John opened his eyes as the Cryogenics Chamber of which he had lain dormant within was opened. As a dizzy disorientation left him his eyes went into focus on the tech standing before him.

The tech saluted and then helped him out of the tube. "Did you sleep well sir?"

"Yeah thanks." Master Chief answered.

"Mother needs you on the bridge straight away. She seemed a little concerned…"

"Then relay to her that I should like to get into my suit and then I will meet with her asap."

The tech nodded and turned to leave. The Master Chief turned to a large pantry with his name and number inscribed on it. "Spartan 117" was written upon both doors. He inserted his ID card and it slowly fell open to reveal his Mark V armor within. A short time later he was ready to slide his helmet on and head for the bridge of the cruiser "Lonely Day". He was led by an escort of Marines who were all whispering amongst themselves. They knew something was up and as always they wanted to know more.

The Chief parted with them once he reached the mess hall. The bridge was dead ahead from here. He strode past the Marines who were hanging around the mess hall off duty. Something told the Chief that they would need this break. He entered the double doors of the bridge and walked past the many small monitoring stations to the mainframe. The image of a female AI was seen emerging from it. The Lonely Day was a prototype that allowed the AI to pilot it without a human captain. The AI was codenamed "Mother" as it was the most advanced AI ever that had been enlisted by the military. The geeks that worked in the science department of UNSC were of course going crazy over her as well. However the UNSC only half owned her. Weyland Yutani Corp promised to fund the UNSC for another decade if they were allowed to take her in for experimentation. Almost reluctantly the militia agreed to the demands of Weyland Yutani and that is where this operation began. Lonely Day has been dispatched from Reach blindly with one intention…seek and destroy…

"Greetings Spartan 117."

"Hello Mother…"

Master Chief didn't trust the AI and was reluctant to let it pilot the whole ship without a crew of pilots or a captain. He was always on edge around her because there was just some sort of feeling he got about this new…advance…

"You wanted to see me?" Master Chief added to continue.

"Yes. It seems I have found something."

"Go on."

"I've received a number of different troubling distress signals coming from a colony not far from our position."

"Do you have a name for me?"

"TS-857. I feel you should also know the distress involved many distinct languages. Human, Covenant, and a couple other ancient races that I have failed to identify at this point in time."

"Keep trying…I'd like to know what all we're fighting against."

"I understand. You should get the soldiers ready."

"Understood."

"Oh and Chief one more thing…"

The Master Chief turned back around to face her.

"You have control of this operation thus far but if things escalate and Weyland Yutani and UNSC give the order for me to take control then I trust you will grant me your approval of this power?"

Master Chief turned and left without answering her question. He entered the mess hall and the marines turned to give him that look of "What should we do? Whats goin on?".

"Boys…" Chief uttered. "Its go time. Grab your gear and find a Pelican…I'll brief you on the way down…"

The Marines shouted and cheered loudly and chaos ensued. The ranking officers could not calm them as they all rushed for the armory. The Master Chief went to face a window and removed his helmet to view the stars and TS-857. The colony had come to view and was just the same as all the other space colonies Weyland had set up. Same thick gray gloom and unlit surface. This mission or operation or whatever you want to call it…was going to suck...