Although I felt really uncomfortable with a voice in my head at first, Cortana turned out to be a vital asset. She gave me the quickest routes and had some control over the facility, closing and opening blast doors at her will. As I ran, I questioned, "Where are we going?"

"To Sector Beta, the Cartographer room, where I can upload the map of the full facility there. That way, we can find the best escape plans as possible." She replied coolly.

I looked at the chances, and then dodged as a boltshot shot whizzed by. After taking out the watcher, I questioned again, "right, what are the chances without going there? What is the quickest route?"

"There are 2 exit routes possible. One is to crawl though mining vents and attack the mining control rooms. Then overload the drills and blast the ceiling. However, this is highly dangerous as there are enormous pressures that the MJONIR armour can only just handle, with 90% of the systems out of function and possible severe brain damage afterwards."

"Waaaaait a minute. You call that a possible route?" I asked,

"If your cranium is hard enough" she said, almost jokingly.

"Okay, what is the other alternative?" I said, pleading this option was not about amputation of limbs.

"An alternative is to assault the control room and pass through the main chambers. From there I can disengage locks on the War Sphinx and pilot it unto the surface. However the security on the main chambers are extremely high, not to mention Diadact is probably sleeping in there. This is also nearly impossible, for the amount of firepower –"

I took out my incinerator cannon and said, "If it's firepower we need, I've got that covered." Cortana chipped in, "this is crazy. But unfortunately for the both of us, I like crazy." I was surprised by her comment. This was exactly the same comment she stated to the Chief. Not complaining!

I followed the nav point, battling the Prometheans as I went along. It was rather easy, particularly enjoying the colourful implosions of the Prometheans. Perhaps the Diadact thought I was an easy prey. But it was nothing up to the main chambers. As I approached the doors, Cortana talked to me in hushed voice, "Be careful, the Diadact is in the main chambers. He is surrounded by a large amount of guards." Then it hit me. I was facing against the DIADACT. The last forerunner and the ugly-face devil. The one which previously killed Cortana and nearly, Masterchief. I got uncomfortable. Cortana chipped in. "I am reading heightened blood pressure and sweat. I suggest sneaking up around upon the catwalks up near the west walls." I realised that she was aware that I was nervous. I frowned and asked, "Wait, catwalks? They are goddam ancient to forerunners!"

"Yes, this is the oldest mines of the Forerunners. They only replaced parts of the structure to retrofit it into a factory and mine." She replied. Urg, history lessons. Living nightmare upon living nightmares. I looked around and saw a glowing side entrance. I gasped as the visor started up and decoded the forerunner runes. It must be Cortana. From what I have seen;

Cortana: 1 Sam: 0

The forerunner runes translated to: "Maintenance" I looked around as if I was a teenager about to sneak into an area of a house that owners didn't want me to- and in a way, I was. I crept up and Cortana opened the door. I took one sweeping glance and entered.

One thing hit me. The room was massive. I looked up and turned on my helmet scope. Nup, as far as I could see, the ceiling was further than as far as I could see. I looked back down and my neck was sore from all the staring. And the main chambers were blanketed with wait… I squinted and bit my lips. Split chins and methane-popcorn, bird brains and headless apes were staring into the centre of the chamber. I leaned over and grimaced. The ancient embodiment of hate stood in the middle, scanning his ignorant followers. "So that's where all the remnants went… after Chief and I blew up the Loyalists…" I frowned as Cortana trailed off. I re-ordered my objectives. Get Cortana out of here, and get her to Chief. Not to the UNSC. Not to the UNSC.

That is if I get my ass out of here! As soon as I looked into the distance, thinking about my objectives, there was a scream down below. I frantically looked down and a popcorn was screaming through its gas mask, jumping up and down. For that moment, every pair of eyes were directed at me. I stood there awkwardly. Did I say I was never the popular one? But for that brief second, I was. I realised what was happening and attempted to run across the catwalks. My boots just touched the edge of the tunnels when there was a blinding light and a deafening bang – my shields collapsed instantly, I was thrown heavily to one side of the railings. I felt blisters on my arm as I gained my bearings. I only had time to see the smouldering remains of the other side of the walks when the catwalks disconnected on one side and my weight made the whole path swing on its axle. I managed to hold on until the path smashed into a wall, throwing me tumbling over and over and out on the floor.

I lifted my head and saw that the Covenant were advancing. "Cortana? I am… sorry." I wheezed out. But Cortana wasn't there. The elites took their time, almost smiling. I had failed my mission. "Not yet!" Cortana shouted, and the whole of one side of the chamber opened up. All the Covenant – including Diadact, stared as a drill rumbled slowly into the chamber. As it entered, it bleeped dangerously red. Diadact shouted out orders desperately, the Covenant in panic. "Come on! The War Sphinx is right up ahead!" she shouted desperately. I managed to gather my wits and start hitting the road. I ran through the tunnels and Cortana said, "I overloaded the drills remotely and fed it to the main chambers. It should buy you some time." I smiled and updated the scoreboard.

Cortana: 2 Sam: 0

I entered the docking bay and there it was – the massive War Sphinx, waiting for a driver. I was about to disengage the locks when Cortana said "Harry, I read a friendly FOF tag. It's Sierra 117."

Sorry for the delay guys! I had a lot of homework lately and didn't manage to get around to it. Sorry!