A/N: Sorry this took me long to write. I'm just taking a page out of my book for once and not rush in making the mission. Hey, this mission is a runner up to the Mission the Covenant. And of, here fact No.2.
Fact No.2: Out of all of chapters throughout this fanfiction, Keyes was the most fun to write. To be honest, I didn't write the Terminal, but I can actually feel their reactions. Even if I never read the manga, I could feel their emotions of Keyes Being assimilated by the Flood.
Disclaimer: I do not own Akame Ga Kiru and Halo. They belong to their rightful and respectful owners.
Kurome and Chelsea soon picks up the controllers as the loading screen was showing up to play the next mission alongside with Mine and Esdeath.
(Cutscene)
The Sangheili CCS-class battlecruisers and CAS-class assault carrier arrive at the other side of the slipspace portal. A colossal structure is below them, and a Covenant fleet straight ahead.
"That is a lot of ships." Lubbock commented as the Covenant's fleet comparing to the Elites.
Cut to the bridge of the Shadow of Intent.
Sangheili Major: "Brute ships. Staggered line! Shipmaster, they outnumber us, three-to-one!"
"Three to one?! They wouldn't survive that!" Tatsumi exclaimed.
"I wouldn't say so." Wave countered as he knows that the Elites are Tactical at Fleet to fleet battles.
Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum: "Then it is an even fight."
"Let's see how this plays out." Najenda commented as she puffs out smoke.
Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum: "COMAll cruisers, fire at will! Burn their mongrel hides!"
"Alright!" Leone exclaimed in excitement.
"Show those Brute bastards what you can do!" Lubbock cheered as he and the others heard what Rtas had to say.
"This will be interesting." Esdeath commented as her patience were thin.
ODSTs and Marines board a Pelican with John-117. Cuts to the cockpit of the same Pelican.
Commander Miranda KeyesCOM: "Truth's ship isn't taking part in the attack. He must've gone to ground!"
"Well, he has no where to run then." Leone smiled as she wanted to kill him.
"Then that would mean that he has a chance to activate all of the rings." Bulat pointed out.
"Don't worry, we will find him." Tatsumi said.
"And kill him." Akame finished darkly as she could imagine Truth being one of their targets.
Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson: "Roger that, Ma'am! We're on him! (to Hocus) Kick the door."
Hocus nods, and presses a button on the controls. The Pelican drops out of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn along with six other Pelicans. The massive underside of the Shadow of Intent can be seen flying on top of the Forward Unto Dawn, which is seen leaving the Shadow of Intent's underside. As the dropships breach through the Covenant fleet, one of the Pelicans takes a hit from a Kai-pattern Seraph fighter-interceptor. Its starboard engine bursts into flame and it spirals out of control and explodes.
"Damn, now I feel bad for thoese who were on that Pelican." Tatsumi said.
"This is the final Battle of the Human-Covenant War, Reclaimer. There are bound to be mass casualties." Delt informed him as she knows that this is the Battle where the Humans emerges victorious.
The other Pelicans make it through unscathed. As they enter the atmosphere, the Chief checks on Johnson and Hocus in the cockpit, then returns to the back, where several Marines and ODSTs sit, readying themselves for battle.
JohnsonCOM: "We good, Hocus?"
HocusCOM: "She's a little cooked, Sergeant Major... But she'll hold."
The Master Chief picks up a sniper rifle holstered in the troop bay.
"A sniper mission during an invasion? Now I like where this mission is going." Mine smiled as she is good with the sniper.
"Yeah, this is going to be one introduction to the Ark." Tatsumi agreed as he and the others cannot wait what the Ark looks like.
JohnsonCOM: "Alright. Pop the hatch!"
The Master Chief slams a magazine into his rifle. The troop bay hatch opens, revealing a massive desert with the Arbiter, with a Type-50 particle beam rifle, stands up from the right side of the troop bay and moves to sit on the left side. The Chief walks to the right side and sits down.
{Gameplay}
ODST #1: "That's some view."
JohnsonCOM: "Enjoy it while you can, Marines. Soon as we land, we're right back to it. Priority one: secure a landing zone for the Commander's Frigate. Keep your eyes and ears open. We need all the intel we can get... on wherever the hell we are."
"Can you look up to the sky?" Dorothea asked.
"Sure." Esdeath answered as she knows that the former Bloodsucker has an interest in Forerunner structures.
The Pelicans touchdown on a cliff side.
JohnsonCOM: "Stand to, Marines!"
Marines and a few others: "Oo-rah!"
JohnsonCOM: "Go, go, go!"
Installation 00
The Mine, Esdeath, Chelsea and Kurome and two ODSTs jump out of the Pelican. The Marines remain on-board. Another Pelican lands, dropping off two more troopers. As the team moves on, one spots what looks like a galaxy in the sky.
ODST #2: "Hey, check it out. In the sky. Is that-?"
The four also looks up and saw something magnificent.
"Woaaaah…" Both Tatsumi and Wave uttered as they looked up to the sky.
"Yeah, this is more impressive." Kurome commented as she saw something very eye-catching up in the skiy.
"Isn't that—" Najenda was about to ask.
"The Galaxy?!" Dorothea bolted, interrupting Najenda's sentence.
"Affirmative. To be more precise, it's in the edge of the galaxy." Delta responded proudly bas she knows the history about the Ark.
"In the edge of the Galaxy!?" Everyone shouted in shock that the Forerunners have the ability to construct a structure at the edge of the Galaxy.
"Fascinating!" Both Stylish and Dorothea said as they were all informed about the Ark.
"Now I believe you Delta!" Dorothea exclaimed happily as she'd remembered what Delta said back in the Halo level of Combat Evolve.
"See." Delta commented calmly, but quickly turned around as she saw Chelsea's lollipop almost falling out of her mouth. She managed to catch it in time with her anti-gravity device.
"Oh, sorry Delta." Chelsea looked at Delta as she put the lollipop back to her mouth.
"It is alright Reclaimer; you were just surprised about the Ark being in the edge of the galaxy." Delta responded.
"It's fascinating. No wonder the Forerunners were so powerful I wonder which Forerunner can beat me individually." Esdeath said as she wonders which Forerunner can beat her.
Delta sighed quietly at the arrogance that Esdeath is displaying. There are quite a few known Forerunner figures that can beat Esdeath. Perhaps they could read the Novels.
ODST #1: "Hey, focus! We got a job to do."
"Right." Chelsea said as she quickly glances to the sky before moving up.
"Yeah well, we should not look up to the sky. W]Mine recommended as it was distracting them.
The Marines take up positions on a ledge, overlooking a Covenant encampment.
An ODST with red armor trim (Squad Leader) turns to the four.
ODST leader: "Chief, eyes on."
The ODST leads the team up the hill.
ODST leader: "Got a good angle."
The team sets up firing positions.
ODST leader: "You take the first shot."
Prophet of Truth (Hologram): "My Dreadnought cannot rise. Even now it is engaged, turns deftly in the wards of this new world. Do not relent until the heretic ships are smashed!"
Mine thinks tactically as she observes the area, fires two round into a Brute Major, which alerted the others. Luckily, the three switched to their beam rifles and fired at the Covenant while also dodging some plasma shots, eventually wiping them out. The team moves up and the four players savaged any grenades that will be useful.
ODST #1: "We got more enemy contacts ahead, move out!"
The team goes through a cave. A Phantom is assembling an anti-aircraft battery on the other end.
"Seems like the enemy is setting up their AA defense." Wave pointed out.
"They should've set it up earlier." Esdeath commented as she threw a plasma grenade to a poor Grunt Major, which alerted the enemies.
ODST leader: "They're setting up an AA battery. That thing'll tear the Dawn apart... We'll wait for you to take the shot."
Since Esdeath alerted the other Covenant forces within that area, The team engages the enemy. The Phantom abandons a piece of the battery and flees. Having the lower ground, the Covenant soldiers start to retreat. Another Phantom drops off a Mgalekgolo pair.
"This gotten much better." Chelsea said sarcastically as she and Mine takes the two Hunters down with their snipers
The team continues up the hill and engages a large group of Unggoy and a Jiralhanae Captain.
KeyesCOM: "Chief, I'm giving the Brutes all I've got...but this is a heavy-weight fight! The Dawn's only got the tonnage to last a few rounds. Find me a place to set her down. Over!"
The four enters through a structure, whereas Chelsea goes through another way and stumbles upon something.
"What's that?" Chelsea asked as she interacts with an artifact.
Observed extensive ground action on
[LP 656-38 e]. 9,045 survivors
barricaded within central government
building. Structure's defenses
inadequate to withstand extended
siege by enemy ground forces
(≈ 1,572,034,315+). Estimate
position overrun in [173 hours].
"What the- Is this some sort of journal?" Dorothea wondered.
"Probably." Akame stated as she and the others were quite curious on that this is."
846 smaller groups in less
defensible structures: global
distribution corresponding to
[probability model zeta].
Estimated local position overrun
in [9 hours] (average).
Observed local naval forces engage
enemy irregular naval group near
[DM -3-1123]. Enemy group consisted
of 149 commercial shipping vessels,
passenger ferries, and private
recreational vessels from
neighboring system. Enemy losses
were total. No damage was sustained
by local naval vessels.
"Who's this referring to?" Tatsumi asked.
"Definitely Forerunner." Dorothea answered.
However, it was immediately apparent
that enemy group sought only to
enter [D-3-1123 b's] atmosphere and
make landfall. In this they were
partially successful.
Observed extensive ground action on
[DM-3-1123 b]. Enemy forces lacked
basic unit cohesion but quickly
gained numerical superiority.
[32 hours] after enemy landfall 83%
of local naval forces advocated total
[destruction of the biosphere]
following the evacuation of
unmolested population centers.
Enemy losses were total.
Run was making notes in his notepad as he has a vague guess of who is sending this message.
"Jeez, is a Monitor doing this?" Leone asked.
"Negative Reclaimer." Delta answered as she knows that the one who is Mendicant Bias.
Estimated number of citizens
evacuated before commencement of
orbital blanket bombardment:
1,318,797 civilian/42,669 military
(.0006% of total population).
The source of the terminal shuts down as it's being rerouted to a new destination.
/ FRAGMENT 1/7 [RECORDED VERBATIM
AND INTERPRETED POST-CATACLYSM]
L: Categorization has sped since the
improvements were announced, but
there are many hurdles. The indexing
of sentient species may have
irreversible effects on the
surviving insentient species.
We will have extinction events and
irreparable environmental harm on at
least 18 worlds. Current projections
estimate post-archival cataclysm on
as many as 31 worlds. The paucity of
sentience has been a blessing in
this regard.
D: How formal you are, Librarian.
We're receiving shipments of indexed
beings more frequently than
communications. Don't compound
scarcity with brevity.
"D, must be a Forerunner." Mine pointed out.
I know things beyond the [Maginot]
line are harried. But I worry about
you. I've asked you time and time
again. Abandon your cataloging.
Come back inside, where my fleets
can keep you safe.
Come home.
L: Would that it were my choice.
I have committed to this course
because it's the right thing to do.
We no longer have the manpower or
materiel to excise remedial measures
at a planetary level. I certainly
can't justify using the [transit
measure] to save my own skin when
there are still so many innocents to
protect and index.
D: You know I oppose your mission,
but you're exceeding its parameters
anyway. You've put yourself in
jeopardy. You've done enough.
If you will not come to me, I will
find my way to you.
L: We have no time to spare, Didact.
Every vessel we can fill, we send to
the Ark. I dare not cease the
mission. Not now, not until I've
done all I can. Each one of these
souls is finite and precious.
And I'm close.
"Hmm, wonder if we get to learn more about this Didact." Dorothea wandered
Delta went quiet when Dorothea said that and believes that they are not prepared for what's to come.
Close to saving them all.
/FRAGMENT ENDS
"Well, now we—" Mine was about to say when the terminal was rerouted. "Great."
[29,478 hours] have passed since I
left the [Maginot] sphere and
entered contested space.
The enemy is everywhere.
"Definitely the Flood." Everyone bluntly answered.
"Jeez, just how long is this terminal?" Lubbock asked.
"Be patience, this may be important." Najenda assured the greened haired boy.
Despite this the morale of my
charges remains high. They wake,
clean themselves, fuel their bodies,
communicate with one another,
eliminate waste, train to destroy
the enemy, and return to sleep. The
sacrifices they have chosen to make
on behalf of their [brethren]
fills me with pride.
"Yeah, I don't like where this is going." Wave commented.
"C'mon! I want to see some actions!" Leone said as this is getting too boring.
If only I could save them all - but
they know, perhaps even better than
I, that that is not possible.
[37 seconds] ago I moved beyond my
ability to observe the events taking
place on CE-10-2165-d.
The importance of my mission forbade
me from rendering any aid, but no
less important was the need for me
to study the enemy's capabilities in
real world situations.
"Yeah, look what happened." Tatsumi said dryly as the Flood are now released in the galaxy thanks to the Covenant.
[2 hours] ago 12,423 small
recreational vessels appeared inside
[CE-10-2165-d's] orbital perimeter.
Hidden within that vast swarm were
seven massive freight carries. The
smaller craft were employed as
[ablative armor], allowing the
carries to descend through the
atmosphere; landing on top of major
population centers.
"So the Forerunners are struggling against the Flood?" Susanoo guessed.
"Affirmative, the Flood outnumbered them in a huge number." Delta answered as she remembers how desperate the Forerunners were due to recorded history back in the Archives.
Despite the fact that the naval
garrison was aware of the likelihood
of just such an attack, their
ability to effectively defend
against it proved insufficient.
"Insufficient?! That's some serious problem there!" Kurome complimented.
"Yeah, no wonder why the Forerunners built the Rings." Wave added as he felt pity for the Forerunners having to be eradicated from the Galaxy/
This has always been the enemy's
[modus operandi]: [flood] your
opponent's ability to process
information with so much noise that
no meaningful resistance can be put
into action.
[3 minutes] ago those same population
centers began disappearing under
brilliant flashes. This was not an
ill conceived, poorly implemented
counter attack; it was a deliberate
denial of resources - those
resources being the remainder of
[CE-10-2165-d's] population.
Is this the noble sacrifice my
creators spoke of? Where is the
nobility in these streets paved with
greasy carbon and dun ash? [My mouth
is speaking at another's behest] -
that is not my voice; that is the
other.
"There's something wrong with this messenger." Leone said as she was starting to get a little freaked out.
"Yeah, guess we would meet the one who wrote this soon." Wave pointed out as he finds it strange that
Its voice stands out as the single
calm note in the panicked cacophony
outside the sphere. It alone is not
decrying its fate or raging against
the [central government].
This anomaly bears closer
examination.
"Finally." Mine breathed in relief that the terminal was over.
"God that took long." Lubbock sighed.
JohnsonCOM: "Come on Chief, move ahead. Go, go, go!"
"Alright, don't rush us!" Leone uttered.
Making their way to the other side, the four see a burning Longsword roar through the canyon.
Longsword PilotCOM: "Thrusters are gone, I can't control it!"
A muffled rumble is heard a few seconds later.
"Damn." Tatsumi muttered.
"I don't want to end up in one of those if they ever go down." Lubbock admitted.
A few Marines reveal themselves.
Private First Class Chips Dubbo: (whispering) "Flak got our Pelican too, sir. But before we went down, we spotted a good LZ. If we can get to our vehicles, we'll lead you to it."
The four and the others look at an area at the bottom of the ledge they are standing on. Several Unggoy and Jiralhanae are guarding a crashed Pelican and Mongooses which presumably fell out when the Pelican was shot down. The Chief and his allies engage the Covenant patrol and annihilate them. Kurome finds a rocket launcher and decides to pick it up.
Two Brute Prowlers show up. One parks near the Mongooses and its Jiralhanae occupants all leap out while the other circles the area, firing at the UNSC forces. Once the Jiralhanae are all killed with Esdeath and Mine stacking up the most kills with their sniper rifles, the Marines mount up on the Prowlers and working Mongooses.
"Yeah, that's what you get for messing with a sniper!" Mine said proudly as he loads another round in her sniper rifle.
"I have to admit, you are a good shooter. Maybe better than my Tatsumi." Esdeath complimented, earning a glare from the pink haired sniper fanatic.
Dubbo: "Mount up. Let's find that LZ. Follow us, sir, all the way down this canyon."
Mounting up in the prowlers and Mongooses, the team mounts up and moves on through the canyon, clearing Covenant patrols and passing the Longsword's wreckage. There's a working Warthog nearby that the team can use.
"Dibs on the gun!" Mine declared as she flips the warthog.
Hopping on into the warthog, the assault team heads into another canyon with a large Forerunner wall built in between the cliffs. Fighting their way through a large enemy force, the team makes it to the higher level, where Covenant troops are engaged with Aggressor Sentinels.
ODST #2: "Careful, sir! Brutes must've tripped a defense system."
The UNSC forces and the Sentinels clear the top floor. The Sentinels don't open fire on the humans. Johnson's Pelican flies over the wall and hovers.
"Strange." Dorothea muttered.
"Why are they not attacking them?" Sheele wondered.
"It is because of the Reclaimer." Delta answered since she knows that Sentinels aren't too aggressive with a Reclaimer if they are not ordered to.
JohnsonCOM: "Ma'am, Hocus almost got her wing shot off. But we spotted a structure on the other side of this wall. It matches Cortana's description of the map room on the first Halo ring."
KeyesCOM: "A Cartographer. Good. Should help us fix Truth's location. Secure the LZ, then we'll push through that wall."
JohnsonCOM: "Roger that. Follow my Pelican, Chief! The LZ's this way."
The Sentinels follow Hocus' Pelican. The Marines are nervous about their presence.
ODST #1: "Tidy little bastards. Hope they never decide to clean us up."
"Don't worry, they won't." Chelsea said
Marine #1: "It's like they don't even see us."
ODST #1: "Oh, they see us all right. They just haven't decided what to do with us yet."
"Make sense." Mine muttered sarcastically.
"Hopefully, Sparks doesn't backstab up once again." Tatsumi uttered.
The team and the Sentinels continue along the other canyon, towards the LZ. Wiping out a pair of Ghosts under a large Forerunner structure, the force presses on. Near a cave, they find two Marines pinned down by a large assault group of Covenant, including another pair of Ghosts with a Fuel Rod wielding Brute.
The Sentinels and the Marines clear the area. The UNSC forces meet up with the two Marines.
ODST #1: "The LZ's through this cave, sir. Watch yourself; got Covenant heavy armor!"
Passing through the cave, Kurome deals with the brute while the others were clearing the LZ. A large Covenant force is encamped in the next area, including a Wraith, a brace of Ghosts, Jiralhanae and Unggoy-operated turrets. After a struggle, the team eventually prevails. Out on a sandy plateau, two Anti-Air Wraiths are filling the sky with fuel rod fire. The team takes out the Anti-Air Wraiths by boarding them and planting two grenades and any remaining Covenant.
ODST #1: "OK. Tell us what you need."
JohnsonCOM: "Commander? Bring her down."
KeyesCOM: "Roger that. Beginning my descent."
ODST #2 or Dubbo: "Look! Up high! Here she comes!"
ODST #1: "Is the Dawn rated for atmosphere?"
Dubbo: "Guess we're gonna find out...hey! Take cover!"
The UNSC Forward Unto Dawn swoops in dramatically, kicking up dust and sending the vehicles and debris from the previous battle tumbling and flying across the plateau.
"Find cover!" Mine yelped as she was avoiding the debris.
"Okay, that was epic." Leone commented.
"Yeah, imagine what we have to do with out ship." Tatsumi stated as he still remembers the Frigate that Delta gave them.
Forward Unto Dawn
KeyesCOM: "Thanks, Chief. I wouldn't have lasted much longer up there. Come to the back of the frigate."
That got Wave interested. "Delta, what type of Frigate is that?"
"That is a Charon-class light Frigate and as you can tell, it's armour is quite weak Reclaimer but has the capacity with its MAC cannon." Delta answered.
"Man, wish we had those right now." Lubbock said as he could imagine this world having a space fleet.
"But we lack the significant funds and the lack of technology." Stylish pointed out, making the green haired boy pout.
The Forward Unto Dawn's hangar lowers, revealing three Scorpion tanks and a Warthog. 343 Guilty Spark descends as well.
"Okay, I', keeping my eye on you." Leone grumbled as she was still wary about Sparks.
KeyesCOM: "Did the Elites get a fix on the Cartographer?"
JohnsonCOM: "Yes, ma'am; just on the other side of that wall. But it's surrounded by Brute heavy armor."
KeyesCOM: "Don't worry; I've got a plan. If we can't fly over the wall, we'll go right through it. Chief, take one of the tanks, lead the way. If you find any locked doors, Spark will be happy to pry them open."
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "I will certainly try my best, though I am unfamiliar with this facility."
"Delta?" Dorothea asked.
"Yes, Reclaimer." Delta answered.
"Can you access any facilities in our world?" She asked and if she can, she might as well study it.
"Of course Reclaimer. Well, it is heavily guarded by Sentinels." Delta responded, making the former bloodsucker smile.
JohnsonCOM: "Alright then, you heard the lady."
The tanks and Warthog leave the hangar bay, and Johnson's Pelican drops off Gunnery Sergeant Stacker and a few of his Marines to commandeer the vehicles. Any surviving ODSTs from the first part of the level will board the Pelican.
The Monitor hovers near one of the Scorpions.
343 Guilty Spark: "Shall I help you choose a vehicle, Reclaimer? This one seems in very good condition, primitive armor not withstanding."
JohnsonCOM: "A tank's a tank, light-bulb. Pick one, Chief. Get back to the wall. I'll help the Commander secure the Dawn. Then we'll meet you at the Cartographer."
"Thank you!" Najenda said to Johnson as she didn't like what Sparks recommended.
Mine decided to go into the Scorpion while the other three decides to go onto the warthog.
"Cover us, won't you?" Chelsea kindly asked.
"Yeah, yeah." Mine bluntly answered.
JohnsonCOM: "Mount up - let's roll!"
Marines: "Oo-rah!"
"Oo-rah." Leone said lately.
"Uh, you know you said that too late." Tatsumi muttered, making the blonde put her head down.
The convoy starts to move out.
Ghosts and a Prowler pour out of the cave in the cliff. The Scorpions immediately open fire.
After Mine destroys a prowler that was about to go up to her:
Gunnery Sergeant StackerCOM: "Hey, how does 90 millimeters of tungsten strike you?"
The convoy destroys all hostile vehicles.
Marine #2COM: "Tank beats Ghost!"
A Mgalekgolo pair charge out of the cave. The UNSC forces destroy them with little effort.
Marine #2COM: "Tank beats Hunter!"
On the other side of the cave, a Phantom is setting up a deployable lookout tower. Mine quickly shoots it down and destroys the tower:
Marine #2COM: "Tank beats everything! Oh, man! I could do this all day!"
"Yeah, I would do the same if we have one in this world." Leone uttered as she could imagine herself driving one.
"You know that we don't have the resources right?" Lubbock said to the blonde.
The convoy makes its way back to the wall where a locked door prevents any entry into the Forerunner facility. Armor resistance in the form of Wraiths, Choppers, and Ghosts along with various Covenant infantry defend it.
StackerCOM: "All armor, form up on the lower doorway. Chief, get upstairs; have your robot pick that lock!"
343 Guilty SparkCOM: (indignant) "I beg your pardon? I am 343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04."
"Delta, do all monitors act like this?" Dorothea asked.
"Mostly." Delta answered as she wasn't that type of monitor who would say their name and what installation they're assigned to.
StackerCOM: "Yeah, well...you're also our ticket through this wall. So if you don't mind?"
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "I will gladly aid the Reclaimer's progress."
The four and the Marines attack the facility's upper level.
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "Reclaimer, come to the upper doorway, the others can take the lower one."
As the four assaults the upper level, the other two tanks and other vehicles meet up at the lower door, clearing any resistance along the way. The four secures the top floor and abandons their vehicle since they're going inside. 343 Guilty Spark arrives on the scene.
343 Guilty Spark: "Please, use caution; avoid collateral damage! While this facility looks quite hardy on the surface, there are undoubtedly delicate structures below the façade. (pause) Odd, for a doorway to require such robust security protocols. One moment, Reclaimer."
Guilty Spark opens the door.
343 Guilty Spark: "There we are. Please, follow me."
They soon follow Guilty Spark into the Security Wall. The Marines take the Scorpion down to the lower doorway.
Inside the structure, the four encounters a Sentinel. It stares at them as they passe by.
"Sheesh, are Sentinels always like that?" Tatsumi asked and soon a Sentinel stares at him before disappearing. He might've guessed that Delta was the one who sent that Sentinel to give him an answer.
"Looks like so." Mine answered sardonically.
The Monitor opens another door; the escorting Sentinel follows. Spark leads the Chief to a platform overlooking a deep chasm. The UNSC forces have gathered below on the left side of the chasm, and are waiting to cross.
Spark shows the four a control panel at the edge of the platform. Well, Chelsea looked behind her and finds another terminal.
"Found another one." Chelsea said as she activates the terminal.
Re: Enemy naval tactics:
When engaged, the enemy commits
every non-supraluminal craft with no
appreciable pattern or strategy
beyond making physical contact.
Conversely, all supraluminal craft
leave on seemingly random
trajectories.
I understand the goal of this
mission but time - our least
abundant resource - is wasted every
time we do a system-wide scan for
survivors. The time for saving lives
has passed. We must accept this if
we hope to win the war.
"The Forerunners were really desperate, weren't they?" Esdeath asked the monitor, who was silent for some reason.
Re: Enemy ground tactics:
All evidence suggests that use of
overwhelming force is the very
foundation of the enemy's combat
doctrine. And I adamantly refuse to
deploy personnel where the enemy has
available forces numbering in the
billions. With the very real
likelihood we are rapidly becoming
the last living specimens of our
race, all personnel are henceforth
confined to stasis until further
notice. Even with everyone equipped
with [C_12_CS[?]] we would have had
very little chance of survival, let
alone victory.
Re: Enemy command structure:
We have intercepted several
transmissions from compound
intelligences whose proximity to the
core worlds mark them as key
targets. At present we are
disassembling these new
transmissions. Once we have more
[concrete conclusions] I will
forward them in their entirety.
Suffice it to say, that their
contents - the patterns they suggest
- are highly disturbing.
"Seems like the Flood were e serious threat." Najenda said.
"Yeah, good thing they were not on that stage when they went back on Choukri." Tatsumi sighed in relief.
Recommendations:
It is my opinion that any system
where there is evidence that the
enemy has established a physical
presence is lost and must be razed.
This fleet currently retains the
capacity to force premature stellar
collapse; I advise that this be
established as standard operating
procedure for all compromised
systems forthwith. We cannot fight
this war by half measures if we
intend to win.
(No message from Mendicant Bias upon shutdown)
(Upon being rerouted to new destination within Terminal)
/ FRAGMENT 2/7 [RECORDED VERBATIM
AND INTERPRETED POST-CATACLYSM]
L: I'm close to finishing the task.
The indexing and the archival
processes are as complete as I can
hope for. If we wait longer, we risk
catastrophe. The thing has already
destroyed every colony on my side of
the line.
Please. Activate the Array.
D: No. Activation is murder.
A genocide larger than [this galaxy]
has ever known. We are sworn to
protect life not destroy it! That is
the Mantle we were given to carry.
L: The Mantle. You still hold to
that [fairy tale] after all that
has happened? After this thing has
consumed a million worlds?
Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle
sealed our doom! Weakened our
[protectorates], bred dependence and
sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship]
has stripped those we would keep
safe of any capacity for
self-defense!
Were we such noble [Guardians] when
we drew our line and abandoned
billions to the parasite?
D: The Mantle has not failed!
I've already razed scores of worlds
- sterilized systems, routed and
[disintegrated] the parasite! We're
learning its tricks and strategies.
We can halt this thing! And we can
follow in Their footsteps!
There are no unstoppable forces in
this universe. There are no
immovable objects. Everything gives
if you push hard enough.
L: And what about us, Didact?
We've been irresistible and
immovable for too long.
Maybe it's our turn to give.
/ FRAGMENT ENDS
"Wow, did not get a single thing in that terminal." Leone sighed.
Mine groaned at that. "That was because you didn't read a single thing."
MB.05-032. I must ask you to
forgive my vagueness on the matter,
but it is a regrettable {~} I find
your lack of concern for the
situation at hand astonishing.
Perhaps you would care to elucidate?
.3273. {~} are here to spread
[comforting news]. To let all the
living beings in this galaxy know
{~} are not alone in the {~} What in
that message could possibly be taken
as a source of concern?
"What is this person talking about?" Sheele asked.
MB.05-032. It seems that I'll never
truly understand my creators. But
how {~} that you speak of is one of
{~} rejected so violently? I am
incapable of reconciling the
numerous actions I have witnessed
{~} misunderstanding?
"This is starting to creep me out." Mine admitted as she was starting to get a bit nervous about this.
"I would have to agree with you." Tatsumi added.
.3273. It has been said {~}
secret of peace cannot {~} be
imposed. That {~} meaning of peace,
so they need to {~} When all living
beings look through {~} and the
thunder and the surf, when every
drop of rain falls on {~} know peace.
"Peace? Yeah, look what happened." Wave pointed out that the Forerunners disappeared due to the Halo Rings being Activated.
MB.05-032. You have been able to
establish [a line of communication]
with the enemy? How was it that you
were able to overcome {~} where
others have failed? With this [new
discovery] we may be able to put an
end to this pointless conflict. Once I
confirm your data I will communicate
the information to those inside the
[Maginot] sphere.
"Hmm? Seems like this entity is considering about this defense line." Najenda said as she was looking through the terminals.
.3273. It seems that it {~}
turn to apologize; it was never {~}
intention to misrepresent {~} have
been [in communication] with your
creators since {~} stumbled upon
each other, but {~} message has
[fallen on deaf ears]. {~} am not
the recipient of the message, {~} am
the origin of the message.
MB.05-032. I have traveled a very
long time to meet you. I had
imagined that our [introduction]
would be somewhat more violent.
"Wonder who is he talking to?" Sheele wondered.
"Hell, we might get to see them soon." Leone answered.
.3273. That is a choice you
must make yourself; {~} to be how
your creators go about things. And
as long as we are talking about
choices {~} could talk about the
[barrier] you alluded to earlier?
Perhaps there is a way to accomplish
your mission without violence? Why
put the lives of those on your ships
at risk if there is no need?
MB.05-032. In either circumstance I
certainly am equipped for it, aren't
I? But you're right; a peaceful
solution to this [dilemma] would be
preferable.
"Jeez that took too long." Mine commented.
343 Guilty Spark: "Place your hand on the pad, Reclaimer."
"Right…." Chelsea muttered as he activates the panel. The bridge immediately lights up. The tanks and Warthogs move across; Guilty Spark opens another door.
343 Guilty Spark: "Excellent. This way!"
Guilty Spark looks at the Sentinels, studying their differences in behavior and the odd high security levels.
343 Guilty Spark: (hums) "Sudden clarity! These Sentinels were trying to deny access to the lower levels of this facility. A wise decision, given the Meddlers' preference for...destructive acquisition."
"That's because of their religion." Dorothea sighed due to the Covenant's false religion and beliefs about this Great Journey.
KeyesCOM: "Good work, Chief. Link up with our armor on the far side of the wall. Make your way down to the Cartographer."
As the Chief continues on, the building shakes violently. Guilty Spark opens a door leading outside.
343 Guilty Spark: "Hurry! To the Cartographer!"
As the four walks out, a massive leg slams down as a Scarab walks right over him.
"Not again….." Mine sighed.
"C'mon, at least we now know how to destroy them." Chelsea countered.
JohnsonCOM: "Heads up, Marines! We got trouble."
A Warthog with an M68 Gauss Cannon appears from the rocky area. Pursuing Ghosts kill the Gunner. The Warthog driver finds the Chief and pulls over. In the distance, two other Warthogs have already engaged the Covenant heavy armor.
Dubbo: "Sir, Hog's all yours! Let's hit that hostile armor!"
"Well, go get some heavy armour while I hop on into this warthog turret." Mine looked at the three as she boards the Gauss Warthog.
"You heard what she said." Esdeath said as she and the others were making their way down where the other Scorpions were.
As they were doing so, Mine and the Gauss Hog were heading back down through the rocky area, encountering more Ghosts, infantry and gun emplacements. They break through, enabling the Scorpions to begin their assault.
The Scorpions emerge from the wall.
StackerCOM: "All armor, form up! Hit 'em where it hurts!"
Boarding three separate tanks, the UNSC alongside with the three push down the hill. Hostile Wraiths, Choppers, Ghosts and a Phantom engage the Platoon.
Female MarineCOM: "Target those Wraiths!"
The tanks and Mine, with the help of Kurome and Esdeath take out the first two Wraiths.
StackerCOM: "First line, clear! Move up!"
The tanks move on to the next line of Wraiths, which are assisted by Ghosts and other heavy units. The UNSC forces clear them out.
StackerCOM: "Second line, clear! Push forward!"
The Scarab crawls down the side of the Cartographer building and onto the battlefield.
Marine #4COM: "Scarab's back! This time it means business!"
StackerCOM: "Bravo, flank and cover! I want everybody supporting the Chief; he'll take it down!"
Since they have tanks in their disposal, the three starts aiming at the legs in a constant speed, which then drops down. Choppers try to assist the Scarab, but the tanks have superior firepower.
"Kill anyone who might fire on us." Kurome said as she fires at a Brute.
Mine then boards the Scarab.
JohnsonCOM: "Find that power core, Chief."
A sermon broadcast by Truth can be heard inside the Scarab:
Prophet of TruthCOM: "I opened the Portal to this hallowed place, this shelter from Halo's fire, in the hopes that more of our Covenant would follow us. Alas, save for a rabble of Heretics and their Demon allies, we are all that made the passage. Thus we must temper joy with sorrow in our hearts, for those who were left behind."
"Yeah, but that's gonna backfire soon." Mine sarcastically implied as she kills any enemies on the main deck, eventually finding the core and destroying it.
With little time, Mine jumps out of the Scarab before it explodes. The Shadow of Intent can be seen entering the atmosphere at extreme distance.
Rtas 'VadumCOM: "Not bad, Spartan. I saw that explosion from orbit. Truth's fleet lies in ruin. Find where the liar hides...so I may place my boot between his gums!"
"Looks like the elites won against an entire fleet that outnumbered them." Najenda commented.
"The Elites were cunning tacticians, Reclaimer." Delta informed the one-eyed General.
KeyesCOM: "We'll know soon enough, Shipmaster."
The four heads up the spire and shoot any enemies that were left.
JohnsonCOM: "Infantry on the spire! Mop 'em up!"
The four and the remaining Marines clear out the Covenant infantry on the spire. The Marines hold position.
Real Men Don't Read Maps
Some of the males were laughing at that sentence.
The team enters a small room littered with Unggoy corpses and Sentinel wreckage leftover from a previous battle. 343 Guilty Spark starts to open the next door, but has trouble unlocking it.
Marine #5: "Hey, what gives?"
343 Guilty Spark: "It seems I've crossed a circuit."
Marine #5: "Well, let me have a look."
When the Marine approaches, Guilty Spark faces the Marine and fires a blue laser at him. He yelps in pain and jumps back.
"What the hell!" Mine said.
Marine #5: "Little bastard stung me!"
343 Guilty Spark: "I did not want you to come to any harm."
Marine #5: (muttering) "You've got a funny way of showing it."
"Say Delta, is there anything wrong with Sparks?" Dorothea asked.
"He might be going rampant due to isolation." Delta responded.
"Wait, you said you were alone for 100,000 years yet you do not show any symptoms of it. May I ask why?" Stylish asked. Queue Fives responded by waving its tentacles.
Guilty Spark gets back to work. He succeeds.
343 Guilty Spark: "Excellent! This way."
Unggoy are sleeping while a Jiralhanae Captain is urinating in a corner of the room. The team decides to take a stealthy approach.
Some snickered at what that Brute was doing.
"Oh my, ha,ha,ha!" Leone laughed.
"Some soldiers in the Imperial Military do that." Esdeath blankly commented.
"True." Najenda agreed as she puffed out smoke.
Marine #5: (whisper) "Chief, tap 'em out."
They stealthily take out the sleeping Unggoy patrol and the Jiralhanae urinating against the wall.
343 Guilty Spark: "Come, Reclaimer. All you seek is close at hand."
The team quietly makes their way down to the second part of the facility; the four encounters an Unggoy patrolling next to a stack of plasma batteries. They eliminate it, and proceeds into the next room where a group of Unggoy are sleeping and a Jiralhanae is patrolling a ramp at the top of the room. The team kills the Covenant troops, quietly or not. In one instance, a Brute tries to throw a grenade at them, but then it sticks into him instead.
"Haha! What was that?" Leone laughed.
"Brutes are dumb." Akame added.
As the combat was still going on, Esdeath tried to shoot at a Grunt, but instead hits Spark.
"Alert! Friendly fire!" Delta shouted.
"You shot Sparks Miss Esdeath!" Seyru inquired her leader.
"He shouldn't been floating there!" Esdeath says a bit embarrassed of her performance, especially in front of Tatsumi in Legendary difficulty
343 Guilty Sparks: "That hurt my feelings! Oh my God, I have feelings? I'M A REAL BOY!"
Random Grunt: "YOU GIANT BULLYING MONSTERRRR!"
Night Raid and even Esdeath can't help but giggle uncontrollably at Sparks' reaction and the random grunt nearby.
343 Guilty Spark: (happily) "Your goal is just below!"
Just before they do that, Chelsea finds another terminal.
"Hey! I think I found another one." She stated as she activates it.
Warning: Your intrusion has been
logged.
04-343 (errant): Excuse me?
Your intrusion has been logged. And
now it has been halted.
04-343 (errant): On whose authority?
Advice: Any further attempt to
access [insects under stones] will
result in your immediate addition to
local Sentinels' targeting ledger.
"Wow, Sparks is getting mad at this entity." Leone said.
04-343 (errant): Vexation! I am the
Monitor of -
Judgment: Your authority means
nothing here.
Some snorted at this exact statement.
"Seems like her doesn't care at all. " Leone giggled along with Tatsumi, Wave and Lubbock.
04-343 (errant): Impatience!
"Uh oh." Wave and Tatsumi uttered.
04-343 (errant): I have told you who
I am. Who are you?
All our makers once held dear.
"So, is this entity going to reveal itself?" Susanoo asked.
"Not just yet." Delta answrered as she knows how long the terminals are.
[Alexandria before the Fire].
04-343 (errant): Sincere apology.
But how -
Explanation: This facility is host
to the [Librarians'] final -
04-343 (errant): The archive is
intact?! Then our makers' plan -
But also maintains [bellows, crucible,
castings]
04-343 (errant): A what?
"Yeah, what does Sparks even say?" Mine said.
[bellows, crucible]-
04-343 (errant): A Foundry?
04-343 (errant): For what purpose?!
Warning: Your intrusion has been
logged.
Advice: Any further attempt to
access will result-
04-343 (errant): Indignant!
-immediate addition to local
Sentinels' targeting ledger.
"I'll see you, reclaimer." Then appears on the screen as it was going rerouted.
"Uh, looks like he recognises Chief as a Reclaimer." Kurome stated as she ate a cookie.
/ FRAGMENT 3/7 [RECORDED VERBATIM
AND INTERPRETED POST-CATACLYSM]
D: We have the answer. We've built
Mendicant Bias. It's a contender
class [AI], unlike anything we've
ever achieved.
And we've observed a pattern it
can exploit.
"Wow, this Didact seems desperate." Mine said.
"Wonder why?" Sheele asked.
Delta went silent when Sheele said that. Perhaps they might learn soon about him and his history.
The parasite has formed a Compound
Mind. When it reaches a certain
mass, the Mind is able to recoil its
disparate parts to create a
[tactical shield]. This is a simple
matter of mass preservation. The
thing has no compunction about
sacrificing parts of the whole. But
when the core of the Mind is
threatened, it reacts violently
and quickly.
"So, he's taking about a Gravemind right?" Tatsumi asked.
"Affirmative. Multiple Gravemind can control one planet, which is known as s key mind." Delta answered.
"Key mind. Well-" Najenda was about to joke but stopped as it brought painful memories of what it did to Keyes.
This is the only time we ever see
the thing retreat or slow its growth.
If we are to defeat it, the trick
will be coordinating our forays
against the [sprawling infection]
while Mendicant Bias assaults the
Mind's core. So far, we've been
hesitant to use certain weapons
because of the damage they cause
surviving populations and
environments.
Night Raid were making notes in case if they were a possible Flood invasion in the future.
That protocol has now been abandoned.
Mendicant will draw the Mind into
battle outside the line, dealing
with local biomass and other parts
as best he can. The scale of the
problem is vast, but the strategy
is sound. It will require patience,
materiel and an investment of energy
unlike anything we have ever
considered.
"Wow, this Mendicant seem to be a very good strategist." Najneda commented on that statement.
It's a dangerous plan that carries
more risk than the Array, but I
believe it can work. Even if we
simply force it to retreat - to
retract - that will at least give us
some respite. Some time to muster
more resources...
Some time to rescue you.
L: Are you insane? Would you risk
every life in the galaxy for this
transparently futile plan? Have you
learned nothing in these last
[300 years[?]]? The thing will
laugh at your efforts!
"Well, the Gravemind seems to be a manipulative bastard." Leone said dryly.
"And also, could manipulate their victims into doing something way worse." Seyru added as she shivered at that fact.
Do not let your concern for my
welfare commit you to this suicidal
scheme!
/ FRAGMENT ENDS
It then reroutes to a new destination within the terminal.
REPORT: SECURITY BREACH: 1/3
Heuristic pathology; [alpha site]
experienced an impermanent
containment failure event on
[spurious-data/no_ref.[?]]. The
suspect data barrier interchange
anomaly was detected precisely
[.489 seconds] after its appearance.
The epicenter of the disturbance is
the partition currently housing a
[personality construct array]
retrieved from Contender AI 05-032
+ 0816.
"Who would experiment at that time?!" Tatsumi wondered he was starting to get interested on these terminals, which made Delta go silent for one reason.
REPORT: SECURITY BREACH: 2/3
Although [adjacent] systems reacted
to the disturbance within expected
parameters, a more comprehensive
investigation was undertaken.
A physical search revealed that
there was no [corporeal] tampering
at the [alpha site].
Interchange manipulation comparisons
showed that all subunits are still
active, if at slightly lower rates.
Total containment failure elapsed
time was [3.13 seconds].
REPORT: SECURITY BREACH: 3/3
In the [42 minutes, 9 seconds] since
the original anomaly was discovered
two more anomalies were detected in
unrelated systems.
The portal management/life support
control system within the boundary
complex was momentarily disabled
before the cause was [bottled] and
disassembled. A diagnostic sweep of
the central archives was initiated
and subsequently halted. The origin
of the request cannot be traced.
"Wait, doesn't that mean your Archive Delta?" Dorothea asked in shock.
"Not really Reclaimer." Delta answered as her installation was located somewhere desolate and the only way of getting there is by transport.
The terminal then reroutes itself in a new destination.
.3273. Those who lead amongst
your {~} exposed themselves {~} ill
equipped to recognize the landmarks
that guide the universe along its
inevitable course.
MB.05-032. But is it necessary that
the path be chosen on an {~} and not
by an elected subset? I believe this
would tend to {~} when they gather
in large numbers they become more
{~} I don't think the problem lies
with individual cultural bias {~}
.3273. {~} all the thinking
beings of this galaxy, not just
those that they{~} exactly are they
afraid of? Immortality and strength
and companionship? Because that is
{~} do: to deliver all of the living
beings of this galaxy from death and
weakness and loneliness.
MB.05-032. Hundreds of {~} offered
this so called immortality. The
citizens of every world that {~}
"Immortality. Did the Forerunners even find out about that?" Dorothea asked Curiouly.
"Affirmative, but the way they did it Is consider too inhumane." Delta answered as this reminded her of the Diatact.
resisted to the very end!
.3273. {~} understand their
actions; they are only doing what
they think is right, but they are
doing so [from a worm's eye view].
MB.05-032. Do their actions {~} of
desperation? I can only assume my
creators view {~} crisis so dire
that any {~} hence me.
.3273. Are they so concerned
{~} would give to all the living
beings of this galaxy is a threat to
[the status quo]?
.3273. Your creators claim {~}
the enemy of all life; that {~}
purpose is to consume until there is
nothing left. Nothing left? It is
beyond comprehension how they could
be so [far off the mark].
MB.05-032. Surely you understand
this is a situation that would not
have {~} appearance of a certain
rapacious {~} my creators obviously
view them as the actions of an
aggressor species.
.3273. [Be that as it may];
perhaps they are crying out for help
on a subconscious level? Why else
would they have chosen you? Why you
of all possible executioners? {~}
your creators knew that unaided they
never stood a chance against us? {~}
also sense a deeper [motivation].
MB.05-032. You've mentioned this
before. When my creators {~} simply
chose the most versatile {~} how
could that possibly be more than a
coincidence?
.3273. They repurposed {~}
into a weapon to use against {~} -
they sought to create something
superior to themselves. Something
capable of making decisions more
swiftly, more capably than they {~}
what form did they choose? You need
look no further than your own
topology to {~}
MB.05-032. {~} distributed network?
That would confirm the independent
evolution of {~} in this galaxy!
.3273. That is, unfortunately,
not the {~} similar to us {~} but
where you are a single intelligence
inhabiting multiple [instances], we
are a compound {~} consisting of
[a thousand billion] coordinated
minds inhabiting as many bodies as
circumstance require.
MB.05-032. But doesn't it seem odd
that {~} coalesce; perhaps even to
contract {~}
.3273. {~} complexity {~}
spread {~} our appearance ushered in
the beginning of the third great
stage of evolution. The first {~}
condensation of particles was the
result of the inevitable action of
strong nuclear force and the
creation of stars {~} inevitable
action of gravity; so to the
self-replicating chemical processes
that dictate all disparate {~} In
time, we too shall affect change on
a universal scale.
MB.05-032. Your capacity for
planning {~} creators too stubborn
{~} the same goal through the
preservation of genetic diversity
{~} what you are {~} like a more
direct path to the same outcome.
"Jeez, take took way too long." Lubbock said as he rubbed his eyes.
"I would agree with you in every way." Run added as he made notes from seeing the terminals.
Resuming their mission, the four catch up with the marines in the third level down. A Jiralhanae spots them and the team is forced to engage. After clearing out the Jiralhanae and Kig-Yar inside, the team heads outside to a large platform in front of a waterfall. A terminal to the Cartographer sits at the ledge.
343 Guilty Spark: "The Cartographer! Come, it awaits your approval."
The marines keep watch with the three, while Mine activates the Cartographer.
(Cutscene)
Upon activating the Cartographer, a holographic projection of the Milky Way appears. A small dot outside the Milky Way is labelled.
Master Chief Petty Officer John-117: (surprised) "That's...our galaxy. We're beyond the rim."
"Yeah, we had the same reaction too." Tatsumi agreed with the Chief.
"Yeah, and that makes me want to study Forerunner technology." Dorothea squealed in anticipation.
343 Guilty Spark: "Two to the eighteenth light years from galactic center, to be precise."
The hologram zooms in to the small dot, which changes to a map of Installation 00.
John-117: "What is this place?"
343 Guilty Spark: "The Ark."
John-117: "This is the Ark?"
"Seems like he might be referring it to another thing, right?" Mine asked.
"Correct Reclaimer, he might be thinking about the Ark in the Old Testament." Delta answered as she was referring to the Bible.
"Can we not talk about this know?" Leone asked as this was beginning to be too much for her to handle.
"At your request, reclaimer." Delta answered.
Spark flies away from the console, to the top of the holographic map.
343 Guilty Spark: "I always assumed it was part of a... shield installation, but it seems I was mistaken."
John-117: (sarcastically) "That's a first."
Guilty Spark turns around and looks at the Master Chief.
343 Guilty Spark: " (smugly) Not at all. While I had a complete understanding of Installation 04, my makers wisely limited my knowledge of all other strategic facilities. Compartmentalization - in case I was ever captured by the Flood."
"Well, that happened to the one back in Delta Halo." Wave remembered.
John-117: "Can you tell me where we are exactly?"
343 Guilty Spark: "Here."
A specific area on the hologram is highlighted.
John-117: "And Truth?"
343 Guilty Spark: "Near one of the Ark's superluminal communication arrays, I'm afraid. Unfortunate. The Meddler has triggered a barrier; a defensive perimeter around the Ark's core."
"Wow, that would be a problem now." Chelsea muttered.
In the distance, two Covenant Banshees can be seen flying by the Cartographer. 'Vadam gives the Chief a concerned glance. The Master Chief walks further around.
343 Guilty Spark: "The barrier will be difficult to disable... how odd that my makers would place such a comprehensive defense around a single - (shocked) Oh my."
Guilty Spark notices the enormous ring, highlighted in purple, surrounding the Ark's core.
"Wait, the Ark can build a Ring?!" Dorothea said in shock.
"Affirmative. All of the Halo rings were constructed there." Delta answered.
All of Night Raid were surprised at this statement and Dorothea and Stylish both want to learn more about this Ark.
"Delta, when can we go to the Ark?" Dorothea asked.
"Unfortunately, I do not have the Coordinates." Delta stated sadly, which made the former bloodsucker lower her head down in sadness.
John-117: "What is it?"
Before Spark can answer, a Covenant Phantom approaches.
Thel 'Vadam: "Phantom!"
The Arbiter and the Chief get into position to engage the approaching Covenant ship as 343 Guilty Spark continues to hover over the map, deep in thought.
John-117: " (urgently) Spark! Move!"
The Monitor finally notices the Phantom and flies towards the Chief as 'Vadam engages the Covenant ship from the ground. The Phantom's side gunner returns fire.
343 Guilty Spark: "We must get past that barrier! Or the Meddler will destroy it all!"
{Gameplay}
JohnsonCOM: "Chief, you got a whole mess of hostile air inbound! Get back inside while we take 'em out."
The Phantom then breaks off and retreats. The four returns to the entrance to the room, and a Marine approaches him.
Dubbo: "Sir, Pelicans are gonna land... one level down!"
"One level down? Great…." Chelsea could only say.
As the four heads back into the room, there is a possibility that the female Marine guarding the door will get killed by a plasma grenade. Covenant reinforcements, led by a Jiralhanae War Chieftain wielding a detached plasma cannon, enter the room. While the four and the others fight, 343 Guilty Spark talks to himself about the original Halo.
343 Guilty Spark: "Protocol dictates action. The installation was my responsibility, if my suspicions are correct... no! I must not jump to any conclusions."
"So, Spark is the new monitor of this Ring? Right?" Leone asked.
"Affirmative, Reclaimer." Delta answered.
The four and any surviving Marines clear out the Covenant attackers. They exit the room and head downward. Jiralhanae Chieftain Cethegus is waiting for them on the bottom floor of the lower level, wielding a gravity hammer.
Cethegus: "The pack will feast on you!"
The Chieftain runs off outside, leaving a pack of Jiralhanae Stalkers to deal with them. The Stalkers deploy a radar jammer and engage them, but they eliminate them all. A pair of Kig-Yar enter the room, and the four quickly kills them too.
JohnsonCOM: "Hang tight, Chief! We're on our way!"
The four goes outside, where they find Cethegus conferring with the Prophet of Truth via a holo-pedestal. Jiralhanae Jumpers gather around Cethegus. Truth orders Cethegus alone to take out the Chief.
Cethegus: "Fight me, I'm right here!"
"A one on one? Let me handle this." Esdeath declared.
"Alright then." Chelsea answered as she and the others went further away.
Prophet of Truth (hologram): "You must win this fight on your own. Failure will bring a fate worse than death - abandonment, as we step forward without you."
Truth terminates communications. Cethegus charges at Esdeath, while the other Jiralhanae hold back, observing the fight.
The Chieftain tries to swing at her, but the Ice Queen easily doges the hammer.
"Too weak." Esdeath looked at the Brute before pummelling him down and killing him.
This then alerts the Jiralhanae Jumpers and two Kig-Yar sharpshooters as they spring into action. Esdeath takes them down as the three helps while the Marines provide long range cover fire.
Once all hostiles are neutralized:
JohnsonCOM: "ETA: damn quick! Standby for pickup!"
The four and the Marines meet up with the Pelicans.
(Cutscene)
As Johnson's Pelican arrives to pick up the Chief and the Arbiter, a massive flock of Sentinels rise up. Alarmed, the Chief raises his weapon.
John-117: "Commander!"
KeyesCOM: "Johnson! Look sharp!"
Johnson: (spinning up the AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun) "I got it!"
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "No, don't shoot! They mean us no harm! Those units have a priority task."
"Uh, we were not surprised by that since we saw some Sentinels." Mine said.
Johnson: (slightly annoyed) "Oh, yeah? And what might that be?"
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "I really can't say... not for sure. But if you allow me to find a terminal closer to the Core-"
A Sentinel comes up to the Chief and inspects him. The Arbiter interrupts Guilty Spark.
Thel 'VadamCOM: "No, Oracle. We must keep the Prophet of Truth firmly in our sights."
"Thank you. At least you're focusing on the mission." Najenda said
The Sentinel closes back up and rejoins the flock.
343 Guilty SparkCOM: "But what about your construct? Her solution to the Flood? With more data, I might-"
Keyes interrupts.
KeyesCOM: "The Arbiter's right. We have priorities too. Until we kill Truth, stop the rings from firing..."
The Chief boards the Pelican along with 'Vadam.
KeyesCOM: "...nothing else matters."
The flock of Sentinels speeds off, with the Pelicans in trail. Fade to black.
Level ends
As it ends, all of the players then put the controllers down.
"Well, we're finally going to get truth." Lubbock said excited.
"May I choose the players?" Queue Fives asked as everyone except Delta turns towards him.
"Why?" Najenda asked.
"Because it's the final level with the Covenant Empire." Queue Fives responded.
"And who they might be…" Wave asked.
"Hmm, that might be Akame, Leone, Tatsumi and Najenda Reclaimers." Queue Fives explained.
"I knew you would choose them." Delta said in her head as she knows why her pet/friend chose them since they were the cannon members who were part of the Revolution.
Without waiting, Akame picks the controller up as Chief, Leone as Arbiter and Najenda and Tatsumi as the two Elites to play the next mission.
A/N: Holy Jesus, this took me way too long in writing this chapter. And it's almost 10k words. Now then, give me a break before I write the mission the Covenant, Until then, I'll see you in the next chapter. Sorry for the chapter being rushed because I want this chapter to be posted as soon as possible.
