AN: Man. I'm gonna tell you right now, Titanfall hates me. It always sticks me on the Militia team and it can go either way. But whenever I play as the IMC, I always play with a bunch of retards against better players. I'm not kidding. Every single time. I'm just a little pissed off right now. I'll be fine in a minute.

Yearling manufacturing center, refueling base. Under assault by Militia forces.

"Blue team, prepare for a hot LZ."

John's statement went without saying. About 4 minutes ago they arrived in orbit, now they were riding a dropship to the base. Explosions were filling the air as AA guns were picking off Militia dropships. The thing was however, there were so many of them. But that wasn't what was troubling the Chief. It was the attack itself. His team killed the instigators, the plotters, those that would carry it out.

So how did it still happen?

Chief could only think of one scenario. An insider. But how far it went and the details of it, that was up to speculation and investigation. After all, they did hit six high level Militia commanders. So something really didn't add up.

"Hey, sir, we're almost at the base. I've got Commander Cortez on the horn. It's a damn mess down there."

"Can you get me a link?" John asked the pilot.

"Yes sir. There you go."

"- then get those AA guns back online! I want all available Titans to cover the north end. Proxy Company, stay on the south! Where are the Paladin Tanks?! One more time, this is Commander Cortez of the Yearling refueling center, calling in for any IMC forces nearby. Someone, anyone. CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"

"Affirmative. This is Spartan 117, my team is inbound to the base, ETA 3 minutes." Was Chief's reply.

"Spartans? Here? Oh gracias a Dios. I think the odds are suddenly in our favor now. Do you have experience fighting Titans?"

"We do, sir. Where's the Major?"

"Franklin? He took a hit. He's alive, but barely. Until further notice, I'm in charge. I'd like you to hit those Titans first. I- I told him not to go but he kept insisting on leading from the front. We're holding their initial attacks with cannons, but recon shows Ogres with heavy ordnance coming in. We can't hold out with that kind of firepower coming at us. If you could at least divert their attention, you'd give us a big advantage."

"Understood." Chief replied.

"Commander," Kelly began, "are there any other IMC forces coming in?"

"To my despair, I have received no confirmations on that. I've been on the horn ever since the attack began. Hopefully you can help us turn the tide. In the meantime, we're going to hold out for as long as we can."

…

"Here we are. Good luck out there, sir!"

John ordered the pilot to fly-by, letting them drop while he could escape. They fell from the transport onto an attacking force composed of two Ogres and a number of grunts. The impact of their arrival was instant and devastating. To morale anyway.

"Spartans? Here?"

"OH SHIT THEY ARE REAL!" The volleys came in as Kelly and Fred returned fire, Linda made way to harass a separate force, while John landed on an Ogre, and proceeded to destroy the sensitive inner electronics underneath the panel. He didn't shoot it, he shoved a grenade in it. He went to the other Titan while that one blew up. The result of one lost Titan drew this one's attention and make Chief's job harder, as he struggled to hold onto the now shaking Titan.

Kelly sent a grunt into several others with a kick, while Fred was unloading into heads while holding another grunt to his side in a stranglehold. "Shoot them shoot them shoot them!" A grunt yelled.

"Don't let up!"

"You're crazy, we can't fight these guys!"

"Rally up! Disperse to the other assault forces! Someone let Rogers know there are Spartans here!" A lead grunt shouted as they ran in differing directions.

"Blue team, we don't have time to engage the grunts. Hit the Titans. They're the biggest threat. Spyglass, can we get Titan support ourselves?"

"Titans reading nominally. They are online, signal when ready. But be advised, they are not yet capable of properly linking to your neural faces. If you exit your Titan, you will not be able to reenter as the relinking will overload its capabilities."

"So, one time and that's it. You heard him, only if necessary should you call your Titan."Chief said.

On the way to the Militia planet for the HVT mission, it was explained that these Titans would be able to better sync with the Spartans giving their heightened performances because the one John used after escaping the Militia destroyer ended up shorting out when he was asked to use it a second time. Unfortunately, even this was not a guarantee, as the preparations were impromptu after the Militia attack. That, and due to the urgency, the Titans were auto-equipped, meaning the Spartans couldn't customize the mechs. What they got was what they get. John decided to hold off on his own Titan for the moment and rely on his own abilities. The team split up and followed Linda's example: Find a separate force.

"Requesting my Titan." Fred ordered.

"Be advised, your Titan is not yet properly accommodated for your body. If you exit your Titan, it will be rendered inert after reentry. Are you sure you want to deploy?"

"I am, Spyglass, do it."

"Acknowledged. Standby for Titanfall."

Fred kept running as his 'new toy' arrived on the battlefield. Attacking individual grunts and avoiding any other Titans out here. Such as an Atlas giving chase right now. And the fact that it had a Triple Threat didn't help much. Though there was some good news. The Atlas had to avoid his fellow grunts as he stomped after Fred. The familiar tremble and hum reached Fred's ears as his Titan landed on the field. It was an Atlas with a 40mm with a missile pod.

He climbed in, finding the seat to be larger than a usual Titan. Well it was modified. The hatch closed and the Titan readied up. "Pilot mode engaged."

The HUD had the images of a cloud symbol along with the additional ammo counter and the Titan's core ability. All Titans had them, allowing a fight to be turned. The Atlas had a damage booster. It was unique in the fact that the Titan's power is infused into the weapon to allow greater firepower. "Everything looks good, better get moving now… uh… ok."

Fred was familiarizing with the fact that Titans were extensions of the body, not pure vehicles. The Cyclops were nothing like this. They were mechs sure. However they were more associated with exoskeletons. So you move physically. Titans were more mentally balanced. The neural implants all Spartans had were thought based. Basically. Think of moving your arm, your arm moves. Now this would be a problem. Titans moved slower than Spartans. No time to dwell on it though, Fred moved out after he decided he was familiar with the other gizmos.

While sluggish at first, the Titan began running at its normal speed. 'Maybe I should've waited after all.' Fred thought. 'Well as they said in the 21st century, You Only Live Once.' He burst from a tree line shortly after that. Right into an Ogre Titan, who knocked into another. "Oh, hello." Fred said, the speakers working.

There was no response, save for a punch that missed. Fred fired his 40mm, with a missile pod unleashed after that. Shields were down, and the integrity was at 88%. Good. Now for the other Ogre that was hitting him. Fred dashed at that one and unleashed his secondary ordnance. This was that smoke that John reported earlier. Electric smoke. The Ogre's shields began to flicker as it moved to get out of the smoke, but went into the range of Fred's missiles. The Titan charged him despite the pounding it was taking and landed a blow, Fred attempted to block the next, but was staggered. 'Titan, not Spartan. Titan.' He reminded himself.

…

Kelly was sprinting through the woods.

Her target was a Titan group numbering about 3, with squads of grunts as escort. She emerged from the woods, jumping over a short cliff and onto an Ogre. She didn't bother pulling off the hatch and just bashed it, then tore it off. Followed by tearing out the circuitry.

"ACK! One of those freaks is on me!" The Pilot shouted.

"Hold still I'll get it." Another said. Kelly's instincts to jump proved right as a large fist came slamming onto her position. The Ogre that was hit buckled from the impact.

"OW! WATCH IT!"

"It moves too fast!"

Kelly ran as the squads fired, taking random shots with her shotgun. "Jesus Christ, she's like a ghost!"

"How you know it's a she?!" A grunt shouted hearing his comrade's comment.

"Look at those curves! It's so fucking obviously a girl!"

"That thing's a freak! Why are you staring at its curves?!"

"Hey. Curves are curves, man!"

"… remind me not to bunk with you anymore!"

By now, Kelly was back on another Titan, and after tearing that hatch off, she rammed a grenade inside it, severely damaging the mech after it detonated. She jumped to the next Titan, the one that tried to hit her, and landed in front of the optical sensor, giving it the ancient gesture.

(If you haven't guessed or read the book, the ancient arcane gesture is the middle finger.)

As she continued climbing, the Titan lowered itself, she noticed the hatch opening and the Pilot jumping with a shotgun at the ready. Kelly decided to leave right there, after slamming a fist into that one's circuit hatch. After this, she let out a few shots with her sidewinder into the first Titan, bringing its integrity down further. And for her final act, she ran off into the woods again.

"After it, this is our only chance!" One of the Pilots shouted, much to the dismay of his fellow Pilots.

"NO! THAT'S WHAT IT WANTS YOU TO DO!"

The Ogres gave chase, leaving the Militia squads behind.

"So… what now?" One asked.

"I dunno about you, but I'm headed to another group. I'm brave, but not crazy." Another said, taking a few others with him.

"I'm going after the Spartan." A particular grunt said, running after the Titans.

"AGH! Dammit man, enough about the curves!"

"I didn't say curves!"

"No one in his right mind would chase a Spartan, even with those curves!"

…

Linda's position was more secure. She had a treetop that was more anonymous and concealed than the ground locations of her fellow Spartans. She'd take potshots on grunts to put the fear of the crosshairs into them. Even managing to nail a bullseye on Pilots riding other Titans from this distance.

Every once in a while, she'd move positions around the tree. Even to nearby trees to keep her position a secret. She could see the fight in the distance from here. At the base. IMC walls withstanding poundings from shells and bombs of Titans and fighters alike. A few tanks were around. Paladin tanks to be precise.

Now by all standards one would think that tanks would be obsolete with mechs around. That's the theory. The truth is that in a scenario, a tank can and will beat a Titan. The IC812 Paladin tank was created by Hammond Robotics, like much of the IMC's hardware. And unlike the Scorpion, which required only one soldier thanks to neural links, the Paladin had the traditional crew members. It was one of the few weapons the IMC didn't roboticize.

But like the Scorpion, it is armed with an M512 smooth bore cannon. The difference is, it has two of them. Giving it an edge against Titans, and like the Scorpion it fires the armor piercing ballistic capped round. Less penetration, but a much bigger explosion.

Besides, Paladins were usually used to defend. There were several behind barricades and covered in sandbags. Sandbags, the staple defensive measure. Among them were other Titans and the large heavy turrets spitting out their loads.

The orbital guns, 2 to be exact were not firing. Likely because of the fact that the fleet was not in range. Likely to prevent collateral and friendly casualties. But even with two cannons, the fleet would have a field day… something was here the Militia wanted. After a little thinking, Linda figured that there was something here the Militia indeed wanted. Something that they wouldn't risk destroying. Only one way to know.

She returned to her rounds, when she noticed a friendly blip on her tracker. She saw Kelly running down in the shrubbery, with three Ogres after her. Followed by some grunts. She didn't pay them mind. Kelly could handle herself. She got on the comms to let John know what was happening.

But not before trying to understand why the grunts were debating about 'curves.'

…

John just finished killing two Ogres.

"Gonna KILL YOU, you freak!" The final Ogre shouted, unleashing its salvo. A Triple Threat salvo. The Triple Threat, the Titan grenade launcher. Fires 3 giant grenades that after leaving the chamber, expand and detonate upon contact with armor. Including Mjolnir armor. Chief reloaded his launcher and ran away from the Titan, hoping it would follow him towards a tree. It worked, and he was able to run around the tree as the Titan began to clumsily follow his movements. Letting him lock and fire before he jumped up to finish the job.

He ripped into the circuitry, and with that, the Titan could take no more. Before the mech exploded, the Pilot ejected and was sent soaring into the air. Chief never understood that. Sure it was sudden and unpredictable, but once you're seen, it's bye-bye Pilot. He began sprinting to the next group. Kelly is diverting one, and Fred is engaged with another. One left. He made way to that group immediately. He saw a body fall right next to him as he ran. It was the Pilot form before. 'Linda.' He thought.

He sprinted to the next group. It wasn't that far from him actually. So with his ignorance of the countless grunts and Pilots, he made it to the group. He was immediately noticed. "IGNORE HIM GET TO THE BASE!" A Militia officer yelled.

"ARE YOU NUTS!? HE'LL HAVE US FOR LUNCH!"

"IF WE FOCUS ON HIM, WE'LL NEVER GET TO THE BASE! WE NEED THOSE FILES!"

'What files?' John thought. He pushed it aside and got back to the fight. The grunts got together and swarmed him, letting the Titans focus on the base. That was when one of the groups was discovered, through an Ogre get forced from a nearby forest, and onto another Titan. The Ogre in question was in very poor shape. Following was an equally beat up IMC Titan who finished the Ogre with a 40mm.

Then by Kelly running forward with three Ogres in pursuit.

"Ok scratch it, WASTE EM!" The officer yelled.

Now all the Titans were focused on the Spartans, John and Kelly scattered around the area with the IMC Titan trying to stay hidden. John ordered Kelly to run back towards the Ogres that were on her tail, and distract them again. He was about to jump himself, but was hit by a salvo from a Quad Launcher. He was sent flying into a tree, down but not out. He got up just in time to avoid a stomp, and was about to get hit from another, but the Atlas stopped that.

Now the Ogres were focusing on the Atlas, showing no hesitation in pummeling the weaker mech. Resulting in the Pilot being ejected. But as the Pilot was sent flying, the Atlas began to glow, and a whine was emitted, growing louder and higher.

"NUCLEAR CORE!" The officer shouted. The grunts ran like hell as they put distance between themselves and the detonation. The Ogres weren't so lucky. They were caught in the explosion, no chance of escape.

The Pilot landed, and it was revealed to be Fred. "Fred. That you?" Asked Chief.

"You need to ask?" Was the reply.

The grunts, realizing their Titans were destroyed and they themselves were up against three Spartans, they did the one logical thing anyone would do.

They ran away screaming.

The Militia forces by the walls began running as well, with dropships coming in and grabbing personnel.

"Well, that was fun." Fred replied to the scene.

"You used your Titan. Guess that was a lucky break for us. I heard about these nuclear powered Titans before." Chief said.

"Spartans? It's Cortez. We're seeing the Militia running away. You got their heavy hitters?"

"Affirmative. We're heading back. Any remaining forces are retreating. Recommend a preparation of defense for future attacks." Chief said.

"Oh, it's already underway. I'll- I'll see you when you get here, we have a lot to talk about I take it?"

…

The base had seen better days.

The good news was it wasn't that bad. It was just in need of serious reconstruction. The Spartans were led to the central command center by some grunts. When they got there, they found a center with cracks in the windows, holes in the walls, and terminals and monitors destroyed.

There were several command staff herded around a man of Latino descent, pointing out areas on a map of the base. "- and I want the Paladins to reinforce this section of the fort. Now get to it amigos. We must hurry before the Militia return." The staff dispersed, and took noticed of the 4 giants among them.

"Spartans. It is good you are here. Commander Diego Cortez. We're in a real mess here. They just came out of nowhere and we barely had time to react."

The soldiers saluted. "But we beat them back sir." John said.

"Sir, permission to speak?" Linda asked.

"Granted."

"I noticed that the Militia fleet is superior in terms of the amount of orbital cannons we have, but they aren't attacking." Linda said.

"Si. But they'd risk friendly casualties."

"But it would've been easier." Linda stated.

"Now that you mention it, a Militia commander did mention something about files." Chief stated.

"Files? But this is a refueling center… what makes the Militia think there would be files here?" Cortez asked.

"False intelligence?" Fred asked. "That doesn't add up though… the Militia aren't stupid… when they know something, they know it." Chief stated. The Militia hardly made mistakes as far as he was concerned.

"I know…" The voice was of British descent, and weak. They group found an IMC officer at the door, leaning at the frame in pain, his torso wrapped in bloody bandages.

"Franklin! Madre de Dios! You are still healing!" Cortez said running to his side.

"Our friends need to know what's going on here."

"Going on? What are you talking about?" Cortez asked.

Franklin looked to the Spartans, and motioned them to follow him. "Cortez. Help me walk. I'll lead. Verners! You're in temporary command in Cortez's absence."

"Yes sir."

"Spartans. Something you should know…" Franklin began as he made way to an elevator. But stopping until they were inside. "This facility is labeled as a refueling site? That's half true."

"What do you mean, sir?" Asked Kelly.

"We do refuel ships here. But under the place…" He said as the elevator took them a few floors below the expected stop. "is a whole nother story." The elevator opened to a robotics facility, much of it with various Titan parts and pieces around. Some walls with unfamiliar weapons for Titans, and most notable, Titan frames on stands and cranes. Inert and unusable. But that's probably the point. These Titans were partially covered. About 3 all together to be precise. But they looked different from the expected chassis'. "Doctor Jones?"

"Franklin?! What are you doing?" A distressed aged African man came with a bald head. "And what is this? Spartans? You DO realize they are not authorized to be-"

"NO ONE'S allowed here I know, but the Militia are here and they don't care. Seeing that, they KNOW what's going on. So your whining is pointless. Now show the soldiers some courtesy for buying you some time." The Major said before coughing, some blood coming out.

"Mayor please, you must get to rest!" Cortez reasoned.

"I'll rest when I'm dead." Was the reply. Nevertheless, the Major was taken back to the medical area, leaving the Spartans with the scientists and few grunts in the area. Jones took a breath and sighed.

"Please, forgive me for my behavior. I often forget that Spartans are the reason people like me are still alive. Dr. Kabila Jones. Head researcher of this base, and prominent scientist in Titans." The doctor said.

"Dr. Jones. Your work is mentioned in the UNSC." Chief replied.

"Of course. Unfortunately flattery is not what I need. All this data. All those files… GONE!"

"I take it the files are tied in to these frames?" Asked Fred.

"Tied in? It's one and the same." Jones stated. "In the past six years, we were developing new weapons for Titans. When suddenly, last year, we had an epiphany. Instead of just new weapons. Why not make specialized Titans entirely?" The Spartans perked at this. "Yes. Specialized Titans. What you are seeing here is three of seven proposed models. Scorch. Ion. And Ronin. Our experiments involved thermite weaponry, laser loadouts, and even phase technology respectively. Imagine the possibilities!"

"Phase? You mean-"

"Yes. In basic terms, a separate form of existence. Rendering any form of harm inert. We're experimenting for Human tests, trying to fix any issues." Phasing. Imagine what a squad of marines, let alone Spartans, could do with that?

"How long until it's all completed?" Kelly askeed

Jones' faces scrunched in anger. It was SUPPOSED to be available in the next 2 years. But thanks to these so called 'freedom fighters,' we had to scuttle all this research in a moment's notice in a panic. No time for backups. Just what we have. Even with what we have, it'll take years to replace! And not only would it end this rebellion-"

"It could end the war against the Covenant." John finished.

"EXACTLY! Why can't the Militia just let us be so we can get more of what we need?!" Jones asked.

"Because the Militia are a bunch of monkeys that don't think of the consequences of what they're doing." John answered.

"That should be a quote! Unfortunately, we have little time. Even now we have much left here. I need more before I can safely destroy the rest if the time comes. If you're not going to be out there, perhaps you can help us move some heavy boxes?" Jones asked.

The answer was yes. The Spartans began to help around. Mostly heavy lifting. The Titans that were down here were too few. Likely that most of them are up top. A few minutes into the packing, and subsequent destroying of select crates, John took a moment to analyze the situation. How this attack was sudden, even with the deaths of the instigators.

That's when he noticed a grunt in the corner of his eye. At first anyway. Closer inspection revealed he was a Pilot. Without a mask. The man looked around his 30s or 40s. Caucasian tone, with light brown hair and facial hair. "117?" He asked. Accent of what Chief speculated was Scottish.

"Corporal." He responded, noting the rank.

"Lord… it's been a while."

Chief looked at him quizzically, but his helmet hid all emotion. "Do I know you?" He asked.

"It's been years, so probably not, but I remember you… you saved my arse back on Parthia IV."

John thought for a moment. Parthia IV. Another colony to fall to the Covenant, back when Humankind had more planets than now. He studied the man's face, looking at the uniform. Then noticing the name tag.

K. Blisk.

…

Parthia IV. 2531.

A lone UNSC marine was running through the forest, a stolen plasma rifle in his hands.

His breathing was heavy, his heart was racing. Face painted with fear and desperation. It was night out, fires in the distance through the tree lines showed how bad it was here. Private Blisk was part of one of the attack squads sent to hit vulnerable points. It was a success. Except for one anyway. Blisk's team was hit, everyone save for two was killed.

In fear, they took all the ammo off his comrades that he could, and their dog tags, and ran. Getting lost and trying to get back. He ran into God knows how many patrols. He used up all his ammo, forcing him to steal a dead Elite's rifle. All this took place in the span of 5 hours. This was now the sixth. He's spent most of the time running for his life with his comrades. Thankfully, it looks like they caught a break. He stopped, panting so bad he sounded like he had a very bad struck throat.

His lungs burned, his bones ached, and his eyes were soaked. From the tears. He reached for his canteen, only to find it empty. He sighed in defeat, before settling in for a minute.

That's when he noticed something next to him, it looked like a hatch buried underneath grass and dirt. Expertly so. Out of curiosity, he pulled on it, nothing. He wasn't gonna bother with it, but it opened after, revealing a civilian. "A marine."

"Oh, thank God!" Blisk cried, his voice faint from exhaustion. "You gotta help us! I can't find the RV and my radio's busted!"

"So?" The civilian said.

"SO, we need help. You have a radio? Anything. At least some water? We've been running for hours. Most of our team is dead and those alien bastard are after us." Blisk answered.

"Why should I care? You're the ones who brought them here!"

"What?! Oh, right, Innie colony. Now's not the time for these past grudges. If you let me use your radio, I can get you out of here!"

"We have enough munitions down here to pose a threat to the UNSC, in fact, they've been searching for them. You think I'm just gonna listen to you?"

Blisk was growing desperate. "You think we care about some stolen equipment?! We could USE that stuff! Just give me the radio and I can-" The hatch closed, and locked. Blisk pounded trying to get it open. "COME ON!" His hoarse voice growing raspier. "COME ONE WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON'T!"

Nothing. Blisk's patience was gone after all this. He just grabbed his rifle and fired at the hatch. "I HOPE THEY SKIN YOU ALIVE YOU MONKEY!" He shouted, though likely not loud enough.

"Come on man, let's get out of here, fuck them." His first squad mate, Miller said.

"Da. Let the svoloch burn. Let's go." Said Petrenkov, the other squad mate. No sooner did he say that did plasma fire ripple the air.

"Chyort! Let's go!" The marines ran, Miller fired with what little ammo was left in his MA5C before using his stolen plasma pistol.

"Come on! COME ON!" Petrenkov shouted, Blisk's left arm over his shoulder as they ran to cover. They found a large tree root that would serve them for now. Potshots on the approaching Grunts was the way to go. There were always so many of them. Elites in the rear.

Petrenkov tossed a grenade, sending chunks of Grunt and blue bioluminescent blood everywhere. Miller's pistol began overheating as he fired. While Blisk took shots when he could gather the strength. He was a newbie, so his stamina wasn't as peaked as his fellow marines. The Grunts just got closer, and he took moments to bash some back in the head as they climbed. The Elites were keeping their distance.

The Covenant just kept coming, with no chance of stopping. "Jeez, how many of them are there?!" Miller asked.

"My weapon is dry! I have no more needles!" Petrenkov shouted.

A few moments later, "My pistol is out!" Miller shouted as his weapon did no more than cough green clouds.

"I- I- I can't." Blisk said between breaths. "Just go, let me slow them down." Blisk didn't want to die, but if his remaining comrades could survive, it would be worth it.

"Look at me, we're all getting out of here! Come on!" Miller shouted, throwing a grenade before grabbing his friend. They made a distance from the root as they retreated. When Miller suddenly fell over. Blisk weakly looked to his friend, whose face was frozen. A particular pink object was lodged in his back.

"Miller… no…" Blisk whispered with his hoarse voice.

"Nyet nyet nyet NYET NYET!" Petrenkov shouted, grabbing Blisk as he opened fire with his sidearm. Only to fall himself.

Blisk was all that was left now. He couldn't move, he was just too weak now. He could only watch as the Covenant searched the area for others, checking the bodies of his comrades. He was as still as could be, purely from weakness. He just closed his eyes, hoping at the very least, it would be quickly end.

What he heard was the sound of Human gunfire, and the sounds of what he assumed was panicking Covenant. A few moments later, which felt like an eternity, they were all dead. He saw four more Humans coming to the area. Fully armored with golden faceplates. Like some kind of super warriors.

"Any survivors?" Asked one, a female

"I'm afraid not." Said another, female as well.

Blisk summoned just enough strength to meekly say "Help."

"Wait. Look. One's alive." The third said, a male. "A Private Blisk."

"Private, where's the rest of your team soldier?" The final one asked. A male. His rank displaying Master Chief.

"D- d- dead sir… I'm all that's left." Was the raspy reply.

"He's in bad shape. He needs rest." The first male said. What followed was Blisk being taken by said male and being carried back towards the RV. Past the hatch where he stopped. It was open, and bodies of civilians were found.

"There… they… rebel civilians…" He said, pointing to the hatch.

"Too late… they're all dead." The Chief said.

"Bloody… monkeys deserved it…" Blisk said. Receiving looks from the soldiers. "If they helped us, we may all be alive still. What's the point of helping them… if they don't- they don't… ugh." With that, Blisk fainted from so much stress.

…

When he came to, Blisk found himself in a hospital room. He was told of what happened on the planet. Spartans, the mythical soldiers, saved him. Much of the population was saved, and he was going to get some much needed shore leave.

Instead, he filed a resignation. He couldn't go back. Not to those monsters. Not to those ungrateful monkeys. He wandered after that, looking for a reason to go on, only going as far as to work out to keep fit. Any reason at that. That's when he was offered a position in the IMC. He jumped, needing the money. His first contract was a success, and he made enough money to retire to a paradise. But after seeing the benefits, and the possibilities of staying with a renewed contract, he stayed. For years he's been with the IMC.

There was one more reason he stayed. He was given near limitless permission to deal with rebellious civilians in any matter he wished.