Let's go back to the good old days of 2010s; a time where the Console War was at its most brutal. And let's go pit two famous characters from rival companies to the death!
Luger: The cunning Shadow Marshal who made Vekta a living hell for the Helghast!
vs
Rookie: The quiet ODST who killed numerous Covenant forces to find his missing comrades!
Who is deadliest?!
Luger[]
Luger is a Shadow Marshal, one of Vekta's elite intelligence operatives. Once the lover of Jan Templar, she enrolled in the Shadow Marshal training program at a young age. Whether she joined to further her vengeful ambitions or to simply get away from Templar's overprotective attitudes, she found that the organization matched her talents.
During the Helghast invasion of Vekta, she reunites with Jan in his attempts to take back the planet. She backs him up, and helps him fight the invasion, rescuing other soldiers as they can. Rico Velasquez, the man who would later be responsible for the Helghan Terracide and the partitioning of Vekta, also joined their team, alongside Gregor Hakha, a half-Helghan spy.
The quartet repels the Helghan invasion by cutting off its main architect, General Lente. With her mission complete, Luger is swiftly reassigned to other duties. While Hakha aggressively recommends her to be deployed to assassinate Scolar Visari, the leader of the Helghast, the ISA table that suggestion in favor of a full-scale military invasion of their neighboring planet. Luger then vanishes from all records, her fate and life unknown.
Weapons[]
- Primary: M66-SD Submachine Gun - A silenced sub-machine gun manufactured by ISA. The high temperature alloy of the suppressor can make single shots almost totally silent, although it is incapable of muffling full-auto fire. The M66-SD fires special subsonic 7.62 x 33 mm carbine ammunition inside a 30-round magazine.
- Secondary: M4 Semi-automatic Pistol - A large-caliber, semi-automatic handgun. The weapon is chambered for the 50AE cartridge and has a 7 round magazine.
- Melee: Custom Knife - Luger uses a knife as a back-up weapon and as a stealth weapon. It is erroneously mistaken for an M32 Combat Knife although unlike the latter, Luger's knife has a straight blade. It is strong enough to slash and pierce through tough Helghast armor.
- Grenade: M194 Fragmentation Grenade - The most commonly-used grenade during the Second Extrasolar War. The grenade uses a slow fuse as a backup igniter, and it has indicator-lights that slowly light up when triggered, going from green to red as it comes close to exploding. It is able to kill a man within 2 meters of the explosion.
- Armor: Stealth Suit - Luger is almost completely covered in a black stealth suit made from a thin material, and wears a green equipment harness. She also wears some armor padding, and uses thermal and night vision goggles that she can remove to reveal her face easily. Luger's armor allows her to move faster than her team mates but offers only limited protection due to its soft padding.
Rookie[]
Lance Corporal J.D., nicknamed Rookie is a Human junior enlistedman who served with the UNSC Marine Corps during the Human-Covenant war. "Rookie," as he was called, was trained as a member of the elite Orbital Drop Shock Troopers early in his career, serving with the 105th Shock Troops Division at New Jerusalem. Later, he was chosen by GySgt Edward Buck for a team to aid the Office of Naval Intelligence in New Mombasa, Kenya during the Battle of Earth.
Little is known about this Marine other than his initials ("J.D.") and that he was born in Crisium City, Naniwa, Luna on February 9, 2525. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 7, 2547, and eventually advanced to the rank of Lance Corporal. Some time after, he volunteered and was accepted into the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, despite his initial lack of combat experience.
The Rookie would continue to serve in the military after the Human-Covenant War and into the Draco III Rebellion. While the ODSTs were storming Draco III's capitol building, they were caught in an ambush in the legislature chambers. Buck ordered the Rookie to flank the rebels while the rest of the team provided cover. The Rookie would die at the hands of Captain Ingridson, though the UNSC would subsequently win the battle by the end.
Weapons[]
- Primary: M7S Submachine Gun - Also known as the Suppressed SMG is a United Nations Space Command infantry weapon. It is equipped with a SS/M 49 sound suppressor, muzzle flash suppressor, and the SLS/V 5B reflex sight that uses a miniature reticle, making it more effective in dark areas and general close-quarters combat. It is chambered for the 5x23mm M443 Caseless Full Metal Jacket and has a 48-round magazine. Sustained fire tends to cause the muzzle to "walk" upwards as recoil compounds.
- Secondary: M6C/SOCOM - Also known as the Automag, is a semi-automatic pistol and a variant of the M6C magnum sidearm. It has an integrated sound suppressor and muzzle brake and utilizes the VnSLS/V 6E smart linked 4x scope, enabling the user to eliminate targets at long range while incurring limited recoil due to the integral sound suppressor and compensator. It uses 12.7x40mm armor-piercing rounds in a 12-round magazine.
- Melee: CQC Combat - Most CQC ODSTs are used to clear buildings and compounds. Rookie can use his smgs and pistols as blunt weapons when enemies are up close.
- Grenade: M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade - Also known as the Fragmentation grenade, shortened Frag grenade, or simply Frag, is a UNSC-issued grenade. The grenade has a hard metal casing, with a frangible design meant to break apart into small, regular shards. It has a killing radius of 4.8 meters.
- Armor: ODST Battle Dress Uniform - The standard battle armor of the ODST. The armor provides numerous advantages in the field, including ballistic protection, temperature control, as well as thermal insulation against extreme temperatures experienced during atmospheric entry and thermal protection from Covenant energy weapons. The chest plate is composed of titanium and ceramic materials. The BDU's stealth capability is partly thanks to its black and gray camouflage patterns on the legs, boots, gloves, chest, helmet and undersuit.
X-Factors[]
- Physicality
It's kind of hard to assess how strong, fast, and durable these two are physically. Most of their feats can be assumed through little cutscenes and majority gameplay. One thing is for certain though is the fact that they took on beings more powerful than normal humans. Luger is strong enough to penetrate her knife through Hellghast armor, and even use her guns to bash more than one enemy by herself. She's also very stealthy courtesy of her training as a Shadow Marshal (more on that later). Rookie, however, is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with large aliens in melee. He's strong enough to flip a warthog back up or use weapons that Spartans use.
- Training
Both warriors are extremely trained. Most of the Rookie's training history is unknown but we can assume that he first joined the UNSC Marine Corps as an enlisted man, before enlisting in the more elite Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (premier infantrymen trained to insert into any area, friendly or hostile, using specialized crafts). Luger, on the other hand, joined the Rapid Reaction Force to potentially avenge the death of her parents to the Helghan when she was young. She would later join the Shadow Marshals (who are highly-trained overt assassins and special operatives).
- Experience
Besides training, these warriors are made dangerous by their field experience. Luger had fought mainly during the Second Extrasolar War against the Helghans (who are enhanced humans stronger and faster than the average person). She fought during the Helghast invasion of Vekta, where she was instrumental in the deaths of Generals Joseph Lente and Armin Metrac. The Rookie fought in more conflicts it seems, being present during the Human-Covenant War and the Insurrection. He fought in the Battle of New Jerusalem, Battle of Earth, and Draco 3 Siege.
Notes[]
- Battle takes place in the planet Morag from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Battle[]
It was a windy afternoon in the rocky planet known as Morag. The armored ODST known as the Rookie sat on a rock as he stared at the dark sky, its depressing atmosphere comforting him as he relaxed. Such a planet had proven itself to be dangerous in most times of the year. Lightning would crackle, seas would crash, mountains would crumble. But this is one of a few moments where the planet was at peace; a time where it was most beautiful.
Unknown to him, a cougar stalked around the area where he sat. She stayed behind large rocks and walls, making sure not to make a sound. Her prey was right in the open, sitting like a buffoon, not knowing his imminent death. This was all too easy for Luger, the female marshal and assassin.
The Rookie sensed presence on his HUD, but it was too late to react as someone grabbed unto his back. He tried to shake her off but Luger's grip was like a vice. She struck the Rookie's chest with her knife, making a small pierce, but not enough to actually make damage. Luger then let go and ran for cover as the Rookie took his M76 submachine gun and aimed.
Bullets after bullets silently pound the rock Luger took cover behind. The Rookie slowly got closer and closer as he fired. When the Rookie ran out of bullets and had to reload, Luger took the opportunity to take out her M66 submachine gun. Rookie rolled out of the way as bullets flew above him. He grabbed a large and almost spherical rock that he then threw at Luger.
Luger barely dodged that throw. As the Rookie went back to trying to reload, Luger cooked off a grenade and threw it at him. The Rookie saw the light and heard the beeping of the bomb, managing to dive out of there in time as it exploded. Luger then drew her M4 pistol and went towards the Rookie. The latter, in turn, grabbed his own M6C pistol and charged. Both fired their weapons at each other as they moved forward. When both came face-to-face, a duel of pistols ensued.
Luger would fire and the Rookie would dodge. The latter would kick before aiming his gun. Luger would grab the barrel before Rookie could fire. She would then follow-up by a roundhouse to the temple. Both would wrestle and keep shooting. Both were unrelenting and would never tire.
Eventually, the Rookie smashed his pistol at Luger's face, knocking her helmet off. The Rookie finally got a glimpse of the red-haired goddess; an image he'd been desperately sought after. As she was stunned, the Rookie dropped a fragmentation grenade at Luger's feet before rolling and running away in retreat. Luger would try to run as fast as she could from the grenade, hoping there would still be time.
An explosion sent Luger flying away. Though her armor took some of the force, she was too lightly armored to be considered a tank. She then landed back on the ground, her face blackened and her uniform shredded. She was slightly in pain and she could feel burning warmth invading her body. This was game score for the Rookie.
Epilogue[]
The female assassin rested herself on the ground and wiped the soot off her face. Suddenly, she felt a knee pressed against her stomach. Looking up, she saw the Rookie mounted on top of her, a knife aimed at her neck. There was no face for Luger to see and beg to. Her skin felt coldness and dread. All she could do was to stare at the inevitable, her lips plump and breathing, her eyes staring beautifully at the abyss.
The Rookie took off his helmet and stared back at Luger, finally feeling the tug that was drawing him near. Luger would give a cute smile, and whisper at the Rookie to do what he had to do. Their lips would meet and tongue would greet each other. The Rookie's hands would be playful while Luger's arms wrapped tightly around his ribs.
It wasn't long before they would separate and went back to staring at each other.
"I love you," Luger whispered with her signature cute smile.
The Rookie would say nothing but continue admiring her beauty. They would kiss one more time, savoring such moments that were too few and far in between. Finally, the Rookie helped Luger back up to her feet. They would hold each other's hands and stare at each other one more time with passion, before looking out into the sky, wondering what fate would have in store.
The two would let go and begun their trek back to their ships and back into their respective dimensions. Before going, however, Luger had one final farewell. "When we meet again," she said. "Make it the last time. Please marry me already."
Out of character did the Rookie respond, a smiling beam appearing on his lips. Luger would appreciate that as they finally waved goodbye. Such was inter-dimensional love. Mysterious, full of effort, and a lot of fun.
Expert's Opinion[]
Experts believe that while Luger has a stealth advantage, the Rookie had better weapons, armor, and training that won him this battle.