13 Chapter 13

The Robotic Battalion which was still under the command of Axel had officially been given it's own individual assignment. Hammer would be the Commander of the Battalion as they embarked on many mission across the Outer Colony worlds.

But this is also prompted the Top Brass to put in an order for another 2 Battalions to be created to combat the increasing insurrectionists movements across the colonial worlds.

The creation of two more Battalions raised more than a few eyebrows within the rank and file. Some thought this showed weakness on their part, an overreaction to the insurrectionist uprisings; others felt it was a necessary move dictated by a rapidly evolving battlefield. However, most agreed that these robotic soldiers were far more reliable alternatives to human foot soldiers - devoid of fear, fatigue or trepidity.

Hammer the Commander of the 1st Robotic Battalion began deploying his battalion across various hotspots in the Outer Colony worlds. The Robotic Battalion made great strides in subduing pockets of rebellion in seemingly record time. Their speed and precision were their prized traits, and they performed surgical strikes with an eerie calm and efficiency that was difficult for their human commanders to comprehend.

They were supported by a other ground forces and Air forces who actually enjoyed working alongside the Robotic units.

For the Airforce they were just happy to drop bombs on enemy positions so the presence of the Robotic Units didn't effect them much.

But for the Marines it was different since they had to watch as the Robotic Battalion gained victory after victory while they turned into just a supporting unit.

This shift in dynamics did not bode well with some of the Marines. What was initially a sense of awe and respect for the robotic units, gradually morphed into an undercurrent of resentment and envy. The Marine commanders were eager to prove their worth, not willing to be overshadowed by mere machines.

It was now the year 2513, two years after Axel led the Robotic Battalion on their first mission and 9 Months after the start of the Spartan program.

So far the training for the Spartans were going well. Just like in the normal Halo timeline Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mendez was the one training the Spartans with a dummy temporary AI named Deja which was created by Halsey to assist in the training of the Spartans.

While that was going on, Axel was to be sent back to Earth for a few days to meet with Fleet Admiral Ross.

Axel didn't know why the Chairman of the UNSC wanted to meet with him, and he wasn't exactly in a position to decline the visit either.

But the Spartan Program was heading in the right direction and had already been a success, so on May 18th 2513, Axel boarded a transport ship and was taken back to Earth for the first time in years.

As the transport ship entered orbit above earth and slowly descended into the atmosphere, Axel found himself staring down at the planet he used to call home. He saw the swirling clouds and vast oceans he remembered.

Upon landing on the surface at a space port, Axel was immediately escorted to Fleet Admiral Ross's office; a grand, ornate room filled with relics of war and adorned with medals of valor.

Axel stood there, as he waited for Ross to greet him.

The Fleet Admiral finally emerged from behind a tall, oak door, his stern but seasoned face revealing years of military experience. He greeted Axel with a firm handshake and motioned for him to sit.

"Commander Axel," began Ross in his graveled voice. "Your Robotic Battalion has proven highly effective. Your work is commendable."

Axel nodded in response. "It's to be expected as I have made them for this particular situation, sir."

Ross nodded hearing Axel's response since he could tell that the Commander was confident in his intelligence, so much so that he was confident in the MCU's abilities and their usefulness.

"Your achievements thus far have been extremely effective and useful to our fighting ability against the insurrectionists. And I am eager to see what more you can do in the coming years" Stated Admiral Ross.

"Though there are those that don't like your quick success and dislike it even more that you have been able to rank up so quickly" Added Admiral Ross

Axel smirked hearing this as he was well aware of a few people who didn't like his quick success.

"I am well aware of that Admiral, But I can't help it when I just have so much to offer the UNSC" Said Axel.

Ross smirked at this statement by Axel "Which is why it is my honor to congratulate you on your new promotion Captain" Admiral Ross handed Axel a pair of insignia which had four bars and a single star.

"It was a Pain in my ass to hear those other Admiral's complain about it but at the end of the day I ultimately make the decision and my decision is to promote you" Stated Admiral Ross.

"Thank you Sir, But I'm assuming with this rank comes new responsibilities or perhaps you want me to develop something new" Asked Axel since he could tell that there were some ulterior motives behind the Admirals decision.

"Perhaps" Answered Admiral Ross. "I want to put your skills to the test and see the extent of your knowledge. Your reputation for deciphering Forerunner artifacts during your time in school was well-known, and you uncovered valuable information that could greatly benefit the UNSC as a whole. I'm curious to see how much of that knowledge you can apply now." The admiral's words were direct and determined.

"So with your promotion I will reward you with a Halcyon-class light cruiser which was just recently created back in 2510. Your task is to develop robotic units specifically trained to function as the crew for this vessel," stated Admiral Ross

Axel guessed, "You must want to advance the efforts of the 1st Robotic Battalion by creating a fleet of robotic units that can make strategic decisions and effectively combat the insurrectionists in the Outer Colonies."

"Precisely, But first we must start with a single ship and see how that works, and if that is successful then I can see about forming a fleet of robotic units commanded by a Human Admiral" Explained Admiral Ross

Axel took a moment to process the Admiral's words. A fleet of robotic units under a human command - that would indeed be a groundbreaking development, though it would anger a lot of High ranking people in all branches of the UNSC.

"Understood, Admiral," Axel replied. "I'll get to work right away."

Admiral Ross nodded, leaning back in his chair with evident satisfaction, "Good. You'll have all the resources and manpower you need. This is of utmost importance, we can't afford to lose any more human lives on the field."

"Aye sir," responded Axel with a nod, saluting before turning around to leave the office.

He boarded a transport back to Algolis where the Halcyon-class light cruiser would be delivered in the coming months.

Meanwhile Misriah Armory an armaments manufacturer based on the planet Mars had began their own development of Robotic Units.

Axel success at creating the MCU's had caught their attention and what more is the amount of funding he was given to build more of them. Misriah Armory was contracted for building basically all of the UNSC military equipment and vehicles and they were making a lot of money from it.

The development of Robotic technology offered them new technology in which they could mass produce for the UNSC. But first they wanted to get am insight into the technology in which Axel produced so they sent a representative to UNSC to negotiate getting the design for the MCU's in hopes to replicated and make their own version of it.