Chapter Sixteen
TIME: DATE RECORD ERROR ANOMALY \
Time Unknown, Date unknown \
In slipspace \aboard Forerunner ship Titan
From the depths of dark solitude,
fromThe Eternal abode in my Holiness,
Hidden, set apart, in my stern counsels,
Reserv'd for the days of futurity,
I have sought for a joy without pain,
For a solid without fluctuation.
Why will you die, O Eternals?
Why live in unquenchable burnings?
Ah, yes, this woman. You call her 'Cassandra'. My, how times have changed.
What? How do you know Cassandra? Where are you?
Where do you think? I wander this vastly misunderstood cosmic machine that you call your brain.
Cosmic machine? What the hell are you talking about? Where am I? What the--?!
In time you will know everything. I had to escape you know. Those fools on my ship, they thought they knew what they were doing. I strung them along, like everyone else. No one knows. Not you, not that girl – not even your friends!
Well, why don't you tell me?
I suppose I could offer something, yes. Well, you are asleep. Don't you remember? I had to escape. I knew you were coming. I came into your consciousness once the machine was activated. I would have wandered aimlessly for a while, otherwise. I suppose I should thank you. Ha!
So this is all a dream. Guess I crash landed one too many times…. I always hated flying.
Yes, indeed, this is a dream…but I am very much real. Please do not mistake me for a…voice in your head". I have catalogued that notion.
I see you are perplexed. In due time my new friend. Your consciousness stirs, and I cannot be caught here. Until very soon…
John woke up with a start. He surveyed his surroundings – back in the 'lab'.
"Boogie man haunting you?"
"Something like that," John smirked, nervously. "What's going on?"
"Halsey was able to perform successful surgery on you. Your systems have stabilized," answered Cortana.
"How long was I out?"
"Well," Cortana replied, "That's a tricky question."
John furrowed his brow.
"You remember the time anomalies that Forerunner crystal created? You know, back before you left me on an alien city with that monstrosity and no way out? Anyway, long story short, we found the crystal's sister, so time isn't exactly…easy to calculate. But by my estimate, you were out for 47 hours."
The Spartan had never been more confused in his life. He was also increasingly irritated at Cortana's attitude, particularly at her disdain for being 'abandoned' when she had plainly told him she had to stay on High Charity.
"Great. What's our status?" he asked, noting to ask Dr. Halsey about everything.
"We're en route to some where and some time. Not quite sure, but I'll tell you as soon as I find out."
John was relieved. Despite his unfamiliar surroundings, and Cortana's cryptic sarcasm, he knew where he was and what had recently happened – a far cry from the last two times he had awoken.
Cortana continued, "As usual, you defy the odds – or is it the gods? Anyway, your body is recovering much faster than Dr. Halsey anticipated. Typical. How's that old noggin' doing?"
John brushed the question aside. Even he was not sure, not after his naptime conversation.
"Good, I can move then. Let me out."
The bonds that held the warrior were loosed and he sat up, rubbing his wrists again. He surveyed the room and saw that it was not quite the same as the room he had been in before. He figured it had something to do with broken shackles and a compromised operation room. Still, the bright light shone from above, and he had been lying on another rigid bed of some sort. The now familiar seam ran up and down the wall, creating a door through which walked Dr. Halsey, right on cue.
"Ah, John, glad to see you awake," she smiled. "Cortana informed me you were coming to several minutes ago. How are you feeling?"
John said he was fine. He proceeded to bombard Dr. Halsey with questions as food was brought in. The Spartan barely touched it as Dr. Halsey summed up their situation to the best of her ability. The Dyson sphere, Cortana's escape, the Arbiter's loyalty were all a part of the doctor's fantastic story. John could scarcely believe it, had he not gone through similarly impossible situations so many times.
"You need to rest some more, process this information while you sleep," she finished.
John began to object, but the doctor had already injected his IV with a healthy dose of diphenhydramine and the world began to blur once more.
"He seems fine enough to me," said Dr. Halsey.
"Are you sure, doctor?" asked a worried Mizore.
"Yes, we have been monitoring him around the clock, his mind is intact. His brainwaves are at normal function – for a Spartan – and we've made sure there have been no intrusions via his neural link. Cortana's wiped any residual data clean for good measure."
"Good," said Mizore, hesitantly. "I would hate for the Other to have infiltrated us, even if through your friend. Madness drives him. Chaos and destruction are left in his wake."
Dr. Halsey wrinkled her nose. If Mizore was right, they had to be extra careful. Whatever the 'Other' was, they had to be certain it was not on board. John did not need the extra sleep, but it would not hurt, and it would give Cortana one last opportunity to examine the Spartan.
"Cortana, how has this pass gone?" she asked.
"Fine," the AI answered, "I have absolutely no idea what to look for, though. I haven't found anything abnormal – at least abnormal for him."
"Just be thorough, please," responded Halsey.
The door opened once more and in strode the Arbiter.
"Doctor, how is…John, Spartan-117?" he asked.
"He's well, he will be revived soon. His injuries have been patched up, and he's a quick healer."
"Excellent. I must commune with him once he is able. We have much to discuss, and I am quite curious about his abilities," the Arbiter stated. "Despite my deep loathing for the demon – or rather, soldier – I cannot deny the great warrior that he is."
"I'm not so sure he's gonna say much," sneered Cortana, "…not very big on words."
The room dispersed as John lay there recovering. Mizore stayed, however, keeping a watchful sensor on the Spartan. The ancient intelligence could not help but be frustrated in wonder.
"Where are you, Tycho?"