Hi, theotherpianist is back with a filler chapter this time. I left some loose ends with Will the last chapter that I wished to tie up. Chapter 12 will be a long chapter because stuff's going down on the planet. I lost inspiration and until I regain it this will have to suffice for now.
I would like to take this moment and thank those who responded to the letter to the attackers of MH17 (now removed). All I wished to do was express my anger at the time. Was it overly aggressive?
Sure it was, I fully admit that and I apologize for any offense. This wasn't targeting any one specific as far as nationality as some of accused me of doing. I was addressing the people who one side or the other pushed the button without regards to what country they hailed from or what political view they held.
As far as the debate that started to unfold I had to delete a lot of the harsher messages going of people who were going back at each other. Guys, this isn't a debate site. This is a place for writers and I chose to write something expressing my feeling to the wider world.
And lets move on to selected reviews,
scottusa1:I've addressed that in this chapter. Don't worry.
crod42:I'm playing around with both ideas. Not sure how its going to turn out.
And to my FavGuest: Yes, it was a little rushed because I wanted to portray what was going on in Will's mind. It was a gamble but I'm satisfied with it.
*Before we begin I must make note that part of this chapter was influenced by Matthew Stover's novelization of Revenge of the Sith. My argument for using this is because the books are canon that inherently to me makes it canon and therefore FanFiction friendly.*
Without further ado,
Chapter 11
Southwest Tower, Jedi Temple
Coruscant
Half-hour after Allied Species depart, approx 22:30
As the trio of Jedi entered the base of the tower with its spire stretching and clawing for the sky and emerged through the threshold of the center room they turned right. Tired, weary, the rigors of the events before hand had caught up with them. It had been a day that tried even the most patient of the Jedi. As she looked over Obi-Wan wore a slight scowl. Through the force Anakin's impatience and frustration bled through, a wound that was affecting them all.
As they crossed into a repulsorlift shaft the door closed behind them and the lift shot up to the top level where they had been requested. It stopped and Ahsoka massaged a injured shoulder sub-consciously.
The Council Room sat in silence as the figures of three Jedi appeared. Through the door of the elevator as they all stepped out Ahsoka Tano could feel the gloomy mood throughout the chamber, a palpable feeling reciprocated and shared by all. Since the attack the three of them had been split up hunting parties of the Storm that sought refuge among the underworld of the Planet. It had been a task that was made even harder by the Sangheili's ability to cloak built into their armor.
What had started as a ruse by a Swoop Gang to put the three Jedi into a trap had actually turned for the worst when a group of the genocidal fanatics had ambushed them all. They had barely made it out without injury and Ahsoka mentally beat her self up over the event as she chastised her self and her lack of being in harmony with the Force.
"Welcome you three we do." said Grandmaster Yoda.
"We do not have much time here." the figure of Mace Windu sat up looking the three of them in the eye. "-you can deliver your report later but for now we have an assignment for the three of you."
"Left the Allied Species has. In pursuit of their attackers they are currently. Moved the Chancellor has to secure our involvement with them due to a captured scientist."
"He has given Admiral Tarkin the task of gathering a fleet. He has requested that you three accompany him as detachments of the 501st and 212th Battalion have been conscripted to join." Windu said.
"When would we leave?" asked Kenobi simply.
"You should all prepare to leave within a few hours." said Shaak Ti.
"Master Windu and I shall conduct operation on land and in space respectively." interjected Plo Koon.
"What about the Outer Rim? What are we going to do with the sieges we have currently in place?" asked Anakin.
"Others will take your place for the time. Thanks to your efforts we can afford to send you three for the duration of the events." said a holoscan of Kit Fisto.
"Masters, I'm sorry to ask but where exactly are we headed? All you've said is we are to be on a fleet. Are we headed anywhere? A planet?" asked Ahsoka.
"Excellent question you have Padawan. Master Windu?"
"The Chancellor reports that the Allied Species are and were here for only two things. One is two distress signals coming from a planet in Wild Space. Unfortunately it is one that we've never seen before on any of our charts and maps. You should all prepare yourselves for anything unexpected as our lack of intelligence is rather unfortunate. Secondly, this planet is purported to be of Forerunner origin, of which the Allied Species believe were the shapers of life. They are going to establish a presence on the planet to study its purpose. Our task as dictated by the Chancellor," he said his name a little tighter than the rest of what he spoke, "-is to secure a research base on the planet so that we may do similar."
"And they're okay with this?" asked Ahsoka again.
"To the contrary little 'Soka." said Master Plo Koon, "-the Allied Species are furious and believe that the Chancellor, in essence, forced his way on the ship."
"And they're furious in the light of having their own problems with this Storm becoming ours?! Look at the planet, we lost how many innocent lives again? How many Jedi have we lost in pursuit of them!" Anakin said raising his voice.
"Can we blame them while we stand guilty as well?" asked Master Fisto.
"Peace." said Ki-Adi-Mundi calming the group down from a bunker on Mygeeto far away.
"Calm yourself Skywalker." Yoda said.
"I apologize Masters." he said with a bow after a moment looking somewhat ashamed.
"Surprise they were to us. Caught off guard were we, an effort to be vigilant we must make." Yoda said.
"Are they going to be aggressive towards us?" asked Kenobi.
"We don't anticipate it, however tensions are between us. Which is why we are sending you three along as well. You three are the only Jedi the Allied Species have had contact with before all of this. We ask you three to use your training and skill and attempt to calm tensions down. The last thing any of us need is another war." said Master Windu.
"We shall do as you have asked." said Kenobi.
"Report to Staging Facility 35 when you are ready. And may the force be with you." said the Korun Jedi Master.
"And with you." the trio said before stepping out.
Dauntless Class Battleship (DBD-312): UNSC Dauntless
Slipspace Transition: 45 minutes to exit
Will woke with a start before hearing someone ease him down gently with a gloved fist. He looked up and squinting to adjust to the fluorescent lights overhead was greeted by Ripa with the Sangheili equivalent of a smile. He was in a small room with the door open to the ships infirmary. He glanced over and saw his Spartan bodysuit hanging up on the wall.
"You're a sight sorely missed. Will said grimacing as he felt a soreness flowing down from the top of his head and down to his feet where it seemed to radiate out like some sick fever. The last time he had felt this horrible was after augmentation.
"You had my worried brother. The Ship's AI alerted me that you were suffering a breakdown of some sort. You did a number on that punching bag as well."
William shook his bandaged hands and grimaced.
"Where were you?"
"After the Storm stopped their attack on the Senate I was drafted into a group of SpecOps soldiers assigned to clearing out a building they were holed up in."
"Sounds fun. You look like you did just fine." he said looking at a burn mark on one of his shoulder plates. "What happened to me?" he asked after a minute lifting himself up to see Ripa more clearly. "I've never had that happen to me before."
"Besides having an ordinance crate knock you out no." admitted Ripa.
"That would be for me to answer Spartan." said another voice.
He looked over to see a shorter squat man with short black haired man of Australian descent dressed in a white doctors lab-coat. One of the ships newer crew members he guessed as he hadn't seen him before.
"Excuse me, I have to speak with him privately now." he said to Ripa.
He bowed his head and left the room ducking to pass through the doorway.
"So have I gone insane?" Will asked casually. He might have been asking for a weather report.
The doctor gave him a hard look. "No Will, not yet at least. We were going to diagnose you with PTSD and ship you back home to a mental center but that was before I suggested that we run a few tests on your chemical and hormonal balance because you are a Spartan after all with an entirely different makeup than your average ODST."
"And Doctor Taft?" Will said looking at his nametag.
"We discovered that your body started to reject the drugs that affected your mental processes, cognition, analysis, your ability to think clearly-they were all affected. Something caused; mostly likely the high stress physical, emotional, and mental levels you recently endured on Rhen Var; created a flux of different chemical reactions from all the different levels of hormones that essentially flooded your body that started shutting you down bit by bit and putting your aggression levels at dangerous levels."
Noting that Will was trying to follow he said simply, "Your body was essentially having an allergic reaction to your augmentation, just incredibly delayed."
"So what did you do then? I mean that doesn't sound like a good thing to just leave around."
"We decided the best thing to do after much consideration would be replace the chemicals used in augmentation and redo that process in an effort to stabilize you. It worked thankfully and your body seems to have built up a resistance to whatever happened to destabilize you."
Will noticed the way he was phrasing it, "This was the first time you've seen this?"
He nodded, "-in theory we knew this could happen but we have never seen this before in an individual. You were a groundbreaking case. As a first case I'm going to ask that you wear a chip that will let us monitor your vitals, for scientific purposes only for the next 24 hours. It will become defunct at that point.
"What is it going to be stuck into me?"
"No, we're implanting it on your armor right now."
"And we're all done. Enjoy your nap?" a flash of blue light and the avatar of Sarah appeared contemplating the Spartan with amusement.
"So...are there any limitations? I assume then you're allowing me to go into combat because of the armor?"
"There aren't any major ones that I can think off. The only concern I have is that you don't put yourself in a situation like Rhen Var where the amount of stress and stressors you had almost broke you. And please, try to restrain yourself from punching holes through kevlar." he said with a smile "-that wasn't a pretty mess to clean up on your hands. You have been deemed combat ready. Please try and keep yourself that way. If any complications appear we will call you back to help fix any unforeseen effect. You may have some slight nausea for an hour or two while your body reprocesses the drugs."
"Thank you Doctor." he said getting to his feet.
"Thank you Spartan, you've made medical history." he shook his hand and left while Will grabbed his Spartan bodysuit and changed out of some disposable hospital clothes in a bathroom. He exited feeling less exposed with his second skin and headed outside.
"Hey!"
He stopped and turned to see Chelsea in her own bodysuit running towards him.
"I just wanted to apologize for what I said earlier! When I found out you were hospitalized I regretted it instantly and...well, I'm sorry okay?"
She stepped back in parade rest.
"There's no need to apologize, Doctor said it was all the things that happened on Rhen Var finally catching up. I'm all good to go now and I feel great.
She eyed his hands and gave a nod.
"Uh-huh?"
"No actually my hands feel like crap and I feel like day six after augmentation." he said as he flexed his still bandaged hands. He wouldn't be punching anything for a little bit. They both laughed at the joke and we're interrupted by the Ship's AI.
"Spartan Gunther please report to the Bridge." Elsa, the dumb AI aboard the ship spoke across the PA system. Will wondered off-hand whether it had been changed recently. It now was a lot more lower in pitch and almost reminded him of one of the Superintendents of a generic city.
He boarded the tram system that spanned the ship after a quick parting with Chelsea and stepped off at the Bridge station.
Entering the space he picked out Admiral Tchkova standing hunched over the Command Board.
He turned when the First Officer pointed to Will and stood up.
"Good, you're here. How are you Spartan?"
"Doctor has cleared me for combat. It was just a combination of high-stress causing allergic reactions."
"Glad to hear it. You and Chelsea are going to be one of the first dropped on the planet. Your mission will be two fold. As Sarah is our resident expert on anything Forerunner she will be accompanying you to the surface. Protect her so she can give us a little more information about what exactly this place is. There isn't any problem with that?"
"No sir. She was our team's AI, there shouldn't be any problems."
"Good, your second mission is to try and figure out where our ships have crash landed and recover any personal. You will likely be facing the Storm and potentially Prometheans should they be on this planet. Sentinels are likely to be expected but they shouldn't bother you. As for any Flood it's hard to say. Report any signs of infestation at once should you find any."
"How are we being deployed?"
"A Falcon will airdrop you two with a Warthog for transportation. After that point it will be your discretion as to where you go as long as you find the location. If someone else finds it your new goal will be to immediately secure the area for setting up a base of operations. As you know the Republic under the Chancellor forced his way into our parade. Please inform the Clones they aren't to touch anything if there is anything to touch. We don't know what this Planet is other than Forerunner so expect anything. Your orders are subject to change while you are on the ground. Keep an ear out for any developments."
"Sounds doable."
"Right then, report to the armory and then to the main hangar and get yourself set for a HALO jump. We exit Slipspace in thirty minutes."
Will saluted and the Admiral returned to the board.
He stepped pass a trio of Jackals on his way to the tram and boarded it with a couple of Grunts heaving a plasma cannon through the door to one of the forward hangars where the Phantoms were kept.
The tram stopped and they got off heaving it below to the deck. The doors closed and it sped along its track. A couple of ODST's got on chattering about their assignment. One of them was complaining about his leisure time being cut short.
The tram stopped at the armory where he got off and a host of other soldiers and sailors, Human and non, boarded each carrying their own weapons.
The armory was buzzing as it usually was before any combat mission. In the back corner two forges worked making munitions for the ship and soliders. He walked past a dozen Unngoy all outfitted with weaponry which upon seeing him gave him plenty of space to pass through. Turning another corner two Jackals were outfitting themselves with their iconic shields and Needlers. The gave a gesture of greeting which Will returned.
Walking past the section devoted to the other Allied Species members he stopped at the end of a corridor now walking past rows of Misirah Armories trademark assortment of Battle Rifles, DMR's, a rack full of gleaming SRS Snipers, M7 Submachine Guns, M6 Pistols and Magnums, Assault Rifles polished and gleaming with barrels glistening in the fluorescent lighting, Launchers of grenades and rockets, Spartan Lasers. He bet that if he were to sell all of it at full price he could easily buy himself another ship the size of the Dauntless.
A section completely devoted to Armor was passed before he walked to the back where a sign warned for Spartan Usage Only. He walked past it and suddenly was in the S-Deck.
He walked to where a group of technicians was motioning over to one of the giant ringlike machines that put his armor on. And in seconds was sealed up in the familiar and friendly cocoon that was his armor. Next to the machine stood two lockers. One for him, the other one for the next ring over.
Punching in the combination he opened the door which swung outwards gently. Inside holstered on a rack were the two M6's he always used. Picking them up he placed them on his legs and on one of the pouches of the Commando chest piece placed all the ammo for the weapons inside. Sealing them inside he picked up a duffel bag that he hadn't used for quite a while. Opening it up on the table in between the locker and the ring he removed from it a weapon that hadn't seen the light of day for several years.
Even without having been used it still was in prime firing condition. The light of the S-Deck gleaming off the words FNH FS2000 Tactical.
The weapon had only ever been used on assignments with all of Castle Team. Now today as he removed it and racked the bolt he felt a sense of calm flood over him. One way or another today he would find them.
It was a shorter weapon that benefited in MOUT situations but in the service of William the weapon had been heavily modified for usage anywhere. It no longer fired the 5.56x45mm NATO rounds but rather the same ones that the Battle Rifle utilized so well, the 9.5x40mm M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing round. It added on another half pound to the weapon and it was three quarters of an inch longer than its non-modified state.
He secured the magazines to his person and removed several attachments. One was a special purpose red dot scope manufactured by Acheron Security for Spartan Operatives that had variable zooms of 1x, 2.5x, and 5x that in addition had a thermal band laced into it for usage in identifying targets in low light conditions. The scope changes functioned via usage of a series of small buttons that could be reached by hands as they aimed the weapon. Underneath it one could look down and see the iron sights below through a small gap.
Satisfied that the Acheron sight was centered after a quick scan with his helmet he quickly attached a flashlight to the underneath of it. He removed the laser pointer sight that had been put on the side and he zipped the duffel bag up. Opening up the second he glanced at a small faded label with the words CASTLE TWO.
He reached down and removed a duffel bag sitting on the bottom. This one was a newer weapon dating back to the 21st Century, a German made M27. Picked up by its owner on a mission on Mamore. They had recovered it from an old armory they had found and had subjected it to the same degree of modification as he had with his own "personal" weapon. Having a Huragok on board helped a lot when trying to modify anything.
This weapon had been expanded to accommodate the M118 Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing 7.62x51mm rifle ammunition used extensively by the UNSC in almost all automatic and semi automatic weapons to great effect. Underneath like the Belgian rifle now attached to his back it possessed a flashlight attached to the bottom. A rubberized hand grip lay behind to aid in holding the weapon. It possessed the same sight attached to the FS 2000 and an additional laser pointer sight to aid in firing from the hip. The forward iron sights were flipped down currently to allow the specialty sight to be used while the rear remained to aid additionally in aiming. Grabbing the ammo clips and storing them on his person as well he traded the M27 for the FS and he strode into the armory to top off on grenades and ammo.
It took him a minute as the line was steadily expanding but the Quartermaster came out and yelled for the Marines and Navy Sailors currently arming themselves to let him go first.
Thanking him quickly he left now at least twenty pounds heavier. Another short ride on the tram brought him to the main hangar where he found the Falcon mentioned earlier. The Gunship was being readied for atmospheric flight from the inevitable occasion the Dauntless would descend through the skies to provide ground support. The two Marines checking the side mounted guns gave him a salute and he looked for an found the Pilot. A young but serious looking Army Air Force Pilot.
"Pilot." he said to the hunched figure with his back to him.
He turned around and paled when he saw the Spartan loaded down with an immense amount of weaponry and bullets.
"Geez, you startled me!"
They both shared a laugh as the pilot blushed nervously.
"What's going on?" asked Chelsea as she peered around the open cockpit of the Gunship.
"Spartan darn near scared the crap out of me!" confessed the Pilot.
"Sorry I missed it. You ready to fly us in?" asked Chelsea.
"Ready as I'll ever be. I'm going to attach the Warthog to the bottom via hardpoint and we should be good to go.
"Spartan?" Sarah's avatar flashed to life at a nearby terminal. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Will kicked himself mentally and retrieved the AI and sliding the storage unit holding the AI into the back of the helmet. Registering the cool mercury feeling he shared some brief small talk before turning towards Chelsea.
She was staring at his choice of weaponry.
"So...you really think today you'll find them?" she asked.
"I know I'll find them."
"If I weren't your teammate I'd be making a joke of how this would belong in some twisted romance story."
"And if you weren't a friend I'd get Sarah to make your life miserable."
"That wouldn't be too hard actually. You know a one minute shower is pretty feasible..." the AI said with a smirk.
"Uh huh." said Chelsea feigning terror and attentiveness.
Attention all hands. Exiting Slispace in Five Minutes. All personal report to Battle Stations. Elsa said over the PA system.
They turned to hear a whirring sound. Across the bay the Yorktown and Saratoga were being readied for launch and the numerous fighters stationed on board started spinning up their engines. Across the bay Broadwords, Longswords, and a few Sabres made ready to launch as soon as they exited.
The Falcon they were to board attached to a crane where a team of Marines attached the Warthog and a large parachute to it from underneath. A platform extended to encompass the vehicle and provide a ramp for the passengers to board.
The ship hummed and exited slipspace with a flash of light through the now lowering blast doors. The shields of the bay energized and glowed blue as they dropped completely and immediately a roar filled the bay as dozens of fighters lit their engines and sped out the soldiers on the ground hastening out of their way.
From a different corner the howl of Seraphs was audible as they ignited their drives and sped out.
"This is Admiral Tchkova to all Dauntless personal, reading multiple light cruisers and fighter craft. All fighters engage and keep them busy. Dauntless is going loud." the Admiral spoke from the bridge.
A dull thump shook the ship as the MAC cannon sent one of its trademark lethal rounds towards an unseen enemy.
"All hands prepare for ground operations when we clear a hole through their blockade. You all have come here in the name of saving your friends and comrades who are in distress. Today we will find and reclaim them from the storm and you will make history as the first UNSC troops to land on the first Forerunner Planet found since Requiem. Good luck soldiers. Tchkova out."
WARNING FRIGATE LAUNCH SEQUENCE ENGAGED! Eliza said. Will looked over to see the Yorktown and Saratoga detached from two massive docking clamps that kept them horizontal. They dropped down and out of the massive bay doors that quickly sealed themselves up.
The main hangar suddenly became quieter as the roar of fighters vanished as they all left. The Dauntless turned and the ship shook as the MAC fired.
500 Republica, Senatorial Apartments
Coruscant: 23:00 hours
As a speeder flew through the night sky and docked at one of its many tethers for traffic and those privileged enough to live here, at the most exclusive place to live in the Senatorial District of Coruscant, the night was finally settling down.
He walked through the door separating the landing deck from the Apartments and walked through the familiar corridors. Taking a turbolift up he stopped at a certain floor and knocked three times with his mechanical hand.
The building was home to the most wealthy, influential, and prominent individuals and as such was treated as such. The Separatists and the lower class had since the beginning of the war used as a symbol of the extra-ordinate wealth of the Coruscant elite, an excuse and a call for Justice. Indeed the building was so exclusive that it was often the subject of many back hand dealings and assassinations of its more shady members. To possess even its smallest apartment held its own kind of respect.
Its features also included its own power grid to supply the building with all the power it needed to function and sustain all the parties, functions, and other gatherings it hosted on any night. It had a security staff to rival that of the Senate and possessed its own self defense grid built into it to protect from invasion.
Workers were even now securing it But he had only a mind for one individual this night.
He waited, paused to collect himself and tousle his hair into place before the door opened.
"Ani?" came the tired voice of his wife. Senator Padme Amidala.
"Hey, I'm sorry to disturb you." he said still standing outside.
"What's wrong?" she asked him softly her tired face looking back into his equally tired eyes.
"Something's come up. The Chancellor and Jedi Council have requested that I go on another mission..."
He watched her face fall slightly put she put her Politician Look and face on and pretended to be neutral about it. He could feel her hurt though through the force.
"Not again! How could they?" he felt her silent plea rise and fall.
"Where are they asking you to go now? The Outer Rim?" she asked concealing her hurt.
"No in fact. I'm headed to Wild Space. It would appear some of the Allied Species have left in an attempt to chase after the Storm who appear to be in orbit around an uncharted planet. I know I know," he said at her confused face. "The Council is looking into why it's unknown. The fact of the matter is since I'm one of the three Jedi who know them the best we're leaving to help ease some of the tension between the us and them."
"But so soon my love?" she asked with a slight plea.
"Believe me, I'd rather be here than chasing barbarians and pirates."
Amidala looked as though she wanted to defend the Allied Species but she stopped.
"Please. Be careful Ani."
"I will."
They both leaned in together beyond the door and eye of the Security Cameras before they kissed for a moment and then left.
He heard the door close behind him and he turned and walked away heading for the Speeder. A soft touch of the force started it as he advanced and as he stepped out into the windswept and dark night and turned it off in the direction of the Militarized portion of Coruscant. He had a little bit to go and after a quick word to his Padawan and Kenobi about his time of arrival he sat back and let the force do the driving.
He was tired beyond belief. One hard campaign after another in the Outer Rim, loss after loss, victories darkened with the enormous cost of men and materials.
It was so easy to see why the Allied Species seemed to be scrambling to retreat after meeting them. He didn't blame them. In a galaxy that was so screwed up as to have the shadow of the war penetrate into every orifice of society...it was no wonder that the darkness sought to drag him down, no wonder that it was clawing at him.
And the dreams...for months consecutively he watched as his wife was tortured by some unknown foe. In his mind proclaiming to him her love. She was on an operating table of some sort. Pained, her teeth clenched and her hair damp curls and locks twitching as she writhed in agony. And the voices over and over...
"I'm sorry Anakin"
The fear that had been steadily gripping the galaxy in its greedy mouth was biting down harder and harder until it seemed like everything was about to shatter.
When he was little he had heard stories of the powerful Sun Dragons that lived in everything from Suns to the simple fusion reactor that powered a Pod-Racer. Beings that were worshiped long ago that provided the energy for the galaxy to move.
But Anakin had a different dragon living inside him. During the day he didn't feel it, the walls of his Jedi training and the Sun melting the frost on the walls of his heart was enough for him to keep his head clear and focus.
But sometimes at night the walls he had constructed started to freeze over and crack. And sometimes a dragon would slip through the narrowest of cracks and would chew at the very sinews of his heart. Whispering that he could never save her he had watched her die every night.
He didn't dare tell Obi-Wan. How could he? He would be kicked out of the Order...
Failure.
It was always the thought of it that drove him to endeavor to save her in her dreams. But more importantly by exile from the Order he would fail himself, his now dead mother, Padme, Obi-Wan, all their hopes and expectations ground into the dust, atomized,
The list went on an on.
"But she might die." whispered the Dragon.
An air taxi honked as he came a little close to it for comfort.
How could he save her? He felt powerless to do something-anything that could save her.
He put his hand over his face and grunted as a headache that had set in since he had saved the Allied Species. He didn't know what to think anymore. Between the arrival of humans from another galaxy no less and the tension that had started to build between the Jedi and the Chancellor he didn't know what to think anymore. He was being pulled in too many different directions.
Reaching out through the force he found Padme's touch fading away. She was now tense and worried. Through the force he sent a wave of comfort.
The illuminated lights of staging area 35 suddenly lit up the world as he turned around an enormous series of skyscrapers and approached it.
Parking the Speeder in a private and secure deck he made his way past the numerous Clone Security checkpoints flashing the lightsaber they let him through without a fuss. As dangerous as this may have been at the moment he didn't care. He made a note to remind to do security checks. A turbolift to the top of a large building with a ramp down into the bridge gave way to the figures of Obi-Wan and Ahsoka leaning over the railing.
"You've made it." said Obi-Wan. Masters Plo and Windu are already on board and in space."
"So I have. What's our status?" he asked looking over at the vast field of Venator and Acclamtor Class Warships.
Rows upon rows of clones were marching up the landing decks. Rows upon rows of Fighter Tanks and AT-TE's followed behind them.
"We have a few minutes until all are on board." said his Padawan looking over. She had forgotten her normal attire for something a little more covering and protective.
Anakin was forced to step back in time to when he was a Padawan for a moment. He was now reminded of himself when he was a Padawan, almost at the completion of her training. She had come a long way since that first meeting on Christophis.
"We...better get on board. Said Ahsoka after a moment snapping him out of nostalgia.
"Admiral Yularen is waiting for us to assume Command." said Obi-Wan.
He looked at his old master and stared at him for a second.
"So where is Admiral Tarkin?" he asked blearily trying to rub sleep from his eyes.
"In orbit I would imagine waiting for us to leave."
"Right then let's go greet the Admiral shall we?" letting some of his trademark cockiness back into his voice.
The trio stepped on the extended deck that led them down a long incline to an entrance hatch on the side of the twin bridge of the RSS Resolute. As they stepped aboard they found the Command Deck in motion in preparation for take-off procedures.
"Generals on deck!" said the Gold and white armored figure of Commander Cody snapping to a salute.
The uniform bridge crew snapped to salute at the appearance. The appearance of his astromech droid R2D2 running around brought him a small smile. He whistled as he saw him.
"Generals we are ready to join the others in space." Admiral Yularen said looking at a holoscan of their ship. "The last of the troops are on board."
"Take us into orbit." Obi-Wan ordered putting his hand across his beard in thought.
He turned to Anakin as the massive ships of the engine flared to life after a minute and the ship rose into the air.
"You look like you need some sleep. I can take over for the time being."
He muttered a word of thanks before turning out of the bridge and proceeding to his quarters.
UNSC Infinity (INF-101)
In orbit around newly designated Forerunner planet "Yukon".
December 9th, 2558: 6:00 hours
Captain Thomas Lasky sat in thought looking over the position of the two fleets via hologram.
"Roland describe what I'm looking at." he asked looking at the fleet.
"Fleet pattern suggests a standard Covenant defense formation above the surface of the planet. However it won't be nearly as effective seeing as they seem to be fielding mostly light cruisers."
"And the planet Roland?"
The planet was covered in green with snow capped mountain ranges and regions running in jagged North to South patterns. Several inland seas dotted the planet's surface. One of the people made the comment that it looked like a massively blown up cross section of the Yukon territory in what used to be Canada and so the name had stuck.
"Yukon seems to have very similar properties to Earth and other habitable colony worlds. The Storm have landed their forces in the shadow of two mountains.
"And distress signals?"
"There is definitely something there Captain. Whether the Storm have moved to block it or not is beyond me. Right now its impossible to track."
Captain Lasky's brow furled in thought.
"We can't let them reach the beacons Roland." he said after a moment.
"Captain. Fleetmaster 'Vadum is ordering us to move into deployment position above Yukon's atmosphere." the ships AI Roland said.
"While he does what? Engage the rest of the fleet?" he asked.
"Yes actually, the Sangheili seem to have a pretty big bone to pick with them over what they did on Coruscant. In fact the Fleetmaster seems to be hailing you now."
Sure enough from communications the cry for the Captain to come over rang out over the ambiance of the bridge.
He walked over to a holoprojector and stood there. And within moments Rtas 'Vadum fizzled into view.
"Greetings Fleetmaster."
"And to you Captain."
"What do you wish to speak to me about?"
"This is a mission where there are UNSC personal involved. We feel like it would be wise to avoid contributing ground personal for the moment as we do not know from when they come from. The Sangheili Protectorate also has some unfinished business with the Storm. We will take action in space. We are more than fit to take on these cowards and additionally I feel it is only right that you have the honor with dealing with them where you are most comfortable, on the ground. I shall of course dispatch troops to help contain but I will put the bulk of my efforts in dealing with these cowards here. Are we understood Captain?"
Lasky took a moment to analyze what he had said. And despite other reservations he might have had the Fleetmaster was right. The Protectorate was more adept in space than the UNSC on ground and this was a mission to save UNSC personnel after all.
"Understood. Have you spoken with Admiral Tchkova?"
"I already have. He is devoting his Carriers and light Battleships to assisting us. The Dauntless will take the ground with a few other ships to ferry supplies."
A voice off screen asked for the Fleetmaster and after a moment of parting closed the connection.
The door behind him hissed open and he turned to see Spartan Sarah Palmer walking over to him suited up with armor save for her helmet.
"Commander Palmer." he said respectfully greeting the taller woman. "You set for combat?"
"All Fireteams are prepped and ready to go Captain. We're waiting for your orders."
"Thank you Commander." he stopped and put his hand on his chin.
"Yes Captain?" said Sarah anticipating the question.
"I seem to recall we are now missing a good dozen or so Spartans after Requiem-"
The Spartan Commander flinched noticeably.
"If you think I wanted to talk about the **** of a job I did than-"
"No Sarah, stand down. That's not what I wanted to discuss."
"Than what is it?" she asked impatiently.
"What did you think of the other Spartans, the two that worked with you and Fireteam Majestic?" he asked.
She stepped back a moment and thought for a moment taken back by the question.
"Honestly Tom, working with the Three's is a lot easier than working with the Four's to some extent with the exception of Crimson and to some additional degree Majestic."
"How so?" he asked. "I'm thinking of transferring some to the Infinity."
"What the rest of Blue Team and Gamma Company?" she probed.
"That doesn't matter. How are they easier?" he asked again.
"Well for one thing Tom, they're easily more professional than the Four's. I mean as much as I hate to say this they're still like the original's. Maybe a little less cold and silent but they're still almost the same."
"Would you be okay if I were to ask to transfer a few to here?" he asked.
The Spartan stopped realization dawning in her eyes.
"Wait a moment Captain." she said suddenly a lot more wary abandoning use of his first name.
"What Sarah?"
"You want to transfer the two Spartans I worked with on Coruscant to here? That's all fine and good but what about the leader, what was his name, Will? Technically he's outranked by the other Spartan and he was stripped of rank. I've heard enough talk from the higher ups that I'm not so sure about-"
"Sarah, take a moment to realize we are talking about Del Rio here for a moment when you talk about higher ups."
She stopped trying to formulate a counter-response immediately instead her lips forming a new question.
"Why him Tom? There are easily a good two doz-"
"Because I feel like Will and what's left of his team have an extraordinary amount of potential. They've been leashed up Sarah under Del Rio's influence. I'm not about to let a chance to And don't go beating up on him. I was on the Jury panel. I voted for the repealing of his demotion. The Spartan is like you or the-"
"Don't you understand Tom? He and the other three's will never be like the Four's. Ideally we are supposed to be like them! And that's what will never happen. Because we understand a little bit more of life because we weren't conscripted and drafted or enlisted as early as they were. All they've seen is war. Working with them is no problem. They get the job done quickly, efficiently, brutally. If you try to mix the two together? It won't work. They're too much like the two's in that they can't function outside the military. They're not social, I don't see them mixing at all."
"Commander, why all the hostility? They're not from Gamma Company. They're from Beta and are some of the finest soldiers if you chance to look at their records. We can have the others learn from them right?"
She turned away from him surveying the slowly growing shape of the planet and its ships.
"I've met several. I don't believe it matters whether its Alpha or Gamma. And with the exception of one they all experienced and exhibited unnerving psychological and physiological tendencies. I saw one snap in the middle of a battle. Convinced the world was his enemy and in the end he, the Covenant, and half a platoon of Marines were wasted.
Tom, they're walking time-bombs with their augmentations. The chemical mix? It goes bad at some point! The ultimate question is when! They were designed to be expendable as well and that's turned them against us almost! They can't trust the others in a squad, a unit, an entire compliment of Spartans! How can they trust us when they were designed to be cannon fodder and they know so?"
He didn't have an answer. But finally said,
"I understand your reservations Sarah but if I were to transfer some to the Infinity you would work with them like you have with the rest? You would see them as comrades? As Spartans under your wing and you would therefore attempt to get them to fit in with the ship?"
"Whatever you ask Tom." she said before turning away and exiting.
Thomas Lasky sighed and turned away back to the board.
"Roland." he said out loud.
The avatar of a British bomber pilot appeared in a flash of gold again.
"Yes Captain?"
"File a request of transfer for the Spartans aboard the Dauntless."
"Right away Captain. The papers will be in your quarters later."
"How close until we can fire?" he said looking forward to the ships ahead.
"We are in range Captain. The Dauntless has already engaged.
"All right." he took a moment and felt the eyes of all on him.
"Attention all crew, all hands to Battle Stations! Weapons warm up the Main Gun, target the nearest ship, and fire."
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