Editing Mike Spenser

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Character infobox
|variant=Human
|name=Mike Spenser
|image=
|homeworld=
|birth=2494-2503
|death=
|causeofdeath=
|parents=
|siblings=
|spouses=
|children=
|species=[[Human]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|mass=
|hair=Gray
|eyes=
|affiliation=*[[Colonial Administration Authority]]
**[[Department of Colonial Security]]
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
|rank=
|sn=
|notable=[[Sangheili#Language|Sangheili]] speaker and translator
}}

'''Mike Spenser''', callsign '''Kilo-39''', is an agent of the [[Department of Colonial Security]] working closely in concert with the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] as an interpreter and spy. By [[2553]], he was in his late fifties.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 154''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 50''</ref> His knowledge of [[Sangheili]] dialects surpassed that of Professor [[Evan Phillips]].<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 113''</ref>

==Biography==
Mike Spenser is an experienced veteran spook who spent most of his career listening to enemy voice traffic, starting with colonial insurgents and later Covenant. Earlier in his career, he worked with [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Serin Osman]], whom he nicknamed "Oz". She was only 16 at the time working undercover as a cadet on a study attachment, the name stuck from then on.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 204''</ref>

By early 2553, he was operating a temporary listening station on [[Reynes]], a [[glassing|glassed]] mining colony. For [[2551|two years]], he lived in the station, which was based inside one of the mines on the barren planet. He was entirely alone there, with the exception of an [[Unggoy]] that cleaned his base, and several [[Kig-Yar]] that he traded with.

In [[2553#January|January 2553]], he was relieved of his duties on the planet, and was to be picked up by the [[Kilo-Five]]'s [[UNSC prowler|corvette]] {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}}. [[Malcolm Geffen]] and [[Vasily Beloi]] extracted Spenser from the planet but not before they were involved in a brief firefight with several Kig-Yar, who were attempting to claim the team's dropship for themselves. Soon after, he was transferred to the [[UNSC destroyer]] ''[[UNSC Monte Cassino|Monte Cassino]]'' over [[Venezia]]'s orbit and taken back to [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] for debriefing. Shortly afterward, he was assigned to monitor resurgent rebel and [[black market]] activity brewing on [[Venezia]], with a cover identity as an electrician named Mike Amberley.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''pages 442-443''</ref>

Later in March, Mal Geffen and Vaz Beloi were assigned to meet up with Spenser. Once in Spenser's hideout in the city of [[New Tyne]], Spenser showed them pictures of all the insurrectionist leaders based on the planet. They looked through the pictures and found one of them to be [[Naomi-010]]'s father, [[Staffan Sentzke]]. Kilo-Five's investigation was put on hold when they had to commence a rescue mission on [[Sanghelios]].

In April, Kilo-Five returned to Venezia to resume its investigation. With Spenser's help, Vaz and Naomi went undercover as UNSC deserters and investigated Venezia's black markets. During their investigation of insurrectionist activity on the planet, they spotted Staffan Sentzke in company with the possessor of ''[[Pious Inquisitor]]'', [[Skirmisher]] [[Sav Fel]]. Spenser confirmed their identities and later suggested that they should tail Fel to find the ship. He told Naomi her father's address and reminded Vaz that the Kig-Yar had a [[Mev-ut|bounty]] on them for their actions on Reynes. Shortly thereafter, Naomi was pulled out and substituted by Mal. Spenser was surprised by how in a few days Mal and Vaz had managed to infiltrate the Venezian militia. He revealed that it had taken him more than two weeks to infiltrate the militia's barracks.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 173''</ref> After Vaz and Mal located the ''Pious Inquisitor'', Spenser helped Kilo-Five attempt to remotely seize control of the ship using a transmitter on Venezia. However, Black box's intrusion was foiled by the ship's [[Huragok]], [[Sometimes Sinks]]. Shortly after,  Mal and Vaz were abducted by the militia, BB alerted Spenser that they had been compromised. Spenser cleared his communications room and went on the run, leaving his hideout. He later signaled Kilo-Five his location and was extracted from New Tyne after Naomi and Devereaux had rescued Mal and Vaz.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 299''</ref> 

While onboard ''Port Stanley'', Spenser and Phillips conversed together in Sangheili, comparing different dialects. Spenser then notified Mal of an incoming signal to Staffan's radio. Sometimes Sinks alerted them that a Kig-Yar [[piracy|pirate]] crew were attempting to commandeer the ''Pious Inquisitor''. Kilo-Five planned to board the ship and eliminate the Kig-Yar pirates. When Spenser asked if there was role in their mission he could take part in, Osman told him to sit out of the ship's boarding and manage the comms with Phillips.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 403''</ref> 

Kilo-Five eventually succeeded in preventing the battlecruiser from being used against Earth. With their mission concluded, Kilo-Five was granted shore leave. Before ''Port Stanley'' headed out to the planet [[Cascade]], Spenser monitored Sangheili communications chatter with Phillips. He was later dropped off at the [[refit station]], ''[[Anchor 10]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 476''</ref>

==='''Sarcophagus and second Onyx conflict'''===
Spenser worked as a liaison between the Pax Institute and ONI Research Facility Trevelyan and escorted specific groups and high-value assets that left [[Paxopolis]] for excursions, retreats, or academic field trips.{{Ref/Novel|HLOO|Chapter=15}}

After instructing the students of Pax institute about his three rules,he led them into the Repository but had to leave to look at an issue that had come up. He later fought and distracted a [[Rafakrit]] released by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] long enough for all the students to make it back it back to their transport. He ducked under and hid behind many of the vehicles parked in the Repository. When [[Kasha 'Hilot]] and [[Gudam Keschun]] were keeping the creature busy, he was attempting to start up one of the [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog| Gauss Hogs]]. He later succeeded and drove it out of the hangar and after quickly clambering into the turret, opened fire and brought down the Rafakrit.{{Ref/Novel|HLOO|Chapter=16}}

==Personality and traits==
Mike Spenser had operated listening stations in remote, dangerous, and lonely places like deep in heart of Covenant space. To combat isolation and lack of companionship, he would befriend alien species like Unggoy and Kig-Yar or just talk to himself to prevent forgetting how to speak. Spenser is noted for being incredibly resourceful when it comes to technology. He tinkered with equipment dating back to the early [[Insurrection]], having had to maintain the obsolete technology for long periods of time.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 214''</ref>

As an undercover agent, Spenser demonstrated great ability in being able to assume a new identity. During his time on Venezia, he maintained his undercover persona as New Tyne resident, Mike Amberley, an electrician on the run for embezzling funds from the CAA. Vaz concluded that civilian spooks like Spenser must possess astonishing memories or have the ability to forget who they really were in such a field.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 174''</ref> 

Spenser is also an avid [[cigarette]] smoker. The fingertips of his right-hand were stained with nicotine. While he was onboard ''Port Stanley'', [[Requires Adjustment]] and [[Leaks Repaired]] did not allow him to smoke in the ship's hangar.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 210''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 395''</ref> 

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Human characters|Spenser, Mike]]
[[Category:UNSC personnel|Spenser, Mike]]