A/N: So this one came out at just under 1800 words _ i feel proud for some reason... Anyways, The ending may seem weak, but its fuel for the other half of this fic. So deal with it, okies? . I love you guys for reading up to this far and sticking with it. And to my 3 reviewers, thank you for your words! I'll try not to disappoint you! 3

Also, I'm Canadian... so i may switch between Canadian and American spelling of some words. . I try to be consisant, but FF[dot]net doesnt like my Canadian-ness .

April 28, 2556

It's been one day since the encounter occurred, since I lost the men who were acting as my guards. We were surprised. There was no indication of Covenant forces having landed on Harvest. Looking back, we should have withdrawn and informed the UNSC; asking for reinforcements and a task force to wipe out the beasts. Bloody things, they are. And now, my ship is all that remains, its halls empty, and data scoured.

Had They not arrived, I would be dead right now too. I suppose that I owe them thanks of some kind, but I'll need to think that one out. How does one express gratitude for having their life saved when confused about the exact details of said ordeal? I've got time, I believe, to work on that. However, there's still the matter of what I came to Harvest for. I still don't have the item in my possession.

Among this, I currently write this entry aboard the Shadow of Intent, lead by Sangheili "heroes" I never once thought I'd get the chance to meet and speak with. The Ship Master here has been so far welcoming, but as for his men, they are touchy, wary of me. Don't misunderstand. I am honestly thankful for the aid of the Elites. They fear me, it would seem... I am no different than any other Human, am I? Perhaps I'll inquire about this upon meeting with the Ship Master, and the Arbiter. He was supposedly somewhere on this cruiser as well...I look forward to our meeting.

If I earn their favour, I may be lucky enough to acquire their help in pushing the Brutes and their slaves out of the building and look around. Maybe, that is... If I want anything, I'll have to ask "honourably" for it...

No time like the present, I suppose, to attempt a mission like this. My meeting begins soon... I'll be sure to record the events relating to all of my questions left in this writing.

Introductions await...

Dr. Hayden MacMillan

The cruiser remained stationary just outside of the planet's atmosphere. Lounging in orbit, the team that had encountered the Brutes returned to their masters via a Phantom, carrying aboard it a wounded Human. Ship Master Rtas 'Vadum seemed puzzled by her presence, but welcomed her aboard with open arms. They had circled the system for days, scrounging up what they could of the Forerunners technology. Sangheilos' military was strong, no doubt, but without technology, any species may be left behind.

And so their travels brought them here. Separation from the Prophets' Covenant back in 2552 had cost them dearly, and now was the only chance to rebuild. And so they came to Harvest, looking to seek the Cartographer located within the ruins for answers as to where they should go.

"It has been Cycles since we have encountered Humans so far from their home. What is it that brings you here, to this dead world?" Rtas questioned, sitting atop his chair, Thel 'Vadam at his side.

She fondled with a pair of dog tags that dangled from her neck. "I seek something here, on one of our old colonies that could symbolize a rebirth of it. Five days ago, on Earth, we received the signal using some of the radar towers that still remain operational here, to an extent. Data we received showed that new life had begun to grow here, and I hope to discover what form it takes." She breathed outward, closing her eyes as she fixed her hair, forcing it to dangle against her back.

"And your name, Human?"

Hayden reopened her eyes to meet with the Ship Master's own. "Hayden MacMillan, chief science officer, bio-engineering and terraforming advisor and architect."

A low rumble erupted from the Elites that stood in the room. "Your title is long yet impressive. We have other business here, but tell me, are you healing well?"

She smirked, wiggling her ankle. "It was a sprain, not a break. Already healed." For the most part... she heard her mind continue, still feeling a strain when she forced the joint too far. "Ship Master, Arbiter..." She paused, sighing with a smile. "Thank you..." The two Elites seemed puzzled at the sentiment, giving a questioning silence. "For saving me...protecting me from the Brutes."

"They shamed us and stole-" A hand now rested on Rtas' shoulder. The Arbiter moved forward, releasing his comrade.

"The Brutes forced us out, committed themselves to the murder of our brothers, and sentenced us to a death without honour." Thel began, his eyes locking at the monitors of the ship. "We were betrayed, slaughtered. We have no reason to show them mercy, for they showed us none. We have reasoned with them, but none will listen. Whoever leads them now, leads blind."

"Arbiter..."

The Arbiter's head swung back towards the Ship Master and gave a quick nod. "We shall go. We have a mission here, just as you do, but know that we may not always be able to guard you."

Hayden bowed to them, thankful. "I was going to ask, but I had a faint feeling I'd be denied the opportunity. As for my life, I still owe you all. As for guarding me, I can still fight, I just don't do well when I have a swarm of Brutes and Jackals chasing me. I also mistook the fact that there was ice on the ground, despite the fact that I normally have good footing." She smiled to them, offering her hand to the Arbiter. "Thank you for this chance... When do we touch down?"

"Brother?" the Arbiter quipped towards Rtas, who peered at his left down to a navigator.

The Ship Master's voice echoed throughout the ship. "Brothers! Listen well! This is a time of strength for us all! The Arbiter shall lead the assault upon the Relic! May the Forerunners smile upon us as we crush their hides to dust, reclaiming what is meant to be kept pure! Launch will commence shortly. Be at your stations! Today, we fight with honour!"

The surface was surprisingly colder than it had been the first day she had touched down to the planet's surface. Snow began falling from the hazy clouds above, and the sun failed to shine through. Hayden stood on the observation deck of the Elite cruiser, staring out across the scattered stars.

"You should know that we found large pieces of metal as we arrived. I believe that may have been your ship. What was its name?" Hayden peeked over her shoulder to see the Arbiter standing behind her, bowing with a fist over his heart. "My Brothers are ready to set out against the Brutes, we only await your presence."

The woman turned to face him, bowing her head with closed eyes. Her arms circled around and held her torso. "I suppose we should get going then..." Her voice rang out, shaky. "And the ship's name? It was Howling Winter."

"Then I shall not tell you its fate."

Three phantoms had left the hangar bay, returning to the surface with the Arbiter and Hayden in tow. Ghosts were dropping to the ground, the Wraiths following, as the third ship dropped the remaining party at the doors to the structure.

The Arbiter led the Elites in, energy sword attached to his thigh, with plasma rifles in hand, to the entry way. Elites of various armour colors followed close, with Ghosts and Wraiths behind. He had ordered four Ultras to remain with Hayden, giving a command for them to not enter for some time until which the threat of the enemy had dissipated. Rtas had given that order, refusing to let a human die by their hands to prevent tension between the two races.

And as such, the order was obeyed as the rest advanced. Something nagged at her mind though. Sangheili would die, and for what, she wondered. Why were they doing this for her?

"Human, they return. We will go forward, will you join?" One of the Elites asked her, the others advancing to rejoin their Brothers. Five Sangheili awaited them at the entrance, leading them to the Cartographer within. "Arbiter awaits us."

Hayden nodded, grabbing her scanner and pistol. As she followed them inside, blood remained spattered against the floors and wall. The Elites had cleaned the place well. There was only the odd body here and there as they passed through the chasm rooms and the central chamber, staring at the ancient device. Its energy had been depleted, even though tiny clicks and gears could be heard behind it. Hayden watched as the Arbiter stood before it, trying to use the remnants of a plasma reactor to spark it.

Her scanner chirped at her, and a small dot appeared 20 meters away, off to the east. Her eyes shifted from the Elites to the device, and back to the Elites. And that was when she started sprinting off in the direction, her footsteps echoing back to her saviors. Low growls reached her ears, and as they started to follow, the Arbiter held them back.

Her feet carried her closer with each step, the doorway to a small room on her left opening, welcoming her in. Yet, inside, the floor was covered with snow. Looking back to the small electronic device she carried in her hands, it showed that what she searched for was right in front of her.

"Don't tell me that this was all a glitch... Don't tell me that there's nothing here!" She cried, kneeling down and brushing as much of the snow away as she could before her hand started to burn cold. Her pants started to soak through, growing colder as she sat there, wondering why everything had played out the way it did. Covenant, faulty technology, dead of the people she knew, it all confused her.

A light breeze brushed past her, lifting a few stray strands of her hair and drawing her eyes back to the scanner. It still blinked, the signal staying strong. "Nothing can survive under packed snow..." She whispered to herself, scratching at it. The snow began to break, small chunks falling away as she touched the icy ground. She had reached the bottom, and her eyes lit. Encased in ice, a small bluish-green plant had started to grow. With a thin stem and only one leaf, it was only a sprout. It struck her as odd, but the first piece was complete.

"Is that your objective?" A low voice asked her, the shadow cast being long.

"Half of it..."