Divergent Warriors Rise Of The Hunter

by BeeSamusnChief

Alternate version of Different Galaxies Same Fighting Hearts. After destroying the first Halo, Master Chief on his way to warn Earth of the incoming Covenant invasion. On his Journey he accidentally enlists an extraordinary toddler to join him in the war against the Covenant.

2. Chapter 2

Samus sighed as the medic attempted to once again get her to eat and drink. It was the fifth time in the last hour, she was quite fed up at this point. While the medic turned to another for a moment, Samus took that opportunity to escape.

Fast walking down the corridors Samus could feel the ship accelerating upwards. Walking into the bridge behind a couple officers, the toddler walked straight over to the Commander who was commanding her ground troops.

"Extract the Chief, and return to In Amber Clad." Keyes told the Sergeant who acknowledged her command.

Switching to another channel Lord Hood was waiting for answers. "Status?!"

"Sir, the Prophet Of Regret is bugging out. Request permission to engage?" Commander responded, her tone serious yet urgent.

"Negative, Commander. I'll vector two heavies for star-side intercept." Lord Hood replied to the Commander's request.

Samus winced as a loud bang rang through the air. Panic began to set in within the bridge as the Covenant ship ahead of them opened a slip-space rupture.

"Ma'am slip-space rupture off the target's bow! It's going to jump inside the city!" An officer announced, reinstating the Commander's previous request to the Admiral.

"There's no time, Sir!"

The Admiral looked hesitant but acknowledged the request. "Green light. Green light to engage!"

"Punch it! Get us close!" Commander Keyes demanded.

Samus held onto the Commander's chair as once again the gravity switched inside the ship as they engaged the engines to pick up velocity.

"Ma'am without a destination solution..."

"We are not losing that ship!" Keyes hissed, to which the officer gave a nod to engage the ship's full speed.

Samus ended up falling down once the ship's engines engaged in full speed ahead. Just barely getting inside the Covenant ship's slip-space.

Keyes did a double take after noticing the toddler on the floor. Getting out of her seat the Commander helped the toddler get back onto her feet. "Status?"

"We just barely made it Commander."

"Johnson? Chief?" The Commander called over the comm channel.

"We're aboard and making our way to you now." Johnson replied.

Samus visibly lit up after hearing that Chief was on his way to where she was. Johnson seemed to be right Chief came back soon enough.

Miranda smiled taking note of the happy glow on the toddler. "The medic that was watching you must be worried about where you went."

Samus shrugged in reply. The medic only seemed to want to shove food down her throat. She doubted they even left the infirmary to find her.

Chief, entered the bridge with Sergeant Johnson, reporting straight to the Commander.

"Glad you two made it. We got lucky." Miranda greeted the two, as the small toddler wasted no time clinging to the Spartan. "Cortana, can you give us some input into our current situation?"

Chief held his hand over the AI pedestal, allowing Cortana to enter the ship. "We're in slip-space. Destination unknown. ETA is unknown at the moment. It could be a few days before we arrive anywhere. But I will get a more accurate estimate."

"Why did the Prophet Of Regret, bug out like that?" Miranda asked as she took a seat back in her chair.

"It was a retreat, Ma'am. Each blow to their forces weakened them. It just shows how unprepared the Covenant was showing up on Earth. They were looking for something." Cortana explained, trying to figure out what the Covenant could've been searching for.

"Do you think they found what they were searching for?" Keyes wondered aloud.

Cortana placed a hand under her chin in thought. "Perhaps. But Regret's, hasty retreat tells me it's unlikely. And they may return sooner, rather than later to hunt for whatever they we're looking for."

"With more forces. We don't even know our heading yet. Once we're out of slip-space we'll conjure up a better plan." Miranda sighed in frustration. They were at a stalemate neither factions could do anything during slip-space. She was concerned for her ship and everyone aboard it, they could be falling into a Covenant fleet on the other side, they would be greatly outnumbered.

"From what I have gathered it could be more than a few days. It could be weeks. Our heading seems to be at the minimum of 11,856 light years from what I can gather from the scrambled data from the Assault Carrier. We should arrive at our destination in an estimated 13 days, including today." Cortana mentioned hoping to ease the Commander's worry.

"Alright. That gives us enough time to recover. Sergeant, and Master Chief. You're dismissed, I want reports done by tonight." Keyes told the three as she exited the bridge to go check on the wounded soldiers in the infirmary.

"Yes, Ma'am." Both Chief and Johnson replied to the Commander.

"I'm going to hit the showers before getting on that report." Johnson thought aloud as his attention wondered to the toddler holding onto the Spartan. "I guess you got babysitting duty for 13 days. Haha." He chuckled gruffly before exiting the bridge.

Master Chief exhaled looking down at the happy toddler holding onto him. Johnson was correct, he was stuck watching the foundling for 13 unoccupied days.

The blue AI smiled at the little girl who smiled up at her. Cortana could sense Chief's uneasy feelings about this situation. "You'll be fine. Just locate a room in the barracks with two berths."

"You're making it sound as if that is all I need to do." Chief grumbled as he exited the bridge with Samus in tow.

Once Master Chief had left with Samus, Cortana switched to speaking to Chief over a closed comm channel. "Oh no, not at all. 13 days is a lot of days, I can't even attempt to make contact with her alien family. You'll need to care for her, keep her safe, and so on."

John mentally rolled his eyes at his AI's explanation. "How exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"Just the essentials, Chief. She needs the same basic needs any human does just on a higher scale because she is a toddler." Cortana replied, almost laughing at the Spartan.

"She's not exactly human..." John muttered under his breath, as they continued down the hallways.

"I would also maybe keep that too yourself if you don't want any drama. As far as everyone else sees. Samus, is human." The AI mentioned, as Chief searched for a vacant living quarters.

"That may be difficult to do being surrounded by curious onlookers wondering why there's a toddler wondering around a war ship." Chief scoffed, as he entered a room with two berths and a single desk.

"Well, even if others find out, or have suspicions. We should hopefully be able to return Samus, to her caretakers before anything can escalate." Cortana reassured.

Chief sighed as he grabbed a blank data pad out from the desk. Prepping it to make a report, he made a move to sit on the chair. Nearly tripping over Samus in the process after forgetting the toddler was still clinging to him.

"Sorry, Samus. Have a seat." Chief apologized, hefting the girl up onto the berth nearest to the desk.

Samus scanned the room with her turquoise eyes. The room was very blank and boring. Grey walls, grey floors, and dark grey blankets on the beds. A light on the desk and one over each bed, and a centre light on the ceiling to light up the entire room. There were no toys, books, or sticks to play with.

"Chief?" Samus called to the Spartan who barely nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Mhmm..?" John continued to stay focused on doing his report as he attempted to acknowledge the toddler.

Swinging her legs that dangled over the berth, Samus could tell Chief wasn't exactly paying attention to her. "Can we play?"

"No. I'm doing a report right now." Master Chief replied without looking at the girl.

That sounded familiar to Samus. "You gonna report to Tana, bout the other Chozo's, and check their pro-jet prog-gess?"

"I think she is asking if you're reporting to me, so I can relay information to other Chozo clans, and vice versa. I think that is what I am gathering from this?" Cortana thought aloud as she stood on the pedestal by the door.

"Why are you asking if Cortana, needs the report?" John tilted his head curiously.

"Tana, run the whole ship. Like Mother, run Zebes?" Samus replied a bit confused as to why Chief was questioning her.

Master Chief glared at his equally confused AI standing on the pedestal. "What is Samus, trying to say?"

"Not certain. But from the sounds of it the AI on Zebes, must've been a planetary super computer. It would make sense since it sounds like the Chozo are an ancient alien race. They probably require a great amount of help from an AI." Cortana replied, explaining what she thought the girl was trying to say.

Seemed Cortana did understand what Samus was attempting to explain, Chief thought with a head shake. "No, Samus. I'm not reporting to Cortana. This is a report for the Commander, and the UNSC. But Cortana, can access these reports if needed."

Samus stared blankly at Cortana for a moment, before engaging with the Spartan. "We play after?"

Chief was astounded that the toddler was so persistent on playing. "Yes, after my report is done." He replied even though he had no idea what they would play as there wasn't anything for toddlers to play with on the ship. He was actually hoping for Samus to take a nap, but it didn't seem like he was in luck. Another few moments went by. He had finished his report now. Hoping the boredom of waiting would make Samus sleep. But the toddler was resisting rest.

Samus noticed the Spartan had finished playing on his data pad. "Can we play?"

"I'm not sure, what did you have in mind?" John replied with a heavy sigh. Clearly showing he was not at all interested in playing childish games.

Samus shrugged sliding off the berth onto the ground where she tiredly landed, before making her way over to the Chief.

"She's definitely exhausted. Samus, hasn't slept since we arrived at Earth. You don't actually have to play with her. I'm sure she just wants to be entertained. Take her for a walk." Cortana suggested quietly to the Spartan, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"Come'on, while you think about what you want to play. I can go hand in this report." The Spartan gestured for the toddler to follow him out of the room.

Samus eagerly followed the Spartan although his stride was much larger and faster. She tried to keep up while dodging and weaving through others aboard the ship.

"You know while you were getting suited in this new armour. The on station CMO on Cairo, wanted a blood sample from, Samus." Cortana quietly mentioned to the Spartan.

"Why? Is Samus, ill?" Chief asked curiously as he tried to slow his pace for Samus.

"No medical reasoning, just plain curiosity because Samus's serious wounds recovered faster than expected."

"Chief, good to see you're quick with your report." Commander Keyes greeted the Spartan who entered the bridge.

Samus scanned the bridge with her eyes watching all the other soldiers aboard press all sorts of buttons and commands.

Taking the data pad that was handed to her, Keyes couldn't help but smile at the toddler, following Chief like a shadow. "You know, I could probably arrange someone to take her off your hands, while we're in this jump. I know caring for a toddler is a bit out of your expertise."

Chief gazed down at the little girl who was observing the bridge activity. It would be easier to have someone take Samus, who understands toddlers and their needs. But on the other hand from what he knew of Samus, he would worry about the questions that would arise if the toddler spoke about what she was. The UNSC would quite possibly never let her return to her home. Although it was unlikely during an active war. It was a possibility.

"No. I should be fine during this short hiatus, Commander." John replied, returning his glance to Commander Keyes.

Miranda nodded in understanding. "The offer stands if you change your mind." She said before walking off to the other side of the bridge.

Chief gently guided the girl out of the bridge back into the corridors. "Samus, have you thought of what you might want to play?"

Samus shook her head no in response. Her mind was a bit spaced out from being over exhausted, she was too tired to play anything. Her newly adapting body also was taking a toll on her as well. But she would not admit her tiredness.

"Okay, we can just go for a walk." The Spartan said leading the way with the toddler in tow. He hoped walking around the vessel would tire Samus out. Remembering it did the trick the last time. Walking down the corridors both Chief and Samus stayed silent as they walked. Passing many other soldiers and crew.

"Hmm..."

Chief recognized that curious hum coming from his AI. She was in deep thought, and had opinions. "What is it?"

"I'm just curious. You already answered this awhile ago. But I still don't fully understand why you won't allow the UNSC to know what she is. You could have an amazing future asset on the field with you." Cortana explained to her Spartan what she was thinking.

"You know why..." Chief replied, almost upset by his AI's repeated questioning from much earlier.

"I understand your feelings about what would happen to her. But I feel there wouldn't be as much risk. If you just explained what she has told you, and I. From what she's described Samus, has already gone through a sort of augmentations, and no matter if we keep her, or return her home, she will become a soldier." The AI continued to try and convince Master Chief to hand the girl over to the UNSC and explain what she was.

Master Chief knew Cortana was trying to mean well. But in Chief's mind he knew if he did what Cortana was asking it would not go as smoothly as she was proposing. "Even if the information gets out eventually. Even if Samus, will become a soldier. ONI would still experiment, and no doubt attempt to harness any technology she has and how she was able to become like that. I will not risk starting a war with a peaceful alien civilization. On top of the wars we're already fighting. It's not worth ruining, Samus. And not worth ruining an ancient peaceful civilization."

Cortana went silent for a moment. Even though Chief wasn't directly ordered to, and even had the choice to hand Samus, to a proper caretaker. He decided on his own to care and take responsibility for the hybrid child. He was clearly already very protective of Samus. It was astonishing to the AI, especially since Chief had zero background knowledge about children. And given the choice, would rather be isolated from everyone else, unless it was his Spartan teammates around him.

"Go on Samus, it's alright." Chief gave Samus the go ahead to run around and explore the small artificial park in the training grounds he had lead her into. Hoping she would burn some energy this way.

Samus jogged a few steps away before pivoting around to run back up to the Spartan. "We play tag?"

John was slightly surprised to be asked to play a game he could easily win. "You want to play tag... with me?"

"Yeah!" Samus nodded eagerly in response.

"You know I'm really, really, fast right?" Chief questioned still unsure.

"Yep." The toddler once again nodded.

"Okay." Chief shrugged following the girl into the artificial field. He would go easy on her of course, out of fear he might accidentally hurt her.

Samus giggled tagging the Spartan as she ran off. Chief waited a few moments for the toddler to run a few feet ahead of him, before giving chase to the girl. Leaping in front of her he cut her off. Samus squealed with joy as he playfully tried to get her. Jumping to the other side to block the toddler once again she squealed with laughter as she tried to escape him.

Master Chief captured the giggling toddler. Playfully lifting Samus off the ground, the girl shrieked with bubbly giggles as he swayed her around up and down. The toddler's laughter was incredibly infectious, behind his golden visor a smile had slowly crept across his face.

"What are you marines all gawking at?! You should be sweating!" Sergeant Johnson gruffly hissed at a small group of marines who were curiously observing the Spartan's uncharacteristic behaviour around the young toddler. Johnson followed their gazes only to be just as dumbfounded as the Marines.

"Just to let you know, you've got an audience." Cortana spoke through the Chief's speakers, as Johnson began making his way over to them.

Chief quickly caught view of all the astonished onlookers, and Sergeant Johnson approaching. John quickly placed the giggling girl on the ground, a bit embarrassed, dreading what the sergeant was going to say to him.

"You know it helps if she does the chasing." Johnson commented sarcastically instead of questioning why Chief was acting out of character.

A wave of relief washed over Chief as Johnson jokingly commented on how to tire out the toddler. Proving that the gruff sarcastic Sergeant indeed was an understanding friend to him.

"I heard you declined having a caretaker take the girl during this temporary hiatus." The Sergeant mentioned as he pulled a cigar out from his breast pocket.

Chief stayed silent as him and Johnson observed the bubbly toddler playfully running through the field.

Sergeant Johnson lit his cigar well glaring at Chief from the corner of his eye. "Trying to keep yourself entertained during this time? Or are you just being stubborn for some reason unknown to the rest of us?"

Master Chief didn't exactly have a reply for those questions. But he knew he had to make up an answer quick before Johnson started asking Cortana.

"Just holding my responsibility for bringing her this far. She is still part of an ongoing mission until returned to her caretakers." Chief replied emotionlessly to the smoking Sergeant.

"Hmm... if you say so, Chief." Johnson scoffed with a laugh as he puffed his cigar.

"Samus, come'on. Time to go." Chief gestured for the toddler to follow him out of the training facilities.

Samus did as she was told following Chief out as they were stared down by the many other soldiers. Looking up at the Spartan she noticed how uncomfortable Chief seemed to be.

"Chief...?" Cortana called as the Spartan led the toddler through the corridors.

Chief did not respond, only continuing to lead the girl back to their quarters. Cortana understood he was not in the mood to be questioned.

"I do wrong?" Samus asked as they entered their room. Feeling as if she had done something wrong that angered the Spartan.

"No, you did nothing wrong." Chief said, lifting the toddler onto one of the berths. "It's time to get some rest. It's been a very long day."

"Not tired." Samus fussed, refusing to try and lay down for some rest.

Master Chief cocked his head at the girl, crouching down to be level with the toddler on the bed. "You're exhausted. I can see that. Why do you not want to sleep?"

Samus looked away shamefully, staring at the small window in the room. "It's scary..."

Master Chief understood that the toddler had issues with nightmares, but she could not stay awake forever. "I'm going to be here with you. If something happens that frightens you, come get me. I will help you. Do you understand?"

Samus nodded warily, laying herself down in the bed. As she lay there she tried to wash away the impending dread of possible nightmares.

"Goodnight." Chief bid the toddler good night, before making is way to his side of the room.

"Night night." Samus replied.

Chief paused. The little toddler bidding him goodnight in such a tiny voice almost cracked a smile on his face. What an odd feeling to have happen for such a insignificant thing he thought.

Samus was hesitant to close her eyes, every time she did she pictured that fateful day. It was still so fresh in her mind 6 months later. And although the Chozo did their best to understand and console her, they were usually more focused on her ability to become strong. But eventually she drifted off.

John peeked over his shoulder to see the toddler had finally crashed, asleep in her bed. Getting a much needed rest after such risky excursions. Taking his helmet off with a sigh, a blue hue of light caught his eye.

Cortana stood on a pedestal that was closest to the desk. Wanting to ask her earlier inquiries that Chief had put off. "Chief?"

He was still in no mood to listen to inquiries about his behaviour around the child. But he supposed Cortana would be persistent, and her questions were most likely not going to be as intrusive as the others on this ship.

"Yes?"

"Are you..." Cortana hesitated, knowing her question would make her Spartan uncomfortable. "Are you getting attached?"

"Attached?" Chief repeated a bit confused.

Cortana gestured to the little girl sleeping behind him, giving a more clear indication as to why she was asking such a question.

Master Chief gazed at the sleeping toddler. He cared a great deal for the child's safety. But he did not consider that as being attached to Samus. "No?"

"I'm only inquiring due to your behaviour around the child." The blue AI replied seemingly confusing the Spartan further. She knew it was much too early for her to assume that Chief was getting attached to the child.

Placing his helmet on the desk he continued to take off his armour hesitantly. "My behaviour? I don't understand what you're getting at?"

"You're putting a lot of trust in an unknown toddler, especially on the battlefield. Refusing an actual caregiver for her is a bit strange, even if she's different, it would take a bit for them to get her to speak about what she is, considering she will only talk to you. You're also acting a bit out of character. I've never seen you actively interact in a playful manner towards others outside of your team or certain ally's." Cortana explained why she was a bit confused by his recent behaviour and choices.

"I have acted no different than usual. I have just adjusted myself a small amount, in order to cater to a small child." John informed his AI, even though he knew he had caught himself acting out of character around the child.

"Mmhmm..." Cortana folded her arms, she knew Chief better then that. She was unconvinced that he didn't notice his subtle behaviour changes.

With a heavy sigh Chief glared at his AI. "Even if I have been displaying behaviours outside of my character. I have not been preforming deficiently. I have completed missions, and kept to my standard of skills even with having to worry about Samus, on the battlefield."

Cortana softened her suspicious eyes, Chief was right. It had not affected him on the battlefield.

"If I weren't watching her, I would be fully armoured in cryo right now. I should be keeping myself armoured just in case we pop out of slip-space." Chief mentioned placing another part of his armour down.

Cortana placed her hands on her hips as she rolled her eyes at Chief. "No one's telling you to take your armour off. Unless you want to rest comfortably... But you don't need to be in cryo. My calculations are correct, even if I don't know our heading. The speed at which we are going, and knowing how far the Covenant ship can travel, is enough to tell me how far we will end up. You'll be in your armour consistently, soon enough. But it's good for you to learn your new armour by learning to take it on and off." She said as she watched Chief place the last piece of his armour down. "And if you felt so adamant about cryo why did you insist on watching the child?"

Chief ended up shooting himself in the foot with his comment. Proving that he was indeed beginning to put his priorities aside for the child.

"You sure my early inquiry isn't correct?" Cortana asked folding her arms.

"I care for, Samus. It doesn't mean I have an attachment." John said as he climbed into his own berth, facing his back to the AI as he no longer wanted to converse about this subject.

Cortana sighed taking one more glance at the slumbering toddler. They had 13 days to decipher the true answer, and only time would tell.

Samus tossed and turned whimpering in her sleep as once again her recent past plagued her slumber with horror. K-2L burned as smoke and ash filled the air. Stray bullets flew threw the dark clouds as Space Pirates ran rampant killing everyone in sight. Mangled and burnt lifeless bodies littered the ground she walked on. An ear piercing roar cut through the air as the reptilian Space Pirate leader landed in front of Samus. The girl's mother leapt out in front of her child. Ridley snatched the mother off the ground piercing her with his claws he squeezed the life from her as he thrashed the lifeless body. Samus cried as her mother's blood rained down onto her. Samus ran away as rain began to pour down, a fiery explosion in the sky dropped a fireball onto the murderous dragon. Samus had tripped over bodies, falling directly into a deep ditch. The explosion rang through the air causing everything to go white.

Chief blinked his eyes awake, hearing tossing and turning coming from the other side of the room. Listening to the quiet cries and whimpering coming from the child across from him.

Samus woke up hyperventilating in a cold sweat, scanning the dark room for hidden monsters in the dark. "Grey!? Old Bird!?"

Chief calmly got out of his berth, approaching the shaken up toddler. Cortana kindly switched on the room lights keeping them dim enough so it did not shock the frightened child.

Watching a very large man in a black jumpsuit approach, Samus hid under her blankets out of fright. Unknowingly hiding from the Master Chief.

"It's alright, Samus. It's me, Chief." Chief hoped the sound of his voice was enough to convince the terrified girl he was not a stranger.

Samus peeked out from under the blanket staring at the pale Spartan in front of her.

"You were having a nightmare." He told her. But the information didn't seem to register well.

Samus didn't reply. Hiding back under her blankets crying as the horrible memories continued to replay in her head.

"What should I do?" Chief turned to his AI who shrugged in response.

"I've got to go. The Commander is requesting me. Just follow your instincts." Cortana replied before leaving the Spartan alone with the crying toddler.

John turned to the girl hiding under the blankets. He honestly would rather have tried to avoid dealing with such a foreign situation to him. But his instincts told him to try and soothe the incredibly upset girl.

Samus barely looked up as the blankets were gently peeled off of her. Seeing that it was the Spartan in a black jumpsuit she returned to hugging her knees tightly as tears poured down her cheeks.

Gingerly scooping the toddler off of the berth, Chief held the tiny sobbing girl out in front of him. Staring at her for a good moment, he saw deep sorrow and grief within her young eyes. Hesitantly Chief brought the girl closer to him. Another hesitant moment passed before resting Samus against his chest, as he made his way back over to his berth. Sitting down on the side of the bed he gave an unsure sigh as he very carefully began rubbing the girl's back in an attempt to soothe her.

"It... It's alright..." Chief awkwardly told the crying toddler in his arms. Luckily for him his voice was already quite soft or else his words may have sounded more awkward than intended.

Samus rested her exhausted head against the muscular chest of the Spartan. His heart rate a calm rhythmic beat she could focus on. Tears still poured from her turquoise eyes as her frantic breathing slowly calmed.

Chief sat for a while, calming the girl while he waited for Cortana to return so she could advise him on what to do next. Waiting, and waiting, the Spartan could see Samus yawning. She was clearly overly exhausted. Walking back over to Samus's berth, he began to carefully lower her onto the bed.

Sitting up in her bed watching as Chief returned to his own berth. Samus did not want to go back to sleep at all. Though she did eventually lay down after a while, she continued to sob.

It wrenched on his heartstrings to hear the toddler sob basically the whole night. But Chief was torn on how to handle the situation. Without Cortana's helpful advice he didn't know whether to go back to the girl, or just let her cry it out. Eventually he closed his eyes, letting his exhaustion decide for him. Unintentionally deciding to allow the toddler to cry it out, consumed in dread as her recent tragic past haunted her to no end.

Hours later Chief woke in a sudden panic. Shooting upright in his berth suddenly remembering the tiny tot he had rescued was suffering from a nightmare. It was considered to be the next day already, it was quite early. Scanning the dim lit room he could see the toddler was still sitting up in her bed attempting to prevent herself from giving into her exhaustion.

"Good morning... Oh? You're still in bed. That's not usually like you." Cortana greeted the Spartan after appearing on the nearby pedestal.

"I waited for you to return last night. But you didn't return." Master Chief replied getting out of his berth.

Cortana raised her brow at her Spartan. "Why did you wait up for me? I told you I was going to be with the, Commander."

John looked at his AI before changing his glance to the child. "I was hoping you would return to advise me on what to do about, Samus."

"And I gave you advice before I left. I told you to follow your instincts." Cortana rolled her eyes at Chief. "Judging by the fact that Samus, is barely awake, trying desperately not to fall asleep. I would say you didn't take that advice seriously." She gestured to Samus across the room.

"I don't have any paternal instincts. I know it was wrong for me to leave her all night." John hung his head low feeling terrible for not making a better effort to comfort the child.

The blue AI gave a deep sigh, shaking her head with a smirk. "Well, I am wishing you luck on dealing with a toddler that has received no sleep. My biggest advice for you would be to get her to nap somehow. Also the Commander, wishes to speak to you about your reports."

Chief sighed as Cortana once again vanished from the pedestal. Putting his armour on, he glanced at over at Samus. She was beginning to make her way off of the berth. He could tell he was going to have another interesting day of learning how to be around the toddler.

"We're going to go find the, Commander. Are you ready to go?" He asked, looking down at the half awake toddler by his side.

Samus blinked slowly, her mind was completely foggy from her lack of sleep. Giving a slow nod she followed Chief into the busy corridor. Following behind the Spartan was even more difficult as she drunkly toddled after Chief, nearly tripping several other soldiers in the process.

"Whoa kid! Are you even awake enough to walk?" Johnson's voice came from behind the Master Chief.

Chief pivoted walking over to the Sergeant who was steadying the child. To no surprise Samus was swaying in a desperate attempt to stay awake.

"You just shake her awake and throw her out into the hallways?" Johnson halfheartedly joked at the Master Chief.

"No." Chief's answer was flat and emotionless as the Sergeant walked the girl over to be steadied by him.

"Well, you might wanna consider giving her a nap. Or taking her to the infirmary to be checked over because this seems a little out of the ordinary for a toddler after a nights rest." Johnson commented before he continued on down the corridor.

"Cortana?" Chief called hoping for another opinion on what he should do with the toddler.

"Yes? What is it, Chief?" The AI replied.

Chief hefted Samus into his arms as she could no longer stand on her own. "What should I do with, Samus? She doesn't seem well."

"Well, you haven't given her any nourishment, or hydration, in nearly 24 hours. She had absolutely no adequate sleep. And now you are making her follow you around." Cortana listed off the lack of care Chief was giving to the foundling toddler.

"I haven't meant to neglect her needs... I just don't know what to do for her." Master Chief mentioned quietly. Feeling guilty for not taking better care of the foundling.

"I know you haven't meant to. Giving care usually comes pretty naturally when it comes to being around a child. Let her nap for now." Cortana told her guilty feeling Spartan.

"I don't want to leave her in my quarters all by herself. She might wake, and wonder the ship. Or get lost." Chief mentioned as many passing soldiers stared him down for standing in the middle of the corridor.

With a chuckling sigh, Cortana mentally rolled her eyes at the the Spartan. "Chief. Samus, can't weigh more than 30lbs. Carry her. You're not jumping into battle any time soon."

With a deep exhale Chief reluctantly allowed Samus to rest against him in his arms. Samus did not protest at all. Her little arms half way wrapped around the Spartan's neck as she rested herself against the Spartan's shoulder. Her eyes closing almost instantly.

Chief walked into the quiet bridge. The Commander who was with Sergeant Johnson, approached the entering Spartan.

"Master Chief. I reviewed your reports. Your reports after your arrival on Delta Station, are vague. You give zero information about how you obtained this child, and the information about her." Commander Keyes greeted the Spartan with data pad in hand.

"My intentions were not to give a lack of information, Commander. I admit I rushed my report on the station as I had no time to go into detail before the Covenant attacked." Chief replied calmly as Cortana appeared on the bridge AI pedestal.

Keyes bowed her head in acknowledgment. "I want a full report by the afternoon. I would like to know more about this toddler we are harbouring. Other than that there's nothing more I have to say. You're dismissed." Miranda explained before she walked to the other side of the bridge.

"You might want to get her checked over at the infirmary before doing that report. They will have been making their own reports on the kid, if they have already treated her." Johnson mentioned to Chief, before following the Commander.

"He's right. That medic from Delta station undoubtedly already made a report concerning the curiosity of Samus's interesting ability to heal so quickly. Plus she has been with other medics since that one." Cortana mentioned.

"And what can I do about those reports?" Chief asked, clearly unsure of how to keep Samus's hybrid mutations a secret.

"Nothing. The ship that is keeping her identity secret has sailed. Take her to the infirmary like Johnson, told you too. They'll be able to do a better examination of her while she's asleep." Cortana basically brushed off her Spartan's question, watching as Chief hesitantly exited the bridge.

Walking through the corridors Master Chief thought to himself. Glancing at the soundly sleeping toddler in his arms. Did he really want to allow the medical staff to do a thorough examination on Samus?

"I know what you're thinking."

Chief kept quiet as he heard Cortana's voice through his helmet's speakers. He wasn't too far from the infirmary now.

"Don't get worked up. Samus, will be fine. The medics don't need to conduct any unnecessary testing. I will help you reply back to them if they argue. But it would be good to get Samus, checked over for the sake of her health." Cortana reassured her Spartan as he hesitantly entered the infirmary. "I can tell you've been having second thoughts about keeping her in your care. The medics may be able to ease your worries, and assign a better suited caretaker if you decide you can no longer care for her."

"Master Chief, what brings you to the infirmary?" The CMO on deck greeted the Spartan, leading him to a private examination room.

"I'm worried Samus, isn't doing well." Chief answered, cradling the slumbering toddler in his arms so the CMO could get a better look at Samus.

The medic could see that Samus was napping. Not something that was completely out of the ordinary for a toddler. "Are there any symptoms Samus, is showing that are concerning?"

Chief thought for a moment. There wasn't anything too concerning that he could recollect about the child.

To no surprise Cortana appeared on a pedestal next to the CMO. "Samus, has been refusing to take any nourishment. And hasn't been getting any adequate sleep. She has also ended up on the battlefield more than once."

The CMO nodded in understanding as she curiously scanned the girl with her eyes. "Hmm... those behaviours are not uncommon in a toddler that has recently gone through trauma. But, I can do a quick blood test to rule out any illness, or infections."

Samus woke to the feeling of a small prick on her arm. Opening her eyes to see blood draining from her arm into two small vials.

As soon as the CMO noticed the girl was awake she removed the needle and vial from the toddler's arm. "I thought that might wake you." She cooed with a smile, as she pressed a cotton ball against the small hole the needle left behind in Samus's arm. "I'm going to quickly run this through, if you want to put this bandaid on her." The CMO said, handing Chief a very tiny bandaid before exiting with the vial of blood.

Chief very carefully tried to place the bandaid over the small hole in the girl's arm. While Samus groggily tried to understand what was happening around her.

"Chief, don't bother with it. She'll be fine without it." Cortana told her uncomfortable Spartan.

"Why take my blood?" Samus asked looking up at the golden visor on the Spartan's helmet.

"We're just checking to make sure you're doing alright." Cortana responded, before locking eyes with the golden visor. "But this blood test is sure to raise questions."

"If that won't, my reports will..." John mentioned clearly unsure about the circumstances.

The Blue AI gave a small smile in attempt to comfort Master Chief. "Samus, is already raising questions just by existing on this ship. Your reports will confirm their curiosity. But there's nothing to worry about. We're in the middle of a war. There's no time to ship her off to some other place. I might just get in contact with her caretakers by the time we're finished pursuing the Covenant." Cortana explained as Samus shifted to sit up in the Spartan's arms.

Cortana had a point. The UNSC could do nothing about Samus while they were in the middle of an active war pursuing Covenant.

"Down?" Samus pointed having Chief lower her to the floor, only to have the CMO return.

As soon as the CMO returned Samus acutely changed her mind scurrying back up the Spartan. Hiding herself against his chest plate. Master Chief internally chuckled at the toddler's sudden change of actions, forgetting how shy she was around completely new strangers.

The CMO looked as if she was going to chuckle, but her puzzled expression seemed to overtake it as she stared at the data pad in her hand.

"Is everything alright, Doctor?" Chief asked, surprisingly before Cortana could.

"Uh, yes..?" The CMO replied continuing to review her data pad. "But... her blood test results are... Well. Bizarre..." she mentioned, approaching the Spartan. "I've never seen anything quite like it. It's as if I took a blood sample from a Spartan such as yourself. Except completely foreign. Foreign in a sense that there is unknown strands in her blood. Yet they don't seem to have a lethal effect. Nor do they have a contagious effect if others come in contact. These foreign strands seem to enhance the child's biology. From what I am reading the child has been genetically modified." The CMO seemed intrigued yet completely baffled by Samus's blood test results.

"But Samus, is alright otherwise?" Chief asked almost casually as if the blood test results were not a shock to him.

"She's a bit malnourished, bordering dehydration, and she's clearly fatigued from a lack of sleep." The CMO answered, but was almost shocked by the Spartan's ability to brush off the child's interesting blood test results. "Where did you say you found this child?"

Master Chief glanced at Cortana who shrugged before disappearing from the pedestal. "An ancient unknown alien planet..."

Before the CMO could question further another medic knocked on the door waving for the CMO to come speak with them.

"Oh, excuse me a moment." The CMO got up from her seat, exiting the room, shutting the door behind her.

"Now would be the time to request for a proper caretaker if you've changed your mind about caring for Samus, during this hiatus." Cortana mentioned to the Master Chief, just as the CMO returned.

"Now, I would suggest trying to get her to eat, and hydrate. Or if she continues to decline we will have to hook her up to an IV to help hydrate her at the very least. Food, and water, along with rest should be top priority." The Doctor told the Spartan firmly, as she looked over her data pad one more time. "Do you have any questions?"

Chief thought about what Cortana had mentioned. If everyone was going to eventually know what Samus was. He should allow skilled caretakers to take the toddler.

"Sir?" The CMO called out, regaining the Spartan's attention.

"How do I get her to eat?" He asked to Cortana's surprise. With that question it seemed Chief had made his choice.

The Doctor cocked her head nearly just as confused by the question. "Well. Samus, is at an age where she is completely capable of feeding herself..."

"To a point, she can. Drinking seems a bit difficult for her. I meant she refuses everything I offer her. Since finding her Samus, has only taken a bite of a cracker, and sipped on a glass of water." Master Chief explained what he meant by his earlier question.

"What do you mean by to a point?" The Doctor asked as she grabbed a small flashlight and a tongue depressor stick. Checking to make sure Samus had nothing painful happening to her teeth.

"I believe the Master Chief, was a bit shocked by the fact a small toddler was not able to hold and drink from a large glass of water without it spilling or smashing onto the floor." Cortana mentioned, as that was clearly what her Spartan was referring to when he mentioned the toddler could feed herself to a point.

"I recommend straws, and holding the cup for her. Or a durable lightweight cups if you can find them. But straws and lids are always a good idea." The CMO replied, before approaching the Spartan holding the shy toddler. She smiled warmly as Samus hid her face from her. "I can send you, or Cortana, a list of foods ideal for a toddler."

"A list of toddler cares and needs would be ideal, Doctor. This is all new to the Master Chief." Cortana told the CMO, glaring at the Chief with her hands on her hips.

"I can do that. Just one moment." The Doctor nodded in understanding, before exiting the room.

Chief sharply turned his golden visor to glare at the AI across the room. "She's been raised by aliens for the past 2 months. I don't think I need an entire handbook on how to deal with, Samus."

The blue AI folded her arms with an eye roll. "Just because some aliens were keeping her alive doesn't mean they know how to properly care for her. Since you continue to be stubborn by refusing proper caretakers for the child for some odd reason. I think a bit of on hand knowledge will help you."

"I'm not refusing. I'm making a decision to continue on caring for Samus, until she is reunited with her caretakers. I'm the one who brought her here. I will resume responsibility for her." Master Chief replied just before the CMO came back in.

"Here, this may be something to spark a little joy." The Doctor said as she showed Samus a plushy toy.

Samus shyly took the plushy that was being handed to her, uncertain if she was going to be tricked or grabbed for taking it. Examining the toy in her hand Samus noted that the soft toy was a Spartan that seemed to resemble the Master Chief.

"How did you...?"

"I have a family member who makes small trinkets and toys for those who need lifting up in a time of need. Like during this war with the Covenant. It's been hard and trying times for everyone. So my family member sends me all sorts of little prototype toys to give survivors I might meet a long the way in my line of duty." The CMO explained as to why she had such an out of place item on the warship.

Samus examined the Master Chief lookalike plushy in her hands. Just having the toy seemed to bring a small smile to her face. It had been 6 months since she had seen a real toy.

The Doctor smiled after seeing the young girl grin at the plushy Spartan. "My family member told me this toy resembles hope. For all the hope the Master Chief, has given humanity during these hard times. They told me to give it to someone in need."

Master Chief was almost embarrassed by the fact that so many people looked to him for hope. He understood that he had saved the universe from certain doom. But he had yet to finish the job. The war was still raging, and he would finish it. But the fact that people were already prematurely putting all their hopes and faith in him, was a little unnerving and pressuring.

"I sent the care instructions to Cortana, should you need assistance with the toddler." The Doctor mentioned as she began to lead them out of the infirmary. "Get her some nourishment, please. And the toy should help her sleep better, having something to snuggle may help her feel more secure."

"Thank you, Doctor." Chief said his thanks to the CMO before making his way down to the mess hall.

"So it seems pretty simple. Basic food groups of course. Get her some veggies or fruits to snack on along with maybe a simple sandwich. And some water." Cortana listed off as Chief entered the busy mess hall.

Samus was not a fan of the large crowds, as she sat in one of Chief's arms she hid herself from the world around her, hiding her face in the green armoured chest plate.

"Oh, see those plastic cups with lids and straws? Get that. It should be simple enough for Samus, to use." Cortana told her Spartan as he tried to juggle a tray of food in one arm, and a shy toddler in the other.

Easier said then done Chief thought to himself as he put down the tray to grab and fill the cup with water. As he filled the cup he could see Samus getting increasingly uncomfortable in the noise and business of the mess hall.

"Wait, where are you going?" Cortana asked, confused as to why the Master Chief was now exiting the mess hall.

"Samus, isn't comfortable. In a better setting she may feel more inclined to nourish herself." The Spartan explained as he stepped out of the busy corridor, stopping next to a massive window.

Cortana sighed realizing her Spartan was probably correct about the child. "Well if that's truly what you believe, then you should at least bring her back to your room. You've still got those reports to do. They're due in three hours."

His AI made a very valid point. Once back in his quarters, Chief sat Samus on his berth. Placing the tray of food on the small end table next to the bed.

"Eat what you can. I'm going to start these reports. Ask for help if you need it." Chief told the girl as he sat at the desk not far from the end table.

Samus placed the plushy toy next to her on the bed. Before reaching for the yummy looking strawberries mixed with blueberries on the tray. Eating only the berries, Samus picked at the rest of the food on the tray. Once again nibbling on a cracker and sipping on some water, before giving up on the entire meal.

Chief was disappointed Samus only ate a small handful of fruit before giving up on the rest of the food on the tray. "She eats like a bird..." he muttered under his breath, receiving a chuckle from Cortana.

Cortana appeared on the pedestal next to the desk, with a clear smirk on her face. "Well that's fitting. Since we can't really tell what traits she's actually gotten from that bird like alien civilization."

"That's not what I meant by that. And we don't know if she can survive on very little sustenance. The CMO mentioned Samus, clearly needs nourishment. But she's still eating very little." Chief replied with a sigh of frustration.

"Just stick to your reports. Unless Samus, is visibly showing drastic signs of malnourishment, I wouldn't worry too much. It just might be the way she is." Cortana shrugged, at a loss as to why the toddler ate so little food. But also wanted Chief to stop concerning himself with such minor issues.

Chief exhaled deeply as he returned his attention to his reports. "They're going to question me if I leave out any information about her..."

"Considering Johnson, and myself, have mentioned that Samus, has only opened up and spoken to you... Yes I believe they would be quite upset." Cortana replied with an answer Chief didn't exactly want to hear. "But only you and I know what she is. Like I said before. We will not have time for the UNSC to take an alien hybrid child into research. Even if they learn everything you know. The Covenant is priority."

Finishing his reports John turned his head to look at the child on his berth. Samus was holding onto her new toy, seemingly trying to stay awake while she waited for him. Standing up with the data pads in hand he turned to the waiting AI. "I have to turn these into the, Commander."

"Go ahead. I will watch her." Cortana reassured her Spartan that she would look after the child in his absence.

"And if you're summoned elsewhere?" Chief quirked an eyebrow behind his visor.

The AI turned to the door. "You better take her with. I will meet you in the bridge." Cortana said before disappearing from the pedestal.

Master Chief scooped Samus off the bed with ease. Sitting the toddler in the crook of his arm he made his way to the bridge. Samus leaned herself against the green chest hugging her plushy tightly as she tried not to give in to her exhaustion.

"Master Chief, excellent. Those are the reports I requested earlier today?" Commander Keyes greeted the Spartan as he approached her and Johnson.

"Yes, Ma'am." Chief nodded, hesitantly holding the data pads out for the Commander.

"Chief?" Johnson, called out in confusion when the Spartan retracted from handing out his reports.

"I have some conditions..."

"You have what?!" Johnson nearly choked on his words in disbelief at what the Spartan had said.

Keyes was curious. "What are these conditions exactly?"

"I will hand these to you, only if you agree that Samus, is not to be experimented on. No experimental medical procedures unless absolutely necessary for emergency reasons." The Spartan firmly informed the Commander.

"Master Chief, you cannot withhold your reports, and make demands." Sergeant Johnson reminded the Spartan.

"I will except your terms and conditions for now, Master Chief. It's unlikely we will be able to conduct experimentation during this time. However, once our mission is over you cannot hold the child hostage." The Commander firmly told the hesitant demanding Spartan. Taking the reports that were finally handed to her.

"Sounds like our little guest is very interesting." Johnson thought aloud, as Chief had been giving very vague information about the toddler.

"Interesting indeed..." Commander Keyes thought aloud as she began to examine the reports. "You're dismissed, Master Chief. I will call you if I have questions."

Master Chief acknowledged the Commander, calmly exiting the bridge. He was concerned he gave too much information about Samus.

"Oh they'll have lots of questions for sure..." Cortana remarked through Chief's helmet speakers.

Master Chief ignored the comment, he had a logical explanation for how to deal with the possibility of having them push for Samus to be experimented on. He knew it would not take long for those in command to start questioning the toddler.

Once back in the room Chief carefully placed Samus in her berth. She was asleep, getting a much needed rest.

Pacing his room for a while, thoughts began to swarm his head. He may have overstepped. But it was for the safety of a child. No child, especially one so much younger, needed to go through what he had gone through with the Spartan program.

"You know they're going to question her regardless of you trying to make demands?" Cortana mentioned as Chief examined his look a like plushy.

"I'm aware..." He replied emotionlessly, placing the plushy on the toddler's bed. "They will question her and get no different answers from, Samus. I was truthful. I explained what Samus, is to an extent."

Cortana could tell Chief already had a plan set if things began to get pushy with command. "So what's your plan if things get escalated?"

"You'll know when it happens." Master Chief replied, not exactly wanting to go into detail at the moment.

Cortana shrugged with a nod. "I guess I will be soon enough... Are you going to head for the training facilities?"

Chief looked over his shoulder back at the restlessly napping toddler. "No..." he replied sitting down at his desk. "Can you upload my video logs collected from the day I set foot on, Zebes?"

"Certainly. Uploading the video footage to your data pad now." Cortana complied to her Spartan's request. "What, did you leave something behind?"

"According to Samus, I left an entirely new alien civilization, and underworld environments behind." Chief's sarcasm was dry as he watched the videos upload onto the data pad in his hands. "I'm just making sure I didn't miss anything important before or during the moments I encountered the Covenant."

Cortana gave a nod in understanding, as she glanced at the uncomfortably napping toddler. "I'm pretty positive we were so focused on getting that part from the Covenant ship, we didn't stop to take in the sights or ask technically advanced locals for assistance."

That they did not do. Although it's not something he would usually do on an emergency excursion. Chief thought to himself, watching his video feed. Taking note of all the crumbling structures, and the bird like statues he had passed by without so much as a second glance. Hearing shouting coming from the distance Chief could tell it was that Sangheili Zealot that had held Samus captive in that quarry.

"Cortana, can you translate what that Zealot is saying?" John asked, as he observed his approach to the quarry.

"Certainly." Cortana replied as she began translating what the Sangheili was shouting at the girl, right up until Chief interfered. "Where's the oracle, human? From what audio I'm picking up the Zealot begins to inspect Samus a little further. Mentioning that she is impure. Saying that perhaps there is more to that desolate planet than they thought. That the fact there was an Oracle, so to speak. There must be some holy significance left behind by the gods."

Chief mulled over that information as the Sangheili sharply turned to give orders to his subordinates.

"He's saying fan out and search for the Oracle, and holy sights, there may be gifts from the gods waiting to be harnessed. Take the impurity, she will be used for study... Besides getting irate with Samus. That's the last thing that Zealot mentions just before you ambush them." Cortana translates as the video footage continued on further into the combat.

"Do you believe it's a possibility that the Chozo, are well advanced due to Forerunner technology?" Chief asked looking over his shoulder to see Samus restlessly tossing and turning.

"Uncertain. I felt the presence of another AI. But it wasn't the same signal or origin as if we ran into, Guilty Spark. It did not seem Forerunner in origin. Given the Chozo are an ancient civilization, it's possible they know of, or crossed paths with Forerunners." Cortana mentioned as she thought aloud. "I kind of wish we had more time on that planet."

Master Chief nodded his head in agreement while lowering the data pad as it turned off. "Perhaps one day, we will visit Zebes again."

"It's pretty unlikely that you will cross paths with Samus, again. If her Chozo caretakers happen to bring her back home that is." The Blue AI watched as Master Chief gazed out the porthole window.

Master Chief knew Cortana was right. If the Chozo were able to locate them and return Samus to their home planet, he would most likely never see her again. Though if he was able to create an alliance with the Chozo, he would potentially cross paths with Samus again.

"I see?"

Chief looked at his feet where he heard the tiny voice come from. Seeing Samus with her plushy in hand, pointing up at the window. "You're supposed to be resting." He said hefting the toddler into his arms.

Samus excitedly gazed out the window watching all the interesting fun colours zoom by as they continued through slip space.

"I guess a quick power nap was enough." Cortana shrugged.

"I'm going to head to the training facility." Master Chief said as he turned to head out the door.

"What about, Samus?" The AI asked as the Spartan was about to exit.

"I'm bringing her with." Chief reassured Cortana as he exited his quarters.

Chief was not at all surprised to hear Cortana's concerned tone come over his helmet speakers. "Are you sure it's a good idea to take her? If she's not careful she could get injured."

"She can sit and play, while I do a routine workout. She'll be just fine." John replied as he placed Samus on the floor by some benches. "I'm going to be exercising. Stay here, and play. I won't be too long." He firmly told Samus before walking over to the nearby training area.

Samus watched Chief for a few moments, his physically demanding routines looked intense, yet incredible. She wondered if she could move like the Spartan. Copying the moves Chief was doing she held out her plushy Spartan, making the toy copy Chief's moves as well.

Cortana was keeping a watchful eye on the toddler from the pedestal near the doorway making sure Samus was safe during Master Chief's workout. "Looks like you have an admirer." She mentioned over Chief's com channel.

Taking a breath, John looked over his shoulder to see Samus, trying to choreograph his fighting skills in her own awkward dance of giggles and wriggles. He smirked almost chuckling at the tiny girl's attempt to copy him. "Maybe I will show her how to do those moves properly one day." He said as he continued on his workout.

Cortana chuckled, a hint of uncertainty in her laugh as she realized Chief seemed to believe he was going to have Samus for a long time. He was beginning to form a connection with the toddler. "You've already gave her a gun to shoot, showing her how to physically hit something can't be any worse." She joked, not wanting to question Chief quite yet.

Samus quickly grew exhausted from her attempt at copying the Spartan. Sitting on the floor Samus hummed as she played with the plushy toy. The sound of the door swooshing open caused Samus to quickly crawl under the bench. It was just tall enough for her to sit under and hide as she watched a familiar man approach the Master Chief.

"You know you're pretty brave demanding conditions, without thinking about the consequences." Sergeant Johnson said as he lit up a cigar.

Master Chief didn't respond. He knew he was taking a risk demanding that they don't treat Samus like a science project.

Johnson puffed on his cigar with a sigh. "Your demands are not going to be met... Not fully that is."

Those words seemed to have gotten the Spartan's attention as he slowed his movements in order to hear the man better.

"After you left. The Commander, discussed your reports for a bit with the CMO, and Cortana." The Sergeant mentioned.

Chief was a bit shocked to hear that Cortana was talking about the situation with the Commander without even mentioning she did. But it wasn't like it was a complete shock, as Cortana may have given them a bit more understanding behind his demands. Although he knew she was just as curious as Command was about Samus.

"Where is your little sidekick anyway?" Johnson asked scanning around the Spartan for the toddler.

"Cortana?!" Master Chief took a step to the side looking past the Sergeant to try and locate the girl.

"Take it easy, she's under the bench." The AI replied marking the child's location on the Spartan's HUD.

Johnson cocked an eyebrow at the Master Chief. The amount of worry Chief had for the child was interesting. "Be prepared. Tomorrow the Commander, is going to conduct some questioning for that supposedly human child."

Samus came out from the bench as Johnson finished speaking with the Master Chief. She gave a shy smile and nod as the man passed by her.

Once Johnson exited Chief glared at the AI across the room. "Why didn't you tell me you spoke with them afterwards?"

"You were preoccupied. And I did already warn you that your demands to try and keep Samus, from becoming a science project, may not hold for long." Cortana replied as Chief approached the small toddler.

"What do they want to gain from her? She's a baby..." Chief muttered under his breath as he coaxed Samus to follow him back into the hallways.

"That's for them to decide I suppose. But you may want to put your plan into action tomorrow, and explain why the experimentation would be a bad idea."

Once night time came Chief hoped that walking the toddler around the ship multiple times before sleep, would make Samus sleepy enough to rest throughout the night.

Samus did become more sleepy, but was still energized enough to stay awake. "Can I see?" She asked pointing up to the porthole window above her.

Chief exhaled as he pushed off the berth he was sitting on, hefting the toddler up in his arms as he stood in front of the small window.

"Where Zebes?" Samus asked turning her head to the golden visor behind her.

"Uncertain. We're in slip space." Master Chief replied.

"We in a rainbow!?" Samus thought aloud with a smile.

"Yeah...?" John was unsure if Samus was asking a legitimate question, or if she was just stating what she thought slip space was. Turning away from the window Samus groaned as Chief placed her on her bed. "It's time for rest. You have not gotten nearly enough sleep."

The expression of concern and fear on the toddler's face was very apparent. Making Chief almost feel bad for putting Samus to bed.

"You're okay. I won't let anything happen to you." Master Chief reassured the little girl, before making his way to his own berth. A knock on the Spartan's door diverting his path to his bed. Answering the door Chief was not entirely shocked to have the Commander standing on the other side.

"Chief, I need a moment to speak with you." Keyes told the Spartan who nodded in understanding.

"I'll watch her." Cortana reassured her Spartan from the pedestal she stood on inside the room.

"I will be on the other side of the door. Stay. Try to sleep." Chief looked over his shoulder at Samus, before shutting the door after stepping out of his quarters. "Ma'am?"

Commander Keyes took a deep sigh before explaining to the Spartan why she was there. "Master Chief, I am here to let you know that we are going to at the very least question the girl while she is staying with us. Her mysterious background is both intriguing, and a bit concerning."

Chief understood what the Commander was hinting at. "Samus, has told me that the ones who are raising her are a peaceful ancient alien civilization. I understand that I may have put the UNSC under the microscope of this alien race, and therefore putting us at a possible risk. But I do believe the highly advanced Chozo, could be possible allies."

Miranda nodded in acknowledgement putting her hand over her chin in deep thought, before proceeding with her next concerns. "Master Chief, there's been a slight concern that has been brought to my attention. That you may be getting a bit too attached to this foundling of yours. Clouding your judgement and giving a biased opinion on the situation. Even though we are possibly being hunted by even more unknown, highly advanced, aliens."

John mulled over the words the Commander had just spoken. He knew he was earning trust with Samus, as she was doing the same with him. But he didn't consider it an attachment to the child. Nor did he consider it a problem. "I don't agree, Commander. I assure you that my judgment is not based on a biased opinion, just because I have gained trust with the child. I would easily see the Chozo as a threat if they presented themselves as such." He replied but in the back of his mind Chief wondered if Johnson was the one feeding this concern to the Commander. Or if Cortana was mentioning it as well, as she had been questioning him earlier about this subject.

Miranda once again nodded with an exhale. "Okay, I believe you. But we will talk more about this tomorrow. With Samus, as well. Goodnight, Master Chief."

Chief waited for the Commander to disappear down the hallway before entering his room once again. Luckily Samus was finally asleep.

"Is everything alright?" Cortana asked Chief with a soft gaze.

"They're questioning Samus, tomorrow. They're questioning me as well." Chief mentioned as he approached the pedestal his AI was on. "The Commander, is questioning my relationship with, Samus. Did you tell them I was getting attached?"

"Getting attached? No... Not exactly in those words." Cortana glanced away searching for an exit from the conversation.

"What did you tell them?" Chief wanted answers. He understood Cortana was a large asset to the Commander and the In Amber Clad during this time. But he was getting left behind in the information exchanges.

Cortana sighed deeply, preparing to explain what she has told Command. "Chief, they kept asking for information from me. I would be lying if I said the whole ship wasn't talking about the mystery child that's been brought aboard by the Master Chief."

John quickly glanced at the slumbering toddler behind him, before fixing his gaze on his AI. "Cortana?"

"I told them the child is quite intriguing. But has only opened up to you and I. I mentioned that you, and Samus, seemed to be getting along, and growing a small bond of trust amongst each other." The blue AI explained the simple explanation of what information she had been providing.

All of what Cortana had said was true. The information she was providing Command was true. But vague enough that she wasn't exactly explaining what Samus was.

"Did they question why Samus, was unique?" Chief asked glancing over at Samus to see if she was still asleep.

Cortana shrugged with a small cringe. "More, or less, yes. But the Commander, didn't exactly push for answers otherwise."

John titled his head in confusion as it seemed odd Commander Keyes would give up so easily. Especially with Johnson in her ear. "Really?"

"Yes. During this short conversation, the Chief Medical Officer was there. She agreed with me that Samus, was indeed intriguing. Along with Johnson, the CMO pushed for them to ask Samus, questions." The blue AI explained what was mentioned during the small discussion after Chief had left with Samus. "They're going to get answers to their questions. Especially since children are incredibly honest, their innocence tends to not withhold the truth."

"I don't fully understand?" Master Chief replied, confused by Cortana's words.

Cortana sighed softly as Chief sat down on his bed. Beginning to explain to the Spartan why the toddler would be so open to giving up all her secrets. "Children tend to blatantly blurt out information. Like someone's appearance, very young children will point out that you look funny, or strong, and it will be 100% genuine. Their innocence usually blinds them from the fact that telling the truth can sometimes get you in trouble. And Samus, does seem like a kid who would easily walk up to a murderous monster and try to make friends with them. Not because she's evil. But because she is innocent and naive. I mean she's making friends with you, considering she's never met a Spartan in her life."

The picture was beginning to be painted a lot clearer now. Odds were Samus was going to be very reserved with the people questioning them. "I hope that Samus's, reserved behaviour prevents her from going through further testing."

"You two are only going for questioning. Not testing." Cortana corrected.

Chief shook his head as he readied himself for bed. "That's the first test..."

Cortana said nothing further as her Spartan got into bed. She knew it was a test. And she knew further ones would occur afterwards despite the results. They had quite a few days to waste away with side projects, while they worked on war strategies.

Samus woke up in the middle of the night with a strong fear in her heart. Grabbing her plushy she jumped out of her bed hastily climbing into Chief's berth.

Waking to the feeling of something scurrying over his feet and legs Chief's mind only could picture Flood infection forms crawling all over him. Jolting himself awake he scanned the dark room with his eyes. Finding no Flood anywhere in sight. The only thing there was to see, was a tiny petrified human sitting next to him in his bed.

Samus clung to her plushy in attempt to gain comfort, squeezing herself tightly against the wall as to not disturb the Spartan.

With a deep exhale Chief asked Samus what was wrong. "Samus? What happened?"

"Scary..." She replied with a terrified tremble in her tiny voice.

"What's scary, did you have another nightmare?" John asked wondering if Samus had a nightmare. Samus shook her head no, hugging her toy tightly.

Chief was a bit confused as he went into thought. What could've frightened the child if she hadn't had a nightmare? He wondered if it was the impending dread of possibly having one that was striking terror into her little heart.

"Lay down. Relax. And close your eyes. I'm here here next to you. I won't leave you." Chief coaxed the tense toddler to relax herself. He would not shoo her away this time. Once Samus was asleep next to him, he stared up at the ceiling for a while in deep thought. After a while of thinking he eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning came quickly. Chief woke up to the toddler curled up against his side, as she snuggled her plushy Spartan. It was not entirely shocking to him as Samus seemed so desperate for comfort last night.

"I'm still here." Chief mentioned as he carefully got out of bed. He was going to wake Samus, but since she had gotten so little sleep over the last night he figured let the toddler get as much rest as possible.

Samus slept for a little while longer, enough time for Chief to armour up, and look over what had been sent to him on his data pad. But it wasn't long before she woke taking note of the AI appearing on the pedestal.

"Good morning." Cortana greeted the two.

"Morning, Tana." Samus replied sliding off the berth.

Cortana smiled at the toddler. "You seem like you got some good rest last night." The blue AI smiled up at the Spartan, noting that the toddler was in Chief's berth.

"She woke once. But quickly fell back asleep." John mentioned, as Samus hopped out of bed. Gesturing for Samus to follow him, he led the tiny tot into the bustling hallway.

Samus clutched Chief's calf in one hand, and her plushy in the other as they navigated through the busy corridors.

"Are you hungry?" Master Chief asked as they were approaching the mess hall. To the Spartan's dismay Samus shook her head no in response to his question.

Wondering off to the side of the corridor, Chief crouched down to be level with Samus. "You can't keep telling me no, Samus. You cannot starve yourself."

The small blonde toddler visibly shrunk herself knowing that she making the Spartan upset with her.

"I'm not upset. I'm concerned. How often did you eat with the Chozo?" Chief hoped asking the question in a more casual manner would get him a reasonable response.

Samus blinked trying to think of when she ate with the Chozo. "In morning, and night. Sometimes have snack in two beams if I find some."

"Cortana?" Chief called hoping for some help with translating the toddler's explanation.

"Ya know... If you think hard enough, you'd eventually understand what she's saying just fine." Cortana sarcastically responded to her Spartan. Before explaining what she had gathered from Samus's words. "Samus, mentioned that she seems to eat two meals a day, sometimes having snacks in between if she found some. I'm assuming those snacks to be some sort of vegetation considering how much she seems to like berries. Birdlike aliens, so hunter gathers most likely. But again we don't know how much she is actually eating during a meal, and it sounds like our little buddy here is still adjusting... or mutating should I say, to her DNA infusion."

That was too much information to think about this early in the morning. But it was enough of an answer. Chief made up his mind, leading Samus into the mess hall. "Come'on. We're getting you something to eat."

Cortana quickly scanned the food available to grab, marking what she believed Samus would most likely eat. "There, try this. She is sure to like this. And grab a spoon."

Chief grabbed what was marked on his HUD before leading Samus back out into the corridors. Walking until they finally reached a large office.

Samus scanned the room with her eyes. There was a large desk with three chairs. A large window behind the desk. And next to the window was a long table with multiple chairs.

Chief lifted and placed Samus in one of the chairs at the long table. Placing a plastic cup of food in front of the girl. "Sit here, have as much as you can eat, okay?" He said, handing the toddler the spoon after taking the lid off the cup.

Samus tilted her head at the food inside the cup. It looked familiar. It was definitely not something she could get on Zebes. It was something recognizable from her days on K-2L.

"I think you'll like it, Samus. It's yogurt, with granola, and berries." Cortana mentioned through Chief's helmet speakers.

Samus thought the texture of the yogurt looked quite unappealing but took a small spoonful of it anyway. Cortana was correct, she did like it.

Master Chief internally sighed with relief as the toddler continued to happily eat the breakfast granola yogurt. His attention quickly shifted to the people entering behind him. Commander Keyes, Sergeant Johnson, and the CMO.

"Good Morning, Master Chief." Commander Keyes greeted as she set down some things on the other end of the table.

"You finally got her to eat, huh?" Johnson thought aloud as he observed the messy toddler eating. "Is any of it actually getting in your mouth?" The Sergeant chuckled as the toddler wore most of the yogurt she was eating.

Chief didn't realize how messy of an eater the toddler was. There was granola on the table, Samus, and the floor. Berry juices, and yogurt all over the toddler's face and shirt as if she had made zero attempts to get any food in her mouth.

"Apologies, Commander. I didn't realize Samus would be this messy." Master Chief apologized for the mess as he attempted to clean up the mess off the table and floor. Before trying to wipe off Samus's face with an already used napkin.

Cortana's hologram appeared in the middle of the table, her arms folder as she watched Chief struggle to clean Samus's mess. "You should've gotten more than one napkin..."

Chief was happy that his visor covered his eyes or else Cortana would've seen how much of an annoyed eye roll he was giving her.

"Oh here, I have some wipes you can use." The CMO said pulling packets of wipes out of her doctors coat.

"Thank you." Taking the wipes Chief thanked the CMO.

Samus squinted her eyes trying to push the armoured hands away from her, as Chief used the cold wipes to clean her face and hands.

As much as the scene was amusing, Keyes was getting a little impatient. Another day had started, and information needed to be gathered. "Let's begin shall we." She said gesturing for everyone to take a seat.

Once Samus was cleaned enough, Chief threw away the wipes before standing next to where Samus sat. He knew better than to try and sit in one of the Commander's dainty office chairs while fully armoured.

"Thank you for joining me this morning. Let's get started. I am going to allow both the Doctor, and Johnson, to explain what they have observed with our guest. Chief, chime in when you can." Commander Keyes explained as she looked over her data pad once more, before locking her eyes onto the toddler. "Samus, that's your name, correct?"

Samus froze at her name being called by the Commander, responding with an almost unnoticeable nod.

Grabbing a stylus from the data pad in hand, Commander continued to speak to Samus. "Okay, Samus. We're going to ask you a few questions. Find out where you're from. And how you and Chief, found each other." With no verbal response or nod from the toddler Commander Keyes moved on. "First of all I just want to make sure you understand that none of us are here to hurt you. We work with the Master Chief, you are safe. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from Samus?"

"Zebes..." a small very soft voice answered.

"In this report in front of me. Chief, states that your origin planet is K-2L? Is this true?"

Samus cocked her head in confusion as she did not fully understand what the woman was exactly asking her.

"You were born on a different planet then, Zebes?" Cortana asked in a more simple manner.

Once again Samus nodded yes in reply to the question.

"Zebes, and K-2L. Both planets are uncharted and unknown. There's zero data about any of the planets in the UNSC database network." Cortana made a note aloud.

"You lived there with your mother and father?" As the Commander asked this question Samus's eyes filled with sorrow as she gave a frowning nod. Keyes put down her data pad as she understood the pain and sorrow the girl was feeling, as she had recently lost her father in battle. "Master Chief, mentions there was an attack on your home world. By Space Pirates? What are Space Pirates? Do they look like the Covenant aliens that attacked, Zebes?"

"No." Samus once again shook her head, this time with a verbal response.

"They're much different from the Covenant? Did they have different ships and weapons?" Johnson asked curiously, wondering if a new threat was imminent.

"Cortana, if you don't mind showing Samus, the species within the Covenant." Commander Keyes gestured for Cortana to bring up examples for the girl.

Cortana nodded bringing up holograms of all known species in the Covenant. "None of these look familiar from the K-2L attacks?"

Samus shook her head no, only recognizing the Covenant aliens from the attack on Zebes. "They really different..."

Cortana put her hand up to get the attention of the adults. "If I may. Samus, has mentioned a certain name to who leads these legions of Space Pirates. Especially after her nightmares. Ridley." The simple mentioning of the evil Space Pirate leader visibly sent shivers down Samus's spine. "Who I'm assuming to be her parents murderer. As she has previously mentioned before to Chief, and I."

"Noted, Cortana." Keyes mentioned as she made sure that was mentioned in the Master Chief's report. "Now Samus, how did you get to Zebes? Was there an evacuation order? Did you get onto a ship with others to escape to a nearby planet?"

"Negative, Commander. Samus, was the sole survivor on her planet." Chief answered.

"Is this true?" Johnson asked, finding it a bit hard to believe that Samus could be the only survivor on an entire planet.

Samus slowly nodded her head in conformation. "Me, and Pyonchi."

The name out of Samus made both the Sergeant and CMO look at the toddler in shock. "Who is, Pyonchi?"

"My friend." Samus replied, shocking the room.

"There was another child? I thought you said there were no other humans on, Zebes? And that you were the only survivor?" Johnson gruffly questioned Samus, as everyone was quite confused by this odd name the toddler had mentioned.

Samus giggled at the Sergeant. "Pyonchi, is Rabbilis. He's fluffy."

"He's your pet?" Johnson asked still confused.

"He's my friend." The girl nodded yes to the Sergeant.

"Who brought you to Zebes, Samus?" Commander Keyes repeated the earlier question. Refocusing the subject.

"Old Bird, and Grey Voice." Samus replied as her turquoise eyes wondered the room.

"What are Old Bird, and Grey Voice?" The CMO asked purely curious as to what brought the toddler to such an alien world.

"Chozo." Samus replied as she swung her legs rhythmically as she watched the slip space colours dance outside the window.

"From what information Samus, has given us. The Chozo, are an ancient alien civilization of humanoid birds. From what it seems the Chozo are made up of two different tribes. One passive and scientific. The other is a technologically advanced warrior class, focused on strength, and power. Both seem to be pursuing galactic peace. And Samus, seems to be a part of their plan to achieve it." Cortana explained, pulling up the toddler's drawings from shortly after the rescued Samus.

"And you're certain of this?" Keyes asked both curious and concerned about the Chozo.

Cortana gave a deep exhale with a slow head shake. "No, Commander. They're only theories based on what information Samus, has given us."

Miranda was curious to question the girl further about the Chozo. But allowed the Doctor to ask questions, hoping that her questions would unintentionally bring up more information about the Chozo.

"Samus, I am very curious about you specifically. From the information I have gathered. It mentions that Zebes, is quite a harsh and inhabitable planet for humans." The CMO began explaining her curiosity about Samus's biology.

"In simpler terms. Zebes, is not good for humans to live on." Cortana simplified what the Doctor was saying to Samus. Chief's uncertain body language not going unnoticed by the AI. She knew the Spartan was not keen on letting the UNSC know what Samus was.

"I know. Mother, told Grey, and Old Bird, when they bring me to Zebes. I stayed in a special room until I was made stronger" Samus replied that she already was aware of how inhospitable Zebes was to humans.

"Mother?" Keyes cocked an eyebrow confused. "I thought her mother was deceased?"

"Correct, Commander. From what little hints Samus, has given us. Mother, or how she is truly known as. Mother Brain. Seems to be a planetary super computer, the Chozo's AI that keeps up with all the work on Zebes." Cortana once again explained what the child actually meant.

Keyes leaned back in her seat, data pad in hand. "And you two never encountered this AI?"

Chief shook his head no in reply to the Commander. "No, Ma'am. We only encountered Samus, and the Covenant."

Miranda gave a small nod in acknowledgement before gesturing for the Doctor to continue her questioning.

"Getting back on track here. As far as my check ups, and scans of you have been, you're completely healthy and thriving. Samus, how were you able to survive the harsh environments of Zebes?" The CMO asked the question Chief was dreading.

Before Samus could answer Commander Keyes jumped into the conversation. "Doctor, in your notes here, you noted that there was foreign strands in Samus's blood. Is it any cause for concern? A possible lingering side effect from being on the planet for too long?"

The Doctor shook her head in response picking up her own data pad. "The foreign strands are not contagious, nor are they dangerous. But I have not looked into it further as the blood sample has expired and it was not enough to research further."

Keyes once again nodded in acknowledgement before addressing the toddler. "Samus, how were you able to survive on Zebes?"

The more she heard the planet's name the more she wanted to go home. Samus reluctantly replied to the repeated question. Fearing the worst as the last time she shared what she was, those around her became uneasy. "Chozo, and Mother Brain, change my magnetics. Infoosed me with them blood. Make me strong, nough to survive Zebes."

"I knew it!" Johnson called out, slapping his hand on the table causing Samus to visibly jump. "I knew there was something odd about this kid."

"Correct me if I'm wrong. If what you say is true. That would make you a genetically modified alien hybrid? A cross between human and Chozo?" The Doctor spoke to the girl regaining her attention.

Samus nodded yes. She vaguely remembered a few other Chozo members who assisted with the infusion, she believes Raven Beak was present during her infusion as well, but could not remember as that day turned into months of altering her body. "Grey, and Old Bird, tell me I one of them now. I must learn to be protector of galaxies, so there is galactic peace. Just like all other Chozo do."

"Protector of galaxies? Galactic peace? So these ancient aliens are highly intelligent, and in search of a way to create universal peace?" Johnson questioned gruffly as he fidgeted with an unlit cigar.

"Master Chief, I am assuming you already had this information?" Keyes mentioned to the silent Spartan, who gave a small nod.

This was all moving too quickly. Samus had shared more than enough information about herself. And his reports had not assisted with making her look less interesting.

"How long ago were those augmentations done?" The Doctor curiously asked the toddler even though she did not understand the words she was using.

Samus cocked her head in confusion uncertain of what the Doctor was asking.

"When did the Chozo stop changing your body?" The CMO asked in a simpler manner.

Samus thought for a moment, she had no real concept of time. She only remembered Grey Voice speaking with Raven Beak saying it had taken her weeks to awaken after her two months of floating in the bioreactor. Not to mention another added few weeks to recast her body in order to handle the extreme weather and atmosphere of her new home world, Zebes. "No too long. Think Grey Voice, say two moths in bio-re-adder...? And two more after to re-mass...? Re-cas... my body. Mmm...? And few weeks rest, and more few weeks of training ther-ap-ee. I still get used to eveything."

Cortana hummed thoughtfully before thinking aloud. "I would think that genetically modifying a human child to adapt to that harsh world is quite an long endeavour. Sounds like roughly about 5 months of augmentations. It also sounds like it's a lengthy process adjusting to all that genetic modifying."

"Very intriguing. Speaking with the Chozo, would even more so." The Doctor thought aloud very interested in the girl's caretaker's technology.

"I don't believe the Chozo make mutating humans top priority on their things to do. Nor do I think they do it as a hobby." Sergeant scoffed fidgeting with his unlit cigar. "Tell me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like they do not know humans that well. My guess is they took a chance, knowing there was dire risk either way, since they could not return the kid to her home. Right kid? You are the only human on, Zebes?" He asked pointing his cigar at the small blonde toddler.

"I only human ever to be on Zebes." Samus nodded.

"See." Johnson leaned back in his chair placing the unlit cigar in his mouth.

Miranda sighed. This was indeed the oddest thing she had encountered so far. Harbouring an alien hybrid child aboard her war ship. "Cortana, have you picked up any attempt of contact from the Chozo?"

The Blue AI standing in the middle of the table shook her head no. "Negative, Commander. I mentioned to Chief, that I would attempt contact after we are out of slip space. But it is not my priority to do so."

"Why not just keep, Samus? It seems to make sense now that able humans are caring for her." The Sergeant questioned the situation.

Samus immediately got worried about that reply. She did not want to stay here forever, she had to get back to the Chozo. They were her family, and she was one of them now.

"We cannot keep, Samus. We must return her as soon as possible. We are risking her life dragging her through this war." Chief finally spoke up. It was not ethical to keep Samus, and he knew in the long run the UNSc would hand her over to ONI. "I fear if we keep her we may gain more enemies. Cortana, will try to make contact as soon as we come out of slip space."

Miranda set down her data pad staring at the Master Chief. "There is the possibility that the Chozo would assume we kidnapped their... child...? But consider this. If you call this Chozo, to wherever we end up. You may be putting even more innocent lives in danger if the Covenant views the unknown ship as a threat."

Master Chief took a step closer to the table, now standing directly next to the sitting toddler. "With all due respect, Commander. We have a better chance of gaining new allies from the Chozo who are far more advanced than us."

"When I send out the message, I will give a warning that we are in the middle of a war. Undoubtably their own AI will be trying to research both the Covenant, and ourselves, after leaving all that evidence back on their world." Cortana mentioned trying to make Chief's thoughts more plausible.

Keyes liked the idea of gaining more allies against the Covenant. But she had to set the Spartan's views to a more realistic level. "Master Chief, although that is a pretty fantasy." She sighed heavily. "It is highly unlikely that the Chozo, would even offer us any assistance after meeting us only once. If they are intelligently calculated, they would analyze us for some time, to prove that we are worthy of their assistance." Commander Keyes gave the Spartan a more possible outcome.

The room fell silent, everyone in the room had all sorts of thoughts. Samus visibly shrunk in her seat as the adults in the room thought about what to do with her.

"Once we arrive. Cortana will send out a message. If the Chozo respond, that is if the message isn't intercepted by the Covenant, and used as a ploy to attack us." Keyes said as she glanced at Johnson and Cortana. "We can find a secure extraction point if possible, and allow the Chozo to retrieve Samus, if they are able to come to our location. If not we have to discuss other means of keeping Samus, safe without upsetting her caretakers."

Johnson nodded in agreement with the Commander. "Agreed. I have faith that Cortana, will sniff out any Covenant trap, if they catch wind of this message."

The blue AI gave a firm nod. "It should be easy to detect if the Covenant try to deceive us. I will do my best."

"Good. Chief, you and Cortana, are going to do a report which best describes how you're going to interact, and communicate with the Chozo." Keyes said as she dismissed the Doctor and Sergeant with a small head nod. "You will be given permission to give out only certain communication channels, if you believe the Chozo to be future allies."

Master Chief watched as the CMO and Sergeant exited the room. Before he responded to the Commander. "Yes Ma'am. If the opportunity to encounter the Chozo, arises. I will assess and give out only the allowed information provided by the UNSC."

"Good. Glad we have an understanding. For now, I believe we have all the information we need from, Samus." Keyes said as she stood pushing her chair back to the table. "You three may go enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you for your patience." As she left the room she smiled at Samus, who shyly smiled back at her.

"Can we play?" As soon as everyone except Chief exited the room, Samus looked straight up at the Spartan clearly bored from this questioning.

Master Chief stayed quiet. Pondering over the questions that were asked, and answered. Wondering what was going through the Commander's and Doctor's heads.

"Chief?"

A tiny hand gently grasping his large armoured hand brought Chief out of his thoughts as he gazed down at the little girl. "There's not too many things we can play, Samus. What did you have in mind?"

"Hide and Seek..."

"No." John immediately refused that game requests as losing Samus on the ship was too high of a risk.

"Why?" Samus whined disappointed the Spartan shot down her request so quickly.

"Chief. Just take Samus, to one of the sparring training rooms. There's only so much room, and only so many places for her to hide." Cortana suggested to her Spartan, as she knew Samus would grow bored and bother Master Chief if he didn't entertain her somehow.

John narrowed his eyes behind his visor, he honestly didn't want to play any games. He felt ridiculous the last time he did. He also found it completely unprofessional.

"Fine..." he sighed leading Samus.

"Yay!" Samus cheered excitedly, eagerly following the massive Spartan to an empty, moderately sized room with mats padding the floors and some walls. Punching bags of all kinds, practice melee weapons were also present in the room, amongst other equipment.

"Alright, for safety the door is locked. No one can get out unless I unlock it." Cortana mentioned to the Spartan through his helmet speakers.

Samus bounced and skipped excitedly all the way to the middle of the room. "Chief, you hide! I find!" She enthusiastically told the Spartan.

Master Chief curiously cocked his helmet at the child. "Do you know how to count?"

Samus gave a small shrug before showing Chief that she could count on her fingers. "One. Two. Tree!"

Cortana mentally grinned through Chief's audio video footage, watching the adorable toddler count to the Spartan.

"I get three seconds to hide?" Chief asked sarcastically, as he scanned the room with his eyes for potential hiding spots.

Samus enthusiastically nodded with a big smile, having no concept of actual time, three seconds sounded like a lot to her.

"Three seconds is enough time for you to hide." Cortana teased the Spartan. "Look, odds are Samus, won't count very quickly. Just think of it as a training session. Like you're going into cover, or doing stealth exercises."

Quirking an eyebrow behind his golden visor Chief looked down at the waiting child. "That's kind of hard to picture, when your assailant is a 34inch 30lbs toddler."

"Humour her. Then it will be your turn to seek." Cortana pushed for her Spartan to be a little more enthusiastic with the girl.

Chief once again felt ridiculous, even though it was just him and Cortana. But she was right. "Start counting, Samus. I will hide." He said.

Samus happily nodded covering her eyes with her tiny hands. Still holding onto her plushy as she began to count. "One..."

There were not many hiding spots in the room, especially not for a large Spartan. But there was a large vaulting block tucked in the corner of the room.

"Two..."

With a few quick strides he was crouched hiding on the other side of the wooden vaulting block. Chief knew it wouldn't take long for Samus to find him here.

"Tree!" Samus exuberantly flared her arms out, uncovering her eyes. "Ready no not, here I come!" She called out as she uncoordinatedly jogged around the room.

Master Chief peeked over the vault, watching as Samus so happily jogged around, peeking around the limited hiding spots in the room. The toddler had the largest grin the entire time she searched, letting out little bubbly giggles as she searched for him.

"That much cuteness should not be allowed." Cortana cooed, clearly enjoying just observing the tiny tot.

"Cuteness...?" Chief whispered quizzically.

"Look, we don't get a lot of real joy on this ship. Just the simplicity of watching how happy, and bubbly, Samus, is. Is purely soulful." The AI expressed why she was enjoying the simple observations of the toddler.

Chief supposed Cortana was correct. Out of all things on this ship. They may as well enjoy the pure innocence, and naivety, of the small bubbly toddler.

"FOUND YOU!" Samus leapt in front of the crouching Spartan hiding behind the vaulting block.

Chief stood up, walking Samus back to the middle of the room so he could take his turn as the seeker. "Yes you did. Now you get ready to hide, okay? I'm going to count to 10."

Samus nodded eagerly in understanding.

"I'm getting called into the engine room. Something is faltering. You two have fun. I will be back soon." Cortana spoke through Chief's helmet speakers.

"Should I assist you?" John asked before counting.

"No. There's engineers there. Plus it's minor. Go ahead and play." The AI replied before leaving.

Returning his attention to Samus, Chief used his hand to cover most of his visor as he began to count. "One... Two..."

Samus quickly ran off in search of a hiding spot. There was nothing really interesting to hide in or around. It made her truly miss the forest she used to play in behind her daycare on K-2L.

"Four... Five..."

Scanning around she finally located a tower of mats. Climbing the smaller stack of mats Samus began to scale the entirety of the padded mat tower. Until she reached the rafters on the ceiling of the room. Putting her Master Chief plushy up first, she pulled herself up onto a large metal beam. Sitting way above the Spartan watching as he finished counting.

"Nine... Ten." Chief removed his hand from his visor, scanning the room with his eyes. Looking for any obvious signs of the toddler. Giggling, a foot sticking out, or movement. A bit shocked to not see any signs of the toddler he began to explore the room.

Samus watched the Master Chief's every move as the minutes passed by. As more and more time passed the more frantic Chief's searching became.

"Samus?!" John called out as he checked the doors to make sure they were still locked.

Cortana's blue figure appeared on the pedestal next to the door Chief was checking. "You two ready to leave?"

"I haven't found her yet." Chief replied pivoting to search the room more thoroughly.

"How haven't you found Samus, yet?" Cortana scoffed a bit shocked that a toddler could elude a Spartan.

"I don't know. I didn't think she'd be this good at hiding!" John snapped, his tone full of concern as he continued his search.

Samus figured while she waited for the Spartan to locate her. She would play with her plushy that was sitting next to her. Reaching for the toy she miscalculated her depth perception, knocking the plushy clean off the beam.

Master Chief heard a small object fall from behind him. Walking over to the middle of the room to investigate, he found the plushy version of him on the floor.

"Samus, where are you? You've won the game. Please come out." He called in hopes the toddler would reveal herself.

To the Spartan's horror Samus did reveal her hiding position to him.

"I up here, Chief!" Samus called waving at the Spartan below her.

Chief was laser focused on Samus. Fully terrified that the toddler was going to slip and fall off the rafters. "How did you get up there?!"

"I climb up there." Samus pointed to the mats that were piled against the wall.

"Come back down." He said walking over to the pile of training mats.

Samus nodded walking confidently across the beam to the pile of mats.

John took note of the top mats being incredibly unstable. If he climbed up to grab the toddler they would collapse. Samus climbed down onto the top mat. Once her full body weight was on the mat, the three top mats slipped causing her to slide forward. Teetering to keep her balance as the mat slowly slid out from under her.

"Chief!" Cortana gasped watching helplessly from her pedestal, terrified for the little girl.

"Samus, jump!" Chief yelled, fearing that if the girl slid down with the mats an injury surely would occur even if he attempted to get through the mats.

Samus gave an unsure whimper as she made a leap off the falling mats, causing the massive pile to avalanche. Holding his arms out, Master Chief caught the toddler, protectively clutching the tiny girl as he rolled backwards out of the way of the heavy falling mats.

A large sigh of relief escaped Cortana as the Master Chief carefully placed Samus on the floor next to her fallen plushy.

Samus gave the Spartan's leg a quick thankful hug before picking up her toy, brushing the dust off of the plushy.

"I think we're done playing hide and seek for today." Chief mentioned, leading the toddler to the door. "Cortana, you can unlock the doors now."

"They're open." Cortana replied opening the doors for the two.

Samus did her best to keep up with Master Chief's stride, although difficult through the high traffic areas with many people going through the corridors. "Where we go now?"

Master Chief wasn't certain of where to take the girl. There weren't a lot of options available. He supposed he could take her to watch the other soldiers train. Maybe take her to the on board garden and the organic field, let her run around. "We'll go to the training grounds, there's a small organic section with a field, and garden. We went there the other day. I know you enjoyed it."

"Okay!" Samus excitedly replied, eagerly following the Spartan as a wave of dizziness came over her. The odd sensation threw her completely off balance tripping over her own feet.

"Oof!"

John looked over his shoulder after hearing what sounded like someone tripping and falling over. Seeing Samus on the ground, he walked over to assist. "Am I going to fast, Samus?" He asked lifting the girl back onto her feet.

Samus shook her head no at the helpful Spartan. Although he moved faster than her it wasn't hurting her in anyway.

Holding both of the toddler's hands Chief felt Samus brace and hold tightly as she tilted off balance. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yep!" Samus replied waiting for Chief to continue leading the way.

With a shrug, Chief continued leading the girl until they reached the training grounds. There were a few squads training in the distance but the organic area seemed to be unoccupied. "Go ahead, Samus. I will join you in a moment I am just going to watch for now." He gestured for Samus to run through the field and garden.

Samus nodded jogging into the field with her plushy Spartan.

"What? You're not going to go frolicking through the field with her?" Cortana teased her Spartan.

"No." Master Chief gave a very flat emotionless reply, as he continued to observe the happy toddler playing.

Once again an odd sensation washed over Samus as she ran playfully through the garden. Her legs projecting her strongly forward as if the gravity was lighter. Before the dizziness took over again causing her to miss step. Once again tripping Samus slid across the gravel path before halting in the garden soil.

"Oooh... Yikes someone's a bit clumsy." Cortana thought aloud as Chief quickly made his way over to check on the girl.

"I don't think she's being clumsy..." John thought aloud as he approached the fallen toddler. Samus was crying, covered in dirt, and gravel. Her hands and knees were scrapped with gravel stuck in them. Chief knelt down in front of the toddler on the ground, carefully looking over her wounds. "You're a bit scraped up. Let's get you to the infirmary." He said carefully scooping Samus into his arms.

"The Infirmary? It's a few bruises and scratches. Just wash out the wounds with water." Cortana commented as the Spartan made his way out of the training facility.

"I want the Doctor to examine her. She's walking oddly." Chief replied, as Samus sobbed into his shoulder.

"She's a toddler, they tend to look like drunken marines walking around."

John shook his helm in disagreement, Samus had been fine the last few days. This was different.

"Good afternoon, Master Chief." The CMO greeted the Spartan who entered her office. "Oh no, did someone have a fall?" She cooed as Chief sat Samus down on the examination table.

"Yes. I think something may be wrong with her." Chief told the Doctor who gave a small laugh.

Using gaze and tweezers to clean up the blood and take out the embedded gravel the CMO chuckled. "Well, toddlers are famously clumsy as they are still very much learning about their motor skills."

"We were playing hide and seek half an hour ago and she was able to scale an entire pile of mats and climb onto the rafters above. Then jumped into my arms from said rafters. Shortly after Samus, has been going off balance, and falling just at a normal walk." Chief explained why he was so concerned for the little girl.

The CMO finished putting band aids on the girl's wounds as she began to take the situation more seriously. "Did Samus, hit her head on anything? Or land on her neck?"

"No."

"Hmm..." The Doctor pondered for a moment. "Hey sweetheart, I know you're a bit sore right now. But can you walk from me, to Chief, across the room?" She asked gesturing for the Spartan to stand across the room.

Samus nodded, allowing the Doctor to place her on the floor facing Chief's direction. She began walking towards the green Spartan, her walking seemed normal for a toddler.

The Doctor shrugged at Master Chief before asking the toddler to return to her. "Okay, come back to me now."

Samus reluctantly left the Master Chief, making her way back to the CMO. About half way across a wave of dizziness followed by an over powering gait sent her off balance. Tripping herself to the floor after just a few strides.

Chief was quick to get Samus back on her feet as the Doctor gave a puzzled gaze, wondering why Samus was walking like that.

"Odd. It almost seems as if she's walking through water. Or coming out of water should I say." The CMO noted as Chief placed Samus back up on the examination table.

Cortana's hologram appeared next to the examination table as Samus was sat back down. "If I may. As Samus, mentioned earlier this morning. She is still adjusting to her new mutations. As we know nothing about the process of this adjustment, we can assume it's a lengthy process that possibly takes several months, maybe even years."

"That is very true. Since the Chozo were attempting to give Samus, the proper body adjustments in order for her to survive on that harsh world. It may be valid to think that Samus's little body is trying to adjust to the gravity of the planet she came from. But since she's on this ship it may be slightly throwing her off." The CMO explained, agreeing with Cortana's theory.

"So what should I do?" Master Chief questioned gesturing to the toddler.

"Do what you've been doing. And just pick her up if she falls. As long as she's not terribly injured, there's not much we can do."

Samus sighed scanning the room with her eyes while the adults talked. She immediately noticed that she had left her plushy behind in the garden. Leaping off the examination table, Samus rushed to the closed door.

Chief was almost shocked by the sudden frantic energy from Samus, exchanging glances with the CMO who seemed just as surprised.

"Where are you off to in such a rush?" Cortana cooed, appearing on the pedestal next to the door.

"I leave Matter Chief!" Samus replied trying to activate the door.

"Master Chief, is right here sweetheart." The Doctor replied gesturing to the massive Spartan.

"No, he in the flowers." The blonde toddler refused to acknowledge that Master Chief was in the room with them.

"Maybe I should do a brain scan, and a psych evaluation..." The CMO thought aloud, still puzzled by the child's very odd behaviour.

Master Chief was just as confused, but tried his best to figure out what the girl was trying to tell him. Thoroughly scanning the toddler and the table she was sitting on, it finally clicked in his head. "She's missing the toy you gave her."

"Oh, she must've dropped it in the garden when she fell." Cortana mentioned.

"Well, I better let you two locate that missing toy." The Doctor smiled as Cortana opened the door, allowing Chief and Samus to exit the office.

To make things quicker John hefted Samus into his arms and carried her down the corridor, back to the garden area of the training facility. Samus squirmed in his arms until he put her down. Jogging to the spot she had fallen she searched through the plants and dirt for her plushy.

"Missing something?" The familiar gruff voice of the cigar chomping Sergeant called out as he approached with plushy in hand.

"Yes. Thank you." Chief took the toy that was handed to him. "Samus. Sergeant Johnson, found your toy." He called out to the girl who was still actively searching.

Samus stopped her hunt, making her way back to the Spartan. Thrilled to see the mini version of Master Chief, in the Spartan's hand. "Yay! Tank you!" She thanked the Sergeant as she happily hugged the plushy that was handed to her.

"Haha. No problem." Johnson chuckled, laughing at how covered in dirt Samus had gotten.

"You might wanna consider taking her to the showers for a wash. She's pretty filthy." Cortana mentioned to the Spartan, who reluctantly agreed with her. Taking Samus to the showers, Chief set the plushy aside while he prepared Samus for a wash. Once Samus was undressed he walked her into the running water, only for her to jump out of the water.

"It's stingy!" She whined, pointing at the water.

Master Chief was truly confused by this, the water should not be hurting the toddler. "Cortana?"

"That is a 100% lukewarm untainted water. It should have no harmful effect." The AI replied.

Chief took a moment to realize the girl was complaining about the water hitting her fresh tender wounds. "It will only sting for a moment. Try and wash the dirt off yourself..."

"I don't wanna!" Samus whined stepping out of the running water.

Master Chief was a bit taken aback by the sudden attitude coming from the now fussy toddler. He wasn't sure if he should be firm with Samus, or take a step back and let her process for a moment.

"I miss my kids when they were that age. Certainly don't miss those tantrums though. Haha." A marine in a towel chuckled as he walked passed by towards the nearby lockers.

"Tantrums?" Chief repeated curiously.

"Yes. Toddlers often throw tantrums if they are over tired, hungry, hurt, or when they are just having a difficult time processing things." Cortana explained educating Chief on the many reasons Samus could be throwing this tantrum.

It had been a busy morning for them. It had been quite a few hours since Samus last had sustenance. And she had mentioned that she was feeling quite a bit of pain. "I understand why you're upset. Let me help you quickly get clean. Then we will... find something else to do...?" He trailed off unsure of what to do with Samus afterwards.

"What we gonna do?" Samus asked, her mood seemingly changing to curiosity.

"Um... I am not sure. What...? What, would you like to do?" Master Chief replied as he gingerly used a cloth to clean the dirt off the girl.

"Go back to Zebes..."

"We can't do that right now. Is there something else you want to do?" Chief asked as he shut off the shower. Grabbing a nearby towel to dry Samus off.

"Sing?" Samus replied.

Master Chief rolled his eyes after Cortana roared with laughter through his helmet speakers. "Choose something else."

Samus thought as Chief helped her put her limbs through the correct holes in her clothing. "I no know." she shrugged with her plushy in hand.

Master Chief didn't exactly know what to do either. He did not want to drag Samus around too much since she was not feeling one hundred percent. But he also had to keep her occupied somehow. They went for a short walk to the mess hall where he filled a small plastic cup with a straw, full of water. Grabbing a few snacks as well, he carried Samus and the rations back to his quarters.

Samus sat contently on the floor guzzling her water down while picking at the snacks Chief had chosen for her. The Spartan took a moment to himself, staring out the porthole window in deep thought.

"I see too?" Samus asked reaching up at the window.

Chief lifted Samus up into his arms, sitting her down on his forearm. He made sure Samus had a good view out the small window. There was not much to see except for the blurry dancing lights from slip space.

"We go really really fast?!" Samus exclaimed pressing her little hands against the window.

"Yes." Chief replied emotionlessly, before sitting Samus down on his berth.

Samus watched as Chief picked up the half empty cup and the food she had spilled on the floor. "What you are?"

"Sorry?" Chief replied confused, as he dumped the dropped food into a small bin.

"I think she's asking what you are?" Cortana said after the toddler's repeated confusing wording.

"I'm a Spartan." Chief replied, standing in front of the girl.

Samus already understood that Chief was a Spartan. But she wanted to understand why, and what a Spartan really was. "Why?"

"Because I was trained to be a Spartan." His answer was flat but it answered Samus's question.

"What Spartan do?"

Chief sat down on his berth with a sigh. "Spartans are soldiers... But we can do things that normal soldiers cannot." He tried to keep it simple. But Samus kept her inquiries coming.

"Spartan, faster, stronger, better? You no human?"

"No, I am completely human. I have been augmented on, or altered to be better and stronger. Just like you've been genetically modified and advanced, but differently." John explained as Samus traced his armour with her tiny fingers.

"That mean I going be Spartan too?" Samus asked curiously, gazing up at the golden visor.

"No." Chief was quick to answer. "You are just a toddler right now. That's all you have to worry about. I think the Chozo may have other plans for you."

Samus seemed content with the answers Chief had given her, even though she didn't understand most of what he had said to her.

12 Days had went by surprisingly quickly. Taking care of the toddler had kept Chief acutely occupied every moment of every day that had passed. Within those passing days the Commander, and CMO, kept their high curiosities about the child. But no further questioning or tests were commenced. In the nearly two weeks in slip-space, Samus had grown quite a strong bond with her deadly, emotionless, temporary caretaker. And in return Chief had grown quite used to caring for the child. Growing quite fond of the toddler. Though he would never admit it verbally. He was actually bonding with another human. Low be it that was not a teammate or fellow Spartan he had grown up with.

Cortana watched from a nearby pedestal as the large green Spartan playfully leapt, and evaded. As the bubbly, blonde, toddler, squealed with joy and laughter as she desperately tried to tag Master Chief. In Cortana's eyes, since Samus had arrived, she had never seen her Spartan act so... Human.

"Cortana, ETA?" The Commander asked over the open com channel.

"20 minutes, Ma'am." Cortana replied.

Hearing the conversation go through his helmet, Master Chief scooped the toddler under one arm as he walked over to his waiting AI.

"Let's play more!" Samus waved her Master Chief plushy as she squirmed under Chief's arm.

"I am afraid playtime is over." Cortana apologetically told the spunky toddler.

"Aw... Okay..." Samus sadly replied disappointed that their game of tag had ended.

Chief hefted Samus properly into his arms, sitting her in the crook of his arm as he used his free hand to absorb Cortana from the pedestal.

"We should be jumping out of slip-space at any moment now. Johnson, is in the hangar bay getting ready to board a drop pod. I would suggest you do the same." Cortana spoke through the Master Chief's helmet speakers.

Making their way to the hangar bay the corridors and hangar bay alike, were bustling with marines and other soldiers alike, suiting up, and loading their weapons.

"You made it!" The gruff sarcastic voice of the Sergeant boomed through a small squad of ODST's. "I was beginning to think you got caught up trying to chase down someone's teddy bear." Johnson sarcastically joked, giving the toddler in the Spartan's arms a playful poke.

Samus gave a soft nervous giggle, it had taken a while but she had begun to warm up to the gruff Sergeant. After all he was really funny, and loved to joke around with his quick witted sass.

"We're exiting slip-space. Take a seat if you can, it's going to be quite a jolt." Cortana warned. Both Chief, and Johnson, and the squad of ODST's popped into a drop pod as it was the safest closest place at the time.

Samus was a little startled to be enclosed in such a small capsule. It was quite dark, but with the dim lighting she was able to see a small screen the was currently inactive, and some nobs that were perhaps controls for something.

Chief held Samus close as the sudden violent jolt of inertia suddenly halting came abruptly.

"Sorry for the sudden halt. We're drifting for the moment. You all in one piece?" The Commander's voice apologized over the open com channels.

During the time of abruptly coming out of slip-space, Johnson felt it a perfect time to ignite a cigar and puff it inside the drop pod he was in. "I'm good. Chief?"

"We're fine." Cortana replied before her Spartan could even utter a word.

Samus found it odd that Cortana often answered for Chief. But after spending almost two weeks with the two, she had understood that Chief was mostly silent, and often preferred not to speak.

"Ma'am there's an object, coming into view now." A man's voice came over the channel.

Samus looked back at the now brightly lit screen in front of them. On it was an odd shaped planet?

"Cortana? What exactly am I looking at?" Keyes asked seemingly just as confused as Samus was.

"That... is another Halo." Cortana simply replied.

Chief and Samus could both hear Johnson spit out his cigar as he coughed and gasped in shock at what he was both seeing and hearing.

"Say what?!"

"So this is what my father found. I thought Halo was some sort of super-weapon?" The Commander's voice was intrigued by what she was seeing.

"It is. If activated, this Ring will cause destruction on a galactic scale." Cortana assured the Commander that her thoughts were correct.

"I want all the information you've got on the first Halo. Schematics, topography, whatever. I don't care if I have the clearance or not." Keyes was assertive as they were now in uncharted waters.

"Yes, Ma'am." Cortana obliged the request, sending all the necessary data to the bridge.

After a brief conversation between the Commander, and the bridge. Keyes began to lay out a plan. "Given what we know about this Ring, it's even more important that we capture the Prophet Of Regret. Find out why he came to Earth. Why he came here." Trailing off Keyes, began to assign missions. "Chief, take first platoon. Hard-drop. Secure a landing zone. Sergeant, load up two flights of Pelicans, follow them in."

"Aye- aye, Ma'am." Johnson replied, exiting his hazy pod.

"Until I can move and fight. I'm going to keep a low profile. Once you leave the ship you're on your own."

Two knocks on Chief's pod from the passing Sergeant made Samus visibly jump. Her head tilted curiously after Chief responded to the banging by returning a single hard knock in acknowledgement. Wondering if this was some sort of secret language? Or if it was just a friendly gesture amongst friends, silently saying good luck on the battlefield?

"Understood." It was the latter of the toddler's thoughts, a wordless gesture saying good luck to each other. But also a reminder that Chief should get Samus to safety before dropping.

"Over the target in 5..."

"What that?" As the countdown began Samus pointed to the Halo ring on the screen in front of them.

"It's a weapon. Something bad if the Covenant activates it..." Master Chief replied, getting only slightly distracted by Samus's question. As he began to move to open the pod it was too late, he could hear the pods next to him dropping, If he opened the pod now the door would implode, exposing the toddler to the vacuum of space.

"Hold onto your plushy." Cortana warned the toddler, understanding that it was too late for her Spartan to release the girl from the pod.

Samus gasped clutching Chief for dear life as she tightly screwed her eyes shut. The loud sounds and feeling of falling at extreme speeds was overwhelmingly terrifying.

"There's a good chance Samus, may pass out from the shear force of these intense G-forces. I'll be impressed if she doesn't." Cortana warned her Spartan who was clearly mentally cursing himself for not being quick enough to get the girl to safety. "Remember, we're on our own for a while. And please do not give her a gun this time."

Master Chief didn't remember. He dreaded. Samus whimpered as the pod bumped around as it deployed the mechanisms to slow the pod down as the entered the atmosphere of the Ring.

"Mind the bump." Cortana mentioned.

Moments later Samus screamed as gunshots could be heard hitting neighbouring pods as they closed in on the surface. The panic from the toddler internally upset the Spartan, he felt guilty for once again throwing her into a battle.

"It's going to get even scarier, Samus. I need you to stay with me, and listen to my every word. Do not leave my side unless I tell you to." Master Chief assertively told the very overwhelmed toddler, as the pod crashed abruptly into the ground.

The door burst off the pod, Samus gave another small scream. Daylight blinded the whimpering toddler as Chief leapt out of the pod SMG in hand. Ready to shoot at anything nearby.

"Could we possibly make anymore noise?" Cortana sarcastically scoffed, as Chief grabbed the rocket launcher that was stored in the pod. "I guess so."

Desperately trying to keep Samus out of harms way as they made their way to an overgrown crumbling part of a temple. Chief immediately demanded that his AI attempt contact with the Chozo. "Cortana, send out that message. Now."

Cortana was hesitant to oblige only because of the risk it may bring. The Covenant was sure to intercept the message. But given they came here on a mission, there was a chance the Covenant would ignore such an odd message.

Samus was luckily able to keep up with Master Chief for the most part. Hiding on the roof of the broken structure taking cover from the Phantoms dropping off reinforcements. Hearing and watching one of the ODST soldiers scream in agony as he was stuck down by an angry Elite with an energy sword. She knew Chief would have to leave her.

"Stay here. Do not move." Chief sternly told Samus as he backed her into a small overgrown alley, hiding her behind the plants overtaking the small crumbling building they stood on.

Samus nodded in understanding, sobbing as she watched the Spartan rush down to assist the squad. From where she hid Samus could not view the battle but she could hear it. After more loud explosions, gunfire, and pained screams from the Covenant. It went silent. Except for the sound of heavy boots climbing up to her position.

"Artillery disabled, Sergeant. Landing zone secure for the moment." Cortana reported to Sergeant Johnson who was waiting with the Pelicans for a clear LZ.

"I hear you. Starting our approach. Hang tight." Sergeant replied over the comm channel.

"I noticed a temple on the other side. I'm going to bet that's where the Prophet of Regret is hiding." Cortana mentioned to Chief, who seemed preoccupied.

Hearing the crying come from the toddler as he approached definitely pulled at Chief's sympathy. He felt incredibly guilty that he had dragged the toddler into this mess. Crouching down to be level with the toddler hiding in the bush, he announced that it was safe. "Samus, it's safe now..." as soon as he barely finished his sentence the girl jumped into his arms like a rocket.

"I sent the message. Just don't expect a quick response. I heavily encrypted it so the Covenant could not interfere." Cortana informed her Spartan that she had sent out the galactic message.

Carrying the toddler down to where the Pelican was hovering, Chief understood the message was a small glimmer of hope. Even if they were not to get any quick response.

"Now, how the hell? You didn't shove her out of your pod before you jumped?" Johnson groaned as he leapt out of the hovering aircraft's back hatch.

"No." Chief regrettably shook his head, as the Warthog the Pelican was carrying dropped with a heavy thud.

Sergeant shook his head taking his cigar out of his mouth. "Dammit, Chief. She may heal quicker than normal, but the kid sure ain't bullet proof."

Glancing down at the poor sobbing child, the Sergeant was correct. He could not drag her through an unpredictable battlefield. "Take her with you."

"Say what?!" Johnson scoffed as Chief gestured to the girl.

"Take Samus, on the Pelican. Just until I secure the next few areas." Master Chief explained what he wanted Johnson to do.

"I have sent out the Galactic message stating we have, Samus. Hopefully her people reply soon enough. But I told Chief, not to expect any quick responses." Cortana mentioned through the Spartan's helmet speakers.

Johnson looked over the sobbing frightened girl, he could see the pure fear and anxiety coursing through the toddler.

"We're on our own right now, Sergeant Johnson. Until we get back to In Amber Clad, there's no other place for, Samus." Cortana continued to try and convince the Sergeant to take the toddler.

Johnson groaned putting his cigar out on his armour over his sleeves, putting the cigar back in his breast pocket. He carefully hefted the toddler into his arms. "You know she's in just as much danger up in the sky with me, as she is on the ground."

"We understand. But you have a better chance to evade that danger. We'll talk more once we clear the next few areas." The AI replied as Johnson placed Samus aboard the Pelican.

Samus's tearful eyes watched as Chief gave a small nod to her before the Pelican took off. She watched as the Spartan boarded another vehicle driving off with the squad of ODST's.

Mother Brain had been searching distant galaxies and the vast areas of deep space. Trying to locate any information about the unknown faction that had came to their planet along with the invading aliens. After scanning for nearly 3 weeks she had finally come across an encrypted message from an unknown human faction one that matched the ones who had invaded.

"This search is feeling more, and more, hopeless. What if Samus has been taken forever by these humans? What if she has fallen ill due to complications from her new mutations?Primitive human tech cannot aid her if she has..."

"Grey Voice, I understand your haste to find, Samus. But I do not believe this human faction means ill will upon us, or Samus." A robed short Chozo spoke to the taller Chozo.

"How do you know that? They invaded along with this unknown hostile faction of different species. The human went completely undetected by Mother, she didn't even make contact with it. They could be holding Samus hostage for all we know. We need to explore our search methods." Grey Voice argued, though against his better judgment he was getting too desperate. Even considering employing Raven Beak in their search was asking for more issues.

Old Bird understood the panic his friend was feeling, but disagreed. "Please do not contact the Mawkin. He will not come across peaceful to the ones who have Samus... We need allies not enemies."

Just as the two were conversing one of Mother's probes dropped into the room. "Old Bird. Grey Voice. I have decrypted a message from an unknown AI belonging to the UNSC faction."

"Please tell. What information does message provide?" Old Bird asked the floating sphere.

"This UNSC has, Samus. She has been kept safe with under the care of a Spartan warrior called, Master Chief. Her rescue was a misunderstanding. They are currently located in a distant unknown galaxy. They are in the midst of fighting a war against the ones who invaded Zebes. They do not wish to drag Samus, through the war any longer. And hope that we can meet them to come retrieve, Samus." Mother Brain informed her Chozo masters.

Grey Voice and Old Bird exchanged uncertain gazes. But understood this may be the only chance they get to bring their child home.

"We must go at once." Grey Voice replied.

"Your ship has been prepped. I'm sending the onboard CPU all the information you'll need. I will also be available on call." Mother announced as the two elderly birds made their way to the shipyard. "Shall I return a message stating we are on our way?"

"Yes." Against Grey Voice's wishes, Old Bird replied yes to the AI and instructed her what to send in reply.

"Sending now."

Grey Voice disagreed with keeping close contact with the odd senders. But it was a start to finding and bringing Samus back home. He just hoped the UNSC would not keep Samus hostage for a ransom. He was almost reconsidering contacting Raven Beak so they could have some physical prowess behind them. As he did not want to play games with this unknown faction.

Cortana was actually shocked to receive an encrypted message hours later, from a very unknown alien source. "I don't believe it."

"What is it?" Chief asked as he gunned down Drones that were blocking his pathway.

"I received a response. An encrypted message from who I am assuming to be the Chozo." Cortana replied as she decrypted the message.

Shooting down the last Drone, Chief made his way through an overgrown corridor leading to what looked like more ancient stone buildings. "What was the response?"

"The message reads. Thank you UNSC for contacting us. Apologies to hear that you are in the midst of a war. We had gotten a small taste of your feud on our world and can only imagine the true battles that have raged on beyond our galaxy. And although we are wary of who you are, we are grateful to hear that you have our child, and that she is safe. We have made haste, and are on our way to the galactic location you have provided. Is there any formalities we should know about on our approach?"

Master Chief lowered his weapon as he took in the view of the massive lake and a gondola in the near distance. The Chozo seemed very formal and honest in their message. Though they did not mention how many of them were coming this way, it was interesting that they asked what formalities they needed to address on their approach. "Reply back to them. Ask for their ETA. Ask how large their ship is, and how many of them are coming. Give them my comm code and see if they are able to link up to my communication channel. Mention that because we are in unknown territory and trying to stay off the radar ourselves. Our current enemy is an unforgiving threat that will neutralize any unknown ship that approaches them."

Grey Voice was put off by the message that Mother Brain sent to the ship computer. It was as if they were already walking on eggshells around the UNSC.

"Don't take such offence to this response, old friend. They are merely trying to keep us from harms way during an active war. They even gave us a communication link for when we get closer. We will engage the ship's cloaking so we will not appear on any nearby sensors." Old Bird tried to get Grey Voice to be a bit more optimistic.

"Good. Still no word about In Amber Clad on the Covenant battle net. It's odd. The Covenant know we've made landfall but don't seem to consider us a major threat. Boy are they in for a surprise." Cortana mentioned just as she received a response from the Chozo. She was amazed to see the reply from the Chozo. Their ETA was even more remarkable. "The Chozo say that they are only two. Old Bird, and Grey Voice. They are on a shuttle of some sort, and will be engaging their cloaking so they do not raise any of our enemies suspicions. Their technology is beyond us clearly. ETA within the hour."

"Damn!" The gruff Sergeant scoffed in amazement over the open comm channel. They had sent the information to In Amber Clad as well. "You better make friends with them, Chief. We could use that kind of assistance."

"Indeed. Let's not get our hopes up quite yet, Sergeant." Commander Keyes reminded.

Master Chief was just as astonished as everyone else was. But he knew he had to clear and secure this section in order to continue on his current mission. He still had a Prophet to capture and secure. But if he cleared this side, at the very least by the time the Chozo contacted him, he would be able to finally get Samus out of danger. "I'm continuing forward to the gondola. Once I reach it, we shall see if the Chozo contact me."

"I've dug a little deeper into my research on Halo. With what the Prophet Of Regret has been saying it seems they're on the hunt for the Index that will activate this Ring. Master Chief, take out the Prophet Of Regret. He's given us all the intel we need. I will send in another handful of Pelicans to drop off some supplies, and marines, to make sure you get there. Johnson, I need you to return. You and I are going to retrieve the Index before the Covenant." Keyes told the Sergeant as she mulled over the new data she was learning.

"Roger that, Ma'am. Chief, I am going to have to drop off your precious cargo. I will meet you at the gondola." Johnson replied over the radio, as Chief marched down to the door where he was shocked to be met by highly trained Elite Honour Guards.

"Mother, please scan the database for any details on our destination." Grey Voice requested as he stared waiting to see information displayed on the dash.

Old Bird kept quiet as he too waited to see the information as he was curious. But not as suspicious as Grey Voice.

"A ring...?" The oddly shaped planet seemed familiar to both elderly Chozo.

"Forerunner Installation 05, to be exact." Mother Brain mentioned over their call.

"Forerunners?! This is a Forerunner Ring! Those humans better not be planning on activating this Ring in order to eradicate their enemies!" Grey Voice hissed, as the Chozo had briefly assisted the Forerunners many millennials ago.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. The humans are fighting a war against some other alien faction. The humans fighting this war are far too young to even acknowledge what the Forerunners did with the Rings. Perhaps those who they are fighting, are the ones hoping to wreck havoc?" Old Bird once again tried to sound as optimistic as possible, given the fact that they had possibly more to be concerned about.

Grey Voice shook his head, having none of Old Bird's nonsense optimism. "Are you not concerned about what rocks these two factions are overturning? What if they have caused another Flood outbreak? What then?"

Old Bird slowly used his staff to hobble across to the cockpit windscreen. "You and I both know we've seen things that are much more threatening than the Flood."

Finally reaching the first gondola after battling Honour Guards, Drones, snipers, and Hunters, the LZ was finally clear for the Pelicans.

"Alright kid. It's been really nice knowing you, hope we can maybe connect again sometime. You seem like you've got a unique future ahead of you." Johnson said as he escorted the toddler off the Pelican, over to the Spartan.

Samus didn't understand what Johnson was talking about. Why was he dropping her off back into the battlefield? Although she didn't hate the fact that she was back with Chief again.

"Good luck. Don't take too much time talking with the bird people. Remember, that Prophet is the main target." Johnson said as he boarded back on the Pelican before it took off.

As the Pelican disappeared Chief led Samus and a small squad of soldiers onto the gondola. "Remember to follow everything I tell you. I don't want you to get shot."

"Why I not on the Pelican no more?" Samus asked curiously. She understood Chief's strict orders. She didn't want to get hurt or get in his way.

Chief looked down at the toddler as the squad of marines moved forward onto the gondola. "Should I tell her?" He whispered to Cortana.

"Yes. It may give her a little more pep. And a bit more reason to absolutely follow your every order." Cortana encouraged her Spartan to tell Samus her caretakers were on their way.

"Because we've made contact with the Chozo. They're on their way to come get you now." Master Chief explained to Samus, who visibly got excited to her such good news.

"Old Bird?! Grey Voice?!" Samus asked excitedly.

Chief nodded yes as he reloaded his weapons, carrying only what he needed onto the gondola, with Samus in tow. "Yes, they will be here soon. And we have to secure a safe location, so that we can reunite you without the Covenant trying to intervene, or hurt the Chozo. So I need you to really listen to me so we can move quickly."

"Okay! I listen!" Samus agreed to Chief's request as she really wanted to be reunited with the Chozo. But also feared getting severely hurt or killed by the Covenant.

"Stay down on the lower deck..." Chief began to say as he picked up the hilt of a deactivated Jackal's shield. He gestured for Samus to follow him to the lower deck of the gondola, pointing her into one of the corners he activated the shield. Leaning it against the corner Samus was basically shielded by 90%. "Do not move from this spot. We will be on the other side soon." He said as he activated the gondola.

Even though Samus was incredibly excited to be reunited with her caretakers. The journey was incredibly terrifying, she couldn't help but let out a few frightened screams and tears. Once across the lake to the next temple, Samus followed Chief and the small squad. After clearing the room and elevator of enemies, they all boarded the interesting aquatic elevator.

Taking the underwater elevator into the temple was very intriguing. While Cortana, conversed with Chief, about the Prophet Of Regret apologizing and contacting some place called High Charity. Samus was very curious as to how the lift was able to function and find its way around. The marines exited the elevator first making sure all was clear as they entered the next room.

"Stay." Chief ordered the toddler to stay put at the doorway as he and his squad of marines moved forward into the long corridor full of Grunts and Elites.

Samus barely peeked her eye around the wall in order to witness Master Chief and the squad take down the aliens that were occupying the flooded hallway. It seemed like an easy enough battle with the little aliens scattering in a panic while only a couple were brave enough to shoot. The two tall split lip scary aliens aggressively shot and went after Chief and the squad. But with shots coming from multiple marines and Master Chief the Elites were taken down.

A female marine gestured for Samus to follow her. Leading the tiny tot across the corridor to the next room. The toddler had hidden herself in previous rooms while the squad tried to take out and clear any rooms they were travelling through. By the time they reached the second flooded corridor they had lost the entire squad of marines due to Hunters, snipers, and Honour Guards.

"Come'on." Chief gestured for Samus to come to him once he had cleared the corridor of sleeping invisible Grunts, and patrolling Elites.

Samus clutched her plushy tightly against her body as she waded through the hallway filled with bloody water. The water was cool and a bit of a jolt to her body. She looked up making sure Chief was still waiting for her. He stood patiently watching her make her way to him. But she noticed a sheen charging silently down the ramp behind the Spartan.

"Chief! Look out!" Samus pointed behind the Spartan at the sword wielding cloaked Sangheili.

John swung around using the energy sword he had taken off an Honour Guard, blocking the attempted killing blow from the Elite Ultra. Punching the sword out of the Sangheili's hand, he heard Samus scream as the sword flew past her.

The silver armoured Elite growled with hatred as he wrestled the Spartan awkwardly down the ramp. Overpowering the human for a moment he threw the Spartan off balance ducking out of his hold. The Sangheili grabbed Samus by the scruff of her neck, the tiny being whimpered as his grasp tightened.

"Easy, Chief. My guess is he will be searching for his sword." Cortana said as her Spartan tried to think of the safest move to do next.

He couldn't allow that to happen. If the Elite regained his sword he would kill Samus, and come for him again. Lowering his sword in attempt to give the Sangheili false hope that he was giving up the fight, Chief waited for the split second the Elite dropped his guard. In that moment Chief leapt at the Sangheili using his left hand for the sword, he jammed it right into the Elite's chest, while his right arm strongly batted the alien's hand that held the child hostage. The Sangheili grabbed at the sword's energized blades with his free hand, cutting off his digits in the process while his other hand that had been holding Samus was struck so harshly it knocked the child out of it's grasp as he was tackled to the floor.

Once Chief confirmed the Elite Ultra was not getting up, he scanned the floor for Samus.

"Chief. There!" Cortana mentioned as she marked where the child was located.

Rushing over to the girl laying unconscious on the flooded floor, he scooped her up into his arms waiting to hear her vitals from Cortana.

"She's unconscious, but alive. She must have hit her head on the way down. You hit that Elite hard. Collect her toy, and let's keep moving. She'll wake soon enough." Cortana encouraged her Spartan to keep moving forward with the mission.

Placing his look a like plushy on the girl as he carried her to the next elevator, John began to worry about what the Chozo may think of him returning their child back with injuries after promising she was safe. Luckily shorty after the elevator had started, Samus began to regain consciousness.

"Chief...?" Hearing Cortana's voice giving out information was the only thing Samus could hear as she regained herself. Blinking slowly as she gazed up at the golden visor.

"You hit your head. It's alright." Chief said just as the elevator surfaced. He ducked down placing Samus on the floor of the elevator, after seeing an Honour Guard walking past the elevator room. "Stay here for a moment."

Samus didn't mind waiting while Chief cleared the room. Leaning against the glass wall of the elevator, slightly dazed she hugged her soggy plushy while she waited. Once the last Grunt was taken down Samus heard the familiar sound of the Spartan approaching.

Just before Chief rounded the corner to retrieve Samus, Cortana received a ping. "Incoming transmission from an unknown source. It's been a while since hearing from the Chozo, this could be them."

"Connect me." Master Chief replied as he gestured for Samus to leave the elevator.

"Connecting transmission... connection successful." Cortana mentioned as she connected the transmission.

"Greetings, Master Chief. This is to whom I am speaking with?" A voice with a very thick alien accent spoke.

"Correct. This is Spartan 117 Master Chief. Who am I speaking with?" Master Chief replied, checking his HUD monitor to make sure no enemies were approaching his position.

"That, Grey Voice!" Samus answered upon hearing the familiar Chozo's voice through the Spartan's helmet speakers.

Faintly hearing Samus's little voice over the transmission gave both elderly birds some relief as they now had confirmation Samus was there.

"Samus, is correct. I am, Grey Voice. We have arrived at the Forerunner installation 05. We wish to know how to approach, and where to land?" Grey Voice was formal, yet didn't beat around the bush with small talk.

Cortana was interested to know how the Chozo knew this was a Forerunner installation. Curious to know that information went over her Spartan's head. "Chief, there's another gondola on the other side of this fallen structure. We need to clear out the Covenant. Outside the open door up ahead there should be a hillside above it. There should be a flat enough area above for them to land. We just have to be wary of possible Covenant aircrafts lurking around."

"We are currently on the battlefield. I will clear a Landing Zone. My AI Cortana, will send you the coordinates. You can start your approach now, engage cloaking if possible. We will alert you when it is safe to land." Master Chief responded as he jogged over to the open doorway. Signalling for Samus to stay behind the wall, as he fired at the Covenant outside.

"Understood, we are starting our approach." The Chozo replied.

"I have sent a message to In Amber Clad. Letting them know we've made contact with the Chozo and are clearing a landing zone for them." Cortana mentioned to her Spartan that shot down Drones, Grunts and Elites as they made their way back outside. "We have a Pelican on approach dropping off the last set of troops and weapons before we kill the Prophet."

"This will be my last drop Chief, we're nearly out of fuel." A pilot radioed to the Master Chief.

"Let's get those alien bastards." The marines excitedly leapt off the Pelican as weapon drops landed next to them.

"Marines, take point. We're going to clear this area before heading to the Prophet Of Regret." Cortana informed the eager soldiers who immediately took point shooting at whatever they saw.

Samus was so excited to be reunited. She desperately wanted to speed things up by assisting the Spartan. But knowing she would cause more trouble, she strategically hid behind fallen temple walls as Master Chief and the rest of the squad cleared the area all the way to the gondola with relative ease.

"Area is clear, Sir. Waiting for your command." One of the soldiers announced.

"Hold the area. I will return shortly." Master Chief replied as he retrieved Samus from where she hid. Before heading up the cliff side above the small temple they had come from.

Helping Samus up the straight uphill hillside proved to be slightly difficult as Chief did his best to stay sure footed and balanced without slipping on the slippery moss and vines. Though the toddler seemed to be in her element he would move faster and prevent her from injury if he continued to assist.

"Samus." He called the girl who stood on a small bolder sticking out of the hill. "Climb onto my back."

As Chief carefully crouched down with his back facing her, Samus climbed aboard. As the Spartan stood back up she was feeling much more powerful from this height, she could view so much more.

"Hold on tightly. And don't let go." Chief said as the toddler hugged his neck a bit tighter as he began to ascend the cliffside.

Once they reached the summit not surprisingly they received a radio transmission from the Commander.

"How's it going you three?"

"So far, so good." Cortana responded. "I'm sending our landing coordinates to the Chozo now. Once done with them we will hastily make our way to the main temple."

"Good. I'm as close to the Library as I can get. There's some sort of barrier. We're trying to find a way around it." Keyes replied to the AI, her tone neutral yet a slight frustration lingered. "Master Chief, keep this meeting brief. And make the correct judgments. If all the Chozo wish to do is exchange future communications, that is enough. Cortana, you have permission to transmit comm codes."

"Understood, Commander." Both Chief and Cortana answered.

"Good. Take out that Prophet. I'll keep you posted."

Once the transmission with the Commander ended, Cortana informed Chief that she had sent the coordinates to the Chozo. "I have sent out our location. We should be expecting them any moment now."

"You're tall." A random tiny voice coming from directly beside his head reminded the Spartan of the tiny tot hanging off his back.

"Yes." He replied, helping Samus back to the ground.

Samus squealed with joy when she spotted the Chozodian ship coming out of the clouds. It was a similar ship, if not the exact same ship that had rescued her from K-2L after the planetary attack.

"I'm very curious as to how these aliens know about the Forerunners." Cortana thought aloud as Chief observed the alien ship on approach.

He was a bit curious as well. But the Forerunners were known on quite a galactic scale. So it wasn't too hard for him to believe that another ancient alien civilization knew about the Forerunners. "If it comes up in conversation we can investigate to an extent. But we must keep this exchange short, and to the point." He reminded his curious AI they still had an assassination to execute.

Samus held onto Chief's leg as the wind from the landing ship nearly blew her off her feet. Squinting her eyes as dust, dirt, and small pebbles pelted her face as she tried to take a peek at the landing ship. Once on solid ground the whirring of the engines powering down was eminent as a ramp extended down with the sound of a door swooshing open shortly after. Two bipedal alien birds people in cloaks slowly navigated down the ramp.

Samus could no longer contain her excitement, rushing over to the aliens she immediately hugged the shortest bird nearly knocking him over with her enthusiastic embrace.

Grey Voice held back the urge to snatch the child up into the ship, slamming the doors for a hasty take off and return home. But knew as a peaceful protector of the galaxy he had formalities to oblige.

Chief observed as Samus led the two alien birds over to him. Taking note that Samus seemed to favour the short elderly Chozo that was using a staff to hobble along.

"This, Matter Chief!" Samus introduced the massive Spartan to the Chozo.

"Master Chief. My AI Cortana, and I have been communicating with you this last hour." Master Chief informed as he extended his hand to greet the Chozo.

It took a moment for Grey Voice to be convinced that this was a human they were dealing with. The distinct voice of this human, along with the human soldiers waiting down below, and UNSC engraved into the firearm holstered on the massive armoured human confirmed this was the human they had been communicating with. In attempt to greet the Spartan in human standards. Grey Voice extended his talon like hand grasping the human's extended hand in an awkward handshake. "Greetings."

Master Chief shook the hand of the Chozo that was just as tall as he was. Before gently shaking the shorter bird's hand.

"We appreciate your efforts, and patience in keeping Samus, safe." Old Bird thanked the Spartan for keeping Samus as safe as he could.

The thick alien accent of the two Chozos was unique, they had a difficult time pronouncing S and T sounds. As when they were taking about Samus, they pronounced her name as Thamus.

"You're welcome. We've kept as safe as we could. She mostly stayed out of trouble." Cortana's voice spoke through Chief's helmet speakers.

"That, Tana. She like, Mother." Samus explained to her Chozo caretakers.

Master Chief held out his hand allowing Cortana to reveal herself to the curious elderly birds.

"Human built AI's how extraordinary." Old Bird thought aloud. "I am, Old Bird. And this is my college and friend, Grey Voice. I am certain Samus, has already told you about us."

Reading the annoyed impatient expression on the tallest Chozo's face Chief could tell this exchange of conversation was wearing thin on Grey Voice. "Indeed she has. I apologize for the mix up. I did not intend to kidnap, Samus. She did not communicate that there were others on the planet, until after we were in slip space. We could not return as we had an urgent message to relay. But I do deeply apologize. I hope the Covenant did not cause you any grief after my departure."

"Covenant? No this Covenant only remains as primitive ruined technology on the surface of our planet." Grey Voice told the Spartan who nodded in understanding.

"This Covenant, is your enemy?" Old Bird inquired.

"Indeed. I cannot verbally give you much intel but I have sent simple explanations of who the Covenant are to your on board CPU. They are a highly religious faction, that believe the Forerunners were gods. They believe lighting this Ring will bring them to salvation."

Chief knew they had gotten clearance to share some information but he caught onto Cortana's passive prodding to see what the Chozo knew about Forerunners. "Cortana..."

"Those fools are too young to understand what the Forerunners truly were. And if they're not young, they are surely mad. They will be making a catastrophic mistake if they succeed in lighting any of the Rings." Grey Voice scoffed as Samus hugged him, playfully holding onto his hand.

"This will not be the first time we've stopped the Covenant from causing a galactic catastrophe. We're attempting to do so at this very moment." Cortana mentioned which only seemed to console the elderly bird for a short second.

Grey Voice shook his head in dismay, releasing Samus from his hand. "That means the Flood no doubt has been released... I would not be shocked if there is already a Gravemind existing on this very Ring. You must make haste with your work. Do not allow the infection to spread. Or else lighting this Ring may be the only solution to prevent galactic infection."

Gravemind? Master Chief's curiosity had grown. But Grey Voice was correct he had to make haste. Lifting both his arms up in surprise he looked down to see Samus embracing him in an enduring hug.

"I would like to keep in contact with the Chozo." Master Chief said as he hesitantly placed a hand on the toddler's back. "In fear that the Covenant may return to your world in search of greater weapons and technology. We would like to offer assistance."

Grey Voice and Old Bird exchanged glances. Old Bird had expected such a request from the human. Where's Grey Voice expected the human to enlist their help in the war. Grey Voice thought very little of this hollow promise the human proposed if Zebes were to be inflicted by planetary wide attack by this Covenant.

"We will send our communications relay channels to your AI. We too would like to keep in touch." Old Bird accepted and obliged the request, using a small compact handheld device to transfer their communication codes.

Samus gave one last squeeze to the Spartan before returning to the shortest Chozo.

"We have tremendous gratitude for your efforts in keeping Samus, safe, and caring for her. One day we may repay this dept in gifting you with the greatest key to creating galactic peace." Old Bird smiled as he gazed down at Samus, giving her head a small pat as she returned the smile.