High-Value Individual

[August 7, 2551]

[UNSC Stardust; Sahara-class heavy prowler]

[1025 hours]

————

Commander Kay Flerring sighed, rolling his eyes behind his black-tinted glasses and reclined in his comfortable office chair. The heads of the Naval Strategic Response Unit gave him the talk down via video conference, less than pleased about his little endeavor on Krione.

"You may have accomplished our goals but that doesn't excuse you acting on your own accord, Commander." Rear Admiral Garrowsworth expressed with egregious irritation.

"I simply did I thought was necessary, sir. Is that not what ONI is all about?" Flerring remained defensive of his decision. He couldn't give less than a rat's ass about permission when his goals were just within his reach, and he expected the Office's ideals to have aligned indelibly with his own. And yet here was, being scolded when he should really be receiving praised.

"What's 'necessary' would've been a simple company-sized strike force to retake the site. You almost escalated the situation by misplacing reserved units," stated Vice Admiral Cunningham.

"You made a severe misallocation of valuable resources."

Flerring frowned, "With all due respect, it was my prowler that had picked up the distress signal on Krione. I deployed because we were the closest to the planet at the time, and time was short. Would you be saying the same if electrical power to the site had never been cut?"

"That AI you recovered was recently incepted not long before the attack. It may have simply miscalculated its steps."

"I really don't believe–"

"Commander. We don't disagree that your actions saved us time, but the next moment you decide to launch a mission without the proper authorization, there might not be the next moment."

Flerring couldn't believe how outrageous this was, but he kept his face stern and unnerved.

"...Understood."

"It was a pleasure speaking with you, Commander."

'Shame. I can't reciprocate.' Flerring snorted.

The NSRU staff bobbed their heads, before the terminal screen flickered black and returned to a plain desktop window. The ONI Staff Officer scooted back in his chair, raising a sigh to the titanium-A ceiling.

"Control freaks, as usual." He sighed, then spun it around. CROW One, Lieutenant Commander Marley-A079 stood in the background, easing off once the call had ended.

"Believe me, sir. You got off pretty easy." Marley chuckled, then shuttered at the resurfacing recollections.

"Tell me, Lieutenant Commander. Do you think I made the right call?"

Marley nodded his head, "I believe you did. You used us the way we were intended, rather than keep us in the kennel while the other dogs played. You did good, sir."

Flerring bobbed his head in agreement with his words. The Lieutenant Commander would be quite familiar with ONI's ways, given his operational history before the K7-49 incident. He was just relieved to be reminded that the soldiers under his command were augmented to his tactics. To hell with authorization, he did what he thought was necessary his OWN way.

"How are your boys fairing at the moment?"

"Resting in the barracks. And cleared for duty. Your orders?"

Flerring rotated his office chair back to his terminal, "Take a rest, for now. We'll be receiving a new assignment in a couple and you deserve some downtime for all of that running you did. Dismissed."

Marley nodded his head before turning and exiting the Commander's office. Flerring removed and folded his tinted glasses to the side, before rubbing his eyes. He directed the terminal's mouse around the desktop, and opened Helmet Cam footage of the previous operation.

He watched with entertainment, observing closely the performance of this elite team through the particular eyes of Crow Two, Lieutenant David-B114's uplink module. He watched as the intelligence specialist mercilessly cut through hordes of Grunts, with Marley by his side while the infamous quiet sniper took shots from the far distance. It was like a canvas being painted purple and blue.

'They're a bad batch, these kids are.'

————

[1645 hours]

[Meridian ETA: 60 minutes]

————

"Keep it cool."

"Like ice, mate."

The three Spartans marched down the prowler's corridors and were immediately by every regular crewman. It was only natural, Spartans were something of mythical status nowadays so everybody who wasn't one wanted to gawk at the 7-foot supersoldiers.

At Marley's flanks, David and Ichika kept straight, chins up, faces objective as if they were Greek Gods fused with robots. It was all subconscious, that's what six years of military grooming since childhood did to you. The unarmoured Spartans made their way towards the Stardust's small armoury to fix that issue, and help David get his limbs back.

The problem was that most of those who had been distracted from their real priorities. This pissed Marley off, since the ship was scheduled to dock soon and it wasn't going to maintain itself in time with all these guys around standing pointlessly.

Marley didn't even look at them, "If you all got time to stare, maybe you could use that time to work?" He notified them vocally. The regs stiffened up and immediately dispersed to resume what they were doing beforehand. The public address system buzzed over them and a feminine voice began directing staff across the ship, pulling units from across the ship towards the hangars, and paging unpunctual swabbies.

David was relieved and the team slowly spun around the corner and filed through the armoury doorway which lifted aside. As mentioned before, it was quite compact compared to what you'd see in a frigate. The Sahara-class heavy prowler was the largest type of its detail, nearly 1,000 feet in length. The Stardust was specially retrofitted with an armoury of its own, exclusively for the CROW Team, but it's frequented by the complement squad of Marines. The armoury consisted of several closed weapon drawers, a table and an open space in the far side of the room surrounded by mechanical arms attached to the ceiling.

The technicians were already inside, attaching the components of Marley's MJOLNIR suit to the assembler and the two groups exchanged pleasantries before Marley stepped forward, going first into the mission. He went in between the assembler, spreading his arms like an eagle and let the techs do the work. The mechanicals holding the armour components began to lock onto his techsuit, beginning with the body armour and then the limbs and arms, before the finishing touches of his EOD-class helmet.

Now that was the Marley that David recognized best. The now-recognizable Spartan was released and stomped across the room, his height now slightly increased and his weight doubled what it was before. As the Technicians adjusted Marley's software, David stepped into the assembler as it was his turn to suit up.

He raised his arms and got as stiff as a pillar, letting the mechanical arms do their thing. His all-too precious CQB-class MJOLNIR was gradually strapped onto his body, and he could feel his weight both increase and decrease all at once. The body armour screwed together, followed by the arms and his legs. Ironically enough, he was beginning to feel comfortable again being back in his second skin.

Lastly, like a king being crowned, his helmet slowly decreased until his swept over his eyes, and connected to the collar of his torso with a low snap. The corners of his vision turned blue as his heads-up display switched, no ones on hand at the moment but that would be fixed soon.

Finally back at full strength, David stomped aside as Ichika took his turn, opening and closing his fingers to get a feel for the armour again. He was brushed on the shoulder by Marley who directed him toward the weapons rack shortly after Ichika had been fitted in his maroon-shaded SCOUT armour.

The weapons racks shifted aside, all sorts of weaponry sliding out from rifles to explosives. Marley grabbed his Army-model MA37, locked an M45E to his back and picked the usual ordinance. David took ahold of a BR55, slapping the mag tightly into its chamber and resting over his back. Ichika equipped himself with an integrally suppressed MA2B assault rifle and an anti-material rifle. They were indoors, but that didn't matter to someone like Ichika. He could adjust accordingly.

David could as well, rapidly typing away at his wrist-mounted TACPAD's miniature board, uploading the Intelligence Report to his already abundant codex of knowledge. The more the merrier.

But there was an ache at the back of his mind, and he frowned.

"We set?" Marley checked in, his voice modulated behind his thick helmet.

"Aye, LieuComm." David-B114 flicked a salute, as Ichika simply gave a responsive nod.

The Spartan trio were ready for business, now looking like it too. If people were gawking beforehand, you could how they were now. Almost everybody they passed stopped what they were doing to stare amazed at the giants in red-to-orange power armour as they stomped in a single file line, weapons holstered or at alert carry. They stepped onto the lift, which closed behind them and began to slowly descend into the lower cargo bay where they were going to step out from once they docked.

"...And then she said–"

"Oh please, Dar. You've never even met a girl!"

The Marine unit assigned to this ship, Bravo Six, had already been waiting below. Being apart of the navy naturally meant they were working alongside the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers during most engagement, and thankfully, the 22nd Shock Troops Battalion had some to spare. The eight-man combat team seated themselves among the many crates and boxes, participating in idle chatter while they waited in their menacing BDU. The NCO took a swift glance at the lift as it lowered, before scrambling to his feet, prompting the others to hastily do the same.

"Officers on deck!"

"Sir!"

The lift stopped and opened up, and the Spartans fanned out. Marley walked up to the Staff Sergeant and shook his hand, while his men just stared both silently astonished and bitter.

"Staff Sergeant Murro. Hangar shaped up?" Marley asked him.

"Affirmative. We're all set here for landing, officially. Last operation wasn't exactly standard operating procedure."

"It never is, Sarge. Like the Commander says, we do what's necessary, in our way. Your men all brief on the Intelligence Report?"

Usef Murro scoffed, "I'd assume so," he stated, eyeing some key individuals among the group.

David lingered around the crates marked for offloading. He counted at least 27, taking notice of the brand images and stamps to keep himself occupied as the Stardust nearest its close location.

Meridian was a moon colony, one of the seven natural satellites to Hestia V. Since 2548, the planet had been under constant harassment by the Covenant who almost cut off the colony's supply lines. The UNSC Defense Force was able to put up a fight and hold out for three years thanks to the massive air force it had at its disposal, but three years was a long time and Meridian's defence grid had seen nicer days.

The Covenant wasn't preparing to pack it up any time soon, and only the worst of their next possible moves could be inferred.

Glassing.

As the Spartans remained still, the Marines' heels jittered as the Stardust came to a sudden course alteration, and prepared to descend. The gravity grew heavier after it entered the atmosphere, and decreased in elevation before stopping after five minutes. With a hiss and a jerk, the cargo bay's welldeck lowered like a ramp and thick the setting sun swept over the crew, as a small group of UNSC Army Troopers climbed up the ramp to meet the Helljumpers who were charged with moving the cargo. CROW Team walked passed, moving down the ramp out onto the platform connected to the heavily active UNSC military base.

David looked at the skies, and he could feel a sour mood tugging at him. It was stormy, orange-grey clouds blocking out the sun but there was no rain. In fact, it was rather hot down here and the reasons for that were less than pleasing.

The Spartans walked in unison, being led by an Army Officer toward the main TOC (Tactical Operations Center), where they would meet with the ONI Officer to discuss this new mission that had been bestowed upon them. Commander Flerring remained aboard the Stardust's bridge, already heavily knowledgable about what they were getting themselves into.

They weren't staying for long. Land, get briefed, secure the package, then fly away. That's all they were here to do.

And something about that just didn't sit right for ol' David.

The Army Officer guided them near the interrogation block, before leaving them be. Marley ducked his head as he stepped through the sliding door, soon followed by his lackeys and met face with the ONI Officers.

"Spartans."

"Captain." The Spartans saluted the superior, who put them at ease and began to speak.

"I trust you've already become well acquainted with your new assignment?"

The Intelligent Report came to David's mind and he slowly refreshed himself the memory.

Operation: FRIENDLESS

Objective: Prisoner Transport.

Last month, a group of ODST operators fighting on the colony of Concord was able to successfully capture a lonely Elite during the attack's aftermath. It wasn't just any kind however. His shield strength and armour configuration, all stemmed toward him being Special Operations. The manner of his capture was some oddity though. The ODSTs suffered zero casualties, which would've been impossible unless they've got some special jump on it. Their report stated that the Elite didn't seem to put up much of a fight, and rather came quietly at their demand.

Elites don't do that, especially not the Spec Ops types. They would sooner ignite an energy sword through their stomach before voluntarily turning themselves into any vile humans.

David had a lot of questions. He always did and this was no exception to the rule.

The Elite was restrained inside the interrogation room, held down on a chair that held its arms and legs in place. It was silent, stripped of its purple armour leaving its scaly bare body waving in the wind but with no signs of resistance. Its arms were shackled and its hinge-head was bowed in rest.

David cocked his head toward the ONI Captain, "What if this was some sort of trap?"

"Reasonable inference, Lieutenant. But no need to worry, I had my men frisk every niche of it in case of such a thing."

"Externally?"

"Correct."

"And internally?"

The ONI Captain stiffened up and his expression twisted, his professional image cracking at the Spartan's point which made Marley roll his eyes. Ichika scoffed, arms crossed by the wall. That should've been an obvious thing to check beforehand, unless they were purposely trying to break the Cole Protocol. Of all things to ensure their security, he had missed that one step.

This could have just been one elaborate plan to indirectly infilitrate the UNSC's systems. It could've swallowed a tracking module for all they knew and had them lure its alien allies towards more human colonies through its capture, putting so much at risk.

With the snap of his fingers, several technicians were already on it, scanning it down with an X-Ray while they watched. And much to their relief, the results came as a surprise as there was nothing but organs and bone. No tracking modules here.

David could see the uncertainty simmer down from the ONI Officer's face. He opened his mouth and let out a hardy laugh, but the Spartan team wasn't amused.

"Good call, Lieutenant. But like I said, we're all safe here."

'Hmph. Yeah right, useless wanker.' David scoffed internally.

"Due to some unfortunate circumstances, my problem is unavailable for transport which is why I am offloading it to you. Your destination is Sigma Octanus V." The Captain stated, "We are treading on a thin line here, opening up a gash through the Cole Protocol. This prisoner cannot, and must not, fall back into enemy hands. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." Marley nodded, as the glass window to the interrogation room was covered shut with a black sliding metal board and the HVT was most likely being transported.

"It'll take some time to haul our alien friend into your ship, so kill some time around the base to supply yourselves."

David crossed his arms and craned toward the computer terminals against the wall. There was something he wanted to know.

"Yes, sir." Marley nodded his head again to the Captain's proposal, and churned over to his men.

At the sound of a whistle, David snapped back to focus as they filed out of the base once more, planning to head back to the Stardust and oversee the cargo exchange while they iron out their travel plan.

From Meridian to Sigma Octanus V, and with the Prowler's slipspace capacity, they inferred it'll be a very long trip. As they stepped out into the hangar where the Stardust was in drydock, David found himself taking a look out at Meridian's skies and remained silent, entranced.

"David? David."

David snapped back to attention after Marley called his name while they ascended up the welldeck and into the bustling ship again.

"Your head working, Spartan?"

"Yeah... Just thinking about something, sir." David waved it off.

"It better have been about the mission." Marley said.

Ichika remained silent as usual, indifferent and apathetic. The three Spartans returned to the cargo bay as the Marines and Army personnel were at work, moving supplies around, in and out of the portside. The Stardust was also undergoing refuelling via service drones at the moment, so a lot of things were being done. With the exception of David lending minor a hand with the box moving, the Spartans mainly stood around and supervised the process.

"Woah, thanks, Lieutenant." A young Irish Marine named O'Reilly expressed as David lowered a heavy weapons box to the ground.

David moved on, assisting with the others. He was Spartan. He knew, by definition, he was better, but that hasn't stopped him from amassing a tremendous amount of respect for the lower UNSC caste. Any regular human who can stand against the Covenant threat, even when so much has been lost fallen already deserves that much. It was why most of his fellow SPARTAN-III kin enlisted in the program. It was better to die for something, than live for nothing.

David stepped back into the sidelines with his arms crossed, beside an Army Specialist who was taking a short breather from all the lifting. The Spartan craned toward the unsuspecting trooper and nudged his waist.

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

David leaned forward a bit, getting low so the Specialist could hear and asked one simple request in a very low voice.

The Army trooper flinched, "Sir, I-I don't know if I can–"

David glared at the trooper through his visor, cold and opaque, not saying a word.

The trooper looked around hesitantly, then slowly exited out the cargo back while David remained where he was. Marley's eyes narrowed at the two of them with concern and curiosity in his uncertain gaze. Sooner or later, David flicked his TACPAD and began to fidget with the screen, before stopping as if he was reading something. His right balled with unmistakable bitterness, and he eased his head silently.

And whatever he was reading, he did not like it. His mood seemed to sour like it had when he woke a few hours ago. He slowly sauntered toward the ledge of the welldeck ramp, and looked out into Meridian from afar. It was as if the situation became clearer.

David found himself drifting out of the prowler once more and climbing down towards the platform. Marley uncrossed his arms, rolling his eyes with a low groan and glanced at Ichika who simply shrugged without a care. Marley picked up the pace and pursued his second-in-command who was thinking way too deeply about something again.

He saw him, holding his TACPAD while standing by the ledge of the platform looking far into the molten sunset lower over the landscape which was just as barren and depressing. Marley slowed his approach, a wave of sympathy washing over him at the familiar view but he remained focused on the mission at hand, now wasn't the time for this.

"Now I know you weren't thinking about the mission." He said, stopping two meters behind him.

David perked up, a few seconds passing, then turned around to face his leader beneath his concealed face. He lowered his head, scanning the contents of his TACPAD and then brought his arm down.

"Resistance is gone..." He turned back to the lechatelierite wasteland. "They glassed a dozen cities and forced the remaining defense fleet to the system's edge, all chalked up the last 24 hours. Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Go ahead?" Marley crossed his arms, anticipating what he wanted to say. Though, he had an idea.

David did a double take from the wasteland back to Marley before taking a deep breath in to dispense his bottled frustration. He held up the TACPAD, which several scrolling paragraphs of text.

"THIS is the serious misallocation of our expertise, sir. We should be over there giving the Covies a fight, not up here playing bloody deliveryman."

"This asset could mean the worlds to us, David. Who knows the intel we'll fish out of that hinge-head."

"With all due respect, sir. One captured elite weighs less to me than thousands of men lying dead beneath those glasslands. We're being given the wrong assignments. ONI doesn't know what they're doing with us."

"Maybe so but that's not your call." Marley raised a finger. "Listen, that scene at Jericho may still be on the back of your mind, but we've ALL been there. We've ALL lost our homeworlds, our parents, our friends because of these damn Covies."

"And we're just gonna keep that going?"

"We have to look at the greater good–"

"Oh, that's a load of bollocks and you know it!" David's emotions rose high, flashing his finger at him.

"..." Marley fell silent, simply crossing his arms in response and David realized he had taken it a bit too far.

Realizing, he had stepped out of line, David zipped it and lessened his intent as much as it painted him.

"You are a member of CROW Team, David. As far as I'm concerned, you're our brother. If we go down, we go down together." Marley scolded, David remained silent and nodded his head an ashamed child. "So don't even think out of line, and don't think we'll just abandon you. The Covenant will get theirs... soon, but we have our own mess to clean up."

"Aye, LieuComm." David said, flashing a respectful salute.

Marley bobbed his head with satisfaction and motioned them to return to the prowler, as things were beginning to iron out. More Army Specialists filled the platform as the techs began to roll out the red carpet for the asset.

Time for some hazard pay.

"Also, that outburst is gonna influence the rating on your next OER," Marley commented offhandedly, just when everything some have cleared up.

'Shit.' David palmed his faceplate in response, being the nerd he was.