Spartan One 013

The plaza beneath Arasaka Tower had become a slaughterhouse.

Warrior Bugs lay piled against the concrete floor in blackening heaps. Lit on fire, their hooked limbs tangled together like wood collapsing upon itself in a campfire. Yellow-green ichor ran through the cracks in the floor, stinking up the place to high hell. The modified Elephant sat near the tower entrance with its treads buried beneath pulped carapace, its forward plating scored by claws and impact craters.

Above them, Arasaka’s crimson emblem glowed, piercing the smoke of these slowly burning bodies. 

Orion stood between the Elephant and the tower, taking the scene in, accounting for casualties, and checking his ammo supplies. In his hands was a combat shotgun ready to go in case of any surprises. Armor coated in soot, blood, and bug filth, he regarded the cyborg guy in his 20's across from him. 

Adam Smasher stood six paces away.

The young mercenary had lost half the synthetic skin around his jaw, exposing chrome beneath. His chain gun hung empty from its harness, barrel cluster glowing dull orange. In one of his hands, he still carried the chain sword he had used to butcher his way through the final wave, its teeth continued to rotate with an ugly mechanical whine. The threat was clear as day. 

Neither man seemed inclined to lower his weapon.

“You nearly put three of my people under your treads.” Smasher said, his voice deep and menacing. 

Orion looked past him at the Arasaka mercenaries gathering near the tower doors. Perhaps because of their implants, the goons didn't appear any different from when the fighting first began. Clearly Smasher was causing trouble just to start something. 

“If they die, they die. Don't pretend like you care about them, mercenary.” Orion spat. 

Smasher took one heavy step forward.

“They are Arasaka property.” The machine-man growled. 

My property. Went unsaid. 

Private Johnson stood near the Elephant’s forward ramp, reloading a drum-fed machine gun. He glanced toward another Spartan and muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“I wonder if he needed his balls welded on? Any man who talks to the Lieutenant like that needs a pair.” 

Orion wordlessly pumped his shotgun.  The gesture made several Arasaka mercenaries tighten their grips on their guns. Smasher’s exposed mechanical jaw shifted into something resembling a grin.

“You wanna settle it, soldier?” Smasher asked. 

“I’m not a soldier.” Orion said, refusing to back down. 

Smasher’s chain sword slowly began to rev up in anticipation. 

Orion continued walking until they stood nearly chest to chest.

“I’m a Spartan.”

The air between them seemed to contract.

Smasher was slightly larger, as his cybernetic frame built for intimidation and frontal assault. Orion was leaner, and if his helmet recording was anything to go off of, ever so slightly faster. 

“You think a title like that makes you special? Don't make me laugh.” Smasher snarled, barely containing his bloodlust. 

White-blue energies swirled across Orion’s fingertips, and he worked everything he could into his nascent ESP. He plunged forth with psychic spikes into everything he had, all directed at Smasher’s mind. Orion pressed one emotion onto the cyborg, making him confused: 

Awe. 

It was not a common emotion, but was something one felt when they witnessed the extraordinary. At that moment, Orion was gaslighting Adam-fucking-Smasher into feeling awe at the Spartan before him. 

As soon as it came, the moment passed-as Orion truly was weak in this area-yet it was enough. As soon as Smasher realized what had occurred-as he wasn't some simpleton-he almost lost his composure, and lunged forward, damn the consequences! 

Orion’s eyes settled on the exposed machinery beneath Smasher’s face. The chain sword rose half an inch, and the shotgun was pressed just beneath his chin. 

As the sword was about to come down, and Orion was about to pull the trigger, a white-haired woman stepped between them.

“Adam.” Serrena Arasaka-half breed and tool of the company-said in a commanding tone. 

Smasher’s optics shifted toward her.

She wore a long armored coat over a close-fitting tactical suit, its fabric was stained dark with ash and bug fluid. Her twin pistols rested in open holsters, while several throwing knives remained secured along her ribs. She stood between the two enhanced men as though neither represented the slightest threat.

“The tower is still standing, our surviving personnel are inside it. The enemy is regrouping beyond the perimeter. Our mission is not yet accomplished.” 

She then looked at Orion.

“And the Lieutenant vehicle prevented the eastern line from collapsing. Play nice.” 

Smasher did not lower the sword.

“He almost crushed my team.” Smasher said like a child who didn't want to go to his room. 

“Thank you for the assistance, Lieutenant Winters. We look forward to aiding you with clearing New Troy of this insectoid menace.” Serrena inclined her head to the Spartan, ignoring Smasher. 

“Don't get in my team's way.” Orion said, pulling his shotgun back as if Smasher wasn't still threatening him with a deep cut. 

Of course, he was prepared to still blast the asshole apart, but thanks to [Tech Armor], he could tank a hit or two giving him plenty of time to retaliate. 

Johnson barked out a laugh, to which Smasher turned his head.

“What’s so funny?”

Johnson slammed the ammunition drum into place.

“You are, chrome dome. Ordered around by a fine little chit like that and acting all tough. Heh.” Johnson chuckled to himself. 

Before Smasher could advance, another voice entered the dispute.

“Gentlemen.”

Jack Harper emerged from the tower beneath the protection of two ONI security personnel.

Unlike the soldiers around him, Harper’s uniform remained almost immaculate. He wore a dark field coat without visible rank markings, though everyone present recognized authority in the way he carried himself. The ONI symbol however, was a dead give away regarding his loyalties. Harper’s face was calm, his posture relaxed, and his hands remained conspicuously empty of any weapons. 

The spook looked first at Orion, then at Smasher.

“If either of you feels compelled to prove which classified military investment is more expensive, I would appreciate a few minutes to establish betting odds.”

Orion’s eyes narrowed…was that a joke? Given the various corporations and high level interests involved, he really couldn't tell. But the question was, what was his game? 

“Captain.” Orion saluted, barely mustering up any energy to greet his handler. 

Harper glanced toward the smoke-covered horizon, ignoring the salute. 

“Long-range reconnaissance has detected coordinated bug movement northwest of the tower. Whatever landed out there is still active.”

“How far?” Serrena asked with a frown. 

“Less than eleven clicks. Of course, the UNSC shall do its part, but as you said, Miss Arasaka, we look forward to your cooperation.” The slick man smiled, and held out his hand. 

The white haired girl regarded him for a moment, then grasped his hand. Smasher finally thumbed off the chain sword, and sighed in annoyance once it became clear that violence was off the menu. 

“Orbital scans confirm a large organic structure embedded beneath the impact site. Preliminary measurements suggest several interconnected chambers. In parlance you might understand…” Harper said, glancing at the big cyborg. “It's a hive.” 

Smasher turned away from Orion and wiped the chain sword against the remains of a Warrior Bug. “Then we burn it.”

“It is also situated beneath land leased to the Arasaka Corporation,” Serrena said.

“You’re worried about this dirt?” Smasher mockingly questioned his employer. 

“I am worried about contractual liability, Adam.” She explained, then turned to Harper. “The regional charter grants Arasaka exclusive defensive authority within thirty kilometers of the tower. Any UNSC deployment beyond the emergency perimeter requires corporate approval. We will work with you, but Arasaka will retain rights to any recovered remains.” Serrena declared. 

Harper smiled pleasantly. “The charter also contains an extraterrestrial-incursion provision.”

“Written before first contact with this species.” Serrena frowned, crossing her arms. 

“Under UEG law, and ratified by Arasaka’s colonial division, this is the reality, Miss Arasaka.” Harper held out his palms, shrugging in a ‘what can you do’ posture. 

Serrena’s expression did not change, but the muscles along her jaw tightened.

“We’re wasting time here. There's bugs to kill.” Smasher snorted, and lumbered away, looking for ammunition to reload his chaingun. 

Privately, Orion agreed, yet he felt like he was in for a treat watching this Illusive Man give this Arasaka bitch the business. Just because he had a negative view of ONI, didn't mean he didn't take pleasure in Arisaka's suffering. What did the Germans call this feeling? Ah, yes. Schadenfreude. 

Harper’s eyes stayed on Serrena, and the tech CEO-looking man slowly inclined his head. 

“UNSC reinforcements are already inbound. Arasaka is, of course permitted to retrieve what it can get its hands on. ONI thanks you for your understanding.” 

Seconds later the sound of heavy engines rolled across the sky.

Large boxy dropships and Pelicans descended through the haze in staggered formation, their running lights blinking between towers of smoke. Pelicans swept low over the plaza, followed by larger troop transports. One landed nearby kicking up a storm of dust and ash. Marines and Mobile Infantrymen poured out, running here and there to secure the perimeter. 

More aircraft followed.

Hundreds of soldiers moved into the ruined district, establishing firing lines, unloading ammunition, deploying portable radar arrays and automated turrets. Warthogs rolled down the ramps behind them, honking along the way. With the space campaign portion of Troy complete, the fleet had finally, safely deployed its reserves. 

The few Arasaka mercenaries watched the deployment with growing unease. Although they were elites chock full of implants, they were nothing compared to the sheer numbers that the UNSC brought to bear. 

Serrena looked upward as another Pelican crossed above the tower, and frowned. “You requested reinforcements before receiving our authorization. ONI's skills at espionage are well deserved.” She said, her voice filled with hidden barbs.

“I would defer to your greater corporate experience.” Harper said, inclining his head. 

Serrena's polite smile completely disappeared, for a moment, she appeared to be on the verge of losing her composure. 

Uncaring for the discussion going on, a Marine Major approached Orion and saluted.

“Lieutenant. Two infantry companies are ready for deployment. Engineering section is establishing a mobile command post. We’ve got armor taken from the local factories coming down in the next wave as per your orders.” The Major explained. 

Orion privately frowned. For one, he was a Lieutenant. Why was this Major saluting him and secondly, he gave no such order…

Harper glanced at him, and smiled. His silent knowing look all but reiterated: remember, you are a Hero, you have ONI's full support. 

Orion rolled his eyes behind his visor, and sighed. He really and truly didn't know how to rate this spy, but it was better to be in ONI's good graces than to be their enemy. There truly were no other Humans more radical than them. Turning towards the Major, he decided to roll with it. 

“Keep the armor near the perimeter of the hive. I'll radio you once I've laid eyes on the hive, and give you further orders.” Orion said. 

“Yes, sir.” The Marine saluted, and began to organize his men. 

“Spartans will take the center with the Mobile Infantry, the Marines can take the left flank, and Arasaka can cover the right flank.” Orion said to Serrena. 

“Arasaka doesn’t take orders from you.” Smasher said, walking over with his reloaded chaingun. 

“How much does your shiny ass cost?” Johnson jeered. “While you sold your soul for money, my brothers can vote. We are citizens. You're just some upjumped monkey in a tin can.” 

Serrena stepped forward before Smasher could answer.

“We will provide two assault teams. Adam will lead one. I will lead the other.”

“UNSC operational command remains with Lieutenant Winters.” Harper said, brooking no room for negotiation. 

“Just what I wanted to hear. Arasaka voids all liabilities, and takes no responsibility for the future engagement.” Serrena smiled sweetly, finally feeling like she had gotten one up on Harper. 

The ONI spook stared her down in amusement, then turned to Orion. 

“The keys are in the ignition, Winters, she's all yours. I wish you good luck.” Harper inclined his head, then without another word, boarded a transport and flew away. 

Orion looked at his handler retreat, then after consulting some maps, and studying some intel, he turned to the assembled men.  He then entered a comms channel so everyone fighting in the upcoming engagement could hear him. 

“Men and women of the UNSC, the enemy is on the backfoot. We who have survived Klendauthu know better than anyone how dangerous these Arachnids can be. This time, however, we have air support, Warthogs, and tanks. The other few hives are being bombarded as we speak, and the city cleared. This is the last obstacle to freeing Troy. For our fallen brothers and sisters…Make. Them. Pay!”