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This topic has moved here: Subject: [Novel] Halo 3: Insurrection (Chapter 45 is available!) ~ 13 April
  • Subject: [Novel] Halo 3: Insurrection (Chapter 45 is available!) ~ 13 April
Subject: [Novel] Halo 3: Insurrection (Chapter 45 is available!) ~ 13 April

"So did you ever find your wife? The Insurrectionist one?" Surgeon asked to break the silence. The ship they were on was in slipspace, en route to Sangheilios. Cole's eyes immediately turned stony and hostile.

"That's none of your business," the legendary Admiral replied, stiff backed with his jaw set firmly.

"Sorry, I was just curious," the ONI operative replied, abashed and cautious. Cole wasn't done.

"What's your real name?" he demanded, leaning forward with an intent look in his eye. The Surgeon was completely taken aback.

"Uh...that's classified sir," he informed the Admiral, frowning slightly. Cole snorted.

"You won't even tell me your name, and you expect me to pour my life story out to you? Where's the logic in that?"

The Surgeon's ears were flaming by now, and it was his turn to scowl.

"I was just breaking the silence Admiral. Some would argue there was no logic in you vanishing and abandoning your people," he replied heatedly. Immediately he knew he'd gone too far, but didn't care. Cole stood up with a murderous glint in his eye.

"Oh, you do not want to go down this route with me son," he warned, aggressively thrusting his finger into the Surgeon's face. "You don't understand what it's like to be under the pressure I was. Billions of people watching your every move, media reporting every little step you take? Receiving countless distraught letters from the mothers of those who died under my command, those I sent to their death? You may have researched into my life Surgeon, but don't for a single second presume to know me."

The Surgeon had nothing to say to this other than a muttered swear word under his breath. The two men stared at each other for a few moments, and finally Surgeon buckled under Cole's iron stare. He sat down, folding his arms and staring at the floor. A few moments later, Cole did the same, letting out a long sigh.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. To answer your question, yes I did find her," Cole spoke about a minute later, voice thick with emotion.

"And?"

"We lived happily together for years. Until she died nine months ago," Cole replied, eyes b-blam!- with unshed tears. The Surgeon grimaced.

"I'm so sorry. What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

"What happened? I'm 87 years old Surgeon, 88 next month. Lyra was 84 when she died. It was old age Surgeon, nothing more, nothing less. That doesn't make it any less painful though."

The Surgeon had momentarily forgotten about the Admiral's age. He'd spent a lot of his life in cryogenics though -- his wife hadn't. It must have been hard for him to see her wither and die when he himself still had the honed body of a 60 year old military man.

"You have my condolences sir, truly. I wish I'd never brought it up," he apologised sincerely. Cole shook his head, wiping his eyes resolutely.

"Forget about it Surgeon, this is no time for me to have an emotional breakdown. If the Flood are half as dangerous as you say, then I'm going to have my hands full when I arrive. What's the situation likely to be?"

This was something the Surgeon could talk about confidently. He was good with statistics and data. Not so proficient with feelings and emotions.

"Well Admiral, the Flood have superior numbers. And the being directing them is omniscient. Their firepower is equivalent or greater than ours, and they have the advantage of being on their own playing field. We do, however, have a hidden ace up our sleaves."

Cole's eyebrows rose.

"Really? And what's that?"

"You, Admiral Cole. You took out countless Covenant fleets in the Great War, and did it with inferior firepower and numbers. The Flood should be afraid," the Surgeon laughed. Cole's eyes grew wide.

"So this is all on me then? Perfect."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine. And if not, there probably won't be anyone alive to shout at you, so don't--" the Surgeon's joke was cut off as his slipspace communications pager beeped. It was a message from someone named Lieutenant Dominique.

Sir, the ONI Representative here gave me this number. Things are looking grim. Eden betrayed us; things are okay now but Captain Daniels is MIA, we don't know his situation. We managed to jump to the other side of the planet to regroup, but we lack leadership. I'm not qualified to lead the UNSC fleet sir, just a single ship. The way things are going, it looks like an Elite or Prophet will be leading us, and that will be terrible for human morale. The ONI Rep said you might have a solution. If you do, I hope to God you get here soon with whatever miracle you may have.

Regards, Lieutenant Dominique of the UNSC Navy.

The Surgeon blinked twice, re-reading the message. Cole had sensed something was wrong, and met the Surgeon's eyes inquisitively.

"What is it?" he demanded warily. Wordlessly, Surgeon passed Cole his pager with the message still displayed on it. It only took Cole a few seconds to read it, before he looked up with a grim, but determined expression.

"There's no way in hell I'm letting an alien lead humanity," Cole stated determinedly. He immediately grabbed a piece of paper from a rack and began scribbling on it, looking at the specifications of the ship's slipspace drives. The calculations he wrote down were beyond the Surgeon's comprehension.

"What are you doing?" the ONI Operative replied uncertainly. Cole didn't even look up, too absorbed in his equations and quantifications.

"I'm working out a way to make this rust bucket get to Sangheilios faster. Now be quiet, I need to concentrate."

[Edited on 04.13.2010 11:48 AM PDT]

  • 04.06.2010 11:46 AM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo 3: Insurrection (Part 41 is now available!) ~ 24 Feb

Nice one, Wolver. Are you going to post this on the Halo Wars Forum soon?

  • 04.06.2010 12:08 PM PDT

Posted by: collie2553
Nice one, Wolver. Are you going to post this on the Halo Wars Forum soon?


Shortly, yes. I'll get around to it sometime in the next hour or two.

  • 04.06.2010 12:31 PM PDT

that was good

  • 04.06.2010 4:45 PM PDT

wort wort wort

great job, again

  • 04.07.2010 3:48 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

You may as well change Johnson's name to Eragon! How long until we see the conclusion? I'm itching to find out how this ends.

  • 04.08.2010 6:09 PM PDT
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hey Wolver, are you going to put this and True Sangheili up in Pdf format when you are done?

  • 04.08.2010 10:36 PM PDT

Posted by: Bardie Elite
hey Wolver, are you going to put this and True Sangheili up in Pdf format when you are done?


Yes.

And to answer Random's question, the conclusion is drawing close. I just want to make sure there are no loose ends; I was planning on a sequel which would further explore some deep mysteries, but I don't think I will since 343 Industries are starting with the Post-Halo 3 content.

  • 04.09.2010 6:12 AM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

I think you should move on to different things after this, Wolvers. But what about your crowning jewel - Memoirs?

I'd look forwards to any original pieces you write.

  • 04.09.2010 7:54 AM PDT

Yet another masterpiece! Great job Wolvers!

  • 04.09.2010 11:52 AM PDT

And so, Achronos lifted the banhammer high above his head, exclaming "You shall not sully these forums again!" And with one, deft blow, he brought the banhammer down upon the offender, and slew him.

Bah, what's the point? You're only goingt to troll, flame or E-raip me.

amazing. I love halo lore, and this is just, well, amazing.

  • 04.09.2010 12:17 PM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo: Insurrection (Prologue and Part one now out)
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I WOULD'VE BEEN YOUR DADDY BUT A DOG BEAT ME OVER THE FENCE!

I'm the man who doesnt die. -recalls being attacked by the flood and dying at the hand of spark.-
i'm mostly briefly in wolvers ff's but now im a main character riding a forerunner made beast...

  • 04.10.2010 10:14 AM PDT

Acta Non Verba

DarkFus10nz

Check out www.nextgenwalkthroughs.com for the ultmate walkthrough experiace!

awsome 've been away for abit so i had to re-read some of it but i'm serious when i say this should be a book (like published), if it was it would be awsome , and it should be a game like coz loads of people want another halo game and this again reminds me to write my book but i never get around to it...

  • 04.13.2010 1:10 AM PDT

I appreciate the sentiment Fusion, but I don't think this would make a good game. Too many sections with no combat.

Anyway, here's a new chapter. I know it may seem like I'm dragging this on a bit -- trust me, this is all necessary and relevant to the story. All of it. I feel like I should have split this up into two books, but it's too late for that now. Insurrection should wrap up soon. Thanks for reading, I really do appreciate it.

Part 45 - Some small progress

"Everyone okay?" Mendez asked, searching the perimeter of the Longsword bay.

"Well actually--" Eden began to reply, before being silenced by an icy cold look from the CPO. The Admiral shut up quickly, eyes narrowing.

After a harrowing fight and an ingenious diversion through a tight yet mostly empty ventilation shaft, the unlikely trio had reached the Longsword bay. The dozen Flood patrolling outside had been cut off by a quickly activated blast door, and even now they were hammering on the metre thick titanium alloy to no avail. They were ready to leave this hellhole of a ship.

Captain Graham Daniels was wondering when he should deal with Eden, and how, when suddenly the inactive chassis of 343 Guilty Spark came to life. The Forerunner AI's physical body was heavier than it looked, and it certainly looked quite heavy. Still, Mendez had agreed with Graham in that they should take him with them, he could prove useful later.

Somehow, Spark had managed to recover from Eden's well placed bullet all on his own. And so now, uncertainly at first, the annoyingly chirpy AI activated its gravity defying propulsion system and rose shakily a few feet in the air.

"I feel a little out of sorts," Spark moaned. Graham stepped towards him in concern, which was a mistake.

"Captain!" Mendez roared, reaching for his rifle. But it was too late, and a moment later Graham felt cold, carbonised steel pressed against his exposed neck. He swore, knowing already what had happened.

"Eden," he stated bluntly, furious with himself for letting this happen. How many times had he been in this situation today? Mendez had his weapon aimed at the Admiral, who was laboriously breathing. Spark was still stumbling around uncertainly.

"You think I'm an idiot Captain? I know you and Mendez plan to shoot me as soon as we get on that Longsword. That's not going to happen," Eden said wildly, backing away with Graham, knife firmly pressed against his neck.

"Let him go Eden!" Mendez shouted, flicking the safety off his rifle. Eden smiled that sickly sweet smile he so often employed.

"Goodbye Chief Petty Officer. You too Spark. I'd save some ammo if I was you Mendez, to kill yourself before the Flood get their parasitic hands on you. Cheerio, old boy!" Eden dragged Graham up the Longsword ramp, managing to seal the opening shut whilst still keeping the knife in place. As soon as the door closed, Eden pushed Graham away from him, opting to threaten with a gun now rather than a knife.

"What the hell is this Eden? You're just going to abandon Mendez and Spark to the Flood?" Graham demanded, attempting to appeal to his human nature. A futile effort.

"I am. They would have shot me and left me for dead. You would have too. I should kill you really, but I won't. Despite all of what you've done, I still sort of like you Captain. You're a good leader, and humanity needs more people like you. Together we could have done beautiful things, if only you'd just been a little more patriotic and less idiotic. Oh well. Put out your hands," Eden replied in a casual tone, smiling even. Graham sighed, thrusting his hands out. The Admiral grabbed a set of energy manacles off a rack and fastened them to the Captain's wrists.

"What now?" Graham wondered aloud. Eden laughed, grabbing him by the scruff of his torn and dirty Naval uniform and throwing him into the small Longsword escape pod, sealing the airtight door. Eden rapped on the glass, pointing at the intercom inside.

"Well now, I'm going to leave this system. I know when I'm beaten, but trust me Captain, this isn't over. You haven't seen the last of me. Trust the Elites and Covenant if you want. Rest easy in the knowledge that I'll be around ready to pick up the pieces when all goes to hell," Eden spoke into a handheld radio, his voice emanating from the intercom.

"And me?" Graham questioned back worriedly. He didn't want to be forced to accompany Eden on his mad trip.

"You're going on a little expedition to Sangheilios' surface in that pod dear Captain. There's a fully loaded rifle in there, a sidearm, provisions, and basic shelter. You'll be fine."

"Fine? We're planning on blowing the planet up!" Graham cried back, frantic. Eden shrugged.

"You'd better find a ship before that then. If you don't, then I'm sorry. Really, I am. Anyway, let's get moving."

Maybe going with Eden would have been the better option, Graham sulked as the Longsword took off, and soared away from the Galapagos, leaving Mendez and Spark behind. Perhaps Eden would die in a freak slipspace malfunction. The Captain didn't want to get his hopes up though.

  • 04.13.2010 11:17 AM PDT
Subject: [Story] Halo 3: Insurrection (Part 44 is now available!) ~ 06 April

* * * * * * * * *

"I have a feeling we're being watched," Kelly muttered. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, and you could tell that the pace they were going at was killing her.

"We probably are. The Gravemind must have gotten a good look at us through the eyes of that sniper earlier. He knows who, and where we are," John replied confidently, peering at the numerous dark alcoves where Flood scouts could be concealed. He was always confident, even in the face of the Flood; or at least he was externally. Thel knew his true feelings about the parasite.

"Shouldn't we be worried about this?" Thel pondered, sweating slightly. The golden garbed Sangheili may be the physical equal of a Spartan, but that didn't mean he had the same amount of training or reserve. He was afraid.

"They're watching for now. They probably know we're too good for them," Fred answered, flipping his knife in the air, catching it with a deft movement after it had spun several times. Thel was still a little apprehensive of Fred, after he'd tried to kill him back on board the Cairo at Earth.

All the Spartans save John intimidated him. Their faceless helmets, their unwavering confidence, and almost psychic connection they shared with each other. A far stronger bond existed between them than Thel and any of his Sangheili brothers.

Thel had also always found it strange that the humans allowed their females to fight. Indeed, two of the Spartans beside him now were so. In the Covenant, females were considered a treasure to protect and keep from harm.

And yet the human women were mighty warriors in their own right, many were as skilled if not more so than their men. Thel smiled sardonically as he remembered the early days of the war, when Sangheili under his command had presumed the human females to be weak and helpless. They'd never made that mistake again.

"I would wager that many of the troops are battling outside. And don't forget the nuclear bombing and plasma bombardment continuously pounding this farced planet like a drum. The Gravemind is no doubt distracted," Galenus the Jiralhanae medic input wisely. Ah yes, the Brutes. Thel hadn't forgiven them entirely for their treachery and cowardice during the Great Schism. And he likely never would.

So how had the Sangheili believed that the humans would ever forgive them? They had been fools. As soon as the war had ended, the Sangheili should have dedicated all their resources to helping humanity recover. But of course, that hadn't happened.

We are a very cold and selfish race, Thel realised in an epiphany. He'd seen how the humans cared for each other, going out of their way to help the most miserable wretch. Thel had in the past seen the humans risk their lives to save a complete stranger.

All Sangheili cared about was honour and the honour of their clan. Thel made a vow to put a stop to that after all this was over. They could learn a lot from the humans.

"I am not entirely sure why we do not just glass this parasite ridden domain," the other Sangheili in the strike team, named Jahl, wondered. Apparently a cousin of R'tas -- Thel had never met him. He had proven to be an admirable warrior though. "Surely that would kill the Gravemind?"

"I'm afraid not, dear Sangheili," Mendicant Bias replied patiently, speaking for the first time in a while. The majestic looking Oracle was floating at John's shoulder, keeping his light dim. Mendicant had been useful himself, his weaponry systems had been disabled aeons ago but his knowledge of Flood anatomy had been invaluable in taking them out.

"Why not revered Oracle, pray tell?" Jahl pressed, humbled and respectful.

"The Gravemind is much larger than you think. Your world contains many Forerunner complexes beneath its earthy shell. The Mind has expanded throughout these; essentially, it now covers the entire planet, reaching right down into the core," Mendicant continued to explain it a calm tone.

"Then why do we not just glass this entire planet? I love Sangheilios, but I would rather see it destroyed than in the claws of an abomination!" Jahl argued fiercely.

"Sangheili, killing the Gravemind in such a way would not stop the Flood. It has expanded to numerous colonies and planets. The core of its mind would just transfer to another depositary elsewhere if we kill it in physical terms. The only way to truly strike a blow is to inject a virus into the entirety of the Flood network, preventing a new Gravemind from forming. I am that virus. Which is why we journey through this dank Citadel. Understand?"

Jahl's expression conveyed sheer confusion. Thel got the impression that he was not the most efficient plasma grenade in the cache of explosives, to speak metaphorically.

"Never mind Jahl, just trust me when I say this is the only way," Mendicant Bias finished with a frustrated sigh, turning back around. Somehow he knew the Sangheili's name. He knew a lot of things that he shouldn't have.

"I still don't--" Jahl persisted, causing Thel to groan. Mendicant turned around sharply, annoyed.

"Sangheili, please! I'm trying to concentrate right now, the Gravemind has been assaulting my consciousness ever since we first landed on Sangheilios. I have my hands full repelling him," the Forerunner AI snapped. John turned to him in surprise.

"I didn't know that! You should have said something Mendicant. Do you need help?" the Spartan leader queried in concern. Mendicant gave the mechanical equivalent of a grimace.

"A little help wouldn't go unappreciated, but this is not something an organic can do. Unless one of you has psychic abilities? I thought not. No, I will be fine. Just let me concentrate," Mendicant replied. "Also, I apologise for shouting Jahl, it was wrong of me."

He's always so courteous," Thel marvelled, staring at the once again silent Forerunner Oracle. John still looked concerned.

"Would another AI be able to help?"

Mendicant turned to him incredulously.

"Well, yes, but I don't think any of your constructs would be able to withstand the Gravemind's presence; it is quite overwhelming. Even another Monitor would have their metaphorical hands full."

"Cortana's held off the Gravemind before. She might be able to help now. I'll contact her," John answered, sure of himself as always.

AIs are certainly interesting beings. Perhaps it would be a good idea for us create some.

After a few moments of John attempting to contact the feminine Artificial Intelligence that was Cortana, she finally appeared. The two of them appeared to have a silent conversation for around two minutes. Thel had always found it fascinating how the AI could interface with his very mind; the humans were in many ways far more ingenuous than the Sangheili.

"She says she can, apparently she learned an effective way of fighting the Gravemind off when she was trapped on High Charity. Mendicant, I need to rest my hand on you."

John laid the palm of his hand, the gloved gauntlet covered with miniscule fibre optic connections which allowed Cortana to interface and "touch" the world through him. A soft blue nexus engulfed the Spartan and the Oracle.

Thel wished he could hear what was happening. Watching the no doubt interesting scene before him but without being able to see or hear was disconcerting as well as frustrating.

Five eerie and silent minutes later, a anguished howl rang deep through the echoing halls of the Citadel; something supernatural in origin. Shortly following this, John removed his hand from the Oracle's chassis, chuckling.

"What happened?" Thel demanded forcefully, eyes intent. The howl of sheer frustration and hatred still persisted, cutting into Thel's mind like a metallic blade scratched along glass.

"I managed to convince the Gravemind to leave Mendicant Bias alone. Well, 'convince' might not be the most accurate of terms actually. He'll be hurting sorely for quite a while now. That'll teach him not to expose his mind again," Cortana spoke through John's helmet, tones laden thick with smug satisfaction.

"Indeed, my thanks to you Cortana," Mendicant replied, the stress vanished from his voice. "You are indeed skilled."

"Will you be leaving now?" John asked his AI companion, a touch of upset in his voice.

"Actually, I think I'll stay with you for a while. You have a tendency to get yourself into trouble without me to guide your hand."

"Gee, thanks," John muttered dryly, but Thel could tell his friend was smiling beneath his mirrored scarlet visor.

"Are you not needed in the skies, honoured construct?" Thel questioned Cortana.

"I made a copy of myself. It's not as brilliant as the real me, but it'll do the job for a while. Oh! That reminds me. Things are looking a little grim in the orbital battle."

"What's happened?" Jahl asked, concerned. R'tas was leading the Sangheili fleet after all, and he was his cousin.

"Eden happened."

[Edited on 04.13.2010 11:18 AM PDT]

  • 04.13.2010 11:17 AM PDT

WOOT! Daniels is joining the battle!

  • 04.13.2010 3:38 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

Please, PLEASE kill Eden.

  • 04.14.2010 12:48 AM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Very good chapter Wolvers, however I think the Eden parts are dragging on too much. His methods of escape are too much of the same, generally ending the same and I think you're starting to exhaust his character.

Kill him!

There are several grammar errors too, you're lacking commas in some places where they could boost up your sentence structure and show pauses in speech - one thing I see you not doing is putting many commas in speech. I see why but when I'm reading it the voices sound too rushed in my head.

I enjoyed Thel's little sections where his mind is illustrating his thoughts - looking forwards to the conclusion.

  • 04.14.2010 7:16 AM PDT

Posted by: ajw34307
Very good chapter Wolvers, however I think the Eden parts are dragging on too much. His methods of escape are too much of the same, generally ending the same and I think you're starting to exhaust his character.

Kill him!


Kill him?

Maybe. He'll be gone soon though, either way.

  • 04.14.2010 10:24 AM PDT

i agree with ajw kill eden

  • 04.14.2010 5:47 PM PDT

Acta Non Verba

DarkFus10nz

Check out www.nextgenwalkthroughs.com for the ultmate walkthrough experiace!

no put him in a flood ship destroy all the puds and give him a pistol with only two bullets or put him in that film... what's it called SAW "I'd like to play a game Eden" lol

  • 04.15.2010 3:01 AM PDT

This would have a completely different tone if the word 'female' by the Elites was changed to 'kitchen-workers.'

Just putting that thought out there, its going well, but I agree that Eden is dragging on a bit, if it were my story, I would have already done one of three things.

1. Infected him
2. Burnt him alive
3. Ejected him with an escape pod, which has a pressure leak.

  • 04.16.2010 1:53 PM PDT
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everyones worried about Eden...
My god i dont think i could ever picture S-117 chuckling.

  • 04.16.2010 2:05 PM PDT
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C + lol + 7 = clol7

Posted by: steadman
Just putting that thought out there, its going well, but I agree that Eden is dragging on a bit, if it were my story, I would have already done one of three things.

1. Infected him
2. Burnt him alive
3. Ejected him with an escape pod, which has a pressure leak.

No, you do this:
Eject him with an escape pod, which has a pressure leak, with infection forms (so he gets infected), and then make the pod explosively decompress, burning him alive.

  • 04.21.2010 2:02 AM PDT

Posted by: The_Founder
everyones worried about Eden...
My god i dont think i could ever picture S-117 chuckling.


Try imagine him giggling, then make him turn into a witch and start cackling. If you can do that, then your imagination is as screwed up as mine.

:D

  • 04.21.2010 2:44 PM PDT