1700 hours, January 9th, 2543 (UNSC military calendar)
Landing Pad, Assembly Yard Gamma, Chi-Rho, Ectanus 45 System.
Doctor Halsey checked her breathing apparatus one more time before stepping off the ramp of the shuttle. The hot and dry air of the glassed world immediately hit her like a moving truck. Tiny particles of glass and sulfur impacting the reinforced glass of her mask. It felt like ages since she'd worn anything other than a lab coat. She didn't need the mask when she entered the city proper, only for the landing pad. But she felt more comfortable this way.
Assembly Yard Gamma was sprawled out before her. A massive city-sized space dock and manufacturing complex, which had been captured at a high cost to the Coalition. She felt her heart sink as she thought about the Spartans who had died on this planet, the worst losses the Spartans had ever taken. She would make their sacrificed worth something. Just with the technology here, she was certain she could work miracles. Perhaps if she played her cards right, she could get re-assigned to wherever the new hidden training ground for the Spartans was. She dearly wanted to see them again.
There were dozens of cargo ships going to and from the official and makeshift landing pads across the Assembly Yard, unloading cargoes of men and material to begin securing the technological bounty that had been taken. But to her chagrin, she noted most of the shuttles were Turian. Only a company of ODST's and a regiment of UNSC Marines remained upon Chi-Rho, the rest pulled back to the Inner Colonies to recover from the slaughter that had taken place.
She had promised to herself that she would make the most out of their sacrifice. Or so she convinced herself. When word that Chi-Rho was being opened up to the Joint Research Initiative, she had immediately volunteered herself and pulled every string she could to get herself assigned here. She was certain that, within a year, she could create human energy shielding. And this world had all the information she'd need to get that done.
So far the Coalition had carried off hundreds of containers of Covenant military materials, many of which hadn't yet had their anti-tampering systems installed yet. The leap forward made possible by this Assembly Yard could throw humanity decades into the future, possibly even centuries. If they just learned how to harness these advanced Covenant weapons.
She stepped aside as a cargo truck rolled past, its bed filled with rack upon rack of Covenant Plasma Turrets. She would be sure to follow those and see about getting a few for her own research projects.
Halsey immediately bypassed the poor intern that had been assigned to pick her up and quickly walked past anyone that even tried to talk to her. She rushed into the Yard, heading to where she'd been told a shield-emitting factory line had been found. The thought of the Coalition taking this planet, and using it to pump out equipment for use by humanity was terrific. There were already plans to try and mount unfitted Covenant naval weaponry upon UNSC ships. Or even to restart the production lines and use some of the Covenant war material against the Covenant. There was enough material and enough partially-assembled hulls to build a small fleet of knockoff Covenant ships.
But halfway to her destination, she was distracted by a furious bout of angry cursing. She leaned over the walkway she was standing on, looking down at the source. Down a few stairs and a walkway, was a single closed door. It had been marked for a later investigation, but a Marine was trying to get in.
Halsey considered just ignoring the Marine, but couldn't resist the intrigue. She yelled at him. "Marine. What are you doing?"
The Marine turned around, looking surprised by the sudden shout. "Wasting my time on break! I'm bored and thought I'd get this door open." The man said nonchalantly. "Figured there might be something worth looting."
Marines. They're like big angry children. Halsey thought with some amusement. She liked the Marine Corps. Even if they were generally a bit too dim-witted for her standards. Fewer things are more dangerous than bored marines with technology.
Halsey went down the stairs, heading towards the Marine. She felt like a ten-year-old girl in a hardware store. There were so many things to find, so many things to discover on Chi Rho. She pushed the thoughts of the lost Spartans aside, and instead focused upon enjoying her first day on the planet. She was confident with the technology discovered here, she could make the Spartan's Mjolnir armor better than it had ever been.
As she approached the doorway, she saw the Marine had opened the panel to the side of the door. He was fiddling with the internals and trying to get the door opened that way. Halsey walked up next to him, pushed him aside, and began to force the door to open. She didn't even need to look to know what to pull, what to connect, and what to break. "Observe. You might learn something." Halsey said with a grin to the Marine.
The door opened, revealing several dozen Jackals huddled in the corner of a large room, screeching and trying to block out the bright light. Their uniforms were simple cloth ones, and they did not carry weapons.
"Shit," Halsey said. She hadn't expected to find living Covenant workers. But where there was a tragedy for one, there was an opportunity for another. She immediately thought about having these Covenant interrogated, perhaps they could even be made to tell the Coalition how to operate some of the machinery. She just had to take them alive.
The Marine next to Halsey immediately brought up his rifle and took aim.
Halsey yelled 'Wait!' and pushed down the rifle, causing the burst to go wildly. The Marine quickly and reflexively backhanded her, causing Halsey to fall to the ground. But before the Marine did anything else, he stopped and looked into the room again. The starving Jackals were looking on in mute horror. They were skeletal, days from death—perhaps hours. A few began to run, crawling into a narrow passage that led somewhere out of sight.
The Marine looked down at her, then he looked at the Jackals, who were unable to escape. Some were too starved to even stand up.
The Marine opened fire. His rounds found their mark, and with one sweep of the room, wiped out every last Jackal inside. The man yelled out over the COM. "I neutralized a bunker containing Covenant stragglers." He paused to add. "There are entrances in the bunker that lead further down. Might be more down there."
Halsey glared at the Marine, as she began to push herself back up. She was going to protest his actions when a fierce Turian voice yelled across the COM.
"This is Captain Tark Veltarian, Fifth Taetrus Legion. This planet is under a Turian occupation, If there are Covenant survivors, they are to be captured! Anyone killing or abusing prisoners will receive summary judgement at the hands of the Hastatim, according to the Hierarchy Penal Code."
"Stay out of this, Turian." A human yelled back. Halsey's HUD marked him as Major Antonia Silva, the commander of the ODST forces in the city. "This is a human world, and human law applies. Any Covenant presence is to be wiped out. Like they did to us. I am sending CHEMWAR specialists to gas those bastards out."
As the two leaders began to argue over the radio about just who had jurisdiction on Chi-Rho, and about how to deal with the possibility of Covenant survivors in underground bunkers, Halsey started to make her way into the bunker, glaring at the Marine, who avoided eye contact. He looked confused and perhaps a little bit conflicted.
It looked like the bunker had become a makeshift home for the surviving Covenant. There were rough cots and mats, and huge piles of rubbish filled with what looked like nutrient packs and bottles.
Halsey couldn't help but feel something approaching pity for the dead Jackals. These weren't armed fighters, but half-starved wretches living in their own waste. The thought of Major Silva ordering the bunkers filled with nerve gas immediately turned her stomach. She stumbled out of the bunker, took off her helmet, and almost hurled. The dry and warm air of Chi Rho hit her immediately, the confusing sensation nearly pushing her over the edge. She could taste the bile.
She was pulled out of her horror, by the sound of synchronized footsteps. Turians in black armor were moving in on the entrance to the bunker. Halsey immediately recognized them as the Hastatim. The Turian equivalent of the military police. She had a growing concern she was about to see the extent of Turian Justice. The Marine, still looking unsure at what to do, glancing between his gun, Halsey, and the contents of the bunker. Quietly going "Fuck. Shit. Shit. Fuck." to himself. He straightened up and took a deep breath, then turned to face the Turians. "Everything is under control. Hostiles neutraliz-"
A bolt of Cryonic Condensate shot out from the Omni-Tool of the leading Turian and hit the feet of the Marine who had shot into the bunker, freezing him in place. The Marine didn't even have time to yell before he was violently manhandled into submission by the Hastatim. His weapon was torn from his grasp, and his equipment was quickly taken away from him, piece by piece.
The leading Turian observed his men taking the Marine into custody, then glanced at Halsey who had by now dusted herself up and was looking at the ongoing scene with fascination. "You saw what happened. Did this Marine fire at those wretches?"
Halsey slowly nodded. She thought about what to say and decided to just go with the truth. The look the Turian had on his face, told her that any attempt to be coy for the sake of the Marine, would not get her far. "I told him to stop, he hesitated, then opened fire."
The Turian nodded sternly. "Send me your helmet logs." He activated his Omni-Tool, then held it out for the data transfer. "That is not a request."
Halsey paused for a moment, then, with the eyes of the Hastatim upon her, activated her own Omni-Tool and connected it to the Turian's. There was a brief pause, as Halsey transferred her own helmet logs to the Turian.
The Turian nodded. Then took his time to watch a replay of what happened. He began to recite the events that had happened, recording himself doing so. "Subject in custody came upon unarmed civilians who were in a state of terror and panic. Was ordered to stop by a scientific advisor, and proceeded to violently throw her aside. He hesitated before opening fire." He pulled the Marine to his feet, who was violently cursing and yelling at the Turians.
"Let me go you fucking aliens. I killed the Covenant. That's what I'm supposed to do!" He looked at Halsey. "Ma'am. Please, don't just stand there. Help a fellow human out. You surprised me, I didn't mean to strike you. You have to understand!"
The Turians glanced back and forth at each other, disgust plain on their faces. The squad's leader merely turned the Marine around and prodded him forward with the barrel of his gun. "Shut up. I'm going to give you two options. Either a firing squad or suicide. You have until midnight to decide how you want to go."
Halsey stepped forward. "This is a human world, Turian. You can't just take a UNSC Marine into custody withou-"
The Turian turned around, looking down at the much smaller Halsey, his gaze one of pure domineering control, mixed with anger and disgust. "Yes, we can. We are the Turian Hierarchy, and galactic justice is ours to enforce. There are five million Turians deployed as a garrison across this miserable rock. There's fifty thousand humans, most of whom researchers. That makes this a Turian military operation, one whose honor has been shamed by this idiot."
He pushed the Marine forward, who was struggling in his bonds. One of the Hastatim was aiming an Omni-Tool at him, jamming his radio as the man tried to call his comrades. "You're about to see how the Turians handle justice. And unlike the sham your government practices, we actually deliver."
Three hours later, Halsey sat in the Canteen that had been prepared for the Joint Research Initiative presence on Chi Rho. The mood was tense, and the Turians standing guard at the entrance of the tent did not help. There was a definite sense of growing tension between the humans and the Turians, with the former uncomfortable about the latter enforcing military discipline.
Where before, the mixture of tents and prefabricated structures that held the workers and guards for the soldiers deployed to Chi Rho had been ecstatic, and full of activity, now there was a definite sense of unease that permeated the camp. The fact a UNSC Marine was to be executed by a Turian firing squad, with barely a trial, had not gone over well. Especially when most of the humans present, did not feel as if the human had done anything wrong. The only reason the Marine hadn't been shot yet, was threats from Major Silva to break him out.
To avoid violence against their prisoners, the Turian General had ordered every human on Chi-Rho remain at base camp, or inside their barracks. And had placed guards to make sure no Marines or ODST's tried to go after the captured Jackals.
With no threat of violence against their new prisoners, the Turians had extracted the surviving Jackals from the bunker system Halsey had discovered, herding them into a section of the Assembly Yard that had been set aside as a prison.
Halsey ate one of the banana slices on her tray, then washed it down with a sip of the tasteless nutrient paste. Her introspection was broken when she noticed that a familiar Salarian was coming to meet her, food tray in hand. She shuffled to the side, making room for the Salarian.
Mordin Solus sat down next to Halsey, his tray filled with a wide selection of fried insectoids and gastropods." Hello, Halsey. You seem bothered. It is because of the Hastatim?"
"Yes, it's the Hastatim." Halsey angrily grunted. "It doesn't sit right. Them just deciding to enforce discipline over humans. How do the Salarians deal with them?"
Mordin sighed. "Will get used to it. Turians not considerate of things like 'jurisdiction' when military matters are involved. Turian laws about treating noncombatants harshest in the galaxy. Patience fragile in face of recent events. Think UNSC is losing control over their own."
Halsey raised an eyebrow at the mention of recent events. "What happened?"
Mordin glanced around, then continued. "Origin of Turian discontent is finding Covenant frontier worlds. UNSC troops not very… considerate when dealing with Covenant incapable of resisting. Multiple massacres. Mining colonies wiped out with gas weapons. Rumored ODST's and Batarian SIU both involved."
Mordin picked up one of the snail shells, and sucked out its contents, before throwing the shell into the waste bin. Halsey was reminded of the fact that, as friendly and amicable as Mordin was, he was less related to her, than the banana slices she was eating.
"Turian Primarch has ordered discipline restored. Supposedly had a dozen humans shot for killing prisoners."
Halsey finished her nutrient paste and placed the bowl in the recycling bin. "I've not heard of any Covenant surrendering, or of prisoners."
Mordin nodded enthusiastically. "Only when no humans in direct combat theatre. Small farming and mining colonies around fringe discovered by raiding party. Populace occupied, or transported to a Citadel Space penal colony. But for every settlement occupied by Turians, UNSC razes two. Prisoners taken on Chi-Rho too. From hidden bunkers like the one you found. No humans allowed at prison. Existence kept unknown from humans for time being to avoid… reprisals."
Halsey sighed and ate the last of her banana slices. The alliance with the Citadel had started so well. But the moment the Covenant looked weaker, cracks had begun to appear. "Do you think you can get me access to the prisoners? I'd like to know what they know about this world's industry."
Mordin shook his head. "Unlikely you'll find much. Jackals and Grunts are indentured serfs. Know little about life beyond work. And no humans allowed for now. Heard that Turian Primarch has called Conference with UNSC to discuss plans for occupying Covenant worlds, and treatment of prisoners. Supposedly very angry."
Mordin leaned back and motioned to a Turian sitting on the other side of the canteen, whom had had half his body replaced with cybernetics. "Turians did not react well to Chi Rho. Millions dead, whole fleets destroyed. They find comfort in societal structures. In times of stress and conflict, Turians militarize and focus upon discipline and order. Will most likely get more serious as war progresses."
Halsey couldn't help but chuckle at the madness of it all. "Humans would begin straying from the rules when under stress. Not adhere even more tightly to them." There was a pause as Halsey thought through just what she had been told. Her humor changed to concern for the Salarian. "How much of this are you allowed to tell me, Mordin?" Halsey asked. She was worried that Mordin could get into trouble for being so open with her.
The Salarian shrugged. "Will be officially revealed today. Don't see the point in hiding information from a friend."
Halsey paused, then gave Mordin a sincere smile, who smiled back. "I appreciate it, Mordin. You are a good friend."
A few minutes later, as she was about to deposit her tray into the recycling bin, Halsey's omni-tool beeped. She brought it up, glancing at the message she had just received. It was marked as urgent.
PLNB Transmission XX087R-XX
Encryption Code: GAMMA-SHIFT-X-RAY
Public Key: N/A
From: CINCONI
To: Civilian Consultant 409871
Subject: Reach Conference
Classification: EYES ONLY
Security Override: BLACK LEVEL-I
"Consultant 409871 Because of recent events on the front, the Turian Primarch has demanded the organization of a Conference upon Reach. Its goals will be to discuss the progress of the war, as well as recent actions by our troops, which have fired up the Turians. You are being tasked with hosting a seminar about the progress made on reverse engineering Covenant technology. . -Section Three.
Halsey read the message. She immediately get a very immature grin. She rarely got the chance to properly show off what she could to in front of an audience. Perhaps the day wasn't so bad after all. She'd start immediately.
