Chapter 21: All-Out War: Part One
Disclaimer: I Don't Own Halo, Red Vs Blue or Any of their Respective Characters
A/N: Hello and welcome to another chapter. Also, Merry Christmas! In this chapter, the group is going to begin their war on the Flood. "All-Out War" is going to be a three-part story, leading up to the end of the story. The chapters will also most likely be short. I hope that you all have enjoyed the story thus far. If you do enjoy this chapter, please do not forget to favorite and follow the story. Also, if you have opinions to submit, then please, I implore you to post a review or PM me. I would be most interested in your opinions of this story. So, without further ado, let's get into this chapter!
John-117
John found himself inside of a hard-light cube. Wait a second. I've been here before... He got up and began to look around the area he was in. No. No, no, no. Dear God, please don't let this be what I think it is! He had no idea what to do, so, he said the person's name that first came to his mind. "Cortana! Where are you?" he asked. "Where are we?" He didn't recieve an answer, so he just looked around him. No matter where he looked, the same hard-light walls looked back at him. He started to hear the sound of a soft music behind him. Played by what sounded like an old harp or lyre. He turned around and his worst fear was confirmed. He saw Cortana walking over to him, slowly. But something was wrong. She was in her AI form, not her human form. "No. This cannot be happening!" John said. Cortana smiled as she came to a stop. "Oh, so I'm the strangest thing you've seen all day?" she asked. "Please." John said. "Don't tell me this is all happening again!"
"It worked. You did it. Just like you always do." Cortana was speaking sort of strangely. She was disregarding John's words as if he were saying something else. John continued to stare at Cortana. "Cortana please, just let this be a dream!" he exclaimed. A sad look came onto her face. "I'm not coming with you this time." Cortana said. John grabbed Cortana's shoulders and began to shake her. "Cortana, stop it! This is just a bad dream!" he continued to insist. "Most of me is down there." she continued. "I only held enough back to get you off the ship." John shook his head, on the verge of crying. "Cortana, please. Don't do this!" he pleaded. Cortana looked down at her feet. "It's already done." she said. "Cortana! Stop this! It's just a bad dream! Please, let me wake up!" he exclaimed, beginning to cry. "John..." she said, as she placed her hand on his armored chest. "God damn it, Cortana! Let me wake up!" he shouted. "I've waited for so long to do that." Cortana sighed in a sad tone. John grabbed Cortana's hands. "Please..." he said. "Make it stop."
"We were supposed to take care of each other," Cortana continued. "And we did." John was crying like a baby now. "Please, don't go!" he screamed. John looked back up to see Cortana walking backwards. "Welcome home, John." she said, as she disappeared. "No! No! No, no, no!" John screamed, as he continued to cry.
John-117
Blood Gulch
"John, wake up! Wake up!" John heard Cortana's voice. He lurched upright, coming out of the nightmare. John realized that he and Cortana were still on top of Blue Base, and he had just had a nightmare. But still, he couldn't the crying. He was still crying. Even after learning that it was all just a nightmare, he still couldn't help but cry. The whole "Cortana's death" incident scarred him. And he really, really, really didn't want to relive it. But he just had relived it anyway. "It's okay. I'm here." Cortana said, as John rested his head on her shoulder, still crying. "I'm here."
Tucker
Blood Gulch
Tucker woke up to the sound of the Master Chief crying on the roof. "What is that?" Carolina asked, as she woke up next to him. "The Chief probably just had a bad dream honey. Go back to sleep." Carolina let out a hiss of anger. "Call me honey again, and I'll kill you." Carolina growled. Tucker just laughed. "Whatever you say, sweetheart." he said. "Call me sweetheart again, and I'll castrate you." she said. Tucker's heart skipped a beat. "Okay, nevermind." he said, as he rolled over on his side, facing away from Carolina. "That's what I thought." she said.
John-117
Blood Gulch
John stood at the top of Blue Base, keeping watch over the canyon. His partner for the day, Simmons, stood next to him. "Hey, Chief?" Simmons asked. John only grunted in response, not really wanting to talk. "So word has spread that you were crying last night." Simmons said. "What was that all about?" John just stood there, unmoving in his Mjolnir Armor, holding his Battle Rifle, not saying anything. "Chief, d-" Simmons began to speak again, but John cut him off. "I don't want to talk about it." John said, in a gruff tone. "But, I'm sure that there are-" Simmons began to speak yet again, but John cut him off again, but a different way this time. John leveled is Battle Rifle, pointing it at Simmons, threatening him. "I don't." John said, as he kept his Rifle leveled to Simmon's helmet. Before John could do anything, however, Cortana jogged up the ramp to the roof. "Hey, Simmons! Why don't you go over to the Mess Hall and secure yourself a sandwich?" she asked.
Simmons didn't argue. "Aye, aye ma'am!" he said, as he jumped off the roof to the ground below. After he was far away enough for the two to talk alone, Cortana turned to look at him. "I've never seen you act so agressive before. What's wrong, John?" she asked. John just stood there, trying to figure out what to say. "It's the dream." he finally decided. "Yes, I know. You've told me about the dream." she said, crossing her arms. "It was terrible." he said. "I know." she said in return. "I didn't want to have to relive all the pain of losing you again." he said. "John, you didn't lose me again." Cortana said. "It sure felt like it." he said. "You didn't lose me. And I promise you won't ever lose me... again." she said. "I hope not." he said. A faint smile played on her lips for a few seconds. "What is it?" he asked. "John, take off your helmet." Cortana said, in sort of sly tone. John didn't question Cortana. He obeyed and removed his helmet. He sat the helmet down on the floor of the roof and looked back at Cortana. Cortana stared into his eyes and he stared into hers. She slowly walked up to him and put her hands up on his neck. In return, John wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up so he didn't have to bend down. As their lips met for the second time since Valhalla, all kinds of thoughts coursed through his head.
She promised me that I'd never lose her again, and yet, I still have an odd feeling that she'll have to go away again. But, if she promised me, than that's good enough. It felt good, Cortana kissing him again. Even though the last time they had kissed, he was still in his armor, he had missed the feeling of her lips on his. Oh my God. I just realized something. This is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Even if she is a younger flash clone of Doctor Halsey. He enjoyed holding her. And he was starting to believe that he was in love with Cortana. And he was okay with that. Cortana was the only woman that he had developed romantic feelings for. Kelly and Linda from Blue Team he had also grown crushes on, but it would be weird, as he viewed them as brothers and sisters. So, he had previously banished those thoughts. But any thoughts of love for Cortana, they weren't going anywhere. They had stayed with their lips locked for at least half a minute, before pulling apart. John kept his hands on Cortana's waist and she kept her hands on his neck. "I love you." Cortana said. "I know." John said, a small smile coming on his face.
Cortana frowned. "You did it again." she said. "I did what again?" John asked her. "I told you that I loved you, and you said, 'I know'." Cortana said. "Why?" It was a good question. Why couldn't John say the three words back? Cortana adored him and John returned her feelings all the way. "I uh, don't know. I feel the same way for you, but I just can't bring myself to return those three words to you." John said. "Why not?" she asked. "Did I do something wrong?" John shook his head. "No, it's not that. I just can't say. I have no idea why I can't say it." he said. "That's odd." Cortana said, as she pulled away from him. "I just rememered something that Mendez mentioned before he died. Something called Project Resurgence." John said. "Let's go ask Doctor Halsey about it." Before Cortana could respond, John jumped off of the Blue Base's roof and ran towards the tent that Halsey and Doc had made into the infirmary. John didn't know where the Reds and Blues had gotten the tent. But then again, he didn't understand much of anything that the Reds and Blues did or found. In the end, John had just learned to go with it.
He eventually reached the tent and ran in, without saying he was doing so. "Doctor Halsey! I need to talk to you!" he said, as he barged in. "Um, okay." Doctor Halsey said, as she looked up in worry. "Dufresne?" Doc looked up and nodded from where he was standing. "I understand ma'am." he said, before walking to the folds of the entrance. "If you need me, I'll be waiting at the Blue Base." As he walked out, he said, "Oh, hey Cortana." Cortana walked in and stood at John's side. "So, may I ask what this is about?" Cortana asked, as she looked at John. "No." he said, as he looked back at Doctor Halsey. Before he could speak, Doctor Halsey spoke. "I'm with Cortana on this one. What is this about, John?" she asked. "Before Mendez died, he spoke of something called 'Project Resurgence'." John began to speak. "May I ask what it is?" Doctor Halsey rose from her seat, with an angry look on her face. "Absolutely not. John-117, return to your post at once. I don't want to hear about this again." she said, her voice full of irration.
"I'm not going anywhere until you explain this to me, Doc! I'm not a kid anymore! I'm forty-seven god damn years old!" he exclaimed. "You are not forty-seven, John. You're not even out of your twenties yet." she said. "What is that supposed to mean?" John asked, his voice full of confusion. "Yeah! What does that mean?" Cortana asked. "You stay out of this!" Doctor Halsey exclaimed. "Well, now I guess I have to speak about it. Clever words, John." John didn't budge. "Does that mean I'm going to get an explanation?" he asked, beginning to get angry. "Yes, John. It does. You are going to get an explanation. You will probably not like it at all and it's likely that'll refuse to believe it." Doctor Halsey said. "Start talking, you bitch." Cortana said, chiming in on John's side of the conversation. "Cortana!" John said, looking at her in surprise. "You watch your mouth!" Doctor Halsey exclaimed. "As your legal guardian, I can hit you!" Cortana laughed. "No, now that I know who I am, I don't need a guardian. And if I did need one, I'd ask John to be that person." she said. "Cortana, now is not the time to display affection." he said, in slight frusteration.
"Affection? Are you two-" Doctor Halsey began to speak, but Cortana interrupted. "Together? As in dating? As a matter a fact, we are." she said. "Cortana!" John exclaimed at her. "Oh my God! That is so wrong! The two of you were supposed to be partners! Not lovers!" Doctor Halsey shouted. "What? I thought you knew!" Cortana exclaimed. "No, I didn't know! How long has this been going on?" she asked. "Oh, about half a week." Cortana said. "What did you mean by partners?" John asked. "You two were paired together. There was supposed to be no romantic feelings whatsoever." Doctor Halsey said. "Well, I love John and John loves me!" Cortana exclaimed. "Cortana, please..." John said. "Please what, John?" Cortana asked. "Just shut up. You are embarrassing me." he said. "Yes, stop it." Doctor Halsey agreed. "Stop with this talk of love. Cortana, I forbid you and John from being together." Cortana looked at Doctor Halsey in shock. "But, Halsey! I love him!" Cortana exclaimed. John was beginning to get pissed off.
"It doesn't matter! I won't let the two of you be together!" Doctor Halsey said. "Project Resurgence! What the fuck is it?!" John screamed. Doctor Halsey and Cortana both looked at him in fear. John lifted his Rifle and pointed it at Doctor Halsey. "Talk now, god damn it! I swear to God, I'll fire if you don't talk!" Cortana put her hand on John's Rifle. "John! She'll talk. Just give her time." she said. John sighed, as he lowered his Rifle. "Talk." John said, in a low voice. Doctor Halsey let out a sigh. "Well, I suppose I knew this day was coming." she said. "John, you may want to sit down for this." John didn't budge. "I'll stand." he said. "Okay then." Doctor Halsey said, as she sat back down. "You see, the Spartan-II project was just a cover story for a more, uh, sensitive issue." John stared at Doctor Halsey. "Go on." he said, in a gruff tone. "Sure, we were making soldiers. Super soldiers at that. But in early 2530, we were given an offer that we couldn't refuse." Doctor Halsey said. Cortana and John exchanged glances. "And what offer was that?" Cortana asked.
Doctor Halsey looked at them. "The chance to work with your father, John-117." she said. "My father? That's bullshit." John said. "No, not father. DNA contributor is a better word for it." Doctor Halsey said. "Well, who is he, then?" John asked. "The late Doctor Leonard Church." Doctor Halsey said. John looked at Cortana. Cortana shrugged at him. John looked back at Doctor Halsey. "Am I paying for this service? Because if I am, I want a refund. And if I'm not, I want a refund anyway." John said. "I'm afraid it's true John." Doctor Halsey said. "That's bullshit. I don't believe you." John replied, angrier than ever. "I swear to you John, it's the truth. I haven't even told you what we worked with Doctor Church for." she said. "I don't care. This conversation is over." John said, as he turned to leave. "Oh no you don't!" Cortana said, grabbing his shoulders. "You initiated this and you are going to stay to listen to what Halsey has to say." John let out a groan, but turned back around nonetheless.
"Alright, I'll listen. Talk." John said. "Church wasn't the only one to contribute to your DNA structure. There were four others." Doctor Halsey said. "Who were the other four?" John asked. "Well, first and foremost, Leonard Church's genes were donated so we could hack into his DNA structure for his expertise in AI. That's partly why you and Cortana worked so well together. Second, there was Preston Cole, for his intelligence and the Cole Protocol. Captain Jacob Keyes for his perservance. Me, for more intelligence. And CPO Mendez himself for his military experience." Doctor Halsey said. "I'm not buying this." John said. "Believe it John. Everything that I'm telling you is truthful." Doctor Halsey said. "What else do you need to tell me?" he asked. "When we worked with Church, you were made a Freelancer. Freelancer Agent Eridanus, to be precise. You were the first, before the project really took off." she said. "So, those Agents out there, Tex, Carolina and Washington. I'm one of them?" he asked. "Well, that's one way to put it, I suppose." Doctor Halsey said.
"What else?" John asked. "You said that I'm not even out of my twenties yet." Doctor Halsey nodded. "Neither you or Cortana are out of your twenties yet." she said. Cortana and John eyed each other for a second. John looked back at Doctor Halsey. "But, I look like I'm in my late forties!" John replied, totally confused. "Well, that may be. But, John we experimented on you quite a bit." she continued. "We gave you a dose of the aging serum before it was updated for Mendez to use. And you were in cryo-sleep more than you would think." she said. "How long?" he asked. "I would say years at a time. And it had to be that way. I made a younger version flash clone of myself, so she would be ready when Cortana's AI portion matured and was ready to be human. However, war with the Covenant set us back a lot." she said. "But it was all real. Wasn't it?" John asked. "The Reach and Halo crisis's were real. But anything before that? No, none of it was real." she said.
"But how?" John asked. "You spent your teen years after augmentations with Project Freelancer. Any memories of fighting the Insurrection with your team, those aren't real. We planned on augmenting Cortana the same way we did you when she was ready to be transfered. But with the war of the Covenant War breaking out, our progress was hampered." she continued. "That's why she was supposed to be the perfect partner for you in combat scenarios. You two would have known each other better than you would have let on." John thought to himself. "There's no way this is all truth." he said. "If I was given a dose of the aging serum and put in cryo for years on end. How old am I then? How old is Cortana then?" he asked. "I would say that you two are at least twenty-six or twenty-eight." she said. "And about the memories? When the Human-Covenant War slowed things down, we needed a way out. So, we wiped your memory of the Freelancer events and replaced them with false memories of fighting the Insurrection. That is how you are so young. You were kept in cryo for most of your life."
John just stood, staring at Doctor Halsey, creating an awkward silence. "You, uh, and Cortana are so young, that you two could get married and have children, if protocol allowed it." Doctor Halsey said, trying to break the layer of awkwardness. "I don't care what protocol says!" Cortana shouted. "I'm in love with John. He loves me as well. I want him to marry me and I want to be able to start a family one day!" But John wasn't listening. He was busy trying to process this. Also, he was trying his best to refuse to believe it. "I don't believe you." John said at last. "You're in denial." Halsey and Cortana said at the same time. "I don't want to hear anymore of this!" John said, as he turned around and stormed out of the infirmary. "Freelancer Eridanus, my ass." he grumbled, as he walked towards Red Base. He needed to talk 343 Guilty Spark. He was the only one in the canyon who had extensive knowledge on the Flood and Graveminds. And John was in the market for information.
A/N: So, I'd like to wish you all another Merry Christmas! We have four or five chapters left to go, and I ain't stopping until they're all posted today! I'd like to thank you all for reading and as always, please follow and favorite this story. And also send me a review or PM me if you want to submit input! Anyway, the next chapter will come out in a few hours, so, Merry Christmas and until next time!
