[Halo] New! San Angeles RPG

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison glanced behind him and looked at Jacob. He looked back at Jennifer. Harrison: He does hate him more than most... Harrison put his hand on Jennifer's shoulder and nodded. Harrison: Our first priority should still be evacuations, we need to save as many as we can. But we need to find out where Nighthawk and Anaconda are, or where they are going and track them down. We cannot allow them to even get close to success. Harrison paused. Harrison: You are right...we're going to need everyone we can get.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer nodded. Jennifer: I agree that we must continue evacuating civilians, but, what about The Trust? The Trust is also in possession of a very dangerous asset that could very well kill everything in its path. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: I don't think we have enough man power or resources to stop The Trust, Vanguard, and Nighthawk and Anaconda. And once The Covenant turns hostile again...there will be no way we could hold the line. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: There is no way we are going to win on every front...

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison nodded, he hung his head. Harrison: You're right, Jennifer. There is no way we are going to win on every front. Harrison smirked as he looked at Frost in the eyes. Harrison: But we're not going to let that stop us from doing our duty. We're going to win on the fronts that matter. Those civilians down there, their lives depend on our next move. And it's not just them, it's every human left out there in this galaxy, they depend on us and humanity needs a win. Harrison paused. Harrison: The Trust...Vanguard...The Covenant...Nighthawk and Anaconda, they're all just obstacles to the ultimate goal, and that goal is saving humanity. We are going to save San Angeles, maybe not the planet, but what makes San Angeles what it is...and that's the people. That's every human left on that world. Harrison glanced behind him at Jacob, Cameron and Diamond. He turned back to Frost. Harrison: We may be outnumbered, outgunned, and definitely out-advanced, but that never stopped us before. And it's not going to stop me now. Harrison paused as he thought of his next moves. Harrison: We allocate our forces, regroup as many stragglers as we can and keep them close and together, have people like Reynolds working entirely on evacuations, have others go on the defensive, protecting our assets, protecting what we have left. And the rest of us, we go on the offensive, we find Nighthawk and Anaconda, we find the Trust, we find the Covenant. And we bury them. Harrison paused. Harrison: And we're going to do exactly that. We're going to let the odds dictate what we do. We're going to save San Angeles.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer nodded. Jennifer: If I may make a suggestion, sir; while I agree we should be keeping an eye out for Nighthawk, we should not engage him until we have what we need from him. He still has the intel we need, and as far as I know, he is still going to hand it over once he finishes data mining it. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: I recommend that we only strike AFTER he has handed everything over to us. There is no point in letting that information go to waste. We can still get something from him, and we can use him, like he has used us. It is sort of poetic, if you think about it. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: As for The Trust, once we have Jacob's intel back from Nighthawk, we should have enough to ensure that we can launch an all-out assault on The Trust...and we can finish them off, and stop Vanguard here and now.

[Kairu]

On the Mind's Attrition: Reynolds, Cochraine, and Anderson were all on the bridge going over the evacuations of San Angeles. Every available ship and asset that wasn't already deployed on missions were being coordinated through the bridge of Reynolds' ship. Working out a timetable to fit everyone's needs was long and difficult. He was lost in his work with the other two until his comm officer spoke up. Comm Officer: "Captain, you have a Priority 1 message being sent to you. The header and encryption are UNSC." Reynolds looked up at the officer and his helpers who were staring back at him in confusion. Reynolds: "Forward it through to my officer. Lauren, you have command. I'll be just a minute... I hope." Cochraine and Anderson returned to their work while Reynolds entered his office and sat down. He then entered his authorization and answered Spender's call. Reynolds: "This is Reynolds."

[Naked Crook]

Meanwhile: Down in the Firebase Mediterranean CIC, Spender finally heard Reynold's voice come through the comm system. Spender grinned, as he began to speak. Spender: Captain Reynolds...I am going to assume that you have a good idea of who this is...and I am going to assume that you have been looking forward to this conversation for some time now...expecting it...anticipating it... Spender paused. Spender: I regret that we have not been formally introduced sooner. My name is Constantine Spender...and as you know...I speak for The Trust. Spender paused. Spender: I would like a status report as to how things are going up there. What, I wonder, is the UNSC and ONI up to? What can you tell me? Meanwhile: Just outside the King Raven on the ventral side of the ship, the spare slip space drive core sat adrift, slowly drifting away from the ship that had ejected it only minutes earlier. As the core floated in the void of space, a Vulture slowly closed in on the device, moving slowly as it attempted to synchronize its rotation and speed with the slip space core. HAWK: The slip space core is dead ahead. I am locked in, and I am matching trajectory, speed, and rotation. Once we are synchronized, we should be able to grab it with the magnetic tether. Nighthawk didn't respond. He simply sat in the pilot's seat, slouching in his seat, as if he was not even paying attention. Nighthawk had allowed HAWK to take the controls on this, as he had very little interest in having anything to do with the recovery of this device. HAWK: Nighthawk? Nighthawk scoffed. Nighthawk: What...? HAWK: The slip space core is dead ahead. I am locked in, and I am matching trajectory, speed, and rotation. Once we are synchronized, we should be able to grab it with the magnetic tether. Nighthawk: I heard you the first time. Just...fucking do what you have to do. Nighthawk waved his hand at the AI that was projected on the dashboard of his Vulture. As he did this, he spun the chair around, and looked off. HAWK: Acknowledged... Nighthawk was deep in thought. He was bothered by the fact that Jennifer had so blatantly turned against him the moment she had discovered that he was ready to run with what HAWK had suggested as a contingency plan for Vanguard. Nighthawk couldn't blame her. He had to be honest with himself about that. She had every right to be upset about that decision, but, it was the way she had said it that had him so disturbed. Anaconda, on the other hand, was sitting in the rear compartment of the Vulture. He was busy sharpening his combat knife, not really paying much attention to what was going on around him. However, he was observant enough to notice Nighthawk's current demeanor. Anaconda: You know...it would not have hurt so much had she not have known who you were. Nighthawk shifted his head, and looked at Anaconda. Anaconda: She was talking to you, not Nighthawk. That is why it hurts. You feel betrayed by your mate. Nighthawk: Sorta...yeah... Anaconda: That is why you need to distance yourself from your Human allies. When you are Nighthawk, they are not your friends. Yet, you treat them like such. Do you think I treat Dangerus with respect when I am running around, looking like this? Pfft...no. Dangerus is one of my most trusted friends...but I would not think twice before killing him or turning violent against him if I needed to. You never learned how to distance yourself. It seems to be a pattern you are doomed to repeat. Now, it has actually damaged you, personally. Nighthawk: It is tough to distance yourself sometimes. It is not always that easy. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: I feel like everything we had...sorta just went up in smoke. That's what gets me. Anaconda: Can't you simply find a new female? There seem to be plenty of them, from what I have seen. Nighthawk: For Humans...it is more than spot-mount-finish. There is a very personal connection that has to be built up, over time. It is something that is based on things like trust, mutual affection, etc etc etc. It is so easy for that house of cards to fall into a big pile of...debris... Anaconda: Then start over...rebuild it... Nighthawk: What? Anaconda: Start over... Nighthawk: Yeah, what do you mean? Anaconda: Humans value honesty...start with that. If I recall correctly...you began courting this female under false pretenses. She had no idea who you were. She had no idea you were Nighthawk... Anaconda shrugged. Anaconda: Start with that...then go to spot-mount-finish... Nighthawk: Your saying I should fix it...start over...be honest with her... Anaconda grunted, and nodded. Nighthawk: It is not a bad idea... Nighthawk paused when he heard something impact the hull. HAWK: The drive core is now tethered. We are ready to return to The Venture Capitalist. Nighthawk looked at HAWK, and nodded. Nighthawk: Yeah, do that. Nighthawk then looked back at Anaconda. Nighthawk: That's a good idea, big guy. I think your onto something. Anaconda: Not really. Humans are just more...cowardly when it comes to their courtship. Spot-mount-finish is much faster...and it commands respect. Nighthawk: Hmmmm....

[Kairu]

Reynolds: "Mr. Spender... or do you prefer a different title? I'm honored to finally talk with you. The UNSC and ONI are currently at odds. Admiral Harrison has asserted his authority over ONI and has regained control of the fleet. Former Captain Sharpmen is being transferred to the Admiral's ship while Captain Frost was removed of command from the King Raven and transferred under Harrison's eye. As for me, I've been assigned to evacuate the rest of San Angeles. Everyone, including myself, agree that saving the civilians is the best course of action until you, or Nighthawk, play your next card." Reynolds then sat back in his chair. He felt like Spender doesn't normally cater to the thoughts and lower ranks of his organization, often times using a trusted middle man to reach out with.

[Naked Crook]

Spender: In other words...ONI and the UNSC have no ideas where they need to start looking. They have lost our trail. If ONI and the UNSC are waiting for me to play my hand, that means they have nothing. This is welcome news. Spender paused. Spender: This presents The Trust with several excellent opportunities. Tell me, Captain Reynolds, you said that you were in charge of the evacuation of San Angeles? To what extent are you in charge of this effort? How far does your control of this endeavor extend? Tell me that you have administrative authority as to where the evac shuttles are being sent after they leave San Angeles. If you do...then this works very well for The Trust. Spender paused. Spender: Civilians have their uses...and The Trust has much use for them.

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison nodded as he stepped onto the pelican. Harrison: I agree wholeheartedly. Once we get and analyze the data, we'll make our moves.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer nodded. Jennifer: Well, then... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: If I am not mistaken, we have an interrogation to see to. Jennifer looked at the Pelican, and then back at Harrison. Jennifer: After you Admiral... Meanwhile: Nighthawk turned his seat around, to face the dashboard of the Vulture. As he did, he called out HAWKs name. Nighthawk: HAWK! HAWKs avatar appeared on the holotank that was built into the dashboard. HAWK: Yes? Nighthawk: We need to talk about your plan. We need to talk about this contingency plan you have come up with. HAWK: Certainly. What do you need to know? As HAWK asked this, Barrabus entered the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot's seat. Nighthawk: I need to hear the technical details. I need to know exactly what you are planning on doing. HAWK: Well, that is asking a lot. The technical details are pretty extensive. However, I can condense the information such that I can give you all the relevant background data and information, leaving out the calculations that have been done to make this work. Nighthawk: Proceed. HAWK: I trust you have a firm understanding of the mechanics of slip space travel? Nighthawk: Yes. Anaconda grunted. Anaconda: Not really... HAWK looked at Anaconda. HAWK: Shall I give you am crash course on this, or are you going to yawn half way through, like you always do? Anaconda: We will see... Anaconda gestured his hand, as if to tell HAWK to start talking. HAWK: Without turning this into a physics lecture, The slip space is a non-euclidean grouping of 11 non-spatial dimensions that are intertwined with our own four dimension space, that is, our three spatial dimensions and single temporal dimension. Equipment, as we refer to them as slip space drive cores, allow convention vehicles, such as our warships, to make the "transition" to the slip space, at which time, FTL travel can be achieved. HAWK paused. HAWK: Due to the fact that the slip space is not governed by any known laws of physics as we know them, quantifiable variables, such as mass, velocity, distance, and time are, technically, meaningless. Matter, as we know it, cannot exist inside of the slip without being utterly pulverized, destroyed, torn apart, or simply shifted out of known reality. With that said, Humans, and the Covenant, have devised ways to safely traverse the slip space, and utilize its unique properties to achieve a psudo-FTL solution. HAWK paused. As he did, Anaconda began to yawn. HAWK: Really? Anaconda: Force of habit. Resume your talking, construct. HAWK: As I was saying, due to highly sophisticated and carefully tuned quantum fields, we are able to shield our ship in what can essentially be described as a bubble of real space, in order to protect our ships from the effects of slip space. These quantum fields can required billions, trillions, or even quadrillions of calculations per second. For example, a ship of Admiral Harrison's size may required up to 4 quadrillion calculations per section, with up to an additional 0.5 quadrillion calculations as a buffer for additional mass. As a point of note, the minimum and most conservative estimate for the number of calculations per second required for a planet the size of San Angeles would be in the ball park of 20.4 Quintillion calculations per second...and that is a very low balled estimate. Nighthawk: That is a big number. HAWK: That is also a number that I could not hope to achieve on my best day. Thankfully, I won't be trying. I have no intention of TRYING to wrap a layer of real space around San Angeles. I just plan on opening up the necessary rupture...and letting the planet move itself into the slip using the a very graceful means of propulsion known as the planetary revolution cycle... HAWK paused. HAWK: in other words...San Angeles' revolution around the local star is what is going act as our means of propulsion to get the planet into the slipspace rupture. So long as the rupture is opened in the path of the revolution, the planet is going into the slip, and nobody can stop it. Anaconda: As Humans are so fond of saying..."cool"... HAWK: Indeed. Nighthawk: Nice plan...save for one problem; how the hell are you going to draw the power necessary to create a slip space rupture big enough to fit the entire planet? HAWK: I am surprised you don't know... HAWK paused. HAWK: The Trust had this figured out. Think back to our raid on Firebase Desert earlier in this campaign. You remember that engagement, right? A whole bunch of fun stuff happened there. Jacob defected to The Trust, we field tested the Cyclops for the first time, and your brother ask Captain Frost to arrest him. Nighthawk: Yeah...I remember... HAWK: We also found an ONI stealth generator that was siphoning power from San Angeles' geothermal power grid...you know...that power grid that has an enormous surplus of energy that basically powers every city on this planet! Nighthawk: Ohhhh...of course! HAWK: Based on my analysis of the energy read outs I got from Firebase Desert, I believe we can achieve the necessary power levels to open a slip space rupture large enough to fit this entire planet...and STILL have enough left over to provide clean, renewable energy for the entire planet...so long as it still exists. All of the tree hugging enviro-wackos that have yet to be killed by The Covenant can rest easy, knowing that dirty energy played no part in the destruction of their world. Nighthawk nodded. Nighthawk: Not bad HAWK...not bad at all... Anaconda looked at HAWK and Nighthawk, and then spoke up. Anaconda: Why do I get the feeling that I just missed a joke?