A/N: Just wanted to make the Introduction for this, the actual introduction of the game.
Awakened Density - Introduction
The Pillar of Autumn had escaped Reach, barely though. Covenant ground forces had been tough, and there was always the constant awareness for everybody that Covenant could be following.
Because of this, Jacob Keyes, Captain of The Pillar of Autumn was becoming increasingly worried. "All I need to know Cortana, is did we lose them?" He asked Cortana.
"I think we both know the answer to that, Sir." Cortana replied, her avatar flickering up on the console.
Keyes sighed, frustrated that the Covenant somehow had been able to follow them, "We made a blind jump. How did they―"
"Get here first? The Covenant ships have always been faster," Cortana interrupted him. "As for tracking us all the way from Reach...at light speed, my maneuvering options were limited."
Keyes began pacing, looking at several view screens. "We were running dark, yes?"
"Until we decelerated, no one could have missed the hole we tore in subspace." Cortana replied.
Keyes walked over to a bridge crewman, looking over his shoulder at the screen; the screen showed Installation 04 in orbit around a threshold. The crewman began pushing some buttons.
"They were waiting for us on the far side of the planet." Cortana told Keyes.
"So, where do we stand?" Keyes asked.
"Our fighters are mopping up the last of their recon picket now, nothing serious,"
Keyes walked back to the front of the bridge, looking at the main screen.
"...But I've isolated approach signatures from multiple CCS-class battle groups, make it three capital ships per group. And in about 90 seconds they'll be all over us." Cortana finished.
Keyes closed his eyes wearily, stressed about the current situation. "Well, that's it then. Bring the ship back up to Combat Alert Alpha. I want everyone at their stations." Keyes ordered, opening his eyes again.
"Everyone, sir?" Cortana asked, surprised.
"Everyone." Keyes firmly replied.
Cortana sounded the klaxon alarm. Crewmen began running around, frantically trying to get to their stations.
"And Cortana..."
"Hm?" Cortana's avatar appeared again on the console.
"Let's give our old friends a welcome..." Keyes replied, a smug grin playing at the side at the side of his mouth.
Cortana smirked slightly at this, "I've already begun." She replied.
Meanwhile, in the main hold of the Autumn, a marine was guiding a Pelican into the correct docking position using light batons.
"Attention, all combat personnel: Please report to your action stations," Cortana's voice sounded over COMMS. "5th Platoon, secure airlocks on Deck 11. 14th Platoon, rendezvous with 22nd Tactical at bulkhead Charlie 14."
Marines began getting themselves organised for the Covenant; preparing their weapons and readying Scorpions and Warthogs.
Suddenly, Sergeant Avery Junior Johnson began walking through a line of marines, who stood up straight in his presence.
"You heard the lady! Move like you've got a purpose!" Johnson ordered.
"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill." Cortana repeated over COMMS.
"Men, we led those dumb bugs out to the middle of nowhere to keep 'em from gettin' their filthy claws on Earth. But we stumbled onto somethin' they're so hot for, that they're scramblin' over each other to get it. Well, I don't care if it's God's own anti-son-of-a-bitch machine, or a giant hula hoop, we're not gonna let 'em have it! What we will let 'em have...is a belly full of lead, and a pool of their own blood to drown in!" Johnson yelled at the marines, trying to motivate them.
Suddenly, he turned around, "Am I right, Marines?"
"Sir, yes sir!" The marines yelled.
"Uh-huh. Damn right, I am," Johnson replied. "Now move it out! Double time!"
"Attention, all personnel: We are re-engaging the enemy. Internal and external contact imminent." Cortana informed everybody onboard the Autumn.
"All you greenhorns who wanted to see Covenant up close...this is gonna be your lucky day." Johnson told them. The marines cut their formation and headed off to their respected posts, Johnson following slowly.
