Halo Three by Darby Janssen
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Halo: The Beckoning
Date: 2 November 2003, 8:19 AM
As the only Mach 5 system in the area, Master Chief served as a savior. Any Covanent that stood in his path were crushed in defeat. All marines may have died in the second battle for The Pillar of Autumn, but they died with dignity.
2134: A year before Halo.
"You sure were going after other humans?" Hilde said, turning on the gravity brakes on the dropship.
"They HAVE to be! Not like the Covanant are going to be on Mars!" said Enrique, polishing his Rifle " You know they can't survive here."
* * *
"Sure is dark." Enrique mumbled
"That can be fixed! Activate your flashlight." Steve suggested.
A shadow appeared on the cave wall. Its size and shape resembled a Mach 5.
"What the hell... Whats that?" Enrique pointed at the wall.
"Whats what? I dont see anything." Steve said.
The figure leaped ahead, striking Steve.
"Holy--" The figure struck Enriques' back.
* * *
May 5, 2139
"Its okay, Hilde, there's nothing wrong." Dr. Yva empathized for Hilde. Three months ago, Her comrades, Steve Taylor and Enrique Garcia were killed by an unkown figure.
"It looked like a Mach 5. It tried shooting down my craft while I was trying to get away. It was black and Silver and moved like a Covanent." Hilde rocked back and forth on her bed. This wouldn't be the only time she would see this creature. It was after her, and her only.
June 28, 2139
"Where we headed, Chief?" Mike asked
"We're headed to Mars. There seems to be some kind of creature wreaking havoc on the local bases." Chief answered.
"What bases? My son is there and I've been worrying since I heard of the complaints..."
"Terra Firma and DometO."
"Thank god! My son is going to school at Uriu. I'm glad you can remember stuff. My memorys dead."
"Mike. Stop with the chatter. Im just a person. Cut it out."
"Sorry..." Mike said "... So... What was Halo like? What did it look like?"
Master Chief fiddled with his pistol. Looking at Mike, he answered with a simple "I don't remember. The shock of the take-off threw me into a coma."
Of course, Master Chief remembered. All the pain he suffered, blowing up his more than temporary home, the POA. He couldn't stand the memories and didn't want to have to think about all of the death and destruction; the ruthlesness of the Covanent was unbearable. All of the fresh marines, killed so soon. The elite scum, destroying the lives of innocent young bloods. He left those memories in the past.
"Oh. I wish I could go and see that place."
"You don't want to go."
"Why? And how do YOU know, anyhow?.
"Thats all I remember."
"Whats all you remember??"
"Halo was horrible."
June 31 2139
"Terra Firma" USSA Base, Mars
The bright pink sky blinded Mike as he hopped out of the Pelican.
"Man, whats with the sky??"
"What, you don't remember how bright this place is?"
"I guess I got used to it... Now Im definitly not."
As the Chief walked into the main tent, all personell stood up, saluting to the Chief.
"Please. Stop it. You're embarrassing me."
"Sir, what did you come here for?" asked the main desk personell, still saluting.
"First of all, stop saluting and second of all, Im here to investigate the Mach5Sillhoute problem." Chief said, reading the personells name tag.
Pam replied with "Oh! I was told of that problem. Come with me."
The tent was about the size of a basketball court. At least 50 cubicle-inspired structures stood together. Pam took the Chief to the Last cubicle, titled 'SSI'. She gave him the documents and an uplink of information which he quickly uploaded into his helmet.
"So. This thing looks like a Mach 5 suit, but moves like an Elite?"
"Correct, sir. Information can find ANY matching suits, except for yours."
As Chief looked over the data he froze, dropping all of the paper-work. Pam looked puzzled, and started picking up the paper work.
"Whats wrong?" Pam asked.
"This.. This can't be."
"What?? What??"
"The ID of the suit is the same as mine. 000235468."
"How can that be?? Youre the only one of your type with that number. Its extremely illegal to copy ID or even KNOW about it. It must be the Covanents doing."
"We DID have a recent security breach. Strange symbols appeared on the screen for a couple seconds and dissapeared."
"Give me the symbols. Now."
Pam searched on the com-unit. She uploaded them and examined the shapes.
One of the shapes looked like a circled k without the top angular stroke. The second was just a circle with a V in the middle.
Master Chief opened his hand. On his right palm, he had the first symbol. On the left, the latter.
"This must be wrong. Look."
Pam looked at the hands. "Oh My God." What does this mean?
Master Chief thought for a few seconds.
"Either I'm part of the Covanent, or The Covanent have stolen the plans to my suit."
Pam dropped what she had spent so much time reorganized. She stared into space. She felt a cold chill rise up her neck. Slowly, she backed away from Chief.
"I understand."
"I'm sorry." Pam said, walking away.
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