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  • Subject: Halo: The Great Journey - Fanfiction of Halo 2
Subject: Halo: The Great Journey - Fanfiction of Halo 2
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Hi. My name is Andrew. I'm Asian. Still trying to figure out who I am. Yup. That's it.

Just as William C. Dietz made Halo: The Flood, I shall make this, Halo: The Great Journey. Not a very original plan, but I am done waiting for someone to make a book version of Halo 2. (This is owned and made by Bungie and Microsoft.) (Though I did type it.)


Halo: The Great Journey - By: ~ Sol 249 ~ Andrew ~

Prologue

Covenant Holy City/ High Charity
Ninth Age of Reclamation

“There was only one ship.”

“One? Are you sure?”

“Yes. They called it… Pillar of Autumn.”

“Why was it not destroyed with the rest of their fleet?!” The Prophet of Mercy exclaimed.

The Supreme Commander of the fleet of Particular Justice stood in a long, rectangular room; the Council Chamber. Sangheili and Prophet Councilors sat on either side. In front of the gold armored Elite, were the three High Prophets: Truth, Mercy, and in a hologram; Regret. “It fled, as we set fire to their planet… but I followed it with all the ships under my command.”

“When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by its majesty?” The Prophet of Truth asked skeptically.

“Blinded?”

The Prophet of Mercy cut in, “Paralyzed, dumbstruck?”

“No.”

“And yet the humans were able to evade your ships, land on the Sacred Ring, and desecrate it with their filthy footsteps!” Mercy thundered.

The Supreme Commander held his hands out in what looked like a pleading gesture, “Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked...” A roar of voices rose.

“There will be order in the council!” Mercy shouted as he banded his fist on his gravity chair.

“You were right to focus your attention on the Flood,” Truth stated, “but this Demon, this Master Chief…”

“By the time I learned the Demon’s intent, there was nothing I could do.” The Commander whispered; his voice a poisonous rasp. The council started to shout angrily at this statement. Nearby, the Brute Chieftain, Tartarus, chuckled.

“This has gone off long enough; make something of this… bugler. The council demands it!” Regret whispered in Truth’s ear, in spite of his holographic form.

“You are one of our most treasured instruments, long have you led your fleet in honor and distinction, but your inability to safeguard Halo was a colossal failure.” Truth told the Sangheili; ignoring Regret.

“Nay! It was heresy!” A lesser Prophet shouted, starting yet another uproar in the Council.

“I will continue my campaign against the humans!” The Supreme Commander growled.

“No… you will not.” Truth said, signaling to two Jiralhanae guards to take the Sangheili away. “Soon the Great Journey will begin, but when it does, the weight of your heresy will stay your feet, and you shall be left behind….”
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Earth Defense Platform/ Cairo/ 10.20.2552 (Human Military Calendar)

“The plating was about to fail, there’s viscosity throughout the gel layer.” Master Gunnery Sergeant Ganz reported, “Optics? Totally fried. And let’s not even talk about the power supply. You know how expensive this gear is son?”

Two hands reached down and picked up a MJOLNIR mark VI helmet. John-117, the Master Chief, fitted the shimmering green helmet over his head. “Tell that to the Covenant.”

“Well, I guess it was all obsolete anyway. Your new suit is a mark VI, just came up from Song Nan this mornin’. Take it easy until you get used to the upgrades.” Ganz replied. For a few minutes, Ganz tested the Spartan’s targeting systems, and then he had finally activated the Master Chief’s shields.

“Bingo!” Ganz remarked as the MJOLNIR’s shields wink on. “As you can see, they recharge a lot faster! If your shields go down, find some cover and wait for the meter to read fully charged.”

“That; or you can hide behind me.” The Master Chief cocked his head sideways and sighted the dark brown face of Master Sergeant Avery Johnson, the only other human who had survived the events on Installation 04, and made the trip back to Earth alive. “You done with my boy here Master Ganz? I don’t see any training gear.”

“His armor is working fine Johnson, so shut your chili hole.” Ganz snapped. The Gunnery Sergeant turned to the Master Chief, “You’re free to go son, just remember to take things slowly.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll hold his hand.” Johnson remarked as he walked back to the elevator he came in from. The Master Chief followed.

“So, Johnson, when are you gonna tell me how you made it back home in one piece?” Ganz asked.

“Sorry Ganz, it’s classified.” Johnson replied as the elevator started to ascend.

“Hah! My ass!” Ganz exclaimed. “Well you can forget about those adjustments to your A2 scope…” Ganz’s voice faded away.

“Well he’s in a particularly fine mood. Maybe Lord Hood didn’t give him anything.” Johnson remarked to the Master Chief. Together, they walked to a tram and it started to move. Earth loomed in the distance. “Earth, haven’t seen her in years. When I shipped off for Basic, the orbital defense grid was all theories and politics. But now look, the Cairo is one of three-hundred GOC platforms. That MAC gun can put a round clean through a Covenant Capital Ship. With coordinated fire from the Athens and the Malta, nothing’s getting past this battle cluster in one piece. Ships have been arriving all mornin’. Nobody’s saying much, but I think something big is gonna’ happen.” The tram jolted to a halt. Outside, a large group of Marines were cheering, clapping, and whistling at the Master Chief and Johnson. Even a camera floated past the two ‘celebrities’.

“You told me there wouldn’t be any cameras.” The Master Chief said as they walked between two crowds of Marines to a bulk door, where two Navy personnel saluted them.

“And you told me that you were gonna’ wear something nice.” Johnson shot back, “Folks need heroes Chief, to give em’ hope. So smile would ya’? While we still got something to smile about.” The Master Chief was about to mutter that nobody would see him smile, since he was wearing a helmet, when the door opened.
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Covenant Holy City/ High Charity/ Ninth Age of Reclamation

The Supreme Commander of the fleet of Particular Justice walked into a large, artificial valley of seats. Further ahead, he stood on a pedestal overlooking hundreds of Unggoy, Kig-yar, Yanme’e, Jiralhanae, his fellow Sangheili, and lesser Prophets. All were jeering and roaring in anger, some shouted things like, “Heretic! Heretic!” Others, mostly the Sangheili, watched as the Commander was chained to two floating probes.

“You’ve drawn quite a crowd.” Tartarus sneered.

“If they came to hear me beg, they will be disappointed.” The Commander spat.

“Are you sure?” Tartarus asked. Golden bands of fiery hot energy started to lance all around the Commander, singeing his once golden armor to a black. The pain was almost unbearable, but the Sangheili kept it to himself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------E arth Defense Platform/ Cairo/ 10.20.2552 (Human Military Calendar)

The Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson walked up through the Cairo’s control room. Several men and women stood at attention, all were dressed in white ceremonial outfits.

Lord Admiral Hood, a white haired man who seemed to be in his sixties, stepped up, “Gentleman, we’re lucky to have you back.” One of the control room’s officers stepped behind the Admiral and whispered something in his ear.

“Go ahead Cortana.”

On a nearby hologram pedestal, Cortana appeared. She was an AI that simply took on the form of a human female. Bands of data scrolled around her translucent body, “Another whisper sir, near Io, we have probes en route.”

Hood turned to the Spartan and the Sergeant, “I apologize but we’re going to have to make this quick.” The Admiral turned back to retrieve something.

Cortana turned to look at the Master Chief’s armor, “You look nice.” She commented.

“Thank you!” Johnson said at the same time the Master Chief said, “Thanks.”

Hood returned; Johnson and the Spartan stood back at attention. “Sergeant Major, the Colonial Cross is rewarded for acts of daring and devotion, for a soldier or the United Earth Space Corp….”
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Covenant Holy City/ High Charity/ Ninth Age of Reclamation

“There can be no greater HERESY!” Tartarus roared at the crowd, “Let this be an example of all who would break our Covenant!” The crowd exploded into a wave of applause and shouts of agreement. Two Jiralhanae guards walked to the burnt Commander, and they started to remove the Sangheili’s armor. The Commander watched weakly and helplessly as the Jiralhanae Chieftain took a branding staff, one with the mark of shame on it, and plunged upon his chest. White hot fire spread throughout his body, the Sangheili tried not to make a noise, but it was too hard. He screamed; nobody cared.
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Earth Defense Platform/ Cairo/ 10.20.2552 (Human Military Calendar)

“Commander Miranda Keyes.” Lord Admiral Hood called; a young, dark haired woman stepped up and saluted. The daughter of Captain Keyes, who was the hero of Installation 04. “Your father’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions within military service. His bravery in the face of impossible odds has reflected great credit upon himself, and the UNSC. The Navy has lost one of its best.” Hood handed Miranda an awards medal. She took a long, thoughtful look at it, and then she put it on.



[Edited on 08.20.2007 10:19 AM PDT]

  • 07.26.2007 8:12 PM PDT
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“Slipspace ruptures, directly off our battle cluster.” Cortana warned.

“Show me.” Lord Hood replied.

“Fifteen Covenant Capital ships holding position just outside the kill zone.”

“This is Fleet Admiral Harper, we are engaging the enemy.” A voice sounded through the COM. On a nearby display, several UNSC destroyers started to move towards the Covenant fleet.

“Negative Admiral, form a defensive perimeter around the cluster.” Hood ordered, “Commander, get to your ship, link up with the fleet.”

“Yes sir.” Miranda said. She turned and quickly walked away.

“You have the MAC gun Cortana. As soon as they come in range, open up.”

“Gladly.” Cortana said. Her image wavered and disappeared.

“Something’s not right. The fleet that destroyed Reach was fifty times this size.”
Hood muttered.

“Sir! Additional contacts. Boarding craft and lots of em’!” A crew member announced.

“They’re going to try and take our MAC guns off line. Give their Capital ships a straight shot at Earth. Master Chief… defend this station!”

“Yes sir!” The Spartan replied. He turned to Johnson, “I need a weapon.”

“Right this way.” Johnson replied.

  • 07.26.2007 8:12 PM PDT
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Hi. My name is Andrew. I'm Asian. Still trying to figure out who I am. Yup. That's it.

Chapter 1 – Cairo Station

Earth Defense Platform/ Cairo/ 10.20.2552 (Human Military Calendar)

“Alert! Borders inbound!” An intercom blared. The Master Chief followed Sergeant Johnson down a flight of stairs. At the bottom, a group of crates were ripped open; their contents revealed. A pair of M6C magnum pistols, several BR55 rifles, and a large amount of sub-machine guns. The Spartan slung a battle rifle over his back and dual-wielded two SMGs.

“How’s it going Malta?” Johnson asked over a comlink as he shouldered a brand new portable turret.

“Standby… they’re latched!” Reported a crewman. “Check your targets, watch the crossfire. They’re in standard formation, little bastards up front big ones in back, good luck Cairo.” The Master Chief aimed his dual wielded SMGs at a blast door, where the seams were being burned away.

“Feel the fire on that bulkhead!” Sergeant Johnson said, “soon as that door opens, let em’ have it!” The humans, who consisted of three Marines, the Master Chief, Johnson, and one other Navy crewman, stood silent. They aimed their weapons at the melting door, it exploded, and Covenant boiled in.

Five grunts, two Elites. The Master Chief thought. Piece of cake. The Spartan sighted the closest Grunt and filled it up with lead. Then, while Johnson was snapping at one Elite with his turret, the Master Chief moved closer, using a computer terminal as cover. One Marine’s chest exploded as bright blue plasma shot through him. The Marine’s battle rifle fire uselessly through the air. The assailant, a red armored Elite, chortled happily and started to shoot its plasma rifle at another Marine.

The Master Chief crouched down, aimed his SMGs at the Elite, and fired. Each SMG had sixty round clips in them. All the bullets either bounced or shattered off the Elite’s shields. But the barrage wasn’t meant to kill. By the time the Elite turned towards the Master Chief, the Spartan had already drawn his BR55 rifle and landed a smattering of rounds through the Elite’s shields and through its armor and through its flesh. The Elite spouted purple blood, took three steps back, and fell. The two surviving Grunts tried to run, but were immediately killed by Johnson.

“Now I really should start counting.” A Marine chirped when suddenly, two Elites came in from an overhanging balcony and shot him. Both dual wielded plasma pistols, and the surviving humans took cover. The Master Chief crouched down and silently made his way towards the Elites. Then, aiming low, the Spartan let loose a flurry of lead. One Elite screamed as its legs disappeared, the other leapt up… only to be shot in midair by Sergeant Johnson.

“Another group is coming in, get ready.” Cortana warned. As to prove her point, five more Grunts and two more Elites filed in. The Master Chief reloaded his SMGs and slung his BR55. Then, after counting to three, he jumped out of his cover and unloaded on the Covenant. All five Grunts fell by the time the Spartan emptied his SMGs, but both Elites opened fire.

Plasma dissipated on the Master Chief’s shields as the Spartan unslung his battle rifle and fired a quartet of three round bursts around one Elite’s head. It fell, but the second Elite kept on shooting and managed to make the Master Chief’s shields overload and fail. But it wasn’t able to fire another shot, because the rest of the humans shredded the Elite with a hail of bullets.

“Move forward everyone!” Johnson yelled as he waved the humans forward. Shouldering his battle rifle, the Master Chief followed and came across another group of Covenant, this time there were two Elites and six Grunts. A female Marine made the first move, and she fired her SMG at the Grunts.

“Wruh?” One Elite growled in surprise as Grunts toppled down from the hail of armor piercing bullets. The other Elite wasn’t as surprised, and plasma fire stuttered from its plasma rifle. The Master Chief saw the plasma head toward the Marine, and he leapt into action.

First, he dove in front of the Marine and plasma dissipated off his shields.

Second, the Spartan returned fire with his battle rifle and an ecstatic amount of lead blasted through the first Elite’s shields and went through its body.

Third, he pointed his weapon at the second Elite, and a frantic exchange of plasma and bullets filled the space between them. The Master Chief’s shields failed first, but the sheer strength and velocity of the battle rifle’s hardened bullets caused the Elite to stagger… right in the sights of a Marine who manned a turret.

The Elite toppled and fell.

“We’ll hold our positions here,” Sergeant Johnson reported as the surviving Marines made sure the Covenant boarders were dead, “You go ahead Chief.” The Spartan nodded, and went up the staircase.

At the top, the Master Chief grabbed some ammo off a dead Marine. He pushed the Marine’s open eyes shut, and went through two more doors. The steel doors slid open and revealed a room overlooking an atrium. A Naval Officer and a Marine bodyguard were being besieged by two full squads of Covenant.

John looked for a way to help them, and saw a turret that was displayed on the overhang. Just what the Spartan needed.

The Master Chief ran to the turret, gently pushed off the dead Marine who manned it, and unleashed a hellish rain of bullets. Eight of the twenty Grunts had fallen by the time the rest of the Covenant realized that they were under heavy fire.

They melted away into the scenery.

The Master Chief waved the turret’s barrel around when plasma shot nailed him square in the back. The Spartan rolled into cover, and fired his BR55 rifle at his assailant. An Elite veteran in shimmering red armor held its plasma rifle single handedly… its other hand had a plasma grenade.

The Master Chief’s blood ran cold as the grenade flew through the air, and he fired his battle rifle in response. A lucky shot hit the grenade and the following explosion sent both the Elite and the Master Chief sprawling to the ground. The Spartan got up first, and he quickly kicked the Elite in the head. Its neck snapped, and the veteran’s hand went limp. The Master Chief helped himself to the Elite’s plasma grenades, went through the door it came from, and another set of stairs was revealed. A quick check on his motion sensors showed two more enemies.

Drawing a plasma grenade, the Master Chief started running down the stairs, saw the Elite and the Grunt, and slapped the grenade on the Elite’s back. The two Covenant were momentarily stunned, but they didn’t have a chance to react because the plasma grenade exploded.

The Master Chief turned through a large door, killed the three Grunts who hid in the hallway to his right, and ran to the other Humans’ positions. The two Humans seemed to wilt with relief… but quickly regained their composure as the surviving Covenant launched their second attack. Plasma fire stuttered, but none found their marks. It wasn’t the same with the Humans.

The Naval Officer held a pistol while the Marine used an SMG. Not a very powerful combo, but they picked off the surviving Grunts with ease. The Master Chief took care of the Elites, and multiple three round bursts knifed through the air. Elites fell, and the Humans moved forward.

A nearby door started to open, and it revealed an Elite and three Grunts. An identical amount of Covenant came through the opposite door. Plasma shot through the air.

“Get down!” The Master Chief shouted as he ducked for cover. Plasma flared across his shields. The other two Humans, however, weren’t as quick to react. The Naval Officer barely squeezed off a shot from his M6C pistol before a plasma charge caught him in the chest. The Marine was caught in the back, and he kneeled forward… dead.

The Master Chief’s shields recharged as he got up, primed his plasma grenades, and threw them all in quick succession. One, two, three… a trio of explosions sounded; Covenant bodies fell. When the Spartan searched the area, he saw one wounded Elite standing in his way. It primed a plasma grenade and charged.

The Master Chief backpedaled and ran as fast as he could. The Elite followed, but the grenade exploded in his hand. Another body fell. The Master Chief had just one more clip for his BR55 rifle, and three magazines for his SMG. It wouldn’t be enough for sustained action, so he traded in his rifle for a plasma rifle, and his SMG for the Naval Officer’s M6C. He also collected four fragmentation grenades and four plasma grenades.

Feeling reasonably well armed, the Spartan continued his defense of the station.
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The Master Chief stood in front of the Covenant boarding craft’s exit, and continued to pour plasma into it. Each time a group of Covenant came, they boiled away under the blue plasma. The Spartan’s plasma rifle overheated, so he primed a grenade and threw it in the hole. Then he drew his M6C and unloaded it into the entrance. More Covenant died, and after a few minutes of suspenseful waiting, the hangar was secured.

  • 08.20.2007 10:19 AM PDT
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The Master Chief’s ammo and grenade supplies were completely empty, so he scrounged the area for ordinance. After he collected a BR55 rifle, some magazines for his pistol, and a complement of grenades, the Spartan prepared to mover out.

“Hey, check it out… the Malta’s already driven off its borders!” A Marine reported.

“Malta, what is your status, over.” Cortana asked over the COM.

An excited Marine replied, “I don’t believe it! They’re retreating, we won!” The Malta exploded one second later.

“This is bad… real bad.” Another Marine said. Behind the group of Humans, a door exploded. The Master Chief crawled under a docked Pelican-class dropship and saw two Elites and five Grunts enter the hangar. He fired methodically, sweeping his rifle across the floor and planting bullets in the enemy’s legs. Then, two Marines chucked a duo of fragmentation grenades at the Covenant. Two explosions appeared a moment later, and dead Covenant littered the area. The Master Chief moved on while the Marines held their positions at the hangar.

The Spartan came up on another hangar and looked around. Two Marines cowered behind some crates while two Grunts manned plasma turrets on a walkway. On the other side of the hangar was a large group of Grunts and Elites. A quick look showed that two of the Elites were white-armored Ultra Elites and one was a gold-armored Zealot.

The Master Chief decided to take on the turrets first, and he shot both Grunts in the head. Then, he primed a trio of fragmentation grenades and threw them at the group of Covenant. All the Grunts fell under the immediate wave of shrapnel that followed the three explosions, and four of the seven Elites died. The three remaining Elites lost their shields, but they stood their ground. All dropped their plasma rifles and drew energy swords.

The Elites charged.

The Master Chief backed up while he fired his BR55 rifle at the oncoming aliens. One Ultra lagged behind, and it was shot in the head. The other Ultra lost a leg as the two Marines converged on it. The Zealot, however, survived the volley of bullets and close in on the Spartan. It lunged forward with the sword, and the Master Chief jumped up, landed behind the Elite, and slammed the butt of his rifle on the alien’s back. The Elite staggered a slight bit, but it spun around and sliced at the Master Chief.

The Spartan took a brunt of the attack on his shields, but he escaped the worst of it by stepping back. He brought his rifle up and fired again, this time the Elite’s shields broke and bullets pounded it. They didn’t stop it, but they sure as hell weakened it. The Master Chief ran towards the Zealot, grabbed its wrist… and snapped it. The energy sword clattered uselessly to the hangar floor as the Spartan elbowed the Elite’s head so hard that it snapped. A gold-armored figure fell to the floor.

“Uh oh, they’re leaving the Athens…” A Marine said. Covenant boarding craft flew from the orbital MAC gun… and the Athens exploded.

“Cortana, assessment.” Lord Hood called over the COM.

“That explosion came from inside the Athens, same as the Malta. The Covenant must have brought something with them… a bomb.” Cortana replied.

“Then they sure as hell brought one here, Chief, find it.”
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The Master Chief sighed gratefully as he entered a door… and the station. Zero gravity combat was always a great challenge, one that usually pushed him to his limits. The Spartan’s shields recharged as he passed over a dead ODST and saw two Marines on patrol. He nodded to them, walked over to where a main lift was, and was immediately attacked by a swarm of Drones. They were flying insect-like aliens who lived in zero-gee environments. They were new to the Covenant caste just like the Brutes, and they also presented a new challenge. UNSC soldiers rarely fought against flying opponents, and the two Marines died in quick succession. The Master Chief brought his rifle up and fired rapid three-round bursts. Drone after Drone fell as the bullets cut through them, and soon the swarm was almost decimated… just before the lift came up and revealed a squad of Covenant Grunts and Elites. It was one against twelve, impossible odds for a regular Human… but not a Spartan.

Cortana reported over the COM, “Sir, borders have breached the fire control center… they have a bomb.”

“Can you diffuse it?” Hood asked.

“Yes, but I’ll need the Chief’s help to make contact with the detonator.”

“Chief, get to the bomb double-time. Cortana, prioritize targets and fire at will.”

Another transmission came over the COM, “First Echelon, you’re with me, blanket those Cruisers; take them out one by one. Second Echelon, keep those Carriers busy.”

“Registering all hostile vessels within the kill zone. Thirteen Cruisers, two Assault Carriers… I’m going live!” Cortana said.

The Master Chief fired his rifle again, and the last Drone fell in midair. The rest of the Covenant opened fire and plasma spattered all over the area. The Master Chief ducked behind a makeshift barrier, drew out two grenades, and threw them over his head. The moment the grenades hit the floor, the Master Chief leapt out of his cover and ran for the lift’s control panel. A light flashed green, and the lift descended.

By then, the grenades had exploded and the enemy squad was reduced to a few Grunts. The Master Chief quickly dispatched them, and waited for the lift to hit the floor. He exited, went through another door, and the air depressurized. Zero gravity, just great.

The COM opened again, “The Carriers are breaking through sir! They’re heading straight for the Cairo.”

“Cortana, concentrate your fire on the first Carrier. Admiral, do what you can to the second.” Hood ordered.

“Everyone, form up! Follow my lead!”

Far away, three Elite Rangers, Elites in special zero gee armor and jetpacks, waited for the Master Chief to come to them. Above them, UNSC and Covenant ships fought. UNSC Longsword fighters had a slight advantage over their Seraph opponents, and small, blue explosions dotted the starry sky. However, UNSC ships had an incredible disadvantage over the Covenant ships, and the Cairo was the only thing that kept them from destroying the fleet. The MAC station fired round after round, and each time a Covenant ship was either crippled or destroyed. The UNSC need the platform… and they needed it badly. The Master Chief wouldn’t let it be destroyed.

The Elites still waited for the Chief to come to them, so he did exactly the opposite. He opened fire.

The BR55 rifle was extremely accurate over short to long distances. It was very much a counterpart to a S2 AM sniper rifle. So three round bursts peppered the three Elites, and all of them fell.

“The first Carrier completely ignored us sir, blew through the Malta’s debris field, and headed straight for Earth.” Cortana informed.

  • 08.20.2007 10:20 AM PDT
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me no likey.

  • 08.20.2007 10:21 AM PDT
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The Master Chief reloaded and ran across the MAC gun’s surface to another door. Two more Ranger Elites came, but the Spartan ignored them. Time was running out.
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“Just so you know; there are quite a few Elites guarding the bomb. You might need to get creative.” Cortana said. The Master Chief took that in mind as the lift slowed its descent and opened to reveal the fire control center. Dead Marines and Elites littered the area, and at the back of the room were four Elites and three Grunts.

The Master Chief threw a grenade and fired in one second.

All three Grunts fell, and one Elite was killed by the grenade. The other Elites opened fire, and plasma and needlers hosed the Master Chief’s position. The Spartan ducked, and sighted a single Marine. The Marine nodded, jumped out from his cover and fired his SMG. He created a distraction, so the Master Chief used it to his full advantage.

The Spartan ran from cover to cover until he reached the Elites’ position. They hadn’t noticed him since they were still shooting at the Marine, so the Master Chief quickly snapped one Elite’s back. The other Elites spun around and shot at the Spartan, but the Master Chief rolled behind cover.

The Marine fired again, but a needle fired from a needler caught him in the chest. The pink crystal exploded and the Marine died. The Master Chief yelled angrily and fired his battle rifle.

One Elite fell, the other charged forward. A frantic melee followed, but the Master Chief snapped the Elite’s neck and tossed the body aside like a rag doll.

“Me, inside your head, now.” Cortana ordered. The bomb started to whine.

The Master Chief placed his hand on a pedestal and he felt Cortana come inside his armor… and his mind. Then the Spartan quickly placed his hand on the bomb. Cortana entered it, and the whining stopped with a small beeping sound.

“How much time was left?” The Master Chief asked.

“You don’t want to know.” Cortana replied.

“Cairo, this is In Amber Clad, the Carrier’s shield is down and I’m in position and ready for immediate assault.” Miranda Keyes reported over the COM.

“Negative Commander, not against a ship that size... not on your own.” Hood replied.

“Sir, permission to leave the station.” The Master Chief asked.

“For what purpose Master Chief?”

“To give the Covenant back their bomb.”

“Permission granted.”

The Master Chief grabbed two of the bomb’s spines and slowly dragged it back to the lift.

“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s crazy.” Cortana said.

“So, stay here.” The Master Chief replied.

“Unfortunately for us both, I like crazy.”

The lift stopped, and the Master Chief dragged the bomb out to a hangar. A large window showed a raging battle outside, and a pair of Longsword interceptors pursued a Seraph fighter. The Master Chief walked to a nearby pillar where the hangar controls rested, hit a button, and grabbed a handle.

“Just one question… what if you miss?” Cortana asked.

“I won’t.”

The hangar door slowly opened and the air inside blasted out. The bomb started to drag out too, and as it flew past, the Chief grabbed on to a spine. They both flew out.
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The Master Chief was free falling through the zero gee and was headed directly towards a Covenant Carrier. The Carrier fired, and an unlucky UNSC Cruiser got hit. Its engines flickered as the Master Chief drifted past, and Cortana ordered two Longswords to punch a hole in the Carrier. They complied, and the two angular craft flew past and fired a flurry of missiles. The Master Chief slowly drifted into the Carrier through the hole.

The Spartan stood on top of the bomb and looked up. He was where the Carrier’s main gun rested… perfect. The Master Chief slowly climbed further on the bomb, placed his palm onto the bomb’s port… and a whining sound started as Cortana returned to the Chief.

The Spartan kicked off… and the bomb exploded behind him. The Carrier started to ripple in blue flames… then it exploded.

The Master Chief drifted towards the UNSC Destroyer, In Amber Clad, and he landed on its hull.

“Chief, get inside, gear up, we’re taking this fight to the surface.” Miranda Keyes ordered.

  • 08.20.2007 10:23 AM PDT
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Chapter 2 – The Arbiter _ Part I

Covenant Holy City/ High Charity
Ninth Age of Reclamation

The ex-Commander of the fleet of Particular Justice woke into consciousness. Actually, consciousness was an overstatement as his vision was blurry and weakness controlled his entire body. The Sangheili barely took in what was happening; two Jiralhanae were dragging him through a cell block and in front of them, Tartarus, the Jiralhanae chieftain led the way.

“How much further must we heft this baggage? Any cell will do.” One of the Jiralhanae grunted, “Why not toss him in with this lot?” They walked past a cell that was filled with insane Kig-yar. They screeched like a malfunctioned Banshee. “They could use the meat.”

“Them? What about us?! My belly aches… and his flesh is seared just the way I like it.” The second Jiralhanae replied.

Tartarus cut in sharply, “Quiet! You two whimper like Unggoy fresh off the teat. He’s not meant for the jails. The Hierarchs have something, special, in mind.” The four Covenant slowed to a halt as they stood upon a platform that looked over a long, parallel line of Honor Guards.

The Platform started to descend, and they walked through the Sangheili guards. The ex-Commander’s brethren snorted impassively at his limp figure… and at the Jiralhanae. Tartarus ignored them, and continued to lead the way to a door. The door hummed and slid open. It revealed the Prophets Truth and Mercy who waited patiently.

“Noble Prophets Truth and Mercy,” Tartarus announced as he bowed respectfully, “I have brought the incompetent.”

Truth waved a hand dismissively, “You may leave Tartarus.”

Tartarus looked up, surprise flickered in his brutish face, “But I thought-“

“And take your Jiralhanae with you.”

Tartarus hesitated, but bowed and whispered to the two Jiralhanae, “Release the prisoner.” The two Jiralhanae deftly dropped the Sangheili to his knees and left. Control over his body returned, and the ex-Commander touched the brand on his chest… the Mark of Shame.

“The Council decided to have you hung by your entrails and your corpse paraded through the city. But, ultimately, the terms of your execution are up to me.” Truth said.

The ex-Commander bowed his head, “I am already dead.”

Truth watched the Sangheili, “Indeed, do you know where we are?”

The ex-Commander hadn’t paid much, if any, attention to the room, and he looked around, “The Mausoleum, of the Arbiter.”

“Quite so. Here rests the vanguard of the Great Journey. Every Arbiter, from first to last. Each one created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis.” Truth replied.

Mercy spoke for the first time in the conversation, “The Taming of the Lekgolo, the Unggoy Rebellion.... Were it not for the Arbiters the Covenant would have broken long ago!”

“Even on my knees, I do not belong in their presence.” The Sangheili replied.

“Halo's destruction was your error, and you rightly bear the blame. But the Council was... overzealous. We know you are no heretic. This is the true face of heresy, one who would subvert our faith and incite rebellion against the High Council.” Truth said as he tapped one of the armrests on his throne.

A miniature hologram of a Sangheili warrior in strange, foreign armor appeared, “Our Prophets are false! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our Forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is-“

Truth tapped the armrest again. “This Heretic, and those who follow him, must be silenced.”

“Their slander offends all who walk the path.” Mercy agreed.

The ex-Commander looked down, “What use am I? I can no longer command ships, lead troops into battle….”

“Not as you are, but become the Arbiter… and you shall be set loose against this heresy with our blessing.” As if on cue, a large container pod slid down and opened… revealing a suit of ceremonial armor… the armor of the Arbiter.

The ex-Commander stared at the armor for a unit, and then turned to Truth, “What of the Council?”

“The tasks you must undertake as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will die, as each Arbiter has before you. The Council will have their corpse.” Mercy answered.

The Sangheili rose, and walked towards the pod. He stared at the armor, and then looked at all the containers stored in the walls. The corpses of hundreds of Arbiters laid in them.

The Sangheili grabbed the armor’s helmet and fitted it on his head, “What will you have your Arbiter do?”
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En Route to Basis/ Halo Ruins
Ninth Age of Reclamation

Three Phantom dropships flew from High Charity and its orbiting fleet. The remains of Halo floated in the vacuum, lifeless, dead. The dropships turned to a planet, Basis.

“When we joined the Covenant, we took an oath!” The Special Operations Commander shouted as he stood in his spotless white armor. He strode through three rows, two rows stood Sangheili and the Arbiter, and one row stood Unggoy.

“According to our station! All without exception!” The Sangheili chanted.

“On the blood of our fathers, on the blood of our sons, we swore to uphold the Covenant!” The Commander shouted again.

“Even to our dying breath!”

“Those who would break this oath are heretics, worthy of neither pity, nor mercy! Even now they use our lords' creations to broadcast their lies!”

“We shall grind them to dust!” The Sangheili roared.

“And continue our march to glorious salvation!”

The Arbiter nodded though he didn’t take part in the ceremonies. He had his arms crossed as he leaned on the wall inside the Phantom. The Commander approached him.

“That armor suits you, but it cannot hide that mark.” The Commander stated. The Arbiter knew the Commander, a veteran of many battles. Even the mandibles on the left side of his face had been blown off.

“Nothing ever will.” The Arbiter replied.

The Commander motioned towards his Spec. Ops. Soldiers, “You are the Arbiter, the will of the Prophets. But these are my Elites. Their lives matter to me. Yours does not.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Hm.” The Commander nodded respectfully.

A transmission from one of the Phantom pilots winked on, “Leader, there is no doubt: the storm will strike the facility!”

“We’ll be long gone before it arrives.” The Commander replied. The Phantoms started a sharp descent, flying under an ancient Forerunner gas mine and towards another structure dangling below it on a large cable.

The three Phantoms came to a stop over a large platform, and a group of Unggoy and Sangheili exited. The rest stayed behind in the Phantoms as reinforcements.

“Warriors! Prepare for combat!” The Commander announced.

The Arbiter floated down the gravity lift and ignited his energy sword. He looked at the ceremonious blade, and then began the mission.

  • 08.20.2007 10:23 AM PDT
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Chapter 2 – The Arbiter _ Part II – “A whisper in the storm…”

The Arbiter started towards a ramp as the Commander said over the communications channel, “We are the arm of the prophets, Arbiter, and you are the blade. Be silent and swift, and we shall quell this heresy without incident.”

The Arbiter descended the ramp, followed two escort Sangheili, and met up with the others. In total, there were four Sangheili and two Unggoy. A Sangheili warrior stooped near a control panel and keyed in a few codes.

“The storm has masked our approach, and has their local battlenet in disarray. We have the element of surprise... For now."

The door opened, and two Sangheili and the Unggoy filed in. The other two Sangheili stood back, holding their positions at the landing zone.

The Arbiter followed, and the door automatically closed behind him. He held his energy sword at ready. The room started to pressurize, and air hissed in.

A Spec. Op. Sangheili who carried a Covenant beam rifle said, “Engage active camouflage! Reveal yourselves only after the Arbiter has joined battle with the enemy!” The team of Covenant slowly faded out of view as their cloaking devices kicked in.

“You may wish to do the same, Arbiter,” The Commander said, “but take heed, your armor system is not as… new, as ours. Your camouflage will not last forever.”

The opposite door slid open, and the team slowly snuck in. The Arbiter activated his camouflage, and though it only lasted three units, he ran silently behind a box-like structure. Two Heretic Sangheili stood next to each other and talked quietly.

“Any word on our missing brothers?” The first one asked.

“Still nothing. Given what we have learned, I fear they are lost.” The second grunted.

“Maybe the Oracle will protect us….”

“Perhaps. But his Sentinels are too few. Better we protect ourselves!” The two Heretics nodded and continued their patrol… until the Arbiter lunged out of his cover and struck both Heretics down in two mighty blows with his energy sword. The bodies dropped, no return fire was sent. Four sleeping Heretic Unggoy twitched, but they didn’t wake up.

The Arbiter switched his energy sword off and drew his plasma rifle. He slammed the weapon on each Unggoy’s head, killing them, and putting them out of action. The Covenant ascended two more ramps and ended up on a ledge that overlooked a wide open space. There were three gravity belts that transported crates of gas into unknown locations, and eight parallel obstacles, or barriers, filled the space between them. Heretics could be behind many of them, so the Arbiter decided to kill them one at a time.

There were two patrolling Unggoy, though a quick look showed that two more patrolled the section behind them. And over one of the barriers, the ceremonious ‘spines’ that were affixed to the Heretic Sangheili armor poked out. There were two Sangheili and four Unggoy on guard, though no doubt sleeping Unggoy hid behind each of the obstacles. The Arbiter activated his active camouflage and jumped into the area below.

In two swift bounds, the Arbiter smacked the back of two Heretic Unggoys’ heads, killing them, and the Sangheili hid behind a barrier to let his cloaking device recharge. When they did, he leapt out of cover and killed the other two Unggoy patrollers. He repeated the act for most of the sleeping Unggoy, and then he came down to the Sangheili Heretics. They were engaged in conversation, but if the Arbiter killed one the other would surely raise an alarm. The result would be a chaotic firefight that could result in the loss of his team’s lives.

Nonetheless, there was no way he could kill them both without raising an alarm. The Arbiter leapt over the barrier and dropped two grenades on both Heretics. Without waiting for the grenades to explode, he leapt down the following ledge and killed a Heretic Sangheili patrolling there.

His partner, surprised, fired his Covenant carbine into the air and awoke the sleeping Heretic Unggoys. While most of them had been killed in their sleep, a fair amount still survived. The team’s Unggoys quickly fell under a tidal wave of pink, crystal shards that were fired from needlers.

“Die traitors!” A Spec. Op. Sangheili growled as he fired his beam rifle. A quick succession of three beams knifed through the air and killed a trio of Heretic Unggoy. The Sangheili turned his beam rifle to the side and shot at a Heretic Sangheili… before four Unggoy fired a flurry of glassy needles. The needles grouped up on the Sangheili warrior… and exploded. The Arbiter ducked as the shredded remains of the warrior tumbled over him.

Only one Sangheili soldier remained, and he took cover as his shields failed. The Arbiter held his sword at ready, and then lunged at a Heretic Sangheili. The Heretic took a step back and successfully avoided the worst of the blow, but the Arbiter was greatly skilled with the weapon.

The Sangheili put most of his weight on his hind leg and allowed his forward momentum to come to a stop. Then, as the Heretic fired his carbine in wild pot shots, the Arbiter spun on his hind leg in a three-sixty. The Heretic’s shields had been greatly drained from the first attack, so the sword cut through the fragile barrier as well as the Heretic’s flesh like a katana on butter.

Behind the Arbiter, the five surviving Heretic Unggoy came out and fired an enthusiastic counter attack. The Arbiter lunged out of the way of the wave of glassy needles and hid behind a barrier. Then, as if turned off by a switch, the firing stopped. The Arbiter cautiously poked his head out and saw the remaining Spec. Op. Sangheili standing over the dead Unggoy. His shields had failed, and his body was drenched in blue blood. But at his feet were five dead corpses.

The two Covenant continued their way through the station.

They descended a ramp that hung next to a seemingly bottomless pit, and continued on to the next room.

It was smaller than the area before, but a formidable force awaited them: six Heretic Unggoy and one Heretic Sangheili. They guarded a lift that would take the Covenant infiltrators deeper into the station.

The Arbiter acted quickly, and he activated his cloaking device. Then the Sangheili ran past the preliminary four Unggoy, dropped a plasma grenade in his wake, and continued towards the Heretic Sangheili. At that very moment, his cloaking wore off and he materialized just in front of the Heretic. The enemy was still stunned from the grenade, so the Arbiter easily sunk his energy sword deep into the Heretic’s body.

Meanwhile, the Spec. Op. Sangheili finished off the remaining Unggoy.

The two Sangheili entered the lift and it started to descend… revealing a large hangar. The hangar was filled with Heretics, gravity belts, and in the middle was a Seraph fighter. But strangely, floating machines also came into view.

“Sentinels, the holy warriors of the Sacred Rings. Why have they sided with these heretics?” The Sangheili inquired.

The Arbiter activated his cloaking device and took cover. None of the Heretics or the Sentinels opened fire… until a transmission blasted through the COM.

“Arbiter, clear the hangar and open this door, so I may drop the second lance!” A voice said. Far away, on the other side of the hangar, was a control panel for the hangar doors. Behind the Arbiter, the Spec. Op. Sangheili nodded, understanding. He would try to take down as many Heretics and Sentinels as he could while the Arbiter would make his way to the control panel. The Arbiter put away his energy sword and took out his plasma rifle. Then he ran; plasma and lasers trailing behind him.

The Covenant Sangheili fired his plasma rifle nonstop, taking down several groups of Heretic Sangheili, Unggoy, and Sentinels. Two Heretic Sangheili snuck up on the Covenant Sangheili. A brutal melee occurred, yet the Spec. Op. Sangheili still stood.

Finally, a new flock of Sentinels appeared and jets of laser shot out. The Spec. Op. Sangheili died quickly.

The hangar doors opened, and the sudden movement sent Heretic Unggoy and dead bodies flying out of the hangar while a Phantom dropship moved in. Its plasma cannons flashed, and the Heretic resistance in the hangar melted away as a Covenant Sangheili and two Unggoy dropped out. They assisted the Phantom in destroying any resistance.

A door in the lower level of the hangar flashed white, opened, and two Heretic Unggoy filed out. Both set up plasma cannons and fired.

The two Covenant Unggoy fired back, and all four Unggoy died in the short crossfire.

Three more Heretic Sangheili came through, but they were smart and took cover as the Arbiter, the other Sangheili, and the Phantom fired a tidal wave of plasma. The Arbiter told the Phantom’s pilot to move out.

Seeing that the major threat had retreated, the three Heretics emerged from their cover and fired. The Spec. Op. Sangheili fired his beam rifle repeatedly, and two of the Heretics died. The last roared angrily and drew his energy sword.

The Arbiter charged forwards and their swords clashed, though the Arbiter had a quick advantage. The Heretic used the sword clumsily, afraid that he would injure himself with his own weapon. The Arbiter pushed the sword forward, and the Heretic’s own sword cut through his own shields and flesh. The body dropped.

  • 08.20.2007 10:24 AM PDT
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From the hangar, the Arbiter had made his way through the station, literally cutting through the stiff opposition that presented him. Reinforcements came and went, until finally the Arbiter made it to another room that viewed the entire station. In front, through the window, the Heretic Leader appeared.

“Deal with him my brothers! I will defend the Oracle.” The Heretic said. The Sangheili then entered a Banshee scout vehicle and flew away.

“This truth must not be silenced!” A Heretic Sangheili agreed. A door opened, and a total of five Heretics filed out. Above, three Sentinels floated down. Very stiff opposition indeed.

The Arbiter started by throwing multiple plasma grenades at the Heretics. While the ground forces were busy avoiding the grenades, the Arbiter fired his plasma rifle at the Sentinels. The three floating constructs exploded in quick succession, and the Arbiter turned to the surviving Heretics… only a single Unggoy was left. The Arbiter shot the cowering creature in the head and headed outside.

The COM blared, and the Commander’s voice came through, “The Heretics are mobilizing their air forces, Arbiter. Get after their leader but watch your back! I’m sending one of our Phantoms in to support you.”

The Arbiter hopped into a Banshee and rushed to meet the enemy forces ahead.
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“We’ve tracked the Heretic Leader to this part of the station. Clear that landing platform, and get inside.” The Commander said. The Arbiter sighted a squad of Unggoy, four of them manning turrets, the rest shouldering fuel rod cannons. A seemingly unavoidable wall of fuel rod comets flew at the Arbiter and his Banshee, and the Arbiter quickly pitched the vehicle in a sharp descent. The comets flew overhead, and the Arbiter flew upwards, gunned the plasma cannons, and fired the fuel rod bomb.

The Heretic Unggoy all fell, absorbed into the wave of destruction. The Arbiter landed the Banshee, bounced twice, and exited.

The escort Phantom flew overhead and deposited a formidable amount of Covenant soldiers… with them was the white-armored Commander. He nodded at the Arbiter, activated his energy sword, and opened the door that the Heretic Leader had fled through.

The small group of Heretics defenders inside were hacked to pieces by the combined force of the Commander, the Arbiter, and the other Spec. Op. soldiers.

A Sangheili who dual-wielded plasma rifles led the way, and the Commander suddenly paused and sniffed the air.

“What is it?” The Arbiter asked.

“That stench… I’ve smelled it before.” The Commander grimly replied.

“Flood….” The Arbiter murmured.
_____________________________________________________________ _________________________
Chapter 3 – Outskirts _ Part I

“The message just repeats. ‘Regret, Regret, Regret.’” Cortana said. The Master Chief was on one of three Pelican dropships flying over a murky ocean to the city of New Mombassa. Ahead loomed the New Mombassa space tether that stood kilometers high over the city and through the hazy clouds. It was a symbol of Humanity’s modernization.

Just kilometers from it, a Covenant Carrier floated. It looked like a bloated fish that hung in the polluted sky. The Chief could barely see a string of dropships and Banshee fliers entering the city, and another string of Seraph fighters joining the battle in outer space.

“Catchy, any idea what it means?” Miranda Keyes answered from her destroyed, In Amber Clad.

Sergeant Johnson piped up, “Dear Humanity, we regret being alien bastards. We regret coming to Earth. And we most definitely regret that the Corps just blew up our raggedy ass fleet!”

The pilot and the co-pilot of the dropship cheered in unison, “Hoo-rah!”

Cortana replied mildly, “Regret is a name sergeant. The name of one of the Covenant’s religious leaders; a Prophet. He’s on that carrier and he’s calling for help.”

The Pelicans had entered the city now, and they flew over a caravan that consisted of fifty, fully-manned Warthogs. That, and the garrison of Marines stationed in New Mombassa, as well as the platoon that was being shipped in from In Amber Clad, was all the forces in the city.

“Immediate, grid kilo two-three is hot… recommend mission abort.” A spotter reported.

“Roger recon… it’s your call Sarge.” The pilot said.

Johnson considered for a moment, and then said with set determination, “We’re going in.” The Human turned to the Marines in the Pelican’s bay, “Get tactical Marines!”

The Marines readied their rifles as a transmission from Lord Hood came through, “Master Chief, get aboard that carrier, and secure the Prophet of Regret. This is the only place on Earth the Covenant decided to land. That Prophet is going to tell us why.”

“Thirty second out, stand by to… whoa.”

The Master Chief looked through the Pelican’s cockpit and sighted a massive, walking tank turn a corner to face them. It had four legs and a platform on top. Its main gun made a MBT Scorpion tank’s cannon look like a peashooter. The same could be said with its secondary cannons. It opened fire.

A beam of emerald plasma erupted from its main cannon and burnt through the cockpit of the Master Chief’s Pelican. Johnson jumped into the dropship’s bay and narrowly escaped death… the two pilots weren’t as lucky.

Meanwhile, the Covenant tank’s secondary cannon let loose a hellish shower of plasma, hit the second Pelican head-on, and stopped as the dropship plummeted out of sight.

The last Pelican escaped, though the platform’s back turret sent a few potshots after it.

The Master Chief barely took all that in before the Pelican lurched, plummeted, and finally smashed through a building.
_____________________________________________________________ _________________________________
Once again, this was made and is owned by Bungie and Microsoft! *grumbles*

[Edited on 08.20.2007 10:26 AM PDT]

  • 08.20.2007 10:24 AM PDT