When the chief returned from the overlook he was stiff, and tried his best to avoid Eye-contact. He either kept his head downward or looked at some random direction. He was stiffer and his movements were more mechanical, like it was for the first few months after Sam's death. The change was very noticeable, and everyone, including the elites and the grunts had noticed it, and it worried them, especially Halsey and Blue Team.
All the humans were looking at the sky. The Infinity was supposed to have arrived an hour ago. John on the other hand was in his one world. Even though he was looking at the sky, his mind was racing a marathon. He was thinking... planning. He needed to stop her, but how? She knew everything about humanity and its past. He was again brought out of his thoughts by a tap on the shoulder. He turned around and saw a grunt, whose name he remembered was Dimkee.
"The Arbiter wants to talk to you. Please follow me" The grunt requested. The chief grunted and followed him to one of the tents.
"He is inside" The grunt said and left.
John entered the tent and saw the Arbiter talking to another Sangheili behind a table... who by the looks of it was some type of a blacksmith/armourer, or at least the Sangheili equivalent of it. The two elites saw him and the blacksmith left but not before hand the Arbiter a box and a long stick like thing wrapped with cloth.
"Come, Spartan" The Arbiter said as he called him towards the table.
"I never got the chance to properly thank you everything you had done in the ark." He said.
The chief grunted.
"All of our lives were at stake. Thanks is not necessary. Besides, you and the Sangheili helped too." He said plainly.
The Arbiter flashed him the Sangheili equivalent of a smile. "That maybe so, but I must follow tradition." He said as he handed John the wrapped stick.
"Open it."
John did as the Arbiter said. The wrapping cloth fell to the ground revealing a spear of Sangheili design. It was long, sleek, simple and lacked the big prongs on the top like the ones that existed on the spears used by the Honor Guards. The spear was silvery white in color with a slight golden hue. John then noticed a small sangheili button. He pressed it and two golden energy prongs activated from the sides near the top, forming a trident, with the metal tip acting as the central prong. As he was inspecting the spear, the Arbiter pushed the box towards him. John understood what the Arbiter wanted him to do and opened the box. Inside, there was some type of a device which was also of Sangheili design.
"It is an energy greatshield attachment. One of the best blacksmith in Sanghelios crafted it after consulting with your Doctor. It should be compatible with the armor you're wearing. The spear was also crafted by him. And I almost forgot, the spear can be charged by Sangheili as well as human charging ports."
John paused for a few seconds and looked at the spear/trident and shield. The first thing that came to his mind was that he didn't deserve them. He was the very reason why the galaxy was facing this new crisis. If only he had listened to his CO that day, all of this could have been avoided. Shame and guilt began hitting him with the force Infinity's MACs. How could anyone forgive him.
"Thank you... but I don't think I deserve this" John said, trying his best to hide the shame, but it didn't fool the Arbiter.
To Thel'Vedam, shame was an old friend, and he had experienced what the Spartan... his friend was facing.
"Spart--John" Thel corrected himself.
The chief flinched ever so slightly as the Arbiter called him by his name.
"Do not let shame and guilt consume you. I tell you this not as the Arbiter of Sanghelios, but as a friend... as Thel'Vedam. Someone who bears the mark of shame."
The chief remained silent for a few seconds before responding.
"I... will try." He said. It didn't convince the elite standing across the table. The Arbiter was about to say something but was interrupted by the holo pad on the table flaring up. It showed that something very big was about to exit Slipspace. The chief automatically tensed up but relaxed a little once the Sangheili radars recognised the ship to be the UNSC Infinity.
He then took the device, which was as long as his gauntlet, from the box and attached with it to his left gauntlet using the clasps. He noticed that a shield icon had appeared on his hud. He then used his CNI to activate the shield. The energy greatshield drew small amount of power from his suit. The shield was hexagonal in shape and was large enough to cover almost the entire front of his body (Think of the difficulty settings shield). It was the same color as the energy prongs of the spear; which to his relief was able to magnetise to his back and still left enough room for a rifle. They then heard the sound of Pelicans flying overhead.
"I guess it is time for us to part ways." The chief stated.
"For now... Come, I'll walk with you." The Arbiter said as the two warriors exited the tent. Both of them were surprised to see many elites volunteering to join the Infinity, even though they had just won a war. All of them said something along the lines of redemption and Captain Lasky accepted them without a hitch as he knew that at times like these, any form of help was greatly appreciated. The Infinity had left Sanghelios with eleven elites, including Usze'Taham, which made a certain scarlet spartan suspiciously happy; as well as 031 Exuberant Witness and an Unggoy defector named Yabda the Merciless. The elites and the grunts were housed on S Deck along with the 24 other elites which were already present in the Infinity.
Infinity, Unknown location, Two weeks later.
It had been two weeks since Blue Team, Osiris, Palmer, Halsey, Exuberant, Yabda and the elites were picked up from Sanghelios. The entire crew of the Infinity was jumpy and on edge. They were effectively blind and deaf with no plan or place to fall back to. There were frequent disagreements and heated arguments among the high ranking ONI, UNSC and UEG officers present in the ship. Something they did agree upon was that their first priority was to resupply. The Infinity was about to dock and resupply when the Guardian attacked, after which it was forced to flee. They had only about five to six months worth of supplies, which was not even half of its maximum capacity of about two years. Their second priority would be to find Admiral Hood, who apparently along with Admiral Osman managed to escape before the Guardians activated its EMP. Roland received the message of their escape from BB moments before the Infinity entered slipspace. The message also stated that BB would contact them as soon as they were able to. Another thing they had to figure out was the masterchief's behaviour, or rather, the lack of it. It had been two weeks since he came on board the Infinity... and it had been two weeks since he had spoken to anyone. He refused to take off his armor and began to isolate himself from everyone, including Halsey and Blue Team... avoiding interaction with anyone and everyone. He would pop up at odd hours either to eat at the mess hall or to work out (In full armor) at the gym, after which he would disappear to some obscure corner of the ship; where the cameras couldn't see him.
'How long has it been since I have talked to anyone... How long will I keep on doing this." John thought to himself. He was laying on his back in one of Infinity's cargo hold behind a literal wall of crates. This small space had become his safe haven for the past two weeks. Safe haven from stares of everyone in this ship. He was used to being stared at, but this time it was different. This he felt those stares as if they were bullets penetrating his skin. He had been thinking of ways to win this fight, but every plan led to a dead end. Cortana knew everything about him, how he would plan, how he would strategies. Hell, she even knew about most battle strategies of the UNSC, she was even responsible for many of them. Never in his entire life had he felt this useless. He knew he was compromised in multiple ways. He knew that he had become a liability... and it drew him insane, to the point that even breathing had become difficult. He had to get out of here... out of this ship and get his head together as outlandish thoughts like giving up and giving in had crossed his mind multiple times.
'I need to leave this place. I'm a danger to everyone around me. I won't let anyone else die because of me. At least anyone on this ship. Cortana is looking me... if I could somehow lead her away from Infinity. But how?'
It was then that he heard a few people talking. They probably didn't know he was there. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but his enhanced hearing meant that he had little choice.
"Damn we have only five months worth of supplies... God knows how long we'll be in space." A male voice stated.
"I know right. One of my buddies from a higher office told me that the AIs have taken control of every single star system that has humans in it. Be it the rebels or UEG." Another voice said.
"The higher ups have been arguing for the past three hours in the central command room on where to resupply." A third voice said.
All of a sudden, there was a brainstorm inside the chief's, well, brain. He abruptly got up and revealed himself, making the technicians jump.
"C-Chief!" One of them exclaimed, to which he simply nodded. John was on his way to the nearest elevator when he turned around and walked back towards them.
"Do you have a spare 5mm screw driver and a 5mm Allen key?" He asked simply.
"There should be a few extras in the tools station. Wait here, I'll bring them." One of them said. Around three minutes later, he came back with the things the chief asked for. John thanked him and headed towards the central command room. On his way he got multiple stares from the crew. Although... he didn't care as hopefully, this would be one of the last times he would have to endure it. Half an hour later, he finally arrived at his destination. The door to the central command room opened to reaveal a very exhausted looking Sarah Palmer, who was also surprised to see him.
"Chief. Long time no see." She joked.
"You're heading in there?" She asked pointing backwards. John simply nodded.
"Well, I should warn you that its a complete Shitstorm inside." John could hear shouting coming from the other side of the door.
"I have no clue how Lasky is sane right now. Oh and by the way, nice spear." She said as she walked towards the elevator that he used.
As soon as he entered the room, it became silent as everyone stared at him. 117 was a man of action so they knew that there was a good reason for him to show up.
"Meridian." He said simply.
"We could scavenge supplies from Meridian."
"Do you think its safe." One of the UEG officers asked.
"Yes. Cor--The Created are policing star systems that have intelligent life in them. Sloan had already started to evacuate the moon even before we arrived. Besides, the Guardian present there has already been taken by them. Logically speaking, there would be no reason for the Created to go back to Meridian."
"I agree." Locke, who was sitting in one of the chairs around the central table, announced... surprising John.
"Myself along with osiris were one of the last people to leave Meridian. The moon was completely evacuated. And there should be enough supplies in Meridian Station and Pinnacle Station."
"Does anyone have any objections?" Lasky asked out loud. He got no response.
"Very well, Roland. Set a course to Meridian."
"Already on it" The AI replied.
"ETA, three days."
John then quickly walked to the captain.
"Sir, I would like to help with the scavenging operation once we reach Meridian. I have been feeling very useless as of late." He said.
After a few minutes of thinking, he Captain replied.
"Alright, permission granted. And chief... Its good to have you back." Lasky said with a small smile.
The chief nodded.
"I'll be in my room. If anyone needs me." He said.
On his way to his room, he met Halsey. She was about to ask him questions but he simply said that he was too exhausted for now and would talk after the ship had resupplied. Which brought his thoughts him to another path. Could he ever forgive Halsey for betraying the UNSC? Sure, there might have been some misunderstanding, but aiding M'dama? He promptly stopped himself from thinking about it too much as this was probably the last time he would see her and Blue team.
'Blue Team... I should talk to them.'
After looking for a while in the S-Deck, John finally found his team in the central hall out of their armors. Everyone's eyes were on him as he approached them.
"Hey...Its been a while" Linda smiled.
They talked for a while, at least an hour or so. By the end John gave them the Spartan Smile and went back to his room.
Three days had passed. Infinity was about to reach Meridian.
"Alright, everyone listen up. I'm going over the plan once more" Lasky said over the coms.
"Once we arrive at Meridian, five Stridents along with multiple pelicans will go to Meridian Station, and the other five Stridents will go to Pinnacle Station. Once the Stridents make landfall, I want everyone in said Stridents to scavenge for food, water, batteries and anything useful. By then, the Infinity will station itself equidistant to the two stations. I want everyone back at the Infinity within one hour and not a second more. You hear me?"
He asked and everyone in the underbelly Strident docks shouted 'Sir, yes Sir'
" ETA in 5, 4, 3," Roland announced as everyone tensed up. Hoping and praying that the Created were not present there.
" 2, 1. Go! Go! Go!" Roland shouted. Immediately, all the ten strident class heavy frigates deployed, followed by pelicans. The frigates then made their way to the designated targets. John was in a frigate named 'Sceptre of Twilight' which was headed for Meridian Station.
"Commander" John called out to the captain of the Sceptre.
"Chief."
"Sir, I am faster than the marines and ODST, I will scout the edge of base for supplies. If I don't reach the Sceptre in time, I will request for a pelican to pick me up. Please don't wait for me."
"Roger that." The captain of the ship replied.
"Listen up, We'll make landfall in five minutes. Everyone, look alive" The captain announced through the mic.
One hour... This had to be Lasky's longest, most agonising one hour. The Infinity was where he said it would be, with engines turned on and slipspace drive still active, ready to make a quick exit. If a guardian arrives now, he would be forced to abandon those men and women on the ground. On top of that, he would lose ten strident class frigates, multiple pelicans and the masterchief. But alas, the hour was over and everyone was returning to the capital ship.
"Roland, is everyone in?"
"Yes sir. I can see all the IFF tags present in the ship."
"Alright, get us out of here." He said with a long sigh.
"Never thought that black void of slipspace would be the only place where I would feel safe." He muttered.
"You and me both... you and me both." Roland added.
24 hours Later, Infinity's Main command room.
Eveyone was in a good mood after discovering that the Infinity had been maxed out on supplies. They even had extras to last them three months more. The scavenging operation was a success. All of it possible because of the suggestion of the Masterchief.
"Roland, where is the Masterchief?" Lasky asked.
"His tag says he is currently in storage bay number 6."
"And he hasn't left that place for 24 hours?"
"No sir."
At that moment Kelly ran in, looking very distressed. She gained everyone's attention.
"What's the matter?" Palmer asked.
"Ma'am, the janitor who was cleaning the Chief's room found this note on his table... I don't know to make of it" She said handing the note to Lasky, whose eyes widened upon reading the note.
"Roland, send someone to storage bay 6 and locate the Chief, NOW!"
"Y-Yes sir!" Roland responded, clearly startled by the sudden outburst.
"What's the matter?" Palmer asked.
"Take a look yourself." Lasky handed the note.
'I'll be going my own way now... I've been compromised. But I will find a way to stop this, even if it costs me my life... I promise.'
Before Palmer could say anything. Roland appeared on the Holo table, also looking very distressed.
"Sir, the techs found nothing but an IFF tag...And I just checked every single second of CCTV footage of the past 25 hours... The Master Chief never returned from Meridian."
There went everyone's good mood.
"I Hope you know what you're doing" Lasky said under his breath.
Meridian
Sand... Sand was all he could see as he walked across the desert. He had found some old cloth and managed to turn it into a cloak to prevent sand from going everywhere in his armor. Not that it would damage the armor, No... he hated removing sand. After walking a few more kilometres, he could see a little smoke in the distance. His destination was just on the horizon. He kept on walking, his cloak flowing in the wind. He didn't bring much with him, only the Spear/Trident, the shield, Cortana's chip and the hand gun that once belonged to Jacob Keyes. He only brought three clips of ammunition for the gun. He had made a decision, now it was too late to go back. After walking for around 30 hours, he had finally arrived at his destination... Apogee Station. Although the Guardian tore everything apart during its activation, only the central part of the station was damaged, leaving the other parts surprisingly unharmed. John made his way through the debris, and dead bodies and finally found what he was looking for. The first thing that helped him on his journey of betrayal. And hopefully the thing that will help him on his journey of self discovery... The ONI Acrisius.