Chapter 8 NAME "Shit Happens" Part 3

(Dormii)
=the bullet spins me and I drop to the floor, exhausted. I turn Impact Mode off before the timer hits so I don't end up killing myself. I lie there, gasping for breath. I grab the Battle Rifle and start shooting at the other Spartan-

*Michael*
=his shields deflect most of the rounds, but he gets behind cover=

(Jason)
=I ran over to Dormii, and dragged him back to the airlock. Miri, bless her heart, had taken cover in the airlock=
Molly, open the doors!

*Michael*
=he sensed a chance, and sprang from behind cover, and aimed his pistol=
Hey Jason!

(Jason)
=I spun to face him=

*Michael*
I once read an old slogan somewhere. It said, "Guns save lives." Let's test that theory.
=he pulled the trigger, and hit Miranda, right in the gut. His pistol had AP ammo, because it tore through her armor, and right into her gut=

(Miranda)
=My stomach was on fire, and I clutched my belly, blood flowing from the wound. I collapsed to the floor=

(Dormii)
=i aimed and fired again, pulling the trigger as fast as I can. I did my best to aim for his upper chest and head, but I was still kinda groggy from the Impact Mode=

*Michael*
=most of the rounds either missed, or did no damage=


=During the fleet chase, a stray Gauss round from one of Haven's ships struck the PNR, grazing it. It tore off a part of the hull, directly over the area where Jason and his friends were=


(Molly)
FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! Guys, you have to get on, now! I can't hold her for much longer!

(Jason)
=I dimly heard Molly's voice in my helmet. My whole world had dimmed. All the colors had either gone, or turned gray. The only thing that stood out, in full color, was the man that shot Miranda=

Dormii
=i said his name, very slowly=

Get Miri on the ship, now.
=and with that, I charged the man that shot my light=

*Michael*
=while they were distracted, he grabbed a reentry pack from a locker near the airlock. The wall near him was already gone, and vacuum was already pulling at him. he prepared to jump, when something slammed into him, and he went tumbling out, towards the planet=

(Dormii)
=i grabbed Miranda and pulled her onto the Serenity. Once inside, I commed Molly=
Molly...Miranda's been...shot...either get...Zeru down here...or you'll have to help. One of...the two...

=i took deep breaths, thankful for whatever the hell Viking did to me for once=

(Molly)
What?!?!? Oh fuck. Argo, take control of the ship. Get us out of here.
=I unstrapped from the chair, and headed for the other airlock=

(Miranda)
=the pain, was immense. But it was not the first time I had felt pain, and I doubted it would be the last. I managed to crawl through the airlock, and out of it. I was in the cargo bay when Molly came down, and got me to stand. I had to lean on her, as she helped me walk to the med-bay=

(Argo)
=I was worried for Miranda, but I did as Molly asked. I undocked us from the PNR, and we drifted away from them=

(Dormii)
=i managed to get up and walk to the medbay, following Molly and Miranda=
What can...I help with...

=i managed to catch my breath again=

(Molly)
Uh, I don't know. Argo, can you access medical files? She's been shot, and I need to know what to do=
=as soon as I asked for them, the files appeared, and I saw what tools I'd need=

Okay Dormii, we have to remove the bullet, and stop the bleeding.

(Dormii)
How do we do that? I'm...meant for combat, not medical aid. Best I know how to do is apply bio-foam.

(Molly)
Just get ready to do what I say, okay?
=I had to pour some water on the wound, and Miranda almost screamed. I dried it, then applied some ointment to sanitize the wound, and then dried it again. I found some forceps, and handed them to Dormii=

Use this to hold her wound open.

(Dormii)
=i took them and said to Miranda=
Sorry.

=i poked them in the wound and forced it open=

(Miranda)
You fuckin son of a bitch Dormii. I'm gonna take that sorry, and ram it right up your ass with those things!!

(Molly)
=yeah, that didn't get any better when I had to dig the bullet out=

(Dormii)
=i chuckled, slightly=
Yeah, somehow I doubt that...

**You Know the Drill**

(Jason)
=I had grabbed the Spartan that shot Miranda, and he and I went falling towards Haven. I punched at the back of his head=

*Michael*
Are you crazy!? You'll kill us both!
=he spun in midair, the space around them glowing as they entered the atmosphere. He returned the punches, and what became a free fall, turned into a midair battle=

(Jason)
=the surface began to grow closer, but it still looked gray to me. The only thing that stood out, was the Spartan. I kept throwing punches at him, but he got his legs between us, and pushed off from me. I angled my body towards him, and rammed into his back. I tore off the reentry pack, and kept punching him=

(Silver Light)
=on sensors, I saw two life signs falling towards Haven's surface. One was new, but the other was the Inheritors life signature, as well as his Skin's signal=
Inheritor, you are falling much too fast for your Combat Skin to safely absorb your impact. You will die, unless I help you!

(Jason)
Yeah, well free to help out anytime.
=I kept punching the Spartan=

(Molly)
=it took a few minutes, but I managed to get the bullet out=
Okay Dormii, now use the bio-foam.

(Dormii)
=i grabbed the can and inserted the nozzle into the wound. I triggered it and filled the hole up with bio-foam=
Now bandages, right?

(Molly)
Yeah.
=I grabbed some bandages from a drawer, and wrapped Miranda up=


=the UNSC ships (only two frigates and the PNR) attained enough speed, and they jumped soon after=

(Dormii)
=i nod=
Okay. Need me to help move her to a bed or anything?

=to Miranda=
Or do you want to walk yourself?

(Miranda)
I think I'll just lay here for a bit, if that's okay?

(Molly)
It's fine Miranda. Stay as long as you need.

(Jason)
Silver, whatever you're going to do, do it now!
=right as I finished, I saw a swarm of silver heading for me and the Spartan: Sentinels. I understood now. Silver couldn't just teleport me to safety. My momentum would keep me moving into the ground. I'd have to garb onto one of the Sentinels, to slow my descent. I kicked myself away from the Spartan, and let him fall=

*Michael*
=he went screaming to his death. He never felt it, which was a small mercy=

(Dormii)
=i nod again=
Okay. I am going to go find a nice table or bed to go lie down on and relax. Impact Mode can be a bastard sometimes...

=i start walking off=

(Molly)
Impact mode?
=I headed back up to the bridge, and took back control of the ship=

(Jason)
=I managed to catch a Sentinel, and it slowed my descent. A few seconds later, things sloed down enough for Silver to teleport me back to the Control center=

Thanks Silver.

(Silver Light)
My pleasure Inheritor.

(Jason)
Listen, contact the Serenity, and guide them to the landing zone. I need you to send me there, now.

(Silver Light)
Very well.

*Parangosky*
=she stayed on the bridge, surveying the damage. All but two frigates survived, and they were badly damaged. The PNR took some damage as well, and they lost Jason, and Garuda Team=

*Comm Officer*
Mam, I just got word of another Prowler that's been hailing us. Should I respond?

*Parangosky*
Have us drop out of slip-space in half an hour, and contact that Prowler. Have them meet us here.

=The time that had passed had consisted of Lynn training=
=Grace swimming=
=Draco trying to clear his head=

Sometimes life hits you hard. Sometimes It hits you so hard, you fall down. Sometimes life kill you.

I'm becoming delirious. I'm seeing hallucinations. The people around me are turning into monsters. I can see them transform when they think i'm not looking.



I don't recall when it happened. All I know is it happened. Everyone on the ship turned into monsters! I was surrounded by them! Indescribable! As if Cthulhu himself had transformed these men and women into like-forms! I was awoken by the sound over the speakers. I thought it was a lie. They knew I was there. They were going to kill me. They sent someone to my room. They said something about a fight, a battle! They were going to toss me out into it! But no, that was improbable. you could not change suddenly, randomly, it was impossible. I was hallucinating. But my fear was too great. I couldn't talk to people. My world was collapsing slowly.

Wait. There was a gas in the air. Faint, but there. Someone was poisoning these people slowly. I was the only one who knew it. I……………

[Passes out]

[Prowler responds to Point of no return]

--Three Hours Later--

(Jason)
=I was on the Serenity, in the med-bay. I didn't really want to leave Miri's side, though I knew she'd be okay. Unfortunately, the Council wanted to meet with me, to discuss the attack, so I had to leave. Silver teleported me to the Council Tower. I walked into the chamber, and they were waiting for me=

(David)
Jason, what the hell happened? Why did the UNSC attack us?

(Jason)
It was ONI. They wanted to take over Haven, even if that meant killing all of you.
=they were all about to ask more questions, but I held up a hand to stop them=

Look, I'll answer your questions. But first, I need to do something. Silver, activate long range communications, and contact the PNR. Don't wait for a response, just get me in.

(Silver Light)
Affirmative.

*Parangosky*
=her ship had dropped out of slip-space, and they were waiting for the other Prowler. She was sitting in her private quarters, when her the holo projector warmed, and Jason's image appeared=
Jason? Come to gloat have you?

(Jason)
=It's hard to describe, what happened. Best I can say, I was engulfed in light, like a spotlight=
Parangosky. I haven't come to gloat, but I'm here to give you a warning. This never happens again.

*Parangosky*
This?

(Jason)
You come after me, or Haven ever again. You attack any of my friends or allies, ever again......and I will destroy you. Because in case it's escaped you, I've stolen all of ONI's files. You really shouldn't keep so much information close to home.

*Parangosky*
You son of a bitch.
=it wasn't like when he stole Vigil's files. At least those could have been fought against, and even made to look false. But with the files straight from ONI......there'd be no way to fight back=

(Jason)
Every dirty secret. Every single black ops mission that was all but a war crime....I have it all, and if you, or anyone else under your command attacks me or Haven again, then I'll release this information. It will all go to the public, and your career, and your life, will go down the drain.
=I ended the line=

(Jason)
Well, that's one problem solved.

(Carolyn)
So, I guess this mean we can never go back then?

(Jason)
Oh, I wouldn't say that. You're not prisoners here, so you're all free to go back anytime you choose. So, did you guys have anymore questions?

(Grimm)
I think all out questions have been answered Jason. Thank you.

(Jason)
Then it nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.
=we all left, and I went back to the Control Center, to help Silver on monitoring duty=

(Silver Light)
=while I was monitoring the long range sensors, I noticed that another group of ships was heading for Haven. One of them had the same signatures as the human ships, but the others had signatures that were foreign to me=

Code:

May-Day this is Captain Rodgers of the UNSC Reaver's Edge! If anyone can hear this, please assist. My ship was ambushed by a covenant strike force. This message repeats!

(Jeremy)

Brute boarding ships sir, they don't look happy either.

(Sargent)

Captain said we are leaving! We are going to get there.

(Private)

I don't like the looks of this, Those ships are tearing us apart! I don't know if the escape pods would handle that kind of fire power!

(Jeremy)

We have company! From the Main hanger! They are spreading through the ship faster than we thought.

=Brutes blow open a door=

(Jeremy)

Damn! Watch it, they're coming straight at us!

(Sargent)

Keep going, ill cover our flank!

=Jeremy turns to look at the sergeant=
=Brutes charge him=

(Jeremy)

Sarge, get the hell out of there!

=Sargent gets grabbed by a brute and gets thrown into a wall=

(Jeremy)

Crap, shoot private!

=Sargent gets punched multiple times in the head after getting shot with spikers=

(Jeremy)

Damn, we need to keep moving! Sarge tried his best!

=The hallway behind them explodes and collapse, blocking the brutes from following=

(Private)

Were almost there, let me take point!

(Private)

Brute chieftain! Its coming this way, and its pissed!
=The chieftain charges the private before he can move, and hits him with his hammer=
=The chieftain hits private sending him across the room into some steel boxes=

(Jeremy)

Private! You son of a bitch!

=The chieftain turns, and charges Jeremy=

(Jeremy)

Damn! Not now!

=The chieftain swing his hammer, stabbing Jeremy's lower chest and pinning him on a wall=
=Jeremy covering the wound and screams in pain=
(Jeremy)

Agh! Mother..

(Spartan)

Oh no you don't bitch!

=The spartan climbs on its back and stabs it in its neck=
=The brute grabs the spartan and throws her at the floor. Then stabbing her in the body with his gravity hammer=

(Jeremy)

Pistol.. I need my pistol...
=Jeremy grabs his pistol, only having a few rounds in it=
Die Bitch!
=Jeremy pulls the trigger a few times, aiming for the head=
=The brute leaves the spartan almost dead=
=The brute stumbles down after its hit in the head with the pistol rounds=
=Jeremy barely crawls toward the spartan, hoping for her to be alive=

(spartan)
=The spartan, weakly speaks=
Take this, its the only thing the covenant want from this ship...
=The spartan pulls out an AI chip=

(Jeremy)
=Weakly grabbing the chip=
Why.. why would she..?
=Watches the spartan drop, and knows she is gone.=

Escape pod... I may have a chance..
=Jeremy starts to crawl into the escape pod, barely managing to reach the controls=

The nearest planet... I don't know if its hostile..

(Jeremy)

I can barely move.
=Puts the AI chip into the modified AI jack=
=Hears voices of his wife, as if this was the end=
=Jeremy blacks out due to pain and bleeding=

Scythe:

=I hold Lana in a hug=

... I'm tired how bout' you?

=i yawn=

(Lana)
=i hug him back and kiss him again=
Sure.

=i pick her up and carry her back to our room where i place her on the bed and cuddle up next to her=

night, honey....

(Lana)
=i hold him close and fall asleep=
Goodnight...

=Lynn leaves the training room and heads to the pool room=

=Draco continues his mind clearing. Walking around the ship. Passing by the same corridors he had passed on twenty different accounts=

(Jason)
=I arrived in the Control Center, and Silver all but swarmed me=

(Silver Light)
Inheritor, urgent news. I picked up a distress signal from a UNSC ship, identified as the Reavers Edge. Here:

Captain Rodgers wrote:

Code:
May-Day this is Captain Rodgers of the UNSC Reaver's Edge! If anyone can hear this, please assist. My ship was ambushed by a covenant strike force.

(Jason)
Aww Hell. What's thier status?

(Silver Light)
The signal ended, and the ship detonated. However, there appears to be a life-pod drifting from the wreckage.

(Jason)
Uy vey. Alright, get the Silver Hawk ready. We're going to go rescue that pod.

ShadowHunter wrote:

=I see the guard on the right look away=

NOW!

=I take my knife and stab him in the throat=

Guard 2: Oh shit!!!

=He fires his submachine gun, and I dodge him=

Me: Not a wise move, buddy

=I cover his mouth as I stab him in the base on the skull=

Me: =wiping off the blade= *Shame, I thought I was going to have a challenge.*

=I use one of the key cards to open the door=

Into the lion's den...time to tame this beast

=Diana cuts in= Diana: Well...now that you've taken them out, how are you going to play this.

@Diana: Leave no witnessess. Everyone here will die, including my prey.

Diana: =a bit shocked at my tone= Wow. This isn't you, not at all.

Viktor:Damn straight, woman. That's me.

@Viktor=irritated= Will you stay out of my buisness for the next few days. I HAVE to make a living now.

Viktor: Alright. But remember, I'll be here when you screw up.

=I sigh= @Diana That's beside the point. I'll need some help to make sure my face isn't on the UNSC's wanted list.

Diana: =wickedly=Well, time to get my hands dirty. I've always wanted a challenge. Put me a dataport, and let me work my magic.

@Diana Insert yourself into the system, and get a comm channel that we can talk on...discreetly.

Diana: Fair enough. Good hunting, tough guy. =exits my comms=

=I insert her into a small port close by=

Diana: =On her comm channel= Alright, I'm in.=coyly= Have fun.

@Diana =Assuring= I always do.

=I crack my knuckles=

Let the game begin...

--15 Minutes Later--

(Jason)
=I was sitting aboard the Silver Hawk, in the Captains chair. Apparently, everyone aboard felt that because I was a Council member with the most military experience, I deserved to be captain. Which was fine. Unfortunately, the rest of the Serenity's crew stayed behind, and I was left with the new guys=

Lieutenant Carter, are we set to head out?

*Lt. Carter*
Yes sir, we are ready to exit Haven on your command.

(Jason)
Then let's go.
=the ship took off from the docks, and we headed for the exit that pointed towards that escape pod=

(Dormii)
=i had found a table or box or something down in the cargo hold. I promptly had sat down on it and fell asleep. Currently, I'm sleeping. Not dreaming, I don't think, but definitely sleeping=

(Miranda)
=I woke up in the med-bay of the Serenity, my stomach wrapped in bandages, and sore as hell. I guess even after a the bullet get's removed, it's still a bitch. I managed to sit up, which showed I was healing. Some kind hearted soul decided to leave an un-opened bottle of water for me, and I eagerly drank from it. I took in my surroundings: the only person in the room was Gabby, and she was asleep in her chair. I smiled at that-- she was always a good friend. I was however worried when I didn't see Jason with me. Of all the people I expected to be sitting at my bed-side in a hospital or med-bay, he was at the top of that list=

(Gabby)
=Something made me wake up, a light noise maybe. I opened my eyes, and saw Miri sitting up on the table=
Hey. You finally woke up.

(Miranda)
Hey Gabby. How long was I out?

(Gabby)
Only a few hours, almost a day. Had most of us worried. Jason was the worst. He wouldn't leave your bed for almost the whole day, until he got dragged off somewhere, something to do with the Council.

(Miranda)
Jason? How is he? I mean, we went to rescue him, but I don't remember much.

(Gabby)
From what I heard, you got shot by another Spartan on the PNR. Jason went berserk, and jumped after him into space.
=I saw the look on her face=

He's fine. Silver managed to save him before he hit the ground.

(Miranda)
Okay. Where's everyone else? I know Dormii was with us.

(Gabby)
Last I saw of him, he was asleep in the cargo bay.

=I head inside further, looking for a likely spot=

Come out, come out wherever you are...

@Diana Could you find where this guy is here? I can't find him due to the set up of the place.

Diana: =over the comms= Hold on a sec... Got him. He's in a room on the second floor, on your right. I'll point it out when you're there.

@Diana Thanks for the assist. I needed it.

Diana: This setup is probably to thwart regular intruders, not ones with A.I's.

@Diana Seems that way. I'm heading up.

=I head up the stairs and wait=

@Diana Did you mention there were guards?

Diana: No, since I figured you could handle them easily.

@Diana Fair enough.

=I get out my sniper and take them out=

Guards three and four down. As well as the snipers up top. Now...for the real prize

@Diana Where's the room?

Diana: Two doors down, it'll be on the right.

@Diana Got it. When I get close, make sure the cameras aren't rolling.

Diana: Got it. Now, get moving.

@Diana Yes, ma'am.

=I go to the door=

Take it nice and easy, don't want to wake the neighbors...

=I open the door to a clearly suprised ONI agent=

Agent: Look at you. Last I hear-

=I shoot him with my pistol in mid-sentence=

*I don't waste words with the likes of you.*

@Diana I'm done here. Top-notch soundproofing...but that didn't help him.

Diana: When you come down, please pick me up.

@Diana Got it. Deal's done. I'll see us out myself.

=I head out the building, take Diana out of the system, and put her back into my armor=

Shame, but it had to be done...

=I smile and walk away, whistling as I do so=

(Jason)
=we drew closer to the pod, and I saw the wreckage of the ship. It must have a been a huge ship, but it was mostly broken hull, and melted slag. We zeroed in on the beacon from the pod=
Align the pod with one of our hangars. We'll catch it. Have a team ready to assist anyone in the pod. That, or evacuate anyone injured.

*Officer*
Got it sir.

=the hangar bay doors opened, and the energy field was activated. As the ship moved, the pod floated into the hangar bay. It dropped down onto the floor, and the security team went to open it up=

*Security Officer*
=over the comm=
Sir, we have a severely injured male in the pod. He's showing some life signs, but they're dropping.

(Jason)
Shit. Get him to med-bay.

(Dormii)
=i rolled over and fell onto the floor. I woke up, but didn't want to get up, yet. I kinda groaned and sat up, looking around=

(Silver Light)
=I was still in the control room, when the long range sensors detected three more ships heading for the Inheritors position through slip-space=


=the security team managed to get the injured human to the med-bay, and the doctors went to work=

=Three covenant ships arrive from slip space, one super carrier and two frigates=

(Jason)
=We were about to pull back to Haven, when three Covie ships appeared from slip-space, two frigates, and a super-carrier=
Oh shit. Full alert. Everyone, to your stations.

=the bridge jumped into action. Carter pulled us away from the ships, while our weapons officer fired the rear plasma beams at the super-carrier, damaging it's front sections. The comm officer called Haven for backup=

=the super-carrier deployed fighters, and it's Plasma turrets glowed crimson. The frigates had already fired pulse lasers=

(Silver Light)
=I received the message from the Silver Hawk, and alerted the rest of the fleet, though it would take them some time before they could reach the Inheritor's position=


=the Carrier loosed it's torpedoes, and they impacted on the Silver Hawk's shields=

*Carter*
Shields down to eighty percent!

*Weapons Officer*
Firing Gauss turrets at the super-carrier.

(Jason)
No. Aim the Gauss guns at the frigates, but keep firing the Plasma beams at the super-carrier. Deploy fighters, now!


=the Silver Hawk's fighters, six squadrons of 20, launched from the hangar bay, while the super-carrier deployed hundreds. At the same time, the Gauss guns on the Hawk aimed and fired at the other frigates, firing in sequence=

(Jason)
=the ship shuddered as another wave of torpedoes struck us=
Status report?

*Carter*
Shields down to 25%.

(Jason)
Shit. We can't let them hit our rear. Spin us about, and let's face them head on.

*Carter*
Sir? Yes sir.
=he spun the ship around, now with the front section facing the super-carrier=


=the Hawk's fighters engaged the enemy Seraphs. Within the first few moments, 30% of the Seraphs had been destroyed, but at the same time, 60 friendly fighters were destroyed=

=the rest of Haven's fleet exited Haven, and already moved to join the fight. Two of the fleets destroyers already fired their Plasma Beams at the Super-Carrier, breaking through the shields, and causing hull damage=

*Comm Officer*
Sir, the rest of our fleet is here.

(Jason)
No shit.
=I muttered to myself=


=The Super-Carrier fired an energy projector, and the Silver Hawks shields collapsed=

*Carter*
Shields are down sir. We've taken some hull damage in minor sections=

(Jason)
Shit, move us forward, over the carrier. They don't have many weapons on top.

*Carter*
Got it it sir
=he moved the ship towards the top of the carrier, while the guns kept firing. the bottom Plasma Beams rained down on the carrier, doing more damage to it's top section. At the same time, one of the frigates was destroyed=

=the rest of the fleet moved closer, and opened fire on the carrier. More explosions tore through the ship, and it began to lose power. The other frigate turned, and entered slip-space, retreating. The carrier exploded=

=He enters the cryo room, after he had stopped into the medbay for his armor=
=Pods everywhere=

=He feels a sharp pain in his head=

Zayne-Ready for round three?

=He drops to his knees as the pain becomes too great=
=He stands slowly=
=Moving his way to a pod=

Your protection is my main priority

Zayne-Hey! Like Hell you are freezin us!

=He takes Andrea's chip from his helmet. Inserting her into the console=

Andrea.
Wake me when the others need me.

*Brother, what is happening*

No questions! Please.

=He fights his way into the pod=

Tell Lynn where I am...Tell her I am okay

=The pod closes. Sealing him in=

=A message is sent to Lynn and Grace=
=They will not recieve it until later=

(Jason)
=The ship was piloted back to the fleet, and the surviving fighters had all been called back. The frigates cleaned up the enemy fighters. I sat in the captains chair, and surveyed the damage: we lost 60 fighters, including their pilots. The Silver Hawk had taken some damage from the energy projector, but repairs were already underway, and they'd be complete once we got to the shipyards. The Council was already hailing the ship. They wanted to know what the hell happened with the Covenant ships. I figured that our new guest, the survivor of the wreck, had the answers we needed. Whoever they were, they were still in surgery, but the doc's said he'd recover. Hell, if we got him to the hospitals on Haven, he'd recover faster. Anyway, I ended up giving orders for the fleet to remain in orbit, and maintain defensive positions around Haven=

(Miranda)
=I decided to try standing. It took a minute, but I was on my feet, and I walked over to a terminal, and called Argo=
Argo, where's Jason?

(Argo)
Ah, yes. He had to take the Silver Hawk out, to go and rescue someone. We got a distress call. Things got worse, when a group of Covenant ships, two frigates and a Super-Carrier. He's fine before you ask. Haven's fleet managed to wipe out the invaders. Anyway, he's currently back inside Haven, in the city of Osea. He's currently at the hospital there, keeping watch on the sole survivor of the distress call.

(Miranda)
Alright. I guess I'll just wait here then.
=and by here, I meant back in bed, in my room. Hey, the beds in a med-bay, are not that comfortable=


--Osea, Central Hospital--

(Jason)
=Yeah yeah, I know: why am I waiting in a hospital for one man? Well, turns out this one man brought a small group of Covie ships with him, one of which escaped. I wanted to know why they were after him, and if it was worth the lives that were lost trying to save him. The doc's said he'd be awake in a few hours, and he'd make a full recovery in a day. Hey, give these guys some credit: they were skilled doctors, and they had the knowledge and tools of the Forerunners=

(Dormii)
=i had a small headache, and a list of nanes kept repeating in my mind=
Albert Kuchinov, Joli Reprioski, Harper Guik, Frederick Supinsar, Jak Ikiskolinoi, Nikolaus Oehlberg, Revnik Ronviolio... Albert Kuchinov, Joli Reprioski, Harper Guik, Frederick Supinsar, Jak Ikiskolinoi, Nikolaus Oehlberg, Revnik Ronviolio... Albert Kuchinov, Joli Reprioski, Harper Guik, Frederick Supinsar, Jak Ikiskolinoi, Nikolaus Oehlberg, Revnik Ronviolio...are these people I killed? No...they...what are they...they aren't among the dead...who are they...

=i got up and went to the medbay, looking for something to get rid of this headache=

--Unknown Region of Covenant Loyalist Space--

=Hundreds of Covenant ships floated in orbit over a single planet. Frigates and Corvettes, Destroyers and Battle-cruisers, and even a few Assault Carriers......and then, the crown jewel of the fleet, was the single Super-Carrier, the Ascension of Light. A slip-space portal opened, and then the single surviving frigate from Haven came through, damaged. It drifted to the Ascension, and after exchanging the proper codes, docked. However, the crew were not expecting a visit, from such a holy individual. A single San 'Shyuum, one of the surviving Councilors of High Charity, had heard the crew of the frigate say they were attacked, by alien ships, from a world that their sensors showed was a treasure trove of Forerunner technology. So, he went to go and interview the bridge crew=

(Lesser Prophet of Humility)
=he and his personal guards of Jiralhanae interviewed the survivors. Well, tortured is more fitting. They all but killed the survivors, and when they finally got the information they needed, they did kill them. He then returned to the command center of his ship, and hailed the whole fleet, his image spreading to ever y ship, and even down to the planet below. He was going to send them all to battle=

My brothers, we face dark times. Our Holy Covenant has been split, and we face war from within! But rejoice, for now, I have discovered our salvation! Through the sacrifice of our brothers, I have divined the location of a Forerunner Reliquary. It has been tainted though, by the filth of the humans. We shall journey there, and cleanse the filth from this holy place, and claim it for our own!

=the message ended, and within minutes, the whole fleet, all 250 ships, prepared to journey to Haven. Estimated time before arrival: one week=

As the Doctor woke up aboard the Point of No Return, he knew that this was the last he would see of the Trophaeum and it's crew, of Draco, Ash, Senox, and the others. All except a certain Dormii, they would meet again, morever, the terms they met under would be of an unknown nature. The Medbay aboard the Point of No Return was small and cramped, because of his size, there was very little he could do. Men came in and out, occasionally the symbols he carved into his own flesh would glow and they would marvel at them for a time but then move on to more pressing matters. The toxin aboard the Prowler was discovered, and dealt with, the culprit: a bad filtration unit.

As he closed his eyes again, his mind brought him to a boy he had mentored at one time. A young man of the same name, Nicholas, who was also from New Transylvania. He reminded the Doctor of himself, if only more sociable. He remembered when, in a state of panic, he operated on the boy, adding things he should not have. He had unknowingly, at the time, Made the boy a walking EMP. That is, the EMP was not something that happened continuously, but rather sporadically, something, that with time, could be honed, controlled even. The boy was also a carrier of part of his genome. He had added all of his DNA to the boys, only with all of the phenotypic traits disabled, it was there, but as junk DNA. Should the time come, it could be activated to preserve his life in a cryptum. The Doctor prayed it would never happen. Life is not worth living without death. In his minds eye, he pictured the boy aboard a ship, chatting up a marine on a Medical Transport, on it's way to a location that doesn't exist in the records the UNSC. On it's way to an ambush. The boy would live, he gathered that much, but the boy would be changed by that encounter. Had been changed by that encounter. That ambush was quite a ways back in time.

--Haven--

(Jason)
=the doctors told me that our guest was recovered now, and that if I wanted to, I could go in and talk with him. Of course, he was asleep, but that wasn't my concern at the moment. I walked inside the room, and went over to the side of the bed. I knew his name from the small little band around his wrist, and the fact that we had his dogtags=

Jeremy, can you hear me? Wake up, we have to talk.