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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
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"Expeditionary Campaign"
March 20 2528 - Hour 1241
MAJ Logan 'Log' Sutton
HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6, Sydney, Australia, Planet of Earth
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I didn't expect this to be more than a mere visit to cash in a promotion.
Then again, politics were something I didn't like and I could tell this smelled like an effort to push me away from the war effort. Not from the military- I had done enough and showed enough to be seen as a loyal and reliable assets. The UNSC's backers were, however, an entity different from HIGHCOM and when the newly-made Rear Admiral Terrence Hood and I (now made a Colonel) sat before the big boss of it all, I could tell he had grim news in the form of 'new objectives'.
Especially when he mentioned one thing that defined this to be quite a dreadful reading for us to face as he handed us documents in regard to the assignment. It was an expedition- a 'recon mission' to acquire further information over the possibility of establishing colonies to resettle survivors of glassed worlds. It sounded lovely until a smart eyes notices that the targeted world for repopulation were not worlds. Those were Halos.
I was the first one to react, but a flinch from Hood confirmed the older officer was also inclined to decline this.
"Sir, if I may speak bluntly-"
"You may speak formally," The oldest of the trio lamented, surprising me with that interjection as he sounded immensely frustrated. "It's not something I had been thinking of even bringing up ever- but politicians have been getting loud and we can't use the public to push back on these proposals because our biggest concern is classified under some heavy paperwork. It would frighten the people."
The Flood was the kind of 'terror' that was heavily classified. It was no surprise that the one thing that could prevent this case of stupidity could not be used on a legal standpoint. It was not a feasible project, not with the extent of the resources needed to eradicate the Flood. It was such a wasteful attempt which would result on something grave if the Flood get access to enough ships to reach Earth.
"Then... how about the defenses within the Rings, sir?" I argued with as much strength I could muster without sounding too excessive about it. "It would mean putting the lives of men and women on the line for a dangerous conquest- these machines have enough equipment to give hell to anyone trying to find their main security facilities."
"I agree with Colonel Sutton, sir. Regardless of what our ranks will be able to muster, we don't have the means to secure these installations without suffering heavily with what can be told to the public," Hood added with equal intensity to his voice. "But... would it be fair to say that there have been pressures coming elsewhere on this topic?"
ONI was involved in this? As much as I wanted to draw that connection, I knew better than just thinking it was it. They were still reeling from that major fiasco, but... perhaps this was not what Hood was alluding. And I was given a proper response in quite the 'subtle but honest way' from the Chief of Naval Operations.
"You have been eyeing the recent succession crisis, haven't you, Rear Admiral?"
"Only barely, sir," Hood admitted quietly. "But... I have yet to understand why taking this risk if you know this would give other factions a chance to put forward their candidate."
He snorted. "That's because I want someone trustworthy in charge and I want this to work. Which is why I wanted the both of you here to talk with me about it."
Sif had brought it up to me a while ago. There were rumors that the current CNO had experienced some health-related issues and that he was looking into having someone succeed him to the position. It was a royal election of sort with how important the role of CNO was and how it would determine some shifts in regard to past, current and future policies within the UNSC. So, any mistake done may undo the possibility of the current CNO of picking his own successor.
But...
"...Wouldn't it have been better to ask Admiral Cole about it, sir? The Rear Admiral and I may be loyal to the cause but-"
"I want Hood to take over."
We were both taken aback from this, and the Rear Admiral looked a bit paler.
"S-Sir, with all due respect-"
"Look, Terrence, this is not a decision I am making lightly as there could have been better options," The superior rebuked strongly, appearing close to the grave with how weak he looked. "I asked Cole but the damn fool is a smart bastard and know anyone that takes this post need energy and vigor our generation doesn't have. You do, Terrence."
...
"And Colonel Sutton-"
"Yes, sir?"
"I want to make it clear that many think I want you in charge, so expect some trouble coming your way."
...What?
"Sir, I don't command ships and I am not meant to-"
"Many thinks you are getting too big with your deeds and some think that you are actually a puppet that is being used by one of the factions," The man interrupted and I slowly nodded. "I suggest you keep yourself clean of scandals for the duration of the succession, maybe until a proper discharge with honor."
Another nod, and I found myself stunned by this turn of events. People thought I was... going to be in charge of this? Fuck no! Like, yeah, I have been getting better at leading people around, but I was creating a hierarchy from mostly nothing for Balmung. The UNSC was massive and it had too many dipshits to take note of- and there are many that are not sanctioned by ONI.
Fucking hell, I hated to hear I was going to get targeted for this rumor, and I will have to get Sif involved in keeping any hacker off our backs. I had a feeling this was going to get worse, but it didn't solve the main issue that brought us here.
"There's still the fact this Expedition is dangerous," I pointed out and the CNO nodded.
"Correct, but it has to happen. The people wants... new places where to start anew. Most of the planets we lost have been glassed to the bone, so any chance for many farmers to restart is not going to work in their old homeplanets. They need new fertile planets to settle down by."
At hearing this, Hood raised a curious brow. "Sir, what about using the planets near the installations?" The Rear Admiral suggested with a glimmer of hope flashing from his confident gaze. "After all, using the Rings may not be extensive enough for the project at all. The Expedition could as well fail in that regard, but the planets around the rings may have favorable conditions."
I actually liked this idea. "And it could be used as a reason to establish forward bases to monitor the situation with the rings. Maybe full on stations in due time."
"That sounds like a circumstance we can address, yes," The CNO remarked with a growing smile. "However, it is best to not explain the true purpose of these stations. Leaving them as a mean to 'defend the new worlds from other surprises'."
Hood and I nodded, knowing that while planning the general point of this expedition, the rest was going to be a pain in the butt to deal with.
And why the fuck is it named 'Sutton Expedition'? I didn't ask for this, goddammit!
AN
The CNO Succession Event had to have happened in a rather turbulent situation as Hood was a Captain around the battle of Arcadia and ended up CNO before 2552. So, that is going to be a rollercoaster. And then there's this 'Sutton Expedition'.