Chapter 4: Crossover

December 21, 3241, 1400 hours

The Jumpgate, Lunar Orbit

Luna, Sol

To Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, the moon was just a rock. True it was a rock that served as Mankind's springboard into the universe and it housed one of the second largest population centers in the Sol system. It was still just a rock to him. The world had changed for the man who called himself Avery Johnson – the name of a dead man. A stolen name he made use for himself. He himself knew all about being a last resort, a backup. Clones weren't used for much else.

It was perhaps because of his nature that he best understood the mission that he and his team would embark on. OMEGA – what was once an experimental team to link together the peoples of two worlds… two universes. Now, the people of Mobius and the UNSC fought on the same side. He was proud to have been part of it, though he had only been in the picture for the last six years. Today though, he was about to undertake another mission and it was one he was not guaranteed to return from. That was alright though. Every mission was one he potentially would never return from. This one he had been assured would be different.

Johnson was technically the leader of OMEGA. It was technically his position since the real leader of the team was out on a mission to somehow find and recruit a Forerunner. Johnson had memories in his head that were not his. John-117 and he apparently had been good friends that had fought against the Covenant for many months over the course of the war… but that was over six hundred years ago. He felt it was a stroke of luck that they had somehow been united here. Both were men out of time, but both had a renewed sense of purpose. It was all Avery could have asked for.

Johnson stood alone on the observation deck of the station where they would be transferred over to the ship that was to be used on this particular assignment – the Ontario. It was a fine ship. He had read over the crew and the history of the vessel. It had ferried one of his people before and was apparently hell of a fighter. The captain of that ship, an eccentric yet dutiful man named Gregers Ekdal had volunteered for the assignment. He had to take of his hat there. Two additional support vessels, the Colorado and the Bastogne would accompany the Ontario. All three were frigates of the same class. Supposedly, this would allow for exchange of supplies should they be needed. What Avery was concerned about was the potential duration of the assignment. The brass had been awfully tight lipped and seemed to gloss over that issue when the briefing came by. It didn't matter. The assignment was what mattered. The Covenant War had lasted almost thirty years. He had been there as the first shot was fired.

Well, at least the dead man his memories came from had been.

Johnson lit up a Sweet Williams and relished in the fact that there were no damned regulations on smoking here. Those annoying confiscating systems back in the day that literally sucked potentially flammable substances away – including cigars – was enough to make him want to tear his hair out. He hadn't seen much of them lately. Perhaps they were phased out. With cigar clamped in the corner of his mouth, he left the observation deck down a flight of stairs to see his team. It was almost time for the cross-decking.

Johnson found them sitting near the docking arm in a sort of armory. A station the size of the Kasparov Orbital wasn't a sizable military installation. Indeed it was only a waystation this close to the Jumpgate. The massive and ancient construct was only a scant thousand kilometers away. Assembled in front of him were the group that volunteered for the mission.

Miles Prower a young man who had taken the assignment with interest and a sense of responsibility. An insanely intelligent Lieutenant in the Navy who had shot through the ranks because of his intellect and use to the UNSC, Prower had been with him right from when his icy tomb was cracked open on Thoris six years ago. Usually the twenty-two year old fox would be chained at the hip to his friend and mentor Sonic the Hedgehog, but he had grown to be a man in his own right. Besides, Sonic would not have been able to be present. He had recently become a father of a little girl named Sonia.

Beside Miles was Johnson's right hand man. Weapons specialist and multi-billionaire entrepreneur Ryan L. Percy. A man who had made his fortune but decided living on the edge was more than a fair enough price to pay. What was life without adrenaline after all? He had put together a company that crafted custom made weaponry for the private and public, and here he was ready to leap face first into hell for the UNSC. That he could do with the massive guns he had at his disposal as well as a damned magical bag that seemed to have been constructed with a slipspace portal wedged into it. How he acquired it, he wouldn't say, but it certainly helped them out on more than one occasion. He was strong, brimming with muscles as well as confidence. He didn't want it any other way.

The last man was someone he had not known for long. Reyes was his name. A tall man that was equally as muscled, though he had a head and a half on Ryan. The man's dark skin stood out against the sterile walls of the station. His T-shirt could barely contain his mass that rippled whenever he moved. Johnson didn't know much about Reyes but that he had been of considerable help when Marshall had been in power. That made him OK in Avery's book. The more help they could get the better.

The three were discussing something that Avery could not hear. He did pass nice and close to them. When they saw he was coming, they stood to when he approached.

"Sarge." Miles said nodding. "What's the word?"

"We board in ten minutes." He chewed the cigar over in his mouth. He gave a playful slap to Prower's chest. "How you feeling, son?"

"Uh, good." Tails bit his lip slightly and looked at the floor. The young man seemed somewhat flustered.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, Sarge." Miles said, this time looking more confident. Avery had known Prower since he was a teenager. Six years ago that was. Time flies. Avery himself was well into his eighties. Technically. Miles actually outranked Johnson by several grades. It was mutual respect that he referred to Avery as such.

"Percy."

"Sarge." Ryan had a freshly shaved head but a beard that crawled around his chin. A pair of dark sunglasses covered his eyes and a heavy flak jacked covered his chest. He had an unloaded rifle in his hand and his trademark backpack on.

"Ready to kick tail?"

"Hell, I'd be disappointed if we didn't." He cycled the bolt on his rifle and checked the internals. "Suicide mission they call it. I like a challenge." Reyes smiled in response.

"What about you, big guy?"

"Not bad." Reyes said evenly.

"Excuse me?" Johnson took the cigar out of his mouth and walked a little closer. "We're on a mission to save the universe, it's all on the line, there's no guarantee we're coming back, and you're 'not bad'?"

"Yeah." Reyes said. "Well, I mean I'm ready, Sergeant."

"Alright then." Johnson reinserted the cigar. "I just need you on point, Reyes. I don't know you. I don't know what you can do."

"I can promise you that you won't regret bringing me on. I did the best I could against Marshall. I'll give it my all here. Nothing matters except stopping the Prisoner."

Johnson slapped the man on the shoulder. "Good. Keep that attitude and we may just come home alive. Alright maggots! Listen up!" He walked in front of his men. "We are OMEGA. We are the tip of the spear and first response to universe ending catastrophes! We meet death head on in the face! We kick it in the groin and take its lunch money! Divine providence brought me back from beyond the grave to do what I do best – kicking ass and taking names! OMEGA is the pinnacle of the Corps! You are the Corps! A model of unit cohesion! As per usual, if you die while on duty, I will force your spirit onto PT marches from now until the end of time! If there is anybody, and I mean, anybody who wants out, do it now. I mean, we've only had two years to work this out, but the offer still stands."

Nobody moved. Just as expected.

Then, the elevator opened and Jolee Bindo strode out.

Bindo. A man from another universe. Four years ago, he had joined the group to get away from the planet he had stayed on for twenty years. Though not native to this universe, he chose to stay and meditate. He had explained a power that he had tapped into called the Force. Though he could not use it here, he lived the life of a scholar and a true medium ever since.

The earth-colored robes that he wore before had been abandoned for clothing that still kept some of his original aesthetic. Custom-made clothing covered him. None could know that he was once a Jedi Knight. He seemed more like a regular man if it weren't for the scabbard on his back. It clashed with the tie wore.

"Oh hell no." Johnson said.

"I don't want to hear it, sonny."

"No way, old man! You're staying here!"

"I'm getting on that ship and there's nothing you can do to stop me." Bindo pointed down the docking arm. "I don't see why you don't want my help!"

"One, your odds of dropping dead from a hemorrhage increase by the second."

Bindo actually burst out laughing at that.

"Two, we need guns, not Jedi."

"And how do you know that?" Bindo asked, still chuckling from the joke. "How do you know that a Jedi who's seen more than you have in your whole life won't be useful to you? I've dealt with alien races that you'd never even conceive of. I've stopped civil wars! Come now, let an old man go on another adventure. I mean, it could be my last!"

"Really?" Johnson asked.

"Well, maybe! True, I'm too stubborn to kick it, but it could happen!"

"Don't you have your own home to go back to?"

"Oh, you know I can go back anytime I want. I'm telling you, I have time."

Miles piped up, "Sarge, just let him come. The more help the better."

Johnson sighed. "Fine. Sure, alright. You can come, but I don't think they stock adult diapers on the ship."

"Oho!" Bindo said. "Let's see who's gonna need them first, Sonny!"

The dockmaster walked out of the docking arm. He held a datapad in his hand. "Alright! Last call for boarding! This is for the UNSC Ontario! Going or staying, people?"

Johnson pointed to his men, including Jolee Bindo and told them to follow. They did without question. Johnson was the first to step through the airlock and across the bridge leading to the Ontario. There was only the barest lifting in gravity as the team passed from one field to another. All around them, Marines and Navy personnel followed them to the hold of the ship. Once they crossed the threshold, they were assault by noise. Vehicles were rolling around in the hold and multiple men were running from station to station. Waiting for them was the captain. Gregers Ekdal stood tall and satisfied. He beamed at his crew with a characteristic grin on his face. When Johnson approached, he loosened his stance. Unexpected for a naval officer.

"Captain. Sergeant Major Avery Johnson reporting for duty." he saluted the captain. The rest of OMEGA followed standing straight. The only one who didn't raise a hand was Jolee, who wasn't part of the military.

"Sergeant." Ekdal responded. His Norwegian accent was thick. The captain returned the salute. "Oh please, at ease."

Johnson and his team lowered their arms.

"I would like to welcome you to the Ontario! She is a humble ship, but she is more than willing to strike it out into the unknown. Please, follow me and I will show you to your bunks."

"Uh, that's alright, sir." Johnson said. "I'm sure we can find them."

"No, please, I insist. I have had the opportunity to work with OMEGA before. I respect your group greatly. Ah, hello young man!" He noticed Miles. Ekdal recognized him instantly. "It's been some time!"

"It's a pleasure to work with you again, Captain."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine! A Lieutenant now! I guess you've impressed someone! You were only a petty officer last we met!"

"Thank you, Captain."

"Like I said, please follow me, gentlemen!"

Ekdal led OMEGA away from the hold and through an elevator to the third deck. While they were walking down a hallway, Ekdal spoke. "Now, I am sure we all understand the severity of this mission. The UEG is clearly frightened by what the Prisoner represents."

"Yes sir." Miles said first. "Earth and Mobius are in danger."

"Oh, it's far worse than that, lad. You should know that."

"Well, yes it is." Tails responded. "I'd thought the UNSC would send... a few more ships though."

"The UNSC is very tight-lipped on that response." Ekdal responded. He removed his cap and rubbed his scalp. "The crew doesn't need to know everything that's about to happen. I'd rather we do this mission without unnecessary harm to their minds."

"Attention, Attention: All hands brace for disengagement! Repeat undocking will commence now!"

The ship thumped as the docking clamps disengaged. The Ontario pulsed its thrusters to push it away from the station. Slow activation of the jets slowly caused the frigate to drift away from Kasparov station. The Bastogne and the Colorado followed suit, each disengaging and slowly rolling into formation. The Bastogne rolled a full 180 degrees and translated under the station and then behind the Ontario. The Colorado wasn't far behind it. The three ships formed a staggered line separated by ten kilometers. Each was somewhat visible to one another.

"Attention: Engines answering full. All crew prepare for transition."

"I don't know what's going to be on the other side of that gate, boys."

"Intel says that it hasn't been explored?" Reyes asked.

"It's been tried. Drones have returned, but no useful information came from them. It's like the cameras were disabled. They were working just fine when technicians looked at it."

"There's no other universe we could look at?" Jolee asked. "I'm sure there's more than a few superweapons where I've come from.

"This is the strongest."

"Not even Koprulu?" Miles asked.

"Not even close, son." Ekdal said. "The Protoss don't even want us there right now. Disagreement with the Terrans. The Admiralty wants this universe specifically. If we can locate the source, then we can call the cavalry in."

"Sounds like fun." Jolee said. "Get my old heart pumping."

Ekdal turned around. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced. I am Captain Gregers Ekdal." he extended a hand. "Who would you be?"

"Jolee Bindo." the Jedi responded, catching the Captain's hand and shaking it. "Jedi Knight, Moral Compass, old man looking for adventure, and smuggler... retired."

Ekdal smiled, as he always did. "Well, Mister Bindo, never let it be said that I turned down help. Welcome aboard." Ekdal continued down the hallway. We've tried to get Spartans on this trip, but the UEG is budgeting them carefully. We have a grand total of two, both of them on the Colorado. They are only to be used in the worst of situations."

"Do you have their credentials?" Johnson asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do." Ekdal slipped a datapad out of his breast pocket and handed it to Avery. It already had crew rosters open. Two Spartans stood highlighted. Maurice and Paul. Both of them were rated for Heavy Weapons specialists. Both held the rank of Petty Officer First Class. "Satisfied?"

"Oh yes." Johnson said. "One Spartan would be more than enough. Two might as well be an army."

"I expected to see John-117 on that list." Ekdal said.

"No, he's on a different mission."

"To be expected. Well, here we are, gentlemen." Ekdal stopped in front of a barracks section of the ship. "I'm sure that this will work out nicely for you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Mister Prower, I can offer you officers' quarters if you would like."

"No thank you, sir." Tails said. "I'll be fine here."

"Very well." Ekdal nodded. "And you, Mister Bindo? You are a civilian. I can offer you better lodgings for you and your... sword."

"Anything's better than Kashyyyk. I'll be fine here though."

"As you wish. I advise you to lock your blade away."

"Oh, absolutely."

Ekdal looked at the crack team in front of him. "We're in for a hell of a ride. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I have to be on the bridge. We'll cross over in roughly three hours time."

"Thank you, sir." Johnson said.

"Also, I have to tell you, Sergeant Major..."

Avery plucked the cigar from his mouth. "Yeah, yeah, you don't have to tell me twice." He stubbed the burning and threw the cigar into a receptacle. "Recycled air and all that jazz."

"Dismissed gentlemen. But, Mister Prower, can I speak to you one more time?"

Tails nodded. "Sure. Yes, sir." He stood his ground as the rest of his team retreated through the barracks doors.

"How's Sally doing?"

"Sorry?"

"Listen, I worked with you before. She's a tough lady, but every time I've seen her after Tears of Piety, she seems to be troubled. Is she alright?"

"Yes. Of course. She's doing much better."

"Listen, I know what happened."

"You do...?"

"Yes, but that's neither here nor there. I just want to make sure she's fine."

"You have my word, Captain, she's happy now."

Ekdal smiled. "That makes me glad. She deserves it." He clapped Prower's arm. "Off you go, son. Get some rest."

"Thank you sir." Miles saluted and turned to leave through the door.

Ekdal saw the door slide shut. She proceeded to walk down the hall to the nearest lift. Despite putting on a confident face, Gregers Ekdal was as scared as any other man or woman on the ship. He steeled himself. There was still a job to be done. He intended to do it, and do it right.

Miles had only clocked in an hour of rest before he received a buzz on his phone. He pulled it out of his side pants pocket and looked at it. His ears twitched in happiness and got off his bunk. He walked out of his room and down the hallway which led to the main deck thoroughfare with a bit more spring in his step than usual. When he crossed the door, he saw Sally and Sonic standing there.

"Little bro!" Sonic said, lunging out and grabbing him in a tight hug.

Tails shook off sleep quickly and hugged his best friend back. He hadn't seen Sonic in weeks. He hadn't learned much about little Sonia. He then crossed to Sally and hugged her as well.

"You made it!"

"Sorry, we were late." the Princess of Knothole said. "Logistics are terrible right now. They're restricting all travel until you guys make the crossing."

"How did you get here?"

"We docked the Acorn." she responded.

The special frigate, Miles remembered. A unique ship built in EUS-39 – Jolee's home universe. It was technically a diplomatic ship owned and operated by the Kingdom though it flew under the UNSC flag.

"How are you feeling?" Sonic asked. "Going on a big adventure?"

"I'm feeling good." Miles said. "Feeling OK."

"Tails, are you sure?" Sally asked. "Because I can talk to Captain Ekdal and we can transfer you out."

"No." Miels said simply. "Please, don't do that. I can't leave Sarge, Ryan... or Jolee. They need me."

Sally raised an eyebrow. "Jolee's here?"

"My reaction as well. But, I made a commitment." He nodded. "Yes. I have to follow through with it. I volunteered."

"Proud of you, kiddo. Actually, I shouldn't be calling you that anymore."

A canine popped from the corner of Miles' smile. "What about you, 'pops'?"

Sonic chuckled. "Still getting used to that. Don't know if I'm ready to settle down yet though. There's always an adventure to go on."

"How does it feel though?"

Sonic's eyes lit up. "Sonia is the most beautiful thing in the world."

"You're a good dad." Sally said nudging him in the shoulder.

"You're not so bad yourself."

Sally bobbed her brow. "Yeah."

Tails cut in. "How's Freddy doing?"

Sally started to pace. The heels of her boots impacted surprisingly loudly in the hall. She was dressed in loose fitting cargo clothing but she wore a fine jacket that seemed to clash with the utilitarian garments underneath. "Sasha's taking care of him." Sally said. "I only get to see him every month or so." she smiled though. "He reads to his teddy bear. I think he's going to be an artist too, the way Sasha tells it. He draws on the wall!" she giggled at that. "I didn't do that as a kid!"

But Miles answered back with a serious question. "Does he recognize you? I mean, as his mother?"

Sally's smile vanished. "No." she shook her head. "No, he doesn't. I doubt he ever will until he's old enough to be told the truth. If he's ever told the truth. But... he looks just like his father. Every day it shows."

"Next time you see him give him Uncle Tails' love. Give him a gift. Like a Tails Doll or something!"

"I'll give him a kiss on the cheek from you!" Sally said.

"Can I be honest with you both?"

There was a beat between them.

"Sure, buddy." Sonic said.

"I meant what I said before. I'm doing this. But... I'm scared. I'm not scared of not coming back. I'm scared of the Prisoner. We're actually doing this. We're really going to fight it."

"Fight it and win, bro!" Sonic said clenching his fist. "We're going to send that primordial slime back to where it came from!"

"I think it... knows we're coming for it."

"Ah, it's just nerves." Sonic said.

"No, let him speak." Sally answered. "What do you mean?"

"I... think I can hear it in my dreams. I think I can hear it talking to me, but I can't understand it. Not just me, but... everyone."

Sally leaned in. "Don't let it win then." She knew better than anybody else what the will of this... thing could do to someone. "You're strong, Miles. Stronger than anybody I've ever known."

"Hey." Sonic groaned.

"Well, almost everyone." she smirked. "But if there's anybody that can outsmart the Prisoner, it can be you. You're a smart guy. Your smarts are your strength. Put your mind to it and you'll come out on top."

"Thanks for the pep talk."

"Just speaking the truth." She leaned in and hugged him again. "Oh I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Aunt Sally."

"Listen, one last word of advice. The Admirals don't want anybody to say anything about this, but I'll tell you. Tell Ekdal, but nobody else. You know Weyland?"

"Jeremy Weyland?" Miles asked. "The corporate mogul?"

"Weyland Materials Group." Sally nodded. "He's explored this universe beforehand. Rumor has it he abandoned it because he found something he wasn't ready for."

"Did he say what it was?" Miles asked.

"No."

"Suits like to sit on that information." Sonic said. "Maybe he'll drop a tip that this place is ripe for the taking and some schmuck takes the bait."

"I'd tell you to shut up if you probably weren't right." Sally said as a quick aside. She turned back to the fox. "Just be careful. Be on your guard, and please, tell Ekdal as soon as possible." she checked her watch. "OK, I can't stay. We need to undock soon or we'll have half of Home Fleet chewing our ears off." She kissed Miles on the head. "Be strong, buddy."

Sonic gave his friend another tight hug. "Anybody over there tries to knock you down, tell them Mobius gives them our regards. You're gonna do great pal."

"Say hi to Amy for me."

"I promise. Go get 'em, killer!" He broke off and followed Sally down the hall. They turned the corner and then they were gone. Miles stood alone in the hallway looking at the place where his friends left. He felt small, but then he realized what he could accomplish. His bravery rose in his breast. Without hesitating a second further, he made his way to the lift.

Space traffic control had cleared the surrounding area of all travel from both sides of the Jumpgate. No ships could travel until the crossing had been complete. Strict cordons had been established between Mobius and Earth. Military blockades formed a protective bubble around the jumpgate so that the ships could pass through. Below, the moon seemed to rotate, which was odd since it was tidally locked to the Earth. The Jumpgate orbited above it, just passing from the night side into the brightness. Three ships were hanging just in front of the gate, ready to await final authentication that the mission was a-go.

Gregers Ekdal sipped a coffee and sighed. Miles Prower stood just in front of him behind the command table of his bridge.

"So, Weyland chickened out, eh?"

"He believed that there was something dangerous there."

"Rightly so. The readings were off the chart."

"We're still pushing forward?"

"We have to." Ekdal said drinking some more coffee. "We agreed to the mission."

"Can we at least get a few more ships with us then?"

"No." Ekdal said firmly. "The amount of political logistics the Admiralty went through in the first place took almost two years to get worked out. This is not like when we came to Mobius, Mister Prower. Things are different now."

"Can I say something honestly, Captain?"

"Speak your mind, Mister Prower, though you need not ask my permission."

"I don't like where this is heading."

"May I speak truthfully?"

"Sir?"

Ekdal breathed a sigh and said in a hushed tone, "I don't know if I do either."

The alert sounded. Ekdal checked his watch and downed a good portion of his cup. "Alright boys and girls, this is it! Show time in sixty seconds! I want all stations ready to go on my order!" He quickly strode across the bridge glancing at each position as he passed. Lieutenants of all stripes were hammering away at consoles and chattering into earpieces. "Engineering, you good? I want weapons at absolute zero and engines ready to answer on command." He did a quick survey of his helmsmen, two burly looking Junior Lieutenants who tapped their controls ready to respond to their captain. Ekdal nodded in satisfaction and strode up a small set of stairs to his command chair. It sat in the center of the

coffin-shaped bridge with a second just behind it. His Executive Officer sat in that seat – a young woman by the name of DeSoto. She had olive colored skin and close cropped brown hair that was tucked under a ship's cap. She looked like she was trying to copy Ekdal lovingly in that regard.

"Emilia, final status report?"

DeSoto nodded towards the Captain. "All sections reporting ready for action. Reactors operating at maximum capacity, backup chemical fuel at maximum, weapons topped off, and life support operating at 100% efficiency."

"Wonderful news." Ekdal smiled. He sipped again and took a seat. "Come, Lieutenant Prower, get a front row show!"

Tails gingerly walked forward. Some of the bridge crew turned to see him but went back to their tasks. Miles stood next to the Captain.

"Ten seconds till light up!"

The gate pulsed. Particle colliders all along it fired and tore holes in space time. Out of the fifteen people on the bridge, Tails was the only one who understood the process of how this worked, and even then, it amazed him to see such an amazing and conscious shunning of the laws of nature.

"She's lit!" the navigator yelled.

The pulse grew brighter and suddenly the chain reaction of higher dimensional annihilation was complete. The master coordinates were sent in, an insanely long list of 11th dimensional equations and frequencies that coincided with where they were headed to the best degree of certainty. The space within the ring flashed white.

Next to Ekdal, a hologram appeared. A man dressed as a Roman emperor made eye contact.

"Augustus." Ekdal said.

"Captain." the AI responded. "I have finished transmitting the coordinates to the gatemaster and we have been cleared for transit."

"Excellent. What of the other ships?"

"The Colorado and the Bastogne stand ready to transit. They are at your side here."

"Then we go. Would you like the honors?"

It was a time honored tradition to Gregers Ekdal. Let Augustus give the speech to set the mission off.

"I would like that, sir." Augustus cleared his throat. "Crew of the Ontario, this is Augustus, shipboard AI and your humble servant." the AI smirked. "Today we begin our latest foray into the mysterious night, and as always, we conquer all. There are new faces aboard this vessel; new souls. We shall treat them to victory! We shall treat them to honor and valor! We shall retrieve greatness clutched tightly in our bloodied fists and hold it aloft for all to see! The Colosseum of Rome nor the shores of Germania would compare to the glory of what lay ahead of us!" Augustus took a second. "As many of you know, I am a fan of William Shakespeare. Most AIs are. "But it is IVLIVS CAESAR in which the line rings true: 'Cry havoc and slip loose the dogs of war'; Act 3, Scene 1, Line 273! We are the dogs of war, crew of the Ontario! And when we are let loose, not even hell itself will be able to turn us back!" he paused for a beat. "We don't need luck. We make our own."

"Mission operation clock begins now." DeSoto said. "December two-one, three-two-four-one. Operation commencing at 1720 hours universal standard time!"

Ekdal leaned forward and grinned. "Mission group Ontario:Engage! Group engines answer all ahead full! We are moving out!"

"This is Bastogne; engines answering all ahead full."

"Colorado answers all ahead full."

Miles stood with hands behind his back with a sense of pride and dread forming in his throat. He could only stare as the gate drew ever closer. He suddenly had a twinge of something he hadn't expected to feel now: excitement. The sense of adventure.

The trio of starships rocketed from their positions straight towards the waiting Jumpgate. The flotilla of guarding vessels stood by with hundreds watching the ships head to that threshold. Somewhere out there, the UNSC Acorn was among them. Her crew on its feet to wish the sailors and marines farewell and the luck of the Ancestors. Before they could even finish, the ships dipped into the immaterium, and then one by one, they were gone.