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Fan Fiction

New Recruit by Chumley



New Recruit - Part I
Date: 18 August 2003, 7:18 PM

Since I was a young boy, I had heard stories of war, pain, and death. Growing up, I was never interested in being a soldier. I had lost my dad to the war, and was not going to let that happen to me. Everything about the Covenant war, was just a bad dream, that I was hoping I'd wake up from.
I've never had a true friend, and have always been a loner, depending on no one, but myself. Trust was hard to find in this terrible time of war, and I had been betrayed so many times, I figured no one was on my side.
My dad wrote a note to me, before I was born, as he was being shipped off to fight in the beginnings of what seems to be a never ending war:

Michael,
Seeing you some day, is the only thing that keeps me going. I know that you will become a great person. Please forgive me, for not being with you as you grow up. I am fighting for something that I know is good. I will pray for you.
Love,
Dad
This was the only way I knew anything of my father. A soldier with honor, willing to give his life for others. I feel regret every time I read his letter.

*************************************************************************

The holographic display abruptly switched from Michael's gaming to a special report.
"We interrupted your current display, to show a special news conference from the leader of the UNSC, General John Palmer."
The display then changed to the General sitting, emotionless, at the UNSC Headquarters.
"Good evening to everyone. Approximately twenty four hours ago, a peace keeping team was sent aboard a Covenant cruiser, with intentions to negotiate a treaty with the Covenant. Through Intel, we have learned that their message was given, but the Covenant did not accept. They ruthlessly killed all nine members of the peacekeeping team. I personally grieve in the loss and their families.
The General paused.
"We have tried everything in our power to end this terrible war, but the Covenant have not let up, and until then the UNSC and all humans, will defend, fight, and defeat this evil foe. We now know that the Covenant will not stop until they have control of all the universe. With this said, the UNSC and its leaders have decided to begin a new campaign. This new campaign will ensure victory and peace for humans and the rest of the universe. We will stop trying to simply defend and wait out the inevitable attack of the Covenant. This new campaign, codenamed Operation Hellfire, will launch an all out offensive attack on the Covenant, and all its key bases. We will not stop until, the Covenant are defeated. In order to sustain the needed number of soldiers, the UNSC has called an intergalactic draft of all human men between the ages of 20 and 40 to fight with honor and defend the human race. Those that are physically able will be contacted. Good night, and God Bless.
Michael looked up at his mother, who had came in, and sat stunned at the news. His mother who didn't really know what to say, came over and gave her 20 year old son a hug and a kiss. Michael embraced his mother. He knew that he would be fighting for an army, who his dad had just died for.
Michael went outside, hundreds of thoughts, worries, and emotions raced through his head. He was angry at everyone. How could this have happened to him. Was he really going to fight. More questions arose, as a dull yellow car sped by his street. He thought about his father, who voluntarily did what Michael dreaded. He felt his spirits rise, as he thought about his dad. The only time Michael ever heard anything about father's military experiences was when a man dressed up in full attire, knocked on their door, and told his mother the news about her husband. The man told Michael that his dad was a great military man, who served with honor, and will never be forgotten for his incredible feat.
The man never explained what this "feat" was, but Michael could have cared less. He only knew that his father had died, and now he was being forced to fight against that same enemy that had killed his father. As Michael looked out into the night sky, hearing the sounds of planes, helicopters, and speeding cars, he came to terms that he would have to become a soldier.





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