Halo

PART 1

Cortana, all I need to know is did we lose them?
I think we both know the answer to that.

We made a blind jump. How did they
Get here first? The Covenant ships have always been faster. As for tracking us all the way from Reach...at light speed, my maneuvering options were limited.

We were running dark, yes?
Until we decelerated. No one could have missed the hole we tore in subspace.

They were waiting for us on the far side of the planet.

So, where do we stand?
Our fighters are mopping up the last of their recon picket now, nothing serious.

But I've isolated approach signatures from multiple CCS-class battle groups, make it three capital ships per group. And in about 90 seconds they'll be all over us.
Well, that's it then. Bring the ship back up to Combat Alert Alpha. I want everyone at their stations.
Everyone, sir?
Everyone.

And Cortana...

Hmm?
...let's give our old friends a warm welcome.
I've already begun.

Attention, all combat personnel: Please report to your action stations.
5th Platoon, secure airlocks on Deck 11. 14th Platoon, rendezvous with 22nd Tactical at bulkhead Charlie 14.

You heard the lady! Move like you've got a purpose!
This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill.

Once again, it is our job to finish what the flyboys started. We are leaving this ship, platoon, and engaging the Covenant on solid ground. When we meet the enemy, we will rip their skulls from their spines, and toss 'em away, laughin'!Am I right, Marines?
Sir, yes sir!
Uh-huh. Damn right, I am. Now move it out! Double time!

Attention, all[/s] personnel: We are re-engaging the enemy. Internal and external contact imminent.
All you greenhorns who wanted to see Covenant up close...this is gonna be your lucky day.

Whoa! Sir?
Right. Let's thaw him out.

Okay. Bringing low-level systems online. Cracking the case in thirty seconds.

He's hot! Blowing the pins in five...

His suit shows green. Cycle complete.

Captain Keyes.

Good to see you, Master Chief. Things aren't going well. Cortana did her best, but we never really had a chance.

A dozen Covenant superior battleships against a single Halcyon-Class cruiser. Given those odds I'm content with three...make that four kills. Sleep well?
No thanks to your driving, yes.
So you did miss me.
Report!
It must have been one of their boarding parties! I'd guess an Antimatter Charge!
Ma'am! Fire control to the main cannon is offline!
Captain, the cannon was my last offensive option.
Alright then. I'm initiating Cole Protocol, Article 2. We're abandoning the Autumn. That means you too, Cortana.
While you do what, go down with the ship?
In a manner of speaking. The object we found, I'm going to try and land the Autumn on it.
With all due respect, sir, this war has enough dead heroes.
I appreciate your concern, Cortana, but it's not up to me. Protocol is clear. Destruction or capture of a shipboard AI is absolutely unacceptable, that means you're leaving the ship. Lock in a selection of emergency landing zones, upload them to my neural lace, and then sort yourself for a hard transfer.
Aye aye, sir.

Which is where you come in, Chief. Get Cortana off this ship. Keep her safe from the enemy. If they capture her, they'll learn everything. Force deployment, weapons research... Earth.
I understand.

The Autumn will continue evasive maneuvers until you initiate a landing sequence. Not that you'll listen, but I'd suggest letting my subroutines handle the final approach.
Excellent work, Cortana. Thank you. Are you ready?

Yank me.

Good luck, Master Chief.

Hmm...your architecture isn't much different from the Autumn's...
Don't get any funny ideas.

Oh no, oh no! Ahhh!
Now would be a very good time to leave!
Punch it.
Aye aye, sir!

We're disengaged. Goin' for minimum safe distance.
We're gonna make it, aren't we, sir? I don't wanna die out here!

Look!

What is that thing, Lieutenant?
Hell if I know, but we're landin' on it.
The Autumn! She's been hit!

I knew it! The Autumn's accelerating, Keyes is going in manual!

Heads up everyone, this is it! We're entering the ring's atmosphere in five!
Sure you wouldn't rather take a seat?
We'll be fine.

If I still had fingers, they'd be crossed...