[center][b][h2]Vael ‘Virisusai and Major Robinson[/h2][/b][/center]

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However the team decided to spend the few hours they had, it did not take long after their departure from Earth for Major Robinson to call the team to muster in one of the hangars. With the upgraded slipspace drives that new UNSC ships, like the [i]Chorus of Thunder[/i], had been receiving, journeys through slipspace were no longer the time consuming voyages they had once been. Their ships could now best even Covenant ships for speed. Even aside from that, Sarcophagus was not a long jump from Sol. 

For any who might have had access to external windows or cameras, their arrival in the system might have seemed somewhat bizarre. Sarcophagus was a complete shell, almost unfathomably large, fully enveloping the star, and the [i]Chorus of Thunder[/i] entered the system just outside of it. The only light came from distant stars, which was far from enough to illuminate the megastructure. From the perspective of the ship, there was only blackness on one side of them, as if all of the stars in that direction had been extinguished. 

Inside the hangar, there was another surprise waiting for them in the form of a vehicle that was clearly being prepped for the mission. It was a [url=https://www.halopedia.org/images/thumb/9/9d/H4-M510Mammoth.png/800px-H4-M510Mammoth.png]Mammoth[/url], though nonstandard in a few obvious ways. The most notable modification was that the mini-MAC had been removed, and overall, it seemed like a somewhat stripped down, lighter version of the vehicle. Although, that did not reduce the size of the aptly-named vehicle; it would still require something like a Heron dropship just to get it to the ground. 

Vael was fully-equipped and ready for the mission. He had opted for his usual selection of weapons, with a carbine, plasma rifle, energy sword, and a handful of plasma grenades. Combined with his active camouflage, he could be versatile with the situations he could deal with. 

After the usual formalities, the Major addressed the team as a whole. [color=violet]”Alright, you all have the relevant mission files and you know your objective, so I will keep this brief. We’ve dropped out of slipspace outside the Dyson shell to avoid detection. You’ll be inserting via Pelican through one of the entryways, and we’ll be sending this in with you as well.”[/color] She explained, gesturing to the Mammoth. [color=violet]”You’ll need to approach from the ground to avoid detection by the Brute ships, and you’ll have a bit of a drive ahead of you. This Mammoth has been modified to serve better as a mobile base for your team. It is stocked with weapons, supplies, and a pair of warthogs. Some of its heavier components have been removed to help improve its speed as much as possible. We have also installed improved communications equipment to intercept enemy communications and help you track down your targets.”[/color]

Once she had given her explanation, Major Robinson took a data crystal drive and handed it to Fireteam Leader Aviza. [color=violet]“Shih has been assigned to Aegis Team, as well. You may take responsibility for her yourself, Fireteam Leader, or assign her to another member of your team as you see fit.”[/color]