Odd news are given

You had expected the search to turn out boring and fruitless, perhaps being jaded from your lifeless, daily routine as a marine. You expected an anticlimactic conclusion to the whole affair, and a quick resume to that lifeless routine, even.

What turned up next, however, was a bit of a shock.

"That bank robbery wasn't done to steal money," Said your commanding officer, Commander Deacon, "In fact, all the gold and silver is still there; only a small part of the bank was robbed. A secret compartment hidden behind a false wall, it had military-grade encryption and security measures, not something you'd find in a small-time bank like this."

Hushed whispers and glances were exchanged between you and your fellow marines, though you refocus on Deacon as he continues.

"In fact, we have discovered that the compartment itself used to hold very concerning contents, and note that what I'm about to share is strictly classified and not to be shared to anyone else, not even to other fireteams or platoons or anyone in the UNSC military," Said Deacon, his tone deathly serious, "Am I clear?"

"Sir, Yes Sir!" The platoon affirmed.

"Good," Said Deacon, "Sandra, if you'll take over?"

The Spartan nodded, and you had to summon your restraint to not think about the sensual way in which she walked, almost deliberately.

"This was the work of rogue ONI agents," Said Sandra, "Several months back, some of their scientists were developing a **** in secret to supposedly bolster their fertility, right under ONI's noses. They were high-ranking and had deep connections in ONI and other agencies, which allowed them to keep their project under the radar. Eventually, when they were discovered, a gunfight broke out and they escaped with the **** and all data. They even have an AI working for them."

Many in both the public and in governmental institutions - much less the military - had a rather low opinion of ONI with all the dubious rumors circulating, and because of the controversy of the Spartan Project. The fact that ONI almost self-destructed in civil war, however, was news to you.

"Our last reports indicated they were here, and realizing that our presence was nearing their secret storage facility, decided to make a big show of robbery to conceal their tracks," Said Sandra, "What they didn't count on, however, was an anonymous tip-off giving us their secret codes and access to their channels."

An insider either not willing to stay on with the project, or maybe looking to make off with some money for himself, You thought.

"Permission to ask a question, Sir?" You asked.

"You may," Said Deacon.

"How strong can we expect their opposition to be, if we encounter them?" You asked, "And what is the state of the ****?"

"Having acted on the tip-off, ONI has mercilessly purged these insiders from their ranks and all their associates, but even though they are few in number, they still have deep-reaching connections," Said Deacon, "And last we heard, the **** was only just completed."

"In any case, we ought to be vigilant for any signs of the ****," Said Sandra, "Our orders are to maintain our positions and do our duties as usual."

"Are we clear?" Asked Deacon.

"Yes Sir!" The platoon affirmed.

"Alright, dismissed!"

As your platoon disperses, Sandra discreetly beckons you to follow her somewhere, and you quickly oblige.