Relations
Chapter 1- Arrival
Author's note- This story takes place immediately after the destruction of Halo. In this story, I have tried to show the darker, cynical side of the Master Chief. It also narrates the gradual conflict arising between the MC and Cortana. Please R&R. Hope you enjoy it.
Master Chief dashed for the bomber, his metallic feet pounding on the floor. Behind him hundreds of Flood and Covenant chased after him. With one last ounce of strength, MC dove into the Longsword and shut the door. The immediate threat was gone but it was not over. Within seconds of the door closing, heat vented out of the exhaust pipes. The bomber had taken off. Within no time Cortana and the chief were in space, leaving the doomed planet behind them.
"What do we do now?" the Master Chief questioned.
We have to go back to Earth. Our mission was successful. Cortana muttered.
"Successful? You call that success? Thousands of lives were massacred down there and you can tell me that we did a good job?!" The Master Chief was really ticked off.
We destroyed a whole Covenant armada and also decimated the Flood! That's not easy for a superhuman and his AI.
"Sometimes I wonder why they put the intelligence in AI. The Covenant, they were only a small fleet. You don't know how many more of them there could be! You're also wrong about the Flood. This was installation four. That means there are at least 3 more planets probably all carrying more of those hideous creatures."
Why do you always have to be a pessimist? We got the job done and it was a pretty-
"ENOUGH! If you argue with me one more time, I will take your chip and toss it into space. Now, just set the coordinates for Earth and wake me when we're almost there. If you see any Covenant or other mysterious ships wake me." The angry Master Chief inserted Cortana into the Longsword's computer and climbed into his cryo tube.
* * *
Master Chief, wake up! Chief can you here me? Wake up! The Spartan II groggily woke up and was given the disgusting inhalant. He stood up, still half asleep.
"What is it Cortana? How long has it been?"
It has been two weeks. We've arrived somewhere else! I don't think it is Earth or anywhere near it! Cortana explained in urgency.
"If it's two weeks then we should be near Earth right? Are you sure you set the coordinated right?"
I did. See, about 3 days ago the coordinates were automatically changed. I tried to change it. Tried every possible way to overwrite the system but nothing would work. MC stared into space puzzled. The Longsword turned 90 degrees and right in front of the two, loomed a gigantic turquoise planet. Both of them stared in amazement and disbelief. This planet was at least two or three more times bigger than Jupiter.
All of a sudden, the Overhead screen lit up and a humanlike figure appeared. He looked like a general. The creature's body was stiff. It was obvious that he was a commanding officer in an army of some sort. The man's pure white hair shown so brightly that it looked like the source of light was coming from its very strands. Although this figure looked like a human, his chest and arms looked too brawny and sturdy to be from Earth. His serious and solemn visage gave him a look of authority and power. Yet when he spoke, his voice was gentle and calm.
"Welcome to the planet of Ezra. I am General Edward Duvall of the UFC. I have been given orders directly from the great emperor himself to bring you to him. Your vessel will be guided towards an open landing zone by us. Please do not try to alter your course because you will find that it is useless. We have your ship under control and in good hands." The screen flickered off but Master Chief still stood gazing at the black screen.
Well, we just have to wait until we land. Cortana sighed.
"Who the⦠I mean what the hell was that? He looked so human, yet he isn't," the MC said in amazement.
Guess we'll find out soon enough.
* * *
The bay door slowly hissed open. Master Chief stepped out into a huge docking station. There were at least a few thousand small vehicles parked there. Some were as small as warthogs and some as big as the Longsword itself. There were SUV type cars with guns mounted on the side, hovercrafts, helicopter-like planes and heavy tanks. The only thing more mesmerizing than the transportation devices were the creatures that were working on them. Some carried spare parts to and from each area of the station while others welded broken parts together. It was a busy yet organized facility. To the MC, it looked like a small city.
"Please step this way sir." A robed man said. The Spartan II hadn't even noticed the maroon colored robe only a few feet from him. It was hard to realize that something was actually wearing the small thing. As the creature slowly moved towards one end of the station, MC followed. During the long walk to a door at the back of the station, both Cortana and the chief noticed the resemblance between these figures and humans. The workers had humanlike heads and bodies yet they looked stronger and sturdier. The legs were blue and somewhat metallic. It looked like they had two big toes. These creatures were vaguely familiar.
Then, it dawned on him. The legs of the men working at the station were almost identical to Elite legs! Could these be a new Covenant species?
"Cortana, those workers, they look covenant." The MC whispered.
I've noticed but they can't be Covenant. Otherwise the robed man would have killed use by now or something. Just follow him and see where he takes us.
"No I can't afford to take this risk. What if they lead us into a trap? Anyway, whoever looks like the Covenant should be killed.
No! Think before you act Mast Chief. They might be allies to us. Look at their upper body. It's almost human. Do not make a move! Cortana warned.
Knowing that he was outnumbered, the MC reluctantly continued to follow the robed man.
After about half and hour of walking, the trio reached an automatic door at the corner of the station. This too had Covenant characteristics. The chief was growing more and more uneasy as he saw objects that resembled the Covenant. The door slid open and before it laid a narrow, long hallway. The group continued until they reached another door which led outside.
The environment was almost identical to Earth. The ground was white with fresh snow and the air was bitter cold. The robed figure led the two to a small hovercraft. It looked fast and sleek. The engines started and it sped off.
* * *
"Hello John 117, I have been expecting you."
