Hello everybody! I thought I should give you lot a little treat today, so I invited a special somebody. Allow me to introduce Doctor Sarah Erikson!
*A computer screen lights up, and Doctor Erikson appears onscreen.*
DE: Hello? Is this thing on?
M: Yes, Doc. The mic is on. My apologies if this is too primitive for you.
DE: *Shoots a withering stare at me.* Marethyu does not own any aspect of HALO or Black Rock Shooter. I suggest that he starts writing Project Valkyrie soon so I can find out if I survived that DAMNED CRASH! *Points a finger at me through the screen.* IF I ever find a way to get on Earth, I will load your skinny white ass onto a VTOL and shoot you down! You hear me!? I'll-!
M: *Presses a button and cuts the transmission off.* Well… Somebody's a bit testy today… *snickers* She'll be fine… I think. On another note, but the same tune, I will start bringing in characters from both Project Valkyrie and my other stories to do cameos for the intros and outros!
ONCE MORE UNTO THE BRINK, MY LOYAL READERS! ONCE MORE UNTO THE BRINK!
Log Three: Shattered Heart-093 and Eternal Song's last note.
Linda set the Pelican down softly inside the cavernous landing bay that was the entrance of Installation 44-15UR, "Okay, this is our stop. Keep your eyes peeled for a Monitor, and for God's sake, don't destroy damage anything. We don't want a pissed off Monitor on our hands."
Kelly chuckled quietly and stood up, heading for the lowering Pelican ramp. "Yeah, Chief. That includes the Monitor itself."
"Can it, PO, and move out of the way, you're blocking the exit," Chief grumbled, pushing his way past Kelly and readying his Assault Rifle. The Monitors were nothing but trouble in his opinion. In fact, Guilty Spark-648 had tried to kill him on multiple occasions! The little blue bastard may have claimed to be on Chief's side after he blew up the Monitor's installation, but Chief never really trusted the floating blue ball of Forerunner tech.
Thel quietly stepped off the Pelican, giving reverence to the race he once worshiped as gods. He knew that they were never gods to begin with, but he still respected the sheer power they had. The technologically advanced race could have easily passed for gods in ancient times.
Kelly and Linda were off next, followed closely by Fred. The first pulled out her shotgun and pumped it, grinning behind her polarized visor. Linda held an arm in front of her and depolarized her visor, giving the eager Spartan a warning look, "Don't give the monitor a reason to become hostile."
Fred nodded and walked past the two, "Agreed. Keep it out if you want, but leave your finger off the trigger."
The team got into a basic formation, with Chief and Arbiter at the front, and Fred and Linda bringing up the rear. John gestured towards Kelly, and then motioned for her to move ahead. Before the heavily armed Spartan could even move however, a pure black Monitor with a soft white light drifted down from the ceiling calmly. The sudden movement caused all of the team to draw their weapons in a flash and point them at the new presence. The Monitor merely looked at the for a moment, before speaking to them with a distinctly English accent. The sort you hear from an English butler, "Spartans, Arbiter, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Shattered Heart-093, but you may call me whatever makes you comfortable. Please, put your weapons away and follow me. Miss Love wishes to speak with you before you have to retrieve the young mistress." The Monitor turned abruptly and mad his way towards a large lift, not waiting to see if the warriors had any question or if they were even following him.
Chief gave a sideways glance at the Arbiter, who merely shrugged in helplessly and reluctantly followed the strange Monitor, deactivating his Energy Sword and returning it to his waist. Fred and the rest of the Blue team looked towards their leader, waiting for instructions. Chief watched Shattered Heart curiously for a moment, before trusting himself to speak, "Blue Two and Blue Three, put your primaries away, and draw your side arms. Blue Four, make sure your safety is off. I don't care if that thing isn't acting hostile. An act is all it might be. We'll play along for now, but if this goes south, I want to be ready to give them hell. Blue Four, you're a people person. See if you can't squeeze some information out of our guide." The lead Spartan checked his weapon again before jogging to catch up to the Arbiter and Monitor. "Move out."
Blue Team quickly fell in behind their leader, in order of numerical designation. Kelly clutched at her shotgun, ready to use it at a moment's notice. The Monitor turned to look at them as they boarded the lift, but said nothing. It was almost as if he was annoyed with them for keeping their weapons on hand, but had the professional courtesy to not say anything. As soon as they were all on board, the lift began to drop. Kelley watched the Monitor for a moment, considering how she was going to approach the strange computer. She nodded slowly, "Right, so Alfred, who is this Miss Love? I didn't think Forerunners had human names."
The Monitor actually hesitated for a moment before responding, "I must apologize, ma'am. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to discuss too much of Miss Love's life. However, I can tell you some things about her, and of this installation. In fact, it would probably be best if I answered your questions here. The lift can be quite dull." A strange noise scratched its way from the Monitor, and the team realize that Alfred was clearing his nonexistent throat, "Where should I begin? Well, I suppose I can tell you Miss. Love's actual name. When she resided upon the Forerunner homeworld, she was known as Song of Eternal Love. An fitting name, I suppose. She was a high ranking scientist, and was one of the Forerunners who helped create the composer. She believed it could be used to store the conscious mind if the body was damaged beyond repair. Then the mind could be transferred to a new body, or if one was not readily available, it could be stored indefinitely. When the when the Human-Forerunner War came along, she sided with the humans, and was banished to here because of it. She has been watching the human race ever since. Her love of humanity also pushed her to take up the name of Sing Love. It's also the reason I sound like an English butler to you. She took a great liking to the British culture." He looked the Spartans up and down, "Although you may consider her sense of fashion to be quite… irregular."
Master Chief raised an eyebrow at that, "What do you mean, 'irregular'?"
Alfred turned on the veteran Spartan, "Ah yes, Sierra-117, aka the Master Chief. I understand that you have a penchant for vandalizing Forerunner installations. Please, try not to damage anything on your visit here." He ignored the looks of surprise directed his way, and refused to answer the Chief's question.
The lift remained silent for a few minutes after that. Everyone was stunned to hear that Alfred somehow knew who Chief was, and what's more, he knew of Chief's past history. It was Alfred who broke the silence as the lift began to slow, "We are arriving at the viewing area. Please, I insist that you put your weapons away. We will not harm you." The request seemed more insistent this time, but once again John just motioned for his team to keep their firearms out and ready. As the door opened they stepped out, even Chief's jaw dropped in amazement.
The Viewing Area was just that. A place to look outside of the Installation without the need of windows. A starfield stretched out as far as the further than even Linda's eye could see, an immense span of multicolored pinpricks of light broken only by the ugly bulk of the Tomorrow's Destiny. A small white path lead to a round white platform, where classical music could be heard drifting on the air. A small sitting area was set up, with a pot of tea ready to serve placed on an ornate, white garden table. Sitting at the table, with their back turned towards them, was a girl wearing a white duster. The hood of the duster was put down, allowing two long, uneven pigtails to sway in the air. A slim, glove hand rested on the table as it's owner looked out to the stars.
Alfred floated up and tilted downwards, as if to bow, "Ma'am, our guests have arrived."
The girl, obviously Sing Love, stood quietly and turned to face the team. Her brilliant pink eyes shone with a mixture of amusement and sadness as she gave them a small, frail smile, "Blue Team… Arbiter… Welcome to Haven. It is a pleasure to meet you all." Her voice carried the sound of old authority, yet it was weak, frail… Its volume barely carried over a whisper. "Please sit down. We do not have much time before I pass on."
The veteran warriors were at a loss for words. This was the Forerunner, Song of Eternal Love? She certainly didn't look like one! The ancient scientist gave a soft chuckle, "Not what you were expecting? I assume the Didact gave you a much more monstrous expectation." She smiles weakly again and shakes her head, sitting down in her own chair and gesturing to the other seats, "Please, sit. I will try to explain what I can."
The Arbiter was the first to take his seat, bowing to the Forerunner and murmuring something in Wortish before sitting. The rest followed suit, albeit without the reverence. Chief reluctantly set his Assault Rifle to the side, motioning for the rest of his team to do the same. Kelly, of course, was the first one to begin voicing the question on everyone's mind, "So um… Why do you…"
"Look like a human teenager?" "She laughs quietly, the motion ending with a jarring coughing fit that made even the Spartans wince in sympathy. After a allowing herself a few seconds to catch her breath, she smiled again, "Well, when the Forerunners exiled me for siding with humanity, they decided to give me a second prison. Using the Composer, they tore my mind away from my body, and stuck it inside a human body. I don't know how they did it, but they managed to make it impossible for me to configure my mind back into my original body. Luckily, this used to be one of my personal installations, and I had a cloning unit on hand. Every time it is time for this body to die, my mind is extracted with a Composer and placed inside a new one. Unfortunately, it seems that the mind can only take so much before it begins to wear down. My mind is at its limit, as is my body. Over the last few decades, I have preparing for death. However, I forgot one thing. The cloning unit was still prepped to create another body." She sighed and gazed sadly at the stars, "I suppose it was selfish of me to do it, but I altered the process, and manipulated the genetic material that was to be used to clone myself. I didn't want to die quietly, without some sort of legacy… Is that so wrong?"
Her mouth twitched upwards, and she shook her head, "It doesn't matter anymore, just as it didn't matter then. Twelve years ago, I created a descendant, a daughter to call my own… I named her Stella… Stella Kuroi. Stella because she was born in the stars, and Kuroi because… Well, it's Japanese for Black Clothed. I suppose her Forerunner name would have been 'Star Cloaked in Darkness…' What a ridiculous name, right?"
Alfred flew in close and nudged the albino pseudo-human in her arm, "Miss Love, please… There isn't much time."
She smiled sadly and brushed a hand along the Monitor's outer shell, "Yes… You're right." Sing cleared her throat and looked back to the warriors. "Of course, I couldn't keep her here. My lifespan wasn't measured in deacades anymore… But years. Three months ago, when your UNSC vessels came to investigate my prison, I knew it was time. I began preparing faster than ever, making sure that I was going to be able to send my daughter off in good hands. It took a while, but I finally managed to recreate the distress signals I sometimes receive from your vessels. That's when I reactivated Haven and sent out the signal, along with a recording of Stella's heartbeat from when she was in stasis a few years ago. Thank you for coming so quickly."
Fred nodded slowly, a pang of sympathy echoing through him, "We're just doing our job, ma'am."
Chief nodded, "Yes, I am sorry for what you-"
"Mistress, I have terrible news!"
Everyone turned to look at Alfred, who was looking at a readout that had popped up from some invisible surface. He turned to look at them, and they could hear panic in his voice. "Several ships have dropped out of slipspace, and they bear Covenant signatures!"
All eyes whipped towards the image of Tomorrow's Destiny in horror as multiple slipspace portals opened and delivered the small Covenant fleet directly in their location. Master Chief leapt to his feat and looked at Sing Love, "Where is the girl located?"
She quickly responded, pointing at the lift, "In her quarters, near the armory! Shattered Heart, take them to the slipspace transporter! Get my daughter out of here!" A pink fire sparked weakly in her left eye, before flaring to life. She stood up as multiple slipspace portals opened up on the far side of the chamber. The inky black of space vanished, only to be replaced by an orange grid pattern. The ancient forerunner stood proudly as a platoon of Grunts, Brutes, Jackals, and Hunters spilled out of the portals. A massive pink and white scythe appeared in her hands, followed by a strange ring structure around her entire form.
The Monitor drifted closer to Sing, "And what of you, Mistress?"
She smiled kindly at her longtime companion, "I was never going to make it off of this prison anyways." A mischievous look flickered across her face. "Tell me, did the Spartans give you a new name?"
The Monitor nodded, "I believe the Spartan Kelly referred to me as, 'Alfred'."
A slightly childish giggle escaped her before a peaceful expression spread across her face and she sighed, "Well then, Alfred… It has been a pleasure to have known you. I have one more order to give you. Go with the Spartan, and make sure my baby girl grows up right! You hear me?"
The now renamed Alfred, seemed taken aback by Sing's fiery tone, and had to collect himself before responding, "Yes ma'am. I will do as you say, mistress."
She laughed, "Please call me Sing… And one more thing." The forerunner looked to the now charging Covenant, and readied her scythe. "I, Song of Eternal Love, hereby release the Monitor Shattered Heart 093 from his duty as Protector of Haven. All functions are to be returned to my command…" The pointed winglets on the ring structure lit up a vibrant pink as she said this. She smiled, and began walking towards the Covenant. Everyone could hear the tightness of barely restrained tears as she walked away, "Good luck, Spartans… You as well, Arbiter. And Alfred… Tell my little star that I will always be with her… Now go. Get her off of Haven." With a fierce war cry, she charged the oncoming Covenant, tearing into them with the ferocity of a mother protecting her child.
Master Chief gazed upon the incredible scene for a moment, before turning away. "Blue Team, move out. Mon… Alfred. Get us to the child as fast as you can."
Alfred turned quickly and shot away, heading towards a set of doors next to the lift, "Everyone follow me! The armory is this way!"
Everyone rushed to follow Alfred, everyone except the Arbiter and Chief. The two leaders looked at each other and nodded.
Kelly saw the two of them staying behind and practically screeched,"What the hell are you two doing!? We need to get the kid and get out of here!"
The two warriors flinched at the feedback in their communicators, with Chief responding gruffly, "Everyone deserves the chance to say goodbye. Get the kid. We'll meet you at the splipspace transporter with Sing."
Kelly opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when Linda put a hand on her shoulder, "Kelly, it doesn't matter if he's right or not. He just doesn't want this kid to not have a chance to say goodbye to her mother. We didn't have that chance..."
Kelly hesitated at that, but eventually nodded, "Yeah... let's go."
Chief checked his gun for a third time as his team left with Alfred, "Are you up for a fight, Arbiter?" He looked at his once sworn enemy and slammed the magazine back into his assault rifle.
Thel'Vadam, the highest ranking member of the Sangheili Nation, looked at John and snarled, "Always, Daemon." He unclipped his energy sword and plasma rifle from his waist, activating the blade with a sharp, cracking hiss. "Let us kill the scum who dare disturb the peace of this place."
The two legends turned as one and charged after Sing Love. Their objective? Protect the Forerunner scientist at all costs.
Well, that was a bit of an over load of information. And it still isn't done! Sorry for the wait on this one, it's been heavily edited. I wanted to make Rock more of a brooding teenager, but then I realized that my stories always lacked something FLUFF! I'll be adding some warm, fuzzy moments amongst the dark grittiness of normal writing. Prepare for a tear jerker on the next chapter though, because I am not pulling back my punches! And please review! I mean seriously, what does a guy have to do around here to get some reviews and responses to questions!?