Hello, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover.
Thank you all for your wonderful patience and support. I appreciate it.
I would like to apologize for not posting a new chapter recently. I had some minor issues going on in life that needed resolving. Now that they are resolved, I can continue writing new chapters.
Either way, thank you for your patience and support, and I hope you'll continue to support this story going forwards.
As always, leave a review, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive. Catalyst Game Labs, WizKids, Piranha Games Studios, etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
Earth
HIGHCOM Bravo-6 Facility, Sydney
January 20th, 2786, 1100 Hrs (September 24th, 2515, 1100 Hrs)
Chairman Edwards watched as all of the members of HIGHCOM filed into the meeting room. Once they were all inside, he cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome." he said. "As you all know, five days ago, the UEG and SLiE signed the Earth-Soell Accords, in which the UEG recognized the SLiE as a sovereign nation."
The gathered members nodded in recognition. "We are here in response to Director-General Torrence's offer. To that end, I welcome Dr. Richard Smith to give us the details."
The door opened to permit said man inside. A tall and lanky man, Smith looked more like a male model than he did a scientist. "Thank you, Chairman," he said. "As you all know, Director-General Torrance sent me to discuss the possibility of installing a HPG communication network in your space.
"Ah yes," McCormick, Commander-in-Chief of the Marine Corp said. "Your means of FTL comm. Would you give us a rundown?"
Smith nodded. "Certainly. We use a modified version of our FTL travel method to transmit information from one spot to another."
"Impressive expansion," General Jones said, remembering some of the UNSC's past attempts at the same using slipspace.
"Thank you general. We'll begin with a basic layout and node point assessment." Smith replied."For starters, you're going to need to build them in an isolated area. HPG pulses generate incredible radio signal interference, enough to shut down civilian comms."
"Perhaps this spot might be suitable,"General Townsend, the CINCA, suggested. He pointed at a spot on a holographic map of Earth. "Hilton Head Island. It's remained a mostly rural area, and the island itself has little in the way of buildings on it since the Rainforest Wars."
Smith looked at the spot. "That it would. In fact, that's where the Hilton Head HPG was being built prior to the Amaris Civil War. It was to become one of twenty heavily fortified HPGs in the Star League. Yes, that location will work quite nicely."
"Any other locations that might work?" Townsend asked.
"Actually, there's a different question we should be asking," Edwards interrupted. "How many of these HPGs would you recommend building?"
Smith deliberated over the question. "Traditionally, most planets within the Star League have been serviced with a single HPG."
Edwards frowned. "I don't think that's what we'd want to go for. If I know the Insurrectionists, they would likely target such a means of FTL communications in order to deprive a planet of UNSC support."
"In that case, I would advise that you build around…" Smith typed into a noteputer he had. "I'd say that four HPGs per planet would be a reasonable amount, six if you plan to build any at the poles."
"Four sounds like a much better number," Edwards said. "We have a list of places where an HPGs could be built, based on the criteria you've established thus far." He handed Smith a datapad.
"Thank you," Smith said. "Once this meeting's over, I'll take a look and send you my recommendations as to where they should be built.
Edwards turned to the others. "Your thoughts, gentlemen?"
"Sounds reasonable," Townsend said.
"I agree," McKinley, the representative for the CINCONI, added. "Three to four HPGs to ensure redundancy and full-time FTL communications."
"My thoughts exactly," Howard added.
"I see," Edwards said. "Thank you for that information. We'll send you a list of recommended locations for each colony we decide gets an HPG. Is that suitable?"
"Most suitable," Smith agreed.
"Very good. You may go now." Smith nodded, then left the room.
Once Smith was gone, Edwards turned to the others. "Your thoughts, gentlemen?"
"Good idea," McKinley said. "It'll be interesting getting used to true FTL comms. I'm looking forwards to it."
"I'm more interested in how this could help us solve the Insurrection at it's very core," Townsend said. "Ever since we set out into the stars, the UEG's chosen to rely on semi-independent organizations like the Colonial Authority Administration and so on. Many people have complained about their heavy handed policies, but that's the Senate's job, not ours. Hell, we're still integrating the CMA into our command structure."
"So by installing these HPGs on our colonies, we'll be able to exploit this system to respond to Innie attacks."
"Exactly," Townsend said. "The ability to transmit information across dozens of light years in just a few seconds will enable the UNSC to keep up to date on the latest developments throughout UEG territory. The Insurrectionists will have to stick with the slower courier method, and that gives us the edge in response time."
"Indeed," Edwards agreed. "That being said, we'll let the UEG decide which worlds get HPGs first. However, it wouldn't hurt to send them our recommendations."
"Harvest should be the first of the Outer Colonies to get a HPG," Townsend said. "It's one of the UEG's most productive agri-worlds. Any Outer Colonies that hold major industrial centers, such as Charybdis IX, Sedra, Tribute, Biko and Meridian to name a few."
"Good choices," Edwards agreed. "That being said, that's not the only reason why I called this meeting today."
Everyone nodded. "Looks like we're finally getting to the elephant in the room," McCormick said.
"The alien installation," Townsend said.
"Exactly," Edwards said. "You all remember the video footage we saw of the SLiE's arrival there. As far as we can tell, the information they've shown us there is genuine. Report, McKinley."
McKinley nodded. "Yes, sir. I traveled there with one of the UEG's ambassadors. We confirmed the presence of the Bishop Ring."
Everyone's attention hung on McKinley's words. "That's major news. Did you meet with Guilty Spark?"
"Yes, sirs. According to Guilty Spark, Torrance's account is accurate. Our predecessors were a highly advanced civilization. That being said, it was his makers, the Forerunners, that built the Bishop Ring, Installation 04 as he calls it."
The others mused over those words. "Good thing we can study the ring now," Howard remarked. "At least we can confirm if that is the case. Was there anything of note during your visit?"
"There was," McKinley said. "Guilty Spark asked if he could assist us in improving our slipspace drive. When we asked why, he said that it was quite slow and inaccurate. We accepted, and are arranging to send specialists to assist. They got around using slipspace, same as us, with all the benefits that come with over ten million years of spaceflight history."
Townsend pursed his lips. "That sounds enticing."
"It does," McKinley said. "That being said, though, I was told by Guilty Spark that they have a downside: causal reconciliation. Do any of you know what that is?"
"I do," Edwards said. "I've talked with slipspace drive engineers on what that is. Apparently, traveling through slipspace causes chronological and causal paradoxes; ships rely on causal reconciliation to resolve these paradoxes. Most of the time, it shows up as static electricity that radiates from a ship."
"I see," McKinley said. "According to Guilty Spark, the Forerunners had to do short hops to prevent a build-up of 'debt' when it came to causal reconciliation for long journeys. According to him, if the 'debt' got high enough, FTL flight and communications were either degraded, or stopped completely. Once that debt faded into the quantum background, everything could resume as normal."
"So our drives are primitive compared to theirs," Howard summed up. "Makes sense. We've only just gotten started there."
"Then it's a good thing he offered to improve our slipspace drives," Edwards said. "I'll arrange to send some more specialists to Installation 04 to speed the process up."
He looked at them in turn. "McKinley, I want you to inform CINCONI to begin looking for any and all Forerunner installations within the Inner and Outer Colonies and secure them for study. Talk with Guilty Spark on what to look for. Any questions?"
No one answered. "Good. Let's get this done. The sooner we get those HPGs in place, the better." Everyone nodded, then stood up and left.
Once everyone else had left, Edwards thought over what he'd heard. If HPGs are as excellent as they are, then we'll definitely need them up and running ASAP. Wish we could bring Guilty Spark to a Section 3 facility; that'd get the job done real fast, but I'm not sure if he can leave or not.
He shrugged. Oh well… We'll figure things out as we go along…
Inside Core 5 at the same facility, Admiral Oscar Reginald, current CINCONI, was having similar thoughts as he looked through intelligence reports gathered by ONI agents.They're reporting ships skirting the boundaries set by the Earth-Soell Accords. They're watching for any trespassers.
He put the datapad off to the side and sighed. Oh well. That's how life is in ONI: find trouble before it finds you, and barring that, make trouble for someone else.
His thoughts were interrupted by a chime at the door. "Come in." The door opened, and McKinley walked inside. "Major McKinley, report."
"We've just concluded the meeting with HIGHCOM," McKinley said. "I take it you have a new assignment for me?"
"Yes, but we'll get to that," Reginald said. "What I want first, however, is any intelligence you have on the SLDF."
"Yes," McKinley said. "Some of our operatives have been gathering intelligence on the vehicles the SLDF deployed a few weeks ago. Most concerning to our analysts are the mechanized walkers they call 'BattleMechs.'" He handed Reginald a data pad.
Taking it, Reginald looked at the photos taken. He frowned almost instantly. "I see," he said. "They have a passing resemblance to some of the designs for Colonel Ackerson's pet project."
"Really?"
"Yes," Reginald said. "Ackerson has been fascinated with developing powered exoskeletons for the UNSC Army. They keep on sidelining it for various reasons. HIGHCOM and the Army have stated that the deployment of such exoskeletons is, currently, a misallocation of resources better used elsewhere."
"Something tells me the SLDF thought otherwise," McKinley remarked.
"Indeed, but they did so for practical reasons," Reginald said. "It's very likely that they had a situation were the development of such mechanized walkers was warranted. We haven't encountered such a situation yet."
He looked at McKinley. "That being said, I'm more interested in their means of FTL propulsion and communications. Coordinate with Section 1's Prowler division. Watch the research collabs and determine if infiltration is worthwhile."
"What about the scientists that'll no doubt be studying the Forerunner facility at Soell?"
"Vice Admiral Stanforth has agreed to send a xenoarchaeologist team to the Bishop Ring to learn what they can about the Forerunners. Dismissed!"
McKinley nodded, then turned on his heels and left the room. Once he was gone, Reginald scratched at his chin.
What he hadn't told McKinley was that the discovery of Installation 04 had prompted him to do something else. This isn't the first time this has happened, he thought quietly. We discovered a structure of similar design beneath the glaciers at Reach. This is, however, the first time we've found out the who's and why's of those things. If Guilty Spark is correct in that we are these 'Reclaimers', then the UEG is on the cusp of a golden age.
He picked his datapad and flicked the page on it. Within moments, he found the proposal that Stanforth had sent him. Hhhmmm… the creation of the Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department within Section 4 seems like a worthwhile investment. If Mankind as a whole is to benefit from the use of Forerunner technology, and regain the status that Guilty Spark claims we once had, it would be prudent to accept Stanforth's proposal.
He smiled, then pressed his thumb to the datapad Within seconds, his signature appeared on the proposal, along with this thumbprint There you go, Stanforth. You wanted the creation of REAP-X, you got it.
He keyed his communicator. "Parangosky, report to my office."
A middle aged woman walked inside. "You called for me, Admiral?"
Reginald ensured the datapad censoring program was active, then handed the datapad to Parangosky. "Would you kindly deliver this to Vice Admiral Stanforth? I would send it personally, but I've got more pressing matters to tend to."
Parangosky nodded. "Understood, sir."
"Good. You have your orders. Dismissed!" As Parangosky left, Reginald rubbed his face with a hand. Well, back to work.
. . .
Harmony Building Haven City, Soell III
Fifty light years from Sol, Nicholas Kerensky was having a fairly interesting day. Sitting down at a table, he pulled out his lunch for the day. Well, nothing like having a sandwich to commemorate yet another boring day, he thought.
A hand patted him on the back just as he was about to bite down. Turning, he watched as Admiral Oswald sat down next to him, and a pair of Vice Admiral's stars. "G'day," Oswald said, his blue eyes glancing at Nicholas. "How's life treatin' you?"
Nicholas shrugged. "Just fine sir," he said. "Not much going on, aside from the arrival of the UNSC scientists at Halo."
"Right," Oswald said. "Quite the arrival, I can tell you. I was there at the reception earlier this morning. The moment those scientists saw Halo, they looked like they were about to go squee at the prospects of studying that fancy Forerunner technology."
"I'm certain that must've been amusing."
"It was," Oswald agreed. "Admiral Osman escorted them to the research outpost we've got set up there. So long as they stay away from the Flood Containment facilities, then they're all set." He frowned. "You remember that incident that happened a few months ago, yeah?"
"The one where one of our guards had to report for quarantine?"
"Yeah," Oswald said.
Nicholas grimaced. "I know all about that. Guy got lost and ended up near one of the Flood containment areas. I don't blame him; the place is a maze. He didn't get hurt or infected, but had to remain in quarantine for a few weeks, just in case."
"What did Guilty Spark have to say about it?"
"He said he had it contained, and my father believed him." He shrugged. "Why shouldn't he? Guilty Spark's been running that place for a hundred thousand years; he knows it better than anyone." He turned to Oswald. "I'm surprised you know about that."
"Minimum security clearance required," Oswald said. "One of the perks of being a Vice Admiral. That being said, I can see why your father would be worried. If they're as bad as Sparky says they are, then I'm glad we nipped this potential outbreak right in the bud."
"Yeah. Also, Sparky?"
Oswald smiled. "My nickname for the Monitor. Certainly a lot shorter than saying Guilty Spark or 343 Guilty Spark."
Nicholas smirked. "I'll bet Guilty Spark agreed."
"Yeah, though he preferred that I said 'Monitor' instead. Still, I'm calling him Sparky, and that's that."
The two men chuckled at the joke. "That being said, Nicholas. How's you and Admiral Strauss getting along?"
"Good." Nicholas said. "Admiral Strauss' a good teacher."
"I'm guessing there's more to it than that, yes?"
Nicholas nodded. Damn, he's perceptive. "Yes. He's really been putting the screws to me lately." He looked around to make sure no one else was in the area. "You think he knows about -?"
"I guess," Oswald said. "It'd certainly explain why he's keeping a very close eye on you. He wants to know if you're gonna fold under the pressure like you did then, or hold firm. He could be eyeing you as a potential successor, though for all I know, he's probably got dozens of candidates for the position."
"I don't think so. Not a lot of people that'd be up to the job. Probably more difficult then, as he's got a small candidate pool of similarly qualified people."
Oswald snorted. "Small indeed." He glanced at his watch. "Well, I'd best be heading out now. You take care, little wanker."
Nicholas laughed and playfully shoved Oswald. "You too, you bogan," he called back.
"Oh ho! So the little wolf has some bite after all! Good! You'll need that in this job!" With a merry whistle, Oswald strode away. Finally undisturbed, Nicholas quickly ate his meal, then stood to leave.
He was so focused on heading back to work that he didn't notice the woman coming towards the staff room. Both people tumbled to the ground. Papers flew everywhere. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry!" the woman moaned.
A flare of irritation welled up within Nicholas. He quashed it and focused on the person he'd just collided with. She was a tall lady, with red-brown hair and green eyes. "No, it's my fault," Nicholas said. "Let me help you pick this up." Standing up, he helped her gather the mess of papers on the ground. "You hurt?"
"No," the woman said. She glanced up at him. "Hey, I recognize you. Are you Nicholas?"
Nicholas looked at her. "Yes, that's me. Why?"
She saluted. "Lieutenant Natasha, reporting for duty!"
"At ease," Nicholas said. A tad clumsy, but friendly and well mannered. "Good to meet you, Natasha." He frowned. "Have we met before?"
"I think so," Natasha said. "I think it was during the Flood Awareness Meeting Admiral Strauss held five weeks ago at 1300 hrs. You helped me into the room."
Nicholas nodded. "Ah yes, that meeting. You did quite well with the presentation. Really had everyone's attention." He frowned. "Say, you've been around a lot lately. Is everything all right?"
Natasha's smile vanished, but only for a split second. "Yeah," she said. "I'm just really tired and busy."
Nicholas' frown deepened. "Why?"
"Got a family to raise on my own."
Now Nicholas felt some sympathy for her. "I'm sorry. I… er… didn't know better."
"It's all right," Natasha said. "I just roll with the punches. That's about all anyone can do."
"Yeah," Nicholas said. Might want to end this talk, he thought. "Want some help with those problems?"
"Why do you ask?"
Careful, a part of his mind said. You don't want to come off as pushy now, do you? "Just curious."
Natasha frowned, then sighed. "No thanks. I can handle it, but thanks for asking." She placed the papers onto the table. "There. If you need help, I'll be available."
"That'll be nice," Nicholas said. He picked up one half of the bundle. "Mind if you get the other bundle?"
"Sure."
. . .
Nicholas walked to the entrance of his father's house. Uncertainty roiled within his mind. Are you sure this is a good idea? part of his mind asked him. For all we know, father might not see this as a worthwhile pursuit.
He sighed, closed that part of his mind off, then stepped inside. "I'm home," he said. "Dad? Andery?"
Andery stepped into view. "Nicholas, you all right?"
"Y-yeah," Nicholas said. "Just came to talk to Dad for advice."
Andery frowned. "That's funny. I came to ask Dad for advice too. Maybe we can both ask together." Nicholas frowned, then shrugged.
Both men walked into the living room. There, Kerensky was tending to the fireplace. Turning, he saw his sons and smiled. "Andery, Nicholas," he said. "I trust that your day went well."
"It did," Nicholas said. "That being said, I was wondering if I could get some advice from you… in private."
"Well, it's just us in here, so I suppose that wouldn't hurt." Putting the poker down, Kerensky sat down in one chair, and Nicholas and Andery sat down in another. "So, what is it that you'd like advice on?"
"Well. I met this lady in the staff break room. Natasha was her name. We met while exchanging paperwork. I was talking to her and…"
Kerensky smiled. "Let me guess: you felt concern for her?"
"Yes."
Kerensky's smile widened slightly. "I felt the same way when I first met Katyusha. We met during the time I was assigned to the Citadel. Started out in the same way you met Natasha. Before long, we were married to each other, but we kept the relationship secret, a necessity given the political turmoil at the time. That being said, I know exactly what advice you need."
"And that might be?"
"First of all, women appreciate honest men," Kerensky said. "Don't be brutally honest, as that can drive them away. Be diplomatic. Be yourself when you're around them. That being said, you should also treat them with respect. They will make you regret it if you're rude to them."
"Finally, don't force a relationship with them. They'll let you know when they're ready to take the next step."
"And how do they do that," Andery asked.
"Sometimes they'll send you gifts, be especially nice towards you. They may introduce you to their friends, ask if they can move in with you, that sort of thing. Those are signs that they can't stop thinking about you. Beyond that, as I said, don't force things to move faster. Let it progress naturally."
Nicholas nodded. "All right. Thanks for the advice."
Kerensky smiled. "I'm always here for you, my sons. If there's anything you need of me, ask and I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you," Nicholas said. He stood and walked out the room.
"Funny," Andery said. "I was just about to ask for advice on the same thing. Well, I got it for free, but I thank you either way. I hope you have a good one, Dad."
"You too, my son," Kerensky said.
. . .
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to UEG Channel 9 News, and today, ladies and gentlemen, we have something new for you. Today's hot topic is the ongoing public discussion over the Star League-in-Exile and the implications of it's existence.
Current public outlook on the SLiE is good, but cautious, with seventy percent of the population expressing a positive reception of the SliE.(none have ever met them, how can there be a public reception?) Many within the poll stated that, after the ongoing grind that is the Insurrection, news of an independent nation that desires peace with the United Earth Government is a welcome prospect.
"The same cannot be said for the five percent that expressed a negative opinion of the SLiE. Many have stated that they don't see why the UEG has recognized the Star League-in-Exile as a legitimate governing body. Some have even stated that the UEG should have absorbed the SLiE rather than allow it to remain independent.
"Others stated a negative opinion on the events that led to the Star League going into exile. As for the remaining twenty five percent, they have elected to remain neutral on this topic, stating that it is too early to determine whether or not the SLiE is a good or bad thing at this time.
"In other news, colonists that received news of the SLiE and it's policies have had a lukewarm reception to the presence of a neo-feudal power near UEG territory. While some have stated interest in moving to the Soell System, others have stated disinterest.
"While I cannot speak for the colonists in the Inner and Outer Colonies, I can say that, much like the five percent who remained neutral in the poll, there hasn't been enough time to determine if this relationship with the SLiE will be a good one, or a bad one. I'm Ian McRogers of UEG Channel 9 News."
President Holt thumbed the remote and switched the TV screen off. "Well. We've got a good start so far."
"How something starts isn't nearly as important as how it ends," Chairman Edwards remarked. "Yes, we've had a fine start with the SLiE, but only time will tell if this arrangement is beneficial to us in the end. Who knows? It might even benefit the SLiE as well."
"In that case, everyone wins," Holt said. "However, I do agree that this is only the start of the relationship. Things might go sour real quick if we don't handle this properly."
"I most certainly agree," Cassandra Steeds, the Secretary of State, agreed. "If we're going to maintain strong relations with the SLiE(they just started relations), we'll need to continue to conduct talks with them
"Of course," Rodger, the Secretary of Information, agreed. "Still, almost unbelievable. An entire universe where they were just like us. Marvelous, isn't it?"
"It is, in it's own way," Holt agreed. "That being said, I'm more worried about the Outer Colonies' response to all this."
"Worried about the response those that haven't gotten the news might have?" Steeds asked.
Holt nodded. "Yeah. You heard it for yourself; the response was lukewarm at best. Those that are enticed, however, might start emigrating to the Soell System itself."
Terry Smith, the Secretary of Commerce, spoke up. "A likely possibility, but there might be a few problems with that."
"Do tell."
Smith smiled, smoothed out his suit. "Firstly, it's a matter of logistics. Chairman Edwards knows what I'm talking about, as does SecDef Mitchel, but for the rest of you, I'll endeavor to explain what I mean. Do you know how much it costs to move a full freighter from Harvest to Earth?"
Everyone frowned. "Let me guess," Steeds said, "A hundred thousand UEG Credits?"
"Try four hundred thousand," Smith said. "What that means is that, if people wanted to emigrate to the SLiE, they'd need to cover that cost, and I can tell all of you for certain that the banks on the Outer Colonies don't nearly have enough money to sustain this for long.
"The SLDF claims to have a strong military," Rodger countered.
"Yes, but that's when it comes to their low population," Edwards said. "Can they defend their system? That they can? Can they defend immigrants while they head to the Soell System? That's something we don't know at this point in time."
"Exactly my point," Terry said. "That being said, there is one problem we should concern ourselves with."
Holt smirked. "Let me guess: public relations?"
Terry nodded. "Good guess. A lot of people in the Outer Colonies are dissatisfied with how the UEG's run things ever since they formed Some of them, regardless of social status, might decide that there's better living in the SLiE and move there. That'll create an industrial and brain drain that will affect us negatively, but only if their best emigrate, and that might take around a decade or so. However, at this point, it's unavoidable due to the fact that the SLiE exists."
"So we'll have to plan accordingly," Holt remarked.
"Exactly, Mr. President."
Mitchel, the Secretary of Defense, held up a hand. "Perhaps there might be a solution to this conundrum we face."
"And that might be?" Edwards asked.
"We could offer the SLDF the chance to assist us in handling the Insurrection in exchange for allowing their corporations to help supply the UNSC."
Holt looked at Mitchel as though he'd grown a second head. "Why would we want to do that?"
"Well, here's how I view it," Mitchel said. "The arrival of the SLiE and their military might catch the Insurrectionist's attention. Sure, some might decide to join them, if only to spite us, but there's a real possibility that they might also see the SLiE as a threat. If that were to happen, the SLiE might blame us for not cleaning up our mess sooner rather than later. Then they might blame us, have a minor skirmish, and so on."
Edward frowned. "Another front in a war we don't need."
"Precisely. I say, give them the offer to assist us. Not only will we quash an annoying problem, we'll also gain access to information on how they operate. Who knows? We might even be able to conduct war games with them."
Holt paced around, then nodded. "It's a good idea, but there's a problem with it."
"And that might be?"
"It's too early to make that offer," Holt said. "Their economy hasn't stabilized from all this, nor we presented this to the public. Hell, civilian trade's only just begun between our two nations. Perhaps in about a decade from now, we can make that kind of an offer As it stands, however, we need to continue consolidation of this alliance. After that, we'll determine if any drastic action is needed."
Holt eyed each of them in turn. "Edwards, make sure military relations with the SLDF remain cordial, and make sure the spooks can learn what they can. Cassandra, have contingency plans written up in the event things go sour. I want relations with the SLiE to be strong and cordial. Understood?"
"Yes sir," the others said.
"Good. Now get to it. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."