Reach for Halo

Halo

A/n: Quick note, I'm skipping the Cortana level because if Mutasim did go, chances are he'd most certainly get infected by Flood spores. That and I absolutely hate this level because of all the Gravemind speeches that slow you down. Seriously, when I was a kid and played Halo 3, I hated the slow sections with a passion. 

Mutasim P.O.V

With Truth dead, the Flood spiralling out of control and Chief regaining Cortana, there was just one thing left to do before we left for home. To ignite the Halo ring, destroy the Ark and end the Gravemind. For the past couple hours, I've been obsessing over how to prevent Chief being lost in space. The only way for Cortana to not be corrupted is to ensure Chief isn't lost after the destruction of the Halo ring. Not only that, but I also needed to make sure Johnson survived. But that would be easy. I just needed to convince Johnson to fire at Guilty Spark with the Spartan Laser before the floating cyclops betrays us. 

Right now, Lilith, Six and I are sitting in the back of the Pelican while Thelya and Chief sit in the cockpit of our current ship. Johnson should be touching down onto Halo a little further away from us. Holding my assault rifle, I check my ammo and make sure I'm fully loaded. 

Six: So... Anything we should know before touching down? 

Mutasim: Yeah. Three things. One, it's going to be Hell breaking through. Two, Guilty Spark is going to betray us when we fire these rings. And three, we're gonna have to run for our lives after the rings are fired. 

Lilith gurgles and leans back in her seat, her extra appendages wriggling and writhing in worry. I pat her shoulder and smile softly. 

Mutasim: Don't worry. We'll be fine. I promise. I'll handle it. 

The Infected marine nods her head slowly. The ship suddenly shakes and Thelya comes out from the cockpit. 

Thelya: Brace for impact. 

Upon hearing that, we all buckle ourselves in. As we draw closer to Halo, the ship's quaking worsens until we crash. I grunt as I get flung forward. Thankfully, the straps kept me from hitting the wall opposite me. I take a deep breath and unbuckle myself. The others do the same. We grab our weapons and get out of the ship, finding ourselves in a snowy landscape, Chief included. 

Cortana: Halo. It's so new. Unfinished. I'm not exactly sure what will happen when we fire it... 

Chief: We'll head for the portal. And we'll all go home. 

He cocks his shotgun. Thelya pats my back. 

Thelya: Stay close. I would not see you turn into one of them. 

Mutasim: I won't. 

Cora: Alright. Let's get to it team. 

Everyone else walks up the slope ahead, leaving me alone with Cora to watch our rear. 

Cora: So... How are we going to prevent Halo 4 from happening? I mean, obviously we'll have to make sure Chief and Cortana don't get left behind. But then how do we avoid it? Especially the Didact. 

Mutasim: The Didact won't wake up if the Covenant find him. After all, it's only us "Reclaimers" that can open that thing. So long as nobody is left behind, Halo 4 won't happen. Or I hope it won't. 

Cora: That doesn't answer my question. 

Mutasim: I've still got time to think. I'm sure you'll be doing the same. 

As soon as we stop our conversation, we reach the facility. Flood lifeforms drop from the atmosphere and into the snowy field ahead. We all hold our weapons up and start firing at the oncoming horde. The Gravemind talks through them, attempting to intimidate us. But it doesn't work. Lilith rips through the Flood with her abnormal strength.