Chapter 5: Seeing the Light
+ 5 Hours after SpartanIIB projected departing time…
"Yes you heard me correct, I want you to take Karen's cryo-coffin with you. No it's not unsanitary to be in a ships storage bay. Thank you. See you in a few days."
"What was that all about?"
"I am getting Karen to go with them," replied Cortana.
"Glad you took my hunch seriously."
"Master Chief, I only listen to you when my hunches
agree with yours."
"Oh." Cortana was 'standing' in the
communication room's holo projector. The Chief reached out for Cortana's small
chip. He slid it into his main input port and felt the familiar sensation of
her entering his every nerve. Due to the sudden change of plans the SpartanIIB
shuttle would leave two days later than expected due to the special package
they were carrying.
"Do you think it'll work though, I mean that one Forerunner could have been a fluke."
"He made it sound like there were at least a hundred more."
"That's a lot of Forerunners to have
to deal with. By the way…did he give an explanation on why he attacked you?"
asked Cortana.
"He said that there is small hive mind like tendency in the
Forerunners society, they may be taken over by the Emperor Forerunner for
certain things. That's why their eyes glow blue, the emperor was trying to get
control of one of the most powerful generals at his disposal."
"Ahhh, that would explain why the
Covenant haven't come after him then, they believe that the Emperor will take
control of him. But if the Covenant were slaves of the Forerunners, why are the
they taking orders from the Covenant?"
"He says that the emperor has taken
control of the Covenant, I guess the Prophets gave up command," replied the
Master Chief.
"The Prophets must have something up their sleeves because they wouldn't seem like the kind of people who give the reigns over without something…in…store…I know what they're going to do! Because of the new Spartans the Prophets believe that the Covenant will be at a disadvantage from now on. So if they got their armor from the Forerunners, they'll let them come up with something new and dispose of them when they got what they wanted! It's a cycle, when they need something new, Poof! The Forerunners are there to give them something new."
" I need to tell him," replied the Chief.
"Why doesn't he have a name?"
"It's too hard to say so I just refer to him as…him."
"How will he notify the Emperor?"
"Because of his closeness to the Emperor he has a strong
psychic connection with him."
"Okay, I'll notify all field
commanders and Admiral Chastety."
You need to notify the Emperor that the Forerunners are being used to further the Covenant's technology.
What do you mean? Boomed the voice of the Forerunner.
The Forerunners are only being used for your great knowledge, not to reclaim their rightful position of the Covenant's masters!
I will tell him immediately, thank you John.
How'd you know my real name?
Our connection is stronger than with the Emperor. I look in your mind and you can look into mine if you try hard enough.
Do you have an easier name rather than Verasdanim?
Yes, Veras.
Thank you for listening Veras.
Authors note: This chapter is purposely small so that you get the idea of the Forerunners true purpose.