The two Spartans took turns recounting their experiences in the Librarian's Sanctuary, providing a detailed narrative of the events that unfolded. For the Master Chief, he delved into the intense battle that followed. With unwavering determination, they emphatically urged the Captain to have Infinity pursue and engage the Didact.
"Infinity can't endure that level of punishment again!" Captain Del Rio declared firmly in response to the Spartans' insistence on pursuing the Didact.
Cortana, visibly taken aback by the Captain's stance, interjected, "This goes beyond us or even this ship now." The gravity of her words hung in the air, emphasizing the broader significance of the mission.
"Sir, we've seen what the Didact is capable of. If we let him leave this world Humanity is at risk." The Chief asserted trying to prevail upon the Captain the gravity of the situation.
"Look, I understand what you think you saw….." The Captain began only to be interrupted by Cortana.
"Think?" Came Cortana's flabbergasted response.
"With all due respect, sir, I know what I saw," the Master Chief declared, sensing the grip on his emotions starting to loosen, just as the Librarian had forewarned. Fortunately, he felt Sarah by his side, projecting soothing thoughts, having sensed his inner turmoil through their link. Their brief moment was shattered when the Captain spoke again.
"And with all due respect to you, soldier, I'm not willing to jeopardize my ship because of the hallucinations of an aging Spartan and his malfunctioning A.I.," Captain Del Rio declared, the lack of respect evident in his tone.
John sensed Sarah's tension, and through their link, he felt her overwhelming desire to tear the Captain apart for disrespecting "HER" Spartan. The possessiveness in her emotions took him by surprise, but he clasped her hand, urging her to calm down through their mental connection. He felt her take a deep breath, gradually calming the storm of emotions within her.
Cmdr. Lasky, observing the intense play of emotions on Spartan Palmer's face since they reported in and she deactivated her helmet, felt compelled to interject on their behalf. "Sir - What if he's right?"
The Captain's disdainful gaze toward the Commander was palpable in the air. "Nav, as soon as we know we are airtight, I want a course laid in for Carinae Station. Comm, prepare a warning beacon."
The lights on the bridge surged in intensity, and from the central table, Cortana's enraged voice echoed. "I will not allow you to leave this planet!" she yelled, sending an energy wave crashing outward, causing multiple consoles to spark and short-circuit. Cortana instantly realized the unintended consequences of her rampant emotions and quickly began to apologize. "I didn't mean to… I didn't mean to do that."
"Cortana?" This time, it was the gentle voice of Spartan Palmer, attempting to calm the A.I.
"I didn't mean to… I didn't mean to do that." Cortana reiterated clearly confused by her own actions.
"Commander Lasky. Pursuant to Article 55 of UNSC Regulation 12-145-72, I am ordering you to remove that AI's data chip and retire it for final dispensation," Captain Del Rio hurriedly ordered.
The whole time, Cortana repeated, "I don't want to, you don't want me to," over and over again.
"Remove the chip now, Commander!" Del Rio ordered firmly.
Commander Lasky paused, battling between his duty and what he felt was right before reaching to remove Cortana's data chip. The Master Chief was quicker, plucking the data chip from the table a moment before the Commander could reach it.
Del Rio stepped around the table and attempted to move into the Master Chief's space, trying to assert dominance, before ordering, "Give… Me… That.. Chip!"
Not phased by the smaller man's attempt at intimidation, the Chief inserted Cortana's chip into his helmet before addressing the Captain. " The Didact has to be stopped. If you won't do that…. then we will."
Capt. Del Rio, clearly furious that the Spartan would not bow to his authority, growled out, "I… am ordering you… TO SURRENDER THAT AI!" He ended with an enraged shout, drawing the attention of all the Bridge crew.
The Chief, having had enough, stepped forward and squared off with the Captain. "No, sir," he stated with unwavering determination.
Turning his attention to Spartan Palmer, the Captain commanded, "Lieutenant! Arrest that man!"
Palmer, for her part, simply activated her helmet before stepping to the Chief's side in a show of solidarity.
The Captain, seeing this, turned to the Marine security detachment on the Bridge and ordered, "Arrest them, arrest them!"
Both Spartans turned their heads in different directions to face the members of the security detail. The light seemed to hit their visors at just the right angle to give them an ominous red glowing tint. This gave the security detail pause as the stories of Spartan Palmer's arrival and subsequent altercation with three fully armored Spartan IV's had made the rounds around the ship.
Cmdr. Lasky, trying to calm the situation, attempted to address the Captain. "Captain!"
The Chief took the momentary pause to turn to Cmdr. Lasky. "Get word to Earth that trouble is coming. We will do what we can back here." With that, both giant Spartans exited the Bridge.
A few minutes later, the trio was down by the hangar bay. Cortana was standing above one of Infinity's Holo-ammeters, gazing longingly out at the sun on the horizon. "I can give you over forty thousand reasons why I know that sun isn't real. I know it because the emitter's Rayleigh effect is disproportionate to its suggested size. I know it because its stellar cycle is more symmetrical than that of an actual star. But for all that, I'll never actually know if it looks real… if it feels real…" Closing her eyes and tilting her head as if trying to feel the sun on her face.
The moment is broken when the distinct sound of a UNSC Battle rifle being loaded and made ready, accompanied by the sound of a UNSC Sniper rifle being loaded, came from behind Cortana.
Cortana turned to face the Chief and Lt. Palmer as they were readying their gear. Palmer was inspecting her Sniper rifle, her helmet once again deactivated, while the Chief was examining his Battle rifle. "Before this is all over, promise me you'll figure out which one of us is the machine," she addressed the Chief.
Palmer chuckled, giving the Chief a teasing look. "Chief, Cortana's worried you're becoming more machine than man. She wasn't to make sure you save a bit of that humanity for the rest of us, okay? I'd hate to see you turn into a walking Battle Rifle." Palmer winked at Cortana.
The Chief stood silently as his two female companions commented on his humanity. The moment was broken when Cmdr. Lasky approached the group.
" So whats your plan?" Lasky inquired.
"Infinity's tracked the Didact's vessel to a docking station southwest of her. We'll Jump ship as soon as Infinity exits the roof." The Chief relayed the plan to the Commander.
"You know I was sent down here with orders to prevent you from leaving." Lasky Stated.
"Tom, You know Del Rio is making the wrong choice. This is our only chance to stop the Didact and protect Humanity." Sarah spoke candidly to her long time friend.
Lasky's smirk faded as he nodded in understanding. "I get it, Sarah. But you both need to know the risks. Del Rio's not a fool; he's just playing it safe. Allowing you two to go down there without proper support could end in disaster."
The Chief, silent until now, spoke with a hint of assurance. "We can handle it, Commander. We have to."
Lasky sighed, acknowledging their determination. "Just promise me you'll come back in one piece. I don't want to have to explain to the UNSC why I let the legendary Master Chief Sierra 117 and their up and coming star Spartan go rogue."
Palmer smirked back at him. "Wouldn't dream of disappointing you, Commander."
The Commander's smirk held a mix of camaraderie and concern as he gestured towards the waiting Pelican. "In case you had already gone, I took the precaution of ordering a Pelican outfitted for full combat pursuit. I hope to God you're wrong about that Forerunner or whatever he is, Chief. However, in the event you're not..." His last words lingered, a weighty acknowledgment of the potential danger they faced. "Oh, and Sarah, good luck…. to all three of you."
The Chief pivoted from the Commander's departing figure to find Palmer beside Cortana's holo-image. A brief exchange of glances occurred, and then Cortana directed her words to the Chief. "Come on, Chief, take your girls for a ride."
As the Spartan pair moved in the direction of the Pelican, Cortana did a brief review of what they knew. " The Didact used the composer to create the Promethean's from ancient humans. If he wants to finish the job he will have to find it first. Our best bet at stoping him is by keeping him firmly on Requiem."
"Lets hope Lasky did skimp on the Pelican" Sarah put in as they approached the Marine at the base of the ramp leading to the Pelican. The Marine snapped to attention and rendered a salute to the two Spartans as they made their way up the ramp and on to the Pelican.
"Attention: ALL HANDS, FINAL CALL! SECURE ALL HULLS AND PREPARE FOR IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE! FINAL CALL." was heard over the ships internal speakers.
"Initiating pre-flight diagnostic," Cortana stated as the Chief moved toward the pilot's seat, only to have Palmer slip in ahead of him.
Turning her head back with a smirk, Palmer indicated the co-pilot's seat with a nod. "I think we have a good method—I drive while you shoot."
The Chief settled into the co-pilot's seat with a small grin hidden behind his visor. He didn't know what it was about Sarah that put him at ease; even before the Librarian's improvements, they had been an incredible team. She seemed to always know where he was going to be, and they would wordlessly move to cover each other. He had only ever felt anything close to this when working with Blue Team.
"Forward Auto Cannon?" Cortana started down the checklist.
"Check!" Palmer responded, bringing the cannon online.
"Lateral Rail Turrets?" Cortana prompted.
"Check!" This time it was the Chief that responded as he brought the turrets online from his station.
"Main Thrusters and Auxiliary Boosters?" Cortana finalized.
"Check! Bringing the main thrusters online. All indicators are green; we are ready to go," Palmer informed her companions with a small amount of excitement in her tone.
"It may be a while before we find another ride home. You know that, right?" Cortana questioned her companions one last time before they were completely committed to this path.
"It'll be okay. We are together, and we have Sarah driving," the Chief stated in his regular no-nonsense tone. However, both Cortana and Palmer caught the gentle tease directed at his fellow Spartan.
"Oh, very funny, John," a somewhat shocked but amused Palmer stated with a smirk.
"I know. Jeez, Chief, you were supposed to be reassuring me, not making me fear for my life," Cortana continued the teasing of Palmer.
"Behave, you two, or I swear I'll turn this Pelican around and drop you right back in Infinity's brig. No more intergalactic road trip for you," Palmer jokingly threatened, her tone carrying a mix of authority and amusement. A moment later Palmer brought the thrusters to full and they speed through the launch tube as Infinity headed through the portal into open space.
"Contact. The Didact is dead ahead." Cortana informed them as they approached the coordinates from Infinity.
"How do we get inside those shields?" The Master Chief inquired
"Marking two of the larger facilities on your H.U.D's." Cortana supplied "They are acting as traffic control for resources moving to and from the satellite. If we can disrupt their communications. I can forge an override code and convince it to lower those defenses.
Palmer's hand swiftly moved over the controls, navigating the Pelican towards the designated point with a precision born of experience. The hum of the engines echoed her focus as everything seemed to align seamlessly.
However, the tranquility shattered as the ominous presence of a Covenant patrol materialized on the Pelican's sensors. Reacting with lightning speed, Palmer yanked the controls, sending the Pelican into a sudden ascent to evade the incoming barrage. The air crackled with tension as the agile Covenant vessels closed in, and the dance of evasion began.
The Pelican soared through the sky, its sleek form cutting through the air with precision. Palmer expertly piloted the craft, evoking an almost dance-like grace as she maneuvered through the clouds. The hum of the engines resonated with the hum of anticipation.
The Covenant ships, nimble but outmatched, weaved through the sky in an attempt to outmaneuver their larger adversary. The air crackled with energy as the Pelican's forward auto cannon unleashed a barrage of firepower, tracing fiery arcs through the sky.
Palmer, channeling her inner Maverick, deftly dodged enemy plasma shots with calculated rolls and turns. The Chief, manning the rail turrets, tracked the Covenant ships with lethal precision. The metallic thuds of the main thrusters resonated like a battle drum, underscoring the intensity of the aerial dance.
The Pelican, a nimble giant, outwitted its smaller foes. Palmer's strategic mind, combined with the Chief's marksmanship, turned the aerial battle into a symphony of firepower. As the last Covenant ship spiraled in defeat, the Pelican emerged victorious, leaving the skies clear in the wake of its triumph.
With the threat neutralized, Palmer expertly guided the Pelican back on course, the powerful thrum of the engines underscoring their relentless journey.
As the Pelican touched down on the designated platform, the Spartan duo wasted no time, swiftly disembarking and charging up the ramp. Cortana's voice resonated with urgency as she shared crucial information, unraveling the intricate web that connected the tower to the Didact's satellite through a concealed carrier wave generator. The ominous significance of their mission hung in the air as they prepared to confront the heart of the enemy's infrastructure.
Cortana couldn't resist a snide remark, "You know, if Infinity wasn't on its way back to Earth, locating and disabling this generator would be trivial for me. But hey, nothing like a challenge, right?" The quip, delivered with a touch of digital sarcasm, hung in the air.
"We can handle it." The Chief tried to reassure his upset friend.
"That's hardly the point is it." Cortana stated as the Chief and Palmer made short work of the Promethean/Covenant personal guarding the facility. "I've found the carrier wave generator. It's on the opposite end of this chamber" Cortana updated the Spartans as they emerged into a large chamber.
Utilizing a gondola, they traversed to the other side and located the activation switch. Cortana took charge, "To take a page out of our old playbook, I'm going to tune your shields to emit an EMP at the same frequency as the communications network." Her instructions were concise, and the Chief nodded in acknowledgment. "Now that I've completed your shield tuning, I need you to hand me over to Palmer so I can tune her shields as well."
The Chief carefully pulled Cortana's data chip and handed it over to Spartan Palmer. He then assumed a defensive stance, ready to cover Palmer while Cortana worked her technological magic.
Sarah Palmer, in her formidable Spartan armor, stood ready as Cortana, now interfaced with the suit's systems, initiated the shield-tuning process.
"So, Cortana, what's it like navigating the Spartan systems?" Sarah questioned
Cortana's digital presence resonated within the suit's interface, "It's a unique experience, Sarah. These systems are incredibly advanced. I can feel the intricate balance of power and technology at my 'fingertips.' It's quite different from my usual ethereal existence."
Palmer smirked, adjusting a few settings on her gauntlet, "Different, huh? You're the first AI I've had riding shotgun in my armor. What was it like for you, when you had to actively control my armor after the Librarian's sanctuary?"
Cortana's response echoed through the confines of Sarah Palmer's Spartan armor, her digital voice carrying a mixture of memories and contemplation. "It was an experience, Spartan Palmer. Having ridden along with the Master Chief for years inside the armor, the moment the Librarian's intervention unfolded, and I found myself actively controlling your armor, it was like diving into uncharted waters. I could feel the raw power of the suit, your movements, the hum of its technology—it was exhilarating yet challenging."
"As I navigated your armor, I sensed the weight of responsibility that comes with being a Spartan. The precision of your actions, the connection between your mind and the suit, it was a profound realization of the strength you embody. I became intimately acquainted with the pulse of battle, the adrenaline of combat, and the unyielding determination that defines a Spartan."
Palmer nodded, her augmented movements betraying a sense of understanding. "Sounds like you got a front-row seat to the Spartan experience, and I think you can also call me Sarah. You know having shared armor and all that."
"Indeed I did, and I'd be honored, Sarah. I was also given a brief look into what makes you who you are. The link between you and the suit transferred some of the memories and experiences you were reliving," Cortana's digital features seemed to contemplate. "I could sense your experiences, your memories—your battles, your triumphs, and your losses. It gave me a unique insight into your life. I felt the weight of your past, and it was... profound. It made me realize how much you've sacrificed for humanity. Your dedication is admirable, Sarah."
Palmer nodded, a solemn acknowledgment of the shared understanding between them. Her past could be a touchy subject and Palmer was unsure how she felt that Cortana had gotten unfettered access to it while she was unconscious. The hum of the armor, the digital presence, and the human resilience intertwined in a moment that transcended the confines of technology. Cortana's words carried a depth that resonated with the echoes of Palmer's journey, forging an unspoken bond between the Spartan and the AI. In the midst of shields being tuned and memories being shared, they stood as comrades, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Using Palmers external speaker Cortana informed both Spartan's that their shields where now tuned to the communication frequency and that all they would need to do is make physical contract with the carrier wave generator to trigger it.
The gondola ride was going smoothly until the Covenant managed to override the controls, causing the platform to shudder to a halt. Cortana, battling the effects of rampancy, struggled to swiftly locate the override. Her processing speed, once lightning-fast, now faltered under the weight of rampant thoughts.
Spartan Palmer took the lead, her enhanced reflexes and combat instincts coming into play. With a swift motion, she unholstered her Battle Rifle and surveyed their surroundings. The first wave of Covenant troops descended upon them, plasma fire erupting in every direction.
"Sarah, I need to find that override quickly! Find… quickly…" Cortana urged from within the armor, her voice tinged with urgency and hindered by her rampancy flaring up. Her thought jumping into her past when she was speaking to Dr. Halsey, then just as abruptly she jumped forward to a point where she was alone on the Forward until Dawn while the Chief was in cryo, Then she was back in the present with her Spartans under fire.
Palmer, undeterred, moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior. She ducked behind cover, returning precise shots with her Battle Rifle. The Master Chief, a silent force of nature, flanked their position, eliminating threats with each controlled burst from his assault rifle.
As the firefight intensified, Cortana managed to pinpoint the location of the override. "I've got it. Head to the control panel on the upper platform," she directed.
Palmer led the charge, relying on her instincts and combat prowess. The trio fought their way to the upper platform, engaging Covenant forces determined to thwart their progress. The Chief's presence was a relentless force, strategically dismantling enemy ranks.
Reaching the control panel, Palmer swiftly disabled the override, restoring control to the gondola. The platform lurched back to life, resuming its journey toward the carrier wave generator. Upon reaching the carrier wave generator both Spartan's stepped in and caused it to over load.