Chapter XI
—The Call of Duty—
1030 Hours, November 29, 2550 (Military Calendar) \
Epsilon Eridani star system, Babd Catha Ice Shelf, ONI
Sword Base, planet Reach.
Xenoarcheologist Dr. Luka Asari paid more than the usual attention as the Spartans of Sierra Team explained the events that took place on the Covenant-controlled planet. They further told of the alien structure hidden below the planet's surface, the discovery of the disc-like relic that displayed the unknown star system, and then the glassing of the planet. The information captured and held the doctor's attention, for it was intriguing. This wasn't the first time the Covenant combed the universe for alien artifacts, which usually led to conflict against the UNSC. There was indeed something on that relic the Covenant greatly craved, and Dr. Asari was pleased that the humans had obtained it before they did.
With that, when the Spartans concluded their explanation, the scientist posed a question to the Spartans and their commanding officers.
"Harvest and Arcadia - what did they have in common?"
"Besides being subsequently destroyed by the Covenant?" Lt. Commander Nolan replied back.
"Yes," Dr. Asari retorted, her eyes rolling at the officer's blunt answer.
There was no answer.
With no one unable to answer her question, the doctor explained. "Let's start with Harvest. In February of 2531, a similar alien structure was discovered underneath the polar regions of Harvest. Entry logs stated that a holographic projector pointed out a specific star system. A UNSC vessel known as the Spirit of Fire traveled to Arcadia in Procyon—the system the relic highlighted. There, ruins by the same alien civilization, I assume, were also discovered. That structure too led elsewhere, but we lost contact with the Spirit of Fire shortly after, so we have no current intel about their whereabouts or what they possibly encountered."
Dr. Asari faced Nolan and Vasher. "This is strikingly similar to what happened on Harvest, which means we need to find whatever lies at the end of the destination pointed out by this artifact. It's paramount that we do so before the Covenant does."
Commander Vasher kept silent for a moment, waiting to see if the doctor was done. When his assumptions were confirmed, he replied. "I'm assuming you want to launch an exploration expedition into some unknown region of space, which might be controlled by the enemy?"
"Yes," Asari answered, her voice teeming with conviction.
Vasher shook his head with a laugh. He didn't want to agree with his superior's reaction to the doctor's request, but Nolan concurred. The risks were high, for no one even knew what happened to the Spirit of Fire. Nolan had read the logs, and that ship had been missing for nineteen years since departing from Arcadia. It's likely that the Spirit of Fire was no longer active, probably destroyed by Covenant forces or another unknown source. And now this scientist wanted to take the same course? On the other hand, though, what if something useful was out there … something that could possibly give the UNSC an edge?
'Quite the quandary,' mentally noted the Lt. Commander. "What do you expect we'll find out there?" he asked.
"Do you know what science is, Commander?" Dr. Asari questioned, setting down a holo-projector in the table's center. "It's best guess."
The projector hummed to life, bringing forth an AI's avatar. Visually, the AI's appearance was rather obscured. Its form was hardly visible, for it vanished and reappeared in certain shades of light. The AI was female, but her features were difficult to ascertain.
"This is Mirage, one of Sword Base's active AIs," Dr. Asari introduced, moving the relic in front of the AI's hollow eyes. "Mirage, this relic displayed a star system. Analyze it."
Mirage reached out her hand, touching the artifact with her fingertips. "Analyzing …" she replied, her voice cold and without emotion.
This made Jace curious. AIs usually displayed the personality on their creator, leading the Lieutenant to believe Dr. Asari held these qualities. He could hope that she wouldn't be a hindrance. In just a few moments, the AI raised her head to the group.
"Star system analyzed—876 Gliese Majoris."
Commander Vasher turned aside from the AI, watching the holographic display of the system. He'd never heard of the system, but it must've been known by ONI for that AI to identify it.
"What do we know about this planetary system?" Vasher demanded.
Dr. Asari walked over to where the hologram was shown. "It's best guess, Commander. This system isn't listed in ONI archives. It's new."
"There's more," Mirage announced.
All eyes focused on the AI. Nolan went over the table, resting his fists on it. "Explain."
"Very well, Commander," Mirage beckoned, going into her explanation. "While analyzing the artifact, I discovered encryption embedded underneath multiple layers of scrambled code—a protection if ever seized. After localizing the correct stream of code, a collection of data was found. This data explains the star system's name and a message that required further decryption."
"The message … show us," Dr. Asari commanded.
Mirage complied, displaying the message across the holo-table, reading: Thin-de le'hasuan 'aloun'myin-del bpi-de gka-de hasou-de paya.
Vasher squinted his eyes, tilting his head. "What language is this … Covenant?"
"This relic predates the Covenant, so it's highly doubtful," Dr. Asari corrected.
"This language also doesn't match the symbols imprinted on previous artifacts I've studied," Mirage added.
"Could this language be translated?" Nolan inquired to the AI.
Mirage absorbed the commissioned officer's words. Her form stiffened, becoming partially visible. "I will take time, but possible."
With that said, Dr. Asari met Commander Vasher's serious stare, holding it. "Commander, I suggest we travel to the star system promptly. There may be valuable resources that await us."
"Or we could run into an ambush," Vasher pointed out. "I'm not willing to sacrifice more soldiers. This war already has a multitude of casualties, and I, for one, don't think it's worth it."
No one spoke for a moment. Vasher's feelings were mutual, especially to Nolan. He's lost many under his command, and it hurt. There have been many missions that have resulted in failure, and if the mission succeeded, it always ended with heavy casualties.
For the Spartans, however, it was a chance to possibly turn the tides of this war. For years the UNSC had struggled against the Covenant, so an exploration somewhere out there in the universe could yield results. Whether the results were favorable or detrimental, it would advantageous for the UNSC to see first, so Jace spoke.
"Commander, I agree with Dr. Asari. The Covenant fought hard to get this relic. Maybe that's our cue to act before they do."
Commander Vasher narrowed his eyes to the Lieutenant, initially feeling as if the Spartan should've held his tongue. But the Commander set aside his pride, pondering over what the Spartan had said.
He sighed regrettably, rubbing his shaven chin. "Is Parangosky aware of this?"
"She's given the green light," Dr. Asari confirmed.
Vasher groaned inwardly. "How long will it take to make this happen?"
The ONI scientist replied, "If we want it done quick, forty-eight hours. If we want it done right, seventy-two."
The Commander mulled it over, weighing the options the doctor set before him. Parangosky had already given them clearance, so why not get this operation underway.
"Then get it done right," he finally said before facing Nolan. "Jon, I hereby relinquish my command over Spartan Team Sierra effective immediately. They belong to you until this op is complete. A Marathon-class Cruiser will suffice. We'll need Marines, technical staff, and so forth."
Vasher glanced at the scientist.
"Dr. Asari, authority over his relic and everything pertaining to it is yours. Keep in mind, though, Doctor, that you are a civilian consult. Any interference …"
"I understand the consequences, Commander," Dr. Asari interjected, having been reprimanded multiple times for interfering in UNSC/ONI affairs without proper authorization.
Vasher grunted at her response. "This briefing is done. Get your preparations going, people. I want to get a jump on this before the Covenant tracks this thing to Reach."
The four Spartans found themselves in Lt. Commander Nolan's quarters. He sat silently at his desk for a moment, reading over the classified profiles of his new additions in Jeremiah and Lukas. From what he read, they were excellent Spartans in the field, having great chemistry, and a high mission success percentage. They'd only failed two ops in their career, a relatively small percentage that was dwarfed by their success rate. But the four Spartans that stood before him would have to put aside any reservations about one another, because until further notice, they would be a team.
With that, Nolan set down his data pad, clearing the screen of the Sierra Teams' profile. "Effective immediately, you will no longer be known as Spartan Teams Saber and Sierra. You will become one unit—Team Nova."
The Spartans controlled their emotions, refusing to exchange facial expressions between one another. Jeremiah, for one, wasn't elated. It would take some getting used to, but the IIIs were trained harder than the IIs when it came to teamwork, so maybe this was for the best. Alex had her reservations as well. Headhunters were paired only if they were compatible. She didn't know Jeremiah and Lukas from a hole in the ground. They had their own arrangement of doing things, as did she and Jace. The Petty Officer would just have to make the best of it, even if conflicts did arise. She just hoped they'd work as a team, not branching off with own ally just to make them feel comfortable.
From his standpoint, Nolan could feel their discomfort. Even though Spartans appeared emotionless, their frozen body language indicated that they didn't fully agree with the new arrangement. But it wasn't up to them. They belonged to the United Nations Space Command and the Office of Naval Intelligence. In addition, they would become the first Spartan team consisting of all Headhunters. This would undoubtedly increase their chances of success.
Nolan, then, glanced up at Jace. "Lieutenant, I've put you in for a promotion to Full Lieutenant, which has been granted by my superiors. You'll be known as Nova-One. Warrant Officer Jeremiah, Nova-Two. Nova-Three, Petty Officer Alex. And Lukas, you're Nova-Four."
The Lt. Commander took a breath, facing Jeremiah and Lukas now.
"Your new SPI variants await you in sub-station C of the armory. You're dismissed until further instruction."
At that, the Spartans of Nova Team saluted their superior and turned to leave. By the time Jace, Jeremiah and Lukas exited Nolan's quarters, he stopped Alex.
"Petty Officer, may I have a word?"
Alex turned to meet Nolan's stare. She briefly glanced at Jace who'd stopped in the hall, nodded, then closed the door. The female Spartan stood before the Lt. Commander's desk, straightening her stance.
Nolan looked at her for a moment before speaking. "I've also put in that you should be promoted as well."
Alex raised her brows, then lowered them to hide her surprise.
"You've been demoted twice in your career, Petty Officer," Nolan began. "Both of which came from insubordination. I like that you can make your own choices when the situation warrants it. But what I don't like is a Spartan that feels she can defy orders whenever she feels it's convenient. A rogue Spartan endangers operations. You have my trust, Alex, but I need your word that this won't happen again. And if it does, you'll be bumped down to Petty Officer Third Class and have to wait an additional six months before being qualified to even be considered for another promotion. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," Alex answered quickly.
Nolan nodded with a faint smile. "Then welcome back, Chief Petty Officer."
The Chief beckoned once, turned her back to her CO, and left his quarters. Jace stood outside, his back against the wall.
"Congratulations," he said.
"I should be saying the same thing. Finished eavesdropping?" Alex replied as she and Jace proceeded down the hall.
"You deserve this, so don't screw it up," the Lieutenant added.
"Is that an order?" chuckled the Chief Petty Officer.
Jace smirked. "Since when do you follow orders?"
The afternoon was bustling with activity: Marines arriving from continents across Reach, materials being gathered and stored, and so one. In theory, the operation would be underway by December 4th, so much needed to be done. Nova Team had gathered in the sub-station of the armory, their personal quarters for the time being.
Jeremiah and Lukas stood off from the rest of the team, admiring their new armor. It was breath of fresh air compared to beaten and damaged armor they wore before. Despite missing photo-reactive panels, the armor's ability to take more punishment outweighed camouflage. Being a sniper, however, Lukas had to rethink his approach to snipe enemies without the plates. Nonetheless, the armor was bitter-sweet.
In the silence, though, it was Lukas to break it. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Jeremiah rolled his eyes with a grunt. "Not this again."
"No, I'm serious," Lukas defended.
Jace and Alex gazed over at the Spartan sniper, their attention gained. "What's on your mind?" Jace asked him.
Lukas set his eyes on the Lieutenant, answering, "For starters, sir, I—"
"For future references," SPARTAN-A290 interrupted, "don't call me sir. It's Jace or Lieutenant."
"Pet peeve?" questioned Nova-Two.
"Something like that," Jace confirmed before acknowledging Lukas. "As you were saying…"
The Warrant Officer cleared his throat, backtracking to his thought. "Well… Lieutenant, I just don't think this is a wise decision. That relic we found, what if it leads us to something that doesn't want to found? In my opinion, I believe the alien civilization that created that artifact hid it on the remote planet for a reason. We've seen what our universe has to offer, and frankly, I doubt anyone here likes it. I could be wrong, but I've been proven right too many times."
There was a stiff silence. There was indeed some truth to what he had said. The best example was the Spirit of Fire. It followed some artifact across the galaxy, which led to the ship's disappearance for twelve years. The risks were so apparent that they nearly obscured the good that could come out of it.
"I don't know what's out there waiting for us," the Chief PO vocalized, "but if it's anything like the Covenant, I'll have to agree with you."
"Speculation isn't going to help us here," Jeremiah joined in. "We'll just have to wait and see."
Lukas shrugged, standing to head to his cot. Alex soon departed as well, seeking solitude to calm her mind. The Lieutenant remained where he was, quietly cleaning his personal firearm. Jeremiah went over to him, curious about his new superior.
"I read your file."
Jace set a piece from his sidearm down on a cloth. Requesting a Headhunter's personnel file was a breach in ONI security, and Jace doubted he had proper authorization.
"It's impressive," Nova-Two continued.
"Ja, I suppose," Jace shrugged, analyzing Jeremiah's unmistakable accent. "American, huh?"
The Warrant Officer inhaled with raised brows, proud to be an American from Jace's standpoint. "Guilty," he confirmed.
The Lieutenant laughed underneath his breath. "Americans usually are."
Jeremiah winced, raising an eyebrow. The Lieutenant played rough. He liked that.
"Ouch," Jeremiah retorted. "You're a realist, aren't you?"
"I'm something," bluntly replied Jace.
The Warrant Officer laughed through his nose, giving up. There was no way he was going to penetrate the Lieutenant's armor. Alex soon returned, sitting down at one of the stations. She played through a couple of difficult brain teasers on her data pad, keeping her sharp when not in the field. Jeremiah glanced at her, then the data pad. She seemed like hardened warrior, one whose beauty belied the kind of fierce intelligence that sent most people running for the door. Jace set his eyes on the Warrant Officer, catching him staring. He rolled his eyes.
'Americans,' he mentally grunted.
At that moment, the door to the sub-armory hissed open, allowing Lt. Commander Nolan to enter. The Spartans snapped to attention, saluting him.
"Afternoon, Spartans. I hope you enjoyed your relaxation, because now, it comes to an end. Before you were Team Nova, you were two separate teams with different schemes. Today, you will become one cohesive unit. Each of you will have to know what the other is thinking before they even think it. I don't expect perfection, but I do expect to everything that falls below it. Training is in order, and you're due."
Age of Reclamation, Seventeenth Cycle, 12 Units (Covenant Battle Calendar) /
Aboard Covenant Assault Carrier Bloodied Revelation, Upsilon Andromendae
star system.
Zen'dé 'Vanamdee silently meditated at his command station. His golden-cobalt eyes were sealed as he reviewed the recent events that had unfolded over the past week. It was less than favorable. Months strenuous searching finally yielded results, but it was taken away in one swift motion. The human "Demons" had intervened yet again, disturbed precious Covenant activity.
Their prize was stolen as they escaped, leaving Zen'dé infuriated. The Field Marshall, though, was not one to lose in temper. He had every right to be, however. Much had been lost—the relic, his troops, and most devastating, his brother Nihkou'te. Zen'dé was the last of the 'Vanamdee lineage, a position the Sangheili warrior knew was coming. Even though he was a powerful in both words and actions, Nihkou'te was often hot-headed, quickly boiling over with rage.
Zen'dé exhaled. 'Your rage finally consumed you, my brother.'
That rage eventually led him to his demise—a fate Zen'dé prayed that wouldn't surface. What made it worse was that he was slain by the Spartans. Those armored Demons couldn't be underestimated, and Nihkou'te paid the price for doing so. But Zen'dé would avenge his fallen brother, returning honor of the 'Vanamdee lineage. He would raise the head of the Spartan responsible, sending the humans a message that they were not afraid of their organic, machine-like soldiers.
But the Field Marshall remained practical. He would not allow vengeance to blind him as it did his beloved brother. It was time resume their mission—the seizure of the ancient relic. With that, Zen'dé raised his head, narrowing his eyes down at the row Sangheili officers below his station.
"The relic," Zen'dé spoke in the language of the Sangheili, "have you ascertained its placement?"
One of the aliens shifted its weight, turning to acknowledge 'Vanamdee. "Its flare is weak, sir. It would be problematic to pinpoint its—"
"Then let it alone," the Field Marshall interrupted. "We cannot allow the humans to unlock the relic's secrets before we do. If we can't go to them, then they shall come to us."