Chapter Four

Meridian,

Suburbs of Virgo, Sector 6

March 29th, 2548

1500 hours

Ethan sat on his bed beside his open window. He watched kids and dogs run around in the streets below. This was one of his favorite spots to rest. Most of the time we would end up falling asleep but he didn’t mind, the sun always felt nice. Since the day before, when he arrived home, his parents decided to keep him home. Zena was to supervise Ethan and make sure he didn’t leave the house while his parents were at work. To him, it felt more like he was grounded but he didn’t blame them. In all honesty, this whole situation didn’t make any sense. First, these dreams start to happen, followed by sleep walking and then waking up nights screaming about Meridian being glassed. Then shortly after that another dream happened in the middle of school where everyone he was around heard him talking about the Covenant. Ethan was sent home and several of the students’ parents complained about his behavior and threatened to have him taken out of school for terrorizing the students. For a while things seemed ok until a few days ago when he had another dream except this time he was contacted by somebody. This “person” called herself Accent and she told him about a Luminary the Covenant were after and how to stop them by finding an ONI agent and his accomplice.

Ethan cradled himself against the window seal acknowledging how crazy all of that seemed. What was he going to tell his friends if he had seen them? That he speaks to voices in his head and he knows how to stop the all mighty Covenant from eradicating their entire species? Ethan thought that was the breaking point for society these days; everyone seemed to be waiting for the inevitable. Year after year word would get around about another planet falling to the hands of Covenant. People began targeting UNSC and ONI for lack of incompetence, some even rebels even accused ONI for taking something that wasn’t theirs for the reason the Covenant were after humanity to begin with. None of it mattered to Ethan because couldn’t help but wonder why he was alive in the first place. All he knew was that he lived on Meridian and that humanity had traveled the stars and inhabit hundreds of planets throughout the galaxy and for over 20 years’ mankind was being hunted by aliens—and they were losing. How did people expect kids to react to this? They couldn’t grow up their whole lives ignorant and naive of what was out there especially with the underlying truth that at any given moment a ship would arrive in the sky and destroy everything you hold dear.

There was an argument for everything. You could say the Covenant threat was the motivation for you to live your life to the fullest but then there was those who took that differently and became consumed by violence and greed. You could say point fingers and accuse humanities only protectors for everything wrong in life and divide society when they needed each other the most and even that wouldn’t make a difference because it seemed no matter what the UNSC and ONI were capable of, the Covenant still arrived and took what they wanted. Hope was not something very many people had these days. Major of people lived their lives naïve, like Ethan’s parents. When these dreams started and he expressed his concern all they did was turn a blind eye and avoid talking about the war. Every day Ethan felt more and more alone. The only thoughts that kept him somewhat sane was a feeling he had deep down that told him everything would be ok. Of course, he fought the urge to dwell on it but even now he was beginning to think that leaving the house was a good idea.

A knock sounded at Ethan’s front door, the noise alerted him. He looked out the window to see John and Sara standing on his lawn. “Are you going to let us in?” Sierra asked, her hand covering her face from reflective sunlight.

“Yeah, you guys can come up.” He replied. “Zena, you can open the door.” He said looking over his shoulder and seeing Zena’s hologram stationed in his bedroom. For how long, he was unaware.

“Alright.” She said. Ethan could hear the lock disengage and his friends marched through the house and into his room where they sat abruptly on his bed.

“So, are you going to tell us or are we going to ask?” Josh bumped Ethan with his shoulder.

“Of course, I’m going to tell you I just don’t know if it makes any sense.” Ethan said avoiding eye contact.

“Well” Sierra began, enthusiastically. “We haven’t doubted you before” She was right, Ethan couldn’t deny that. He nodded in agreeance.

“You guys are aware of the Luminary, right?” Said Ethan.

“Yeah, the whole school is aware of it.” Josh remarked.

“Ok,” Ethan sighed. “The Luminary is a map of all things Forerunner. Apparently, the Covenant are after these artifacts and they just so happen to be on every planet humanity has inhabited.” He paused to see if they seemed uneasy. Sierra nodded and Josh kept eye contact so Ethan continued. “The Luminary is somewhere on Meridian and I was told by a “person” that called herself Accent that I need to find Kyle Toland, an ONI agent and his friend Rachel Hoss, an engineer of some sort. They somehow have a the “means” to help and possibly stop the Covenant invasion—which will happen I just don’t know when.”

The room was silent for a moment until Sierra breathed and nudged Josh. The two exchanged looks for a moment while Ethan kept his attention outside on the kids still playing.

“Alright,” Sierra spoke first. “When do we start?” Josh sighed and rubbed his head. “I don’t know guys, we’re not necessarily allowed to leave the suburbs let alone the city. Where exactly is the Luminary?”

“Harmony.” Said Ethan.

“And where is that?” Josh asked.

“Around the world.” Sierra broke a laugh. “You’re serious?” Ethan shrugged and looked at Zena who still on his bedroom panel. She didn’t seem inclined to help but her presence gave Ethan the impression she wanted to.

“The ONI agent, Toland, was at the hospital a few days ago.”

“That I know.” Sierra replied, rolling her eyes. “Our fathers have been hard at work contacting ONI officials about the visit. Your dad thinks he caused you to have another seizure.”

“It wasn’t his fault. He showed me a picture and it triggered a memory. I still can’t piece it all together I just know that the Luminary is a map and it’s here on Meridian and I’m supposed to help stop the Covenant from finding it.” Ethan said fully aware of how bizarre it sounded. He hid his face again. Josh sat still for a while, thinking. Sierra looked at Ethan and then at Zena and then she got an idea.

“Zena, you have access to the planetary database, you could find Kyle Toland and Rachel Hoss, right?” She asked.

“Yes, I could but I would advise that you not purse this adventure.” Zena said, monotoned. “The likelihood of finding these people are slim. The likelihood of something terrible happening to you three is very probable.”

“A risk I think we’ll all take given the circumstances” Sierra said glancing at Ethan. He blushed and hid his face. It felt good knowing that someone trusted him.

Sierra brushed her hair behind her ear and looked at Zena. “Do you have access to ONI files?

“I do not.” Zena replied as if she knew the question was going to be asked at some point.

“But you have access to public records. Toland must have had to check into the hospital for Ethan’s visit.” Josh said.

“Yes, but an ONI agent wouldn’t need to sign in.” Ethan said.

“Not necessarily. He still would have had to use some type of identification for the staff to give him such access.” Sara said looking at Zena who held her gaze.

“Yes, you are correct. Give me a moment.” Zena said then faded away.

“Perfect” Sara said hopping off Ethan’s bed. “I’m excited”

“For what?” Said Josh. “We talk to this Toland guy and Hoss or whatever and then what? Go on an incredible adventure to the Luminary?”

Ethan knew he was right. Even if Toland believed them what would come of it? He certainty wasn’t going to allow children to go there with him. Even more, what would the UNSC do if it was found? Protect Meridian like they did all the other planets? Hope wasn’t a stranger for humanity but Ethan was becoming aware of its faults.

“Getting away from home and notifying someone that this world is coming to end, someone that could actually do something about it, is exactly what I intended to do the whole time.” Said Ethan. Josh dipped his head and Sierra had smirk across her face. Ethan looked outside again still seeing other children playing.

“Kyle Edward Toland, Born June 22nd, 2516, lives on Reach, resides in Virgo Sector 5 in the Brenan District, studied at Asus University on Reach until his parents died on Jericho VII when it was glassed in 2535 which he then joined ONI and the rest is top secret.” Zena said standing on her panel. The three of them exchanged looks until Ethan spoke.

“Thank you, Zena.” He said moving off his bed and putting on his shoes. “That’s more than enough information.

“You don’t presume we’re walking do you?” Josh asked.

“You’re not afraid of a little walking, are you? Sierra smirked.

“A little?” He laughed. “Sector 5 is over 20 miles away.”

“We’ll use the bus.” Ethan said.

“You have to be 18 or older to ride the bus.” Josh hissed.

“Not if they don’t see you.” Ethan smiled. Sierra looked at him for a moment until she realized what he was meaning.

“Ok? We’re going to jump on the back of It? Josh asked.

“Yes.” Ethan replied. Josh stood from the bed and paced the room rubbing his head. He didn’t question many things in his life. He was always the one in class answering most questions and was assertive when it came to learning something new but with his friends he always seemed to question everything thing they did like he didn’t trust them. That wasn’t the case though, he trusted Ethan and Sierra more than he trusted himself but with all that was going on and Ethan’s dreams he was more concerned about staying out of trouble.

“Ok, but what if everything goes south and this whole thing is blown out of proportion?” Josh asked helpless.

Ethan stood from the bed and placed his hands-on Josh’s shoulders. “Then you can say I told you so.”

Ethan, Sierra and Josh walked along the sidewalk until they reached the bus stop. The suburbs were divided in sections like Virgo. Each section looked Identical to the others with hedges divided them, each with the same level of cut grass, parks and even driveways though the houses were different. Ethan and his friends built forts in the hedges with the other kids but they weren’t a loud in the other section without parents’ consent. Though it never made sense to Ethan why they divided everything on Meridian, he was beginning to realize that It seemed easier to manage.

Sierra sat first on the bench. It was cement, of course, and cold, Ethan never liked the benches so he just stood. Josh planted himself on the bench. A few teenagers walked came around from the nearest corner chatting. Ethan and his friends knew it was impolite to stare but couldn’t help it. The two teens, both male and female, stopped talking and leaned against the wooden fence then continued talking quietly. Ethan turned to his friends and smile. The three of them waited for what seemed like an hour before they watched the bus come from a corner and turn toward them. As the bus pulled up to a stop the two teens nudged their way between the kids and walked on the bus.

“Are they with you?” the bus driver asked the male teen. He turned and looked at the three of them with a “are you serious’ expression.

“Well” The boy announced. “Are you coming or not, mom is going to kill us if we’re not back in time.” He said waving his hand. Ethan felt his stomach turn. Sierra stepped on the bus first, then Josh and Ethan. The bus was paced with people. Almost every row was filled with at least 4 people. Even though the seats were separated from one another they were place into a row on each side of the bus; the isle was oddly large compared to the school bus Ethan was used to riding. The teenage boy grabbed Ethan and pulled him to the back of the bus where he noticed his friend had already been seated. The teenager and his friend sat across Ethan and his friends. The boy waited until the bus started moving before he spoke.

“Where are you guys headed?” He asked somewhat bothered as he brushed his waving hair out of his eyes. Ethan looked at Josh and shrugged not knowing what to tell the young adult.

“Please tell me you’re headed to the city.” The female finally spoke, her voice soft and sincere.

“Why? Is that a problem?” Josh mustered up the courage to say. The teens looked at each other and back at the kids.

“The UNSC has issued a lockdown throughout Virgo.” The boy said, quietly. “They’re closing each Sector down at 9pm for curfew and then they will sweep the streets for anyone who doesn’t follow code.” Ethan found that rather curious. He wondered If the Covenant had been spotted outside the system or even worse here on Meridian, though a part of him was thinking that was a silly thought or else you would hear war…wouldn’t you?

“Why have they issued a lockdown?” Sierra asked.

“Because there’s been talk about terrorist’s attacks happening soon.” The girl replied. Ethan felt a weight come off his shoulders.

“Who are you two anyways?” Josh asked.

“My name is Jonathan and this is my sister Anastasia.”

“I can introduce myself, thank you.” Anastasia replied. “I go by Ana.” She said to the kids.

“And you can call me Jon. So, do your parents know you’re out an about.” Jon glanced at the three. They blushed and looked down.

“Right.”

“It was awfully nice, what you do did; allowing us on the bus.” Sierra said lifting her head.

Jon chuckled, “It was either that or we’d watch you riding it from the back.” He said pointing at the back window which was rather large. Ethan realized how obvious it would have been that they were hitching a ride.

“Pardon me, but why are kids headed to Virgo?” Ana asked. Ethan thought long and hard how to answer that question. He always laughed when people stereotyped children about “not being heard” and how they daydreamed all they time but for once, in this instance, his paranoia was real and he knew that, regardless of what people believe and his superstition could be the best advice anyone could receive.

The bus came to stop abruptly, Ethan fell into the seat ahead of him. He looked over the seats to see red and blue lights flashing outside the front of the bus and he ducked not knowing what to think. Sierra and Josh looked over the seats and hid as well.

“Do you think they’re here for us??” Sierra asked leaning closer to Ethan.

“I sure hope not.” Josh replied. “My mom would kill me.”

The teens sat back in their seats conversating quietly. Jon kept looking back at the police and the kids in the seat until he stared at the front of the bus. Ethan tried hard to stay calm but a part of him wanted to believe the teens had something to do with the police outside. But why would they let them on the bus just to have them removed; he clearly knew he wasn’t calm. Moving onto the floor, Ethan looked forward to see a man decorated in a greyish black uniform speaking with the bus driver who pointed toward the back of the bus. Ethan’s heart sank and he scrambled onto his seat. Jon and Ana looked at the kids and back at the man coming down the hallway pointing his flashlight into every seat obviously looking for something or someone. Ethan locked eyes with Jon who he could tell wanted to ask something but couldn’t find anything to say he turned away as the man finally approached their seats.

“There you are.” Toland said as he stopped and straightened his posture. “I see you brought your friends along.” He smiled. Ethan sighed, relieved and he stood.

“This is Sierra and Josh. We were coming to find you in Sector 5.” He admitted. Toland looked at the other two and smiled. “I’m not sure I want to know so I won’t ask but I you need to come with me, the other two can come along, I suppose.” Toland said, grabbing Ethan not wanting to argue. Ethan tried to keep pace with Toland as they passed people and walked off the bus.

“Why are you pulling me?” Ethan snapped and he tried to pry Toland’s hand off. Toland ignored him as they walked toward the closest car. It was then Ethan noticed there were close to 20 police cars stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic both ways. Toland opened the back door.

“Get in, I have to show you something.” He said and he got in the drivers seat. Sierra and Josh came off the bus and waited at the bus doors. Ethan waved them over but they both stayed still for a moment until Sierra approached him.

“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked.

“We’re scared.” Sierra admitted, her head down.

“I’m scared too and I’ll be even more scared if you don’t come.” He said putting his hand on her shoulder. Toland rolled down his window and leaned out listening.

“I don’t know, look at these cops.” She said, pointing. “It’s just, I didn’t think that things were this bad and I want to be home with my family.”

“Then I can take you to them.” Toland said. “You’re aware of Ethan’s premonition. Yes?” He asked her. Sierra nodded. “Then you know how serious I am when I tell you that Ethan needs to come with me, Meridian depends on it.” Toland finished.

Sierra lifted her head and looked at Josh who was still waiting by the bus, he didn’t seem inclined to go anywhere but home. She turned back toward Ethan and nodded.

“I’m going with Ethan.” She said as she turned back to Josh. He walked forward with his hands in his pockets. “Then I guess I’m going too.” He said unenthusiastic. “Then let’s go.” Toland said loudly. Josh gave him and nasty glare.

The car drove smoothly as Toland weaved in between cars on the highway. The others police cars followed directly behind. The ride for was quiet for the most part aside from Toland’s road rage as he cursed every time someone cut him off. Ethan sat sulking in his seat thinking about what Sierra said about being scared. He never wanted to scare her, nor Josh. They were his friends and he loved them, he didn’t want anything to happen to them and now he was the reason they were scared. All he could think of was comforting Sierra. He noticed her long black hair covering her face. He brushed her hair out of the way and she turned to look at him; they smiled at one another. He tried as hard as he could to say something to comfort her but nothing was coming to mind. All he could think about was the overwhelming feeling that the Covenant coming to Meridian was real and that this may be the last time he’d be sitting next to his friends.

“Rachel, copy?” Toland broke the silence, yelling into his wrist-com, still weaving through traffic. Static came over the com for a moment and then it cleared.

Rachel leaned over the panel next to one of her assistants. “Yes, I am here, do you have Ethan?”

“Yes, But we still haven’t left Virgo yet. We’ll be at the landing pad soon.”

“You’re still driving?!” She yelled back, watching the car move through traffic on the monitor. the other people within the room turned heads. Hoss cleared her throat and changed her tone. “Why aren’t you on a Pelican to Harmony?”

Toland chuckled shaking his head. A car stopped in front of him and he slammed on the breaks, the tired skidded until the front of the car met the bumper of the other. The kids in the back slammed into the front seats and Toland head slammed into the steering wheel.

Hoss waited patiently for a reply after hearing the crash over the com. She hesitated to ask if anyone was ok, she didn’t want to show any vulnerability with war on the brink.

Ethan pushed off the seat feeling his face and didn’t notice anything other than pain in his mouth and the taste of iron. He checked to see if his friends were ok and his heart sank. Josh was holding Sierra who was unconscious with blood running from her nose.

“I don’t know what to do.” Josh said still shaken up. His head was bleeding and his hands noticeably had carpet burn from the seats. Toland reached over, blood dripping off his chin. He placed his hand over Sierra’s throat and sat still for a moment before speaking.

“She’s breathing, that’s good. I’m calling in a Pelican.” A loud sound came from the front of the car gathering everyone’s attention. A man standing with his sidearm drawn was yelling at Toland. He slammed his hand on the hood of car again and demanded Toland step out of the car. Toland raised his hands. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.” He whispered as he touched the panel on the door and it slid open.

Hoss was becoming impatient. “Send a Pelican to his exact location, on the double.” She said to the coms personal and abruptly walked away from the station. In the dome were several rows of com stations each with people monitoring the chatter coming from and to Meridian. Hoss was Director of this section of Anchor 7, she was responsible for the security systems and was to make sure that if anyone arrived in the Hestia V System she would be the first to know. She fast walked toward a closed section of coms in the upper right side of the room.

“Is there anything?” She quietly asked. The female coms officers looked at her, hesitant.

“We’re picking up space distortion on the other side of Hestia V; Slip space.”

“There’s no authorizations from the UNSC today?” She asked becoming worried.

“No Ma’am” The officer replied. Hoss walked over to her station looking at the monitor which displayed heat signatures. On the back side of Hestia V was red matter gathering in rotation to open slip space. the density was large, larger than anything Hoss had seen. It was the Covenant, she was certain. She placed her hand on the shoulder of the officer and ordered to inform her when the portal opens, Hoss was sure the Covenant would arrive within the hour. She walked away from the enclosed booth and into the middle of the room.

“Attention everyone.” She announced as everyone stood from their seats. “We have an Un-authorization of Arrival, slip space events are going to occur around Hestia V within the hour, monitor the coms and notify every Captain’s station in Meridian and close to the Hestia V System of the anomaly.” Hoss paused allowing everyone to stop chatting. “Lieutenant Adams.” She said loudly. Adams saluted from the back of the room. “Yes, Director.”

“Have Captain Persie and Brenan meet with us.” She said. Adams nodded and linked the coms with the Sevenfold Gates.

“We need to be prepared that the Covenant may arrive here. As of now we’re on lockdown, no one leaves this room until we know what’s coming through.” Said Hoss

“Hey, bud” Toland said, his hands up, shaken from the crash. “Put the gun down and we can talk about this.” The man raised his gun using his hands as he gestured. “You fucked up my car, bro.” He speech was slurred indicating he was drunk or using. “You’re a piece of shit cop and you nearly killed me.” He said slamming his hand on the hood of Toland’s car. Toland was aware of how the police were treated on Meridian. Most people could care less if an officer was arresting them or attempting to, they would rebel given the chance. In this case, the gentlemen must have been a part of a gang given the tattoos covering his arms and neck. His shirt was stained leading Toland to believe the man had been drinking all day. Surrounding them were the other police officers with their guns drawn; their cars created a perimeter.

“Look around” He told the man. “You’re outnumbered. Put away your gun and ONI will cover the damages.”

“ONI” The man yelled, pointing the gun. The sound of guns being cocked. “You’re with ONI?” He noticed the patch on Toland’s chest.

“That’s beside the point.” Toland said as blood dripped from his eyebrow. “You’re the one pointing the gun so just put it down before you get put down.” He demanded.

“That’s unlikely.” He said seeming more focused and aware than he had been. As he pulled the trigger Toland ducked and the officers opened fired. Even from inside the car the gunshots were loud enough that Ethan and josh covered their ears. They didn’t understand much of what Toland and the man talked about but whatever it was it obviously wasn’t good. The man’s body collapsed on the ground as a puddle of blood began to surround the body. Pedestrians screamed and gasped as the took photos of the scene. Toland reached for his wrist and grabbed ahold of his ONI band. On the left side was a thin, tall red button the stood out from the rest. He pressed it and every device in the air broke down; cameras stopped, phone and tablets became inactive and people started to curse and yell at Toland who just ignored it and went back to the car to ensure the children were ok.

He opened the back door and saw Sierra still unconscious on Josh’s lap, Ethan’s expression was emotionless as normal. He leaned over Ethan and grabbed Sierra pulling her from the car. He laid her on the gravel and put his head over her chest; she still had a heartbeat. He looked up at her face and checked her head for any lacerations or bruises; nothing except blood still draining from her nose.

“What’s going to happen to her?” Ethan spoke now standing next to Toland who was aware of his presence until now.

“She’s gonna be fine.” He breathed as a Pelican descended from the sky. Rachel must have sent it, he thought. Toland stood with Sierra in his arm as the chief of police walked up to the three.

“Sorry for open fire, Sir, I figured you wouldn’t mind us saving your life.” He said. the man was shorter than Toland but had the years on him. His grey hair was noticeable under his hat and was clean shaven. Ethan couldn’t tell if the man was angry or his face was just stuck that way.

“Thank you, Sheriff. I should be armed in public.”

“No, you shouldn’t.” The Sheriff shot back. “I see your ride had arrived so I wish you guys the best of luck. Is the child ok? He asked.

“We’re going to hook her up and monitor her pulse on the Pelican then bring her to a Hospital in Harmony.” Toland reassured. “We have a medical crew aboard.”

“I’m sure you do.” The Sheriff replied staring at Toland then he walked away. Ethan could tell the man didn’t trust ONI, but honestly, who does? The Pelican came low above the highway blowing dust and garbage off the roads. Once it landed Toland, Josh and Ethan jumped aboard and within a matter of minutes they were headed to Harmony.

“Did that Sheriff know what’s going on?” Ethan asked Toland who was helping the nurses with Sierra.

“He knew of the importance of our mission, not the contents.” Toland breathed. His stiches were bleeding and he looked exhausted.

“I still don’t understand what’s going on.” Josh announced. Toland glanced at him noticing that he was rubbing his hands together and examining them.

“We’re going to the Luminary. We’ve been investigating the facility for the past few days and it is a large facility.” Said Toland sitting down as the nurse pushed him back. Ethan rubbed his face as he stared at Sierra. Her vitals were stable, that was good but he feared for her still as if her life was hanging in the balance. Josh was still shaken up from everything that had happened in the last hour and was trying to stay calm but he couldn’t help tears stream down his face. It was true; Meridian was in danger. Everything he held dear had a very high chance of no longer existing it was just a matter of time.

Toland was slouched in his seat watching the two boys trying everything he could to understand how they were feeling. Obviously, not well given that their best friend was lying before them in a coma. He sniffled and felt his stiches pulling his face. He was trying as hard as he could to think of something comforting to say but for the first time in history, with the fleet in orbit and Hoss on the coms, Humanity was prepared for a Covenant invasion. He couldn’t think of anything else but getting to the Luminary in time for them to uncover its secrets and possibly give Humanity the leverage they need to win the war.

“15 minutes out.” The pilot said over coms.

Toland looked back at the two boys who kept their distance from one another as if they were leaving a seat for someone. He sighed.

Doctor Rachel Hoss and Captain Persie conversated over a holographic table in a closed off section of the Coms Center.

“Sir, you’re not understanding, with all due respect.” She added. “If you do that they will have a straight shot at our defense Anchors and they will take Meridian within a matter of minutes.” Hoss reached over into the hologram which displayed the current state of the Hestia V System. Ships and Anchor Stations were stretched across Meridian creating a sort of wall. Each ship was stationed in such a way that it would be able to maneuver in and out of combat effortlessly. The design belonged to Hoss. She studied the Covenant for years and how they assaulted planets. Each attack wasn’t random but was extremely thought out. By the time Hoss entered school for her degree in orbital defense and engineering, the Covenant already knew Humanities weakness and struck them individually with ease. What Hoss discovered, along with many others, were how weak Covenant ships were when their shields were down. The key word being shields. If Humanity could find a way to incorporate shielding to that scale then it would be a more even fight. This defense system gave Hoss the opportunity to override their shields leaving the Covenant vulnerable. But, of course, that all depended on the size of the fleet that arrived.

“Dr. Hoss,” Colonel Gear stepped forward. “With all due respect, we have been fighting in the war long enough to know that your defense won’t hold.” Hoss stared at the hologram and Persie looked between the two people. “You’re just preventing the inevitable.” Gear added, lowering his voice.

“I beg your pardon” Hoss shot back at Gear, his expression becoming aggressive. “What I’m doing is saving the lives of our citizens on that moon!” She yelled. “How dare you walk in here with talk of wisdom and yet you don’t even understand the very fundamentals of why we’re fighting.”

“Hoss” Said Persie.

“Not now.” She replied staring at Gear who stood straight ahead. She tried not to cry. “You can leave my quarters Colonel.” She said.

“Hoss” Persie raised his voice.

“What?”

“He has the right to be here.”

“And being as this is my operation and my Coms Center I have the right to revoke that.” She said, coldly looking at Gear again. “I would rather sacrifice our ships and soldiers to save millions rather than sacrificing them to save our own ass.” She breathed and turned away trying not to lose herself. “You may leave Colonel.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The Colonel saluted and left the room. Persie dropped his hands and placed them behind his back.

“We don’t have time for this, Rachel. We need to agree on a path and stick to it.” Persie leaned over a table panel and entered coordinates. “If I’m hearing you correctly, once the Covenant arrive and the press on Meridian we surround them and overcharge their shields, send in a strike team and capture their Captain or Prophet—whoever is onboard of the Carrier.” He said as a holographic demonstration unfolded.

Hoss turned around and watched along with Persie nodding her head in agreement. As she watched she swallowed down the fear she had been experiencing for the past few hours and was slowly becoming confident. The excitement was real for her though, not ever has a battle with the Covenant been prepared like this. And to think only a handful of people know. Too bad they couldn’t have had the entire armada with them to defend because Humanity just might have prevailed. There was no doubt this was a suicide mission. It mainly was due to the lack of support they had and information about what exactly was coming through slip-space. But despite the uncertainties, Hoss was certain her defenses would hold. She planned and theorized a lot of the strategy using real statistics from previous losses; unfortunate that so many lives had to be lost for her studies to be justified but that was war; unbiased, and unfair.

The door opened again and a coms officer stepped in.

“Ma’am, I got readings.” She said. It was the same woman Hoss told to inform her if anything happened. Hoss looked at Persie

“I’s advice you get to your ship, Captain.” She said walking out of the room. Persie followed behind her and paced his way toward the airlock into Sevenfold Gates. Hoss and the officer reached the station and immediately Hoss was able to determine exactly what was going to come through. Four Covenant Assault Carriers and about six Cruisers followed by a few Sabers and Banshee’s. It was definitely smaller than she predicted but to her it didn’t matter, what did was capturing whoever was in command.

“Alert Persie and his fleet. Keep this confidential until they arrive.” Hoss said. She didn’t need to ask when they would arrive, she knew when due to the density of the red matter on display that was circulating at high speeds; it was only a matter of minutes until the Covenant arrived.

Persie stationed himself at the window on his deck. Everyone was at their stations. There was no need for alarms, this was a planned attack, everyone was ready to give it their all to stop whatever and whoever attack Meridian. Persie trusted his crew, he had to. Every soldier and every commander beneath him trusted him all the same. He was a leader and for years he worked to save lives and prove to the Covenant he was a worthy adversary, but tonight, this night, this battle, he was going to prove that Humanity wasn’t to be trifled with.

Hoss walked to the corner of the room and opened a coms link to try and reach Toland but the coms wasn’t working. Immediately she became concerned, everything she had hoped for was seeming to unfold in front of her. “There’s no way the Covenant know about their plans” she thought. “They couldn’t have intercepted any other transmission that was relayed out and even if they had received the one she sent to Halsey, it wouldn’t have been enough to justify why they would block coms.” Hoss paced forward to the nearest officer stationed in his seat.

“Open coms.” She whispered. The officer opened the link but nothing happened. He looked up at her in shock. Hoss bit her lip but knew this was no time to think she had to act and fast; she pressed the alarm on the officer’s station.

Persie was looking out the window when he noticed Anchor 7’s alarms going off. He turned toward his crew which all looked at him.

“Focus on the outer edge of the planet to left.” He said pointing out the window. “Fire as soon as the first ship arrives.” He received a resounding yes sir from every one of them.

“Alright everyone” Hoss yelled out. “As soon as the Covenant arrive, penetrate their coms and block any data from being transmitted, we need them to be blind toward other ships.” She walked back to the closed off section and waited. Minutes felt like hours but soon enough everything Hoss had prepared for unfolded in front of her.

Every person in the Com Center on Anchor 7 looked up at the display hub that spanned the entire wall. One by one, four Covenant Assault Carriers and eight Covenant Cruisers arrived through slip-space. Hoss stepped away from the monitor and moved to the window of the room watching the Covenant arrive on the same screen. It was surprising to see the Covenant not firing. They seemed surprised and Hoss knew why; she smirked. Persie didn’t have to say anything as they came out of slip space. He knew the coms were jammed, the Covenant had a constant jammer system in the works wherever they jumped. It was a smart tactic to say the least but that wasn’t going to save them from the mayhem that was about to take place.

The Sevenfold Gates was the first to fire upon the first Assault Carrier to arrive, it shields absorbed every hit as a purpled flicker of light revealed the shell that protected it. Immediately after, in succession, all six Halcyon classes and Frigates fired away giving the Carrier little time to react. Within a matter of seconds, it’s shields were giving way and the Carrier was making major maneuvers. The second Assault Carrier was more prepared, firing plasma round at the Sevenfold Gates, the largest ship in the fleet. Persie yelled at his crew to make evasive maneuvers while keeping steady fire on the first Assault Carrier. Persie imprinted the scenario in his mind; he was going to name the ships based off the order they arrived in.

“Jump toward the back of Hestia V and attack from the rear!” He roared. “Push the Carriers 3 and 4 forward—into the defense grid!”

As he commanded, the Covenant Cruisers headed downward straight for Meridian but were intercepted by Anchor 4, 5 and 6 MAC rounds. One by one, three Cruisers were severely damaged and eventually exploded as they tried to breach the defense grid Hoss had so carefully planned, the remaining four stayed alongside Carrier 4. Plasma broke through the bulkhead of Sevenfold Gates, alarms came on and several sections of the ship were coming offline.

The ship rocked with every blast that penetrated the hull. Persie knew his ship had seen battles but he had repaired the best he could to have ready for battle. He was more than confident his Destroyer would be a match for a Carrier given his backup. Sevenfold Gates jumped more than two-thousand miles within a matter of seconds and was turning around to face the back of the last two Assault Carriers that arrived from slip-space.

Carrier 2 headed straight into the trap as other Destroyers and Halcyon classes fired upon it. Anchor 7 was closest to Meridian in the back of the defense creating extra fire in case a ship happened to get passed. Persie watched, strategically, how the Carriers and Cruisers maneuvered in crossfire. He had always been astonished at their tactics and how easy it was for them to get in and out of battle but in this case, he could tell they were the ones unprepared and so Persie was able to predict their movements.

“Enclose on Carrier 4 and fire upon Carrier 3” he announced. MAC rounds blasted the rear of Carrier 3 as it turned to the left, above Carrier 4. It wasn’t making much progress and several Halcyon classes ships pushed upon the two Carriers. Persie stood at the railing off the observation deck watching Hoss’s plan unfold in front of him. He was unable to believe that a college graduate in engineering could come up with such a simple and effective strategy to overrun a Covenant Assault Carrier but also most of the credit was due to the random child that predicted this event. Without him, none of this would have been possible.

Persie ordered Sevenfold Gates to blast EMP rounds into Carrier’s 3 and 4. Each round that penetrated the Carrier’s shields created a gaping hole that gave pelicans and Longswords their entry. It was only a matter of minutes before Sevenfold Gates, Destroyers, and Halcyons had surrounded the Covenant fleet and penetrated the Carrier shields. Now it was only a matter of time until they captured a Captain, or Prophet, Persie hoped.