That galaxy of pearls

The Arrival

Alden dipped his uncomfortable dinted boots into the grainy crimson sand, with a magnum in his hands he stared up at the sky, a black curtain dotted with white pearls. As he continued to stare around he felt as if this was some kind of lie, "How could've Mars returned?" He whispered whilst in awe. Dianh hearing his voice simply replied, "Al, I've got to say, this is way out of our league!"

"That can be understood, that is why a spartan will be arriving once we have determined the source of such an event," Second replied. Second's bulky metallic outer shell clicked and clanked as he walked over carrying two large containers. His power unit would have a slight hum that would peek from the gaps in his chestplate, the rest of his components were smooth and sleek, curving and sloping to form a human shaped body but his head was a bright moving storm built inside a glass dome. The technology and ingenuity to construct Second was way beyond any project, even for the spartan divisions.

Bruce walked outside and spoke, "Stop gallivanting and come off load the cargo, a storm is coming soon and it doesn't look welcoming."

"They were merely enjoying the view," Second replied, Bruce controlled his laughter and just hid it with a smile. Overnight menacing clouds set camp, Alden walked outside feeling the loads of rain covering over his armor. Mars felt different, in ruins. As if the dunes were in sorrow and the rain was tears. Alden was bathing in the freezing hail, his thick armor plating being dinted by the peddle sized ice. He felt the armor joints slowly getting more stiff as they froze up, eventually he reluctantly decided to go back in his tent, where warmth welcomed his return.

As the bright crimson sun begun to rise along the horizon the group left their tents and departed to the outside land. Mars had a strange surface, it felt cold and chill to walk along fields but as the sun started to cover the desolate lands it felt warm as well. Suddenly an ominous crack blew in the sky, it was faint yet just loud enough to hear, immediately covenant cruisers bathed the fields with shadows as they flew past. Second and Dianh both stared at a fleet of colossal starships, but the most interesting thing was a cannon being carried underneath one of the largest vessels. The cannon was dropped carefully down upon one of the hills, it was precisely aimed towards the bright ruby sky.

"What're they aiming at?" Questioned Bruce, "Do they even know were here?" replied Dianh... before any answers could be delivered the sinister siren of Banshee's howled in the sky as a squadron zoomed across the skylight, it was as if the covenant were bringing an entire assault to Mars.

Alden picked up a rifle and simply said, "Second and I will scout their landing zone find out what they're up to, mainly what they're aiming at," "I will participate in this plan," Second replied. Bruce grabbed Alden on the shoulder and whispered to him, "Be careful... Clark, Dianh and I will prepare the warthog in case evac is an option." Alden's helmet hid his face but he was scared, although he has managed worse situations... what Alden felt last night in the storm, something was watching them.

Something on this planet was wrong, new... in ruins.

As Alden and Second began to sprint down the hills and eventually cliff face Alden questioned Second, "Why do you prefer to go alongside with me?"

"You interest me Alden, you're probably the best of our squad, I've seen the many documents on you, you're capable of defeating a spartan," replied Second. Whilst they ran along the terrain a glistening storm of rain caked their path, they stared to the sky astonished to see  what they could... it was a gigantic structure positioned amongst the pale white clouds. It looked ancient and the architecture of it felt like art. For some twisted and confusing reason, Alden felt welcomed towards it. This was the ruins, this is what brought Mars back.

Suddenly the ominous echo of an ignited energy blade spread over the field. The viscous roar of a covenant warrior gallivanted towards them. Tall slim Sangheili elite's stepped forward from a thick mist along the cliffside. Their sizzling hot energy blades were ignited and lounged beside their waist. Alden charged with his magnum firing at them, instantly one of the creatures lunged forward and slashed its blade directly forward. Alden dropped low, feeling his smooth armor brushing across the sharp bulky crimson rocks spread along the ground. He snatched the elites wrist and sealed his grip, the energy blades hilt slid from the beasts palm and carefully fell into Alden's grasp. Alden pushed the blade softly through the chest of his opponent and yanked it out, leaving the bloody corpse bathing in the scarlet sand, he begun to sprint towards the other five now thirsting for a chance to slaughter Alden.

Almost immediately Alden dodged their strikes with caution and precision, then like a warrior he quickly butchered them, leaving their diced bodies to cover the hill with violet blood. Second spoke, "Alden, you could have been faster."

"Thanks..." Alden replied with a slight annoyance in his tone, "You're welcome. The group were just scouts, they would've already informed the fleet of our presence," Second responded. Alden stared towards the castle in the sky, an ancient monument lying dormant amongst the pale clouds. It was colossal in scale, how could this be so hidden, he thought to himself. Why would the covenant be so attracted to this castle.

"Let's return to the team, hope they have anything of importance to tell us," Alden uttered.