War smiled as the various soldiers walked in, pleased that everybody was assembling fairly quickly. Then again, it wasn't a good idea to keep the leader of Humanity waiting.
"At ease Lieutenant," War said, motioning for the ODST to find a place within the room. As he did so, the final batch of soldiers walked in: Linda-05, Jorge-052, Spartan IV Commander Palmer, and John-117, better known as "The Master Chief". War stood up, as a screen lowered behind him.
"Now that we are all assembled, I will answer a question I previously chose to ignore," War said, looking at Maura.
"Freelancer Agent Seven previously asked me, for those who were absent at the time, if the rumours about this mission possibly involving the retrieval of Doctor Bailey, and Blaine-115," War added, looking at Morgan, "were true or not,"
War paused for a moment, gazing at the soldiers assembled.
"That statement, as worded, is correct" War replied. He could see the Freelancers and Admiral 115's men smiling. He decided to dispel any illusions they may have.
"This mission
might involve the retrieval of the Doctor and the Admiral, it may involve the retrieval of just
one of them, or it may not involve their retrieval
at all. What is certain, is that this mission involves the retrieval of Doctor Bailey's
work regarding a recent discovery she made on Reach. One that would provide Humanity with a crucial advantage in this war," War said, driving home the point that all else was secondary relative to Bailey's discovery. Before War could speak again, Commander Palmer interrupted him, much to War's annoyance.
"Sorry sir, but are you suggesting we leave our own behind? They've both done a lot for Humanity... I'd like to think they've earned a bit of respect. Enough to retrieve them," Before War could reply, his general cut him off.
"Show them the message, sir. They may be willing to listen if it isn't coming out of our mouths,"
War looked at his general for a brief second, before deciding to let the interruption go.
"Legionary General 324 you raise a fine point. Very well then, I will play the message, for those of you who believe I may have a personal agenda or am simply cold-hearted," War said, as Manuel grabbed a small remote from War's desk and hit a button. In less than a second, Doctor Bailey's voice filled the room and the words were shown as text on the screen.
Bailey's Message
"To those it may concern,
I, Doctor Billy-Jean Bailey, am trapped on Planet Reach. It is clearly no secret that military occupation by our enemy, the Prometheans, has occurred.
I am by no means asking for personal rescue. It is a damn shame that my capture dragged Admiral Blaine 115 down with me, but our lives are of little consequence to the gravity of my discovery. Against military advisory, several of my colleagues have been making attempts to correspond with the Lifeworkers on Ganymede regarding discoveries made on Earth, Reach, and in the stars themselves.
The Lifeworkers have allowed me to speak with their leader, the Librarian, at great length. I wish Dr. Halsey had been here. Her mind is greater than mine in a lot of ways. She would have made the discovery I'm so desperately clawing at now in a heartbeat.
The Librarian believes that there is a way to neutralize the Promethean threat. Not only a weapon, but a HOME. A mobile fortress somewhere in our galaxy that can stop the Prometheans. We could use it to fight them back on a scale so grand that it would make them FEAR us for the very first time.
I was so goddamned close, when they arrived. Blaine was willing to stay and see my discovery through.
I promise you, I can get the job done. I will use the knowledge given to me to PINPOINT the location of the device, or fortress, or weapon, that can save us from the Forerunners.
I'm not asking you to find me. Send a team to find my work. Even if the Prometheans find where I'm hiding, I'll hide my work and let them kill me. But this is humanity's last hope.
To my Spartans...John, Lucy, Maura, Mark, Billy, Creed, Victor, Zimm, Lilah, Penny...even the new ones in my little Freelancer flock...
I know I won't be able to talk you out of coming for be, but if I'm gone when you get here, don't try to get even. Just keep making me PROUD."
As soon as the last word was done, the screen went black, and Bailey's voice was replaced by War's.
"The distress beacon was sent from this location on Reach," War said, as the screen zoomed in on an iconic ONI base: Sword Base.
"However, due to various calculations done by the communications department, we have reason to believe the message came from underneath the surface. You have been selected to infiltrate Sword Base, find a way underground, and recover Doctor Bailey's work. You will be dropped off about a kilometre east of the base, and picked up a kilometre west from the base," The screen highlighted the two areas in red.
"Leading this operation is Legionary General 324, whom has direct control over any and all personnel involved.
After this briefing, it is highly recommended you head to the armoury as armoury personnel have been cleared to give this team whatever is deemed necessary.
Then I expect all of you to be aboard the new stealth Pelicans in hangar A at 2000 hours, which gives you exactly four hours from now to prepare," War ordered, before taking a seat again. He then gave the soldiers one last look before asking,
"Any questions?"