The sounds of dozens of footsteps and a Marauder tank cutting through waves of trees echoed across the forest, loud enough to alert more shadowy beasts to their presence, yet none had attacked.

Mardus had seen plenty of things that the Forerunners had left behind years before, yet it was only machines and structures that were beyond the comprehension of most beings in how they were created. Huragok were their only organic creation, as far as anyone knew.

These dark creatures didn't seem to be their doing. Perhaps it was. They were capable of many things, Mardus had learned that much, even when he was blinded by the lies of Covenant.

He remembered that they detected the presence of four humans, even though there was only three Spartans. Not only that, Kryckus never returned from his patrol.

He couldn't waste time trying to figure out their situation now. That could be done later once they'd have the cruiser. Kryckus likely fell to the beasts. As for more humans, they may have simply missed them on Kholo.

His train of thought was interrupted when the group was now facing an open, grassy field. In the distance, silhouettes of structures came into view, covered by a light fog.

They came closer and closer until the structures were fully observable. Large columns, temples and other construction was scattered around, all made of stone. It was in ruins, completely abandoned for who knew how long.

The architecture didn't look like Forerunner design, especially due to their stone composition.

Not of Forerunner origin…

"I don't understand. This is nothing like the structures on the glassed world." Mardus heard.

The remark came from Tallius, a young Jiralhanae, yet one that Mardus relied on quite often. He wore scavenged, scarred armor. It was contrary to what Mardus wore - his very own War Chieftain amour – mostly intact and polished. The war passed, but he couldn't throw it away.

"I'm sure it is nothing we're unfamiliar with." He said to Tallius, trying to keep him focused. Even if it wasn't Forerunner, there were plenty of rational explanations. Some human colony, perhaps. It had to be. "We've heard of and seen of much more stranger things."

Tallius didn't look fully convinced, but he still trusted the Chieftain's judgement. It reassured Mardus that he still knew what he was doing. Commanding troops requires both audacity and great strength. A mantra he knew by heart.

Even if they weren't truly soldiers anymore, old habits are hard to break.

Out of the corner, the Chieftain spotted something strangely large for what it was gently floating down from above.

"A feather?"

Before he could ponder on where it came from, startled Unggoy and Jiralhanae pointing weapons made Mardus turn to see shapes approaching towards out of the fog in front of them.

It looked they were slowly forming into existence with every step. It was active camouflage.

Five beings were fully visible now, not much smaller than Jiralhanae and walking with reverse-jointed legs.

Sangheili. He saw a couple swiftly putting away their energy swords back on their hip before they could activate them.

Four of them wore standard amour, gazing at them with their mandibles fully exposed, but not the last one. He wore a helmet and combat harness that completely covered his body, dark red in color.

Instead of eyes, he saw a bright, blue visor. He was one of Ruka 'Zovam's personal warriors, made clear by that distinct appearance.

"Mardus," He spoke, his voice sounding deep and almost distorted, perhaps an effect of that helmet. "We didn't think you would find us."

The Chieftain couldn't tell if that tone of relief was genuine or not. "Is the ship intact?" He asked.

"Nothing serious," The Sangheili gestured with his arm and turned. "Come along."

…

Claire-G295 woke up again. She was on her back, feeling exhausted. Her adrenaline rush was over. She still felt lightheaded.

Strangely, she didn't feel much of the pain in her chest anymore. Something was still there, but she wasn't bleeding now.

For a moment, she thought that what happened in those woods was just a strange dream and she was in the medical bay of a UNSC ship that picked her and the others up from Kholo.

But the room they were in broke that illusion. It was grey, annoyingly bright and dull. A regular non-military infirmary, maybe.

"Goddammit," She heard from her left, what sounded like Sergey. "How many times am I gonna get knocked out today!?" He was a punching what looked like a reinforced glass wall.

To her right, Troy sat in the corner.

"You feeling better?" He asked. She nodded to signify a 'yes.'

"Well," The disembodied voice of Sergey's A.I filled the room. "Glad you're awake again, Claire. They patched you up after taking us here."

"Yeah, real nice of them," Her Spartan stopped punching and turned to look at her. "Let's thank them for smashing us some more and taking our weapons."

He went to another corner, folding his arms. "How'd she do that, anyway? It's like she hit us with gravity."

Claire remembered the older woman now, who somehow manipulated the bodies of the Spartans and smashed them on the ground. She also remembered where they were.

"Remnant?"

"I'm not sure why," Yoko spoke. "But I think they've brought us to a school."

"A school?" Troy titled his head.

"That's what it looks like. Lots of younger people here in uniforms. I was conscious during the whole trip." She explained. "They have no idea what the three of you are."

"What, they've never heard of Spartans before? Or soldiers?" Sergey asked, clearly annoyed and clenching his fists.

"And I've never heard of a colony called Remnant." G319 said.

"Neither did I," Yoko was musing. "In fact, it's completely unidentifiable. Even glassed planets have still had a name left. We're a long way from home."

Troy went quiet for a moment. He was probably assessing the situation or wondering why Yoko's tone always changed when not talking to Sergey.

"Maybe not. Maybe you missed something." He said. "And there's humans here."

"I'm sure." She affirmed. "It's not just an Outer colony. It's beyond that."

Troy wasn't just going to let this go. No sane person would. But he didn't get the chance.

"Wait, someone's coming." The A.I reported. The Spartans tensed up.

The woman from the woods was now there, with a fierce look on her face.

The other one was a middle-aged man with silver hair and small, shaded glasses. He was dressed in some kind of fancy suit and vest. He was holding a cane, yet he didn't look he needed it. His expression was more neutral, almost like he was looking at house guests.

"I'm sorry for the rough invitation. It's just that my colleague here is the under the assumption that you are dangerous."

He was holding a mug. "Would you like a chat?"