Saul IV-01

OVERVIEW Saul IV-01 was one of six Spartan-IVs and functioned as the leader of the team. He was one of the most important participants in the Second War, taking part in major events such as the Battle of Cairo, the Evacuation of Africa, and the Battle of Omega Halo.

BIOGRAPHY Before becoming a Spartan-IV, Saul served in the UNSC Marine Core. In 2549, while he was ranked Corporal, Saul and Cameron IV-03 were stationed at a UNSC outpost on Madrigal which came under attack from Covenant forces. During the evacuation of the outpost, Saul took the place of his KIA Sergeant and coordinated the extraction of Marine personnel. Under his command, the evacuation was a success with minimal casualties.

By late 2556, humanity was deeply entrenched in the Second War, a stalemate conflict against Shipmaster ‘Kodomee. Saul was one of six soldiers called upon to join the Spartan-IV program, an initiative designed to bring a swift end to the war. As a result of the program, Saul was biologically augmented with enhanced strength, speed and reflexes, and was requisitioned a suit of Mk VI MJOLNIR Assault Armor. He gained the service tag IV-01 (four oh-one) to denote his position as a Spartan IV. By February 2557, Saul had finished training with his new body and armor, and was promoted to team leader based on his previous leadership experience as well as combat test results.

Over the next few days, Saul and the other Spartan-IVs (Jake, Cameron, Katherine, Christian, and Gabe) took part in operations against Shipmaster ‘Kodomee’s forces, conducted by Commander Lawrence Harper. Unfortunately, during a mission which successfully eliminated ‘Kodomee's right-hand commander, several of the Spartan-IVs were killed, leaving Saul and Katherine the only surviving team members. The two supersoldiers were reassigned under Commander Kyle Grey and were tasked with assisting in the Evacuation of Africa.

In mid-April 2557, ‘Kodomee unearthed a Forerunner ruin under the Sahara desert which housed a route to an ancient superweapon known as Halo. As his mission on Earth was finally complete, the Shipmaster ordered his fleet to glass Africa and then departed Earth aboard his flagship. Commander Grey, Saul, and Katherine pursued him aboard the UNSC Heart of Defiance. Both parties arrived at the Halo in June and immediately landed on the ring, establishing outposts. Tampering from both sides resulted in the release of the Flood, a dangerous parasite residing deep within the ring. Having managed to survive both the Elites and the Flood, Saul led a team to stop the Shipmaster from firing the Halo ring, an action that would wipe out all life in the galaxy. The operation was a success, culminating in ‘Kodomee’s death, but the UNSC forces were too late to stop him from activating the ring.

Using what little time they had left, Saul and Katherine went alone to destroy the ring’s firing mechanism. While successful, Saul was wounded by the Flood, and stayed behind to stall the Flood so Katherine could escape. Saul’s sacrifice ensured that the Spartan Legacy would live on, as Katherine would go on to be a key player in the Third War and save many lives herself.

PERSONALITY Saul was a natural leader through and through. He cared deeply for the lives of his comrades and felt a strong sense of guilt when he felt he had let them down. His fighting skills were often enhanced when he felt that the battle was “personal”, and he refused to give up until those who had wronged himself and humanity were brought to justice. Towards the end of the Second War, this righteousness bordered on zealotry as Saul began to become obsessed with winning the war, no matter the cost. His overwrought self-responsibility weighed heavily upon him, and he could sometimes start to lose himself in his own self-blame. It took hearing the words of his fellow soldiers, such as Katherine and Cameron, to bring him out of such episodes and return him to reality.

Saul had close relationships with many people he worked with. He saw Commander Harper as a sort of father-figure, and became like an older brother to Katherine. As he and Cameron shared a major past experience, the two Spartans would sometimes confide in and uplift each other when times were hard. After Cameron’s death, Sergeant Scott became a fellow war-buddy to Saul. While Commander Grey sometimes butted heads with the Spartan, Saul respected his leadership and never overstepped boundaries.

Saul took his job very seriously, but sometimes let slip a dry sense of humor, even near the end of the war.

As a leader, Saul was naturally concerned with the unity of his team. Though sometimes a challenge, he eventually got the Spartan-IVs working together as a family, and after their deaths, commanded Marines much the same way. His general strategies tended to balance out results with potential casualties, as he hated seeing fellow soldiers die. The deaths of Harper and his fellow Spartans shook him especially hard. Later on, Saul became more hardened against mortality, and could sometimes appear unconcerned with the lives of those under his command. In the end, though, Saul died a man determined to save lives rather than spend them, giving up his own life to save Katherine’s.

ABILITIES AND EQUIPMENT As an augmented soldier, Saul possessed greater-than-natural strength, speed, resilience, and reaction times. He was proficient with many weapons, both UNSC and alien, but favored automatic weapons. His normal loadout consisted of an MA5 series rifle and one or two M7 Submachine Guns. He would also carry heavy weapons into battle if the situation called for it, such as an M41 Rocket Launcher or a W/AV Spartan Laser. He also showed talent with the Type-1 Energy Sword, being able to hold his ground against Commander ‘Thalashee in a duel for a short time. Saul initially wore a suit of Mk VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, which was later exchanged for the upgraded Mk VII suit, one of only two in existence. Both featured olive green pain with brown highlights.

TRIVIA


 * Saul was voiced by series creator Jacob Whittington (aka Chronicler 177).
 * According to fan mail, Chronicler "poured [his own] strength, courage, and will to fight for what's right" into Saul's character, thereby making Saul an extension of himself.
 * Saul was chosen to guest-star in Chronicler 177's fan mail, but had not been given the orientation due to Chronicler forgetting to on account of a busy work schedule as well as an ear infection. As such, Saul believed he was being summoned for a reconnaissance op, and was confused until Guardian brought him up to speed.
 * The most insignificant fact(s) about Saul are (provided by Chronicler and Saul respectively):
 * When Saul was 9, he was bitten by a wood tick and contracted rocky mountain spotted fever, which was quickly dealt with by modern UEG medicine.
 * While fighting on Tripoli, Saul spotted a restaurant that was only open until 5pm on Wednesdays and 9pm every other day.
 * Before he became a Spartan, Saul enjoyed watching races on TV as a hobby.