A/N: Inspired by Heart-Of-Memories' "Of a Construct and a Hero", some random Halo ponderings and one-shots that have been on my mind awhile.

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Takes Place: Post Halo 3; Earth


Lord Hood set his hat onto his desk and leaned backwards in his seat, thoroughly exhausted.

It appeared now that the long fought Human-Covenant war was finally at an end.

But at a tremendous cost.

The Master Chief. Cortana. Commander Miranda Keyes. Sergeant Johnson. Effectively all of the command staff that had been dispatched with the Forward Unto Dawn, and then some.

Dead.

He'd had some major regrets throughout this war. But none so much weighed on his conscience as the most recent ones. The way he'd treated Keyes and the Master Chief while on the Shadow of Intent was reprehensible at best, and outright bigoted if one were to be truthful.

The fact remained that he'd doubted them. Two of Earth's finest, like they were lowlife scum not worthy enough to lick the dirt from his shoes.

'Ashamed' could never begin to describe how he felt.

Those two had been right all along. If what the Arbiter had told him was 100 true, and he was fairly certain it was, those three people and that AI had effectively saved all of mankind.

All that he'd accomplished was to hold down a fort that wasn't even under serious attack any longer.

The Elites were preparing to leave Earth in another day and he knew that there was much to be done. The Arbiter had asked if he could attend the memorial service for the Chief and the others. Lord Hood had agreed despite his feelings otherwise.

Their collective valor and conduct had humbled him today unlike anything he'd ever experienced. When he'd been so focused on holding onto whatever humanity had left, they had leapt headfirst into the unknown on gut instinct and saved what was left of their race.

He'd have to find better words for the service, because they had believed when he had not, and he, as well as the mere millions of those who were left, were forever in their debt.

He replaced his hat and fought back the tears that were threatening to fall now more than ever. He could only hope to follow their example in the days to come.

Their future was secure for the moment, and what was to come, was up to those who remained.


A/N: I know for a fact that if I was Lord Hood, I would have thoroughly expected someone from the Dawn's mission to say "I TOLD YOU SO" when they got back. With no one to say it however, victory seems hollow and empty at best.