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 Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:00 pm
Epsilon Indi System.
Harvest
February 4th, 2531
21 years before the halo event
The vastness of space lay stretched out before the mighty vessel. Stretching out in every direction was a debris field composed of the remains of the UNSC Prophecy, a Halycon-class Cruiser that had been left dead in the water until the Cole Protocol was initiated. It's A.I. had destroyed the ship by self-destructing. This "Covenant" had come looking for a fight, and the UNSC, humanity, had fought back. True, they had lost three-fourths of their fleet, but Harvest was back in human hands. It had taken five years to get to this point, and he was weary of battle. As the Pelicans and PODs made their way into Harvest's atmosphere, Captain James Cutter stood on the bridge of the UNSCDF CFV-88 Spirit of Fire. The Converted colony ship carried enough men and supplies to last a decade. The ground war had been raging for years, but now they seemed to have the upper hand.
"Serina," he barked, "status.""Standard orbit achieved. All systems normal."
Serina's holographic form shimmered into existence atop the Spirit's situation table. Cutter sighed as he watched the departing pelicans arc downwards toward the still burning planet.
"Prep for pod launches. Bring weapon systems online."
"Expecting trouble, Captain?"
Serina's holographic form seemed concerned. Not only for Captain Cutter's mental well-being but for the well-being of those on the ground.
"Harvest may be ours again, but I don't think the Covenant appreciate that yet."
Cutter said as he stepped away from the observation window on the Bridge. As the Captain walked to the rear of the bridge, one of the doors opened and professor Anders entered. She glanced at Cutter as he spoke.
"Sergeant Forge, report."
This entire operation had taken longer than it was supposed to. Cutter didn't like that he was on the fringes of human territory fighting against a xenophobic alien juggernaut. He also didn't like that Vice Admiral Cole had instructed him to command the ground offensive. Cutter was a logistics officer, he knew how to manage supplies better than anyone, but fighting battles wasn't his forte. For that, he needed to trust in others. And god help them all if they were wrong.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:08 pm
Johnathon Forge was one of the first Marines to touch down on Harvest. He was there on a voluntary basis, seeing as it was either this or the slammer. Promoted five times, demoted three, he was the hot-head of the bunch. Forge wasn't too happy with his situation, but Admiral Cole had asked him to be Captain Cutter's man on the ground; and the sergeant was not about to refuse him. But it wasn't just the Admiral that had saved him from being executed, it was his daughter as well. Back when they were both having a drink in the bar on Reach, one Lieutenant didn't seem to understand the word 'no'. Well, it's safe to say that that one Lieutenant wouldn't be bothering anymore young ladies. She claimed he had saved her life, and Cole respected her word.
Down on the surface, in his Gauss warthog with two Marines, he drove along. They were on their way back from a reconnaissance mission to see what was so important to the Covenant. They had found something, and Forge had a feeling it wasn't something they'd give up without a fight. When do they ever? he thought. He glanced down from the wheel and the icy terrain that stretched out ahead of them when he heard the Captain.
"Sergeant Forge, report."
"Definitely plenty of bad guys down here, Captain, and they’ve found something in the ice."
The two marines that were with him nodded their heads but kept quiet out of respect for both Captain Cutter and Sergeant Forge. John just wished they would speak at some point in the future, because he was really getting sick of the silence. They were on their way back to base, where his intentions were to make his official report.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:08 pm
"Damn it. That complicates our mission."
The Captain turned his head to look at Professor Anders. He was not happy. The Covenant weren't supposed to have such large numbers groundside.
"Anders, what have you got?"
The Professor walked to the situation table and spoke clearly. She was not intimidated in the least by UNSC officers. Cutter hadn't known her for very long, but her work was always impeccable. It was surprising that ONI hadn't conscripted her sooner. Perhaps that was due to her strenuous relationship with Dr. Halsey. Cutter had read Anders' file, and he made a habit of knowing as much as he could about his subordinates. This practice had saved his life more than once. The Doctor activated the holographic map and highlighted a specific area.
"Captain, scans of the Northern Polar region show some interesting Covenant activity on the surface. There's some kind of structure down there."
Cutter gazed at the map and focused on what this meant. Nothing in the UNSC manifests for Harvest indicated such a structure on the planets surface, so either the Covenant had put it there or it was something else. The UNSC forces had cleared all Covenant structures on the surface during the land battles, and Harvest had only one massive supercontinent. The Marines had done a thorough job. The remaining option was not appetizing. The thought of having another alien structure on a human colony world was troubling to say the least. The fact that the Covenant seemed so interested in it was even more disturbing
"What do you think they are looking for?"
"That's what we're here to find out. We are to bring Alpha Base up to operational status and take control of that site."
Anders straightened and looked at the Captain.
"I'll get my equipment ready captain."
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:21 pm
Forge nodded his head as he listened to the science chick, the Captain, and Serina. John was pretty sure that he was thinking the same thing as Cutter, and that was that they had already made a clean-sweep of Harvest during their defensive. This chick, though, seemed a bit out of his league. She didn't just sound sophisticated, when he glanced down at the screen in the center console she even looked sophisticated. She reminded him of his first girlfriend.
"I'll get my equipment ready captain."
Sergeant Forge shook his head and grimaced. As far as he was concerned a war zone was no place for a woman.
"Lady, there’s no way you’re coming down here on the first bird."
The Marine sitting in the passenger seat chuckled to himself, and Forge threw him a dirty look that made him shut his mouth as quickly as he had broken his silence. The man in the back rolled his eyes behind his visor and braced himself as they hit a particularly rough bump. They all were lifted out of the Warthog for only a second, and once they landed the bumpy ride continued.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:37 pm
Professor Anders paid little attention to Sergeant Forge or his opinions. She could go where she damn well pleased. Besides, she needed the Captain's permission, not his. For all she cared, Forge was a simple minded hot-head who didn't know how to behave in public. She ignored the Sergeant's refusal and left the bridge. The Captain did not watch her go. Instead, he considered the map for a moment longer, then shut it down as he spoke.
"Sergeant Forge, pull back to Alpha Base, I'm sending you some backup."
The holographic map disappeared and Cutter could only guess at what Anders and the Covenant had found.
"Roger that. Forge out."
Forge's image disappeared from the viewscreen as the COM feed was cut. The Captain turned away from the map table and returned to the forward observation window. He gazed down at the hellish surface of Harvest and lost himself in thought.
"So, nothing too difficult then?"
Cutter sighed to himself as Serina spoke. The thoughts that had been playing through his mind were troubling, and should they prove to be true, would complicate matters tremendously.
"It may be the key to this whole war Serina. It's worth the risk."
In a sad way, it was funny that Harvest had become the center of such commotion. The world had always been important to the UNSC because of its crops, but now the Covenant found another reason to value a world they had glassed. Nothing was making sense any more. During the insurrection, the motives of the bad guys were completely understandable. They simply wanted to be free of the UNSC, free of a power they considered to be unjust. There was no way to relate to the Covenant. Their motives were as alien as they were. From the moment first contact was made on Harvest till now, they had won every space engagement and glassed any colony world they found. The UNSC lost three ships for every one of theirs in addition to suffering tremendous casualties on the ground. For the first time in a long while, Cutter found himself worried about the future of humanity. The Covenant had to be stopped, and soon.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:47 pm
Sergeant Forge parked the 'hog for a moment so that the Marine that had been manning the Gauss cannon could drive. Frankly, he felt pretty tired from driving all day, and the fact that the man hadn't done a thing made him the one to be 'volunteered' for the driving duty. As they approached the final bends to get to Alpha something seemed wrong. That was when the driver stopped the 'Hog and called back to Forge for him to listen. They listened to the chatter coming over the COM; they could hear machine gun and plasma discharging, and the screams of men and women. John knew it was Alpha Base, and he called it in.
Captain, Alpha is toast. Nothing for me to pull back to. Suggest you hold that back-up for now.
Forge heard the Captain sigh, but the man's voice came back strong. John respected Cutter deeply.
We need to turn that around, Sergeant. Serina, what's our status?
Sir, we've got a lot of troops retreating from Alpha Base. If Sergeant Forge can regroup them, our numbers may be sufficient to retake the base.
Forge nodded his head and armed the Gauss cannon for the first time that day, finally going to have a chance to use the massive weapon. He would relish every kill he scored. The mission was up to him and these two brainless ground pounders in his Warthog, now. He just hoped that Serina was right about having a good number of units to take back Alpha, because it was the only base they had established, and it'd take days to find another hospitable spot for a base to be deployed.
Roger that. We'll round up any and all survivors and get Alpha back.
The Marines gave him a cheer of pure of U.N.S.C. pride, and then their driver gunned it. They needed to find every soldier they could, save them, and then kill everything else that didn't look human, or that shot at them. As they were driving Forge caught glimpses of the orbital elevator, or what was left of it from the very first engagement against the Covenant. He had heard stories about what had happened that fateful day, but no one had every actually confirmed any of the rumors. His spacial thoughts were interrupted by friendly blips on the Warthog's motion sensor.
We've got friendlies up ahead!
As they pulled a hard right around the bend they found themselves amidst an intense fire-fight between three squads of elites and a squad of Marines. John had to hand it to them, they were holding their own pretty well. He lined up the Cannon so that the display on the back was filled with targets, and he began ripping into their ranks one by one until every Elite was dead. Forge yelled over at the Marines as they hopped into a Warthog.
You boys from Alpha?
We were the first out sir.
Fall in behind me. We're taking Alpha back!
Forge pointed the way they needed to go, and the liberating convoy began to roll out. They took the path that they had taken to go on their recon mission, and everything looked eerily the same, yet strangely different. Death hung in the air pretty well, he guessed. They crossed two bridges and made a left, driving off a six foot high ledge onto ice. Both hogs slid along a bit, but their wheels eventually caught hold and they made a hard right around a blind embankment to find two squads of Marine fighting three squads of Covenant. Forge and the Marines in the other Warthog made quick work of the Grunts and their Elite squad leaders. The rescued Marines piled into their Warthogs.
Form up and follow me!
So now the twelve Marines, including Forge, were on their way to Alpha Base to reclaim it from the Covenant. Oh what a day this was turning out to be for John. Just before they hit the third bridge two full squads of Grunts appeared in the way trying to block them, along with a Ghost to reinforce them. It was pathetic, really. John yelled something about ramming the Grunts, and the drivings kept their foots held down on the accelerator. It took a couple of shots to hit the ghost, but when the last round of tungsten struck the vehicle it exploded along with it's pilot. The Warthogs slammed into the Grunts, losing traction from the bodies on the snow.
Ew, I got Grunt bits all over the grill! yelled Forge's driver.
Forge just chuckled to himself until they passed the checkpoint that meant Alpha Base was only a quarter mile away. What he saw made his heart sink into his stomach. His Marines, holding down in the cover of their demolished Warthogs were being peppered with plasma fire from a stationary turret with an overzealous Grunt manning it. Enraged by this sight, John fired innumerable Gauss rounds at the menacing b*****d. The turret was destroyed quickly, and the rest of the rescued Marines made quick work of the remaining Grunt squads. They continued on yet again, intent on getting to Alpha before all was lost. They approached the south gate, over the bridge. Serina piped up over the COM.
Well look at that. They're trying to keep us out of our own base.
Forge groaned aloud as they brought the Warthogs to a stop. He really hated energy barriers. Now was the time to take command.
"Warthogs can't get through but foot soldiers can. Get this thing down and we'll come a-runnin'."
There were a few "yes sir"s, but the majority of the Marines were more than eager to get right back into the fight. The infantry units marched along quickly with their MA5Bs at the ready. As soon as they got beyond the energy barrier blocking the south gate, plasma fire began ripping into the ranks. Two squads of Marines suppressed the Jackals before they could do too much damage while the rest of them each lobbed a grenade at the shield generator. As soon as the ominous blue barrier disappeared Forge and the rest of them rolled in. Everything after that was a blur to Forge. Marines were killing Covenant scum, and Covenant scum were killing his Marines. A Wraith was being particularly trouble-some, but Cutter ordered an air strike and took it out with a well placed Carpet-bomb. The explosions made Forge smile, but his little bit of happiness disappeared as Drop-ships dropped more troops into the fray. Thankfully, his Marines made quick work of them. He ordered a quick scout group to check the remains of Alpha Base, and they reported back that anything remotely Covenant was dead. Forge was pleased, and he hopped down out of his Warthog, lifting his left wrist to his lips like he was looking at a watch.
Spirit of Fire, this is Forge. Area clear. Situation normal. Orders?
Captain Cutter came over the COM, and the man sounded a little more pleased than not, but Forge was pretty sure that he was only thinking a few steps ahead. John was pretty sure the Covenant weren't just going to leave them be, and if Forge thought the Covies would counter-attack then Cutter was probably sure they would.
Alpha Base is ours again. Sergeant Forge, you may want to scout the area.
That was the Captain alright, always business and never pleasure; he was Forge's kind of C.O.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:18 pm
The holographic representation of the battle bathed Cutter's face in ghostly blue light. His hands were clasped behind his back as he watched Forge link up with the surviving ground units. He sighed and checked the other areas of interest. Harvest was a complete mess. Once it had been a paradise that fed three other colonies. None of that remained. Serina was quiet and spoke only to the ground units. She knew that he would not want to be interrupted during the fight. He trusted Forge and the Marines to get the job done. The swift counter-attack had caught the Covenant off-guard and the several warthogs were able to tear through their infantry. By the time Forge and the survivors reached the entrance to Alpha Base, the Covenant had erected an anti-vehicle shield. The Marines disabled the power generator and Forge's Warthog column advanced. A pair of Wraiths were situated inside the base's perimeter and Cutter vectored in a Shortsword to take them out. The small craft destroyed the hostile armor and allowed Forge's men to secure the base. A pair of Pelicans moved in to extract wounded and provide gunship support for the Pods that brought the Firebase components down to the surface. Only once Forge had given the all-clear did Cutter speak.
"Alpha Base is ours again. Sergeant Forge, you may want to scout the area."
With that, Cutter turned his attention to a firefight that was raging near the UNSC forward Command Center in the remains of Utgard. The battle was leaning in the UNSC's favor and the Marines were mopping up the remaining Covenant ground forces. Cutter vectored in Hornets to provide air support and checked the number of supplies being offloaded from the Spirit of Fire. The Spirit carried enough supplies to provide essential materials for a colony world for at least a year. There was still plenty of cargo. He allowed himself a small, private smile, then opened Professor Anders' mission plan. It was well thought out, but he wanted to triple-check everything. If Anders was going down to the surface, he wanted to make damn sure that nothing would happen to her. ONI had sent her specifically to deal with the odd occurrences on Harvest. If she was harmed there would be hell to pay. Cutter was sure of it.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:47 pm
Sergeant Forge grimaced as he crawled forward in the snow, a chill running up his spine and a sharp pain coming from his knee where he had connected it with a hidden rock. What was once beautiful was now treacherous terrain that he couldn't bring himself to truly appreciate. As he approached the edge of the cliff side everything came into view at once, and it was hard to focus on the sole purpose of his little recon mission.
"Let's just take one last look-see..."
Forge brought his binoculars up to his eyes and focused in on the area. He counted at least a dozen squads of grunts and several elites of all ranks. One figure stood out amongst them, and he stood as if observing the monumental doors to the structure. The Arbiter groaned audibly, or maybe he had growled. With this Sangheili it was hard to tell, but all those who fought along side him knew that his rage went deeper than just a mere hate for the humans. This Arbiter was the essence of destruction and chaos, and he did not care for the lives of either his fellow Sangheili, the pitiful Unggoy, or the San 'Shyuum that reigned over them as the High Prophets of the Covenant. One of his brethren approached him from behind and stood at his side. He turned to the warrior.
"The Hierarchs grow impatient! We can delay no longer! "
"What if the infection defiles the relic?" asked the Zealot.
Ripa growled at the selfishness of the Sangheili. It was their honor to give their lives in the stead of the Gods. 'Moramee would deal with this one later.
"I care not for your little life - open the relic."
The Zealot merely nodded his head and turned to a squad leader, giving him the signal to open the doors. The Arbiter watched with growing impatience as two Unggoy pulled the doors apart, granting them access to the holy relic. Up on the cliff Forge grinned to himself and lowered the binoculars down from his eyes. He gave a slight nod of his head.
"Well, well - open sesame..."
He quickly crawled backwards enough so that he would be out of sight. Forge could still see the structure, and that was his main mission, but the Covenant wouldn't be able to see him. The Arbiter stood for a moment with his gaze fixated on the grand opening. Something was building up deep within his being, a feeling of being watched. Slowly he turned his head to left to gaze back at the cliffs where he could have sworn he was being watched from. Only snow drifts and the cliffs were present, along with the faint light of the stars in the night sky. He turned his head back and shrugged off the feeling, walking off to inspect the relic in the name of the Covenant.
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:32 am
Cutter stepped gingerly through the mess of equipment scattered about the floor of the observation deck. Before Anders had arrived, the deck was a prime location for a form of crew fraternization. In other words, it was the Spirit of Fire's make-out point. That sort of activity never happened in port, nor when Brass was aboard. And when it did take place, most of the crew just turned a blind eye. Which begged the question that the Captain now asked.
"What made you choose my observation deck as your lab Professor?"
To her credit, Anders was unfazed by either the Captain's presence or his question.
"I like the view. It adds... perspective to my work."
The Captain huffed and crossed his arms as Anders continued her work.
"Forge doesn't think it's safe for you to go down there yet. He's quite insistent."
"I can be quite insistent too Captain."
Anders glanced back at the Captain as she continued.
"I can take care of myself."
The Captain was silent for a moment as he crossed his hands behind his back. Anders was as strong-headed as Forge was. This was going to be an interesting day.
"Any idea what it is we've got down there?"
Anders turned in her chair and lifted a small pack as she spoke. Her eyes locked with the Captain's and she rose.
"It's all theories right now, and I'll know a lot more once I get down there."
Anders was right. She would have to get planet side if they wanted to solve this mystery. Her mission plan had been perfect. Expertly planned out down to the last detail. The only thing that had Cutter worried was the unpredictable nature of combat. The best laid plans often evaporated as soon as the first round left the chamber. He placed a hand on her shoulder as she started forward, forcing her to stop.
"I'm approving the mission, but the slightest sign of danger and I'm pulling you out. Is that understood?"
Cutter wanted to be absolutely clear about this. He wouldn't jeopardize anyone needlessly. This war had already cost too many innocent lives.
"Understood Captain."
Cutter removed his hand from the Professor's shoulder and exhaled deeply. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her attempting to hide a triumphant grin. The result was something far closer to a hostile smirk. He shook his head and looked at the display on Anders' computer. The object, whatever it was, had to be worth sending men to their deaths and sending a civilian specialist into a hostile environment against ONI's orders. He sighed and followed Anders out of the Observation Deck. His place was on the Bridge.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:47 pm
"Hierarch, the humans are closing and will soon be upon us."
Ripa 'Moramee stood before the Prophet of Regret with his arms hanging down by his side. The humans would have described the warrior's posture as one of sloth, but all Sangheili knew that this Arbiter was anything but slow. His giant fists rested at his side, and as he spoke he did not glance from side to side like most of the others. No, he knew what mistakes could be made in the presence of the High Prophets, and he wished to avoid them at all costs. He would disgrace his bloodline no more than he had already managed during his own civil war, and his battle of the Keep. They had imprisoned him with his Sangheili brothers. What fools they were who thought they could tame him. He remembered when he stood atop the walls of the prison with the defense turret cradled in his arms, obliterating all who opposed him until at last they had beaten him down.
"No matter. The information you have gathered here is most appetizing."
As the Prophet of Regret spoke, Ripa straightened up and listened. This was the first time the Hierarch sounded pleased. The Arbiter relaxed a bit and allowed his hands to unclench themselves, but he did not speak for the Prophet seemed unfinished in his tellings. As he should have, he listened. The hologram of Regret fiddled with his chair, wondering how his next order would go with this 'Arbiter' of the Covenant. It seemed that everyday he tested Ripa 'Moramee's patience, and in doing so he found great pleasure. The San 'Shyuum remembered when this Sangheili warrior was locked away, before Regret had made him his champion.
"However, we must protect what we have learned here. Set the charges and destroy this place."
The Arbiter's eyes expanded and he drew his upper body back. His mandibles expanded and his hands remained open. He was shocked that one of the Hierarchs would command such a thing! These structures were the remnants of the God's and would lead them on the Great Journey. Each and every one of them walked the path to eternal salvation, and in the scriptures it detailed the destruction of anything pertaining historical significance to the Ancients as heresy! Ripa clenched his fist and raised it in a negligible manner, a gesture used by the Sangheili to emphasize a point.
"Destroy this holy relic? Surely you jest!"
Regret had turned and waved his hand in a dismissing manner before his Arbiter had questioned his authority as a High Prophet. He turned and gazed upon the warrior with distaste and, most importantly, challenge when he spoke. The San 'Shyuum leaned in closer to the Arbiter with his right hand clenched into a fist, sitting atop the right arm rest. The High Prophet's eyes burned with an intensity that could defeat an entire army, yet he could not match the Sangheili warriors deathly rage.
"The Journey requires sacrifice!"
He unclenched his fist and sat back into his levitating throne, resting his elbows upon their perch. Regret's fingers came together, tip to tip as if he was going to make a prayer to the God's at that very moment. Such would most likely have been fitting, but he was not a priest and he did not care for the lives of these other inferior races. The only one that the Covenant truly needed was this Arbiter, Ripa 'Moramee.
"Set the charges. Return to us! Our patience is not infinite!"
Through the halls Sangheili walked with their squads of Unggoy, observing the placing of the explosive charges. Each of the smaller units waddled their way through the triangular arches, and once they had placed the explosives in their positions they returned back to the armory to retrieve more. Such was the life of the Unggoy with the exception of the holy Deacons. Many Deacons watched over the relic itself, observing it and detailing specific trademarks of the Ancients while the Sangheili guard observed the act. Ripa 'Moramee sighed inwardly and relaxed himself into the sloth-like stance he had come to adopt for battle.
"It will be done."
The Arbiter nodded his head, and turned his head and body around from the Hierarch, who disappeared not a second later. His eyes coupled with his body position said everything that he could not openly say. Ripa hated the High Prophet of Regret with an undying passion, and if he could have he might have slain the pitiful thing where he stood. No, where he levitated for the San 'Shyuum were above walking upon the surface of the very objects they worshiped and claimed holy. These beings were disgraceful. As the Arbiter walked closer to the Relic he spoke to the gold armored Zealot whom had questioned him once before.
"By the order of the High Prophet of Regret, set the charges and prepare to destroy the Relic."
"But Arbiter, such an act is heresy!"
Ripa 'Moramee turned and lept forward with one of his energy swords drawn. For a Sangheili to draw his sword it meant a call to arms, and that the warrior could not sheath the weapon until it had drawn blood. Before the Zealot could properly react to the challenge and draw his own, the Arbiter struck swift and quick. The blade ran through the chest cavity of the Zealot and through the warrior's back. The Zealot was shocked and could not do anything but succumb to the wrath of the Arbiter. Ripa pulled the blade free from body of his brother and grasped him by his neck, raising him into the air.
"It is one thing to question me, your Arbiter; but to question the High Prophet? That is heresy."
He flung the body over the edge of the Relic and into the abyss below, leaving a hunger for death lingering in the air. Ripa sheathed the blade and placed it back on his hip, turning around. He called to a lesser Zealot not too far from him before he left the holy Relic on his Spirit.
"Send word to Sanghelios of Alo 'Pidamee's heresy; his blood-line has been tainted. There is to be no mercy for his kin."
"Yes, Arbiter."
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:58 pm
The Forerunners For the RP on Harvest everyone will be a Marine unit (with the exception of selected moderators). You will have a standard load out: MA5B-ICWS Assault Rifle, M6G-PDWS Sidearm, and 3 M9 HE-DP Grenades. You will be following Sergeant John Forge's [Halo Historian] every command as his soldiers, and you will all be privates for this RP. Once it is finished you will RP as your main character in the present time of 2560 in a separate, designated thread. Enjoy yourself and kick some a**; remember, we fight together.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:00 pm
Current Location :: >> Alpha Base
Base Status :: >> Locked Down
Sergeant Forge looked around at the remains of Alpha Base and shook his head. So many had died already in the damned war, and what made it worse was the feeling that it hadn't even really begun. He shook his head clear of the thoughts about the fallen marines and jumped up into the back of his M12G1 Warthog LAAV. The two Marines that had fallen silent before were sitting in the driver and passenger seat chatting it up about some girls they had met in a bar during leave. Forge couldn't believe it and yelled at them about dozing off, pointing to the main gate. Quickly, they drove off towards it.
Several transport ships began their descent with the parts to the new Alpha Base. The ships latched the pieces into place and then took off back into the night sky, allowing for the technicians to piece the pieces together. Once the 'Hog was parked Forge jumped out and walked over to the barracks, jumping up atop a crate where he sat and began to watch the base being built. On his back he had his standard MA5B-ICWS Assault Rifle, and on his hip he had his M6G-PDWS Sidearm; but in his hands he held his combat knife, admiring the blade's edge, one that would never dull. He smiled to himself and tried to focus on other things than war, things like his daughter.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:46 pm
Henri, Phillipe D. | UNSC Maries E-1
Harvest
Alpha Base, Barracks
Phillipe shivered as another gust of freezing wind washed over his already chilled body, and it took all of his energy to keep his rifle from shaking and dropping out of his hands; no doubt that would simply incite his superiors further. For the last few months, he had been in boot camp, learning the basics of what was expected of those who had freshly joined the military; now, he was standing guard outside of the barracks of Alpha Base on Harvest, his MA5B rifle held at Port Arms, and his body feeling half-frozen already by the stinging winds.
Of COURSE the recruiter back on Sigma Octanus IV had said that he would have exciting adventures across the known limits of human space. Of COURSE his parents had encouraged him to leave his peaceful life of calm and mundane activity to pursue a career in the military. Phillipe had always wanted to be a simple man who lived a dull life, married a fat wife, started a family of no more than three kids, and died happily content and ignorant in his sleep. And now, he was standing in the ruins of Alpha Base, freezing and cursing every member of humanity that was sitting at home, comfortable and relatively safe from the Covenant threat.
At the approach of Sergeant Forge, however, Phillipe stood straighter; while it was against protocol to salute non-coms, Phillipe nonetheless rendered a degree of respect for corporals and above, especially considering how new to the program he was. The way that he figured it, his tour of duty would be over quicker if he simply followed orders and avoided causing trouble; he simply wanted to get through his tour with as few incidents as possible. However, when the sergeant took a seat on one of the crates and began playing with a combat knife, Phillipe couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of his eye, even though he didn't move from his post; after all, watching the sergeant kept his mind off of the cold and the monotony of guard duty, and anything was better than dwelling on the heated rooms and hot meals of the civilians throughout the colonies and Earth.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:44 am
Carter, James L.
Harvest : Alpha Base
James was carrying a crate over to the barracks, he isn't one for sitting down and doing nothing. He looked over at the Sergeant and nodded, he knew Forge needed his private time so he carried on. As he got to where the crates needed to go, he was called over to give a hand with something else. He placed the crate on the ground and ran over to who called him over. It was a very scrawny corporal with glasses, who seemed to be here on accident. The corporal looked more like a help desk phone operator than a marine. "I will lift this box up soldier and you can quickly place the pallet underneath." The 130lb steel box was lifted up by the corporal amazingly, so James placed the pallet underneath, and the corporal placed the box back down with ease. "Thank you soldier, you can go back to what you were doing."
Lifting the crate he had before on top of the others, James grunted and then sighed as though a lot was on his mind that he didn't want there. So he just carried on with what he was doing, moving crates around to where they needed to be.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:02 am
Private Aarno "Feed" Nikula, UNSC marine
Inventoring the food-crates
One box of beans, one box of water bottles... two boxes of rye bread? Nikula stopped for a moment. He hadn't seen rye bread for weeks. Oh well...
So many people forgot the fact that any army marches on its stomach. Nikula wasn't amongst them, and always made sure he was doing kitchen-work of any nature. He knew he would be soon pulled to do something boring, but now he enjoyed himself calculating the supplies arriving.
A canister of gas? This doesn't belong here...
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