[Naked Crook]

Novak: Sir...he is fully briefed on all of our operational procedures. He knows more than he should. Black 6 is fully aware of the details and the extent of Black Team's training. This could defiantly be something that he could use to reduce future effectiveness of their deployments. He is in possession of some of our hardware assets and he will use them against us. We have to nullify him in order to prevent any leaking of information. At this point, it would be all but impossible to conscript him again. He would not allow himself to undergo any further procedures. Spender: I still do not understand why we could not simply conscript him again. Hypothetically...couldn't we just capture him and simply administer the drugs we used on him? Novak: It is not as simple as that. Like I said before...Black 6 was incomplete. He was still undergoing treatments...treatments which were required to more fully adjust and fine-tune his physiology and his brain chemistry. We lost him to The Insurrection before we could finish. I am almost certain that, by this point, he has returned, in large part, to normal - that is - returned to his former mindset, before we recruited him. He was simply unfinished...and our work has been undone by a lack of attention. Novak paused. Novak: But...he is still fully augmented...and he is still highly trained. He is far more dangerous now, than ever before. Spender: What about the rest of Black Team? At this point...is there any danger of the other five reverting? Novak: At this point? No. We have all but subjugated them. From what I can tell, their new physiology and brain chemistry has asserted itself as the predominant condition. In order to undo what has been done to them...a very consorted effort would have to be made. Over the past 4 weeks...I have continued my work with the rest of Black Team. They took the loss of Black 6 very hard...and that concept incorporated itself into their training. Their performance, as of late, has crushed their previous results. In a way, losing Black 6 has exponentially improved the other 5. In theory...I can see why. The ideas of comradery and loyalty we installed into them was a central theme in their development. As soldier...they react very negatively to the loss of their comrades. The loss of Black 6 pushed them past the breaking point. It made my efforts all the more easy. Novak shrugged. Novak: I digress. The rest of ODST Black Team has progressed along, and exceeded, predefined specifications. They are as ready as they ever will be. The only thing left for them to do...is live the new lives we have given them. Novak paused. Novak: In the future...I may consider cybernetic augmentation if it becomes warranted. However, for now, they are the soldiers we need them to be...and much more. Spender took a drag of his cigarette, as he shook his head. He was still frustrated about Black 6. Spender: I still cannot get over the loss of Black 6. It was such a waste. Spender scoffed. Spender: We don't even know if he is dead or alive. Spender paused. He took a long drag of his cigarette. Spender: So much good undone. So much effort destroyed. So much faith wasted. I believed in him. He was troubled...but he had so much potential. Spender took another drag of his cigarette, slowly burning it down. Spender: The setbacks on Draco III...with the catastrophic, yet unavoidable losses, of The Insurrection. Everything I have worked for...endangered. I would be shocked to see if The Insurrection ever manages to recover from that. Spender turned his chair, as he looked Novak head on. Spender: Having to kill The Board of Chairmen...the infighting in The Trust. Things are falling apart Robert. Spender scoffed. Spender: I need a fucking miracle to salvage all of this. Novak: I am sure, that despite the losses on Draco III, that The Insurrection will survive. It will take time to try and get them back on track to continue with endeavors such as Operation: Blind Eagle. Honestly...the fact that you managed to hold everything together as long as you did was a miracle in itself. Under any lesser leadership...I am sure that The Trust would have torn itself apart under the stress. I know that under your leadership...The Trust will survive...and thrive, for that matter. I have learned to play the cards I am dealt. Sometimes...we win a hand and sometimes we lose a hand. As long as we remember that...we will be fine. Spender laughed, as he ashed out his cigarette. He then reached into his pocket, as he pulled out another. He reached for his lighter, but his lighter would not ignite. He cursed under his breath. However, he stopped, when Novak leaned forward, with a lighter, and lit the cigarette for Spender. Spender looked at Novak, and nodded. Spender: Thank you. Spender paused. Spender: I had this lighter for 10 years...and it finally gives out. My luck just keeps getting worse. Spender paused. Spender: However...I think you are right Robert. It is just the difficulty of having to deal with all of this shit at once. Even for me...it can be overwhelming. Spender looked once more at the tablet on his desk that had all of Tye's information on it. Spender: Arrange to have Black 6 killed...provided he is ever found. Seal his file. Inform Black Team that we suspect that Black 6 has gone rouge, and that he has defected to The Insurrection. I can think of no better way to test ODST Black Team than to give them the news that they will be the ones who will be responsible for the elimination of their former comrade and ally. If there is any shred of humanity left in those men...this task will destroy it. They will be...perfect soldiers...loyal to the end. Novak: Right away. Novak nodded, as he turned to leave. Before Novak reached the door, Spender called out to him. Spender: Robert! Novak turned to face Spender. Novak: Yes? Spender: Despite all of the pressure I have put on you. Despite my lack of patience for your work. Despite the trouble I have given you for this entire endeavor, from the start...your work has been...phenomenal. You have exceeded my ultimate expectations of what I wanted from ODST Black Team. You handled their training and their management with a degree of grace and diplomacy that exceeds my own. Spender paused. He stood up. Spender: Without you...Black Team would not exist. Had this...monumental task been left in the hands of the most stalwart professionals and experts...they would have gotten it wrong. You are a credit to Humanity...you are a credit to The Trust...and... Spender extended his hand. Novak did the same and shook Spender's hand. Spender: And...I consider you one of my most trusted and loyal friends. Spender paused. Spender: If only there were others like you...I wouldn't have to work so hard. I wouldn't put up with a fraction of the bullshit I have to. Novak: Thank you, sir. I appreciate the high praise. Spender nodded, He then waved his hand to dismiss Novak. Novak turned once more, as he walked out of Spender's office. Spender watched as Novak left his office. As the door closed, Spender sighed, as he took another drag of his cigarette. He simply sat in silence for several minutes before he was once again interrupted by a call from the bridge. Trust Officer: Admiral Spender to the bridge. Spender finished off the cigarette he was smoking, as he ashed it out and left his office, walking towards the bridge. As Spender walked onto the bridge, he took his place in the command seat. Spender: Status report? Trust Officer: Sir...you ask to be informed when our ETA to the Apex had fallen under ten minutes. Spender: YEs, yes. Understood. I assume we are about three minutes out? Trust officer: Yes sir, that is correct. Spender nodded. Spender: Alright. Very good. It is time to get this show on the road. Spender leaned over, and accessed the ships comm system. Spender: ODST Black Team...report to the bridge, on the double. Spender muted the comm line, as he stood up and walked towards the holotable on the bridge. Spender waited for Black Team arrive. Spender only had to wait several minutes before ODST Black Team walked onto the bridge. ODST Black Team stepped in unison, the sounds of their boots hitting the ground filled the bridge with a sort of terror. It was a very unnerving sound. Many of the officers on the bridge found it to be quite disturbing and jarring. ODST Black Team lined up in front of Spender, on the other side of the holotable, as Black 1 spoke. Black 1: You called? Spender: Yes...Black Team. We are on our final approach for The Apex. I am here to inform you that I will be deploying you to the surface of The Apex. Your mission will be a difficult, though necessary one. Black 1: We are ready for anything. Just give us our orders. Spender: Your orders will be to secure The Trust's central point of command, The HEURISTICS Facility, on the planet's surface. There will defiantly be a hostile naval presence around the planet, but The Ulterior Motive is prepared to engage in order to get you through the line. Black 1: If there is a hostile naval presence...does that not put the ship in danger? Spender: It will put The Ulterior Motive in a great deal of danger. However, The Ulterior Motive will not be engaging in any long-term battles. We are there to get you deployed onto the surface. After that...we are going to fight a defensive battle up here. The Ulterior Motive will stick to hit and run strategies, as well as bait and switch maneuvers in order to draw out the length of the battle. The overall goal will be to survive up here, long enough, to give you five the time you will need to capture The HEURISTICS Facility. Black 2: What will capturing The HEURISTICS Facility accomplish? Spender: By capturing The HEURISTICS Facility on the surface of the planet, we can strengthen our hand. As you may or may not be aware, there are planet-side defenses which we could leverage in order to turn the tide of the battle up here. If we destroy Rear-Admiral Hoffman's ship, and damage enough of the Trust's navy...we can force a surrender. Additionally, by capturing The HEURISTICS Facility, we can cripple local coordination in this system. Controlling The HEURISTICS Facility is the key to this battle. Black 3: What kind of resistance can we expect planet-side? Spender: Expect an enormous amount of resistance. You will encounter more resistance on The Apex than you did on The Excalibur and Draco III combined. This is the heart of our operations. This is the core of The Trust. This location is the most vital location to The Trust. This will not be easy. This will be very difficult. The odds are stacked against you. Black 4: Are there any tactical avenues we could use to leverage an advantage during combat? Spender: It is difficult to say. The HEURISTICS Facility is a highly secured facility. It makes ONI Alpha Site look as penetrable as a church broom closet. A large portion of the main facility is underground. However, there is a sizeable portion that is still above ground…a spire, essentially. Unfortunately...you have to fight your way through the front door. As you can see, the spire itself resides in the center of this overall area. Black 5: That is a very large complex. The area around it is even larger. Spender: The Apex is massive. the CIC of The HEURISTICS Facility is in the subbasement of the spire. As you can see, the airspace around the spire is protected by Frigates, Pelicans, and other defenses. There are computer operated MAC turrets mounted on the roof of the spire as well, which are more than capable of shooting down incoming air assaults. An air approach will be futile. You must approach from the ground…and even then…you will be hard pressed to get by the defenses. Black 5: Are there any other tactical locations we should be aware of that are on the surface? Spender: Aside from a dozen low priority R&D facilities, another dozen or so factories for producing vehicles and equipment, multiple gun turret emplacements, and a bone yard, there is considerably very little to concern you outside the spire itself. Black 2: Would it be possible to cut the power to these defenses to allow an air approach? Spender: No…the main reactors which power all of this, as well as redundant supplies, are all buried about 2 Km underground. When The Trust designed this location…they went all out. It took decades to build this…to perfect it…to refine it. There was so much secrecy and it was so shrouded in the veil of virtual non-existence that we could literally take our time to entrench as firmly as we wanted. The Trust had always known that, collectively, it would come under attack some day. When that day came…they wanted to be ready. Spender paused. Spender: We will be fighting decades of the most paranoid security ever devised by a human. Spender paused. Spender: I am asking you five to do the impossible…and I am expecting results. I know that the five of you are capable of doing this…and I know that you will succeed. You have the best training imaginable. You are soldiers of the highest caliber. I would not ask you to do the impossible if I KNEW that you couldn’t do it. Black 1: Rest assured, sir…ODST Black Team will defeat this impenetrable fortress and its legions of defenses single handedly. Spender: Excellent. That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Spender paused. Spender: You five...are the finest soldiers I have ever seen. If there is anyone who can pull this off in its entirety...it will be the five of you. Spender paused. Spender: The five of you...is what I want the Trust to be; loyal, stalwart, implacable. I have never had as much faith in a person or group of people, as I do the five of you. Despite the setback of losing Black 6, the five of you have proven that in the face of adversity, you neither falter nor do you succumb. Spender paused. However, before he could speak, he heard the helm officer address him. Helm Officer: Sir...we will be exiting Slipspace in 5...4...3...2...1 Spender turned, facing the front of the bridge. He watched as the ship returned to normal space. He could see The Apex in the distance, although the planet was quite small from where the ship actually was. Helm officer: The Apex is dead ahead sir. Spender turned back to face Black Team. Spender: Here we go... Spender turned back and faced the front of the bridge once more. Spender: Helm...take us in. Spender walked towards the front of the bridge. As he did, he accessed the comm system, and spoke to his entire crew. Spender: All hands to battle stations! Spender took a deep breath, and sighed, as he knew that he was walking into the most dangerous battle that he had ever undertaken. He was outgunned, outnumbered, and he could find no statistical advantage in what he was going to start. Part of him felt very uneasy and even unsure about the coming battle. He knew that the odds of failure were astronomical. However, he had to fight for what he believed in. He had to take a stand. He had a responsibility to everything that he valued to make this stand. ODST Black Team simply watched Spender stand at the front of the bridge, like a statue, while everyone around him had been moving in a panic and in a rush. ODST Black Team then began to exchange looks with one another, until Black 1 finally stepped forward towards Spender. Black 1: Sir? Spender turned to face Black 1. Black 1: Do you want us to report to the hanger bay and await deployment? Before Spender could answer, he was interrupted by his comm office. Comm Officer: Sir...we have an incoming message from The Trust. The message is originating from "The Devastator". The message is on a priority one channel...and they are addressing you by name. Spender paused for a moment. Spender: Hoffman wants to talk. The question is...why? Surely he must know about Davidov and Smith. Why the hell does he want to talk? Spender paused again. Spender: What is the current status of their fleet? Tactical Officer: Based on these readings...they are simply holding position between us and the planet. Their weapons are not primed, and they seem to be at standard condition. I am seeing nothing which puts them into a battle position. ODST Black Team listened to the exchange. They were curious as to why nothing was happening. Black 4: What is going on? Why are they not shooting at us? Why are they not engaging us? Spender: That is a very good question. They should be attacking us. Comm Officer: Sir...we still have an incoming transmission. Admiral Hoffman is still trying to reach us. Spender: Take us forward. Move us in closer. Keep weapons primed, and hold current condition. Spender paused. Spender: Something is not right. This isn't adding up. They should know that I have hostile intent. Helm Officer: 20 000 Km and closing. We will be in weapon's range by the time we reach 15 000 Km. Spender: Maintain course. Take us in at cruising speed. Spender simply stood at the front of the bridge. He simply kept on waiting for something to happen. Nothing was going to plan. Nothing that he had expected was happening. Helm Officer: 18 000 Km. Spender: Maintain course and speed. After a few moments, the Helm officer began to speak. Helm Officer: 16 000 Km and closing. We will be in weapons range in...10 seconds. Spender simply waited, but still nothing happened. Black 1: They should be able to lock weapons on us by now. They should be able to fire. Comm Officer: Sir...we STILL have an incoming message. Do we answer it? Spender paused. He sighed, as he sat down in his chair. Spender: Open a channel. Let's hear what he has to say. Comm Officer: Aye sir. Channel is open. Just as the comms officer opened the channel, one of the large screens on the bridge displayed Rear-Admiral Hoffman on the screen. Spender looked at the screen, and exchanged a glare with Hoffman. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Constantine Spender...you have been busy. Long time no see. Spender: What do you want Hoffman? I am not in the mood to talk. Rear Admiral Hoffman: I can see that, The readings on your ship are all too clear. Your weapons are primed, your ship is on full alert, and it literally took you forever to answer my call. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: I can also see quite a bit more. Your ship is damaged. There is a lot of battle scarring on your ship. Some of it seems to have been touched up...but you are not 100%...are you? Draco III...The Excalibur...The Nemesis..>The Insurrection? Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: You have been very busy. You have been very busy...killing a lot of people. Spender: What is your point Hoffman? Rear Admiral Hoffman: My point...is that it is very misdirected. Granted...killing Insurrectionists deserves a tip of the hat...but turning your weapons on The Board of Chairmen? My, my...that is very sketchy. Spender: The Board of Chairmen turned on me. Rear Admiral Hoffman: And we were very wrong to do so. I realize now...we were in error. We were far too short sighted. Spender was taken aback by this. he was very confused by this. Spender: Excuse me? Rear Admiral Hoffman: You hear what I said Spender. We were wrong. We were shortsighted. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Understand this...I did not come to this realization because of how much carnage you caused. It is much more than that Spender. There are things that we know now...that...The rest of the UEG and UNSC does not. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Things that even ONI does not know. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Things that have, for all intents and purposes, scared the shit out of us. Hoffman sighed. Rear Admiral Hoffman: You are needed, now more than ever. Spender was unsure how to respond to this complete 180 degree reversal. Spender: What are you talking about Hoffman? What has happened? Rear Admiral Hoffman: Nothing has happened yet. However...I believe something will happen. Something is going to happen. We are not ready if it does happen. Spender: What are you talking about? Rear Admiral Hoffman: I am not entirely sure. All I know...is that you and I have to meet. Please...allow me to come aboard your ship. This is no deception. This is no ruse. This is no attempt on your life. We must bury the hatchet Spender...for the good of Humanity... Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: For the good of our species. Spender was unsure of what to make of this complete reversal...but he could see that there was a desperation in Hoffman's eyes that was unlike anything he had ever seen. Spender: Hanger bay 3...it is in the best condition at the moment. Just message us when you get close. Hoffman nodded, as the video feed was cut and the screen went black. Everyone on the bridge was silent. Spender: Stand down battle stations. Spender tended his fingers, as he rested his elbows on the arm rests of his chair. He slowly spun around in his chair, facing the rear of the bridge. He looked at Black Team. Spender: Change of plans...we are NOT going to attack The Apex. Spender paused. Spender: Stand down for now. Await further orders. I need to know exactly what is going on before I make any more decisions. ODST Black Team looked at each other. They were all thinking the same thing. Black 1: Sir? Spender looked at Black 1. Spender: Yes? Black 1: What did Hoffman mean by..."the good of our species"? Spender looked at Black 1, unable to answer the question. Spender: Honestly? I do not know. I think we are going to find out, however. Spender paused. Spender: I want you five to report to hanger bay 3...and bring Hoffman to the bridge. Make sure he doesn't get lost. ODST Black Team nodded, as they turned, and left the bridge, heading down to hanger bay 3 to await Hoffman's arrival. ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive - Hanger Bay 3 - Currently in the APX-449 Star System - Center of Trust Activity known as The Apex - 1615 Hours - July 9th 2515 ========================================================== ODST Black Team had entered Hanger Bay 3. When they did, they saw an active Pelican finalizing its docking procedures, as it flew through the security barrier that separated the hanger bay from the vacuum of space. ODST Black Team watched as the Pelican powered down. They could hear the rear door of the Pelican open, as well as the sound of footsteps stepping from the Pelican, onto the hanger bay flood. It was not long before Admiral Hoffman stepped around the Pelican into plain view. He stepped forward, but he slowed his approach when he saw ODST Black Team. Hoffman simply looked at ODST Black Team. He gave them a puzzled look. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Defiantly not standard issue. Who are you guys? Black 1 answered the question. Black 1: Black Team. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Clearly. Not very chatty? Black 1: Not at the moment. Hoffman shrugged. Black 1: Follow us to the bridge. Black Team all turned, one after the other, as they took the lead, and began to lead Hoffman back up to the bridge of The Ulterior Motive to meet Spender. ODST Black team remained silent for the entire trip. Hoffman found this to be rather disturbing, as the men were oddly stoic and they gave a very cold impression. He also found it very odd that they stepped in almost complete unison. Hoffman had no idea who these men were or where they came from, but it was something he could not concern himself with at this moment. After a few minutes, and an elevator ride, ODST Black Team had returned to the bridge with Hoffman in tow. Spender was still sitting in his command chair, facing the rear of the bridge. Spender watched as the entourage entered the bridge. Black 1: Sir...Admiral Hoffman... Black Team turned to face Admiral Hoffman. Spender nodded, as he stood up and walked up to Hoffman. Spender: It has been a while. Rear Admiral Hoffman: It has been. Hoffman extended his hand. Spender looked at Hoffman's hand, and sighed, as he shook Hoffman's hand. However, as Spender shook Hoffman's hand, he could feel something in Hoffman's hand. As the two men separated their hands, Spender pulled his hand back, and saw that Hoffman had put a data chip into his hand. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Constantine...that is why I am here. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: That data chip contains something that...is going to change everything. Plug it into the holotable...and you will see. Spender looked at Hoffman for a moment, but then agreed, and did as Hoffman asked. Spender walked towards the holotable, and inserted the data chip into one of the data ports. Just as he did, the holotable lit up, and a holographic image of the milky way appeared. There were about half a dozen flashing lights on the display. Spender, Hoffman, and ODST Black Team Rear Admiral Hoffman: As you know...The Trust is constantly sending unmanned probes into the depths of space for numerous reasons. We typically keep each probe confined to a relatively small group of sectors. This allows each of the probes to communicate with each other in real time, with closer probes acting as our relays to further probes. As you can see, we have a very nice network of probes going out into the depths of the galaxy. Spender: I am aware of how it works. The details of our astronomical mapping techniques is not lost on me. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Then I can cut right to the chase. Hoffman paused, as he entered a few commands on a keypad that was attached to the holotable. Rear Admiral Hoffman: 9 days ago...Deep Space Probe Tango-72...had to be destroyed by a remote procedure call. We were also forced to destroy an entire subnet of probes that were directly communicating with it. Spender: Why? Rear Admiral Hoffman: Tango-72 returned a code 16 violation to The Apex. Spender stepped back. He was shocked to hear this. Spender: Are you sure? How is that possible? Rear Admiral Hoffman: We were very sure. We analyzed the logs that were sent back upon it happening. Black 2 then spoke up. Black 2: Would you mind clarifying what a code 16 violation is? Rear Admiral Hoffman: A code 16 violation...directly involves the communication systems. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Someone tried to communicate with tango-72. Black 2: Could it have been a fluke? Rear Admiral Hoffman: No...it was not a fluke. Spender: How can you be sure of that? Hoffman sighed. He didn't say anything. He simply looked down at the control panel in front of him, and began to cycle through the data. He called up a collection of images and telemetry that was captured. Rear Admiral Hoffman: We are sure...because we detected...this... Hoffman pressed a button, as a 3D holoimage of a ship appeared on the holotable. Rear Admiral Hoffman: This vessel is not Human in origin. We have no idea what it is or where it came from. However...we caught a glimpse of what was inside. If you thought the ship was troubling...wait until you meet "Non-Human-Entity-1" Hoffman cycled to the next image. Spender and ODST Black team were taken aback by what they saw. Spender: My God... Black 1: Holy shit... Black 3: What the hell is that thing? Black 5: Sweet Jesus... Hoffman sighed. Rear Admiral Hoffman: You guys are taking it CONSIDERABLY better than we did. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: After that image was taken...the code 16 violation was detected. That thing tried t access our probe. Chances are...after that explosion...Non-Human-Entity-1 is dead. Spender: Excellent. The first casualty. Well done Hoffman. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Well, we did not hesitate in destroying that probe and everything connected with it. Ever since we found this...we have been on a heightened state of alert. The Trust has recalled all ships back to The Apex. We still have ships en-route...and more arrive every day. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: With me being the last surviving member of The Board of Chairmen...I have been left alone...making tactical decisions that may or may not be necessary against...God knows what. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Constantine...we now have the answer to a question that has plagued mankind since the dawn of time; are we alone? We have the answer...and it terrifies me. It is why the first thing I did...was divert MORE assets into Operation Blind Eagle. I realize now that The Trust MUST be the tip of the spear against this enemy. We need more power...more control...more authority. If the day comes where we are forced to face something in battle that is...beyond Human...The Trust must be ready. Hoffman looked at Spender. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Spender...I need you. The Trust NEEDS you. Humanity...NEEDS YOU! Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: You are the only man I know with the convictions and the strength of character to deal...with all of this. I know we have had our differences...and I know that we have almost never seen eye to eye...but I realize now that you have a foresight unlike any other man I have ever met. You were correct in what you were trying to do. Only now do I understand your reasons. Hoffman paused. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Please...for the good of Humanity...we must bury the hatchet...and work together. We have to set aside our differences and allow our mutual strengths to complement one another in order to prepare ourselves for what is GOING to come. Spender looked at Hoffman. Spender then grinned, and then started to laugh. Spender: This is so ironic. Not too long ago...I was kicking myself for the loss of The Insurrection on Draco III. Now, it seems, that we don't even need the Insurrection at all. We have something much more...inhuman to motivate us. Spender nodded. Spender: I can bury the hatchet Hoffman. I can set aside our differences. In the end...those differences mean nothing now. Spender paused. Spender: We must work together if we are to prepare ourselves. Spender paused. Spender: The first thing we have to do is rebuild The Board of Chairmen. We need a chain of command. We need to reestablish our leadership. We need to get this house in order. We then need to drive up recruitment to replace the losses that...I inflicted. I will take personal responsibility for that. We will need talent, we will need expertise, engineers, scientists...anything that can give us an edge. There is much to be done, but, if we work together, I know that we can prepare both The Trust, and Humanity, for whatever may come. Hoffman nodded in agreement. Rear Admiral Hoffman: Absolutely. I agree. Spender: It is time to get back to work Hoffman. We have much to do. Spender paused. Spender: Our goal is clear... Spender paused again. Spender: Protect Humanity. It is why The Trust was created. It is why we exists. Spender paused. Spender: Let's get moving! ========================================================== UNSC Phoenix Class - The Hades Eclipse - Main Bridge - Currently in Slipstream Space en-route to The Apex - 1600 Hours - July 30th 2515 ========================================================== Vixen was on the bridge of The Hades Eclipse. She sat in the command chair, facing the front of the bridge. Her ship was at full alert, and every member of her crew were already at their respective battle stations. Vixen knew that they were closing in on their destination, and she wanted to be ready for anything. Vixen was very anxious, though she hid it well. Part of her knew that she was no doubt going into a combat situation, despite the uncertainty of what was waiting for her and her ship when she finally dropped out of slipspace. Despite the hustle and bustle on the bridge, Vixen did hear the door to the bridge open. She stood up, and turned around to see who had walked onto the bridge. When she had turned to look, her heart skipped a beat, partly in shock and partly in awe. She watched Tye walk onto the bridge, once again, fully geared in his Black Team BDU. Vixen: Tye... Black 6 approached Vixen. He simply looked at her. Black 6: Vixen... Vixen stepped back, as she looked him head to toe once more. Vixen: Those colors do not suit you...not anymore. Black 6: It is all I have at the moment. Besides...if I am going up against The Trust...I am going to need all the toys built into this suit to give me every edge I can get. I don't like it any more than you do...especially when by HUD Tag says BLK6 Black 6 paused. He then shrugged. Black 6: I guess I had the time to change it provided how long I have been here. I guess the task just slipped my mind. Also...this is really the first time I have touched the armor since coming her. Vixen: Are you going to be alright? Black 6: Of course I will be alright. It was the man wearing the armor that fucked up...not the armor itself. I will be fine. Black 6 paused. Black 6: Once this is all said and done...we can...make a few changes. Vixen sighed. She hung her head. Black 6: What is the matter? Vixen: When this all said and done... Black 6: What do you mean? Vixen: When this is all said and done...where do I go? What do I do? Where do you go? What do you do? Vixen paused. Vixen: You had a life prior to all of this Tye. You have a career. You cannot forget about your military career. I care about you too much to just let you throw away something that could prove to be so promising. Black 6 gave an uncertain nod. Black 6: I am not sure. I have technically been AWOL for a long time. I would be surprised if I still have one. Vixen: Even so...you still have a life you have to go back to. Vixen paused. Vixen: But what do I do? Where do I go? Vixen looked at Black 6. Vixen: If you go back to your life, and I continue mine here...we can't have lives together. We live two very incompatible lives, you and I. Black 6 shrugged. Black 6: Do you think that bothers me? Do you think I would let something, like that, determine if we could be together or not? Of course not. We will figure it out. We will find a way to make it work. Black 6 paused. Black 6: I don't care what kind of obstacle gets in my way. I am not going to let little problem stand between you and I. I will be damned if we have to part ways because of a career. Black 6 paused. Black 6: I will toss that career aside if I have to. I don't care where I end up...as long as I end up there, with you. You are far too important to me to lose. Vixen grinned. Vixen: We're you always this charming...or do I just bring out the best in you? Black 6: A little from column A...and a little from column B. Black 6 laughed. Black 6: Don't worry Vixen...we will figure this out. Everything will work out. Once this is all behind us, we will figure something out. We will make it work. Vixen grinned. Vixen: There is nothing I want more. Vixen placed her hand on the side of Black 6's helmet. Vixen: But I still think Black doesn't look very good on you. Black 6 laughed. Black 6: We will fix it later. Vixen and Black 6 were then interrupted by the helm officer. Helm officer: Ma'am...we will be returning to Normal space in approximately 15 seconds. Vixen looked back at Black 6, as she stepped back. Vixen: Here we go Tye. This is it. This is where we find out what awaits us. This is the hour. Vixen turned, as she walked towards the front of the bridge. Vixen watched as the ship returned to normal space. She stepped closer to the front of the bridge, as she looked out the large window. She could see a planet in the distance. Vixen: What planet is that? Black 6 walked towards the front of the bridge and stood beside Vixen. Black 6: I do not know. Vixen turned around and faced the officers on her bridge. Vixen: I need a status report! Is there anything out there other than that planet? Vixen watched as her bridge officers began to check their readouts. The sensor officer was the first to respond. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...we have ships on the far side of the planet. They are circling around, and they are on a direct intercept course. Vixen: How many ships? Sensor Officer: 19 ships. They appear to be UNSC ships. Black 6 shook his head. Black 6: No they are not. They may look like UNSC ships...but I am going to bet that the officers on those ships are not with the UNSC. Black 6 turned to Vixen. Black 6: It has to be The Trust. This is something we were both expecting. Vixen: I was not expecting 19 ships. Vixen and Black 6 turned back to the large window. Vixen: This is an outpost. This is a staging point. Vixen paused. Vixen: Whatever that planet it...it is important to The Trust. Vixen paused. She sighed. Vixen: But 19 ships? That is an entire battle group. We are no match for that. Vixen turned to her helm officer. Vixen: Helm...reverse course. Get us the hell out of here NOW! Turn us around. Black 6 sighed. As much as he wanted to fight, he knew that they were heavily outgunned and outmatched. Vixen: We will have to come back with more ships Tye. I know of a few other Insurrectionist Captains out there that I may be able to convince to help us. Black 6 nodded. Black 6: We are defiantly going to need the help. Just as Black 6 said this, the sensor officer turned around in a panic. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...we have 7 distinct Slipspace ruptures opening off our aft! There are ships emerging. A look of panic shot across Vixen's face. Vixen: What!? Vixen and Black 6 exchanged looks. Black 6: This was either a damn perfect coincidence...or it was expected. Vixen: Alter course...get us away from those ships! Take us on a heading of 183 by 229. Engage at full speed. Get us out of this pincer! The Hades Eclipse broke off, and began to move away from the ships that were approaching from the front and the aft. However, The Trust ships began to spread out, slowly cutting down angles of escape. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...those ships are continuing to close in on our position. They are almost in weapon's range. Vixen: Keep us moving. Dump our reserve power into the engines. Blue shift the engines if you have to. Vixen turned, as she walked to the rear of the bridge. Black 6 followed behind her. Vixen approached the holotable, as she called up the sensor readout. She watched, in real time, as her ship was slowly encompassed by The Trust ships. Black 6 approached the holotable, as he looked at the holotable. Black 6: We are in trouble. Vixen: Yeah...we are. Vixen looked at all of the ships that had her surrounded. Most of them were frigates. There were also three Halcyon class cruisers, two Marathon class cruisers, and a Phoenix class ship that had clearly been outfitted for combat, in the very same way that the Hades Eclipse had been. Black 6: We are really outgunned. Vixen: No...I think we are fucked. Black 6 sighed. Black 6: Perhaps not. Black 6 paused. Black 6: I think there is a way out of this. Black 6 paused. He pointed to a group of ships that consisted entirely of Frigates. Black 6: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This group of Frigates approaching from the port bow would be an ideal place to plow through. We could make a run if we go through there. However...the one weakness with that plan is the fact that if we come about and charge that position, The Trust may just start shooting. Vixen: What do you suggest? Black 6 turned around and looked at the helm officer. Black 6: Helm...full stop! Cut the engines on the port quarter first, and allow the starboard quarer engines to fire at full for approximately 7 seconds before cutting them as well. That should power slide us into perfect position The helm officer turned around and looked at Black 6. Helm Officer: What!? Are you insane? Black 6: No! Full stop! Now! Vixen: Do it! Helm Officer: Alright... The helm officer did as he was instrcuted. As he did, Vixen looked at Black 6. Vixen: Why did you cut the port quarter engines first? Black 6: Like I said...power slide us right into position...to take those Frigates head on. We do NOT want to waste time turning this ship. That is just a few more seconds of being shot at. I prefer to minimize such things. Vixen: Good call. Comms Officer: Ma'am...we are being hailed by one of the lead ships. It is The Ulterior Motive. Black 6 looked at Vixen. Vixen: It's him... Black 6 paused. His heart rate jumped. He began to breath much more heavily. For reasons he could not explain, at this very moment, now that he was about to come face to face with Spender,, he felt troubled and anxious. Vixen: Are you alright Tye? Black 6: Yeah...I will be. Comm Officer: Do we answer it? Vixen nodded. Vixen: Patch it through on the main display. Vixen walked towards the largest screen on the bridge. She watched as the screen flickered. She then took a step back in revulsion as she saw her father appear on the screen. Spender: Hello Kathryn... Spender paused. Spender: I did NOT expect to see you here. Spender's focus chaged, as he noticed Black 6 in the background. Spender: And I certainly did not expect to see him... Spender paused. Spender: Black 6...you are alive? This is an interesting development. What are you doing on that ship? Black 6 stepped forward. Black 6: Looking for you...so I can turn my size 12 sideways and put it right up your ass. Spender: Hmmm...you have become quite insubordinate. You mean, I have managed to regain my sense of self. You were controlling me...like you are no doubt controlling the rest of Black Team. Spender: They have been improved. Black 6: Fuck your improvements. They are being controlled. Spender: Tomayto-Tomahto Black 6: You don't care...do you? You don't care that you have robbed those men of their lives. All you care about is you ability to enforce your will. Spender: I do what I must in service to mankind. If you have seen what I have seen...and you knew what I knew...you would stand on your supposed righteous high ground and denounce what I have done. Black 6: I don't care about what you have, and have not seen or what you may or may not know. Nothing can justify what you have done to me. Spender: Black 6...I am not interested in debating this with you. The fact of the matter is...there are things bigger than both of us. There will come a day when we will look back on this petty rivalry...and think about how stupid it was. Spender paused. Spender: The only reason I have not destroyed that ship is because it is my hope that you would come back to us...and do what you were created to do. Spender looked at Vixen. Spender: It is also my hope that the two of us can bury the hatchet...and put everything behind us. Vixen frowned, as she turned away. Spender: Don't turn away from me Kathryn. Look at me. Vixen kept her back to the large screen. Spender: Kathryn... Vixen turned around, and glared at Spender. Vixen: I am going to fucking kill you. In no uncertain terms...I will never put ANYTHING you did to me, behind me. I hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being. You took away my life. You framed me for the murder of my own mother. You gunned her down without remorse RIGHT in front of me. You have hunted me down non-stop since then. You are an affront to everything I believe you. You insult the memory of my mother every time you draw breath. Vixen clenched her fists. Vixen: You are an evil...EVIL bastard. I am disgusting by the fact that you are my father. That very knowledge is revolting. You are revolting. Spender frowned. Black 6 began to laugh. Black 6: Spender...you are an evil bastard. You think there is a justification for everything. You think you can get away with the most heinous of crimes because it is for the greater good. Black 6 paused. Black 6: There is NOTHING you could every say or do which would EVER convince me to work with you again. Nothing...I repeat...NOTHING will ever make me so desperate to EVER work with you again. Spender sighed, as he shook his head. Spender: It saddens me to hear this...from both of you. But...if that is how it is going to be...then that is how it will be. I cannot change that. Spender looked to the side, as he nodded. After a moment, the weapon's officer on The Hades Eclipse began to speak. Tactical Officer: Ma'am...we have multiple ships locking onto our position. They are locking weapons. Spender grinned. Spender: I guess this is how it ends Kathryn; dying in a godless inferno. Spender grinned. Spender: I can destroy you whenever I want. All I have to do is nod, and I can turn your ship into a burning derelict and there is nothing you can do to survive it. Spender paused. He reached into his jack and pulled out a cigarette. He then proceeded to light the cigarette. Spender took a drag of the cigarette, and then continued speaking. Spender: I didn't want it to end this way. I wanted to reconcile. However...it is clear that BOTH of you are set in your ways. There is no reasoning with either of you. I see no alternative. This is now a foregone conclusion. Spender paused. Spender: Die well... The channel closed, and the large screen went blank. Black 6 and Vixen looked at each other, but before either of them could say anything, they heard the sensor officer speak up. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...we have...my God... Vixen looked over at the sensor officer. Vixen: What is it? Sensor Officer: We are...about to be hit...from all angles. Vixen scoffed. Vixen: All hands...this is the bridge. Clear the outer decks, and prepare for wide scale breaches. Vixen paused. Vixen: Helm...get us moving! Charge those frigates. Vixen looked at the tactical officer. Vixen: All weapons...fire at first available targets. Keep firing and don't stop! Just as Vixen said this, she stumbled, as the ship began to get hit by a barrage of Archer missiles from every direction. Black 6 was able to catch Vixen before she fell to the ground, but even he had a hard time staying on his feet as the ship was hit non-stop. Black 6: They are shooting us from every angle. There is just too many of them in order to put up a fight. Vixen nodded, but she was not prepared to admit defeat yet. Vixen: We will think of something... The Hades Eclipse was under constant fire from all of the converging Trust ships. Despite this, Ths Hades Eclipse continued to charge a group of Frigates at full speed, in order to escape being surrounded. Black 6: Vixen...we are in optimum firing range of those Frigates. We should turn our weapons on them. Vixen: Agreed! Bring all weapons to bear on the Frigates dead ahead. Open fire...all weappons! The Hades Eclipse turned all of its deck cannons and locked on to the group of Frigates with a full barrage of Archer missiles. The Hades Eclipse began to unleash its weapons on the Frigates, doing significant damage to the smaller ships in the first barrage, crippling all six Frigates, and giving a clear way out of the pincer. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...we have an opening! We have caused severe damage to all of those Frigates. Vixen: Good work! Black 6: We should keep firing. The more of these ships we destroy...the more damage we can do to The Trust. At this point...the more of these bastards we kill...the better. Black 6 turned to the weapons officer. Black 6: Keep firing! Destroy those Frigates! The tactical officer did as he was instructed and he continued firing every available weapon at the group of Frigates. With each barrage from The Hades Eclipse, the Frigates sustained more and more damage, until each ship began to explode, one after the other, each ship blowing up in a cascading fashion. Sensor Officer: Frigates have been destroyed. Black 6 slammed his hand on the holotable, as he cheered. Black 6: Hell yeah! That's what I am talking about! Sensor Officer: However...hostile ships are still in pursuit and they are still in weapon's range! Vixen looked at Black 6. Vixen: Tye...we have our chance to escape. We should defiantly take it! Black 6 nodded in agreement. Black 6: Agreed. We should fall back and think of a new plan...perhaps come back with more ships if possible. Vixen nodded in agreement. Vixen: Helm...get us the hell out of here...now! However, just as Vixen had given this order, The Hades Eclipse was hit by a massive barrage of Archer Missiles. The ship rocked violently, as the lights on the bridge began to blow out from the power surges across the ship. Vixen and Black 6 were tossed across the bridge, as they both hit the ground violently. Vixen and Black 6 climbed back to their feet, as they both looked around. Vixen: Status report!? Vixen didn't get an answer. She looked over to the operations officer, and saw that he was motionless on the ground. She could see that there was a fire next to his workstation, and the workstation had exploded. Vixen: Someone get me a status report! Black 6 stumbled over to an auxiliary workstation, and initiated the display. He accessed the operations console, and began to get a feed. Black 6: We have sustained wide scale breaches. Three of our engines have failed, and we have lost power to the slispace core. Vixen: Helm! Evasive pattern Bravo! We have to shake these bastards off our six! Bring us to port broadside, and fire all ventral and dorsal weapons. The helm officer nodded, as the ship began to turn. The tactical officer managed to tget a lock on the closest pursuing vessels, and he began to fire the large deck guns. Tactical officer: Archer missile pods are primed and set to fire! Vixen: Fire at will! As Vixen gave this order, the ship shook violently again, loud explosions could be heard in the corrdiros outside the bridge, as power relays began to blow out from the power surges. Black 6: Vixen...we are taking a fucking beating! We cannot last like this! Vixen: I know! However...with our engines half shot...we are not going to outrun anyone. With the slispapce core offline...we cannot even jump! Vixen paused. Vixen: Our options are limited. Sensor Officer: Ma'am...enemy ships are closing in on our position. They are gaining on us. They are closing from all sides again. They are trying to encircle us. The ship rocked violently again as the hull of the Hades Eclipse too more hits to its outer hull. Black 6: Our hull integrity is failing...and we are losing power to all of our weapon systems. We are bleeding out...and we are falling apart! Vixen sigheddd... She looked around her burned out bridge. She saw that the bridge as slowly catching fire. The Hades Eclipse then shook violently once more. As this happened, the bulkheads in the roof began to fall down. One large bulkhead had fallen and crushed the holotable underneath. Black 6: We have multiple hull breaches on the super structure. Our hull is starting to fall apart... Vixen had no idea how to respond. The pace at which things were happening began to overwhelm her. Part of her was unwilling to accept what was happening. Black 6: Vixen! Vixen looked at Black 6. She shook her head. Black 6 saw this, and he knew that he now had to act in her stead. Black 6 walked over to the sensor officer, and glared at him. Black 6: Begin scanning the surface of the planet. Fine us a suitable place to land. Black 6 looked at the sensor officer, who was unsure if he should do as Black 6 instructed. Black 6: Do it! Stop wasting time! When Black 6 said this, the sensor officer jumped in his seat, and he got to work. Sensor Officer: There are a few good regions on this planet which would allow us to hide. I am detecting a vast mountain range which spans an entire continent, and I am detecting what looks like multiple cavernous systems. Black 6: The Trust is defending this planet. There has to be SOMETHING down there they are protecting. Keep scanning. The ship shook violently once more as it was once again hit by another volley. Black 6 turned his head, and shouted across the bridge at the tactical officer. Black 6: Continue firing on all hostile ships! Target any ship that is attempting to cut us off from the planet. Black 6 then looked back at the sensor officer. Black 6: Anything? Sensor Officer: Actually...yeah. I have detected a very large group of structures on the surface of the planet. We are not directly overhead that position...but we will be very shortly. Black 6: Get me two sets of coordinates - The first set I want to be exactly 6 miles from those structures. The second set...I want right on top of those structures. Transmit the first set of coordinates to all of our Pelicans, drop ships, and escape pods. Sensor Officer: What about the second set? Black 6: Transfer it to the helm...and to all of the Trust ships. The Sensor Officer's jaw dropped. Sensor Officer: Why are we giving the coordinates to those ships out there? Black 6: To make this ship a real threat. I plan on using this ship to draw fire away from our escape pods. Once those ships out there see this ship aiming for those structures...shooting Pelicans and escapes pods will not matter...allowing us to maximize survivors. Black 6 then turned away. He walked over to the comms station, as he accessed the shipwide comm system. Black 6: All hands...this is the bridge. Abandon ship. Repeat...abandon ship! Launch all escape pods and Pelicans as soon as they are filled. Proceed to predefined coordinates located in all nav computers. This battle is not over yet. As soon as Black 6 had said this, an alarm began to sound throughout the ship, which signaled to every person on-board The Hades Eclipse to abandon ship. Vixen watched as Black 6 had taken command. She approached him and grabbed him by the shoulder. Vixen: Tye...what are you doing? Black 6: Giving us a fighting chance! I don't plan on letting it end like this. Black 6 turned to everyone on the bridge. he began to shout. Black 6: All of you...grab as many weapons as you can carry...and proceed to the escape pods! Go...now! The bridge crew wasted no time in getting up from their seats, and evacuating the bridge. Black 6, on the other hand, walked to the front of the bridge and sat down at the helm station. Vixen: Tye...what are you doing? Black 6: I am going to get this ship into position. Black 6 turned his head and looked at Vixen. Black 6: Vixen...go with the crew. Get these people to the surface. They are going to need a leader down there to help them survive. You are that leader. Black 6 paused. Black 6: Get to a pelican. If you can...wait as long as you can for me. However, don't wait any longer than what would otherwise be safe. Vixen was hesitant at first. Black 6: GO! The sternness of Black 6's voice made Vixen jump, as she began to back up. Vixen: You better be right behind me... Vixen took a few more steps back, before she turned and ran off the bridge. Black 6 turned his head, and faced the helm control. He sighed, as he spoke to himself. Black 6: We will see... ========================================================== UNSC Marathon Class - The Ulterior Motive - Main Bridge - Currently in the APX-449 Star System - Center of Trust Activity known as The Apex - 1630 Hours - July 30th 2515 ========================================================== Spender was on the bridge of The Ulterior Motive. He watched as The Hades Eclipse had started to veer towards the planet. Spender stood up from his chair, as he glared at the large screen at the front of the bridge. Spender: What the hell are they doing? Someone...track their trajectory. One of the sensor officers spoke up. Sensor Officer: No need to sir...it seems that those Insurrectionists are broadcasting their intentions to us. That ship is on a direct intercept course for the spire. They are going to ram that ship into the facility on the planet's surface! Spender's face went pale as he imaged how much damage could be done by a ship, the size of a Phoenix class vessel, crashing into the surface of the planet. Spender: My God... Spender paused. Spender: Hail that vessel...priority one! Comm Officer: Yes sir...channel open! Spender cleared his throat before talking. Spender: Kathryn...what the hell do you think you are doing? What do you hope to accomplish!? Would you really kill you entire crew and sacrifice your ship...just to die in a blaze of glory? Spender waited a moment. He then saw the large display on his bridge switch to a video feed. Spender could see Black 6 on the video feed. The feed was heavily distorted, and grainy, as if the communication systems on The Hades Eclipse had been damaged. Black 6: Your daughter isn't here at the moment old boy. Spender: Black 6!? What are you doing? Black 6: What am I doing? Isn't it obvious? I plan on ramming this ship so far up the ass of The Trust, your entire organization is going to collectively taste it! Spender scoffed. Spender: Alter your course...NOW! Black 6: or what? Are you going to open fire on my ship? Go ahead you bastard...hit me with everything you have! Spender scoffed again. He groaned in anger, as he grit his teeth. Black 6: What is the matter Constantine? This is what you wanted me to be...right? I am only doing what I was trained to do!