Chapter 234: I Just Want to Improve So Badly! Rebellion Erupts, Uprisings on the Rise!
At that moment, seeing that Li Ang had already finished uploading the data, Morgan Blackhand, standing beside him, couldn't help but ask:
"Boss, do you know much about the world on the other side of the Stargate?"
Whether it was Pandora Planet under the Universal Conglomerate, or key intelligence on the three multiversal realms, Li Ang had always been the first to identify them.
Because of this, to Morgan and the other corporate executives, Li Ang carried an air of inscrutable divinity.
When in doubt—ask the boss. That was a given.
"A little bit," Li Ang replied with a nod. He didn't deliberately withhold information from Morgan, but neither did he share too many details.
"The enemies and heretics in Universe 004 are rather troublesome. If we recklessly deploy our fleet and initiate a full-scale assault, it could lead to a lot of unnecessary losses."
"This time, we can't go in guns blazing like last time. We need to advance cautiously, steadily, and minimize casualties wherever possible."
With those few words, Li Ang set the tone for the upcoming Halo operation: a stable, methodical approach. The early preparations were all about planning for the worst.
"In addition, let's have David and his team act as the main reconnaissance vanguard for this operation."
Li Ang issued the order directly.
"Understood!"
---
Stargate Rear Logistics Depot
David and the others had just returned from the frontlines after completing their initial reconnaissance mission. They barely had time to catch their breath before being assigned a new task.
What surprised David, however, was that his Vanguard Recon Unit had unexpectedly been augmented with a rather unusual set of recruits.
For instance, William Cage—Deputy Director of Recruitment from Universe 003's Edge of Tomorrow world—had somehow ended up on the frontlines, serving as a field investigator for this operation.
Also transferred in was Rita Vrataski, fresh from another unit.
"What the hell? Why are there so many new faces in our multiverse vanguard? We've even got women joining now?"
David, standing next to Reed couldn't help but mutter in disbelief. Since when was it so easy to qualify for his squad?
Reed followed David's gaze and was briefly taken aback when he saw that the newcomers were Cage and Rita.
After all, both the multiverse and elite vanguard units generally consisted of genetically enhanced Astartes warriors—modified through organ augmentation surgeries—making them much larger and more physically imposing.
Though Rita stood at a respectable 1.75 meters tall, making her fairly statuesque among normal people, she was still diminutive compared to the three-meter-tall Astartes.
"Looks like we've got quite the talent pool now," Reed commented casually while checking his gear.
"Talent, huh? Do you actually know anything about them?" David asked, catching up to Reed after finishing his own equipment check.
"That woman's name is Rita. She used to be an instructor in the AST Power Armor Division. Later, she joined Iron Hands and became the only non-augmented member to fight using just power armor."
"She's a damn good close-combat fighter. Tough as nails. The Exploration Division assigning her here is actually a good thing."
Reed explanation jogged David's memory. No wonder she looked familiar—she'd worked under him for a while.
And yet, despite being her team captain, he'd completely forgotten about her.
Though, to be fair, David had spent the past few years leading various squads in different departments. It was only natural he couldn't keep track of every soldier.
Especially since Rita was notoriously low-profile and always suited up in bulky power armor or an exoskeleton. No one could tell her gender—let alone recognize her face.
"Why's the Exploration Division suddenly throwing so many rookies at us? Don't tell me they're using my vanguard as a training camp…"
David didn't like it one bit. If they kept letting just anyone in, the whole operation could fall apart. What if someone messed up during a mission?
"Stop poking your nose where it doesn't belong. Just do your job as team captain," Reed advised, seasoned from years navigating corporate politics.
Orders from higher up always carried their own hidden motives. As subordinates, it was best to simply execute.
"…Fine."
David sighed and shook his head.
Although Reed was technically only a liaison officer for this unit, his authority and influence often surpassed David's—even though David held the title of team captain.
After all, Reed was a core executive of the elite vanguard and was here to assist David with high-level operations while also overseeing the situation on the ground.
As they spoke, the two had already crossed through the Stargate into Universe 003, arriving on the planet Prosperity.
The natural light here was similar to Earth's—warm and comforting.
Dense forests surrounded the base, and the sun's strong rays made David instinctively squint.
The engineering crews were still hard at work expanding the front-line base, while swarms of six-legged Hex robots busily transported materials and laid the foundation.
In addition to the on-site crew, numerous AI drones scouted the perimeter, automatically flagging any suspicious activity.
Taking in the planet's pleasant ecosystem, David grinned and said, "This place is actually kinda nice. If I ever retire, maybe I'll build myself a private villa here."
Before long, David and Reed arrived at front-line headquarters, where they met with Morgan Blackhand, who was in charge of remote command.
Soon, David, Reed, and the rest of the recon unit were dispatched to a designated area to begin a new round of investigation.
"The newly assigned members in your vanguard team are elite troops from other departments. You'll meet them shortly," Morgan said, giving David a heads-up.
Just as he finished speaking, Rita entered the command room with several operatives following behind her.
After setting down her heavy tactical pack, she offered a crisp salute to David, Morgan, and the other officers present.
Moments later, the final investigator hurried in, dropping off his gear and introducing himself apologetically:
"Sorry, everyone. This is my first time in a combat unit, so I'm not too familiar with the procedures. I'm William Cage. It's an honor to work with you all!"
Looking at the completely green, fresh-faced Cage, David felt reluctant and suspicious—but with Morgan standing right there, all he could do was offer a stiff nod.
"I'm your team captain, David Martinez."
"Reed."
"…"
After completing introductions, the group followed Morgan to a nearby operations briefing room.
There, the holographic display showed their precise location and key intel about Prosperity—such as its orbital elevator and major human cities.
"Gentlemen, we're currently located on the planet's equator. As you can see, this is a dense, primordial forest."
"Outside the forest lie farmlands and ranches belonging to the local human population. It's clear this is a food-production colony."
"However, drone recon has identified rebel activity—groups opposed to the local human government."
As Morgan spoke, drone footage taken from orbit and stealth units appeared on the holoscreen.
David,Reed, and the others watched as the footage revealed a modern metropolis not unlike Earth cities in Universe 003's Edge of Tomorrow setting.
Skyscrapers, aerial trains, bustling infrastructure—though not quite on par with the Ideal Cities of the LA Megacorp Universal Metropolis, it was at least comparable to 003-Earth.
Then came the images of the rebellion: mobs forming on the city outskirts, Molotov-wielding extremists, and defensive lines pushed back by overwhelming numbers.
Only after deploying tear gas, stun grenades, and firing warning shots did the local security forces regain control.
Now that was the smell of freedom. Familiar, almost nostalgic.
"According to analysis from the United Intelligence Bureau, human colonies in the Halo universe have developed intense anti-government sentiment—brought on by systemic oppression and tight controls."
"This widespread rebelliousness has made colonies like Prosperity hotbeds for insurgent activity."
Morgan dismissed the holoscreen with a wave and, hands behind his back, addressed the team:
"That's precisely why this chaotic environment works to our advantage—it gives us the cover we need to conduct deep-field investigations."
He then called up the time using his AI assistant and continued:
"You'll depart for the target area in three hours aboard Storm Eagle gunships. Until then, prep all your essential gear and weapons—you'll need to be ready for anything."
Morgan scanned the room as if asking for final questions.
"Yes, sir."
The warriors responded in unison.
"Good. Dismissed. Be back here in three hours."
With that, the group scattered, each heading back to their tents for final checks and preparations.
On the way back, Rita couldn't hold back her curiosity. She approached Cage and asked why he was here.
Cage's response left her visibly stunned—though she couldn't find anything to refute.
"I just want to improve!!"
That was it. Cage's exact words.
He had pulled every string available to him as Deputy Director of Recruitment and leveraged all his authority just to get himself transferred to the frontlines.
Rita was speechless. It felt off… but she had no real argument.
After all, she was here for "self-improvement" too.
At the core, their motives were the same.
"Heh, interesting. Just make sure you don't end up regretting it. You might not walk away with your life."
Rita didn't say another word. She stepped into the dorm arranged by the Engineering Division, planning to rest before the mission kicked off.
---
Three Hours Later
Thanks to the Engineering Division's rapid construction and swarms of Hex robots, the front-line base behind the Stargate had taken shape.
All that remained were function upgrades and improvements to comfort.
With a fully automated transport network in place, the base had no shortage of supplies—tools, food, weapons, ammunition—you name it.
Now, at the vertical takeoff-and-landing platform, several combat and reconnaissance aircraft stood by, ready for deployment.
Astartes warriors in lightweight raider power armor, along with human operatives like Rita and Cage in exoskeletons, had all assembled at the platform, fully geared.
Soon, the Storm Eagle gunships carrying the investigators, engineers, and AI drones lifted off one by one—
—and vanished into the black skies above Prosperity.
---
Inside one of the Stormhawk gunships, David sat at the front of the cabin. Through the visor display of his helmet, he could see the alien jungle landscape sprawling beyond the porthole.
And right behind their gunship was Stormhawk No. 2, keeping close.
This investigation mission had been divided into two teams. One team, led by Rita, was the infiltration unit. Since they hadn't undergone any augmentation procedures, their bodies were the same as ordinary humans.
That made it easier for them to blend in with the population and carry out various reconnaissance and investigative tasks.
David's team, on the other hand, was the second unit—reserved for critical moments, stepping in to deliver decisive blows and support Rita in completing combat objectives. They served as the fallback safety net for the entire investigation force.
Before the mission began, the headquarters' intelligence agents had already prepared the necessary supplies for them, including local currency and virtual credits for transactions.
This was to facilitate a smoother infiltration into the city.
On Prosperity, the local human society still used physical cash as the primary medium of exchange. As such, every investigator carried a stash of local bills for convenience.
[Ding!]
Just then, a video transmission from headquarters popped up on David's HUD.
It was a communication request from Morgan Blackhand.
Moments later, the video connected, and Morgan's face appeared before David. He spoke at once:
"David, according to the latest intel from the Union Intelligence Bureau's drone reconnaissance, the city you're about to enter—Odegard—is experiencing a riot."
"There appears to be a significant number of rebels organizing violent acts. Avoid confrontation with them as much as possible and prioritize completing your mission."
"Of course, if you absolutely have no other choice, then eliminate them all. Just make sure your team's presence remains undetected."
"In addition, technicians from the Union Intelligence Bureau have already established a comm link with your systems. From now on, they'll send you real-time updates directly."
"This is the Forward Base Headquarters. Over and out."
With those instructions delivered, Morgan ended the transmission. David's visor display returned to its standard interface.
But Morgan's timely intel update had sharpened David's awareness to a few critical points.
Namely, that the rebellious sentiment among Prosperity's residents might be far more intense than they had previously imagined.
It was entirely possible that one day, the local population might rise up and overthrow the colonial government, triggering the arrival of a UNSC fleet to suppress the rebellion.
Though David wasn't fully clear on the UNSC's technological capabilities or the strength of their fleet, the specific instructions from Morgan Blackhand—and what David inferred about his superiors' attitude—made one thing abundantly clear:
The megacorp intended to keep a low profile on this operation, using infiltration, bribery, and coordinated sabotage to seize control of the colony from within.
In other words, they needed to tread carefully and avoid drawing unnecessary trouble—
—especially from the UNSC fleet of Humanity-004.
Now that he had a clearer understanding of his superior's intentions, David knew exactly what was required of them in this mission.
Shortly after, real-time updates from the Union Intelligence Bureau provided even more insight.
It was revealed that Prosperity housed a functioning local government to maintain colonial operations—and a self-aware artificial intelligence.
David's directive from the Intelligence Bureau was to locate an access point to that AI. Once found, the Bureau would remotely deploy a matrix program to forcibly crack it, allowing headquarters to extract as much intel as possible.
As David pondered all of this, the Stormhawk gunships transported the warriors to a vast expanse of farmland.
Scattered lights on the ground indicated that this area was inhabited by human farmers.
Meanwhile, the automated machinery continued its programmed tasks, tending to the crops as usual.
Soon, the two Stormhawks began decelerating and gradually descended, landing steadily in an open field.
The gunship hatches swung open, and the warriors swiftly disembarked, weapons drawn and scanning the surroundings.
One of the Stormhawks, having completed its transport mission, lifted off again and vanished into the night sky. The other remained grounded in standby mode.
After the engineers swept the area with pulse scanners and dynamic sensors to confirm that nothing was amiss, David, as squad leader, stood up and issued orders:
"Reed, take Second Squad and stay here. Report immediately if anything happens."
Since the mission required stealth, it was best not to have too many Astartes warriors moving about. Only David would take First Squad—including Rita—for the infiltration.
"Understood!"
"Yes, sir."
"…"
As soon as the command was given, a dozen Astartes warriors spread out with weapons raised, securing positions with favorable cover.
David then took Rita, Cage, and the rest of First Squad to the other side. With the help of their accompanying AI drone's recon feed, they could now see the brightly lit city of Odegard in the distance. Security checkpoints had been established everywhere.
It was clear that the rioting had escalated significantly.
The entire city had entered a state of heightened alert.
After a brief situational analysis, David issued his next command:
"Rita, take your team into Odegard and locate a base of operations."
"The rest of you, come with me—we move on the primary objective."
"Yes, sir!"
Rita's voice came through the comm channel at once.
Without delay, David led his remaining squad members toward their designated objective.
Rita, a seasoned veteran, also moved quickly with her team toward the city.
Before long, Rita came upon a small bar in the outskirts that was still open.
The contrast between the lively bar and the surrounding quiet residential area was stark. It was clearly a place where local farmers came to unwind.
That explained why it was still packed so late at night.
Noticing the crowd and the risk of exposure, Rita immediately decided to avoid the area.
But William Cage spoke up, offering an alternative: he would change into civilian clothes and blend in to gather intel.
Cage was confident that his chatterbox personality and ability to make fast friends would be perfect for prying useful information out of the drunken regulars.
At first, Rita flatly refused.
But when Captain David's voice came over the team channel, approving Cage's plan, Rita reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Cage quickly picked a random passerby, knocked him out, stripped his clothes, and casually walked into the lively, noisy bar.
The micro-camera on his chest captured everything in high definition and relayed it back to the team's visors.
Inside, with the air thick with the stench of alcohol, the patrons were half-drunk and half-awake. A TV in the corner was broadcasting the evening news.
[The Odegard City Council has deployed riot squads to raid a known rebel hideout, launching a crackdown against criminal elements.]
[To maintain peace on Prosperity, we urge all residents to report rebel activity and contribute to the security of our colony.]
[…]
At the sight of the righteous-looking anchorwoman, the bar's farmers erupted in rage, shouting furiously:
"Screw the damn City Council! And their bastard riot squads too!"
"Those sons of bitches do nothing but oppress us poor farmers. Why is it that we on Prosperity must trade blood and sweat for scraps—"
"—while people on Reach and Earth get to enjoy the fruits of our labor without lifting a finger?! Are we not humans too?!"
That last line instantly resonated with the rest of the farmers and drunkards. Prosperity had long suffered under UNSC's heel.
"To hell with the UNSC! I'll join the rebels too!"
"We'll hijack a starship, take over the UNSC's throne, and drink with you lads on Earth—how's that for a dream?"
While some roared with rebellious fervor, others sighed and murmured:
"Forget it… Didn't the Governor promise tax cuts by the end of this year? Maybe things will turn around?"
"Tax cuts, huh?"
Someone sneered, "Those slimy scumbags in the City Council say that every year. What actually changes? Nothing!"
"Exactly! Earth's elites call this planet the granary of humanity, but we can't even fill our stomachs. And we still have to pay taxes to fund the UNSC military—so they can fight us?!"
"If you ask me, we should just break away with the rebels. Until we make the UNSC bleed, they'll keep treating us like sheep for the slaughter."
"…"
Watching all this unfold, the bar owner turned pale and broke out in a cold sweat.
These drunken idiots could drink all they wanted—but couldn't they talk about something less dangerous? The last time someone stirred up trouble in his bar was back in the damn Second World War.
Peeking nervously outside to check for patrol cars or riot troops, he finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw nothing.
'Forget it. I'll just close an hour early. If I don't shut them up, they'll wreck the whole bar,' he thought with a sigh.
Meanwhile, Cage, silently watching everything, had already gathered a wealth of intel.
Thanks to these politically obsessed, foul-mouthed drinkers, Cage learned that the rebel leader had actually died ten years ago.
Yet the uprisings on Prosperity had never stopped. This meant public anger and resentment had reached a boiling point—the rebels were mostly just ordinary civilians.
The shipwreck in low orbit turned out to be a UNSC transport vessel. This level of violent unrest had clearly pushed the UNSC to its limit.
If it kept escalating, the UNSC would definitely dispatch a fleet to crush the rebels and suppress the colony by force.
Listening to the intel Cage had collected, and hearing the villagers' rage firsthand, David's earlier suspicions were confirmed.
Let's reassess the situation:
In 2502, the UNSC deployed Spartan-I gene-augmented soldiers to suppress the rebellion on Prosperity, killing the rebel leader Gerald and restoring order.
Now, ten years later, in 2512, rebellion was once again sweeping across the colony. Another UNSC crackdown was likely inevitable.
"Cage, excellent work. I'll be recommending you for commendation," David said with clear approval.
The new recruit had already proven his worth.
"Ha! Thank you, Captain," Cage replied with a grin.
David also silently praised the Intelligence Bureau. Their data-gathering capabilities were insanely effective.
They'd barely been on this planet a few hours, and the whole situation had already been mapped out.
As for how the Bureau acquired such intel? That was beyond David's concern.
All he knew was that the megacorp's intelligence division had never made a mistake. Their reports were always spot-on.
At that moment, Cage withdrew from the bar and quickly regrouped with Rita and the others.
David, meanwhile, began compiling the intel and his conclusions to report back to Morgan Blackhand:
"Headquarters, this is David. After consolidating intel from all units, we can now confirm the current universe timestamp as 2512. The rebellion sentiment among Prosperity's population has reached a critical level."
"The local government is no longer capable of maintaining control. The likelihood of UNSC military intervention is extremely high."
"Given current conditions, a full-blown civil war is imminent."
David paused briefly, then offered his suggestion:
"I propose that we seize control of the planet's situation immediately. We should transmit false intel to the UEG and UNSC, keeping them pacified to prevent war from breaking out. This would allow the megacorp to establish its first stronghold."
David's proposal aligned perfectly with Morgan's plans—and with the vision of their hidden superior, Li Ang .
"Good," Morgan replied without hesitation.
"David, you've clearly grasped the strategy moving forward. In addition to accessing the AI terminal, your team must seize control of Prosperity's external communication channels."
"You'll need to act fast—this must be resolved before the UNSC fleet arrives."
"Yes, sir!"
David responded at once. He didn't need Morgan to emphasize how crucial these two objectives were.
If they could control the City Council, the communications systems, and the artificial intelligence, then Prosperity would effectively be in the megacorp's hands.
After that, the main fleet and strike force could land safely and fully occupy the planet—paving the way for the rest of their campaign.
Once the call with Morgan ended, David promptly ordered the team to proceed with the operation as planned.
[…]
Six hours later.
Elsewhere, in the Aldegart City Hall.
Under the firm crackdown by the Governor of Prosperity Star, the riots in the city center had seemingly been brought under control.
The protestors who had previously roamed the streets were now mostly dispersed by the riot squads, and due to strict security measures, the surrounding districts had fallen into an eerie quiet.
Anyone seen moving in groups on the streets would be sternly ordered back home by patrolling soldiers, with no loitering permitted.
But at that very moment, David had already sent a team to successfully infiltrate an area near the city hall and set up a prime observation point—a sniper's perch!
From their vantage point, David and his team could clearly monitor the deployment of Aldegart's riot squads and patrolling troops.
They could even partially observe the Governor's office.
Just then, a squad of soldiers that had just completed their patrol handed over duties to another team. After the handoff, the patrol unit drove off from city hall in an armored riot vehicle.
After careful observation, David and Rita had come to a rather surprising conclusion: the human garrison forces on this planet were actually less advanced than those in the Edge of Tomorrow (003 universe).
Back when Rita fought the Mimics, she at least had powered exoskeletons and other military-grade equipment. But the soldiers of Prosperity Star? Their rusted, outdated gear looked like it belonged in World War II.
"Captain, we're in position."
Rita's voice came through David's earpiece.
"Proceed with the mission."
"Roger!"
Meanwhile, due to multiple days of grueling, back-to-back patrol shifts, the soldiers who had just been relieved of duty were barely holding on from exhaustion.
But they still had to remain at their post, guarding the front gate of city hall until the next shift arrived.
There was no other choice—Prosperity Star's garrison was severely understaffed. They had to crush the rebellion while also keeping up with routine patrols. Every area was shorthanded.
"I'm so tired... I just wanna crash in bed and never wake up—"
Before the yawning soldier could finish his complaint, Rita and her strike team had already crept up behind them—and launched a surprise assault!
With a crisp crack, the soldiers' necks were snapped in unison. In a matter of seconds, Rita and her team had neutralized the guards.
After swiftly disposing of the bodies, Rita reported back to David:
"Mission accomplished. Awaiting further orders!"
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