第31页
She removed her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I’m sorry,” Déjà said. “I, too, had hoped there would be some new process to lower the risks.”
Dr. Halsey sighed. “I have doubts, Déjà. I thought the reasons so compelling when we first startedproject SPARTAN. Now? I . . . I just don’t know.”
“I have been over the ONI projections of Outer Colony stability three times, Doctor. Their conclusion iscorrect: massive rebellion within twenty years unless drastic military action is taken. And you know the‘drastic military action’ the brass would like. The SPARTANS are our only option to avoidoverwhelming civilian losses. They will be the perfect pinpoint strike force. They can prevent a civil
----------------------- Page 57-----------------------
war.”
“Only if they survive to fulfill that mission,” Dr. Halsey countered. “We should delay the procedures.More research needs to be done. We could use the time to work on MJOLNIR. We need time to—”
“There is another reason to proceed expeditiously,” Déjà said. “Although I am loath to bring this to yourattention, I must. If the Office of Naval Intelligence detects a delay in their prize project, you will likelybe replaced by someone who harbors . . . fewer doubts. And regrettably for the children, most likelysomeone less qualified.”
“I hate this.” Dr. Halsey got up and strode to the fire exit. “And sometimes, Déjà, I hate you, too.” Sheleft the observation room.
Mendez was waiting for her in the hallway.
“Walk with me, Chief,” she said.
He followed without a word as they took the stairs to the pre-op wing of the hospital.
They entered room 117. John lay in bed and an IV drip was attached to his arm. His head had beenshaved and incision vectors had been lasered onto his entire body. Despite these indignities, Dr. Halseymarveled at what a spectacular physical specimen he had grown into. Fourteen years old and he had thebody of an eighteen-year-old Olympic athlete, and a mind the equal of any Naval Academy honorsgraduate.
Dr. Halsey forced the best smile she could muster. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, ma’am,” John replied groggily. “The nurse said the sedation would take effect soon. I’mfighting it to see how long I can stay awake.” His eyelids fluttered. “It’s not easy.”
John spotted Mendez and he struggled to sit up and salute, but failed. “I know this is one of the Chief’sexercises. But I don’t know what the twist is. Can you tell me, Dr. Halsey? Just this time? How do Iwin?”
Mendez looked away.
Dr. Halsey leaned closer to John as he closed his eyes and started to breathe deeply.
“I’ll tell you how to win, John,” she whispered. “You have to survive.”
----------------------- Page 58-----------------------
CHAPTER SEVEN
0000 Hours March 30, 2525 (Military Calendar) /UNSC CarrierAtlas en route to the LambdaSerpentis system
“And so we commit the bodies of our fallen brothers to space.”
Mendez solemnly closed his eyes for a moment, the ceremony completed. He pressed a control and theash canisters moved slowly into the ejection tubes . . . and the void beyond.