna pick us up."

"Great," Richard said sarcastically, trying to keep the dizziness he was feeling from overwhelming him. "free floating in space is just what I need feeling like this."

  • 04.27.2010 5:48 PM PDT

An assassin will always carry on, even after death.

Brilliant story. much MUCH more popular than mine

  • 04.29.2010 11:47 AM PDT

How'd you find me?

Don't worry Skulblaka. Your story will catch on. My story used to be more popular than the Munchies. Now he's reaching +90 posts. Hang in there!

  • 04.29.2010 12:57 PM PDT
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Niceeeeeee. You're characterizing finn very well. Epicness :D cant wait for next part!

  • 04.29.2010 6:26 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Thanks for the compliments and actually commenting. You're one of the few. I mean really people. JUST COMMENT! IT WON"T KILL YOU!

  • 04.30.2010 1:18 PM PDT

An assassin will always carry on, even after death.

When will the next part be out?

  • 05.04.2010 1:40 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Soon. Maybe tonight.

  • 05.04.2010 1:45 PM PDT

An assassin will always carry on, even after death.

Posted by: kingwrench
JUST COMMENT! IT WON"T KILL YOU!


You'd be suprised. Several people died commenting in mine.

  • 05.04.2010 1:49 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Oh. That's-that's awful. I feel so bad for their families...

  • 05.04.2010 2:15 PM PDT