SECTION V
REACH
CHAPTER THIRTY
0000 Hours, August 29, 2552 (Military Calendar) / narrow-band point-to-point transmission: origin UNKNOWN; termination: Section Three, Omega secure antenna array, UNSC HQ Epsilon Eridani System, Reach Military Complex
PLNB Priority Transmission XX087R-XX
Encryption Code:GAMMA
Public Key:N/A
From:CODENAME: COALMINER
To:CODENAME: SURGEON
Subject:PROGRESS REPORT/OPERATION HYPODERMIC
Classification:EYES ONLY TOP SECRET (SECTION III X-RAY DIRECTIVE)
/file extraction-reconstitution complete
/start file
Secured space-dock repair bay. Corvette Circumference undergoing final stealth upgrades. Shipyard records successfully altered.
Queries detected from transient AI. Operation deemed AT RISK of being uncovered.
As per contingency plan TANGO: ship registration numbers scrambled; hard isolated from dockside computer network; counterintrusion software implemented; Alpha security protocols enacted onboard.
Just as you called it, sir. Don’t worry—as far as the station computers are concerned, Circumference never even existed.
/end file
/scramble-destruction process enabled
PressENTER to continue.