EliteCommander

The Cradle

It was particularly easy for Rhia to avoid reacting to 595, given that she was wearing a full helmet. She did realize that she was not acting quite as Vreta would, but the mission came first. Currently, she had no intention of stopping the coupling between the Object and the Cradle, but gaining information and establishing contact with the Entity was a priority. In truth, she disagreed with keeping them apart for as long as they had, but at least once they were at the headquarters, they would be able to get started.

“If you can, try to help re-establish communications once you’re back at the Vault.” Rhia recommended, speaking to Girard. “If we can transit back, that must mean the other team has succeeded in re-capturing the Bridge. Perhaps try re-routing comms through there? Whatever is happening, it seems that we’re no longer in control of comms through GCHQ.”

In any case, Rhia boarded the train after Freyr. She supposed there might be a good chance soon for her to give control back to Vreta. It would be jarring for him to be brought back into consciousness, so she would have to make sure the others would not pick up on it.

The Cradle

It was difficult for Rhia to evaluate the situation, given how much information was obscured from her. Given the dangers that had presented themselves, standard procedure would be to evacuate and attempt to evaluate the situation from a safe distance. However, she was doubtful that her mission could be completed with that approach. Not to mention, there was something not adding up about what information they were receiving. Vreta would probably want to err on the side of caution…but Vreta was not here right now.

An attack on the headquarters back in the real world, while not impossible, would be difficult to pull off. If it had been entirely overrun, then their bodies would not be safe. There would be no reason to allow them to remain in the simulation when they could simply disconnect them physically. That would imply that their bodies were still being protected, but in that case, why had they suddenly stopped receiving communications? Even if she was in the middle of a firefight, Rareth’s implants should be able to handle simple communications. Evacuation orders had gotten through, but then apparently nothing else? It felt too convenient. If there was something controlling their communications, then they could not trust what they had been told.

“You said it yourself, something in the Cradle could be controlling our comms. We do not know if there has even been an attack. My task is to make contact with the entity, and there seems to be something trying to prevent that. It is too convenient that evacuation orders would reach us, but then literally nothing else.” Rhia responded.

The Cradle

Rhia could not help but to feel that something that was strange about the situation. There was supposedly an attack at the headquarters outside the simulation, at what was certainly the most secure facility on Outremer. There were many layers of security that would need to be breached, so the implications of pretty much any of the possibilities she was thinking of were unsettling.

“Rareth’Jharn is still out there. She would be able to defend us against anything short of full-scale military action. You have many layers of security, so it would take a truly overwhelming force to break through your security in such a short time, unless it was sent by your own government. I find it strange that we’re not getting more details on this apparent attack.” Rhia remarked. She could patch in to the comm channel as well, so she made her own attempt at contact with the outside. Specifically, Rareth. “Datius, do you read? What is the status of the headquarters?”

Additionally, Rhia also continued performing a threat analysis of the area. Now that they had escaped the battle above, she needed to determine when it would be safe to return control to Vreta.

The Cradle

Rhia stayed up top, firing on any infected in sight to cover the civilians while they jumped down into the underground level beneath them. It was a fair drop down, but not enough that it should be dangerous for an unassisted Human, barring an unlucky landing. In any case, Rhia waited until the others had made it below before dropping down herself.

Hopefully, the subterranean route would at least let them make the rest of the way to their destination uninterrupted, though there was no way to ensure their safety. At the very least, Rhia’s echolocation would work exceptionally well in an underground tunnel, so she would receive ample warning on any approaching threats. She checked the route 595 had given them and tried to estimate how likely it was they would arrive in time.

“We cannot afford any more delays. What are our transportation options?” Rhia asked.

Halo: Aegis Team

Major Alice Robinson, Ethat 'Lacalu, and UNSC AI SHI 1203-8

---

Ethat hummed, exchanging a glance with Major Robinson. ”Possibly. Our informant did identify a Covenant zealot Uztel contacted. He is now overseeing the mining operations on the planet personally. He is not in the keep, so he was not vital for the mission, but I would rather ensure he does not return to the Covenant. He has shown himself as being devious and resourceful, so it would be a victory to deny Jul ‘Mdama his service.”

”You and I can discuss that idea in detail on the ship.” Robinson said to Ethat before returning her attention to Aegis. ”As I have said, Aegis team’s mission is straightforward. You will deploy the communications jammer, disable the anti-air cannon, then return to the ship to join the assault. However, timing is crucial.” Robinson turned the group’s attention to the point of interest in geosynchronous orbit on the hologram. ”We have learned that the Covenant has installed a small listening station here to cover gaps in sensory coverage from their fleet’s position on the other side of the planet. They believe it is hidden, which we will use to our advantage. Our fleet will approach the planet in stealth, but we will allow it to be detected by this listening station. The Covenant will likely believe they have discovered our plan and send their ships to intercept. Or at least, they will have to send enough that our Blockade Runner will be able to make it to the surface undetected. It will set down some distance from the keep, outside sensor range. It is vital that neither the ship, nor your team, be detected before the communications jammer is deployed.”

Once again, Shih’s avatar appeared in the middle of the table. ”I will be operating the jamming program personally. At first, I will only keep its range limited to the anti-air cannon, but while your team is working on the first objective, I’ll be listening in on transmissions between the keep and the Covenant fleet. Once we begin the attack on the keep, I’ll extend the jammer’s range, as well as mimicking normal transmissions up to the fleet above. Essentially, I’ll be pretending to be the keep, as far as the fleet is concerned. That should buy you time to carry out the attack, but I won’t be able to keep up the deception forever, so try not to take too long to finish the coup.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Major Alice Robinson and Ethat 'Lacalu

---

Major Robinson brought up an intelligence report on Uztel ‘Mdalak and quickly distributed it to Aegis team. [color=violet]”Unfortunately, we have good reason to believe that trying to take advantage of Uztel’s honor or pride will not work in this case.”[/violet]

”He has neither…” Ethat briefly interjected.

”Our psychological profile of Uztel suggests that he will prioritize his own safety. Whether by the Covenant’s instructions, or his own choice, he has not followed usual patterns of Sangheili behavior. There are means by which he could have challenged his brother legally. Either by challenging him in combat, or even by sending an assassin for the Kaidon to fight. In either case, failure would have meant his own death, so there would have been risk for him. The kind of trick he used to depose his brother would be seen as cowardly among the population. We do believe his rule is untenable in the long-term, but the Covenant will have what they want from the planet by then. The Major explained.

Ethat nodded, letting out a slight, low growl. ”Yes, his cowardice will destroy him in time, but we need him removed now. Uztel is a young, inexperienced warrior, and he knows he is no match for his sister. He will use any excuse he can to avoid fighting her. The only way he fights is if we break down the doors of his keep and force him to pick up a blade.”

The Major zoomed out the projection to once more show the planet as a whole, as well as highlighting the fleet in orbit, and another point of interest in geosynchronous orbit on the opposite side of the planet. ”Spartan Ryker is correct that your team alone will not be able to carry out a frontal assault. This is why the Swords of Sanghelios are dedicating a small fleet to this operation. Though, our aim is not to destroy the enemy fleet. Now that the Covenant have established themselves here, Uztel has joined his planet’s military with the Covenant’s forces, and they are…honor-bound, as they might say, to follow those orders. Many of the ships, and the mining platforms, are being operated by Uztel’s forces. If Commando Tar becomes Scion, they will then be bound to follow her orders. There will still be fighting afterwards from ‘Mdama loyalists, but we believe there is enough support for the Arbiter on Brissekh for the Swords to retain most of the fleet and mining infrastructure. Your mission, Aegis, will be twofold. The Covenant have installed heavy anti-air cannons in the mountains near to the keep, but only the largest needs to be disabled, as it is the only one capable of destroying our Blockade Runner in time. Your team will insert nearby, deploy a communications jammer, then move to disable the largest cannon. Once that is done, you will be able to return to the ship to be dropped, along with reinforcements and armored support, right at the keep’s front gate. That will bypass most of the outer defenses and give you a straight shot at Uztel.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Ethat 'Lacalu

---

”Save your fury!” Ethat snapped back at Tar, though he quickly returned to a calm demeanor. ”You will need it. We have a spy among Jul ‘Mdama’s ranks who learned of a deal on Brissekh before it happened, though he was in no position to stop it. The Covenant were preparing their mining platforms before the coup even took place. There are many on Brissekh who suspect Uztel’s treachery, but it cannot be proven, and our spy cannot reveal himself. Immediately after seizing power, Uztel used Covenant forces to seize control over the smaller states on Brissekh, bringing the planet under his rule.”

Ethat zoomed the display in to Mdalak keep itself, along with the surrounding area. ”Our goal is straightforward, but does rely heavily upon you, Commando Tar ‘Mdalak. If Uztel is killed, or otherwise dishonored and removed, then you will be your father’s sole remaining heir. You will gain the rank of Scion, and you will have the right to administer Mdalak keep. The Arbiter has more support on Brissekh than Jul ‘Mdama. It is not enough for them to be willing to act against their rightful Kaidon, but you have a legitimate claim to the keep as well. If you declare your allegiance to the Arbiter, we believe there will be enough willing to follow you…once Uztel is deposed. You are female, so he will likely use that as an excuse to refuse a direct challenge of combat from you, so we will have to force him into battle.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai, Major Alice Robinson, UNSC AI SHI 1203-8, Ethat 'Lacalu

---

For the members of Aegis team, there were several more hours of waiting in which they were free to do as they pleased, but once they were called to duty, they all quickly returned to HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6. Many of the members of Aegis team from the previous mission were here, though Vael did note that the team was smaller than before. Some, it seemed, had not been recalled after being reassigned.

The team was led to a secure room on one of the upper floors for their briefing. Last time, due to his rank, Vael had been the one to coordinate administrative concerns with the Humans, but as Vael had been fighting in the field for months, that task had fallen to another. For Vael, it suited him fine to be able to focus more on his missions than dealing with ONI.

Vael had, at least, been briefed on the changes to his duties and the command structure of Aegis team. When they entered the briefing room, they were met with both a familiar face, Major Alice Robinson, as well as her Swords counterpart Commander Ethat ‘Lacalu. From what Vael knew, he was a veteran of multiple wars much like Vael, though he was a younger warrior than himself. However, he had more of a mind for political matters than Vael, so it suited him just fine to relinquish some of those responsibilities to him. Ethat had previously been an officer in the Anvil Initiative, a cross-species training and evaluation program between the UNSC and Swords of Sangheilios. It and Aegis team both existed under the umbrella of Project: CRUCIBLE.

Ethat did draw Vael’s eye as he entered the room. His armor was unusual, like nothing Vael had seen before. It appeared to be Human-made, but crafted specifically for a Sangheili. Nevertheless, Vael cared more for focusing on the task at hand. As soon as the team was gathered, Major Robinson wasted no time in starting the briefing.

”Aegis team, I hope you’ve already handled the reunions, because we need to move fast on this one.” The Major began right away. ”Jul ‘Mdama’s Covenant is expanding and pushing more aggressively, and we have a mission to slow them down. However, it’s more complicated than just hitting a target, which is why we need Aegis. Shih…” She said, gesturing to the holo-projector on the table between them all.

The AI that had been attached to the team had made a return as well, it seemed. Her avatar appeared at the end of the table before she brought up a projection of a lush, mostly undeveloped colony world. “With their increased expansion, the Covenant has been pushing to secure resources to fuel that aggression. Most of the established manufacturing and mining centers are either well-defended, or already contested. This is Brissekh, a relatively young Sangheili colony world. Until recently, the Kaidon of the predominant state, Falx ‘Mdalak, was a firm ally of the Arbiter. However, a recent coup has shifted the planet’s allegiance to Jul ‘Mdama’s Covenant. Now, there is a Covenant fleet in orbit that has flown in a large number of Scarab-class excavators to to strip mine more remote sections of the planet. Normally, our goal would be to neutralize the mining platforms, but discussions with the Swords have opened up other options.”

The Swords representative, Ethat, brought up the dossier of the planet’s new Kaidon. “On most Sangheili worlds, a keep’s Kaidon is elected by a council of elders, but for smaller colonies, like Brissekh, the position can be passed through bloodlines. The new Kaidon is Uztel ‘Mdalak, the youngest son of Tarkr ‘Mdalakai. We believe he formed an alliance in secret with the Covenant, then led his elder brother into an ambush where he was either captured or killed. Now, Uztel is Tarkr’s sole remaining heir…save for one.” He explained, casting his gaze across the table straight at Tar ‘Mdalak.

The Cradle

The team had stabilized their situation, but only for the moment. The hostiles who had ambushed them had been neutralized in their immediate area, but the convoy itself was still under fire, and these infected seemed to be an indiscriminate threat to everyone. They had a window to get to safety right now, so they had to make sure to act on it.

“Whether or not we’re in the sim ourselves, it would be a poor idea to try and fight what the Object wants to do. It may well be far more capable than either of us know, and it may be fighting for its survival.” Rhia remarked. She had her own views on these Cradle objects, but she did not expect that their behavior when facing destruction would be remarkably different from any other lifeform. If they were an obstacle to its survival, she did not expect it to simply accept death.

Rhia moved her rifle to her off-hand and held it underarm with one hand, continuing to fill the air with bursts of plasma to hold back the infected. At the same time, she drew her pistol and started to fire on those that were moving to flank them. “Yes, the builder retreated underground, without their suit. I spotted a garage and a rail line while I was down there. Does anyone have city schematics to know where it leads?”

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

Again, Vael could not help but to feel irritation at the amount of attention he suddenly found on himself. Were all of these people looking for him, or each other? He had no grievances with working alongside them, but they were not on a mission at this moment. Still, he did not voice most of his thoughts. This was not his world, and it did provide an opportunity for him to learn more about how he could expect his allies to behave. When their missions brought them to Sangheili worlds, he would need to instruct them on what would be expected of them.

”Is it customary to crowd a guest in his quarters?” Vael remarked as he once again locked up his storage container. Now properly armored, he moved himself past the others towards the open door. ”If so many of us are here, I do not expect it will be long before we are called for the briefing. If you have somewhere you want to bring me, Spartan Ryker, then I will follow you for now. Otherwise, I will wait in your military’s headquarters.”