Chapter 3 – An Interrupted Celebration

1305 hrs

5th December 2552

The Armory, Cairo MAC Station

Earth Defense Plateau

"Master Chief, report to the armory," Cortana's familiar voice rang out from the Public Address System. Master Chief got up and left the room. No sooner had he closed the door did the chair he was sitting on collapse with a crash. He shook his head. The MJOLNIR armor that he was wearing represented the current pinnacle of Human technology weighed over five tons.

The armory was a dark room lighted by barely five overhead florescent lamps. He knew what he was there for: A better and newer upgrade to his MJOLNIR armor. His Mark V armor had lasted him for the whole of both Reach and Installation 04 campaigns and hoped the Mark VI version would last longer.

"Optics, totally fried, and let's not talk about the para supply either. You know how expensive this gear is son?" the technician, a pain-in-the-neck called Gus. The Master Chief clicked on his helmet, "tell that to the Covenant."

"Well…I guess it was all obsolete anyway (referring to the Mark V equipment), your new armor is Mark VI…just came out from Sydney this morning. Let's just try to take it easy, until you get use to the upgrade. First, let's test out the targeting system," Gus conducted. Red lights went on in front of the Chief as he willed his targeting receptacle to aim at the lights. Two minutes later, he completed the testing station and moved on the shield recharge.

"Your new shields are very effective…much better than the Covenant tech we used for the Mark V. Go ahead and press that button," Gus droned on. Shield dischargers activated and totally discharged the MJOLNIR's shields. Slowly, the shield recharged as the bar that represented the shields filled up on the Chief's Heads-up Display. "Try to take things slow."

"That, he can hide behind me. You don't mind my boy here Master Gus," as the elevator doors hissed open revealing Sergeant Johnson in full ceremonial uniform."

"His armor's working fine Johnson, so shut your chilly hole," retorted Gus.

Master Chief followed Sergeant Johnson into the elevator when Gus begged to hear the story on how Johnson made it back to the Cairo. "Sorry, it's classified," was the headstrong reply from Johnson. Gus started to make threats regarding Johnson's request to modify his rifle.

"Well, Lord Hood didn't exactly fill him up on details," sighed Johnson. The elevator stopped on the third floor to reveal a waiting tramcar. Both men stepped into the tram.

Sergeant Johnson started, "Earth, haven't seen it in years." With that proclamation, the tram doors slid shut and moved off the platform. During the journey, Sergeant Johnson retold his life story with the UNSC with exaggerated remarks on the Earth Defense Plateau.

The tram came to a stop at the end of the tracks. The sliding door slid open and the Chief and Johnson stepped out into the applause of other marines.

"You told me there wouldn't be any cameras," growled the Chief.

"And you told me you were going to wear something nice! Folks need heroes Chief, to give them hope." Two marine guards keyed in a security code and mist emitted from the bridge as the door slid open.

Admiral Lord Hood brushed off the salutes of the Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson. "Gentlemen, we're lucky to have you back," he paused. The Admiral's assistant whispered something into the Admiral's ear. He turned back to the pedestal. "Go ahead Cortana."

Cortana appeared. "Another whisper near Io, we have probes en route."

He turned back his attention to the two men and picked up a medal from the table, "Sergeant-Major, the colonial cross is awarded for acts of singular bravery."

A female marine with the rank of commander stepped out in front of Lord Hood. As he handed the medal to her, he sympathized, "Commander Miranda Keyes, your father's actions were in line with the highest standards of the UNSC. This Medal of Bravery is something to remember him by…the navy has lost one of its best."

As Miranda Keyes felled back into her squad, a loud claxon alarm rang. Lord Hood turned and look at Cortana as two marines carried away the table.

"Sir! Covenant ships inbound."

"Show me."

"Fifteen Covenant Capital Ships just outside the kill zone," Cortana replied coolly as the UNSC's logo was replaced with a map of the surrounding space.

The Admiral barked out, "Request additional fire from the Malta and the Athens; Commander Miranda Keyes, get back to your ship, link up with the fleet. Cortana, you have the MAC gun, as soon as they come in range, open up."

"Gladly," she said as she disappeared again.

"Sir! Additional Contacts boarding craft and lots of them," his alarmed assistant shouted out.

"Something's wrong, the fleet that destroyed Reach was fifty times the size of this. They're going to try to take our MAC guns offline. Give their Capitol ships a straight shot at Earth. Master Chief, defend this station", deduced the Admiral.

"Yes Sir. I need a weapon", replied the Chief.

"Right this way," said Sergeant Johnson and the doors sealed behind them.