Chapter 2 Halo #2

So… That's another Halo Cortana said wryly. Guess we gotta go down there and destroy it too.

MC did not concur. He suggested they try to go to Earth. After many minutes of bickering, MC finally agreed with Cortana. The Chief tightened his seat belt and pushed the throttle. They were headed towards Halo 2. After the Longsword entered the atmosphere, MC heard a deafening crunch.

"That's weird. You heard that right?" The MC said.

Yea. I heard it. But the monitor shows no damage to any part of the hull.

Outside the Longsword…

343 Guilty Spark had detached himself from the fighter because of the intense heat. He jetted into the vastness of space vowing to destroy the Master Chief.

Because all 4 Halos were identical, Cortana knew exactly where to land.

Right there. Cortana pointed to a massive Grey installation. That's the control room. Strange, there are no life forms detected. Looks like the Covenant don't know about this planet…Yet.

After the Chief landed the Longsword, he snatched an MA5B Assault Rifle and a M6D pistol before exiting the craft.

"How do we destroy this Halo?" questioned the Chief.

Hold on. Let me check my database for a code. I got it. You should activate the self-destruct sequence, which is located in the main chamber of this building right here.

The structure she indicated was a gigantic installation that was quite familiar. Before entering the door, MC loaded his MA5B just in case. The door opened to a hall spewed with Covenant blood.

"I'd know that orange goo anywhere. Who would have killed a Hunter? Cortana, scan again for life forms." Ordered the Master Chief.

With that much blood, it must be infection forms. I'm scanning right now. All clear. No one here except for you and me.

The Chief cautiously went on. The silence was almost deadly.

"It's too quiet. Something is wrong."

MC opened the door to the main chamber. Suddenly 5 dead Elites dropped on him.

What the hell happened here?! I don't want to stay another second. Hurry.

Master Chief went to the alien control panel. He could not read it. It wasn't Covenant or Human.

Insert me into that AI slot over there. MC listened. Let me download the schematics. OK… This is a forerunner installation. Built to monitor the Flood.

"O shit. Did you just say Flood?"

It's ok. They are said to be contained in a maximum-security cell on the other side of this Halo. Now just a little… Got it. Cortana exclaimed.

"Self-destruct sequence activated. Self-destruct in 120 kalcus." The computer spoke without emotion.

Kalcus is a unit Forerunners use to measure time. That gives us about 5 minutes. As MC dashed out the building, Cortana explained. This is different then the last Halo. Instead of an explosion, the planet will implode, sending a mass shock-wave that might disable our engines and explode us. Move! Quick!

The Master Chief dove into the bomber and started the ignition sequence. He thrust the throttle into full gear and the Longsword zoomed into space. The 2 barely made it as Halo crunched into a ball and disintegrated. Although they survived, the ship suffered considerable damage. The hull was severely dented. Cortana knew they wouldn't be able to hold up to long. They need to get to another planet for help.

I am searching for the nearest Human colony. I've got it. Alpha Centura VI is only 2 days away in slipspace.

With that, MC set the coordinates and entered slipspace.