CHAPTER 1
2357 hours, July 26th 2562
UNSC Halcyon-class cruiser 'Memphis Belle' (Cpt J. Ballentine) en route to the 6th Exploratory Fleet.
Location: Somewhere between the revived New Harmony Colony and the revived Second Base Colony.
Current Objective: Link up with the newly formed UNSC 6th Exploratory Fleet (FAmd N. Randolph) currently holding in the orbital shipyards of Second Base.
'Three hours to destination', said a female voice on the overhead intercom speakers. Captain James A. Ballentine strode with pride through the final set of corridors to the bridge of his newly acquired Halcyon-class cruiser. Finally after 3 years of waiting he had been promoted to Captain and could finally obtain a cruiser-class vessel. The Navy were strict about giving big ships to low ranked officers; no one under the rank of captain could command anything bigger then a heavy frigate or a destroyer.
He walked into his new bridge and was greeted with, 'Captain on deck', followed by a barrage of salutes from his bridge officers. He gave the navy crewman a crisp return salute as they all returned to their consoles. 'Bridges, where are we?' he said to his main Helmsmen officer. '950 million kilometres to Second Base, there's a delay, relays show increasing gravitational fields in our path', he answered. 'Supernova?' Ballentine asked. 'Probably, its best we avoid that area', he replied.
Ballentine walked over to the main screen located just behind the two helmsmen at the front of the bridge. 'Electra, bring up the schematics of the engines'. The AI pedestal adjacent to the main screen lit up and illuminated a small hollow female figure. She was a blue-aqua colour, her hair ran down to her collar and she was wearing clothes that mimic that of a normal female navy crewman. 'Aye sir', she said as the screen rearranged the figures that were already present on the screen. A net frame outline of the engines popped up along with a series of figures to the right, each corresponding to a specific engine, some were constant others kept changing. 'Sub light engines and manoeuvring thrusters are warming up, the FTL drive is holding steady, we experienced a few shudders after you went to your quarters', she said, her voice being the one that was heard over the speakers before. 'Archive it and have the engineers look at it after we've docked', he immediately responded. 'Already done', she replied.
'Taylor, tell the boys at the fridge to begin reanimating the crew cryo-sleeping', he ordered. Ensign Taylor, in charge of all the Belle's communications, promptly responded with an, 'aye sir', and then concentrated on the execution of her new orders. 'Electra, scramble Walker's flight when we exit', Electra looked at Ballentine with a puzzled expression. 'Sir, Second Base is in UNSC controlled space, why do we need to scramble fighters?' she asked. 'I want the fighters fully checked out by the engineers on the New Cradle before the fleet leaves for the maiden voyage, begin deceleration process', he hastily replied. 'Aye sir', she said as her hollow female form dissipated back into the pedestal. A slight smile emerged on the Captains face, his first jump in his new ship was drawing to a close.
0025 hours, July 27th 2562
UNSC Halcyon-class Cruiser 'Memphis Belle' (Cpt J. Ballentine) en route to the 6th Exploratory Fleet.
Location: Somewhere between the revived New Harmony Colony and the revived Second Base Colony.
Current Objective: Link up with the newly formed UNSC 6th Exploratory Fleet (FAmd N. Randolph) currently holding in the orbital shipyards of Second Base.
Captain Max L. Walker struggled to open his eyes as the overhead speaker in his quarters went off. He lay on his bed in standard UNSC sleeping gear, stomach down with one leg hanging off the side of the bed. 'Captain Walker, please report to briefing room three ASAP, Ensign Taylor out'. He looked at the clock adjacent to his bed, 12:26 am; he had gotten two and a half hours sleep. Walker pushed his torso above the bed and spun over so he was now sitting. He felt stiff in the neck, so he rolled his head around causing half a dozen cracking noises. He got up and started pulling out and putting on his basic jumpsuit gear (the stuff pilots wear when they walk around the ship).
After this he proceeded to the briefing room to find the rest of the pilots in his flight already there, they all turned and looked at him. 'Well well, sleeping beauty's finally up', he heard from the group in front of him. 'I assume that was Sergeant Brians?' 'Yes sir', one of the pilots said raising his hand with a smug look on his face. 'Brians, I am a UNSC Air Force Captain, you on the other hand are a smartass UNSC Air Force Master Sergeant. That means I own you, I say jump you say how high, I say SHUT THE FUCK UP and you immediately see to it that not one molecule of air passes your smartass lips and if you ignore or half-ass execute my orders, I'll have you locked in a cryo chamber till the ship's calendar says 9 9 9 9, is that understood?' Brians' facial expression had turned to one of shock. The rest of the pilots looked at Brians and Walker confused. Walker kept a deadly stare on Brians, then after holding it back for as long as he could he let out a chuckle, to which the rest of the pilots joined. Then within a split second the deadly stare came over his face again and he pointed at Brians, 'seriously, not one molecule', Brians smile had then disappeared.
Electra appeared at the AI pedestal at the front of the room, all the pilots turned to face her. 'Gentlemen, sorry for the quick wakeup call. Captain Ballentine wants all fighters flown over and checked out by the boys on the New Cradle, a refit station currently holding at Second Base, you boys are on delivery and return duty', she told them. A look of disappointment swept the pilots, there was nothing worse than flying an entire ships worth of high performance fighter spacecraft with high powered, top line weaponry for maintenance delivery. 'Captain, as you are in charge of all fighter/ bomber operations, you can assign more pilots to assist, however, all spacecraft must be signed off by you and your flight. This is a long and repetitive operation, I know, so you best get started as soon as we exit'. Brians was about to say another witty, smartass comment when he looked at the captain who had a frustrated look on his face, so he kept his mouth shut.
0245 hours, July 27th 2562
UNSC Halcyon-class Cruiser 'Memphis Belle' (Cpt J. Ballentine) holding.
Location: Orbital shipyards of Second Base
Current Objective: Dock in the orbital shipyards and hold for orders.
'UNSC Memphis Belle, this is Second Base tower, vacant spot located at hotel 2 3, move there and dock, be aware of surrounding vessels, tower out', cracked an apathetic, monotone voice over the radio. 'Hmmm, straight to the point. Bridges, take us over. Taylor scramble the fighters', Ballentine ordered. Both the helmsmen and the radio officer swiftly replied, 'aye sir'. 'Electra, run an inventory list, if we're missing anything, put in a requestion for the next orbital elevator lift'. 'Does that include your bottle rack? I'll get right on it', The AI replied with a smug smile on her face. Ballentine gave her a stern look as her Hollow figure faded and vanished. 'Well I have to report to Fleet Admiral Randolph, Lieutenant Bridges, you're in charge'. 'Yes sir, Ensign, I want a downward burn for 7 seconds', Bridges said, he had been stuck with the unfortunate duty of training the new helmsmen next to him.
Here we go again Captain Walker thought to himself as started up the engines of a Longsword-class interceptor. He had done this millions of times before and yet still every time he heard those engines warm up, he would check and double check all his instruments. Most pilots at his stage wouldn't bother, they had done it so many times that they knew they wouldn't make a mistake, which was not always the case. 'Memphis Bridge this is Valkyrie in aft starboard hanger 2, engines are burning', he stated into his breathing mask. 'Affirmative Captain, cleared for launch, the New Cradle is 47 degrees from the Belle's starboard bow', crackled Taylors voice over the radio. It was rare for external fighting units to use the captain's personal coms officer, but since he was in charge of all fighter/ bomber operations, he was an 'exception'. He slowly pushed on the vertical throttle and felt the fighter around him lift off the ground. Being a disciple officer, he always made sure the ships were pointing toward the exit of the hanger so they could be launched quicker. He released pressure off the vertical and put his full force on the main throttle and felt as he was pushed back into his seat. It was trip #1 of many for UNSC pilot.
'Hey kiss-ass, sergeant says we have two days R&R while the Belle stocks up, lets fuck some of whatever Second Base has to offer', a tall balky man said. 'Shut up Stomper, you know I hate that name', a smaller yet still solid man said. 'I forgot you weren't into the chicks', stomper replied in a childish, immature tone. A cheeky smile emerged on his face as he walked down the corridor, away from the open door to his squad mate's quarters. 'LT called a meeting for tomorrow, so you'd only be down there for a few hours anyway, customs and all that', the smaller one yelled to him. 'Fuck', stomper whispered under his breath. He turned a corner and immediately snapped a salute. 'Trooper', a seemingly high ranked officer said, acknowledging Stompers existence. Stomper resumed walking down the corridor as the officer turned the corner. 'Fucking marines, not even a courtesy salute', Stomper again whispered. 'Fucking ODSTs, their egos as big as their supposed di.., trooper', the officer said initially whispering but then replying to the salute from the ODST at the open door in the corridor. Captain Travis (the officer) was in charge of all Marine and ODST operations on the Memphis Belle (though never went through ODST training and hence been a marine is whole career). He often found himself working closely with Captain Bailey, in charge of all army operations, and Captain Walker. In Travis' eyes, his forces' role was to take a position hers' were to hold it and walkers was to fuck the enemy up, which he did a very good job of.
0357 hours, July 27th 2562
UNSC Trinity-class (basically a phoenix-class only much bigger) Colony ship 'Genocide' (FAmd N. Randolph) docked.
Location: Orbital shipyards of Second Base
Current Objective: Stock up on supplies for the Maiden Voyage of the 6th exploratory fleet.
'Told you I'd get a cruiser first', Ballentine said to a figure facing away from him. The figure turned around. 'James?' the person said. 'That's Captain to you now', Ballentine replied with an excited smile on his face. 'Captain James', the person said, smiling while giving a sarcastic, slack salute. 'Great to see you again Charlie, I see you still only have three stripes on your shoulders', 'Yeah but I finally got a new ship. A frigate, Paris-Class. The UNSC Sydney', Commander Henderson replied with pride, though envious upon hearing his long-time friend had acquired a Cruiser, and a fourth stripe on his epaulette. 'Nice, I got a Halcyon, The Memphis Belle', Ballentine replied. 'You know Frankie is here to, he's still a commander, like me. He's got a destroyer, the ah... Lancer', Henderson said trying to change the subject. 'May as well go say h...' 'Gentlemen sorry for keeping you waiting', Fleet Admiral Nelson Randolph said, entering the briefing room full of the COs of his fleet's ships. He walked over to the lectern and placed a folder on top, 'ONI gave us new orders'.
0453 hours, July 27th 2562
UNSC Halcyon-Class Cruiser 'Memphis Belle' (Cpt J. Ballentine) docked.
Location: Orbital shipyards of Second Base
Current Objective: Stock up on supplies for the Maiden Voyage of the 6th exploratory fleet.
'Harris, Taylor, contact all Belle personnel, get them back on board ', Ballentine said to his two com officers. 'Layton, Chase, Santiago, run diagnostics on all weapons', he ordered to his tactical officers. 'Aye sir', they replied. 'Smith, Bothans, warm up the Shaw-Fugikawa, I want it ready in two hours.' 'Too easy sir', Ballentine's engineering crewmen repiled. 'Helmsmen, warm up the sublights, be ready to undock.' 'Yes sir, alright Ensign, bring up the docking claws command console', Bridges said. 'Sanders', Ballentine barked. 'Yes sir?' the bridge officer on the LPOD (life pod) console turned and said. 'Sit there and look pretty', Ballentine replied, she smiled and turned back. 'Electra, bring up the schematics of the Belle, contact Walker, I want to know how much time till all Belle property is back on board'. 'On it, why the big rush sir?' she said as the main screen lit up with a net model of the Belle. 'ONI has reassigned the fleet, we're on defence duty', Ballentine promptly replied.
'*static*, ah... 1st lieutenant Martin and I are bringing the last two pelicans to the main hanger now ma'am, should take about 15', Walker's voice crackled over the radio. 'Thankyou captain, please continue', Electra said as she broke contact with the pilot. She reappeared on the 'holotank' (the AI pedestal). 'Sir, Captain Walker will be about fifteen minutes, everything and everyone else is onboard', she hastily said as her figure vanished again. 'Good, helmsmen, undock us in fifteen, Taylor, check us in with the genocide, I want to know which division we're in', Ballentine ordered. 'Aye sir', they expectedly replied.
*15 minutes later*
'Captain, Walker reports all birds on board and tied down, we're ready for disengagement', Electra informed Ballentine. 'Sir we're checked in with the Genocide, carrier division one', Taylor called to her Captain. Damn he thought, carrier division one always soaked up most of the hits when in a front on engagement. The Belle shuddered and came alive as it disconnected from the ship yards and manoeuvred to the accumulating 6th fleet staging area, the Genocide taking place right in the middle. 'Sir the Belle is holding in its designated fleet section', Bridges said. Ballentine noticed that the Belle was positioned between a destroyer and a frigate. 'Electra, find out what the name of the ships around us are', Ballentine called to the entity within the ship's system. 'Aye sir ... the two frigates ahead are the Matterhorn and the Talon, the Marathon cruiser behind is the Calibre. The destroyer to our starboard is the Lancer and the Sydney is to our port, above us is the...', 'irrelevant, thankyou Electra', Ballentine interrupted. Someone in fleet administration must have seen the trio of COs had a history at the academy so grouped them together. 'Sir, the Genocide is giving us slipspace co-ordinance and a time for jump', Taylor called. 'Electra put in the co-ordinance and prepare to jump, boys?' 'The Shaw-Fugikawa is warmed up and ready to go sir, she's on standby', Smith answered, evidently playing pong on his console.
*two hours later*
Ballentine watched as one by one, the small amount of ship in front of the Belle disappeared into the large white-blue orb that had formed in front of the fleet, eventually it was the Belle's turn as it rapidly accelerated into the orb, passing the speed of light, yet the entire crew felt nothing due to the advanced inertial dampeners. 'Sir we have a stable jump', Electra stated. 'Good, it's about time I brief the crew on our situation, Taylor put me on ship-wide intercom. All hands this is Ballentine, you're probably wondering why the fleet jumped prematurely. We're on our way to the inhabitable Sahara system. Relay's showed and ONI confirmed this to be a staging area for a covenant-loyalist fleet supposedly preparing for an invasion on UNSC patrolled space. No UNSC offensive or defensive fleets could be mobilised quick enough for a pre-emptive strike so ONI has reassigned the Genocide battle group to defensive duty. We'll be exiting in fifteen hours. I want ALL units in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines ready and at battle stations. Walker, Travis and Bailey, report to the bridge in zero four hours, Ballentine out'.
1325 hours, July 27th 2562
UNSC Halcyon-Class Cruiser 'Memphis Belle' (Cpt J. Ballentine) en route to the Sahara system.
Location: Somewhere between the revived Second Base Colony and the Sahara system.
Current Objective: investigate and engage a loyalist fleet massing near UNSC patrolled space.
Fuck, that's where I heard it from Bridges thought to himself as he studied his console at the Helm. 'Sir, the Sahara is located 25 light years from the Caspian system' he said. 'Lieutenant, if you're going to tell me something, make sure its relevant', Ballentine replied. 'Sir, the Caspian system is what caused the delay in our initial jump to Second Base; it's currently undergoing a supernova. The Sahara system is within its effective radius', Bridges stated. Ballentine turned to Electra, 'Does the Admiral know?' Electra shrugged, 'Hard to say, I can't connect to the Genocide while we're jumping, though by my calculations and from existing data, the supernova won't hit the Sahara system for another th...' 'That's all Electra, thank you', Ballentine interrupted again.
At that moment, Ballentine's commanding crew walked in. All three promptly saluted their superior who snapped a salute back. 'Gentlemen, Bailey, welcome to the bridge take a seat, Electra bring up the table', Ballentine said. Immediately a long rectangular table and six chairs (two on each long side and one at each end) rose from the floor of the bridge, just behind the two tactical consoles in the middle of the bridge. Bailey and Travis sat on one side; Walker sat opposing them while Ballentine sat at the front end of the table (closest to the tactical consoles). Ballentine stared at them, 'Captains, we're engaging a hostile fleet, what are your thoughts'. Bailey was the first to talk, 'my forces don't have the equipment nor training to invade a covenant ship out of atmosphere, I'll split them in divisions around the ship and hold off all boarders.' Travis was the next to speak up, 'I'll send ODST forces via pods and pelicans to create beachheads within any adjacent ships our DFS (designated fleet section) can't handle, I'll have marines reinforcements on standby in pelicans, once the beachheads are secure, I'll launch them and we'll detonate explosive, destroy the ships from within'. 'Not very original, but I guess it works', Ballentine replied. 'Captain, care to shed some light on your ideas?' Ballentine asked Walker. 'I'll scramble all fighters and bombers as soon as we exit. Sabres and wombats will assist the centurions in keeping fighters and boarding craft away from the Belle while longswords and shortswords will engage enemy ships and escort the helljumpers and jarheads over to the loyalists', Walker answered. 'Good, we have a base plan, let's expand on it'. The tactical conversation continued for a few hours while the bridge crew intently listened.