Halo_ Ghosts of Onyx - Eric S. Nylund [90]
"What about the overwatch?" Fred asked.
"We'll take our best shot at range," Kurt replied. "Hit it with two SPNKr missiles, which
will hopefully weaken its shield enough for Linda to penetrate with a few shots."
"What range?" Linda asked.
"They never get closer than two kilometers," Kurt said.
It wasn't an impossible shot. But given variable winds, a moving target, and trying to
combine fire with missile strikes… it would be highly improbable. Still, Kurt had to try something to get one step ahead of the enemy
Linda considered a moment, then replied, "I have an eighty-three percent accuracy rating at that range."
"Okay," Kurt told Ash, "go. Tom, Lucy, back Saber up, then grab a pair of SPNKr launchers and rendezvous with SPARTAN-058."
His senior NCOs and Ash stood, nodded, and eased out of the hollow.
Kurt got green status light across his display. He shut down the linked single-beam network.
After the SPARTAN-IIIs had left, Kelly said, "Those kids are going to get us killed. They're acting like they have something to prove. We could have taken those Sentinels earlier if they fol-lowed the firing order."
Kurt bristled at her words. Team Saber were his soldiers and
every one of their flaws was his fault. His anger cooled as quickly as it had come. She was right.
In an even voice he told her, "They're not 'kids.' They're Spartans."
Kelly crossed her arms.
Mendez said, "I think, sir, you might want to tell them what we've accomplished here."
Kurt nodded and then explained much of the SPARTAN-III training program, and the creation of Companies Alpha, Beta, and the newly minted Gamma.
"Some of the bioaugmentations are new," Kurt explained. "The SPARTAN-IIIs' normal aggression response has been"—he searched for the right word—"enhanced in situations of extreme stress. It gives them incredible reserves of endurance and makes them near impervious to shock."
"Is that what's making them twitchy?" Kelly groused.
"No one's twitchy," he replied, then fell silent.
Kurt knew he was wrong. Why couldn't he admit it? Was he defensive because he wanted his Spartans to be everything the older Spartans were? Fred, Kelly, and Linda had decades of field experience. As the SPARTAN-III CO he had to stay objective.
"You're right," Kurt said softly. "They are twitchy. And green. What else could they be? Fresh out of boot and thrown up against these Sentinels." He looked to Kelly, to Fred, and then to Linda. "I need your help to make sure they stay in line… and, if possible, survive this."
Linda and Fred slowly nodded.
"Sure thing," Kelly said, uncrossing her arms.
Dr. Halsey looked up from her computer. "I'd like to discuss this 'aggression enhancement,'" she said. "In fact, I have many questions about the SPARTAN-III program, like where is the rest of Gamma Company? And Beta? Or Alpha?"
"Your questions will have to wait, Doctor," Kurt replied. "We're running out of time. Lord Hood's reinforcements may
not get here. Every engagement with the Sentinels teaches them more. Soon we won't be able to stop them."
"I must insist," Dr. Halsey said. Her words were as placid as smooth water, but her steely eyes bored through Kurt's helmet.
Fred stepped closer to Kurt. "I agree with Kurt, ma'am. And if I might point out, with all due respect, you are not in any position to demand anything in this tactical situation— especially after you kidnapped Kelly, circumvented the chain of command, and left us in the middle of a critical mission on the Gettysburg."
Kelly looked between them, caught in a conflicting web of loyalties.
Dr. Halsey stood. "I have already explained my actions," she said. "And the discovery of this new Forerunner technology should outweigh any so-called breach of military protocol that may have been committed."
A frosty silence filled the hollow.
Dr. Halsey had no official rank, but had always wielded considerable influence over her
Spartans.
That had to end.
Kurt valued her scientific expertise and intellect, but he couldn't have her issuing
confusing or