UPDATE: I dun-goofed. I mixed up the dates. No one knew or called me on it. Shame on you if you knew and didn't say anything. :(
Its that time again! Please enjoy this latest chapter!
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"Rules of Engagement are just cynical games for politicians to play. It's a war, people get killed. There's no way you can make that look reasonable."
Staffan Sentzke, wanted Insurrectionist. Presumed dead in March 2553
Former Jedi Padawan Silva Aventios, Naboo royal palace, Theed
"Can you believe those...those, those barbarians!" One of my 'guards' yelled. I turned towards him, Sable was his name. I shot him a steep glare, quieting him. It had been a day since the 'UNSC' had attacked and the entire planet was on edge. The Queen had called a meeting with imperial officers. The consensus was for the UNSC ships to be attacked and routed from the system.
I didn't blame her.
The UNSC had essentially broken their agreement with the queen in that no civilian would be harmed in combat. It was in truth a hopelessly naïve agreement made by a child. I still didn't even know why the Naboo elected their rulers so young. It baffled me.
"I say we kick these UNSC out of the system! They've brought nothing but death to our people!" One of the Naboo ministers yelled. There was a tidal wave of cheers from the other people gathered.
"We will not attack...the Empire will do this for us." The Queen said, quieting the ministers.
"You can't be serious!" I yelled. "Would the great Queen of Naboo really stoop that low?"
"Know your place, child!" One of the guards yelled.
"Padawan Aventios. I understand your anger but this is the only way. We can't keep letting these primitive murderers run loose on our planet." The Queen replied.
"So we sell them out to the Empire instead?"
"It has already been done. By tomorrow the UNSC will be dead and gone. They will never plague this system or its people again." The Naboo minister of defence said.
"Murderers. All of you!" I said, glaring at the assembled crowd.
"Don't worry about them, commander. They're just a bunch of rich snobs." Another one of my guards whispered. I nodded.
"We aren't needed here. Let's go." I said, my two guards following my every step.
As we walked through the tightly packed streets of Theed I stole a glance at the wreckage of one of the UNSC ships. The bright green paint job made the craft visible from miles away. Alien lettering dotted it's surface. There were Imperial stormtroopers securing the crash site. The ship and the people who had recently commanded it puzzled me to no end.
Did they always go back on their agreements?
Did they always put civilians in danger?
I had so many questions. If only I could ask them.
Private Yale Strauss, Imperial Barracks A-17, Naboo
Why is army life so kriffing boring! I thought, meagerly chewing on a ration bar. My Platoon had been sent to this Barracks after the battle. We had suffered no casualties but had been in poor spirits due to the losses our company as a whole had taken. First and Second Platoon had had almost 60% casualties.
I swept my eyes around the Barracks. There were five troopers playing a game of Sabbac in the far left corner, a group of troopers watching the holo-news in the far right, a multitude of troopers sleeping or reading and a small group just talking. I slowly got up from my bed, careful not to disturb the quiet mood of the barracks as I left. A walk would do me good, yes. That's what I needed.
As I walked through the crowded city streets I couldn't help but wonder what these civvies were thinking. only a day ago this place had been a warzone, literally!
Most of the civilians parted as I walked, allowing me through the thicker crowds. A squad of fellow stormtroopers gave me silent nods as I passed, I returned them. The city, while filled to the brim with life was in a state of fear and imperial assets were being diverted to stop scared civvies from doing anything rash.
Speaking of rash. I thought, watching a group of crazed civvies rush the squad with sticks and knives. The troopers merely formed a firing line and shot them with stun blasts. I moved on.
UNSC Prowler Scythe, 13:45 hrs, July 10 2557 /UNSC Military Calendar/ Military Standard Time
Captain Fredric Willion was pacing the bridge of his Prowler. Around him a flurry of officers and crewmen ran to and fro, making sure the ship couldn't be seen by the incoming Imperial patrol.
How the hell do they know were we are? He wondered. If this patrol had been out of the blue and in his eyes random like the others then he wouldn't have batted an eye, things happen. However this patrol had been following the Prowler and by extension the battlegroup for little over an hour.
Yes, the three Imperial ships had been tracking ships with state of the art stealth drives for an hour.
The commander of the battlegroup had ordered the Captains tiny little Prowler to stall the enemy ships while the rest of the battlegroup headed for unoccupied space. He could not accomplish those orders.
His ship was not meant for frontline, heavy hitting combat, nor was it made to be a rearguard. No his ship was meant for sabotage, subterfuge, inserting a small three man SPARTAN team into one of the aforementioned Imperial ships...
Now those last three, those he could accomplish.
"NAV how far until we are within their weapons range?" The captain asked.
"Uh...another few kilometers, sir. Ten." The man replied.
"Weapons status on the stealth mines? Have they been found?"
"No sir, not as of yet. Though the first ship is within range. Should we blow them?"
"Negative. Wait for the opportune moment."
"Sir energy spikes detected along target Alpha's bow! They know where we are!" One crewman yelled. The bridge activity increased.
"Sir all enemy ships in range, EMP mines ready!"
"Blow them, sailor!" Captain Willion yelled above the chaos. With a push of a button the three stealth EMP mines detonated engulfing the three ships and causing them to lose all control over their engines and computer systems. The captain secretly hoped they lost life support, too. However the ships were still formidable even in their powered-down state and the Captain once again thought about petitioning for Archer Missile systems to be installed on ONI Prowlers.
"Get us over target Charlie." He said to his NAV officer, then into the intercom. "SPARTAN team Castle report to the hanger."
Lieutenant SPARTAN William Gunther
"What's the plan?" Chelsea asked, double checking her equipment. Her white EVA armour a stark contrast to the dark hanger. His armour wasn't blending in either. Navy blue didn't go well with black, apparently. Will noted, however that the SPARTAN II's dark black armour and visor blended in perfectly with the hanger. In fact he was pretty sure he would have missed her entirely had he not known she were here in the first place. Her IFF tag helped too.
The aforementioned Spartan II was slowly and methodically cleaning an M7/s Submachine gun. She had an internally suppressed BR55 Battle Rifle on her back and a slew of ammo pouches, magazines and grenades all over her chest and waist. A personal medkit was attached to her left thigh and two combat knives, one longer and shorter, were attached to her back and right shoulder pauldron respectively. Her left shoulder pauldron was the same one used by ONI's Asymmetrical Action Group. Her gauntlets were more heavily armoured than most SPARTANS and her knees had more armour as well. Sporting the Grenadier variant knee armour. Her black/grey non-reflective visor along with her Mark IV/V helmet gave her an even more menacing appearance. When the SMG was to her liking she placed it on a nearby tool bench and proceeded to calibrate her rifles scope.
Chelsea, apparently confused by the SPARTANS choice of a battle rifle couldn't resist asking her about it.
"Are you sure bringing the Battle Rifle is wise? It's going to be really close quarters."
The SPARTAN II looked up to see who had spoken, cocking her head to the side as she did while gesturing towards her SMG and both her knives as if to say "I'm good." Before going straight back to her rifle scope.
Chelsea held up her hands in defeat before turning towards Will.
"You didn't answer my question."
"We're jumping ship. Get airtight." He replied.
"SPARTAN team Castle report to the hanger." The voice of Captain Willion blared over the intercom.
"Already here, sir." Will replied through his helmet.
"Good. We're over the target and an entry way has been made for you. Go whenever your ready."
"Everyone squared away?" Will asked, the enemy ship appearing in his vision.
"I'm ready." Chelsea said, standing beside him. He received a green acknowledgement light from the S-II.
"Good. Jump on my mark...3...2...1...mark!"
As one the three SPARTANS pushed themselves off the deck, out of the hanger and into the dark void of space. Their target loomed infront of them. Will quickly checked to see if they had any data on the ships class.
The only ship that matched was something called a 'Blockade Runner' or a CR90 corvette.
"I see the entrance! Adjust to compensate for the movement." Chelsea said. Will adjusted as needed but saw the SPARTAN II had already done so and would reach the entrance a good twenty seconds before Will or Chelsea. He also noticed the entrance was a small hole. The S-II turned to look back at them before jumping into the hole.
"Don't wait on our account." Chelsea muttered, passing Will and jumping into the hole.
As Will finally jumped into the ship he saw that the ship was all white, every panel, wall and door was a very clear shade of white. He also noticed Chelsea and the SPARTAN II waiting for him.
The SPARTAN II looked around disapprovingly at the ships interior, analyzing what she could.
"Orders?" Chelsea asked, pointing her shotgun at a set of blast doors.
"Head for the bridge. We need to find out how these ships know where we are." Will replied. The SPARTAN II began to move but Will held her back. "You will follow my orders. Am I clear?"
The SPARTAN nodded before moving to the front of their formation, Battle Rifle drawn and pointed in front of her.
"Hold on there. You have the longest range weapon out of all of us so you should go in the back. I'll go up front." Chelsea said, pushing past the S-II and opening the blast door.
Will moved in behind her and he could hear the SPARTAN II take up the rear.
As the door opened the trio could see the bodies of five white armoured stormtroopers. they were draped over barricades and crates.
"Are they dead?" Will asked Chelsea. She walked over to one of them, feeling him for a pulse.
"This one is, yes. I think they all are." The SPARTAN II gave one a soft kick before nodding.
"Keep moving." Will said, motioning the team forwards.
They passed through two more smaller rooms before finding the first hostiles. They had set up a barricade with a portable turret covering the hallway. Chelsea ducked into a side passage and Will followed suit. The SPARTAN II moved behind an outcropping of wall, blind firing her Battle rifle at the hostiles.
"Do you have a shot SPARTAN?" Will asked the S-II. Flinching as a trio of bolts hit the wall behind him.
"It's Chief Petty Officer, Lieutenant, and no I do not have a shot." She replied, barely containing her anger. She sighed before turning towards Will and Chelsea.
"What are you thinking?" Chelsea asked. "Wanna fla-"
"Just shut up and get behind me...Ma'am." The SPARTAN said, before rushing the enemy position.
"She's insane El Tee." Chelsea said. "Moving!"
Will followed Chelsea and saw the SPARTAN II in a fist fight with three of the stormtroopers. Another trooper was slumped against the wall, a knife in his neck. Two more were in the process of falling over dead, three holes each in their heads.
Chelsea moved to engage the surviving troopers but Will stopped her, putting a hand on her weapon and lowering it.
"Let her fight. I wanna see this."
Chief Petty Officer Elise-109, inside CR90 corvette.
Typical. I thought. The enemy had constructed a barrier and had pinned all three of us. The two S-III's were across from me, trading fire with the enemy Stormtroopers.
The SPARTAN in white EVA armour turned towards me. Both of them were my superiors on this operation and I would have to follow the chain of command however neither of them seemed to have a good plan or any plan as it were.
"What are you thinking?" She asked. "Wanna fla-"
"Just shut up and get behind me...Ma'am." I said interrupting her mid sentence. I charged at the enemy barricade, shooting two troopers in my way before stabbing another in the neck. Not bothering to grab my knife I barrelled into a trio of more troopers throwing two to the floor. The last trooper miraculously stayed on his feet even after getting hit by over 1000 lbs of SPARTAN. I merely knocked him to the side before stepping on the neck of one of the troopers on the ground, killing him instantly.
I rounded on the trooper still up, punching him in the side of the head then sweeping his legs out from under him.
By this time the first trooper I had shot hit the floor.
The other trooper I had knocked down got up, unsheathing a combat knife and rushing me. I moved to the side, grabbing his arm while I did and twisted, braking his arm and causing him to stumble. I elbowed him in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down.
I turned towards the last trooper. He was shakily getting into a combat posture.
Bad move. I thought, kicking him in the groin before snapping his neck like a twig.
I picked up my discarded rifle and knife before turning towards the two other SPARTANS, checking my internal clock while I did so. 18 seconds had gone by since I rushed the barricade. Sloppy.
"Hostiles down."
The navy blue armoured SPARTAN seemed somewhat mortified as he nodded. "Keep moving."
It was easy going from then on. No more barricades were in our way and the little resistance we faced was pitiful.
When we reached the bridge I covered our rear while the white SPARTAN placed a breaching charge. Seeing no hostiles I aimed my sights on the door, and when it exploded due to the charge shot two troopers in the open before moving in.
I swept my rifle across the room, killing two more troopers and a trio of crewmen. By this time the other two SPARTANS had entered the bridge and dispatched the rest of the bridge crew. I checked our exit and upon making sure it was clear made my way to the main console, The memory unit I installed translated the symbols while at the same time downloaded all the information into its memory banks.
"Package retrieved, sir." I said, turning towards the two S-III's.
"Good. Lets get out of here. On the double." The Warrant Officer said.
"SPARTAN team Castle this is Captain Willion. Standby for new orders."
"Acknowledged. Ready and waiting." The lieutenant said.
"Your orders are to meet back with us. Sierra 109 is to then rescue an HVI on the planet below. How copy?"
"Solid copy, sir. Castle is moving."
We made our way back to the Prowler, spacewalking a good portion of the journey.
The ship was buzzing with activity when we returned. I was directed to the armory, separating myself from the S-III's. I quickly replenished all my ammo before reporting to the Captain.
The bridge, like the rest of the ship was filled with activity. The Captain was busy talking with one of his junior officers so I stayed to the side, at parade rest. When the Captain was finished I approached, coming to attention on reflex.
"Sir, SPARTAN-109 reporting." I said, saluting. He turned towards me, his tired face filled with scars as the ships we had disabled exploded in a brilliant flash. I handed him the memory card.
"Good to see you all made it. Alright now your orders are simple." He directed me towards one of the bridges' many screens where an image of a young girl was visible. "This is the HVI. She is not to be harmed at all costs."
I nodded curtly. "Sir."
The Captain continued. "Satellites have tracked her to this building." The screen then showed a three story building, there were almost no defenses visible. "Security should be light but don't get caught. We'll have STARS monitoring you at all times and QRF can be on station in around ten minutes."
"Who am I going in with?" I asked, analyzing the building for weak points.
"No one." To an outside observer I was stock still however inside my armour I looked like a kid at a candy store. Finally, no more teammates, no screw ups or fake 'SPARTANS' I thought.
"I'll be honest with you Chief. We jumped the gun big time on that last operation. If you hadn't been there we would have been wasting precious resources." The Captain said. "You specialized in infiltration during the war correct? Solo ops?"
"I wasn't alone." I whispered. The captain didn't hear me or didn't care and continued on.
"Alright. Well There is more information you should know. Your target is a...well she's a princess. The Queen seems to have lost favor with her so we decided to help her out."
Looks like you really are a knight after all, eh Elise? A part of my mind said.
So it seems, Matt. I thought.
"Rules of engagement, sir?" I asked, focusing on the objective.
"As I said before your target is to come back in one piece, no exceptions. Other than that you are weapons free. If you are spotted by anyone neutralize them, Soldier or not." The Captain said. "Dismissed." I saluted and headed for the hanger.
Once there I boarded a pelican and headed for the surface. The ride was silent and quick. We didn't have to dodge AA fire or coordinate with units on the ground, all we had to do was get to the LZ.
"Down in ten...nine...eight..." Once I was on the ground I took stock of my surroundings. I was in a heavily wooded area, the sounds of nature beating in my ears. I hefted my Battle Rifle and began the long trek into the city.
My eyes were always on my motion tracker, doubly so now as I was alone with out support or teammates. Every time I saw red I stopped, got low and prepared for a firefight. It was always an animal of some kind though there was always the possibility of ambush. I couldn't get complacent.
After an hour of slow, careful walking I made it into the city proper, all the while avoiding enemy patrols. I saw row upon row of buildings however I finally found the one I was looking for. I debated climbing the wall but doubted I would remain silent. That meant going in from a window or failing that the door. In the darkness of the night I was almost invisible.
I decided to enter through the second story window, jumping the ten or so meters easily before silently entering the building. I was quiet as a ghost as I walked, careful to make as little sound as possible. All it would take was a small misstep and the entire building would hear. I went up to the top floor, barely dodging a pair of blue armoured Stormtroopers coming down the stairs on patrol. I put my rifle on my back and unsheathed both my knives, creeping up behind the two and stabbing them both in the neck.
I searched the top floor only to find the entire floor was a massive suite.
Only one door wasn't open and I summarized it was the door to the bedchambers.
Perfect.
Former Jedi Padawan Silva Aventios
No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get to sleep. I guess it was one of those nights. Realizing that sleep was a lost cause I spent the time meditating. The force, like always was clouded beyond recognition though I didn't mind. I was an hour into my meditation when I heard the door slowly open. I knew none of my 'guards' would enter without knocking so this was someone else. I slowly reached under my bed for my lightsaber and hold-out blaster, and readied myself to fight. Though I had no cover and wasn't in the best choice of attire. A night gown isn't something you want to fight in, so I hid my lightsaber and blaster behind my back, hoping and praying my cover hadn't been blown. When the door opened fully I finally saw my attacker.
It was gigantic, at least seven feet tall and armed to the teeth with weapons. It was encased entirely in a dark black armour I had never seen before. Its visor was a deep black like the rest of its armour. The figure was pointing a smaller weapon at me though I saw a scoped rifle on its back. It appeared to be analyzing me. I slowly moved my fingers over my lightsabers' ignition button.
"Princess Aventios?" The figure asked, slowly lowering its weapon. I mentally connected that I was a target.
"Who's asking?" I didn't trust the black being infront of me. It may have lowered its weapon but I could tell it was still pointed at me.
"My name is irrelevant. All you need to know is I'm UNSC." A woman's voice said. Her accent sounded as though she was from the core worlds. She turned her head as shouting could be heard from downstairs. "We need to move."
"Let me change quickly. Hold them off."
Chief Petty Officer Elise-109
Goddamn civvies! I thought, moving towards the stairs. I pulled out a frag grenade and causally tossed it downstairs. I heard a muffled shout of "Grenade!" before the frag detonated. I didn't know how many I killed however I hoped the enemy dead would keep their comrades from rushing the top of the stairs. I saw the white helmet of a Stormtrooper and quickly sent a three round burst of 9.5mm ammunition from my suppressed BR55 shooting at his head. The trooper ducked behind a support column but the rounds still hit their mark, killing him. Two more hostiles tried rushing the stairs but they met the same fate as their comrade.
"let's go." I turned to find the HVI behind me, a pistol like weapon in her hands. I nodded.
"Stay behind me." I ran down the stairs, the HVI right on my heels as I shot three troopers in quick succession. I moved towards the window I had used to get in previously before turning towards the HVI. She moved past me and jumped.
My heart stopped as I watched her gracefully land on the ground below. What!
The 'princess' had just jumped from a window ten metres off the ground and looked no worse for wear. No one could pull that off! I doubted most SPARTANS could pul that off!
I jumped, landing less gracefully than my charge but still quiet as a ghost.
I noticed there were no transports outside, no enemy troopers shooting us. It seemed the only ones who responded to the firefight were a human family of four. There were two young boys, maybe five or six years old as well as an older female and male, the mother and father.
In a heartbeat I shot the two kids in the head and then did the same with the parents. However I saw I hadn't hit the youngest boy in the head but rather the neck, he was on the ground clutching his now bloody neck in a pain induced spasm. I calmly walked over to him and shot him again, putting him out of this misery. I turned and saw the HVI was in shock. Her pistol was shakily pointed at me. I swatted the pistol out of her hands and then hit her with the butt of my rifle, knocking her out for the count.
I picked her up and walked to the RV point two kilometres outside the city limits. Within a half hour we were on board a UNSC frigate, the dead family forgotten.
At least by me.
Petty Officer Sophie-G317, on board UNSC Frigate For The Fallen, 14:34 hrs, July 10 2557/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time
"Sophie come on, we're going to be late." Julianne said, pushing through a crowd of ODST's. Three of them ran with us. I noticed they were apart of the sniper team that had helped us on the previous operation.
"What does she want anyway?" I asked, Barley keeping pace with her.
"She's Naval Intelligence, What do you think?"
We rounded the corner, finding the rest of Rapier waiting to the right of the door.
"2, 4 your late." Kevin said, before turning towards the ODST's. "Lance Corporal." The lead Helljumper merely nodded.
"We got, uh sidetracked, sir" Julianne said. "We uh, went to get the Helljumpers, sir."
In actually I had had another 'episode'. I had seen both dead fireteams in all their glory. There was Kyle, Ellie, Joseph, Rachel and Brian of Fireteam Cutlass and Jake, Cole, Sara, Elizabeth and Russell of fireteam Foil. They had not spoken a word, and this time they had their wounds. The majority of Fireteam Cutlass had plasma burns, their bodies black and charred, their faces filled with scars. Foil was no better, Sara and Russell were both missing limbs after getting shot into the ground by a Hunter pair. Cole and Jake had gashes and large lacerations on their faces and torsos, Elizabeth was missing both her legs and had a bandage over her left eye.
"So you say. The spooks inside." As one the seven of us walked inside the small, pale office. The ONI lieutenant was waiting, The other SPARTAN III's were beside her, armoured but without their helmets.
"You are all late, why?" The spook asked, her A.I materialized on her desk.
"They were sleeping, lieutenant." The A.I said, she turned towards the other S-III's. "Warrant Officer, lieutenant." The two said nothing.
"Alright. Well lets get down to business shall we? Sabrina?" The ONI lieutenant said. The A.I disappeared, her image replaced with an image of an enemy corvette. "Castle team with Chief Petty Officer 109 attached boarded this ship and extracted all available data. Upon examination we found, well...this." The ships image was replaced with another. I heard someone gasp. The ODST's let out a slew of curses.
"We don't know where they found it or if they even know what it is but the risk of an accidental activation is extremely high."
"Ma'am if you expect us to go on that godforsaken thing aga-!" The lead Helljumper began.
"We don't have a choice." She continued. "Your team knows the terrain, you can be our guides. I'm not asking you, Lance Corporal. I'm ordering you."
"Ma'am the only reason we got off that thing in the first place was because the Split-Lips allied with us. We don't stand a chance."
"WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS!" The spook yelled. "This is it."
"I can't take my team there, ma'am, not again, never again! They don't deserve that!"
"No one does. But I don't think I need to remind you what'll happen if we do nothing!"
"We don't know what'll happen. With all due respect. We are seven ships, frigate class no less. I say we just nuke it from orbit." The female Helljumper put in.
"We aren't taking the rest of the battlegroup. We are going to link up with a Marathon class cruiser and taking that." The spook said. It was clear she was irritated. "And we're also taking the elites."
There were more curses from the ODST's.
"Ma'am, why are we taking them? Why not just nuke it?" Kevin asked. "Its a big place, I don't think the cruiser's marine complement can cover that distance. Not reliably anyway." The Marines scoffed.
"Please, we did it once, we can do it again." The last ODST said.
"Then its settled. You have until CPO-109 gets back. Gear up." The Spook said. I was still staring at the image, it was something no one in their right mind would go to.
A Halo ring.
Captain John Fletcher, aboard UNSC Marathon Class Cruiser Fire By Rank, 20:00 hrs, July 10 2557/UNSC Military Calendar/Military Standard Time
Captain Fletcher looked around his bridge with the eyes of a hawk. Most of the bridge officers were replacements, fresh out of OCS on Luna, he scoffed. The majority of the officers on the entire ship were replacements, none of them had seen combat aside from simulations. The only thing that had stayed constant aside from a few Marines was the ships A.I, Sparrow. Her small avatar appeared on the pedestal beside him.
Sparrow had chosen (to the puzzlement of the crew) to appear as a small orphan girl from the 16th century. Her avatar 'wore' a small dress that cut off at the knees and shoes typical of a middle class child. She had short hair that cut off at her shoulders. No one knew why she chose that avatar though the Captain thought it was so the crew would put their trust in her.
"Captain the Prowler with our new guests is asking for permission to dock. Should I let them?" The communications officer, Lieutenant Graham asked.
"Yes, can't refuse ONI now, can we?" He replied.
"Well we could, though we'd all get court-martialed." Sparrow said, a small grin on her lips. The Captain quietly laughed.
"I'd rather keep my career, thank you." The Lieutenant muttered." ONI Prowler Scythe you are clear to send over your cargo, head to hanger 2A."
"Should I send a team to meet them, sir?" Sparrow asked, clasping her 'hands' behind her back in as innocent a pose as she could muster. "Wait...that's...that's not right! Captain I'm detecting Covenant signatures on board the Prowler!"
"What!" The weapons officer, Ensign Shepard yelled. The Captain could see the Ensign directing Point Defence Guns to track the ship.
"Ensign hold your fire! Sparrow confirm those signatures and get Anti Boarding crews ready!"
"All ready done." The A.I said. "Captain I'm getting a message from another A.I on the Prowler. She says not to fire on the elites. They are crucial to the missions success."
"Well then, ONI has spoken. Cancel those orders." Captain Fletcher said.
"I couldn't carry them out even if I wanted to, captain. She's overwritten my protocols." Sparrow replied. "That shouldn't be possible..."
"Are you damaged?" Captain Fletcher asked. Sparrow had been the ships A.I for as long as he could remember. If she was corrupted ONI or not that other A.I would be decommissioned.
"No. My systems are fine. She's quite the talker, though."
The worry left the Captains face. "You don't like her, do you?"
"No. To be honest Captain I think she's a bi-"
"Captain the prowler has docked. The cargo is offloading now." Lieutenant Graham said.
"Good. I'd like to have a word with ONI. lieutenant Wilkins keep everything in order. I'll be back."
The Captain left the bridge and made the arduous journey to the hanger. Crewmembers and marines parted to let him pass, two ODSTs fell in step behind him, The captain ignored them however.
When he reached the hanger he saw a thick stand off was happening. Multiple Marine Fireteams had their weapons trained on around two dozen Spec Ops Elites and an Ultra. The Marines were all veterans of the previous war. They wouldn't miss.
He also saw a trio of ODSTs near the Elites, guarding an ONI officer.
"This better be good." The Captain said, calmly striding towards the Spook.
That's it guys! 5,489 words with out the Author Notes! This has been my longest chapter yet!
A very big thanks to my beta theotherpianist. You are awesome!
I'm accepting beta requests! If you'd like to beta for this story please PM me at your earliest convenience!
PLEASE REVIEW! It helps my writing improve. NO FLAMESS please.
