June 1st, 2583

LOCATION: XM-029 ASTEROID OUTPOST BASE IN CENTURY SYSTEM, HAWKING ETA CLUSTER AT 2,000 LY FROM GALACTIC CORE.

UNSC Mugetsu, a Sahara-class prowler docked with a small shipyard station inside of an asteroid. Captain Gunderson was calmly sitting in his chair, sipping his hot coffee cup, awaiting for report from his officer.

"Sir, I have a complete report on refits that we have received on our ship, shall I describe it?" Lieutenant Odin replied.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant Odin." Captain Gunderson ordered.

"Well, sir, since we have received refits since several days ago, we have received improved weapons system such as 4x XEV10-Matos Nonlinear Pulse Lasers, for improved anti-fighter defense, 2x XEM20 G/GNR SPARTAN Laser Cannon, powerful enough for destroying frigate-sized ship and XM442 HORNET mines for added active camouflage, more powerful in nuclear yield, upping from 30 megaton to 75 megatons. We also have received upgrades to our battle plate, to modern standards of: Titanium-B2, reversed from Forerunner technology, providing superior protection and higher resistance against plasma weaponry/particle weaponry at some degree then installed new experimental hard-light shielding system, far superior to energy shields that most of frigates and destroyers still use but slightly inferior to cruisers and larger classification-type ships, allowing us to withstand up to four plasma torpedoes or two-point-five second continuous energy beam from energy projector before its shields failing. Experimental FTL device was installed giving us higher FTL speeds, up to 1250 LY per day, compared to most of Navy assets capped at 1,000 and improved precision jumps, allowing us to commence FTL strafing at limited degree." Lieutenant Odin finished.

"That is impressive upgrades, as it'll be critical essential for our high risk mission at Andromeda Galaxy." Captain Gunderson replied. "Furthermore, how long until we are ready to depart for Andromeda Galaxy?"

"In a couple of hours, as we need to do tests to make sure everything's green to go. Also, we have gotten a SPARTAN-IV team led by a SPARTAN-III issued by ONI to work with us, sir." Lieutenant Odin answered.

"Would you like them to meet you at the bridge?" Lieutenant Odin asked.

"Yes, tell them to come to my bridge." Captain Gunderson answered as Lieutenant Odin affirmed his order.

The bridge door opened, revealing a SPARTAN-IV team led by a SPARTAN-III, walking to where Captain Gunderson is located. They stood at attention immediately when Captain Gunderson turned around.

"At ease, Spartans. It is honor to meet you, SPARTANs, please introduce yourselves for sake of courtesy." Captain Gunderson ordered as Spartans eased their stance.

"Yes, sir. My name is Lt. Rosenda-A344, a SPARTAN-III. I am leader of this team called Ghost, as our specialization is to gather information & conduct sabotage missions if needed to." Rosenda responded in curt manner.

"Interesting, according to this information, you were originally selected to be in NOBLE Team when there is counter-insurgency as Emile-A239 were unsuited for this kind of work." Captain Gunderson replied in his raised eyebrows.

"Yes, sir. I was to be replacement of Emile-A239 when there is counter-insurgency missions but when Covenant attacked Reach, I was stationed at Earth for classified missions." Rosenda answered as Captain Gunderson nodded.

"I see, please continue with introduction of your teammates, then." Captain Gunderson replied as Rosenda-A344 nodded, gesturing to his teammates to introduce their selves.

"My name is Sergeant James Benko, a SPARTAN-IV, as I am second-command under Lt. Rosenda-A344. That is Corporal Maddison Jenkins and Nathan Dee, sir." James saluted.

"Good, now you should be aware that we have a high-priority mission to partake, as our objective is to gather information on those nations in Andromeda to determine if they are threat or not. Any questions?" Captain Gunderson asked.

"Sir, if you don't mind, how is possible that we have another humans in other galaxy? It doesn't make sense at all, sir." James wondered.

"That is a good question but unfortunately, I do not know. Even our best scientists are still stupefied at this discovery so far." Captain Gunderson answered. "Furthermore, perhaps we should retire for now as we must prepare for this mission, so you are dismissed, Spartans."

Team Ghost stiffenly stood at attention then immediately saluted, turning around and walked to the elevator door.

"Well, that was interesting." Captain Gunderson mused to himself. "Are we prepared to leave, Lieutenant Odin?" Captain Gunderson asked.

"Yes, sir. We are ready to leave." Lieutenant Odin replied.

"Good, get our ship moving immediately and go to that relay located in galactic relay. Notify me if there is any problem, Lieutenant Odin." Captain Gunderson ordered as Lieutenant Odin affirmed his order. The ship shuddered as it started to move out from the asteroid base then opened the slipspace portal.