December 25, 2562
Human Covenant War Monument, Africa
Former Marine Sergeant Jack Collins breathed heavily, trying to suck up his tears. The fifty year old man was facing the old monument for all the brave souls that had perished during the Human Covenant War. Jack had fought on so many battle fields, some still not even known to the public. He had lost thousands of friends to the war, something medals and words could not fix.
So many faces… Jack thought, letting his tears run freely down his scared cheek. His twelve year old son Ben Collins put a warm hand on his father's back. Jack crumbled to his knees in front of the wall filled with pictures, names and drawings of his fellow comrades. He found himself staring at three numbers scratched into the black wall, 117. His son knelt next to Jack, a comforting look on his bright young face.
"You knew him, didn't you dad?" His loyal son questioned his father.
"Yes son, I fought next to him…I believed in him…" Jack said, more tears running down his face. His voice choking up as he broke down even more, Master Chief Petty Officer SPARTAN 117 was the only person that kept Jack's confidence at a high. He still remembered way back during the Great War on some forgotten planet called Hades IV, where the Master Chief saved his life…seven times. Jack had never even got to say the words he held back the entire war…
Thank you.
So for the remainder of his God-given life, Jack Collins would always remember him, as a soldier, a friend and an angel. Jack Collins would always remember and believe.