O'Brien (Heian): Difference between revisions

'''O'Brien''' is a [[sniper]] and an [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] in the [[105th Shock Troops Division]] who participated in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. At some time between [[2540]] and [[2551]], he was assigned to a squad led by [[Master Sergeant]] [[Cortez]] as a part of the Marine contingent aboard the [[UNSC destroyer|destroyer]] {{UNSCShip|Kronstadt}}.{{Ref/Film|[[Halo Legends]]|Story=The Babysitter}}<ref>Taylor H. Miles, who particpated in the mission on Heian, enlisted in 2540, meaning the mission took place during or after 2540. During the mission, Cal-141 wore the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV|Mark IV MJOLNIR armor]], which was replaced by the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] in November 2551.</ref>

O'Brien and a team of fellow Helljumpers were charged with assassinating a [[Unidentified Prophet (Heian)|Prophet]] who was overseeing Covenant logistic operations on [[Heian]]. O'Brien was to serve as the backup sniper in the mission. He felt this was an insult to his abilities and was even more shocked to learn that a [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan-II]], [[Cal-141]], was the mission's primary sniper.

The squad was deployed to the planet using the cover of a meteor shower. Upon landing, O'Brien's [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]] crashed into a cliff and fell into a swamp. The fall damaged the oxygen tank and the pod began to sink.

Cortez and [[Taylor Miles|Dutch]] hurried to save O'Brien but stopped short due to the thick mud in the swamp. The Spartan calmly walked to the pod, and with some effort, lifted the pod and tossed it out of the swamp. She then pried the door loose to let O'Brien exit. The ODST was shocked by the sudden action and was disheartened by the loss of his squadmate [[Checkman]], who had died during atmospheric entry. Along the way, he frequently needled Cal, showing his contempt for the SPARTAN despite the fact that, without Cal's help, he would have drowned in his pod.

During the operation, he was attacked by a [[Jiralhanae]] [[Unidentified Jiralhanae chieftain (Heian)|chieftain]] wielding a [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] while attempting to kill an [[Unggoy]] he had alerted. However, before the chieftain's gravity hammer struck O'Brien, Cal caught it in her hand. However, O'Brien was swept aside and rolled down an embankment, losing both his weapons in the fall. Fortunately, O'Brien managed to grab a root that hung precariously over a waterfall. From this position, he watched the Spartan battle the Brute, which she ultimately kicked off the waterfall after gouging out its right eye.

Cal saved O'Brien again when she pulled him away from the waterfall. However, he seemed unappreciative as he yelled at her to put him down, and then snapped at Dutch, who told him to quiet down before alerting more Covenant patrols. His anger and contempt toward Cal grew more intense when Dutch reminded him that Cal had saved his life twice already and that he should have thanked the Spartan.

The group eventually arrived at the sniping position just as the Prophet's dropship was touching down. While the Sprtan was preparing her sniper rifle to make the shot, the Brute chieftain ambushed the team. Before O'Brien could be struck unaware from behind, Cal saved him, taking the blow from the chieftain's gravity hammer.

The ODSTs tackled the chieftain to the ground and Dutch shot the Brute in the face with his [[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun|SMG]]. As Cortez removed Cal's helmet to assess the extent of the SPARTAN's injuries, O'Brien was shocked to discover that Cal was female. Cal, realizing that she could no longer function as a sniper due to extent of her injuries, yelled to O'Brien to take the shot. At first he hesitated, but he took up the sniper rifle and killed the Prophet.

O'Brien and the team remained with Cal until her death. Back on the destroyer, O'Brien remained silent, not saying a word even when the rest of the squad angrily scolded [[Berger]] for mocking Cal's abilities in battle. He thought deeply about how Cal had continuously saved his life.