Halo: Reclaimer
Chapter 2
Anvil pt.1
We once again join the Master Chief and Cortana.
Their ship silent of radio activity and its engines off. They float from the initial thrust from departing in the escape pod.
In their view they see several large purple ships of alien design surround their original ship. They then begin to fire upon it with energy weapons. The ship erupts as the small pockets of air within the ship ignite and explode. The rest of the ship shattering and melting from the intense heat.
"Glad we made it to the pod." Cortana says from within her companion's helmet.
"Cortana, we need to get out of here."
"When you boarded this pod I delayed the launch a bit so I could alter the trajectory." Cortana explained. "Gravity should draw us to the planet. From there we can find black team. I'll turn the ship's systems back on once we get closer."
On the Ship UNSC Infinity Locke and his team address the ship's captain in regards to their mission. They stand before him in the ship's control room awaiting his reply.
"Brass wants nothing to do with the situation on Sanghilios or any combat situation involving the Arbiter or his forces and neither do I." A man said. "I know about the Anvil Initiative but there is no reason for joint Spartan-Elite operations in this situation."
He was an older man dressed in a captain's uniform. His eyes knowing the horrors of war and seeking no further wide spread conflict.
"Captain Del Rio, Sir. These are orders from ONI. We have to follow the order sir." Locke said standing in the control room with his team as they address the captain.
Del Rio takes a moment's pause to collect his thoughts.
"This ship is designed as a vessel for peace, not this." He whispers to himself.
"Sir?"
"In order to put boots on any known forerunner instillation like that of the Halo Array we must first contact the Swords of Sanghilios. All operations being joint in line with the Anvil Initiative guidelines." Del Rio says knowing he is telling them no new information.
He gestures to his communications officer. They intern nod knowing the order they will be receiving and making the preparations.
"I grant you authorization to carry out your asset retrieval operations pending agreement of our allies. However you will not be receiving additional support from the Infinity or it's crew." The captain spoke making emphasis on the conditions. "You are dismissed."
The captain shakes his head knowing the level of ritual procedures and political debate that await him.
Locke and his team salute before leaving the control room. As they walk through the halls Buck starts up the conversation that he and his teammates want to know.
"We're doing asset recovery on the Ark? What is that exactly? I've heard that term before and im not talking about Noah."
"Think of the Ark as the main control for the Halo rings." Vale answers "I could have told you that."
"No I got that part. But the part I don't get is why make something that can kill everything within twenty five light years of it. And why are we are we going to that thing?"
"The report said Twenty five hundred, and no clue. Everything was blacked out from ONI's censor team. I'm sure there's a real good reason."
"Our mission over view says that some Insurrectionist have found a way on to it and are seeking some sort of weapon. We're to take it, capture the rebels, and deliver it to UNSC hands." Locke answered looking at the mission report. "This seems all too familiar."
"What do you mean?"
"I had a mission once to a fragment of the original Halo. There were rebels there as well and they were funding covenant terrorist cells with an element that could kill humans and nothing else. Seems too similar to be a coincidence."
The team reaches their destination, the armory.
"Stock up. Better to be prepared than have to scramble at the last second."