Fireteam Mystic
Chapter 1 - Future Sight
Reach - Earth Year 2516 - Approximately 1 Year Before the Start of the Spartan II Project
In a lab hidden in the mountains of Reach, a young woman in a scientist's white coat was asleep at her desk. For the last several months her workload had picked up as the Office of Naval Intelligence approved her Spartan II project. She had spent time detailing and designing every phase of what would be the next step in human evolution, and in her eyes, the perfect soldier. This is Dr. Catherine Halsey, one of the youngest civilians to ever be named Chief Scientists for ONI. She had recently worked the last 48 hours without a wink of sleep and had finally decided to rest her eyes for just a moment, not knowing the horrors she was about to see.
In her dream, she stands alone atop a pile of bodies of men, women and children. She recognizes the faces of some of the children. These children were the ones they had selected to be a part of the project. Dr. Halsey vomits in terror as she slowly recognizes more and more. She looks up in the night sky and she sees ships that she doesn't recognize. They certainly were not UNSC ships, they were too large and bulbous, and too numerous to even begin counting. She watched as the scene shifted before her eyes. This time she is standing outside her lab on Reach and she watched those same ships arrive in the atmosphere. She watched as they began bombarding the planet's surface. The planetary defenders stood no chance as she watched the mountains of Reach turn to glass and the planet she called home burn before her eyes. At this point, the scene shifts again, this time she stands in front of just one body as it slowly crawls to her. Catherine backs up in fear but finds that no matter how far she backs up the body is still able to crawl to her. As it becomes closer, the previously unidentified corpse gains more and more features. She lets out a was her, but not her at the same time. This version of her was older, her eyes announced to those who looked at them, the pain, trauma and stress it had endured. "This is just a bad dream! Get away from me!" she yelled.
She tried to back up again, but she fell down face first towards her mangled future self. When she was on the ground she heard it speak. "It's not enough….we were not enough….I was not enough."
Her mind was racing at this point and she felt her heart beat out of her chest. She hears a voice in the distance "Dr. Halsey, wake up! Are you okay Dr. Halsey?"
She jolts out of her sleep at the sounds of the new voice. A thin coat of cold sweat covered her face. "Dr. Halsey! Your vitals skyrocketed while you were asleep! Are you okay?" asked a now familiar voice.
It was her Smart-AI, Diana, she had woken her up in response to Dr. Halsey's increasingly dangerous vitals. " I am fine Diana, just a bad dream…that's all." replied Dr. Halsey.
"Bad dreams don't cause your adrenaline to spike Dr. Halsey." said a concerned Diana.
"I will be fine, just the stress of everything catching up to me that's all." dismissed Dr. Halsey.
"I would recommend you go see a physician but I know you will just ignore it anyways. " snarked Diana.
"And you would be right," replied Halsey. "Please continue running the simulations of augmentations for the Spartan II project. We need to lower the margin of failure as best as we possibly can."
"Right away Dr. Halsey," said Diana.
Halsey made her way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face and stared at the mirror. "Normally bad dreams go away within moments of waking up, however why did this dream in particular stick with me? Every single detail, even the smells,I recall with perfect clarity" she thought to herself.
"But a dream is just a dream. It was her mind simply organizing the thoughts of the day and nothing more" she said to reassure herself.
But it was not just any kind of dream. For the next 2 weeks, she had the dream over and over again, each night worse than the last. Each night ending with her older self telling her that it was never enough. One night she had enough, her fury and anger directed to her older dream self. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME! I AM DOING EVERYTHING TO ENSURE THE RIGHTFUL EVOLUTION OF MANKIND! MY SPARTANS WILL BE THE GUIDING LIGHT FOR HUMANITY AND ALL HER COLONIES!" she yelled one night.
Her older self, never broke eye contact nor had flinched at her outburst. "The rightful evolution of mankind was lost hundreds of years ago and they are coming. A storm more terrifying than whatever pitiful sand the insurrectionists could ever kick up. Millions if not billions will die."
"What do you mean? Does this have to do with those ships earlier?" asked Dr. Halsey.
"Find the sealed archives in the UEG database, Year 2140, search for Homo Merlinus. They are your only hope."
With that she snaps out of her dream again, mind racing at the thought of her dream changing. It felt like a warning now, a dark premonition for the wars to come. With that in her mind, she races over to her computer. "Diana, I need you to break into the UEG database quickly and silently, find me anything related to the Year 2140 and Homo Merlinus." asked Dr. Halsey.
"Are you sure about this Doc? You would be committing a serious federal offense if you get caught." replied Diana.
"Just do what I asked, you are the most advanced AI currently, I doubt the dumb AI's guarding the database will even know you are there anyways." Dr. Halsey replied with a sense of no more questions surrounding her request.
"On it, I'll have all the information re-encrypted to your personal data pad momentarily." nodded Diana.
It took Diana no more than a few minutes to copy and transfer the information collected before Dr. Halsey's personal datapad pinged after the data dump was completed. She took the datapad with her to her office and proceeded to try to connect the dots between her dreams and the information that was provided.
As she read through documents what she had found was disheartening and disturbing. In the century prior to 2140, back in 2035, Homo Sapiens discovered Homo Merlinus. A secret society of humans that had the ability to wield what was referred to at the time as "Magic". Though in later studies it was believed that Homo Merlinus was able to control energy at every level and spectrum, providing the illusion of magic. Magical abilities that she had read about in books as a child were all very real at one point. She had recalled her great grandma telling her stories as a young child about wizards and witches, heroes that had stopped the most vile of men at the time. Her rational mind had taken this as a story for children but as she delved deeper into the information Diana found, it seemed what her great grandma had been telling was a sort of oral history lesson. How her great grandma knew about this world was beyond her though.
Back out of her thoughts about that strange correlation, she was soon horrified to know that the Homo Merlinus was erased from existence in the year 2140. A century of distrust and fear from non magical folk spurred the predecessor of the UEG, the United Nations, to forcibly remove and kill those with magic. This had also coincidentally matched the time frames of multiple "terrorist purges" operated by the UN. The population of wizards and witches had been decimated to the point of no return with only their non-magical offspring surviving. This mass genocide was then covered up by the UN with dissentors imprisoned or outright killed. In time everyone slowly forgot about the genocide and by the time the UEG formed, completely forgotten until now.
Atrocities had been committed and it did not sit well with her. She could do next to nothing to help these people. In later archives she stumbled upon the research done by the UN. Whilst this was a gross misuse of power and was akin to the experiments done by the fascist regime of Nazi Germany it was wealth of knowledge that was provided. Home Merlinus was by intent and purposes immune to non-magical diseases. They recovered from the most serious of non-lethal injuries in hours or days instead of weeks or months. They had medicine or "potions" that could regrow bones in hours, restore blood instead through digestion of these potions instead of using non-magical means of blood transfusions. They had sites secured with the most potent of "wards" that had protected this magical society for millennia before the onset of advanced satellite imaging that had given them away. This was a treasure trove of untapped potential that could improve the quality of her Spartan II's, potentially ensuring a 100% success rate of her program!
Over the course of the next few months, in between her projects she would travel to earth to uncover the secrets of the former society. She started off the former seat of power for the American Wizards. There she found the secrets of ancient rune that the American wizards had used to enchant their muskets with magical abilities. In Japan and in most of Asia she found out how they warded their homes from "evil spirits" but most importantly how they had warded against intruders. But it wasn't until she arrived in Britain that she stumbled upon her largest wealth of information. In the ruins of a once proud manor held by wizarding aristocracy she found a tapestry and on it, a family tree. It was a tapestry for the Most Ancient House of Malfoy. She traced the family tree and marveled at how expansive the house was. It was then near the end she caught her breath. Her name was weaved onto this with her birthdate and her parents on here. Apparently she was descended from the line of Scorpius and Rose Weasley-Malfoy. The information left her in was perhaps this distant blood relation that explains her increasingly growing desire to discover more of the former magical world. What she wasn't expecting was tears forming. She was suddenly mourning at what could have been if wizards and witches had not been exterminated. As she turned to leave she felt a sudden cold air arise behind her and a male voice reached out to her. "Hello Granddaughter..."
She whipped around as fast as she could, drawing her M6A Magnum. "Who's there!" she shouted.
A breathy chuckle responded "I'm afraid that wouldn't work against me, but I mean you no harm little Kat."
"Who are you! Show yourself!"
She watched as a transparent old man began to form where the tapestry layed. "My name is Draco Lucius Malfoy. I am apparently your 8 times great grandfather." he responded.
The form of Draco slowly began to become clearer to her and she recognized the features of the man resemble the portrait on the tapestry.
"What! How is that possible? Wait, you are a ghost aren't you? I read about that in the database but I never thought I'd see one!"
"Very astute young one, I can see that the Granger blood in you is still strong. I am glad to see my son and daughter in law's progeny still going strong after all these years. Astoria would have been very proud."
"What do you want from me? Do you need help to cross over?"
"I am afraid any hope of crossing over died many centuries ago. But no, I am here to help you."
"Help me? How are you going to help me?"
"Magic as it is right now, is no more. I am one of the few echoes remaining in my beloved magical world. But we as a society have been doomed since what you non-magical folk call World War 2."
"How so?"
"Grindelwald and his crimes were noticed by the UN then. At the time magical society had it handled with their own laws and court system and so they had left us be. Only select members of muggle leadership were privy to our little hidden society. But it did not mean that they didn't keep tabs on us. As time rolled on, we had more and more incursions of Dark Lords and Ladies that incurred the wrath of those various leaders. A close friend of mine actually defeated the biggest dark lord since Grindelwald in the late 20th century. However these occurrences of terrorists only proved to the United Nations that we were not to be trusted to govern ourselves. In the last half of my life, we were ousted by our governments. At first the peace was tenuous at best, stories of evil wizards and witches plagued the minds of the non-magical folk and that fear eventually drove them to create the New Salem Act of 2061. They rounded up wizards and witches alike to designated safe areas, monitored us 24/7, with strict provisions to ensure our "good behavior". We had tried to fight it, but our magic could only keep up safe for so long. They had soon began to develop countermeasures by the year 2100, mainly electromagnetic shielding that disrupted our spells and our ability to apparate, or teleport as you say, our best fighters and duelists were rendered useless. In the year of my death, I was the last of my generation and I watched as my son died to give his family an opportunity to disappear. I shortly passed after that, my heart not being able to withstand the death of my son. I was ready for my next great adventure, however I lingered on, confined to this very room to see the world I love crumple into the annals of history. To be forgotten about and relegated to stories and fairytales."
"I am sorry to hear that Grandfather Draco."
"Nothing to be sorry about little Kat. I loved my world, but we as society refused to progress, to innovate and to move forward. We held onto our traditions without accepting progress and we were left behind. If history tells us one thing is that only the strongest will truly survive."
"Grandfather, is this why I've been seeing these nightmares in my dreams? Is it a warning that we humans are not strong enough to survive whatever storm comes for us?"
"It could very well be, I for one do not take much consideration into visions or prophecy but as my close friend once said 'Prophecy is a bitch". With that last sentence he let out a deep resounding laugh.
"You're laughing about this but I don't see the humor in it."
"Ahh, well then. As you can see my friend who said that, his name was Harry Potter. He was the one who defeated Voldemort at the young age of 17. At the time of his birth a prophecy was made that he would be the one who would defeat the worst dark lord of that time. He hated being called "The Chosen One". It was in his belief that anyone and everyone should be fighting for what is good and for what is right. He never cared for the prophecy but every day during those darkest of times he had fought and eventually had won."
"He seemed like a great man to rally behind."
"He was, but at the time I didn't see that. You see my parents and I were on the other side though the circumstances of it are rather muddy at best. You see, my parents had been coerced and tortured into supporting Voldemort, having taken his Dark Mark to preserve their own life and mine. To protect me as a child, my parents raised me with Voldemort's Pure Blood Dogma that those with magical lineages were better than those who had recently been given the gift. In their eyes it would have sold their allegiances perfectly with a child who was the ideal Pure Blooded Heir of one of the most prestigious families who spouted such propaganda. And it did protect me for a while I suppose, though a decade of therapy was needed after."
Draco looks blankly at the window before continuing. "Secretly deep down I wish they had told me sooner. I regret not having the courage to stand up to Voldemort and not having the courage to stand by what would be my greatest friends in the later years."
"Grandfather, as much as this is enlightening, I do not see how this helps me? From my best guesses, I am a squib and I have no ability to perform magic. From runes and potions to wards, I cannot power them to the results I require."
"I believe my 'curse' is the reason why I am here before you today my dear Kat." he said as he waved his hands and a brick over the burnt fireplace mantle fell out. Dr. Halsey walked over the area where the brick had been removed and in it was golden hourglass filled with what looked like silvery sand.
"That my dear, is called a Time Turner. Powered by the sands of time. Specifically the last time turner ever in this world."
"Wait a minute…are you telling me that in a society where everyone was stuck in the 19th century, you discovered TIME TRAVEL!" she yelled!
"Not so loud! I may be a ghost but I do still have eardrums!" Draco huffed.
"Sorry."
"That is precisely what I am giving you. The Malfoy Family Heirloom, your answer to the coming storm. I have watched over you for some time dear little Katherine and I believe you can change the outcome of what is to come for all of us. Go back to Oct 31st, 1981. There is enough power in that Time Turner for 1 trip there and 1 trip back. I believe you can use that sand with your technology to create a temporary time ship that can collect individuals who will make a difference in your time."
"Forgive me Grandfather but if Time Travel could possibly work, wouldn't it have been already done?" pondered Dr. Halsey.
"Ahh yes, one of the greatest questions of Time Travel. What most fail to realize though is that there are multiple variations of time travel. This specific version will help you cross over into an alternate timeline, a timeline I had set before I passed that was doomed. In this timeline, Voldemort will not be defeated by Harry. In fact in this timeline Voldemort's quest for power and world dominance leads to the genocide of our people in the year 2001, 139 years before genocide of this timelines magical folk. This time turner will allow you to peer into other timelines to witness its events. I was almost tempted to use it to stop the death of my world but in everytime timeline I have seen, the magical world will cease to exist at the latest in the year 2140. Because of the death of ambient magic in that year, I cannot see further into the future so I do not know what is coming from you. But something tells me this is what I was left here to do."
Dr. Halsey thinks about everything she had just learned. It was too convenient, too far fetched but somehow everything aligned perfectly. Her visions, her journeys…all led to this point in time to the ruins of Malfoy Manor.
Draco proceeds to outline his plan on who to save. All of the magical world couldn't be saved but they could save his family and friends. October 30th in the year 1981 was the date, one day before Harry and Neville lost their parents. One day before Draco's father, Lucius is branded with the Dark Mark. Of course those weren't the only families that Draco had wished to save. He pointed out that Weasley's were also a priority, to honor his late son's wife. He also pointed out the most brilliant mind of their world was a dear friend of his, a one Hermione Granger and her parents. And last but not least, their oddball friend who said the darndest things at the weirdest times, Luna Lovegood and her parents Xenophilius and Pandora. Whilst Katherine was against bringing the parents as she wanted the children to be left without attachments to civilian life as they were perfect candidates for the Spartan II project, Draco argued and drummed into her that their attachments and love for one another drove them to heights that the world had never seen before. With Harry as their leader they had accomplished so much in their society to reform it. Dr. Halsey could tell that even in death, Draco's loyalty to his friend was unquestionable, so she subsided. He also reasoned that with adults around they could properly teach them to use their abilities to their full potential. Based on that reasoning Draco also added onto the list of people who Katherine would need in her time. He had recommended the 3 of Hogwarts Professors to go with her, Professors Dumbledore, a magical powerhouse and quintessential leader of his era, Professor McGonagall, the strict but fair teacher who students feared and respected. And the last was Professor Snape, a man whose courage in the end helped defeat Voldemort. He warned her about the potential rivalry between Snape and James Potter but reasoned that circumstances might change them for the better. The last two tagalongs were Remus Lupin, a man inflicted with the werewolf virus. Draco had hoped that the future tech could cure the man or at least alleviate most of his suffering. Sirius Black, the last to be collected, Draco had reasoned that if both James and Remus disappeared Sirius would have torn the world asunder to find his friends and family, a man with unquestionably and unwavering loyalty. He would bring a levity to the group that would be needed in times of turmoil and stress.
Dr. Halsey also reasoned that this would be a good study in those who are raised without attachments like her group of 75 kids and those who were raised with attachments. All of them would be taught the same methods and subjects as Spartan II's would have been however. This new team that she has in her back pocket will be magical powerhouses as well. This was the edge that the UNSC needed in the coming wars. While Draco was still against her kidnapping of those poor 75 kids, there was little he could do to stop her or change her mind. The wars to come weighed heavily on Katherine's mind and it would not dissuade her. Her Spartans will be the tip of the spear that would be the might of the UNSC and she would be sure of it.
"My dear, I do believe my time has come." Draco said hoarsely as they had wrapped up their discussion on the best possible route to take.
Dr. Halsey could only nod as she watched as Draco disappeared into the aether. "Thank you for being here tonight," he whispered into the air.
She stared at the spot where the Malfoy Family tapestry was and was shocked to see it gone as well. In fact the ruins of Malfoy manor had seemed to disappear as she was now standing in a lush green field. She would mourne later but she had to get back to Reach. She knew what she had to do, but she had to bring this to ONI and UNSC. It was too much to do by herself and while it was a shot in the dark, the time turner now around her neck would help hopefully explain everything that had she climbed into the Pelican Gunship she whispered into the air "Thank you Grandfather." as she made way to her ship. She now made plans to travel to Oct 30th, 1981 to change the fate of humanity once and for all.
A/N - Ginny and Luna are going to be in the same age group as Harry. Ginny and Ron are Twins if that helps. The only plans to make Harry, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Draco and Neville as Fire Team Mystic with Hermione as a Spartan as well but more so as Dr. Halsey's protege and successor so she doesn't see much field work. But it doesn't mean it's just as lethal. Fire Team Mystic will fall under UNSC jurisdiction as I refuse to have ONI make them their black ops spartan team. They can do so much good if they were in the frontlines like Blue Team and Master Chief. If people are wondering about how Voldemort is going to be handled just not anytime soon. Time Travel is a finicky thing after all. I don't plan on having pairings besides pre-established ones prior to Oct 30th, 1981.