EssieBie

22 year old she/they green haired college dropout that your parents warned you about.

[harbinger-of-reason]

I've been replaying Halo: Infinite and a thought has occurred to me about the elites. Mostly that our last elite enemies were Jul 'Mdama's Storm Covenant. We know he was refusing to join The Arbiter because he still believed in The Great Journey. This makes sense from what we know in Halo's lore. The Sangheili were indoctrinated into this for generations. It's unlikely they or other Covenant species will just stop believing without directly seeing the evidence Thel saw or if they already trusted him like The Shipmaster did.

However, The Banished don't. They're unique among Covenant separatists groups in a lot of ways, including not believing in The Great Journey. So, why aren't the elites from The Banished just in Sangheili space? I asked that and then started to realize something. The Arbiter didn't create an independent Sangheilios. He started reforms. Including making doctors a respectable career among the sangheili and allowing women to serve in the military. Effectively, Thel Vadam created universal healthcare and started a feminist reform on his home planet.

So, I'm now wondering if The Banished elites are just the chud sangheili. Like these guys took one look at all the social progress and said "NO! WE DON'T LIKE THIS WOKE NONSENSE! WE WANT TO BE COOL SPACE CONQUERORS AGAIN! So we're gonna go join space Genghis Khan (Atriox)! Fuck you Cuckbiter!".

Am I crazy or does that seem like the plausible explanation?

[kovacs-on-the-ring]

Noble Team, Kat, and Beta Company.

So, I'm not the hugest enjoyer of Noble Team, most times I'm indifferent, they're mostly a victim of bungie's consistent inability to have the writing match the presentation, and that's not their fault.

A shower thought I had the other day, and while reading winter contention, was that Noble Team was a late war creation. If you check Carter's waypoint description, it outlines that Carter and Kat were the founding members of the squad.

And earliest that Kat joins the team is 2545, fresh off training at Onyx, while Carter is on his 9th to 10th year in the field. It's a weird dynamic to think about, that Kat was probably still handling voice cracks and being reminded of her old fireteam while she was acting as ambitious second in command. Kat would've been 15! She'd be a sophomore/junior in high school!

And then for Kat to survive the death of every squad member that began with her? Was she always the second in command? Or did she naturally take that place after being witness to every older member dying before her, leaving her as Carter's most trusted soldier. Halo Reach would never have touched on it even if it had the time, but like, this interests me!! That the other members of Noble exceed her in age and experience, that she never got the chance to be on a team that wasn't cycling members every year or so. That a Spartan-II, one of the people she studied during training, was put on the team and they all still looked to her for plans, for strategies.

If Kat were a more developed character, this had to have weighed on her, right? That she's survived where so many couldn't, that even when she was too young for a license--she made it to the next horizon. It makes me wonder how Carter and Kat's relationship developed, when Kat began to fulfill her role. Cryptanalyst is not a job title that comes regular with every Spartan. Did he nudge her to this path, was she there(perhaps wrongly as a 15 year old) emotionally for Carter after each awful death the team suffered? Were they Spartans Carter had fought alongside with across the years, having felt pride in leading? I know I know, this is all speculation for characters who weren't meant to have this level of scrutiny--yet, I feel one of the best parts of being a fan is taking pieces and implications, and forming stories out of them, forging worthwhile things from scraps of media you adore. Anyway will think more on this later, either on tumblr or the recesses of my mind, or a google doc.

[essiebie]

[essiebie]

“It occurred him that, after Reach fell, there was no one left that knew his name was John.”

- Halo, the Flood. Page 90.

STOPPPPP PLEASE I KNOW!!! I KNOW JOHNNNN

Why am I so distraught over a 41 year old man?

[essiebie]

*crawls out of the earth, bloody and burned and fear in my eyes*

P-*pant* Priority Tracking- it's coming back.

[essiebie]

Essie, you can't keep putting every piece of media you like into a Halo crossov-

You're right. That's why I use Destiny instead sometimes. Anyways:

The Astral Express ends up in the Sol System. IX is not an Aeon but an entity which presides over the fabric of reality. A moon sized satellite, reverently called the Traveler orbits around this little blue planet simply called Earth. Native to earth are humans. And Robots. And purple humans. And little talking balls of light. And... bugs? And these weird, massive gerbil looking things and whatever the hell is crawling around Earth's moon. And some of these beings just can't seem to stay dead, thanks to the Traveler. Or so the members of the Astral Express are told.

When the Astral Express meets with the leaders of this 'Vanguard' and explain their suspicions about a Stellaron existing somewhere on Earth, the bald, blue man who walks the path of Preservation declines their help, claiming that they've never heard of a Stellaron, but that someone called the Young Wolf has been dispatched to hunt down a rouge artifact left behind by the Witness's Black Fleet. (Whatever that means to the Astral Express.) However, they're welcome to join them to confirm any suspicions they may have.

Trailblazer's chaotic silent protagonist with bad luck on rolls senses begin tingling.

And while they explore the Vanguard's headquarters, they encounter many other beings who categorize themselves the same way one might walk the paths of Aeons. Hunters tread the line between the Hunt, Nihility and Destruction. Titans, they call themselves, embody Destruction, Preservation and even Abundance. Warlocks dance gracefully with the Harmony, the Abundance and Erudition. And all are capable of harnessing any element as effortlessly as a fish treads through water.

Trailblazer is a Solar Titan (ugly shoulder pads and all). Dan Heng is a Tangle Hunter. March is obviously a Stasis Warlock.

Or, vice versa; Zavala is a Quantum Preservation, Ikora is Lightening Erudition and Cayde is Fire Hunt. (Maybe Imaginary? Those who've finished Final Shape pls confirm?)

The Astral Express learns why these Rahool and Xur guys are so revered, and the Vanguard learns the power beheld within one cute, oversized, talking rabbit.

[essiebie]

"I love women yaoi'

I say, completely, momentarily forgetting that yuri is a term that already exists.

[essiebie]

Was really hoping to have the first chapter to Priority Tracking's sequel out by the fic's anniversary (Nov 6th) but unless someone wants to babysit me at my desk,,, it's looking bleak.

[essiebie]

Y’know when I said yesterday was gonna be bleak I didn’t mean it like this!!!!

[essiebie]

Was really hoping to have the first chapter to Priority Tracking's sequel out by the fic's anniversary (Nov 6th) but unless someone wants to babysit me at my desk,,, it's looking bleak.

[essiebie]

Just learned how Spartans kiss.

These emotionally stunted 50 year olds are so cute I hate themmmmmm

[glam-rock-space-wizard]

Op you can't just say this and not elaborate I have to know

[essiebie]

They brush two fingers along their visor where their mouth would be! If a Spartan does it on themself it’s a smile and if they do it to the other Spartan it’s a kiss!!!!

[essiebie]

Just learned how Spartans kiss.

These emotionally stunted 50 year olds are so cute I hate themmmmmm

[essiebie]

I was literally just talking about these guys!

[essiebie]

In light of the inevitable cancelling of the Halo TV series, I just wanna point out that if paramount really wanted a serialized story that takes place during the Human/Covenant war but has nothing to do with the actual Halo array and feature Spartans with discernible personalities and people that don’t trust/like said Spartans from the get-go and the fall of Madrigal is important; they basically already had a screenplay written out for them years ago.

I swear to god Cole Protocol reads less like a novel and more like a script for a tv series. Almost no character introspection or descriptive narration just: Delgado did this, Delgado said that. Plain as day actions and daytime televisions quality dialogue.

I swear the entire time I was reading it I thought that bungie or whoever is in charge of the halo books reached out to Buckle and said ‘hey, we need a screenplay for a series’ and instead of making something with the screen play they just printed it out instead. The chapters are rarely more than 8 pages long, (usually only 3/4) and change every time a character enters or exits a room, or hell, whenever the conversation topic changes! That’s not a chapter, that’s a scene!!! Idk how the rest of the Gray team books go, I dread reading them because I really hope they aren’t written in this same format.

Cole Protocol had so much potential with its plot and characters and simply didn’t hit because it clearly was not made to be read, it was made to be watched.

Where was I going with this? Oh right, delete the silver timeline and have paramount work on serializing pre-existing Halo stories instead of trying to retcon the games.

[essiebie]

RIP the Master Chief you would've hated tumblr. And just about every other form of social media.

I think he'd appreciate those hour long YouTube video essays though. Man's always been an attentive learner.

[essiebie]

I keep plotting out halo/cod crossovers in the sense of cod characters in a halo setting (with an x reader plot) but what if I switch things around a little and put the halo characters in a cod setting? Huh, what then?

What if Alpha-9 had a botched mission in Kenya, not long after Konni’s attack in the UK tunnels? What if TF141, itching for something to shoot at after their own botched mission are sent in to help A9 pick up the pieces? What if Sadie’s there, and Vergil is a service dog, and Nikolai is helping them in a B-line side story just like Sadie’s adventures through New Mombasa were discovered in game with the terminals? What if it all comes together toward the end, and Nik helping Sadie pays off in the same way that Rookie finding all the terminals pays off in the level Data Hive?

Yeah that’s what I thought.

Think about Buck’s moody ass trying to lead the op with clouded judgement after mickey’s desertion and rookie’s presumed KIA, and Price (who’s like, totally known for being level headed especially around other authority figures) swoops in and starts giving orders! We all remember how happy Buck was to get a new captain in ODST!

Imagine Ghost and Romeo being sent on recon and they both have such distinct type of smart assery that at the end of the missions it’s a miracle ghost didn’t kill that arrogant yank. ‘Didnt Buck order you to keep your mouth shut’ ‘what, you gonna field marshal me?’

Imagine a bridge needs to be blown for some god-forsaken reason, and with Mickey AWOL, Dutch is left to fill that void but in swoops Soap, fresh off medical leave to concoct all new types of mayhem. Soap probably had an easier time learning Spanish than trying to understand Dutch’s accent. And vice versa.

Gaz being sent out to the harbor to do some undercover recon with Dare, he can’t help but think back on his usual banter with Laswell as dare shit talks her ex boyfriend who totally isn’t her sergeant.

Nik and Sadie are walking the streets of Mombasa, looking for Dr.Endesha, and they meet a really nice kebab salesman! :)

Buck and Dare are making out in one corner of the elevator on the way to the parking garage. Ghost and Soap are making out in the other. Poor Gaz, Sadie and Vergil just trying to mind their business.

Vergil and Riley have doggie play dates (no they wouldn’t they’re both highly trained career dogs and would barely glance at one another if they were ever in the same room because they’re too lazered in on their tasks)

Dutch old man ranting to Price, Nik and Laswell, talking about how much he misses his wife and just wants to retire, they’re all in the same boat one way or another.

[essiebie]

The whole reason Nik got called to Mombasa is because without Mickey, Laswell knows neither team has a pilot. Price and Buck can’t always be everyone’s taxi drivers. Dutch and Ghost can drive, sure, but should they? (Feel like there’s a Flying Dutchman joke in there somewhere) Rookie can drive but no one ever knows where he fucking is!!

Don’t plan on including Roach since there’s not really a reboot equivalent for him, but him and Rookie in the same mission for some reason? Laswell is on overwatch and she doesn’t pick up a single word from either of them over the coms. Still somehow the most productive duo out of those whole collaboration.

Also I just know Price wouldn’t be able to stand Romeo. Just know it. Old man would have no tolerance for his chauvinism. So long as Romeo ain’t bothering Dare, Buck doesn’t care and Price would call both of them out about it.

I think Ghost would be kinda intimidated by or at the very least hold a lot of respect for Sadie. 19 year old civilian getting caught up in this mess with terrorists, charging head first and making it through with her wits in tact and has no problem holding her ground. If anyone’s gonna teach her to shoot a gun, it’s Ghost.

And I think he’d have a soft spot service dog Vergil. Gaz and Soap both give him shit for it ofc.

Don’t even get me started on a TFT141 and Noble crossover (please don’t I’m too brain dead rn)

[essiebie]

I keep plotting out halo/cod crossovers in the sense of cod characters in a halo setting (with an x reader plot) but what if I switch things around a little and put the halo characters in a cod setting? Huh, what then?

What if Alpha-9 had a botched mission in Kenya, not long after Konni’s attack in the UK tunnels? What if TF141, itching for something to shoot at after their own botched mission are sent in to help A9 pick up the pieces? What if Sadie’s there, and Vergil is a service dog, and Nikolai is helping them in a B-line side story just like Sadie’s adventures through New Mombasa were discovered in game with the terminals? What if it all comes together toward the end, and Nik helping Sadie pays off in the same way that Rookie finding all the terminals pays off in the level Data Hive?

Yeah that’s what I thought.

Think about Buck’s moody ass trying to lead the op with clouded judgement after mickey’s desertion and rookie’s presumed KIA, and Price (who’s like, totally known for being level headed especially around other authority figures) swoops in and starts giving orders! We all remember how happy Buck was to get a new captain in ODST!

Imagine Ghost and Romeo being sent on recon and they both have such distinct type of smart assery that at the end of the missions it’s a miracle ghost didn’t kill that arrogant yank. ‘Didnt Buck order you to keep your mouth shut’ ‘what, you gonna field marshal me?’

Imagine a bridge needs to be blown for some god-forsaken reason, and with Mickey AWOL, Dutch is left to fill that void but in swoops Soap, fresh off medical leave to concoct all new types of mayhem. Soap probably had an easier time learning Spanish than trying to understand Dutch’s accent. And vice versa.

Gaz being sent out to the harbor to do some undercover recon with Dare, he can’t help but think back on his usual banter with Laswell as dare shit talks her ex boyfriend who totally isn’t her sergeant.

Nik and Sadie are walking the streets of Mombasa, looking for Dr.Endesha, and they meet a really nice kebab salesman! :)

Buck and Dare are making out in one corner of the elevator on the way to the parking garage. Ghost and Soap are making out in the other. Poor Gaz, Sadie and Vergil just trying to mind their business.

Vergil and Riley have doggie play dates (no they wouldn’t they’re both highly trained career dogs and would barely glance at one another if they were ever in the same room because they’re too lazered in on their tasks)

Dutch old man ranting to Price, Nik and Laswell, talking about how much he misses his wife and just wants to retire, they’re all in the same boat one way or another.

[essiebie]

Ever since someone said ADHD folks live their lives in 30 minute intervals otherwise their already strenuous task management ability go kapoot: know I have been working to break that stereotype by living in 20 minutes intervals instead. I have to be at work at 5, it takes me about 10 min to walk from the shop where I hang out during breaks back to my job. So naturally, I’ll leave at 4:40. The old me woulda left at 4:30. Progress.

[essiebie]

What chapter planning for part 2 of Priority Tracking looks like. No, I don’t know what any of this means anymore.

You can read part 1 over on AO3 btw!! I literally set up this account to accompany my fics and then proceeded to never link them.

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