So, here is Part Two of The Halo Collection.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Halo.
January 20, 2554, Earth, Ruins of New Mombassa, The Human Monument
I remember it very vividly. It was a warm summer day. The sun was setting and it glowed blood-red. Nothing like an African sunset. Normally, that would have ended a normal day. But that day was no ordinary day.
The park housing the Human Monument was closing in a few minutes and I was one of the last ones there. Me being a photographer, I wanted to see what I could get. To be honest, I was hoping to get a picture of the monument with the setting sun in the background. What I got was much better.
With only ten minutes until closing time, an elderly man in a wheelchair rolled into the park and stopped before the old Pelican wing monument. He must have stayed there for five minutes before he started to wheel himself closer to it. Now, as you know, a three feet clearing around the Monument had been roped off to prevent vandalism. Unfortunately for the old man, a young marine saw him enter the restricted area. Naturally, the marine chased after the old man, shouting "Sir, you can't go that close!"
I ran after the marine and when he and I got there, the old man had a long combat knife unsheathed and was almost scratching the monument. The marine yanked the knife from the old man's grasp. I saw the old man shaking uncontrollably. For a moment it was quiet, and then the old man said, very softly, "Marine, I would appreciate it if you gave me the knife back."
The marine replied, "I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that. I can't let you deface the monument."
The old man spoke in a low, menacing voice, "Marine, Give. Me. That. Knife."
I didn't expect the marine to do it, but the next thing I know, he was all apologetic and handed the knife to the old man. The man thanked the marine for the knife and proceeded to do something to the monument which I couldn't see because the marine was blocking my line of sight. After a few minutes, the marine said something, the old man nodded, and the marine rolled the wheelchair-bound man out the gates. As they passed me, dumbfounded, I saw the old man put his face into his hands and begin crying.
As the marine and the elderly man passed me, I turned towards the monument. Scratched out of the standard marine green paint of the Pelican wing, I saw three figures engraved there.
117.
Well, hoped you enjoyed Part Two. Yes, I know that at the end of Halo 3 117 was already scratched on, but then it wouldn't have worked here, so I changed it. Also, free imaginary cookie of your choice to the first one who finds out who the old man is. D (And please review. Pretty please?)