Mission Nine - Space Thread

[David]

//OOC: This for any and all ship based actions that will be occuring in Mission Nine. If the posts interact with the ground posts, Make sure to co-ordinate that as well in the OOC Thread.

[David]

Admiral David Vardy
14th Tactical Fleet
En Route To Esperenza II

"Commander" David began. "Are all of the Marines briefed?"

"Yes sir. I had Sam Co-ordinate with them with the latest intel that we had on the planet and the possibilities of what they may run into."

"Very good. Now. Knowing what we know, We may have to deploy into a ground OP. Are all of our pelicans ready to go with the supplies needed on that?" David asked, Getting out of his chair. 

"Aye sir." Paris replied. "With respect Admiral, I have the situation under control. Why not grab some coffee or a rest? I can oversee any preparations that need doing."

Chuckling to himself, Vardy had to admit, He was nervous about the situation and was mostly asking for his own piece of mind. Of course Paris would have it under control. He was a seasoned Commander, About to make Captain, and would likely be getting his own ship in due course after. He was a valuable person to the Admiral, and had proven his worth many times.

"Commander, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were happy to get me off the bridge." Vardy said, With the slightest hint of humor.

Looking pained, Paris replied "No sir. Just making sure the Admiral is fresh for the fight is all."

Winking, Vardy managed a slight smirk. "Its alright Commander. Ill grab a cup of coffee and be back soon. You have the bridge. Keep up the good work." and with that, Stepped into the Elevator to head down to the mess, Grinning as the shocked Commanders face disappeared as the doors closed. It was nice to know he still had the shock factor after all.

[MrKill]

Admiral Eric Klix
UNSCS Iowa
Marathon II Class Super Heavy Cruiser
15th Battle Group
Shuna IV System - Just over a light year away from Panis Eterni

---

** Roughly six hours before Esperenza II sent a distress signal. **

The Iowa, crippled during the Battle over Hope and Protector, had finally been repaired. The cost was a million credits, four years in a repair dock and thousands of hours of labour... but it had been repaired. The reputable warship would sail once again under Klix's flag, once again into combat, and once again - more than likely - back into a repair dock. But the vessel, layered with tremendous armor and powerful reactors that have only been improved upon as the years go by, was an asset the UNSC decided they still needed. There were four ships planned in the Marathon II series of ships. The Iowa, Arizona, Athenian and the still unnamed fourth. The Arizona and Athenian were destroyed, rendered unrepairable each. The Iowa was lucky.

Luck was a part of that reputation the ship had gathered over its fighting years.

A vast history in its rather short active service life reminded Klix that the vessel was truly a pleasure to command. Many conflicts, ranging from fighting for a disabled CAS Class Assault Carrier to protecting many habitable planets from destruction, had all happened years ago within the same corridors the Admiral travelled down as he made his way for the bridge.

Since the Iowa's reactivation she had relocated from the Tranquilitas Beta system to the Shuna IV System system. The main reason was, just over a light year away, was one of the UNSC's resource planets. Repair would go quicker if the Iowa was closer to the supplies that would repair the vessel. It took four years but there she was, ready to fight.

While technically the Iowa had been repaired for a month she had only recently received the rest of the vessels for her battle group - the '15th Battlegroup' - which had been ordered by NavCom to patrol the front lines. The Iowa's power came from her reactors, heavy armor and dual SSAK-79 MACs; an armament with armor to boot to fight the Covenant head on and win. Admiral Eric Klix, who had been working a desk job on Earth since 2549, was ordered to revisit his past command.

The 15th Battle Group went active a week ago when the last of the Halberd Class Destroyers arrived.

"Status of our patrol?" Klix asked as he arrived at the bridge. It had been too long since he asked for any fleet status other than the defence fleet above Earth. He noticed many new faces and found himself disappointed, he expected his old crew face for face, but knew it was an unreasonable expectation. A military was a military and people gained rank, didn't resign a contract or worst case realized... died.

His old XO, Commander Hank Billista, was killed in action fighting the Covenant as a Rear Admiral, Lower Half. He stopped paying attention to his subordinates careers after that.

The only faces he did see, and the names he remembered, were a crop of six people from his former command.

Tanna Evans, formerly a Lieutenant Junior Grade, had become a Full Lieutenant and was serving as the Iowa's primary communications officer; Ryan Chalk, formerly a Full Lieutenant, had made his way up the ranks to Commander and volunteered to be Klix's XO; John Nakayama, formerly a Full Lieutenant, had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander was was the primary weapons officer of the Iowa; Joey Bunkster, formerly a Full Lieutenant, had also been promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was the chief engineer on the Iowa; Kilo Turgenev, formerly a Lieutenant Junior Grade, had been promoted to Full Lieutenant and served as the lead officer on the first rotation on the OPS console; finally, Krista Adams, formerly a Lieutenant Junior Grade had reached the rank Full Lieutenant and was the lead navigation officer on the Iowa.

"Patrol hasn't picked anything up, sir." A new face from TAC1 replied.

"Good," Klix responded. "Nothing is good."


Edit: ** = Forgot to add this was in the past slightly. Dave and I discussed on Skype that Klix would be arriving within the hour after his arrival as reinforcements, or rather responders to the distress signal, so he'd be in slip-space at the same time Vardy would be and exit into normal space moments after. **

[John]

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Dylan Hawkins
UNSCS Normandy
22nd Carrier Group

Being a Admiral wasn't that bad. Yes, he had to do more now in the past two years, and yes he was responsible for a whole lot more people, but Dylan felt he could handle it. The rise in pay didn't hurt either. His wife and the youngest two of his kids were living comfortably in Australia. His eldest, Nathan, was a First Lieutenant now. He had listened to too many of his granddad's stories and joined the Marines. Nathan's younger sister, though, was like her dad. She had joined the Navy, and like her father she had become an aviator.

Dylan stood up from the desk in his 'sea cabin' as it was called. In the days of old, when Humanity hadn't gone into space yet, all the military ships would have two types of cabins for the commanders and admirals. First there was the sea cabin. It had been a bare room, only holding a bunk, a desk, and basic toilet facilities. They were adjacent to the bridge, though, so the officers could appear on the bridge at a moment's notice. Then there were also the in-port cabins that were better equipped. It would often have a separated bedroom, office, and sitting areas, as well as more elaborate toilet facilities.

Still reminiscing on the ways of days past, the Admiral left his sea cabin and stepped on the bridge. "Admiral on deck!" shouted one of the Marine sentries, and within a moment the bridge crew stood at attention. The Admiral told them to be at ease, and to continue with what they were doing. He hadn't even finished yet when the communications officer spoke up. "Sir, priority message from Irresistible. Message reads: 'compliments, and duty to flag, Irresistible requests permission to leave formation to repair damage'"

Dylan nodded. "Comm-o. Acknowledge signal, and return 'Compliments from flag, permission granted'" he said to the Lieutenant in Communications. Then he turned to his Executive Officer. "Alright, Frank. Better sound action stations then, hey?" he said. The Commander nodded, and tapped a few buttons. A moment later the call as well as alarms sounded throughout the ship. //Action Stations, Action Stations. Set Condition One throughout the ship. This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill.\\ This was repeated several times when at last the only thing that reminded people of the fact was that the red lighting had turned on.

Hawkins preferred to be at action stations when they left slipspace. That way they were prepared for action the moment they came back into normal space. If everything turned out to be fine, he could always relieve from action stations. It was a good drill in that case. If it weren't, they were ready. Simple as that.

[Huka]

Task Force Commander Sanj ‘Aquiree
Aboard CCS-class battlecruiser Righteous Monsoon, Combat Information Center
Rally Point (Dark side of system gas giant) - Preparation of Close Quarter Slipspace

The Task Force appeared from their slipspace route several rooks from the Reticent Agent’s visit, working behind the frequencies of the giant’s wild storms and influxes of energies. It’ll mask the humans’ traditional scan for now and give strategies to be properly formed with a more proper scanning. Sanj stood in the nexus of his command platform, trained legs stiff and posed with his eyes trained on the wide viewscreen upon the hazed crimson and swirling eyes of storms. Chaos.

“Hail all ships, keep away from the planet’s gravity well.” He began, arms across over his chest and pressed a glyph on his chair’s arm to bring his holotank’s projection of the system to appear in front of him and selected the human colonial world and its satellite. It took a moment before the sigils of his force appeared on the ends of the screens, their ships recited by the Communications officer.

“Fellow Shipmasters,” Sanj announces after readjusting his audio filters to cancel the gurgling of his hydration. “We are preparing the conquest of the human settlements. Ready your warriors for quick ground insertion, followed by dropship choirs escort. So far, the planet’s defenses are open. That will not last, we will not be taken by surprise and they will fall to the Covenant. They will fall to us.”

“Shipmistress Edto, you and your warband will secure a presence to the planet’s stratosphere with our ground forces before we fully slip into position. Understand?”

[edtosivaree]

Edto Xar'Siveree had slipped into the system along with the rest of the Task Force. The job seemed simple enough. Human Planet found, take it, glass it, leave. It was the same thing all the time. All she ever heard of was how many planets a Shipmaster had helped glass in their career. She didn't care about the Glassing, she cared about the battle. The battle that was starting off with quite the interesting tactic in her mind.

Receiving her orders, the Ship Mistress nodded her head respectfully. "Understood Ship Master. I shall comply" She stated, looking to the bridge. "All Soldiers of the CNV Shadow of Retribution and it's Warband. Prepare to enter and maintain altitude within the Planet Atmosphere. We will be the filter to ensure only the most worth Humans are able to face our brothers on the ground in combat" She started, Nadra at her side, spouting orders freely to the Bridge and getting them started on the soon to come jump.

"Navigation Master! You are to plot a short range jump just over the planet. I do not want to exit in the atmosphere. We can position ourselves fast enough. All available ground troops and Dropships are to deploy and assist with the ground fight. I want the warriors of our Warband to be the first on the ground, ready to meet the Humans and show them why we are to be feared" She stated. "Get us into position," She said finally, the ship jumping just outside the atmosphere. The five ships spread themselves out around the planet, Dropships and Drop Pods swarming out from the ships that were available.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009

GOLD ONE

ESPERANZA-II ORBIT, PANIS ETERNI SYSTEM

UNSCS SILENT SANGUINE

The new suit felt great.

After nearly two decades of service, his old battle-scarred MJOLNIR power armor had seen countless repairs and minor improvements, but this was different. A new design, upgraded features, and even a new ability – reverse engineered energy shielding based on Covenant technology. After the feedback from Gold Team field testing these prototype models, the whole production line of Mark V suits should be ready for deployment later this year. The makeover was impressive both practically and cosmetically, however the way things were going right now it would appear the armor was not destined to stay pristine for long…

Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN 009, known by friends as Silas, stood by attentively near the CO’s chair on the bridge of the Prowler like a bodyguard. Not that tactical field officer Mike Moretti needed it of course, (nor did the obviously restless ONI agent appear to spend much time in that chair anyway…) but it allowed the Spartan to observe immediate developments in the mission and keep up-to-date. And besides, now that the Covenant had entered dangerously close planetary orbit along with the cloaked Silent Sanguine, perhaps the presence of a Spartan might reassure the crew and boost morale.

“Gold Two, the plan worked. Target location is identified, but now we have Covenant warships entering orbit. What’s your status?”

Silas had his helmet removed at the moment, so he spoke to Jethro through the tacpad mounted to his gauntlet’s wrist. As a result, visible to the crew was his sandy light brown hair, currently a little longer than usual due to neglect, as well as the black metal eyepatch covering his left eye.

While waiting for his teammate’s response. Silas squinted over at the holotable where Mike and the AI Anansi were discussing the situation. To think, this operation started with investigating an irregular pattern of alien raids, and now things had rapidly escalated to include a full-scale invasion too.

This was going to be a very interesting day.

TAG(S): Spartan 999 , Llau

[Llau]

LT. CMDR Moretti, Michelangelo N.
ONI Tactical Field Officer
Aboard Prowler Silent Sanguine
Inner Colonies // Panis Eterni System // Esperanza II's Orbit
2551
Tag(s): Faclan , SPARTAN-A120 , John , SuperCommando , Spartan 999

Moretti seemed rather calm and collected standing around near the holo-table, but mostly trying to hide the fact that he was antsy as he continued to wait for them to hack into the Heretic communications. Now that the Covenant have arrived, the situation was becoming a lot more than he thought, but not at least bit surprised that they showed up. The Covenant were always showing up somewhere, and he's become “desensitized”, so to speak. He wanted to do the hacking, and then going down there to do some field work, but he couldn't. At least not yet...though, the way things are turning out, he might be cooped up in the Prowler giving orders to the two SPARTANs and the few field operators he will be sending to the ground soon.

He liked the command he had, but there were times where he missed being a Full Lieutenant who only did field work. Needless to say, he did train for this, like his father, before being sent to become a field operator for ONI. So, despite his annoyance and quiet complaining about having to take full command of a Prowler, he was the perfect candidate for this mission assignment.

Ah, the joys of being a higher officer...pain in the arse is what it is...he thought with a soft but brief sigh.

He glanced over at Silas, who had been standing guard over by his CO's chair that the Lieutenant Commander has rarely ever sit in since they've arrived. Anansi returned to the AI pedestal, “Sir,” Moretti fixed his attention to the AI, and she continued. “We have managed to break into the communications belonging to these Heretics.”

He breathed in, shifting around a little before standing in attention. He then asked, “And?”

“During our monitoring on their communications, we may have discovered a name.”

“What kind of name is it?”

“The Cleansing Flame,” she continued, “We have also intercepted a recording from their local battlenet. If you'd like, I will play the recording of the Sangheili who spoke to the others.”

“Show me.” Moretti gazed over to the holo-table, and the planet's hologram disappeared, and a hologram of the Heretic leader took its place.

“We are still trying to translate what he said...”

He interrupted her, “I don't care what he said,” he added, “I want his name, and if he's their leader.”

“We have no name at this current time, but I believe he is their leader,” Anansi answered.

“Great,” A pause. “Once we get his damn name, perhaps we can invite him over for some tea, so I can congratulate him on taking our bait, and defeating non-combative farmers for their resources.” He crossed his arms in front of him, glaring at the blue hologram form of the Sangheili. “What a powerful warrior he is. Hm?” A slight scoff as he shook his head. “He must feel all powerful now...”

“No crumpets, Lieutenant Commander?” Anansi asked, balancing his sarcasm with her own.

“What?” He looked over at the AI, slightly appalled. “God no. Those things are disgusting.”

Moretti then quickly changed the subject. “Never mind, find out where Agent Hyde is at, and tell him to get to the bridge to help translate this shit faster.” As an afterthought, he tilted his head a little curiously. He asked, “Why isn't he even up here in the first place?”

“I believe your exact words were, 'Please get out so I can work,' and 'Do whatever it is you do elsewhere.', which was said a few hours ago.”

“I see...” He waved a hand a little, as if to dismissed it. “No matter. Find him because we need him now.”

“Understood.”

“Have the rest of the ground team on stand-by and await for further orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

[David]

Admiral David Vardy 

14th Tactical Fleet 

En Route To Esperenza II 
Tags: MrKill

"Admiral, We are 30 minutes from normal space." Reported Sam as he appeared on the holo-table. 

"Acknowledged." replied Vardy, Who had seen the same when he consulted his tablet. Sam always had a knack for stating the obvious, Stating that it helped human morale. Vardy could never see why. It was redundant.

"Status of our weapons?" asked Vardy.

"As per orders, MAC's are on slow charge. Currently reading 40 percent." Replied Chakotay at the Weapons console. "Nukes are on stand-by."

"Understood. Be prepared to jump start the MAC if the situation is hot." Vardy replied before turning to Paris. "Status of personnel?"

"All accounted for and ready for immediate deployment when needed." Paris replied. "Before we jumped, there was word of Admiral Klix's new battle group mustering to assist."

Nodding, David accepted that news with mingled happiness and regret. Regret that it had been his fault that Klix had to be benched for a long time before he was put back on. Surely his comrade would be professional and polite, But David knew that the friendship they had shared, would be strained and fragile.

Busying himself with other tasks, It wasn't long before Sam was counting down the numbers to normal space. "Anyone wish to make a wager on how far off course we are?" quipped Sam.

"Stow it" Vardy muttered. Humor was appreciated, But when at a time where he could literally come into a hot zone, He got terse and nervous.

"Sorry sir." Replied Sam. "... and we are back in normal space. 6 Million kilometers off course. ETA is 2 hours to the planet. Picking up a signal from Covenant frequencies. They haven't detected us so far."

Hopefully it would last long enough for his fleet and Klix's to appear so they could fare a better chance.

[MrKill]

Admiral Eric Klix
UNSCS Iowa
Marathon II Class Super Heavy Cruiser
15th Battle Group
In FLT Transit

---

By now Vardy was either in slip-space or entering normal space. The clock ticked down on the main display, milliseconds seeming too slow for what they were, and Klix could feel the pressure mounting on his shoulders every second that passed. Forty seven minutes in light speed and they'd be at the target destination. His fleet, a group of ten vessels, would drop out and support the colony the best they could; their objective was to secure orbit so they could deploy ground troops to combat the invasion - should one be happening.

Klix leaned over the holographic table and reviewed the information that had been compiled by the listening outpost. He tapped a looping backward circle and the audio replayed: "To any and all UNSC forces, heed and stand to, I am declaring general emergency codes: Bloody Arrow and Bandersnatch! We need immediate reinforcements. Message repeats!"

"What is bander snatch, sir?" A crewmen asked.

"It means radiological disaster. The Covenant use plasma to bombard planets, so if they're declaring this code, it means a planet in this system is under attack by orbital bombardment. Bloody Arrow is what confuses me, crewmen." Klix replied. He tapped some images and brought up surface installations, the planet had a healthy local defence, or so it would appear. His images were dated, the Iowa's database hadn't been updated before they departed with pictures of the disaster yet.

"Bloody arrow, sir?"

Klix smirked slightly, he didn't know of the crewmen was drafted into service to soon or just inexperienced. Either way, he was glad the young man was asking questions about things he didn't know. Yes, it was ignorance, but at least he was asking instead of staying ignorant. "Bloody arrow signifies the utter rout of friendly forces. It can be assumed the local defences have been completely overwhelmed."

The ageing Admiral stood up a little bit to get a better look at the holographic map. "Our Marines will have to do all the heavy lifting and we need to make sure enough supplies reach the ground so they can remain combat effective. There won't be anyone else to help them once they're on the ground."

The crewmen nodded worryingly. Klix understood his feeling, he had felt it many times, but he had learned to suppress those feelings. Lot of good it did, though, when even now the Admiral had butterflies turning his stomach. No, everyone was worried, but they had a duty to save as many people as they could; the UNSC barely won in space, the focus had shifted from saving the planet to saving the planets population for Klix.

Of course the UNSC tried to save planets under attack, most of them were established foundations within the UNSC, some more important than others. The one they were heading too was the planet responsible for the repairs of the Iowa, so Klix felt he had an unspoken moral responsibility to the miners and civilians that put his vessel back into service.

"Forty minutes, sir." TAC1 officer reported.

"Charge our main cannons to ninety five percent, issue orders to all personnel assigned to point defence and ARCHER batteries to go to battle stations." Klix ordered abruptly. He didn't need to wake anyone from cryogenics, the trip wasn't long enough to freeze people in the chambers. "Prepare to sound battle stations as soon as we drop out of subspace." Klix added.

"Ops, prepare to initiate the Cole Protocol."

"Aye, sir." replied the minority of the officers in the bridge.

Soon.

[SPARTAN-A120]

Ensign Richard A. Chen
ONI Section III Tactical Field Operative "Panther"
Aboard ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Orbiting Esperanza II, Panis Eterni System, 2551
"Show Time"
(Tags: Llau & SuperCommando )

Ensign Richard Chen was already waiting for the call to be on standby since he had prepared all his gear fifteen minutes ahead of time. His ONI Recon Armor was analyzed at least three times for any breaches or faulty manufacturing. He ran multiple analyses with his TAC-PAD to do a full systems check and made sure that security and communications were in tip-top shape before moving on to exterior mounted gear.

Most of the gear he carried stuck with him since his first day as an ONI Section III Agent. His M6C SOCOM pistol was replaced a couple of times for its extensive wear and tear and the amount of compression because of the suppressor kit required a field strip and a good cleaning to make it a durable weapon again. He also a few of his primary knives replaced because they were up to the point where the blade can longer be sharpened or it would look like a skin peeling knife; significantly smaller than his backup tanto blade. He was now running a battle belt with his loadout so he had extra space to carry smaller items like his flashlight, his two knives, spare pistol magazines, multitool, lockpick set, an Individual First Aid Kit, on other items. If necessary, Chen would be able to shed his upper body armor components and still have a fighting capability with the battle belt. He only hoped that would not end up happening for the fourth time. The last three times he had to shed his armor was when a plasma round was about to penetrate his ballistic plating.

The Tactical Field Operative’s weapons were always serviced and function checked before a mission. He absolutely did not trust the armorers in their abilities of weapon storage, handling, and maintenance. For his primary, he chose the MA5K with a suppressor and the regular M118 FMJ-AP rounds loaded in seven 30-round magazines. He kept two magazines of stun rounds in case there were suitable High-Value Targets that ONI wanted or for those special occasions.

Chen was analyzing a topographic map using the mini-holographic table in his assigned room when the ONI Prowler’s AI, Anansi, sent him a notification on his TAC-PAD. The three vibrations indicated it was an urgent message so Chen read the message without delay.

The screen read:

<Lieutenant Commander Moretti would like all ground units to standby and await for further orders. - Anansi>

The Ensign turned off the mini-holotable and gathered his gear. First it was his carbine which he attached to the backplate of his armor’s magnetic holster. After that he ran his hand over his sheathed knives and holstered M6C SOCOM to make sure they were secure. Then, he attached his TAC-PAD to his inner wrist mount. Finally, he looked himself over in the mirror for a quick assessment. When he was satisfied, he picked up his helmet with his left hand and was out the door within a few seconds. The lights shut off automatically behind him as well as the door as he made his way to the bridge where the Lieutenant Commander and one of the two Spartans who were attached to the ground team.

It was roughly a minute of walking before he made it to the entrance to the bridge. Two ONI Security personnel were guarding, but stepped aside to let Chen enter when they picked up his IFF with their HUD. “Sir,” they both said in unison when the Ensign got close enough.

After three years of being an Ensign, Chen have not yet grown used to being called Sir or being addressed as a Commissioned Officer. He still thought of himself as an NCO, but a rank didn’t really matter for him personally.

“At ease,” Chen said before he allowed the guard on the right to open the door for him.

“Thanks,” he said to the guard as he passed.

As Chen entered the bridge, he immediately identified Lieutenant Commander Moretti who was standing while he watched a recording of a Sangheili on a display and SPARTAN-009 standing at his side. He announced his presence well before he got close to the two as a precaution. He didn’t want a jumpy Spartan to backhand him towards the aft of the bridge.

“Sir, Agent Chen reporting,” he said to Moretti first before addressing the Spartan next to him.

“Chief,” he said with a nod, addressing the Spartan by his rank. He would’ve added a name, but that was unknown to him… for now.

The Ensign noticed that the Spartan was not wearing his helmet and his hair was slightly out of regulations. There was also an eye patch going over his left eye. It was a rare occasion to find Spartan without their helmet on. For most of his interactions with Spartans in past operations, they did not show their faces and only communicated through hand signals. Sometimes, Chen thought they were communicating with telepathy since they knew exactly what to do without speaking to each other. But, what if they actually were? What if the airtight suit maintained their private conversations unless they intentionally wanted to speak aloud?  

Chen was not nervous about the Spartan. He understood that as long as you were not the enemy, you had nothing to worry about. He admired how tall most of them were, but how graceful and precise they could move. Yet, their amount of strength was not to be challenged. This was especially true with the knowledge of how one of the Spartan candidates, years ago, had took on four ODSTs which resulted in two dead and left the other two critically injured.

Being the curious individual he was with the people he knew, Chen asked with a smirk, “So what do we got?”

[Spartan 999]

Petty Officer First Class Jethro-097
Gold Two
Esperanza-II Orbit, Panis Eterni System
Aboard the UNSCS Silent Sanguine


Jethro couldn't help but chuckle. Nay, giggle. It had been so long since he'd first donned a new suit of MJOLNIR armor, especially one like this! Of course, his former armor was comfortable and familiar, but...there was just something about a new suit that excited him. Of course, a healthy portion of that was due to the new energy shielding system in it, along with all the other minor technical tweaks and improvements. Even then, it was shiny and something new to experience.

“...They still don't have integrated jetpacks, though,” he mused to himself as he flexed his arms and rotated his torso in a twisting stretch. “Those'd be handy.”

Currently, Jethro was getting a feel for his new suit of armor by...well, screwing around in it was a phrase that came to mind. It was similar to the Mark IV he'd worn before, but it was also distinctly different in its own way. Partly because the armor plating itself was notably different in a few different areas, and the Security-type helmet's design had altered somewhat.

He came out of the stretching pose and sprang into the air, legs tucked in as he performed a frontflip, spinning several times before he landed easily on the floor and transitioned into a somersault. Upon popping back up to his feet, Jethro gleefully performed several cartwheels confined to the immediate area.

Just then, Silas contacted him over their TEAMCOM. He froze, perfectly poised in a handstand, before responding.

“Copy that, Gold One.” Jethro shifted to one hand and idly unsheathed his bowie knife with his now-free one. He gave it a few quick test swings and twirls before sliding it back into the sheath on his left pauldron. “I'm in my quarters, doing an inspection of the Mark V with my gear equipped.”

Indeed, most of his weapons and equipment was on his armor, either attached via magnets, holstered, or in a pouch. Everything except for his primary, but he could clip that onto his shoulder sling at any time. “We shipping out soon?”

The Spartan tilted to the side and landed practically silently on his feet from the one-handstand.

[Huka]

Task Force Commander Sanj 'Aquiree

Aboard CCS-class battlecruiser Righteous Monsoon, Combat Information Center

Task Force of Indomitable Wave 
Rally Point 

When Warband Mistress Edto began her preparations, Sanj made the adapt choice to send the Redeeming Vigilance's vanguard and a part of its aerial support to join with her slip-jump towards the planet's stratosphere. A quick approach was always the best tactic in moments like this. If there were orbital defenses on the ground, the humans' eyes will be immediately on the ships popping in existence than the forces spilling on the ground for a brief window of opportunity like the distraction of a bigger blade for the incoming dagger. His attention immediately went to the other commanding shipmaster and the auxiliary Kig-yar in this warband, "Shipmaster 'Senjaree, you will assist me in a possible naval conflict. We will jump on my word." The Aquir veteran instructs, "And Shipmaster Rog, you will take the flank. If required, you will assist Mistress Sivaree in retrieving our ground forces if the fight takes in a fatal disadvantage for strategical readjustments." 

Retreat was a very distasteful and near forbidden word to use among the Sangheili, even those of more practical senses. As the wise who have survived battle after battle, treachery after treachery; Sangheili do not retreat, they reposition for the next fight and strike thrice as hard for the inconvenience. 

[John]

Lieutenant James Sorelson
ONI Tactical Field Operative
UNSCS Silent Sanguine

Lieutenant Sorelson had been down in the storage bay. Being the appointed ordnance specialist (In addition to being an engineer, and a basic electro-technician) meant that he was the one that took care of the team's explosives. Or rather, the heavier explosives. True, he made sure that the grenades and the like were stored properly, but they weren't really part of his concern. No, when talking of ordnance, people meant the bombs, demolition charges, thermite explosives, and even the rocket launchers. He had been in the middle of his final check when the tablet he had left on one of the boxes notified him that everyone was to stand-by.

Quickly finishing the check, the Lieutenant jogged to the equipment lockers. He took the jacket of his cammies -It being hot enough to work without it- and put it on. Then he proceeded to strap on the pieces of his armour. It wasn't the best in the UNSC's possession -that being the MJOLNIR armour for the SPARTANs-, but at least it was better than that of the average Marine. And it proved to be a better loadbearer as well. Especially because he was the bloke that carrier around a lot of the heavy stuff.

A few minutes later, he was good to go, apart from not having a pistol yet.

[Faclan]

(Sorry for the wait, hope the translation and little Mike bits are ok)

Chris Hyde - ONI Agent (Xenolinguist)
ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Sad Beard.

Sitting, alone, in the tiny room that could barely be qualified as quarters Hyde was staring at the floor. Pretty miserable lately will all that's been happening in the universe. His requests to try and learn more about the Covenant besides just their languages had been constantly blocked at every turn. And even his own notes and recording from the times he had come face to face with individuals like Nek and Gaz had been taken from him and he was forbade to speak about them. ONI didn't want to believe that some aliens were alright, didn't want that piece of juicy info to get out, they just wanted their Agents and the marines their agents talked too to see all the Aliens as amoral monsters who all wanted to eat children and destroy worlds. Wanted them to have no hesitation about ending their lives even if the aliens really did pose no threat and may even be trying to connect with them for trade or help. No, none of that was allowed anymore.

He was sure that all of his communications were being tapped and listened to and he was likely being watched at every turn. Mike wasn't helping or telling him anything to dissuade his fears. He was in fact the cause of a lot of them. The few times Hyde had dared to ask if Mike had wanted to talk about some of the non hostile Aliens they had both met he was told to immediately drop the issue and to never speak of it. Letting Hyde know that his job was translation and languages and that was it. It wasn't his job to try and find alien allies, because there were none[/b].

Mike wasn't like he was when he first met him at ONI anymore. He hadn't been the best after Sage had been...eaten - but these past years had been even worse. Mike seemed to have forgotten that Hyde used to be his friend. All he cared about now was his job and murder...it was scary. And each time it was brought up into terrifying crisp detail to Chris he was getting closer and closer to just trying to leave. But that was likely impossible.

Thankfully he was snapped from his doom and gloom from a message from his Tac-pad that he had been ordered to report to the bridge. A helpful prisoner at best...But like a good little minion he responded that he was on his way. Quickly washing his face in the tiny sink to hide some of his troubles and then headed up toward the bridge.

He needed to talk to someone...maybe the Spartans? They were allies but also followed the chain of command to the letter and would probably report him if he tried to talk...but maybe they would have something insightful about Aliens for him to get his mind off of the terrible times. It was rare to talk to them these days and would be interesting to say the least.

Entering the bridge after a quick scamper through the halls Hyde likely looked small to the relative Giants of the Spartans and the stone faced veteran Operatives of ONI as he gave a little wave and tried not to look despondent. Glad to see that the Spartan boss was up here and also good to see Chen again.

"Here Commander Moretti, I'll get on that translation immediately."

Moving over to the holo table Hyde slipped on some headphones, with one earmuff off so he could still hear what was happening around him. And started to listen. The AI was putting what they caught from the message that Hyde put on repeat on the tac-pad beside him as Chris squinted at it a bit and thought about it all.

But he also mentally groaned as he saw the Spartans get ready, there likely went his chance to try and ask them about the Aliens they...murdered most times if some of his reports were to be believed but right now was DEFINATLY not the time to talk about that.

Thankfully Hyde didn't pull out his pencil and notepad to compare notes to the AI as he had gotten at least a little more comfortable with computers over the past years. And with a stylus in hand he started to fill in the blanks the AI had in their translation and then a few rough approximation of the name he heard in the return call.

The others were likely starting to talk about a plan as Hyde worked and didn't even want to try and wait for a break to speak up and so just sent the translation to Commander Grumpy Mikes tac-pad.

"Brothers and sisters, I am pleased with our work thus far. We have gathered many needed resources, and are in the process of acquiring more! I am ordering a strike on the nearest Human settlement, so that we may continue our prosperous income of supplies. Bring the wrath of the Cleansing Flame upon the mewling parasites, and leave no stone unturned"
"Aye Warlord 'Kasai! We will Revuul (name or saying? Maybe revel?) in our ultimate victory!"

[BetaWülf]

Heretic Ship master Tyros 'Grosai
SDV-Class Heavy Corvette "Weeping Star"
Marauders Rise

“Shipmaster, continue your orbital patrols. Wipe out any Human evacuations, and keep an eye out for reinforcements. Defend our supply ships as they transfer our acquired goods to your warships. Our duties here are almost finished, and the resources coming in have been steady.”

Tyros 'Grosai nodded silently to himself as he drank deeply from the commands given by his glorious leader. It was not everyday that one so inspiring would rise to lead the misguided into a new light, one of clarity and true purpose. Not endless campaigns for needless slaughter, but surgical strikes to destabilize a web of lies one silken strand at a time.

"With every blow dealt, every foe slain, every victory, we Venerate you, mighty Warlord 'Kasai" Tyros replied humbly, if not zealously. While his ties to the Covenant were long since broken, he still felt a great yearning for a greater purpose and mission. One he found serving Revuul 'Kasai as his Naval advisor and orbital vanguard.

"I want all ships in a loose circle around our flagship, we rove not idly, but with a mission!" Tyros roared into the Warband's battlenet.

"Nay, we plunge through the vast darkness to serve our Warlord, the great Revuul 'Kasai, the one who has shown us the true path! Let us go now and be the shield at his back, the blade at his side, his fiery wrath sent forth!"

"Move now, and fear no darkness!" He roared finally before cutting his transmission.

"The Warband is taking defensive positions around the flagship, as you've ordered sire" one of the bridge Officers said to Tyros.

"Excellent, next make ready our weaponry and keep all personnel on alert. Boarders, infiltrators bent on sabotage, anything at all, I want immediate notification" he said, arms crossed behind his back as he stalked over to his command chair before seating himself. He idly raked his claws over his mismatched red armor, thinking of the spoils of their pillaging and the glories to come.




Kig-Yar Ship Master Mag Rog
SDV-Class Heavy Corvette "Manifest Destiny"
Flanking

Mag sat in his command chair, leaning forward with a predatory glint in his eyes. He sat eager and poised, as if about to pounce out of his seat at some unseen prey. It had been too long since last he had seen combat, and intended to gleefully reap every possible spoil offered by this mission. His crew around him sang a violent shanty, Mag's harsh voice leading them all.

Halfway through the song however Mag was alerted to an incoming transmission on the Covenant Battlenet. "Silence, now" Mag shouted, spreading his arms out as he commanded it, his left arm's blade prosthesis glinting in the artificial light.

"And Shipmaster Rog, you will take the flank. If required, you will assist Mistress Sivaree in retrieving our ground forces if the fight takes in a fatal disadvantage for strategical readjustments."

"Aye Commander 'Aquiree, it shall be done" Mag responded promptly.

"You heard him! Move the ship! Ready all weaponry, sound the alert, we're going into a combat zone dammit!" With Mag's avian bellows came a clamor as his crew scurried about to comply with his commands.

"Ready the landing and fighter crafts, I want them kept live and manned in case of dire need to go planet side, defend, or retreat" Mag said to a passing Officer that quickly nodded before leaving the bridge to relay the orders.

Mag nodded with satisfaction as the ship drifted towards it's ordered position, his crew working all around him as he shrieked orders. It was a good day for battle, and an even better one for piracy. He hoped Aecor would smile upon them, and grant them the gift of rich coffers to sack and an ample supply of slaves to take.

[Remnant]

Lyra Koi, Master of Raiding
SDV-class Heavy Corvette Manifest Destiny
Like a Python ready to strike.

Lyra moved swiftly towards the bridge, and within no time entered the command deck as the doors closed behind her. She looked around briefly, seeing all of the bridge crew at their stations and what not. This ship was ready for battle. Beforehand, Lyra had specifically prepared her raiders for battle, to make sure they wouldn't be slow to carry out their orders. A boarding order meant no delays, no being caught off guard. You had to be at a state of readiness. Lyra approached the back of Mag's chair as she walked through the bridge.

"Lord Mag," Lyra spoke, kneeling in respect. "My raiders are ready to strike. Send the order and we will pillage and plunder any ship ripe for piracy. We will strike swiftly and decisively, before the unsuspecting crew can even react. The raiding parties await your order." Lyra finished, still kneeling and awaiting a response.

[Llau]

LT. CMDR Moretti, Michelangelo N.
ONI Tactical Field Officer
Aboard UNSCS Prowler Silent Sanguine
Inner Colonies // Panis Eterni System // Esperanza II's Orbit
2551
Tag(s): Faclan , SPARTAN-A120 , SuperCommando


Moretti glanced over to the doorway as it slid open, and gave the Tactical Field Operative a nod as the Ensign entered the bridge.

“Sir, Agent Chen reporting,” Chen said to him before speaking to SPARTAN-009.

“Thank you for coming,” the Lieutenant Commander replied. “At ease, Lieutenant.”

He went back to staring  intently at the holo-table, and continued to study the Heretic leader, as well as studying the topographic data of where the leader and his forces were currently stationed at down on the colony. When he heard Chen asking him what they have, he eventually looked up at the younger man to explain.

“We've identified a couple of important things, but that split-lip's name and what he exactly said to his buddies is still needing to be translated,” he went on, “Anansi and I are both confident that he's their leader though. Heretics, or so the Covenant calls them, due to their different opinions. Since the Covenant are religious nutcases, I imagine those opinions have something to do with whatever the hell they believe in.” He shrugged his shoulders slightly. “I honestly don't care what they believe in, but it's interesting to see there are problems within the Covenant, no? It would be nice if we know more, but ONI will eventually learn more about the enemy...I'm sure of it.”

Sarcastically, adding, “It also must be our lucky day, considering that the Covenant has showed up as well,” He smirked a little, chuckling briefly.

He glanced over Chen's shoulder when the entrance opened again, and saw that it was Hyde entering the bridge. He didn't wave back at him when the Xeno-Linguist gave a little wave at everyone, and stood there as he waited for him to do what he needed to do. He crossed his arms again, glaring almost as Hyde approached them.

"Here Commander Moretti, I'll get on that translation immediately."

“Good,” Moretti simply replied, “Get on it then.”

While Hyde was busy listening to what the Sangheili was saying, the Lieutenant Commander continued speaking to Chen and Silas.

“Since the UNSC Navy and the Marines are on their way here to help the colony to defend it against the aliens attacking them, I want you two SPARTANs down there with my Operatives to handle this leader. I've decided to mark him as an HVT. Bring him in if you can though...I think...a heretic leader would benefit us greatly. I imagine he might have bodyguards, to they are a priority as well. Get rid of them first. I trust that you guys can complete this mission, so I'll leave the how up to you.”

His TAC-PAD beeped when Hyde sent him the message. He peered down and read the translation.

“All right...could have just said out loud that his name was 'Kasai, Agent Hyde...” He muttered under his breath.

Looking up, he gave Hyde a look, and then gazed back to the two other men next to him. “Target's name is 'Kasai. Anansi will send you the information we've gathered about it so far, and will continue to feed any new information to you guys when you're down there.” While adding, "We'll be with you every step of the way."

“Any questions?” He asked Chen and Silas.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009

GOLD ONE

ESPERANZA-II ORBIT, PANIS ETERNI SYSTEM

UNSCS SILENT SANGUINE

“Most likely,” Silas responded to Jethro’s query over the COM. “I’ll keep you posted.”

The Spartan ended the transmission on his tac-pad and lowered his arm as more people began to arrive on the bridge. The first was an operative in Recon armor who Silas hadn’t met yet.

“Chief,” greeted the operative with a nod after reporting in to Moretti.

“Agent Chen, a pleasure.” Silas politely replied, nodding back.

He listened carefully as Moretti filled Chen in, taking particular note of the word the Covenant used to describe the faction that had been raiding UNSC settlements. “Heretics”. It quite a telling designation. Even with what little knowledge they had on Covenant culture, it was commonly understood that the alien collective was motivated by deeply religious beliefs. Therefore, to label a group as heretics must indicate great cultural animosity towards that group. Essentially, this was a rogue faction within the Covenant. Like Moretti said, it was indeed interesting to see the enemy struggle with internal strife. That was something the UNSC was certainly familiar with too.

Not long after that, the xenolinguist Moretti called in finally showed up. While Agent Hyde engrossed himself in his translations, Moretti took a moment to address Silas and Chen, informing them of their mission objective to capture ‘Kasai, the Heretic leader.

When asked for questions, the Spartan’s remaining eye narrowed in deep thought, trying to mentally visualize the big picture and anticipate how things were going to play out. He paused for a few moments, gazing at the target’s holographic image as he thought, and then turned back to Mike.

“No sir, not at this time.” He said. “We need to act fast. An entire Covenant fleet with a full invasion force cannot have arrived here at the edge of the inner colonies by random chance. There have been no scout ships that might have led the fleet here, and there have been no major battles in nearby systems that might have spilled over into this one. The only thing I can think of that might have drawn the Covenant here… is those Heretics. If so, then we need to get to them before the Covenant do, or before the Heretics escape. Further questions can be saved for the ride down, but for now we need to move.”

TAG(S): Spartan 999 , SPARTAN-A120 , Faclan , Llau

[SPARTAN-A120]

Ensign Richard A. Chen
ONI Section III Tactical Field Operative "Panther"
Aboard ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Orbiting Esperanza II, Panis Eterni System, 2551
"Going in, Blind"
(Tags: Llau , Faclan , SuperCommando , & John  )

After the meet and greets, especially from the Spartan who caught Chen off guard (he didn't expect the super soldier to talk), Moretti provided a briefing for SPARTAN-009 and the younger Agent after Chen’s question. Chen ignored the thought of catching up with Moretti since the time and location wasn't appropriate. The Ensign was taking notes with his TAC-PAD and was going to transmit the intel to Agent Sorelson, who was busy loading and prepping the ordinance that they would need in case things got ugly. Or if they needed to take out someone ugly like an Alligator, Ape, a few Chickens, or a team of Humpty Dumpties.

The mention of the Covenant's arrival caused Chen to stop typing and look up from his wrist-mounted screen. What made it worse was Moretti’s sarcasm about the Covenant that seemed like a half-attempt at sugar-coating the situation. With the Covenant coming into the picture, the team needed the Spartans’ assistance and firepower more than ever. He just hoped it wasn't his ass that needed saving for the third time when working with the Green Knights of Spartanville. At the same time, he was glad they were here for the mission. He just wished that the rest of Gold Team was here for being force multipliers and for better chances of going home in one piece.

The sound of a door sliding open caused Chen to look over his left shoulder. He saw Agent Hyde entering who gave everyone in the room a wave. Chen returned a gesture himself in the form of a two-fingered salute with his right hand before returning to his thoughts and typing. He was too immersed in the situation that he didn't notice the tension between Moretti and Hyde.

He heard Hyde reporting in to translate the Sangheili recording and Moretti said something that Chen didn't paying attention to since it was not directed at him.

When Moretti continued with the briefing, Chen looked back up towards the Lieutenant Commander and listened intensely. The objective was to capture the Heretic Leader, who Moretti designated as a HVT, with the support of the Spartans and he emphasized how bringing the target alive would benefit humanity greatly rather than taking him out. Chen returned to typing before Moretti said something under his breath which Chen ignored. It sounded like Moretti had some bipolar symptoms that were starting to resurrect itself just like the mishap that occurred their operation three years ago. He hoped that it wouldn't occur again because that would totally ruin the flow of intel and possibly lose their extraction if the older Agent pulled that stunt again.

The Lieutenant Commander suddenly announced that the HVT’s name was ‘Kasai and said that intel will continue transmitting as they were on the ground with Anansi providing support. When Moretti asked if anyone had questions, Chen was about to speak up, but the Spartan took the initiative to state that time was of the essence and they needed to deploy quickly before the Covenant arrived to the planet.

“Okay… I guess I'll ask during our way down…” Chen muttered. He then said aloud and agreed with SPARTAN-009, “No, sir. We'll plan on the fly. I'll ping you on our way down if anything comes up. The Spartan is right. Time is not on our side today.”

So much for asking questions. Chen wanted details about the size of the OPFOR and what type of assets they were up against, but that would be the Spartans’ job since they didn't bother to ask such questions. Being in their new set of MJOLNIR really came with a cocky attitude didn't it? Chen didn’t want to encounter Wraiths, Ghosts, Banshees, Spectres, and other vehicles that will be able to mow down humans like a Scorpion MBT with a green-as-grass operator. Man, if Spartans were able to read minds, he would've gotten ejected out the trash chute by now. Good thing Chen doesn't like to speak his thoughts with his mouth often.

Chen finished his typing and opened a secure and encrypted line with Agent Sorelson to send a text.

The text said:

Objective: Capture HVT, Sangheili Heretic named ‘Kasai. (Check attachment for appearance)
Expect protection detail.
*Covenant will arrive soon as well as UNSC forces.*
OPFOR Units and Support TBA.
Bring a few mags of stun rounds and some EMP emitters and grenades.
Will have AI/Prowler intel support as well as 2 Mean Green Machines.
Get ready. We're deploying now.

After sending the text, he attached three full body photos of what the HVT looked like which was obtained through a mission file; one picture from the front, one from the side, and one from the rear.

[Faclan]

Chris Hyde - ONI Agent (Xenolinguist)
ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Some info and musing?

Sighing a bit when Mike chastised him again for something he did Hyde mostly slumped down in the chair beside the table. Soon he really would have no job here as the AI had managed to translate most of the message without his help, just really needed helping picking out the name from the message. And he was sure the AI had already modified its algorithms so it could do it itself next time. Then what was he supposed to do? Go home? With how ONI had been treating him lately he really didn't think that was going to be an option. Why did Mike have to be such an asshole now?! He used to be able to voice his concerns to his 'friend' but now he was just a stone faced ONI stooge.

But he was sat at the command table...he was able to read these reports right? Thankfully a distraction from his fear for the future as he skimmed the reports ONI had so far. He was still listening to the conversations around him - something he had become very skilled with since working at ONI. He could see the rough estimates of troops and vehicles that the Herectics had brought and was very surprised that Mike didn't tell them about those. The Spartan clearly just wanted to get going but wouldn't they want to know how much ammo to bring? And Mike had told him to just speak up so...why not?

"Uhh...If you were curious about the numbers of Heretics and the stuff they have we've seen they only seem to have one main ship. So they will likely have only one or a bit more than one shipload of troops and vehicles. I doubt they were expecting to have the actual Covenant descend on top of them and the UNSC to show up as quick as they did. I would suspect they won't last long in this fight unlessthey are able to get out of the way of the fronts. And if both main forces land soon the Heretics will be focused on them, not a small team around the flank. But they seem to have a good assortment of vehicles but they are older models of the ones we are used too. Probably just what they could scavenge."

Mike was probably glaring daggers as him now but he said to speak up so fuck it Hyde added one last thing.

"As Heretics are not 'proper' Covenant some of them may not be driven by the same religious drive that we often see. And as such I suspect many of them won't be as eager to die for the Leaders cause. Mercenaries and draftees are a lot quicker to flee from such...stiff opposition," he gestured at the little holographic UNSC and Covie ships and then the massive Spartan and Chen as well. "Than diehard religious champions. Just something to keep in mind..."

And with that he went back to being quiet and sitting with a headset half on his head.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009

GOLD ONE

ESPERANZA-II ORBIT, PANIS ETERNI SYSTEM

UNSCS SILENT SANGUINE

“Precisely…” Silas calmly stated, picking up where Hyde left off about the Heretics diverging from the steadfast normal Covenant rules of engagement. He had been about to head for the door when the xenolinguist spoke up, insisting on dropping a few helpful FYI’s about the enemy, and so the Spartan respectfully held position to hear the man out.

“With respect sir, it is for those exact reasons that we can logically assume the Heretics won’t stick around long once they realize the Covenant is hot on their heels. So as I said, I suggest we continue this conversation over comms while on the move.”

It wasn’t in Silas’s nature to rush into combat situations, but this particular scenario demanded swift, decisive action. Based on what he could see from screens of the nearby bridge stations, Covenant ground troops were even now flooding into Esperanza II’s atmosphere from the five warships already in orbit. The window to find their High-Value-Target was already slipping closed. Silas hoped he didn’t appear aloof or nonchalant by not taking the time to talk out the mission like normal, (it was an aspect that he usually enjoyed, in fact), but he also felt the circumstances justified cutting this briefing short.

Turning to Mike, the veteran soldier addressed the tactical field officer with a determined gaze in his one teal-colored eye. “Lieutenant Commander, requesting permission to be dismissed.”

TAG(S): Faclan , Llau

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Panis Eterni Sector: Planet: Esperanza II: Current Location: En Route: 14th Tactical Response Fleet: UNSCS Passchendaele: Marathon Class I Heavy Guided Missile Cruiser: Bridge: Captain Matvey Daniilovich Galina]

“Distance to Panis Eterni Sector?” Captain Matvey Daniilovich Galina asked, having crossed onto the deck through an open hatch leading to a corridor linked to his ready-room.

“We’re about half an hour out,” Lieutenant Ellis Michaels reported from the Navigation console.

“Has there been any further communication from the colony on Esperanza II?” the Russian-Aristocrat born officer asked. The Passchendaele had intercepted, or rather been forwarded a transmission from a mining colony on the planet Esperanza II known for its tungsten-carbide shipments vital to UNSC ship production. The transmission had been sent by one of Esperanza II’s local militia officers as a request for reinforcements, and with the codes Bandersnatch and Bloody Arrow had meant the local units had been overpowered while having been routed and Bandersnatch had meant the presence of a radiological threat.

“Negative, Sir. There haven’t been any further transmissions received from the colony,” Lieutenant Louise Denrae reported from her console at Communications.

“Continue on current heading. Send word to the marine and ODST contingents to prepare for a planetary drop, and potentially into a hot LZ,” Matvey ordered altering course towards the holographic situational table located into the aft section of the bridge. “Charge the main and secondary cannons, but at a gradual rate. I don’t want to tax the reactors more than we must. Cycle the ARCHER missiles, and bring the MLA batteries online. Nadezhda, I want you to prepare counter-intrusion and counter-espionage measures,”

“Bring our condition up to TAC Con Alpha Two, and have at least three relief bridge officers ready for each station,” the Passchendaele’s Captain relayed before grabbing a hand-set com-device from the edge of the table and opened a channel to the rest of the ship. “All hands, prepare for TAC Con Alpha Two. Reports of possible Covenant presence. Repeat, All Hands. Prepare for TAC Con Alpha Two,” he said, hearing his voice reverberating through the decks in no small part to the intercom-system. Strobe amber indicators bathed the bulkheads while bridge officers, or rather those bridge personnel that hadn’t been on the bridge rushed to other stations in order to make themselves useful and several marine squads took their places on the bridge in case the Covenant had attempted to board. Even though he hadn't had to give the order, Matvey knew as well as everyone that had been in the service since the implementation of the Cole Protocol that it had to be obeyed and with it any and all mention of Earth to the coordinates of and even images of Earth had been triple-wiped from every system including the Passchendaele's systems to Nadezhda.

[Llau]

LT. CMDR Moretti, Michelangelo N.
ONI Tactical Field Officer
Aboard UNSCS Prowler Silent Sanguine
Inner Colonies // Panis Eterni System // Esperanza II's Orbit
2551
Tag(s): Faclan , SPARTAN-A120 , SuperCommando
((OOC: I apologize for the wait. I may be doing that every now and again, or at least until I can get back into writing.))

While Hyde practically gave him an essay, Moretti wandered over to sit down in his CO chair, and leaned back as he waited for the Section One Agent to finish speaking. If they weren't in such a hurry, he wouldn't have been as annoyed with it, and now he had an Operative and a SPARTAN telling him something he fully understood about when a high-priority mission is issued. He was obviously not looking patient at all with Hyde, as he glared at him, and looking like he was going to throw him out of an airlock.

He smiled a little though, but spitefully. “You certainly like to hear yourself speak, Agent Hyde,” While adding, “If I wanted to know all of that, I would have asked. Saying that, next time, ask for permission to speak when we're on a time sensitive mission.”

He glanced over at Silas and Chen. “A simple 'no, sir' would have sufficed. I know what's at stake, gentlemen. Unlike some people...”

He gave Hyde another quick, angry glare before returning his attention on the other two men he was speaking to.

“The Black Cat should be ready to leave as soon as the teams are ready. We'll keep you guys informed of any further development. You are both dismissed.”

[Huka]

Task Force Commander Sanj ‘Aquiree
Aboard CCS-class battlecruiser Righteous Monsoon, Combat Information Center
Covenant Task Force Rally Point, Observing

The higher shipmaster watched the ground forces being disposed on one side of the marked world. More truthfully, he was watching the heretic’s protecting warband starting to maneuver. Despite the negative possibility, Sanj kept his ground. He had faith that the Shipmistress could handle the evils of their fallen brethren with her own. ‘Aquiree didn’t desire that for the enemy to know their full numbers yet. Surprise was an advantage that shouldn’t be wasted, for it can destroy the greatest of threats given the opportunity.

“Commander,” Sensors Officer ‘Nksonee alarms without halting the maneuvering of his console glyphs, “The Sect Leader’s phantom has broken through the stratosphere with the rest following after.”

Sanj brushed at his filters in thought before folding his arms behind the small of his back. “Good. Keep aware of any human frequencies and anomalies in the system. Disperse more probes if required.”

“Aye, Commander.”

[MrKill]

Admiral Eric Klix
UNSCS Iowa
Marathon II Class Super Heavy Cruiser
15th Battle Group
In FLT Transit

---

An orb of blue, mixed with crackling white and intense colours appeared thousands of miles away from the main planetary bodies of the solar system. From within this orb slid the 15th Battle Group. First the Iowa, coming out hot as her FTL drives shut down, trailing what looked like debris momentarily before it disappeared in the vacuum of space. Klix glanced over at this holographic table, one of many on the rather large bridge the Marathon II's had, and saw each one of his ships vessels had also made it. Though their dispersion was less than ideal, every ship in his battle group were reporting in.

The names of each ship on the holographic display went from a soothing orange to a solid green, indicating that their IFF tags had locked onto the Iowa's and they were regrouping. A crewmen on the bridge tapped a few buttons, waved his hand around the holographic display, and an information panel appeared as on overlay to the representation of space they were receiving.

The information panel read:

"UNSCS Iowa, Marathon II, flagship
UNSCS Serpent, Halberd
UNSCS Albatross, Halberd
UNSCS Prenniav, Halberd
UNSCS Colossus, Halberd
UNSCS Courage, Halberd
UNSCS Basilisk, Halberd
UNSCS Mace, Paris
UNSCS Arthas, Paris
UNSCS Icarus, Paris"


Klix was pleased his ships had made it. UNSC slip-space technology, while improved during the war, was still unpredictable at best. Though the days of ships being millions of miles away from their group had ended, it was still large enough of a gap that it was a tactical disadvantage every time they slip-spaced into occupied territory. To counter this, UNSC reinforcements had to - typically - jump well outside any form of engagement range to regroup before actually providing reinforcements.

"We can regroup while we close the range. Tactical, send the order, Navigation mark a course for Vardy's fleet."

"Aye, sir." The Tac officer replied.

"Affirm, sir." The Nav officer said.

The Iowa had left slip space all ready moving. In space, every action required a reaction and counter action, so the NAV officer tapped a few keys on his control pad that pointed the Iowa in the general direction of Vardy. He would have to slow down using reverse thrust soon and begin his de-acceleration well before reaching the other fleet.

"TAC, OPS, keep an eye out for anything on the sensors. Single ship fighters, debris, probes, cloaked ships, energy signatures; anything that'll give you a general location of the Covenant." Klix said.

"Sir, we've already got positive pings off Covenant ships over the planet. I'll keep my eye out for anything closer." OPS reported.

"Good," Klix said. Now only if we had more ships here. He added in thought.

[SPARTAN-A120]

Ensign Richard A. Chen
ONI Section III Tactical Field Operative "Panther"
Aboard ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Orbiting Esperanza II, Panis Eterni System, 2551
"A Distracted Operator is a Dead Operator"
(Tags: Llau , SuperCommando , & Faclan  )

The younger Tactical Field Operative was about to follow the SPARTAN who was heading for the exit of the bridge, but he looked back at the hologram of the Sangheili HVT for a brief moment.

Chen had his hands on his hips when he awaited while he stared at the Heretic Leader with intensity, but his attention was honed in on Agent Hyde when he gave Chen the valuable intel that he needed.

The information that Hyde gave was valuable indeed. The civilian xenolinguist provided a rough estimate of the opposition’s air support, amount of troops, gave details on their type of equipment, and explained how the Heretics were not the same as their religious fanatic counterparts. The Ensign visibly nodded when Hyde mentioned that the Heretics were basically cowards when faced with heavy opposition like the UNSC response forces and the Covenant themselves which would make a good opportunity to strike using the fog of war.

After Hyde’s information, SPARTAN-009 agreed again and emphasized that speed was a necessity of the mission. Following after a brief pause, the Chief Petty Officer requested permission to be dismissed by Moretti.

As a response to Hyde, Moretti was clearly irritated by Hyde’s interruption. It was now known to Chen that there were issues beyond the Ensign’s knowledge and it might be a private matter. A private matter that was sparking subtle conflicts among the two friends; or what was left of the friendship that Chen observed a few years ago during the exfiltration of a mission dealing with Insurrectionists and Kig-Yar Pirates. It was obvious in the way that the Lieutenant Commander expressed his feelings through his facial expression which showed a lack of… respect for Hyde.

The Tactical Field Officer then redirected his attention toward Chen and the SPARTAN. Moretti, further tainting the bridge with his disgust, stated that keeping things short a simple would’ve been preferred. And yet again, he threw a subliminal statement at Hyde to downgrade the poor scientist. Chen didn’t feel any emotion there and then. He learned how to suppress distractions from entering his train of thoughts during critical times and he didn’t really need to get involved in a situation that he did not fully understand… yet.

“The Black Cat should be ready to leave as soon as the teams are ready. We'll keep you guys informed of any further development. You are both dismissed,” said Moretti when he was finished addressing the mission participants on the bridge.

“Sir,” Chen said, before snapping into a salute and about-faced towards the bridge’s exit.

As the Ensign was exiting, he typed a message and sent it to Hyde’s personal data pad which read:

“Keep up the good work. The CO might be a dick now, but that intel was good.”

[Faclan]

Chris Hyde - ONI Agent (Xenolinguist)
ONI Prowler Silent Sanguine
Pouty Beard.

Just nodding as the Spartan replied to him he tried to give a little smile as he tapped his headset. Letting him know they could talk later. But he was about to voice that thought before Mike spoke up. Asshole Mike at it again! Turning to see him sitting in the Command chair and glaring at him Hyde wisely decided to keep his mouth shut even if all of what Mike was saying was dumb. The people had asked for information Mike didn't provide them, someone had to tell them. And he didn't normally talk anyway so how would he like to hear himself speak?!

Sitting back in the chair and crossing his arms Chris pretty much went into pouty mode as Mike finished up and told the ground troops to move out. So much for them all being a team here when he was apparently just here to double check the AI's translations and then sit and shut up. But besides looking annoyed he didn't say anything as Mike was clearly in a mood again as the others left the bridge and likely headed for the hanger to start the transport down to the contested zones.

But he did glance to the side when his Pad in his pocket buzzed, another sign of his growing trust of tech as he pulled it out of his pocket a little and glanced at the message. Not all the way so Commander Sourpuss couldn't see it. Nodding a bit at the message Hyde started to try and type a response back with one hand but lack of practice made that impossible as he quickly pulled it out and used two hands to type out his message. But he tries to shift a bit in his chair so he could see Mike over the top of his pad so he wouldn't get surprised and typed out his response. Though the AI could probably see Chens message and Hydes reply.

'Thank, good luck both, try to record any alien talk, research.'

He was tempted to ask them to try and bring back someone other than the leader to get more information about the Alien species that were apparently up for hire for this kind of thing but decided against it. Those two and the team they were going with would have enough on their plate and he hoped they did it well...But he did feel bad for those mercenaries and conscript aliens who were going to be eviscerated by an upgraded Spartan and silenced by Chen.

Slipping the pad back into his pocket Hyde went back to silently pouting as the bridge went quiet.

[Cabel]

[Inner Colonies: System: Panis Eterni Sector: Planet: Esperanza II: Current Location: Outer Panis Eterni System: 14th Tactical Response Fleet: UNSCS Passchendaele: Marathon Class I Heavy Guided Missile Cruiser: Bridge: Captain Matvey Daniilovich Galina]

An ever shifting black and blue vortex gave way allowing a nearly twelve hundred meter construct to materialize in the outer reaches of the Panis Eterni System. The sleek construct, bulky and angular in appearance lay dotted with battle plating to barreled turrets and dozens of communications antennae to sensors protruded from the hull as feelers if given an organic thought although given its nature one would be hard pressed to perceive it as anything other than artificial. Dozens of other ships ranging from frigates, destroyers, a carrier and another cruiser emerged from similar vortices materializing in the outer reaches of the system keeping in near-formation alongside the larger cruiser. A series of frigates, destroyers, a single massive carrier and a second Marathon cruiser had to correct their own course with a few thruster burns, as the vortices closed behind the amassed staggered formation. While the formation would have normally been incredibly tight with ships in synchronized positions for optimal coverage, the commanders within the Fleet had taken into account their experiences with the Covenant to arrange their ships in a more flexible manner allowing the ships to still be able to cover each other.

“Long range scanners are detecting Admiral Klix’s Battlegroup within the outer reaches of the system closer to our own position than to the planet, and I’m detecting multiple Covenant signals in orbit of the planet Esperanza II,” Commander Alice Qelar reported from the Primary Weapon’s Station.

“Keep an eye on the Covenant, and send an encrypted transmission to the UNSCS Iowa and his Battlegroup. It will be good to fight alongside the Admiral again,” Matvey said rising from his command chair to cross the deck back towards the holographic situational table the intended destination. The holographic projections formed above the table displaying the thirty-four assets…ships ranging from twenty frigates to ten destroyers to a single carrier, two cruisers and a Repair and Refit station of the 14th Tactical Response Fleet had successfully arrived within the system and while Matvey waited to see the ships of the 22nd Carrier Group with the Punic SuperCarrier Normandy leading the old Russian aristocratic-born officer studied the system layouts set before him formulating the means to overcome the Covenant presence and or in the worst extreme to evacuate as many colonists as possible.

[SuperCommando]

CPO SPARTAN-009

GOLD ONE

ESPERANZA-II ORBIT, PANIS ETERNI SYSTEM

UNSCS SILENT SANGUINE

As Lieutenant Commander Moretti dismissed Chen and Silas, the one-eyed Spartan gave a crisp salute before exiting the bridge. He moved at a brisk walk as he once again called Jethro on his wrist-mounted tacpad.

“Gold Two, we’re moving out. Objective is to capture high value target alive. Anansi should be sending the mission file now, check that for details. I’m going to pick up some stun rounds and meet you at the Black Cat, over.”

Shortly, Silas arrived near the subprowler now geared up and helmet on. For this mission he was taking a page out of Dani’s playbook by equipping himself with a long range rifle, in this case an M392 DMR, and a pair of SMGs for close quarters. As usual, the Spartan’s armor was overlaid with a load bearing harness and utility belt to carry extra ammo and supplies, such as supressors for his weapons, C-12 charges, thermite-carbon cord, biofoam, E-III electronic intrusion devises, and frag/smoke/flashbang grenades. His tactical machete-style blade was sheathed at his side, and a trusty M6D sidearm was holstered on the back of his belt.

As he approached, he held out to his teammate a handful of magazines marked with blue tape indicating they contained stun rounds, and then looked around the area to see if everyone else was ready.

TAG(S): Spartan 999