Shock Troopers

Chapter 12

(Zeta PoV)

I was currently teaching the recruits, whilst I handled the Weapons training, Jerome handled the Physical Training. Poor Fucking Recruits.
“Okay, so who here knows how to handle a Side arm?” I asked, they all looked at me like I was dumb, “It seems like a silly question yes, but I don’t underestimate Recruits stupidity.” I deadpanned.

We moved on and so far they were all doing well. Only one if them were holding it incorrectly, he was holding it like a fucking cowboy. “This, isn’t going to help you whatsoever. So aim properly or I’ll get Jerome here to teach you.”

He quickly fixed his posture at the threat of the big green Spartan. “Good, now remember your training, if you had any to begin with, and hit the targets. We are going to work on your accuracy.”

The Entire room was soon rushed with the sound of Small arms fire. Glad I had my helmet on. When the sheets were brought in, to say I was disappointed was an understatement. Most of them missed, with the few exceptions getting 75% accuracy.
I let out a big Sigh, Before looking up, “What?” I asked, pointing at the sheets, I then pulled out my stanchion rifle, “This thing, has more Kickback than those things. And I can probably fire continuously and get a better accuracy score than you lot. If my arm stay attached that is.” I said in all seriousness.

We spent the rest of that day on accuracy, moving up from small arms to SMGs and eventually ARs. Those who wanted too I taught how to fire the Stanchion. Not that they'll use it ever again but it has more kickback than the snipers they use here, so its a good training tool.

Jerome came in and confiscated the Recruits for their Physical Training  running laps and Gym. I decided to leave the fucking room immediately before I was roped into training more Recruits. But I was soon spotted and stopped by Mike.

“Hey Kid.” He started, I sighed, “Where are the recruits that need training?” I asked with no emotion, “I’m shocked you'd think that’s the only reason I called you over here for.” He responded, with a slightly hurt voice. I stared at him with the Emotionless Visor showing the amount of emotions I had currently.
“They are over there, good luck!” he said, walking off after showing me where to go.

Once I arrived I saw Eliza already shouting at them, “What have they done?” I asked, “They are too lazy.” She responded, I smiled at this, although she couldn’t see it, and pulled out a Magnum I had requested for the purpose of training recruits.
“You going to shoot them?” Ash asked, “Worse!” I responded happily as I shot one of them. A blob of Purple gel shot out of the barrel and hit the recruit who instantly fell over, “What is that stuff?” she asked as the recruit was screaming in pain, “We use it in training instead of normal rounds. Its designed to make it feel like an actual bullet and you’ve been shot. When in reality you are only going to get a Bruise. Its called Lockdown Paint. Since it usually locks down our armour, but they ain’t wearing our armour. It probably actually hurts more without our armour.” I added. She nodded and looked over at the recruits who were suddenly doing their proper tasks.

“Its also a very good negotiation Tool.” I said happily as she walked off. Allowing me to torture the recruits more.

(Time Skip)

“I’m glad you’ve arrived. Recently, the Navy Seals have sent this picture to us. Apparently it is working with the White Masks. We wanted to know if you could identify it.” Six said as she passed a picture to Alice, who suddenly paled. “What is it?” I asked, she passed the picture over to me and what I saw was shocking.

“We were stupid to think that they wouldn’t have followed us, either purposeful or accidental.” Alice said. “Who is they?” Six asked, “Remember when we told you about the Banished?” I asked, she nodded, I placed the picture back down, “Who you are looking at is Ristyx. One of its War Lords.”

She sat there for a moment, thinking, the look on her face meant she knew what this meant. If he was here, then so is his Troops, and maybe an pipeline back to Atriox. Which could be bad. Very Bad.

“Does Captain Cutter know?” Alice asked. Six shook her head, “We didn’t know it was one of those beasts till you two confirmed it.” She replied, “If this is the case, then this goes beyond Terrorism. This might become a war Humanity can lose.” She said, burying her head in her hands.

“Not if we can help it.” I responded, “We’ve fought these beasts  taken down their Captains and Warlords. They’ve killed thousands of our people, and men and women we served along side with, we were basically brothers and sisters. We won’t allow them the pleasure of taking this planet and its recourses for themselves. Even if this isn’t our Earth, we will still protect it like it is.”

I instantly put my Helmet on, “[Isabel, can you send a Pelican down here right away. We've got some information we need to tell Captain Cutter immediately.]” I responded. “[Y-Yeah Sure. What’s gotten you so worked up?]” she asked.

“[The Banished are here Isabel.]” I responded. There was a pause, “[Fuck.]” she responded.

(Time Skip)

“This is a Light Recon Mission Alice, checking out a suspected base location. If it is one, we mark it and let the UNSC have its fun.” I informed, she nodded and we moved through the Thick Jungle of the Amazon rainforest.

“[You are about to reach the Dead zone, once in you'll have no connection to the Spirit of Fire or Director Six. You'll be on your own.]” Cutter informed. “[Copy that Captain, we won’t be too long.]” I said.

We continued moving onwards, eventually reaching the overlook point. “I don’t see much. This forest is too dense.” She said, “You stay on outlook then. I'll see if I can get us anything.” I responded.

Looking through the scope of my Stanchion, I could see red vehicles moving. But no solid ID on what it was or if there was a base they originated from. “We need to get closer.” I said, starting to move up, “No, you are staying here. I’m the sneaky one.” Alice said, activating her invisibility and disappearing from sight.

I followed where my armour told me she was, and pointed out any enemies I could see. She then told me about how heavily out gunned we are. “[How badly?]” I asked, “[I count 3 Scarabs, half a dozen Wraiths, a few Dozen Ghosts and Locus, what seems to be a couple hundred Troopers ranging from Elites, Brutes, Hunters and Grunts.]” she replied.

“[Get back, They need to see this.]” I responded. I saw her move back to safety and we left the Dead zone, getting an extract to take us to safety. Once we arrived, The others weren’t too pleased with our news.

“3 Scarabs? 3? Please tell me you are joking.” Jerome said. “I wish Jerome, We’ll be lucky if they only send them one at a time. But we have proven that we can handle that. Time and Time again.” I responded.

“So, we need to warn the Militaries. They can help.” Six said, “I doubt it, but the help would be appreciated.” Cutter replied, “I’ll get the Spirit of Fire up to Combat Readiness, Jerome, Douglas, you two stay here and train the Operators in how to fight these Odds. That goes for you and Alice too Y/n.” Cutter Ordered, “Sir, Yes Sir.” We all said in unison before leaving.

“Can’t believe the Banished have arrived here with us.” Alice said with a Sigh  “It wasn’t with us, we know that. This would have been recent.” Jerome responded, “I thought Ristyx was killed anyway, at the defence of Fort Jordan.” I added, “I thought so too, but that picture is definitely him. And that is definitely his army.” Jerome said.

We walked into the meeting room where the other operators and Sentinel members were waiting for us, Douglas took the mic, “Okay Listen Up.” He started, you could tell the seriousness in his voice, “It seems, that the bastards we were fighting on the Ark have turned their ugly heads in this direction. And we are going to be the hand that slaps it back.” He shouted. “I know that most of you are probably scared, hell even we are. But that shouldn’t get in the way of your Duty. Us four will personally take over training, since you all need to know how to fight them efficiently.”
He then sighed, “I wish it hadn’t come down to this, but this will be a fight for your lives. More than fighting the White Masks. This isn’t about Terrorism anymore, team Rainbow, This is going to be a War for this World. And we are going to make sure it ends with least amount of Innocent Casualties possible. This isn’t what any of you had signed up for, but unfortunately, Fate decides if you get to live by what you want. Training will start tomorrow at 0800 hours . Be ready.” He then placed the Mic back and left, Jerome following him, I decided to say a few words myself.

“What Douglas says is true. And this will be a fight for your lives. One I hoped never found its way here. But we are going to make sure you are ready to fight it, and make sure you all live through it.” I added, before placing the Mic back and following the two Spartans.

We were then busy setting up the Training courses for the Operators and Recruits, whilst the UNSC dropped in a few vehicles for us, mainly Warthogs, allowing Sentinel to Reverse engineer them so they can produce them for the coming war.

(Time Skip)

This was the day, they attacked earlier than expected, and currently London was under Banished control. The White masks have truly joined them. But not all it seems. There was pockets of White mask soldiers helping out the Army and Civilians get to safety.

We dropped in, me, Alice, Jerome, Douglas and Emma moving through the streets, taking down White Mask and Grunts alike with no remorse. This was where we ran into a Pocket of Resistance who helped us in a tricky spot and ushered us in.

“What are you doing here? Civilians should be evacuated out of London by now.” I said to them, they pulled our cases and boxes of weapons and ammunition, “We know, but we had to come back. For these.” One of them said, one of them pulled out a case with an RPG inside of it.

“Stolen Weaponry from the army.” I sighed, “What, are you going to arrest us?” one of them asked sarcastically. “No, we are going to steal it back.” I replied, picking up the RPG, “[Captain, we've got a group of Civilians in need for Extraction.]” I said through the Comms.

“[Understood, a pelican is enroute to your location now. Just stay put and keep the Evac zone clear.]” He ordered, “There’s a wraith heading to us now Zeta, got any bright ideas?” Jerome asked, “Yes, we put this to good use.” I said, passing the RPG over to Douglas who nodded and rushed to the roof. “Jerome, I want you with Douglas. Using your Spartan Laser. Omega, Twitch, we have the fun job. Taking out any infantry that came with them. You lot, if you join us, it isn’t our fault you die. So try to keep your head down.” I ordered. We all ran off to do our Respective jobs and waited for an Ambush.

The Wraith hovered down the street, followed by a Locus and Marauder. We waited for Douglas and Jerome to start the fight, and they did. With Jerome taking out the Wraith by hitting its weak point with the Laser whilst Douglas took out the Mini Scarab with a precise RPG to the face. During the Confusion I quickly peaked with my Stanchion Rifle and took out the Driver of the Marauder whilst the others started attacking the White Masks and Brutes. With one last RPG shot, the pack of Brutes was no more, and extraction had arrived to get these lot to Safety.

We joined, we were being pulled out as London was apparently a Lost Cause. The Royal Family had escaped, and that was the Banished Objective. To kill the Royal Family. But they were on the First Pelican out, ready for this exact plan.

“The Banished forces Overwhelmed the British army too easily. You will not survive this unless you fucking Unite!” we hear Cutter shout at the UN Council, NATO, and pretty much anyone who was wondering how to battle this threat or was wondering who just appeared out of space. We had move Team Rainbow onto the Spirit of Fire, where it is safer and easier to train them.

“[These are the exact reasons Team Rainbow was made for, to battle a Terrorist threat.]” one of the UN members, he sounded American, answered, “This isn’t terrorism anymore.” I said, now joining the Call, “This is an Alien Threat. One that can’t be negotiated with, cant be reasoned with, and will stop at nothing to see their goals completed. Today they targeted the Royal Family of Britain, tomorrow? Could be your President, or the entire UN council. We won’t know until they do it. And we cant help if you are constantly bickering and fighting among yourselves.” I said, slamming my hand on the holo-table making it flicker briefly.

We saw the Council members begin to talk, before coming up with a question, “[How do we know you aren’t working with them?]” One of them asked, “Truthfully, You don’t.” I answered before Cutter could, “But we don’t have time to waste proving we are on the good side. So take your arguments, take your Squabbles, and take your fucking attitudes, and throw them into an Incinerator. Because this isn’t the time for Petty revenge, or He said she said arguments. This is for the future of this Planet. So help us help you, and Unite against the common enemy.”
I passed Cutter the Report  who passed it over to Director Six, and left the room to find where Twitch went.

I saw her in the Gym on a treadmill, so I walked up next to her, “You did well out there, considering it was your first mission against the banished. You didn’t freeze up like I thought you all would have.” I said, smiling at her, “Most of us do.” I added.

“Its us or them, Y/n. I’m going to make sure its Us that stay alive. I cant be freezing up. Not when we’ve got all of this at stake.” She said. “Don’t work yourself to an early Grave. They may seem unstoppable but back in our universe it was our Job to show the Marines they were Killable. You are already doing a good job.” I said, giving her a quick peck before walking off to the Cafe, “I’ll save a seat for you.” I called back before leaving the Gym room.

Walking into the Cafe, I saw the Marines and ODSTs having fun telling the Rainbow crew their stories of Heroism and daring acts during the war. So I decided to join in, “Hey Dragon, you telling them about that Scarab on Arcadia?” I asked, I saw his face light up as he recalled the memories, “Oh yeah, that thing. That was one of your most stupidest plans yet.” He said with a Hearty Laugh, “You clearly didn’t see what I did last month.” I chuckled.

He then explained the Scarab, it was barely functional since it was getting built. But it was acting as a very big and dead turret. We had taken out most of the power generators, so its head was already moving slow, but it was slowly turning to the main force. And if it spotted them we wouldn’t have been able to take it out. So I decided to start taking pot shots at it, turning its attention to me. Giving the main force enough time to take it out and enter the facility. Alice didn’t let me hear the end of it.

“So how is life down on Earth? Before the Banished came and ruined everything.” David asked, “It was good, more than good actually. But unfortunately they decided to ruin that.” I responded.

(Here it is, the long awaited Chapter of this book. Honestly thought this would have been out by now, but I'm useless. I hope you enjoy it and it was worth the wait. Now there's an enemy more than just the White Masks I can hopefully make it more enjoyable to Read.)