Hello to all my readers! For everyone who's been screaming for a sequel to Halo: The Secret Spartan, this is for you: a collection of "deleted scenes" which didn't quite make the final grade for whatever reason. Feel free to read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Halo: Combat Evolved or from any of the books.

1: Not-So-Sweet Dreams

She slept in seeming peace, dark hair drifting over her face. Her life was hell, but it was times such as this one where she was allowed to rest and forget the horrors of being a soldier, of being a Spartan. Unfortunately, even her dreams were now being shattered of their calming influence, and the peace they once had would soon be gone.

&&

Every soldier on HALO-04 was assembled in the large amphitheater, waiting for a weapons demonstration to begin. Among them was the famed 'Floodwall Platoon,' a group of warriors whose record against the Flood was outstanding. Their captain, a human named Corin, and his second in command, the human Marin, waited in anticipation to see the new weapon the science guild had crafted.

"I wonder what it will be," Corin muttered. "The Flood seem to die quickly enough with out current weaponry."

"No, sir," Marin broke in. "I have a…friend…in the science guild who showed me the current kill rates with our weapons in comparison to whatever the scientists cooked up: this thing, whatever it is, can kill a Flood form in mere seconds. And from what she said, they still have more refinements to make that could improve rate of fire and other things to bring them down faster."

"Well, then, I eagerly await the demonstration."

A scientist walked out on the platform at the front of the amphitheater, and a dead silence fell. She held an unusual device in her hands, which she seemed barely able to carry. Setting it down on a table nearby, she turned to the assembled soldiers.

"Welcome, fine warriors. You have all done much to turn back and defeat the Flood. Now we give you a new advantage to help turn the tide." She moved to a control panel, dimmed the lights, and activated a holographic display of the device she had been holding.

"Our studies of the Flood show that, while they have strong thresholds for heat and cold, they cannot withstand focused temperature extremes. We have also noted increasing instances of Flood combat forms regenerating after being wounded numerous times. Based on battlefield reports, this occurs less with the plasma energy weapons than with others; we theorize that this is due to the high temperatures that is characteristic of plasma in general.

"The Sentinel beam was originally designed for use on our security drones, with a beam capable only of stopping a target with minor injury. We have since modified it for use in combat scenarios, especially against the Flood." The woman depressed a control, and a schematic of the weapon replaced its holographic image. "It fires a focused beam of energy with an approximate temperature of 5,000 standard degrees, and is difficult for non-shielded targets to withstand. As yet, we have only a small fusion cell available to recharge the weapon, but are in the process of developing a better power source. However, the weapon itself is quite effective.

"With the High Council's approval, I have arranged for a small demonstration of the Sentinel beam's capabilities. If you would be so kind as to stand back, we can begin."

The soldiers cleared away from the platform; the scientist hefted the Sentinel beam, nodded, and assumed a firing stance as a containment cage was lowered. Inside the cage, a Flood combat form was thrashing in a vain attempt to escape. She nodded again and the cage was opened.

The Flood form came bursting out, leaping straight for the young woman in front of it. Corin noticed his second-in-command tensed, as the Flood hurled itself at the woman. Not even hesitating for a second, she raised the weapon and fired.

A beam of orange light shot from the weapon and speared the creature, giving off a large amount of heat and causing the room to stink of charred meat. The Flood form staggered back, and the scientist fired a second time, moving it up and down like a scalpel. In a matter of seconds the combat form had been reduced to a pile of blackened flesh. The woman lowered the weapon and turned back to the assembled soldiers.

"As I said, a highly effective weapon against the Flood. The Sentinel beam will be made available to you for combat use in a few days. I trust you will use it to great effect." She turned and walked off of the platform, and the soldiers filed out, impressed by the new weapon.

Alaya was on her way back to the laboratory when Corin and Marin caught up with her.

"Marin, what a pleasant surprise! I trust you enjoyed seeing the new beam weapon?"

"A nice improvement from the standard ballistics we use most of the time. I have to wonder, though, how you managed to convince the Council to allow a Flood form as a test subject."

"By promising them that there would be containment fields in place to contain the Flood form if things got bad. They were turned on the moment the cage came down, and I was more than prepared to burn it to ash." She turned and discreetly studied the other man nearby. Must be Marin's commanding officer. "Once I finish working on the modifications, the rate of fire and weapon effectiveness will be greatly improved."

"I look forward to testing the new weapon myself," Corin said quietly, finding himself disliking the scientist's blustery ways and apparent lack of concern.

"Captain, I don't think you've met Alaya. Alaya, this is Captain Corin, my platoon leader. Alaya's been a family friend ever since I can remember." Marin quickly made introductions, noticing the cold look in his captain's eyes.

"A pleasure, Captain," Alaya smiled lightly as she shook his hand. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do. Marin, I imagine I'll drop by later, so stay out of trouble."

Marin shook his head as the young scientist turned and entered the laboratory. "Alaya's looked after me for years. She seems to think it's her duty to keep an eye on me."

"Obviously. Alaya, is that really her name? Who in their right minds would name their child 'Beloved'? Honestly!"

"She was the firstborn," Marin replied quietly. "Her parents loved her greatly."

Alaya entered the laboratory and clenched her hands tightly into fists. Corin's coldness had bothered her for reasons she didn't understand. It also bothered her how she and Marin had had to pretend to be just friends, rather than be brother and sister as they were. It has to be done, though. No one would believe it if they knew Petrarch's firstborn was a daughter instead of a son. It's best for Marin if I pretend to be his friend and not his older sister. Besides, this way I have no fear of false friends coming out of the woodwork. She noticed a terminal blinking in the corner and walked over to study the console; there was a lot of work to be done, and no time to spend on musings and speculations.

&&

She sat up and rubbed her eyes, noticing grimly that it was still dark outside. Can't be much later than 0400, she thought with a yawn. The dream that had woke her still flittered through her mind, present yet elusive. I'll figure it out later. There's a lot to do today, and no time to waste. Kicking off her blankets, she changed from tank top and shorts to standard military fatigues, strapped on a pair of combat knives, and prepared to face the day.