Zero Hour

I was looking upon the first true battlefield I had participated in my previous life. I was on Reach preparing for an extended training period. We had been pulled from our normal missions after three of our number were killed due to suit integrity beings insufficient for space travel.

The three had not been on my team but over three different teams. But it gave the higher ups a scare. This being the case they decided to hold us until the Mark II Mjolnir armor was finished before sending us off on mission. They didn't want to lose any more assets.

It was at this time that my team was given priority in the armor fitting due to our normal mission parameters. Suicide missions needed the highest class of armor. Ones specially designed for self destruct in the case of occupant incapacitation. This was done to a ridiculous degree as our fusion reactor cores were given codes to break normal operations to enter their bomb status.

It was one thing that led me to be an even better leader after seeing and hearing that my teammates would be directly tied to my future success. If we failed to get everything right then everyone would die.

That being said I asked John what I could do to make sure my teammates survived. Oddly it seemed like he had gone from the team leader to one of the instructors. His words were not something I expected even from a SPARTAN. It just showed me how far behind I was in my leadership compared to him. "The mission comes first above all. Our teammates are all knowledgeable and understanding. That being said you must gather all information on a mission no matter how unimportant it may seem. It is for that reason my team has been at the top. I let them pick areas that they wanted and were good at. From there I made all of my plans surround their strengths and weaknesses using the information of the land, tech, background, ethics, morals and wants of my target. By doing this I can give likely outcomes. From there I make plans for each eventuality. It is tiring but it must be done to get the mission accomplished with minimal losses."

With these words in mind I entered my Mjolnir Armor. It was like I grew a thousand pounds half a foot taller and fifty times as strong. I moved at the speed of thought. I felt power fill my body as the fusion core used to supply the energy to the suit and the shielding when it was activated.

I think I finally found out why they called it the Mjolnir armor. I felt like Thor filled with lightning and ready to fight giants. It was exhilarating! Plus when my teammates got in their armor we started sparring getting used to our armor.

This is where everything went wrong.

We got word.

Reach was under assault by the Covenant.

"Shit." I said to myself.

***

Batman was looking at the Green Lantern Corps, the Thanagarain Admiral and his staff as well as the fleets of ships that followed the Green Lantern Corps. He saw the solar system on a holographic board and couldn't help but see there were plenty of areas where the Flood could escape if the sectors were not kept under constant surveillance.

He kept silent as he watched Superman and Martian Manhunter speak about the future actions. Wonder Woman stood beside them with Aquaman on her side. They seemed to be discussing options for naval warfare in this colony world.

Turing his head he looked over to Flash and received sign language, "Seems everyone believes this to be an over reaction. They are tempted to take their own action as it will prove they are smarter or stronger or more technologically advanced. Things aren't looking good. If nothing is done soon they will start to fracture."

Nodding his head and signing for Flash to keep him informed Batman walked over to John Stewart. "Do you have any enemies that the flood can be compared to? That way everyone here will realize the danger?"

"The only one that comes close to the type is Starro the Conquerer. He is a starfish like alien to takes over the mind of the person or thing he comes into contact with. He is the closest but even he isn't as deadly." John said softly.

"Well best get the Green Lanterns to share this information so that they can assure the danger of the threat or we will have mavericks going about mucking up our operation." Batman said.

John looked at Batman before he nodded and headed to the high level officers of the corps.

Batman walked over to Wonder Woman and Aquaman. As he walked up they became silent as they stared at the planet in the viewing window. "You know I never knew the beauty of the Earth until I saw it from space on your watchtower. It just goes to show that life can always surprise you." Wonder Woman said.

"You are still living in ancient times. The world has been seen like that for decades." Aquaman said as he too looked upon the planet.

"Well even I can say that the pictures don't do it justice." Batman said. "What are your thoughts on the situation?"

"It's a shit show. No one wants to take the lead since they don't know what they are facing and they don't want to lose face to their competitors. Plus the forceful way the Green Lantern Corps had jury rigged this together was amateurish at best." Aquaman gave his thoughts.

"I am in consensus. We need a strong leader to take the reigns. If that happens then they will fall in line. Then everything can move at a more efficient manner with less chance of failure." Wonder Woman said.

Batman looked around the bridge. He could not disagree with them. Coming up with a solution he pressed his alert button to summon the other members of the team. After a few minutes the team collected around the window. Superman, Martian Manhunter, Flash, John Stewart, Hal Jordan, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Batman looked upon the planet with trepidation.

"We need a leader for this group of misfits. If we don't have one then I, as well as Wonder Woman and Aquaman believe that we will fail to contain the Flood." Batman looked between all of the heroes present. They all nodded understanding his words. "So I suggest we give a show of power. Something that will get them to follow our instructions. We are the only ones to know the true danger we face here. Only with fear to start can we get a shoe in for the leader position so we can show the importance of following orders. Superman, you are the best fit for this. You can survive in space and can show your strength and abilities. This will cow much of the fleet. From there each of our heavy hitters will play a part in pulling them together in different ways. We need to be the commanders of this fleet to be able to survive with the least amount of loss. If someone else takes this position we will see a slaughter. How does everyone feel about this?"

Superman had a conflicted look but understood the magnitude of the treat so his opinions were null and void. "I still think we should try to garner support not fear."

"We can gain support and allies after the battle begins and we show it through our actions. Remember, they don't know what we do about the Flood." Batman explained.

"I agree with Batman. Their fear will be needed for the first few moments. After the battle is joined they will thank us over fearing us." Martian Manhunter said giving his thoughts.

Superman sighed as he finally agreed. "Alright. If I become the leader then I'm guessing everyone here will become my subordinates leading the majority of the battle?"

"I will be up here with Martian Manhunter. We will be looking for the highest concentrations of the Flood with J'onn's ability to sense psychic energy. He will be making snap decisions for all of you to eliminate the biggest threats in our vision. I will be using this to coordinate the battle on the ground. Everyone else will be leading a company of soldiers to hunt down the Flood. Flash will be giving us eyes on the ground by placing beacons to give us more data. Once it gets later in the battle Flash will be jumping between the companies to eliminate the escapees with his lightning. Superman you will be using your senses to direct the companies and taking on the big bruisers that appear. I will suggest the Green Lantern corp support the companies with solid walls and ramps keeping the Flood out while they are fired upon. Hawkgirl and the Thanagarians will be the air support that will bomb or drop supplies or personal as needed.

"Once we have a encirclement I will be bringing Flash up here to coordinate the battle. Only his speed will be able to keep up with the influx. I will be searching for the over-mind. Once It is found we will drop everything and eliminate it. Once it is eliminated we can support the fleets and their companies in cleaning the Flood left behind. I won't eliminate the overmind until later due to the fact that the Flood are cooperating with each other and if they don't then the companies will not be able to deal with the waves upon waves of feral enemies that will be released upon them." Batman explained his plan of action.

"What about me?" Aquaman asked.

"You will be finding out if you can speak to all sea creatures not just those on Earth. If you can then you will be in control of the waterways and we will use the factories on the ships to produce weapons the sea creatures will be able to use. If not then we will have to thin out our land based companies so that we can cover the water. This will weaken out response as well as slow our progress so you will need to start immediately. I suggest you go to the opposite side of the planet to make sure there is no Flood nearby." Batman said. "Here is a scanner that will bring out your battle suit. Stand in the designated spot and it will be placed upon you. Should you receive damage in the battle come up and replace the armor. The ship will know what to do. So just listen and let it work." Batman said to everyone present.

Aquaman nodded and headed back to the ship. The rest of the Justice League took their scanners and filed out. Wonder Woman and Superman were the only two to stay with Batman.

"So what will we be doing about the injured? I can't believe that you will let them come up to the fleet." Wonder Woman said.

"No. We will be sending them to manufactured relic stations that will hold them separately until they are cleared. If not then we will have to put them down." Batman said in an emotionless tone.

Superman felt his stomach twist at these words. "Is there really nothing to be done?"

"We don't have the technology to figure it out. Not compared to the other world's. Unless you have more kryptonian tech that could help hidden away somewhere." Batman said.

"No. No I don't. But we have to figure out how to fight this threat. Who knows when something like it will appear again. We might not be prepared for the other group that came through as well. Even with Broly there is no guarantee we will succeed." Superman said.

Batman was worried as he looked at his friend. He had not expected to hear the defeatist speech from the man who inspired others to be better. He had to speak plainly or Superman would fall even further into doubt.

"We can not give up. We have to fight this battle with all we have while keeping ourselves safe. That is why so many plans are being made. Why so many contingencies are being put in place. This like any other is a learning situation where we have to experiment to find the best solution. We all feel the same way Clark. We can only lead from the front and prepare others for the future battles. Not steel yourself man of steel. You are leading this group shortly and they will not feel safe with a man who looks as if he lost already." Batman said with a hand on Clark's shoulder.

Wonder Woman on the other side did the same.

Superman agreed as he shook himself and solidified his resolve. He now looked certain and unassailable as he looked upon the planet he planned to save.

'I will also be using a robot and fusion reactor ship to contain a specimen before we leave. With it I can gain some more understanding of the Flood. Being so close to Jupiter will keep everyone safe.' Batman thought as he gave Superman directions on how to cow the fleet.

***

I hate this nightmare. It was the point where I saw the fragility of the UNSC and the thin line that humanity, as a whole, stood on for the first time.

I had seen some of the outer colonies and fought the Covenant there. But Reach was one of the inner colonies one where humanity was strong. But here it was being decimated by the second.

Fire filled the sky as the ships of the UNSC fought a valiant but fruitless fight. The sky elevator had been cut not long ago leaving a massive canyon where it landed smashing everything and everyone in it's area. The air was filled with fire and smoke. Screams of humans and the roars, groans and chittering of the Covenant echoed in the apocalyptic sky.

Master Chief was helping save some of the cadets. Noble Team was returning after finding sabotage by the Covenant eliminating the communications. They were able to reconnect but at this point it was to tell that Reach was falling.

Me and my team were running to the research and development station that was close by to the Mjolnir armor location. It seemed they got wind of some of the experiments being done there. We were sent in to destroy what could not be moved while evacuating the personnel and equipment that could be salvaged.

We found that the Covenant had sent in the biggest force to this location. They seemed frenzied from their reactions and it led to a brutal battle. Our armor became scored with plasma and needler crystals. But we didn't have any breaches or losses.

I was using everything I was taught. Listening to John's words going on repeat in my mind I ordered my team to tell me any pectinate information. Nearing the end of the mission we received word that a group of scientists had been locked into a black site armory.

We finished evacuating the scientists present and headed to the location. We were doing out best but the marines following us were getting eliminated in each engagement. By the time we got to the black site we were filled with rage and ready to tear even more Covenant bastards apart.

"Omega team here. Open the door. We are here to get you out." I called into the telecom.

"Thank God. I'm opening it now. Get in and we will reseal the doors. We have to get you all kitted out before we leave." The lab tech said as the door began to open.

"We are here for your extraction not to play guinie pig for you!" I roared into the telecom.

"We received our own orders as well. You will be kitted out before you begin extraction." The lab tech said.

"Who gave these orders?" I asked.

"Halsey." The tech said as the elevator began to work.

I shook my head as I waited to find out what it was we were to be given.

Less than a minute later We came upon the sight of mechs. Ones that fit our newly given Mjolnir Armor. It looked as it a second much larger Mjolnir armor stood before us. They had two large rifles on the shoulders that I realized were a railguns, a backpack that seemed to have openings for an endless number of magazines. As well as a larger form of the fusion reactor and shield. Other weapons features were on the back and sides of the armor. The hands were left open for use of manipulation/controlling the larger guns and or using hand held guns.

We looked on in awe. It was a beautiful sight. One that could help tip the battle. and here we had four of them.

"If you would walk backward into the indicated spot. You will be zipped up in a jiffy." The tech tried to laugh even as his fear filled him. I respected his will. It was something few could do in such a hopeless situation.

Finding our designations we all entered the mechs. After a second we felt multiple impacts on our backs before code flashed passed out Heads Up Display. A short thirty seconds later the mechs closed sealing us inside. The HUD was replaced with a vision of beauty. A Valkyrie of the Norse Pantheon with bluish white wings on her back, a sword in one hand and shield in the other. Valkyrie's which we had learned about only a little in our time training as SPARTANS were the reapers of the dead. They took the souls of the heroes to Valhalla where they would wait for the final battle. They were also the greatest warriors of Norse Mythology made for the purpose of fighting in the final battle and training the souls in Valhalla until Ragnarok.

"Hello SPARTAN-55. I am Valkyry. I will be your A.I. companion from now on." Valkyry said as she tilted her head slightly.

"Good to meet you Valkyry. I am SPARTAN-55. What are the new mission parameters?" I asked.

Valkyry looked at me with sadness before she spoke in Halsey's voice. "Caleb, SPARTAN-55. My mission is blacklisted just like most of your other missions. Kill all technicians and scientists in the armory. They can not be allowed to be caught. If they are the Covenant will find out how close we are to reverse engineering their technology. Once that is done take a copy of the site's logs and data. Then go to the ships designed for you and your team. Go to the designated point after a few random jumps. There download the site logs and data. From there you will be going deep within enemy lines. Distract them enough for us to rally after this defeat. If you do not the fate of the humanity will be snuffed out." Silence filled the suit as I came to terms with my mission.

I had to go against the UNSC guidelines to complete this mission. I had to harm, no kill civilians. But if I didn't then the Covenant would be pushing even harder to eliminate humanity then the second part of our mission would be a failure even before we began.

I had to become what everyone saw me as. A blood thirsty killer. Not the proud and highly trained Soldier I had worked so hard to become.

I stood there for a full minute before I was pulled out of my downward spiraling thoughts by my teammates.

"Caleb. What do we do?" Omally asked.

I was at a turning point in my career as a soldier and as a human being.

I would not bow to their preconceptions. I would prove myself to be a Soldier. As a SPARTAN not a killer.

"Omally find out how much space is on the ships made for us. Helskins see if you can't locate some cryo tubes. Toby I need you to find a way to modify the ships if they aren't capable of holding the scientists and technicians."

"Understood." The three responded before going about their work.

"You are going against your orders." Valkyry said with a mask of indifference.

"Halsey is not military, so she is not in my chain of command, not technically. Second if I start doing such things in the future I will not be able to live with myself. I am a SPARTAN a soldier trained an honed to combat humanities enemies. Third everyone should know by now I am not good with authority." I said with predatory a smile.

Valkyry smiled the same as she spoked up, "Congratulations Caleb, SPARTAN-55. You have passed the test."

I felt confusion fall over me at these words. "What do you mean Valkyry?"

"I was the last test for your readmittance into your station of Chief Petty Officer. If I found you lacking then you would have been set to explode along with your teammates and this whole facility." Valkyry said nonchalantly.

"Wow. You have some big steel ones there Valkyry. Never thought I would see a no win scenario played out like this." I said looking at her askance as the rest of my team received similar words from their A.I. My racing heart was only now slowing to a manageable level.

"It was the last option they had. If you followed orders and killed indescrimiently you would have been vaporized and forgotten. But since you bent the rules and made the mission change to your requirements you were given leave to act upon the second mission which is your true mission. Survive behind enemy lines and redirect their attention until humanity can come back from this attack." Valkyry explained as we get things moving.

I saw that there were two pelicans along with the fighters that had been created for the Omega team on the supplies list for the facility. It had been hidden away by the A.I.'s during the test. Seeing everything was in order I issued the command mount up and roll out.

The scientists and technicians seemed to have been trained by the military from their straight and orderly lines. After emptying the facility of all the goodies they entered the pelicans. They entered the modified pelicans and the cryo tubes within going into Lala land.

Our ships were the same size as the pelicans but with far more additions. Each only had room for one person with all the technology stuffed into them. It seemed they expected this mission to be a long and drawn out one. Fine by me. I was ready for some chaos and mayhem.

Shortly after the four A.I.'s took control and led us out of the fire ball that had been Reach. We got sporadic chatter over the comms of those who were still alive on the ground. Slowly they began to fade out one by one. Each ship was enhanced with cloaking and anti-radar detection.

We zoomed in and out of the remnants of the fleet heading away from the Covenant.

Onto out first real mission as Team Omega.

I watched as the life support area appeared. Plants filled the space in rows all the way to the bulkhead. These plants had been genetically modified to support life on ships by absorbing any and all elements to reach the designated oxygen levels. It was also used to support the food production. There was a long line of cloning vats that held the body parts of animals for use in the trips across the stars. While machines worked to keep thing regulated and change them on occasion. Prepackaged dehydrated food stuffs were also stored in a large structure that was built like a bee hive in the corner so that they could be used or jettisoned to drop locations.

I smiled as I realized I had picked life, over death and dishonor. As all soldiers should.

Turning I headed to the armory where a nightmare that was simple to fix was sitting waiting for me to show up. I couldn't disappoint now could I?