Before I get any further into this chapter, let it be know that the original chapter had no context whatsoever, so I had to create a point for this chapter to even exist. Thus, I apologize for the delay.

"If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough." ~Mario

Chapter 3: A Glimpse Of The Past

It was the moment of truth. This was the day that The Infinity was supposed to arrive. Everyone were eager to get back into the fight, if there even was a battle left to return to. The camp had been reduced down to minimal size, and all but the necessities had been collected and prepared for transport. The

Master Chief was sitting inside the large, operations command tent, gazing down into the giant water filled valley that was the place of their last true battle against The Covenant. It was over.

Finally.

Last night hadn't been any easier to John than the last one. He still saw her, and it hurt every damn time. This was partially why John loved combat so much. It was his escape, a place to lose himself and bury the memories of all he had lost.

But now, here in a place where everything was so calm and quiet, a typical serenity that followed a victory, especially a hard earned one. All his thoughts, nightmares and fears ran rampant. Before it had been manageable, she was there to calm him. Her voice and soothing words had always been his anchor to this word, a pathway for him to follow.

It was ironic. John had always been nothing more than an average spartan. Many of his brothers and sisters were better than him in many things, but he had one thing no other spartan had, he cared.

It might sound cold, it might sound insane, yes all Spartans cared, but not on the same level he had, and still do, cared about Cortana.

When so many of his siblings had fallen, making the ultimate sacrifice for their people, he had endured.

Everyone needed a reason to fight for, a reason so many of his siblings failed to find.

The UNSC had tried to give them one, filling them with pro-human propaganda and wondrous tales of how powerful and mighty The UNSC was, but Spartans weren't idiots. They saw and understood much more than they let on.

They were the best for a reason.

He felt tired, yes Spartans had been trained to endure long times without sleep, but this was different. In fact his insufficient sleep had nothing to do with it. No, this was so much more. All these new emotions and feelings were taking a toll on the super soldier and he knew it. Even his team saw it, and he was sure Halsey understood too.

"You cared for her deeply, spartan."

Chief had heard him coming, it was difficult not to, even if he wanted not to hear, his augments made it impossible. Turning around, now facing his long time ally, John could finally see, and truly see how tired the Arbiter was. He was a Sangheili who had seen too much, even for a creature born into a culture based upon war and destruction.

"I was there with you." The Arbiter continued, now taking slow steps towards him. "Perhaps only for a short while, but I saw, and heard great many things."

Now coming to a stop right next to him, The Arbiter gazed down upon the place that would be remembered as the end of Storm Covenant. "At first I was confused, I did not understand why a soldier would want to bond so closely with something born out of code and metal."

Thel's reptilian gaze turned towards John: "But then, there I stood, next to you, incapable of saving your human friend from dying in the hands of Monitor 343, I finally understood."

Noticing the bright ray of light from the corner of his eye, Thel turned his gaze upon the first peaceful sunrise in sanghelios for centuries "Even after all our technological advancements, all the wars we waged, every life we took, we could not create what you humans created."

"At first, it was an unsettling thought, I even considered turning against you, it was unbearable, to think another species were destined for so many great things, when our part was nothing more than to be a failure in someone else's grand plan."

Silence followed, both talented warriors watching the surrounding darkness retreating, escaping from the light provided by the gigantic gasball.

"What changed your mind?"

The only sign that showed Arbiter being surprised of hearing him speak, was the small narrowing of his eyes. He considered his answer carefully, that much was clear. He had gone over this conversation before, this was not the first time he had had a conversation about the legendary AI. But it certainly was the first time it was done on friendly terms.

"Ironically, it was she, who finally made me see. When she expressed true sorrow for the passing of your friend, I finally understood the magnificence and the potential of the human race." Arbiter had to give a small chuckle before he continued: "Funny, isn't it? The thing that finally made me see under the blanket of war and destruction caused by the humans, was a creation herself."

Chief remained quiet, giving one last gaze at the now noticeable sun, getting up from the box he was sitting on, John gave his "goodbyes": "I should get going."

John couldn't get more than two steps in, when he heard a deep and serious voice from behind him: "Remember spartan, even as a member of a species that has caused so much chaos and destruction, I know quite well that a bond, especially as powerful as the one between the two of you, is not so easily broke. Even in the most desperate of situations, you may find hope yet."

Chief paused mid step and turned to give Arbiter a small nod, before making his way out of the tent and into the surrounding light.

oooOOO The estimated time of Infinity's arrival OOOooo

Everyone's gaze was turned towards the sky, some of the younger and more impatient personnel were eager the leave this dust ball behind and return inside the familiar hallways of the Infinity.

Commander Palmer was many things, but patient was not one of them. As a former ODST, she preferred to get things done fast and efficiently, usually joining many missions herself. Ironically she was the one who spearheaded the group of irritated youth, and was effectively creating a buffer zone of "come any closer and I will murder each and every single one of you" around her:

"I swear by fucking God if they don't come soon, I will personally kill someone".

"Easy commander, I'm sure they wouldn't leave us hanging without a good reason". Buck answered calmly, keeping his gaze fixed towards the clear, blue sky above them.

Palmer shot Buck a dark look and was about to open her mouth when she heard their communications officer yelling: "They are here, we've got com's!"

Palmer gave Buck a last dirty look and ran towards to the voice, seeing spartan Tanaka talking to a radio-operators headset, Palmer grabbed the piece of hardware and called for Lasky.

"Tom, Jesus Christ took you long enough".

Lasky gave Sarah a look and answered calmly, he had the most experience with her, and knew how to deal with her mood swings.

"We ran into some complications on the way, it is not so easy to avoid the most powerful AI in the galaxy you know."

After a short moment of tense silence Sarah gave Lasky a look and sighted:

"Yeah, I know just do me a favor and get us out of here."

"Pelicans are already on route, Commander, just hang tight, well gets you reunited with civilization soon enough." Lasky stated.

Palmer gave Lasky one last thankful look before cutting the connection.

Fifteen-minutes later three pelican drop-ships arrived to extract all UNSC personnel from the surface. It was a tight fit, but time was of the essence and they couldn't linger around any longer than they absolutely had to.

Master Chief was among the last people to leave and when he took the first steps to board the last remaining pelican, he heard the familiar bass rumble of Arbiters voice.

"Spartan, we might not be the empire you once knew us as, but that does not mean that the Sangheili lack teeth. When the time is right, you will have the most powerful armada that our generation has ever seen behind you."

Taking the last few steps to board the pelican, Chief grabbed on one of the support handles, before giving The Arbiter one last helmet covered look, the pelicans loading ramp effectively covering his view of the outside.

Thel 'Vadam, The Arbiter of the Sangheili people, watched as the humanity's greatest heroes transport ship slowly escorted him out of his home planets orbit.

It was only after the pelican had disappeared out of the view, that he turned to one of his shipmasters and said: "This old warrior still has one final fight left in him."

From there it was a short ride to Infinity.

As he walked out he could see many tired faces working around the hangar.

"The uprising must is taking its toll on everyone." Chief's head turned sharply towards the new voice and saw Captain Lasky standing next to him, also looking at the tired crew members working around them. He quickly executed a perfect salute and acknowledged the captain: "Sir".

Lasky gave him a small, amused smile before turning back towards the hangar workers: "At ease Chief, you know I don't like you calling me sir".

Tom saw Chief relax and continued "Well Chief, it would certainly seem like we have quite a lot to talk about." Giving one last look at the workers Thomas turned around and started walking towards the nearest elevator: "C'mon, get Palmer, we need a plan from here on out."