13. Where It All Began

Where It All Began*

The ice caps of Reach used to coat the northern hemisphere of the planet in gleaming ice, but now there remained nothing but scorched dry rock. Six watched as the skies once more turn a bloody crimson hue as the Covenant ships positioned all over the globe start their haphazard glassing campaign.

Something was definitely off. The Covenant would usually position their ships into a long line and slowly work their way over the planet's surface, blasting every centimetre of the land with intense heat. Yet here, the Covenant ships were stationed over specific areas, burning them carefully so the glassing process doesn't spread too far. Why were they suddenly sentimental of how they destroy a planet?

Six's attention is suddenly drawn to the sound of rotor wings, he turned just in time to see a sleek Falcon speed by. He watched as it went, heading in the direction of the former Sword Base.

The outpost had been occupied by an army of stalwart Marines when Six had left, but now it was in ruins. The sturdy gates had been torn down, dried blood was splattered over the ground and there was oily black smoke rising from Sword's tower. Nearly a month ago, Six and his team had defended the base with their lives. Yet now they are playing the part of being the infiltrators. Almost if summoned his radio buzzed, the commanders voice instantly recognisable, Six quickly raised two fingers to his helmet.

"Six, this is Carter. Report in, over,"

"Noble One, this is Six, en-route to link up with the ODSTs, over."

"Copy Six, Noble Team will be standing by, destroy the AA guns and we'll move in, over."

"Wilco, Commander, I'll get it done."

With that Six lept from the jagged boulder outcropping to the ground and began to make his way to the rendezvous point. He jumped over the cragy terrain of the once frozen north until he reached the end, where three ODST's were waiting for him.

The troopers were startled when Six lands in their midst, but they quickly recover their pride and one of them steps forward and saluted stiffly.

"Staff Sergeant Joe Gonzales reporting for duty lieutenant."

Noble Six gave the sergeant a nod before he observed the Marines more carefully. They were all prepared for a fight, grenades adorned their combat vests, extra pouches for ammunition had been added and the dirty scratched armour suggested they are battle hardened veterans. At the moment, they were the few remaining military Special Forces on the planet. They are the best human soldiers still currently on the world. Save for the Spartans who are in a whole different class entirely.Six turned back to the senior ODST and saw him staring right back at him. "You've been briefed about the mission Sergeant?"

"Yes sir, we are to ensure you get into the base while we pull rear security."

At this the other two ODSTs begin to groan to themselves. These Marines were trained to be the best soldiers on the field, having their roles taken by the Navy's "super soldiers" had sparked hostilities dating all the way back since, even before the Covenant war. Gonzales however, was a reasonable man, he turned to his men and simply told them to shut it. With that the troopers fell silent. Six hoped that the ODST leader could keep his boys in line, the last thing he needed was for discrimination to ruin the mission at hand. Realizing there was nothing he could do Six pulled the DMR from his back.

"Alright troopers, follow me."

With that he lead the way to their objective, without even casting a backwards glance to see if the troops were following him.

They navigated their way over the rocky terrain, carefully marching in line with the Spartan leading the way. They were at least a mile away from the base, but they still have to avoid the roaming Covenant patrols which are circulating around the base like vultures around a carcass.

Six's part in the operation was to discreetly make his way to the cliffs overlooking the seashore close to the base, where a pair of Tyrant anti-air cannons have been erected. The massive guns were keeping the UNSC and the Spartans out of the airspace, making it near impossible for Noble Team to get in. Six had been given four packages of C-12 that can easily do the job, but that would mean clearing out the Covenant defenders and having the ODST squad protect him as he set up the charges. This would cost the small team time and possibly their very lives in a situation where speed and manoeuvrability is essential. Which is why Six decided to change it up a bit if he ever found a better alternative.

They were a few short yards away from their target when one of the ODST's slipped on a stone and fell into a crack in the rocky foundation. He didn't scream or cry, but what got Six's attention was the splash. The team carefully looked down into the shadowy crevice and watched as the sodden Marine steadily returned to his feet, almost waist deep in the dark water. Gonzales called to the fallen Marine in a low voice, one eye fixed on the skies above them.

"This is no time for a swim Dering. Get your sorry ass back up here."

"Wait,"

Six commanded as he knelt down and peeked into the ravine. He saw light streaming out from behind an outcropping of rock. An idea occurred.

"Trooper, go check that out."

The trooper grumbled but still slowly waded his way over to the source of the light, careful not to splash too much. Before he disappeared behind the fissure for a moment before he reappeared.

"LT, it comes out to one of the main roads leading to the base and there's something here I think you should see."

Six isn't sure if it was a good idea to divert from the route the team is on, but curiosity got the best of him. He nodded to the Marines and the remaining troopers dropped into the ravine, with Six following them down. They walk through the water, wedge their way through the crack in the wall and find themselves out in the open.

Six felt a sickening sensation take over as he identified the place. It is, or was, Sword Base's relay post, the same one where he and Kat had to fight their way through alien forces to reactivate the base's communications channel.

The last time he had seen this place it was nothing more than a pair of wooden buildings hooked up to a satellite tower. Now only pieces of the buildings are intact, the few remaining boards are black as if they were all shot by plasma. Another thing different about the landscape was the water, the water from the melted ice caps had flooded the roads and now covered the land in near waist deep water. Yet the most distinguishing new feature of the place is the copious emplacements of Covenant troops.

There was a sniper tower floating on top of a nearby hill with Jackals manning their posts. Next to the tower are squads of Grunts pushing each other around as they lift and carry a variety of glowing boxes and position them near the newly formed river that's flowing through the former comms relay post.

Six counted at least twenty five Grunts and two Jackals, all armed to the teeth. The Spartan continues to scan the area, trying to see what interested Dering when he sees it. Behind the Covenant forces is a Scorpion Tank, in what appears to be working condition.

Upon seeing the vehicle, the whole group soon feels a thrill rise up within them. A tank is the most used and needed piece of equipment in the war, to find one when they need it the most is almost too good to be true. They can use it to easily destroy the light Covenant guards around the base, and with it they can destroy the Tyrant weapons without wasting time or lives. It is literally an answer to Six's prayers.

Six glanced at the ODSTs who look as if they are ready to rush forward and fight their way to the tank. However the Spartan has a different plan in mind. He cleared his throat to make sure he has their attention before he began.

"I need you three to take the right flank while I take on the Covenant."

"Now wait a second-"

"Yes sir."

"But Sarge-" The other ODST begins but is silenced when Gonzales looks at him as well, switching from the first.

"Trooper, are you telling me you don't want to get the pleasure of blowing the Covenant to pieces with the tank?"

That shut the Marines up. Gonzales turned to Six.

"We'll get in position sir,"

With that, he turned and took the lead as he and the other troopers silently go around the oblivious Covenant soldiers.

Six lets out some withheld air and loosened his muscles. He pulled back on the bolt of the rifle and checks the ammo count. He has exactly fifteen rounds; he can probably take down five Grunts before they can reach for their weapons, but the main thing he's concerned about are the Jackals. They are usually the commanding officers of the squads of Grunts, and since they have a bird's eye view at the moment that made them an even more dangerous foe.

Six unhooked one of his grenades and pulled the pin. He tensed before he sent it hurtling towards the cheerfully oblivious Grunts. His targets are fifty yards away, easily within reach of a Spartan's throwing arm. The grenade hits one of the waddling aliens in the head. It lets out a surprised snort. The small group look down at the petite rolling orb; upon recognizing the object they all let out squeaks of alarm as they run for cover, just as the explosive detonates. Four of the miniature soldiers perish in the fireball, leaving eleven left to be dealt with.

The survivors let out premature sighs of relief, but as soon as their heart rates begin to go down, they spiked instantly upon hearing the screams. During the confusion, Six had run forward, slicing with his knife in hand and shooting grunts with the other hand as he smashed through. Six is almost to the tower before the Jackals begin firing. Purple needles smash against the Spartan's armour, but despite the apparent harmlessness of the breaking crystals, they are actually draining Six's shields, forcing him to find cover.

Six dove behind a boulder, hunkered down and tries to stay low as sniper rounds continue to fly overhead. The Grunts regained their courage and try to advance forward to deliver a killing shot, but every time they get close Six would either shoot at their feet or if the opportunity presented itself, deliver a headshot.

Six can easily overpower the Grunts and maybe the Jackals if he sacrificed some of his shields, but he needs to provide some time for the Marines to-

Suddenly there is a burst of automatic fire that filled the air. The Grunts are all huddled together in the open as they try to get at Six, making them easy targets for the machine gun. Six has an idea who is firing and glanced over the boulder to confirm his theory.

Firing from the turret of the Scorpion is one of the ODSTs, letting loose a devastating six hundred rounds a minute burst while his comrades stand next to the tank cheering him on. The Jackals are taken off guard by the new threat, giving Six the time he needs. Trusting the ODST would keep the grunts busy, the Spartan runs forward.

With their focus on the tank, the Jackals didn't even see Six as he ran forward and jumped into the grav lift at the bottom of the tower. When Six reaches the top of the sniper nest, the bird-like creatures are firing their rifles at the tank; not taking notice of the towering Spartan until it is too late. Six grabbed the first Jackal and flung it over the side of the railing, listening to its cries of fear until they comes to an abrupt end with a sickening crunch. The last Jackal fired at point blank range, but Six simply stepped out of the way, grabbed his knife and in one swift movement, buried the blade into the creature's neck and twisted. The alien lets out a strangled gurgle before losing the light in its eyes and going limp.

Six yanked his knife out and the creature crumpled to the floor. The Spartan walked to the side of the pad and looked down. The tank is still working as the ODSTs use the machine gun to mow down the remaining Grunts. Six stepped on the guard rail surrounding the pad and leaped down from the tower. He tucks into a ball as he lands on the ground before he rolled into a kneeling position and held out his DMR, ensuring the area is clear before standing.

He calmly walked over to the tank just as the ODST on the gun let out a final burst that tore the last Grunt to bloody pieces. The trooper was obviously grinning under his helmet as he cheered.

"I haven't had that much fun in forever!"

Six ignored the exuberant soldier. He was still focused on his objectives and far too aware of the noise machine-guns made.

"All right people, no doubt somebody heard the commotion we just made, so let's get moving before they send out a patrol.

He scans the surrounding area cautiously, expecting to hear the noise of an approaching aircraft, momentarily satisfied he pointed to the sergeant and the other ODST.

"You two,"Hop on the side of the tank, I'll drive."

The second ODST looks like he is going to protest, but Gonzales gave him a shove and the Trooper grudgingly obliged and hopped onto the side of the tank, with the Sergeant sitting on the other side. The Marine known as Dering stayed behind the machine gun position in front of the main cannon, no doubt still grinning from the recent shoot out. With the Marines in position, Six opened the hatch near the base of the primary gun and climbed in.

The quarters of the tank are snug, just like every vehicle, they weren't made to accommodate the average Spartan. Six's head is banging against the hatch and he has to pull his legs up to his chest so his feet can reach the pedals. He has to be careful because his large fingers may press two buttons instead of the one he wants, with a variety of consequences. It's in conditions like these that make the Spartans feel like giants in the land of midgets.

Six is glad to find the keys are in the ignition, most likely whoever it was that last drove the tank left in a hurry, probably leaving before being of any help since the Covenant didn't destroy the great war machine.

Six switched the tank on and it rumbled to life. The troopers start to whoop when they feel the shaking of gears beneath them, signalling that the thing still worked. The Spartan checked his gauges, he has enough fuel, a lot of ammunition, and readings detect a lot of contacts in front of him. Ideal. Six pressed the tank forward and they begin to advance.

The four tread vehicle soon picked up speed as Six added more power to the engine. As they travel, memories begin to surface and without Six realizing it, he is swept away within the folds of his mind. He thought of the last time he had travelled along the road they are on, he was with Kat and Gunther at the time, turning back on the relay outpost and activating an anti-air craft cannon.

That day was viewed as a great victory, but it was also significant to Six for another reason; on that day, he met Shress again, on that day, they first began to talk to one another. Soon their neutral phase had shifted into the friendly stage they were currently in. That was one good thing the Covenant did; bringing Shress and Six together, presenting him with hope that if Shress is able to turn on the Prophets, then so can the others of her species.

He sighed at the thoughts of his otherworldly friend and hoped she is alright, wherever she is. He missed her so much already. It was starting to scare him a bit. He never felt this much anxiety about anything or anyone before, what could it possibly mean?

His thinking is interrupted when something sped within range of his monitor. It is a grunt on a ghost speeding their way. Upon seeing the moving tank however, the Grunt skidded and turned around, trying to speed off to safety. Six didn't let that happen. Years of training took over, as if he had done it hundreds of times already, Six twists the turret of the tank, sighted his target and fired. The tank shudders as a 90mm slug is shot out of the end of the cannon and whizzed towards the fleeing Ghost. The Grunt is just making the turn when the round slams into the purple machine, blowing it to pieces with the unfortunate creature within.

The back of the Scorpion opened as it pops out the used cannon shell, the metallic clang it emitted mingled with the ODSTs who are cheering again.

Six responded by pressing the Scorpion forward faster, if the Covenant wasn't aware of their presence before, they were now. Just as he thought that, they turned the corner and are presented with a horrifying sight.

They are face to face with their objective, twin Tyrant turrets, both of their muzzles up and shooting at a faraway dog fight between human and Covenant spacecraft. While in front of the Scorpion is an entire company of Grunts, Jackals, Elites and even Hunters. The two groups froze at the sight of the other, both unable to believe what they are seeing.

Dering as per usual broke the silence first.

"Oh sh-"

The trooper doesn't get to finish as the Covenant open fire. With combined shouts, Gonzales and the fellow ODST jumped from where they were sat and retreat to safety behind the Scorpion. Dering remains where he is, the small blast shield offers him limited protection as he blindly fires into the packed crowd of aliens before them. Six helped as well, blasting away with the cannon, at point blank rage there was no way the Spartan could miss. The machine gun, cannon and the grenades the ODSTs behind the tank are liberaly popping are thinning out the alien's ranks, but they are taking damage as well.

The plasma and needles had started to take effect on the tank. The plasma was molding the tanks armor in fantastical ways as the molten heat ate away at the steel. The needles stuck to the side of the tank and as they detonated, the small explosions were causing havoc to erupt on the Scorpion's weapons system. The powerful blasts from the Hunter's fuel rods weren't helping either. Both sides are linked in a brutal back and forth tug a war, like two heavyweights taking punches at each other.

Eventually the firing began to die down as the Covenant suffered massive casualties. Six had no idea how long they had battered against one another, but finally after the fall of the last Hunter and a golden armored elite general, the remaining alien forces retreat to within the safety of the Tyrant gun's fortifications. There are so many bodies on the ground that Six has no idea how many the humans have killed, but more than half, that's for sure. He switched on his radio.

"Sergeant, you and your men alive?"

There is a moment of silence before somebody began speaking. An as of yet unknown voice, most likely the un-named trooper.

"Sir, its Parker. The Sarge is hit. It's nothing serious, but he's having trouble using his arm at the moment."

"Can he still shoot a weapon?"

There is another pause before the Marine answerd.

"Yes sir, but he's only able to hold up a SMG."

"Good enough,"

Six opened the channel so Dering could hear his plan.

"Alright people, here's what we're going to do, I'm going to blow the turret out of the way, you three cover me, cause I have a feeling the Covenant aren't going to like me for remodeling their fort, understood?"

"Yes sir!"

Six exhaled and simply responded.

"Ok, here we go."

With that he repositioned the cannon and starts firing once more. No sooner did he start the bombardment did the remaining Covenant soldiers return to the field to retaliate. The ODSTs respond in kind, either forcing the Covenant back into hiding or slaughtering the poor beings stood out in the open. Six barely registered this as he continued firing at the enlarged cannon resting on top of the fortification. The tough Covenant metal proved its worth as it continues to hold against a constant line of fire from the tank. Six continued counting as round after round was shot at the massive gun. Six counting marked the next slug as being the twenty third when the Tyrant finally surrendered. Slowly the gun begins to sway and without another warning, it falls to its side, taking half of the fortification with it as it tumbles to the ground, causing a small earthquake to occur as it became nothing more than a twisted heap of rubble and metal.

With the first gun destroyed Six turned to face the second. He's disappointed at the amount of ammunition he had to use to dispose of the first one, the giant rounds are almost gone. He needed to dispose of the second one without using as many shells. The Spartan tried to think, but the remaining Covenant forces continue to fire at him with everything they have left. The Troopers try to hold them back, but they are quickly getting overwhelmed. Something it seemed Dering had no problem telling him.

"LT! Hurry up and do something! It's bad enough the Covies are attacking, but I think if we don't move soon, the ground will go out right beneath us."

Six is confused by the Trooper's words until he positions his camera downwards and sees what the ODST meant. There are dozens of cracks in the ground; no doubt appearing right after the first turret has fallen, making the surface unstable.

Six has a sudden idea, it's crazy, but it just might work. He repositions the cannon once more, but this time with it aiming down.

Before the ODSTs could ask, Six pressed the trigger and releases a single shell that slams into the ground. That was all it took. The ground began to shake again, but at the spot where Six had fired, close to the base of the Tyrant. Soon the crevices grow wider and wider, potholes begin to bloom all around the gun. The Covenant realized the danger they are in and try to flee. But it's too late. Crumbling bits and pieces of the cliff begin to tumble to the seashore, the cliff rapidly becomes wildly unstable. Finally with a humongous crack, the ground beneath the turret disappeared, causing the Tyrant and the unlucky aliens close to it to fall to the rocky seashore beneath them and be crushed.

There is a moment of silence as the humans just stared at where the massive canon once stood. Now gone in less than a minute. It's Dering who breaks the silence again and although he muttered it the word was yet loud enough for the whole team to hear.

"Awesome."

Six shook his head to clear his mind before touching his radio, it was time to report his success.

"Noble Team, you are clear to enter Sword Base's airspace, over."

There is a heartbeat of silence before Carter responded.

"Copy that Six, we are already in-route, over."

Six glances to the air in the direction of the air fight and sure enough, one Falcon breaks free of the scuffle and is headed their way.

Six turned the tank's engine back on, waited for Gonzales and Parker to mount back up, and slowly they rumble off in the direction of the base. The entrance of the base isn't too far, just a mere two hundred yards, and between the humans and the door are only a few Covenant foot soldiers. With the tank in tow, nothing is able to stand in their way.

Just as the humans make it to the blast doors, the Falcon passes overhead and Six hears Emile playfully taunting him.

"See you inside Six. I'll try and leave some for you but no promises!"

The Spartan simply shook his head as he opened the hatch above him and climbed out. He jumped from the tank and walked over to the computer console resting on the side of the main road. He switches it on and enters the code Auntie Dot has given him, hoping that it still worked. No sooner did he press enter, then the blast doors open and he felt like sighing in relief.

Instead he turned somberly to the ODSTs who stared back at him, their faces determined yet equally somber. This is where they are supposed to separate, while Six and his fellow Spartans move on to complete their mission, the Marines will remain at the gate, holding off any other Covenant forces that will try and get in. They all knew the ODSTs chances of survival are slim, this is most likely a suicide mission.

Six feelt like saying something, anything that could comfort the men, but instead the sergeant calmly spoke for him.

"Go ahead Spartan, we'll hold here, we know what they're asking of us."

Six stared at Gonzales before Parker walked forward in support of his sergeant, his voice clear and calm, a contrast to his cheers earlier.

"Don't worry Spartan, ODSTs don't die, we just regroup on the other side."

Six doubted these words but at the moment he just noded to them and they nod back. Six tosses the keys to Dering who caught them, confused anticipation clear on his face, even with the helmet.

"It's all yours."

"Yes!"

Six shook his head ruefully at the gleefully fistpumping marine before he passed through the blast door to regroup with Noble Team in the shattered bloodstained ruins of Sword Base.

Shress POV *

Shress awoke irritable and in pain.

She was angry with herself for so many things. For using her very hands to destroy a city, murdering thousands and destroying her friend Michael. For crying like the weak female that her male counterparts took her to be. For falling asleep without removing her armor, which caused her whole body to cramp up during the night, And now how her body painfully ached as she stiffly rose from her bed.

She cursed her sore form before she forced herself up and began to pace around her room, trying to work out the kinks in her abused muscles. Soon the physical pain went away but the emotional remained and was all the sharper in its isolation. She tried to take comfort from her station.

'No, don't you dare shed a tear, you're a Zealot! Zealots don't cry, they don't break down; they…don't murder their friends.'

That did it; she feels the prickling sensation beginning to build as she started to rub her eyes. She never thought she would cry during the war or any other time for that matter. The only time she has ever cried was when a healer inspected her before she joined the Covenant military and that was only because they made the startling discovery about her condition. She cried then, showing weakness, it was there she vowed never to be weak again, but all that changed after she met Michael.

He was so wonderful. Never before has she ever had a friend, even as a child she was lonely, for it was at her early age she was determined to become a warrior, a path that hardly any other female would ever take. She was always shunned by others in her young life and soon her adult life as well, and then he came.

He was the first male to have ever looked at her without the urge to make her his mate, the first male to accept her odd ways, and the first male to generally care for her well-being, something that even her father has deprived her of.

She remembered when they had first met, how she watched in horror as he literally gutted her fellow Zealot brothers. How she ambushed him and was ready to kill him when he reminded her of her honor, reminded her that she was a warrior, not a murderer, or so she had thought at the time. Then they met once again, arranging for future meetings, and through those meetings they had formed their strange friendship. It wasn't until later on did she realize how much she needed the support of another person.

She remembered the horror, the sadness and the depression that took over her as she realized that all this time she has been slaughtering innocent men, women and children. She actually charged at Michael hoping to provoke him into killing her, but even then he was still loyal and spared her, he even gave her a purpose to live, to help mend her wrongs by aiding humanity.

After that she began to rely on the human more and more. She soon found herself longing for his presence, to feel his hand on hers, to hear his encouraging voice and to just feel his presence. Finally, he relied on her for once and she was there to provide him the comfort that he had always given her. It was after that did things seem to change, when she soon wished to hold him in her arms, to bury her head into his neck and just to smell his scent…making her wish they had done more than just the occasional hand holding.

She shivered slightly at this thought. Is she wishing to be more than socially involved with this human? Why? They are different species, they are at war with each other. What sort of male could possibly want a female who wishes to be treated like an equal?

Through her unshed tears she lets out a frustrated growl and slamed her fist against the wall. Why am I even thinking like this? He's gone! He's gone…and it's my fault.

She allowed her tears to fall just for a few more units, allowed them to fall in a small remembrance of the human she had always thought of as a demon. She allows the pain to show, to allow the world to see she does care for the human, the only person to have ever treated her like a friend, like an equal. She thought of his face one more time, the green eyes, short black hair and the assurance of his hand touching hers, how she wishes she could see and feel those things again, just one more time.

She sighed and wipes her moist eyes. There's no time for crying, now she needs to figure out what to do. Should she leave? The Prophet obviously knows of her betrayal yet didn't expose her, why? Should she stay or leave the Covenant? Take the "tags" that Michael has given her and try to join the humans? She shook that thought away; they'll sooner kill her rather than listen to her say that she was Michael's friend. who would even believe her?

The frustration returned, making her want to lash out at something once more when there is a heavy thumping on her portal. She makes sure her eyes are truly clear of moisture before saying giving her permission for the individual to enter.

The portal warps open and in steps Kova. Kova…could she consider him a friend? Shress waved the thought away and focused once more on the task at hand.

"What is it Ranger?"

The Sangheili male gave her an odd look before he responded, and it only served to puzzle Shress further.

"Are you alright Commander?"

"Yes…why do you ask?"

"Your voice sounds…rough, are you ill?"

He was hesitant to bring the topic up and Shress realised should be easily diverted with a quick lie.

"Well…I was feeling a little unwell last night, but I'm better now."

"Unwell? That's unfortunate, especially after all the glory you have obtained the other night, which was expertly done Zealot, if I may say."

'Expertly? I killed thousands!'

It took all of Shress's restraints not to say those dammning words as she asked, in what she hoped was a calm voice.

"Indeed…is there something you wish to inform me of?"

Kova bowed his head once more to her. It made her feel somewhat guilty at such a clear sign of respect towards her. However despite this she noticed that beneath the old warriors stoiicism bubbled, giddiness?

"The High Prophet of Regret wants all those of zealot class and higher to prepare to be deployed to the human structure obscuring the way to the Navigator. We are almost there Commander. Soon we will find the holy instruments of the gods, follow the great journey and transcend into godhood, but not before burning the human filth from existence."

Shress actually feels sickened at the glee presented in Kova's voice and even more so as she makes her voice mimic the same happiness as she confirmed her recepit of the orders. Once he'd left and the door closed she looked to her bedside table and the ornate weapons presented on it.

"Soon…This will all be over."

Six POV *

The doors slowly slided open with grinding gears, revealing a desolate sight. Limp bodies of human soldiers were thrown askew throughout the room, blood splattered the floor and walls, and every single one of them were no longer breathing, many clearly so.

The Spartans walked carefully inside, taking note of the hastily constructed fortifications that the Marines had quickly created in their final moments. Carter shrugged off the blanket of silence that had fallen upon them

"This was either a futile attempt to stop the Covenant from getting to something important. Or these Marines were simply cornered."

Emile walked to the back of the room only to discover another body of another valient Marine, slumped bonlessly against the dented wall.

"I'm going to go with cornered. There's nothing here."

Six followed Emile, helment tilted as he scanned the battle-scared room.

"Sir, are you sure we're in the right place? All we have are C-12s, that's not enough fireworks to blow this part of the facility."

"I agree.This room has no load bearing columns, we should detonate the explosives in the center of the structure," he turns to Carter and says, "Sir, if we're to demo the building, this isn't the place to do it from."

Carter doesn't say anything in response to Jun for a while before he touched his comms.

"Dot, check your vector, are you sure we're at the correct coordinates?"

For the first time in Six's career, an AI didn't instantly respond. The silence drew on for seconds, which would have been hours by AI standards, was Dot still operating or did the Covenant destroy her along with the remaining UNSC officers? Carter waited then asked again.

"Dot?"

Another heartbeat passed before their radio's crackled and Dots smooth cool voice responded, her tone emotionless.

"Noble Team, Your current objective has been rectified, please look to your HUDs to find your new objective."

"Rectified?"

Carter was dumb struck. Noble Team, every Spartan for that matter, has never had their orders changed during a fight. Better yet what does she mean by rectified? Have they been going about the situation all wrong? Jun checked his HUD, double checked it and commented on what they all thought on their new objective in an especially dry tone.

"Well sir, the objective is about ten kilometers away and about two hundred kilometers down. Sir, I suggest we go AI free on this one."

Carter held up a finger to the giant Spartan and and attempted to further question Dot, if anything he was less amused than Jorge was.

"Dot, what you mean by rectified? Have we been given the wrong orders?"

Yet again another pause before Dot respondsd, The team looked at each other, what could be distracting her so much?

"Apologies Noble One but the orders come from an AI with much higher clearance than my own."

"Oh terrific,"

Emile muttered to himself and everyone just about agreeed with him, even Six. If there was any AI with a greater clearance than Dot, then it belonged to ONI, which means that this just became a spook mission. Carter tried again.

"Dot, who gave the order? Who are we operating under now?"

Again silence, except this time it dragged on, only to br broken by a soft impudent chuckle from Emile

"Hey Carter, looks like you have a talent of repelling women, organic and non-organic alike."

Noble One looked to Emile but before he could say anything, they all heard a loud metallic clang. With fluid motion, the Spartans raised their rifles in the direction of the sound. The back wall shuddered before it pulls itself to the side, allowing the body of the marine to fall within the now revealed hallway.

Six gazes inside, it looks like a tunnel in the middle of construction, it had visible wires, tubes and on occasion, steam was being puffed out every so often from the pipelines along the walls. Six felt Jun move up alongside of him, and saw him fiddle with some buttons on the side of his helmet before he reported back to Carter.

"This isn't on the map, I have no idea where this goes."

"Dot what is this?"

Dot's response was instantaneous this time, yet neither this or her calm voice seemingly eased any of the Spartans growing apprehensions.

"Your new objective Noble Team. Please follow the corridor to the tram and you'll be briefed as you go."

Carter tried to confirm the order, but this time Dot didn't answer as the frequency went dead. Leaving nothing, not even static, for the team to hear in the ashen ruins of the base. This time it was Six who broke the quiet.

"Anyone else feeling a little creeped out at the moment?"

"Now you're feeling creeped out Six? Is it the dark hallway that does not exist or the fact that our AI just went dark?"

Emile teasing voice eched back as he took point down the corridor, with Noble Team followed him closely behind as their eyes carefully panned over the grey walls. "Don't worry I'll hold your hand."

As soon as they stepped over the threshold, the door closed behind them. The Spartans were shrouded in darkness for a while before they switch on their helmet's flashlights.

"Okay, now I'm officially creeped out."

Six had to chuckle at the irony of Emiles sentiments, even if he did share them.

"Lock it up Noble."

Carter ordered as he pointed two fingers in front of them, over Jun's shouldur.

"Move out, and keep it quiet."

There was a deep echoing rumble above them that caused fine dust to fall from the ceiling, the pipes groaned in their fixtures and the steam intensified breifly, leaving a murky cloud caught in their flashlights.

"On the double,"

Noble One finished. The team moves forward as fast and as cautiously as they could go. So far there's nothing but the endless darkness that filled the hallway, and with their flashlight's limited range they have trouble keeping their eye open for any hostiles, both in front and behind. They travel for what feels like miles until at last they saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Though they are glad to reach the end, they still moved carefully so they wouldn't walk into an ambush. When they reached the end of the hall there was a small bare room, the light that they had saw earlier was originating from a large box connected to rails on the ceiling; the tram.

Slowly, the team entered one by one, Carter first with Jun being the last to enter. As soon as they are all in, the door closed automatically. Before they could bust the door down, they were pushed backwards as the tram takes off at a speedy pace. Six glanced outside a window and watches as they pass large walls of rocks, with the tram being the only source of light in the cave.

The team was still taking in their surroundings when the sound of static broke the silence. It was then that the team noticed the monitor above them. At first there's nothing but interference, however when it cleared, the Spartans all feel astonishment arise as they saw someone they thought they would never see again.

The woman on the screen is currently looking at a data pad in her hand but all the Spartans could still easily identify her. Her small status, the greying short hair and the all familiar know-it-all voice as she continue dto focus on the pad.

"Hello Commander."

"Doctor Halsey."

His paused and the neutral way in which he said it, more to confirm it was her rather than a greeting, and Six couldn't blame him. They had to fight through what had to be a battalion of Covenant soldiers to enter Sword Base, how could she, a civilian that supposedly died days ago, still be alive?

"Doctor Halsey, The UNSC marked you as KIA-"

"I am aware of the exaggerations concerning my "death," commander," she interrupted and glanced up, staring Carter right in the faceplate, "I only wish the same can be said about the rest of Noble Team."

"We all do ma'am,"

Carter's response seemingly did little to mollify her, although she seemed unwilling to talk further.

"Indeed."

The tram suddenly came to a stop in the middle of nowhere. Before anyone in Noble Team could comment, the tram suddenly shot down an unseen shaft, falling at what felt like break neck speed. Despite this Carter maintained both an even footing and tone.

"Ma'am, I have no idea where we are going, but we have a mission. We need to return to sword base and-"

"I am aware of your mission Commander, and if it comforts you, we ordered the ODST squad that Noble Six came with to destroy the base."

This didn't comfort the Spartans at all. They were trained to believe that any force other than a Spartan's is considered unreliable, especially in a crucial mission. Halsey should know this; it was her rule book that their instructor, Lieutenant Ambrose had installed within the Spartans during their training. She obviously said that in part to annoy and frustrate the Spartans; talk about holding grudges.

The tram exited the cave that they were in and now the Spartans found themselves in what appeared to be a large underground cavern beneath a huge glacier. The cavern opened up to a vast well lit area, filled with small glaciers and large particles of ice. At the bottom where the tram was headed they could see what appeared to be a quickly established human base, built right within the folds of a wall of rock. The skies were blocked by the giant ice ceiling, but even as the team gazed at it, a large chuck of it, the size of a building, fell from within the folds. The team watched it fall and that is when they see it.

It's huge, grey and definitely not human. There's something buried in the ice, and they are looking at only what could be a small side of it. It's easily twice the size of a Covenant carrier yet that's what made the Spartans wary; it was alien, but the designs weren't the same as those of the Covenant. Carter turned to face the moniter once more.

"Ma'am, what are we looking at?"

"You are looking at a piece of technology that is older and more advanced than our species, even the Covenant,"

Halsey informed him, slightly awing the Spartans. Advanced technology that isn't Covenant and a lot older too? This was starting to get too weird. Meanwhile Carter continued to attempt to get information from Halsey.

"What is it exactly ma'am?"

"Quite possibly our salvation Commander,"

The team looked to one another at her cryptic response. Six thought Emile put it best when he put a finger close to his head and twirled it in circles, to which everyone except Carter nodded with approval.

"Ma'am," Carter began to say, "If this is delicate equipment, then we have orders sanctioned by HIGHCOM to bury any critical-"

"If you bury this Spartan," Halsey responded with emotion evident in her voice, "Then you bury humanity's best chance of survival."

This got the team's attention, they looked to each other now with evident determination, the protection and security of Humanity is the Spartan's primary job. Finally the tram reached the bottom and released the Spartans. They fan out and made sure the area is secure before Carter radioed Halsey again.

"Alright ma'am, what do you need us to do?"

Six hears Halsey let out a held breath as if she was relieved before she started to order them, as strange as it sounded he could have almost sworn Halsey0 seemed almost energised.

"Head to the base, there's a weapons armory where your team can prepare themselves."

"Prepare ourselves for what?"

"A Covenant flagship is inbound to our position. I need you and your team to fortify the base until I can ready a critical package for exfil, Halsey out."

Carter nodded to himself before looking expectantly at his team.

"You all heard that?"

"So basically we have to hold off an entire army while the mad Doc packs her bags?"

Emiles tounge-in-cheek jab at the good doctor got a chuckle out of them all, even Carter, before he gestured in the direction of the base,

"Pretty much Four. Alright Spartans, move out."

Shress POV*

Shress walked out of the armory ready for war. Her armor has been rebuffed, the shields had been charged to full power and she had a needle rifle as her primary weapon, plasma rifle holstered on her belt along with her twin energy blades.

She kept her face devoid of emotion as she walked through the hallway, for once she is alone. Her entire legion has been called to arms as well, but the Zealots are to wait while the regulars are sent in first to clear any human resistance that was still in the holy place.

She had again left Dinjit in command, who looked at least happy with being in charge this time. She hoped she was right about the Ranger and that his ignorance wouldn't get most of her troopers killed in her absence. However, she has been told (anonymously of course) that Kova pretty much watched over her legion and sometimes contradicted some of Dinjit's more reckless orders. This didn't worry her a bit, truth be told she was glad there is another who views Dinjit ways as being dangerous and cocky, it is one of the smallest of assurances that she isn't alone.

She reached the hanger and found it in an organized manner, for once. The troops are lined up, Unggoys at the front and Mgalekgolos last, all waiting to board an aircraft that will take them to the surface. She's displeased however when she sees that the Sangheili are placed right in front of the Jiralhanaes and sure enough, more than one scuffle emerged. She was glad she didn't have to stand with the legion and instead headed to the back to wait to be deployed with her Zealot brothers.

She is taller than two of the other crimson clad warriors and just as heavily armed, but it's obvious she is different from them for her form is more slender then theirs. As she stood beside them, some of the Zealots step away from her as if to be close to her is considered shameful; she tried her best to ignore them. Only four or five of them gives her a glance before silently returning back to grumbling with one another and leaving her out of the conversation; this is about as friendly as they can get.

Shress sighed to herself and began to inspect her weapons as she waited to board her own craft. It's in instances like this that she wished she had a true comrade in arms, someone she can talk to so she can steady her nerves, instead she is left to herself to ponder and worry what will come next.

The line steadily moved as more and more Phantoms and Spirits are deployed with the first legion within them.

Shress is happy to see the line moving more steadily but then she felt a chill form on the back of her neck, causing her to turn and search for the source. In the back of the room, flanked by his guards, is the Prophet of Regret, who's eyes are fixed right on her. She couldn't tell what he is thinking or what he is feeling but the look he is giving her is enough to make her want to run and hide somewhere.

She suppressed that urge and looked down as she continued to check her weapons. She wished that they could hurry and board a ship so she can be away from the Prophet.

For a holy being, there is something about him that makes him seem…evil.

Six POV*

Six loaded his DMR and lets out a steady sigh once more as he and Carter stood side by side.

In less than fifteen minutes, the Spartans had fortified the surrounding area, it isn't the best of defenses, but it'll have to do. There are three main paths which the Covenant could take to advance on to the base, one to the right where the tram is, one to the left that heads to a small cliff and a middle lane that is backed up against an abandoned ONI research facility. Separating the lanes are naturally formed mini mountains that would keep the Covenant from banding together before they make it to the front of the base.

The middle and right roads both had bridges to cover a gap between the walkways, the Spartans used some of their C-12's to booby trap the bridges, waiting for the right number of troops to be on it before triggering detonation. Another defense that the Spartans had created is setting up three ADS (automated defense systems) Wolf Spider turrets, each strategically positioned at key points along the road where they can do real damage to any approaching infantry soldiers.

Those are the only defenses that the Spartans could make in such a short time, leaving their ultimate weapons as the first and last line of resistance; themselves.

The small armory outside of the base had just about every weapon imaginable, including some sort of laser weapon that no Spartan has ever seen before. It didn't take them long before they pooled their resources together and came out as fully equipped soldiers prepared for a one-man-war.

All the Spartans were decked out with the same weapons, more or less. Nearly a dozen grenades were strapped to their chests, Assault Rifles and Grenade Launchers are strapped to their backs and in Carter and Six's hands are shiny DMRs while Jun wields a gleaming Sniper Rifle. Emile on the other hand is like the dark red Grim Reaper, he has two SMGs on his belt, a Jack Hammer rocket launcher and Assault rifle on his back, his shotgun in one hand and the strange laser weapon in the other.

Six and Carter stand in the small courtyard in front of the base while Jun and Emile hung back close to the door. The two Spartans up front are positioned behind concrete cover that forms a U shape, covering all three lanes. Leaning against the small concrete walls are five loaded Assault rifles, so the Spartans could reach down and start firing, being able to shoot off one hundred and fifty rounds without reloading. Jun and Emile crouched behind the cover of some ammo crates, Jun will pick off important high value targets with his sniper rifle while Emile will take out any Covie who gets too close or destroy any war vehicle the alien's will send in.

They all stood at their designated areas and waited. Tense minutes pass but the team remained as still as stone. They were trained to never relax before a fight, never show fear, and never compromise. This will be the most brutal fighting they had ever been engaged in. For once, there are no little Marines they have to watch; now it's just them and the Covenant, something that all four Spartans have been waiting for ever since finishing training. This was the moment they have been trained for.

Six uneasily shifted his weight from foot to foot, it was in situations like these that he wished he could take a sip of water, but taking off his helmet now with the enemy so close would be a bad mistake. The only time he has ever taken off his helmet with the Covenant close by was during his meetings with Shress…

Six abruptly shook his head. As much as he liked to think about happier times, this isn't the moment, he has to have a clear head, take a breath, be ready to sight in on his targets and be ready to pull the trigger.

Suddenly a loud shattering noise filled the cavern, and about a few hundred meters away from the Spartans, large chunks of ice fall from the glacier above in sky scraper size proportions. Moving painstakingly slow, the giant mounds of ice slams to the bottom of the cavern and sends up white powdery snow that raises all the way back up to the newly created hole with the ground shuddering under the steady feet of the awaiting Spartans.

That's when Six sees them, emerging from the white screen like a ghost from the fog is a garish purple Phantom, flying straight towards them. There's another flash of light and soon another Phantom followed the first, then a Spirit, another Phantom, and by this time, the white screen finally disappeared; revealing what appears to be hundreds of Covenant drop ships inbound on the Spartan's position.

The defenders of humanity didn't even flinch, they didn't shiver, instead they simply breathed, strengthened their stances, and raise their rifles to their shoulders. This is their moment, this is their destiny; protecting humanity to the last.

The alien ships drifted lazily over to the field of battle, making no sudden movements. The ships could easily blow Noble Team away, but Six guessed that the Sangheili inside would want a crack at gaining honor on the battlefield first before they terminate the Spartans. A costly mistake.

There isn't enough room for all the ships to land, so instead, six airships move in first, dispersing into pairs, with each heading to one of the designated paths that leads to Noble Team. The Spartans tensed a little as the ships draw in close, but instead of firing on them, the ships head to the end of the paths and come to a hover. It isn't long before the sides of the aircrafts open wide and out jumps the attackers; squads of yapping Grunts, teams of twitchy Jackals, and the single commanding presence of an Elite. The ships then lifted back off into the air leaving what must have looked like a one sided fight. They would be surprised.

Six looked all around him and estimated the number of Covenant forces to be about three dozen, with one group at the end of each path. Noble Team didn't say a word, they all know what to do, and they are just waiting for their enemy to make their move first, which didn't take long.

An Elite at one trail lifted its head and lets out a roar. Another elite positioned on the other path lets out similar war cry and with that, the small armed group of aliens begin to advance. The steady walk soon turns into a trot, until finally the Covenant forces are sprinting towards the humans. They close in on the Spartans, who still haven't moved a muscle, an action that for some reason just seemed enrage the aliens even more. The Covenant troops on all three paths are now a hundred yards away, within DMR rifle range. That's when Carter turned around and shouted.

"Now!"

Behind him, Jun raised the small data pad in his hand and pressed a switch.

Along all three paths, mounds of rocks suddenly shoot skywards as the Wolf Spiders rise from the hiding places that the team has hid them in. Upon seeing the turrets, the aliens all try to slow down but it's too late. The Wolf Spider locks in on the nearest heat signature and starts firing short controlled bursts of fifty caliber rounds.

The Grunts all squealed piercingly in fright and desperately try to run away, forcing the Elites to break rank as they try to rein order over the panic stricken troops, all while firing their weapons at the Wolf Spiders.

It is only when they are in disarray that the lead Spartans did react. Simultaneously, the Spartans raise their rifles and sight downrange. Six found his first target, one of the commanding Elites, a minor in blue armor but a leader nevertheless. He shifts his rifle to the right, trying to anticipate the wind speed, aims his rifle and squeeze off two shots. The first bullet took out the Elite's shields; the following round buried itself deep within the skull, causing the head to implode with a fountain of blue blood.

Six breathed slowly as he lined up his rifle with the next target, an unlucky Grunt and took another shot. The two veteran's fire only five shots before the Wolf Spiders finish off the remaining forces. The platoon size attack force has been neutralized. Carter doesn't look satisfied though.

"That was too easy."

"Yeah, just like always, besides-" commented Emile, before he was interrupted by Jun.

"No, he's right, it's just like New Alexandria, they send in the light stuff in first to test us, the next round will bring the bigger guns."

Just as he finished speaking Six heared the whine of Plasma rounds and instantly crouched under his concrete cover. The other Spartans do the same as the Phantoms, Spirits and Banshees fire on their position. Despite the noise Six can still hear Emile complain.

"You just had to say it!"

"Not now Emile!" shouted Carter, "See what that ray gun can do!"

"Gladly! Give me cover!"

Six has no idea if it will help, but he lifted his rifle above his cover and started spraying bullets in the direction where he pinpointed the enemy shooters. The other Spartans do the same, save Emile who shoulder's his shotgun and takes out the Jackhammer missile launcher.

Six has no idea how many clips he spent until Emile jumped, rolls out of cover and came up in a crouch. With the Jackhammer in one hand and the laser in the other, he ignored the plasma being shot around him as he raised both heavy weapons. He fires both projectiles in the Jackhammer and fires a red arch of light from the laser. Six didn't see where they went but he heard the explosion and the sound of shattered pieces as they fell to the ground. Emile couldn't reload the launcher so he droped it and continues firing the laser weapon which, by the sound of it, continues to have a devastating effect on the Covenant.

Soon Emile came under fire, but this time it was from infantry weapons, not the powerful guns of an aircraft. Emile picked up the dropped launcher and retreats back to cover and yelled over the sound of copious weaponsfire.

"You guys might want to see this!"

Six looked over the concrete and felt his stomach drop. The Covenant is no longer playing games. Now all three lanes were being filled with troopers as the transport ships crowd over the paths and drop their charges. Soon an army of Grunts are on the ground, squads of Jackals armed with shields and sniper rifles file behind them while platoons of Elites order their troops to move forward. With so many troopers, the Covenant is forced to slowly move their advancement, so their mass numbers won't get stuck in the limited space. Didn't stop Carter from taking full advantage though.

"Open fire Spartans! Don't let them destroy the Wolf Spiders, those are the only things keeping them back!"

"Sir!" called out Jun as he held up the data pad again, "The charges under the bridge?"

"Not yet. Save it for when we need it the most!"

"We don't need it now?" questioned Six as he watched the seemingly infinate drop ships deliver yet more troops.

"Just wait until I give the go ahead Spartan, now fire!"

At his commanders roar Six started to shoot into the middle lane, taking out the Grunts up front so that their bodies would pile up and falter the Covenant advance. Carter fired to the right, following the same strategy that Six was using. Jun starts taking out anything that he sees as important, field leaders, enemy snipers, and any Covenant trooper who is carrying a heavy payload. Emile puts the laser to the side, reloaded the missile launcher and took out the grenade launcher; he soon began firing missiles and grenades into the crowds that he deemed too populated.

The Covenant responded by firing their weapons, trying to shoot the Spartans, but they were too close together. They are bumping into one another, messing up shots and being accidently pushed into the field of fire. The few plasma shots that make it out of the crowd mostly go wide and miss the human defenders completely. Things got more chaotic as soon as the advancing aliens got within range of the Spider turrets; the short bursts that are fired are just enough to tear any unprotected being to pieces. This caused the Grunts to become panic-stricken as they try to turn and run, causing more casualties as they shove one another into the way of incoming fire.

It didn't take a genius to see the Covenant were getting more and more frustrated, the Elites howled their blood lust, Jackals screeched in agitation and the alarm toots and squeaks emitting from the Grunts weren't helping the senior alien's moods. Soon Banshees came back into the fight, firing plasma rounds and bombarding them with mortar fire.

Noble Team was baack forced into cover again, waiting for Emile to take out the enemy birds. As they wait, Six crawled backwards to the ammo dump and begins reloading. The fight may have started ten minutes ago, but he had already spent close to two hundred rounds already. Carter and Jun join him as they stuff more magazines into every pocket they could find, especially Jun who is charged with retrieving ammunition for Emile. Once they are reloaded, the team heads back into position, just as Emile lets out a curse.

"Carter! I'm out or whatever it is that this thing uses, the laser is no longer firing!"

As if to confirm Noble Four's words, the Phantoms and Spirits start to spit out plasma from their on board turrets with ever greater fury. Six watched as a Banshee flw overhead, flipped in mid-air and circled back around for another pass. Carter saw it as well and called out to Emile.

"What about your missiles?"

"I'm out of those too! Should I try my grenade launcher?"

Six couldn't tell if he is joking or not, by the looks of their situation, they were getting desperate. It only got worse when there was a beep from Jun. He checks the data pad, curses and called out.

"The Wolf Spider on the right path is down, nothing is stopping them now!"

Carter cursed as well and yelled back to him.

"No choice team, we got to fight back, Emile, Jun, see what you can do about the fighters, Six, you and I are going to concentrate fire to the right lane, ready?"

Noble team could only nod as the grim reality turned dimmer before Carter shouted.

"Go!"

Six grabbed one of the loaded Assault rifles and rose to face the tidal wave of the enemy. Carter and Six had to rely on the other automated turrets to keep the enemy on the other paths off their backs while Emile and Jun clear the skies. To their right is a horde of aliens, Six felt his gut sink as he sees that leading the Covenant's advance are Brutes, all of them pushing over the remains of the Wolf Spider, determined to tear the humans apart.

Despite the dread inside, Six didn't reveal it, he kept it inside, kept his movement steady as he raised the rifle and fired non-stop rounds at the ape like combatants. The Brutes let out howls of fury and agony as they are pelted with bullets as they try to push forward, but the bodies of their dead soon hinder their movements. When Carter or Six runs out of ammunition, they easily drop their rifles, reach down, pick up the next and continue to fire.

Six had started on his fourth rifle when the Covenant airships swoop in and start firing again. The plasma bites away the Spartan's shields as they try to lower themselves into cover while trying to keep on fighting at the same time. A Banshee flies in from overhead; Six sees the energy ball at the last second and hastily dropped to the ground. No sooner did he land on the floor than he heard the mortar pass by overhead and felt the intense heat wash over him as the plasma incinerated whatever was behind the Spartan. Suddenly he heard someone shout, and turned his head to see what was happening.

Sprinting from cover, was Emile and Jun, running into the open. The Banshee that had almost hit Six turned its attention to the two exposed Spartans and started firing again. The two Spartans brave the fire however until Jun drops to the floor in a stable crouch. The Banshee was passing over him when Emile ran forward, stepped on Jun and uses his body for leverage, he pushed himself off the floor and soared into the air.

Six watches in stunned amazement as Emile grasped the wing of the Banshee and lightly caused it to turn. As it is off balance, Emile reached into the cockpit of the alien ship and pulled out a squirming Elite. Emile let the alien drop, its shouts of protest going silent when it hits the ground, and acrobatically flips himself into the now vacant vehicle.

Now in control of the fighter; Emile flipped it around until the commandeered Banshee was bearing down on the Covenant on their right flank. The aliens are unaware of the danger until it was too late; when Emile starts firing everything. Plasma bolts singes its way through the armoured foes and powerful mortar blasts the enemy backwards. Emile didn't eliminate the entire enemy column, but he did leave them in bloody ruins before he turned the fighter around and engaged a nearby Spirit.

Six grinned with renewed strength as he rose and continued to fight. The intervention of the turned Banshee confused the Covenant troops for precious seconds and caused distrust to erupt among them, particularly between the different species. This only added more chaos as Noble Team fired away at the enemy.Six's delight was tempered though when he heard Jun.

"Carter! We've got Phantoms carrying heavy-ground vehicles inbound!"

"Where?"

"They're being dropped off on the central path!"

Carter nodded, "Activate those charges when they get close Three."

"Sir,"

Six finally used up all the stored ammunition in the Assault Rifles, forcing him reload. As he opened fire again, only this time he aimed his gun at the advancing aliens to the left, he heard an explosion, felt a dull thump pound the ground and saw the billowing smoke. It didn't take a genius to tell from the dying screams and faltering troops that the bridge had been destroyed and had taken a good amount of Covenant troops with it.

Failing shields and depleting ammunition finally force Six to take cover as he tried to recover a micro amount of his lost strength. Things were getting intense. Despite the newly acquired air support and assistance from the Wolf Spiders, they were still outmatched. The Spartans were now taking fire from every direction, if it wasn't for the panic stricken Grunts who were causing the bulk of the chaos, Noble Team would have been overrun by now.

Six let out a heavy sigh and wished he could take off his helmet to wipe the sweat from his eyes. He has his AC on to max power but that isn't doing any good aside from giving him a head cold. The Spartan wished he can take a real break, take a swig of water, eat an energy bar, maybe sit just for a minute, but the gruelling conflict calls him back to the forefront of the fight.

Six and Carter were now slowly being forced back to the front of the base, trying to lay down suppressing fire for each other as they go. There is another thump, more screams, and more smoke begins to rise from the right. However this wasn't doing any good for the drop ships were now dropping their loads of soldiers ever closer to the base.

Something to the left caught Six's eyes and he felt his heart rate accelerate. Approaching them was the purple hull of a Wraith, with two Hunters flanking it and all three had their plasma weapons charging. Six's first instinct was to duck behind a nearby pillar for cover, until he realized the energy weapons aren't aimed at them; they are pointed up into the skies. Six quickly reached for his radio and shouted.

"Emile, bail!"

He spotted the Banshee just as the Covenant forces released their deadly arsenal. Six thought Emile was done for as the blue and green projectiles slice through the air to their target. Then the hatch opened and Emile jumped out of the aircraft just as the plasma hit the aircraft and it exploded.

Emile dove head first into the crowd of Covenant fighters and disappeared from view. The rest of Noble Team were pinned down by enemy fire, if they tried to venture out of the limited cover they had, they would be killed before they can even make it to Emile's location. The Spartans could only fight back the best they could as they helplessly thought of their comrade who had literally fell into the middle of the enemy ranks.

The Wraith and Hunters slowly advanced forward, forcing Noble Team to shed their heavy gear and release their explosives. Grenades flew and detonate on target while Jun tried to shoot the soft abdomen of the Hunters with his rifle. The Hunters responded by placing their shields in front of them and continued marching forward while the grenades harmlessly explode on the exteriors of the alien tank. So far it was the Spartan's pride that is being devastated and not the enemy.

Six was unclipping another grenade when he heard the cries coming from the central path. He glanced over and had trouble believing what he was seeing. Emile is alive, he has the two SMGs in both of his hands and he is…running on top of the Covenant fighters? Six continued to stare until he knows he wasn't hallucinating. Emile, a near two ton Spartan, was stepping on the heads of the Covenant, mostly Brutes, Elites, and Jackals as he rushed to Noble Team's position, firing off multiple rounds as he went. Finally he made it to the front, where the Grunts were. He tried to step on them like he did with the other Aliens but the small creature's skull couldn't take his weight and they both crash to the ground. Emile rolled onto his feet and with a single swipe of his arm, released five grenades into the crowd of enemy fighters. Panic erupts again as the Grunts tries to scurry away while Emile turned on his heels and sprinted back to cover. Hundreds of plasma weapons open fire on Emile as Noble Team trieed to back him up with covering fire until the Spartan made it back to cover.

Emile virtually collapsed behind an ammo crate, a first for any Spartan, but Six guesses no Spartan had ever had to fly, bail and fight his way through a horde of aliens before.

Concerned for his team mate, Carter tries to take a look at Emile, but he waved Carter away, slowly he rose back to his feet and took his shotgun off his back and began firing at the enemy again.

Six also returned to his newly designated spot and his eyes widened at the scene. There must be over a hundred aliens, and they were now practically at the foot of the base. The Spartans begin shooting everything they have; trying to gun down their enemy, but plasma rounds, crystal shards and grenades begin taking their toll on the Spartan's shields.

The entire team had switched to assault rifles and was firing blindly into the fray but it was becoming too much. A Brute launches itself at Six and tried to smash him with its fists. Six easily sidesteps, slides his pistol out of his holster in one fluid movement and shoots the Brute point blank in the head. Upon seeing this, Carter gets back on the radio and yelled. Her response is immediate, cool and crisp.

"Halsey! We can't hold them off any longer! What's your status?!"

"The package is ready Commander, Have your team report in."

"You heard her Spartans!" Carter yells, "Get inside, GO!"

Shress POV*

The Sangheili were all ready to spill blood. They relaxed their muscles, checked their weapons and occasionally muttered to each other. The Zealots are all linked together by brotherhood, but their pre-battle rituals excluded a certain female from the ranks; this left Shress on her own as she leant against the hull, arms crossed, head down and deep in thought as the Spirit they were riding on continued its descent to embattled the human planet.

Shress has no idea how this was going to play out. Should she do as the Prophet of Regret told her to do, forget about Michael and rejoin the Covenant whole heartedly? Or should she try and side with the humans, hoping considering that they wouldn't kill her first.

She sighed as she clenched and unclenched her talons, unsure who is her enemy and who is her foe. For now she'll shoot and kill whoever it is trying to kill her first. Until she knew otherwise then that would be her plan.

The whispers among her Sangheili brothers quickly fell silent as their leader stepped forward, Supreme Commander Thel Vadamee had volunteered to lead the Zealots into battle. Shress had just been beginning her own journey in the Covenant by the time the young shipmaster had already started making a name for himself. He has glassed five human worlds, slaughtered thousands of humans and razed destruction upon the enemy of the Prophets. Shress couldn't restrain a sliver of fear, if Regret hadn't secretly pardoned her, would he have ordered Thel to assassinate her? If the rumours were true, it wouldn't be the first time the Shipmaster has taken orders directly given by the prophets themselves.

The shuttle suddenly lurched sharply, causing Shress to fall forward. With quick reflexes she gracefully rolled and flipped herself back onto her feet as the Spirit went into a nosedive. Not knowing what else to do, she leaned back slightly and crouched, her hooves acting provided the necessary friction as she slowly slid towards the front of the hull. Just as she was about to make contact with the wall the Spirit levelled out; ceasing her descent.

Shress looks behind her and couldn't refrain from the chuckle that escaped her. All of her male companions are lying on the floor in a hilarious heap, all cursing and swatting at each other as they try to get back on their feet. Then she noticed that there is another Sangheili stood upright and looking at her. It's Thel, seeming to have kept on his feet the same as she did.

The shipmaster looked at her and she thought she saw him smile. She quickly glanced away, 'Oh no', she thought, 'Not again'

The Spirit shuddered again, forcing the two standing Sangheilis to hang on to the walls as Thel shouted.

"Pilot! What is happening?"

"I don't know, Supreme Commander. One of our own Banshee's is attacking us!"

Shress tilted her head in confusion. Why would a pilot go rogue now of all times? And why is the person attacking them?

Thel doesn't ask any of these questions, nor did he seem to care as he reached for his communicator.

"Ater, where are you?"

"Commander," answered a gruff voice, "We are on the ground."

"Do you have your Wraith with you?" Thel inquired

"Yes and an additional pair of Mgalekgolo as well."

"Target the rogue Banshee and destroy it," ordered Thel in a cold voice, "Death to all heretics."

Shress can't help but shudder at his words as she and the other Zealots waited. Only a few units passed before Ater called back.

"Shipmaster, the rogue has been destroyed."

Thel seemed to grin at this as he ordered the pilot to set them down.

Shress breaths steadily as she lifted the Needle Rifle and prepared her mind for whatever will face them. Around her the other males take out their weapons as well, they ranges from plasma rifles to carbines, their past silent conversations long gone as they waited for the doors to open. They all feel the ship slow its speed, lower its height and they know it is time. The panels in front of them smoothly opened upwards, showering them in bright light. Partially blind, Shress led the way as she jumped out of the Spirit alongside four other Zealots. She landed on her feet, causing a slight shock wave to erupt upon the floor as she rose and scanned the area.

The scene is a nightmare. Bodies of Sangheili, Kig-Yar, Unggoy and even Jiralhanae littered the ground they are standing on. The surface is blackened by fire, boiled by plasma and torn by hundreds of marching feet. Shress could see that the cavern they are in was once a wonder, but the fighting has crumbled many rock formations, the constant firing has melted some giant ice structures and the multiple bloods from the varying aliens species was no doubt destroying the soil. She could hear the sound of combat, whines of rifles, hisses of needles and rattles of human bullets echoing along the cavern walls. The echoes making it near impossible for her to pinpoint where the sounds were originating from.

One of her brothers lets out a gasp, making Shress wary as she glances at the male. He is staring at something to their right with his maw wide open. When Shress glanced in that direction, she too feels her mandibles part in surprise.

Soon almost all the Zealots are bowing and praying as they gaze at the sight before them. Sticking out of the ice is a Forerunner artefact. Truth be told, Shress didn't see much to marvel at, only a portion of the structure is visible, but years of praying and worshipping at the sight of a Forerunner artefact tempts her to bow as well, even though now she is starting to question the teachings of the High Prophets.

She notices only one other person isn't bowing and looked over to see Thel. He gives an angry snort as he gazed scornfully at the Zealots who are no doubt easy kills in their current positions. Shress then walked forward, acting as if nothing was happening. She felt Thel's eyes follow her, making her wish that she could turn the rifle on him, but she figured that it was a price too high to pay just for a simple pleasure.

She walked forward before she came to a stop. She turned a corner of one of the high rock formations and saw the battle in progress. Hundreds of Covenant forces are pushing forward, trying to rush a human base that is built into the base of the cavern wall. She couldn't see the defenders of the base, but she saw the muzzle blasts and knows that there were still humans within.

She breathed steadily as she raised her rifle and zoomed in, prepared to kill the first target that would appear in her scope. However the defenders weren't leaving their cover, they were just sticking their weapons out and firing, making it much harder for her to see them.

She was considering trying to help the other troopers in rushing the base when a Jiralhanae broke ranks and charged forward. The human defenders fire upon the oversized savage creature, but he burrowed in a loud roar and races for something behind a pillar. That is when Shress saw movement and aimed her rifle. At first she watched as the hairy Covenant soldier slammed into the pillar before the moving target holds a small human gun at its skull and fired. She winces at the violent explosion of red blood as the Jiralhanae head explodes and it slumped against the pillar. Shress follows the arm of the gun holder, getting ready to pull the trigger. When she reached the shooter's head though she let out an audible gasp.

Her mind can't accept what she was seeing, but somewhere within her she knows it's true. Standing a couple of yards away from her is Michael. It is him, she zooms out and sees his azure colour body armour, the familiar helmet and if she has to guess, the familiar height. Somehow, against all odds, her friend has survived the glassing.

She feels her form shudder as she watches. He is alive and for some reason she is filled with a sudden joy. She suddenly feels her legs urging her forward, wanting to be close with the demon, to be with her friend again, but she stopped herself. They are in the middle of a war-zone, if she ventured out into the open then she would be killed as a heretic.

Behind Michael she saw another demon, a shade darker than Michael's blue colour and it seems to be issuing orders. Michael slowly backed away from the fight, firing off rounds from the miniature gun as he went. Behind him Shress can see a large black mass appearing and realizes that it's a door and her friend is inching towards it.

Suddenly, Michael stopped firing and Shress is shocked with what she is seeing; he is staring right back at her. She could not see his green eyes, nor can he see hers, but something within her is telling her that they can see each other. Their momentary connection is broken when a green demon runs to Michael and begins to pull him away.

Shress suddenly feels panic and a sense of protectiveness begins to take over. She suddenly wanted to sprint forward, more than ever now, and to touch Michael, just to make contact with him to see if he is truly real and this whole thing was not in her head.

Michael wrestled out of the green demon's grip and ran alongside him as they run into the base. She watched through the scope as the door begins to close, but before it shuts completely, Michael turns, makes what seems to be eye contact with her again before he raised his hand and moved it side to side. Shress suddenly felt emotional for some reason at the gesture; she continued looking into Michael's blue face place before the door closes completely, cutting them off from one another.

The Covenant troops let out howls of anger and frustration as they run towards the base. They start to hammer their fists against the exterior but the door continued to stubbornly hold them back.

Shress sighed as she lowers her rifle, that's when she felt a presence nearby and looked over her shoulder. Standing close to her is Thel, and he doesn't look happy.

He gives her a look that she could not read before he questioned her.

"Why didn't you fire?"

Shress feels panic take over as she tries to think of an answer.

"I was waiting for the wind to change."

Thel gave her another odd look.

"What wind?"

Shress tries not to shudder as she realized her mistake, but before she could further defend herself, Thel leaned in close and growled threateningly.

"Do not hesitate again female, or else you'll have more than demons to worry about."

Shress lowers her gaze fearfully as she thought, So true.

Six POV*

Noble Team sprinted as fast as they could down the dark corridor that they were in, trying to be stealthy yet fast at the same time. Behind them, Six could still hear the pounding of the Covenant trying to get in, but for some reason he wanted to go back, go back and kill them all, for standing behind them is a familiar Sangheili. As he ran, Six couldn't help but feel torn, knowing with each step he is separating himself further from Shress, but what can he do? If he goes back he'll be killed and he may get her killed as well if the Covenant saw them together.

Six almost tripped when Jun nudged his shoulder as they run. Six shoots the green clad Spartan a glare even if Jun couldn't see it.

"So what was that?" Noble Three finally asked.

"What was what?" responded Six mechanically although he knows perfectly well what it was that Jun was asking.

"Why did you freeze out there? I swear I thought I needed to slap you when I went back for you."

Six was silent until he quietly replied, "I just thought I saw something."

Before Noble Three could respond, the small hall they were in suddenly began to brighten as they neared a door at the end. Greenish light flowed from the doorway as the team finally slowed down and entered. At first none of the Spartans could tell what they were looking at.

To Six it looks like a large brightly green coloured sphere that is attached to a squid. The object hung above them with what looks like thousands of glowing cables attached to it. It was encircled by miniature rings which are emitting a steady pulse, like a heartbeat. Six couldn't see what was holding it up, but then he realized something just as disturbing, there is no floor, only a quickly erected platform, below them was complete unending darkness. What concerned Six though is that the light is fading, on and off in a steady pattern, it's as if the piece of machinery above them was truly alive.

As soon as they finish inspecting the strange tech, they look at the platform and see that it's crowded with machinery, from laptops to what looks like a flash cloning kit. Styrofoam cups litter the floor while a pot of coffee sits on top of a miniature heating device.

"What is this stuff?" Emile asked no one in particular.

"Knowledge," a voice suddenly rung out. The team looked back down towards the platform and see Doctor Halsey at work on what appears to be a holographic tank as she continued.

"A birthright from an ancient civilization."

This sparked some interest as the team looks to one another. An ancient civilization? Is she referring to the Covenant?

The team looks back to the doctor who still hasn't turned to face them. This slightly annoyed Six, the whole world was literally burning away and here she was working on some pointless machinery.

Her next words took them by surprise.

"This AI unit is its custodian, and it has chosen you as its couriers." She says in what Six believed to be a disgust like voice.

"Chosen," Emile stated again sceptically, "by an AI?"

Six had to agree with his team mate. He has some experience with the so-called 'smart' AI, but Halsey is talking like this piece of equipment is making its own choices as if it is alive.

"By this AI," continued Halsey and this time she looked up at them, "Yes, her measure of view carries about as much weight as my own…and perhaps more."

That's when she stepped away from the tank, allowing Noble Team to see what lied within. Inside a small sphere is a miniature woman, a purple AI, sitting cross-legged and looking like she was concentrating. She glances backwards and Six feels astonishment blossom inside; the AI looks like a carbon copy of Halsey.

How did she- Six started to wonder about the AI's origins when he stops in mid-thought. He glanced disbelievingly back at the flash cloning machine on the table and back at the AI, slowly shaking his head, unable to believe Halsey was crazy enough to do such a thing.

Halsey starts talking again, "You are to take her to the UNSC ship breaking yard in Azod. There you'll find a Halcyon-Class Cruiser waiting to get her off planet."

An ordinary milk run? This sounded a little too easy but Carter spoke for all of them when.

"I understand."

"Do you?" Asks Halsey in a doubtful voice as she turned her back on them once more, "Mankind is outmatched," she commented as she walked among the various equipment on the table and begins to shut them down.

"When Reach falls, and it will fall, our annihilation is all but certain."

Nice pep talk, Six thought as they continued to watch the doctor walk around her 'lab.'

"Unless, We can glean from this artefact,"

Halsey voice strengthened as she waved at the machinery above them,

"And use its information as a defence against the Covenant, a game changer."

"We can make a discovery far greater than the discovery of the conical bullet in the nineteenth century or faster than light travel in the twenty third."

Six could hardly believe that the machinery around him could do what the doctor was saying, but Carter spoke the dreaded question not far off of Six's mind.

"And what if we can't?"

"A reasonable question if there was somewhere else we could place our hope," She stated quietly as she turned off the protective hub over the AI unit, allowing the holographic woman to stand, and they both look at each other, like a parent and a child as Halsey finished sombrely.

"There is not."

With that she switched the holo-pad off and suddenly the room seemed to dim. Six glanced up at the so called artefact, its lights fading as if it really was dying.

Halsey reached for the base of the pad, grabbed a handle, twisted, and pulled out an odd container that Six often sees small exotic plants and animals be placed in for safety, but the object within is far from organic. Inside is an enlarged computer chip, slightly glowing in a blue hue that resembles the colour of the AI.

Cradling it as if it is a baby; Halsey walked towards the Spartans, not appearing to be intimidated by their large size or the alien blood that covered them. She walked in front of them as if she was their drill instructor, inspecting them as if she is in charge before coming to a complete halt in front of Six.

He is confused but before he could ask a question, he is shocked when Halsey offered him the container.

"Take it Lieutenant. She has made her choice."

Six stared at her before looking to Carter, to see if his Commander agrees that Six should hold what could quite possibly be the salvation of humanity.

Carter simply nodded, reassuring Six as he reached out to take the object. He is surprised again as Halsey continued to hang on with a death grip.

"Do you have it?" she asked intently.

"Yes," Six said, trying to pull it away, but the doctor continues to hang on.

"Say the words…please," She finally said in a surprisingly emotional voice. Six realised it actually meant something to her.

"I have it,"

Even then, she was reluctant to let go. As Six held the package in his hands he suddenly felt his hair stand on end as he looked down at the glowing chip. It's almost as if it's radiating life. Whatever is inside, it was definitely not a normal AI.

Halsey turned to Carter and gestured towards one of the walls.

"The emergency exit is this way,"

Carter nodded.

"Move out Spartans,"

He and Noble Team lead the way, leaving Six and Halsey in the back.

Halsey stooped and picked up a small duffel bag and is about to follow the others when Six stopped her.

"Doctor,"

She paused and glanced at Six who is silent for a moment before asking, "Why me? I thought you hated me."

Halsey sighed. "That…is something you're going to have to ask her if you ever get the chance,"

She gestures towards the package in his hands before lifting her bag and follows the other Spartans.

Six stared after her before he looked down as the strange object in his hands. Is she actualy saying that this thing is alive, that it really did choose him? Maybe the doctor has been underground for far too long, he thought. Suddenly the chip inside sparks a bright blue, as if it heard Six's thoughts and it made the AI angry. Still confused, Six places the container onto a small clip on the small of his back and hurried after the rest of his team.

Shress POV*

Shress is silent as she sat on a rock as the rest of the Covenant army mill around in anger and confusion. The Sangheili set the Unggoy to work by ordering them to pile their dead as they await further instructions. Shress glanced at her Zealot brothers, who are restlessly pacing around, agitated at having missed the entire battle and now left behind as Thel and a small team of Spec Ops attempt to infiltrate the human base by discreetly entering through a hole a Jiralhanae had made earlier. Now the entire Covenant army had to wait and see what will happen next.

Shress said nothing as she mulled over the brief encounter she has had with Michael earlier. What are they to do? For his sake, she hopes there's a way he can slip away from all this bloodshed without them having to chase him and his brothers down.

Doesn't he understand yet? She wonders, He and his brothers need to leave, now, while they still have a-

She lets out a surprise yelp as someone roars across the Covenants communications waves, startling all who is listening.

"Soldiers!" Shouts a voice she identifies as Thel's, "We have been deceived! The humans have stolen the holy relic from us!"

Shress tilted her head in confusion, she, and everyone else for that matter, look to the giant structure in the ice. Sure enough, it is still there, how could anyone, let alone a human, be able to steal a relic of that proportion?

Thel continues, "The interior of the artifact has been stripped clean, including the coordinates to the Holy Ring!"

That got their attention. The Sangheili roar in outrage, the Jiralhanae growl, the Unggoy squeaks and the Kig-Yar screech. Even Shress is wheeling from his words. The Holy Ring? The very thing the Covenant has been searching for since its formation nearly a millennia ago? The idea is so vast that Shress could hardly believe it.

"Return to the ships at once! We shall chase these pieces of filth until our feet bleed and their blood waters this pitiful dirt of a planet! We shall reclaim what is rightfully ours and bask in the glory of the gods forever!"

The Covenant troopers roar their approval as they turn and hurry back to the waiting Phantoms and Spirits, with Shress trailing behind, suddenly feeling sick again.

Six POV*

The sun is starting to set as Noble Team exit the cave and come into the light. They are on a helipad with two Pelicans waiting for their arrival, each position in a different direction.

Halsey heads for one ship facing South, but before she boards, Carter calle out to her.

"Ma'am, I'm assigning Noble Three to escort you to Castle Base."

Halsey huffed. "I don't require an escort Commander."

Carter simply ignored her and turned to Jun.

"Make sure no critical data falls into Covenant hands Spartan"

"I'll do what is necessary sir." Jun then looked over what remains of Noble team who stared back as well. They aren't speaking of meeting up at some rally point later on, or exchanging codes for secure frequency channels. Six wasn't so sure about Jun's mission, but something inside of Six tells him that there is something different about this mission, as if it's a one way trip. Jun nodded his head and simply followed Halsey into her Pelican, at it's entrance he turned around briefly.

"Good luck."

"Good luck marksman," Carter said silently before he and the small remainder of Noble Team turn and enters the other Pelican. Carter sat up front in the pilot's seat.

"I need a heading Dot"

"Noble One, follow the coordinates on your HUD, it'll take you straight to the Cruiser the Pillar of Autumn."

The Pillar of Autumn?" asked Emile as he sat on the ramp of the Pelican as it takes off, "Who names these ships nowadays?"

Six just shook his head and gazes out the back with Emile. The landscape is now barren, red rocks now litter the surface of the world, only leaving a single giant glacier as the only thing with a different colour, the one covering the secret cavern which remains untouched. The two Spartans watch as the Pelican carrying Halsey and Jun takes a turn and flies off towards the southern hemisphere, they keep watch over it until it is nothing more than a receding dot flying in the distance.

Suddenly there is an explosion that sends shock waves into the air. The Pelican jerked before levelling itself out. Both Six and Emile scans their surroundings, trying to detect the source of the disturbance until they look towards the ground and see what was happening.

The giant glacier has been hit by a high yield explosive from below and now it's crumbling in on itself. Rising from the wreckage are hundreds of Covenant aircrafts, Phantoms, Spirits, and Banshees, they all turn in their Pelican's direction and with a mighty thunderclap, they all take off, racing towards them, a giant violet cloud of destruction shadowing the Spartan's ship.

Emile jumps to his feet and Six yells up front to his Commander, "Carter, we need to go, now!"