Pivate First Class Johny Lands was a UNSC marine in 2542. He was born on the tourist planet Clearwater VI to parents who owned a hotel there. He grew up in the great natural beauty of the planet, and joined the Marine Corps when he was old enough to protect other beuaties. He was top of his class, and after returning from the Academy on Reach, he was assigned to the UNSC Light Before Dawn as part of Marine Battalion 324; the planets home defense system. On 2542, the Clearwater system was invaded by a superior Covenant force, and the human defenses, three frigates and a destroyer smashed. Only the LBD survived, and it made a random slipspace jump to escape, after watching the planet be glassed by the Covenant.