(A/N) Hey guys, time for the latest update, and this one is a Director chapter. It's a little shorter than normal, but I think it's still worth the read, and it sets up a lot of the events for the remainder of this fic, and builds up to some that'll be occurring in the sequel. Not really going to delay you any further, just going to go ahead and let you all read. Oh, hope you all enjoyed this week's RvB episode, and are speculating like hell, because I sure have been! And if you don't know what I'm talking about, then head over to the Roosterteeth website and get up to date, stat!

As always, enjoy!


Chapter Eighty-Five – Reflection

The Director

Written by NicKenny


"It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires a great deal of strength to decide what to do." ― Elbert Hubbard


"Did you ever think that we would have reached this point?" I asked softly, staring at into the abyss before me, my data-pad tucked under my arm. "Despite our recent setback, there are few places left for the Insurrection to hide, and they know that meeting our forces in open warfare would be tantamount to suicide. We're entering the endgame now, I can feel it. Soon, this war will be over."

The figure floating above the table behind me snorted and shook its holographic head emphatically. "Well, to be honest, the odds kinda were in our favour. Like, strongly in our favour. After all, the UNSC have more men, better training, better equipment, better ships…better everything, really. It's actually kinda impressive that these guys lasted this long."

I turned slightly and glanced at the figure behind me, frowning slightly in distaste. "You almost sound like you admire them, Alpha," I remarked, my mouth twisting as I mouthed the words.

The hologram shrugged, looking directly at me, its face unreadable, given that the one that it had chosen to project was hidden behind a visor, clad in a suit of armour similar to my agents. A strange choice, given that I had never served in combat, and so, by extension, neither had he. "Whatever dude, be as judgemental as you like, but if I do then so do you, just a little bit. Same mind, remember?"

"If only you'd let me forget," I remarked wryly, turning away and staring out into the depths of space once more. Alpha, however, wasn't done.

"I never asked you to create me. This was all your doing, Director. I am what you have made me," he retorted, then paused for a moment. "But I'll give you this: your agents are performing as well as anyone could have hoped for. Your project had been an outstanding success, as long as you don't factor in outside developments."

"Outside developments?" I asked, confused, turning back to him once more.

He nodded, flickering slightly as he searched his databanks for the relevant information. "The Spartans. They're years ahead of Project Freelancer, and are already being utilised in the field against the Covenant."

"Our own agents performed admirably against Covenant forces," I reminded, but the figure only snorted once more, shaking his head furiously, his holographic body able to portray all of the emotion that a real one would.

"No, they survived," he stressed, putting as much emphasis on the last word as he was able to. "The Spartans are changing the face of this war, and, from the glimpses that I've been able to get on any files relating to them, they've been doing it for a long time now. If your agents are going to but their mark on this war, and provide the "magic bullet" that the UNSC have been searching for, then they're going to have to progress even faster, push past the edges of their limits and discover newfound abilities. They need to be pushed harder," the A.I. finished, his voice now emotionless.

I nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth behind his words. After all, how could I do anything else? The thought had already occurred to me. "Then what do you suggest?" I asked sharply, walking up to the table.

"You know the location of the Innie leader, there's nowhere else that he can hide except on Byzantium. The resistance on all the other planets affiliated with the Unified Revolutionary Front has been crushed. It's the only place that he can be."

Again, I nodded, once more forced to accept that the A.I. was speaking the truth, for it had indeed occurred to me that Byzantium was the only remaining stronghold of the URF. "Your point, please, Alpha. This…elusiveness is not something that you have inherited from me, I feel."

"Oh, of course not. I mean, it's all user error, right? For something to be your fault would imply that you aren't perfect, and then we're just entering the crazy zone, right?"

Before I could reply he just sighed and turned away. "Send your agents in. Rustle the grass a little bit. Smoke them out. Hunt them down. Because every second that they spend in the field is more valuable to them as soldiers than any training simulation or mock fight could ever be. Sure, it'll break some of them, but it's the only way that they can reach their true potential."

I paused for a moment, contemplating his words. "It would end our fight with the Insurrectionists that much faster, and allow us to focus on the real threat. The Covenant."

I paced up and down, thinking furiously, then, finally, nodding with a slight sigh. "Very well then, we will send them to Byzantium, and they will eradicate what remains of the Insurrection, and bring peace to the planets that they've plagued. However, there are other things that must be done before we can launch an assault. We need a definitive leader for the assault, finally settle our Number One place once and for all. If Agent Carolina intends on remaining there, we have to give her the opportunity to earn it, beyond question or doubt."

The holographic figure met his gaze, and seemed to smile, despite the fact that it lacked a face. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked, almost happily, and I gave a slow nod, accompanied by a wry smile. Our minds were, indeed, in sync. But I suppose that it was to be expected. It would have been more remarkable if they were not.

"I rather think I am. Agent Pennsylvania, for one, will be happy to finally come up against an opponent as skilled at hand-to-hand combat as himself, and Agent Carolina will no doubt also share his enthusiasm. It's been a long time since she's actually had to worry about her spot as our Number One."

Alpha nodded enthusiastically, then appeared to frown, as though troubled by an only-just-recalled memory. "Wait," he replied, his voice troubled. "It'll have to wait. It's her birthday soon."

I frowned myself, the details suddenly being called to mind. "Of course," I replied slowly, quietly, before looking away. "I suppose they have earned themselves a few days grace. After all, it will be several days before we reach Byzantium in any case. And when we do arrive, they will have precious little time to rest. I just hope they make the most of their time."

Alpha spoke up once more, now hovering in front of me, having moved his avatar across the room. "Then can I make a suggestion? Send a message to High Command, asking for assistance. With UNSC help we could establish a planetary blockade, leaving the Insurrection with nowhere to run, and few places left to hide. By the time we arrive, they should already have them trapped on the planet's surface for us."

I inclined my head, accepting his request, then turned away, signalling for him to log off. Walking back to my desk, I asked F.I.L.S.S. to establish a connection with the UNSC High Command, unsurprised to see General Petrarch's scowling face staring back at me.

"Yes, Director?" he asked, characteristically impatient and insufferable. I almost regretted the fact that Agent Florida had taken a bullet for this man. "What's the nature of this transmission?"

I smiled rather forcibly, raising my hand and pushing my glasses back along the ridge of my nose. "Nice to see you as well, General. I'm afraid that this transmission's purpose is yet another request on behalf of Project Freelancer. We believe that the leaders of the Unified Revolutionary Front have fled to the planet Byzantium, and are making our way there now. We'd like you to organise whatever forces the UNSC have in that area, and organise a planetary blockade by the time of our arrival, allowing my agents to begin the search as soon as possible."

The general nodded, his eyes glinting when I mentioned the Insurrection, no doubt remembering the recent attempt on his life by their soldiers. "I'll see what I can do, Director. With some luck, we'll be able to bury the last of these scum, and concentrate our efforts on the Covenant threat," he spat, his face flushed. "I hope your soldiers are up to this task. This war has to be ended as soon and as efficiently as possible. We're running out on men to spare, men that we need fighting on the frontlines, not quelling a group of farmers and deserters."

I nodded back, my eyes locked on the general's. "Of course, sir. I will personally see that they are exterminated with all due prejudice. Are we to bring in any for questioning or to stand trial?"

"Just do whatever it takes to end this, Director. Whatever it takes."

Dangerous words, I reflected. Power like that could do a lot of harm, in the wrong hands. Terminating the transmission, I sat back down in my chair, aimlessly scrolling through my data-pad. Suddenly, with a heavy sigh, I sat straight up, and called on F.I.L.S.S. "F.I.L.S.S., please bring up all of the files that you have in your database about the planet Byzantium, including suspected Insurrectionist activity and population centres, please."

After a brief moment, I then added: "And put areas of high-infrastructure to the front, please, F.I.L.S.S. Hopefully, I'll be able to find what I'm looking for."

"And what is that, Director?" she replied, her voice slightly confused as she pulled up the files from her memory.

"Something for me to know, and me only, F.I.L.S.S.," I replied, the rebuke clear in my voice. True to her programming, F.I.L.S.S. asked no more questions after that, but the thought of what I was planning continued to bother me. Could I really consign so many people to the void?

Then I thought of the Covenant, getting closer and closer each day, wiping out the population of each and every planet that they came across, and my resolve was strengthened. There was no other way. The Insurrection had to be destroyed.

No matter who or what was caught in the crossfire.