A/N: I don't own Halo. 343 Studios does.

John and Chris entered the access tunnels and switched on their lights. After eliminating two Unggoy that were exploring the tunnels they came up to an exit. As Chris was about to open the hatch a shadow fell against the door. The Spartans melted into the shadows of the tunnel. "I'm detecting Covenant movement outside the access ways. Let's find another way through." Cortana warned. John made his way through until he reached a broken door. "Wait. We need to get through that door, but it's been damaged by an explosion. Analyzing... The door's control mechanism is offline, but it's taken a lot of damage. You should be able to bash it open with the butt of your weapon." Cortana informed him.

John smashed the door open and made for the cryo control room when he heard the first explosion. He whirled around and Chris wasn't behind him. He swore and dashed forward, crushing an Unggoy underfoot as he ran. He turned the corner just in time to see Chris fly face first, and imbed himself, into the wall. "Okay, now that hurt." Chris said as he peeled himself off the wall.

John sprinted ahead and turned another corner to face an enraged Sangeheili major. The major swung and its fist collided with the side of John's head. Dazed, John managed tho duck the next swing and pulled out his pistol. He shoved it upwards between the aliens lower maniables and fired. The round took the top of the Sangheili's head off, splattering bits of bone and blood across the ceiling. He turned the corner just in time to see Chris rip the last Unggoy's head clear off it's shoulders. As they met up in the hall, Keyes announced "Combat Teams Sierra through Victor, prepare for evac!"

"Let's keep moving. We need to get off this ship before it's destroyed." Chris said. They left the hall and soon came to the Cryo control room. John knelt and closed Sam's one remaining eye.

Plasma splashed across the window. They both looked below to see a Sangheili major directing two minors toward the door. "It looks like the Covenant wantedto catch both of you napping." Cortana mused.

"Give me a second." Dot said. She sealed the doors and activated the fire supression sytem. Deadly carbon dioxide flooded the room, and soon the three mightly aliens were fighting to breathe and were soon dead.

They left the control room and saw a Sangheili minor at the end of the hall. They opened fire and ran foward to meet the new threat. The minor roared as its shields collapsed. It prepared to throw a plasma grenade when an explosion shook the ship and an fireball enveloped the alien. It roared as it was incinerated. Chris turned the corner and meet a mob of Unggoy. He prepped his plasma pistol and was about to fire when John tackled him. "What are you doing?" Chris roared when another explosion roared and the Unggoy were incinerated.

As John helped Chris to his feet, Keyes announced the the Comms "All combat personnel, fall back to tertiary defensive postions!"

The two Spartans had to enter the access ways again inorder to proceded farther along the ship. After exiting the tunnels and helping some Marines stop an Covenant assult, Cortana let out a warning "The damage to the superstructure is extensive... I don't know how much more abuse the Autumn can take."

As they cleared an area full of Unggoy, Keyes blared out "All combat teams, fall back to secondary defensive postions!"

John and Chris fought their way through a sea of Covenant to the area next to a airlock. Working in tandem with some surviving Marines they made short work of the last of the Covenant. "There's one last lifeboat! Quickly, get aboard before it launches!" Cortana cried.

Chris ran into the pod, and John was about to do the same when the last Marine fell to the floor, thrown there by an explosion. "Oh no, oh no!" he wailed. John scooped him up and threw him into the pod.

John was checking to make sure the coast was clear when Cortana informed "Now would be a very good time to leave."

John entered the life boat and sealed the door. "Punch it." he told the pilot.

"Aye aye, Sir!" she said, sealing her visor. They launched and she announced "We're disengaged. Goin' for minimum safe distance."

One of the Marines looked at Chris and asked "We're gonna make it, aren't we, sir? I don't wanna die out here!"

Chris shook his head. "If you didn't want to die in space then why did you join?" he shot back.

The marine made to say something, but John interveined. "Quit it, both of you." he said.

Chris was about to say something when Cortana cried "Look!"

Both Spartans crouched behind the pilot as the object swung into view and the pod began to drop toward it. "What is that thing, Lieutenant?" a marine asked.

"Hell if I knwo, but we're landin' on it!" the pilot answered.

"The Autumn! She's been hit!" a marine yelled.

Both Spartans rushed to the back hatch. Cortana swore, "I knew it! The Autum's accelerating. Keyes is going in manually!" she said. The ship flew over the pod, multiple plasma torpedo strikes impacting its failing hull.

"Heads up, everyone, this is it! We're entering the ring's atmosphere in five!" the pilot warned.

"Sure you wouldn't rather take a seat?" Cortana and Dot asked their respective partner.

"We'll be fine." came the answer.

John gripped the sides of the craft and bent his knees. Chris preped his armor lock. "If I still had fingers, they'd be crossed..." Cortana muummered as they hit the rings atmosphere.