=CHAPTER 2=
Unknown Planet
1422 Hours, 9/10/2613
The escape pod slowly touched down on the unknown planet. Two heavy metal legs put the pod firmly on the ground. An AV-14 Hornet assault aircraft emerged out of the pod.
"Where should we go, Cortana?" the Master Chief asked Cortana. "Strangely, I'm detecting massive transmission signals underground," the AI observed. "We should find a way to enter the underground world, Chief." "Let's get back to the base," said John. "We will get the 'hog and find the entry."
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"There it is!" exclaimed Cortana. "Gun it Chief, use the launcher to smash it open." "Roger that." the Chief replied. John pressed a button on the Warthog's control panel.
Two HE-66 rockets raced towards the heavy metal doors. However, before they can reach the target, a pair of air to ground missiles detonated in front of the rockets. The rockets turned and faced the Warthog.
"Watch out!" Cortana cried to the Chief. John immediately steered the Warthog away from the rockets, but with little effect as the rockets have tracking ability. John hit the brakes to fake the tracking machine that the vehicle was already destroyed and was evaporated. However, an EMP bomb suddenly came flying out of the metal door and made the engine stuck.
"Jump Chief!" Cortana shouted. John used his jet pack to eject himself out. He was lucky to escape but the 'hog was destroyed by the rockets. "Poor 'hog," said Cortana in a sad voice. "I must avenge him."
"Stop being sil....." John was cut off by a scratching voice. The huge metal doors opened to reveal a tank-like weapon with the main cannon facing John. "Under that tank is a Forerunner symbol," said Cortana. "Looks like that the surface is a cover to hide the symbols."
"Don't move," a deep voice told the Chief, "We don't want to kill innocent people. You, put down your weapons. We must investigate before we can trust you."
"Chief, do what they told you," whispered Cortana. "That tank is even more powerful than a Scarab. It can evaporate you before you notice it fired." John took the AI's advice and put down his weapons. Three aliens of average human size seized the Chief without resistance. Another alien retrieved his weapons.
The aliens pushed the Master Chief through the door. Behind the door and the tank is a massive maze of buildings, fortresses and factories with Forerunner symbols on it. John was brought to the centre of the maze. He was pushed into a building that is like a city hall.
The guards guarding the building held John strongly. "Release the newcomer," the voice said. "Let him go inside to the council main conference room." The guards obeyed the voice and let the Chief go. John stretched his arms and legs before moving to the conference room.
After John entered the room, the doors slammed shut. There was no one in the room. "What do you want," John told the voice. He was answered by silence. Deep silence that made John nervous. He prepared himself for close combat.
However, noting came to meet the Spartan. John decided to sit on one of the chairs to rest. However, he will soon regret this decision. The second John was seated, a rattling sound started and John's chair along with the whole room sink into the underground.
"Cortana what just happened? " John asked his companion. "How odd," Cortana observed. "It is highly unusual that a civilization with such advance technology will use a chair as the key to open the door to the underground. How unexpected ..."
John explored the underground. Forerunner terminals were all over the place. He checked one of the terminals. A scroll of unreadable Forerunner words appeared on the screen. "If I am right," Cortana said,"This terminal have the newest information on the planet and its people. This piece of information is about their leader."
Cortana translated the words and put them on the Chief's HUD. John read the information. It was about the Forerunner former military leader, Brilliant Lights of the Suns. Light ruled the Forerunners for about 60 years and is a 'Fifth Form' according to the article. He defeated his political enemies using brute force and triggered a civil war on the world. Light finally win with the cost of the death of 3 of his sons.
Light ruled with uneven law and corrupted the government. Forerunners suffered under his rule. He starved people and took their households and all their money. Millions who opposed him were executed.
The sufferings ended when the savior of the race stood up against the tyrant. The Forerunner named Glory of the Flames fought Light using guerrilla tactics and lowered the number of Light's army and soon defeated Light's last 40 man in the underground where John was.
"How do you feel?" Cortana inquired. "Nothing," replied the Chief. "I have nothing to do with the Forerunners." Cortana sighed at the Master Chief's reply. "You didn't get my question. You are in a Forerunner city now. How do you feel?"
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