"3 - First Strike" - читать интересную книгу автора (Halo ebooks txt)

say. If you 're going to drop into hell, CPO Mendez, the Spartans'
first teacher, had once said, you may as well drop with good intel.
Captain Keyes frowned on the ship's viewscreen, a
nonregula-tion pipe in his hand. Though his voice was calm, the
Captain's grip on the pipe was white-knuckle tight as he outlined
the situation. A single space vessel docked in Reach's orbital
facilities had failed to delete its navigational database. If the
NAV data fell into Covenant hands, the enemy would have a map
to Earth.
"Master Chief," the Captain said, "I believe the Covenant will
use a pinpoint Slipspace jump to a position just off the space
dock. They may try to get their troops on the station before the
Super MAC guns can take out their ships. This will be a difficult
mission, Chief. I'm... open to suggestions."
"We can take care of it," the Master Chief replied.
Captain Keyes's eyes widened and he leaned forward in his
command chair. "How exactly, Master Chief?"
"With all due respect, sir, Spartans are trained to handle difficult
missions. I'll split my squad. Three will board the space dock
and make sure that NAV data does not fall into the Covenant's
hands. The remainder of the Spartans will go groundside and repel
the invasion forces."
Fred gritted his teeth. Given his choice, he'd rather fight the
Covenant on the ground. Like his fellow Spartans, he loathed
off-planet duty. The op to board the space dock would be fraught
4 HALO: FIRST STRIKE
with danger at every turnЧunknown enemy deployment, no
gravity, useless intel, no dirt beneath his feet.
There was no question, though: The space op was the toughest
duty, so Fred intended to volunteer for it.
Captain Keyes considered John's suggestion. "No, Master
Chief. It's too riskyЧwe've got to make sure the Covenant don't
get that NAV data. We'll use a nuclear mine, set it close to the
docking ring, and detonate it."
"Sir, the EMP will burn out the superconductive coils of the
orbital guns. And if you use the Pillar of Autumn's conventional
weapons, the NAV database may still survive. If the Covenant
search the wreckageЧthey may obtain the data."
"True," Keyes said and tapped his pipe thoughtfully to his
chin. "Very well, Master Chief. We'll go with your suggestion.
I'll plot a course over the docking station. Ready your Spartans
and prep two dropships. We'll launch youЧ" He consulted with
Cortana."Чin five minutes."
"Aye, Captain. We'll be ready."
"Good luck," Captain Keyes said, and the viewscreen went
black.
Fred snapped to attention as the Master Chief turned to face
the Spartans. Fred began to step forwardЧ
Чbut Kelly beat him to it. "Master Chief," she said, "permission
to lead the space op."