The Dawn of a New Era
(Disclaimer: This story is 100 original. Any ideas similar to that in another story are purely coincidental. I take no ownership to any people, places, and/or things based on the original Halo series besides the eventual use of my own creations.)
The Beginning after the End
John-117 felt the slight tug of the Forerunner craft exit the slip space jump, but he hadn't the slightest idea where he was. To his surprise, the crackle of radio communications slipped into this comm. set.
Focusing on the chatter, his suit amplified a message between a tactician and Admiral Hood. They were aiming their weapons at the craft he was on.
Before the firing sequence could be initiated, however, John identified his presence on the forerunner ship.
"Master Chief, you mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?" asked a very surprised but pleased Admiral Hood.
John responded concisely and to the point, "Sir, finishing this fight." He let out a sigh of relief knowing that now he wouldn't have to worry about being blown to bits by the orbiting defense stations. It was also re-affirming to hear the admiral's voice and discover that Earth hadn't fallen to the Covenant armada.
"Master Chief, do you happen to have something in mind?" inquired Hood. "If you haven't already happened to notice, the Covenant has brought in reinforcements, and lots of them. It appears that Truth's fleet has merged with the remains of Regret's."
John quickly told Admiral Hood of his recent events. He recapped the journey on In Amber Clad to another halo, the discovery of High Charity, the death of two prophets, the meeting with Gravemind, and ultimately to his current position, finishing by saying that the Prophet of Truth was on this ship as well. "Sir, permission to find Truth and take him down."
"Granted Master Chief. Be careful," replied Hood. A smile appeared on his face after hearing the news. Yes, it was unfortunate that the rest of Truth's fleet had arrived at Earth and that they potentially had the firepower to punch through the orbital defense grid, but with Master Chief back in the fight, things seemed to turn for the better. With his spirits reinvigorated, Admiral Hood turned his attention back towards his command post. There were a couple gigantic Covenant Flag Ships that needed to meet his MAC cannons. If things went well, he also had a little surprise to show them.
Realizing that what was done was done, Master Chief took his focus off his com-link and took another look at his surroundings. The expansive white walls seemed to glow on their own and the room was relatively empty. John noticed numerous crates which seemed to hold communications equipment, but was otherwise nearly empty. The walls were blank except for the entry hatch behind him and a large white door behind him.
Truth must have packed in a hurry once the flood came after him. Maybe that'll mean that no one knows I'm here.
Focusing on his next action, he instinctively checked his ammo belt. John angrily muttered some profanity under his breath when he realized that he was out of battle rifle ammo and his current cartridge had enough ammo left for two quick bursts.
Two headshots and then things get tricky John said to himself.
The Chief let out a deep sigh and devised his next move.
Of all the times I had to be stuck without Cortana …
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The control room on the Delta Halo glowed with a pale white light as the images of the numerous other halos flickered above the display module. After the firing sequence was aborted, the whole system went on standby for remote activation.
The bodies of several maimed elites lay scattered about and a few dead brutes were among them hosting severe plasma burns. Near the middle of the platform lay the distinctive body of Tautarus. His whiter fur was singed black in many places and bullet holes riddled his body. His right leg was contorted in a painful angle after the Arbiter managed to detonate a frag grenade near his body while his shields were down. Thick purple blood oozed onto the floor and flowed near the feet of numerous elites and two humans.
Things didn't seem to make sense. 343 Guilty Spark answered the Arbitor's question by saying that the Ark was located somewhere on Earth. Sergeant Johnson couldn't put the pieces together though. How could it be possible that such a thing remained undiscovered through the centuries of Human existence? Certainly someone would have stumbled upon it.
The human sergeant asked the Oracle if it was sure Earth was where the Ark was located.
The Oracle responded affirmatively, but with a slightly annoyed and sarcastic tone. Johnson took an aggressive step towards it angry at its lack of discipline and respect.
"Easy, Johnson," Miranda Keyes said smoothly. "The last thing we want to do is damage it"
"Yes, 'mam," complied Johnson quietly without removing his angry glare from the hovering machine.
An elite stood next to the humans wearing a very ceremonious suit of body armor. The Arbiter gazed towards the ground as his brain processed this enormous wealth of information. So much had happened so suddenly. The meeting with the demon and the parasite leader, the betrayal of the prophets, the near activation of the ring, and the proof that the 'great journey' was a lie all swam in his mind.
So is that why the prophets declared the humans to be a bane of the Covenant. They would have been able to open our eyes to this great lie. Not only have we been betrayed, but now we must accept that these humans, the ones we swore to exterminate, must be our allies if we wish to win this fight….
"Mr. Arbiter, you there?" Johnson asked. He gave the elite a slight nudge on the side in an attempt to get his attention.
The Arbiter snapped back to attention and slowly looked towards the two humans and then towards his brethren. Focusing on the dozen or so elites around him, the Arbiter gave his opinion with strength and authority. "We should leave this place, regroup what ever forces we have, and travel to Earth to prevent Truth from completing his goal."
The elites all nodded in agreement. Johnson and Commander Keyes both looked at each other.
It was difficult for anyone in the group to become adjusted to the new circumstances. Now the elites and their allies were being hunted down and destroyed by the remains of the Covenant. It was a fate that humanity knew well. However, all of the years of war, death, and destruction made it difficult for the humans and elites to reconcile with each other. A great deal of time would be needed and the Arbiter was sure that the humans would demand a price in blood to be repaid for there to be peace between them.
"Do you humans agree with this current course of action?" the Arbiter inquired turning to face Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Johnson.
Taken back by the thought of being asked of her opinion by, of all things, an elite, Commander Keyes replied after a moment, "Sounds like one of the few options we have. We just ask that we can stop at one place while we're on the way and pick up Maste …err… a friend."
Miranda Keyes knew better than to mention the 'demon' to the elites surrounding them least they take the idea the wrong way. However, mankind needed the Chief back if they were to win this war and have a chance for survival.
"Ah yes, him," the Arbiter said quietly. In his mind, there was no question as to who the human was referring to. He nodded with his head that they should leave now. "The parasite leader sent him to High Charity in hopes of finding the key needed to begin the prophets' great journey."
The mentioning of the great journey caused the elites around him to wince.
As they started to walk away, Johnson took a look over his shoulder and noticed 343 Guilty Spark hovering in the air around the control panel. Although he despised the machine with a passion, he sighed and said, "Looks like you'll probably want to come with us too, Tinkerbelle."
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Author's Notes: This is the beginning of hopefully a long and enjoyable story. Please read, enjoy, and drop a review if you care to do so. Thanks for reading!