Cyberpunk: Spartan Walker

Tommy stood in front of the star chart and communicated with Ellie's projected avatar, while Polaski reported to Captain Keyes the pilots' efforts to figure out the controls of the Covenant troop transport.

Locklear slowly walked up to the Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson. What do you think, Sergeant? he whispered, glancing furtively at Polaski. I mean, how is she? There's a barrier between the Marines and the Navy, of course, but I can get over it. .You think it’s possible between me and her, right? I mean-

The odds are as good as jumping into space and walking the rest of the way to Reach, the sergeant snorted, and in just your underwear.

If I were given a drop pod, I would do it, Sergeant. A smile appeared on Locklear's tan face, and then he turned to the Chief and said, Of course, I know, if I hadn't been close Target, he won’t be so jealous. There’s no smoke without fire, right?”

The Master Chief didn't think this silly boy could succeed. It was much harder than killing an elite veteran in hand-to-hand combat. He stared at Locklear and slowly shook his head. Locklear's smile faded, but didn't disappear completely.

You guys are just jealous, he muttered, running his fingers over a scar on his jaw. That's it, I already knew it.

Locklear was in high spirits now. Despite the Helltrooper's abrasive nature, the Chief admired his performance in combat. He wouldn't panic, he had the skills and luck to escape Halo - the skills and luck the Chief knew they needed if they were to return to Reach.

Polaski's report ended quickly, and the crew on the bridge consciously came to the largest display screen. Everyone waited quietly as time passed.

Leaving slipspace, Cortana announced. Three seconds. Two seconds to a second.

According to the Master Chief's mission clock, only eight minutes had passed since Cortana told him the ETA was nineteen minutes. Is there anything else she doesn't realize about the time dilation effect?

The lights on the bridge dimmed, the deck shook, and a row of monitors on the bulkhead went dark. Then, twinkling stars appeared one by one. At three o'clock, the four stars of Epsilon Eridanus are burning with yellow flames.

We are now 700,000 kilometers away from the center of the galaxy. Cortana told them. The place I plan to jump into is just right. It will not only allow us to see what is happening, but also give us time to recover if we encounter trouble. Recharge and re-enter the slip space. The signal is being received now. There are many signals from the Covenant troops and they are being deciphered. Wait a moment.

Thanks, Cortana, Case said, tapping on one of the screens to enlarge the image.

Oh my God! Lieutenant McKay on the side exclaimed in a low voice.

A planet appeared on the screen and she gasped. I saw that the world was burning from the poles to the equator, the ground was in flames, and a black hurricane was raging in the atmosphere.

The Master Chief felt as if the ship suddenly slowed down. He couldn't help but clenched his fists.

He sent most of his team there - originally thinking the mission there would be easier. He sent his Spartans to death, certain that they were no longer alive.

Did they die in battle, or were they burned alive by the Covenant ship in orbit while they were isolated and helpless?

We're in the right place, right? Polaski murmured to herself. Is that Reach? She took off her hat, rubbed it with her hands, and whispered, Poor guy.

Additional monitors showed Covenant warships orbiting the planet, along with dozens of small craft and a large facility that looked like a central docking port.

What is this? Tommy asked, taking a few steps closer. He tapped the central monitor, increased its resolution, and enlarged the image of a portion of the ground near mid-latitudes.

The image grew clearer, showing patches of green, brown, and white—different from the furious black and angry orange that was ravaging the rest of the planet.

It looks like they missed a spot, Case said.

The Covenant never 'misses' anything when they turn a planet into glass, the Master Chief replied. We've seen them do it thousands of times without incident. He looked at Kai. Captain Si, We should get closer to see what this is, sir.

Master Chief, Case said softly, raising his hands, I understand you want to know exactly what happened to your fellow Spartans, but this is... He gestured to the planet, then frowned. Take a closer look at the undamaged parts of Reach. Indeed, he whispered, we really should get closer and take a look. If we are lucky enough to succeed.

The captain pulled the magnification back, refocusing the display on the upper atmosphere. Hundreds of Covenant spaceships jumped into view.

There are several smaller spaceships hovering over that location. Just pretend I didn't say anything just now. He whispered, If the Covenant forces are so interested in this area, then we should also be like this - —As long as we stay hidden. Cortana, let's get closer.

Yes, Captain, Cortana replied. The Covenant carrier accelerated smoothly into the system.

They are greeting us, Cortana said, generating appropriate responses.

John counted the ships on the display. There were hundreds of them—most the same size as Covenant troop carriers, but at least two cruisers and two giant aircraft carriers, each carrying three squadrons of Seraph fighter. Their firepower was more than enough to destroy the captured flagship.

Many small craft carried the wreckage from the battlefield to a place above Reach - a scrapyard for UNSC and Covenant force ships.

Look at this, Tommy said, pointing to the pile of floating debris.

Case stared intently. They're probably planning to stay here for a while - they're cleaning it.

We're in, Cortana said. The fleet was curious as to why a Covenant flagship would appear here, but they didn't suspect our identity yet. The deciphering work was a bit difficult, but from the time they responded Judging from the long list of honorifics attached, it was clear that they thought a high-ranking official was in command of the ship. Among other things they mentioned, they referred to someone as 'the Keeper of the Bright Key'.