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  • Subject: Halo Fanfic: The End of a War
Subject: Halo Fanfic: The End of a War
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~I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me~

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Thanks, Mr.Clark, that makes more sense...

  • 02.15.2005 11:23 AM PDT
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Status Update:

Chapter 9 has, for the most part been completed. I'll be posting it early tomorrow morning, along with the long list of PM's. Remember, if you want one, just PM me or write a comment in the thread here, with a positive note to it. If you already got one the last chapter, no need to reiterate, you'll be getting one. Those that have PM'd me and posted in here since then, I've already added you to the list, so you don't need to ask again. Oh, and here's the title of Chapter 9 as just a little teaser for you guys.

[color=red] Old Friends, New Friends, and a Little Something to Get you Guys Off My Back [/color]

Stew over that till tomorrow

  • 02.15.2005 1:17 PM PDT

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Posted by: Limited Edition
Very interesting. Hmmmm....Could it be possible that Regret did find the ark along with the coordinates to instillation 05. Without the Halos being set for remote activation the ark was useless. The ark, according to Guilty Spark, could only activate the halos once the Halos had been set for remote activation. This could only be done by inserting and removing the index. Maybe that's why Truth left for Earth after the index was removed.

Also, I'm trying to remember where Regret said that he did not expect to find humans. I can't recall that off the top of my head. I do remember Cortana saying something to the effect that it appeared he did not expect to find them there.

Thanks, LE


Yeah, LE, that was the point I was getting at. I couldn't remember Cortana's words exactly.
As for the Ark on Earth, but being useless... Very true. They may have found it and left if knowing that it had or served no purpose. But I don't think they new that yet, they only new of the new Halo. I say this cause the Heretic Leader had possesion of 343 (The Oracle) and so perhaps they had yet to learn of the Ark, and it's purpose, until after the Arbitor had returned. However, we don't know much about how much of the Forerunner technology the Prophets had uncovered. So perhaps they new more then we are lead to believe. After all, Tartarus didn't seem to really care about 343.
A very good point, about Truth. But what confuses me a little is that Truth and Mercy were leaving High Charity before the Index was removed, and Halo Missfired.
.... Oh, Sorry Mr_Clark, not trying to clutter up the thread, but this is all related to the progress of your story...

I mean, that really is starting to confuse me now. A few reasons for them leaving High Charity early are: the flood had found their way onto High Charity. And I'm also sure they new that the Chief killed Regret... hence their reason for removing the Elites as Royal Guards. So when they found out the chief was onboard High Charity, they probably didn't want to risk being next on his list, and got the hell-out-of-dodge. But this all happened before Tartarus failed, and the index removed. Hmmm... who really knows. I have a lot of ideas, but nothing that seems to connect.

Can anyone remember what Mercy said to the chief before he died?
Sorry for going off on a Tangent {for lack of a better word}. LOL

Right Marines?
"OOHRAH, what the hell are we talking about?"
... just kill and shut-up, marine.

  • 02.15.2005 2:02 PM PDT
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Master Chief: Your pal, where's he going?

Mercy: Earth, to finish what was started. And this time, none of you will be left.

It would appear the Prophet of Truth didn't know that the Ark was on Earth, unless Regret found it when he first attacked and the Forerunner ship aboard High Charity was needed to enter the structure. So instead of waiting around, he finds the coordinates for Installation 05 and jets off, and calls for backup. But if he indeed did find the Ark, I doubt Truth and Mercy would have wanted to kill Regret.

  • 02.15.2005 2:17 PM PDT

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Hmmmm... so with the arrival of 343 (the Oracle), Truth and Mercy began to understand things more clearly. Thus leaving High Charity a lot sooner, as oppossed to waiting for Tartarus.

Mercy's last words...

Mercy: Earth, to finish what was started. And this time, none of you will be left.


At this point, there was no guarantee if Tartarus would be successful, however, Truth left for Earth anyway. What is the Ark? Sounds like more then just a big power switch. The rabbit hole is getting deeper. I can't wait to see where you take this.
Oh, and I going to link your story to my website, Mr_Clark. Can't wait for more.


Right Marines?
"OOHRAH, Reading if fundamental!"

  • 02.15.2005 2:43 PM PDT
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Posted by: Mr_Clark
Master Chief: Your pal, where's he going?

Mercy: Earth, to finish what was started. And this time, none of you will be left.

It would appear the Prophet of Truth didn't know that the Ark was on Earth, unless Regret found it when he first attacked and the Forerunner ship aboard High Charity was needed to enter the structure. So instead of waiting around, he finds the coordinates for Installation 05 and jets off, and calls for backup. But if he indeed did find the Ark, I doubt Truth and Mercy would have wanted to kill Regret.



Truth may not have known that the ark was on Earth, assuming that it is, until Tarterus (sp?) returned with Guilty Spark. It's possible that Regret may have not know what all he found when he reached Earth. I was also unaware that Truth and Mercy wanted Regret dead.
Maybe they knew the moment Regret died and in an effort to kill the demon they torched the place.? It's also very possible that I'm missing something in the story line as well.

Not trying to change the direction of discourse, but why did Mercy say, "And this time none of you will be left." That would imply that some were left the last time.?

Mr_Clark - Looking forward to reading the next chapter. Thanks, LE

  • 02.15.2005 2:56 PM PDT
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Posted by: soulguard
Posted by: Limited Edition
Very interesting. Hmmmm....Could it be possible that Regret did find the ark along with the coordinates to instillation 05. Without the Halos being set for remote activation the ark was useless. The ark, according to Guilty Spark, could only activate the halos once the Halos had been set for remote activation. This could only be done by inserting and removing the index. Maybe that's why Truth left for Earth after the index was removed.

Also, I'm trying to remember where Regret said that he did not expect to find humans. I can't recall that off the top of my head. I do remember Cortana saying something to the effect that it appeared he did not expect to find them there.

Thanks, LE


Yeah, LE, that was the point I was getting at. I couldn't remember Cortana's words exactly.
As for the Ark on Earth, but being useless... Very true. They may have found it and left if knowing that it had or served no purpose. But I don't think they new that yet, they only new of the new Halo. I say this cause the Heretic Leader had possesion of 343 (The Oracle) and so perhaps they had yet to learn of the Ark, and it's purpose, until after the Arbitor had returned. However, we don't know much about how much of the Forerunner technology the Prophets had uncovered. So perhaps they new more then we are lead to believe. After all, Tartarus didn't seem to really care about 343.
A very good point, about Truth. But what confuses me a little is that Truth and Mercy were leaving High Charity before the Index was removed, and Halo Missfired.
.... Oh, Sorry Mr_Clark, not trying to clutter up the thread, but this is all related to the progress of your story...

I mean, that really is starting to confuse me now. A few reasons for them leaving High Charity early are: the flood had found their way onto High Charity. And I'm also sure they new that the Chief killed Regret... hence their reason for removing the Elites as Royal Guards. So when they found out the chief was onboard High Charity, they probably didn't want to risk being next on his list, and got the hell-out-of-dodge. But this all happened before Tartarus failed, and the index removed. Hmmm... who really knows. I have a lot of ideas, but nothing that seems to connect.

Can anyone remember what Mercy said to the chief before he died?
Sorry for going off on a Tangent {for lack of a better word}. LOL

Right Marines?
"OOHRAH, what the hell are we talking about?"
... just kill and shut-up, marine.


Sorry Soulguard, I just now saw your post. I believe that the prophets have planned to remove the elites even before Regrets death. That was just the catalyst that allowed them to move forward with their plan. I haven't really thought about the fact that Truth left before Tartarus failed though. That is intriguing and like you I can't seem to connect all the dots. But it would seem that Truth has a lot more up his sleeve. But what? Then again, if that's the case, then why would he risk Tartarus being sucessful? Oh well.

Thanks, LE

  • 02.15.2005 3:26 PM PDT

I share pies.

Hey so clark are you PM-ING the chapter to those who ask?
if so do it to me please
.....as i said before
Damn son,
Take some of the skills you have to a publisher
___________________________________________________

lock on
*lunges*
arrrg!!!!!!
*falls off lift to library*...............er.....very very dead arbiter
lesson is not to kill friendly flood
[color=red] kis = keep it simple (use rocket launcher) [/color]

  • 02.15.2005 3:37 PM PDT
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This is prob my first post (I really can't remember). Anyway, just wanted to say that your writing is exceptional. I'm looking forward to Chapter 9 tomorrow! (That PM thing would be great, if you can. Cheers).

  • 02.15.2005 4:06 PM PDT
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Yes, I'll be PM'ing everyone that wants me too.

Also, I think what Mercy meant when he said "And this time, none of you will be left." is referring to how Regret attacked Earth, but mankind kicked his wrinkled withered old ass. So maybe what Truth was trying to do was use the Forerunner ship to finish off the rest of the Earth's defenses.

  • 02.15.2005 5:21 PM PDT
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~I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me~

CEC
╣Fire of Tru7h╠
The Campers

מִכְמַן

How do I know if you PM me?...LOL

  • 02.15.2005 7:14 PM PDT
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When I PM you tomorrow, just log in, and on the top bar thing there'll be a litte envelope, just click on it and follow the directions I put inside. Though since I have a long list of PM's to send out, I've enlisted the help of Konoka_chan, who will help me send them out, so if you get one from her tomorrow morning it'll be the exact same as what I'm sending people.

  • 02.15.2005 7:25 PM PDT
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I created a passport and all that just to say this

YOUR STORY ROCKS!!!!!!!! keep it up :)

  • 02.15.2005 7:41 PM PDT
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i just finished reading all the chapter right now and your story is one of the best fanfics ive read and its way better than sir brilliants. I know you have a long list to send out pm so you dont ned to send me one i check daily

  • 02.15.2005 11:09 PM PDT
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I am eagerly awaiting Chapter 9 Mr. Clark. Its nice to see you have the ability to update your story in an orderly fashion, much unlike the other writers.

Also, I'm glad you like to create speculation on many of the different ideas floating around about different plots for Halo 3, it shows you like to keep an open mind, and also that your not so arrogant to believe your story is how the game and the eventual other novels will play out.

  • 02.16.2005 1:14 AM PDT
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~I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me~

CEC
╣Fire of Tru7h╠
The Campers

מִכְמַן

As you can see, I have not been a member for very long.
I don't know much about anything. Sorry for all my questions, and thanks for answering them. Can't wait to read the next chapter Mr_Clark!!!

  • 02.16.2005 9:41 AM PDT
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*sigh* more waiting till 10:00 Bungie time.....tick tick tick tick

  • 02.16.2005 9:46 AM PDT

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I hear ya, TheGreatestSage. I can't belive I'm sitting in the thread... wiating. This is wild.. but yet... it feels ... nice.
*sits at office desk and waits, ignoring co-workers, and the mountains of paperwork on my desk*

I need a do not disturb sign on my office door for about the next 30 minutes. LOL

Right Marines?
"OOHRAH, you have no life, Sir!"
Stow that chatter, Marines!

  • 02.16.2005 9:51 AM PDT
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Here it is. The PM's have been sent and now its time to get the story out. Enjoy.

The End of a War

Chapter 9

Old Friends, New Friends, and a Little Something to get you Guys off my Back

These damn security measures get more annoying every time I have to come back here.

Colonel Ackerson waited impatiently as his handprint was scanned, acknowledging that it was actually him trying to enter the War Room in Section III’s underground network of bunkers. While traversing several kilometers below the Earth’s surface was necessary to reach the heart of the ONI compound, he still found it aggravating each instance it was necessary, and since the Covenant appearance in the system, he had almost been living there.

“You may proceed sir,” the impeccably uniformed Marine announced once the verification was complete. Grumbling to himself Ackerson walked through the doors and down the corridor that would lead him to his destination.

The particular meeting he was heading to had been called by Fleet Admiral Cortez, and Ackerson had it on good intel that it had something to do with the backing off of the Covenant fleet. The emergence of the unidentified ship in the middle of the battle had thrown ONI for a loop, struggling desperately to gain whatever information there was on the object. Admiral Hood, who was still on the Cairo Station, had alerted command that the ship was of Forerunner origin. While information on the Forerunners had been extremely limited at the start of the Covenant War, ever since Dr. Halsey’s freaks and her A.I had returned they soon had more information than they could analyze.

The Colonel was still fuming about the survival of the remaining Spartans, especially since he had finally gotten some more funding for his Special Warfare project when it had been announced earlier that all of them had perished along with the fall of Reach. Their return had meant he was put on the backburner once again, while the Spartans basked in the limelight.

“Colonel Ackerson, glad you could make it.”

The other members had already arrived, and Ackerson knew a thinly veiled reproach lay behind that greeting, but he would be damned if he’d let them think he detected it.

“When the Admiral beckons, I shall come,” he responded with fake humility. Struggling vainly to keep the frown from his face, Ackerson found his seat and waited for the meeting to start.

Admiral Cortez spoke first from his seat at the head of the room.

“At precisely 1348 hours, the previously unidentifiable Forerunner ship entered the system from Slip Space. Admiral Hood received a transmission over a private com from Spartan -117. The ship was controlled by the Covenant, and the Master Chief intended to retake it.”

There were a series of murmurs from around the table, and Admiral Cortez waited until they had died down before continuing.

“Admiral Hood was able to get Spartan -117 to give him a short briefing on what transpired after In Amber Clad followed the Covenant flagship into Slip Space. After exiting Slip Space, the crew aboard the frigate found themselves in another system entirely, where another Halo was discovered.”

There were no murmurs this time around, and Colonel Ackerson attributed that to the majority of them being too stupefied to speak.

“Spartan -117 landed on the ring, and followed one of the Covenant Hierarchs; the Prophet of Regret was its name. He assassinated the Prophet and then was captured by…” the Admiral paused slightly, as if struggling to comprehend what he was about to say. “By some kind of creature that was apparently the leader of the Flood. Shortly thereafter the Master Chief was transported aboard a Covenant city, one that had entered the system before the death of the Prophet of Regret.”

Colonel Ackerson sat forward in his chair and spoke. “So the Spartan was captured by the leader of the Flood, yet somehow survived? Did he kill it?”

“It would seem that he was instead sent to the Covenant city on a mission from the Flood leader,” Admiral Cortez explained, then quickly continued. “The Covenant were intending to activate Halo, it seems that they believe it has some kind of religious significance. I would presume that the Flood leader did not wish for such an event to occur, and sent the Master Chief to stop the Covenant.”

“At this time, Commander Keyes and the troops under her command attempted to retrieve the index that is necessary in activating the installation, but they were captured by the Covenant. It is not known at this time whether they are still alive. Spartan -117 discovered that the Prophet of Truth, was planning on taking the Forerunner ship and bringing it to Earth, and boarded the ship to stop him. Cortana was left behind in case the Halo installation was somehow activated. If that occurred, she would destroy both the Covenant city and Halo.”

The room was silent, as the occupants mulled over that bit of information. Colonel Ackerson had been aware of this before heading to the meeting. One of his agents aboard Cairo station had furnished him with the news earlier.

Admiral Cortez cleared his throat to get the room’s attention once more.

“Spartan -117 somehow caused an explosion of sufficient force aboard the Forerunner ship to disrupt communications from all stations for a period of five minutes. He was subsequently thrown off the ship before it disappeared, most likely into Slip Space. Admiral Hood has informed me that once the ship disappeared, the Covenant fleet backed off, and he has sent the Master Chief to finish them off.”

Colonel Ackerson nearly felt a smile light up his face with that bit of news. By the last reports, there was still a large number of the Covenant fleet still functional. Sending one Spartan after them was a suicide mission.

“I received some good news just before arriving here,” Admiral Cortez announced, directing attention once more to himself. “Spartans -104, -058, and -043 have all returned from surgery. Their status is critical still, but no longer life-threatening.”

Goddamnit! Why can’t those bastards just die!? First they survive the glassing of Reach, then they survive being onboard the Athens and the Malta when the Covenant blew them up.

“Unfortunately it will be quite some time before they’ll be up and walking, let alone ready for battle,” Admiral Cortez continued, turning towards Ackerson. “I guess that means we’ll be needing to get a good look at your weapons program, Colonel.”

Shaking himself from his angry thoughts, Ackerson plastered an impassive look onto his face.

“Yes sir, the newly designed MAC guns are ready for deployment. The plasma upgrades that we improved upon from the Covenant ships are more than we could have hoped for,” Ackerson said, trying his best to keep the boastfulness from his voice.

“That’s good to hear,” Cortez acknowledged. “Were the improvements Cortana delivered implemented as well? General Strauss was quite interested in her description of their performance against the Covenant ships.”

“Of course sir, I made sure they were added personally,” Colonel Ackerson ground out through a clenched jaw. He kept his temper in check however; it would not do to lose control here.

With the three other Spartans out of commission for a while, and Spartan -117 heading towards certain death against the Covenant fleet, he would finally be recognized along with his achievements.

Things were finally starting to go his way.

-----------------------------------

“Where the hell are we?” Jan asked, searching her ammo belt for another magazine. The fighting had been intense, and she was running desperately low on ammunition.

“This appears to be some kind of communications relay station,” the Master Chief said, slinging his rifle and walking to an access panel. Jan watched as he began accessing the system.

The Covenant aboard the ship had been tenacious in trying to overwhelm them. The disarray among the Covenant fleet had been the only factor in keeping them alive.

Well, that and him, Jan thought as she stared at the Master Chief. He’s like a God during battle. Nothing phases him; he keeps his cool even when we’re a few seconds away from having a volley of plasma vaporize us.

Jan had been under the impression that while the Spartans were excellent soldiers, they were certainly not the behemoths that ONI public relations liked to describe them. Seeing the Master Chief in battle however, had quickly destroyed that thought. That the Spartans had somehow nearly been completely wiped out seemed unfathomable to her.

“It looks like the Covenant has finally figured out were aboard,” the Spartan announced from the communications station. Jan moved to stand beside him as he gazed intently at the controls.

“You can understand their language?” she inquired, unconsciously stepping closer as she peered at the doors behind them. The last group of Drones they had encountered had been torn apart rather viciously by the Spartan, and she suspected the noise had attracted more attention. The Master Chief turned slightly and tapped his helmet.

“Translation software,” he said. “The commander of the ship just sent out a broadcast to the whole fleet saying that their under attack. We’ve got a couple of minutes before the other cruisers send more troops and we get overrun.”

Jan fought the tingle of fear that lanced down her spine and gestured to the other doors that would take them further into the ship.

“We’d better get a move on then. If we can find the engines and plant the nukes were not going to have much time to get out of here before the whole fleet is on top of us.”

The Spartan shook his head, surprising her.

  • 02.16.2005 9:58 AM PDT
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“The two lead ships, their communicating a series of coordinates, I think it might lead us to where the Forerunner ship disappeared to.”

Jan cast a worried glance at the Master Chief as she waved a hand in front of his face.

“Um, hello? That information won’t do us much good if were swarmed by the Covenant and killed. Let’s just plant the nukes and get the hell off this ship.”

“Not yet, just a few moments longer,” the Spartan said intently. Jan huffed slightly and turned in the other direction, folding her arms and glaring at the set of doors that would lead them out of the communications station.

Several moments of tense silence passed, with Jan growing more worried by the second. She cast a worried glance over her shoulder to see the Master Chief in the same position, bent over the controls gazing through them as he listened to Covenant transmissions.

“Damn,” the Spartan said suddenly, startling Jan. He looked towards her quickly. “We’ve got to move, now.”

“What’s wrong?” Jan asked, the urgency in the Master Chief’s voice sending alarm bells ringing in her head.

“There was a Slip Space rupture detected just now; the ships identification code signifies it as one that was aboard the Covenant city back at the other Halo installation. That means its either full of Elites looking to kill some Brutes, or even worse, its filled with Flood.”

“Flood?” Jan questioned, confused. She nearly took a step back as the Master Chief reached towards her and pulled the pack of Fury tactical nukes off her shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Priming the detonators,” the Spartan responded simply. “There’s no time to find the generators now. We have to leave right away.”

Jan watched wordlessly as the Master Chief activated all of the nukes and set their timers. Once finished he quickly got to his feet and moved towards the doors leading out of the room.

“How much time do we have?” she asked, hurrying to catch up with him. He glanced back at her briefly.

“Five minutes.”

Jan felt her adrenalin spark and she started to sprint as the Spartan slowly increased his speed. She could tell the Spartan was holding back for her sake, and she was quite grateful, for despite her own abilities, she was nowhere near the top speed of him.

The Master Chief lead them down a twisting series of corridors, his course seemingly predetermined, but Jan found herself worrying that he was choosing pathways at random. Her legs burned as she mentally counted down the timer.

4:23

Jan nearly shrieked when the Master Chief reached over suddenly and snaked an arm around her waste. Without preamble, she was unceremoniously scooped up and thrown over his shoulder. She mentally noted as the Spartan speeded up that while this was normally the thing she would get upset about, there were other things to think about for now.

3:49

“There!” the Master Chief shouted. Jan craned her neck and saw they were heading towards a small set of doors. They parted as the two approached and Jan noticed they were inside of an escape pod. She was about to enquire who was to pilot when the Spartan dumped her in one of the seats and told her to strap herself in.

“Do you think we’ll make it?” Jan asked as the Master Chief climbed into the pilot’s seat. He punched a series of emblems on the holo-panel and the escape pod rumbled to life.

“Brace yourself,” the Spartan ordered, moments before the pod blew away from the Covenant cruiser. The action was less jarring than they had anticipated.

1:36

Jan clenched her eyes shut, continuing her mental countdown. The Fury nukes had a megaton yield, and the chances of putting enough distance between them and the cruiser were far too slim for her to consider. She tried to push those thoughts aside, letting an old memory of her father surface.

Oh God, please don’t let me die here.

Without her knowledge, tears began streaming from her clenched eyes. Silent sobs shook her body, catching the attention of the Spartan piloting the craft. His body twisted momentarily, letting his eyes fall on the girl.

0:00

-----------------------------------

Honor Without Mercy exited Slip Space at Cortana’s coordinates, which brought them to the edge of the Sol System. She would have brought the ship closer to Earth, but she wasn’t willing to take the chance of one of the MAC guns putting a shot through their hull. When the last bit of disorientation passed from slipping into normal space, Cortana immediately sent several probes to check on the action around Earth.

Before the probes had cleared the ship, they were already picking up signals. Cortana opened up a visual with the probes and was nearly stupefied by what she saw.
An entire Covenant fleet were in the same coordinates that Cortana had just jumped.

“What’s our status Cortana?” Commander Keyes asked the A.I.

“We’ve got trouble,” she responded. “The Covenant fleet isn’t attacking Earth; they’re clustered together point three parsecs from our location.”

“Engage them,” the Arbiter ordered from the bridge. “Their formation is broken and clumped together. We will raze the Brute fleet.”

“Negate that order Cortana,” Keyes demanded quickly, turning to the Elite. “As much of an advantage as we have, they’ll cut us down before we can eliminate all those cruisers.”

Before the two commanders could continue their argument, Cortana cut in.

“We’ve got a target moving towards the ship; it appears to be an escape pod.”

“Can you tell who’s on board?” Keyes asked. Cortana scanned the Covenant escape pod, and felt an emotion near elation fill her core.

“I’ve detected a UNSC signal aboard the escape pod, it’s the Master Chief.”

“Move to intercept the escape pod Cortana,” Keyes ordered. “The Chief won’t think to try and come aboard on his own. He’ll figure were probably reinforcements for the other Covenant.”

Cortana started the ship towards the small escape pod just as the Arbiter spoke.

“What was the Demon doing aboard the other ships?”

Keyes had started to reply when Cortana detected a massive influx in energy. The ship’s sensors flared as an explosion erupted from the center of the Covenant fleet. Honor Without Mercy rocked heavily from the resulting debris and shock field.

“Cortana, report.”

“That explosion came from inside one of the Covenant cruisers. Judging from the size of the explosion, I’d say the Master Chief must have brought a nuclear device aboard the Covenant ship.”

As she was reporting to Keyes, Cortana was also checking the status of the escape pod. It had taken a heavy hit, but from what the probes could tell, her it looked like the craft was still intact. The explosion had destroyed and damaged numerous ships in the Covenant fleet. Several had survived though, and were limping around in a daze. She would deal with them in a moment; her first concern was getting the Master Chief’s pod aboard their ship.

-------------------------------------

John groaned audibly, bringing a gloved hand up to his face. When the force of the Fury warhead detonation had reached their small escape pod, the force of the impact had slammed the Master Chief into the side of the craft. Spots swan in front of his eyes as he tried to reorient himself. When his hand contacted his bare skin, the Spartan frowned in confusion.

With his vision cleared, John stared out the front cockpit, and a cold lump formed in his stomach. They were in a docking bay, and the design was Covenant.

His helmet lay below his feet, but the Master Chief ignored it as he climbed out of the cockpit and walked to where Jan hung limply in her seat. He approached her cautiously; his face creased with worry as he brought a hand gently to the girl’s shoulder and shook her.

When a moan of discomfort left Jan, the Master Chief felt a smile tug at his lips. He unfastened the clasps keeping her in place and let her slump forward against him.

“Can you stand?” John asked her softly. Another groan escaped Jan as she pushed against him slightly.

“Am I dead?”

The Master Chief couldn’t stop the smile from gracing his face this time.

“It doesn’t look like it, but were not out of the woods yet,” he said, glancing out the front of the pod. He wrapped one arm around Jan’s waist and pulled the M6C handgun from her holster. “I need you to stay here Jan, the Covenant picked us up and once they check this pod their going to realize they made a mistake.”

Leaning down John set the girl lightly upon the ground. As he pulled back up Jan clung weakly to the arm that had been supporting her.

“Are…are you going to leave me?”

Her voice was brittle, as if the slightest touch would break it. John inhaled deeply and knelt down to see her face.

“No, I won’t leave,” his voice was soft. “I have to go for a bit though, but I’ll be back. I promise.”

Jan smiled weakly at the Spartan before unconsciousness overwhelmed her and she slumped back against the escape pod wall. John reached back to pick up his rifle just as the hatch for the escape pod swung outwards.

The handgun he had taken from Jan was trained on the door in an instant, and he was covering Jan as a figure stepped into view. His instincts screamed at him to fire but he held back, keeping his finger in the trigger guard.

“Lower the gun Chief, its alright.”

The feminine note to the voice puzzled him until the figure moved closer. It was Commander Keyes.

  • 02.16.2005 10:04 AM PDT
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“Commander,” the Master Chief said, so surprised he forgot to snap a salute to the officer.

“There’s a lot we’ve got to talk about Master Chief, one of which is the fact we came on this ship with the assistance of the Elites, Hunters, and Grunts. The Arbiter instructed them that you are not to be harmed, but don’t expect much hospitality on their part. Grab your gear and lets head for the bridge.”

The Master Chief, in a daze, got to his feet and retrieved his helmet, checking it over for any severe damage. The clamps in place that sealed it with his chest piece had snapped, which had allowed the helmet to fall off. He stowed that information away and placed it back onto his head then turned back, and bent down to lift Jan into his arms. Keyes raised a delicate eyebrow at him but didn’t comment as she led him out of the pod and down into the bay.

“Whatever you did to blow up the Covenant fleet was enough to knock out almost eighty-percent of their ships. We’re mopping up the rest right now.”

“Commander, if you survived than is Cor--” John was cut off as a familiar voice filtered through the ship’s com.

“I leave you alone for only one day and your already out picking up girls,” Cortana tsk’d, before switching over to a personal channel inside the Master Chief’s suit. “Its nice to see you didn’t heroically sacrifice yourself trying to stop Truth.”

“Its nice to see you didn’t go down in a blaze of glory to stop Halo from firing,” John shot back. Cortana’s voice was a much welcome intrusion inside his suit. He had missed her presence ever since he had parted with her the previous day.

“Let me guess, you blew up the Forerunner ship, then after that taste of action you just had to set off a couple nukes to take out an entire Covenant fleet,” Cortana said grandly. “Am I close?”

“You know me and my love for high explosives,” John remarked, a smile working its way onto his face again. “How much do you weigh the disbanded Covenant member’s loyalty?” he asked, switching to a more serious tone.

“They’re loyal, especially the one called the Arbiter, the one you met when we had a run-in with Gravemind,” Cortana explained. “Johnson was nearly killed several times risking his neck to kill Gravemind a few hours ago, and that really struck a cord with the Elites and the Hunters. I suspect the Grunts are going to go along simply because were not trustworthy enough to use them as cannon fodder like the Covenant did.”

“Johnson killed Gravemind?” the Master Chief asked, his mind replaying the encounter he had with the Flood leader.

“It would appear so, but I’m not entirely convinced. Johnson did however manage to stay alive for nearly three hours fighting the creature, though without the regenerative abilities he inherited from the Flood, I doubt he would have survived. As it is, his right arm was severed and he’s in surgery as we speak.”

The Master Chief grunted his acknowledgement. He had always respected Johnson as a skilled soldier, but if the account Cortana had just told him was true, than he had done something even he himself might not have accomplished.

“So, who’s the girl, and please don’t tell me she’s your little something on the side,” Cortana requested.

“She,” the Spartan paused to look down at her. “I don’t really know.”

Cortana paused a few seconds before replying.

“Alright, well I’m guessing that since she’s unconscious she took some damage during your daring escape. Have Keyes take you to the medical bay and then get up to the bridge, we’ve got a problem.”

“What’s wrong?” John asked, concern touching his voice.

“I alerted Admiral Hood that we’re aboard the ship, and it’s friendly. He responded that were to head back to Earth ASAP, Section III wants a debriefing right away, and I’m guessing their going to want an explanation about our new friends.”

That’s right, the Master Chief thought, as he looked at several Elites clustered together down the corridor. How the hell are we going to explain this?

Chapter End

  • 02.16.2005 10:05 AM PDT
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wow

  • 02.16.2005 10:25 AM PDT
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Great chapter but please don tell me thats it!

  • 02.16.2005 10:36 AM PDT
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That was one hot read, really hot. I may be falling slightly in love with you Clark. I loved the bomb sequence, and the banter between Chief and Cortanna YEAH! I LOVE IT!

  • 02.16.2005 10:43 AM PDT

TWP - Assistant Director
Blade Runner: #00124A
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I'm speechless... but I'll force a few words.
Wow. Damn. Oh lord...
Nice twists... damn nice...
I got chills man... CHILLS!! And you NAILED Ackerson to a "T"! And the twists with the Malta and the Athens... MAN, such a perfect way to do IT!! That was an awesome chapter. I can't imagine you can do better then this, but I thought the same thing with chapter 8. You improve with every chapter, and I agree with Bibo about the Cheif and Cortana... awsomely well done. You, my friend, have started something wonderful.

Best Fan Fic...


PERIOD!

Right Marines?
"OOHRAH!"

[Edited on 2/16/2005 11:04:06 AM]

  • 02.16.2005 11:00 AM PDT