Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover. Thank you all for the wonderful support that you have shown for this crossover. I greatly appreciate it.
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Disclaimer: I do not own the Halo or MechWarrior/BattleTech franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Game Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, FASA Corporation, FASA Interactive, Catalyst Game Labs, Piranha Games Inc., etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to it's original composers and/or artists.
Installation 00
Near Ark Citadel
December 20th, 2552
The Pelican rumbled as it flew through the air towards their target. Looking outside of the troop bay, Chief could see the sapphire blue water that they flew over. While doing so, he made sure his weaponry was fully ready for the mission. Looking around, he could see SLDF and UNSC personnel doing the same thing.
This is it, Chief thought as they flew closer. Today marks the day the Covenant is destroyed. He'd learned earlier that the combined SLDF/Sangheili fleet had trounced their Brute counterparts, due to their greater experience in warfare than the latter. Now, the Covenant was making it's last stand at the shield barrier separating them from Truth.
As they flew along, Miranda Keyes began to speak to Guilty Spark over the COM. "We hit these three generators, and the barrier will fall?"
"A small portion of it, yes," Guilty Spark replied. "Tragic Solitude has been most helpful there."
"Good enough," Miranda decided. "Johnson, drop Chief off at the first generator, then head to the third. The Elites will punch right down the middle."
"Roger that," Johnson replied. With that, the Pelican banked to the right with another one, while two more banked off to the left. The Sangheili Phantoms continued forwards.
As they flew forwards, Chief spotted lime green projectiles flying towards them. Hocus immediately identified them, as she shouted, "Charlie Foxtrot! Tower One Approach has active Triple AA! Watch out!" With that, the Pelicans swerved to avoid being hit.
While they avoided most of the fire, one shot smashed into the second Pelican. Armor ablated off as plasma bored into it before detonating. Despite the damage, the Pelican continued to fly, though one of it's engines was now starting to emit flames. "Pelican damaged!" the pilot shouted. "We need to land now!"
"Brace yourselves!" Sergeant Reynolds shouted to everyone on Chief's Pelican. "We're going in hot!" Reaching over, Chief grabbed a Spartan Laser just as the Pelican touched down. "Pile out! Go, go, go! Up the beach! Kill that Wraith!"
Piling out with the others, Chief looked around to see where they had landed at. From what he could tell, they had landed near a beach that was located on the portion of the mainland outside of the shield barriers. Trees and grass were visible, along with a small, running stream of water. The sky was a bright blue color, and he thought he could see the Shadow of Intent, as well as the Dallas nearby.
The sightseeing was interrupted, however, when he spotted the Covenant that were in the same area as he was. "We've got a Shade Turret!" Cortana reported to him. "We need to take it out."
"Understood," Chief replied. Taking aim with the Spartan Laser, he took cover behind a rock as plasma zipped past his head. Holding down the trigger, he watched as the beam charged up, the charge meter ticking down to full. Within a few seconds, it reached full.
At that moment, a ruby read beam of light tore out of the muzzle, cutting through the air in what seemed to be an instant. The rapidly pulsing laser beam tore into the power supply for the Shade Turret, piercing through the armored casing and melting through it almost instantly. The Shade Turret exploded, a brilliant blue-white detonation marking it's demise.
The sight of such a beam destroying the turret degraded the morale of the Covenant up ahead. The SLDF Marines and ODST's, though, cheered at the sight. "Hah!" one shouted. "They're not so tough! Mop up the rest of them!" As they said this, Chief exchanged his Spartan Laser for his M42D, and got to work eliminating the Covenant present.
While it was a relatively short firefight, it was a very intense one, as both sides were fighting for supremacy of the area. Plasma bolts were answered by pulse lasers and bullets, as the ODST's and SLDF Marines, both known for their aggression, charged forwards, quickly moving from rock to rock. Their return fire was just as aggressive, and lethal as well.
A Grunt's head exploded in a shower of gore as a HEAP bullet tore through it, while a Jackal collapsed to the ground, clutching at it's chest as a pulse laser cut through it's armor, steam rising from the wound as water was flash-boiled. A Brute that was unfortunate enough to stick it's head out suffered a similar fate, it's head exploding as it's brain was flash-cooked.
It wasn't a one sided battle, though. A Fuel Rod blast rained out, with an SLDF Marine being flung to the ground unmoving. His armor was completely melted off, and what was exposed of his skin had been turned into cooked flesh. An ODST screamed as his arm was ripped off by a carbine round, his right hand working to keep his lifeblood from spilling out onto the ground.
Moving up, Chief engaged the Brute War Chieftain with the efficiency that only a Spartan could bring to the battle field. Dodging a Fuel Rod aimed at him, he got close to the Chieftain while the Marines and ODST's hammered at his escorts. Lashing out with a fist, Chief shattered the Chieftain's jaw, before firing three bullets from his sidearm, killing the Chieftain. With the War Chieftain down, it didn't take long for the AA Wraiths to be eliminated, either with the Spartan Laser, or a well placed grenade.
"Beachhead secured, Captain," Cortana reported. "All AA Wraiths have been destroyed."
"Miranda Keyes is on her way," Chernenko reported. "Shipmaster, time for us to begin diversionary bombardment."
"I will beat the Prophet's shield like a drum," R'tas agreed. "By the time the barrier falls, he will beg for mercy."
"He isn't finding any here," Chernenko added. "He's killed quite a few of my people. I won't stop until he's dead." As he said this, both the Dallas and Shadow of Intent began to hammer the shield barrier with their weapons. The barrier barely wavered, though it was clear that it was very slowly weakening.
As a Garrot offloaded an APC for the squads to use, Miranda came onto the COM again. "Spark believes that Truth can activate the rings at any time. If he does, Earth, every being in the galaxy… Halo will kill them all. Chief, get to the first tower. Shut it down."
"Affirmative," Chief nodded. Walking inside of the APC, he looked the two pilots as he reached the cockpit. "You get that?" he asked.
"Affirmative," the APC driver replied. "We'll get you there. Say, can your lady friend give us a waypoint? She should be able to upload nav information to the computer onboard."
"Already done," Cortana replied. "Just follow the nav point. It should take us to the first tower."
"Roger that. You might want to strap in. It's going to be a bumpy ride." Nodding, Chief strapped in, though he had Cortana create a video-link so that he could see what was going on. Moments later, the APC began to move.
The hum of the Fusion Engine increased in pitch as the Tracked APC began to move up the incline. Looking ahead, he spotted what appeared to be a Shade Turret, as well as some Jackals and Grunts in the area. Plasma fire flew through the air as the turret fired on the APC.
In reply, the APC fired it's weapons compliment. Emerald beams of light tore through the Shade Turret, reducing it to a pile of scrap metal within seconds. At the same time, the Grunts and Jackals were ripped apart by the Machine Gun, with limbs, blood and gore flying through the air.
As they moved along, Chief heard Johnson on the COM. "Ma'am, we're on the ground. Third tower in sight."
"Good," Miranda replied. "The Arbiter and Elites have touched down at tower number two."
While this was going on, the APC reached the top of the hill, moving through what appeared to be a forest, with a stream that fed what he presumed was a lake down below. Two Ghosts came towards them, only to be cut apart by the pulse lasers. With the Ghosts down, they began moving down an incline that curved to the left.
As they did, the APC driver frowned. "Well, shit! We've got a Wraith in the next area, along with some Choppers. Beyond that, it's mostly infantry and Shade Turrets."
"Can you handle that?" Chief asked.
"Don't worry, we've got a modification that allows us to take on those bastards," the driver replied. "Gunner, fire up the SRM-2 that they mounted on the turret. Time to introduce those Brutes to our missiles."
"Affirmative," the gunner replied, flicking a switch. "Automated firing system activated. All Covenant targets marked as hostiles. All weapon systems are activated and tracking." With that, they drove into the small area down below.
True to Chief's presumption, the stream fed a small mountain pond in a small depression. The only noteworthy features were a pair of rock columns that stuck out of the ground, as well as the entrance ot the first tower. He also spotted the Covenant that were present.
Spotting the APC, the Choppers went first, firing their cannons as the Wraith began shelling the area with plasma mortars. The APC driver immediately swerved to the left, the vehicle driving through the mountain pond as though it wasn't there, sending a spray of water into the air. The pulse lasers fired, cutting apart one of the Choppers, while the SRM's tore into the second. Loud pings and clunks indicated hits on the armor.
"I hope it holds out," Cortana whispered to Chief.
"We'll be fine," he reassured her. Internally, he understood Cortana's concern, as he knew from experience that APC's didn't have very heavy armor plating, as their greatest defense was speed.
Fortunately, the APC driver and gunner knew what they were doing, as it wasn't long before they began firing on the Wraith. Pulse lasers and SRM's smashed into the hull of the Wraith, tearing off chunks of armor and hull, while the Machine Guns tore into the Grunts, Jackals and Brutes that were outside. In a stroke of luck, one of the two SRM's flew over the Wraith's cockpit before smashing into the main gun; shrapnel from the blast tore into the main gun, rendering it useless as a weapon.
At the same time, the pulse lasers cut into the crew compartment, spearing the driver and the commander. In an instant, the Wraith fell to the ground, it's anti-gravity system deactivated as it's crew was eliminated. "All contacts down," the APC driver reported. "Everyone offload now!"
A moment later, the Infantry Bay doors opened, allowing everyone inside to get out as quickly as possible. Moving towards the entrance to the tower, which was past a downward sloping ramp, Chief waited until everyone was stacked up near the door, before moving inside. Weapons blazed as he and the others engaged the Covenant inside.
The interior of the tower, according to the schematics Cortana had obtained, was quite simple. The room they were in held an elevator that was accessible via a hallway to the right that led upwards. Moving to the right, Chief gunned down more Covenant before moving through the hallway. The only resistance inside were a pair of Jackals, and they were quickly eliminated.
Getting onto the elevator, he hit the controls needed to go upwards, with a pair of SLDF Marines accompanying him. "We're with you, sir," they said to him. "We'll handle any mooks up there." Nodding, Chief waited for the elevator to come to a stop.
The room that it stopped in was at the very top of the tower. It was shaped like a rectangle with a triangle at the top, with the controls for the totwer located at the tip of the triangle. Elegant alcoves were located to the left and right, all shaped in the architecture that the Forerunners used.
It wasn't unoccupied, though, as Chief found out. Several Brute Majors were inside, and a Chieftain wielding a Gravity Hammer was present as well. Without having to say a thing, the SLDF Marines engaged the Majors with their pulse laser rifles, while Chief engaged the Chieftain.
Racing past the Majors, who were occupied by the Marines, Chief rushed at the Chieftain, who swung it's Gravity Hammer directly at him. Ducking under the hammer head, Chief shoulder tackled the Chieftain, slamming it into the ground. Rolling and getting up, he grabbed the Gravity Hammer and, with a single overhead swing, crushed the Chieftain's head. Blood, bone and brain matter splattered everywhere as the hammer head's sudden weight smashed the Chieftain's skull apart. Turning around, Chief quickly engaged the Majors while they were off balance.
Within a minute, all of the Brutes were dead, their bodies and blood splattered or lying on the ground. Heading to the controls, Chief hit the required glyph to disable the tower. "Good work, Chief!" Miranda beamed. "That's one. The Arbiter and the Elite's should – That's two. It's all up to Johnson now. Get back outside, Chief, and await transport."
As he and the two Marines moved down the tower via the lift, Miranda attempted to contact Johnson. "Johnson, come in. Over."
Johnson's reply was audible, but there was interference on the COM. "Brute reinforcements, ma'am –! We're pinned down!"
"I'm on my way!"
"Negative! Fire's too heavy. Everyone fall back! No-" Moments later, the COM link cut off.
"Sergeant Major!" Miranda called out. No answer. "Johnson, can you read me!?" When no response came again, she said, "Chief, change of plans. You need to link up with the Arbiter and proceed to the Third Tower. Make your way back to the beach."
"Understood, ma'am," Chief replied as they moved back outside.
. . .
Getting back to the beach was no hassle at all, with all of the Covenant present eliminated. As they got closer, Chief thought he heard what sounded like propeller blades that were spinning in the air. Looking at the video feed, he found the source of the sound: two Pinto's had landed on the beach, their Infantry Bays open for the others. "Got a flight of birds that need an escort," Hocus informed Chief. "These Pinto pilots volunteered, and they've got plenty of spare room for you, sir."
"We're here to get you to the Third Tower," the pilot of one of the Pintos told Chief. "Our engines are hot, and our guns ready to rock. Just put your ass into the Infantry Bay and we'll get you there." Nodding, Chief and the others got out as soon as the APC came to a stop. Getting out, he quickly got into the Infantry Bay for the Pinto closest to him, with the Marines getting into the other one.
As soon as he was inside, the Pinto's took off. Propeller blades became a blur as the Attack VTOL's lifted off, their Fusion Engines humming as they took to the skies. Moving to the cockpit, Chief spotted what was going on: a flight of Sangheili Phantoms were coming in, but he could see Covenant Banshees further up ahead, along with a Covenant Phantom.
"Pretty heavy out there," Cortana remarked. "You Pinto pilots get into this kind of thing all the time?"
"Certainly, ma'am," the pilot replied. "These things aren't called 'Attack VTOL's' for no damn reason. We'll be fine. This baby has four tonnes of Ferro-Fibrous armor. She can take a beatin'. Now strap yourselves in tight. We're going in for it." Chief got into a seat that he noticed was at the back wall of the cockpit.
As he strapped himself down, the Pinto he was in surged forwards, the Fusion Engine humming as the attack VTOL reached it's top speed of 162km/h. LRM's flew out of the missile launchers on either side of the VTOL as it swooped in closer to the Banshees, before ER Medium Pulse Lasers fired up beneath it's 'chin.' Three Banshees detonated as LRM's smashed against their chassis', blasting them apart in short order, while two more were cut apart by the pulse lasers.
"Watch it!" Cortana shouted as a Fuel Rod zipped towards them. In response, the Pinto pilot, in a showcase of his skill, performed a full barrel roll of the VTOL with the view outside inverting for a few seconds. The Fuel Rod zipped right below them, with the VTOL returning to normal orientation seconds later.
In retaliation, the pilot fired off another few missiles, before moving on, while the other Pinto circled around the Phantom, pelting it's armored hull with LRM's and pulse lasers. Flying onward, they quickly reached the Third Tower. "Ma'am, objective in sight," the Pinto pilot reported. "No sign of Johnson for his squad."
"Understood," Miranda replied, "Clear an LZ, then get Chief inside the tower."
"We're on it." Looking out the viewport, the Pinto pilot said, "Well, well, they've got AA Wraiths. Nothing I can't handle."
Swerving the VTOL around, he fired off a few LRM's before firing on the first AA Wraith, while the second Pinto, having neutralized the Phantom, fired on the second one. Under the onslaught the two VTOL's could unleash, both AA Wraiths were quickly eliminated, along with any Covenant infantry that were outside still.
With all hostiles down, one of the Sangheili Phantoms nearby landed, while both Pintos landed seconds before them. "Good luck, Chief," the pilot reported. "I've heard that some BattleMechs will be hot dropping into the area if they get the chance. That one Clanner turned mercenary is with them, I think."
"Got it," Chief replied, knowing who the pilot was referring to. Exiting the VTOL, he advanced towards the tower entrance with the ODST's and Marines, just as the Sangheili arrived.
Spotting him, the Arbiter said, "Darken this tower and the barrier will fall. Go, Spartan. We have no time to waste." Nodding at that, Chief and the others proceeded inside, weapons at the ready.
Spotting a War Chieftain on the bottom floor, Chief fired his rifle, HEAP rounds pelting the Brute's armor. As he did so, one of the Marines fired the Compact Grenade Launcer underneath his rifle's barrel. There was a loud BLOOP as the launcher fired, sending a grenade directly into the Chieftain's face. Moments later, said face was obliterated when the grenade detonated, splattering the alien's head all over the alrea.
"Nice shot," Cortana remarked.
"Thanks," the Marine replied.
As they moved up the hallway, Chief began to get a tightening feeling in his gut. Something's not right, he thought as he moved up. The Brutes don't abandon something like this place easily. That gut feeling was proven right when he thought he saw a shimmer in the air.
Firing his rifle, he was rewarded with a howl of pain, before a Brute seeming appeared out of thin air. It's arm had been severed by a bullet, while it's eyes, hidden by a helmet with a single glowing visor, were filled with rage. "Brute Stalkers!" Cortana warned. "We encountered them at High Charity!"
"Take them out!" Chief ordered. "Marines, use your motion trackers! The Brutes have invisibility systems!"
"Got it," the Marines replied. Almost immediately, pulse lasers cut through the air, with some cutting apart a few Brute Stalkers. Caught off guard by their discovery, the Brutes were quickly overwhelmed, allowing Chief to get to the upper level. Only a single Chieftain was present up there, and eliminating it was quite easy.
Deactivating the tower systems, Chief watched as the barrier faded, revealing a circular depression up ahead. Inside, he saw an elegant tower that he realized was the Ark's Citadel. The depression around it was filled with snow, while the sky there was blue, while the horizon was shining a beautiful red-orange color. As he watched, the Shadow of Intent flew overhead, weapons heating up. "Now, Prophet," R'tas said solemnly. "Your end has come."
Just as he said this, Cortana said, "Slipstream Rupture detected! It's… oh no."
"What is it?" Chief asked.
"It's High Charity!" Cortana replied. Just as she said this, a massive Slipstream Space rupture opened overhead, before the station itself flew through and above the Ark. While Chief couldn't see any minor details due to the distance, he could tell the station was badly damaged.
"High Charity…?" R'tas gasped, surprised. "By the Gods! Brace for impact!" Moments later, something flew through the Shadow of Intent, smashing a large hole through it's superstructure and hull. At the same time, something flew into the tower behind Chief, before landing with an unceremonious CRASH!
The Flood, Chief thought as he heard a familiar howl reach his ears. "Marines, we've got Flood in the area!"
"We copy," the SLDF Marines replied. "Marines, bust out the Man-Portable Flamers. We've got Flood coming! Time to make us some Flood grits!" While that was going on, Chief proceeded forwards, weapon at the ready.
The moment a Combat Form appeared, he fired, rifle barking loudly as he tore it apart. More Combat Forms charged at him, only to be cut down within seconds. Reaching the lift, he engaged it as he killed the last Combat Form.
"Shipmaster," Chernenko ordered. "Status?"
"Significant damage," R'tas reported. "Weapon systems disabled."
"Get your ass out of there now. Stay away from the Flood."
"Why would the Parasite come here?!"
"The Ark is out of range, of all the other installations!" Guilty Spark replied. "Priority: we must contain this outbreak before -"
"NO!" Chernenko thundered, catching even Chief a little off guard. "If we focus on the Flood right now, it will give Truth time to accomplish what he came here to do! We will terminate Truth first, then deal with the Flood. Am I understood?"
"Clearly," Guilty Spark replied, surprised, and a little miffed, that he'd been overruled so quickly.
"Good." Changing COM frequencies, he said, "Chief, Alex and his Star will assist in the operation. I need you to come along in one of the Rommels and get to the Citadel. The sooner we get there, the sooner we stop Truth."
"Understood," Chief nodded. As he reached the bottom, he found the SLDF Marines and ODST's in a pitched battle against the Flood. Moments after he caught sight of them, a massive gout of flame tore out of the projector of a Man-Portable Flamer, with the Flood caught in the flames. Howls of rage and pain filled the air as flames licked at the Combat Form's bodies, searing flesh and destroying any Flood spores in the air.
When the SLDF Marine using the Man-Portable Flamer eased off on the trigger, Chief saw that the Flood had been reduced to charred remains. "Mmmmhmmm," the Marine remarked. "Smell that Flood barbecue. Smells just like roasted chicken."
"Ugh," another groaned. "At least the Flood are dead." Reaching the bottom floor, Chief dropped the short distance from the lift to the ground, before proceeding ahead, moving past the charred remains of the Flood.
Getting outside, he watched as a Garrot dropped off a Rommel, which looked identical to the Patton, only it was armed with an A-AC/20. As he clambered inside the cramped crew compartment, Chernenko said, "Chief, the Shipmaster's WarShip is out of commission. I need you to take down Truth. The Flood is only going to accelerate his plans. Punch through the cliffs and get to the Citadel, on the double!"
"Yes, sir," Chief nodded. Looking at the tank commander, he said, "Get us in there."
"Roger that," the tank commander replied. "Men, get us to the Ark's Citadel now. I wanted to be there yesterday!"
"Affirmative," the tank driver nodded. Moments later, the tank surged forwards, the tracks clanking as it moved forwards. At the same time, the Sangheili, who had brought along a Wraith and a couple Spectres, followed them. Moving through the tunnel in the cliff, they reached the other side. Snow covered the ground like a fresh coat of paint, while the foreboding walls were a onyx black in color.
Up ahead were a few Covenant emplacements. Chief felt the A-AC/20 shudder as the crew engaged the Covenant forces with cluster munitions, splattering blood and organs onto the canyon walls. In response, the Spectres moved up ahead, to neutralize any infantry, while the Wraith and Rommel remained in the rear to take out any heavier vehicles from a distance.
Moving through the canyon, they soon found themselves traveling along the walls of the caldera. All around, Hornets, Pintos and Sangheili Banshees were engaging their Covenant counterparts. Moments later, Chief spotted something flying down from above, before it blasted apart into five different sections. To his surprise, five BattleMechs were revealed, with powerful thrusters attached to each one slowing them down until they landed.
"Now that's how you enter a battle in style," Cortana remarked.
Moments later, Alex's voice came in over the COM. "Chief, it is good to see you. We will handle any Scarabs that attempt to molest you. Proceed with your mission."
Continuing on, it wasn't long before the Scarabs showed up, with two landing on the ground. "I count two Scarab's," a Pelican pilot reported.
"Let the 'Mechs handle them!" a Pinto pilot shouted. "They can take the heat better than we can! Keep Chief's Rommel covered!"
Inside the Rommel, Chief felt it accelerate to top speed as the tank driver spotted the Scarabs. Reaching the caldera floor, they were just in time to see one Scarab explode, before the 'Mechs engaged the next one, with some damage to their armor. Before the Scarab could target the vehicle, the tank driver drove beneath the Scarab, preventing it from targeting them as he drove out the other side. By then, the Scarab was occupied by the BattleMechs engaging it.
Reaching the platform that led to the Citadel's entrance, Chief quickly got out, with the Rommel quickly pulling away as a cloaked Phantom dropped off the Arbiter. "Spartan, come to me!" the Arbiter shouted. "This platform hides a path! The Flood scales these walls! Activate this bridge, Oracle!" Turning to Chief, he said, "The Prophet will die by my hands, not others."
"Understood," Chief nodded.
"Calamity!" Guilty Spark shouted as the light bridge activated. "If only we had more time!" Without further ado, Chief and the others raced across the light bridge.
. . .
Inside of the Citadel, Johnson knew he was having a really bad day. He huffed loudly as he smacked into the floor, courtesy of an overenthusiastic Chieftain. "Is that the best you've got?" he taunted. The Chieftain, in response, grabbed him by the neck and began to choke him. "Come on," Johnson grunted, despite his throat being constricted. "Impress me."
"Stop, you imbecile!" Truth shouted, seeing the debacle. "He wants you to kill him!" Looking at the Ark's activation console, he said, "I prefer that you did not…"
Sensing what the Prophet was getting at, the Chieftain shoved Johnson against the console, slamming his head into the console. "Ugh!" Johnson shouted before looking at Truth. "What's the matter, asshole? Can't start your own suicide party?"
"I admit, I need your help," Truth sighed. "But that secret dies with all the -" He was promptly interrupted by the sound of glass shattering behind them. Turning around, Johnson watched as a Pelican smashed through the view ports for the Citadel, coming to a crash landing on the ledge. The impact threw everyone to the ground.
Getting out once the Pelican had landed, Miranda Keyes looked around for Johnson. There you are, she thought. Spotting a Brute, she blasted it with her shotgun, killing it instantly. "Johnson!" she shouted.
"Get out of here!" Johnson shouted through his coughing.
"Not without you!"
"It matters not," Truth growled. "One of you will activate the rings. You cannot hope to kill us all."
"Maybe, maybe not," Miranda replied, "but if I'm going down, I'll -" Before she could finish, two spikes shunted into her back, a loud "Uuff!" coming from Miranda as she fell down.
"NOOO!" Johnson shouted. Turning to see Truth with a Spiker, he roared, "You BASTARD!" Just as he charged, a fist hurled into his face, causing his vision to flash gray as he hit the ground.
"Your forefathers wisely set aside their own compassion, steeled themselves for what needed to be done," Truth remarked as he dragged Johnson towards the panel and pressed the man's hand into the required control. "I see now why they left you behind. You were weak, and gods must be strong."
On the other side of the chamber, Chief and the Arbiter came up the lift. Just as it stopped, two Flood Pure Forms landed on either side. Just as both raised their weapons, the Gravemind spoke through one of the Pure Forms. "Do not shoot, but listen!" it said to them. "Let me lead you safely to our foe. Only you can halt what he has set in motion."
Chief was about to ask why the Gravemind was helping them when he realized it: Truth was beginning to activate all of the Halo rings! Shrugging his shoulders in frustration, he began to move forwards, firing his weapon at the Covenant ahead while the Arbiter advanced.
If the remaining Covenant weren't terrified before, they were now, especially since the Flood was helping Chief and the Arbiter complete their mission. Grunts and Jackals screamed in horror as they were overwhelmed by Flood, while the Brutes were taken out by Chief and the Arbiter. Moving through one of the rooms ahead of them, they heard Truth shout, "How could I have known the Parasite would follow? Undoubtedly, this is the heretic's doing! A final, bitter curse! Clear evidence of treachery long hidden!"
. . .
Unbeknownst to Truth, the human he thought he'd killed was still alive. Miranda groaned quietly as she slowly got up. Her back felt like it was on fire, though thankfully, it wasn't because the spikes were in her body. A swift tug on her ruined uniform tore it off, revealing slim armor plating attached to a body suit underneath.
That damn bastard, she snarled inwardly. Thought he killed me so easily, didn't he? I'm about to prove him wrong! Pulling out her M42D, he discarded her shotgun before taking aim, fighting through the pain in her back. Targeting the two Brutes, she opened fire.
The Brutes were shocked that the prey their Prophet had killed was, in fact, alive and well. As such, they were caught completely off guard by the assault. Truth turned around, shock on his face, only to be clipped by a few rounds in his right shoulder and leg. He screamed, a loud, shrill sound, as he fell down, while Miranda staggered over to Johnson. "Johnson?" she asked.
"Miranda?!" Johnson asked, surprised and relieved that Miranda was alive. "How -?!"
"I'll explain later," Miranda strained out. "Ugh! Damnit! I think my ribs are broken. Is Chief here?"
"Yes," Chief replied as he walked onto the platform.
Looking at him, Johnson said, "Stop the rings. Save the rest. I've gotta get Miranda out of here." Getting up, he helped Miranda limp to the Pelican.
While Chief moved to the console, the Arbiter moved towards the Prophet, who was lying on the ground, bleeding. "Can you see, Arbiter?" Truth said to him. "The moment of salvation, is at hand."
Snarling, Thel roughly picked up the Prophet. "It will not last!" he defiantly snarled.
"Your kind… never believed in the promise of the sacred rings," Truth coughed out.
Moments later, he coughed out what Thel recognized as Flood Spores. Before he could ask what was going on, the Gravemind spoke through Truth's mouth. "Lies for the weak," it growled. "Beacons for the deluded."
"I will have my revenge," Thel snarled. "On a Prophet, not a Parasite!"
"My feet tread the path," Truth gasped, regaining control. "I shall become a god!"
Again, the Gravemind took control for a few seconds. "You will be food – nothing more." At the same time, a tentacle sprouted from Truth's face, though he gained control once more.
Spotting Chief deactivating the arming sequence for the entire Halo Array, and deactivating the Ark, he screamed, "NOO!" As he was hefted up, he shouted, "I… am… Truth! The voice of the Covenant!"
Thel, snarling again, knocked Truth's headdress off as he hefted him into the air. "And so… you must be silenced." With that, he plunged his Energy Sword directly into Truth's back.
Truth screamed. It was a loud, howling sound of pain and terror, the Prophet's eyes wide with despair and pain as the life inside of him fled his body. Within a few seconds, he was dead, his limbs becoming limp.
Tossing the body to the ground, Thel knelt down and let out a long, deep roar of triumph that rang in the air. I have done it he crowed victoriously in his mind. I have silenced the one that lied to us, that tricked us into destroying an innocent species! For the first time in my existence… we are free! Free to choose our own future! Free to follow our own path! The shackles of the Covenant are no more!
Getting up as he stopped roaring, he looked at Chief, who nodded in understanding. "Sir," Chief said to Chernenko. "Truth has been neutralized."
"Finally," Chernenko breathed, "but it's not over yet. Get out of there. The Flood are probably going to turn on you."
Before Chief could reply, tentacles emerged from under the platform, while chilling laughter filled the air. No need to tell me twice, Chief thought as he ran for the Pelican with the Arbiter. Before they could reach it, a tentacle slammed into the platform, nearly crushing them as the hurled themselves backwards.
"Now the gate has been unlatched," the Gravemind crowed, gloating in it's stay of execution. "Headstones pushed aside… corpses shift and offer room. A fate you must abide!"
Drawing his Energy Sword, Thel said, "We trade one foe for another." The exasperation in his voice matched Chief's own. Fortunately, he had a tool for dealing with the Flood, having picked it up before he got out of the Rommel minutes earlier.
As soon as the tentacles retracted below the platform, likely due to sensing a new threat, the Flood surged forwards, eager to get at the prize they felt they had earned. This proved to be a sore miscalculation, as Chief quickly demonstrated. Pulling out the projector, he immediately unleashed a gout of fire from his Man-Portable Flamer. The Flood's anticipation turned to rage and horror as Combat Forms were melted into piles of charred flesh by the intense heat.
"I can barely keep a hold of the Pelican, Chief!" Johnson reported over the COM. "No way I can pick you up! Head back to the lift… find a way down!"
"Got it," Chief replied. "We have to fight our way to the lift," he told the Arbiter.
"What horror?!" Thel shouted. "When will it ever end?!"
"If we don't get out of here, never!" Cortana shouted. "Chief, the lift's out, but there's a shaft we can drop down! We have to get to there!" Chief merely nodded before he advanced forwards, Flamer belching fire all the way.
It was a hard fight to get to the lift room, as the Flood were absolutely relentless. Chief, however, did not let up with the Flamer, as he continued to burn the Flood away with the first tool man, in his desire to explore, had mastered: fire. Flames soared out of the nozzle for the Flamer, searing flesh and reducing Combat Forms to charred meat. In addition to this, the Sentinels in the place had activated, and were now doing the same to the Flood.
Reaching the back of the lift room, Chief spotted the hatch for the shaft. Opening it, he waited for the Arbiter to drop down, before he went inside, shutting the hatch behind himself. For a few seconds, he fell through the air, before landing with a hard THUD on the ground below. Looking to the right, he spotted the Arbiter, who was uninjured by the fall.
"Chief, I found something," Cortana said to him, while displaying a nav point. Following it, Chief found himself in a small observation room, with a single control panel inside. Out of curiosity, he pressed it.
Moments later, like a mountain coming into view, a familiar shape rose from the fog in front of him. Looking at it, Chief realized what it was: another Halo. "A replacement," the Arbiter remarked as the ring traveled upwards, "for the ring you destroyed."
Sensing someone behind them, Chief asked, "When did you know?"
Guilty Spark, flying to their position, said, "Just now. But… I had my hopes." Looking at Chief, he asked, "What will you do?"
Looking at the newly built Halo, Chief only had one answer. "Light it."
Guilty Spark was overjoyed. "Then we are in agreement! A tactical pulse will completely eradicate the local infestation! I will personally oversee the final preparations." Flying past them, he said, "Though it will take time to fabricate an Activation Index, I will see to the letter that…" His voice faded out as he flew away.
Looking at Cortana, Chief asked, "Do you still have it?"
"The Activation Index from the first Halo," Cortana replied. "I still have it."
"Good," Chief nodded. "We'll need it. This far out, activating Halo won't harm anyone in the galaxy."
As he said this, Chief heard his COM ping. Answering it, he heard Chernenko say, "Chief, do you read me? Are you still alive?"
"Affirmative," Chief replied.
"Good, because we've got an asset moving to deal with the Flood. I need you ready for the aftermath of High Charity's destruction. Once it's destruction is confirmed, we'll head to the new Halo and light it up."