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Earth: A Halo Tale by Nike
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Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 1, Chapters 1 & 2
Date: 29 January 2003, 12:44 am
A/N: This story has been on my computer a good long while and I've finally made the decision to submit it to HBO. . .changed, that is. I read over the full story and it was pretty cheesy. So what I'm typing is not the original thing (like anybody cares).
Note that in my story Keyes is alive. How he is alive is up to your imagination. Here goes.
Chapter 1
0800 Hours November 15, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Longsword interceptor 34, Unknown Star System
It has been two years since the destruction of the Halo. Cortana, the Master Chief, and Captain Keyes have been adrift in space, not knowing where they were.
Captain Keyes stood on the bridge of the Longsword in "parade rest", feet spread slightly apart and hands clamped behind his back, gripping his grandfather's pipe. He stared out into the blackness of outer space.
Are we the only humans left? Keyes thought. He could not let that thought disturb him. Keyes knew they would find Earth sooner or later. . .if it weren't obliterated already. Then again, they could just drift in space for the rest of their lives, and die of no life support or let a lone Covenant ship blast them to smithereens.
"Captain, I think it would be a good idea to go get the Chief out of cryo-sleep," Cortana said.
"Why is that?" Keyes asked.
"Because we're near Earth. 5 light-years away to be exact. We just need to make one brief Slipspace jump and we'll be in the Lox Sector."
"I'm heading for the cryo-bay now," Keyes asserted.
Keyes briskly walked to the cryo-bay. When he reached the door to the cryo-bay, it asked him for security clearence codes. Since he didn't have the codes, he would need to break it down.
Keyes sighed. He looked around for something suitable to knock the door down.
Oh, this'll do good. Keyes picked up a metal crowbar from off the floor, and walked over to the door. He stabbed down into the key-pad with the crowbar, making sparks fly. The door slowly started to fall down. Keyes kicked it so it would fall faster.
The cryo-bay door clattered to the ground. The captain dropped the bar and walked to the only cryo chamber that was not vacant.
Keyes rubbed his hands together. "What were the buttons again? Oh, yeah." Keyes pushed three buttons.
"Tube shows green," Cortana said over the loudspeaker, "cycle complete."
"Affirmative," Keyes replied. "Vital signs look normal. No abnormal heart beat nor brain wave patterns."
The Master Chief shook his head to wave away the disorientation. He needed a second to remember where he was. The Longsword interceptor, the cryo-tube.
"Welcome back, Master Chief," Keyes said.
The Chief stood up. He felt like he wanted to throw up. He quickly flipped his helmet's visor up, and he coughed as he regurgitated the cryonic fluid in his throat.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this fluid," John said.
"It's the only way to replace lost nutrients from cryo-sleep, Master Chief," Captain Keyes said, scratching the back of his neck. "The brass orders, we obey. You can step out of the cryo-tube now."
The Chief stepped onto the floor and gave his superior a crisp salute. Captain Keyes returned it.
"At ease, Master Chief," the captain asserted. "We're about five light-years away from Earth. Cortana says we need to make a brief Slipspace jump and we'll be in Earth's star system, Lox."
The two Navy men strode toward the bridge.
"Sleep well?" Cortana asked when they reached the bridge.
John yawned. "I could be better, but then again I could be worse."
An artificial voice over the loudspeaker sounded off.
"Slipspace insertion in three, two, one. Slipspace insertion," it announced.
The space in front of the Longsword turned a dull gray and a bright green. This was the first time the Master Chief had seen what Slipspace looked like without being stuffed in a tube.
Chapter 2
1030 Hours November 17, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Longsword interceptor 34, in orbit above Earth
Two days later, the artificial voice said, "Five seconds to Slipspace exsertion. Four, three, two, one. Slipspace exsertion."
Then the Longsword exited Slipspace. Almost immediately, a voice came over the loudspeaker.
"Halt, who are you?" the voice stated.
"UNSC HQ, this is Cortana of the Pillar of Autumn. I have Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan John-117 and Captain Jacob Keyes aboard with me," she said.
"Roger that, Cortana. The fleet is sending the destroyer, Blackened Heart, to retrieve you. Hold your position in orbit above Earth until then."
"Cortana to UNSC HQ, over and out." The COM line went dead.
"What're our orders?" the Master Chief inquired.
"We've been ordered to orbit Earth until the destroyer, Blackened Heart, can escort us back to Earth," she replied. TO BE CONTINUED Did you like it? I would really like comments because that's what motivates me. Earth: A Halo Tale Part 2 is on the way. Stay tuned.
Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 1, Chapters 3 & 4
Date: 30 January 2003, 9:58 pm
A/N: Enjoy Part 2!
Chapter 3
1049 Hours November 17, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Longsword interceptor 34, in orbit over Earth
About 19 minutes later, the Master Chief spotted the UNSC destroyer, Blackened Heart.
The destroyer moved at a steady pace towards the Longsword. The UNSC flag had been painted on the sides of the Blackened Heart. The Chief caught sight of a shimmer on her surface; energy shields.
"Looks like the UNSC has made some break-throughs during our time in space," John said. "Cortana, can you upload any data on anything new to my armor?"
"I can't, Chief. The data is heavily encrypted; it must be a new security system," she replied.
The voice of an older man, probably in his mid-60s, crackled over the COM system.
"Okay, Cortana. The docking bay is open. Proceed to Docking Bay #2, please," 4-star Admiral Stanforth said.
"We read you, Admiral Stanforth. Longsword 34 on approach vector," Cortana replied.
The Longsword sped faster toward the docking bay of the Blackened Heart. Tiny lights flickered on and off of the ship's hull. The fighter touched down into the docking bay, where the admiral greeted them, along with 2 members of the UNSC brass. The Master Chief saw four other familiar people as well.
The Chief pulled Cortana out of the Longsword's computer and inserted her into his helmet. Keyes and the Chief walked down the ramp of the Longsword. The docking bay doors closed and internal lights flickered on.
"Welcome back, Captain Keyes," Admiral Stanforth said.
Keyes and John snapped to attention and saluted. The admiral returned it.
"At ease," he replied.
"Hey, John!!" Sam, Fred, and Kelly ran over to greet their commander and friend. They saluted him, and John returned it.
"Hey, guys. How's it going?" the Master Chief asked.
"Good, good. How's life then the last two years?" Sam asked.
John chuckled. "Nothing special if you count being stuck in a cryo-tube for two years fun."
"It's good to see you again, 117," Lieutenant Mendez asserted.
"You too, sir." He saluted his former instructor. "What of Dr. Halsey?"
"It's rather unfortunate, 117, but the doctor died on Reach," Mendez replied.
"I see. Very well then." He shook his head.
Admiral Stanforth faced the Chief. "Well, Master Chief, let's go inside, shall we? We need any information that Cortana has collected and devise a strategy to strike the Covenant. The ONI tech boys have developed new armor for you, and the UNSC Weapons Facility has some new toys for your testing. Everyone is to come to my Ready Room for the briefing and other necessary information."
John, Captain Keyes, Sam, Fred, Kelly, Lieutenant Mendez, the two UNSC brass members, and Admiral Stanforth walked over to the far side of the docking bay and they went through the sliding glass doors.
When they reached the bridge of the Blackened Heart, the group immediately walked left and through another sliding door.
The conference room had a podium at one end, and directly in front of the podium was a conference table that could seat 20 people, 10 on each side. To the podium's left was a small stoop, and the entrance where the Master Chief was standing in now.
"Please take a seat," one of the UNSC brass members said. "Master Chief, please insert Cortana into that slot on the left side of the podium, if you will."
John nodded. He took the data chip from his helmet and he inserted Cortana into the terminal. He then went to take a seat between Captain Keyes and Admiral Stanforth. Sam, Fred, and Kelly sat directly across from the Chief. The other brass member stood to the right of the podium.
The first brass member, 1-Star General Hiyaka Tuga, grasped the edges of the podium.
Hiyaka Tuga was clearly Japanese, judging from his name. He had been promoted to 3-star general two years back when Halo was destroyed. He was relieved when he had been promoted to general because he was afraid of dying at the hands of aliens. He would rather die of old age. He had black frizzy hair due to his buzz cut, he was neither tall nor short, and was a black belt in the school of Drunken Kung-Fu.
General Preston Cole stood to the right of the podium.
"Well, gentlemen and lady, let's get started shall we?" General Tuga said.
Chapter 4
1251 Hours November 17, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Blackened Heart Conference Room, in orbit over Earth
2 hours and 2 minutes later, the briefing was over.
Cortana had told Generals Cole and Tuga about their journey to, on, and departure from Halo, she talked about the Flood and the Forerunners, and (possibly) how humanity started.
When everyone had filed out of the conference room, Admiral Stanforth and Captain Keyes were left alone.
"Keyes, I have something to discuss with you. Sit, please," Stanforth asserted.
"Yes, sir? What is it?" the captain inquired.
"Do you remember the mission about the Covenant ship?"
"I do. Is what you wanted to talk to me about?"
Keyes had nearly read Stanforth's mind. "Yes, and that mission is still incomplete. But before we can send you and you're new crew out, we'll need to retrain and reteach you."
"What?" Keyes said.
"Yes, I know it may sound crazy, but we don't know if the Infection forms did anything to your brain. When you feel like you're up to it, go to the medical station either on board or at UNSC HQ. Then we'll do the training process. Do you understand?" the admiral said.
"I understand, Admiral," Keyes replied. He stood, saluted the admiral, and before he was about to leave, Admiral Stanforth stopped him. "But there is one more thing I have to give you."
"What's that, Admiral?"
Admiral Stanforth pulled out a small, wooden box. Captain Keyes opened the small box and he was speechless: a single gold star; the rank of Rear Admiral.
"Consider it official." Admiral Stanforth took the gold star out of the box. Captain Keyes snapped to attention, and Stanforth pinned the gold star to Keyes' front uniform pocket.
Both admirals saluted each other, and Stanforth stuck his hand out and they shook.
Admiral Keyes and Admiral Stanforth walked back to the bridge.
"Lieutenant Rochester, come about to course three-point-one-two and head for Earth," Admiral Stanforth asserted.
"Aye, sir," Lieutenant Rochester replied.
His fingers danced across the keypad as he typed in the course.
"Course plotted, sir."
"Good. Ensign Powell, 100% percent to the engines. Get us down to Earth as fast as possible."
"Engine level at 95% and climbing, sir." He paused. "Engine at 100% percent, sir. Descending toward Earth."
The Blackened Heart turned 180 degrees and descended into Earth's atmosphere. TO BE CONTINUED Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 3 is on the way, guys. Stay tuned.
Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 3: Chapters 5 & 6
Date: 1 February 2003, 1:23 am
0400 Hours November 21, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Destination Unknown, Location Unknown
The sun gleamed in the blue, cloudless sky. Underbrush and old logs were strewn about the ground. An ancient oak tree sat in the middle of this open, forest plain.
A Covenant patrol walked towards the oak tree. The patrol was composed off a single blue Elite Sniper (indicated by it's lighter body armor and weapon), four Jackals (two minor, two major), and 4 Grunts (all minor).
The Elite Sniper swept it's X-2 Crossbow across the field, scanning for potential threats, the Jackals were covering the left and right flanks, and the Grunts walked, cautious and scared.
The latest Covenant weapon, the X-2 Crossbow, was an outstanding sniper rifle, deadly close-quarters weapon, and a mini-grenade launcher in terms of reliability, rate of fire, and power. There were two different fire modes: Close-Quarters and Sniper mode.
At long range, the crossbow had a maximum range of 20x. The rounds were made of carbine plasma, depleted uranium, and platinum. It's equipped with a built-in silencer; so muzzle flashes and loudness are obsolete. It had four different modes: regular, night-vision, thermal, and x-ray.
The X-2 has three different ammo types: regular, incendiary, and grenade. The more potent rounds are obviously grenade rounds. At a distance, these rounds are extremely dangerous and accurate. Not only are they silent, but they have the ability to destroy entire companies of Marines at full strength, a battalion if you count four Marine companies. Whenever possible, Marine and Spartan snipers were now ordered to recover an X-2 at all costs.
Close-Quarters mode is just as the name implies. This is mode works like a shotgun and has the firing rate of an AR. If close enough, a round to the stomach literally mutilates the insides of someone and if the shot is to the head, the target's head is disintegrated upon impact. The X-2 is truly a remarkable piece of weaponry.
Then a shot rang out. A Jackal Major fell to the ground, leaving a half-dollar sized hole in its chest cavity. Purple blood trickled out and onto the lush, green grass.
The Elite perked up and pointed to a bush where it suspected the enemy was hidden. It fired a bolt of plasma at the bush. It disintegrated into ash. A Marine had been hidden behind the brush, its charred head lying on the ground next to it. Wires and gears were hanging from it and the Marine Robot's neck.
"Halt test!" a voice boomed over the intercom.
Chapter 6
0404 Hours November 17, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Weapon and Training Facility, UNSC HQ, Washington D.C.
Lights flickered on to reveal more of a training area. The background scenery was actually just a paper backboard and it was rather spartan in appearance.
"That, Master Chief, is the awesome power of the X-2 Crossbow," Mendez said. "A neat little weapon, don't you think? Unfortunately, this is the only one we've managed to recover and from the scans we got from it, it's just a mere prototype. However, once we collect more and we find out if they're the final products, the brass will mass-produce them. If the results in being trained in the use of this crossbow are good when all Marine snipers have been trained in its use, this gun may well replace the S2 AM and make it obsolete. If those results in a live combat situation are as good as the training ones, the X-2 may even replace the MA5B as the standard-issue rifle. Until we collect more data on this weapon, though, the MA5B is still the current weapon."
"I must say, sir, that this is a pretty powerful weapon. You say it's a Covenant one?" the Master Chief inquired.
"Well. . ." The lieutenant trailed off.
"What is it, sir? I don't mind."
"Well, from one of our scans, the scan indicated that it in fact it had been used by the Covenant, but they didn't manufacture it. Someone else made it."
"And who made it?" John asked.
"Obviously, they got it from another colony world. So the Covenant had bought the weapon, along with many others, from another colony. The people who made this weapon, however, may come as a surprise to you. The manufacturer is the Forerunner. TO BE CONTINUED A/N: I know this was an incredibly short part, but I felt like I needed to stop here, so as to get your minds thinking. As usual, advice, motivation, and feedback are welcome. Flaming is not welcome, however. All flamers are to report to Gate 2 for you're trip to COG Land. Have a nice day. (Sorry about that. My ego took over again. lol). Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 4 coming soon. I promise that there will be action. I just need to explain the boring details (boring to some, but not all) and then we get to the action. Stay tuned. (That was longer then I thought it would be. lol).
Earth: A Halo Tale: Part 4: Chapter 7
Date: 27 February 2003, 10:01 pm
0410 Hours November 21, 2554 [Military Calendar]/
Weapon and Training Facility, UNSC HQ, Washington D.C.
“What?!” John said, awe-struck.
“Yes, Master Chief, the Forerunner,” Lieutenant Mendez asserted. “The scans showed that the X-2 was of Forerunner origin.”
“I know, but how can the X-2 be a Forerunner weapon if it’s purple and pink?” Purple and pink were, after all, the Covenant colors.
“That’s what puzzles me. If it’s a Forerunner weapon, then why does it have the Covenant’s colors on it?”
“Maybe they spray-painted all X-2s imported from the Forerunner’s homeworld.”
“Or maybe the Forerunners have ties to the Covenant and the Flood,” Mendez said. “Let’s save the what-ifs and philosophy for later, Master--”
He was interrupted by the sound of a crackling head set. The lieutenant placed the headphones over his ears and said, “What is it?”
“This is General Tuga, Lieutenant,” he said. “We’ve just gotten news of a small Covenant task force moving towards the colony Zebes III. The force is supposed to be made up of three frigates, a carrier and a medium-sized corvette. Tell the Master Chief to get the Spartans ready to go and you go muster 6th Regiment’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, then get aboard Admiral Keyes’s new cruiser, the Shrine of Pitted Dreams. Be ready to move out at 0430.”
“Understood, General. We’re moving out.” Mendez set the head set back on the table it had originally been placed on. “Master Chief, a small Covenant task force has been detected near Zebes III, a major colony in the Middle Colonies.” The Middle Colonies were between the Inner and Outer Colonies. “Get the Spartans ready to go and meet be and 6th Regiment’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions aboard Admiral Keyes’s new vessel, the Shrine of Pitted Dreams. We’re to be ready by 0430. Now, hop to.”
John snapped to attention and gave Mendez a sharp salute. Mendez returned the gesture. The Master Chief high-tailed it down the hallway to the Spartan Quarters.
He burst through the door. John immediately got to the point.
“Dog those cards! Get into uniform! We’ve got a mission! We’re heading to a colony world called Zebes III, a major colony located somewhere in the Middle Colonies. A small Covenant task force composed of three frigates, a carrier, and a medium-sized corvette has been detected. Battalions 1-3 of the 6th will be supporting us. Now, double time it to the armory and then to the Shrine of Pitted Dreams.”
As the Spartan IIIs donned their MJOLNIR II armor, they listened carefully to the Chief’s briefing. More details would be provided aboard the SoPD, though.
The Spartans and the Chief sprinted down the hallway, 25 pairs of metal boots clanking on the floor in perfect unison.
The Spartans each grabbed one of the new Rat rifles from a rack of other weapons. Some grabbed what the UNSC simply called the “SMG.”
The new R90, or “Rat” as the Marines call it, is completely different from the MA5B. It has an 80-round magazine, with a rate of fire of 600rpm, and it comes with a 2x scope for basic sniping. It had a longer barrel for better accuracy on full auto, single-shot, or controlled bursts.
Many other Spartans grabbed different things. Snipers grabbed sniper rifles. Heavy weapon experts, like Sam, grabbed rocket launchers and C-12.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of the 6th soon entered the armory. The Master Chief glanced over at the door, and when he noticed the colonel of the 6th walk in, he said, “Spartans, ten hut!”
His Spartans stopped what they were doing and snapped to attention, as did John. They saluted 6th Regiment’s colonel and lieutenant colonels. The colonel returned it.
“At ease, Master Chief,” the officer said.
The colonel was an average sized American with gray hair and beard. John suspected he was in his early 50s. He was, surprisingly, in good shape for a man his age. His nametag read, “Colonel Stacy Leach, 6th Regiment, United Nations Space Command, Planet Earth.”
Once all the Spartans and Marines were armed and ready, Colonel Leach said, “Double time to the docking bay! Move, move, move!”
The Spartans and Marines ran to the docking bay at Delta Sector.
Stacy noticed that his Marines were running slower, slacking off a bit. “Let’s go, you ladies, move it! Triple time!” This made the Marines increase their pace.
Admiral Keyes sat in the command chair of his new vessel, the Shrine of Pitted Dreams. He pulled his grandfather’s pipe out of his pocket, lit it, and puffed once, examining the curls of smoke thoughtfully.
At least, he thought, I’m not the only ship going. And he was right about that fact.
About 17 other ships were going, as well. Keyes was the head of the fleet of frigates, destroyers, and cruisers that were en route to Zebes III.
Cortana, after going through a rigorous upgrade, was being sort of nasty, but was glad that the upgrade made her function forever, instead of dying after seven years of use. She was currently monitoring the COM channels and internal cameras.
“Admiral, I’m detecting movement on External Camera B3,” Cortana said.
“Show me,” the admiral replied.
The vision of External Camera B3 flashed on the main view screen. Keyes saw what the movement was; the Spartans and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions. Admiral Keyes chuckled.
“Cortana, it’s only the Spartans and the Marines you caught movement from.”
“Oh...” Cortana trailed off.
Colonel Leach’s voice echoed over the ship’s COM system. “Admiral, can you open the ramp doors? They seem to be shut tight.”
“Yes, sir. Hold on a second.” He paused. “Lieutenant English, open the main ramp doors.”
“Aye aye, sir,” Lieutenant English replied. His fingers lightly tapped in the commands. “Ramp doors are opening, sir.”
A low rumble echoed throughout the bridge and the rest of the ship. The camera showed the three battalions and the Spartans moving through the open door. The ramp folded up and closed.
“Are we ready to move out, Cortana?” Keyes asked.
“The engine is at 97%, Admiral...now at 100%,” the AI replied.
“Good. Lieutenant Malcovich, fire up the engines. Ensign Knight, ready the S-MACs and ready Archer missile pods A through E,” Admiral Keyes said.
The two crewmen jumped to their tasks, the light hum of fingers tapping on plasma keypads being sounded off in perfect unison.
The distinct whine of the engines warming up echoed throughout the ship, as was the sound of the Archer missile interlocks opening.
“Cortana, get me online with the rest of the fleet.”
“Yes, Admiral.” A moment’s pause. “Communications line established.”
Keyes took a deep breath. He spoke.
“All hands, this is the Admiral. Prepare to move out. Captain and commanders, warm up your engines and move out into Phalanx Paux Formation 4. Tell your Marines that there’s a 90% chance that they’ll be sent to the surface of Zebes III, and to be ready. Keyes, out.”
The monitor, in which Keyes’ image had appeared, snapped off. He sat back in the command chair, lit his pipe, and puffed once, examining the curls of smoke. He would need a battle plan. He was the head of this fleet. He knew it wouldn’t be a good thing to be caught with his pants down with no plan. Keyes started thinking about what he would if he found Covenant battleships as the SoPD rumbled out of Gamma Station’s Delta Sector. TO BE CONTINUED A/N: Yes, it took me awhile, but school, snow, and a week-long vacation distracted me. Hopefully, this was longer then my previous parts, though this is only one chapter. Part 5 is on the way. I’ll give you all a cookie if you can be patient. This is Nike, over and out.
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