Onwards with the story! As always, thanks for the follows/favs/reviews. :D :D

The senior staff sat in the conference room, after the captain had called a impromptu meeting. Picard sat at the head at the table while Will sat in his right. On the left, separated by a couple of chairs from Deanna, the Master Chief sat.

"As you all know, at 0525 hours today, the Enterprise detected a subspace anomaly which transported the Master Chief and his AI companion on board," the captain started. "According to the information he has provided, he and his AI companion have been sent on a mission from an entity called the Librarian."

Will cast a quick glance at the newcomer. He hated the fact that he couldn't see the Master Chief's face. Over the years, playing poker had made Will into someone who could read anyone based on their body language. However, when he looked at the Master Chief, all he saw was a distorted reflection of the room in his visor.

He shifted his gaze to Deanna. Years of knowing her allowed him to see through the face of neutrality. She was curious about the newcomer, but Will didn't sense any concern from her.

It didn't make him feel much better though.

"The Librarian is a member of a species known as the Forerunners. It is, according to the Master Chief, an ancient race that was a sort of precursor to humanity as we know it." Picard leaned back in his chair. "They were nearly extinct. Only a handful of them managed to put themselves in a sort of status field - a cryptum- which kept them alive for over one hundred thousand years."

Across the table, Geordi let out a low whistle.

"What happened to the others?" Will asked.

"After being under attack by a hostile creature known as the Flood, they activated what they call the Halo array. The result of this was that nearly every lifeform in its attack path was killed. The universe was subsequently repopulated due to a so-called Conservation Measure," Picard continued.

"I am afraid that there are no records to indicate that anything like that ever happened, sir." Data cast a glance at the Master Chief.

"That's because it didn't occur here. The Master Chief is not from this timeline," the captain replied evenly.

Will had to hand it to Picard. He didn't know if he could repeat all of that without letting his skepticism seep into his voice, talented poker player or not.

"He is from another timeline?" Worf asked. The Klingon didn't even attempt to hide his suspicion.

"Yes." It was the first time the Master Chief spoke. "The year 2552."

Will watched as a confused look pass over Data's face, but the android voiced no question.

"I've contacted Starfleet Command and they have authorized us to investigate the coordinates that the Master Chief has provided. I have already had Ensign Rogers set a course for the Halo ring," Picard said. "Meanwhile, I want Mr. Data and Mr. La Forge to work on repairing the chip that houses the Cortana program."

The Master Chief stiffened.

"If that's alright with you, Master Chief."

"Of course, sir." It was difficult to tell under the layers of armor, but it seemed to Will that he was hesitating to hand Data the chip in his hand.

"Commander La Forge and I will do everything we can to repair your chip. If we cannot, we will not do anything that will damage it further." Data reached out to take the crystal from him.

The Master Chief released his hold on the chip. "Thank you, sir."

Data studied him for a second. "Perhaps it would be to our advantage if you were to go with us to Engineering. Since your suit is calibrated to interface with the data crystal, your presence would prove to be most helpful."

Geordi nodded. "I agree, Captain. I could duplicate the energy signatures from the Master Chief's armor, but it'd save us a lot of time if he was working with us."

Picard nodded. "Very well. You three go to Engineering. If there is any progress, I want to be contacted immediately."

The three men nodded. "Dismissed."

Will waited until the doors closed behind the trio before looking at Deanna. "What's your take on him?"

"He believes everything that he is saying. There is nothing that I can sense from him to indicate that he is being anything less than truthful," she replied.

Beverly added, "I ran additional scans on him and there are no signs of mental illness. He is beyond the picture of good health. For being 46 years old, he has the body of a man in his late twenties."

"Either he really is from the future in an alternate timeline or he has fooled everyone on this ship, including himself," Deanna replied.

"What about this Cortana?" Will asked.

"Whoever she is, he is very concerned with her. This isn't some random computer program." Deanna answered.

"Do you think Geordi and Data will be able to repair her?"

Picard raised his eyebrows. "Something tells me that he's not going to take no for an answer."