Sorry to anyone who was hoping for a new chapter. I do have a good reason for why it takes so long to update. It's as simple as work exhausting me and not having wifi of my own. And Just writing this down has made it clear that I have only been able to update a single story a year and I am so sorry for that, especially for those of you who have been with me back when I could get out a chapter a week.

On a less, er, existential note, I am happy to announce that the planning stage of this story in particular has extended to the 343i era and I want to share the plan so that I don't forget, but also so that the heavier lore nuts can throw in their two cents to help me make it make sense lore wise. But if you're the type who doesn't want spoilers for the future events of the story, feel free to click off now and I'm sorry for wasting your time. As for everyone else...

I would like to start off by saying that I did a little research to make sure that nothing absolutely impossible is happening. That said I won't be surprised if you're able to poke some holes in my logic, this is still the planning stage after all, but I will try to make my reasoning convincing.

First: If Aika is not taking part in the mission on the Ark, what is she doing?

Answer: The crew of the Heratic's Comeuppance will be joined by Alpha Nine, sans Buck and Dutch, who are part of the Ark mission, as they travel to reach to inform the Elites there of the Schism and subsequent alliance with humanity, arriving just in time to save Noble Six before they die.

Most likely argument: Didn't Six die at the end of Halo Reach?

My argument: Not on screen. There's no official answer for how long Six survived on Reach, with many agreeing that the lowest amount of time is a few hours and the longest is a round six months. Now, if we're generous, which this story has been nothing but in terms of stretching the lore, and highball it, then the Comeuppance should arrive just in time to ensure Six's survival, give or take a couple of scares, if they leave shortly after the Shadow of Intent does.

Now, I imagine you might be wondering why I want to bring Six in. Well, because the Comeuppance is obviously going to have a Spartan Fireteam, being a Sangheilli/Human composite crew. What I want is for at least two of those Spartans to be familiar faces, and since Aika's involvement with Alpha Nine will ensure Rookie's survival and advancement to Spartan IV, that leaves one more space for a familiar face, so I want to give it to the only other player stand in from the Bungie era, thus giving Aika a bond with all four.

Second: What happens between Halo 3 and Halo 4?

Answer: Aika receives a new set of armour that is a combination of stripped down Spartan III Mjolnir, specifically CQC, and an Elite Battle Harness, specifically Assault class. She also has a daughter with Rookie, though his involvement is kept a secret because of Sangheilli tradition. Around the same time, Arbiter decides to finally make Aika and her daughter official members of his family, changing Aika from Aika Ningen to Aika 'Vadam and allowing her daughter to be born Nika 'Vadam. As for the crew of the Comeuppance, they become more trusting of each other, and more tight-knit as a result.

Most likely argument: Why would Thel wait until now to make Aika a 'Vadam?

My argument: Because of the Covenant. Back then, he was just a soldier. Now,he's the liberator of his people and can freely show how proud he is of his daughter who, by this point, has more than proven herself to be one of them despite her human blood, as evidenced by her successful aquisition of the Comeuppance.

Third: Who is on the Comeuppances Spartan fireteam?

Answer: Six and Rookie join in the time between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4. One of the Spartans from Fireteam Gypsy requests a transfer after Infinity escapes Requiem. Lastly is a Recon specialist who is scouted by Six.

Understandable Question: How do we tell who's who?

Answer: They all wear different armours, with different secondary colours handpicked by their Shipmaster, Aika. All of their primary colours are steel, according to in game customization, which will not be considered for their secondary(sorry in advance for anyone who would want to role play the fireteam in game). Their armours and secondary colours are as follows.

Six: Mark V with Field Master Maroon.

Rookie: ODST with Spec Ops Black

Gypsy Transfer: Recruit with Minor Blue

Recon Specialist: Recon with Spec Ops Purple

And yes, Aika and the Elites will also follow this colour scheme for the sake of synergy with their secondary colours denoting their rank. In Aika's case, her secondary is Shipmaster Gold.

Also, yes, I am limiting myself to the Halo 4 armour sets, since those are the standard Spartan Gear by the time the fireteam is complete. And since Infinite is still a ways away, I'm not concerning myself with the Gen three armour, though if you have ideas, you can feel free to share them.

Possible follow-up question: Who exactly are the other two Spartans?

Answer: I don't know, but we have until Halo 4 to figure it out.

And that's about it. Not much I know, but given the details, I'm sure you can understand why I wanted it written down somewhere I wouldn't lose it. As mentioned earlier, if the lore nut's reading this know of any way to make this more solid, I'm all ears.