The Rise: An Introduction

"I'm not stupid, ma'am. I understand the word 'we'."

I sigh, obviously annoyed with her.

Fucking machine.

=I look at the kid and shake my head, giving him a look that said 'Let it go'=

No one's insulting your intelligence here, son.

=I narrow my eyes a briefly=

So just cool it.

I look off to the side, away from the two, even more annoyed. I've had a bad start, big whoop.

I blinked, a little surprised, drawn away for a moment from the rather interesting story.
"Yeah, I bet. New Mombasa... I fought there. Must've been rough for ya to go through that."

Kabnit wrote:

Adam finally arrived in the armory, where he nodded silently to a group of technicians waiting to greet him. They led him over to an armor to assemble his new set of MJOLNIR, fit as per his old suit. He flexed his hands a little, balling them into fists before throwing a few punches at imaginary targets to get a feel for the movement of his new suit.

After assembling his new suit and making his way over to arm himself with a newer model MA5D ICWS as well as Misriah Armory's M6H Handgun, He packed a suppressor for both of these, though they were currently unequipped. He made his way for Hangar B-47, as directed by the crew who assisted him with his MJOLNIR.

Upon arrival, he heard a ping in his ear -- comms activated, "This is Commander Stone, Spartan. You're gonna accompany Raven Squad of the Marine Corps to Karjur. There you are to rendezvous with Spartan-149. Do you acknowledge, Spartan?" Adam pinged an acknowledgement, "Good. See you upon your return." And the comms went dead.

Spartan 149 had landed in a forested region of Karjur. The Forest was dense, and light scarcely penetrated the canopy. He had a silenced DMR and two Silenced SMGs. The key to this mission was stealth. So silenced weapons he carried in, and even they were a last resort. He would try to use only Karate, empty hands, to take down any foe he would see. Avoiding conflict if he could.

His secondary objective was to clear an LZ for Fire-team Raven and Spartan 025. That would come after his initial search. Having the marines coming down would mean a few extra bodies to keep safe, however. They might slow his progress.

He moved swiftly through the forest. Covering much of the distance between his insertion point and the building that was his goal. It was an old building. but there had been a brief energy spike, and Command wanted it checked out. The area on this side of the planet Karjur is supposed to be home of a rebel group. The beginning of an uprising. It would be crushed in a matter of days. Not that it mattered.

After he had closed most of the distance between him and the Objective, he slowed. Approaching cautiously, and looking for snipers, look outs, or anyone that could alert a guard. There were none. He approached the building on it's flank. Nature had slowly overtaken the structure, it looked more like a ruin than a building. This meant that the topside of the building would be all but useless, there was a basement, or underground building. Sub-levels.

He enters the building through a broken door. Empty. All eight floors of the building were empty. No where was there any evidence of a lower level. At least, not unless you you didn't know the plans for this buildings construction. Which Mimir had shown him as part of his debriefing. It was beneath a tree. Thick brown roots surrounded the hatch. It wasn't guarded, the Building was clear, which meant this would be the LZ.

Spartan 149 enters the hatch. Complete darkness envelopes him. There were no lights, but he didn't need any. He could navigate just fine in the dark. The hallway stretched about a hundred yards before it went left another hundred yards, and then turned left again. The hallway had a gradual decent, and continued to turn left as it went down deeper, and deeper into the planet.

Adam arrived in Hangar B-47, where he set eyes on Raven Squad. He did one last gear check as he approached the squadron of Marines, scoping out to seek the Commander of the unit.

I gave a nod to Brezin as he left to get food.

"Yeah, well... we all lost something in the war, right?"

I had an awkward grin across my face for a second, but it soon faded.

I nodded, sighing a little and looking around the room.

"I wonder how many people here are fighting for people they've lost."

I returned moments later with a plate full of goop.

Mmm just like mom use to make it. I fight for my species and my brothers slash sisters on the battlefield. I have only lost 5 people in my service. Three as a marine and two on Sigr squad.

I sit down and say a small prayer under my tongue before I eat.

=after a little bit of cutting and undoing bolts and large screws, it was time to take the gun mount off. I moved the toolkit out of the way and gripped the metal under one of the support beams, lifting up and taking it off with some effort. I walked over to the side and tried to set it down, but the metal slipped from my skin and it dropped down with a loud clang=
Sorry! Just me!

=a few people jumped and looked at me=
"Give us a warning next time, alright?"

Yeah, yeah. Sorry.

=i hopped down to pick it up and carry it off to the scrap room. I was holding it like one would hold a baby, not because I felt any attraction to it, but really just because that was the best way to carry the damned thing=

This conversation made me think of all the people I used to know. I've seen fellow marines fall in combat, but I guess I fought for everyone on Earth. Just about every person I knew died in Mombasa. I fight so others don't have to.

I said none of this to either of them, they didn't need to think I was a soldier with nothing to lose.

"Too many."

I say in response to Jack.

I looked at Tyrese, nodding. He and I were in very similar ships, it seemed. But it wasn't worth delving too deeply into this matter; no one liked discussing it, especially as an introductory discussion.

"Well, it doesn't matter. As long as we fight, we're doing our jobs. Right?" I looked up at Koda, smirking as he ate his food.

=I get up and get some chow, the smell making my mouth water=

Well...navy always got it better than we got it in the army...

=I sit down and dig in, my injuries earning me a few stares=

As I finishing slopping over the gloop I look up to Tyrese.

Hey have you been in the suit yet?

I wore a slightly puzzled look, after Brezin's question.

"Suit?"

"Oh!"

I felt a little dull for not getting that that was what he meant.

"Uh, yeah, I've worn it a couple times, just... not in live combat, yet."

Adam looked around for a moment expectantly, as if he either had a flashback of some sort or just expected there to be more than just one squadron with him. Adam was used to ops on a larger scale during the Human-Covenant war, and the obvious was the more likely, though both could be a factor. He approached the Pelican in which Raven Squad was in front of.

=the ruined stand fit well amongst the pile of scrap, looking like it had been there all along, amidst the burnt and bent and ruined. I walked over to the room of spare parts, looking for a spare weapon stand in the warthog section=
Aha! There you are.

=i grabbed the piece and carried it out towards the waiting vehicle, noting that the engine looks like it had seen better days as well as the rear. I set the massive piece of steel and titanium on the back of the 'hog, and hopped up next to it, beginning to align the bolt holes and welding joints=

(Raven)

Corporal Eir: "Chief," She waves Spartan 025 over. Raven Squad was standing-by, attention on the Corporal. "Glad you could join us, makes me feel better knowing that a spartan will be accompanying us."

She cleared her throat. "We're going to be heading to the Planet Kurjar, we don't know where we're landing just yet, but we'll see the LZ when we get there. Our objective is simple, gather some intel, and get out." She was talking as much to her own marines as she was to Spartan 025. "We're going in quiet, that's why we have silencers today, which means only return fire, Baldwin."

The marine she spoke to gave a heavy sigh, but said nothing.

"We're ready when you are Spartan."

Adam smirked, "Glad you could have me. But I'm sure a squad of Marines could handle this, with'er without me." He reached down for his Assault Rifle to thread his suppressor onto, "I'm ready. This is your mission, Corporal, I'm just here to take a few pot shots at the bad guys if need be." As he spoke, he slung his AR back over to magnetically lock to his back before reaching down to equip the suppressor to his magnum as well.

Quote :

Wonder why they sent us here?

I looked down at the food Brezin was eating, then back up at him.

"I really couldn't tell ya. We could guess all day, but it'd be easier to just let them fill us in when the time comes."

"I agree. No point forming conspiracies and theories when all we know is our teams, and even then we don't know anything beyond the small groups. We could get partnered with other teams to form the actual teams."
I leant back and scratched my chest, frowning thoughtfully.
"We don't even know who our CO is."

=i flipped the welding mask down, and started welding the turret mount into place. Sparks flew off and a harsh blue light flickered from the welding point, bright enough to sear my retinas, even through the mask, but at least it was only faint and easily gone. The mask was suffocating, but at least better than inhaling the fumes from the metal. I stopped and turned around the mount, getting a new angle on the joint, then resumed working on getting the hog's mount back where it belonged. I couldn't hear anything, or see anything, other than what I was currently doing=

=Announcement=

"All New Arrivals, please follow Ensign Lawrence, standing at the entrance to the mess -hall, to the Tram Station!"

[Note: Since all new arrivals are in the Messhall eating with their respective teams and getting to know each other, everyone will be leaving from the mess-hall. The Leader of your squad will be in front. Normally, you would be in order (within each team) from highest rank to lowest, but most of you are the same rank, so it's just going to be by whoever was in the SIV program the longest, some of you are green to the program, so you'll be the last member in your squad.]

Ensign Lawrence: "Line up!" He said, dragging out the first word in his sentence.

=I perk up at the annoucement, getting up from my chair and forming up behind my squad leader, keeping silent and waiting for further orders=

Well...let's see what happens next...

=I discreetly flex my robotic arm, a reminder of what the war cost me=

I stood there behind Tyrese anxiously awaiting what's next.

With everyone now in line, Ensign Lawrence escorts them to the Tram.

[note: The tram takes about 15 minutes to get to it's destination, if you want to post having a conversation, now would be the time to do so.]

(Before)
I swing out from the table, at attention, in front of my squad.

(Now)
Once the ensign said to, we all followed behind him. I turn my head back, before speaking.

"Maybe now we'll see who's in charge?"

I stood behind my team, now aboard a tram to our destination.
"And what exactly we're all here for."

I scratched my neck a little nervously; I had to admit, I'd never really seen this many S-IVs together for an actual operation. Reminded me of the tales of soldiers that got sent out in droves only to be cleaned up by unexpected enemies.
I couldn't stop hoping that didn't happen to us...

As we walked down the corridors, I found my self to be feeling a bit anxious. Although We weren't even sure how the teams were gonna work out in the long run, I felt I had to keep my cool if I was to lead a squad. So I masked my nervousness with a bit of a blank and cold face, looking straight ahead.

Kabnit wrote:

Adam smirked, "Glad you could have me. But I'm sure a squad of Marines could handle this, with'er without me." He reached down for his Assault Rifle to thread his suppressor onto, "I'm ready. This is your mission, Corporal, I'm just here to take a few pot shots at the bad guys if need be." As he spoke, he slung his AR back over to magnetically lock to his back before reaching down to equip the suppressor to his magnum as well.

Eir smiled, "Let's move out. Get yourself strapped in."

The team piled onto the Pelican, strapped in, and then the pelican left the ship only to enter slipspace and appear in front of a large aesthetically earth-like planet.

"Woah..." gasped one of the PVCs.


(Athena's Province)

Ensign Lawrence does not enter the tram. All the spartan IV's enter the tram and are taken to another section of the ship. When they arrive, they are greeted by Commander Stone. Commander of all the SIV fireteams. He was in his White and Gray armor.

The fireteams exit the tram and separate into their squads.


Commander Stone: "I am Commander Stone, Welcome to the Athena's Province. We're going to be running you through training exercises before sending you out into combat. These exercises are not only for newly formed squads, some of the "veterans" here will also be participating. You might go up against one of them. If you're lucky, you won't get beat too badly. Hopefully you all remember how to reload a gun."

A severed head appeared not far from Stone.

Mimir: "Petty Officer (second class) Keystone, your Squads' name will be Jericho. Spartan B-161 your squads' name will be Roman. Petty Officer Ernzt yours will be...." And on he went. Naming the Squads.

The Squads who had been given names were escorted from the entry way to another room.

Roman, Jericho, Goldenrod, Holly, Onyx, and Frost were all in what could only be described as a locker room with guns.

Therein stood a man in spartan armor, "I'm Spartan Winshire, communications specialist, I'll be guiding you through todays events." He had brown hair and brown eyes, and had a fairly common face.

A screen in the room lit up: "The first round of training simulations will be as follows:

Roman Vs. Forest.

Jericho Vs. Sanguine

Goldenrod Vs. Mystic

Holly Vs. Oak

Onyx Vs. Saphire

Frost Vs. Conch

..."

And on went the list.

"We have several rooms that are set up to mimic possible landscapes for combat scenarios. These first scenarios are going to be a sort of Capture the Flag type scenario, capturing an objective and bringing it back to your "base". You can pick any two weapons from the wall. There's the DMR, Battle Rifle, Assault Rifle and magnum available for you to use. You'll find the ammunition you'll be using inside, so pick those up when you enter the field. We're using stun rounds, if you get hit enough or hit where it would be lethal you're armor will be locked for the duration of the round. And on the topic of Armor, adjacent to this room is where you'll find your armor. Yes, they are all recruit armor, and no, none of your custom armor is here. You can place a requisition order later. It'll take a while for it to get here, so expect it to be a month or two before it arrives. After you've all equipped your armor come back here and I'll direct you to the field you'll be in."

=a few minutes later, the turret mount was back on and ready for work. I threw my hands up in the air with a little whoop of joy=
Woo! Haha, finally.

=i hopped down and picked up the nearby machine gun that would be mounted on the, well, mount. I set it in the back of the hog, and hopped up to finish putting it in place. Someone called from nearby=
"Hey, why don't spartans ever take the turret off of the warthog? I've seen em rip a normal mounted MG off it's mount, so why not a hog?"

Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I don't do it for a number of reasons. One, that'd leave the Warthog pretty much defenseless. Two, there's no handle on the top of the warthog's gun, so I can't carry it easily, and three, it's just silly.

I put my hands on my teammates shoulders.

Man are you guys ready!?

"I will be in a minute."

Once dismissed, I walked into the close-by room that had the armor. First thing I grabbed was a body suit. I turned from the rest of the Spartans and slipped it on there. I then walked over to one of the suits' helmets and stared into the visor.

"Was never a fan of helmets like these. I prefer the ones with a wider field of vision..."

=the guy apparently wasn't expecting that answer, as he just kinda looked at me dumbly before nodding and moving on. I chuckled inside my head, and got to work putting the bolts through the gun and the mount, securing it in place. I'd have to do that before I could set the ammunition feed in place, and ultimately finish making the warthog ready for combat. The Auto-tool buzzed in my hand, rapidly spinning the bolts in place and then placing the endcaps on so they didn't just fall out while in motion=

I sighed, ignoring the question as I followed Tyrese to the armoury of our team. I sighed, and looked over the armour, moving over to claim my own suit.
Hannibal Weapons Systems PAA/Recruit armour. I'd seen this stuff, and I'd never really liked it. I rested my M6F on a small elevated spot next to me, and began to procedure.

I slipped the body suit on, and proceeded to stare dully at the helmet before me.
"Tell me about it. This is nothing like my own, the visor feels so much smaller..." I pulled the helmet close to my face, rotating it in my hands and groaning. I sighed as I returned the head piece, and walked over to the weapons rack, pulling out one of the MA5D Rifles, and returning to pick up my new M6F, the rifle held tight in my hands.

I spun on the spot and raised my arms, gripping the rifle tight as I aimed at a spot on the wall. I was a few inches to the left. "Hm. Haven't used an MA5 in a while. Gonna take some getting used too."

=I claim my suit as my own...well not my old suit that is=

I hate this damn recruit armor...it's not my scout set by a longshot...

=I step onto the armoring stand, placing my sidearm on a nearby table. I let them ratchet the armor into place, bar for my robotic arm. After they finish putting on the armor, I slip on the helmet and check to see if the armor was in working order=

Then again...it's much like the gear I wore while in the army...

=I then grab my M6D and slip into it's holster. I then grab an MA5D from the weapons rack, the weapon feeling like an old friend in my hands. I then slip the rifle on my back, the rifle magnetically held on the back plate. I went through some basic motions in the armor, trying to get used to the suit=

Well...it'll take some getting used to, but it'll do for now...

I stepped into the boots at the center of one of the armorer machines and raised my arms out to my sides. The machine proceeded to bolt my chest piece and gauntlets together. It then put the rest of the armor on. I felt heavier and lighter at the same time.

I walked away from the machine and grabbed one of the helmets, staring into the visor again.

I walked into the machine just like my peers, putting my feet into the boots on the ground. They told me to put my arms up to the side so i obliged. The next few moments were fast. As the machine lifted me to a angle it started to bring my suit parts towards me while simultaneously putting them on in the proper order. The whole process was kind of exciting. Just as fast as it was put on it ended the same way. I was soon able to walk in my newly acquired suit. I walked toward the stand where my helmet was lain. Putting the helmet was both awkward and comfortable. It felt familiar with the helmets I use to wear. I walked over to the armory table and picked up thre basic AR and Pistol combo.

So this is the recruit armor? Wonder how many variants they have.

It feels restricting but at the same time flexible. I put my weapons on their respective locks on my suit.and stood by my team.

I had done what everyone else here did, got my armor bolted together on me by the machine. It's... uh, definitely a step down from my old armor.
There's not much use in complaining. Other then annoying you're comrades. Though it usually ruins their mood. And why do that?
Anyway, I head over to the weapons. Grabbing a MA5D since it's, well. A machine gun. Closest thing to a HMG anyhow.
I notice however, that the other guy on my fireteam had a MA5D. So I put it back and replace it with a BR85HB SR (a BR).
So it evens out the weapon selection. Just incase we need it or something. Also, I should say I'm ready for combat as of now.

I walked back to the other room with the weapons, holding my helmet by my side. I sat it down, then eyed the weaponry. He chose the M395 DMR from the rack. Taking three magazines and three clips for the M6H Magnum he put on his side. After locking my DMR to my back, I turned to my team, holding my helmet.

"I usually go for the piloting helmets, or anything that has a wider view. I feel too restricted with these ones, can't see my sides."

I bend my arm then straighten it again.

"Power armor will always feel a little alien to me. Big and clunky, but at the same time it speeds up our movement. . ."

N wrote:

Eir smiled, "Let's move out. Get yourself strapped in."

The team piled onto the Pelican, strapped in, and then the pelican left the ship only to enter slipspace and appear in front of a large aesthetically earth-like planet.

"Woah..." gasped one of the PVCs.

Adam gazed out the window of the Pelican for a few moments before looking back down at his gear, triple-checking that he had brought everything. He had been travelling to different planets for almost as long as he could remember, and it no longer phased him. The things it had in common with Earth shocked him, however. Not so much the similarities - but if this planet was so similar to humanity's home base, why had he never been here? This bugged him more than anything, and he wanted answers.

I'd followed the team leader to the machines, stepping in and out as normally as ever, more than used to the whole 'ride'. Some of the technicians referred to the things as Roller Coasters; I wish.

When I'd returned to the armoury, holstered my rifle over my back and cocked my pistol lazily, before replying to Tyrese, smirking.
"I've not used a helmet with a visor like this in a long time. I'm a fan of the Strider helmet myself, It's similar to the EVA, really, nice big visor. Just a little more intimidating."
I spun on my spot again, aiming at the same spot on the same wall, with the same gun. The only difference now was my armour.

I let out a sigh as I saw the sights resting a good foot to the left.
"This armour... Not my favourite."

=After I was satisfied that the armor was functioning properly, I then take the MA5B off my back, checking to see if the bolt was cycling properly=

There's one thing I subscribe to, and that's Murphy's Law...

=I nod, slightly satisfied that it was cycling properly. I then got ammunition for my M6D and my assault rifle. If anything, I would err on the side of caution when it came to ammo=

Well...let's hope my team has my back...cause I got theirs...

Okay okay I change my mind. Nevermind the Magnum, I want a AR. I have accuracy with the BR anyway.
I run back over to the weapons rack and put the M6F back. And you guessed it, I got an Assault rifle to replace it.