Halo_ The Fall of Reach - Eric Nylund [124]
isolated from REACH DOC NET. Item:Covenant ships detected on inbound Slipstream vector intersecting Bay Gamma-9. Conclusion:Unsecured navigation data on theCircumference detected by Covenant forces. Conclusion: VIOLATION OF THE COLE PROTOCOL. IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED.
/end file/
He replayed the distress call from Reach’s groundside FLEETCOM HQ.
“ . . . They’ve breached the perimeter. Fall back! Fall back! If anyone can hear this: the Covenant is groundside. Massing near the armory . . . they’re—”
The Master Chief copied these files and sent them over his squad’s COM channel. They had a right to know everything, too.
There was only one reason the Covenant would launch a ground invasion: to take out the planetary defense generators. If they succeeded, Reach would fall.
And there was only one reason why the Covenant wanted the shipCircumference —to plunder its NAV database—and find every human world, including Earth.
Captain Keyes appeared on the view screen. He held his pipe in one hand, squeezing it so tight his knuckles were white. “Master Chief, I believe the Covenant will use a pinpoint Slipspace jump to a position just off the space dock. They may try to get their troops on the station before the Super MAC guns can take out their ships. This will be a difficult mission, Chief. I’m . . . open to suggestions.”
“We can take care of it,” the Master Chief replied.
Captain Keyes’ eyes widened and he leaned forward in his command chair. “How exactly, Master Chief?”
“With all due respect, sir, Spartans are trained to handle difficult missions. I’ll split my squad. Three will board the space dock and make sure that NAV data does not fall into the Covenant’s hands. The remainder of the Spartans will go groundside and repel the invasion forces.”
Captain Keyes considered this. “No, Master Chief, it’s too risky. We’ve got to make sure the Covenant doesn’t get that NAV data. We’ll use a nuclear mine, set it close to the docking ring, and detonate it.”
“Sir, the EMP will burn out the superconductive coils of the orbital guns. And if you use thePillar of Autumn ’s conventional weapons, the NAV database may still survive. If the Covenant search the wreckage—they may obtain the data.”
“True,” Keyes said, and tapped his pipe thoughtfully on his chin. “Very well, Master Chief. We’ll go with your suggestion. I’ll plot a course over the docking station. Ready your Spartans and prep two dropships. We’ll launch you—” he consulted with Cortana “—in five minutes.”
“Aye, Captain. We’ll be ready.”
“Good luck,” Captain Keyes said, and snapped off the view screen. Luck. The Master Chief always had been lucky. He’d need luck more than ever this time. He turned to face the Spartans . . . his Spartans. They stood at attention. Kelly stepped forward. “Master Chief sir, permission to lead the space op, sir.” “Denied,” he said. “I’ll be leading that one.” He appreciated her gesture. The space operation would be ten times more dangerous than the ground op. The Covenant would outnumber them ten to one—or more—but the Spartans were used to taking the
fight against numerically superior enemies. They had always won on the ground. The extraction of theCircumference database, however, would be in vacuum and zero gravity—and they
might have to fight their way past a Covenant warship to reach the objective. Not exactly ideal conditions. “Linda and James,” he said. “You’re with me. Fred, you’re Red Team Leader. You’ll have tactical
command of the ground operation.” “Sir!” Fred shouted. “Yes, sir.” “Now make ready,” he said. “We don’t have much time left.” The Master Chief regretted his unfortunate choice of words. The Spartans stood a moment. Kelly called out, “Attention!” They snapped to and gave the Master Chief
a crisp salute. He stood straighter and returned their salute. He was intensely proud of them all. The Spartans scattered and gathered their gear, racing for the dropship bay. The Master Chief