Chapter 22

November 23, 2552, 0831hrs, "The Hive", HIGHCOM Facility Bravo 6, Sydney, Australia, Planet Earth

Captain Osman walked into Natalia's office precisely one minute after she'd arrived.

"Good morning, Ms. Misriah," Osman stated without affection then handed her a plain brown envelope.

"Good morning, captain," Natalia responded politely. Receiving the envelope, she asked in order to buy some time from her initial shock of CINCONI's aide coming to see her, "what's this about?"

"New orders from Admiral Parangosky. Open it and read them," Osman answered briskly.

Natalia used every ounce of her willpower to not show concern before the probing eyes of the woman she knew despised her. Inside was a single piece of paper with Joining Orders for the Office of Naval Intelligence company in New Mombasa Kenya effective immediately. She'd be in an 'information gathering' role and her transport was leaving 24 hours after receipt.

"Do you understand these orders?" the aide asked.

"Yes I do, captain," Natalia answered without emotion.

"And do you have any question?"

"No ma'am, I'm good."

Serin Osman waited a full two minutes for a reaction before leaving without saying another word. Natalia wouldn't give her the satisfaction. The captain left disappointed by Natalia's response but didn't have time to linger. She needed to contact MacKenzie Wainwright and remind him of his offer of 'help'. It was turning out to be a busy morning.

After Osman left Natalia burst into tears and her heart beat so hard she thought it would burst out of her chest. She was being sent directly to the front lines for no purpose other than to probably try to get her killed. The implications of what this meant chilled her to the bone.

Parangosky must really hate me if she's going to these lengths to get rid of me, Natalia thought. A grim fatalism started to creep over the woman marring her attractive features. But then, like a ray of sunshine, a new thought burst in.

"I know what this is about," the troubled woman declared aloud to herself then thought, but I've also been in combat before, I can handle this. I know how to look after myself. I did that on Mars. While she knew the horrible dreams would return again that night, she determined to not let them get the better of her since there was a new and more powerful thought that had come out of her realization: she was going to be that much closer to Mike.

November 23, 2552, 0915hrs, Pelican Foxtrot 5-23, enroute to Kenya, Africa, Planet Earth

The last brief enroute with Colonel Holland had just finished up and it dampened some of Mike's good feelings after his discussion with Gunny MacGregor. The situation in Africa they were being thrown into was worse than he'd thought. Most public reports had stated the Covenant in Africa were confined to a location in Kenya where they appeared to be protecting a dig of some large Forerunner artifact. The battle had been going on for over a month but was a stalemate. Unfortunately, another Covenant battle group had shown up and tipped the scale of the fight. If that weren't bad enough the ease with which they were able to penetrate through Earth's naval defenses had sent a chill through UNSC planners. Long range scanners seemed to be showing more Covenant ships enroute and the word 'Reach' was starting to be whispered. So, the humans needed to launch a vigorous counterattack in order to contain what was going on. There were several other locations on the planet humanity were fighting the invaders but Africa seemed to be the critical strategic location.

So the Wolf Pack was being sent there.

The news was not all gloomy. There were other Spartans in the area including John-117. the now famous Master Chief. Mike had heard good things about the Spartan II through the grapevine but he'd also heard that the Smart AI Cortana had been paired with him. That got the Lone Wolf thinking of Reach and the desperate mission the remnants of Noble Team had fought to get her off the planet. It had ended up costing Commander Carter and Emile their lives. A high price but increasingly it was seeming to be worth it. So, it seemed like his team and the ODST Wolverines were not the only assets at the dance. Regardless, it seemed like another desperate fight which meant they were the right ones to be part of it.

As his commander mused the mission assignment Adam surveyed the rest of the Wolf Pack sitting comfortably in the Pelican. He, like Mike, was worried about how they'd adjusted to the new Mjolnir armor. He and Maia had seemed to make the transition not too badly though he knew he didn't understand it all and wouldn't be using the suits full capabilities. But at least he was able to move freely and he'd figured out the shielding system which would be a welcome addition. Terrell would likely adjust well on the fly but Matt and Alissa rather than working with the armor seemed to resist and try to exert their will on it. That could prove to be a problem in the inevitable combat they were sure to quickly see when they hit the ground.

That was something though which was not his biggest concern.

The sensitive teen Spartan realized the anxiety he'd thought beaten seemed to have returned. Like a terrorist cell lying dormant and coming back to life his was now back. It had likely been his time recovering in the hospital but the reason why didn't matter. He'd laid down to sleep the previous night and the nightmares about his family being butchered by Brutes had come back and he'd woke up in a cold sweat having soaked his bed. Even the thought of the dream caused his heart rate to spike which was noted by the bio readout in the helmet that sat on his lap. He'd disabled the alarm function so no one else would find out what was going on within.

Adam knew he could fight, and he was comfortable moving back into his role as second-in-command for the team. That wasn't it. The big issue for him was what would happen when he ran into Brutes again. He painfully recalled how he'd frozen in the first several encounters with the Jiralhanae on Mars. It wasn't embarrassment or pride that he worried about. Instead his concern was that his fear and inability to overcome this would cause the death of someone, or worst of all, one of his teammates. The thoughtful teenager couldn't live with that if it happened. So, as they flew over the ocean towards Africa, he became more and more anxious.

Melanie looked over at Mike and knew he was deep in thought and something bothered her. She figured it was likely mission-related since he'd taken his helmet off after the time she knew he'd been talking to Colonel Holland. She was no longer the 2ic of Noble Team but adjunct and in a recon role so wasn't privy to that level of the chain of command anymore. That didn't bother her. She knew Mike would brief her and the rest of the team in when needed, and it wasn't that she had been moved back in the chain to make way for Adam. She was truly happy for the teen that he was back.

Then what was it?

The deep-thinking woman couldn't put her finger on it and that was likely the cause of her irritation. For years she'd been in control of everything to do with her life. She even felt she had control of the battlespace she interacted with. But now few things seemed to be. All of her agitation seemed to revolve around Mike. Watching him she knew he was pondering the mission because she could read him. As a child training on Onyx she'd developed that connection with him and though they'd been separated for years it had come back right away. There was a fit and they were comfortable around each other.

Or mostly.

They worked well together, that was obvious, they cared about each other. That was obvious too. But what that all meant in the bigger pictures was foggy at best. She had feelings for him which she couldn't control and that irritated her as well as she couldn't control his feelings for her either.

Again, an irritation.

Then there was Mike's current love of his life. Melanie wouldn't go there. No, she was a woman torn- torn between the desire to move back to the insulated bliss she had experience before and this new and scary world of feelings. And now they were on their way to Africa together. The fates seemed to be keeping them together. Was it some twisted joke of the Divine to keep her off balance and remind her of something she'd never have or was it instead the opportunity she secretly hoped for? Melanie felt as if she was staring at a door before her. Did she walk away or did she kick it in and see what was inside? The clock was ticking and she needed to decide one way or another soon.

In Australia MacKenzie Wainwright sat at his portable datapad and could feel beads of sweat running down his back, staining his tailored shirt. He'd heard from the annoying Captain Osman again who'd laid out an ultimatum for him in plain terms. Many times he'd thought of going to Spanner Misriah but his pride and fear wouldn't let him. Instead he sat alone and wondered how he'd gotten into this position. A few months ago, his life had been golden- career progression, his relationship with Natalia and everything flowing in his direction. His was a life of privilege and he never realized he'd taken it for granted. He felt this privilege was deserved because of who he was and his ambition manifest. The prideful man wouldn't consider much had to do with the name of his family and connections he enjoyed. No, everything had been great and now it was being taken from him.

It was the Spartan's fault.

That soldier has stolen his girl and the favor of Spanner Misriah. I'm too good for her, I'm too good for all of them. I'll show them my true value when I take from them what should be mine by rights, he thought to himself, almost convincingly.

No, the die was cast. MacKenzie had to go through with it and he believed he could. He'd already set up a series of relays and blind addresses to route his access attempt so as to cover who was going after the data. He had his own codes and another he'd been able to grab from the corporate office in Sydney the afternoon before. Now it was time to do what he had to do.

MacKenzie placed his fingers on the keyboard and started to tap in the access codes only then realizing not only perspiration was beading on his tanned forehead but his hands were shaking. Enough of this! He chided himself. Get the stuff, get out and move on.

The would-be hacker got through the initial entry and first two firewalls with little effort. Between his codes and the ones stolen it was a breeze.

"I'm in!" he said to himself triumphantly, silently congratulating himself on the cleverness of his plan.

MacKenzie was just about to start a download on the latest weapon system research from Misriah Armory when he noticed a single black dot flashing in the lower left side of his screen. It took him a split second to realize what it was and then his heart froze with realization.

"Oh shit! It's a trace program!" he said and in one swift motion took the mug of coffee he'd been sipping from and threw it on the datapad frying the device instantly.

Heart beating like it was about to explode MacKenzie Wainwright prayed he'd severed the connection fast enough and the relays he built in were enough to keep his identity secret. Later in the day the broken executive would take a hammer, smash the device apart and then throw the bits into an incinerator.

While MacKenzie Wainwright was trying to cover his tracks, in the same city Natalia had put a video call in to her father.

"Hi sweetheart, this is a pleasant surprise," Spanner declared happily. Then seeing the dark look on his daughter's face asked, "What's going on? I can tell you're upset."

"I'm being sent to Kenya on assignment'" Natalia answered lifelessly.

"What? How can that be? Who ordered that?" her father demanded.

"Guess? It's Admiral Parangosky, of course," Natalia responded bitterly. "I think she's not only trying to get me out of the way but get me killed."

"We're not going to stand for that. I can…," Spanner began but was cut off by his daughter.

"No dad! No more interference. No more privilege," Natalia declared with passion in her voice. "I'm going to do this and do my job. I've been in combat situations before, I can take care of myself. I think the admiral has forgotten that."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm just worried."

"Thanks dad, I appreciate that," Natalia acknowledged. "But it's not all bad. Mike is enroute to Kenya as well so it might be a chance for me to see him."

"Always seeing the opportunity," Spanner chuckled. "Good girl."

"Hey, I'm a Misriah. I'll talk to you when I'm on the ground. I love you dad."

Back in New York Ruth Charet had come in earlier than usual and was already working the machine of the United Nations. The effective bureaucrat had contacted the chair of the UN Human Rights Committee and had met with the middle-aged Korean man who'd received what she'd shared not with the hoped-for enthusiasm but hadn't our-right shot down the idea either. This was not as much for the strength of the resolution Charet was proposing as much as for the strength of her position and view she was one on the assent. The bespectacled former medical doctor rarely advanced things such as this and was known for careful thought. So, it was a winning combination. The committee chair then got the wheels rolling with his own group.

Spanner Misriah had a message waiting for him when he arrived at the executive level of Misriah Towers. The conversation he'd had with his daughter was still weighing heavily on him. While he trusted her abilities and resolution the father was also concerned about the reality of her assignment. She was being sent into the epicenter of the Covenant's invasion of Earth on a pretense. He knew it was little more than an excuse by CINCONI to put her in harm's way. The pragmatic billionaire wasn't sure what was going on but he had his suspicions. The message though from Ruth Charet solidified in his mind what his pride wouldn't allow him- his advocacy of the Spartans had tipped the already tense situation over the top. He was the reason she was being sent into the fire. The selfish pragmatist in him would have tried to find an out but he now knew he couldn't do that. He prayed she'd be safe but also stuck to his convictions. In fact, they grew even more resolute. He had his assistant put his driver on notice to take him to the United Nations at mid-day.

At noon Ruth Charet stepped into a briefing room to meet the press who'd been called for an announcement. A large crowd had gathered in curiosity since the Director General rarely made these kinds of statements sensing something important was about to happen. When Spanner Misriah showed up most began to put the pieces together and several were already contacting their editors to let them know something big was coming down.

Charet adjusted her rectangular wire glasses while scanning the gathered crowd with her penetrating blue eyes. The crowd hushed in anticipation of her speaking though the usually cool woman suddenly became nervous. The implications of what she was about to share would be big and she knew the Office of Naval Intelligence would not be pleased. The doctor ran a hand nervously through her white hair and cleared her throat. No, she would not hold back and she would not be intimidated. This was the right thing to do and it was about time the UNSC, the United Earth Government and even the United Nations started to do the same thing.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming on such short notice," Charet began nervously, then she saw Spanner Misriah who gave her a confident nod and her resolve stiffen. "I want to share with you the following resolution the United Nations Department for Human Relations is in the process of releasing. It will be formalized at this afternoon's General Assembly.

"Be it resolved, in this dire time of humanity's need we commend the United Nations Space Command for their undertaking of the protection of humanity. We salute the brave men and women on the front lines and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. An ancient book written over 2500 years ago, the bible, said, 'greater love has no one than this, that one would lay down their life for their friend.

But

Especially in a time such as this, we must remember the very thing that separates us from the barbaric Covenant, that is our humanity. All men and women are imbued with inalienable rights and they must be not only cherished but preserved especially during the time of a desperate fight since it's in times like this we may be tempted to forget our basic human rights.

So

The United Nations would like to remind the military command of their responsibility to protect and preserve our humanity but also the basic rights we cherish so deeply.

Specifically:

We would ask that the basic human rights of the Spartan supersoldiers be maintained to the same level as that of the other military and civilian members of the UNSC.

We thank you for being the guardians of our lives and freedom and wish us all god speed in this conflict."

Spanner Misriah couldn't help but smile as heard the resolution being read. "Way to go, Ruth," he said to himself. "I knew you could do it."

Charet finished and looked up from her notes. The statement was brief but after little more than a second those gathered exploded in excitement for the implications of the statement. The UN had just acknowledged the Spartan program and had also called for them to be treated with basic human rights. The simplicity of the statement was lost in the implications of what hadn't been said but now was in the open. Reporters began to pepper the Secretary-General with questions but many of them turned to Spanner Misriah who sat in the visitor's gallery wanting his comments as well. The ripple effect of this had the potential to turn into a tsunami.

On the other side of the planet the news conference and statement by the United Nations was being observed by more than casual observers.

Margaret Parangosky fumed silently though outwardly her countenance was like ice. "I have to admire the old bird," the head of ONI grudgingly stated, "I didn't think she had it in her."

"We should expect interest from news media and likely some political types," Black Box stated, the cube-like avatar hanging over the admiral's polished desk. "You humans really do have a unique ability to complicate things, don't you?" the Smart AI added showing it was amused by the exercise.

"That will be enough, Black Box," Parangosky snapped. "I'm well aware of the repercussions likely to come out of this."

"Then what are we going to do about it?" Captain Osman asked.

"For the time being nothing, but our time to respond will come," Parangosky answered without emotion. "There is much blame to share if it should come to that. Remember, we have all the files and all the information. We can ensure that light is shed in many dark corners if necessary. No, we will respond but, in many ways, I do believe this can still be turned to our advantage. Ask Jun to come and see me this afternoon."

November 23, 2552, 1135hrs, UNSC Staging Area, Kenya, East Africa Protectorate, Africa, Planet Earth

The Pelicans carrying the Wolf Pack and Wolverines landed with feather-light accuracy and began to disgorge their passengers in a military encampment being used by the UNSC as a staging area for their ongoing operations in Kenya. Walking into the mid-day sunshine each could see for themselves the extensive damage to the city that had once been a jewel not just of the African country but all of the Earth.

New Mombasa was a major port city and industrial center near the equator in South Kenya on the Indian Ocean in Africa. The city was built on Mombasa Island and surrounded by Old Mombasa; the original town that had been built hundreds of years earlier. A dominant feature of the once impressive skyline was the Mombasa Space Tether though the skyline had been much destroyed during the recent Covenant invasion. In 2302 due to the economic stability and key location it was chosen for the building of Earth's first space elevator which transformed the already prominent city, making it one of the most important on Earth.

That all changed on October 20 when a small Covenant fleet slipped through Earth's defensive network under the Prophet of Regret. The invading forces laid siege to the city and over a series of weeks the metropolis stood in the balance. When Regret's forces made a slipspace jump the ensuing shockwave and EMP event caused heavy damage not only to the city but the digital infrastructure as well. Several hours later the unthinkable happened. Weakened by the shockwave the orbital teether collapsed with part being pulled into space and the remainder falling to Earth as far away as Voi. The damage to the city, area and Tsavo Highway was severe. The human defenders had only a momentary respite to consider this catastrophic event when a Jiralhanae-led fleet arrived at Earth and took over from where the Prophet of Regret left off. UNSC forces continued to battle the invaders who eventually glassed large sections of the city before moving most of their operations to the area of Voi.

Still, the Brute-led force continued to occupy a number of key sectors of the city and especially access to the Space Elevator so it was here the Wolf Pack and ODST Wolverines would begin.

Mike looked around surveying the area. The weather gauge on his HUD registered a temperature of a warm 26 degrees Celsius so began to adjust the internal environmental levels. it was sunny with mixed fluffy clouds though there was a chance of light rain later in the afternoon. It was an altogether pleasant day. No wonder the place had been a popular tourist destination before the invasion. Sadly, there would be little tourism in the years to come. The dull thud of explosions in the distance showed this was still an active war zone. The ruins of buildings on the horizon and oily black smoke clouds gave testament to the destruction which angered anew the deep-feeling Spartan.

"All right, Captain McLynn, Gunny, get your people sorted. Wolf Pack, look sharp. It's time to get to work."