Chapter 26
April 9, 2531
Procyon System, Arcadia
Even though the Covenant had been pushed out of the system, the UNSC didn't take any chances or risks.
For a few weeks now, the surviving population of Arcadia had been slowly evacuated to safer colonies, though many had been forced against their will. None of that mattered to the Top Brass, however, as every body saved was another that could work making ammo or any other resource that was needed for the war effort.
Of course, things weren't completely smooth, as a decently sized force of Covenant were still present on the planet, hiding deep within the jungle and striking at night. Though consisting mostly of Jackals and Grunts, this did not make them any less dangerous.
So when Captain Wallace had gotten assistance in the form of a Spartan, he was very surprised. Despite being a Marine, loud and proud, he wasn't a tactical genius like other branches required of their Commanders.
Wallace was by no means incompetent, but having to coordinate an evacuation AND defend against Covenant raiding parties was becoming increasingly difficult. So he was more than glad to let the Spartan wreak havoc in the jungle.
All it did was give him more time to focus on evacuations. Making sure everyone made it to a transport and into orbit without getting shot down. That became much easier once the Spartan started tearing apart the Covenant in the jungle.
It was a bit unnerving to find entire floors full of blue blood, however, and multiple teams had complained, but he shoved it aside and kept them focused. This continued for another two weeks until most of the population had been evacuated; there were no Covenant left alive, and the Spartan had disappeared.
May 7, 2531
En Route to Epsilon Eridani System
The Prowler's interior was frigid. Despite him wearing the Mjolnir Undersuit, Shawn's breath still turned to fog as he exhaled. He would much rather be in cryo-sleep, but when ONI discovered one of their Spartans was still on Arcadia they'd sent probes ahead of a small battlegroup to collect him.
He'd left before they could arrive, but he made sure to leave a message with them. That was how he ended up being yanked out of Cryo by a very unhappy Halsey, and a mildly disappointed Magnus.
"So, you expect me to believe that the Spirit of Fire not only found a dry dock full of Forerunner warships, but they were also able to destroy them using their slipspace drive, leaving them stranded in space?" Halsey droned as she eyed the information packet once again.
"Sargeant Forge also is the only confirmed human as of now to kill an Elite with his own two hands," Magnus added helpfully as Halsey rolled her eyes. "Doctor Halsey, please pay closer attention to the section with the Flood results. I can't stress enough how important it is that ONI is warned to leave it alone, and to burn any specimens they come across."
Magnus sighed, "You already know what will happen the second they find out about the Flood. We're keeping it to ourselves for now, at least until 2552." Shawn nodded, he already knew why. Halsey glanced at the Flood section again, but then turned her attention to the various glyphs and possible translations Professor Anders had recorded.
"Are you certain the information on the glyphs is accurate?" She said as he nodded. "Professor Anders holds the main drive, but I have several copies that contain all her research information. I also have info chips over the various upgrades Serena and the Professor were able to uncover for UNSC equipment."
Halsey nodded, then left as Magnus took up the screen. "Well done, kid. I know it wasn't easy." Shawn said nothing, though Magnus could feel the sadness radiating off of him, even through the screen. "Well if that's all, I'm going to make sure the Doctor doesn't burn anything down."
"I do have one thing, Sir." Shawn said, holding up a vial of blood. "What do you expect me to do with that?" Magnus said as Shawn said one word. "Kreig." Magnus sighed. Although he did have the technology, it still didn't feel right to use the DNA of a hero for such a revolting thing.
"Alright, I'll take it. Though for the record, I try to run things like the Kaminoans, not the Kriegers." Magnus said before disconnecting, as Shawn stored the vial in a safe compartment before returning to Cryo.
Upon his arrival to Reach, Shawn was taken away by a group of ONI agents in full armor, led by Magnus and Halsey themselves. "Do you have them?" The Doctor said impatiently as he handed over the various info chips as Magnus led the way back.
"There are several copies, make sure they don't leave your care." He warned Halsey, though he knew she probably wouldn't listen. He remained silent as Halsey argued with someone from ONI, most likely about him and the data he'd brought back.
After several briefings where he repeated the same thing over and over, Shawn was finally released to recovery. He was quickly discharged and sent back into the field, this time against Insurrectionists.
Despite nearly six full years of war against the Covenant, most Insurrectionist groups firmly believed that the UNSC was simply faking it to tighten their hold on the Outer Colonies. This meant that there were still plenty of Insurrection groups actively hindering the war effort; it seemed ONI had finally grown tired of it.
Swan didn't mind, not anymore at least. In the very beginning he used to be much more aggressive when sent on solo missions, Mendez had plenty of choice words, and lots of push-ups waiting for him. ONI seemed to like the fear it caused however, so he was never pulled from service.
He wasn't like that now, not often at least. Years of fighting for his life had taken the thrill of killing away, replacing it with the hunger for life. In a galaxy like this, the best way to live was to make sure nothing that could harm you remained living. Shawn no longer made displays of his kills, but he still left his calling card.
He briefly stopped to listen to the panicked yelling on the radio as the base commander realized they'd been attacked; no doubt he'd found the first dozen bodies. Shawn simply wiped down his blade on the dead VIPs shirt before exiting the room.
By now the base was alive and buzzing with activity as they scrambled to find the intruder. Despite being only a few short jumps from Reach, many corrupt governors and politicians thought they could use the emergency powers given to them by the UEG and UNSC to fatten their pockets and fund their local Insurrection.
Shawn had just finished killing the fifth one this month. ONI was very unhappy to learn what their funds were being used for, and so Shawn had been sent as a punishment and a warning. Another two guards were killed during his exfiltration of the base, before he was sprinting across open ground.
A few rounds kicked up the dirt around him, but Shawn was already deep into the forest by the time competent shooters were called over. As he made his way towards the extraction point, Shawn thought about what was supposed to happen next.
Halsey had already dropped off the map, no doubt buried under the mountain of data secured by Professor Anders. Captain Magnus had been a bit more forthcoming, but only just. He'd been able to give him a tally of the Spartan II's still alive, all of them save Red Team.
As for where he might be sent, Magnus never gave an answer. Judging by the fact that his Prowler had been taken, and he'd been sent after Insurrectionists, Shawn knew that someone had made ONI angry.
He was, however, able to secure books on fleet tactics and strategy. Though he always went into cryo-sleep for longer slipspace travel, there were still times that Shawn had time to spare that he'd rather fill with knowledge than silence. He'd already finished the first book.
Once in orbit, he resupplied his weapons as he was given his next assignment: more Innie hunting.