Heyas! Chapter 1 is up and running, though it'll be a while before I can upload. College is done, so I'll be at the mercy of dial-up for about 4 months (sigh). I will continue with this, though I'm always willing to accept ideas--if you feel the need, send 'em my way! :D

Bold--Forerunner language; Italics--thoughts or memories; Bold Italics--memories of a memory (trust me, it makes sense later on)

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Halo.

Chapter One: Trapped

Somehow Fred could understand the words that the woman said. That circlet transfers memories, he remembered finally. Somehow she transferred their language into my head! The thought was both intriguing and frightening all at once.

"Yes. Alaya built this device with the intent of swift teaching, and aiding those who no longer remember. I only understand a little of her work, but she was a brilliant scientist and a strong warrior: she is a legend among us now." She approached the others with the circlet, and was pleased when the old woman came forward. Once the transfer was complete, Dr. Halsey was just as surprised as Fred had been.

"This is an incredible piece of technology. I would be honored to examine it."

"You are a scientist as well?" Arisaya was pleased to hear this; there were so few people she could talk to about her ancestor's work, for no one wanted to hear. Continuing with her task, she still listened to the woman's words—for her, it was simple to divide her attention between tasks and still complete them with ease.

"Quite. I have so many questions about this place, your people, and of the Covenant."

"Covenant? What is that?" She seemed puzzled as she continued the transfer on yet another of the strange humans.

"A group of races trying to wipe us out," Fred replied.

Arisaya shook her head sadly. "Alaya feared this would happen. But all such matters go before the Council. As you are strangers, they must decide your fate; we have to be careful because of the Flood. This will help you make your case." She finished the transfer on the last of the newcomers and stood. "Come with me, there is nothing to fear." After a moment's pause, she added, "Perhaps it would be wisest if you left your weapons behind; I promise you will have no need of them here, and that no one will harm you." The Spartans hesitated for a moment, then put their weapons down at Dr. Halsey's nod.

"It looks like we're going to be here a while," Kelly commented.

Estimated March 6, 2554 1802 hours

Planet Onyx, Unidentified Alternate Dimension

Arisaya was nervous, but did her best to hide it. It was rare that one of her standing ever came before the council, especially regarding a matter as important as this one. When she heard what the newcomers had had to say, her final hopes were crushed: to save themselves, they had destroyed the shield-world, and with it the gateway leading back to their own dimension. Their last hope of returning to their ancient home was gone.

"Arisaya, have you anything to say?" The council master, a San 'Shyuum (Prophet), looked at her. Perhaps it was because she was Alaya's descendent, but it seemed as though the whole of her world now looked to her for answers. If only I could give them the answers they wanted, she thought sadly.

"My ancestor's research, and perhaps other ancient records, may hold some clue as to rebuilding the gateway, but I am unsure how to make it work. Without the shield-world on the other side, there may be no way to return." There was a remote possibility that she could find a way to create a temporary portal, but it was minute at best. No need to raise false hopes for something that may ever come true.

"Are you saying there is nothing to be done?" One of the Sangheli (Elites) on the council demanded; later she would recall how he was one of the few council members that had seemed distraught by this information.

Arisaya glared at him. "I am saying that there are no guarantees. Would you have me lie and build false hopes, hopes that may ruin everything our empire once stood for?" Her scowl deepened. "Had you asked any of the Ancient Ones, they would have said the same!"

A stir at the back of the room brought all attention to the newcomers. The giant human warriors stood ill at ease, but the elderly woman was quite calm. She moved forward and waited for permission to speak.

"If I may, I would like to see this research for myself. There may be a solution that has been overlooked, simply because it's right in plain sight." Dr. Halsey, Arisaya remembered. She said she was a scientist, perhaps she can help us.

"And just how would you help us, intruder?" The harsh human voice could only belong to Arnyris, causing Arisaya to shake her head. Warriors.

"I am a scientist, and I have spent a considerable amount of time studying the Forerunner Empire. If nothing else, I would deem it an honor to see all that you and your ancestors have accomplished." The woman's pretty words seemed to have some sort of effect; the council began murmuring amongst themselves. Arisaya noticed a few members glancing uneasily at the woman, and she found herself wondering how she could be seen as a threat. After a time, the council master turned back to the assembly.

"We will reconvene in two days' time. You shall have our decision then."

Estimated March 6, 2554 2139 hours

Planet Onyx, Unidentified Alternate Dimension

"You took a risk, Doctor," Chief Mendez said as soon as the group was alone.

"A calculated risk," Dr. Halsey replied calmly. "No doubt they're wondering what harm my seeing their secrets would do." A small smile graced her features. "If nothing else, I had the young scientist listening."

Fred looked up from the back of the room, where he watched the others attempt to relax: Lucy and Tom were crouched by the door, Mark and Ash were setting up bedrolls, and Olivia was nowhere to be seen, as usual. Linda and Kelly were next to him, keeping an eye on the SPARTAN-IIIs that they still didn't quite trust.

"Arisaya seems unusual, almost like she doesn't belong. It almost seems like she's a relic from a forgotten time in their history." Kind of like Blade, only smarter, he thought. Oddly enough, the similarity didn't surprise him, but then again, he'd seen so many strange things lately that almost nothing shocked him anymore.

"Maybe," Dr. Halsey murmured. "But then we know almost nothing about their history, their culture, or anything else. If these are indeed Forerunners, as I suspect they may be, then they may be able to help us stop the war, if we ever manage to return to Earth."

A knock at the door brought all the Spartans to alert; Lucy and Tom, at a nod from Chief Mendez, opened the door a crack and peered out. A signal from Tom indicated a friendly, and they opened a door to admit Arisaya. She seemed a bit pale, but surprisingly calm.

"Doctor…Hal-see?" She spoke the name slowly, sounding unsure of herself. Looking closer, Fred noticed the girl seemed scared, but he had no idea as to why. She didn't seem scared of us when she put that circlet on our heads, he thought.

"Yes, Arisaya, I'm here," Dr. Halsey replied kindly. The woman came forward and held out a small computer chip.

"The council does not know I am here, and if they did they would not be happy." She took a deep breath and continued, "They may refuse to let you see my ancestor's research, on the grounds that you might use it to do harm. If they do, I have brought you a copy of Alaya's files."

"Intriguing." Dr. Halsey looked at the chip in the girl's outstretched hand. "Why are you doing this?"

Arisaya's blue eyes narrowed. "I disagree with them on multiple occasions, and part of me thinks they have become complacent here. They no longer wish to return to our home, or else they are still afraid of the Flood. I wish to return to our home, to walk on the grounds my ancestors walked, to see what they saw, and I imagine others do as well. If you can help us find a way home, it will serve us both: you return to your own people, and we return to our ancient homes."

"Perhaps," Dr. Halsey nodded. "Thank you for doing this."

Arisaya nodded, then glanced to the door. "I have to go, they expect me to be doing research. Do not let anyone see you with this, at least not until the council approves." Exiting the door, she disappeared into the night.

"Strange girl," Mendez commented.

"Strange, yes, but seemingly with a conscience," Dr. Halsey replied. "A conscience, and plenty of courage to defy the ruling body. I can only imagine the consequences she'll face if she's caught." Privately Dr. Halsey hoped the council would agree; she found she'd taken a liking to the young Forerunner scientist. Brains and courage, an unusual combination.

Olivia, having taken up a guardpost outside, watched the strange woman departing, and followed her to her dwelling. Once inside, she sat at a table and put her head in her hands. Something's wrong, she realized. Soft sounds of tears echoed from inside the small house, the soft sounds of a woman sobbing. Once she had stopped crying, Arisaya moved to a holographic terminal and activated the screen. Strange runic characters Olivia recognized from Onyx's Zone 67 floated above her head. She watched curiously as Arisaya touched one, prompting a video image to appear suspended above her:

A dark-haired young woman was furiously entering commands into control panel, a look of urgency graven on her face. Footsteps sounded behind her, and a young man appeared and tried to pull her away.

"Alaya, we must go now!" The man sounded both angry and worried.

"Corin, you go, I'll catch up. I must activate the ring, I'm the only one who can." The woman sounded scared too, but there was a note of resigned acceptance in her voice, as if she knew she was going to die.

"Stop being noble. You'd never make it to the ship in time."

"Then you go. You have to survive, I'm not that valuable. If only one of us can survive, you're it. Corin, just go!" She practically shouted that last one at him.

"Alaya, I won't leave without you." He tried to pull her away again, but she refused to leave.

Another figure entered behind the two, an elderly San 'Shyuum. He glanced at the man, a look passed between them. He suddenly grabbed her and brute-forced her away and over the slender bridge as the San 'Shyuum took over the controls, finishing the preparations she had nearly completed.

"Corin, get her to safety. The two of you are the best hope for the future. Head for the shield worlds, and remember this." The old one stood silently before the panel as the woman's screams echoed around the room.

"Thaddeus, no! NO!"

Arisaya stopped the recording, brushing a few tears out of her eyes once again. Olivia heard a few whispered words escape her lips.

"Alaya, if ever we needed you, it is now. If your spirit still lingers, please help us. Our people need you now more than ever."

March 1, 2554 0036 hours

UNSC Reserve Base Camp Hayes, Classified Underground Facility

North America

"Alaya, if ever we needed you, it is now. If your spirit still lingers, please help us. Our people need you now more than ever."

Halfway across the universe, in the dimension the Forerunners had left behind, a warrior hovered in the shadows between life and death. The whispered words echoed in the dark, and she tried to reach for them, they were her only lifeline in the night. Where are you? I must find you! Her friends were lost, but she knew they were still alive somewhere. I will find you, she thought, before the darkness closed in.