Log Archive/Ares Logs

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Laszlo's Journal
WELL, WE'VE GOT THE KIDS GATHERED NOW. I'LL HAVE TO SPEAK TO THEM SOON. TELL THEM THEY'RE SOON-TO-SPARTANS. AND THAT THEY CAN NEVER, EVER, RETURN TO THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES. SOME ARE VENGEFUL ORPHANS, SO THEY DON'T MIND; THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO RETURN TO ANYWAY. I ADMIRE SUCH RESOLVE IN SO SMALL CHILDREN; I COULD NEVER BE THAT STRONG. BUT THE ONES WHO DID HAVE A HOME, THOSE WHO LIVED A HAPPY LIFE...I DON'T KNOW, IT FEELS LIKE I MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SHOT THEM IN THE KNEECAPS. I KNOW IT'S NECESSARY, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HELP MY CONSCIENCE. I'LL STILL TRAIN THEM ALL OF COURSE - BUT I DON'T HAVE TO LIKE DOING IT.

I'VE DONE THE RESEARCH ON THEM ALL, AND I FROWN ON THE NEW PARAMETERS RICH APPROVED FOR THE ENLISTMENT; ONLY 20% (10 CANDIDATES) OF THE 50 REMAINING CANDIDATES ARE OF GENETIC STOCK VERY CLOSE TO OR NEAR-EQUIVALENT TO MINE AND THE OTHER IIs - OF WHICH ONLY 4%, TWO PEOPLE, ARE ACTUALLY TRULY EQUAL. THEN THERE'S THE IN-BETWEENS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE IT (42%), AND LASTLY THE RANDOM ONES RICH APPROVED SIMPLY TO FILL UP THE ROSTER. IF IT'S TRUE WHAT I HEAR ABOUT THAT WE HAVE TO RELY ON OLDER AUGMENTATION PRODCEDURES...IT WON'T BE PRETTY.

I GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO DO MY PART OF THE JOB AS WELL AS POSSIBLE, THEN HOPE FOR THE BEST. THOUGH THAT'S EASIER SAID AND DONE.

AND I SHOULD REALLY TELL RICH'S INVESTIGATORS TO FRACKIN' PROOFREAD WHAT THEY WRITE DOWN. THERE'S ERRORS ALL OVER THE ROSTER; THEY MIXED UP [343]'S (NEED TO NOTE SOMEWHERE THAT SHE'S ONE OF "THE TWO") AND [358]'S NUMBER TAGS, AND SOMEHOW WROTE DOWN THE FORMER'S NAME AS A MALE NAME. MAKES ME WONDER WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WORK IN [ONI]. THEN THERE WAS ALSO THE MISTAKE OF WRITING [338]'S (SECOND OF "THE TWO") TAG AS "038", NOT TO MENTION THAT THEY FORGOT TO ADD A LOT OF INTEL ABOUT HIM. IT JUST PISSES ME OFF IS ALL.

WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR ME TO GET GOING NOW, SO I SHOULD STOP WRITING NOW.

AUGUST 5TH, 2540

WELL, I MET THEM ALLRIGHT. I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT I EXPECTED TO FEEL LIKE, STANDING BEFORE THEM, TALKING TO THEM; I'M NOT THE GUY TO STEP UP AND CLAIM A LEADER POSITION JUST BECAUSE I CAN, ALWAYS TRIED TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT, LET OTHERS MORE CAPABLE AND SHOWING MORE WILLINGNESS FOR IT DO IT. WELL, I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN, BUT WHEN I SAW THEM, I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK OF MY FRIENDS. IT ALL REMINDED ME SO MUCH ABOUT THE DAY WHEN DOC HALSEY TOLD ALL OF US THAT WE WERE NOW SPARTANS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THIS TIME AROUND WAS THAT CONSIDERABLY MORE OF THESE RECRUITS LOOKED RATHER PLEASED TO BE THERE - THOSE WHO HAD VOLUNTEERED AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING THEY CHERISHED. BUT THE OTHERS, THEY WERE THE SAME...

AFTER GIVING THEM THE RUNDOWN I HAD DEAN SEND THEM INTO BED, TEAM-WISE - IT'S SOMETHING HALSEY DIDN'T TRY ON THE FIRST DAY, BUT I HOPE IT'LL LET THEM OVERCOME THEIR RESPECTIVE PAIN TOGETHER, AND IF THEY DON'T GET ALONG AT ALL, WE REDO THE TEAMS. DEAN'S A DECENT SORT; REMINDS ME OF CHIEF MENDEZ. I THINK I'LL PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR HIM WITH COLONEL STANDOFF, JUST TO MAKE SURE HE STAYS WITH US UNTIL THE PROGRAM'S OVER, RATHER THAN UNTIL ONI DECIDES HE'S "NEEDED" ON THE FRONT AND WE GET SOME ROOKIE FROM DI ACADEMY. RESPONSIBILITY SITS PRIMARILY WITH ME, BUT I STILL NEED AS MUCH HELP AS I CAN GET.

TODAY I'LL HAVE DEAN RUN THE RECRUITS AROUND THE COMPOUND, JUST LIKE ME AND THE OTHERS WAY BACK, FOLLOWED BY PUSH-UPS, SIT-UPS ETC. THEN SOME REST, FOLLOWED BY STUDIES WITH THE AI "AVALANCHE" (I ASKED FOR A NEWER AI WHO WON'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED MID-PROGRAM, BUT RICH DIDN'T CARE). WRAPPING THINGS UP WITH "THE PLAYGROUND" - TO TEACH THOSE TEAM-HATERS A LESSON - AND DINNER TO ALL BUT THE TEAM WHO COMES IN LAST (THE COOKS ARE MAKING MIRACULOUS FOOD CONSIDERING HOW ONI CUT BACK ON THEIR BUDGET, I HAVE TO THANK THEM FOR THAT SOMEDAY). IT'S MOSTLY SHAMELESS IMITATION OF HALSEY'S TRAINING, I KNOW, BUT I WAS TOLD TO USE MY OWN EXPERIENCE, AND THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY EXPERIENCE I HAVE. I'LL STUDY SOME NEWER TRAINING THEORIES ON THE NET LATER, THOUGH, TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY. MAYBE COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW THAT'S BETTER THAN WHAT I WENT THROUGH.

AUGUST 6TH, 2540

Griffin Standoff's Notes
I MENTIONED YESTERDAY THAT WHEN I ENTERED THE BARRACKS I FOUND I'D BEEN TRANSFERRED, BUT TODAY I FOUND OUT THE REAL DETAILS. AND I HAVE TO SAY, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD. I'M REALLY STARTING TO REGRET THAT SCIENCE DEGREE, AND AM SORELY REGRETTING MY LAST PROMOTION. ONI'S ENROLLED ME INTO SOME TOP SECRET PROJECT OF THEIRS, ARES, AND I'VE BEEN GETTING THE WHOLE BREIFING. LOOKS LIKE THINGS WITH COVENANT ARE EVEN WORSE THAN WE'VE BEEN TOLD, AND, PREDICTABLY, THAT MEANS ONI'S LOOKING FOR A MAGIC BULLET. APPARENTLY, ALOT OF BRASS THINK THAT BULLET IS THE SPARTANS--EXCUSE, ME, THE SIERRAS. THEY'VE APPROVED ANOTHER PROJECT, AND GUESS WHO THEY PICKED TO LEAD IT. THEY SAY THESE SPARTANS ARE OUR LAST, BEST HOPE, AND WHILE I DOUBT IT'S TRUE, I KNOW I'M NEEDED. I'VE AGREED, AND THEY'RE TRANSFERRING ME TO THE PROWLER DESCENT INTO DARKNESS TO SEARCH OUT THE CANDIDATES. I HAVEN'T BEEN TOLD WHO THEY ARE, BUT I'VE GOT TOP SECURITY CLEARANCE NOW, AND I'VE LOOKED INTO THE ORIGINAL CHARLIE ONE SIERRAS. I CAN GUESS WHATS NEXT.

WE'RE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT THE FIRST PLANET ON THE FIFTH, SO THAT MEANS CRYO ISN'T NECCESSARY. I'M STUCK IN A SHIP FULL OF SPOOKS FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE, AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE SECRET. IT'S ALREADY IRRITATING ME, BUT IF THATS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE WAR, IT'S A SACRIFICE I'LL HAVE TO MAKE. I JUST HOPE I DON'T SCREW THIS UP.

MARCH 2ND, 2540

HARD TO BELIEVE OVER A MONTH HAS PASSED SINCE I STARTED THIS INFERNAL ASSIGNMENT. IF I‘D KNOWN ALL THIS WOULD FOLLOW, I WOULD NEVER HAVE ACCEPTED. I‘M STILL LEARNING TO USE MY NEW, VERY EXPANSIVE SET OF SECURITY CLEARANCES, AND ONI ISN‘T BEING VERY FREE WITH INFORMATION, BUT I‘VE LEARNED ENOUGH. THESE KIDS AREN‘T GOING TO LIVE HAPPY LIVES, ANY OF THEM. I‘M SETTING THEM UP FOR A LIFE OF PAIN JUST BY TALKING TO THEM. MY SUPERIORS, WHOEVER THEY ARE, TELL ME IT HAS TO BE DONE FOR OUR SURVIVAL. EVEN IF IT‘S TRUE, ITS STILL A TERRIBLE RESPONSIBILITY.

I‘VE BEEN MEETING WITH CANDIATES ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, TRYING TO GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS I CAN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE COVENANT CONTINUE TO ENCROACH ON OUR TERRITORY, AND WE‘VE ALREADY LOST SEVERAL CANDIDATES TO RAIDS AND ATTACKS. IF WE DON’T HURRY, THERE WON’T BE ANYONE LEFT FOR THE PROGRAM. WE’VE BEEN HOPSCOTCHING FROM PLANET TO PLANET, AND LUCKILY MOST OF THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN CLUSTERED IN NEARBY SYSTEMS.

THE COVENANT IS ADVANCING RAPIDLY THROUGH THIS SECTOR, AND THERE AREN‘T ENOUGH FORCES HERE TO DEFEND IT. WE‘VE ALREADY HAD TO DODGE AROUND COVENANT PATROLS, AND WE‘VE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS ON THE SURFACE AS WELL. ONI SAYS WE CAN‘T TAKE ANY CANDIDATES WITH US RIGHT NOW, BUT I’VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE ONBOARD INTELLIGENCE PERSONEL THAT IF ANY OF THE CANDIDATES ARE IN DANGER, WE’LL BE EXTRACTING THEM IMMEDIATELY. I’M NOT LETTING THE COVENANT GET TO ONE OF OUR KIDS WHEN WE CAN SAVE THEM JUST AS EASILY.

APRIL 3RD, 2540

TODAY WE HAD OUR CLOSEST RUN IN YET WITH THE COVENANT. WE WERE INTERVIEWING ONE OF THE CANDIDATES---[S-347], JENNIFER (I JUST CAN’T BRING MYSELF TO CALL THEM “TEST SUBJECTS”---HALSEY MUST HAVE BEEN DEAD INSIDE TO DO THAT---I’M NOT THAT FAR GONE YET)---WHEN THE ALIENS LAUNCHED A SURPRISE ATTACK. TWO CRUISERS SLIPPED IN SYSTEM STRAIGHT UNDER THE ORBITAL DEFENSES AND IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHED TROOPS. PURE PANIC ENGULFED THE ENTIRE CITY. THEY LED THEIR ATTACK WITH BANSHEES, BUT IT WASN’T LONG BEFORE THEIR DROPSHIPS ENTERED THE MIX. WE HAD TO GRAB [S-347] THEN AND THERE, STRAIGHT OUT OF HOMEROOM---HER PARENTS ARE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BIG BIGSHOTS, SO WE CLAIMED WE WERE MILITARY AND GOT MANAGED TO GET AWAY WITH IT. I CHECKED THE LIST, AND HER PARENTS MADE IT OUT ALIVE---BUT THE REST OF THE CLASS DIDN’T, SO THE PARENTS WILL LIKELY BELIEVE SHE WAS KILLED WITH THE REST. I FEEL AWFUL ABOUT IT, BUT FROM WHAT I’VE READ OF THE CHARLIES ONES, WE MAY ACTUALLY BE SPARING THEM SOME PAIN. FLASH CLONE DECAY ISN’T PRETTY.

[S-347] IS STILL IN SHOCK, SO WE’VE GOT HER SEDATED AND WILL LIKELY PLACE HER IN CRYO FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. SHE WAS A REAL FIRECRACKER WHEN I INTERVIEWED HER AT THE SCHOOL, WITH A BIT OF A MOUTH AND A BIG EGO FOR A SIX YEAR OLD. MONEY BREEDS IT, APPARENTLY. WHO KNOWS IF SHE’LL STILL HAVE IT WHEN SHE WAKES UP, BUT AT LEAST SHE’S MOTIVATED NOW. IT’S THE ONLY GOOD THING I’VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND IN THIS WHOLE DAMN AFFAIR. MY ACTIONS ARE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION OF ONI’S ORDERS, BUT I DON’T THINK THE SPOOKS WILL TOUCH ME, AND EVEN IF THEY DO, I DON’T CARE. I SAVED A LIFE TODAY, AND THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS. IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE SOMETHING POSITIVE AGAINST THE UNRELENTING NEGATIVE OF THIS POSTING.

APRIL 23RD, 2540

CANDIDATE EXAMINATIONS CONTINUE AT BREAKNECK SPEED, AND I ABSOLUTELY HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I THINK I’M GETTING USED TO IT. WE’VE HAD TO EXTRACT ANOTHER CANDIDATE SINCE [S-347], AND MY SUPERIORS ARE PISSED, BUT SOME TOP SHOT BY THE NAME OF NOVEMBER ROMEO HAS KEPT THEM AT BAY. I DON’T KNOW WHO HE IS, BUT HE’S GOT TO HAVE SOME CLOUT TO PULL THIS OFF. I’M STARTING TO GRASP THE BASICS OF THIS POLITICAL STUFF, BUT IT’S A BIG TRANSITION FOR A GROUND POUNDER LIKE ME. IT’S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME. HOPEFULLY I CAN KEEP SOME ALLIES LIKE HIM TO HELP MAKE UP FOR MY SHORTCOMINGS.

I INTERVIEWED ANOTHER CANDIDATE TODAY, AND IT JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE HIS BIRTHDAY. IT WAS A WEIRD AND FRIGHTENING DISCONNECTION; HE WAS IN THE MIDST OF A PARTY (ALBEIT A SOMEWHAT STRUGGLING ONE---HIS PARENTS ARE NOT THE MOST FORTUNATE) AND THERE I WAS, PLOTTING TO TAKE HIM AWAY. AS IF I DIDN’T FEEL TERRIBLE ENOUGH. LOGISTICALLY, IT WAS AN ANNOYING INTERRUPTION, PUTTING US BEHIND SCHEDULE, BUT THAT WAS HARDLY MY BIGGEST CONCERN. I WISH I’D NEVER AGREED TO THIS DAMN JOB.

THE CANDIDATE I TALKED TO, HOWEVER, WAS INTERESTING. FROM THE MOMENT I MET HIM (NOT WHEN I SAW HIM BLOWING OUT HIS CANDLES, BUT WHEN I ACTUALLY MANAGED TO SPEAK WITH HIM), HE SEEMED…DIFFERENT. THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIM I COULD JUST SENSE. HE’S GOING TO BE GOOD. THERE ARE SOME DEFINITE PHSYICAL TEST THAT SHOWED HE HAS STRONG POTENTIAL---HE’S SMART, CREATIVE, AND HAS DEXTERITY SCORES THAT ARE NEARLY OFF THE CHARTS---BUT THERES MORE. HE SEEMS INNATELY DIFFERENT. I’VE NOTICED THIS BEFORE, IN SOME OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES, BUT IT WAS ESPECIALLY CLEAR IN HIM. I’VE SENT A QUERY TO ONI ABOUT HIM, EVEN THOUGH I’M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT HIM. HOPEFULLY I WON’T SOUND LIKE A CRAZY PERSON, ASKING ABOUT A KID FOR NO REASON AT ALL.

MAY 14TH, 2540

I KEEP FINDING OUT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS PROJECT, AND THE MORE I FIND OUT, THE LESS I LIKE IT. THAT SAME NOVEMBER ROMEO HAS BEEN SLOWLY UPDATING ME WITH INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE PROGRAM, THOUGH I’M FORCED TO FILL IN A LOT OF THE BLANKS THROUGH MY OWN SEARCHES IN MY SPARE TIME (WHAT LITTLE I HAVE OF IT, ANYWAY). THE COVENANT, OF COURSE, CONTINUE THEIR ATTACKS; WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE AUGUSTUS SYSTEM AFTER THEIR ASSUALT LAST APRIL IS NOW A BURNING BALL OF GLASS. WE LOST THREE CANDIDATES IN THAT LAST RAID, AND ANOTHER ONE IS MISSING. I DOUBT WE’LL HAVE MORE THAN FIFTY CANDIDATES FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, AT THIS RATE. I GUESS WE’LL HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE LEFT.

IN THE MEANTIME, I’M INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES AS FAST AS I CAN. THE INTERVIEWS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A FORMALITY NOW---WE’RE TAKING EVERYONE WE CAN GET, EVEN THOSE WHO LIKELY CAN’T CUT IT---BUT ONI INSISTS. MORE OF THEIR DAMN BUCREATIC BULLSHIT. AS IF THIS WHOLE THING WASN’T ALREADY BAD ENOUGH. AT LEAST THE CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCESS IS ALMOST OVER. MAYBE I’LL FEEL BETTER THEN. IT’S A SLIM HOPE, BUT I NEED SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO.

ON AN UNRELATED NOTE, I WAS INTERVIEWING ANOTHER CANDIDATE TODAY AND HAD THE SAME ODD EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH [S-338]. HER TAG NUMBERS WERE CONFUSING---OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HER AS BOTH 343 AND 358, AND EVEN MIXED UP HER GENDER A FEW TIMES---BUT I COULD SENSE SOMETHING ABOUT HER, JUST LIKE THE OTHER. THERE’S SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SOMETHING SPECIAL, THAT I CAN’T QUITE PUT MY FINGER ON. HER FAMILY IS SLOWLY FRAGMENTING, SO WE MAY ACTUALLY BE DOING HER A FAVOR BY GIVING HER A WAY OUT, BUT SOMEHOW, ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT WHEN I’M REVIEWING HER IS THAT ODD FEELING (AND I‘M ALSO ADMITTEDLY A LITTLE DISTRACTED BY HER APPARENT LOVE OF FIRE---SHE HAD TWO SEPARATE LIGHTERS OUT WHEN I VISITED---MAYBE SHE‘LL TAKE A LIKING TO THE M7057). LIKE THE OTHER, SHE’S GOT ALL THE PHYSICAL INDICATORS OF STRONG POTENTIAL, BUT I’M SURE I’M SENSING SOMETHING DIFFERENT. ONI HAS YET TO REPLY TO MY QUERY, SO I’M EAGERLY AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE.

MAY 27TH, 2540

TODAY I GAVE THE ORDER. THE “RECRUITMENT” AGENTS HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED, AND THEY’RE DUE BACK HER IN A FEW WEEKS. IT’S SO ODD, TO SURREAL, EVEN NOW. I CAN’T GET PAST HOW EASY IT WAS, HOW NATURAL. ONE ORDER AND DOZENS OF KIDS ARE TAKEN FROM THEIR PARENTS, DOZENS OF OTHERS ABDUCTED FROM ORPHANAGES. IT’S FRIGHTENING AND DISTURBING AT THE SAME TIME. I ALWAYS HEARD THE STORIES ABOUT ONI’S SHADOW OPS, BUT NEVER REALLY BELIEVED THEM. EVERYTHING AFTER THIS WILL BE SEEN IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT FOR ME.

I ALSO MET THE CANDIDATE’S PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR, A MAN BY THE NAME OF LASZLO. ITS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT HE’S A SIERRA---OFFICAL DOCUMENTS CONSISTENTLY REFER TO HIM AS LIMA-108, AND HE‘S GOT AN AURA OF DEADLINESS ABOUT HIM---BUT I’M STILL AT A LOSS FOR WHERE HE CAME FROM. HE SEEMS TO OLD TO BE A THREE OR A CHARLIE TWO, BUT I’VE STUDIED THE RANKS OF THE CHARLIE ONES AND HAVEN’T FOUND A TRACE OF HIM. I’M STILL LEARNING TO USE MY NEW CLEARANCES, SO MAYBE I’LL MAKE PROGRESS YET. AT ANY RATE, HE SEEMS KNOWLEDGEABLE AND I BELIEVE HE’LL BE AN EXCELLENT TEACHER. FROM OUR BRIEF CONVERSATION, HE SEEMS LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER. MAYBE I’VE FINALLY GOT AN ALLY TO RELY ON.

ONI HAS REBUFFED MY QUERY, SO IT LOOKS LIKE I’M GOING HAVE TO DO THE RESEARCH MYSELF. I’VE GOT PLENTY OF DOWN TIME TO ANALYZE THE CANDIDATES GENETIC PRINTS, BUT I’M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR. HOPEFULLY INSPIRATION WILL STRIKE. IF NOT, PERHAPS THIS LASZLO FELLOW WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME. IF HE’S CLOAKED IN SECRECY ENOUGH THAT I’M HAVING TROUBLE FINDING OUT HIS ORIGINS, HE SHOULD BE AT LEAST PASSINGLY FAMILIAR WITH THESE KINDS OF PROBLEMS. HE MAY HAVE SOME CONTACTS I CAN BORROW. I HAVE A FEELING THIS JOB WON’T BE PLEASANT IN THE SLIGHTEST.

JULY 22ND, 2540

THE CANDIDATES ARE DUE IN IN A FEW DAYS, AND THE WHOLE COMPLEX IS IN A FERMENT. I DIDN’T REALIZE WE HAD SO MANY PERSONEL. IT FEELS LIKE EVERYONES IN A RUSH TO GET THINGS READY; SO MUCH FOR PLANNING AHEAD. THE GUILT FROM THE ABUDCTION IS STILL SINKING IN, AND I’M HAVING A HARD TIME SLEEPING. THERE’S NOTHING TO DISTRACT ME, AND EVERY PREPARATION WE MAKE IS AN UNWELCOME REMINDER OF THE ABDUCTION AND FLASH CLONES. HOPEFULLY THE ARRIVAL OF THE TRAINEES WILL GIVE ME SOMETHING ELSE TO FOCUS ON.

I’VE BEEN TRYING TO THINK UP A WAY TO APPROACH LASZLO AND ASK ABOUT HIS ORIGINS, BUT I’M STILL WONDERING WHICH THINGS ARE TABOO AND WHICH AREN’T. I DON’T THINK I’M USUALLY THE ONE TO WORRY ABOUT OFFENDING PEOPLE, BUT HE SEEMS LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER AND, QUITE FRANKLY, I DON’T THINK PISSING HIM OFF WILL HELP ME MUCH. I’VE ALREADY GOT ONI STONEWALLING ME, AND ALIENATING HIM SOUNDS LIKE A BAD IDEA.

SPEAKING OF BEING STONEWALLED, ONI HAS FOLLOWED UP ON THEIR REBUFF. APPARENTLY ONE OF THEIR WATCHDOG PROGRAMS CAUGHT ME SNOOPING AROUND THE GENETIC PROFILES OF OUR CANDIDATES, AND SOME SPOOK CONNECTED THE DOTS. THEY SENT A CEASE AND DESIST MESSAGE EXPLICITILY ORDERING ME TO DISCONTINUE MY LITTLE INVESTIGATION. NOT THAT I INTEND TO OBEY IT (WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO, SEND ME TO THE FRONT?), BUT I FOUND IT INSIGHTFUL. THEY DIDN’T SEEM TO CARE WHEN I WAS POKING AROUND THEIR PREDISPOSED GENETIC TRAITS OR WHEN I WAS CHECKING TO SEE WHICH DISEASES THEY‘RE MOST LIKELY TO ACQUIRE, BUT I IMMEDIATELY GOT THEIR ATTENTION WHEN I OPENED THE LOG OF THEIR GENETIC MATCH TO THE ORIGINAL CLASS. THAT’S TO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE. AND THAT’S INFORMATION RIGHT THERE.

JULY 29TH, 2540

SUCCESS…IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT. I FINALLY KNOW WHAT ONI WAS HIDING, AND IT’S ILLUMINATING. THE KEY TO THE DIFFERENCE IN [S-343] AND [S-338] IS IN THEIR MATCH TO THE ORIGINAL CHARLIE ONES---AND THE LACK OF A MATCH IN THE OTHERS. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS, IN RETROSPECT, AND I CAN’T BELIEVE I DIDN’T CATCH IT UNTIL NOW. IT’S NOT THAT THE TWO OF THEM DON’T MATCH---IT’S THAT THEY’RE THE ONLY ONES THAT DO. THE GENETIC MATCHES---THE PERCENT OF GENES THAT MATCH THE ORIGINAL GENETIC GUIDELINES SET BY HALSEY---ARE DRASTICALLY OUT OF SYNC. ONLY 10% ARE CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL GENETIC STOCK, AND ONLY [S-338] AND [S-343] ARE REALLY EQUAL. 42% POSSESS 75% OR LOWER OF THE NEEDED GENE SEQUENCES. AND THE REMAINING 48% ARE JUST RANDOM KIDS THROWN IN BY SECTION THREE!

I’M STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE AUGMENTATION PROCEDURES, WHICH WILL LIKELY BE FROM THE OLDER SET BECAUSE OF FUNDING (OR LACK THEROF), BUT I KNOW ENOUGH. ONI ISN’T JUST SKIMPING ON SOME LITTLE DETAIL; THIS IS BIG. WITH THOSE KINDS OF SCORES, WE’RE GOING TO END UP LOSING SCORES OF TRAINEES IN AUGMENTATION, AND FIELD SUB-PAR SPARTANS AMONG THOSE WHO SURVIVE. THE ORIGINAL CHARLIE ONES SUSTAINED 56% LOSSES, WITH THE CORRECT GENETIC CODE. I THOUGHT I KNEW ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS THERE WERE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROGRAM. I GUESS I WAS WRONG.

THIS IS TOO MUCH TO KEEP TO MYSELF, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. THE DI HERE, DEAN JACKSON, IS A GOOD MARINE BUT DOESN’T HAVE ANY SORT OF CLOUT AT ALL. NOVEMBER ROMEO---WHO I NOW STRONGLY SUSPECT TO BE REAR ADMIRAL NED RICH, COMMANDER OF THE COVERT OPERATIONS GROUP, WHICH IS CONTROLLING THIS PROJECT---IS IN ALL LIKLIEHOOD FULLY AWARE OF THE RISKS. HE MIGHT HAVE EVEN GREENLIT THE PROGRAM. THERES ONLY ONE OPTION LEFT I CAN THINK OF. I’VE SENT AN ANYOMYOUS MESSAGE TO LASZLO, INDICATING THAT HE SHOULD CHECK INTO THE GENETIC MATCHES A LITTLE MORE THOROUGHLY.

IF I CAN’T FIND AN ALLY IN HIM, THEN I DON’T KNOW WHERE I’M GOING TO TURN TO NEXT.

AUGUST 2ND, 2540

SOME UPSTART DI SENT ME A COMMINQUE TWO DAYS AGO, REQUESTING A REPRIMAND OF LASZLO---BECAUSE HE WAS, AND I QUOTE, “PUSHING [THE RECRUITS] TO HARD, TO FAST”. NOT A FAN OF THE GUY (HE THINKS HE’S THE SHIT BECAUSE HE WORKED ON BETA COMPANY, DESPITE THE WILDLY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES), AND I WAS HALFWAY INTO A RESPONSE TELLING HIM WHERE TO SHOVE HIS OPINION WHEN SECTION THREE INTERCEPTED THE MESSAGE AND PUT HIM UP FOR IMMEDIATE PYSCHIATRIC REVIEW, IN PREPARATION FOR IMMEDIATELY DROPPING HIM FROM THE PROGRAM.

MY FRIEN ADMIRAL RICH GAVE ME SOME BACKUP ON THIS ONE (I’M FULLY CONVINCED HE’S PLAYING BOTH ME AND SECTION III OFF EACH OTHER), AND WE MANAGED TO KEEP THEM FROM DROPPING LAZ FROM THE PROGRAM. THE PANEL OF SHRINKS COULDN’T BE AVOIDED, THOUGH, AND NOW I’VE GOT LASZLO BREATHING DOWN MY NECK TOO. I’M REALLY NOT CUT OUT FOR ALL THIS FAUX-POLITICAL BULLSHIT. I’VE SENT A MESSAGE TO LASZLO EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM, AND HOPEFULLY HE’LL LISTEN. I’VE GOT FEW ENOUGH FRIENDS HERE ALREADY. IF I LOSE ENOUGHER ONE, IT MAKES LIFE JUST THAT MUCH HARDER.

OH, AND DEAN INFORMS ME THAT [S-363] AND [S-347] JUST GOT THEMSELVES INTO A FIGHT…AGAIN. THE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN THE WHOLE UNIT ARE GROWING WORSE BY THE DAY, BUT THOSE TWO ARE GETTING TO BE A REAL HAZARD. DEAN AND THREE OTHER DI’S MANAGED TO CONTAIN THEIR SQUABBLE WITHOUT LASZLO’S HELP, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. TRANSFERRING THEM TWO YEARS AGO APPARENTLY HASN’T DONE ANY GOOD.

SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2547

SECRET CORRESPONDENCE 3CLK-7MXJ
ENRYPTION CODE: FOXTROT-12 PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: LT (0-3) ALPHA YANKEE  TO: CPT (0-6) GOLF SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: TONE THINGS DOWN

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HATE COMPLAINING, BUT SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE ABOUT LIMA-108. HE MAY THINK THE RECRUITS CAN TAKE IT, BUT HE’S PUSHING THEM TOO HARD, TOO FAST. THEY’RE GOING TO SNAP, AND THEN THEY’LL BE USELESS FOR THE PROGRAM AND FOR THE WAR. HE SEEMS TO THINK THAT THEY’RE EQUAL TO THE OLD CLASS I AND IIS, AND HE’S BADLY MISTAKEN ON BOTH COUNTS. THEY’RE GOOD, REALLY, REALLY GOOD, BUT NOT THAT GOOD. ALMOST NO ONE IS. THERES A FEW EXCEPTIONS, A FEW LIKE CHARLIE HOTEL WOULD HAVE PICKED, BUT THEY’RE THE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO STOP HIM. I KNOW HE THINKS HES DOING WHAT’S BEST, BUT HE’S GOING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE. BELIEVE ME. I DID MY TIME ON III AND I KNOW WHAT KIDS LIKE THESE CAN TAKE. IT’S TOO MUCH. MAKE HIM TONE THINGS DOWN, OR I WILL.

//PRESS ENTER TO CONTINUE//

SECRET CORRESPONDENCE 3CLK-6CGS
ENRYPTION CODE: DELTA-29 PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: CPT (0-3) LIMA KILO  TO: COL (0-6) GOLF SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: PROJECT ARES

SIR, IT'S ME AGAIN. TRAINING IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY NOW. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY MISTAKE OF PUSHING THE RECRUITS TOO FAR; I GUESS SOME PART OF ME JUST ASSUMED THAT "IF THEY'RE TOUGH ENOUGH, THEY WON'T FAIL WHAT'S YET TO COME". THAT JUDGEMENT WAS IN ERROR. SO YOU CAN GET THAT PSYCHE EVALUATION PANEL OFF OF ME NOW. THERE'S NO NEED FOR A PREMATURELY EARLY EXAMINATION.

ANYWAY, TRAINING IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND THEY'RE ALL DOING WELL. WHAT WORRIES ME IS THE AUGMENTATION PROCEDURES COMING UP LATER NEXT YEAR. WHY DO WE HAVE TO RELY ON SUCH OUTDATED PROCEDURES? ME TRAINING THESE RECRUITS RISK OF BEING ALL FOR NOTHING IF WE DON'T USE THE NEW ADVANCED ONES; NEW SPARTANS WON'T HELP IF THEY'RE DEAD OR IRREPAIRABLY WOUNDED. I UNDERWENT THOSE PROCEDURES, SO I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I WAS CLOSER THAN YOU'D THINK TO DYING (CARDIAC VOLUME INCREASE ISN'T SOMETHING TO JOKE ABOUT, AND THAT'S COMING FROM ME, THE CLOWN OF THE II PROGRAM). THESE ARE MY MEN, AND I REFUSE TO LET THEM ALL DIE BECAUSE OF ONI BULLSHIT.

AND NOT JUST THE AUGMENTATIONS; WHAT'S THIS CRAP ABOUT "SEMI-POWERED INFILTRATION (SPI) ARMOR"? I TESTED IT BACK IN 2532, AND IT'S NOT SPARTAN-CLASS GEAR; AT MOST, IT'S ONI TRYING TO CUT THE COST OF EVERYTHING AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY. THEY WON'T SURVIVE FOR LONG OUT THERE WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S TRUE WHAT I HEAR THAT THEY'LL ALL BE SPLIT UP TEAM-WISE AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE UNSC COMMAND CHAIN ("TO PREVENT ALL UNITS FROM PERISHING AT ONCE"). USING MY ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM'S FILES, I FOUND THAT YOU ALL WERE NEGOTIATING A DEAL WITH RKD, THE DEVELOPERS OF THE HAYABUSA SUIT. IT HURTS THAT WE DIDN'T PURSUE THAT - SURE, IT LOOKS KINDA RIDICULOUS AND YOU SEE LITTLE WITH THE TINY VISOR, BUT AT LEAST IT'S AN EXCELLENT AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL SUIT. THE SPI IS JUST A FANCY ODST ARMOR WITH CHAMELEON CAPABILITIES THAT HARDLY WORK.

AND PLEASE, SIR, DON'T JUST REPLY WITH A "THERE'S NO MONEY AVAILABLE"; I WANT A REASON FOR WHY THAT'S SO. YOU'D THINK THERE WERE OTHER SPARTAN PROGRAMS GOING ON SIMULTANEOUSLY THAT SUCK UP ALL THE FUNDING LIKE A SPONGE. RICH AND THE REST OF ONI WANTS THEIR MAGICAL BULLET - BUT IT WON'T WORK IF THAT BULLET CAN'T ACTUALLY HIT THE ENEMY.

PS: HAVE SOMEBODY MONITOR [341]. I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON IT, BUT HE SEEMS TO BE HOMESICK, OR MAYBE JUST ADVENTEROUS, I DON'T KNOW; HE DOES SEEM LIKE HE ISN'T AS DEDICATED TO THE PROGRAM AS HE SHOULD. MIGHT BE MY IMAGINATION, OF COURSE, BUT FOR ONCE I'D LIKE NOT TO BE LAZY ABOUT THE MATTER AND BE A STEP AHEAD. JUST IN CASE.

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ENRYPTION CODE: YORK-DELTA-24 PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: COL (0-6) GOLF SIERRA  TO: CPT (0-3) LIMA KILO  '''SUBJECT: RE: PROJECT ARES

I'M SORRY ABOUT THE PYSCHE PANNEL, BUT BELIEVE ME, IT WASN'T MY IDEA. ONI'S BEEN WATCHING US CLOSELY, BUT I HADN'T REALIZED HOW CLOSE UNTIL THEY INTERCEPTED A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF MY DIS AND WENT OVER MY HEAD. HE WAS THREATENING TO TAKE MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS, BUT SECTION III GOT THERE FIRST. IT WAS A HELL OF A TIME KEEPING THEM FROM DROPPING YOU FROM THE PROGRAM. THEY REALLY DON’T TRUST YOU. I’D BE VERY, VERY INTERESTED TO FND OUT WHY.

I’M GLAD TO HEAR THE TRAINING IS GOING WELL, BUT YOUR CONCERNS, UNFORTUNAELY, ARE OUT OF MY CONTROL. AS MUCH AS YOU HATE IT, THE PROBLEM INEVITABLY COMES DOWN TO FUNDING. I’VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN---AND I MEAN EVERYTHING; STRIPMINING REBEL BANK ACCOUNTS, FALSE CHARITY CAUSES, EVEN BORDERLINE FRAUD---TO GET THE MONEY, AND I SIMPLY CAN’T. BELIEVE ME, I UNDERSTAND THE RISKS OF THE PROCEDURES AND HAVE MY OWN TORMENT’S ABOUT THEM, MY OWN GUILT. YOU MAY BE THE ONE TRAINING THEM, BUT I WAS ONE WHO HAD TO SELECT THEM, AND APPROVE THE ORDER TO HAVE SOME OF THEM KIDNAPPED.

AND BELIEVE ME, I’VE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET THEM OUTFITTED AS PROPER SPARTANS. BUT THE MONEY SIMPLY ISN’T THERE. RKD WANTED TOO MUCH FOR THE SUITS, AND LORD KNOWS MJOLNIR IS TOO EXPENSIVE. THE CURRENT SUIT COSTS MORE THAN AN ENTIRE BATTLEGROUP AND IT’S HARD TO HIDE THAT KIND OF MONEY WHEN THE WAR IS PRACTICALLY ON ERINDANUS’S DOORSTEP. WE JUST LOST THE ENTIRE STALLION AND NAPOLEON SYSTEMS LAST YEAR, AND THE COVENANT AREN’T SLOWING DOWN. SPI ISN’T GOOD---BUT IT’S ALL WE HAVE. THE MONEY HAS ALL BUT DRIED UP. MOST OF OUR DIS, MEDICS, AND SCIENTISTS ARE WORKING PRO BONO, AND THOSE THAT AREN’T HAVE PAYCHECKS THE SIZE OF A FRY COOKS. IT’S COME DOWN TO EITHER THE AUGMENTS OR HAYABUSA, AND THAT CHOICE IS ALL TO CLEAR.

THERES MORE HERE AT WORK THAN YOU KNOW, AND I SUSPECT THERE EVEN MORE THAN I DO. ONI’S OPERATIONS ARE A BLACK HOLE, WITH NO ANSWERS FOR ANYONE. I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM ANY OTHER HIGH PRIORITY SIERRA PROGRAMS, BUT THEIR EXISTENCE WOULDN’T SURPRISE ME. I’VE HEARD WHISPERS OF A THIRD SIERRA THREE CLASS, AND YOU KNOW HOW ACKERSON LOVE TO SUCK UP FUNDING. ONI DROPPED ME INTO THIS JOB FOR REASONS I MAY NEVER TOTALLY GRASP, BUT I’M THE ONE KEEPING IT AFLOAT NOW. I CAN’T PERFORM MIRACLES.

AS FOR [S-341], I’LL HAVE A LITTLE CHAT WITH HIM AND ORDER DELTA JULIET TO KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON HIM. WE ALWAYS KNEW WE MIGHT GET ONE OR TWO CANDIDATES WHO WERE A LITTLE MORE “INDEPENDENT” THAN THE REST. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MAKE YOUR SUSPICIONS GROW, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HIM. AUGMENTATION IS COMING UP, AND THERES SOME EVIDENCE THAT [S-023], [S-122], [S-141], [S-052] AND [S-003] (ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ONI’S INABILITY TO KEEP THEIR TAGS STRAIGHT) MIGHT HAVE HAD THEIR MENTAL PROCESSES INTERRUPTED BY IT. THE AUGMENTATION PROCEDURES ARE NEVER AS LINEAR AS WE THINK; THERE ARE ALWAYS UNEXPECTED SIDE AFFECTS.

P.S. ONE OF THE DI’S MENTIONED THAT THE RIVALRY BETWEEN TAN AND GOLD MAY BE GETTING OUT OF HAND. COULD YOU LOOK INTO THIS, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME? I DON’T WANT ANOTHER [S-144]/[S-077] INCIDENT HAPPENING DURING OUR TRAINING. PARALLEL TRAINING REGIMES COULD VERY WELL PRODUCE PARALELL PROBLMES.

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ENRYPTION CODE: VICTOR-DELTA-25 PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: CPT (0-3) LIMA KILO  TO: COL (0-6) GOLF SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: PROJECT ARES

I GUESS SO; IF ONI DISCOVERS THAT YOU LOOK IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION THEY START CHECKING IF YOU'RE MESSED UP IN THE HEAD. THEN AGAIN, I MIGHT BE A BIT HARDER TO PREDICT THAN OTHER IIs, WHAT WITH ME BEING ONE OF THE LEAST INDOCTRINATED OF US ALL. GUESS I SHOULD'VE EXPECTED RICH TO ACT THAT WAY. I'M AFRAID I CAN'T DISCUSS WITH YOU WHY THEY DON'T TRUST ME (IN THE CASE THEY'D INTERCEPT THIS MESSAGE TOO), I'M SORRY. EVEN MORE SO SINCE YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW OFFICERS I ACTUALLY LIKE. I MEAN, NOT IN THAT WAY - THERE'S SOME GOOD-LOOKING NURSES STATIONED NOT FAR FROM MY QUARTERS FOR THAT...ER, SORRY, ACCIDENTALLY TURNED BACK TO MY OLD SELF. WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I HOPE. MOVING ALONG...

IT STILL PISSES ME OFF, THAT ONI WON'T GIVE WHAT WE REALLY NEED, WHETHER IT BE BETTER PROCEDURES OR SUITS. AND IT MAKES ME WISH EVEN MORE THAT I WASN'T AN ONI AGENT. BUT MOST OF ALL, IT REMINDS ME OF THE OTHER IIs - MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. AT MOMENTS LIKE THIS, WHEN I TRAIN THESE RECRUITS OR PONDER ON THEIR FATES, I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THEM. HOW I MISS THEM. [012]. [062]. [051]. CHARLIE HOTEL. FOXTROT MIKE. HELL, I EVEN MISS THE BASTARD [144]. AND HE SPENT MUCH OF HIS TIME FORCING HIMSELF NOT TO BEAT MY FACE IN. I KEEP SEEING ALL OF THEIR FACES IN THESE RECRUITS; EVERY TIME [338] MAKES AN EXTRAORDINARY HEADSHOT, I THINK OF [058]. EVERY TIME I LOOK AT [343] I SEE [087]'S FIREY WILLPOWER IN HER EYES. AND THEN I START THINKING ABOUT THE ONES WHO NEVER MADE IT. I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. SURELY YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT? BUT I AGREE, IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING, FIX THE PROCEDURES; WE'LL JUST HAVE TO HAVE FAITH THAT THEY CAN WORK IN THOSE SUITS.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE:____|BUT I MIGHT CHECK BACK WITH RKD, THEIR COMPLETED PROTOTYPES. OFF THE GRID, OFF COURSE. MAYBE WE COULD ARRANGE FOR BETTER EQUIPMENT FOR AT LEAST ONE TEAM.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

YES, I REMEMBER ACKERSON; HE AND DOC'S ALWAYS COMPETED FOR FUNDING. WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF HE HAS SOMETHING RUNNING. BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT HE'D HAVE TWO ONGOING PROGRAMS AT ONCE ON HIS OWN; HE'S THE TYPE TO PUT EVERY EFFORT TO MAKE ONE PROJECT PERFECT (OR AT LEAST PERFECT ENOUGH FOR HIS SUPERIORS SO HE GETS HIS MONEY, THE SNAKE). CAN'T BELIEVE I'D SAY THIS, BUT MAYBE IT'D HAVE BEEN GOOD TO HAVE HIM ON THE PROJECT - SOMEHOW HE ALWAYS SEEM TO GET THE MONEY REGARDLESS OF THE PROJECTS HE NEED THEM FOR, UNLESS THEY CONFLICT DIRECTLY WITH HALSEY'S. BTW, IT'S A SHAME YOU CAN'T DO MIRACLES; IT'D BE VERY CONVENIENT :D

I'LL DO WHAT I CAN. HE'S ONE OF OUR PRECIOUS "CHOSEN" TOO, YOU KNOW. AT LEAST HE DOESN'T SEEM AS WEAK-MINDED AS [312] (I'VE ALREADY UNDERTAKEN EFFORTS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HIM, JUST SO HE DOESN'T SNAP IN THE FIELD; I'LL INFORM YOU IF I NEED MORE ASSETS FOR IT).

I ALWAYS JUST SAW THE GOLD/TAN RIVALRY LIKE FRIENDLY COMPETITION, BUT MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT. I'LL TALK TO THEM ONE BY ONE TO CALM THEM DOWN.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|MAYBE, IF WE GET OUR HANDS ON BETTER SUITS, WE SHOULD LET THE COMPETITION FOR TOP HONORS AT THE END OF TRAINING DETERMINE WHICH TEAM GETS THEM? I DON'T LIKE THAT SUGGESTION MYSELF, AS I DON'T TAKE FAVORITES, BUT I'M 100% SURE THAT WE CAN'T AQUIRE MORE ARMORS THAN THAT, SO WE'LL HAVE TO DETERMINE IT SOMEHOW. OR MAYBE I SHOULDN'T EXPECT YOU TO BE IN ON THIS WITH ME? OH, WELL, I'LL TRY IT WHETHER I HAVE YOUR APPROVAL OR NOT, SO I MAY AS WELL ASK YOU TO HELP ME. TAKE IT AS MY WAY OF SAYING "I TRUST YOU, SIR".|ENCRYPTER SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: WHISKY-MIKE-26 PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: COL (0-6) GOLF SIERRA  TO: CPT (0-3) LIMA KILO  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE; PROJECT ARES

YOUR ONLY TOO RIGHT ABOUT THE SPOOKS, BUT THERES NOT MUCH WE CAN DO EXCEPT TRY TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE. I’VE DONE MY BEST TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE DI’S TO LET YOU WORK, BUT WHO KNOWS IF IT WILL TURN OUT SUCCESSFUL. AS FOR RICH, YOU HAVE MUCH MORE EXPERIENCE WITH HIM THAN I DO, SO I’LL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT. AS FOR THE TRUST PROBLEMS, I’M SURE IT WILL MAKE FOR A VERY INTERESTING STORY OVER DRINKS SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD IN THE FUTURE (THAT IS, IF WE HAVE A FUTURE). .|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|STILL KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE DI’S, THOUGH, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS---I’M CONVINCED ONI HAS THEIR RANKS INFILTRATED COMPLETELY.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR ONI’S EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS, I HAVE TO AGREE. THE AUGMENTATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SIERRA THREES ARE A HUNDRED TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT ONI ABSOLUTELY REFUSES TO SPRING FOR THE COST. IT’S SHORTSIDED AND DAMNED FOOLISH---FROM A FISCAL POINT OF VIEW, THEY’RE ACTUALLY GOING TO LOSE MONEY WITH THE OLDER PROCEDURES, BECAUSE OF THE INEVITABLE LOSS OF CANDIDATES---BUT THEY WON’T BUDGE. I’LL DO MY BEST, BUT I’M AFRAID ME MAY HAVE TO START PLANNING FOR THE WORST. BY MY PROJECTIONS, WE MAY BE FACING UP TO 50% LOSSES (MORE OPTIMISTIC PROJECTIONS PLACE LOSSES BETWEEN 35-45%, BUT AS LONG AS WE’RE BEING CYNICAL, WE MIGHT AS WELL GO ALL THE WAY), AND IT IS POSSIBLE ONI WON’T BE ABLE TO FUND US. UNLESS WE RECEIVE SOME SORT OF MAJOR WINDFALL, VERY SOON, WE’RE OUT OF LUCK. I DON’T LIKE IT ANY MORE THAN YOU DO, BUT WITHOUT AUGMENTATIONS, THEY’LL BE EVEN LESS LIKELY TO SURVIVE.

AS FOR THE SPI SUITS, I’M WONDERING IF WE SHOULD START TRAINING ON THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. THE SIERRA THREES HAVE SHOWN GOOD RESULTS WITH EARLY EXPOSURE TO THEIR ARMOR SYSTEMS, AND THEY’VE BEEN PROVEN TO BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE--WHEN THEY’RE NOT BEING WASTED ON SUICIDE MISSIONS. SPI IS CHEAP, AND WE’LL BE NEEDING THE SUITS ANYWAY, SO I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROCURE THEM IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU SO CHOOSE. IN THE END, I’LL DEFER THE CHOICE TO YOU; YOU’RE THE EXPERT, AND I’M JUST THE GRUNT WHO GOT STUCK IN THE COMMAND SEAT. |ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE:____|ANYTHING YOU CAN GET WOULD BE CRITICAL. LIKE YOU SAID, KEEP IT OFF THE GRID, BUT IF A CHANCE PRESENTS ITSELF, GO FOR IT. EVEN IF THERE ARE RISKS. IF ONI FINDS OUT, I CAN PROBABLY GET AWAY WITH IT---I‘VE BEEN BREAKING THEIR RULES SINCE THE START OF THE PROJECT---AND THOSE SPARTANS NEED THE GEAR TOO MUCH TO PASS IT UP. IF WORSTS COMES TO WORST, I CAN ALWAYS TAKE THE FALL. I CAN LIVE WITH A DEAD END CAREER, BUT I CAN‘T LIVE WITH SENDING OUT MY TROOPS UNPREPARED.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR ACKERSON, DID THEY REALLY? I NEVER MET EITHER OF THEM, BUT I’VE HEARD PLENTY OF STORIES SINCE JOINING THE PROGRAM. SOME OF THE OLDER DI’S ARE VERY CHATTY. IF HE’S AS GOOD AT GATHERING FUNDS AS YOU SAY HE IS, THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE HIM ON THE PROJECT---BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON’T THINK I COULD LIVE WITH ANOTHER SPOOK IN MY LIFE. I’VE GOT ENOUGH ALREADY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS FOR TWO PROGRAMS, I CAN’T BE SURE. I KNOW FOR A FACT HE’S IN CHARGE OF SIERRA THREE (HIGH LEVEL CLASSIFICATIONS ARE GREAT, IF SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO USE FOR A NEANDERTHAL LIKE ME), WHICH WOULD FILL THE ONE PROJECT QUOTA, BUT I’VE ALSO FOUND TRACES OF SOMETHING REFFERED TO AS “HEADHUNTER”. ONI’S PROJECT ROSTER, IS, LIKE I’VE MENTIONED, A BLACK HOLE, SO I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ELSE, (AND LIKELY NEVER WILL). |ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE:____|IF YOU COULD SHED ANY LIGHT ON THE SITUATION, I‘D BE VERY INTERESTED.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT WITH HIM, THEN. I’M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT [S-312], BUT THERES LITTLE I CAN DO. I READ THE LATEST PSYCHE REPORT AND IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD. HE’S GOT THE SAME ATTACHMENT PROBLEMS AS SOME OF THE OTHERS ([S-338] AND [S-343] ARE PARTICULAR OFFENDERS, THOUGH [S-343] IS CONSIDERABLY HARDER TO READ) BUT THEY ARE MORE LOCALIZED, MORE EXTREME, AND POTENTIALLY MORE DANGEROUS. I DON’T KNOW WHAT RESOURCES I’LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, BUT I’LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN.

ITS NOT THAT I THINK THE EXACT PARRALLEL WILL HAPPEN---A FISTFIGHT BETWEEN TWO TRAINEES---BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT AFTER TRAINING. MISTRUST LIKE THAT CAN FESTER AND GROW, IF LEFT ALONE. WE AREN’T PLANNING TO DEPLOY THEM ALL TOGETHER, BUT IF THEY HAPPEN TO RUN INTO EACH OTHER ON THE FIELD, THEY’LL NEED TO BE ABLE TO COOPERATE. |ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|I DON’T LIKE THE IDEA OF PITTING THE RECRUITS AGAINST EACH OTHER EITHER, BUT I CAN‘T ARGUE WITH IT‘ LOGIC. THE BEST TEAM SHOULD DEFINITELY RECEIVE THE BEST GEAR (IF WE CAN GET IT, THAT IS). WORK YOUR CONTACTS, AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO. I‘M NOT GOING TO TAKE A PASSIVE DENIAL STRATEGY OUT OF THIS; IF WE‘RE DOING IT, I‘M IN. IF THESE KIDS CAN GO THROUGH HELL FOR MY SAKE, I CAN RETURN THE FAVOR A LITTLE BIT.|ENCRYPTER SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: MIKE-MIKE-NOVEMBER PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  TO: C0L (0-6) <font color=White>GOLF SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE: RE; PROJECT ARES

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE, NOT YET ANYWAY. WE HAVE SOMETHING THE COVENANT DON'T HAVE - SPARTANs. WE'LL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS, AND 500 YEARS FROM NOW, ALL THIS WILL BE TOLD TO A HALF-SLEEPING CLASS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN BY A BORING HISTORY TEACHER. SO ALL WE CAN DO IS HAVE FAITH. AND YOU BETTER MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME CREDS TO BUY US DRINKS (A SPARTAN'S SALARY IS ABOUT AS GREAT AS A BONOBO CHIMPANZEE'S). <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE___|OH, I WILL, NO NEED TO WORRY.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

ON THE AUGMENTATIONS, I USUALLY PREFER NOT TO BE CYNICAL (I'D DARE SAY I WAS THE MOST OPTIMISTIC OF THE CHARLIE ONES), BUT THIS IS A SUBJECT WHERE I MAKE AN EXCEPTION. I'LL DO MY BEST TOO, PULL ANY FAVORS I HAVE AND CHECK MY CONTACTS TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO, BUT IT'D NEED NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE TO PAY OFF. ANYWAY, I HAVE A FEELING WE NEED TO DROP THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC NOW, ONE OF THE DIs DROPPED A SUBTLE HINT AT LUNCH BREAK EARLIER TODAY THAT IT'S A SENSITIVE TOPIC; WE SHOULDN'T ANGER THE SPOOKS TOO BADLY THIS LATE INTO WAR, AIGHT? <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_______|BUT MAN, SOME OF THESE DAYS I REALLY WISH I GOT TO KICK SOME OF THOSE GUYS IN THE GROIN, GROUND POUNDER STYLE. JUST ONCE, AND I'D BE HAPPY.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

YEAH, GET THE SUITS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; IF THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO USE THEM, WE MIGHT AS WELL MAKE SURE THEY BECOME ONE WITH IT BY GIVING THEM SOME MONTHS OF IN-SUIT TRAINING. RICH WOULDN'T HAVE ANY REASON TO COMPLAIN, IN FACT HE'LL PROBABLY ASSUME THAT IT'LL SPEED UP THE PROJECT'S COMPLETION. AND THANKS FOR PLACING YOUR FAITH IN ME LIKE THIS; YOU MAY BE A GRUNT, BUT YOU'RE AN OKAY GRUNT. NOT TO MENTION IT'S A PLUS THAT YOU'RE NOT CARRYING METHANE REBREATHERS UNLIKE OUR ALIEN FRIENDS. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE:_______|OOH, ANOTHER RULEBREAKER. FASCINATING. BUT I PREFER TO GET AWAY WITH RULEBREAKING (NOT THAT WE'RE TECHNICALLY BREAKING ANY RULES - THEY HAVEN'T SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN US FROM CHECKING UP RKD'S ARMOR SYSTEMS. I PREFER TO CALL IT "STRETCHING THE RULES"), SO I'LL BE CAREFUL. I'VE ALREADY MANAGED TO LEARN SOME THINGS THOUGH; TURNS OUT RKD DISASSEMBLED AT LEAST ONE OF THEIR PREVIOUS PROTOTYPES FOR PARTS, PROBABLY ONE OR TWO MORE TOO. BUT THEY HAVE A CONFERENCE BOOKED WITH THE ORDNANCE COMMITTEE. IF IT ISN'T TO SHOW OFF THEIR LATEST PROTOTYPE, I'LL EAT MY MJOLNIR. I'VE PULLED FAVORS WITHIN HIGHCOM TO GET A COUPLE OF CONTACTS INTO THE COMMITTEE BEFORE THAT CONFERENCE, SO WITH ANY LUCK WE CAN PROCURE IT. BUT THAT'S JUST ONE SUIT. I'LL KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES (AS SOON AS I'VE FOUND A WAY TO GET PAST KALMIYA WITHOUT HER NOTICING, I'LL BE ABLE TO RECOVER DATA ON PROJECT MJOLNIR - EASIER SAID THAN DONE AS SHE WAS MADE FROM HALSEY'S BRAIN).|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

TRUE, I WOULDN'T WANT HIM IN MY LIFE EITHER; HE'S ABOUT AS SPOOKY AS SPOOKS COME. HARD TO BELIEVE HE WAS ONCE A GROUND POUNDER LIKE YOU. AS FOR HEADHUNTER, THAT'S SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT (NOR AM I MEANT TO KNOW, I'LL BET). <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE:______|SADLY, I HAVE FEWER CLEARANCES THAN YOU, AND MY CONTACTS IN BETA-5 AREN'T CHATTY. HEADHUNTER HAS BEEN MENTIONED A COUPLE TIMES THOUGH, AS HAS AN ENIGMATIC FELLA KNOWN AS DRACULA THAT ACKERSON DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT. THEN THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED NOBLE (SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO SPECWARCOM - IT HAS FAR LESS CLEARANCES THAN ONI UNITS, SO MAYBE YOU COULD TAKE A PEEK?), WHICH MAY ALSO BE CONNECTED TO HEADHUNTER SOMEHOW. THEN THERE'S SOMEBODY CALLED AMBROSE. WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIM THAN ME? I HAVE A FEELING HE'S NOT REALLY PART OF LOGISTICS COMMAND AS HIS RECORD SAYS HE IS.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

343 IS A FIREY ONE, TRUE (LITERALLY SOMETIMES - I CAUGHT HER THE OTHER DAY PICKPOCKETING A LIGHTER OFF ONE OF THE DIs). BUT I THINK SHE WON'T BE ANY REAL TROUBLE. BUT I'M KEEPING EYES AND EARS OPEN AS ALWAYS, JUST IN CASE. THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY THING ALL THESE YEARS IN COVERT OPS HAVE TAUGHT ME; TO ALWAYS BE VIGILANT.

YEAH, COOPERATION IS VITAL. WITH THEIR LACKING EQUIPMENT, THEY'LL NEED IT EVEN MORE THAN ME AND THE OTHER CHARLIE ONES. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|THANKS FOR BACKING ME. I WAS AFRAID FOR A MOMENT I WOULD HAVE ALL THE EXCITEMENT FOR MYSELF. OH, WELL, WE'LL DO OUR BEST RIGHT? EVEN IF WE DO GET CAUGHT AND END OUR DAYS POLISHING SHOES ON THE STREETS OF A BACKWATER PLANET LIKE MINISTER. OR, WELL, YOU'D END UP LIKE THAT; I'M A SUPERSOLDIER, SO I'M PRETTY VALUABLE. AT MOST, I GUESS I'D END UP WITH A CAT-2 COMMISSION AND START PUSHING PAPERS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: CHARLIE-TANGO-ROMEO PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: COL (0-6) <font color=White>GAMMA SIERRA  TO: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE; PROJECT ARES

I ADMIRE YOUR OPTIMISM, CAPTAIN. I WORRY EVERY DAY ABOUT THIS DAMN WAR, ABOUT THE COVENANT. HOW SOON BEFORE THEY’RE AT REACH, AT EARTH? HOW SOON UNTIL WE’VE REALLY GOT OUR BACK AGAINST THE WALL? I CAN’T ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, AND IT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT. THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE, AFTER THE WAR, IS A LUXURY I DON’T HAVE. I GUESS WHEN YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE, YOU TEND TO VIEW THE WORLD FROM A BRIGHTER POINT OF VIEW. OR MAYBE YOUR JUST CHEERY. (THOUGH YOU’VE ALSO GOT TO WONDER, DID SCHOOLCHILDREN 500 YEARS AGO EVER DREAM SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN?). I KNOW NO ONE FIFTY YEARS AGO COULD. AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF BORED SCHOOLCHILRDEN? I THOUGHT YOU SIERRA’S WERE ALL MODEL STUDENTS!

MAYBE YOUR GOOD NOT TO GET TOO CYNICAL, BUT THESE DAYS I JUST CAN’T HELP IT. IF IT’S NOT THE INTEL REPORTS ON OUR LATEST COLONY LOST, IT’S THE DAMN DREAMS I KEEP HAVING OF THE TRAINEES WHEN I FIRST PICKED THEM. UNSURPRISINGLY, MY DREAMS CONVIENTELY IGNORE ALL THE EASY CHOICES---TAKING THE KIDS FROM ABUSIVE FAMILIES OR HELLHOLE ORPHANAGES---AND CONTINOUSLY REPLAY THE IMAGES OF THE HAPPY, SMILING FAMILIES. I KNOW YOU CHARLIE ONES ARE ALL DEVOTED TO HALSEY, BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HATE HER. I WISH SHE’D NEVER DREAMT UP THE IDEA OF THIS PROGRAM, SO THEY WOULDN’T HAVE CHOSEN ME. IT’S SELFISH AND TERRIBLE, BUT I CAN’T HELP IT. I GUESS I’LL LEAVE OPTIMISM FOR YOU, AND CYNICISM FOR ME. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|THE GROIN, SON? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A GROUNDPOUNDER? THAT’S A WOMANS PUNCH, MY BOY. GO FOR THE JAW. IT AIN’T BUILT FOR LATERAL IMPACT.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR THE SUITS, I’M ALREADY ON IT. RICH IS BEING A LITTLE FINICKY, BUT HE SHOULD COME THROUGH. IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S SOME UNEXPECTED EXPENSE; WE ALREADY KNEW AND ACCOUNTED FOR THE PRICE OF THE SUITS (WHICH, REALY, IS PRACTICALLY NONEXISTENT). HOPEFULLY, THE ORDER SHOULD BE IN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|I PREFER TO CALL IT AS IT IS, BUT I GUESS YOUR TECHNICALLY RIGHT. EVEN SO, IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME I’VE GONE AGAINST ONI ON THIS PROJECT. DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS INITIALLY INTERVIEWING THE CANDIDATES, THEY FORBID ME FROM TAKING ANY OF THEM ON THE SPOT, EVEN IF THEY WERE IN CRITICAL DANGER? DAMNED BURCREATIC BASTARDS. YOU CAN GUESS HOW LONG THAT RULE LASTED. AS FOR THE CONFERENCE, I‘LL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPORT ON THAT. EVEN IF WE CAN ONLY GET ONE SUIT, IT‘S STILL BETTER THAN NOTHING. IT MIGHT PRESENT A CHALLENGE FOR A TEAM DYNAMIC, WITH ONE MEMBER GETTING AN ADVANCED SUIT AND THE REST BEING STUCK WITH SPI, BUT IT‘S BETTER THAN NOTHING. AS FOR KALMIYA, HOW DOES THAT ONE WORK? I THOUGHT THE AI PROCESS DESTROYED THE HOST BRAIN.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

HARD TO BELIEVE INDEED. ONE OF MY OLD CO’S SERVED WITH HIM BACK DURING TREBUCHET, SAID HE WAS AS GOOD OF A SOLDIER AS IT COMES. I WONDER WHAT CHANGED. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|I DID SOME DIGGING, AND FOUND A FEW INTERESTING DETAILS. THAT BETA-5 CLUE HELPED A LOT---SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO REFINE A SEARCH. AT ANY RATE, I FOUND A FEW REPORTS ON HEADHUNTER, AND WHILE THEY DIDN’T MENTION ORIGIN, THEY DID LIST AN EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE CSV. IF I WERE TO TAKE A WILD GUESS, I’D SAY SIERRAS. PROBLEM IS, I DON’T HAVE A CLUE WHERE THEY CAME FROM. EVERYTHING ELSE IS LOCKED DOWN TOO TIGHT FOR EVEN ME. AS FOR DRACULA, I CAME UP EMPTY. THERE WERE A FEW FILES FLOATING AROUND, BUT THEY’D ALL BEEN WIPED. I COULDN’T EVEN BEGIN TO TRACK THAT DOWN. NOBLE, THOUGH, IS A DIFFERENT STORY. YOUR RIGHT ABOUT NAVSPECWAR; THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS REALLY AREN’T AS GOOD. I MANAGED TO SNAG A UNIT ROSTER, AND THEY’RE DEFINITELY SIERRAS. THEIR TAGS ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL, THOUGH, SO THEY’RE EITHER S-III’S OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT ENTIRELY. AGAIN, NO INFORMATION ON THEIR ORIGINS, JUST A ROSTER AND A CSV. AND JUST TO HUMOR YOU, I DID A SEARCH ON AMBROSE AND MANAGED TO DIG SOME STUFF UP ON HIM TOO. NOT MUCH, BUT HIS NAME IS DEFINITELY “KURT AMBROSE” AND HE’S GOT A FILE THAT’S SO REDACTED IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE SPILLED A BUCKET OF PAINT ON IT.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

THE LIGHTER DOESN’T SURPRISE ME. DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS ACTUALLY PLAYING WITH TWO OF THEM WHEN I INTERVIEWED HER? THE WAY SHE WAS LIGHTING THINGS UP, I WAS AFRAID SHE’D BURN DOWN THE WHOLE BUILDING. AS FOR VIGILANCE AND COOPERATION, I HAVE TO AGREE ON BOTH COUNTS. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|I DID SHOE SHINING LONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT, THOUGH. THE REAL QUESTION IS WHETHER YOU COULD DEAL WITH BEING STUCK AT A DESK.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: JOKER-BRAVO-KILO-NOVEMBER PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  TO: C0L (0-6) <font color=White>GAMMA SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: PROJECT ARES, PART 2

MY, AREN'T YOU LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE? LET ME ASK YOU THIS; WOULD YOU RATHER DIE CONSTANTLY WORRIED, UNABLE TO SLEEP BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN, OR DIE WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE, KNOWING AND ACCEPTING THAT YOU'VE DONE YOUR BEST TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, REGARDLESS OF HOW SHORT THAT LIFE WAS? THINK ON THAT - YOU MIGHT START AGREEING WITH ME THEN. (WELL, SCIENCE FICTION WAS SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE AT THAT TIME, I IMAGINE THERE'D BE DREAMING). AND YES, SIERRAS ARE MODEL STUDENTS. DOESN'T MEAN EVERYBODY WANTS TO ACT LIKE IT (AKA ME). THOUGH I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DO MY BEST AT BEING HUMBLE, IT'S HARD NOT TO STICK OUT WHEN YOU HAVE 168 IQ AND LEARNED HOW TO BREAK INTO YOUR PA'S PASSWORD-PROTECTED TITANIUM SAFE AT AGE FIVE.

PUT IT BEHIND YOU; THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, JUST AS I COULDN'T PREVENT MY OWN KIDNAPPING. BUT WHO SAID ALL CHARLIE ONES ARE ALL DEVOTED TO HALSEY? I KNOW THAT I'M NOT A FAN. MAYBE IT'S NOT AS BAD NOW AS AFTER MY CONSCRIPTION, BUT I CAN'T SAY I REALLY LIKE HER EVEN NOW. I DO REGRET BREAKING HER NOSE AND LIP AND GIVING HER BLACK EYES EARLY IN TRAINING, THOUGH. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_____|YOU'VE NOT SEEN MANY WOMEN PUNCH, I SEE. YOU SHOULD MEET WITH A FEMALE SPARTAN SOMETIME, AND THEN PRAISE INNIES RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER - JUST FOR THE EXPERIENCE, OF COURSE!|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

<font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_________|AS FOR MY HISTORY WITH HALSEY (I IMAGINE YOU'RE PRETTY CURIOUS NOW), HERE'S THE DEAL; MUM TAUGHT HER AT UNIVERSITY (YSIONRIS JEROMI WASN'T THE ONLY ONE TO TEACH HER, SEE), AND THE TWO WERE ON FRIENDLY TERMS, SO WHEN SHE CAME OVER ONE DAY, I NATURALLY TREATED HER AS WELL AS ANY OTHER FRIEND OF MY MUM'S. I IMAGINE YOU CAN GUESS WHAT I FELT WHEN I WAS ABDUCTED [X] WEEKS LATER AND THEN LEARNED IT WAS THAT VERY SAME PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. SO, ONE DAY, I ENTERED HER OFFICE ALONE AND SIMPLY WENT BERSERK, UNTIL MENDEZ AND TWO DIS ARRIVED AND SUBDUED ME. I'D ELABORATE FURTHER ON THE SUBJECT IF I WAS PROUD OF IT, WHICH I'M NOT.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

GOOD, I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING SHIPMENT. THE RECRUITS ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING THEIR IN-SUIT TRAINING SO SOON, THOUGH I'M UNSURE IF IT'S BECAUSE THEY LIKE THE IDEA OF RECEIVING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, OR JUST BECAUSE IT'LL LET THEM USE GREATER AMOUNT OF FORCE IN THE EXCERCISES. I'LL HAZARD A GUESS AND SAY IT'S A LITTLE OF BOTH. HOW ABOUT YOU? <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_______|JESUS, IT'S A GOT THING YOU DEFIED THAT; GOD KNOWS, THERE'S FEW ENOUGH CANDIDATES AS IT IS. AS FOR KALMIYA, I IMAGINE HALSEY FLASH-CLONED HER BRAIN AND CREATED THE AI THAT WAY. IT'S POSSIBLE TO USE, BUT IN MOST CASES INEFFICIENT, AS MOST BRAINS DON'T SURVIVE THE PROCESS LONG ENOUGH TO CREATE AIS FROM THEM. BY THE WAY, I GOT PAST HER SOMETIME AGO, AND I MANAGED TO TAG A FEW SUITS GOING TO ALGOLIS. I'LL TRY TO KEEP A TAB ON THOSE, THEY COULD PROVE USEFUL.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

MAYBE IT STARTED LIKE YOU? GREW COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW ROLE OVER TIME? IF SO, YOU SHOULD WATCH OUT SO YOU DON'T END UP THE SAME. OF COURSE, HE COULD'VE BEEN LIKE THAT FROM THE START, BUT DIDN'T GET TO SHOW IT UNTIL HIS ONI ENLISTMENT. I FIND IT CURIOUS THAT HE'S STILL MARRIED - HE DOESN'T SEEM THE TYPE WHO WOULD TAKE DAYS OFF TO BE WITH THE WIFE OR HESITATE TO ASSIGN FAMILY MEMBERS TO SUICIDE MISSIONS. SPEAKING OF WHICH, I NEVER ASKED, YOU GOT FAMILY YOURSELF? <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_____|IF IT'S RELATED TO S-III, I THINK HEADHUNTER'S SIERRAS TOO. AND NOBLE SEEMS INTERESTING, I'LL HAVE TO KEEP IT IN MIND (THERE'S A CHANCE WE COULD FUNNEL ONE OR TWO OF OUR SPARTANS TO IT - RATHER THAT THAN THAN HAVING THEM END UP AS ANOTHER GENERATION OF RICH'S LEONIDAN GRIM REAPERS). AND THANKS FOR THE INTEL ON AMBROSE. IT'S A FUNNY THING; I ONCE KNEW SOMEBODY NAMED KURT, A CHARLIE ONE LIKE MYSELF. GOOD MAN, A LITTLE LIKE MYSELF IN HIS RESPECT FOR NON-SPARTAN PERSONNEL AND HABIT TO MAKE FRIENDS. WISH HE STILL LIVED.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

YEAH, I KNEW THAT, READ IT IN HER PSYCHE PROFILE. I NOTIFIED THE PSYCHOLOGISTS ABOUT THIS RECENT INCIDENT. OF COURSE, IF WE LET THEM DECIDE WHO'RE FIT FOR DUTY OR NOT, WE'D BE DOWN TO A DOZEN CANDIDATES. I WON'T CHOP HER FROM THE ROSTER FOR THAT - SHE HASN'T CAUSED ANY INCIDENTS SO FAR, NO REASON SHE WOULD NOW. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_____|YEAH, THAT ANSWER'S SIMPLE; I COULDN'T. I'M NOT SITTING ON MY ASS AND LETTING OTHERS FIGHT FOR ME. WHICH IS WHY I'LL NEVER HAVE A NORMAL FAMILY, I GUESS. NO KISSING A WIFE GOODBYE BEFORE HEADING OFF TO WORK, TEACHING THE FIRST KID TO WALK OR WRITING A WILL FOR MY CHILDREN ON MY DEATHBED FOR ME. I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR HOPING FOR A REAL FUNERAL WITH AN ACTUAL TOMBSTONE.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: CHARLIE-BRAVO-LIMA-JULIET PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: COL (0-6) <font color=White>GAMMA SIERRA  TO: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  '''SUBJECT:RE PROJECT ARES, PART 2

WELL, YOU’VE GOT A BIT OF A POINT THERE, BUT TRY AS I MIGHT, YOUR OPTIMISM ELUDES ME. I’VE BEEN DOING THIS JOB FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS, AND I’LL TELL YOU THAT WHEN I JOINED THE MILITARY, I NEVER PLANNED ON RECRUITING LITTLE KIDS TO BE HIGH TECH CHILD SOLDIERS, AND NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE THE LIST OF PEOPLE AND PLANETS I KNOW SHRINK DAILY AS THEY WERE KILLED AND DESTROYED. IT WEIGHS ON ME, HOWEVER MUCH I WANT IT NOT TOO. AND I GUESS YOUR RIGHT ABOUT THE PEOPLE BACK THEN. IF THEY WEREN’T BASKING IN THEIR OWN HUBRIS, THEY WERE SPENDING ALL THEIR TIME IN LEISURE. AND DIDN’T YOU KNOW IQ SCORES ARE COMPLETELY OVERRATED? ALL THAT PLACEMENT VARIATION AND CRAP.

I KNOW, MENTALLY, THAT YOUR RIGHT ABOUT PUTTING IT BEHIND ME, BUT IT’S STILL DIFFICULT. THIS JOB ISN’T HELPING ANY. AUGMENTATIONS ARE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER AND WE ALL KNOW THE PROBABILITIES. I LOOK AT THESE KIDS AND WONDER WHO WILL BE LEFT IN A YEARS TIME, OR TWO. ITS DIFFICULT. I KNOW YOU STRUGGLE WITH IT TOO, SO I DON’T HAVE TO REMIND YOU, BUT ITS DIFFERENT SOMEHOW WHEN YOU WERE THE ONE WHO SELECTED THEM. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|SOUNDS LIKE A ENAMORING, EXCELLENT CHARACTER BUILDING EXPERIENCE. SOMEHOW, THOUGH, I THINK I‘LL PASS|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AND I’M EXCITED ABOUT THE SUITS, JUST TO HOPE IT’LL IMPROVE SURVIVABILITY. THE SIERRA THREES WHO DID LIVE PRACTICE WITH THEIR SPI BEFORE DEPLOYMENT ALL SEEMED TO HAVE DONE BETTER ONCE LIVE INTO THE FIELD, SO AT LEAST OUR KIDS WILL HAVE SOMETHING GOING FOR THEM, EVEN IF FATE HAS TURNED AGAINST THEM. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|YES, I RECKON IT WAS. NOT LIKE I HAD ANY CHOICE, THOUGH. WHATEVER ONI SAID, I COULDN‘T JUST SIT AROUND AND WATCH THEM DIE, COULD I? AND BY SUITS, YOU DON‘T MEAN MJOLNIR, DO YOU? WE CAN‘T BE THAT LUCKY, NOT AFTER ALL THIS, CAN WE?|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR ACKERSON, I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DON’T KNOW. MAYBE HE WAS A GOOD SOLDIER WHO GOT ROPED INTO THE WRONG CROWD; MAYBE HE WAS A BAD ONE ALL ALONG AND JUST NEEDED AN EXCUSE. AS FOR HIS WIFE, I COULDN’T SPECULATE. IN RESPONSE TO BOTH QUESTIONS, I’M NOT MARRIED AND THE MILITARY HAS TAKEN ANY CHANCE OF THAT. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|I CAN‘T ARGUE WITH YOUR LOGIC, WHAT WITH THEIR CLOSE LINK TO BETA-5 AND S-III. AS FOR NOBLE, I‘LL SEE WHAT I CAN DIG UP. MORE BACKUP FOR OUR KIDS CAN NEVER BE A BAD THING. I‘M SORRY TO REMIND YOU ABOUT KURT, THOUGH. HE WENT DOWN DURING DEEP SPACE RECON, DIDN‘T HE? TERRIBLE WASTE, IF YOU ASK ME.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR [S-343], I’M INCLINED TO AGREE. WE CAN’T AFFORD TO AXE ANYONE ELSE FROM THE LIST (AND IF WE WERE TO CUT HER, WE’D HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT MOST OF THESE KIDS AREN’T CUT OUT FOR THIS---347’S DANGEROUSLY SELF ABSORBED, 341’S INSUBORDINATE, 332 IS A FLIRT (OF ALL THINGS), AND A HALF DOZEN OTHERS HAVE DEPRESSION, ANGER, AND TRAUMATIC DISORDERS FROM THE LOSS OF THEIR FAMILIES). <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|AND YOU CALL ME THE CYNICAL ONE? I CAN‘T IMAGINE A LIFE BEYOND THE WAR; YOU CAN‘T IMAGINE ONE WITHOUT WAR AT ALL.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: GOLF-MIKE-BRAVO-ALPHA PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  TO: C0L (0-6) <font color=White>GAMMA SIERRA  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: PROJECT ARES, PART 2

LIFE NEVER GOES AS EXPECTED; IF YOU BUILD UP LONG-RANGE EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT LIFE WILL BE, YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. ONLY WAY TO AVOID THIS? GET RID OF EXPECTATIONS, AND JUST GO WITH THE FLOW AT ALL TIMES. NOW, ABOUT THE IQ THING, NOW THAT MY PHISOPICAL STATEMENT OF THE WEEK IS OUT OF THE WAY; JUST BECAUSE IT'S OVERRATED IT DOESN'T MEAN IT DOESN'T HAVE ITS USES. 'SIDES, I WAS JUST POINTING I OUT I'VE GOT A FAIR BIT OF INTELLIGENCE (HARD TO BELIEVE, I KNOW). <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_____|IF IT'S ANY CONSOLATION, YOU'RE LUCKY NOT TO BE WITH COVERT OPS; THE MISSIONS I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ARE SOMETIMES DIRTIER THAN ANY COVENANT ATTACK. FOR EXAMPLE, I'M CERTAIN THAT YOU'VE NEVER HAD TO HOLD CHILDREN HOSTAGE SIMPLY TO MAKE SURE THEIR INNIE PARENT(S) AGREE TO A TRUCE WITH THE UNSC. OR KILL ASTRONAVIGATORS THAT JUST BLESSED YOUR ARRIVAL AND BEGGED YOU TO SAVE THEM, JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T FALL INTO ENEMY HANDS.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

OH, AND MOST OF THE CANDIDATEST HAVE HAD A COUPLE SESSIONS WITH THE SUITS NOW. MOST OF THEM WERE IN GOOD SPIRITS - NOT 343, THOUGH. SHE DECIDED TO CALL IT GARBAGE AFTER MAKING A DENT IN 347's HARNESS WITH HER UNARMED HAND. BUT COME TO THINK OF IT, IT MIGHT'VE JUST BEEN BECAUSE SHE BROKE HER KNUCKLE IN DOING SO. SHE HAD TO SKIP TWO HOURS OF TRAINING TO FIX IT (TO 347's DELIGHT). OTHERWISE IT WENT WELL; I'M PROUD OF HOW FAST THEY'RE ADAPTING TO IT (AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE 341, 311, 319, 327 AND 303 STARTING A SCAVENGER HUNT FOR TECH TO UPGRADE THE SUITS WITH: THEY'RE SO ADORABLE - MISCHIEVOUS, BUT ADORABLE - AREN'T THEY? LIKE PUPPIES, OR INFANTS). <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE________|I'M POSITIVE; MJOLNIR ARMOR. BUT I'VE ONLY MANAGED TO TAG THEM - I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHORT OF THE SECURITY COMMITTEE OR DIRECTOR PARANGOSKY HAS ENOUGH CLOUT TO GET THE SUITS OUT OF STORAGE. AND ALGOLIS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR VERY SECURE FACILITIES (I HAVE FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE TO PROVE IT). BUT IN CASE THE COVENANT FIND THE PLANET, IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO EXTRACT THEM AFTER SECURITY'S DOWN AND BEFORE THE COVENANT GET TO THEM; ENSURING THEY DON'T GET WASTED.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

YOU REALLY SHOULD FIND YOURSELF A WOMAN; I GET THE IMPRESSION THAT SOME KISSING WOULD DO YOU GOOD. AT LEAST IT'D BE BETTER THAN BUYING SUCH SERVICES ON THE BROTHEL ON GILGAMESH. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|YES, IT'S A WASTE. IT'D HAVE BEEN BETTER IF HE LIVED AND WAS THE ONE CHOSEN TO TRAIN THESE KIDS INSTEAD OF ME; HE WAS A NATURAL LEADER. BUT THERE'S NOTHING TO DO ABOUT THAT NOW; I'LL HONOR HIM AND ALL THE OTHER FALLEN SPARTANS IN MY OWN WAY. SPEAKING OF SIERRAS, ADDITIONAL DIGGING INTO SPECWARCOM GROUP THREE DATABASES SHOW THAT NOBLE ISN'T THE ONLY "SPECIAL" TEAM OF OPERATORS; THERE'S ALSO UNITS CALLED [ROYAL], [GAUNTLET] AND [ECHO], MAYBE MORE THAN THAT. WHAT'S MORE IS THAT THE GROUP'S CO IS URBAN HOLLAND - I THINK YOU'RE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT HE'S A LEGEND IN SPECWARCOM. I'M NOT SURPRISED HE'S BEEN CHOSEN TO COMMAND SIERRA UNITS (MAYBE WE SHOULD CONSIDER ASSIGNING ONE OR TWO OF THE ARES TEAMS TO HIS COMMAND? I'D SLEEP BETTER KNOWING HE'S ONE OF THE OFFICERS COMMANDING MY MEN).|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

AS FOR THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR "ISSUES", YOU SAID IT. AND CUT 332 SOME SLACK; I THINK SHE PICKED IT UP FROM ME. AND AS I SAID ABOVE, 341 IS ADORABLE - WHEN HE ISN'T RUNNING HIS MOUTH LIKE CRAZY. 347 WORRIES ME, THOUGH; ARROGANCE NEVER GETS YOU FAR IN THIS LINE OF WORK. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE____________|ACTUALLY, THAT'S VERY OPTIMISTIC THINKING FOR A SPARTAN. AND BESIDES, I DO A LOT OF IMAGINING; IT'S JUST THAT I CAN'T MAKE MYSELF LIVE PEACEFULLY WHILE THERE'S OTHERS THAT DON'T AND NEED MY HELP. WERE IT NOT FOR THAT, I MAY HAVE DEFECTED YEARS AGO - I HONESTLY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE UNSC (TREASON AS IT IS TO SAY THAT THESE DAYS, AT LEAST IF YOU'RE EMPLOYED WITH SECTION THREE), LET ALONE ONI. WHAT I CARE ABOUT IS MY FAMILY, MY COMRADES AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T FEND FOR THEMSELVES. CALL ME TRAITOR IF YOU WANT, BUT THAT'S HOW IT IS.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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ENRYPTION CODE: NOVEMBER-BRAVO-INDIGO-LIMA PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: COL (0-6) <font color=White>GAMMA SIERRA  TO: CPT (0-3) <font color=White>LIMA KILO  '''SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE: PROJECT ARES, PART 2

YOUR RIGHT ON THAT ONE, FRIEND. LIFE IS NEVER NEAT AND TIDY. I’VE LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY THESE PAST FEW YEARS, AND THE THINGS I’VE DONE HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY TAME…WELL, BY ONI STANDARDS AT LEAST. EVEN SO, I CAN’T HELP REMEMBERING BETTER DAYS. EVERYTHING USED TO MAKE SENSE, HAVE AN ORDER, WE ALL USED TO HAVE A FUTURE. AND THAT’S A PROSPECT THAT’S SHRINKING QUICKER THAN MY HAIRLINE. AND DON’T TUTE YOUR OWN HORN TO MUCH, SON. YOU CAN KEEP YOUR 168 IQ SCORE. I’LL KEEP MY THREE SCIENCE DEGREES. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE_____|IF THAT‘S SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER, THEN I THINK YOU NEED TO REEVALUATE YOUR METHODS. YOU WILL DEFINITELY NOT MAKE OUTSTANDING MORALE LIFTER OF THE YEAR WITH THOSE KINDS OF EXAMPLES. I DO THANK GOD EVERY DAY THOUGH I NEVER ENDED UP IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS. I DON‘T LIKE IT, BUT I‘M NOT SURE I COULD SLOT SOMEONE IN THE COLD LIKE THAT, EVEN IF I WANTED TO.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

GOOD TO KNOW THEY’LL TOLERATE IT. THAT’S ONE BURDEN LIFTED, IF ONLY A LITTLE. AND DID ANYTHING PROVOKE 343? OR DID SHE JUST GO OFF ON 347? (NOT THAT’D I’D BLAME HER; I TRY TO STAY PRETTY NEUTRAL AND STAY FAIR, BUT THAT GIRL REALLY IS A HANDFUL---I’D REGRET GIVING HER A TEAM, IF SHE WASN’T SO DAMNED TALENTED) BESIDES THE ONES YOU NAMED (OUR CREAM OF THE CROP), HOW ARE THE OTHERS HOLDING UP WITH IT? I’M GETTING VERY WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF THEM. THE DISBARITIES IN THEIR GENETIC MATCHUP ARE REALLY STARTING TO BECOME MORE APPARENT (YOUR PROBABLY ALREADY AWARE, BUT I SAW THAT 338’S PROFICIENCY WITH SNIPER WEAPONRY IS EXPONTENTIALLY BETTER THAN ARE WEAKER RECRUITS, 343 IS MATCHING THAT WITH CLOSE COMBAT, AND 341---WELL, HE MAY BE A LITTLE SHIT, BUT HE’S GOOD WITH EVERYTHING). I DON’T WANT KIDS FALLING BEHIND. <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE________|THAT WILL BE ONE INTERESTING MISSION THEN, FOR WHOEVER IS NEAREST. I WOULDN‘T BE JEALOUS OF ANYONE TRYING TO GRAB CLASSIFIED TECH IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INVASION (THOUGH I GUESS THE ENGINEERS END UP DOING THAT EVERY TIME THE COVENANT ATTACK, COUNTING THE COLE PROTOCOL AND EVERYTHING). I GUESS THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER WE TELL THE RECRUITS ABOUT IT OR JUST MAKE NOTE OF IT FOR USE LATER.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

FIND MYSELF A WOMAN? THERE’S AN IDEA, IF I EVER HEARD ONE. TELL YOU WHAT: YOU SET IT UP, AND I’LL GLADLY OBLIGE IN SOME LATE NIGHT ROMANCE (AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BROTHEL’S, ANYWAY?)<font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE______|THAT‘S THE NATURE OF WAR I GUESS. SOME OF US GET GRAND, HEROIC DEATHS, AND THE REST OF US END UP BEING SLOTTED BECAUSE OF BAD LUCK AND RANDOM CHANCE. AND I THINK YOU DISCREDIT YOURSELF TO MUCH. THE RECRUITS REALLY DO LOOK UP TO YOU AND RESPECT YOU, AND THAT SAYS A LOT. I‘M CERTAINLY GRATEFUL. I‘VE READ THE FILES ON SOME OF THE OTHER CHARLIE ONES, AND THERES MORE THAN A FEW I‘M GLAD I DON‘T HAVE TO WORK WITH. I READ UP ON A FEW (013 AND 144), AND I SWEAR I WOULD SHOOT MYSELF IF I HAD TO WORK WITH THOSE KINDS OF NUTTERS. AND GOOD WORK FINDING THOSE OTHER GROUPS; IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME HOW (WITH SECURITY CLEARANCES WELL BELOW MY OWN) YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND THESE SO EASILY. AND YES, I KNOW ABOUT HOLLAND. HE DEFINITELY SEEMS THE TYPE TO RUN A CONTINGENT OF SIERRAS. IF WE CAN SWING IT, I DON’T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH MAKING CONTACT WITH HIM. WORK YOUR CONTACTS, AND I’LL WORK ON THE BRASS.|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

I’M SURE HALSEY WOULD BE SHITTING BRICKS IF SHE KNEW ONE OF HER SPARTANS WAS SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE ON THE YOUTH. WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT THAT A SIERRA IN TRAINING WOULD PICK UP SLEAZY HABITS---FROM ANOTHER SPARTAN. AND 341, ADORABLE? REALLY SON? YOU REALLY DO LIKE CRIMSON, DON’T YOU? (AS FOR 347, I’M GOING TO ENROLE HER IN SOME COUNSELING SESSIONS TO HOPEFULLY IRON THAT OUT. OUR TEAM LEADERS CAN’T AFFORD TO BE ARROGANT; WITH ALL THEIR INHERENT DISADVANTAGES, THEY’LL END UP GETTING THEIR PEOPLE KILLED.  <font color=Red>|ENCRYPTED SECTION: CODE____________|I HOPE YOUR NOT OFFENDED, BUT YOU REALLY DO PUZZLE ME.  ONE SECOND YOU ACT LIKE A NORMAL PERSON, INDEPENDENT AND SOVREGIN, AND THE NEXT YOU ACCEPT YOUR FATE LIKE IT‘S SET IN STONE.  WE LIVE IN VERY DIFFERENT WORLDS (AS IF IT NEEDED POINTING OUT).  AND I‘M NOT GOING TO TURN YOU INTO SECTION 0, DON’T WORRY.  I‘VE GOT NO LOVE FOR ONI, AND THE ONLY REASON I‘M HERE IS BECAUSE IT‘S MY DUTY.  YOUR NO MORE OF A TRAITOR THAN I AM (AND PROBABLY LESS OF ONE THAN 341).|ENCRYPTED SECTION: END|

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SECRET CORRESPONDENCE S5P01-CNR38
ENRYPTION CODE: OCTOBER PUBLIC KEY: N/A FROM: GEN (0-10) <font color=White>CHARLIE BRAVO  TO: CPT (0-6) <font color=White>SEAHAWK  SUBJECT: MORE OPERATIVES

HAWK, I’LL BE BRIEF. AS YOUR UNDOUBTLEY WELL AWARE, WE’RE FACED WITH A MAJOR HURDLE FOR OUR PROGRAM. OPERATIVE 144 HAS APPARENTLY BEEN DEPLOYED ONE TO MANY TIMES, AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF ONI ARE STARTING TO GET SUSPICIOUS. WE MAY HAVE NO MORE THAN A FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE THEY GET THEIR HANDS ON HIM, AND ONCE THEY DO, WE’RE UNLIKELY TO SEE HIM AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND SECTION III HAS COOPERATED IN THE PAST, BUT TIMES ARE CHANGING, AND LEADERS ARE STEPPING DOWN AND BEING REPLACED WITH NEW ONES WHOSE MEMORY ISN’T QUITE SO LONG.

OPERATIVE 144 HAS BEEN INVALUABLE FOR OUR OPERATIONS OVER THE LAST FIFTY YEARS, AND HAS CONSISTENTLY OUTPEFORMED ALL OF OUR OTHER AGENTS, AND WITHOUT HIM WE WILL HAVE A MUCH HARDER TIME PERFORMING SOME OF OUR MORE SENSIVTIVE MISSIONS. EVEN THE NEW TYPE 23 DRONES WON‘T BE ABLE TO PICK UP THE SLACK. WE NEED ANOTHER SIERRA TO REPLACE HIM, WHICH MEANS EXTRACTING ONE FROM CURRENT OPERATIONS. I REVIEWED SOME OLD LOGS AND FOUND MIKE ALPHA CONSCRIPTED YOU FOR THE ORIGINAL EXTRACTION OF 144 EXTRACTION. WELL, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, I’LL BE NEEDING YOUR SERVICES ONCE AGAIN.

ONE OF OUR FIELD AGENTS, KILO TANGO, HAS BEEN OBSERVING SEVERAL CANDIDATES FOR A FEW YEARS, AND BELIEVES SHE’S FOUND ONE. HE’S NOT A II, BUT HE’S CLOSE ENOUGH, AND HE’S GOT MORE CURRENT COMBAT EXPERIENCE THAN MANY OF THEM. WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT HE’S AN EXCELLENT SNIPER AND A WILLINGINESS TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. HE’S GOT A BIT OF A CONSCIENCE  PROBLEM, BUT WE’LL WORK AROUND THAT.

WE NEED THE OPERATIVE QUICKLY, SO DEPLOY ASAP AND BRING HIM IN. KILO TANGO CONFIRMS HE’S JUST FINISHED WITH HIS TOUR IN THE OP: ERIDANUS CAMPAIGN, SO THE SOONER YOU CAN GRAB HIM, THE LESS LIKELY IT IS THAT ANOTHER ELEMENT OF ONI WILL GET TO HIM FIRST. SECTION I HAS BEEN SNIFFING AROUND, AND I DON’T WANT A POTENTIAL OPERATIVE SNATCHED BY THE GEEK SQUAD. GET THIS DONE.

//PRESS ENTER TO CONTINUE//

<font color=White>SPARTAN-343
(as of January 1, 2587) RACHEL LIEUTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE


 * FULL NAME: HAWKE, RACHEL
 * SERVICE #: S-343


 * UNIT: COVOPGRU/ARES DETACHMENT/CYAN TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: ACTIVE


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTPLACE: PINE MOUNTAIN, KHOLO
 * BIRTH DATE: 07/01/2535

PERFORMANCE: CRUDE AND BRUTAL, BUT EXTREMELY EFFICIENT. VERY ANALYTICAL AND EXCELLENT AT IMPROVISATION (CLAIMS OF WHIPPING JACKAL ATTACKERS WITH A LOOSE PYTHON SNAKE SUCCESSFULLY CONFIRMED). TENDS TO FORGET MILITARY BEHAVIORAL PROTOCOLS (INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL UNKNOWN - THE FORMER SEEMS MOST LIKELY, BASED ON AI SCANS), BUT IS AT THE SAME TIME A HIGHLY CAPABLE SOLDIER. MAY BE THE BEST OF THE ARES SOLDIERS (TIE WITH [S-338] AND [S-341]).

COMMENTS: HAS AN ODD FASCINATION WITH FIRE (THREE KNOWN THERAPY SESSIONS AGAINST PYROMANIA SO FAR). POSSIBLE RESURGENCY OF PYROMANIC SYMPTOMS EXPECTED EVENTUALLY. OCASSIONALLY FLIRTATIOUS BEHAVIOR AROUND MALE JUNIOR OFFICERS (BREACHES OF FRATERNIZATION PROTOCOLS SO FAR UNCONFIRMED).

NOTE(S): RECOMMEND CONTINUED WATCH IN CASE OF PYROMANIC RESURGENCY. ALSO MAKE NOTE UNIQUE GENETIC PATTERN; SHE APPEARS, ALONG WITH ONE OTHER CANDIDATE, TO HAVE THE FULL GENETIC MARKERS FOR OPTIMUM SPARTANS

<font color=White>SPARTAN-338
(as of January 1, 2587) CONNOR LIEUTENANT


 * FULL NAME: RILEY, CONNOR
 * SERVICE #: S-338


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/TAN TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: CLASSIFIED


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: APHRODITE, TITAN-II
 * BIRTH DATE: 14/5/2534

PERFORMANCE: SMART, FAST, AND TOUGH WITH VARIED ARRAY OF SKILLSETS. CAPABLE LEADER WITH A NATURAL ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH SUBORDINATES AND STRONG TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC INSIGHT. EMPHASIZES DEEPLY WITH SUBORDINATES AND SUPERIORS ALIKE. CRACK SHOT WITH A SNIPER RIFLE, BUT ALSO PASSABLY PROFIECIENT IN CLOSE QUARTERS. OPTIMISTIC NO MATTER THE SITUATION, BUT NEVER ATTEMPTS TO BE COMICAL. SERIOUS IN COMBAT, BUT RELAXES WELL OFF DUTY. VERY AMIABLE. SKILLED AT LEADING BUT EQUALLY CONTENT TO LET SOMEONE ELSE TAKE COMMAND.

COMMENTS: STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH TEAMATES CAN SOMETIMES PROVE PROBLEMATIC, AS HE CAN BECOME EMOTIONALLY OVERRELIANT ON OTHERS, SOMETIMES WITH DISASTOROUS CONSEQUENCES. OCCASSIONALLY EXPRESSES DOUBT IN HIS OWN TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC INSIGHT DESPITE STRENGTH, DUE TO SEVERAL FAILED OPERATIONS. HISTORY OF ANGER, DEPRESSION, AND ISOLATION ISSUES, ALL IN RESPONSE TO LOSS OF TEAMATE. STRONG SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG. HAS HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH TAKING ISSUES PERSONALLY.

NOTE(S): RECOMMEND SCREENING FOR MENTAL ISSUES IN THE CASE OF FAILED MISSIONS, OR SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS THAT RESULT IN FRIENDLY CASUALTIES. ALSO MAKE NOTE UNIQUE GENETIC PATTERN; HE APPEARS, ALONG WITH ONE OTHER CANDIDATE, TO HAVE THE FULL GENETIC MARKERS FOR OPTIMUM SPARTANS

<font color=White>SPARTAN-363
(as of January 1, 2587) MATHEW MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER


 * FULL NAME: BROOKS, MATHEW
 * SERVICE #: S-363


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/GOLD TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: ACTIVE


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: COLTON, STALLION-IV
 * BIRTH DATE: 9/11/2534

PERFORMANCE: HIGHLY SKILLED FIGHTER AND COMMANDER, WITH AN EYE FOR TACTICS AND A STRONG WILL. VERY STUBBORN. VERY PROFESSIONAL IN AND OUT OF COMBAT, BUT WITH A BIT OF A TEMPER PROBLEM. CAN TRANSLATE INTO ATTITUDE ISSUES. DISLIKES SECRECY AND PREFERS OPEN ASSIGNMENTS. GOOD AT THINKING ON HIS FEET, BUT BETTER EXECUTING CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED PLANS. ALSO HAS A STRONG AVERSION TO GOSSIP, EVEN FOR A SPARTAN. EXCELLENT AT EVALUATING PEOPLE. DEVISES PLANS THAT PLAY VERY WELL TO THE STRENGTH’S OF HIS TEAMS, EVEN ON THE FLY. DIEHARD LOYALTY TO HIS SQUAD SURPASSED ONLY BY LOYALTY TO UNSC

COMMENTS: LONG CAREER OF SUCCESSFUL SERVICE AGAINST LONG ODDS HAD MADE HIM SOMEWHAT ARROGANT, AS WITH THE REST OF HIS SQUAD, MADE WORSE BY HIS OWN NATURAL STUBBORNESS. THIS OCCASSIONALLY PROMPTS ATTITUDE PROBLEMS, ALSO MADE WORSE BY HIS TEMPER PROBLEM. MANAGES TO KEEP THESE ISSUES OFF THE BATTLEFIELD, BUT THEY WILL OCCASSIONALLY REAR THEIR HEAD DURING DOWN TIME.

NOTE(S): VERY SUSPICIOUS OF ONI, PARTICULARILLY SECTION III, IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE [S-312] INCIDENT, THOUGH LESS SO THAN HIS SUBORDINATES. CONFIDENCE IN UNSC STILL HIGH, BUT DISTRUSTS NAVAL INTELLIGENCE IN PARTICULAR.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-359
(as of January 1, 2587) JACKY SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER


 * FULL NAME: DAVIS, JACKY
 * SERVICE #: S-359


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/GOLD TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: ACTIVE


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: HERSHIRE, NEW LONDON
 * BIRTH DATE: 6/22/2534

PERFORMANCE: OUTSPOKEN AND OPINIONATED WITH AN EYE FOR DETAIL. VERY PRECISE. HAS VERY CLEAR OPINIONS AND ISN’T AFRAID TO SHARE THEM. NOT MUCH OF A TACTICIAN, BUT IS ODDLY PERCEPTIVE OF OVERALL STRATEGIC OVERVIEWS. KEEN INTEREST IN MILITARY AND CIVILIAN POLITICS. EXCELS AT CLOSE QUARTERS, ESPECIALLY AT REMAINING UNDETECTED. ABILITY TO MAKE USE OF HER SPI ARMOR IS ALMOST SUPERNATURAL. UTTERLY RUTHLESS IN COMBAT, BUT KEEPS A TIGHT REIN ON HER EMOTIONS. ALSO AN EXCEELENT ACTOR.

COMMENTS: SOMEWHAT ARROGANT, MUCH LIKE THE OTHER MEMBERS OF GOLD. SOMETIMES HAS TROUBLE CONNECTING WITH OTHER PERSONNEL, ESPECIALLY OTHER SIERRAS, BECAUSE OF ARROGANCE AND HER OUTSPOKEN NATURE.

NOTE(S): HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS OF ONI IN THE AFTERMATH OF [S-312] INCIDENT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF PARANOIA. STILL CONFIDENT IN NAVY AND MAINLINE UNSC, BUT IS OUTWARDLY HOSTILE TO AGENCY MEMBERS. RECOMMEND KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON HER IN CASE SUSPICIONS TURN INTO SOMETHING MORE.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-317
(as of January 1, 2587) MASON SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER


 * FULL NAME: TRIBBLE, MASON
 * SERVICE #: S-317


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/GOLD TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: ACTIVE


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: SYDNEY, EARTH
 * BIRTH DATE: 11/11/2534

PERFORMANCE: UNOBTRUSIVE AND UNASSUMMING; A CRACK SHOT WITH A SNIPER RIFLE, THOUGH DEFINITELY NOT THE BEST OF THE SIERRA CHALRIE III’S. TALKATIVE AND JOKEFUL DURING OPERATIONS, EVEN MORE SO OFF DUTY. GOLD SEEMS USED TO IT; OTHER OPERATORS HAVE COMMENTED DISFAVORLABLY ON IT. NOT MUCH MORE TO SAY; HE’S A DEDICATED TEAM MEMBER WITH AN EXCELLENT MARKSMAN ABILITY. SOLID UNDER FIRE, BUT STILL PREFERS TO HANG BACK OUT OF COMBAT. INTERESTS SEEM LIMITED TO WEAPONS AND HIS TEAM.

COMMENTS: A LITTLE COCKY, JUST LIKE THE REST OF GOLD, BUT AT LEAST HE HAS THE STONES TO BACK IT UP. KEEPS HIS ARROGANCE IN LINE BETTER THAN SOME OF THE OTHERS, HOWEVER; HE CAN APPRECIATE TALENT, AND ACKNOWLEDGES SUPERIOR ABILITIES.

NOTE(S): MORE THAN ANY OF THE REST OF GOLD, STILL SEEMS TROUBLED BY THE [S-312] INCIDENT. BLAMES HIMSELF FOR THE “FAILURE” OF THE MISSION, AND FOR LETTING THE ASSASSIN ESCAPE. THE FACT HE COULD HAVE DONE NOTHING NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED TO HIM. MISTRUSTFUL OF ONI, BUT NOT NEARLY TO THE DEGREE OF THE OTHERS.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-312
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) RICHARD PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS


 * FULL NAME: GRIFFON, RICHARD
 * SERVICE #: S-312


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SILVER TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: TRANQUILITY, NEW HARMONY
 * BIRTH DATE: 2/3/2534

PERFORMANCE: QUICK ON HIS FEET, WITH A KNACK FOR QUICKLY COMING UP WITH PLANS. EXCELLENT AT AMBUSHING THE ENEMY, BUT NOT SO SKILLED AT DETECTING OR EVADING ENEMY AMBUSHES. CAPABLE AT MEDIUM RANGE, BUT PREFERS CLOSE QUARTERS. JOKATIVE AND SEEMINGLY LIGHTHEARTED DURING TRAINING, BUT HAS SINCE TURNED MUCH MORE SERIOUS. UTTERLY DEVOTED TO HIS TEAM, AND VERY CAPABLE OF LEADING THEM. VERY SKILLED WITH EXPLOSIVES, ESPECIALLY IN SURPRISE ATTACKS.

COMMENTS: [S-312] IS A FORMIDABLE OPERATOR, BUT CAN BE VERY GULLIBLE AND IS QUICK TO ANGER, BE IT RATIONAL OR IRRATIONAL. DEVOTION TO HIS TEAM IS COMPLETE, AND HIS LOYALTY TO THEM BY FAR EXCEEDS HID LOYALTY TO THE UNSC. PREFERENCE FOR AMBUSHES AND CLOSE QUARTERS MAKES HIM SOMEWHAT PREDICTABLE, IF CONSISTENT, BUT HIS TEAM MEMBERS MANAGE TO BALANCE OUT HIS WEAKNESSES, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

NOTE(S): TURNED UP MULTIPLE PROBLEMS DURING HIS LAST PYSCHE EVALUATION, INCLUDING POSSIBLE EARLY INDICATORS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA. FOLLOW UP PYSCHE EXAM CHANCES OF IT DEVELOPING FULLY ARE MINIMAL, UNLESS SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC OCCURS. RECOMMENDATION: KEEP AN EYE ON HIM, BUT DEPLOY HIS TEAM ANYWAY. WE NEED THESE KIDS IN THE FIELD NO MATTER WHAT.

POST-OP REPORT: DURING A ROUTINE PATROL IN TROY-II’S BADLANDS, A COVENANT AMBUSH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF [S-364] AND [S-326]. THE RESULTING MENTAL TRAUMA BADLY DAMAGED RICHARD’S PYSCHE, AND AFTER ESCAPING THE COVENANT FORCES, HE RETALIATED AND SINGLE HANDEDLY DESTROYED THE NEARBY FIREBASE BRAVO, RESULTING IN NEARLY 400 UNSC CASUALTIES. GOLD TEAM WAS DEPLOYED TO RECOVER HIM FOR TRIAL, BUT AN UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL ELIMINATED HIM BEFORE HE COULD BE CAPTURED. (FULL AFTER ACTION REPORT ATTACHED)

<font color=White>SPARTAN-364
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) LUCIUS PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: DRAKE, LUCIUS
 * SERVICE #: S-364


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SILVER TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: INSTANBUL, EARTH
 * BIRTH DATE: 2/4/2534

PERFORMANCE: QUIET, CONFIDENT, FOCUSED AND TOUGH. EXCELLENT DEXTERITY AND VERY PRECISE, AT LEAST WITH HIS MOVEMENTS. PREFERS BIG GUNS---ANYTHING ABOVE .50 CAL AND HE’S ALL OVER IT, BUT DOESN’T HAVE MUCH USE FOR SMALLER ARMS. BIG BORE GUNS ARE HIS SPECIALTY, WHETHER THEY BE TURRETS, GAUSS CANNONS, AUTO CANNONS OR SNIPER RIFLES. VERY QUIET OFF DUTY, BUT IS FAIRLY APPROACHABLE. RELAXED, IF A BIT QUIET. EXCELLENT AT GUERRILLA WARFARE, AND DOESN’T LIKE TO STAY PUT FOR VERY LONG.

COMMENTS: DIFFICULT TO EXAMINE. [S-364] TENDS TO KEEP TO HIMSELF, AND LIMITS HIS INTERACTION WITH OTHER SIERRAS, EVEN AMONG HIS OWN TEAM. HIS PREFERENCE FOR HEAVY DUTY WEAPONRY REMAINS NO MATTER WHO THE ENEMY IS, SO FIELDING HIM AGAINST INSURGENTS CAN BE TRICKY.

NOTE(S): UNLIKE OTHER GROUPS, WE CAN’T ROTATE SIERRA’S IN AND OUT OF CHARLIE THREE TEAMS, SO WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MANUALLY LIMIT [S-364]’S EXPOSURE TO INSURGENTS AND STEALTH OPS.

POST-OP REPORT: DURING A ROUTINE PATROL IN TROY-II’S BADLANDS DURING THE COVENANT SIEGE OF THE SYSTEM, AN ENEMY SNIPER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SILVER TEAM’S M12 LRV AND CALL IN FOR SUPPORT. IN THE RESULTING AMBUSH, [S-364] WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WITH AN ENEMY TYPE-50 SRS AND WAS IMMEDIATELY KILLED. (FULL AFTER ACTION REPORT ATTACHED)

<font color=White>SPARTAN-326
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) TUCK PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: HOLMER, TUCK
 * SERVICE #: S-326


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SILVER TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: PYRTH, ARCADIA
 * BIRTH DATE: 1/19/2534

PERFORMANCE: DEPENDABLE, LOYAL, AND TOUGH; A MODEL SOLDIER AND A NEAR PEFECT SPARTAN. CAREFREE AND CHEERY IN AND OUT OF COMBAT, AND MAKES FREQUENT JOKES. LIKE [S-312], SHE PREFERS CLOSE QUARTERS, BUT IS EQUALLY CAPABLE AT MIDRANGE. IN COMBAT, SHE LIKES TO KEEP MOVING; UNLIKE [S-312] OR [S-364], SHE DOESN’T LIKE TO GET BOGGED DOWN SETTING UP AN AMBUSH OR ATTACK THE ENEMY GUERILLA STYLE, BUT INSTEAD PREFERS TO TAKE THE FIGHT STRAIGHT TO THEM. SMALL AND SOMEWHAT DIMINUTIVE, BUT ENORMOUSLY STRONG FOR HER SIZE. ALSO VERY AGILE.

COMMENTS: NOT MUCH TO NOTE ABOUT [S-326]. SHE’S VERY DEDICATED TO HER TEAM LEADER AND TO THE UNSC, IS CONFIDENT IN HER ABILITIES, AND IS FAIRLY ONE SIDED. SHE CAN GET INTO TROUBLE OCCASSIONALLY DURING COMBAT BECAUSE OF HER TENDENCY TO ATTACK THE ENEMY HEAD-ON WITHOUT A PLAN, BUT THERE’S A REASON [S-312] IS THE LEADER INSTEAD OF HER. NOT THE MOST CREATIVE OF INDIVIDUALS, BUT SHE HAS EXCELLENT INSTINCTS THAT, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, PREVAIL OVER THE CAREFUL PLANS OF SOME OF THE OTHER TEAMS.

NOTE(S): MAKE A NOTE TO RECHECK HER GENETIC STRUCTURE. THE INITIAL SCAN INDICATES SHE ONLY HAS A 13% COMPATIBILITY WITH THE ORIGINAL CHARLIE ONE PARAMETERS, BUT IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT SOMEONE WITH SUCH A LOW PERCENTAGE WOULD BOTH SURVIVE AUGMENTATION AND PROVE TO BE SUCH A STRONG OPERATIVE. I’VE TAKEN A LOOK INTO HER ENLISTMENT REPORT, AND IT APPEARS SHE’S ONE OF RICH’S “RANDOM RECRUITS”. HOW LUCKY WOULD IT BE TO FIND A CHARLIE ONE WORTHY RECRUIT IN THE LEFTOVER’S PILE?

POST-OP REPORT: WHILE ON A ROUTINE PATROL IN THE AFTERMATH OF A MAJOR SKIRMISH AT TROY-II, RESIDUAL COVENANT ELEMENTS LOCATED AND BEGAN TRACKING SILVER TEAM’S M12 LRV. THE OVERWORKED AND OVERTASKED SATTELLITE CONTROLLER MISSED THE SMALL GROUP, AND IN THE RESULTING AMBUSH, [S-364] WAS IMMEDIATELY ELIMINATED. [S-312] AND [S-326] RETREATED TO THE COVER OF A NEARBY BUILDING, BUT HOSTILE GROUND ELEMENTS LOCATED THEM AND ATTACKED THEIR POSITION. [S-326] WAS STUCK BY AN ENEMY TYPE-1 APG, AND DOVE INTO THE MIDST OF THE HOSTILE SQUAD, SACRIFICING HERSELF TO ALLOW [S-312] TO ESCAPE. (FULL AFTER ACTION REPORT ATTACHED)

<font color=White>SPARTAN-329
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) LUCY PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: MOORE, LUCY
 * SERVICE #: S-329


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/TAN TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: DENVER, EARTH
 * BIRTH DATE: 5/19/2534

PERFORMANCE: KIND, SENSITIVE, AND CHEERY. AS CLOSE TO A “SWEETHEART” AS YOUR GOING TO FIND IN A UNIT OF GENETICALLY AUGMENTED SUPERSOLDIERS. GOOD AT CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AND MAKING THEM FEEL LIKE PART OF THE TEAM. IMPACT ON MAINLINE REMARKABLY POSITIVE; CHEERY AND CALM DEMEANOR HAS SHOWN TO QUICKLY AND CONSISTENTLY I MPROVE MORALE. BESIDES USE AS A MOBILE MORALE BOOST, HER SKILLS AT ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND MIDRANGE COMBAT ARE CONSIDERABLE, AND HER TRACKING ABILITIES RIVAL THOSE OF THE BEST OF THE SIERRA CHARLIE ONES. ALSO HAS AN AVID INTEREST IN NAVAL TACTICS; HER SCORES FOR EXO-ATMOSPHERIC SHIP TO SHIP COMBAT RIVAL OR SURPASS MANY OCS TRAINEES, DESPITE NO FORMAL NAVAL TRAINING.

COMMENTS: [S-329] IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST SKILLED OPERATORS IN THE ARES PROGRAM, WITH HIGH SCORES IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. HER ‘WEAKER’ AREAS ARE OFTEN MUCH MORE DEVELOPED THAN THE SPECIFIC SPECIALTIES OF OTHER CHARLIE THREES. UNFORTUNATELY, HER CREATIVE ABILITIES SUFFER WHILE UNDER FIRE, LIMITING HER ABILITY TO QUICKLY REACT TO NEW TACTICAL DEVELOPMENTS DURING COMBAT. SHE HAS ALSO DISPLAYED PROBLEMS WITH BECOMING TO ENGROSSED IN COMPLICATED TASKS, LEADING TO DANGEROUS DROPS IN SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. HER COMPASSION CAN ALSO IMPACT HER IN THE AFTERMATH OF MISSIONS, ESPECIALLY WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF FRIENDLY CASUALTIES ARE SUSTAINED OR HER UNIT IS DEPLOYED AGAINST REBELS; SHE NEVER FAILS TO GET THE JOB DONE, BUT SHE HAS EXPRESSED DISPLEASURE AFTER THE FACT.

NOTE(S): RECOMMEND KEEPING AN EYE ON HER INTERACTION WITH [S-338]. PYSCHE REVIEWS INDICATE SHE HARBORS A BIT OF A CRUSH ON HIM, AND THOUGH HE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE AWARE AS OF YET, THE LAST THING WE NEED IN THAT UNIT IS POSSIBLE FRATERNIZATION.

POST-OP REPORT: DURING OPERATION: WET FEET, TAN TEAM WAS DEPLOYED TO NEW AUSTRALIA ALONGSIDE THE 19TH MARINE AMPHIBIOUS ON AN INTELLIGENCE GATHERING MISSION. WHILE SCOUTING FOR THE ENEMY COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTER, HOSTILE REINFORCEMENTS WERE ALERTED TO THEIR PRESENCE AND ATTACKED. [S-338] ASSIGNED [S-329] TO DESTABILIZE THE NEARBY HYDROGEN FUEL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO CAUSE A DISTRACTION. [S-329] COMPLETED THE OBJECTIVE, BUT HER ESCAPE WAS BLOCKED BY ENEMY FORCES AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO REGROUP WITH THE REST OF HER TEAM. DESPITE OVERWHELMING ODDS, SHE MANAGED TO STAGE A LAST STAND LONG ENOUGH FOR THE OVERLOAD CYCLE TO COMPLETE AND THE FUEL TO DETONATE. |(FULL AFTER ACTION REPORT ATTACHED)

<font color=White>SPARTAN-332
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) MELLISSA PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: YANDRALL, MELLISSA
 * SERVICE #: S-332


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/TAN TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: NOVIA CITY, ATLAS MOONS
 * BIRTH DATE: 11/2/2534

PERFORMANCE: INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE, AND ALMOST ABSURDLY DEADLY. EXCELLENT MIND FOR LOGISTICS AND STRATEGY, AND SOME OF HER IDEAS HAVE PROMPTED SERIOUS EXAMINATIONS OF CURRENT NAVAL PRACTICES. WORKS WELL WITH MAINLINE PERSONNEL, JUST LIKE THE REST OF TAN, BUT ALSO SEEMS TO DELIBERATELY DISTANCE HERSELF FROM THEM. EXCELLENT AT CLOSE QUARTERS, BUT REAL TALENTS LIE IN EVA WARFARE. HIGH SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND LIGHTNING FAST REFLEXES MAKE HER A VALUABLE ASSET IN ANY EXO ENGAGEMENT. VERY SERIOUS IN COMBAT, AND HIGHLY INDEPENDENT; USED TO GETTING HER WAY AND ACTS LIKE IT. ALSO A DECENT PILOT; VERY PROFICIENT IN UNSC SPACE AND AIR VEHICLES ALONG WITH SEVERAL COVENANT ONES AS WELL.

COMMENTS: WHILE [S-332] IS GOOD AT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE BIG PICTURE, SMALLER DETAILS CAN BE HARDER FOR HER. SHE IS CONSIDERABLY LESS PROFICIENT IN SMALL UNIT TACTICS THAN SHE IS WITH STRATEGY AND SHE WILL EVEN OCCASSIONALY OVERLOOK MINOR DETAILS. EMOTIONAL DETACHMENT AND INDEPDENCE CAN ALSO MAKE HER A BIT HARD TO ORDER AROUND; THE BRASS HAS HAD THEIR FAIR SHARE OF STRUGGLES WITH HER AND EVEN [S-338] CAN HAVE PROBLEMS. LIKE [S-338], SHE TAKES THE WAR VERY PERSONALLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE AFTERMATH OF [S-329]’S DEATH. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN NOTED ACTING A BIT TO FLIRTATIOUSLY WITH MEN (WITH THE NOTABLE EXCEPTION OF [S-338]) THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE JUST ANOTHER METHOD OF MANIPULATING SITUATIONS TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS.

NOTE(S): DURING A RANDOM MEDICAL SCAN IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HOPEFUL INCIDENT, [S-332] TESTED POSITIVE FOR A PAIR OF TYPE-3 STDS. HER ENHANCED IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS RENDERED THEM HARMLESS, BUT SHE HAS AN ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECKUP RAPIDLY APPROACHING AND SMUDGING IT ISN’T AN OPTION. IF THESE DISEASES ARE PRESENT WHEN SHE IS EXAMINED, IT MIGHT RAISE SOME UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS. RECOMMENDATION: START HER ON THE STRONGEST AB’S AVAILABLE AND HEAD THIS PROBLEM OFF BEFORE IT SNOWBALLS.

POST-OP REPORT: DURING OPERATION: SANDBOX, [S-338] AND [S-332] WERE ASSIGNED TO DEFEND THE POWER GENERATOR FOR THE PLANET’S ORBITAL MAC CANNON. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY HOLDING THE ENEMY AT BAY HOWEVER, A COVENANT CRUISER ENTERED THE ATMOSPHERE AND PREPARED TO GLASS ONE OF THE PLANET’S MAJOR CITIES. TAN TEAM, HOPING TO BOARD THE SHIP, ABANDONED THEIR POST AND HEADED FOR IT’S POSITION. HOWEVER, BEFORE THEIR COULD COMPLETE THEIR PLAN, THE ENEMY DETECTED THEM AND CONSEQUENTLY SHOT THEM DOWN. TAN TEAM MANAGED TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL CRASH LANDING IN THE CITY, BUT ENEMY FIRE BADLY INJURED [S-332] AND SHE VOLUNTEERED TO STAY BEHIND TO SLOW THE ENEMY DOWN, ALLOWING [S-338] TO ESCAPE.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-347
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) JENNIFER PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS


 * FULL NAME: GUMP, JENNIFER
 * SERVICE #: S-347


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SCARLET TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: REMINGTON, NEW LONDON
 * BIRTH DATE: 9/3/2534

PERFORMANCE: CONFIDENT, DEADLY, AND HIGHLY SKILLED AT MIDRANGE COMBAT. ABILITY TO AIM ACCURATELY ON THE MOVE IS NEAR PERFECT, EVEN UNDER HIGH STRESS OR FROM A FAST MOVING VEHICLE. DOESN’T HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR LONG RANGE COMBAT, OR THE REFLEXES TO EXCEL IN CLOSE, BUT IS PASSABLY PROFICIENT IN BOTH. EXCELLENT SOLDIER WITH A STRONG WORK ETHIC THAT HAS ALLOWED HER TO EXCEL DESPITE A LOWER GENETIC MATCH THAN MANY OF THE OTHER CHARLIE THREES. TACTICAL ABILITY, HOWEVER, BLOWS HER ALREADY CONSIDERALE STRENGTHS OUT OF THE WATER. EXCELLENT STRATEGIST WITH A KNACK FOR FINDING AND EXPLOITING STRESS POINTS IN BATTLE OR ENEMY FORMATIONS, BUT ALMOST MORE USEFUL FOR HER ABILITY TO FLIP HER VIEWPOINT AND EXAMINE THE SITUATION FROM THE ENEMY’S POINT OF VIEW. EXCELS AT OPEN COMBAT DURING LARGE, CHAOTIC BATTLES.

COMMENTS: WOULD BE THE BEST COMMANDER IN THE WHOLE PROGRAM IF SHE WASN’T SO DAMN EGOTISTICAL. ARROGANCE, A BIG HEAD, AND AN EVEN BIGGER MOUTH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR HER, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE SCARLET WAS DEPLOYED. THE CHARLIE THREE SQUADS NO THE ODDS THEY’RE UP AGAINST, SO IT’S NO SURPRISE THE EFFECTIVE ONES GET A LITTLE SELF ABSORBED. A DAMN SHAME THOUGH, BECAUSE HER EGO CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HER TO INTERACT WITH OTHER PERSONNEL; MAINLINE TROOPS ARE INTIMIDATED, OTHER SIERRA’S FIND HER ANTAGONIZING, AND EVEN HER OWN TEAM CAN FIND HER GRATING. IT CAN ALSO PROVE DANGEROUS DURING COMBAT, AS WELL; JENNY’S OVERCONFIDENCE HAS GOTTEN SCARLET INTO MORE THAN ONE TOUGH SPOT BEFORE, AND WHILE THEY’VE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF MOST OF THEM SO FAR, THEY’RE LUCK WILL ONLY LAST SO LONG.

NOTE(S): [S-347] HAS BEEN NOTED FOR HER DIFFICULTY INTERACTING WITH OTHER SIERRAS, BUT HER RELATIONS WITH [S-341], [S-343], [S-338], [S-363], AND [S-312] ARE PARTICULARILLY STRAINED. THIS PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY PREVALENT IN HER RELATIONSHIP WITH [S-363], HER OLD TEAM LEADER, WHO WE HAD TO TRANSFER EARLY ON BECAUSE OF INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES. MAKE SURE SHE ISN’T DEPLOYED ANYWHERE NEAR THEM IF YOU CAN.

POST-OP REPORT: AFTER [S-312] WENT ROGUE AND WAS TRACKED TO THE LAMBDA SERPENTIS SYSTEM, THE LOCAL MARINE OUTPOST WAS PUT ON HIGH ALERT AND ALL AVAILABLE CHARLIE THREE TEAMS WITHIN A TWO WEEK RADIUS WERE SCRAMBLED. GOLD, OLIVE, AND SCARLET TEAMS WERE CONTACTED, BUT OLIVE WAS INVOLVED IN THE ONGOING SCATHING OF THE CHINESE SECTOR AND WAS UNABLE TO RESPOND. SCARLET REACHED THE TARGET SYSTEM SEVERAL HOURS AHEAD OF GOLD, AND DEPLOYED TO THE SURFACE IMMEDIATELY. THEY PROCEDED TO HEAD DIRECTLY TO [S-312]’S LAST KNOWN POSITION, WITHOUT WAITING FOR GOLD TO REINFORCE THEM. AFTER MAKING AN INITIAL SWEEP OF THE AREA WITH NO RESULTS, [S-347] ALLOWED HER TEAM TO SEPARATE AND WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN [S-312] AMBUSHED [S-356]. IN THE RESULTING SKIRMISH, SHE ORDERED A RETREAT BUT PLAYED STRAIGHT INTO [S-312]’S PLANS, ALLOWING HIM TO COMPLETE HIS AMBUSH AND ELIMINATE HER TEAM.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-356
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) MICHAEL PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: SMITH, MICHAEL
 * SERVICE #: S-356


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SCARLET TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: TRANQUILITY, LUNA
 * BIRTH DATE: 7/7/2534

PERFORMANCE: GOOD WITH A SUBMACHINEGUN IN A CROWD OF ENEMIES, BUT BETTER WITH A SHOTGUN PUMPING BUCKSHOT INTO THE ENEMY AT POINT BLANK. CLOSE QUARTERS SPECIALIST WHO FOUND A LOVE OF ADRENALINE SOAKED CQB COMBAT AS A YOUNGSTER AND HAS MOLDED THAT LOVE INTO A TALENT FOR SHORT RANGE WEAPONS THAT BORDERS ON ARTISTRY. REGIMENTED WITH A FIERCE DEVOTION TO HIS SQUAD. NOT THE BEST TACTICIAN OR STRATEGIST, WITH LOW SCORES ON HIS CREATIVITY TESTS, BUT GOOD AT FOLLOWING ORDERS AND EVEN BETTER AT INSTICTIVELY COUNTERING THE ENEMY. VERY BOLD, WITH UNFALTERING COURAGE; WHEN OTHERS STEP BACK, HE STEPS FORWARD. VERY ARTICULATE, THOUGH HIS EXPLANATIONS CAN BE OVERLY VERBOSE AT TIMES.

COMMENTS: EXCELLENT AT CLOSE QUARTERS, WITH A FRACTIONAL REACTION TIME AND NERVES OF STEEL, BUT HAS DIFFICULTY AT LONGER RANGES. AIM IS TERRIBLE (BY SIERRA STANDARDS) AT A DISTANCE, AND [S-347] SEEMS TO DELIBERATELY RETRICT HIM TO CLOSE QUARTERS AS A WAY TO COUNTER THIS. THE SUCCESS OF THIS STRATEGY SO FAR IS DEBATABLE, BUT THEY’RE ALL STILL ALIVE, SO THAT HAS TO COUNT FOR SOMETHING. DESPITE HIS REGIMENTED NATURE, HE HAS A BIT OF A MOUTH AND AN EGO PROBLEM, WITH A SARCASTIC, BITING WIT. HE CAN ALSO TAKE HIS BOLD BEHAVIOR TOO FAR, AS WELL; HE HAS A TENDENCY TO PLUNGE HEADFIRST INTO THE THICK OF THINGS WITHOU THINKING, WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN MADE WORSE BY HIS GROWING EGO. COMMUNICATING WITH HIM HAS ALSO BEEN NOTED AS BEING A LABORIOUS AFFAIR, THANKS TO HIS OVERLY VERBOSE NATURE.

NOTE(S): MAKE A NOTE TO CHECK [S-356]’S PERSONAL LOCKER THE NEXT TIME HE’S OUT ON DEPLOYMENT. MARINE TEAMS HAVE REPORTED HIM TAKING PERSONAL MEMENTOS OFF ENEMY COMBATANTS, AND WHILE NO ACTUAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN DISCOVERED, WE’RE NOT ARMY AND WE CAN’T GET AWAY WITH THAT KIND OF THING, SO IT’S WORTH LOOKING INTO.

POST-OP REPORT: AFTER [S-312] WENT ROGUE AND FLED TO THE LAMBDA SERPENTIS SYSTEM, SCARLET TEAM WAS ASSIGNED, ALONGSIDE GOLD TEAM, TO TRACK HIM DOWN AND RECOVER HIM FOR TRIAL. DURING THEIR INVESTIGATION, SCARLET DECIDED TO PURSUE [S-312] WITHOUT WAITING FOR BACKUP, AND MADE A FULL SWEEP OF HIS LAST KNOWN POSITION WITHOUT ANY CONTACT. ASSUMING [S-312] TO BE GONE, [S-356] WENT OFF ON HIS OWN FOR ONE LAST LOOK AROUND BEFORE GOLD’S ARRIVAL AND WAS LURED INTO A MINEFIELD BY THE ROGUE OPERATOR. HE WAS ELIMINATED BEFORE HE COULD ESCAPE THE TRAP.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-351
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) ARNOLD PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: QUAID, ARNOLD
 * SERVICE #: S-351


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/SCARLET TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS:<font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: LAS ANGELES, EARTH
 * BIRTH DATE: 7/4/2534

PERFORMANCE: STRONG, CONFIDENT, PROUD AND BRUTAL. NATURALLY GOOD FIGHTER WITH AN AFFINITY FOR DESTRUCTION---EXPLOSIVES AND HEAVY WEAPONS ARE HIS SPECIALTY. PREFERS BRUTE FORCE IN COMBAT, AIMING FOR THE MAXIMUM DAMAGE INFLICTED ON THE ENEMY. EVEN HIS OWN CUSTOM EXPLOSIVES ARE USUALLY OVERKILL; IF THE JOB NEEDS A TEN STRENGTH CHARGE, YOU CAN COUNT ON HIM TO FASHION A FIFTEEN STRENGTH ONE. DECENTLY CAPABLE AT CLOSE RANGE BECAUSE OF HER SHEER STRENGTH, BUT MORE AGILE OPPONENTS CAN EASILY GET AROUND HIM AND HIS ABILITIES AT MID AND LONG RANGE ARE MUCH WEAKER. PREFERS BIG BATTLES WHERE HE CAN BRING HIS TALENTS TO USE, AND DISLIKES SLOWER PACED OR MORE “SUBTLE” MISSIONS. FAIRLY SERIOUS IN COMBAT, THOUGH NOT THE MOST PROFESSIONAL. KNOWN TO BE VOCAL WITH HIS OPINIONS, ESPECIALLY DURING DEPLOYMENT.

COMMENTS: UNUSUAL FOR A SIERRA, [S-351] IS SOMEWHAT LAZY. MOST THINGS COME NATURALLY FOR HIM, WHICH, COUPLED WITH A NEARLY FLAWLESS DEPLOYMENT RECORD, HAS ACCENTED THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THIS, HE HAS ALSO HAD OCCASSIONAL PROBLEMS WITH OVERESTIMATING THE ENEMY, CREATING A POOR ENVIRONMENT FOR MORALE. WHILE A HEALTHY CAUTION IS GOOD, [S-351] SOMETIMES TAKES IT TOO FAR AND PANICS IN BAD SITUATIONS. DEPLOYMENT ALONGSIDE MARINES CAN BE PROBLEMATIC, BECAUSE THE COMMON TROOPS DON’T NEED THEIR MORALE ANY LOWER THAN IT ALREADY IS, AND A PESSIMISTIC SIERRA IS A SERIOUS DOWNER. ALSO NOTE THAT HE HAS A TENDENCY TO EMPLOY OVER DRAMATIC FLOURISHES DURING COMBAT; THESE OVER THE TOP ANTICS, LIKE HIS STUNT WITH DUAL M19’S, CAN PUT THE UNIT IN UNNECCESSARY DANGER FOR LITTLE TO NO EXTRA BENEFIT. CONSIDERED TO BE A SORT OF SIMPLETON BY MANY OF THE OTHER SIERRA TEAMS---AND HIS BRUTAL TENDENCIES DON’T HELP HIS REPUTATION ANY.

NOTE(S): [S-351] REQUESTED A HUD UPGRADE FOR HIS SPI ARMOR IN LATE NOVEMBER, AND IT CERTAINLY IS AN INTERESTING ONE. SINCE AUGMENTATION, HE’S DEVELOPED A HABIT OF DUAL-WIELDING M19 AND M41 LAUNCHERS IN COMBAT---AND ISN’T BAD AT ITBUT THE CURRENT SUIT CAN’T TRACK TWO WEAPON’S SIMOULTANEOUSLY, MUCH LESS TWO ROCKET LAUNCHERS. A FULL UNIT UPGRADE PROBABLY ISN’T POSSIBLE, BUT [S-351] HAS PROVEN TIME AND AGAIN THAT HE’S VERY GOOD WITH HIS EXPLOSIVES, AND I THINK THE POTENTIAL GAIN IS GOOD ENOUGH TO WARRANT SUCH AN UPGRADE.

POST-OP REPORT: IN THE AFTERMATH OF [S-312]’S BREAKDOWN, [S-351] AND THE REST OF SCARLET WERE DISPATCHED, ALONGSIDE GOLD TEAM, TO THE LAMBDA SERPENTIS SYSTEM TO RECOVER HIM. DURING DEPLOYMENT, SCARLET DECIDED TO PRESS ON WITHOUT GOLD AND WAS AMBUSHED BY [S-312]. [S-356] WAS LURED INTO A MINEFIELD AND KILLED, AND [S-347] ORDERED AN IMMEDIATE RETREAT. [S-351] PANICKED AND DISTRACTED HIS TEAMATE, AND IN THE CONFUSION, [S-312] WAS ABLE TO GET THE DROP ON [S-351] AND ELIMINATE HIM.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-341
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) ROGER LIEUTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE


 * FULL NAME: MONTEVADO, ROGER
 * SERVICE #: S-341


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/CRIMSON TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: ACTIVE


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: KENT SPRINGS, MIRIDEM
 * BIRTH DATE: 5/4/2534

PERFORMANCE: JACK OF ALL TRADES WHO EXCELS AT EVERYTHING FROM CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TO LONG RANGE SHOOTOUTS. PREFERS NOT TO GET BOGGED DOWN SPECIALIZING TOO MUCH IN ONE FIELD, THOUGH HE DOES HAVE AN APPARENT LOVE OF KNIVES AND SEEMS TO OPERATE ESPECIALLY WELL AT MIDRANGE. BIT OF A DAREDEVIL. DIRECT AND OBVIOUS, IN BOTH HIS INTERACTION WITH OTHERS AND HIS TACTICS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. NOT MUCH OF A PEOPLE PERSON; SARCASTIC WITH A BITING TONGUE, RECEPTIVE ONLY TOO HIS TEAM AND A SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, AND SEEMINGLY INDIFFERENT TO THE REST OF HUMANITY.

COMMENTS: EXTREMELY INDEPENDENT AND SOMEWHAT SELF SERVING. COMPLETELY LOYAL TO HIS SQUAD, BUT INDIFFERENT TO THE COMMON PEOPLE. NOT ABOVE BREAKING REGS OR PERFORMING (MILDLY) ILLEGAL ACTIONS, AS LONG AS IT HELPS HIS SQUAD. A BIT VAIN AS WELL; TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN HIS PERSONAL APPERANCE. GRIM SENSE OF HUMOR AND SARCASTIC STREAK PRESENTS ITSELF AS MOSTLY HARMLESS IN REGARDS TO HIS TEAM, BUT HIS RUDE BEHAVIOR CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY FIELDING HIM ALONGSIDE OTHER UNITS

NOTE(S): KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON [S-341] TO WATCH FOR SIGNS OF INSUBORDINATION AND LOYALTY SUSPICIONS. HE’S VERY RATIONAL AND REALIZES THAT IT’S THE MOST LOGICAL THING TO HELP HUMANITY, AND HIS CONNECTION WITH HIS SQUAD SEALS THE DEAL, BUT IF EITHER IS LOST HIS LOYALTY COULD BE IN SERIOUS QUESTION. APPEARS TO HARBOR A BIT OF A RESENTMENT TOWARDS ONI FOR HIS INDUCTION INTO ARES, AND THAT’S NOT THE GREATEST FOUNDATION FOR STRONG LOYALTIES.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-319
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) JAMES PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: KIM, JAMES
 * SERVICE #: S-319


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/CRIMSON TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: <font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: M
 * BIRTHPLACE: KARNAK, DRACO III
 * BIRTH DATE: 2/19/2534

PERFORMANCE: PLEASANT MANNERED, ENGAGING, AND COMICAL. GOOD AT MOVING STEALTHILY, AND AN EXPERT HACKER, BUT ALSO AN EXCELLENT DEMOLITIONS EXPERT AND A LOVER OF EXPLOSIVES. GOOD WITH ANYTHING THAT GOES BOOM; ROCKETS, MINES, GRENADES, IED’S, YOU NAME IT, HE LIKES IT. BIT CHATTY DURING DEPLOYMENT, AND A STEREOTYPICAL JOKER, BUT HIS HUMOR IS MORE VALUABLE FOR MORALE PURPOSES THAN IT IS DETRIMENTAL FOR IT’S DISTRACTION. PREFERS CLOSE RANGE COMBAT, AND SPECIALIZES IN ASSAULT RIFLES, SHOTGUNS, AND KNIVES WHEN NOT ACTING AS A DESIGNATED EXPLOSIVES TECHNICIAN.

COMMENTS: CHATTER CAN BE DISTRACTING AT TIMES, AND A LITTLE UNPROFESSIONAL, THOUGH OF NO REAL SERIOUS WORRY. SOMETIMES A LITTLE TO EAGER OR IMPATIENT; HE HAS A BIT OF A TENDENCY TO CHARGE HEADLONG WITHOUT MUCH THOUGHT FOR THE ODDS.

NOTE(S): MAKE A NOTE TO WATCH FOR SIGNS OF DEPRESSION. HE’D HARDLY SEEM TO BE THE TYPE, BUT HIS LAST PYSCHE REVIEW WAS INCONCLUSIVE AND IT IS POSSIBLE, HOWEVER UNLIKELY, THAT HIS CHEERY DISPOSITION MIGHT BE AN ACT TO HIDE HIS TROUBLES FROM HIS SQUAD.

<font color=White>SPARTAN-311
(archived for use in investigation, as of January 1, 2587) MICA PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS


 * FULL NAME: HELENA, MIKE
 * SERVICE #: S-311


 * UNIT: NAVSPECWAR/ARES DETACHMENT/CRIMSON TEAM
 * ENLISTMENT DATE: CLASSIFIED
 * LOCATION: CLASSIFIED
 * STATUS: <font color=Red> KIA


 * GENDER: F
 * BIRTHPLACE: PONDEROSA, ARISTOTLE I
 * BIRTH DATE: 10/14/2534

PERFORMANCE: QUICK THINKER AND EXPERT SHOT WITH A SNIPER RIFLE. EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT, WITH IQ SCORES HIGHER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE PROGEAM. TACTICAL ABILITY NOT OVERLY STRONG, BUT EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT IN OTHER FIELDS, WITH A PARTICULAR KNACK FOR THEORETICAL XENOBIOLOGY. SKILLS WITH A SNIPER LESS SPECTACULAR THAN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAM, BUT WITH THE TRADEOFF OF MORE ADVANCED ABILITIES AT TRACKING, PILOTING, COMMUNCATIONS, AND BATTLEFIELD MEDICINE. NOT A JOKER LIKE [S-319], BUT DEFINITELY LOOKS ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE AND COMES UP WITH A FEW OF HER OWN WISE CRACKS.

COMMENTS: VERY CONFIDENT IN HER ABILITIES AND HER SQUAD, BUT SHARES THE SAME VAGUELY EXCLUSIONAIRY OUTLOOK, THOUGH SHE DEFINITELY HAS A BROADER VIEW THAN [S-341]. CAN BE A BIT BY THE BOOK AND FORMAL AT TIMES, BUT ALSO HARBORS A TEMPER AND KNOWS HOW TO NURSE A GRUDGE. FIERY AND A BIT OF A HELLCAT, WHEN SHE LETS HER DISCIPLINE DOWN ENOUGH TO LET IT OUT. REPORTS OF MUTILATED ENEMY COMBATANTS AT DRACO III HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED AND ARE A PRIME EXAMPLE.

NOTE(S): HARBORS AN INTENSE DISLIKE FOR SCARLET TEAM, BUT MANAGES TO KEEP IT MOSTLY UNDER WRAPS, UNLIKE HER SUPERIOR. STILL, RECOMMEND WATCHING HER INTERACTION WITH THEM.


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