Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover. I'm happy to see that the next chapter of my Halo - Star Wars crossover got excellent feedback. I appreciate any feedback that I can get, so thank you for that.
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Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Game Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
BattleTech OST – A Welcome Respite
UNSC Leviathan
Tribute
August 29th, 2552
Onboard the Leviathan, Vice Admiral Stanforth frowned as he saw the casualty report for the battle that had happened, even though he had read the report the day after the battle had been waged. 590 UNSC personnel killed in battle, he thought as he looked at the report. Most of those ships were the ones that were not fully armored up. Still, every time we lose someone, it feels as though someone's punched my gut.
The SLDF, from what he could tell, had suffered casualties as well, though not nearly as much as the UNSC had. According to the report, one of their ships had been 'mission killed', while one had been destroyed during the engagement. The WarShip that had been mission killed, the SLS Kentares, had been brought back to Tribute, where it had begun undergoing extensive repairs. Reports indicated that the ship would be fully repaired today, a true showcase of SLDF engineering and technology, if ever there was one.
Still, we won't be lucky if this keeps up, he thought, even as he looked at other reports that were coming in from across the fleet. The Covenant have the luxury of more advanced technology than the UNSC, and that's an advantage they've been using against us. My hope is that we get reinforcements, either today or tomorrow.
What brought a smile to his face was how well the SLDF had performed during the engagement. They're the only ones that can stand up to the Covenant, and bloody their noses in a fight, he thought. Since they've arrived, they've shown time and again that they are more than willing to use any advantage to their advantage. Their Icarus Mines certainly turned the engagement in our favor.
It was a sobering, yet comforting, fact about the SLDF that the UNSC, and ONI, knew about the Star League Defense Force: they were the only ones that stood a chance against the Covenant. Part of this was due to technology. Unlike the UNSC, which had stagnated in weapons and armor technology shortly after the Interplanetary War, the SLDF had constantly evolved it's weapons and armor tech due to the competitive nature of the Inner Sphere.
The other half of the SLDF's success against the Covenant was due largely to tactics. Unlike the Covenant, which used brute force, the SLDF's tactics were more in-line with UNSC tactics, with some major modifications. The presence of new technologies meant that the SLDF was more prepared for engagements in space than the UNSC, with those technologies offering dramatically new strategies to use against the Covenant. It was that, combined with the technology the SLDF had at it's disposal, that had given them a major edge against the Covenant.
Looking out towards the shipyard once more, he jumped ever so slightly when a crew member stepped up to him. Turning around, he found an Ensign standing behind him. "What is it," he asked.
"Progress report on the repairs to our ships," the Ensign replied, handing him a datapad.
"Excellent," Stanforth nodded. "Thank you, Ensign. Return to your post."
As the Ensign left, Stanforth began looking through the repair log for the Marathon-class Heavy Cruiser he captained. Looks like the engines were repaired, he noted. Excellent. I could tell they were a little sluggish during the engagement. Looks like that is no longer the case.
He continued to look down the list as he read. Energy shielding's been installed. That will give us a major advantage against the Covenant when we go to fight them again. It also looks like the SLDF loaned us some of their 'Lamellor Ferro-Carbide' armor plating, as well as some of their weapons. Good. We'll need those in a fight.
That brought his mind back to an incident that happened two days after the First Battle of Reach, as some Marines were calling the previous engagement. At 0230 hours on August 20th, the First Mate of the SLS Argo, reported that someone had attempted to capture SLDF weaponry. By the time Stanforth had gotten there, he found that the perpetrators had been captured, and were being questioned by the SLDF on what they were doing.
It wasn't long before Stanforth learned what had happened. Apparently, ONI had decided to attempt a heist, with the goal of stealing SLDF weaponry for reverse engineering. While they had failed in capturing Naval grade SLDF weapons, they had managed to steal SLDF small arms from the Argo.
That was when ONI discovered, much to it's embarrassment, a major detail on SLDF weaponry. Thanks to the invention of advanced nanotechnology during the late 2800's to early 2900's, all SLDF weapons had an anti-theft system built in, which used genetic scanners to lock the weapon to a particular user's genetic code. When ONI tried using an M96IV Pulse Laser Rifle they had acquired illegally, the Advanced Power Pack in the weapon literally exploded, a indicator of a self-destruct mechanism that activated upon unauthorized use.
Reports indicated that the explosion was roughly equivalent to four M9 Fragmentation Grenades detonating at the same time. The blast wave was powerful enough that it shattered the bulletproof window in the observation chamber, and practically obliterated the technician using the weapon. After an hour long meeting, they attempted testing again, only to find that the weapons had disappeared. A single note left behind merely read "Do not attempt again, or you will face dire consequences."
If ONI doesn't get the message this time, then I don't know what will make 'em listen, he thought to himself. One of these days, ONI is going to pull another stunt like that, only to get themselves killed in the process. That is probably what will make them stop attempting to poke the bear with a stick.
Putting the data pad down, he looked out over the rest of the fleet. Even though his ship was at drydock, he could see other SLDF and UNSC WarShips that were undergoing repairs and refitting. Looking to his right, he spotted a detail that had him surprised: there was an SLDF WarShip that was in a drydock, but it wasn't undergoing repairs. Much to his amazement, it appeared to be a brand new WarShip that was being assembled.
He was about to ask what was going on when a voice said, "Beautiful, isn't she?" Turning around, he found Vice Admiral Whitcomb standing behind him.
"How'd you get in here without me noticing," Stanforth asked, surprised.
"I can be sneaky when I want to be," Whitcomb replied, brushing at his beard for a moment.
"I see." Turning back to the viewport, Stanforth asked, "Is that an SLDF WarShip that's being constructed?"
"Yes," Whitcomb replied. "I know because Chernenko felt that it was something that I needed to know. That's the first SLDF WarShip that's been built over Reach. Since they retrofitted the shipyards, they've gone into overdrive when it comes to WarShip manufacturing. They manufactured the parts in orbit around Tribute, and now they're merely assembling the WarShip using the modular design they've created."
"Looks like a Marathon-class Heavy Cruiser."
"It does, come to think of it. Maybe they took inspiration from the design for their new WarShip. Not that I'm complaining; imitation is, after all, the sincerest form of flattery."
"That it is, I admit. I wonder when it will complete construction." As soon as he said that, Stanforth saw a sight that he wouldn't forget for the rest of his life.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the final components for the WarShip were fully installed. Looking at the status for that Warship, Stanforth watched as the internal compartments in the new WarShip were pressurized for the first time, with sensors indicating no loss of atmosphere. For the next fifteen minutes, surviving personnel from destroyed SLDF WarShips reported for duty, with enough personnel filing in to man the WarShip.
As soon as it was filled to capacity, the WarShip's engines roared to life. A bright, blue-white jet of plasma extended from the engines before going to idle, with fusion RCS thrusters pushing the new WarShip out of it's dry dock and into the vacuum of space. Once it rotated around, the main engines fired up to maximum power, pushing the new WarShip out into the vacuum of space. Moments later, the new WarShip's I/FF tag came up on the Leviathan's holo-table, with the new WarShip being identified as the SLS Phoenix.
Like the mythical bird of legend, Stanforth nodded. A fitting name, given what has been happening recently. If Humanity survives this war, we will come out of it a changed species. Life won't be the same anymore. Turning to Whitcomb, he said, "That is a sight I won't forget."
"Me neither," Whitcomb replied, even as they watched the new WarShip speed off into space.
. . .
Onboard the Dallas, Chernenko smiled as he watched the new WarShip speed off into space on the screen of his computer in his quarters. That's the first time I've seen an SLDF WarShip built in another universe, he thought to himself. WarShip manufacturing techniques have come a long way since the Age of War and Early Star League Era. WarShips that would take months to build now only take weeks. Two weeks is the standard time for a WarShip of that size, though manufacturing an Orion-class or Dallas class WarShip takes much longer.
Drawing his attention away from the new WarShip, he looked at the refit status for the UNSC/SLDF WarShips that were at Tribute. Ever since the First Battle of Reach, the UNSC and SLDF had been preparing their WarShips for the next wave of Covenant attackers. Intelligence reports indicated that the Fleet of Particular Justice had rendezvoused with the Fleet of Holy Respite and Fleet of Righteous Vigilance and were now closing in on Reach.
It was then that they got valuable intelligence on what the Covenant were going to do. According to Kig-Yar agents inside the fleets, the Fleet of Holy Respite was being tasked with creating a blockade in order to prevent any WarShips from fleeing. The Fleet of Particular Justice and Fleet of Righteous Vigilance would be leading the attack on Reach, and would retrieve any Forerunner artifacts that were on the planet.
Acting on experience from the last battle, Chernenko had modified his strategy accordingly, with input from Fremont, Stanforth and Whitcomb. A combination of Icarus EMP Mines and Novastorm Thermonuclear Mines will allow us to create a firewall that will destroy some of the incoming enemy WarShips, he thought to himself. Since the Covenant arrived at the edge of the star system before performing an intra-system jump, that means we can place mines at potential arrival locations. Even now, he could see SLDF WarShips on the tactical feed laying disguised mines in space using specially designed launchers.
As the WarShips tasked with that mission worked, he looked at the refit status for the fleet. According to reports, all SLDF WarShips that served in a front line combat role had been retrofitted with reformulated armor plating and energy shielding, which would give them a major tactical advantage against the Covenant. Gravity plating had also been installed, with the fusion reactors onboard each WarShip having been upgraded to meet the new power requirements. We're definitely keeping the Huragok, he thought. They're the ones that are mostly responsible for the new speed at which we can refit and rearm.
As he looked through the report, he heard someone walking in behind him. Turning around, he spotted Director Stennings walking inside, with the door automatically sealing behind him. "Director Stennings," he greeted. "I take it you've been busy, yes?"
"More than I used to be," Stennings replied. "ONI's really been testing my patience, as of late. That brazen act of theft on their part indicates just how far they're willing to go in order to acquire SLDF weaponry. It's only because of the trackers and anti-theft measures that we caught them in the act."
"I agree," Chernenko nodded. "They've been a thorn in our side for far too long. As such, I've decided that we need to send a more… direct message to ONI."
A moment later, he pulled out a dossier that Stennings had compiled. The file was on one of the Colonels inside of ONI, one that Chernenko knew, thanks to the SLIC, had been orchestrating the attacks. Handing the file to Stennings, he asked, "Do you know who this man is?"
"Yes," Stennings replied. "Colonel James Ackerson. I take it you want something done about him."
"An astute observation," Chernenko nodded. "He's been a problem for us for far too long. I want you and a team of SLIC operatives to capture Ackerson and pump him dry of any information that he might have in that diseased mind of his. Once you've done so, terminate him. ONI needs to be sent a message: that we can learn their darkest secrets whenever we please, and that there is not a damn thing they can do about it."
"Have you talked with General Norman on this?"
"Yes. He actually came up with this plan in the first place. The man has a very clever mind, I will give him that."
"Agreed. Consider it done."
"Good. Is there anything else you have to tell me?"
"Yes. We've succeeded in capturing the files that detail the augmentations that were given to the Spartan-II's after their training was completed. They're similar to the nanotechnological augmentations we give SLDF Elementals, but with some differences. Their bones, for instance, are coated in a ceramic nanocomposite that makes them, practically speaking, unbreakable."
"Can we replicate those augmentations?"
"For the most part, yes. We're still working on reverse engineering the ceramic nanocomposite that's been used for skeletal reinforcement, as well as the neurological enhancements. I have high hopes, however, that we will be able to replicate the enhancements that Dr. Catherine Halsey designed, and possibly improve upon them so that our infantry can use them as well."
"Good. If all goes well, the Spartan-II's will find that our Elementals will be able to match them in all categories. Still, the idea of normal infantry personnel gaining these advanced augmentations without ill effect is… alluring to say the least. General Norman would have a field day in that regard." Looking at Stennings, he said, "Carry on with your duties, and ensure the success of this mission."
"Yes, sir," Stennings replied. Taking the file, he put it into a pocket inside of his uniform before saluting Chernenko. Once Chernenko returned the salute, Stennings walked out of the room, closing the door behind himself.
Once he was out, Chernenko smiled quietly. ONI might think it is superior to the SLIC, but that is where they are deluding themselves, he remarked. They will soon learn that it's incredibly difficult to fight against an intelligence agency that has existed for four hundred years. While we might suffer setbacks, I have every reason to believe that Stennings will succeed in the secret war we are waging against ONI. With that matter solved, he turned back to any other things he had to tend to.
As he did so, he heard a chime from his laptop. Pulling up the message, he said, "What is it?"
"Dr. Halsey here," came the reply.
"Dr. Halsey," Chernenko nodded. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes. I need to speak to one of your men, preferably someone that had worked with Noble Team on previous assignments. I have a mission for them."
"What kind of mission?"
"The kind I don't want the rest of ONI to find out. We both know that you've been in a secret war with them. If they learn of this, they will attempt to interfere. This mission will change the course of the war forever, Chernenko. If it succeeds, we just might have a chance at survival."
"I see," Chernenko replied. For a while, he was silent as he thought the matter over. After a minute, he said, "I will have Alex Conners see what he can do. He works the best with Noble Team."
"Good. He will do nicely. Speaking of which, how is the refit for our chosen WarShip going?"
"Excellently. The new WarShip will be completed tomorrow. Due to the fact we're having to construct new shipyards, our WarShip production capabilities are limited right now. The fact that we can build new WarShips has me happy enough; having the Huragok assist in construction shaved off weeks of time."
"Indeed." For a moment, Halsey was silent, then she said, "Thank you, Admiral, for this opportunity."
"You're welcome, Halsey." With that, the MILCOM link ended.
Once it did, Chernenko went over to a desk that was in his office. This was a part of his job that he really disliked as an Admiral: informing next of kin that one of their loved ones had died. While he couldn't send this information back home, given current circumstances, he still had to do it. As he began writing out his condolences for the families of those that had lost their loved ones, a few tears began to roll down his face.
I'm sorry I couldn't bring you back home, he thought as he typed out his condolences in preparation for their eventual return to the Inner Sphere. I'm deeply sorry I couldn't bring you all home. Every day, it wears on my heart whenever more casualties are suffered. Still, I will do what I can to ensure that we do get the chance to go home some day. As he continued to type, he allowed more tears to stream down his face.
. . .
On the planet surface itself, Alex was looking over the BattleMech that he had been piloting during Operation ANVIL STRIKE. Currently, he was inside the cockpit of his Mad Cat, looking over the controls to make sure everything was working normally. It was similar to a pre-flight check that AeroSpace Fighter pilots did before getting to work, only in this case, he had to make sure the 'Mech was ready for combat.
So far, everything is looking good, he thought, remembering the checkup he did on the exterior. All armor plates are in excellent condition. The Fusion Engine is also performing better than specified, and the Myomers are operating at optimal levels. Even the Advanced Endo Steel chassis is performing satisfactorily.
He finished up the internal cockpit checklist when he heard someone tapping on the entrance to the 'Mech's cockpit. Pressing the hatch button on the nearby console, he watched as the hatch opened to reveal a Star League 'Mech Technician that was standing near the entrance, a small wrench in his hand. "What is it," he asked.
"You've got a friend that's wantin' to talk to ya," the Technician replied.
Normally, Alex would've been bothered by the contractions the freeborn technician used, but he also knew this man wasn't a member of Clan Wolf. As such, instead of chiding the man on the 'unclanlike' speech, he said, "Alright, I am coming out."
Getting up, he hefted himself up through the hatch and into the 'Mech Bay that he, and dozens of other BattleMechs, were at. 'Mech Bay Delta 4 was one of the newest BattleMech Bays that had been built on the planet of Tribute. Built just two days ago, the facility was equipped with the finest tools and technology that the SLDF fleet had brought with it. As such, it could service 20 BattleMechs of all tonnages at the same time.
Looking down, Alex could see dozens, if not hundreds, of 'Mech Bay Technicians that were running around, performing various jobs as they prepared for the impending attack from the Covenant. At the feet of the Mad Cat he piloted, he could see one of his freeborn MechWarriors waiting near the lift. Getting onto the nearby lift, he rode it down to the ground floor before walking over to her. "What is it," he asked.
"I was wanting to talk to you," Xi Yang Long replied.
"About what?"
"About the impending battle that's coming. We've been doing well, but I've got the feeling that might not go that way for too much longer. If there's one thing that I know about the Covenant, it's that they'll adapt to us sooner than later."
I know what is troubling her, Alex realized as he listened to her words. She is worried that the Covenant will change the tactics it uses in order to counteract our advantages. It was a legitimate feeling that he understood, having read the ancient Art of War by Sun Tzu. He recalled a quote from ancient Terra that had been spoken by one famous man: 'Do not fight the same enemy too often, or you will teach him your art of war.'
After a moment, he said, "I understand how you feel. You are worried that we will end up teaching the Covenant our arts of war. That is an understandable concern, one that I share as well. If all goes well, however, we will defeat the Covenant and prevent them from learning our art of war, even if it means we have to perform a Trial of Possession and Grievance in order to get then to cease their war long enough for us to prepare."
"That would be nice," Xi Yang Long admitted. "Still, I'm glad that you understand my concerns. The other MechWarriors blew off my concerns as being 'exaggerated.'"
"Were they from my Trinary?"
"No. They were from SLDF Lances."
"Then they are being complete, utter fools. If there is a lesson that I learned during the Clan Offensive, it is that you do not underestimate the enemy. They will learn the error of their ways soon enough." After a moment, his gaze softened, before he said, "Get some rest, Xi Yang Long. You will need it for the impending battle."
"Aff, sir," Xi replied, bringing a smile to Alex's face.
As she left, her words reminded him of something else he had to do. Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out a pendant that he wore on his neck, even when he went into battle. Pulling it out, he pressed a small button on the side, with the interior revealing a small photograph. The photograph inside was that of himself, as well as a woman in a MechWarrior Cooling Suit. The woman had bright blond colored hair, which contrasted to his dark brown hair, and tanned skin. Her bright blue eyes flashed in contrast to his hazel colored ones.
Alex smiled as he looked at the photograph. Reaching up with a finger, he brushed his fingers against the image on the tiny screen, a single tear rolling down his face. I do not know when I will return, he thought to the person in the image standing by him, but I do know that I will return. I will see you someday. Our child will be a freeborn, but there is no shame in that so long as they act with honor, nobility and valor. For a few seconds, he allowed himself the liberty of a few tears.
A moment later, a voice behind him asked, "Who's that?"
Turning around, Alex found himself looking at the one person that he didn't think would be in there. "Sierra-104," he remarked, surprised. "I did not know the SLDF allowed Spartans to enter their BattleMech Bays."
Underneath the helmet, Fred-104 smiled. "Since we're allies, the base commander felt that I could come inside, so long as I didn't touch anything classified." Looking at the pendant as Alex returned it to it's normal place, he asked, "Who's that?"
"Someone that I hold dear to my heart," Alex replied. Chuckling, he said, "Yes, I know. Strange for a trueborn, but even we know what love is. I feel that it is time that you learned more about her. Your prowess in combat, and the fact you have not pestered me about my past, indicates you are mature enough to know that information."
Pulling up a crate, he said, "That is the love of my life. The trueborn daughter of one Natasha Kerensky: Anna Kerensky. She and I met during the Clan Offensive."
"How so," Fred-104 asked.
"She saved my life," Alex replied. "I was tasked with defending the HPG station at Beta VIII when we were attacked by warriors from Clan Jade Falcon. I held them off for quite some time, but in the end, I was overwhelmed, with my BattleMech being knocked down during the fight.
"There I was, lying in my BattleMech, most likely missing a limb. The Ferro-Glass in my cockpit had been shattered, my body covered in cuts, and an enemy Nova Cat standing on my BattleMech. When I saw it powering up the PPC in the right arm, I truly believed that I was going to die, that I was going to die with honor, defending the innocent people in the Inner Sphere."
"That was when she came along, I take it."
"Yes. That was when she saved me. Just before the PPC would have fired, her BattleMech, an Arctic Fox, if I recall correctly, literally jumped onto the Nova Cat and began hammering at the armor plating it wore. The attack was so sudden that I thought I was hallucinating, but I quickly learned that it was real. The firefight with her Star waged for a few minutes, but in the end, they drove off the attackers. The last thing I recall before losing consciousness was this woman pulling me from the ruined remains of my BattleMech.
"When I came to in a Clan Wolf medical facility, she was right there, sitting by the side of my bed. According to the doctors, she did not leave my side for one minute. When I asked her why, she said, 'You are my charge, Alex Conners. If you died on my watch, it would not bode well for me. Besides, I never leave a wounded comrade behind. You needed help, and I was willing to sacrifice myself to give it.'
"Since then, she and I have been seeing each other frequently. Since our… unwilling translocation to this newfound reality, I have found that I feel an ache in my heart, like some part of me has been ripped away. Every day, I long to be by her side once again. That image, taken when we won a Trial of Possession against Clan Jade Falcon, was the last time I saw her before we were pulled here."
"You miss her," Fred-104 guessed.
"I do," Alex replied. "Her absence, and my desire to be with her again, gives me the strength to continue fighting. When we defeat the Covenant, and if we find a way back home, I will return home to her, and father children of my own. I do not care if my children will be freeborn or trueborn; they will always be my children, and I will guard and love them with my life." Looking at Fred-104 for a moment, he said, "I apologize if I sounded wistful there. It is not Clan behavior to…"
"No, no," Fred-104 replied. "There's nothing wrong with loving someone, or missing them. I feel the same way at times too. Those feelings show that, even though you are a trueborn as you put it, you're still a human being. While I haven't experienced love, I can say that you should never let go of that emotion. Otherwise, you become nothing more than an empty husk."
His response had Alex surprised for a moment. This freeborn warrior is advising me on love and emotions, he wondered. Normally, that would be met with a reprimand, but here, I think that was just what I needed to hear. After a moment, he said, "Thank you, Sierra-104. You have given me something to think about."
"You're welcome," Fred-104 replied. "Also, you'll probably want to know that an Engineer is working on your 'Mech." He held back the urge to chuckle when Alex turned around, spotting a Huragok working on the Myomers in his 'Mech, having removed the armor plating and underlying hull with five others.
"Huh," he remarked, arching an eyebrow as he watched the aliens go to work. "It appears as though those 'Huragok' are quite curious and industrious around BattleMechs. I will go make sure they do not break it." Standing up, he said, "Still, Sierra-104, it has been good talking with you. Perhaps we will become fellow Clansmen some day."
"Perhaps."
. . .
Onboard the SLS Repentance, Xhov Bavirk looked out at the inky blackness of space as his WarShip monitored the Space Minelayers that were finishing up their mission. Small contacts on the ship sensors indicating the presence of Icarus EMP Mines and radiation hardened Novastorm Thermonuclear Mines, the two Space Mines that the SLDF made widespread use of. After a few seconds, he heard the Captain of one of those Space Minelayers say, "Captain, we've completed the mining of this region. We're ready to report back to the fleet."
"Affirmative," he replied. "Report back to your CO's and return to the fleet. I will remain here for a little while longer to meet with someone."
As the Space Minelayers disappeared, he had the WarShip's AI, Carter, key the I/FF systems on the Space Mines in order to prevent them from destroying the WarShips for the Kig-Yar Insurrectionists, as the SLDF had called the defectors. As soon as the changes took place, a Kig-Yar WarShip exited Slipstream Space. The purple and blue colored WarShip moved out of the Slipstream Space Portal, closing it as it flew closer to the Repentance.
A moment later, Chiv'Kir appeared on the screen. "Ship Mistress Chiv'Kir, is there something you need," Xhov asked.
"Yes," Chiv'Kir replied, "though it can wait for a moment. How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Xhov replied. "The SLDF has been very accommodating so far. I like working with them; they are far less fanatical than the Covenant, though they are highly disciplined. It's a nice change of pace from working with the Covenant and the overly zealous Sangheili. I wouldn't trade it for any other life."
"Agreed," Chiv'Kir replied. "When this war is over, I will be glad to return to my nest." Looking at Xhov, she said, "By the way, the eggs are doing well. They will hatch in a few month's time."
"They will," Xhov asked, his downcast expression brightening.
"Yes. I sing to the eggs every day I get the chance to do so. I am certain that our children will be vibrant and strong when they hatch."
"I'm certain they will. My heart yearns to sing to them as well."
"You will get that chance, love. I'm certain of it." Clearing her throat, Chiv'Kir said, "I'm transmitting the intelligence that I gathered to you now. Just so you know, the enemy fleet will be arriving tomorrow. We're looking at over 200 WarShips. Are you certain the SLDF will pull off victory?"
"If all goes well, yes," Xhov replied as he confirmed the data had arrived. Once the data was downloaded, he said, "Stay safe, Chiv'Kir."
"You too, Xhov," Chiv'Kir replied. With that, the two ships began to move away from each other. Chiv'Kir's ship entered Slipstream Space once again, while the Repentance seemed to zip away from the space minefield, having entered realspace FTL flight. The trap had been laid. Now, it was a waiting game.
. . .
The next day, Alex was in full Elemental-L Powered Armor as he followed Halsey down a long hallway. It had been two hours since he talked with Fred-104, and he had been curious when he was requested for an assignment. Knowing that the order came from Chernenko himself, he obeyed, going directly to Reach once his 'Mech was ready again.
Once he arrived, Halsey had led him to a part of Sword Base that no one knew about. Apparently, one of the walls was a false wall, with a large hallway behind that wall. Said hallway led to a previously unknown transit system that had been built when Sword Base was constructed. Entering one of the cars, he found that Noble Team was already present. "Commander Carter, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again," he nodded.
"Same here, Gamma One," Carter replied. Turning to Halsey, he asked, "Is there a reason for us being here when ONI isn't watching?"
"Yes," Halsey replied. "What you are about to see is crucial to Humanity's survival, enough that I couldn't trust anyone at ONI to do this for me." As she said this, the tram car moved along the tunnel, where it began to travel down a long shaft. As they moved along, she said, "Noble Two, it may please you to know that the data module you recovered from Visegrad Relay contained precisely what my scientist promised: a latchkey discovery. It has unlocked, at least, the secrets of this excavation."
"Excavation," Kat asked, confused. "I don't understand."
"Your orders for a briefing were a pretext to bring you to me, and have been overridden. As for Alex, he is here due to a request of mine that Admiral Chernenko was willing to fulfill. No doubt, his 'Star League Intelligence Command' knows everything there is to know about me."
"The Star League has an intelligence branch," Jorge asked.
"Makes sense to me," Emile remarked. "ONI has been acting kinda strangely as of late. It would make sense if this was because the Star League was interfering with their actions."
"Or retaliating," Halsey corrected. "ONI has been attempting to acquire SLDF technology for some time, with very little success if I may add. Most of this is due to the Star League Intelligence Command, which has been very successful in it's private war against ONI." She didn't mention as to how she knew this information, though she knew that Parangosky would figure it out before long. Clearing her throat, she said, "Your new mission is to assure the delivery of this vital data to a secure location."
"An escort mission," Alex guessed. "Not too surprising. I have done many of those as a mercenary in the Inner Sphere."
"Then you will be highly familiar with this one." Moments later, they emerged out of the tunnel and into an elevator-like part of the tram system. Looking around, Alex found that the tram car was now inside of a hollow portion of the nearby glacier that Sword Base was built at. The cavern was massive, large enough to house a McKenna II-class WarShip with room to spare. Up above, large stalactites hung like daggers waiting to fall, while stalagmites down below stuck up like jagged fangs in the mouth of some reptilian creature.
It was what was up ahead of them that had his attention though. It was a massive construct of unknown origin, with the structure being located roughly four kilometers away from their position. It was made out of a matte silver and gray metal that was shaped into numerous angles, curves and geometric shapes. Is that what a Forerunner device looks like, he thought to himself.
A moment later, Halsey said, "Before you, gentlemen, is an alien artifact neither human nor Covenant in origin. Thanks to the Engineers that the SLDF liberated thanks to the defectors, we know know that it belongs to the Forerunners. It was advanced beyond our comprehension… until now that is. Thanks to the data module you retrieved, Noble Two, the decryption of this data is now complete."
Moments later, the elevator came to a stop, with the team moving towards what appeared to be a laboratory of some kind. The lab was held in a building that was built partially underground, with a large gate leading inside. Walking forwards, Halsey pressed in a series of codes, with the door opening up moments later. Once it was fully opened, she beckoned the team inside, with the others quickly following.
At the end of a long corridor was Halsey's lab. Scientific equipment was scattered everywhere, along with datapads, notebooks, and even some pencils and papers. A holographic projector was also in the room, with a blue colored woman sitting with her legs crossed. A Forerunner artifact hovered in the room, with light emanating from it's core. "What is this," Alex asked.
"Knowledge," Halsey replied. "A birthright from an ancient civilization. This AI is it's custodian, and she has chosen you to be her couriers." She motioned to the holographic woman on the pedestal.
"Chosen," Emile asked, surprised. "By an AI?"
"By this, AI, yes," Halsey nodded. "Her measure of you carries as much weight as my own… perhaps more. You are to take her to the UNSC/SLDF ship-breaking yards in Asźod. There, you will find a newly constructed Halcyon II-class Light Cruiser waiting to get her off-planet."
"I understand," Carter replied.
"Why is she so important," Alex asked, curious.
"A good question, Star Commander," Halsey replied, having been educated on Clan customs and terminology weeks earlier. "When Reach falls – if it does fall that is – our annihilation will be all but certain. Unless… we can glean from this artifact a defense against the Covenant. A game changer if you will. On the level of the conical bullet from the 19th century, or faster than light travel in the 23rd."
"And if we can't," Carter asked.
"An apt question, if there was somewhere else to place our hope," Halsey replied, moving over to the AI on the pedestal. "There is not." A moment later, she shut off the projection. As Jun looked around, curious, Halsey removed a large, cylindrical storage unit and brought it to Noble Six. "Do you have it," she asked.
"Yes," Six replied.
"Say the words, please."
"I have it." With that, Halsey removed her hands from the device.
. . .
A few minutes later, the team emerged from a tunnel out into the open air outside of the glacier. Present were a few Pelican VTOL's. Moments later, a pilot ran over to them. "Pelican's are ready, ma'am," the pilot replied. "We're good to go when we need to."
"Good," Halsey replied.
"Agreed," Carter nodded. "Dr. Halsey, Jun will escort you to CASTLE Base."
"I require no escort, Commander-"
"Jun, make sure nothing falls into enemy hands, should the Covenant attack when you're en route to CASTLE Base."
"I'll do what's necessary, sir," Jun nodded. "Good luck."
"You too, rifleman," Carter replied. Walking up to Carter, Jun clasped Cater's forearm with a hand before saluting. Carter returned the salute before turning to enter the nearby Pelican. Once he, and the others, were onboard, he asked, "Dot?"
"At three kilometers north, turn right, heading 0-5-0."
"Which leads to?"
"The ship-breaking yards in Asźod. SLDF/UNSC projections indicate that, should the Covenant attack soon, they will be the only off-planet extraction point left on this planet. The joint UNSC/SLDF cruiser Pillar of Autumn, is awaiting your arrival. Estimated time of-" Suddenly, she stopped talking as they flew on.
"Dot," Carter asked. "Dot, talk to me. What's happening?"
"Covenant forces have been detected entering the system," Dot replied. "SLDF and UNSC warships are moving into position."
It has begun, Carter thought grimly. After a moment, he said, "Wouldn't be a Noble mission if it were easy." As he said this, explosive charges in the cavern they had left detonated, causing the ice shelf to collapse, while destroying Sword Base and the Forerunner complex. The final battle for Reach had begun. It was merely a question of who would win it now.