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.