Chapter 18

AN: 

I really want to write a smug/dick type of custode without being a prick. Let's see how this goes.

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            The entire room was palpable with tension despite being separated light years away. Even if it was done through a video feed, everyone in the room was heightened on alert. Everyone spare from the golden titan that is. Sitting on metal containers that barely held, the titan was not perturbed in the slightest as Margaret Parangosky or 0, wracked her brain endlessly for answers.

She was no stranger to vague threats nor hidden figures that threaten mankind's safety. Everyone has an agenda, whether it be a common citizen or a scrupulous politician. It simply was human nature. The problem was that the being before her was completely enigmatic.

They have nothing on the new arrivals and certainly nothing on the being standing before them now. Though calm and collected on the outside, every member of the board was grasping for answers. Sensing the silence had to be broken, 2 spoke first.

"Greetings sir Hyperion, your presence was certainly... unexpected." 2 said in equal measure as muffled laughter escaped from the titan, causing everyone to flinch slightly. "Come on 2! Why so quiet now? You were certainly the most energetic of the board! I like it! No need to be shy!" Hyperion said as 2 quietly gulped down.

"Is it safe to assume, you've heard everything sir Hyp-" "Please please! No need for formalities, just call me Hyperion instead. I think we all can be great friends!" Hyperion waved off his hand as the board eyed 0 for guidance.

"Very well then, Hyperion. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" 0 spoke calmly as Hyperion stared directly for a moment. 0 had to fight off the urge to shudder as the unblinking crimson eyes stared into her soul. "Straight to business, I knew we can be friends." Hyperion chuckled as he shifted closer ever so slightly.

"Well, I do not mean to be rude or threatening to your nation. I am simply curious who would be the people behind the shadows." Hyperion replied as 0 frowned. Despite the obvious threat he posed, his demeanor was so... relax.

His words were so calm and convincing that if it were any other person present, they would certainly have succumbed to his honeycombed words. Aina was a clear example of this as she already relaxed in his presence. The board had to actively fight off the urge to calm down as 1 replied this time.

"We are not manipulating the UEG Hyperion, we simply are an intelligence-gathering branch of the UNSC." 1 said as Hyperion suddenly let out a boisterous laugh. It was light, hearty, and inviting that it made everyone on edge.

"Come now 1, we both know that is a lie." 1's' gaze slowly hardened as Hyperion smugly stared back. "I assure you Hyperion, the Office of Naval Intelligence is only the intelligence gathering branch of the UNSC, nothing more." 1 insisted as Hyperion fall silent.

Even with his helmet blocking all expression, everyone knew, even Aina something was off. It barely lasted for a second though as Hyperion shrugged. "Well, if you are going to insist, I suppose I can't change your mind." Hyperion said emphatically.

What? Is he really giving up that fast? 0 thought in disbelief as Hyperion's companion's eyes seemed to glow brighter for a moment before dimming down. The board could not care less on Hyperion's freak company as the man loomed over dangerously.

No, don't be fooled Margaret! This man cannot be trusted! Anyone can have motives, don't be fooled. Find it out before he finds out about you firs- "By the way, does Hannah still uses your old hairbrush?" The air grew terrifyingly cold as 1's pupils trembled.

"I-I'm sorry? Who is this H-Hannah you spoke of?" To 1's credit, she manages to reply a second later before Hyperion chuckled coldly. "Who's Hannah would I else be talking to lady Iris?" 1 or Iris, jumped from her seat as her haggard breath barely escaped everyone's panic.

It did not need much to take two and two together. Aina could not help but stare back in horror once more as Hyperion's words rang true. Even for Aina who served for 8 years had only the faintest idea who they might be.

Composure was thrown out of the window as one of their board's identity was discovered. It was a closely guarded secret, one that was only rivaled by the spartan II's program. No one was supposed to know who they were, only them, the president, and a handful of special individuals. And this newcomer had just broken their secrecy in less than an hour.

0 was about to order to pull the plug when Hyperion whispered ominously. "I wouldn't recommend cutting off right now. You wouldn't want me to run around the galaxy unsupervised now would you?" 0 stopped midway as she begrudgingly withholds her hand.

Experiences soon kicked in as 0 calmly steadied her breathing and began dissecting the problem at hand. Trying to regain the foothold in this mental war was crucial, one must never remain influenced, lest the entire battle was lost. Sadly, 1 cannot seem to regain her composure as she began to scream.

"Y-you! Just who are you?! How did you know about my d-daughter you sick fuck!" 1 screamed out, panic and terror encapsulating her voice. "1 calm down! He is just getting in your head! He-" "Oh Jonathan Jonathan Jonathan! Sensible Jonathan, you know all too well this isn't the time for that." Hyperion bemused as even 4 or rather Jonathan, froze in horror.

"Y-you... you knew... you knew all of us." 2 whispered in dread as Hyperion replied softly. "More or less. Iris, Jonathan, Ackerson, and dear old Margaret." The titan seemed to be amused in their plight as the once masterminds of humanity struggled to break free from the titan's grasp.

"You know I have to say, your level of secrecy is nothing to scoff at. Granted your encryption is as reliable as a wooden lock, I can at least commend you're scrupulous dedication. Anyone from your nation would have found nothing in your name... well, I suppose it is unfortunate you've drawn my attention." Hyperion chuckled as 1 could no longer hold it in.

"If you so much as to touch a finger on her, I swear I will-" "Enough! 1 calm yourself!" 0 shouted as 1 blinked back in dismay. "B-but he-" "I know goddamn it but get a hold of yourself, your making this worse!" 0 hissed as 1 painfully and begrudgingly settled down.

"All right Hyperion, we'll play your game." 0 calmly whispered as she glared coldly at the golden figure. "Game? I am not playing any games here; I simply want to know everyone better here! We'll be closely working together from here on after all." Hyperion chuckled lightly.

"No, I don't think we will." 1 snapped back as 0 shot her a glare. "Oh you will 1, after all, I am the only one holding the card you all so desperately wanted." Hyperion giggled as if he was having the time in the world, a complete opposite of the heads of ONI.

"We can always negotiate with someone else; it doesn't have to be you. We don't need you." 1 sneered as Hyperon laughed. "And I can always negotiate with others! I'm being very generous here 1, you should know how fortunate you all are." Hyperion said as 1 scoffed.

"There are no other agencies besides us, we made sure of it." 1 huffed her chest, proud of the monopoly they'd earned as Hyperion clicked his tongue. "Well, if you really think so, I suppose I should do business elsewhere. I've heard those insurrectionists are looking to separate themselves out." Hyperion shrugged his shoulders before standing out.

"W-wait! How did you know there are insurrectionists??" 1 shouted in panic, sensing control slipping through their grasp. If there is one thing any ONI hates, it's losing control. "Hmm? Why would you like to know? I thought you guys didn't need me?" Hyperion feinted an exaggerated surprise as the board could not help but frown immensely.

"Could it be? Forgive me for presuming my hopes dear 1, but could it be that you actually need me?" Hyperion gasped loudly as 2 barked out a reply. "Fine you made your point." 2 said as Hyperion slowly went back to his seat. "I'm glad that we understood each other now." Hyperion said as a loud groan escaped from the containers.

"All right Hyperion, what is it that you truly want?" 1 snarled, worry and anger filling her voice. A complete opposite of her once calm demeanor, though no one can blame her. From Hyperion's tone and choice of wording, it seemed as if he was enjoying it.

"I've told you before, I just want to talk. Discuss strategies, share rumors, and perhaps even share a cuppa tea." Hyperion replied, bemused as 1 gritted down. "Yeah, we might as well have a picnic this summer." 1 mockingly replied. "Splendid! Just give me a call and I'll be there!" Hyperion did not shy away as it only causes 1 to be infuriated.

"You think this is funny, don't you? That this is all a game?!" 1 pointed accusingly as Hyperion snorted. "Believe me dear 1, if I were to stop playing right now..." Hyperion paused as the room fell deathly silent once more. "...you will find your titles stripped from your name and your close aides working for others by sunrise." All eyes hardened at the blatant threat.

"You think you can replace us? Us who cemented and monopolized humanity's entire intelligence department for 354 years??" 0 sneered, though a corner of her heart was scared senseless. Hyperion simply laughed. It took all from 0 not to shrink down as Hyperion answered.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just that... well, I've worked far longer than your entire organization. I simply can't help myself." 0 could feel Hyperon smile as the entire board erupted into chaos. "You're claiming you are older than 354 years? What's next, you're going to tell us you are 10 thousand years old??" 1 vehemently spat out as Hyperion fell silent.

For a moment, everyone feared they had crossed a line when Hyperion's surprised voice finally arrived. "That's... actually a pretty good guess." Everyone fell silent again for all the different reasons. Even Aina, who was silent all throughout, could not help but speak out in turn.

"N-no that's impossible! No one has ever lived 300, much less 10 thousand years old!" Aina blurted out as Hyperion turned to face her. She silently regrets speaking out now, but soon receives an even more baffling answer.

"I'll assume you all understand chrono radiometric dating works? Well, it's basically radiometric reading, but fancier. It shouldn't be too hard to understand. Here, have a little sample." Hyperion said before breaking off a minuscule piece from his armor.

ONI and Aina greedily eyed the small shard Hyperion offered so easily. They might not be able to replicate its works, but it can propel their understanding by decades, perhaps even centuries ahead of time if they were lucky! And it is all free!

"W-wait sir Hyperion!" All eyes turned towards the new voice as Skyla eyed warily. "You can't just give them a piece of your armor so easily!" Aina could not help but curse Skyla deep within her heart as she was so close to obtaining the piece. The board had the same face.

"They clearly show no trust in us, so why should we even begin trading with them?? They might use it against you, against us! They-" "Bwahaha! Oh lady Skyla, for someone who can read minds, you sure are a worry wart!" Skyla flushed bright red at the compliment as Aina and the board blinked in stupefaction.

"W-what did you just say." 4 whispered coldly as Hyperion turned to reply. "I said she can read minds." Hyperion plainly said as the board reevaluate Skyla entirely. If she can read minds, how much she can peer into? Is there any defense? Can they use it somehow against Hyperion? So many questions popped up into their minds when Hyperion suddenly burst out laughing.

"No way! You actually bought that one?? Skyla did you capture it?? Please tell me you have!" The men and women blinked for a moment before turning into a scowl as Skyla fished out a hidden camera. "Oh, I'm definitely keeping this one! Bwahaha!" Hyperion laughed loudly yet again as he handed the shard.

"Here dear, a little compensation from me and my antics. You wouldn't disagree now right Skyla?" Hyperion said as Skyla reluctantly nodded. Aina begrudgingly took the shard, before hiding it. "At least I got something." Aina muttered as Hyperion turned to the board once more.

"This is what it looks like when I'm playing games, my dear associates. So, it would be in your best interest to keep me fooling around rather than... being someone else" Hyperion mused. "Fine fine, we get your point so can you tell us now why exactly you're here?" 1 gruffed out as Hyperion sighed. "Well I was hoping to play some more, but I suppose I should stop for now."

Hyperion said before falling into focus once more. "I can't help but get involved somehow." The golden titan sighed exhaustingly as everyone eyed him with confusion. "I know you're desperate, but this is just... hear this out yourself.

Operation red flag by sacrificing your one and only fortress world? Operation prometheus and torpedo where 100% casualty rate of nascent proto astartes is acceptable?? You're wasting precious resources! This is completely and utterly unacceptable!" 1 scoffed off in reply.

"I didn't know you are sentimental about human life Hyperion. For a moment I thought you were as heartless as we were considering you considered us as associates." 1 could see the rest of the board nodding back from the peripheral of her vision.

"Haaa... what are you children?" 1 blinked in confusion before anger as she opened her mouth to reply only for Hyperion to cut her off. "Look, I could care less if you spend 100 thousand or 100 million lives to secure humanity's future." 1 instinctively inches away from her monitor.

The way Hyperion delivered his words was completely unnerving and... wrong. There was just something wrong with his words. What was it? "You could take a planet's worth of orphans, maybe even an entire solar system, and forcibly turn them into spartans, I don't care.

What I do care about is how you use them. You have spartan 2's who are clearly worth far more than frigates, yet why is it that you only stopped at a measle 343?" Hyperion asked as 2 answered. "Well for one the cost is far more expensive and-" "Your starships are brittle and soft, you're spartan can take down an entire fleet on their own." Hyperion coldly cut off.

"W-well there are simply not enough recruits who could-" "Do I need to point out how many orphans there are in this war alone? Vengeful children who wanted nothing more but to draw blood back from their parent's murderer? Are you telling me not 1 was chosen?" It was really beginning to grow uncomfortably wrong now. The way Hyperion worded it was so wrong.

"T-the gear is too expensive! We can't possibly- "You don't have to make each and every single one of them a well-crafted armor. If they are indeed spartans, they only needed a dagger to make a mountain of bodies. Experience and hatred will be the armor all they would need." The board looked back in aghast as 2 continued.

"T-the augmentation is still not reliable! Only half survived and it would-" "If there are 1000 candidates, 500 would pass. I believe the number is still worth it." Hyperion replied without skipping a beat. "W-what?? B-but these are children! Are you seriously condemning so many innocent lives just for more freaks??" It caught everyone by surprise, even Hyperion at 2's words.

"...I thought you were all ready for sacrificing anything for victory, no matter the cost?" Hyperion emotionlessly replied as 2 shook his head. "T-that's different!" Hyperion scoffed but did not say anything. The dreaded feeling continued as 2 pushed on.

"T-the children will have to deal crippling disorders for the rest of their lives if they fail! Blindness, crippled limbs, deteriorated organs, you name it!" 2 reasoned. "And? It does not affect does who do succeed correct? These are just failures, washouts." 2 felt his jaw drop slightly as he backed off and pointed an accusing finger.

"H-how can you say that?? We will be responsible for thousands upon thousands of crippled children if we do this! Can you bear the responsibility for-" "Have you lost someone 2?" "P-pardon?" 2 pauses for a moment as if he was considering what to say next. "W-we all lost something to this damnable war Hy-"

"I am not talking about people of no importance 2, I'm talking about people you care about, you cherish more than anyone in the galaxy. Have you lost any one of them yet?" Hyperion whispered coldly as 2 answered weakly. "N-no, what does it have to do with this matter?" The air seemed to freeze before Hyperion spoke.

"If I told you I will kill Rayla and Alex tonight, how would you feel?" 2 eyes widen as wide as a dinner plate as he shot up from his seat. "Y-you wouldn't dare! Y-you-" "Answer the question, boy." 2 stopped for a moment before an indescribable hatred bloomed from his heart.

"Then I will hunt you down, no matter the cost." 2 growled as Hyperion nodded softly. "That is what those children are enduring right now." 2 flinched as Hyperion soon whispered words he dares not entertain. Not then, and certainly not now, but Hyperion forced him anyways.

"There are countless children who have lost everything. They have nothing to go back to, no one to comfort them, no one to care about. All that is left is a void of unredeemable hatred. They are crying not because of fear and hunger, but because of the sheer powerlessness they all have to endure. They wanted to lash out, to scream and defile the murderers who stole their life.

They do not care whether they live or die the next day, they just need to hurt them. You can command them to die, and they would do so gladly if it meant to hurt the alien for even a second longer. If that is not the perfect weapon, I do not know what is."

It was then it clicked. Hyperion was not compassionate at all. Behind the aloof and teasing remarks he made, deep down, he was a cold and calculating monster. A monster that even made them appalled by the mere suggestion he was making, made worse by just how compelling his atrocities were being suggested.

"T-that is wrong! We don't-" "That is exactly what you were doing 1, I am simply being blunt and true." The board reeled back in horror as the realization sets in. "W-we are just trying to save humanity! We never intended to use children as weapons!" 3 shouted as Hyperion chuckled. "Well, isn't that just rich? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now?

Do I need to remind you of the Lily's program?" 4 spat back violently. "It was the action of a few madmen! We have no part nor did we even allow children to be used for those ai's! We terminated that project the moment we heard of it!" 4 bellowed as Hyperion grimly snickered.

"I'm sure those families are comforted by such swift justice 4. Why don't we ask a few of them how they're holding up to now and see how they are doing after the loss of their children?" 4's voice began to tremble as he quickly switched back to the spartans, guilt almost consuming his voice as he continued.

"W-We never view them as mindless weapons! True we may have forced them to be a weapon, but we never neutered their minds!" 4 said as Hyperion disappointingly shook his head. "How is that any better? And who are you to judge me as if I am monster? You dip your hands into this mucked and there is no cleaning it. It stays with us until our dying breath.

The least you can do is honor those you've ruined and continue onwards until judgment finds us all. Until then, we armed these children's of war. We offer them blades and they deliver us victories. We give them the chance of retribution, and they gift us the perfect soldier. So what if they die or crippled during the process?

They've already lost everything. They had lost everyone they love to those xenos. To those barbarians!... And we have the means, the capabilities to pay back what was stolen from them, yet here you are hesitating, why? Was their torment not enough? Did watching their homes burned to cinders not warrant enough of a reason to be even invited?

Just how heartless you all can be? You weren't the ones who had lost everything. They are. You weren't the ones who had to run in fear, hiding and praying beneath broken homes and burning scraps in fear against the aliens. They are. All they are asking is the chance, the chance to fight back!... Who are you to deny them from their vengeance?" It was beautiful.

The way Hyperion delivered such vile atrocities, twisting them into a righteous cause instead was so morbidly inspiring, so motivating that they could not help but vomit out in vile distaste. To any normal citizen who was listening, it was completely moving.

The thought of giving someone as powerless as them a chance to redeem their fallen home was all too enticing. To the people like ONI who really knew the truth, it was revolting beyond words. Manipulation at its finest. It almost caught them too. Almost.

"Y-you sick fucking bastard..." 2 could not help but whisper in disgust and horror as Hyperion chuckled. "No 2, you are sorely mistaken. I am no monster; you are just not there yet. Believe me, you can be as worse as I am." Hyperion satisfyingly finished as the board recoiled.

"We will never be you! We will never view them as tools! They are human just as we are! We will never be so heartless and cruel as you!" 1 shouted as a cruel laugh escaped from Hyperion. "Then why do you give them these suicide missions? If you truly do care for their lives, why are you so willing to send them then?" Hyperion challenged as 1 falters.

"W-we just don't have the time! It's not as if we wanted to do this in the first place! They are our last effort when all else fails! If we had the time, maybe we could-" "Spare me of your excuses 1. Just how many times do I have to repeat this? Isn't this exactly why we are made? To be the ones who will do the muck no one wanted to touch?

Stop lying to yourselves, all of you. This is what we are made to do. To do what is needed to be done, no matter the cost. Let go of your morality, there is none that can be found here. Regret and repent later when there is a home to go back to." 1 wanted to deny everything, she wanted to scream.

To yell against the awful 'truths' within Hyperion's words... but the fact that it was true tormented her soul. All the talks and bravado of doing the worst for humanity was all but a shamble lie before this true monster, this true... ONI.

The one who will do everything to save mankind. There was still remorse within them, still regrets and guilt. Every day, they slowly chipped away their screaming morals, telling them it was all wrong, what they're doing was wrong. Hyperion had nothing. Hyperion made ONI look kind in comparison. 

He had already crossed the line that they dread to face one day. And now he was beaconing for them to follow suit. "B-but never to this... this..." "Haaa...." Hyperion sighed heavily as he shook his head. "All right all right. It seems you kids are not ready yet. I will withhold my tongue... for now." Hyperion said as the board had never felt so grateful as they do so now.

"Well, going back on topic. We really need to reform how these operations will be used. At this rate, it will 100% waste all of the nascent astartes, that cannot happen. We need to spend them wisely, not waste them all on these single missions." The board was hesitant to continue, but the fact of the matter is, Hyperion was making sense.

Although 'expendable,' spartan III's were still spartans. If they can minimize the losses, they will gladly take it... and distance them from Hyperion's touch if possible. "...What do you have in mind?" 0 asked as Hyperion held nothing back.

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An:  I know there is no such thing as project Lily but... this is a fanfiction... time to make halo a bit darker. I've always wanted to write ONI as pips who really wanted humanity to win or at the very least survive and was just forced to do awful shit until they grew numb to it. Like the saying good intentions pave the road to hell that sort of stuff. Now I know ONI is a dick but I wanna change that... let's see how this goes.