Halo is the copyright of Bungie, though these characters, and the story, are my own creation.


Chapter 28: Epilogue

September 19, 2552

UNSC Pillar of Autumn

Gunnery Sergeant Jack Price

"Attention all combat personnel! Please report to your action stations." The voice of the ships AI, Cortana said as it was blasted throughout the ship.

"Well that was a short break." Connors said as we got up from our temporary beds.

"We've had shorter." I replied as I stretched. We had all left our armor on as we guessed that we would be coming out of slip space and strait into a battle.

"5th Platoon secure air lock on Deck 11. 14th Platoon rendezvous with 27th Tactical at bulkhead Charlie 14." Cortana said once again. We didn't go anywhere as we had been assigned to stay with Staff Sergeant Johnson.

"You heard the lady, move like you got a purpose." Johnson barked out to his Marines as they fell into a double file line with room for him to walk between them.

"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill." Cortana said over the ships loud speaker system.

"And here I thought this would be a drill." Williams said with a huge amount of sarcasm in his voice.

"Men, we led those dumb bugs out to the middle of nowhere to keep 'em from gettin' their filthy claws on Earth. But, we stumbled onto somethin' they're so hot for, that they're scramblin' over each other to get it. Well, I don't care if it's God's own personal anti-son-of-a-bitch machine, or a giant hoola hoop, we're not gonna let 'em have it! What we will let 'em have is a belly full of lead, and a pool of their own blood to drown in!" Johnson yelled out to his Marines before pausing for a second, "Am I right, Marines?"

"Sir Yes Sir." All of the Marines, and even all of Carnage, replied back to that inspirational speech.

"Damn right I am. Now move it out, double time." Johnson ordered.

"Attention all personnel, we are reengaging the enemy. External and internal contact imminent." Cortana's voice echoed out.

"All you greenhorns who wanted to see Covenant up close, this is gonna be your lucky day." Johnson said as we all ran to get into position to fight off the covenant boarders. As we fought though parts of the ship, clearing each section as we go. On our way, we even passed by Master Chief on his way to the bridge. After a minute or so, the ship rocked to the side.

"What the hell was that?" Anders asked as we all got back on our feet.

"I don't know, but whatever it was means bad news for us." I replied to him.

"Attention all hands, this is the Captain. Prepare to abandon ship. Combat Teams; repel boarders until top personnel are away. Good Luck! Keyes Out." Captain Keyes broadcasted throughout ship.

"Well boys, looks like it's time to get out of here. Let's get to the hanger as see if there is a pelican left." I told Carnage before we moved out and in that direction.

"Didn't the Captain tell us Combat Teams to hold the boarders back until the command staff get away?" Dmitri asked.

"We will. We will just be protecting a Pelican instead of some random corridor." I told him as we reached the hanger bay. Just our luck, there was one Pelican left in the hanger. We stayed and guarded that pelican for a few minutes before the ship shook again.

"Let's get out of here, everybody board the pelican." I ordered as I saw nobody coming, and nobody had even shown up as well.

"Get us out of here!" I shouted up the pilots once we were all aboard the Pelican.

"Hang on back there." One of the pilots shouted back at us as they got the Pelican of the hanger ground and into the air.


And you all thought that the last chapter was the end. Well it was, but I had the idea for an epilogue for a bit and just now decided to write it. To all who ask, this is also a sneak peek at the sequel to "Brothers in Arms". As of yet there is no title or anything, just an idea of where I will go once I start it. First I'm going to finish "Moving On" though.

Semper Fi,

Thearizona