Hunted: Fall of the UNSC

This is a little something to help you guys visualize a Mez 'Khar foot soldier: Conceptpainter

This guy's works are epic, and he just released this video today. I watched through it, and realized that this, in many ways, resembles a Mez 'Khar, when I first imagined them.

The only difference of course is that the face is more pale skin, like a fleshy color, and their skin is scaly. The nose holes and everything else you see is almost exactly like I imagined.

That isn't to say that he stole my work or any of that, I just thought the similarities that sparked in my mind when I saw this were cool.

Also note that Mez 'Khar don't always have that face mask on, unless they are on their home planet, which is where we will be visiting in this story.

I've decided to just continue this, and keep Homecoming at a leisurely pace. It will be revised from the version you guys read last year, but most of what happens there doesn't really impact much in THIS particular story.

The Eagle swerved, crash landing on the Eden soil. Inside, the Spartans tumbled along the interior as the dropship flipped and crashed along the ground. Inside of Blaine’s helmet, he could hear Lasky going nuts with Admiral Harper.

“Fire the damn Super MAC! If we don’t kill that thing now, it’ll call in the rest of the damn fleet!” Lasky growled.

“And what if that doesn’t kill it, Captain?! Then we’ve TELEGRAPHED our location. Targeting it only get’s it’s attention, then it blocks all attacks! ”

Blaine blacked out halfway through the conversation.

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A while later, Blaine stood, grasping his helmet. He could taste blood, dripping out of his nose. Looking around the interior, two Spartan IVs were mangled, while Jorge, George, Marissa, Josh, and Phil stood. Blaine grasped the heavy weapon they had reserved for emergencies only, and stepped out.

The cliffside had a perilous drop, as the sun set in the distance. Blaine started to slide down the cliff’s side onto a mini plateau hanging off the cliff edge. In the distance, the Mez ‘Khar’s familiar Trident shaped ship hovered nearer, a Brute Super Carrier following alongside it.

“GRANDPA, NO!” George yelled after him, reaching down the cliff to catch Blaine’s hand. Blaine looked up, his helmet disassembled as he winked, grinning cockily. Jorge’s hand landed on the young Spartan V’s shoulder.

“It’s alright bar’at, he needs to atone for Matadus.” Jorge said, as his own heart dropped in worry.

The wind picked up, as Blaine’s recently unkept facial and head hair swept to the side, his icy blue eyes staring with blind rage at the two ships in the distance. He had to make up for what he had done to Earth and the rest of Humanity, and this would be the first of many stops.

“We have reported life-signs on the planet-side!” Palmer reported. “Blaine and his men are alive! We need to fire and get them out of there sir.”

“No, we can’t risk Infinity. Get us out of here. We’ll call the hinge heads when they’re ready. ” Harper replied.

“You can’t sacrifice Blaine and his ground team-” Bailey started.

“The way he sacrificed Earth, and parts of the Admiralty?!” Harper barked.

“There is a way.” Blaine said. “Just take out his escort, I’ll do the rest.”

“Sorry I had to do this Admiral-” Lasky said, as Harper let out a scream similar to a victim being electrocuted out of consciousness. “I’m trusting your judgement this time Admiral. Please make sure you know what you’re doing. ”

“They don’t lock on to you unless you lock onto them. So, take out their escort.”

“Commander Palmer, get a lock on the Jiralhanae ship. When you have determined a firing solution, fire at will. ”

“With pleasure, firing Super Mac. Mac away! ”

Blaine watched the spectacle, his beard billowing in the wind of the ensuing explosion. The violet blue and purple fireball didn’t affect the Mez ‘Khar vessel, but did surprise it, as it attempted to assess the information. Turning it’s front to the debris of the Eagle’s crash zone, the ship hovered ever closer, as Blaine stared at the center peg in the ship. That had to act as the fuel source or engine of the ship itself, so the other two detachable components could function.

Lifting up the weapon in his hand he took aim at the middle compartment of the ship, a blue ball forming on it’s hull.

“Clear the crash site!” Jorge’s voice echoed from above, as a blue beam raced towards the crash site, his Golden Eagle exploding into fine shrapnel.

“Admiral of Fleets.” The Didact’s voice echoed in his helmet. “ You dare take on one of my General’s ships. As we speak, I see you standing on the plateau, begging for your ascension into my mercy. But what hubris is this, a weapon of that size is not even sufficient to take on a Mez ‘Khar foot soldier!”

“You’d be surprised what I have at my disposal.” Blaine grinned, as it’s blue ball of death charged up again.

“Your ignorance has blinded you. You will not survive this encounter! You humans fail to recognize the might of the Mez ‘Khar and the Forerunners!”

“Says the one that got defeated by one of my fellow Spartans.” Blaine grinned back. “Besides, this weapon can pack quite the punch.”

The ball on the hull of the ship grew bigger yet, as Blaine gripped his weapon tighter, a golden sphere formed at the front of the gun.

“ATTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!” Blaine’s voice barked through the wind, as the blue beam released, arching towards him. “FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE!”

The golden sphere on his gun had grown to the size of a beach ball, before it too released itself into a beam. The two beams arched towards each other, the Mez ‘Khar ship right above him. The two beams collided, his golden one overlayed the blue one, which still continued it’s path. Blaine’s beam struck the hull of the ship, instead of the slip space shielding protecting it. The hull flashed indigo, as bright blue flames seeped out of the breaches in the hull, indicating the ship had gone critical.

Explosions riddled the hull gloriously, as the Mez ‘Khar vessel exploded towards the center of it’s mass, before an even bigger explosion enveloped it completely, it’s three prongs separating, and exploding. Blaine’s ground team cheered, as the first of many Mez ‘Khar ships fell.

“What the hell was that?!” Captain Lasky asked in the comm.

“That was the turning of the tables, Captain!” Bailey said. “Blaine used the Fist of Sparta, a super weapon I designed myself!”

“Well, excellent work Admiral!” Lasky replied, but didn’t get a response. ”ADMIRAL?!”

George was the first of the group to actually look down at Blaine, smoke trailed up from where he had once stood. The cloud was so dense that it masked what was beneath.

“GRANDPA?!” George and Marissa yelled, sliding down the hill, Phil, Josh, and Jorge right behind them.

The smoke billowed in the wind as they drew nearer. Finally, one massive gust dispersed the cloud, and Blaine was on his knee, a blue veil of energy covering his armor. Standing, Blaine dusted off his right shoulder, looking up to the sky, his helmet assembling itself again.

“Infinity, we’re going to need a ride, and fast.” Blaine grinned, as the Mez ‘Khar ship’s remains cascaded into the valley below him, the sun set highlighting the luminous blue armor. “ We need to get to that data hive and get the hell off this planet. Find out what the hell this Mantle of Responsibility that the Didact is so concerned over really is.”

Above him, another Eagle descended, as a java armored Spartan hopped out, followed by two others.

“Hell of a fireworks show Blaine.” Nine said. “Now aren’t you glad I got your ass up this morning?”

“Well done Admiral.” Moroni nodded, looking over to Vance, who shrugged.

“Anyone could’ve done it. Why does he deserve special praise?”

“You’re welcome boyo, you’re welcome.” Blaine said, as he and his ground team assembled into the Eagle followed by Nine, Vance, and Moroni. Looking out the troop bay, Blaine mentally smiled, he had a long way to go to make up for his mistakes, but they were going to win this war.

Chapter 6: Past, Present, Future.

I shouldn't be toying with fiction this much, but it involves the Mantle of Responsibility. I can only hope that you accept these minor changes to it, and enjoy what I make of it.

No-one spoke a word as the replacement Eagle continued it's path to the excavation site. Jorge and Nine sat on the outer hull of the Eagle, it's grenade turrets serving as seats and as defensive precautions.

"You really got to be more careful." Phil said to Blaine in a private comm. "George and Marissa both look up to you like a hero. Throwing yourself around like a ragdoll at every baddie that causes you emotional pain isn't a lesson they should be learning. Heroes die with clear minds, and make it count. If you teach them that throwing themselves head first into every situation will work in their favor, they will become no better than the Brutes."

"I had a trail set in place, after I publically executed Matadus in cold blood. That is an act that I can never fully atone for, especially at the cost of Earth and the most crucial members of the Admiralty."

"There is no argument that the fate of Earth and Hood is an unfortunate outcome. But Humanity has lost many leadership types over the years, and we were the top dogs in the Galaxy for four years. Humanity is built to survive, and it is built to lead, no matter how many of us fall."

"You're starting to sound an awful lot like Manuel right about now." Blaine chuckled. "I'll be more careful, but our enemy is much more advanced than us, using brute force may just be the only alternative for us."

The Pelican lurched a bit as it began it's descent to the excavation platform. Blaine, Josh, Phil, Moroni, Vance, George, and Marissa hopped out, as Jorge and Nine leapt off of their seats.

"By the way." Nine said, approaching Blaine, handing him the clear metallic ball that had delivered Blaine the warning of the Mez 'Khar eight years before. "I wasn't sure if this thing would be of any help to us, but figured why the fuck not."

Blaine accepted it, handing it over to George. Blaine stared into the Maw of the cave, as an enveloping blue light flashed from behind him. The device in George's hand glowed a brilliant ocean blue, as the ball slowly dismantled itself, forming a tiny purple slip space portal in it's wake. Blaine activated his suit's homing beacon, as the group stepped through.

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For a moment, there was blinding light. Blaine uncovered his hand, as Forerunner woman he had met on Requiem hovered above him.

"I still live, Child." She said carefully, edging closer to him. "You have solved my DNA codex, and the Fate of Humanity has been once again pulled from the dust."

"I don't understand, I only got a message when I touched it?" Blaine pondered for a second.

"The one you call George. He is your adoptive Grandson, is he not?"

"Aye, but our DNA is of the same type?" Blaine asked. "He's from my family pool."

"There is a difference, however." The Librarian answered. "Your genetic evolution from your younger age has altered your DNA. While you are of the same blood line as him, his blood remains slightly less altered. I had foreseen this, implanting a Geas that would lead to the eventuality that you both would arrive here."

"So where is everyone else, then?" Blaine asked.

"They are outside this chamber, waiting for you to open the door." The Librarian smiled. "They will believe I am a message, I would prefer if you considered me so."

"But why do you need ME here?" Blaine asked.

"It is about your fate, your 'destiny' if Human vocabulary still serves me well." The Librarian turned for a moment. "There is something I must show you of the time before, something that will be crucial to your victory over my husband."

"I'm ready." Blaine nodded, as the Librarian turned, nodded, and placed a hand gently on his helmet.

Blaine's body jolted for a moment, as he lost all control of his body.

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"Lord of Fleets." Blaine heard, his vision blurry. "The Didact's ships, they outnumber us four to one."

Blaine couldn't move, yet he saw everything, his body moving as if by itself. He sat up on the bed, running his hand along his chin, scratching his stubble.

"Damned Forerunners. They were always so easy to offend, and always quick to fight. For a race determined to protect a Galaxy, they sure like to create conflicts." He said.

"Orders sir?" His ensign replied.

"Prepare all weapons, this is our final fight, and even if we lose, I want the Didact to know that the Forerunners aren't invincible."

"Perhaps if they got hit by the plague-" 'Blaine''s right arm thrust outwards, far faster than his normal body, as the Ensign took the brunt of it.

"I will hear of no such nonsense!" 'Blaine' barked. "We wish the Plague upon NO species!"

"But they would easily, thinking they are so high and mighty."

"Hold your tongue Ensign, tell the remaining Fleet to hold firm. This is Humanity's last stand."

Blaine's vision faded out.

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"HOLD THE LINE!" 'Blaine barked, as his fellow soldiers fell to the Promethean's well aimed hard light.

"So deluded, Lord of Admirals- Admiral of Fleets." The Didact himself appeared before 'Blaine' he looked different than what Blaine had seen on Reach, almost as if he hadn't evolved. "I would have thought you, as Leader of your race, would have been more of a thoughtful being and known where your place is. "

"You abuse the Mantle." The ensign growled, as a Promethean stomped his head into the flawless metal floor.

"If you knew our true intent, instead of blindly attacking whatever and whoever you wanted to, perhaps your future would be much better." 'Blaine' replied snidely. "But your arrogance, your nobility, has blinded you- Forerunner. We were not meant to be enemies. There is a force, something stronger than-"

"I won't hear of it. Rather than burning my Species worlds, you would have been better to seek the Council."

"It would take more than the Council for this force, and your attitude that the Forerunners are invincible, or even immortal for that matter, are complete hubris. The Plague cannot be stopped with pure might, they require a much more tactical approach."

"If they endanger the Galaxy, as your species has done, they will be eradicated." The Didact growled, lifting 'Blaine' with his special gloves. " You know your punishment for uprising against the Forerunners. Humanity is hereby to be devolved to a Tier 7 civilization. Take this filth from my sight. "

Blaine felt fuzzy again, as the blinding light came to him.
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"Now you see what your relative was like during the time before." The Librarian remarked. "He attempted to warn us, and his attempts served no good, the Didact was unwilling to see reason, and that is what lead to the downfall of the Galaxy."

"Why is this relevant to me?" Blaine asked.

"Because the Plague is returning, and not even the Mez 'Khar or the Didact will stand a chance."

"Impossible, Chief, Arbiter, and I took out Delta Halo, we obliterated the ARK, and killed the Gravemind."

"You killed but ONE, child." The Librarian said. "The Flood is an advanced race, and even the slightest spore that remains could mean the end to the Galaxy. This new faction of Sanghieli, that fight alongside the Mez 'Khar and the Jiralhanae, they will discover the Plague. My Husband, in his foolishness, will condemn the entire Galaxy if it continues."

"What are my options?" Blaine asked.

"I will explain." The Librarian waved her arm, as the Spartans behind the door piled in, their weapons fixed on the Forerunner.

"Hold your fire!" Blaine barked, as Nine pushed down everyone's guns.

"I concur, this woman has saved my life more times than Blaine has punched Death in the nose."

"You all must discover the origins of the Mez 'Khar, before you discover the means to destroy them, and the Plague, simultaneously."

"Enlighten us, please." Moroni asked.

“It is regrettable.” The Librarian sighed. “Our attempts to bring Humans back from the Composer had lead to abominations. In our best attempt to reconstruct them, the Mez ‘Khar were created. At first they were savage, beastly. But as soon as they had realized that we gave them life, they worshipped us like Gods. My husband believes they could be of good use to him.”

“So what do we do about them?” Blaine asked, curious.

“Now that you have set me free, I can give you access to the Altar, the Mantle.” the Librarian replied.

“What are they, before you give us access.”

“They are the means of Salvation, or Destruction, of your race.” the Librarian replied. “Long ago, when the Forerunners first attained the Mantle, discovered that every Species would face a test of time, a cycle of horror, created by the Precursors. This horror is the Flood. The test was if the current holders of the Mantle could stop the Flood from spreading. Our goal, as the Mantle explained, was to keep all Species in line. We were the Guardians of all that exists. When we first had our conflict, our two species, we were ignorant to your purpose. Your race had been running from the Flood, what we didn’t know, was that you had discovered a cure towards the end of your life.”

“That’s when you devolved us-” Blaine asked.

“Not entirely true. That was the work of Faber and the Bornstellar-Didact. When you were devolved, your cure was gone. Towards the end of our war with the Flood, we realized that your race must rise again to save us. Bornstellar-Didact, my false husband, was opposed, which was why he attempted to Compose your species. We attempted to save you from his machines, and the Mez ‘Khar were born. The Didact took these abominations to Origin, where the Mantle was located.”

“Isn’t the Mantle a guideline to how to run the Universe?”

“To an extent, yes. It is a machine that distributes law throughout the Universe. Much like our Halo rings, this machine would affect everything inside of the Milky Way Galaxy, spreading the law of the Forerunners. Your advanced evolution from your ancestors was a result of my use of the Mantle.”

“What about the Altar and the Glossary?”

“The Altar is the activation console of the Mantle. We used it in an attempt to distribute a cure for the Flood. Instead, we discovered that it merely accelerated their evolution. Thus we started the Halo Ring process. The Altar, which if in the Didact’s hands is used, will Compose the entirety of Humanity, of course, it requires the Glossary, the key to the Altair. If you can activate the Altar, you must push this vial into the appropriate slot. It contains my husband’s DNA. His mutated form is impervious, but if you can enter this into the Altar, it will cause his DNA to destabilize, and he will die. This is the only way. Once he is dead, the Mez ‘Khar will either die, or be yours to control. However, the Glossary can only be held by he who opened my prison.”

Blaine and the group looked back to George, who looked around, confused.

“Wh-wait!” George said.

“You are the one George.” Blaine smiled. “Yer the one to end this boyo.”

“There is one last thing, something I must tell the Admiral of Fleets in private.”

Blaine nodded away, as the Librarian passed the Glossary to George. The others in his ground force left the room, as Blaine’s helmet disassembled.

“Your fate draws near, I fear.” The Librarian said. “You’ve made a rather bad decision before, and that has cost you a multitude of credibility throughout your race. But, your actions in the past have earned you the respect of crucial members of the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae, these members will fight with you.”

“What’s my odds of survival, when we find this planet?”

“That is up to you, Admiral of Fleets. I cannot tell for sure, but if you continue on with the decisions like the one you made four years back... your chances will be slim. But I see great promise in you Admiral, your DNA is a culmination of lifetimes of planning. Not as advanced as your Champion’s, but enough to get you to where you are now. You will find Planet Origin near the Polaris Star.”

“Polaris- that’s the North Star.” Blaine grinned. “Son of a bitch.”

“Yes. For a time, Origin served as Mankind’s homeworld, but after the Didact and our war, Earth became your new homeworld.” The Librarian paused. “The Didact musn’t find out I live, please, go now, and good luck Admiral of Fleets.”

Blaine nodded, his helmet reforming itself around his head, and he ran out the door.

The changes that were made are interesting. I wonder how they will play out.

Thanks Manny, I'm glad you enjoy the twist I gave the Mantle. I'll becontinuing this and Emergence very very soon, I assure you.

I've got a performance for the next couple of days, and my time is really crunched.

I have a serious question.

If at some point in the future, you feel that need to pick up with Blaine again (as you did when you ended his story before Halo 4)...would you consider taking alternate pathways through this story?

Such as pissing off the Legion and siding with that Brute Chieftain instead?

So what you are asking is that I do an alternate *what if you had chosen this* version of this story? Absolutely. I was planning on doing that before. You'd get to see the reader's actions change the story around Blaine, as I might have intended them.

Shad0wChas3r wrote:So what you are asking is that I do an alternate *what if you had chosen this* version of this story? Absolutely. I was planning on doing that before. You'd get to see the reader's actions change the story around Blaine, as I might have intended them.

Yay!

Upon second thought, killing the Chieftain was a dumb idea. The Legion was going to aid Humanity either way. There's no way they'd side with anyone who wasn't a human.

I also have one more question.

What happened with the Innies in this story? Did the UNSC try and make peace to help bolster their manpower?

You'd think the Innies would learn to unite with the UNSC after they saw what happened with the Covenant...

They would aid the UNSC, if the Mez 'Khar hadn't wiped out nearly every single colony left in Human existence. See, not only was Earth and Reach wiped out, but many of the major remaining colonies were hit hard, and if any people survived, it was most likely from sheer luck.

The only remaining colonies would probably be Ganymede, Mar's *Mez 'Khar skipped over them to go straight to Earth on the Didact's orders, and perhaps Titan.

Past that, it is literally dust and echoes.

Now perhaps for the alternative side of the spectrum, things might be different with Matadus' allegiance.

Chapter 8: Homeward Bound.

Blaine's fist struck down on the holo-pad, causing all of the officers beside him to flinch, minus Admiral Harper, whose eyes flickered with an unquelchable hatred towards the Spartan.

"If we don't do this, there may not BE another chance!" Blaine barked, as the Chief stood beside him, nodding.

"I've encountered the Librarian before as well." John nodded. "I can verify her words."

"That still doesn't make up for the billions of Human lives that he's already thrown aside with his so called plans!" Harper spat, leaning down on the holo-table. "Our first priority is to establish a Planet for our civilians to call home! If we go to war with these Mez 'Khar, than we are risking the ENTIRETY of the Human species!"

"It's been in my hands, even before I was born." Blaine said. "I failed human kind twice, I won't make that mistake three times."

"No." Harper said. "You won't. Under UNSC sub article 81073B-10, you are hereby court marshalled for the failure to perform your duty as a soldier in the UNSC. You, as of now, are no longer a member of the UNSC military."

"Let's not get brash here." Lasky replied.

"And YOU! You TAZED me!" Harper growled. "I hereby relieve you of duty, soldier. We will discuss rank when this is over with."

"Actually, you don't get a say in this, Harper." Osman grinned, approaching the group. "Kilo six has found some rather interesting data on these so called Fore-runners. Our Engineers have said that Origin is in fact the 'Forbidden home of the Mantle'. What Blaine says is true."

"I don't care if what he says is true, I do this for the good of the people!"

"Commander Palmer, please escort the delusional Admiral to the brig." Osman nodded, as the Spartan IV nodded, her and Spartan Miller carrying him off.

"He speaks the truth." Jorge replied. "While I agree we need to attack these lizard bastards head on, we can't risk the civilians if things go south."

"Well than." Autumn turned to Blaine. "What's the plan, this is your thing, after all?"

Blaine stood, hands behind his back. Thinking for a moment, he knew that a direct assault with the Infinity would get them decimated, even with the Elites and the Legion to help out.

"We want a Planet to work with?" Blaine asked, pausing. "We get Earth back. Infinity's sensors picked up a Mez 'Khar base there. If we can decimate that, we can use that as our housing planet again."

"Who will protect them? Clearly they'll attack back when we leave?" Lasky replied, curious.

"We will leave parts of the Legion fleet. They will fight to the very core of their beings to protect Humanity's ascension." Blaine nodded, pacing once more. "Foot soldiers will involve half of our Spartan forces. Katie, I want you, Marissa, and David heading the security force."

"Our first goal is to get Earth back." Katie stated. "How do we go about that?"

"The engineers are fast workers, have them attach a Fist of Sparta to the front of the vessel. Infinity's main gun easily decimated the Didact's Leviathan. Their tech is still the same metal and durability of any Forerunner vessel, they just use Slipe-space as a defense. We'll have to fire blind, but I have faith. Both weapons will make short work of the Mez 'Khar ships."

"If I may interject?" Bailey brushed up behind Blaine. "We have outfitted all of the Longsword and Broadsword class fighters with a more stable variant of the Fist of Sparta. We could preform a Blitzkrieg maneuver with them."

"Then it is decided." Blaine turned to the others. "Chief, if all goes wrong, I want you in charge, as always."

"What about you?" Katie asked, grabbing his arm.

"I've got a Broadsword to fly." Blaine grinned, his helmet assembling onto his head. "I'll be back."

"Bring your shield back, or be on it." Katie said quietly, as Blaine ran out. "Chief, I recommend we assemble the Spartans for a quick insertion. The moment those ships go down, Spartan boots need to be on the ground. I don't like space fights."

"Affirmative. Dr. Bailey, request the Freelancers, we'll need them to help guide the Spartans into ready positions." Chief nodded, turning to Lasky. "Sir, I'll need all available units on standby."

Lasky nodded, turning to Comm.

"Send the word. We're entering slip-space, and we're all going home."

Chapter 9: Soaring Eagles, Hidden Lizards.

Blaine clambered into the pilot's seat of the Albatross variant of Broadsword. Beside him, the specially outfitted stealth bombers all started as he opened a comm. with them.

"I've never seen a Spartan fly before sir!" One of the pilots remarked.

"We usually prefer to have our feet on the ground." Blaine replied. "But I'm comfortable wherever, as long as my boot is placed firmly in the enemy's ass."

"Hoo-rah!" The remaining pilots cheered.

"Whaddya say we show these Mez 'Khar a thing or two of what it's like to DIE?!"

The other pilots cheered as Blaine started the ignition. The vehicle rumbled to life, as he checked the accelerator and weapon systems.

"Eagle 1 is set." Blaine replied, as they all signed off, one by one.

"Admiral, this is Lasky. We're entering Slip-space. Suggest your team follows the ship. You can sling-shot out of Slip-space and into the firing range LONG before the Infinity. That will give you time to snag off a few shots before we come in to clean up the mess. "

"Understood. Let's get moving boys!" Blaine grinned, as the Albatrosses poured out of the Infinity, into the oddly colored, swirling vortex of time and space.

Gazing around, Blaine was mesmerized, knowing that one wrong movement could send him into a different time, or dimension. Skillfully, his fellow pilots kept close to the Infinity, protecting them from the vortex. After what seemed like eternity, normal space showed at the head of the tunnel, as Blaine and his pilots thrust themselves out into the space of the Solar System.

Before them, a fleet of at least five of the familiar Space tridents awaited them, unaware of their presence. Pressing a button on his monitor, the weapon began to charge, but he didn't take aim at a specific target, thankfully avoiding their attention.

Diving downwards, the beam of golden light crashed through the lead trident, slicing it directly into two useless pieces, the lizards inside confirmed KIA. The other four vessels turned to face their assailants, releasing their own beams of a red hue.

Screams filled the comm. as one of the other pilots were composed by the beam.

"Their using a Composer beam!" Blaine barked into the comm. "Infinity, attack from a distance!"

"Affirmative. Big red beams of death!" Lasky replied. "Keep hittin' them! But be on the lookout for friendly fire! "

The Infinity's main cannon charged, as Blaine fired an Archer missile at one of the leading Kaiser class vessels. The Kaiser turned, firing it's homing missile at Blaine. He tried to out maneuver the missile, as it looped back, heading at him head on. Barrel rolling to the left, the missile looped back again. Diving down, Blaine looped back at the Kaiser, as it's own laser charged.

Barrel rolling, Blaine watched as the gold beam of the Infinity's Fist of Sparta hit the distracted vessel, a brilliant blue hue erupting from it's hull, as it exploded.

"Admiral, you have a missile on your six still!" Eagle-2 barked.

"I can't shake it!" Blaine growled, as he continued to maneuver to try to shake it, he even tried deploying flares.

One of the Kaiser's struck the back of Eagle-2's vessel, destroying one of his engines.

"It's been a pleasure flying with you Spartan!" Eagle-2 smirked, as he dove head first into the missile following Blaine, the ensuing explosion propelling him towards the Kaiser ship responsible for the other Pilot's death.

With three Kaisers to go, and only two pilots left in the fight, Blaine knew things were going to go to hell. Ducking beneath a Composer shot, one of the other Kaisers fired another beam. Narrowly avoiding it, his other pilot fired his Fist of Sparta while it had been preoccupied, effectively evening the playing field.

"So deluded to think you actually can defeat the Mez 'Khar. Their species has out lasted you, and they shall out last you again! "

"You neglect that they out lasted you! When we're done, we'll see how loyal they are to YOU!"

"I am a master of war. I am a General of the Forerunners!"

"You are a washed out wannabee that is afraid. When we next meet, not even your special Vader grip will save you!"

Unleashing his Fist of Sparta, the Infinity's raced past him, striking the hull of the Kaiser to Blaine's right. The massive trident shaped ship listed right, crashing into the second one. Blaine's beam raced forward, through one Kaiser into the next. As the two remaining ships exploded, the Infinity drew nearer, as more slip-space ruptures appeared right beside the Earth.

"You didn't think you could have all the fun, did you 'Warrior'?" Anch replied in the comm. "The Sanghieli fleet is here to help! The Legion is soon on the way!"

"Great news." Blaine replied. "Infinity, Eagles one and four are coming aboard. Chief, are the Spartans ready?"

"As ready as we're ever gonna be Mack." Jorge replied.

"Affirmative, we drop on my go."

Landing the Albatross into the hanger, Blaine charged into the dropping bay, loading into a single drop pod, Blaine nodded.

"Spartans!" Blaine barked. "Let's give our old friends the Welcome wagon!"

ERMAGERD! EPIC BATTLE!

Anyways... Are we nearing the end of this story?

Thank you, I still think there is more that I could add. But I guess I'll save that for my ground battle.

As for your question, it's soon coming, but there will be a follow up to it, I dunno how long it will be, but we'll see when we get there.

So I'm not going to lie. I was just instantly struck with an idea for the ending of this story, and after I read it, I took a moment to think about the past year of writing I've done.

If you thought Contact's beginning was sad, I am curious to see how the end to this one turns out.

Just a reminder, Contact is NOT canon. That was just something I thought up that didn't really turn out that well.

...Can you refresh me on the basic plot of Contact?

If you tell me the beginning and end, I'll probably remember the rest. I know Deception was he one where Death tried to fire the Halo rings. Orion was about the IVs. Homecoming and Updising are no brainers.

But Contact escapes me. I THINK Morgan died, again, by blowing up his house?

That was Deception where Morgan died with the house. Of course, that death is non-canon now too. I ended up having him die of old age. Suited him better anyways.

As for Contact, that was the one where Blaine was infected by Pestilence in the beginning, developing an incurable disease that ended up killing him, but not after he sent Craig *George* and Marissa after those responsible.

The ending was when Manuel tackled War outside of the Legionaire base, effectively impaling his old boss once he finally learned of the deviance behind the man.

Long story short, there was a lot of plot holes, and it was literally thrown together to give me something to do. So if ANYONE remembers that story, forget it at your earliest possible convenience. None of it was Canon.

Well then... If anything you've helped me do to opposite of forgetting.

Successful troll.

Is successful.

Haha. Gotta read into this more.

Shad0wChas3r wrote:Successful troll.

Is successful.

Oh man. I actually haven't tried to troll in the LONGEST time.

The Flood was my home. I don't know where else to troll now.

Anyways, Blaine seems to understand the Legion fairly well. The Legionnaires actually have a lot of good qualities (e.g. Determination, perseverance, fighting spirit, etc) that would make them "ideal" protectors if they were more moderate in their views.

Fighting to the bitter end is quite like them.

Chapter 10: Pawn takes Queen.

A good hour after the Spartans had made their landing, they followed the rendezvous point leading to the cliff-side above the plateau, where one of the many Mez 'Khar's bases of operation awaited them.

"I need Emanuel." Blaine barked throughout Spart-com.

After a moment of shuffling through the endless crowd of Spartans, the one called Emanuel pushed to the front, snapping Blaine a crisp salute.

"A-admiral?" The Spartan asked nervously.

"I hear you're a master of explosive ordinance?"

"Aye sir! That base should be as easy to crack as a cashew!"

Blaine chuckled at the joke heartily, as the rookie Spartan stifled a brief laugh. Wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders, Blaine pointed to the base.

"That's exactly what I want to have happen. I'll have Infinity drop us some supplies, can you craft such an explosive?"

"Not without my help he can't." A familiar voice replied, forcing Blaine to turn. The familiar Security helmet shined in the sun, as it disassembled to reveal his half-brother Darryl. "He is my apprentice, after all."

"Glad to have you here bro." Blaine replied, firmly shaking Darryl's hand.

Blaine returned to years before, when everything Darryl thought he knew about himself had changed, perhaps for the better. Seeing him here, despite all the hell he had been through, meant a lot to him.

"Isabella is with some of the others in the back, I'll relay any orders you have to give."

Blaine nodded, grabbing his large knife. Crouching low, Darryl squatted beside him, followed by David, Naomi, George, Marissa, Katie, Jorge, and Nine.

"Manny's men will be flanking the base from the west. They will serve as the hammer after the Elites start their assault from the east. The Elites will be the decoys, as the Legion and us preform a pincer maneuver."

Darryl stood, relaying the orders as Blaine went.

"With Darryl and Emanuel's bomb, we will deploy it inside the building, so any wonky Slip-space esque defense are negated."

"But sir, we aren't in deep space anymore." George replied. "Slip-space shouldn't play any part in in."

"These lizards have the technology built into their armor, it is safe to assume they would do the same for their fortifications." Blaine scratched the paths of the individual groups. "Phalanx movement. Soldiers up front will use Hard-Light shields to draw their fire. People behind them will use their guns, row behind that with the shields, and so on, so forth."

"What about me, boss?" Commander Palmer stomped her way in. "How can I help?"

"What better way to suit your nature than to lead the IV's charge." Blaine smirked, patting his DMR. "I haven't gotten to use this baby in a while. It's time to take her for a spin again."

"Aye aye." Palmer grinned, a curve just barely entering the corner of her mouth. "You heard the man Spartans, form up, Phalanx style!"

"Anch, Manny, this is Blaine. We're ready to begin the assault." Blaine said into ComOp-comm.

"Pay close attention to us, 'Manny'." Anch nodded. "We are beginning our strike."

"Got it split-lip." Manny spat. "Legionaires, it's time to show these lizards what it means to TRULY fuck with Man Kind!"

There was an unsettling quiet, even as the Spartans hustled into their Phalanx formation, Blaine in the second row of the formation, Lucy, Linda, and Katie beside him. Nine looked over his shoulder, smirking beneath his helmet at Katie.

"Like whatcha see?"

Before Blaine or Katie could reach down to swat his helmet, Linda performed the deed, gladly.

"What?!" Nine chuckled. "I figured some humor might make everyone less tense."

"That seems completely unethical." Chief said, standing beside Jorge, who wielded Betsy. "This fight means life or death for Humanity. We should keep it serious."

"You always got to knock down my jokes?"

"Who are you again, anyways?" Chief asked, as John trembled, Blaine placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Not now boyo." Blaine replied, as Nine jumped anyways.

"It's JOHN! Same as you! C'mon man! Mombasa?! Voi?! I was there with you!"

"Right." Chief, always outspoken, nodded.

Nine grumbled something to himself, as he returned to formation. To their right on the plateau, the Elites made their reckless charge, as the Mez 'Khar foot soldiers poured out. The sheer might of the Elites met head on with the sturdy lizard forces, as it became a battle of the better reptile.

-----------------------------------

Anch swung his energy sword masterfully, the super heated blade slashing a Mez 'Khar corporal diagonally across the torso, as the two slagged halves fell to the ground. One lashed it's tongue out at him, as he caught it. Shaking his head, the Field Marshal summoned the Energy Dagger from his left wrist slashing down swiftly. Kicking it in the chest, it writhed on the ground, as blood flowed from it's mouth.

Holding a hand up, Anch watched as his shadow silhouetted his face.

"True warriors beg not for mercy, but for an honorable death." Plunging his blade deep into it's chest, his army continued it's onslaught.

Despite their natural quickness, the sheer tenacity of the Elite's fighting style was too much to counter, as the beasts began a subtle retreat to the base. Before that could happen though, the Legionaires and their Black Guardsmen opened fire, some of the more feral ones resorted to feasting.

That was when the battle cry of the Spartans echoed loudest into the air. Peering to his left, he watched as the Spartans charged across the field, shields of light covering the front soldiers, the ones in the back firing around the shields. When the lead row's shields depleted, they swapped places with the ones behind them.

The wall of ballistics, no matter how primitive, was a glorious sight to behold, as many Mez 'Khar foot soldiers, hoping to find shelter in the Spartan's direction, were felled by the blanket of bullets.

---------------------------------------

Blaine smiled, using a maneuver that he had learned in Deja's classroom, all those years ago. The Spartans of Sparta had once used the Phalanx maneuver, and those so foolish as to charge were met with the daggers of the soldier standing behind them. He frowned as some rounds pierced through the shields mid cycle, as many Spartan IVs fell to the ground.

Swapping places with Nine once more, he rested his DMR on his shorter friend's shoulder for stability.

"I'm risking my feet here for you big guy!" Nine gasped, as a bullet pierced his shields. "YOOOOWCH! Make sure your shots actually count!"

"Lower your shield, I'd rather die than having Lucy beat the crap out of me for letting you die." Nine obliged, as the Spartan II's weapon bounced gently against his shoulder, lightly rubbing Nine's shoulder, keeping the weapon accurate.

"You'd miss me." Nine grinned.

"That was obvious." Blaine smirked. "It's part of having you on my team for so long."

"You are a big role model for the Spartans, hell, you've inspired me many times too." Nine paused, thinking. "Iola really looks up to you. Not as much as me, but it's there. We'd miss you if something happened to you big guy."

"Don't worry." Blaine popped one unsuspecting Mez 'Khar's head like a grape. "I won't let that happen."

"Yeah, that's what many Spartans before you said. I just don't want the same happening to you, man. You've been through so much, it's time you settle down with the misses."

"Yeah sweet-heart." Katie replied. "We can make THIS our Honeymoon."

"Don't joke about that, I might just make it so." Blaine grinned back, as she lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Get a room you two." Linda shook her head. "And at least wait until there ISN'T anything shooting at us."

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Manuel seized one of the Mez 'Khar's by the throat, as the beast thrashed in his hand. Grasping his knife in his left hand, he plunged it deep in the beast's stomach region, as it opened it's mouth in complete shock.

Slowly ripping upwards, the beast squirmed in his grip as he trailed upwards. The further up he got, the closer it was to it's inevitable death, but he wanted to cherish it.

"You slaughtered many of my kind, undermined the strength of my beloved Legion. I am doing you a favor by ending your pathetic existence."

"You will fall to our god." The creature hissed, as it's life finally ended.

Casting the carcass aside, Manuel's temper over the edge, no beasts in his path were save. Flipping his knife in his hand, he slashed horizontally, the blade slashing the throats of three consecutive lizards.

"You think having Human DNA in your system makes you capable of taking us on?" Manuel barked, as the beasts shivered at his presence. "Pure humans are a force to be reckoned with, you are inferior, and it is time you are destroyed."

"For the Didact!" The crowd growled, despite their numbers dwindling, especially at the hands of the Horsemen.

"For the Legion!" Manuel barked, as the two forces charged head on once more.

--------------------------------------------

The Spartans had finally reached the entrance to the base, but it was time to swap tactics.

"Darryl, Katie, Chief. You, George, Marissa, and Emanuel are with me." Blaine nodded. "Palmer, you, David, and Naomi take things out here."

"What about me?" Spartan Miller asked.

"Eh..." Blaine paused for a moment. "Go press a button somewhere."

Miller remained still for a moment, clearly confused.

"What the fuck do you think I want you to do?!" Blaine asked. "Stay with the others and keep the Lizards off our asses!"

"Right, got it sir!"

"Y'know, you are a royal dumb ass sometimes, right?" Roland, the Infinity's AI, said in his helmet comm.

"Shut up Roland. At least I didn't let Halsey manipulate me."

"That was ONE time!"

Blaine shook his head, as they marched into the building. The Spartans fanned out as Emanuel and Darryl started to planet the bomb. Blaine peeked around the corner, some unarmored Mez 'Khar were bowing in place, their foreheads touching the floor in prayer. Similar to that of the Islamic prayer.

On the wall was a holo-picture of the Didact, beaming proudly over a dead Human corpse. Stepping inside, the beasts paid no mind, rather one of the older ones stood, producing a vial of deep red liquid.

Placing the vial on the pedestal in front of the picture, he glared over at Blaine, before his mouth opened grotesquely, a whispered hiss filling the room. The unarmored creatures stood, ready to fight.

Firing four clean shots, Blaine laughed at the simplicity of the fight. Grasping the vial, he knew by it's consistency that it was in fact blood. Most likely the Didact's.

Turning, Blaine placed the vial in his ammo pouch. Before he could move, the door to his right whisked open, as a familiar, disturbing face greeted him. It was the Didact's personal Mez 'Khar guardsman from Reach all those years ago.

"Fancy meeting you here." Blaine grinned, producing the vial once more, rolling it along the floor to the Chief, who held it close. "My, have you gained some weight since we last saw each other?"

The creature hissed, crouching low, and ready to fight. Blaine knew this fight would hurt, but he had a score to settle.

It charged lightning quick, as Blaine swung his boot as hard and quickly as he could, the blow missed, as the Lizard pounced him to the ground. Whipping it's tongue out at his visor, his hand grasped it, as he tugged.

Grinning in delight, the tongue ripped out of it's mouth, it's entire head moved by the sudden jerk. A sickening pop followed by the removal of the tongue all together. Shocked by it's lack of smell or taste, the creature was at his mercy. Jabbing his massive fist into it's human-esque chin, the beast flew off of him, scrambling onto the floor.

Grabbing his pistol, Blaine shot out the light. Knowing lizards couldn't see that well at night, and with no sense of smell, it was helpless. Swapping to VISr, the beast attempted to crawl away, as Blaine wrapped his massive hands around it's tail.

"Now see how I didn't try to flee when you attacked me in MY home?!" Blaine said, tugging on the beast as it's claws raked the ground beneath it. "If you want to pick a fight with me, you'd best expect some payback in double. Because unless you kill me, you're not going to like the repercussions."

Grabbing his knife out of it's sheathe, he plunged it deep into the beasts tail. Walking backwards, Blaine grinned as he started a running charge. The creature flailed, attempting to escape it's binding as Blaine's boot smashed the side of it's cheek.

Leaning backwards after his kick, Blaine prepared his elbow, driving it hard into the Mez 'Khar General's spine.

-----------------------------------------------------

"S-should I just go in there and finish it off?" Emanuel stammered.

"Nah." Nine replied. "You might get brought into it."

The team sat there, as Darryl and Emanuel tried to finish the set-up timer, while the sounds of violence in the next room over both frightened them, and excited them equally.

----------------------------------------------

Dropping the severed arm, Blaine sighed in relief, the lifeless corpse LONG gone by the time he finished venting his anger. Kicking it's head one last time, he walked out into the hallway, where the Spartans were ready to move.

"Five minutes boss. Now's go time." Darryl stated.

"This is Blaine. Time for retreat folks. This weasel is about to go pop."

------------------------------------------

All of the fighting forces made a full retreat, as the Mez 'Khar nodded in victory, Blaine's mini team obliterating all in their way as they backed away from the building.

After reaching a clear distance, the three factions cheered as the Mez 'Khar based exploded in a flash of bright blue and metal.

"Pawn takes Queen." Blaine smirked. "King retreats, Queen moves to King."

"Check." Jorge grinned, clasping a hand on Blaine's back.

Earth was ours again. But my next goal was Origin, and the Mantle.

WOAH. So when Blaine desecrates a corpse, everyone's ok with it?

That's called prejudice. The Legion is a victim of prejudice. Imagine that. People must be scared of them.

Lol. I don't really mind, but it's something I find curious.

All he did was clubbed him to death with an arm viciously. No harm done, right?

Lol just kidding, but seriously, yeah, you don't fuck with Reach and expect to go home alive and intact.

Shad0wChas3r wrote:All he did was clubbed him to death with an arm viciously. No harm done, right?

Lol just kidding, but seriously, yeah, you don't fuck with Reach and expect to go home alive and intact.

...A bunch of Elites did. And Brutes. And Grunts. And Jackals. And Hunters.

The Elites understood their mistake later on in the war. They redeemed themselves by helping us in return. The Brutes are slaves of the Elites, serves them right.

Grunts, assuming Kayap gets further into power, will most likely ally with Humanity, despite the past. The Jackals are bandits, and alongside the Grunts were cannon fodder. Hunters are hungry worms, they didn't plan the attack, they were forced into it.

Also: Please let the others know I have more stuff to do before I head out of town for the next few days. The Heroes and Demons thing will not be able to be done. Sorry.