HAY GUYZ! I'm here trying to start a new project. If I finish this fight, maybe I can finish an original story.
Let's start with the prologue.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bungie. They are a separate corporation whose obsession with the number 7 is renown.
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
2005 HOURS, MAY 16, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR)/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX130R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
Apology about the late report, sir. I've been in a coma for a week due to a recent event.
As we were following the previously stated lead, my ship dropped out of slipspace into the middle of an asteroid field. We managed to escape, but not before we took a major bridge hit to our starboard side. At that point I was knocked unconscious.
From what I'm told, it was Inri 'Ecaolee that took charge and kept the crew in order, as my first mate was among the casualties when we were hit. A full list of casualties is in the attached file. Due to his quick thinking and outstanding leadership, I gave 'Ecaolee a field promotion to first mate. I hope to make this promotion permanent once we return.
Our search for Installation 08 continues.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
0915 HOURS, MAY 18, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR)/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX131R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
We've found it.
Installation 08 (Which some of the marines have dubbed "Eden") is the most beautiful ringworld I have ever laid eyes on. It's a botanical paradise, and there even seems to be indigenous life here. Mostly herbivores, and a few small predators, but nothing our marines can't handle. As for plant life, there are plants here capable of bearing fruit and vegetables, all of which are edible. Eden has to be the most habitable of the ringworlds.
But despite it's beauty, we are still vigilant. Eden could very well be housing Flood forms. If so, we will need to find the monitor right away, and coordinate with it's Sentinels so that we don't make the same mistake the Covenant made on Alpha Halo.
We have discovered a total of seven generators on this ring. We're still searching for the Cartographer, but it would appear these generators have nothing to do with the ring's firing mechanism. Based on the size of the generators (they can all be seen from orbit) my command staff and I theorize that this ring was made to power something far greater than a death wave of a galactic scale.
I will update you as I gain more information.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
1427 HOURS, MAY 19, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX132R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
We've discovered the Cartographer on Eden. It has led us to Eden's control room. We're currently establishing ground command bases at both points, in case we encounter any loyalist remnants of the Covenant or, far more likely, a Flood hive.
We have marked the library as "Off limits" for the time being. In the meantime, I'm requesting an additional ship to bolster our ground forces. I don't believe the Thunderchild has enough forces to secure the Installation.
I'm receiving a number of reports of Sentinels at a particular area of the rings. They appear to be harmless, however, as a fire team actually made contact with a small group. The Sentinel's reaction to seeing the marines was likened to passive observation and curiosity. I'm ordering a further search of this area in the hopes that the monitor will appear.
It may also be important to note that waves of static have been periodically and randomly rushing through our comm systems. We believe that the ship has been damaged in ways unforeseen by the asteroid field we encountered ten days ago. I've ordered a full manual diagnostic of our communication's array. I have no intention of missing another report.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
0520 HOURS, MAY 20, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX133R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
You'll be pleased to learn that we've discovered Eden's Monitor, which calls itself 823543 Patient Boolean. Like the other monitors, Boolean's purpose is to safeguard his installation until Reclaimers (such as ourselves) come to use it. However, Eden itself is significantly different from the Halo rings, moreso than we anticipated.
Apparently, according to Boolean, Eden is a ringworld designed and built to different specifications from the Halo installations. The Forerunners built the Halo installations to eliminate potential Flood hosts across the Galaxy. Eden was designed as a means to escape the Flood. Boolean assures us that the Flood has not discovered Eden, and that no Flood creature has ever been taken to the installation for study. If this is true, then we can rule out the possibility of encountering Flood forms here.
When asked about the specific purpose of Eden, Boolean stated that it was meant to be a one way conduit to another Galaxy. However, it wasn't completed in time, as the Forerunners activated the Halo rings just months before it could be brought online. Boolean went on to say that he took the liberty of using his Sentinels to complete the ring in the Forerunners' absence, and further, test the ring. I asked him personally what the results of the test were. He said that the test "was tremendously successful," stating that Eden had created a spatial gate to a galaxy far, far away. He even went so far as to build a return ring in that galaxy, so that future Forerunners could travel between the two galaxies as they please.
This revelation is somewhat disturbing to me, personally. When we first encountered the Covenant, Humanity was nearly wiped out in the ensuing war. I need not remind you that it was by sheer luck that the Sangheili broke off when they did that led to our survival. Regardless of the bullet we dodged, I personally recommend we keep Eden closed and offline, unless we are ready to go to war with any species that might be on the other side. I further recommend that we keep an advance fleet stationed at Eden, in case a species from the other galaxy discovers their gate, and attempts to lead an invasion force into our galaxy.
I await your orders.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
1643 HOURS, MAY 20, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX134R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
In response to your list of questions, Patient Boolean stated the following.
"Yes, it is possible for this Installation to open a portal to anywhere in the other galaxy. Or it was, until I constructed the second Installation in the other galaxy. Now, all portals are not only maintained by both installations, but any portals created by one Installation will immediately magnetize to the other.
"Unfortunately, this Installation was designed to go to one specific galaxy. It has stayed in synchrony with that galaxy for precisely 876,000,073.6 hours. Theoretically, to make it go to a different galaxy, you would need hundreds of starships to tow it to a new location and facing.
"I was able to activate the Installation without the use of an index through a loophole in the Installation's programming. Protocol forbids me from going into specifics, as you are not the designers of this Installation.
"The second Installation does not have a Monitor, but it does have Sentinels. The Sentinels of both Installations are controlled by me.
"Further activation of either Installation will require the use of either Installation's index. Protocol dictates that with no willing Reclaimers, an Installation should be activated in any way possible by the Installation's Monitor. But since you are obviously willing to activate this Installation, I must not use the previously stated loophole."
Patient Boolean is more than willing to help us. If there are hostile aliens on the other side of the gate, then we'll have Sentinel reinforcements when we go to take their end of the gate.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
1718 HOURS, MAY 21, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX135R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
I must express my dissatisfaction with your orders. I will obey them, but I believe it is not wise to do so.
I have ordered the 23rd infantry regiment into the library to secure Eden's index. Once it's secure, I will order all troops to return to the Thunderchild. The Thunderchild itself will then move into the designated position, and prepare to enter the portal when it is established. The captain of the Lancaster has already contacted me. When he arrives, my ship will enter the portal, and Captain O'Donnell will supervise all bases on Eden. Patient Boolean has opted to come with me.
I hope we don't find anything on the other side of the portal.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
1132 HOURS, MAY 22, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX136R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
As you have ordered, sir, we have made our way through the portal. We have also established a base on the other Installation. It seems to follow the same design as Eden, except it isn't the botanical paradise Eden is. It's more of a barren wasteland, riddled with rocks, sand, and dirt. The red sky above seems to adversely affect troop morale. This has caused the marines to dub this Installation "Nod."
Nonetheless, it is still habitable, if barely. The control room, Cartographer, and library are all in the same general location as Eden's, making for an easier setup of bases. We've also secured the Nod index. The portal is now being maintained to it's fullest.
However, there is another species on this side of the wormhole, as I feared. After leaving Lieutenant Plisken in charge of the ground bases, I ordered the Thunderchild to make a slipspace jump to the nearby planet, which was an aquatic planet.
In orbit around the planet, we detected several ships. I ordered the Thunderchild to go dark, and deployed three Clarion spy drones. The spy drones came around from three different directions. Once they were in position, they began scanning every ship.
The largest ship was 1600 meters in length from bow to stern, and numerous turrets dotted it's surface. It's overall shape was that of a triangle, if seen from above. It had the same bulkiness our cruisers have, but it was a light shade of gray. Another ship was 300 meters in length from bow to stern, and had fewer armaments. However, it took a shape that was more like a scattered blotch of paint when seen from the side. It appeared to have six engines in back, and a long spine that connected the engines to the front half of the ship. It shared the same bulkiness as the other ship, but had more of a bluish tint.
It was then that our spy drones were detected, as the bigger ships began deploying fighters that were shaped like capital "H's." I tried to recall my drones, but only drone 3 made it back. They had somehow disabled the engines of drone 1, and out and out destroyed drone 2. I assumed the fighters spotted the Thunderchild, as they started heading towards us, so I enacted Cole protocol, article 1.4. I am currently trying to figure out our precise location.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
RECORDED TRANSMISSION: ORIGIN UNKNOWN; DESTINATION UNKNOWN
1501 HOURS, MAY 22, 2553 (MILITARY CALENDAR/
UNSC "CLARION" SPY DRONE C/
EXECUTE FILE
PLNB Transmission XX137R-XX
Encryption Code: Gamma
Public Key: N/A
From: CODE NAME BLUESKULL
To: CODE NAME SURGEON
Subject: PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION DISCOVERY
CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD ---------- TOP SECRET (SECTION THREE X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/
/START FILE/
Sir, this is my last transmission until my ship's transmitter has been repaired.
As you know, in an attempt to improve Human/Sangheili relations, we've been recruiting Sangheili, Unggoy, Lekgolo, and Huragok crew members into the UNSC. However, one of the Huragok has informed me that the Thunderchild's transmitter has been transmitting copies of secure information to every UNSC communication device within short range. Fortunately, this doesn't include any planets currently inhabited by the UNSC. Unfortunately, it includes the spy drone that this new race has assumedly captured. This also accounts for the static that's been washing through the comm systems of every crewman and marine currently on the rings.
If the aliens indeed captured drone 1, and managed to dissect it and discover the contents of it's hard drive, they will have every transmission I have made to you up to this one. I immediately recommend we cut communications, and maintain slipspace silence with each other until my transmitter has been fully repaired.
I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again.
/END FILE/
/SCRAMBLE-DECONSTRUCTION PROCESS ENABLE/
Press ENTER to continue.
Well, that's it for the prologue. Whether or not this story continues depends on you guys. R&R, willya?
You get a cookie if you're the first to correctly guess the faction encountered by the captain of the Thunderchild.
