No Gods, Nor Masters

The Incident Part 1:Contact!

Doctor Halsey sat at her console, tapping away at a report that she was pretty much required to write. It was the first report of the New Year. Outside, Marines fired fireworks into the sky. They were, despite the Lieutenant's requests, unable to provide a shore leave for him and his platoon to take Her Highness out to see the world. Meanwhile, an ONI asset was stationed with the Dragon-Born, all of whom were keeping watch over the science team also present within that Forerunner mountain complex.

She tapped her fingers rhythmically onto the metal desk after she finished and sent the report, then brought up an image on her holo-computer. Sliding the windows off to the left and right and pulling in the most recent seismic activity readings, the woman hummed. Very minor movements of the planetary tectonic plates, nothing too noticeable to worry about.

She flicked up another window and pulled it close to her, pushing away several lines from a sensor reading of the atmosphere, then switching over to an energy reading of the planet, courtesy of a UNSC science vessel currently sitting high above the planet, next to the six warships and single UEG Representative vessel. She also plucked a report from the BattleNet about UNSC engagements against Insurgent forces and the soldiers of Sapien Sunrise, the latter of which had gained a mediocre, but still present amount of support for their work.

She hummed, then leaned back into her seat and sipped from a mug of coffee. Yes, a mug. Halsey had finally gotten her old ONI mug back, as well as her diary, for the operations on the planet. It'd only taken the bastards a couple of years, didn't it? So she thought as she continued working. She kept her eyes on sensor data and the communication systems, waiting for a ping from the research team.

She looked up, to see the Lieutenant marching in. With a salute and a smile, the man said, "Wanted to see me, doc?"

"Indeed... Have we made any progress in dealing with the enemy surveillance forces, Lieutenant? The Major's been telling me that they just keep on fleeing," Halsey raised a brow. The man nodded, retrieved his holo-tablet from his breast pocket and handed it to the doctor. As she read through it, she gave various nods of approval, looking to the Lieutenant. He'd certainly gotten more thorough in his reports.

She spoke again, "Thank you, Richard. How is the Queen?"

"Her English is top-notch, doc," He smirked proudly, "Should see her also teaching the others."

"Soon, perhaps, we will ditch the translation systems in our helmets and switch to talking to them normally," Halsey almost pleaded, "I hate those helmets so much..." and she sighed, rubbing her eyes, "Anyways, thank you again. Is there anything you wish to discuss in particular, or should let you be? I'm sure Her Highness is waiting for that approval from the UEG to visit Earth."

"We all are, honestly," The Lieutenant shrugged, "And there's nothing major I wanna talk to you about, ma'am. Rory's been buzzing about, though. Checking the troops, our kit, that kind of stuff. Clear enough we spooked her to death a while back," He then stated. Miss Mercury had been fairly attentive in terms of studying the equipment that the UNSC provided its troops. Unsurprisingly, she was somehow slightly surprised to see these kinds of 'dishonorable' weapons being so effective.

"Doctor!" Wailed the voice of the young warrior priestess.

"And speak of the Devil..." Halsey stood to her feet, watching as the Priestess strode in, her weapon leaned against her shoulder. She smiled proudly, stating, "Welcome, miss Mercury."

"It has certainly been a while..." Rory's smile remained, but it wasn't venomous or angry. Rather actually friendly, "Emroy was shocked to know of your people's power... He has guaranteed neutrality in any dealings between you and the other Gods and their Apostles, so there is that. He has, however, asked me to stay by your people's side to supervise you."