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The Birth of New Heroes by Arinoth Koby
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The Birth of New Heroes: Prologue
Date: 3 April 2004, 8:36 PM
«« Writer's note: I would like all of your forgiveness if it appears I spell some words wrong, since I will be switching back and forth between Canadian and American spellings since I happen to be of both cultures. Another note is i have not been able to figure out a way for the font to stay indented coming from Word or any other word processing file so bare with me without the indents »»
The Birth of New Heroes: Prologue "Shadow Spartans"
The Shadow Spartans program was one that ran in the shadows of the Spartan II project. Unlike the Spartan II project, the Shadow Spartans program was designed to create the perfect team or squad of members who would be the ultimate soldiers in combat. As with the Spartan II project, the SS program began with around the same time but in an even more classified location, the planet Alloran. Alloran is unknown to most civilians and UNSC personnel. ONI is running the elite squad program in the hopes that it will rival the Spartan II project. Alloran is no ordinary planet. It is the safest planet known to man against any form of invasion. Due to its alternating electromagnetic field around the planet, while traveling through the atmosphere the electromagnetic field acts like an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) damaging and disrupting all forms of electronics on board any vessel. Seeing as the Covenant technology relied on a form of energy, the electromagnetic field would disrupt all human and Covenant spaceship's systems rendering it helpless during its fall through the atmosphere. The only way supplies are moved from off and on planet are to have space ships with oxygen tanks for its passengers during the atmospheric travel which disables even and all life support. So if a Covenant cruiser ever slipped into the system the electromagnetic field would disrupt their shields, weapons and primary controls, and the MACs on the surface of the planet would make easy work of any intruder.
The SS program went after the candidate to perform perfectly and any flaws or mistake would not be acceptable. The candidates had been taken at a young age but pitted into groups of 4 in which they would force them to either succeed or fail as one.
As the years pressed on, the Shadow Spartan candidates went through more intense physical and mental trained compared to that of the Spartan IIs, but as the years past, less and less candidates we remaining due to mental, or physical deficits from either the tests, "enhancements" or from their body or mind just not being able to take the stress and dying in training. There remains just one squad remaining with potential, all others are assumed to perform as Spartan IIs in combat or will end up leaving the compound one way or another.
The Shadow Spartans squad consists of now four members, their names forgotten in the years past and from which just code names are used; Blood Wolf - the sniper, able to snipe from extreme distances due to his enhanced distance vision, Ares - explosive specialists, able to create/arm and disarm/deactivate any known "bomb" known to man from the simplest grenade (if the pin is still in the grenade) to a nuclear warhead, Mournhold - assault/support, able to eliminate an elite or brute in hand-to-hand combat due to his dangerously enhanced strength, and Arinoth - Tactical support, able to think like and almost as fast as a computer when it comes to laying out plans or strategies for assaults on the enemy while very fluent in every known computer language.
Ares stands about 7' 3"; he has a very lean and muscular physique, broad shoulders, and arms as thick as a steel girder. His blond hair grew about one centimeter off his head in a clean crew cut fashion mocking regular naval personnel. His blue eyes are piercing but constantly hidden behind his helmet, although you could feel his gaze, he was like a hawk always watching always taking everything in. Ares has a fast knowledge of mathematics and science. He is able to create, neutralize, or destroy any explosive in the UNSC library from the simple C4 to complex fusion bombs, Ares was the one they would call in for explosive situations.
Arinoth is about 7 feet tall; and is the shortest of the four Shadows Spartans. He has brown hair kept short to not interfere with his work. His eyes are ever changing with his attitude and mood, but are mainly seen as blue. Arinoth also has a fast knowledge of mathematics and science, but on top of that has a six sense when it comes to planning missions. He is like a computer tactician, wanting to win with precision and no injuries to his team.
Blood Wolf is about 7'3"; his brown hair is about 3 inches in length. His boyish good looks are covered by his helmet, though when he is not wearing his helmet it is flipped up at the front. He is the master of camouflage being able to blend into most settings and very strongly disciplined in not moving a muscle which helps with his camouflage skills. His eyes were altered at a young age more so then normally (compared to those of his other teammates) so that he could see extended distances that normal people could not. This places him as the unit's sniper. He is probably the guy with the best sense of humour on the team; though when he is pissed off, watch out.
Mournhold is about 7'5"; he has blue eyes and short blonde hair which he keeps up spiked, when not in a helmet. He is the strongest of the group, and also the most bulky when it comes to muscle size. He is extremely fast as well and is sometimes classified as an assassin instead of a Shadow Spartan. Though he is the most skilled in combat, Mournhold does not speak that much, he is the one who will listen to the others ramble and talk/give input when he feels it is necessary.
Arinoth is given the original copy of the squad's AI which would circulate throughout all four members while in combat in an extremely secure and secretive com-line. Also the AI is able to jump from one SS to another during battle or in case who ever is carrying the AI gets killed so the Covenant do not get this advanced piece of technology. The AI is specifically designed for the Shadow Spartans and tailors to their uniqueness by having his own unique traits. Stirfry, as he likes to call himself, is the first AI known to date to rival that of the knowledge of a Covenant Engineer. He is able to store and access memory while cross-referencing and "source" hacking Covenant com-channels or just Covenant data. When in a holo-projector, he chooses to take on the appearance of a colourful (compared to the single shaded Cortana and meaning he can change or be a mixture of colours) "bum" off the streets of the late 20th century playing his banjo and tunes from that era. He was created by top USNC engineers working together with the Shadow Spartan squad for his personality, with Arinoth and Ares contributing in the complex matrix in which Stirfry operates on.
Now on their last mission before their program can be deemed a success, the Shadow Spartans are on route to engage rebel hostile on a distant planet, the name of the planet not a piece of information given to the SS due to the lack of importance seen in it and in the fact the UNSC have not decided on an official name for the colony either.
The modified longsword in which the Shadow Spartans are riding in begins to slow down so that it is not detected by the rebel scanners. Inside of the ship, Mournhold is keeping to himself in the cargo bay as he checks over their very little supplies given to them, this was their final test after all and because of that each member had just one weapon allowed for them to use. He first dissembles and reassembles his own MA5B Assault Rifle to double check when he is reloading in battle it is impossible for his clip to stick or the gun to become jammed. Once he is satisfied that the gun is in perfect working condition, he does the same to Blood Wolf's S2 AM Sniper Rifle. Double checking that the scope is tweaked to Blood Wolf's desired magnification and that the smart-linked scope would double magnify when enabled. He then decides on checking over Ares' M19 SSM Rocket Launcher or better known as a Jackhammer. Checking the barrels, but not checking the ammunition due to the fact that was more Ares' thing. Lastly Mournhold takes his squad leader's M6D Pistol and takes it apart. He makes sure that it will fire properly and that the scope on the pistol is also smart-linked scope tweaked to about 7x magnification.
Blood Wolf checks over all the instruments in the longsword's cockpit while listening to the bluegrass style music coming from their AI. Stirfry comes onto the halo-projector and tells Blood Wolf (who is this mission's pilot) about the past while Blood Wolf just nods, half listening and focusing out into space to see if there are any warning signs that they have been detected.
Also in the cargo bay, Ares and Arinoth are having a brief discussion, which all of the SS are listening to, about the layout and design of the facility and the best rally points and locations for each of the team members to position them throughout the entire mission. Arinoth points out a key entrance way they must secure once inside the hangar and the exact spots everyone should be once they are to exit the longsword. Ares' points out that the rebels are well armed and that their modified MJNONIR V armor can only take some much before the rounds begin to penetrate themselves. Arinoth notes this and continues to map out and receive feed back from his fellow teammates.
The longsword begins to decelerate as it begins to land in the colony's single hangar disguised as a transport ship. Once the ship touches down, all four Shadow Spartans are gathered around the cargo bay ramp, as it begins to lower they all arm their weapons with Ares loading two 102mm high-explosive rockets into his now ready Jackhammer and awaits for the go ahead. As he goes down the ramp, followed by his fellow SS, they fan out making sure nothing can attack them from their flank or six. As they approach the inner doors as the hangar doors close, they all crouch into the darkness to see how many rebels they first will be engaging.
Its empty....odd it seems, until they see confused rebel soldiers attempting to figure out what the hell an UNSC longsword is doing in their hangar. This gives Blood Wolf the perfect opportunity to line them up in angles in which two quick shots ring out through the hangar with all four rebels dead from head shots. Arinoth flashes on Blood Wolf's HUD a "nice shot" before signally for his squad to move in and take the inner hangar. As they move into the complex of the colony they realize that so far no alarm has been raised. Blood Wolf stay's behind, sitting in a well placed shadow to make sure that their ride isn't going anywhere. The three move in with Mournhold taking up the front, followed by Arinoth and Ares brining up the rear with the all mighty Jackhammer.
They proceed deeper and deeper into the complex. Stirfry, as expected, is keeping all the com-lines dead so that none of the rebels will be able to sound an alarm until it is too late. Mournhold stops, and flashes his hand to the left, signally that there are rebel's ahead. The other two stop and nod their heads, acknowledging Mournhold. Ares' signals on his HUD that he is going to take the target out with a rocket, which Arinoth and Mournhold both duck so that the rocket has a clear path to its target. Ares' inches around the corner and fires, the rocket flies forward exploding on impact and literally obliterating the 3 rebels whom were standing there before the shot fired.
Meanwhile as this is occurring, Blood Wolf is sitting in a corner in the hangar lining up head shots of rebel soldiers who are begin to investigate why there fellow comrades are laying on the floor dead, also they are trying to find the one who keeps killing them. As Blood Wolf is lining up his target all he hears in his helmet is, "Your gonna miss, your gonna miss," coming Stirfry.
"Shut up..." Blood Wolf snaps back quietly to Stirfry.
"Oh no, he's one of ours, don't shoot, how could you do that-" Blood Wolf turns off his AI audio input and pulls the trigger, eliminating his target and sending other of the rebels scurrying around looking for cover. Blood Wolf then turns the AI audio input back on as he threatens the AI, "You do that again and I'm going to make you listen to Arinoth's music."
"You wouldn't....bastard," Stirfry half-jokes.
The three begin to move faster through the halls, reaching their target location in no time, the rebel leader is just past the next blast doors. Ares comes up and plants some explosives on the door. They all stand back as the trigger is pulled and the lock and electronics on the door are destroyed. Mournhold then pries the doors open with his strength with Arinoth crouching below him to cover him.
Once the door is open, that is when all hell breaks loose. There are at least 30 rebel soldiers whom begin to fire on their position. Arinoth and Mournhold roll to opposite sides of the door to avoid being hit.
"Fuck...well there goes our cover," Arinoth states over their com-line, "Mournhold, you and me give Ares cover fire each time before he fires and when he has to reload his Jackhammer."
Mournhold gives the OK on his HUD saying he agrees with Arinoth. The two peer into the room from either sides of the door and begin to unload their clips into the room. Arinoth firing slower and with some attempt of precision with his pistol and Mournhold just letting his assault rifle eliminate as many as it can.
Ares reload his Jackhammer and stands in the doorway, fires a rocket which explodes and kills about seven rebels, he goes back into hiding as he reload and receives cover fire from his unit. They repeat this "tango" several times until the room is completely in ruins and there are no more rounds of ammo being fired at them. They proceed carefully into the room, low on ammo, to find their objective, at least the head without a body of the rebel leader.
"Well it's safe to say he didn't have the guts to face us alive," Ares pokes fun at the fact the rebel leader is dead and all they found is his head.
Arinoth and Mournhold chuckle to themselves. The three them proceed on exiting the complex, heading back the way they came. Once they reach the hangar, they see about 20 corpses of rebel soldiers that weren't there when they left.
"Hey Blood Wolf, I see you got a little bit bored there eh?" Arinoth jokes.
"What can I say, they came too close for comfort, plus Stirfry would shut up...as usual, you know one of these days I swear I'm going to reprogram him to be less annoying," Blood Wolf replies.
"Well, let's head out, job well done guys," Ares adds in.
The four mount up into the longsword, in which Ares decides to pilot out of the hanger. They radio into command that they completed their task. The Shadow Spartan program is (in their creators eyes) a completely success giving birth to new heroes and hopefully the perfect squad. Specialists in every known field needed for combat and diplomatic situations they were indeed the perfect soldiers. The UNSC has finally found out about the results of their expensive and risky project and deem that it has been an almost complete failure compared to the Spartan II project due to the fact there is one only squad of Shadow Spartans while there were dozens of Spartan IIs who passed the program.
While on route back to Alloran, they hear shocking news on the com-line...Reach has fallen, the Covenant forces hit the military base with all they had and annihilated the human defenders... They are too far away to help out the survivors of the attack, for now they may be Earth's last defense against the Covenant assault. Now only time will tell to see if the Shadow Spartans are the birth of new heroes.
By: Arinoth Koby
Birth of New Heroes: Chapter 1
Date: 23 April 2004, 8:19 PM
«« Writer's note: Sorry for the delay in the first chapter, I have been busy. Plus I usually have each rough draft proof read by my four editors »»
The Birth of New Heroes: Chapter 1 "ONI"
The modified longsword makes its rocky decent into the atmosphere of Alloran, all the systems inside it are turned off to limit the electrical damage done to it by the electromagnetic field. As the decent starts, Ares looks outside at one of the unique satellite stations orbiting their home. The satellite uses a rather interesting means of communication with the surface of the planet, instead of sending electromagnetic information, such as radio waves, the satellite and its counterpart receivers on the surface send light data. This data is set up in such a way that the only way for communications to occur between satellite station and the receiver station is having two AIs constructed for the sole purpose of encoding and decoding the messages, graphics, etc., sent by the other. Real-time communication is possible between the stations, although there is normally a few second delay as the AIs must compensate and double check the message sent to verify it is indeed correct. This new technology is currently pending further study on Alloran and other ONI planets to see if it could possibly replace the current modes of transporting radio-transmissions through the galaxy and as a new level of encryption against the Covenant.
Once the longsword has made its short trip through the atmosphere, a small pelican tows the ship onto a landing bay since most, if not all of the systems about the longsword are still out. The longsword touches the ground and the boarding ramp descends, revealing the Shadow Spartans to the small ONI crowd gathering at a point not too far off from the ramp. One by one, the four of the Shadow Spartans walk down the ramp and onto the landing bay's rough concrete floor. Arinoth blinks his eyes once to adjust to the increase in light, due to the fact it is daytime currently and the ships lights are not as bright as those of Alloran's sun.
"Welcome back men, I hope you mission was successful in every aspect?" asks the curious Chief Engineer Dr. Lauren Byrons.
"Of course ma'am," answers Ares for the team, in which they all nod in agreement.
"Well that means your training is complete, you all are now UNSC soldiers, though only respond to ONI," replies the doctor.
"Does that mean new weapons and others that we may modify to our wills?" Asks Blood Wolf, anxious to exam the new prototype battle rifle and modify it every which way to meet his needs.
"Yes it does, it also means you will now be using the modified MJONIR VI instead of your MJLONIR V. The new armour has enhanced plating and other interesting gizmos you'll eventually get yourselves acquainted with. Good luck, the ONI Officer Patton would like to see all of you to give you an update on the current situation," she tells Shadow Spartans.
The four salute her then jog uniformly to the debriefing room inside the fortified base; the room itself would fit perhaps about 20 to 30 UNSC personnel though it only contains the Shadow Spartans and the ONI officer. The door closes and the four group members sit down in chairs that have been designed to hold their larger heavier bodies.
Sitting in front of them is ONI Officer Patton. Patton is in his late forties; though still has all his original hair which is brown. The man has a strong build and is wearing a standard military uniform so that he does not call attention to himself.
"Welcome gentlemen, I hear you're deemed a success by your creator?" asks the ONI Officer.
"Yes sir, we have passed all of the training and excelled far beyond that given to the regular Spartans IIs," replies a calm and cool Arinoth.
"Good, now that the UNSC acknowledges your existence in the same respect it does not. You four, plus your AI, are under the command of ONI and have an unlimited security clearance meaning that you have command, if you see fit when in combat to out rank any UNSC officer. With this, you are only allowed to divulge information to your superiors, or us, ONI. Do I have myself clear?"
"I speak on behalf of all of us when I say, yes sir," acknowledges an intrigued Blood Wolf.
"Good, now then, to get down to business, as you may or may not have heard our military installation Reach has fallen to a Covenant assault and as we speak it has been glassed. Our intelligence has told us that only one known Spartan II has escaped Reach, -Spartan-117 - Master Chief, on the Pillar of Autumn."
"Sir was this not thought to be impossible?" says a dazed Ares.
"We thought that, but somehow the Covenant was able to take out the Super MACs from on the planet by taking out the power supplies. Now that Reach is gone, Alloran is now ONI's centre command centre due to its natural defenses," the four nod, listening, "yes; we can't risk having it anywhere else. Now that this is cleared up, we have some experimental weapons we will be giving all of you, along with your modified MJOLNIR VI. As soon as you leave this room, you will be outfitted with the latest technology to help you defeat the Covenant. Report back here at 06:00. You are dismissed," Patton finishes up.
The four stand up, salute him, and then walk out of the room heading, down a corridor to the testing facility. The testing facility consists of two floors below the complex they are currently in harbored by top security. Once they reach the entrance to the facility, they have to flash their security clearance before they are allowed access into the facility, although who would stop 4 Shadow Spartans in their Mark V armour is a pointless question.
Inside the testing facility they see a massive amount of ONI personnel and scientists conducting experiments practically in all corners of the highly secure "building." They head into a smaller room. On the table they see all sorts of new object; a couple of battle rifles, six SMGs, the four MJOLNIR VI, what appears to be a sonic electromagnetic scrambler, and other things none of the four could quite figure out what the hell the things are. The four quickly remove their old suits, taking about ten minutes to do so, and put on their new Mark VI armour.
"These new suits appear to be the same..." states Blood Wolf, Mournhold nodding his head in agreement.
"Looks as it they are modified to aid Stirfry with his helmet jumps," Ares states.
Blood Wolf goes over to the table and picks up a battle rifle, "Sweet, now let's see if this thing can be modified to fire rapid sniper rounds."
"Good luck with that Blood Wolf, if you need either me or Ares to help you, just holler," Arinoth tells Blood Wolf.
Ares picks up the sonic electromagnetic scrambler, "This appears to be a new Sonic Electromagnetic Scrambler. I'm guessing this will let us fry Covenant circuits or shield from a certain distance."
Mournhold goes over to the table, picking up what appears to be a very small laser pointer into his hand, examining it. Places it on the side of the SMG that is in his other hand and a red laser pointer appears coming from the gun's barrel on his HUD, invisible regular sight. "It's a laser pointer for any of the weapons, though the laser only appears on the HUD screen, I think it's to be used as a laser guider on our weapons," Mournhold tells the rest of the group.
Throughout the rest of the day and into the evening, the Shadow Spartans examine and test out all their new weapons and armour. Blood Wolf with the aid of Ares is able to modify the battle rifle to hold the sniper rounds and fire about six to eight before the "clip" will need to be changed and loaded in new rounds. Mournhold has become very skilled in the use of SMG/MA5B assault rifle combo. Arinoth has been able to determine the new features of their new armour and has been playing around with them so that he will be able to give the rest of them a quick crash course of it so that not all four of them are wasting time on the same thing.
At about 04:00 all four of them are already up, from about two to three hours of sleep getting ready for the long day ahead. Ares is in his bathroom shaving, Arinoth is quickly typing out some information on yesterday onto his laptop, Blood Wolf is using a unique eye technique to make sure his eyes will function when he needs them for long distance sniper, and Mournhold is doing some sit ups and push ups to get his body warmed up.
At about tens minutes to 06:00, all four of the Shadow Spartans are already in the meeting with their MJOLNIR VI on, though all four of their helmets lay on the desk. Stirfry's original matrix cube is sitting in the room's holo-projector. The AI is just sitting on an imaginary box looking around the room. The four have already talked to each other about all the new enhancements to their armour and how Stirfry will circulate throughout all four of their suits.
Precisely at 06:00, ONI officer Patton enters the briefing room, the four soldiers stand up and solute their officer before he, then they sit down. "I'm glad to see that you all are enjoying your new weapons and accessories," announces Patton.
"Yes sir," Arinoth acknowledges the officer's comment/
"Good, I wont beat around the bush, I had you four come here this morning to tell you about the mission you have been assigned. ONI intelligence reports have detected increased activity around a fallen outer planet called Jhelein. We believe the Covenant is setting up a base camp on the planet for jumps from Covenant space to ours before they jump to Earth. This is where you come in, ONI needs you to infiltrate the planet, find out why the Covenant are staying there, and if possible capture as much Covenant technology as possible before coming back, but while your there, do as much damage as possible gentlemen. After all, we are trying to win this war," the ONI officer finishes up.
"Sir, form of transportation?" asks a curious Ares.
"Well to get there you shall be traveling there in your modified longsword, though in your cargo bay you will be taking a previously captured Covenant dropship once you enter the outskirts of the system."
The ONI officer stands, saluting the new supposed heroes of the UNSC and leaves the room. After he leaves, the four get up and put their helmets on respectively. Arinoth walks over to the holo-projector, removes Stirfry from the console and places his original matrix into a slot on his helmet. The other three put in blank matrix's to allow Stirfry to move from one to another and store some information on that blank matrix.
"Stirfry, upload all the known data on that system and on known structures on Jhelein, we'll need as much as an advantage as we can get. For all we know we could be taking an entire Covenant armada or two on there," Arinoth comments.
"Well, lets move out I take it," states Ares as the four leave the briefing room and head to the modified longsword codenamed Firebat. On their way they stop to get supplies such as food, their weapons, ammunition, and anything else they may need during the trip or on planet side.
Inside the longsword, Ares and Mournhold are putting all their weapons and ammunition into lockers and crates as Blood Wolf is inspecting the Covenant dropship sitting in their cargo bay. While the three are busy doing that, Arinoth is loading the preset coordinates for the system they are heading to and inserts Stirfry into the computer's holo-projector.
"We launch in five," Stirfry announces cooly over the longsword's COM-line.
The four gather in the cockpit of the ship, "Arinoth, I think you should pilot the Covenant drop ship," says Mournhold, "That way it leaves Ares available to give us any needed cover fire with his Jackhammer, plus Blood Wolf can snipe any units patrolling our drop zone."
"Alright, I'll try testing it out while on flight to Jhelein," acknowledges Arinoth, "Ares, could you help me so I don't damage the cargo bay. That leaves Blood Wolf and Mournhold."
"I'll pilot Firebat," plainly says Blood Wolf, "Mournhold, could you then help me with the cloaking signatures and make sure the Covenant doesn't spot at all?"
Mournhold nods, Ares and Arinoth heading out to the cargo bay to modify the drop ship to have room for Jackhammer and Sniper fire, plus regular assault rifle ammo firing out of it. Ares slides into the pilot seat as Mournhold sits down beside him at the radar station.
"Longsword Firebat, magnetic field at its weakest at the following co ordinations," notifies the launch pad to the longsword, "Data transfer complete, all green across the board, engage engines and launch."
"Roger that, Firebat commencing lift off," replies Blood Wolf as he turns on the engines as the longsword comes to life. As the engines whine on the ship begins to take off towards the atmosphere. At the precise timing, all the systems are disabled onboard the longsword and drop ship as it glides through the electromagnetic field. The longsword shakes and rumbles as it takes the heat of the atmosphere with all its occupants holding on tightly inside it. Once out of the electromagnetic field Blood Wolf slowly turns on all the systems with Mournhold double checking them. Stirfry triple checks everything before giving Ares and Arinoth the go ahead to being testing and modifications of Covenant drop ship.
"Setting course to Jhelein, ETA 72 hours," Stirfry announces to the Shadow Spartans, "There will be one in flight movie, The Layout of Jhelein, don't miss it."
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