Deception: Chapter 45: OMEGA

Chapter 46: Omega
June 22nd, 3239, 1514 hours
UNSC HIGHCOM Facility
Sydney, Australia, Earth

The members of OMEGA, minus one, were gathered around a holoprojector deep within the bowels of the Bravo-6 facility. Not long after the funeral for the Captain they were ordered to meet here  on this day. In total, approximately 12 people had come to this announcement. Ryan and Johnson stood the closest to the table looking over a holographic display of the galaxy. Bravo-6 was lighter on the smoking policy so Johnson had a cigar tucked into his mouth. He took a small drag on it, sending a burning ring up the length of the Sweet Williams. “So, nobody has any idea why they called us in.” He didn't mean to ask, but to state.

The UNSC had been rather tight lipped on the whole ordeal, which was not what this group wanted to hear, all things that happened lately taken into account.

“I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have shown up at all.” Sonic growled. “These dudes think they can just call us back into work like nothing happened?”

Sally sat next to him, looking somewhat more put together than he she felt a week ago. She was still uncharacteristically quiet. She hadn't said a word during the burial. She remembered void black casket as it was lowered into the ground in the military cemetery not far from the castle. One could clearly see the battlements from the hills where rows of white headstones peppered the grass. She expected it to rain. In fact, it had been a beautiful day. The sun shone through cloudless skies and birds chirped in the trees. A small crowd of people gathered around, most of them in uniform and most of them very carefully chosen.

She had been there. Sonic had been there even, and he rarely dressed in a suit. Her mother and father were there, Peitro and Patt, OMEGA, the remainder of the STARs, a few of Chris's cousins who were specifically invited, and some naval personnel, among which were Admiral Andsworth and his XO of the Indomitable, Sheppard. There was one more. They didn't recognize him without the armor, but John-117 stood in the back of the crowds in pressed uniform and a peaked cap fastened to his shaved head. Even he felt some need to be here.

She believed the crowd was too small when in fact there were close to a hundred people that day. She wanted it to be bigger. She wanted the world to see that he was not a monster as they made him out to be. She knew though that the damage would take years to be undone. Perhaps it would never be, and the world would see a killer, a liar, and a traitor of his people to their 'enemies'.

There was a noted absence of Samantha Jackson and Allen Roan. Their job had been finished. They were off on another job by now. Sally remembered feeling no anger towards that. It had only been a job to them after all.

Uniformed Marines pulled the flag of the UNSC off the casket and began to roll it. They meticulously packed it into a triangle. They passed it to Reyes, who had volunteered for the service today. Reyes took the flag and handed it to Chris' grandmother. He knew in his mind that it had all the right to go to Sally, as she was now technically next of kin, but he handed it to the couple all the same.

Patty stared at the flag and held it close. Pietro comforted her with a clasp on the shoulder. A pastor read from the Bible quickly. He told a story about how God offered comfort to Jesus in a time when his faith needed to be strong, and in the end he held true. Sally took from the story that faith was a strength that one shouldn't ignore. In faith comes a goal.

The pastor finished his reading. He closed the book and bowed his head in prayer.

Sally prayed to the Ancients to give her strength. She prayed to Aurora to guide her Human, wherever he went. She also prayed to God to forgive her for not staying with him in the end and leaving for her own selfish means. She prayed to cosmos itself that one of them had heard her.

Seven cracks. Reyes, Konstantinos, and Ryan held a rifle, firing volleys to 21. Unusual, but given the small crowd, it served its purpose well.

Then it was over. It was done. The casket was put into the ground and it was covered. Its occupant now offered eternal rest and comfort. Here it would stay for all eternity.

Andsworth offered Sally condolences. It didn't help as she wiped away the tears.

“Thank you, Gerome.” was all she could manage. Andsworth tipped his cap and moved on to the elderly couple. “You should be proud of him.”

“I am.” she told him. “It's me I'm not sure about.”

“I've been there.” the Admiral said. “Please don't look unkindly upon yourself. You've a beautiful woman with a bright future. Time is a precious gift, and it's how we spend it with others that makes it wonderful.” He smiled, and turned away.

Sally looked at the plot of land. She would end up here herself one day. This private area was reserved for only those of royal decree. The space her Human occupied was covered with flowers and an ornate headstone decorated the plot. A picture of him hung there.

He was so young looking. His serious face had the hint of a smile. This had been taken before his deployment. He still had that child-like spark.

But what had confused one or two was the coffin that was being lowered in the second plot to the left. A priest was there as well, but there was not a crowd at all. Sally broke away and joined them.

“Highness.” The priest said in surprise. “Did you... know the departed?”

“Kind of.” she said. “She was a big help to us.”

“Shoud I go forward with the reading?”

“Please do, father.” she said. “She deserves it after all she's been through.”

“More than you know.” Rouge said, appearing from Sally's left. Even at a funeral, Rouge wore a dazzling dress that seemed more to accentuate rather than be modest. “He was very special to her.” she said gesturing to the Captain's grave. “He just didn't know it for a while.”

Reyes followed. “I heard the whole thing. When she told him who she really was.” he told Sally. “Poor girl.” He shook his head and stood solemnly. Three people stood along with the priest as they gave their last respects to Abigail Hera. Her tombstone was less ornate – a simple slab of granite with words carved out.

MAJOR ABIGAIL HERA
ROYAL AIR FORCE AVIATOR
DATE UNKNOWN – JUNE 17, 3239

FOR VALORIOUS DUTY TO HER PEOPLE
AND DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

The greatest irony of them all. Nobody would know who she really was and what she was really doing here. That fact alone broke Sally's heart a second time. She regretted how she treated her when they first met. She was sorry that she died. Being here though, standing in front of the father she spent twenty years looking for, snatched away in front of her? That would have killed her anyway.

But here she lay, resting now, right next to the man she tearfully called her father. At least she saw a face she was happy to gaze upon before she died.


When Andsworth walked into the room, Sally snapped away from her memory and become aware of her surroundings. The Admiral was clad in a duty uniform. Freshly pressed coat and pants accenting his now fresh looking appearance. His short internment of the Antarctic prison had some effect on him. A nice long cut went from his right orbital to the earlobe. Sally didn't question, but it was clear everyone was happy to see him. Even Sonic looked upbeat. Behind him was John-117 now clad in his battlesuit.

It was so odd to see the man in his armor and outside of it that they could barely recognize the flesh and bone that hid behind the MJOLNIR suit. The suit was painted a new shade of sage to reflect his look of being ready to carry out orders.

“Hello everyone.” the Admiral stated. I'd like you all to meet two people that will be involved in today's briefing. This is Admiral Hugh Redby. A very good friend of mine and deputy chief of naval operations here at Sydney.

Salutes. OMEGA snapped to as they saw the four star admiral walk into the room. He was dressed much nicer, as if he was at an important meeting. He had been. Admiral Redby had been there to see to the plans to put forward the Canadian Prime Minister as the next President of the UEG. The decision was far from final, and as it stood, there was a temporary provisional leader put in place while the decision was finalized.

“Good afternoon, everyone.” Redby spoke. Despite being well over seventy, he moved and spoke lightly. He only had the slightest creases on his face. “In turn, I'd like to introduce another person who will be of serious importance in this meeting: Captain Gregers Ekdal.”

Sally's ears perked at the name. She recognized the grinning captain immediately as soon as she saw him. He stood just behind Redby and likely came in just as they called him. Ekdal nodded in respect. Sally realized Ekdal had grown a beard since they last met. It fought for supremacy against his jaw and appeared to be winning.

Redby continued. “I understand you lost a member of your group recently. It's a shame. I'm sure he was a good man. Didn't doubt it for a second.”

Sally realized that Marshall would have forced Redby to use his assets to find the Captain. The Admiral was awfully close to the top of the pecking order and it made Sally suppress a scowl. She had no reason to take Redby at his word. This bullshit scene of sympathy didn't help either. Typical canned empathy from a flag officer. He probably didn't even remember Chris' name.

“His sacrifice to the UNSC to clear his innocence stirs people such as I. We should have trusted his loyalty more. But right now we have far more pressing issues. Last week we received word of some information her Highness was able to retrieve for us that's frankly, quite shocking.

Ekdal noticed her. He waved behind Redby's back without the Admiral noticing.

Sally's anger subsided, and a smile actually crossed her face. She winked at Ekdal.

“This was the message that she was able to retrieve.”

The Forerunner characters flashed across the holotank that Ryan and Johnson were looking at. “That's what was carved into his arm?” Johnson asked Sally, taking the cigar out of his mouth and gesturing at the Forerunner writing.

“Yeah.” she nodded. “Seemed awfully important.”

“Oh, it is.” A new person said as they entered. The gait was unknown, the body was unfamiliar, but the voice was clear as day. Cortana.

AIs had the option of using 'Prosthetics', artificial bodies that allowed for interaction with Humans. She had elected to use one every now and again. The 'brain' of the body was special because it allowed her to 'forget' what she didn't need, which effectively sidestepped rampancy.

“Why don't I get a body like that?” NICOLE asked absentmindedly.

Cortana appeared as an ONI scientist. She was dressed in simple casual businesswear and had a white coat on top. An ID badge even hung from a breast pocket though it was not necessary to have one. The only indication that this was a vessel for an AI was the glowing blue eyes. Dark enough to pass for Human at a glance, but noticeable for the illusion to be broken on inspection. “Forerunner language tends to use multiple dimensions to allow for higher meaning. Their language evolved with their digital age. Looking at a word at a different angle allows for different interpretation of the word. Masculine and feminine forms, declensions, and whether the word is formal or not.”

“So, what does that mean?” Sonic asked. “Why is that important?”

“Because this word isn't written in three dimensions.”

“Kind of hard to do that in flesh.” Ryan said under his breath.
Cortana continued. “Instead, this wording seems to follow that of an older language, one that fell out of common use to many of the Forerunner rates. Lieutenant Prower, would you like to explain?”

Miles got up from where he sat.

“Lieutenant?” Sally asked at once.

“Surprise!” Tails said softly. “Just figured out myself!”

“You attended OCS?”

“Didn't need to.” Andsworth chuckled. “Kicked everyone's asses on the entrance, then blew away the teachers. There's men that have been teaching for thirty years that were amazed by this guy right here.”

Miles blushed, but nobody saw a thing. This was big for him. He wasn't a fighter, but he was gaining access to greater scientific resources than he ever thought possible. “I looked a little bit into it. Each Forerunner rate had their own real language. The Builders were the caste that were in control – they made things like Halo rings.”

“I can tell you that they were the most egotistical.” Cortana said, shifting her weight on her legs. “Even bigger heads than mine.”

A small chuckle passed through the room. Miles continued after wiping the smile off his face. “Since the Builders were in charge, they had a language that was fairly common in the Ecumene – that's their government and nation. This was called Jagon. It's kind of a trade language that remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years. Kind of like how we're all speaking English right now.”

“So, this is that language?” Sally offered.

“No. That's the point.” Miles reassured.

“I don't understand.” the Princess shrugged.

“This is a Forerunner language.” the young man said. “Just not a Builder language. What you're looking at here is called Digon, the language of the Warrior-Servants class. This was essentially their army. So, we decided to look into it.”

“This never leaves this room.” Redby warned. “The UNSC's had access to many Forerunner relics of interest that we've been trying to crack. It's clear that their coding is a bit hard to get through. Over half a millennium and we've maybe got through 40% of the data.”

“Some of that we figured.” Sally mentioned. “I didn't know that the UNSC was that invested in Forerunner tech.”

“It's one of the reason our Slipspace drives are as good as they are. Not to mention Slipspace communications.”

“I apologize, Admiral, but we need to get back on track. This bit is important.”

“Of course, Lieutenant. Continue.” Redby nodded.

“Thanks. As I was saying, this string of letters, when spoken in Jagon come to something close to a verb. To dream. Specifically it's the Neutral Third Person – 'they dream'. However, when spoken in Digon, remember, the language of the Warrior Servants, it translates to a noun, something that we consider a place now: 'Requiem'.

Rouge, who sat at the far right of the group close to the holotable sat straighter and her ears perked. She heard that name spoken, but it was John-117 that responded. “What does that mean? You said it was a place?”

“Right.” Tails chirped. “We pored over everything we could find and and saw several mentions of Requiem, although in the context it was used, we thought it was simply a codename for someone. Instead, it was referring to something: a planet. Or, at least that's what it looks like to us.”

“The more accurate term would be Shield Installation.” Cortana then chimed in. John and I were familiar with Halos. Shield Installations were meant to protect what was inside from the firing effect of the Halo Array.”

“So, this Requiem thing is protecting whatever's inside? How does that work? I thought it was impossible to escape a Halo.”

“Under most cases, yes.” Cortana admitted. However, the Shield worlds like Requiem somehow can negate the effect, quite possibly because the world inside partially exists in Slipspace. As it turns out, the effect of the Array doesn't penetrate into higher dimensional space. Nope. It works only for organics such as the ones in this room.”

“We already have fielded several Shield World bastions.” Andsworth said. “Isn't that right, Hugh?”

“Indeed.” Redby nodded. “Trevelyan's the biggest we have yet. It's a Dyson sphere. Forerunners managed to build a planet around the star.

“Hold on, I've never heard of that.” Sally said. “How big is it?”

“Big.” Andsworth said. “Sounds like you've chosen your next leave.”

“So back up.” Rouge said. “Why is Requiem important again?”

“Dunno.” Sally said. “Chris went on and on about the Didact. You think he has something to do with it?”

“Oh wow.” Miles came to the realization. “Oh wow. I think I know.”

“What's up?” Sonic asked, actually getting excited.

“I think... the Didact may be on Requiem.”

There was silence. The computers beeped. Admiral Redby took off his cap and scratched his scalp. His silver hair shone in the light of the monitors.

“You're saying that a Forerunner high general may be alive?”

“I'm saying it's possible. I think he's there.” Tails reassured. “I don't know that.”

“That's a big 'think'.” Andsworth said. “Cortana, is that possible?”

The AI placed a hand t her chin. On close inspection, her eyes seemed to brighten quickly as she thought. Her brain whirled as it computed the information and wirelessly accessed the networks of ONI. Her chest rose and fell to simulate breathing. It was disconcerting to say the least.

“Possible.” she concluded. “Forerunners were able to reach advanced age commonly. I've heard of many examples of people living well over ten thousand years, but a hundred thousand? That's pushing it, even for the Forerunners.”

“Jesus, can you imagine if Marshall found this out before us?” Andsworth said. “He'd have every ship he had looking for it.”

“He almost did, Gerome.” Redby agreed. “It's a good thing it turned out the way they did.”

Sally shot a look of rage at Redby. She knew that he was right that Marshall had been arrested, but it was a twist of the knife in the wound for her. Absolutely tactless, not that Redby cared.

Cortana looked quite interested in the ordeal, which was interesting since the prosthetic could emulate Human emotion enough to seem comforting. “I just find that hard to believe that the Didact, the Forerunner supreme commander, the person who single handedly smashed the Human military might is just hanging out inside a planet.”

More silence.

“So,” Andsworth said. “Who wants to go wake him up?”

Everyone locked eyes with the Admiral.

“Excuse me?” Sally asked. “Say that again?”

“HIGHCOM realizes the tactical advantage of having a Forerunner Warrior Servant on our side.”

“They said this with a straight face?” Sonic asked.

“As an arrow, son.  They are creating a task force to head to Requiem, wake him up and convince him to help us against the Prisoner.”

“Didn't Cortana just say he smashed Humanity into the dirt?” Ryan pointed out.

“Yes.” she responded. “But that was a hundred thousand years ago. He could have changed his mind since then.”

“Hope so. Wonder if he carries a grudge.” Sonic asked.

“Well, before you all jump to the task, there's one more mission we have to attend to.” Andsworth cleared his throat. “The time on the Prisoner trying to break out is shrinking. We have close to 50 years give or take, but I want to jump on that as soon as possible. I want it done within ten.”

“Ten.” Sally said. “Can you do it in ten?”

“This works out and we could do it in five.” Redby said, raising an eyebrow. “Odds are, whatever weapons we have won't even bother the Prisoner if it tries to break out. The Forerunners obviously did a good enough job, but they've had a good several million years of a head start. We're going to need to cheat.”

Johnson took a drag on the cigar. “I'm listening.”

“Well, considering we're going up against the closest thing to a god we can find, we need weapons. I'm scared shitless of this thing and what it could do, so the UEG has greenlit expeditionary missions to alternate universes to conduct acquisition of energy sources or weapons that can be used for offensive purposes.”

“Not everything will work.” Ryan noted. “When we were back in the Republic, half of that works on physics we just don't have.”

“We've taken that into consideration.” Redby nodded. “That's why we ran a scan of EUS systems that have high concentrations of Chaos Energy. We've had a few good hits.”

“Hits?” Sally repeated.

Redby sighed. “Universes that had high traces of Chaos Energy. We had something to base it off of – the Chaos Emeralds. They radiate a similar energy. We took the closest match and just compared the signals.”

“How'd it go?” Sonic ask. “More energy?”

Redby looked astounded by his own words. “Off the scale. We've never had anything like this yet. It's like the whole damn universe is made of those Emeralds. I think it was classified EUS 1840.”

“That's Weyland's turf.” Andsworth said.

“And I don't give a shit.” Redby added. “Comes from the top Gerome. UEG directive now trumps Jeremy Weyland. I don't care if his rinky-dink corporation has rights to poke around first. This is a matter of UNSC security now.”

Andsworth laughed. “Alright. If you want a storm of shit washing on your head, you do that.”

“Gladly. Alright so disclaimer – this is a dangerous place. Some of our first scouts came back in seconds. We lost two drones on an unmanned, and our signals are being bounced. Almost like they don't want to be contacted, or something's keeping us out. Not a physical barrier though. You want in, I can't guarantee safety.”

“I'm in.” Johnson said. “I could use a vacation.”

“Let's do it then.” Ryan added. “If the Sarge is going, I'm with him.”

“You're going to want me there.” Miles added. “I'll run operations from our ship.”

“Speaking of ship,” Captain Ekdal chimed in. “The Ontario will be of whatever use we can. She's a tough little vessel. She's fast too. Whatever's on the other side of that gate, my crew will be ready to drive her steady.”

Everyone waited for more volunteers.

“I'm not going.” Sonic finally said. “Amy's been worried lately. Being kidnapped and all that. Won't be right to leave her.”

“Are you sure, Sonic?” Miles asked.

“Yeah, little bro. We're talking about a few things. You're the brains of the team now.”

“Count me out.” Rouge said. “I've had enough adventures.

“No way.” Sally said. “Not with the state I'm in.”

“I wouldn't make you go anyway, Highness.” Andsworth said. “Which reminds me. You'll need a new leader.”

They looked at him, quizzical. It was true that there was a void in the command position, but they never thought to approach it yet.

“John.” Sally said. “John should be the leader.”

The Spartan cocked his head. A quick look of confusion crossed his face, but only for a moment.

“I think that's a wonderful idea.” Cortana agreed. “A Spartan-II has some of the most impressive combat records of any soldier in history. They were made to change civilization. We just so happen to have one standing before us.”

John assessed the situation, weighing his options. He took a second, then spoke. “What is the Admiral's perspective on the matter?”

Andsworth shrugged. “I sign a few papers and boom.” Gerome shrugged. “Easy as can be. What about you though? Would you like the job, son?”

John nodded. “I accept the position.”

OMEGA applauded. John had proven himself an amazing member of the team during their brief escapade. He could keep a secret, play the sides when he needed to, was an amazing warrior, and seemed to simply 'get' the group. The only person who was feeling somewhat down was Sally. She had to admit she was being a bit clingy now, as the CO was her dearly departed, and she served as combat XO. She smiled for him and clapped just the same, rising to her feet to shake his hand. Her tiny palm was engulfed in his gauntlet as they shared congratulations. She also shook Cortana's hands as well.

“So much so fast.” NICOLE whispered to Sally. “Are you alright?”

“Getting there.” Sally whispered back. “It'll take some time.”

“I'm with you each step of the way.”

Andsworth broke up the celebration of their new Commander. “Alright! Alright it's not official yet! I need to transfer Spartan-117 from his unit posting to OMEGA. You take orders directly from me now son, otherwise, you do whatever it is you feel you need to accomplish the mission.”

“Understood, sir.” John replied.

“You're going to find Requiem. You and Cortana.”

“We're not heading with the mission?” Cortana asked.

“No.” Redby replied. “We have a good shot of finding this Didact character. You two work best together and have had experience with Forerunner installations. It should be a walk in the park for you.”

“Will we be working with a group?” John asked.

“We'll ask around.” Redby said. “There's more than a few Spartans that may be interested. Maybe a few members of OMEGA that aren't seated here.”

“Some of the STARs are ready for combat.” Andsworth added. “That baptism by fire really got some of them pumped to fight.”

Cortana stood by John. “We'll take all the help we can get. We'll bring the Didact back here one way or another.”

“Alive.” Redby said. “If he is alive. Any other Forerunners you find are to be located and recovered as well.”

“Understood.” John nodded.

“That's all.” Andsworth said. “I understand these missions will be dangerous. I know you people are up to it. Bunch of damn fine soldiers if you ask me. Marshall was a good test to see how you all operated separated, under overwhelming forces and in new environments. Hugh, Captain, we need to discuss more of this with the President-elect.”

Andsworth saluted the group, turned, and left with the other men.

OMEGA looked at one another, now realizing that they would be split up once more.

“What's the plan, Chief?” Johnson asked. “Just like old times.”

“Yeah.” John said. “Just like old times. The plan is this: Requiem takes priority for me. I need to leave immediately since it will be easier to locate. I am placing Sergeant Major Johnson as the leader of the EUS mission. Anybody who wants to change their mind and go with him, I won't stop you. Anybody who wants to apprehend an alien general, there's more than enough room on our team.”

“Just so you know,” Cortana added to John, “There's no telling what will be on the other side of that Jumpgate. If it turns out that Chaos Energy will be coming from hell, well then you're on your own.”

“I'll give Satan my regards.” Johnson added with a toothy smile.

John walked over to Sally. “Highness, you're effectively off duty along with you.” he pointed to Sonic. “I do not expect either of you to join, nor will I require it.” You are now considered on indefinite leave.”

“Thanks, Chief.” Sally said. “I think I need a few months off my feet. Back problems and all. My chiropractor's going to love me.” She smiled. John couldn't show her any emotion, but more air flowed out his nose than usual.

The Lieutenant turned back to his men. “We leave once we finalize group rosters. Go home, get some rest, and when we're ready, we move out hard. Understood?”

No chorus of 'Yes sir', but everyone nodded wearily. They all understood well enough though.

As OMEGA filed out, none of them could have been aware of the missing piece of information that died with Captain Christopher J. Vennettilli – the mystery of Parl. The Librarian's warning of the mysterious pyramid on the forgotten world drifted into whatever lay beyond death. It would not be now, but later when they would feel the effects of this information he failed to pass on. Whatever was in the dead halls of this world would have aided them greatly. They would just need to improvise.

But that would be another time. For now, the men and women of OMEGA slept, joyed that their mission was over. Marshall had been defeated and the UEG spared from a war that would have destroyed Mobius.

Sally Acorn slept though in an empty bed in the castle of her ancestors. She tried to drift off to sleep. She felt the life inside of her and felt the burden of it grow. She dreamed of her lost Human, and how her child would have no father. How could she be a mother to it? This was a task that seemed monumental to her. She dreamed of Marshall, and one thought in her mind was that maybe, just maybe he could have been right. Before she dropped into unconsciousness, she banished this thought from her mind.

Sonic slept with Amy. He stroked her hair. He looked into her eyes, fastened tight in sleep. She made no motion at his touch but breathed deeply. Sonic looked out the window at the broken moon of Mobius. He was in a place he understood, the empty house of his parents where they once lived. Now it was his. He intended to make it a home for a family once more. He thought nothing of the dangers of what lie ahead. He only thought of tomorrow and what excitement it would dream. True to form, he dreamed of chili-dogs.
Miles Prower slept little, frightened by the prospect of what lay beyond his own universe. Nearly 17, he was still a child with more responsibility than anybody should have to bear. He continued though. Something inside of him pushed him forward, urging him to be better than himself. He did well to listen to it. When he finally did drift off to sleep, it was in the wee hours of the morning. But he dreamed of flying, that soaring feeling in his breast that made him feel like he could do anything. He would need this feeling in the months ahead.

Ryan slept calmly, which was unusual for him. After downing several victory drinks to no effect, he wandered into his bed back home in New York and waited for unconsciousness to take him. The phone on his nightstand buzzed. It was Rouge. He smiled. Even though their fling in the Republic was a short one, they still kept in contact from time to time. They even saw each other now and again. He quickly typed back a response to her and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He whispered good night to his collection of antique anti-vehicle cannons hung on the wall, then fell asleep.

Johnson was ready for a fight, but not for the enemy that could not be escaped. His mind was weighted by the dead STARs. He slept restlessly and in dreamless void. When he would wake the next morning, he would have no memory of this. He only knew he had a duty to Earth, to Mobius, and at this point, every single sentient species in the galaxy.

John-117 didn't sleep. Instead, he worked through the night, driven by a need to be a leader. He felt pride being given a task that he had to accomplish. It seemed large, almost insurmountable, but he learned that insurmountable was only the merely difficult to a Spartan. He would take his forces and get the Didact, whether by peace or by force to aid them in their mission. He studied maps, schematics, and poked for advice by Cortana. Bit by bit, hour by hour, they built up their knowledge. By the time the sun rose, they weren't even nearly done.

But the Prisoner hadn't known sleep in untold eons. It lay awake in its jail, biding its time. It knew that it would receive guests. It chuckled to itself in a tongue that had been forgotten to God Himself. It cursed in the language of the Angels, and made a promise in the word that would have made Death shudder. Soon it would be time to come out and meet the world anew. The Prisoner had an escape plan ready.

All it needed now was a helping hand.