PART TWO

THE BATTLE OF MERIDIAN

Chapter Five

Meridian, Moon of Hestia V

Hestia V System

2038 hours

The Outskirts of Harmony

Toland was looking out the window as the Pelican began its descent. It was beginning to rain. He sighed adjusting his uniform and walked toward the back of the craft. The two boys were sitting quietly, their hands in their laps. Josh kept his head to the left, away from Sierra who still was lying on the gurney. He was surely still upset about being here in the first place but it didn’t matter to him, his friends were not safe and that he seemed sure of. To his right sat Ethan who hadn’t looked away from Sierra since Toland left his seat. He stood still for a moment waiting for the children to notice him or say something but nothing. He sighed again and anxiously sat back down in his seat. He was scared just like the children. He felt terrible for the accident but knew there was nothing he could do other than what had already been done. Sierra was recovering and that was what mattered. He stood up again and paced around until the Pelican landed softly on the grass hill.

“Alright, let’s go.” Said Toland, not knowing how else to approach the boys. Ethan and Josh stood simultaneously and walked toward the back hatch as it slowly lowered.

Light, cold, rain and wind rushed through the Pelican surprising the three of them. Ethan covered his eyes as he marched off. To his left was a tall flood light illuminating the grounds in front of him which consisted of several tents and trailers. Surrounding the camp site were several other flood lights each pointing at the grass hill to the north. Underneath the moss and overgrowth, he could barely make out a metallic wall. At that moment, he realized he was standing just outside the Luminary.

“Sir” The Pilot urged. “You need to hear this.” Toland looked back and then at Josh. He told him to follow Ethan to the camp and that he would be there shortly. As Josh followed Ethan Toland turned around and walked toward the Pilot. He was handed a old radio device used long ago by insurgence. It was how they were able to monitor UNSC traffic and know when to assault bases. It was a unique piece of hardware and very uncommon to come around.

“I don’t have time” Toland replied.

“You want to hear this.” The Pilot insisted. “I’m assuming they’ve already blocked communications so this is the only way you’ll find out.”

Toland studied his face and a rush of fear ran throughout his body. His face dropped and he blinked several times before reaching forward and putting the earphone to head. White noise filled the channel but very faintly he was able to pick up people reporting explosions in space and some even claimed to have photos of Covenant ships just above Meridian. Toland removed the earphone and looked at the Pilot in shock.

I kept it in case the Covenant ever arrived. I’d want to know. Now I know.” He said lowering his head. Toland nodded and wanted to comfort the man is some way but knew anything he would say wouldn’t be enough. He needed inside the Luminary, that he was certain of, and he needed inside now. Toland ran out from the Pelican into the rain and caught up with the kids. He grabbed ahold of Ethan’s shoulder and tugged him along.

“What about Sierra?” Ethan yelled as he grabbed Toland’s arm and yanked on it.

“She’s being taken care and her family will be notified and compensated. Your problem as of now is getting us inside that Luminary.” Toland thrusted Ethan into a trailer with ONI personal. Colonel Gear stood at a holographic table analyzing soundwave graphs displaying the Luminary. He turned around as Toland and Ethan arrived.

“Ah, you’re here.” He said looking at Toland. “And this is the boy I presume.” He grinned at Ethan who was less than enthusiastic about the present situation. Sure he was glad to finally be with Toland and going to the Luminary but that all changed when Sierra got hurt in the accident and Josh was becoming increasingly distant.

“Yes, I’m the boy” He mocked. Toland took no time and walked past Ethan as he spoke and stood directly in front of Gear.

“I need to get Ethan to the door now” He demanded. The Colonel looked at Toland like he was crazy, demanding things. “I have word the Covenant are above Meridian right now.” His words ate away at Ethan. He legs gave way and his heart sank. He leaned on the table next to him and tried not to show his fear but his thoughts were overwhelming. The Covenant. Here. On Meridian. Everyone is going to die…He couldn’t think straight. And how did Toland know? The Covenant always block coms and even then, the planet is usually glassed within days sometimes hours after their arrival. There was something he didn’t know.

Colonel Gear’s expression dropped seeing the determination in Toland’s eyes. “You’re certain?” he asked under his breath.

Toland nodded. “Yes, one of those old insurrection radios would be able to pick up the battle, it seems to be taking place over the UEG continent across the planet. Virgo. Ethan thought. His parents; he stood trying to mask his fear. Everyone else in the room were just as afraid. The Colonel looked at Ethan and back at Toland.

“Get him to the doorway.” He ordered. Toland reach behind him grabbing Ethan, who pushed Toland’s hand away. “I can walk” He said, dryly. Toland took no offense understanding their situation just became urgent. Josh was attempting to walk through the doorway when Toland and Ethan came out. He followed them toward the giant hill. Ethan examined the large metallic wall as they approached.

“We’ve been here a few days trying to uncover as much as we could but given the time restraints all we could muster was giving room for the doorway.” He finished. At that moment, Ethan realized the wall was the doorway. It was at least twenty feet tall and thirty feet wide. As they entered the cave Ethan stopped in front of the panel that extended from the doorway. Several ONI personal were gathered around the panel trying to open the doorway with force. Robotic drills were in use, chipping away at the extremely resilient metal that the Forerunners so carefully crafted. It was remarkable how durable it was. And then it caught his attention, like a voice calling to him. The panel to the right displayed a series of patterns and circles that seemed familiar in a way.

“Move the ovals to the corresponding ones” a soft, faint voice told him.

“Please tell me you know how to open this” Toland asked Ethan who was walking toward the panel. Most of the ONI personal moved out of the way but some yelled at him to get away. Toland quickly jumped in ensuring his clearance. Ethan reached the panel and turned to Toland.

“Has anyone tried moving the ovals?” Ethan asked him. Toland leaned his head to the side trying to figure out how no one, not even him, thought to touch the panel. They all tried to use robot and drills.

“We never touched the panel.” Toland replied, slightly embarrassed. Ethan smirked as he raised his hand and moved each oval toward the bottom where they fitted perfectly inside the other ovals. The panel illuminated followed by a loud humming noise and the ground began to shake. In the center or the wall, panels moved simultaneously toward the perimeter each in succession of one other; the door was opening. Toland stood next to Ethan, appalled. As the interior was becoming visible an old metallic smell reached Ethan’s nostrils. It was familiar in a way, like a mix of a new car or new machine straight from the factory. It was clear no one had stepped inside this place for a very long time. Toland blinked, breaking away his trance.

“We need to get inside.” He urged Ethan and several UNSC marines who came up to the entrance.

Toland ordered the soldiers in as him and Ethan followed behind him. Colonel Gear and several other ONI staff also walked through the metallic structure. The hallway was very long and different from what Ethan remembered, it descended further into the ground than he originally thought. At the bottom of the path it opened into a large room that expanded in several directions for hundreds of feet. In the center were two large triangular structures, one that descended from the ceiling and another that rose from the floor. In between them was single blue light, slightly lighting the platform the structures were station on. Beneath everyone’s feet was complete and utter darkness. Ethan felt nauseous walking over the glass floor which was etched with several angular shapes in several sizes. Forerunner architecture was fascinating. All he wanted to do was touch everything he wanted to see but knew it was unwise not knowing what would happened if he accidently touched something that was meant to be left alone.

“Turned your lights on” Toland ordered. The marines’ flashlights lit up the room fairly well but the artificial light didn’t do justice as most of the room was still a mystery. Boots thudded echoing noisily throughout the chamber. Toland waved at the marines to slow their pace. It was quiet. Too quiet. Ethan studied anything and everything he could make out. Light from the rifles and the doorway created a very timid atmosphere giving him the impression that they shouldn’t be here. He wondered if the voice would come back. Accent, she called herself. Very curious. He hoped that stepping forward onto the main platform would activate something or even lighten up the place, he was surprised to see it so vacant.

The main entrance closed behind Colonel Gear and his fellow associates and the chamber light up like a machine turning on. Immediately following, the structure hummed loudly, vibrating the metal that enclosed the entirety of it. Everyone covered their ears trying to mask the noise but to no avail, it was too strong. Ethan dropped to his feet feeling nauseous but fought the urge to pass out with everything he had. Abruptly, the noise stopped, echoing throughout the walls. He opened his eyes to find the chamber a light blue and grey. The metal seemed more like silver and was extremely reflective. There didn’t seem to be a nook or cranny hidden in darkness. Directly ahead of the squad, past the two triangular structures, on the opposite side of the room on the wall, a white blue light came on gathering everyone’s attention. Silver metallic panels slide away from it uncovering a large round machine of some sort, something Ethan was unknowingly familiar with. The machine slid out from its perfectly crafted alcove and hovered effortlessly toward him. It wobbled a few times as if shaking itself wake. An organic behavior, Toland thought. He watched as the object moved closer to Ethan. A part of him wanted to stop it but he felt that it was here to help or even provide any information about the Luminary. Or it was the Luminary. He had an endless amount of questions.

The round machine approached Ethan slowly then stopped. The white blue light moved indicating that the AI must be seeing through it. The bottom of the machine opened extending a long silver ridged body. The top opened and the white blue light moved upward uncovering a head-like shape followed by several metallic pieces that floated unnaturally to its sides creating what seemed like arms. The machine was now standing roughly ten feet tall with most of its composition suspended by and unknown magnetic force. The white blue light now traveled throughout its entirety, pulsating like a heartbeat. Its head resembled more of a human and it didn’t seem happy with what it was seeing.

“I am the Caretaker” The machine spoke, its heavy, raspy metallic voice loudly announced itself startling everyone in the room.

“Magnificent” Colonel Gear spoke walking toward the Caretaker, its head kinked to the side, appalled that a human would willing approach it. Toland was just as shocked.

“What are you doing?” He asked urgently, trying to whisper. Colonel waved his hand in response and continued to approach the AI construct. The Caretaker adjusted its stance as Gear stopped within fifteen feet of it.

“I am Colonel Gear,” He spoke confidently. “We all are here in search of the Luminary. The Covenant have been eradicating our planets--our species in search of Forerunner artifacts like these. I ask if you will show us whatever it is the Covenant are looking for.” He said looking up at the Caretaker.

The machine made a gesture much like a sigh and scanned everyone in the room until he rested his sight on Ethan. He looked at the Colonel.

“Eradicating? Like a parasite? Doubtful.” the Caretaker said as if talking to himself. “Eliminating their competition is the proper term.” He concluded. Suddenly, the Colonel was frozen in place. Ethan wasn’t sure if he was the only one who noticed given that no one said a word.

“Humanity is but a child to their processors.” The Caretaker said, agitated as he slowly approached Ethan. His floating metallic legs slowly moved, each one separating and coming back together as if his skin was shedding and his body was the invisible force keeping every part together. Ethan rose to his feet and stepped backward as the Caretaker neared, he bumped into Josh who he had forgotten was there; His eyes fixated on the walking machine.

“I was forged in light of the event anyone would enter this sanctuary un-authorized.” The Caretaker continued.

“This…Covenant, you speak of,” The Caretaker shot a glance at the Colonel letting him move again. “Are just as unworthy” He glanced toward Ethan. “There is only one who has been brought here.” Its voice grew louder looking at Ethan. “A child, of all things.” It said sounding somewhat disgusted. Toland was looking up at the Caretaker, skeptical, scared; humanity is not welcome here. He looked toward the marines and ordered them to lower their weapons. The Caretaker noticed the subtlety and straightened his posture then turned toward the two children and knelt beside Ethan.

“You have been chosen, Ethan Foster.” the Caretaker said, sincerely. “You are here to guide your species to solitude; though I strongly disagree, it is not up to me to decide.” He stood up. “For I am a servant, not a master.” The Caretaker turned toward the three triangular structures and waved its hand. The structures unhinged into several panels and retracted like everything in this chamber seemed to do. Within the center of each structure descended several metallic plates that came together to form a solid, sturdy, sphere. The interface lit up and hummed faintly. The Caretaker stopped beside the panel extending its arm for Ethan. He looked at Josh who shrugged and then to Toland who nodded.

“I think you’ll be ok” Josh smiled at Ethan giving the warm comfort that was non-existent within the Forerunner structure. Ethan looked forward and began walking toward the panel.

“Reach into the interface, extend your palm and clench the Atlas.” The Caretaker said.

Ethan was confused realizing that his dream of this place and the events that happened in it were extremely different. He wondered if it was because they had reached this place before the Covenant did but again it was a dream, wasn’t it? Hesitant, he reached through holographic display feeling the cold metal until he was practically laying on the panel. He felt his finger reach the round a cold metal object surrounded by metal crevasses that fit his fingers. The crevasses adjusted their size to fit and Ethan looked up at the Caretaker. The sizing gave indication Ethan was ready.

“Now” The Caretaker said looking down at Ethan. “Close your hand.”

He never took orders from an AI before it surely felt weird. But it was more than power and intimidation that gave the Caretaker superiority in the chamber. Ethan slowly closed his hand over the Atlas until he couldn’t squeeze anymore. As it formulated with his hand the triangular structures turned on, rotated cooperatively parallel to one another and emitted a single bright blue light that reached the ceiling. A deep boom, like a small explosion, echoed throughout the chamber and the light expanded in all directions revealing a galaxy.

“That’s the Milky Way” Toland said walking forward. “The Luminary is a map?”

“Luminary?” the Caretaker replied, confused. “Ah, translation is difficult. Think of it as a guide, a leader, a tool to locate other Forerunner constructs, though it doesn’t reveal everything.”

“What does it reveal?” Ethan asked as the Atlas retracted freeing his arm. He rubbed it making sure nothing was different.

“Here.” Said the Caretaker pointing a planet that looked extremely familiar.

“Earth?” Colonel Gear asked. Toland and Ethan realized he was right.

“Erde-Tyrene, yes. You currently occupy this planet?” The Caretaker straightened.

“More than occupy, Earth is our home world, for more than two thousand years.” The Colonel said bluntly.

The Caretaker stared intently before speaking again. Ethan could have sworn it seemed to be breathing.

“I see.” His voice lowered. “The Covenant have arrived.”

Toland and Gear exchanged looks and Toland looked back toward the marines.

“Head to the entrance, kill anything alien.” He ordered, the marines ran back up the shaft.

“Ethan.” The Caretaker said kneeling again. “You must understand something. You are strong and perfect for the destiny the Librarian has chosen for you.

“I-“Ethan began but the Caretaker raised his hand.

“I can’t answer your questions. I apologize.” He raised his hand toward Ethan’s head. “There are things about this galaxy your race has not discovered yet and I cannot deviate from the path that has been set before them. I can only do what I have been chosen to do.” He pressed his metallic finger against Ethan’s head. “Close you’re eyes. This might hurt.”

Ethan wasn’t ready for what the Caretaker was about to do to him. He was scared and kept thinking everything he was experiencing was an illusion of some sort but the sharp coldness of the Forerunner chamber kept him alert and aware. Like razors slicing through his head, the Caretaker transferred as much information as he could into Ethan. The glowing blue light changed and slowly turned to a rainbow as what seemed to be data flowed into Ethan. Toland was appalled. He wasn’t sure what to do but knew that if he tried to anything against the Caretaker that he might destroy him without second thought. Colonel Gear approached Toland and grabbed his shoulder.

“This is absurd” The Colonel said pulling Toland away from the odd sight. “We need to find out what this Caretaker is and investigate this facility more.

“I am not getting in the way of that.” Toland said pointing at the Caretaker. “I’m getting out of here to make sure the Covenant don’t get in this place.” He said walking away.

“Don’t be stupid, Kyle” Colonel Gear said stopping Toland in his tracks. “We cannot win, we never could. The best thing you can do is stall.”

Toland turned around and walked up to Gear nearly pushing him back. “Saving the people on this planet is my plan, not standing aside or surrendering. There is no surrender, they will destroy us given the chance.” Toland was inches away from the Colonels face. “You can stay and try to convince this Caretaker to help you but if you weren’t listening he’s only here for Ethan so we’re on our own.” Toland walked away and ran up the shaft until he was outside with the rest of the platoon. There was no covenant in sight but in the night sky, clear as day, a war was taking place.