(This thread takes place during the time frame of [i]Halo: Reach[/i], in the ending to the level "New Alexandria" and the following level, "The Package". Yes, we have done threads in the second game and the concurrent [i]Halo 3: ODST[/i]. The only reason this is possible is due to a limited time travel device known as "The Hand of Atropos" that one of my characters has. This is not a common occurrence, and there will not be any actual changes to the plot of this game in order to keep things from getting confusing. The timeline itself will remain intact.

The thread will encompass a little before and including [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rsC9mZrAUc]this cutscene[/url] and [url=http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/The_Package_%28level%29]this level[/url].

This thread will include myself, The Doctor, and Strider Hiryu. Now, without further adieu, "Ghosts of Reach".)

[i]Olympic Tower, Epoz, Reach
August 23, 2552
Approximately 19:30 Hours[/i]

Chaos.

The raid had gone on for five days now. Thousands had been evacuated, but hundreds of civilians had been killed, many soldiers as well. The entire fight for Reach seemed hopeless. Fire on several buildings and streets, gunfire both bullet and plasma down below and up above in aircraft. This one building, Olympic Tower? Central base of the entire UNSC Fleet Command, though the building was also known as ONI HQ for the Naval Intelligence department. And it was barely standing as of yet. Sure, it hadn't been attacked just yet, but how many plasma bombardments could they take?

SPARTAN-III designation [url=http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111117234222/halo/images/d/de/Default_Noble_6.png]Spartan-B312, also known as the latest Noble 6[/url] disembarked the [url=http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/UH-144_Falcon]Falcon[/url] on the extended landing pad and walked inside the building, his [url=http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/M392_Designated_Marksman_Rifle]designated marksman rifle[/url] in hand and a [url=http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/MA37_Individual_Combat_Weapon_System]MA37 assault rifle[/url] magnetically kept on his back. The comm towers were no longer jammed, so he was off to get to his team once more, or what was left of it since Jorge-052 died.

He was approximately two rooms away when he saw the green rips in space, akin to stationary plasma bolts, too thin to be fuel rods, but expanding, making a shapeless portal of sorts. Before it opened, he was aiming the rifle at it, just in case. A close quarters combat ODST and an approximately 19 year old civilian male dropped out, both landing on one knee, but the ODST stumbling a bit more.

The young man looked first. "Um... Sergeant Ian, where are we?"

The ODST looked around, seeming alarmed. Had this one missed the entire battle for Reach so far? "Oh sh**..." she muttered. She seemed to at least recognize where they were. Perhaps from videos or holo-stills.

An artificial intelligence, one with female programming, spoke, most likely of the Smart variety. [i]"Welcome to Reach 2552, soldier,"[/i] she said. [i]"Feet first, as you say. Might need to help the Bullfrogs."[/i] She didn't clarify that she meant the jetpack-using ODSTs stationed here.

"Sergeant Ian" seemed to notice the Spartan first, and seemed less unnerved than she should have been at the carnage outside. Perhaps they had been warned somehow? "Either shoot us or put the damned gun down. I wouldn't be surprised if you did either."

A familiar transmission, though a bit unnerving, came over the comm for her. [i]"I owe you one, Spartan. I'll see you in hell."[/i] Was that...Eddie Buck? Well he [i]had[/i] said he was on Reach. It was still....confusing. He cut out before she could answer him, likely one of the Falcons evacuating the city.

The male raised his hands to try to defend himself or at least say he meant no harm...but the gun was lowered. "Thank you, sir."

"Ian" spoke next. "Designation?"

"Beta Company, 312," he said flatly. "Or just B312."

"A new version? Well god[i]damn[/i] it all. I hate these damned projects."

"Just keep moving," he said really not in the mood for the typical ODST rivalry. He wasn't a II, and he wasn't that one for sure. "And what is that?"

She looked to the young man. "...Naito, didn't you close it?"

"It...normally closes on its own," "Naito" said. They looked...and waited.

This would probably be a little more complicated.

(Strider and Doc, you know how you're gonna have entrances through the portal and why.)