Disclaimer: Halo is owned by Microsoft and Bungie. Because this is a fan fiction site I will not continue to put these disclaimers for future chapters. The nature of fan fiction is that it is written by the fans, for the fans. In addition, the fact that this is posted on a site that only accepts fan fiction is enough to show that this is in fact fan fiction.
Prologue: Dust and Echoes
1548 Hours, May 25 2542 (Military Calendar) / Location Unknown
As the planet was slowly dieing a lonely witness leaned back against iridescent purple alloy. The world's final moments played out in his ears. Screams, cries for mercy, cursing, vows of vengeance. He had heard it all before, but he recorded it still. A final epitaph for the inhabitants below.
As the hours passed by, the only accompaniment for the voices were the rhythmic vibrations coursing through the ship's hull. The voices faded one by one until all that remained was the rumble; continuing on until it too faded away to the cold empty silence of space.
The observer tapped a few commands into the small portable tablet in his lap and a small hologram of the planet sprang to life. All that remained were blotches of angry red and empty black. A shattered moon orbited in the distance while a dull glare obscured the light on the far edge of the horizon. Glass.
A few more taps and the hologram disappeared. There was a brief burst of static before being replaced by voices.
"Ship Master, what are your orders?" There was a brief pause.
"Relay coordinates to the rest of the fleet and bring the ship about for transition."
The observer planted a hand to secure himself as the ship began to turn while continuing to monitor the conversation from the bridge.
"Run a scan of the system for life signatures."
"Yes, Ship Master. All scans read negative. No life signatures detected other than our fleet."
The observer slumped.
"What of the Oracle?"
"All Reclamations destroyed during bombardment, Ship Master."
"It is a pity that such a world must be burned and the Reclamations destroyed with it, but it cannot be helped. Such treasures must be sacrificed for the greater cause."
"Ship Master, engines are prepared for transition. Awaiting your command."
The witness returned to the image of the planet, but this time it was full of green and blue. White clouds swirled about. He stared at the picture with a broken smile. Another world worth saving. The image faded and was replaced with a burned out shell of its former self. Another world he had failed. He let the tablet fall away and it dimmed.
"We are finished here. Initiate transition."