Chapter 10: UNSC
June 6th 3235
5:40 p.m. (exospace time)
en route to Mobius system
Inside the Punisher's cargo hold, Johnson was going to put away the Emeralds when he spotted Shadow. He thought he was up to something so, he dew his sidearm. "Hello, Sergeant," Shadow said, somehow, he knew he was there. "Hedgehog," The Marine replied, quickly holstering his weapon, "What are you doing here?" He asked. "Just moving the Emeralds." Shadow said acting innocent. "Right, so where are you taking them?" Johnson asked sounding more suspicious. "I'm just--" Shadow began to say but the intercom cut him off. Chris's voice said, "Bridge to Johnson, do you copy over?" Johnson replied, "I'm here, sir, what do you need?" "We need you here on the bridge, Sergeant." Chris said. "Why, may I ask is that?" "I'll explain later. Now I wanted you here five minutes ago. Bridge out." He looked at Shadow and narrowed his eyes; "I'll deal with you later" he growled and sprinted off.
If the El-Tee wanted just him on the bridge, it had to be something important. Johnson knew that
Chris waited silently and looked at his watch, he should've gotten some sleep maybe a quick coffee could perk him up. The bridge's blast doors slid apart to reveal a lightly panting Sergeant Johnson. "I'm here sir, what do you need?" Chris immediately discarded his fatigue and turned to face the Marine. "Sergeant, good to see you." "Yeah. So what did you need me for?" the Sergeant asked. "Do you see that planetoid?" Chris asked making the asteroid isolated from the outside world.
"Yes, I see it. What about it?" Chris said then, "That's really a UNSC base." "It's just a dead rock," Johnson said making the I-doubt-it sign. The ship slowly began to face the far side. What Johnson saw put his doubt out of his mind. Halcyon-Class Cruisers, Frigates, Destroyers and hundreds of C709 Longsword fighters were swirling around their docked ships. "What is this place?" The Sergeant asked. "This is one of the last UNSC CPs in this section of the galaxy. This is the UNSC Mobian detachment. "Mobius, huh?" he had head about Mobius during the jump from Thoris. "This must be where you met your friends, isn't it?" "The very same place, Sergeant. Now let's go, and sign in, if we don't go, they come and believe me, that's worse than going.
Petty Officer Grant Partins saw the jumpship on his Longsword's scanners. It seemed to be coming right at them. Should he raise an alarm? No. The last time something like this happened, the base went to DEFCON 2 just because a freighter had miss jumped. Better let them make the first move. A voice came over the radio. It came from the jumpship in front of him. It was also on the UNSC E-band usually reserved for Military lines and was encoded. Maybe, just maybe, they were friendlies. Grant opened the COM back and prepared to reply.
"I repeat, this is Lieutenant Chris Vennettilli of the UNSC Earth detachment service number 15567-63411-CV anybody copy, over?" A voice came back:
"I copy, Lieutenant. This is Petty Officer Grant Partins of the UNSC Mobian detachment. What can we do for you?" "We need repairs for a frigate. That was damaged during an op on Thoris." Chris said. "Thoris? You mean that frozen wasteland? Why were you there?" Grant started to ask. Chris replied: "That's classified, Petty Officer. Do we have permission to dock onto the station?"
"Hang on, sir, I'll have to check in with my CO." There was silence for a moment then Grant came back saying, "Permission granted, Lieutenant. You may dock your damaged frigate onto clamp 5." "Thank you, Warrant officer, Lieutenant Vennettilli out."
Chris snapped off the COM and turned to face his team. Ryan, Sarge, Sally, Sonic, Amy, Big, Knuckles and Shadow all stood present. "OK." Chris said. "The minute we latch on, they'll check us for illegal weaponry." Amy then said, "Why, we're not carrying anything deadly, but I'm sure Big's fishing pole can be pretty destructive when used properly." The Marine had to hold back a laugh at this. But pressed on. After repairs, we can go back to Mobius to find the last Emerald and end our search. Shadow shifted uncomfortably at this. No one to notice to this, Chris continued, "I'll also try to convince the Admiral to let us use some of the ships in his fleet. That way we'll have the guns to fight Eggman if we need to. There was a dull thunk as the Thunderstrike's docking clamp interlaced the station's one. The hallway pressurized as the team moved forward. A pair of Marine MP guards saluted them as they came into the station.
The station was a bustling ecosystem in which marines, navel personal and ODSTs more colorfully known as "Helljumpers" ran about with business and errands. A man in a uniform came to meet the group. "My name is Admiral Gregory Jameston, Deputy Administrator for the Office of Naval Operations." The Sergeant and Chris stepped forward, "Pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Chris Vennettilli. I'm this group's CO and this is my second officer, Sergeant Johnson." "Excellent." Jameston said. "Please ask your group to wait outside while we discuss the business of your business in this part of the sector." All Johnson and Chris could say was: "yes sir." And stepped into a briefing room.
Sonic looked at the clock on the wall set to Earth Greenwich time. It was 6:15. Chris and Johnson had been in that room for over thirty minutes and he decided to check out what they were up to. That's why he announced that he was going to the washroom and he set out to 'look in' on the Brass's conversation. He rounded a corner to and air duct. Being slightly smaller than the late-teen human for being a Mobian, Sonic could climb into the duct and find out what was going on when finally, he found the correct grate
"…Eggman must be stopped, sir" Chris said. "Yes, I agree with you, Lieutenant 100. But we need a strategy in order to capture or kill him." "And what about the Emeralds?"
Johnson asked. Jameston spoke up. "Well, based on Intel we have on these puzzling little jewels, they're currently located somewhere in Robotropolis. I believe you are familiar with the place, Lieutenant?" Chris managed a small smile "Quite, sir." "Excellent. Here's the plan. We can draw off Eggman's attention of these landing pads," A hologram of the city flashed up. Three fifty-yard landing pads usually used for cargo were illuminated in bright yellow. "We can land Pelicans to send troops out into the city and move into the central spire." A large metallic tower was in the center of the city. "We believe that's where the Emeralds are being kept." "Sounds like a tough break." Johnson growled. "Indeed, Sergeant. I read up on the Tech files of some of your teammates. Young miss Acorn seems to have quite a talent for hacking. She'll be useful in the covert assault. The landing will take place in 3 days at oh-nine-hundred-hours. You are dismissed." "Yes sir." both of them said leaving the office.
Sonic had all the info he needed. He raced back to his spot before Chris even left the briefing room. "Well that took a long time." Sally said. Sonic looked at her innocently, "There was a lineup." he said shrugging. Chris had exited by then and was followed by Johnson. "We have a new assignment." He announced. "A landing will take place three days from now at Robotropolis." "That's suicide1" Sally said. "Maybe, maybe not." Chris said. "As soon as we clear the initial area, the Helljumpers will land and move up with us. Then, we take the emeralds, and destroy the city. Simple." Johnson then said. "OK, boys and girls, let's get on that ship right now!" No-one saw any reason to say anyone else and ran back to the airlock. Moments later, the Thunderstrike was finished repairs and was speeding back to the Punisher.