• Location: Triple Max Containment Prison on Reach
    Prison Sub level: Level 23 Interrogation Block
    Prison Block Section: AA-23

    “All right Slayer” said a big, burly UNSC general as he entered the interrogation room with a clearly menacing presence. His face showed many unsightly scars from previous battles with the Covenant Armada. He sat down gently despite his size, and stared the captured Elite dead in the eyes as if he was staring down the scope of a rifle aiming to kill. The elite sat at the other end of the table. His armor battle-scarred, and blood red, riddled with bullets holes, and shrapnel scars from multiple battles, firefights. On the elite’s shoulder was the feared emblem of the Red Mark Slayer: a truly feared Covenant Elite, recognized by his unique fighting style with a wide array of weapons. “Time to talk. Your going to tell me everything you know about what went down at Dawn’s Sector #27 commercial District.” The general bellowed out in a dark, and deep voice as a scare tactic to get the elite to talk.

    The Slayer raised his head, and eyed the general back, like he was peering into his soul. Unshaken by the general’s illusive scare tactic he answer in a stone cold voice, “I simple know only the battle that took place. You’ll have better luck with the survivor you rescued from an immanent death.” The calmness the elite showed stunned the general a bit. Even his attitude was unshaken, nor demoralized by the general. “But,” the elite started to speak again. “I will tell you that never in my life as a soldier have I seen such bravery, determination, spirit, and valor displayed by an enemy described to be a cowardly, and dishonorable race.” And with that the elite remained silent. The general could not believe what his ears, the recorder, and the prison officers just heard, coming from an enemy that slaughtered countless millions on other worlds across the stars, blindly following the Covenant leaders every will.

    Without a word the general stood, sharply turned, and headed for the door, shocked, and stunned by the short yet informal interrogation. He got no information, no solid evidence, not even a shred of intelligence that he could use to condemn the elite…. he had nothing to bring back and present to the UNSC High Command. At the same time Gen. Saber: one the most decorated war heroes of the UNSC Marine Core, was visiting the hospital to see the only survivor of the infamous Battle of Sector 27. On his way the doctors, nurses, and various other soldiers stopped in place, saluted him as past by.







    “Where is he?” Saber asked in a demanding tone. “Two doors down. But be quiet. He’s still recovering.” Said one of the nurses. Saber nodded and headed down the hall followed by two other soldiers as witnesses. It seemed if the others where literally afraid of Saber. Every person that saw Saber walk down the hallway immediately moved out of the way and saluted at attention until he said “At ease.” Ten minutes later Gen. Saber reached the survivor’s room. The only remaining member of UNSC’s First Marine Corps Infantry Division, was SGT. Martinez(me), was scout sniper of his squad.

    Saber walked in and I slowly sat up and saluted. “At ease” Saber said and enter the room with almost a ninja like silence. “Thank you.” I answered back and relaxed his aching body. “Your one of the lucky ones Martinez. I’ve come today to learn just exactly what happened during the time of that battle.” Saber said sitting down as a recorder came in to back up everything that I was about to say and reveal the truth of the infamous Battle of Dawns Sector 27.

    “I understand sir.” I said and prepared myself to dig up those memories, and tell the story. “When we were stationed at Dawn the only order was to protect the city from any threat. We were sent down there with UNSC’s first Marine Corps Infantry Division. By the time we got there our orders change from defensive to evacuation. A huge Covenant strike force of over 500,000 strong was headed towards the city of Dawn. Several battalions to different strategic positions to engage the Covenant.” “Alright boys gather round here.” Capt. Crants said, as the soldiers rallied to him like flies to honey. “Today you are being sent to Dawn city for the cities defense against the Covenant. Make sure you’ve said your good-byes and get your Asses on the pelicans ASAP!” he barked. And as one unit the troops all bellowed out. “SIR YES SIR!” and hustled to the pelican drop ships.

    One by one the pelican drop ships lifted out of the hangers and headed on a non-stop course for the city of Dawn. Many other aircraft including the M1-45 Long Sword Interceptor, and the brand new LS-23 Lancer, escorted the fully loaded pelicans to the several different landing zones through out the city. “Hey Martinez, you nervous?” Capt. Gabriel Shepherd asked seeing my pale look. “Just air sick sir” I quickly answered trying to hold back his lunch from that afternoon. Along with me were Lt. Gareth, Sgt. Griggs, and Ensign Pulaski, my three closest friends from boot camp. We’d had been friends through the many battles they went into facing ridiculous numbers, better-trained enemies, but they always found a way to come out on top. A month earlier they had a party to celebrate Pulaski’s engagement to the captain’s daughter named Jessica Shepherd.

    Those days were always the best memories those three had before they went their separate ways. I went to Dog CO, Gareth went to the front with Easy CO, Griggs went to the super freighter; Amber Clad with Fox CO, and Pulaski and the Captain stayed with Hawk CO’s first platoon.


    As they the largest detachment of troops from the First Marine Infantry Division reached Dawn, the roaring engine of almost over 527 battle-ready aircraft soared over the city skyline. The formation they flew in looked like a bombing run flight. The first drop ship touched down quickly but gently; followed by three more including the one I was on. I hopped with Griggs, Gareth, and Pulaski right behind him. More and more troops flooded the streets as their escorts flew to the nearest airfield. “Alright boys!” Capt. Shepherd yelled over the roar of the Pelican’s twin turbo guidance thrusters. “We have been charged with setting up and well hidden strategically placed forward command center. Fan out and radio in when you’ve found a good spot.” He finished and took two others with heading north. Me, Griggs, Gareth, and Pulaski headed northeast, and the rest of Fox Company split up and fanned through the city scooting several possible locations to set up a forward command center.

    Hours past and the entire First Marine Infantry Division flooded in and occupied the city. “Captain I found a really good spot for the forward HQ.” Pulaski said over the com link. Me, Gareth, and Griggs funneled in behind him. “Alright Pulaski. Hold position until I get there.” Shepherd radioed back and started heading towards my team. “Well I guess we can relax a bit.” Gareth said and stiffened a yawn. “Only a bit Gareth. We still need to be alert enough to react fast.” I said and laughed a bit at Gareth’s laid-back attitude. Ten minutes went by before Shepherd showed up. “On your feet men.” He barked out as everyone there jumped to his or her feet. “Nice job Pulaski. This looks like a good for HQ.” He said and scooted around. “Thank you sir.” Pulaski replied.

    “Drop complete. All troop assume occupation role and dig in tight. Your closet reinforcements are 3 months away. Until then you guys are on your own. God speed, and good luck soldiers.” The Admiral’s voice broke over the radio with more rough and toughness to it. Moments later the Super Carrier Annapolis, followed by the Arizona and the Virginia, ascended into the sky and into the battle the raged in the planet’s atmosphere. Soon things went back to normal and everything seemed peaceful. The city’s inhabitants went their daily lives and the soldiers went following their orders to the letter.

    It has been three weeks after the troop drop at Dawn and things were starting to get it restless. Several reports came indicating an enormous Covenant strike force was heading for Dawn. Hours later it was confirmed. Over 500,000 Covenant soldiers, aircraft, and ground vehicles were headed towards Dawn from the southwest passage. Orders soon came in to evacuate the entire civilian population of dawn. With in moment’s every last pelican, long sword, and lancer roared to life as they loaded up supplies. Scorpion tanks, warthogs, and anything or one with a gun headed to the front line and dug in tight ready for anything. Or so they thought. The first wave of Covenant forces smashed against a wall of UNSC’s finest. The battle was long, grueling, and devastating to both sides. I got hit with a plasma bolt to the right shoulder, but he stood and fought. Griggs almost got shot in the head and would have if he didn’t duck to reload. Pulaski seemed like a god, standing up at all times letting loose his wrath with warrior-like stamina and skill despite his severe injuries. Gareth lost his left arm half way through. Instead of leaving the battle, he wrapped up the wound glanced it off and continued fighting.

    The battle ended in a UNCS victory…but at a high cost. 50 dead, and several hundred more wounded. Even though we won it didn’t feel like we won anything. The battle worn troops rotated out and others came in to take their place. Some elected to stay.

    The feeling you get when your waiting the next attack, it seems like and eternity, always on guard, and always-on high alert. The worst part about this job is getting the civilians to the airfield for evacuation during the second attack. Panic spread through the streets and a few riots broke out that needed to be stopped. Once calmed back down to sanity, we had to get the civilians to an air raid shelter. A day went by before we finally escorted the civilians to the airfield, and get them loaded onto the pelican drop ships.

    We did this for weeks we were evacuating the civilians from Dawn while fighting took place every other day. More and more soldiers on both sides died. We buried our dead; the Covenant left theirs to on the battlefield to rot in the sun. By now the only thing we could smell was the stench of sulfur and blood. And the only thing we could taste was gunpowder. It became common in our lives then. After awhile some troops got so bad they went crazy and had to but deported back to High Command. Despite the fact that we suffered death numbers that matched the Covenant’s, we were still out numbered and out gunned 10 to 1. The odds were badly against us and were literally killing us. I almost reached the point of insanity Griggs talked some sense into me. On a side note to clarify things even though we all knew each other’s full name we called each other by our last name because it was easier.

    Anyway it was coming down to the wire and we were still evacuating Dawn when the second worst of the battles we fought hit and hit hard. The Covenant was throwing everything at us; we answered back with heavy bombing from the long swords on the advancing troops. That was the happiest me, Griggs, Gareth, and Pulaski had ever been when finally got air-support. By now the whole division was whittled down to just over 300 soldiers. The three months were almost up and we had no sign of reinforcements when we got word from high command. At that moment we lost our fighting spirit, and moral after hearing the last words and orders from command. “Your orders have changed. Reinforcements are not coming due to major problems. But the city must still be defended. Hold it as long as you can…. cancel that.” Shepherd said with an enraged look. “We’re being order not to fight anymore. We’re not getting any help, and we can’t retreat because all the pelicans have left with their escorts. That’s what this paper says in a nut shell.” Shepherd finished ranting, and tore up the paper, and headed back to his office.

    Hours later we heard his voice over the intercom. “My fellow soldiers, friends, family, and brothers. This is the deciding point in your all your lives now. I will not stop fighting until we get reinforcements, or until I die on the battlefield. I did not join the Marine Corps to blindly follow orders against my morals, and beliefs. That’s why I’m choosing to fight to the death. I will not force any of you to stay here and fight. But all those who are willing to fight and give it their all must do this. Make a video diary to send back to your loved ones, friends, and family. I say this because if you stay and fight, you might never return home. That is all. May god be with you.” Shepherd finished.

    Silence filled the air as everyone looked at one another. Finally someone broke it. “Captain is right. We shouldn’t blindly follow orders that conflict with morals. Some I’m staying here to fight.” One soldier said and looked at everyone else. One by one the rest of start talking and agree. It was decided on our own that each of us would stay and fight to the last man.

    When shepherd came down to see who was staying he was shocked that every last one of us decided to stay. “We’re all staying sir. Each one of us made the choice to stay, we’re not going down with putting up one hell of a last stand.” I said and waited.

    The rest went “UH-RAH!!” as one. Shepherd nodded and cleared his throat. “Well then men, this is it. We’ve past the point of no return. If we die we die fighting! We Will Not Surrender, We Will Not Lay Down And Die, And We Will Fight To Our Last Dieing Breath!! We Will Make Them Remember How The Remaining 300 UNSC Soldier Put Everything On The Line To Defend This Hollow Ground To The Last!!” Shepherd boomed in with an intimidating voice. We all answered by cheering on and yelling uh-rah over and over again.

    Even though we were all but dead and defeated with nothing more then moral keeping us alive, it was like we just got here. Everyone had a renewed strength, and spirit. These truly were our finest hours. As the Captain and platoon leaders got together to make a make which we official called “The Last Dance”, all of us got together to make and record our final word to send back home to family, friends, and loves. After everyone finished up making their entries, a mail Pelican was called in to pick up the video that were addressed to all the families and high command. After it left, Captain shepherd gathered us together and went over the plan for our last stand. We memorized it to the letter before we got out of the briefing to set it up and wait. We all split into teams of four and said our good-byes to fellow brothers in arms. “Lets give a last dance they’ll never forget!!” I yelled, raising my rifle to my shoulder. “UH-RAH!!” everyone yelled again.

    We spent hours preparing for the next attack, setting up traps, and digging in really good. What was hours seemed more like years. Sooner, or later we would come face to face with death, and fight to the bitter end. It was like waiting for news to come on and say that the end of the war was coming closer everyday. After preparing we got together and gathered every last bit of food we could find that was still good. We took turns cooking our last meal with care, for it was the last time we would all see each other alive. Then after we gathered in the briefing room to recalled our past memories of lives before the war, and what everyone loved the most. Our last meal, and our last talks were all about remembering the good things in life, while we listened to all kinds of music to prepare mentally for the biggest, toughest, grueling battle yet to come.

    This was it. Our time slowly approached. None of us were sure about the outcome. But no matter what it was we’d fight with everything we had to the last breath. This was our time to show the covenant what we are made of.

    Morning came, but we were already up patrol. “Party patrol1 to dance host, the guests have arrived and the line dance line is forming.” one patrol radioed in from the front. “Roger that party patrol1. Time to start the dance.” Shepherd radioed back. He turned to his men and turned on all the COM system. “Here they come men. Man your stations and get ready to dance for your life. May god be with us all” shepherd said before turning off the COM system. The city roared to life as the remaining 300 of us got to our stations and ready to fight until we died. That was the only way the Covenant would take the city. We readied our rifles rationed the ammo until there was no more in the crates, loaded up the tanks, and into fortified tank pits with the warthogs right behind them, the remaining pilots got to their fighters and readied them for take off, activated the mine fields, and manned the AA Guns. It was do or die time.

    The first wave hit the minefields. The explosions of the Lotus Anti-Tank Mines instantly incinerated wraths, Ghost, and Phantoms. It was like the 4th of July on the ground. After a failed tank blitz, they charges our with a troop blitz. This was a slaughter. High-powered round from both the scorpion tanks and warthogs ripped through the on coming Covenant soldiers, tearing them to pieces. We expected to be attacked on all sides. Which is why we prepared from that ahead of time, because it happened.

    The air force took off to cover the southern and eastern fronts with our whole battalion spread thin. It only slowed their advance because Banshees started swooping in to pop our tanks. At the moment every single AA gun roared to life spray AA fire across the sky. The AA missile Batteries were the first to react, picking off the Banshees one by one with great accuracy. I’m glad we kept three long swords hidden with nukes, because they soon sent 8 scarab walkers after us. I acted quickly giving the pilots the directional coordinates to pop those walkers and just in time. Any minute later and the battle would have been over. So far no one had died yet.

    Wave after wave of Covenant clashed into 300 of UNSC’s finest. Two scouting parties found 80,000 crates of fresh ammo and guns in a hidden labyrinth under the city, and began to drag them out. An hour past and three of our soldiers died. Soldiers run back and forth reloading their guns, and getting quick treatment for minor injuries. Tanks and warthogs rolled in and let others come in to relieve them to be reloaded and refitted. We lost 2 planes, 1 tank, and 3 warthogs with only 20 dead and 16 wounded. It was going good. It looked like we were going to win. That was until one banshee got through and popped 3 more tanks making a hole. Rocket troopers move in to hold the line until the other tanks came in to replace them. Another plane went down slamming into the forward HQ building and almost cut us off from command. Casualties’ start raising a bit faster the closer the Covenant got to the front line of defense. Gareth was the first of my friends to die. He got shot in the head by a sniper. I drag his limp body away and laid it near the other dead, and said a quick pray while closing his eyes then headed back to the front.





    Finally we were breached. Covenant bombers punched a huge hole in the line, and started breaking through. Immediately we retreated from that part of the line and reorganized the defense line until we got reinforced. It was getting more and more brutal.

    As time passed we were getting hit harder and harder. It became increasingly difficult to hold the line. We suffered 20% casualties within the first 4 hours of the battle starting. Pulaski suffer more wounds then anybody and was still fighting harder and harder on just willpower alone. Griggs and I joined him, and stood there covering for each other when one of us was reloading, or getting ammo. Captain shepherd radioed over the COMs to us that he was evacuating the HQ, and needed cover. Me, Griggs, and Pulaski ran as fast as our feet could carry us to the rear wall where the breach and HQ was.

    It took an hour to fall back under the city to set up the HQ again and our fallback position. We got word that bombers had just breached the west wall. More troops retreated, regroup, and fight back continuously pushing back the onslaught of covenant forces. Within minutes Long Sword Bomber/fighters roared over the city and dive-bombed the Covenant, inflicting a lot of damage to the on coming wrath tanks. They kept coming like a never-ending sea of terror from our dreams that will consume the mind. Other teams radioed in breaches. It was too much to hold them back, so command order a retreated into the city and order the tactical occupation of key defense buildings within a 100-yard radius.

    Then we lost our AA Guns. That really screwed us over. Covenant troops, tanks, and aircraft were coming at us from all directions. The fighting was at its peek when we got word the Captain Shepherd was hit by a stray plasma bomb that incinerated his body instantly. You may be wondering about how I remembered the brave dead. I collected the dog tags. After shepherd died all that was left were his dog tags. Anyway things just got worse. The last of our tanks were popped wide, all the remaining warthogs retreated. Our lines broke. But no matter what we fought. I watched on as more of my fellow soldiers died. Then I saw Pulaski get jumped by an honor guard elite and stabbed through the stomach. He pushed him away and fired off some high heat sabot rounds into the elite. I grabbed Pulaski and headed over to Griggs who was hurt badly by backlash from a plasma grenade. 20 of us were left fighting to the last. It should have ended quickly but our determination kept us alive for another 3 days. Soon it was only I, the dieing Pulaski, Griggs, and 6 other soldiers.

    Griggs was finally KIA. Before dieing he took 24 Covenant elites with him. We were now only three of us left. We did give up without a fight. The man next to me on my right got seven shot into his stomach before dieing. Pulaski and me were captured. We waited for three days surviving on nothing but will power. Finally a bombing force of Long swords arrived. My hopes and moral were lifted instantly.




    While the guards were distracted I bum rush one taking his gun and killing the other. Little did I know the one I bum rushed was the Red Mark Slayer. I held him down good and hog-tied him. Then I got Pulaski out and dragged the slayer out into the arms of awaiting medics who took the slayer into custody and got Pulaski into the medi-vac pelican with me. I looked next to me and saw a box of dog tags. I added the ones I collected to the box.

    On the way back to high command I added another set to the box. Pulaski died from burns, and wounds so devastating they couldn’t help him at all. Jessica was had now lost a father who loved her and cared a lot for his troop, and her fiancé who she would have married in 5 weeks if he lived.

    Before I was hospitalized, I took it upon myself to go to the Shepherd’s house. The Captain’s wife answered the door with Jessica right behind. I lowered my head and entered. I handed Capt. Shepherd’s tags to his wife, and Pulaski’s tags to Jessica. “They didn’t make it. But I’m proud to say I’ve never serve along side braver men in my life. They gave it everything they had and fought to their last breath. I don’t ever consider them my fellow officers. They were my brothers in arms. And I’m proud to have known them as both friends and soldiers.” I said as tears ran down my cheek. Jessica broke down and hugged her mother tightly. I kept the other tags from Shepherd and Pulaski, as well as the second tag from everyone’s set as I went door to door delivering the news and words of comfort, and handing the video journals of their last word to their families. I told them how they died. They all died with pride in their hearts, and honor in their souls. The 6,000 men and women of UNSC’s First Marine Corps Infantry Division that quickly became 300 last stand soldiers fought with honor, respect, pride, valor, and courage in the face of hell. I was the last remaining survivor.

    “We fought to the last knowing full well the possible out come. Every one of us made the individual choice to stay, and disobey the order not to fight to give the last of the civilians a chance to get away. And we did it with everything that made us soldiers. Nay, brothers in arms.” I said and finished my story. Gen. Saber was still standing firm but his eyes were watering a bit. The recorder was pretty fast and got everything I said without making any mistakes. “Thank you for your time Martinez. High Command will receive this. And on a side note, I would have done the same, if I were you.” Saber said and gave me one final salute. I returned the salute before Saber left. Three months later a memorial service was held for the lost members of the First Marine Corps Infantry Division, and a wall was erected from the dog tags that were collected. Everyone passed by giving the respect to the soldiers’ memories. Jessica was the last and stayed with me after the service. I told her everything Pulaski was and did during the battle.

    A year later Jessica and I got married in front of what is now called “The Wall of Honor” in memory of Pulaski. I knew he was watching over us and couldn’t be happier for Jessica and me. Our first child was born on the day Pulaski died. And so every year on our little John’s birthday we visit the Wall of Honor so he can see just what kind of person Pulaski was.

    “Pulaski was a great man who gave everything his all to keep me alive and what made him a hero. What us all heroes and I will never forget him.” I told him. John place a hand on Pulaski’s tag and said a pray for him.


    All the men who died defending Dawn were awarded with the Medal of Honor, and the Distinguished Service Cross. Every soldier’s family received these highly honorable medals. Now every year since the end of the war that wall will stand as a memory of what true makes a soldier. And it is now my duty to go and tell this story to any willing to listen to the eyewitness account of how 6,000 that became 300, and gave their last breaths to defend a city of civilians and bought them time to get away from the onslaught that was coming.

    I tell you this story so that you can see what a real man, a really soldier, and a true brother in arms is made of. Without these great men I would have never been able to tell my story. I hope this has inspired you to look into your heart to see what you are made of. I tell you this to honor the memory of 6,000 soldiers who became heroes of a battle that will live in my heart for eternity.



    -In memory of UNSC’s First Marine Corps Infantry Division, who weren’t just my-

    -fellow-

    -Soldiers, but my family, my friends, and most importantly my brothers in arms-