Chapter 7

Prophet and Regret

September 20th 1904

Monument Island

(Zack's POV)

0457 hours

Cautiously I opened the main set of doors leading outside. Elizabeth behind me as I did a quick sweep of the surroundings. Before us was a large courtyard of some type. Angle statue stood in the middle of what I would say is like a garden. Credit where it is due, this is rather beautiful even at night. A large gated wall encompassed the area. I raise my hand with my fist clenched, signaling Elizabeth to stop. I cautiously walked out, eyes darting all around the area for potential ambush locations and sniper nests. My instincts are screaming at me that something is wrong right now. From what little I know about Elizabeth and what lengths these people have gone just to contain her in an apartment like holding cell, they won't let her leave this city easily. My eyes darted from observing my surroundings to my motion tracker at lighting speeds. I can't afford to mess up now, not when we are already this committed to the plan. Granted it is a loose plan I am figuring out on the fly because I have next to no intel on my adversary. No idea on their numbers, strengths, weaknesses, potential positioning, tactics, technology, capabilities, nothing. I am going in completely blind and I absolutely hate it. I heard a sharp clink to my left, swiftly I turned around with my barrel aimed toward the source. On a ledge was a crow pecking at some type of metal box, at least I think that is a crow. It stopped pecking for a second to look at me, cawed, and flew off. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I motioned for Elizabeth to come out. She timidly walked out the doors, closing them behind her softly, as if any sound would give us away. She looked around her slowly as she walked to me, I kept my guard up and constantly looking at my motion tracker. So far only Elizabeth and that crow showed up.

"Stay frosty, this is where the hard part begins." I softly informed slowly moving down the steps. I cautiously looked to the gate on the far end of the courtyard. This place was designed to be a kill box on purpose. Only one way in or out, easy to control who or what gets around, and to make it easier to keep her from escaping. This all just screams wrong to me. This is where I would dedicate my most elite squads to if I were in charge of protecting the facility. Between this and the bottom floor, we encountered minimal resistance for I expect for such a high priority asset. I wouldn't even consider the ones I did fight too much of a threat aside from the firing squad, and that was just because we were in a difficult position. This place was designed so that it would be a pain in the ass to break in or out of, while looking aesthetically pleasing and inconspicuous. Only one way up or down from the tower itself, loads of possible choke points, only one entrance and exit that doesn't involve a few thousand meter free fall to god knows where. With how much thought went into designing this place, why would there be so lax in security. If I were in charge of guarding the place; there would have been, at minimum, a squadron or two of gunships in route to cut us off and stop us while we were on our way down. Even with the rather primitive aircraft technology they have, they should have been on top of us by now with a army's worth of manpower. Instead there is an empty courtyard and basically an easy ticket to leave. So either the people keeping her here are complete morons, or we are walking right into a trap.

"All these years I always wondered what was at the bottom of my tower." Elizabeth wondered staring at the gardens on the side. She tried to move past me to get to the angel statue, but I held out an arm to stop her before she got too far. No way in hell they would let us off that easily. Something isn't right here.

"Hold up, let's think for a minute. Why would they put such little resistance in protecting a high value asset? Why go through so much trouble keeping you locked up if they were going to let you walk so easily?" I said pointing my rifle to the towers. Her eyes followed my barrel to the towers overseeing the facility. "See those towers, perfect marksmen nests. Block us in with coordinated fire. Those bushes, they can easily hide a man or two with assault rifles. Perfect place to set up a trap. We walk down those stairs, they got us right where I would want us. No other cover, too easy to be picked off, and a long run back to the doors under heavy fire. We'd be fish in a barrel before we know it." I answered taking a few steps back into cover. Elizabeth followed my lead as I narrowed my eyes at the towers, my visor automatically zooming in on them. So far nothing out of the ordinary. . . it's just way too normal. Only the lone crow made a single sound. No other birds or insects could be heard. This is not a good sign at all. This means someone or something has been here recently. I doubt my recent firefight scared them off so soon, they would have gone back to normal by now. No, this place was very recently disturbed. Someone is out there, and I don't like it.

"Let me take point. Stay low and hide here. Don't come out until I give the word." I ordered quickly blending in to the surrounding area, slowly moving out of cover as Elizabeth went behind a pillar. I had the primitive pistol in hand. Left the rifle by Elizabeth, sadly the photo-reactive panels on my armor don't conceal weapons like the Covenant's active camouflage, so I have to go in light and make it work.

I carefully walked out into the open, looking back and forth between the bushes, the tower, and the roof. Anything can happen at any time, I have to be ready. Strange, that flock of crows by the roof didn't show up on my motion tracker. They were all looking my way, as if they knew I was here, but couldn't see me. Few more footsteps toward the gate, still nothing by the bushes or the towers. Crows flocked closer together, few ruffled their feathers and called out a bit. Now I'm suspicious, why would there be a bunch of crows around here and yet none are making a peep. I'm no expert but I am certain that crows are rather noisy birds. So why are they silently watching my position? Curiously I decided to kick a pebble by my foot into the nearest bush. The rustling made the flock snap their heads that direction, yet one stayed focused on me, why? I glanced down at my motion tracker to see a small yellow dot about 5 meters from my position. I looked behind me to see the crow from earlier sitting on the wall, it called out to me and begun picking at it's wing. I can't shake the gut 'feeling' that these birds were not all as they seemed. So far my 'feelings' have never been wrong. A city floating in the clouds all the way back in the early 1900's, with a girl who can open portals to other worlds, watched and held captive by a giant bio-mechanical bird thing that is controlled by a bunch of perverted assholes. I'd be surprised if they were normal crows at this point.

Suddenly I heard the flock of crows behind me all cawing at once and taking flight. My instinct kicked in as I quickly moved to the right, narrowly avoiding the steel blade of a long sword. The blade struck the ground harmlessly as I rammed my elbow behind me as hard as I could, not surprising that I hit something solid as I heard the grunt of a man getting hit in the ribs with the force of a speeding truck. It gave me enough time to turn and kick my attacker in the gut, sending him flying across the court yard. My attacker looked like a member of the Klan from the early 20th century, only his outfit was completely black instead of white, a large coffin on his back with chains going across his chest. Kind of counter-productive in my opinion. In his hands was a large steel long sword, doubt it will cut though my armor but I don't want to test that theory today. Flying around him was the crows from the roof. I deactivated the photo-reactive panels as my green armor glimmered in the dying moonlight. No use being stealthy now that they know I'm here in such a confined area. He skid across the ground but got back up in a swift and fluid motion as a second sword wielding man appeared from a second flock. I got to be careful, if these guys are anything like Sangheii Zealots in terms of close quarters combat, this is not going to be a quick fight. Doubt their swords can pierce my armor but I rather not test it.

"Our Prophet was right to be worried about you, Demon. He has foreseen that you would take our lamb from her safe haven. My brother and I shall end you; and return her to our Prophet with your domed head shall hang over our mantle." The man spoke as he held his sword in a guarded stance over five meters from me. I'm curious on who this 'Prophet' is and what his plans for Elizabeth are, and how they knew my kind's nickname as Demons. I haven't been fighting for no longer than half an hour, so they can't get the name that quickly from a handful of engagements with subpar cannon fodder a standard marine can take out with little issue. Adding more layers of confusion to this whole mess and another reason to get her the hell out of here. I didn't respond as I pulled out my pistol and opened fire in three quick sessions. I expected all three to meet his already bruised rib cage, but surprisingly the man just somehow turned into a flock of birds and flew off, having the rounds impact harmlessly in the bushes. I was right about this being a trap, Ambrosia was right when he said to always trust your 'feelings'.

I darted to the right to avoid the strike of a different sword from my left, as the first guy seemed to return to normal and try to decapitate me with a vertical strike from in front of me. I got two possible racist, sword swinging, jackasses to worry about now. Just like dealing with Elites, these guys will be no different. I raised my gauntlet to block the sword strike by the cross guard, using his momentum to push him over my shoulder with my free hand and throw the man across the courtyard. Just as I finished throwing the first guy, I quickly ducked under strike by the second man. I grabbed his wrist and twisted it using my body weight, the cracking of his wrist bones filled by ears as I listed my foot and kicked his across the courtyard by his friend, with his sword firmly in my hand. I threw it aside and unsheathed my combat knife, switching my view between the to men before me. One managed to get up and was ready to strike while the other was trying to pick himself up with a broken wrist. Take him out first, don't let either of them escape.

"Elizabeth is leaving, today! If you want her back in that hell. . ." I declared with a cold and deep voice, farther enhanced by bad mood. My knife in a reverse grip in my right, extending my free hand out in a 'come at me' motion. ". . . you're going to have to kill me first." I am more confident in my knife wielding abilities than my swordsmanship by a long shot. Not very many people outside the Sangheii and Kig Yar pirates uses swords anymore. Not practical in many close quarters situations and too cumbersome to lug around as compared to a knife should close quarters situation demand it. Only people I am aware of who even have swords anymore are private collectors and maybe some given as a family heirloom. Aside from that, firearms outshine swords in just about every field.

In a split second the first guy sprang into action, raising his sword for a power strike as he darted toward me. I dodged as it harmlessly clanged to the ground as the second guy ran to his sword I tossed aside on the other end of the courtyard. Divide and conquer, better to face them one at a time than to have to fight both on two fronts. I went for a slash to the man's chest but he backed away just out of reach as my blade barely nicked his tunic. He raised his sword again and tried a vertical strike to my left flank. I used my knife to hold the sword at bay by the cross guard and used my enhanced strength to force the blade to the ground, swiftly punching the man in the face, he let go of his sword and took a few steps back. I kicked the sword out of the way and went in for a stab to the man's gut. To my surprise he grabbed my hand and managed to divert my blade off course. Stabbing him in his hip instead. He let out a cry in pain before I headbutt him and kicked him back.

Red drops of blood hitting the ground from his wound as the second guy got his sword and charged toward me wildly. I am seriously questioning these people's intelligence. I used my free hand to force his blade to the side, hit my knee against his chest, and in ran my blade though his throat all in one fluid motion. 8 inches of titanium A stuck out the back of the man's throat as he gurgled blood though his hood. I kicked him aside, blood pouring out from his wound and onto the grass. I faced the first man again with my knife back in a reverse grip facing the lone crow man. He went charging toward me with his fists balled up and ready to punch. Anger I one hell of a drug. Clouds the mind and makes one forget all pain. I ducked under his punch and went to stab him right in the heart, only for him to explode into a flock of crows, sending my blade harmlessly though the feather cloud. Several went flying off in another direction, others stayed back and kept harassing me by pecking and biting that ever they could get their beaks or talons on. I swatted and stabbing my way though the annoying flock as they pecked and ate away at the holes in my back plate. I can feel their beaks biting at the exposed flesh and ripping out small chunks at a time. Each one feeling like a hot needle directly on my nerves. I swung my arm and beat one of the little bastards aside. The man got his sword back as he raised it as was trying to keep the crows from eating too much of my back. He charged toward me with his blade high over his head. This is not good. I can't fight these stupid birds and him at the same time.

"Zack, catch!" Elizabeth yelled from the front door. I turned to find her running down the steps, throwing the shotgun my way before ducking behind the bushes. Instinctively I caught it with my free hand and turned to meet the man. Sadly for him, he was perfectly exposed right where I want him. I pulled the trigger and watched as he went flying from the buck shot hitting his chest at point blank. I flicked the lever and chambered a new shell as I went for the head this time before he had a chance to recover. I pulled the trigger as his head seemed to explode from the force of a 12 gauge buck shot blast, painting the wall behind him with a wet red hue. He slumped to the ground dead as the crows scattered again. I took a deep breath as I looked around as I let it out slowly. Both are about as dead as one can get. I chambered a new shell and looked to Elizabeth, who slowly walked down the steps with a rifle in hand, carefully avoiding her gaze at the bloody mess I made.

"Good timing with the shotgun." I thanked sheathing my knife and handing her back the shotgun as she traded me my rifle back. That could have gone a lot better. Now I know for the next fight that a shotgun is a better option than my combat knife against the 'crows' as I am now calling them. "But you really shouldn't have exposed your position like that. Could give your advisory the chance they need to jump you, flank you, or flush you out. Had there been more, you would have been in a dire situation." I scowled.

"I saw a chance to help you, and I took it. I may hate the idea of killing, but I hate seeing you hurt even more. Besides, you ended the fight quicker with my intervention." She replied with a worried smile. Damn that smile, it could warm the stone cold heart of any drill instructor. I signed as I turned to the front gate. We still have a long way to go Spartan, can't get soft and choke up now. Now when we are waist deep in trouble and rising.

"For now cover my six and don't take any more unnecessary risks. Let's move out, we still have to find a way out of this city." I ordered as we headed toward the gate, my eyes went to my motion tracker once more. Back to showing just me and her for the next 25 meters. I kept my rifle shouldered, my eyes darting between the two towers as we approached the overgrown gate house. Vines and ivy grew up the brick exterior as the bars weirdly looked nearly untouched by the over growth, not a spot of rust or flaking paint. I looked up toward the top of the gate. Can't climb it, not enough of a gap up top for me to squeeze though. Lock is too solid to rip off, and I don't have the ammo to waste shooting it off.

"Here, let me have a look." Elizabeth said pushing beside me taking the lock in her hand, pulling out a hairpin or two from seemingly nowhere. I don't want to know where she got that from, so long as it gets us somewhere away from here. Few seconds passed before she twisted hard on the lock, freeing the chain from it's prison. I looked down at her as she put the pins back in the pocket of her over sized coat. "Lock a girl up her entire life with nothing but books and spare time, she will inevitably figure a thing or two out about lock picking." She replied pushing the gate open. That could come in handy later if we run into anymore locks. I went first with my rifle shouldered, keeping a close eye on my motion tracker as we walked into the large courtyard leading to another large set of doors, a single fountain in the middle with a bunch of the silver coins laying in and around it. Doesn't feel all that off to me but I still kept an eye on my motion tracker and looked at every bird skeptically as we made our way across the yard. "You don't mind me asking you something?" Elizabeth said randomly as we passed the fountain. I nodded my head whole keeping my eyes darting around. They already set up one ambush, who is to say they won't try another one. "When we have time, think you can teach me how to fight?" She asked. I looked back at her tilting my head to the side, she nervously twitched her fingers around the shotgun's lever. "If we get separated or if I get jumped, I don't want to have to rely on lethal violence to protect myself." Admirable but sadly we lack the luxury of time for her to get a handle on the basics. It took me over a week to get the basics of Krav Maga down enough to hold my own against Anna. I had instructors, countless sparing sessions, and an extremely strict regimen to prepare me; she just has me and not a lot of time. Possibly only a few minutes to maybe an hour if we're extremely lucky.

"When we get a time where we're not in danger of being shot at or at risk of being captured, I'll show you some of the basics to Krav Maga." I answered walking up to the doors, I set my helmet against them as I listened for any sign of life on the other side or any sign of a trap. I tried the handle to find it was locked. Time for my version of lock picking.

I motioned for Elizabeth to stand back a bit as I reared up and kicked the door in, sending splinters flying though the air as I ran inside barrel first. The whole area looked like a train station but for gondolas. Not a living soul anywhere close by. Strangely there was some type of glass case off to the side, power cables ran along it with a floating blue crystal in it. It sparked with electricity which made me conclude it was a power source of some type. No gondolas were parked, but there was a skyline over head. Only other way out was a two thousand or so meter free fall to the planet's surface, crafty bastards. I reached to the side and found a power switch. Flicking it, the whole area light up as the light over head slowly turned on one at a time. Well at least Elizabeth can see better.

"I'll scout the area for hostiles. Stay behind me and watch those corners, but try and keep an eye out for something to call a gondola or another way out." I ordered, groaning in annoyance as a bead of sweat dripped down my brow. Damn it, the cooling systems are failing. This armor was never designed for prolonged use. How long have I had it on for? Two hours? Three? Can't be failing that fast, something must be wrong. Getting stuffy and increasingly groggy in here, but I can't take it off yet. I still need it to protect Elizabeth and myself. Quick look at the mission clock, quarter past five. Little under two hours since we began this escape. Not much in the way of opposition, Aside from the 'Crows' there has not been any real significant threat to our escape. The sun should be rising in the next hour or so, so stealth will be more difficult. Motion tracker was still showing nothing aside from Elizabeth and myself. Elizabeth entered with the shotgun nervously in her hands. I kept my rifle shouldered as I swept the room with Elizabeth right behind me.

I scanned the room, cold and calculated as my eyes darted from my motion tracker to the area around me. Not many placed to hide or set up a trap. Unless they got a bunch of grunts hiding in the trash cans. I stopped, holding my hand up in a clenched fist. Elizabeth nearly bumped into me. I looked out to where gondolas should be coming from. No airships in route, closest 'island' was a good two to three hundred meters out, lazily floating about. The only threat from that range with this primitive technology would have to be snipers. I squinted, zoomed in on the island with my helmet's image magnification. No glare from lenses, no firearms, just a few random people sweeping the streets and going about their daily activity for this hour of the night. Island looked to accommodate a few shops and I think I see some type of mechanical horse of some sort. Nothing threatening.

"Coast is clear, but stay frosty." I ordered lowering my rifle as Elizabeth moved slowly toward a lever like device by the gondola pick up area. I followed the wire coming out of it to see it went two places, first was to the power generator, the other was to some type of control box connected to the lines. I am not liking the look of that one bit. She pulled the lever as a green light filled the station. A electrical buzzing sound filled the air as well as some type of wheels moving. Well that was easy . . . almost too easy. Unease in my gut was telling me that this was far from over.

"Well that did something. I think I found our way out." She said smiling. Just as I was about to nod my head to agree with her, there was a sharp cackling from behind us. Instinctively I moved to cover Elizabeth as the crystal in the power generator seemed to explode and force everything to shutdown around it. Elizabeth let out a surprised yelp as the area once again descended into darkness. "Well, at least we're okay right?" She said chuckling awkwardly, obviously trying to stay on the bright side of things. Of course the power source would explode, why the hell would it not? It would make my job too easy if anything in this crazy city worked with me rather than against me. I let out a defeated sigh and turned on the lights on my helmet, giving Elizabeth some light to see.

"Any other ideas?" I asked looking around for a secondary power source. So far I don't see anything, not even a battery bank or any other cables. Who ever designed this city needs shot and thrown into a volcano . . . unless this was designed like this intentionally to help make escape a lot harder, to which case still shoot them for making my job so frustratingly difficult.

"Why not use the Skyhooks? I think I read somewhere that young trouble makers used them all the time to ride the rails ways." Elizabeth asked. I turned my head to look at Elizabeth, depolarizing my visor looked her with an eyebrow raised.

"What is a Skyhook?" I asked.

"The spinney thing on your belt." She replied pointing to the weird devise I picked up earlier. I looked down at the device and back to the rail lines. I can already smell several problems with that plan. First off, said devise has to be able to hold my weight and Elizabeth's without breaking at any point. Second, we'd be ducks in a skeet shoot to anyone with a gun and half a brain to aim right. Third, I can think of too many ways to counter a plan like this if I were on the other end. All the captors would have to do is electrify the line or sever it when we're over the voided between islands, we're screwed. One well trained sniper covering the rain lines, we're dead. Too much can go sideways way too fast for my liking.

"Negative, too much can go wrong too quickly." I answered.

"If you have any better ideas, I'm all ears. Sunrise is a few minutes away and we're sitting ducks right now. At least this way we'd be on the move." Elizabeth countered crossing her arms. Well . . . . shit, she has a point. Quick look around the room once more tells me that her plan might be the only one we got. I'd be banking on a lot of wild card factors than I'd like. Most notably if this is what her captors want us to do. I looked down and put the weird devise over my arm. Fits rather nicely to my arm, grip feels rather crude but it will work. I pulled the trigger and let the blades spin. No. . . I don't like it at all. Way too much can go wrong too quickly and I'd be helpless to stop it.

"No, it's too dangerous. We'll find another way." I replied. Elizabeth just signed as she looked to the rails once more. She put the shotgun on her back by the strap and pulled out her own 'skyhook' from her dress. Where was she even keeping that? She gave me a sly grin as her hooks spun in place as her eyes locked on the line. Don't do what I think you're going to do.

"Too late, this way is more fun. Race you to the end." She said taking a few steps back before rushing straight for the line full speed. I tried to run in front to stop her but she somehow she was thrown from the ground onto the line with a loud 'whoop', I wasted no time and bolted after her. Getting to the edge of the dock and jumped with all my might, hand with the hook extended to catch the line. Almost instinctively I pulled the trigger, the skyhook nearly jolted from my grip as it went toward the metal line all on it's own, hooking into place as I speed along the line to try and catch up to a hysterically giggling Elizabeth. Weird jimmy rigged devise is magnetized, good to know for the future. Surprisingly this went much faster than I thought I would go. Almost like riding on the side of a Hornet or a Falcon. Except I got a Frankenstein looking monstrosity that I am literally holding on to for my life. I looked all over the place as I zoomed down the line like a bullet. Various 'islands' and shops were on out flanks, Elizabeth seemed to think it was a good idea to laugh and scream with joy at the top of her lungs. I swear her self preservation instincts are dead after a stunt like this. . . yet this actually felt kind of enjoyable. Almost like a roller coaster. File this under one of Elizabeth's more interesting ideas. . . . never mind. File this under suicide once more.

Little under a hundred meters ahead was a long line of rail crates and cars waiting to be transported, with a legion of soldiers at the docks waiting for us. Twenty at least, maybe more waiting to join in once the fighting gets going. And these guys are armed more heavily than the last bunch. Automatic rifles, I think one is a grenade launcher of some sort if the mag is anything to go by, sniper rifles, as well as a automated turret aiming my direction. If we survive this, I am going to chew her out like Mandez before he has his coffee and someone fucks up. I don't care how cute she is, this was down right suicide!

Elizabeth took the only option she could and jumped off and landed on a raised platform of sorts as said soldiers begun to open fire at me. I tilted back and swung forward as my skyhook let go of the line, bullets whizzed past me like hornets as I slammed on top of their buddy in the middle. My foot collided with his chest as I heard his ribs crack and break from the impact. I wasted no time slamming my elbow into the spine of the guy right behind me, cracking that as their friends just realized I was in the middle between them. I grabbed one by his arm as he tried to smash his rifle into my head, hoisted him over my shoulder and slammed him into his friend with a horrific crunch and crack. I sprinted to the grenade launcher guy and grabbed his arm, twisting it and forcing the grenade launcher out of his hands. I grabbed it and aimed it center mass before pulling the trigger, the resulting blast tore a hole in his chest the size of a basketball before I kicked him aside and turned to fire three more times into the turret as the group running to get out of close quarters with me. Smart, they finally got the brain cells to realize close quarters with a Spartan is suicide. The turret exploded as hundreds of automatic rounds either sped past me or bounced off my armor. I fired the grenade launcher once more into the group as I bolted for cover, launcher clicked empty so I tossed it aside and slid to a stop behind a crate. My back flared in agony but I used my willpower to force it to subside. I can't give in to the pain now, not when we still have so far to go. My head snapped left as I heard Elizabeth cry out in pain. Her hiding spot's support struts were shot out by several of the soldiers, causing her to fall into the open with four soldiers closing in on her. Rifles down but they did have hand cuffs and some type of rag. Not on my watch assholes. Not while I'm still breathing

I bolted from cover and raised my pistol, firing two shots into the closest one's head, unfortunately spraying blood all over Elizabeth's face, the other three turned to me just as I was over them. I quickly closed the distance and fired at all their heads, kicking them away, and forced myself between Elizabeth and the seemingly never ending swarms of soldiers. This is how I'm going out. Heavily out gunned, out numbered, injured, and yet I don't plan on going down easy. I'm taking as many of these bastards with me as I can.

"Stay behind me!" I ordered as I used myself as I shield as the overwhelming gunfire, Elizabeth shrunk down to make herself as small of a target as possible as the bullets swarmed around me. I shouldered the machine gun and opened fire several bursts into the now slowly advancing army before me. Several falling, I am losing track honestly at this point on the kill count. Right now it is going somewhere alone the lines of shoot everything that moves towards us, question never. Primitive bullets pinged off my armor and damaging the photo-reactive cells. I slowly begun moving to the right, guiding Elizabeth to cover just as a loud and sharp crack echoed though the air. My leg burned in agony as I collapsed to the ground and knelled, I pulled out the pistol and fired at the lens glare from the near by roof top, hitting the sniper in the head as another shard crack echoed out, something slammed into my shoulder as blood begun spilling out. They are starting to use the high powered snipers to fight me. This is bad, my armor can handle small arms no issue. Large caliber sniper ammo it can't for long. Worse part, they are hitting the joints where there is no armor. Clever bastards. I grunted in agony as I pulled all the pins off the grenade belt and chucked it into the horde of soldiers, quickly taking aim with my pistol and firing. I took out at least a good ten that way but more kept pouring in. I stayed knelled as I kept firing with my pistol, using my other hand to grab my automatic and firing that in a wide arc to try to give me some space. The advancing army just kept coming, worst than the covenant. This is the end, one more sniper shot and I'm done for. Just before they could push up any more, a loud horn echoed though the air, followed by a light screech.

"STAND DOWN!" A powerful and old voice echoed though the city. Strangely the soldiers who were advancing just got on their knees and . . . . prayed?! What the fuck kind of bullshit is happening?! They had me right where they wanted me, right on the ropes and close to killing me. Why stop now! Why not just kill me then drag Elizabeth back to her tower?! None of this makes any sense.

Elizabeth appeared to be just as confused as I was as she tensely got out of cover and helped me back up. I leaned onto her for support as an airship begun to rise up behind us, just a small one with a flat top, on it stood more soldiers on the sides but what was interesting was the individual in the center looking at me with curious eyes. Older male, easily mid to late forties, greying hair and beard, regal looking suit on with a microphone of some sort he spoke directly into. My gut is telling me this man is the reason behind everything.

"My name is Zackary Comstock, Prophet and founder of this beloved city. You are an interesting case Young Zack. You've killed more men in the past hour than most do in entire wars, yet you're not even a fully grown man yourself. A child soldier meant to throw his life away against an insurmountable enemy. Born and created out of pure desperation as a means to buy time." He spoke softly as I forced Elizabeth to get behind me and I raised my pistol to the man. I trust this man about as far as he can throw me. He didn't even flinch as he stared down the barrel, like he knew when his death was, and it wasn't today. "I know who you really are . . Zackary Lutece, or do you prefer B-160? I know of the Covenant, New Columbia's destruction, Beta company, Pegasi Delta, and of course humanity's fate." He calmly asked. How does he know my real name? I never even told Elizabeth it. Rest of this he could have easily learned eaves dropping on my conversations with Elizabeth. But my birth name I never told anyone, not stamped on my tags, no way for anyone here to know it.

"Zackary died seven years ago. Zack-B160 is all that remains of him now. Now what do you want?" I answered coldly keeping my gun trained on him as I used my free arm to shield Elizabeth. The new bullet holes ached and burned as well as my back. I can't hold everything off at once right now. I got to start planning a possible get away. Somewhere we can rest and I can tend to my wounds for a moment. We need to fall back before he gives the kill order once more. Who knows why he is here now? The man just chuckled as he took a step off the airship and onto the floating island.

"Tell me B160, do you know how your war is going without you? Maridium? Actium? Draco III? How about Reach?" He asked slowly walking to me. The first two I know are gone, Maridium was glassed with nothing remaining, Actium was glassed as well but we destroyed a huge portion of the Covenant's largest staging areas nuked to hell, with all our forces on the planet destroyed with them. That was little over a month before Pegasi Delta. Draco III is an odd one. I have no idea what he is talking about there. Covenant haven't found that system yet . . . have they? Did they find Reach since I've been gone? Earth? I know they won't last long against either defenses, not unless they brought an insanely massive navy or got stupid lucky.

"That is close enough." I answered pulling the hammer back on my pistol just as he stopped walking, almost within arms reach of me, I can strike him down with the butt on my pistol if he tries anything funny.

"You're place isn't here Demon, your fight is not with us. At least not yet anyway." It became my fight when you decided to lock up an innocent girl and experiment on her like a fucking lab rat. "I've seen your future Zack. I have seen how your war will end, how much worse it will get, and so much more. Outer colonies are completely destroyed, Inner ones are being hunted down one at a time. Each one falling harder than the last. Only a matter of time before they find Earth." He replied. He has a point but they still doesn't explain what he wants. I can send you back to your fight, I have knowledge you can use to warn your people, save countless lives, end your war once and for all. All I ask in return is that you leave Miss Elizabeth alone and have her come back with us." He bargained.

"No deal, not after how I've seen you treat her." I replied as my eyes darted to the various men still on the ground praying. All it takes is one to get the balls to open fire against orders and I can use that distraction to bolt. Question is where will it happen? So far none seem to be bothered to move an inch from their spot since Comstock arrived.

"And ONI will treat her any better? Tell me, what do you think will become of her if she goes to your world? They'll dissect her and treat her like she was no more than another thing for them to study. Subjugate her to far worse than anything you've seen so far. What would the Covenant do when they discover her?" He countered. ONI may be borderline evil, and down right sadistic but they at least do what they do to protect humanity; No matter the cost. Covenant is a tough one. Sanghelli might worship the ground she steps on, rest will kill her on sight, possibly eat her to."I have the means to send you home, the knowledge you can use to save countless lives, yet you refuse to for one girl? Is she really worth the death and suffering of hundreds of millions of lives you could have saved? Weren't your trained to protect humanity, what ever the cost?" He asked. Now he is using my own thoughts against me. I ground my teeth in frustration. I doubt he can send me back, not unless he has means similar to Elizabeth's tears. But on the off chance he can, is it worth it? Do I let millions of lives parish and suffer because I couldn't let one woman go? Better question is how he has this type of information? How does he know so much about my people and my war that I barely shared with Elizabeth. I looked down to get Elizabeth's input in this. She seems to be pondering the same question in her mind. I looked to Comstock once more as he simply stood their smiling in front of me.

"How do I know you're telling the truth and not lying to me to get me to lower by guard?" I asked.

"The fact that I ordered my men to stand down rather than kill you should be evidence enough. If I wanted you dead, you would have by now." He answered. True, he has a good point there, but why bother bargaining with me when it would have been much simpler to kill me and take her from my cold dead arms? More he talks, the more confused I get. Nothing here is making any sense. I was about to respond before Elizabeth interrupted me.

"It's okay Zack." She said croaking. I looked back down to see her on the verge of tears, most likely coming to the same conclusion as Comstock. "He's right, I'm not worth billions of lives. You can accept to go back. It's okay, I'll be okay." She said, not entirely sure if she is trying to convince me or herself. I looked to Comstock once more as he merely extended his arm out. I kept my gun aimed at him. I swore out loud as I lowered my fire arm and send him a death glare from behind my visor. He has me right where he wants me. Damn it Spartan, you're getting soft. What would Ambrosa or Mandez say about this?

"I got a several conditions before I accept anything." I answered holding up one finger. "Number one; No more experimentation on her and no more non-consensual documentation. She is to be treated as a human being, not a lab rat." I held up a second finger. "Number two; she is to be allowed to interact with the general population. She has been isolated for too long." I hold up a third finger. "Number three; I want anyone related to her previous documentation and experimentation to not be allowed within a hundred yards of her. Anything less and I will find a way back, I will beat you to death with your own arm." I countered now holding my hand out for him. As expected he was all to eager to take my conditions as he took my hand and gave it a firm shake.

"We have a deal, Demon." He said as I slowly began to crush his hand with my superior strength, stopping short of breaking his hand just to remind him who exactly he is dealing with here. Do I trust this man to go though with my conditions, not one bit. But what choice did I have, they were going to get Elizabeth either way. At least this way I can live, heal, train harder, and fight my fight for Elizabeth. My family and planet have been avenged. Now, I'm going to keep fighting for Elizabeth.

0547 hours

Columbia

The airship ride here was rather short and awkward, I kept myself between Elizabeth and the rather large escort of soldiers, using myself as a shield for her should they try anything funny. Neither of us has spoken a word since the agreement with this prophet. My gut is screaming at me not to trust him, but I don't have very many other options. He's right, he has all the cards, all the advantages, he has everything. It'd be suicide to keep fighting like that when the outcome is the exact same. Elizabeth returns to her tower, most likely they won't keep their end of the deal. Mission failed Spartan, and we didn't even get close. I should have waited another week or two, let my back heal more and try plan out an escape strategy with her rather than make it up on the fly. There were several flaws in my approach, several things I couldn't have accounted for, and numerous things I could have done better.

Elizabeth and I found ourselves in a weird house of some sort. A rather large machine stood in the center of the living area going up to the second floor. A set of twins worked vigorously around the machine. Both red haired, both with the same style outfit, only difference between the two was the sex. Female obviously shorter yet shared a lot of characteristics with the male. Weird, they looks a tad bit like my parents. Except younger and more old fashion. Right now I stood in the center of the room between Elizabeth and Comstock. Elizabeth stared at the machine with complete fascination while Comstock just stood their looking at his watch occasionally. Outside was at least twenty cops and soldiers guarding the place 'just in case'. Elizabeth gave me back the pistol I came here with, soldiers took the rest of our weapons. I had to break one of their arms to get my M6D back and another one when they tried taking my knife. Eventually they got the message that said weapons were going with me. My leg and the new bullet holes in me burned, I managed to stay up right and able to move though sheer willpower and stubbornness.

"Almost ready. Just a few more minutes." The female replied in a monochrome tone, flipping a few switches. According to Comstock, Draco III is the next major fight, followed by Skopje, Paris V, Sigma Octanvus IV, Reach, then Earth. I'll ask about Draco III when I return to be sure his word is trust worthy. If it has fallen like he said, then I'll know he is telling the truth. But this is riding on whether or not this Frankenstein devise can even get me home. But would anyone believe me when I say that I was told the next bloodiest conflicts in our war were told to me by an old crazy guy from a flying city in the 1900's from another universe? I'd either get sent to a mental reevaluation or just locked up for insanity. I might be able to tell Ambrosa, he might listen and at least give it some thought before labeling me insane.

Suddenly I felt something grab my hand. I looked to my left to see Elizabeth intertwining her fingers with mine as she watched the monstrosity of a machine spark to life. Her face full of fear and partially regret as I gently squeezed her hand to let her know it was all going to be okay. Not enough to hurt her, just enough to help calm her down. Just like with Elizabeth's tears, a black and white rip formed between the two points in the machine. I was stunned monumentally as I saw a sight I never thought I'd miss. Camp Currahee, Onyx. Right where I was trained. I can never forget the jungle surrounding the place, or the horseshoe shaped arrangement of buildings, I certainly never could forget hearing Mandez's bloody screaming as the new recruits lined up before the ungodly brutal obstetrical course. All of which I can tell were fresh, none of them were older than seven. Must be the next company bring trained. I heard rumor that a Gamma company was suppose to begin training right after our mission. Never thought I'd live to see them . . . is that Tom and Lucy with Mandez?! Yep, never thought I'd live to see this. Were it not for Elizabeth, I wouldn't have.

"Time to go home Demon." Comstock said trying for a pat on my back to hurry thing along, only for my free hand to catch it. He was shocked for a moment as I turned to look him in the eyes. A flash of fear went across his face before he regained his composure. I may be injured, but my reflexes are still better than his.

"I'll go when I am ready, but I am saying good bye first." I said firmly as I released his hand, making him take a few steps back as I turned to Elizabeth. She looked away as a few tears dripped down her face. Sighing I reached up and took off my helmet, I was never good with saying good bye. I never said good bye to my parents, Beta Company, Team Delta. Deep down I know we'll meet again on the other side. Not Elizabeth, it will take nothing short of an act of God himself for us to meet again, even in the afterlife. Air hissed as I begin to take my helmet off. Nearly blinding myself from the early morning sunlight barely peaking though the clouds. I knelt down to her height, putting on the most comforting smile I could as I set my helmet aside. "Hey, it's going to be okay. " I said in the softest tone I could, softly caressing her back to try and comfort her, she tensely raised her head to look at me. Tears still rolled down her face. I didn't even get to a word out before she literally threw herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck, tightly as well I might add. Instinctively I wanted to force her off but forced myself to let her cry into my shoulder. Comstock took a tense step forward but a quick death glare stopped him from moving from his spot. He knows what I am capable of, injured or not. I softened my expression as I "I'll come back. One way or another, I'll find a way. I promise I'll . . ."

"No, don't make that promise." She interrupted tightening her grip on my neck, almost threatening to suffocate me. "We both know you won't be able to keep it. You could very likely die on a mission, leaving me alone, waiting for something that will never happen." She answered sobbing more as I tensely and awkwardly patted her back. "When you get back to your war. . . will you even remember me?" She asked.

"Of course I will. You saved my life, nursed me back to health, taught me how to dance. It would take nothing short of a complete memory wipe to make me forget about you." I said softly as she chuckled at the last part. I owe her my life, that is something I could never forget. Spartans never leave a debt unpaid. Looks like I'm going to be the first one to break that tradition. She loosened her grip as she removed her head from the crook of my neck, I had to pry her arms from around my neck. I grabbed my dog tags from under my armor and ripped them off. "Here, I want you to have these. Wear them when ever you feel lonely , they'll help." I said putting them in her hand and softly closing her fingers around the cold steel. I brought my hand back as she held the tags to her heart. I returned to my full height and put my helmet under my arm. Elizabeth let out another snuffle When I turned to face the machine. A few of the cadets seemed to have noticed the tear and was trying to get Mandez's attention. Best I be on the other side before he finds out. "Good bye Elizabeth." I said holding in my emotions best I could as I begun walking toward the tear.

"Zack!" She yelled. I barely turned around just in time for her to latch herself back onto me, this time wrapped around my waist and squeezing like a boa constrictor, crying even harder as she soaked my chest. I dropped my helmet as it rolled though the portal. "Please don't go. I don't want to be alone again. Please, please don't go. I was wrong, please don't go." She kept repeating squeezing harder and slowly sliding me. Guess the full realization that the odds of me coming back are slim. I reached down to softly caress her back as she cried harder into my armor. "Please don't leave me. Please." She pleaded softly as I tried getting her to loosen her grip and helping her up. She has a surprisingly strong grip on me. Like being hugged by another Spartan or a Jiralhanae minus the fur. Gently I moved my hands from her back to her chin once more. She looked up at me with her eyes beginning to puff red. I used my thumb to wipe some of the tears away.

"Elizabeth, listen to me. As much as I want to, I can't stay. I have to get back to my fight. My people need me now, more than ever." I said with my voice beginning to crack. It's killing me on the inside. Being her first and only human friend she's ever known, now possibly being taken away from her forever. Damn it Spartan, you're going soft. Got to end this quickly before you break entirely. "But I swear. . . on my soul and to every deity ever to exist, that once my war is over, I will find a way to come back to you, no matter how impossible it seems. I promise you, and when a Spartan makes a promise. . ."

". . . you do everything in your power to keep it." She finished sniffling a bit, unwrapping her arms from their death grip on my waist. Her blue eyes looking deep into my green once as she brushed her hand on my cheek softly. I softly smiled back at her right before she quickly leaned up and surprised the unholy fuck out of me. First she grabbed me by the back of my neck, pulled me down, then leaned up and crashed her lips onto mine. My eyes went to the size of a moon as I froze in place, completely unsure of how to respond. It didn't feel bad, but I am not sure how to describe it. I never felt something like this before. I've never been kissed before. In this moment, it felt like nothing else mattered. Not my war, not Comstock basically fuming off to the side, not the twins passing money to one another like they made a bet, not even the sound of child soldiers rushing to see what type of commotion was going on with Ambrosa and Mandez yelling for the cadets to scram from the tear. All that mattered in this one quick moment was us, and us alone. It lasted barely a second, but by god it felt like hours of pure bliss to me. She moved back looking me in the eyes as I stood their like a stupid gaping fish out of water. "I know that is a promise you can't keep, but in case you do find a way. . ." She trailed off blushing as red as a lobster. I blinked a few times, my brain slowly rebooting as I put a hand on her shoulder.

"When you miss me, look to the stars. Remember that I will always be with you here. So you'll never truly be alone again." I said softly putting my hand over her heart. I can feel it beat rhythmic, unlike my own that feels like someone hooked it up to a nuclear reactor and over clocked it to it's limit. She eventually managed to get back up and hugged me, unlike earlier this wasn't a death hug where she was threatening to crush my spine in half. This one was softer, gentler, more loving. I wrapped my arms around her as I followed my gut. I brushed the hair off to the side and kissed her forehead. We separated as I begun walking backwards though the tear. "Until we meet again. Good bye Elizabeth." I croaked out feeling my throat beginning to burn. Elizabeth watched me with a saddened expression as the tear slowly began to close in front of us, I gave her a quick salute to bring some type of a smile to her face.

"Good bye, Zack." Her final words were as the tear closed, leaving me feeling alone as the gentle breeze kissed my skin. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, suddenly remembering the countless eyes watching me from behind. Slowly I turned around to face what is basically all of Gamma company, what is left of Beta, as well as two of my most feared instructors. The latter ones looking at me like they just saw a ghost. Tensely I put my hands up in surrender. This is going to be a difficult one to explain.

"I can expl. . . ." I was rudely interrupted by Lucy tackling me to the ground and putting me in a death grip that could shame an anaconda. Now there are several notable differences between Elizabeth and Lucy. One: Lucy is slightly taller, but heavier due to our augmentation. Two: Lucy is in full armor while Elizabeth had none. Lastly: Elizabeth's death grip is absolutely nothing like Lucy's. The wind was knocked out of me in an instant, I was on the ground gasping for breath as all my present injuries flared up in pain, and my chest felt like someone was crushing me with a Warthog. What is it with women and tackling people in a death hug? I managed to somehow snake my arm free as I pat her back. "I missed you too Lucy, even if your about to crush my spine." I wheezed out as she slowly loosened her grip. Ambrosa walked on over and raised an eyebrow at me. Easily towering over everyone, I still theorize he is one of the Spartan II soldiers. His dark brown eyes looking at me cryptically. "I can explain. . . . I think."

"Really now? Because to me it looked like you just got back from a relaxing vacation while the rest of us thought you were dead. So you better have a good excuse or it's latrine duty for the next seven years." He replied as he literally pried Lucy off me.

The next week

I sat down at a random table in the mess hall, picked to eat a bowl of barely edible soup. Got my armor off, quick visit to the infirmary to patch up the wounds Elizabeth couldn't. Spent most of the day I got back going over exactly what happened to me in the past two months, on top of the information Comstock gave me. Draco III is gone, everyone slaughtered and eaten. Blue team did not take too kindly to that. Ambrosa says he heard that they massacred every covenant force on the planet in retaliation. At first they didn't believe me but once they took a look at my Helmet cams, they seemed to be content with my explanation. I'm still on latrine duty, but only for the month instead of the next seven years.

I watched as the hall slowly began to fill with cadets and NCO ranks, idly slurping the tasteless soup. Inside I felt . . . empty. Like there was something missing . . . or someone. I reached for my newly pressed dog tags, I looked down at them as I toyed with them between my fingers. This was the right call to make. I know it, she knows it, so why does it feel so wrong. It's been a week since I last saw Elizabeth. Yet every time I think about her, I get this ache in my chest. Nurses ain't sure what is causing it. They tried several x-rays and various tests. They found nothing. No broken ribs, no ruptured organs, nothing to indicate any form of pain. So why does it appear? Only when Elizabeth is brought up or I'm too deep in my thoughts.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" A familiar voice asked beside me. I already know who it is without even looking up. Strange, meal time is one of the few times Kurt tries to get to know his cadets. More specifically how they are feel.

"Of course not sir." I replied barely even looking up from my soup as I took another sip. He set his tray down beside me and took a bite from his pile of mashed potatoes. "I already know what you're going to ask, sir. I'll be fine, just a little chest pain. Nothing serious." I answered in a generic monochrome tone.

"I wasn't going to ask that." He said as I tilted my head to him questioningly. "You miss her don't you? I can see it in your eyes. Feeling like your chest is tightening at the thought of her, can't seem to get your mind off her, you miss her." I said nothing but blinked as he continued. "I can understand missing someone who you spent the last two months in a confined area with. No one is made of stone. I miss Blue team every day, and I know they miss me. If that little kiss she gave you before you left was any indication, I'd say she misses you right now." I couldn't contain my blushing as I turned away and took another bite. I do not like where this conversation is going. "What I don't understand, is why you chose to come back, rather than stay with her. You could have had it good. No war, no worries, just you and her in that tower. So why leave her behind and come back to a hell like this?" He asked.

"They had us right where they wanted us, my dumb ass fell for the trap. There was little I could have done to turn the odds in my favor, not without putting her directly in harms way. Either way she would have ended up back I that tower alone. At least this way I could continue my duty. Besides, she deserves better than me anyway." I answered the last part under my breath, now looking into my newly interesting soup. Kurt let out a satisfied hum as he ate once more.

"You know Zack, there is a pet project ONI has been up to, I've been debating on whether or not to throw your name into the mix." He replied completely off topic from the previous discussion. What is he up to. I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "They're called the Headhunters. You'd be back in the field once your healed up, or you could stay here and help train Gamma with Lucy and Tom. I can give you a basic summary if you're interested."

That's a wrap people. I know this feels a bit rushed but I am starting to work two jobs now to help with my debts ironically as the title of this is Debt unpaid. I'll go back and edit them more at a later date. Flesh out the detail and character development. But for the most part this is how I wanted it to go down for now. The main pairing with some major fluff and action, Zack going back to Halo, and Elizabeth kissing him. More or less how I pictured it in my head. This is far from the end. We're only at the end of ARC 1, Now we're getting into the second ARC. Next chapter will take off where Infinite story line begins with Booker in Columbia. This won't be a generic 'Lutece twins gives Booker help getting Elizabeth and a semi generic story line similar to the game' bull crap. No it will be full of more hi jinks, humor, and some higher levels of angst. Next time skip will be after the Fall of Reach, roughly the same time it would take for Elizabeth's time line to catch up to the Infinite story line more or less. Leave a review below, I'm always pleased to hear your ideas and criticism. Don't be afraid to point out errors but please be polite about it. Until next time Spartans.

~Dgreen20