Carter awoke this time once again to a dull grey ceiling and a slow churn of questions in his mind.

What was the thing in the bed? Did he really see an Elite on board? Where was he? What happened to Noble team and the mission? Kat…

Taking careful consideration this time, Carter very slowly sat up in bed and surveyed the room. He was among a dozen other patients all in various states of severe injuries from missing limbs to severe burns. All of them hooked up to machines to varying degrees. Carter looked down to see he was dressed in a hospital gown.

"Hello?" he managed to croak out

His throat was still sore and throbbed numbly. He grimaced visibly as he called out again. Looking towards the sound of rushing footsteps, he saw a group of what he could assume was nurses and doctors. Carter couldn't tell the job differences between any of them as they checked the machines around him.

"Take it easy Spartan. You've been through a lot." Said a woman with curly wheat colored hair and a thick British accent. She coaxed him to lying back down. "You're on the UNSC Mercy. I'm Dr. Miranda Turner."

"Doctor, I need to…"

"Everything will be explained to you Commander. For now let us do our job." she said cutting him off.

Carter felt the bed move to an upright position

"What happened to my team? Noble team. We were on a mission for Dr. Halsey on Reach. I need to know their status. Are they alive? Did we complete the mission?"

"Again Commander, everything will be explained to you shortly."

"I need…"

"First please answer my questions. The faster we get through this the faster you can get to your answers."

Carter relented as he anxiously closed his mouth and waited. Soon enough they were finished as they most of the staff left while another man dressed in a black outfit came over.

"Morning Spartan. Good to see you awake. My name is Captain Walter Huang." He said

"Captain. Could you please tell me full sit rep. I need to know everything that's happened. Where is my team? Are Emile and Six alive?"

The Captain anxious look over at Doctor Turner was all the answer Carter needed.

"Damn it." He said softly. "The mission?"

"It was a success. The package was delivered."

Carter nodded his approval that the sacrifices made weren't in vain although the loss of the entire team pained him.

"So what's the status? Is there a rally point we're to meet the rest of the fleet at?"

"I think it's time to get some rest." Said the doctor

"No goddamnit! I've been asleep for too long. I need to know what's going on!"

Once again the doctor and the captain exchanged concerned glances.

"Carter." Said Dr. Turner. "The war's over. We won."

"Over?" asked Carter as he furrowed his brow. "How long have I been out?"

"It's 2556 Carter." Said the doctor. "The war ended four years ago."