Author's Note: This is the final installment, readers! It's going to be a bit lengthy, considering how much I'm going to put into it. Loose ends, and any plot holes in particular will be wrapped up and explained here.
So, I hope you have some popcorn. Also, I hope you've enjoyed this story. It was bizarre doing it from the first person, but I thought it was pretty damn fun.
Earlier someone mentioned that the beginning of this story sounded an awful lot like a #HunttheTruth style story. It was definitely an inspiration of this story, and I wanted to finally write a story where Blaine actually wasn't able to save the day, and the repercussions that happened.
I know this wasn't particularly fair to the Master Chief and the other characters lovingly crafted by Bungie, and to some extent 343. However, as a fan story, I couldn't have one of my most prominent Protagonists NOT hold some responsibility for the changes to the Universe.
Looking back on this project now, I see how truly inspired this story was to the Halo 5 advertisement campaign. Instead of Locke hunting down the Chief and the Truth. It was Archie hunting down Blaine and the Truth.
I hope that the flashback scenes fleshed out Blaine, Dawn, Autumn, and Darryl's characters a bit more. 'Cause it's very likely that after this story is finished, you won't be seeing them very much anymore. I've practically sapped any and all ideas I could possibly come up for them, and it might be time to move on.
Doesn't mean they'll disappear forever, that wouldn't be fair to them and the many years I spent sculpting them. However, I need something new and fresh.
Anyways, thanks for reading so far, and I hope you enjoy this final installment.
Note: This installment has two songs' lyrics posted. The first is 'Knights of Cydonia' by Muse. The other is 'Castle' by Halsey.
Blaine stepped around inside of the bridge of the UNSC Frigate. I didn't bother asking how he knew of this ship. Instead, I basked in the majesty of the UNSC's history.
"
This was my Dad's frigate, if you didn't know." Dawn winked in my HUD.
"Huh, I was just wondering what kind of an attachment he had with this ship."
Glancing around, I saw a pedestal in the center of the bridge. Grant beamed from ear to ear, his helmet slung under his arm. His eyes were full and bright, eager to look at all the military hardware. Jessica, on the other hand, immediately searched for the nearest map of the ship. We hadn't showered in at least a week, and I could understand her desperation.
Walking over towards the pedestal, I pulled Dawn's chip out of my helmet. Before I could press her into the pedestal, however, Aurora's hand grasped onto my metallic wrist.
"Archie." Aurora said, a concerned look on her face. "You and I need to talk."
"If it's what I said earlier, I'm sorry, it was heat of the moment."
"No." Aurora shook her head. "I'm flattered, but it's something else."
"Can it wait?" I asked. "We're so close to ending this, then, we'll have all the time to talk as we want."
Smiling at her, I placed my left hand on her shoulder, before fully pressing Dawn's chip into the pedestal. Suddenly, a holographic avatar of Dawn stood, just above my height, beside me.
"That's a little better." she smiled. "A little less compressed in here. Also gives me the feeling of being home."
"Yeah." Blaine said, running his hand along one of the walls, before bowing his head. "
Home."
I hadn't even thought about it entirely. Blaine was five hundred years ahead of when he should have died. His daughter was the AI that accompanied us, and every member of his family and friendship were dead. No matter if we kept him company, it had to be a living hell. If Dawn's stories of their family life were true, than I'm certain he missed it more than anything else.
"It's a long shot." I said, approaching him. "-but I'm sure we'll find a way to get you home, Mr. Harlowe."
"Blaine, please." Blaine shook his head, waving me off. "I don't do formalities."
"Blaine." I nodded. "We'll find a way to get you back. If we can find a way to stop this..."
"Are you implying we send him back in time?" Grant asked, scruntching up his nose. "I don't think that's possible."
"Warden Eternal can do it, considering how he replaces his broken bodies from time and space." I retorted. "ONI or someone have to have something that can manipulate time."
Dawn rubbed her chin, pondering something, before turning to us, a fist on her hip. Suddenly, the ship around us roared to life. Blaine, Grant and I marched to the viewport of the ship, while Aurora stood in the corner.
Before I could blink, a blue orb formed directly in front of the Frigate. Despite the technological marvels of the thirty first century, we had lost the ability to obtain Slip-space travel so quickly. As the Aura began to enter the portal, Dawn appeared behind us.
"You three should hear this. It's not good." Dawn frowned.
Suddenly, a comm. channel crackled to life, the signal boosted by the advanced technology held on the Aura.
"
We lost track of the primary subject and his company, Madam Director. The Anomoly has also left Sigma Octanus IV. Based on previous comm. chatter between them, we have reason to believe that they've jumped to his location, ma'am."
"That was sent about the time we arrived on Genesis, according to the log." Dawn frowned. "Worse still, listen to this."
"
The target and his company has been located, Madame Director. They've located Subject Allfather. Shall I interfere?"
"
Negative." a woman's voice crackled into the comm. "
Allow our ally do the work."
Was she talking about Warden Eternal? Was ONI allied with Cortana and Warden? ONI kept the peace, so that Cortana didn't have to use the Guardians?
Before any of us could speak, however, the comm. chattered once more, with a new life.
"
Madame Director. They've acquired a UNSC Frigate. Designation Aura of Armaggedon. Priority subjects have entered Slip-space and I am in hot pursuit."
"Do we have a target designation?" Blaine asked, as Dawn folded her arms behind her back.
"Yes, Daddy. Do you need me to run a course correction?" Dawn asked.
"Yes." Blaine smirked. "Kid, the Arbiter still alive?"
"Lasp 'Ibortee?" I asked. "Yeah, we saw her a few hours ago."
"No shit." Blaine nodded. "Dawn, change course to Sanghelios. Get me an open link with the Arbiter, please."
There was a whirring sound within the Aura's controls, the colors out in the slip-space stream we inhabited changing colors. Suddenly, a screen appeared in front of the glass, as Blaine squared his form up. Following his suit, Dawn, Grant, and I mimicked as best we could.
The Arbiter stood in the camera, a look of confusion on her face. When she realized whom she was facing, however, she stepped backwards, clicking her mandibles.
"
By the gods. As I live and breathe, the All-father returns!" Lasp pressed a fist to her chest, bowing her head. "
My friend, how are you?"
"It's good to hear and see you again, Lasp." Blaine nodded. "Or, I should say Arbiter, noble one. Congratulations on that, by the way."
"
As it is good to hear from you once again. I am honored to stand in your presence once more, and humbled that my efforts with the Escort bore the fruits of glorious victory."
"Just as poetic as ever." Blaine chuckled. "Listen, Arbiter. I know it's been five hundred years, but I need a favor right quick."
"
I would be honored, Admiral." Lasp continued.
"We have a tail." Blaine cocked his head to the right. "ONI agent that's out for my entourage and I. We're in slip-space, on our way to Sanghelios now. I think I'll need a plasma torpedo or three, if you can spare?"
"
I will have a CSS Battle Cruiser inbound, noble one." Lasp saluted, before closing the comm.
Come ride with me,
Through the veins of History.
I'll show you a God,
Who falls asleep on the Job.
"I guess now is as good a time as any to ask," Blaine sighed. "Why is ONI hunting us?"
"After Cortana's success on Genesis, with her fleet of Guardians, I assume she made a contract with ONI. They surrendered the UNSC, broke the treaty with the Sangheilli people, and would police Humanity. In return, Cortana's Guardians would leave us alone, and return to dormancy." I shrugged. "Samantha Marquis is the current Director, if memory serves me. She's about as cold hearted as they come, from what I've heard."
And how can we win?
When fools can be Kings?
Don't waste your time,
or time. will. waste. you.
"ONI actually split following this." I sighed. "There were the Preservers, old ONI followers who wanted to bury ONI's shameful acts during the Great War, and Neo-ONI. They want to keep all knowledge on the Great War, the Forerunners, and the Spartan program under wraps."
"Neo-ONI originally wanted to bring me and the others in to keep me locked in the depths of ONI. I would be held prisoner, but they wouldn't kill me- or, at least they said they wouldn't." I growled. "The Preservers, however, wanted our blood because we knew ONI's dirty little secrets, and I may have killed one of their Agents during my old job."
"So, we're really all we've got?" Blaine held a look of confusion on his face. "Arbiter seemed distressed, I won't ask much more from her."
"What do you suggest?" Grant asked. "I mean, you were a tactical genius, weren't you?"
"I wouldn't say genius." Blaine smirked. "However, I did have a couple of bullshit plans that worked well in our favor."
"If ONI wants to pick a fight, we'll give them one." he continued. "Firstly, we need to get to Halo and stop Cortana."
No-one's gonna take me alive!
The time has come to make things right!
You and I must fight for our rights!
You and I must fight to survive!
"Hell yes." I grinned, pumping my fist. "I've always wanted to take the fight to them for what they've done."
"It's funny." Blaine shook his head. "I've become the very thing I was created to destroy; an Insurrectionist. Funny how the Universe works, yeah?"
The ship thrust forward, as we exited Slip-Space. Surely enough, a lone purple ship loomed near the Planet's atmosphere.
"
Ma'am, we've arrived back at Sanghelios. It's possible that they mean to- wait, WHAT THE F-?!"
A trio of cobalt and magenta missiles soared through the void of space, racing towards the ONI Prowler behind us. With a concussive force, I watched the magnificent crimson/orange explosion illuminate the hind quarters of the Aura of Armaggedon.
[quote]
No-one's gonna take me alive!
The time has come to make things right!
You and I must fight for our rights!
You and I must fight to survive!"
I see you've found your ship, Admiral of Fleets?" Lasp asked, appearing before us again.
"Indeed, Arbiter. Thank you for your help."
With one last flicker, the communications closed, the alien ship turning it's back on us, returning to it's planet. Suddenly, another video appeared on the glass in front of us. Their appearance was silhouetted, though I could tell a woman sat behind the camera.
"
You think you're clever? I've been tracking your every moment since you've left Reach, Archibald Perry Branson. Do you truly think I'll allow you to compromise all that the Office has strived to achieve?"
"It wouldn't be nearly as much fun if you bent over and took it, Madame Director."
"
I see your wise-cracking attitude from your father is finally showing." her silhouette shrugged. "
It's a pity, you could have been reunited with them."
"Bullshit!" I growled. "They died when I was young!"
"
On the contrary. Once they were discovered for knowing ONI's darkest secrets, I personally had them relocated into the Office. I saved them from the Preservers. You, on the other hand, had eluded me until just the other day."
"
If you had only just taken Agent Stamford's offer while you had the chance. Now, you've gone beyond the point of no return. Fret not, I won't kill your parents. However, I can no longer allow you to live. You know too much."
No-one's gonna take me alive!
The time has come to make things right!
You and I must fight for our rights!
You and I must fight to survive!
"If my parents are who I've discovered they are. They wouldn't want me to bow to your will." I growled, clenching my right fist. "I am a descendant of the Harlowe family. We don't back down without a fight."
"You and your Office have broken your vows against the people you swore to protect!" I pointed at the camera. "For that, I cannot forgive you! My family's ancestry were a bunch of heroes, many of them offering their lives for the good of the Universe. Sacrifices, which you fuckers at the Office threw away, and BURIED!"
"You can come for me." I growled, as Blaine stared at me with shock. "Just know this; you're gonna have a bad time. Now, if you'll excuse me;
I have a job to do."
Turning away, I hadn't even noticed that my right arm had formed into a Light Rifle. Walking away from the communications, the barrel of the rifle slid across the floor. I could feel Aurora and Grant's stares as I walked out of the Bridge.
No-ones gonna take me aliiiive!
The time has come to make things riiiiight!
You and I must fight for our riiiiights!
You and I must fight to surviiiiive!
As I left, I saw Jessica approaching. She seemed distraught, no doubt because she couldn't find a functional shower. Frowning as I passed, I merely nodded my head towards her. My parents had been alive all this time?! Shaking my head, I knew better. It was ONI, they were trying to get in my head. It's as Frankie had said back on Reach, ONI were manipulative bastards.
On the off chance they were alive, however, I couldn't let them stop me from doing what I had already spent so much time on. I was exhausted, I was beaten, and in many ways I was broken. However, I was also inspired, I was determined, I was going to keep going until I knew the Universe was safe. I was going to keep going until Humanity tasted actual freedom and peace.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Not to long after we had destroyed our tail, we were back in Slip-space once again. I sat in what I could only assume was Blaine's old quarters on the ship. Sitting on the edge of the cot, my head was in my hands. I heard the door slide open, as Aurora walked over. Yet again, she had that concerned look on her face, one that I didn't really want to see in this moment.
"You okay?" she asked, as I looked up at her.
"Not really." I sighed. "I can't tell if Marquis was lying or not. However, if my parents are alive, I can't just sit here and let them continue to be prisoners of a war they never wanted to be a part of."
"At the same time, I can't stop everything to run a suicide mission to ONI's front doors. I'm just trying to get my head in a good place, so I can stay focused."
"I see." she said, gently hugging me. "I just want you to know that I cherish every moment we've had together. The other day, I saw a confused young man, who seemed to have lost his light. Now, however, I see a brave young man, a fire in his heart."
"I appreciate that," I sighed. "I hope you don't mind, but I need to really take a nap. I'm pretty tired still from that fight with Blaine."
"I bet." she smiled, before her face returned to a look of concern. "Just remember, I have something I need to urgently tell you."
/////////////////////////////////////////
My eyes fluttered awake not to long after. Curled up beside me was Aurora, who I knew was pretty tired out too. It was pretty stressful going through these war-zones without much experience. I was only able to cope the past couple of days because of my inherited augments.
Carefully, I rose from the cot, making sure not to wake her. Standing, I rolled my left shoulder. Walking through the door, I knew the Bridge was immediately to my right, and down the hall a few feet. Walking in, I saw Blaine sitting in the Captain's Chair, Dawn 'sitting' beside him.
"I see, I never knew that you and Sona had that kind of a relationship." Blaine said, rubbing his chin. "I know it's a bit late to say this, but understand that your mother and I would have been very supportive of your marriage."
"I know you would have." Dawn smiled, gently rubbing her forearm. "Sona was the worried one."
"So, that Archie kid is my great, great, great, great, great Grandson, eh?" Blaine chuckled. "Definitely has the family spirit. Really impressed me earlier. Takes balls to take a Spartan II on like me."
"-and win." Dawn giggled, as Blaine shrugged.
"My head wasn't clear, and you helped him use Goldenheart." Blaine shook his head, eyes closed. "Still, it's just as well that you did."
It was touching to see the two of them reconnecting after all these years. Dawn looked the happiest I had seen her since meeting her. Blaine himself actually managed to crack a non-forced smile. Still, I could see by the solemn look in his eyes, he knew as well as I that, no matter how close of a match she was, Dawn was not actually his daughter.
His actual daughter died five hundred years ago, and this computer shared a likeness to her that would almost fool any person into believing it was actually her. It was much like what she had described of Cortana. She was a clone of Doctor Halsey, and yet, she was not Halsey.
Still, I felt that this moment brought closure to Blaine, something he never would have received having been couped up in that Cryptum. This moment alone, made everything that I had sacrificed worth it. I had followed this man's life, from his troubled childhood, to his rise to Legendary status, to his greatest fall. I fought him in hand to hand combat to snap him out of it, and I managed to win.
Drooping his head, Blaine seemed to be thinking a similar thing. I couldn't possibly imagine how it felt to be trapped in a time-less space, reliving your worst nightmare, day in and day out, for five hundred years. With no such release like death.
"
I thought I pinged the Aura not too long ago. Admiral Harlowe, are you there?" my eyes widened, it was Daniel!
Surely enough, on the screen in front of me, Daniel gave his usual uninterested face.
"I'm here. Death, it's good to see you." Blaine nodded.
"Actually," I interrupted, stepping forward. "He prefers Daniel now."
"
Archie Branson. I'm glad to see you managed to bring the Admiral back from the shadows of the Universe. Unfortunately, things are pretty hairy right now. All the Inner Colonies are keeping a special eye out for you and your friends." Daniel sighed. "
I wouldn't recommend coming this way. Seems you really shook the hornet's nest."
"I mean, I did essentially tell their Director to shove it." I shrugged. "We're en route to a 'Halo', or whatever. Blaine thinks Blue Team is there. "
"Say." I continued, snapping my fingers. "In the past five hundred years, have you ever experimented anything pertaining to time travel?"
"
Well." Daniel grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "
Yes, I completed one prototype, however, it needs a temporal paradox in order to properly function. If I were to activate it without one, it might send someone either five seconds, or five hundred thousand years back in time. The paradox would help stabilize and allow us to manipulate the course of time, why?"
"When we've finished our business on the Halo Ring. I want you to try and send Blaine back home. That way, he can permanently stop Cortana." I sighed. "To give him another chance."
"I know where you can find a paradox, too." Dawn nodded, pointing to her pedestal. "Daddy'll know what I mean."
"That'll destroy you." Blaine shook his head. "-and even then, we don't know if it'll work."
"I'd rather try and fail, than never try." Dawn said, her avatar placing a hand on his shoulder. "You taught me that, remember? Besides, I'm just a computer, I'm not actually Dawn Harlowe, and you know this."
"
I know." Blaine shook. "Don't remind me,
please."
"
I'll have it fired up and ready. Just make sure you get here, Blaine." with that, the communications ended.
Grant stepped forward, arms crossed.
"If we're going to try and send you back home, sir. Why don't we just do that first?"
"Cortana is afraid." Blaine turned to face him. "She knows we're coming for her and Blue Team. If what John told me is true, she still has the index for the Halo Ring."
"Meaning?" Jessica asked.
"Halo is a super weapon that fires concentrated light throughout a certain galactic radius." Blaine continued. "It kills anything big enough to host a parasite known as the Flood. The Forerunners used it long ago, when the Flood began taking over our worlds. It kills literally EVERYTHING bigger than a household cat."
"Oh." Grant stared, wide eyed. "Fuck me."
"Halo needs time to charge, especially after all this time. Knowing the ring she's on, it hasn't been properly maintained, as it's Monitor was destroyed at the Battle of the Ark." Blaine continued.
Just as he said that, the ship lurched ahead once more. On the far side of the abyss, we could make out a looming loop in space. I assumed this was Halo, considering it resembled a Halo. Blaine's fists clenched, the knuckles cracking immediately.
"One of you needs to stay up here." Blaine turned to Grant, Jessica, and Aurora. "In case things get hairy down there, Dawn here can instruct you how to use Orbital MAC rounds."
"Jessica." Grant said, turning to her. "You stay."
"No," she shook her head. "I'm not leaving your side."
"I'll stay." Aurora frowned. "I know how to fire a MAC Round, so I'm best suited."
"Careful with that." Blaine warned her. "One mistake, and we won't have the time to realize you made a mistake."
With that, Blaine turned on his boots, hustling out the door. Grant, Jessica, and I scrambled after him. Following the Spartan into a service elevator, he pulled a switch on the side of the elevator. A compartment opened, showing a set of ODST armor, and a silenced SMG.
"You know how to put on the armor?" Blaine asked Jessica, who shook her head. "Grant was it? Get her kitted up. No-one under my watch is going in unarmored."
"You should all know, we're going straight for the control room. I have the sense that Cortana is waiting there. Unfortunately, this also means it's likely to be heavily defended. There is a good chance we'll be shot out of the sky. I'll pilot to the best of my ability, but make sure you've got a firm grasp." Blaine ordered.
When the doors opened, a lone Golden Eagle waited for us, as if fate had left it for us. Scrambling inside, I joined Blaine inside of the cock-pit, while the others took a seat. Blaine closed the ramp, activating the Eagle for take-off.
After a moment of warming up it's engines, the bird lifted off of the ground. I felt a bit nauseous, however, I knew I had been through much worse. Suddenly, the weapon systems appeared in my HUD, smart linked with my suit.
"You'll be giving us fire support, Archie." Blaine said in comm. "I believe in you, boyo."
As we descended into the Ring's atmosphere, I was taken aback by what I had seen. Despite the structure of the Ring, it's environments were spot on, completely unaltered by the constant slope of the ring-world. As Blaine had suggested, Prometheans littered the massive structure in the distance, which I could only assume was the control room.
When we were within range, I could see Hardlight rounds floating into the air towards our position. Blaine swiveled the Golden Eagle to avoid the rounds, as a trio of Promethean styled air-ships materialized out of no-where. Blaine pulled back on the stick, as my hands clenched onto the controls in front of me. This was no different than the video games I had played in my apartment.
Placing my reticule on one of the machines, I fired a pod of Archer missiles. The lone pod surged forward, before detonating and separating into several miniature rockets. The projectiles honed in on my target, splashing across it's hull with a multitude of explosions. Dematerializing, it's friends attempted to return the favor.
Twisting his controls, Blaine caused the Eagle to go into a corkscrew, attempting to avoid the oncoming projectiles. Unfortunately, our radar showed one missile gaining on us.
"BRACE!" Blaine barked, as a massive explosion riddled the back of our Eagle.
I heard a scream, as my head turned the corner. My eyes widened in horror, the ramp had exploded off, and Jessica was no-where to be seen! Grant sat there, staring at the gaping hole in the back of the Eagle. His Scattershot sat in his lap, his right arm outstretched towards the hole.
"DAMMIT!" I growled, focusing on our tails. "Bring us around, I have some unfinished business with these cocksuckers."
Blaine nodded, performing a barrel roll, and reducing the Eagle's speed. Just as expected, the Promethean ships appeared within my crosshairs. Unloading the chain turret on the front into their hulls, they erupted into fire, before disintegrating. However, before one disappeared, a lone missile stuck one of our thrusters. The Eagle flew shakily and erratically. Flipping, I groaned as I shook in my harness. Out of Blaine's control, the Eagle descended towards the door.
There was a thud, and I saw only black for a moment.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
When I came too, Blaine was trying to help me out of my harness. Outside, I could hear Grant's shouts of pain. Using my arm, I formed a sword, before slicing the harness off. Falling to the 'roof' of the Eagle's cockpit, I hurriedly stood.
Blaine stepped out first, as I clambered out behind him. Grant stood there, blood coursing through several wounds on his torso. His helmet sat on the floor beside him, a giant crack in it's visor. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth, his eyes staring at the encroaching Prometheans with determination.
"Grant!" I yelled, as he smirked.
"Get inside!" Grant waved his left hand towards us. "I'll keep them off of you!"
"Grant, no!" I yelled, as he shook his head, stepping closer towards the horde of mechs.
"COME ON!" Grant barked, firing his Scattershot at anything that dared get too close. "YOU FUCKERS TOOK MY GIRLFRIEND! WHY DON'T YOU TAKE ME TOO?!"
"GRANT!" I yelled, as Blaine grabbed my left arm, pulling me towards the door. "GRAAAANT!"
"He's sacrificing himself so we can do our job." Blaine said. "He'll be remembered. Just don't waste this time!"
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT!" I yelled once more, my right arm reaching out for him.
He turned towards me, a grin on his face, as a trio of Knights charged at him. With a curt nod, I could make out him saying something.
"In this world, it's Kill, or be Killed." he smiled, as the door closed between us.
Sinking to my knees, my eyes widened in shock. My heart raced, as a cold sweat ran down the length of my body. Tears began to well in my eyes, as my closest friend died on the other side of the door. Bowing my head, I clenched my teeth, attempting to swallow what had just taken place.
After all of this time, eight days of hell, I lost Grant and Jessica to fluke circumstances. Bashing my right fist against the door in anger, I left a considerable dent in the metal. Placing my hand up against the door, it slid down the metal.
He and Jessica had been rather quiet since we had left Reach. I knew they really didn't want to be involved with this, but they came because Grant wanted to be there for me, and Jessica wanted to be there for him. That's when it finally hit me. My body rocked with sorrow, the tears streaming down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry." I moaned out into the darkness. "I'm so so sorry."
Blaine stood over me, I could feel his gaze on me. It wasn't a gaze of pity, though. It was one of empathy, he, better than anyone, had known loss.
"You have to soldier on, boyo." Blaine said quietly. "For them. You have to make sure the mission gets done. We do this, and I promise that when I go back, I'll make sure this never happens."
Of course, I also knew what it meant for me. Following the family tree, my existence was due to Blaine's disappearance. If Dawn hadn't gone looking for Blaine, Sona wouldn't have broken down, and Summer wouldn't have ran off. There was a very good chance that, if Blaine managed to alter the time-line, I wouldn't exist anymore.
Funnily enough, however, that also meant that I wouldn't know if I didn't exist. There was a certain comfort to that, though, knowing that Grant and Jessica could be alive, and well together. They wouldn't have to worry about anything, they could live the adventure filled life they wanted. He could buy his video games and weights, and she could fill their house with shoes and designer clothes.
"
Spartan One-One-Five, stand down." a feminine voice entered our comm. "
Join Blue Team and I. We can be a family, a REAL family. Halsey was a monster, and may have manipulated you, but I want to make it up to all of you."
"
Make up?" Blaine asked. "You're pet dog killed my Daughter, my Wife, my BROTHER!"
"You want to talk to me about Halsey being a monster? She gave me a LIFE!" Blaine barked. "Without the Spartan Program, I never would have met Autumn, I would have never had Dawn. I never would have met my brother Darryl, or my father Morgan, or my cousins Josh, Phil, or Craig!"
"Halsey didn't ruin my life, she gave me a better one!" Blaine paced back and forth. "She regretted what she did to us kids, but if she hadn't, NO-ONE would be standing here to regret her actions!"
"Don't give me that bullshit that you want to give me a better life!" Blaine roared. "-because you TOOK my life away from me!"
"
I want to give you a future of peace."
"IT ISN'T PEACE, WHEN YOU POINT A GIANT WEAPON AT THE HEAD OF THE UNIVERSE!" Blaine screamed into his mic, his voice actually cracking. "IT ISN'T PEACE, WHEN YOU KILL MILLIONS OF INNOCENTS OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE MOMMY ISSUES!"
"Your actions haven't just broken my life." Blaine said. "I have a young man with a bright future ahead of him. Thanks to you, his best friends are dead, and the Government he once trusted is hunting him. Tell me, Cortana, how is THAT peace?!"
"
I-I didn't think tha-."
"How hilariously ironic!" Blaine snarled. "The computer program didn't think for once! You know nothing of true pain, of true isolation. You don't know the fear of death."
"Sure, you had an expiration date of seven years. I'm sorry you had to live with that over your shoulder. You were an incredible asset to the UNSC." Blaine continued. "Us Humans? We made AI because we missed the people we based them off of. You were made, because you were going to help John cope with Halsey's inevitable death."
"We have expiration dates too. We have a limited time to make connections with people, possibly have a family, and enjoy our short time. That's called FATE!" Blaine sighed. "What gives you the right to change everyone's fate? You once fought with Master Chief to rid the Universe of tyranny, and now in a twist of cruel fate, you are the Tyrant."
Standing, I placed a hand on Blaine's upper arm. In the distance, a giant black orb was forming. From it, Warden Eternal stood, though sparks flew out of his many joints and ligaments. Blaine tensed, as I shook my head.
"Go." I told him. "I went on this journey to find out who I am."
"I found myself." I smiled meekly. "I am the Fate Changer. I go against all of the odds, and turn them in people's favor. I started as small as shooting a young terrorist in the face. Now? Now I can fight a Spartan in hand to hand combat and win."
"Take the back way." I said. "She's sure to have left a ship there for you to take."
Blaine paused, calculating what I was planning on doing. Of course, it came to his attention that I had all knowledge of the Spartan II program, it's affiliates, and even the events of the Great War, including the destruction of the Ark.
"Good luck, sir. I hope you get a better future." I said, as Blaine placed a hand firmly on my shoulder.
"Good luck to you, Spartan." Blaine squeezed my shoulder.
Turning towards Warden, I could see him limping pathetically towards me. His sword was snapped in half, as he dragged a bum leg in my direction. Raising my Light Rifle, I planted a firm round into his forehead. Much like the other countless bodies that Blaine and I killed, this one seemed vaguely permanent, as the black orb exploded, instead of sucking him in.
I didn't realize it until just now, but the impact of the Golden Eagle had actually done a number on my left leg. In fact, I was surprised I hadn't noticed it sooner. It was broken in several spots, but most sickening of all was how it had torn some flesh in several places. Limping forward, the next door opened. Surely enough, a black Cryptum waited in the center of the room.
Blue light spewed out of it's cracks, and I knew Blue Team was likely inside. A hologram stood in front of the console, her hand outstretched towards, a strange 'T' shaped object in her hand.
"
You are not One-One-Five." Cortana said, turning to me.
"No, I'm not." I said, my right arm sparking as it formed into an Incineration Cannon. "Put it down, Cortana. It's all over."
"
It will never be over, not until all traces of the Great War are eradicated."
"Scars never fully mend, Cortana." I said, limping towards the console. "No matter how much you wash them, or try to cover them up, they are always there."
"
This is Blaine, I'm away."
"If you cared truly about the Spartan IIs, you would never have allowed their sacrifices be forgotten." I said, my gait slowing quite considerably. "John-117 was listed as a traitor to the UNSC, because of you. The UNSC is all he had in this life, and you stripped it from him."
"If you truly have a heart in you, you'll put that key down and surrender." I said, as the pain from my leg became too unbearable.
Suddenly, the Cryptum began to float away, as Cortana pushed the Index into the console. Turning to me, she walked in my direction, a motherly look in her face.
"
I accounted for many things. You were one I wasn't quite expecting. Who are you?"
As I watched the Cryptum continue to float away, I had every knowledge that she was on board it. Dipping my head, I sighed one last time, before snapping my eyes up at her.
Without answering her, I fired my fully charged cannon at the console.
There was a massive explosion, as the key inside was destroyed. With the firing key broken, the installation was unsure of how to react. Without proper maintenance, as Blaine had suggested, from lack of a Monitor, the installation began to crumble around us. The Cryptum was victim to the collapsing ring world. I knew I was technically killing a handful of Spartan IIs. However, I also knew that Blaine could manage to go back in time and fix this.
"
I'm nobody." I smiled, as a wave of white light overtook me.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Aurora's Perspective
My heart sank as I watched the Halo Ring implode. Dawn also seemed to take this poorly, sinking to her knees beside me. I watched a lone ship flying towards the Aura, but knew based off of Blaine's latest transmission, that it was him.
I hadn't even had a chance to tell Archie what I needed to tell him. Who I really was, and what my purpose was. When Blaine approached and docked inside the Aura, I turned to Dawn, who silently nodded. I didn't want to see anymore. Archie sacrificed himself for his mission, and I couldn't bear to watch anymore.
Walking out of the Bridge, I pulled the sleeve of my shirt back, revealing my wrist-watch communicator.
"Agent Matthews reporting." I sighed, a slight shakiness to my voice. "Priority Subject is terminated."
Tears began to well up in my eyes, as the Director responded.
"
Well done, sweetie." Marquis replied. "
Come back to us with the Aura and Blaine. You'll be living very well from this day forward, I'll see to that."
I didn't want that. Not anymore. When I first met Archie a week ago, I hadn't even realized he was my mark. He was just too nice of a guy for ONI to want to hunt down. Even with his talks of Blaine Harlowe, I had assumed he was just listening to the stories of Old Lady Alyssa.
I hadn't lied when I said she had raised me. My mother was the Director of ONI, and wanted no part in my life until I was old enough to become her personal agent. My father had indeed killed himself, solely because my mother practically talked him into it. After getting to know Archie, I couldn't believe it when I was informed of my mission.
It was then that I remembered back to the Space Elevator, when I was cascading to my certain doom, no thanks to Agent Stamford's bluntness. Archie had risked his life to try and save mine, and I would never forget it. Every step of the way on this journey, he had protected people he thought was innocent.
Even the Aliens he had known nothing about, he even gave up his right arm for them. The tears cascaded down my cheek, as I sniffled and sobbed. Blaine walked up to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. I brushed him off, and walked down the hall and into the quarters where Archie and I had napped.
Sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise
Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
Sitting on the edge of the cot, my fists clenched. Shaking my head, I knew what I needed to do.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
I had informed Blaine and Dawn of my original mission, and told them of my plan. Blaine seemed skeptical of course, but thankfully Dawn believed me when I explained that I needed revenge for Archie. As a result, Blaine took Dawn's chip out of the Aura. He used the Promethean ship to branch off, seeking out Daniel and his time machine.
Before she left, Dawn had been kind enough to type in the Slip-Space coordinates for ONI's new Headquarters on one of Saturn's Moons. As my ship approached, I gave my authorization, docking in the allocated hanger.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
My mother had filled my head with delusions. Saying that I would eventually be her replacement. I didn't want to run an institute like that. Archie's parents were in fact alive, however, I wouldn't call being a vegetable a life. As I stepped out of the Aura, a Security Guard smiled at me.
His eyes widened, however, as the knife in my hand plunged into his neck. Blood splattered on my face, as I dragged it across. Falling in a heap at my feet, I took his assault rifle. An alarm bell rang throughout the establishment, as locking mechanisms formed on the doors.
I'm headed straight for the Castle.
They got the Kingdom locked up.
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut.
Looking down at the Harlowe Family knife that Archie had left in the quarters, the blood on the blade a reminder of his sacrifice. Pressing a button on my watch, a MAC round from the Aura blasted a massive hole into the door of the Office, tearing a hole clean through several hallways and doors.
To be honest with myself, I actually hated her. I never quite understood why I ever wanted to follow her in the first place? She was the one that abandoned me, so why didn't I abandon her? Was it because I was afraid I'd be hunted by my own Mother?
Oh, all these minutes passing, sick of feeling used
If you wanna break these walls down, you’re gonna get bruised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
Derrick Matthews, my younger brother, was a delusional mess. Mom had him completely brainwashed into believing everything we were doing was just. He relished in killing people that resisted the Office, taking sick pleasure in the way the blade entered their bodies. He even had a name for the sound it made.
He stood behind me, machete in his hand. I knew the crazed look in his eyes, and I was well aware that he wasn't about to let me kill his precious Momma. He advanced towards me, slashing my left arm with the blade. I winced for merely a moment, before tripping him up.
As he fell to the ground, I fell with him, plunging my friend's knife square into his face. He squirmed for a moment, until I twisted, destroying his brainstem. Clutching the wound on my arm, I dropped the assault rifle in my hand.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
More alarms rang throughout the facility, as I followed the hole the MAC round had made. I knew where that bitch's office was, and I wasn't going to stop until I had her dead. It was my personal means of atoning for all of my sins.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They’ve got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Of course, with my luck, the door to the Director's Office was surrounded by heavily armed guards. Knowing my mother, of course, she wasn't sitting behind her desk. She was inside, knowing full well that I would be coming.
With another click of my wristwatch, a trio of MAC rounds, one right after the other, came through the hole and punched into the incredibly durable metal that made up the door. Blasting a hole into the wall, I smirked.
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
Stepping into the room, I held my knife at the ready. Surely enough, Nova, my eldest sister, laid on her back across the desk. The concussive blast from the MAC rounds had surely pushed her back. She was just as bad as Derrick, except she was usually the one that decided who lived and who died.
She stood, albeit shakily, and passed a letter opener in both hands. She was a very skilled hand-to-hand combatant. She also was Mom's personal body guard, and I despised her just as much as I did my mother.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
Charging at her with the knife, she stood there, nonchalant. As I got close, however, I cursed myself for being so damn predictable. Fire erupted in my left side, as her letter opener stuck out of my side. Gritting my teeth, I slashed my knife across her throat, before kicking her over the desk.
One last door remained between me and my mother, and my vision was fading fast. Reaching down, I grabbed Nova's hand, before placing it up against the palm reader, knowing my DNA was likely ripped from the database.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They’ve got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
As the door opened, my eyes widened as a golden sphere awaited me in the darkened room. Diving to my right, a massive surge of golden energy erupted from the door, blasting a mighty hole straight through. In the distance, I could hear the Aura taking a mighty hit.
The Fist of Sparta, the one weapon my mother had managed to keep under Cortana's nose all this time. I knew that consecutive uses would generally lead to the machine having to charge. Poking around the corner, I heard her say the phrase Atomic Fire, before another energy surge blasted towards me. Yet again, I ducked away.
Straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
After the surge ended, I charged into the room, knowing the weapon would need a five minute cooldown to charge. However, I wasn't expecting the pistol. Groaning, I gripped my stomach, blood oozing out of the wound. Another round struck my right shin, shattering the bone and causing me to take a knee. Tears welled up in my eyes, it hurt like hell.
However, she didn't know that I had planned for this. She stood over me, grinning cockily, thinking she had one. However, something I had learned over the past eight days is that people in close relation to the Harlowe family, don't tend to lose without a fight.
I'm headed straight for the castle
They’ve got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Opening my sweatshirt, I revealed a decoy bomb I had on my chest. This future was doomed anyways, ONI had sown the seeds of despair and doubt so deeply into society that no-one was capable of self awareness. I had to hope that Blaine was successful in going back in time, and would fix the course of the future. More importantly, I hoped this time around, Archie Branson could actually be a somebody.
Pressing a button on my wrist watch, all I could see was the muzzle flash of the pistol, before the Aura of Armaggedon, rigged to explode, detonated the entire moon. Before I was vaporized, however, I smiled.
Here's hoping for a better future.