[Halo] New! Halo RPG Pt. 11

[Erex]

Tylan: When do they arrive again? Romanov: In a hour and a half sir. Tylan: Hopefully I get to see him again. Romanov: Yes sir I've never met a spartan. Tylan: He's cool, he considers you family if you do minor things, I guess its cause he has no family. Romanov: Sounds like a good guy. Tylan: He is. Alert me when I'm needed I'll be in my office. Tylan walks to his office.

[Naked Crook]

Meanwhile: Barrabus busted through the door, and entered the command center. He saw Dangerus, and his pack, fighting with the Trust marines. The Trust marines were moving back, right into Barrabus's position. Barrabus gripped his hammer as he charged into the fray, and slammed his Gravity Hammer down to the ground, scattering The Marines around the room, breaking their cohesion. The Honor Guards moved forward. Cerberus began to sweep across the room with his Plasma Cannon, cutting down any unfortunate Marine who did not retreat into cover. Arcturus knew better than to fire off his Flak Cannon in this room, as he knew that this was their primary objective, and he needed to avoid damaging anything that might be of value. Instead, he simply relied on his own ferocity and strength, to beat down enemy combatants with his bare hands. With coordinated fire from Krysus and Scorpius, as well as Dangerus and his Brutes, the room had been cleared of most of the hostile personnel. The only Trust presence left alive, was one Officer, and several Marines, along with a few R&D personnel. These last few individuals were behind cover, in the farthest part of the room, cornered, with nowhere to go. Barrabus held up his hand to signal the others to stop firing. He holstered his Gravity Hammer onto his back, and he waited a moment, allowing what was left of the Trust to compose itself, and to say anything, if there was anything to say. Barrabus could hear one of those people breathing, so he knew that someone was alive back there. However, he grew tired of waiting. Before long, he stepped forward, towards where the last of the Trust personnel were hiding. He grabbed the metal shield that they were behind, and simply tossed it aside with one hand. The Two marines stood up, and raised their weapons, but Barrabus knocked them both to the side, with one swift backhand. He brushed them aside, as if they were nothing. The Officer looked up at Barrabus, and simply dropped his gun. Trust Officer: Alright...you win... Barrabus grabbed the Officer by the neck, and lifted him into the air. He was not squeezing hard enough to prevent the Officer from talking, but he was holding the officer firmly enough so as to prevent him from escaping. Barrabus: Why are you on my planet? Trust Officer: That is for us to know... Barrabus: That was not the answer I wanted. I will ask one more time. Why are you on my planet!? Trust Officer: Go to hell...I'll never tell you, and you will never find out. I doubt you have the capability to even figure any of this stuff out. This is not your technology. You may understand how that Covenant shit works...but as far as our tech goes...I doubt you guys are resourceful enough, or patient enough, to figure it out. Barrabus partially nodded. Barrabus: Perhaps you are right...or perhaps you underestimate just how..."resourceful"...we can be...rather...how resourceful I am... Barrabus tossed the officer towards Krysus. Krysus caught the Officer with his left hand, and held him by the scruff of his Uniform. Barrabus approached the large holotable in the center of the room. Tyber: Disconnect me from your armor... Barrabus lifted his left are, and turned to look at his wrist. He pressed a small button located near his wrist, and a small data crystal chip ejected from a seemingly well hidden slot. He grabbed the chip, using his index finger and thumb, and placed it into the holo table. Trust Officer: What are you doing! Stop at once! Barrabus ignored the Trust officer, as he activated the data chip. After a moment, Tye appeared on the holotable. Barrabus: Tye...do your thing... Tyber: Already on it. I am currently disseminating through their network. Trust Officer: An AI...big deal. In a matter of seconds- Tyber: In a matter of seconds what? Were you going to say that in a matter of seconds...the three seperate AIs currently in this system were going to converge on me, and purge me from the network? Is that what you were going to say? Tye held out his hand. There were three separate lights in his hand. Tyber: Are these the AI's you were hoping would purge my program!? Is this your best? Is this all you got? I would expect much better from The Trust! Tye closed his palm, and the three lights exploded into small flickers of light. Tyber: If I had the time...I would tear these AIs apart, line by line, subroutine by subroutine...but I think I will simply shut them down for now...and let ONI do the honors. Got anything else for me? Got any more tricks up your sleeve, asshole? The Trust Officer was speechless. Tyber: Yeah...I thought so...asshole! Barrabus laughed. Trust Officer: Stop...you are not authorized to access our network! Barrabus grunted. Krysus threw the Officer across the room, back to Barrabus. Barrabus caught the Officer. He glared at the Trust Officer. Barrabus: Are you...ordering me...to stop? The Trust Officer was silent. Barrabus: I asked you a question. Are you ordering me to stop? Yes...or no!? Trust Officer: Yes... Barrabus winced. He began to growl. However...he calmed himself down. He tossed the Officer back to Krysus. Barrabus: Gather up the prisoners. Cell them up on my flagship. Put them in the same holding block where we cage the fighting beasts. Put them between cells. Make sure they get to feel what the claws of some of our most deadliest predators feels like on their...brittle flesh... Cerberus nodded. Cerberus: Yes CHieftain...it will be done! Cerberus led the Honor Guards out of the command center, with The Trust Officer, and the other prisoners in the room. Barrabus then began to laugh. Barrabus: I can already smell their fear...

[Hells Sniper]

Dangerus watched as the prisoners were loaded up and taken away. He had his hammer on his back and was standing at the end of the room, watching Tye and Barrabus. Meanwhile: The Crimson Shadow had docked in the docking hangar and the team Harrison was expecting were currently awaiting his arrival. Harrison was, however, in his office talking to his Agents and Commander Troy. Harrison: The creation, refit, and addition of the shield generator could take some time...and I would rather not have my best field Agents, Spartans, and soldiers here, waiting for it to be finished. After much deliberating, I have decided. Harrison paused. Harrison: While I advise over the refit of the Shadow, I am going to put in a request to have you all...temporarily transferred to the Cloak and Dagger, or the King Raven. Hopefully you can still stay in the fight while I continue the science. A few of the Agents laughed, Troy remained silent. Harrison: I am also moving some of the senior front line teams as well. Any protests? Harrison looked at the six soldiers in front of him. They all said nothing. Harrison: Good. The transfer will be done within the day, so take a breather, get situated and ready to move at 0600 tomorrow morning. Harrison saluted the Agents and Spartan in front of him. They all promptly returned the salute. Harrison: And one last thing...Black 5. Jacob. Nighthawk, and I believe Vernette as well, believe there is a way to save him and the other members of Black team. I understand your relationship with him...with all of you. Harrison paused, shaking his head a bit. Harrison: Try. Try and save him...Jacob is still down there somewhere. The members of Black team were once soldiers of the UNSC. They are there. We just have to help them. This does not mean it's a capture-policy only. If you or the lives of other individuals are in danger and there is no chance of capture, but you have a shot... Harrison took a deep breath. Harrison: Take it. Harrison closed his eyes and rubbed them, pinching the bridge of his nose. Harrison: Good luck. You are dismissed. The Agents and Troy saluted Harrison once again, Harrison returned the salute and watched them leave. Harrison leaned on his desk, moments later, Shadow materialized next to him. Shadow: The science and engineering team is waiting for you. And shall I put in the temporary transfer request? Harrison nodded. Harrison: Yes, yes. Send it to Vernette, Hayes, and Burke. One of them will take them I am sure. And inform the teams I will be down shortly, all the data is on my PDA? Shadow nodded. Shadow: Yes, and I can send it over as soon as well. Harrison nodded and stood up. Harrison: Care to join me then? Shadow let out a slight smile. Shadow: I see you are aware of the extra feature... Harrison: I am. Shadow: Then yes, I would love to join you.

[Naked Crook]

Barrabus circled around the holotable and looked at Tye. Barrabus: Well? What can ou tell me about this facility? What were The Trust doing here? Tyber: I am still trying to figure that out. I am going through all of their files, compiling everything I can before I answer that. However, based on what I am seeing...I would assume that The Trust was here looking for new stock...to use their words. Barrabus: You mean? Tyber: Yes...they were here to find new Brutes to clone. Barrabus: Are there any clones here now? Tyber: No. They were still in the preliminary stages of scouting. It seems, they have been scouting Brutes for some time now...following select "specimens" around, and evaluating them, both mentally, and physically. I don't recognize any of the names, however. Then again, I don't know many Brutes by name. Barrabus: Which means we stopped them before they could begin cloning anything? Tyber: Yes, and no. A lot of this information was relayed back to The Trust's central command hierarchy, along with a request to begin capture, relocation, and what they call "DNA Collection". The fact is, The Trust is already in possession of suggested targets. There is nothing from stopping The Trust from coming back here, and finishing what these guys started, Barrabus: How did they get on our world to begin with? How did the sneak by, without us knowing? Tyber: It seems...The Trust had been shipping supplies, resources, and personnel to Doisac through the use of Prowlers. The Stealth cappabilities on The Prowlers had enabled The Trust to move undetected. Barrabus: Are they on any of our other planets? Tyber: Unknown. From what I can tell, there is no mention of any other cell located on any other Brute controlled world. However, The Trust has been known to compartmentalize it's information. In effect, the left hand does not knw what the right hand is doing. If that doesn't clarify it for you, then perhaps this will; if there are multiple cells, operating on multiple worlds, then each cell is autonomous. Each cell does not know about the other cells. The only people who would know about each cell, wouldd be the center of The Trust's command hierarchy. Barrabus: What else can you tell me? Tyber: Well...I have a personnel listing. I have communication logs between this facility and The Trust's main body. In fact...I have a ton of communication logs between tis facility and various Trust ships. The most prevalent is communication with three seperate ships...The Ulterior Motive...The Nightingale...and...The Bismarck? What? Tye paused. Tyber: I know what The Ulterior Motive is...that is the flagship of The Trust Syndicate. The Nightingale...I have no idea what that could be. However...The Bismarck? That is not possible. Barrabus: Why does that name sound familiar? Tyber: Barrabus...The Bismarck was an Infinity Class ship...which was deemed MIA after The Elites had betrayed us roughly two years ago. ONI was never able to find The Bismarck after we were scattered. Barrabus: I remember Vernette mentioned it. He gave up on trying to find it...something that greatly annoyed him. Tyber: Yet...here it is...communicating with The Trust. Barrabus...this suggests that The Trust is in control of The Bismarck...that it was never lost...it was stolen, right from under us, when we were distracted by The Elites. Tye paused. He had a hint of concern in his voice. Tyber: The tactical capabilities of The Bismarck were unlike anything the UNSC or ONI had developed at the time. It was...a goliath...exceeding the size of a Covenant Assault Carrier. The MAC guns on thaat ship could destroy the biggest Covenant ship in a single shot. The hull plating was brand new, and every piece of non-human technology we had went into that thing. Barrabus: Does ONI know about this? Tyber: I don't know. I didn't...and if I didn't, then my brother didn't. If my brother didn't...ONI defiantly didn't. My brother would not hide something like this from me. He typically disclosed this kind of information to me. Tyber sighed. Tyber: Barrabus...The Bismarck was initially designed as a weapon of last resort in the war with The Covenant. It was our fall back if our fleets failed us. We were ready to deploy it in the final hours of the war, that is, before The Elites broke away from The Covenant. When THAT happened, we held back, hoping their added capabilities would be enough. I am not going to rehash history...but we all know what happened. After that war ended...The Bismarck was reassigned to other responsibilities. ONI kept it under wraps...but when The Elites betrayed us only months after the end of the war, we were ready to break it out. However, we did not expect the kind of attack that we faced, and we got scattered. Like I said...we lost track of The Bismarck, and The Trust must of picked it up. Tye paused. Barrabus: I know what you are going to say. Tyber: Then you know what I am going to suggest. The Bisarck is too powerful...it is too dangerous to be in the hands of THe Trust. We must tell ONI. We must help them get it back. Barrabus...I don't have to tell you what the consequences of us NOT acting on this are. The Trust could use that goliath at ANY TIME...against ANYONE. Barrabus thought about what Tye was saying. Tyber: Think about it Barrabus...the only thing THe Trust wants to do with your kind, or The Elites for that matter, is to clone them, and make disposable soldiers. Beyond that...you are nothing more than a blight on this Galaxy. They will have no qualms in wiping your species out...and reducing you to nothing more than cloned husks to act as meat shields and distractions. They will do this to you, and they will do this to The Elites. Tye paused. Tyber: Barrabus...have you ever consider the fact that The Trust may have facilities like this on Sanghelios? We found this facility by accident...we had no intel, no supporting evidence...it was an accident. Baarrabus: I don't care what The Trust does to The Elites. Tyber: That's just it...you don't care! Think, for a moment! Think WORST CASE SCENARIO! The Trust has clearly demonstrated that they can clone BOTH Elites and Brutes, and they have proven that they can CONTROL those clones. Think about what The Trust could do with that! Imagine, for one second, that ANY NUMBER of these Brutes around you...could be working for The Trust. Any one of these Brutes could be clones of the originals...and they were here for one purpose, and one purpose along...to kill you...and take your place, as leader. The same can be said for The Elites...at any moment, any time, any Elite, any councillor, could be replaced by a clone that is being controlled by The Trust. At any time...power could change hands, and then, all of a sudden, The Trust has control of The Elites, through the use of ONE CLONE...in the highest position of power. What do you think they would do with that!? Tye paused. Tyber: The possibility does exist. Perhaps The Trust will stoop that low, perhaps not. I dunno. Perhaps they presently have the capability to do this, perhaps not, or perhaps they will have it soon. I do not know for sure. All we know, is that we found The Trust, here, on Doisac, gathering DNA for more clones. That is reason enough to take action. You now have every right to get involved in this conflict...because humans call this a "Declaration of War". You need to step up...right now...and prevent this from happening. You need to hit the Trust...NOW! Tye paused. Tyber: You know The Trust...you have seen what they have done. There is only one person in this room that can convince these Brutes to move against The Trust...and that person is you. Make the right call... Barrabus remained silent. He was considering what he had heard. Barrabus: My responsibility ends when it comes to helping The Elites. I refuse to. Tyber: Then don't help The Elites...help ONI, stop The Trust. ALl we need to do is stop The Trust, and any benefit the Elites get, will simply be a welcomed coincidence. You don't need to directly help The Elites...you just need to turn your hostilities towards The Trust. Barrabus stroked his goatee. He turned to Dangerus. Barrabus: I have my decision in mind Dangerus...and I will act, despite what you say. However...I want to see if we both heard the same thing, just now...

[Hells Sniper]

Dangerus was listening the entire time, following the conversation Barrabus and Tye were having. Clones...stations all over Dosaic...possibly other brute worlds, clones could be around them at any point. It was a lot to take. Dangerus stood there, arms crossed. When he was addressed by Barrabus, he thought for a few moments. Dangerus: Chieftain...I cannot imagine what would happen if a brute clone were to be placed here, or an elite clone for that matter. If they can get control of the elites, they will surely be a force that is unstoppable. The elite force, the Trust, and now this Bismarck. Dangerus shook his head. Dangerus: But..if we eliminate that possibility. Inform the elites of possible...facilities on their world. They will surely join in taking down the Trust...and we can help ONI. Dangerus paused. Dangerus: I am with you with whatever you decide...but I believe the old human saying applies here, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Dangerus paused again. Dangerus: I believe it is time we mobilize our fleets...send word to the elites...and join this fight, Chieftain. Meanwhile: Harrison and Shadow had headed down towards the hangar bay and entered Harrison's pelican. They made their way towards the science and engineering teams, once they landed Harrison and Shadow stepped out, to be greeted by a team of science and engineers. The group leader approached Harrison. Scientist: Admiral, I didn't expect you back so soon! Harrison chuckled. Harrison: I have something I wanted to show you, Doctor. Scientist: Another invention, Admiral we are still working on your last three. Harrison: Yes, and by order of myself, as well as Director Vernette you are to cease all projects and get every man working on this one immediately. The scientist was taken back, this must have been a big order for Harrison to ask this of him. Scientist: Admiral...what is it? Harrison simply grinned. Harrison: Is my lab room still here? The scientist nodded, and Harrison began to walk towards his old lab. Shadow followed behind, getting a few glares from some of the engineers and scientists. Harrison just continued to walk, making his way towards his lab to show the team. The team followed, as they were all very interested.

[Erex]

Meanwhile Captain Devron was sitting in his house on leave. Although with no ship for him to command he was content. He was happy to come to his home and have a cold beer in his hand. He sighed a sigh of relief. Devron: Home sweet home another day and I have to report back. I'll probably get a desk job so long as its fun. Wait a second what if...... Devron was sitting in his chair when an idea came to his mind. He then goes to his thinking room and pulls out a drawing board, and starts to draw a new tactical plan. Devron: By placing a ship here, here and here we can effectively cut a ship off, in a triangle formation we not only entrapped it but we now have one ship head on and two half way down the ship in a triangle formation they have no room to turn and we can get their hangarbays.... Devron thought more. Devron: No, ONI wouldn't use it, like half of my ideas, then again these crack job ideas got me out of a few situations, lets keep this in the datacore. He transfers the file to his tact pad for safe keeping.

[Naked Crook]

Barrabus grunted. He turned away, paced around, and then looked back at Dangerus. Barrabus: It seems you believe that we should intervene...to inform The Elites of what The Trust may be planning to do. I must admit...There would be nothing stopping The Trust from unleashing The Elites against us if they did manage to replace their leadership. Many of our kind still harbor much hatred for The Elites...and I would be betraying their trust if I was to help The Elites by informing them of what The Trust could do to them. When I look at my options...they all seem grim. Barrabus paused. Barrabus: If I fail to act...and I allow The Trust to go unchecked, I could be setting us on a dark path. I would not only endanger ONI...but our worlds as well. If I do act, and I help the Elites...I could be seen as a traitor to my own kind. There is too much bad blood. Barrabus paused. He then grinned. Barrabus: Tye...you suggest that I just help ONI with The Trust. You suggest that we mobilize ourselves, and help ONI in their fight against The Trust. I plan on taking that a step further. Barrabus paused. Barrabus: I will have ONI inform The Elites of any potential threat The Trust may pose to them. ONI can be my messenger. This way...The Elites know what they need to know...and I avoid the stigma of helping The Elites. Tyber: Well...that is using your noggin. Barrabus grunted. Barrabus: Tye...gather up everything from this facility...every piece of information you can find. Barrabus turned to Dangerus. Barrabus: Dangerus...have your ship prepare for departure from Doisac in one hour! Both of our ships will go outwards...and we will find The Cloak and Dagger...and we will update Director Vernette with what we have found. Tyber: Just a question? How are we going to tip off The Elites? Are we just going to walk up to their front door and knock? Barrabus: No. I have a better idea... Meanwhile: Vernette and Cameron entered the medical bay. Vernette saw Beckett, at one of the work stations, looking into a large microscope. He was busy analyzing Jacob's blood sample. Vernette waited for Beckett to look up from the microscope. A few moments passed, when Beckett finally looked up. Beckett: Oh...Director. I didn't hear you come in. What can I do for you? Vernette: I have come for an update on your analysis. Beckett: Oh...hmmm... Beckett lowered his eyes. Vernette: What is it? Beckett shrugged. Beckett: To be honest...I looked at the blood sample. I recognize what I am looking at. I can verify that Jacob has, indeed, been augmented with the Spartan I formula. However...after a toxicology...there are so many blank spaces...I feel like my years of medical experience mean squat. I am so baffled by what I am seeing...I cannot provide anything substantive. I am sorry Director...but..this blood sample...it contains...THINGS...that I have never seen before. I can show you what I do not recognize, and I can show you what should not be there...but I have no idea what some of this stuff is. There are proteins and amino-acids in this blood sample that, quite frankly, I have never seen before. There are branch chain amino-acids that, under normal circumstances, are impossible to form without some...highly sophisticated form of mutation or applied mutagenic properties. To understand how to undo what I am seeing, I need to know how it was done...and... Beckett shrugged. Beckett: I do not know. I don't know how to create a counter-agent to whatever The Trust put into Jacob. Vernette: No...that answer is unacceptable! Beckett: But...Director... Vernette: But nothing Doctor! There is a way to help Jacob...you just need to find it. Beckett: Even if there was a way, and I am not saying there isn't...I lack...so much equipment, to even BEGIN an in depth analysis. to be frank...as good as The medical facilities are on this ship...they are not good enough to do what you are asking. Vernette: Then we will get new medical facilities...more medical facilities... Beckett: Even if that were all...I lack the necessary research staff and specialists... Vernette: Then we will get more specialists...more staff... Beckett: The funding required for R&D would be astronomical! Vernette: Then you will get your funding. Just leave the bill on my desk at the end of the day and I will deal with it. Beckett was about to interject, but Vernette raised his hand. Vernette: Carson...I can do this all day. I have, close to, unlimited control over anything you need. I don't care what I need to do, where I need to go, who I need to move, what I need to invest in, what people I need to find, what mission I have to undertake, what lake of fire I need to cross, what mountain I need to lift, or what heaven I need to budge...all I want...is an answer to "can we do it"...and that answer BETTER be..."yes, we can". Am I clear on this? Beckett: Very... Vernette: Good. Now...in one hour, I want a list of everything you need, on my desk. I don't care how long that list is...just have it there in an hour! Beckett: Yes sir. Meanwhile: Burke had just transmitted the orders to FLEETCOM and HIGHCOM, in order to have a new CO for the Draco assigned. Burke then opened a channel to Captain Cochraine. Burke: Captain Cochraine...I hope you are still there? I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long?

[Kairu]

Cochraine looked up from her clasped fists that rested her forehead off her desk. She had been thinking if she overstepped herself or if she didn't do a well enough job. Hearing Admiral Burke reply the her forced a faint smirk on her face. Cochraine: "I am still hear, Sir. Have you made a decision?"

[Naked Crook]

Burke: Yes, Captain, I have. I have consulted Director Vernette, and he is of the belief that decommissioning The Draco might be a step too far. While he totally agrees with everything else you did, he feels that removing a ship from the task force, would only serve to be a detriment. However, he has voiced his opinion on the matter, and Tylan will no longer be acting as the CO for The Draco. As per your recommendations, Tylan is going to be forcefully removed from Command, and replaced. Additionally, a much stricter chain of command will be put in place for The Draco. With that said, if a new CO is unable to get that crew in line, then Director Vernette will be the first man to fall back to your recommendation to have that ship scrubbed of personnel. Burke paused. Burke: I don't want you to see this as your superiors over-ruling you, but rather, our attempt to try a simple solution before we are forced to take a drastic one. Your vigilance is much appreciated, and even admired, but...one step at a time.

[Kairu]

Cochraine sighed with the reassurance. Cochraine: "I fully understand, Sir. I will not take it personal. Despite how close Captain Marc- err... Reynolds and I became, I was never presented a situation like this. I will accept it as a learning experience. In the mean time, I have repair teams finishing up on the hull damage and some minor repairs. I also have available space in my medbay if you need room for some of your crew. I will be able to send you repair teams within the hour."