Harvest Files: Arizona

Chapter 1: Incoming Transmission

CHAPTER 1: Incoming Transmission

1 year ago...

Agent Arizona sat in his quarters aboard the Mother of Invention, typing up a combat report from an assassination mission he finished in the Outer Colonies. Reports tended to be boring, but having Oregon drill into him for missing a report was even worse than the boringness he felt from typing a report.

A knock was heard outside of his door. He put the last few words in the report and sent it to Org's datapad and stood up, walking over to the door. As he opened it, an ODST stood outside the door.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Agent Arizona, a communication request just came through for you in our console on the bridge. Would you like to take the call on your helmet radio?"

Arizona shrugged his shoulders. "I guess. Patch it through." The ODST nodded and jogged back down the corridor to the elevator to the bridge.

After a few minutes, Arizona heard the familiar static of a comm transmission going through his helmet. He then heard a voice he hasn't heard in years.

"Captain Nick Sherman, how are ya you sneaky son of a bitch?" Arizona grinned at the voice of his old squadmate.

"Darren Graften. I thought with your reckless attitude you'd be dead." He heard laughter on the other end of the comm.

"Well, I'm not gonna lie, there have been a few times when I should've been. Anyways, I'm sure you want to know why I contacted you after all this time."

"I'm going to guess this wasn't a social call."

"Actually Nick, I'm in some deep shit out at Harvest. Innie scouting base has been harrassing UNSC forces stationed here and we need some help. I was thinking, why not our old squad leader? I'm hoping you can bring some reinforcements." Arizona rubbed his chin with his right hand.

"Well, I can get in contact with our old team, I suppose. It'll take some time, Darren, but I can get you those reinforcements. I'll be there as well."

"Really? Thanks a lot, Captain. I'll be seeing you soo-" The transmission was interrupted by an explosion on Darren's end, followed by the staccato of automatic gunfire from an MA5B assault rifle. "Damnit! Jenkins get some cover fire going! I'll talk to you later Nick." And with that, the transmission ended.

Arizona was in shock. He has to help Darren yet, something felt off. His transfer to Project Freelancer wasn't exactly public knowledge. His squad should've been told he was transferred to some other squad of promoted. Well, now wasn't the time to question it. All he knew was Darren was in trouble and needed help.

It was time to reassemble the squad.