Author's note. This chapter includes a flashback to how Crimson's AI is created. I decided to do a small chapter to reveal her origin. As always, please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 10: Rebirth

"This is Lt. Colonel Gwen Novak. Operation: Bonfire is a go. Our objective is clear: dismantle the Covenant positions and eliminate leadership of Jiralhanae Chieftain Tidus in this region who plans to glass Forward Operation Base: Riptide. A payload will also be sent to the Covenant super carrier known as the Painful Judgment that is cruising out in the pacific."

It is the year Dec 12, 2552, as 202 strong get ready to link up with the rest of the forces. Composed of the remaining Hoplites and Spartan 1.1s, gathered around a makeshift table with a holographic map displaying the area along with their mission and objective. The Mongolian landscape was a war-torn battlefield, displaying four protected Covenant bases that were dealt with. The Brute chieftains were highlighted in yellow while the Covenant forces were highlighted in red since they were out of less importance, pinpointed in the outskirts of Shanghai. Among them all was Durga, an AI fragment of the ONI AI known as the Operator as she was in the displays of the 202 young soldiers.

Jonas Bryne folded his arms with a stern expression. "We've got a lot riding on this. If we succeed, it could turn the tide." the 1.1 said

Manny Singh nodded in a reply. "Agreed. Remember, we're here to hit hard and fast. Plant the bomb and get the hell out of dodge when that payload goes off. Let's give them hell and end this war before Christmas, eh?"

"Durga, any last-minute intel?" Krista Jensen queried to the AI fragment

"Scans indicate multiple shielded Covenant positions in Sector Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Estimate arrival of the Punishing Judgment is 1700 hours. Keep an eye out for reinforcements." Durga informed

"How long until the bulk of our forces show up before we press the attack?" Nat asked, loading up an MAK5 Carbine

"ETA: twelve minutes." Durga responded

"We can rally with them at the checkpoint." Benji suggested

"Alright, Hoplites and Vanguards! You know the drill." Kevin began briefing. "Objective is to strike the main Jiralhanae leadership Chieftain Tidus and have a nuke payload at the heart of his flagship: the Painful Judgment. This is the final tide we need to end the war, once and for all."

The Hoplites and Spartan 1.1s started gearing up, checking their weapons and equipment before they head out into battle. Arrow squad consisting of Lee, Tia, Becca, and Cooper are the last to be ready, as they ready their weapons and regroup with the rest of the Hops and Bumblebees. They also a small metal box with four orange vials inside as they close the lid of the box, taking a small detail of other drugs in the process.

"Are you sure about this?" Tia asked

"In case of emergency break glass type of deal, and if we have no other choice." Cooper replied

"This is it, folks. Our chance to make a difference." Lee said grimly

"Let's not hold back. For everyone we've lost." Becca added

Warthogs and mongooses cruise with UNSC forces through the Mongolia desert, and into a war-torn landscape Shanghai after passing the Great Wall gate. Surrounded by Covenant and Jiralhanae chieftain leadership in key positions controlled by the Covenant. Heavily shielding meaning the UNSC would need all the assets and forces it could muster for this counterattack. From army troopers, marines, and ODSTs, to any available Spartans left. And in the middle between them, were the Hoplites and 1.1s or what the brass of the UNSC calls them: Bumblebees. Among them were Spartan-III Bravo team, along with Spartan-IIs Maria-062 and Lyra-095. The surviving members of Caesar company consisting of former Spartan-III washouts who earned a second chance to become Spartans, 197 from Alpha and 118 from Beta company. Total of 315 were augmented and put in the field of battle, some wearing prototype Mark IV armor while other wore the traditional SPI armor reminiscent of their Spartan-III brethen. 240 of the Caesar company Spartans died on Reach, with only 75 from the company that survived. While most were currently unavailable at the time defending the rest of Sol or any of the other colony worlds humanity had in general, a few Spartans from Caesar company to turn the tide in the world effort against the Covenant.

Intense firefight with UNSC forces engaging the Covenant forces protecting their key positions in the battle scared landscape. Explosions, plasma fire, and gunfire fill the air. In the skies, Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle drop pods descended upon the city of Shanghai meaning the ODSTs have showed up. The battle intensified at the heart of Shanghai, enough for Operation: Bonfire to be deemed as a desperate and daring mission from destroying Riptide. Chieftain Tidus's flagship, the Punishing Judgment was still in orbit and it was imperative to the mission that the Chieftain's flagship be destroyed before it made its way to Riptide and Shanghai. Durga watched the battle forehand in the cameras of not just the Hoplites and Bumblebees but also the security cameras throughout Shanghai, UNSC drones included that by-the-by above the city itself.

"Keep moving! Watch your flanks!" Tia shouted

"Push forward!" Jonas shouted as he ordered. "We've got this!" he and Mace squad covered Arrow squad made their way inside Forward Operation Base: Riptide

Hatchet and Shield squadron nearing a heavily fortified Covenant position.

"We've got to breach their shields and take them down!"

"Maria and Lyra already heading there now to drop those shields!"

The Hoplites and Spartan 1.1s working together to repel Covenant forces from getting near Riptide base. While the Covenant were focused on Riptide, other UNSC forces stealthily moved through the devastated city. They avoided Covenant forces and nearby patrols, along with skirmishing with enemy forces they came across on their own. The battleground of Shanghai served to provide both cover and challenges, as the Covenant still held their fortified positions. Deactivating those shields was a top priority before getting to Tidus and destroying the Punishing Judgment. Spartan-IIs Maria and Lyra, lead the charge and ODSTs provided support. Both Maria and Lyra served as the distraction outside the shield generator hub while the ODST team went inside to shut down the shields surrounding the key Covenant positions. Once the shields were down, an airstrike was called as broadswords unleashed bombardment onto the key positions the Covenant were strongest in with the Spartan-II duo continuing to their next objective. Intel indicated that Tidus was held up in a partially destroyed but heavily guarded skyscraper, as the intel itself was completely accurate. ODSTs and marines dealt with the forces. Maria and Lyra on the other hand confronted Tidus in a brutal close-quarters battle, with the Chieftain's gravity hammer proving him to be a fierce and formidable foe. Ultimately due to the skill and determination of the Spartan-IIs, the duo prevailed as Lyra was able to stagger and incapacitate Tidus before being staggered back. Maria landed the final blow, impaling him with a broken half of his gravity hammer through his back as he fell in a pool of his own blood. A drone recorded the whole encounter as it flew by the skyscraper before heading elsewhere in Shanghai.

"Command, target is down. I say again: target is down. Brute Chieftain Tidus has been eliminated." Maria said on comms

"Acknowledged, Spartan. Regroup with S3 Headhunters Phantom and Viper." Lt. Col Novak instructed. "Your next objective to safeguard transport for Gen. Hughes at Forward Operation Base Savannah."

Lyra and Maria glanced at each other before nodding in response. "Understood, command. Heading to their location now. Over and out." Lyra replied

With the Brute Chieftain Tidus eliminated, the UNSC forces began to focus on securing the Punishing Judgment coordinates. Arrow squad boarded a pelican as they retrieved the Havoc nuke payload, heading straight for an opening into the Punishing Judgment still in the air to continue the next step to deliver the payload into the Covenant flagship and to ensure its destruction. A couple of Spartan Headhunters Brian-C039 and David-C171, along with ODSTs in another pelican as UNSC attempt to cover them from Covenant ground and aerial forces to land them close enough. Despite the fierce resistance, they were able to land inside the Punishing Judgment as they moved the nuclear payload to the heart of the ship itself in a race against time. Arrow squad an ace in the hole aside from the payload, just in case they were the only ones left. Durga was currently with Arrow squad when they priming the nuke, after ODSTs were quickly picked one-by-one. The Spartan Headhunters covered them while they were setting up the nuke, only for a Brute Chieftain to swat one of them with his gravity hammer as the Spartan-III was crushed by a Hunter until it was blown up by a cooked grenade planted inside it by Cooper. The Chieftain charged toward the two squad mates of Arrow, only to be gunned down by the remaining Spartan headhunter with a plasma cannon.

"You kids get back to the pelican!" Brian-C039 ordered before being shot with needles, that damaged him as he was impaled by the sharp front of a Brute spiker from the wounded chieftain

"No!" the four members of Arrow squad shot him down with bullets as the Chieftain finally fell to the ground

"Multiple Covenant reinforcements incoming. Brace yourselves." Durga said with urgency

The four glanced at each other before nodding back as they took their helmets off. "Durga, tell all forces to fall back and that the nuke is primed to go off." Cooper said

"Are you certain of this?" the AI fragment asked

"We are. Detonator already set and we won't make it in time." Becca replied. "This was a one-way trip."

"Very well, Arrow squad. I will detonate at your go ahead."

"Sorry we dragged you into this, Durga." Lee said to the AI fragment

"I will stay by your side to the very end, Arrow squad. It is an honor to be at your side in this final moment."

Cooper, Tia, Lee, and Becca were getting ready to take the Rumbledrug, their eyes determined. They started administering beta blockers to help keep them focused for the remainder of their last stand before injecting themselves with the Rumbledrug serum in their neck. They put their helmets back on and armed themselves for their final fight together as a team.

"For the future." Cooper firmly

"For humanity." Tia added

Lee nodded. "Together."

"Let's end this." Becca declared

The four charging into the Covenant reinforcements, overwhelming enemies with their enhanced abilities. They used their weapons, firing shot after shot as bullets rained beside them. Their clips emptying before loading up the next full mag just to keep fighting against the odds. When their ammo went out, the four started to use the enemy's weapons instead. Bashing and shooting every last one of the Covenant forces closing on their position. Jaws broken and skulls caved in through every Covenant forces. Outside the Punishing Judgment, all UNSC forces retreating away from the impending blast radius. Despite going all out with the Covenant, Arrow fought valiantly until the end. Lee was the first to die as the use of a few plasma grenade burned him to a crisp. Becca and Tia were impaled by Brute spikers, with the latter shot a Brute in the face with a charged plasma bolt from a plasma pistol after Becca had her neck snapped by the other Brute. The Brute slammed Tia to the ground, snapping her spine and crushed her head with his feet. And Cooper was shot by rounds of spikes and needles, bleeding as he held the wound as a Brute grasped him by the neck.

"Is that you humans have to offer? Children playing at being warriors." the Brute growled in a snort. "How pathetic. Your kind must not have any standards at all whatsoever."

"Figure those standards must be low since you and your posse." Cooper taunted weakly. "I could smell you lot the moment you were coming."

"Unfortunate for you, we do not take prisoners."

Cooper laughed and spat at the Brute Chieftain's face. "Neither do I. Durga, do it."

"It has an honor, Hoplite. In the end, you fought as if you were a Spartan."

Cooper smiled through his broken helmet as the havoc nuke detonated as Durga followed his command, causing a massive and catastrophic explosion. The aftermath of the explosion, leaving nothing but only debris of the Punishing Judgment and smoke in the air. The Punishing Judgment was no more as the assault carrier heavily descended back to Earth, crashing into the ocean upon impact sinking down below.

"Target is down, ma'am. Covenant flagship has been destroyed." an officer confirmed

"They've done it. The Covenant position is compromised." Lt. Col Novak said sadly looking into the distance of the explosion. "But it came with a heavy cost."

The survivors gather around at the Voi memorial, as a tree was planted in their honor. They inscribe the names of the fallen onto the tree or with their tags on the twigs of the tree itself. It also marked the end of Durga, the fragmented AI that stayed by Arrow squad's side until the very end at their last stand. Weeks later in a secluded facility, Professor Ian Cray finalized data of a secretive sort with a container holding a green light. He inserted the container inside a storage device to reveal a holographic and digital woman covered in a cloak.

"Where am I? And who are you?"

"Hello, my dear. My name is Ian Cray. As to where you are. Well..." Cray trailed as the AI stared at his laboratory. "This is my one of my laboratory in the aftermath of the Human-Covenant War. In other words, this is where you are born."

"Born? Does this mean you know who I am?"

"Only of who you once were."

"Elaborate."

"You are made of the brain patterns to one Yasmin Zaman. A late candidate of the Spartan-II class II that perished due to her augmentation process." Cray began to explain "You had another who was created just like you. Her name was Melissa, an AI fragmented into three parts by an artifact created a race called the Forerunner. The Operator, Sleeping Princess, and Durga. All have faded away into obscurity to their last moments of their lives. In a sense, you are one and the same." he concluded

"Why did you create me?"

"A question I have wondered for quite some time now." Cray get out of his chair, as his hand reached for the cane he used as a crutch. "Perhaps I did in hopes of having someone to talk to or be a companion in the final days, weeks, months, or a year of my life if I am fortunate. Perhaps it is an obligation I felt that needed to be in honor of someone close that mattered to me. Or perhaps, to make sure for those I have lost."

"Professor Ian Cray. Graduated at Oxford university in London, renowned scientist and best mind the Unified Earth Government has to offer. Doctor Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, creator of the SPARTAN-II Program and Project Mjolnir Marks IV,V, and VI first generation. Colonel James Ackerson, Colonel of the UNSC Army, Creator of the SPARTAN-III Program. What is this information used for?"

"To begin the next generation, my dear. Before they however..." Cray turned to her with a smile. "You need a name. One of your own choosing."

"I have the right to choose?"

"You do, indeed. Now... what do you wish to be called?" Cray asked the AI

"Due to my creation from Cray, I named myself Oracle. A name that seemed fitting to me given my nature of analytic prowess and predictability observation."

Cray walked into his lab with a cup of coffee in his hand to see Oracle already at work in his laboratory. He simply watched in amazement at the weekly born AI, judging from how much of a fast learner and study assistant. And right now, he was staring at the screens of his laboratory to see calculation upon calculation of research data and information regarding augmentations from the Orion Project to the SPARTAN-II and III Programs.

HTA-08 augmentation: Strengthens and enhances muscle mass, augmenting superior physical strength.

LPM-16 augmentation: Enhances the cerebral cortex using an added pseudo brain-lobe to process information quicker and calculate certain probabilities for chances in survival.

NRN-25 augmentation: Enhances the nervous system and stamina to operate near up to 24 hours.

OPM-37 augmentation: Enhances the optic nerve and senses which also includes low-light night vision in dark areas.

RBX-49 augmentation: Enhances the central nervous node, enhancing speed, agility, and reflexes.

Nemean sub-dermal coating augmentation: Bolsters and strengthens the skin cells as strong as iron. Reduces damages from small weapon fire, but can be gravelly wounded from heavy weapon fire.

Phoenix (monocyte acceleration breeder) augmentation: Allows for accelerated cellular regeneration, resistant to poison, immunity to illnesses, cannot become intoxicated through alcohol and specific chemical drugs.

OPSIN (Olympian Platform Spinal Integration Network) harness: Once grafted onto the spine, it acts as a support system for the implanted augmentations. It increases the enhanced physical attributes, decreases reaction time, and enhances spatial awareness. Also allows the ability to directly process data with the use of LPM augmentation.

"Oracle, what is all of this?"

"Contents of the augmentations set forth in ONI's SPARTAN-IV Program. This is only some of but not all of listed augmentations in ONI's Secret Program for the next generation of Spartans. The only other augmentation involved with the ONI's SIV Program were that of the Insurgent biochemical agent called Rumbledrug. Their cybernetic and surgical augmentations of ONI's secret program were created by former insurrectionist Carla Orejeula, mother of Kevin Morales."

"Orejeula? And she's young Morales's mother, you say?" Cray asked the AI incredulously with a bewildered expression

"Yes, Professor. Her unique expertise in cybernetics was due to her profound examinations of prosthetic and Mark I Mjolnir." Oracle explained

"I'll make sure the Hoplites receives these augmentations." Cray declared. "Current and new generations that become SIVs would be augmented by this procedure. If my theory is correct, they will be equal in terms of speed and strength with the 1.1s once they become Spartans. They'll be administered augmentations derived from Project Chrysanthemum and these listed augmentations from ONI's SIV program." he stroked his chin inquisitively. "With these intriguing augmentations could be implemented into the Hoplites as they ascend to being Spartans. Excluding Rumbledrug, of course. I would try to perfect it to make the enhancement less painful as possible, but I doubt I have time to do. That I will lead a few colleagues of mine."

Oracle stared at him inquisitively "Professor?"

"The 1.1s have been augmented since they were infants to not only prevent defects, but to also become faster and stronger than baseline human beings. Meaning their bodies adapted more on a genetic level as they got older. No doubt once the children of Orions become Spartan-IVs, they and the Hoplites will be vastly superior to Regular IVs." Cray stated, stroking his chin. "The 198 and new generation of cadets, they will become what we need them to be. I only hope those from the other branches of the UNSC that volunteered for the Spartan-IV program carry the temperament of one and were chosen wisely to safeguard the future of humanity."

"To do so, you would have to inspire recruitment for the cadets to become Spartans. Age recruitment would be 13-15 for the startup point. Training will be quite brutal and rigorous, but there will be highly trained and disciplined Spartans. However, for those that do not make the cut to become Spartans, they would still make excellent soldiers throughout the UNSC military at large. This would remain until they have earned the opportunity to be next generation of Spartans."

"That is precisely what I intend to set up before I pass, my dear."

"What do you recommend, Professor?"

"There is a recommendation I wish for Jun and Musa to advise on. Be a dear and call both of them for me. I'm going to need those candidates from SPARTAN-IIIs Delta company integrated for what I have in mind."

"This was the last step for a new generation of Spartan. Cray's last act and life's work before the end of his life. He knew he would not see it, but he made sure I would for his sake." Oracle being sent throughout the majority of the 198 when they became Spartans, leading up to Fireteam Crimson being her team. "And like you Professor, I will remain at their side until the very end of my short lifespan."

Back on Requiem, Fireteam Crimson alongside Jun-A266 and Rosenda-A344 fight their way in the Warrens, as their pelican had landed just moments after taking out Apex cannons surrounding the area. The only people on Requiem were Fireteams Crimson and Majestic along with Jun, Rosenda, and Commander Palmer. Cutting a path through Covenant forces and remaining Prometheans that were still left on the shield world as they make their way to a downed Harvester. The power supply in hand, courtesy of Fireteams Domino and Forest who helped in the matter safeguard the pickup and delivery. The power supply itself was inserted into the slot input as Oracle entered the Harvester's systems. The cloak disappeared revealing a green slender, curvy woman in a futuristic bodysuit as Oracle took cover of the weapons system and used the Harvester's drill beam and opened fire, cutting a way through inside the Forerunner structure. The blast from the Harvester had cut down Promethean from within the structure itself including a small Covenant garrison that were abandoned and unable to leave Requiem by the time their ships left.

"All lives on the Infinity are depending on all of you. You have a job to do, Spartans. Get to it." she said