[Halo] New! Halo RPG Pt. 11

[Hells Sniper]

Jacob turned to face the Trust officer. He couldn't believe his eyes. It had been years since he last her, and she clearly changed, but she was still that young ODST he knew 30 years ago. Jacob: Just tell me...why? Officer: Why? You know why! The UNSC was destroying humanity, they destroyed my family, they destroyed me. Jacob: No they didn't! We talked, you knew the UNSC was the best thing out there, you knew it was our future! Officer: No, just your future Jacob. Not mine. My future was here, with the Trust. Jacob shook his head. Jacob: I won't fight you... Officer: I know you won't. That's why you are going to come with me to a Trust prowler and we are going to meet with Kolya. Jacob: I will not be going willingly. Officer: I don't want to kill you Jacob. I have a squadron of marines waiting for you, get out of the Sabre and let's move. Jacob turned, he knew she had the upper hand. She was behind him and if he started the start-up sequence all she had to do was shoot. The officer pressed the Socom to Jacob's head again. Officer: Jacob, please. Jacob sighed. The officer nodded as she got out of the Sabre, so did Jacob. Officer: Bay 4, move it. Jacob sighed, he couldn't believe it. He started to walk. Jacob: How could you do th-- Officer: Do what!? Join a military that actually believed in keeping humanity alive. Join an organization that actually knew what they were doing! It was easy. Jacob: Not that. The Officer looked confused. Jacob: How could you betray us? Betray humanity? Jacob paused and turned around, walking backwards. Jacob: Betray me and your fellow ODSTs? Nemes, Ambrus, Holender!? Jacob sighed, he turned around and continued to walk again. Officer: I couldn't betray dead people Jacob. Jacob: You're mistaken Lisa...you betrayed every aspect of them. Why they fought, who they fought with, why they died. You betrayed their life, you betrayed their friendships, you betrayed their deaths Lisa. Lisa sighed. Lisa: No nickname anymore? Jacob: You're not the Pinestar I remember...

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer: Why are you putting Tye through this? Vernette: I am putting him through this because he is perfect for this. He has all the skills necessary to be Nighthawk. ONI is currently in a very bloody and violent power struggle with The Trust...and nobody knows The Trust as well as I do...with exception to Tye. His history makes him the perfect candidate! Vernette paused. Vernette: You may not know this Jennifer...but the original Tye carried the name of Black 6 for a period of time. On top of that...this Tye was a clone created by The Trust...one of their first cloned espionage agents. His original purpose was to replace the original...but that plan backfired on The Trust for a number of reasons. The fact is...this Tye posses the important life experience needed to deal with The Trust. Combine all of that with the permission to act outside the confines of the military...and...you get the picture. Jennifer: All this to deal with The Trust? Jennifer sighed. Jennifer: I trust Tye knows everything? He knows all the reasons he was picked? Vernette: Of course...I have held nothing back. Tye knows everything. I would not lie to him about this. He knows the risks, the dangers, and the gains. There has been no deception.

[Hells Sniper]

Jacob continued to walk, he was planning his escape as he continued to talk to Pinestar, trying to get her defense low enough. Jacob: You abandoned humanity...and you abandoned everything the others believed in. Lisa: Jacob, shut it. Now. Jacob: I'll do no such thing, Lisa. Lisa: Quiet! Lisa pushed Jacob into the hangar bay, he fell to one knee. Jacob could clearly see a squadron of Trust marines. Two of the marines ran over, they both saluted to Lisa. Trust Marine 1: Ma'am, glad to see you did it. Lisa nodded as she holstered her Socom. The first Trust marine picked Jacob up and tied his arms up behind his back. The second grabbed Jacob's shoulders and led him to the pelican. Lisa: Now Jacob...we are going to get on this prowler, get past your little fleet and make our way back to the Ulterior Motive. Jacob: Unless this ship goes first. Lisa laughed as she walked. Lisa: Unlikely, the engineer was given strict instructions not to overload the core until we deemed it fit. Which should be as soon as we clear this ship. Jacob sighed, they were approaching the prowler. Suddenly, the ship rocked and the Trust marines and Lisa all fell. Jacob had managed to keep his balance and took his chance. He sprinted off in the opposite direction, desperately trying to break free of the rope. He could hear Lisa yelling. Lisa: Get up! Go after him! Jacob eventually broke free of the rope and slide towards an assault rifle. He picked it up and fired at the two Trust marines running after him. The bullets swarmed into them, hitting them both in the chest, wounding them. The other Trust marines began to fire back at Jacob, who was exposed. Jacob jumped into cover. The Trust marines formed up and approached Jacob. Jacob scavenged for another magazine, eventually finding one and reloading the assault rifle. He could hear the Trust marines talking. Trust Marine: Keep it tight. Trust Marine 2: Use the flank. Jacob took a deep breath and popped from cover, firing his assault rifle. He didn't hit any of the Trust marines, but pushed them back a bit. Jacob continued to fire, but he knew he was going to be out of ammo soon. He used the advantage he had and turned, running towards the exit of the hangar bay. He was only a few meters from the door. Lisa who was watching all of this, took hold of her Socom and aimed at Jacob's leg. She took a deep breath and fired off a few rounds. The rounds sped through the air and penetrated Jacob's hind leg. Jacob fell forward, he could feel four stings of pain in the back of his leg. The four Trust marines approached him. Jacob looked up at them, one of the marines leaned forward and removed his helmet. Jacob struggled to keep it on, but the marine threw it away. He took the butt of his rifle and hit Jacob in the face, knocking him out. Lisa nodded. Lisa: Let's move marines! The Trust marine carried Jacob back to the prowler, as the others grabbed the wounded and jumped into the prowler. Lisa: Pilot, engage stealth, get us away from the fleet. Corporal, contact the engineer, overload the reactor. The pilot started the prowler, engaged the stealth and soon left the trust Destroyer.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer: As long as he is doing this of his own accord. Vernette: They both said yes Jennifer. This is my brother we are talking about. I would sooner kill myself then ever selfishly risk Tye's life. I would never force him to do this. He is 100% dedicated to this of his own free will. He has a serious bone to pick with The Trust...and I am going to cut him loose and watch him get even on his terms. Vernette paused. He then turned when he heard a warning signal from his laptop. Jennifer: What is it? Vernette: Tye's heart rate is increasing. He is under duress... Jennifer: How? Vernette: I don't know...standby... Vernette began to type on his laptop. He began to scan the video feeds, and eventually found the feed which showed Nighthawk in the grasp of a Spartan III. Vernette: Shit... Jennifer: Preston...shut the program down... Vernette: No...not yet. Vernette watched. He watched as Nighthawk struggled. Jennifer: Preston...shut it down... Vernette: Hold on... Vernette watched. His hand hovered over the emergency shutdown button. He was getting ready to press it when he saw Nighthawk break free from the Spartan's grasp. He watched as Nighthawk pulled out the knife that was holstered in the Spartan III's chest sheath, and use the blade to jam the blade right into the neck of the Spartan III. Vernette: A classic maneuver. Nicely done! Ohhh yes...he is going to make an excellent Nighthawk... Vernette paused. Vernette: Though...I am very sure Lyle did not die on San Angeles...at the hands of his own blade. Jennifer: Unbelievable. Why didn't you stop the program? Tye could of been killed. Vernette: Yes...he could of...but he got out of it. Think of it this way jennifer...in the real world...God isn't going to put the universe on pause for him...so why should I put this simulation on pause? Just now...Tye learned what it means to act in despiration...to do whatever he needs to do to survive. Being able to do whatever is needed of you...that is another characteristic that Nighthawk must have!

[Hells Sniper]

Meanwhile: The pelican filled with the Agents landed in the hangar bay. MacLaren walked to the passenger bay as it opened. Folee was awake and sitting down. As soon as the bay opened, Harrison was standing there, arms behind his back. The Agents offloaded off the pelican and approached Harrison. Harrison: Agents. I assume the mission was a success? The Agents looked at the ground, and this is when Harrison realized Jacob was missing. He sighed. Harrison: Where is Agent Sharpmen? No one spoke. Harrison: I asked you all a question, where the hell is he!? Limos: He stayed behind to cover our tracks, Admiral. Harrison pinched the bridge in his nose. Harrison: I see. The data? Limos handed Harrison the AI chip. Limos: Phoenix had it all downloaded, Admiral. He has it. Harrison nodded. Harrison: Prepare another fireteam to head bac--- Before Harrison could finish, he was cut off by Shadow over the intercoms. Shadow: Admiral, the Trust destroyer has just exploded. The core reactor was overloaded, anyone who was on board has been lost. Harrison stopped himself, he tried to keep his composure. The Agents just sat there motionless. No one spoke for a while. Shadow: Should I get the senior officers to the observation deck? Harrison didn't answer. Shadow: Admiral? Harrison shook his head. Harrison: Uhm, yes. Shadow, get Captain Sharpmen to my office as well. Shadow: Done, sir. Harrison nodded, he turned to the Agents standing in front of him. Harrison: You guys did well. You accomplished the mission. Report to the observation deck. The Agents all looked at Harrison and nodded. They headed towards the elevator without saying a word. Harrison was left alone in the hangar bay, staring at an empty passenger bay. Finally he looked down to the AI chip left in his hand. Harrison: Something on here...better be important.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer: You take this stuff very seriously...don't you? Vernette: I spent a large portion of my life doing what Tye is doing now. I know a thing or two about survival...and what it takes to survive. I know what it is like to do whatever is necessary just to live to see another day. I am sure Tye also understood that concept...but after the coming days...he is not only going to understand it...he is going to be intimately familiar with it. Vernette paused. Vernette: To be honest Jennifer...I envy Tye and Dancar...these first steps into a new way of life. This brings back a lot of memories. Knowing that there is really only one other person who you can rely on to watch your back...it builds a sense of loyalty the likes of which are indescribable. Jennifer: Well...don't think too much about it. I am sure...someone in that subconscious of yours...you still call yourself Nighthawk. Jennifer: What is better than the original...right? Vernette grinned. Vernette: You are right about that. Vernette nodded. Jennifer sighed. Jennifer: Just be sure to look after them Preston. They will need you for a while. They are going to face dangers and stresses the likes of which will be alien to them. Just make sure you are there to keep them on the right path.

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison sighed, he slid the chip into his jacket pocket and made his way to the elevator, heading to his office. He thought about Jacob, the countless memories he had of him. 2523 was the one that always jumped out. Harrison: And the Trust finally put him down. Harrison sighed as the elevator opened, he walked towards his office door and opened it. Knowingly, Dallas was sitting near his desk, he stood up. Harrison: No, no, stay seated Captain. Dallas nodded and sat back down. Harrison walked over and took a seat on the other side of his desk. Dallas was silent, he just looked at Harrison. After a few moments, Harrison took a deep breath and began to speak. Harrison: Jacob was sent on a mission an hour or so ago. Get on a Trust destroyer, extract data, and get back. We didn't know the kind of resistance there would be, we didn't know what would be there, but he accepted the mission and took the other Agents with him. Harrison paused, he could tell Dallas was listening intently. Harrison: The mission went well at first, but...upon the extraction, Jacob...he stayed behind in order for the other Agents to make it out and extract the data safely. Harrison paused. Harrison: The Trust destroyer exploded a few minutes ago...to our knowledge, Jacob never made it off. Harrison watched Dallas' face turn from serious to instant sadness. He knew he was holding in his emotions Dallas was choking up, trying to find the words to speak, eventually he just pulled his hands up to his face. Trying to make sense of it all, Harrison just sat there, trying to keep his emotions back inside as well. Eventually, Dallas spoke up. Dallas: So, he's dead? Harrison: There may still be a chance that he survived, but...they are slim to none. I'm sorry Dallas. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry. Your brother, he saved my life, and he did so much for the UNSC, for ONI, for humanity. He'll be missed. Dallas just nodded, he managed to crack a smile. Dallas: Thank you for telling me Admiral, it means a lot. Harrison: Your brother was a great soldier, and a great friend. Dallas nodded, he stood from the chair and went to shake Harrison's hand. Harrison stood and shook his hand. Dallas: Thank you again. Dallas departed from the office shortly after. Harrison turned and faced the emptiness of space. But he heard one thing before Dallas entered the elevator. A yell, and then a sob of sorrow. Harrison stood there, in the empty office, staring into the abyss. His arms were crossed and he sighed. A tear rolled down his cheek as the sting of Jacob's loss finally hit him.

[Kairu]

After James' meltdown on the pelican, James was lying in his quarters. Sitting across the room was Aelis. She was going through some ONI files and was checking the progress with Aurigae VI. James' back was to her and he was staring at the wall. Aelis' mind wasn't really paying as close of attention to the ONI reports as one would think. She couldn't resist holding back. She climbed next to James and she wrapped her arm around his stomach. James was caught off guard by this, his mind wasn't really knowing what to think about it. To him, romance was something he never experienced. He always put his responsibilities first so romance was never a thing he considered. James however, liked how the two of them were lying there in silence. He could smell her hair. Apple blossoms was filling his nostrils. James: "Your hair smells like a time when I was a kid. Arthur, Thomas and I were in the woods pretending to be soldiers of the UNSC fighting in the Insurrectionist War. We were pretending to shoot Rebels. It was then that I realized that I wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to be in combat. ONI coming to Aurigae VI is the best thing I've ever been a part of. It was my chance to be the soldier I wanted to be. Thomas was angry that I "sold Aurigae's Freedom" to ONI." James voice faded and Aelis just tightened her arm around James. Aelis: "I can stop wearing this scent, if you want..." James smiled at the offer. James: "No, don't. I like it. Helps me remember and honor Thomas." Aelis: "Ok, I can keep it." James began to fall asleep in Aelis' hold. Aelis also started to feel tired. Before letting herself fall asleep, she gently kissed James neck and the two began to fall asleep.

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison just stared at the abyss of space, watching the debris of the Trust destroyer roam through the vacuum. Jacob was in that crash somewhere, he was gone. Harrison shook his head. He tried to think of something else until Shadow chimed in. Shadow: Admiral...you wanted to see the senior officers on the observation deck. Harrison nodded and wiped his face. Harrison: Thank you for the reminder, Shadow. Harrison was walking out of the room when Shadow spoke again. Shadow: Admiral, shall I begin a message to send to Director Vernette and the others? Harrison stopped. Harrison: No, no. I shall talk to him personally, and the others. Shadow: Understood, Admiral. Harrison put on his cap and left his office, he made his way to the observation deck. Upon his arrival, all the Agents, Captain Rogers, Captain Sharpmen, the first and second officer, and a few others were gathered around. Dallas and the Agents were all silent. Harrison walked towards the front of the group and began to speak. Harrison: Gentlemen, ladies. What I am about to say won't be easy for many of you...but I am going to get through it as quickly as possible. Harrison paused. Harrison: I am sad to say that today, Agent Jacob Sharpmen, was confirmed MIA, and presumed Killed in Action. Many of the officers just looked down, others gasped, others just stood there silently. Harrison: Jacob was a great soldier, a great family man, a great friend. He fought in dozens of engagements during the Human-Covenant War, and even saved my life prior to First Contact. The services he had done for humanity will not be forgotten, and I am sorry for his loss. Funeral arrangements will be made in his honor, and for all of you that knew him personally, I am sorry. That is all, you are dismissed. Most of the crew just stood there, unable to speak. Most, if not all, knew Jacob personally, and his death impacted everyone. Tiffany just stood there, staring at Dallas in disbelief. Folee was about to explode. Eventually, he slammed his fists down on the table and screamed. Folee: Goddamnit! We should've went back! I told you guys we should've stayed behind! Colby and Carmicle tried to calm Folee down, but he just kept yelling. Folee: He could still be alive, he could be right here! We would just be celebrating another victory! Folee just kept yelling, many of the crew started to leave, they couldn't handle him. Dallas and Tiffany just sat there. Folee: Goddamnit! Wh-- Tiffany couldn't handle it. Tiffany: He's dead Folee! There's nothing we can do anymore. He died! It's over! You yelling is just insulting his memory, just leave it! He's dead...he's dead goddamnit. Folee quieted down as Tiffany began to weep into Dallas' arm, who was trying his best to keep his composure. The rest of the Agents just stood there. By this time, it was the Agents, Dallas, Tiffany, and Harrison left in the deck. After a few moments, Limos spoke up. Limos: It should have been me.... Limos paused as everyone looked at him. Limos: I told him I would stay, cover the escape...but, he tossed Phoenix to me. Told me to go...I just...I just went. Limos looked at Dallas and Tiffany. Limos: I'm sorry. Dallas shook his head, he walked over to Limos and put a hand on his shoulder. Dallas: Jacob chose you Agent. He decided why, and he knew why. In the end, you just have to trust his judgment. I know my brother, he wouldn't make a decision like that if he didn't know the consequences. Don't be sorry, you were just doing your job, and so was Jacob. Dallas patted Limos and then walked off, he turned to Harrison and nodded. Dallas: Admiral. Harrison tipped his hat to Dallas as he and Tiffany walked away. Harrison looked at the Agents. Harrison: You are all dismissed. Take the Captains out for a drink...all of you have a round on me. The Agents all nodded as they walked away.

[Naked Crook]

Meanwhile: The King Raven was en-route back to Paris IV to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet. Hayes was on the bridge of The King Raven, keeping watch on the bridge during the trip. ONI Officer: SIr...our ETA is 5 minutes. Hayes: Very good. Any word from the fleet yet? Any updates? ONI Officer: None yet sir...there have been no updates as of late. Hayes: Keep me informed. Hayes sighed. He then looked over at HAWK, who was, standing perfectly still, looking forward. Hayes: Thinking? HAWK turned his head and looked at Hayes. HAWK: You could say that. I have been analyzing our last engagement with The Trust...going over their tactics, and their ship movements, and how they coincide with their firuing patterns. I am quantifying this information for future statistical reference. Hayes: I see... HAWK: I am also analyzing data recovered from my cyber-warfare systems. During the last engagement...I had been stress testing their firewalls and communication ports in an attempt to find vulnerabilities and exploits. So far...nothing of value. Hayes: Hmmm...sounds like you do what normal AIs do. We both know that I have been told that you are an expert on The Trust. How exactly? HAWK: I have had extensive experience dealing with them. I was programmed specifically to learn and adapt to their tactics. My directives are unlike a standard AI. Standard AIs, for example, have hardware and software caps in their Riemann matrix. Most AIs cannot exceed this fundamentally incredible cap. Hardware and software caps exist simply to slow down the rate of decay. As you know...a SMART AI will think itself to death...this is why they have an upper calculation limit. Hayes: So then...why have you not...thought yourself to death yet? You are defiantly older than 7 years. HAWK: My program is based on a highly sophisticated for of poly-threaded quantum compression. In the most basic terms...if my collective information and my maximum storage capacity, both as of right now, could be described as physical objects...my collective information would be 150 story skyscraper, and my maximum storage capacity would be a rubix cube, three inches cubed in size. My quantum compression algorithms allow that skyscraper to be condensed into that rubix cube, such that the total space occupied by that compressed skyscraper clocks in at only 0.031% capacity occupied...further reduced by duplicate information being deleted at pre-processing time so as to not waste resources. HAWK paused. HAWK: I never waste my time on shit I already know. That is another way I am better than standard AIs. It has been a common Trust tactic to flood enemy AIs with colossal amounts of junk data to crash their Riemann matrix...and effectivly render a ship...disabled...ready to be attacked, boarded, infiltrated...or even destroyed. I am impervious to such attacks...as I do not process junk data. Hayes: So tell me...how long will you last? HAWK: At best...700 years... Hayes: While a standard SMART AI is limited to 7 years. That is such a cheat. HAWK: SMART AIs are disposable software. There are too many of them to implement this design. Besides...I would no longer be specialized if every AI was like me. Further compounded by the fact Section 0 keeps all the good shit to itself...I am not surprised they have kept this technology under wraps. Imagine how much damage The Trust could do with an AI like me. Hayes: That is true. Hayes paused. Hayes: You know...that raises another issue...I think there are other AIs like you. The Cloak and Dagger...she is... HAWK: The AI known as Cloak and Dagger...was the original design created by Korman Industries. I know...they actually do pump out half decent shit from time to time. The Cloak and Dagger was based off of recent advancements in AI technology, combined with intel captured from the Covenant on their standards for AI and data storage and compression algorithms. Based on all of that...Korman Industries was tasked with the creation of a better SMART AI. ONI informed him that the AI was going on a new class of ship that fell under the name Project CLOAK AND DAGGER...and the AI was named as such. However...the AI was stolen in 2539...copied...and reproduced into me. A few extra bells and whistles were added...and I was born. HAWK folded his arms. HAWK: There is another method for expanding the lifespan of an AI...but that is a different story...utilizing a different form of technology. Hayes: Fascinating. Hayes paused. Hayes: Anything else I should know? HAWK: Yes...but there is...but we are out of time. We are dropping back into normal space in 5 seconds...