Chapter Fifteen

Hestia System

Meridian, Moon of Hestia V

Gilroy, Sector 4

Ruins of the First Gate

April 3rd, 2548 at approximately 1235 hours

Rubble from the blasted gate lay across the street as the Elephant came to a stop. Toland, along with several Marines readied their weapons. The gate was obliterated but the road leading to the onramp of the Cherbourg Highway was still intact. Toland patted the drivers shoulder and the Elephant was in motion again. Ethan, who was still with his parents, felt miles away. He was getting sleepy and his body was beginning to feel pain. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but the sun was at the highest point and Samuel was no where in sight. Emily rubbed his shoulder and dipped her head.

“Are you ok, Hun?”

“Yeah, I’m just getting tired.”

“We’re almost there, we’ve reached the highway.” Allen assured patting Ethan’s leg.

In the distance was a loud pounding. Toland looked around trying to identify it frantically looking for Hunters but as he turned around, he saw a huge mechanical suit approaching the Elephant. Samuel had arrived. The mech grew closer and Ethan lifted his head then stood. Allen and Emily stood as well and walked into the middle of the floor. The mech was over 20 feet tall and was coated in the sandy color. More impressively it was walking on two legs. The back hatch opened, and Samuel presented himself.

“Pretty neat, huh?” He relished.

“Yeah, that’s not what I was expecting.” Toland smirked. “So, here’s the highway. No Covenant in sight, I’d say we’re lucky but I don’t have any wood to knock on.”

Samuel gazed into the distance looking at the entrance to the underground launch pad and the Type-27 Anti Air Mantis along the beach. He counted 18.

“We’re going to need those Anti Air vehicle’s offline. I’ll take this mech and do what I can to give you cover until we reach the launch pad, then I’ll take care of them.”

“You sure this is going to work?” Toland asked hoping for something to believe in.

“Hope. It’s all we can do. And most of the time that’s enough.” Samuel leaped back into the mech and the hatch closed. The mech marched forward shaking the ground beneath it; the Elephant followed behind. Toland’s gaze fell and he checked his rifle then positioned himself on the side of the Elephant.

Several Covenant patrols monitored the onramp. As the Elephant and Samuel approached, they readied their weapons. Before anyone could react, Samuel shot the first and final rounds as each one obliterated the Covenant species into pieces. The missile he fired was for good measure.

“Jesus.” Toland said under his breath. “If that isn’t hope, I don’t know what it is.”

Several other patrols noticed the humans on the onramp and began to engage but for the next mile Samuel handled everything while Toland and the Marines took out stragglers. But that didn’t last long. Within minutes a Phantom had crossed overhead dropping Ghosts in the path ahead of them. The Ghost’s engines roared as they sped toward them and then opened fire. Samuel quickly maneuvered in front of the Elephant taking most of the damage. The heavy plasma rounds were absorbed the shield system equipped to the mech. Toland was beginning to like this thing more and more. The only thing compared to it was a Spartan and they were much smaller seeing as one was operating it. One Ghost was unfortunate to close to Samuel as his missile blew the driver to smithereens and broke the vehicle in half. The second Ghost reversed keeping its distance and constant fire. The mechs shields eventually broke and a few rounds made it in to the Elephant; the rounds burned and solidified like glass. Ethan and his parents held each other close and braces for the rocking.

Samuel grunted as he shifted to the left and fired several missiles; the missile launcher loaded itself. The missile exploded on contact and nothing was in the area aside from a large blood streak and what used to be a vehicle. The Phantom was still in view hovering several meters ahead of Samuel and the group.

“Come and get me.” Samuel whispered.

The Phantom rushed forward tilting its stern. Samuel lunged forward and the mech seemed to be in a sprint with its feet crushing everything in its path. Simultaneously, Samuel and the Phantom fired but plasma rounds penetrated the Elephants walls. Samuel realized this and focused his attention on the stern of the craft, specifically the gravity wells. Firing everything he had the Phantoms armor plating was shattered and the right gravity well gave way sending the Phantom to crash land near the Elephant.

Ethan was lying on his back when Toland came into view. His ears were blown, he could only hear muffled voices. The bottom cabin of the Elephant was filled with smoke and red alarms flashed. Several marines’ bodies lied on the floor as the remaining cavalry separated the living form the dead. Toland’s face and ears were covered in blood and grit and he lifted Ethan and dragged him backward. His head dropped to his chest as he watched his parents fall limp to the floor; their bodies covered in smoke. He blinked several times trying to understand what he had seen but his eyes watered as the fear already sank in.

“Mom, Dad!” He yelled but Toland and the rest of the crew only heard guttural sounds.

“Are you hurt Ethan?” He managed to hear Toland’s voice. Rather than trying to speak he looked at Toland and began to cry. Toland embraced Ethan as he checked him for plasma burns. His legs had several holes burned into them revealing bone and tissue. He patted on a Marines shoulders and ordered him to get Ethan’s legs patched. There was no doubt Emily and Allen were dead. Their bodies were separated in half which gave Toland the impression they were protecting Ethan from the plasma. Despite his experience in the field and being with ONI for almost 20 years, nothing was compared to witnessing this. He tried to hold it together for Ethan but only found himself crying as he rested his head on Ethan’s.

The Elephant had stopped completely, and silence filled the air. Smoke covered the entire front and the glass panel where the driver used to be was obliterated. He dropped his head. He failed. He failed everyone, he thought to himself. For the first time in a long time the humanity within Samuel emerged and the depression sank in. Everything from his childhood and being taken away to the loss of his friends—all of it seemed to way in on him and he realized his eyes were watering. But just as quickly as this occurred it was swept away by the sheer strength embedded within his soul. Samuel raised his head and turned the mech toward the Anti- Air Cannons. Several in the distance shot down Hornets and Falcons as they attempted to destroy them from the sky. A civilian shuttle was even brought down in the process. If there was anything Samuel was going to do right it was to stop the Covenant, just this once.

“Agent Toland, what’s your status?”

“Several casualties. Ethan’s alive but barely.” There was a pause followed by static. “His parents didn’t make it.”

Toland didn’t know this but their deaths were on Samuel. He decided to run at the Phantom leaving the Elephant defenseless and that just made him all the angrier and he marched forward.

“There’s nothing for the next few miles aside from those AA Cannons. I’m going to take care of them while you get the remaining people underground.”

“Roger.”

Toland stood up holding Ethan in his arms. The Marines gathered around and looked to him for guidance.

“Ok guys. We’re next to the launch pad. Let’s get this kid of this planet and save as many as we can.” The Marines nodded in response. There was no need to lower the front gate, a few kicks from the Marines dropped the remaining pieces to the ground. Toland and Marines rushed onto the highway watching for Covenant in all directions. The building to ahead of them faced the ocean and lead to an elevator which Toland and his team descended. The entire time Ethan was out. He vitals were dropping and Toland only prayed, hoped, that Ethan lived. He had to.

***

“Several causalities, sir.” Jewels notified General Davis. “It appears Ethan is being carried to the launch pad. Only a handful of Marines and Toland made it out of there.”

Davis kept his posture and grinded his teeth. He knew the chances of anyone making it off the planet alive relied on someone, anyone destroying those AA Cannons. Sure, a Frigate could come swooping down and destroy them, but the carrier would go along with them and frankly, they were much more needed above orbit. They all relied on Samuel now and his protype mech suit.

“Status on Samuel.”

Jewels navigated the surveillance drones and pointed to the East. Samuel was already engaged with one AA Canon. Several front row analysts sat forwards in their chairs as they began to root for him. It was crystal clear on the monitor as Samuel approached the AA Cannon from the bottom and fired at the core which descend when the cannon overheated. It balls of purple and blue smoke the AA Cannon rattled until the front of it exploded dropping the barrel straight through the front leg which pulled the whole stationary vehicle onto its side. The entire room cheered as papers threw into the air. It was in this moment General Davis smiled for the first time in decades.

***

The elevator shaft opened and Toland and the Marines marched off. One of the Marines activated a panel which lit the entire launch pad. 3 civilian cruisers rested on their respective launch pad. They moved to the closest one. Once on board one of the combat medics approach Toland.

“I’ll take him from here, sir.” She said pulled Ethan away from Toland who was slightly dazed. He quickly gathered his composure and made it to the pilot’s cabin.

“How are we looking up here?” He asked wiping the sweat and blood off his forehead.

“All systems are clear, fuel is good.” The Marine said as he glanced back at Toland raising his thumb. “We’re good to go as soon as its clear.”

Toland pulled himself away getting to the comms. “Sergeant Kendrick, we’re in position and the shuttle is ready for departure.”

Nothing.

“Sergeant Kendrick, we’re position on the shuttle, do you copy?”

Nothing.

Toland sighed then moved toward the exit of the shuttle but before he left he glanced back at Ethan. The boy was strapped in a medic bay with several machines keeping his pulse steady. Toland moved toward him placing his hand on his head.

“Ethan’s vitals are stable, sir.” The woman spoke. “He might not be able to walk ever again but he’ll survive.”

Toland looked at the woman. “What’s your name?”

“Melinda Huon. Born and raised in China on Earth.”

“That’s incredible.” He responded.

“It’s tough but nothing compared to what these kids had to go through in the Outer Colonies.” She looked down at Ethan who looked peaceful.

“It’s a shame he’ll never see them again.”

“He gets to live” Toland said. “Not many get to these days.”

Melinda dropped her head and nodded. “I suppose you are right.”

Toland gestured to the Marine next to him. “As soon as I give the signal, lift off.” The marine nodded and Toland raced back to the elevator then ascended.

“Sergeant Kendrick, do you copy?”

“Go ahead, Agent.”

There was sigh of relief before Toland spoke.

“The marines and Ethan are on board the shuttle ready for lift off, is the coast clear?”

“Matter of fact, I’ve destroyed almost all of the AA Cannons, you are clear for lift off.

“You hear that pilot?” Toland assured. The shuttle pilot acknowledged. “Loud and clear.”

Flickering several switches on the powering the boasters, the shuttle roared as it began its ascent. The ceiling of the shuttle hangar opened dropping mounds of dirt and some water onto the launch pad. Toland rode the elevator upward along with the shuttle.

“Good luck, Ethan. I hope we meet again.” He said. Soon the shuttle was above ground and light shinned through the pilot’s cabin and the passenger windows. Toland stepped out of the building and onto the highway where he watched the shuttle rise.

***

Captain Persie sat in the Captain’s chair as he smirked. “Well I’ll be damned, he they made it.” He leaned over chair and touched the holo-pad. “General Davis, I am in position ready for engagement.”

“Acknowledged Captain.” General Davis appeared above his arm rest. “As soon as the Covenant Carrier reveals itself set it ablaze. There are only two left, one in Avignon and one somewhere here.”

“Understood.” Captain Persie switch off the holo-pad. He leaned forward in his chair and ordered his pilots to descend into the clouds. The Sevenfold Gates broke through atmosphere quickly as Persie watched via sonar the shuttle slowly rising into the sky. A flicker of light appeared in front of the Sevenfold Gates and Persie ordered for immediate evasion. The Covenant Carrier was attempting slip space warp, but Sevenfold Gates scrapped along the left side tearing through metal with easy. A loud crash echoed throughout the skies as Toland witnessed the scene. The shuttle veered to the left passing in between the two ships as the ripped off one another. It was clear from Toland’s point of view the Covenant Carrier took the brunt of the damage. The Sevenfold Gate made quick maneuvers as it turned West and began rotating as if it were rolling which firing several missiles including MAC rounds into the Carrier. The Covenant ship stood no chance as its shields had not recovered from the damage and the engines were easily destroy. A loud crackling stretched throughout the sky followed by a bright light. The Covenant Carrier tilted forward and descended rapidly into the ocean forcing waves in all directions. Cherbourg Highway was almost a mile above sea level form where Toland was standing and so for several long moments he gazed at the sight feeling completely satisfied. His gaze eventually lifted upward as the Sevenfold Gates left atmosphere. It was most likely going to an Anchor for repairs. As for Ethan and the shuttle they were long gone.

Samuel adjusted himself in the mech then turned around. The highway was a wasteland, but his scanners were picking up a friendly foe in the midst of the debris about a mile out.

“Agent Toland, copy?”

“I’m fine.” Toland said lying in debris and smiling. “We did it.”

“Copy that.” Samuel smirked and began moving to Toland’s position.

Epilogue

Hestia System

Meridian, Moon of Hestia V

Outskirts of Harmony

Luminary

April 4th, 2548 at approximately 1400 hours

The Falcon descend onto the soil kicking up dirt and other ONI supplies that vacated the entrance to the Luminary. Rachel Hoss stepped from the aircraft feeling slightly excited and uneasy at the same time. After all, her arrived was only an hour ago and Catherine Halsey had already taken command of the whole operation.

“This is it.” Catherine Halsey said stepping onto the soil. Her head lifted high and she smelt the air as if studying the facility with her eyes helped her understand how the facility operated. Halsey eventually turned around meeting Hoss’s gaze.

“Well, are we going to study or not?”

Despite what Halsey’s intentions were Hoss hated the very sight of the woman but respected her knowledge and research nonetheless which is why she was opted for this mission. The two women and approached the Luminary entrance followed by several ONI officials and ODST’s. They walked down the long hallway which lead to the main platform. Halsey talked the whole thinking out loud—opposite of Hoss who was slightly annoyed. Halsey was the first to step onto the main platform and immediately the facility reactivated itself; a loud humming noise activated a large blue light which emitted from the center triangular pylons which blew into a huge radius revealing several unknown installations including planets both Doctors recognized. Simultaneously the wall in the back of the room revealed and alcove which a round machine levitated outward toward Halsey. 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.

“Catherine Elizabeth Halsey.” The Caretaker said. “In am the Caretaker. I assume you are here for knowledge?”

Halsey was baffled. She never encountered such intelligence not since her discovery on Reach.

“If your wondering if it’s possible, the answer is yes.” The Caretaker said as it stepped toward her standing twice her size. “She is possible.”

Halsey swallowed her guilt and pride; the child inside her, the curiosity was getting the best of her, so she struggled to word her first question appropriately.

“You clearly have knowledge of who I am and what I’m struggling to accomplish so humor me, what does the Covenant know that we—humanity, do not?”

“Death.”

“You'll need to be a little more specific.”

“The Forerunners build several installations to keep organic life preserved incase of mass extinction from the Parasite” The Caretaker explained—none of this making sense to Halsey or Hoss.

“—This such…Luminary, holds a map which will lead the Covenant to their next location, but you know this, Doctor?”

“Yes, I am aware of Luminaries, but I do not understand them” She anxiously pointed out. “What is this, that ring?” She pointing to a large ring located next to a blue gas giant.

“You have no jurisdiction here, Doctor.” The Caretaker informed. “Leave.”

“Then why is the Covenant?” Halsey argued but before the Caretaker said anything Hoss grabbed Halsey by the arm.

“Remember the recording I encrypted about Jericho?” She began, Halsey nodded. “The Covenant destroyed the facility so maybe they took the map.”

This was unsettling as Halsey knew they were not outfitted to handle any of this machinery let alone a fully functioning AI construct like the Caretaker. She had no idea what the machine was cable of but she didn’t dare attempt to find out.

“I will leave but we are desperate, our species is dying while the others come in here and destroy your relics. Please, help us. What are we supposed to do?”

The Caretaker stood momentarily as if processing the information. The look on the machines face and its mannerisms made her believe the machine was influenced by an organic with human behaviorisms…or Forerunner.

“Go to Reach.” He said. “Complete your research of the Created. She is the only chance for Humanities survival.”

Catherine blinked and stepped forward “How do you know this?”

“The knowledge she will receive could be greater than mine. The Covenant will come for this place and destroy it like they have hundreds of others, no matter. When humanity has lost the war, she will be there to bring your species back on its feet, regardless if her decisions are morally accurate.”

“Help me make that possible and tell me where this luminary will lead them.”

The Caretaker looked sharply at Halsey then slowly walked to toward a planet. Its features were completely familiar but from the angle the Doctors were standing at she couldn’t make out anything significant aside from a large disk on the side of a continent.

“This luminary will guide them to a portal on Erde-Tyrene.” The Caretaker grabbed the planet and brought it to the Doctors. “Your species home world. Earth.”