Prologue
[Play Halo 3 ODST OST Asphalt And Ablution Theme on You Tube]
In the year 2556 when the conflict with the Covenant had concluded another war was fought behind the scenes, a war for the very future of humanity. To most, the heroes that fought and died during those battle shall remain nameless. However to the few that survived the heroic actions of a team of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers shall be counted with those of Legend.
On an unknown moon of Paravin, a planet previous unexplored, the ruins of Legend make their way to the surface.
"We're wasting time." the frustrated marine groaned kicking the burn ground beneath his feet,"Six days searching up and down this rock and we haven't found anything to tell us what the Covenant were after."
"Yeah, but its not everyday the Covenant glass a supposedly barren rock." His fellow marine exclaimed as he rises a loose stone to eye level and examines it carefully,"Something happened here."
"You said supposedly?" the first marine remarked turning to face his fellow marine.
"Well... you didn't hear it from me, but I heard that the surveillance team over in the westward sector uncovered all types of buildings and Constructs. Even evidences of a few firefights." the second marine explained.
"Eh, it was probably just some kind of internal conflict."The Marine responded as throw his hands in the air demonstrating his lack of interest in any of this," I'm sure the covenant has their share of troublemakers just like we do."
"But why glass half the planet?" The second marine snapped locking eyes with the skeptic ,"If you ask me someones trying very hard to make sure whatever happened here never reaches the light of day."
"Its actually a moon." The first Marine said sarcastically.
"This coming from the guy who called it a rock not even two minutes ago." his buddy whispered under his breath.
"Sergeant Hudson I think I've found something!"A lone female Marines voice rises above the whispers occupying the surveillance sight.
The Marine hands her findings over to the Sergeant in Charge, as he begins to analyze it. It was some sort of transparent cylinder container with black gears holding it together on both its left and right , inside was what appeared to be an A.I. Unit shimmering in a bright violet."Prep a Warthog! We need to get this to the Commander immediately" the Sergeant insisted.
"Roger!"The marines answered, Their voices synchronized.
Quickly Sergeant Hudson and his fellow marines hoped into the nearest Warthog and began to navigated the now lifeless moon of Paravin. They could still smell the scent of char even though it was evident that planet had been set afire months or even years ago.
"Wonder what happened here?" the female Marine spoke,"The Geo Scientist say at one point this place must have been very beautiful."
"Well not anymore. The Covenant made sure of that." Sergeant Hudson hissed.
"What's up with that anyway?" one of the junior marines asked,"I thought the Covenant stopped glassing planets at the end of the war."
"They're are somethings that are better destroyed than revealed." Sergeant Hudson replied,"Maybe the Covenant found something like that here. Something they believe is better to bury than reveal for all to see."
"Like what?" The eager marine asked.
"How the hell should I know?" Sergeant Hudson laughed,"Maybe they did it for their own well-being... or maybe they did it for the good of the galaxy. One things for sure we'll have more answer than we have now ones I get this to the Commander." Sergeant Hudson picks up the canister with both hands then stares deeply into its radiate light a warmth washes over him and his breathing slows.
"You alright Sergeant?" The female yells as she grips the steering wheel of the raging Warthog snapping Sergeant Hudson out of his trance.
"Yes... Fine... Lets keep moving." The Sergeant finally said.
Inside the Commanding Officer's Ship
"Excuse the interruption Commander, but you need to see this." The Sergeant said sternly standing in the doorway of the Officer in Charge of the surveillance site. He was a Major: Caucasian with white hair and a stocky build.
"Sergeant Hudson, just the man I wanted to see. I've received unsettling news from the Westward Sector, I was hoping to tell you about it so that you could pass the information along. Things are indeed more grave then I'd thought." The Major went on, taking a seat in a nearby chair as he did.
"Sir."Sergeant Hudson said as he move the containment unit into the Commander's line of sight.
The Major caught sight of the unit and was silent for a moment until he the words finally left his lips,"Bring it here." The Sergeant move shifty placing the containment unit on the deck just before the Major,"Well don't sit it there. Open It."
"Open it, Sir." the sergeant replied hesitantly, "But, isn't that something more up ONI alley than our own."
"Let me tell you something sergeant. If we ship this up to the higher ups do you know what's going to happen?" The Major paused,"They're gonna send it to the engineers to make sure isn't filled with some kind of poisonous gas, If it checks outs they are gonna send it to some idiot who has absolutely no idea what to do with it so he'll probably send it back to the engineers who will in turn send it back to him. He'll realize his mistake then send it to ONI where if it hasn't been completely destroyed during its shipping process will activate it and asked it questions. Then throw it into an evidence locker never to be heard from again. Now we can wait for all of that... or we can stop wasting everyone's time and open it right now."
[Play Halo ODST Project Valkyrie Lucy's Theme on You Tube]
"Yes sir."The Sergeant said with doubt in his voice as he picked up the container and slow but surely began to open it. As he moved his hands to open the unit a violet light erupted from the container the two shielded their eyes from the blinding light. When the two Marines could finally see again, there she was a beautiful AI with long hair that rested on her hips and a violet form.
A single word left the Major lips,"Magnificent."
"Sir I just realized." Sergeant Hudson exclaimed,"What if the container was filled with poison gas?"
The Major still in awe of the AI before him and only half paying attention to the sergeant's worries said,"Why do you think I had you open it?" Sergeant Ortiz was very quiet after that.
Slowly the AI opened it's eyes and guided them to the two men staring at her so very carefully. She said no words however the expression of her face was one of sorrow but also determination, as if she had something that needed to be done. Something that would pain her greatly to do.
The Major attempted to break the silents,"Hello I'm..." was all he had time to say before he was interrupted by the small violet lady in front of him.
"I know who are." The AI snapped as she moved her eyes to the Sergeant beside his commander,"The both of you. Sergeant Edward Hudson and Major Victor Long."
The two look at each other in disbelief then back at the AI,"I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage Miss?" Major Long adds.
"Lucy... you may call me Lucy." The AI spoke.
"Well Lucy." The Major started,"Where did you come from? Who created you?"
"I... I can't tell ya that." Lucy said calmly.
"I've got a question." The sergeant adds,"You are a smart AI are you not?"
The AI's face cringed a little as she crossed her arms, a subtle anger made its way into her eyes as she stared the sergeant down. Sergeant Hudson stepped back sensing the flames of her rage. Her expression and body language screaming I can't believe you just asked that.
"Then who was you're programming based on?"The Major interjected trying to defuse the situation.
Lucy looked up at the ceiling of the office as if she was debating whether or not to give them said information, finally she spoke,"Nope. Can't answer that one either."
"You know, for a smart AI there are a whole lot of things you don't know." Sergeant Hudson concluded.
"Lets get something straight Marine!" Lucy snapped,"I never said I don't know the answer to your question. I merely stated that I'm unable to answer them."
"Why's that?" Sergeant Hudson replied.
"Think about it for a sec genius." Lucy exclaimed, "Why else would someone program an AI like myself to be unable to answer certain questions."
"Well?" Sergeant Hudson replied in a way that screamed I have no idea.
"Someone's tryin to keep their nose clean." The Major answered,"Probably the person that created you."
"That's a gold star Major." Lucy smiled,"However your information is a little lacking. The man that created me did so in the loving memory of his dead wife, however... the man that eventually got his hands on me... Lets just say my coding isn't as pure as it used to be."
"Okay... Lucy." Major Long exclaimed, taking a sit at his deck interlacing his fingers in deliberation,"I need answers. You have answer."
"I'm listening." Lucy replied.
"How can we both benefit from this new find friendship?" The major asked calmly.
"Friendship?" Lucy grinned. She knew he was only trying to get on her good side, so that maybe she would give him that he wanted. "First off, I don't think you want to be my friend major. They have a way of dying."
"Is that so?" Major Long replied taking note of her warning.
"Mmm hmm." Lucy grinned, "And secondly I haven't been hiding anything from you. So far I've just been unable to answer the questions you've posed."
The Major looked at her then exhaled deeply. Slowly he moved his hands under the desk he was sitting and pulled out a charred hunk of metal. But as Lucy examined it more closely she found it to be the burnt remains of a Spartan Helmet of a unique design. A large chuck had broken off from the upper left half. "So." Major long started," What can you tell me about this?"
"Yep Major, you got it. That's correct question." Lucy frowned with eyes filled with sorrow.
A/N: Hope your having a nice day. this is a prologue for my upcoming ODST fanfiction. I know the fans of Halo are very devoted. So to keep my Fic as close to the lore as possible I'm looking for a few beta readers, If you interested send me a message. I am also aware that weakest point of my writing is in my description of the appearance of characters and settings. This story will be one filled with action, friendships, romances and a secret conspiracy that effects the very future of humanity. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Reviews and Comments appreciated.