[Naked Crook]

Yates looked at Jacob, with a bit of interest and intrigue. Yates: I guess it is still very easy to pull the wool over Harrison's eye. His rampant ignorance and naiveté makes him almost as useful as an operative. None-the-less...we need to make sure that our immediate problems are taken care of to ensure that pr0gram is not diverted. Yates paused for a moment. Yates: Our goal should be the alienation of Nighthawk and Anaconda. If we cut off the information to the UNSC, we can ensure that people like Harrison do not disrupt any more of our plans. I believe I may have an idea on how to do this. However, that is not for you to know at this time. Yates paused again. Yates: Once those two are dead...victory is assured. They are the only real threat, short of The Covenant, but The Covenant can be managed. They are predictable, however destructive they may be. Yates sighed. Yates: If only you knew how MUCH we have spent trying to kill those two. The upper brass will never admit it...but every time we put a plan in motion, we worry about the success of said operation because of those two. They have caused us a lot of trouble. I don't understand why though. The Brute...what does he care? How was this ever his fight? As for Nighthawk...he is one fucking guy. His only advantage is anonymity, yet we cannot put a bullet in his head with any kind of success. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is? Yates shrugged. Yates: We just need more indirect ways of fighting them. Thankfully...indirectly fighting battles is something we are no strangers to. Yates looked at Jacob. He was silent for about a minute, trying to get a read of Jacob. Yates: I plan on killing all of your friends...you know that right? I am looking forward to killing everyone that you just turned your back on. We may not even kill them face to face. We may just launch a few airstrikes, and kill them from orbit...in the most undignified fashion possible. They will die, having never seen the faces of their killers. What do you think of that? Does this bother you? Meanwhile: Voro nodded. Voro: A step in the right direction. Voro sighed. Voro: When we link up with the fleet, we will consult the Brute fleet master for instructions. Voro gave a very disrespectful clicking noise with his mandibles after he said this. Voro: The Beast should be smart enough to provide us with enough direction to satisfy his own ego, all while displaying enough competence to warrent the respect that is forced upon him. But no matter his orders...blood will be spilled in the coming hours to redeem this defeat. Meanwhile: Xyrho: I warn your Dangerus...there are many Elites who will not sit idly by. Whether they are umong the most trusted or not, there is only so long that we will go without shedding the blood of our enemies before they begin to question their leadership. We are not above assassinating our leaders if they display the qualities of incompetence. I agree that Vanguard should be our target...but you must balance that with hostility towards the Humans...or you will lose the loyalty of many Elites...and there will be little I can do to help you in that respect. Xyrho paused. Xyrho: If I were you...I would think very carefully about your next targets. The wrong move will either anger those under your command, The Humans, or Nighthawk and Anaconda. Xyrho paused. Xyrho: Consulting The Humans on who to fight is out of the question, and consulting your subordinates will make you look weak and incompetent. However...consulting Nighthawk and Anaconda as to who you could turn your aggression on...could be permissible if you keep it quiet. Meanwhile: Nighthawk and Jennifer had wandered off from the main group, in order to get a bit of privacy so they could talk more freely. THey were whispering to each other. Jennifer: How are you holding up? Nighthawk: Not to bad. I have felt better. Jennifer: Injured? Nighthawk: Yeah. It is not too serious...but...it hurts. It is tough to always make it look like you are 100% and ready to go. Jennifer sighed. Jennifer: If you want...I can take a look. Nighthawk: No...at least not now. Gotta keep it arms length. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: I'll be fine. Jennifer: Just let me know if you need anything. Nighthawk nodded. Nighthawk: By the way...I may have some good news. I may be able to get the Covenant to tone down its offensive a bit, at least for a while. Jennifer: How? Nighthawk: The Covenant fleet commander was here, during the battle. Anaconda and I bumped into him during the battle. Jennifer: What!? Nighthawk: Recon, or something. They were here because of what The Trust is doing. However, that doesn;t matter. The important thing is...I might be able to cool things down a bit. I will do my best to play both sides. Its our best chance. However...just keep this between you and I. Do not tell anyone. IF anyone finds out I am having meet-ups with The Covenant...my credibility is dead...and only The Trust wins from that. Anythi9ng that helps The Trust...is bad. Jennifer: Fair enough. Just be careful Preston. You have to watch yourself. Not every member of The Covenant is as... Jennifer looked at Anaconda on the other side of the room, leading on the wall. Jennifer: Chill...as your friend. Nighthawk: That's true. He is pretty chill all things considered.