Chapter 2: We are not in Kansas
SWORD base ONI
0120 hours
"This is something orderly we don't see every day?" said one of the software engineers looking at the arm of a blue robot, tapping his pen on the arm.
"COMMAND and ONI want to know what this thing is ?" said technician Aaron Mick at the server station busy downloading the data from the Bot.
"This JACK bot appears to be a multi-functional bot, similar to a military-grade Swiss army knife. All are man-made by hand." Mick explores the panel and opens it to expose the circuitry, from the digital components right up to the main drive, with the bot's eyes blinking off and on.
JACK bot, a small robot, was secured tightly to the round table with numerous cables. The Engineering lab was bustling with a group of technicians and engineers from the UNSC Engineer tech branch, who were meticulously monitoring the proceedings. The room was filled with an air of expectancy as everyone waited for the experiment to begin. The technicians, were busy at their workstations, checking and cross-checking data on datapads, and adjusting knobs and buttons on the consoles.
A technician specialist Jordan Millar tapped into the screen as a hologram scan of JACK popped up. "So strange to say if that army or the Navy would have that kind of bots if we have the anti-gravity tech. Look at the thrushers almost like the Indies known how to make repulsor tech"
"Dialogus on this drone that ONI brought for us from those Insurrectionists from New Alexandiar Square? Millar what do you got "Call out Software tech Carrie Taschen to record her notes from her datapad.
Millar said from the screen. I hacked into the database of a robot called Jack. It was labeled with the COG icon, which stands for Coalition of Ordered Governments. Look at this, the robot had a long-range communication array, stealth cloaking capabilities, and a multi-tool hand.
"This thing generates a cloaking mechanism, the Eggheads will love it when they get their hands on it," said Carrie.
After completing the data transfer from Jack on the Server Screen, Miller narrowed it down to the memory drive labeled "combat records". I believe the bot's drive contains combat records. I wonder what we might discover in them. Millar said to himself Millar tapped on the screen as he tapped on one of the video files. Once played.
Millar amusement shattered with his mouth dropped wide of what he saw right on the screen. Then more of his colleagues joined him in what they were watching.
Millar and everyone in the room were left speechless and appalled by what the server was playing after Millar clicked on it.
High Charity
Capital and HQ of the Covenant Empire
"I am supreme Commander Thel Vadamee. But I don't trust you. I demonstrate to you how loyalty to the Covenant in battle is rewarded with faith and victory, Queen Myrrah."
Thel Vadamee, clad in his golden Gheocin-pattern combat harness, stood upright in front of Myrrah with his strong arms crossed over his chest. He intently observed the Locust Queen, who was positioned on the balcony, her gaze fixed on the Holy City below. Thel placed around her scrutinized her every move, analyzing her demeanor and expression, as he tried to decipher her true intentions in his mind.
Myrrah was dressed in a new outfit crafted by top Covenant artisans, different from her previous war suit of the Hollows, as tasked by the Prophets. Myrrah is donning a sleek jumpsuit that fits her like a glove. The jumpsuit is adorned with skeel armor plating that provides comprehensive coverage from her shoulders to her shins, The chest armor she wears is intricately crafted to emulate the combat harness of the Sangheili, featuring elements such as angular sleek plates and intricate detailing. Legs with additional armor of nanotech plating that extends down to her feet, ensuring she is fully protected. Including energy shields, all coated in crimson red.
"You may be the first and only human who she steps into the Holy City. As a client member of the Covenant," Thel's tone turned mocking as he spoke, with a clear hint of disdain in his voice.
" Allow me to remind you and your Locust plays a crucial role in fulfilling the will of the Prophets. Your loyalty and obedience to my command will ensure that the Covenant remains strong and victorious in all its endeavors." Thel narrowed his gaze filled with contempt.
"I find your words mean nothing to the horde." mocked Myrrah as she walked away from the balcony into the chamber hall joining her Retuine of Therons and Kantus knights.
"However I find it concerning that the Prophets have granted you mercy solely based on your position as the queen of the Locust, who refer to themselves as the Horde." Thel narrowed his eyes.
"Do you question the Covenant or my children? Make no mistake, any misunderstandings about my children can lead to dangerous consequences for you." Myrrah returned the sneer at Thel. Myrrah studied him as she saw a ruthless and relentless Covenant general who wished to see the destruction of all humanity for the great jour. It it struck a nerve as a remember of Myrrah's own Generals perished in the hand of the Humans back on Sera. Thel could be in use to her if provoked.
"My warriors and most of the Covenant would despise you the only human here, I do too. But the Locust your people made me question why I would have the idea of assigning these beasts under my command," Thel said with a tinge of curiosity and venom in his tone. "Give me a reason why I should listen to a human queen like you?"
The Therons growled back as one of them took a step forward but Thel ignored him, Thel only silently reached for his blade by his hip.
"You and I are both committed to the common enemy: The destruction of humanity. I understand that you are a warrior of honor." As Myrrah gave a mocking sneer.
"Do you feel pride in honor in your kind compared to humans who believe they share the same honor unlike you? You and your kind share the same cause for war. You are like the humans, Supreme Commander but the honor you claim to uphold as you share with the humans is a lie."
Rage filled Thel with what this woman dared to say.
"You disrespectful human swine!" roared Thel activated his energy sword and employed his other arm to pull Myrrah towards himself. Simultaneously, he grasped her by the chest armor with the energy blade placed near her neck. In the swift and precise maneuver.
"Who do you think you are? You coward! You insult me, my honor, and my brethren, you compare me to a beast! I will show you how honor is fought with in battle! By severing your head to be delivered to my command throne as a trophy!"
The Theron Guards raised their Troque bows and Lancers along with the Kantius Knights with duel Gorgon SMGs.
Only for Myrrah to grin as enraged Thel raised the blade at the Queen's neck but Myrrah had her hand around Thel's neck tightened at the same time as Thel felt the pressure closing. Ready for the kill. As Thel felt a barrel being pointed at the back of his head, a taller Kantius knight, dressed in ultra-black armor with white strips, aimed a double-barrel shotgun at him. The Locust had their weapons pointed at Thel and his retinue of Sangheili Majors, who drew their energy blades and plasma rifles to show off their force for battle. This resulted in a tense standoff between them.
Thel eyes twist with rage with teeth clenching, Myrrah chuckled darkly as her trap played well, "Do not threaten me Supreme Commander. Take my life but have you forgotten?" Myrrah mocked with what breath she had.
Thel retained his breath despite his oxygen slowly cutting off from Myrrah her mysterious strength, he was surprised to see a red energy blade drawn next to his mandibles. Myrrah held the energy dagger in her hand. With the high degree of heat blistering against their faces before await the last blow.
"I am the one who asked the Covenant to honor my children."
"That is enough! Enough! Queen Myrrah! Supreme Commander Thel Vademee! Stop this dispute before you kill our ally now! "
The voice revealed to be the Prophet of Truth with his detail of Honour Guards appeared in the hallway.
"Kill her Supreme Commander Vademee, I will make sure your military campaign against humans will be over with a new official to lead the war. You face your opprobrium and your dishonor be heard back to Sanghelios," warned Truth in a stern tone hovering towards Thel . "She, Queen Myrrah is valuable to our cause. Stand down and walk away peacefully! Mercy, Regret, and I will have words with you. See us in the chambers!"
"By your will, my prophets ." Thel heeded as he deactivated his energy blade and the Kantius General lowered the gun. Thel gazed at Myrrah back on the floor who deactivated her energy sword too, showing her this was not over stared with a growl, he looked back as he stormed out of the hall along with his men
"Quite a stir you put up. I apologize for the Supreme Commander's lack of honor towards you. The Covenant may harbor difficulties adjusting to your presence." apologized Truth.
Truth narrowed his eyes. "Queen Myrrah we have so much to discuss and I assure you will be part of the Covenant campaign against the humans."
Naive fools to think they are the ones to control my children. Myrrah turned around and faked a stoic stare "Our conversation is not finished not so ever. Prophet of Truth, I like to lead my children to war in person to prove our loyalty."
UNSC Central Headquarters
Earth
Cairo Station
Admiral Lord Hood was called to the emergency meeting with UNSC Brass of High Command. He entered the room to be greeted by a mixture of twelve UNSC officers in full dress uniforms from various branches of Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, and the ONI in the conference room in the Cairo Station.
Once everyone sitten after saluting each other as the meeting begins
"Over 1850 hours ago at Reach, there was an attempted insurrectionist bombing in New Alexandria, the group of insurrectionists attempted to detonate a device in the middle of the city, the bomb was dull and most of them were knocked out by the time the bomb detonated," stated Admiral Margaret Orlenda Parangosky of ONI.
Many of the brass even Lord Hood looked surprised and stunned at the developments of this incident that happened but they had more questions to ask anyway.
"Causalities ?" stated General William Heller from the UNSC marines
"No causalities reported but the insurrectionists were quickly captured and taken to custody." Ensuring survival in the Covenant-Human war must be the top priority in safeguarding Earth.
"That is a relief but how the insurrectionists managed to pull off this attack in the first place? Did they have help or contacts within Reach?" Lord Hood asked.
"Lord Hood, we are still reminded that Reach is a planet of immense strategic value. It houses several military installations that are critical to the training of Spartan III soldiers and is also home to an ONI black-site facility that conducts advanced research. In addition, Reach has shipbuilding facilities both in orbit and on the planet's surface, which are essential for maintaining the UNSC's naval superiority." said Parangosky
"Moreover, Reach is also home to a highly strategic titanium despot, a resource that is crucial to the UNSC's war effort. Given the planet's importance, we take all necessary measures to ensure its security and protect it from any potential threats like the Covenant regarding the protection and defense of Reach. But this incident is an isolated one."
"The insurgents captured are now interrogated at the moment. Since the news about the attack has been large but contained. However, this is a cover-up by ONI who discovered these soldiers claimed to be Gears from the Coalition of Ordered Governments fighting a war against another race of humanoid race for fifteen years, they claimed they activated an unidentified extraterrestrial object that let out some power surge that teleported a group of Gears and teleported in Random on Reach," stated Parangosky.
"It is impossible to tell if they are in the right or a deluded state since all of them spoke at the same time," said Admiral Preston Cole head of the Cole Protocol.
"I am glad that my protocol ensured the safety of Earth and its colonies. However, an attack like the one on Reach is rare," said Cole. "Make no mistake, any attack would happen in any world at any time."
"That seems to be all we need to hear but the UNSC continues to maintain its vigilance against any threat against Earth. The Covenant contiune to advance towards Reach" addressed Lord Hood.
"Yes Lord Hood, other than the incident on Reach. There has been a new development going, ONI Agents monitoring Covenant battlenet and communications learn of a new client race has joined the covenant" said Parangosky.
"This is a new development that we are hearing about. What about this new client's race absolved into the Covenant." continued Parangosky at her concerned Officers in the conference room.
"Cilent race?" questioned a UNSC army General.
"The new client race is called the Locust according to my sources."
Gamma Station
A collective team of ONI was in the control center handling the investigation as screens of the people they captured by UNSC authorities now imprisoned in separate cells stripped of their Gears, tags, and weapons.
ONI case officer Brandy Diaz stood next to Agent Victor Tompson as they read the reports from the findings of the analysis team and studied the captured equipment from those Gears.
"This is interesting," said Agent Tompson holding up COG tags. "They wear dog tags shaped like cogs, however, they are soldiers who call themselves from this Coalition of Order Government."
As the names reveal:
Sergerant Marcus Fenix
Major Adam Fenix
Colonel Victor Hoffman
Lietutanant Anya Stroud
Private Augustus Cole
Corporal Damon Baird
Private Sammatha Byne
Corporal Jace Stratton
Private Dizzy Wallians
Private Clayton Carmine
"Perpetrators in the incident on Reach had to be recorded over nine individuals." said Diaz "They do not have any ties to any affiliated Inserrectionist fractions."
"As I observed their weaponry and equipment, it became apparent that their arsenal and protective gear were far from up to date according to UNSC standards. Their basic combat knives lacked the sleekness of modern weaponry, while their weighty body armor resembled plating and seemed to be designed for heavy-duty assault," reported Tompson. "Weaponry of choice seems to be bulky and designed for brutal force that violates the Geneva Convention accords.
"The reports stated that they had been at war for over fifteen years for survival against the so-called Locust Horde," said Diaz. "I don't know if they confirm this or fabricate this information but the lie detector tests show they are I hate to say it telling the truth according to the charts, but I find this hard to process with these Gears."
Their human appearance is deceiving. Take a closer look at their muscles - they resemble those of seasoned veterans, who have been at war for decades." said Tompson "From my standing point compared to our Spartans capable of any tide in combat."
"I cannot deny the fact they are here already including this artifact they claim to find I find it concerning how much combat experience these people would endure what odds thrown at them physically and psychologically."
"What more they can tell us?" added Diaz. "This better be more interesting than the Covenant. UNSC got bigger problems with the Covenant than the Indies."
Interrogation Chambers
Marcus Fenix
"Why are you here? What are you and your insurgents doing?"
"For the tenth and fucking time, I told you I don't anything." Marcus was handcuffed behind his back sitting in a chair with his legs chained, he was in some kind of interrogation chamber with walls containing metal grey iron and a camera in the middle of the room. The Voice from the PA echoed.
"What cell are you from and what agenda do you plan to do on Reach? Who are the targets? Who is your contact for the bombing plot."
"There is no fucking bomb! I am not an insurgent, okay, I just said that some alien artifact that Smart ass blondie did just send us to hell first but then we are in some city okay! Talk to Baird he knows this shit better. But I am not a terrorist." yelled Marcus.
"Oh, you think it is funny that you magically appeared claiming you have a bomb?"
"Okay, I am not dumb and I am not blind. We got sucked into some artifact I can't describe as shit again. An artifact that is alien tech sucks us in with some kind of energy I don't know shit. A fucking artifact with glowing shit."
"Try again! What Artifact? Tell me about the Artifact that took you here or you explain why you are here? Answer both of them."
Anya
"That is impossible." protested Anya. "It happened like seconds and this wave blacked me out. Now we don't even know where we are?
"Why are you here? To attack UNSC facilities and Civilian populations to make a statement?
"I don't know anything about anything. Tell us where we are and where are you holding us?" asked Anya staring at the camera. "All I remember is that we ran out of the tunnel and something suck us or vaporized me from some energy pulse. I was knocked out the whole time."
Anya bit her lips " We had no idea about this UNSC ? I don't know anything that is the truth."
"Interesting but I find it hard to believe with this nonsense."
"We are on Azura with Marcus and Professor Fenix, there was a secret laboratory and this artifact that Professor Fenix found us told that he used had something to do with his weapon against the Lambent and Locust."
"Lambent? Locust? I said I find it hard to believe. But you are denying it Lietuatant Stroud according to your dog tag."
"I don't know anything." Anya felt the fear creeping down her spine. Forced to expect the next barrage of questions.
Barid
"Look I don't know anything about this new nightmare this technological version of hell. From that bitch box I am speaking with, Okay I touch the artifact, then we ran as it was ticking like some time bomb," said Baird.
"This one of your tricks to throw us off. What are you planning another attack? Where is the next attack going to happen in UNSC jurisdiction?"
"What attack? Look don't believe me talk to Marcus Dad he can explain better than me !" Barid protest. "I said for the six time, I don't how this artifact or what Professor Fenix was doing but he had something to do with the Imulsion Countermeasure Weapon."
"Talk or the UNSC will charge you a life sentence in a black-site for terrorism, assault on UNSC personnel, and conspiracy to trigger an insurrection.
Baird went dead silent "What..The..Hell...is that?"
Cole
"You never heard of the Cole Train? asked Cole with his shoulder shudders. "Technically speaking where is Barid? Marcus. Where are we again?"
Dizzy Willians
"Where are we again? We are not in Azura anymore. What minute." Dizzy went pale to panic as he shook his restraints. "My girls, my two baby girls! Where are my girls? "
Hoffman
Hoffman glazed up with a furious stare from his restraints looking up at the Camera and Hoffman could say" Thank the Sovereigns, I cannot confirm or deny that answer. Until I want to know what the hell is going on !"
"I want to know where the hell we are! Thank god or not. Tell me we are not in Kansas any longer!" Demanded Hoffman.
Holding Cells
"It is going to be alright. Your father is here."
Marcus lowered his head up and looked next to Anya sitting in a bunk next to him. Both of them stared at the iron steel wall in a cell with two metal bunks and a toilet with metal steel plaiting and bars.
"Marcus, It is okay we get through this. If we find a way to figure this out only if we know what we are up against," said Anya with her hand on Marcus' shoulder sitting next to Marcus.
Marcus grunted and sighed as he gazed at the reinforced camera in the corner "I don't know but you stay close to me. I think these basterds want more if this is more than a setup for real." Both of them stared up again at the camera watching them.
He, his father, and the Gears were dragged from the ground, cuffed, and thrown into some jet fighter-like transport before shipping them to some facility with bags over their heads. They spend hours in the interrogation room under the so-called ONI and UNSC interrogators being questioned and verbally berated as insurrectionists and terrorists, then the electronic shocks. It is only over as the Gears were placed in cells.
The United Nations Space Command.
An organization they had no idea of, everything they encounter with those people is different. Things are different with his father alive despite his previous court marshall for abandoning his post, trying to save his father who has been dead for five years since being sentenced to the Slab for forty years. The only family Marcus had left that clinging on to.
The slide metal doors revealed a squad of five soldiers dressed in black similar to the Onyx Guard. They were equipped with black fatigues, armored pauldrons on their shoulders, armored blastic vest reinforced with armor plating similar to Coalition armor plates, tactical webbing for additional tactical equipment, and ammo, elbow and Knee paddles, leg armor covering thighs and reinforced boots, on their heads with those growing tactical eyepieces.
"Opening cell A11! Colonel Victor Hoffman step out of the cell slowly." barked the leading officer.
"What do you want with Hoffman?" shouted Marcus gripping the bars.
"You shut up or else you face the consequences of solitary confinement for the rest of you Gear heads." barked a soldier pointing a finger.
"Stand fast and stand down Fenix. I'll handle this" barked Hoffman with his hands up as he stepped out of the cell with Adam remaining inside. "What do you want from me? Another pound of fresh?" Hoffman challenged the group.
Guns clicking to fire echoed in the cell block as the cameras swirled in direction plus that gun turret leveled its barrels ready to shred Hoffman into tatters.
"Command wants to have a word with you! We just the messenger." responded the officer.
Hoffman said nothing before a bag was placed on his head. His last glaze is right at Marcus and the rest of the Gears in the cells. For Hoffman, he felt like he was dragged through hallways and corridors. Like he was wandering in the maze up and down. Heavy breathing, he braced for what was coming as the bag pulled off.
There he was in some conference room rather than the bleak interrogation room. In the center was a skeel table and eight chairs. Metal walls with glowing lines, and a window sill showing the Outer Space. On the ceiling with a pair of flat LED ceiling lamps.
On the front wall was the Iconic bird with wings spread apart with its talons holding the globe, and the banner with the name UNSC.
United Nations Space Command it said at the bottom of the banner.
Hoffman found himself on a chair and gazed at the two guards standing beside the front doors once the slide doors opened revealing two men in grey and white dress uniforms revealed to be high-ranking officials.
Hoffman rose and snapped a crisp salute at the two officials who stepped in.
"At ease, you don't salute if you are not in any branch of the UNSC. I am Vice Admiral Danforth Whitecomb and left is Admiral Roland Freemont" said Vice Admiral Whitecomb.
"Yes, I am Admiral Roland Freemont of Fleetcom Sector One."
Hoffman snapped a salute without question again.
"Like Admiral Whitecomb said you don't need to salute if you are not under UNSC command."
"You are in the custody of the United Nations Space Command. As a reminder."
"I am paying proper respect, gentlemen," stated Hoffman as he returned the salute twice. He does not know what the UNSC means but this is a huge militarized organization straight from a science fiction book that is impossible for Hoffman to process.
"At ease, but fair enough sit we have a long chat between us," said Freemount taking a seat along with Whitecomb. As Freemount continued "Do you have any idea how far we cross a few protocols to bring you up here?"
"You must be Colonel Victor Hoffman from the Coalition of Ordered Goverments Army, from Sera. Correct?" said Freemount looking up from his datapad.
"You put up quite a shock and awe in New Alexandria and cook up an introduction," said Freemount staring up at Hoffman. "I read the report and they found it disturbing and unexpected information from the testimonies from the Gears ONI interrogated plus the Robotic Unit part of the bombing showed very disturbing evidence about everything. The footage from your robotic unit was collaborative. "
"You mean JACK?" stated Hoffman. "My Gears had nothing to do with this. If you want answers. I can give them. I hate to say it."
Freemount only frowned as Whitecomb broke the silence.
"You and this Coalition of Ordered Governments fought a war of survival against a non-humanoid species the Locust in Sera for over fifteen years that cost billions of lives across Sera. I find it difficult to believe since this planet of Sera is outside of UNSC borders." narrated Whitecomb looking at the reports on his datapad.
"So the UNSC had to indicate that Sera is an independent planet and isolated system far from UNSC jurisdiction. I honestly had no idea if Sera would exist in this sector or other systems. "
Whitecomb looked at Hoffman. "But I do not know the situation on Sera and this Locust War."
"Admiral Whitecomb correct?" asked Hoffman at Freemount and Whitecomb. Hoffman looked at both men" Respectfully, I wish to speak freely if you hear me out. From a Military man to a military man, we are the same. In return, the COG will cooperate as we want to know what else is going on at the moment."
"I demand to know the severity of our situation, I require information regarding our current location and the circumstances of my arrival here. I vividly recall being on Azura before an unknown force abducted me and brought me here."
Freemount answered sternly "Colonel Hoffman, You are in Epsilon Eridani II, Epsilon Eridani system. You are far from home, you are in Reach of the UNSC."