Chapter 3: The Jade Heart

As the refugees boarded the Jade Heart, they all felt relief. The Covenant may still be attacking, but the group was in a safe ship that would escape in a few moments.

"Entering slipspace in 60 seconds," a voice over the intercom said.

The refugees were escorted to the Jade Heart's cafeteria, along with all the other survivors of Victory 1.

"Okay, everyone, you're safe now. We're in the Jade Heart, and this is the cafeteria. We're going to enter slipspace in a few moments," Jeffrey said.

A few moments later the Jade Heart rocked for a second as a Covenant bomb hit it's hull, then immediately went silent. The black of space was replaced with colors of solid green.

"Ha! When I was serving, you'd be lucky if you didn't fall off your own damn seat when yah jumped into slipspace!" shouted an older man. "You'se UNSC navy got it easy!"

Jeffrey and Louis shook their heads. "We're going to report in with the captain," Louis said. And with that they were off.

"Hmm," whispered a small voice. "Now would be a good time for introductions, eh? I'm Edith Dantrey, AI designer."

"Daniel Bush," said the war veteran from earlier.

The Nuns spoke up next. "I am Sister Eden," said the Reverend Mother. "This is Sister Joan," she continued, gesturing towards the other Nun.

"I'm Judas DeSparchi," a 30-year-old woman said. "This is my son, Henry," she added, holding her disabled 12 year old's hand.

"I'm Catherine Alon. Do any of you know where my mommy is?" said a 6 year old girl, holding a doll.

"No I don't," said Edith. "But I'll help you find her if I can, Catherine."

"Thank you Mrs. Dantray."

"Miss, my dear. I'm not married yet."

"Oh."

"I'm Jonna Abraham," said a tough looking woman.

"I'm, uh Isaac. Yeah, Isaac Vlad," hesitantly said a ragged man.

"Will Jones is my name," whispered a twitching man. "Uh, I've gotta go to the bathroom." Will left the table.

"So," said Edith. "Let's go get some lunch."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will Jones carefully made his way into the bathroom. After making sure no one was in there, he pulled something out of his right pocket. It was a stick of Silon, one of the most powerful drugs in the UNSC.

I know I've gotta quit, but I just damn can't! I've gotta be more careful though, or one of these marines is gonna catch me.

He placed the Silon to his mouth, and immediately fell unconscious. His dreams were filled with ecstasy. As he slept, he didn't realize that the Silon was beginning to form a clot in his blood near his brain. He was walking on

thin ice now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jeffrey and Louis met the Captain Wanta on the bridge of the Jade Heart.

"Sir, reporting fur duty as ordered, sir!" they both yelled.

"At ease," Wanta said, his Asian accent prominent. "We took a bad hit before we could make the jump. We're losing fuel, and we won't make it unless the hole the Covie bomb made is plugged. Both of you were trained in ship repair, yes?"

"Yes sir!"

"Good. You're going to have to put that training to use now, soldiers. Double time, get your gear and seal the hole."

"Aye aye sir!"

Jeffrey and Louis marched off nervously; knowing that repair while in slipspace was risky. Very risky. In space, if the rope holding you to the ship snapped, you could still be saved by another ship. In slipspace, you'd be left a few light years behind. That aside, they would do their duty, even if it cost them their lives.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Wanta turned to his AI. Most AIs were programmed to think like a particular historical figure. His was programmed to act as Winston Churchill. Wanta remembered reading about him in history class. Apparently Churchill was the leader of England during World War II.

"Winston, is refugee point Alpha 88 safe?"

"I believe so sir. The latest report from Alpha 88 was from yesterday, but I doubt that the situation has changed there without them sending a report."

"Give me the odds, Winston."

"There is a 8 chance that the situation has changed since 12 hundred hours yesterday. There is a 3 chance it involves the Covenant, a 2 chance it involves pirates or insurgents, and a 3 chance of any other disturbance."

"Thank you Winston. Set course for refugee point Alpha 88."

"Yes sir."

The Jade Heart's course was set for refugee point Alpha 88. The ship entered real space for a moment while new coordinates were made, and entered slipspace again to begin its journey.