Journal of an Old Rebel

**Journal of an Old Rebel** is a short story detailing the various rebel factions in Amalgamation, as told by Captain Eric O'Connor.

## Story

**Journal**

**Log Entry: 3431**

**Date: 7/5/2183**

I feel this may be my last entry, and if so….it has been one hell of a long run, making those bastards pay for what they did. No way I’ll ever speak of it again. I have enough on my mind, aside from the nightmares that have haunted me from that day. But for now, I feel now is good a time to get a few things off my mind.

Much has changed over the years, much of it for better or worse. When I signed on to join the UNSC, the reasons varied from inspiration by the posters and vids, to fighting for what the UNSC stood for; the protection of Earth and her colonies. Humanity had been through a lot over the years from, from tossing sticks and stones, to batting alongside gods and monsters, to finally fighting across multiple worlds against the many dangers to us. I believed it, ‘til I saw the true face of the UNSC - namely the Office of Naval Intelligence.

I had fought and served them for as long as I could remember, but the moment I witnessed the real mission they sought to accomplish, and the cost, I was quick to make sure those stinking bastards pay for all the years of lies and manipulations they had made. To this, those of my men who agreed with me left to fight against our true enemy amongst the stars. Much history exists serving as a reminder of the folly in fighting against the UNSC, after all, not that many people remember the Sovereign Colonies, ever since they lost support for their cause a long time ago. Yet there were those like me who still chose to fight them, but now not only are we many, we have different reasons. Some seem very noble, such as the “Frontier Militia” who decided that they weren’t going to stand by any longer as the IMC ravages their worlds, while others are...complicated. Those like the United Rebel Front and others cared little about the cost, but were the more experienced of the bunch. The rest bicker and complain about the UNSC for minor things, with only a few focusing on the real reasons.

The fight may be difficult, but it’s better than just standing on your own entirely. Some worlds have grown so desperate to be free without bloodshed they become “independent.” Some end up becoming forgotten and lost like the backwater world of Chorus, but others were either far better or worse by being on their own. The people of this one world, Helghan, haven’t been heard or seen for years but left on very aggressive terms compared to, say, Sera. Strange how these people think that they got what it takes to be strong on their own ‘til trouble confronts them. The Helghast faced some sort of illness on their world, Sera was reported fighting itself with two separate governments fighting over resources, and the others have other problems, like the most recent activities of Batarian pirates and more disappearances.

With fates like that, you think fighting is the only solution since running is pointless, and I agree - to a point. During the early days, we used to be stronger, and if we had done things right, all rebellious worlds, groups, and anyone willing could’ve formed one massive army with one agenda, the destruction of the UNSC. But things aren’t that easy, nor are people that smart when the big challenges come rolling in, whether from Spartans or by other crises. Most have now ended up biting the dust, save for the latest batch of new blood against the UNSC. But of course, the good things wouldn’t last, for not only had the Covenant begun glassing our worlds and waging a genocidal war on all humanity, the UNSC now has a bloody seat on the Citadel Council, and the Galactic Federation is still too cowardly to do anything.

Many have lost faith, or worse, decided to either aid or rejoin the UNSC, our sworn enemy, because of this common threat. I understand why, but the opportunity this makes is slipping, especially with Reach having fallen. I've heard of something big soon, with all active groups needing to talk about the future of the fight, when in fact it’s right in front of us. The UNSC is weak, and a well placed plan can bring it crashing to its pitiful knees since the Covenant has seen to lessening the number of Spartans. Plus, the Citadel Council is now finally fighting the Covies.

While I have sent many of my men to prepare for this “gathering”, (though why my second officer suggests and is bringing in the now active fanatical Marker head group is beyond me. I figured that they were supporting the fight against the Covenant due to “matters of faith” but hell we can use the extra guns...so long as they keep their heads on straight) I can present my plan to all of them. Once the UNSC is out of the picture, then we focus on fighting the Covenant and, if need be, the Citadel Council. But I need to make myself strong enough for them to listen, and from what I learned about these new experimental implants for the next gen of biotics...I think I’ll have what I need. After all it’s just a few scientists with experimental implants for biotics.

This should be very easy with little difficulty and yet...I can’t shake this feeling of something bad will happen there. I’ve seen my share of close calls, though I wish the same was said for my best friend Brian, N7 dropout, before this Agent Locke and his ONI retrieval team grabbed him. But one thing at a time, I have a station to visit and a few things that needs to be underway.

This is Eric O’Connor, the former Captain of the UNSC *Hyperion’s Fist* and long thorn in ONI’s ass, signing off.