Author's Note: And so, a new saga begins...

Welcome to all readers, old and new. A couple things before I start.

Necessary disclaimers:

1) I DO NOT OWN Halo, the franchise/the books/the games/other media. I'm just writing a story based off this universe. And, like with the previous installments in the series, times/dates/settings may be slightly AU.

2) Also like its predecessors, this story is rated T but tends to toe the line with M for language, violence, blood, gore, and some suggestive/sexual content (not graphic). You have been warned.

3) While it is not strictly necessary to read the other Cooper stories to understand this one, it is highly recommended. The fics in this series have built off one another and you'll miss a lot of the character development/story progression if you choose to start here. If you're not sure what order the stories go in, they are numbered in chronological order on my profile page.

Thanks a bunch for reading! Hope you enjoy Book 8. :)

Intro: A Coming Storm

WARNING! TOP SECRET! EYES ONLY!

SCANNING IN PROGRESS…

…CLEARANCE GRANTED

/TO: Colonel Natalie M. Cooper, Commanding Officer 52nd Combat Regiment, 1st Marine Division, UNSC Marine Corps - REVOKED, STATUS PENDING

FROM: Major General Aiden Bolowsky, Commander of Planetary Ground Forces, Desmond, Regent State, Mars. Charter Territory, UNSC Marine Corps

SUBJECT: FILE ENCRYPTED

MESSAGE:

Colonel Cooper,

Pertaining to the ongoing investigation into your alleged violation of Article 134, a preliminary hearing date has been set for 14 May 2561. You are to arrive in your Class A uniform and with any legal representation you have been assigned from the JAG office. You are to present yourself at 0800 hours sharp.

Good luck to you,

Major General Aiden Bolowsky, PGF Commander

/END MESSAGE/