Disclaimer: All HALO characters not my own belong to Microsoft and Halo studios

Those who have not read the first book, highly, highly redommended you do, you wont understand shit if you haven't.

Sorry for the long wait dear readers, I had some other matters to take care of…Now…this is my second book, and I'm not sure how long I'll make it, but I have the entire plot figured out…so…without a due, LETS GET IT STARTED.

Prologue: Let's get it started

"He may be different, but he is one of us, he always was…even if he wasn't trained with us, he fought and bleed with us, he's a brother to me…to all of us…I wouldn't be here were it not for him…he was always the most human of us, the most understanding…and adaptable…that's what made him one of the greatest of us…and why all of us trust him"

-SPARTAN Samuel 034

February 25, 2532, 1034 hours [MILITARY CALANDER]

Location: Sigma Draconis system, Deep space…

Third Person POV

The vast empty space were only filled with the millions of stars that shone light-years away, no sound, no air, no nothing…simply empty…that was what space was and is…it's a cold, empty and lifeless place, a barrier that separates everything.

It was in this vast empty space that two vessels cruised through, to any naked eye, it may seem like they aren't moving vast distances at all…but the eye can often be deceiving. What could be perceived as few meters by sight; is in reality hundreds of thousands of kilometers covered by each vessel.

The vessel at the front was being pursued by the one in the rear, the distance between the two was a good three hundred thousand kilometers, but the one pursuing was closing the distance rapidly.

The pursuing vessel fired many of its weapons, its alien plasma weapons which were in the spectrum of purple. The vessel being perused returned fire with its primitive secondary weapons, which did little but tickle the shields of the pursuing ship.

A lone Halcyon class cruiser, out classed, out matched, and almost outrun, was all but out of options, it's pursuers had other intentions other than simply lay the ship to waste, they could use its navigation database, and locate every single star system their foes had claimed as their worlds…and turn them barren.

Dozens of boarding crafts latched onto the ship, each craft carrying a large war host of warriors, the ship's defenders fought valiantly, each inch on the ship was paid with the blood of their enemies.

Humanities enemies may be strong, advance and ruthless. But humans were stubborn, and when backed in a corner, they become much, much more fearless and deadlier.

Alarms flared across all decks of the cruiser.

Every marine, ODST and crewmen that could wield a weapon was called to arms, they weren't going to let them covies take their ship, something they see as home.

From the engine room, to the hanger bay, from the med bays to the storage units, from the airlocks to the cryo chambers…all hell broke loose as every deck was turned into a battle field.

The only area of the ship spared of any combat was its command centre, the bridge. Inside, the bridge crew frantically moved around from one post to another, each man was doing quadruple the work, just so they may have a chance to live to fight another day.

The ship rumbled, being beaten like a drum under the constant bombardment from the covenant cruiser perusing them, this shockwave nearly made the Captain stumble over to the ground.

However, he was able to just balance himself by holding onto the Holotank. It was a bad day…a really bad day. A few months ago, they had engaged in a skirmish on Arcadia, next thing, they were to pursue the Covenant ship fleeing in hopes to destroy every last ship.

Only to get into this predicament after exiting slipspace just moments earlier, Terrance Hood had seen a lot ever since the joint Campaign alongside the Spirit of Fire on that horrid world.

If he thought the covenant might lose momentum after their decisive victory on that world, then he was very, very wrong. In fact, the loss of their Holy Fleet only seemed to further fuel their anger towards mankind, and accelerate the process of their extermination.

Each battle had gone from bad to worse, if they destroyed one ship, it was as if three more just took its place in another battle. Numbers had been the UNSC's only advantage, but it seems that would not last long either, as another shockwave was felt through the ship, Hood gripped the holotank tightly in hopes to not stumble to the floor.

"Nero, status!" Hood ordered.

The Roman Blue's AI, Nero, projected itself on the holotank, as it name suggests, it took the avatar of a Roman emperor, its overall high lightings being red. "Hull breaches on deck four and sixteen, boarding parties have engaged our security forces on almost every level. Hull integrity is at forty nine percent, missile pods are active and ready to fire" the AI informed in a highly aristocratic manner.

"What's the range of the Covenant ship" Hood asked.

"The vessel is currently three hundred thousand and five hundred kilometers away from our position, at the rate of its speed, my estimations are that it will close in on us at approximately twelve minutes and fifteen seconds…make that thirteen" Nero informed.

Hood rubbed his temples, the situation was deteriorating each passing second, jumping into slipspace would risk the Covenant cruiser perusing them to where they went, and if they were to jump to a location that was not yet discovered by the Covenant…that would be a disaster..

"Damn it" Hood cursed under his breath.

However his own thoughts made him unaware of the danger the lurked around the corner, the sudden cry of a crewman snapped Hood out of his thoughts, as he looked around the corner, he saw one of his bridge crew, a young ensign; get slashed across his chest by those dreaded energy blades of the covenant.

Loud footsteps thumped as the intruder slowly creped around the corner, the Elite for all of Hood's dread, was donned in maroon armor…a zealot, atleast one of the armor they were usually encountered wearing.

The Elite walked over to the Captain, its energy blade ready to cut him down, like he did with any foe that crossed him. Hood could barely move as he watched the large Elite approach him, he could hear it speak in its alien tongue, God forbid what it was even saying.

Hood tried reaching for his side arm, but realized and remembered that he had left it in his quarters, 'Damn it, just when I needed it' Hood internally cursed as he watched the Elite raise its energy blade, ready to strike him down.

Hood could only raise his hands and try to block his face so the Elite may not feel the amusement it desired as it killed him, seeing his face filled with fear. However, the strike never came, but only the sound and cry of the Elite who collapsed onto the ground in front of him.

A knife wound was clearly visible on its neck, Hood looked up to see a familiar and reliving face…the SPARTAN, clad in Azure blue armor with a dome shaped faceplate, stood over the dead elite, in hands was a bloodied combat knife.

"Captain…this is the third time I've had to save you" the SPARTAN, Tyler said in a deadpan tone, it was true after all. The first he saved him was due to the insurrectionist schemes, the second was during the second skirmish over Arcadia, and the third…was now.

"We can babble all we want, AFTER we get clear…now what's the status, Son?" Hood asked as he turned back to the display screen.

"First platoon has cleared the mess halls and armories of any covenant presence, third and fifth are dealing with them on the med bay and cryo bays, second and fourth are engaged in the storage units and airlocks, while the ODSTs are holding out engine room and hanger bays…the rest of my Team is scattered around the ship, helping out in whatever deck they find themselves in" Tyler reported.

"We might actually have a chance in repelling the covenant with those odds" Hood commented as he placed his hand under his chin.

"Sir, apologies for interrupting, but even if we push the covenant off this ship, there is simply no possible way we can outrun that cruiser, as soon as it gets within point blank range, this Halcyon cruiser would become HalcyOFF" Nero pointed out.

Hood sighed in frustration, the AI was right, even if they won the internal struggle for the ship, there still laid the external threat…and a massive one that is, a CCS Cruiser was no easy ship to outrun, let take on alone.

"That certainly is a looming threat" Hood stated.

Tyler pondered over the situation at hand, repelling the boarding parties was quite easy as the Marines and ODSTs fought on even ground, and so did the SPARTANs…the covenant Cruiser's shields were definitely too much for the MAC gun of their cruiser to do any real damage.

However…a lot could be done if the SPARTANs got the chance to fight on their even ground. "Sir…I might have a solution…and its crazy" Tyler informed.

"At this point, crazy just might be what saves us from impending doom, SPARTAN" Hood sighed, "Go on, I'm all ears"

"Sir, few questions, are there any thrusters available in the Roman Blue's inventory?" Tyler asked

"A few dozen are stored in storage unit-three" Nero answered.

"Perfect…I'll also need a warhead…a HAVOK nuclear warhead" A grin formed under Tyler helmet.

Hood immediately caught on with what he was implying, "Son…if you manage to actually do this, I'll make sure you and your team gets some damn medals" Hood stated.

"Medals for later, Captain. Nero, have those cargo transferred over to the starboard airlocks, we're doing this right now" Tyler said as he made his way out, walking out of the bridge.

Tyler turned on his TEAMCOM, there was no chatter over it which was expected, his HUD showed the IFF tags of his team, all of them were still green, which was good, "Bravo team, check in with your positions" he ordered.

"Bravo-two here, current position, med bay, covenant forces eliminated" Cassandra checked in.

"Bravo-three here, current position, Hanger bay, boarding parties have been repelled" Alexander also checked in.

"Bravo-four here, current position, starboard airlocks, heavy resistance" Owen checked in, that was a problem…

"Bravo-Five here, current position, Cryo bay-two, boarding parties have been eliminated, making way towards Bravo-four's location" Maria checked in as well…

"Rendezvous at Bravo-four's position, we have a new objective, stay sharp for any cargo being taken there, it's vital" Tyler instructed, which he was met with a green wink from everyone.

'Right, Tyler….Let's get it started' Tyler mentally said to himself as he drew out his DMR, passing by marines as they too moved onto the next decks with covenant boarding parties.

The air locks were littered with purple blood of both Elites and Jackals, and methane from the grunts breathing tanks that they carried, Hanger bay had probably seen the worst of it as it reported the presence of Hunters…yikes.

Bullet casings were a common sight now on the floor of the ship, the sheer amount of ammo expended in defending the ship was unbelievable, the restriction of SPNKRs and other heavy weapons to only the Hanger bays to prevent any internal damages drastically reduced their combat effectiveness.

But here they were, "This feels like a flashback to Chi Ceti" Cassandra said as she attached the last thruster to her armor.

"I always wondered how it was like with you lucky ones, guess this is my chance to find out" Alexander said as he reloaded his battle rifle.

Maria checked in his Sniper rifle before strapping it on her back, same with Owen who carried an extra SPNKr just in case. "Everyone ready?" Tyler asked as he too strapped his DMR on his back.

He was met with a green wink from everyone, Owen slammed his fist on the controls of the Airlock, and the doors slid open, the bodies of the covenant were dragged out as the vacuum of space sucked everyone out. "Engage thrusters" Tyler instructed.

All five SPARTANs activated their thrusters as they flew out of the ship's airlock. Tyler's inbuilt thrusters had been partially repaired by the technicians of the Roman Blue over the past few months; it wasn't much, but atleast it partially made all his eight thrusters operational.

The five SPARTANs soon flew past the large engines of the Halcyon class light cruiser, the outer hull of the cruiser was nothing but charred black, the covenant were merciless when it came to tearing apart any ship, and now that their boarding parties were repelled, it wouldn't be long until they turned the ship into floating scrap.

Large plasma projectiles form the Covenant cruiser's cannons continued to fly pass them as the SPARTANs continued on through the vacuum of space, aiming to take the fight to their foes.

Gliding or flying through space with thrusters was tremendously different compared to flying through a planet's atmosphere, the lack of gravitational force was a major factor for the easier travel through space. But it too had its own problems, most likely and importantly, the limited amount of air in one's suit/armor.

They were closing in on the Cruiser, and fast that is. The covenant ship was only a few more kilometers away from them. "Aim for where the Plasma projectiles exit from" Tyler issued, it was the only reasonable and effective way to penetrate a Covenant ship's shields, which was temporarily opened up as it fires its weapons.

Four green winks of acknowledgements was all Tyler got…and all he needed. "Scatter out, once in, regroup at my position" Tyler ordered.

The team of SPARTANs soon temporarily parted way of their V shaped formation, each one making ways for their own preferable entry.

Another salvo of Plasma cannon was fired from the Cruiser, all of which at extremely high speed, traveled towards the Roman Blue. That was the opening they needed, and it was one the used.

Slipping past the energy shield, Tyler gently halted himself as he placed both his hands on the purple hull of the cruiser; his HUD displayed the IFF tags of every member of his team, all of whom also made it past the shield.

"Now how do we getting in?" Owen asked through TEAMCOM. It was a n understandable question, the Covenant ship, atleast to its hull, had received no damage, no breaches they could use to infiltrate in.

"I think I might have found a solution" Cassandra replied over TEAMCOM.

"Regroup with Bravo-two" Tyler issued, plans were always modified when in combat…as one Helmuth Von Moltke the Elder had said, 'No plan survives contact with the enemy'.

Tyler slowly through Zero G floated his way towards where Cassandra was positioned. The EVA armor of his was proving to be extremely effective…too effective. While normally, if you are in a vacuum sealed suit, it would be as if you're weightless.

In EVA however, atleast his that is, he could feel his weight decrease, but not entirely to the point of weightlessness, which in turn gave him much easier ability to traverse the exterior hull of the Cruiser.

Nearing her location, Tyler caught sight of what was undoubtedly the Shuttle bay of the cruiser. The two large rectangular shaped energy barriers emanating their purple-blue hue, it was around these two large barriers that his Team took position around, on the sides.

Halting next to Cassandra, Tyler observed the interior of the Cruiser, it was, as he could describe, a very, very highly graphic interior of the Truth and Reconciliation, atleast that's what he would have through had he seen this through a monitor of a PC instead of actually being present there.

"Energy barriers, quite a finding" Tyler lightheartedly commented.

"I count atleast four covenant crafts inside" Maria who was on the opposite side, informed over TEAMCOM. Maria floated and took position alongside Alexander and Owen, each of them with their weapons already drawn.

"So…should we knock or something?" Alexander asked.

"And tell the Covenant that we're trying to board them? Solid plan" Cassandra sarcastically remarked.

"Or we can wait…let the owners leave the house, and then break in…like robbers do" Tyler stated, never in his life had he thought he would compare a SPARTAN to an average house robber from any city back on his Earth.

"Looks like we won't have to wait too long" Owen commented.

Tyler watched as the energy barrier seemed to shimmer lightly, now, things related to energy, especially Covenant ones like barriers only occur on two instances, one, its losing power, or two. "They opened it" Tyler murmured in a tone which no one could hear.

Two seraph fighters soon flew out of both energy barriers, said fighters seemed to be making way towards the Roman Blue, either to take out the remaining armaments other than the MAC, or to simply scout out and perhaps damage its engines.

Tyler motioned two of his fingers, his index and middle ones, motioning to enter the ship. Activating their thrusters, the Team of SPARTANs, clad in their one ton power armor, flew towards the energy barrier.

Tyler and Cassandra took the right, while the others took the left. As they passed through the barrier and into the interior of the ship, they all fell on their feet, a loud thump being heard as they landed.

On both sides there was a series of Grunts and Jackals, but only on Tyler's side were there some Elites…Majors…it was almost the similar case on both sides of the shuttle bay, the ship's inhabitants simply halted their activities as the SPARTANs entered. All eyes on the intruders, each species, were it Grunt, Jackal or Elite stared at the SPARTANs, too stunned, never expecting to be boarded by an enemy they consider as inferior.

"Hello there" Tyler calmly greeted their enemies, a small smirk forming behind his faceplate, channeling his inner Obi-wan Kenobi as he uttered those words.

Without wasting any time, Tyler fired the first shot from his DMR, the bullet from the gun penetrating straight through the skull of a Jackal.

The sound of the gun shot echoing through the shuttle bay, and it was then that all hell broke loose. The rest of the SPARTANs all opened up with their respective weapons as the opening shot was fired.

The Elites like always were the first to react, either hurling or rolling into covers like, Crates and pillars, inside the Shuttle bay, and taking hold of their weapons as well. The Jackal's, although not as fast as their Elite commanders, after a few seconds erected their wrist shields.

However, it was the grunts that failed to react at all, failing to even move away from the gun fire, every single grunt inside the Shuttle bay was slaughtered like cattle.

On Tyler's side, things weren't going too out of plan, facing off against Elites was always a matter of time, and they were cunning after all…but easily outmaneuvered at times as well. Tyler and Cassandra would stop firing their weapons, allowing the Elite's to peek out or outright leave their covers.

That was when they would reopen fire…it was a cheap tactic…an effective one as well, the Elites were easily picked off with that, while Alexander came around from the other side of the Shuttle bay, cleaning off the Jackals.

As the last Elite fell dead, Tyler reloaded his DMR. "Status?" he asked over TEAMCOM.

"Clear on our side" Owen informed over TEAMCOM.

"Regroup" Tyler ordered, he looked around the shuttle bay, its design or structure, other than the minor architects on the walls and inner hull, it was almost exactly as seen in HALO: CE.

The Team of SPARTANs gathered around a nearby crate, "Owen, you got the package?" Tyler asked.

Owen, slightly turning around, giving a clear sight of the HAVOK warhead strapped on his back waist, "Right here"

Tyler nodded and turned to Cassandra, "Stay here with the others, me and Owen will set the gift" he said

"You can count on it" she replied.

"Good luck, make sure to tell them I said 'Love you'" Alexander joked.

"Do it yourself" Owen shot back, before making way along with Tyler to the closet door which slid open automatically as they got within its sensor's range.

The hall ways of the ship was all purple, dark purple for the hull, light purple for the walls, bright purple for the lights and moderate purple for the floor…it was enough to make anyone with Porphyrophobia instantly die of a heart attack.

"The covenant sure loves their purple" Owen commented as they passed by another set of doors.

"Maybe that was the only colour they had available" Tyler wisecracked.

Their jog along the hallways of the ship was uneventful surprisingly, either that the entire Covenant crew onboard the ship weren't aware of their infiltration…or…

They exited into what Tyler identified immediately as, "Storage bay" Tyler murmured.

"Huh?" Owen looked at him confused as they exited into another spacious room, with a deck above.

"Place the package here, this might be the best spot for it" Tyler issued, he scanned the area inside the storage unit…still, the only real presence here was a single engineer who seemed completely unaware of their presence.

Owen made way over to a collection of covenant crates, carefully pulling the warhead from his back; he pressed a series of buttons on the warhead. Tyler made sure to keep an eye on the engineer as Owen worked on getting the warhead ready.

'Don't…don't turn back…' Tyler mentally warned the engineer, he knew no one could even hear what he said…of course they couldn't…he hated to kill an engineers, they weren't even combatants, just forced labor…

Tyler glanced at Owen who silently gave a thumbs up, gently and silently placing the nuke inside a crate. "Timer's set to fifteen minutes" Owen informed over TEAMCOMs.

"Best get moving" Tyler replied over TEAMCOMs, Owen passed by him, while Tyler slowly backed away, making sure the engineer didn't notice them as they left.

As the door slid shut, Tyler turned to Owen, "We're sprinting" Tyler informed, to which Owen nodded. Both SPARTANs picked up their pace as they made their way back to their exfill, with Tyler having to slow down so that Owen could keep up with him.

All hell was breaking loose inside the Shuttle bay, almost from every door, both from the Lower, Mid and Upper decks, Covenant forces poured out. Plasma flew all around the bay, while neddlers that failed to hit their intended targets, bounced off the walls or simply got stuck on it.

"Gosh…I think this was a very bad idea" Alexander said as he rolled away from a plasma grenade thrown towards him.

"I think this was a necessary idea" Cassandra corrected him; she threw another frag grenade towards a door which slid opened, immediately killing the covenant on the other side.

"Alex, boost me" Maria said, Alexander turned towards where Maria was, catching the sight of her sprinting towards him.

Getting on one knee, he extended both his hands out as Maria stepped on them, dropping his Battle rifle in the process, timing it correct, he pushed his hand upwards just as Maria also jumped.

The boost allowed Maria to barely land on the mid deck's control platform, or whatever extension it was that separated the two sides of the shuttle bay. Drawing out her sniper rifle, Maria provided much needed cover fire from her higher point.

The pattern of the Covenant forces was very simply, Jackals on the upper deck, while Grunts and Elites attacked from the bottom deck. The Mid deck was simply the merging between grunts, elites and jackals.

"Maria, you sure you can take care on your own up there?" Alexander asked as he head butted an Elite minor, shooting it while it stumbled back.

"Maybe you should worry about yourself down there" she answered over TEAMCOM.

"Or we can all focus on our respective sides" Cassandra gave the most reasonable option.

"Beats me" Alexander commented as he reloaded his BR.

Barely a second after finishing reloading, Alexander caught eye of a green orb flying towards him…rapidly…He immediately rolled away, the green orb exploding as it impacted the wall he was close it.

"Hunters!" he informed as he got up.

A pair of hunters exited from one of the doors on the Lower deck. Both of them charging their cannons for another shot…however they were interrupted by Maria, who immediately shot one through its exposed neck, killing it in an instant, its bond brother seemed to become more agitated and berserk.

The hunter with its large Shield charged towards Cassandra who was busy finishing off an elite Major…she was seconds too late, as the Hunter bashed her with its shield, sending her flying towards a wall..

"Cassandra!" Alexander exclaimed as he watched his fellow teammate crash into the wall.

Maria aimed her sniper, a clear view on the Hunter's exposed back…however, she was unable to fire as a barrage of plasma rained on her position, she had to quickly roll into cover behind a crate…Jackals from the Upper deck peppered the sniper from their higher position…

Down bellow, the hunter charged its cannon, preparing to finish off the SPARTAN who was still recovering and struggling to get up from the impact from the hunter. But it too was interrupted as Alexander fired there bursts with his BR…

Although not doing much damage, it certainly pissed off the Hunter even more who then turned all attention towards him…while the hunter charged its cannon once more, Alexander activated a plasma grenade and threw it towards the hunter…the grenade sticking to its cannon.

Before the hunter could fire its cannon, the grenade exploded, and malfunctioned its fuel rod cannon, which sparked out…and then…exploded, completely obliterating the Hunter.

Alexander watched as the hunter was wiped from the face of existence… small particles of its orange blood landing on his olive green armor…he didn't waste time and quickly hurried over to Cassandra's side.

"You alright?" he asked as he helped her up.

"Yeah…" Cassandra replied as she grunted a bit…"Thanks"

"Anytime" he said.

"Honestly, you should stay in your serious mode more often; you're very good when you're serious" Maria who finished off the pesky Jackals that annoyed her, said over TEAMCOM.

"But where's the fun in that?" Alexander jokingly asked, to which Cassandra sighed.

It was then that Tyler and Owen returned…"Jesus…looks like you had a party here" Tyler sarcastically said.

"A very nice one" Alexander answered.

Maria jumped down from her position and joined the group, "So, we leaving?" she asked.

Tyler looked at Cassandra and nodded, "Let's say Goodbye to this ship" Tyler answered as he walked over to the energy barrier.

"So you left my message?" Alexander asked Owen as they followed Tyler.

"No" Owen bluntly answered.

"Aww" Alexander whined, but only got a head smack by Maria.

"How long do we have?" Cassandra asked.

"Enough to get off this ship" Tyler answered… "Ready?"

Green acknowledgement wink was what he received, "Let's move out" he said, activating all of his thrusters, passing by the barrier and into the vacuum of space once again. The other SPARTANs followed suit.

Just as they left, multiple covenant troops entered into the shuttle bay, hopelessly firing their weapons as they watched the SPARTANs fly away, out of their ship.

The five SPARTANs all maneuvered towards the front of the cruiser, they could see the Roman Blue just up ahead, the Covenant cruiser was just about to catch up to it…Plasma cannons continued to fire, while the pulse lasers also opened up as well…the shields of the ship was completely lowered as its much lighter weapons opened up as well.

The SPARTANs flew a good distance away from the cruiser, all of them flying in a V formation, with Tyler up front…Tyler glanced back at the Cruiser which was now a good chunk of distance away…

The weapons on the ship came to an abrupt halt, while it continued to drift in space…soon even its engines went off…and finally, a massive and bright blue explosion erupted from its centre, the blast was strong enough to leave only small pieces of the once mighty Covenant cruiser, its debris sent flying away in space.

"Well done SPARTANs, pelican's been dispatched to pick you out of space" Hood's voice came over their helmet's COMs.

"Another ship gone…" Cassandra said over TEAMCOM.

"One ship is nothing compared to the Covenant" Tyler answered…it was true…even in the lore their true numbers of both troops and ships was never clear…"This war is only gonna escalate further…." He said under his breath…a glance shifting over to his left gauntlet…where the Red rabbit…a memory…a mark, shinned as the light from the nearby star reflected.

Back on the bridge of the Roman Blue, all around, the crew celebrated as they narrowly avoided complete annihilation, once again, the SPARTANs had proven to be the greatest soldiers humanity has…

"Looks like our resident super soldiers have yet again saved the day" Nero remarked, amusement in his tone…SMART AIs were always so different compared to DUMB AIs.

"They sure have…and I'm sure they will again…over and over again" Hood said, a smile forming on his face, which soon faded as his serious demeanor returned. "What's the nearest star system we can conduct repairs at?"

"The Epsilon Eridani system is approximately 34.0876 Light years away from our current location" Nero informed, to which Hood frowned, "Considering that no further interruption occur during slipspace and considering the condition of the Roman Blue…it would take us atleast seven months to reach Epsilon Eridani"

"That's not a viable option then…is there any other system that could hold the facilities to repair the ship?" Hood further questioned, the Roman Blue needed repairs, and quick as well, it had seen non-stop combat ever since late 2530 from the Battle of Great Bear till now.

"Indeed there is…however" Nero paused.

"However what, Nero?" Hood questioned, raising an eyes brow.

"You're not gonna like this, Sir" Nero warned.

"Shoot it" Hood continued to urge, he was adamant to find a way out and repair his ship…either that, or it's going straight to the scrap yards.

"The closest viable star system, with the necessary facilities…is the Sol system, 18.77 light years away" Nero said.

Hood's eyes widened…Sol system? That was not the best place…atleast in terms of overall strategic view, "Nero…tell me there is another system other than the Sol system" he asked, although he already knew the AI's answer beforehand.

"Unfortunately for both of us…no" Nero answered, shattering any of Hood's hope…taking a damaged vessel straight to Earth, with possible covenant trackers still onboard his ship…No…if the covenant managed to track his ship down, especially back to Earth, the war was over.

"Goddamnit" Hood cursed as he slammed his fist against the wall, "Nero, conduct a full ship wide scan, inform all security personals to clear off any covenant tech or bodies off this ships, if Sol or Earth is our only option…I want every piece of covie tech off my ship, the last thing we want is the covenant tracking the Roman Blue to Earth"

"Aye, ey. Should I also inform the SPARTANs of this?" The AI asked.

"Yes, please do" Hood replied, and Nero's avatar disappeared. Hood simply let off a deep sigh as he watched through the observation window…Earth…home…that's where they were retuning back to…

Hood sighed and scratched the back of his head, "I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do" he said under his breath.

5th Cycle, 7th year of the Ninth age of Reclamation

Location: Strilun system, Strilun IV/Deep space….

Situated in between the space of Strilun IV, a world which belonged to the Covenant, a world, just like many others, was seen as worthless…it was in this Star system, near this planet's orbit, that a small vessel, one which was used by those disease that the Kig'yar pirates were, remained unmoving, drifting aimlessly in space.

The ship had sustained heavy damages, its exterior hull containing many charred portions and breaches…it had clearly fallen victim to a much larger prey…a prey which loomed over the much tiny structure of the vessel…a Zanar-pattern Attack ship.

Inside the disabled vessel, the interior of the vessel was also damaged; its power completely depleted and shut down, the vessel's interior was scarred with burns, some large enough to have been from heavier weapons.

A stench also filled the air inside the vessel; a stench of rot…dried blood stained the walls of the vessel, severed limbs like arms and legs, and a trail of blood which led towards the command centre.

The Kig'yar that captained the vessel was wounded, critically wounded and held by its throat and lifted off the ground, held by a strong grip of a Sangheili, adorned in White Gheocin-pattern combat Harness…an Evocati, who had his energy sword ignited and held in his other hand.

Around the command centre, many dead corpses of the Kig'yar pirates laid scattered, each one with either a slash wound or a plasma burn, other five Sangheili stood inside the command centre, each other than one, checking and retrieving any valuable assets from the vessel's NAV database.

"Your treachery against the Covenant shall be met with dire consequences" The Evocati growled at the mortally wounded Kig'yar, the Evocati had fought many battles, a variety of many campaigns and was one of great ruthlessness yet loyalty…loyalty which could never be found inside the Covenant.

"A painless death is a privilege you have lost, when you turned your backs against the covenant" said another Sangheili, adorned in Golden armor and also armed with an energy sword….a Sangheili who had a loyal friend, one who he could eternally trust…"Perhaps a cage to rot would also be mercy" Kal'arn said….

The Kig'yar murmured something, something in its own tongue. "My Friend, we should end this scum, its mere presence agitates me" said the Evocati….Ekar….

"Leader! We have acquired what we need" one of the Sangheili apart of his team informed, Kal'arn simply gave Ekar the signal…a signal which he gladly took, and without the slightest hesitation…he impaled the Kig'yar with his energy sword, straight in its stomach..

The Kig'yar cried out in pain, a cry which was met with no pity from the Sangheili…the Pirates were the plague of the stars, those that stained the Covenant and the followers of the Great Journey…a plague that was to be wiped.

The Cries of the Kig'yar died down as it soon went into an eternal slumber…death….Ekar simply threw the body of the pirate, throwing an insult as he did so.

It had been many cycles…a year since their defeat at the Holy world…since Kal'arn became a Zealot…and Kaidon of his homeworld and Clan…the war against the humans only heightened, the Hierarchs had sent a great many fleets to turn every Human world to a wasteland.

Kal'arn's status as a Zealot also greatly increased his prestige, even on somewhere like Sanghelios, the homeworld of the Sangheili, his name was known. Were it praise or mockery, he did not know, and he need not waste his time on.

"Prepare the shuttle, and have the attack ship cleanse this vessel, it now serves us no use" Kal'arn issued as he walked towards the entrance…from where they had initially boarded the ship from.

Ekar followed closely behind, while the other Sangheili made haste towards their craft, Kal'arn had made sure that his friend was always under his command, he was the only other Sangheili he would trust, a trust he knew his friend would always uphold.

"These Pirates are growing bolder, selling weapons to the humans? Traitors" Ekar spat out as he followed Kal'arn.

"It is what their kind is known for, treacherous and greedy imbeciles" Kal'arn said, agreeing with his Friend, however it was a strange occurrence…the Kig'yar were greedy and would gladly do anything for the highest bitter…but even they would know better than face the full wrath of the covenant.

But what raised suspicion and awareness in Kal'arn was the fact that it was the Hierarchs that knew and ordered him to quell this ordeal, how the Hierarchs even knew of this was a mystery, the High Council surely hadn't, and thus, the Prophet's having knowledge of this scandal was…strange.

It had only taken a matter of time before they returned board the Zanar-pattern Attack ship, the Wrathful Inquisition. A fitting name for its purpose as a pirate hunting vessel, the vessel was commanded not by Kal'arn, but his friend Ekar instead, he seemed far more knowledgeable in ship command than Kal'arn himself…he was as Kal'arn was say, 'A natural born Shipmaster'

"Where to?" Ekar asked Kal'arn as they walked toward the command centre of their vessel.

Kal'arn pondered as they walked, they were to cleanse the stars of any pirates, that was their task with this vessel, it would be their task for many more months or even years, "Take us home, we shall continue our hunt after we resupply" Kal'arn said.

"By your will" Ekar replied as he fastened his pace towards the control centre, while Kal'arn continued on his usual pace.

Kal'arn was sure that their pirate hunting would soon led them to a human world, or atleast a human craft…it was almost as if the Kig'yar pirates were used as bait to lure out the Humans…a dishonorable strategy if Kal'arn were to consider…but alas, the Hierarchs wanted him to lead this hunt…

He had changed, learned a lot in a year…as Kaidon he now had politics to deal with, politics with other clans, and some which were more domestic, many of the young from Khan had been inspired by his own success to join the Covenant military, to try and achieve the same glory as he had…it reminded him of himself, how he too had joined, looking up to his father, to reach the same status as him…which he did.

But Kal'arn would say his glory, his success was merely…luck…being in the right circumstance at the perfect moment…an opportunity that was most likely only going to happen once, and once only….and however great his success may be, he was still scarred, still haunted by those Demons, and especially the image…that memory of the Blue Demon slaying the Arbiter.

The Blue Demon had become a myth, a rumor that circulated around the Covenant Empire, a rumor dismissed by the prophets, intrigued by the Sangheili, jeered by the Jiralhanae for it was nothing but a lie to them, and shared by the Unggoy, something which further enchanted the thought that the myth about the Blue Demon was merely a lie, a lie created by the Humans to instill fear into them.

Fools…that was what Kal'arn and those who were there when it happened, when they witnessed it, would call them.

The Blue Demon was no myth, no rumor, but a literal embodiment of what could be called Threat, Fear and Death, for no one…no one other than Kal'arn had survived when crossing paths with the Blue Demon.

He would grow stronger, train harder…Kal'arn would not falter the next time he crosses paths with him, he was his greatest enemy, his Arch nemesis, the one who truly terrified him…and he would make sure to be his end…and the end of his kind…

Was it vengeance, or was it a petty grudge?…Kal'arn did not know, but it was clear, the Blue Demon and his kind were the greatest threat to the Covenant, and over time, Kal'arn had only cemented the idea, the thought, that it had been a Demon that had slain his Father…

The Wrathful soon entered into light speed, leaving the system and making way towards his home…their home….there was a great many more task, many battle and many campaigns that he would be tested with…and he was sure it would be the same for the Demons…for Him…for this war was far from over…and was only doomed for Escalation.

A/N: And that Ladies and gentlemen…or dear readers…is the end of the Prologue to a much wider story….a much wider tale…and one which is only a piece of an even wider Journey…until next time…PEACE!