It's Red with blue spots. It looks purple, but is actually red.

---

"This one has forgotten whether it's heatsink is over capacity. It wonders whether the criminal scum considers itself fortunate" ~ Blasto, the only Hanar Spectre.

OhSoDeadly:

Wolverfrog, I don't know if you saw the MTV VMA's last Sunday but,

 

Kanye West: Yo OhSoDeadly I'm happy for you but let me just say Wolver had the best FF ever!

Crowd: Boo Boo boo BOO

Obama: What an 4ssHole 

 Haha, I completely agree. You are the ***, Wolver.

 

You know I love both of your FF's, also wolver new chapter tonight?

---

xxgpo3xx:

I like men.

Offensive Bias:

firefox234:

i cant read so this fails

Oh my god you are an idiot. I'm requesting you get banned for purposely trolling and flaming.

>.>

 Perhaps.

---

"This one has forgotten whether it's heatsink is over capacity. It wonders whether the criminal scum considers itself fortunate" ~ Blasto, the only Hanar Spectre.

Wolverfrog49:

>.>

 Perhaps.

The suspense is on!

---

xxgpo3xx:

I like men.

Offensive Bias:

firefox234:

i cant read so this fails

Oh my god you are an idiot. I'm requesting you get banned for purposely trolling and flaming.

natedgs94:

Wolverfrog49:

>.>

 Perhaps.

The suspense is on!

Very nice

---

Design a Faction

http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/795978.aspx

Write more, or GG.

---

Read my FF! Human-Covenant War: Without The Great Schism. It's an FF based upon how the war would have ended up if there was no Great Schism. There are a lot of twists and there is a lot of action!

Shadow Titan:

natedgs94:

Wolverfrog49:

>.>

 Perhaps.

The suspense is on!

Very nice

Swadow, if ur done with ur FF PM me the end don't leave me hanging 

---

xxgpo3xx:

I like men.

Offensive Bias:

firefox234:

i cant read so this fails

Oh my god you are an idiot. I'm requesting you get banned for purposely trolling and flaming.

I'm going to finish Memoirs Bk I, I'm nearly done, I'll try to end it on Part 40. Then there will be an Epilogue. After that, I'll focus on Insurrection and Memoirs.

---

"This one has forgotten whether it's heatsink is over capacity. It wonders whether the criminal scum considers itself fortunate" ~ Blasto, the only Hanar Spectre.

natedgs94:

Shadow Titan:

natedgs94:

Wolverfrog49:

>.>

 Perhaps.

The suspense is on!

Very nice

Swadow, if ur done with ur FF PM me the end don't leave me hanging 

I gave it up. I may work on a new and improved version of the old one. I however need to learn a little more writing tips

---

Design a Faction

http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/795978.aspx

Everything's now in place for the Epilogue of the...uh, Epilogue. This part is one of those where I had to work past some block, so it may not be amazing, but it's set everything up for future parts I've been thinking about for months, so it's all good. Enjoy.

Part 27 - Spartans can die

A figure dropped from the rafters to the floor before the party, and Fred stopped in his tracks.

"*** it, we don't have time for this!" the Spartan leader cried, and the Arbiter stepped forward.

"Go forth humans, Forerunner, Oracles. I shall deal with this infidel."

The rest of the group looked at the bold Elite, nodded, and carried on through an alternate corridor. The figure, a strange looking Sentinel, made to move after them, but the Arbiter stepped before the guardian of Offensive Bias' stronghold, challenging the android.

Thel Vadam' drew out his violet Energy Sword, holding it fearsomely before him. The Sentinel Warrior before him cocked it's mechanical head, and detached two fierce blades from each of it's robust arms.

Unlike most Sentinels, this one was confined to the ground. It stood at approximately seven feet, perhaps the same size as the Spartan. It's legs were pointed at the end, cutting through the floor as it walked. It's hand possessed four digits, with powerful arms attached to them. The eyes of the assassin like Sentinel glowed a sharp red.

"You cannot best me, foul contraption." the Arbiter bantered. The Sentinel displayed no reaction to the taunt.

"All organic life is inferior. You, and all the rest shall fall to the Bias." the Sentinel Warrior gravelled out.

"Were it so easy."

Thel charged the Sentinel with his sword, bringing the blade down with a clash upon the large Jackal sized blades affixed to it's arms. The Sentinel's crossed blades sank, and then, with a mechanical cry, they were brought back up, and the Elite was knocked off his feet.

The Arbiter swooped upwards, and primed a plasma grenade, hurling it in the direction of the robotic warrior. The sticky plasma latched onto the left hand blade of the Sentinel, forcing it to unclasp the large sword, where it tumbled to the ground and exploded in a violent cloud.

It had no respite however, for Thel drew out a Covenant Carbine, and began letting off shots at the cyborg. Shields glimmered, and the Sentinel's eyes flashed a dangerous red. It leapt off the ground, back into the rafters above.

Thel was breathing heavily, and he held his sword before him, turning around in circles. Perhaps he should have asked one of the Spartans to stay behind, watch his back. Then again, every single one of them would be needed to press onward through the stronghold of the rampant Forerunner AI.

Wind surged through the hallway, creating a chanting like noise similar to the sound the Arbiter was all too familiar with. Most Forerunner facilities created this melodic noise, and the Covenant had taken due note of it, taking the sound as a sign from the Gods. They used it as a hymn.

Thel heard a noise, and whirred around quickly, blade in hand. It clashed against the large razor of the Sentinel as it descended, in a shower of sparks, and the Arbiter was sent flying back, managing to land swiftly on his feet.

He charged the Sentinel, jumping over it's swipe at his legs, and grabbed it's mechanical head firmly, holding his sword to it.

"The Bias shall prevail." the Sentinel croaked out, and the Arbiter narrowed his eyes, bringing the violet sword to the metal tendons of the android.

"Not today."

Thel sliced with his blade, and the head of the Sentinel Warrior tumbled to the ground, ending the spark of life within it. The Arbiter leaned against a nearby wall, gasping. The fight had been taxing.

He sheathed his sword, took one final glance at his fallen foe, and hurried down the hallway in pursuit of his party.

*******************

"This is the main database, if my analysis is correct." Penitent Tangent commented, floating around the eerily quiet room. Fred had ordered the Spartan IIIs to remain posted outside a few corridors back, along with the rest of his own Spartans. Mendez was with Doctor Halsey back at base, as was Sergeant Johnson. A smaller group had a better chance of surviving. Thus, in the room were but him, Penitent Tangent, Mendicant Bias, and the mysterious Didact.

"Offensive Bias, reveal yourself!" the Didact commanded in a voice which gave Fred goosebumps. The dark room began to flicker a dull, bronze glow, and a moment later, the rampant AI materialised. At the same time, a barrier appeared before the exit. They were trapped.

"I was wondering when you would come here. You cannot stop me creator of mine. Surely you are not deluded enough to believe you can?" Offensive Bias spoke blandly, hovering around the room. Fred had had enough of the machine's talk, and fired a round into it's body. The blast passed straight through however.

"He's not really here." Mendicant Bias informed the group, and Offensive swivelled towards his opposite.

"Ah, Mendicant. How perceptive of you. Do you really think I would be so foolish as to remain here? Nay, I am far away from this installation now. You have just been lured into a trap." Offensive smirked, if a machine could smirk.

"Trap? I think not, all your tin cans are broken." Fred challenged; the AI didn't even take notice of the fact he had spoken.

"Perhaps you would all care to take a closer look at the base of this stronghold. I'm sure you will find the results...interesting." Offensive mused, and a holographic screen appeared in mid air before them. Fred's stomach sank; he'd never seen the creatures being shown to him now, but had had them described well enough that he recognised what they were. Hordes and hordes of Flood were pouring into the stronghold.

"An ambush..." the Didact breathed, his eyes widening. Offensive Bias laughed.

"I must unseal the Dreadnought from where it stands now, to exert my power upon it any longer would drain me from such a distance. However, you shan't have the chance to board it. You will die."

"I think you underestimate our abilities. We'll battle our way out, leave this place, and then we'll find you. Even if we don't, John is already at the Dreadnought site. He'll stop you, if we don't have the chance to assist." Fred replied nervously, eyes upon the Flood still pouring in. He radioed his Spartans.

"Trouble's on the way; the Flood. Hold fast, we're on our way." he told Linda, who sent a simple green light back.

"Farewell all. May the Precursors have mercy upon your inferior souls." Offensive Bias taunted one last time, before vanishing, the barrier along with it. Fred moved instantly, aware of the Didact running behind him, talking to Mendicant Bias.
"Mendicant, can you teleport us out of here?" the Forerunner asked. There was a pause.

"No, Offensive has set up some sort of restricting nexus. I'm afraid we shall have to fight our way out, creator."

They linked up with the Spartans, who were already engaged in battle with the Flood. Fred fell in beside Kelly and Linda, firing his weapon at the horde moving through the corridor. There were too many, eventually they would be overwhelmed. The Spartan IIIs were on the other side of the room, and they were being pressed hard, under threat of being swarmed.

"Kelly, Linda, you cut a path through the left side towards the threes, Didact, me and you will stick to the right. Mendicant and Tangent, keep, uh, firing those lasers!" Fred ordered, and the company sprung into action. The Didact brought out an energy blade from what seemed to be a sheath as small as the one Fred kept his knife in, yet the Forerunner blade was easily half as tall as Fred.

The pair, the Didact and Fred, advanced towards the right side of the Flood horde, and began to make their way through, soon becoming lost in a wave of biomass and screaming. These Flood didn't seem to be very well organised, and were continuously tripping over. To the left of him, Fred could hear Kelly and Linda hacking their own way through.

Eventually, they reached the Spartan IIIs, who were heavy in the midst of fighting the Flood. The Flood surrounding them were quickly cleared away, and all went silent.

Fred's stomach plummeted as he beheld three of the newer generation of Spartans sprawled on the floor; Ash, Olivia, and Mark. Tom and Lucy were bent over the younger threes, holding them in an embrace. Fred knew already they were dead; and put his hand on Tom's shoulder reassuringly, tears in his eyes. Kelly did similar to Lucy. A rare moment of compassion amongst Spartans. Linda just stood away, leant against the wall, arms folded and head tipped sadly.

"Sir, Ash; Olivia; Mark; they're --" Tom began, only to break off crying openly, his head resting on Fred's shoulder.

"There was nothing you could've done. They died for what they believed in son. Know that much." Fred spoke, his voice close to breaking.

Lucy sobbed silently, as always. The Didact was stood some ways back, a sad look upon his graceful face. The two Monitors floated side by side. Penitent Tangent breathed a soft 'oh my.'

"They had us surrounded. We were down to our last clip, and then Mark went down first. Olivia bent down to catch him as he fell, and then was hit by one of those...things on the back of the neck. Her new armour did her no good. Ash was the last of them to fall, he wrestled one to the ground before it could kill me, and was choked to death by it. He--he saved my life. And now he's dead." Tom told himself as much as everyone else. Fred offered him a hand up, which he accepted.

"Linda, Kelly...gather the bodies. We'll bury them when we get back to Earth." Fred ordered, and his two Spartans gently heaved the limp Spartan IIIs.

"They'd like that." Tom whispered softly.

Before Fred could once again reply, he heard a noise behind him, and whipped out a pistol, spinning 180 degrees. He sighed in relief when he saw the Arbiter, ascended the ramp below them.

"The parasite below are dead, by the edge of my blade. What has happened?" the Elite asked, and Fred sadly moved aside so the Arbiter could see the dead Spartans. Thel gasped, and lowered his head in sorrow.

"I did not know them well, but I am sure they were great warriors. They are in a better place now." the Arbiter said softly, and Fred was surprised that an Elite actually cared. Perhaps John was right; perhaps not all of them were bad.

"I don't wish to be tactless, but we should move towards the Apex. John must be getting worried. We can stop off at your camp on the way, and collect your fellows." the Didact instructed, and the group nodded, snapping out of their mourning.

Slowly, the group descended the ramp, and prepared to leave the stronghold. So much had been lost here, and for what? Nothing.

***************

Surface of Sangheilios, outside the Citadel of Vadam'.

Relg awoke not to the fresh scent of a new day, but to the tarnished, parasite tainted air. The Light of Helios grimaced, and roused himself from his slumber...

...and froze. In the corner of the cave he had been sleeping in along with Malkor, one of the Flood was sniffing around. It was a basic infected animal, and clearly not intelligent enough to distinguish the difference between a sleeping and dead Sangheili. Despite the fact it had been mutated beyond belief, Relg could tell it was a small Thorn Beast, dangerous creatures indeed. The peril was made all the greater, since it was controlled by the Flood.

He looked to his left. Malkor was still resting in slumber. Would Relg risk calling to his friend for assistance? No, it might startle the creature, lose him the element of surprise. Far better to deal with this himself.

The Elite drew his energy cutlass from it's sheath, and crept towards the Flood infected beast. He paused as it looked around, sniffing the air. Fortuitously, it did not notice Relg, and soon settled down again, no doubt rummaging for food.

Relg made sure he was in a prime position, and, after raising the cutlass high above his head, plunged it into the neck of the beast, where it sunk in like there was nothing there. The infected creature snapped around, screaming, flood biomass glued to it's lips. It's eyes were an unnatural shade of red. It lashed with it's tail, catching Relg in the thigh.

The noise seemed to have woken Malkor up, for at that moment, Relg's fellow Light sprung into action, tossing a plasma charged dirk into the neck of the beast, where it sunk in fast. Relg took advantage of the creature's distraction to pull his own blade out of the biomass riddled skin, and then drive the cutlass in again, this time into the beast's sickly heart.

The Thorn Beast's pupil-less eyes went wide, and it began to cough up foul looking flesh. It did this for several more moments, before collapsing to the ground. Relg looked down with disgust at the felled Flood form, and crouched, retrieving his blade and wiping it on a blackened leaf in the corner.

"The next time the very spawn of hell stands but a few strides from me brother, inform me would you?" Malkor demanded angrily, plunging his own hand deep into the Flood's fleshy neck to retrieve his now uncharged dirk.

"I did not wish to startle the beast. By the ancients brother, what has it come to, that we cannot rest for a short while without being disturbed by one of these foul creatures?" Relg replied in turn.

"Sangheilios is controlled by the parasite my friend, perhaps we are the only two still alive upon the planet."

A grim, and lonely thought.

"Fleetmaster R'tas will return will he not? He took the fleet, maybe he can "

"Don't be foolish. Even with the support of the colonies, the Fleetmaster would have twenty ships at best. Would it that we were still allied with the humans, they could help us stop this. We cannot do anything Relg, except survive." Malkor barked back, and Relg hung his head.

"We are the most efficient of warriors upon the whole of Sangheilios Malkor. Surely we can wrestle a ship from the control of the parasite, and flee?" Relg suggested, ludicrously. Malkor's eyes widened.

"Are your wits addled? Look outside brother; what do you see?"

Relg complied, and started out of the maw of the cave into the ravaged world beyond. It was truly a depressing sight. A blood red sky, tainted by Flood spores and swarms. The grass had been blackened, and littered with biomass. Even the great Citadel of Vadam was beginning to resemble High Charity, after it had been infected.

"I see Sangheilios, and all that it once was. And all that it can be again." Relg replied optimistically, and heard Malkor sigh.

"Perhaps, but do you honestly believe we can steal a ship? You know me Relg, I would follow you wherever you should choose to go. We have been friends for decades."

There was a pause, as Relg thought.

"What other option is there? I would rather die hoping to achieve a goal than waste my days like this in fear. The Flood will find us eventually, Malkor, it is but a matter of time. Even we, the Lights of this now dim planet, would not be able to survive. Which is why we must strike first. We can battle our way through to the shipyard; and whether we take the smallest Phantom or the largest Assault Carrier it matters not, for we shall escape."

Malkor looked as if he were about to protest, and then nodded, clasping Relg's hand in brotherhood.

"By your word Relg. When should we leave?"

"We need time to rest and recover from our original escape from the Citadel. We shall make our way towards the shipyard in a week, for better or worse."

---

"This one has forgotten whether it's heatsink is over capacity. It wonders whether the criminal scum considers itself fortunate" ~ Blasto, the only Hanar Spectre.

...

 

AWESOME!

=D

 

That is all.

---

Spess mehrens

I'm getting back into the full flow of this; I've got it all thought out. Expect epicness of a grand scale to occur over these final parts.

Part 28 - Prepare for departure

"How many ships do we possess altogether?" Daedalus asked of R'tas, who thought for a second.

"Ten of my own fleet, added to forty of yours, and a further fifteen from the Sangheili colonies. That makes sixty five in total, five of them being Assault Carriers. And of course, we've got the might of Placid Enrichment. A strong force." R'tas informed the Brute Hierarch, who sighed.

"And is that enough?" Daedalus whispered softly, and R'tas hung his head.

"Compared to the hundreds in the fleet the Parasite will have? No, it's not enough. But the Flood may not be advanced as of yet, they're ships will probably be crudely piloted. We have a chance, however small it may be." R'tas admitted, looking up at the Chieftain of the Brutes. The two leaders were stood in R'tas' private quarters of the Shadow of Intent, which both the Elites and Covenant had agreed to become the flagship of their conjoined fleet. It had been five days since the duel between the Elite and Brute, and they had managed to sort things out. The Prophets had assisted in fitting all the ships with the latest technology, whilst R'tas and Daedalus had drawn up war plans.

"Then we must seize upon the chance, or the Flood shall dominate the Galaxy. When do we depart for Sangheilios, and how long will it take to arrive?" Daedalus questioned.

"We'll depart in a few hours. With our new slip space technology, it should only take a week at the most to arrive." R'tas replied confidently, and the Brute nodded.

"We should go address the masses in Placid Enrichment's hall, inspire them." said the Jiralhanae.

"How many are there?"

"Millions, mainly Grunts and Jackals, mixed with a few Elites, Brutes, Hunters, and Drones. All, however, prepared to die for you."

"Then we owe them a speech, at least." R'tas said softly, walking out of the ship onto the mega city Placid Enrichment. Honour Guard, both Brutes and Elites, drew up beside both R'tas and Daedalus, and escorted them inside the main hall. The two ascended the gilded stairs, and stood side by side at the balcony overlooking the hall. Hordes of Covenant and Separatists looked up, their attention devoted to the Elite Fleetmaster and Brute Chieftain. R'tas cleared his throat, and then spoke.

"My friends, this week, will be the most important week of your lives. The Covenant and Separatists were once enemies, snapping at each others throats. And yet look at us now, side by side, working together. Is that not truly beautiful?"

R'tas paused, taking a deep breath.

"We have a reason to fight! The Parasite have returned, they have taken the system of Helios. That alone is reason enough for the Separatists to fight. But the Covenant also have a reason. The Flood will not halt at Helios; they will spread, and dominate the entire Galaxy. Eventually, there will be no more asteroid belts to hide in, and you shall all be infected, made into slaves of the Gravemind. Unless now, you take up arms, follow us to Sangheilios, and fight! We can defeat the Parasite together, they are weak and inferior!"

The crowd burst into a wave of cheering, and Daedalus stepped forward to speak.

"We leave for Sangheilios in a few hours. We will arrive in a week. And the Gods shall look down upon our noble battle with favour, and fight alongside us in spirit. We will prevail, by the will of the Forerunners!" the Chieftain cried, lifting the Fist of Rukt high above his head. The mass exploded into another roar of approval. R'tas smiled, despite the situation. Never would he have thought that the Covenant and Separatists would once again work together. It was wonderful. Who needed the humans? They could rot in their own pit of selfishness and despair. R'tas turned to Daedalus.

"We should ready the fleet for departure. The sooner we arrive at Sangheilios, the better." the Elite said to the Brute, who nodded.

"Do you think anyone could still be alive on your planet?" the Chieftain asked softly.

"I saw Sangheilios with my own eyes, Jiralhanae. The Flood dominate the entire surface of it. No one could survive on that."

*****************

Onyx Micro Dyson Sphere, Forerunner Apex.

John heard a rustling in the bushes behind him, and spun around in anticipation, rifle in hand. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw who it was, stepping out of the dark shrubbery and into the night sky.

"Sergeant Johnson. What are you doing here?" John asked the marine Sergeant Major, who was eyeing the gun the Master Chief held apprehensively. John lowered the weapon.

"Watching your back. You haven't been paying attention Spartan, I've already shot down three Sentinels who were creeping up behind you as you made your way here. Your ears on?" Johnson explained, and John's eyes went went. Three Sentinels, unnoticed by him? He really needed some rest.

"Thanks. The barrier around the place lowered a minute ago, I was just about to head in around the back and clear the way for blue team." John told the Sergeant, who nodded, lighting a cigarette; he'd run out of cigars, finally. John subconsciously included the non Spartans in blue team; they'd all headed out to shut Offensive Bias down. It looked like they had succeeded.

"I'll follow you." Johnson said boldly. "And no blasting me with lasers light bulb, not this time."

The Monitor of Installation 04 somehow managed to look hurt by the accusation.

"I have apologised multiple times for that Reclaimer, I can't change what happened." Spark huffed indignantly. Johnson frowned.

"Yeah, don't I know it. I've still got a huge scar across my chest."

Cortana then cut in.

"With all due respect, people, we should get moving. Blue team are heading around the front, and we've got to shut down the defences before they arrive." the human AI instructed, and John nodded.

"Understood. Stay sharp Johnson."

"Aye aye swabbie." the marine mocked, referring to the fact that John was technically in the navy, despite spending most of his time fighting alongside the corps.

"Spark, stay low, and lose the glow." John ordered the Monitor, who dimmed slightly, hovering down to John's chest level. He moved across the small courtyard with the Sergeant Major in tow, the two Cortana - hacked Sentinels following him. They'd be useful in a firefight.

"Hey, this Apex is underground. Ah, I hate the underground. It reminds me of...bad stuff." Johnson muttered, and John knew all too well what he was talking about. The Sergeant Major had been the only one to survive the Flood attack on his squad on the first Halo ring, and had had to battle his way out to the surface, as John had later. The Chief shared the Sergeant's dislike, yet they had a job to do.

"Me too. But we've got to do this Johnson, I'd rather head underground than by trapped in what's essentially a giant goldfish bowl all my life." John placated, referring to the sphere they were currently trapped in. Johnson grunted in affirmation, and followed John down the dark ramp.

The light slowly began to fade, and John, even with his enhanced vision, had trouble seeing. Something crashed into him with an apology; Johnson had tripped over.

"Oops, my bad. *** it, I can't see anything in here. It's times like these when I wish I had one of them ODST Visor mode thingamajigs." Johnson mumbled, and John couldn't help but agree.

"Why have you stopped Reclaimers?" Guilty Spark questioned of the two blind humans.

"We can't see a thing tinkerbell. I don't suppose you've got a pen torch in that metal shell of yours do you?" Avery Johnson replied irritated.

"Pen torch? I don't know what you're talking about Reclaimer; I do, however, have a UV concentrated light mechanism. One moment please." Spark replied, and a moment later, a bright light filled the artificial cave.

"Thanks." John said graciously, tapping Johnson on the shoulder. "Let's go."

The duo, and the Monitor continued down the ramp, moving further and further into the bowels of the Apex. Eventually, the came to a room with what John recognised to be a Forerunner elevator, similar to the ones on Halo.

"This thing had better go up." Avery spoke out loud, and John looked speculatively at the mechanism.

"Nope, it goes down. Sorry." the Chief chuckled, and Johnson moaned in despair.

"If we go down any further, honest to God we'll be killed by the pressure!"

"I doubt it. Well, you might. I've got Mjolnir on, I'll be fine."

"Very funny Chief. Well, we might as well head on down." the Sergeant replied dryly, climbing onto the tall open elevator. John merely raised a foot and stepped up onto it, being as tall as he was. The Spartan moved to activate the switch, but found Johnson had already done it. The pair began to descend down the shaft, with Spark floating after them, humming London bridge is falling down.

"Stop that, you'll get us spotted!" John rebuked, and the noise stopped. "Where did you learn London bridge anyway? A Forerunner lullaby?"
"Hardly. I came across the delightful tune when scouring your ship's navigational computer back upon Installation 04. It truly is pleasant, perhaps once we have left this place, you could show me your 'London,' and it's fallen bridge." Guilty Spark replied. John had no retort. Was the Forerunner AI seriously asking to see a city in England?

"You're unbelievable..." John muttered, turning away from the Monitor.

Eventually, the elevator reached the bottom of the shaft with a loud bang.

"Ground floor, freaky alien robot shut-down switch, and huge ass Forerunner ship." Johnson spoke out in a machine like voice. John cracked a rare smile.

No Sentinels so far. Odd, but that was the way John liked it. He stepped off the platform, hitting the ground softly, knees bent. The Spartan heard noises in the distance, and so raised his rifle, moving forward. He made a signal to Johnson with a few fingers, and the Sergeant stood posted by the door, opposite to John.

The Master Chief nodded at Johnson, and together they moved into the room ahead, rifles poised to fire. The two Sentinels within shrieked in surprise, and charged their weapons in retaliation.

"Johnson, hit the floor!" John cried out, but the Sergeant was too slow. A beam from one of the Sentinels was fired at the inadequately armoured marine, who tried to move out of the way. There was no way he'd be able to dodge in time.

Before the beam of energy hit the Sergeant however, Guilty Spark zoomed in front of him, taking the force of the blast, saving Johnson. The Spartan I quickly retaliated, firing a burst of his own rifle at the offending Sentinel, which exploded. John speedily took care of the other guardian of the Forerunner apex, kicking it against the wall so hard that it crumpled in upon itself.

Spark was floating in the room, dazed and crackling with residue electricity. The Monitor was groaning.

"Oh my..." the Forerunner AI groaned. Johnson was looked at him with a new found respect.

"You saved my life." Avery noted, surprised.

"Of...course Reclaimer. My only function is to serve and assist your kind." Spark replied, as if the statement was ridiculous.

"Guess we're even then. Thanks."

John took a look around the room. Then he spotted it; that magic shut off switch. He activated it, and a voice spoke in English.

"Apex defences now off-line. Security risk imminent." the voice stated over an intercom.

"Security risk my ass, the only risk was when that defence was on-line. It'll be clear for Blue team now won't it?" Johnson asked, and John nodded slowly.

"Should be. Let's see if we can find that Dreadnought, and then we'll wait for the others. I hope they're all okay."

***************

"Lord Eden sir, the ships are all assembled, if not a little confused." Captain Graham Daniels informed the UNSC leader, who nodded slowly. What an ***, Daniels thought to himself.

"Excellent, excellent. How many in the fleet?" Eden questioned of the Captain, who frowned.

"I'd say around one-twenty sir. Enough, hopefully. About fifteen percent of the ships are Destroyers too." Graham reported. Eden knew this already, why was he asking?

Just then, the doors to the room swung open, and a man strode in angrily, followed by two bodyguard of Eden who were trying to stop him. Daniels noticed he held the rank of Fleet Admiral.

"What the hell are you playing at Eden? Reach has only just begun to be rebuilt, and yet you're calling my fleet back? What if the Elites attack?" the Fleet Admiral demanded angrily, thumping his fist on the mahogany desk Eden sat behind. The calm composition the Chairman of the HIGHCOM Security committee usually wore flickered slightly, to be replaced by annoyance.

"Don't worry Fleet Admiral Harper, the Elites couldn't attack an anthill right now, never mind a planet. They're a little preoccupied." Eden replied to the Fleet Admiral's angry cry. Captain Daniels stepped back slightly, wanting to get out of the way of the two warring UNSC giants.

"With what? You have to give me some explanation sir, the other members of the Highcom board are wondering what's going on too." Harper exclaimed back, his angry face mere centimetres from Eden's.

"Very well Fleet Admiral. You can tell them that the Flood have returned, and they've taken over Sangheilios, the Elite home world. Rartus Vardum, or however the hell you pronounce it, has taken what remains of his fleet to God knows where, probably Sangheilios in a desperate bid to claim his planet back. I've called the UNSC fleets here because we're going to go to Sangheilios in a few days, and we're going to wipe out the Flood, and the Elites at the same time. Tell them that." Eden shouted just as angrily. Harper blinked, and drew back.

"Where's the proof of this...this Flood invasion?" he asked, and Eden indicated Daniels, who shifted uneasily.

"Captain Daniels here saw it with his own eyes." Eden stated, and Harper turned his gaze towards Graham, who nodded.

"And you trust he is telling the truth?" Harper asked, wounding Daniels slightly.

"Put it this way William, I trust him a lot more than I trust you. He listens, you see." Eden retorted, and Harper's expression grew cold.

"I see. I shall relay your decision to the board, Fleet Admiral Eden." Harper spoke flatly, and then turned around, his medals jingling on his chest. He exited the room, not before shooting an angry look at Graham, who squirmed.

"I hate that man." Eden muttered into his glass.

Captain Daniels couldn't quite agree. He did, however, hate Eden, and resented the way the HIGHCOM Chairman treated him like a son.

"Uh, sir? I'm going to go retire for the night, if that's okay with you." Daniels told Eden, who didn't glance up from his Laptop, merely nodding. The Captain sighed, and left the room, emerging in the outside grounds of the HIGHCOM Facility. He could see the human fleet hovering in space, even from the surface of the Earth. It was a chilly night, and Daniels buttoned up his coat further, wrapping his scarf tightly around his neck, and shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his coat.

In the distance Graham could see two figures conversing with each other behind a wall. He recognised one as Fleet Admiral Harper. Daniels decided to go talk with him.

"Fleet Admiral Harper sir!" the Captain cried out, walking towards him. The two men looked up, and Harper, realising who was addressing him, muttered what seemed to be a swear word.

"What is it?" the Fleet Admiral asked briskly, clearly annoyed. "Eden want to snipe at me some more? ***. And you can tell him I said that too. He's a ***, through and through."

Graham grimaced, and looked at the other man, a Colonel smoking a cigar.

"No sir, I want to apologise for the way your were treated. It wasn't right." Daniels insisted, and Harper took a breath of his pipe, exhaling the smoke as he turned away.

"Forget about it kid. It wasn't your fault." Harper replied.

"If it's any consolation, I think he's an *** too. He only likes me because I was born in London, like him." Graham told the Fleet Admiral, who narrowed his eyes at the Captain.

"He's been an ass ever since we were in High School together on Mars. Philip Eden, always the charmer, always the top achiever. Got all the girls, didn't even have to study to pass his exams. Favourite of all the professors, friends with whoever he pleased. the He's a monster inside though, something broke in him the day his brother was killed by an Elite. He hates the Elites for that reason. The board shares my view on him." Harper explained, and Graham blinked. He'd never known that.

"With all due respect sir, why was he elected to chairman of Highcom if no one liked him?" Daniels questioned, and Harper roared at that.

"Elected? Don't make me laugh son, he got that position because Hood was his Uncle, and for no other reason. Hood; he was a good man. We were friends. Even he didn't like his *** nephew nephew." the Fleet Admiral said. As he did, it started to snow. Harper cursed.

"Snowfall in July! It's not right I tell you, those Elites messed something up when they glassed Africa last year. Screw this, I'm going to the pub. Fancy a pint of stout Captain? Now that we're chums and all." Harper suggested, and Daniels nodded appreciatively.

"Sure thing sir." he replied.

"And you can stop calling me sir, I hate that when I'm not on deck. Call me William, or Will. Not Bill or Billy though. Understand?" Harper growled, and Graham smiled.

"Sure thing sir--Will. My name's Graham." he held out his hand, and Harper took it, shaking.

"I'm Colonel Miles. You can call me Miles." the Colonel standing next to Harper spoke for the first time. Harper chuckled.

"Not wanting to get on first name terms Miles? Or is because you're name's Cornelius?" the Fleet Admiral roared again, and Miles flushed.

"I told you not to tell anyone that, jeez. Well I'm not buying you a drink, you can pay for yourself." the Colonel huffed, and Harper grumbled something about him being a spoilsport.

"I'll just claim Admiral privileges, tell the bartender of a few major victories against the Covenant and Elites. That usually earns me a few pints of beer. Come on, let's go."

The trio walked through the snowfall towards the nearby town. Daniels looked up at the tiny ships above and sighed. Soon enough he'd be back on one of them, wondering if he was going to live.

---

"This one has forgotten whether it's heatsink is over capacity. It wonders whether the criminal scum considers itself fortunate" ~ Blasto, the only Hanar Spectre.

Nice

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Design a Faction

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"Snowfall in July! It's not right I tell you, those Elites messed something up when they glassed Africa last year.

 Sounds oddly familiar, Wolver... ;)

 Great new chapter, I loved how GS was humming that song!