21st Space Assault Battalion

The 21st Space Assault Battalion (21st SAB/ODST), also known as the Black Daggers, is a veteran battalion of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, a special operations capable reconnaissance force of the UNSC Marine Corps.

History
The Black Daggers have a long history of combating Insurrectionists. At some point prior to March 2526, they led a raid on a United Rebel Front-controlled supply depot at Bomogin, capturing it before the rebels even knew they were there.

By March 8, 2526 they were assigned to Captain Halima Ascot's Task Force Yama for the duration of Operation: SILENT STORM, a mission with the goal of stealthily boarding and destroying as many Covenant vessels as possible and buy time for humanity. At this time, the battalion was led by Colonel Marmon Crowther. Although Captain Ascot had full authority over the task force, once the ODSTs and the complement of twelve Spartans were deployed, command would transfer to Colonel Crowther. During the slipspace journey to Biko, Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson began working with the Black Daggers as they trained against the Spartans. At first, the marines proved to be no match for the Spartans, but that all changed when Johnson introduced some new, unorthodox strategies. He began spending the "lives" of his men like coins, buying opportunities to deal hard blows to the Spartans. This was a tactic that no sane UNSC commander would utilize except in the most dire circumstances, but it was one that the Covenant was known to use often. While the Spartans continued to outclass the individual ODSTs, victory was no longer certain when facing large numbers who now knew how to coordinate an effective assault. Four days into the training, Colonel Crowther had the entire battalion of Black Daggers gather to be briefed on his plan to board and destroy Covenant vessels. The Spartans would be split up, with each of the twelve being assigned to a single platoon. They would be the ones carrying the nukes. However, John-117 disagreed with this plan and Johnson backed him up. Ultimately the plan would change to one more suited to the Spartans' skills.

They first saw action in an abandoned ice quarry on the third moon of Biko. Initially the Black Daggers took heavy losses as they were unaware the position was occupied by Insurrectionists, who were prepared for an insertion, albeit they expected one from the Covenant. Eventually, however, they managed to successfully take the Quarry.

When the Covenant arrived, the Battalion was evacuated in the Prowlers.

After Operation: SILENT STORM, the remaining members of the battalion were dispersed to train other units. As a result, during Operation: OBLIVION, Admiral Cole didn't have anyone available to send with Blue Team and instead had to rely on regular infantry Marines.

Personnel

 * Colonel Marmon Crowther - Battalion CO - KIA
 * Captain Zelos Cuvier - Alpha Company CO - KIA
 * Lieutenant Nelly Hamm - Alpha Company, First Platoon CO (Later Captain, Cuvier's replacement)
 * Lieutenant Nolan Connor - Alpha Company, First Platoon CO (Hamm's replacement)

List of appearances

 * Halo: Silent Storm
 * Halo: Oblivion