Forward unto Death

Chapter one

Commander Carter, leader of Noble Team, looked over the file that was sent by Colonel Holland to replace the late Nobel Six, Thom. When Holland told the rest of Noble Team, they weren't exactly pleased, but all except Kat accepted it, she took longer due to her, Thom, and the Commander being the only remaining members of the original Noble Team. Carter shook his head to clear his thoughts, and frowned when he reached the rookie's bio. Of course Oni would black parts of it out. Oddly enough, almost the entire thing was blacked out, leaving only small pockets of reading material. Carter re-read the document to see if he had missed anything while looking over it the first time.

Name: Kain

Service Number: B312

Classification: SPARTAN III, Beta Company

Rank: Lieutenant

Height: 6'9"

Hair color: Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Age: 21

Birth date: 2531

Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, Earth

Armor set: Varies, as subject changes between missions when able. Last known set: CQC helmet, Recon armor on shoulders, Tactical/LRP chest armor, Tactical/Tacpad wrist armor, Tactical/Soft case utility, Grenadier Knee guards, Silver Visor color.

Armor Color: Silver base color, Silver trim.

Preferred Weapons: M392 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), M6G Magnum Sidearm, Special Applications Rifle, Caliber 14.5 mm, SRS99, Standard Combat Knife, MA37 Individual Combat System Assault Rifle when necessary (not his primary weapon if given a choice)

Note: Has been given the rating of "Hyper-lethal vector" and the reputation of being a "Lone Wolf" when in combat. Rumored to have recovered wrist blades from dead Elites, but has yet to be confirmed. Is confirmed to have been a test pilot for the Sabre program.

Carter sighed, and closed down the dossier, he was actually looking forward to meeting the rookie, even if only to get Noble Team back up to full strength. The Lone Wolf reputation would have to be addressed when the Spartan arrived to their outpost. Carter stood, put on his helmet, and left his temporary quarters to meet up with Noble Team.

*Several days later*

Kain sat in the passenger's side of the Warthog, hold his helmet in his hands, looking as the silver visor stare back at him, thinking about all that had happened recently. He was working with the UNSC marines on Mamore dealing with the rebels in the area when he was notified of his transfer to Reach into Noble Team. Kain shot a glance over to his driver, a younger marine named William. He had greeted the Spartan with much enthusiasm, and had talked the whole time since picking him up from the Pelican drop site. Kain nodded and gave short replies when asked a question, but remained stony silent when the marine brought up a girlfriend he had back on Earth, as it reminded him of his former girlfriend, but had died in Operation: TORPEDO.

Kain sighed, and put his helmet back on, and watched as the small base of Noble Team, his new team, came into view. As the Warthog pulled to a stop, Kain grabbed the DMR that he had left beside him, placed it on his back, nodded his thanks to the marine, and walked away. He started towards the door into the base, passed two Falcons, and felt as though he was being watched. He turned to look at his right, and saw another Spartan loading a sniper rifle magazine, his helmet off. The FOF tag in his helmet popped up, showing him to be Jun-A266.

Kain turned back to the building, and continued walking. He heard two voices coming from inside the building; one sounding like it was coming from a communicator of some sort. From what he had picked up, it sounded like he was going to get his first mission immediately upon his arrival in Noble. Something about a Relay dropping out of contact at least a day ago. Kain stepped up into the building, and was greeted by the sight of another Spartan sitting on a crate, Emile-A239, sharpening a large kukri knife with his own armor, wearing an EVA helmet, but what disturbed Kain the most was the skull design that was scratched on it.

Suddenly an arm shot out in front of Kain, and yet another Spartan came into view, Catherine-B320, shooting a warning look at him. She turned to another Spartan in blue, "Commander."

Both the Commander and another Spartan next to him turned to look at what her. The larger one, Jorge-052, spoke up. "So, that's our new number Six?"

As Kain approached the pair, he heard Emile speak up behind him. "Kat, you read his file?"

"Only the parts that weren't covered in black ink." She replied curtly.

The blue Spartan, Carter-A259, turned back to the terminal towards the figure on screen, which Kain recognized as Colonel Urban Holland. "Anyone claim responsibility sir?"

"ONI thinks it might be the local insurrection. Five months ago, they pulled a similar job on Harmony. Hit a relay to take out our eyes and ears, then stole two freighters from dry-dock. That cannot happen here. Reach is too damn important. I want that relay back online, Noble One." Holland ordered.

"Sir. Consider it done." Carter replied.

"Then I'll see you on the other side. Holland out." With that, the connection cut off. Carter and Jorge stood up, Carter grabbing his helmet that had been on the table in front of the monitor. He turned to Kain.

"Lieutenant."

"Commander. Sir." Kain replied, nodding and stepping forward. The team moved behind him, going outside the door.

"I am Carter." Redundant. Kain thought. "That's Kat, Noble Two, Emile and Jorge, Four and Five." Also Redundant. The Spartans left the building, Emile sheathing his knife and picking up a shotgun, Carter putting on his helmet. "I am not going to lie to you, Lieutenant. You're stepping into some shoes that the rest of the squad would rather leave unfilled." Carter remarked to Kain as the team made their way to the Falcon's. "Me, I am just glad to have Noble back up to full strength. Just one thing, I've seen your file, even the parts the ONI censors didn't want me to. I'm glad to have your skill set, but we are a team. That Lone Wolf stuff stays behind. Clear?"

"Yes sir." Kain replied.

"Good, you're riding with Kat and Emile. Jorge, you're with me." Carter barked. Jorge picked up a large gun turret, which caused Kain to pale somewhat when he saw it. Kain got into the Falcon, sitting opposite Emile, with Kat sitting next to him. Carter signaled for the Falcon's to lift off, and Emile looked at sat back, his shotgun sitting across his lap.

"Welcome to Reach, Six." Emile told him as the base left their sight.