Chapter 6

"I've found the location to Keyes' whereabouts over the Covenant battlenet." said Cortana

"Go on." said the Chief who was driving the Warthog while leading the marines and SPARTANs through the steel labyrinth

"According to several reports," started Cortana "Keyes and several other men are being held on a Covenant cruiser that I disabled. It's called the Truth and Reconciliation. Where it is at this moment, I'm not sure. But what I do know is that we need to bail the captain out ASAP."

"Well then, it looks like we need to get started don't we?" smirked the Chief

The moment that the Master Chief said this, they were led directly out of the cave and into a grassy field. The sunshine blinded everyone after being in the dark for so long. However, the light wasn't strong enough to make someone crash (although someone did drive a bit off course). Finally, they had escaped from the never ending labyrinth. Now all they needed to do was to find the rest of the surviving marines and SPARTANs before the Covenant eliminated them like pigs to the slaughter.

It was then, that several vehicles in the distance were approaching the party. It was hard to say if they were UNSC or Covenant aligned for it was too far to identify the vehicles and drivers and passengers inside. A voice then came on to the SQUAD-COM and whistled a six note, seven beat tone that only the Master Chief, Evan-049, Will-043, Johnson and Cortana recognized; it was the SPARTAN code "Oly Oly Oxen Free".

"Read you loud and clear," replied the Chief "Good to see you still in one piece."

"Same with you guys." said the voice who whistled "Oly Oly Oxen Free" who just so happened to be Fred-104

As the Warthogs got closer to each other and were about to group up, the unpredictable happened. Seven Covenant Spirit drop-ships appearing at first shadows overhead came out of nowhere and started firing their plasma cannons at the humans. The neon green bolts of plasma struck down at the ground attempting to blow the Warthogs into oblivion. The Warthogs swerved and scattered in many directions trying to avoid their line of fire. This caused two Warthogs to collide into each other by accident. A third Warthog was shot in the trunk which not only resulted in a huge explosion, but it also resulted in causing the vehicle to flip over another Warthog. After a few minutes of being under fire, the Covenant ceased fire. As the drop-ships began deploying their troops, most of the Warthogs pulled over and began doing the same thing grabbing whatever weapons they had and silently praying to God that they would survive this fight. As soon as the men were out in the battlefield ready to lock and load, they all charged at each other and opened fire while the Warthogs, Ghosts, Banshees and Specters all drove around shooting at whatever foot soldier or vehicle that wasn't theirs.

The soldiers of the Covenant had finally reached the crash site of the Truth and Reconciliation. It didn't seem too badly damaged. Sure there were some dents and missing bits here and there, but other than that, it still seemed to be in pretty good shape. 'Insosamee (the Supreme Commander) and several of his men approached a couple of Sangheili SpecOps members standing by the door making sure that no one comes in or out of the ship (unless of course it is someone of their team or someone with a higher rank).

"Supreme Commander!" exclaimed one SpecOps member surprised

"The commander is awaiting your arrival inside, sir." said the other SpecOps member

"Very good," said 'Insosamee "You two stay put and be on the lookout for humans."

"Sir!" replied both SpecOps

When 'Insosamee's party entered the Truth and Reconciliation, their findings were more appalling than one could imagine. There were splashes of cyan, red, purple, dark blue and orange blood covering the walls and floors along with claw marks and scorch marks. They slowly walked in chatting amongst themselves about the ghastly scenery. As they continued through the halls, the rooms became more gruesome than the last; in fact, in one room, a Minor Domo Sangheili felt a drop of blood fall on his shoulder, looked up and realized that a Sangheili was pinned to the ceiling with an energy sword.

When they reached the bridge, they found two SpecOps officers and their commander known as Rtas 'Vadumee. They were discussing the matter on the horrible sight that was before them. Hearing them enter, the SpecOps members turned to the party at attention. 'Insosamee looked around at the room. There were bodies of Covenant members scattered everywhere each with their own grotesque looking corpse. Dammit, he hated when his instincts were right.

"What happened here?" he asked

"We are not sure, Supreme Commander," answered Rtas "But we think that there must've been a massacre on board. Judging what became of the crew, the battle didn't seem to be started by humans. Usually they are not this barbaric."

"Hmm," said 'Insosamee "If it wasn't the humans, then what was it?"

His question was answered with a disturbing growl whose owner was yet to be seen. Everyone readied their weapons looking around the room wildly. The noise grew louder and closer at each passing moment. Finally, the source of the growling showed its true form. From around the corner appeared a deformed human with yellow-ish green skin, puffy arms and legs and small tentacles sticking out of several parts of its body. Its neck was snapped revealing a tentacle and a pulmonary artery sticking out and spewing out drops of blood. Everyone stared at the monstrosity in shock and disgust.

"What is that?" asked an Ultra Sangheili

"The Flood…" whispered 'Vadumee

"Everyone, stand your ground," ordered 'Insosamee "Do not fire until I give the signal."

The abomination slowly moved forward sniffing the air checking to see if these strange sentient beings were edible enough for food. They looked edible. They smelled edible. Now all that remains is that if they taste edible. Using the memory of the host it possessed, it drew out what the humans called a M7 SMG and aimed it at the beings before him.

"It's got a weapon!" cried one Sangheili

"Open fire!" commanded 'Insosamee instantly

The Covenant pulled the triggers on their weapons unleashing a flurry of plasma bullets at the creature. Its body shook as it was being penetrated by the wave and its sickly green blood splattered on the floor. When the Covenant ceased fire, the creature collapsed onto the floor, dead. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence creeping around the room; like as if something was still lurking in the shadows.

"So, this is the Flood," remarked 'Insosamee "What vile parasites…"

"Sir, we have discovered a survi-" started a SpecOps officer walking into the room with his search party who was cut off when he saw the sight of the dead Flood form

"Go on." said 'Vadumee to the dumbstruck SpecOps officer

"Ah, yes, we have discovered a survivor on board," said the SpecOps officer "But unfortunately, it's human."

One of soldiers brought up a tall human male that appeared to be in his fifties or sixties. He was wearing a grey marine captain uniform with several medals decorated on the jacket. He had dark eyes and grey-ish black hair along with a slightly grim expression across his face. It was Captain Jacob Keyes; former leader of the UNSC ship, the Pillar of Autumn.

"Tell me," asked the Supreme Commander to Keyes with a look of resentment "What has become of the members of my fleet?"

"What do you think?" replied Keyes "These things came out of nowhere and killed everyone on board."

"But it just so happens that you survived," commented 'Insosamee "How?"

"Hell if I know," said Keyes "They didn't even bother coming after me. I guess they liked me better than the crew."

'Insosamee then remembered something. He was informed by the High Council of the Covenant that a group of scientists were working on a genetic experiment involving sentient beings as test subjects supposedly hoping that if it was successful, it would help with their goal of beginning the Great Journey and was ordered to let them proceed until the scientists came up with a final analysis. He wasn't given the information on what they were experimenting with but still; he wondered…

"Were you ever part of an experiment while you were on board?"

"Excuse me?" asked Keyes

"You heard me," said 'Insosamee coldly "Were you ever part of an experiment on board?"

"None of your business."

"It is EVERY part of my business!" shouted 'Insosamee grabbing Keyes by the throat, choking him "As long as you are in our custody, you will answer all of my questions whether you want to or not. So if I were you, I would answer the question. That is, if you want to skip to the part where I torture you."

"Shit! How many people did they bring?" asked Fred-104 frantically shooting at the numerous Grunts charging at him

"I would say about…" said Will-043 who was busy trying to nuke several Banshees with a rocket launcher from behind an empty Warthog beside Fred "Two hundred and ten."

"Damn!" commented Evan-049 who was sitting right next to Will, reloading his shotgun

"Well, two hundred and ten if you're counting casualties that is." added Will

The future wasn't looking so bright for the humans. They were outnumbered and outmatched (technology wise) by the Covenant brigade. No one was sure that they were going to survive this fight. It was just too difficult to undertake a situation like this. Their only option was to retreat… but they didn't. Why? Because deep down, they believe that they had a fighting chance. They believed that victory was somewhere out there. It may have been a foolish decision to stay and fight but they weren't giving up on hope just yet.

The Master Chief barrel rolled out of the way of a Ghost's firing range and behind a battered up Warthog on its side. He quickly reloaded his M6C pistol, looked out and shot at several Elites, two of them who were manning a Specter. He managed to hit one in the shoulder and the other in the head (the second one would've been dead if it weren't for his energy shields). He also took down a few Grunts and Jackals too who just so happened to be in his line of fire. Why is it that they were always the easiest to take down?

"Dammit, this battle is going nowhere," muttered Cortana "If we don't retreat soon, we'll all be… Chief, behind you!"

The Chief hastily turned around to take out a Minor Domo Elite but before he could fire his weapon, the Elite fell down to the ground dead with several bullets in his head. This left the Chief in puzzlement. He hadn't even fired his weapon and it was already dead?

"Hey," said a voice on the SQUAD-COM "You still alive there, Johnny?"

He knew that voice. But that was impossible. She was still in a cryogenic pod at the time of the Autumn's attack. How is it that she was still awake? More importantly, how can she still be walking around in her current condition? She was severely wounded when she, the Chief and Johnson boarded the Autumn. It just couldn't be her… could it?

When the Chief noticed that a Brute was about to attack him from the side. Suddenly, a Ghost driven by a SPARTAN in violet purple armor tackled the Brute in mid air forcing it to drop to the ground. The Chief could've sworn that he heard a large crack at the moment of impact. The SPARTAN hopped off the Ghost, pulled out an MA5C assault rifle and shot down several Elites who had just turned around when they heard her collide with the Brute. She then rested her assault rifle on her shoulder and looked at the Master Chief.

"You know, you should really be more aware of your surroundings." she said

"Linda…?" asked the Chief