A Hero's Sacrifice: a tale about Noble Six

Your past...

Agent: Rhode Island

Status: Critical

Nearby: Carolina. North Dakota. South Dakota. Spartan-A266

Time: Unknown

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"Go!"

I looked up at my dad with oceans behind my eyes. "Dad?"

"Son, just go!"

He began to nudge me away from the fire. Away from the smoke. Away from the guns. Away from the screams. Away from the blood. Away from the death.

"Dad! D-don't leave me!"

My father grabbed my shoulder and knelt down to look me in the eyes. "Son. I will never be gone. Nor will your mother. We'll always be with you, in here." He gently poked my chest, right at my racing heart.

Tears began to cloud my vision. Despite the pain, I forced them back.

"Dad. Are... Are you going to go and face those... things?"

"Yes, I am. And I need you to go. Now."

I looked down to see two pairs of dog tags. With a straight lip, I took them and hung them around my neck. I looked back up at the man who's taught me so much. Who's given me so much. Who's giving up so much, just to make sure I am safe.

"I will never forget, Dad. Give them H E double hockey sticks."

My father smiled, then turned around to duck under a glowing sword. Before my mind could move, my legs did, and they took me far away. I ran, and ran, and ran until the screams were no more than a distant memory. As I ran, the tears came pouring out.

"Dad. Mom. G-goodbye."

As I continued to weep, I ran as far away from Home as possible. I didn't look where I was going, so it was to be expected that I'd run straight into something. Something big. Something metal. Something special.

I ran straight into a Spartan.

"Where are your parents?"

I brushed some tears away and looked up. A massive man in green armor towered above me. Without much thought, I clinged to his leg.

He stood there for some time before reaching down and lifting me up. I watched as he put his rifle on his back and held me close. I couldn't help but cry.

"Big scary monsters came and began to attack my home. My papa told me to go as he held them off. I... I'm certain he didn't make it."

The Spartan sighed, then set me down. "... Stick with me. I'll see to it that you get off this planet unharmed."

He drew his rifle and began to walk away. I walked alongside him and gazed up at his chest, my eyes drawn to three numbers.

"117? What does that mean?"

"That's my Spartan number. C'mon kid. We've got a lot of ground to cover."

I sighed and picked up the pace. As much as I hated to, my eyes kept looking back. Back at my burning home.

I miss you, Dad.

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I looked down at the card I had written the co-ords on. Looking up, I saw a tiny house in the distance with a tiny girl playing in front of it.