Hey all! The moment you've all been (kinda?) waiting for--the mission! ok, that kinda stank as an intro, but I'm running into writer's block when it comes to these. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Halo.

Chapter Nineteen: Operation Stronghold

June 26, 2558 0915 hours

UNSC Reserve Base Camp Hayes

North America

Arisaya watched as the Council members moved around the conference room, ensuring that everything was to their liking. They are also checking for listening devices, I do not doubt.

"Everything is in readiness," the human member commented.

"Good, they will be arriving in a little while," the San 'Shyuum nodded. From what Arisaya knew, he was the leading member of this small group. "Arisaya, you are sure these people can be trusted?"

"Not all of them, but many of those we will meet today are. And even if they are not, Laura will ensure they do nothing."

"Who is 'Laura'?" the San 'Shyuum asked.

"She is the one who looks like Lady Alaya, the one who remembers our race's past." Arisaya was prevented from saying more when the door opened. She recognized Dr. Halsey, Mendez, Fred, Linda, and Kelly, and just behind them was the one they called John. The one who looks like Corin, she mused. ONI officers and a man with a completely different uniform followed them, and within moments everyone was seated. Laura was nowhere to be seen.

"Arisaya, child, you are looking well," Dr. Halsey greeted her. "May I present General Mark West, commanding officer in charge of this base. Also ONI lieutenants Cynthia Anders and Matias Svensen." The two ONI officers nodded politely, and General West flashed her a smile.

"Pleased to…meet you?" Arisaya looked to Dr. Halsey, unsure if she'd gotten the phrase correct; the doctor nodded and she smiled in relief. "Our Councillors Pareus," she motioned to the Jiralhanae who nodded, "Edo 'Varunee," the Sangheili bowed with one hand on his chest, "Tiraeus," the San 'Shyuum spread his hands in greeting, "and Carus," the human bowed deeply. "We are glad you are willing to hear us."

"We understand you need our help with an upcoming mission," Mendez got straight to the point—or would have, if John hadn't suddenly stopped him and, without missing a beat, drove his elbow into the air behind him.

"OOF!" A slight shimmer in the air resolved itself into the familiar figure of Laura Morisson, now doubled over and gasping for air. "Nice…hit Chief," she wheezed. "How'd…how'd you know?"

"You snickered," John stated matter-of-factly. Laura glared at him, still coughing, but now able to brace herself with her hands on her knees. Arisaya chuckled softly—the whole scene lent a comic air to an otherwise serious discussion.

After a few moments, Laura was able to stand fully upright without coughing. "We are honored that you wish to work with us." Arisaya didn't bother to inform her that the Council had had translators made in order to communicate with the rest of the planet. She will find out, if she does not already know.

"Blade, this is a private debriefing: only the SPARTAN-IIs and appropriate authorized personnel are permitted here," Lieutenant Anders stated. Laura fixed her with a glare that Arisaya imagined few people could stand up to for long.

"And unless you and the rest of ONI Section Three have forgotten, I am a SPARTAN-II," she snarled; it was easy to see the extent of the temper she tried hard to keep in check. "More to the point, I'm the SPARTAN-II, the test case that made your precious project possible. I have as much right to be here as you do."

"She has a point," Dr. Halsey interposed. "And unless I miss my guess, we'll need her input and possibly her participation."

"Thanks for the support," Laura nodded in her direction. Leaning casually against the wall, she waited for things to commence.

"I do not know the particulars—such things belong to the Council to reveal," Arisaya began, "but I do know we are going to a planet in our ancient Empire, one we lost long ago: Stronghold."

Tiraeus rose and motioned to the young scientist; understanding the signal she backed down. The Council member spoke, gravelly tones speaking in halting standard, "Long ago this world was lost to the Empire, and we have only recently found records of it." He motioned to Arisaya who, having familiarized herself with the conference room in advance, used the holoprojector to display a series of runes. "Most of the records contained these glyphs. We do not know the exact wording, but we believe it to be a splinter language of a religious sect."

Laura snickered from her corner. "Nope, not even close." The Spartan moved forward, until she could almost touch the holographic runes. "The information herein is of the utmost importance to the Empire, and may only be accessed by the High Council or by those they deem worthy," she read, and even Arisaya was stunned. How could she read them?

"This was a splinter, you were correct in that," Laura continued, still gazing intently at the runes. "It wasn't anything to do with religion: this is the language of the scientists. They didn't exactly trust the entire Empire, and developed their own series of letters to write their reports and records. Only the Council had the key to translate it—the Council, and anyone they approved to see things like this." Turning to face the shocked Elders (which she knew to be their title in Alaya's time), she asked, "How many times did this pop up in your records?"

"More times than we could count," Carus answered, still staring awestruck at her. "How…"

"It's enough that I can read them," Laura interrupted. "The how and the why are unimportant."

Tiraeus nodded slowly. "Keep your secrets then, for now. Can you read the rest of what you see?" With that, Arisaya revealed the rest of the text.

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Laura regarded the familiar symbols with a smile on her face; they were old friends, these symbols. Alaya was quite proficient in this language. Struggling to keep speaking standard, she read aloud: "We have made an extraordinary breakthrough with regards to the parasitic lifeform found on board the expeditionary ship Imperial Glory. It appears to have remarkable evolutionary capabilities, and when tested in controlled settings has successfully adapted to new and dangerous environments. This could easily become the basis for any number of medical and technological advances. We are enclosing all relevant data on the parasite, and await your next instructions. Stronghold stands ready.

"Stronghold…" she murmured, and blackness swam in to engulf her.

"I do not see why you have to go!" An enraged young woman stormed about a bedroom, where an older woman was packing a small bag.

"Alaya, child, we have been over this. I am one of the experts in my field, they need me there more than I am needed here," she explained patiently.

"Then turn them down, Myrnia! Tell them you will not go!"

"You expect me to defy the Council, Alaya?" Myrnia chuckled.

"Of course not! How could I…you…we…" Alaya sputtered. The older woman smiled kindly, closing her bag.

"Stronghold is not that far with a swift ship, child. It is not like I am going forever. And soon enough you know you would have regretted my staying."

"No, never!" Alaya ran forward and hugged the older woman tightly. "I have already lost one mother, I would not lose you too."

Myrnia smiled and hugged the young woman tenderly. "I am honored that you see me as such, little one. But I will see you again, I promise you."

"Blade? BLADE?" Someone was shaking her roughly, and she found herself laying flat on the floor; Arisaya and Lieutenant Svensen were leaning over her.

"Ease off on the abuse, I'm alright," she muttered, waving them away. Sitting up slowly, she rubbed her temples, frowning. "This needs to stop, pronto."

"I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon," John grumbled.

"Thanks for the reminder, Captain Obvious," she snapped—lately she was becoming prone to sharp replies whenever the memories surfaced. "I'm well aware that I'm stuck with this for the long haul, no need to rub it in."

"Would someone care to explain what this is about?" Anders interrupted.

"Not particularly, no," Laura scowled, pushing herself to her feet. "Though I doubt you'll just let well enough alone, ONI can't help but meddle in other people's affairs."

"A disgruntled soldier's point of view is hardly the most reliable," Svensen began, but West cut him off before Laura even could.

"I hardly doubt that ONI's multiple attempts on SPARTAN-000's life counts as the viewpoint of a disgruntled soldier," he stated, scowling. "However, that is neither relevant to this discussion nor to anything that may or may not be happening to her now. What is relevant is the trigger for whatever caused her blackout."

"Assasination attempts? Blackouts? Are you sure this is a wise course of action?" Laura heard Pareus, the Jiralhanae elder, ask.

"The assassinations are in my past, and the blackouts are Alaya's memories—though I refuse to tell ONI what I know," she answered him, using their own language so the ONI lieutenants wouldn't understand. "I do not trust them, nor have I ever, but the rest of the people here can be trusted. That I can promise you."

Laura's scowl deepened when she saw the ONI lieutenants glaring at her. "Blade, you are ordered to tell us what is going on here," Anders ordered.

"Order away, but you'll not here it from me," she shot back. "ONI isn't the only one who can keep secrets, and I'll keep mine a bit longer, thank you very much." Shoving her way forward, she exited the room. Behind her she heard West yelling:

"Lieutenant Anders, you've just cost us the best intelligence we had for this mission!"

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June 26, 2558 1223 hours

Ryder Farms

North America

John led the small group (consisting of Arisaya, Arnyris, Dr. Halsey, and his fellow SPARTAN-IIs) to a ranch on the outskirts of town.

"You sure Laura would be here?" Kelly asked.

"Lorienna said she might be," he replied. "There are only a few places off-base that she would be, and considering the state of mind she was in I think she'd be here. She told us that working with the Thoroughbreds helped her relax, remember?"

They passed between rows of large paddocks, where horses grazed peacefully and walked leisurely around the pasture; John admired the ripple of muscle beneath the glossy coats of the animals. Eventually they came to a different area of the ranch, where a figure in blue was working a horse on a pair of lines.

"There's our missing Spartan," Dr. Halsey murmured, watching as Laura easily turned the horse on the lines. She'd changed from her standard blacksuit into blue jeans and a blue T-shirt, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail rather than a braid, and her knives were absent from her waist. The black Thoroughbred galloped easily around her before slowing to a trot, then a walk.

"Looking good," an older woman called from the fence.

"He handles well," Laura agreed as she led the horse over. "You might get another winner outta him."

"Too soon to tell yet, but I wouldn't be surprised. How'd Cissy look today?"

"Ready to burst, like she has for the past few," Laura chuckled. "Hopefully all goes well. Oh, hi Chip," she suddenly said as a large black and tan dog trotted up and sat on her foot. Dropping down to one knee, she petted and rubbed the dog's ears, smiling as he tried to lick her face.

"I think he likes you," the older woman smiled.

"Most animals do, I've noticed," Laura smiled back. Her smile died as she turned her head and noticed the newcomers. "We have company."

"Chip, come!" Chip barked once and stood, trotting after his owner as she headed toward the newcomers; Laura stood and followed, easily catching up in a few strides.

"Welcome to Ryder Farms," she said. "I'm Karen Ryder, one of the owners."

"Dr. Catherine Halsey," Dr. Halsey replied. "We were just looking for Laura, and John figured she'd be here."

"He figured right, she comes here when she can," Mrs. Ryder nodded. "Though today she seemed rattled—any idea why?"

"Troubles on base," Dr. Halsey stated, not going any further than that.

"It's okay, Mrs. Ryder, no need for the third degree," Laura interrupted, smiling. "These are some of the few people I can trust on base. Prolly trying to make sure I didn't do anything stupid."

The older woman relaxed visibly. "Oh, then they're alright. Any friend of Laura's is welcome here. Just watch out for Chip and you'll be fine."

Laura waved goodbye and led the way off of the ranch, guessing that the group was collecting her for some reason."So how badly did I piss everyone off?" It wasn't exactly a question, but then again she already knew.

"Pretty thoroughly," John admitted, "but mostly the Forerunners were shocked. West had to do some explaining, which irritated the ONI lieutenants, and Arisaya had to explain to them why you 'blacked out' when you read that bit about Stronghold."

Laura paled, and Dr. Halsey continued where John had stopped. "She didn't use standard, she used her own language."

"Whew!" Laura passed one hand across her forehead—somewhat dramatic, but it conveyed the relief admirably. "There's one less thing to worry about."

"They're still unhappy about you being involved on the mission, but you're going with us," Linda smiled, and Kelly added, "Make sure your gear's packed."

"You guys know me…well, most of you do," Laura smiled. "I have a bag already packed and ready. Plus there's a few things I want to test out, and a mission is the best way to do it."

"We're going to be watching you closely, though," Mendez scowled. "If you start to snap, we'll be ready to deal with it."

"Noted." Laura nodded once, then grinned broadly. "No time to chat, gotta get ready, find a babysitter, et cetera. Oh, and tell Mom I'm going on a mission so she doesn't worry too much when I'm not around."

"She worries about you?" Kelly asked in shock.

"Always—you didn't know I was a rabblerouser?" The group—with the exception of Mendez—laughed and walked back to Camp Hayes.