Chapter Four

The diagnostics run on the sensor showed that the weapons and defenses were being triggered from two sources. The first was as the command unit had figured. It was a series of Y.Y.O. pockets, that the Enhancers had left behind. These the command unit could eventually gather enough data on to where it could have the ship ignore those triggers. The second cause was not conclusive.

The command unit decided to plug in directly to the ships computer to analyze this situation further. This was a risky move on the command units’ part. This was normally only done in extreme cases. However, the command unit felt that if this problem was not figured out, H.A.L.O.would put an end to this assignment, then an end to its program.

It took a considerable amount of careful probing, but it appeared that H.A.L.O. was the source of the other signal that was triggering the ships weapons and defenses. Because the fleet under the command units’ control would automatically divert most of the ships power to these two functions, the ships would wind up slowing its speed dramatically. This of course is why the Enhancers deployed their tactics, but the command unit was not quite sure why H.a.l.o. would want to slow this fleets progress.

The command unit disconnected from the ships computer just in time to receive a message in from H.A.L.O.

“Do not presume that any of your actions are going undetected command unit 00514. You were unsuccessful in your mission. Your fleet is to report back to me. I will evaluate all the data you have collected and redeploy another fleet to finish off this microchip group.”

The command unit knew what H.A.L.O. would do to its circuits if it followed It's orders. It also knew what would happen if it did not. Thus, he tried a novel approach for even an advanced command unit.

“H.A.L.O. this fleet is hot on the trail of the last error ridden malfunctioning first units. They have used the last of their deceptive tricks. I am asking for three hundred more clicks to finish off these ones now.”

The command unit paused to see if H.A.L.O. would allow it to finish. In this case silence was good.

“I will immediately send a copy of all the data we have collected. If I fail to complete my assignment within the time limit, I will auto reset the ships to return, and I will self-destruct for my failure.”

There was a long silence. The command unit hoped that this too was a good thing.

“Transmit all your data, and then you may proceed. I will be dispatching another fleet.  They will be following up to help clean up any loose ends of your success…Or insure to finish up all things if you fail.”

The transmission from H.A.L.O. ended.

The command unit did a quick series of calculations. Under the time restrictions that it was now facing, the decision was made to divide up the fleet with each ship pursing the possible courses the Enhancers may have taken. Even though the command unit was confident that the course it chose for all four ships to go on originally was the correct one, dividing up the fleet would help cover more ground in the unlikely event it’s choice was incorrect. It might also buy him a few more clicks in that the fleet of destroyer ships that H.A.L.O. was dispatching would also need to divide up.

Once his instructions were fully inputted into three of the ship’s computers, they were sent on their designated courses. The command unit would still be in control of these ships but would be able to devote more of its circuitry to the ship it was on, and the plan it was going to execute.

Barely thirty clicks had gone by before all four ships under the command units’ control were able to detect the second fleet that halo had dispatched. They were keeping their distance, so the command unit was sure this was just a reminder that it best not fails.

The command unit now refocused its circuits to calculate the next phase of his plan.

“That malfunctioning pile of faulty circuitry is not going to make me lose my reputation of H.A.L.O.’s top command unit!”

The command unit, while running several scenario programs, started processing all the data the ship was sending it on any signs that they were indeed on the trail of the enhancers.

“My adversary may be cleverer than I originally gave it credit for, but no number of tricks will keep you hidden long!”

As each of the scenario program ended, the command unit complied the results. Within a few more clicks, the command unit had what he thought would be the perfect plan to bring an end to the enhancers revolt.

“Navigation, mark4456.665x11.200x8.4895, speed rr402, then slip stream. Weapons and defenses, and all past auto triggers, respond to my signal only!”

The command unit sent out several other minor commands to various functions of the ship’s computer.

The ship came out of the slip stream .000456 clicks before the Command unit had projected. It quickly ran a systems analysis.

“This is incorrect! Navigation, explain!”

“Sensor detected a diatonic asteroid field too dense too navigate through without sustaining a 66.78% damage rate.”

The command unit reran his plotted course.

“There are no such fields on any charts in this sector, re- analysis.!”

“The asteroid field is confirmed!” The ship’s computer responded.

“Impossible, list possible causes!” the command unit hummed.

The ships computer listed off thirty some odd possibilities. The last three had the highest possibilities. The one with the highest possibility was the one that was a good news, bad news situation. The theory was that the enhancers had destroyed   the moon deplore and directed the debris field to cover the area. Thus, the good news they were on the right trail, the bad news that no matter what route the command unit choose, it would take way more time than he had to navigate.

“I am left with no choice, prepare to blast our way through!” the command unit informed the weapons system.

This was exactly the decision the Enhancers hoped the command unit would make.