Yeah the Freelancers weren't actual Spartans it was a side project not part of the UNSC, whether it was during the war or when Earth knew the war was inevitable is anybodies guess. Though I'd go as far to say that the latter is more likely.

Either way, as long as I get some good fighting in where people get hurt, we see people die and have the emotional strain. Be this ODST, Spartan or general infantry. I'm down.