Halo: Survival
Halo: Survival is a fan produced audio drama following Rhino Squad as they attempt a routine mission on behalf of the Office of Naval Intelligence. When things go sideways, the Marines find themselves stranded and must fight to survive.
To listen to the audio of this transcript, you can find everywhere this show is hosted here, or you can listen on YouTube below.
02 - Briefing
Eight Hours Earlier
The Office of Naval Intelligence had long ago become aware of the tactical value of the Halo Installations following the events of the Battle of Installation 04. Whilst subsequent co-collaboration relationships with the Swords of Sanghelios were strenuous at best, O.N.I had still ensured that they had plenty of resources positioned near enough to the rings to deploy assets rapidly if the need ever arrived. In the wake of the Created Uprising, O.N.I had placed facilities on high alert around the galaxy – ensuring that UNSC assets were ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.
O.N.I Midpoint Station was one such valuable facility – a ship retrofitting station positioned close enough to Zeta Halo to provide assistance to the UNSC Science and Security teams on the ring in the event of an incident. The usually quiet facility was alive with activity today. Flatbed Warthogs manoeuvred through the busy hallways, and the UNSC crew busied themselves with activities. In the main hangar a ONI Prowler – the UNSC Swift Gist was being worked on by a team of UNSC technicians who moved busily around the vehicle – hammering things into place and wielding on new pieces of equipment.
Deeper in the station, Captain Chris Cooper walked down a corridor, Sergeant Maria Holt keeping the brisk pace at his side.
“I don’t like it.” Cooper said. “The Created are causing chaos across the galaxy and we’re here at a backwater UNSC Station, near a Halo Ring which hasn’t seen any activity for weeks. We should be on the frontline.”
“I agree.” Holt replied. “But there isn’t much we can do right now – O.N.I are stretched thin as it is. They have Special Forces playing special delivery wherever is possible right now. Hell – word around the station is they haven’t heard from Osman or Blackbox in weeks.”
“Damn.” Cooper sighed, opening a briefing folder which was in his hand. He began to read through the documents. “Any idea why these signal jamming devices are so vital to the work which they are doing on Zeta?”
“Negative.” Holt replied. “But I bet we’re about to find out.”
The pair walked past a couple of Marines who nodded to them, and then entered a large briefing room. The rest of Rhino Squad – the O.N.I Unit which Cooper commanded – were already sat in the chairs waiting for them.
“Hey Cap – good to see you at last!” Private Wisner chortled.
“Yeah – we were worried you’d got lost!” Private O’Neill added.
Cooper shook his head. Alongside the two male Marines, Private Natalie Vorstock also sat in another one of the theatre-style chairs in the briefing room, spinning a round from a sniper rifle around in her fingers and staring at it intently. The Captain turned from the Marines to greet a tall man in a white lab coat – Doctor Nate Talbot.
“Doctor Talbot.” Cooper said briefly. “I’m Captain James Cooper and this is Sergeant Maria Holt. Rhino Squadron were ordered to report here for a briefing on a special operation I believe?”
“Yes, that’s right Captain.” The Doctor said, extending a hand which Cooper shook. “I have some important work which I need an escort for. You’ll learn more in a moment. Please, take a seat.”
The Doctor motioned to the seats.
“What’s with the secrecy?” Holt asked.
“It’s all very necessary, I assure you.” The Doctor replied, before raising his voice. “Security Protocol Theta 16.”
There was a beep and the sliding door to the room hissed shut and locked with a click, whilst the lights within the briefing area began to dim. At the same time there was a static crackle as the Marines noticed that their comms devices were disconnected. Cooper shot Talbot an alarmed look.
“We can’t be too careful. Smart A.I. end up everywhere.” The Doctor stated.
A projector whirred into life and a diagram of a metallic item titled as ‘Signal Dampening Module 14’ appeared on the screen in front of the Marines. The large metallic object was a free-standing item which appeared to have a control console on it, and was also mounted with various solar power energy generators. It was heavy grade tech, that much was for sure.
“As you are all fully aware now, Cortana’s Guardians have attacked UNSC facilities across the galaxy and are continuing to stamp out any indication of resistance. All remaining UNSC facilities are being ordered to minimal operations where possible – and any moving command bases, like the Infinity, are off the grid. We know that Super-Luminal communications spike her interest so communicating effectively is near impossible right now. In short, we are on our own. And Mid-Point Station will not stay that way for long – we know Cortana’s Guardians have been frequenting the Halo Rings all throughout the Galaxy.”
“Doesn’t surprise me.” Wisner piped up. “Cyber lady is a psychopath.”
“Stow it.” Holt bit.
“Thank you for that, Marine.” Talbot said with a chuckle. “As I was saying – we know that Cortana’s Guardians have been frequenting the Halo Installations. O.N.I currently has a high-level operation on Zeta Halo, researching the depths of the Forerunner complexes, including studies on the Artificial Intelligence Constructs which we refer to as ‘Sentinels’. Right now, our Scientists are deep in their research – and if Cortana senses what they are up to then we may lose a vital shot at understanding the assets which she has under her control. We can’t risk one of their experiments accidentally triggering a signal which will bring them to her attention – so we need to take action to protect their work. This is where the Signal Dampening Module you see detailed on the screen come in.”
Talbot pressed a button on a clicker in his hand and the screen changed to an image of several UNSC crates stowed in a Cargo Bay.
“These were loaded about UNSC Swift Gist when she came aboard the station. She is currently being retrofitted with similar technology to the Dampeners to allow us to use her without being detected.”
“I don’t like where this is going…” O’Neill mumbled.
“If we can set up a network of Signal Dampening Modules on Zeta Halo then we can hide the work which O.N.I are doing on the ring – and can prevent Cortana from picking up our comms from orbit. This will mean that we can continue our work on the ring – and can potentially find a way to fight back more effectively. Rhino Squad are tasked with escorting both the precious cargo and I to Zeta Halo – where we will establish this network on the ground. We will then rendezvous with the facility commanders on the ground, check the network is functioning, and get out before Cortana is any the wiser.”
“Seems like an important Op, Doc.” Cooper said. “Why Rhino?”
The Doctor let out a long sigh.
“There is scarcely anyone else left – or if they are left, we don’t have a chance in hell at contacting them. This can’t wait till Osman or someone else is back online. We have to do this Op, and we have to do it now. Intel suggests the Guardian found in this system has been dispatched to another location. What’s left of command estimates that we have twelve hours to get boots on the ground and get out before it returns. This operation is of imminent importance. Section Commander Fredricks has already approved it. Any questions?”
“Yeah, I’ve got one Doc!” Wisner said. “How do we know this will work?”
“We don’t.” Talbot bit back. “But, we don’t have the time to test it. This is the best science we have available right now based on how we believe the Guardians work. We have to try. If we don’t months of research may be lost.”
“All I need to know, Doc.” Talbot bit back. “When it comes to escort missions like this, I’d rather work with you than someone like Halsey.”
“Agreed.” Cooper said. “Marines – head to the armoury and pack your bags. Travel light, but make sure you’re equipped for a field deployment. Rendezvous on the hangar deck in thirty minutes and we’ll get ready to depart.”
“Yes sir!” The Marines replied.
The lights brightened, and the door slid open as the Marines walked out. Talbot powered off the screen and began to pack a rucksack he had propped up in the corner of the room – scooping up items from a podium in front of the screen.
Thirty minutes later, Rhino Squad were beginning to load up onto UNSC Swift Gist. The Prowler was a larger variant, and so some of the deck crew were loading a pair of Warthogs with Chain Gun turrets into the back of the vehicle’s cargo deck so the team had transportation once they arrived on the ring. Other supplies, like MREs and Medical Supplies, were also being loaded onto the vehicle. Doctor Talbot and Captain Cooper were the last pair to enter the hanger – talking under their breaths as they approached the vehicle.
“You know Cortana isn’t the only one out here, right?” Cooper said.
“ONI are aware of other factions at play, yes.” Talbot acknowledged.
“So you know this has the potential to go ass up really quickly?” Cooper added.
“Captain.” Talbot said, turning to face the Marine. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”
He turned and walked towards the Prowler, and the Captain broke into a light jog and followed him up the ramp. A few moments later the deck hands cleared the hangar and stowed their equipment, and there was a gentle buzz as the engines of the Prowler began to glow a bright, vivid blue. Suddenly there was a sharp roar and the vehicle tore into the air and shot out of the hangar into the black void beyond.
