Zarkun

Halo: Aegis Team

I'm not sure I like where this is going XD

Halo: Aegis Team

I feel that is a very important thing to consider XD

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Making the medic the Team Lead...alright, well, seen stranger things in my life. Lucas hadn't spoken again over the course of the briefing, choosing instead to absorb the information about the mission and only whistling quietly when Shih gave them a holographic look at the sheer size of Sarcophagus. The SPARTAN-IV had been on several missions both inside and on the surface of that Forerunner dome and it always amazed him that they'd pulled off getting it built before originally firing the rings. With the briefing finishing shortly after, and after reassurances that the Flood weren't present within the installation, which Ryker wasn't sure if he believed or not, the team was dismissed with the naming of Aviza as Fire Team Leader. He had no reason to delay heading to the Falcon other than to let the Mgalekgolo get on first.

The Pelican ride was quiet, as no one yet wanted to break the social ice, but then he couldn't say he was surprised. Aviza was likely mentally preparing herself to be in charge in the upcoming mission, the other two Spartans likely SPARTAN-IIIs and weren't keen on conversation anyways and the former Black Ops operative wanted nothing to do with the pair of ONI spooks unless he absolutely had to, he'd left ONI for valid reasons and he wasn't about to answer questions about his past with the Office of Naval Intelligence from people who didn't need to know.

So while they were in transit between the landing pad the Pelican had started on and the UNSC Chorus of Thunder, he simply enjoyed the view. He had decided that he would learn the most about their Swords allies once they had all settled in on the Heavy Cruiser and were able to get some training together in. [i]Actually...they had the module installed already, so maybe we CAN get some training in, perhaps some one on one custom games or something. At the very least, I'm gonna run some combat sims, keep acclimating to this dagger that a Spec Ops Sangheili had given him after a few missions together. Her name was Comi'Masam, one of the leaders for a Swords of Sangheilios Spec Ops squad operating in another part of the Arm of Orion. His previous fire team, Regis, had worked in tandem with them for several months shutting down a series of Covenant Remnant operations and cells. During that time, she'd helped him improve his skill as an assassin and with the twin energy daggers he used and before he'd left, had gifted him a more traditional energy dagger to aid in completing his missions with Aegis team.

While romantic attraction wasn't his cup of tea, the Sangheili female had earned his trust in a way no one since he'd joined ONI had and he considered her a close friend. When Spartan Ops had asked for recommendations for Aegis from his previous post, they had been somewhat surprised that her name was the one he'd put forwards. When asked why he didn't put forwards other members from Regis Team, his answer had been simple. "These are war vets who fought the Covenant for nearly two decades before the War ended. Most of them could barely stand the Spec Ops team and that was a series of joint operations. Asking them to have to take orders from one of them on occasion?" SPARTAN Ops had let the issue lie and said they'd talk with the Swords.

As he felt the Pelican begin to settle down on the hangar deck aboard the Chorus, the SPARTAN-IV flexed his wrist experimentally, igniting the blade of the dagger. "Never get tired of that..." He gave a couple of small swings and thrusts with it before he deactivated it and looked around as the loading ramp lowered. Aviza was first off and headed to the Mess Hall, leaving an open invitation for the others to join her if they wished, but Lucas was sticking to his plan.

"Right, well, you have fun with that Fire Team Leader. I'm heading to the War Games module, get some training in before the mission starts. Gotta get adjusted to some newer equipment and it never hurts to stay sharp."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

The SPARTAN-IV listened to the briefing in silence, absorbing the details and going over them from his experience in the ONI black ops team. Something about this didn't make sense, even with the presented facts. It wouldn't take rocket science to know that the UNSC would investigate the source of the weapons before launching accusations at the Swords, not with the tenuous peace that both sides had already worked so hard to achieve. However, he waited for the rest of the briefing and the additional information, before he spoke up, keeping the specifics of his time with ONI intentionally unmentioned.

"Are we sure that these aren't Remnant? That last attack was messy, and leaving weapons behind intentionally? I don't think they're trying to ramp up tensions, they're testing how the Swords and UNSC respond to it. In my unit before I became a SPARTAN-IV, we did similar tests during the war so we knew response times, what the response teams consisted of and what the best ex filtration routes were with the lowest chance of being spotted or intercepted. We may be walking into something much larger than simple rebels."

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Following the others, Lucas' hand unconsciously fell on the grip of his sidearm as he tapped on the side of it thoughtfully. Being near the end of the group that was trailing after the Major, it gave him a chance to ponder things. Like why ONI has three separate agents assigned to the unit. Where are the ODSTs? The decorated Marines who've gone toe to toe with Brutes and came out to tell the tale? Hell, where are the Navy Captains who's tactical talents alone make a mission possible? I don't like it... Over the course of his internal monologue, not only had they arrived at their proposed location for their briefing, but the Major and Vael'Virisusai managed to clear out the other party who was in the way of their briefing.

Ryker took a moment to watch them all stand to leave, appraising them. He recognized most of them as high ranking officials who primarily focused on making sure that the various budgets were appropriately balanced, which would make them, Bean counters. Of COURSE these are the fuckers who were pissing off the major. Hard to believe that ONI, NAVCOM and UNICOM, and Spartan Ops all hate the same desk jockies. Some things I guess. Following the red armored Sangheili to one side of the table, while he chose to sit, Lucas opted to simply remove his helmet once more and setting it facing the central projection.

"So we're skipping simulated death to go straight to regular death. Sounds like a typical Sunday jaunt for the Spartan Ops. What's the mission?"

Halo: Aegis Team

NEVERMIND. My brain made an autocorrect, had to reread the post XD

Halo: Aegis Team

Spartan Lucas Ryker

Lucas' face tightening was barely discernable to those who didn't know what to look for, but for those who did, the presence of the ONI agent was clearly a stressor for him. While he knew that ultimately the Office of Naval Intelligence would likely send an attache to join the group, the fact that they may have command jurisdiction over the Human aspects of the team were a bit of a concern. And then there was Ben, the last to arrive ahead of the ONI officer and a Spartan himself. He said he was from Epsilon company, but his designation, a name with a phonetic letter and several numbers, indicated either SPARTAN-II or III, though he wasn't sure this team qualified for one of the dying breed of IIs.

Filing away the name of Ben's Company name for review with one of his analyst contacts within ONI, Lucas turned to Vael'Virisusai as the Sangheili mentioned the hated name of what he'd likely faced for at least a week and smiled sadly. "Yes, unfortunately. ONI calls it red tape, I call it a pain in the ass, the Sergeant and his men I worked with before my transfer called it a waste of time. Any way you slice it, bureaucracy is no good for anyone." Taking his Venator helmet out from under his arm, the Irishman secured it over his head and waited until the visor finished booting up to continue speaking.

"Anyways, SPARTAN Command sends their apologies they couldn't spare anyone with more time working with the Swords, sir. As you're aware, the galaxy is facing an interesting time right now so they're needed everywhere they can be spared."

Halo: Aegis Team

I'm getting a response up right now. Please no ninjas XD

Halo: Aegis Team

Poor Lucas left ONI to get AWAY from the Spooks. And now they're being assigned to his new team. Poor bastard XD

Halo: Aegis Team

@EliteCommander I don't have reasons either way for Lucas. He's worked alone and in fire teams, so he can adapt at least.