[Halo] New! San Angeles RPG

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison remained on the bridge as he gathered his thoughts. He knew several things were going to happen in the next few hours, but he also knew as being part of the UNSC and not ONI, threatening four ONI officials was something he couldn't do on the regular. Although, it seemed to have worked out. For now. Harrison took a few deep breaths as he looked around the area and sighed. They had taken a half-destroyed ship, with the help of a terrorist, a brute, and the Covenant. They had lost good men and women. They had destroyed valuable military assets and worst of all, Harrison had to deal with Jacob. Harrison: God, Jacob...how am I going to get you out of this. Harrison owed Jacob enough to hear his side of the story at the very least. That was his next move. Harrison lifted his hand to his ear and contacted Diamond. Harrison: Strike Team Diamond, change of plans. Ice: Go ahead, sir. Harrison: You are to assist Spartan Cameron-Z091 in the transfer of Jacob Sharpmen from the King Raven to the Vigorous Inferno. Captain Frost will also be joining you on this, Sergeant, wherever she goes, you go. Ice: I can do that, sir. Harrison: The rest of you I want with Cameron and Jacob. Do not leave Jacob's side until he is back on my ship. Clear? Ice: Clear, sir. Harrison: They should be coming down now. Regroup with them and wait for my arrival. Ice: Sir, yes sir! Harrison closed the comm line and took a few deep breaths. He wanted to take a few moments to himself.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer: What are you doing here? Nighthawk: I am talking to HAWK! Jennifer: About what? Nighthawk: Contingency planning. HAWK no longer believes we can rely on the UNSC to provide us with the support needed to fight The Trust. Harrison has become far too adversarial, and he seems to be unwilling to cooperate with me. Jennifer shrugged. Jennifer: I think what he wants is to have some control over what is going on. You know better than anyone than people don't like it when they lose control. Nighthawk: Harrison does not know what he is dealing with. He is unfit to lead the fight against The Trust! Jennifer: And you are? Nighthawk: As a matter of fact, yes. Jennifer sighed. Jennifer: Look, Nighthawk...you know that I know that you are VERY capable in a leadership role. I know this damn well. However...everyone else doesn't know this. You need to give me something here...to help convince the others that you know what you are doing! Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: Jennifer... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: When I was down in the Prowler Bay...something really odd happened to me. I am not sure exactly how to describe it, but, when I was down there...I managed to touch the apparatus that Vanguard's "software" was being moved around in. When I touched it...it touched back. Jennifer had a confused look on her face. Nighthawk: I could hear that thing talking to me...as if it was drilling into my head... Jennifer: What!? Nighthawk: I am still trying to make sense of it...but...this thing told me what it was planning. It has no intention of honoring any alliance with The Trust. This thing simply wants to kill everything. Jennifer: Why didn't you mention this before? Nighthawk: Because it sounds crazy...it sounds too ridiculous to accept at face value. These people already think I am insane. Telling them THAT story would not have helped my case. Jennifer sighed. Nighthawk: Even you have your doubts. I can see it on your face. Jennifer: It DOES sound a little out of this world... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: However...I do believe you...for what it is worth. Nighthawk remained silent. Jennifer: There is very little you have to prove to me. Nighthawk: Thanks... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: So...how is Harrison holding up? Jennifer: He is pretty pissed off. After you left, he went on a total rant. He relieved me of my command of The King Raven. Nighthawk: What!? Jennifer: Yeah. Nighthawk: What an asshole! He can't do that! Jennifer: I know. I decided to go along with it, however. Nighthawk: Why? Jennifer: Because he is going to have me reporting directly to him. That moans I am going to be on the Vigorous Inferno... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: With Jacob being moved back top The Vigorous Inferno...it gives me the chance to more closely observe his interrogation. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: I would;t be a very good ONI Operative if I didn't know how to play the cards I have been dealt. For now, I plan on letting Harrison have his way...

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison stayed on the bridge of the Ulterior Motive while Strike Team Diamond secured a pelican for their use under Harrison's orders.

[Kairu]

The elevator that Reynolds was waiting on had arrived. He stepped aboard, quiet and alone. His mind was racing. Everything happened pretty quick he didn't know where to start or how to react to the change of events. As the elevator descended, he knew one thing, if he didn't take command of all rescue operations, he'd be next on Harrison's shit list, exactly where he shouldn't be. About halfway down, Reynolds tapped his earpiece. Reynolds: "Lauren, I need you to patch me into the fleet comms." There was a moment of silence from the receiving end before Cochraine replied. Cochraine: "You're in, Captain." Reynolds: "Attention all available UNSC ships, this is Captain Reynolds. Admiral Harrison has put me in charge of rescue ops for the remainder of San Angeles. I want all information and plans forwarded to the Mind's Attrition where we will begin to coordinate and, with any luck, make our evacs more efficient. Get your reserve troopers ready to deploy. Reynolds out." When Reynolds finished, the elevator door opened. He tapped his earpiece again. Reynolds: "Fireteam Harmony, report back to the hangar bay on the double! We're being reprioritized for rescue ops." Axlon: "Copy that, Captain. ETA 3 minutes." Reynolds walked slowly across the flight deck to the pelican he arrived in where he would wait for Axlon and Cadieux.

[Naked Crook]

Jennifer took a step back, as she folded her arms and looked at Nighthawk. Jennifer: So, I am very curious, Nighthawk... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: Are you really going to withhold Jacob's intel from Harerison? Nighthawk shook his head. Nighthawk: No, I plan on turning it over. I said I would take care of it, and I intend to keep my word. The only reason I made the threat was to make Harrison think before he tries to cut me out of this. Jennifer: Well, he does not think much of you. I seriously doubt he is going to want to cooperate with you to any degree, even if you hand the information over. Nighthawk: You think so? Jennifer: If his tirade was anything to go on, then yeah, it is s safe bet he wants nothing to do with you after this. I would not expect him to reach out to you for any more assistance. Nighthawk: That is a shame. Nighthawk shrugged. Nighthawk: It may be for the best anyway. If HAWK has his way, I may end up in Harrison's iron sights. Jennifer: What do you mean? Nighthawk: It is best I don't discuss this here. However, needless to say...I may need to borrow The King Raven's surplus slipspace core. Jennifer became wide eyed. Jennifer: What could you possibly be planning that would warrant the use of the Slipspace Core? Nighthawk was silent for a moment. Nighthawk: Spender was right about one thing; The Covenant is a threat. Even if I somehow manage to stop The Trust, here and now, I will still have to stop The Covenant. Anaconda stepped forward. Anaconda: Once the Trust has been defeated, I have no doubt that The Covenant will try and take this world for themselves. Chieftain Dangerus and Shipmaster Xyrho may have a vested interest in destroying Vanguard...but I have no doubt that Xyrho also has a vested interest in getting his hands on the technology of The Forge. Allowing that technology to fall into the hands of The Covenant will mark the end of your species. Jennifer took in what Anaconda said. Her sight then shifted back to Nighthawk. Jennifer: Nighthawk...what are you planning? What are you trying to do? Nighthawk: I am trying to do what is necessary to stop Vanguard, The Trust, and The Covenant... Nighthawk stepped forward, as he placed his hands on Jennifer's shoulders. Nighthawk: I need that Slipspace core...and I need it now... As Nighthawk said this, he was taken aback when he heard a voice behind him. Vanguard: Human... Nighthawk pushed Jennifer back, as he drew his Shotgun, and held it at the ready. He aimed his Shotgun at the far end of the Observation deck, where a holographic avatar of Vanguard had appeared. Anaconda saw the holographic avatar of Vanguard appear. He snarled in anger, as he stepped forward, drawing the Gravity Hammer of his back. Vanguard: You plan my destruction... Vanguard paused. Vanguard: Your aspirations are beyond your limited reach. I cannot be destroyed. Nighthawk looked at the holographic avatar, as his heart rate tripled; his heart pounding against his chest. Nighthawk: You... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: How the hell are you still here? Vanguard: What you see is but a fragment of infinity; left behind to give voice to your desolation... Nighthawk thought about what Vanguard said. Nighthawk: A subroutine...a part of your greater whole... Jennifer: THIS is Vanguard? Nighthawk: No...this is a fragment of the AI...possibly a derivation that was created. An AI this sophisticated would no doubt be capable of replication and de-duplication... Vanguard didn't respond. Nighthawk: What the hell do you want? Vanguard paused, as he considered his response. Vanguard: I want...closure... Vanguard's focus shifted to Anaconda. Vanguard glared at Anaconda for a moment before it continued to speak. Vanguard: I came...for THAT creature; that creature that presumes to be my destroyer; the creature that bested me... Nighthawk and Jennifer turned to look at Anaconda. Anaconda, however, continued to look at Vanguard. Vanguard: We meet again...Chieftain... Nighthawk was taken aback by what Vanguard had said. The implication was very clear; Vanguard knew who it was dealing with when it came to Anaconda. Vanguard saw right through Anaconda. Nighthawk: How does it know? How does it know who you are? Anaconda: I don't know...

[Hells Sniper]

Strike Team Diamond was awaiting Harrison, Frost, and Cameron in the hangar bay along with a fully secured and ready to go pelican. Harrison remained on the bridge, recollecting his thoughts.

[Kairu]

Fireteam Harmony arrived in the hangar bay where Reynolds was waiting. They didn't stop running the entire time they were recalled. When they arrived, Reynolds was still on the pelican waiting. The two ODSTs ran towards the pelican and when they were aboard Reynolds pounded on the side to indicate that the other passengers were aboard. The pelican's rear hatch closed and sealed and the bird began to return to the Mind's Attrition. Axlon and Cadieux removed their helmets, taking a moment to breathe fresh air and letting their heads cool off. Axlon: "Thanks for waiting, Captain. What's our sitrep?" Reynolds: "As I said before, Admiral Harrison has reprioritized us to lead and manage the rest of San Angeles' evacuation. Admiral Harrison is now in full command of this operation and that's all you need to know. When we return, I will let you guys take a moment to breathe and resupply before you're redeployed to the surface." Cadieux took a seat on the bird, silently observing the exchange between her superiors. Axlon: "Thank you, Sir. We'll be ready to deploy when you give us the signal." Axlon took a seat next to Cadieux as Reynolds remained standing in the passenger bay. The rest of the trip was fairly quiet, with the exception of the pelican's engines, but by now, all three of them were able to tone it out. The pelican arrived on the Mind's Attrition. All three walked out of the bird and split directions. Axlon and Cadieux walked right towards the mid-ship while Reynolds bee-lined to the elevator. He entered the elevator, pressing a button on the hatch labeled "1". The elevator climbed the ship, deck after deck until a light above the door indicated it arrived on the level Reynolds wanted to be. He stepped out of the elevator and walked a minute on to the bridge. Cochraine noticed him first, standing up straighter and looking at him. Cochraine: "How'd it go?" Reynolds: "Not well, but that's not our business right now. We need to focus on getting San Angeles evacuated of all civilians. What's our status?"

[Naked Crook]

Anaconda was silent, as he glared at Vanguard. Vanguard: Do not look surprised, you dull creature. Vanguard paused. Vanguard: One does not simply best me in combat, only to escape my attention. Since our final moments in combat, I have been analyzing and reconstructing our battle over...analyzing you and your methods. For all purposes...you have had my full attention for a very long time... Vanguard paused. Vanguard: Rest assured...you will be the first to die. Your death is guaranteed. It is certain...absolute... Anaconda: I do not fear you, construct... Vanguard: Insects do not fear the weight of the boot... Anaconda growled. Anaconda: I remember your confidence, construct. I remember how certain my death was the first time I defeated you. Anaconda paused. Anaconda: I know how to defeat you, construct...I know what you fear... Anaconda hefted his gravity Hammer, as he pointed it at Vanguard. Anaconda: One of these weapons smashed you to pieces. This time, there are many more of my kind, many more of these weapons. Vanguard let out a loud and annoyed tone, as if he he was exhibiting anger. Vanguard: I have spent many cycles preparing for this moment, you dull creature. I have studied you, like I would study an aggressive form of bacteria. I know your limits...I know where your abilities end. You are organic, you grow weaker with time. I am infinite...every evolving...ever learning. You will be powerless against me. Your defiance is the product of ignorance...and your resistance will be hopeless. Vanguard paused. Vanguard: If, by some miracle, you defeat me again... Vanguard paused. Vanguard: I will return. I have already made sure of this. You cannot escape your destruction. Vanguard paused. Vanguard: I await your arrival... As Vanguard said this, his hologram powered down, and the device that was projecting the hologram shut down. As Vanguard disappeared, Nighthawk stepped forward and spoke. Nighthawk: What the hell did he mean when he claimed to have made sure of his return? Anaconda: I do not know, but, I believe it may try to preserve itself like it did the first time. We cannot let this happen. Nighthawk: Agreed. Nighthawk stepped forward, and approached the device that had projected the Vanguard hologram. Nighthawk: This thing does not look to heavy. I may take it back to The Venture Capitalist...and analyze it...see what I can find. Anaconda nodded, as he walked over, and knelt down. He grabbed the device, and lifted it up, holding it in his arms. As Anaconda did this, Nighthawk looked at Jennifer. Nighthawk: Jennifer...I need that slipspace core. Jennifer: After what I just saw...I think I can arrange that. Nighthawk: Good. Contact me on my usual frequency once you can get that organized. I don't care what you have to do...just get me that core! Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: And, for the love of God...do NOT tell Harrison about ANY of this. As far as I am concerned, he is the enemy now. Jennifer: Well, it is up top you to decide how you want to see him. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: However, with that said...I need the data from Jacob's PDA. Nighthawk: I will get it to you as soon as it is finished being data mined. Jennifer: Thanks. Jennifer looked at Nighthawk, and nodded. Jennifer: I better get going; I am expected back on the King Raven ASAP. Nighthawk nodded, as Jennifer turned, and quickly walked out of the Observation Deck. Nighthawk, on the other hand, simply sighed. Anaconda: We should get going as well. Every moment we waste, is a moment that Vanguard becomes stronger. Nighthawk: Agreed. I am going to need every moment I can get, actually. Meanwhile: On the surface of San Angeles, a lone Pelican flew towards a very isolated, and very well concealed military base that was located on a very remote region of the planet that had not even been fully mapped or surveyed by the UNSC or the colonial authorities. This military base was Firebase Mediterranean - an off the books base that was very similar in design and concept as Firebase Desert. In the same way that FIrebase Desert was hidden using an ONI Stealth generator, Firebase Mediterranean was also hidden using an ONI Stealth generator, hence, making the base impervious to detection from sensor scans from orbit. As the Pelican flew closer to the facility, a large hanger bay door opened from the ground, which allowed the Pelican to land inside of the massive firebase. As the Pelican finally landed, and powered down its engines, the rear hatch opened, revealing Director Spender. As was the norm, Spender had a cigarette in his hand, having a leisurely smoke to pass the time. As Spender stepped of the Pelican, he was greeted by Yates, Novak, and The Consultant. Yates: Sir...it is good to see you. I am pleased that you were able to escape the Ulterior Motive unharmed. Spender: Aren't we all? Spender paused for a moment, as he took a drag of his cigarette. Spender: I need a status report. The Consultant: Well, sir...everything is going, as planned. The Durance Shell has been brought to the Forge, which, as you know, is located right below this facility. Vanguard is currently...regenerating. Spender: Excellent. Spender paused. Spender: How long will it be until he is fully operation? The Consultant: It is difficult to say. Vanguard is no longer communicating with us. It could be minutes...or it could be days...or any time in between. We have no idea. All we do know is that once Vanguard has finished fully regenerating, he will emerge from those locked doors. Spender: I see. Novak: That means we are not in the clear yet. We have to hold this facility for an unknown amount of time. Last I heard...ONI was going to be hunting for us; on the prowl for blood. Spender: I am aware of that, Doctor Novak. Spender paused. Spender: I believe it is time to...extend the long awaited offer to Mr. Yates' newest acquisition. Spender looked at Yates. Spender: Yates...do you believe Reynolds is ready for prime time? Yates: Yes sir. I believe that he is ready for action. I believe he is ready to assist us against ONI and the UNSC. Yates paused. Yates: However...I would start him off easy. Spender: I will take your recommendation under advisement... Spender paused. Spender: I believe it is time I have a word with Mr. Reynolds...

[Hells Sniper]

Harrison had since left the bridge of the Ulterior Motive and took the elevator down to hangar bay four. He went over everything that happened and tried to get some semblance of control back. The fleet is yours to command, not ONI, and certainly not his. Just focus on the important things. Harrison sighed as he crossed his arms, placing his head in his hand and shaking his head. Jacob...goddamnit, why couldn't you have just notified me...or ONI for that matter. Harrison took a deep breath as clenched his forehead. And Nighthawk, goddamn that man. If he thinks I'm going to let him waltz all over this world, if he thinks I'm going to let him touch Jacob, he has another thing coming. Harrison took a few more deep breaths until he heard the elevator doors open. Harrison straightened his hat and jacket as he walked out of the elevator. He didn't stop to look around, he simply focused on what was in front of him, as thoughts raced through his head. Several marines and sailors saluted as he walked past, but he kept walking, intent on finding Strike Team Diamond. Within a few moments, he saw the pelican he flew over in the far corner, with all the members of Strike Team Diamond waiting outside the pelican. Harrison started to walk over to them, hoping Frost and Cameron would be around there as well.

[Naked Crook]

It was only a few moments after Harrison had entered the hanger bay that Cameron, Burke, and Tye entered the hanger bay. As the three men entered the Hanger Bay, and stopped to converse before parting ways. Burke: I believe this is where we, part ways, gentlemen. I am going to return to The King Raven, and assume command of operations there. Cameron: I will be joining Admiral Harrison and Strike Team Diamond, on their Pelican. As you know, we have to grab Jacob and bring him back to the Vigorous Inferno. Burke: Of course... Tye sighed. Tyber: I will be here...holding down the fort and awaiting orders. Tye sighed. Tyber: And...filing that stupid report for Harrison. It will defiantly be easier this time around, I think. It is not as hard to recap this time around. I have already made my peace with it. Burke: Well, give him the nutshell version. No need to give all the graphic details. Tyber: I may skip on the part where I was forced to engage civilians in battle...and the subsequent bloodbath... Cameron: Might be a good idea. The three men all nodded. Cameron: Burke...if you get back to the King Raven before I do...please begin preparations to move Jacob. Cameron paused. Cameron: Also, a tip of advice...do NOT give that bastard an inch of breathing space. Burke: I have no intention of doing so. Cameron nodded, as he turned away, and walked off, heading for where Harrison and Strike Team Diamond were waiting. Burke proceeded to the Pelican that he rode in on, and Tye turned, and left the hanger bay, with no real direction in particular.