Chapter One

Emma Mayfield sat on the grass, watching the Pelican drop ships take off. She would be getting on one of those in an hour, heading up to the carrier that was talking her to the front lines. Just barely 18, Em dropped out of school to serve in the war, like her father, brother and older sister were doing. She had just completed her 12 week basic training, and was feeling nervous about fighting the Covenant. She had seen the videos, everyone had, she could identify all the known species by sight, and knew their weaknesses.

Her friend, and commanding officer, approached her. "Emma, you packed?" He asked, standing over her.

She smiled up at him, "All set sir."

"You can call me Jack when we're alone. I don't mind," he replied, smiling back. A drop ship roared over their heads, blowing what little hair Em had left around. "Nervous?"

Em got up, and looked him in the eye, "A little, but I'm ready."

Jack nodded, "Then let's go, we've been moved up the line." He led her towards the base's hanger. Em found her stuff right where she left it, and joined her squad mates. The group was the quietest in the entire hanger, they all sat around just looking at each other. Occasionally a hand signal would be flashed, silent communications. They had all learned basic sign language, as their sniper was mute, and they prided themselves on their ability to remain quiet.

Sitting on her trunk, Em quickly signed out, "What I miss?"

Eric, the squad leader, replied vocally, "Not much. Our company got moved up on the VIP list. El-tee thinks it's because they want us to carry out a stealth mission, and our platoon has the best record."

"You wish, I bet it has nothing to do with us," Karl replied. "Bet it's just paperwork."

Jack approached, "You men ready?"

They all jumped to attention, "Yes sir!"

He nodded, "Load up, Pelican Alpha-752. Mayfield, come with me for a moment."

Em got up, and followed Jack, ignoring her squad mates teasing. "What is it?" She asked, jogging to catch up to him.

He didn't reply, and instead led her to the back of the hanger, and outside through a service door. Standing there was her mother. Ever since her older sister left, it had just been Em and her mom. "Mom!" Em hugged her.

Her mother was on the edge of crying, "Oh Emma. I was hoping I'd get to see you before you left."

Jack smiled, "I'll be inside, don't take too long though Emma."

She smiled, "Thank you Jack." He nodded, and disappeared back into the hanger.

Em's mom let go of her, "Look at you. You look just like your sister when she left 3 years ago."

"I'm coming back mom, don't worry. We all are. I promise."

"I know dear, but you're leaving me all alone." Her mother smiled, "I wish you had finished school."

Em smiled back, "Once the war is over, I'll use my pay to go to college. I'll get a good education. I promise."

"You are certainly making a lot of promises today, normally I can't get you to agree to anything," her mother laughed.

"Yeah well, I will keep those promises," Em said. "I need to go, we're shipping out."

Her mother hugged her again, "Take care of yourself. Jack's a good boy, serve him well."

"I will."

They let go of each other, and with a final good bye, Em entered the hanger again. Jack was standing there, "Done?" She nodded. "Okay. I had Eric take your stuff on board, they're waiting for us, so let's go."

She and Jack jogged to the Pelican, and when Em's feet were off the ground, it took off. She took her seat next to Eric, who nodded to her. Her squad plus Jack was sitting against one wall, while Beta squad sat against the other.

Em smiled every time she heard Second Squad screaming at each other as the Pelican rose through the atmosphere. Her squad, First, was silent. Eric relayed messages in sign language to them when he needed to. Even Karl was quiet, which was rare. He was the talkative one in the group.

Jack and Em stepped out of the Pelican together, into the hanger of the ship. It was busy, platoons of marines forming up and marching through on their way to their quarters. Jack assembled his platoon, 4 squads, 8 soldiers each. They were part of Charlie Company, Fifth Platoon, but as far as Jack was concerned, they were the best.

"Listen up!" He called out, his voice hard to hear over the noise despite his screaming. "We have 2 days on board, followed by a month of cryosleep. We should then be just a few days away from Paris IV. I want everyone settled in two hours, and then we'll do some minor workouts. We're headed to Deck 12, follow me!" He led the platoon down into the ship. Em hefted her trunk, grunting the whole way.

They arrived at their barracks, a single room for the entire platoon. There were more than enough bunks, so the squads spaced themselves out. First Squad didn't get along with the rest so well.

Em was situated in less than half an hour, and laid on her bunk for the remainder of the time. Eric sat down on the foot of her bed, "Emma, I need to talk to you."

She sat up, "What's up?"

He looked away, "I'm making you my second in command." Em was quiet. He sighed, "I know, I know, but you've proven yourself. El-tee agrees with me."

Em sighed, "Of course Jack does."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, you've earned it!" He held out a box. "Here, these are yours now."

Em took the box and opened it. Inside was a patch, with the 3 strips of a Sergeant. "For real?" Em asked.

He nodded, "Wear them proudly. I'm counting on you." He got up, and headed back to his own bunk. Em continued to stare at the patch.

She heard someone behind her, "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Sergeant Emma Mayfield." She turned, it was Jack, smiling. "You like?"

"Was this your idea?" She asked, eyeing him. "If it was I don't want it."

He held his hands up in defense, "All Eric's. Of course, it is a good idea." Em glared at him, but didn't pursue it. She pulled the patch off her jacket, stuck the new one on, and slipped the jacket on. "Perfect," Jack said. "You were born to wear those strips."

"Funny," she commented, getting up. "I'll be in the gym."

Notes from the author:

This isn't my first fanfiction, and it's not my first Halo fic either. However, this is the first one I've written for other people to read. Therefore, reviews, C&C, comments, anything is helpful to me. I'll do my best to change my ways if something I do is wrong, and of course any help with the Halo Universe is appreciated. I've read all the books, played the games, and I browsed the Halo wiki constantly while writing this, just let me know if something is wrong.

In case any of you care, the year is 2549. Not that it matters, there will only be references to what's happening elsewhere in the universe.