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  • Subject: Team Gladius - Fan Fiction (Preview) Part 1 and Teaser Trailer
Subject: Team Gladius - Fan Fiction (Preview) Part 1 and Teaser Trailer

Posted by: xMaJoR cRaBsx
Dreams of being the one and only soup that people enjoy. Or wants to be a hero that dishes out hot scolding soup to evil.

As promised, here is Part 1, delivered in time for Bungie Day. It's not much more than a preview, consisting of only the prologue and part of Chapter 1, but hopefully it's enough to allow you to get familiar with the characters and my writing style. If you've read Ghosts of Onyx, I'm being very careful with my dates and times, so my story will fit into the existing lore there.

Teaser Trailer can be found here (Off-site link)

[Edited on 07.06.2011 10:27 PM PDT]

  • 07.06.2011 10:17 PM PDT

Posted by: xMaJoR cRaBsx
Dreams of being the one and only soup that people enjoy. Or wants to be a hero that dishes out hot scolding soup to evil.

Prologue -
\
Location: Training Grounds outside of Camp Currahee, Planet Onyx, Zeta Doradus System
Time: 0834 hours, Oct. 24th 2552 (Military Calendar)
\


The tranquil forest glade remained undisturbed as the Spartan Team moved silently through the trees, on their way to higher ground. Well trained and agile from years of conditioning, the five soldiers each moved as part of a whole; they formed an elegant weapon to be wielded in the defense of Earth and all her colonies. The pointman dropped to a knee, sensing an unseen danger, and signaled for the rest of the squad to halt. He visually searched the area from the ground to the treetops until he found what he was looking for.

"Eyes up. Hold your fire." He gestured into the thick green canopy of leaves just ahead of their position, and the rest of the team quickly identified the first hostile of the day. He was wedged high up in the fork of an oak tree, bracing his sniper rifle with his left forearm and staring intently through the scope. More hand signals set the squad in motion, and they quickly fanned out amongst the ferns carpeting the forest floor. They formed a half circle, with those on the edges covering the flanks while the three in the middle kept their eyes on the target. Two green acknowledgement lights blinked on the pointman's wrist mounted tac-pad; the area was secure. A single round from his simulation MA5K slammed into the sniper.

"Threat neutralized. Let's keep it going, Spartans." The sniper climbed painfully down from his perch, resting his simulation SRS99 AM beside himself as he laid down amidst the ferns. The pointman slapped a neon green adhesive flag onto the sniper as he passed by. One down, nine more to go.



Team Gladius was one of three SPARTAN-III teams remaining on Onyx, each composed of five members and currently competing for the top honors of Gamma Company. The pointman of Team Gladius, Spartan-G048, was known as "Jack" by his fellow Spartans. He was raised on a distant colony world, living a simple but satisfying life on the family farm that was passed down through the generations on his father's side. When the Covenant attacked, Jack was given the last seat on an evacuating Pelican, and watched his parents die on the tarmac at the hands of Elites as the Pelican took off. When an ONI operative came to his orphanage on Reach, offering a chance to join the third generation of Spartans, he accepted without hesitation. None of the rigors or trials of the Spartan training program could dim the fire of vengeance that burned within his heart. Though it was hard to watch the rest of Gamma Company deploy team by team, he knew his day was coming soon.



Jack checked his surroundings. The sniper's team, identified by the shoulder patch as Team Katana, must be nearby. A rubber bullet impacted the ground at his feet, spraying dirt into the air. Jack swore as he dived into a naturally formed foxhole of moss and gravel. He was beginning to believe he had walked his team into a trap.

"Laura, fall back and circle around!" Spartan-G067, Laura, broke from her position on the right flank and fired in short bursts as she backpedaled into the glade. Jack leapt to his feet, providing covering fire for Laura as he attempted to spot the enemy team in the thick underbrush. He was distracted from his search by the sight of Spartan-G063, Rosie, standing in the open with her gun at her side.

"Rosie! Find cover!" Jack's shout galvanized Rosie into action, and she dived into the foxhole with Jack.

"Sorry, Jack. I thought I saw him . . . "

"Now is not the time!" Rosie's interest in the pointman of Team Katana was common knowledge within Gamma Company. Jack heard Spartan-G032, Roger, chuckle over the team's radio frequency.

"Tim, time to make it hot." A green acknowledgement light blinked on Jack's tac-pad in response to his order. Jack tapped Rosie, and they both rose to their feet as one, overlapping their fields of fire. Spartan-G091, Tim, stepped out from behind a thick birch tree and sidearmed a grenade in one fluid motion. Roger eliminated a Spartan on Team Katana's right flank with a well placed shot to the Spartan's center of mass before the grenade disappeared into the ferns. Four seconds later, there as a dull thump, accompanied by a sudden lull in the firefight.

"All clear." Laura's voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Team Gladius breathed a collective sigh of relief as they emerged from their hiding places.

Laura greeted the team with a triumphant grin, one foot propped on the prone form of a Spartan. Two of the downed members of Team Katana had clearly been eliminated by the grenade; they looked as though they had bathed in yellow paint. The one Laura was resting on, however, had no visible marks.

"Took out their grenadier just in time." Laura gestured to the grenade lying in the ferns, pin still firmly in place.

Jack nodded. "Good work, Spartan. Team Gladius, let's take their ammo. To the victor goes the spoils." Jack smirked at one of the supine Spartans as he collected the fresh magazines from their belt; the Spartan rolled his eyes and sighed. Tim picked up the grenade, while the rest of the team divided the ammo evenly. As they set the ammo into their belts and packs, Jack noticed Rosie glancing at Team Katana, smiling shyly. He snapped his fingers and spun her around by her shoulder.

"Hey, hey! We've still got another team to worry about. I need your attention here." Rosie blushed and thumbed her magazine release, slamming one of the fresh magazines into place.

"Yes, sir."

"Good, thank you." Jack glanced around the edges of the clearing, before addressing the team. "Let's take the fight to Team Saber. Keep it close and quiet."

There was a chorus of agreement from Team Gladius. They set off toward a nearby hilltop, blending into the environment and leaving no trace of their presence except for the defeated members of Team Katana.



Chapter 1 -
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Location: Mess Hall, Camp Currahee, Planet Onyx, Zeta Doradus System
Time: 1245 hours, Oct. 24th 2552 (Military Calendar)
\


"I still can't believe they pulled it off," Jack muttered, gazing gloomily at his freshly rehydrated, MRE-grade lasagna. "It was a simple plan, but executed with perfection. There were so many ways it could have gone wrong . . . "

"Face it, Jack, they're the best team. That's why we placed second again." Roger hadn't touched his food, choosing instead to spend the lunch hour sizing up Team Saber from across the cafeteria, trying to determine what exactly secured their position as the highest ranking team. Time after time, Gladius and Katana had changed strategies, studied Saber's methods, and done everything short of teaming up, which was strictly forbidden by the rules of engagement for the competition.

"If they had brought it up as a tactical option to Chief Mendez, he would have said it was crazy and told them to reconsider."

"He might have called it crazy, but crazy seems to be a requirement of being a Spartan." Roger finally sunk his fork into the cardboard-like pasta, bringing it back to his mouth without taking his eyes off of Team Saber. Laura made her way over from the lunch line and sat down next to Jack, her tray piled high with the vegetarian option: crisp caesar salad with a farm-fresh, hard boiled Moa egg on the side. Noticing Roger's stare, and Jack's overcast expression, she poked them both with her fork.

"Guys, let it go. We've tried, and failed, four times to dethrone Saber. Let's just be glad they're on our side."

"We were going to win this time- I mean, I thought we were. We had them flanked, and we were attacking from higher ground." Jack's hands curled into fists.

"That's exactly why we lost," Rosie said, sitting down next to Laura. "We had divided our strength when what we needed was to concentrate our efforts in one area. Did anybody notice they left their rear unguarded?" Suddenly, Rosie had the attention of everyone at the table.

"They're so confident and headstrong, they don't even plan for an attack from the rear. They trust in their ability to meet their opponents head on and overwhelm them with a show of force. Next time, we stick together, find a good hiding spot, and let them pass by. Take them by surprise." Though prone to fits of whimsical romance, Rosie continually reminded Jack of her tactical mind and photographic memory, both useful assets for a Spartan to have.

"We'll have to work on that and refine it, but we've got a week until the next competition. I think it just might work, Rosie." Rosie smiled, pleased that Jack had accepted her idea and hoping she had atoned for her loss of focus during the battle with Team Katana. After a moment of quiet contemplation for everyone at the table, Tim walked up and sat down next to Roger, his tray piled high with the rehydrated pasta product.

"Woo, it's lasagna day!"


[Edited on 08.04.2011 10:08 PM PDT]

  • 07.06.2011 10:19 PM PDT

The tide is turning, brothers! Let us take our kingdom back!

Hey, I remember this trailer. It's finally here!

Good stuff so far.

  • 07.08.2011 1:23 AM PDT

Posted by: xMaJoR cRaBsx
Dreams of being the one and only soup that people enjoy. Or wants to be a hero that dishes out hot scolding soup to evil.

Thanks!

I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so I'll be making rolling minor edits as I see fit. Just so you know, when you see the "Edited on" time changing. =P

  • 07.08.2011 2:33 PM PDT

Posted by: xMaJoR cRaBsx
Dreams of being the one and only soup that people enjoy. Or wants to be a hero that dishes out hot scolding soup to evil.

Life's been busy, haven't been writing much. I'm definitely due for some kind of update though, so here you go!

\
Location: Gymnasium, Camp Currahee, Planet Onyx, Zeta Doradus System
Time: 2001 hours, Oct. 30th 2552 (Military Calendar)
\


The Camp Currahee gym was a technical masterpiece, designed to exercise a Spartan both physically and mentally. It was available for use by reservation only, so when Team Gladius arrived for their time slot they had the whole gym to themselves. They spread themselves out amongst the stations, started their routines, and made small talk as they worked out. Jack sat on a rowing machine, calibrated it to his height, and settled into a rhythm. He enjoyed the satisfying burn of quality time spent in the gym; it helped to clear his mind and prepare him for the competition. He needed to clear out the thoughts gathering at the edge of his mind.

"Tomorrow's the big day," Tim gasped, after dropping the weight he had been deadlifting.

"Time to dethrone Saber," Rosie said between crunches at an ab machine. "I hope my plan works."

"It'll work." Roger's confidence was echoed by the rest of the team. This time, they would be number one. Jack attacked the rest of his workout with the enthusiasm born of a self-enforced goal. He wasn't content with remaining in second place.

"100-" Jack panted, stretching his arms over his head to keep them from cramping. He scanned the room, searching for another station, but instead noticed Laura and Roger sparring on stunt mats. He reasoned with himself that he was still catching his breath, and leaned back in his seat to watch the blur of motion; the careful ballet of punches, jabs, kicks, and blocks. He especially admired Laura's graceful, measured approach, and how her short-cropped brown hair-

"Jack?" Tim shot Jack a questioning glance. "I asked if you were looking for a sparring partner."

"No," Jack coughed. "I was just lost in thought." Tim shrugged and stepped onto a treadmill. Jack took a deep breath and one final glance toward the stunt mats before he moved over to the weight set.

\
Time: 2132 hours, Oct. 30th 2552 (Military Calendar)
\


Towels slung over their shoulders, Team Gladius emerged from the gym into the chill night air. They exchanged equally cold glances with Team Katana as they passed one another, Team Katana entering the gym for their time slot. Though they were all Spartans, and would gladly fight and die alongside one another in the Human-Covenant War, for now the drive of competition overrode all. The team turned from the concrete path onto the gravel one which lead to their barracks. The path was only dimly lit by knee high lightposts, which glowed a soft pastel orange. The sky overhead shimmered with thousands of stars and visible nebulae, though the scenery had become common to most of the Spartans training on Onyx.

"Are you kidding? The SMG is way more functional and versatile. Who cares about magnification? It's not like you'll be sniping with the thing." Walking along with the group, Laura listened absently as Roger and Tim debated over whether the standard issue sub-machine gun or a pistol was the best sidearm. Roger was confident that more bullets always equalled a better weapon, but Tim had taken the side of the M6D handgun and it's small but effective scope.

"Maybe not sniping, but with the scope you can make each shot count. I'd rather have twelve rounds hit the target than who knows how many after spraying and praying." Rosie nodded, taking Tim's side. As the discussion continued, Laura fell to the back of the group, where Jack was slowly following, lost in thought as he gazed up at the stars. Laura wanted to ask him his opinion on the debate, but decided to wait, not wanting to disturb his reverie. After a quiet minute of walking together, Jack looked down suddenly, a tear sparkling like a jewel on his cheek.

"Jack," Laura said softly, unsure of what to say. He turned away and drew a hand across his face.

"Do you ever wonder what will happen? I mean, after the war." Jack turned back toward Laura, his eyes meeting hers. "Could we ever live a normal life after this?"

"I don't know, I've never thought about it."

"We're all here because terrible things have happened to us, and more terrible things are coming as long as the Covenant are out there." Jack returned his gaze to the stars, just above the coniferous treeline ahead of them. "We're here because we've had our lives taken from us."

Laura closed her eyes against the painful memories flooding back. She used to live on one of the outer colony worlds, in a small apartment in the capitol city with her parents and two brothers. She and her mother were grocery shopping when the Covenant attacked. The UNSC immediately cordoned off the city and began evacuating the citizens. Laura's mother ran towards home, carrying Laura in her arms, but was stopped by a squad of marines. They told her that the Covenant had already swept through the area where their apartment complex was, and left no survivors. They were shuttled off-world and given temporary housing on Reach with the rest of the refugees. An ONI operative came during their first week, offering a chance to honor the memory of those who had been lost. Laura didn't fully understand the implications, but when she told her mother she wanted to go, her mother simply nodded her assent. Laura desperately hoped to be reunited with her mother again, someday.

"We chose to be here. We have to win. We can't settle for anything less, but it might cost us what little we have left." Laura didn't reply, her thoughts many worlds away. Jack clenched his fists. "I have to avenge my parents."

Defying the regulations regarding physical contact between male and female Spartans, Laura placed a comforting arm around Jack's shoulders. She removed it quickly, lest she tempt fate more than necessary, and glanced back toward the rest of the team. Thankfully, they were still engrossed in the debate over sidearms. Maintaining their position just behind the group, Jack and Laura walked the rest of the way back to the barracks in silence.

[Edited on 08.04.2011 10:09 PM PDT]

  • 08.02.2011 12:41 AM PDT

The tide is turning, brothers! Let us take our kingdom back!


Posted by: supersoup
Thanks!

I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so I'll be making rolling minor edits as I see fit. Just so you know, when you see the "Edited on" time changing. =P
Lol, me too. Currently at 40 edits on my story's opening.

  • 08.02.2011 1:25 AM PDT