A/N: IMPORTANT! This is an AU. The events of some games, like Halo 5, are not accounted in this story. The story of the flood and covenant did happen, but some other events have been left out. Cortana is sane in this story, and Miranda Keyes is not the daughter of Halsey in this version.
Though Halsey will play an important part, she is not a bad person in this story, nor will she be an antagonist or defect from the UNSC for purposes of my plot. She will remain a scientist for ONI without direct dealings with the Covenant. Also, since we don't know Master Chief's correct age, he is in his 30's in this story.
Lastly, this story takes place post Covenant War, when humanity has - except for stray factions - befriended and become allies with the Sangheili. The Sangheili will also play a part in the storyline.
Hope you enjoy it.
**Song to listen to : Maître Gims - Où aller
Prologue
The lights on the ship shine red and then white, a circle that seems neverending. The sound of the alarm seems surreal, but the threat is very real.
- " Bring a medic, quick! Time is crucial!" Frantic shouts everywear as footsteps pound every which way. Medics, soldiers, spartans, they run up and down the hallways off the ship to accomodate the dozens of soldiers in severa l states of being wounded.
For once, there seems to be no dissent between ODST and Spartan, they simply hand each other first aid kits, work together to bring fallen comrades into the belly of the ship.
Jason Miller surveys the chaos with a steel jaw, shouting orders left and right. Beside him, Doctor Halsey is frowning, watching over the continual flood of wounded personnel.
It isn't long before there are Elites as well entering, carrying humans and companions alike. Jason immediately recognizes Kima Yunde, Hannah's best friend, among the chaos.
-" Is that Kima Yunde?!" Chelsea, Halsey's assistant asks beside him. - " I thought she was missing or even killed?" Halsey opens her mouth, but Jason is first.
-" It seems your daughter was right, Halsey." He nearly spits. Halsey looks at him, and again it strikes him how Hannah has never looked like the woman who birthed her. If there is one thing she holds from Halsey it's her stubborness, but that's where the likeness stops.
-" Shush, Chelsea, we do not know yet.."
- " Ooh, but you do." Jasons spits. -" She was right all along! She was right to believe Ta Ovadee!" He points again to Kima, standing next to said Sangheili, his height nearly covering her. The young black woman is looking around, Ta a shadow behind her, when she gasps.
-" HANNAH!" Her scream has Jason step down behind the machines he finds himself, at a brisk pace marching towards his niece. She's not moving, her blue eyes closed and her ringing laughter silent.
The soldier who holds her looks up, face pained. - " I did the best I could. I nearly didn't make it out, she nearly didn't. She needs a medic now, she's heavily wounded."
Jason scans his nieces' body and realises the soldier is right. Her face is bruised, one of her eyes thick and swollen, a large purple bruise lining the right side of her face. It extends past her cheeks to her lips, dried blood on the corners.
Her shirt is half torn apart, blood caking it to her skin and he knows by the looks of her the injuries extend further past her body.
-" What are you waiting for?!" The captain snaps. - " Find a medic and escort her to the hospital wing!" The crowd around them scatters.
-" The door is broken, Sir! We have no acces!" A young medic answers. - " She needs to be examined and be taken care of right now, dammit!" Kima yells at the startled young woman. The former ODST looks up at Jason.
-" You know if they don't help her now, she will not survive. She doesn't have long now." Jason furrows his brows and nods. -" We need to find an alternative."
-" No need of that Captain Miller." The Master Chief's voice is deep as always, unwavering. In an instant he takes Hannah quickly yet gently in his arms, her frame small in his. She lies in his arms, her head lolling to the side, her hair covering part of Master Chief's limbs.
-" Cortana, find the quickest way to the hospital wing." The AI appears. -" Calculating right now, chief."
- " Kelly..." Kelly turns to him. -" Go and see if you and Linda can open up the doors of the hospital wing. She is in dire need of medical help." Both Spartans nod and then Ta stands.
-" I owe Kima's return to her. I can help." Master Chief nods and then Ta and Kima follow after his two teammates.
-" I found the way, Master Chief, Kelly and team are on their way to open up the door." Cortana dissapears for a moment from his shoulder and then sits on Hannah's shoulder. Her blue hand touches the bruised and broken skin.
Then she looks up, worried. -" Her pulse is low John, she might not make it."
-" She will make it." His voice brokers no argument.
I will not loose her. I cannot loose her.
