[Halo] New! San Angeles RPG

[Hells Sniper]

The pelican flew over the city and eventually landed in the spaceport's clearing. Medic: Here's your stop boys, get moving. We've got wounded to grab. Meanwhile: Furium looked at Xyrho, his loyalty to Dangerus was unwavering, he had given his life purpose, a new meaning. Everything he ever had was thanks to Dangerus, but it was not just because of this he had his loyalty. It was for the fact that Dangerus rose in the ranks as a mere brute would, and became a powerful Chieftain on Dosaic. Furium was loyal to Dangerus for everything he stood for, and for the chance for vengeance he had given him. Furium looked at Dangerus, who was standing there, arms crossed. He looked back at Xyrho. Furium: My loyalty to my Chieftain is for my own reasons, I need not prove it to the likes of you or any other elite or brute for that matter. Chieftain Dangerus gave me my life, I owe him my life... Furium paused. Furium: It is not just for that reason that I am loyal, it is for many others. Reasons which I need not explain. Dangerus laughed, he smiled at Furium's blatant response to the Shipmaster. Meanwhile: Jacob had moved outside, he was rearmed and ready to fight again. Jacob began to walk the perimeter, casually thinking about what would lie in store for the marines stationed on the ground. He passed by dozens of medics, marines and so forth. Occasionally he looked to the sky to see dozens of transports leaving the city, unharmed and safe. Jacob smiled, they were finally starting to turn this battle around.

[Kairu]

Calhoun and Robertson disembarked the pelican, signalling them to take off. Calhoun: "We should check in with the ground ops leader." The duo walked through the spaceport asking about on who to report to and where they could find him. After someone helped, they were pointed to Tye. The duo approached and saluted. Calhoun: "Commander Vernette, I am Gunnery Sergeant Calhoun of the former Fireteam, Zanzibar. This is Sergeant Robertson of Fireteam Harmony. We were under Captain Reynolds' command, however, our mission had us crashing planetside. The ODST team who rescued us said you needed help. We're ready for assignment." The two stood there saluting, awaiting to be acknowledged.

[Naked Crook]

Xyrho began to laugh. Xyrho: Whatever you say Furium...whatever you say. I will take your word for it. Xyrho paced around Dangerus and Furium. He thought for a moment, then continued to speak. Xyrho: Well, War Chieftain, if you must know...we were sent here because The Covenant discovered a holy relic of great importance, here, on this world. However...I have discovered that this so called "relic" is anything but. I have discovered that what we are actually dealing with...is a weapon...of tremendous power, rather, it is a construct, that is a weapon of tremendous power. This construct...was the embodiment of the might of our Gods. It was built to fight, and to destroy anything in its path. Xyrho paused. Xyrho: A Weapon that makes no distinction between the Humans...and The Covenant. A Weapon that will kill all of us all, indiscriminately. I know this, because I have encounted a being, like the one that is here, before. It had no interesting in helping us in any way. While part of me would like nothing more than to examine this weapon...I have learned to temper my own desires with foresight, and there is no foresight I can find that will let me believe that NOT destroying this thing is a good idea. Xyrho paused again. Xyrho: Quite frankly... Xyrho stopped, he looked at Dangerus. Xyrho: And this was something that I never told you in our first meeting... Xyrho looked back at Furium. Xyrho: That the only reason that I have respect for your kind...because it was one of your kin that was responsible for destroying the construct that I speak of. I am hoping that, in the absence of the Brute that helped me, that you two MIGHT make acceptable substitutes. Meanwhile: Anaconda: Nighthawk...if there is a Trust facility here...then... Anaconda growled as he hefted his shoulders, as if he stretching in anticipation for a fight. Nighthawk: I am way ahead of you big guy. There is no way in hell that we are NOT going to attack that facility. Anaconda grinned, showing his teeth, as he let out a snarl. Nighthawk: However...chances are, if we hit that facility, we run the risk of engaging The Trust head on. I would rather NOT do that alone. Nighthawk and Anaconda looked at each other. Anaconda: I know what you are going to say...and I agree. Nighthawk: I'll grab Harrison, tell him to round up his lackeys, and I will brief them. I want you to run the checks on the Warthog, make sure the gun is operating, and then roll it around to the front. Nighthawk reached into his sides, and tossed Anaconda the key. Anaconda caught them. Anaconda: As long as I get to drive us there. Nighthawk: As long as I control the radio. Anaconda: Deal. Nighthawk nodded, as he walked off, returning to the terminal. He began his search for Harrison. As Nighthawk walked, he contacted HAWK. Nighthawk: HAWK...do you copy? HAWK: Yes? Nighthawk: HAWK...I need you to generate another cipher for the UNSC to access the local Covenant Battle Net. How long will that take. HAWK: A few minutes...it should not take long to generate a unique key. Nighthawk: Good. When that is done, I want you to upload that Cipher to The Vigorous Inferno. Forward it directly to Harrison's private database. Make sure you attach an ONI Information Header to the transmission. I would NOT want them disposing of a tactical asset. HAWK: Right away. Meanwhile: Jennifer: I will do my best sir. However, I will say that a lot of the soldiers down here don't WANT to sit things out for any period of time. The last thing any of these people want is to die, being killed while they are on break. They are a dedicated bunch, and they will push themselves as hard as they have to. Jennifer paused. Jennifer: However...I will twist as many arms as I must if I need to make sure these people are in the best shape they can be. Jennifer paused. She was hesitant to ask her next question. Jennifer: Admiral...if I may be so bold as to ask you a question... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: Is The King Raven still active up there...or was it...? Meanwhile: Yates approached the bridge comm station, and he accessed the ships comm system. He sent a message directed at The Mind's Attrition - a message specifically directed to Captain Reynolds. Yates: Captain Reynolds... this is Vice-Admiral Brandon Yates. I am fully prepared to fulfill my part of the bargain that we made. I will be dispatching a Pelican to your ship, to pick up both you, and Cochraine, where you will be transported back to our ship. From there, we will see to the medical care of Cochraine, while we discuss your further orders. Yates paused. Yates: You will have 15 minutes to get yourself ready for transport. Don't be late, be on time, and be waiting in the hanger bay for our Pelican. Yates out. Yates transmitted the message to Reynolds, and then proceeded to contact The Ulterior Motive hanger bay. He dispatched a set of orders for a Pelican to proceed to The Mind's Attrition, in order to rendezvous with Reynolds and Cochraine.

[Kairu]

Anderson: "Captain, a message marked specifically to you. Want it in your private terminal?" Reynolds nodded, standing up and moving to his office. He sat down and received the message. He said nothing to himself. He left the office in a hurry. Reynolds: "Lieutenant Anderson, as of this date and time. You are currently in command of the Mind's Attrition. Let it be noted. Anderson walk with me to the medbay." Anderson nodded. The duo began their hurried walk to the medbay. Anderson: "What's all this rushing about for, Captain?" Reynolds didn't stop to talk or even acknowledge the question. He merely answered. Reynolds: "Everything I am about to say is classified. You can't even tell the rest of the Brass, including Admiral Harrison. Utter a word about it, and you will suffer a very... unfortunate fate." Anderson looked mortified. He wasn't use to Reynolds issuing classified threats. He nodded weakly. Reynolds: "I have orders to take Lauren to another ship. I have been requested to tag along for the duration where I will be receiving new orders." Anderson: "If Harrison isn't involved, then who are you receiving orders from?" Reynolds: "That's classified." Anderson: "Captain! I have a right to know!" Reynolds sighed. It was true. Anderson had been serving loyally so far. There was no reason for Reynolds not to trust him. Reynolds: "Remember when I cleared the bridge? A top secret ONI personnel arrived on board. Needless to say, ONI likes their secrets. Lauren and I will be going to a ship they have nearby where they will speed up her recovery. In return, we will be receiving higher priority missions from them." Anderson stopped at how out of the loop he felt. He then jogged to catch up. They turned a corner and the medbay was in sight. Reynolds: "Remember what I said, say this to anyone, and you may as well be considered dead." The two walked into the medbay at the pace they had maintained the whole trip. Cochraine and the Chief Medical Officer were currently doing physical therapy to help assist in her recovery. Reynolds: "Doctor, Lauren, you need to come with me." Doctor: "Captain, with all due respect, she can't leave. She's in no condition to be doing anything else!" Reynolds: "Doctor, I have orders to take the Lt. Cmdr. with me off the ship." Doctor: "I'm sorry, but she cannot leave the medbay until her recovery is complete." Reynolds pulled his pistol out of its holster and aimed it at the CMO, sparking the tension already filling the room to ramp up. Doctor: "What is the meaning of all of this?" Reynolds: "I have very specific orders to take her to a nearby ship and finish her recovery. No, there is no written orders for you to examine. Whether you like it or not, she is coming with me." Doctor: "This is an outrage! I will be on the line to FLEETCOM about this Captain! You will be court-marshaled for certain!" The Doctor moved into his office where he began getting on his terminal to alert FLEETCOM. Reynolds, losing patience, shot the terminal. Everyone's panic escalated higher. Cochraine: "Marcus! What the hell is going on?!" Reynolds looked at Cochraine, who was frantic. Reynolds: "I will tell you on the way. Anderson, lock out the Doctor's access codes. Ensure he isn't able to send a message off of this ship. Keep him confined if needed." Anderson nodded, pulling out his pistol and ensuring that their doctor wasn't going to be foolish about his next move. Reynolds and Cochraine hurried to the hangar bay Yates designated for pickup. Cochraine: "Tell me what's going on." Her voice was low and serious. Reynolds: "You are temporarily being transferred to an ONI ship where they will advance your recovery. I am going because I am temporarily working for them." Cochraine was aghast at what she was being told. Cochraine: "What if I don't want ONI's help in recovering?" Reynolds: "It's no longer your choice, Lauren." Cochraine stopped mid-walk. She crossed her arms and refused to proceed. Reynolds got close to her and began to explain further. Reynolds: "Look, we're now involved in a series of events that can no longer be stopped. Besides, I thought you wanted to recover faster so you didn't feel cooped up." Cochraine succumbed to Reynolds persuasion. It was true, she did want to recover sooner, she just didn't like how it was happening. She felt that there were too many variables. Nonetheless, she trusted Reynolds. The two continued along their course to the hangar bay, picking up speed to make up for the lost minute of time. They soon arrived in the hangar before the pelican showed up.

[Hells Sniper]

Dangerus grunted, he would like to know everything Xyrho knew, but then again. Everything came with patience. Dangerus looked at Furium, who was listening to Xyrho with all curiosity. Furium did not move when he heard what the machine was capable of, he did not waver, his facial expression did not change. It was only until he heard the part about the destruction of the "artifact" that he finally began to react. He simply looked to Dangerus, who was standing there, watching him. Furium turned to Xyrho. He examined the elite in front of him. The shipmaster was standing there, waiting for a response. Furium: So be it, Shipmaster. If this Vanguard's only purpose is to destroy. Furium looked at Dangerus, who smiled a bit. He turned back to Xyrho. Furium: It shall be destroyed. Dangerus grunted. Dangerus: Furium, you realize the severity of this. It cannot be spoken about to anyone, no elite, no brute, no body. We are the only three individuals who know of this "artifact." Dangerus paused. Dangerus: You must understand that everything we are doing goes against everything The Covenant stands for. We are destroying something the Prophets think as "holy," in order to save everything the Covenant is. Furium nodded. He realized what Dangerus was saying to him. Furium: I understand my Chieftain. I will not speak of this outside of the room. Dangerus nodded. He turned to Xyrho. Dangerus: Have we made any progress on the artifact? Meanwhile: Harrison nodded. Harrison: The King Raven is kicking, Captain. Commander Burke had actually came up with one of the finishing blows to the Covenant. They took minor damage, but they are active. They are alive. Harrison paused. Harrison: You will be the first to know of fleet movements and activity. You must keep me update on all the forces down here. Deal, Captain?

[Naked Crook]

Xyrho: I have managed to identify a possible next move, but I still am unaware of where the artifact is, exactly. I have managed to identify a Human installation, buried deep in a mountain range, near the city that was recently attacked by your Brutes. The installation seems to be very remote, and the surrounding area is totally undefended. This could indicate a secret facility that even the Humans do not know about. Xyrho paused. Xyrho: I would suggest that we send a small team to investigate this facility...a VERY small team. It might prove to be more advantageous to stow the full out assault in favor of silence and stealth. The reason I want stealth is to keep the nature of what we are doing a secret. The more soldiers we deploy, the greater the risk of exposure. Xyrho paused. again. Xyrho: As we are dealing with holy artifacts...my presence on this mission is not only absolutely mandatory, but my authority in this matter is very clear. My experience, expertise, and the mandate given to me puts me in charge of any matter dealing with the holy artifacts. Given the fact that we are working in secrecy, I will ONLY allow the two of you to join me on this mission. Otherwise...I will go by myself. The choice is yours. Stay here, or accompany me. Meanwhile: Jennifer nodded. She was relieved to hear that The King Raven was still in the fight. Jennifer: That sounds like a fair deal Admiral. So long as we are in contact, I will keep tabs on things down here. Jennifer paused. Before she could say anything further, she looked over Harrison's shoulder, and saw Nighthawk marching across the Terminal. Jennifer looked back at Harrison. Jennifer: Admiral... Jennifer made a gesture with her hand, telling Harrison to turn around.

[Hells Sniper]

Dangerus looked at Furium. Dangerus: I will accompany you. Chieftain Furium will stay up here for the time being and provide us with any information we need regarding human movement. Furium walked forward. Furium: Chieftain, it would be unwise for you to go, let me go instead. Dangerus shook his head. Dangerus: No, Shipmaster Xyrho and I will leave immediately. You will stay. Furium nodded, he backed away. Furium: Chieftain. Meanwhile: Harrison turned around and saw Nighthawk making his way towards his location, Strike Team Diamond's guard went up almost immediately. Harrison took a deep breath. Harrison looked back to Jennifer. Harrison: Captain. Good luck down here. Stay safe.

[Naked Crook]

Nighthawk stopped a few feet from Harrison. Before he spoke to Harrison, he looked at Strike Team Diamond. Nighthawk scoffed, and looked back to Harrison. Nighthawk: Harrison...tell your girl scouts to relax. I don't like it when people are tense around me...it indicates distrust...and that is very counter-productive. Besides...I would much rather talk in private. These ODSTs are not being paid enough money to warrant hearing what I am about to tell you...and what I am about to ask you to do. Nighthawk paused. He waited for Harrison to tell his ODSTs to back away. Jennifer bit her tongue, as she laughed a bit. She tried to cover up her laughter by letting out a very obvious fake cough. Meanwhile: Xyrho shrugged. Xyrho: Very well. Dangerus and I will investigate this facility. Xyrho looked at Furium. Xyrho: We should return shortly. We will update you on what we find. Xyrho paused. Xyrho: Remember Furium...speak of this to NOBODY! If anyone asks where we have gone...tell them... Xyrho shook his head. Xyrho: Just lie. Tell them anything...just lie about it.

[Hells Sniper]

Furium simply nodded. Furium: I will cover it, you don't have to worry. Dangerus and Xyrho began to walk off, but before they left, Dangerus walked past Furium. He stopped right next to him and put his hand on his shoulder. Dangerus: I am glad you understand this, Chieftain. It would be unwise to do anything other than what we plan to do. Dangerus paused, he nodded and began walking again. Dangerus: Await word from me, keep the fleet in line. Furium nodded as he watched the two leave. Meanwhile: Harrison turned his head to look at Captain Frost, he raised an eyebrow. Harrison turned to Strike Team Diamond. Harrison: Diamond, move out. Patrol the perimeter, I will call you when I need you again. Strike Team Diamond nodded and in a moment's notice, were off. Harrison looked at Nighthawk. Harrison: We can speak in my pelican.

[Naked Crook]

Nighthawk: No. There is not enough room in your Pelican. Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: I want you to assemble the senior most soldiers down here. Tell them to come here. Nighthawk had a very stern tone. Nighthawk: I need your best people here so I can brief them on a very specific issue that concerns The Trust Syndicate. I think I have identified a way to deal a serious blow to The Trust...but I am going to need more firepower to do it. So...if you don't mind...rally your senior most soldiers. Might as well call The Spartan as well. He could be useful.