CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY
0000 Hours, August 29, 2552 (Military Calendar) / narrow-band point-to-point transmission:
origin UNKNOWN; termination: Section Three, Omega secure antenna array, UNSC HQ Epsilon
Eridani System, Reach Military Complex
PLNBPriority Transmission XX087R-XX
Encryption Code:GAMMA
Public Key:N/A
From:CODENAME:COALMINER
To:CODENAME:SURGEON
Subject:PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATIONHYPODERMIC
Classification:EYES ONLY TOP SECRET (SECTION III X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/file extraction-reconstitution complete/
/start file/
Secured space-dock repair bay. CorvetteCircumference undergoing final stealth upgrades. Shipyard
records successfully altered.
Queries detected from transient AI. Operation deemed AT RISK of being uncovered.
As per contingency plan TANGO: ship registration numbers scrambled; hard isolated from dockside
computer network; counterintrusion software implemented; Alpha security protocols enacted onboard.
Just as you called it, sir. Don’t worry—as far as the station computers are concerned,Circumference
never even existed.
/end file/
/scrambledestruction
process enabled/
PressENTER to continue.