Legion News Network: Reinforcing the Standard

[The Voice of Freedom]

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***-Legion News Network-***

***”Reinforcing the Standard”***
Author: The Voice of Freedom
Date: 07 FEB 2556
Location: {REDACTED}

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Good Evening,


The last couple of days and weeks have been an exhilarating experience for all of us here at Legion News Network. We have had the opportunity to travel all around the Outer Colonies to see battles fought and emotions shared. We were able to see the results of horrific abomination creations as well as the blessings of hope given to widows and children. Today we decided to take you, the viewers back to the roots of our strong foundation, The United Rebel Front Freedom Fighters.

We go back in time to pay respects to Colonel Robert Watts, the pioneer of the United Rebel Front. A once highly Regarded Commander within the UNSC before becoming the first Leader of the URF. Colonel Watts was a strong leader and his Ideals and beliefs when he initiated the URF were purely that of freedom and justice for the less fortunate. Colonel Watts served honorably within the United Nations Space Command Marine Corps for many years, Distinguished amongst his peers and highly decorated for a man of his rank and station.

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The UNSC has reported across the galaxy especially in the Outer Colonies that he was a treacherous turncoat, however, it was the complete opposite. Colonel Robert Watts was a man that was known for his patriotism but most importantly his dedication to his men and their families. Colonel Watts knew the truth of the action of the Governments and what the outcome would result in. He along with other public figures following the example of such people as the historic Nicholas Reece. They did the best they could to reason with Military Leaders and Government Officials yet, again and again, their pleas for reason and aid fell on deaf ears. Colonel Watts did everything in his power to do the right thing and abide by the rules and regulations that he swore to uphold. Yet when it came to the lives of his men and their family he chose to take a stand and to stand with them and by them. He decided that since words and peaceful actions failed that he would defend his men through force, Colonel Watts decided to take a stand at Eridanus II. The UNSC ended up finding out about Colonel Watts plans and the UNSC 9th Marine Expeditionary Force was waiting to route Colonel Watts force. The confrontation between the two opposing forces was brief and there was minimal loss of life. For these actions, he was labeled a traitor and was hunted for it.

Over the next couple of years, Colonel Watts along with a multitude of his former marines officially defected and formed the first United Rebel Front. Through his actions, many of the families that felt the weight of the UEG in the Outer colonies had someone to turn to for Safety, Resources and most importantly for Leadership. This leadership, however, would only last so long. Colonel Watts along with his men and their families took refuge within the Eridanus System, an asteroid structure that was designed by the Colonel to be a secure isolated home for all those who needed it, also as a stronghold to defend everything they held dear. Unfortunately, like jackals in the night, The Office of Naval Intelligence sent their super soldier operatives to abduct Colonel Watts and he was taken from his men and his people and was never seen again. Rescue efforts were made for years to find the where about in hopes of recovering the dear Colonel, yet the ONI facility could not be located. Colonel Watts is still listed in the URF records as Missing In Action in hopes that one day we may locate him and bring him home. We take today to honor the man that set the stage for what we are today.

Remembrance isn’t the only way to remember such figures. I am here at the Colonel Robert Watts Academy, one of our many training facilities that the URF have scattered secretly throughout the Outer Colonies. This one was built and dedicated by the Legion in recognition of our founding father. The facility here is State of the Art and is primarily used by Legion personnel to training their line units along with specialty assets as well. We ran into the likes of some interesting units and were given the opportunity to observe their training. Unfortunately, we can't disclose the videos of the training that took place. However, I can say that we were blown away by a group of young men. Former UNSC ODSTs that go now by the name Shock Operations Assault Legion, or S.O.A.L. for short. To observe training such as this was a remarkable feat of coordinated communication between skilled warriors and years of training together as a unit. Though we got to briefly interact with the soldiers during their training session, they conveyed their love and encouragement to their friends and families back home.

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We were taken on an extended tour of the facilities and during the tour, we were able to observe young cadets participating in their monthly physical fitness testing. We questioned the drill instructors as to the earliest age that some of the kids were admitted into the Cadet program. We were dishearted to find out that most of the children that we were witnessing were in fact Orphans due to the result of UNSC and ONI incursions on Settlements and Outposts. Most of the surviving children of the war that had lost their way in the world and wished to be a part of something more than themselves were brought to this facility. Here at the Colonel Robert Watts Academy young boys and girls who have seen the horrors of war and have been near deaths grasps are given a chance to learn from experienced teachers and mentors to make sure that they are never put in a situation again where they can’t take a stand of their own and have a say in the outcome. Something that not all of us in the Outer Colonies can say we have.

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Being here and looking at everything that the URF and the Legion have put together to make sure that these soldiers and this future warriors have everything they need reassure my faith in our collective future. It not very often in our day and age that you see the fire and dedication in the eyes of a teenager as he knows what he is truly fighting for in this world. It's not often that people that are labeled as outcast and traitors against humanity can realize the problems around them and they rise up and take a stand together to try and change things for the better and be bigger than themselves. This is something we can all take a little bit from, I know I will.

Live from the Colonel Robert Watts Academy, This is The Voice of Freedom, signing off but like always, remember the United Rebel Front, Fights for you and with you! Freedom to the Outer Colonies!

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