He had never doubted Master Chief's abilities in mission, much less thinking about him not succeeding at his aims. There was something about the Spartan that screamed Paracausality. It wasn't special feats powered by an unknown entity as old as the universe itself. It was something more... passive. Unnoticeable. Something Cortana had spoke about during their busy day back on this universe's Earth. Something concealed, yet spottable by anyone bothering to properly dedicate their time in analyzing John.
Luck. Cortana called it Luck.
She told Jake and Ghost about an encounter Chief had with a man during his childhood, a little bit before he was kidnapped along with the rest of the Spartan II candidates. The man spoke with Young John on a bench, vaguely describing his occupation. He was in the army, that much was clear. Young John was impressed by the individual's words and he basically hopped to his feet, proclaiming his intention of joining the active forces in battle. The kid would do better than the man, being a leader and not letting anyone dying.
That man shook his head and gently posed a hand on Young John's shoulder. Cortana didn't know what happened after that, Chief never finished the story.
A rather fascinating tale. He respected whoever that person was, despite being probably dead by now.
Currently, he was discussing the general preparation for the Ring's activation with Mithrax. How they'd deal with the Ketch's passengers, as well as keeping the ship at an appropriate safe distance to avoid Halo's blast from engulfing it. The Kell volunteered as the fourth member of their expedition. "The more we are, the more probabilities are in our favour. I'll appoint Vraskor as our gateway to escape the Ring as soon as we initiate the firing sequence." He wanted to point out how important Mithrax was, but did not speak.
Who was he to stop the Kell from coming along?
"You've been busy, Guardian."
Everyone in the deck turned to look at both Xur and the Starhose with gasps or widened eyes. Jake merely sighed in annoyance and crossed his arms, decreasing the distance between them in mere seconds. "What do you want, Xur? We're kind of in the middle of plotting the salvation of multiple species. I don't have time for that Nine stuff you always hint. Or the Starhorse." The Guardian shrugged at the paracausal animal. "Uh, no offense."
Starhorse snorted.
"The Starhorse has taken no one. As for our presence in this vessel... well, we have one last gift for you."
A kicking of the Horse's legs and an accumulation of energy later, and a familiar weapon floated from the ceiling to the Titan. Jake's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets and the helmet. He ran his fingers on the material, tracing lines on the insignia. Jake grabbed the weapon and placed it on his shoulder, looking through the scope and ordering Ghost to run a scan on its status.
Gjallarhorn.
"I-I thought I lost this beast during Ghaul's raid." Oh, how many enemies he had slain with Gjally! Skolas and Crota were the perfect representation of what occurred should anyone challenge this fantastic tool of destruction. Crota's shield had lowered with two rockets and some backup fire from his fireteam members; Skolas had met Gjallarhorn when Variks turned on a special modifier in the arena to increase Solar weapons' damage. An unfortunate demise, the Guardian had felt a bit of compassion for the false Kell of Kells.
"For this grand finale, Starhorse has decided to let you collect this old friend and add it to your treasures! Use it well against the Flood and offer It a magnificient display of fireworks. You will be transported back into our universe once the deed is done." Xur nodded his hood at Jake's perplexed stare. "The Starhorse has been greatly satisfied by your unexpected adventure. When the Ring is prepared to fire and you shall be on board, Starhorse will open a portal and we can return to our dangerous conflicts. The combatants of this universe have proven to be rather weak."
Xur whirled around and joined Starhorse's side. "Entertain the Entity and your journey shall be complete, Guardian! See you in Dares of Eternity."
They vanished through blue energy.
"That Starhorse has quite the sense of humour if It considers this entertainment." A small pause. "Hey, at least we've got Gjally back! You can return that UNSC equipment when we're done."
"Shut up." Never separate a Guardian from his newly acquired loot. Never.
And what the Hell were the Dares of Eternity anyway?
They were given a simple Pelican, ready to land on the Ring and finish this fight.
Cortana had greeted him with a hand on one of her hips and a smirk, even if she lacked the usual fire in her cockiness. The Gravemind must have hurt her a lot, both 'physically' and mentally. For how much you could mentally hurt an AI like her. Jake did not know if the emotions were simulated or genuine because of the mix of words she used. Sometimes she resembled a normal woman with a sense of humor; in other instances she went full machine with 'Analyzing' and stuff.
Still, Cortana and Ghost had little time to chat. They merely gave each other a wave and began trading tactical data through their private network they established.
Jake and Chief were piloting the Pelican and did not chat, just their mutual presence was enough of a conversation. Mithrax and the Arbiter were the ones, almost, idly talking with one another. This atmosphere was soon broken by a transmission coming from the Shadow of Intent.
"We are aboard... Humans and Elites. Will you not come with us brother?"
Jake quietly slipped into the back of the Pelican and left the space for the Arbiter to communicate with Rtas 'Vadum. "No. This is our final fight. And I will see it finished."
They flew towards the Ring.
"Johnson? Do you have the Frigate?"
Sergeant Johnson's feed was clear on the monitor of the vehicle. The man tipped his hat in greeting with a smirk. "Yes, ma'am. I'll land her as close to the control room as I can."
"Safe is better than close, Sergeant Major."
That made Johnson chuckle. "Roger that. And ma'am, it's good to have you back."
Jake crossed his arms as they entered Halo's atmosphere. "You're ready for this, Mithax?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. Whether we escape this place or perish here, we shall be free."
Death as a mean to escape? Not for Guardians. Death was not an escape, merely a temporarily safehouse before rejoining the fight they lost. Heh, he still remembered all those dregs back in EDZ that he frightened after a resurrection. Clearly they hadn't much experience with Guardians and thought that they were easy prey.
They proved them wrong.
The rear port engine was too damaged for a normal landing. John made a crash landing in a snowy canyon near the Control Room. None was injured by the impact. The four clambered out of the wreckage, with Thel 'Vadam tossing a MAC5C Assault Rifle at Chief. From behind the cliffs, the Forward Unto Dawn approached. Jake prepared his modified Battle Rifle and checked Gjallarhorn on his back. Mithrax ran a general scan of the area and reloaded his arc sniper.
"Halo. It's so new... unfinished. I'm not exactly sure what will happen when we fire it."
"If we are far enough from the detonation, we might have a chance to flee."
"We'll head for the Portal. And we'll go home." Chief glanced at the portal jumpers. "All of us."
"Starhorse said that our gateway should open once the Ring is ready to fire. Let's make sure the Flood have a taste of Forerunner's technology." He and Mithrax covered the Sangheili and Spartan as they searched beneath the rubble, stocking up as much resources as they could. Traveler knew they needed almost infinite bullets to fend off the combat forms alone. Not to mention the Carriers and their explosive nature: they carried so many infectors within them.
"Did you really meet a magical horse that can open portals by kicking its legs? I find it hard to believe even after witnessing the Light and Darkness."
"Heh, if you knew what kind of stuff we had home. We once met a wish dragon and killed her. Her kind digs in our subconscious and explores it to find anything we desire. They trade said wishes with power. The more wishes they grant, they more powerful they become."
He imagined Cortana blinking in disbelief at the revelation. She stayed silent.
"Ready?" The Guardian asked one last time.
He received three nods of confirmation.
"Head through the cliffs."
The pyramid-like Control Room structure was in sight, all they had to do was climb the various levels and enter the main room. Suddenly, something cut through the air like a bullet, too fast to understand what it was 'till it abruptly landed on the snowy ground. Out of the strange organic cocoons, many Flood combat forms freed themselves and roared. One even held a Gravity Hammer in its disgusting claws. Other pods arrived in the distance, and soon the entire area was filled with the howls of these beasts.
"DID YOU THINK ME... DEFEATED?" That gurgling voice bellowed with all its might.
"Flood dispersal pods! Control Room's at the top of that tower. Guys, we have to move! "
They divided into two groups: Chief and the Arbiter advanced from the left, Mithrax and Jake from the right. Aiming down sights with the modified Battle Rifle, he targetted the combat form holding the Gravity Hammer. It shrieked in apparent pain as the bullets tore through its guts, and soon the force tore one of its arms apart. Too bad it wasn't the one with the giant weapon. An entire magazine later and the monstrosity collapsed with a loud THUD!
"Deathbringer!" The calling was enough to induce Jake to stop firing for a moment. "And so you too participate in this meaningless crusade? My cause is right! All of us, waiting for more bodies and minds to join us. No conflicts, no pain, no death. Do you really think you are a Savior?" Its voice greatly reminded the Titan of those old Christian stories. How the Archangel Lucifer was corrupted by his pride and attempted to overthrow his Father, only to fail miserably.
Was the Gravemind trying to woo the Guardian and swivel him to its side? All he heard was some fucked up justification on how its actions were right.
"Do not listen to this Parasite, Guardian! Its mouth only spits lie after lie."
Mithrax used his arc rifle to eradicate two combat forms wielding rocket launchers on the first level of the Tower. This level of the Flood was smart, they knew how to use artificial weapons created by another civilization.
"Is that true? Just as you have blindly followed three false Prophets and every kind of luxury they promised over this Great Journey? Your race is a pack of self-righteous animals, willing to engage in petty conflicts with other species over some trivial matter such as religion. You will be food." The Gravemind hummed. "Do you see what kind of individual you are trying to aid, Deathbringer?"
Thel 'Vadam loudly roared in sheer anger, cutting through any combat forms he found with his energy sword in a sort of frenzy state.
"You will not have the ability to speak such poison once we are done with you!"
Infection forms filled the arena, blocking their path to the Tower. Jake summoned a Solar grenade and threw it in the mist of Flood forms. He heard their agonizing screams and shrieks as the flames consumed them whole. Switching to the magnum, he knocked down with Mithrax more combat forms arriving from afar, leaving the close ones for Chief's shotgun and the Arbiter's energy sword to take down.
He decided to humor the Gravemind. "Back in our universe, we have a race of infecting machines that desires to turn entire planets in server-like structures. They nest in the core and begin the change from there through their devices. They wish to turn reality itself in one giant computer, their cold calculating gazes see everything as nothing more than algorithms. They are closer to you than anyone can imagine. Do you both give other species a say in this? Do you respect their free will? Their ability to choose?"
He stomped on an infection form below him, groaning a bit at the slimy substance now stuck under his right foot.
"There won't be anything left of you but ashes. Believe me."
The ground seemed to be shaking, more Flood pods crashed into the Ring and Gravemind roared. Combat forms appeared to be faster and deadlier now, unrelentingly pushing towards the four.
"Great! You just had to piss it off, huh? I liked you better when you didn't speak much." His companion sighed.
A laser shot made multiple Flood explode, it helped them clearing the area. They looked up and saw Johnson with a laser cannon and his usual smoking cigar stuffed into his mouth. He waved at them from a cliff. "Well, I got you covered from that salty bastard. Meet ya all at the top of the Tower. Watch out though, Flood are crawling all over there."
Indeed, multiple Flood forms were attempting to ram inside the Control Room before they could. Clearly the Gravemind ordered a part of its army to stall them while the other infiltrated and disabled the circuitry, effectively rendering this new Halo Ring useless.
The four reunited and proceed up the various levels of the pyramid, continuing to fend off the parasite. Finally they reached the top, where combat forms, the new tanky units and even infectors were bashing the door with either their claws or entire bodies. Chief and the Arbiter threw two grenades, a frag one and a plasma one. They landed in the middle of each group spread across the entrance. They were sent flying various meters into the air.
Sergeant Johnson joined them at the same time, whistling. "Nice fireworks!" He then narrowed his eyes at the door. "Spark? You in there? Open the damn door!"
"Of course, Reclaimer. Just as soon as you dispose of all proximate Flood threats. I'm afraid containment protocols do not allow me to-"
Johnson waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you!"
"Was that the Monitor?" Cortana wondered. "You didn't tell me he was here. Well, we are finally doing what he wanted."
"Ehh, sorry about that, Cortana. It was best to reveal this at the last second."
Multiple Tank Forms crawled from the ceiling and touched down.
"I've got this."
Jake reached for Gjallarhorn and loaded two rockets inside. He aimed.
KIUM! KIUM!
The rockets themselves dealt with many hostiles, but it was the Wolf Pack Rounds perk that truly stood out. These tracking missiles sought any nearby targets and made them explode. Master Chief and the Arbiter were astounded by Gjallarhorn's firepower, though they quickly shook out of their stupor and refocused on the objective.
"I missed this thing."
Mithrax gave a nod of approval. "There can be beauty in destruction."
"I have beaten fleets of thousands! Consumed a galaxy of flesh and mind and bone!"
"And it still won't be enough to stop us."
It growled.
"Open up, you sack of useless cables! Coast is clear."
"Not for long. I'm tracking additional Dispersal Pods. They'll be hitting any minute!"
"Alright, you four. Let's move." The Sergeant nudged his head to the inside of the structure. Their footsteps rumbled around the silent space, an almost macabre atmosphere greeted them all.
"Do I take life or give it? Who is victim, and who is foe?"
"It's trying to rebuild itself on this ring!"
"Hurry! Control Room's close!"
Let's finish this once and for all.
The Control Room was... less vibrant than he and Chief remembered. Gone was the light blue shining all throughout it, instead a grey dull colour was all that greeted them.
Howls of the Flood alerted them... until a double door entrance sealed the parasite from accessing the area. Mithrax and the Arbiter chose to remain behind, patrolling the small space in case those sickening monsters breached in.
"Yank me, Chief."
Right, Cortana has the Index.
John removed Cortana's data chip from his helmet as Ghost popped into existence with a flash of light. The Spartan intensively stared at the device he had previously filled with his companion just a few hours prior to then.
"I'm not gonna lose her too." Johnson claimed with conviction.
John tossed the data chip to Johnson, who caught it with a swift motion. Accompagnied by Ghost, Johnson headed for the control panel. 343 Guilty Spark appeared from above and joined their side, humming to himself. "Oh, hello! Wonderful news: the Installation is almost complete!"
Jake and John remained in the back to cover them. That didn't stop the Guardian from glancing to the exchange time to time. Especially if his metaphorical 'other half' was with them. He caught a small nod coming from Ghost's shell that was sent his way.
"Terrific." The Sergeant was so disinterested.
"Yes... isn't it?" There was a short, almost unease silence following the awkward response. "I have begun my simulations. No promises, but initial results indicate that this facility should be ready to fire...in just a few more days!"
Johnson turned to look at Ghost. "That true?"
"My analysis suggest that the Ring should be fully operational in four days."
The Sergeant groaned. "We don't have a 'few more days'!" He quoted with his free fingers not holding Cortana's chip.
The Monitor's voice quivered, he was shocked, alarmed. Afraid. "Bu-bu-but a premature firing will destroy the Ark!"
"Deal with it."
While Johnson searched for the socket where Cortana needed to be inserted, Ghost ran a general scanning and began his own interface with Halo's system. The little light and the human AI working together meant that the activation could happen in mere milliseconds, instead of a single mind operating alone.
The Monitor's eye flashed red, he literally blasted the Sergeant with his energy beam. The Spartan I howled in pain, letting the chip fall on the dark floor. Ghost disappeared just in time to avoid the next blast. The two warriors whirled around and sprinted to help the human... but were both hit by 343 Guilty Spark. They fell on their asses with louds groans of pain.
Looked like the Monitor's tools were able to pierce even through the Guardian's shields.
His eye continued to remain red as he menacingly floated towards the duo. "Unacceptable! Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable! Protocol dictates action! I see now that helping you was wrong!" The machine had gone hysterical, or rather he went full Skynet mode in the Titan's eyes.
The Arbiter and Mithrax, hearing the commotion, moved forward, and 343 Guilty Spark turned on them as well, unleashing his beam on them and knocking them out of the Control Room. Spark blasted Chief and the Guardian one last time as they attempted to get back up. His single eye returned to blue. "You are the children of my makers. Inheritor of all they left behind. You are Forerunner! But this ring..." It shifted back to red. "... is mine."
"Y-You should have let me punch his blasted chassis back on the first Halo." Shifting his weight, the Guardian defiantly rose to his full height and helped Master Chief.
The Spartan grabbed his Assault Rifle. "This is our chance."
Their hopes were shattered the moment they realized their equipment was not a good choice to harm the Monitor's chassis, for the bullets bounced off aimlessly. Jake could attempt and use a super, but after that surprise knock-down action against them he was still recharging. It surprised him how exhausted he felt after being hit two times.
"I have kept it safe. It belongs to me!"
Unnoticed by 343 Guilty Spark, Johnson managed to sit halfway up and shoulder the Spartan Laser. "Not for long!"
The two internally cheered at the display of 343 being blasted by a similar laser he was using. And he had been harmed too!
"K-Kick ass." The Sergeant passed out, but not before letting Chief grab his laser.
They had a mean to assault the monitor... and no space to take cover as the beam recharged.
I can fix that.
ZIUM!
The Sentinel Shield materialized in his left hand, nodding to Chief he concentrated Void energy in front of them; creating a giant towering barrier behind which they could safely shoot. What Jake liked about this additional ability was the fact that any ally shooting through it had their weapons' damage increased. A passive beneficial status given to them.
BOOM!
In fact, his metal body was visibly damaged even further than they all expected, leaking a strange substance, likely something akin to oil.
The Monitor started pleading for them to stop, yet there was no mercy behind their two visors.
The chassis exploded in a million pieces, falling off the walkway leading to the main console. Exhausted by the amount of energy used, Jake collapsed on his knees and waved a glove to John. "Go. Do your thing. I-I have to rest."
He watched the Sergeant die, pleading Chief not to let Cortana ever go. His shoulders shook up and down as he regained stamina, Ghost detected no injures but tried his best to alleviate the state the Guardian's body currently resided in. John took Cortana from the marine and let go of his hand. He stood up, and wordlessly released Cortana into Halo's core, gripping the data chip tightly.
Brilliant beams of light erupted from the Core, and the whole Control Room started to shake and fall apart.
Chief offered a hand to Jake, who gripped it and allowed to be pushed on his feet.
They turned around and saw Mithrax and Thel 'Vadam watching them. They did not say anything, rather they followed the two out of the structure. They made it outside, revealing a piece of collapsed ice forming a slope upwards. "Even in death, your Sergeant guides us home." The Arbiter quietly commented.
"The Dawn... of course, the Frigate! We still have a chance! Find the doorway in the cliffs. The Dawn is on the other side."
"Resignation is my virtue. Like water I ebb and flow. Defeat is simply the addition of time to a sentence I never deserved... but you imposed."
"You cannot understand the danger you are to our kind, or how your actions were so cruel." The Guardian sighed. "Do us a favour and wait to rot in Hell without speaking to us."
The Gravemind did not answer back.
Traversing through this other Forerunner structure, they let some rogue Sentinels fighting off groups of Flood so they didn't have to themselves. They found a Warthog and a Fallen pike waiting for them. "There! Johnson's Warthog." Cortana cried.
Mithrax opened a private channel. "Vraskor, this is Mithrax. We succeeded in activating Halo. Prepare the Ketch and lead it as close to us as possible for our imminent arrival. Place it near the human vessel 'Forward Unto Dawn'." He spoke in Eliksni.
"As you wish, my Kell."
The Guardian spoke to Ghost as Chief and the Arbiter mounted on the Warthog. "Our sparrow still works, right?"
"Yes. But remember we do not have a replacement. So be aware of anything shooting you on our way to Mithrax's ship."
Good enough.
He summoned his vehicle and parked near Mithrax's own one, waiting for him to properly mount it. Once the Kell gave a nod of confirmation, Jake waved ahead with his whole arm at Master Chief. "We're ready! GO! GO! GO!".
They all hit their respective accelerators.
Halo 3 Soundtrack: Warthog Run (end part).
The vehicles all shot forward with a jolt. They didn't have a timer to measure how much minutes or seconds they had 'till the detonation. Yet, they knew the intensity of the explosions all around them would provide a timer of their own. That and Cortana and Ghost's words over how much percentage Halo had left for a full charge. The open area was covered in large square shaped panels emblazoned with an orange plus. Massive explosions erupted alongside them as they drove.
Jake and Mithrax drove side by side, while the Warthog continued its trail a bit more far away.
Oh, shit.
A group of Sentinels drifted towards them, firing their beams. They braced themselves for damage until suddenly the Arbiter discovered how to operate the human turret and unleashed a whole torrent of bullets on the machines. If the Guardian had to be honest, he looked like an alien version of Rambo. The thought would have made him chuckle were they not fleeing for their lives from a time bomb as big as a planet.
Jumping down from a makeshift ramp, they circled around a strange sphered structure. And even there were they not safe from the Flood, who tried to block their way to safety. The Gravemind was defeated but still pissed, maybe it wanted to bring the four down the hole with it? Some sort of revenge before its death?
"At this speed, we should make it. Unless the ground doesn't fall underneath us, that is."
Right at that moment, one of the panels exploded and was launched into the air. The piece was three squares in front of Mithrax, the Kell steered to the right and avoided the fall while growling. Jake took a moment to whack his helmet on the side. Why couldn't Ghost shut up when it was needed?
"Hehehe. Sorry about that."
The vehicles drifted around a corner, entering a strange building full of ramps on either side and a straight smooth road in the center heading for a higher level.
Chief and Arbiter opted for the front, while Jake and the Arbiter used the ramps on the left and right. The former's sparrow jiggled up and down each time he was sent flying.
"The charging sequence... it's too much for the Ring to take. Halo is ripping itself apart!"
"We were warned by 343 Guilty Spark. On that we cannot disagree."
Ghost and Cortana warned them about the percentage as time passed: 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%.
They rounded one last corner and spotted both the Frigate and the Fallen Ketch before them. The floor continued to blow apart, creating different patterns to proceed forward.
The cargo bay of each vessel was open. Jake and Chief shared one last look, the latter firmly nodding in respect. Suddenly, a giant blue portal similar to the one that brought the Eliksni Ketch to this universe manifested itself. It was on the opposite direction of where Chief and the Arbiter's gateway needed to be reached.
The three vehicles jumped on two makeshift ramps.
Jake and Mithrax's transportations tumbled and rolled inside the hangar, almost slamming and crushing Eliksni members in the process. They took a moment to recover, Mithrax wiggled out of two vandals checking their leader's condition. "I am fine! Jake?"
The Guardian nodded.
"Let's get to the bridge, quickly!"
The Ketch rumbled all around them, they passed on a bridge and the Guardian glanced from the corner of his eyes during the sprint at the frightened Eliksni civilians burying themselves into blankets or inside of their tents. He spotted a familiar hatchling resting on a caretaker's chest. Jake waved at Smallen, who perked his tiny head up to croon at the Guardian before he disappeared around the corner.
The bridge was in total chaos, Vraskor was shouting orders in Eliksni.
"Vraskor!" Mithrax yelled. "Turn on the engines and head straight for that anomaly! It'll lead us home."
"We are trying!"
He should have helped in some way. He should have sent Ghost scanning for any anomaly in the engines were they malfunctioning, he should offered his assistance in carrying whatever equipment they needed, he should have done anything. Anything to ensure their return back into their universe.
So, was it wrong that he felt exhausted and crouched into a corner? Jake planted his back on a wall and slowly slid down until he could safely breath in relief.
He tuned out any sound not deriving from him... or from Ghost. The little light popped up in front of his helmet, Ghost stared at him for a few seconds before he flew under the Guardian's chin. Jake brought one of his hands around the shell and rubbed him affectionately. Mithrax had spoken the truth: "Whether we escape this place or perish here, we shall be free."
For a minute, just for a minute, he felt... free.
He didn't even register the raw force of the Ketch sending him back as it propelled itself towards the portal.
"Jake? Jake, do you copy?"
Chief?
He pressed a finger to his helmet.
"Chief?" He echoed his thoughts.
"Whatever happens..." The Spartan stopped. "It's been an honour serving with you, sir."
What?
Everything faded to white.
Author's note:
DAM! DAM! DAM! Again with the 'sir' thing? Mmmh.
Epilogue is near! Last chapter to end this fanfiction.
Before any criticism comes rushing at me, wait for the Epilogue.
Pls.
Until next time!
Gino out!