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ERIC NYLUND
239
his arms, and ligaments popped in his chest—but he gritted his
teeth and banished the pain from his awareness.
When the doors parted, the Master Chief paused, taking in the
sad state of the Gettysburg's bridge. The front viewports had
been blown out and recently replaced with welded plates of hull
armor. A trio of monitors had been hastily bolted in place over
them. Crystallized freeze-dried blood covered the navigation
and ops consoles. Only three control stations were lit: engineer-
ing, computer status, and MAC ops.
But most disconcerting was that only Admiral Whitcomb and
Lieutenant Haverson were present on a bridge that usually
needed a staff of thirty officers. The room was as still and empty
as a tomb.
"Master Chief," Admiral Whitcomb said, slightly surprised.
"Sir." He stood at attention and snapped off a crisp salute.
"Permission to enter the bridge."
"Granted, son," the Admiral said.
"What's your status, Chief?" Haverson asked. "Doctor Halsey
told us it would be days before you recovered."
"I'm one hundred percent, sir," he said.
As if she had heard this statement, Dr. Halsey opened a COM
channel, and a tiny video feed popped onto his heads-up display.
Her glasses reflected an ambient orange light from wherever she
was, and he could not see her eyes.
"John, I need to speak with you."
"I'm with Admiral Whitcomb and Lieutenant Haverson, ma'am.
When I'm done I can speak with you."
She was silent a moment, then said, "Very well." The COM
winked off.
The Master Chief felt a pang of regret for being so terse with her.
"Get over here, son," the Admiral said. He returned his atten-
tion to the clear plastic wall dotted with stars and the diamond
symbols that represented UNSC military outposts in this region
of space. "We're in something of a tough spot."
He marched to the Admiral and Haverson and studied the
chart with them. "Cortana's briefed me, sir. The Covenant know
Earth's location and are on the move, most likely preparing a
massive attack."
"That's the gist of it, I'm afraid," Haverson said, and the Chief