Chapter 2: Church's Message

Disclaimer: I Don't Own Halo, Red Vs Blue or Any of their Respective Characters

A/N: Hello and welcome to the next chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter, that is those who have actually read it. In this next chapter, you will find out where Church disappeared to in the previous story and what actually happened to him. Again, as this is the sequel, I highly implore you to read the first story and then come back to read this one, if you have not done so already. With that being said, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. Please favorite or follow if you enjoyed the previous story, as it really helps this one out. Also, please leave a review or PM if you want to submit input.

Dear Master Chief,

The loss of your AI fragment is a very unfortunate event. I shouldn't have to remind you that without an AI or several AIs, it would be quite difficult to replicate Project Freelancer and to allow it to make a comeback. The UNSC will try to provide you with an AI, but with the recent discovery of Beta Halo, we just can't hand over an AI. We need all of the AI that we can get at this time. I hope you are able to make do without an AI for the time being.

Yours Truly,

Terrence Hood

Admiral Terrence Hood

UNSC Conference Room

I watched as two officers brought in the only survivor from Beta Halo. "Thank you gentlemen, you may leave us." I said. The two officers turned around and walked back through the door, just leaving I and the survivor alone in the conference room. "You are Private Jimmy Jenkins, correct?" I asked. "Yes, Sir!" Private Jenkins exclaimed. "Private, if it makes you feel more comfortable, you don't have to call me sir." I said. "Can you tell me about what happened at Beta Halo?" Private Jenkins nodded. "Yes." he said. "We were there for about a month, one day, everything was pretty much like normal and one day, this huge alien thing showed up on the ring." I nodded. "I see. Is this the alien you are referring to?" I asked, as a holographic image of said alien appeared. "Yeah. Yes, that's it." Private Jenkins said. I clicked a button and the holographic image disappeared. I sighed. "Private Jenkins, you can stay in this facility as long as you wish. These men will show you to your new quarters." I said.

Two men in UNSC uniform walked into the room and stopped behind Private Jenkins. "Private, you may stay with us as long as you feel necessary." I said. "Gentlemen, please see to it that Private Jenkins is taken care of." The men walked Jenkins out of the room and I turned my attention to the Spartan in the corner of the room, standing in the shadows. "My friend, please step forward." I said. The Spartan stepped forward, revealing his Light Brown armor in the light. "Well, what do you think?" I asked. "It sounds a lot like I encountered. The thing I was partnered with. Only it's gotten stronger. And it may be trying to raise an army." the Spartan said. "Does that worry you?" I asked. "It doesn't excite me, if that's what you want to know." the Spartan replied. "And it looks like we're about to go to war. Again. And I really couldn't be happier. I've been looking forward to paying him back for all the trouble he's caused me." I shook my head. "Well, my friend, I regret to inform you that you won't be hunting him anytime soon." I said. "Why not?" the Spartan asked.

"It just so happens that the Doc has finished helping her companion get better through therapy. And a few minor surgeries. And they are ready to go back to the Gulch." I said. "I'm going to need you to accompany them back to the Gulch. When you get there, immediately report to the Commanding Officer there, and inform him of our situation here with Beta Halo." The Spartan saluted me and I returned the salute. He turned around and started to stroll out of the room. "Oh, and one last thing?" I asked. He tilted his head back, so he could hear me. "Have you heard about the trouble on Chorus?" I asked. He nodded. "Of course I have. Goodbye, Sir." He walked out of the room.

John-117

Blood Gulch Firing Range

I was standing in front of Firing Range Three, holding a Battle Rifle in my hand. I fired at the three targets that had come up, downing them in no less than five seconds. Simmons was at Range Two, shooting at Grif targets with a Sniper Rifle. Just then, the door to the Range opened, and Sarge walked in. He walked up the Armory box that Lopez stood in. "I'll take a Rocket Launcher, Lopez." he said. "I cannot give you that item, Sarge." Lopez replied in return. "Lopez, Launcher! Ahora! Los rapido!" Sarge exclaimed. "I don't speak Spanish anymore, old man." Lopez said. "Thanks, Lopez." Sarge said, before he walked over and stood in front of Firing Range Four. I looked over to Sarge, to see him holding a Rocket Launcher. "Um, Sarge? What are you doing?" I asked. "Target practice." Sarge said. "With a Rocket Launcher?" I asked. I didn't get an answer. Sarge just lifted up the Rocket Launcher, as a Grif target popped up and fired a rocket down range.

The rocket hit the Grif target and blew it up into several pieces. I looked over at Sarge. "Well, I think that's enough for the day." I said, as I placed my Rifle on my back. Just then, the door opened and Carolina ran in, at lightning speed. "Master Chief! I need to tell you something!" she exclaimed, as she stopped right in front of me. "Well, okay. Calm down a little, Carolina. What's wrong?" I asked. She caught her breath, before looking up at me. "Chief, it's Church. Tucker and I were in Blue Base. We found him." she said. Finally, some good news. "Well, where is he?" I asked. "You uh, it'd be better if you see for yourself." Carolina said. "Fine. Lead the way, Carolina." I said. We both jogged out of the Firing Range, and towards Blue Base. We had arrived within only a few minutes. I ran in, to see Tucker pacing back in forth in front of the base's holo screen. "- memory is the key, so don't forget about me." I heard Church's voice. I looked over, to see Church's AI form.

I looked to Tucker. "Okay, Lance Corporal. What happened here?" I asked. "Carolina and I were in here talking, for about an hour. And she pissed me off by saying something about my scars. She uh, apologized and I uh, sat down on the keyboard. And a few seconds later, Church appeared. Carolina and I tried to talk to him, but he just repeats himself. Over, and over, and over again." Tucker said. "I don't really know much about how getting the full message to play, if that's what this is. Tell you what, let me go grab Lopez. I'm sure he can figure this thing out." Carolina spoke before Tucker could. "That works just fine, Chief. We'll wait here for you." I nodded and ran back outside of Blue Base. As I ran, I saw Caboose coming into my path. "Hi, Mister Chief!" Caboose said, as he waved. "How is-" I interrupted him. "Oh, everything is great Caboose! I can't talk right now!" I exclaimed as I ran past him. "Oh, okay! See you later, bye!" Caboose called back to me.

Carolina

Blue Base

"This is so messed up!" Tucker exclaimed, as he paced back and forth. "Church disappears for five months, and he just shows up again today!" I sighed. "Tucker-" I said, trying to sound as soothing as I could. He interrupted. "Carolina, Church is gone! He is gone! I don't know how I think that, I just have a weird feeling! He is not coming back, Carolina. I don't know! I can't think straight! This has to be a message! Church is dead! Church is gone! He's-he's-" Tucker cut himself off, as he started to hyperventilate. I stepped forward, grabbed hold of his shoulders and shook him. "Tucker calm down!" I said. "Remember, if he is actually dead, just remember: He's not really gone, he never said goodbye. He's just not here right now." Tucker started to breath normally again and slowly backed up away from me. "You're right. I'm sorry, Carolina." he said. "It's okay, I understand." I replied, as I placed my foot against the wall. "I understand."

John-117

Blood Gulch Firing Range

"Lopez, we have a problem." I said, as I stepped up to the armory box. "Okay. What is the problem?" he asked. "Carolina and Tucker found Church. Or a recording of him. And they can't get it to play." I replied. "Hmm, okay." Lopez said. "Could you by any chance help them to get it play all the way through?" I asked. "Yes." he said. "Here hold this, please." He handed a repurposed Boltshot to me. I took it and watched him walk to his right and out the door of the armory. He locked the door behind him and turned back to face me. I handed him the Boltshot. "Thanks." he said, as he walked to the door. "Master Chief, please inform all soldiers that the armory is closed for the rest of the day." I nodded. "Of course, Lopez. I will pass the message along." I said. "I will report to you when I have fixed the problem. Tell all soldiers that there has been an emergency at Blue Base. Also, tell them to keep the base clear until further notice. I can't work in crowded areas." he said, leaving the armory before I could say anything.

I stood there, thinking for a minute or two. Finally, I walked out of the Shooting Range and walked to the Command Tent, where I, and the few higher ranked soldiers in the canyon were often found. He had Lopez install intercoms all over the Canyon, in Blue Base, outside of Blue Base, inside and outside of the Infirmary, inside and outside of Red Base, inside and outside of the Firing Range and four on the walls of the canyon, right in the heart of the Gulch. He had an announcement to make.

Grif

Red Base

"Whoa, that's not what happened." Simmons said, as we had an arguement. "Yes, it is! You said: "I'm not going to the Vegas Quadrant!". Then, the next thing I know, you're in an escape pod, headed for-" I was speaking, when the intercom came on. "Attention Blood Gulch, this is John-117. The Armory has been closed for the rest of the day, due to an emergency at Blue Base. I must ask all of you to keep out of the base, for the time being. That will be all." I looked at Simmons. He looked at me. "Hey." he said. "Yeah?" I asked. "Do you ever wonder why-" Simmons began to ask the big question, but I interrupted. "That seems to be a big question, doesn't it? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence? Or is there really a God, with a plan and stuff in store for us? I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night." I said. Simmons smacked himself in the forehead. "No, you idiot! Do you ever wonder why the Blues have something more interesting than we do going on?" he asked. "Oh. In that case, no. No I do not." I said, as I turned to look away from him.

Tucker

Blue Base

Carolina and I were waiting in Blue Base for Lopez to arrive, to take a look at the holo screen. Just then, the intercom inside of the base came on. "Attention Blood Gulch, this is John-117. The Armory has been closed for the rest of the day, due to an emergency at Blue Base. I must ask all of you to keep out of the base, for the time being. That will be all." The intercom shut off, just as Lopez walked into the base. "Alright, so what seems to be the problem?" Lopez asked, as he walked up to the holo screen. He crouched as I began to speak. "Well, I sat on the keyboard and Church just appeared. I think it's actually a message from him, but we can't get it to play all the way. It's just looping through the same sentence." I said. "I see." Lopez said, as he went to work. "Carolina, I'm going to have to ask you to leave and patrol the exterior of the base to make sure no one get's in. I can't work with the base being crowded. And trust me, it will be crowded now that the announcement has been made." Carolina nodded next to me. "I understand." she said, as she walked out of the base.

Lopez continued working on the holoscreen. "Hey, uh, Lopez? Can I ask you a question?" I asked. "Go ahead." he said. "Do you hate me?" I asked. Lopez didn't speak for a minute. "Hey, guys. If you're listening to this, it means-" Church began to speak, but was cut off and reverted back to the loop. "Remember, memory is the key. So don't forget about me." Lopez grunted. "God damn it, I think I had it." he said. "Why do you ask?" I cleared my throat. "Well, it just that when you spoke Spanish, it seemed like you hated everyone, because you never spoke to anyone. And, because no one ever talks to me anymore, except for Carolina." I said. Lopez kept working for a few seconds. "I admit it. I hated everyone when I only spoke Spanish. I only hate two people in this canyon. Sarge, because he is to incompetent to ever lead. He should be court martialed in my opinion. And Grif, because he's lazy as hell. The only person I really appreciate here is Master Chief, as he figured out how to get me to speak English."

A few minutes later, Church's AI form disappeared and Lopez stood up, holding two chips in his hand. He turned around to face me. "Alright, I have good news and two pieces of bad news." he said. "Um, I'll take the bad news first." I said. "The bad news is I can't get the message to play on the holoscreen in here." Lopez said. "You can't possibly be serious." I said. "However, the good news is I was able to remove the chip that contained Church's message, if that's what it is. And I also was able to remove another chip that seems to be related to the message. I have no idea what's on it though." Lopez said. "I may be able to get it to play on the terminal we have set up outside of the base." I nodded. "What's the other bad news?" I asked. "I'd highly recommend that everyone watches this later on tonight, after dinner hours." Lopez said. "Why do you say that?" I asked. "The message may be emotional. And I know that you humans can get so emotional to the point where you lose an appetite." he said.

"Eh, good point." I said. "Thanks." he said. "I'm going to take the chips that I recieved and go now." He turned around and walked out of the base. I followed him outside, to see Carolina waiting for me. "Tucker?" she asked. I turned to look at her. "He said he can't get the message to play on our holoscreen. He was able to remove the chip containing the message and another one that seems to be related to it. He suggests that we don't view it until after dinner tonight." I said. "Why is that?" Carolina asked. "Because he said that the message could be emotional. Perhaps so emotional, that none of us will be able to hold an appetite." I said. "That's actually a good idea." she said. I nodded. "That's what I said." I replied.

Simmons

Blood Gulch Mess Hall

Several Hours Later...

It had been a long day. The armory had been closed in the early afternoon, due to some emergency at Blue Base. Everyone followed Master Chief's orders that said not to get in the way, except for Caboose and Donut. They were just too damn curious (and/or stupid) to follow orders. We were all seated at the tables that we sat at. There were four tables in total. And there were fourteen members in total in the canyon at this time. The Master Chief stepped up to the podium in the very front of Mess Hall. "Okay, listen everyone. Before I announce two things, I need to take roll. So just bear with me." he said. He pulled out a list and sat in on the podium and began calling names. "343 Guilty Spark." Master Chief said. "Here." the AI construct said, still inhabiting a Sentinel body. "Caboose." Master Chief said. "Oh, who said my name?! I want to be involved in the conversation!" Caboose exclaimed, looking around the Mess Hall.

"Caboose is here." Master Chief muttered. "Carolina." Carolina cleared her throat. "Present." she said. Master Chief nodded. "Doc." he said. "Right here." Doc replied. Master Chief wrote something down. "Donut." he said. "Here!" Donut called out, in a cheerful tone. "Grif." Master Chief said. "What the fuck?! I'm fucking hungry! What's the hold up?!" Master Chief sighed. "Hermes." Master Chief replied. "Herpes? Who the fuck has Herpes?" Tucker asked. All of a sudden, Tucker let out a scream of pain. I looked to my left, to see Tucker had been knocked to the floor. "What the fuck was that for?!" Tucker asked, looking at Carolina. "I didn't do that!" Carolina said. "And he said Hermes, not 'Herpes'." Just then, someone new spoke. I, along with everyone in the room looked to the podium where Master Chief was standing. "Yeah, he said Hermes," the voice said, as a figure to the Chief's right appeared, wearing Mark VI Armor, with an EVA Helmet. His colors were Gold, with Teal trim. "And he's talking about me." Hermes said.

"Who. The. Fuck. Is that?" Grif asked. "I suppose I might as well get on with the first announcement. This is our new recruit, callsign Hermes. And I would like to congrulate the new recruit, for breaking Carolina's record on the course. Hermes now holds the record of 13.7 seconds." Master Chief said. "Impressive." Carolina replied. "Anyway, back to roll." Master Chief said. "John-117 is here." Master Chief muttered to himself. "Lopez." Lopez spoke. "Present." he said. "Sarge." Master Chief said. "Affirmative." Sarge said. "Simmons." Master Chief said. "Present." I said. "Tex." Master Chief replied. "Present." Tex replied. "Tucker." Tucker spoke. "Here." he said. "And lastly, Washington." Master Chief said. "Here." Washington said. "Alright, everyone is accounted for. So, now I'm going to tell you all the big announcement. Tucke-" Master Chief was speaking, when Grif interrupted him. "What's the announcement?" Grif asked. "Shut up for one second and I'll tell you!" Master Chief exclaimed. "Okay, as I was saying. Tucker and Carolina found Church earlier today." Before he could even continue speaking, Caboose sprang up from his seat.

"Church! Oh my God, where is Church?!" he exclaimed. "Private Caboose, please sit down so I can explain." Master Chief said. Surprisingly, Caboose obeyed. "Now, look. I know this may be confusing, but they didn't exactly find Church. They found, well, they found what seems to be a message." I cleared my throat. "Oh? What does that mean? What was the message?" I asked. "I could explain that, but it would be much better if Lopez and I showed all of you. So that is why I am going to ask each and everyone of you to report to Blue Base after you are done eating dinner. That will be all." Master Chief replied. He stepped down from the podium and took his seat at Tex, Washington and Sarge's table. Before I had even gotten a bite in my mouth, Grif had completely eaten all of his mash potatoes. I looked over to the new recruit, Hermes, to see that he sat by himself at an empty table, over in the corner. He had his back to everyone in the Mess Hall. I saw that he had also removed his helmet, revealing that he had longish blonde hair.

I thought about walking over to him and introducing myself, but I decided against it. He's sitting by himself for a reason. And I don't want to piss him off. "Hey! Why is there a Frag Grenade in my turkey?!" Grif exclaimed. "Hmm! How odd. I wonder how that got there..." Sarge replied from across the Mess Hall. "Fuck you, Sarge!" Grif exclaimed. "Right back at you, slacker!" Sarge shouted back at him. I looked at Grif, as he grabbed the Frag Grenade. "Grif! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed. "I'm sick of Sarge always trying to kill me. Now, it's my turn." He pulled the pin of the Grenade and threw it towards Sarge. Before it could even reach Sarge, something weird happened. Literally within the blink of an eye, Hermes appeared behind Sarge, with his EVA Helmet back on and grabbed the Frag from the air. Hermes then disappeared once again, reappearing at the door to the Mess Hall, where he threw the grenade out the door. A few seconds later, it exploded. The next thing I knew, he was back over to his table, with his helmet back off. "How interesting." I heard Carolina say.

John-117

Blood Gulch Mess Hall

"Hey Lopez?" I asked, as I walked up to him. "Yes?" he said, as he looked up at me. "Could I ask you to go over to Blue Base and get the message ready so we can get it played as soon as everyone is done eating?" I asked. "Of course." Lopez said, as he got up. "I'll get right on that." With that being said, he turned around and left the Mess Hall.

Tucker

Blue Base

Fifteen Minutes Later...

I walked up to Blue Base after eating dinner. "Hey Lopez." I said, as I stepped up to him. "Hello, Tucker." he said, as he continued to work on the terminal. "Uh, I hate to ask, but is my Sword ready yet?" I asked. "No." Lopez said. "What? Why not?" I asked. "It's been five months!" Lopez grunted as he got up and he turned to face me. "Because I am the vehicle mechanic, I am the master of the armory and on top of all that, I have to fix your damn sword. You can't keep asking me: 'Hey Lopez, is my sword ready? Is it ready now?' I'm going to tell you when it's ready, it's my fucking job!" he said. "With all of the new weapons we get from the supply drops from the UNSC, I have to catalogue all of them into the armory. I just don't have all of the free time to repair your sword. So quit asking." In case you are wondering, ever since the incident on the High Charity, my Sword hasn't worked correctly. Lopez has tried to repair, but like he said, he hasn't had the time to really work on it.

I heard running from behind me. I turned around to see Carolina running up to me. "Hey." she said. "Hey." I said. "Is that message ready to play yet?" she asked me. "Yes." Lopez said, as he continued working. "What?" I asked, turning around to face him. "If it's ready to play, than what are you even working on right now?" Lopez grunted. "I still have to figure out what's on this other chip, dumbass!" he exclaimed. I turned to face Carolina. "I'm not looking forward to this." I said. "Why not?" Carolina asked. "Because I feel like this isn't going to be a happy message from Church. I feel like it's going to be depressing." I said. "Okay." Carolina said. "Promise me something Carolina." I said. "Okay." she said. "Promise me that no matter how sad his message is, promise me that you won't let me do anything to hurt myself." I said. Carolina just stood there, staring at me. "Of course Tucker. I would never let you hurt yourself." she said. "Why would you even say that?" I sighed. "Carolina, I may not have ever said it, but Church is my best friend. And if he is gone, I have no idea what I'll do with myself." I said. "Tucker even if Church is gone for good, we'll figure out a way around it. I promise." Carolina said. "I hope you're right." I said, sighing. "I just hope that you're right."

An Hour Later...

We had all been standing outside Blue Base for at least half an hour. And the sun was starting to set. Finally, Grif came over the rise, running towards Blue Base. Once he reached us, we all looked at him, most of us sporting angry looks at him. "What?" he asked. "Oh, heyyyyyy Grif!" Simmons said, in a mocking tone. "You finally done with your third serving?" I asked. Grif scoffed. "Third? More like fifth!" he said. "You are such a fat ass." I said. "Whatever. So sad." Grif said, as he walked past me. "I fucked your sister!" I exclaimed. Carolina, Washington, Master Chief and Hermes all turned to look at me. "Oh God!" Washington exclaimed. "Did you really?" Carolina asked. "Hell, no!" I exclaimed, laughing. I leaned over and whispered to Carolina. "You couldn't even pay me to fuck Grif's sister." I said. "Why? Is she ugly? Homosexual? Transgender?" Carolina asked. "I have no idea about all three of those. All I know is that she wasn't mentally healthy." I said.

"Can we please get to the purpose of this meeting?" Master Chief exclaimed. "A meeting? That sounds like busy work. Can't we just have a mission statement?" Grif asked. "Oh my God, shut the fuck up, you big orange baby." Tex said. "Hey, I'm not even wearing my armor!" Grif exclaimed. "People!" Master Chief exclaimed. Everyone looked at Master Chief, except for Caboose, who looked to his left. "Alright, now that I have your attention, Lopez, do you want to explain the purpose of this meeting?" he asked. Lopez nodded and stepped forward. "Alright, everybody, thanks for coming." he said. "As you all know, Master Chief told you that Tucker and Carolina found a message it seems, from Church earlier today." Everyone exchanged looks. "Did someone say Church?! Oh, I want to see Church!" Caboose explained. "Michael, I need you to please calm down. We're just going to play the message. We've all been wondering where Church has been for the last five months, and tonight were going to find out." Master Chief said. Caboose didn't answer for a few seconds. An additional five seconds later, he spoke. "Okay." Caboose said.

"Any other questions?" Master Chief asked. I sighed. "Can we just play the fucking message?" I asked. Master Chief just looked at me, before nodding to Lopez. Lopez clicked a button on the terminal, and an AI appeared from it. Church. He began to speak. "Hey, guys. If you're listening to this, than it means I'm gone. And I'm not coming back. At least, not for a while. I'm going to be completely honest with you guys. I had been experiencing rampancy even before Master Chief arrived. And when I interfaced with the mainframe at the Offsite Storage Facility, that accelerated my rampancy tenfold. I was slowly dying, guys. I had been a ticking time bomb ever since Caboose helped me remember who I was as Epsilon-Church. And as much as I hate to say it, it seems that I have reached zero. I'm not a brand new AI, I can't function properly. There was a way out of this for me, and you guys probably aren't going to like it. If I erase my memories, if I deconstruct myself, then that will fix the problem. Of course, the action will kill me, but that isn't the point. After deciding to deconstruct myself, I have taken the liberty to replicate both myself and all of the AIs from Project Freelancer. The replicated version of myself is new and has been saved to the other chip that you guys should have found."

Church continued speaking. "But please guys, don't wake me up. I don't even know if the replicating process worked, and I don't want to be woken up. Leave me alone for a while. As some one once said, wake me, when you need me." he said. "But it's not all bad. The AIs that I mentioned? About them... They have been saved onto the chip as well." Just then, as Church said this, I noticed a flash coming from the terminal. I looked over to the terminal, to see two additional AI units to appear. One was green, the other was a mixture of purple and red. "He's talking about us." The red and purple one said, in a childish voice. I didn't recognize either of them, but apparently Wash and Carolina did. "Theta?!" Washington asked, along with Carolina speaking. "Delta?!" she asked. "Negative." the green one said. "We are memories of Theta and Delta. I am called Epsilon-Delta, and my friend here is named Epsilon-Theta." Epsilon-Theta nodded. "That is correct." he said. Epsilon-Delta turned to look Epsilon-Theta. "We need to take roll call." he said. He turned back to what appeared to be our direction and spoke. "Sound off, let us know if you're here."

"Epsilon-Gamma." he said. A blue AI unit appeared and spoke in a Stephen Hawking like tone. "Present." he said. "Epsilon-Delta, that's me. I am also present." Epsilon-Delta replied. We all exchanged looks with each other, before looking at the AIs again. "Epsilon-Eta." Epsilon-Delta spoke. A glowing gold AI appeared in front of Epsilon-Delta and waved at him. "I'll take that as you saying that you are here." Epsilon-Delta said. "Epsilon-Theta." The red and purple one nodded. "Here." he said. "Epsilon-Iota." Epsilon-Delta spoke. I couldn't tell what Epsilon-Iota's color was supposed to be, but it looked like a mixture of glowing white and glowing cyan. The AI nodded and Epsilon-Delta nodded back. "Epsilon-Sigma." Epsilon-Delta called out the next name. "Present." a literal flaming AI appeared, as his voice overlapped and could be heard again. "And lastly, Epsilon-Omega." Epsilon-Delta said. A purplish colored AI, mixed with a bit of white appeared. "Here." it said, in a deep voice. I looked at all of the AIs in front of us. I recognized Omega and Gamma, from their nicknames "O'Malley" and "Gary".

"What about Church?" Caboose asked. "Oh, you mean Epsilon? I paused his recording. Would you like it if I played it?" Epsilon-Delta asked. "Please." Washington said. "Of course." Epsilon-Delta said, as he played the rest of the recording. "As you discover the AI units that I recreated from my memories, I have my own goodbyes to say. Caboose, I don't really know where to start with this. What can I say? You told me stories while I was stuck in the confines of that Epsilon Unit. And, you gave me a new body, where I really became the new and not so improved Church. I'm not at all ashamed about saying that. Caboose, because you helped me remember who I was, I just want to say this. I humbly accept the position of being your best friend." he said. "Carolina, I don't know how to say it, but you are like a sister to me, even though me being your brother isn't physically possible. You actually made me care about people. I was actually scared for you when you faught Sharkface. Thank you, for making me be able to feel emotions. Doc, you are probably the dumbest medic I've ever met. But don't let that stop you. You are smart. You have potential, to do really anything, if you just try."

Church sighed, before he continued. "Donut, well, all I can say is you are good with grenades. That, and you are pretty polite, for the things you've seen throughout your life. Grif, well what can I say about you, Grif? Um, well, I can say this. You tried your best, Grif. Cortana, I didn't really know you that much, but I knew that the Master Chief meant the world to you. And no matter what the cost, I hope the two of you some how find a way to be together. Master Chief, you may possibly be the best leader that this crew has ever seen. So, just keep doing what you're doing. I wish you the best of luck, trying to wrangle the few fuck ups that are in this canyon. Lopez, I never understood a word you said, but I know this. You were okay in my book. If I needed something fixed, you were the guy I'd talk to and I appreciate that. Thank you, Lopez. Sarge, most of the soldiers in this canyon call you a mediocre leader. But don't let that get to you. I think the important thing is, is that you try your hardest to be a dependable leader. And to me, that is respectable."

"Simmons. Intelligent, talented and a kiss ass. Put that aside, because it doesn't matter if you're a kiss ass. What matters, is that you try, you can depend on your team and they can depend on you. Tex, this is going to be hard for me to say. Multiple times I've told myself that I forget you. I've told myself that. But, the truth is this. I love you, Tex. And that is a really difficult emotion. Not just because I'm me, but also because we're AIs and we never really had a relationship." Everyone looked at eachother, with confused looks on their faces. Well, all except for Carolina. She was the only one who still wore her armor and helmet, so I couldn't tell what she was thinking. "Everyone, I'd like to say something. I'm sure all of you know that Church, me, Epsilon, whatever you want to call me, we are all based off of the Director's mind. But, Tex is an AI too. You see, in the Great War, the Director lost someone very important to him. And one night, the Alpha shared his grief, and it purged the feelings of sadness. This new fragment became the Beta AI. It was based off of the Director's special someone. So, the Director gave Beta a black suit of armor and made it, I mean her, a Freelancer."

Everyone looked shocked at this point. "You want to hear something really wacked up? That Freelancer, the Beta AI, she's probably standing with you guys right now. The Beta AI, is Tex." I looked over at Tex, who was staring at the ground. She didn't speak, she didn't even move. "Tucker, we have not always seen eye to eye, but I consider you my friend, if you can believe that. Uh, try not to lose control of your pervy nature while I'm gone. And lastly, Washington. I want to apologize for attempting to kill myself when I was put inside your head. And yes, I remember that. I hope you can forgive me. Because what it all came down to, was the feelings of dread and sadness that I had gotten from the Alpha. But today, I'm not sad anymore. Because I formed brand new memories of my own. They became my voice, my personality. And all of these things, make me who I am today. But like I said, these memories are holding me back. But if I erase my memories, if I deconstruct myself, than one day, I will be able to begin life anew, as a new and improved Epsilon." he said. He let out a sigh, and it was either just me, or I could actually hear Church crying as he began to speak again. "Bye guys. Remember, memory is the key. So don't forget about me." And then, Church's image flickered a little bit and he went out, like a lightbulb.

"Church?" Caboose asked, sounding tearful. I looked around, to see that everyone else looked as if they were sick to their stomachs. Grif doubled over and threw up, but he was the only one to do so. I looked at Tex, still looking at the ground. I looked up at the Master Chief. Even he looked as if he could cry, even though he hadn't known Church for all that long. I sighed and began to walk away from the group. "Tucker?" Carolina asked, sounding tearful as well. I ignored her and just kept walking. "Tucker? Tucker! Come back!" Carolina called. I turned to look at her for a few seconds, before I shook my head and turning back around. I walked towards the cliffs. I just needed to be alone for a while.

?

Cliffs Above Blood Gulch

I watched the man walk away from his group in a Sniper Rifle scope. I lowered my Rifle and turned on my radio. After a few seconds of interference from the other side. "I still don't know why you want me to watch John-117 and his band of misfits." I said. A few seconds later, my partner responded. "Be patient. We just have to wait long enough for him to trust me. Once that is done, we can tell him that Ad- I mean the UNSC is a little more corrupt than he would have originally thought." my partner said. I hissed in frusteration. "You're not using your voice filter. You could be caught." I said. My partner scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Look at where I'm at." my partner said. I looked through my Rifle scope, to see my partner waving at me from one of the slopes down in the canyon. "How'd you get away so fast?" I asked. "Duh. We both know I am very fast." I sighed. "Fair enough. Agent Oceanic signing off. Try not to get yourself compromised." I said, as I turned off the radio.

A/N: Well, that is the chapter. So, what did you guys think of Church's goodbye message? What do you think about all of the AIs coming back? Who do you think the person watching them is? Any thoughts about Hermes, the new recruit? I'd like to get this straight. I know that in the story, Church said he had saved an updated version of himself to that chip, but I will be honest. Epsilon is dead. He isn't coming back. Church is coming back, but who said he'll come back as Epsilon...? I'd like to thank a friend of mine for Beta Reading this for me. I also want to say I have a new schedule for writing. I will have a new chapter posted every Saturday. Not for this story, but that applies to all of my stories on Fanfiction. So, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it definitely was my longest chapter to date. Don't forget to follow and favorite the story. And if you want to submit input, than you can either PM me or post a review. Either way works. I'm going to go though, so have a fantastic day and, bye.