I would like to take a second and say thank you for all the reviews. If I didn't respond to you then I apologize, I forgot who I already responded to so I didn't want to send double responses. So once again, thank you!
-side note- There has been changes made to chapter three. I, after being told by a reviewer, changed certain things with Déjà. I didn't realize she was a "dumb" AI but now I have a whole new subplot to play with! =]
-another side note- This chapter will feel like a true copy from Fall of Reach. A lot more so then the previous chapters. We are dealing with the meetings and that means important information is being passed on. I will try to keep it as entertaining as possible though. So once again, sorry for what feels like a copy paste. =[ It had to be done.
0545 Hours, September 12, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Destroyer Pioneer , en route to
Eridanus System.
Déjà closed her eyes and let the visuals explode into her mind. The augmentation had gone wonderfully well for Daniel, regardless of the fact that it took him a full week to recover and be able to move again properly. Properly is a loose term. Déjà stopped the video and opened her eyes as Dr. Halsey prodded into the room. "Doctor, I would like a word" Déjà announced.
Dr. Halsey spun on her heel and turned to face the computerized artificial intelligence. "Out with it?" Halsey responded with her arms crossing.
"Project MJOLNIR, when do you think that will be ready?"
The question had caught the good doctor by surprise. Ideas and thoughts rushed into her head as she tried to formulate some way of talking. How did Déjà know about her project? Why did she care? "For a dumb AI, you are pretty nosy." Halsey smirked.
"Not that nosy mind you. You left the files up on your data pad and I assume you remember the last time we talked. If I could be transferred into a smart AI then Daniel could use me in his suit."
A sour chuckle escaped the doctor's lips as the AI cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Halsey was not sure why Déjà had become so interested in Daniel but it sure was interesting… for lack of a better word. But on the other side she had her own favorite so maybe it wasn't so crazy for an AI to take a liking to a certain trainee.
"The suits won't be ready for… god knows when. And changing a dumb AI to a smart AI, well I am not even sure that is possible. I will look up the logistics behind the whole concept and I will go from there." Halsey gave a wry smile.
"Logistics have already been researched, sending to your datapad now."
That little devil, Halsey thought. The fact that the AI would go this far, it was truly unheard of. Especially a dumb AI, perhaps she had evolved in some way? No. She is artificial intelligence and has a core processor which would stop her from growing more and more. Smiling, "I will look them over after I speak to my Spartans, understood?"
Déjà nodded and started to reread files of the MJOLNIR, hoping to get more understanding to the idea.
Halsey walked out of the room and shook her head, sometimes that little AI could be a bit much to handle. But that was the least of her worries now. As she strode the big hallway, taking a sharp left then a right, she wondered how her Spartans would react to knowing they have a mission. Halsey bit her lip as she waited for Mendez.
-
The Spartans made a crisp salute as Dr. Halsey and Mendez entered the room. "At ease." Mendez said. He looked nervous… that can't be a good sign.
Daniel looked around, he didn't really mind being out in space. There was no control though, that made him uneasy. He put his life in the hands of pilots and regular marines, it was unnerving.
Dr. Halsey walked up to the podium, tapping the mic once she began her talk. "Good morning,Spartans. I have good news for you. The word has come down. Command has decided to test your unique abilities. You have a new mission: an insurgent base in the Eridanus System."
A star map came to life on the wall, thousands of stars blurred away as twelve planets and an orange sun came to view. "In 2513, an armed insurrection in this system was suppressed by the UNSC force—Operation: TREBUCHET."
The map changed into a tactical intersystem map. Hundreds of smaller ships started engaging destroyers and carriers, they were represented with tiny icons. Pinpoints of fire appeared against the dark.
"The insurrection was put down," Dr. Halsey continued. "However, elements of the rebel forces escaped and regrouped in the local asteroid belt."
The map tilted and moved into the circle of debris around the star.
"Billions of rocks," Dr. Halsey said, "where they hid from our forces . . . and continue to hide to this day. For some time ONI believed that the rebels were disorganized, and were lacking in leadership. That appears to have changed.
"We believe that one of these asteroids has been hollowed out, and that a formidable base has been constructed within. UNSC explorations into the belt have met either with no contact or with an ambush by superior forces."
She paused, pushed up her glasses, and added, "The Office of Naval Intelligence has also confirmed that FLEETCOM has discovered a security breach within their organization—a rebel sympathizer leaking information to these forces."
Daniel twitched slightly. A leak was unreal. He had heard Déjà talk about them before in her lessons but he thought that could only happen in the old days. It seems people never change.
A flat picture flashed over the star map: a middle-aged man with thinning hair, a neatly trimmed beard,and watery gray eyes.
"This is their leader," Dr. Halsey said. "Colonel Robert Watts. The original photo was taken after Operation: TREBUCHET and has been computer aged.
"Your mission is to infiltrate the rebel base, capture Watts, and return him—alive and unharmed—to UNSC-controlled space. This will deprive the rebels of their new leadership. And it will provide ONI a chance to interrogate Watts and root out traitors within FLEETCOM."
Dr. Halsey stepped aside. "Chief Mendez?"
Clearing his throat, Mendez squeezed his hands together and began. "This operation will be different from your previous missions. You will be engaging the enemy using live rounds and lethal force. They will be returning the favor. If there is any doubt, any confusion—and make no mistake: in combat, there will be confusion—takeno chances. Kill first, ask questions later.
"Support on this mission will be limited to the resources and firepower of this destroyer," Mendez continued. "This is to minimize the chance of a leak in the command structure."
Mendez walked to the star map. The face of Colonel Watts snapped off and blueprints for a Parabolaclass freighter appeared.
"Although we don't know the location of the rebel base, we believe they receive periodic shipments from Eridanus Two. The independent freighter Laden is due to leave space dock in six hours for a routine recertification of her engines. She is being loaded with enough food and water to supply a small city. Additionally, her captain has been identified as a rebel officer thought to have been killed during
Operation: TREBUCHET.
"You will slip aboard this freighter and hopefully hitch a ride to the rebel base. Once there, infiltrate the installation, grab Watts, and get off of that rock any way you can."
Chief Mendez gazed at them all. "Questions?"
Daniel and John both stood at the same time to ask a question, Daniel let out a small growl as he sat back down. "Sir." John said, "What are our extraction points?" Daniel shook his head, he even stole his question.
"You have two options: a panic button that will relay a distress signal to a preestablished listening ship. Also, the Pioneer will stay on-station . . . briefly. Our window here is thirteen hours." He tapped the star map on the edge of the asteroid belt and it glowed with a blue Nav marker. "I'll leave the extraction choice up to you. But let me point out that this asteroid belt has a circumference of more than a billion kilometers . . . making it impossible to canvass with ONI surveillance craft. If things get hot, you will be on your own.
"Any other questions?"
The Spartans sat, silent and immobile.
"No? Well, listen up, Recruits," Mendez added. "This time I've told you all the twists that I know of. Be prepared for anything." His gaze fixed on John. "Squad Leader, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class."
"Sir!" John snapped to attention.
Daniel felt like had been hit with a ton of bricks, another promotion while all the other Spartans sat at 'trainee', unbelievable.
"Assemble your team and equipment. Be ready to muster at 0300. We'll drop you off at the Eridanus Two docks. You're on your own from there."
"Yes, sir!" John said.
Mendez saluted. He and Dr. Halsey then left the room.
John turned to face his teammates. The other Spartans stood at attention. Thirty-three—too many for this operation. He needed a small team: five or six maximum.
"Sam, Kelly, Linda, and Fred, meet me in the weapons locker in ten minutes."
The other Spartans sighed and their gazed dropped to the deck. "The rest of you fall out. You'll have the more difficult part of this mission: You'll have to wait here."
Daniel was mad, to put it simply enough. "Well I don't want to go on a mission anyway!" Daniel yelled in a cheeky voice towards the small infiltration team. John turned for a second and smiled at him, oh that jackass.
-
1200 Hours, September 14, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
UNSC Destroyer Pioneer , currently docked in
Eridanus System.
Left. Block. Side sweep. Block again.
The spar was going well, Daniel and Ruchi had decided that while John and his team was out on a mission, they would train nonstop until they got back. So far they were succeeding in their plan, but forty eight hours of straight training is quite tiresome, even for a Spartan.
But that was the general idea. Stamina training made them use as much energy as the could, Déjà had come up with it a couple years ago for Daniel. The idea at first seemed unnecessary, but what if there was a mission that would require constant attention? This way he wouldn't tire as easy/
"Well well well. Look who it is guys."
Three marines walked into the gym, all cleanly shaved, sporting only basic camouflaged pants. Daniel and Ruchi spun around to see who had just entered and to be frank, they didn't know who they were.
"Oi. You fucking freak." The man with a scar across his eye said, "Get over here so I can kick your ass."
Daniel, for one, was confused. A fellow marine was wanting to fight, but for what reason? He didn't want to hurt the marine but if it turned into a threat there was no avoiding it. "I don't know why you want to fight but I must oblige this time."
„"You don't have a choice, freak!" This time the man with eyes as black as onyx was talking. "C'mon guys! This is for Coats!"
The three marines strolled up to Daniel, reminding him the time he had accidentally killed the marine not knowing his own strength. He would not repeat that mistake.
However it seemed Ruchi had other plans, she had melted into the background and waited for the third marine to walk past her. Grabbing him by his legs, she could have easily given him a concussion from the force of the pull, his head smashing against the gym's floor. Daniel took the distraction and hit the other two marine's square in the face, knocking them out cold.
Daniel was sad however, this was almost like a leak. Having to fight his own team? He hoped none of the other Spartans would ever act this way. He hoped no one in the UNSC would ever act this way.
0600 Hours, November 2, 2525 (Military Calendar) /
Epsilon Eridani System, Reach UNSC
Military Complex, planet Reach
Daniel sat in the fourth row right behind John. They were talking about his mission when they were told to muster into dress uniform. Daniel had a bad feeling about whatever was about to happen.
Ruchi, who sat next to Daniel, was almost asleep. They had just finished another week of intensive training and today was going to be their rest day, it was just unlucky timing.
Daniel recalled this place in his memories. This was the room that his life had changed, this briefing chamber was the place he was told he would be a soldier. Daniel had mixed feelings about the room, it wasn't a bad room or a good room. The chairs could have been a bit more comfortable but that was beside the point.
Chief Mendez entered the room and marched to the center platform, effectively breaking Daniel's train of thought. He wore his black dress uniform as well. His chest was covered with Silver and Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Red Legion of Honor award, and a rainbow of campaign ribbons. It looked like he had just shaved his head as well, Daniel touched his own hair, beyond what was regulation. He smiled.
The Spartans rose and stood at attention.
Dr. Halsey entered. She looked around and spotted John instantly and then Daniel. She stared at him for some time, not even realizing what she was doing. Thoughts of arguments came into her mind thanks to Daniel, the arguments were with Déjà however. I want to be a smart AI, Daniel, blah! , she thought to herself. This new problem was to much to think about without being harassed by an AI.
"Admiral on deck," Mendez announced.
They all snapped straighter.
A man ten years Dr. Halsey's senior strode to the stage. His short silver hair looked like a steel helmet. His gait had a strange lope to it—what crewmen called "space walk"—from spending too much time in microgravity. He wore a simple, unadorned black dress UNSC uniform. No medals or campaign ribbons. The insignia on the forearm of his jacket, however, was unmistakable: the single gold star of a Rear Admiral.
.
"At ease, Spartans," he said. "I'm Admiral Stanforth."
The Spartans took their seats in unison.
Dust swirled onstage and collected into a robed figure. Its face was obscured within the shadows of its hood. Daniel, at the sight of another AI, instantly thought about Déjà. He was grateful at how hard she pushed him at times and helped him at others. She worked around his unfortunate problem and everything seemed to work out for the better. Or so he hoped. His mind started to wander off again but he brought his attention back, only through his training was he actually able to pay attention and listen to speeches, unlike his earlier years.
"This is Beowulf," Admiral Stanforth said as he gestured to the ghostly creature. Stanforth's voice was calm, but distaste was evident on his face. "He is our AI attaché with the Office of Naval Intelligence."
He turned away from the AI. "We have several important issues to cover this morning, so let's get started."
The lights flickered and then dimmed, an amber sun appeared in the center of the room with three planets in close orbit.
"This is Harvest," he said. "Population of approximately three million. Although on the periphery of UNSC-controlled space, this world is one of our more productive and peaceful colonies."
The holographic view zoomed into the surface, showing off the world and its nature. The forests, the grasslands and the lakes.
"As of military calendar February 3, at 1423 hours, the Harvest orbital platform made long range radar contact with this object."
A blurry outline appeared over the stage. "Spectroscopic analysis proved inconclusive," Admiral Stanforth said. "The object is constructed of material unknown to us."
A molecular absorption graph appeared on a side screen, spikes and jagged lines indicating the relative proportions of elements.
Beowulf raised a cloaked arm and the image darkened. The words CLASSIFIED—EYES ONLY appeared over the blackened data.
Daniel frowned at this. He wanted to see it, although he had never been good at science or math it still interested him.
"Contact with Harvest," he continued, "was lost shortly thereafter. The Colonial Military Administration sent the scout ship Argo to investigate. That ship arrived in-system on April twentieth, but other than a brief transmission to confirm their exit Slipstream position, no further reports were made.
"In response, Fleet Command assembled a battle group to investigate. The group consisted of the destroyer Heracles , commanded by Captain Veredi, as well as the frigates Arabia and Vostok . They entered the Harvest System on October seventh and discovered the following."
The holograph changed once more, the once lush grasslands were now desert, the ground looked like glass. Heat wavered from the surface and there were patches of isolated regions glowing red.
"This is what was left of the colony." The Admiral paused for a moment to stare at the image, and then continued. "We assume that all inhabitants are lost."
Three million lives lost. Daniel blinked once, then twice and replayed what the Admiral had just said. Could it be possible for that many people to die? Surely but how did it happen? His mind raced with questions and he looked to Ruchi to see if she had some clarification but she was as lost as him.
"And this is what the Heracles battlegroup found in orbit," Admiral Stanforth told them.
The blurry outline that was still visible, hanging in the air, sharpened into crisp focus. It looked smooth and organic, and the hull possessed an odd, opalescent sheen—it looked more like the carapace of an exotic insect than the metal hull of a spacecraft. Recessed into the aft section were pods that pulsed with a purple-white glow. The prow of the craft was swollen like the head of a whale.
"It looks like a dildo." one of the higher up marines stated. Although he did whisper it and the Admiral could not hear, the marine must not have been aware that all thirty three Spartans heard him. Daniel shook the the marine's words out of his mind and continued to listen on.
"The unidentified vessel," the Admiral said, "launched an immediate attack against our forces."
Blue flashes strobed from the ship. Red motes of light then appeared along its hull. Bolts of energy coalesced into a fiery smear against the blackness of space. The deadly flashes of light impacted on the Arabia , splashed across its hull. Its meter of armor plating instantly boiled away, and a plume of ignited atmosphere burst from the breach in the ship's hull.
"Those were pulse lasers," Admiral Stanforth explained, "and—if this record is to be believed—some kind of self-guided, superheated plasma weapon."
The Heracles and Vostok launched salvos of missiles toward the craft. The enemy's lasers shot half before they reached their target. The balance of the missiles impacted, detonated into blossoms of fire . . . that quickly faded. The strange ship shimmered with a semitransparent silver coating, which
then vanished.
"They also seem to have some reflective energy shield." Admiral Stanforth took a deep breath and his features hardened into a mask of grim resolve. "The Vostok and Arabia were lost with all hands. The Heracles jumped out of the system, but due to the damage she sustained, it took several weeks for Captain Veredi to make it back to Reach.
"These weapons and defensive systems are currently beyond our technology. Therefore . . . this craft is of nonhuman origin." He paused, then added, "The product of a race with technology far in advance of our own."
A murmur buzzed through the chamber.
"We have, of course, developed a number of first contact scenarios," the Admiral continued, "and Captain Veredi followed our established protocols. We had hoped that contact with a new race would be peaceful. Obviously this was not the case—the alien vessel did not open fire until our task force attempted to initiate communications."
He paused, considering his words. "Fragments of the enemy's transmissions were intercepted," he continued. "A few words have been translated. We believe they call themselves 'The Covenant.' However, before opening fire, the alien ship broadcast the following message in the clear."
He gestured at Beowulf, who nodded. A moment later, a voice thundered from the amphitheater's jumped as John stiffened in his seat when he heard it; the voice from the speakers sounded odd, artificial—strangely calm and formal, but laden with rage and menace.
"Your destruction is the will of the Gods . . . and we are their instrument."
Daniel stood up once more only to see that John had done the same.
"Yes, Spartan?" Stanforth said.
"Sir, is this a translation?"
"No," the Admiral replied. "They broadcast this to us in our language. We believe they used some kind of translation system to prepare the message . . . but it means they've been studying us for some time."
John took his seat and Daniel eyed him up as he sat back down. It was like he was stealing his questions, but none of that mattered now. This new enemy, this new problem, it was exciting and frightening all the same. Would the Spartans be strong enough to face this new threat?
"As of November 1, the UNSC has been ordered to full alert," Stanforth said. "Vice Admiral Preston Cole is mobilizing the largest fleet action in human history to retake the Harvest System and confront this new threat. Their transmission made one thing perfectly clear: they're looking for a fight."
"Because of this UNSC-wide mobilization," Admiral Stanforth continued, "your training schedule will be accelerated to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR."
He stepped away from the podium and clasped his hands behind his back. "To that end, I'm afraid I have another unpleasant announcement." He turned to the Chief. "Chief Petty Officer Mendez will be departing us to train the next group of Spartans. Chief?"
Daniel frowned, he had always enjoyed the chief. There had been many times that would have been better avoided, but in a way Daniel felt the chief push him harder then the others. But it could have just been his imagination, one could never be to sure.
The Chief stepped to the podium and clasped its edges.
"Recruits," he said, "soon your training will be complete, and you will graduate to the rank of Petty Officer Second Class in the UNSC. One of the first things you will learn is that change is part of a soldier's life. You will make and lose friends. You will move. This is part of the job."
He looked to his audience. His dark eyes rested on each one of them. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with what he saw. "The Spartans are the finest group of soldiers I have ever encountered," he said. "It has been a privilege
to train you. Never forget what I've tried to teach you—duty, honor, and sacrifice for the greater good of humanity are the qualities that make you the best."
He was silent a moment, searching for more words. But finding none, he stood at attention and saluted.
"Attention," John barked. The Spartans rose as one and saluted the Chief.
"Dismissed, Spartans," Chief Mendez said. "And good luck." He finished his salute.
The Spartans snapped down their arms. They hesitated, and then reluctantly filed out of the amphitheater.
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END TRANSMISSION
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Now that you are fuming with anger at me let me just explain some things ok?
The reason why I felt this part of the story was so important was because they meet the admiral and they see the covenant for the first time.
I had written this chapter so that Daniel would be left behind and was late for the meeting but it turned out to be, well to put it frankly, shit.
So I hope this version was the better choice and I will make it up to you guys next chapter. Once again thanks for reviews and I can't wait for the next chapter.