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Delta Team: Midnight Sakura Chapter 14 — Description

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FORT DESTINY
Karakura, Installation 0 “The Greater Ark”

“These weren't in service when you were with Delta Team,” said Roy as he picked up a Battle Rifle and handed it to Vash.

“These are heavily modified,” commented Vash as he looked at the rifle.

“Lau and I have a friend at Misriah Armory, their competition department helped develop these for us,” said Roy showing off the rifle, “Titanium Nitride coated bolt carrier group and chamber, the firing mechanism are coated in Nickel-Boron and Nickel-Teflon.”

“Never did like your guns to just be stock,” said Vash with a smile as he walked over to a M739 SAW that was clearly customized for him.

“Not if I can help it,” answered Roy as he joined Vash by his new weapon, “ONI Materials Group came up with this Variant, they like to call it Appetite for Destruction.”

“I like it,” said Vash picking up the support weapon. He noticed the bolt carrier was coated in almost a black chrome unlike like the standard parkerized coating.

Roy noticed Vash inspecting the SAW, “Even your SAW there had additional modifications to it, various parts have a Titanium Aluminum Nitride coating, it has better heat resistance and a lower coefficient of friction then your standard coatings.”

“Does that increase the rate of fire,” asked Vash.

“Technically it does,” answered Roy, “but we upgraded the springs and lowered the gas to keep the rate of fire about the same as a stock variant.”

“Then whats the point,” asked Vash.

“You'll notice that when the gun heats up, it will hold its performance much better.”

“Well that will be useful in the field,” said Vash, “I assume seventy-two and hundred-eight round magazines are available?”

“Yes, and the mag catch and follower are reinforced so the hundred-eight magazines feed flawless,” said Roy.

As Roy continued to explain Delta Team's customized weapons to Vash, a UH-144 Falcon flew overhead the hanger that they were in. Then a condition yellow klaxon could be hear.

“All Commanders and Department Heads please report to headquarters immediately,” order a voice over the intercom systems.

“Sounds like they need me,” said Roy.

“Wonder what this is all about,” added Vash looking around the hanger, “well I got to get in the Brokkr to get fitted in my armor, good luck.”

HQ FORT DESTINY

Karakura, Installation 0 “The Greater Ark”

“What's the status,” asked Captain Henderson.

“One of your teams just got back from a reconnaissance mission,” answered Major Lang, “The two Spartans that were trying to find that interference.”

“Yeah, what they find?”

“Looks to be a Covenant CCS-Class Cruiser with an optical camouflage is parked about fifty clicks from here.”

“That's awfully close.”

“Yes, we are possibly going to have a battlefront right next to us,” said Major Lang as he walked to a holotank that was projecting several individuals that were representative of several of the military and science branch heads that were stationed on the base.

The door to the room opened as Commander Roy Hamm walked in, “What's going on?”

“Commander, good you are here,” greeted Captain Henderson.

“Yeah, well they called us all to check in over the load speakers,” answered Hamm who was confused on what was going on.

“Come join us,” welcomed Major Lang who was getting ready to make his announcement.

“As of fifteen hundred hours, a recon team who was investigating the communication blackout that we had experience last night discovered a CCS-Class Cruiser parked about fifty kilometers away.”

As Major Lang began to cover the details of the reconnaissance and the situation of the Covenant Cruiser and its deployment, Commander Hamm leaned over of the Captain Henderson, “How did they sneak past our defenses, I thought the Air Force scanned everything that flew through the Veil?”

“It's not talked about much Commander, but the Installation and its sentinels cause a lot of interference on those scans, so they can't catch everything,” answered Captain Henderson, “That's why HIGH COMM has been pushing to move the Veil away from the Installation.”

“Why haven't they?”

“In order to do that we need to shut down the Veil-Canceler to move it, and civilian government doesn't want to do that because it would interfere with trade.”

“But it's a security issue,” argued Commander Hamm.

“Civilian government doesn't know there is a security issue with things now,” answered Captain Henderson, “HIGH COMM doesn't want the civilian government to know.”

“You mean General Rickenbacker doesn't want the civilian government to know,” said Commander Hamm.

“You didn't hear it from me,” answered Captain Henderson who knew that Commander Hamm was right, “The Air Force has been under a lot of pressure lately and with their recruitment numbers at an all time low, they are not able to keep up.”

“True, and Rickenbacker was pushing for more responsibilities even though her branch doesn't have the numbers,” said Commander Hamm straightening up his posture to listen to Major Lang's briefing.

“Yeah, but that warhawk has been seeking glory since day one,” finished Captain Henderson.

As Major Lang finished the situation briefing he then moved onto the deployment briefing, “Captain Johnson from the 173rd Air Force Wing is enroute as of now with a small group of Broadswords. The UNSC Myth of Athena is due to join the area tomorrow.”

One of the holographic representations of one military commanders interrupted Major Lang, “What is the Defense Force thinking, that is not enough to take on a cruiser.”

Another individual who was communicating through a holographic avatar spoke up, this time from one of the civilian scientist, “Major Lang, may I suggest the deployment of the Lam-ang Blade or of the deployment of the MF Units.”

“The Blade is still in production having her systems checked and MF Units are prototypes that haven't been tested,” answered Major Lang who was getting frustrated by the interruptions. Because of their remote location Major Lang had usually maintain a more relaxed atmosphere more similar to a colonial militia unit. Unfortunately that meant that some of their discipline was lacking at this time.

“Additional a Task Group from the 17th Fleet of Brilliant Suns is going to be here in about half an hour to establish a perimeter around the possible threat,” announced Major Lang.

“A Sangheili Fleet,” cried another voice on the holotank in disgust, “Why is a alien fleet coming here.”

The room broke into argument between Major Lang and the holographic avatars of his subordinates and civilian partners. Captain Henderson and Commander Hamm stood behind Major Lang in silence until Roy Hamm leaned back over to Henderson and whispered, “I wouldn't think they would have an issue with a Swords of Sanghelios fleet coming to help out.”

“It's not due to racists reasons like it might appear,” started Henderson, “or at least not mostly. We have the a lot of secret projects going on here that we even don't want our allies finding out.”

“Like the MF Units and Blade,” stated Commander Hamm, “What are those?”

“I can't talk about the MF Units,” said Captain Henderson, “I believe that the Lam-ang Blade is a new Commonwealth-Class Destroyer, they have a secret shipyard under here.”

“We were just talking about the possibility of a shipyard here,” said Commander Hamm recalling his conversation with Alan Willmore.

“Well you are right, hear its having a loads of problems though,” said Captain Henderson.

“I thought they scrapped the Commonwealth-Class project,” recalled Commander Hamm.

“Eggheads here thought they had some solutions for it,” answered Henderson, “Biggest problem with the design was feeding all of her guns, had to carry so much ammunition that there wasn't enough room for anything but it.”

“But that is typical of a destroyer, how did they think they were going to solve that problem,” asked Commander Hamm.

“Well they actually did solve the problem,” said Henderson, “Some of the guns are now energy based and added a small production area to produce ammunition to feed its other guns.”

“Production equipment like that is pretty big still, didn't they occupy a large amount of room on the converted Phoenix Classes,” said Commander Hamm with some intrigue.

“They aren't using human tech,” answered Henderson, “Its Forerunner, which is where they are having problems. Software and Hardware aren't wanting to talk to each other and its been affecting other systems because of it.”

“Well Forerunner systems are screwy like that,” commented Commander Hamm who knew that when integrating Forerunner technology with Human technology would sometimes have illogical problems, “Why not get some Huragok to workout the issues.”

“They can't get one,” confessed Captain Henderson who knew that resources had been stretched thin lately, “All of them are deployed on warships and we have been keeping them so busy that they haven't had time to reproduce properly.”

“Sounds like Delta hasn't been the only one's on a constant move,” said Commander Hamm.

“That's enough,” snapped Major Lang that brought the whole room silent, “This is an UNSC Army base and we will run it accordingly. This is how things are going to be handled, if you don't like! Suck it up!”

Major Lang tapped the holotank controls that cleared the tank of the holographic avatars of his subordinates and let out a sigh.

“What can we do for you Major,” asked Captain Henderson.

“Delta Team is ready to go when you need us,” added Commander Hamm.

“Nothing right now Captain,” said Major Lang as his shoulders dropped to a less tense position, “And while I would very much enjoy having a Spartan team ready to go, you here for Captain Henderson's project, not base defense.”

“Are you sure,” asked Commander Hamm.

“I am, and I am returning your two Spartans back to your command.”

“It's no problem if I have them stay here to defend the base,” said Captain Henderson who was surprise that Major Lang would turn down such a valuable asset.

“Maybe if the base is being invaded,” responded Major Lang with a small laugh, “But I think if they were after this facility, they would have attacked already.”

“True, and they no longer have the element of surprise,” added Commander Hamm.

A loud sound of aircraft's could be other heard, but instead of the raw violent noise of UNSC engines it was high pitch grind belonging to a Covenant Phantom.

“Looks like our Allies are here,” said Major Lang, “head of Republic Defense wanted a Covenant group to mostly handle this.”

“Do they believe that things can be handled diplomatically,” ask Commander Hamm.

“I sounds like it, even a bunch of pirates are more likely listen to their own kind,” responded Lang.

“Pirates,” said Hamm, “So you don't think that they don't belong to the Covenant Empire or one of the more organized splinters groups.”

“I don't really know, but that is what the Arbiter thinks,” responded Lang.

“Thel?”

“Yeah, that Arbiter,” said Lang with a smirk, “ the only one that is friendly with us.”

“Sounds like something more is going on if he is getting involved,” commented Roy.

“Yeah, I am getting that feeling as well,” said Major Lang as he picked up a datapad, “what ever is going on, I'll keep you informed.”

“In the mean time, we have a mission for you Commander,” interjected Captain Henderson, “we have a reconnaissance mission to explore a planet designated SX-4405.”

“Roger, I'll have a team of four ready to go when you need it,” reported Roy who was getting eager to get back to duty.

“Sounds good Commander, I am looking forward to your mission report when you are done.”

END OF CHAPTER

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