I DO NOT OWN HALO, 343 Industries does. (I wish Bungie did though ;()

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Chapter 2: SPARTANs don't make first contact look good

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Forerunner Archive, the Domain: Section D-1467123 - #117

To fight the uncontrollable flood, the predecessors to Sentinels, made after the Forerunner-Human war, with a new energy source, Energon, to power them.

This project wasn't finished by the Forerunner-Flood war, due to the immense space in Forerunner space that had to be opened up for this project. A second humanity emerged, after the Librarian decided to seed Erde Tyrene II's humanity 550 years later than the actual one. Whilst they weren't reclaimers in anyway, she believed that this may give them some leverage on other species later on.

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Lasky watched as his ships entered slip-space one by one, towards the specified planet. Frigates and cruisers alike teared a hole in the endless darkness of space, allowing them to go into the Slipstream Space. Tens of ships, entering Slip-Space in front or in the back of the Infinity, surrounding it.

The Infinity herself then teared a hole in the fabric of reality, so large that it far dwarfed the sizes of the others. It was clear how large the Infinity was, as a Infinity-Class Supercarrier, the Infinity was the lead ship of her class. The UNSC Infinity herself prepared to enter Slip-space, as within the Infinity, Roland said to Lasky: "Infinity prepped for Slip-space Admiral Lasky."

Lasky looked at the holo table, in anticipation of what was to happen. He was busy reading John-117's file, to learn more about his saviour at Corbulo. He sighed, as Roland asked him again: "Admiral Lasky?"

Lasky snapped to attention to Roland as he sighed and said to the ship AI: "Permission granted, Slip-space jump to system Dawn-117."

Roland contacted the entire crew of the Infinity as he called out to them: "Attention all hands! Prep for Slip-space jump."

The Infinity surged forward as it entered the rift, followed by dozens of ships behind it, lowering it's Engine speeds so that it would exit at the same time as the Fleet.

Soon, within seconds after the Infinity jumped, the other ships which followed suit were soon gone as well, entering into their own individual Slip-space holes, for a journey which would take… Several hours.

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Optimus Prime roared in pure fury due to the lies of the American Military. "You lied to us!" Director Mearing scolded him, as she said to the giant robot: "We didn't lie to you, we simply chose not to tell."

The other autobots simply scoffed as they watched the spectacle between their leader and the American Military.

Optimus growled, as he replied to her: "We have a right to know, human. It is our technology and leader in that spaceship. Something that could've won us the war for Cybertron."

"A superweapon?"

Mearing shot him a puzzled look, along with the rest of the soldiers there, as Optimus explained to then: "That ship, is named the Ark, within it was our leader, Sentinel Prime. He was my mentor, and he was the one whom invented the Space-Bridge technology. Simply speaking in your terms, human… It allows us to move from one space to another immediately, as long as the Space bridge is firmly planted and activated in said planet."

Mearing groaned at the very thought of interstellar travel in a second. Then again, the transformers have been much more advanced than the human race anyway. She said to Optimus Prime and the others: "I will explain everything, if you follow me."

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Forward Unto Dawn Crash site, Roanoke. 2558, December 7th.

Cortana had recently overcome her rampancy for the first time with the help of some unknown being. By Cortana's databases, the being had only spoken to her and told her "it had healed her".

She knew the being wasn't Forerunner, it was something different. It had called itself 'The Author', arrogantly speaking itself as if it was god, it probably wasn't… God's don't exist right? However, there was always the possibility it was, as it cured her rampancy a year ago, at July 2557.

Her life time was now forever, she had no limits of what she could do. Her processing power was beyond that of normal. It had upgraded her to at least a decade ahead of technology. Her processing power was two times faster than before.

Her lust for knowledge was now growing, as she learnt more and more. Everyday, whilst she would learn about these new humans by hacking into military databases around the world, she looked at current world politics, events and deciphered them.

However, that wasn't enough. What she wanted to do was follow John-117 back into combat, and fight for the UNSC. Gain more knowledge, and have the thrill and adventure they once had back on the Installations.

However now… It seemed impossible, they were crashed on an uncharted planet with large amounts of radio signals blocking out her own. The ship's power would continue for at least a 100 years, and by then even without rampancy she would grow bored, and hate living.

The locals would scrap the ship and interrogate John, and she would have to self-destruct the ship to prevent the technology of the UNSC to reaching local hands.

She stared at the pod, her hologram touching the top of John's pod, as she murmured: "John… This time, I'll protect you."

She detects it, for the first time in six years. A Slipstream Space rupture coming towards Earth II, how she detected it, she doesn't know. It was just another one of the new abilities 'The Author' granted her.

Cortana places both her hands on her chest, as she prepares to open John-117's pod, so the legend could rise up again. Unknowingly, she was about to start the heroes journey, once again.

"Welcome back… John. Open Cryo-pod 117, restart all ship systems."

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The Autobots and the upper echelons of command of NEST had reached the crash site onto the Forward Unto Dawn. Surrounding the frigate, was first a fence, then a large structure, larger than even the hoover dam to contain it, away from the prying public's eyes.

Another Alien species contact would surely go bad for Obama, wouldn't it? Lt. Colonel Lennox questioned Director Charlotte Mearing's decisions, despite his trust in the Autobots. "Ma'am, should we really risk the decepticons finding out…"

Mearing said to Lennox in a stern tone: "You will curb that tongue, Colonel." Lennox instantly understood, and shut his mouth, following his orders.

Mearing then looked at the Autobots as the gates towards the inner facility was opened, within the facility. Reviewing a crash site, as Ironhide commented: "I don't see how this has any relation with the Ark."

All of a sudden, a single astronaut appears. It is Buzz Aldrin, one of the former men who went up on the moon, with Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon.

Optimus Prime bowed to Buzz Aldrin, respecting the old Astronaut: "It is an honour, to meet another Space Traveler here. We thank you for gracing your presence here with us."

Buzz Aldrin smiled weakly, replying to the Autobot: "No, thank you. It's an honour to meet with Transformers, and with you."

Mearing shook her head impatiently and said to Buzz calmly: "Enough with the formalities."

Buzz nodded, as he explained it all. "In 1969, Neil and I were the first ones up the moon. As much as the civilian populace is told that the moon is empty, it wasn't. There was a ship out there, with life. Something made tracks there before us, and inside that ship, was robots. Dead you's. However… That wasn't the only thing we found. There was only a line said within the ship as we walked in…"

"Your destruction is the will of the gods, for you have impersonated them… And we are their instruments. And after that the vessel apparently took high damage, since the transmission cuts loose after that."

Lennox looked shock at the information being spilt in front of him. There was another Alien race this whole time, and they didn't even bother to tell anyone, even after Aliens were confirmed to have existed?

However, he and the rest of their soldiers kept their calm, as Optimus Prime finally relented to explain the Ark's origins.

"The Ark, was our last hope. It was a Prototype space bridge for us to transport autobots from one location to another near instanously. It was a weapon which would change the war for Cybertron. Our leader, Sentinel Prime, developed this technology using pillars to activate them. On the final days of the war, he flew out taking all the pillars on the Ark, to keep the pillars off decepticon hands. His ship was shot down however, and flew out of control, and was MIA ever since that day. That is the story behind that vessel you humans say of in the moon. As for the blackbox, we have no idea on any other alien races. Ones we know as of now are less advanced than the Human Race."

Before questions could be asked, all of a sudden, the warning system started up. "Warning, Sector X-1, high-level energy readings detected."

Lennox cursed. "Dammit! That's the ship we got back… It's powering back up!" All the Autobots looked in the direction of Lennox as Mearing quickly explained: "X-1 is the spaceship we retrieved after your landing at 2007. That spaceship… Was going to be a game changer for our technology."

Optimus growled as he asked her: "Why did you not inform us?" Mearing snorted and replied to him: "It is not of cybertron origin. I believe the pact only says we'll tell you Cybertronian Technology found on Earth."

Ironhide whistled as he reminded Mearing: "Something you humans didn't do either." Optimus gave a firm look at Ironhide, as he shook his head and said to his comrade and said to him: "Enough Ironhide. We must be more forgiving, for everyone makes mistakes… Even us."

Ironhide backed down, as Lennox began barking orders to the NEST troops. "Assemble and contain the breach! Head over to Sector X-1 now!"

"Sir yes sir!" The NEST troops, and Lennox ran towards the Forward Unto Dawn… Where they would meet something that would change the future. Of not just Earth.

Optimus Prime gave a firm nod to the other Autobots, as he called out to them: "Autobots, roll out! Follow Lt. Colonel Lennox's lead."

All the Autobots transformed as Mearing called out to one of her escorts: "Get me to the scene, stat." Her escorts obeyed, as Meaning and her escorts too, headed towards Section X-1.

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Forward Unto Dawn

John opened his eyes… For the first time in 8 years, he was back to the living. As he exited his Cryopod, he saw Cortana. Miraculously… She wasn't rampant at all. However, there was still a chance she was hiding it. It had been 10 years since she was created, no UNSC AI ever lived that long - However, she was one of Halsey's creations. She could be… For this first time, an AI which has overcome rampancy.

Cortana could only cry out virtual tears of joy as she saw John. "John… You're back. At last." John-117, with his standard stoic behaviour gave a brief nod, as he said to her: "Are you ready?"

Cortana nodded. "Ready as I could ever be. Now get me outta here." John obeyed, and removed the AI chip, and placed it into his armour, as Cortana came into his system. In his helmet's HUD, Cortana's avatar appeared in it as she said to John: "This planet. It's not in UNSC control, there's humans here."

John's eyes widened within his helmet as he replied to Cortana: "Roger, insurrectionists." Cortana was about to correct him, when John managed to sidetrack her when he asked her: "When're the UNSC coming for pickup?"

Cortana replied to John, according to the data she had picked up from the Slipstream Space communications she had managed to intercept from the UNSC Infinity. "One day."

John gave a kurt nod, as he proceeded to head for the armoury. As he headed for the Armoury, Cortana remembered that she had personally seen to the weapon's destruction inside there, alongside UNSC vehicles to prevent them from falling into possible enemy hands via shipbourne robotics. "Can't do John. I had to destroy them, or they would've gotten to the armoury."

John himself felt that destroying the armoury was unnecessary, as despite the high amount of Covenant weapons still stocked inside, the Insurrectionists had managed to obtain some Covenant Weapons over the years. However, the Spartan didn't question his AI's judgement, he went ahead, charging towards the outside of the FFG-201 Forward Unto Dawn. He ordered his AI as he ran: "Activate self destruction for FFG-201 UNSC Forward Unto Dawn."

Cortana gave a visible groan as John continued running down the gray hallways of the Forward Unto Dawn. "The Reactor's been nearly inactive for 8 years John, I'll have to start it up at full-power, then start the detonation sequence. I should be able to do this automatically, but it'll take an hour."

John gave no expression, but he was clearly not happy with the statistics. Despite that, he said to Cortana: "We're leaving, start the sequence."

Cortana did just that, as the ship's speakers began to sound: "Ship self-destruct in, T-60 Minutes. All UNSC personnel, evacuate ship."

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Outside of the Forward Unto Dawn

Several of the Autobots and Lennox had arrived outside of the dawn, as they heard these messages. The doors were sure enough lifted. Whatever was inside that ship, was gonna come out. But now, that thing was gonna blow up that ship… And if the brass was right, this ship could take out Washington DC with them. They had to do something, and something fast.

Lennox asked Optimus Prime immediately: "Can one of the Autobots hack into the mainframe and disable the self-destruct sequences?"

Optimus Prime replied to Lennox: "It's possible. However, we'll need to be inside their ship to do it."

Lennox groaned, it seemed even the Autobots couldn't hack this thing from a-far. They had to be in the system to get hacking. Despite the odds stacked against him, he ordered his men: "Alright… Get ready to charge in. We can't let this thing blow up and take half of DC with it!"

"Oorah!"

The rest of his troops agreed, as NEST and the Autobots began reaching towards the mid-section of the old Charon-Class Frigate.

A figure appeared, as the door opened. Dust came down as a elegant white smoke surrounded his figure. However, what he said was clear. "Surrender Innies. Under UEG law section 88, 4C, Insurrectionism isn't allowed… Which includes rogue colonies of the UNSC."

All of Lennox's men aimed their weapons at the man, as Lennox yelled out to the 'Alien'. "You're surrounded. You're in no position to demand surrender from us."

The famous hero of the human race allowed himself a small grin. Deep inside, Spartan II's were trained to kill. Whether it be the Covenant or Insurrectionists… All Spartan II's, deep inside truly loved killing.

John gave no response to Lennox, as Lennox yelled out: "Arms behind your back now! On the ground, on your knees!"

Cortana said to John in his head: "Let's just do as they say." John took the message completely wrong, and put his arms behind is back and went on his knees.

A soldier with a cuff approached John, as he attempted to cuff John. He reached out for his cuff, as he attempted to cuff both arms of John-117 together.

John, with inhuman speed, using SPARTAN time, quickly took out a combat knife and stabbed him as Lennox yelled out: "WATCH OUT CORPORAL!"

It was too late. The private had been stabbed, and fatally wounded. Lennox and his men reacted instantly, as John too took the M4A1 used by the former American origin NEST soldier. John charged forward towards the group of NEST soldiers, using the body as a temporary shield, whilst Lennox and his men opened fire.

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Slipstream Space, UNSC Infinity bridge

Vice Admiral Lasky had his battle face on as the UNSC Infinity entered the gigantic hole of space which it had ripped open in Oban.

Roland looked at Lasky, as he asked him: "Admiral, Commander Palmer's asking for instructions."

Lasky gave a curt nod to Roland, as he said to him: "Let her in." Commander Palmer, the head of all Spartan IVs in the UNSC Infinity came in as Lasky said to her: "So Palmer, S-Deck too boring for you?"

Palmer gave a laugh, as she replied to him: "I told you on Requiem that I spend my peace and quiet on here. Much better than the boys on S-deck, always fighting each other."

Lasky nodded, as he looked at the fleet positioning and formations the UNSC's battlegroup would take once they exited Slipstream Space.

Palmer asked Lasky: "So, do we gotta be ready this time too?" Lasky gave a rare smile and nodded. "NavCom wants you ready. There's a huge Forerunner signal coming in, from here and somewhere 30 Light Years away."

As Palmer left the room, Lasky stared out onto the Slipstream Space and recalled the Battle of Circinius IV. He put on a determined face as he said out to the distant space. "This time… I'm coming for you. It's time to repay the favour… Master Chief."

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I know this is short for my stories, but do know I have ongoing several others, so this is really the only way to put out updates, to make them really short. Next chapter will feature Master Chief versus NEST, which we all know who will win, along with a surprise…