EliteCommander

The Cradle

From Freyr’s perspective, it would be hard to tell how well her message got through. Rareth did not act or react in any way that would indicate acknowledgement nor a response, but it would be hard to say whether that was because the message did not get through successfully, or due to her expertise in matters of subtlety.

Rareth did respond directly to the words Freyr had spoken aloud. “I will trust Marae’s judgment on whether or not this data is worth the risk. Above all, we cannot risk harming this entity. We seek peaceful cooperation with it. Ideally, we want to be able to find a way to inform the entity of our plan to advance it in time. And if we can find a way to help stabilize it, or ask permission to perform our tests, we will.”

In the time they had taken to prepare the object for transport, the Rothian team had also made some improvements to the mobile lab they intended to use for this plan. Antimatter powered micro-reactors could improve the overall energy efficiency of the device, and Nirann had been given the instructions necessary to perform the tasks of several crew members to reduce the number of people they would need to send in to the simulation. Altogether, it would hopefully reduce the impact on the entity. At least in terms of that motivation, Rareth was not lying. If the entity truly was their ally, she did not want to harm it.

“We do, of course, need to take precautions for your safety. We will send in one droid ahead of the team to ensure that the environment in the simulation is still livable. We do not know if the storm we encountered just before our exit has persisted, or how much of an area it covered. If it has, we may need to call this off. Our mobile transit stations have passed all simulated trials, so you should be able to extract quickly if there is trouble. Have you discussed my prior suggestions with your Captain? I would prefer to send in no more than is necessary. Ten or so, would be my recommendation.” Rareth suggested.

The Cradle

“At the very least, we can use the same method we intended to try to bring it to Outremer. A gateway could bring it into orbit, and we could send it on a path for a flyby of the void star. We only need to move it a week ahead in time, so it should be easy to calculate a path that will send it to the correct time with a single flyby.” Rareth explained. “We should not begin the test until we are ready to move it, so we should have a bit more patience and take advantage of the time we have. I suggest you allow Marae’s team to examine this lab of yours. With their expertise, they may be able to make improvements, reduce its energy needs, allow it to operate with fewer crew. If this entity truly is one that is allied with us, we do not wish to cause it any harm.”

---

Given that they needed to be ready to move the object quickly, the teams did not enter the simulation right away. They allowed time for automated construction teams to burrow into the ground and build the needed Class A gateway around the outside of the object’s containment shield. It would be able to transport the object instantly into orbit around the black hole. If they chose, they could even give it the initial velocity it needed to send it on its flyby. Although, it would be preferable to first modify its containment structure with its own propulsion, in case they wanted to modify its trajectory.

Eventually, the teams were close once more to being ready to act. While the rest of the Rothian science team stayed on the ground, Rareth herself decided to pay a personal visit to the Barbarossa, for the stated reason of wanting to better facilitate cooperation between the teams in orbit, and on the surface. For a while after their initial greetings, Rareth simply wandered the lab and observed the work, but as the time came nearer to enter the simulation, she approached Freyr directly. “The time is growing near, but my concerns do remain, Dr. Lang. I have already spoken with Marae about it, but I want to hear your explanation directly as well. This lab we are sending in, what exactly are we hoping to gain with it? What data is it capable of collecting that would tell us the entity’s intentions?”

The Cradle

Rareth narrowed her eyes, staring ahead for a few moments in thought. “I’m not sure how well I can believe that. This object has lasted for eons. If we believe what we learned in our first expedition, then it has been active since long before either of our species even evolved. Millions of years. The probability that we just happen to stumble upon it during its final week is astronomically low. Though, if it were true, why would we be risking this at all? If we were to follow through with this plan, would we not be cutting its time even shorter? What if we ended up destroying this entity? By the way you make it sound, it may not even last the week as it is. Using more of its power seems like it would just make that risk a guarantee. We do need the entity to be able to last long enough for it to reunite with the Cradle, unless…”

At first, Rareth’s thoughts had gone towards ways of potentially giving power to the object to help stabilize it for longer. However, she was no scientist like Marae, and she did not understand enough about the intricacies of the object to make any educated guesses. However, there were other aspects of physics about which she was knowledgeable, and there was one that came to mind which suddenly made her eyes widen. If they could not make the object last longer, then they could make the time required shorter.

“Wait…I think we have an option. The answer may just lie outside your window. Gravitational fields inherently slow the passage of time. On a planet, the effect is near imperceptible, but Rothia orbits the strongest of gravitational fields. We can perform your tests, then move the object into a close orbit around our void star. Depending on the orbit we put it into, what will be a week for us will be mere hours or minutes for the object. It will not need to have the power to last the full week.” Rareth suggested.

The Cradle

The hologram of Rareth before them tilted her head and crossed her arms. “Terraforming? I did not approve that measure. Marae has briefed me on the your prior conversation. I was under the impression that your goal to start was to attempt to make contact with the entity and determine if there is a way to help stabilize it between now and its arrival on Outremer. Attempting such destructive measures, with no evidence that they are safe for the entity or its environment, would be foolish. What would be the point of any of this if we injure or anger the entity before it even arrives at the Cradle? I can approve an investigation, but nothing that may risk our core objective. Do you have any compelling evidence that we will only get one chance?” She asked.

For a moment, Rareth looked away at something out of sight of the Humans. She seemed to be reading something for a few seconds before continuing. “Instead of rushing in headstrong into uncertainty, why don’t we make use of the tools we have? Now that we’ve solved the language issue, we should be able to remotely influence droids in the simulation. They may not be as versatile as going in ourselves, but we have a week to work with, and if we are only going to get once chance regardless, we should use that time. We will not even need a military presence if we use droids. You say this rig you have will only work on terraformed ground? Let Marae’s team see the designs. They may be able to apply their knowledge to remove that restriction. We can try less risky methods in the meantime.”

The Cradle

Now that they were speaking directly about the task ahead, rather than arguing about the conditions of their cooperation, Rareth no longer gave off as much of a threatening aura. As long as they had an understanding, they could focus on the task rather than politics. “If that is the case, we should approach it with caution. Rather than send everyone at once, we can send a smaller team. Perhaps no more than ten, like last time? Five from your team, five from mine. We send them only with what they need to collect data on whether or not it is safe to send more. Everyone else can wait on standby until we can give the all-clear to send in everyone. Or at least more of us.”

The Cradle

Rareth was at the FOB, and while not in the same room as Vreta, she was close enough to send him, and his new partner, a message privately. “I have been speaking with the Humans. They’ve denied my request to move everyone to the surface, as planned. You two should prepare to head into the simulation. You will be the only ones to know the truth, but it should not be necessary to inform the scientists. Your efforts will be more than enough. If the Agent, in particular, is there, you may be able to learn from her. I need to continue to make a show of negotiations, but you should make sure the science team is ready.”

After the Humans had finished speaking among themselves, Rareth spoke up once more with her focus firmly on Freyr. “Dr. Lang, before I can agree, I simply have one question to ask. In your opinion, how many people, total do you believe would be safe to bring into the simulation, considering the state of the being as we observed it during out last expedition?”

The Cradle

Particularly through the hologram, it was hard to read Rareth’s response. Though, when she did finally speak up, it was with just the same calm as she had maintained throughout the conversation. “I feel it is worth mentioning that no one will be entering the simulation until I give the order to modulate the containment shield to permit signal transfer. Indeed, Outremer receiving the object at all is contingent upon you actually fulfilling your agreements. The negotiations between our governments ended with an agreement of full cooperation, and this is not an encouraging start. I would advise against acting in opposition to the treaty negotiated by your superiors. I expect that we will be working together, fully and completely. It’s non-negotiable.”

“For now…” Rareth continued, finally shifting her gaze away from the captain to some of the others that had joined Freyr in the room. “I have seen your Sacred Band fight on multiple occasions. They fought alongside me, with every bit of skill and professionalism I would expect from my own soldiers. They are…perhaps limited by the technology they wield, but as soldiers, I would find them sufficient.” She explained. Certainly, it was high praise from a Datius, considering their usual standards. “If we need to keep the number of beings we send into the simulation to a minimum, while maintaining an equitable presence between our species, then you can send the Sacred Band, and I can send one of my teams. No more will be necessary. Even that may exceed what is needed.”

The Cradle

“What your ‘remote collaboration’ will accomplish is to slow us down unnecessarily.” Rareth replied, still staring firmly at the Captain. “I don’t think you appreciate how efficient Marae’s team can become if allowed to reach an optimal workflow. Many members of both science teams will still be working outside the simulation, and there is no reason for them to remain separate. Those entering the simulation you can leave on your ship if you must, but I am going to have to insist that the rest work as a part of our collective team.”

Neither Rareth nor Freyr could communicate their true intentions to one another, but regardless of what Freyr was trying to do, Rareth felt she could get what she wanted out of this exchange. She had to be firm, but not too firm. Compromise would be the key here. As for the matter of their protection in the simulation, that was a matter that Rareth could speak on without ulterior motives. It was in the best interest of all groups involved that they could ensure their safety within the simulation. “And if we need to remain conscious of the number of people we send inside, then we should send one of my teams in for protection. We can achieve sufficient protection with fewer soldiers.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

The enemy commander was, naturally, the priority, though Vael still had no intention of being trapped in tunnel vision on the target. Running out onto the platform, they were exposed to a lot of angles. While there was cover, and many of the rebels were more concerned with rushing to their evacuation than turning around to attack, there were some soldiers turning their attention turning towards the team. ”Tasuma, cover our flank!” He ordered. The Mgalekgolo would certainly not be able to reach their objective before someone else on Aegis could, so his focus would be more useful on protecting the others.

The rebel leader did not slow his pace as the shots started to ring out around him. Ryker’s attempt to stop him might have worked, but he had more than just Human equipment to rely on. Before Ryker could take his third shot, the bright blue energy field of a Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet powered on to take the bullet, which protected him for the rest of his short run to the pelican. The leader did make it into the troop hold of the dropship, but he did not order takeoff immediately. Other rebels were still rushing in behind him to evacuate, and he did not seem intent on leaving them. Shortly after making into the pelican, he leaned out to give cover to his allies, keeping in cover behind his gauntlet while angling an M319 grenade launcher to fire over it. The grenade came in quick towards the center of the group, then airburst over them. It did not detonate close enough to make any kills, but the EMP effect could effectively drain shields.

The Cradle

Rareth, of course, had been briefed by Roth’Orsa, though Freyr could not have known that. Granted, even if Rareth had not been informed beforehand, she likely would have seen Freyr’s sudden shift in position to be strange. Before, she had been eager to get to work with the Rothian science team and had expressed no reservations about working in their hybrid lab. Now, right after negotiating full cooperation the Human science team was being pulled from shared spaces, forcing them to work almost exclusively remotely. It was quite easy for Rareth to latch on to the issue, and indeed, it would be strange if she did not.

When the Captain came into view, Rareth was stern in her tone. Not angry, specifically, but she wanted there to be no question that she was taking the matter seriously. “Before we can even begin to discuss personnel assignments, we have a problem to deal with. I have no intention to allow my people to be pushed aside. I have questions from my science team wondering why your team has seemingly abandoned the lab. Our peoples have agreed upon full cooperation in this project, yet the first thing that the Human team has done after that negotiation is to refuse to work from anywhere except the one place you fully control. Interestingly, prior to this negotiation, Dr. Lang and her team were quite eager to work together with us on the object, so I would find it rather strange and out-of-character for her to have made this decision on her own. I will say it now that driving a wedge between our respective teams is unacceptable, and is not in-line with our agreements. Now, I do not know that you, specifically, are responsible for this, Captain Andersen, so I would ask if you know who aboard your ship would be responsible for this resistance to our cooperation?”