A/N: Well, I'm back again with another chapter of Marines of Charlie Company. Before I get down to business, I've been thinking; would anyone be interested in making this in to a Web comic or Flash video? Unfortunately, I can't pay anyone or anything; I just want to see what it'd look like. If you're interested, send me an E-mail and some concept art from chapter one, which is being updated so watch for it.

Lecter 42 – Ah ha, my friend, and it all gets better. Just keep readin' and revewin!

WilltheWatcher – I've really been experimenting with this stuff over the last few chapters and let you guys really see what he's thinking.

TheMadHatter77 – Well, I'm really glad you're enjoying it, honestly.

WarriorofVirtue – Will do.

Linkmaster2832 – I've pondered about this for a while now, and really kinda just threw it in there. I mean, why else would Regret have gone straight to Earth like he did?

Koolgamer – Welcome aboard the bandwagon of death and destruction. I hope you enjoy the ride.

The Marines of Charlie Company

Book II

Aftermath

Chapter Three:

Plans

Song Recommendation:

David couldn't believe it…no, he wouldn't believe it. There was no way the Prophets could have possible known where Earth was this whole time…was there? A million different thoughts collided in his mind, mulling over a million other possibilities, but they all came to the same conclusion; the Prophet of Regret had jumped directly to Earth after a reported attack managed to destroy one of their fleets. Worst of all, according to some reports the Heretics had intercepted on the Covenant BattleNet, they didn't expect Humanity to be on Earth at all. Why?

Nothing was making any sense anymore; the Brutes and Elites were on the verge of massacring each other, the Prophets nearly executed a Fleet Commander for something he couldn't stop, there was a Heretic base in the middle of nowhere and worst of all, David had now been charged with the emancipation of the Elites as a whole. His head spun with information and David could already feel the stress boiling within him and didn't even notice as the Phantom left the hangar bay and rocketed out toward the Ancient Fury. He backed away from the gravity lift beneath his feet unconsciously and sank down against the wall, his hands clutched on his head due to the rather rough migraine that had developed rather quickly.

His ears rang loudly, intensifying with each and every sound the Phantom made, probably due to his enhanced hearing the Flood gave him. Then again, it could have been due to the migraine he'd suddenly developed, but David didn't know or care; that same grisly voice he'd heard on Halo had come back and was quietly whispering deadly threats in his mind. Each word only caused the ringing in his ears to grow even louder and more aggravating with each passing second. Just as David felt his head was about to burst, everything went black; he was floating in a sea of nothingness. David could not see, nor could he hear; there was nothing.

Slowly, however, a white light managed to penetrate the inky darkness surrounding the marine sergeant in the form of a small hole, about the size of a pinhead. It began to grow and grow and grow until everything around him was illuminated and bathed in a blinding white light. David instinctively closed his eyes and tried to shield his face with his hands until the white slowly faded to a luminescent glow. The marine opened his eyes and was greeted once again by the Forerunner, all clad in their ornamented, flowing robes. His muscles ached (as did every bone he had), but David still managed to push himself to a sitting position and stare up at them. Despite their constant conversing, David never really had a chance to get a look at them; their faces were always shrouded by the hoods of their cloaks.

"You have survived, Young One. Well done. However, this is just the beginning of your Great Journey, the one the Prophets' speak so highly of, yet know nothing about." Said Nak'Niral.

"Great Journey? No, no way am I activating the Halos."

"That is now what Nak'Niral speaks of, young David Carson. You are a hero of legend among the Sangheili species; they have awaited your arrival much like the Christians of Earth await the savior of their souls to return. The salvation of their people is in your hands and we will guide you as best we can."

David cast glances between Nak'Niral and Manaan before sighing to himself softly. After that, he started thinking; what did the salvation of the Elites have to do with Halo? He was sure that the Forerunner wouldn't tell him because the only information they ever gave him pertained directly to his mission and anything else was told in ridiculous riddles that David really didn't feel like having to solve right now, so he just let that question go to the back of his mind; he'd ask them about it later. Another few minutes passed in silence before either party began to speak again; it was David's turn to break the silence.

"So, what do we do now? There's a Covenant fleet in orbit and they're sure to detect us as soon as we start moving."

"Consult the Sangheili in steel armor. He will guide you through this perilous time. Trust his judgment and you shall survive. For now, that is all, David Carson; good luck to you, as Humans would say, until we meet again."

Then, as if nothing ever happened, the light and dark faded, leaving a muddled blur of purple, grey and black before his eyes. He blinked and shook his head quickly to try and clear his vision as his hearing and senses slowly returned to him. Surprisingly enough, his migraine was gone, but not the aches and pains of constant sprinting, combat and not enough sleep. As David tried to move, he realized that there was a weight upon his shoulder; when he turned his head to the side, David found that Cassandra was asleep on his shoulder, her arms wrapped around one of his tightly. A small smile crept across his lips as he gently brushed a lock of fiery red hair out of her face before unlocking his arm from hers and gently slipping away.

None of the Elites or Grunts were present near David, so he decided to have a look around. The interior of a Phantom was much, much more spacious than that of a Pelican and the armor looked to be a whole lot thicker. For some reason, the Covenant seemed to be obsessed with the color purple; everything, and he meant everything, was purple or pink-ish color, from Ghosts to Wraiths to Covenant Cruisers. As he mused quietly to himself, the Elites returned and definitely did not look happy. 'Takamee, being the leader of the group, began to explain the situation to David. Just as he thought, a Covenant fleet, including the Holy City of High Charity, had just come out of Slipspace near Threshold. He had a vague idea on how to slip past them (or among them), but it was a risky one and might not work.

"'Takamee, I'm leaving this one to you; space combat is not my specialty, nor do I have any knowledge of it. Do what you think's the best thing to do."

As he spoke, David made his way back to Cassandra, who was still sleeping peacefully, and sat down next to her. David rested her head on his shoulder again and watched the Elite.

"Just get us through this, 'Takamee."

'Takamee turned and headed back toward the Phantom's cockpit as David settled in for a long flight; the Ancient Fury had already entered orbit on the other side of Threshold from the Covenant fleet around High Charity and it would take them a while to get to the ship, so he'd just enjoy what time he had alone with Cassandra…whether she was awake or not. She looked peaceful, David observed, almost serene in her sleeping state on his shoulder. For the first time in a very very long time, David was happy despite their desperate situation; happy because he not only knew that there was someone out there for him, but knew she was sleeping right beside him and on his shoulder, as a matter of fact.

Nothing was easy…nothing ever would be easy, but David would get everyone out of this mess; it was his duty both as their leader and a soldier…even if it cost his life.