Christian's eyes dwelled on the saturated soil staining the landscape all around him. Jagged rocks and weathered obsidian littered the hills along a crevice of glowing water and a desert outcropping. Life along the land was abundant, and small. He could see the tinge of a blue atmosphere above him, the sky trickled with starlight and nearby planets. Signs of glowing, bioetheric lights resonated in the dark cavernous outcroppings below the hilly ridges, but nothing seemed right.

Why am I here, Christian thought to himself. There was a familiar feeling to this place, but nothing was recognizable. He could feel the gravel, slide his foot on the strong surface; he even took a step forward to test the feeling of movement. At the moment when Christian took a step forward, there was a strange echo that resonated from his position. It felt like a slight rumble, a trickle, and a droplet at the same time. The resonation would slowly dissipate, silencing as the man stopped moving from his position.

Nothing seemed right, the nature of the world was different than what he was expecting. The planets, he could see at least, were rocky, close, and in orbit from whatever this world he was on. He could smell the crisp air tingling with his lungs, grasping his mind with how detailed everything was.

At that moment, Christian would take a few more steps ahead; the small trickling echoes resonating with one step after the next. Now, he could see the layers of the geological rock formations; strangely telling the age of the rocks and the times of the day. It was sunset now, on a planet and system he could barely recognize. However, when he decided to look up into the starlight, the second look made him pause.

In looking up at the sky, he would see a familiar shape beginning to glow in the shadows of the sun:

The Milky Way galaxy.

Wait... what the fuck?! What is going on h-

Before he realized what was going on, a crashing sensation hit the air around Christian with a sudden BOOM! The direction of the crash caused the man to turn his head to the horizon where the sunset was. What he didn't realize this time was that not only was something there, but the shape it took was familiar.

Descending downwards from the glittering shades of the setting sun, Christians eyes glossed the outline of the objects. They were glowing and familiar, resonating in a power discernable to him. That was, at which instant, he recognized them as ships. However, not only could he recognize what they were, he knew now what these ships belonged to:

These ships were Forerunner Dreadnoughts. There were eight smaller ones revolving a far larger dreadnought at the center in a hexagonal formation, descending further and further down into the planet. However, when the ships had reached a certain distance at a height nigh unreachable; the dreadnoughts started to activate. In a recognizable activation sequence, Christian witnessed the smaller vessels glowing brightly in an energetic cyan color, each end of the ship connecting their power to each other in a hexagonal outline. Once the smaller dreadnoughts connected to each other, they would each connect their center pylons to the central ship.

And when it was all connected together, the capital ship discharged the energy onto the planet.

In an instant, the peaceful and radiant landscape surrounding Christian started to glow brilliantly in a wave of heat radiating from the beam of energy. Christian would feel this heat consuming his body. There was no fire, no sign of explosive blast that the human was familiar with to generate this pain... just the searing heat of what he now knew as radiation. His screams could not be heard over the screeching sounds of everything dying around him; the pain was affluent and drowning. He could hear his pain reflected in the world, connected, and burning all the same. His vision blurred in the foreground, skin melting in the wave. He felt his bones shattering and his organs failing, blood boiling like hot water as his body crumpled to the floor.

Following the wave of energy consuming him, Christian could barely witness the bright lights of the ships glowing brighter and brighter.

Once the energy wave had reached its peak, Christian was engulfed in its fiery light.

Christian Rodriguez

Reach, CASTLE Base

March 6, 2525

The young man yelled in the waking moments following his nightmare. With eyes widened and torso lurching in an arch above the bed, Christian staggered for a moment in his disorientation. Emotions flared while Christian tried to understand what he witnessed. Just what in the hell was all that, he wondered. So much had happened in that dream... could he even call that a dream?

"I see you have recovered," came the voice of Dr. Halsey.

All thoughts in his head vanished in recognizing Dr. Halsey addressing him. When his eyes scanned the room for the scientist, he would find her with a datapad and sitting on a nearby chair in front of what was assumed to be a bed. The young man groaned as he would attempt to raise his hand, but found no strength to raise it fully.

"What... what happened," Christian asked of Halsey. He could see the woman's eyes give him a curious glance. It was a sign that he should have had the answer, but he could not find it.

"I find it interesting that you do not remember... mister Rodriguez."

"My family has a way of ensuring I have selective memory."

"So they beat you like kettle?"

"No, they try to make sure that I can keep a secret."

"Oh, is that why you were so keen to tell me everything you knew right out of the gate," Halsey humored. Her eyes were staring at Christian observantly, but he could see that she was looking at him with less hate and more curiosity. That, to him, helped him figure out that his chances of survival was increasing much more.

"Erm, no... that's not exactly it," Christian sighed. His body landed back to the bed at that point, all of his strength leaving him where he laid on the cushions.

"Tell me, what is it then?"

Christian grunted in a sigh of his own breath. His look to Halsey was with a respectful tort. "Out of thinking about my survival, you are the only person whom I would trust with this intel and who could verify it," Christian replied. He looked considerably weaker, the moment causing him to notice his short breath and loss of movement. "Besides, what has... happened to me?" The man, looking to Halsey, begged a question after answering hers'.

Halsey sighed, knowing this was coming. Christian could see the woman looking slightly uncomfortable. "...as another proof of your story, your body went into a state of shock after we began testing your bloodstream. We assumed this was an attempt at suicide by a bio-contaminant agent, but after getting you stable; we realized you had no vaccination against even the most basic contracted illnesses, as if you were an infant," she would inform Christian.

"So... I assume you vaccinated me?"

"Correct."

"Well, I guess you did me a favor by no longer making me have to worry about health insurance," Christian laughed. In response to his laughing, he would feel a sting in his chest; a sign he had laughed too hard. "Ah... I guess I need to recover a little bit more."

"Not without answering a few questions first," Dr. Halsey implied out of Christian. It caused the man to immediately tense up and nod to her.

"Shoot," Christian replied; nodding to have the questions asked.

"First, you're going to tell me something; what are the alien artifacts mentioned in the data file called: First Strike? Your file explicitly states its importance to the reading."

"Damn, she is a fast reader!" The young man cursed at himself as he would close his eyes and try to recollect the information on hand. It was strange, however, that when all of his thoughts were silenced, which was a difficult feat at that; Christian specifically recalled the information right out of the gate. He remembered how he picked it up in the book specifically, but knew that the intel itself was implied as it was meant to drive the plot to Halo itself.

"The alien artifacts are of an extinct race called: Forerunners. They were considered the protectors of the galaxy over one-hundred-thousand years ago," Christian informed while his eyes opened to look at Halsey. He could see the woman showing a confused look in her eyes, an indication that the truth of what was going to happen would make things traumatic for even Halsey to bear.

"Tell me more about them, emphasize what you mean."

"I... I would prefer that we continue with your other questions before I answer that. Psychology 101, it will be best to tell the truth in pieces in order for said information to be delivered to the patient, child, or student without psychological trauma," Christian answered. By now, Halsey showed an even more curious glance, however, she would nod her head in acceptance.

"Very well, Christian; although I am more than a simple child nor am I a patient." Halsey replied. By now, whatever information she had gathered in who knows how long; Christian had a feeling she was very conflicted. "-but answer me this one question. What is this... Halo that The Covenant are after? Why is it the title of every file in the directory?"

"Ah... that is a question that is easier to explain... are you sure you want to hear this?" Christian asked. At that moment, he saw Halsey give him a 'go on' look.

"Halo... is a weapon. A weapon designed by The Forerunners to wipe out all sentient life in the galaxy," Christian gulped.

That was the moment when Christian was surprised, especially since the look on Halsey's face spoke little of what was actually happening behind the blank stare she was making. In that same moment, he would see Halsey shaking her head.

"Now I understand why you wish to tell me what you know by parts, but why... why would The Covenant be after this... Halo?"

"It is the same reason why they wage war on us all, for this... Great Journey. It is critical to their religion, deeming to walk on this holy path to transcendence. They are led by The San'Shyuum, who are in the books called The Prophets; the leaders of The Covenant... even if now they're ordering the glassing Harvest to a wasteland." It was now Christian's turn to give Halsey his own blank stare. He gave her the critical information, the intel itself caused him to be given a headache on it all.

"That explains The Covenant and Harvest, but why is humanity such a threat?"

"We are actually more important than you know Doctor Halsey. While The Covenant and its races are unable to properly activate Forerunner artifacts... we are given access by their devices willingly. That reason, is provided for by many of the books... so is the same reason why The Halo's were made," Christian coughed. With all of what he spoken, he knew his headaches were worsening and his condition becoming much more at issue with the moment. He needed rest, that much was seen in Catherine's eyes and understanding in his own mind.

"Very well," Catherine replied. She would soon be seen standing up and heading over to the side of the bed. "Get some rest Christian, you will not be dying tonight. In fact, you will not be dying for a long time," Halsey implied. That caused Christian to widen his eyes slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"I am going to spare you the reasons or the details to ensure you retain this information, but you have convinced me enough to a point where giving you to ONI would be a gross miscalculation," Halsey spoke, crossing her arms. "-and against my better judgements, you are going to be given a new identity."

That would cause Christian to hum.

"Who will I be?"

"Griffin Phoenix, you are going to be sent to basic training in a few days to a colony where ONI won't find you... after ONI finishes repairing the network you apparently created."

"Will I be given a choice on where I go?"

"Do you have a specific location that could prove important to this new war effort?"

"Yes... but you aren't going to like it."

"Say it."

"Corbulo Academy of Military Science."

That caused Halsey to give the man a strange look. "That is really going to be difficult to pull off. I wonder what you are going to do in order to qualify for their OTS candidacy applications," Halsey questioned the young man.

"Well... there is something that might help."

"That is?"

"You're a doctor and part of ONI, I know you have access to tests that can be used to examine where I may stand."

Catherine crossed her arms. "Are you suggesting an aptitude test," she would ask of Christian.

"Yes, and that you should not hold back. My identity should reflect where I stand right now. If that means I do not get into Corbulo, at least enlistment would serve me the same purpose," Christian smiled.

"Very well. However, I will be taking a blood sample from you soon; after you've fully... or partially recovered."

Sitting comfortably in his bed, Christian yawned and nodded. "That will be nice, doctor. You go ahead and Ah... do your best. Your work will save all of human kind." The young man sighed, his breath becoming more ragged by the moment.

Not long into his implication, Christian closed his eyes; and let darkness claim him once more.

This was going to be an interesting few days.

Reach, New Alexandria

March 8, 2525

Entering the vast city space of New Alexandria gave Griffin a lethargic feeling as the transit system brought him one step closer into the sphere of what a regular civilian would be like in a UNSC stronghold. He could see the uniforms of officers, a few marines, and a great deal of regular city-folk sitting and standing in the tram system. Even he was dressed more like a civilian with his black leather hoodie and light brown cargo pants. There were so many sights that intrigued him while looking at the crowd, the skyrise of the towering buildings, or even the rising flights of military and civilian ships taking off from the space port.

Seeing humanity at its height brought a smile to his face. However, at this cities greatest heights, he still remembered the fires in the horizon and the Covenant Cruisers glassing the city in the distance.

His memory of the burning city were soon put to rest the moment the tram entered the station and stopped everyone in their tracks. Once the door hissed open, Christian and many more civvies would walk out of the tram and into the station where crowds of uniformed men and average dressed citizens moved between openings. The young man was quick to make his way to the flooding exits. He looked and saw the jackets and coats of many people, the chilling winds of a wintery temperature. He would tap into the communication device that Halsey had handed him after she let him go into the farmlands at the border of CASTLE base's perimeter.

Looking down at the device, he remembered that it was a Data Pad, something that was in the UEG's mind as a cheap trinket. To Griffin, this was a device that attracted him to a hundred things about it. The device itself held RAM and Processing drives that were a few hundred times faster than his gaming laptop; a reminder he was five-hundred years in the future. He would run scripting software that would infect an A.I's fragment should it tap into his device, it was a pet project Griffin had as he waited for several hours to reach into the city.

And when he started to make his walk into the streets, an immediate ping would get Griffin the answer that he already knew:

The Alexandrian Superintendent had just been infected. Griffin smiled to himself as he read the data in his pad, soon shooting a hundred command lines in order to mask his presence within whatever data stream he just entered. All logs of his entry would also be masked, made to look like a remote code execution that the AI would make in any security center. Once he was finished with the commands, the young man would make sure to transfer access to a nearby ATM Kiosk so that he could grab some credits and get an apartment so that he could be able to recover for the next few days.

"Time to get to a hotel and prepare for the tests." Griffin thought to himself.

Reach, New Alexandria Starport

March 10, 2525

Griffin watched as the New Alexandrian airspace held the incoming pelicans with great intrigue. Their engine roars and unique metallic designs attracted the young man's interests. Today, he was awestruck upon the marvelous view. Here he was, standing in line for a military transport to arrive and take him and what looked to be fifty additional men into service. Strangely enough, the young managed to strike several friendly conversations with the men and women waiting for the transport shuttle to arrive.

"I take it you're heading to basic eh Jeremy?"

"Yeah, and you," Jeremy asked. The young man was 19, born on Reach, had creamy-white skin, and a complexion that gave off European vibes that kept Griffin talking to him. He knew the young man may simply perish in the war, or die before he even made it to fight them.

"Corbulo Academy, Junior Officer stuff," Griffin chuckled. That had caused a few glances from some of the prospecting recruits of the UNSC as Griffin spoke openly.

"Shit, you're going OTS right?"

"Damn straight, apparently I caught the interests of the UNSC when my ASVAB and Technical scores had exceeded their testing ranges enough to warrant a meeting with an officer and then a shuttle ride towards Corbulo," Griffin implied.

"That just means he's an egghead, don't they always try to snatch one up before they think twice about their academic career?" One of the recruits in the line already showed signs of jealousy; even as Griffin crossed his arms and looked at the young man.

Griffin just smirked. "Hey, that sounds like Innie talk. You might want to divert what you're saying to null before you start causing potential recruits to think twice about their military careers," the Hispanic man humored. Even dressed with the UNSC recruit fatigues, he still looked a little skinny and smaller than the rest of the growing youngsters.

All Griffin would hear in response to his joke, was the groans of the man in question before he stood at ease. Jeremy, still, just laughed as he would shrug off the shit the other man was saying. Griffin looked at him as if he was a quick friend, even if they were not going to train in the same unit.

"So, what branch you're going into," Griffin asked Jeremy.

"Marine Corps," Jeremy smirked; causing a few Ooo-Ra's to sound off from a few of the recruits in the lining row.

"Sounds like you're a prodigal son Jeremy, the big bad Marine from Reach; coming to kill innies and take their farming equipment," Griffin paused; looking at the slight amount of fat that layed on his physical features. "-only if he can get his fat ass through PT."

That would cause a couple of the hardened and older recruits to break bearing with a chuckle of their own.

"Stop it with that mouth or your instructor is going to make you mop rain," One of the recruits in the line spoke up; trying so hard not to chuckle to Griffin's stupid jokes.

"Aye-aye sir," Griffin spoke; standing at attention the moment the recruit spoke to him on that pedigree.

"Wise ass," the recruit shook his head and returned to looking forward.

Before Griffin could be able to say anything more, the hissing sounds of an approaching SKT-13 shuttlecraft roaring over the awaiting military passengers caused him to shut up. He could see the grey outlines of the ship and the large insignia of the UNSC banner painted on its hull. Even the security personnel backed up a little bit as the ship hung low and began to ferry down and touchdown onto the surface of the spaceport. Griffin merely humored himself as the vehicle made its landing.

"Well, time to meet our makers," Griffin implied. He would soon clasp the shoulder of Jeremy before following the recruits into the shuttle. While the majority of recruits were ferrying their baggage onto the ship, Griffin and a select few would enter the ship without any personal items on their persons.

"Remember Christian, your scores are far above the intelligence quotient of any recruit in the military; and your DNA profile is... something extraordinary. If you keep with intense physical training, you may find out what is going on in your genetics."

Halsey's voice still resonated in Griffin as he would sit on the shuttle. His head hung low as he continued to mull over the details of the results of the medical examination from the doctor.

"Just what exactly is going on with you Christian? You had a physical not long ago, something strange like that would have given alarms or concerns from the corporate-funded doctor." Griffin sighed as he lifted his hands and looked at them.

"Don't get chicken-feet Griffin, that won't look good for the promoter duty you're getting when you flunk out," Jeremy chuckled. He would sit down next to Griffin, smiling at him while the recruits were packing their bags and settling everything into place. Many of the recruits would be seen putting on their safety gear as the straps and metal rails were being strapped onto the seating.

"I don't think chicken-feet will get me," Griffin chuckled. He had a hard time trying to get the straps together, even as everyone else was doing it pretty easy.

That was when one of the operators on the shuttle walked up to Griffin and strapped him on the seat, looking at the young man like he was a child.

"Nope, you being all smart and not knowing how to do basic shit will get you," Jeremy chuckled.

However, not long into finishing getting his seat in order; an older-looking man stumbled into the open seat next to Griffin. The smell of alcohol and his groggy behavior gave him enough worry from Jeremy and the others who were not familiar with an alcoholic with nothing left to do.

"I may throw up on you," the groggy dark-skinned man spoke to Griffin as he sat down and slowly strapped himself in.

"This is the twenty-fifth century man, I believe these ships are safe," Griffin implied. He looked at the groggy individual as if he was in need of help if anything.

"Horse-shit, if they have you strapped down in a metal container and then throw you in space; you're still going through kinetic forces."

"Only when it whips to the side rapidly. Besides, we aren't miniature Neil Armstrong's," Griffin chuckled.

"Smart ass," the gruff man replied as he straightened up his fatigues.

"That I am," Griffin smiled.

"Names Rourke, recently divorced and lost my house and dog."

"Nice to meet you, I am Griffin; junior officer smart-ass."

Moments when introductions were made, a violent shake of the shuttlecraft caused Griffin to shiver where he was. Jeremy, seeing this in the young man's jittery nature over the unexpected shake of the flight, it caused him to chuckle and elbow his side.

"Never gone on a shuttle before?"

Griffin nodded his head, his hands gripping the safety straps with a death grip as the shuttle began to ascend. "I've never been on a shuttle in my life," the young man spoke. Everything rattled within Griffin's body, his head shook while his voice of unease echoed with the same sensations in his mind. it didn't take long before he looked at Rourke and sighed.

"I think it is I that may throw up on you," Griffin groaned.

"Amateurs," Jeremy chuckled.

Another dream... Christian thought to himself. Instead of discovering himself on a desert world or the physical location of the shuttle; this time he stood inside a dim, metallic, and cylindrical hallway. He could feel the cool air cusp into his skin, brushing it like a soft caress whilst standing within the bowels of whatever this area was.

Yet, there was nothing identifiable that his brown eyes could find in relation. The halls were too smooth and circular for any UNSC bulkhead. All the icons and symbols on the walls and ceiling didn't resemble anything that he could identify from Covenant or Forerunner symbols. This could be a Forerunner vessel, but I don't know. Christian continued to think to himself the more he passed sections of the hallway that were reinforced with additional pylons.

What didn't help him was the darkened field of view of the ship. So dim were the lights, that the illuminated aesthetics of the vessel made it hard to see what laid at the end. The smell of the place was even more pristine than what he was comfortable with... even the chilly air didn't make things easier neither. All the young man knew was the fact that he was in one dilemma. A dilemma that he didn't like accepting:

He was in the unknown.

Such a dilemma would leave others in a position of uncertainty, but for a dream; Christian continued forth despite not knowing what was going on nor what was going to happen to him. The man wanted to understand, both driven with curiosity and a determination to seek out what was causing this dream to happen. He was aware of the fact that he was in a dream, but the more he tried moving oddly and in ways contrary to his movements; the more he realized he was grounded by his own perception of reality...

Yet he couldn't change it.

There goes the control factor of a lucid dream. Might as well let this play out. Christian sighed, accepting the nature of the situation. Out of consideration for the moment and location, wherever he was; the man trekked forth through the bowels of whatever ship he was on.

Up ahead, however, Christian spotted what seemed to be a dim light a few paces ahead of him. That caused him to race forward in a sprinting burst. His feet tapped the metallic surface and echoed clanked noises throughout the hull in effect of his running; all to seek out the prickling light. What soon was a light, became a part of a circular door at the center of the hallway. The light he saw was a few feet above the center and positioned in a pylon. That pylon was connected to the central terminal, matched by a glowing, and uniquely holographic panel that radiated with a cyan light.

No longer thinking about observing the door nor its metallic resemblance, the young man would walk towards the door and neared his hand towards the holographic terminal.

The second his hand touched the terminal, he would see the holographic panel flare up and cause the central pylon to move up to its upper companion. Once the pylons connected in a single sound communion, the metallic door would hum into operation and open the door three ways into their empty slots. At the clearing of the path and the revealing of what laid on the other side; all Christian could see was a room.

It was a quarter of some kind.

Christian merely shrugged and entered it, witnessing the counters, what looked like a spartan and well-kept area, and illuminating lights darting in selective locations in the room. He could see a bathroom, a small station where food could be kept, and holographic panels that flickered online when he came near it. However, nothing implied to Christian why he was here, only by the fact that he is here; and that concerned him more than ever.

All implications would be thrown away the second he turned to the sharp breathing where the bed should be; for there was a face that lumbered with the resting body on that bed:

Forthencho, Lord of Admirals.

Realizing who the human was, Christian backed up and bumped into the wall harshly. A gasp would come from the weak man, his body shaking in the presence of such a pivotal figure. That would only cause the ancient human to awaken to his sudden presence, bringing the man to take a sharp, controlled breath; before he rose from his bed.

What Ancient Humanity had achieved, made Christian shake before the seven-foot-tall giant of a man. For while Christian stood at a lanky six feet, Forthencho towered him by far.

However, instead of being overshadowed by his nonexistence before Forthencho, the human looked straight at the young man with a steeled glare. No dream could prepare Christian for what happened next, for the Lord of Admirals spotted the man and addressed him as such:

"Who are you?"

Griffin Phoenix

Circinius System, Circinius IV Space Elevator

March 18, 2525

An audible gasp was the reaction Griffin had as he woke up from the dreamful sleep he had. The man looked at his own hands in an attempt to understand what had been going on. Much of his surroundings brought him to wake up, but he knew that the large clinks in the hull of the near-empty shuttle brought the man to attention. He sat up with all of his vigor and waited for the all-clear to sound off.

Yet, even as the external windows displayed the inner chasms of what looked like a space station, the young man merely focused his attention elsewhere and looked down at his hands.

Just what was that? Griffin asked himself. He knew that by now, he was on an Ancient Human ship within its hull. More specifically, he was on Forthencho, the Lord of Admirals flagship. And yet, all he remembered that the human looked directly into his eyes... and then he woke up. But how? He continued to ask himself the same question over and over in his head. Nothing seemed to make sense for him.

Strangely enough, it seemed to make a bizarre form of sense if what Halsey told him was correct.

He would soon be shaken out of his contemplations the moment the shuttle's engines began to shut down. The whirling sensations of the declining noises of the vessel gave him enough time to redouble his efforts and begin to prepare for what he was going to say. Corbulo Academy... Griffin thought to himself, taking the moment to wait for the specialists to detach him from the seating.

Once that had happened, Griffin would thank the specialist and stand up. There would be immediate directions pointed out by the woman in pilot gear at the exit of the large shuttle, obviously stated as a point to keep him from becoming a lieutenant without a map or a compass.

"Thank you ma'am," Griffin nodded as he began to make his way towards the shuttle exit.

"Anytime, now complete your work student, better you find your place out there than land yourself in janitor school," humored the pilot.

Smiling, Griffin would take his chances and make his way out of the shuttle. Out in front of him, among the masses of a grey and green colorations of a station; the uniformed UNSC specialist at the head of a few security officers implied something to the young man as he made his approach. When the young man descended from the shuttle, the specialist spoke.

"Cadet Griffin Phoenix?"

"Yes ma'am," Griffin spoke. He stood at attention at the slight décor of a couple metals on her uniform.

"Good, at least you understand discipline," the specialist quipped. In that moment, she would take out a see-through glass datapad and began to check him off of the list. The moment she was finished, she looked up at the cadet and eyed him with much scrutiny. "Cadet Phoenix, report to the space elevator and be prepared for descension; these lovely marines will escort you to the elevator. Welcome to Circinus IV." The UNSC Specialist informed. Her head turned to the marines, nodded, and then turned to walk away.

That was when the three marines motioned the newfound cadet with them through the flickering halls of the space elevator. Much of the halls and the echoing chills of a working space station reminded him too much of the multiplayer maps in the same game universe he was in. Way too much reminded the young man of one thing or another. Even if his mind wondered on about the feeling and sensation of the environments and halls he passed, there was still the off chance his wondering might give off something.

"Got to stay focused," Christian thought to himself. Once he garnered himself into the thoughts and manners of a young student, his manner of walking improved.

Right to the hatch that led to the elevator into the planet.

Slotted into the cramped space and positioned right under a railing, this was the fifth time that Griffin was reminded too frequently of how unprepared he was to descend from orbit in an elevator. What didn't help was the window that looked out into a long way down into a large planet of a greenish haze. He easily spotted the oxygen-nitrogen glow of an atmosphere and pieces of smaller moons further from the outline of the planet. But that was simply looking down towards the planet.

And it was a long way down.

Content with holding onto the rail, the fact that anything could go wrong, there was no strap to hold him in place. He could be able to tell that because he was in the 25th century of humanity, the vast difference in architecture was going to give him a field day the moment when he began his re-education.

Moments into thinking about his re-education, a single 'THWAP' and 'HISS' would be heard as the hatches closed and the hydraulic sounds of the elevator preparing to go down to the planet was settled. Engaged, Griffin clung to the railing, closing his eyes as the elevator went from stationary... to a rapid drop all the way down the planet.

Griffin had never screamed so loud before.

Circinius IV, Corbulo Academy for Military Science (CAMS)

Landing into the tether, Griffin had entered the scene of the military academy with shaky boots and a disoriented limp. As the elevator hissed into the base of the tether, the locking mechanism would kick in and set the elevator in place within the landing pad. Upon landing on the pad, the light panels would prepare to open the hatch.

The moment when the door opened, there would be a woman in a UNSC uniform, flanked by two cadets in their uniforms standing at attention. The woman who stood at the center had the scarred complexion of a battle-hardened officer, someone who had the authority and the responsibility to use it efficiently. He could only catch glimpses of the two cadets beside her, one a male and the other a female.

And when they looked within the elevator, they would see Griffin in a bear crawl; legs shaky as he tried to stand.

With a single cough, Griffin would look up and widen his eyes. The man flushed in embarrassment and leaned against the metal wall to stand at attention.

"Not the greatest impression for a cadet with potential, but not everything is perfect," came the voice of Colonel Mehaffey. Griffin would recognize that voice anywhere in any environment, not even if he was knocked into unconsciousness. It was good to be in familiar territory and not feel like you were going to get a bullet in the head just for being there. However, he knew all too well that he needed to keep his guard up and to keep with the identity as much as possible.

As the young man did his best to stay up and bring more blood circulation to his legs, the colonel would go ahead and begin approaching the young man from where he stood. "Griffin Phoenix, as of this moment, you are a late inductee to the Corbulo Academy of Academy Science. Now recover and follow your squad leader and squadmate, they will take you to your new quarters. If you prove yourself capable, you will be designated as an officer cadet." With that, the woman left as quickly as she came.

The moment when Mehaffey was gone, the two cadets would approach Griffin.

"First time on a Space Elevator?" One of the cadets asked, he sounded familiar in the young man's ears. Griffin took that moment to flex his legs and stretch himself out for a moment, nodding.

"Yeah, seems like I looked like a chicken with its head cut off," Griffin chuckled.

"Pretty much, I almost thought she would put you through tour on the first day." Humored the familiar voice. When Griffin turned to look at the young man, his eyes found recognition in the nametag on his bright white uniform:

Lasky

"Looks like you're our squad leader," Griffin commented on Laskey's four diamonds on the left side of the collar. He could see the sigil of the academy's banner on the chest of the young man's right side and then the nametag on the left. There was the belt strap holding the hip joints together, and then the velcro vest zipped up at the center.

Lasky merely took a step forward. "What gave me away, my dashing good looks or my size?" He asked with humor, looking at Griffin with interest.

"The four diamonds on your left collar, there are more of them on you than on your fellow cadet," Griffin spoke. He would stand ready and gave him a look that reflected that drive. The young man witnessed the reason why Cadmon was so loved by the instructors and the staff of the academy, that even while things were uncertain, there was always a fire that drove up in him to rise up and contest the field.

At that moment, Lasky smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "You'll do alright, let's get you to the bunk and meet the squad." Lasky spoke, motioning to the officer cadet on his left. "That young woman there, is your squad FNG Rika; she'll be in charge of kicking your ass if you screw up any combat exercises for the term." He motioned, causing the woman to raise both of her hands, ball one into a fist, and then smashed them together as a sign of 'make or break'.

"At least some things haven't changed." Griffin thought, soon standing tall and at attention in the term. "Understood sir," Griffin spoke.

Lasky's smirk merely widened before he would walk to his front and look him in the eye. "Just call me Lasky between us and the squad. You have the drive, let's see how you'll hold up when you have to play catch up on all of the training you missed out on." Lasky spoke, going from calm to serious in that moment. It made Griffin firm up and he would soon witness Rika making her way by the man's side so they would both begin walking.

"Now, let's get you changed." Rika spoke, not even changing her tone on seriousness between them.

CAMS, Dormitories

The first breath into the academy caused Griffin to cough slightly. Getting used to the walk and the cold breeze of the environment outside was enough for Griffin to be out of breath in trying to keep up with the two cadets. Even if he panted and labored, he ushered a sigh of relief as he was brought into the large space inside of the building that was full of incoming and outgoing students and instructors.

"Welcome to the dormitories Griffin," Lasky smiled as he moved through the halls. The metallic corridors and the clean floor panels reflected the light that shined from the nearby star and the artificial lights. Combined, the effects emitted from both sources nearly blinded Griffin in observation. For the moment, Griffin merely closed his eyes and nearly bumped into a cadet; trying to navigate the area without trying to open his eyes.

"Looks like you need to adapt to your surroundings." Rika chuckled.

"I'm a work in progress Rika," Griffin grunted.

"That you are, Griffin, let's get you into squad bay before you get lost." Lasky chuckled, walking up to Griffin and pointing him around with an arm around his shoulder. While they were passing, the legendary influence of Cadmon Lasky would show itself as fellow cadets let him pass; some even called out to Lasky and laughed as they went.

"Hey Lasky, looks like you got another dog to look after," one cadet laughed. "Seems like you got fresh meat," another called.

"Don't worry girls, I'll look after him!" Lasky bellowed, causing a few more cadets to laugh and make side banter once the three entered the final array of corridors into the squad bay. At the top of the bay, the sigil of a bow would be at the top of the ceiling before the name Sagillius was presented as the topmost sign in the entryway. Once they were all inside the corridor of rooms, there would be seven cadets standing at attention in front of their respective rooms, minus three empty rooms that were in the corridor.

"Welcome to Sagillius Squad. As you know, I am the squad leader of this respective and highly egotistical band of misfits. In case we all need introductions, since some of you are strangers," Lasky spoke as he entered the room. Many of the cadets were strong, skinny, and fit for the position. There were five men and three women in the whole of the squad, excluding Orenski and Lasky who helped Griffin inside.

"That tough son-of-a-bitch there is Niko, he'll be our athletic contender on who is the strongest in the academy," Lasky pointed to the large hispanic man who nodded up and down.

Pointing to the women beside Niko, Lasky introduced the others, "Beside him are our twins, Sarah and Becky, our two best sharpshooters. Give them a target and they can spot and take out a fly at fifteen-hundred meters with an assault rifle." The young man voiced, turning to many more faces. "Then we have the good Mikhael and our techie, Wilhelm." Lasky smiled, soon turning to the rest of the squad.

"We'll have miss Rodriguez who provides our intel and Ramirez, Zinc, and McCraw providing field support." Laskey nodded, soon moving up the bunch.

"Sagillius Squad, our new inductee will be Griffin Phoenix. He's new, but General Black insisted he is someone who is the exception and he will be playing catch-up among us. If he plays his cards right, he'll be one of us before next combat exercise. You all are Juniors, so show him the ropes after training tomorrow." With that, Lasky pointed Griffin to his room. "Go ahead and see to your room, Phoenix. It will be your home for the term."

Griffin nodded to Lasky and began walking to the entrance of the room. He would see the same dark and light dorm outfits that everyone had expected to wear. Considering the squad hadn't moved an inch, Griffin's instincts from his home forced him to rush into the bed and change into said outfits with all due haste.

In seconds, Griffin came out of the room and stood at attention right next to his dorm like everyone else.

Not even expecting the inductee to get with the program so quickly, Lasky would nod, look to Orenski and motion her to go to her place beside her dorm. "Now, Phoenix, tell us about yourself that you would like to share with the squad." Ordered the squad leader, walking in the middle of the dorm corridor through this meeting.

"I was born on Algolis, but I was raised on the planet Reach. My aptitude tests placed me as the highest ranking recruit of the Reach candidates, and I am a team player." Griffin promoted himself in the position, trying to sound straightforward and convincing as the cadets looked forward and took in what the man spoke.

"An Innie, huh?" Lasky implied, causing Griffin to interrupt.

"Sir, I am not an Innie, they were the reason why my family moved me to Reach to start a new life." He would interrupt, causing Lasky to turn to him swiftly and cause him to walk up to him.

"You have one week to prove it," the squad leader spoke decisively. He was right up on the man by how he was addressed.

At that exact moment, there was a ding! that caused the cadets to listen up.

"All cadets; lights out in one hour."

With that being said, Lasky would look at the ceiling light before he turned back to Griffin. "Alright Phoenix, we'll show you the locker-room and the cryochambers before lights out. You need to know it for inspection." Lasky would then take a few steps back and then looked to the rest of the squad. "Get ready for some rest Sagillius squad, we are going on tour after inspection." The squad leader spoke up, causing Orenski to silently sigh before the rest of the squad dispersed into their respective dorms.

Griffin would soon see Lasky look to him and then motion the man to come with him into a chamber not that far off from the main corridor they entered. It was within the squad dorms and beside the main corridors, leading into the locker room that he was made aware about. Due to the inspection phase of the movie Griffin knew all too well, it was simple to see what the inspection phase was about:

Step One, wake up and rush into the locker room.

Step Two, have someone with the access code decrypt the password to access the equipment.

Step Three, put on the equipment as fast as possible to beat the academy record. If Griffin didn't watch the movie, then he would have been nervous, because Lasky was speaking about the whole process by a rapid voice description in moments rather than in elongated minutes.

"Any questions?" Lasky asked.

"No, Lasky." Griffin spoke.

Smiling, the young man would pat his shoulder before he would begin walking to the dorms.

"Well, get some rest tomorrow, you're going to need it."

And another chapter completed! To be honest, this chapter was pretty interesting to write. Sending Christian (who will now be referred to as Griffin for writing sakes) to CAMS is a far more easier position than sending him to Harvest, being brought up in a UNSC boot camp, or the realistic approach of an ONI Interrogation chamber. Besides, wouldn't it be more of an interesting story to be part of one of Halo's finest Live-Action shows (excluding Paramount's Halo) as well as expanding what we can do in it?

To the explanation of Forthencho and the first dream sequence in this chapter: I am going to leave it up to you on how this is possible. Hahahaha!

As for Griffin's ability to make scripting software that could infect an AI, just remember that Catherine Halsey is a very well accomplished doctor who would be, to us, a doctor in Computer Science based on her affinity to AI. With insight and coding, anything is possible.

Thank you all so much for y'alls time and if you have any feedback, suggestions, or even a point out on lore, do not be afraid to use the review button as a doorbell tool!

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-True