Prologue
“Don’t deny me this.”
Noble Five clasped his hand around that of the gray armored Spartan in front of him. Lifting the super soldier with ease, the seven foot behemoth slowly made his way to the edge of the hangar, where the abyss fell before them. The orange Spartan looked at his gray companion’s face, only to see the reflection of his own visor on Noble Six’s helmet. Noble Five closed the distance between them and the edge of the platform at a painfully sluggish pace. Despite this, he still arrived much sooner than he would have liked.
“Tell ‘em to make it count,” he grunted as he threw his brother-in-arms out of the hangar and into the cold emptiness of space. Noble Five watched as Noble Six floated off to the surface of the planet below them. Smaller and smaller he got, until he was completely engulfed by the green sphere behind him, leaving the orange armored soldier truly on his own. The human slowly raised his head and looked at the planet that had once been his home.
The continents were obscured by white clouds that, from the Corvette’s perspective, looked like nothing more than wisps of white smoke, dancing and swimming over the surface of the planet. Massive hurricanes formed and collided with swirling seas of white and dark menacing storms. The flashes from their lightning carried so much raw power that even from orbit they were a frighteningly beautiful sight, demonstrating the destructive force that nature possessed.
The planet was also covered with enormous bodies of crystalline water, which shone in the sun’s rays like oceans of diamond. Noble Five knew that these seas were home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse ecosystems in the known universe, but from his distance they looked no more magnificent than puddles after a light drizzle. The continents themselves were various tones of bright or muddy greens, demonstrating just how much vegetation still covered the planet’s land formations. Millions of acres of forest carpeted the orb, creeping up the planet like a vine’s tendrils, before being stopped by the pure white of the Reach’s frigid poles.
To complete the sight, the planet was located near a turquoise nebula, which shifted and wisped its way around the orb, giving the entire thing an aura similar to that of the famed Aurora Borealis back on Earth. The entire sight was almost enough to distract one from the fires that burned on the planet’s surface…
…almost
Half of the planet was engulfed in an orange inferno, which threatened to turn the surface, and everything on it, to glass. To the unbiased eye, the sight itself may have held a sort of haunting beauty, as the dark side of the sphere was aglow with red and orange light, which provided a nice contrast to the blue and green of the rest of the planet. To the soldier looking down at it from the corvette however, there were few sights more horrifying.
Still, he managed to tear his gaze away from the destruction long enough to admire the magnificence of the planet for what he assumed would be the last time.
“Köszönöm,” he whispered softly to himself as he looked at his home for the last time.
He slowly turned his back on the planet, and picked up his helmet from the floor. Placing it back on his head, the soldier stopped for a moment to take in the scene in front of him. The hangar of the ship was an utter mess. Dozens of corpses, both Human and Covenant, littered the colossal room, and gore spattered almost every surface of the smooth and previously pristine docking bay. Out of the half of dozen troops sent in to clear the ship, only Noble Six and Noble Five had managed to survive. Fighting in such close quarters had been intense, and the results were far from pleasant.
The Spartan took a deep breath, and examined the carnage. Near the Pelican, a few feet away from him, were the remains of a Marine, whose chest had been torn open by a direct hit from a fuel rod cannon blast. Nearby, her crimson blood pooled and mixed with the purple bodily fluids of a Sangheili Ranger, who had the unfortunate circumstance of being right next the human soldier when the explosive hit. The Spartan remembered that particular Sangheili. Its legs had been torn to shreds by the collateral damage of the fuel rod, and Noble Five had unceremoniously crushed its head with the heel of his boot. The soldier looked down to his feet, and sure enough, his right foot was still caked with the Ranger’s now dry blood.
A few feet to his right, lay the disembodied head of another jarhead, his body mere inches away. The stump of the neck was cauterized with the signature burns of a Sangheili energy sword. The Marine’s expression was contorted in a horrific expression of anguish, the same he had no doubt worn seconds before being killed. His cold, lifeless eyes stared at the Spartan, who gazed back. “Why do you get to live?” they seemed to ask.
“I don’t,” sighed Noble Five to himself. He tore his gaze away from the slaughter, and attempted to focus his attention on something else. The hangar itself was very spacious. It had two energy fields facing each other, behind which lay the coldness of space. In between both were two entrances that led to other parts of the Corvette. These doorways were surrounded by platforms and walkways, each featuring weapons lockers and plasma turrets. The entire room had a very symmetrical feel. The center of the cavernous docking bay was noticeably sparse, save for three massive Pylons that rested in its center. The room was composed of various shades of blues, greens, and reds. But one color was present above all others.
“Purple,” growled the Spartan to himself. “I hate bloody purple.”
For many humans, purple had become synonymous with the Covenant. It was the color of death. The color of genocide. The color that flashed out of the corner of your eye, and which usually meant instant death.
The soldier was snapped out of his musings by a synthetic voice emanating from the Pelican beside him.
“Thirty seconds to impact remaining.”
Noble Five turned his attentions away from the hangar, and towards the gray troop carrier. Taking a deep breathe, he began making his way towards the modified Slip-Space Drive attached to the back of the ship. His steps echoed across the room, and shattered the deathly silence of the hangar.
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
Time seemed to slow for the Spartan as he neared the makeshift explosive. He was so concentrated on the task before him, that he failed to notice the sweat that beaded his forehead and trailed down his face.
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
Soon, his heart began mirroring the loud stomps of his steps. The world became muffled as blood pounded in his ears.
*Thump*
*Thump*
He quickly found himself standing at the back of the Pelican, staring at the device that would be the cause of his demise. The most expensive and technologically advanced thing ever created by humanity, and he was about to blow it up for the sake of his home planet. There must have been some sort of irony in that, he thought. The Shaw-Fujikawa was a sight to behold; at the very least, he was using something visually impressive to kill himself. And it was only fitting that he, the heavy weapons expert of Noble Team. be the one to activate it. Maybe that was the irony of the situation? He didn’t know.
The Spartan took a deep breath, and lifted his armored arm. Slowly extending his finger, he neared the detonation switch in anticipation:
It was, un-ironically, a big red button. The Spartan couldn’t help but crack a very faint, and somewhat nervousness, grin at the cliché. It was always a big red button. As his finger grazed the tip of the switch, a blue spark shot out from the device and shocked him. The static traveled up and down his spine, and there was a fuzzy after effect that kept the hairs on the back of his neck erect. The soldier recoiled from the drive and examined it with confusion. Discounting the fact that the Slip-Space Drive was not supposed to be emitting sparks (much less shocks of electricity), he should not have felt the jolt through his armor.
The human leaned on the Pelican and released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. A cold pang pierced his chest. He looked back at the piles of mutilated corpses that littered the hangar. The soldier tried swallowed, but his throat had gone painfully dry.
“Fifteen seconds to impact remaining.”
He turned around and gazed out through the force-field behind him, and towards the Reach. The planet looked larger now, but colors were less vibrant. The clouds looked less lively, the continents less lush, and the oceans less crystalline. Everything appeared to be washed in a dull, gray, ash-colored hue. Everything, except the fires, which burnt brighter than ever before; their hellish flames glowing maliciously as dark tendrils of smoke slithered from the surface.
The Spartan’s fist tightened in anger. He straightened himself, and faced the Slip-Space Drive.
“Ten”
His foot echoed a final time as he took a single, last step forward.
“Nine”
He raised his hand once more…
“Eight”
…gently placed his finger on the big red button…
“Seven”
…and closed his eyes.
“Six”
His breathing was steady.
“Five”
His heart rate was slow and tranquil.
“Four”
His muscles were completely relaxed.
“Three”
He took one last deep breath, making sure to savor the filtered and artificial air.
“Two”
“Búcsú,” he whispered.
“One”
*Click*
The Spartan was instantly blinded by a white light that erupted from the machine. He felt like he had just had a flash bang go off in his face. He was utterly blind. Suddenly, as quickly as the light came, it was gone; only to be replaced by an expanding dark sphere that was heading straight for him. Pain was all he felt as the darkness engulfed him. It was as if every single molecule in his body was trying to shoot off into every direction at once.
The soldier felt cold, so cold it burned. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, he couldn't feel anything but the searing pain that now wracked his body. He tried to scream, but there was nothing to scream with. It was as if his body was no longer there, and was instead vaporized into oblivion, while his mind was forced to linger and suffer in this dark hell. The pain continued for what felt like hours, never letting up. The agony gradually began to intensify. The Spartan was long past the point where he cared about anything. All his wants, his emotions and desires were gone, along with his body, and all that was left was this torment that was afflicting him. At last the pain reached its crescendo, and, as suddenly as it had started, the pain ceased in a final flash of white light.
And then…
…nothing.
Jorge was gone.
I love the description. Two paragraphs in and I think I'm in for the long haul.
Well. As an avid Halo fan I must say, this could almost stand up on its own as a oneshot at Fanfiction.net. But it's not. This is not your grave. But you are welcome in it! Will enjoy seeing more of this.
Why did i not think of this THIS IS AMAZING
I think you really struck a nail on the head here. The psyche of a Spartan is rarely explored as well as you do it here, but I can't help but notice something missing.
Specifically, the fact that a Spartan-II is all about sacrifice. It really wouldn't require much in the way of change - but I think you should include that.
Other than that, I see no reason why I shouldn't favorite this and read it forever. Thank you for restoring some hope for the halo fans on this site.
...So many things missing. I will not take the time to point out everything. But I will point out the main problems. I say this because going a detailed review on a smartphone sycks and that's all I have to work with.
1. It's not "Spartan's never die, they just go missing in action." It's"Spartan's never die, they're just missing in action."
2. Jorge armor is MJOLNIR Mark V. Use the link.
http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/MJOLNIR_Powered_Assault_Armor/Mark_V
3. Jorge is a SPARTAN II. The Spartan IIs are the best of the Spartans. In reality they barely remember their childhoods before they were conscripted at around the age of six. Your downplaying Jorge's personality. At least in my opinion.
Wow, that was actually damned good. This is probably one of the few if not only halo story on this site that actually appears to be written well.
well, there goes studying for finals
This is pretty good, i am enjoying this so far. Keep it up!
623888 Thanks for the advice, i acknowledge that Jorge 's armor is a MJOLNIR Mark V but i felt it irrelevant for the prologue which i am using just to set the stage for the story. As for the quote, wrote that based on my vague memory of the Halo novels and will change that ASAP. As for the childhood bit, that is supposed to take place after he is conscripted and during his training on Reach. I'm sorry if the prologue feels rushed but, like i said, this is my first fic and i was anxious to get to the main portion. Please don't stop sending me advice or tips on how to better my story.
I can tell right off the bat that he's going to hate Twilight at first.( I can just see him going "Purple! Purple pony! I hate purple!")
Man, getting into Jorge's mind is so...cool. I really can't think of a better word, but you did it so splendidly! Have a like and a fave, my friend!
Köszönöm means "thank you"
Búcsú means "farewell"
all in Hungarian
oh god, why im so excited with this fic? i like it!
Well written, will be reading more.
Purple Armor? Do I detect hints at Twilight Spartan?
"out of every pour in his body"
It's pore, not pour
Great start, I like they way Jorge's mind works in his last moments, especially the line, "Why is it’s always a big red button?" It would be a even better line would if you changed "it's" to "it".
623660 My soul is now yours .....
This would be great as a 'mere' oneshot, but it seems like it will get even better!
Spartan in Equestria? Don't mind if I do!
i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/295/561/d99
Perfect...
Just Perfect...
623703
"In the heavens they wait..."
"This all seems familiar to you, as if a dream..."
I KNOW you know where those are from judging by your avatar
Myah that was really bloody good. Makes me like Jorge more, just like lots of stories, they all bring me closer to their characters be it canonized or not!
YES I KNEW JORGE WASN'T DEAD
very nice intro!
:D
i can tell this is gonna be awesome!!
I new him we were in spartan training together uh WAIT IF YOU LAY A SINGLE FINGER ON LUNA I SWEAR TO SCIENCE IT'LL BE THE LAST THING YOU DO BROTHER
623999 epic avatar bro, epic avatar
If he hates purple I bet he'll love Twilight Sparkle.
Dis gon be gewd!
I sure hope this is better then all the other halo story I'm have seen. Also as much that I hate Reach I sure love Jorge.
Prologue =
bossbossbossbossbossbossbossbossbossboss
2619228 My thoughts exactly.
To me this os sad because jorge was my favorite noble spartan and his death in game was sad to you my friend are a very good writer
Well, now I have to google what those mean.
3264463
I had to google the first: "Thank you." Sadly enough, I guessed the last one correctly -- "Goodbye."
Amazing opener, friend.
Jorge...
I don't care if it's stereotypical, or ironic that you are the heavy weapons guy...
Akarsz egy jobb helyen, barátom...
Reach was such an amazing game. It was by far the most emotional, way more than Halo 4 and its bullcrap. In Reach, you just watched Noble Team die off one by one, and all for nothing. But Jorge's death was the one that hit home the most. Don't stain his legacy.
3735606
Except for the fact that CDi games had better voice acting.
(and yes, I know comment necromancy is a grave sin. But this was bugging me.)
3735606 your right played through the game more times then i care to count (about 27) and not until this prologue did i feel anything, its sad, really
Noble team forever!
Remember, Spartans never die.
6253206
... they are just missing in action.
6677986 and fighting thought hell to get back
Wasn't Reach glassed by a fleet that not only arrived after the detonation, but took a few days or weeks to actually do the glassing? Oh well, I'll just take that as literary licence.
3735606 Yeah. Halo 4 had pretty good multiplayer, but Reach had by far the best story, something 4 could never live up to.
Then Halo 5 came along and I became too nauseous to pay attention.
7463732
I believe that the glassing had already been started by a number of Covenant corvettes, like the Ardent Prayer, but I could be wrong about that. It began in earnest afterwards.
Managed to find this story again after 8+ years. A shame it was never finished