Chapter 2

As the conning officers made their way off the bridge to their own separate duties, Captain Strieger made his way to his captain's quarters to unpack his personal belongings. Making his way to the extremely spacious quarters with a fully stocked bar and direct communications link station. Walking into his personal bathroom to inspect his haircut, he came across his own reflection in the full body mirror.

"What the hell did I get myself into this time?"

He was 21 years old and the captain of a flagship sized UNSC cruiser, about to host an admiral on his first day of duty. The ridiculousness of his situation had once again set in as he viewed his deep green eyes and the tan he still maintained from his Officer Academy days, doing push-ups in the sun until his arms were jello, his muscular build and X-shaped scar on his chest he received in his first bar fight on Arcadia concealed under his uniform. Quickly finishing his unpacking, Strieger heard a crisp knock on the door, snapping him out of his flash of reminiscence.

"Come on in sailor, I don't bite..."

"We do." the door slid open and a pair of ODSTs walked into the quarters, their helmets held at their left hip. The one standing in front with a silver stripe on his helmet stood about an inch taller then Captain Strieger, dark skinned, chiseled and emotionally neutral with a small scar across his cheek, a stark comparison to his fidgety partner who stood about a foot behind him fiddling with her gloves, the sides of her head shaved, the remaining on top and back braided down to reveal her scalp tattoos on both sides of her head, her helmet sporting a green stripe. Both snapped into a crisp salute as the man in front spoke up in a deep brooding voice.

"Lieutenant Colonel David Miles, and this is my XO Cassandra Gabriels, I lead the Son's ODST contingent. Wanted to meet my new commanding officer while we're sailing in this tin can."

"Pleasure to meet you Colonel, ODSTs have saved my ass on a few occasions, your lot is fine by me. May I ask why you couldn't make it to the meeting on the bridge deck?"

"Wasn't aware of one Captain, I was inspecting the inventory of the ship's main armory all afternoon."

"Strange, I assumed you were on-shore, I asked Karlsson to tell Lieutenant Wei to inform all commanding officers of the meeting."

"That explains a lot, the Lieutenant and I don't exactly see eye to eye."

Strieger upturned his eyebrow, "And what do you mean by that colonel?"

"She believes my methods are 'overzealous' and 'out of line'."

Alec would frown, folding his arms over his chest. "If this is true Colonel then I will be addressing it immediately, I can't afford to have two of my highest ranking subordinates clashing. I'll have a conversation with the Lieutenant once the Son has cast off, until then, I expect your men to be prepared for the admiral's arrival."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world Captain," and with a crisp salute, Miles and his lackey made their way out of the captain's quarters, the door sliding shut behind them. Leaving Captain Strieger standing there in silence.

About an hour or so later, the majority of the ship's crew stood in parade formation as a motorcade of 5 armored vehicles made their way to the main gate of the dry dock facility. Stepping out of the second to last vehicle came Rear Admiral Corvitz, his gray hair peaking out of the corners of his dress whites cap, his wrinkled face smiling as he looked over the engines and stern of the Seventh Son as he made his way toward Captain Strieger and Lieutenant Wei. The two of them crisply saluting him before he waved them at ease.

"An excellent welcome as always Lieutenant, and Alec, it's been too long son, I haven't seen that goofy face of yours since your parents brought you to the Admiral's Ball and you and the rest of the toddlers staged a mutiny."

Strieger turned a bit pink and tilted off his service cap forward, scratching the back of his head, "17 years and my mother still hasn't forgiven me for that. And it seems you haven't either. Quite an entrance you made Admiral, certainly draws a lot of attention."

The admiral would reach out his hand and the two of they would shake with a few chuckles.

"UNSC protocol can be a bit vexing at times, but the leather seats and loaded assault rifles can be comforting in their own way, but there is a small hitch to our trip. Were you informed about the rest of your passengers?"

"We were told there would be a few emissaries and corporate executives hitching a ride to Reach other than you, but that was all we were informed of."

The admiral sighed and brushed his eyebrows down with his thumbs, "It seems there are going to be some extra hangers-on."

With that three of the five other armored vehicles opened their rear bays, filing out were about a half dozen men in business suits, shuffling along wide eyed as they made their way towards the captain, followed last by 5 people in jet black uniforms, Office of Naval Intelligence patches on both shoulders. Led by a hispanic looking woman with her hair in a tight bun, a neutral expression across her face and on the rest of the black uniformed officers faces.

"Nobody mentioned anything about Spooks on this cruise." Wei muttered under her breath.

"I apologize for this not being added to the mission details Lieutenant, ONI headquarters rarely ever announces its presence, and when it does it's usually only to the highest on the totem pole." Replied Corvitz as the ONI officers stopped at attention next to the admiral, all quickly saluting him before the woman in charge spoke up.

"Admiral, Captain." Taking a moment to salute both of them. "As I'm sure the admiral already knows, I am Petty Officer Valencia Perón, ONI strategic research division, I have been given orders from Lord Hood to accompany the admiral and his ….entourage to Reach. I assume that works for you, Captain Strieger?"

Her tone, confused him, it was both soft and condescending at the same time, and with his hangover still not fully faded from his skull, Captain Strieger couldn't tell if she was hitting on him or challenging his command. Alec broke military bearing for a second to rub the corner of his eye and sigh softly before turning back to her.

"Not that my ship and crew don't love all this new company ma'am, but I'd like to know more about why you're hitching a ride on my vessel, I find it very hard to believe that ONI with its Prowler stealth fleet couldn't give you a lift to Reach, so this leaves me questioning your's and ONI's intentions with my ship."

"The first rule about working with ONI Captain, don't ask questions. You're better off not knowing, and with that said, I will see you all again at dinner."

And with that, she turned and marched into the ship behind the businessmen. A small vein bulging slightly on Strieger's right temple. Now that was some serious cold-shoulder. As Corvitz stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Try to make the best of it, this is your first voyage as captain and ONI is already meddling with you, means they think you're gonna be a big timer someday." The admiral laughed.

"Or they're trying to find an excuse to get rid of me." Alec chuckled back. "Now if you'll follow me sir, I'll show you to your quarters as the crew preps for takeoff, Lieutenant, fall the men out and begin preflight checks."

"Aye Captain" Wei turned back to the majority of the ship's crew in parade formation as Strieger and Corvitz made their way up the gangplank. "You heard the Captain, fall out and get ready for cast off."