EPSILON INDI SYSTEM
HARVEST
FEBRUARY 4TH 2531
30 YEARS BEFORE THE FALL OF EQUIS
"So, all it did was point here?" Cutter asked Professor Anders.
She looked up from her laptop and turned to Cutter. "In the thirty seconds I had to examine the Artifact? Yes, all it did was point at a second star system."
"Arcadia colony, to be precise." Serina, the Spirit of Fires shipboard AI stated as a view screen popped up nearby, showing a planetary system. "Population a little under three-million, largely unexplored, but apparently quite the vacation resort."
"There's something there, Captain," Anders began, motioning to the view screen, "and I think it's important we get to it before the Covenant do."
Cutter crossed his arms and looked down at the Professor. "Our orders are to investigate Harvest." Cutter stated, before looking down at the ice covered planet below them. "We still don't know a lot about what's going on down there."
Anders also looked down at the planet, before looking back up at the Captain. "I understand that Captain, but everything I see here tells me that we need to get to Arcadia to figure this out."
Cutter pondered this for a short moment. "Very well, Professor. I'll clear it with Admiral Cole." Cutter began, before turning to Serina and started walking out of the observation deck. "Serina, set course for Arcadia."
"Aye, sir." Serina said, before turning to Anders. "Crazy mystery trip to Arcadia plotted in, spinning up FTL drive."
Annoyed, Anders turned away from Anders and looked at the view screen. "Serina, get out of my lab."
"So, we're leaving, just like that?" Serina's voice asked through Cutters private COM.
"The Professor is right, Serina. We need any chance we can get to beat the Covenant." Cutter responded, turning the corner and walking into the Spirits bridge. "For all we know, this could save us from annihilation."
Anders avatar appeared on a nearby holotank. "That only partially answers my question, sir."
A frustrated sigh escaped Cutters lips. "Cole will send someone else to handle it, I'm sure of it. Harvest is ours again, remember."
"You and I both know that's not true." Serina pointed out, before her avatar disappeared.
"One day... one day Harvest will be ours again... I'm sure of it." Cutter said to mostly to himself, before getting ready to communicate Admiral Cole.
EPSILON INDI SYSTEM
FORMER COLONY OF HARVEST
NOVEMBER 18TH 2569
PRESENT DAY
John-117 walked through the cargo hold of the UNSC Destroyer Forsaken Spirit, overlooking the type of hardware that he and his Spartans would have available to them. Besides the usual warthogs and scorpions, they also had access to an upgraded variant of the scorpion known as the grizzly, and the newest variant of the rhino, a mobile artillery assault platform that fired superheated plasma rounds. They also had access to the hawk and the falcon, as well as the recently unclassifed sabre.
"Pardon me, sir." A Marine said, accidentally bumping into the Spartan as he and his squad jogged past him.
"Seems like they are in a hurry." The Spartan heard Cortana's voice comment. John shrugged it off. After being so many years after her scheduled shut down, the original Cortana was deactivated. However, thanks to advancements in technology thanks to help from unicorn magic and the Sangheili, they were able to remake Cortana exactly how she, now with a lifespan of 21 years. It felt strange at first, but after a while, the Chief got used to it.
"Spartans to Hanger 3C for debriefing!" A female voice that had a slight southern accent called out over the P.A. system.
"Well, you heard the lady. Get moving, Chief." Cortana stated. The Spartan nodded slightly and picked up the pace. As he walked into a nearby elevator, he pressed the button for Hanger 3C. It quickly ascended a few floors and the doors slid open, as the Chief stepped into the hanger. He looked around and noticed the rest of the Spartan II's, minus Naomi-010, who was chatting with a few ODST's and a woman in ONI fatigues. Sat down in the rows of chairs were the Spartan-III's and the Marine officers. Then, something caught his eyes. Two of the Spartan-IV's that were assigned to the mission. There was something familiar about them.
And then the Chief saw it. The first ones unkempt rainbow mane, and the other ones braided, blonde hair. On the top of the second Spartan-IV's was a brown stetson hat.
It was impossible. But they were right there, live in the flesh. Even if they were both confirmed K.I.A. in the Fall of Equis.
It was Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
Authors note - There. You happy?
