Chapter 01
September 05th 2552
Epsilon Eridani Star System, Planet Reach, ONI Headquarters
The ONI officers looked up at the holographic star map put together by the AI CTN-0452-9 Cortana. The Naval officers in the room couldn't help but shake their heads at how something like this had been missed by ONI, and their army of AI. Then again, under their current command, ONI was not performing as well as they should have. In fact sometimes it felt like they were working as hard against the UNSC as they were the Covenant.
"You're telling me," Admiral Whitcomb turned to the AI, his face bordering on bright red from building rage, "That we've had this map all this time and ONI only NOW! gets around to realizing the importance of those rocks. The ones the Covenant decided the risk of a defeat was worth it to get them"
"Yes sir, although I might point out that it could have been a-"
"Quiet!" the Admiral barked, surprising everyone, "I'm well aware, but I will NOT have that discussed here."
The Reach LOCOM CINC turned to the Army Colonel who was now sweating bullets. The man had done a lot to sabotage Dr. Catherine Halsey, but even this kind of gross incompetence was outside his area. In truth, he had done nothing, for once, to sabotage a report, but unfortunately for him, the real culprit was on her ship, far away and nice and safe.
The Admiral drew himself up to his full height and his tone held the power of a super MAC as he spoke, "I want all your Spartan three project turned over to Dr Halsey, and all Spartan two's and there's placed under the command of Captain Sierra-One-One-Seven YESTERDAY! Your reckless use of valuable resources has lost us too much.
"Yes Sir!" He stamerd, he was getting off light, very light. His career may end, but at least he had his head.
Whitcom then turned to a Vice Admiral to his left. "Send a squadron to find and detain the Point of No Return and her entire crew and embarked personnel!"
"At once," the Vice Admiral said as she turned to go and give the orders. The fact that the Point of No Return was not spoken as an UNSC ship spoke volumes for Admiral Parangosky's future in the service.
Whitcomb then turned back to the holo table. "Status on the Covenant?" he asked trying to town his anger down. Now wasn't the time to be flying off the handle. He needed to know if he could send ships to investigate what was going on.
"They've pulled back to the old 2543 positions sir," an ONI Intelligence officer who belonged to the Prowler Corps spoke, "They appear to be made up of several formations, including the one that attract Reach."
The Admiral nodded as he examined the star map displayed in front of him. This turn of events could allow them to advance and make contact with isolated garrisons and colonies and even move some refugees home. But he had to be wary of a posible trap. The fleet had been badly battered and he couldn't risk heavy losses. Yet the Covenant actions were clearly a hasty retreat, but the question was why?
"Any intel on why this happened?" Whitcomb asked, he knew it was unlikely, but he might as well ask. The Spook shrugged.
"Well that's the billion credit question isn't it. We managed to captor two Field Marshals they aren't saying much. But from observing them I don't think they know what happened either."
"That answer gives me little comfort," Ackerson said, looking critically at the map, "They are pulling out and fast. Their not even bothering to leave garrison forces to hold the territory they have taken..." the man looked in deep thought. "Admiral if you're going to send ships now's the time."
"Keys how long do you need to check out that map?" Whitcomb asked turning to look at the Captain.
"Give or take a week, two if you don't want me possibly giving away where we are going."
"Make it two. I am also assigning two destroyers and three frigates with you."
"Thank you Sir." Keyes saluted and turned to go.
"Alright what's next?" Whitcomb asked tiredly as Keys left the room.
"Commander Carter-A259 is waiting to be Briefed sir." An aid told him.
"Very well send him in."
Moments later a man standing about six and a half feet tall dressed in blue and gray armor entered the room his face darkly tanned as if he had seen a lot of sun, he had the augmented blue eyes topical among the Spartan III's and a flattop haircut. The solder walked up to Admiral Whitcomb and gave him a crisp salute. "Spartan Carter reporting as ordered Sir."
"At ease Spartan." Whitcomb said as he returned Carter's salute. "Let's get started. As you are no doubt are aware at 1043 hours on August 15th the Covenant for no apparent reason retreated from Reach. We need to find out why."
"That is why you are here." Colonel Holland said making his presence known for the first time. "As you know the Covenant never retreats when they are wining and rarely when they are losing."
"We must find out why they retreated." Whitcomb said entering the conversation again. "I am sure you are familiar with Sun Tzu, know your enemy and know yourself. We know ourselves, but one of the problems throughout this war has been that we know little to nothing of the Covenant. That, however has changed as of a few days ago. That said there is much we still do not know. One of those things is why the Covenant left when they had the upper hand. Reports have been coming in that the Covenant has been pulling back. It is almost as if something has scared them." the Admiral posed for a moment. "I have gone over your teams after action report and I was impressed, you know how to get results"
"Thank you Sir."
"We have decided to send a ship into Covenant space and find out what is going on. HIGHCOM has made this a top priority." Admiral Whitcomb informed the Commander.
"And you want my team on this mission?" Carter asked even though he already knew the answer.
"Yes." answered Admiral Rich the head of ONI section three who had been quiet until now. "In about five hours a Halcyon-class cruiser should be arriving from earth. The cruiser is the Texas Ranger."
"We have managed to get a replacement to fill the empty position in your team, here is his file." Colonel Holland said as he tapped on his tablet sending a digital folder over to Noble one.
"Command has also decided to give you a AI team member." Admiral Rich said. He then picked up a briefcase from the floor and took out a data crystal chip. He then placed the chip in the room's holo projector. Instantly a small figure of a holographic woman appeared. She had a pleasant face, and looked to be in her early twenties, her hair was done up in a bun, and she was wearing a navy uniform.
"Good evening Noble One it is my pleasure to serve with you." said the woman.
"This is Rachel. She will be your teams personal AI carried by you Noble One." Admiral Rich said.
"And how am I supposed to carry an AI around with me Sir?" Noble One asked.
"I am sure you have noticed that your helmets have data port in the back."
"Yes." Carter replied. "But all exact data on those was blacked out."
"That is where you will place my chip. I will then interface with your armors computers."
"And how will you assist my team?" asked Noble One.
"I can interface with any computer system, I can offer your team real time tactical analyses, I can hack covenant networks, I can also monitor all communications picked up by your armors systems and keep you updated on what is accruing around you that you may not be aware of." Rachel informed Noble one.
"Satisfied Commander?" Admiral Rich asked.
"Yes Sir."
"Now when the Texas Ranger arrives you will report to captain Robert Foster. There will be a pelican waiting for you uptopp. Good luck and Godspeed." said Admiral Whitcomb.
"Thank you Sir." The Spartan said as he saluted before leaving the room.
Once Carter reached the surface he made his way to the waiting pelican and his fellow teammates.
"So who did Command give us as a replacement?" Jun asked as he seated himself next to Noble One in the pelican troop bay.
"Alfred-B228." Noble One answered as he opened the folder.
"So he's from Beta Company, do either of you two know him?" Jun asked looking at Kat and Six.
"I knew Alfred a little; he was in the saber program with me. He kept to himself mostly, but he was a good pilot." Six said.
"Alfred's file has him, after the saber program working with a team of ODST. Going behind Covenant lines to assess the status of colonies taken by the Covenant and destroying anything ONI didn't want the Covenant to find, that they had not been able to destroy in the initial evacuation. Then he was sent on a number of missions behind Covenant lines to locate and retrieve packages for ONI."
"So has command given us a new mission?" Six asked.
"Yes everything you need to know is on this." Carter held up a data pad and then handed it to Kat to upload to the rest of the team.
"So any word on the ship we will be using on this mission?" Kat asked after looking at the data. "I doubt ONI would be willing to let us have a prowler."
"Their sending a cruiser from Earth, the Texas Ranger." Carter said.
"I know that ship." Six spoke up with surprise. "I thought it was being used as a test ship for experimental technology."
"It was, but apparently after seeing the after action report for the Pillar of Autumn. Command ordered the Texas Ranger cleaned up and refit, so that she could be used on this mission. At least that's what the file says"
Anchor 12 1400 hours
I was at Anchor 12 waiting for the rest of the team I was to link up with to arrive. I was eager to find out why I had been pulled from my current assignments and brought back to Reach. I was pretty certain it had something to do with the Covenant's retreat from Reach, but what it was specifically Command wasn't saying.
Just then the hatch to Anchor 12's lounge open and my armors systems alerted me to the arrival of a Spartan, who's rank was listed as Commander. I quickly came to attention when Noble One stepped through the airlock followed by the rest of Noble team.
"At ease Lieutenant." Noble One said. "I have read your file, seams ONI was very pleased with your work." Noble One said as the rest of the team filed in.
"Nice to know you are appreciated." I replied with a small grin on my face.
"I am Carter, That's Kat Noble Two, Jun Noble three, Emile Noble four, and I believe you have met Noble Six."
"Your stepping it to some shoes that I and the team would rather not see filled, but the brass needs Noble up to full strength. And where we are going we are going to need everyone we can get."
"Understood Sir."