[Naked Crook]

Burke took point, as he led the group back to the elevator. Once they had moved through the holding cells, and back to the elevator, Burke was the first to step inside. He was promptly followed by Harrison, Cameron, Ice, Snyder, and Jacob. Once the elevator was full, Burke reached over, and pressed the button that would bring them back to the hanger bay. As the elevator doors closed, and the elevator began to move, Burke spoke up. Burke: Admiral...it should be noted that I am currently in the process of filing a full report to to one of my direct superiors on Midnight. Burke paused. Burke: It should also be noted that the superior officer, in question, is not known for her generosity or forgiveness. She is, actually, quite ruthless when it comes to matters of treason. I presume that she will be the FIRST person to show up the moment we make dry dock. Burke paused. Burke: Director Hand is...not a very nice woman. Well, she is nice woman, personally, but, she is, in a professional sense, very ruthless and very cut throat. After she hears about all of this, I would not be surprised if we are all ordered BACK to Midnight just so she can get her hands on Jacob. This is just an FYI... Burke grinned. Burke: Also...she out ranks you...so...you won't be able to pull rank with her, not on her turf. Meanwhile: Jennifer sighed, and shook her head. Jennifer: Don't you hear yourself? I think you have been wearing that helmet for too long! You are ACTUALLY proposing to DESTROY a planet... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: For the love of God...you need to step back for a minute and look at what you are doing. Don't let an unfeeling AI dictate a course of action for you because some numbers look promising. Nighthawk: Nothing would please me more than to find an alternative. However, without UNSC support, I no longer have the man-power necessary to fight The Covenant, The Trust, and Vanguard. I am also certain that Harrison is out for blood, and that I will also be butting heads with the UNSC in no time flat. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: I need to even the playing field. I need a trump card...and having the red button to destroy a planet is a pretty epic trump card. Jennifer: No...it is a pretty evil trump card. Nighthawk sighed. Nighthawk: Jennifer, please...we are running out of time! I need that slip space core, and I need it now! I cannot debate this all day! Time is finite, and I need every second of it! Jennifer remained silent. Nighthawk: I know what I am doing is questionable...wrong even. However, I am doing it because...that is what I do; I make those hard choices. Please...let me do my job...