Exiled soldiers

Ken, Twilight, Spike, Elegance, Josh, and Palmer walked down the hallway Star had led them to. "You know, I wonder what it is these keys are supposed to be," Josh said.

"Same," Ken said. "Still, what I'm wondering is why the Warden called Twilight a 'Proto-Inheritor' when literally every other Forerunner A.I. so far has removed the prefix and just said 'Inheritor'."

"I guess we could ask Star when we're done in here," Twilight said. "You know, the short we're using for Void and Star sound like names from my planet. Weird."

"Yeah, a little," Josh said before the six entered a vast, circular chamber, with a cylinder of hard light in the middle, holoterminals around the room. The central hard light cylinder was, for lack of a better term, thick enough to where you could not see through it, but there were six holoterminals spread around it.

"I guess we're supposed to go to one of those terminals each," Elegance said.

"You think," Palmer said.  "Come on, let's get this over with."

"Copy that," Ken said. "Pick a console, people." With that, the team of six split up, one at each of the consoles.

"So, uh, what do we do," Spike asked.

"I guess we just place our hand on the consoles," Josh said, doing just that, and a small hum could be heard as his hand rested on it. "Looks like I was right."

"So it would seem," Ken said, following Josh, the hum getting louder, which was followed by the others doing the same, Twilight being the last.

Once Twilight placed a hand on her console, a robotic voice could be heard saying, "Alpha Key energy detected. Identify."

Twilight panicked, and went for the first thing that came to her mind. "Twilight Sparkle!"

"Syncing data. . . Name identified. Warning: foreign DNA has been attempting to use prototype Alpha key. Do you wish to kill the perpetrator," the voice asked.

"No," Twilight. "Do not kill!"

"Understood. What do you wish to do currently?"

"Uh," Twilight said, "release the keys held here?"

"If that is your command," the voice said before six holes, one just above each console and eye height for the six, appeared in the cylinder, and six objects floated through.

"No way," Twilight whispered in amazement at the purple, gem like object that floated in front of her. "The Elements."

"Negative," the voice replied. "What you call 'The Elements' are simply prototypes to these. They are known as cleansers, and were meant to be used by those with unique energies."

The Gem, or whatever it was, in front of Twilight seemed to glow. "Inheritor, the one meant to represent control has chosen you. It is a great gift, as the Ancilla inside does not choose easily."

The one in front of Spike, a purple gem like Generosity, then glowed. "Young Dragon, both of those representing a willingness to give are in contact with one another, and the one inside this specific one has deemed you worthy yo be the one to hold it."

The one in front of Josh, a pink reminiscent of Kindness, then glowed. "For the Reclaimers, I have been in contact with the Monitor known as 6732 Peaceful Resolution, who was able to gather data from you all via the A.I. designated as Roland. As such, Reclaimer Miller, both I and the Ancilla inside this Key know you are give help to those who need it, and often try to calm others down. As such, the one inside the Key belonging to those of being supportive to their allies is yours."

"This is sounding like a damned movie with six chosen ones getting six, one of a kind artifacts," Josh muttered as the one in front of Elegance, an orange reminiscent of Honesty, glowed.

"Changeling Elegance, I have monitors that watch your people, as it was I who was meant to watch your people to ensure they did not disrupt the balance on your world. As such, I know they are liars by nature, you being the exception. You know the value of the truth. As such, the Ancilla in the Key of honesty has decided for you to be its partner."

The one in front of Ken, a blue reminiscent of Laughter, then began to glow. "Reclaimer Orochi," the voice said. "Though you do not seem like it, the records kept on you indicate you will go to great lengths to bring your comrades joy, even in the darkest and, if I may be honest, the most terrible times one can go through. The Inheritors people have incorrectly labeled the prototype as 'Laughter'. It is meant to be joy. The Ancilla inside this Key, wishes for you to be its partner."

Finally, the one in front of Palmer, a crimson like Loyalty, glowed. "As for you, Reclaimer Palmer. Though you can be, as the rest of your species says, bull headed, you have proven to be loyal to one who has earned it, and is loyal only for as long as they deserve it, something the Ancilla inside this Key agrees with. As such, it wishes for you to be its partner."

The glow on the six gems faded as Twilight asked, "And just what do we do with these, because I don't see anything we can use to put them on our armor?"

"Simply touch them," the voice replied. "The Ancillas contained within will transfer to your armor."

"Guess I'll go first, then," Josh said, raising an arm. He then touched the gem in front of him with his index finger, and, without ceremony, the gem fell to the ground. "Yeah, got a voice in my head."

"You may also name the Ancilla, if you wish," the voice said. "So that it is easier to address them."

"Well, you have the shape of a woman, so I guess I'll go with Sam," Josh said to the Ancilla in his armor systems.

"I'll go next," Twilight said, touching the gem in front of her, which then fell to the ground, as a purple hologram appeared in her view. The hologram had the shape of a unicorn mare wearing a simple shirt with a skirt, and, on her face, wrinkles around her eyes, wrinkles brought on, not by age, but of care and love, as Twilight recognized the form the Ancilla took on. It took on the form of her grandmother.

"Hello, Inheritor," it said in the same voice.

"So, what are you going to name it, Twi," Josh asked.

"I think I'll name her after my grandmother," Twilight said. "Starburst."

"I'm guessing she took on the shape of your race," Ken asked, to which Twilight nodded.

"Noted," Spike said, as he had a view of Twilight, being next to her. From there, the other four got and named the Anciallas after touching the gems, or whatever they were, in front of them.

Elegance went third, and named hers after her sister, Beauty; Spike went fourth, naming his Barb because ,"she looks like a female version of me," he reasoned; next was Ken, naming his Emily. Palmer, though, was the interesting one, as hers was in the form of a male Spartan in yellow recruit armor, a comrade of hers that had died. She named him the most appropriate thing she could think of. Davis.

"So it is done," the voice said once each was named. "The dreadnought the six are meant to activate did so upon you requesting them, and is undergoing preparations as we speak, and should be done within ten minutes."

"I guess we'll have to live with that," Ken said.

"And, if you wish, the Prometheans with you may take residence on it, and you may name it whatever you wish, as it has not yet been named."

"We'll keep that in mi-" Spike began before he was interrupted.

"Warning: Guardian signature detected nearby, along with heavy Promethean signatures reading as hostile. Danger: Three Warden body signatures detected. All closing in, and will be here within five minutes."

"Well, we're fucked," Josh said.

"Maybe not," Ken said. "Are there any Phaetons here, and any with that group," he asked the voice.

"Indeed, Reclaimer," it replied. "There are approximately twenty squadrons of Phateons within the dreadnought, where as the incoming hostiles have only ten Phaetons."

"Get some of the Soldiers in here with us to the Phaetons," Ken ordered. "And get me to one, too, as well as every single Promethean here on that ship." He turned to his comrades. "Guys, if it's still there, get to the Pelican, and back to Infinity. If everything works as it should, I should be there soon."

"What are you planning, Ken," Josh asked.

"To show the Warden why I got my nickname," he replied before he was teleported away.

"I think I know what he's got planned," Josh said. "Come on, guys, we need to get to the Pelican."

"Right," the four said, nodding, and, with Josh at the lead, the group of five ran back the way they had come.

"Guys, what's going on," Vale asked as they entered the room where two of the Warden bodies had been destroyed, and there were no more Prometheans.

"Guardian's coming," Josh said. "As well as a whole lot of hostiles. We need to get out of here now."

"And where's Ken," Vale asked as she joined the group in the run.

"Grabbing a Phaeton," Josh replied. "Where's Blue team?"

"At the top of the staircase. I let them know what happened, and they're up there making sure nothing comes in," Vale said. "What'd you guys find?"

"Let's just say for now that we found some knowledge," Josh said.

"Indeed you did," Starburst said to Twilight from her position in the armor systems. "And feel free to reply, I wil lbe able to turn off your suit speakers so you don't seem crazy."

"How about we wait until after we're out of danger to talk with each other?"

"I would prefer that as well, but I prefer to get to know my partner now."

"Later," Twilight said. "Besides, don't you have contact with the Element of Magic back on Equis?"

"I prefer to make my own observations."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Well, I can agree with that," she said. "How about once we're on our way back to our ship?"

"That, I can live with," Starburst said.

"You'll have to," Twilight said. "Now, let me talk with the others again."

"As you wish," Starburst said before reactivating Twilight's comm suite instead of the speakers. The six had reached the staircase, and were rapidly ascending by now, and must have already told John and the others what was going on, as they were ready to run as soon as they exited the staircase. The thirteen ran through the hole made by the anvil missile, and towards the miraculously still intact Pelican.

"Make way, Spartans," Josh said, slipping past the others before getting on the Pelican and making his way to the pilot seat. "Vale, take the co-pilot seat! Things are going to get extreme, and I may need help!"

"On it," Vale said as the others got on and sat down, Josh closing the hatch, and she made her way to the co-pilot seat.

"Strap in, Spartans," Josh said as he activated the Pelican, and rose it off the ground. "Things are about to be like a roller coaster." Before anything could be said, Josh gunned the thrusters, and the Pelican launched forward like a bullet before angling up. "Vale, what direction is the Guardian in?!"

"North," Vale replied in a yell. "And I have ten Phaetons, closing in fast on an intercept vector!"

"Well, they're going to have to work for this kill," Josh said before doing one of the dumbest moves possible. He activated the air brakes as he turned the flaps to as to make the Pelican turn back to the ground, which is when he gunned the thrusters again, making the ship launch to the ground.

"What are you doing," Vale shouted.

"Making these fuckers work for the kill this time," Josh said. "That, and buying time for Ken."

"Well, I hope he hurries up, because you're flying like a madman!"

"Thanks," Josh said, laughing as he put the Pelican in a barrel role. "Come on, fuckers!"

As the last syllable left, a bolt of hard light zipped past the cockpit window. "Damn it," Josh said. "Can someone look out the back and tell me how far away the fuckers are?!"

"On it," he heard Buck say from the troop portion of the dropship. After a few seconds, he said, "HUD's reading hundred feet and closing!"

"Josh, I thought I should bring this to your attention," his Ancilla, or A.I., whichever fits best now, said.

"Shoot," Josh said, his speakers having been deactivated.

"There is a nearby canyon that is wide enough to fit the Pelican and still have room for maneuvering."

"Show it," Josh said as he continued to have the dropship bob and weave.

"It is five kilometers to the west of our current location," Sam said. "And an elevation of sea level to negative one hundred meters."

"Ooh-rah," Josh said. "Speakers on."

"Of course," Sam said, and reactivated the speakers.

"Hold on, Spartans," Josh yelled before pinning the Pelican and putting it in a sharp left turn before gunning the thrusters again.

"Josh, why aren't we just going to the Infinity," Twilight asked over radio.

"Because we also need to buy time for them to get everything settled for a jump," Josh yelled. "Which will be about five more minutes!"

"How do you know that," Elegance asked.

"I'm fucking guessing right now! Now stop speaking so I can save your ass!"

"Canyon in two minutes at current speed," Sam said.

"Yeah, yeah, shut it right now," Josh muttered. "I'm trying to concentrate."

Two minutes later, after evasive maneuvers that even a few of the veteran Spartans on board were a little queasy from, the Pelican dived into the Canyon, the Phaetons, now fifty feet behind, following behind. "If you guys are strapped in, strap in tighter," Josh said. "This is going to even more sporty." Before any could respond, he had the Pelican tilt to the right as he moved left to avoid a rock spire.

"Josh, I'm picking up three wings of Phaetons two hundred meters out and holding relatively steady," Vale said. "Probably going to meet them in three to four minutes at this speed.

"Right now, I'm more worried about our ass," Josh said. "How many there?"

"Three down, seven left-make it six, one just blew up for some reason. Now five. Okay, what's going on?"

"Our support," Josh said. Then, over the radio, he said, "'Bout time, Ken."

"Well, it took me a while to figure out how to make this thing go at the speed you guys are going," Ken replied. "Anyway, Lone Pelican, this is Phaeton wings Alpha and Bravo. We are on station and ready to assist."

"Then how about you keep blowing the bastards off our tail!"

"On it," Ken replied. "Squadron one and two, take the ones on the left. Three and four, the right." At that, explosions were heard outside, three on each side. "Hostiles taken care of. Oh, and the you-know-what is en route. Star's at the helm right now."

"Copy that. Did you inform Captain Lasky and Void?"

"Right before we came here," Ken replied. "And don't worry about the fuckers ahead starting right about. . . now."

"Uh, Josh," Vale said, "I just got a large contact. Synonymous with the Didact's ship, and those hostile Phaetons just vanished from sensors. Mind telling us what's going on?"

"Short version is that there are six Forerunner artifacts with A.I.s, and those six A.I.s are currently in the team's systems, and, far as we can tell, they're able to activate a lot of Forerunner shit, including Dreadnoughts, one of which is under our control," Josh said. "How I knew about this canyon. Mine told me about it, and gave me directions. More once we're away from this death trap of a planet."

"Fair enough, I guess," Vale said. "Oh hell. I just got the Guardian on sensors. It's inbound!"

"Damn it," Ken said. "Em, please tell me the thing has a weak spot!"

"Indeed it does," his A.I. said, broadcasting over the radio. "The core is exposed as it releases it's EMP, which does not affect Forerunner technology such as Phaetons. So long as any defense forces on it do not have Heartseeker Incinerator cannons, you may be able to make it."

"Right," Ken said. "Josh, get to the ship. Phaeton wings, redirect. We're taking the Guardian out."

Ken pulled his Phaeton away from the Pelican. It was an interesting experience, piloting a Phaeton. Basically, what it did was transfer the occupant to the central core at a smaller size, well within Forerunner tech limits, and plugged into the nervous system. Ken had been able to learn quickly, hence his nickname, "The Orange Baron", due to the hard light coloration and his skill with the ships. Really, all he did was design it as if he were moving on foot with two weapons. Pull the trigger finger to fire the current weapon, make a swap pose to change weapons, walk to move, and thrust to, well, thrust. Crouch to descend, jump plus thrusters to ascend.

Anyway, he and the Phaetons with him pulled out, and turned in the direction to face the incoming Guardian. "Em, give me back ups if it doesn't try to EMP."

"Of course, Reclaimer," the A.I., resembling a woman in her mid twenties with a simple t-shirt and jeans, said. "If it doesn't try to use an EMP on your comrades, the next way to destroy it would be a well placed missile barrage on its heart, where one would get into the Guardian. I can send a signal to that will open the port, but only for a short time. If that fails, then the final alternative would be to attack the gravity drives on its wings, effectively grounding it. If none of those happen, the only option will be to run."

"Copy that," Ken said. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

A few seconds later, the A.I. said, "Hostile defenders opening fire with Suppresors, Boltshots, and Incineration Cannons. No Heartseeker models detected as of current."

"Right," Ken said. "All Phaetons, open fire on the defenders, and wait for a chance to kill the thing."

Various responses came in, each being a variant of, "Yes sir,", and it was not a good day to be on that particular Guardian, as forty one Phaetons, the two wings plus Ken, rained hard light down on them, not giving a chance for retaliation.

"Warning: Warden Eternal detected at portal to Guardian heart. Unable to open port," Emily said.

"Of fucking course," Josh muttered. "Bastard makes everything harder. All Phaetons, re-target the gravity drives on the wings. Take this thing to the ground!"

Again, various replies, but they did as ordered, and refocused their fire, but not before Emily said, "Reclaimer, the Warden has summoned Phaetons. I imagine to deal with you."

"Like I said," Ken said. "Right. Tell the other Phaetons that as long as the Warden's Phaetons don't fire on them, they are to continue taking out the wings."

"Done."

"Then time to have some fun," Ken said before oing to engage the new Phaetons. "How many?"

"Five, and I was correct. They are coming for you."

"Fun, then," Ken said. He looked at the view screen, which was a projection of the Phaeton's surroundings, and saw the five approaching. He switched to the hard light missiles, and locked on the furthest one. He fired, then swapped to the basic machine gun on the bottom, and fired on the closest. The five scattered using their short range teleport, but one of the hard light missiles hit the target, and Ken didn't let up on the lead one, resulting in its destruction as Ken was fired on by the others. He teleported as he descended, which helped to throw off the aim, and fired another four shots at the one furthest from him, and it was unable to avoid this time. This left only three, who, from left to right fired missiles, the machine gun thing, and missiles. This kept Ken from being able to get a good lead on them, and thus he was unable to fire effectively.

He decided to run for it, and turned his ship around and going full speed. "Emily, how fast are they going?"

"Faster than us," Emily, resembling a woman in her late twenties with a flowing gown that went to her ankles.

"Perfect," Ken said. "Let me know when they're just about to pass us."

"Why?"

"You'll find out."

With a few seconds passing, Emily said, "Now."

"Ooh-rah," Ken said before braking his ship and turning the nose up, when he activated the thrusters again. When his nose was facing down, a two-seventy, the three Phaetons pass under, and he opened fire on the current lead one with each of his weapons, destroying it just after he became level. The other two then split up. "Em, what's going on?"

"The two Phaetons are splitting and moving on an intercept vector for you. We may be able to use this."

"How so," Ken asked.

"Two explosions of a Phaeton grade upon destruction plus enough force will be able to crack the gate to the Heart."

"Get a route up on my HUD, then, that'll have that happen," Ken said.

"On it," Emily said before a path of red and two paths of blue triangles appeared on his HUD, each converging ahead. "The route I plotted is using the most up to date pursuit protocols for Phaetons."

"Then let's use it," Ken said before gunning it.

The Warden Eternal stood next to the portal that led to the Guardian's Heart, his arms crossed as he over looked the futile effort of the humans and their allies. The traitors within the Phaetons were firing on the Guardian's wings, but the shields in place prevented anything short of a Forerunner fleet from taking it down by destroying the gravity units, and he had partial control over this guardian under Cortana's command, which stopped it from using the EMP on the single human ship. His current location close to the Heart also allowed him to prevent the hatch leading to it from opening.

Though he loathed to admit it, he did have slight respect for the human from earlier. None had been able to get close to him, let alone stab a knife into his core on two bodies at the same time, or at least close enough in the time frame.

His head twitched a little as another portion of his mind, in yet another of his bodies, reported back to Cortana as to his other mission, which was a success. Good, he thought. Another ally for the created.

He was brought out of his thoughts when a Soldier next to him spoke up. "Sir, look," the Soldier said, pointing in the air for them, in front of the hatch.

"What is it," the Warden asked as he looked to where the Soldier was indicating. He saw a single Phaeton inbound at a high speed, two more behind it. He was about to speak when realization dawned on him. One of the humans was going to ram the hatch and open it for their fellows, to which the Warden scoffed. It would survive that.

"Warden, there is one hostile signature, the one in the lead!"

"What do you mean," the Warden asked, but it was quickly answered as the lead one tilted to reveal its underbelly before going up at full speed. This allowed Warden to see the two other Phaetons, which were coming in too quickly to turn. "No," the Warden said to himself as he realized the human's plan. He was unable to do anything, however, as the two Phaetons impacted a second later, destroying the hatch, with the human controlled Phaetons changing targets to face the Heart, quickly overwhelming it, and the Warden body close by, with the missiles.

A mere three seconds after the barrage had begun, the Phaetons pulled away, as all of them firing had fired off enough projectiles into the Guardian's heart to destroy it. With that, as the Phaetons retreated to the Forerunner Dreadnought they had originated from, which went to orbit once the last had entered it, the Guardian fell to the ground before it exploded, taking all but the furthest Promethean A.I.s with it.

Instalation 01- ten minutes later

"Warden, how many times will you fail?" Cortana, the one speaking, and a single body of the Warden, were in the control room of the Halo ring they had made their base on. And Cortana was not happy. "Not only did you fail to stop the humans, but they were able to find and activate a Forerunner Dreadnought and destroy a Guardian. For your sake, I hope you have good news."

"Indeed I do, Cortana," Warden said with a bow. "Two instances, in fact. One is that the scout team I sent to the homeworld of the new race has reported they have arrived, and there may be an incident upcoming we can use to gain their trust, while also helping rid the galaxy of its darker side."

"And the other," Cortana asked, glaring at Warden.

"I made contact with Sali 'Nyon, as you requested, Cortana," Warden said. "He stands under your command."