"True love grows by sacrifice and the more thoroughly the soul rejects natural satisfaction the stronger and more detached its tenderness becomes."
Therese of Lisieux
"Greetings. I am the Monitor of Installation 04," the calm, robotic voice said gently, somewhere behind Chief. "I am 343 Guilty Spark."
Chief fully regained his senses and leapt to his feet, his gun aimed at the hovering orb beside him. His eyes were narrowed behind the gold visor, his finger hovering on the trigger. The orb just stared at him, the cold blue light washing over the Spartan. Chief slowly lowered his rifle but was still on edge. Sounds of gunfire could still be heard below, and beams of light pierced the swamp's fog. No Flood were to be seen. Chief quietly gave a sigh of relief, checking himself for any wounds. Nothing really. The orb, or 343 Guilty Spark as it called itself, floated closer, its light growing more bright and harsh.
"Someone has released the Flood. My function is to prevent it from leaving this Installation. But I require assistance. Come," it ordered gently, floating away. "This way."
Gold flashed in Chief vision, blurring it as he vanished.
I sighed. This is boring, I thought unhappily, reading through another of the Forerunners files on some type of fungus. Every electrical current in my wiring ached to join with Chief. I was made for battle, not to be a librarian, I hungered for war. I briefly wondered what I would do after the war. Probably be retired and my chip stuffed somewhere, forgotten forever. Some future, I thought glumly. Or…? No. They couldn't possibly do that. Halsey might try. I am different from most Artificial Intelligence. Could she give me the gift I had always dreamed of?
Life.
Sure, being an AI had its perks, but to be human… A small sigh escaped my avatar's lips. I could touch, feel. Love more, laugh more, hurt more, live more. I could live with John, just two friends living on a quiet farm in the middle of nowhere. Ohio always sounded wonderfully peaceful to me. We could raise goats and ride horses in the fields, drink wine on our porch and watch the sunset, feeling the wind brush my skin and his warm hand in mine. An impossible dream, but a good one.
"John…living on a farm…" I laughed, imagining my Spartan dressed in overalls with a cowboy hat. I giggled harder, the sounds echoing around the room. Silence enveloped me, and I sighed again, it was a sad sound, lonely. I decide to shut down for a awhile, alone in my mind.
His feet touched smooth, solid ground, and his stomach rumbled unpleasantly, the world spinning. Chief focused on the floor, settling his body and slowing the spinning. He looked up after a few seconds and followed after Guilty Spark, looking around slightly, admiring the architecture of the building they were now in. It was cold, but remarkably designed, with electrical currents running under their feet towards their detonation. Everything was bathed in a blue light.
"We must collect the Index before we can activate the Installation," it told him cheerily.
Chief eyed the hovering AI warily. He still didn't trust the thing. It kept humming under its breath and murmuring insane words under his breath.
Teeheeheeheehee…Hum, dum, de dum dah…I'm a genius!" It cried gleefully, its light flickering.
Chief moved slightly farther away from it. Finally, they arrived in a large chamber, cold blue light radiating from an energy field above them. Chief looked at the orb expectantly.
It hummed. "The energy field above us contains the Index. We must get up there."
Captain obvious…Chief thought, annoyed. He moved off to a massive door on the other end of the room, frowning as it wouldn't budge.
"Oh yes! The security doors must have sealed automatically. I will go access the override to open them." It hurried off, leaving Chief alone in the metal room with the harsh light of the energy shield radiating down from above. It was almost the same color as Cortana. He shook his head. Stay on task, he told himself stiffly but his thoughts wandered to his constant AI companion. Was she alright? Was she safe? He was always supposed to take care of her, and he just left her alone. He still could remember what Halsey said when she handed him Cortana.
"You are to always protect her. Never let her sacrifice herself for you or anybody," Halsey ordered firmly, staring at Chief with intense blue eyes.
"Yes ma'am," Chief replied smartly, saluting.
Halsey grasped his hand and pulled it down. "No, promise her," the older woman asked him gently.
Cortana's lovely, female avatar appeared, surrounded with a soft light. Her lips were pulled up in a teasing grin and her holographic eyes sparkled. She put her hands on her hips at looked up at him, her wedge haircut falling briefly in her blue eyes. Chief looked carefully back at his AI, holding her chip almost reverently.
"I will always protect you. From the Covenant and from yourself. I will never abandon you or leave you behind," he said seriously.
She reached forward and lay a holographic hand on the side of his visor, unable to truly touch him. "I promise to take care of you and keep you safe from yourself," she smiled, disappearing into her chip.
"I think you two will be the best of companions. After all, she did choose you," Halsey said softly.
"Please follow closely, Human. This portal is the first of ten," Guilty Spark called in a slightly irritated tone.
Chief shook himself from his flashback and followed behind the AI, fiercely annoyed at himself and angry. The insane AI and Spartan both entered through the doorway, the darkness of the corridor swallowing them both.
"How many more?" Chief grunted, smashing the butt of his assault rifle into a Flood's face, its head exploding with the force and splattering them both in blood and brains.
"This is the last one, Spartan," Guilty Spark called happily back, humming carelessly to itself. "The Flood are simply too dangerous to release, and mass sterilization protocol may need to be reenacted again. Of course we kept samples to study from the last epidemic. It seem start decision was an error…" it randomly told him. Chief sighed and finished off the last of the Flood, trailing the AI and watching out for any other nasty surprises.
They entered the fourth floor, more Flood swarming the Index platform. Chief plunged into the fray, firing at the creatures heads with what little ammo he had left. The empty click of his gun sent an echo of dread through his body. He swore quietly and drew his magnum, shaking off an Infected Grunt that clung to his back. He pivoted around and plunged his knife into the poor grunt's skull, hearing the sickening crack of bones breaking. Chief grunted and drove the blade deeper, the shrill screams of the grunt falling silent. He stood and walked briskly onto the platform where the AI waited impatiently.
"The Index barrier with deactivate once we hit ground floor," Guilty Spark told him excitedly.
Chief nodded as the platform came to a halt, the Index hovering in the center of the room, protected in a dull grey, metal sheath of some sort. Chief walked slowly over to it, puzzling on how to get it out of its sheath. A series of metal blocks surrounding it move in an out hypnotically, before the Index slides out from the top of the sheath, glowing slightly. It looked vaguely like Thor's hammer from the stories he had rarely read when he was a boy. He raised it up and examined it carefully, it immediately being taken from his hands by Guilty Spark and stored in its transdimensional chamber within it.
"Protocol requires that I take the Index for transport. You organic form renders you venerable to Flood infection. The Index must not be allowed to fall into Flood hands before we reach the Control Room and activate the installation," it explained rather haughtily. Chief nodded, his thoughts on Cortana who waited for him in the Control Room.
The AI quickly teleports them from the Index room, gold flashing again in Chief's vision.
"The Flood are repairing your ship and ready to spread. We must hurry!" It shouted before the world faded to black.
I was reading intently from a strange file I had found, my eyes widening and my lips moving in a silent prayer as I read on. Chief must be with the Monitor, 343 Guilty Spark, and if he was and if he had the Index…No! I couldn't let it activate the installation. I quickly prepared.
Th sound of heavy footfall snapped my from my work, I quickly hid my hologram and watched curiously as Chief and a small orb, a Forerunner A.I, entered the room. The A.I was right in the middle of explaining something to my Spartan.
"…which means that any organism of sufficient mass and cognitive capability is a potential vector." It told Chief smoothly, its voice soothing and trusting. I flared up with rage. Under the useless words and half-truths I knew what the machine was trying to do, and it was using my Spartan to do its twisted duty! I hid my quiet rage though, and continued to observe.
Chief paused for a second, an uneasiness lingering about him. He wasn't completely stupid, he must have known something was up. I silently urged him on as he stopped and looked at the place where the Index would be placed, mulling the A.I's lies.
Guilty Spark stopped too, floating around to face Chief. "Is there something wrong?" It asked kindly, its blue light washing over Chief's visor.
Chief shook his head and met its gaze, "No…nothing is wrong."
I groaned. How did he survive without me?
The A.I hummed with pleasure, "Good." It paused. "Unfortunately, my usefulness has come to an end to this particular event has come to an end. Protocol does not allow units with my classification to…preform task as important as the reunification of the Index with the Core. That final step is reserved for you, Reclaimer." It said eagerly, its eye watching Chief's every move. The Index floated out of the A.I and into Chief's hands.
The Spartan hesitated, but walked forward, sliding the Index into the Core.
Holograms and lights appeared, but quickly faded and the room grew silent.
"Odd. That was not supposed to happen." It observed, annoyance and worry tingeing its normally calm tone. I gave a sly smile, it was my turn to show that A.I what I knew.
My avatar appeared on the console, a bright light sparking from my figure and throwing the Guilty Spark to the ground. I winked saucily at Chief, trying to hide the relief of him being alive.
"Cortana!" He exclaimed, he sounded slightly relieved.
I put my hands on my curved hips, staring down at the ancient A.I. "I've spent twelve hours cooped up in here, watching you toady about, helping that thing get set to slit our throats!" I accused the A.I, which floated farther back, putting a safe distance between itself and my hologram.
Chief blocked my angry glare from the Guilty Spark, "Hold on now, he's a friend." He tried to explain.
I stared at Chief, my face dark. "Oh! I didn't realize." I said mockingly, "He's your pal, is he? Your chum? Do you have any idea what that thing almost made you do?!" I yelled, furious at Chief's blindness to the twisted A.I.
Chief began, his voice patient and slow. "Yes…to activate Halo's defenses and destroy the Flood, which is why we brought the Index to the Control Center."
I smirked, "You mean this?" A hologram of the Index appeared in the palm of my tiny hands, floating serenely.
The A.I piped up angrily, "A construct? In the Core?! This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"Sod off." I insulted, a sneer on my full lips.
"What impertinence! I will purge you at once!" It spluttered indignantly.
I smiled nastily, "Are you sure that's a good idea?" With those words, I manipulated my avatar to absorb the real Index, storing it away safely from the Guilty Spark.
"How…how…how dare you!" It cried, fully flustered.
"Do what? I have the Index now, all you can do is float and splutter!" I insulted, narrowing my blue eyes at the orb. The other AI moved closer, a threatening hum coming from deep within its body.
"Enough!" Chief yelled, his voice exasperated and annoyed. He held up his hands between me and Spark, trying to break up the fight. "The Flood are spreading, if we activate Halo's defenses they will all be wiped out." He insisted stubbornly, meeting my burning blue gaze.
I groaned, "You have no idea how this ring works, do you? Why the Forerunners built it? Halo doesn't kill Flood, it kills their food." I paused for a second, allowing Chief to absorb the information. "The only way to stop the Flood is to starve them to death. And that's exactly what Halo is designed to do! It will wipe the galaxy of all sentient life." I could almost see the disbelief under his golden visor. I frowned and pointed a long, slender finger at the Guilty Spark that floated quietly in the shadows. "You don't believe me? Ask him!" I spat, directing my hot glare towards the orb.
Chief hesitated and turned to face the A.I. "Is this true?" His voice was low, dangerous.
It was still for a moment but began to speak. "More or less." It admitted, "Technically, this system's pulse has a maximum radius of twenty-five thousand light years. But, once the others follow in suit, the universe will be quite devoid of life, or at least any life with sufficient biomass to sustain the Flood." It stopped nervously, but quickly picked it up again. "But you already knew that…I mean, how couldn't you?"
"Left out that little detail?" I snapped.
It's hum increased, the AI moving out of reach. "We have followed outbreak containment procedure to the letter. You were with me every step of the way, as we managed this crisis." It said to Chief smugly.
I quickly scanned the area. "Chief, I'm picking up movement!" I warned him, alarm in my words.
"Why would you hesitate to do what you have already done?" It continued menacingly, its body moving around our heads teasingly.
I pursed my lips, "Chief, we need to go now!" I called him sharply as the four Sentinels that had guarded Chief flew to protect the A.I, their guns pointed at Chief.
"Last time you asked me, if it were my choice would I do it? In the considerable amount of time to ponder your query, my answer has not changed." It finished its rant with an insane laugh.
Chief backed away slowly, his hand reaching for my chip. He grasped it and slid it into his helmet. I quickly wired myself to the suit and analyzed the situation.
"Chief. Leave. Now." I whispered harshly in his ear.
"Good to have you back." He whispered back.
"If you are unwilling to activate the Index, than I suppose I must find someone else. Still, I need the Index. Give me your construct to me or I will be forced to take her from you." It threatened, aiming its Sentinels at Chief's head.
"That will not happen." Chief growled lowly at the Guilty Spark.
"So be it." It sniffed, floating away as the Sentinels burst into a flurry of plasma fire.
I gave a proud smile as Chief's response rolled around in my head. I sighed happily and forced myself to focus on the battle on hand. Chief had already shot down two Sentinels, only two more remained. I did notice he was limping ever so lightly, his steps heavy as he knocked the third Sentinel from the air. Th least one proved much more illusive than its partners, it dodged Chief's shots effortlessly, shooting all the while at Chief's legs and torso. My Spartan swore quietly and tossed his magnum away.
"Just run, Chief." I told him softly. He hesitated but turned away and sprinted from the room, his left leg dragging slightly behind. I set to analyzing the wound. Its was a Sentinel was fairly deep and the flesh was burned, but not terribly bad. I frowned deeply, making sure the burn was not too serious. It wasn't, but it would require some med attention. "You have a knack for hurting yourself, Chief." I observed as he burst into the clear, sunny winter-land. He took several deep breaths, savoring the crisp, clean air.
I gave a tiny smile and scanned the area. "We can't let the Guilty Spark activate Halo. We have to stop him." I hesitated, running through the information in my head, making sure my plan would work. "It's going to be risky…" I trailed off.
"Everything we do is risky. We just need to stop the Flood, at any cost." Chief rumbled, striding towards an empty Banshee.
"If we cause an explosion of sufficient size, it will help destabilize the ring, and will cut through a number of primary systems. We need to trigger detonation on a larger scale, however. A star ship's fusion reactors going critical will do the job. I'm going to use what's left of the Covenant battle net, and see if I can locate The Pillar of Autumn." I scanned the broken, choppy bits of the comm. Chief, meanwhile, hunted for some sort of transport in the piles of twisted Ghosts and Warthogs.
"I can't find the Autumn. But we can slow the Guilty Spark down. I've located the area for the Halo's primary weapons, if we damage them enough, it will slow down the A.I enough to buy us some time." I explained quickly, dropping a NAV point for Chief.
He nodded and climbed into a flipped Banshee, activating its engines and flying into the air, which had begun to fill with delicate snowflakes. It cut through the cold air silently, none of us making a single sound as we flew towards the directive.
"You missed me, didn't you?" I asked slyly, breaking the silence.
"What gave you that idea?" He replied swiftly, swerving to avoid a mountaintop.
I sighed, "Look, I understand that you're an emotionless robot, but really. Somewhere, deep in that suit, there is a tiny bit of humanity that cares for me, and for every soldier on this planet." I said softly, sending a warm, electric pulse down his neck. "Why is it so hard for you to admit your human?"
"I just can't afford to think like that," He answered gruffly.
That's when I saw the deep pain, the loneliness of a Spartan. That brief sentence showed me his soul for a tiny window of time, and it was dark indeed. I was his only friend. As much as he denied it, and I was sure he would until the day I died, I knew that he needed me.
There was no separating us now.
Together or not at all.
I hid a growing smile as the destination approached.
Time to get to work.
HI! I AM SO EXITED THAT I WILL WRITE WITH MY CAPS LOCK ON! Nah, but I am exited. This chapter will not agree with the previous ones, but don't worry, I am currently fixing those. I REALLY hope you like this and please let me know in a kind, fuzzy manner that doesn't crush me like a bug. If you have any suggestions/critique/something to add please PM me. I will always listen to you guys, no matter how harsh it will be. Just a couple shout outs today.
Dividing MDH. Thanks for giving me the advice so kindly but firmly, it really helped and it has made this story better. You rock and please hand with me as I struggle to write better!
Fallen Ark Angel. You opinion means the world to me and that review you left me helped me through the writers block and my dislike of my writing. Thanks for boosting my meager confidence in this fix and I hope you liked this chapter!
That's it folks! I will try to have chapter 12 out in a couple of weeks. YOU ROCK! Excuse me while I go celebrate that I FINALLY got this flipping chapter out…