Author's Notes: I apologize that it has taken me so long to get this chapter up, but with the Holidays and the fact that I was writing entirely by hand while advising my brother how to kick rear in Battle Front II delayed me somewhat.

This chapter is dedicated to my younger brother David, who will be entering Marine Corps Basic Training in two days. You always were a fighter, David. Take it to 'em on land; I'll be watching your back from the sea.

0715, October 2, 2552:

As General Tannery had indicated, the Longsword's onboard computer indicated that a new order file had been unlocked minutes after they had made their jump to slip space. John had plotted a random outbound vector as soon as they'd left the Sol system, one that would drop them in empty space approximately a quarter of a light year away. As soon as they made the transition back to normal space he brought the file up on his main display. It was a visual file, and General Tannery's face was frozen on the screen for a moment before the recording started playing.

"Master Chief, by now you've made your first slip jump, and it's too late to turn back." He chuckled a bit. "Not that you would want to anyway. I hope you aren't headed directly for the Eridanus system just yet, because you're going to make a little detour. Now, I know you can probably handle this one on your own, but someone somewhere wearing ONI brass would feel better if you brought some leathernecks along for the ride. You're to meet them at these coordinates." A set of coordinates flashed in green at the lower right corner of the display.

"Now, these guys aren't mine. They're under Colonel Haversdam out of the 4th battalion. I don't know anything about them, but most of them are experienced in combat against the Covenant, and Haversdam assures me they're his best. Understand that they have not yet been briefed on the mission, so they're currently in the dark. Tell them whatever you think they need to know.

"Once you rendezvous with them, continue to your primary objective. That said, good luck, Master Chief. I'll see you when you get back to the Sol System. Tannery out."

The General's visage disappeared, leaving only the UNSC crest rotating slowly on a black screen above the new coordinates.

"Cortana, where are those coordinates at?" John asked as he brought the fighter around to the new heading.

"Checking," the AI replied. "Oooh, that will take us to a nice piece of space about five light years away from anything. Closest real estate is the Hades system. Been there, Chief?"

"No, and from what I hear, I'm just as glad that we're staying well away from it," he said.

"Not scared, are you?" Cortana put in wryly.

"Just concerned about saving the taxpayers' money when it comes to armor repairs and AI replacement," he answered.

"Touché," she muttered.

"Nav computer has accepted the new coordinates, Chief," Linda interrupted their banter.

"Right then, John said. "Here we go."

1410, October 2, 2552

Approximately 5 Light Years from the Hades System:

Their jump to the coordinates General Tannery had indicated took just under seven hours. They were over 62 light years from the Sol System, and as Cortana had indicated, the nearest star system was 5.013 light years away.

"Anything on sensors?" John queried.

"Nothing," Linda replied. "If Haversdam's Marines are out there, they're running silent – no lights, no engines."

"Hold on," Cortana interrupted. "I'm detecting a narrow beam laser directed at our receiver array."

"Trace it back," John ordered.

"Got 'em," the AI replied almost instantly. "Right there." A green wire-frame hologram was overlaid on the canopy, forming the rough shape of a distant Pelican personnel transport.

"Linda, get us a beam of our own."

"Aye, aye, Chief." Linda tapped orders into the communications console, and it beeped back at her, indicating that a return beam had been established. Now, only a ship that happened to wander through the beams could eavesdrop on their communications. Of course, it also meant that both ships would have to remain relatively still, limiting their maneuverability to almost nil, but out here, it probably wouldn't be an issue.

Nevertheless, John wasn't going to take any chances. "Keep an eye on the sensors," he told his fellow Spartan. "If anything at all comes into range, let me know."

"Copy."

"Longsword fighter, please state your identity," a level voice came over the comm.

"This is Master Chief Spartan 117," John replied. "We're here on the orders of General Tannery and Admiral Marks."

"Acknowledged," the other came back. "This is Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell. Colonel Haversdam has assigned us to you for this mission, sir. Standing by for further orders."

"How many are you, Gunnery Sergeant?" John asked.

"Twenty-one, including myself," Mitchell replied.

"Armaments?"

"We're outfitted for ground assault, as well as hostile boarding actions. We've also been equipped with a civilian-civilian grade slip drive. We're slow, but we can get to wherever you need to go. The only thing we're lacking is a warthog," he added wryly.

"Understood," John said. "Standby." He switched the transmitter off, then turned to face Linda. "We're going to need an approach plan once we reach Eridanus."

"Sounds like Haversdam has them geared up appropriately," Cortana remarked.

"Agreed," Linda added, "but we don't want to put all our cards in one hand, so to speak. We should take both ships with us. And you and I should split up, Chief. If Mitchell is equipped for hostile boarding actions, his Pelican should have an extra airlock, topside. We can link up with them and transfer some people. That way, if one of us gets taken out before we land, the other can still carry out the mission."

"Good idea," John said. "Once we dock with the Pelican, I'll transfer over. I'll send a few Marines back here to take my place. This fighter has heavier fire power; I want to keep it in reserve, so you'll follow us in once we locate the Eternity. Stay directly on our six; if you keep close enough, the Covenant's sensors might mistake you for an echo."

"Got it," Linda said.

"Cortana, I'm going to transfer you over to the Longsword's hard drives until we land. If the Eternity's AI tries anything on the Pelican while we make our approach, you'll have more time to work on counteracting her from here."

"All right," Cortana replied, although she didn't sound happy with the idea.

John switched the transmitter back on. "Pelican, stand by to initiate docking procedure."

Fifteen minutes later, the two space craft were securely attached to each other. Cortana had handled most of the more intricate maneuvers and calculations, but it had still been a tricky process.

As soon as the airlock lights flashed green, indicating a secure seal between the Longsword and the Pelican's topside airlock, John made his way over. Both ships had their own artificial gravity enabled, but the short tube between them had zero gee. He fought a momentary sense of nausea as the gravity around him shifted twice in just a few seconds.

He pulled himself into the Pelican and dropped to the deck to find a young female Marine waiting for him. For a moment, she just gaped at him, swallowing hard; then she shook herself and snapped to attention. "Lance Corporal Amber Dupont," she said breathlessly. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. Welcome aboard."

John nodded in return, taking a quick moment to study Dupont. She was little more than a girl, with green eyes that were still innocent, and cinnamon hair that was probably longer than the specs called for. He doubted she was even of legal age to be a Marine, but these days, the Corps was willing to take anyone that could make it through basic training. At least she seemed to know what she was about; she was already geared up in full battle armor, except for her helmet, and she was carrying her battle rifle slung over one shoulder, ready for action.

"Lance Corporal, get together five people and have them report to the Longsword," he said. "Make sure one of them has AI quals and another knows demolitions. As soon as that's done, report back to me."

Dupont nodded smartly. "Yes, sir." She turned and regarded the other Marines who were gathered in the rear compartment. As John made his way toward the cockpit, he heard her start calling out names.

John tapped the controls for the cockpit door, then stepped inside as it slid open. Gunnery Sergeant Mitchell was sitting at the pilot's station and glanced up at the Master Chief. Like most senior enlisted Marines these days, he showed signs of countless hours of combat. He wasn't old, but his hair was graying prematurely, and he had several scars crisscrossing his face. His gray eyes constantly darted back and forth, as if he was expecting an attack from any direction.

Mitchell glanced at the woman beside him in the co-pilot's chair. "If you'll excuse us for a moment, Sergeant," he said quietly.

The Sergeant nodded and stood, but there was a bitter look in her eyes as she slipped past John and left the compartment.

As soon as she was gone, John took a seat and strapped himself in.

"You'll have to excuse her, Master Chief," Mitchell said after a moment of silence. "Just after the war began, a Navy drop ship crew panicked and took off without orders during a firefight when an insertion op went bad. She was still onboard, but they left a lot of her friends behind, none of whom made it out alive."

"I see," John said simply.

"So, what's our mission?" Mitchell asked in an obvious bid to change the subject.

John gave him the quick version of what Admiral Marks had briefed him on. "We're headed to the Eridanus system," he finished. "Most of the mission will probably be concentrated on the Eternity herself; that's why Tannery wanted you and your people here."

Mitchell nodded slowly. "Sounds like we're in for a party," he said. "Never had the chance to board a Covenant cruiser before."

The cockpit door slid open, and Dupont stuck her head in, vainly trying to push back locks of her too-long cinnamon hair. "Good to go, Master Chief," she piped. "Your AI lady said they're ready on their end."

"Good," John said as he started punching the coordinates for Eridanus into the nav computer. He glanced over his shoulder to see the girl still standing there. "Is there anything else?"

"Uh, well, I –" she started.

"Go strap in, Lance Corporal," Mitchell said with a small grin.

"Yes, sir," she murmured, then disappeared back into the troop compartment.

"Now that one's a completely different story from Sergeant Avery," Mitchell chuckled once she was gone. "She's a fan of the Spartans, you might say. I think you've picked up a new admirer."

"She have any combat experience?" John asked, not particularly caring what Dupont might think of him.

"Not a bit," Mitchell responded, grimly this time. "Been in the Corps less than four months. They never should have let her join. She's way too young. She's a darn good shot with that battle rifle of hers, though. Ironically, she can't shoot worth Grunt spit with a sniper carbine, but her enthusiasm more than makes up for it."

"Let's just hope that enthusiasm doesn't get her killed," John said. "We'll need level heads where we're going."

Moments later, the two ships were undocked, and they made the jump to slip space.

Page 4