Convergence Infinites: Halo

Chapter Sixty Five

UNSC Security Council, Bravo-6, Sidney, Australia, Earth

Levitsky took his place in front of the council, as the guards moved to pace him, side by side. It bothered Osman that, despite the fact the man was in handcuffs, he seemed smug that he would get out of this with only a warning, the arrogant bastard. Osman couldn't blame him, though: he'd pulled a similar stunt in the past, taking two sector fleets to combat another without approval of the security council. And he had gotten away with a promotion from Captain to Rear Admiral.

But that was during the war with the Covenant, and files recovered from a Covenant ship during that battle revealed he'd practically delayed the surprise attack on reach by a decade. Now, with his failed and an unprovoked attack on the insurrectionists, he'd turned the people against them. Not that Osman would tell him that. She'd leave that to Hood. He was much better at such reprimands.

His Trial had happened over the last two months, following the attacks. Osiris had arrested him on Infinity, and handed him over to authorities, while Hood and Lasky had managed the fleets returning to their sectors. They had taken a large number of losses: One of few remaining Epoch-class assault Carriers, a Valiant class Super Heavy Cruiser, two Paris class Frigates and a Strident-class frigate. Not to mention the massive amount of ships that had left the UNSC and joined the deserter fleet. But she doubted, even now, that Levitsky would see it that way. His loath for the Insurrection was so high she doubted he had seen reason in his two months of imprisonment.

"Fleet Admiral Levitsky." Hood started, bringing Osman back to the present. "You realize why you stand here?"

"Because I skipped the bureaucracy that stood in the way of us truly punishing the deserters." Levitsky boldly stated, chest out and head held high, which Osman had to admit looked intimidating with his height. But she didn't let it cower her into fear.

"No, Admiral." General Jennifer Waller of the UNSC army stated. "You took two sector fleets, followed the Civilian deserters to Scorpio VI, and battled against Admiral Graves' forces until Hood himself was forced to intervene and pull your ships out. All without approval of this council."
"You do realize the council had made an active decision not to pursue these Insurrectionists, don't you?" General Hung Han of the UNSC Air forces asked him skeptically.

"I recognized the council had made a decision." Levitsky retorted. "But given it was a stupid-ass decision I elected to ignore it."

Osman rolled her eyes, as she in turn spoke up. "Your opinion of our decision is irrelevant." she stated. "What is relevant is the fact you turned the public agains us with your actions. Javis, if you please?"

The AI attache resident for these council meetings nodded, and played the footage. "This is a message Graves sent to us not three hours after our fleets returned to their sectors." General Han elaborated. "Listen, and see for yourself what consequences your actions had."

"To all residents of this galaxy, human, Covenant or former Covenant, this is Admiral Graves." the message started. This time, it had foregone the background and shown Graves on the bridge of his ship. He wore the same uniform as he did back during the first message a little over two years ago, though this time it had a slight stain on it near the shoulder.

"Three hours ago, a civilian Fleet was attacked while attempting to join my movement, and we were forced to intervene and combat this fleet."