Chapter 9: TBD

(Jason)
=About a month had passed on Haven, and in that time a lot had happened. Training of our ground forces was progressing nicely, though there was still room for improvement. Production of the new weapons and armor was still going on, with a marked increase in performance ratings from the soldiers outfitted with them. We had constructed several new ships to add to the fleet, with a few more underway. However, in the month that had passed, we had not once had any encounters with Hans and his forces, despite the declaration of war against them. It made me a little uneasy, not knowing where they were hiding but hopefully that would change soon. Miranda and her new intelligence group, the now reformed Vigil, had called a meeting, one they said would help in the war effort. It was a little weird, working with her like this. I mean, we did finally get married and all.......=

(Dormii)
=the doctors came again, another guard escorting them since last time. They brought the table again. I both smiled and groaned inwardly, as I knew I made an impact with that little bit of force, and I knew that now was when I was going to pay for that outburst. They stuck the needles in my arm, and I felt the welcoming sensation of relaxation drugs. My thoughts instantly went fuzzy and I couldn't prevent them from strapping me down onto the table, putting cold metal restraints on my wrist and ankles=

(Punikav)
=i started working on the encryption again, swapping off with Burk again. This information was heavily encrypted, and it was taking weeks to make any progress. I wiped my forehead, a stress reducing habit of mine as I started typing away at the computer terminal on the Whisper of Life=

I spent the last month honing my skills with this blade. Learning how to quickly move it around all my sides.
To defend myself from attackers from all directions. Never worried about strength as that's the suit's job.
With speed and strength in the sword I eventually made a modification to my suit. Some extra plate metal on my fists, wrists and helmet.
Then I also made spiked brass knuckles. I know I know. Spartans already have amazing strength but I want to be sure.

Other then weaponry. I have water and food. I fixed those weird nets and have a living garden. Personally I have no green thumb so its gotta be something in the dirt. Or in the lights heck, even the seeds could be augmented. I really don't care either. As long as they grow.
Not to mention the solar panel things outside. Those were a pain in the arse to fix. But it was well worth it. Electricity and all that.
The spheres are amazing. But I never knew why they would build this place if they didn't have a way to transport it. To use it somewhere else.

And the book never told me either. Obviously I finished reading it. Yet it's only a instruction manual, never telling me much information.
Its like the author prepared for someone to be stuck here. To live out the rest of their days here. And I've accepted that.
But the last passage bugged me from the moment I read it. Just that sense of dread...

And this concludes this little book of mine. This... this legacy that's mine. This journal on how to use this place. Recycle it.
These past forty years have been a blessing and a curse. The beauty of this forge and the lonesomeness of it.
The Night is coming. I can hear them coming for me. I wish you luck, lone survivor. This is Arthur Venture writing his last.

=One month had come and it had passed. Filled with events that would overwhelm even the most sturdy people. However, for Dante, it was just one small thing to get done after another. A calm approach that he had written down in his journal=

To live life and to live it without fear of what may come around the corner

=This is the way that he had entered his new life. First on the events was the coronation ceremony. Officially taking over one half of an entire planet. He had written his speech in his journal as well=

Ladies and Gentlemen of Yolsen. For years you have been suppressed, unable to work for your true goals. Unable to see the light of day for what it truly is. I know of this feeling. I have lived it. I know that many of you are skeptical about this, letting an outsider take on as head of your half of the planet. -pause- I do not want to continue saying that... this is our planet. The Zephyrians as a whole. Our planet. I was asked by Lady Creed to take on this role. To lead you to better days. I cannot promise you anything, but together, we shall fight. We shall. I hope for a better future for you and your kin. Just as I wish for a bright future for my own family. I thank you all.

=Soon after was the final step of Dante and Lynn's relationship. The wedding had marked a milestone for them both. A bounty of gifts and a grand celebration was held, something he had shown his dislike for=

The wedding was nice, but too flashy for my tastes... however, it made it all worth it to see my wonderful wife smile. This had been her day. A day that had been put off for so long.

=Amongst the cheering and the celebrations however, he would constantly check on his friends. Much to his dismay, Dormii could not be contacted=

He is a strong man. My only hope is that his plan did not backfire


-I will continue to post if need be. However, tell me if you are going to interact with my characters. As far is it is right now, there is nothing left that I can do with Dante, Lynn, and the others. However, with every ending, there is always a new beginning. Am I teasing? Time may tell-

(Simile)
=i was talking with Deniv, trying to just keep the conversation to a small-talk level, a busy-work kind of thing, but eventually it went to the usual topic=
What do we do?

"About what?"

You know about what. What do we do about Draco and the others. Do we tell them?

"You know what we decided on. We can't tell anyone."

Yes, we can. They'll help. They have to. From what I hear Dormii and them were all the best of friends! They have to help.

"You don't know that."

=Burk spoke up=
"None of us do. But at some point we have to tell."

"If we do, Draco might pull us off of this. Remember, if Dormii isn't around, we follow his orders."

But he won't.

(Jason)
=The meeting was being held over at Alpha Base, in one of the larger meeting rooms. Including myself and Miranda, the room was occupied by three of my own subordinates and two of hers. I didn't know where she had found her new employees, but one thing I knew for sure is that they were loyal. Granted, she only had a handful of people under her command, but they were so far proving to be adept at their jobs. The three subordinates of mine were the commanders of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Bases, and for the most part served as the generals for our military. They weren't promoted without merit; each one was a tactical genius in their own right, and had the loyalty of their men. I trusted them. Anyway, once the introductions were all in taken care of and everyone had been seated, the meeting began=

(Miranda)
=I stood at the center of the room. The room was basically a circle with descending rings, almost like a college lecture hall=
Good morning. I called this meeting because of an unfortunate wrinkle we in Vigil discovered. As you all know, when Hans and his people seceded from Haven, they raided the Archives, copying as much Forerunner data as they could. We spent the past month figuring out what they had gained access to, and as of today we now know what they took.

=The hologram projector warmed, and soon dozens of images began to float in the center of the room next to me=
Most of the data involves schematics for Forerunner weapons and ships, and slip-space technologies. However, we discovered that they also made copies of the star charts found in the Archives. If you would please observe.

=Another command, and the images were replaced with a large map of the Milky Way Galaxy. A second later, a small portion of the map was highlighted in blue=
Highlighted in blue, is all known UNSC territory, including the Glasslands.

=A much larger portion, though still small compared to the rest of the map, was highlighted in purple=
This, is all known Covenant territory. We know of these star systems only from the navigational records we recovered from the Covenant ships that attacked Haven.

=One of the base commanders raised their hand=

*Base C.O.*
Forgive me, but what exactly is the point here?

(Miranda)
I was just about to get to that.

I sigh as I head back down to the forge. Its become my training and bed room. I'be long since buried the skeleton down here.
I can't help myself but to think when I lay down on the floor though.I wasn't even trying to sleep. Just somewhere to rest a bit.

I guess you could say I've gotten use to living like this. But how long will this last? I haven't bathed in a month and a half.
Arthur survived for forty years but its just... do I want to live like this? Stuck in a hole in the middle of some godforsaken planet.
Honing my skills for a once a couple years occurrence? Blasphemy.

I rub my ragged full beard, thinking some more.

(Miranda)
=Punching in a new command, the largest portion of the map was highlighted in gold=
This, shows all Forerunner territory by the time of the Forerunner-Flood War, at least around the time of Haven's creation. Basically, there are roughly several hundred thousand worlds in this territory that are Earth like, and even more that are still capable of sustaining Earth based life-forms. In other words, we just got done deducing the size of the haystack.

(Jason)
=I let out a breath=
Jesus.....do we have any idea where in this haystack they might be?

(Miranda)
Yes and no. We've had to take dozens of separate things into account to determine where they might be. For starters, it's been about a month since they fled, and basing our estimates on the capabilities of their slip-space drives, we've determined the radius of where they could have traveled within three days since they had left.
=Near the Galactic Core, a small dot appeared to symbolize Haven. A second later, a circle appeared around the dot, fairly wide in diameter compared to the rest of the galaxy=

This is where they could have gone within three days. Now, let's adjust it so that it shows where they could have gone within the past month.
=The circle only grew wider and wider and wider. By the time it had stopped growing, the circle occupied maybe a fourth of the galaxy=

*Base C.O.*
God damn...how do we find them in that?

(Jason)
We look at the most likely choices they'd pick. Remember, most of them are civilians and they'll need housing, a safe place to live, even set up a settlement. So, let's cross check all the planets in this circle. Start with the ones that are closest to Haven, and habitable.

And I haven't seen a human in forever. Hell. Haven't seen a living thing. Loneliness will be my biggest enemy.
That or cabin fever. Cabin fever... how did the old man do it for forty years? Sitting in this box and rotting. Maybe he went insane and though it was forty. Looks like I'll be stuck here for the time being. Whatever may come at me.

I stand up and look at my armour. Its just sitting in the corner, unused in over two weeks and now gathering dust.
Not like I have a choice in the matter. If I use it til it runs outta battery life I'll be screwed when the Night arrives.
So, from boredom, I start making another weapon. Unsure what I'm actually building, just smithing around.

*Base C.O.*
Sir, yes sir.
=They all filed out of the room, on their way to distribute orders to the scouting patrols. As for the Vigil personnel, they left without a word back for their own offices, leaving only Jason and Miranda alone in the room=

(Jason)
=I rubbed my head, my short hair passing between my fingers=
Dammit, even with the scouts the odds of finding them are slim.

(Miranda)
=While he spoke I went about saving the files, and removing them from the control panel=
We both knew this was never going to be easy. After all, when is war ever easy?

(Jason)
Yeah, but I thought that if we moved fast enough, we could gain the upper hand, and end this war before it got dragged on for too long. I mean, the costs of this thing are high enough, if our projections stay on track. And that's just for one year. I don't want to think about how much this war will cost if it has to go on for any longer.

(Miranda)
Well, you're forgetting those projections are based on the scenario where we don't trade with the UNSC.

Okay, so. Before I waste metal, I force the metal in small knives. Making two daggers.
I can't believe myself. Making medieval weapons for God's sake! If only she was here.. she'd know what to do.
I yawn as I finish with the knives. Like I said, they're small. Then I put them in water to cool them.

I sit down on floor, bored.
This place is like a prison now that think about it. Leaving me a lot of time to think. Confined to a small space...
I'm going to go crazy waiting for that one night every year or so. That little taste of action. Adrenalin for the first time in ages..
That prison break. I just can't wait to go outside...

(Jason)
You realize there's a good reason we're not trading with the UNSC. The moment we begin trading with them, they'll want to claim Haven as their own world. Hell, they might even try and replace the Council with their own people.

(Miranda)
That's a bit pessimistic. They'd have to know that doing that would mean losing the loyalty of the people here on Haven.
=The files were now safely stored on my data crystal, and I quickly pocketed it=

Besides, let's not forget that other than the Council, the people here are loyal to you. After all, you liberated them, and gave them a new home.

(Jason)
Yeah, there's that. But, there's another issue: we declare ourselves to the UNSC, as open territory for trading, maybe even colonization, and that might bring a few unwelcome elements. I'm talking crime, rebels who think they can gain a new weapon, and who knows what else.

Huh. The book never said how the Everlight Forge stays alight. He probably didn't know. Oh well.

As I sat by myself in the Forge room, night descended on the planet.

(Miranda)
You've been watching too many movies. Besides, you're forgetting the fact that our security system here on Haven would root out any form of crime, organized or otherwise. As for any rebel elements, I still know a few people in the Insurrectionists that have plenty of pull with their subordinates, maybe enough to keep them in line. And you're forgetting one thing: here on Haven, we have the most leverage in terms of advanced technology, and representing a valuable political ally.

(Jason)
Oh no, not politics. You know how much I hate talking po-

(Miranda)
Deal with it. You made me the head of Vigil, and this is part of the job. Declare Haven neutral territory, a planet open to both the UNSC and the Insurrectionists. As for the politics part of that, just leave it to me and the Council. We'll work something out.

(Jason)
Still though, if we ally ourselves with the UNSC....

(Miranda)
We wouldn't be allying ourselves with them. We'd be trading with them, and opening our borders for their civilians to trade, and the same goes for the Insurrectionists.

I stand up and start practicing with my sword again.
To be honest, fighting nonexistent adversaries is losing its excitement. But I really have nothing left to do, I feel as though I'm breaking..
Both mentally and physically. Failing to fight the--
A loud bang echoed from upstairs. I go to investigate.

(Jason)
Okay, you lost me here. We'd be trading with them, and opening our borders to them, but we wouldn't be allies?

(Miranda)
Something like that. Besides, in the end their human, just like us. Everyone on this planet came from human colonies, and while we may have been attacked by them before, that was ONI, before the deal was struck and they saw how valuable we are here.

(Jason)
No. I won't turn this place into a resource for them. The people here deserve better than that.

(Miranda)
Then what will it be? Trading partners, or allies?

"Its coming from the door... is something trying to get in? But how is anything surviving up there?"
Then it came to me. Its night out. And there's one of those things out there, busting through the door.
I fly into action, straight down to the Forge room. Once there I suit up and turn everything on. Just in the nick of time too.
Because the banging stopped when loud clang and metal screeching erupted. Then just a eerie silence after that.

I grab my rifle right as the lights go out, the sphere is powerless now. Although the Forge is still going, as it always does giving little light. Instead of trying to use that, I turn on my night vision. But as I did that, something tackled me. Or was thrown.
Its huge and it hurt like hell when it striked me. This thing, whatever it is, can knock over a fully suited Spartan.

Which means it knocked me to ground and is standing on top of me. This is when I get a good look at it.
It's head is very large with three horns on it, strange though. The horns are flat at a certain length. And it stands at a.. I can't tell at this angle. It has what looks to be a beak, snarled and curled. And I'm going to be fighting this thing.

(Jason)
=In all honesty, there was no real easy answer. Trading with the UNSC would get us some much needed supplies for the war, as well as helping us make enough money to fund the war. But, if we did that we'd be one small step away from being in an alliance with them, and while I wasn't fairly certain on where Haven stood with Delta, I was fairly certain I knew where he stood with the UNSC. I doubted he'd take trading with the UNSC badly, and besides, it wasn't like I needed to check with him on who I could trade with. I was just going to have to hope that going down this road wouldn't end with me pissing off more people than I needed to piss off. And before you ask, yes I have a list of people I need to piss off, I just don't get the chance to cross their names off it that often=

Alright....I'll make a call to Parangosky, see if she can arrange something. If all falls through, then we will unofficially be in an alliance with the UNSC.

I grab its leg and yank to the right. Making it fall on its left side and then I jump on it. I punch it square in the face, then again and again, over and over until it's skull caves in. It's blood sprayed everywhere. The room, my armour, the forge. Everything.
For some reason I don't think this is all the fight tonight has. I stand up from the limp body and draw my blade, then heading up.

Strangely enough though there isn't any more in the main room. But the motion sensor tells me the numbers topside are temendous. And of course the door is completely destroyed, a giant gaping hole replaces it. Now I have no defensible position.
BUT, there's only one way they can come in, so I equip my rifle and guard the entrance. Nothing shows up though.

My motion sensor goes berserk with movement. One moment the blimps are just walking around idly then the next they're forming a line.
Directing to the north, all in a line from the door. I can't see them either so I have no choice but to wait. Seemingly hours go by before..
I see one of them dash inside, I fire a couple rounds but they bounce of its head. As it got in range, I drew my sword.

It's screams of pain echo upstairs I guess because more show up. Running down the stairs snarling and growing.
I drive the sword deep into the first one and yank it out just in time to block another one. It bites my sword so I push on it.
Pushing the sword through its head. As the body drops another shows it's face from up the stairs.

"The fuck?! How many are out there?!"
I yelled into my helmet, which sounded more like a growl then words. This seems to scare them off... for now.

(Jason)
=It was maybe an hour later, after my talk with Miranda, that I was now sitting alone in my office. I know, scary right? Me in an office. Not exactly where I planned I'd be leading the war from, but this was just temporary. Anyway, The Council had approved the idea of trading with the UNSC in full, and cleared me to run the negotiations. I opened up the comm terminal on my desk and sent a message to Parangosky using the superilluminal communication array. I wasn't really expecting an immediate response, which is why I was rather surprised when she appeared on screen a few minutes later. She may have been a frail 96 year old woman, but she still had the same old air of authority around her=

*Parangosky*
Jason, I'm a busy woman. What is it?

(Jason)
I thought my message infor-

*Parangosky*
It informed me that you have a proposal that could once more benefit both of us. That was all you said. Now, what is it? I assume it has something to do with your war.

(Jason)
Yes, actually. We ran the numbers. Without trading with an outside source, we can only afford to fund this war for a year. The Council approved a course of action forwarded to us by the head of our intelligence committee.

*Parangosky*
You have an intelligence group?

(Jason)
Yes, and without going into detail they're competent at their job and I value their advice. The point being, they believe our odds of success in this war are higher if we ally ourselves with you.

*Parangosky*
I'm afraid that's not going to happen Jason. Or at least, not going to happen without a few conditions.

(Jason)
=This. This is what I was afraid of=

"Okay, I have a break. Why?"
They aren't the smartest, at least from what I've seen. Running straight to their deaths.
Perhaps they aren't use to actually having to fight. Which reminds, why did my bullets get deflected?
And the only thing that hurt 'em was my sword. Maybe the metal. Wait, that's why he stressed making a weapon so much!
But, these ones have their horns. The first was missing his.. Oh wait. He tackled me while I had my shields on.

"Nothing on the motion sensor either. Probably glad to be free of their holes."
Elane - No, they're getting their second wind.
"Then let's get our's, turn on The Night by Disturbed. It fits the mood."
Elane - Yes sir

(Jason)
And what exactly are, those conditions?

*Parangosky*
Even though the war is over, it's been chaos among the colonies. There are an overwhelming number of refugees from the colonies, both Inner and Outer, at least the ones that are still alive. Frankly, despite the efforts of the UEG, we simply can't accommodate them all. There's simply not enough room.

(Jason)
Well, hate to break it to you, but Haven is just one world.

*Parangosky*
With a lot of open space, and fully suitable for colonization.

(Jason)
You want to start a colony here?

*Parangosky*
Not exactly. And frankly, I'd rather not do this, but if we don't act soon, the refugees could prove to be a problem. I'm sure you know what our race is like when we're packed together, with little room and supplies.

(Jason)
=Dammit, but she had a point. Hell, that was one of the reasons why humans had started colonizing other worlds. Overpopulation had been a serious issue, and combined with shortage of available resources and housing, had led to the Interplanetary Wars. And that was six years of bloody fighting=

Let me guess.....this isn't even your own idea, is it?

*Parangosky*
No. I've done my best to hold them back, which meant cashing in quite a few chips by the way, but the fact remains that ever since that splinter group of yours attacked our base a month ago, a lot of questions were being asked. Such as where they came by such advanced weapons and armor. Their ships. A formal inquiry was made by the heads of both the UEG and the UNSC, and now both Lord Hood and President Charet know about Haven. At least, certain aspects of it anyway.

Maybe I could barricade the door. But I have nothing to to that with. For the time being I'm staying right here.
If I plan on surviving I'll need to know more about my enemy. Damn, I really know everything there is I find out.
I just can't stand here waiting for my death! This anticipation is killing me. Keep a cool head Al, that's what you're known for.

To make myself a little more dangerous, I grab and equip the spiked knuckles. Then I grab one of the knives for my left hand.
So with the sword in my right and the knife in my left, making me that much deadlier.

(Punikav)
=i heard a silence drop almost audibly from the others as no one spoke up. As I typed, I decided to speak up=
We must tell Draco.

"And if he tells us to stop working on this?"

Then we ignore his orders and keep working. This is our main CO. We need to find him.

=a silence once again=
"Okay, who and when?"

All of us, and now. Someone go get him.

(Deniv)
=i stand up=
I'll do it.

=i walk over to the door, open it, step out into the hall, then close the door behind me. I start heading towards the bridge=

(Jason)
=I smothered my face in one hand=
And by certain aspects, they know the juicy bits. That Haven is a Forerunner world, and under the control of humans who were liberated from Delta.

*Parangosky*
Basically. Charet is hoping to use this as a gesture of goodwill. We trade with you if you agree to ally with us, and house some of our refugees.

(Jason)
What, just like that? We may be on civil terms Margaret, but don't think I forgot what you did. You had the old Vigil create me to be a weapon, and a key, nothing more. Hell, you kidnapped me, tortured me, and even attacked the people here on Haven. You really think anyone will buy this, least of all me?

*Parangosky*
=She rubbed the bridge of her nose with one hand=
Look, I'm not asking you to forget the past. God knows what I did to you, before and after you were born, were terrible enough. But always remember that at that time, we were forced into a dangerous position. The Covenant were burning our worlds, and butchering our people. The possibilities of Haven were too great to ignore, even if it meant creating you and your team to be nothing more than instruments. For that, I am truly sorry for what we did, but I will never apologize for why we did it.

(Jason)
=Whoa, an actual apology from Parangosky herself? I was starting to wish I had recorded this conversation. I doubted even I would believe it had happened=
Okay, let's say I agree to housing the refugees. There are going to be some conditions of my own, and for the most part, they're non-negotiable.

*Parangosky*
Alright, let's hear them.

(Jason)
For starters, you keep your agents off my world, and out of our politics. The Council we have in place here, stays in power, with none of the newcomers demanding a seat until certain conditions that we set are met. Second, we still trade with you, just as you would any other colony but that does not make us part of the UNSC, or the UEG. Haven is neutral ground. If we feel we must, we will help you, but never upon request. Third, the people coming here are to be confined to the surface settlements that will be built in preparation for their arrival, but they cannot come down to the Inner Shell. They're free to form their own government but it will still answer to the laws of this world, and to the Council.

*Parngosky*
Steep terms, but acceptable I'm sure.

(Jason)
One last thing. In return for this, playing host to these people, there's one thing I want in return. I need troops, experienced troops. Both to train my men, and to lead them. I have handful, at the most, and they're just not enough if I want to turn my forces into a strong enough fighting force.

*Parangosky*
=She was silent for two painstakingly long minutes.....then=
I'll see what I can do.

(Burk)
=i look at the others=
Think she'll actually make it?

(Simile)
=i nod=
Yeah, she will.

(Deniv)
=i walk into the bridge and look around for Draco=
Commander Dante?

"Aw shit. Looks like the truce was short lived."
My motion sensor went berserk again. But everything was less coordinated. A whole bunch of blimps run straight at my location.
Then I hear banging of skulls, clangs of battle and high pitched screams from above. I stand guard at the bottom of the stairs anyway.
"Between themselves I guess.." I laugh to myself.

A couple minutes pass by and the battle upstairs stops suddenly. The motion sensor went blank so they're standing still.
Then the things above me start trying to come through the roof. Smashing and crashing. Large dents form above me.
Some of them burst though too. But the hole is too small for them to come through it. Luckily.

They seem to grow bored again and stop abruptly as they did before. Then they start moving towards the door...

(Jason)
=The call ended seconds later, and I decided to check up on the progress of my forces. Opening up the data terminal and selecting progress reports had become second nature for me at this point, and within seconds I had three separate holo-screens hovering over my desk, each one showing a different report. Troops, fleet strength, weapons and armor production......all of it was going well, but the one thing that needed improvement the most were our troops. The fact was we didn't have enough people to wage any ground wars. Oh sure, we had the people to wage a ground war, but at the moment that was only if it was localized to Haven, and that was no longer an option. If we spread ourselves, we wouldn't have enough people to defend Haven and wage war on other planets=

Being in charge is harder than it looks......

=Another thing that was worrying me, on a personnel level, was that voice in my head, the one claiming to be a Forerunner. It had spoken a few more times in the past month, but so far nothing major had come of it. I was still wary though, fearing that somehow that damned thing could take control of me, though I'd fight tooth and nail to make sure that didn't happen. After a few minutes of reading through the reports, I decided to head out to the cafeteria of the base, grab some grub=

Elane - There's too many for you to handle. Fall back.
I laugh
'Where?"

I did back up though to let me have some more room. This is going to be bloody... very very bloody.

(Molly)
=So, a lot had happened in a month. My godfather got married, the fleet had grown bigger, and I was now head of my own squadron. My squadron leader had received a shiny promotion, and left Talon Squadron in my care. The twins had been reassigned, and that left me to decide who I'd get in my team. Jason was kind enough to forward me a list of possibles, and that made choosing much easier. Talon Squadron was still assigned to the Silver Hawk though, so we were still in orbit over Haven. Wait, let me rephrase that. I keep forgetting that the ship had been renamed in the past month. Something about Silver Hawk didn't have the right ring to it, especially for a flagship, so it had been officially renamed to the Hyperion. At the moment, I was on patrol over Haven, accelerating through the void of space. My thoughts drifted while I allowed the auto-pilot on my fighter to fly along the patrol route, though that changed quickly when a voice crackled through over the radio=

*Cameron*
Yo, Molly. How much longer are we out on patrol here? I was kinda hoping to grab some grub soon.

(Molly)
=Ah yes, Cameron. Cameron 'Cam' Mitchell was one of the newest members of my squadron, though that should have been obvious enough. He was here because he was one of the best damn fighter pilots on Haven, second only to moi. Loyal to his squad and even more loyal to his friends, I was glad to say that after a month the rest of the squad and I fell into the category of friends. His fighter, along with two others trailed behind me=

*Laura*
Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with Cam on this one, I'm starved. Besides, the sensors can pick up anything trying to slip through.

(Molly)
=That was Laura Cadman, another pilot fresh out of the academy but with a performance report filled with glowing reviews. She was good, and excelled in combat, always knowing exactly when to pull the trigger. Then again, that was just in flight sims=
Alright. One more sweep over this sector, and we'll head back to the Hyperion.

*Ford*
Hell yeah. And if those traitors do show up, we'll blast them a few new ass-holes.

(Molly)
=And rounding up the roster was Aiden Ford. He was barely older than me, and twice as enthusiastic about being a pilot. He was good, but cocky, and had a habit of disobeying orders but somehow I had a feeling I could use a guy like that in my squad=

Without my motion sensor, I would not have had the warning of one of them coming down. Its silent when it hunts I guess.
It comes down the stairs with little noise, but when it sees me. It sends itself at me with a flying leap.
I twist and sidestep to the right, allowing me to cut through it's head with ease. Then the severed body rams in to wall.
But before I could get back into position, two more came from the stairs. Then three more.

"Aw shit."

=The WoL's bridge is alive with activity. As it should be, the crew is being traded about with soldiers under the military of both continents of Zephyre. This mix, as Dante had put it=

Would ease the tensions between the people

=It is a tactic that was used many a century ago during the mixing of races in the war. Dante himself is not aboard the ship. So the one that answers the soldier over the loud crowd is Atlas=

*Sorry, but Dante is not on the ship as of now*

=His voice silences the crew=

*If you would like, I can contact him now*

(Deniv)
=i call back=
If he's available. I have something he may want to know, but I don't want to interupt anything.

(Molly)
=We finished our patrol and headed back to the ship. Honestly, there wasn't really much to report, and it made me question the need for patrols. After all, the long range sensors on Haven could detect just about anything, even stuff coming here through slip-space. And if anything was detected, then the fleet was alerted in seconds. Not much use for patrols.....but then again, orders were orders and while I might grumble I'd follow them. My squadron landed in Hangar 1, on the left side of the Hyperion, flying through the barely visible energy field that covered the entrance, sealing the atmosphere inside. Once our ships were secure, I opened the canopy and climbed down the ladder that was set up next to the cockpit. The rest of my squad headed out for the mess hall, and while I wish I could have joined them, I had to deal with one of the more grueling parts of being a squad leader: filing reports=

*Do not worry, I do not think he is in any form of meeting at this time*

=A message is relayed down planetside to the governmental building in Lux. Minutes later Dante's being is projected into the bridge. He is still in his wheelchair and he himself looks a mess=

I am sorry for my current state.

=His voice is filled with a tiredness. Obviously confirming what had been placed unto the crew's mind that he had been sleeping. He shakes his head and blinks a few times before sitting upright and pressing his clothes to look a bit more formal=

You requested me, soldier?

(Deniv)
=i salute=
Yes sir. I...I have information on the whereabouts of my Commanding Officer, Dormii. I heard you and him were good friends?

=He waves his hand in front of his face at being called "sir"=

Please, don't call me sir. I am on an equal field of view with you. I already have the people here calling me Lord

=He sighs=

But I guess it cannot be helped. They have their ways.

=He pauses for a moment=

I apologize for my rambling. Proceed.

(Deniv)
=i nod=
Yes sir. Uhm, Dante. Well, first thing. The mission my squad and Dormii went on, to the Rebel planet. Dormii...Dormii was captured sir. We believe they were waiting for us. The reason behind that is still unknown. We have the majority of the computer's information stored, and we are currently working on decrypting the information. We being me, Burk, Simile, and Punikav.

--Region of Space Dubbed: The Graveyard--

(Hans)
=In the past month, work on the Forerunner Fortress-class vessel, now called the Colossus, had progressed smoothly courtesy of the records we had stolen from Haven. At 100 km in length, she was even larger than the Azure Comet, the wretched ship that had taken on mythological status among our children as a bringer of darkness and death. Salvage teams had been reporting back that dozens of other vessels, smaller than the Colossus had been found relatively intact though based on what we knew about them they were far from powerhouses. This field of wreckage we began to call The Graveyard had for the most part become our main base of operations, at least for our fleet. We managed to find a terrestrial world for our civilians, surprisingly Earth-like. Another thing we found in the Archives on Haven; a listing of all habitable planets known by the Forerunners at the height of their power. We were certainly putting that piece of information to good use=

They all full on charge at me. I do the same and ran past them, cutting through one of them. But they swarm me before I can move past.
Basically, all four jumped me. Forcing me to the ground. Then they begin to fight themselves again. Trying to figure out who gets me.
I'm flattered truly but I don't want to be food. So I twist myself out from beneath the foot on me, cut into the face of one and dash.
Straight up the stairs, cutting through another curious creature. My motion sensors picks up movement everywhere.
This is probably a terrible idea, but I had no where else to go. Actually. The worst idea of my life. Mainly because I'm quickly surrounded.

Six or eight of them, covering all sides with a little extra to spare. All growling, snarling and even biting at each other.
A bunch of wild animals who take their food for granite. They'll have one helluva fight before I go down.
With the sword in one hand and the knife in the other, I run at the one closest to the shelter. That's when things get real ugly for me.

(Hans)
=Currently, I stood at the bridge of the Colossus overlooking the progress of our repairs. Truth be told I was rather useless here, as I had no real knowledge of ship systems at all, let alone those belonging to a Forerunner Fortress ship. One of my assistants crossed the bridge towards me, a data-pad in hand=

*Assistant*
Commander, some interesting news.

(Hans)
What is it?
=He handed me the data-pad, and while I read it he narrated=

*Assistant*
Repairs to the Colossus are almost complete, and the picket ships we found in the hangar are also providing a massive help in salvaging other intact ships and repairing them. The materials we're gathering from the wrecks, the non-salvageable ones, are being grouped together away from our main fleet so as not to cause a hazard.

(Hans)
Excellent. Any news from Haven? Have they sent any ships our way?

*Assistant*
No sir. Our long range sensors haven't picked up anything from that region, at least nothing heading our way.

(Hans)
And the other projects we have set up?

*Assistant*
=He looked rather nervous, but pressed on with his report=
We managed to finish building the first GESTR facility, and our team there is awaiting your orders before we actually begin production.

(Hans)
Tell them to go ahead and begin the test. If all goes well, we'll begin creating more pods, and more facilities.

*Assistant*
Understood sir.

Everyone of those things jump on me and begin. My shields screamed as they disappeared instantly.
Several thousand cuts shred my armour and went deep in my flesh. They yell and scream as I bleed.
I can't move at all. Their weight is too much and my armour is in the process of destruction.
I'm frozen in place as they begin to eat me.

=His eyes drop down to his lap at this news. He draws a long breath, thinking. He exhales and nods=

He has a way of getting into trouble

Even though I had said be on guard

Alright, you work on decrypting. Take a few of my tech junkies it will make your job easier. When you figure out what the information is, you tell me or at the very least have Atlas message me.

--Haven, Alpha Base--

*Mess Sergeant*
Enjoy your lunch Admiral.

(Jason)
Thanks Mess Sergeant.
=Tray in hand, I shuffled out of the line and towards a free table. Along the way, one or two soldiers stopped walking to salute me, and one even stood up from their table to salute. Good grief, was I destined to a never ending life of being saluted?=

Price of gaining rank Jason.
=With that less than encouraging thought, I sat down and dug into my food, checking now and then at the data-pad I brought with me. In particular, I was checking over the progress reports of one of Miranda's latest projects for Vigil: stealth ships. Our very own prowlers, all based off the design of my ship, Serenity, though none of them were going to have that civilian feel to them=

(Deniv)
=i salute again=
Thank you, Dante.

=i started to head back to the room, along the way picking up a few tech experts who can help us decrypt the information. A few minutes later, we all make it to the room. I open the door to let everyone in=
Guys, we have help now.

(Punikav)
=i glance behind me and smile=
Finally. Any of you want to get started?

"Yeah. We'll hook up our computers and get started. How much have you gotten done?"

Not much. We take turns on it, so we have constant work going, but we've gotten almost nowhere.

"That's fine. It's not about time put in, it's about how it's done."

(Burk)
That's what I thought. You owe be 7 credits, Punikav.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll pay you once I get my next paycheck."

=the techies all hooked up to the main computer system and started working. Progress was made a lot faster, but it was still going slowly=

=He brings his hand to his head and holds it for some time. He removes it=

Thank you, Atlas.

*Of course*

=His form fades and the bridge returns to it's former life=

(Jason)
=Despite the mess hall being packed with troops, eating there proved to be a lonely experience for me, if you can believe it. I guess no one wanted to eat at the same table as the Admiral, though that was understandable. It wasn't like I was one of them, one of the 'grunts.' They were probably afraid of me or something. After all, I didn't really look like a normal human, standing at just over 6 ft tall, with streaks of silver running across my skin, and the same color dominating my eyes. However, there was a sudden sound behind me, and someone sat down at my table, on my right=

(Conner)
Afternoon Admiral.

(Jason)
Lieutenant Conner, good to see you. How's guard duty working for ya?

(Conner)
=I shrugged=
Good enough. Fatet's been behaving, and the trainers are appreciating his help.

(Jason)
So no issues?

(Conner)
None except for the day we met, sir.

(Jason)
Glad to hear it. Actually, good thing you're here, saves me the trouble of finding you.

(Conner)
=I turned my head towards him and raised a brow=
Something you need to discuss sir?

(Jason)
Yes. You're being reassigned from guard detail. I'm putting you in charge of Alpha Team.

(Conner)
=Both eyebrows shot up in surprise=
Alpha Squad? I thought that squad was being filled with the best.

(Jason)
You saying you're not the best?

(Conner)
No sir. But, I'm good, but good enough to lead a squad?

(Jason)
I trust you Conner. Besides, your record speaks for itself. You've received top marks from your academy training, including battlefield tactics, adapting to new scenarios. You've got strong leadership skills, and the men here at Alpha Base trust you. What's more, if I remember correctly, you used to be in the UNSC before coming here. You've got experience, and the skills behind it. I need you in charge of this squad Conner.

(Conner)
=I was silent for a few seconds, carefully thinking about this. But I knew what I had to say=
Thank you Admiral. I accept.

(Fatet)

=Okay, I was getting pissed off. They were trying their hardest, I'll give them that, but effort alone won't win a war.
I look at the trainer.=

"Tell Number 4 to hit the target."

Trainer: Number 4! Hit the damn target!

"Tell number 2 to stop fucking around and aim his damn weapon."

Trainer: Number 2! Stop fucking around and aim your goddamn weapon!

=It was a little odd, having him relay my commands, and was bugging me a little. I had to resist threatening to shove their weapons up their arses when they weren't aiming correctly.

I watch for about half an hour longer, before seeing number 2 lower his weapon for the umpteenth time.=

"NUMBER 2! AIM THAT FUCKING RIFLE OR I WILL BEAT YOU SENSELESS WITH IT."

=The range goes quiet, everyone, including the trainer is looking at me or Number 2.=

"Fuck it. Carry on."

=I look at the trainer again.=

"If number 2 lowers his weapon, give him a 200 meter sprint. If he doesn't sprint, make him run it again. I need a drink."

=I turn and walk away, ignoring the guards flanking me.=

(Jason)
Good to hear. You'll meet with the rest of your squad by tomorrow. For now, I suggest you return to your quarters and read the personnel files I'll be sending your way. I want you to know about your team before you meet them.

(Conner)
Understood, sir.
=I stood and saluted, then headed out of the mess hall, headed for the barracks=

Some shoving, roaring continued above me. Fighting over me while keeping me down at the same time. Some clawed on me.
Others bite at me. But the one holdng me down seemed bigger then most and sorta protecting me. I'm his kill, his food.

The beasts are so savage they practically kill each other for their food. Although I can't blame them.
Allowed out of the house only once in a couple years. Surviving on food that they... Am I feeling bad for them?
I'm I'm I'm... I'm going to die right here, right now. Tonight. And by these wretched things. Damn. Not how I wanted to go.

Then, from no where. A voice popped into my head. Obviously not mine.

Hey! Get back here! Stop foolin' around and help me.

I'm shocked immediantly. I haven't heard her since she died. Am I going insane? Or am I just at that point?
I don't care either. Just hearing her voice is enough to get me going again. Even if its only a memory of a long forgotten mission.
In one quick motion, I knock the creature on top of me off by punching his leg. Then I flung myself up on my feet.
Several pounced. I just run forward again, now that the path had been cleared. I duck under the one that had been in the way.

I jump down the entire flight of stairs and by that time I realized they got my leg pretty good. I fall to the ground with crippling pain.
Out of self pity I crawl to the Forge but after a couple seconds I stand up. Wanting to scream and shout from the pain it had caused me.
But I need to survive, so I suck it up and run into the hallway that leads to the forge. With a click of a button a door slides out of the wall.
Closing off the creatures for now. At least until morning. But the banging begins immediately...