Convergence Infinites: Halo

Chapter Sixty

Date: 09-07-2554

Location: Osman's office, Bravo-6, Sidney, Australia, Earth.

Levitsky walked into her office like he owned the place. And to be honest, Osman couldn't blame him. The man wasn't a by-the-book type of guy, and he had been appointed as Osman's overseer to ensure she wouldn't make as many extreme and amoral decisions as Parangosky had made.

"Aleksei, glad you could join me." She said sarcastically. "Still satisfied I'm not making decisions as stupid as those of my predecessor?"

Aleksei snorted. "You wouldn't be competent if you had." He said, his Russian accent evident. "The Kilo-Five team had just logged their last hour of confinement, and are being released as we speak."

"All well and good, but you didn't come here to remind me of ONI's failure at Venezia. You aren't one to waste time."

"No, I'm not. Although the fact we effectively lost our last remaining Hyperlethal there is fuel for debates for years to come." He said, his tone much more grave than before. And with his accent and big appearance, it already was quite heavy by nature.

"I know of your meetings with Mr Nelson. And how you created your 'Operative X' from scratch."

Osman briefly held her breath, as she at last turned to look at the scarred man. How in hell did he learn that? Courtesy of her own tech, his office was soundproof, and immune for any listening devices. Any attempt to place a bug was met with a brief shock throughout the room that fried the systems of all unauthorized equipment there. As such, it was mandatory for her and any visitors to wear Rubber Boots in the office as insulation. So how did Levitsky learn of Operative X?

"I am no fool, Osman." Aleksei answered as if reading her mind. "I know a small supply of Tetrodotoxine B was 'transferred' from the Hopeful's supply manifest, and that the Spartan's body disappeared a mere eight hours after she was declared dead. Not to mention about the cloning tank, and a sudden interest in perfecting the cloning procedures. You think I wouldn't notice? Or the fact that you appropriated antiquated Spartan Armor from the remnants of the Reach Armories shortly thereafter, as well as digging up an old cybernetic arm from a grave just outside the glassed areas of New Alexandria?"

Osman sighed. She had suspected Levitsky had had eyes on her at the time, watching her every move and double checking every order she made without the Demeter-veteran present. But she didn't expect him to put it all together, or at least so soon.

Fortunately, she had the perfect leverage on him.

"Now" Levitsky finished. "Give me one very good reason to not send all this to Hood right now."

She smiled genuinely, as her next words would cement his acts at Scorpio VI.

"Because I have a lead on Quaritch."

Levitsky suddenly became very still, and tensed. It was no secret the two men had a history: during his desertion and time as a Mercenary, Quaritch had attacked one of Levitsky's ships, and destroyed his flagship during the former's escape. Levitsky had been hunting Quaritch in private ever since, though that hunt had hit a dead end years ago.

As such, bringing up the ex-Mercenary who had single-handedly wrestled with a Guta and won was reason enough to make Levitsky reconsider his choice.

"Don't toy with me, woman." Levitsky finally said. "You know what will happen if you lie."

Osman shook her head. "No lies. I have a file that both tells where he is headquartered now, and who his current employer it. All acquired by Nelson. Hand over the Blackmail, and the file's yours."

Levitsky paused and looked away, and for a moment Osman feared the man was going to be rational for once and decline.

But to her relief Levitsky nodded. "Da. Give it, and I'll send all I have on X to you. You'll receive it tomorrow morning at the latest."

Osman nodded in agreement and got her datapad. She inserted the datachip containing the file, and showed it to him. He took it from her hands and read it over, but Osman told him a summary anyway.

"Nelson, being the owner of a massive business, had many contacts and people. He keeps an eye out for people of interest for me. One of his men intercepted Quaritch talking with someone we suspect is an R.I.F agent. This occurred around the time you lost his trail. They were both talking about their Headquarters at Troy, which, although still not located, is likely the R.I.F's homeworld. Also, we learned Quaritch will be present at the mass-defection at Scorpio VI."

Levitsky skimmed through the file, reading multiple sections over and over. Osman saw the man's angry look increase by the second, evidence of the man's loath for Quaritch.

Finally, the Admiral looked at her. "Thank you, Serin." The man answered, surprising her by using her first name. "Not only have I got his employers and his new headquarters, but also a time and place he's sure to be at."

He grabbed something out of his pocket, a datachip. "You earned more than just my silence with this info. This is a hidden recording of Hood's office. He met with SCAF captain Lennox a bare twenty minutes after he promoted you, as well as with your former pet Locke, concerning one of their missing mining vessels. I personally suspect there is more to it, though."

Osman knew that, even as she took it in. Mahad outright despised the UNSC, and was likely smiling at the trouble it was in with the reveal of the ONI database... and that twenty-six colonies had severed ties with the UNSC upon hearing of it and joining the R.I.F, providing alternative shelter to those that didn't or couldn't come to Scorpio VI at the requested date. For him to ask Hood for help, even through his second-in-command, was a show of how much trouble he was likely in.

"Thank you. If nothing else, it will be excellent leverage on Hood for keeping the Council in the dark about aiding the Sovereign Colonies when his own affairs aren't even in order."

"Indeed." Levitsky said absently, back to reading Quaritch's file.

"Now, if you excuse me, we both have matters to attend to."

Levitsky nodded, and quietly left the office, his thoughts likely on how he could get at the ex-mercenary and how he could make him suffer. Osman, meanwhile, inserted the datachip, and watched the meeting.

Hesian

C.S.A.T. Base

Malehfor: [Looking at his massive army] Prepare yourselves men! For today... We attack N.A.T.O.!!

The upgraded C.S.A.T. Troopers all raises their weapons screaming and chanting Malefor's name.

*[Robotnik, excited about the upcoming assault twirls his mustache]* Lets the games begin!

Elsewhere. . .

[A mysterious black vessel, in stealth mode slowly approaches the Greater Ark]

???: *[Takes a deep breath]* So, I go in. Join them. And gain data on. . . *[Looks at a holo on her terminal]* Her.