Spartans Never Die, They're Just Missing in Action

Thanks to all of you readers great comments and suggestions, the Generator Defense mission on Reach was chosen. Also, please read the Author's note at the bottom.

"Thought I'd shoot my way in, mix things up a little."-The Master Chief

Princess Celestia's eyed the white square that was projected onto the wall. She silently wondered how it was that such a device was made if as they said, were magic-less. Then it cackled as sound was projected from the 'helmet' of Spartan-104. Then the screen changed and she saw sights that would be better left unseen.

*0622 hours, August 30, 2552*

UNSC Vessel Pillar of Autumn,

Epsilon Eridani System over Reach.

The screen seemed to turn down and glance towards what the Spartans had instead of hooves . They looked a lot like what Gryphons had. Celestia could already hear the scribbling of Twilight Sparkle writing every observation down with her quill. The claw-like appendages twirled a knife gracefully through the air as they moved despite the apparent bulkiness of the armor. Celestia's eyes were mesmerized by the speed of which the knife moved, and how every time it touched the armor there was a strange glow that formed near where it touched. The glow appeared to almost coat the armor. The Spartan's view moved around as it surveyed more of the Spartans putting the devices (that were currently attached to the backs of the Spartan three feet away from Celestia) into duffel bags and move around, the other Spartans quickly rushing back and forth. Celestia quickly noticed the one identified by armor as Spartan-087 was no longer doing such work. Spartan 104's view looked back toward the knife as the sharp tip balanced atop one of the small digits. Suddenly the whole view shook a bit as the room they were in appeared to completely shift. The knife started to fall so, using his other appendage grabbed it and in a single deft motion put it into a sheath on his shoulder. Princess Celestia looked up and saw the handle of the knife sticking out of the sheath on the Spartan's armor.

One of the Spartans, one that had the same armor as Spartan-058, stood and walked over to a metal panel with a small screen atop it. Celestia squinted and saw the face of a creature that seemed to resemble the face of a monkey that was shaved. It had an official hat and uniform adorning it and was speaking vividly, although Celestia was not able to hear nor clearly interpret what it was communicating. She saw the slightest movement to the right side of the screen and did not think much of it until Spartan-104's view turned and saw Spartan-087's specific armor with her head staring right at him. He turned away and something else popped up on-screen.

Initiating secure COM link with SPARTAN-087...

...Secured

Princess Celestia heard them speak but it didn't seem to affect the others around them. She pondered if this was another function of the armor.

""Looks like we're in for more surprises." Said a voice she didn't recognize. Although she quickly came to the conclusion that it was Spartan-087 who spoke. Her suspicions confirmed that 087 was femine, her voice being higher and smoother than 104's.

"Roger that. Though I think I've had enough surprises for one op." He replied. Celestia heard 087 laugh for a split-second before it was silent. On the projection Princess Celestia saw another message pop up.

Closing COM link...

...Ended

Spartan 104 seemed to understand what the other Spartan was communicating to the human, she guessed, through the panel but the ponies were unable to hear anything save for a slight mumbling. This continued for a good 30 seconds until the Spartan at the panel turned towards the other Spartans. Spartan 104 immediately arose from his sitting position, but before he could say anything Spartan-087 stood and queried.

"Master Chief. Permission to lead the space op." She asked. Apparently talking to the 'Master Chief'.

"Denied." Said the Master Chief. "I'll be leading that one. Linda and James, you're with me. Fred, you're Red Team Leader. You'll have tactical command of the ground operation."

"Sir!" Spartan-104 replied. He paused if only for a second. "Yes, Sir!" Princess Celestia seemed to realize that Spartan-104 was 'Fred'. She wondered why he refused to give her his name.

"Now make ready, we don't have much time." Master Chief said. All off the Spartans stood and Spartan-087 shouted out,"Attention!" Each Spartan seemed to give the 'Master Chief' a salute.

Promptly another message appeared.

Opening Pre-established COM w/ designated Red Team...

...COM secured

"Let's move Spartans! I want gear stowed in ninety seconds and final prep in five minutes." Spartan Fred said through whatever a 'COM' was. "Joshua: Liaise with Cortana and get me current intel on the drop area—I don't care if it's just weather satellite imagery, but I want pictures, and I want them ninety seconds ago." Princess Celestia watched as the rest of the Spartans moved like lightning as soon as Fred stopped talking. Immediately gathering supplies and information, going about their designated job.

About a minute later and all the Spartans were strapped into this large machine called a 'pelican'. Another of the creatures was at the front in the only available seat flipping switches.

"Better hang on. Company's coming." the creature announced. The pelican seemed to tilt and move forward. As Fred tilted his visor toward where the creature was working and peering out a window,Celestia saw that not only was this so-called 'pelican' machine flying out an entrance, but it was flying out from within a ship. A ship that was in space. Princess Celestia knew that Twilight Sparkle was hard at work scribbling things down but right then not only was everyone surprised, but Twilight seemed to be stabbing the scroll she was writing with such vigor. Princess Celestia looked over to her sister Luna and saw not only a look of surprise but a look of recognition.

The 'pelican' shifted and headed straight for the planet. Not much could be seen but suddenly something hit the pelican from it's side and a sizzling could be heard for a split-second. The creature, safe to assume a human at this point,  spoke once again. "Bravo-One to Knife Two-Six: I could use a little help here." The creature turned a stick and the pelican seemed to roll, although it's hard to be sure as there was no 'bottom' in zero gravity and all items and the Spartans, as well as the creature, were securely strapped to their designated positions. Once again the creature twisted the stick, seemingly rolling the pelican, and narrowly avoiding a large piece of shrapnel. "Bravo-One to Knife Two-Six, where the hell are you?" The creature said in a very frustrated voice. Suddenly a few '<' shaped, black fighters flew into view.

"Knife Two-Six to Bravo-One, Keep your pants on. Business is good today." Was heard over the COMs, spoken in a feminine voice. Some of them veered away to take chase a group of small purple ships, leaving one left in view. Suddenly, a white streak flew past them a incredible speeds, barely missing the pelican.

"Bravo-One, adjust attack angle, You're coming in too hot." Said the feminine voice again.

"Negative, we're getting to the surface fast—or we're not getting there at all. Enemy contacts on my scope at Four by Three O' Clock." Said the creature in the front. At this point Celestia thought it was fair to say it was one of the humans of 'humanity' that Fred wanted to get back to. A group of the small teardrop-shaped purple ships headed towards the 'pelican'.

"Affirmative: Four by Three. I've got 'em., Bravo one. Give 'em hell down there." Said the voice. Through the window the '<' shaped ship headed straight into a group of the purple ones, distracting them long enough for them pelican to plummet past them and towards the planet. The pelican lurched as the pilot in the front seemed to atempt to slow it's descent as flames formed around the pelican, falling through the atmosphere. All the Spartans, Fred included, grabbed on tightly to the various parts of the pelican. Again another message appeared on the projection.

Opening secure COM FLEETCOM 7...

Secured.

"Brace yourselves!"

Spartan-087 edged closer and opened a COM channel with Fred.

"Chief, we'll get that COM malfunction squared away once we hit planetside." Celestia noticed that at this Fred seemed to have an annoyed posture despite being still in order to project this 'mission'.

"Thanks." Fred replied. He closed all COMs and monitored biosigns in order to check the health status. The Spartans' all checked out but the pilot human's heartrate seemed to be off the charts. Spartan-087's hand bumped into Fred's shoulder for a second as the pelican lurched forward.

"Rough ride ahead." Stated the pilot. The Spartans braced their knees as the other pilot's voice came back online.

"Bravo Two-Six, engaging enemy fighters. Am taking heavy incoming fire—the voices stopped as crackling was heard and the pelican was rocked, small pieces of debris pinging off it. An explosion rocked the back of the pelican as the armor broke away, several of the purple fighters could be seen in pursuit.

"Gotta shake 'em, hang on!" Shouted the pilot. As the pelican moved parts of it creaked off from the stress. Soon the pelican was completely out of control. Boxes and crates fell out of their strapping and flew about as the Spartans clutched the ship.

"It's going to be a helluva hot drop, Spartans. Autopilot's progammed to angle. Reverse thrusters. Gees are taking me out. I'll—" His sentence ended with a flash of light.