Charlie: Yar… anyways… this fic… it's basically outlined already… it's here so I can break any writers block I encounter…but that doesn't mean I won't update it if I don't have writers block. Anyways…second chapter.
And as a warning… I'm not a extremely religious guy… if you are…this thing isn't here to insult your beliefs. They reflect my beliefs since I don't believe in anything too radical when it comes to religion. Don't try to push your beliefs to me if you disagree with me. I couldn't care less.
1802 Hours, July 25, 2552
Briefing Hall, UNSC Antarctic "Penguin Hole" Tactical Base
The five men and Alice filed into the small briefing hall and each found a seat. Colonel Sanders was standing on a small riser at the front of the room next to a projector. Behind him, a movie screen was down. The colonel didn't look as lighthearted as Alice had seen him before. Instead, she saw for the first time the long years of war against the covenant that the man had seen.
Sanders waited for everyone to sit down and quiet down before he moved. He glanced down at his wrist watch and saw the time.
"You're two minutes late. Don't let it happen again."
"Sir!" The group snapped.
Sanders waved them off and killed the lights. The projector whirled to life and images of dead UNSC personnel flashed on the screen.
"What we have here are top UNSC research personnel killed on Earth in freak terrorist attacks." Sanders began slowly. "These attacks have been increasingly frequent and well, lets just say more brutal. Two hours ago, I received a report of a terrorist bombing in Northern Scotland. This time, civilians were also killed."
Sanders flipped another switch and a different image of a cryptic insignia appeared.
"We believe this to be the work of a group that call themselves the 'Wrath of God.'" Sanders said. He shut off the projector. "These bums have been going around killing UNSC scientists, civilian researchers, and top UNSC Intelligence Personnel 'in the name of God'."
Sanders gave a cold laugh.
"Wait Sir…" Kevin spoke up. "in the name of God sir? Sounds like we have a cult on our hands."
"We do, or to be precise, a Covenant wannabe group." Sanders said coolly. "I'm sure you're all familiar with the SPARTAN project spearheaded by Dr. Halsey."
Everyone nodded.
"Yes, well a Spartan like the Master Chief is just like any normal human, but with genetic and physical enhancements. Well, once that leaked out of the ONI, lets just say many religious groups went nuts. Most calmed down after Jericho VII and especially now after Sigma Octanus IV, but some how this one group of bastards won't shut up. In fact they're convinced that our destruction IS the will of the Gods and only by "repenting," getting rid of all our space colonies, and returning to our "natural" roots can we be saved. Hell, they even go as far to believe that the Covenant will spare them. Oddly enough, they still use modern weapons to kill."
"Wait…so these bastards actually BELIEVE they would be spared by the covenant if they kill the rest of us off and go off and be happy farmers?" O'Brien asked incredulously.
"Yep." Sanders said. "That's where you come in. The UNSC is already under great pressure, especially with those Covenant bastards so close to Reach. We don't need a nut-job cult throwing any more wrenches into our already desperate plans for survival. You six have been chosen for your exceptional abilities in the field for this mission. I expect much from you."
"Sir!" Everyone got up and saluted. Sanders waved them off again.
"You six will be taking part in what we named Operation Archangel. From now on, your sole purpose will be to track down…and eliminate every last one of these Wrath of God bastards. There are only two restrictions. First of all, nobody can know about this. It's top secret. That means any public killings must be made to look like an accident. Understand?"
"Sir!" Everyone nodded. They didn't bother saluting this time.
"Secondly…" Sanders got grim. "This facility is top secret. It is not only a tactical base for you guys…but also an UNSC ship building facility. Not only that, several secret weapons are being developed here as well. That means if any of these Wrath of God folks follow you down here, an automatic self-destruct sequence will follow, blowing all five hundred of us stationed here to smithereens in mere seconds. Don't let that happen."
"Yes sir."
"Now… onto other business."
Sanders motioned for everyone to follow him into a smaller conference room. He sat down at a round table and motioned for everyone else to follow suit.
"You six will be giving your own little comm. relay and hanger as well as a pelican and warthog. Use them well. On the field, Captain Rilley will be your field commander. I expect everyone to follow his commands."
Kevin whooped at his new authority. "Sir, does that mean they have to follow all my orders?"
"If it is in context of the situation, to the dot, or else it'll be mutiny." Sanders said. He immediately regretted saying it.
Kevin smiled widely and gave Alice a teasing look. The female lieutenant shuddered.
"Then my first order as field commander is for all female officers to strip down to boost morale."
Alice immediately blanched, blushed and then growled with fury. Peter and Joseph burst out laughing while Jay just smiled and shook his head. Johannes rolled his eyes and looked to Alice, who was now on the verge of strangling her field commander on the spot.
"You…are asking to be shot aren't you!" Alice growled.
"You don't have a gun with you. I know." Kevin said smirking. "I peeked into your room. It was lying on the bed."
"Why you little…" It took a moment for the words to sink in. "Wait…you PEEKED IN ON ME!"
"Yes, it was quite the view too." Kevin lied. In reality, when he looked, Alice was already dressed, but he was having fun teasing her. This time, even Jay laughed.
Alice however didn't find it very funny. She stormed over to Rilley and slapped him hard across the face.
Kevin was almost knocked down by the force of Alice's slap. When he looked up, she was back in her seat glaring at her.
"You better watch out Rilley…" Alice growled. "There are many things that can go wrong on a battlefield… Friendly fire is one of them."
Kevin smirked and blew her a kiss before turning to Sanders who was watching on in amusement.
"Done yet Captain? Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir." Kevin said. "But doesn't somebody…" He looked at Alice. "Need to be court marshaled?"
"Indeed." Sanders said. "How do you defend your self Captain Kevin Sain Rilley?"
Kevin was caught off balance, not expecting Sanders to joke around like that.
"I was just kidding sir."
"Well I'm not." Sanders said. He was enjoying this game. "Captain Rilley, you are being tried for conduct unbecoming of an officer. How do you plead?"
"Err…uhm….uhh…"
Everyone laughed at Kevin's sudden unease, including the colonel.
"WHAT! HEY!" Kevin snarled. "Not funny."
"Indeed." Sanders said. "Maybe next time you should think about this incident before you ask Connor to strip again."
"Yes sir." Kevin said defeated. His eyes still glancing flirtingly towards Alice though, who tried her best not to lose her patience.
"If you're all done goofing off, I think it's time you got your first lead." Sanders said. He pressed a button and a holomessage appeared. On it were time and dates of possible attacks on various places.
The group scanned the data. It wasn't hard to decipher.
"Looks like our next attacks going to be in… London… two weeks." Kevin said. "Gives us plenty of time to get ready."
"Indeed." Sanders said. "Well, that's all for now. You six are free to go. I don't care what you do or how you do it, make sure every last one of those bastards lie dead."
"Yes sir."
"Dismissed."
As the group left, Kevin approached Alice again.
"What do you want asshole?"
Kevin looked hurt for a moment before composing himself. "Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I hope we can start over."
"Oh…" Alice wasn't expecting this. "Uhm…okay…apology accepted. But next time…please don't try to get me out of my clothes again."
"Scout's honor." Kevin said. As they walked, Kevin's eyes took in Alice's slim figure and well tanned skin along with her soft facial features and sapphire eyes. "Nice rack…" Kevin couldn't shut his mouth before it slipped.
Moments later, he was on the ground after receiving a swift kick from the outraged Connor. "Go to hell asshole." Connor snarled as she walked off. Peter, Johannes and Joseph quickly helped Kevin up and supported him to the infirmary.
"You're just ASKING her to shoot you aren't you?" O'Brien asked.
"Yeah…" Kevin squeaked. "But she does have a nice rack."
Johannes rolled his eyes. "God help us all."
Meanwhile, Jay and Sanders watched the entire thing take place. He sighed and turned towards Sanders. "Have you told her?"
"I haven't even told him yet." Sanders said.
"You better do it before those two declare a blood feud." Jay said.
"I know… it's not easy you know."
"Nothing's ever easy… but you have to tell them."
"I will… eventually." Sanders said.
"Good… now while you're at it…I'm going to go talk to Alice." Jay said as he walked off.
"You have a wife Jay." Sanders joked.
"Get your mind out of the gutter sir. I'm just trying to warm her up to our new Field Commander."
Sanders sighed as he watched the man go. He put his hands into his pocket and took out two keys, one blue and one pink. "God help us all indeed."
Charlie: Read Andromeda Strain, you'll know what I'm thinking. Anyways, comments appreciated. Thanks.