Halo 2: Shadowed pasts and Ancient Runes

Chapter 3: Forging a Machine
Research facility 99893: Coordinates unknown
October 4, 2552

Laurence, SPARTAN G399 stepped up to the platform and gazed at the armor before him. It was sleek, elegant, and above all, more advanced than anything the UNSC has ever made.

"What do you think of it, Laurence? You shall be the first of a new breed of Spartans." A voice over the intercom said. Laurence smiled as he ran a hand down the armor designated for him. It was a deep green color; its new shine reflecting his young face back at him.

"It's nice. What about my team?" He asked puzzled.

"Gary, Selina, and Sharif shall receive the same. Your group is the first of many you know. And this trial run shall be the ultimate test of the Spartan IV program."

"What is our mission?" Laurence asked, a little impatient. The images of three men snapped on the screen. One was tall and handsome, the other one short with short hair and large eyes. The third was a face that Laurence would always remember.

Spartan G129: Nathan.

"These men are wanted for treason. They faked their own deaths and are now aiding an unknown alien species. I want them, dead or alive, it doesn't matter to me. Can you complete this mission, Spartan?"

Laurence grabbed the helmet and put it on. "I'll accomplish it with ease, General."

Nathan shot up from the bed. His breathing heavy as sweat dripped down his forehead. He looked down to Twilight who was still sound asleep. He let out a shaky sigh as he stood and walked for the balcony.

Nathan looked out at the setting moon. It was bright tonight; brighter than it had been in weeks. He smiled lightly and twirled his helmet in his hands, relishing in its weight.

He heard the quiet hoof steps behind him and slowly turned his head to see Twilight standing behind him, a bit bleary eyed from just waking up. "You should get some sleep, Twilight. You are going to be busy today."

Twilight sat by Nathan's side and looked out over Equestria with him. "What did you dream about?" She asked worriedly. He exhaled loudly and looked over at her.

"The same dreams I've been having for weeks." He said flatly. "The men who I fought beside suddenly turned against me. I could do nothing to defend myself and they..." He trailed off. Twilight put a hoof on his arm. "They killed everyone."

Twilight wrapped herself around him now. "It was just a bad dream, Nathan. You can't let it get to you."

Nathan sighed again. "I know. Lets get to sleep. I don't want to piss off Floor Manager Dash today."

Twilight chuckled and followed him back to the bedroom, happy to have been able to help her love with a little problem. She had learned long ago not to dwell on nightmares, and that they weren't real. Hopefully she'd help Nathan see that.

(0900 hours)

Twilight swiped her card key and the door to her office slid open. Almya, who had been lazily sitting on the back table, jumped down and greeted her new caretaker.

"Good morning, Twilight. How was yours and Nathan's romantic evening?" She asked with a hint of mischief in her voice. Twilight let out a laugh and took a seat in her rolling chair, preparing for another day of work.

"It was amazing!" Twilight sighed dreamily, recalling everything the two of them did last night. She quickly banished the thoughts for later and began going through her work. "Did you find anything wrong with my equations I gave you?" She asked.

Almya shook her head and smiled. "None. You're one smart cookie, Miss Sparkle."

Twilight blushed a little, taking in the praise. She had always been a smart pony, and working with alien equipment was one of the best learning experiences of her life.

Twilight put on her glasses and opened the files Almya had made for her last night. "Ah, the productions ahead of schedule I see. Are the shipments going out to the police and military forces across Equestria yet?" Twilight asked, bringing her glasses down. Almya nodded.

"Pegasus lifted earlier this morning. The kingdom will be armed to the teeth in the event of any attack." She hesitated a second. "Are you sure this is for the better of Equestria?"

Twilight threw her glasses on the table and levitated her glass of juice to her mouth. "I don't know, Almya. We can't leave all of Pony kind susceptible to invasion again. It was a miracle you all arrived when you did."

"Indeed." Almya said happily. "Shall we start our morning exam?"

Twilight nodded and walked over to the couch, laying down as a large machine was lowered on her stomach. Almya walked over as an image popped on the screen to the side, showing the growing fetus residing in Twilight's belly.

"Hmm. Normal growth pattern, average heart rate. Still too early to tell the sex of it..." Almya trailed off for a minute, examining all the data. "Well, looks like you're going to have a very smooth pregnancy, Twilight. You're all done. Would you like a lolly pop?"

Twilight laughed and rolled her eyes. "No, thank you. Lets just get to work. Can you patch me through to Rarity please?" She asked.

"Alright." Almya said happily as she disappeared back into the holoprojector. The personal com rang, and a familiar voice came on.

"Hello?" Rarity said, her tone just as posh and Canterlotian as ever.

"Hello Rarity! It's been such a long time! How have you been?" Twilight asked Happily, glad to hear her friends voice again.

Rarity gave a gasp as she spoke again."Twilight! Darling! It's been ages! How is everything over in Canterlot? Still working on those... weapons?"

Twilight giggled lightly and nodded. "We're all caught up on our weapons quota. How are you doing with Bill? Still working on armor for the royal guard?"

Rarity giggled excitedly. "Oh we're smashing! We managed to engineer the same shield system from their armor. Now our Royal Guard and police forces will have the best protection. I do have to get back to work, but do send my regards to Nathan and Cam, would you?"

"I will Rarity. Take good care of yourself, okay?" Twilight asked her friend.

Rarity chuckled. "I will. Ta ta, Dear."

The line clicked off and Twilight reclined in her chair. Almya, knowing the call was over, came back out of the holoprojector and smiled at her caretaker. "It's good to keep in touch with old friends. You should take the day off and spend some time with them all."

Twilight frowned. The would be a lovely idea, but what if something were to happen while they were picnicing on the grass? There was no time to relax while the galaxy was at war and that was something Twilight came to realize pretty quickly when the Covenant first showed up.

"War time doesn't allow days off." Twilight said flatly, putting her hooves up to her face from the mental exhaustion of it all.

Almya gave Twilight a sideways look, still keeping a small smile. "You sound more and more like Nathan each day." She chided, shaking her head. "Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing..."

Twilight ignored the comment and got back to her work. Hopefully all the devices they built wouldn't have to be used at all. It was a dream she knew wouldn't be fulfilled.

Laurence had donned the new MJOLNIR powered assault armor for the first time. It was like nothing he'd ever worn before. The sheer power, the raw strength of it. His PSI armor was like pots and pans glued together. But this? This suit was a work of art and it showed. His team had no problem adjusting to their new equipment either. They wore it proudly as they strutted through the halls of the Stealth Ship.

The four Spartans walked to the bridge, stopping at the doors as the AI processed their identifications. Once they were cleared, the door hissed open and the Spartans strolled in, giving the Captain a salute.

"Ma'am!" They all said in unison. Captain Alison Meen saluted back with her one arm.

"Welcome to my ship, Spartans. We just arrived if you care to see it." She stated, gesturing to the view port. The Spartans stepped forward and stared at the virgin planet before them. No city lights, no large, sprawling metropolises. It was as peaceful and unpopulated as could be.

"Ma'am? I'm getting plasma readings from this region of the planet." One of the crewman stated, pointing to the section of the planet on screen. The Captain smiled, knowing that they had found their targets. This mission was going to be the simplest mission to date.

"That's where the traitors are." She turned back to the Spartans. "We have drop pods waiting. Kill anyone in your way. No holding back."

The Spartans nodded and ran for the hanger at top speed. Laurence knew his team was up for this, but they still had their objections.

"Hey Laurence. Looks like we get to kill our brother." Gary said flatly.

Laurence shrugged nonchalantly as he and the others turned down one of the halls. "He stopped being our brother the minute he betrayed the UNSC." He said quietly.

Selina pipped in with her high, feminine voice. "Why would he do that? He loved the military. He seemed like a loyal Spartan to the end."

"What could have changed him?" Sharif asked in his Arabian accent. Laurence shrugged again, not enjoying or caring about the conversation.

"Don't know, but lets just take them down and be done with it." Laurence said halfheartedly. He didn't want to admit it, but killing another human just felt off to him. He had been fighting the Covenant for far too long.

Pushing his thoughts aside, Laurence led his soldiers to the drop pods in the back of the hanger. The Spartans saddled up, strapped in, and dropped feet first into hell.