GROTESQUE,EDEN SOLAR SYSTEM, UNSC REDEEMER
APRIL 28TH 2558 20:21
SPARTAN: 147 Michael Cross

It was strange, I mean usually captain Bridge would only tell us one part of a mission. This time it was different, at least he informed us that Foxtail Nine would be the last to drop, but something's not right. My quarter pals, which are also my squad mates, said that it's just Bridge getting old and he wants to make sure he doesn't have any enemies on board his ship when he dies, but I was not buying it. Bridge was a great man and I don't think anybody disliked him at all.

Our mission was simple and easy; defeat the covenant Narmada and clean the flood infection. That's what we were told to do, that's what we'll do. We are Spartans, in our world fear hides from us. Some call us cocky bastards with a bit of extra luck but I say we're just killing machines born to fight. David Raider, our second in command, gave us a small pep talk about being proud to be called Spartans, to be proud of our fights and a whole lot of other bullshit.
My tag isn't TANK for nothing, I am the squads most brutal killing member. They know I shoot to kill, no hostages and if I don't have any ammo left then I'll ram your ass to the ground the beat you until you're dead. However I'm still thankful that my squad has my back just like I have theirs, and that's all that really matters.

As we got into orbit I saw the Phoenix ODST Space Station through one of the windows in our quarters, I couldn't help but smile. To know that I might see my little brother for the first time in years was an amazing thought, it's going to be epic. Foxtail have been preping for this since we found out about it almost a month ago. I still say nothing can prepare us for this war, it's not just the covenant but the flood as well, and who knows maybe even rebels.
Jackson, McCoy, Raider, Melbourne, a few others, and myself form Foxtail Nine, to think I'm working with the best of the best on this ship and one of the top twenty ranked squads in the UNSC. FOXTAIL NINE. Our rival squad has also joined in on this mission, they work in their squad as a so called pack. I respect their loyalty and all that bullshit of being the honourable, but I personally think it's a load of crap. Rather be the warrior you're made to be, and that's kill or be killed, but everybody seems to forget that.

I saw through the porthole in my quarters that we were docking it appeared there was a ship on the other side doing the same, it looked like the S'S ZERO MICHIGAN, a very fine sight for poor eyes. Conner Stolons, my best friend, is a spartan on it. Many classified him a hero, some a menace but no matter what he kept his head up high. I respect that.
As we finished docking I turned, grabbed my helmet off of the counter and ran towards the door. In the hallway I was greeted by WOLF PAW ONE's "Alpha" Captain Jason Maverick, he was also a Spartan and number pad was six, six, six.
People used to believe that that set of numbers is those of the devil, I see it as true. That man fights with no regret, no mercy and no fear. He's a demon amongst men, many Spartans and even ODSTs feared this man for his power and brute strength. This man had many legends behind him.
His voice was screechy and deep, "so you're a member of FOXTAIL NINE right? I respect your team and that means I respect you. Don't take that lightly. I'm glad we're working together."
I was confused utterly and fully! I just shook it off and thought maybe he was part of foxtail nine before. Sadly I never had time to ask him what he meant, he walked past as fast as he could as he said that. I shrugged and continued walking towards the ship thinking to myself how Conner would react to seeing me. After all we were childhood best friends, we grew up with each other in the same street and even went to the same schools. He's like a second brother to me, but he'll never be as important as little old Sammy. I smiled at the thought of my younger brother and his hyper ways. Just as I was about to enter the ship I got run over by someone running out of the ship, the guy stopped, he was wearing a red CBQ armor similar to Conners. He came closer and held out his hand as he spoke, "Mike? is that you bud?"
I gave off a smirk and roughened my tone, "no its Santa Claus in space! Who else could possibly look this good Conner?"
He let out a slight chuckle before he gently spoke, "maybe my girlfriend but you wouldn't know that now would you," he said with a smirk, "well are you working with wolfpaw? We are, apparently this OP is so huge they need 32 different spartan teams for first line, then for reinforcements we will meet 78 others."
I was astounded by what I heard, what's going on and why is EDEN the target? Did the covenant find something we missed, what else could cause this major attraction to Eden? All I could reply was, "why?" but my voice trembled with fear. He steadied his stance and looked confused, "they didn't tell you? Well, we got the Flood infecting whole cities, the covenant are invading certain strong points in the world, and there are rebels trying to take control over headquarters and weapon deposits. Mike we're going into war here."
I took a step away from Conner then looked off towards Eden, which sat right on the horizon. A grand creation that was ours to view but on the surface a home to protect. Conner sat a hand on my shoulder from behind and asked gently, "are you okay Mike? You know it scares me when you go silent like this." I looked at him blankly then he added, "it's your brother isn't it? You're not sure if he'll make it?"
I shook my head then lowered it slowly and replied to his heart sinking question. "He's an ODST Conner, they jump in and don't know if they're coming back. So yes I'm scared, this op is big. Bigger than both of us."
Conner was about to say something but got called back to the ZERO MICHIGAN. I just simply stayed there staring off into the distance, nothingness clouded my thoughts.