[Naked Crook]

Xyrho looked at Furium. Xyrho then looked back at Dangerus. Xyrho: You want me to tell your War Chieftain what I told you about the so-called "artifact"? Are you sure that would be wise? You do realize that if your War Chieftain is not as loyal and as trustworthy as you claim him to be...the consequences could be very dire. Xyrho looked at Furium. Xyrho: Loyalty is very easy to profess and speak about. How do I know that you are loyal and trustworthy? Meanwhile: Spender was on the bridge of The Ulterior Motive with Yates. The two were discussing their options given the current situation with the UNSC. Yates: Sir...with The Covenant no longer in complete control of San Angeles, our operation is in jeopardy. Spender: This is something I already know. Spender paused. Spender: Kolya has recommended that we start providing The Covenant with strategic information in an effort to put our operation back on track. Yates: That...could work. However, I would fear that The Covenant would be totally unwilling to accept strategic information. If the situation was reversed, there is no way I would fully trust information from the enemy, especially if it was information that could lead to an end game. Spender: That thought has also crossed my mind. However, it really does depend HOW The Covenant gets their intel. If we give it to them, they will suspect something. However..if we LOSE the intel...then I believe that The Covenant would be more willing to accept it, and even use it. Spender tented his hands. Spender: We just need two things - intel to lose and a way to lose the intel. Yates rubbed his chin in thought. Yates: I may know of a way to get you some strategic intel concerning both the Naval forces and the ground forces around and on San Angeles. Spender: Do tell. Yates: Reynolds. Captain Reynolds. He has agreed to help "ONI" - meaning us pretending to be ONI - to procure all of Admiral Harrison's combat and strategic plans. Even if Reynolds can get us basic information and details, I am sure you could think of a way to deliver that information to The Covenant, in a consorted effort to help The Covenant re-establish control over San Angeles, so they can toss the UNSC out. Spender: Interesting. However...Captain Reynolds is not part of The Trust. I feel that he would lack the...greater scope that is required to see the excellence of this plan. Yates: We don't need to tell him everything. I already managed to convince him with little more than half truths and a single compromise. Spender: A compromise? Yates: Captain Reynolds has...a...very close relationship with one of his officers. Spender: Ohhh...scandalous. That is very exploitable information. Yates: Indeed. In any case, the officer in question is Lt. Commander Lauren Cochraine. She was injured a while back, and she is in pretty rough shape. I managed to get Reynolds to cooperate with me when I promised him that we could use our medical facilities to assist Cochraine. Spender sighed. Yates: We Do have access to technology that could patch Cochraine up in no time at all. After that...we could guarantee total loyalty from Reynolds. Spender: What if Reynolds chooses not to cooperate with us once he gets what he wants? Yates: Well, if Reynolds chooses not to cooperate, then we choose not to let him leave this ship, we choose to throw him, and Cochraine into the brig, we choose to bring them back to The Apex, we choose to lock them away there forever, and we choose to let them rot in a cell on a planet that the UNSC has no knowledge of. We can choose to do things as well. Spender: Good point. Spender paused. Spender: So...I assume you are going to let Cochraine use the Covenant equipment that was salvaged at Paradise Lost? (Automated surgery suite) Yates paused. Yates: Assuming that Novak and his techs have worked out all the kinks...then yes. The last thing we need is to put another person in there, only to call in a clean-up crew to mop up bio matter. Yates shook his head. Yates: We lost 113 people to that machine because it was not properly calibrated. Spender: A worthwhile investment of replaceable life. Spender paused. Spender: But, I can assure you, that the machine does work. Kolya has already used it several times already. I assure you...there will be no further fatalities as a result of its use. Yates: Good. I will contact Reynolds...treat his officer, buy his loyalty, and we can then get things back on track. Spender: Very good Yates. See to it. Yates nodded. He turned to leave the bridge. However, as he did, Spender stopped him. Spender: One more thing Yates. I am not to be disturbed. I am not here to entertain visitors or make friends. You are to exclusively deal with Reynolds. Yates: Understood.