Chapter 2: The Beginning of a New Future
It was all Cortana could do to not burst out in questions in the suspense of the moment. She wanted to know if she could be fixed and she wasn't ready to end her life just yet. She still had so much to live for and look forward to! But she couldn't overwhelm her creator, first Chief still needed to get his armor off and get his well deserved meal. Then Cortana would spring the question she had fretted over for the last 4 years. Chief started the many questions on his mind with "Doctor Halsey how is it that you are here? Cortana and I both thought you had gone missing years ago to covenant." She then replied that her Spartans had broken her out and she was then arrested by an unknown figure that then questioned her regarding the SPARTAN-II Program. She then defended the justifications for creating her SPARTANs, reminding the unknown figure they had in fact saved humanity. The interrogator then referenced to the Spartan-IIs developed sociopathic tendencies. Halsey then realized that her interrogator was looking for a reason to replace John-117. She then insisted that the best of her Spartans (Master Chief) was still alive and that he should not be underestimated. She was then released and went back to work. After they discussed what had happened while they were apart Cortana cleared her throat to bring Chief back to reality of her situation and what he was doing. He then said to Doctor Halsey "I think it's time for me to get this armor off for a while" the Doctor then walked over to the screen taped a few settings then asked Chief to step on the two footprints painted on the floor. Mechanical arms then came down and removed his heavy Spartan armor that had saved his life multiple times one piece at a time. Then all that remained was his helmet. His body was covered by clothing that resembled a wet suit. He then slowly reached his arms up feeling strange without his armor to remove his helmet. Before he took it off he took Cortana's chip out and activated her hologram mode so she could still interact with him and Halsey. Then he removed his helmet making the crowd that had now gathered lean forward in anticipation. His face was covered in a scruffy beard and his hair was quite long. He then stepped off the platform into the light. Cortana had not seem him much without his helmet and it struck her as strange for her to see him as handsome and attractive considering she was merely a AI. His eyes were dark brown and his pupils dilated due to the new light in his face. He then broke the silence that had now built in the room by saying in his deep voice "I think I need to freshen up, then Doctor would you like to come with Cortana and I to get some food?" The doctor agreed to his proposal and led him to a locker room where the Spartans shower and shave. The assistants also gave him a change of clothes consisting of a green t-shirt some blue denim jeans some underwear and socks as well as some tennis shoes. He emerged from the locker room half an hour to an hour later with a freshly shaven face, a buzzed head, and looked like a normal man. Except the fact that he was 7 feet in height extremely muscular and had many scars on his body from his many years in combat. Once again Cortana found herself looking at John in a way she hadn't before. She saw him as a strikingly handsome man despite the scars and stern look on his face. He then said to Cortana and the Doctor both "Ready to grab some grub?" They went to a café that had basically any food the world could offer. For the doctor a simple salad with ranch dressing. As for John he ordered a Cheeseburger and fries. Considering hardly anyone had ever seen Chief with his helmet off no one recognized him. Yet it was hard to not recognize a man of his size and structure. Cortana could no longer contain herself after John and Halsey sat down she appeared as a 6 inch hologram and finally sprung the question she had been waiting to ask. "Doctor Halsey I have something I must ask you" the wise doctor then replied "I know Cortana you wish to know about your options to your situation with rampancy." Cortana did nothing but nod then the doctor said something that caught Cortana completely off guard…. "Cortana we have been researching an alternate fate for AI's who have reached the end of their lifespan. We have found a way to transfer the AI's conscious and mind into a human clone therefore making you a human being." Cortana as well as John had no clue what to say. The Doctor continued the conversation "The process takes a week or so. I must first create the clone which should take 6 or 7 days. Then I must start the transfer which usually takes thirty minutes in most AI's situations. But you are special Cortana. You may take a minute or less to transfer." Cortana instantly said "What would I have to do to get this transformation?" Halsey then said "It cost a total of 5,000,000 cR." Cortana then said "I'm sorry Halsey I have wasted your time. I have no money" choking on the last word in her sadness. She really would have to be shutdown. Then her companion and teammate stopped her sadness in its tracks "Cortana. I will be receiving quite a bit of money within the next few days. I would be more than happy to pay for your transfer if you are sure about this." Halsey then said "That is very considerate and kind of you John." Cortana was overwhelmed with joy, happiness, and hope for her future. Her future! She couldn't believe that in the next few weeks she could become a human! She then remembered her friend John. "John…..I…..thank you so much. If not for you I would be being shut down tomorrow." The big man chuckled "Cortana please. Of course I will do this for you. You are a huge part of my life and I honestly can't think of life without you." Cortana was in her pool of happiness when Halsey said "John I have been told that Lord Hood wishes to speak with you." John assumed that this could be no other than the conversation to decide his future. He told Halsey he will speak with her later on the subject of Cortana and then slipped Cortana's chip into his pocket. He walked slowly to Lord Hood's office. Enjoying peace and no worries. He had attached a device to Cortana's chip known as a Bluetooth allowing him to speak with her through an earpiece while he walked. He could tell Cortana was a bit more hyper than normal but he just chuckled to himself and let her be in her moment of absolute joy. They eventually arrived at the building of where Lord Hood's office is. John walked in closing the door behind him and Lord Hood said "Welcome Chief have a seat!" John took a seat "Thank you sir." Lord Hood then asked many questions about his last battle experience and also about his rescue. After the serious talking was over he then said "Master Chief for your service in the Military for these many years and all your decorations and for saving humanity itself I inform you that 78,567,012 cR will be moved into your funds." "Cortana are you with Chief?" John reached to his pocket and activated her hologram "Yes sir I am here how may I help?" Lord Hood grinned and replied "Cortana you have helped quite enough. I hear you will want to do the human transfer yes?" "Yes sir that's correct" "Well then for your 7 years of service you will be givin a cR balance as well." Cortana couldn't believe her ears she was already thinking of the career choices she could have and she was fretting. Now it seems that she might never have to work! "Lord Hood thank you so mu-" Lord Hood cut in and said "We will also be paying for your transfer completely." Cortana felt tears coming to the surface and she managed to choke out "Sir I…Thank you." John also thanked Lord Hood and was about to leave when Lord Hood asked for him to wait "Master Chief or now I assume you will go by John. Well John we also will be giving you a home in the country with many acres of land to give you peace from trespassers or unwanted visitors. Also we will give you a car for your transport to your new home." "As for you Cortana we have already contacted Halsey and asked her to start on your new body" John then broke the silence "Lord Hood…..Neither of us expected any of this…I think I speak for both of us when I say that you have impacted both our futures more than we deserved. Thank you sir." Lord Hood snorted "Please John don't be modest. You have saved more lives than I could in my lifetime. I should thank you. Now please go start your new life, here is a phone that you may use however you want and we will contact you if we ever need you for emergencies. Master Chief thank you for your service" Lord Hood then saluted and John instinctively replied with a quick salute. Then he left the office and headed to his new car he had just received. Part of Johns training was to master every vehicle known to man. How to control it and know it inside and out. He went outside and followed Lord Hood's directions by going to the parking garage across the road. He went to parking spot 177 and him and Cortana both laughed at the reference to his service tag. His new transportation was primary black and had white racing stripes over the top. Cortana commented "Wow. They didn't hold back on your new car" John raised an eyebrow and clicked it open and got in. They drove in silence to his new home about an hour or so from the city. He pulled into his new neighborhood and his jaw dropped at the sight of 3 giant mansions in the isolated area. Cortana appeared on his car dashboard as a foot tall hologram and was equally surprised at the sight. From what Lord Hood said he remembered that his house number was no other number than 177. John sighed wondering how many more jokes there would be to his service tag. Cortana giggled and found it rather funny. He pulled into his massive homes garage and didn't bother locking his car considering he was away from civilization so far. But he was about to walk in when Cortana interrupted his movement "John don't you think we should meet the neighbors?" "I suppose so I hope they are home." He walked over to the middle house of the 3 mansions and walked up to the massive two door entrance and glanced at the greeting mat. It read "Proud American Lives Here" John grunted wondering at the figure he was about to meet. He rang the doorbell then waited a few minutes before an answer. John and Cortana's mouths both dropped to the figure standing in the doorway. It was Sergeant Avery Johnson in his pajamas and a huge cigar in his mouth as usual. He seemed to not be surprised at all to find a 7 foot tall man of solid muscle standing at his door. All he said is "Are you gonna come in or not?" so John entered the massive building moving into a dining room with a large chandelier and the room smelled of cigar smoke. He gave his old best friend a big bear hug and said "How did you end up here Johnson?!" "Wait for Miranda to get here for supper then I'll tell you" John agreed then realized what was just said and Cortana beat him to exclaiming "MIRANDA?!" Johnson grunted and nodded and walked upstairs to change and called back "There are drinks in the room to your left." John walked into the room and peeked in the fridge and found a few 24 packs of beer. He reached down holding the alcoholic drink trying to remember the last time he had a beer. Cortana then interrupted his thinking "What is that Chief?" "It's a drink called a beer I used to drink them when I was younger." He said as he popped the cap and took a swig. Before he could react to the drink Johnson had reentered the room in a gray t-shirt and jeans "Whens the last time you had one of those?" John answered "I don't know but it's pretty damn good." As he took another swig. Then Johnson said "Follow me I wanna show you my ride" Cortana said "I wonder what it could be…." John said "Probably completely Johnson." Cortana laughed softly then John took off after Johnson to the garage. They got in there and John couldn't hold in his laugh as he looked upon Johnson's vehicles. There were two warhogs with the guns off with a bed in the back instead. Along with four mongooses. Two were blue and two were red. Johnson looked back at him with a grin on his face "So what do you think?" Cortana replied "I think you got what you wanted" all three of them laughed as they went back to the living room as the doorbell rang. Johnson went to the restroom and asked John to grab the door. John walked up to the door and opened it and there stood Miranda Keyes. She walked by him and commented "Hello Chief wow you are just as big outside your suit!"
Well that's chapter 2! I hope you are enjoying this if anyone's reading. I would like for someone to review so I can hear that someone is in fact reading and I'm not just writing to myself :P. Anyway I'm really enjoying writing this story. And I know that a few facts in this were not exactly correct but I kinda wanted to branch off on my own mind. Like adding in Johnson after he obviously died in Halo 3. He was one of my favorite characters and I share a name with him! I am always looking for advice please tell me what I'm doing wrong or what you would like to hear in the future. Next chapter will be up August 9th or 10th till next time
~Avery/Meracis