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94
HALO: FIRST STRIKE
Protocol. Furthermore, we are not allowed an indirect route, ei-
ther. Subsection Seven of the Cole Protocol states that no Cove-
nant craft may be taken to human-controlled space without an
exhaustive search for tracking systems that could lead the enemy
to our bases."
"Subsection Seven?" Haverson said. "I haven't heard of it."
"Very few have, sir," Cortana answered. "It was little more
than a technicality. Before this, no one had actually ever cap-
tured a Covenant vessel."
"An exhaustive search of this vessel would be difficult under
the circumstances," Haverson said and cupped his hand over his
chin, thinking. "It must be more than three kilometers long."
"I have a suggestion, sir," the Chief said. "An intermediate
destination: Reach."
"Reach?" Haverson quickly hid the shock on his face with a
smile. "Chief, there's nothing in the Reach system except a
Covenant armada."
"No, sir," the Master Chief replied. "There are ... other
possibilities."
Haverson raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead, Chief. I'm intrigued."
"The first possibility," John said, "is that the Covenant have
glassed the planet and moved on. In which case there might be a
derelict, but serviceable, UNSC craft that we could repair and
take to Earth. We'd leave the Covenant flagship in low orbit and
return with the proper scientific staff and equipment to effect a
salvage operation."
Haverson nodded. "A long shot. Although the Euphrates did
have a Prowler attached to her. They were supposed to launch a
reconnaissance mission, before they got the signal to drop
everything and help defend Reach. So maybe it's not such a long
shot, after all. And the other possibility?"
"The Covenant are still there," the Master Chief said. "The
likelihood that they would attack one of their own capital ships is
low. In either event, there is no violation of the Cole Protocol
because the Covenant already know the location of Reach."
"True," Haverson said. He paced to the center of the bridge.
"Very well, Chief. Cortana, set course for Reach. We'll enter at
the edge of the system and assess the situation. If it's too hot, we
jump and find another route home."
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