Editing Halo: From the Soil to the Stars

{{Title|''Halo: From the Soil to the Stars''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Novel infobox
|name=''Halo: From the Soil to the Stars''
|variant=Anthology
|image=
|author=
*[[Alex Wakeford]]
*[[Jeff Easterling]]
|cover artist=
|illustrator=
|editor=
|audio=[[Alex Wakeford]]
|publisher=[[Halo Studios]]
|publication=[[2025#March|March 12, 2025]]
|media=Short story
|length=
|ISBN=
|series=[[Halo Waypoint Chronicle]]s
|preceded=''[[Halo: Whispers from the Pyre]]''
|followed=
|multiseries=
|notable=
}}
'''''Halo: From the Soil to the Stars''''' is an entry in the [[Halo Waypoint Chronicle]] series of short stories published by [[Halo Studios]], intended for release on [[2025#March|March 12, 2025]]. It is set to coincide with the ''[[Blue Team (Operation)|Blue Team]]'' multiplayer event in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' and follows the members of [[Blue Team]] testing their new [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|MJOLNIR [GEN3]]] armors weeks before their return to [[Reach]] for [[Operation: WOLFE]], an event depicted in the novel ''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''. The chronicle fleshes out the [[Step Inside]] trailer, taking place around the [[KC-59|same planet]] and [[Perihelion Station|space station]].{{Ref/Site|Id=BlueTeam|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/blue-team-operation-launch|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Blue Team Operation Launch|D=12|M=3|Y=2025}} The story's name comes from the phrase written at the end of the ''[[Lightbringers]]'' trailer for ''Halo Infinite''.{{Ref/Marketing|HINF|UNSC Archives|Lightbringers}}

==Official synopsis==
{{Article quote|September 2559. As the ''{{UNSCShip|Infinity}}''’s crew prepare to return to Reach for Operation: WOLFE, the legendary Spartans of Blue Team field test their GEN3 Mjolnir armor alongside ODSTs of the Ninth Platoon.}}

==Plot summary==
Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] reflects on her decades of dedication to the Spartans, who she has nurtured and developed: Sacrificing her own wellbeing, pouring her mind, body, and soul into their training and enhancement, all in the name of saving humanity, she at first focused on protecting humanity from itself, then from the Covenant. Now, she faces the consequences of countless decisions that demand the Spartans to bring the galaxy from the brink.

Addressing [[John-117]], Halsey acknowledges his capability to overcome the odds. Though the Mjolnir exosuit is finally complete and will save humanity in the upcoming war, she understands that the suit's true potential from its liquid crystal or titanium alloy is meaningless without the strength and resolve of the person who steps inside it.

On September 19, 2559 at 0600 hours in [[KC-59]]'s [[BXR Mining Corporation]] basecamp, [[Henrietta Varadi]] wakes up in the subterranean sleeping quarters she shares with over 24 fellow miners. After a quick shower out of their modest bunks, she dresses in her BXR fatigues and heads to the canteen for the usual breakfast of two slightly overcooked sausages, beans, mushrooms, and a slice of bacon, which she manages to charm [[Jessica]] into giving her an extra slice. Their daily ritual has become a comforting routine in recent weeks.

After finishing her meal, Varadi returns to her bunk and picks up her book, a well-worn copy of ''[[Rendezvous with Ramen]]'' by [[Arturo Bustamante]]. She immerses her 15 pre-shift minutes in the solace of an anecdote about Bustamante's three days in a [[Sangheili]] refugee-owned [[Rio de Janeiro]] establishment.

However, the sound of the klaxon interrupts her reading a few pages short, and she suits up in her [[OSTEO combat engineering suit]] and meets her team at the massive circular vault door that separates their living quarters from the operations center. The vault door opens, after a rigorous safety check involving internal, pressure, and oxygen systems, to reveal a vast cavern of KC-59, nicknamed "Casey." This desolate planet holds immense value for the [[United Nations Space Command]] due to its extensive titanium deposits, crucial for humanity's interstellar production.

Foreman [[Brine]]'s empathic voice during Varadi's company entry echoes, reminding her of the importance of titanium in military and civilian applications. Varadi understands that the titanium they are mining is destined for [[ONI Materials Group]] [[Perihelion Station]], where [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)]] is being developed.

This knowledge instills a sense of purpose in her work by contributing to the creation of the ultimate weapon for humanity's defense; each Spartan represents the culmination of countless lives and diverse efforts, from engineers and scientists to miners like herself. Despite constant clouding doubt, the miners have a duty to contribute to humanity's survival.

Varadi dreams of a brighter future, one where she runs her own restaurant, possibly with Jessica by her side and at Rio, even inviting Bustamante to her establishment, but for now, her commitment to mining titanium remains paramount.

31 hours later in [[UNSC frigate|frigate]] {{UNSCShip|Amicable Disagreement}}'s deployment bay, [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Babatunde]] prepares his [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]] squad, six of the [[Ninth Platoon]], for a drop onto KC-59. He corrects a [[Private]] [[Smith]] on spelling the [[ORCUS exoskeleton]] (pronounced "Orca"), and instructs the troopers to secure themselves in their drop pods.

[[Private First Class]] [[Núñez]] is enthusiastic at going feet first, but Smith, a first-time jumper, is given knowing laughs by many other Helljumpers when both are quizzed by Babatunde. As the hatches close, the floor of the deployment bay opens, revealing the planet below. The countdown begins, and the troopers brace for impact, launched on cue of a bridge officer.

As the pods plummet towards KC-59, Núñez focuses on the planet's details displayed on their pod's screen, noting its rocky terrain and concentric circles of mining operations linking to Perihelion. Babatunde orders Smith to stick closer to the group, and the Private calmly slightly adjusts.

However, when it's time to deploy their chutes, and after the others deploy, Núñez realizes theirs isn't responding. Panic rises, but Babatunde steadily advises Núñez to activate the retro thrusters to slow their descent. Hitting a seat arm control panel button and feeling a jerk-up, Núñez recalls the art of "no-thought" and Sangheili battle-meditation techniques taught by [[Linda-058]], learned from the last few days: Reject loss of direction and embrace body-mind unity.

With the pod still falling, Núñez initiates a system reset, plunging into darkness as the internal systems shut down. Time stretches as they count the seconds, feeling the ground rush closer. Suddenly, the screens flicker back to life, and Núñez fires the drag chute, experiencing a jolt of relief as the pod decelerates. Babatunde lightens the mood dubbing themselves "Badass Airlines," guiding the pods to a safe landing. As the hatches blow off, Núñez leaps out, armed and ready, greeted by the vast rocky landscape of KC-59 under cotton-white-cloud light blue skies.

The squad regroups, and Babatunde inspects their armor, praising Núñez for staying calm under pressure. He emphasizes the lesson that technology can fail, but soldiers must not. With a three-kilometer hike ahead to the extraction point, the troopers prepare to move out. Babatunde's mischievous tone hints at another drop, eliciting groans from few, but Núñez nods as they crest the first hill, the sun glinting off the distant peaks.

"Feet first!"

27 hours later at Perihelion, Ninth Platoon [[Master Sergeant]] [[Marcus Stacker]] takes advantage of every moment of rest he can find. As he rides the elevator to the [[War Games]] deck, he gazes through the curved viewport at BXR's huge mining operation: A massive ~60-kilometer-wide crater, where workers are extracting valuable titanium. Recalling his uncle's tales many years past, Stacker reflects on the bravery of those who take on such dangerous jobs, which while not combat-related require immense courage and skill. He appreciates their role in safeguarding humanity, even if he himself is focused on the more immediate challenges of military training.

For the past three days, Stacker and the Ninth Platoon ODSTs have been engaged in exercises pushing their limits alongside the legendary Spartans of [[Blue Team]], led by the [[Master Chief Petty Officer|Master Chief]]. Stacker's unique experiences have led [[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Thomas Lasky]] to select him to lead these exercises, a decision that Stacker finds both flattering and surreal. He recalls a conversation with Lasky, where he downplays the extraordinary events of his past [[seven]] [[2552|years]], feeling more often comfortable with the practical aspects of military life than the memoir-worthy miraculous tales that surround him.

The training sessions pit the Spartans against the ODSTs in various scenarios, utilizing tactical lock-up rounds. Both groups are testing their new equipment, including the Spartans' GEN3 Mjolnir armor and the ODSTs' ORCUS exoskeletons. The last few days, Stacker has collaborated with [[UNSC Cartographer Initiative]] simulation techs to create diverse challenges from urban settings on Earth to ancient [[Forerunner]] facilities. The goal is to see how quickly both teams can adapt to new threats and environments, and so far, the results have been promising, with zero casualties reported.

As the elevator reaches the top level, Stacker steps into the bustling combat deck, which features a recreation center, gymnasiums, and the war games simulation deck. He observes an ongoing exercise where an ODST marksman targets Linda-058, while [[Fred-104]] leaps into action to protect her. The scene is a testament to the teamwork and quick thinking that Stacker has been fostering during their training. Nearby, [[Kelly-087]] leads a hand-to-hand combat drill, demonstrating her agility and skill, while the Master Chief supervises ODSTs in the gym.

Despite the historical tensions between Spartans and ODSTs, both groups share mutual respect and encouragement. Stacker watches as the ODSTs cheer for [[Corporal]] [[Malika Aswad]], who achieves a personal record, and the Master Chief offering a praising hand on her shoulder. This spirit of competition and support is exactly what Stacker hoped to cultivate, but he remains aware of the harsh realities that await them on the battlefield. The upcoming Operation: WOLFE looms over them.

Stacker addresses the troops over comms, signaling that it's time to wrap up; UNSC 'Infinity'' arrives at 1800. He knows that "business as usual" means facing enemy forces, conducting resupply runs, and dealing with the losses that come with war. With Operation: WOLFE just weeks away, he reflects on the challenges ahead and the importance of being ready for anything.

He considers taking some shore leave afterward, perhaps even starting on those memoirs he joked about, but deep down, he knows he will remain committed to the fight alongside his comrades. As he begins to prepare, Stacker finds himself humming an old miner's song that his uncle used to sing, a reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of duty and the enduring spirit of those who fight for humanity's survival: 

''Buried in the heart of an ancient moon, he always dreamed of the fight''<br>
''Glory was won while his brothers were lost, in battles he waged in the night''<br>
''His life blown away in the blood that he gave, an offering unrecognized''<br>
''Never became what he already was, the darkness that brings on the light.''<br>

==Appearances==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-6
|title-1=Characters|
*[[Arturo Bustamante]] {{Mo}}
*[[Babatunde]] {{1st}}
*[[Brine]] {{1st}}
*[[Catherine Halsey]]
*[[Frederic-104]]
*[[Henrietta Varadi]] {{1st}}
*[[John-117]]
*[[Julie Chang]] {{1st}}
*[[Kelly-087]]
*[[Linda-058]]
*[[Malika Aswad]] {{1st}}
*[[Marcus Stacker]]
*[[Núñez]] {{1st}}
*[[Smith]] {{1st}}
*[[Thomas Lasky]] {{Mo}}
|title-2=Species|
*[[Human]]
*[[Kig-Yar]] {{Mo}}
*[[Sangheili]] {{Mo}}
*[[Unggoy]] {{Mo}}
|title-3=Organizations|
*[[Covenant]] {{Mo}}
*[[BXR Mining Corporation]]
*[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[UNSC Cartographer Initiative]]
**[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
***[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
****[[Ninth Platoon]] {{1st}}
****[[105th Shock Troops Division]] {{Mo}}
**[[UNSC Navy]]
***[[Materials Group]]
***[[SPARTAN-II program]]
****[[Blue Team]]
***[[SPARTAN-IV program]] {{Mo}}
|title-4=Locations|
*[[Requiem]] {{Mo}}
*[[Earth]] {{Mo}}
**[[Rio de Janeiro]] {{Mo}}
*[[Reach]] {{Mo}}
*[[KC-59]] {{1st}}
*[[Perihelion Station]]
|title-5=Events|
*[[Operation: WOLFE]] {{Mo}}
|title-6=Weapons|
*[[CQS48 Bulldog]]
*[[M392 DMR]]
*[[MA40 assault rifle]]
*[[Mk50 Sidekick]]
*[[M41 SPNKr]]
*[[M6 series]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
*[[VK78 Commando]]
|title-7=Vehicles|
*[[Drop pod]]
*[[M808 Scorpion]] {{Mo}}
*[[Munera Platform]] {{Mo}}
*[[UNSC frigate]]
**{{UNSCShip|Amicable Disagreement}} {{1st}}
*{{UNSCShip|Atlas}} {{Mo}}
*{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} {{Mo}}
|title-8=Technology and equipment|
*[[Brokkr Armor Mechanism]]
*[[Drop wall]]
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)]]
**[[ARGUS-class Mjolnir]]
**[[COHORT-class Mjolnir]]
**[[HERMES-class Mjolnir]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI [GEN3]]]
*[[OSTEO combat engineering suit]]
*[[ORCUS exoskeleton]]
*[[Repulsor]]
|title-9=Miscellaneous|
*''[[Rendezvous with Ramen]]'' {{Fm}}
}}

==Production notes==
The cover art by Duncan Shaffer is based on [[:File:H4 - Walk in Rubble.png|a similar shot]] in ''[[Halo 4]]''{{'}}s [[Prologue]], albeit with the inclusion of Blue Team and ODSTS.{{Ref/Twitter|haruspis|1899874625225371650|Alex Wakeford|Quote=If the cover looks familiar to you, that's because our fabulous artist Duncan based it on this shot from Halo 4's prologue—with the rest of Blue Team and some ODSTs added.}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H5G ODST Concept 1.jpg|''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' [[Cut Halo 5: Guardians enemies|ODST]] concept art, used to represent the [[ORCUS exoskeleton]].
</gallery>

==External links==
<!--
*[] - The official Waypoint post in which the short story was released for free.
*[ Official PDF] - The PDF of the short story released on Halo Waypoint.-->
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR_lYXyLXjo Halo: From the Soil to the Stars | Audiobook] - The audiobook narrated by Alex Wakeford.

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

{{Navbox/Media/ShortStories}}
[[Category:Halo Waypoint Chronicles|From the Soil to the Stars]]
[[Category:Canon]]