Chapter 45

"Admiral, we have arrived at the location of the signal, and I am picking up some strange signals" Reported Avia.

Axel who was sitting down in his command chair had turned around to face Avia whose hologram was standing on top of the central console in the bridge.

"What are picking up" Asked Axel. Though he said that he knew exactly what was about to happen. Now that they had arrived, he recognized this area of the planet, and if he was correct then in a few seconds the ocean below them would part revealing underground Forerunner architecture within the planet.

"I keep picking up something that reads docking… and cleansing. But that can't be right," said Avia. "Admiral we may have a situation on our hands."

After she said that, just as Axel predicted, the ocean parted revealing a large underground area that began to pull the UNSC Leviathan inside while the two frigates were unaffected by this.

"Admiral we are getting pulled in, and we have company coming from the underground Forerunner structure" Reported Avia as Axel shifted his attention to the hole in the ocean and saw more than a dozen Forerunner Sentinels approaching the Leviathan.

"Avia, have the frigates maintain position, it seems whatever is down there is what we came for" Ordered Axel.

"Copy that Admiral, also I'm picking up a new signal within the planet and wherever this is taking us will lead us right to it" Explained Avia.

With that the two frigates had maintained their position above the surface, while the Leviathan was dragged down below followed by the Forerunner Sentinels who began scanning the entire ship. They didn't pose any danger, so Axel had the ships weapons hold fire as they navigated through the Forerunner architecture.

"Stay alert," Axel warned his crew. "We don't know what's waiting for us down there. All stations, maximum readiness."

The bridge was filled with tension as they descended further into the depths, guided by the unseen force that had drawn them in. The walls of the Forerunner architecture were pulsing with a strange energy as they passed by, their gleam reflecting upon the Leviathan's hull.

Axel watched through the bridge viewport as they flew deeper into the structure. This was his first time seeing a shield world and he was very interested in what technology and such the Forerunners used to make it. Because if he could acquire that technology, then he could make massive underground bases to defend against the Flood, the same way the Forerunners did it.

"Incoming transmission," Avia reported, her holographic form flickering as she processed the signal. "It's heavily encrypted, but... it's Forerunner."

Axel's heart pounded in his chest. This was uncharted territory, and every new revelation made him feel excited for what lay ahead. He gave a nod, silently urging Avia to decrypt it.

Moments later, through the ship-wide intercom came a voice - an ethereal, resonating hum that reverberated throughout every deck. "Welcome, Reclaimer," it began in almost perfect human tongue. "You are expected."

It was the sound of an AI which Axel figured to probably be a Monitor.

"Admiral," piped up one of his navigation officers. "There's an enormous chamber opening up ahead."

True enough, ahead of them was an immense cavity within the planet's core. Illuminated by luminescent strips running along its walls and ceiling.

As they drew closer to the opening, Axel had seen sunlight, which meant that they were close to entering the center of the planet where the central controls for the Forerunner shield world was located.

Moments later, the Leviathan shot out of the chamber and entered what seemed to be another world. There were lush green trees and plants everywhere.

"Admiral" called out Avia. "Energy readings are spiking--it's off our charts!"

Of course, this was to be expected as they were literally in the core of the planet. The Sentinels had stopped following them and Axel didn't hear from the Forerunner AI since the first time.

"Admiral, I just received some coordinates from that Forerunner AI" said Avia as she sent the coordinates to Axel's command screen.

"I got them Avia" said Axel as he looked at the location the coordinates were taking them. It appeared to be another Forerunner structure on the ground.

"Avia, prepare the Pelicans I am going to those coordinates" Ordered Axel.

"Aye, Admiral Pelicans are spinning up now" Responded Avia.

As the Leviathan hovered above the lush green landscape, Axel could see the scattering of Forerunner structures that littered the ground. Some were tall, with slender pillars while others took more abstract forms, their purpose unclear. Nonetheless, they were all pulsed with a life of their own, testament to the unseen energy that pervaded this place.

"Admiral," came Avia's voice. "The Pelicans are ready and prepped for departure."

"Understood," replied Axel as he rose from his command chair. He cast one last look at the viewport. This was a new world to explore, and he intended to unravel its mysteries. Once he is done, he will have a secret lab set up inside to study the place. Of course he would have to find some trustworthy people so that they wouldn't leak this information to anybody else.

Walking off the bridge, Axel made his way towards the hangar bay where two Pelican dropships were awaiting him. The pilots saluted as he approached, "Admiral on deck!" echoed through the metal corridors.

"At ease," he dismissed, entering one of the dropships. As he strapped himself alongside the MCUs. This time he had decided to bring only the MCUs.

Soon after, the hangar doors opened, and the two Pelicans surged forward into the verdant landscape of this hidden world. They passed over vast forests and meandering rivers until they arrived at the coordinates given by Avia.

The Pelicans descended into a clearing near a Forerunner structure. Axel stepped out onto grassy terrain, feeling an odd sense of peace blanketing everything around him.

As soon as he stepped out of the Pelican, he walked towards the Forerunner structure which looked similar to the one he had seen in the Halo Wars video game.

At the same time a strange small spherical shaped object had approached him causing the MCUs to aim their weapons prepared to shoot if necessary.

"Stand down," Axel commanded, his gaze not leaving the spherical form before him. It hovered a few feet above the ground, a shell of gleaming metal pulsating with the same energy they had seen throughout the structure. He recognized it from memory as a Forerunner Monitor, an ancient caretaker of places such as these.

"I welcome you, Reclaimer." The Monitor's voice was deep and melodious, speaking in a dialect of English that was strangely archaic. "I am 295 Harken Watch. You have come to seek knowledge. And knowledge you shall find."

"It seems I've been expected," said Axel.

"Yes, you have, ever since your first interaction with Forerunner technology you have been deemed a highly capable and intelligent human," the Monitor replied, floating in a slow circle around him. "Your presence here is no mistake. It was foreseen and prepared for."

The Monitor moved ahead, illuminating the path towards the Forerunner structure with soft, ambient light. "Come," it prompted. "The knowledge you seek waits within."

With a swift command, Axel had his MCUs fall into formation behind him as they followed the Monitor. As they approached the structure, the Monitor stopped moving as they stood in the middle of a strange structure.

"This is a teleporter which will take you to the main structure where you will be given some knowledge" said the Monitor as the teleporter activated and instantly transported Axel to another place.

In front of him was a path leading to a structure, so Axel followed it and had found something similar to what he found on Harvest. It was a spherical shaped control panel that had started to spin when he reached out his hand.

It had aligned itself with his hand and when he touched it the whole thing lit up as a beam of light shot up and the surrounding structures started to move.

Next to him appeared the Monitor once again "These are the Sojourner-class dreadnoughts which are extremely powerful and are equipped with very powerful cannons that will tear apart any ship" Explained the Monitor. "The knowledge of how to operate these ships and it's armaments are in your hands now."

Axel withdrew his hand from the console and looked at all the Sojourner-class dreadnoughts which were present.

The Monitor moved in a slow orbit around Axel, the soft glow from its central 'eye' reflecting off Axel's uniform. "There is so much more to learn, Reclaimer. However, the intricacies of Forerunner technology require time for complete comprehension."

Axel nodded, trying to process everything he'd learned. The power now available to him was staggering - it would change the course of battles and even wars. "I can't keep this secret forever," he mused out loud.

"Indeed," responded the Monitor. "But with great power comes great responsibility. It will be up to you when and how you choose to share this knowledge."

Axel wondered if the Monitor had access to his memories or something once, he heard that statement, but then again maybe it was just a coincidence.

"Is there any other knowledge?" asked Axel as he was looking for more.

"No, Reclaimer, you will have to find that other knowledge located on other installations. That is the path that you must take to prove yourself and prepare the Humans to stand on a higher level than they are now" Said the Monitor.

Axel understood and acknowledged the statement with a nod. He was aware that it wouldn't be as simple as that, but at least he now had a clear plan of action.

He had now acquired a powerful weapon, but when to use it or even reveal it to the UNSC would have to wait until he had taken power. For now, though he planned to set up a research base to research and study the Forerunner technology.