Location: Unknown planet (presumed to be Harvest)

Objective: Capture subject C-172 for ORION Project.

''Are you sure this is the place? Harvest doesn't look this…green.'' An Oni marine asks, looking out of the single window of the Pelican with a raised brow, confused as to why his home planet was so green.

''Oh I'm sure the higher ups somehow sent us to a different planet.'' Another replies sarcastically to the first causing the others to laugh.

''Be quiet! We're making touch down in T-minus one minute.'' The pilot shouts back, seeing they were approaching the beacon of C-172's home.

''Odd, the beacons off.'' The pilot mutters, seeing that the lone house surrounded by a wall was seventy meters away from the mission beacon that was located on an empty patch of land.

Dismissing it as a minor mistake the pilot lowers the pelican to the ground and opens the hatch to the troops, giving them the green light to capture C-172.

''Status report?'' A voice crackles to life causing the pilot to jump in surprise before she cleared her throat.

''Troops are making the transfer, however the mission beacon was roughly seventy meters of the targets house and one of the marines made a comment about how the place is too green to be harvest.'' The pilot explains causing the voice on the other side to hum in thought.

''Continue with the mission, we're in too deep to pull out now.'' The other voice says before cutting the coms.

''I have a bad feeling that somethings wrong here.'' The pilot sighs, looking out at the house to see the marines walking out with a bag in hand, no doubt containing the child to be used in some experiment. She didn't like they way they were doing this but it's what she signed up for when she joined ONI.

''Objective complete, all soldiers accounted for, package is in our hands!'' The marine holding the sleeping child shouts in a hushed tone prompting the pilot to close the hatch and lift off, hastily taking the black painted pelican away from the home seeing the lights turning on.

''That was a fuckin close one, the fucking kids dad woke up when we nabbed the kid.'' A marine laughs out nervously, remembering seeing the man burst into the room with a large axe in hand just as they escaped through the window.

''Why the fuck was that nut holding an axe? And why the fuck was it on fire?!'' Another explains, shocked remembering the axe catching fire when they man saw them as they made there way back to the pelican.

''I don't care but we got the kid at least.'' The last replies with a sigh, brushing some sweat off his face.

''Hurry up and get us home will you? I'm gonna need a drink after that one.'' The first marine asks, causing the two others to nod there agreement.

''Damn right.''

''You're paying.''

''damn it.''

The pilot sighed at the marines banter but decided against calling them out for a job well done, as they reached the small UNSC cruiser hidden behind a mountain her alarms went off prompting her to look at the radar to see a fast closing object on the ground.

''What the hell!? What's fast enough to follow a full speed pelican?'' The pilot shouts in shock, pulling the pelican up planning on going over the mountain rather than around to avoid whatever was following them.

''UNSC Romero we have an unknown hostile fast approaching us on the ground, get ready to get us out of here!'' The pilot shouts into the coms, followed soon by the mini-frigate slowly moving out of it's hiding place and positioning itself for a jump as soon as the pelican got on board.

''What the hell is that thing?!'' A marine shouts, his eyes on the black and white animal running into the clearing at a speed that would put most UNSC round vehicles to shame.

''I don't care what it is but I'm blowing it up!'' The pilot shouts, turning on the pelicans auto targeting mini-gun to take out the threat for her.

BRRRRRRRRRR!

''JESUS THAT THINGS STILL GOING!'' The pilot shouts in shock seeing the blip somehow moving faster than before, even after being peppered by a minigun.

''ONI operatives we've opened the top hanger bay for you, you'll have five seconds to land because three unknown cruisers are approaching our position at a rapid pace.'' The UNSC Romero's commander explains.

''I told you this wasn't harvest! SHIT!'' One of the marines shouts before shouting in surprise as the pilot suddenly pulls up to avoid crashing into the Romero's.

''HOLD ON!'' The pilot shouts before suddenly dipping the pelican forwards and entering the hanger bay Shakely, hitting the wall on the way down before dropping onto the designated landing pad just in time for the Romero to fire off away from the planet, leaving the three cruisers in the dust.

''Jesus that was insane…'' The marine holding the child says, dropping the empty sleeping agent package onto the pelican floor.

''Damn right! We almost got left behind.'' The pilot sighs out, slouching in her seat in relief.

''And what the hell was that black thing? It tanked a bunch of shots from the mini-gun like it was nothing, hell the thing got even faster when we shot it.'' One of the marines asks.

''No idea but I'm relieved that's over.''

''We have a problem operatives, it looks like the ships dumb AI failed and warped us to a random planet, we collected the wrong target.'' The commander of the Romero's explains.

''You have GOT to be kidding me…''

''Tell me…who is this boy?'' Doctor Catherine Halsey asks, looking at the blond haired child laying in one of her projects sleeping pods.

''The Romero's AI made a miscalculation and warped them to a random planet, due to the commander wanting to rush the operation he didn't realize they collected the wrong target until they'd retuned to UNSC space.'' The project assistant explains, also looking at the sleeping boy.

''A mistake? This is far more than that, our calculations suggest that less than half of the children will survive, and we only have Seventy-Five due to cuts and now we have a child who isn't even part of the program here.'' Doctor Halsey says, a slight edge on her tone as she spoke.

''I agree but the higher ups are ordering us to continue as planned.'' The assistant replies, handing the tablet to Halsey who takes it with a frown already knowing what was written on it. And as she suspected the ONI higher ups were telling her to continue as planned or the project would be cancelled.

''Very well…when he wakes up tell me immediately. I want to talk to him as soon as possible.'' Halsey says, handing the tablet back to the assistant before leaving.

''Will do ma'am.'' The assistant says.

UNSC ONI SITE

Location: Classified.

Operations: Project Orion/ Spartan II program.

Time: 23:56

When Jaune's eyes opened he was immediately confused, instead of his cream coloured bedroom walls he was greeted by a large room, an uncomfortable metal bed and inside a capsule of some kind.

''W-what?'' Jaune asks aloud, sitting up and looking around to see well over a hundred more of the same type of capsule as his own, filled with other children around his age that were all sleeping soundly besides one.

He looked at the boy in his capsule beside his own, dressed in a tank top and shorts, he had a very little hair, his head having been shaved. He looked off into space, unaware he was being watched.

''H-hey!'' Jaune calls getting the boy's attention.

''I didn't know anyone else was awake…'' The boy says, looking at Jaune with a small sheepish smile.

''Where are we?'' Jaune asks, moving up against the capsule's wall to get a little closer to the boy.

''I don't know, my names John by the way.'' The boy says, greeting himself after a moment.

''M-my names Jaune, Jaune Arc.'' Jaune stutters, giving a nervous smile to John in return.

''Huh? Jaune? It sounds a bit like John.'' Johns says, a small laugh escaping his lips at the coincidence of their names.

''Y-yeah.'' Jaune replies with a small laugh of his own.

Before the boys could speak to one another more they heard the sound of foot steps approaching, turning towards the sound the boys could see a blond middle-aged woman approaching with a tablet in hand while a taller man walked behind her, both wearing white uniforms that looked like an advanced lab coat.

''I've seen her before.'' John mutters aloud, remembering the women visiting him at school.

''Good evening S-117.'' Halsey greets before looking at Jaune. ''Tell me, what's your name?''

''J-Jaune Arc…'' Jaune answers. Gulping nervously when the assistant writes something down on his notepad.

''His project name has been updated to J-172.'' The assistant comments, ignored by Halsey who bends down to be eye level with Jaune.

''Tell me Jaune, where did you come from?'' Halsey asks, curious about where Jaune had come from.

''A-Atlas…'' Jaune answers, confusing Halsey, the only Atlas she knew of was the Epoch-Class heavy carrier known as the UNSC Atlas.

''Very interesting…'' Halsey mummers as she straightens up.

''Thank you for answering Jaune, that will be all for now.'' Halsey thanks as she leaves, her assistant nodding to Jaune before following his superior.

''Get some sleep you two, tomorrow will be filled with challenge.'' Halsey adds, stopping to take a look back at the two boys' before continuing and leaving.

Choosing to follow the doctor's advice both boy's lay down to sleep, preparing for the unknown that awaited them in their new life.

UNSC ONI SITE

Location: Classified.

Operations: Project Orion/ Spartan II program.

Time: 05:00 hours.

Jaune's blissful sleep was interrupted by a bright light being shined in his eyes followed by a shout by what he thought was a demon.

''GET THE HELL UP!''

Jaune immediately jumped up, shocked by the sudden shouting, looking around Jaune could see several other children, including John sitting up like himself in a similar state, he looked around more before his eyes landed on a man in a military form outfit with a military cap on his head.

''H-huh?'' Jaune manages in confusion, still drowsy from being woke up suddenly by the man.

''DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME?! I SAID GET UP!'' The man shouts, louder this time, adding to this he kicked down a nearby table, scattering the paper and metal utensils onto the floor with a loud bang that woke the last of the children.

''Good! You're all awake! Now get out of your bed and stand in attention!'' The man adds loudly prompting the children to scramble out of there 'beds' to stand in front of them, all either slouched over slightly or leaning against their capsule.

''STAND UP STRIGHT!'' The man shouts, slamming a foot down into the ground rustling the children to stand up as straight as possible.

''Good! Now, my name is Senior Chief petty officer Franklin Mendez! But you will call me sir! Is that clear?!'' Petty officer Mendez shouts, slamming a foot into the floor prompting the children to course a tired 'Yes sir!'.

''Good! Now! Form up!'' Mendez orders, watching with disappointment as only a few of the kids lined up, even then the line was sloppy.

''Get in the line! And strengthen it up!'' Mendez orders, the rest of the children falling into the line.

Seeing the line was good enough Mendez nodded in satisfaction before turning around. ''Follow me! Any who fall behind will have lunch rights revoked!''

With that Mendez set off, the children walking behind in, fear of not eating them motivating them to follow the scary man.

Jaune knew that when the man first woke him that he'd be hurting later…

''Agh!'' Jaune shouted in pain, falling to the ground after being struck in the back by a baton welded by his drill sargent from hell. Mendez.

''What was that J-172? Have something to share that's so funny!?'' Mendez asks threateningly, standing over Jaune with his baton raised, ready to strike the boy again.

''N-nothing sir!'' Jaune replies, not finding the will to look his commanding officer in the face.

''LOOK AT ME WHEN I SPEAK TO YOU!'' Mendez shouts, slamming the baton into Jaune's gut causing him to gag, bile raising to his throat from the strike. Luckily for his dignity Jaune managed to swallow the bile back down, preventing him from vomiting his breakfast onto Mendez's boots.

''Nothing sir!'' Jaune repeats, looking Mendez in the eyes this time.

''Good! Now get up!'' Mendez orders, grabbing Jaune by his collar and dragging him into a standing position.

''Now then! If anyone so much as speaks when not spoken to you will be struck! And if you speak again you will be beaten! Is that understood!?'' Mendez asks, holding his baton high for the children to see.

''YES SIR!''

In a nearby observation room

Doctor Halsey and her assistant stood watching the future super soldiers train, Mendez putting them through literal hell.

''J-172 is certainly surprising, despite not having been cited for the program he's keeping up with the rest, if anything he's better than some of the others'. A strike like that should have knocked the boy out.'' Halsey says aloud, writing her observations of the training in a notebook.

''Indeed and I can see that Mendez is living up to his name…'' The assistant observes, watching Mendez be-rate one of the female candidates for falling out of line, in the end back handing the girl to the ground for back talking him.

''Are they living up to your standards?'' The assistant adds on.

''They're just children but I have hope they will live up to my standards as the next step in humanities evolution.'' Halsey replies, placing her note pad down seeing her 'favourite', J-117, helping the odd one out, J-172, up from the ground after he'd fallen over during the obstacle course.

''By the looks of it they may become close friends.'' The assistant comments, remembering seeing J-172 and J-117 speaking earlier.

''They may, if they do it can work out for them, although it may sound silly, but companion-ship may help them through the program.'' Halsey states with a small smile seeing John was helping Jaune through the course despite knowing he would be punished for doing so.

''Small acts of humanity can be the difference between a victory or defeat.'' Halsey says to herself, ignoring the confused look from her assistant.

Back on the field.

''Come on Jaune! You can do it!'' John motivates, leaning down and offering a hand to Jaune who was struggling to climb up wall that was tilted backwards to make it harder to climb.

''All…most!'' Jaune struggles out, covered in buckets of sweat as he pulled himself up the wall and flopped down onto the flat ground of the finish, letting his legs dangle over the edge.

''Come on!'' John says, pulling Jaune up to his feet and helping him walk over the finish line.

''T-thanks…'' Jaune huffs out, dropping onto his ass while panting heavily, feeling a little light headed from the intense work out.

''AGAIN!'' Mendez shouts, kicking Jaune in the back knocking the boy down.

''Hey wha!-'' John's attempt at a demand for Mendez's action's was silenced when he was kicked in the gut by said man.

''I said he's doing it again! This time alone!'' Mendez explains, watching with a snarl as Jaune shakenly got on his feet.

''I-it's okay John…you don't need to get hurt…over me.'' Jaune pants, a small smile on his face as he looked at John's worried look.

''Bu-'' John tries to stop Jaune but is stopped with he raises a hand.

''It's fine…I'll do it…'' Jaune says, looking up at Mendez with a glare, receiving an approving look from the man before he turned around.

''Good! Now the rest of you may have a fifteen-minute break until the next exercise!'' Mendez shouts as he walked away leaving the seventy-five trainees' alone.

''Why?'' John asks. Frowning as Jaune smiled at him.

''Because, I need to get…stronger.'' Jaune says, catching his breath before walking to the start of the obstacle course and setting off again, a look of determination on his face.

''He's really strong, I'd never have the heart to do that again…'' Someone says from behind John getting him to turn to see another boy, he looked at his service tag to see J-052 hammered into it. ''Names Jorge by the way.''

''Yeah…'' John sighs out, wiping some of the sweat from his brow, watching Jaune struggles over a jumping based exercise, almost falling in the process into the water below, an improvement from before where he'd fallen in on the first jump.

''Hm, he really is, he even stood up to Mendez…'' A female voice chimes in getting the attention of John and Jorge.

''H-hi.'' The girl adds shyly, waving at the two boy's who looked at her tag to see Cal-141 hammered into them.

''Yeah, I wouldn't like to stand up to him, you seen the way he kicked his ass…'' Jorge huffs out, holding back a laugh seeing Jaune trip over himself and eat the floor getting a series of ''Oooh''s from the group of trainees'.

''S-shut up!'' Jaune shouts, red faced from embarrassment and the exercise. In response a few trainees laughed at his misery while others smiled at the banter.

Finally after ten minutes Jaune was finally at the end, climbing up the wall again, struggling to do so, every part of him felt as if it was on fire, his body wanting to just lay down and rest but his determination pushed him on past his limit and with a final heave he pushed himself up over the edge.

And proceeded to vomit onto the floor.

''Eww…'' Cal-141 says, covering her nose from the fowl smell as it washed over her and some of the other trainees'.

''Yeah…I didn't know vomit could smell so bad…'' Jorge adds on, pinching his nose shut.

''Hey Jaune you okay?'' John asks, ignoring the smell to check if the other boy was okay.

''I…I'm fine…just give me a minute…'' Jaune huffs, rolling onto his back to catch his breath.

''WHAT'RE YOU LAYING THERE FOR J-172! GET PAST THAT FINISH LINE!'' Mendez shouts, his voice installing fear into the trainee's who immediately jumped to attention to save themselves from a beating.

''A-alright…'' Jaune manages, weakly standing himself up and stumbling over the finish line before falling back onto the ground to let himself rest.

''Good, congratulations trainees'! you've past your first test! Now form up!'' Mendez congratulates before stomping on the soon to be super soldier's joy by ordering them to get into line.

With the help of John, Jaune stood up and moved into the line and began to walk when Mendez began his march to the next part of the training.

''What do you think we'll be doing next?'' John whispers, glancing at Mendez to make sure he didn't hear.

''I don't…know.'' Jaune replied quietly.

''This is where you'll be learning! Your teacher will be the dumb AI Déjà, here you will learn many things, science, math, history and so on, you will be brought here after physical training!'' Mendez explains as the group walked into a large room with a single glass screen that was almost as tall as the room itself.

''Déjà, say hello.'' Mendez says.

''Good evening children.'' Déjà says, the AI activating and looking to the children who watched her in fascination.

''Woah…'' Jaune breathes out, looking at the hologram of the AI that resembled a Greek goddess in appearance.

''This is Déjà, your new teacher.'' Mendez says again. ''Now! Take a seat!''

With the moment of fascination over, the children quickly rushed for seats, Jaune and John sitting beside one another while Cal and Jorge sat nearby.

''As petty officer Franklin Mendez explained, I will be teaching you all about science, math, history and many other subjects that will help you in your future.'' Déjà explains, moving an image onto the screen showing a large of the UNSC logo.

''Let's begin with the history of the UNSC.''

While the other's listened on in interest in the history of the UNSC, Jaune was confused by the mix up, where he'd come from there was no United nations, hell he was sure that people from remnant hadn't even left the planet yet! but Déjà was explaining otherwise, explaining events of how the UNSC was formed and the wars they'd taken part in ever since it's formation after world war II to now, where it was a superpower that colonized thousands of planets in the galaxy.

''It's pretty cool isn't it.'' John says, giving Jaune a jab pulling him from his thoughts.

''Y-yeah, it is.'' Jaune replies sheepishly, not having been paying attention to the lecture and learning nothing from it.

''Is that so J-172?'' Déjà asks, appearing in front of Jaune by using his interactive desk to project herself.

''Y-yeah, the history of the UNSC's intresting…'' Jaune lies, scratching the back of his head as the AI looked at him emotionalessly.

''Then please name the year the United nations was formed.'' Déjà asks dropping Jaune into a hard to escape pit.

''Uh…It was formed in…'' Jaune starts, slowly answering the question to buy time to get the answer or to guess.

''The United nations formed in…'' Jaune says, glancing at Cal who was mouthing something to him.

''Nineteen…fourty…five?'' Jaune answers, reading the mouthed words from Cal.

''Correct.'' Déjà says before returning to the front of the class. ''But please do reframe from helping J-172 in the future Cal-141.''

Seeing he was busted Jaune drops his head into the desk while Cal blushed at being caught, all the while John and Jorge held back laughter at the fail.

''Now then, let's get back to class, please pay attention this time J-172.'' Déjà says before getting back to the class, explain the forming of the United Earth Government During the periods of 2170-2204.

''Yes ma'am.'' Jaune mutters into the table before lifting his head up, paying attention this time.

''With that class is finished, please follow Petty officer Franklin Mendez to the food quarter.'' Déjà says, concluding the two-hour long class on the basics of the history of the UNSC.

''Ah-ha…'brief history'.'' Jaune says flatly, watching the screen go blank and Déjà vanished leaving them with Mendez who walked into the room several minutes before the class ended.

''Form up!'' Mendez shouts, watching as the children formed a line before he turned and marched out of the room. The walk around the base lasted three minutes before the petty officer opened the doors to the cafeteria which was a large single room with well over forty steel tables dotting the room, all which had six chairs at each one.

''Pick a table, anyone caught pushing will not be served their meal!'' Mendez orders.

Jaune went for the closest table, hoping that John, Jorge or Cal would get to him but was disheartened to find the other seats filled before the three of them could even get close, deciding not to risk getting a beating or missing his food Jaune stays put.

''Good!, now leave your tag at the table and form a line behind me!'' Mendez orders. The young soldiers do as they're told, leaving there service tags at the table and forming a line behind Mendez who after seeing everyone was lined up moves to the side.

''Now, pick up a tray, plate, knife and fork and then make your way to the chefs for your food, any pushing or shoving will result in the revoking of food rights for the day!'' Mendez explains, keeping a critical eye out for anyone pushing or shoving as the children slowly moved forwards one at a time to get their food which consisted of a standard UNSC MRE and half full glass of water.

After the last child grabbed their food Mendez picks up a MRE and turns to the group.

''Now, I will teach you how to properly use your standard MRE also known as the Meal Ready to Eat.'' Mendez says before going into detail on how to properly unpack and prepare the food inside, all the while everyone watched and copied his movements, when the demonstration was finally finished Mendez nodded seeing everyone had successfully prepared there MRE.

''Now eat up! This will be the only meal until supper which will be at 12:00 hours!'' Mendez shouts.

And on que the group tucked in, not minding that the food didn't taste great, simply wishing to sate their hunger which had plagued them since the training course finished almost two hours before.

Much to Jaune's displeasure he'd run out of food sooner than he'd have liked, having wolfed it down like everyone else the moment they'd been aloud to, picking up his glass of water he sunk it in one go.

''That ended a little faster than I'd have hoped.'' The girl beside Jaune says getting his attention. He noticed her tag read D-023

''I know, I'm still hungry.'' Jaune replies causing her to huff out a laugh.

''I'm pretty sure everyone is.'' D-023 says sadly, looking at the other's seeing there slightly disappointed faces.

''Well we get more at midnight at least.'' The boy on Jaune's left adds on, having a more optimistic outlook on the situation. He looked at his tag to see it read J-029

''Well you are right but that's over half the day away.'' Jaune mutters bitterly, resting head on his hands.

''J-172 REMOVE YOUR ELBOWS FROM THE TABLE!'' Mendez shouts from behind the boy, he jumped in fright at the shout from the devil and hastily removed his elbows from the table.

''You really like to get in trouble huh?'' The boy opposite Jaune says quietly when Mendez walks away. His tag read V-101

''I think he's out to get me.'' Jaune replies with a hint of dread in his tone.

''Well he is the only one Sir singles out to shout at.'' D-023 says, holding back a laugh seeing Jaune drop his head onto the desk with a dull 'THUD' at the contact between metal and flesh.

''So far.'' Jaune adds hopefully but by he flat tone he'd used it was obvious he didn't believe it.

''Meal time is over! All trainees stand at attention!'' Mendez suddenly shouts as the door to the cafeteria opens.

In walked Doctor Halsey, her assistant a few steps behind. Walking to Mendez's side Halsey clears her throat before speaking.

''Good evening children, for those that do not know me my name is Catherine Halsey, I oversee this project.'' Halsey greets, her eyes sweeping over the seventy-five candidates.

''This project will turn you into super soldiers, the next step in humanities evolution.'' Halsey continues.

''Super soldiers?'' D-023 whispers, looking between Jaune and V-101.

''Sounds kind of cool.'' V-101 admits.

Jaune nodded in agreement, the image of a huntsmen appearing in his mind getting him a little hyped.

''You will be called Spartans.'' Halsey interrupts, throwing up an image of the renamed Orion project on her tablet and projecting it onto a screen in the room.

''Here you will be trained, taught and finally deployed, the duration of your training will last eight years, after this period those who remain will progress into the next stage.'' Halsey explains. An image of prototyped power armour appearing on the screen.

''Of course, the design will change over time but I'm sure it won't be anything to worry about.'' Halsey explains, returning the image to her tablet before addressing the group.

''Now then, that's all I wished to say for now, I'll speak to you all later after your training.'' With that Halsey and her assistant left, leaving the room in silence. A tense silence as Mendez looked over the group, a thoughtful look on his face before he nodded.

''All trainees form up! We'll be doing hand to hand combat next!''

UNSC ONI SITE

Location: Classified.

Operations: Project Orion/ Spartan II program.

Time: 09:54 hours.

''Try harder J-172!'' Mendez shouts, kicking the blond-haired boy away from him. Seeing Jaune standing back up and running at him again Mendez huffed at his tenacity before moving to the side of Jaune's punch and kneeing him in the gut, finally knocking the boy down for good.

''One minute and twenty-four seconds. Not bad J-173.'' Mendez praises, picking the boy off the ground allowing him to walk over to the bench with the ten other's who'd got their asses kicked already.

''Ha…why did you keep getting up? I just stayed down after the first two knock downs.'' Jorge asks, moving over to let Jaune sit on the bench beside him.

''…I didn't think of that…'' Jaune huffs out, rubbing his still aching stomach.

''You really need to use your head more…ow…'' One of the other trainee's known as D-042 says, holding the side of his face that was swollen from the knock out punch he'd gotten from Mendez.

''Didn't you try to headbutt Mendez so he punched you?'' Jaune asks causing D-042 to huff and look away.

''Next!'' Mendez shouts, throwing D-023 out of the ring with ease.

''I'll go.'' John says, standing up and making his way into the ring.

''Three.''

''Two.''

''One.''

''GO!'' Mendez shouts, watching John run towards him, slowly down partly as he reached the man. Seeing what John was going to do, Mendez closed his legs and punted John as he slid, kicking the boy in the face. Using the opening from stunning the boy Mendez knelt down and punched John in the gut causing him to gag.

''Don't be so transparent about your actions, it can cost you your life!'' Mendez be-rates, picking John off the ground and pushing him towards the beaten group.

''Next!''

There was one thing Jaune knew about his future from this point out.

THUD

''NEXT!''

It was going to hurt…