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Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series (New Cha...
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This will be the most ambitious story that I will create in Halo lore. The Battle of Reach has been told and is center stage in the next Halo game, but I want to tell a tale without Master Chief and Noble Team. I wish to tell about numerous people in this massive conflict, Spartans, civilians, Marines, ODSTs, even members of the Covenant. All of them deserve representation during this massive conflict.

This is how this series will work. I will tell one tale at a time, but once I hit a pivotal moment in one tale, I will begin a new one. Why interrupt one story to begin a new one? At one point all will intersect and shall become clear. First up, the story of Tyler-001.

*gasp* Not another Spartan! It ruins canon! Don't worry, you'll see what I have planned.


Breaking Point
Chapter 1/Prologue
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5/End

Two Days Prior
Chapater 1
Chapter 2 *NEW*

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Breaking Point

Chapter 1/Prologue

August 20, 2517
Planet: Earth


Tyler walked home along the old dirt road that led to his home in the agricultural outskirts of Fresno, California. School had ended for the day and he hadn't had an exceptional day. It all started at lunch, like it always did, and ended with someone going to the nurses office, like someone always did. Today, one of his classmates decided that it would be humorous to throw a dead frog onto his food. Where the dead frog came from was a mystery, but the person who threw it was well known.

Enter Robert Bruer, the stereotypical class bully. He was much taller, stronger, and imposing than all the other children in his grade-level and, unsurprisingly, used this to his advantage. Everyday he would torment a single student each day alphabetically, a sign of some forethought on his actions, and today had been Tyler's day.

It has been mentioned that each day a conflict would start at lunch and someone would go to the nurses. The scenario in 99.99% of the cases in involved Robert starting the trouble and his victim going to the nurse. That .01% would prove to be the opposite. The frog is thrown and Robert comes up to do his usual taunting and ridicule until he eventually just beats up his victim. He only got to the ridiculing.

"Hey Tyler I didn't know you liked eating frog you weirdo!" Robert exclaimed amid an outburst of laughter. If he had noticed the ketchup being squirted out of a small packet heading towards his eye's, perhaps he could have defended himself.

Tyler popped the packet and blinded the bully who roared in stinging pain. Following the ketchup, Tyler thrust his knee in the massive brutes stomach and caused Robert to vomit as he stuck the ground, hard. When Robert tried to stand up amid the puke and tears, a fist pounded straight into his face and sent him back down. As he clutched his face in a continuous torrent of waterworks, he pleaded for help.

Nobody answered his call, only cheers of his demise echoed everywhere in the cafeteria.

As the teachers escorted Tyler to the principals office for punishment, a feminine figure in a lab coat walked over to the now unconscious body of Robert Bruer. With a smirk, the woman turned away and stepped back into the shadows and made one mark on her paper.

"Approved".

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Tyler was promptly suspended for two weeks and immediately removed from class. As he walked home, he didn't care in the a slightest. All he knew was that his time of torment was approaching and he prepared for it. Throughout the days he saw all of Robert's tactics and how he did things. Knowing this, Tyler knew exactly what to do.

1. Take advantage of Robert's gloating.
2. Attack while Robert was blind.
3. Continue to hurt him before he can fight back.

It all fell into place. However, he got in trouble and was suspended. Tyler new his parents would understand, his actions were in self-defense and he wouldn't be in that much trouble at home. Little did he know, he wouldn't go home.

A black van accelerated towards his direction and spun in front of him. From the back door came three men clad in black trench coats and slim visors. They grabbed him and pushed another kid out. As he looked out the window, he saw himself.

"What is going on?" asked Tyler, "Who are you people?".

Tyler was silenced with a sedative and he collapsed on the van's floor.

"Get us to the carrier and put him in cryo." one of the men ordered, "We have a long way to Reach.

[Edited on 04.18.2010 12:28 AM PDT]

  • 04.01.2010 5:47 PM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series-Breaking...
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Breaking Point
Chapter 2


Tyler awoke inside what appeared to be a cafeteria, only darker and not as colorful as his school's cafeteria. Surrounding him were hundreds of other children around his age. Some of them were also waking up and looking around curiously as well, the questioning of the locations of parents was not uncommon. He narrowed his sight on a women in a white lab coat standing over them on a makeshift stage. Tyler was in the front row and he got a good look at the woman. The woman looked like his mother, older, black hair, and having the smell of disinfectant. When she moved closer to them, she spoke.

"Hello," she said, "My name is Dr. Catherine Halsey and you may be wondering why you are here and not with your families. Its simple. You will serve in the United Nations Space Command Defense Force and strive to protect Earth and all of her colonies. As of now you are part of the Spartan-II Program. I am sorry to say that you will not be allowed to see your parents again or go home. This program is a big secret and as such requires such a step. I apologize again."

Some sniffles could be heard throughout the crowd.

"However, you will become more that you will ever know. Many hardships await you and you will be guided by the best the UNSC has to offer. As of now you will be escorted to the barracks where you will eat a small meal and resume your slumber. Good night and good luck."

Men in military uniforms entered the cafeteria and escorted the children outside. As they walked towards the barracks, many of the children started to talk to each other and form quick friendships. Not Tyler, he wasn't the most social child back in school and even with the circumstances at hand, nothing would change. He stood in line to get his uniform like everyone else.

When the solider inspected his uniform he made a remark about his rank.

"Looks like you're number one kid."

Tyler saw that his new name was Tyler-001.When he slipped on the uniform, a loud booming voice echoed through the barracks.

"Lights out trainees!" a bear of a man shouted, "You will be very well acquainted with me tomorrow, with that in mind you will need all the rest you can get!"

Recognizing the adult authority, every single children scrambled for their respective bunks and went to sleep. Tyler simply laid his head to rest and waited the next day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sharp screech of a whistle awoke every child early in the morning as CPO Franklin Mendez barged into the barracks.

"Everybody up and attam, lets go!" Mendez roared as the entire congregate of kids flopped out of bed and ran outside. The morning dew was still wet on the grass and the chills of the morning temperature were ever apparent. Almost immediately, Mendez ordered each and every Spartan-trainee to do grueling exercises.

"Listen up listen and clear," Mendez ordered, "We will be doing 100 reps of jumping jacks, 200 sit-ups, 100 abdominals and obliques, and finish it off with a two-mile job for a history lesson. Ready, begin!"

Every child listened and obeyed their new master. Naturally some children had difficulty doing the exercises properly, but Tyler did them perfectly. He had always been a very fit kid back on Earth, excelling at the physical education exercises back at school and earning high marks. He once got an award for doing everything above average.

Mendez strolled up to Tyler and said,

"Good work son."

After all the mind-numbing exercises were completed, Mendez fired his magnum into the air and sent all the children in what could only be described as a ordered frenzy. They ran for two miles until hitting a classroom housing an A.I. named Déjà . Déjà instructed them on history, battle tactics, physics, and other useful tidbits of information that would be crucial to their military careers in the future. This repeated day after day for many years.

The worst test of all was the Playground. It's one goal, ring the bell. This wouldn't be a bad things, but the team that finished last would not get supper and the course was altered everyday. Tyler-001 was paired up with a boy named Soren-066 and a girl named René-005. The trio pushed through the maze as best they could, but were utterly shocked when they found themselves staring at a boy named John-117 all alone at the bell. Unfortunately for John, the goal was for entire team to make it to the bell, he would be punished later on. Tyler felt bad for him, but the rules wee made clear beforehand.

The very pinnacle of the training occurred on 2525, they would never be the same. It was then that the dangerous augmentation process started and would officially make them Spartan-IIs. It was the most intense form of pain Tyler had experienced in his life. While he survived, others did not. Many of the candidates could not recover from the augmentations and were either killed by the process or flushed out of the program.

However, when Tyler emerged from it all he found himself stronger, faster, and overall better than when he began. He felt on top of the world, until his diagnosis and subsequent meeting with Dr. Halsey occurred.

  • 04.01.2010 6:58 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

What happened to John's Inferno?

  • 04.02.2010 1:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: kingwrench
What happened to John's Inferno?

Lack of interest, but I probably will get to doing that in the future. Sorry if you were interested in it.

  • 04.02.2010 1:11 PM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series-Breaking...
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Breaking Point
Chapter 3


"What do you mean i can't be a Spartan anymore?" Tyler asked when CPO Mendez told him of the news. In front of him was Dr. Halsey, the doctor who oversaw the Spartan-II Program. He knew her well and genuinely liked her, she was like a mother.

Dr. Halsey broke the silence. "You have a disorder in your genetic makeup called Spontaneous Cellular Necrosis, or SCN. At any moment your cells will quickly, and fatally, break down rendering you immobile and causing your death. I'm sorry Tyler."

Tyler clawed the armrest of his chair in anger and shouted, "Why didn't you tell me I had this disorder from the beginning? I though you checked before you put me through the training!"

Dr. Halsey stared at him with her cold, unflinching eyes and said, "SCN isn't a detectable disorder. It's a relatively new genetic defect that remains dormant deep in your DNA. I can't give you a better definition Tyler, it was only discovered ten years ago."

"You said it was spontaneous though, can't I just be a Spartan until the day I can't fight anymore?" Tyler asked.

"Do you know the definition of spontaneous?" Halsey question, "SCN can, and will, affect you at anytime without warning. I believe Franklin can better explain why you can't be a Spartan."

Mendez stepped forward, he didn't like the position he was in.

"If we put you in a squad and your disease..." Mendez said before he was cut off by Dr. Halsey.

"It is a genetic disorder Frankiln." Halsey corrected.

"Regardless, your illness would pose a great risk to your unit. If you go down, you'll throw off everything they were working towards. You would just get in the way. A shame, you were one of the best soldiers I've ever seen."

Tyler stood up and smacked the chair to the ground. Mendez put his hand on his M6 while Halsey simply remained seated. The atmosphere was tense, nobody moved a muscle. Suddenly, Tyler fell on his knees and stared at the floor. He knew he was beat.

"There are plenty of things we can have you do Tyler," Dr. Halsey said, "While you can't do anything involving the military, we could use as much help as we can get in the Department of Records."

"A desk job?" Mendez asked, "That's an insult ma'am."

"Just what would you recommend Chief?" Halsey fired back, "It's the only thing he can do while still remaining an asset to the UNSC. If you have any suggestions I would like to hear them."

Mendez remained silent.

"I will push you through the system so you can get work, okay Tyler?" the doctor promised.

Tyler nodded and left.

"Shame to see a promising young man leave the service." Mendez remarked.

Dr. Halsey simply stared at Tyler's figure slowly slipped away down the hall.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tyler's couldn't take his job anymore. It had only been two weeks and he now hated his pitiful excuse for busy work.

The paperwork was the most tedious thing Tyler had ever done. Here he was, a Spartan-II commando, filing papers in cabinets while wearing a shirt and tie. His co-workers weren't too bad, some like Ronald were annoying however. Ronald always insisted on being Tyler's friend and as such never left him alone. All Tyler could do was tune him out, an advantage he learned from CPO Mendez back in his training days. However, he needed to get outside and into a more promising career soon.

That opportunity came as he saw a Marine recruiting station. Tyler gazed into the building and decided to enter. He was immediately greeted by a man dressed in military attire and gza him a firm handshake.

"Welcome sir," the Marine said, "What can I do for you today?"

"I want to enlist in the UNSC." Tyler simply said.

"Okay then, I think we can set you up for that sir," the Marine replied, "Do you have an form of identification?"

Luckily for Tyler, he did. Halsey had set him up for the Department of Records job under the alias of Scott Keats. Tyler, however, didn't know if Scott Keats had SCN, he wouldn't put it past the doctor to think these things through.

He didn't.

Within minutes, Tyler was accepted into the UNSC Marines and would begin basic training in three weeks. Perhaps things were looking up.





[Edited on 04.02.2010 2:02 PM PDT]

  • 04.02.2010 2:01 PM PDT

I AM ROYALTY

Thread saved. This is awsoume

  • 04.02.2010 6:12 PM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series (New Post)
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Breaking Point
Chapter 4


February 3rd, 2525

Tyler awoke to the screams of a drill sergeant, although he wasn't nearly as loud or imposing as CPO Mendez way back when. After getting up and putting on his uniform, Tyler strolled outside and into the mess hall. He was the odd man out in the hall, he stood much taller than all of the other recruits and had more muscle mass than any of them as well. However, nobody batted an eyelash. That suited him just fine.

Every exercise that was thrown at him was easy to do, so easy that he broke every record established during Marine training over the years. Tyler put every recruit to shame and earned the respect of his instructors. Nothing else of interest happened during his weeks of basic training. The entire process was quick and painless. After his training was complete, he was awarded with his own set of standard-issue Marine Battle Dress Armor.

The entire set included gray fatigues, a soft armor vest, and brown armor plating covering his torso, shoulders, thighs and shins. His helmet was a basic brown metal hat with a green eye-piece that would provide tactical information during combat. What Tyler appreciated most of all was his weapon, the MA5B Assault Rifle. With everything situated, Tyler learned about his first assignment, taking out an Insurrectionist base camp on the planet of Biko.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rebels were more prepared for the Marines that the UNSC had anticipated. Unbeknown to the UNSC, the rebels had managed to secure a stockpile of military-grade weapons, MA2B Assault Rifles, M19 Rocket Launchers, and even a Scorpion battle tank. They pulled out all the surprises. However, this hadn't stopped Crimson Squad from infiltrating the Insurrectionist base.

While the other Marine forces lay outside the bases perimeter and engaged in firefights from there, Crimson Squad has stealthfully made it into the base. Crimson Squad was composed of five Marines.

The leader was Sergeant Chris Emerald, a native of Harvest who had fought the Innes for twenty years and lived to tell about it. Up next was Lance Corporal Paul Mitchell, the squad's demolitions expert. Following him were two Privates, Private First Class Mortimer Allen and Private Gil Buck. The last member of Crimson Squad was Tyler-001, aka Scott Keats.

For two years they remained one of the most effective squads in the Marines and became well known both to their fellow troops and, subsequently, to the rebels. It didn't matter to them, they were Marines who had a job to do and fame would have to wait.

Inside the compound, the five men sprinted to a communications depot. Srgt. Emerald signaled for Pvt. Allen, the squad's sniper, to take out the patrolling rebel standing on platform along a radio tower. Allen put the rebel in his sights and fired. The silencer on his sniper rifle muffled the crack of the gunshot, but still contact the target. No alarms had been rung yet.

Emerald then motioned towards his men and ordered them to breach the compound along the radio tower. Mitchell took the lead and got to the compound first. Pulling out a satchel charge, he pressed it against a steel door and ran behind a wall.

"This will alert the Rebs sir." Mitchell remarked to Srgt. Emerald.

"Oblige them." Emerald said.

The blast shook the compound and immediately started the alarms. Insurrectionist troopers spilled out of the bases inner confines and searched for the disturbance. They only met death.

A single rocket sailed from the radio compound and detonated amid a cluster of rebels. Their limbs went flying while blood cover ed their allies. All at once they opened fire on the tower hoping to avenge their comrades. Again, they only met death. An explosive ripped the radio towers supports and sent it cascading down on the rebels. Running out of the compound, the members of Crimson Squad shot at every rebel they saw. At the front of them all was Tyler, this was the closest he felt to being a Spartan.

One rebel tried to stab him with a combat knife, but Tyler saw him coming. Tyler grabbed his arm, bent it back while simultaneously breaking it. While the Inne knelt down in pair, Tyler smacked him across the face with his Assault Rifle. It was war, no room for mercy.

Marine reinforcements surged to the base and aided Crimson Squad. The Inns thought they were smart by bring out a Scorpion tank, but Mitchell sent a rocket it's way and turned the massive tank into scrap. The siege was over at last. Cheers of joy echoed though the camp as the UNSC declared victory on Biko as one by one the rebel bases fell.

A Pelican dropship landed on the former battlefield and out came an important looking officer, possibly a Commander.

"Men, we just stumbled onto something big in the last few hours," the Commander said, "Three hours ago, we experienced first contact with an alien presence."

Murmurs of surprise transcended throughout the Marines.

"It calls itself the Covenant," the Commander continued, "And it is hostile."

That was another shock to the Marines, the first alien life discovered in space and it's out to kill humanity? Impossible.

"As of now, the rebellion is the least of our problems, the Covenant have claimed one of our colonies and...destroyed it."

"What was it?" an anonymous voice asked the Commander.

"Harvest."

Chatter of disbelief flooded the Marines, some pondered the situation, others cried. One of those who cried was, surprisingly, Emerald. The Sarge had been the toughest and hardest man Tyler had ever seen, now he was reduced to tears, it had been known before that Harvest as his homeworld.

Things were starting to change very rapidly for Tyler. Kidnapped, trained into a killing machine, rejected, conscripted as a Marine, fought rebels, and now an alien alliance threatened his existence. One thing was certain, this was just another war, and war was what Tyler was made for.



[Edited on 04.03.2010 7:26 PM PDT]

  • 04.02.2010 10:04 PM PDT
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Breaking Point
Chapter 5/End


Blood, skull, and brain-matter splattered against Tyler's BDU as a fellow Marine collapsed to the ground, the Needler round hit him directly in the head. Tyler didn't flinch. He squeezed off a single round in his AR and killed the Needler's wielder, a Grunt. The small creature fell from the headshot, but three more took it's place. This conflict was becoming hopeless.

Here he was, 20 years after the call for war against the Covenant was issued and humanity was losing. Planet after planet fell to the unbeatable Covenant war machine and it had no signs of stopping. Not even Tyler's Spartan-II brethren, despite being able to pull of overwhelming victories, seemed to halt the Covenant. It was now September 1st, 2552 and the unthinkable had occurred.

Reach was under attack by the Covenant. How they found it was still a mystery. The planet's location had been a closely guarded secret, almost more-so than Earth's. Somehow, the Covenant defied the odds and found it. At first it looked like the UNSC had a chance. The Super MAC platforms in Reach's orbit looked like they could halt the Covenant in their track's. It didn't. Once they got passed Reach's defenses, the world was practically gone.

In two short days the Covenant blazed across Reach and slaughtered every human they could find. While the Marines and Army managed to put up a good fight, that is all they could do. They could fight as hard as they wanted, and they did, but it would prove futile. The Covenant didn't hold back in this conflict, Banshee bombing runs, Elite hit-squads, and even Scarabs were thrown at Reach defenders. Humanity was simply outmatched.

One beacon of hope remained, the massive presence of the Spartan-II commando left on the planet. Tyler didn't know how many were on the world, but he heard of their influence. Over FLEETCOM he heard of their exploits be it the massacre of large amounts of alien infantry or even the destruction of a Covenant warship. How Tyler wished he could join his brothers and sisters in battle as a Spartan.

He quickly abandoned that though, he was a Marine and Crimson Squad was his family now. There they were, Sergeant Emerald, Lance Corporal Mitchell, Privates Allen and Buck, and himself. They boldly fought the invaders with everything they had and showed no mercy. Their current location was a city called New Johannesburg, a coastal city that once served as a tourist hub. It was not a battlefield.

Crimson Squad had acquired two Warthogs and maneuvered through the city streets. Any poor Covenant troopers they saw immediately ate 50-caliber rounds from the Hogs turret. Their current objective was to locate and infiltrate the abandoned ONI headquarters deep in the city and destroy some sort weapon system. Sounded like the mission at Algolis so many years ago, how the UNSC still had that Prototype weapon's system to use now.

When they arrived, the perimeter had a ghostly silence. Nobody could hear any exchange of fire or the now familiar groans of death. They entered the compound with rifles raised and flashlights illuminated. The ONI HQ was pitch black and cold, it felt like a cave. Without any power, the service elevator had ceased to function, down the stairs it was. Deeper and deeper and deeper they went into the heart of the ONI base not knowing what to expect.

Once the reached their destination, they finally saw what they were sent to destroy. Standing before them was a brand, new set of MJOLNIR Mk.V Powered Assault Armor, ready for action. This armor was special though, the shielding had been upgraded from what the Mk.V typically allows, had a much more durable armor plating, and featured a custom helmet with a somewhat triangular visor shape. Aparently, ONI had manged to incorporate stelth features in this armor as well and called it the MJOLNIR Mk. V "Recon" variant.

"Mitchell set the charge." Emerald ordered, "When that suit detonates I hear it will unleash a small scale nuke, so make sure you give us plenty of time to evacuate the building."

Tyler stepped in front of Mitchell before he could plant the charge.

"Private Keats!" shouted the sarge, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Sir," Tyler said, "You can't destroy this armor, I can use it."

"Negative on that Keats," Emerald replied, "Only Spartans can wield this type of armor, although I wouldn't mind using it myself. So stand back."

Tyler knew what he had to do.

"I'm not really Scott Keats sarge," Tyler revealed, "I am Spartan Tyler-001 and I am reporting for duty."

"This isn't the time for jokes soldier," Emerald barked, "Especially jokes that inspire false hope."

"I wouldn't joke about this sir," Tyler said, "Let me get into the armor and use it for the good of us all."

"This is just...unreal," Emerald sighed, "Why would you lie about being just a normal human and keep this Spartan business secret from us?"

"I'm not supposed to be in the armed forces, I have Spontaneous Cellular Necrosis and I could die from my cells shutting down at any moment." Tyler said.

"So a Spartan with an weakness, this is just making my day." Emerald said.

"But I hadn't died yet and I don't intend to," Tyler replied, "Let me get suited up and use the armor, for the better of the squad."

Silence griped the squad, nobody was ready to adjust to Tyler's revelation. All the sarge could do was nod a "yes". Tyler nodded back and ,with the help of his squad, put on the MJOLNIR(R) armor. He was met with awe from his squad as he stood as a green statue of human technological marvel. Through the mic in his helmet, Tyler said,

"Let's go."

As they all sprinted from the building, they encountered a squad of Elites heading towards them. Two opened fire with their Plasma Rifles while the red armored leader charged with his Energy Sword. Crimson Squad took cover behind some planters while Tyler-001 sprinted towards the leader Elite.

Tyler delivered a gut wreathing kick to the alien's chest and caused it's rib cage to collapse. As the creature fell, Tyler pumped AR rounds into it's cranium. Without their leader, the two remaining Elites started to fall back. As they exited the ONI HQ, they were hit by rifle fire, but not from Crimson Squad.

As the squad went out of the building, they were met by four Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. One of them stepped forward and said,

"This is Gunnery Sergeant Scott McHale, are you Crimson Squad?"

Sgt. Emerald stepped forward and said, "This is Crimson Squad trooper, why do you ask?"

"We were sent to back your unit up after you completed your objective," McHale said, "I was told that this squad had five men, not four Marines and a Spartan."

"Our other Marine, Private Keats, was killed in action," Emerald lied, "This Spartan came to our aid."

McHale eyed the towering green figure and let out a chuckle.

"Good, we'll need him and everybody like him. We can't let Reach fall."

END OF STORY 1

  • 04.03.2010 8:07 PM PDT

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

The end.

SCFH

OMG, My Name is Tyler!

On a Serious Note, great story. Not just because your main character's name is my name, but i like the plot and stuff. Can't wait for the next chapter.

Seriously though, my name is Tyler.

  • 04.04.2010 11:40 AM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

I don't have time to read this right now, but I liked your story on the Flood, so I'll save this.

  • 04.05.2010 2:52 PM PDT
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Two Days Prior

Two Days Prior
Chapter One



Standing before Gunnery Sergeant Scott McHale was the legendary Crimson Squad, a group of elite Marines who had an exceptional record of disposing of any adversary they encountered, and a Spartan-II, biologically-enhanced super-soldiers produced by the UNSC. Two days prior, McHale didn't like his odds when he dropped to Reach. Now, he felt lucky. He thought back to him and his squads journey from two days ago.

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August 30th, 2552
UNSC Enduring


The UNSC Prowler-class Enduring floated in orbit above Reach, one of humanity's last colonies before Earth. What was once the colonial and military powerhouse in Earth-based colonialism was now a battleground. A collective of aliens called the Covenant had found it after over 30 years of war against humanity. Already the Covenant was decimating ship after ship in space while amassing a land-based invasion force. One thing would make their invasion difficult, the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.

ODSTs, Helljumpers as they were called, were the second most elite units in various forms of warfare the UNSC had to offer and were only second behind the Spartan-IIs. Heading the Enduring's drop down to Reach in Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicles was Gunnery Sergeant Scott McHale, a twnety-year veteran of the ODSTs.

His squad composed of four additional troopers. Corporal Mohamed Al-Kali was the second-in-command and heavy weapons expert. Private Paul Anderson took up the role of sniper in the squad while brothers Privates George and Richard Hodges rounded out the squad. They had been a group for five years and had a special bond that remained unbreakable to this day.

The Enduring's Admiral informed them of their destination, a coastal city called New Johannesburg. A direct drop into the city would prove to be suicidal as the Covenant had established numerous locations of anti-air placements so they would have to drop 60 miles away from the city. Anywhere else would prove to be risky. Understanding their orders, the ODSTs suited up and grabbed their weapons.

McHale favored the Designated Marksmen Rifle for it's precision and backed it up with an M6 magnum. Al-Kali hefted an SPNKR rocket launcher and suppressed M7 caseless SMG, offense and defense together. Anderson slide rounds into cartridges for his SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle and also grabbed an M7S. Robert took a BR55 and M6 while George selected an MA5B assault rifle and M7, the non-silenced version. Ready for combat, the troopers stepped into their makeshift pods and awaited launch.

Drops are usually done with destroyers or frigates, but this stealth ship was selected because these ODSTs had a special package. Inside McHale's pack was a HAVOK tactical nuke, intended for the massive Covenant force positioned at New Johannesburg. The Covenant had learned of the Office of Naval Intelligence's base down in the city and with it a treasure trove of human information. Luckily, the Army had managed to keep the city secure, but the Covie's were closing in and the top brass didn't know how long the Army would last. This HAVOK would eliminate the city, but it would destroy the ONI base and all the Covenant in the area.

Sitting in the pods was always a nerve-racking experience, the agonizing wait would break any man not trained for the drop. Finally, the squad could feel the magnetic locks disengage and let go of the SOEIV pods. The heat of entering Reach's atmosphere was maintained as best as the pod could manage, but some heat would get though. Within minutes, the thud of the pod's impact on the surface signaled they were at their destination, 60 miles from New Johannesburg. The trek would be a two-day long march, not that the ODSTs would complain.

McHale made his rounds around the crash site and inspected his men, no trouble. The squad left behind their pods and departed towards the city. As they slunk through the thick foliage of the planet, they could hear the sounds of war echoing everywhere. Explosions, plasma bombardments, and the discharge of high-caliber rounds produced a deadly symphony. As they found a break in the forest, McHale spotted a Spirt overhead.

"Al-Kali, take out that craft." McHale said while pointing to the horseshoe-shaped alien ship hovering away. If they were spotted by that ship, their mission was over. They simply could not wait for it to pass, it could see so much more of the surrounding area.

Al-Kali nodded and leveled the SPNKR on his shoulder. Getting a lock on the Spirit's main propulsion, Al-Kali fired. The rocket screeched through the sky before impacting the Spirit in a fiery blast. The horseshoe-shaped vessel tried to gain altitude, but quickly became engulfed in flames and crashed into the earth below. Seeing no other cruisers above, McHale ordered his squad forward. Sprinting towards the Spirit, they scanned for any survivors. Nothing seemed to pop up as they got closer to the wreckage.

"I think it's safe Gunny." Robert broke the silence.

Suddenly, a primal roar interrupted Robert as a massive ape-like beast burst from the inferno of the crashed Spirit. It had the red fire of rage in it's eye's and was fully clad in power armor. The squad opened fire on the creature, but didn't make a dent. The beast slapped Anderson away like a fly and went directly for Al-Kali. McHale and Robert sent concentrated fire with their rifles towards the now exposed leg of the hairy monster. Muscle tore open from creatures leg as bullet met flesh. It stopped mere inches away from Al-Kali, he gave the alien a vicious bone breaking smack with his SPNKR.

Still, the creature kept trying to get up and kill the ODSTs, until George fired AR rounds directly into it's face. At last, it was dead.

"What was that Gunny?" Anderson asked his more experience superior, "I've never seen that Covenant species in the five years we've been a squad."

"That is a Brute men," McHale answered, "I doubt any of you Privates have seen them in combat. Me and Al-Kali, despite being twenty year veterans, have seen these beats on only one notable occasion Harvest. Since then we haven't seen them at all in combat, so I wouldn't think you newer folks would recognize 'em. But get a good look boys, you will probably see more of them."

With that, the ODSTs continued their march towards the city, leaving their dirty work behind them.

  • 04.05.2010 4:47 PM PDT

How'd you find me?

Yet another good part Vader, still need to work on spacing.

  • 04.09.2010 6:15 PM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series (New Story)
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Everybody go to this website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLgxX1O1QPM

  • 04.10.2010 8:06 AM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series (New Post)

Posted by: kingwrench
Yet another good part Vader, still need to work on spacing.


His spacing is perfectly fine, and the writing is great too. Good job Vader.

  • 04.10.2010 11:42 AM PDT

And so, Achronos lifted the banhammer high above his head, exclaming "You shall not sully these forums again!" And with one, deft blow, he brought the banhammer down upon the offender, and slew him.

Bah, what's the point? You're only goingt to troll, flame or E-raip me.

This is great, and I can understand why people read this. But why don't people read mine?

  • 04.10.2010 11:48 AM PDT

How'd you find me?

Posted by: Wolverfrog
Posted by: kingwrench
Yet another good part Vader, still need to work on spacing.


His spacing is perfectly fine, and the writing is great too. Good job Vader.


Crap! I meant commas! *palms face*

  • 04.10.2010 3:53 PM PDT
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I'll be making a new chapter soon, I just need to think it over.

  • 04.11.2010 3:00 PM PDT
Subject: Battleground Reach: The "Multiple Fronts" Series (New Cha...
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Two Days Prior

Chapter 2
August 30th, 11:47 PM


McHale's squad huddled around their leader as he got their bearings using his GPS. A small, blue hologram of the surrounding countryside illuminated their dark patch of forest. They were right on schedule, 45 more miles to New Johannesburg, they should arrive by the 1st of September if everything went according to plan. With their path clear, McHale ordered his men forwards.

Upon ascending a hill, they came across a small village, probably belonging to a small band of colonists. They would have to pass through it to get to the city, so they marched onward. On closer inspection, this was no village, it was a massacre. The lifeless, cold bodies of the colonists lay strewn throughout the hobble of makeshift shacks, all butchered by the Covenant. It was apparent they did not go down easily, the remains of Covenant infantry were among the dead.

McHale knew this was the work of Brutes, it had their mark everywhere. Metallic spikes protruded from the walls of former homes and the flesh of their former inhabitants, definitely Brutes. None of the ODSTs found many of the massive bodies of the giants, the lesser races of the Covenant made up a vast majority of the fallen. They all knew how hard it was to kill a Brute, the recent memory of the savage beast they encountered earlier was still fresh in their minds, none of them thought it would be any easier for simple country folk to kill them.

Al-Kali called the squad over to something he found, a dead woman clutching a shotgun. Before her frail, broken body was a Brute, clutching it's stomach yet dead all the same.

"I'll be damned," McHale said, "She took one of the bastards out."

"A lot of good it did," George remarked, "She's dead."

Something was strange about the corpse though, her eyes were closed, almost as if someone put their hands over them as she passed on. In stark contrast, the Brute's eyes were wide open as if in shock. All of this was very mysterious. After making a small report on the massacre, the ODSTs marched away from the dead township.

August 31st, 1:03 AM

Even in the pitch blackness of Reach's night, they small camp of Grunts and their Elite commander lite up like lantern in a dark mine. The Elite stood on patrol while the Grunts slept nearby, just in case of an attack. McHale saw multiple ways to deal with this development, none were easy.

Solution 1: Sneak up to the Elite and plunge a knife in the saurian creatures throat, then quietly mop up the Grunts.

Solution 2: Have Anderson line up the Elites head in his sniper's sights while he and Robert took out the Grunts from a distance.

or

Solution 3: Have Al-Kali launch a rocket into the camp and take them all out.

However, numerous other factors had to be considered. Were there more Elites present? Could other Covenant species be nearby? What weaponry were they packing? Were the ODSTs feeling particularly lucky?

It was decided that Solution 1 would be initiated as it proved to be the stealthiest and least demanding. Question was, who would take out the Elite? In the end, Al-Kali decided to do the job. He was the biggest ODST in the squad and had the muscle to match. Contrary to popular belief amongst the other ODSTs, Al-Kali wasn't a brainless dolt who was all brawn yet no brain. In fact, Al-Kali was the one who suggested that the squad should drop 60 miles away from the city, he calculated the advantages and disadvantages and, ultimately, beat the UNSC recommended course of action which was to do a direct drop over the city. The draw back to that plan? If McHale was hit by anti-aircraft fire, the HAVOK nuke would detonate and take out the entire ODST drop force.

Still, being a bear of a man had it's own rewards. Al-Kali crept slowly towards the Elite, ever ignorant of the threat behind it. With a swift leap, Al-Kali clutched the neck of the Elite and plunged his combat knife deep into the creatures jugular, or whatever the Sangheili equivalent was. Quickly, but silently, the squad rushed towards the camp and each grabbed a Grunt. Before the cowardly creatures could whimper, their necks snapped with a satisfying crunch.

When all was said and done, the ODSTs took cover behind the rocks that once supported the sleeping Grunts. Up ahead lay a moderately-sized Covenant base camp, they could make out barracks, what appeared to be a temple, and two Phantom's docked atop a tower. A few Grunts and Jackals wandered the camp, completely unaware of the humans mere yards away.

"Permission to fire sir?" Al-Kali requested motioning towards the tower ahead of them.

McHale looked at the structure and examined the situation. If the tower collapsed, the Covenant camp's only line of transport would be gone and the falling tower would collide with the barracks. If that was gone, they would lack contact with any chain of command in the Covenant's main attack force. What concerned McHale was what resided in the temple, nothing went in or out. He would take a gamble.

"Permission granted." McHale acknowledged.

The rocket blasted though the night in a dazzling flurry of fire until it violently impacted the tower. Just as anticipated, the structure careened into the barracks and alert the Covenant to the attack at hand. Grunts and Jackals emerged from every angle only to be picked off by the squad. Many tried to fight back, but fell to superior firepower. McHale glimpsed back at the temple only to see an Elite in golden armor, a Zealot, flanked by two blue-armored Hunters, a collection of worms molded as a tough to kill warrior.

As the Hunters both launched a salvo of Fuel Rod Cannon shots the the rocks, the Zealot moved closer. The Elite moved towards them faster and faster until he was right on them. It swung it's Energy Sword at every ODST before it's blade came into contact with Al-Kali's SPNKR. No matter as hard as it could, the Elite could not free it's sword from the rocket launcher. This proved to be a great opportunity to pounce. McHale, Anderson, and Robert tackled the Elite and fired their secondary weapons deep into it's cranium.

With the Elite dead, all that remained was a battalion of lesser race Covenant and two charging Hunters blind with rage at their commander's death. McHale took precise shots at one Hunter's head, the spray of orange matter from the worms splattered the ground below. The rest of the squad managed to fell the other Hunter by firing upon it's exposed "abdomen". They were mere inches away from overrunning the ODSTs.

Mopping up the base camp was a much easier task. Waves of Grunts and Jackals hurdled themselves towards the lead storm of the ODST's guns before the survivors decided to go into hiding, they didn't remain hidden, or alive, much longer.

At 2:31, the camp was declared defeated by the squad and they made sure it stayed that way. They each planted a charge along import areas of the base and detonated them once they were a safe distance away. There was something about watching Covenant technology burn that appealed to McHale, perhaps it was just the blue fire from the plasma. Nonetheless, the ODSTs continued onward, New Johannesburg could be seen ahead from the cliff they stood on.

[Edited on 04.18.2010 1:17 AM PDT]

  • 04.18.2010 12:26 AM PDT

nice job, i like it

  • 05.07.2010 8:06 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

This is pretty good! Glad I came back to this one.

  • 05.13.2010 11:42 PM PDT