Halo: Predator Lost ch 14.
Following day. Aboard UNSC light Frigate en route to Reach
Next time I'm just going to do a jump from high altitude or perhaps a romantic campout, anything but shoot something that nearly dislocated my shoulder for a prize. Sarah was happy and low and behold despite his infamy it wasn't Winter but in fact, Scythe who designed and built that evil shoulder wrecker. His reason was the 700 wasn't good enough so he built a bigger one just for kicks and for people to try. I swear he has it in for me.
Evidently, if you cant show trophies to prove how manly you are then the next best feat is to push yourself in front of your so-called mate to get their affections. Sad to say he was right, Sarah was amazed, worried and by the end of it all laughing her butt off.
Now though they were on a trip to Reach carrying a few things to trade with ONI's top mad scientist Dr. Von Frankenstein. At least that is what some spooks call Halsey and then we have a meeting with Colonel Ackerson. Mike thought before having his thoughts interrupted by Dr. Akima. At this point keeping track of the new faces was becoming a chore.
"Okay listen up, ONI wants some dividends on the massive investment they contributed to us. As such we are going to deliver to them a couple of tonnes worth of munitions and weapons developed by our new friends. However, these new developments are just trinkets for what we want so Halsey herself wants something more valuable for her armor which is very expensive, to say the least.
On top of that, we will be acquiring MKII SPI armor built with a number of improvements sent by Colonel Stein at the request of our Alien Friends. Who designed the new specs. Honestly, if they are this proficient at engineering, I can't help but wonder how proficient they are at killing. With all that has happened though It stands to reason that we'll also have to sell whatever mission we have in mind, Specialist Mayweather, thoughts?" Ask the Miss Akima protege of Doctor Emily.
"I don't know really, Mike is the officer I'm just the one who looks after them to ensure they don't do anything stupid. If I had to guess I would assume mass destruction since the volume of nuclear warheads produced is insane and I can't help but wonder if Colonel Stein enjoys such developments." Sarah shrugged while saying this.
"We can't speculate on the mission let alone one as a selling point. The Spartan two's were made to deal with the insurrection and the Spartan Threes are designed for the covenant. What we have are some lost aliens who seem determined to make a nuclear stockpile on par with ancient Earth. Winter has everyone but the Colonel scared as he continues to make improvements. Already he has taken the destructive force of a havoc mine and shrunk it down to fit in the M41 rocket launcher. Hopefully with a smaller yield since that system doesn't have the range to keep its user safe from a thirty megaton blast." Mike throwing in his two cents.
"Then that is what we will sell to ONI."
All three looked at Young with raised eyebrows
"We sell to ONI higher-ups that we intend to use nuclear ordinance in order to wipe out the enemy regardless of who is in the way" Young didn't waver in this statement as everyone knew what it meant.
"Wait hold on you mean to tell me, that planets glassed, civilians, soldiers, anything in the way, we just vaporize them?!" Sarah yelled
"Not exactly but yes, something along those lines. Already the Frigate currently being refitted is incorporating a larger arsenal than its contemporaries. Right after we left, the ship PDC is being heavily expanded to include a large number of either quad 20mm Vulcans or double 30mm cannons to make up for the loss of the 57mm coil guns now being replaced."
"Replaced with what exactly?" asked Akima with a raised eyebrow.
" 208mm or 8inch anti-ship battery, from what I've read each gun is a hybrid combining electromagnetic coils with conventional propellant. The rate of fire will be much lower but the ability to destroy ships or ground targets is greatly improved. Anyway, we'll have plenty of time to come up with something in the next two weeks so if you'll excuse me I'll be hitting the sack."
Meanwhile back on Algolis.
Inside the same medical bay again for his monthly donation of blood and checkups Winter was sitting, thinking of the latest things he submitted. Turns out Colonel Stein was someone who seemed more Yautja every day.
"Look I get the fact you are constantly designing and building stuff but you really need to take a break. When was the last time you had a vacation?" Ask Doctor Emily while doing her routine checkups which include psychological. While getting to know them as their primary physician in more ways than one and even admired their work ethic. The fact remained they needed rest and relaxing, at least Winter did.
"Vacation? hmm". Winter clicked and pondered this and quite frankly, nothing really came to mind, there were a few times he tried courting but too many of the females wanted pups and not a lifemate.
Oh, dear mother of mercy, the more Emily learned about these two the more she discovered the vast number of differences between them. Scythe at the very least when not teaching the ODST and SIIIs actually enjoys a night of drinking and goes for long hikes every weekend. Winter here has set records in work hours with only eating and sleeping.
"Are you telling me that for over two hundred years or however old you are, that you have never taken a vacation?"
Winter simply nodded at this
"What do you do for fun?" She asked
"Kill"
"Okay, what about hobbies"
"Weapons" Winter responded
Now Emily felt like she was beating her head against the wall. His work was his joy, and taking him off duty won't amount to much given how much leeway he was given plus every time someone gave him booze he would just shoot it. Wasn't even thinking of asking him if he wanted to date anyone since it was clear he was both hideous and reserved.
"Might I ask something of you, Doctor?" Once again it surprised her at the other major difference between them despite having the same anatomy Winter spoke human languages surprisingly well despite not having lips.
"What would you like to know?"
"The new soldiers have designations for their last names, their bone structure is far denser than what is natural and shows strength far beyond the norm. Indicating some form of advanced augmentation. They call themselves Spartan threes. my question for you is this, why can I not find them in your database?"
The tone in which Winter said it was true to his name, cold, bitter, and when combined with his clicks and growls sent shivers down her spine. Once again Emily was reminded of how scary these beings were and how quick they were to learn more stuff. Thankfully the other program that only a few know about is out of even their reach.
"look ONI wants the Spartan program to remain classified from you as a measure of security, furthermore much of the UNSC nor anyone knows about it. Heck, the reason why you haven't heard anything from the news since you got here is that Algolis despite being a colony houses a lot of classified projects for both ONI and the UNSC. The fact is, the reason why you and your brother, friend? Have more access than most ONI agents do, is thanks to your massive contributions.
You'll be given the information in due time I'm sure but for now, that is all I can give you understand" Emily tried to be as scary as she could but it was clear Winter wasn't intimidated in the least.
"Very well human" Finally finished with his blood donation, Winter leaves.
"Okay I'm taking a vacation, not like anything can be done anyway until the others get back with the needed supplies from Reach," Emily thought out loud.
Reach two weeks later. Sword base
Of what had become the norm for Sara, everything she saw was the typical gunmetal grey of UNSC, ONI, and nowadays society architecture. Even her alien pals seem to prefer the color in their culture, yes it is easy to make and creates a form of conformity but it was just so bland. In fact, right now she felt refreshed in that they stood out like a bright pink tree in a forest of green.
The reason for standing out was simple, aside from Dr. Akima who specialized in Xeno studies and biology. who wore a simple white lab coat over a t-shirt and jeans. Honestly, she was very casual in dress compared to other people but then she wasn't military.
The rest of them though had swapped out much to the dismay of command their uniforms in favor of an older style from the 21st century. Designated OCP or Operational Camouflage Pattern. The Multicam color scheme had already proven to be very effective in simulations. This was ironic given that it was invented centuries ago and yet all soldiers today use plain forest green, black, or grey in their uniforms and armor. This type of camo was even older but far easier and cheaper to make.
Finally arriving in yet another briefing room only with blue lighting and a rectangular table. On one side sat the evil genius herself Dr. Halsey. Blond hair, petite build the woman was very attractive by any measure sans one. Her attitude at seeing everyone like lab rats, I think the term was a black widow.
"Take a seat," Everyone did, "I requested Colonel Stein as well but it appears he sent only his lackeys instead, Commander Everet Young, Lieutenant Mike Owen. Specialist Sara Mayweather, and Dr. Akima Tucker.
Thanks to the subspace communications network now being expanded and added to UNSC warships, it has made program updates much faster but that is not why you are here. You are here because you requested MJiloiner armor for the Spartan threes you acquired as well as a great many MKIIP Spi armor systems. That wasn't what caught my eye and what brought you here."
The womans' gaze was like that of a Predator-ready to pounce, no one said a word as she continued.
"The advanced computer crystalline system used in said armors is what concerns me, you requested four, eight-foot-tall examples along with all the data needed for incorporation and construction.
So tell me, give me a good reason to trust you and not have your aliens brought here and used as test subjects?" The Venom in Halsey's voice was palpable
"Maam we aren't doing anything that will cause issues. These Yautja have kept true to their word, which is more than we can say for ourselves but if you must know, fine here is why I requested the materials." Akima sends over the entire medical data to Halsey.
"Interesting, no other race we've encountered has a bone density like this, is this natural or artificial?" Halsey asked.
"Artificial ma'am turns out during their chiva they suffered life-threatening injures which resulted in a medical procedure that not only rebuilt their bone structure but greatly enhanced it as well. Upon the last X-Ray, their bones aren't just super dense but also quick to regenerate, something that I'm certain the bone graphs of the Spartan IIs and IIIs can't do." Mike stated, knowing that Halsey isn't known for small talk.
"I see, so you believe that these Yautjia are trusting enough to not only give us knowledge of their technology, but in return, we upgrade them into more dangerous killing machines. Before you say it, I'm well aware of their alternate reality transition, and with their homeworld four thousand light-years away, it would take years to get to it.
That said many in ONI are becoming aware of how much influence they have over you and the Colony as clearly seen by the outdated uniforms you wear.
Now then what exactly do you have to offer me for the armor and the associated data?"
Akima pulled up a large black case with the biological symbol on it. Entering the code, the case unlocked, and upon opening it revealed a bright neon green substance. "Four liters of their blood. from what we've seen they can regenerate two liters every two weeks so this is a month's worth. We've found their blood is capable of greatly improving the regenerative aspect of our cells possibly leading to longer life spans and likely other advantages. We've come to nickname it super blood because nothing we or the Covenant races, have this level of genetic adaptability.
You can use it to confirm our tests or implement them in your boys. We've been trying to build a stockpile of this stuff for some time now should they get wounded in combat. That said Doctor, unlike Ackerson, we have no reason to hate you, in fact, I do believe Scythe and Winter would like you since their species are also trained at a young age for battle."
Halsey pondered this, Stein made it clear he was only interested in ensuring the safety and freedom of mankind, and the reports she read specified that these creatures were an equal part engineer and equal part killer, not a common thing. Though if the DNA was as adaptable as shown then a new use for it can be made.
Bringing her hand on the table Halsey gave her answer. "Very well, you have a deal, now then since Ackerman isn't here, you'll have to head over to his office in Castle base, a Pelican outside will take you to him.
"With all due respect Dr. having read up on the man's character I would rather talk to you or someone else in regards to the new mission we have in mind."
Commander, my job is not in mission or operations deployment, and as much as politics in ONI are just as tedious as they are with UNSC High com the fact remains you have to talk to Ackerson as he has a greater standing with Admiral Parangonsky.
"Thank you, Dr. Halsey, It's been a pleasure meeting you, let's go, everyone.
I want to apologize for this being very very late. Turns out even I can't escape real life and other priorities.
That said as I read up on more of all the secret operations that ONI. It makes finding a mission parameter for this much harder since ONI often had ships trail Covenant vessels. So that maneuver you see Miranda keys do in Halo 2 wasn't the first time such a thing happened. In fact, when looking at Keys record I was truly amazed that his daughter's mother was in fact, Halsey.
So in a way possibly without even knowing it, Miranda was giving orders to her adoptive brother when it came to John 117. I honestly think Halsey was a bit heartless even by my standards to send her daughter to her father because she deemed her Spartans as more important.
I can see why Miranda took her father's name though as he was respected and actually put his family first even though Jacob also considered the Spartan2s as family. Good grief that is one odd family dynamic.
That said Jacob commanded a modified Stalwart class frigate, which makes the larger Paris one in this story not unique other than well size.
The last thing is the gun batteries. For those of you who've played halo reach, the wiki, fandom, and Spacedock all list the side-mounted turrets as 57mm coil guns, and that there are twelve of them. Whoever wrote that didn't even bother to look at the model at all as there are ten turrets equally twenty guns.
The reason why I chose eight-inch was because of the Lexington class carrier of WWII. These ships at eight eight-inch guns across four turrets and given the Paris class frigates size the 8incher was the perfect match.
As for the phalanx, the concept art for what they originally had planned was really cool but instead, they went with a conventional arrangement. Thus I'm going to use those concepts in this fanfiction, mwahahahahaha.
Finally, for the love of mercy, I need ideas, so please review and pm me with anything, good or bad I don't care.
Once again, sorry for the delay. Thank you.