[Naked Crook]

Spender: I love our great civilization. I love what it has accomplished. I love what it is capable of. We have achieved greatness beyond greatness. However…if history has taught us one thing, it is that complacency is the Achilles heel of all great civilizations. If The Trust does not act, if we remain as an oversight entity, if we continue to act as benchwarmers…The UEG will join the greatest empires and dynasties in total obscurity…and mankind will once again regress, and we will stand divided by petty differences…turning our colonies into nation states and re-establishing borders and territories. We will be fractured…and we will be a dim echo of what we once were. We were already fracturing. We had outer colonies fighting inner colonies. As a direct result of our actions, and our intervention, we have managed to stabilize the UEG, galvanize the UNSC, and turned a slow and hemorrhaging issue that was The Insurrection, into the unifying catalyst that it is today. As a result of The UNSC expanding its mandate and scope, The Trust has managed to strategically place operatives into the ranks of the UNSC to ensure that the military AND the Government stays focused on the task at hand - which is keeping the colonies united in their fight against The Insurrection. Tyber: So you are telling me that Insurrectionist attacks on Military bases and shipyards is what you wanted? Spender: Of course not. However, that did work in our favor. The Insurrection got bold...and it grew a very large pair of balls as a result of Trust intervention. However, that only expedited the demand for a UNSC response. The UNSC organized, the civilians got scared. What better way to restore faith in the UEG and the UNSC...than to have the UEG and UNSC save scared civilians from evil Insurrectionists? Let me tell you...when the UNSC responded in force against The Insurrection, confidence in the UNSC went up. The mistaken idea that the UEG didn't care about the outer colonies began to lose credibility. As a result, more people believed in the UEG and the UNSC...and support began to rise. We began to unify the people...to prevent a fracture. Even now, support continued to rise as The UNSC fights the good fight. Spender paused. Spender: Sometimes...the price of peace is very high. Sacrifices must be made. We must not be afraid of taking a few hits in order to strengthen our resolve. Even a boxer must take a few punches to the face when he trains. Even the marathon sprinter gets a few blisters when he endurance trains. The Trust was created to know what was best for mankind. It takes exceptional people to do this job. It is never easy...but what we fight for is worth the effort and the strife. Every single member of Black Team was silent. They each looked at each other. Spender sighed, as an uncomfortable silence overcame the room. The silence went on for a moment, before Novak broke it. Novak: ODST Black Team…you have to understand the whole point of what we did. We needed a front line team that could handle the rigors of everything you just heard. It is not an easy task to have this much responsibility. However…after watching you guys grow these past few weeks, watching you learn to work together, fight together, and win together…I have never been more sure of any fact in my life, as I am about the fact that the six of you are EXACTLY what The Trust needs to ensure that The Human Race remains on-track for a continuously prosperous future. We have devoted tremendous resources to turning the six of you into the finest soldiers The Trust has ever seen. We need the six of you to fight our enemies. The question is…can we rely on the six of you to help us? Evan: You can count on me. Archimedes: Count me in. Kraven: I'm in. Jonas: I couldn't agree more with what I am hearing. Evan, Archimedes, Kraven, and Jonas looked at Eli and Tye. Kraven: What about you two? In or out? Eli and Tye looked at each other. Eli was the first to speak. Eli: I am in. You have my support, Sir. Tye was shocked. He could not believe that the rest of Black Team were so willing to go along with The Trust, even after what they heard. It was like the rest of Black Team was totally null to everything they just heard. Tye knew that if he said no, he would be disavowed by not only Black Team, but by The Trust. It was either walk away...or try and Stop The Trust from what they were trying to do. Spender: Well, Tye? What is your decision? We need to know where your loyalty lies. Tye looked at Spender, and sighed. Tyber: I'm in. Spender grinned. Spender: You have all made the right choice. I am proud of all of you. Tye looked downward, ashamed of himself. However, he knew that he had to keep his head up, or the others would become suspicious. Tyber: Well sir...you can count on us. Spender: I am glad to hear that. I am glad that you ALL have the foresight and the wisdom to see and understand what I am trying to accomplish. Spender sighed. He paused for a moment to collect himself. He then spoke again. Spender: Now that we have cleared the air...I think it is time we touch base on the exact reason I called you six here. We need to discuss your last mission, specifically, the results of your efforts. As you all know, I sent the six of you to The Nemesis to accomplish a few tasks. First off, you were to kill Novak. You did that, and did an exemplary job of it. Your second task was to sweep their ship, and inflict considerable casualties on the crew. For the most part, you accomplished this with great zeal, and you met expectations. Our supplementary teams managed to clean the rest of the ship out. Your third objective was to data mine the ship. Again, you did this and met expectations. However, something went wrong in your third task. Evan: What could of happened? I only ask because I was the one who oversaw the procedure. Spender: Vital information was missing. There was very obvious gaps in the ship's main computer core, which held large portions of data which had gone missing. I can say, with total certainty, that the most mission critical information was where those gaps are now. Evan: Sir...I uploaded EVERYTHING back to The Ulterior Motive. Spender: Yes you did Mr. Drake. Our engineers confirmed that those gaps were created at roughly the same time that we began our attack on The Nemesis. There is a high degree that Davidov managed to send this information to the rest of The Board of Chairmen. Tyber: What information did he try to send? Spender: Classified Intel concerning Black Team. Information on my activities. Information that could harm, and even jeopardize everything that I am working towards. Tyber: How could the information be used against you? Spender: The intel in question detailed information concerning many of my ongoing operations. If Davidov managed to get that information to the rest of the Board of Chairmen, then it can be used against me to try and put the axe to my current goals and objectives. Spender paused. Spender: I strongly believe that The Board of Chairmen is in possession of this intel, and they have already taken steps to use what they have against me. With that said, there is a high degree that The Board of Chairmen are going to make a move against The Insurrectionists on Draco III. Tyber: Why Draco III? Spender: Draco III is one of the most vital components to one of my ongoing operations known as Operation Blind Eagle. Remember how I stated that I seek to expand Trust Influence in the UNSC by means of expanding the need for increased UNSC mandate? Operation Blind Eagle is the name I give to that cumulative effort. As a result of the escalation of The Insurrection, Draco III has one of the largest Insurrection facilities in the outer colonies. It was with my intervention that The Insurrection was able to so heavily entrench on Draco III. I also happen to know that The Insurrection has one of their leaders at this base...known only to me as The Vixen. That is her code name anyway. I have never met the women...but from what I gather...she is a feisty one. Tyber: Care to elaborate further? Spender: Draco III is where I put a majority of the resources into what I called Operation Blind Eagle. Many of the weapons, resources, and intel that I handed over to The Insurrection was at Draco III. If we lose The Insurrection on Draco III...then we put Operation Blind Eagle in great jeopardy. If Operation Blind Eagle is halted by the destruction of The Insurrection on Draco III...then all that I have worked for...is lost. Tyber: Why would it be in great jeopardy? Spender: Like I said...The Insurrection on Draco III is where I invested a large amount of resources. Those resources were invested with the expectation of the payoff NOT being stopped. If there is no payoff, then we would be looking at catastrophic losses for The Trust...and major setbacks. Tyber: I do not understand. If The UNSC wipes out The Insurrectionists on Draco III...would that not be a huge moral and confidence booster? Does that not accomplish what you set out to do...which is unifying the colonies with the blood of Insurrectionists? Spender: Yes...it would have a desired result...but we would be killing the goose that lays the golden egg. You see...Operation Blind Eagle would come to a premature halt...and many of our goals would fall short. We can either defeat The Insurrection once, and see limited growth in The UNSC...or we can defeat them 100 times, and see massive growth in The UNSC. DO you see the logic? Evan: Sir...are you saying that you need The Insurrection on Draco III to survive? Spender: That is correct Mr. Drake. Evan: It stands to reason that if the survival of THe Insurrection on Draco III is in peril...then there is someone there trying to eliminate them. Spender: You are correct once again Mr. Drake. Rear-Admiral Smith is currently at Draco III...leading Trust forces loyal to him, against The Insurrection...with the sole intent of eliminating every last insurgent on the planet. Evan: I see. Spender: With that said, your next assignment will see the six of you deployed to Draco III...with the sole purpose of preserving The Insurrection presence on the planet, and halting any effort by Rear-Admiral Smith to destroy The Insurrection, and cripple Operation Blind Eagle. Eli: But Sir...would this course of action not damage The Trust? Spender: Not to the degree that the failure of Operation Blind Eagle would. Eli: What if The Insurrection turns on us while we are fighting Smith? What if we are forced to engage The Insurrection to survive? Spender: If an engagement with The Insurrection is unavoidable, then you do what must be done to survive...but nothing more. Spender paused. Spender: Remember gentlemen...I am NOT ordering you to fight The UNSC. I am ordering you to fight a very flawed branch of The Trust. We need to stop rouge elements of The Trust from destroying The Trust, as a whole. Tyber: No, what you mean is that we must save the Insurrection so they can continue their campaign against the UNSC, so you can expand your influence. Tye scoffed as he rolled his eyes. Spender: Stow the attitude Mr. Vernette. As complex as this sounds, and as bad as you make it sound, it is the truth. While I do not fancy the idea of infighting in the Trust, or providing military support for the Insurrection...it must be done. As I said...this takes exceptional people to do this job...and I believe that the six of you are exceptional people. I believe that the six of you can get this done. Eli looked at Tye, and then looked at Spender. Eli knew that Tye was defiantly holding back a degree of displeasure with everything he heard. Eli: Sir...you can count on us...ALL of us. Spender: Good. I am glad to hear that. Evan: Sir, if I may ask, how long is it from our present location to Draco III? Spender: It should take us roughly 4 days to get to Draco III from our present location. Jonas: Do we have any intel on who is going to be dealing with the situation on Draco III? Spender: As a matter of fact...yes, I do. I have extensive intel on both The Insurrection and Rear-Admiral Smith. You can review all of this information in preparation. Jonas: I have to admit...I respect Smith for taking on this assignment personally. Spender: Smith is a ranking officer, who posses sufficient knowledge of Operation Blind Eagle, which would be required by anyone looking to bring The Insurrection on Draco III down quickly and efficiently. He has done nothing extraordinary. Jonas: So the ultimate goal would be to kill Rear-Admiral Smith? Spender: That is one of the goals. That is something that I could do, using the resources of The Ulterior Motive. Your ultimate objective would be to route and destroy any forces that Smith has set up on the planet-side. The planet-side Insurrection is what we need to preserve, as that will be the largest chunk of their force. Evan: Do you have any idea what we could face planet-side...seeing as we will be going up against an opposing branch of The Trust? Spender: Not specifically...but as long as you are aware of everything that The Insurrection, and Smith, is capable of, you should be fine. Kraven: Well...it seems that we will be forced to comb over intel the next few days. Archimedes: Not the best part of the job...but an important one. Perhaps with enough intel under our belts, we can design and run some simulations. Evan: I could easily design one. Tye was silent. He simply watched the others talk. He was deep in thought, thinking about what was so casually being discussed. However, everyone began to notice Tye's silence. Eli: Tye? Tye looked at Eli. Eli: Is there a problem? Tye sighed. He then shook his head. Tyber: No. No problem at all. Everyone looked at Tye, as if skeptical of his answer. Jonas, most of all, was very suspicious of Tye and his answer. Tyber: Yeah...we can run simulations. Simulations would be good... Spender was silent for a moment, as he looked at Tye. Spender: Ok then...get to it. If there is nothing else...you are all dismissed. Tye wasted no time in turning away, and walking right off the bridge. He did not even salute. The other members of Black Team watched as Tye left. They knew that something was wrong just based on the way he stormed out. Spender and Novak each exchanged a look, as they had both noticed Tye's behavior. Eli: Alright Black Team...let's get going. Come on, this is no time to dilly-dally. Shake the lead out. Each member of Black Team turned and began to walk off the bridge, save for Jonas, who stood his ground. Jonas looked at Black Team, and spoke up. Jonas: I will catch up with you guys. I need to have a word with The Admiral. The other members of Black Team nodded. As they left, Spender looked at Jonas. Jonas: Sir...I don't know if you noticed or not...but... Spender: Stop right there Jonas. Jonas stopped talking. Spender: I know what you are going to say. You are going to mention that Lt. Vernette was acting very strange. Jonas nodded. Jonas: Sir...I have a very bad feeling that Vernette has been compromised. Spender looked at Novak, and then back at Jonas. He gave a look of interest. Spender: Compromised? In what way? Jonas: Ever since our last mission...he has been acting odd. In the interest of transparency...I feel that it is my place to inform you that Lt. Vernette was unaccounted for during a set period of time. Spender: Why was this not mentioned sooner? Jonas: It did not seem overtly important at the time. However, the situation mandates that I come forward with this new information. Spender: Where was Vernette during that "period of time"? Jonas: He was with Davidov. They talked at great length. During the mission, Tye dismissed us, and he spoke with Davidov in private. We were not privy to the exact details or specifics of the conversation, but I can speculate. Spender sighed. Novak then walked forward, and spoke directly to Spender. Novak: Davidov could have told him ANYTHING! Spender scoffed. Spender: I KNOW Doctor... Jonas looked at Novak and Spender, confused about the exchange. However, he simply remained silent. Novak: We may have serious damage control on our hands! If he found out... Novak looked at Jonas, and then back at Spender. Novak: You know what will happen... Spender scoffed, then looked back at Jonas. Spender: Jonas...listen to me VERY carefully. Lt. Vernette may very well be compromised. Upon consideration of what Davidov might of said to him, Tye may be very confused and delusional. Spender paused. Spender: You must keep an eye on him, monitor him, and track his movements. Make sure that he does not do anything out of the ordinary or strange. If he is just acting a bit shaken due to the last mission, we can dismiss this. However, If he starts acting...treacherous...he must be captured, and detained ASAP. We cannot risk letting him out of our sights. You are the only one I am going to trust with this Jonas. You are the only one who spoke up, so you are going to be the only person I can rely on. Jonas nodded. Jonas: Thank you sir. I am glad that you have faith in my loyalty. You can count on me. Spender: Very good Jonas. Very good. Spender paused. Spender: You should catch up with the others, say nothing about what we talked about, and keep an eye on Vernette. Dismissed. Jonas nodded and saluted, as he turned and left the bridge to catch up with the rest of Black Team. Spender then turned to Novak. Novak: I know what you are going to say. You want me to get Tye caught up with the others, and you want the same level of manipulation done to Tye, as we did with the others. Spender: From your mouth to God's ears. Get it done! Novak nodded. Novak: I will...I will. I assure you sir, I will make sure that this is corrected in very short order. Spender: In the mean time, I may try to do my own evaluation of Tye. I will try to get some one on one with him...she what is going on in that brain of his. Novak: Actually...that is a very good idea. If you could get some idea of where he is at, mentally, I can be more precise in treatment. If you could have a talk with him, and gauge his mental state, you could increase the chances of successful and seamless indoctrination. Spender: Well, I guess now that you mention it, it is a good idea. I just wanted to get inside his head. However, I like your idea more. I will try and talk with him ASAP. Novak: Good idea. I will return to the med bay, and see what I can prepare. Novak began to back up, as he turned and bolted off the bridge. He was intent on making his way back to the medical bay to get back to work as quickly as he could. Spender watched as Novak left. Spender shook his head and sighed. He was frustrated that no matter what he did, he was constantly met with curve balls and complications. Why couldn’t things just go as planned, for a change? Before Spender left the bridge, he turned to face the helmsman. Spender: Helm...plot a course for Draco III. Maximum speed! ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive – Firing Range - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to Draco III - 0015 hours - June 1stth 2515. ========================================================== Tye had made his way to the firing range to try and blow off some steam. As he walked into the range, he saw that the lights were off, and the entire area was silent, with nobody around. To a degree, Tye preferred it like this. This allowed Tye to be alone with his thoughts to examine his predicament and evaluate his options without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of anyone else moving about. Tye had drawn his sidearm, as he activated one of the advanced practice programs. Tye watched as the targets began to deploy in the range, as he took aim, and began to fire. Tyber: Davidov was right…Spender is a traitor. This entire ship is run by rouge officers. What is worse is that ODST Black team has been groomed by these bastards to do the dirty work. Spender has been using us this entire time. He has been withholding the truth from us, training us under false pretenses. He likes to think that he was honest with us to a degree, but withholding parts of the truth is just as dishonest as not telling the truth. Tye began to reload, as the targets shifted position. Tyber: The rest of Black Team seems to be down with what Spender has going. None of them seem interested in the moral or ethical repercussions of what is being done. These are not the people that I met all those weeks ago. Black Team has changed…they have all changed. What has happened to them? What did Spender do? What did The Trust do to my team? Tye began to reload again as the targets shifted position one final time. He began to fire as he continued to think to himself. Like before, most of his attention was on his own thoughts, with nothing more than muscle memory and reflex guiding his shots. Tyber: Perhaps I am over thinking this. Perhaps I am just over reacting. Sure, I have a right to be a little peeved about being lied to, and I have the right to be really peeved at the fact that I lead a boarding party against an allied ship, and killed most of the crew…but…is that really worth throwing away everything that I have worked for these past few weeks? I have worked so hard…pushed myself past the brink. Do I really want to walk now? The firing range program ended, as the targets moved closer to Tye so that he could examine his results. Tye saw how with almost no attention, that all of his shots were bull’s-eyes and headshots. Tyber: Incredible…absolutely incredible… Tye looked at his results, deep in thought. He nearly jumped when he heard a voice behind him speak up. Spender: What’s incredible? Tye turned as he looked at Spender walk towards him. As Spender walked towards Tye, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a pac of cigarettes, and placed one in his mouth. Spender then put the cigarettes back in his pocket, and then pulled out a lighter. Spender lit his smoke, as he looked at Tye. Spender: Well? You were obviously impressed by something. What was so incredible? Tye stepped back a few steps, then spoke up. Tyber: I have never been so good with a gun…to the point that 100% of my shots were either in the head, or in the bull’s-eye range…using nothing more than reflex and muscle memory. It is as if I...am a master with firearms. Spender: We trained you well Tye. I am sure that your augmentation is also helping. Tyber: There has to be more than that sir. When you train someone well, they become a good soldier. When you augment that soldier, they become something more. These results…this isn’t good. This is not even deadly. These are perfect results. Being here, on this ship, under your administrations, has turned us into perfect killing machines. You did more than train us in tactics and field operations. You hardened our minds and our psychology, built up mental barriers to the horrors of what we would be doing, and you radically and fundamentally changed the other members of Black Team into people that I hardly recognize anymore. You turned them into…weapons; weapons that will indiscriminately kill with no ethical qualms or struggle. Black Team holds very little regard for the standards and practices that they once adhered to. Spender listened intently. He knew Tye was troubled. Tyber: Is that my fate as well? Am I to be some mindless weapon, killing everyone who you disagree with? Is that what I am now? Spender sighed. Spender: You ae thinking far too literally Tye. You are very correct that you, and the rest of Black Team, have been honed into perfect soldiers, but you are far more than just mere weapons. I do not think you any member of Black Team as little more than a weapon. You are all highly skilled and well-trained soldiers who have exceeded their potential. It is true that we did perform many psychological tests on you to both verify and strengthen your psychology. However...these things were necessary to ensure that you could handle what was being given to you. Tyber: But it does not change the fact that you have been going above and beyond typical training, and messing with our minds. You are changing us! You are warping us into...your idea of the perfect soldier. Spender: We have not been messing with your minds, Tye. We have been battle-proofing your psychology. We have been honing your tactics. We have been strengthening your resolve. Novak and I both knew that Black team would be faced with unimaginable hardship and difficulty in the course of their missions. We had to make sure that you were mentally and physically fit to undertake these challenges. You said that you watched your team turn into weapons. I will admit, that they have been elevated to the point where they may seem like weapons…but I do not see them in that way, I do not think so low of you or the rest of Black Team that I would reduce you to little more than a simple weapon. Black Team is my greatest achievement. Black Team represents a reimagining of the backbone of human military might. You are more than just weapons...you are the future of human resources in armed conflict. You are progress! Tyber: You call us the future of human resources in armed conflict. If that is the case, what do you call that THING that we fought on The Nemesis? Spender: What thing? Tyber: It called itself Noah. I was some...armor clad...7 foot soldier. Spender: A Class 0 Spartan II? Davidov had a Class 0 Spartan II on his ship? Tyber: If that is what you call it. Yeah, he was guarding the bridge. We had to take that thing down before we were even able to GET at Davidov. Spender: You killed a Class 0? Incredible! Amazing! Tyber: Uhhh... Tye was confused by Spender's reaction. Spender: The fact that ODST Black Team, in its combined state, was able to take down a Class 0 Spartan...it gives me hope; it tells me that my expectations of Black Team do not exceed the sum of what you are all capable of. Tye looked at Spender for a moment. Part of Tye wanted to believe Spender, but Tye didn't feel right about what was going on. He turned away, and took a few steps. Tyber: Sir...as good as your intentions are for us...it isn't right. You can turn us into exceptional soldiers, but nothing will change the fact that it was done without our consent, and our input. You acted unilaterally, without consulting us about what you were doing, thinking that you knew what was best for us. The fact of the matter is, you had no right to do this to us. I do not care what the end result has been. I do not care if the end result has been overwhelmingly positive...you had no RIGHT to subject us to what we went through. The ends do not justify the means in this case. Tye paused. Tyber: You justified your actions by saying that we were to fight threats to Humanity's future and prosperity. However, I ask you, how much is a future worth, in which one man can decide the fate of everyone around him, in which men are not given the chance to realize their own potential, where a potential is thrust unto them, and forced upon them. How much is that future worth? A future where self-determination means nothing? Is the Insurrection so much of a threat that it justifies what you are doing here? Spender: Yes...the Insurrection IS a threat. The Insurrection is a threat to our safety, our prosperity, and our future. That has been clear since the moment of their inception. Spender paused. Spender looked at Tye, and thought for a moment. Tye was not convinced, and his facial expression showed it. Spender: You may not believe me Tye, so let me try to put it another way; Black Team, for all of the sins that surround its creation, is our best chance to ensure stability. Black Team will serve as an example and as a precedent and as a deterrent. What we have accomplished with ODST Black team will pave the way for a new generation of soldier, a new era of soldier, unlike anything we have seen before. Tyber: To what end? Last time I checked…we were doing pretty good when it comes to how well our soldiers are performing. We did not need your intervention, nor did we need your...deranged methodology. Spender: Do not judge by the methods...but by the results. Tyber: The ends do not justify the means Admiral. They never have, and they never will. Nothing you have said has convinced me, in the least, that what you have done, here, was worth it. Spender sighed. He thought for a moment. He knew he needed to take a different approach. Spender: Did you know that 2500 years ago, on Earth, a Roman citizen could walk the face of the known world, free of the fear of molestation. He could walk across the Earth, cloaked only in the words "Civis Romanus"...or "I am a Roman Citizen". So great was the retribution of Rome, universally understood as CERTAIN, should any harm befall ONE of its citizens. Spender paused. He began to pace back and forth. He then frowned. Spender: Where is our protection? Where is the protection for the Citizens of the UEG? Where is the retribution for the marines and soldiers that have been killed in the conflict with The Insurrection? And where the warning to The Insurrection, that citizens of the UEG shall walk our worlds unharmed, less the clenched fist of the most mighty military force in the history of mankind comes CRASHING down on their house? In other words Tye…what the HELL are WE doing here? Tyber: We are behaving the way that a “mighty military force” should behave. Spender: Well, that behavior has produced some very crappy results. In fact, I am not 100% sure that it has not INDUCED those crappy results. Tyber: What are you talking about? Spender: I’m taking about the UNSC Callisto. I’m talking about 286 UNSC Marines killed on Ballast. I’m talking about terrorist activity on Mamore. The Insurrection must be stopped, and The UNSC is not acting fast enough. Every time The UNSC does act, they are so ineffective that they create more enemies than they eliminated. Their policy of half measures is doing nothing to stem the creation of further insurrection activity. The Trust exists to ensure that issues like this, are resolved…but The Trust ca only act when it has the power and the leverage to act! Tyber: Am I to guess that THIS is your ultimate justification for everything that you have been doing? You think that our response should be racking up the body count to biblical proportions by means of your own private elite para-military? Spender: You’re damn right! Tyber: Oh, then you are just as stupid as those idiots who think that the only way to deal with The Insurrection is through talk and reason, as if The Insurrection has not already heard enough of the political bull crap. Tye paused. Tyber: So…SIR…if you want to start using UNSC Military strength as the ARM OF THE LORD…you can do that. The UNSC is the only super power there is. You CAN conquer the Insurrection, and anything else that comes after it, like a modern day Charlemagne. However, like Charlemagne, you better be prepared to kill everyone to do that, and you better start with me, because if I do not like what you are trying to do, I will raise up army against you and I will defeat you. I will not stand by as you throw our core values under the bus to be trampled and destroyed...all in the name of security. There is no security so dear and so precious that it can be purchased at the expense of our souls. Spender paused. Spender: The UNSC is doing nothing. ONI is doing nothing! Tyber: We are NOT doing nothing. Tye paused. Tyber: We have ALWAYS met The Insurrection with the appropriate force. It's proportional, responsible, and reasonable force in response to their actions. It's not nothing. A few months ago, The UNSC launched FOUR high rated attacks on major Insurrection facilities located on Harvest. Spender: Facilities which The Insurrection will rebuild in a few months flat. Tyber: Then we will blow them up again in a few months. We are getting really good at it. Spender: "We"...that's the problem. Who is "We"? Tye was confused by the question. Spender: You seem to think that The Trust is somehow inherently connected to The UNSC as a whole. You are wrong. There are many things that you do not completely understand about The Trust Tye. We are not a Subset of The UNSC. The UNSC did not spawn the Trust. We are not a branch of the UNSC, or a division. We are our own autonomous entity. The Trust is an idea, a set of ideas, ideas that have always existed since the inception of nationalism and collectivism. The Organization itself is just the physical manifestation of those ideas. The UNSC, ONI, and the UEG...they are all pawns of The Trust, tools to be used to advance our prevailing idea, and our prevailing idea is the preservation of all that we have worked for. Ever since The Jovian Moon campaigns...The Trust has been there to ensure that our ideals persevere over all others! The Men and Women who formed The Trust, were of the same minds that formed all of history's greatest empires! The idea has never changed. We have never changed. We have come too far to have everything we have built be torn asunder by insurgents. Tyber: Quite frankly, Sir, we have also come too far to have our Humanity and dignity torn asunder. What good are the things we have built if there are no values to act as their foundation? When we have reached the point where we can begin tossing out centuries of evolved sensibility and restraint, in favor of flat out domination and conquest; we have lost the right to exist. Spender: You simply do not understand why The Trust exists. You do not understand our purpose...your purpose! Tyber: Davidov told me enough. You filled in the rest. I know enough and understand enough to know where this could end up. I was not born yesterday. The fact is...I do not believe that your intentions are entirely honest. You have hidden to much up until this point...and it would be stupid to assume that you are not hiding more. Spender folded his arms. Spender: I have nothing to prove to you. Tyber: On the contrary...you have everything to prove to me. You have to prove to me that what you did to Black team was worth it. You have to prove to me that you know how to best deal with The Insurrection, and any other threat for that matter. You need to prove to me that your intentions are on the level, and that you only have other people's best interests in mind. If you want my help...you need to prove a lot to me. So far...the only thing you have proven...is that you are a morally bankrupt individual. Spender: You honestly believe that...don't you? Spender laughed. Spender: I will admit...you are bold. That is a quality that I like to see in my subordinates. However, you also come off as very insubordinate. I do not like that. Tyber: I am prepared to walk on this. There is no way you can keep me here. If you can't prove yourself to me, I will simply refuse to cooperate with you. Spender paused. He then thought more about what Tye said. Spender: If you refuse to cooperate, I will be forced to take action. Tyber: You do what you have to do, but I will not be a pawn in your schemes. Spender: You do not have a choice in the matter! Tyber: No, I think I do. Unlike the rest of Black Team...I do. I am choosing to not be a part of your twisted little side show. Tye gave Spender a dirty look, as he stormed off, leaving the firing range. Spender: Don’t turn your back on me! I made you what you are! I own you! I created you! You belong to The Trust! Tye stopped, as he turned to face Spender. Tyber: Go to hell where you belong, you prick! [FF] ========================================================== UNSC Halycon Class - The King Raven - Medical Bay - Currently in the San Angeles Star System - 0600 Hours – January 30th 2540 ========================================================== Tyber: So...that was pretty much it. I had found out what The Trust had been doing, what they were planning. I was going to have nothing to do with it. Tye paused. Tyber: There was no way in hell I could reconcile what was going on. Everything that The Trust was doing was an affront to everything that I had ever been taught. I had no choice. As much as I wanted to lead Black team…I could not get over the fact that everything that Black Team fought for was an insult to my core values. I walked. Nighthawk: I seriously doubt that Spender would just let you walk. Tyber: He didn’t give up. He was not going to take no for an answer. Jennifer: What did he do in retaliation. Tye hung his head and sighed. Tyber: Let’s just say…he really wanted six members of Black Team. Cameron: Are you saying that he somehow coerced you into working with him? Tye looked away. Burke: Did he coerce you? Tye sighed. Tyber: In a way…yes he did. Burke: What did he do? Tye was silent for a moment. Tyber: Spender made sure that I never had a choice in the matter. Nighthawk: It is a pretty common theme. When it comes to The Trust…nobody really has a choice. The Trust is pretty much a law unto itself. They do not give a damn about anyone. The Trust values one thing…power: the ability to control everything and everyone around them. Tyber: It is true. Their actions speak for themselves in this matter. Jennifer: I find it very unsettling that this has been going on for so long. How has The Trust not been stopped yet? Tyber: The Trust makes it their business to control as many facets of Human Affairs as they possibly can. I am pretty sure The Trust has the right people in their collective pockets. Nighthawk: As long as The Trust can maintain a sufficient amount of control, they can retain an unlimited amount of obscurity. That is how they operate. As long as they stay under the radar, they will never be stopped. Burke: Why not just blow the whistle on them then? I mean…how hard would it be to document their movements and hand it over to ONI? Nighthawk: Lets all remember who the current Director of ONI is. Cameron: Spender. Nighthawk: Exactly. Tyber: Chances are…if you monitor Spender’s movements long enough, they will catch you. When they catch you, they will muzzle you. If my experiences have taight anyone here anything, is that they will go to any length to do it. Burke: Sounds like it is impossible to beat these guys. They seem to always be a step ahead. Nighthawk: It is possible to get them…with the most dfirect method anyway. Jennifer: Is it the gun? Nighthawk: It is always the gun. Nighthawk shrugged. Nighthawk: It is possible to fight The Trust. They are not unbeatable. However, the methods, the complex methods, need to be refined. You need to know how to hit The Trust. Look at the metods employed by Anaconda and I. For starters, he is a Brute. The Trust has nothing on him. The Trust simply does not have the resources necessary to track down any kind of identifying information on Anaconda. Anaconda grinned. Anaconda: This leads us into the concept of anonymity. The Trust knows nothing about the two of us. They desperately struggle for any kind of information they can use against us. Nighthawk: The Trust needs information to operate correctly. Without information, they struggle and they fail. Burke: That explains the alias. Nighthawk: Precisely. The Trust has no name for me. They cannot narrow me down. Anaconda: The Trust also depends on behavioral patterns to fight their enemies. If they have an enemy that shifts tactics non-stop…then The Trust cannot adapt, and it gets to a point where they become less and less prepared for every contingency, due to the sheer number of contingencies. Combined with the fact that between Nighthawk and I the vastly different personality traits and inherent mindsets make for some pretty interesting tactics when we decide to get violent. Tyber: You guys really got this figured out…don’t you? Anaconda: Pretty much. Nighthawk: It is one of the major reasons that I decided to seek out a non-human companion. It turns out that The Trust is very good at anticipating how Humans will respond to a situation...but they are at a total loss with anyone else. Burke: I have always wondered...how the hell did you two meet? Nighthawk and Anaconda looked at each other. Anaconda: We both had a bone to pick with The Trust. Nighthawk: Enemy of the enemy is your friend...you know? Burke: Right...I see. Makes sense. It is kind of a shame that you two are an exception to what is, more or less, a rule. They kill us, we kill them. No middle ground. No attempt at commonality. Anaconda: I wouldn't be so sure. Take it from me...there is commonality. You just have to find it. The Trust is a perfect example of this. For all of the terrible things that The Trust has done, and all of the terrible things that they will do...they did manage to unite, what would otherwise be two enemies, in a single goal. Nighthawk: In turn, because of that unity, we consider each other friends. There is a mutual respect. Anaconda: The point is...there is a middle ground...and you need to find it. Tye laughed. Tyber: It's funny that you guys bring this up. Nighthawk: What do you mean Tye? Tyber: Well, I guess you can say that The Trust has this kind of effect on people. The Trust is so evil, that they can unite two totally different, ideologically opposed, people, into common allies. I think this happens more than we think...to the point where it needs a name. Cameron: The Trust Effect? Tyber: Good enough. Let's call it that... [/FF] ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive – Firing Range - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to Draco III - 0030 hours - - June 1stth 2515. ========================================================== Spender watched as Tye left. Spender frowned. He did not like what had just been said to him. As the doors to the firing range closed, Spender began to speak. Spender: Ulterior Motive - current location of ODST Black Team, excluding Black 6? Ulterior Motive: ODST Black Team localized to Operation Barracks Alpha - Deck 12. Spender then tapped his ear piece. Spender: Spender to Novak, do you copy? Novak: I read you sir. What do you need? Spender: Lt. Vernette is not cooperating with orders. Something must be done about this immediately. He seems be too fargone. Novak: Well, sir, I have prepared the necessary pharmaceutical that we have been giving the other members of Black Team. However, my concern is that if Lt. Vernette is no longer cooperating with us...administering this drug could prove to be very difficult. However, if we are successful in administering this...he should become a LOT more compliant. I have this refined to a near perfect science now. Spender: I had a feeling you were going to say that. Do not concern yourself with that problem. I already have an idea. Lt. Vernette is not going to have a choice in this matter. Spender paused. Spender: Remain in the med bay. We will bring Lt. Vernette to you. Novak: Understood. Spender: This should not take too long. Spender out. Spender then closed the comm line, as he left the firing range. Spender wasted no time, as he rushed down to Operations Barracks Alpha, so that he could instruct Black Team on what they had to do. Spender had no doubt in his mind that what he was about to ask Black Team to do would be done without hesitation or question, and that it would be done with the expertise and the precision that he had instilled in Black Team through their training. Upon entering Operations Barracks Alpha, Spender was greeted by a fully geared and prepared ODST Black Team, with all members present, with exception to Black 6. Black 1: Sir...what brings you down here? Spender: We have a change of priorities gentlemen. Your services are required, not in the simulation deck, but in the real world. Black 1: What would you ask of us, Sir? Spender: Black 6 has gone rouge. He no longer deems it necessary to comply with orders. As you can possibly guess, I am none too pleased with this development. However, despite my irritation, Black 66 must be subjugated so that he can be re-processed and brought back into line. Black 5: You can count on us sir. The rest of Black Team nodded, with exception to Black 1. Black 1: With all due respects Sir…Black 6 has lost the right to be on this team. He has failed his test of loyalty. It has become clear that he lacks the mental discipline to comprehend and participate in the intensity of this line of work. Is it a good idea to try and re-incorporate him? Spender: I believe so. For starters, a great deal of time, effort, and resources were invested into Black 6…and The Trust is not prepared to so easily dismiss him. He has come too far, and we have come too far with him to mark him as so easily dispensable. Spender paused. Spender: Additionally, Black 6 is far too knowledgeable of our operations. Simply allowing him to leave would be a gross violation of internal security for The Trust. If Black 6 were to share what he knows with someone in the UNSC or even other parties in The Trust…it could have dire consequences. We cannot allow that to happen. Black 5: Then why not just kill him? Spender: Again…that would be a waste of resources. I am not yet prepared to just terminate Black 6 in any sense of the word without first trying to bring him back around to our side. I admit that there may be a time that we may need to terminate Black 6…but now is not that time. We have to try and restore his loyalty. Is this understood? All five members of Black Team nodded in unison. Spender: Good. Then by that I can infer that it is understood that you five will do EVERYTHING in your power to CAPTURE Black 6…not kill him. Black 1: Yeah…we understand. Spender: Good. Do whatever you must to subdue and capture Black 6. Once you have done that, bring him to the med bay, and Novak will be able to take it from there. Spender stepped to the side Spender: Black 1…you are in charge. Make sure that this plan does not deep six. You have your orders. Now go! Carry them out! Black Team all loaded their weapons, and they walked in unison, following behind Black 1, as they left the barracks and entered the main corridors of the ship. ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive – Deck 3 - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to Draco III - 0045 hours - June 1stth 2515. ========================================================== Tye was roaming the halls of The Ulterior Motive, thinking to himself about the discussion that he had just had with Spender not too long ago. He had no real destination. He was, more or less, touring the ship. Tye had always derived a bit of mental calm from talking walks, and touring the ship was the best thing to a walk. Tye had lost track of the time that he had spent roaming the corridors, but he knew that it was late just by how fatigued he was feeling. Tye had decided to make his way back to his quarters. Tye was not far from his quarters when he turned a corner, and found that his path was blocked by ODST Black Team. Tye looked at Black Team for a moment, confused as to what they were doing. Tyber: We had a training sim...didn't we? Honestly guys...not tonight. We can do it tomorrow. I am not in the mood tonight. Black Team was silent as they glared at Tye. Tye started to feel a bit uneasy at this rather odd behavior. Tyber: Guys...is there a problem? Black 1 stepped forward, and raised his Assault Rifle. Tyber: Whoa...pointing a gun at your squad commander is no way to earn points. Black 1: Tye...come with us. Tyber: What's going on? The other four members of Black Team began to spread out, as Black 3 and Black 5 circled around Tye, taking up position behind him. Black 1: We have orders to take you into custody. Tyber: What the hell is going on? Tye then heard weapons raise behind him. He knew that both Black 3 and Black 5 had raised their weapons. Black 1: We won't ask again. Come with us. Tyber: Where? Where are we going? Black 2: You will find out soon enough. Tyber: I hate to say this...but I get the feeling that I will NOT find out where I will be going. I demand to know where you are taking me! I am ordering you to tell me at once! Black 1: You are no longer in command. We no longer have to follow your orders. Whether this becomes that status quo, or if this reverts is up to you. Black 1 paused. Black 1: We will not ask again Tye. Come with us willingly...or we will take you by force. Tye knew that he was outgunned and outmatched. He knew that if he did anything other than what they asked, he would be taken down in a heartbeat. Tyber: I have no idea what the hell has got into you guys…but this only proves my point. Tye raised his hands and put them behind his head. He knew that whatever was coming, he was not going to like it. His every instinct told him that something bad was coming. Black 2 then stepped forward, and grabbed Tye by the shoulder, and turned him around, and then started to push in order to make Tye walk. Tye obliged and stepped forward, as he was directed down the corridor. With each step, Tye kept his eyes open for any opportunity that would give him the chance to break free and make an escape. However, corners were tight, and there was only so much room to maneuver. Tye knew his options were limited and that if he passed up even a decent chance, that he may not get another. As Tye was directed down the corridor, he could hear the sound of an elevator slowing down, as if it was stopping on this deck to let someone off just down the corridor that he was being led down. Tye knew that this could be a good chance to escape. Just as Tye had guessed, as he moved down the corridor, the elevator door opened, and two crewmembers with data pads stepped off the elevator. The crew members stopped when they saw Tye and Black Team, as if they were shocked at what they were seeing. Black 1: Clear the way! The two crewmen began to step aside to each side of the corridor, one on each side. However, as they did this, Tye broke away from Black 2, spun around, and slammed his pal right into Black 2's neck. As Black 2 fell to the side, Tye reached down and grabbed Black 2's automag, letting the momentum of the falling ODST, pull the gun right out of the holster. Tye then spun around, and grabbed one of the crewmembers and used him as a Human shield as he began to back up. Black Team responded immediately, as everyone except Black 2 raised their weapons and pointed at Tye. Tye held the Crewmember close, one arm wrapped around the crewman's neck, and the other arm extended, taking aim with the automag. Tyber: Get the FUCK back! Tye started to back up. Black Team, however, continued advancing. Tyber: I mean it...back OFF! Black 1 stopped, as he began to laugh. Black 1: Black Team... Tye continued to move back. Black 1: Shred that meat shield...then take aim and fire at any non-critical area on Tye's body. Tye became wide eyes, as he watched Black Team open fire into the crewman that he was using as a shield. Tye could feel his cloths soak with the crewman's blood as each bullet entered the crewman. The crewman drowned in his own blood, as the sound of gurgling blood came out of the crewman's mouth. Tye knew that he didn't have long, only a few seconds, to get to the elevator, and attempt his escape. As Tye lined his body up with the door to the elevator, he released the crewman and jumped into the elevator. Tye slammed against the wall of the elevator, but proceeded to kick the control panel in the elevator, intent on going anywhere besides where he currently was. The elevator doors quickly closed before Black Team could resume their firing. Black 1 grunted in anger as the door closed. Black 1: Damn it! Black 1 then stepped back as he contacted the bridge. Black 1: Black 1 to Spender...Lt. Vernette is on the move. He managed to elude us. I recommend a full lockdown of the ship until we can apprehend him. Black 1 waited for a response. It took a moment for Spender to respond, such that all of Black Team could hear him. Spender: Agreed. I will move all points to full alert. We will lock down all escape pods, weapons lockers, and hanger bays. I am giving you every advantage Black Team...find Vernette and capture him! Black 1: We're on it. Black 1 turned to the rest of his team. He saw that Black 2 had rejoined them, and was ready to proceed. Black 1 then gave a firm nod, as Black Team bolted off, intent on finding Tye. Tye, on the other hand, had moved up several decks. He was breathing heavily as he could not believe what had just happened. Tyber: They fucking turned on me. They fucking turned on me. Tye ran his hand through his hair, unsure of what he was going to do. Tyber: I called Spender out...and he sent my own team after me... Tye then stopped himself. He then came to a stark realization. Tyber: His team...it never was my team. He has been pulling the strings the entire time. The moment I turned on him, he cut me loose. Tye shook his head, as he felt the elevator slow down, as it got ready to open. Tyber: Davidov seemed to have an idea as to exactly what Spender did to them. However…Novak knows EXACTLY what he did…and he should know how to reverse it. Tye looked at a small screen on the wall of the elevator and saw that he was now on deck 6. He was one deck below the med bay. Tyber: I have to get to the med bay. I have to find out if there is a way to reverse what Novak did to the guys. The doors to the elevator opened, as Tye darted out. However, only moments after stepping out of the elevator and moving through the corridors, he was noticed by the Marines which were stationed on that deck. Trust ODST Sergeant: There he is! Open fire with high impact kinetic rounds. We want him incapacitated, not killed. Aim for the chest cavity! Ye moved into cover right away as he hear the high pitched sound of the kinetic rounds whiz by. Trust ODST Sergeant: Private…radio Black Team and report our position! One of the ODSTs fell into cover, as he radioed ODST Black Team. Trust ODST Private: ODST Black Team…this is Private Allan…we are on Deck 6, section 14…we have engaged Lt. Vernette, as ordered. We are attempting to subjugate. Tye could hear the chatter from where he was. He had no intention of letting these ODSTs broadcast his every move. When the fire had died down, Tye raised his automag, and leaped from his cover, to the other side of the corridor. As he did, he took several well placed shots, landing a headshot on the ODSTB Sergeant, and critical wounds on the private, and two other ODSTs. The fire immediately died down, as Tye easily eliminated the immediate threat. Tye emerged from cover and began to move down the corridors again. As he walked, he could see the ODST Private crawling away, talking into his comm. line. Trust ODST Private: This is Private Allen…my team has taken heavy casualties…we need backup! As Tye walked, he began to put a round into the heads of each ODST that was still alive, making sure that they were wall dead. Tye didn’t even look at the men he was killing, he simply walked by, and shot them square in the heads. Tye even did the same to the ODST Private who had been calling for help. Just after Tye had put the bullet in the private’s head, he gave an angry sigh. Tyber: Running low on ammo. It would be nice if I had a bigger weapon. Tye then had a thought. He turned, and knelt down next to the ODST Private, and grabbed his sidearm. Tye checked the clip, and saw that the sidearm still had live rounds. Tye then noticed that all of the ODSTs were all equipped with side arms. Tyber: It’s better than nothing. Tye moved between each of the ODSTs, grabbing their side arms, and taking the clips of ammo from each of the guns. Tye moved quickly, knowing that at any moment he could be swarmed by more hostiles. Once Tye had finished, he bolted off down the corridor, trying to throw Black Team, and the rest of The Trust, off his trail. Tye moved carefully, such that his feet made as little noise as possible as he ran. As Tye approached a junction, he stopped, as he leaned forward, checking his corners. Tye quickly pulled back when he saw that a larger team of Trust ODSTs were converging on his position. This team was about 12 ODSTs in size, and they did not display any kind of timid behavior. Tye knew that the body language screamed the fact that these guys meant business. Tye held his automag up to his head, as he pinned himself up to the wall. Tye then took a breath, and spun out of cover, and took aim at the large group of ODSTs. Trust ODST Sergeant Major: Contact Sighted. Open fire! Before the ODSTs could mobilize and carry out the order, Tye began to open fire, landing precise headshots on several of the ODSTs, causing them to scatter as they fell one by one. Trust ODST Sergeant Major: Take cover! The Trust ODSTs began to move back, as they took cover in doorways. Tye, on the other hand, had moved into cover once more, sticking behind the corner. He knew that these diversions were wasting his time. However, if he was to try and run, he would only be chased, and he could put himself into a much worse situation. As Tye stuck to cover, he did his best to keep track of the firing pattern of the ODSTs he was up against. Tye had managed to narrow this down, and emerged from cover once more for another assault. Tye fired off half of his clip, and managed to hit several more of the ODSTs in the arms, managing to his them despite their own efforts to stay in cover. Tye could hear the Leader of the ODST Team calling for backup, and reporting his situation. Trust ODST Sergeant Major: This is Sergeant Major Kane...we need backup on Deck 6, Section 19. We have engaged Lt. Vernette...but he has put up an incredible amount of resistance. Tye grinned, as he emerged from cover once more, and took aim, and managed to place a round right into the visor of the Sergeant Major, killing him instantly. The other ODSTs saw this, as they ceased their fire, and began to fall back. As the ODSTs fell back, Tye took this chance to continue onwards, as he continued on his way, going the opposite direction of the ODSTs that he had just engaged. Tye knew that as long as he was up against hostiles that were armed with non-lethal rounds, he would have the advantage, but he knew that ODST Black Team was still armed with live rounds, and that they currently posed the largest threat. ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive – Deck 5 - - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to Draco III - 0100 hours - June 1stth 2515. ========================================================== ODST Black Team had made their way to Deck 5, one deck above where Tye was. ODST Black Team had been in constant contact with Spender, who was on the bridge. Spender had been giving Black Team up-to-the-second updates on Tye's movements, and Black Team had reasoned that Tye was going to make his way to Deck 5. Black 1: Alright Black Team...listen up. We are going to situate ourselves near Section 21...which is located around the med bay. We have all agreed that Tye is going to make his way here sooner or later. Engaging him head-on will not work, despite our superior numbers. We must surround him, and engage him from multiple vectors. Black 5 nodded. Black 5: That is his biggest shortcoming; Tye excels at head-on engagements, but he often fails to account for his other vectors. If we can hit him from at least three sides, he WILL go down. Black 1: Agreed. Black 1 paused. Black 1: The challenge in this will involve using non-lethal means to take him down. Multiple other teams have engaged Tye with non-lethal kinetic training rounds, but they have all been killed, or nearly wiped out. We do have live ammo, but we cannot use it so liberally. Black 2: Sir, I recommend we use non-lethal shots. We should take shots at his arms and legs - attempt to cripple him and slow him down. Black 1: That could be a viable choice if the situation starts to break down further than it already has. Black 3 then interjected. Black 3: Sir...what if Tye DOESN'T come here? There is a chance that we could be wrong about this. Black 1: We could be wrong...but everything we know about Tye suggests that he will come here of his own accord. Remember...he doesn't know that this is where we wanted to take him. Second - he is going to want answers for what is going on. If his conversation with Spender was any indication of what is going through his mind right now, he no doubts puts all the blame on our training. There is only one place on this ship where he will get the kind of detailed answers his mind needs right now...and that is here, at the medical bay. Black 3 nodded. He then fell silent. Black 1 looked at each member of his team. Black 1: We have our work cut out for us. Let’s get this prick under control! Just as Black 1 had said this, all of Black Team could hear a muffle comm. communication. Trust ODST: This is Private Rye…Lt. Vernette has broken through our line…and he has entered Deck 5…section 24. Vernette will NOT go down…repeat…he will NOT go down! The comm. line went dead when the sound of the Trust ODST getting shot could be heard over the comm.. Black 1: Black Team…we have to get into position. Black 2…take up position down the corridor to the left, near the auxiliary supply room. Black 3…take up position at the far end of the corridor to the right. Keep your sights on Tye, and only fire if you ABSOLUTLY must…and only hit him in non-lethal areas. Black 1 turned to Black 4. Black 1: Black 4…take up position just down the main corridor, inside of the wiring room. Keep tabs on the comm. line. When we give the sign, we want you to emerge, and use that upper body strength to put Tye on the ground. Black 1 then turned to Black 5. Black 1: Black 5…you will be here…to meet Tye head on. You and he have history. If you can get inside his head, and get him off his game, we can converge on him and take him down. Black 5: What about you Black 1? Black 1: I am going to take up position opposite of Black 4. We are going to have this prick surrounded. Black 5: Fair enough. Black 1: Good luck! Each member of Black Team went their separate ways, taking up their respective position. Black 5 simply waited, in front of the main door to the med bay, for Tye to enter his sights. It was not longer before Black 5 spotted Tye at the other end of the corridor. The two men exchanged a look from down the corridor, exchanging no words, but making it very clear that they were at direct odds. Tye raised his weapon, and aimed at Black 5, as he stepped forward. Tyber: Eli…get out of the way! Tye continued to step forward. Black 5 held his ground. Tyber: Eli…I swear to God…I will shoot you if I have to. Black 5: I am sorry to hear that Tye…I really am. However, it gives me hope that you have decided to give me the ultimatum. Were you so generous to the men that you killed to get here? Tye scoffed. Tyber: Eli…do not push your luck. Black 5: Do not push you luck Tye. You think you actually stand a chance at getting off this ship alive? Do you think that Black team is going to make it easy for you to just waltz right past us, steal all of the information you want, and then just leave without incident? Black 5 paused. Black 5: You are pushing your luck…big-time! Black 5 watched Tye. He saw that Tye was still stepping closer, but very slowly. Tyber: Eli…get out of the way! Black 5: I cannot do that Tye! If you want me to move…you are going to have to kill me! Tyber: Eli…for the love of God…we are better than this! We have never been at odds like this before! Look what Spender has done to you! He has poisoned your mind! Black 5: No…you are wrong. He has done no such thing. Spender has opened my mind to new ideas, new methods, new ways of thinking, and new ways of doing things. He gives me the freedom I need to do what I need to do to get my job done! He has liberated me! Black 5 paused. Black 5: Can’t you see? We are facing a very real threat Tye! Humanity is self-destructive. Only The Trust can save Humanity. I realize this now…I understand this now! The Trust IS the future of Humanity! Tyber: I cannot believe what I am hearing…from you…of ALL people. I don’t know who you are anymore! I do not know what you are…but you are no longer the Eli Decker that I have come to respect. The Eli Decker I knew would NEVER say that! Black 5: Cut the melodrama Tye. I am still the same Eli Decker that you knew. The only difference is that…I have been improved. Black 5 paused. Black 5: You too can be improved if you just put the gun down, surrender, and allow The Trust to open your mind to new ideas. Let us help you…we want to improve you as well! Tyber: I don’t want your fucking improvements! Black 5: One way or the other Tye…we will find a way to help you. You are confused...and we want to help you. Black 5 raised his weapon and aimed at Tye. Tye tightened his grip around his weapon in response. Both men were ready to pull the trigger. Tyber: I’m sorry…it didn’t have to come to this… Black 5: No…it is I who should be sorry. I failed you. I failed as your CO. I failed as your friend. I failed as your mentor. Had I have done a better job guiding you…we would not be here…taking aim at each other. What a terrible way to end a friendship. I...am the one who is sorry. Black 5 showed no further signs of hostility, though he kept his aim on Tye. Tye, on the other hand, was seconds away from pulling the trigger. Just before he did, however, Tye was struck down from behind, by a swift blow to the back of the head. Tye dropped his weapon, as he fell to the ground. Tye rolled over, as he saw Black 1 behind him, holding his Assault Rifle. Black 1: You should learn to cover your Flank Tye. It seems to be your biggest flaw. Tye looked up at Black 1. Tye rolled to the side to reach for his sidearm, but before his hand could reach the gun, a foot slammed down on his wrist. Tye cried out in pain, as he looked up and saw Black 2, with his boot on Tye’s arm. Black 2: Let’s not be hasty. Tye frowned, as he pulled his arm out from under Black 2’s boot. Tye then rolled to the other side, but his momentum carried him right into a kick from Black 3. Black 3 had swung his leg, kicking Tye right in the mid section. This stopped Tye mid-roll, as he cried out in pain again, as he held onto his midsection, cradling his injury. Tye did not have long to cradle his injury, as he felt someone grab him from behind, and lift him up off the ground. As Tye was lifted to his feet, he was tossed into the wall, his back slamming into the wall. Tye saw that it was Black 4 who had picked him up and tossed him into the wall. Tye was weakened and in pain…but he was not about to just give up. Tye pushed himself forward, towards Black 4, but his efforts were in vain, as his attack was countered by Black 4, giving Black 4 the perfect chance to drive his knee right into Tye’s chest. Tye fell to one knee from the force of impact, and he found himself struggling to keep his balance, and to get back to his feet. Black 5: put the prick under! If we can knock him out…he should be much easier to work with. Tye looked up at Eli, and then turned his head to the side. As he did, he was met with the sight of Black 2 slamming the butt of his Shotgun right into his face. The butt of the Shotgun hit Tye in the side of the head, as Tye immediately lost consciousness, and fell to the ground. Black 1 looked down at Tye, on the ground, and laughed. Black 1: That was far too easy. It is laughable to think that HE was the leader of this team not but a couple of hours ago. Black 1 shrugged. He then looked at Black 4 and Black 3. Black 1: Pick him up and bring him to the med bay. Black 2 and Black 4 nodded, as they grabbed Tye, lifted him up, and dragged him to the med bay. Black 1, on the other hand, turned away, and contacted Spender via the comm. Black 1: Black 1 to Admiral Spender...I can confirm that we have managed to subdue Lt. Vernette, and we have taken him into custody. Black 2 and Black 4 are currently taking him to the med bay as we speak, as you requested. Do you copy? Black1 waited for a response from Spender. After a moment, Spender had responded to Black 1. Spender: Solid copy Black 1. Well done. With Lt. Vernette under control, we will have one less prblem to deal with. Spender paused. Spender: Black 1...I want you, and the rest of Black Team to be on hand at the med bay while Novak does what he has to do. I choose not to underestimate Lt. Vernette in this matter. If, by some chance, Lt. Vernette tries to mount an escape...I want Black team to put him down again. Is this understood? Black 1: Copy that Admiral. Black Team will be on hand in case anything goes wrong. You can count on us. Black 1 out. Black 1 closed the comm. He then turned around, and saw Black 3 and Black 5. Black 1 gestured to the two men, instructing the two to follow in tow. Black 1 led Black 3 and Black 5 to the med bay, where they saw Black 2 and Black 4 helping Novak secure Tye to a series of restraints. Black 1: Doctor...how is it coming? Novak: I have just administered a very heavy sedative to Tye. He is going to be out like a dead light bulb for hours. I can assure you that he will not pose a threat. Black 1: Be that as it may...Black Team is going to remain here...just in case. Novak: That will not be necessary. I have Tye under control. Black 1: The decision is not up for debate. My offer was not made because of any sort of charity or generosity. I am under orders by Admiral Spender to remain on hand...just in case you lose control of the situation. Novak sighed. Novak: Fine...just try and stay out of the way. The last thing I need is for something to go wrong because of an unwanted intrusion. Black 2: What could go wrong? Novak: You would be surprised Black 2…you would be surprised. [/FF] ========================================================== UNSC Halycon Class - The King Raven - Medical Bay - Currently in the San Angeles Star System - 0630 Hours – January 30th 2540 ========================================================== Jennifer: Wait…are you saying that The Trust actually took the time and gave the effort to capture you? Tyber: That’s correct. The Trust was very insistent on having me as a member of ODST Black Team. Jennifer: What I do not understand is what would they gain from capturing you? You had already made it clear that you were going to have no part in what they were doing! Cameron: Captain Frost…you seem to be forgetting that The Trust had already demonstrated that they had very powerful means of persuasion. Burke: Cameron is right. If I was to guess…the point of capturing Tye was so they could do to him what they did to the other members of Black Team. They wanted to finish what they started. Tyber: You are correct Doc. I was captured for that exact reason. I was captured so Novak could finish what he started, and turn me into what I was supposed to be…a husk for The Trust. Nighthawk: So unbelievable…but so in line with what The Trust would do. Part of me is not surprised…but another part of me…well…I can only imagine what you went through. Tyber: I went through hell…I think. Anaconda: You think? Tyber: It is the weirdest thing…but I cannot remember exactly what they did to me to MAKE me work for them. There are huge gaps in my memory. I can faintly remember images…sounds…feelings…even a few faces. I can remember small details...such as moving through obstacle courses, combat simulations...but the context is so blurry. Tye paused. Tyber: However…most of the exact details I experienced are lost to me. Jennifer: I have heard of this before. You see…when we experience something traumatic or…downright terrifying…our minds have been known to block out certain memories. It is a defensive response to things that we could otherwise not handle normally. Anaconda folded his arms and looked to Jennifer. Anaconda: Why would that happen? What is the value in forgetting something? Jennifer looked at Anaconda. Jennifer: The Human mind is very timid, yet very cunning and resilient when it needs to be. When we find ourselves in a state where our memories or state of mind is causing us distress beyond our ability to handle it…we block those memories as a defensive measure, to keep our sanity, to keep our peace of mind, and to help us cope. Burke: Let’s not forget the inherent self-defense principles that come into play. Memories can be very powerful. To recall and remember something so traumatic has the ability to drive us insane. The resulting insanity can do a lot of damage, and hurt a lot of people. Our minds can almost literally purge memories as a defense mechanism. Cameron: Actually…I have heard rumors that some of ONI’s top field agents have been trained extensively to make themselves forget information in the event of their capture. It is a form of self-hypnosis that some agents have been trained in. From what I have heard…it becomes a valuable skill in the event of their capture. Anaconda was still unsure as to why Tye would want to forget something like this. Anaconda: I still find this to be very odd. I cannot imagine myself ever forgetting something, no matter how terrible it was or how important it was. To me…memories are experience. To bury a memory is to destroy an experience. Yeah…I have forgotten things in my life…but never intentionally. Tyber: It was a pretty shitty experience. There is very little I could ever salvage from what they forcefully did to me. Whether it was intentional or not…the events of my life from that small period of time are lost to me. Anaconda: But it was an experience none the less. It may be a painful memory…but you could have always turned that pain into a fuel for your desire for revenge and retribution. Do not be so quick to abandon your pain and suffering. Embrace it…use it against your enemies. Tye sighed. Tyber: Perhaps. Perhaps not. Anaconda was going to respond, but Nighthawk nudged him in the arm. Anaconda looked at Nighthawk, and Nighthawk looked at Anaconda. The two exchanged looks for a moment. After a moment, Anaconda looked back at Tye. Anaconda: I may not fully understand the reasons behind your situation…but I can respect your strength for living through it. I mean no offense. Tye nodded. Tyber: Think nothing of it. It’s cool…don’t worry. Anaconda nodded at Tye. Nighthawk: So…you just established that you have a memory gap. What is the next thing you remember after all of that? Tyber: Well…my memory starts to clear up as I was being briefed on my next missions. It was defiantly a few days after the lapse began…so there is not very much lost time. Nighthawk: Do you recall what the mission was? Tyber: Yeah, I recall the details of what the mission was…and I even recall a majority of the mission itself. Nighthawk: So what were the exact details of the mission? I know earlier you mentioned Draco III…but…the details were sketchy at best. Tyber: The mission was to report to Draco III…and stop a branch of The Trust from wiping out the largest Insurrection cell in UNSC territory. Our orders were to help The Insurrection survive so that Spender could continue to use them as pawns in his little coup. How fucked up is that? Anaconda: Very manipulative. Very deceptive. Nighthawk: At least his tactics do not change. Tyber: Believe me…they have not changed a bit. [/FF] ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive – Main Bridge – Draco System - Currently on course towards Draco III - 0800 hours - June 5th 2515. ========================================================== Spender and Novak were both on the main bridge of The Ulterior Motive, as the ship had just dropped out of Slipspace in the Draco system. Trust Helm Officer: Sir…engines are now cold. We have returned to normal space. Spender: Do we have any sensor readings on Draco III? Trust Sensor Officer: We are getting something on sensors…standby. Pender and Novak looked at each other and then back at the sensor officer. Novak: Ensign…what do you see? Trust Sensor Officer: The UNSC Marathon Excalibur is currently engaging Insurrection Retrofits. The Excalibur is holding steady against five old UNSC Medical Frigates….that seem to have been haphazardly upgraded by The Insurrection for combat. Novak: Medical Frigates? Spender: Well…not just Medical Frigates…combat retrofitted Medical Frigates. Novak: Medical Frigates have limited armor. The Excalibur has to be shredding those ships. Trust Sensor Officer: I think The Excalibur IS shredding those ships. I am detecting a number of debris scattered around the planet which seem to be consistent with smaller civilian class colony ships. Based on what I am reading in the debris…there seems to be ordinance and what appears to be light deck guns in the debris. Sir…The Excalibur is pounding The Insurrection. The Insurrection is not going to last much longer? Novak: Helm…ETA to Draco III? Trust Helm Officer: 15 Minutes. We dropped out of slip a bit further than we should have. Novak turned and looked at Spender. Novak: They are not going to last that long. Those Insurrectionist ships are a write off. Spender: Agreed. However, we should endeavor to take advantage of this situation. I have no doubt The Excalibur has sustained battle-damage, even to the smallest degree. We have a chance to get an early upper hand…and destroy The Excalibur. Novak nodded in agreement.