Halo New galaxy Ch16 Professor
29th July 2174 CE
Inner Council space, Citadel
Presidium, Everlasting night
Saren Arterius and Garrus had looked over the evidence of General Antoniadis assassination. They was sitting in a couch with a carved wooden table in front of them. Garrus looked at a list on his Omni-tool.
"This list has every marksman on the Citadel that could have made that shot," he gritted through his teeth. "But we can rule out two thirds of them immediately, they'd never go after a big target like Antoniadis. Three are already in prison, one was being question by S-Sec for another incident in Zakara Ward at the time. Which leaves us with one possibility."
Saren seemed to agree.
"The assassin wasn't from here. He was brought here specifically for it. Someone C-Sec wouldn't have on record."
"A human," Saren stated.
"A likely possibility," Garrus admitted. "It'd make sure the assassin couldn't be recognized." It was still just a theory and it was just as likely a damn skilled Turian assassin that had stayed off anyone's radar. "C-Sec narrowed it down to seven ships that left just before or as the lockdown went into effect. One of them was a Turian starship part of the Citadel's defense fleet, two Salarian science ships, two shuttles bound for Thessia, a civilian transport to a swampy Salarian colony and a transport to Palaven…that never reached its destination." He furrowed his brow as he read the report on his Omni-tool.
"I'd pick the latter sir."
"So would I Sergeant." He glanced at an elderly pair of Turians strolling into the bar. "Security cams didn't catch anything suspicious yet. I'll get Seyho to put his people on looking into this ship and its passengers specifically."
Garrus thought about the next recruit for his team for a mere moment. The two people on his list was a Salarian Professor, former STG, Mordin Solus, and a human mercenary by the name Zaeed Massani. Reports indicated he had worked with Turian units at two different occasions since the Battle of Shanxi. He had also been fighting Turians on Shanxi even though he wasn't a part of the military. Garrus had a feeling it would cause some tensions, especially since Saren had been there too. But if he could keep him in line it wouldn't be a problem. If it was, he'd kick him out. he was meeting them both in a few hours.
30th July 2554
Riga Lillo system, Rio dirtside, Fernando Island Chain, Hawaii
The battle was going in the UNSC favor and the Storm's only foothold was the two remaining islands in the island chain. Hawaii and Blue Switzerland. On Hawaii Cornfield's, Hendricks and Keegan's Companies battled fiercely with two Armored Companies of marines. The island was eight kilometers and ever piece of it was fiercely defended by the ex-Covie ground forces. Their aerial support had been obliterated. Every remaining fighter was used to halt attempts to reinforce.
Captain Daniella Cornfield ducked behind the cover of a civilian car as a Corporal lobbed a grenade in the doorway four meters ahead. The detonation and jackal scream was their cue to move out. She took point with her MA5D and six troopers flanking her. Lieutenant Everett of 1st Platoon was one of them.
Inside the house they found proof of the hard fighting. There was four bodies in and around the doorway. One they had killed. One was a marine and two jackals. She heard, "Clear," as rooms was checked one by one. On their way up to the third floor they stumbled over fifteen dead ODSTs and two times as many dead aliens. She was worried. Since Keegan wasn't responding to communication attempts it looked like there could only been one reason. On their way she found Lieutenant Darin's body. Keegan's XO.
She was first inside the main room on the third floor.
"House secured," Everett informed her.
"…Copy," Daniella said slowly.
She found Captain Keegan's dead body on the floor. He was surrounded by three other officers, all having been killed fighting back to back. Around them was two dozen elites. Keegan's knife was buried in the chest of one elite just a meter away from him.
Daniella shook her head sadly. "Damn it." What really sucked was that she felt used to comrades and friends dying. She hadn't known Keegan that well, but he was a fellow Helljumper and that was pretty damn close for her. They were like a big family of misfits and professional alien killers. "Everett, we're moving out in a moment. Contacting the Colonel."
"Copy that ma'am." He turned around to the men. "Boomer I want your team downstairs ten seconds ago. Move out!"
"Sir!"
"Colonel Shepard, Cornfield reporting in," the Captain said in her comm.
"Report," Shepard said. His voice was firm with a hint of stress. Giving the gunfire, he was in the midst of a firefight.
"Sir, Keegan's dead," she confirmed.
There was a pause.
"Understood. Lieutenant Darin will take over."
They had both suspected that Keegan was dead when his area was overrun an hour ago. The entire block had bene overrun by a Storm rush.
"He's dead too, sir."
Shepard sighed.
"Cox is next than."
"She's ready to lead a Company?"
"She'll have to be."
Daniella felt bad for Cox. She was a damn good trooper but had trouble being an officer. She wasn't experienced enough to lead a Company in her opinion. Likely, Alpha Company would get a new CO when they're out of this hellish battle.
"Status of your Company?"
"Pushing, sir." She was silent for a moment. "Street by street," she almost gritted through her teeth.
She hated what was happening around her. All around her. Helljumpers was some of the best soldiers in the UNSC, and the Sky Hopper Battalion boys and girl was no exception, but the enemy hadn't sent new recruits to guard the island of Hawaii. They were heavily armed and had time to dig in deep. It was natural for the brass-in her mind-to send in drop troopers to clear it out, but they weren't invincible and out of almost a thousand strong they had lost a lot since landing on Rio. And while the marines had withdrawn more than ones to avoid casualties their troopers didn't have the same option. She felt like cannon fodder and that really soured her mood. She didn't mind the fighting, street by street, house by house. No. When she was a marine, just when she joined up, she was part of a unit specializing on urban fighting.
Sheppard picked up on her mood. "Do I want to hear it?"
"It's nothing just, just tired. We'll have pushed the bastards out of the district by morning. Cornfield out."
She reached the doorway out of the house when the conversation ended. She stepped outside with Everett and other troopers holding a defensive position. She quickly guested for everyone to march down the rubble littered street. There wasn't a whole house in sight and gunfire and screams was heard everywhere. They had been on Rio for just about a month now, plus two days, and this was the heaviest fighting yet for Daniella. The Storm wasn't lying down on this one.
The jogged around the corner to see the ruin of a church with a destroyed graveyard in front of it. There was dozens, probably over a hundred xeno bodies alone, with only sixteen dead. Three troopers and thirteen marines. Inside the few church walls standing came echoes and flashes from familiar projectile weapons. The houses from across the graveyard and then the road was spewing plasma.
Arriving from the right flank of the church it allowed Daniella's group decent cover as they moved up. Inside the church was some of her helljumpers, and a few from Keegan's Company. They fired stationed gun turrets, SAWs and everything they had their hands on.
"Captain!" A Sergeant shouted.
"Everett, defensive positions," Daniella ordered.
Her group spread out to support their comrades while Daniella sat down behind the half collapsed wall with the Sergeant.
"Damn good to see you, sir," the Sergeant panted.
She glanced out at the no man's land between them and the ex-Covies. It was filled with holes from mortar shells.
"How you're holding up Sergeant Campbell?" Daniella asked, point of fact.
"Holding, but not more. Can't advance without a massacre." He nodded out. "Like their attempts. Our barrage combined by pin-pointed mortar strikes from our friends in Captain Keegan's boys back at the square slaughtered the sons of bitches like dogs." He paused before looking straight through Daniella's visor. "Sir, its three hours after hour T. thought the marine tanks would be here by now."
"They got delayed," she said flatly.
He leaned back against the wall. "Shit. Speak freely?"
"Shoot."
"I thought the delay was just an hour."
"It was," she confirmed. There was a hint of resentment in her voice. "The first. Marines didn't have the guts to try again yet. Too much Storm air."
"All due respect," the Sergeant said with a much harsher voice. He wasn't upset with her, but the news he was getting. "Six our ago we flew in under heavy Covie air. Our boys gotta have cleaned that up more sense."
Daniella shifted into a more comfortable sitting. "Was worth the risk getting a foothold, reinforcing it. General Horus got a lot more careful." She didn't need to mention that the armored unit they expected was a marine one, she knew he knew that. Obviously they had some marine support. A few Companies. They came just behind them before the Storm aerial flotilla recovered completely from the first salvo of UNSC fighters and Pelicans. But the main units was sitting back and waiting for an opening, according to command. It wasn't sitting right with Daniella and it wasn't hard to tell.
"With or without support, we'll take back this city," Daniella said firmly.
"Damn right, sir!" The Sergeant agreed.
"Incoming!"
Daniella peeked over the left side of the wall and into the no man's land. She saw a handful of grunts charging in, but carefully. She figured their superiors was ordering them to check out their lines. Three of them went down in seconds when one of the heavy machinegun turrets opened up a barrage. The other two took shelter in a hole left by a mortar strike. One of them peeked up after a moment and got his brains blown out.
Daniella returned to her previous position. She got up and motioned Lieutenant Everett over.
"Sir."
"We're making push through," she told him before getting on the commlink. She contacted both Lieutenants Kendall and Boris. "Lieutenant Boris, Kendall, you read me."
"Ma'am."
"Second…there, I read sir, sorry. Had to finish a brute."
"Understood. I am sending you both my coordinates. Make your way here and flank the enemy. Kendall and you are going to circle around them and assault their rear positions. It will give us breathing room to take the offensive." Hopefully without too high casualties.
"I got two Platoons of marines here with a Corporal as the highest officer," Lieutenant Boris informed her. "With their Company commander dead I've taken temporary charge. Where you want them?"
"How's there numbers?"
"Eleven and twenty-seven."
"Bring them all."
"Great." He said with a professional voice. "Should reach your position in ten to fifteen, depending on the enemy."
30th July 2554
Sol system, Earth, London, ONI Headquarters
A hologram of a young man in a suit appeared on the holotank next to the older man's desk. The middle aged man looked at the little hologram.
"Excuse me Director," the AI said. "There is a call on your private channel."
The Office of Naval Intelligence Director arched an eyebrow.
"My private channel?" He repeated in a low hard voice.
"Yes Director," the AI confirmed. "I have attempted to trace the transmission but I could not. If I was a betting individual I would bet that it is Mr Harper. It fits with prior communications with him."
Albert Forsberg groaned and straighten up in his comfortable chair.
"Make sure I'm not interrupted," he ordered the AI. He wouldn't take the AI up on that bet since he was betting on the same thing.
"Off course."
As the AI disappeared the director turned his attention to his monitor and activated it. The image he suspected did indeed appear. Jack Harper. Former ONI Junior Director. He had been in charge of operations on Reach before it was glassed. A few months later he went up in smoke. Clearly he had done a lot of work since then.
"Jack," he said with a courteous fake smile.
"Albert," the man replied. "Long time no see."
The man was sitting in a chair with what appeared to be a sun in the background. He was on a space station somewhere. Question was where.
"The conference back in 49. Feels like ages ago." The director shifted in his chair to get more comfortable. "You went by your real name back then. What is it now? The Illusive Man?" He chuckled.
"You have your hands on some decent information there," the Illusive Man acknowledged. "But I expected nothing less from the head of ONI."
"It was doomed to happen," the director said plainly. "Since you're recruiting my people into your shadowy organization."
The Illusive Man chuckled amused.
"That is an interesting choice of words coming from you. ONI calling somebody else a shadowy organization? Please. You practically coined the term." He lighted a cigarette and placed it between his lips. "I want to start with apologizing for what happened on Mars."
Albert's expression told the Illusive Man everything he wanted to know, which caused him to smile.
"Oh I see," he said smugly. He pointed at him. "You're slipping old friend."
"I'm curious," Albert Forsberg admitted calmly. He glanced at his mug of coffee before gripping in gently.
"I preferred that Senator Redfield's trip to Mars ended without bloodshed. Well, her blood anyway."
"I didn't think you'd go as far as murdering your former comrades," Albert seethed. Harper had apparently touched a nerve. Not for killing him people but interfering in an ONI operation. "You've really turned your back to humanity."
"Please Albert," the Illusive Man tried calming him. He blow out smoke through his lips. "I am the murderer? It was not I, who sent a team to kill one of the three remaining presidential candidates. The most likely of winning, actually. Yet I'm the threat to humanity? Are you worried Redfield will force ONI back in line? Worried about oversight?"
"Don't be so hypocritical, Jack," Albert snorted. "Your, Cerberus have absolutely no oversight at all. Only you. So don't sit there and act the hypocrite. You dropped off the bloody map."
He drank from his hot coffee.
The Illusive Man raised his palm.
"Fair enough Albert. Just know that Cerberus will keep an eye on Redfield to ensure she lives to be President."
"She hasn't won yet."
"Really? Fleming is history and Admiral Waller? He isn't as popular. Redfield's a populist. He's too much establishment." He suddenly smiled smugly again. "Isn't this a bit of an overreach?"
"I don't know what-"
"Waller's on your payroll. That's what I mean," he said firmly. "Nobody wants an ONI puppet as the UNSCs head. He'd get sacked if it came out. Proof and all."
Albert glared at him coolly. He didn't need to ask about evidence, he knew Jack would have it somewhere, hidden away. He was smart enough and had resources enough to figure it out.
"This wasn't the main reason I called though," the Illusive Man explained professionally. "Albert. My agents…interviewed, an ONI intelligence officer on Rio and picked up a trail to a relatively medium ranked officer in the Covenant of the Hand. His capture and interrogation was quite…" he considered his choice of words. "…enlightening."
Albert arched his eyebrows.
"They found an ancient space station in a system they call the Unfaithful system. It is a few lightyears outside of space known to us. An unexplored system."
"Is this station, Forerunner?"
The Illusive Man shrugged. "I do not know. We don't know anything about it. Other than that they are putting a lot of resources into defending the system. And if the aliens think it's that strategically important, it is in our best interests to either eliminate it, or take it for ourselves."
"And…why tell me this?" Albert asked. Since you left, we're not on the same side. That is obvious. You and your…Cerberus-" he spat the latter word out with disgust. "-and a rogue element."
"Please. I want the best for humanity. We have that in common, but sooner or later ONI will be reined in, and then we need an Organization that can do whatever it takes to protect humanity's interest. We shouldn't be enemies, but allies. Take that as you will but see my information as a first step. Good day."
The channel closed, leaving the Director to think about what had been said.