The Shadow of Intent finally came out of Slipspace, after several hours of travel. "Status report." Said Rtas 'Vadumee.

Approximately sixty-four AU away from our pre-Slipspace location sir," An Elite Minor was checking all the Supercarrier's system. "We're in the Soell system, one possibly habitable planet and a moon. Our shields are severely damaged, most weapon systems are down aside from the Energy Projectors. The Slipspace drive is incapable of making another jump. Reporting casualties on decks thirty through thirty-eight."

"Soell system?" Rtas said. "Scan the system, check for any Forerunner forces."

"Sir?"

"One of the Great Wheels is located in this system." Rtas said. We need to make sure there aren't any Forerunner Garrisons here as well.

A few minutes passed, and then several blips appeared on the Supercarrier's radar. "Sir, two Forerunner picket cruisers detected. They're on an intercept course with us." The Elite Minor said.

"Reroute all energy from the engines to shields. Power up the Energy Projectors and move the ship into a defensive position." Rtas said. "Thel, go get the ones we saved into the hanger bay."

Thel 'Vadamee walked out of the bridge.

Two Forerunner Picket Cruisers orbiting Installation 4 along side a Human research cruiser. When the Shadow of Intent entered the system, the two Picket Cruisers moved to intercept the ship, as they needed to know the business of all ships in the Soell system (because of the presence of a Halo Installation in the system). As the Picket cruisers got closer to the ship, they recognized it as a Covenant ship. They opened fire. Within a few shots, the Supercarrier's shields were brought down. Before the Picket cruisers could report the engagement back to the Halo Installation, three of the Energy Projectors fired up, destroying one of the Picket cruisers. The other Picket Cruiser slammed the Supercarrier with more Particle cannon fire.

"Sir our shields aren't coming back online and the engines are heavily damaged." The Elite Minor was fumbling over the controls trying to keep the ship stable.

"Drop all power from the shields, full power to the Energy Projectors." Rtas said.

"Sir?" The crew on the bridge was hesitant. "Our hull can't take any more hits from those Particle Cannons sir, we need to get the shields back online."

"You heard me Minor!" Rtas yelled. "Drop the shields, full power to Energy Projectors. Now!"

The Energy Projectors were firing back up. The Picket Cruisers took evasive manuevers, but was still hit by the Energy Projectors. First the Shields collapsed, then the hull of the Picket Cruiser was melted. The cruiser exploded, but not before returning fire with a few more blasts from its Particle Cannon.

"Sir," The Elite Minor said. "All systems critical, our engines and life support are failing, we've lost all power from the Shield Generators. We've lost an Energy Projector. Damage has been reported on all levels. We need to land the ship somewhere right now, otherwise we'll all be dead."

"Can we land on the planet?" Rtas asked.

"The only place suitable for landing is the Great Wheel sir."

Rtas looked troubled. "That's our only option?"

"Yes sir."

"Put her down there then." Rtas didn't look happy about landing his ship on a Forerunner Halo installation.

As Shepard and the crew of the Normandy assembled in the Hanger bay, Elites were running back and forth, trying to secure ships and moving cargo and weapons. "What's going on Joker asked?"

"Due to the changes in the position of the ship and the level of energy going to the weapon systems, I assume that the ship is currently preparing for an attack." Edi said. The Supercarrier rocked violently.

"Damn." Thel said. "It must be Forerunner ships."

The space outside the Hanger bay suddenly lit up with a blinding bluish-red light. When the light dissapated, the ship rocked violently once more and then the light returned. Rtas 'Vadumee contacted Thel. "Arbiter, we are landing the ship on the Great Wheel."

"What?" Thel yelled rather surprised. "We have no idea what secret weapons the Forerunner hide on the Halo installations. And how do you expect to land on the Halo? Surely it is heavily guarded by Forerunner ships."

"Human ships are guarding it," Rtas said. "The Humans have no quarrel with us, so perhaps we can trick them into letting us land so we can repair our ship."

"The Forerunners will tell them not to." Thel said.

"After we're through, and once we've landed, they'll have to deploy troops on the ground because they can't risk major structural damage to the rings."

"So what do you want me to do with the Normandy's crew?

"When we get past the Humans, I want you to take a Liche down to the surface of Halo, gather as much information and technology as you can. Surely there must be something here we can use."

"Humans?" Shepard asked. "As in, the System Alliance?"

"No." Thel turned to face Shepard. "These Humans are far more advanced than you. They're farther along in their evolution than you are. How you two can exist at the same time baffles me."

The Shadow of Intent was heavily damaged. Smoke was coming out of several places on it's hull. A Human Dreadnought approached the Shadow of Intent. "What is your business here?"

The Shadow of Intent responded. "We need to land immediately for repairs. We were ambushed by a fleet of pirates." The Supercarrier started jamming transmissions leaving the Soell System.

"I have orders directly from Master-Builder Faber and Yprin Yprikushima not to let any ship on this Ring world."

"We have thousands of souls onboard this craft, including your own Humans. If we don't land for repairs now, the engines and Slipspace drive will explode, Killing everyone. Surely you can let us land just for repairs. We will leave as soon as they are done."

The Dreadnought attempted contact with the Forerunner ecumene, but it failed. "I'm sorry, I cannot let you through without an ok from the Master Builder. However, my workers will be more than happy to repair your ship."

After several minutes of waiting, the Supercarrier responded. "Thank you, we appreciate any help you can lend." Unbeknownst to the Humans, a cloaked Liche had left the Supercarrier and was heading towards Halo.

Onboard the Liche were Liara, Miranda, Edi, Garrus, and Shepard along with two squads of Elite Ultras, Thel 'Vadamee and two Hunters. When the Liche touched down, everyone got out. "We should spread out," said Shepard. "and look for anything useful on this place."

"The Hunters will remain behind with the ship. As should your robot." Thel said.

"Perhaps we should mix up a bit. "Suggested one of the Elites. "You should take a squad of Ultras." He looked at Shepard. "And of your crew should go with the Arbiter."

"Liara," Shepard said. "Go with Thel."

Liara nodded with some excitement, maybe it was because she would be able to talk with the nearly eight foot tall Sangheili about his people, culture, and history.

Shepard led his group off. They passed by several structures, searching every building carefully, but finding nothing. The found another structure. This one far bigger than the others they had encountered. Shepard approached the door to the building, but as soon as he did, a Sentinel drone attacked him. He returned fire with a Type-51 Carbine. Two more Sentinels came from behind and attacked the squad of Elites, who all took cover and began firing back. Within a few moments they were surrounded in dozens of sentinels. One of the Elites took out his energy sword. "Cover me while I cut that door down."

One of the other Elites handed him a drop shield. The Elite began work at cutting through the door, which was slow and hard as the door was extremely dense. The sentinels kept firing, but by now Garrus had learned their weak spots and was picking them off with a Beam rifle. The door fell down, and the Elite signaled for everyone to get in. When they got in, they found something they never expected.