The Battle Group Manifestation gently held its place, floating endlessly through space awaiting the time its brothers and sisters would arrive. The most noticeable UNSC ship within the Manifestation had to be the UNSC INCARNATE
as it was double the size of the largest cruise the UNSC had to offer. It gleamed lightly with the bouncing light from the closest star, its dark metallic colors of black and red blended the hull of the ship nicely with the dark cold space around them.
The Incarnate was built as a new prototype flag-ship for the UNSC. An immense amount of technological break-through was imbued within its hulls, even a bit of the mysterious material that had been recovered from Makos. Oni operatives had kept it a secret even from its own Admiral. Unlike the immense powers the Loyalists were able to unlock from the power generator material, Oni had found an opposite way to uses its power. Instead of holding power they were able to multiple released power. What effects from this material upon its opposite use would soon be known with the new encounter.
'Kayln, you sure this is all the information we have on this material?' Valstaff asked.
'Yes sir, our Oni datalogs show that Material 787, is highly unstable, and that it took engineers a few good decades to use the material within the Incarnate. Here,' she said as she illuminated over his chair, pulling a data sheet of the Incarnate, the picture of ship lit up in areas where the material was stored and used in the Goliath Cannon firing sequence. It initially stores up suppressive fluctuated power firing off the 4000-ton ferric-tungsten round, but due to the extra ton it carries from its orbital platform type, it requires more power to successfully launch it and the material is what allows that. It takes in energy from the initial start up process and triples it due to its highly unstable and combustible effects.
'Alright so on to something else. Has the other ships received the transmission yet. Most of the ships on that Battle Group are usually scattered across UNSC Space holding its ground.' Valstaff added.
'UNSC logs show that all ships enlisted part of Battle Group Art of War , have been notified and a few have already made slipspace jumps to our location. ETA shows six days, nine hours, thirty-two minutes and eight seconds before arrival of the first ship. I do recommend going over synchronization with the other ships and if you wouldn't mind Admiral I would like to check up on Major General Akalar if that would be alright?' Kayln said hovering over Valstaff's arm chair.
'Yes that would be fine, I'll communicate with the other ships.' he replied. As he tapped his data pad and a communication port was opened on the BattleMap.
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The brutes waited cautiously, smelling their prey. 'THAT WAY' one of them growled, and the others began moving through the thick forest listening. They ducked behind boulders listening, waiting. There they had their chance, Marines and ODSTs were walking silently waiting for something. 'ARRGGGGHHHHH' the brute leader yelled.
The two brute packs opened fire on the soldiers only making slight glances on their armor and no real hits, as they dove for cover. "GRENADES", The decorated brute yelled. Instantly spike grenades filled the air in what would've been a free for all tag event if the soldiers weren't as smart as them. The marines keeping their heads downed gave a slight nod to one of the ODSTs, and thats when it hit. The Execution Pulse Carbine the ODST had fired a shot that was straight and true as it pierced through the foliage the brute was hiding behind and ejected out the other side of the Brutes skull.
The Marines charged forward with shotguns, filling the air with shells whenever a Brute showed its ugly face. More ODSTs had made their way around and flanked the Brutes holding them off from a retreat. The two flanks of the Marines and ODSTs had successfully locked in the Brute Packs fate, and old but still worthwhile move the Pincer Movement.
'ALRIGHT, THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH', I yelled. The Brutes suddenly disappeared, as their holographic image faded, and was replaced by Kayln's.
I pushed through the forest and made my way back to the staging area of the Holographic Training Grounds. Twenty acres of lush grass, forest, lakes, desert, jungle, any type of environment that could allow my soldiers some practice in. I was recently promoted to Major General and so as you can guess well I am in charge of the four divisions that are currently enlisted with the Incarnate.
'General, you accuracy rating showed an improved 2.2% increase to your average 96%, making a total of 98.2 percent,' Kayln said as she glided around me. She unlike other AIs doesn't like to simulate walking, to her it seems a constraint on AIs everywhere. She knows where her loyalty lies, but she believes she has some control over her matrices and by gliding and flying instead of walking shes proved her point in a young female adolescent way.
'General I was just wishing to check up on you and your squad, have the other divisions been rotated for training?' she asked.
'Yes, Kayln. I know, I know, everything is all set. Is it me or are you just trying to find some explanation for leaving the bridge?' I asked.
'In a slight non mischievous way sir?... Its that I find Naval Combat repetitive, General. Granted the Admirals unorthadox tactics do keep me on my matrices, but it rarely allows me the chance to think on my feet.' She added.
'Trust me Kayln, its not allows good. Remember that Infected Spartan, I think you've been watching that video too many times.' I replied.
'Yes, General but its exactly that, you had no plan and worked with what you had, and still succeeded.' she said with an overstated tone.
'Yeah but at the cost of muscle damage. Along with the pain and fatigue from surgey, some times i think it would be easier just being the AI.' I said with a smirk that she caught instantly.
'I guess your right as most of the time General,' She said, as she floated around me as I took off my helmet.
The staging area was simple, benches, weapon lockers, and refreshments. The Marines usually sticked to themselves but I had broke through to them and eventually everyone was open to each other, ODSTs and Marines. Still it was a wonder as to why the Incarnate never had any Spartans assigned to it.
Over the few days news that scattered ships of an old Battle Group were coming together again for this STRIKE MISSION, but it was old news. I continued training with my squads and divisions, with the new equipment, putting them and myself through a rigorous training process, which eventually led me to believe we needed a break. I didn't have much time to spend with Bethany, with my training and hers. The pelican pilots go through a bi-weekly training to make sure their skills were sufficient, Delta 231 or Bethany was top scoring Pilot within the Battle Group Manifestation, so we celebrated in the Mess Hall with all our "brothers and sisters". When we were left alone we headed back to her quarters and told stories of what it would be like back on Earth, and how amazing it would be to own a place together.
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'Admiral we have a slipspace signature, its the UNSC Indianapolis, They are on a steady route to us and are awaiting COM link,' Kayln exclaimed.
'Good it seems the party guests are arriving, go ahead and open COM channels, its been sometime since I've talked with Captain Vadik,' Valstaff replied, placing his hand on his chin waiting as if waiting for some news. The holographic Battle Map appeared over the Bridge and the Captains face appeared in front of Valstaff.
'Good to see you old friend, I've already finished the transfer of your enlisted Spartans, so please do tell me that you have good news of the Battle Group.'
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