Author's Note: After the release of Halo 2, and getting some reviews has prompted me to continue my story, and after hearing about the opening of Halo 2 from my friends, my story is definitely now a fan fiction, and I'm just going to let it continue on without any real connection to HALO 2.

Read and review and enjoy.

Chapter Four

0630 Hours, September 25, 2552 (Military Calendar)

Aboard UNSC destroyer Iroquois.

The Turbolift stopped and the Master Chief walked onto the bridge. A few of the junior officers glanced at the SPARTAN before deciding they had more important tasks to attend too, that is if they didn't want a scolding from the Captain. Captain Archimedes stood at ease by the main view port, looking at Earth. The Master Chief walked over to him and saluted.

"Master Chief SPARTAN-117 reporting as ordered, sir!" he said, snapping a crisp salute.

"At ease, chief," Archimedes said, without turning. John stood at ease. "The data you brought us from the Grasping Might has been invaluable. Our scientists have spent the past few days analyzing the data. They have found want the UNSC has needed all along. The coordinates for the Covenant Homeworld."

With that, the Captain turned to face the Chief. He motioned for him to follow him, as he walked off the Bridge to the Turbolift. The Chief followed him.

"HighCom has ordered that any ship that can be fueled up and loaded with weapons to head to the Lambda Serpentis system. They are to make a major military offensive in the system and attack the Covenant forces stationed there, where we believe that another Covenant Battle station and the largest Covenant assault fleet ever will be. It's most likely a suicide mission."

The Chief took it all in and paused, thinking. "So if it's a suicide mission, and we have the coordinates to the Covenant Homeworld, why is just about every Human ship heading to a system where we can do little, to nothing against a fleet of that size?"

Archimedes smiled. "You've always been a bright one Chief. Your right, this mission is simply a diversion from our main target. The Iroquois will not be in the Lambda Serpentis system for the strike. We are to head out to the Covenant Homeworld where we will finish your mission, and the war."

The Chief looked puzzled. "But what can one ship do against what's most likely a very powerful defense fleet, and force the Covenant to surrender? I don't think they'll give up at the site of one UNSC Destroyer."

"We hope that the arrival of our ship will startle them long enough for us to scan the system and launch our secondary payload. Three Shiva Nuclear Missiles and four HAVOK nuclear mines have been loaded up onto the Iroquois, as well as the latest in UNSC Technology." The Turbolift stopped, and the two men walked out and headed to Archimedes' quarters. The Chief opened the door for the Captain and he nodded, and the two walked in. Archimedes offered the Chief a drink, which he declined.

"Anyway, as I was saying Chief, the Iroquois has been fitted with the latest UNSC Technology. Six -captured Covenant Plasma Turrets have been installed onto the Iroquois as well as a light shield system that should be able to survive the nuclear blast and a few plasma blasts. We've also been given five NOVA Mines, which are being stored in the aft cargo bay." Archimedes said, proudly.

The Master Chief looked stunned. "I've heard of the NOVAs before, Admiral Whitcomb told me about them. Planet busters. The Admiral was going to set them off and blow up REACH. I understand how we can accomplish this mission now, but how the world did we manage to get the Plasma Turrets installed properly and get a shield up? "

Archimedes nodded. "Well, since you got back from HALO, our scientists have been analyzing the data around the clock, and with the data Cortana obtained from the Covenant, we've been able to piece together an advanced software program for the Turrets, install a new reactor onboard the Iroquois and develop the shields. It's been hard work, but just about every engineer in UNSC space has been working on this stuff to be installed on the Iroquois in the past few days."

"So when do we leave, sir?"

"Right now."

The Chief stumbled a bit as the Iroquois'main engines activated and the ship lurched forward. The intercom sounded.

"Now hear this. Now hear this, all non-essential personal please report to the Cryo Tubes. Repeat, all non-essential personal to the Cryo tubes, thank you."

Archimedes got out of his chair. "Well Chief, I guess you'd better head out to Cryo Bay 1."

The Master Chief nodded and gave an "Aye, aye, sir," another crisp salute and walked out of the Captain's Quarters. The Chief strolled to Cryo Bay 1, where two UNSC Technicians, in orange jumpsuits, greeted him.

The Master Chief stepped into an open tube and the technicians glanced at each other, and back to the Chief.

"Sir, aren't you going to remove your armor?" asked one of the technicians.

The Chief gave a firm negative nod, and the two technicians shrugged, and closed the tube. The Master Chief quickly fell asleep.

The Master Chief awoke suddenly. He heard an alarm, and saw blaring red lights. The Chief tried to open the tube's hatch, but couldn't, so he gave one, strong, firm kick. The tube hatch flew off. Cortana's voice sounded over the intercom.

"Security personnel to Decks 2, 3, and 4 Section 5. Covenant forces have breached the ship."

The Chief froze. What were Covenant forces doing on a UNSC ship? It seemed like Halo, all over again. The Chief looked around the Cryo Bay. Bodies of UNSC technicians were mangled all over the room, but no Covenant. There were still three, massive, armored figures in the tubes. John walked over to each one and opened the tubes.

Will, Linda and Fred walked out of the Cryo Tubes and each saluted the Master Chief. He gave them the courtesy of returning the salute. The Master Chief looked around the cryo bay. Besides a few bodies in the room, there were also a few SMGs scattered across the floor. The Chief smiled, picked up eight of them and handed two to each SPARTAN. He loaded his weapons.

"Let's move. I suggest we head to the bridge first." The other SPARTANs nodded in agreement, and they crept out of the Cryo Bay. The Master Chief peered around the corner of the destroyed door. A red armor-clad Covenant elite stood outside, patrolling the entrance. The Master Chief stuck his head back inside and motioned for the other SPARTANs to be quiet.

SPARTAN-117 rolled across the floor to the other side into a nearby alcove. The Elite spun around with his rifle darting around. He walked past the cryo bay and the alcove the Master Chief was hiding in, and looked around. The Master Chief immediately exploded from his hiding spot, and promptly hit the Elite in the back of the head. The Elite fell to the ground. The Master Chief then searched his body and picked up four plasma grenades, a Plasma Rifle, and an Energy Sword. The Chief gave each SPARTAN a grenade, Fred the Plasma Rifle, and kept the Energy Sword for himself.

The SPARTANs, with weapons at ready then moved out of the cryo bay, and walked to the right, down the corridor. The Master Chief rolled again, and his weapons darted from side to side, looking for a target. He found none. He motioned to the others that the coast was clear, and they moved up to his position.

"Will and Linda, you two head down to the weapons locker and see what you can find. Fred and I will head up to the bridge. Be careful," said the Master Chief. Will and Linda nodded, and jogged off in the other direction. The Master Chief and Fred then moved out, heading towards the bridge. They made it after a few minutes creeping along in the hallways, and strangely enough, encountered no resistance.

A group of black-armor clad ODSTs, with armor similar to the SPARTANs, and a platoon of Marines stood at the entrance of the bridge. Covenant bodies littered the floor around them. Two ODSTs snapped their weapons up at the approaching SPARTANs, but lowered them.

"Master Chief, sir!" The ODSTs saluted. The other ODSTs and Marines glanced towards the SPARTANs, heaved a sigh of relief, and saluted. The Master Chief returned their salutes, and spoke. "Corporal, what the hell happened here?"

"Sir. I think Captain Archimedes can explain it better than I can. He's waiting on the bridge for you, sir."

"Thank you, Corporal." And the Master Chief and Fred walked past the UNSC troops and onto the Bridge of the Iroquois. Captain Archimedes stood at the main view screen, next to the AI pedestal. The Master Chief saluted, and couldn't help but feel much like what happened on the Pillar of Autumn.

"Master Chief SPARTAN-117 reporting, sir."

Archimedes turned around. "Good to see you, at ease. We've jumped from SOL to...well, wherever the hell we are," Archimedes motioned towards the screen. "We got infected with what seems to be a Covenant virus. It's primitive, but it messed up or navigation systems. When we arrived two hours ago in system, we encountered a fleet of Covenant ships. They were much surprised by the technology that we just equipped on the Iroquois, and we destroyed or disabled all of them. A few dropships managed to get onto the Iroquois, and they've taken over most of the decks, but suddenly left the ship towards this. Cortana, if you would kindly put the image on screen."

And the Master Chief felt his jaw drop. On the main view screen was a large, gray, artificial ring with grass and water on it's inside.

"Oh my God," said Fred. "What is that thing?"

"Halo," said the Master Chief.

"Halo," echoed Archimedes. "The surviving Covenant cruisers crash landed on Halo, and I just sent a Priority Alpha transmission to UNSC Highcom. We are to wait here for further orders."

"With all due respect, Captain. We shouldn't wait for further orders. I recommend you call in for a fleet or reinforcements, including whatever ONI can scrap off from their Black Projects. If you read the reports on the Halo data, then you know what's going to be on that ring."

"I understand your concern Master Chief, about the Flood," said Archimedes. "But I really don't see why they are a big threat."

"Then wait till an Infection Form pierces your neck with their pincer..." mumbled the Chief. "Sir, then I at least request permission to take my team of SPARTANs, and the majority of Marines after we have cleared the ship of all Covenant forces. I also wish you head my other request."

"Granted, on your first request." Archimedes said. "But on your other request...I'll have to deny it, the fleet is going to be pretty tied up with the Covenant..."

"Well it's to late for that," said Cortana, appearing on the AI pedestal. "I just called in for UNSC reinforcements. Highcom is sending in the UNSC Marathon, and the UNSC Agamemnon, as well as a large contingent of Marines and ODSTs. We have orders to capture and secure the ring for UNSC forces, or otherwise destroy it."

"Let me see that message," said Archimedes.

"Fine," said Cortana. And an official UNSC message popped up on the main view screen.

United Nations Space Command Priority Transmission 08554R-01

Encryption Code: Red

Public Key: file/Matrix-Alpha/

From: Admiral Michael Stanforth, Commanding Officer UNSC

Leviathan/ UNSC Sector Three Commander/ UNSC Security Council/

(UNSC Service Number: 00834-19223-HS)
To: Captain John Archimedes, Commanding Officer UNSC Iroquois/

(UNSC Service Number: 00193-99874-AS)

Subject: Orders

Classification: SECRET (BGX Directive)

/start file/

Archimedes,

These are official orders straight from the Security Council.

You are expected to heed them to the letter.

Hold position till UNSC Marathon (Commanding Officer:

Admiral S. C. Huff, UNSC Service Number: 11903-99765

-JK) and UNSC Agamemnon (Commanding Officer: Captain

C. A. McCormick, UNSC Service Number: 55432-76569-TC) arrive to your

position (Coordinates: 00.610.056.990, uncharted UNSC system, code-

named "Waco"). Once they arrive, command of the operation will go to

Admiral Huff.

Send all probes aboard your ship near the ring-world. Once deemed

safe by AI Cortana (UNSC AI-0981, Ship's AI, UNSC Iroquois). Dispatch

UNSC Marines, ODSTs, and the SPARTANs down to the ring (dubbed

Alpha Halo, "Halo-01").

Destroy any, and ALL hostile forces in system, or on planet.

/end file/

Archimedes, grumbling, turned to Cortana.

"Alright Cortana, send out Alpha – Delta Probes out to Halo. Once the area is clear, I'll send you and your men down to the planet, Master Chief. Until then, go help the Marines and ODSTs clear out the ship."

"Yes, sir." Said the Master Chief, who saluted, turned on his heels with Fred, and the two walked out, weapons at ready, to fulfill their orders.

End of Chapter 4.