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In Chaos and Despair: The UNSC Council
Posted By: Maraxus6<deathperson@att.net>
Date: 29 March 2004, 2:42 AM
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Excerpt from Chapter 5: Escape to Earth
...The Covenant had gone into Rome, and, oddly enough, seemed to be specifically trying to get into Vatican City. Sanchez remembered hearing on the news that snipers had spotted Covenant troops burning religious artifacts, and collecting the other, larger artifacts into huge piles and watching as Hunters smashed and blew them to bits.
But the resistance from the people of Earth eventually prevailed, and the Covenant were almost kicked off the planet and forced to retreat when losses became too great. What a glorious day that was. It was made a worldwide holiday, and it was called: "The Turning of the Tide". It wasn't very original, but it fit well with the public.
So, the ship started to land. Sanchez would have a big day ahead of him.
Chapter 6: The UNSC Council
Sanchez was led through a pair of massive double doors, which let into a cavern-like room. Several other marines who had survived the catastrophe went with him. All around and above them, men were seated, All of them members of the UNSC council, who governed each world within the bounds of the UNSC.
Sanchez was led to a pedestal in the center of the room. He was so nervous that even though the room was at a cool 60 degrees Fahrenheit, sweat trickled down the back of his neck. He gathered up all of his strength to speak, but was cut off before he could say anything by one of the leaders.
"What exactly happened on Harvest, private... um... Sanchez?" The council member asked.
"Harvest was attacked, as you already know. They weren't Covenant, but something else that I'm not familiar with. They had advanced weapons, and sleek, bulbous black ships. I can't recall anything other than those major details." Sanchez said. He was sad that he couldn't say any more. It felt like he was telling the council information that they already knew.
The room was filled with muffled voices for several minutes. After a few moments, a different leader spoke up. "What do the creatures that attacked Harvest resemble? Are they similar in any way to the Covenant?"
A marine with a scar along his eye looked up at the council member, and said: "As far as I could tell, the damn things look a lot like those elite bastards, except they got wings, and they're guns make buzzing noises and hurt like a bitch."
Another marine piped up. "I saw 'em searching everywhere, like they were looking for something."
The council member said: "This news of them looking for something is very, very interesting. I've got no idea what they're looking for, but whatever it is has extreme importance. I want all of you marines to meet me into briefing room 10A. You have five minutes."
Thusly, the council was concluded. The council members left their seats and proceeded to their personal quarters in the building.
Sanchez and the other marines hustled it over to the briefing room. As the door closed behind them, the council member emerged from the shadows of the room. "Sit down, gentlemen." He said calmly. "We have a lot to talk about."
The marines sat down in the heavily upholstered chairs in the room, and silence ensued as they waiting for the council member to speak.
The council member walked to the side of the room opposite the marines. "Although none of you know this now, due to your postings on other worlds, I am Nicholas Everwood, UNSC council member of Earth. I must ask you spare your personal introductions, since we don't have much time." He paused. "What I am about to tell you must never, ever leave this room. If none of you feel like you can keep secrets, leave immediately."
The marines stayed as they were, ever-vigilant.
"Good." Nicholas said. "Firstly, I will inform you that we know... well, we think we know what these creatures are looking for. It never occurred to us what could've sparked their sudden interest in this galaxy other than this... artifact."
"What is it, sir?" one of the marines asked.
Nicholas sighed. "For now, we only have vague ideas of this artifact's capabilities. The only facts we do know are that it's Forerunner, and that it's emitting almost undetectable pulses through space, which span the whole of the galaxy within mere seconds. We have no idea what it does, nor any capabilities that it has."
"Where is it?" another marine asked.
"It's on a planet that we call Sahara 7. It's named after the Sahara desert in Africa, so it's obviously a desert planet." Nicholas replied.
"So, if we know where it is, why don't we just go there and take it over?" a marine inquired.
"I wish it were that simple, but the planet's inhabitants wouldn't be too happy about it."
"Then... kill em!" a marine whooped.
"That is another problem. The planet has over 20 billion inhabitants. And all of them are human-sized arthropods." Nicholas replied sadly.
One marine, looking confused, said: "What's an-"
"-In this case, they're insects... Arthropods are anything from crabs and lobsters to bugs and arachnids." Nicholas stated calmly.
Another marine spoke. "So you're saying that the planet is inhabited by 20 billion human sized bugs?!"
"In a nutshell, yes. They don't have advanced technology, but every single one of them are warriors whose claws could tear through your armor like a hot knife cuts through butter." The council member said calmly. "Which brings me to my next point..."
"Which is...?" the marines said in unison.
"After the war with the Covenant, we've made huge advances in military technology. The Spartans proved very affective in times of need." Nicholas answered.
"So, are you suggesting that we become Spartans?" One marine piped up.
"In truth, I'm not suggesting that to all of you." Nicholas explained. "The Spartan program requires that it's 'subjects' have fulfilled certain parameters. Simply put, you've have to be as close to genetically perfect as a human can be." The council member paused for a moment, and then said: "It's impossible for us to turn you soldiers into Spartans. We do, however, have an alternative that has had equally promising results as the Spartan project. It's called CHMEP, or Collective Human Militant Enhancement Project. It has close to the same results as the Spartan project, but we don't need nearly perfect human beings to do it. All we need is volunteers. If you're in for this, say so now. The rest who don't wish to take part, can leave now under a vow of silence regarding this project."
"I'm in!" A sergeant stepped forward.
"Me too!" Said close to a dozen other marines.
After a few moments, all the people in the room, except the council member, had volunteered for CHMEP.
"Good," Nicholas chuckled. "I'm glad to see such enthusiasm in all of you. Welcome to the CHMEP project!"
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