User:Forerunner/Escalation Issue 8

The date is July 25, 2557. John-117 is briefing UNSC HIGHCOM in Sydney his encounter with the Didact at Ivanoff Station and the loss of Cortana above Earth. HIGHCOM are generally unsatisfied with the information. General Strauss is disappointed such an important asset as Cortana was lost, while General Hogan questions if John's helmetcam footage even proves the Didact was killed. Admiral Hood is confused by the questioning of John's statements, and is told that unless there is clear proof the Didact was defeated the Earth public may believe another attack could happen. General Hogan decides that there is little need to reveal to the public the existence of a Forerunner threat, and suggests the attack on New Phoenix be covered up and sold to the public as an attack by a Covenant remnant faction.

Admiral Hood leaves the room to apologise to John over their unprofessional remarks, and welcomes him home at last considering the possibility of promoting him to an officer. Leading John into another room, he informs John that Black Team were on Gamma Halo at the time of Didact's attack on Ivanoff Station, and that they have since gone missing. An audio message from a scientist on Gamma Halo describes non-Covenant enemies appearing out of thin air are and "slaughtering" their Spartans. Though Hood suggests John stay and rest on Earth, he insists on going to Gamma Halo to investigate the Prometheans there. John surprises his old Blue Team comrades Kelly; Linda and Fred as they prepare for their mission to Gamma Halo. John himself is only an advisor, though will still take part in the mission.

Blue Team's prowler arrives at Gamma Halo's location and attempt to talk to the research team. They get no reply and descend on the ring close to their position. Linda finds Crawler tracks going in the direction of the research station. When they arrive there they find the scientists dead along with the bodies of all four members of Black Team. Kelly asks if the Crawlers were capable of doing this damage, which John replies no. As they leave the base to find where the Crawlers came from, they are surrounded by Knights

Characters

 * John-117
 * Cortana
 * Didact
 * Admiral Hood
 * General Strauss
 * General Hogan
 * Margaret-053
 * Roma-143
 * Otto-031
 * Victor-101
 * Frederic-104
 * Kelly-087
 * Linda-058