CHAPTER 110

EPISODE……………My idea, Problems In Halo

"That was really a great two hours of fun." Mitchell said as they walked down the hall of the SGC.

"It was more like three." Ford said as he and a few others along with Mitchell were heading to the commissary to eat. "Having that virtual reality system makes it so much more appealing."

"It would be cheating if it wasn't so much fun!" the brunette Lieutenant that was the best Halo player in the base, most people in and outside knew, and more than exceptional at during multiplayer said with glee. "Every time I get in to play that way is so damn cool!"

"Why did you snipe me?" Mitchell asked. "We lost good points because of that. Not to mention it took awhile to re-spawn because of the penalty."

"It was an accident. Beside, I had the same problem when I got a few of the other team we were against when I blew them up with me." Ford said with a shrug. "Even you did that once."

"Yeah, with a plasma grenade." Mitchell grumbled. "You must have a lot of free time or something Lieutenant Dione."

"I'm big into games Colonel. Once I'm done for the day here, I go home to play!" she said excitedly. "If you have to blame someone, blame my brothers since they got me into it. Not only that, they work for….um, I want to say Microsoft, but I'm not sure if it is that one or not."

"It is unfortunate that her impressive skills cannot be used to help in the fight with the Goa'uld and our other adversaries." Teal'c said.

"Sorry. I'm a computer programmer and tech support for the SGC, almost second to the General and Colonel Carter. Real physical activities like fighting and such aren't something I'm great at or like." Dione said while holding up a finger. "I use the gym to keep fit, but beyond that…"

"You don't date much either do you?" Mitchell asked.

"Not really sir. I haven't found anyone that has similar interest or has lasted long enough to understand me. So General, when do we get to do this again?" she asked enthusiastically.

"I have no idea. I know there is another tournament in a month or so. Probably then."

"Can't wait! Well, I'm off to work again. Good day sirs."
she said as she entered the elevator with a friendly wave.

"That is the strangest girl I have ever seen." Mitchell said. "If it was a guy, maybe I could understand it…"

"Everyone has different interest and hobbies. I still don't see why Jack likes collecting stamps, but it's just his area of interest. You like working on car engines as a hobby from what I've heard." Ford said. "Teal'c seems to like mediating, reading and collecting candles."

"I understand you also collect candles Ford Carter." Teal'c said.

"On and off. Mostly the strawberry varieties." Ford said shifting his hand back and forth before he sighed. "I wish I could get Sam to play with us."

"She's more into her projects. Speaking of which, she should be finished with the one dealing with that planet we went to and found the other day." Mitchell said. "We need to check it out after we get lunch."

"I'll go get her. You two go on ahead."

Entering their lab, he found her looking at a laptop that was hooked up to the deformed black box that was from some once high tech civilization that the Goa'uld had just about wiped out a few hundred years ago, leaving an extremely devastated planet with sparse remnants of the former people.

"Anything yet?"

"Not really. I'm still trying to translate their language since Daniel has never seen anything like it, even though he is trying. But since this is technological, I'm working on it. So, how'd the game session go?"

"We won, naturally. Carrie was the best player, as usual. And the least person to die out of everyone playing." Ford grumbled. "I swear she must sleep with the game going through her head or something."

"You won so that's what is important. Or are you grumpy because you weren't the best person?" Carter asked with a fake pout.

"Yes, I'm jealous of her talent. But I can live with that fact since it is not really important. Anyway, let's go eat and then we can spend the rest of the day working on this." Ford said pulling her arm gently.

"What are you going to do if we end up in the Halo universe at some point?"

"Have fun, what else?" Ford said with a smile as she shook her head. "Save the day and the universe if possible."

"And get technology too I bet."

"Don't you?"

"Well, I can't deny that."

One week later, he got his wish as they were coming back from a recon mission using the T.A.R.D.I.S. to get home.

"Let me guess, we aren't going home and are off to some other universe?" Daniel asked as the T.A.R.D.I.S. shook slightly while Ford and Sam were working on it.

"Probably." Ford said as he worked on the controls. "I do admit I was thinking of wanting to go some new place over the last few days, but not on anything specific."

"Any idea on where we could end up?" Mitchell asked.

"Not really, no." Ford said shaking his head.

"We'll know in a few seconds." Carter said as the shaking stopped and she began a scan. "As expected, we aren't in our universe. Nor any place the T.A.R.D.I.S. recognizes."

"Anything of interest outside?" Vala asked. "Perhaps treasure or something to help in our fight against Adria?"

"No, we're in space." Carter said.

"We have ended up in this position several times on our trips to other universe." Teal'c stated. "And our track record with those instances has been better than worse."

"True." Daniel said. "What was it, like three where we never found out anything and went home after a few hours?"

"Indeed."

"You know where we are don't you General? I saw your face change." Mitchell said.

"I saw it to. Went from fascination to worry and then sadness followed by anger in seconds." Carter said.

"We're jumping back a few minutes." Ford said as he quickly made the necessary calculations and button pushes.

"Who are we intent on saving?" Teal'c asked.

"And are we taking them with us?" Carter asked.

"Commander Keys." Ford stated. "And no, I think she'll want to go back to Earth with us. At least not our Earth."

"That name sounds very familiar…." Mitchell said frowning in thought.

"They don't have technology that rivals ours, at least not really in some cases. However, they do have something we could use and something I want. Hopefully saving this important person will get us that information." Ford said as he pulled his personal cannons and loaded them.

Commander Keys pointed the magnum in her hand at the Sergeant as she pointed the shotgun at a Brute nearby. She hated what she knew she had to do as the Sergeant looked at her while holding himself up on the controls to the Halo ring they were on. He told her to do it when the air started to move and a strange noise filled the air, making them all look around until they saw a strange blue box appear near the end of the large round platform near the broken window to the outside that Commander Keys had rammed through moment ago with the Pelican she came in. The strangeness of the object and how it arrived out of nowhere had the two humans and Covenant look at each other in confusion and anger as they thought it was something both sides thought the other had. When the door opened, all hell broke loose quickly.

Ford ran out firing a few rounds at Truth, only to hit the Brute shot pistol out of his hand when it blew the hand off. One of the Brutes had jumped into the air towards him only to get blasted backwards as he took a shot to the chest. Keys used the distraction to fire the shotgun at a Brute nearby while tossing the magnum to the Sergeant that shot at Truth who was running away towards the ship that Keys came in. He missed and was knocked aside by a Brute that slammed into him and then died before the large hammer he had was able to be brought down on him.

Mitchell came out shortly after Ford did, firing his P-90 at the Brute that jumped on the Sergeant as Teal'c came out with a staff weapon, firing at the few Flood pods crawling around and trying to get into the dead bodies.

"Commander Keys! Get your ass over here and help me with this man!" Mitchell yelled as he fired at the few Flood nearby. "Teal'c keep us covered!"

Wanting to yell back at someone she was sure was under her in rank, she kept back a retort as she rushed over and fired off a few more rounds at the Flood before tossing the shotgun aside to help him with the Sergeant. She looked over seeing the man that rushed out first having trouble as one of the Brutes was doing a good job of strangling the man high off the ground.

"He's in trouble!" she stated as they got the Sergeant to the door and Daniel helped take him in with Vala.

"T!" Mitchell yelled as he pointed.

Teal'c nodded as he turned the staff weapon and fired, hitting the Brute in the side. Ford dropped to the floor coughing holding his throat as the Brute fell over holding his injured side. Grabbing his fallen gun, he fired three quick shots, only getting two on target as he dropped back to his knees since he was still to weak to stand without getting dizzy. Mitchell started to rush over to help but had to move back to the T.A.R.D.I.S. as a bunch of Flood pods and a few of the once dead Brutes, now deformed, came rushing towards them and Ford's position.

Keys quickly caught on, on how the P-90 gave to her worked, as she was given one and saw how a black haired woman along with the man that yelled at her and some blonde with glasses fired into the mass coming at them. They kept firing even as the Arbiter came jumping into the enemy with his energy sword and a plasma rifle blasting away. Master Chief came rushing around the corner with a shotgun blasting away at the Flood as he came to the man near the ship that Keys came in with.

Ford didn't have time to reload his personal cannons and had no way to get back to the T.A.R.D.I.S. with the mass of Flood in his way so he rushed into the back of the drop ship finding a few submachine guns, already loaded and ready to fire. Slowly stepping back towards the cockpit, he let loose while thinking he didn't think the rescue plan out better since he was in serious trouble of being overran. More of the small pods suddenly exploded as he heard shotgun fire that blew most of them up and knocking him back into the door.

"Master Chief." Ford said stunned as the large green warrior entered.

"Reload quickly. We need to move before more show up." Master Chief said tossing a couple of clips to him.

"Yes sir." Ford said putting a clip in the machine gun and then reloading one of his personal cannons.

"You go ahead. I'll cover you." Master Chief said pushing on his back.

Ford started firing quickly as he ran, using the machine gun to hit the smaller Flood while shooting the bigger guys with his personal cannon, making them explode as his explosive rounds impacted. The other four kept firing at the Flood from behind the extended shield of the T.A.R.D.I.S. as the Arbiter struck down Truth in a fit of rage as a couple Flood were taking over his body. Only a few feet away from the shield, everyone fell as the platform tilted and extremely large tentacles rose around from underneath the platform. Master Chief fired even as he was grabbed like the Arbiter was, who lost his energy sword shortly after being grabbed. Ford was lifted off the floor as well, losing the machine gun as it was knocked out of his hand. A couple large tentacles tried to grab the T.A.R.D.I.S. and the others only to fail and back off as it came into contact with the shield. Mitchell and the others went inside quickly, despite the protest of Keys as Sam yelled for them to get inside. The platform shook more violently and tilted further making the Pelican slide off and fall down the long drop. Sam managed to stabilize the T.A.R.D.I.S and kept her from falling as there was no more ground underneath them.

"What the hell…." Keys said in shock as she looked around, seeing the Sergeant sitting on a bed that came out of the wall and was being tended to by the dark haired lady.

"Sam…" Mitchell began.

"I can't drop the shields yet. And I have no idea how to save those three if that is what you're asking." Carter said while working the controls.

"There is no ground or floor to land on anymore either." Daniel said. "If they fall, they'll just keep falling."

"Would not the grapple gun Ford Carter has work in this situation?" Teal'c asked.

"Better than doing nothing. K-9, beam it in…" Carter said.

"Working Mistress." K-9 said as his ears moved.

Ford finally managed to get his arm to move enough the gun in his right hand was able to aim at the tentacle around him body. The Gravemind, as he knew the name to be already, was talking to the three of them, but he was really unsure of what the creature was saying since, one, he wasn't paying attention, two, the language was a bit garbled, and three, he was still recovering from the slamming into the floor that happened several seconds ago resulting in the buckling of the platform and making part of it fall. He fired, missing and causing a explosion on the wall nearby. Four shots later he managed to hit the tentacle somewhere below him. As he was falling, he quickly shoved away the tentacle around him only to get slammed into by the withering damaged one that knocked him out the broken window.

"Oh boy, this is so not good." Ford said as he twisted around seeing nothing but a fog beneath him as a large Halo ring started coming out and past him. "Correction, it just got worse."

Teal'c stood in the doorway and fired, hitting the tentacle near the Master Chief, who saw it and grabbed the cable quickly before it got out of reach. Teal'c quickly aimed his staff weapon and fired a few times, making the tentacle let go of the Master Chief as it broke off. Mitchell hit the retract switch making the cable come back in as Teal'c continued to fire. Several seconds later, with Teal'c and Keys firing at the tentacles nearby, Sam dropped the shields long enough for the Master Chief to finally be close enough to get inside as she raised the shields around them again.

"Chief, good to see you again." Keys said.

"Same here sir." Master Chief said nodding.

"We need to save the Arbiter as well." Teal'c said as he aimed the grapple again. "Your help in keeping the tentacles away would be greatly appreciated."

"I need a weapon." Master Chief said as Teal'c handed over his staff weapon and quickly explained its function. "Interesting weapon."

Two minutes later and having to fire the grapple again, they managed to get the Arbiter in as the Gravemind slammed his tentacles into the shield countless times.

"Now unto saving the General." Mitchell said as the phone in the Console rang. "This is a bad time…"

"Yeah, no kidding! I'm in freefall and would like to have my ass saved before I hit something! I can't see a damned thing in this fog!"

"General?" Mitchell asked.

"The Master was thrown out the window Mistress."

"Damn! I can't dematerialize with the shields being pounded on like this." Carter said worried. "Suggestions K-9?"

"Ford says to have the ship fly down and get him." Mitchell said.

"That would be the most viable option Mistress." K-9 said.

"Wonderful." Carter said grumbling as she inputted the commands. "We've only did this a few times and even Ford is having trouble getting this right. Hang on everyone."

Ten seconds later, Sam still hadn't gotten the ship to move.

"Ah hell, what am I doing wrong?" Carter said frustrated.

"Sensors indicate the Master will impact a object in two minutes." K-9 said.

"I'm putting him on speaker." Mitchell said, ignoring the confused look on Keys and the tilted helmet that was looking at him.

"Sam, listen closely. And have whoever you need hold down the necessary switches. And to whoever helps, be ready to possible get shocked or burned." Ford said over the speakers.

"I don't understand, but I am willing to help. My body armor should be more than ample protection." Master Chief said.

"Great." Carter said nodding. "What do I do first Ford?"

The tentacles reached out and wrapped around the shield, ignoring the shock it got as it tried to squeeze and hold the ship there. It failed as the small ship shot out of the window and suddenly dropped down quickly into the fog. The middle of the console rose and dropped as the T.A.R.D.I.S. fell into the vast fog, sparks bursting out in various places as she started to smoke as well, under the pressure of being used in a way that technically wasn't suppose to be used. Daniel opened the door as K-9 said they were nearby.

"I see a barely flashing light and can hear you nearby." Ford said coming through the speakers again with a yelling voice. "Move over to the left and drop down a foot."

"Which direction do I go K-9?" Carter asked as she avoided stepping back as her hand got singed.

Moving over as instructed they were all startled as Ford came flying into the room, hitting the floor hard and rolling into the far wall hard enough they heard bones break.

"Damn, that really hurt!" Ford shouted in pain as he rolled onto his back while holding his arm since he couldn't reach his broke leg. "Nice save though."

Before anyone could come to help him, K-9 quickly informed Sam to come to an immediate halt and to raise the shields. She just got the shields online while trying to stop the T.A.R.D.I.S., only to not get it done in time as they impacted on something outside. Everyone was knocked to the ground and tossed around as the room darkened considerably while the Console burst into a shower of sparks in several areas filling the room with smoke as parts of it caught fire. They bounced off a few more objects before staying still at a 20 degree angle.

"K-9…" Ford said as he barely kept himself from passing out. "Stabilize and repair please."

"Working Master."

Several seconds went by and then room tilted to be flat, the lights came back on and a yellowish spark like effect took place in various areas of the room as things were quickly repaired back to normal.

"Let's not do that again hmm?" Mitchell said with a groan as he slowly got up and rubbed his back. "I'd rather not end up in a wheelchair again."

"Me neither." Daniel groaned as he sat up by the wall. "Anyone seen my glasses?"

Vala got up and off the Sergeant who smiled and graciously thanked her for her help as she helped him to his feet with a flirtatious smile.

"Commander Keys?" Master Chief asked as he stood and looked around.

"We're over here." Carter said as the two got off each other and to their feet. "Bruised, but not broken."

"Teal'c?" Ford asked as he got to his feet and dropped his heavy coat.

"I am fine." Teal'c said standing up after getting up from under the console. "Arbiter?"

"I am fine as well." the Arbiter said as he stood from the other side of the bed.

"Guess we're all okay then. Now what?" Mitchell asked.

"How about we start with who the hell you people are? I am thankful for the help and rescue, but nothing we have, technologically or otherwise is nowhere near anything like this." Keys said as she straightened her uniform.

"I must agree. Not even the Covenant have anything close to this." the Arbiter said while waving his hand.

"We're bungling time travelers." Daniel muttered while rubbing his sore shoulder and looking at his damaged but not shattered glasses.

"We don't bungle up that often." Ford said with false offense in his voice.

"Time travel is impossible." Master Chief stated.

"No offense there big guy, but can you explain why the outside is smaller than the inside?" Mitchell asked.

"No." Master Chief said.

"Thought not. It has something to do with…um…don't say anything, I'll get it." Mitchell said waving a hand at Ford as he started to speak. "Temporal mechanics was it?"

"I'm not surprised you remembered the name." Ford said. "When you understand it, then I'll be shocked."

"Doubtful. I barely understand it sometimes." Carter said.

"Assuming you're all telling the truth, and for the sake of avoiding an argument and science lecture none of us will probably understand, why are you here?" Keys asked.

"Accident for the most part. We already knew the Brutes were bad guys and saw what was happening in that room on our scanners. Besides, seeing Keys run that Pelican into that tower wasn't hard to miss. Not to mention already knowing what Truth had planned. The messages they've been sending out since the Chief here blew up the first ring hasn't been hard to avoid." Ford said shrugging.

"What do you plan on doing with us then?" Keys asked.

"We hadn't really gotten that far yet." Mitchell said as he looked at his team for answers. "But rest assured, capture and torture isn't in the plan. We'll get you home, somehow."

"If we are to stay as true as possible to history, our next objective would be to rescue the female A.I., cause the ship's power cores to overload and then proceed after the newly formed ring that is meant to replace the former one destroyed by the Master Chief." Teal'c stated.

"You know where Cortana is?" Master Chief asked with surprise.

"Not specifically." Carter said as she started working on the console. "But we can probably find her after scanning the downed vessel."

"We can do it much quicker if you let us scan that chip she usually resides in, in the back of your helmet." Ford said.

"Commander?" Master Chief asked with a tone of looking for permission and advice.

"I don't think they are a threat to us. Otherwise, we'd already be locked up or worse." Keys said.

"Give it to them son. They lady needs rescuing, the sooner the better." the Sergeant said patting him on the arm.

"Very well. Take good care of it." Master Chief said while pulling it from the back of his head.

Ford pulled his Sonic Screwdriver and ran it over the glowing device for a few moments before putting it on a panel on the Console that had a glowing blue line go back and forth under it a few times.

"I've got direct coordinates." Carter said as the console beeped at her and she set the controls.

"Thanks Chief." Ford said handing it back. "We'll be there in a minute or so."

"If I remember what needs to be done to set off those power cores, then we're going to need a lot of fire power." Mitchell said. "And we need to figure out who's going and who's not."

"I'm going to stay here and watch the ship." Carter said.

"I'm staying." Daniel said as Vala sat down with him saying she was as well. "My glasses are broken anyway."

"Do you have any weapons in this thing?" the Sergeant asked while looking at Teal'c.

"Indeed." Teal'c said walking over to bring up a list on the large screen.

"I'd like to say anyone can come, but seeing as we're going into a room that almost has no bottom and very little in places to walk around with sure footing, I suggest Teal'c, I and Master Chief go at this. And the Arbiter if he wishes. I'll provide cover fire with my personally modified sniper rifle." Ford said as it beamed into the room.

"That's one of ours." Keys stated.

"It's based off the U.N.C. designed but with better firepower." Ford said as he picked it up. "And range too."

"I am confident my staff weapon will be able to handle the job." Teal'c said as it was beamed in.

"I will need a rocket launcher." Master Chief said as the varieties they had came on screen. "I do not see the one I am familiar with."

"We don't actually have it. Mostly because we haven't seen one personally and don't have the designs." Ford said.

"This one should be more than capable of doing the job." Mitchell said. "One in the tube already with a shoulder pack of three more. Range isn't all that great, but good in close combat or for taking out vehicles at close range."

"Seems simple enough. What is that weapon?" the Chief asked pointing at the rifle in the display case as Mitchell beamed the launcher in.

"Personal favorite of mine. Mitchell can show you the finer details." Ford said while loading the sniper rifle and getting extra ammo.

"A very impressive weapon." the Arbiter said as he also read the synopses.

"Considering both of you have more strength than the average Jo, neither of you should have any problem using one of these one handed." Mitchell said as he beamed a couple black versions of the Heavy Arms rifle in.

"Not that much different of a feel than the battle rifle." Master Chief commented as he checked it out.

"We've landed. Better make this quick before that Grave thing decides to cause problems." Carter said.

The others stayed by the T.A.R.D.I.S. as Master Chief walked out into the dark and tilted room, finding a small glowing dome over some system that was still functioning in the downed Covenant vessel. The other doors out of the room were lit up red near the middle, but one was different, leading to where the power cores needing to be blown up were. The Chief hit the glowing dome with the butt end of the gun, knocking the energy shield off line. A small holographic fluctuating figure was laying on the small energy pad as he knelt down in her view.

"Chief, you came." Cortana said as she looked up weakly.

"Of course. When I make a promise…"

"You keep it." Cortana said with a small chuckle. "I do know how to pick them don't I."

"We need to leave." Master Chief said while pulling the chip off the back of his helmet.

"I'm damaged Chief…" Cortana said while moving to a kneeling position. "I might not…"

"These people may be able to help. If not, I will get you home." Master Chief said jerking a thumb over his shoulder.

"The Arbiter is with us?" Cortana said surprised at seeing him more than the people she didn't know. "If that is a ship, it is the strangest thing I have ever seen."

"Long story. I'll explain later. We can talk more when you're back where you need to be until I get us home. Do you still have that key from the first ring?"

"Yes." Cortana said while standing and having the key from the first Halo ring appear above her hand. "A little souvenir I decided to keep, just in case."

"We're going to need it." Master Chief said as he put the chip near her.

"Thanks Chief." Cortana said as she moved unto the chip after touching it and then was put back into his helmet. "Ah, home sweet home."

The Chief did a quick introduction as he pointed at the different people and then told her they said they were time travelers.

"Time travel isn't possible…." Cortana began to him only.

"We can debate it later. Another Halo ring was created to replace the one I destroyed before. We need to go after it before it is reactivated. This way General." Master Chief said.

The others stayed behind and kept watch while Sam was doing scans of the Ark they were on. The Chief went out the doorway first and fired his rifle at the few creatures nearby the doorway before moving onward. Teal'c stayed by Ford and took cover behind an empty Covenant weapons crate as the creatures on the other side fired at them from wall mounts. The Arbiter followed the Chief as he fired at the various creatures on the wall near them and the ones coming at them. Ford fired a explosive sniper round at one of the power cores hanging from the ceiling nearby, only to damage the covers over the core and do little else.

"I suspect the nature of their metal is far more resilient to damage and is why you are unable to damage the core underneath." Teal'c said as he fired at a couple creatures on the other side.

"You try." Ford said as he fired at a creature that was firing on his position, blowing the creature apart on impact.

Teal'c fired a few times, hitting the panels but only causing some more burn marks. Seeing as he couldn't do more, he turned to fire at the other creatures to give the Chief and Arbiter better cover. The Chief knelt down near the console in the middle of the room that was being held in place by organic material that covered the walkways to the center that had a large and long and very dark opening below them. He fired at the enemies nearby killing some and knocking others into the large abyss as the Arbiter was accessing the console to expose the cores. The Arbiter took a couple hits that made his shield fluctuate and knock him back as he activated the system. The rifle he had slipped from his fingers and fell off into the large abyss below them as the Chief switched to the rocket launcher.

"Teal'c."

"I see them General Carter." Teal'c said as he moved closer.

He shot at the creatures that were slowly walking across to the middle, only to do some damage as they kept moving forward. Four were headed across as the Chief shot and took out one of the cores, making the room shake and alarms go off from the serious damage. The Arbiter grabbed a Brute Shot that had several rounds still in it from the ground nearby as the Chief was reloading. Ford fired hitting one of the creatures as Teal'c managed to take one down. Ford's hit only staggered the creature and made the one by it flinch from the impact but continue forward. Cocking, Ford aimed again and fired at the ground. The Arbiter shot at the creatures, hitting two of them in the chest as Ford's round hit near their feet. The explosions made the walkway shudder, especially as the Chief blasted another exposed core shaking the room once again. The Chief barely kept himself from falling off as he fell on his side and lost the extra ammo and launcher over the side as he had to let go to use his hands to hang on.

"Get back over here!" Ford shouted as he waved his arm. "We can take the last one out with Teal'cs staff weapon!"

The two looked at each other and took off under the cover of their fire while firing back with the Brute Shot and Heavy Arms rifle Master Chief still had. They took a couple hits but their shields held as they continued across.

"General!" Teal'c yelled.

Ford looked up from the scope too late as a plasma charge shot hit him in the chest as he started to move. It burned like hell as he cried out in pain and fell to the ground trying to brush it off futilely. The Chief practically slammed into Teal'c as several shots from the creatures on the other side hit his position along with a plasma charge shot.

"Can you still move?" Master Chief asked as he sat up.

"Indeed." Teal'c said sitting up and ignoring his bruised ribs.

"Get your General back to your ship. I'll finish this and we'll be back shortly." Master Chief said while grabbing the staff weapon off the ground.

Teal'c nodded as he got up and got the unconscious Ford off the ground along with his rifle. The Arbiter and Chief fired at the core, causing the place to shake as the last one blew up and Cortana announced that the ship was going to overload and that they should leave quickly. Both ignored the shots coming at them as they went back in quickly and entered the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"How is he?" the Chief asked as he gave the staff weapon back, but not the rifle he left on his own back.

"That hurt like hell." Ford said while tossing his burnt heavy coat aside as he got up. "Reminds me of those staff weapons, but with more heat and less damage."

"Chief, I don't think he is human." Cortana said as they saw his chest exposed but not injured like his suit was.

"What makes you think that?" Master Chief asked her quietly as Ford was working on the console.

"I am registering two heart beats from him. And that Teal'c guy isn't human either. I checked him out when we ran into him and helped him off the floor." Cortana said as Mitchell backed off from the Arbiter who shook his head when Mitchell asked for the weapon.

"Where to now?" Carter asked.

"I'm scanning for a ship nearby, amongst other things. As much as I'd like to just take our ship and go after that ring, I have no idea how traveling through that void or whatever the hell that black ball will do. We'll need the Chief to take us there. That is assuming there is one nearby." Ford said.

"That Pelican is crashed nearby." Mitchell said getting looks from the Chief and Arbiter. "We found it during a scan of the area while you four were out."

They landed inside the back of the downed Pelican that was on a ledge near an area where the ship and ground came together because of the Flood infestation. The Chief got out and went ahead to the front as Ford, Mitchell and Daniel ran out, on his orders, to grab the weapons outside near the drop ship. It was only because Ford wanted them for study and such is why they even did it, despite the fact they had lots of weapons to begin with. The magnums were different and yet not, the sniper rifle and shotgun were about the same as what they had, but the rocket launcher was something they didn't have and really was the most important item, along with the extra rockets in the case nearby. Ford grabbed the three grenades on the ground and pulled the pins, tossing them towards the various creatures that came around the corner as they realized prey was nearby. Sam quickly engaged the shield around the Pelican as Ford started closing the door as the Chief was taking off. The various enemies went flying as they were hit by the explosions and by the large vines that came out of places and tried to grab the ship to keep it from leaving, only to fail as it couldn't wrap around the shield. Once the back door was closed, they felt more secure and safe as the Chief piloted the Pelican back into space.

"What's the plan you have now General?" Keys asked.

"We head for your ship." Ford said pointing out the window of the Pelican. "You need to round up the rest of your people and any of the Covenant while my people help the Chief set off this ring."

"We got people in a lot of areas." the Sergeant said. "Even with this Pelican, it could take a couple of hours to get everyone."

"We don't have much choice Sergeant." Keys said while touching his shoulder. "We'll have to get who we can while we have time."

"Mitchell, you and the rest of the team help with the rescue. Sam can pilot the T.A.R.D.I.S. to go after the farther groups while Keys people can go after the closer ones." Ford said.

"What are you going to do?" Mitchell asked while following him back into the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"I'm going to help the Arbiter and Master Chief." Ford said while grabbing his Heavy Arms rifle and several clips.

"Why not just land the T.A.R.D.I.S. inside that room, have the A.I. lady set things off and we bug out after doing a quick rescue?" Mitchell asked.

"We can't." Carter said. "Ford already tried to see about entering that room, but as shocking as it is going to sound, there is something about that ring that is keeping us from getting to some of the areas inside it. One of which is the firing room."

"There is actually a place the T.A.R.D.I.S. can't get to?" Daniel asked surprised.

"Something to do with the energy waves it is putting out." Carter said. "Possibly because the ring isn't finished and quite a few areas would be dangerous to even be standing in even if you had a radiation suit on."

"Don't you want Teal'c or I to help?" Mitchell asked.

"Vala would be the only likely choice, but I'd rather her not get killed and then have one of the Flood get on her." Ford said while closing his coat. "I know I can survive and even have a personal shield that should hold out for awhile."

"Vala's ability to use the healing device will come in most well if there is injured personnel." Teal'c stated.

"I'd rather do that instead of fighting those creepy things." Vala said.

"Yeah, there is going to be a lot of Flood. Good luck man." Mitchell said.

The Pelican landed in Keys ship and as she got everyone ready for the rescue, Master Chief got a few weapons he felt he would need, which Ford was happy to hear and see when he brought a couple Spartan lasers along. The Arbiter was able to get a energy sword that the U.N.C. had along with a plasma rifle and more rounds for the Brute Shot. After talking to his people, the other Covenant ships began helping in the rescue process as the T.A.R.D.I.S. took off and landed in the snow in the large crack that lead to large facility since landing near the door was out of the question with all the Flood that was by it. They could have landed there and tossed explosives out to clear the area, but since there was so many Flood around, and SG-1 didn't want Guilty Spark knowing about the T.A.R.D.I.S. if he didn't already know, plus the fact Ford really wanted to storm the place for real unlike the times while playing it virtually, Sam relented and let him go his way. After telling them good luck, Sam took off to help Keys people. Shortly after the T.A.R.D.I.S. left and they stepped forward, many pods came raining down into the snow, filling the area with Flood creatures.

The Chief ran forward first firing the Heavy Arms rifle he had as the Arbiter fired the plasma rifle in his left while swinging the energy sword with his right. Ford blew off legs and then shot the bodies before they could try getting up while trying to at least keep up with the two. More pods landed in the snow and on the levels of the facility as they headed for the right side to go up it. The Chief had already ran out of ammo for the Heavy Arms rifle and tossed it aside for a shotgun he picked up. The Arbiter was using another energy sword he got with the Brute Hammer on his back as he slashed his way forward.

Ford was down to two more clips out of the seven he brought for the Heavy Arms rifle he had. Killing a few Flood that just landed moments ago to his left, he tossed the spent clip and was knocked down after hearing an explosion from a rocket the Chief fired from a rocket launcher he got from a Flood several minutes ago. The rocket hit a group of Flood that were charging down the hill and the explosion sent parts flying, one of which was an arm that hit Ford in the leg. He barely managed to roll out of the way as a large Flood hit the ground with his tentacle like arm. Not having ammo in the rifle, he threw it in the creatures face, knocking it back for a moment as he got to his feet and pulled one of his personal cannons and put it down in one shot.

"Are you alright?" the Chief asked after blasting a group of Flood that was rushing up behind Ford.

"Yeah. Thanks for the help." Ford said, picking his rifle up and seeing it was damaged. "Ah damn."

"There is plenty of other weapons." the Chief said as Ford tossed it and the other clips he had aside.

The Chief turned and fired another rocket round up above as they crested the snow hill and saw the metal floor of the first level, taking out a large group of Flood. Being empty, the Chief tossed the rocket launcher aside and pulled the shotgun as Ford pulled his energy pistols. A three minute fire fight lasted before they got to the large beam that ran up the facility on each level going well above the door inside.

"You know, this is harder than I thought." Ford said while changing his energy cells between the two heros.

"The Flood is coming down in many waves." the Arbiter said as he fired a third plasma rifle he picked up at one of the bomb like flood that sent smaller ones flying before they started towards them.

"I've fought worse." the Chief said while tossing a frag grenade at the large group of little Flood creatures that quickly blew up like popcorn seconds later.

"We need to hurry Chief." Cortana said, letting the two also hear her.

More fighting ensured as expected, making them take cover many times and even fight hand to hand by bashing their weapons into the enemy or shooting threw them as they ran and finally got to the second level almost ten minutes later.

"You're shield isn't like mine is it?" the Chief asked while firing the last few rounds of his shotgun, tossing it aside and using a battle rifle to keep the enemy at bay as Ford was reloading his energy pistols for the third time.

"No. I think I can take a few dozen more hits if I am lucky." Ford said firing five shots that was the usual amount needed to take down a large Flood.

"You're not human are you?" the Chief asked while reloading as Ford kept him covered as the Arbiter went hand to hand with a couple Flood several feet away with what was left of his energy sword in order to get more weapons.

"Cortana must have noticed huh?"

"Yes, I did." Cortana said. "You and that Teal'c guy look human, but aren't."

"Teal'c is a race called Jaffa. I can explain later about it when we aren't fighting for our lives." Ford said while firing rapidly as he could at the little Flood creatures coming at them.

"What are you?" Cortana asked anyway.

"I'm called a Time Lord. That ship of mine travels through time. And though I do like and appreciate the fact you're watching my back Master Chief, which I hope you continue to do, if I end up going down, it will only be temporary. I can't explain it right now, for obvious reasons, but I will heal from any attack." Ford said firing as he and the Chief ran forward towards the large beam for more cover and to catch up with the Arbiter.

"I look forward to that conversation." Cortana said as the Chief lightly tapped his helmet.

"I'm trying to concentrate here people." the Chief said while reloading.

Ford put his energy pistols away and pulled his personal cannons as the Chief got a Brute Shot and the Arbiter got another hammer. Twelve minutes later and a now tiring Ford, they were outside the door as more Flood were starting to come up on either side.

"Ah, you made it." Guilty Sparks voice said from somewhere near them as a mass of Sentinels came from somewhere above them and began firing at the mass of Flood. "I have watched your progress with much interest."

"Spark, open the door." the Chief said while hitting the door with his hand.

"I am unable to do so because of the mass of Flood nearby. Exterminate their presence and then I will open the door." Guilty Spark said.

"Great. Just when it seemed to get easier." the Chief muttered.

"These are auto turrets, right?" Ford asked handing the two to the Chief as he nodded, and then quickly set them up near them and the door.

"We must rid this place of the Flood in order to enter and finish this fight." the Arbiter said. "These mere machines, though impressive, are unable to complete this fight and never will."

"What makes you say that?" Ford asked while firing a few rounds like the Chief was doing with a couple Needlers.

"If they could have, we would not be here." the Arbiter stated as he rushed forward with the hammer.

It got brutal fast as they were practically overrun just over a minute later. The Arbiter was fairing better as he blew a lot of Flood away with the hammer or the Brute Shot he used on and off, either from the shots or the large blade on the bottom back. The Chief and Ford were under the large beam firing everything they had, tossing what grenades they had picked up even if it was close by.

Ford had lost one of his personal cannons and was currently using the one in his left hand to bash the hell out of the Flood in front of him as he avoided getting hit, barely. His shield finally gave out as he was slammed into the wall and quickly sank to the floor coughing up blood and unable to move because of the three breaks in his left leg and broken ribs puncturing his lungs. As he was about to be hit by the large arm, the creature was suddenly blasted apart. The Chief didn't even ask as he tossed a magnum and a laser weapon from one of the Sentinels his way before turning back to the fight. Ford, though in extreme pain, was able to use the two weapons long enough to let his body heal and move to better cover. The laser spent, he shoved in into the face of one Flood while firing the rest of the magnum into its chest and then kicked it away as he rolled over grabbing his dropped personal cannon and firing the four rounds left in it.

The Chief, after rescuing Ford, went back to bashing the enemy with a empty Brute Shotgun as the other one he was able to continue to fire since he had seven round left. His shield had failed three times now but he had been able to move around and even find cover long enough to allow them to quickly recharge, as was the case as he took another Flood down with another hit and two more with the last of his ammo in the other hand. Tossing the spent guns aside, he grabbed a couple plasma pistols and fired them at two Flood nearby on overcharge, taking them out quickly before turning to find other targets.

The Arbiter was fairing much better as he continued to run around more in the open areas and was able to find another energy sword on a level below along with a few plasma grenades and a fully loaded machine gun that managed to last until he was back up near them and finally ran out of ammo as the last of the Flood were taken out, leaving only eight Sentinels flying around nearby.

"Very good work. I must admit, I did think you weren't going to make it from awhile there." Guilty Spark said as two of them were looking for weapons they could use.

"Open the door Oracle. The Flood are gone." the Arbiter stated as he hit the door with a Covenant Carbine he found.

"More Flood are on their way. You must hurry." Guilty Spark said as the door opened.

"Chief, he's not going to let us just go in and activate this place." Ford said quietly while trying to reload.

"What makes you say that?"

"You blew up the first one and he tried to stop you then. What makes you think he'll let you do it now? Activating this place while it is barely finished will cause it all to explode, taking the Ark below us with it."

"Good point." Master Chief said as he put the battle rifle on his back and took the Spartan laser off his back. "We'll have to be careful."

"Something wrong demon?" the Arbiter asked.

"Yeah." Master Chief said, not explaining as they went through another door and headed for the one that lead to the room they needed.

"Damn. I only have enough for one clip and one bullet for the other gun." Ford muttered as he finished reloading.

"We only have to deal with Guilty Spark and then we're gone." Master Chief said as the door opened.

"Good news. In three days, this installation will be ready to fire." Guilty Spark said as he floated around them as they entered.

"We're firing it now." Master Chief stated as they kept moving forward.

"Firing it now wouldn't make its function happen." Guilty Spark stated.

"It will still get rid of the Flood." Master Chief said.

"It will destroy this installation, along with the Ark." Guilty Spark said with anger.

"That's the point."

"I will not…" Guilty Spark began as he turned red and started to glow.

The Chief swung out hitting the floating ball with the back end of the Spartan laser, making the ball bounce off the floor before spinning around a few times as it started rising again. He began activating the laser as the Arbiter started firing his carbine. Ford even fired, only to get a glancing blow as the group was thrown back by a powerful wave that blasted them back and almost out the door. As they were getting up, a bright beam of energy came from Guilty Spark and slammed into the Arbiter, sending him out of the room with smoking armor as his shields gave out at the last second. Ford, having nowhere to go really, rolled and jumped back out of the room as the beam slammed into the floor where he just was, leaving a large black mark that traced up and into the wall where he was taking cover.

The Chief got the Spartan laser up and ready, firing as Guilty Spark fired at him. He got blasted back a step and to his knee as his shield gave out leaving him with a black mark on the front of his green armor. Guilty Spark was glowing more and sputtering in anger as he fired at Ford's position as Ford came out and fired a few rounds, missing as Guilty Spark got out of the way. The Chief got up and got the laser ready again seeing as Spark was distracted, only to give a glancing shot as Spark moved, seeing the Chief firing at him as was Ford, who missed yet again and found himself empty in that gun. The door started to close before him and, even though stupid, he quickly tossed his empty gun forward making it so the door didn't fully shut and started to grind in the walls as it continued to crush the unbreakable gun.

The Chief moved forward firing the magnum he had, hitting Guilty Spark a few times as he also tossed a plasma grenade that stuck to the side and then exploded, sending Guilty Spark into a furious spin as he began rushing around the room and firing his energy beam at different points at the Chief. Once empty, he tossed the magnum at Spark only to miss, and brought up the Spartan laser that only had two shots left. He had to duck and roll out of the way as a blast nearly hit his position and quickly fired as the charge hit full, cursing as he missed. He fired again moments later only doing a glancing hit yet again as Guilty Spark moved just as the beam impacted. Having no other weapons, the Chief tossed it aside and ran for the door, barely dodging out of the way from a beam. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Guilty Spark several feet behind him and charging up again for another blast. Nodding his head as he saw Ford on the other side, he dropped and rolled to the door at the last second as the beam hit the floor and started towards him. Guilty Spark didn't see the barrel of the gun pointing out of the gap in the door and wasn't able to move or block the round that ripped through him, blowing him to pieces instantly just as the beam got near the Chiefs feet. With him not in control anymore, the door opened back up as the Chief got off the ground.

"Thanks for the support." Master Chief said while gently patting Ford on the arm.

"Impressive weapon there General. Even with missing Spark, your bullets did damage the places they hit." Cortana said.

"That was my last round." Ford said putting his weapons away. "Other than a few rounds in my energy pistols, if that, we've got nothing to fight our way out with."

"We'll make do." Master Chief said.

The trio walked up to the holographic console as Master Chief pulled the chip out and she jumped down standing on it. She made the key show up in her hand and started to activate it when she turned around.

"What?"

"Sorry." Ford said while kneeling down and staring at her. "I'm just fascinated by your appearance and what you are."

"Don't you have A.I.'s in your future?"

"Ah…" Ford said taking a breath and then blowing it out. "We're not from the future. We lied because we came to help and change history."

"How so?" Master Chief asked as Ford stood.

"You don't seemed surprised I lied."

"You technology, though vastly superior to what the Covenant and humans have, lacks much in your weapons technology." the Arbiter said.

"I knew the moment you asked if you could look at that other Spartan laser in brought along." Master Chief said. "Plus the Covenant have never even came across any other races out there that even vaguely look human."

"I knew when I had a very short chat with your K-9. Impressive mostly because he has mobility and surprisingly, a bigger memory than I do." Cortana said.

"Oh."

"Where are you from?" Cortana asked.

"Another universe entirely that knows about what happened here in this one. Keys, the Sergeant, all the U.N.S.C. personnel and a lot of Covenant didn't make it back to Earth. And neither did you Master Chief, nor Cortana." Ford said saying the last part slowly.

"You did not speak of me, which must mean I returned." the Arbiter said.

"Only you. I can give you the story later. Let's get this over with before it becomes to late." Ford said.

"I look forward to that conversation too." Cortana said as she activated it.

"Time to leave." Ford said patting the two on the shoulder before running away quickly.

The room began shaking as the system activated to ignite the Halo ring, only to cause a catastrophic failure as intended as large parts and other things fell into the firing chamber below along with other things in the room. The two took off running a few seconds behind Ford and jumped through the door as he was firing his energy pistols at a bunch of Flood coming at them. The Arbiter rushed forward and grabbed a dropped plasma pistol and gave cover for the Chief as he grabbed a battle rifle that was dropped with half a clip left. More Flood came in but were cut down quickly as they rushed through and out of the facility, finding more Sentinels flying around and firing at the Flood nearby.

Seeing all the Flood on the snow below and other levels, the Chief took off to the right up a frozen snow bank and onto a ledge overlooking the area. Ford could only shake his head as he chuckled at the irony of the situation as he followed and put his last energy cell into one of the pistols while putting the other away. It felt different using only one gun, but it didn't stop him from taking down three Sentinels very quickly that came at them. Running along the ledge while shooting or knocking the Flood off when possible, they made it around to an opening nearby in the snowy cliff face and rushed through without being followed.

"What do we do now demon?" the Arbiter asked.

"Cortana?" Master Chief asked.

"Don't look to me for answers on this one. I'm just keeping watch on the Halo ring until it is going to fire. I give ten minutes tops." Cortana said.

"Sam, you guys anywhere nearby?" Ford asked into his cell phone that he thanked God was functioning.

"We're finishing unloading people unto the ship right now." she said. "Be another minute or two. Can you hold out?"

"As long as it is two minutes. Anymore than that, we won't be getting on the ride home." Ford said.

"I understand. We have your position and will be there shortly."

"Okay, helps on the way in a minute, two max. They're unloading injured and will be here after that. And they know exactly where we are." Ford said while putting the phone away.

"How so?" the Arbiter asked.

"I'm the only one around with two hearts. The Master Chief is very unique and his suit does give off a beacon of sorts. And you're the only one with that sort of armor that we've scanned. Plus, the only other life forms around are Flood so…." Ford said trailing off.

"We should move away from here in case any Flood come through." Master Chief said as he started off up the hill.

"If you are from another universe as you say, then how do you know about our history?" Cortana asked.

"Ever heard of the multiverse theory?" Ford asked.

"The theory of any action someone makes branches off into another universe as the one where a different decision continues on?" Cortana said.

"That's a basic version, but yeah. In our case, where we are from, there is no Covenant, but a completely different bunch of aliens, some allies, some not. But because of what I am and my ship, we have been able to go to many other universes, some parallel, most not at all, and the histories of each vary, but give insight to other universes. Such as this one we ended up in."

"What of my people?" the Arbiter asked.

"Well, you went home, liberated your people from what we understand from the false prophets, and though still a very powerful force to be reckoned with, ended up making a treaty with the humans that last for quite awhile." Ford said convincingly as possible as he made it up on the fly. "There was peace, but tension. Not sure much else after that."

They crested the hill and looked down a ways to see a large floor structure frame work of the uncompleted ring. Some Flood were moving around and fighting the Sentinels as explosions racked the unfinished parts. They weren't noticed thankfully as the two groups fought. A tower in the distance fell over into the uncompleted frame work of the floor, taking a lot of it with as it fell into the large abyss below. The group looked up as they heard a winding and grinding noise and then saw a flashing light as the T.A.R.D.I.S. appeared. They went in and took off as the Sentinels made their position and came to attack.

They landed in a area on a installation that was firing some beam up into the atmosphere, which Mitchell pointed out along with Teal'c, was basically the same place that was in the first game where the Chief ends up in the beginning of the game, which was spoken of discreetly. With the few troops they brought with, Carter stayed inside with Daniel as Mitchell and Teal'c went out to help fight and save people. Vala stayed near the T.A.R.D.I.S. firing a P-90 at any enemy that came nearby.

"We've got injured over by that tree there! You two help me cover them while they get them out of here!" Mitchell ordered as the five troops with him nodded and did as they were told by Captain Keys.

Teal'c was on the other side of the facility going down into the installation with five more troops to get the ones inside that they scanned. Getting the seven inside that were thankfully uninjured was easy and they met no resistance. On the way out however, a five grunts and one Brute was blocking their way out. Teal'c got lucky and shot the Brute in the face with his staff weapon, making it easier for all the troops to open fire as they rushed forward. Three of the troops ended up getting hit bad enough they needed help, and while rushing back to the T.A.R.D.I.S., several dozen Flood pods came out from the passage they left, taking out one of the injured men and hurting a few more.

Mitchell and his group came around the corner firing rapidly at the Flood pods as the others made their retreat. Only because the pods exploded was the mass quickly taken out under heavy fire. The man that ended up dying after being overrun, was taken over and coming at the group with a machine gun firing at them. Mitchell took a grazing hit in the leg, but stayed standing as he backed away firing beside Teal'c and the other troops that put the man down before he killed someone. A few more of the troops with them were hurt in the exchange, but since they had armor, Mitchell was the worst off.

A Covenant drop ship came in and for a moment, they thought it was help, only to find out otherwise as a few Brutes dropped out and the ship started firing. Many dived for cover or off the side as the energy bolts slammed into the shield around the T.A.R.D.I.S. Those still in the shield provided what cover they could, but were having a lot of trouble seeing as they couldn't see from the constant barrage on the shield.

"Teal'c, can you take that out?!" Mitchell yelled while one of the men were using a medical kit to at least wrap his leg.

"I cannot Colonel Mitchell!" Teal'c said as he and a group were firing at the Brutes running towards them.

They were hiding near the underside on the opposite side of where the T.A.R.D.I.S. was since the Covenant drop ship wasn't able to hit them from there.

"Sam, you hear me?" Mitchell said into his radio.

"Yes. We're working on getting rid of that ship now. Try to hang on." Carter said.

"We're trying, but we got a bunch of those Brutes headed this way." Mitchell said as he turned to fire at some Flood headed for them.

Vala was not ready for the kick of the quad rocket launcher that K-9 suggested she use, which had modified warheads in it. It broke her arm while also knocking her out as her head hit the hard floor after firing. The men nearby grabbed her and brought her in, thankful for the shield as the drop ship exploded, sending a loud and large shockwave out. A few trees nearby that hadn't taken a lot of damage from the weapons exchange fell over in the explosion, taking a couple Brutes and some Flood pods out when they fell over. With the ship gone, the humans retaliated quickly and got everyone in within a couple of minutes. Tossing a few dozen grenades out, which was actually a couple of belts that had seven grenades at a time with one pull pin, to give them cover to leave without having the shield being attacked at the same time, the T.A.R.D.I.S. was able to get away as the multiple explosions took out or knocked back the enemy forces.

After dropping the troops off, this being their fourth trip and the most dangerous one so far, they landed on a beach head area where a couple Pelicans had landed, yet while had crashed, did so with good pilots, so no one was dead yet, even with the fifteen minutes of fighting off Flood pods that were still coming at them. Having three Warthogs and over a dozen crates with weapons and ammo nearby certainly helped, but the troops were getting tired fast and thanked god when help arrived.

Extending the shield after changing the shape to look like a garage, much to the surprise of everyone, the troops that came with them, told the others to get inside and not ask questions, which they complied as a horde of Flood pods and mutated bodies taken over by the Flood came rushing out of a pass in the mountain. Once the three warthogs were inside with the men, they all started firing back into the mass to give time for Carter and Teal'c to make a few bombs to allow them to escape. A few minutes later, the bombs were set as the edge of the shield which was a good twenty feet out from the T.A.R.D.I.S., and then when everyone was inside, Carter reduced the size of the shield to around their ship. Seconds later, the five bombs went off, sending sand, bodies and the two Pelicans that exploded various directions, giving them enough time to dematerialize and leave.

As they were dropping the people off in Key's ship, Ford called through requesting pick up. Carter told them they would be on their way soon after letting the troops they just rescued off.

Seconds after the T.A.R.D.I.S. re-landed in the cargo bay of Keys ship, she ordered a full power burn of the engines to get them out of there. Since the ship was well above the ring, they managed to get into the void with the rest of the Covenant fleet that had left. Just under a minute later, the Ark and replacement Halo ring went up in a massive explosion, sending a shockwave of debris and energy for over a couple light years.

Seeing as the Arbiter and the rest of the Covenant wanted to get back to their planet, Keys let the Arbiter off and watched the fleet leave their space before bringing her ship down to Earth. Many people were waiting as the crew got off and went different directions to family and friends before going onto designated areas before being able to go home. Keys, Master Chief, the Sergeant and SG-1 were in the hanger bay which was empty of their usual compliment of vehicles. There was a damaged Scorpion and a couple Warthogs nearby, but for the most part, the hanger was empty. Admiral Hood came into the deck after being told by Keys second in command, Keys location along with the others. SG-1 was looking forward to going back home soon and really didn't want to have to answer a lot of questions and such if at all possible.

"What is going on here Commander?" Hood asked as his people along with most of SG-1 quickly stood at attention, SG-1 doing so mostly out of habit, making Hood look at them very confused since they weren't dressed in clothes he recognized. "Who are these people?"
An hour or so later, Keys, Master Chief and the Sergeant Major had explained everything that happened since they left Earth. Hood made a few comments to his people before moving to stand before the group near the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"From another universe?"

"Yes sir." the group said.

"Can't say I understand it or would even if you tried to explain it, but if the Chief says it is so, as does Cortana, then it has to be true. I thank you people for helping us out, even when it is not your fight." Hood said as he shook their hands.

"It was no trouble at all sir. Might not be our universe, but we are humans, well, most of us, and it is Earth we are trying to protect, so technically it counts in our job description." Mitchell said. "And we were helping save the universe too."

"Indeed." Teal'c said.

"It was an honor." Ford said proudly. "Working with the Chief was incredible."

"I also enjoyed our brief time together General." Master Chief said shaking his hand first before the others. "You have my sincere gratitude for repairing Cortana, and saving her as well."

"I'm more than grateful for that myself." Cortana said from a receptacle nearby that held her holographic form, which was only a foot high. "I'll be able to help in launching a whole new set of A.I.'s."

"And in the event of capture, the Covenant won't be able to try and hack you without getting some serious repercussions in the process." Carter said.

"Let's hope we never have to deal with that." Hood said with a smile. "I can understand why you don't want to have a ceremony, but are you sure we can't do anything else for you other than giving you one of our tanks and a Warthog?"

"I'd say the Chief's armor, but it would be useless to us since none of us are, enhanced like he is. Cortana gave us the technical specs, so I can make do with that." Ford said.

"If it wasn't for Cortana assuring me you are all from another universe and can be trusted, I wouldn't even allow you to have any of that technical data. I hope it helps you out in your battles." Hood said.

The two groups saluted each other and then SG-1 got in the T.A.R.D.I.S. and took off.

"That, was really weird and yet, really cool at the same time." Mitchell said as the T.A.R.D.I.S. was in the process of taking them home.

"Even though we got the data on their ships, ours are actually better." Carter said. "Except for the cryostasis system, but that was only meant for the Master Chief really."

"Cortana gave me a historical database to look over. Not our Earth, but it will be interesting to read." Daniel said.

"Why didn't we take one of their energy swords?" Vala asked. "It isn't a laser sword like they have in Star Wars, but it was still a good weapon."

"It's mostly made for the Covenant to use to begin with and only the Chief was able to use it since he had that armor to protect him like the Covenant does. One wrong move and you'd cut yourself." Ford said.

"K-9 also said it would be hard to modify one to use for ourselves anyway, not to mention the lack of times you can actually use it before it dies." Carter said.

"Though a formidable weapon, it lacked sufficient power for what we would really need." Teal'c stated. "I would much prefer a Lightsaber."

"So would I." Ford said as he looked at the console. "And, we're home."

"Home as to where?" Mitchell asked.

"SGC, Sam's lab, 9:32 pm. We can all go home." Carter said.

"Why not drop us off at our houses?" Daniel asked.

"All our vehicles are here still." Ford said. "Well, your guys anyway."

Lieutenant Dione was incredibly sad, upset and angry when she heard later the next day where they had been, but was easily appeased when she was given one of the shotguns that Master Chief did use and Ford got him to sign, just for her.

The Warthog was taken to Area 51 for study and the Scorpion tank was quickly discarded as not worth it seeing as a M1A Abrams was better in just about all aspects, the biggest of which was speed. So Ford kept it in the T.A.R.D.I.S. and waited for the results on the Warthog. As for the Spartan laser, Ford didn't mention it to anyone and SG-1 didn't say anything about it.