Prologue
UNSC Corrupter/ 0102 Hundred Hours/ Emergency Bay Alpha 4/ December 27th, 2551
Lieutenant Ryan Calvin caught his balance as the ship lurched backwards. “Three weeks ago I was in paradise. Now I’m out here about to die.” he whispered to himself, running from the engine room. From what he could tell this wasn’t the average mission they had been promised, but rather one filled with misery and deceit every step of the way. “God damm ONI!” he yelled, turning the corner towards the elevator. Explosions rippled around him, sending sparks and debris flying. As he ran towards the ships elevator, the only way to the bridge, and to his dear Captain. The man he had trusted his life with. a burst of fire erupted from the vent in the ceiling! Bits of glass and metal spewed out, slicing up his body. The white walls where now stained with black.
“Starboard thrusters out! We have no time, we need to Evac now! ! The ships reactor is in critical meltdown! We must get off!” Ryan yelled at the top of his lungs into his mike. “Sir I can’t reach you, the elevator is down, we must get off!”
The captain replied to him sternly. “If those Covenant bastards think I’m going to hand over this ship they can all go to the fires of hell below us! I will not lose this ship to the enemy!”
“Lieutenant take as many people with you planet side, you have a better chance there than in the tiny piece of Titanium!”
“Sir there is no time we can’t save the ship!” The Frigate jolted hard sending Ryan off his feet in the small, cramped corridor! He smashed his head the steel walls, sending him onto his back. Grogginess came over him. The light fixtures above fell down around him, the hallway went dark.
Ryan heard a crackle in his com. “We just lost our Port side engine, ships in freefall. All crew abandon ship, ships A.I initiate self destruction procedures.”
Ryan’s stomach churned, the only thing below them was that cold planet, with no sign of rescue, the covenant would surely get them before the elements did. He thought of the horror stories he had been told of survivors rescued from the covenant, the previous P.O.W.s came back changed, their bodies deformed. Ryan felt around the small corridor, grabbing the door controls he got to his feet. Feeling for the emergency lights.
He entered a series of numbers onto one of the panels lining the walls. A door near the panel opened reveling an escape pod. The ships alarm was sounding, echoing through Ryan’s ears. Then CRACK, the sound of static popped in his com, making his ears like to bleed.
“Ryan!?” the voice yelled. “Ryan it’s Gabe come back! Where are you?! Ryan hello?! We are out of the ship! Did you make it?!” Ryan couldn’t reply, the jolt to his head made him drowsy. “Ryan!”
Ryan slouched in the seat, as the door sealed shut behind him, in front of him sat several panels. He entered the coordinates of the icy planet below. Slipping into black he felt the small pod lurch from the ship.. Escaping the burning wreckage that awaited the planet bound piece of steel. Lieutenant Calvin could hear the screams of his fellow crewman trapped inside the ship over the Com, as he looked out watching three Covenant cruisers move towards his crippled ship. The place he had called home for so many years. His head began to throb, and Ryan began to lose his vision. Ryan’s eyes closed, the blackness of space becoming closer to him.
Chapter 1
Reach/ Pelican Drop ship Echo 487/ Enrout to UNSC Corrupter November 27th, ,2551 “What’s wrong with you? I haven’t seen you this down since that shelah girl dumped you a year back.” Gabe said as he made his way towards the back of the pelican. Ryan sat there in the uncomfortable metal seat. It had been a hot day on Reach, but finally getting some rest and relaxation had been good for both of them.
Ryan looked up at him and grinned. “Easy Sergeant, remember who your talking to.” he replied
Gabe stepped back. “I’m sorry sir, I do apologize.” An awkward silence entered the rear of the ship. Finally Ryan couldn’t hold it back any longer and began to bust out laughing.
Gabe looked at him funny then in one motion sat down next to him, hitting him in the chest. “why you gotta hate.” he said laughing.
Ryan looked at him. “You should start respecting the rank.” he said standing going towards the cockpit of the ship. The pelican bounced making Ryan catch his balance, throwing his hand out he caught the wall of the drop ship.
Gabe sat back in the seat, watching his friend intent on making it to the two pilots.. “Still hate flying huh?” he chuckled, this was truly a funny site.
Ryan looked back at him. “You still a virgin?” he yelled back at him, laughing as he opened the cockpit door.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Knock! Knock! Commander Julius Mendoza looked up from his desk. The sound had startled him, as he reclined in his office chair. Julius sat the book down on his oak desk. “Enter.” he mumbled, getting up from his desk. He moved quickly to the bar, opening the minifridge that sat in the corner of his office. The office was at ONI’s western research lab. A huge skyscraper, that was one of the cities tallest. Mendoza had the corner office, and was making a comfortable living doing things the public, or even most of the UNSC military didn’t need to know about.
A rather thin man walked in, briefcase handcuffed to his left hand. He saluted, his boots clicking against the Commanders wooden floors. “The launch codes as you requested sir.” he said Looking around the huge working quarters. The office its self was furnished, and several prints of Leonardo lined the walls. A baclk leather couch sat near the door, and towards the center was the Commander’s huge oak desk, papers scattered about.
Mendoza approached him. Giving him the key to the handcuffs.
The young lieutenant accepted the keys, and with some what of a struggle removed the handcuffs off his wrist.
Julius smirked, grabbing a small cup and some brandy out of the fridge. “Set it on my desk lieutenant.” he said moving back towards his desk. The Commander sat down in his chair. “I trust your flight was alright?” he asked poring the drink.
The man looked at him, slightly intimidated. A bead of sweat trickled down his face. “Please sit.” the Commander insisted.
The Lieutenant took a seat in one of the two chairs facing Julius’s desk. “It was fine sir, I’m not one that likes long flights. Especially ones across entire systems.”
Mendoza took a sip, then putting his cup towards the man he said. “Drink?” spilling a tiny bit onto the desk.
“No thank you sir.” he replied chuckling “I rarely drink, plus I had one or two to many the night before I left Reach.”
“An honest man.” Julius replied, trying to loosen up the atmosphere. “I remember when I was your age, I have quite a few memories.”
The lieutenant stood. “Sir, my ship leaves within the hour I need to get back.” he saluted.
Mendoza took another sip. Setting the glass down he stood and returned the salute. “There is a ship that will have the missiles onboard. Seek out the frigate Corrupter, Admiral Hansen will brief you on your return to Reach. I‘ll be making my way out there soon, I have some things to deal with out here first. I have to meet with ONI section three in Australia. Now go, we have a schedule to keep.”
Well July 4th is around the corner and I would like to bring the EVERYONE'S Attention North Korea has a nuke aimed at Hawaii...That is all, please do not panic haha