[Shattered Soul] 13 – Feros Part 5

After the radio came to life, Church was surprised to see that a group of Exogeni scientists had made it out of their HQ alive, where they had taken refuge in a large room between the skyways. It was there that Church began to hack into their servers to see what data he could find and to determine the reason for the Geth's invasion of this planet.

So, while the others talked with the scientists, Church delved into their computers, copying all the data he could and transferring it directly to Tali’s Omni tool, as it was the best platform for storing it all. 

So, after the group left the area and resumed their journey to the Exogeni HQ, Church spoke up.

“Guys, you should see this,” Church spoke out with a grave tone.

Pulling the data into files readable by others, Church summoned a hologram using his own digital avatar. 

Church showed more than a dozen files, all listing experiments that the Scientists were doing using the Colony of Zhu’s Hope as test subjects.

The experiments ranged from attempting to use white noise to incite conflict, to administering experimental food that killed one of the colonists, and to conducting psychological experiments involving scenarios designed to put the colonists under stressful conditions, such as delayed food and water shipments, and observing how the colonists reacted to sabotaged equipment and supplies. 

Most concerning was a project listed as 'Thorian,' a file that Church was unable to recover fully, as it employed the most advanced encryption and data protection that Church had encountered to date. 

As everyone read the data and what researchers were leading these experiments, Shepherd spoke, his tone cold, “Keep a hold of all that data, I'll submit it as evidence to have Exogeni down after we leave.”

Reforming his avatar, Church nodded before bringing up the last file, “This is the only file I didn’t manage to snag when you were talking with those scientists fully; all I got was the file name, one Subject: Thorian, which to me, sounds like a creature or object.”

“We’ll keep an eye out for it, once we’re in Exogeni, I want you to copy everything you can, and see if you can find that file and grab it,” Shepherd ordered before jumping into the Mako’s driving seat. 

Nodding, Church let his avatar slip, and he jumped back into the Geth platform he…acquired, and began setting up shop. 

He first started by running diagnostics, trying to get a good look at the damage and what he’d need to repair once back on the ship.

And boy, was he surprised by how the platform was still functioning despite the extensive damage to its critical components and wiring. 

Shaking his nonexistent head, he deactivated the platform. He jumped out, before slotting himself into Wrex’s Omni tool, sending him a few messages and requests, requesting his assistance in repairing the platform and obtaining the parts he’d need to make the repairs. 

Wrex growled in annoyance, but Church sent over some data regarding what he could offer to his people. Ships, weapons, and technologies that would allow them to give their species an edge and the chance to get back into shape. 

Wrex didn’t make any noise, but did faintly nod in acceptance. Happy with the deal made, Church began work on upgrading his Omni-tools security. Church liked Wrex. Wrex reminded Church of some of the few Spartans he had worked with during the war, and one particular friend, especially when angered.

As he worked, and Shepherd drove, he reminisced about his friends, his group of shitty and goofy friends he met at the start of his journey with Project Freelancer, a project formed in secret by the ONI by a single man, the same man Church was based on. A man named Leonard Church. The man who caused the Church so much misery and so much joy, for if he did not hide Alpha in that small gulch, he would not have met his friends and future war heroes against the Covenant.

Tucker, Caboose, Sarge, Simons, Griff, Donut, Doc, Lopez, Washington, and Carolina.

All who were separated from the Church after the shutdown of Project Freelancer and re-enlisted against the Covenant. He kept up with them after the war and the many accolades they gained.

Caboose, who ended up becoming a Spartan by sheer luck and operating with the Spartan Team: NOBLE, before he was declared MIA after the glassing of Reach, with what few satellites still in orbit recording that Caboose took down hundreds of Covies before they resorted to glassing his position.

Tucker became one of the best Marksmen of the UNSC and was specially assigned to ONI to assassinate high-value Covenant targets. Last he heard, he was doing quite well for himself.

The same could be said about Doc, who still had the AI fragment Omega, took to working for a special research division under the UNSC's best, and the last Church heard from them, Doc said they were making something 'neat' while O'malley stated, 'The explosion will be glorious!'

Sarge, on the other hand, became a decorated General who was notable for his unusual tactics and strategies, which, while they seemed incredibly stupid, proved to be highly effective against the Covenant.

Lopez disappeared after the UNSC reinstated everyone. The last anyone heard or saw of him was that he was hiding out on a resort world.

Griff became known for his extreme laziness, and the UNSC appropriately placed him in Logistics for some reason. However, it was unusual how quickly he excelled at it, allowing him to take more nap breaks.

Simons, much to everyone's surprise, actually became a Drill Sergeant, and a damn good one too. Church heard he was helping train some of the ODSTs last he heard from him.

Lastly, Washington and Carolina, being among the few Spartans Project Freelancers that ONI had access to, were placed directly under its control due to their background and training within the program. Church hadn't heard much from them, but as far as he knew at the time, they were still alive and kicking.

Although Church missed them all, he couldn't help but wish that he could see them again.

Only later on would Church come to realize that he should have knocked on wood.