Spectre 117 (Halo & Mass Effect Story)

Chapter 22: Mission- Noveria

(Disclaimer: I do not own Halo or Mass Effect)

17:45 Hours, March 8th, 2560
Noveria Orbit
Pax System, Horse Head Nebula

As The Normandy entered Noveria's atmosphere, the crew were in the CIC, getting ready for the mission.

It was then Joe realized something.

"You know Garrus, it just occurred to me."

"Yeah Joe?"

"We're only just now starting our third mission on finding Saren."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it feels like we have been looking for Saren for almost eight months."

"But it's only been a few weeks since we joined The Chief and The Normandy."

"I know, right?!"

The SPARTAN-II glanced at the squad and silently approved. Pre-mission chatter aside, they were all geared up and ready for action. He then marched up to the cockpit as he saw the outline of Noveria's curvature out the window.

"Hey Chief. Armed to the teeth as always I see." Joker commented. "You do realize that we're just pulling into port, right? We're not going in hot like on Feros, so I don't think anyone is gonna try to shoot you."

"Yet." Chief replied. "With suspected Geth activity in this system, I'm not letting my guard down."

"Attention unidentified vessel." A squawking voice said over the comm in a business-like tone. "This is Noveria Control. Your arrival has not been scheduled. Our defense grid is armed and tracking you. Please state your identity and business."

"This is SSV Normandy and we're here for Citadel business." Joker answered. "We've got a Council Spectre on board."

"...I see." The voice replied. "We'll grant you landing access. Sending you docking coordinates now. Be advised, we will be confirming identification upon arrival. If confirmation cannot be established, your vessel will be impounded."

With that, the connection was cut and coordinates were uploaded to The Normandy's navigational HUD.

"What a fun bunch." Joker commented. "I think I'll take my next leave here."

The crew gather around the airlock, ready when the ship docks.

The first thing that stuck out to John as he walked out the airlock was Noveria's environment. It was cold.

Very cold...

The Normandy had to carefully navigate through a vicious blizzard in order to dock. This was not unexpected. The codex mentioned that Noveria was essentially an ice planet. In fact, at negative one degree celsius.

"Let's get moving." Chief said as he marched up the dock towards the port entrance proper. "It'll get warmer the further in we go."

"Assuming we get further in." Fives said as they rounded the corner and saw an armed entourage waiting for them. "We may have a problem already."

"I'll handle it." The Master Chief quietly replied as he held up a hand, bringing his team to a stop.

The armed entourage mostly consisted of two Human women, armed with Shotguns and Assault Rifles. One had a very clear Asian heritage, most likely Japanese from the pale skin-tone, while the other was blonde and had more of a North American or European look to her.