The Spartans were the first to look in the direction of Katyusha, before looking back at Lorenzo as if expecting him not to answer. To their surprise, he did, even in his frustrated state. He was impressed with the girl, and equally impressed by the fact at how calm she was compared to the... others. "My child... the Cruxi have technology that surpasses ours on every level. Imagine this, firing scorching hot plasma beams capable of laying down tracking beacons at the same time... Well, unfortunately for us, this is what they did to the latest transport. However, it wouldn't have been a problem... but... it would appear that the Cruxi had an idea of this facility's existence, just not its location. But now they do, and now we are leaving. Simple as that. Hopefully we can leave before they can get within range of this planet, or else I can't guarantee the safety of your lives," chugging down the rest of his wine, Lorenzo motioned for his Spartans to continue speaking for him. "Hence why we are here," spoke the one who was presumably the one in charge of the Spartan squad. "You're expendable... but you're not entirely expendable to the point that we're letting Cruxi get you. No human deserves a death that the Cruxi can grant..." the Spartan looked down at Katyusha, "...especially a kid." It was at this point that the Spartan looked at Lorenzo, as if asking for permission to answer Leo and Drake's question for Lorenzo. After getting a subtle nod, he continued, this time shaking his head as if wondering just how stupid these kids were. "Sorry kids, but you are not ready for the Cruxi. At least, not yet. Having you go out, especially in one of [i]our[/i] Frameworks that we built would be a large waste of future potential and resources. Of course, not you, but mostly the Framework. We still have uses for you and we can't have you throwing your lives for something stupid like revenge or some hidden agenda," finished the Spartan as he cracked his neck and stared at them all. "We've read everything about you. We [i]know[/i] everything about you, and we honestly couldn't care less how you feel, but you are not fighting Cruxi. You are going to follow protocol and get to the Izanagi with Lorenzo and the other scientists before they arrive. If you don't like it... well, too bad. You're not going to have a choice in the matter." "Well said," murmured Lorenzo as he threw his wine bottle towards the corner before smiling as if he just heard a masterpiece in action. Nodding towards the exit he walked out into the corridor, "Time to go, my children. We are to reach the hangar on the other side and meet up with my good friend Boris... I'm sure you'll like him. The Spartans will ensure that you don't wander off and to make sure you are all safe, they are elites after all," muttered Lorenzo as he took out his gun for safety precautions, making sure it was loaded and ready in case he himself had to use it against Cruxi. ---- [b][i]Elsewhere...[/i][/b] "How are the evacuation procedures going?" spoke a young female officer as she continued working at the command center of the facility, he fingers running over the keyboard rapidly as they could as sweat fell from her face. "They're still underway... but I don't know. I'm more concerned on how the Cruxi were able to send such a massive response fleet in such little time," another man was at his post, checking in on the planetary defenses before turning back towards his superior officer, "Do you think we can hold them back for everyone to escape?" "We have to. The sake of Humanity lies within this place and all the research we have gathered. Once protocols have been taken, and Lorenzo along with all the information that the scientists have gathered are taken to him are safe, we will begin evacuation of all officers, Spartans, Omegas, and the Banshees." "But it was clear that we had a spy in our organization! The Cruxi knew!" "That is what the Grand Purge is for. All the scientists here made an oath and decided it to be best, and proposed it to Doctor Lorenzo. While he himself didn't like the idea, he decided it was the best in case a situation like this ever came up, for we all know despite how mad Lorenzo is, he's the only one who would never sell out Humanity no matter what." "Yeah... I suppose that's-" Suddenly, the young man's attention was cut off as he was drawn to something else on the monitors. He choked as he read what they had said, praying that they were not true... but unfortunately they were. "Ma'am... Two of the fleets have broken off and are accelerating at an increased pace... I... I'm not sure what it is they're doing! I think they're planning to jump here right now!" "That's impossible... n-nothing is that precise..." spoke the female officer as she raised her head. "No... I don't think they care at all about precision, Ma'am... I believe they're just planning on getting here and keep us grounded until the final fleet can make it and clean us up. Ma'am! What do we do?!" Without a second thought, the female commanding officer immediately slammed her fist over the intercom and spoke to the entire facility. "Attention all members! Two Cruxi fleets have are currently warping here, it is unknown what they are planning by such actions but we believe that they are planning to buy time by causing whatever chaos they can so that a third fleet can arrive safely with even greater numbers. All staff members are to quickly evacuate as of this moment with the pilots! Spartans, Omegas, and Banshees are to prepare for whatever may be coming down while the planetary defenses are to be ready this instant! The Yamaguchi along with Captain Kobono will be doing his best to prevent as many Cruxi as he can from landing on the planet, while also protecting us as we escape. Time is of the essence people! Hurry up!"