@Sleeth @AlphaWolf215 @jaybreezy

The UNSC Infinity shook as it came out of slipspace at a completely random place in the universe. It had managed to escape Cortana for a while but they were running out of places to jump to. Captain Thomas Lasky watched out of a window on the Infinity, a planet somewhat similar to earth was the random destination Roland had brought them too. "Roland, were are we and how long to do we have until we need to jump again." The Captain was becoming severely agitated due to Cortana's attempts to attack the Infinity, every time they got settled Cortana found them and sent the Prometheans to attack them.

"Captain Lasky, we are currently at the Inner Colony know as Ballast. Also you have a call coming in on a Secure transmission. shall i patch it through sir?" Lasky nodded and video displayed on the screen nearby.

"Ah, Captain Lasky im glad i could get through to you. I had no other choice but to turn to you. All our other vessels are currently defending Earth and the Major Colonies from Cortana. We've had reports come in from the UNSC units placed on Ballast stating that they are being over run by Insurrectionists. We sent Spartan Fireteam Black in a few weeks ago. We havent heard from them since. Were asking you to send a unit to find out what happened to that team and retrieve their armour. We also need fireteams dropped around the planet to help deal with insurrectionist forces. Can you do this for us Thomas?" the picture of a grizzled UNSC commander had appearied infront of him asking for his help. Captain Lasky couldnt help but notice the sounds of battle in the background, where was he? Earth? it didnt matter though, all that mattered was the Mission at hand.

Lasky spent a few minutes trying to figure out the best plan for the fireteam to follow, but he knew more than anyone that as soon as they got their boots on the ground it would be a whole different story, they'd be under too much fire to follow the plan. "Roland, assemble Fireteam Quantum in the War room. Tell them to prepare for briefing." the small orange AI disappeared and set about following Lasky's orders.

"Fireteam Quantum, please make your way to the War room for Briefing. Thats Fireteam Quantum to the War Room for Briefing"

Bryce heard the call to go to the War Room. "Oh boy...here we go..." He said to himself. He stood up from the bench he was sat at, making the trip to the War Room. He looked at his fellow comrades he passed on the way there. He heard battle noises. Where the hell are we? he thought to himself as he walked. He had no idea what he was about to get into, but he hoped it wouldn't be another evaluation.

Bryce entered the War Room, noticing he was first. He was surprised at the realization, as he was normally late or last. He looked around, seeing Lasky. "What's up, cap'n?" He asked, leaning against a wall. He crossed his arms, awaiting instruction. He heard more battle noise, hoping whoever was out there and was on our side was winning the fight. That probably wasn't the case now that he was in there.
@Kurai Assassin

There was a loud hissing, he was decompressed. Eyes opening slowly as his helmet kicked on, display calibrating for the switch of life support from the pod to his suit. Stepping into the armor he securely locks it, cracking his neck and knuckles, he was stiff from the long rest and was hoping they'd get back out. He rearmed himself, putting his handguns at his side and securing the sword to his back before he makes his way out.

He is orderly, quiet in his demeanor and step, with his eyes forward on where he'd been called. Diagnostics had finished and still his lungs wouldn't be able to support him without a respirator for more than an hour, they were getting better in the chamber but still not nearly enough. Entering the room for briefing he turns his head ever so slightly. The idiot is here He thought to himself, looking away in irritation. If anyone had to be left behind, he had a first choice. "Sir." He said firmly, offering a strong salute and his full attention, his voice was raspy locked inside of the respirator. "What is the target?"

Casey Williams had been in the the Infinity's Gym with her Old fireteam when the Call went out. "Well, Later guys try not to have to much fun without me" she said as she left the gym still in her armour. The war room wasnt actually that far from the Gym but she still had the fun experience of walking up stairs to get there.

She entered the War Room nodding to both Eryx and the Rookie Bryce. Both their Combat record before they joined the program were exemplary and she was happy to have them in her squad. "Captain Lasky" She said upon joining her team. "I dont reckon you called us up here to tell us Good news sir, so whats the problem"

The Captain looked at the 3 Spartans that had already joined him in the War Room. He was proud to say that they were under his command. "Spartan 101, Spartan Eryx, Spartan Blackburn. You will all find out your orders in due course but right now we are still waiting on Spartan Palmer and Spartan Browning to join us"

Staff Sergeant Browning was sitting in his quarters, itching to get back into action. As much as he'd been trained to follow ONI orders, and to operate under their somewhat unique methods of war, he was still a helljumper at heart. The heat of battle, the thrill of the drop, he remembered it all. It had been an honour when he had been offered a place in the Spartan-IV programme, but a small part of him wondered if it had been the right decision.

Still, no time for doubts, he thought, pushing the idea to the back of his mind. As he looked up, Rowland appeared

Spartan Browning. Captain Lasky requires you in the War Room for briefing

With Rowland disappearing, Browning stood, stretching, quickly checking his suit with a once over. Clean as always. No less to be expected of an ONI unit. He took a deep breath, wondering if this had been the job he'd been hoping for, before stepping out of his room and heading for the War Room, his boots making a soft thud as he strode through the vessel.

Upon arriving in the briefing room, he noticed the three other Spartans, and then Captain Lasky. He stood tall, clasping his hands before him. He spoke with a deep, gravely voice, amplified by the speakers from his helmet.

Captain Lasky. How may I be of service?

The last of Fireteam Quantum had arrived in the War Room leaving Spartan Palmer to arrive, but for Lasky it was enough to start the briefing.

"Fireteam Quantum. UNSC Command on earth as given us some intel regarding Insurrectionist forces on Ballast. A few weeks ago Fireteam Black was deployed to help subdue the threat. As of this morning they have been listed as MIA and we are going in to find out what happened. You are to retrieve the Spartan IV Armour at all costs. Any questions?"

"Heavy explosives." Eryx spoke up, still facing forward, unmoving. "In the event it's irretrievable I'll need something powerful enough to completely destroy the armor. Similarly a dead switch device to make sure mine goes with it if it has too." He remained both firm and content. His life and usefulness was every bit expendable to him as the rest of his team had it come to that. He had a long history of leaving his team behind to get vital items or information out, including the act of executing his teammate for almost talking instead of trying to clear out those holding him hostage. He regretted nothing, and took no chances. Every order was absolute and any alternative was acceptable.

The Captain looked at Eryx, he knew very well that it was a suicide mission attempting to recover them but blowing them up didnt seem to be an option right now.

"Spartan Eryx, you may take your explosives but they must be a last resort"

Blackburn looked at Eryx. "Wait wait wait. You're telling me that you're going to bring explosives on a mission like this? You're crazy!" He said. He knew Eryx was way more combat efficient than him, but risking his life was something he didn't want to face. He looked at his, trying to change his mind. He knew for a fact Eryx both didn't like him and wouldn't listen to anything he had to say.

Spartan Palmer entered the room as Spartan Blackburn made his point. "Spartan Blackburn I think it would be wise that you quiet down and listen to Spartan Eryx reasoning behind the Explosives, you might learn a thing or two. He is correct in saying that explosives are a must, Should you be unable to retrieve the Spartan Armour your gonna have to destroy it. Unless you want those Insurrectionists to come at you wearing them or give them a chance to mass produce their own."

Casey stood silent watching her group. She felt like she was back at Marine School again. Someone giving a good idea and the others shitting on it. "Captain Lasky Sir, when are we being Deployed sir?"

The Captain finally felt more relaxed with someone taking charge. "Spartan Williams, your team will be deployed within the next hour. Pelicans will drop you to meet with the ODST squad groundside. this was the last location where Black team was seen"

Browning finally spoke up, already fearing the groups differing views would negatively effect them

Commander Palmer, Captain Lasky. Do we have word from ONICOM on what exactly we are facing down there? Force composition, firepower, anything? In fact, Captain, if I might, does Rowland have a map of the AO? The more information available the better, as I'm sure you understand sir.

He stopped, looking up at the two Officers stood before him. Hopefully his ONI training would come in handy here.

The Captain stood still for a moment. He scratched his head before looking out the Window. "Spartan Browning, ONI are not the ones issuing orders for this mission. These are from UNSC high command. ONI made it clear they wanted nothing to do with this Op. As for the map of the AO, We have very little to go on. All the electronic maps of Ballast we have are unavailable to us at this moment. The Insurrectionists have most long range scanners jammed. We do however have an account of the Surroundings from the ODST unit on the Ground. the major area that they were in before they disappeared they were in a major city where most of the heavy fighting was. You will be dropped there and meet with the ODSTs from there you will sweep the area and attempt to find what happened to that unit."

Eryx turned to Blackburn, a glare hidden behind his visor. His arms stayed tightly behind his back in a respectful pose yet his voice was cold, hollow within the respiration system. "I think every one of us should have a deadswitch in our armor. If we did this mission would not be needed in the first place, but it isn't my call. The ones who die first are the ones afraid of dying rookie, keep a clear head above all or your survival instinct only induces death."

Captain Lasky started to bring an end to his brief. "Fireteam Quantum, time is of the essence. you will deploying as soon as this briefing is done. Spartan Palmer will be your point of contact for this mission, overseeing all of the op from the Infinity." Lasky stood to attention. "Spartans. Time to get boots groundside. Get to the Pelican bay and grab your gear."

Blackburn looked at Eryx and nodded. "Gotcha." Blackburn then turned to Lasky, hearing that it was time to deploy. He took a deep breath and nodded. He was ready, but nervous. He hoped that this mission was going to be a breeze. Or at least not too intense. He knew that this wasn't the case and sighed. He made a fist and tapped its side on the wall, turning towards the door to leave.

"God Speed Spartans"Commander Palmer said as she watched Captain Lasky leave the war room to go back to the bridge.

Casey began to make her way to the Pelicans in the hangar bay. Roland spoke very quickly on the Comms "Fireteam Quantum the Spartan to lead this mission is Spartan Eryx. Good Luck"

"That can end badly for them." Eryx admits, walking out of the room and down towards the bay. He checked his clips momentarily In the armory and made sure he'd restocked, taking the high grade explosives as well as activating his own deadswitch. "Don't fall behind, and more importantly make sure the armor gets back to base. The team is secondary, and I have enough explosives to take out your armor if I have to. Don't die."

Blackburn walked behind Eryx. He shook his head a bit as he walked, hearing he was leading. "Oh great..." Blackburn said under his breath. He had all of his equipment ready as he waited for the rest of the team.

ONI not included? Browning doubted that, it even made him wonder if Lasky was being given the full picture. After all, ONI was responsible for the "Spartans never die" propaganda. Plus, to a far lesser extent, he was here, an ONI operative. He'd have to file a report with Rear Admiral Osman later, as well as a request to access these Spartans service records. He didn't like being in the dark, especially not on his team. Perhaps Palmer might help him with that. Then again, people aren't usually so fond of the "spooks"

Commander Palmer. Assuming we make it through this, I'd like to discuss something wth you, ma'am.

With that, he stepped out of the room, heading for the main hangar, his boots making the soft thud as he walked, the floor holding the heavy armour.

as all the Spartans boarded the Pelican an announcement came over the Loud Speakers. "All Spartan teams not currently on assignments, report to the drop pods. you will be pushing the Insurrectionists out of Ballasts main city." The pelican carrying Fireteam Quantum took off and headed groundside. The Spartans could probably see the drop pods leaving the Infinity heading towards a rather large area of land on Ballast.

Soon the Pelican touched down in what was once a highly populated city centre of Ballast with sky scrapers reaching nearly as high as some of Turbo lifts in the galaxy. "Fireteam Quantum, the ODSTs are held up at trainstation just south of your current position. I recommend rendezvousing with them immediately"