Chapter 27
November 26, 2552, 1805hrs, "The Crow's Nest", Chawia Hill, Kenya, East Africa Protectorate, Africa, Planet Earth
Mike sat on a concrete bench, tired but satisfied. The team had stood down for the night after a full day of patrolling and cat-and-mouse skirmishes in the jungle. Now back at the UNSC's base of operations he and the rest of the Wolf Pack could relax knowing they were secure in a hardened defensive perimeter. He'd checked in with Captain McLynn and Gunny MacGregor and the Wolverines seemed to be in decent spirits and ready to get back in the fight. He appreciated the resiliency of the Helljumpers and was glad there wasn't any remaining resentment.
Waiting now for their turn to enter the crowded mess hall the thoughtful man allowed his gaze to go across the corridor to the faded symbol on the wall opposite. For some reason he knew it to be the emblem of the United Nations from the 20th century. How he knew escaped him, just more of the bank of trivial information he'd accumulated over the past decade or so. But it did make him connect the concept that this structure was around 500 years old. Though the technology was dated it still served its function, a testimony to resiliency in the brutal grind of time. The thought stuck in his mind and he pondered it.
For so long Mike had a fatalism about the length of his life as a Spartan and then on top of that was the question of could humanity survive the onslaught of the Covenant. Yet this structure had stood for centuries, tucked in the jungle of Kenya. How many had passed through this place over the same centuries thinking the same thing? And yet humanity remained as this structure remained. It had a story and by extension so did he. He carried the legacy of his ancestor who'd lived in that same 20th century and had survived the very first alien invasion of Earth. Had he wondered how long his life would last? How long humanity would stand? Likely. And yet he'd ended up finding love and the peace of a family and life outside of war. His legacy had remained over the centuries and had driven his father into service and he as well. A trio of Marines walked past him towards the mess hall for dinner and each nodded deferentially to the Spartan as looks of hope lit up their faces. He didn't know any of them and they didn't know him yet his very presence was an encouragement. That was legacy, that was something that would last through the centuries. No, Mike was building something, his life was leaving a ripple in the pond of time and what he did mattered. Yes, he was a player in a great cosmic drama but he also had the opportunity to choose how that would play out. He was not a puppet on a string, or even merely an agent of the state, he was a man with hopes and dreams. And that's what drove him now.
The reflective supersoldier's thoughts were interrupted by Melanie who came down the hallway and sat on a bench across from him. She removed her Recon helmet and gazed at him with a hard look on her face.
"Where've you been?" Mike asked, a bit harsher than he felt since her look didn't sit right with him. "We could have used you today."
"I've been out all day on a recce," she replied, her face neutral.
"Yea, but you're supposed to be working with us," Mike stated, an irrational irritation starting to grow.
The attractive female Spartan shrugged nonchalantly. "Command tasking. That takes priority."
"That's bull, Mel," Mike shot back. "If you'd been retasked I would have been informed. You're part of my chain of command."
"Situations fluid," she answered unconvincingly.
"Come on, Mel, level with me," Mike pleaded, his tone changing as he began to suspect something was amiss.
"I don't know…" Melanie confessed, her gaze dropping to the concrete floor. "Things are just weird. This stuff…between us…I just don't know what to think or how to act." She paused and then looked up with a new resolve in her eyes. "For years I felt in control and ever since I've reconnected with you I feel like I have too many areas I have no control over."
"Listen, I don't mean to….," Mike began but was cut off.
"Let me finish, Michael," Melanie cut him off. "It's not you, it's me. Seeing you, some of the times we've had together, it's awakened in me something I didn't know was there. I want something with you, I want something from you…. I'm just not sure how to get it. I…I…"
This time she was cut off as the comm link in Mike's helmet which sat on his lap went off.
"Wolf Pack Actual this is Blowtorch Main, stand by for priority comm link, over."
"Acknowledged Blowtorch, Wolf Pack Actual ready and standing by," Mike confirmed.
"Mike?" a familiar voice came over his helmet speaker
"Tali?" Mike answered in shock. Instinctively he grabbed his helmet and stuffed it on his head but before he could concentrate, he saw Melanie's eyes flash angrily as she got up and walked away.
"Are you there, Mike?"
"Yea, I am," he answered but then in confusion asked, "but, how are you? This is a theatre comms frequency."
"I'm in New Mombasa right now," she answered excitedly.
"What? How?" Mike asked incredulously.
"Long story short, I think Admiral Parangosky is trying to get me killed," she answered almost gleefully.
"Excuse me?" Mike shot back.
"Command sent me here on a bogus fact-finding mission. It seems I'm supposed to be exposed to the action and then, who knows…." she let her voice trail off at the implication.
"Are you okay? What's happened?" Mike was all confusion and mixed emotions. Part of him wanted to grab a Warthog and drive back but he knew he couldn't.
"It's all good, Mike. I can take care of myself. I had a good teacher," Natalia gushed.
"I'm glad you're okay, but watch out for yourself," Mike declared with concern in his voice.
"I will. You're sweet, Mike. I won't keep you, I just wanted to let you know I was here. I was hoping we'd connect but apparently you've moved off towards Voi."
"How did you find that out?" Mike asked suspiciously, conscious of operational security but then realized, "Oh right, ONI."
"No silly, actually I ran into Gunny Stacker earlier today and he told me," she retorted with a giggle instead of irritation.
"Sorry," the Spartan responded sheepishly.
"Don't be. I've given you lots of reasons in the past to not trust me. I wanted to let you know I was in theater and that I love you. I've been in a bit of a fog the last few weeks but now things are getting clearer. So, if I see you that's great, but I'm not going to manipulate the process to make it happen. I just wanted you to know how much I care about you. I love you Mike, I think I got distracted from that with everything going of late."
Mike was shocked at the declaration and also certainty of feeling of the beautiful billionaire's daughter. She could have anything she wanted; she could have anyone she wanted. He'd treated her poorly and even allowed his affections to be tested. And yet she still loved him. It was time to step across the line and be the man his legacy dictated.
"Mike?" Natalia asked, conscious of the pause.
"Here, sorry," he apologized. "I love you too, Tali. And I'm sorry for being such an ass lately. I do love you; I think more than I understand even. But…but, I want this to work. I don't know how with all this crap going on, but I want it to."
"I'm glad, and me too," Natalia declared. "We'll find a way if our hearts are in the right place."
"You're right." Mike had renewed hope. "We can overcome any obstacle between us." Then with a renewed spirit of urgency declared, "I hope we can connect sometime soon."
"I'm pretty sure out paths will cross again, it seems to be our fate," Natalia declared confidently. "I'll talk to you soon. I love you."
"I love you too and I can't wait," Mike said genuinely.
Legacy.
Are you kidding me? Melanie declared to herself as she stormed down the corridor. I'm about to tell him what I'm feeling and 'little miss privilege' is able to just drop him a line? This is bull. I'm so done with all this.
The Spartan moved aggressively causing those in her way to part, knowing to not get in the agitated woman's way.
Natalia hung up and immediately pumped her fist in the air. "Yes!" she called out in triumph. For the first time the woman felt the two of them were as one and on the same path. Her initial pledge to not work this dangerous situation to her advantage flew out the window. Mike loved her, he'd declared that plainly and without reservation. That was all that mattered. Admiral Parangosky wanted her in harm's way? Well, the confident woman would comply. It was time to find a seat on the next resupply convoy up the Tsavo Highway to the front at Voi.
Back at the Hive in Sydney, Australia, Black Box appeared before Admiral Parangosky. The head of ONI sent Serin Osman from her office in mid-meeting. Her aide gave the woman a strange look as she complied but knew not to question the cunning elderly woman.
"The asset his arrived in New Mombasa, admiral," the Smart AI reported. "What are your orders?"
"Termination with extreme prejudice," Parangosky replied with an evil grin. "Collateral damage is authorized if necessary."
"Are you sure of this, admiral?" Black Box asked, not masking its disgust at the order.
Margaret Parangosky paused uncharacteristically for a moment. Why did she hate Natalia Misriah so much? Was it that she was a threat to ONI? Or to her own position of strength? No. Was it her father's meddling? No, that was being turned to her advantage. Was it her youth and good looks? No, she'd once had that and now enjoyed the fruits of older age. What was it then? Was it that she'd found true love despite the war and the great divide between her and the Spartan? That was a question the bitter woman wouldn't answer. "Just send the order," she barked.
"Done," Black Box confirmed with disgust and again disappeared without being dismissed.
November 27, 2552, 0955hrs, "The Crow's Nest", Chawia Hill, Kenya, East Africa Protectorate, Africa, Planet Earth
"Wolf Pack Actual, this is Black Crow Main, prepare to receive priority retasking, over," the communication's director from the Crow's Nest ordered to Mike over the TACNET.
The Wolf Pack had begun the day early, being sent out before 0600 hours as sensors had been picking up growing concentrations of Covenant forces and several firefights had broken out already in the region. The Wolverines and other Special Operations forces had been sent out in a sweeping arc to assess what was going on and seek to slow the invader's progress. Rumors had been circulating of a new Covenant fleet arriving anytime and an imminent counter-attack so all were on a razor's edge.
"Roger that, Black Crow Main, Wolf Pack Actual standing by," Mike acknowledged.
"Wolf Pack Actual, switch to secure channel Delta-2, over."
Mike switched to a private communications channel, curious as to what was going on. "This is Wolf One."
"Mike, I need you and your team back at the Crow's Nest, pronto," the voice of Colonel Holland, their controller declared.
"Sir, no can do," Mike countered. "We're tracking and preparing to engage a major Covenant force moving up to the wire."
"I know that son, I can read sensor data too," Holland replied dryly. "Something big's coming and I need you back right away to get briefed in. Other elements will cover your trace."
Mike paused for a moment to consider the order. He knew they were literally only hundreds of meters from contact but he also trusted their commander and knew he wouldn't pull them without an important reason. Time for him to show he was part of the process and not merely the 'Lone Wolf'. "Copy that sir, we're on our way in."
The leader of the Wolf Pack gave the order which none questioned and moved
with haste back to the Crow's Nest. The trip back was swift, each having a sense of anticipation for what was to come. The thought that something big was coming was further amplified as the Marines guarding the entrance were obviously distracted by something as the foursome looking out to the jungle were talking excitedly. The teenage Spartans had trouble understanding what was being said but one phrase from an excited Marine that was clear was, "Did you see the size of him?"
Their curiosity was answered a short time later when they entered a large concrete hanger bay with a recently-arrived Pelican where a group of Marines were standing in awe at a distance from a large hulking, armored Spartan. Even from this distance Mike could tell this was a Spartan II but he found his heart beginning to beat a little bit faster as he came to realize just what Spartan this was. In dull green MJOLNIR Mark VI armor, it could only be the legendary Master Chief, John-117. As if realizing he was being stared at, he turned to face the Wolf Pack as they advanced.
"Holy shit, it really is him," Matt exclaimed over the TEAMCOMM.
"Man, those II's are big," Terrell added.
"Be still my beating heart," Alissa piped in and no one could tell whether she was serious or joking.
"All right, settle down," Mike cut them off, trying not to appear jealous, or was it in intimidation of the famous supersoldier?
The team moved into the Master Chief's perimeter while he stood looking at them impassively through the golden visor on his helmet.
"Mike-B312," Mike extended his armored hand.
"John-117," Master Chief replied, taking it and shaking.
"I know who you are, Master Chief, I think everyone does," Mike confessed.
"And I know who you are, sir," Chief replied. "You've been doing good work over the years." Then his tone changed. "I was sorry to hear about Noble Team. I barely got off Reach myself. But I see you have your own team now," he observed in his gravelly voice, "outstanding."
The teens of the Wolf Pack beamed at the recognition by the legendary Spartan.
"Nothing that I hate more than a mutual admiration society," an African American Marine sergeant major with hard black eyes deadpanned, taking a draw on the Sweet William cigar he held between his teeth.
"You jealous, Sergeant Johnson?" Chief shot back.
"Hmmm," Johnson grunted back derisively.
Then dropping the playful façade, the Master Chief got down to business. "We're about to be briefed in but what have you got? We had to fight our way in to get here."
Mike appreciated the famous Spartan's down-to-business attitude. "The latest intelligence we have is that the Covenant have reinforced their position not far from here but have started pushing out. Intel believes they're about to activate some kind of Forerunner artifact they've been unearthing. If the signals traffic we've intercepted and deciphered is to be believed they're likely right."
"The Covenant fleet I came in on is here to support this dig so it seems to give support to this idea," Chief declared matter-of-factly.
"Excuse me?" Mike countered in shock. "The Covenant fleet you came in on? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I hitched a ride and they were nice enough to drop me off," Chief replied referring to the freefall he'd undertaken earlier in the morning.
"Which means?" Mike pressed.
"That means time is of the essence and not to be used on foolish questions," a deep bass voice said from behind.
The group turned to look face-to-face with an Elite in dull gold armor.
"What the?" Matt choked out as all the Wolf Pack brought their weapons up and prepared to engage.
"Stand down, Spartans," Master Chief ordered, "it's okay."
"What do you mean?" Mike spat out. "This is an Elite."
"Yes, but he's on our side," Chief tried to explain.
"How many have you murdered?" Alissa spat out. "How many worlds have you glassed?" She gripped her sniper rifle tight.
"Steady there," Chief sought to de-escalate the tension of the situation. "Things have changed."
"How? How have they changed?" Mike retorted, seeing the images of his dead teammates of Noble Team on Reach.
Master Chief started to speak but was cut off by the proud Sangheili warrior. "We were lied to by our Prophets who tricked us into this war of extermination. I am Thel 'Vadam and I am known as the Arbiter now. My mission is to free my people from their enslavement and end this cursed war."
"We really don't have time for this right now," Master Chief cut in. "but let me try to explain. There's been a civil war going on and the Elites have been supplanted by the Brutes. They've seen the light and have switched sides. I know it's hard to believe but the Arbiter and I have been working together lately. You're going to have to trust me on this one, Mike."
Mike paused, still stunned by the development but it did make sense. He'd not seen an Elite since Reach which had been a strange thing. And the reputation and word of John-117 carried a lot of weight with him. "All right. I'll get with the program," Mike declared. "Stand down, Wolf Pack."
"But sir…," Adam said, still not believing everything that was happening.
"I said stand down. I trust the Master Chief."
"Good," the Arbiter agreed. "Now let us get back to business. Time is of the essence."
An attractive dark-haired female Navy officer entered the hanger and gave the scene a smile, her brown eyes sparkling. "Where'd you find him?" she asked Sergeant Johnson, looking at the Master Chief.
"Napping. Out back," the Marine senior NCO responded sarcastically.
"Hmm, I'll bet," Miranda Keyes answered, returning the Chief and Sergeant Johnson's salute. "It's good to see you Chief."
"Likewise, ma'am," Chief responded, shaking her offered hand.
Keyes then turned to Mike. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Miranda Keyes. I've been placed in charge of Special Operations out of this sector going forward."
"Nice to meet you," Mike nodded in confirmation. "You the one who got us pulled by Colonel Holland earlier?"
"No, but things are starting to spin up pretty fast so it's not surprising our key assets are being brought in," Commander Keyes stated, then changed tone. "Let's get you all up to speed."
The group moved from the hanger and into the bowels of the 20th century base passing Marines who would stop and stare at the unusual group.
Commander Keyes began to share what she knew. "The Prophet of Truth's ships breached the Lunar perimeter. Smashed what was left of the Home Fleet. Terrestrial casualties from the subsequent bombardment were extreme."
As if to punctuate the point a team of medics raced by with an injured Marine on a stretcher and others sat in the corridor awaiting treatment. Sergeant Johnson was visibly moved so stopped to tend to an injured Marine.
"Truth could've landed anywhere, but he committed all his forces here. East Africa. The ruins of New Mombasa," Keyes continued though not unmoved by the casualties around them which Mike also took note of. "Then, they started digging."
"What about Halo?" Master Chief interrupted and asked intently.
Mike caught the word though he didn't quite understand what it was. He'd heard rumors about some sort of alien superweapon but it had never been a priority with a war of extermination right in front of him. And now perhaps what was happening was tied in.
"We stopped it, but only temporarily," Keyes answered the Chief's question. "Now, the Prophet of Truth is looking for something called 'The Ark', where he'll be able to fire all the Halo Rings. If he succeeds, Humanity, The Covenant, every sentient being in the Galaxy..."
"The rings will kill us all," Master Chief finished.
Mike's blood ran cold. He'd thought the fight in front of him was desperate. Now he finds out there's something that can kill him from millions of kilometers away? Though not a religious man he'd always had a sense of faith and belief in God. But how could any divine so powerful allow the ability for such carnage? It was an age-old question that had been asked for centuries but now was front-and-center in the mind of Mike Nantz.
The party arrived at the Operations Center for the Crow's Nest and a technician announced to Commander Keyes, "Ma'am, I have Lord Hood."
"Patch him through," the Naval officer responded calmly despite what had just been shared.
Lord Admiral Terrence Hood appeared on the main view screen in the multi-level hub of activity. Smaller monitors surrounded it while technicians were busy scanning workstations scattered throughout the utilitarian area. A set of wide, concrete stairs framed the center of the room and so the group walked down to the bottom level to get closer to the view screen which was now projecting the image of the famed Navy officer whose wise-looking face was etched with concern.
"Good news, Commander Keyes?" Admiral Hood asked via video.
"As good as it gets, sir," she replied.
"So I see," Hood responded with the hint of a smile. Then looking at the Master Chief asked, "What's your status, son?"
"Green. Sir," the legendary Spartan answered without pause.
The head of FLEETCOMM nodded his head. "Glad to hear it. The Commander's come up with a good plan. But without you, I wasn't sure we could pull it off."
Commander Keyes took the cue to explain her plan to those around her. "Truth's ships are clustered above the excavation site. And his infantry has deployed Anti-Aircraft Batteries around the perimeter. But, if we neutralize one of the batteries, punch a hole in Truth's defenses..."
"I'll initiate a low-level strike," Admiral Hood finished. "Hit 'em right where it hurts. I only have a handful of ships, Master Chief. It's a big risk. But I'm confident—"
The sentence was cut off as the ops center went black as the power was cut off.
"Hell! Not again!" a technician grunted in the dark.
"Emergency generators!" Commander Keyes ordered rhetorically. "Now!"
The lights started to come back up and the various screens and terminals started to reboot.
"Sitrep?" Mike called out instinctively, concerned by what had caused the power failure.
"Shielding failed, sir," a technician reported. "They're down and charging."
"As soon as they're up, re-establish contact with Lord Hood," Commander Keyes interjected. "Let him know that-"
The Covenant San'Shyuum Prophet of Truth suddenly appeared on all the view screens cutting off her thought.
"You are, all of you, vermin," Ord Casto, the Prophet of Truth declared imperiously. "Cowering in the dirt, thinking what, I wonder? That you might escape the coming fire? No. Your world will burn until its surface is but glass!" the Prophet hissed. "And not even your Demon will live to creep, blackened from its hole to mar the reflection of our passage... the culmination of our Journey. For your destruction is the will of the gods! And I? I am their instrument!"
Suddenly, all power was fully restored, showing the source of the initial outage which caused a sickening feeling for all in the ops center.
"Cocky bastard," Sergeant Johnson spat out. "Just loves to run his mouth!"
"Does he usually mention me?" Master Chief asked, reading into the message something others hadn't quite picked up.
Commander Keyes thought for a moment and then the realization of Truth's meaning became clear. "Give the order. We're closing shop."
"Ma'am?" the confused Marine Ops officer asked.
"We're about to get hit," Keyes explained grimly.
It clicked in for the OpsO and he swung into action, "All personnel! Defense code Alpha-one. Prepare for immediate evacuation!"
Mike was one step ahead of him. Opening his TEAMCOMM he ordered, "Wolf Pack, Wolverines, stand to. Prepare to be engaged."
A grim reality dawned on Commander Keyes. "The wounded. We're getting them all out."
"If I have to carry 'em myself," Sergeant Johnson declared emphatically, chomping down on his cigar.
"Ma'am, squad leaders are requesting a rally point. Where should they go?" a communications tech interrupted.
Miranda Keyes began walking up the stairs to exit drawing her magnum service pistol and cocking it, then finally answered. "To war."
