The Purple Heart awarded to him after his last mission glistened4 on his chest. He made sure it waspolished to a high sheen. It stood out against the black wool of his dress jacket. Occasionally John wouldlook at it, and make sure it was still there.
He sat in the third row of the amphitheater and faced the center platform. The other Spartans sat quietlyon the concentric rings of risers. Spotlights5 flicked6 on the empty stage.
He had been in Reach’s secure briefing chamber7 before. This is where Dr. Halsey had told them theywere going to be soldiers. This is where his life had changed and he had been given a purpose.
Chief Mendez entered the room and marched to the center platform. He wore his black dress uniform aswell. His chest was covered with Silver and Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Red Legion of Honoraward, and a rainbow of campaign ribbons. He had recently shaved his head.
The Spartans rose and stood at attention.
Dr. Halsey entered. She looked older to John, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth morepronounced, streaks9 of gray in her dark hair. But her blue eyes were as sharp as ever. She wore grayslacks, a black shirt, and her glasses hung about her neck on a gold chain.
“Admiral on deck,” Mendez announced.
They all snapped straighter.
A man ten years Dr. Halsey’s senior strode to the stage. His short silver hair looked like a steel helmet.
His gait had a strange lope to it—what crewmen called “space walk”—from spending too much time inmicrogravity. He wore a simple, unadorned black dress UNSC uniform. No medals or campaignribbons. The insignia on the forearm of his jacket, however, was unmistakable: the single gold star of aRear Admiral.
“At ease, Spartans,” he said. “I’m Admiral Stanforth.”
The Spartans took their seats in unison10.
Dust swirled11 onstage and collected into a robed figure. Its face was obscured within the shadows of itshood. John could discern no hands at the end of its sleeves.
“This is Beowulf,” Admiral Stanforth said as he gestured to the ghostly creature. Stanforth’s voice wascalm, but distaste was evident on his face. “He is our AI attaché with the Office of Naval12 Intelligence.”
He turned away from the AI. “We have several important issues to cover this morning, so let’s getstarted.”
The lights dimmed. An amber8 sun appeared in the center of the room with three planets in close orbit.
“This is Harvest,” he said. “Population of approximately three million. Although on the periphery13 ofUNSC-controlled space, this world is one of our more productive and peaceful colonies.”
The holographic view zoomed14 in on the surface of the world and showed grasslands15 and forests and athousand lakes swarming16 with schools of fish.
“As of military calendar February 3, at 1423 hours, the Harvest orbital platform made long range radarcontact with this object.”
A blurry17 outline appeared over the stage. “Spectroscopic analysis proved inconclusive,” AdmiralStanforth said. “The object is constructed of material unknown to us.”
A molecular18 absorption graph appeared on a side screen, spikes19 and jagged lines indicating the relativeproportions of elements.
Beowulf raised a cloaked arm and the image darkened. The words CLASSIFIED—EYES ONLYappeared over the blackened data.
Admiral Stanforth shot a glare at the AI.
“Contact with Harvest,” he continued, “was lost shortly thereafter. The Colonial Military Administrationsent the scout20 shipArgo to investigate. That ship arrived in-system on April twentieth, but other than abrief transmission to confirm their exit Slipstream position, no further reports were made.
“In response, Fleet Command assembled a battle group to investigate. The group consisted of thedestroyerHeracles , commanded by Captain Veredi, as well as the frigatesArabia andVostok . Theyentered the Harvest System on October seventh and discovered the following.”
The holograph of the planet Harvest changed. The lush fields and rolling hills transformed, morphinginto a cratered21, barren desert. Thin gray sunlight reflected off a glassy crust. Heat wavered from thesurface. Isolated22 regions glowed red.
“This is what was left of the colony.” The Admiral paused for a moment to stare at the image, and thencontinued. “We assume that all inhabitants are lost.”
Three million lives lost. John couldn’t fathom23 the raw force it had taken to kill so many—for a momenthe was torn between horror and envy. He glanced at the Purple Heart pinned to his chest andremembered his lost comrades. How did one simple bullet wound compare with so many wasted lives?
He was suddenly no longer proud of the decoration.
“And this is what theHeracles battlegroup found in orbit,” Admiral Stanforth told them.
The blurry outline that was still visible, hanging in the air, sharpened into crisp focus. It looked smoothand organic, and the hull24 possessed25 an odd, opalescent26 sheen—it looked more like the carapace27 of anexotic insect than the metal hull of a spacecraft. Recessed28 into the aft section were pods that pulsed witha purple-white glow. The prow29 of the craft was swollen30 like the head of a whale. John thought itpossessed an odd, predatory beauty.
“The unidentified vessel31,” the Admiral said, “launched an immediate32 attack against our forces.”
Blue flashes strobed from the ship. Red motes33 of light then appeared along its hull. Bolts of energycoalesced into a fiery34 smear35 against the blackness of space. The deadly flashes of light impacted ontheArabia , splashed across its hull. Its meter of armor plating instantly boiled away, and a plume36 ofignited atmosphere burst from the breach37 in the ship’s hull. “Those were pulse lasers,” AdmiralStanforth explained, “and—if this record is to be believed—some kind of self-guided, superheatedplasma weapon.”
TheHeracles andVostok launched salvos of missiles toward the craft. The enemy’s lasers shot halfbefore they reached their target. The balance of the missiles impacted, detonated into blossoms offire . . . that quickly faded. The strange ship shimmered38 with a semitransparent silver coating, whichthen vanished.
“They also seem to have some reflective energy shield.” Admiral Stanforth took a deep breath and hisfeatures hardened into a mask of grim resolve. “TheVostok andArabia were lost with all hands.
TheHeracles jumped out of the system, but due to the damage she sustained, it took several weeks forCaptain Veredi to make it back to Reach.
“These weapons and defensive39 systems are currently beyond our technology. Therefore . . . this craft isof nonhuman origin.” He paused, then added, “The product of a race with technology far in advance ofour own.”
A murmur40 buzzed through the chamber.
“We have, of course, developed a number of first contact scenarios,” the Admiral continued, “andCaptain Veredi followed our established protocols41. We had hoped that contact with a new race would bepeaceful. Obviously this was not the case—the alien vessel did not open fire until our task forceattempted to initiate42 communications.”
He paused, considering his words. “Fragments of the enemy’s transmissions were intercepted,” hecontinued. “A few words have been translated. We believe they call themselves ‘The Covenant43.’
However, before opening fire, the alien ship broadcast the following message in the clear.”
He gestured at Beowulf, who nodded. A moment later, a voice thundered from the amphitheater’sspeakers. John stiffened44 in his seat when he heard it; the voice from the speakers sounded odd, artificial—strangely calm and formal, but laden45 with rage and menace.
“Your destruction is the will of the Gods . . . and we are their instrument.”
John was awestruck. He stood.
“Yes, Spartan1?” Stanforth said.
“Sir, is this a translation?”
“No,” the Admiral replied. “They broadcast this to us in our language. We believe they used some kindof translation system to prepare the message . . . but it means they’ve been studying us for some time.”
John took his seat.
“As of November 1, the UNSC has been ordered to full alert,” Stanforth said. “Vice Admiral PrestonCole is mobilizing the largest fleet action in human history to retake the Harvest System and confrontthis new threat. Their transmission made one thing perfectly46 clear: they’re looking for a fight.”
Only years of military discipline kept John rooted to his seat—otherwise he would have stood up andasked to volunteer on the spot. He would have given anything to go and fight. This was the threat he andthe other Spartans had been training for all their lives—he was certain of it. Not scattered47 rebels, pirates,or political dissidents.
“Because of this UNSC-wide mobilization,” Admiral Stanforth continued, “your training schedule willbe accelerated to its final phase: Project MJOLNIR.”
He stepped away from the podium and clasped his hands behind his back. “To that end, I’m afraid I haveanother unpleasant announcement.” He turned to the Chief. “Chief Petty Officer Mendez will bedeparting us to train the next group of Spartans. Chief?”
John grabbed the edge of the riser. Chief Mendez had always been there for them, the only constant inthe universe. Admiral Stanforth might as well have told him that Epsilon Eridani was leaving the ReachSystem.
The Chief stepped to the podium and clasped its edges.
“Recruits,” he said, “soon your training will be complete, and you will graduate to the rank of PettyOfficer Second Class in the UNSC. One of the first things you will learn is that change is part of asoldier’s life. You will make and lose friends. You will move. This is part of the job.”
He looked to his audience. His dark eyes rested on each one of them. He nodded, seemingly satisfiedwith what he saw.
“The Spartans are the finest group of soldiers I have ever encountered,” he said. “It has been a privilegeto train you. Never forget what I’ve tried to teach you—duty, honor, and sacrifice for the greater good ofhumanity are the qualities that make you the best.”
He was silent a moment, searching for more words. But finding none, he stood at attention and saluted48.
“Attention,” John barked. The Spartans rose as one and saluted the Chief.
“Dismissed, Spartans,” Chief Mendez said. “And good luck.” He finished his salute49.
The Spartans snapped down their arms. They hesitated, and then reluctantly filed out of the amphitheater.
John stayed behind. He had to talk to Chief Mendez.
Dr. Halsey spoke50 briefly51 with the Chief and the Admiral, then she and the Admiral left together.
Beowulf backed toward the far wall and faded away like a ghost.
The Chief gathered his hat, spotted52 John, and walked to him. He nodded to the hologram of the scorchedcolony, Harvest, still rotating in the air. “One final lesson, Petty Officer,” he said. “What tactical optionsdo you have when attacking a stronger opponent?”
“Sir!” John said. “There are two options. Attack swiftly and with full force at their weakest point—takethem out quickly before they have a chance to respond.”
“Good,” he said. “And the other option?”
“Fall back,” John replied. “Engage in guerrilla actions or get reinforcements.”
The Chief sighed. “Those are the correct answers,” he said, “but it may not be enough to be correct thistime. Sit, please.”
John sat, and the Chief settled next to him on the riser.
“There’s a third option.” The Chief turned his hat over in his hands. “An option that others mayeventually consider. . . .”
“Sir?”
“Surrender,” the Chief whispered. “That, however, is never an option for the likes of you and me. Wedon’t have the luxury of backing down.” He glanced up at Harvest—a glittering ball of glass. “And Idoubt that an enemy like this willlet us surrender.”
“I think I understand, sir.”
“Make sure you do. And make sure you don’t let anyone else give up.” He gazed into the shadowsbeyond the center platform. “Project MJOLNIR will make the Spartans into something . . . new.
Something I could never forge them into. I can’t fully53 explain—that damned ONI spook is still herelistening—just trust Dr. Halsey.”
The Chief dug into his jacket pocket. “I was hoping to see you before they shipped me out. I havesomething for you.” He set a small metal disk on the riser between them.
“When you first came here,” the Chief said, “you fought the trainers when they took this away from you—broke a few fingers as I recall.” His chiseled54 features cracked into a rare smile.
John picked up the disk and examined it. It was an ancient silver coin. He flipped55 it between his fingers.
“It has an eagle on one side,” Mendez said. “That bird is like you—fast and deadly.”
John closed his fingers around the quarter. “Thank you, sir.”
He wanted to say that he was strong and fast because the Chief had made him so. He wanted to tell himthat he was ready to defend humanity against this new threat. He wanted to say that without the Chief,he would have no purpose, no integrity, and no duty to perform. But John didn’t have the words. He justsat there.
Mendez stood. “It has been an honor to serve with you.” Instead of saluting56, he held out his hand.
John got to his feet. He took the Chief’s hand and they shook. It took a great deal of effort—everyinstinct screamed at him to salute.
“Good-bye,” Chief Mendez said.
He turned briskly on his heel and strode from the room.
John never saw him again.
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收听单词发音
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1
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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spartans
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| n.斯巴达（spartan的复数形式） | |
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muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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spotlights
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| n.聚光灯（的光）( spotlight的名词复数 )；公众注意的中心v.聚光照明( spotlight的第三人称单数 )；使公众注意，使突出醒目 | |
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flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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periphery
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| n.(圆体的)外面；周围 | |
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zoomed
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| v.（飞机、汽车等）急速移动( zoom的过去式 )；（价格、费用等）急升，猛涨 | |
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grasslands
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| n.草原，牧场( grassland的名词复数 ) | |
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swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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blurry
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| adj.模糊的；污脏的，污斑的 | |
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molecular
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| adj.分子的；克分子的 | |
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spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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cratered
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| adj.有坑洞的，多坑的v.火山口( crater的过去分词 )；弹坑等 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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opalescent
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| adj.乳色的，乳白的 | |
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carapace
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| n.（蟹或龟的）甲壳 | |
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recessed
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| v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的过去式和过去分词 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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motes
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| n.尘埃( mote的名词复数 )；斑点 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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35
smear
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| v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑 | |
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36
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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37
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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38
shimmered
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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40
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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41
protocols
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| n.礼仪( protocol的名词复数 )；（外交条约的）草案；（数据传递的）协议；科学实验报告（或计划） | |
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42
initiate
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| vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入 | |
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43
covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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44
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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47
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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48
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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49
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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50
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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51
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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52
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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53
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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54
chiseled
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| adj.凿刻的，轮廓分明的v.凿，雕，镌( chisel的过去式 ) | |
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55
flipped
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| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
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56
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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