Cyberpunk: Spartan Walker

Chapter 185 B-6 ([-])

"Sir," Wagner said boldly, "the colonel may be right. At least as far as his judgment of the mission is concerned. Our intelligence officer on the Pillar of Autumn sent us a signal before they disappeared. In his report Sadly, many Spartans were sent to the surface to defend Reach's orbital cannons."

"Then they're dead too," Ackerson said. "The myth that Halsey's monsters are invincible has finally been shattered."

Commander Hood closed his mouth. "Dr. Halsey," he said slowly, keeping his emotions from getting out of hand, "and her fellow Spartans deserve our highest respect, Colonel."

Ackerson turned to face him, but Hood glared so hard that he didn't dare to look at him.

"If you hope to keep your newfound position on the safety committee, you're going to show them that respect or I'll kick you out of here back to Melbourne."

"I just—" Ackerson said.

"Those 'monsters'," Hood continued, ignoring his excuses, "are more lethal than three divisions of Helltroopers, and have been responsible for every major commendation awarded by the UNSC. Those 'monsters' They saved me twice, and most of the senior officials of the Supreme Command here have been saved by them. Control your prejudice, Colonel. Do you understand?"

O'Signin felt the same way with Hood's every word.Even the evacuation on Reach was carried out under Tommy's cover.

"Sorry," Ackerson muttered.

"I want you to answer directly!" Commander Hood roared, changing his former gentleman appearance.

"Sir," Ackerson said, "I understand completely, Commander. This will never happen again." His face burned red.

However, it seemed to O'Signin that he was blushing not from shame but from anger.

"Spartan." Hood whispered, "Dr. Halsey. Whitcomb. We have lost too many outstanding talents on Reach, not to mention dozens of ships." He tightened his breath. lips.

"We should send a reconnaissance team to see what's left there," Major General Strauss suggested.

Although he was very reluctant, Osignin had to refute this somewhat reckless suggestion. "Unwise, Strauss, we must retreat and strengthen the defense of the near-Earth colonies and the Earth. The new orbital platform will not be operational for another ten days. Until then, our defense deployment will be very weak. We need Every ship in existence.”

Commander Hood said "hmm" and put his thumbs on his chin, thinking about the two people's opinions.

"Sir," said Wagner, "there is one more thing that I didn't mention in my report, and it didn't seem particularly important at the time, but if you are considering sending a reconnaissance team now, I think it might give you some reference. .”

"Whatever you have to say, say it quickly," Strauss said.

Wagner swallowed, "Before the Covenant forces destroy a planet, their large warships will usually fly close to the planet and cover the entire planet with a series of criss-crossing firepower nets to ensure that every square millimeter of the ground is attacked. A bombardment of plasma energy.”

"I know the bombing patterns of the Covenant troops." Hood said angrily, "So what?" "I also said just now that the enemy starts from the two poles, but there are only a few spaceships that can do this. They are sparsely distributed near the equatorial latitudes, and no more ships are coming. In fact, most of the Covenant ships have left the Reach system to chase the Pillar of Autumn."

Ackerson waved his hand contemptuously, "Reach has turned to glass, Lieutenant. If you stay there to see the whole process, they will burn you to ashes."

"Yes, sir," Wagner replied, "but if there is a reconnaissance mission, I am willing to sign up for it."

Exon suddenly stood up and strode up to Wagner. Their faces were only one centimeter apart, and their eyes were staring at each other.Exxon's eyes were full of hatred.

Wagner puffed out his chest and tried his best not to flinch, but he couldn't help but avert his gaze.

"Are you deaf, Lieutenant?" Ackerson asked with mock concern, his tone full of sarcasm. "Some kind of hearing loss from being in combat?"

"No, sir."

"So, when you sit in a small cruiser and enter slipspace, you are at risk of various radiation injuries. Perhaps the trauma of witnessing the destruction of Reach makes you unconscious. Whether you have What's wrong with you? Go to the hospital immediately after you leave here. Only after they give you a health certificate that you have no infectious diseases can you return to active duty." He shrugged, "There must be something wrong with you, Lieutenant, because even though I said It’s all explained so clearly, but it seems you still don’t understand.”

"Sir."

"Then let's try. We won't waste a UNSC ship confirming what we've confirmed a dozen times: Reach is doomed." He took another step closer to Wagner. "Everything on it was blown to pieces. Burnt into glass, turned into steam. All the people on Reach are dead," he stretched out a finger and stabbed Wagner's chest heavily, "All are dead! All are dead! All are dead!"

****
The report meeting broke up unhappily. Although O'Signin had hated Exxon for a long time, he had to admit that he was right - Reach was doomed.Now it is the wisest choice to concentrate on strengthening the defense of the solar system.She did not refute Exxon's remarks, so the proposal to send a ship to scout Reach was rejected.

When she opened the office door with a sullen face, a message tone "ding~" sounded in her ears.

"General, you must read this message." BB's voice suddenly came out, but Osignin was already used to it.

O'Signin threw himself on the sofa, and the thick leather made a "creak" sound. "Read it to me, BB, I'm tired and don't want to read these things." She slowly closed her eyes, praying that this message wouldn't be so boring that she fell asleep.

"I'm happy to oblige, beautiful lady." BB replied in a frivolous tone, "The frigate Yuanzhu of the Chinese battle group of the No. 16 fleet has successfully returned to Mars, and Captain Di Qing is on the Blue Star in Zhonghai."

O'Signin frowned at first and wanted to interrupt him, because the return of a lost frigate was not a big deal, and reporting to her was completely unnecessary.But the news that Tommy Price was still alive suddenly opened her eyes, and his experience in Night City was even more exciting.

Finally, the name of a new officer on board the Yuanzhu made her sit up.

"BB, I want to see that Kamano Nana and ask her to come from Mars, now, right away!"

(End of this chapter)