Chapter 3: Trust is a two way Street

Reach

Visegrad

A trio of UNSC Army troopers sitting in a Warthog on a cliffside watching a dense forest with some pockets of isolated villages or farms in the vast valley. Only patrol at the moment only to take five.

"Did you hear what happened, there was a suicide bombing attempt in New Alexander, and then the worst part happened; the bomb was dull. The idiotic terrorists were knocked out by their bomb." told a third Trooper with the call signs PVT Anton Brehm.

"Good thing they are caught." said another Trooper puffing into his cigarette. When we returned, I heard that the mess hall is serving spaghetti mixed with bacon meatballs tonight."

"Did you have sore eyes because you were hungry, mate?" joked Private Brehm.

"Not entire Jackson. Still tight on keeping eyes out in the open, word is out that the Covies are preparing a mass advancing towards the outer colonies." stated another trooper who was the corporal and driver of the Warthog.

"How are we still going to stop those things from coming to Earth? If the Covies find Earth we are finished."

"That's why we have the freckling Cole Protocol effect. UNSC policy enough."

The TAC com came to life as the UNSC army soldiers responded.

"Delta 18 responding?"

"This is Command, there has been a situation at the Visegrad Relay, the Relay station lost contact with Central Command five hours ago. New orders by Colonel Holland, you and your squad will link with Fire team Charlie 2 to investigate Charlie 3 last location and be advised of possible sightings of insurrectionist activity in the area."

As the Warthog rumbled down the dirt road towards the relay station, Army trooper Brehm said "Time to go, Delta."

An air shimmered in the forest revealing a Sangheili Zealot who was observing from the cliffside.

"The human recon team is coming. Prepare for the ambush." the Zealot radio in his wrist com.

Banished Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette

Elegy's Lament

"Our spies in High Charity confirmed that a human has joined the Covenant, and she has proclaimed herself as the Queen of the Locust Horde." Atriox lends back in his command throne.

Atriox was once a warrior for the Covenant, he was no pawn as he disavowed his loyalty to the Covenant. But is now the Self-proclaimed Leader of the Banished who broke away from the Covenant.

Atriox was sitting on the command throne of his warship in the command bridge. He recently got news from his spies in High Charity about a new fraction from this so-called Sera now pledging alliance to the Prophets. They named themselves the Locust Horde ever since they were on the brink of annihilation.

"I see but I do not know who this queen is but she shares the same lust for war like me. If this Locust Horde proved to be a capable challenge of wagering war. I would find this interesting ." said Atriox.

"Why do we need this so-called queen, she is the leader of those beasts who proclaim themselves as the Locust. I find it disdainful that this Queen is human to them ." Decimus said in disgust at the idea of having a human in the ranks of the Covenant.

"She may have use for the Baninshed if she proves herself but I am curious about the Locust. They are warriors of an underground race," said Atriox raising his finger upon his chin and stroking his Chainbreaker in his lap.

"They fought another humanity not in this galaxy in another galaxy which they claim to be," said Atriox standing from his throne and turning to Decimus.

"Send a message, tell our spies in High Charity to double their efforts to uncover more information about Queen Myrrah and her Locust Horde. I am curious about the Queen. I want to know about the Locust and Myrrah herself."

UNSC

"Colonel Hoffman, perhaps we can bring you up to speed depending on if you can keep up with our current situation. The data we recover from your JACK bot has shown the UNSC especially ONI very disturbing imaging and recordings from your previous 'war' with this Locust Horde."

As the Admirals looked up from his datapad look up at Hoffman remained Stoic in his seat.

"I seen the footage," said Whitecomb as his mustache twisted with a grimace expression. "ONI had copies from your robotic unit."

"ONI? What ONI?"

"Office of Naval Intelligence Colonel Hoffman," stated Whitecomb. "Branch of the UNSC, department for gathering intelligence, military research, and all kind of black ops that is above my pay grade. As I said you are not part of the UNSC, ONI will view you as a threat to their security and the UNSC as compromised."

Hoffman went quiet of what he heard. "I am not your enemy."

"I find it hard to process." expressed Whitecomb

"It is JACK." stated Hoffman, "State of the Arts COG special operations that you just declassified. You are going to have the UNSC find the location of Sera? Then burn it to the ground." He accussed.

"No, we are not the enemy. We cannot deny the existence your people, that this Sera and the Locust do exist in this galaxy since the UNSC does not have any records of Sera existing if the UNSC did, we would've sent out a relief and strike force to help your people," said Whitecomb. "I already send a report to High Command but they do not have the resources to find your system or this Sera due to the war against the Covenant.

"However since you are in the dark and the confusion of the war, if we break protocol of this there is no turning back."

"What with this Covenant? A religious terrorist-like organization? Or so-called insurgency organization against this UNSC?" Hoffman had more questions after he overhead Guards spoke about the Covenant.

"Half Accurate, but not entirely Colonel Hoffman," said Freemount putting his hands on the table with his face shifted to a solemn look. " The Covenant is a militarized religious hegemony of multiple alien species, the war began as the Epsilon Indi system went dark. A battle group sends to investigate Harvest."

Freemount lips turned grim " The entire planet of Harvest was once an agricultural world with a population of three billion. They found what was left of Harvest in ashes and most of the planet reduced to glass."

"Just like the Locust horde," said Hoffman as the two admirals studied him. "Like Emergence Day happen on Sera."

"I cannot stomach the mass causalities that happen on 'Emergence Day' if we discover Sera, none of this would've happened if the UNSC intervened in this Locust war." articulated the Admiral as they continued.

"A surviving ship from the battle group reaches back to UNSC borders after a Covenant Fleet eliminated the battle group. They brought a transmission saying that their Destruction is at the will of the gods and we are their instrument."

Hoffman blinked "Destruction is at the will of the gods and we are their instrument."

Hoffman opposed cruse but he could not deny it. "That is what they said? The Covenant thinks that they can destroy the entire human base on their so-called gods."

"That is correct. The Covenant is a ruthless enemy that we saw since their goal to see every man, woman, and child dead and every world they invade leveled to the ground and glassed."

Planet glassed on the surface by the Covenant compared to the scorching fires of the Hammer Strikes upon Sera as Prescott did all by himself to touch the world to stop the Locust Advance. The Covenant is an enemy hellbent on destroying all of humanity."

"Admiral Cole previously fought the Covenant's offensive through the galaxy. To stop their advance, each planet has been converted into a stronghold or chokepoint. To prevent the Covenant from discovering Earth, the Cole Protocol was put in place, requiring all UNSC ships and facilities to erase all navigation data that could lead back to Earth. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before the Covenant locates Reach. said Frenmount

"The Covenant advanced further into the outer colonies, settled in ground engagements with the UNSC before launching obit bombardment from space." said Whitecomb.

Hoffman shallowed as it was a bitter pill to swallow of all of this he was unable to process.

"Similar to your ' Hammer of Dawn ' ONI has taken an interest in Adam Fenix's specialty in his science. He may be the creator of the Hammer of Dawn and I do not want to say this. The UNSC needs his help. But you will have to explain the situation on the ground to your so-called Gears. Before we proceed, article 71 indicates to evaluate all unknown military factions like the COG force present here."

"Make no mistake Colonel Hoffman, you are reminded that your Gears' unexpected appearance in UNSC territory does not excuse your intentions of starting a secondary frontier and there are protocols in place to assert if your Gears see it fit to be allowed to cooperate with the UNSC further or turn you to the ONI for a short conversation. Under no circumstances, you will not interfere in UNSC operations."

Hoffman said no further but fair the UNSC doesn't trust the Gears and the Gears don't trust the UNSC.

Assuming he was going back to the cellblock instead, Hoffman was later returned to another room as the Gears under his command were placed in another conference room. Shouts of an argument were heard as he walked into the slide doors.

Anya and Adam held a furious Marcus back from tearing Barid apart and Cole and Jace wedge in front of Baird to hold back him. Carmine is on the ground rumbling his face.

"I didn't expect to magically teleport you guys." protest Barid "I didn't expect this science magic object to do this kind of new magical shit."

"That's another one of your stunts, Baird! Now we're stuck here, damn it!" retorted Marcus.

"That is enough Marcus!" Adam shouted trying to hold, " You are angry! That is far enough alright, we did not ask for this to happen on my watch."

"We need to take a breath and get a plan to figure out how we are ever getting back home." articulated Anya to Marcus.

"Carmine to a punch to the face." Added Sam tending Carmine's bruise his check."

Gears, that's enough," Hoffman's voice snapped. He stepped between Marcus and Baird, halting their fight before it could escalate any further.

"Break it up or all of you will be thrown out of the Airlock." barked a Marine Squad Leader stepping in. As the Gears back off with Hoffman speaking to the Marines the Gears will have some privacy with Hoffman. Once the Room was settled before Hoffman broke his silence.

"We are not in Sera, but I don't want to be here anymore than all of us do. We don't want to be here but you are going to hear this," said Hoffman.

"I tried to make a deal with the UNSC." stated Hoffman. "If we have some have leverage to make them hear us out."

"You make a deal with them? Are you out of your mind Colonel?" accused Baird.

"What are we all supposed to say that we magically appeared in mid-air Baird? If we did they would throw all of us into the Nut House," said Hoffman to the rest. "I don't like this position any more than we do but we are still a long way from home."

"Yes, with so much security tight and escaping this facility they built with technology we've never seen," Adam spoke up looking around the facility. "Hoffman you spoke with them and how exactly will you explain this Covenant to the rest of the Gears? I am not the only person to hear about this Covenant."

"You know what I will say, I guardenate all of you that you will not like what you will hear. All of you, know I spoke with Admiral Whitcomb and he shared with me the current situation," said Hoffman as the Gears gathered around. The Marines watch them from the distance of the Conference room.

"We are in the middle of some war between the UNSC and the Covenant? Compared to the Locust, The Covenant is a religious and militarized death cult made up of aliens. Make no mistake they are real."

"Aliens? What Aliens? You saying the Covenant is made up of a bunch of aliens?" Sam spoke up as the first.

"Aliens? You saying there are Aliens out there?" exclaimed Marcus."This Covenant is an army of aliens. This is the first I heard of."

"Aliens ha, the Cole Train isn't no scare of those Alien bitches." Cole articulated, "I take them all on grub or not human."

"We don't know the details of this conflict instantly but I could tell it is going bad," said Anya. "I overheard there is a ton of talk from the guards about the Covenant being this bad and weaponary god knows what."

"Fricking unbelievable this is next-level shit I want to hear. Don't blame me for dragging us into the next new fuck up world." bragged Baird throwing his hands in the air as he now backed off. "I never reckon this is a real big deal of a new war of fighting space aliens."

"Baird you don't say another bloody word." sighed Sam dragging Baird away. "Last thing I want is more than happy to see Marcus or all of us kicking your bloody arse for starting that top-secret stunt you pull in some secret lab."

"Fine Mom, how I am supposed to explain this, Why I am the smart asshole to blame here?" grumbled Baird before sitting on a flat seat away from the others.

"Well Baird, remind you of that bloody stunt you pull back on Hangover. That stunt is different. We in Space." exclaimed Sam looking at the Space in the viewport.

Looking at our current location, it's incredible that we have made contact with so-called extraterrestrials and god knows what kind of advanced technology in UNSC, which may have taken us a lot of lightyears to develop like your smart-ass tech brains of yours Baird.

"Yeah, Baird. Another new world you dragged us into after a hundred lightyears." sneered Marcus pointing a finger. "We know you better start thinking something. We are now stuck here."

"We don't know these people even though they call themselves the United Nations Space Command. I don't even know the strength of their military or god knows what else," said Anya.

"All, I been told was classified," said Marcus.

"Look Fenix, I don't like to be here anymore than you do. So we save our anger away from Baird and focus on getting back home. We maybe Gears so we show those so-called Covenant that we are Gears and we are not as hell afraid of them." discoursed Hoffman.

Cole, Jace, and Dizzy gazed out of the viewport at a distant planet with lush greens and blues in Space. Small spacecraft and stations dotted the area around it.

"You never see this much Green in Outer Space man?" Jace asked. "I mean in Space and an actual planet."

"Never seen anything like this, if my girls are here they will want to see this." said Dizzy."Ah hell, they will bounce the crap out of me and they are going to love this."

Sera used to be coated with forests, cities, and oceans before it is all turned to shit by the Locust and the scorching of the surface by the Hammer Strikes.

"Yeah, I used to have a villa on the cliffside by the Ocean. I reckon I remember," said Cole with Jace glazing at him. "You better be joking Cole."

"Cole Trains many things plus I got a ton of money in my private bank valet. Every year if the Cougars win, I hosted the big ass parties of the season," admitted Cole. "Before the war started."

"No way Cole." replied Jace. "How many more secrets do you have Cole?"

"Hoffman, I wonder how long they hold you, huh, got me worried about what they will do to us before you," asked Marcus.

"Long story Fenix. Believe me, it is bigger than the Locust War. The bigger picture it is, the fewer chances of getting home. I didn't know how many lightyears away from home in this place. " said Hoffman to Marcus and Anya while Anya and Hoffman chatted.

Marcus looked around the room and saw his father sitting on a chair, lost in his thoughts. Carmine was pacing around, while Dizzy, Cole, and Jace were gazing out of the window from outside. Meanwhile, Barid and Sam were standing in the corner, leaning against the wall. What to do next?

"I got word from my guys down on the surface, The 45th recon divisions send a pair of fireteams down to the relay station. The station cut contact with command hours ago and no one heard from them ever since." said a trooper to his partner.

"You tried to phone home, the Sat network is down and I am having the same shit as you. Can't reach out to family on Earth. I got family too you be aware."

"As I was continuing, Colonel Holland sent out two fireteams but none of them heard back. That means they lost contact with the teams at the Relay. A couple of pals took me from the surface. Now comms are jamming left and right. My guy told me it was the insurrectionists, they formed a cell on Reach rumor or not it is real." stated the Marine.

Hoffman overhead it as an idea formed. "I think I have an idea."

The Marine Sergeant in charge of the squad finished a word with another Marine. He noticed Hoffman signaled him for a word.

"Son, I need to speak to the brass about your situation down on the ground," stated Hoffman. "If the UNSC needs all the help they can get."

"You are not in charge here. My orders are to strictly monitor you and your Gears until further notice," said the Marine firmly.

"As a fellow soldier, I have been there. If you can spare me just five minutes to talk to the higher-ups, I can figure out why the communication lines with the surface have been severed. If we lose all means of communication with the Covenant or Insurrectionists, whatever you may call them, things can quickly spiral out of control." Hoffman voiced.

The Marine in charge didn't say anything but shook his head.

"Look Segerant, I need to speak with the Brass in charge for an honest five minutes," said Hoffman. "It this about Colonel Holland's fireteams is it? They been AWOL for what five hours or a whole day? Better if we get topside to see what is going or else they will send another team before they are ghosted again. This is much bigger than I thought."

The Marine hesitated for a second.

Hoffman looked the Marine in the eye with a twist. "Trust or not, I have been there from hell to back. I've seen this before and this enemy too. Tell Colonel Holland."

Special Operation Commander

Rtas 'Vadum

In the Covenant's vast training facility, all species train for war.

Now packed with the new client race: Locust.

Drones trained under the watch of Covenant training masters from the hovering platforms. Hunking Boomers practice using heavy weaponry from ballistic or plasma heavy guns

Rtas Vadum stood on a platform observing one of the training fields as Locust Drones moved in squads to practice squad tactics taught by a few veteran Sangheili. He and selected Veterans and Commanders from the Covenant were tasked temporarily to train the Locust with Covenant doctrine and tactics that the Locust were unfamiliar with.

Sounds of running, gunfire, and barks or snarls echoed in the training halls.

Locust Drones in squads practicing on the range with hammerbrust assault rifles, moving and climbing over and through obstacles. Another field of Drones practicing their close combat skills with Sangheili minors. Fists were exchanged with Sangheilis fists too. Insults and growls trade back and forth.

Rtas narrowed his eyes while he walked slowly to see their process in their training. Rtas had his fair share of combat, enduring the hardships to horrors of war and seeing brutality of both sides but he saw Locust as are relentless and brutal force compared to the Brutes's savage in combat.

A group of Theron Guards walked past Rtas and his men, but one Theron guard shoved a Sangheili Spec Op Elite out of the way in spite as they walked past.

"Sangheili basterds." mocked a passing Theron Guard to an Sangheili.

"Disrespectful basterds" Rtas growled quietly "No honor and disrespect is what they present. But their methods are 'disagreeable' matching the savage of brute combat like the brutes."

"True but they spite the humans more than the covenant and we do?" said another Spec Op Major to Rtas.

A trio of Drones smacking around a Grunt like a plaything. Locusts did imitate lower species like the Unggoy, Kig-yar, or the Yamme for sport. Now the Locust are picking fights with the Sangheili or Jiralhanae.

"They employ different methods, unlike the precision and swiftness we employ on our enemies. Brutal force but tactical," commented Rtas. While observing the Locust training process, Rtas felt uneasy as they compared their combat methods to his own people's. His men didn't like the Locust either.

A lone Locust dressed armored and wearing a cloak around his shoulders wearing a unique monocular lens helmet, studied Rtas barking directives to a group of Locust from a distance as he leaned against the pillar. Jermad formed a sneer before loading a round into the chamber of his prized Breachshot as he gazed at Rtas soon to be his prized kill.

"Let the hunt begin Commander Rtas." Jermad mocked quietly.

A Unggoy messager approaches Jermad with caution. Jermad growled looking down, "What?"

"Krav Jermad, a message from the Will of the Prophets. The Bloodied Vanguard will be assigned to Supreme Commanders Rho 'Barutamee and Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadam for the coming invasion of the Human Planet Reach."

ONI Case Officer Victor Thompson stood in the briefing chambers before turning around to see the trio of Gears standing beside Hoffman in a stand-off.

"You people got some serious nerve to offer a deal. Not only you bride your all out but you Gears offer help on the ground after Hoffman spoke to Command." sneered Thompson. "The UNSC and I don't trust you. I told Command that you Gears are not part of the UNSC and UNSC doesn't answer to outsiders like you."

"For as many reasons as you think," responded Hoffman.

"Colonel Holland is busy at the moment dealing with the problem below." snorted Thompson. "You Gears broke a whole article of protocols just to get close to Command. I hardly had the difficulties to believe anything you say."

"Sir with respect we would like to work out something and in return, we can assist the U.N.S.C on the ground. If you hear us out," said Anya forward.

"That doesn't consider you." Thompson looked at Anya with annoyance. "We have the situation under control and the rest is classified."

Anya scowled, her lips forming a frown. The Gears did not take the term Classified as an answer.

"Look Agent Thompson, My Gears and I don't like to be lied to. I have been there before being in the dark cost relationships, no lives." Hoffman took a step forward. "But I am not a lair nor is Lietuatant Stroud."

"We heard about the missing fireteams and that relay post that lost contact for a day. No contact with what is going on in the dark in that facility means bigger problems," stated Anya.

Turning to Marcus and Hoffman. "Like Hoffman said. We all don't like to be lied to and kept in the dark." Anya said in a stony tone. "We are aware of the missing fireteams."

"I am sorry. Where did you hear that? That is Classified."

A device from the console terminal blinked as a holo screen popped up revealing to be another military man with the rank of Colonel.

"Colonel Holland sir." addressed The ONI agent.

"At ease Agent Thompson, I heard about those insurgents that magically appeared in one of the cities and they are here now?" said the Colonel gazing at Hoffman. "You Gears made quite an entrance."

"Colonel Hoffman of the Coalition of Ordered Goverments Army." Hoffman addressed Holland who saluated back. Admiral Whitecomb joined the pressure in the room.

"At ease," responded Holland "You have my attention which I heard, If the Gears heard about our problems in Visegrad, I had a trio of fireteams gone missing, and if those Gears can help. They have the balls to speak out like that."

"They know nothing about the UNSC or our operations. They are a flight risk and a threat to National Security," warned Thompson at Holland. "They do not know every proposal in place."

Holland turned to Hoffman. "Give me a reason why the UNSC should allow your Gears to interfere in operations for a good reason. What makes you Gears want to be involved?"

"This better be good." sneered Thompson crossing his arms. "Because the Insecerretionsit struck Reach for a while before Operation Clean Sweep."

"We Gears may be a long way home after the unexpected event that landed us here but we are not insurgents. We didn't ask to be here we have been through hell in the Pendulum Wars, Locust and the Lambent but we survived and survived again." spoke out Anya at the ONI agent with a smirk on his face as it was wiped.

" I was the Colonel of the Coalition of Ordered Governments Army. I swore my oath and my life to protect my country, my people against all enemies." Said Hoffman looking Thompson and Holland and then Thompson right in the eye " When the Locust attacked on E-day, I took a pledge to protect humanity against extinction no matter the cost. Maybe I don't see no reason why I and the Gears will stand and fight against the Covenant."

A flare of anger flicked upon Thompson.

"We are still here and fighting, period," stated Hoffman.

"Don't underestimate the Covenant, you have no idea what you are fighting against." countered Thompson. Whitecomb crossed his arms and Holland studied the Gears.

"Not enough. We can get the Relay Station back online and find out what is happening. I am an officer of the Coalition, I am a Communication Officer before a frontline Gear. I had seen tactical combat from experience." stated Anya. "I managed communication and tactical Ops and control before transitioning to frontline Gear.'

"Also Corporal Damon Baird has technical expertise and expert in mechanical engineering. Baird is also an expert in studying Locust Horde weaponry and a 190 IQ but a sarcastic mouth that had. He can fix the Relay Station and get the job done in an hour if the UNSC is willing to send out Engineers at 'their own risk' right agent?" said Hoffman with a smirk on his face.

"That is right Agent Spook," Baird spoke up. "I don't know what this Covenant is or what their deal is besides blowing up cities and raining lasers fire PC. Narcissistic thinking is part of it. But I may have an engineering degree and a Locust expert part of my resume. Are you scared of this so-called Covenant? Fat chance. What you don't believe me? Was managing the Tyrant technology or tyrant surveillance your job or my job? "

Thompson clenched his jaw tight and Colonel Holland too.

"Sammatha Byne is familiar with IEDs and explosives. Byne did serve in an Explosive disposal unit during the Stranded Insurgency on Vectcs, She recognized explosive components for IED" said Hoffman presenting his hand to Sam. "She is more than a frontline Gear, she is an IED expert and the skill to pilot a King Raven."

"You have dealt with insurgencies before?" questioned Holland with an eyebrow raised.

"If you mention those insurrectionists are here to wreak havoc, compare them to the Stranded. I will be more than happy to put them down as Dogs. We will hunt them down and kill them for good." said Hoffman taking a step forward. "But the difference is my Gears and I are not cowards. We fought the Locust and we survived. Or no one is getting out alive."

Guards in the room slowly prepare their weapons but Holland stands them down. Thompson still with the scowl looked.

"That is a lot to say for a man who speaks on behalf of the troops under his care," Holland said. "I heard your proposal."

"Since Reach is on high alert, Command needs that relay station running and I would be against my conscience to risk sending out another fireteam so if your men say they are good as they are," said Holland. "Colonel Hoffman you are allowed a four squad team. They will follow all chains of command as a reminder"

Colonel Holland, I condemn this mistake of allowing those individuals into our chain of command and operations." protest Thompson "They are still a threat to national security. They are not part of any UNSC branches."

"Agent Thompson, I have to admit that if the Relay station is still in the dark, we will lose all communication in the region and I am not willing to risk any more delays in restoring the comms network if they are compromised. I assigned Delta to Noble Six stationed in the Region," said Holland.

"You better not make me regret this. What happens next and anything goes wrong, it is your head," warned Holland at Colonel Hoffman who stared hard.

"Even me," added Whitecomb. "You will prove your chance."

"The rest of the Gears will act as reserves. So gather your squad together," said Colonel to Hoffman. "Marines have them gear up and send a Pelican for them."

"Fenix take Stroud, Sam, and Baird even JACK on the mission. The rest stand by as reserves," said Hoffman. "Ready to move out." Marcus nodded as he stepped forward to assemble his squad.

Whitecomb addressing the coms. " This is Command. Inform Noble Six on the ground that additional support will be deployed to the region."