Operation Reclamation

UNSC "Spirits Journey" Cryo deck
Lieutenant Martha Fall jerked awake as the cryo tubes door swung open. Nausea hit her like a brick wall and she fell to the floor vomiting. All around her other marines were having the same reaction. A hand appeared in her blurry vision and she gingerly gripped it . A middle aged woman with icy blue eyes smiled at her. "Hey Barb *cough* didn't think you'd be awake."

ODST Captain Barbara Strike smiled and shrugged. "First into hell first out of bed. Now come on let's head out and check in. We might as well head to the mess and get some chow before we drop." The two soldiers walked along the cryo deck past the other soldiers all of which saluted weakly. "Get up you spineless maggots don't tell me a few weeks of cryo sleep made you all soft!"

"Hell no ma'am we're ready to hit the ground running am I right Hell Jumpers?!" One ODST yelled.

"Feet first into hell!" Cheered several other soldiers all of which were clasping on their black armor.

"Move it Marines we are not going to let them drop alone. I want all of you to get some grub while you can we ship off in twelve."

"Hoorah!" Yelled a group of marines who had shaken off the cryo drag.

Finally they made their way to the double doors that lead to the main hall. Several Naval officers were already set out and about a passing Petty Officer saluted them and opened up a console nearby. "Ma'am's I can get you checked out here. Now let's see Captain Strike leader of 17th ODST, and Lt. Fall leader of the the 52nd Marine core. Welcome aboard hope you had a nice nap."

"Cryo sleep isn't very comfortable soldier doesn't help that they shipped us on off planet. Didn't even get a chance to pick my pod spot." Fall grumbled tiredly.

"Yeah I woke up next to Straws little buggerered was puking up a storm."

The petty officer smiled "Complaints noted have a nice day aboard "Spirit's Journey"

The deck lights finally kicked in and the hallway was flooded with light. The mess hall door illuminated in green. Strike pushed the door control and walked in Fall close behind. "Looks like we're the first up for supper." She grumbled as she walked towards the ration bar dispenser. "Better grab the okay shit before they run out and serve the regular shit."

"Someone's grumpy." Fall said cheerfully grabbing a cup of juice.

"I know I shouldn't be belly aching, but I'm sick of this insurrection crap. I survive the Covanent to get my head shot off by a bunch of angry colonists. I'd love to introduce them to that energy swordsman. What was his name the silver armored Elite with half his mandibles cut?"

"You mean the one that saved our asses from that brute ambush back on Earth? We just called him half jaw he was tough took out three prowlers before they new he was there." Fall and Strike sat down in one of the corner booths and continued talking about the final days of the war.

Slowly the ODST and Marines under their command began funneling in grabbing energy bars and juice cups. Another pair walked over to join Strike and Fall.

"Straws nice to see you up and about, and a hoorah to you Sergeant Clash." Strike grumbled still irritated.

Straws clutched his stomach with one arm and saluted with the other. "Yes ma'am." He slid onto the bench next to his commanding officer.

"Nice to see you as well Captain." Clash said with a smile as he sat next to Fall. "Lt good to see you."

Fall shook his hand and the group settled down to eat. After a few minutes of conversation the room suddenly grew quiet. "Then bam landed right on top of 'em never stood a chance." Straws cheered. The others had lost interest in his story their attention drawn to the entrance. "What are you guys looking at?" He turned around and his jaw dropped.

A figure standing over seven feet tall and clad from head to toe in midnight black MJOLNIR a Spartan super soldier. "Noone told me one of those tin cans was aboard." Straws whispered to Clash in response Strike punched him.

"Quiet or have you forgotten how many lives Spartans have saved?" Straw shook his head and continued staring. "Good now zip it."

Whispers began circulating around the room as the ebony Spartan walked towards the energy bar dispenser. His crimson visor focused straight ahead not seeming to register the few marines that saluted as he passed.

Fall tapped Strikes wrist and she turned. A look of unease was on her friends face. "Look at his tag." She whispered.

Strike turned and peered at the letter and numbers that designated each individual Spartan. A blood red D-22 stood out against the Spartans chest plate. Ice flooded her veins and for once in her life she Captain Barbara Strikes, the woman who took on two hunters with nothing but a half loaded pistol was nervous. "Oh shit Martha is that "Prophet"?"

The lieutenant nodded slowly. Clash let out a near silent swear and Straw dropped his juice. "You mean the one that nuked that planet full of civis in the Endos system? The one that got court marshaled? Why the hell would he be on this ship?!" Straws hissed.

"Shut it Straws even if I knew why I'd probably get marshaled for telling your dumbass." Strike spat.

"Captain he's coming this way." Clash whispered.

Spartan D-22 Callsign Prophet had indeed turned. The group could see thier dumbstruck expressions reflected back in a crimson glare. The super soldier halted a few feet away and motioned a slow salute to the Lieutenant and Captain. "Spartan D-22 Callsign Prophet checking in sir's." His voice was deep and the air seemed to vibrate as he spoke. He extended and hand towards the.

Fall recovered from the Spartan's presence first and smiled standing up and Grasped the armored glove. "Lieutenant Martha Fall good to have you er... Prophet."

Clash quickly followed his superiors example and saluted. "Sergeant Plank Clash Sir a pleasure to meet you er...."

"Strike Commander." Prophet added.

"Sir a pleasure to meet you Strike Commander Prophet!" Clash finished saluting him again.

Prophet returned the salute with a slow gesture. He turned towards Strike and Straws. "Captain Barbara Strike head of the 17th Hell Jumper division. Strike said taking the extended glove.

"Sergeant Mac Straws of the 17th sir." Straws said with a halfassed salute.

Prophet nodded and turned away from the table. "Confirmed I will see you on the ground in 5." And with that he walked out of the mess hall unwrapping an energy bar.

"When does a tin can super soldier out rank a battle harded hell jumper? I'm telling you the brass are getting so-ow!"

"Straws shut the fuck up and stop your belly aching!" Strike barked.

Clash let out a chuckled and got a glare from Fall. "Sorry sir just remembered a joke."

Strike turned to see Prophet's back plates as he exited the apdouble doors. A small silver object with orange veins flowing through it was in his rifle holster. She peered at it and it seemed to be shaped like the butt of a shotgun. "What the hell is that? Something's not right with that Spartan. Rumors or no rumors something is defiantly wrong."

Drop Pod Deck "Spirit's Journey": 5 hours later
"Alert fire teams Delta and Eclipse to pelican station 4. Fire teams Alpha and Saber to station 7. All ODST units to your assigned pods and prepare for drop off. All remaining fire teams stand by at pelican station 1 for Hornet escort Talon and Falcon escort Fang." The ship board AI called.

Sergeant Plank Clash rushed out of the barracks grabbing his MA5D assault rifle from an armory box near the entrance. He put on his helmet and the visor flipped down and hummed as it loaded his information. "Sergeant Plank Crash African decent,2nd in command of the 52nd marine battalion." The automated system hummed as it put his vitals and ammo count in his HUD.

"Clash where are you we're almost ready to dust off." Lt. Fall's voice crackled over the coms.

"Almost there ma'am." He replied rushing through the door into the hangar where Saber team was stationed.

A short blonde pale marine waved at him "Come on Plank you'll miss the party!"

He jumped onto the Pelican drop ship and patted her shoulder "Like I'd ever miss a party Swift."

Corporal Swift saluted and took her place next to Fall. The Lt. Looked up from her data pad as Clash sat down. "Listen Clash the rebels are dug in I'm going to need you to lead Saber while me and Swift head to Alpha. Ramirez keep that chain gun ready as soon as the hatch opens upon entry we are in a target rich airspace."

The marine on the rear facing chain gun nodded and patted the gun. "She's ready to mow down some Indie flyboys ma'am."

"If Talon and Fang do their jobs we should have you on the ground in no time!" The head pilot called back.

Clash cocked his assault rifle and chuckled "Copy that Gar you gonna stick around?"

Gar laughed and slapped his knee "You know it! Gonna light some fireworks on those Indies."

The lights in the pelican flipped from red to green. "Strap in Kiddies Talonis up and moving." The lead hornet pilot cheered over the com.

"Fang is lean, green, and oh so mean! Heading up Saber, Alpha we are on your flight path copy?"

Fall clicked her helmet com "Green light lets wake up those rebels." The dropships thrusters roared to life and lifted off. Fall got up and motioned for Clash to follow.

The two marines walked up to the cockpit and looked out the window. Gar tapped his helmet and his visor propped up he turned to face them. "You kiddies enjoin' the view? Yield has some nice jungles I've flown these skies a few time ferrying some ONI egg heads."

"Where haven't you flown old timer?" Fall joked putting a hand on the pilots shoulder.

"We got incoming bogeys, hornets and a pelican!" the co-pilot Lt. Barl called. Three fast attack falcons buzzed past the window and open fired on the approaching air vehicles cutting the rotary in pieces, and causing the hostile pelican to swerve away.

"Fang 4 has got your back saber we will carve you a path." Talon lead called over the radio.

"Much obliged Talon happy hunting." Gar cheered and flipped a switch bringing the pelicans weapon systems online.

"Guns running hot Sir!" Barl called as the forward chain gun whirred peppering the enemy gunship's right thruster causing it to explode and spin out crashing in the jungle below.

Two friendly dropships spared in front of Saber and Clashes visor labeled them Echo and Charlie squads.

"Good kill Saber we should be home free." Charlie lead cheered.

"Most of the bogeys broke off to take on Eclipse and Talon. There doesn't seem to be-" Echo lead was cut off by several missiles slamming into his pelican. Echo squads dropship flipped belly up in a ball of fire.

"What the hell was that? There are no SAM units online where did those missiles come from?!" Barl gasped.

"Damn it Vulture we got a damn Vulture coming in from the left!" Gar barked.

Charlie squads pelican went up in flames as the flying weapon carrier appeared in the left side view. "We lost out engines going to try and put her down as close to the landing zone as possible good luck Saber!" Charlie lead growled.

"We haven't even hit the ground and things are going to shit." Swift cursed walking into the cockpit.

"That behemoth is not takin' my bird down little lady. Fang we need support incoming heavy aerial weapons carrier we are going to engage as best we can." Gar barked and flipped another switch . "Missiles are hot!"

"Ramirez get the back MG spinning we are putting some holes in a Vulture!" The Lt. yelled.

The Vulture turned it's two forward heavy cannons towards the crash landing pelican and was about to fire when a wave of grenade launchers hit it causing the vehicle to lurch and fire into empty sky. The flying death machine slowly rotated back towards Sabers pelican.

The falcons of Fang flight took up defensive positions. "Saber get to the LZ... We'll hold off this guy aslong as we can... Nice flying with you Sa- Fang flight you do not have permission to say goodbye. Continue escorting Saber, Dragon is on sight." A calm deep rumbling voice rumbled.

Clash gasped and turned leaning closer to the window and a new arrow appeared behind the Vulture. "Dragon" appeared in red, and the sounds of heavy rotary overpowered even the aerial weapon carriers heavy thruster. An AV-22 SparrowHawk soared over the Vulture.

"Dragon? Soldier Identify yourself!" Fall barked into her helmet com.

"I second that Dragon these are restricted airways identify yourself!" Fang lead added.

The Hawk circled around and fired a Gauss round into it tearing a big chunk out of it's rear engine. "This is Spartan D-22 call sign Prophet. Now would you kindly get your assess in gear, and continue with the operation."

Fall shook her head and sighed "Gar let's get on the ground already we've spent enough time in the air."

Gar nodded and the pelican soared towards their destination. Fang flight turned moved into an arrow formation in front of Saber. Fall and Clash walked back into the cargo cabin with the rest of their squad. The Lieutenant pressed a button and the back hatch opened up slightly. "Ramirez get the gun spinning and open fire."

The marine let out a whoop and the gun began emitting a whirring noise. Several sch-lump noises pierced the cabin and a barrage of missiles flew from the Vulture and soared towards them. Ramirez swore and opened fired taking out a few.

"Gar evasive maneuvers we got a shit load of missiles heading our way! Ramirez keep firing, Clash give him some support." Fall turned and walked back into the cockpit.

Clash aimed his assault rifle and it roared as bullets flew into the air. "Come on corporal let them have it!"

The Vulture lurched again as another gauss round smacked into it. It gave a shudder and fired at the Hawk as it made another pass. Prophet maneuvered into a dive avoiding the heavy cannons and destroying another thruster.

"Damn that Spartan knows how to fly." Swift said as she peered through the slightly open hatch.

"He does fly pretty good, for a brick." Gar grumbled. "Heads up ladies and gentlemen we have arrived watch your step kiddies the first one is a doozy."

"Alright Saber everyone out! Swift time to go check in on Alpha, Clash you're in charge until I come back." And with that Fall and corporal Swift ran towards a pair of pelicans landing nearby.

"Listen up Saber it's only a matter of time until the rebels begin sending reinforcements we need to hoof it to the ONI facility. Ramirez bring that rocket launcher, Stalk I want you covering us with the anti-material Move people!" Clash barked.

Saber squad grabbed their weapons and Clash banged on the pelican. "Gar we're moving out head back up and get ready for the base drop." Clash and the group of marines trudged into the treeline towards the ONI facility.

"This bush is pretty dense sarge lots of cover for ambushes." Cpl. Stalk whispered.

"What's the matter Stalk you gettin' all spooked when your not the hunta'?" Sergeant Blade chuckled.

"I don't know about you two but these rebel putos ain't gonna take me out." Ramirez interjected.

"Stow it marines we are almost at the rendezvous point Charlie's survivors should be at the front gates." The scent of blood and discharged bullets. Crash pushed a large fern and gasped looking up at the stainless steel gate. Four marines lay behind a destroyed warthog.

One of them a marine with a corporal rank put a finger to his mouth and pointed to a distant rock ledge. A private 2nd grade picked up a rock and threw it across the clearing. A loud crack sounded as the rock exploded a white trail leading back to the ledge. Several automatic weapons discharged from the bush under the ledge.

"Stalk I want you on that sharpshooter, William pop some smoke and meet Blade, Ramirez at the gate." Clash went prone and Stalk disappeared into the jungle.

Prvt. William crawled forward and pulled the cap of a smoke grenade chucking it in front of Charlie squad. Blade and Ramirez rushed forward and slammed against the entrance.

Clash rushed forward and grabbed one of the wounded Charlie marines. "Come on lets go hoof it marines! William, Blade give us some cover, Ramirez open up that door. William get another smoke ready!" The squad bunkered down behind a security booth in front of the gate.

Blade pumped his shotgun and fired a flare into the brush causing one of the rebels to scream in agony. The terrorist ran out of the foliage with the flare still burning in his chest he leaped at the booth to get his head blown off by Blades 8 gauge. The brain matter flew as the soulkraft hit its target.

"That flare made the sharpshooter flinch sargent. He must be using a thermal scope." Stalk reported over the com.

"Thermal? So we got lucky with the- Smoke out!" William interrupted Clashes words. "Private no stay back!"

William rolled behind the smoke and fired his assault rifle. He was granted several screams as he made it just past the warthog then he stopped. A loud crack sounded and William dropped gripping his throat as the bullet passed through it.

"William!" Clash bellowed and rushed forward firing his rifle. "Stalk I want that's bastard dead!" Another crack this one from a silenced rifle sounded through the com.

"It's done sir."

Clash knelt down and took Williams body in his arms. The bullet had severed his head and decapitated him. "Damn those bastards, damn them all." He whispered.

"Clash you best be comin' back they be approachin' " Blade called firing his shotgun a few times. "I hear treads heavy treads!"

Clash pulled Williams dogtag off and rushed towards the gate just as the warthog was obliterated behind him.

"Scorpion tank! The blasted indies jacked a fucking tank!" Ramirez cursed.

"You best use them rockets boy!" Blade said reloading his shotgun.

Ramirez raised his rockets and fired two projectiles. The first struck the tank however the vehicle backed up before the second could impact. "Damn reloading!"

"Get dowm Ramirez!" Clash yelled as the tanks machine gunner aimed at him. Firing several rounds into the marines chest before blade pulled him back into cover.

Ramirez clutched at his blood stained chest plate and laughed. "Thanks old timer... I'm alright...just a flesh wound." He coughed and began wheezing.

One of the Charlie marines a corporal by the name of Mattock crawled over and pulled out some medi-foam. "Squad medic sir I'll get him patched up." Clash nodded and picked up the rocket launcher and loaded another rocket.

"Stalk let them have it take out as many as you can." several sniper shots followed the order and the approaching rebels began seeking cover among the trees. Suddenly a loud humming noise could be heard above the gun fire.

"Vultures!" The Charlie prvt. Screamed. Three if the titans had risen from the jungle and began hovering towards them.

"Stop your bitching marine ODST are inbound." Strikes voice called. Then pinned marines looked up to see several streets of fire coming down.

"Saber all other squads are incoming bringing in vehicle support hold your ground." Fall called the sound of treads and wheels followed her voice.

The sky was suddenly filled with aircraft as Fang and Talon flights converged. A lone pelican thrust forward ramming one of the vultures and spinning to fire it's missiles at another one. "Yeehaw and that's how you do CQB pilot style." Gar cheered.

Several ODST pods slamme into the jungle outside the gate and gun fire began suppressing the rebels. A fourth Vulture appeared crashing down into the clearing it's torn up hull showing it was the one from earlier.

Several warthogs burst into the clearing to begin firing at the ledge where the rebels had begone retreating. Falls and Swift jumped out of a transport hog and too mover next to clash. "Nice to have you back ma'am we had our selves a problem in a big way." Blade cheered taking out an indie that got too close.

"Shit incoming mega barrage everyone take cover!" Swift screamed.

A cascade of missiles slammed into warthog, hornet, and falcon alike killing a vast majority of the marines inside and around them. "No!" All the remaining marines called in unison.

Several ODST's had made their way to the gate just before the barrage and they all let out screams of outrage opening fire on the vultures. However their small arms fire did little more than create sparks on the flying death machines armor plating.

Strike dove and slid next to Fall and gestured towards one of the further vultures. A ebony armored figure was ontop of it running towards the cockpit glass. "This is Prophet attempting to sabotage the indie combat capabilities." He began smashing the glass and to Strikes surprise it actually cracked. He broke a hole and pulled a rebel out tearing him to bits with the jagged glass. The spartan pulled out a frag grenade and tossed it inside. He leaped off just as the glass shattered outward along with the limps of the other vulture crewmen.

The two remaining vultures slowly swung around and fired their cannons at the sprinting super soldier. He slid dodging the heavy caliber rounds, and made a dead sprint for the retreating tank. He leaped up onto the back and made his way to the canopy ripping it off with one pull.

"What the hell are you?!" The tank pilot screamed backing up in his seat.

"I am Spartan D-22 and I must confiscate this stolen UNSC vehicle." He grabbed the rebel's neck and snapped it throwing the limp body out he spun the tank turret around.

"Uh Ronald what the hell are you aiming that thing at us for?" One of the vulture pilots asked over the radio.

"Ronald is dead th-that thing killed him!" The other pilot said.

Prophet fired the tank cannon tearing one vulture in half. "Shit shit take out that tank."

"Marines, ODST's open the gate I will draw their fire."

"I'm with you Sir sniper support is on target." Stalk said as he fired several anti-material rounds into the the brush.

"You heard the Spartan Clash get the doors open marines we are going to give them hell for Zeta, and Gamma squad." Fall yelled. Strike nodded agreement and they jumped over the cover and charged taking a group of Insurrectionist by surprise.

Clash opened up the security console and entered in some code breaking systems. "Damn why does ONI have so much trash systems? Got it marines we are mobile everyone inside!"

Straws jogged up to the gate as it opened peeked inside. inside was a roofed courtyard that had several hallways leading into the depths of the base. "Clear everyone inside!" He called.

Fall and Strike fired one last mag each and followed their men into the base. Fall turned to see Prophet's tank explode as the last remaining vulture crashed into it. "D-22, D-22 do you read me?" Only static answered her.

"Spartan If your still alive get in here or I will drag your tin can ass in here myself!" Strike growled.

"That won't be necessary ma'am I can drag my own ass inside here." Prophet said as he tapped her shoulder.

"Shit, I nearly took off your head soldier!" Strike gasped lowering her rifle. "Now then let's get this place running those ONI eggheads are bound to have some automated defenses." Strike and Fall went to a nearby console and activated the systems.

Prophet chose this moment to slip away unnoticed into one of the hallways. "This is Prophet I've made it inside the facility."

"Very good Commander find the device and remove it." A voice crackled over his personal helmet com.

"Sir with all do respect should we really be tampering with covenant tec-Did I give you permission to speak out off turn Command? Do I need to remind you that without me you would still be rotting in that prison?"

"No-No what?-No Sir."

"That's a good little soldier now are you at the door?" Prophet came to a massive security door. "Good now let me open that for you and please be delicate. I know how brutish you Spartans can be with things you don't understand."

The door slowly slid upward revealing a cavernous room. He walked into the room and cut the link to his employer. "Just you wait you old bastard I'll make you pay for all those men and women who gave their lives for your pet project." Prophet growled.

He walked to the center and looked down at a small computer console. He tapped the screen and it lit up and seven circles appeared each with a different symbol. One was purple with stars inside, one yellow with butterflies, one pink with balloons. He shook his head and scanned looking at the other circles. "What the hell are these things?" In the center of the outer six circles. It had a sun mixed with a moon. A loud screech rung and engulfed his mind. He fell to his knee and let out a roar of agony.

"Friendship.... Elements..... Nightmare..... Elements.... Friends...... Friends.... Changlings..." These words scraped inside his mind and sent shock waves of pain through his body. He had felt an energy sword and this pain surpassed that beyond recognition. Then silence cold haunting silence filled the room it pierced through his armor leaving him shivering.

A light clop clop sounded behind him and a large equine stood before him. It's mane was long and multicolored, and it wore a crown and harness both encrusted with purple gems. "You humans need to stop playing with magic you don't understand. I have told your kind time and time again I have no wish to interact with such a violent self-destructive species." It said in a soft yet commanding voice.

Prophet slowly got to his feet and shook his head. "What or who are you?" Suddenly a soft hum filled the room and he reached back and pulled out the silver gun butt. It glowed golden and it began to extend until it clicked together forming a shotgun like weapon. "What the hell?"

The equine put a hoof on the gun and looked at him with a piercing glare. "I am Princess Celestia and you human are playing with the power of Gods."