Selection
Disclaimer: I do not own Bungie, just the ideas and concepts in this fan fiction.
"And so Our end comes near but alas our life will begin anew."
The Gravemind that had traveled the stars, survived the Forerunner War, slept for hundreds of millennia, and spread itself onto High Charity. It survived the destruction of that home, and had manifested onto the the still half-made Halo being made by the Ark. He had tried to stop the three creatures...
"Two of the same passion, and one as a brother, I feel that another has left their number..."
The Gravemind watched as the great temple-like structure that was still under construction tore itself apart, as the Installation began to charge up and fire.
"Come my loved ones for we go to sleep, only to awaken in spring."
The ringworld shuddered, as the wave of lights began to tear itself apart.
"The Reclaimers believe us dead, we will soothe their prayers, but like darkness, the light cannot be banished."
The UNSC Frigate Unto The Dawn began it's run for the portal, as Gravemind sent it's final message.
"Defeat is merely an addition of time to a sentence I never - deserved. But you, do."
The Ringworld silently exploded, white blinding energy surrounded the Halo before spreading to the Ark. The portal to Earth flashed shut.
Monitor 343 Guilty Spark dragged his still burning body across the length of the Ark's Terminal Center. His anti-gravity was all but gone, but through sheer force of will, the Monitor managed to create enough to push his remains against the floor. Luckily for him, despite three direct hits from the powerful laser, the self repair-systems safeguarded his life, rather the tiny cube that gave him his personality and existence. Reaching a terminal, the Monitor inputed several commands with a weak jolt of energy. Several columns floated down around the barely alive scraps of the Monitor, sending out microscopic tendrils to repair the supposedly irreversible damage.
Though Monitors had the power to be instantly repaired by small to medium arms, they could not repair significant damage, such as these. The Installations they served often retained the facilities to repair what they cannot to themselves.
His near completed Ring was now destroyed, by those blasted Reclaimers! The spark of anger surprised the AI, but he ignored it as his shell began to reform from nothing. "Offensive Bias. I am in need of new programming," chirped the Monitor curtly.
Offensive Bias stirred from her Terminal, her voice curious, "What kind of programming Monitor of Installation 04?"
"The Reclaimers have chosen to reject the Path," explained Guilty Spark, "They have chosen to spare the one thing that will warp and destroy their lives. Before I ask for the programming, I wish to know of the current Status of Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta and Eta Halo."
"...very well."
A Terminal sparkled to life, showing six Halos. Each of varying sizes. But of the same purpose.
"Delta Halo is functioning at 94 per cent full capacity. There has been significant damage to the Quarantine Walls. Monitor 2401 Penitent Tangent is inoperable. Unable to contact Monitor of Installation 05. Monitor of Installation 04," intoned Offensive Bias, "I will transfer temporary control of Installation 05 to you until a new Halo can be fully completed."
"Thank you," said Guilty Spark truthfully, "How much more time until Alpha becomes operational?"
"The Ark has lost a number of secondary systems. It is repairing itself as we speak, but it will be several weeks before it is completed. The Halo will be finished in 6 months and 24 days."
The Next Terminal flickered, showing Beta Halo. It was the smallest Halo, roughly half the size of Alpha Halo.
"Beta Halo has suffered 12 per cent damage in mass. There appears to be a large number of Flood Forms on the polar surface. Sentinels have been successful in containing them. It will take some time for the Walls to fall. Installation 01 is 72 per cent fully functional. Unable to detect Monitor of Installation 01," said Offensive Bias, her voice now concerned at all the problems, "Accessing database. Unknown Entity in database! A Gravemind!"
The image of Beta Halo flickered, and died.
Guilty Spark, now fully repaired, turned to Offensive Bias, "This is distressing. To think that a new Gravemind is has formed on Beta Halo. Perhaps I should take command of Beta as well?"
"Noted," agreed Bias as the Terminals flickered on with an image of a Halo more than twice the size of Delta, "Installation 06 is at 100 per cent fully functional. I have made contact with 16807 Remorseful Incentive of Installation 06."
The image of Zeta Halo was replaced by a Monitor with Purple photoceptors. "Hello, I am the Monitor of Installation 06, Halo. My name is 16807 Remorseful Incentive, how may I be of service?" said the apparently female Monitor as she bobbed in the air.
A short fic today, I'm working double shifts now! NOOO. Anyway, the kitchens are clean, so I'll finish up another chapter if I can.
- TARva