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Uncertain Danger [Part 01]
Posted By: Argonox<skit_so@hotmail.com>
Date: 1 June 2003, 8:13 PM


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[Part 01] Uncertain Danger
[Series 01] Unwanted Visitors

Aboard the TESCHKLE
2300 'Shipping and Loading Bay'

The dim red lights flashed slowly as a small supply ship hovered backwards to the loading bay.
Groups of grey-coated men waved their hands to guide in the ship. It's engine roared over the
background noise of the bay, until it came to slow stop. The ship quickly dropped to the floor,
lowering its landing pods to make the descent more comfortable.

A sharp hissing sound echoed through the loading bay as a long narrow door opened from the
cargo ship that had just came to a stand still. The door slammed onto the ground, sending
bright yellow sparks up into the dark light as the metal titanium scraped.

At the back of the loading bay, two shining grey doors slid open with a clatter and Sergeant
Andrew McTeane and Corporal John Harvey strolled in.

"These packages Sir, we received them from the covenant - right?" Corporal Harvey had a
puzzled look upon his young face.

"That's right kid, an unknown source, yet scans showed it to be from an uncharted covenant
ship." McTeane's face kept the same blank expression that had been with him since he saw
his squad members brutally murdered, as he was kept locked behind bars by a team of
EXR-ELITES that toying with him.

"But, beg your pardon Sir, isn't this a bit stupid? It can't be safe, I mean Sir, the covenant
aren't exactly our best buddies, are they?" Still Harvey wore the confused look.

"Right Corporal, listen good, we received an anonymous gift radioed in from which we
monitored to be some kind of covenant transmission. We then sent out a group of
highly trained marines, including Master Chief himself to the destination of the
package to check it out and clear the area. The mission was a success and no
covenant was ever seen on this mission from leaving the debriefing room on this ship
to this ship landing back here. Ok. We have already scanned the package with our
CLNSWEAP monitors aboard the cargo ship, and will do it again right here, where
you shall witness it." McTeane looked at Harvey hard and long, and all the Corporal
could do was look ahead of him and be silent.

The eight wheels of a Cargo Bug rolled out from the ship, on top, the mysterious
covenant package. The wheels squeaked down the ramp out from the ship,
showing signs of whatever was inside, was of a large weight.
Groups of two slowly approached the crate sitting of top of the
Cargo Bug and scanned it with small handheld computers. After five repeated
beeps from each computer, they men in grey moved away.

Footsteps tapped from inside the ship, then from the shadows within the gaping hole
of the cargo ship, a large silhouette of a figure stepped out, the red flashing lights
shown past the figure. The dark shape stepped out from the shadows followed by
a group of smaller figures.

Bright white beams flashed on and trailed across the floor until landing upon the
characters approaching out from the ship. The light landed on the first shadow, which
to nobody's surprise was Master Chief, the green shine from his armour was
unmistakable. The others, which followed his lead, were the 2nd EXP
Company, a group of highly trained marines.
2nd EXP Company all went their separate ways, most heading to their
quarters for some shut eye before they were hauled up once more for another
mission that could be there last.
Master Chief slowly made his way up to Sergeant McTeane and Corporal
Harvey, who were standing in the distance watching the unloading. The Chief approached
the two men and saluted them, stamping one foot on the ground making a loud shudder.

"Chief, I hear the mission was a complete success. Well done. Another mission without any
form of casualties under your belt." This brought a smile while talking to the Sergeant's face.

"Master Chief you are requested at the bridge immediately." Corporal Harvey hesitated whilst
talking with the Chief, this being one of the first encounters face to face with such a legend.

"Thank you Sarge..." Master Chief turned his glance at Harvey "Corporal" bringing a
warming smile to his face, feeling relieved.

The Chief walked away to the right of both men, quickly but without drawing much
attention to himself. Meanwhile the Sergeant followed by Harvey walked over closer
to the package to give more orders on its arrival.
Walking round the crate slowly, carefully checking every inch on the
surface, he stepped back and nodded to the Corporal.

"Proceed with CARGO SCANNER CHECK" Long metal arms dropped from ceiling
and blue beams shone across the crate. A robotic voice then announced that the
crate was indeed safe of any form of explosive or life forms. Harvey still kept a nervous
look.

"Open the package, but proceed with extreme caution." Harvey's hesitation still remained
slightly, making these cargo officers more nervous.

The men approached, slowly all hold long claw like rods for help with opening this covenant
gift. The clicks of the cargo marines rifles could be heard as the readied stance. Three men
neared the crate, the claws extended to full reach, till they were close enough to latch onto
the front panel. With a synchronised motion they gave a hard pull and the large metal panel
dropped to the floor. Fresh grass poured out from inside.

"Proceed. Reich and Boutlon check the package." Harvey took a long hard swallow.

The larger man out of the two lost balance heading over to the package and fell face first
into the fresh grass lying on the dirty metallic floor.

"Carefully. Reich!" This time Harvey's voice was sterner.

"Sorry Sir." Making everyone nervous, slowing getting back to his feet and returning his
focus back to the package.

Torches flicked on as the two men approached the crate, the white circles that danced
around the inside of the package came to a stop on a small glowing green box, small red
dots darted back and forth inside the green casing.
Reich and Boutlon used their claw rods to remove the grass used as a form of
protection for the object. Soon after they got called away by McTeane, they quickly made
their exit from this unnerving experience.

"Right I want two scientists to retrieve the object and take it back up to the labs for
observation" Nobody moved "Right you and you!" The sergeant had a displeasing
look on his face this time, and the two called up by the Sarge quickly did what they
were told.

Both men approached the object carrying a large clear container. They picked the
skull-sized object up with a large pair of metal tongues, and moved it over and into
the container. Placing the container on a small trolley and escorted by two marines
they made their way off to the labs.

"Well, I don't think I was expecting that." Harvey scratched his nose and ran his
tongue across his now crusty dry lips.

"What were you expecting?" The Sarge raised his voice high at the end as he
turned to face Harvey.

"Erm...I don't know. I was and still am very curious to what it may be. And I wont
feel safe until that thing has been confirmed 'Not Dangerous'."

"Well give them time. But as you, I have my uncertainties about how safe that
thing may be. I don't have a clue what it could be, and being from the covenant
I can never trust it." Sergeant McTeane had an unclear and worried look on his face
now, which made Harvey really worry, as he had never seen this expression before.

"Well why did we go pick it up if we knew it was from the covenant?" An unfamiliar
look of confusion still lay on the Corporals face.

"I didn't give the order, kid. If you want to know that go speak to Captain Redokia, he
gave the order to go check and bring back that 'gift'. Much to my disagreement and
many others concerning the crew's safety aboard the TESCHKLE." Still Harvey was
unsure what the Sarge was really thinking making the Corporal feel uneasy.

The two men turned around and strolled off back to the bridge, leaving a small group
of cargo workers to clean up the empty package.

The red lights still gently flashed on and off, and the bright white beams slowly faded
away, leaving the dim torch lamps from the quiet workers.

Still remaining in the air was a mist of danger that could only be explained in the
next couple of hours.





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