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THE IMPOSSIBLE LIFE AND

THE POSSIBLE DEATH OF

PRESTON J. COLE

* * *

ERIC NYLUND

PLNB TRANSMISSION XX08 7R-XX

ENCRYPTION CODE: GAMMA-SHIFT-X-RAY

PUBLIC KEY: N/A

FROM: CODENAME SURGEON

TO: CODENAME USUAL SUSPECTS

SUBJECT: HISTORICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF

COLE, PRESTON J.

CLASSIFICATION: EYES ONLY, CODE-WORD FALCON FORTY

TOP SECRET

SECURITY OVERRIDE: BLACK LEVEL-IV

GHOST SEVER FILE-TRANSFER PROTOCOL (EXACTION): TRUE

AI-TOUCH PROTOCOL (VERACITY): FALSE

/FILE EXTRACTION-RECONSTITUTION COMPLETE/

/START FILE/

The purpose of this analysis is to find the final resting place of Preston J. Cole (UNSC Service Number: 00814-13094-BQ) for what I surmise to be the answer to the political, sociological, and military conundrum the UNSC now faces with the post–Covenant War situation.

Please spare me the plausible denials and “need to knows” about the reason for requesting this analysis.

I know.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t have asked me in the first place.

To ascertain if such a final resting place even exists, or if the redoubtable Cole rests at all, is not a straightforward query, and I’m afraid my analysis will be less than straightforward as well.

Even if you pierce the veil of propaganda and discount the vast number of Cole’s victories, promotions, and decorations as nothing more than engineered drama to prop up our population’s then-sinking morale—Preston Cole still has an unparalleled battle record . . . even far and away more impressive than the legendary Spartan-IIs. He was the greatest hero in modern times, a legend before, and in spite of, our meddling.

I shall add commentary for historical context and psychological analysis, but these depend primarily on the available interviews, orders, after-action reports—as well as audio, video, and AI-enhanced holographic bridge and battle logs.

You’ll forgive me if I wax long and poetic about Preston Cole. We knew him, we loved him, and finally we hated him for being the less-than-perfect military god that we had come to depend upon.

Cole would not approve of this report—only because he is the subject of the inquiry. He at least would have understood and, also being a cunning bastard of a military strategist, he would do the same in our shoes.

To quote Cole himself: “They told me to fight, and that’s what I’ve done. Let historians sort through the wreckage, bodies, and broken lives to figure out the rest.”

Which is precisely what I intend to do.

CODENAME: SURGEON.

0900 HOURS, DECEMBER 30, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) \

UNSC POINT OF NO RETURN, SYNCHRONOUS LUNAR ORBIT

(FAR SIDE)

SECTION ONE: COLE’S EARLY LIFE (2470–2488 CE)

* * *

Preston Jeremiah Cole was born to Jennifer Francine Cole and Troy Henry Cole November 3, 2470, in the rural reconstituted township of Mark Twain, Missouri. He was the third child of seven (three sisters and three brothers).

He was described as a precocious child who obeyed his parents, had wild black hair, dark brown eyes, and an unwavering stare that unnerved most teachers and classmates alike.

His father was a dairy farmer with no criminal record, no military background, and followed the Quaker faith with no particular zeal.

His mother was arrested once at the age of twenty-one for protesting taxes (released on one-year parole), and both her grandfathers served in the Rain Forest Wars (one surviving, received the Bronze Star—see attached report on Captain Oliver Franks).

Starting in 2310, exploration and colony ships were built, and the best and brightest people left the safety of the Earth to make their way to the stars. This was the “Golden Age” of colonial expansion from Earth. Within 180 years, the main human colonies had been established—some becoming huge population and commerce centers such as Reach, while others would remain tiny manufacturing outposts. This collection of “close” worlds would later be called the Inner Colonies.

The Inner Colonies provided a surplus of raw goods, materials, and taxes that flooded back to the parent government on Earth. For most it was a time of plenty,