Halo New Galaxy Ch18 Election
1st August 2554
Minos system, Tusken Orion surface
Capital city of Fort Yale, Indignity Tower, briefing room
The damp room had a circular table of wood in the center and except from two seats the rest was occupied. The first to speak was an ONI Lt. Commander. He was an older man with a bald head and grim eyes. He keyed on console to produced holographic images in front of every individual around the table.
"The subject chosen for Project Black Arrow is a member of Spartan Fireteam Crimson," he explained in a tough, solid voice. "Spartan Richard Marshal, Spartan IV, goes by the codename Locust. Reasons for choosing him goes to combat experienced, loyalty to the UNSC, ONI-in extinction-dislike of aliens, previous work with AIs, but never as closely as this Operation. Personal file makes us confident that he will volunteer for the change to become a better soldier. His rival attitude with other Squad members plays into this."
"How did it come that you chose him and not, say…Petty Officer Mira A-305?" A Scientist asked. "She's an all-around better soldier. From the Spartan III program, but most importantly. Proven more mentally stable."
"Her disposition to ONI put her on the border of the project as well as her relationship with Spartan Nomad D-222," the Lt. Commander answered. "Locust was a far better choice. Trust me doctor, we were very carefully when choosing our start subject."
A General leaned forward. "Have you picked two new generation AIs yet?"
"We have," a technician assured. "Dublin and Bravery. We plan on implanting them in Spartan Locust within a week."
"They are already on their way to Rio, where he is," the Lt. Commander said.
"How is project funding?" The general asked.
"Covered," the Lt. Commander assured everyone at the table. "Even if the new government demand that ONI reveal all operations and is forced to pull funding, it won't affect us. Black Arrow will play under the radar with funding from other sources." One of them was Cerberus, but he wouldn't tell anyone that. That was classified and would only concern many of the people present at the meeting.
1st August 2554
Riga Lillo system, Rio surface
Galley Base, Barrack 132
Shepard was sitting back in a relaxed position in a chair, eyes focused on the screen on their wall. He was joined by his Company heads watching the election going on back on Earth. It was quite an extraordinary thing, this election. He had never seen one before, neither had his friends for that matter.
"Well would you look at that," Hendricks noted with approval. It had been announced moments ago that Francisca Redfield had won the election with a landslide of tens of millions of votes. "Not surprising but, hell…"
Daniella looked at her from the bunkbed she sat on. "How that? Why not surprising?" she was a bit confused.
"Well, after the deal with the new aliens Fleming's chances dropped," Hendricks explain to her young friend. "And Admiral Waller…well he's…how to put it. People don't want the military in the Presidential seat. Probably would leave the military in charge, leaving the Assembly null and void."
Daniella remembered hearing something about that. She had heard some of her men talking about how Waller would be a puppet of the military, and it wouldn't be a true democracy. How true that was she didn't know though. What she did know was that Fleet Admiral Hood had made a statement about HIGHCOM folk in the election. He took a stance away from any military control over the Assembly. Actually, thinking about it, it was probably his stance that convinced a lot of people to vote for someone other than a high ranking military officer, and since people distrusted or even hated Fleming, it left Redfield. Personally she thought the UNSC should leave the UEG to get its act together and ensure fair elections without military involvement. Which is why she voted for Redfield.
"Who'd you guys vote for?" Captain Rory Wu inquired.
"You're looking at her," Hendricks answered simply. "Our new President."
"Ditto," Shepard said.
Wu looked at Daniella.
"Yep. Same," she said with confidence.
"All of you? Really?" Wu said stunned. "York, what about you man?"
Hathaway shifted in his seat. "Nah man, I went for Waller. Admiral had the right of it."
Wu smiled. "Someone reasonable. Finally!" he raised his arms overdramatically.
Shepard shook his head and smiled.
"Haven't we had enough of military head of state?" Daniella questioned carefully.
"We survived through a military head of state," Hathaway argued. "Removing Lord Hood's a mistake. Admiral Waller running was what we needed. We saw decades ago that civilians can't run the government."
"Oh, please. You're not that short sighted, are you?" Hendricks inquired amused. She crossed her arms over her chest.
Wu shrugged with a smirk. "I'm a career soldier. Don't get paid to think about politics."
"Settle down," Shepard told them. "Redfield's about to hold her speech."
He leaned back. Their hardship on Rio was almost over. In two days they would ship out. He didn't know where yet but he'd be informed tomorrow. A Helljumpers work was never done.
1st August 2554
Inner Council space, Citadel
Presidium, C-Sec HQ
Garrus and his team was meeting in a medium sized office with Seyho and the Quarian, Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya and the Council. They had managed to find Tali in Zakara Ward, fighting a few Advent agents. She was very appreciative for the assistance and gave them all the information she had. Advents attempt on her life had confirmed that the ship was very much theirs. Information she downloaded from the ships computers-after locating files that someone had attempted to delete as the ship went down-showed that a meeting had occurred between an Advent group of ships and ships from an organization known as Cerberus. The name didn't ring a bell for anyone, but Garrus was certain the humans would know pretty well. Seyho's people had decrypted some data that gave them coordinates to a facility where a second meeting with these, Cerberus, would occur. Tali had asked to join his team to get some payback on the Advent bosh'tet's that tried to kill her. With a grin he agreed on the spot. Her skill with engineering and tech was without a doubt useful, not to mention her combat skill.
Councilor Valern put his hands together. "…and finally-" he said. "-we have a way for you to reach this facility, unseen." He brought up the hologram of a ship on his Omni-tool and sent it to Garrus. "Vakarian, this is the Nautilus. It has been secretly developed by Turian and Salarian engineers to be a new class of Frigate. It was started before we encountered the humans, but then became more important, given our technological lapse behind them. It possesses steal capability."
Zaeed whistled somewhat impressed.
Mordin just smiled.
"Wait till you see it, very impressive," he told Garrus.
Garrus turned his head to the scientist. He decided to ask afterward about his involvement in the project.
"Now mind you, it does not have a cloak, but it has the ability to hide its heat signature," the Salarian Councilor explained whilst his Turian and Asari colleges remained quiet throughout. "A new piece of technology."
The Turian Councilor Sparatus looked directly at Zaeed. "You, mercenary." Zaeed had been leaning against the wall throughout the meeting duration. He straightened his back and put his hands in his pockets. "Considering the amount we are paying you I think you should tell us about your people's technology and abilities in this field."
Zaeed cleared his throat. "Sure. Haven't been in the UNSC for decades though. Keep that in mind." He had a casual tone in his voice. "Ole' Covenant had the technology to cloak soldiers. I know we worked on it, heard rumors that they reverse engineered it for the Spartans. Nothing that cloak ships though. By anyone to my knowledge."
Sparatus nodded in acknowledgement. "We appreciate your candor Mr Massani."
Valern brought the conversation back to Garrus.
"Vakarian. Your ship awaits you in Dock 11A," he explained with a warm smile. "I expect you to keep us up to date on your mission's progress."
"Off course Councilor," Garrus promised.
"If you find the assassin," Sparatus growled. "Bring him back to justice. He'll pay for the cold blooded act!"
Garrus nodded firmly. "Count on it."
He wondered about the fallout if he killed humans from this, Cerberus group, but any political fallout would be the Council's task. Beside they had the facts on their side anyway, if the UNSC protested. Operating illegally in Council space, murdering a high ranking General.
As the airlock opened almost two dozen people walked out through them, departing the Strident class Heavy Frigate, and onto the Citadel. Most of them was here for the first time. Though a few politicians had been here before to meet with the Council or other races calling the Citadel their home. But for Staff Sergeant Song had never been here before. She had seen the large station when they dropped out from the Mass Relay. It was an amazing sight. She figured it wasn't as impressive as the great Forerunner rings, but she had never seen one so she couldn't compare.
Walking off the Frigate into the dock she saw marines acting security as alien dockworkers moved about. The marines was unarmed. One of the aliens reminded her of a fatter version of a grunt. It worse a red and white suit with a breathing mask, helmet and all. His breathing was very heavy when she walked passed him. It was the only alien she didn't knew about. She had read up on Salarians and Turians on the way. They represented the other aliens present at the moment.
It felt strange to meet aliens that didn't shoot at her. Not shooting at them felt even stranger. Not to mention how nice they looked. Not a sign of hostility. The Turians didn't even throw them a dirty glance, which was the least she expected from them, given experience with other alien races.
As she continued through a corridor towards the dock exit she saw a marine Major heading towards her. He wore a dress uniform, just like her, and was unarmed, like the other marines. She understood how being unarmed had raised some protests from her military's side. But the only people allowed weapons aboard was the C-Sec people, and since most of them was Turian…well. The Citadel didn't give into the UNSC's early protest when establishing an embassy here.
"Staff Sergeant Ghost Song," the major said as he blocked her path. "Major Bryman."
"Yes, sir. Is there a problem?" She asked.
He shook his head calmly. "Not at all Sergeant. I'm here to escort you to our embassy."
She was surprised to hear that. "May I ask why?"
"Our ambassador wants to talk to you before you stroll around the Citadel."
"Everyone get this special welcome Major?" Ghost asked.
That her name was Ghost had allowed a barrage of dad jokes when she was a kid. Those jokes nobody understood but every dad made. It went about, because of her very pale skin the name was fitting. A joke her dad used to make all the time. He and her uncle was the only two people that ever thought it was funny.
"Not every day a war hero drops in Sergeant," he gestured for her to walk with him. "War here your age nonetheless."
"Thank you, sir," she accepted the complement with a smile. She pulled her right hand through her long ebony black hair.
As they got into an air car he turned his head to her.
"I read your file Staff. Can I ask why an ace pilot transfer to the Corps ground pounders?"
"Simple answer, sir. I wanted a change. Being a pilot didn't feel right to me. Therefor I managed a transfer to Force Recon."
"Well, Air Force lost a great pilot, but gained a great sharpshooter," the Major told her. As the man at the wheel started moving.
Heard that before, Ghost thought. "I'm pretty sure that Sangheili General would have preferred me staying a pilot."
The Major chuckled. "That was some good shooting Staff. Taking out the Covie chain of command." He paused and got serious. "I never had a chance to defend Earth. My unit was on the way, was afraid it'd be over before we arrived. It was, but for the better. Didn't think we'd win. Thought Earth would be glassed before we came home."
Ghost thought back to the Battle of Earth. During one of her first recon missions her team had come across a Covenant basecamp in the ruins of some town. She decided to not just recon the base and put a sniper round through a Sangheili General, than continued with killing most of the commanding officers before she withdrew before they discovered her. The general had commanded forces in the entire region and they were left with inadequate command from lesser officers.
"You've got an impressive record given how short it is," Major Bryman stated. "You're probably one of the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor in the UNSC. No joke, I'm very impressed. Command's been pretty much against leave of the Citadel. Want to keep us all in, safe, territory."
She frowned inquisitively. "Are you saying I'm the exception?"
He looked at her and nodded. "I'd say so, this far. But most people asking for leave and a trip to the Citadel isn't damn heroes."
"Major. In my opinion ever man and woman that picks up a weapon to defend humanity is a hero. I just did my part."
"Seems the brass thought you did a hell of a lot more than your part Staff," the Major said with finality. "Should be at the Presidium in a few minutes. Enjoy the visuals."
And she really did. The Citadel was beautiful this far. Filled with life and a bunch of different species living peacefully together. She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if they ran into these aliens in 2525 instead of the Covenant. So much could have been different and so many billions would be alive today. If it had been Turians attacking Harvest instead the other Council races would probably have stepped in-like after Shanxi-and negotiated peace. Maybe the Council could have helped ward off the Covenant and ended the war with less dead. She broke her trail of thought and shook her head. No reason to think about what might have been.
The aircar landed. "Here we are," the driver announced.
Ghost and Major Bryman stepped out. Ghost continued being in awe over the Presidium's beauty. They made their way to the building housing the human embassy. They took a turbolift up and headed through a reception into a hallway. Major Bryman stopped in front of the desk of an Asari. Udina's secretary, Melia.
"Staff Sergeant Song-" he nodded to Ghost. "-she's expected."
Melia checked the console. "Just a minute. The ambassador has a meeting currently."
It only took a few seconds before the doors opened and Ronald Hessen walked out. Ghost and Bryman snapped to attention.
"At ease," Hessen said speeding passed them.
"Ambassador, Sergeant Song is here to see you," Melia informed Udina.
Udina appeared in the doorway and waved her in. "Come on Sergeant, come in."
Ghost didn't like politicians much. She took a deep breath and breathed out before stepping inside.
"Ambassador," she greeted and put her hands behind her back.
He reached out his hand and led her to his desk. She took his hand and heard the door close behind her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sergeant Song," Udina said pleasantly. "I'm sure you've heard this before, but you are one of the youngest Medal of Honor recipients in UNSC history. Not even mentioning joining Force Recon at the age of twenty."
"I know my record, sir," Ghost said, trying to sound firm and hide that she was nervous. "Can I ask why I'm here?"
Udina sat down behind his desk and she sat down opposite him. She fiddled nervously with her fingers in her knee.
"As you might know, there isn't a lot of humans here, except for the diplomatic delegation here. Including some marines for security, such has Major Bryman," Udina explained. He shoved a datapad to her side of the table. "Read through this. Regulations you mist abide by while here. Follow their laws is a given, but I'll state it anyway. You don't have diplomatic immunity. It only goes for ambassadors, not soldiers attached to us or…well yourself. You're on leave, as in not attached."
"I-I understand completely, ambassador," Ghost assured him. "I just wanna see this place."
He pointed at the pad. "Read that, than…enjoy yourself Staff Sergeant."
"Thank you, sir. Won't disappoint."
He rose with a stoic expression. "Then enjoy your stay. You'll have to excuse me. I have a meeting with a Volus business man."
In earlier chapters there was fighting in most chapters so I've been cutting it down a bit to make it slightly more rare.
Feel free to review!
I wish everyone a good week.