27th Cycle, 5th year of the Ninth age of Reclamation
Epsilon Indi System, Fleet of Glorious Interdiction, Sinaris-pattern Heavy destroyer, Proclamation's Tithe
(Third person POV)
The Fleet of Glorious Interdiction had been the main covenant fleet that the Humans had been facing off at the first planet the covenant found and attack, a world they called Harvest.
The planet endured nearly five years of intense conflict, exacerbated by the discovery of Forerunner relics. This fleet transformed the once fertile farming world into a wasteland. The human efforts to reclaim the planet resulted in significant losses, compounded by their ignorance of the sacred artifacts present on their worlds. This lack of awareness ultimately sealed their fate, marking them as unworthy of the Great Journey.
A young Sangheili warrior named Kal'arn 'Khanee was stationed in this fleet. As a Sangheili minor, Kal'arn was a new member of the extensive Covenant military, where faith, power, and glory determined one's status. Kal'arn aspired to follow in his father's footsteps. He and his lineage were from the Sangheili colony world of Khan, established during the Third Age of Discovery.
The Sangheili of Khan were seen as inferior within Sangheili society, often mocked despite their service in the Covenant military and devotion to the Great Journey. This changed with Kal'arn's father, Ja'khar Khanee, who earned honor and the rank of General. Inspired by his father's achievements, Kal'arn joined the Covenant military to honor his clan. Serving in a fleet that carried the High Prophet of Regret and Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee was a significant honor for him.
This was his first campaign and the first time he would encounter these humans, or Nishum as his fellow warriors called them. He did not need to know the reasons for their conflict, only that they were considered opponents of the Great Journey. As Kal'arn walked down the corridors of the vessel, his cyan combat harness reflecting the purple light from within the ship, he wondered what battles lay ahead for him.
October 31, 2530, 1489 hours
Epsilon Eridani system, Reach, CASTLE Base
Aedan sat on one of the crates along with Sam standing next to him, both of watched as John was donned in his armor by the technicians, the Armor was the same default olive green MJOLNIR MK IV, but the helmet did have a white line running atop of it.
Standing on the side was Doctor Halsey, holding her data pad. Aedan noticed through her body language that she seemed concerned, although both his and Sam's upgraded MJOLNIR testing had gone smoothly. As the helmet was placed and sealed on John's head, he was released from the machines holding him. Doctor Halsey approached him and instructed him, "Now John, move your arm very carefully." John complied, moving his arm upwards slowly.
"Now, how do you feel?" Halsey asked.
"Ready for combat," John responded, showing no emotion. Doctor Halsey gave a small, almost imperceptible smile.
"You may wait along the side for the rest of your team, Blue-Leader," Halsey said.
Aedan was unsure if Doctor Halsey was being sarcastic or making a joke, but he chose not to dwell on it. Since his arrival five years ago, he noticed that Doctor Halsey's behavior differed from her portrayal in the books; it was unclear whether she behaved differently with her SPARTANs or if her attitude was genuine.
As John walked off the platform, he approached Aedan and Sam, and Sam acknowledged him with a nod. When John stood in front of Aedan, Aedan spoke before John could say anything.
"Before you ask again, no, I am not sharing mine or Sam's experience on Eridanus," Aedan said, making Sam chuckle.
"Not that I was going to ask," John replied. "So, what do you think about the new upgrades?"
"Worth it," Sam chimed in.
"I wasn't asking you, Sam," John said, and Sam groaned.
"They're not bad, just a small boost to our MK IV system," Aedan answered.
"If you say so," John said. There was a brief silence. "Do you think they'll finally deploy us for the operation?"
"No idea, but there's a high chance," Aedan replied after a moment's thought.
"Very assuring," Sam said.
"Shut up, Sam," Aedan and John said simultaneously, making Sam groan again.
Aedan sensed someone sitting beside him on the crates without needing to look. Despite the similar olive green MJOLNIR armor, the SPARTANs could recognize each other.
"Must you always teleport next to me, Kelly?" Aedan said, glancing at her. He could sense her smirk behind the faceplate.
"When did you get here?" Sam asked, puzzled. "And how are you already in your armor? It took John 30 minutes to put it on."
"It did not," John rebuked.
"I'm just fast," Kelly said with a grin.
"Do you really have to sit beside me?" Aedan asked curiously.
"You're more comfortable than Sam," Kelly replied, to which Sam gave a playful gasp.
"How could you, Kells? We were best friends," Sam said dramatically.
"Yes, 'were'," Kelly responded, while Sam pretended to be heartbroken. Aedan muttered "Damn" as he watched Kelly roast Sam.
"She got there, Sam," John said with a touch of amusement.
"I feel betrayed," Sam replied jokingly.
"Don't worry, you'll find a new best friend," Kelly teased, placing an arm around Aedan, catching him off guard.
Sam grinned behind his helmet, intervening by placing a hand on Aedan's shoulder and pulling him to his side. "Yeah, I think I might choose Aedan," he said playfully.
"What! No, he's mine!" Kelly exclaimed, pulling Aedan back as the two SPARTANs engaged in a playful tug of war, with John watching in amusement and Aedan feeling exasperated.
"Would you all mind considering my consent too?" Aedan asked, being pulled back and forth.
"No," both Sam and Kelly interrupted Aedan abruptly, making Aedan realize how Sam had felt earlier.
It did not take long for Fred to finish putting on his armor and join the group. He paused beside John, observing the situation that Aedan was caught in. "Aedan, it seems you have people arguing over you. That must be quite flattering," Fred remarked teasingly.
"Please refrain from such comments, Fred," Aedan responded sharply, to which Fred merely chuckled. Aedan extricated himself from Sam and Kelly's grip and moved towards John and Fred, standing beside them. "I am not an object to be toyed with," he asserted firmly.
Sam and Kelly exchanged glances before looking back at Aedan. Despite the faceplates, Aedan could feel their smirks.
'I wish we could get assigned to a mission soon; this is overwhelming,' Aedan thought. He was accustomed to Kelly and Sam's banter but was not used to being the focal point of it.
As Linda finished donning her armor, she and Doctor Halsey joined the team. "Did I miss something?" Linda asked.
"No," Aedan replied.
"Yes," Sam and Kelly said simultaneously, causing Aedan to glare at them.
"There are more important matters to address," Halsey stated, emotionless. The six SPARTANs stood at attention.
"The UNSC has been tracking the destroyer URF Origami. Until recently, its location was unknown, but now we have a lead," Halsey said as a hologram of the ship appeared. "The ship was spotted in the Elduros system approximately three days ago. You will leave aboard the destroyer Aztec. Your mission is to gather all data from the insurrectionist ship and then scuttle it. Any questions?"
John raised his hand first. "What are our infiltration options?" he inquired.
"You will be inserted via crates," Halsey explained. "Aedan here has demonstrated that a large military-grade crate can easily accommodate a SPARTAN in full MJOLNIR armor. The Pelican you previously acquired for your exfiltration will now be used for your insertion."
Aedan was speechless; he had not anticipated that the idea of using a crate to steal aboard a Pelican would evolve into an actual method for infiltrating the insurrectionists. He could already sense the disapproval from Kelly and Linda, who were understandably annoyed and distraught.
"Do I take it there are no further questions?" Halsey asked. Receiving no additional inquiries, she continued, "Good. The Aztec will be in orbit awaiting your return. Good luck, SPARTANs." With that, she exited the room, leaving the six SPARTANs to themselves.
"Shall we proceed?" Aedan asked, looking at John, who nodded in agreement.
"Let's move out," John ordered, and all six headed for the exit.
As Aedan walked behind John, Kelly intentionally bumped into him. "What was that for?" Aedan asked, bewildered.
"For making us use your tactic," Kelly said. "How am I supposed to fit in a crate without dislocating my bones?" she whined.
"I'm the biggest guy here, and I'm not complaining," Sam added.
"It's not as easy for girls like us." Kelly continued to protest.
"Oh please, you're the smallest out of the six of us." Sam said.
"He got you there Kelly." Fred commented, Aedan let off a chuckle. Sam was right on that one, out of the six of them Kelly was the shortest at only 6 feet 11 inches, which was by normal human standards very very tall.
"I'll get him back next time," Kelly said. Kelly appreciated Sam's ability to counter his sass. Aedan reflected on how things might have been different if he had not saved Sam. He considered both the canonical events and the downtime environment and team dynamics with Sam around.
Aedan felt like he was creating the perfect Halo universe, albeit a biased one. He couldn't believe it was still the early Human-Covenant war era, with everything he played as a child two decades away. Though it had only been five years since his life changed, he already felt like a forty-year-old veteran.
"Is everything okay? You seemed lost in thought," Linda asked, placing a hand on Aedan's shoulder.
"It's nothing, just a random thought," Aedan replied.
November 4, 2530, 1648 hours
Elduros system, Aleria, UNSC Halberd-class Destroyer, Aztec
Inside the armory of the destroyer, Blue team gathered their equipment for the upcoming mission. The mission had been updated, requiring them to adapt and improvise.
Aedan's concerns about this mission increased after the conclusion of their previous briefing onboard the bridge. The Origami was in orbit around Aleria, an outer colony known for its economy.
Before the Human-Covenant war, the planet had a strong economy. However, after the war began, the planet's economy collapsed. The UNSC had either withdrawn or reassigned the limited security in this star system as the Covenant continued to decimate their fleets.
The Origami had successfully captured a high-value hostage, identified as a senior officer of the UNSC navy. The specifics of the capture remained undisclosed, but it was evident to all six team members that their mission had increased in complexity.
As Aedan retrieved his DMR, he noticed Kelly observing him intently. "Is there something wrong, Kelly?" Aedan inquired.
"Nothing... just lost in my thoughts," Kelly replied. Aedan sensed she was withholding information but chose not to pursue the matter further.
He proceeded to pick up his preferred sidearm, the M6D magnum, which he uniquely favored amongst the team. Observing from the corner of his eye, Aedan saw Sam also selecting a DMR. "I didn't expect you to opt for a single-shot weapon, Sam," Aedan remarked while securing his DMR onto his back.
"Thought I might try your load out once and figure out why you love it so much" Sam answered as he picked up a M6D as well placing it on his hips. "Jesus, it's been awhile since I last used this."
"Are you saying you don't know how to use it?" Kelly chimed in from the side.
"Nah, what I'm saying is, I am eager to shoot some innies in the face with this big birdie." Sam answered.
"Didn't think you were the type to use slang, Sam." Linda commented as he loaded her SRS99 AM sniper rifle.
"I think you hanging out with the marines is starting to take an effect on you, Sam" Fred teased.
"Everyone ready?" John asked as he locked and loaded his MA5B assault rifle.
He was met with a green wink from everyone, "Let's go" John said. All of them filled out of the armory and headed towards the hanger-bay, the Aztec would drop them and their pelican off near Aleria and from there they would be shipped inside the Origami which was resupplying from the planet's Space dock.
As they entered the hanger bay, they found the same captured insurrectionist pelican from Station Jefferson. As they entered the Pelican, they found six large, green military grade crates, "I hate this plan." Kelly complained.
"I love this plan." Sam said, which irritated Kelly even more.
"Of course you do…" Kelly grumbled.
"Now now, let's not act like we're teenagers now, shall we?" Aedan asked receiving no response from either, "Well, I tried, so who's getting in first?"
There was a moment of silence before everyone turned to Sam, "Now hang on a minut-" Sam was cut off by Kelly who immediately grabbed him by the arm and shoved him inside of the first crate. "I DID NOT AGRE-" he was again cut off as Kelly closed the lid to his crate.
"You were waiting to do that weren't you?" Fred asked, amused.
"Of course I was." Kelly confirmed.
"Quite petty of you if you ask me." Aedan said, he soon hoped into his crate and before closing the lid he said, "Well, see you all at the other side."
As Aedan closed the lid, it was again very cramped and dark, his HUD's night vision activating, he opened SQUADCOM and heard Sam's voice, "So what's our plan after we get in?"
"We get the ship's schematics first, then we focus on retrieving the intel and finally scuttling the ship." John explained.
"What about the hostage?" Fred asked.
There was silence through SQUADCOM so Aedan spoke up, "Maybe we split up, and one group goes for the primary object while to other gets the hostage out."
"Good idea," John concurred, though it was unusual for him not to have thought of it first. The same applied to Fred; he considered both of them to be superior strategists and tacticians compared to himself. John had never focused on or given much thought to leadership; his achievements so far were simply the result of instinct and a series of random decisions that, through sheer luck, led to success.
Aedan sensed the Pelican shake, thinking, "Bingo, I guess we're in." He felt his crate being moved off the Pelican and onto some sort of trolley, as he experienced an increase in speed during transport. "Rendezvous at my position after we are out," John ordered through the communications system.
Aedan and the others indicated their readiness with green lights. As the trolley came to a stop, Aedan waited briefly before carefully removing the lid of the crate and peeking out. His motion tracker identified multiple hostiles nearby. After exiting the crate and closing the lid, he drew his DMR and surveyed the area, checking the IFF tags. John, Fred, and Linda had already regrouped, while Sam and Kelly were approaching their location.
Aedan was positioned at the far left corner of what appeared to be the docking bay. He observed several insurrectionist guards patrolling the area. They were not heavily armed, mostly carrying MA2B assault rifles or other small firearms.
"Blue-six, come in. What is your status, over?" Aedan heard John ask through SQUADCOM.
"Clear, Blue-lead. My current location is somewhat distant from your position; an alternate rendezvous site is recommended," Aedan replied through SQUADCOM.
"Acknowledged. Proceed to the locker room; I have marked the NAV point." John said through COMs.
As the NAV marker appeared on his HUD, Aedan let out a breath and moved silently from crate to crate. 'The first rule in a stealth mission: do not make a sound,' he thought. As Aedan took cover, an Insurrectionist who was standing guard with his back turned noticed something behind him and turned around. With his gun raised, he slowly moved towards Aedan's location. In response, Aedan placed an inactive frag grenade on the floor and gently pushed it out of cover towards where the guard was approaching from.
The guard lowered his vigilance and approached to pick up the grenade, assuming it had been misplaced or fallen from a crate. He proceeded to place it in a nearby crate opposite him, providing Aedan with an opportunity to stealthily move past. As Aedan exited the Docking Bay and entered the corridors, he took cover around a corner, reminding himself of the second rule: "Stay calm, avoid any rash actions, and proceed cautiously."
The navigation marker indicated that the locker room was still 30 meters away. Aedan advanced down the corridors slowly, maintaining a high level of alertness. He narrowly avoided several guards, stopping just in time and taking cover behind a corner before being detected. Reflecting on the situation, Aedan understood why Naomi had expressed her dislike for stealth missions. He encountered Naomi a few times on Reach and CASTLE base when she was undergoing armor upgrades.
As Aedan reached the door into the locker room, he noticed two guards walking down the corridors towards his location, before he could even react, he was pulled inside the locker room with extreme force, due to which he and Kelly who were responsible for pulling him in collided.
Although both SPARTANs stood unfazed, beneath Aedan helmet he was kind if embarrassed at colliding with Kelly even though it was not his fault, he simply wasn't a ladies' man. "Took you long enough." Sam, who was busy shoving a dead guard into a locker, commented.
"Easy for you to say." Aedan shot back.
"Let's focus on the mission," John reminded. Aedan observed that John remained consistent with his portrayal in the games and books. Linda was gradually becoming the silent, reserved, stoic, and cold sniper of the team. Fred's situation was different for Aedan, while Kelly and Sam interacted as if they had been siblings who knew each other since childhood, which was true for all the SPARTANs except Aedan.
Aedan had accepted that he was now in the Halo universe but had not yet reconciled with the idea that his presence might significantly alter events. The concept of the butterfly effect, though it seemed implausible to him, remained a possibility.
"So, what is the plan?" Aedan inquired.
"Kelly?" John prompted, to which Kelly affirmed with a nod.
"I have accessed the ship's schematics. If we proceed towards the rear of the ship, we will reach the reactor and pass by the communications center on the way. Alternatively, if we head towards the lower decks, we will eventually reach the brig," Kelly explained.
"Therefore, we will need to split up," Aedan observed. "Who will go where?"
John contemplated for a moment before stating, "Blue-three and five, you will accompany me to pursue the primary objectives." He then addressed Aedan, "Blue-two and four, you will join six and proceed to the brig to rescue the VIP."
In correspondence, all five acknowledged with a green light. "We'll rendezvous here once our objectives are accomplished," John said. "Move out."
They split up: John, Sam, and Linda aimed for the main objectives, while Aedan, Kelly, and Fred were to rescue the VIP. Aedan thought it was a solid plan, though he preferred handling the main objective due to his experience with insurrectionist intelligence.
As Aedan, Kelly, and Fred moved through the ship's corridors, they paused at an elevator and stairs leading down. "Two choices," Aedan said.
"I vote for the elevator," Kelly replied immediately.
"Same," Fred agreed.
"Guess we're skipping leg day," Aedan mumbled as he entered the elevator.
"You said something?" Kelly asked, surprising Aedan since he hadn't expected anyone to hear him.
"Nothing," Aedan replied. Kelly looked unconvinced but was interrupted by Fred.
"How did our VIP get captured? Command didn't share any details," Fred said. Aedan nodded, adding, "This seems a bit off."
"You're not the only one, Fred," Aedan assured. He was accustomed to certain information being withheld, but this mission seemed especially suspicious. Leroy had been silent even before they left Reach, and Doctor Halsey appeared unusually distressed during her video briefing.
"Only one way to confirm it," Kelly said as the elevator descended. Aedan noted her M90 shotgun—hardly stealthy, but effective in close combat against the Covenant. Unlike the fictional Halo: CE physics, real-world constraints limited its use, though it remained true to the lore.
Fred carried the only stealth weapon, an M7S, reminiscent of Aedan's time with Kilo-2. His expertise in CQC and knife combat made him, along with Kelly, a formidable opponent in close quarters.
As the elevator came to a stop and the door opened, Kelly was the first to look out. She peeked her head out of the elevator and checked for any presence. Kelly flashed her green status light three times, indicating that it was clear.
They walked into the corridors of the lower deck. Aedan felt a growing sense of nervousness; it was the first time in five years that he experienced such a feeling during a mission. The mission onboard the Origami was rarely mentioned in the records, only briefly noted.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Aedan remarked.
"You sound like Kurt and his instincts," Kelly responded.
"I am serious, I really feel like something might go wrong," Aedan stated firmly. There was silence as they continued through the corridors, remaining vigilant for any movement.
"Aedan, are you-" Fred began, but Aedan interrupted.
"No, I'm not suggesting abandoning the objective, just sharing my thoughts," Aedan replied. He knew the mission's importance but didn't want to risk lives needlessly.
Kelly, unusually silent, shared his concern. If Aedan had misgivings, she did too. At a closed door, Kelly activated a nearby console to open it.
The brig was empty; the cells did not have any occupants. The absence of guards was concerning to Aedan, suggesting a potential trap based on his experience on Andesia. Aedan instructed, "Blue-four, stay near the entrance and keep a lookout. Blue-two, with me," and proceeded to the end of the brig, checking each cell, all of which were vacant until the last holding cell. Inside was a middle-aged man, possibly in his late 30s, sitting on a metal slab. He wore a standard grey naval uniform with Captain chevrons on his shoulder. The man was looking at the ground, not acknowledging Aedan or Kelly.
Kelly took the lead while Aedan proceeded to open the cell and entered. The man inside, without looking up, sighed and stated, "I already told you that you won't get anything out of me."
Aedan, maintaining his composure, responded, "Sir, we are here to facilitate your escape." The man looked up, his expression revealing his surprise.
"It certainly took you long enough," he remarked, attempting to conceal his astonishment as he stood up. Despite this, Aedan could sense the myriad questions forming in the man's mind upon seeing him and Kelly. "And who might you be?"
"Master Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN 001, sir," Aedan replied.
"Thank you for coming to retrieve me," expressed the man with gratitude. "I am Captain Terrence Hood."
Aedan's brain froze for a moment. 'Did I hear that right? What the fuck,' he thought. "We should get moving, sir," Aedan said, his hardened personality taking over.
"Lead the way, SPARTAN," Hood replied.
As they walked out of the cell, Kelly nodded and took point on Aedan's flank. "How is it looking, Blue-Four?" Aedan asked as they approached the entrance where Fred was positioned.
"All clear, Chief," Fred responded.
Aedan turned to Hood, "Can you use a gun, sir?"
"If you can spare one, I might," Hood answered. Aedan handed him his M6D but then reconsidered. "On second thought, that's a bit big for me."
Kelly understood and gave Hood her smaller M6H sidearm. "Thanks," Hood said, gripping it with both hands. Fred took the left flank, Kelly the right, with Hood in the centre and Aedan leading. As they headed back to the elevator, Fred asked a question.
"Question sir, how did you exactly get captured in the first place?" Fred asked, Aedan had wanted to ask the same, but it seemed Fred beat him to it.
Hood sighs, "It's a long story, but for all our sake and the fact that we are still on an enemy ship, I'll cut it short." Hood said before he started explaining his story, "I recently got promoted to a Captain and received command of the cruiser Roman Blue, as I was making my way to my new ship I made a consequential decision to make a pit stop here on Aleria, unfortunately I was intercepted and captured by the insurrectionist and brought onboard this ship."
"That's quite an interesting story, sir," Kelly commented. However, Aedan sensed something unusual about the explanation. If that was the reason he got captured, why did command keep that information from them? He would have to ask Halsey or Leroy later.
As they entered the elevator, which began to ascend, Aedan opened COMs and spoke, "Blue-six to Blue-Lead, come in."
"Roger, what's your status, over," Aedan heard John's voice over COMs.
"We've secured the VIP, proceeding to the rendezvous point, over," Aedan replied.
There was a brief silence before John's voice responded, "Negative, the rendezvous point is compromised. Proceed to the alternative."
A NAV marker appeared on Aedan's HUD. He glanced at Kelly and Fred, who both nodded in agreement, having heard the communication with John through their helmets. As they exited the elevator, the NAV point guided them to the storage unit near the hangar bay.
Upon approaching the rendezvous point, they took cover behind a pile of crates. Aedan peeked out and saw John on the other side, behind another pile of crates near the entrance to the hangar bay. John acknowledged Aedan with a nod.
Aedan turned back to his team and issued an order, "Blue-four, you're going first." Fred nodded in acknowledgment and moved to the edge of the cover, cautiously peering out to ensure no guards were patrolling the area. The storage unit appeared to be an empty room with only crates, which was not unusual. Fred then proceeded towards the other side, rolling over as he neared John.
"Sir, you should go next," Aedan suggested to Hood.
"As you say, SPARTAN," Hood responded, holstering his M6H pistol and sprinting while crouching to minimize noise. Upon reaching the other side, Sam, who was ducked behind cover with Linda, Fred, and John, pulled Hood into cover. Just as Hood was secured, a guard walked by on the main pathway at the center of the room.
They were all on the far left, with the only visible part of that room being the open space between the piles of crates the two groups were in. Aedan instructed Kelly to go next. Although hesitant, Kelly proceeded and quickly crossed the distance in 2 seconds, reaching John's side without making a sound.
As Aedan prepared to move towards John, he stopped midway when he noticed that time seemed to slow down. He felt an adrenaline rush as he entered SPARTAN TIME.
As Aedan turned to face the center of the room, he felt his left shoulder go numb, and lost all senses in his left arm, his eyes widened as a 14.5x114mm bullet pierced and penetrated through his left shoulder, he yelped out in pain as he was knocked back onto the floor due to the impact force, loosing grip on his DMR in the process.
Kelly hearing this immediately tried to come out of cover and aid Aedan but was halted in place by John who gripped her arm, stopping her; Kelly forcefully turned her head to look at John, and even with her helmet on John could tell Kelly had a massive frown on her face.
But going out there to help Aedan was not the best move and he knew Aedan knew that as well.
Aedan, as he lay on the floor, quickly moved his right hand behind his back, grabbing a hold of a grenade, even though his left arm was completely useless he still had his dominant arm, and he knew just the right plan to get out of this.
Aedan moved his head up a bit to see about two dozen guards rush into the room and around the corners and stopping around and in front of him, their guns aimed, 'What a welcome party' he thought.
From the surrounding guards walked out a man who seemed like an officer due to his uniform, as he neared Aedan he could see the officer's smirk, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the UNSC's mystery super soldier." he said mockingly, "I can't believe that this actually worked, how foolish of you to try and come onboard my ship and think that you can rescue the prisoner without any fuss from us, either you're the worst of your….kind or the stupidest, either way the General will be pleased to have you as a captive."
Aedan, who was bleeding from his left shoulder despite the armor's built-in bio-foam injectors attempting to seal the wound, coughed up blood. "If you think you've caught me, then you're more foolish than I am," Aedan stated.
Aedan realized that the insurrectionists believed he was alone and solely there to rescue Hood. This misunderstanding worked in his favor, as they were unaware of John and others or their primary mission, which Aedan was confident John, and the team had successfully completed.
"We shall see about that." the officer said before spitting on Aedan's faceplate and turning around preparing to leave, Aedan who had pulled the pins to the grenade glanced towards John and the others who all had their weapons drawn, he particularly noticed Kelly constantly looking at him.
As Aedan stirred up a bit which resulted in the guards aiming their weapons at him further and gaining the attention of the officer, "If you think…. that we will so easily…go down. Then there is only one thing I can say." Aedan said and with all his strength he raised his left hand which balled up into a fist, he raised his fist up facing the officer and his guard, and then raised his middle finger and shouted, "FUCK OFF."
Throwing the grenade that he had kept hidden in his right hand, the guards reacted too slowly as the grenade landed right in between the officer's feet who Aedan saw had his eyes widened.
As the grenade exploded John and the others came out from their cover and opened fire taking out the insurrectionist guards that had not been caught up in the grenade's explosion, Kelly was the first to reach Aedan's side, helping him up in the process.
"Thanks." Aedan thanked to which Kelly gave a nod, oblivious to Aedan she let off a sigh of relief beneath her helmet.
As the last of the guards were cleared off, Aedan pulled out his M6D and walked over to the mangled corpse of the officer, 'Eat that you pig head' Aedan cursed inside his thoughts. "Damn that hurt." he said.
"We need to get off this ship, NOW!" John said.
"Wait…. how long until this place goes to hell" Aedan asked.
"We had ten minutes." Sam answered.
"Had? What about now?" Kelly asked.
Suddenly they all felt the ship shake; the six SPARTANs due to their enhanced hearings could hear explosions going off in the distance on the other decks, "Move, NOW!" John ordered.
Aedan grabbing Hood's arm said, "Sir, we don't have much time, forgive me for this but I'll have to carry you." Aedan said and before Hood could even process what Aedan had just said the naval officer found himself slacked over the SPARTAN's shoulders as he ran at the speed of a warthog through the storage unit and into the hanger bay.
The rest of blue team opened fire taking out what ever guards or insurrectionists were inside, stealth was no longer viable so they were going in guns blazing, covering Aedan as he carried Hood into one of the Pelicans, and strapping him into a seat in the troop bay, "Spartan, I think you dislocated one of my bones" Hood said.
"Sir, that should be the last of your concerns." Aedan said as he made his way into the cockpit, taking the pilot's seat, he was able to move his left arm again thanks to the bio-foam. "Get in, Pelican's ready to go." Aedan said through SQUADCOM.
"Wait! I'll get the door open." Sam said through SQUADCOM, Aedan through the cockpits window saw Sam sprint towards the sealed doors of the hanger.
"How are you-" Aedan was about to ask but was cut off as Sam suddenly sprinted back towards the pelican and got inside, Aedan not questioning any further closed the hatch and just then a massive explosion tore the hanger door open, giving them a straight exit out of the ship.
'Sam, you fabulous bastard' Aedan thought. As the Pelican lifted, John entered the cockpit as well standing between the seats.
"You sure you can fly?" John asked, Aedan could sense a hit of concern in his voice.
"Don't worry, I got this. I did plenty of simulations with Chief Mendez back in the day."
John gave a slow nod, "I'll be in the back with the others." John said as he left the cockpit, As Aedan few the pelican out of the ship, the pelican shook more as the ship exploded into a ball of fire.
It was all well, until a stray debris from the ship hit the Pelican's engines resulting in Aedan losing control over the pelican, and it is diving straight towards Aleria.
"Hang on tight!" Aedan said over COMs, 'I KNEW THIS WOULD GO SOUTH' Aedan screamed inside his mind as his feelings were once again proven to be right.
As the Pelican continued to hurl towards the planet, Aedan got a nice view of Aleria, from orbit it looked as if it were Tatooine from Star wars. 'Is that fucking Tatooine' he thought.
As the Pelican entered the planet's atmosphere, the turbulence began to cause damage to the aircraft, primarily affecting the engine components. Eventually, the left wing was torn off as well. "Can it get any worse?" Aedan thought.
Upon emerging from the clouds, the intended landing site appeared to be a dry highland. "It seems we have ended up in an arid region," Aedan reflected, acknowledging that it was not his fortunate day.
"Brace for impact!" Aedan announced over COMs, maneuvering the pelican upwards to avoid a direct collision with the planet's surface. During the crash, Aedan, who was not secured in his seat, was thrown forward and into a corner, striking the back of his head and losing consciousness.
Date: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Aedan woke up in a grassy plain, still in his MJOLNIR armor. He stood up and surveyed the area, noting that his motion tracker showed no friendlies or enemies nearby, and the IFF tag did not display any signs of blue team.
As he began walking around the plain, he noticed an oasis in the distance, which was unusual in a grassy plain.
As he reached the oasis he walked towards the body of water and looked at his reflection into the water, then it hit him. A sting of pain went through his brain, and he held his head in pain, "What the fuck." Aedan cursed as he continued to hold his head with both his arms, it was as if his head was being sawed open.
As the pain started to ease a bit, he opened his eyes again and looked around the area, nothing had changed. 'God…is this really my destiny?' Aedan thought.
"Wait…. Destiny." Aedan said under his breath. It had been five years, five long damn years since he had been brought back to this place, and now he questioned whether this was even a dream or was it real.
As Aedan pondered, he was interrupted by a voice, "Aedan" it was the voice of a woman, even though it had been years since he last saw her, he still recognized that voice.
As Aedan turned around in front of him a few feet away stood a woman, even though he hadn't seen the uniform for a long time, he still recognized the white service uniform of the United States Navy, the Captain's bird insignia visible to him. "Mom?" Aedan asked shocked, confused and baffled, he hadn't seen his mother in God knows how long, he had been living by the Halo universe's timeline and calendar that he had forgotten what day or month it was when he ended up here five years ago.
"Aedan" She said in a soft and caring tone, something he would hear from her rarely, "Wake up"
Then he started to lose vision again, "Wait! Mom! Hang on!" Aedan pleaded but to no avail as he lost his vision again.
November 5, 2530, 0135 hours
Elduros system, Aleria….
As his eyes opened, he found himself still in the cockpit. He felt slightly groggy from the impact on the back of his head. As his senses returned, he heard Kelly, who had been beside him the whole time, say, "Aedan, wake up!" She shook him once again.
Aedan, regaining his senses, turned his head to look at Kelly, who was kneeling next to him, their faceplates reflecting each other. "Kelly?" Aedan asked. "What happened?"
Kelly sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you're alive. I thought we lost you there," she said as she helped Aedan up.
"So, what's the situation? Is everyone alright?" Aedan asked as he ran his right arm along his left shoulder where he had been shot.
"Other than you, yes," Kelly answered as she helped Aedan walk while he was still groggy.
As they walked out of the Pelican, Aedan saw the area where they had crash-landed. He observed Sam and Fred keeping watch, but John and Linda were not visible.
Sam was the first to see him. "Had a good rest?" Sam teased.
"Yes, but it hurt my neck," Aedan replied, running his hand over the back of his neck, relieved that his spinal cord was intact despite the impact. "Where are John and Linda?"
"They went up to the peak for a better signal and understanding of our current location. Pelican is coming to pick us up in ten minutes."
"And the VIP?" Aedan asked.
"Over there, near the ridge," Kelly said, pointing towards Hood who stood near the ridge overlooking the vast barren landscape.
Aedan walked over to the ridge and stood next to Lord Hood. "EVAC will be arriving soon, sir. You should be in a more secure position as danger could still be present," Aedan said, despite his five years with the UNSC affecting his mentality.
"I know," Hood replied, turning to look at Aedan. "For rescuing me, you and your team have my thanks."
"Just doing our job, sir," Aedan answered, though internally he wondered if his manner of speaking had been affected by a previous injury.
"I never got your name, if you have one, that is," Hood inquired. Although the remark was somewhat blunt, Aedan understood it was not meant harshly.
"Aedan, sir. Aedan 001," Aedan responded.
"Pleasure to meet you, Aedan. I must commend you on how you handled the situation aboard the ship; no one else could have done it better," Hood praised. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you remain so composed? I am certain I would have lost my temper in your position."
"Well, sir," Aedan paused before continuing, "Sometimes we must control our temper because that is precisely what the enemy hopes for. When we are angry, we make mistakes, and those mistakes benefit the enemy. Thus, we need to suppress our anger and wait for the right moment to retaliate." This lesson was among the first his father taught him when Aedan expressed his desire to join the military.
Hood was silent for a moment before he spoke up again, "Do you think we will win this war?"
"Militarily, no. Their technology is simply too advanced," Aedan answered. "But politically, there are some possibilities."
This piqued Hood's interest, who raised an eyebrow. "Care to explain?" he asked, interested in what Aedan had to say.
"It may not be possible to win militarily, but we could try politically. We might break their morale, reduce their public support for the war, or cause problems in their societies. For example, in ancient Earth wars like the Revolutionary War of Independence fought between Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, the Americans won not because they succeeded militarily, but because the British Parliament and public eventually gave up and grew tired of the war," Aedan explained. Aedan mentally thanked Deja for the small confirmation of history back in 2525 when he was still getting used to the halo universe. It was reassuring to know that human history, at least up until the 20th century, was similar to that of his own universe.
"The Vietnam war in the 20th century could also be an example of public support for wars," Aedan stated. He noted that while his comments did not directly predict the events that would occur during the Great Schism 20 years later, there were some similarities. "What I am suggesting is that we should consider a defensive campaign instead of an offensive one, as the latter could result in losses without any significant gains."
"Son, has anyone ever told you that you have the qualities of a commander? Because your insights are very helpful and thought-provoking," Hood remarked. "Unfortunately, I am only a Captain. If I were an Admiral, I would certainly consider using your tactics and strategies."
Aedan smiled under his helmet, aware of what Lord Hood would achieve two decades later. He simply replied, "Give it some time, sir; I'm sure you will eventually become one."
"Let's hope I will be alive to see it," Hood remarked.
Soon, the sound of engines above them drew their attention. Both Aedan and Hood looked up to see a Pelican landing a few feet away from them. "It appears our ride has arrived," Aedan commented.
As they proceeded towards the Pelican, Aedan was approached by Kelly, who was waiting for him by the ramp. John, Sam, Fred, Linda, and Hood had already taken their seats in the troop bay. "Were you waiting for me?" Aedan inquired, his voice carrying a hint of jest.
"We cannot leave you here alone; who knows, you might start crying," Kelly responded, her usual sass evident.
Aedan merely bit his lip and conceded defeat, knowing that only Sam could rival Kelly in sass. He could sense her smirk even with her helmet on.
Aedan took a seat close to the hatch, opposite John who always sat near the ramp, and Kelly took a seat next to Aedan. "What was that hand gesture back on the ship?" Kelly asked quietly.
"Oh, that? It's an ancient Earth gesture from the 20th and 21st centuries, interpreted as an insult," Aedan replied quietly.
"Another one of your history moments?" Kelly inquired.
"No, it's actually something I regularly use; it runs in the family," Aedan responded.
Sam, observing their interaction, simply smirked under his helmet. He was aware that Kelly often shared her thoughts with him and noticed she might be experiencing early signs of affection and increased attachment.
Both Kelly and Aedan were unaware of it; Kelly did not understand what love was, and Aedan seemed indifferent for now. Aedan, feeling tired and experiencing numbness in his left arm after a shot, fell asleep. He rested his head against the Pelican's seat, and due to his posture, it was difficult to determine if he was awake or sleeping.
November 15, 2530, 1356 hours
Epsilon Eridani system, Reach, Repair and refit station, Anchor 9
The Aztec had transported the SPARTANs to Reach's Repair and Refit Station, Anchor 9. On their return journey to Reach, they dropped off Hood on the Roman Blue. Doctor Halsey was waiting there, promptly dismissing the rest of Blue Team and taking Aedan aside. His armor had been removed for repairs due to a bullet piercing on his shoulders, which was both unsightly and disadvantageous given his EVA-rated specialization.
"Doctor, where are you taking me?" Aedan inquired.
"I cannot provide you with the details at this time, but certain things have changed," Halsey responded, though her answer lacked conviction.
"Is it bad or good?" Aedan asked, seeking clarity.
"It's up to you once you hear it," Halsey replied cryptically.
"Alright Doctor, what's the catch now?" Aedan was getting worried. He felt she was avoiding the truth. As they stopped by a sealed door, Halsey turned to him.
"You're on your own from here. I'll go debrief John and Blue team about your mission," she said before walking away.
"Well, let's see what this is," Aedan muttered as he pressed the console to open the door. The room inside was mostly empty.
"Am I in solitary confinement now?" Aedan muttered. A large screen on the wall lit up, showing Leroy behind a desk.
Aedan saluted promptly. "At ease, Aedan," Leroy said through the screen. Aedan relaxed.
"Sir, what's this about? Doctor Halsey didn't say anything," Aedan asked.
Leroy chuckled. "She does enjoy surprises," he said. "Now, onto business."
Aedan tensed. "Let's start with your previous mission," Leroy continued after a pause. "It was a setup."
"A what now?" Aedan asked, confused.
"Yes, the insurrectionists gave away the location of the Origami knowingly," Leroy explained.
"But why" Aedan questioned
"Consider it carefully," Leroy replied. Aedan reflected for a moment, recalling the events of the mission and stopping as he remembered what the insurrectionist officer had mentioned. "Do you understand?"
"They were targeting me? Why?" Aedan asked, puzzled by the insurrectionist's specific interest in him.
"Not specifically you, but rather a SPARTAN. It appears that the URF High Command has obtained information regarding the SPARTAN program. The Origami was merely the bait to lure you and your team. However, it seems that they will no longer be receiving any intelligence from that ship," Leroy remarked with a hint of humor.
"How is it possible that FLEETCOM was unaware of this?" Aedan inquired, questioning whether it was a result of incompetence or simply a strategic move by the insurrectionists.
"Details on that are classified. This could have been prevented if I had been informed earlier while I was on Reach. I'm currently in Sydney so I can't do much," Leroy explained. "Also, the reason why Captain Hood was captured wasn't due to his poor stopping destination, but because it seemed the insurrectionists wanted to use him to bait you and your team."
"That explanation is more reasonable than what the Captain said," Aedan expressed. Leroy's explanation made more sense compared to Hood's description. "But how do we know the insurrectionists planned that initially?"
"We found the bodies of his supposed pilot onboard the ship he was serving before his promotion, the Spirit of Fire," Leroy further explained. "The captain of the Spirit of Fire, James Cutter, has sent his thanks for saving his former XO."
"I would be pleased if the rest of Blue Team received credit as well; they were the ones who completed the original objective," Aedan said, eliciting a smirk from Leroy.
"Indeed. Now, let us address a more important matter," Leroy replied, causing Aedan to tense up further. "Under official orders from HIGHCOM, you are hereby promoted from Master Chief Petty Officer to Lieutenant. Congratulations, you are now a commissioned officer and the first among the SPARTANs."
Aedan was momentarily speechless, his eyes widening and jaw dropping. "What?" he asked in disbelief. After a few seconds, he finally comprehended the announcement. "WHAT!" Aedan exclaimed loudly.
"I understand it is quite a surprise," Leroy remarked with a hint of humor.
"NO! I mean, like- what the actual fuck." Aedan cursed as he frantically started moving around the room, "Wh-how in the actual Irish hell did I get promoted….AGAIN!"
"Inevitable, I spoke highly of you to the higher-ups," Leroy smirked.
"Screw you," Aedan said, ignoring military discipline.
"Calm down, this is a minor change," Leroy replied. "You're an officer now, command wants you to lead your own team of SPARTANs."
"Is that a joke?" Aedan pleaded.
"No, it isn't," Leroy answered.
"Can't I just stay with Blue Team?" Aedan asked, frustrated.
"They might pull a Kilo-two with the new team too," Leroy reassured me.
"Great, past decisions haunting me," Aedan said sarcastically. "Who's replacing me in Blue Team?"
"SPARTAN-051 or Kurt 051, you might be familiar with him, although when he's actually going to be in blue team…. that is undecided." Leroy said
'Wait… this could only mean… Goddamnit,' Aedan thought to himself as he realized that it not only indicated his departure from Blue team but also that Kurt was likely to be taken as per the original events.
"How long until I ship out then?" Aedan asked, acknowledging that there was no change to the situation.
"In a few hours," Leroy replied. "You will meet your new team in the station's hanger bay, so please pack your belongings and say goodbye to your current team. Also, you will be required onboard the Everest after you have familiarized yourself with your new team. Admiral Cole wants to speak with you. Good luck, Lieutenant," Leroy stated before the video feed ended.
Aedan took in a deep breath and let it all out inside the room, "FUCK YOUUUUUUUU" he screamed pouring all his rage and frustration in it...luckily the room was soundproof...like all private rooms were.
After a few minutes, Aedan exited the room with a deep sigh. As he walked down the corridors, he still couldn't believe the situation he had found himself in. 'So this is what Doctor Halsey meant when she said it was up to me to decide if it's good or bad news,' he thought as he continued down the hallway.
Midway, he encountered Kelly, who was leaning against the wall without her MJOLNIR armor. Aedan paused upon seeing Kelly, who also noticed him. They exchanged glances for a moment before Kelly approached Aedan and struck him in the abdomen.
Aedan grunted in pain but stood up. "What was that for?" he asked.
"You know why," Kelly replied, visibly upset and angry.
"Well, I can't change it now," Aedan said, defeated.
Frustrated, Kelly exclaimed, "Damn it, Aedan! Why is it always you?"
"I don't know," Aedan responded, feeling a deep sense of despair reminiscent of his teenage years.
Kelly hugged him, holding back tears. "I don't want to let you go… none of us do."
"You'll have to," Aedan said, each word stabbing his heart as he prepared to leave his closest friends, his family, once again.
Aedan walked down the station corridors, having grabbed his waist bag and said his farewells. Sam was emotional as always, while John, though angry, accepted the change. Kelly, walking beside him to the armory, remarked, "It will be different without you."
"You'll all adapt," Aedan replied.
Kelly paused, then said, "Remember, you'll always be part of Blue Team, and your spot will remain untaken. I'll make sure of it, even if I have to convince John."
Both of them laughed. "I'm sure he won't reject your request," Aedan said, wiping his tears. "But seriously, treat Kurt well—his feelings might come in handy."
"Don't worry, Kurt will be fine," Kelly assured.
They stopped outside the armory and turned to each other. "Guess this is it," Aedan said.
"Yeah," Kelly agreed. "I'll miss you."
"Same," Aedan replied.
"Oh, and I left a little surprise for you," Kelly added with a grin.
Aedan, confused, walked into the armory, the door automatically closed behind him as he entered. A few moments later Kelly heard Aedan's voice, "KELYYYYY!" he sounded pissed. Kelly simply snickered and grinned as she walked away.
As Aedan walked down the corridors, now wearing his repaired MJOLNIR suit with a slight customization, he noticed that Kelly had painted a red rabbit on his left gauntlet. Despite his efforts to remove it, the graffiti remained intact.
Aedan sighed, "Damn it, Kelly. Now people are going to think I painted the rabbit," he muttered under his breath as he made his way towards the hangar bay.
Upon entering the hangar bay, he observed several docked Pelicans. He scanned the area and identified four SPARTANs in the standard olive-green MJOLNIR suits standing near a Pelican. He recognized two of them by their stature, but the other two were unfamiliar to him.
As he approached them, all four SPARTANs noticed him and snapped into attention, "At ease" Aedan said, it was weird to him, but now he had to get used to it, he was an officer and now would most probably receive a lot more salutes from the marines, ODSTs maybe and other SPARTANs, the privileges of being an officer.
As the four SPARTANs stood at ease, Aedan looked onto each and every one of them, their expressions masked by their helmets, Leroy had given him the files regarding his new team, Petty officer first class Daisy-023, one of the SPARTANs he was familiar with and was friends with was a part of the team.
Petty officer second class Cal-141, another SPARTAN he was familiar and friends with was also part of them team, Daisy as far as he remembered in lore was killed, so her being here all fine is something he could really use.
Cal was nearly a jack of all traits but mainly focused on the sniper rifle and as a sniper, although nowhere near Linda's level. She was still good enough to get the job done.
Now the other two…he had absolutely no clue, nowhere in the lore had they ever been mentioned, first was Petty officer First class Alexander-072, he was a washout who was rehabilitated and brought back into active service a year ago. He was the best example of a Jack of all traits, good at everything, but he was also a quick thinker and could come up with tactics and strategy extremely fast, although it said he rarely showed any of it...reasons were left out on, why.
And finally Petty officer second class Owen-056, another washout who was rehabilitated and brought back to active service also a year ago, the files did say he had a knack for heavy weapons and highly specialized in it, and as the files dubbed it was being a pyromaniac.
'Great, a team which has no history of working together.' Aedan thought, this would be the first time since 2526 that he would once again take the boots as the leader, "Alright then…. let's get ourselves familiar shall we?"
November 10, 2530, 0234 hours [5 days earlier]
Sol system, Earth, Sydney Australia, UNSC HIGHCOM facility, Bravo-6
Inside a dimly lit room, there was a round table with a chair at each end, designated for highly classified meetings among the senior officials of HIGHCOM.
"I have reviewed your request, and I must inquire about the underlying motives behind it," Vice Admiral Stanforth remarked from one side of the table, his hands clasped and his expression skeptical.
"As I have previously stated, sir, the purpose is to benefit the UNSC and humanity," Leroy responded from the opposite side.
"But your request, it's one that I'm hesitant to approve," Stanforth said skeptically. "This new branch within Section III that you want to create…"
"Ambitious, yes," Leroy replied. "Sir, what I am proposing could significantly impact the next decades."
Stanforth sighed, "Benedict, you know I am planning to resign from my position as head of Section III soon."
"And that is why, sir, I urge you to make this one final decision. I assure you that you will not regret it," Leroy continued to plead earnestly.
"Very well. I suppose one last decision for Section III won't cause any harm," Stanforth conceded.
Leroy felt an immense sense of relief internally. "There is also another matter," he added, as he handed a file to Stanforth.
Stanforth raised an eyebrow and inquired, "And what might this be?"
"The first combat team I have planned for Alpha-1 division," Leroy stated, "I conducted some research on the members of the team and found something quite interesting."
As Stanforth opened the file labeled Kilo-two, his eyes widened slightly. "Where did you find this? I thought Section Zero ensured that records like these were restricted," Stanforth said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
The profiles of the five team members were not particularly unusual; however, it is noteworthy that SPARTAN 001 previously led the team and played a crucial role in shaping it into its current form.
However, the records of three specific individuals, Corporal Elizabeth Kristine, Lance Corporal Martinez Garcia, and Elijah Agar, were notable not because of who they were, but due to their parentage. All three had parents who were former members of the ORION Program, the precursor to the SPARTAN II Program. This lineage effectively made them SPARTAN 1.1's, with Elizabeth being nearly a perfect 1.1 as both her father and mother were former ORION members.
"I have my methods," Leroy remarked with a slight smile. "Now, do you understand, sir, why I am so determined to establish this branch?"
"I see your point, but still," Stanforth responded, "You're taking considerable risks, Benedict. Push your luck too far and you might face severe consequences."
"I understand the risks, but I have a reliable plan," Leroy stated.
"Are you referring to SPARTAN 001?" Stanforth inquired. It was not difficult to determine who Leroy was referencing. "I must admit, five years ago I did not consider him significant, but now I see why you regard him so highly. How did you and Halsey identify such a candidate at the perfect time?"
"The good doctor has her methods; I merely assisted with the adoption documents," Leroy responded, omitting some details. He had indeed played a role in creating and validating Aedan's false documents.
He was aware of what ONI would do if they discovered how Aedan entered the program and how he was initially located.
From day one, Aedan demonstrated his value in combat, showing he could be crucial to their success in the war. It was now Leroy's responsibility to ensure Aedan could perform his duties without any external interference, such as from Ackerson.