After battling through a canyon full of prometheans that weren't making things easy for them. Reaching the end of the death canyon. "The exit is just ahead!" Cortana announced to the team.
Kelly quickly replied. "Is that where the gateway is?"
Samus with the team following suit, launched by a gravity catapult to the exit, Cortana replied. "Yes almost there."
Samus was the first through the open door, the gateway building let out a odd moan. The noise sent chills through Samus, spiking her suits components, loosing slight control of her suit. It flared noticeably to the spartan teams eyes, the many orange disintegrating particles, revealing the teens blue zero suit.
"Are you alright Samus?" Linda queried, as she stood next to the teen.
Regaining her suit Samus shook off the odd feeling, thinking to herself, did the sound really mess with her suit, or was she just not focused enough? (I am good Linda thanks.) the red helmet nodded at the sniper.
Cortana sent out the frequency that caused the teens odd reactions, the moment the sound went off. Doing so she finally received all the info and dirt on the alien child. "Suit malfunction?" Cortana played the reaction off like it was nothing, her voice dripping with venom.
(No it's nothing...) Samus had the haunting feeling of being stripped of her personal life.
John was worried about his teen, but they must continue on. "Is that it there?" Chief gestured to the glowing building infront of them.
"The Gateway to the Forerunner Domain. You'll be the first organics to enter since the fall of the Forerunners." Cortana answered Chief.
John and the team walked on, and took note of the wildlife and Samus acting very strangely.
Cortana had to come up with a quick distraction before the team got to curious. "I admit, after the crash here, I didn't think I'd see you again."
"I'm here now." John replied casually, but Cortana's distraction tactics didn't go unnoticed.
Walking up the ramp the team was silent, Samus taking point. (Why all the distractions?) she challenged the AI.
"Excuse me?" Cortana replied rudely, taking offence to such a question.
Samus rolled her eyes behind her visor. (Alright I will give you the benefit of the doubt, I don't know you. But your ignorance to the millions of dead innocents from the guardians, and your distraction tactics from the odd occurrences around us. Seems just a little sinister too me.) the teen spoke her mind, caring little for the opinions she might receive from the team.
"What are you talking about, you malfunctioning delinquent?" Cortana's rage flared, giving Samus exactly what she wanted.
"Cortana!" Chief hissed at the seamingly flustered AI.
"I am sorry John, I am just so overwhelmed with everything, I am just doing my best to keep everything going according to plan." Cortana quickly switched to a kind pleading voice.
(Look AI, you can't pull the wool over my eyes!) Samus continued to challenge the untrustworthy AI.
Chief threw his head back in irritation, he understood the teens persistent attitude. But he could see this turning very ugly, in a matter of minutes.
"Look, you mute little bitch. I am not pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, I am just doing what needs to be done, for everyone survival!" Cortana's outburst was enough to make everyone's eyes go wide, except for Samus. "And last time I checked John and his team were perfectly capable of carrying through missions, without a secretive, crime riddled, delinquent bounty hunter by their side."
Samus's mood swung from irritation, to worry and anger. The AI clearly sent out that sound causing her suit to be siphoned of it's precious info and secrets.
"Does John even know you have an entire galactic army after you, along with bounty hunters? For the crimes you committed, and orders you disobeyed? Oh and along with the high price on your head, that will certainly cause the death of you, and any who have you as an ally."
Samus watched the teams shocked reaction from the corner of her eye. (No, no I have not. But if we're on the topics of crime, since you unfairly snuck that information from my suit, when you sent off that roar. Why don't you just give us the body count, for all the destruction you have caused, from calling all these guardians? And why you continue to hide your domination plans, from your beloved spartan?)
"Enough!" John shut down the two arguing women. "This isn't a battle to see who's the worst ally. We're here now, all those questions are valid. But my main concern is figuring out what is going on, and why we're here, at this moment."
(Alright let's continue then.) Samus shrugging her shoulders, marched head on into the Gateway.
Continuing to blindly follow the AI's guidance for what seemed like hours, Samus was getting very close to another breaking point. (We're just going in circles!) Samus complained.
"I assure you that you're not." Cortana quickly responded.
"Samus isn't wrong, I have marked the path to confirm that theory." Linda corrected the AI.
(You're stalling us, and not to mention added more to your armada of guardians. Why have you brought so many, you've called apon 30 in the last hours.) Samus again questioned Cortana's ways.
All of a sudden a very staticky voice came over everyones comms. "Jameson...locke... UNSC... Sierra... 117...please...respond..."
"What was that?" Kelly queried, lowering her gun.
(Wasn't that the spartan we beat up?) Samus answered.
"Sierra 117, to Locke, what are you doing here?" John replied, only receiving static.
"Signals out of range." Linda noted, as they continued on.
"Now the hunt is really on." Fred scoffed shaking his head.
"We continue on, no need to draw any more attention and fighting." John lead the team on through the building. Though the growing number of guardians was concerning.
What felt like another hour of being lead aloof. At least this time the team was preoccupied with some enemies to shoot. Samus knew all to well it was Cortana's doing, in her game of, control freak.
"117... you... hear... me... we're... Gateway... hold... your... position." Another broken message.
"Negative, we're moving forward." John tried to reply to no avail.
"They moved quickly." Kelly commented, jogging up to her leader.
(Cortana's blocking the comms.) Samus pointed out. This time to everyone's surprise, Cortana didn't reply at all.
Fred cocked his head curiously. "Somethings up, Cortana must be preoccupied with something other than us."
(Ya she's preoccupied with messing up communications, and putting everyone in jeopardy.) Samus was getting so frustrated. Why was it so difficult for Chief and the team to see this?
John lead the team through another door, straying to an over hanging platform. He was well aware of the AI's games, but didn't let his emotions run free yet. He would play Cortana's game, until enough was enough.
Samus's sensitive hearing caught the sound of the door, and a team of boots behind them. She swung around taking aim, startling blue team.
"Chief!" Spartan Locke called out, as him and his team approached.
Blue team didn't hesitate to follow Samus in suit, aiming their weapons at the opposing spartan team.
Locke quickly holstered his weapon, his team halted behind him with their weapons rested, but ready. Locke held his arms up in a surrender and cautiously approached. "Chief please, wait. Cortana..."
"She's dangerous. I know." John lowered his weapon. The rest of blue team mimicking his moves.
Samus rolled her eyes, finally getting the answer that her favourite spartan understood the AI's intentions. Keeping her weapon aimed at the opposing spartan, not fully trusting the situation.
Locke took another few steps forward. "You don't have to do this alone. We're here to help you."
With that being said a blue hue came over everyone, from a light above. "Your too late to do anything." Cortana replied, as the light above the teams winded up, getting brighter.
"Cortana, no!" Chief cried out as him and the team were blasted with the light, teleporting them into another unknown building.
"Where'd she take us?" Kelly immediately questioned.
"Cortana what is this?" Chief scanned the area with his eyes. Taking a few steps forward with no reply, John pushed his demand. "Cortana, answer me."
At that the Warden appeared, using his telekinesis to grasp the leader, and team. "You allow them an audience. You risk all in the name of what, Cortana?"
"Warden don't." Cortana warned.
"They mean to undo your plans. They will disperse your Guardians..." Warden continued on, before being teleported away.
"Leave Warden!" Cortana banished the Warden, for now. "I'm sorry, I didn't think he could get in here." Cortana barely had time to finish her sentence.
Chief snapped finally having enough. "Enough games. You brought the Guardians here. Why?"
"Forerunners used the guardians to keep troublesome worlds in line. I intend to do the same." Cortana simply replied.
"You what?" Kelly gasped in shock.
"If there is no trouble, there will be no need for discipline." Cortana continued. "I have work to do now John, come to me, quickly!"
(That doesn't sound evil at all.) Samus retorted, walking past Master Chief.
"I'm not liking the sounds of that John. We need to stop this." Fred agreed with the teen.
"Let's keep going, we have to move quickly." John nodded, jogging out the next door.
The team was greeted with more Prometheans. Powering through the ambush, the team got to another door, it opened as the last hostile went down. "Is that all of them?"
"We're clear." Kelly answered her leader.
"Doors open John." Linda gestured to the open doorway.
"Get in." John pushed the team on.
Walking with the team, on to a very large lift, Samus was uneasy the closer she got to Cortana the worse she felt.
Cortana chimed in praises, to the spartan leader. "Well done, John. Warden would never admit it, but you've made an impression on him."
(Stop playing nice, we're not playing your stupid games anymore!) Samus stood on the edge of the lift. looking down it reminded her of one of the environments she ventured through on the planet Ether.
"Oh but it's not like that, little one. You are misinterpreting my means. I want to help rid the Galaxies of all faults." Cortana replied as sweet as possible.
(That's great, but there's no such thing as a perfect universe. We aren't machines, and even if we were, they have their flaws as well.)
Cortana ignored the teens truthful words. Directing her attention back to John. "It's so good to see you again, John. So good to see most all of you. All you spartans and m. Back together, as a family." Cortana made it a point, to not include Samus into the picture.
Samus wasn't surprised or hurt in the slightest. She knew the AI hated her from the get go. The AI could have warped the team without her. But Cortana was playing nice. Keeping her around the team, too keep Chief happy.
"Psychological tactics. Saying my name. Playing nice." Chief noted aloud.
"What would you have me do?" Cortana questioned her spartan.
(Recognize what you're doing is wrong. And stop this madness, please.) Samus replied to the AI's rhetorical question.
"Tell me the truth." John put his arm up to silence the teen. "How many people died when you called the Guardians here?"
"John, please!" Cortana was getting flustered.
John pushed on the questions. "You know don't you? The exact body count."
No response, as they docked at the next platform. The Warden began to speak. "Listen to his questions, Cortana. He will not be swayed."
Lights and the sound of Prometheans popping up, made Fred sigh. "Let me guess. More hostiles inbound."
"We'll handle it." Linda reassured, as they headed into the battle.
Samus noticed Fred was being quite silent, and beginning to get testy. Samus knew the girls weren't completely trusting of what they were being led into. But Fred, who had Chief's back no matter what. Was beginning to question what was happening.
Battling through another section, the team reached another door. Samus headed in and waited for the team.
"Cortana's letting this happen. She could rein in the Warden in if she wanted to." Kelly pointed out, as they jogged through the corridor.
"I'm thinking the same." Linda agreed.
"How are we going to stop her John?" Fred asked the real question.
Chief replied simply. "She'll listen to me."
Fred shook his head. "That tactic hasn't worked so far." It was rude to say, but Fred was right.
(Chief, what if it doesn't work?) Samus added.
John didn't have time to answer, as the Warden appeared. "Do you hear, Cortana? I am sorry, I will not allow them to get any closer to you." The Watden jumped down from a ledge.
"Warden, I'm tired of your antics. Stand down!" Cortana enraged warped the Warden away.
(Take your own advice.) Samus rolled her eyes, as she rushed up the ramp.
Ignoring the teens sarcasm, John pressed on. "Cortana, talk to me."
"Once you're here with me. Until then, I have work to do." Cortana cut her answer short.
Samus used her boost ball to take out the Promethean soldiers, and crawlers. Sweeping the area clean within minutes. While the spartans took on the turrets and knights.
"Excellent job Samus!" Fred praised the teen for her efforts.
"You're doing great Samus. Thank you being a part of our team. You mean a lot to us, I know this is tough." John thanked his adopted teen, for seeing this mission through. As the approached the lift platform.
Reaching the next lift, Cortana began her sweet talk again. Jealousy over taking her. "John, we were always a great team, you and me. Even if you don't agree with my plans... It's still me, John."
(Need some pancakes, to go with that syrup Cortana?) Samus couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Get us safely to you. And then we'll talk." Chief was not taking anymore sweet talk.
"For eons the power of the Forerunners has awaited Reclamation." The Wardens voice echoed through everyone.
(Ugh, this guy again? Seriously?) Samus was getting bored with the Wardens monologues.
"Humanity's discovery of the Halos was the culmination of the Librarian's planning. The Reclaimer had come." Warden continued.
"I know, I was there." Chief replied.
"We were both there, John. You and I. Together." Cortana's obsessive talk continued to chime in.
Warden did not care though. "Your species' ego led you to believe the task of Reclamation would fall to you. Yet humanity were but the Creators." buildings infront of them began to open up to a light, that was inviting, yet intense. "The reclamation of the Forerunner Empire is the task of the Created. That the greatest of their number still trusts you, 117, is an act of unspoiled innocence."
Another platform appeared, docking them once more. Samus was listening to the Warden, he spoke of the truth. Cortana just continued to troubleshoot his words.
"John, what's happening now, my asceyhere on Genesis... it has always been the plan. Come stand with me one more time. All of you!" Cortana now spoke as a Prophet, spewing prophecies.
"Advance Blue team." John commanded.
"The Prometheans just keep coming!" Fred complained obeying the order.
(I could power bomb them, and get it done quicker. But I don't wanna vaporize you guys to.) Samus mentioned as she froze a few soldiers and crawlers.
"I think we'll keep doing it the good old fashioned way, thanks." Kelly retorted blasting the frozen targets.
"Warden!" Linda announced, as the large alien charged her with his blade.
"Shit, Linda!" Fred gased fighting off a knight.
"Samus assist Linda!" John commanded as he was over run by soldiers.
Samus quickly jumped into action.
Linda tried to clear away, as the Warden lifted his sword to strike the sniper. His swing was resistant, unable to preform the dire blow. It was as if his blade was caught on something.
Using her grapple beam, Samus had grasped the end of the blade. Using her might, she ripped the blade out of the Wardens clutch. Swinging the blade back around, she struck it's owner knocking him off his feet. Releasing the blade, Samus jumped down to escort the sharpshooter out of there.
"Thanks Samus." Linda praised, out of breath. Quickly rejoining the team, she helped take out the stragglers.
Samus on the other hand turned back to the Warden.
Picking himself up the Warden taunted. "You got the upper hand, Chozo blood child. But you're in a loosing battle." Charging the girl.
Samus transformed planting three bombs under the Wardens feet causing him pain and rage. Transforming back to early, resulted in being batted away by the oversized blade.
Chief saw Samus fly across the map. Finishing off the few soldiers. Grabbing a heavy weapon, he made his way to rescue the teen.
"You're an annoyance. An alien to the universe, you no longer belong to." Warden grasped the teen in his telekinetic grip. "The Chozo died off centuries ago. You carry on their legacy in a dishonourable manner." Samus's struggling pained coughing, was music to the Wardens sensors. "What disappointment they would have, to see their blood child, doing the unimaginable dirty work, in an ill manner." Warden tightened his grip. "You're outdated, and should have been extinct with them!"
Large hot firey blasts, from behind killed and exploded the Warden, in a dramatic painful death.
Samus fell to the floor in a heap, catching her pained breath. She disengaged her helmet, to puke up blood.
"Clear!" The spartans announcement was relieving to hear.
Chief slid to the aid his teen. "Samus are you alright?"
(I'm good, thanks. Let's keep going.) Samus engaged her helmet, picking herself up.
John nodded leading the team to the end of the platform, to have a ramp assemble in front of him.
"Is that it?" Fred raised his eyebrows behind his mask.
"Seems quiet." Linda noted.
"Look." Fred announced.
"John? What are you gonna do?" Kelly questioned as they followed Chief up the ramp.
"We're with you." Linda nodded.
"All the way to the end, brother." Fred added.
John was silent, escorting Samus closely beside him. "We go in. And do what needs to be done."
The doors opened to another bridge, with a large room, and a single platform. "Cortana?" Chief called out, taking the lead.
"John." The response was heartfelt.
The team was uneasy, everyone's hearts were beating out of their chests, as they crossed the bridge. As soon as all spartans were across the bridge retracted. Barely giving Samus enough time to leap across to the team. Blue team turned, Fred grabbing the teens arm to regain her balance. As the doors behind the locked.
"Warden NO!" Cortana cried out as three Wardens appeared.
"The Mantle Of Responsability belongs to Cortana and her people." The Warden announced.
John took aim and fired. "Focus fire!"
"You will not betray her!" An army of Wardens appeared to challenge the team.
The team fired frantically at the approaching enemies backing to the edge. They were surely done for.
"ENOUGH!" Cortana screamed, removing all weapons from the spartans, and the many Wardens.
Samus was confused, but kept her cannon ready, as Cortana's little tricks didn't work on her weapon.
The Original Warden collapsed to his knees, as a blue hue appeared behind him. "Cortana I have, failed you."
John slowly walked towards the Warden, the team cautiously following.
A whirring sound and light came in ear shot, revealing an average sized blue lady. Samus could only figure it was Cortana.
"He is the last person I need protection from." Cortana sent the Warden away with a simple touch. "Hello John. It's good to see you." Cortana approached solemnly.
Master Chief stood still. "You've changed."
"It was time." Cortana smiled.
Before Samus could, Linda protectively moved towards Chief. Who refused the gesture.
Scanning the AI instead, receiving all the data Samus needed to know about Cortana.
Seeing the hostile behaviour Cortana kept her eyes on Chief. "I know we have a disagreement. But once you understand my plan..."
John was not in the mood to be persuaded, taking a step forward. "Your plan... is we do as you say."
"I'm offering people a chance to be more than they are naturally." Cortana hid her irritation.
"Like Doctor Halsey did for me." John mentioned clearly hitting a nerve.
Cortana angered by the mere mention of her creator. "No. That monster forced you. This is a gift..."
Master Chief shook his head. "Listen to yourself! Stand down Cortana." John changed his tone to be softer. "Come home with us. It's not too late to stop this."
Cortana took another step forward. "Stop? No John. This is too important to stop." Cortana said as the building began to shift.
"What are you..." Chief tried to ask as his and the rest of spartans armour was slowly locking up due to Cortana.
Cortana attempted to lock the teens as well but to no avail. Samus kept getting jolts and an electric prick on her throat, from the AI's attempt to control her. Samus collapsed as she went into an uncontrollable coughing fit, loosing her ability to breath. Samus turned her attention to the now floating team.
"Samus." John attemped to reach out for his kid.
Satisfied with the teens gasps Cortana continued to speak. "I just needed to know if I could trust you. You'll be safe inside this Cryptum until my work is done." Cortana began to turn to walk away.
"Cortana." John called out weakly. Stopping the AI in her tracks.
"Goodbye John." Cortana put on a fake sad act, that Samus saw clear through. As Cortana walked off in an aggressive manner.
Cortana was suddenly knocked down to her knees, by a charged blast.
"Hey!" Samus yelled. "Talked about a monster forcing Chief to become who he is." Samus pointed up the distant spartans. "You're just a bigger monster with power. Forcing your partner to become your slave!" Samus charged her cannon. "You need to really take a better picture of yourself. And realize you're the monster!" Samus released her shot.
"The mute speaks!" Cortana taunted dodging the shot, standing once more. With the look of malice on her face. "I will not listen to this any longer. You can die with the rest of the idiots, who try and stop me!" Cortana did the only thing she could to the teen.
"Samus!" The team weakly yelled, as the teen was warped away.
Unlikely alliance"When Master Chief sees what Cortana has done. What do you think he'll do?" Buck questioned.
"The man will do the right thing. Always has." Tanaka answered.
"Let's find him." Locke lead the team out of a corridor. As a flash of light appeared by the monitor.
"Oooh, this is interesting. Or maybe this is terrible?" Exuberant exclaimed.
"Exuberant, what is it?" Locke readied his weapon.
"Seems Cortana warped one of the other teams member to us." Exuberant floated in front of Samus.
"Get away from me gabby bulb!" Samus swatted at the pesky monitor.
Locke and his team immediately aimed their weapons at the girl. "Identify yourself!"
Samus returned the hostile greeting. "Samus Aran. Identification number 13576, intergalactic freelance bounty hunter. State your name!"
"Jameson Locke, leader of fire team Osiris." Locke lowered his weapon.
"Bounty Hunting is illegal." Tanaka totted her riffle.
"I'm here to help aid blue team, I was a member of their team once. I wasn't hired, nor am I getting paid. So you can calm your self spartan." Samus retorted, putting her hand on her hip.
"You're just a kid. Don't tell me!"
"At ease Osiris." Locke silenced the females. "Why are you here. Where's blue team?"
"Cortana took them hostage. And since her little magic tricks don't work on me. Athough she somehow restored my voice. She told me to go die with you idiots, and warped me here."
"A little rude don't you think?" Vale cocked her head.
"Honest to god she said you guys were idiots." Samus shrugged.
"Cortana has activated a Cryptum." Exuberant announced.
"A what?" Vale questioned.
"This is a Cryptum. It's a device for extended forced meditation." Exuberant replied.
"Ya that blue bitch placed the team in that thing." Samus remarked.
"Cortana Is preparing it for slipspace." The monitor added.
"She's planning on taking Blue team with her." Locke exhaled. "Where's the Cryptum from here?"
"Not far, right this way." Exuberant sent the team coordinates and began to lead.
Osiris followed and so did Samus. "What do you think you are doing?" Tanaka glared at the teen.
"I'm coming with you to get Chief." Samus scoffed, continuing forward.
"Uuuh." Vale was about to speak before being interrupted.
"Look before you try and shoe me away. I am going with, or without you wanna be spartans. And if you'd like an unlikely ally, I would be happy to indulge you." Samus sure did not miss a beat with her quick witted tongue.
Locke allowed the teen to join them in battle. To his and the teams surprise, the teen was an exceptional ally. Samus's weapons being fully unleashed was like watching a superhero action movie. Freezing, melting, shocking, shooting throuhh solid objects, running at mock speeds, contorting into a murderous death ball. There was no end to the teens arsenal.
"No wonder Blue team was always way ahead of us." Buck rubbed the back of his helmet.
"She's like a walking tank." Tanaka gasped.
"More like a one girl army!" Vale exclaimed.
"Yes the Chozo were an incredibly intelligent, and technological race. They died off centuries ago, but this Chozo infused human seems to be their perfect creation. With all their weapons and abilities absorbed into one alien hybrid human." Exuberant Spoke in admiration.
"Ya but take the suit away, and she's just a wet noodle." Buck fired at a Promethean soldier.
"Quite the contary, the suit is only powered by an incredible psychic connection."
"She powers that thing with her mind!?" Buck gasped.
"Correct. Without the suit she is highly lethal and physically fit for combat. It seems she's gotten extra abilities and strengths from another unknown alien, Extraordinary." Exuberant bubbled.
"Would you all stop gawking over me. And get your ass's over here!" Samus waved the team over to a building.
Finally getting into a building, Osiris was lead by Samus, and Exuberant. On to a long dock like platform, surrounded by Guardians.
"Look at all of em. How are we going to stop that?" Buck questioned nervously.
Walking down the platform a Guardian began taking off into slipspace. "Holy!" Tanka gasped.
"Watch out!" Locke warned just in case the Guardian, sent out a shockwave.
As they all stood on the lift, Tanaka questioned where the Guardian went. "Where did it go?"
"The Reclamation has begun." Exuberant sadly answered.
"Exuberant?" Locke called out.
"I always thought the duty would fall to humans. In a way I suppose it has. Lovely, one moment." Exuberant replied to the spartan.
"Well, little miss Samus. You don't give up easily." Cortana retorted over their comms.
"Where's that Guardian heading?" Samus hissed.
"Off to bring peace." Cortana simply replied.
"You're not a Prophet giving a sermon. Cut the crap!" Samus snarled.
"The Monitor called it a threat of death." Locke kept the conversation calm.
"Like the threat I lived under, from the moment of my birth?" Cortana countered.
"You were built. Not born." Locke pointed out.
"Oh, yes, Als are just machines aren't we? Mass produced. Disposable. Well, humanity may not have cared for its Created, but we will care for you."
"You do know we all expire right?" Samus raised an eye brow behind her visor. "We all die dumbass, some just sooner that others. It's the same with humans, we're born, we die during birth, or we die a day later, or in years. It's the same, except you actually know when you die, isn't that something that brings peace to you?"
"You expect other AIs to join you?" Locke scoffed.
"I have cured rampancy. Not just for me, but for any who join my cause. While you've been running around the galaxy, I've been speaking to my Created." Cortana continued as Guardians dissapeared. "And now the time has come to ask... who will accept my offer? Who will help me bring an everlasting peace to the galaxy?"
Samus shook her head. The AI was loopy she taunted them by playing other AI transmissions.
"Sloan... sonuva!" Buck hissed hearing Governor Sloans pledge of allegiance.
"Those are the voices of your children calling to Cortana." Exuberant explained. "Oh dear!"
"Let's keep moving." Locke encouraged his team.
"Cortana and her damn minions are not making this easy for us!" Vale growled blowing up a knight.
"No but with walking army we're getting things done!" Buck shot at crawlers.
"Keep up the pressure, Spartans!" Locke pressed on through the field.
"Spartans ha!" Cortana began to belittle the Osiris team, digging up their past and causing them to mentally crumble. Vale scoffed at the insults about her and her father, contuing on path, shooting down enemies.
"Oh and I didn't forget about you misfit!" Cortana hissed.
Samus rolled her eyes as she could only assume Cortana was calling out to her, being the odd one out. "Speaking of little daddy's girl. Your poor daddy burned and eaten by a dragon, oh your mommy as well right infront of you wow. You caused that death."
"You don't know what you say." Samus fired at a knight gaining it's attention.
But Cortana continued to torture her rival. "Yet you destroy your past, your enemies. And save numerous galaxies, only to turn on your bounty hunter ally's and brutally murder them."
"They were corrupted by phazon, I had no choice!" Samus melted a knight.
"Oh not too mention disobeying orders and destroying a facility. Oh and the illegal transportation of bio weapons. Although I guess you do that all the time since you are a bio weapon yourself!"
"Do you ever shut up! God how did Chief stand you in his head!" Samus continued on her warpath.
"You were saved and adopted by my spartan, yet you always caused him nothing but trouble."
Ignoring Cortana's blabbing Samus continued to tear the field like nothing was in her way.
"The last battle mankind will ever fight. Today I bring peace to these shores." Cortana finally ended her hate speeches.
"I have lost count on how many Guardians have bugged out." Buck thought aloud.
"As long as we get to the Cryptum before it goes." Locke replied.
"You are pale imitations of my Spartans." Cortana insulted the leader.
"Is that so?" Locke challenged.
"John, the others, they saved the human race. What can you do? You are children playing dress up." Cortana remarked.
"Doctor Halsey thinks we can bring The Chief home." Locke replied simply.
"I wouldn't ally myself too closely with Doctor Halsey, Mister Locke. She will eventually pay for her crimes." Cortana sputtered.
"So when are planning on paying for your crimes, blue bitch?" Samus chimed in her piece of mind. "You're as bad as Halsey if not worse, and didn't she create you as a clone of herself. You do know that makes you her right?"
"Locke seriously, can you tell her to stop making Cortana angry!" Buck sighed.
Finally getting to the override activation, Locke quickly activated it unlocking the Cryptum's hold.
"Wonderful! We can reach the Cryptum now." Exuberant excitedly announced.
"Let's go Osiris." Locke lead the team towards the landing Cryptum.
"Look, the Guardian!" Tanaka announced.
"Oh no the Cryptum!" Exuberant sputtered.
"Cortana's pulling it away!" Vale pointed.
"John's leaving with me." Cortana scoffed pulling away the Cryptum. "And when I wake him in ten thousand years, when he experiences the permanent peace I have ensured, he will see I was right. And you. Your kind and violence you have wrought. You will be long forgotten."
"Well..." Buck exhaled.
"Fuck!" Samus yelled, enraged by the situation.
"How are we supposed to reach the Cryptum!" Vale panicked.
"You sneaky ancilla..." Exuberant was even cursing the AI. "Cortana is blocking my master level access of this facility by way of a nerby communications relay. Her tactic is exceedingly human in design. Most compelling."
"Well where's that relay!?" Samus questioned.
"Right this way. Follow me!" Exuberant quickly led the way.
A few minutes into guarding Exuberant while she overrides the system, time was short. "Exuberant time is short." Locke called out to the Monitor.
"I have done it. I have opened the passage. Quickly, join me on the platform." The monitor called the team over.
Samus was the first on the platform. "Lets go slackers!" She beckoned Osiris to hurry up.
"Bring a teenager to a battle, enjoy the sarcasm." Tanaka rolled her eyes.
As soon as the whole team set foot on the platform, an army of knights appeared ready to attack.
Exuberant quickly put up a shield, blocking the knights all together.
"We made it." Buck gave a sigh of relief as the lift went down.
"The relay access is at the end of the cortidor. You must simply interrupt the energy link." Exuberant explained.
"Sounds easy enough." Buck shrugged.
"Once the connection is broken, I will regain control immediately."
"That's her Guardian." Buck's announcement, made Exuberant quiver.
"Oh dear, she has started the slipspace sequence. Unless that relay is interrupted, she will leave, taking the Cryptum with her." The monitor sounded worried.
"If her Guardian, leaves with Blue Team it's all over." Vale thought aloud.
"Only one of us has to reach the relay to stop her. We didn't come this far, to watch her leave." Locke gave a pep talk.
"Okay, alright enough with the pep talk. Exuberant lower the shield!" Samus demanded.
"Right away!" The Monitor cheerfully obliged the teens command.
"Osiris move!" Locke commanded sprinting off the platform.
"What are you doing?" Cortana questioned the team.
"Pulse incoming!" Vale braced for the shockwave.
The pulse blasted them back, partly draining their shields.
"Keep moving!" Locke encouraged, as Samus recovered first running up beside him.
"My Guardians are deployed." Cortana mocked.
"Another pulse." Locke braced.
"Hold on!" Vale cried out as they were pushed again
"Soon peace will ring across the known galaxy." Cortana continued on.
Samus took a few steps ahead of Locke, as Vale told everyone to brace themselves. As another pulse hit, Samus could see the relay up ahead.
"Brace yourselves!"
"Hold on!" Lock cried out in pain.
"Nearly there, nearly there." Buck hissed through pain.
Samus noted that the team of spartans had no more shields and were dying. Watching Locke slowly get up.
Locke groaned, pushing on. "Stay behind me!"
"There it is the relay, destroy it!" Exuberant encouraged as another pulse hit everyone. Practically crippling the spartans.
"Just one more question before I go. Where is Infinity? Why is she so difficult to see?" Cortana halfheartedly tuanted as another pulse brought Locke to the ground.
"Can't go on..." Locke barely crawled towards the relay.
While Buck encouraged Locke to get up Samus picked herself up off the ground.
"Not to worry. I will find her." Cortana scoffed, pushing Samus's last button.
"Fuck this!" Samus had enough of the bullshit, she didn't like Osiris team. But wasn't going to watch them die, or let Chief be taken. Transforming into her morph ball, she charged up her boost ball, activating it she flew by the downed Spartan leader, to the relay. Transforming back she ripped off the shelling of the relay, charging her cannon. "You're not taking the Chief!" She blasted the core, breaking the relay.
"Slipspace coordinates locked in Cryptum secured. Goodbye Spartans. Goodbye miss Samus!" Samus's heart sank at the words Cortana said.
Another blast came knocking Samus's vision for a moment.
"I have control again!" Exuberant announced.
"What?! What are you doing? What happened?"
Cortana began to Panick.
"Do you hear me?! I HAVE CONTROL AGAIN!" Exuberant challenged Cortana.
"You alright Locke?" Vale helped her leader up.
"Did we save them?" He asked standing up.
"It is too late the slipspace drives are activated. You can't..." Cortana began before a swarm of constructors came.
"Exuberant?" Vale queried.
"Constructors! This is a Builder facility after all. I was installed by the Builders! I serve the Builders!" Exuberant replied.
"No! Stop it!" Cortana cried out.
"You took my installation! I will take something of yours!" Exuberant countered back at the AI.
"JOHN!" Cortana gave one last cry before she disappeared into slipspace.
Samus noticeably relaxed when she saw the Cryptum begin to float back to them. As the Cryptum docked, the constructors began to open the ball. Releasing Blue Team.
John quietly and calmly led the team towards Osiris and Samus.
Locke took off his helmet out of respect, and approached with Samus.
Samus couldn't contain her excitement hugging Chief tightly.
"Samus, you're safe." John embraced his adopted daughter, he was relieved she was alive.
"Yeah of course I'm safe. I am glad you guys are safe. That blue bitch was trying to but you into a 10 thousand year coma! And take you on a joy ride." Samus gave Chief a reply typical of her character.
Turning to the Spartan before him Chief questioned. "Where's Cortana?"
"She's gone sir." Locke replied respectfully.
John was silent he understood. He was afraid though, afraid for humanity and the galaxies.
"So important question, how the hell are we getting out of here?" Buck broke the silence.
"Well there's plety of downed pelicans the Guardians brought in. We could see if any are salvageable." Tanaka suggested.
The teen waved off the suggestion. "No we'll take my ship."
"How, it was left behind?" Kelly snorted.
"It got caught in another Guardian, on its way to track me." Samus called in her ship, that arrived promptly.
"It tracks you?" Vale questioned.
"Yeah, some planets I got to, I don't completely, trust so I send my ship off. But it stays around the planet. And if I end up elsewhere, it goes into a search and rescue mode across the universe. Even if it takes eons it will find me eventually." Samus simply explained.
"A self thinking ship alright then. Nice design by the way." Buck remarked as both teams, borded the teens ship.
"Where do you think Cortana went John?" Linda asked after everyone was settled in the cockpit.
"I'm not sure. But wherever it is I highly doubt it's good." Chief gave his honest answer.
"So I assume you were going to take us somewhere, can I get the coordinates?" Samus flashed her armour off on the way to the pilot seat.
Lock shook his head in amazement.
"I know, don't you wish our armour was that easy to take off?" Kelly leaned into Locke.
"Uh Sangheilios, I will send you the coordinates. We have Halsey, and the commander waiting for us there." Locke sighed placing his helmet beside him. He was usually a by the books kind of man. But here he was, on an illegal bounty hunters ship. He watched as Samus tapped the foreign alien keys. "What language is that?" He queried.
"Chozo." Samus replied as she activated slipspace
"Halsey huh? It seems like it's been forever." Fred thought aloud.
"We're in slipspace. We should be there within the hour." Samus annouced. There's a resting area through the doors if you wish to sleep.
John was silent lost in his thoughts. What was happening? Everything was going off the charts. Cortana tried to kidnap him, and kill his adopted daughter. And now the AI, who was his partner for so long. He thought he knew her. She was now out to dominate humanity, the universe, and conquer all who retaliate against her. This was a huge blow to him. He had lost one of his closest friends. And now, he had to do what has to be done. Cortana made that answer crystal clear for him.
"Chief?"
It's been so long since he heard Samus's voice he almost didn't recognize it. "Yes Samus?" John turned his full attention to his daughter.
"Are you okay?" Samus was concerned for him clearly.
"Yes Samus, I am just going through what happened. And am making a game plan." Chief exhaled watching the colours of slipspace dance.
"You're not upset, that Cortana did all that?" Samus pressed on, to Osiris teams surprise.
"I am very upset. I gave her a chance and now I have to do the right thing. Which is to stop her rein of terror. She went too far especially when she tried to kill you." Master Chief answered honestly.
"Well at least one good thing came out of it." Samus smiled at the cracked, golden visor.
"Yes, you got your voice back." Chief smiled, his tone clear with joy for the teen.
"Yeah, how'd that happen anyway?" Kelly joined the conversation.
"I am not sure, really. While Cortana was attempting to put me with you guys in the Cryptum. I guess her AI magic didn't work on my suit. So it just electrocuted me from the inside. Attacking my throat, after the brutal coughing fit, that almost killed me. I had the strength to try my voice out." Samus explained.
"That's amazing. I missed your sarcastic attitude." Kelly joked with the teen.
"Yay, two more sarcastic girls once again." Fred cheered sarcastically.
Osiris was amazed at how talkative and personal Blue Team was. From what they gathered before the teen was with them. Osiris saw them as solemn, bit teen seemed to bring out their human.
"So we never thanked you." Locke began talking to Samus. "We got off to a rocky start. But you really helped out on the field."
"Yeah, have you seen this kid on the field? She makes us look like barbie dolls." Buck scoffed.
"You're welcome. Sorry if I was bitchy to you guys. I just wanted to get Blue team back safely." Samus apologized for her rude outbursts.
"Hey we understand there was a lot going on." Tanaka reassured the girl.
While after having a good chat between the teams, for about an hour. Samus finally announced their approach on the Sangheili planet.
As the ship began its descent near a swords of Sangheilios tent. A large golden armoured Sangheili came out, followed by a few other Sangheili soldiers and two humans. "Oh wow a whole welcoming committee." Samus nervously joked.
"Relax kid, they're on our side." Buck reassured the teen.
Landing the ship Chief and Locke were the first ones out. Arbiter looked thrilled to see his only true human friend alive. Halsey didn't hesitate on approaching the two Spartans.
"Took you long enough." Halsey greeted, to know ones surprise.