Halo 5: The Reclamation Begins

by Peacekeeper 37

The Covenant has fractured. The Didact defeated. And Humanity saved. John can finally rest... or can he? He still hasn't moved on from the loss of his friend, Cortana. And being a Spartan, he must fight on against Covenant Remnants and Human Rebels. But on his latest mission, he is given a vision. From HER. Someone is waiting for him, but John must find her before 'he' does.

1. She's alive, and waiting for you

You know how I said I was gonna WAIT until after Halo: Pandora to post this? Well I lied. This is a two birds with one stone deal this fic, as well as a sort of sequel to Pandora… ish. After Halo's 1, 2, 3, and 4. One: It rewrites Halo 5 the way it should've been. Or at least how I thought it should've been. Two: It is the beginning of an idea I've had that involves more ideas, but with a need for explanation. And this fic will not only do that, but set the stage for new possibilities.

Basically it's a way to make crossovers that don't involve time/dimension/reality travel or unexplained instances of going elsewhere, cut off from home, or another galaxy. Like several other fictions I've seen on the website, NOT that I'm hating or anything. I ain't a hater man! This is my own unique spin on things. Gonna be original! … Unless someone's already done it, then I'm not. So without further regards n shit, let's begin.

PS: If you've never played Halo 4, or at the very least never seen the cutscenes. Stop what you're doing. Either buy a copy, look up Youtube, or go to Wikipedia. THEN read this.

2558.

The Human-Covenant war is over. The Covenant no longer a true threat. The Flood now extinct. The Halos prevented from firing. The Didact sealed in a digitized state. And Humanity rebuilding. Peace seemed like a true reality after so long. But the fighting still rages.

In the six years after the end of the war, the wake of the Great Schism, and the end of Requiem, the forces of the Covenant Remnant continue engage with the Sangheili forces under the banner of the Arbiter. To add to that, the few Rebel forces that did not join the UNSC in the war now continue their struggle. Including the now interstellar Frontier Militia.

To make matters worse, Human colonies have experienced cataclysmic events, Forerunner in origin, laying waste to chunks of cities, destroying developing worlds, and other terrible events.

But a flicker of hope has shone. In the form of a message.

Dr. Halsey has sent a message under the nose of Jul 'Mdama to the Infinity, with evidence of what is causing these catastrophes. But first, she must be rescued. With Blue team off on another assignment, Fireteam Osiris has been dispatched to retrieve the doctor. And potentially end the Covenant.

2558. Over Kamchatka.

A single Pelican dropship soared in the polar cold skies of the planet, carrying four soldiers for a mission deep in enemy territory. This was Covenant Remnant territory… well… was.

Reports had come in of the Prometheans making their way to take the planet from them, and they were succeeding. Prometheans, in their time, were the highest and most respected of Warrior-Servants during the time of the Forerunner Ecumene. During the war against the Flood, it was apparent that machines and metal were immune to the parasite, and therefore the Didact acted accordingly.

Turning his soldiers into Knights via the composer, digital intelligences were spawned from the soldiers and made to fight the Flood. Unfortunately the personalities fractured, leaving soulless killing machines, and attempts to bring them back created monsters. As the Prometheans dwindled, the Didact used the Composer on a different race.

Ancient Humans from after the Human-Forerunner War.

This is one event that lead to his exile to Requiem, and the firing of the Halos. But even with their supreme leader "gone," and the Covenant fracturing, the Prometheans have still continued their struggle.

In the Pelican were four Spartan IVs. The first was a female named Olympia Vale, once political liaison of ONI, now Spartan.

The next was Holly Tanaka, another female who survived the glassing of her home colony to later serve in the UNSC Army, not to be confused with the Marine Corps. She even saw action on Requiem.

Next, a male by the name of Edward Buck, once Orbital Drop Shock Trooper and 25-year veteran of the Human-Covenant War. A career soldier who's been in the military since Harvest. While ODSTs had a dislike for Spartans, Buck had an admiration for the soldiers, and even owed his life to one on Reach. They always said if he was any better, he'd be a Spartan. Look at him now. But once an ODST, ALWAYS an ODST.

Lastly, a man who was in charge of them all. Jameson Locke, a man of African descent and a long service with ONI in assassinations and acquisitions. While he has been proud to work with ONI in the past, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wrong nowadays. Regardless, he kept his head up and ears open. For now anyway.

A small circular projector came up and floated in the middle of the passenger bay, giving pictures of Captain Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity, Humanity's greatest and largest warship in history. And Spartan IV Commander Sarah Palmer. With these projections were varying pictures of Human colony cities. All with huge smoking craters in them. Like a meteor came down, but without the apocalyptic aftermath.

"Fireteam Osiris," Lasky began, "over the last 72 hours, five colonies have experienced identical events. Massive destruction. Forerunner in origin." The Spartans prepared themselves as the Captain spoke. "Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Halsey has managed to contact us. She claims to have information on these attacks."

"Halsey is currently in Covenant custody on the surface of Kamchatka." Sarah began speaking next. "Your mission is to drop in behind enemy lines, retrieve Halsey, and bring her back to Infinity. Be advised, Halsey is accompanied by Covenant Supreme Leader Jul 'Mdama. If you have the opportunity…"

"Understood commander." Replied Locke, knowing exactly where she was going.

"Good luck Spartan Locke. Infinity out." And with that, the table shut off. "Tracking gear online?" Locke asked.

"Affirmative." Vale replied. "Say, before we make this jump, anybody wanna say a few words?" Holly asked. Buck volunteered.

"I figure if God can hear how scared I am, so can everyone else. Locke, you buying the first drink when we're done?"

"You ask, you buy." He replied, earning a short friendly laugh from Buck. "Fireteam Osiris! The light is green!" Locke said, proceeding to mash the door button to open the hatch, revealing the above-cloud horizon. Vale and Holly went first, followed by Buck, Locke took a moment to collect himself before slipping his own helmet on and skydiving after them.

The Spartan Branch was NOT for the usual. Only the best of the best.

The four Spartans dove through the clouds, finding themselves in the midst of an air battle between Covenant Remnant and Forerunner forces, oh the delicious irony. Spend their whole existence worshipping them as gods, now their gods declare war on them. "Comms check.
Locke said. "Comms are working fine Locke."

"Copy that Tanaka." Locke said as a nearby falling Forerunner ship collided and shattered against a mountain.

"Spartan Buck, online and ready."

"Spartan Vale online."

"Weapons free!" Locke said as they came closer to the ground, where a large collection of Covenant forces were collected. "Contact!" Buck shouted as he readied his shotgun, and was the first to fire. Vale slammed into the ground with a ground pound, sending a Wraith front-over.

Using their jetpacks and sending out more ground pounds, the Spartans easily tore through the Covenant line, Holly broke a rock to bits as she charged, sending it into a collection of Covenant soldiers who were subsequently blinded and slowed down. Vale hopped onto a Wraith and killed the gunner, jumping off to shoot another Sangheili while a Phantom lowered itself to drop off more soldiers, and try to hit the Spartans. Unfortunately for them, Vale managed to climb aboard the craft and attack the passengers, she easily dispatched of an Elite and Jackal, then shot another Elite pointblank and kicked him off the craft, bringing a Jackal with him.

As the Phantom spiraled out of control from Vale's actions, Buck, Locke, and Holly continued tearing through the Covenant forces, eventually seeing Prometheans join the fight. All four Spartans jumped off a nearby cliff and ground pounded, sending a large number of Covenant soldiers flying with shrilling screams. "DEMONS! RUN!" An Unggoy shouted out. Vale jumped onto a Ghost, causing its pilot to flinch and lose control, then jumped to another and drag the pilot out of the vehicle. The Phantom from before dove nose first to the ground and collided with a Forerunner Phaeton fighter craft. The occupant, a Forerunner Soldier disembarked before the crash and rushed towards Vale, but was cut down by sustained SMG fire. "Heads up!" She shouted. A Covenant ship in the background was going straight to the ground, and collided with the mountain.

The Spartans run-and-gunned their way to escape the incoming wreckage, before jumping into a crevice. The team slowed their descent by grabbing onto the icy wall to take the Covenant soldiers down there by surprise. And surprise them they did, Buck rammed into an Elite, whose sword went towards Locke. He grabbed it mid-air and plunged it into an Elite's neck before the latter could react. Others were about to attack. "Incoming!" Holly called out. A piece of flaming ship debris fell onto the Covenant soldiers, effectively ending their threat.

"We could've taken 'em." Buck said.

"Let's move. Vale, keep an ear on comms." Locke said. "Affirmative."
"Buck, Tanaka, pull security,"

"On it."

"Aye."

"Jul and Halsey are holed up in a Forerunner structure ahead, that's our target." Locke said.

"So Halsey called us?" Vale asked.

"She said there was something big happening and gave Captain Lasky coordinates to find her."

"It must be something big." Holly commented

"Or one hell of a trap." Buck added. The sky was filled with Banshees and Phaetons dogfighting. In the skies, a single Covenant cruiser provided over watch, while getting shot at by particle turrets from the ground. The Spartans rolled on into another fight between Covenant and Forerunner. Locke made their presence known with a grenade.

"They must not break the lines to 'Mdama. 'Mdama's work must continue or Sanghelios is lost to us!" An Elite shouted out. Locke went straight to him, giving a blow with the butt of his rifle, Buck blew nearby Grunts away while Holly handled the Jacals. Vale focused on the Promethean Crawlers, one being sent over the edge. While firm resistance was shown, the Spartans overcame it and pushed onwards to find more Prometheans. Again, they were defeated.

They continued, approaching a small collection of ledges, only for another threat to appear.

"Forerunner Soldiers!" Locke shouted. The Spartans opened fire, only for the Forerunners to change their form to an energy-dust like state.

The Soldiers are capable of slipspace translocation, their forms turn to a sort of glowing energy cloud. Like a fairy, but deadly and armed with unfathomably advanced weapons. The Spartans pursued, charging through the ice wall the enemy slipped through. More Prometheans came in their path.
Splitting into two, Locke and Buck took a flank, tossing Forerunner grenades at clusters of Crawlers while Vale and Holly charged forward. A ground-pound from Locke eliminated three soldiers while another was taken down by his rifle. The remaining Prometheans stood upon a fortification in Osiris's way. Exploiting his path, Buck ground-pounded them dead center. The survivors were forced to relocate, sending them straight into the crosshairs of the other three Spartans.

"Area clear." Buck said as the last Forerunner fell.

"Good work everyone. Move on to Halsey's position." Locke said.

"I noticed in the briefing that Halsey lost her left arm. Any idea how that happened?" Asked Vale.

"Jul did it. No idea when or why." Locke said, unaware of the truth.

"Reckon it wasn't an argument, otherwise he'd cut off her head." Holly added. Their path lead to the inside of a Forerunner structure, but not the one they wanted.

"The door is sealed tight." Vale said.

"Forerunner security station. Must be in lockdown." Holly said.

"Any way to lift it?" Buck asked.

"The Artemis can analyze Forerunner systems. Might be way to override this door." Locke said.

"This Artemis one of your old ONI toys?" Holly asked, teasing a bit.

"Similar. I convinced Commander Palmer to outfit us with prototypes." With that, Locke sent out a pulse visible to himself to locate anything of interest. "Systems analyzed. Looks like there's an override switch at the top of the room." He said, climbing up there. "Let's see… this should do it." With that, the door opened.

"The Artemis did the trick." Holly said impressed. Before Locke could move, Vale spoke up.

"Locke, listen to this…" The radio played the voice of an Elite speaking his native tongue… Jul 'Mdama.

"'They are assaulting the back of the temple. Bring in the Kraken.'" That sent a slight shiver down their spines. The Kraken was a massive tripod siege craft spotted in 2555. Often in Remnant armies. 'As if Scarabs weren't bad enough.' A Marine said describing the scene. The Kraken was equipped with small hangars between the legs, with several plasma defense turrets, and could fly. Yes, can fly. Locke and team rushed forward before seeing a massive mechanical leg drop a ways in front of them. They were in a cliffside cavern, meaning they were safe, momentarily that is.

"Kraken sighted!" Locke said, watching as the evil looking claws of the leg opened as it left his view.

"'Hold position. Buy more time.' Jul's getting desperate." Vale said.

"How'd you learn to speak Sangheili Vale?" Holly asked.

"When I was a kid I was stuck aboard a diplomatic shuttle adrift in deep space for six months. My options were be real bored or spend the time getting smart." Vale explained.

"No argument here." Buck replied.

They reached an exit to another battlefield. And the Kraken was there too. "Our destination is on the other side of this battlefield. Watch out for the Kraken! Covenant are trying to use it to break the Promethean lines!"

"I'd rather not get stuck between them!" Buck said replying to Locke. It was indeed a menacing sight seeing the Kraken come down to the fight. Luckily it was too huge for the ridge and had to set down a bit away. Even then, it was in a perfect spot to attack with its dozens of plasma turrets.

Handling the foot soldiers was easy, but the Kraken was something else entirely. Locke could only hope it would be driven off. Otherwise, getting Halsey and killing Jul would be a hell of a lot harder. Breaking a Jackal's neck while shooting a Crawler, Locke was careful to avoid the high velocity bolts of plasma fro the Kraken. His team had the same mindset. Buck was fist-fighting with Soldiers as they blocked his path. Vale tossed a grenade towards some Grunts, killing them in a fiery explosion. Holly stuck to cover while making her marks.

Cover to cover, the team advanced with the Kraken's gun's firing. And with it focusing on them, it was getting harder to do their task.
"Kraken's falling back! Forerunner defenses were too much for it!" Vale said.

"That's something you don't hear every day! Thank the lord!" Buck said. The Kraken, while still firing, was floating into the air and heading back from whence it came and away from the battlefield. Now all in their way were some last big Promethean Soldiers. All were taken down.

"Area's clear." Holly said.

"Halsey and 'Mdama are somewhere inside that structure. We do this right, we bring our target home and end the Covenant in one move." Locke said.

"Must've dealt a blow to 'Mdama's authority when the Prometheans turned on him. Gained a lot of followers styling himself as a Forerunner Prophet." Vale said.

"Jul 'Mdama is an opportunist, not a leader." Locke said, taking a moment to stop and speak. "It was only a matter of time before his version of the Covenant started to break."

"Could stand to break a little faster if you ask me." Buck said.

"Amen to that." Holly replied.

A door opened partially, revealing a Promethean Knight. The Human turned kind. A new kind too. "Knights!"

"Yeah. The new kind, too. Like they reported on Oban." Holly said. These ones were nigh unbeatable, save for a weak spot protected by two large armor covers on the back. A core of sorts that would result in the death of the Knight if destroyed.

The next area had about three Knights and the last of 'Mdamas early defenders. The Spartans simply waited while the enemy killed one another, which was quick. Only two knights left. Within a few minutes of careful teamwork and flanking, and some well-placed grenades of the Forerunner variety, they were beaten. "Alright. Danger is clear." Buck stated.

"We move on Halsey and Jul." Locke said.

The Spartans made their way down a long hallway leading to a landing pad of sorts. Out there was Halsey with several Elites. Including 'Mdama.

"What's the problem?" Jul asked Halsey in English.

"Hmm. There are several. Would you like to discuss the finer points of casual reconciliation?" She asked sarcastically.

"More Human sarcasm." Jul replied. Halsey wore a smug grin.

"So you have learned something from me, Jul." "You claimed to be able to access-"

"And I can. I did not however claim to be able to access it instantaneously." She said.

"The security situation is not stable. There is no time to dither. You will also accord me with the respect befitting of the Didact's Hand" Jul said.

"Mmmm, seems your fingers are in open rebellion, Hand." She remarked. "ENOUGH!"

Halsey began to back up after looking around. "This location does not serve my needs. When he makes another transmission, I must triangulate-" It was Jul's turn to interrupt.

"I tire of this, Doctor! You have been chasing shadows for weeks to no avail!" Suddenly a shot of hard light struck the head of an Elite, and the Spartans charged forward. Locke going straight for Jul. Vale ended up sending an Elite falling towards his death.

"KILL THEM!" Jul ordered. Earning Locke's attention. Locke ran forward, and swiped his knife at a bare spot on Jul's chest, then maneuvered to his back and plunged the knife into the neck of the Remnant leader. Jul let out a roar of pain, before slumping, and hitting the ground.

At last… at LONG LONG LAST. He was dead.

"Dr. Halsey. Captain Lasky would like a word with you." Locke said to the doctor.

"Took you long enough." She replied.

…

Infinity

The Pelican made its way back to Infinity. Where Lasky and Palmer were waiting. As soon as she departed. Halsey went straight to the Captain. "Captain Lasky, I sent you my position three weeks ago, I told you this was happening!"

"We'll discuss that in private, Doctor. Palmer?" The Commander began to escort the Doctor away.

"What has he done? How far has it already gone?" Who was 'he?'

"Good work Osiris." Was all Lasky said to the Spartans.
The team was justifiably confused at what was happening. "What do you think that's about?" Buck asked.

"I dunno Buck. But I have a BAD feeling about this." Was all Locke said.

Meanwhile. In uncharted space.

He looked into the visor of his helmet. Allowing memories to flood his mind. It seemed like only yesterday the war began, then ended. It seemed like only yesterday Samuel died, to give hope, it seemed like only yesterday she saved him, at the cost of her life.

John's pity was shrinking, but it refused to leave. Like a scar it endured, with no sign of going away. He flipped the helmet to his new armor over and traced his thumb over the slot in the back…

Where she would've stayed.

In the back of the Pelican, Spartans Kelly, Fred, and Linda, Blue team, were preparing to deploy. They all sensed their leader's sorrow. "I haven't seen John press himself this hard since we were in Bootcamp." Fred said quietly.

"He's fine Fred." Kelly said, even though she knew he wasn't.

"This many missions non-stop isn't 'fine'…" Fred declared.

"Sierra 117 to Infinity. Blue Team has located Argent Moon. Signs of hostile activity, but she's still here." Chief awaited for a response.

"Copy that, 117. Eliminate all hostiles. Secure Argent Moon. You may deploy when ready."

"Affirmative, Infinity. 117 out." John was a bit quieter than usual, showing his pain that had not subsided. John stopped the Pelican and put it into standby mode. He made his way to the back where his team waited.

"Here you go." Kelly said, handing him his improved MA5D. Unlike the model used on Requiem, which had great accuracy, but also stopping power that would make a watermelon feel safe, this model was much stronger. Comparable to the MA5C.

"Thanks, Kelly. Everyone ready?" He asked.

"Affirmative." Linda said as she opened the hatch.

"You good?" Fred asked. John nodded.

"Blue Team, fall out." As John spoke, the Spartans took off with their jetpacks and went straight for the ship.

"The Unggoy are resisting." An Elite said. His superior grunted in anger.

"Throw the Unggoy out the airlock!" The Elites were in a room with a window… where the Spartans were heading. All four grabbed their weapons and shot the glass, rendering it weak. Then broke through and landed right in the middle of the group of Elites.

Unfortunately the air began to go out the broken window, causing the Elites to get sucked out. The Spartans however had magnetic boots. Meaning as the Elites helplessly flew into space to suffocate. The Spartans didn't move at all.

As the bulkhead filled the hole, Blue Team was ready. "Hull breach contained. Pressurization of the vented areas completed." The ship's computer spoke over the intercom.

"What do we know about Argent Moon?" Asked Fred.

"ONI research station." Linda replied.

"Went dark nineteen months ago. Last week, Kig-Yar scavengers found it, and sold the find to Jul 'Mdama's people."

"We clear the Covenant and return this station to ONI." Chief said.

"Fastest route to retrieval is to seize Central Control. Eliminate hostiles between here and there, then deactivate the gravity and life-support systems." Kelly said.

"Ship data center is just ahead. We can pull down Argent Moon's schematics there." The team made their way to a catwalk overlooking a ship in construction.

"Looks like they were designing a new stealth class vessel." John said. "Impressive." Fred said. "ONI lost years of R&D with this station." The team found bodies up ahead. Human bodies. They were down to the skeletal remains.

"Well we know what happened to the crew now." Fred said. "But what EXACTLY? There's no way the Covenant did this. The remains are too decomposed." Said Linda.

"Maybe this console can tell us." Said John.

Keying the computer nearby, a recording began to speak. "This is Rooker, ship AI Argent Moon. Recording this as a warning to any ONI personnel who try to reclaim Argent Moon. Her air is NOT safe for Humans to breath. I repeat. Her air is unsafe."

… "Unsafe… why?" Asked John.

"We'll find out when we get to the data center." Linda said. The team made way through a door, and found two Grunts at the computers.

"Why do we have to do downloading? So boring! Takes FOREVER!" One whined. "Wish we were breaking glass. I like breaking glass."

The team was about to move in when they found a door that went around them. Deciding to take stealth, they took it. Only to run into two Jackals. With no choice, they opened fire. "Humans? How did Humans find us?" A Grunt asked in shock. The Spartans tore through the Covenant soldiers. Only having slight issues with Elites. Not long after, they reached the data center.

"Accessed the data banks." Said John.

"Grab the data and current population map." John ordered.

"Should be a straight shot to central control through the assembly ahead… there are still Prowlers in the hangar bays." Fred said.

"Look at this. Turns out the personnel here were testing and making bio-weapons." Said Linda.

"That explains the dead crew. And the air." John replied.

"Nobody from ONI got out of here alive, did they?" Fred said matter-of-factly. "No." Linda said.

Putting the facts past them, unable to do anything about it, the team moved on ahead to an elevator that would take them to the assembly.

"Central control's straight across this bay." Said Fred.

"Everything's ripped up." Linda said, commenting on how much of a poor state the prototype was in.

"They must be stripping that experimental ship for parts." Kelly said, making a good point.

"Scavengers. Taking what supplies they can find. The Covenant's war against the Arbiter must not be going too well." Fred commented.

"My thoughts exactly. And from the looks of things, I'd guess they've been at this for a while." John said.

"Jul 'Mdama is a lot of things, but he's no prophet." Linda said.

The elevator stopped and opened. "Most direct route is through that ventilation wall." Fred said.

"Let's charge through." John said, already sprinting towards the vent and breaking through. Then ground pounding a squad of Grunts. The area immediately went live-fire. More Grunts fell as Elites rushed the Spartans. Kelly blasted them away with her shotgun. Linda's rifle rang as a distant lead Elite fell, inciting panic. The Grunts were easy enough, and the Jackals were a bit trickier, it was the Elites who gave trouble. Nevertheless, through a combination of quick trigger fingers and careful planning, the Spartans won.

"Hydra here." John said, taking notice of a Hydra launcher up at the top of a staircase.

"I'll take that." Fred said grabbing the explosive weapon. The next area gave the Spartans the high ground, which Linda took advantage of. As the other three super-soldiers rushed towards the Covenant, Linda took down key targets. Mostly Jackals with Storm Rifles. Over another platform were more forces and Elites. John rushed for the main Elite while Fred and Kelly dealt with the remaining forces.

"No one's left standing. Let's move on to Central Control," Said Fred. The Spartans made their way to a small bridge.

"Central Control is through those doors." Said John. As he made his way across, an unidentified contact blip came onto his motion tracker. "Hold," he said, "unidentified-" Suddenly the collection of crates on the other side erupted as a familiar deadly adversary came forth.

"Hunter!" John said. The creature ran and slammed its shield onto the bridge, breaking it and causing John to fall.

"CHIEF!" Fred called, realizing he was too late to catch him.

…

John came to and looked around, he was in a new area. He aimed his rifle, scanning for any threats, and found nothing. He was in what looked like a cave. A cave, not a tunnel. "How did I get here?" He asked himself. "Did I get… knocked out when I landed? Or did I fall into an asteroid? No… couldn't have. Blue Team. Report."

No answer.

"Sierra 117 to Blue Team. Report. Sierra 117. Does anyone copy?"

"Chief…"

A quiet, ominous voice spoke his name, he turned with his weapon draw, following the source of the voice. But something was wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the voice seemed… familiar.

He found a blue glowing object on the ground. As he got closer, he could identify it as an AI chip… wait… that glow… AI chip… could it? Underneath his helmet, John had an expression of shock, and possible joy. He slowly knelt and reached for the chip, but before he could touch it, it disappeared.

'I'm hallucinating now. I can't believe I'm letting her passing affect me like this now… then again…' He sighed. "I knew it was too good to be true.

"John…"

The same voice again… and it was more distinguishable. And it sounded like… no… he was hallucinating. He was sure of it. Yet he followed another glow at the end of a tunnel. He found himself outside, gazing upon a rocky mountain wilderness overlooking what appeared to be a nighttime forest. At a high altitude too.

"Chief."

That was no mistakable voice this time. He looked up and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Her oh so familiar form. 'Cortana?' He thought. '… am I hallucinating still?'

"The Domain is open. Meridian is next."

"Cortana?" He said, unsure of what he was seeing.

"John. She is here! She's alive and waiting for her children to come to her!"

"What? Who? Who's alive?" John asked.

"She awaits you John. Find her. Find me. And the Reclamation can begin. Humanity can finally attain its destiny!"

"What are you talking about?!" He asked a little irritated, the lack of answers eating at him.

"Please hurry John. Find me. Find US. Before HE does. Before he undoes Humanity's destiny!" Before John could further inquire, the ground began to shake, and down in the abysmal chasm separating the two, came what appeared to be a Forerunner creation. A sort of winged beast that rose into the sky. Dwarfing the mountains. And Cortana began to yell in desperation.

"JOHN! PLEASE! HURRY! HURRY BEFORE HE COMES! HURRY BEFORE HE DESTROYS US ALL!"

…

"Chief… what's wrong?"

John found himself in the presence of his team again. Confused, but knowing what he saw. Kelly was at his side to see if he was okay. Chief stood and finally had an idea of what to do next.

"She's on Meridian." He said simply.

"Who?" Kelly asked.

"Cortana."