[Halo] New! San Angeles RPG

[Kairu]

As Harmony and Jesse approached the end of the hall, the sound of Black 1's chatter alerted Arman to their presence. She stopped, holding her arm up and bent it at 90 degrees, making a fist. Arman: "Harmony, we have company, get in a room and hide next to the door. Get out of sight." Arman's voice was low, almost like a whisper. Everyone in Fireteam Harmony and Jesse split up, each of them quietly and tactfully taking a room and standing on the other side of the walls, just out of sight, ready to ambush if the moment came. Robertson: "What's the plan?" Robertson had also started whispering. Arman: "We wait for Commander Vernette's signal." Robertson: "What's the signal?" Arman: "Begin radio silence." Harmony and Jesse waited for Black Team or Tye to make a move first before engaging the Trust's elite ODST team. Aboard the Mind's Attrition, Reynolds had remained in his office, watching Harmony through their VISRs. He was noting everything that was happening. Their interactions with each other, the eager or willingness to include someone else from the outside, how they performed in combat with the Trust, and even noting the Trust's tactics and style, including their effects on what could happen to him in the end when he outlived his usefulness.

[Naked Crook]

Black Team continued to speak to The Risk Takers. Black 1: With the terminal secured..we can move Chairman Hoffman out next. Based on my understanding...we do have a few teams guarding him in his top floor office at the moment so he is secured. Black 1 paused. Black 1: With that said...you and your team is in the clear to engage Nighthawk and Anaconda. Find them and finish them off! Make it count. Tye listened in, and based on the information he just heard, he was torn. There was a member of the Board of Chairmen, here, within the grasp of The UNSC. The capture of a member of the Board of Chairmen would be a catastrophic blow to The Trust. However...the moment anyone got close to Hoffman...Black Team would come running. The situation was very delicate...and it needed careful planning. Tye considered his options, then came to a decision. Tye lowered his voice as he gave his orders. Tyber: Fireteam Harmony...change of plans...I have a new assignment for you. One of the highest ranking members of The Trust is here, on the top floor. He is currently awaiting evac. I am redirecting the four of you to locate Chairman Hoffman...and capture him alive. He SHOULD be in the top level office of this building. I cannot stress the importance of this assignment...but it is vital to any effort with respects to stopping The Trust. Tye paused. Tyber: Cameron and the private will engage ODST Black Team...and keep them from stopping you from completing your mission. With Cameron and I engaging head on...and the Private in flanking position...we should have the upper hand. Tye paused. Tuber: Use all necessary force in your efforts to capture Chairman Hoffman. Understood?

[Dark-F137]

"Understood sir. Waiting for the signal." He said quietly, his magnum ready. .50 caliber rounds aren't happy days for anyone on the receiving end.

[Kairu]

Arman: "Copy that, Commander. Harmony, let's move out." All four members of Fireteam Harmony broke position, backtracking to the starting stairwell where they began their climb towards the top of the Apex Building. While observing Reynolds heard Tye's new orders. He was conflicted on whether or not to betray his comrades so early, however, he knew if he waited too long and Yates found out that Reynolds knew Harmony's redirect, he would be considered an 'acceptable loss' to the Trust. As Reynolds continued to work it out in his mind, he looked out of his office door. While doing so, Cochraine happened to look up, her crystal blue eyes meeting Reynolds' and she smiled faintly, hoping to instill hope in him, but also herself. Reynolds could feel the pain and misery he was piling on his plate knowing that he had to delicately balance his motives and emotions to conceal them. He smiled widely back at her, giving her the boost she was searching for and she returned to working. Feeling only briefly better about himself, Reynolds decided on what to do. He began to send an encoded message to Yates on the designated frequency. He made it a brief text message: Fireteam Harmony is en route to capture Hoffman.

[Naked Crook]

Tye waited a moment for Harmony to get some distance before he made his next order. Tyber: Private Radius...converge on ODST Black Team from the flank...but do not engage until I give the signal. Tye looked at Cameron. Cameron: I am guessing we go in firing? Tyber: You will...but only when I give the signal. We need to get them off guard...and if there is one person here who can get these bastards off their game...it is me. Cameron nodded. Tye took a deep breath, as he readied himself. There was no anxiety, no apprehension, and no doubt. For the first time in his life, he was going to face his former teammates, not as a would-be ex-member of The Trust running away from his past...but as a highly trained and exceptionally stalwart UNSC Commander and ONI Operative. Tye knew every trick from The Trust's playbook, and he was going to leverage it and abuse it to no end from this point forward. Tye listened, as Black 1 finished his conversation with Liam. Black 1: Good luck in finding Nighthawk and Anaconda. Black 1 closed the comm line, as he signaled for ODST Black Team to move forward. Black 1: Alright boys...let's move out! However, when he gave the order, he saw a grenade roll across the floor from around the corner. Black 1: Explosive device! Get to cover! ODST Black Team moved back, and moved into the cover of two of the adjacent offices, as the grenade exploded. A moment after the grande went off, Black 1 emerged from cover. Behind all the smoke, he could see Tye standing at the end of the corridor, with two SMGs pointed right at him. Black 1 raised his Assault Rifle, but he did not fire. Tyber: You should belay that order Black 1...because you are going nowhere. Black 1 was silent for a moment. However, he eventually spoke. Black 1: There is something different about you. You were not this confident last time. I have not seen this level of confidence from you since... Black 1 began to laugh. He began to speak very sarcastically. Black 1: Welcome back... Meanwhile: ODST Nova Team had made their way down to Hanger Bay 4, where upon entering, they saw that their R&D department had broken out the majority of their weapons and tech. Nova Team walked past most of the scientists and soldiers that were stationed there, going right to the far corner of the hanger bay. Upon reaching the far corner, they saw a scientist, sitting at his desk, typing away, occasionally using his index finger to adjust his glasses. Anubis raised his voice, as he spoke to the scientist. Anubis: You! Scientist! The scientist jumped a little as he looked at Nova Team. Scientist: Y-yes? Anubis: We were sent by the Consultant. She wants you to give us the prototype weapons. Scientist: There are still tests to be done. We are not ready to give them up yet. Anubis was silent for a moment. He then turned his head to Apophis. Anubis: Apophis...contact The Consultant. Inform her that she is going to have to come down here...PERSONALLY...to get us our weapons for her VITAL assignment. Apophis: With pleasure. Scientist: Wait...wait...wait... Apophis: Too late... Apophis opened a comm line to The Consultant. He began to speak. Apophis: Ma'am...I am sorry to disturb you...but one of the R&D personnel is not cooperating. They are refusing to give us our weapons...claiming that they still have "tests" to run. We are unable to proceed with our mission due to the interference from this individual. Apophis paused. It was obvious that The Consultant was speaking to him. After a moment he nodded. Apophis: Understood. Apophis then turned to look at the scientist. Apophis: The Consultant will be here momentarily to resolve this situation. The scientist began to stammer. Scientist: Alright...alright...I will give you whatever you want. What do you guys need? Here... The scientist was clearly terrified. He turned around and opened a large black box. Anubis: We must await the arrival of The Consultant to resolve this situation. Scientist: Please...just take everything. Just...let her know that I am cooperating. Anubis: We will wait for The Consultant before we continue. Meanwhile: Yates was on the bridge of The Ulterior Motive. He was standing over the holotable, when he heard his PDA beep. Spender: Why is that thing not on mute? Yates: My apologies sir... Yates grabbed his PDA, and began to look at it. He then became wide eyed as he began to speak sir. Yates: Sir...we have a problem. Spender: Yes we do...your PDA is not on mute. Yates: No...we have a bigger problem. Spender turned his chair to face Yates. He had a cigarette in his hand. He took a drag while he remained silent, as if waiting for Yates to speak. Yates: Fireteam Harmony is converging on Hoffman's position. Spender: What the hell is a Fireteam harmony? Yates: They work for Reynolds. Spender: I see. Isn't Reynolds on our side? Yates: He is...but Fireteam harmony is not. Reynolds is going solo on his ship. His crew is unaware of his defection to The Trust. Spender: I see. Well...this is of little concern. Hoffman's evac is en-route. Worst case scenario...Scorthced Earth Contingency will will ensure that Hoffman does not leak anything. I seriously doubt the abilities of a squad of people I have never heard of. If they were anything to be worried about...I would have known who they are. Spender shrugged, as he turned his chair to face the front of the bridge. Yates: What should I tell Reynolds? Spender: Tell him that the situation is under control. Yates nodded, as he returned an encrypted message to Reynolds. THE SITUATION IS BEING HANDLED...(EOM) Meanwhile: Xyrho nodded to both Vhat and Furium, as he turned and began to walk towards a waiting Phantom. Xyrho: Vhat...you are with me. We will fly ahead, and Furium will follow us. Xyrho gestured his hand to Vhat, telling him to follow.

[Dark-F137]

Jesse had his magnum at the ready, moving up on the flank but staying hidden. He checked the safety one last time, before aiming down the sights, lining up the dots with Black 2's head.

[Hells Sniper]

Jacob had stayed in cover with his sniper rifle tucked to his chest. When he heard Tye's voice he almost froze, that was his friend, his comrade and he knew that Tye thought he had betrayed them. He wouldn't be able to prove anything to him, not here, not now. His hope used to be the message to Harrison, but once Harrison found out about his...ruthlessness, that would be dismissed. Hell, he was sure Harrison and the Inferno's crew was under suspicion by ONI. Now, his only hope was the encoded message from Captain Reynolds. If he could get in contact with him, if he could talk to him. He might still stand a chance. Meanwhile: The Risk-Takers had held their position while Liam talked and even when he finished the conversation, they stayed still. Liam: Alright Spartans, last engagement we ambushed them...and it did not go as planned. Liam shook his head as he looked at his tacpad. Liam: It's time we change that, it's five against two, that means I want four of us on Anaconda. Nighthawk won't have his little toys this time, not here. Liam paused as he checked on other teams. All the teams sweeping the area per the Scorched Earth Policy had not seen Nighthawk or Anaconda, but they were definitely on site. Liam looked around, the roof top was a viable area to fight, all they had to do was toss Nighthawk off and deal with Anaconda. Five versus one. Liam grinned, there was suitable cover for an ambush and even another pelican. The only downside to this was evacuating Hoffman would prove to be a much bigger pain. Liam looked down at his tacpad. This would have to be the best place to fight. Liam: William, you still have C4? William: Always do, sir. Liam nodded. Liam: Good, plant the C4 around the door, hide it behind crates and weapons. Desmond was kneeling, but turned around and looked at Liam. Desmond: Sir, what are you planning? Liam: We're going to get Nighthawk to engage us first. Then, William is going to bury Anaconda with that C4. Separate them. Desmond, you are going to throw Nighthawk off of this rooftop and join the four of us downstairs to finish off Anaconda. Desmond started nodding, as did Jessica and Emma. William was already up and prepping his C4. Desmond: Well, that'll be interesting, How are you going to get Nighthawk to attack us first. Liam stood up looked at the pelican. He grinned. Liam: Leave that to me.

[Naked Crook]

Tye looked at Black 1, not saying a single word. However, when he spotted Jacob, he began to laugh, as he glared at Jacob. Tyber: I was hoping to see you. Then again...I knew it was you sniping at us on our approach. Tye paused. Tyber: I never expected YOU...of ALL people to turn coat. You were the last person I ever expected to work for The Trust. Tye shook his head, as he sighed. Tyber: You are helping The Trust do...SOMETHING. Have they even told you anything? Do you even have an idea of what they are trying to do? How did they get your loyalty? How cheap is your loyalty Jacob? What did they promise you? What did they offer you that was worth killing GOOD AND HONEST men and women of the uniform, men and women who served under you and respected you, whose only crime was trying to stop The Trust from doing whatever the hell they are trying to do? WHat was so enticing that you threw away everything...just to serve a chain smoking, evil worshiping piece of human garbage? Tye paused. Tyber: What was it Jacob? Was it something we did? Was it something we didn't do? Am I to blame for not being a good enough commanding officer? Surely...we must have failed at some point for you to end up a traitor. Tye shook his head. Tyber: What would your wife think? We now have to tell her what you are. Have you considered that? Your kids have to grow up knowing that their father is little more than a footnote in history's list of traitors. History will put you on the same page as...Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot. Tye then began to talk, mimicking what he would say to Jacob's wife". Tyber: "I am so sorry Abigail...but I regret to inform you that I had to kill your Husband...because he was a traitor. He turned his weapons on his fellow soldiers...and killed them with impunity. We had no choice but the put him down...and allow his body to be turned to dust under the destructive power of The Covenant's weapons." Tye paused. Tyber: How would she respond to that? You know her best! She is your wife! What would she say? What would she THINK? Tye scoffed. Tyber: You don't care...do you? This doesn't even phase you. You are the worst kind of garbage; the kind that dies with no dignity...no shred of decency. Tye sighed. Tyber: For all the hate that you gave Nighthawk and Anaconda...at least I can turn my back on them. It is more than I can say about you. Meanwhile: Nighthawk and Anaconda were nearing the top floor. They were about 20 floors shy of the rooftop landing pad where The Risk Takers were. Nighthawk: Alright Big Guy...we have to be getting close. Anaconda: We are getting very close...the scent is very strong. Nighthawk: Alright...alright... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: Bring your teeth and your ambition to bear Big Guy...let's get these pricks. They do NOT walk away from this! We stick together...and we pick them off one by one. Anaconda grinned, as he let out a growl. Nighthawk: That is what I like to see.

[Hells Sniper]

Jacob looked to his right and saw Black Team all staring at him. They wanted to see how he would react. They wanted to see what he would do. Jacob shut his eyes and thought about his family, how horrified they would be if he did die now, as a traitor. Jacob shook his head and took a deep breath. He stood up and faced Tye. Jacob: You can turn your back on them, huh? Jacob laughed and stepped forward, standing next to Black 1. Jacob: Remember Genesis, Tye? Jacob paused. Jacob: I think you should...it was the battle where we, both of us, trusted Nighthawk and Anaconda. And where, WE were both betrayed by them. They killed hundreds of good and honest UNSC marines who were just doing their job. Dozens more than I could ever imagine to kill. They almost killed both of us Tye out of some...personal vendetta? Jacob shook his head. Jacob: Do you not see what they do? Do you not see their master plan? They need to die. They need to be ended. Jacob was careful with his words throughout his rant, he had to convince Black team of his betrayal, but he wanted to keep the UNSC questioning him. Jacob: My loyalty is not easily bought, Commander. My loyalty is some of the best in the universe. Some people just realize where their loyalty lies...later rather than sooner.. Jacob paused again and took a deep breath. Jacob: See there's a difference between me and you, Commander. Because my family will be safe, and my family will know who I truly am. Jacob paused and grinned. Jacob: I'm flattered that you think I'll be as widely remembered as Benedict Arnold and Judas. Absolutely star struck right now, actually. Jacob was obviously sarcastic, yet his tone was demanding and strong. He pulled the stock back on his sniper rifle. Jacob: Who will remember you? Who will think of your ashes littered across this planet? Not your family, obviously. Definitely not your brother. Jacob laughed and shook his head. Jacob: And definitely not the dead men who followed you here. A few dozen floors above.... The Risk-Takers had taken cover behind several crates and other areas. William had finished planning the explosives, while Liam had taken the spare pelican, and a spare pilot and flown it just a few meters above the ground, with the passenger bay open. He was hoping to lure Nighthawk into the pelican, while the rest of his team engaged. So, he waited, sitting at the edge of the pelican.

[Kairu]

Reynolds: "Hmm, unfortunate, but I'll follow." Reynolds muttered quietly to himself. On the surface, Harmony was quickly climbing up the stairs. As they climbed, Cadieux looked at the floor sign ahead, "Floor 24". The four continued upwards, hoping to capture Hoffman before the 'Scorched Earth Contingency' had neutralized their target. Vhat followed behind Xyrho into the phantom.