Welcome to Gaia! ::

The ominous blue writing fluttered up the transparent walls, telling the stories of the prestigious Forerunner, a race that had met extinction in an epic cycle of death and despair. In the Forerunner's final moments, or as Angel deciphered, the Reclaimers were given terrestrial rights to everything the Forerunner once had. These factual findings that were of great importance transcended the minimal speculation of most Humans.

A Spire at the center of the universe, dark and ominous, it's potential powers hidden by the prodigious fields of roses; Roses who's thorns were so sharp they could cut through any alloy. Roses that held a universe in their soft and fragrant bed of petals, glowing like a sun. And two species fighting for the Tower, trying to claim it as theirs so that they may rule the universe.

Michael's mind traveled into the Traverse, just as sure as the Forerunner history scrolled up the columns, walls and window panes. There was sound, a small ringing, distant yet constant. He could smell the scent of scorched remains. He could feel the cold in his bones, spreading through his body while intense heat licked at his skin. He could taste the sulfurous air as he breathed, each breathe becoming ragged and harsh. He could see the bodies of mangled Forerunner, Reclaimer and others infected by the parasite. Blood and feces stained the earth they fought on, penetrated the void of space giving it color.

Yet no one noticed in the Epitaph that the Commander was moving closer and closer to the Column of Light at the far side of the structure, away from the chaos. The ODSTs and Marines could not see what he saw, feel what he felt, taste what he could. They were oblivious to the hell the Forerunner were forced to endure. A cold and tragic hell.

Bodies lined the hallways of the massive structure that lay on the outskirts of the Citadel. Colonies of Forerunner extinguished by the parasite, consumed and turned into a body of death. Their skin parched and cracked, their flesh mutated and rotting. From beyond the veil the Parasite had come, a new understanding given to him by the Forerunner, or their ghosts. Fragments of emotion, personality and intelligence left behind for the Reclaimers; an eventuality that they had foreseen. The Forerunner were on the cusp of their reign as a galactic and universal civilization when they were consumed, just like the others in a horrifying and tragic manner.

"We have waited for your return, Reclaimer; you know us, as we know you."

Corporal James L. McGreary turned to find Hammer and flinched back, covering his eyes from the harsh light. Seconds later the light faded, "Commander?" Only the Column of Light stood defiantly among the soldiers of Humanity.

Unconscious reactions. When you you took your first breathe of fresh of air you did not think it happened like a reflex. Repetitive as you were awake and asleep. A rebirth had appeared within Winter. The womb of reality seemed to have been broken free. A world more open and spaced then his original restricted concept had been broken. Destroyed. Like a jar of water it broke. Spreading the contents, the water across the floor. No longer restricted to the jar instead spilling across everything.

There was no longer thought in each act. It was disturbing in its own way. Your body and mind moved before the thought had the ability to reach. Science could not comprehend this new world. Fresh and anew.

From one world to the next he stepped. A gateway appearing before his eyes soaking him within in its cool texture. Skin prickled beneath armor as his lost leader came before his eyes. He was consumed in information. A flood of it.

His mouth opened without thought. "You see." He commented. "I see. But you see more." Words they spilled from his mouth like wildfire. Setting a forest of thought ablaze. And yet the thoughts were partial. They came as the words did before he had time to comprehend.

The man started the pace. Moving upon the invisible floor of reality. Was this a dream? A vision of the commander's he had entered? Without thought he had come here. As if lead here to deliver the speech that spread forth from his parted lips.

"You are a reclaimer. Yet you are different then the rest. You are, as said the champion." The man continued. "You must take the journey and follow its destined path. For our lives here and now rest upon your shoulders."

Then a pause.

"Champion of the Reclaimers will you lead us? To victory. For it is your choice. Yes, no. It happens to be so simple. But it is up to you. Will you endure the painful path before you? Or leave it journeying away as the destruction of your own race comes upon them. It is time for you lead. With your new vision you can. You must. Do not think twice. Believe."

Winter formed himself to the invisible wall. Returning to reality. To where he had come from to this dwelling.

"Now decide. Decide and listen. Justice has come. Justice is here. Its within your grasp. Wield it. They are with you. I am with you. I am with you. Commander."

Winter returned to reality. The cool rush had fled from his body. The world came as a blur. Nauseated he picked himself from the ground. Alone within Forerunner symbols he moved through the scrolling history. Towards the voices of his comrades. The world had taken a new turn. It was amazing. Fresh and anew. To think he could have been dead. Fate, predestined occurrences. They were true.

Anthony smiled as the words of the Captain danced around his head. "Aye aye Captain."

He hobbled over to the wall, almost a new man., retrieved the Rifle and the ammunition while swiping at the crutches also. He turned around, crutches in hand and brought his hand up to his head.

"Sir, permission to gather first and Second platoons for briefing, sir!" his voice was clear and unmistaken, he was back.

"Sir, I need to let them know of our next mission. The spire is a long way from here, and they need to know where they are going, sir." He cracked a smile from the side of his mouth.

After few minutes Dysond decided that since there was no enemy that he expected, he climbed down. He walked over to the nearest building and just walked. Walking cleared his mind of such things like suspisions (spell check please) and controversy thoughts. He walked for about thirty minutes. Then he came across the tree line. He felst like someone was looking at him.

" Captian Lee? This is Corporal Dysond, I think that there may be covenent in the surrounding forrest trying to cut us off from the rest of the troops. Permision to investigate sir?

He unslung his rifle and waited for the captains respnse.

((They're just following the Halo tradition. You usually crash in a pelican in the games. I mean, it's as if you throw a rock at them and they explode.))

"Belay that order marines. Our orders come from Commander Keyes directly. We are not going to jeopardize the mission. Find your sticks and load up. Dust-off in five!"

The ODSTs nodded and hurriedly shut down all of the remaining equipment and packed it away. When the second pelican, MIKE ONE NINER arrived, everyone was ready to go. Two minutes later and both birds were in the air. Despite Lipton's unfortunate revelation he had enough practice in displacing feelings to deal with it. He had seen too many planets die to cry. Once the initial shock wore off, he'd be his old self until the adrenaline stopped running through his system.

Twenty minutes more and they had linked up with the main assault force. It was actually a rather large flight of pelicans and phantom drop ships. There was a large island structure that had shield generators close to the shore. They needed to punch a hole through that shield. The second element, the one which Lipton was technically in charge of now that CMDR Hammer was MIA, needed to hit three subterranean targets. The first element was hitting the primary shield generators. The second was hitting the backups. They couldn't have the shield springing to life again at the worst possible time.

He glanced out the cockpit window and inhaled sharply as the flight of Pelicans rounded the Shadow of Intent. He knew Covenant ships were big, he just didn't know they were that big. He was suddenly very glad that the Elites were on humanity's side. Orders and mission information was broadcast along the UNSC-E band and whatever COM channel the Covenant separatists used. The second element's assault would be composed entirely of humans, unlike the first who had Elite backup. Then again, the majority of Covenant forces on the island were clustered in and around the shield towers. The combat flight circled the Elite flagship and waited for the last few Pelicans. There was no contact with Unyielding Reverence, and Lipton assumed the worst. But that would not stop him from doing his job. They were getting even closer, and it felt good.

Lipton was beyond angry. Winters had just disobeyed a direct order. He didn't know what the man knew, but he didn't care. This was the survival of the human race they were dealing with. He unstrapped himself from the troop bay and pointed at two men. The three of them grabbed M6G sidearms and entered the cockpit. Lipton looked at the copilot.

"Lieutenant, override the sergeant's controls. Now."

The copilot nodded and locked Winter out of the system. He eased the Pelican back on a flight path to the assault group. Lipton raised his pistol and aimed directly at Winter's head.

"Staff sergeant, place this man in restraints and take him to the troop bay."

The two marines he had brought with him nodded and pulled out the military FlexiCuffs that all Marines had in their kits.

"Yes sir."

Winter was wrestled from the cockpit and restrained before he was led out of the cockpit. He looked at Capt Brown and spoke.

"Captain, your control station should be unlocked. Set course for Shadow of Intent, inform them we have a prisoner that should be placed in the brig immediately."

"Aye aye Major." The captain said. He did as he was told and the Pelican shifted slightly as it banked toward the large Covenant carrier. Lipton turned and walked back to where Winter was being held.

"Master Gunnery Sergeant Winter David Mark Smith you have disobeyed a direct order and attempted to steal a UNSC vessel. As per JAG article 7556-L I am placing you under arrest for treason during a time of war. You have the right to remain silent and a representative of the Judge Advocate General's corps will be provided for your defence at a general court-martial to be scheduled after the current crisis. The punishment for treason is life enprisonment or death. If you resist arrest you will be executed without a general court-martial. Do you understand what I have told you?"

Perhaps this would seem harsh, but order must be maintained and Winter had tried to steal a Pelican. Subtracting from the efficiency and cohesiveness of the human fighting element. No military court would disagree with the charges Lipton had placed on him. The Prophet of Truth was just beyond that shield, and they had orders. If Winter knew something, he needed to submit it through the proper channels, not take matters into his own hands. This was the Marine Corps dammit. He would not abide theft or disregard for orders. The Pelican was illuminated by a purple alien light as it entered the mamoth hanger bay possessed by the Shadow of Intent. The rear hatch was opened and an echelon of Elites stood waiting. Chief among them was the Elite commander who had been on the Unyielding Reverence. Anso 'Duram. And he was not happy.