 |
About This Site
Daily Musings
News
News Archive
Site Resources
FAQ
Screenshots
Concept Art
Halo 2 Updates
Interviews
Movies
Music
Miscellaneous
Mailbag
HBO PAL
Game Fun
The Halo Story
Tips and Tricks
Fan Creations
Wallpaper
Misc. Art
Fan Fiction
Comics
Logos
Banners
Press Coverage
Halo Reviews
Halo 2 Previews
Press Scans
Community
HBO Forum
Clan HBO Forum
HBO IRC Channel
Links
Admin
Submissions
FTP Uploads
HTTP Uploads
Contact
|
|
|
Into the Unknown Chapter 5 Something new
Posted By: Jean-Paul Allee<assassin_raven@yahoo.com>
Date: 21 August 2002, 1:03 am
Read/Post Comments
|
"Spartan 117, John. Please report to the tech lab." The Master Chief was awoken by the voice of Dr. Halsey over the intercom. It was a few hours till he and the other Spartan's were to take off in the Longsword to salvage what they can of Covenant technology from the ships that were destroyed in the attack on Reach. Most of the other Longswords and space traveling human ships left with the survivors of the attack. John got up and headed over to the tech lab in full armor and helm. The MC wondered what the doctor needed him for. Maybe she was able to get something useful from Cortana. She was able to have the Longsword jump engines altered so they could get back to Reach faster than normal and have the other ships altered as well. Maybe Cortana and Dr. Halsey has something new for John.
John walked into the lab as the doctor looked towards him. "Master Chief. Thank you for coming so quickly. Cortana has debriefed me on the incident involving 'Halo'. I have also reviewed the record from your mission cam. Cortana has uploaded a mass amount of info into our computer system from the Halo control room." The Master Chief nodded, understanding what the doctor was talking about. "Also," started Dr. Halsey, "There is more. We have learned that the Covenant uses technology that they stole or adapted from the Forunners. I believe that you have deduced this while fighting and exploring the ring world." Dr. Halsey was looking down at a work panel typing while talking to John. John was watching the doctor as she talked on about what she got from Cortana, the relationship between the Covenant and the Forunners, what 343 Guilty Spark was talking about, the Flood, and the Halo systems.
"Ah. Master Chief. I need you to take off your armor please." John removed his helmet and set it down then preceded to remove the rest of the armor and set it on the table that Dr. Halsey pointed to.
After John finished striping, the doctor gave him some clothes to wear and pointed him to a door and to wait for her to call him back. John did so as techs came in and started collecting his armor. Again in his life John felt empty, naked, exposed. All because of the lack of his armor on his body. The MC tried not to think about much, and walked on the way to the mess hall. On the way there;
"Well well Chief. So this is what you look like with out that suit. And what a hansom face you have." The MC looked around and saw Cortana standing there in front of him.
"Cortana. Where did you come from?"
"I was going through the computer systems and uploading all the info from the control room or Dr. Halsey. Then I was board and came looking for you." Cortana stood there looking at John, smiling with hands on hips. She was shorter that John of course, but looked like a much younger Dr. Halsey. John smiled a little and kept walking as Cortana followed, talking on about all the things she learned on Halo.
Just before they reached the mess hall, Cortana spoke up on one thing.
"Chief. When I was in the control room while you were gone, I was able to change a part of my self. Before, I would of had a life span of seven years till I...... Till I would have died because I would have thought to the point where all my functions would have stopped and kill me. But after I was in the control room, I was able to change that so that I will live on for an infinite number of years. Dr. Halsey was greatly intrigued in that" The MC looked at Cortana the whole time as she spoke. He saw the expressions she made as she spoke. To John, Cortana was someone close to him like the rest of the Spartans. Cortana stopped and looked down. John looked at her.
"What's wrong Cortana?"
"I just had a terrible thought. Even though I will be alive forever, you will one day die and just be a memory that I have." John stood there, about ready to go into the next room, looking at Cortana.
"Cortana. My life is not one that many have or understand. And I may die at anytime. But that is my life. I have survived battle after battle and will keep going till there is no more battles for me to fight. I will keep going till I can't anymore. That is who I am. And I am proud of that. Also, you are an important person to me. You may be just an A.I. to others, but to me you are just as much to me as my fellow Spartans. When I do die and you are still alive, keep your memory of this time and me. Remember and tell others of what you have seen and known." Cortana was looking at john.
"You're right Chief. I guess I care for you so much because of all the time I have spent with you." The MC nodded and walked into the mess hall and got some food. Sitting there gave John time to think about things. Thinking about their next mission, what the future holds.
After john was done eating, he went to the gym to workout. There he met up with the rest of the Spartans, all in regular clothes like his self.
"John! There you are." It was Kelly that called to him, walking over to greet him as he came in. Some of the other Spartans were working out or sparing with each other.
"So , Chief. When do you think that we will be able to leave?" Asked Kelly.
"As soon as we get our armor back we should be able to leave. I want us to board as many downed Covenant ships as we can. Prime objectives are to find and secure ship bridges and any data there in. Secondary is to secure any and all weapons, shield enhancements, cloaking enhancements, and anything else that may be of use." Kelly nodded and went back to her workout.
For what seemed like hours upon hours, the Spartans were training, sparing, and keeping busy reviewing for their up coming mission. Cortana called in everyone for a quick briefing on the recovery of Covenant technology. After just a few minutes, Dr Halsey came in.
"Spartans. Thanks to the Master Chief and Cortana, we have made a large amount of improvements on your suits. The shielding has been made stronger, last longer, and can recharge quicker. Next, better HUD setup and options. Added sensors and visual modes. One visual mode that allows you to see cloaked hostiles. Another visual mode is a type of x-ray vision. This allows you to see through almost anything." The room was silent as the Spartans heard this, looking at the Hollow image showing the advancements done to their suits. John thought about this and knew that it would change things for the war.
"Also. The Life support in the suits has been extended to allow you up to a hundred and eighty minutes of air in complete vacuum and air filtering for atmosphere that is normally non breathable. Targeting and COM's systems have also been advanced so communication's can be made over longer distances." Everyone was still amazed at what was upgraded on the suits. Again John was thinking about how this could change things and even the playing field. John was about to ask a question when Dr. Halsey started to speak again.
"One more improvement is the jetpack and boosters we have added to the armor. This system is best used for zero g action and use. Though you can use some of the systems in an environment with gravity, it is limited." With that the MC knew that the booster would help with falls, reaching areas too high with no other access, and this booster system will help with the up coming mission.
"Dr Halsey." John started. "Will we be able to train with the upgrades before we leave?" John and the others looked at her and Cortana.
"Yes Master Chief. We have a zero g room to test the new systems. Now if you will follow me, We will get your suits on all of you to begin." Everyone got up and followed the doctor into the tech lab. This was going to change everything thought the MC. Now the Covenant will have something new to fear. And that fear will help end the war.
|
