Matt-038 (Halo Fanfiction)

Chapter 13: Alpha Company

Author's Note: If you have any tips writing tips, please feel free to comment.

Again, I gratefully accept constructive criticism as a means to help me develop my skills further as a writer.

--- --- --- --- ---

Chapter 13: Alpha Company

Location: Zeta Doradus system, planet Onyx, Camp Currahee

December 27, 2531

1950 hours

Matt and Kurt watched the incoming Pelicans. The blocky jet-powered craft were so distant the were only specks against the setting sun. Matt hit the magnification on his faceplate and saw the lines of fire tracing their reentry vectors. They would touch down in three minutes.

In the last six months, they had developed a training regime tougher than the original SPARTAN program. They had created the obstacle courses, firing ranges, classrooms, mess halls, and dormitories from what had been jungle and scrub plain. 

Kurt had received every piece of equipment he had requested from NavSpecWep Section Three. Guns, ammunition, dropships, tanks - even samples of covenant technology and weaponry had appeared as if by sleight of hand. 

All personnel were accounted for: six dozen handpicked drill instructors, physical therapists, doctors, nurses, and the all-important cooks... all here except the most critical person who was now on the incoming transports: Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mendez.

Mendez, a dozen years ago, trained Matt, Kurt, and every other Spartan. He would be invaluable in preparing the new breed of SPARTAN-III, but he wasn't going to be the solution to all of Matt and Kurt's problems.

After pouring over every detail of new recruits' files, Matt and Kurt discovered that they didn't match the perfect psychological and genetic markers set in Dr. Halsey's original selection protocols. Colonel Ackerson had warned them they had to draw from a "less statistic robust" group. These recruits wouldn't be like them, John, Kelly, or any of the original SPARTAN-II candidates.

And this would only add a long list of challenges. With the final target class four times larger than the SPARTAN-II's, a severely truncated training schedule, and the need for these Spartans in the war increasing every month, Matt and Kurt, in fact, expected a disaster.

The Pelican jet transports swooped down on final approach and angled their thrusters. The sod on the parade ground rippled like velvet. One by one, they gingerly touched down.

Although Matt's MJOLNIR armor was not designed to best rank insignia, he nonetheless felt the weight of his new Lieutenant's bars. They pressed down on him as if they were a ton each as if the weight of the entire war and future or humanity rested squarely on his shoulders.

"Sirs?" a voice whispered into his COM.

The voice belonged to the artificial intelligence Eternal Spring. It was officially assigned to the planetary survey team stationed in the northern section of this peninsula.

Matt wasn't sure why Colonel Ackerson had insisted Camp Currahee be built next to the facility. He was sure, however, there had been a reason.

"Go ahead, Spring," Kurt said.

"Updated details on the candidates available," the AI said.

"Thanks," Kurt said.

"Thank me after your so-called test, sir." Eternal Spring terminated transmission with a hiss of static that sounded like angry bees.