ODST (Halo)

Preparations

Well, it's been three or so months since I last updated and I only have myself to blame. Summer is the time to be lazy and that's exactly what I did :). I'm not abandoning it yet but I just hope that you're still interested in this sparsely updated story of mine.

I recently revised chapter 3-5, mostly grammar and sentence structure so it should at least read better than before. Hopefully?

And without further ado...

_start_

The entire bridge was quiet as the Sangheili officers went about their business. A few intently watching the screen in the front of the room showing Coruscant, waiting for any sign of the CIS. The bounty hunters information was crucial in confirming the reason for federation vessels leaving their posts throughout the galaxy. Our prices first flagged the massive ship movements a few days ago and it only stopped early this morning. So it only means one thing.

The invasion of Coruscant will begin very soon.

"Are the sabers and cruisers ready lieutenant?" Zatan asked the Sangheili to his right as he observed the edges of the screen.

"Yes fleet master, all ships are fueled and loaded. Recon teams on the surface are in position as well" the lieutenant stated respectfully.

"Good. What of the UEG's… special reinforcements?" Zatan asked.

"The demon's?" the lieutenant said with some anger.

"They won't arrive for another month, the UNSC refused to send them earlier," he said with disdain.

Zatan sighed at his reaction, the wounds of war still open for many of his brothers. The only hope for this crew is that outside forces don't learn of our past conflicts. If they do, political and military threats will seize upon it to divide us, and the month-long journey across galaxies is a long time for us to be on our own.

"Is the ambassador and her security in position?" Zatan asked as he brought up a feed of the Senate building and the Jedi temple.

"Yes fleet master, they are ready to make contact upon your request," he said with a nod.

"Good. Now go and review our plans with the rest of the commander's, I have one final thing to do myself" Zatan said dismissively.

"Yes, fleet master," the lieutenant said with the bow of his head and an arm over his chest.

The lieutenant left his side and made his way out of the bridge. Zatan sighing once again as he thought of his earlier reaction to merely mentioning the Spartans.

It will take ages before the wounds are healed.

He stood up from his chair and made his way to the back of the bridge to his private. He passed several Sangheili before reaching the door, it opened silently and he locked the door behind him as he entered. The room was empty except for the desk in the corner of the room and the silver outline of a circle in the middle of the room.

"I'm getting too old for this," he said with a slight groan as he made his way to the center of the circle.

A small holo-projected keypad appeared in front of him as he stepped into the circle, a simple one to nine human number system its distinguishing mark. He typed in the code, 9379867421, and waited. A wall of holo-projected light quickly forming around the outside if the circle. The code was a set of coordinates for the slipspace communication relay, and they should receive it in a matter of seconds.