I do not own what I write about, Halo, and its world belong to its creators.

Prologue

Sector Four

A thin line of smoke rose into the air, escaping from the end of the man's cigarette. And at first glance, he looked pretty cool, standing there under an overcast sky, smoking a cig, and holding a Battle Rifle. Asher narrowed his eyes, looking out over the cold rolling seas in front of him. This place was a mistake. Sector Four never should have happened. Asher tossed the spent cigarette on the ground and stomped it out with the heel of his boot, still looking out at the ice cold waves. It wasn't enough that the human race had survived. But they had to bring just one to this planet. Had to run tests, see what makes it tick. Asher felt his anger rising and picked up a rock. He looked down at it for a moment, still thinking. Hadn't they ever thought, ever wondered what would happen if it escaped? They must have, but then again, people were expendable.

In a sudden burst of anger Asher threw the rock as far out as he could, trying to hit the ocean on the other side of the rocky beach. It wasn't fair. They had been begged, pleaded, bribed, and threatened. By him, by other soldiers, by the citizens of Earth, but they didn't listen.

"Sure is an ugly day out, ain't it Ash?"
Asher knew the voice, he didn't turn around. "I don't mind."
"Eh? Lover boy doesn't mind? It's been a-"
"I know, what it's been, Seth." Asher held his gun tighter, speaking through clenched teeth. "I know."
It started to rain then, and Asher just mentally heard the footsteps come closer behind him. He didn't need to look over to see Seth's brown eyes looking over at him, he knew they were.
"Asher… you know part of getting over the past, is accepting it happened."
"Corporal Asher Graham please report to room 57," The intercom cut through the cold rain and wind beating down on the two soldiers. Asher shut his eyes and turned, opening them to see the door before he started walking toward it.
"Asher." Seth called after him, "You heard me!" Seth yelled back to his friend as he stopped to swipe his pass key in the door and punch in the access code. Asher slipped through, out of the rain, and let the door slide shut behind him.
"It could have been prevented." He muttered angrily. "That is what I care about."

Hurrah… I haven't written in a long time, I hope whoever reads this like it. Read and Review, thanks. I'll try to get chapter one up as soon as I can.