[Naked Crook]

Vernette: Admiral…I was just captured by a group of crazy people who were working with a Spartan who could possibly be Lucien! They threatened to kill my family if I did not cooperate with them! I have every God damned right to play commentary on this matter! Skinner: Commander…just remember one thing… Vernette: No…YOU remember one thing…You need me, you need my talents, and you need my skills! Not the other way around! Skinner: You also signed an agreement with us Commander… Vernette: If you are totally unwilling to do anything about a psychopathic super soldier on the loose…then I guess I have nothing to worry about. Besides…surely someone who defaults on a contract is so much less of a problem then a classified soldier gone rouge. Skinner was silent. He had nothing to say. Vernette: I expect you to do something about Lucien! I at least expect you to actually give Dr. Burke the time of day! This IS his area of expertise after all! Vernette paused. Vernette: Well? Skinner: Very well… Burke looked at Vernette and nodded, as if to say thanks. Burke: Admiral…in the past I briefed you on the problems with the Class 0 drug…and just recently, I have briefed Commander Vernette on the same information. Skinner: I remember. Burke: I believe that what has happened proves my point, whether or not our mystery Spartan is, in fact, Lucien…we still have a rouge Class 0. I have no doubt that this Spartan has gone over the edge. I believe our only viable option is to terminate this Spartan. Nikolai: Hold on…you cannot honestly expect us to Kill Lucien! Skinner: I agree. There must be an alternative. Burke: We do not know if it is Lucien or not…it may be him, but it may not be. Cameron walked into the Observation deck. Cameron: Dr. Burke…I believe we have our answer. Burke looked at Cameron. Burke: What do you mean Cameron? Cameron: I contacted ONI Site Omicron on Midnight. Roughly one month ago, Lucien was transferred to the UNSC Ultimate Glory under the command of Commander Fredward Harrison. Skinner: Fredward Harrison? That guy is not even part of Section 0! Cameron: Naturally Commander Harrison was contacted when I told ONI Site Omicron that such a transfer had not been approved by ONI…and that Harrison was not Section 0. ONI Site Omicron contacted Harrison…and Harrison had absolutely no idea who Lucien was…and he was equally irritated at the fact that someone had made this transfer and attributed it to his orders. Skinner: Have we confirmed Harrison is on the level? Cameron: Yes…two ONI Agents aboard the Ultimate Glory verified Harrison’s claims. Lucien is not aboard the Ultimate Glory. Harrison is clean…he didn’t do anything wrong here. I do not believe further investigation of Harrison is necessary. Skinner: Yes…he may just be a victim of circumstance. Nikolai: So I guess we have confirmed that Lucien is missing. So…where the hell is he? Vernette: Ohhh…that is easy. Lucien is with the bastard that kidnapped me. Yates: We need to find Lucien! We need to find him now! We need to know where he is! Yates looked at Vernette. Yates: Commander Vernette…I want you to meet two of our best officers. Yates turned to look at the two officers that Vernette had never seen before. Yates: I want you to meet Major Marshall Winters and Lt. Colonel Dylan Everet. Everet: Commander… Winters: Commander… Yates: These men have been with the UNSC Marine Corps for a very long time. They have worked with the ODSTs, they have been ODSTs, and they are now trusted ONI Agents. They are highly qualified. Section 0 is personally charging you, Preston Vernette, with the task of finding and dealing with Lucien-Z002. Yates paused. Yates: You are to work with these men to find Lucien. Section 0 will work to get you more resources in the coming days. Vernette: Hold on…I was recruited to make weapons…not hunt down and eliminate 7 foot machine people who have been augmented many times beyond normal human capabilities! Skinner: Very true Commander. This is why I will assign Cameron and Nikolai to you as well. Burke: I might as well tag along as well. You guys will defiantly need a doctor if you are going after Lucien. Skinner: Very well. Effective immediately…you are all placed under the command of Preston J. Vernette! Find Lucien…and do what you must! Dismissed. Vernette: Whoa, whoa, whoa…hold on. There is something else that comes to mind. Skinner: And…that would be? Vernette: While I was captured…I managed to track my PDA down to a lab that was being run by several engineers. I heard the engineers mention someone by the name of “Spender”. They made the claim that Admiral Spender wanted what was on my PDA. Skinner: Constantine Spender? Vernette: All I heard was “Spender”. Skinner: Fascinating. Vernette: Who is Constantine Spender? Skinner: Constantine Spender is one of our best Officers. He is a skilled tactician, accomplished diplomat, and a very strong willed man. Without going into too much detail, Admiral Spender is currently in command of a large branch of our Agent division. He oversees various high profile missions that require a silent touch. I believe he commands the infamous ODST Black Team. Vernette: And…who are they? Yates: ODST Black Team is…well… Yates paused. Yates: Dangerous. Vernette: Dangerous? Yates: Yes. Vernette: How dangerous? Yates: You know…this is going to sound really Cliché…but…it is the Truth. ODST Black Team has a file folder 5 inches thick of targets that they have killed. They are so highly classified, that their names are not even disclosed. There are four of them…all named Black 1 through Black 4. They answer to Spender and only to Spender. ODST Black Team can be recognized by their uniforms. They wear a lot of black...have black visors. You know...that sort of thing. Vernette: I did see some ODSTs when I was captured...but...nothing like what Yates described. What else do we know about Black Team and Spender? Everyone was silent. Vernette: Really? Nothing else? Cameron: It is difficult to say...these men are very illusive... Skinner: Commander, is there anything else you can tell us? Even the most subtle thing could help us. Vernette: Well…there was a guy who smelled like cancer, looked like death, and sounded like Satan. This guy had an eye patch...worse a lot of black. Cameron: Ironic…seeing how Admiral Spender is notorious for his rampant, uncontrollable chain smoking. Nikolai: Also…he does sound like Satan… Cameron: And he looks like death. Perhaps that is who you see when you die…you see Spender. Nikolai: That is a terrifying thought. Skinner: Let’s stay focused! Skinner looked at Vernette. Skinner: Vernette, it sounds like you are describing Admiral Spender to the letter. I will check on Admiral Spender…see what I can dig up on his whereabouts. I want you to get started on finding Lucien. If this situation is as bad as it can get…then we will find both Spender and Lucien together. I want you all to get started! Dismissed! Everyone nodded. Vernette, followed by his team, left the Observation Deck. Cameron: So…Commander…what is our first move? Vernette: We are going to need to prepare for this. Cameron, Nikolai…I need you two to prepare us some equipment. Using your best judgment, as well as what you know about Lucien and his weapons of choice, prepare us an arsenal that would be ideal for combating him. Nikolai: Yes sir. Vernette: David…I need the full psychological profile on Lucien by tomorrow. Burke: Aye… Vernette: Everet, Winters...I want you two to keep in touch with Yates and Skinner. Work with them and prepare us a team of Marines and ODSTs that are most suited for this type of mission. The more people…the better. If you can score us an additional Spartan on this assignment…that would be even better! Everet: Yes sir! Vernette: I am going to talk to ONI. We are going to need a ship. I will see if I can get us one for the mission! Chances are…we may have to leave Harvest for this mission. I want the ability to do so if the need arises! Vernette paused. Vernette: You all have your orders. We will reconvene tomorrow at 18:00 hours at Fort Loki! Everyone nodded and parted ways. Vernette and Burke walked together back to the hanger bay. As the two walked, they conversed with each other. Vernette: I think before I do anything else…I may go and see my wife. She must be worried to high heaven. Burke: I guess that would be a good idea. Burke paused. Burke: So…how are you going to get a ship? Vernette: I may talk to Skinner. I am sure he has something! He must have something! Burke: I am sure they do. I would hope they do. Vernette and Burke returned to the hanger bay and entered the same Pelican that they arrived on. The Pelican’s rear hatch sealed and the Pelican returned to the surface of Harvest. Vernette: I don’t know…I have a really bad feeling about this Spender guy. That is too coincidental. Someone involved in black ops like Spender is…something is not sitting right. Burke: Very true. Vernette nodded. Vernette: Yeah. It is disturbing to think that people like this still exist. This group makes the insurrection look tame! Burke: I am confident we will find these guys and put an end to them! Burke paused. Burke: Speaking of which…what kind of ship were you held on? Vernette: Given the size and layout…defiantly Marathon! Burke: Big ship… Vernette: Yeah. With that said…we are going to need a big ship if we are going after them! Burke was silent. Vernette: David? Burke sighed. Burke: What happened to Lucien, Preston? I feel like there is something we should have done to try and prevent this from happening. He had so much potential…and now it is going to be wasted. We should have paid closer attention. Vernette: Yep…but it is not your fault. I blame this on ONI for not listening to your warnings. You gave ONI every chance to do something…and they failed. ONI failed Lucien…not you. Hopefully…this will make ONI pay closer attention to warnings given to them in the future. Burke: I hope so. ============================================================================== Harvest - Capital City of Utgard - Residential District – 1 Hour Later: ============================================================================== Vernette’s car pulled up to his house. He drove into the drive way and approached his front door. He reached into his pocket and found his keys. He unlocked the door and walked into his home. As he walked in, he was met by his wife. Diana: Oh my God… Vernette was silent. Diana: What happened? Vernette: Well…some assholes thought they could mess with me. They thought wrong. Diana: I heard the exchange between you and those men…I heard it all. I thought they… Vernette stepped forward and grabbed his wife. Vernette: Hey…relax. Nobody is going to put me six feet under…alright? I wasn’t going to let that happen. Diana nodded. Diana: Right… Vernette wrapped his arms around his wife. Diana: I was just so worried. The kids were asking where you were…I dropped them off at school earlier today…I told them you had to go into work. I was worried I would have to tell them…that you…I…I was worried I wasn’t going to see you again. Vernette: It is going to take more than a few guys with guns to put me down. Diana was silent. Vernette: ONI and I are looking into everything! We are going to deal with these guys…we are going to get them. Diana: I am just worried…what if they try something like this again? What kind of people are you dealing with that can just walk into someone’s home, and threaten to kill their family if they don’t cooperate. Vernette: Obviously we are dealing with dangerous people. I assure you…they are not going to get away with anything like this again. I am going to personally put these guys away. I promise… Vernette then stopped himself. He heard the sound of tires squealing outside. Vernette: God damn it…what now? Vernette looked at Diana. Vernette: Tell you what…why don’t you go and out some coffee on…or something. We will sit down…alright? Diana: Alright… Diana walked off towards the living area. Vernette waited a moment. He then turned to the main entrance of his home. He walked to one of the front windows and saw a large black van sitting out front. Vernette placed his hand at his side and felt his sidearm. He grabbed the handle. Vernette: What the hell is going on out there? Who the hell are these guys? Vernette then saw the side door of the van open. His eyes opened in sheer terror when he saw two ODST’s jump out of the van, followed by his two children. Vernette felt like his heart was going to explode from his chest. He could feel his heartbeat slamming against his chest. Vernette: My God… Vernette caught his breath. He looked at the ODSTs. One of the ODSTs tapped his helmet, as if he accessing his comm. Vernette then heard his own comm. Piece beep. He tapped the comm. That was in his ear to answer the call. Trust ODST 1: Commander Vernette? You wouldn’t happen to be inside that lovely home of yours…would you? Vernette didn’t answer. Trust ODST 1: Ohhh…come now Commander. Surely you must be in there. At the very least you can answer. I can hear that heavy breathing of yours. Vernette: You listen to me…whoever the hell you are…you let them go! Trust ODST 1: Ahhh…there we go…now I can hear you. Vernette: Did you hear me…I said let them go! Trust ODST 1: Commander Vernette…do you honestly think we are in the business of harming our future? I love kids…I wouldn’t hurt a hair on either of their heads. We just felt that…since you were preoccupied…we thought we would do your…precious little upper-middle class family a favor…and pick your adorable children up from school, just for you…to show that you can…TRUST us… Vernette: Well…I cannot say much for your timing…but I appreciate the gesture…now let them go… Trust ODST 1: Not before you come outside and say hello… Vernette: After you let them go…not before… Trust ODST 1: What message would that send to the young ones? We are both adults Commander. Let us shows our children how two adults converse…come and be neighborly. If you come out and talk…we will let them go. All you need to do is stand face to face with us…and they walk away…unharmed. Vernette paused for a moment. Vernette: Very well… Vernette took a deep breath. He then walked outside and stared down the two ODSTs Trust ODST 1: There we go! Vernette stepped forward. He kept his eyes pinned on the ODSTs. Vernette stopped about 3 feet away from the ODSTs. Vernette: Let the go… Trust ODST 1: Hmmm… Vernette glared at the ODSTs Trust ODST 1: Hmmm…no… Vernette shifted his eyes to his two children behind the ODSTs. Trust ODST 1: I think they should stay a bit longer. You seem to cooperate when they are watching. You seem less…violent…when they have their eyes on you. Vernette: We had an agreement. Trust ODST 1: I have just decided to alter the terms of that agreement. The new terms are as such. You have no say in the matter…and if you fail to comply with out wishes…you will bury your children…and it will be closed casket. Vernette was silent. Trust ODST 1: I was always good with diplomacy. Vernette remained silent. Trust ODST 1: Now…Commander…let’s talk about your new career…a career that involves working for us. Vernette: You people…are so profoundly evil…I cannot even wrap my mind around it. Do you, or those you work for, value anything? Trust ODST 1: We value authority, power, and control. We do not value life…we do not value anything that does make us more prominent. The ODST paused. Trust ODST 1: In fact…I may put a bullet in one of your children’s head…just to prove I am serious. I don’t give a shit if it is a soldier or a child…it’s all the same to me. Besides…how many people did you kill earlier Commander? How many people died because you refused to cooperate? If you do not know…let me enlighten you. The ODST pulled out his Automag. Trust ODST 1: 12 people…12 friends…12 colleagues. You killed 12 people because you refused to cooperate. These are 12 people who needlessly died. The ODST pulled the stock of his Automag back. Trust ODST 1: This more then makes up for it. Vernette looked at the Automag. He then looked at the ODST. Vernette: Do you really have what it takes? Do you really have the stomach to gun down a child in cold blood? Trust ODST 1: After what you did…oh yes. Vernette: Murdering one of my children is not going to bring back the people I killed in self-defense. Trust ODST 1: No…but it will make you think twice before denying a request from us… Vernette: And who, might I ask, is “us”? The ODST laughed. Trust ODST 1: Wouldn’t you like to know? The ODST turned to looked at Vernette’s two children. Trust ODST 1: I wonder…which one do you like less? The other ODST that was watching the entire exchange kept his eyes on Vernette. Trust ODST 1: Well…I am just going to have to pick… The ODST raised his Automag and pointed it the younger of the two. Trust ODST 1: What are their names? Vernette: Steven and Bradley… Trust ODST 1: Such wholesome names…I bet they look nice carved in stone. The ODST took aim. The Second ODST had his SMG in hand. Trust ODST 1: Don’t worry kid…there might be some momentary discomfort…but only for a moment. Vernette now knew that in no uncertain terms that whoever he was dealing with, were beyond any sort of remorse or redemption. He knew that if he did not do something in the next few seconds that he would, in fact, be burying one of his children. Vernette’s mind raced analyzing every possible situation in his mind, considering every outcome, every decision, and every variable. There was nothing he could come up with that did not involve some risk, some danger. Vernette watched the ODST extend the Automag. Without thinking, Vernette jumped forward and tackled his son out of the ODST’s line of sight. However, this was done while the Automag was in a state of discharge. As Vernette tackled his son, he could feel a sharp pain in his back, near his left shoulder blade. Vernette winced from the pain. He knew that any second now those ODSTs were going to take another shot. Vernette rolled to the side, right on his back. The agony from his gunshot wound was unlike anything he had ever felt. He maintained his focus and grabbed his magnum from his holster. Vernette took aim at the second ODST and fired, putting a bullet right through the visor. The first ODST then raised his Automag and aimed at Vernette, but Vernette quickly turned and fired off several rounds into the ODST’s chest. The ODST fell back. Vernette then heard the door to the van opening. He saw a pair of boots hit the ground on the other side of the car. He realized that there was a third ODST in the driver seat of the black van. Vernette sat up and knelt down. He looked at his two kids and gestured his hand for them to get down on their stomachs and lay low. Vernette heard the ODST ready his SMG. He looked under the van and saw the ODST slowly stepping sideways around the front of the van. Vernette took aim under the van with his Magnum and shot the ODST in the foot. The ODST stumbled backwards. Trust ODST 3: Fuck! Vernette got up to his feet and took aim at the ODST and put a round right in his head. Vernette sighed. He then turned and saw the first ODST on the ground. He saw the ODST was still breathing. He saw the ODST slowly reaching for his Automag. Vernette stepped over and kicked the Automag away. Vernette then knelt over and pulled the ODST’s knife out of his chest sheath and tossed it away as well. Vernette glared that the ODST. Vernette: Take that God damn helmet off… The ODST struggled to get his helmet off, but managed to get it off after a few moments. Vernette: You held a gun to my son’s head… The ODST was breathing heavily… Vernette: That is unforgiveable… Vernette turned to look at both of his children. Vernette: Brad…Steve…go inside…wait with your mother…I’ll be there in a moment. Both of Vernette’s children got up from off the ground. They ran inside. Vernette looked back at the ODST. Vernette: Do you have any idea what you have done? The ODST coughed. Trust ODST 1: Yeah…I know exactly what I did. I was only following orders. Vernette: No…that is not what I am talking about. Vernette knelt down and grabbed the ODST by the scruff of his neck and dragged him back. He slammed the ODST against the side of the van, such that the ODST was sitting upright. Vernette: Let me describe to you what you did. Vernette paused. Vernette: You made me kill two men in front of my two children. These are grade school children…7…and 5 years old. They watch their father kill two men…out of sheer desperation. Vernette paused. Vernette: You held a gun to my youngest boy’s head. You held a gun to the head of someone who still wakes me up in the middle of the night because he had a bad dream. You held the gun to the head of someone who still anticipates Santa Clause on Christmas. You held a gun to the head of someone who pesters me non-stop to take him to see Santa Clause at the mall. Vernette paused. Vernette: That is the most heinous fucking crime I can think of…but that was but one of your crimes here today. The ODST was breathing heavily. Vernette: You took away the innocence of two people. You ushered a dark and frightening reality onto my children…the likes of which I am now FORCED to explain to them…at a time when they are not ready to hear it. Vernette paused. Vernette: You did all of this…in the name of what? Vernette looked at the ODST. Vernette: Answer me. Trust ODST 1: Wouldn’t you…like to…know… Vernette: Yes…I would like to know… Vernette reached down and grabbed the PDA belonging to the ODST with his left hand. The ODST tried to get up to grab it back from Vernette, but Vernette punched the ODST right in the face with his right hand, knocking him back. Vernette: The last PDA I stole from you guys really had nothing on it. It was damaged during my escape…and what we could recover was pretty useless. A few personal logs, and some stock information like who it was assigned to, and a map of the ship I was on. I am sure your PDA has orders on it…orders from whoever you call “sir”. I am sure it has a gold mine of information I could use. In fact…I have three whole PDAs at my disposal. The ODST frowned. Trust ODST 1: This isn’t over! You might get a bit of information…but never enough to take us on! Vernette: You are right…this isn’t over. This little skirmish has just begun…but your role has ended. Vernette grinned. Vernette: I am going to put a gun to your head…and blow your fucking brains out. Vernette then paused. He hesitated. Vernette: No…I killed your two friends the same way. That would imply that your actions were just as bad as theirs. No…you did much worse! Vernette paused again. Vernette: You need a special death. Something that will tell the world that you really paid for what you did. Unfortunately…I only have two ways of killing you…one of them involves shooting you. Trust ODST 1: Let me guess…the other…is you…talking me…to death? Vernette: No… Vernette tossed the ODST’s PDA to the side. He then cracked his knuckles. Vernette: That was a hint… The ODST became wide eyed. Vernette: Tell me…do you believe that there is a God? Trust ODST 1: No… Vernette: No? I do believe that there is a God…a higher moral authority the likes of which we all answer to someday. What I love about God is that…even if you were lucky enough to escape judgment from your fellow man for your crimes…you don’t escape the eyes of God. Everyone answers to God one of the days. Vernette paused. Vernette: Everything that you ever did in your life…he knows the motives behind it. He knows if you were doing something for noel or malevolent purposes. You know…he also knows that shooting a 5 year old child in the head could NEVER lead to a greater good of any sort. Vernette grinned. Vernette: My only hope…is that when you are standing in front of God, and he, with unmitigated wisdom and grace, is reading your judgment, that he, with his unlimited and endless power, sentences you to an eternity of the most…venomous and unending suffering the likes of which your mind will never fully comprehend. I hope your hell is unending. The ODST was silent. Vernette frowned as he used his right hand to grab the ODST’s neck. He began to squeeze. The ODST could not breathe. The ODST tried to break free, but he was too weak from his previous injuries. Vernette continued to squeeze harder and harder. He could feel every muscle fiber in the ODSTs neck. He could feel the ODST desperately trying to take a single breath. Vernette kept his eyes locked on the ODST’s Vernette: There might be some…momentary discomfort… The ODST began to pound on Vernette’s arm, trying to make him let go. However, the ODST was in such a weakened state, that his efforts were in vain. Vernette: Whatever your name is…I am sure it will look nice carved in stone… The ODST’s eyes glazed over, and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. The ODST fell limp. Vernette could no longer feel a pulse. He knew that he had strangled the ODST to death. Vernette stood up and looked at the ODST. Vernette took a deep breath and exhaled. He grinned. He walked over and picked the ODST’s PDA up off the ground and examined it. This PDA contained much more valuable information. The PDA had comm frequencies, mission briefings, and ship identification. Vernette: This is what I need. Vernette looked around at the ODSTs one final time. Vernette turned and walked back into his house. When he walked inside, he was immediately confronted by his wife. Diana: Who the hell were those people? What they hell did they want!? Vernette: They want me…and they are willing to go to any extent to get me. Diana: Including killing our children!? Vernette: Ohhh…you saw that… Diana: Yes! My God Preston…this has to stop! Vernette: Yes…I know! I plan on making it stop! Diana: When? These people are relentless! When are you going to put an end to this? Vernette: As soon as I possibly can! I just can’t snap my fingers and make it stop! These people need to be hunted down…that takes time! If I could just kill all of these people right now…I would! Diana: Preston…just please hurry! I don’t know how much more of this I can take! Vernette: How much more you can take? I have just been shot for the second time in two days. Vernette paused. Vernette: Now that I mention it…it is starting to kill. Diana walked around to Vernette’s back and inspected the bloody hole in his uniform. Diana: Oh my God… Vernette: Yeah…I bet it looks bad… Vernette raised his hand to his ear and tapped his communicator. Vernette: Vernette to Burke…do you copy? Vernette waited. Burke: Burke here. What can I do for you Preston? Vernette: I just got another courtesy call from my would-be employers. I am in need of your medical services… Burke: Good Lord… Vernette sighed. Vernette: You know what…perhaps I should just call ONI on this one. This situation is quickly escalating…and if something is not done soon…well…I don’t want to go into it. Burke: Sit tight…I will make the calls. We will be there ASAP! Just…wait…I guess. Vernette: Right…Vernette out. Vernette sighed as he closed the comm channel. He looked back at his wife. Vernette: I am so sorry… Vernette shrugged. Vernette: Ever since I started working with Section 0…thing have been so difficult. We have had no time together for…too long. We are forced to deal with…killers…coming to our doors and threatening our home life. You know…had I just stuck with the same old business that was providing quite well for this family…we would not have these problems. Diana: You are right about that. Vernette: After this is all said and done…I think I may resign from ONI. It is one thing if I have to deal with the stress and the difficulties. It is a totally different thing when you guys have to. I am not willing to subject you guys to this any longer. Diana: Well…we did marry for better or for worse. That vow has to mean something… Vernette: I am sure there are limits. Diana: I don’t think so. You took this job to provide even more for us. Sure…things can get tough…but I am not about to let you turn tail when things get tough. Diana paused. Diana: A few goons showed up at our door. Do I want it resolved? Yes! Do I want you to quit a meaningful job because things are a little tough? No! I know you are going to take care of this…so I have nothing to worry about. Vernette grinned. Vernette: I promise…I will get this resolved… ============================================================================== Harvest - Capital City of Utgard - Residential District – 1 Hour Later: ============================================================================== Vernette was sitting down in an ambulance, facing out the rear doors. Burke was behind him stitching up his wound. Skinner and Yates were in front of Vernette. They looked at him. Yates: How are you feeling? Skinner: Yeah…that wound looked pretty bad! Vernette: I’m fine. Tell me…do most people in Section 0 get treated as well as I do? Yates: I assure you…it is not common! Vernette: Well…in the past 2 days…I have taken quite a bit of punishment. Skinner: What exactly happened? Vernette: Well…long story short…some ODSTs pulled up to my house in a black van holding both of my children as hostages. These ODSTs were planning to use them to force me to cooperate with them. Skinner: Good Lord! Vernette: It was not longer after that…I learned that they were totally intent on killing one of them to “teach me a lesson” for crossing them. Yates: Sounds like the mob… Vernette: I know. Anyway…shit hit the fan…I took a bullet for one of my kids…and proceeded to kill all three ODSTs. Burke: Speaking of those ODSTs…one of them had serious bruises on his neck…as if he had sustained some sort of trauma. The bruises were consistent with a hand mark. Vernette: That was the ODST that nearly shot my son. Like I said…I killed the ODSTs. Burke: Yeah…killed. There was an awkward silence. Vernette: Did you guys get that PDA I gave to one of your ONI guys? Yates: Yes. It is currently in the possession of my division. We are decoding and recovering the data as we speak. If all goes as planned, we should have the encrypted files very shortly. As for the saved comm frequencies…we are currently running them through our system now. We should know everything there is to know in a few hours. Vernette: What about Cameron and Nikolai? Yates: They have gathered up a vast amount of equipment for the mission to apprehend Lucien. Vernette: What about Everet and Winters? Yates: I have spoken with them…I have given them a list of all available personnel. They are preparing a team to complement the amount of weapons and resources that Cameron and Nikolai have prepared. Burke: I should point out that I have almost fully composited Lucien’s psych profile into a single easy-to-read document. I need a few more hours on it. Vernette: Good…so that leaves one thing. Yates: Oh? Vernette: I need a ship… Skinner: Why? Vernette: Do you honestly believe that Lucien is on Harvest? Vernette shrugged. Burke: Don’t do that! Vernette: Unless I missed the part where I was told that the investigation was limited to Harvest, and that anything off world is out of bounds…I am going to need a ship. Skinner: Very well…I will see what can be spared. You can meet us at the Boneyard later…and we can find an available ship. Vernette nodded. Yates: In any case…like I said earlier…we should have everything on those PDAs decoded in a few hours. Report to Fort Loki in three hours, and we can get you fully briefed on everything…and we can finally put a name to our rouge element. Vernette nodded again. Yates and Skinner walked off. Burke sighed. Burke: I was just about to recommended some R&R for you Preston…you have taken a beating these past few days. You look tired…you look worn out. Vernette: I’ll live. Burke: I know…but…as a friend…I am concerned about your state of being. I don’t want you getting yourself killed over this. Vernette: David…I appreciate your concern…more than you will ever know. However…I am not going to delay the capture and/or elimination of these assholes. Whoever the hell these people were…they almost killed my son today. I cannot let that go! I can’t stop thinking about it! As far as I am concerned…there is no injury that can be done to me, or for that matter, no power in heaven or hell that is going to stop me from bringing justice to these people. Vernette frowned. Vernette: I am going to fucking kill these people! Burke: Well…that is a very healthy attitude. Burke applied a bandage to Vernette’s wound. Burke: There…al done. Go easy on it. Too much stress will tear the stitches. Vernette: Right…thanks. Vernette grabbed his shirt and put it back on. Burke: So…you are going to go and meet with Yates and Skinner later? Vernette: Yep…I am going to find out who has been tormenting me these past few days…and I am going to stomp a mud hole in their ass so deep and so wide… Burke: I get it…I get it… Vernette put his jacket back on. Vernette looked back at Burke. Vernette: Thanks again! Burke nodded. Vernette and Burke parted company. ============================================================================== Harvest - Capital City of Utgard – Military District - 1 hour later: ============================================================================== Vernette walked into Fort Loki. He walked right into the war room and found only Yates there. Yates: Commander…how is your shoulder? Vernette: Fine…for the most part. Vernette paused. He looked around. Vernette: I assumed everyone would be here…where is everyone else? Yates: They are all busy. Burke is still putting the final touches on his psych profile, Cam and Niko are still preparing their end, and Winters and Everet are currently interviewing candidates. Admiral Skinner is currently at the bone yard…trying to work out some transportation for you. Vernette: Fair enough. What did you guys find? Was there anything game changing in that PDA? Yates: Commander…we found the Holy Grail. We have the name of the individual pulling the strings of Lucien. I reviewed the findings myself, not permitting any of my staff to do it for security reasons. You may want to take a look. Yates slid a PDA across the table towards Vernette. Vernette picked up the PDA and shifted through the information. He stopped when he saw who had been giving the orders. Vernette: Admiral Constantine Spender… Yates: It seems Constantine Spender has gone rouge… Vernette: This is bad… Yates: Yes it is. The scary part is…we would have been none-the-wiser had he never had taken an interest in you. This guy commands a massive amount of authority. His resources were unchecked and unmetered for a very long time. This guy could potentially have unlimited resources. I do not envy your task Commander…you are going up against a very dangerous man. Vernette: I don’t really care. These are just stats…nothing more. In the end it is going to boil down to who has more willpower. After everything that this guy has pulled…I am not going to let him win. Yates was silent. Vernette: So far…I have been up against these guys twice. I have emerged victorious twice. Yates: Well…you know what they say; the third time is the charm. Besides…Admiral Spender commands a Marathon Class Battleship. His ship is known as The Ulterior Motive. That ship is heavily armed and it is not to be underestimated. Vernette scoffed. Yates: Do you want to hear another interesting piece of information? Based on what I have observed from this PDA…Spender’s organization refers to itself as The Trust. Vernette: The Trust? Yates: Yes. I have no idea why. This is simply the name they have chosen. Vernette: Whatever their name is…it is not going to change the outcome. Vernette reached out to grab the PDA, but Yates stopped him. Yates: Hold on…that PDA is going to be put away for safe keepings. We are going to need it to prosecute anyone you capture. I will hold onto it. Vernette frowned. Vernette: Why? I am going to need it to deal with Spender. I need all the information I can get! Yates: This PDA is all we have. We can copy some of the information off of the PDA for your use…but I cannot give you the PDA. We do not want to risk losing it. Vernette: Very well…just get that information to me ASAP! Yates: There is another thing you should know. You can inform your team on whatever you feel they need to know, such as confirming that Spender is a rouge element, but keep everything on a need to know basis. Even though Spender is a traitor…Section 0 likes its privacy. We do not like too many people knowing too much about other divisions. Vernette: Very well. Yates: Now…I was instructed to accompany you to the Boneyard to meet with Admiral Skinner. We can take the Pelican that is waiting for us out back. Yates collected the PDA and pocketed it. Vernette nodded and followed Yates to the Pelican. ============================================================================== Harvest – Axion Boneyard – Utgard City Outskirts - 1 hour later: ============================================================================== The Pelican carrying Yates and Vernette landed on a landing pad. Skinner was there, waiting for the two to arrive. Vernette stopped out and looked around. Skinner: Gentlemen… Vernette: Admiral Skinner…why are we getting my ship from a Boneyard? Yates said to ask you… Skinner: Ohhh…that’s simple…The Axion Boneyard is Section 0 property. Vernette: Section 0 owns a yard of decommissioned ships? Skinner: No. These are not decommissioned ships. These are classified ships. The Axion Boneyard is where Section 0 stores its ships that are currently under construction. All of these ships are used, or are going to be used, by Section 0. Vernette: So you guys hide ships in plain site? Skinner: Precisely. Vernette: Ohhh… Vernette shrugged. He then began to follow Yates and Skinner. Skinner: Commander…you will be happy to know that I have a ship for you. The trio entered a building and began to walk through observation corridors. These corridors had glass windows so people could view the ships. Vernette: Excellent… Skinner: It was not easy…but I managed to convince one of our captains to hand it over to you for the time being. Vernette: By convince…you mean order him? Skinner: Yeah…. Vernette nodded. He kept following Yates and Skinner. The trio eventually stopped in front of a glass pane. Vernette looked at Skinner. Skinner: Here we are…the UNSC Frigate Melbourn. Vernette was silent. Skinner: One of our fastest ships. Vernette shook his head. Vernette: No. This isn’t good enough. Skinner: I beg your pardon. Vernette: I said “No. This isn’t good enough.” Skinner: You should consider yourself lucky that you even got your own ship for this assignment Commander! Vernette: Admiral…Spender commands a Marathon Class Battleship. I will be damned if I take the SS “Piece of Shit” into a battle with a Marathon Class. Vernette pointed to the UNSC Frigate Melbourn as he said this. Vernette: I need something bigger! Skinner: That is the only ship available! Vernette turned away. He looked out the window on the other side of the corridor Vernette: What about this one? A Halcyon Class would give a Marathon Class a run for its money! Skinner: That one is not available! Vernette: Why? Skinner: It is not done! We are still clearing the sawdust! Some of the systems still need to be installed! We need another week just to get it up to spec! Yates: Not to mention that The King Raven is my ship! Vernette: The King Raven? That ship sounds like a winner! I want it! Skinner: Are you not listening? I said that ship is not finished! It needs a whole week just to finish. Vernette: I can have it going in 24 hours. Skinner: Impossible. We have our best engineers working on it. Vernette: Your best engineers cannot even touch my expertise. Besides…you are obviously not working them hard enough! A full 24 hour shift under my supervision…I can have that ship going! Once I have it going…I plan on taking that thing into battle with Spender and The Ulterior Motive…right over Harvest if necessary! Skinner and Yates looked at each other. Yates: No! Skinner: Actually…yes. Yates: But… Skinner looked at Yates. Skinner: No buts. If Vernette can get it going…then he can use it against Spender. Yates frowned. Skinner: Get that bird airborne Vernette! You have 24 hours! Skinner walked off. Yates looked at Vernette. Yates: Bring that ship back in one piece Vernette! Vernette: No promises…but I will try for at most three. Yates frowned as he walked off after Skinner. Yates caught up with Skinner. Yates: How could you give him my ship!? Skinner: If he can get it working again…then he deserves to take it out for a spin. Fair is fair Brandon. Besides…you have had your engineers working on that ship for quite some time now. If Vernette can speed run that thing to completion, I am all for it. Consider it a test of his skills. Yates: The King Raven is mine…you could have tested his abilities on someone else’s ship. ============================================================================== Harvest – Axion Boneyard – Bridge of The King Raven - 24 hour later: ============================================================================== Vernette was at one of the diagnostic workstations, running a check of The King Raven Vernette: What is the status of the Archer Pods? Operations Officer: All Archer pods report operational! Vernette: Engines? Helm Officer: Online and green! Vernette: Sensors? Operations Officer: Operating at 100% resolution! Vernette: Auto Cannons? Tactical Officer: Fully armed and operational! Vernette: Life support systems? Operations Officer: Green! Vernette: Slipspace Drive Core? Helm Officer: Online and fully operational. Vernette nodded. Operations Officer: All primary systems are green sir! Vernette: Run a diagnostic of all secondary and tertiary systems. Make sure they are good to go. Operations Officer: Aye sir! Vernette stepped away from the diagnostic terminal and sat down in the command chair. He looked around the bridge of the King Raven, very pleased with the work he had managed to accomplish. Vernette turned when he heard the door to the bridge open. He saw Burke walk onto the bridge. Burke: I must say Preston…this is an impressive ship. Have you seen the medical bay? Damn…that is a work of art! State of the art equipment! Vernette: I am glad you approve. I must say…this ship is something else. ONI really knows how to lay down frameworks. Burke: Yeah… Burke looked at Vernette. Burke: I see you made yourself at home. Vernette: David…I have commanded ships in simulations. I have served on small frigates. Now I am commanding a real life battle cruiser. It is surreal. Burke grinned. Vernette: It is kind of like…the first time…the first time having sex…except this is much better! Burke: Interesting comparison. Vernette nodded. Burke: Well…you should know that Cameron and Nikolai are currently stocking our armory…and Everet and Winters are designating teams and squads. Vernette: Good… One of the officers interrupted Vernette and Burke. Operations Officer: Sir…we have a transmission from ONI…it is Admiral Skinner. Vernette: Open a channel ensign! Operations Officer: Open sir! Vernette: Admiral! Skinner: Commander…I trust The King Raven is ready to leave the nest? Vernette: Ready and willing! Skinner: Good to hear Commander. Our current Sat Link scans shows that the Ulterior Motive is currently in orbit on the far side of the planet relative to your position. Skinner paused. Skinner: You are hereby authorized to utilize whatever means at your disposal to deal with Spender. Do not hold back… Vernette was silent for a moment. Vernette: Understood. Skinner: Good luck Commander…God’s speed. The comm line closed. Vernette was silent for a moment. Burke looked at Vernette. Burke: Showtime. Vernette nodded. Operations Officer: All stations report ready sir. We’re ready. Vernette: Disengage docking struts, engage atmospheric thrusters, and prepare to bring the engines to full power! Helm Officer: Docking struts disengaging, atmospheric thrusters powering up! The ship shook a bit as the struts pulled away from the ship. Helm Officer: Atmospheric thrusters firing. The thrusters could be heard firing. Vernette watched out the front of the bridge as the ship began to climb into orbit. Helm Officer: Optimum altitude will be reached in 10 seconds. The officer paused. Helm Officer: 5 seconds. The officer paused again. Helm Officer: Optimum altitude has been reached. Disengaging atmospheric thrusters and bringing main engines to 100% Burke looked at Vernette. Burke: What if the engines fail to fire. Vernette: Shut up and don’t jinx it… Burke rolled his eyes. Helm Officer: We have established orbit. All stations are nominal! Burke looked at Vernette. Burke: So…let’s define the rest of your military career. This is your first command position. You have just taken one of ONI’s ships out for the first time. What is your first order? Vernette: All hands…Battle stations! Burke: Ohhh…good choice. Burke shrugged. Burke: I will be in the medical bay. Burke left the bridge. Vernette looked at his communications officer. Vernette: Open a communications channel to The Ulterior Motive. Operations Officer: Open sir! Vernette waited a moment. He then spoke over the comm. to The Ulterior Motive. Vernette: This is Commander Vernette in forward Command of The UNSC Battleship King Raven. I am ordering you to power down your engines and surrender your ship. All hands will stand relieved of their stations…and you will prepare to be boarded. You have 10 seconds to comply. Vernette waited. ============================================================================== Harvest – The Ulterior Motive ============================================================================== Spender sat on the bridge of The Ulterior Motive. He heard Vernette’s demands. Spender: Does he honestly expect me to accept those terms? Spender laughed. Spender: All hands to battle stations! Spender looked at the helmsman. Spender: Helm, take us about…get us the hell out of here! ============================================================================== Harvest – The King Raven ============================================================================== Vernette watched The Ulterior Motive turn away. Helm Officer: Sir…they are moving off! Vernette: Pursuit course! Vernette looked at his tactical officers. Vernette: Open fire…all weapons! Target their engines! Don’t let them move off too far! I don’t want them running! Tactical Officer: Sir…enemy ship is returning fire! They have dispersed Archer missiles. Vernette: Take evasive action! Vernette paused. He braced for impact The ship shook as the Archer missiles impacted the hull. Tactical Officer: We have an outer hull breech on deck 13! Emergency bulkheads are responding! Vernette: Status of enemy vessel! Helm Officer: There is an energy buildup in their power grid. They are preparing to jump to slip space! They are trying to run! Vernette: Like hell! Commence rapid fire on all Archer pods. Disable their engines! Tactical Officer: Aye sir! The King Raven fired a barrage of Archer missiles, all intending to impact the engines of The Ulterior Motive. The Archer missiles pelted the hull of the Ulterior Motive, ripping the hull apart and causing moderate damage to the engines. However, the damage was not severe enough to stop the slip space transition. The Ulterior Motive managed to make the transition to slip space and escape. Vernette: Get a destination solution on them! Helm Officer: Sorry sir…there is not enough time…they’re gone. Vernette clenched his fist. Vernette: Damn it… Helm Officer: However… Vernette looked at the officer. Vernette: However? Helm Officer: There are two things. First…before their jump, our sensors indicated a 21% reduction in their engine power. Where they jumped, they are limping there. Vernette: And the second thing? Helm Officer: I managed to get their exact trajectory and heading. Vernette: That…is very good! Helm Officer: Well…it does not help very much… Vernette: On the contrary Ensign…I can find out where they went! Transfer all data to my office. Inform all senior personnel to meet on the Observation deck in 15 minutes! Helm Officer: Aye sir! Vernette walked into the CO office and sat down behind the desk. He saw his laptop sitting on the desk. He opened it and saw the data being transferred. Vernette accessed the data and displayed it on a large screen that was mounted on the wall. He looked at the sensor data and began to calculate the possible destination solution. Vernette began the calculations. He saw that the course heading brought The Ulterior Motive next to several UNSC controlled Star systems. However, he knew that even if the trajectory was close to a star system, it would still be too far away to move there at sub-light. Vernette knew that when plotting a course for a star system, the trajectory needed to line up perfectly. Vernette: It isn’t Madrigal, it isn’t Arcadia, it isn’t Bliss, and it isn’t Chi-Ceti.