MEMORANDUM FOR: Re: Catalog
FROM: Classified (Location Redacted) - Access Entry Sierra 626
ACTIVATION: Office of Naval Intelligence Class I - Top Secret
SUBJECT: Mission Report - Post New Phoenix Incident - Installation 03 Transmission Acquisition
Redacted: Roland, connect me with Catalog.
RLD 0205-4: Activation code required for communication via secure ONI link.
Redacted: No, don’t use the ONI link, give me a secure outside line.
RLD 0205-4: Reasoning?
Redacted: Unsure at this exact moment. I received a communication from Sierra 626 who was listed MIA after deployment to Installation 03 over (redacted) ago and has just pinged back on the grid. Catalog needs to be alerted of the following transmission I have received from Installation 03.
RLD 0205-4: He “pinged back”, Sir? His Pelican would never have the output to…
Redacted: He didn’t make contact through normal channels.
RLD 0205-4: How was he able to broadcast to us then? After the Didact and Storm Covenant’s attack on Ivanoff Station we have had nothing in or out of that sector. Sir, it also needs to be stated that Ivanoff science teams had previously ran considerable scans of Installation 03. If Sierra 626 was on the ring why… or by what process… is he even able to make communication?
Redacted: The communication was established by a construct we have no record of and is, very obviously, of Forerunner design given its super luminal communication output.
RLD 0205-4: The monitor?
Redacted: No. Something referring to itself as “Contender”.
RLD 0205-4: Sir, I cannot allow a potentially hostile construct access to a secure link to Catalog.
Redacted: I will take responsibility for whatever happens. We have a Spartan that needs our assistance and I’m not about to let that man down.
RLD 0205-4: Secure link created. Sir, with all due respect, make it fast and keep your upload to Catalog as brief as plausible.
Redacted: Thank you Roland.
Request Verification Process In Progress - Re: Catalog - Message Begins
> Redacted: This is (redacted) using secure line 1135 Tango B-A-K 7.5.0.32.28 with an urgent message for main hub Catalog. The following message is for recipient only and shall loop for one (1) hour post release.
>
> Message Start:
>
> Static … ?26… Installation 03… Static… - Loop One Conclude
>
> This is… Static…Static… connection between… imminent fleet Static… hostile and unidentified form of Flood biomass. Mission successful and I have recovered 049 (redacted). - Loop Two Conclude
>
> Intelligence recovery successful - Unable to contact Ivanoff Station - Respond with EXFIL Coordinates - Static - Under attack by unidentified flying and ground Flood assailant - 049 (redacted) transportation system compromised - Intelligence recovery (redacted) connects - Unidentified Alien Species - Installation 05 Records (2552) - Installation 04 Records (2552) - Installation 03 Records (Pending Review) - Connection Confirmed - Recovered Intelligence - 40,000 BCE - Catalog Review - Redacted - Sierra 626 - Repeat - Request immediate EXFIL - Loop Three Conclude
>
> Urgent…Static…Catalog…Insurrection…Static - 049 Abject Testament Confirmation…Element…Request Immediate EXFIL - Static…Imminent
>
> - Awaiting Response Directive -
RLD 0205-4: Message has been received. Sir, With all due respect… are you seeing what I am seeing in the loop(s)?
Redacted: Of course I am Roland. Why do you think I was willing to break protocol to get that message out? If this is what I think it is then Catalog needs to immediately be brought up to speed. What is the typical ONI response per this level of (redacted)?
RLD 0205-4: ONI has, in the past, tasked Spartan teams with immediate and (redacted) recovery. However, recent changes to operational standards have added the potential usage of Acquisition Specialists, rated Section III, tasked directly by the Office of Naval Intelligence.
Redacted: Well, then I guess we are forced to wait for Catalog and hope that Chris-626 can hold out.