Last hours of the Aegis I

00:01

The night staff were greeted, according to digits on a clock they were night staff, a trek down the walkway and a chance to see outside of the metal confinement that travelled ventured into the abyss that was space.

The ship must have clocked thousands of hours of deep space exploration and conflict. The wear and tear of the surface can be refitted, but the effect of this kind of journey took its toll on the way people acted, appeared and how people can one day be talking to you and the next be there upon a wall as a portrait to all those who raise a honoured glass to.

It was a culture that took getting some use to, to show empathy when you couldn't care less, took a level of acting.

To appear on the bridge at an off time when supposed to be sleeping and yet brush away those initial suspicions by bringing in snacks and well-intention, eyeing the people that were selected from the start and apply the charm. Greet them all with a smile, just smiling at how utterly stupid they were to take in the trust and not know what was actually happening.

Still the part was played, the specific bonding with certain people was paying off, it helped to know their rostra and personal background, small talk or quietly prying into their hacked files and leaving everything as it was. It didn't matter how, just that it worked and in time the knowledge to know who was on and who wasn't was crucial, especially when senior staff were about. Their absent meant staff can be more at ease, casual, unguarded and unwitting. Everything planned and was going as it was to be expected. Pawns blindly giving away the checking point.

Amidst the good commutation, a casual stroll was made towards a terminal, they assuming nothing when the excuse of 'left some notes' was made, when anyone who worked on the day would most certainly know better. If only there was an opportunity to laugh as well.

Such utter ignorance. Such reservations were kept private and the charm kept up the outside exterior of the façade.

A small compartment was opened and the notes were inside as promised, what was revealed was actually the excuse when in secret several items were bungled in along with a mask.

The compartment was closed and locked and the smiles and formalities continued, the next security sweep was not for another twelve hours, life was all about tragedy anyway.

If there was a regret it was that those simple bastards won't be amongst the day staff when the treachery starts.

Not to worry "God" did say he will take care of the rest.

0600

The research team boasted a combination of talent and experience, supported by a healthy amount of funding and a ship orbiting above them. The Aegis Fate was somewhere out there, like a predator watching the herd graze as it waited just observing from the surrounding tall grass. In some respects, that was how the senior command acted, they simply waited knowing it was a matter of when before a discovery was made.

Fielding Rushmore, the night's co-ordinator was a 40 year something man, growing bald and broad and centralised so to speak round the stomach, he was a good man but even good men get tired and he just wanted to go to bed in the transporter that docked on the planet and would hopefully fly away from this wasteworld besieged by nuclear duststorms and seismic activity, some at a scale of 10, bad intel nearly cost the life of one member the other week when it kicked off and some needed were taken to the supply base at the other star system for extensive medical treatment.

A very dangerous world, and the window to study was limited with the swirls of nuclear duststorms, this world was a freak of discoveries but the one that matter had still eluded them.

It was tiring, trekking, working and navigating and feeling the sweat build and the irritation not to be able to scratch that one itch was aggravating as well! He was getting tired as his shift neared the end and tired of hearing his breath rasp against the visor, even if the alterative was to breathe in a radioactive dust he was still tired of wearing the blasted thing!

Sadly against his hopes he quickly realized he would have to wait a bit longer, whoever saw Doctor Luther Mann knew they were about to get a job on their hands.

Fielding was already making excuse number 78.

'Sorry doctor can't stop, I have to clarify with logistics when they'll transport our next 48 hour meals.' Privately he had concerns befriending a man or more to it being befriended by someone who allegedly liked the colours of a colony that was glassed by the Covenant. Luther was at least four if the stories were true, and if they were then that's not normal behaviour for a kid. Even if he now had grown and acquired respected service and accomplishments.

He would give Luther this, he never took no in any form and his time had diminished his cynic tone and kept his upbeat mannerism in place. Working in a field where persistence was key, Luther was at times invaluable.

'You'll need to plan something else.' He said.

'Whatever do you mean?'

'Our main objective, if you're going to amend meals then at least add something celebratory'

Did he get an explanation No? Was he being roped into this? Yes.

It wasn't that far from the excavation zone so there was that at least in his head.

'Alright let's see what your babbling about'

He agreed to one more chase with the curiosity baited by the doctor, it wasn't taking up that much time and if it was good news, then good news just passes the time better. Walking out of the tent to see a tracked buggy waiting to take them down a gritty slope into a valley that for some reason was made on the surface of surprisingly hard lithium, which in turn prompted the unique branding of Lithium valley. but part of their research centred here and on this strange world past the myriad labyrinth of rocks and strange formations as if relics were smothered with millions of years of material and dirt. He jotted some of these areas for possible future excavations, Luther nodded at what fielding noted, sharing his same eye of talent. The transport stopped, grinded down to a halt with careful footsteps they walk upon on one of the recent excavations

At first Fielding saw nothing new, just mechanical diggers and precision chipping away of the ground and cliffs, then he saw a concentration of tyre tracks that led to the centre of a hill dug away by relentless and even aggressive quarrying. The hill was eaten half away and in the centre was something huge. Its architecture wasn't familiar not Covenant, not forerunner. it was entirely new and entirely alien.

'About seven hours ago the team discovered a partially amount of what you saw, but only just now we have gotten a complete picture and if ONI is correct then this might be what were after.'

'I'm having dejavu with that last line, we were hopeful with a newly formed asteroid group when arriving at this system. We were then hopeful with the only settlement on the only planet that wasn't spitting brim and dust. The first bore nothing and that settlement might as well had been a ghost town.'

'Yes but this proves without question that the structure from that settlement wasn't a one-off stone based civilization, and that we have a secondary find on another world and this one is immense, look at it, the planning for this architecture would had taken considerable effort and resources, it doesn't explain why one world has a settlement that betrays their advanced roots and here we have one that does.'

'Covenant and forerunner is your expertise, you think you can learn a few things from this?'

'Anything unlearned is Alien, once you know the ins and outs, it becomes a name, familiar like the Covenant'

'Yes' Sharp abrupt and hinting the doctor moved on from that subject, his interest is one thing but he rather not have him state the fascinating parts of a race that should be tried for genocide. 'The thing is while we and I am definitely happy we were able to pinpoint likely points of civilization I was expecting some forerunner material aside.'

'We can request for more time, this is a sign significance, no civilization has built one immense building with no supporting facilities, everything has a point'

'I agree; however, I don't think we would have time for it if we did though. I can hazard a guess the fallout of nuclear dust was not a combination of separate factors as we initially believed but entirely intentional.' He pointed to the figures greeting the main entrance but unlike the ruins of that desert world in this system, this one shown depictions of armed combatants postured awaiting the call to draw arms. 'This could be a place of rejection'

'Or regret'

'Please don't start that joke out here, it was old four years ago and it's still old now'

'Actually I was being serious, it is possible this act of burial was a rejection but if there's truth the result of nuclear dust clouds is to go by then we should consider it is something they did not want to pass onto others'

'Then we'll get some droids to scout the inside, but this pushes the schedule. I'll inform everyone they have one quick break and then were pooling in efforts to grab and pack, till we get to that point were going to be slow, everyone is going to say their careful and be careful as well, last thing any of us want is another forerunner with an axe to grind, however if it's got an axe for the Covenant then by all means show it the way!'

0640

The screen flickering was the only light in her room, on her chair was a spread out uniform jack with lieutenant junior insignia rank attached. Her role was one of the Damage Control Assistants, it wasn't easy, paperwork, safety assessments, in her case a lot to do with hum maintenance, given the campaigns UNSC was often involved in made it a very demanding role, and how estates and other departments loved hearing her reminder that improvements were needed, things were missed and just about anything that wasn't good, unfortunately for Anijah it meant everything she said was never good because what good was there to be said from a ship that was tested by the vacuum of space daily. She had to lecture at people about this because frankly when things go wrong people look for the scapegoat and the only way she could look after herself was to be on the back of everyone's heels.

It made her resort to coffee, or the latest name branded one, sitting back and watching the paradox of a happier time and being reminded that happiness was no longer there, it was five years old but she watched the video because it was amongst the last of him, she was three when the family of Marcille were done with him, there was a tragedy as she looked at it, with a operation at a diner gone horribly wrong. Grandmother Marcille died just as news fileted into the inquiry but the drinking did the severing of ties for a long while. Anijah picked up the cup and wondered if she was slipping down that path herself. In her case it was the stress of expectations and fear of failure that pushed her because she saw what failure has done to her estranged relation and yet he came back stronger. She sipped and let the video play, out the scene of relative peace no bombs, just some misfortunate rookies in attention to the back while Sgt Johnson marched, and drilled out his exaggerated soldiering it brought her a chuckle.

'WHO ARE THE MARINES?'

'WE ARE!'

'AND WHO'S THE VERY BEST OF EM ALL?'

'ANIJAH IS SIR'

A wry look at the team before he looked to the camera, to her, the camera moved with him, with the marines no longer in the back, a conversation from him to her.

'I know your family don't talk much 'bout me but I'll never forget the girl who came to me and drew out a salute on that doorstep. You may be Navy but your still marine in my books as Marcille was, and is now your own little trooper, I want to congratulate you on that, give him a saint's name and he'll do just well. I served with the marines for a long time, men and women have come and gone but the family remains because were strong to each other. You be strong to your own. Keep that in mind. Now if you excuse me a rookie got ten laps to for saying Canada instead of Chicago!'

He gave a salute and the screen turned to black, a veil of was had now gone to past. She took a sip and considered watching it again for the fourth time, there was a quiet denial that she was rooted in a past loop but as long as she was quiet she would never come round to admitting it.

Beep-Beep-Beep

The com snapped her to wake, the lights were activated and quickly fastened the uniform on her, the com was activated and saluted her superior, a lieutenant by the name of Richard his expression was quite serious when in comparison he was quite casual at times thiugh was known to let the casual tongue slip when being frank at times.

'The Commander is calling all officers to the bridge, we've got some developments coming fast, I'm sorry to call you in earlier but things are happening and we have that ONI officer about as well'

'Understood Sir' The comm switched off and she went to the door, she never dealt with ONI personally, that was for the higher grade like Richard to contend with and judging from his harsh British accent ONI didn't sound like the joyful bunch.

0653

Commander Lincoln Stratson, a forty-year service amongst the best of those associated with the UNSC, now and then though there were the less then thought of ones in his time, such as the glare at the ONI officer, one by the name of Veronica Dare. He wondered if that was even her real name or just one of many alias they may go under, she tracked progress and was the shadow to every man and woman on-board, everyone knew she was on, the senior staff knew that the co-ordinates and stellar map was copied by espionage, more be it from her planning, and for the past few months trips to and back on this system in secret was down to her surveillance and intel. He knew the methods, some were downright intrusive and where his disgust took the issue but regardless she was here as part of the team as they looked at the copied map of the system they were sneaking around in, system the Galactic Federation gave the name of.

FS-176

The claim to those that didn't need to know was they were here to locate any technological discovery that can give earth the upper hand against a turbulent time. The truth was this was an investigation into finding how the Galactic Federation came to be, for a long time it was theorized what they were using was based on forerunner, the news about a significant discovery just recently meant that theory needed revising, there seemed to be a complication to that accepted view.

'I know safeguarding is important but Luther has to work faster, we can't afford to lose this sensitive intel'

'I trust Luther on his judgment, if we rush and mess up then were going to struggle with resources to treat an incident on a world with nuclear debris from dawn to dusk for the last thousand and more years.' His eyes were on the rest of the staff. 'Finally. We can get started'

The rest being the remaining of his officials most notably Richard with the DCA officer accompany him, there was Taylor Miles, a former professional solider with worthwhile experience he turned his back on it and went private as a contractor invested in logistics and transport. Privately Lincoln was not overly fond of the idea of UNSC giving ground for agency and contractors in supporting divisions but with a great war supposedly over and at the same time drawn into a Covenant civil war and realising there were other threats left an economy that neared collapse, beneath the excitement of arms and valour there was a growing cost to the supplies burned for total victory. He even had to give a grim one to one discussion with the estates manager on-board that should the Ageis return to earth there will be a series of step downs before cuts came in. Officially it has not been stated but Lincoln knew the power game and while he and other senior officers were most likely safe it was those with the low pay grade and influence that will feel the noose around them. Not helped by leaks he had to on record to deny, by lying. That would haunt him he was sure of it.

Looking at taylor he felt he should be angry at the man for what he represented but in the end he reasoned that we all just go for jobs no matter what.

'In case some of you haven't been introduced to her, with me is Veronica Dare, a combatant and ONI operative, her position for the last few months was to seek out what we coded as 'game changer' and we found a game changer here in this system. Veronica?'

'Thank you, the charts we have been following have been "borrowed" from the Galactic Federations thanks to skilled espionage, at present we have maintained a near thirty-year state of cold war between ourselves and the largest insurgent group known. They don't have a justification to fight us and our plight against the Covenant even gained some sympathy from its populace, in turn we can't do a dam thing against them because they have something different, engines, weapons, structural design. We briefly had a skirmish 41 years ago when the colonies rebelled, the fleet sent to quell what should had been a small number, I say should because somehow we got decimated on that day. Now they had the time to expand and grow and until we know how their growing so fast were not fighting them.'

She flipped a holo chart to show the current alien world they were stationed above. The close up footage revealed an excavation of an immense tower of alien origin.

'Even though we are finding more forerunner technology, we still need to know what the GF is running on, make no mistake they do have some kind of advanced tech their leeching on and this system which is one of many of the GF's "claims" could be the evidence and insight we were after and we struck something big. We need to work on fast extraction, we managed to anticipate GF patrols through this area time and time again and have hidden appropriately, but our luck will not last.' She turned off the screen and looked at the group with an eye of suspicion. 'Going through the sensor readings I recently noted an anomaly in one at 2356 last night, that oddity was picked out, and was too interwoven with other signals to be an accident, it's being decoded but it's clear that a signal was sent.

'By who?'

'I can't be sure, but what I will disclose is that some time ago' Ignoring the specific of when 'There was an infiltration attempt on the UNSC infinity by insurgents, we need to be vigilante'

The weight of the news came as a shock, a numbing bolt but Veronica wasn't wrong there was indeed a lucky shot made at the most advanced warship UNSC had to offer, some time was a vague gap, but Veronica knew of course the year the attempt was made and even how close it all went to hell. Nobody needed to know that part.

Richard frowned, the idea of breach in security was not reassuring news.

'Is this related to the so-called leaks on the intranet? Our supply base back at Lian and here? We have been getting all sorts of crap, Voi factory workers laid off, debt sheets and-'

'Richard'

'Sorry Commander, but I get what intel is saying but if we are so hidden then how come were getting this hoax propaganda twice over? someone knows were here and it could be the GF's. Now it's being confirmed. Correction. Suspected. We should focus on a evac immediately and return with a greater number, were not enough to deter things by ourselves'

'We simply don't have the resources and the ships' Arguing with a reality check. 'And as much as I requested it in the past, any backup support is still engaged in quote to Post-Covenant operations with the ongoing Sangheili-Jiralhanae disturbances'

Only experienced eyes caught the quick pause and the warning eyes, of a Commander to his second in command, even with a trusted bond, the message was clear. Don't even try to imply it, nobody wanted the impression the UNSC was delving into matters of other races, even if there was some truth to it.

Lincoln carried on as if there was never a glare at Richard.

'-And all lower departments have been informed of a likely threat' Said Lincoln 'I have told them to follow contingency plans but there is to be no mention were on the lookout for rebels or a Spartan IV, we have codes to alert without causing escalation, our main priority is to grab and get out. We have a leak so let's focus on shutting shop then creating an assumption of a suspect.

'Commander Lincoln' Added the ONI officer 'Can I suggest Miles Taylor retrieves a copy of log entries of all and what has been transported to us from Lian, it could be if we do have a mole then we need to deduce their likely origin.'

'That's not a problem' Said Miles 'I'll be on wait for the research team to dock. We got some items that look a bit heavy to put onto our transporters, were looking about 7 trips, maybe three hours in total.'

'If what we collect is significant in two hours then we'll call it done and level place before leaving, let's not give GF any chance to scrape some valuables of their own.'

'Then it's settled, we get what we can and move out'

'And if we bump into a GF patrol?'

'It's not to be considered we leave before they contact, it's as simple as that'

The team nodded and debriefed, veronica lurked behind the Commander shrouding in the dark, and whispered closely.

'As you requested I kept out the details regarding Infinity'

'They just need to know that were resting on the blade's edge, and we all need to be vigilante. Last thing I want spread is claims of a rouge'

'If you must know I have spent last three years tracking that claim'

'Then do me a favour, track whoever sent that source out to space and whoever is messing our intranet with damm facts I wish were lies! Use your hunch, find and silence. Clear?'

'Clear'

0700

It was the transfer between the night and the day, where the maintenance crew patted each other on the back, some even tossing the tools casually into the containers that they were not meant for. Amir sighed wearily at the pileup, a whole collection of mess, very courteous for Aegis night team. He felt a sharp pat on the back, it was the supervisor for the team, Gerald who told him to chin up, he was upbeat as usual, maybe he was deluded with work or simply enjoyed the demands of it. Amir half smiled, and half waved an acknowledgment clocking in and joining the other group looking forward to the day as much as he was. Joining his fellow team leaders as they were ready for the briefing to get started.

'Morning everyone'

the response was a half-hearted one. Gerald looked at everyone and his colonist accent spoke with more encouragement, repeating what was said, some sighed but it did the trick as everyone gave a more professional response.

'Good, now that your awake enough to say that, you can all be awake to follow this briefing. Yes?'

They replied agreeing, Gerald hadn't forgotten someone slept part of an earlier briefing, he can be a good man, and while the colony he came from was one dependent on supplies and had no animal life, he could be snappy as crocodiles were in Amir's home state. Away from earth for so many years but he could still keep fresh references in his head which were more entertaining to think about then looking at the same holographic presentation, it was almost the same kind of discussion every week almost. Sign of a smooth flowing team, and that he has been doing this job long enough briefings were becoming like a tired sermon. Better then hearing the growing mumbles of cuts.

'I do have one thing to note'

he raised an eye brow, the tone was different, now lax but had a mark of seriousness, this got Amir to take note to what Gerald had to say, initially he thought it could be a dramatic pause for a comical punchline but nothing of that sort happened.

'I want to see everyone wear their red codes today'

'Red codes?'

'Yes Red, that's how it is, we were trained for that remember?'

There was some shock as to why this was, with some unease, Amir would be lying if he hadn't felt the same. Last time he had to attach a red code was prior to homeworld defence from the Covenant. The strictest of security checks, and he understood that a procedure was important of course but in the middle of nowhere harbouring outside a research colony?

Ultimately someone had to ask that uncomfortable question.

'Are you saying we have Insurgents?'

Gerald shook his head and raised his hand to assure.

'It's a temporary measure, operations from the bridge passed on an alert to all key personnel to be vigilant, they haven't said what it was but to keep an eye on anything unusual, any problems with a red code from anyone, I want reported. Just remember "Checkup at Medbay" is our code for anything suspicious, I don't want panic via the channels. I'm told it may be nothing and I'm not entitled to what the problem is but were not going to spout T&B words, if any staff ask say it's a decontamination check.' There were groans, bubbling vocals of complaints and Gerald got serious in his tone.

'It's temporary ok, keep vigilant and keep the codes and hopefully whatever this concern is will pass but I repeat I have no message that this is a T&B and were not going to treat it like it is one, ok? And try to smile please? We do need that good feedback for our division, ok?'

'We'll remember that during evac'

The grumble won some sarcastic laughs and it was brushed aside by a hand gesture of the non-offended Gerald with everyone taking their cue to leave to their designated zones. Amir put on his soft cap, mumbling about scenarios a red code would bring, whinging to be frank, regulation, grumbling and more of the same whinging.

'You should walk a bit slower, you can make it a 11 hour shift instead of 12 by the time you get there'

Amir turned his head to see "Eris" the surprisingly tall woman, hair dark going past the shoulders walked along him, two oceanic coloured maintenance uniforms they were equal respectively but not the same. Eris was always hard at work, was apparently able to do her job without supervision as there were no complaints she had a reputation for being silent, even frowning with disapproval at her routine being interrupted. So it was to Amir's surprise she was starting a conversation with him. He had to lift his head to catch eye contact with her.

"Never thought you be one to suggest that, it is Eris right?'

'I am what the badge says I am.'

He was seeing now why she talked little, surprisingly her tone changed to a more formal one. 'Sorry, just wish people stop asking who I am. I have been on here for a while now'

'A good month, maybe a bit before that'

'Well somebody is noticing' There was a flash of a smile with that but like a flash it was gone afterwards.

'I need to ask, regarding code red pain we have to put up with'

'What about it?'

'There's a research team from the surface, bringing up significant stuff. To keep hush about, you can help make a clear way?'

'That wasn't brought up'

'Of course it wasn't, not with this code business. You know why Red was brought up and this was it. I don't want to bring rank ito this' She said with a veiled threat. 'But Gerald has passed on to a select few to help with security if they need quick repairs at the end point. But he was thinking of something else'

'Else? What you saying?'

'It's nothing too outside protocol, once this is done we'll be heading back to earth, or the nearest to. You're a Union member yes?'

'What? You think they'll drop us without pay at the nearest dock? That is paranoia! We have rights that cover us regardless where we go'

'Except in times of emergency. How many extra hours did you put in when the war was really bad? Sixty? Seventy? I know people who put in Eighty hours. EIGHTY! That's a lot of overtime money to pay out and still owed, but they made us break our contract for them. Were still in a state of emergency and at some point they will re-regulate our hours and pay. We're going to be rolled over with debt and while we make stops at various supply routes the only place they'll drop us is the only place where government is capital.'

'Earth…'

There's been legislations to ensure our "patriotic" economy stays as it is, with one hand dipped into Covenant civil war, stirring up forerunners and we somehow manage to conjure up a third hand and are now dipping into the GF's? It's crazy, but you know their now using threats and straying into those dangers to argue we need to change things at home. I heard the "legendary" master Chief got a medal for destroying something, where's your recognition for building something? Where's the recognition of the men of voi? Civs who took arms forever in their debt now on the dole'

'I don't pay attention to that crap, it's just…gross simplification of the facts'

'Like the wage and cost sheets were, did you see which bands were under red?'

'I know!' There was a shot of anger in his words he saw it he had to admit and dam his curiosity but everyone was talking about it was an infection of pessimism that couldn't be ignored. 'Look, don't bring that up on me, this job matters to me'

'Hey I'm sorry, no offence meant' Passively apologising, there seem to be a hint she underestimated his character but the topic didn't change. 'But what I'm saying is true, I know there's been a lot of jobs under "review" "restructuring" Skirting round the F word, when we get back home they'll be changes. I know you know this, and so does Gerald. We're looking out for you here'

Really?'

'Yeah, more him then me, but we have a understanding of what's going to happen, and so do you'

'I do..yeah, I just don't want to think about it'

'I know but unfortunately there's more debt than the stars in our galaxy. We have to have it in our mind to so we can invest in ourselves. Gerald wants you in'

'But not you?'

'Given what's at stake I needed to hear and see if you are the man Gerald said you were. Say no I do not care, my priority is to invest in myself but there's a better chance of that if more were invested into making it happen.'

'...This "investment" ...What we're talking about?'

'Revolutionary, with the right buyer we can go our own ways and do our own things, an honourable 25% each'

'It's not forerunner is it?'

'No, this is revolutionary as in it's something other than forerunner. We switch some stuff and be the first to sell'

'Switch? You're talking theft'

'If the UNSC isn't fighting it's grave robbing other technology, they can't patent the past and they shouldn't be trying to screw us over. Think what's really right here Amir. We can take a cut if it's still enough, no arms dealer, you call your buyer.'

'I can?'

'If it means getting you on board then yes. You have certain clearance and authorization people won't batter an eye lid to, it's a swap of data, get the reward, spend sensibly, retire and nobody will batter an eye lid.'

'You know anything about these buyers'

'I can disclose one, I've been working for him for some time, he's a big employer, you'll like him. Now are you in?'

'…I'm in'

AN: There's quite a bit of world building as I work on immersing characters and the overall picture, canon and own into this, before I get to the usual main, quite a bit of this is taken from lore from respective sources and had to delve quite deeply to find some choices. I'm a slow builder and want to work on establishing the setting and mood before having the Chief or other Spartans. The chapter does leave some hints on what's to come next as well as the implied time setting for either side. Personally I'm quite happy with this.

I have no idea what UNSC economy would be like post Covenant war, but if it were down to me I'd say they be close to making drastic cuts and changes to adapt to an era of high debt.

I also want to state I have never read halo novels or comics, the only way I can read any of them is to find one by ebay and make an overseas purchase. Nor have I worked in the military or am fluent in Halo's military structure, a lot of this is research and guesswork. I could spend more time on it but at this point I have more time spent on drawing webcomics, hopefully I have shown that I have taken time to look at bother series, see which lore I can take as well as who I can put into the fray.