CHAPTER 2

Dinner was served in a manner typical of a small scout vessel. In a can. The 16 members of the crew all crowded into the Zephyr's cargo hold, as it was the one place they all could congregate. However, this evening rather than the usual banter, dinner was pretty quiet aside from the hushed whispers of a few of the crew. This didn't really bother the Chief, as he was used to this treatment, however the Captain was showing some signs of annoyance, and she decided to break the ice.

"I want to introduce you all to Spartan John-117, better known as the Master Chief. Yes he is real, and yes he really is a man if that's why you're staring at him." She coughed and continued "As you all know, our primary mission in this area of restricted space, is to locate any loyalist Covenant, that may be digging around in the wreckage of the ark. However, we've run into an unexpected situation" She said that while gesturing over in the Chief's direction. "We found the Chief and his AI Cortana. Now in normal circumstances, I'd just continue along with our mission, but in this case we need to get the word out to both UNSC command, and the Sanghelli high council. However, about an hour after we found the Chief, we also detected the presence of a Loyalist Covenant cruiser, who may have been drawn in by the same beacon that helped us find him." The Captain paused.

"Cortana has been monitoring the movement of that vessel, and she's certain that it detected us when we disconnected the Chief's distress beacon while removing him from the old frigate. But here's the rub, because that Cruiser saw us, we're in a bind. If we try to make a run for Kirukee Outpost, not only will that Covenant bastard see us, he'll also catch us, and in the process possibly locate Kirukee, and they're defenseless against a ship of that size." The Captain sighed, removed her cap, and rubbed her forehead. "So we need ideas people."

The Chief was already starting to like this officer. She reminded him a bit of Keyes family, both in their frankness about the situation, as well as their attitude. The Chief for one was clueless as to what should be done. Space combat wasn't his element, but he'd give his all like he always did regardless of the circumstances. Then the silence was broken when the first officer broke in. This guy had to be the saltiest crewman the chief had ever seen. This fifty or so year old guy had obviously seen combat, as he had scars all over his face and hands which came quite plainly from plasma burns, in fact it was so bad that hair only grew on the right side of his head. This was a man who looked so ugly that only his mother, or Sergeant Johnson could have loved him.

"We head back to Ark. If we hide out in there, those Covenant son's of bitches will lose us in the debris. I'm not letting the Covenant get us, when we've finally gotten the Chief back. It's about time I returned the favor to the guy who saved my ass the last time I was at the Ark." The Lieutenant Commander made a hideous smile.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? What if the flood are still surviving in the wreckage?" One of the crew interjected. "Then we deal with the flood. I've fought them, and we've got the Chief. Hell, the Chief is the most legendary ass kicker to have ever graced God's creation, and the ugly ass flood will probably shit themselves in fear when they see him return again." The Lieutenant Commander retorted while pointing towards the Chief. The discussion dragged on for a bit and a few other options were raised but in the end it was settled on hiding out in wrecked Ark. The Chief didn't really know what to think of the plan, perhaps Cortana could give him a better picture of the situation later on.

It could always be worse, I could be facing the flood and covenant on an empty stomach. The chief smiled at the thought.

The Captain settled the discussion. "So it's settled. We're going in amongst the Ark debris and we'll hide out for a while from that Cruiser. As soon as the coast is clear, we're going to make a run for it. However, I've got to say that I'm still concerned about the Flood.".

"You're right to be worried." It was Cortana. "Although, Lieutenant Commander Richards wants you to think otherwise, the Flood are a deadly threat. In fact I'm going to go so far as to say, that only the Chief will be allowed outside of this vessel while in the wreckage. I won't even let the airlock doors crack open if one of you other crewman tries to join him."

Richards answered back "I'll go with the Chief if need be. How else do you think I became so pretty. You know all about Boren's Syndrome I'm sure. I got shot in the face by a Covenant blaster, and got stuck with a Plasma Grenade. I pulled the grenade off and rammed it right up the ass of the brute who threw it." He laughed. "What's the worst that could happen? I get ripped apart by flood forms? So what. If it means getting the Chief back home, I'd gladly let it happen."

"Enough!" The Captain was obviously getting annoyed. "I understand your concern Cortana, and I can assure you I've been briefed on the flood. However, I'll give Richards my blessing, as we both have access to his medical records, and he's telling the truth about his Boren's Syndrome. Ideally we won't need to exit this ship, but it will make me sleep easier at night knowing that I've got some people who can go outside just in case."

"Cortana, given that you've largely taken over my ship, plot a course for the Ark debris field. Go on minimum engine power as to reduce any heat emissions that the Cruiser might be able to spot." Lamented the captain. She knew who was "really" in in charge of the ship at the moment.

"Aye Captain." Cortana replied.

"Alright, now that we've got everything settled, I think we're clear on what we need to do. Everyone return to your posts, dismissed." The Captain commanded.

"You Chief, I order you to take some R and R. You have use of my quarters until 0400 hours, as that's about when Cortana has shown we'll reach the debris field." She saluted, and the Chief obeyed.