Chapter 106

"Ma'am, we're approaching the location now, ground troops have already secured a landing zone for us" reported Sergeant Forge. As the Fleet remained stuck within the planet, they came under attack by forces identified as the Prometheans by Logos.

In response, the UNSC exploration fleet retaliated against the Prometheans and began searching for a way to leave the planet. Catherine, who was aboard her research ship, had picked up a signal that would lead her to the core of the world.

However, as the transport ship landed, she had a strange feeling in her gut that kept telling her that something was wrong. As she exited the transport, she was taken into the large Forerunner structure in front of her. Inside was

an enormous Forerunner artifact, that looked like a giant black sphere with glowing orange lights. The structure seemed intact, but it was eerily silent, almost as if it was waiting.

"Cortana," Catherine began, "what are we looking at?"

"I don't know Dr. Halsey, but ever since we entered the planet, I have detected, that I am being blocked from scanning certain parts of the planet. I believe that we were led here on purpose." Suggested Cortana.

Catherine looked back at the sphere-shaped artifact as she thought about what to do. As many times as she explored Forerunner shield worlds and facilities, she has never been led directly to the main controls of said Shield World or facility. She and her team always have to perform a deep scan of the area while they are exploring to find the location of the main control room.

But here, she was basically led to the main control room which was probably why her intuition was telling her that something was off.

"I agree Cortana, let's not find out what exactly is drawing us here" said Catherine as she turned around to leave the room. Despite her choice she couldn't help but want to find out what was hiding within that Sphere, but she also knew that some things were better left shrouded in mystery.

"Also Dr. Halsey, I have located the structure that is keeping the fleet within the planet, I have already relayed the information to Captain Cutter and an operation is under way to destroy the structure." reported Cortana.

"What type of structure is it" Catherine asked in response as they boarded the transport.

Cortana clarified, "The Gravity well Generator is what's keeping the fleet trapped on this planet. If we destroy it, we can escape."

"Understood, Cortana. Let's focus our efforts on aiding that operation," Catherine suggested as the transport ship started to ascend.

The sight of the artificial landscape shrinking beneath her was breathtaking, but Catherine knew there was no time for awe. They were in a race against time, and potentially against the hidden forces that tried to manipulate their every move.

"Dr. Halsey, I have just received word from Captain Cutter. The operation has begun, and they are encountering heavy resistance." Cortana's voice resonated within the ship. "However, they have managed to make some progress."

Catherine sighed, gripping the edge of her console tighter. It wasn't their first rodeo with Forerunner technology or its guardians, but it didn't make it any easier. "How are our troops holding up?"

"Given the circumstances, surprisingly well," Cortana reported. "The Promethean forces seem scattered and uncoordinated."

That was another strange factor; Forerunners or not, their enemies should have been better prepared and more organized. But they were acting almost as if... they were being manipulated.

Within his Cryptum, the Ur-Didact was angry that his plan didn't work out. He underestimated the human AI which costs him his chance to become free.

Hours turned into days, with the fleet battling both Prometheans and the deadly environment of Requiem. A sense of exhaustion settled in as they fought tirelessly to destroy the gravity well generator, while also searching for a way to neutralize the Promethean forces.

Finally, in the early hours of the fourth day, an explosion rocked through the artificial world. The communications from Captain Cutter's ship confirmed what Catherine had hoped for: the gravity well generator was destroyed.

"Cortana, what is our current situation?" Catherine asked as she steadied herself after the impact of the explosion.

"There's been a significant alteration in Requiem's gravitational field," Cortana reported, her voice conveying a hint of relief. "Our ships should be able to break free now."

"Good," responded Catherine as she connected to the bridge of Captain Cutters Flagship.

"Captain, we should now be able to leave the planet, I suggest we do so in a hurry before we sustain any more damage" Catherine suggested.

"Copy the Dr" responded Captain Cutter as he connected to all available ships. "All hands, prepare for immediate evacuation. Cortana, plot a course to the nearest UNSC-controlled system."

"Yes, Captain." acknowledged Cortana.

As the ships started to free themselves from Requiem's gravitational field, they were once again attacked by the remaining Promethean forces. However, this time their attacks were uncoordinated and almost desperate. They seemed more interested in stopping their escape than protecting the planet itself.

Inside the Cryptum, the Ur-Didact roared in anger as his only chance of freedom slipped away with the humans. He could only watch helplessly as their fleet managed to slip out from his grasp and disappear into space.

While aboard her ship, Catherine looked on at the receding image of Requiem while she felt her body become lighter as they escaped its gravity.

"Dr Halsey?" Cortana's voice called her back to reality.

"Yes Cortana?" Catherine replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I was just going to say... we did it." Catherine turned her gaze towards Cortana's avatar before responding. "Yes, we did."

——-

Meanwhile, on the Covenant war front, the combined UNSC fleet alongside the Covenant who joined them were making great progress throughout covenant space. With the addition of the Imperial Admiral, more Covenant ships had joined the UNSC, and more Covenant were finally starting to see and believe in the vision that Axel had for a united Galaxy.

As a result of this, Thel 'Vadam of the House of 'Vadam had sworn his allegiance to Axel. Thel 'Vadam was in the process of uniting all the Sangheili clans on Sanghelios to form an alliance which would be the new governing body for Sanghelios.

Axel had always envisioned this form of inter-species cooperation, where former enemies could stand side by side, fighting not from a place of hatred but from shared respect and survival. As he watched the Covenant fleet joining them in formation, he felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

The transformation hadn't been easy, and even now there were many who doubted the wisdom of this alliance. But for Axel, it was all worth it to see his vision coming to life.

Meanwhile, back on Sanghelios, Thel 'Vadam was uniting his own people under a single banner. As he stood overlooking the assembly gathered to hear him speak, he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. These once divided Sangheili clans were now united under the Swords of Sanghelios.

As he began to speak, his voice echoed through the halls, reaching every listening ear. "Brothers," he began, "it is time we put aside our differences and rise above our past grievances. The enemy does not distinguish between clans; they only see us as prey. We must stand together if we are to survive."

He paused and swept his gaze over the assembled crowd. "We have formed an alliance with the humans," he continued amidst murmurs of both agreement and dissent, "And I know this decision may not sit well with everyone. But remember, they were the ones who stood by our side when we faced our darkest hour. They have proven themselves to be worthy allies, and I believe it is time for us to do the same."

Thel 'Vadam's speech resonated with many in the crowd, but there was a faction that contested his words. They were the traditionalists, the ones who held onto old grudges despite the changing times.

"Is it not they who caused our downfall?" One Sangheili elder shouted from the crowd, his deep voice echoing in the vast hall. "Have you forgotten how many of our kin died at their hands?"

Thel 'Vadam nodded solemnly, "I have not forgotten," he replied quietly. "But neither can we forget how many of their kind died at ours."

His response was met with silence as he continued, "We are not without sins ourselves. We must remember what brought us here today, a common enemy who seeks to destroy our species."

"As long as we hold onto past grudges, we give our enemy the advantage. It is time to look into the future, a future where Sanghelios stands strong and united," Thel 'Vadam declared, his voice resonating with conviction. "We will stand by our allies, as they have stood by us. Together, we will defeat the ones who threaten our existence."

One by one, the Sangheili elders gave their assent to his impassioned speech. They understood that old feuds had to be set aside for their world.

Back aboard the UNSC ship, Axel smiled as he received the transmission from Thel 'Vadam informing him of the successful assembly. Every month that passed, they grew closer to total victory.