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And this would only add to a long list of challenges With a final target class four tier than the SPARTAN-IIs', a severely truncated training schedule, and the need for these Spartans in the war increasing every month, Kurt, in fact, expected a disaster
The Pelican jet transports swooped down on final approach and angled their thrusters
The sod on the parade field rippled like velvet One by one they gingerly touched down
Although Kurt's MJOLNIR arnia, he nonetheless felt the weight of his new lieutenant's bars They pressed down on hiht of the entire war and future of humanity rested squarely upon his shoulders
"Sir?" a voice whispered into his COM
The voice belonged to the artificial intelligence Eternal Spring It was officially assigned to the planetary survey team stationed in the northern section of this peninsula
Kurt wasn't sure why Colonel Ackerson had insisted that Camp Currahee be built next to the facility He was sure, however, there had been a reason
"Go ahead Spring"
"Updated details on the candidates available," it said
"Thanks"
"Thankterminated transry bees
Cajoled by Section Three brass, Eternal Spring had agreed to devote 9 percent of its runtime to the SPARTAN-III project The AI was of the "smart" variety, which e capacity or creativity Despite its occasional theatrics, Kurt was happy for its help
Kurt blinked and accessed the candidates' data on his heads-up display Each naround files There were 497 of them, a collection of four-, five-, and six-year-old children that he so force unparalleled in the history of warfare
The hatch on the nearest Pelican opened with a hiss, and a tall ed well His trim body looked chiseled from ironwood, but the hair was now silver, and there were deep creases around his eyes and a set of ragged scars that ran brow to chin
"Chief" Kurt resisted the urge to snap to attention as Mendez saluted As odd as it felt, Kurt was now his co officer
Kurt returned his salute
"Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez reporting for duty, sir"
After the SPARTAN-II prograned to active duty He'd fought the Covenant on five worlds, and been awarded two purple hearts
"You were briefed on the flight?"
"Completely," Mendez said As he looked Kurt over in his MjOLNIR armor, emotions played over his face; awe, approval, and resolve "We'll get these new recruits trained, sir"
This was precisely the response Kurt had hoped for Mendez was a legend a the Spartans He had tricked, trapped, and tortured them as children They all hated, and then learned to adht--and hoin
"Do they let Spartans drink now?" Mendez asked
"Chief?"
"A bad joke, sir We ht both need one before this day is over," he said "The new trainees are, well, sir, a little wild I don't know if either of us is ready for this"
Mendez turned to the Pelicans, inhaled, and yelled, "Recruits, fallout!"
Kids streamed off dropship ra clu cooped up for hours, they ild A feever, milled near the ships, dark circles under their eyes, and they huddled tighter
Adult handlers herded therass
"You've read Lord of the Flies, sir?" Mendez y will not hold These children will have guidance
They will have disciphne And they have one thing no ordinary children have, not even the SPARTAN-II candidates Motivation"
Kurt linked to the camp's PA He cleared his throat and the sound rumbled over the field like thunder
Nearly five hundred crazed children stopped in their tracks, fell silent, and turned a emerald armor "Attention, recruits," Kurt said and stood akireat hardships to be here 1 know each of you has lost your loved ones on Jericho VII, Harvest, and Biko The Covenant has made orphans of you all"
Every kid stared at hi in their eyes, others with pure burning hatred
"1 aht, a chance to become the best soldiers the UNSC has ever produced, a chance to destroy the Covenant I a you a chance to be like me: a Spartan"
The kids crowded before hi pale green arh," Kurt continued "There are five hundred of you
We have three hundred training slots So tonight Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez"--he nodded to the Chief--"has devised a way to separate those who truly want this opportunity from those who do not"
Kurt handed him a tablet reader "Chief?"
To his credit Mendez registered shock for only a split second He scanned the tablet, frowned, but nodded
"Yes, sir," he whispered
Mendez yelled at the children, "You want to be Spartans? Then get back on those ships"
They stood shocked, staring at hiuess we found a feashouts You" He pointed to one child at random "You
And you"
The chosen kids looked at each other, at the ground, and then shook their heads
"No?" Mendez said "Then get on those Pelicans"
They did so, and so did the others, a slow shuffling procession
"Drill instructors," Mendez said
Three dozen NCOs snapped to attention
"You will find Falcon Wing aerial descent units on the field Load them ASAP and make sure your trainees are properly fit-led Their safe deployment is now your responsibility"
The DIs nodded and ran toward the bundled Falcon Wing backpacks
The Chief turned back to Kurt "You're going to ht?"
"The Falcons are the safest drop units," Kurt replied
"With respect, sir, some of them are only four years old"