The Only Way is Forward - Prologue

Authors Note: So here I am...First fiction ever, would love any and all criticism of my work (Within reason, of course) Enjoy!

Quick Timeline:

2552: After delivering the Package to the Pillar of Autumn, NOBLE team is left stranded on Reach, and resort to carrying out guerilla tactics on the remaining areas of the planet that were not glassed. They were subsequently picked up and the team made it off the planet alive with no casualties.

Late 2552: Miranda Keyes is seriously wounded, but saved by Sergeant Johnson on the Ark. When on the replacement Halo ring, after defeating Guilty Spark (and subsequently using one of his burning ashes as a lighter for his cigar) Sergeant Johnson and the Arbiter escape Installation 00, but the Chief is left stranded in space.

2556: The MIA Spirit of Fire is found in poor condition but with much of the crew alive, and after relating their story to HIGHCOM, is hailed as heroes upon their return to Earth, where most of them elect to retire. The surviving SPARTANs and those who did not resign, which included Jerome, Alice, Douglas and an alive and well John Forge, all are transferred onto the Infinity to both serve with their fellow Spartans as well as for their battle experience against both hostile Flood and Forerunner forces and coming out better for it.

July 2557: After the events of the Battle for Requiem, The Master Chief is recovered from the wreckage of the Didact's ship, whose body is also recovered. From the ships technology and the subsequent autopsy of the Forerunner, many medical and technological advances are predicted.

August 2557: Using technology reverse-engineered from Forerunners, scientists are able to reactivate Cortana, who has reached a stage of Meta-Stability or true sentience. The technology and her state guarantees that she will never be undergo rampancy ever again. Master Chief is greatly moved by the revival of his long time companion, and becomes Commander of the remaining SPARTANS on the Infinity along with Sarah Palmer and Carter, who has also joined the Infinity crew, and runs a trio-based command with each personally leading the remaining SPARTAN-IIs, one of the various SPARTAN-IV fire teams, and NOBLE team in battle, respectively. Avery Johnson is onboard to personally see the Chief, and becomes an advisor and training sergeant to the SPARTANS. Note: Despite his promotion he is still commonly known by his former title, which has become something of a nickname for him.

2557: Admirals Margaret Parangosky and Serin Osman of ONI are arrested for crimes against another species and endangerment of humanity, as well as the illegal ordered execution of Dr. Catherine Halsey. She is pardoned and cleared of any and all charges against her, as they were deemed necessary in the fight against insurrectionists and Covenant. She resumes her work onboard the Infinity, and is popularly known among the crew for a sign in front of her lab door threatening to shoot anyone who interrupts her while she is working.

2558: Among the many Tech and Medical advancements, the secret of Nano-technology is cracked. Doctors and scientists hail it as one of the greatest advancements of the decade while some call it the discovery of the century. The nanites reverse the aging process so that despite their actual age physically they will be at their peak of around their 20s, as well as the incredible ability for most wounds to heal triple the rate in normal humans, and even faster for the augmented SPARTANS. Due to the relatively low cost, and despite initial hesitance to use them, are quickly implanted in society. All military personnel are required to use them, including SPARTANs.

2559: Upon a visit to a new untouched Forerunner world, which is revealed to be the Forerunner home world, the surviving constructs recognize the ship as members of the Reclaimers, with Master Chief being held in particularly high regard as the one that defeated the Didact, and as such has assumed his title. Using this knowledge, the remaining constructs share much technological wonders, marvels and secrets with humanity, propelling them to unprecedented heights and unparalleled military power. New technology is applied to the Infinity, such as new weapons and vehicles as well as armaments and defensive technology, with one of the many highlights being a cloaking system that could completely conceal the entire ship. The sister ship of Infinity and the second of her class, the Eternal, is also completed this year, with the now Admiral Keyes assuming command.

2560: At the dawn of a new decade, a mysterious anomaly at the edge of the Oort Cloud is detected, and the Infinity, with a full crew complement and equipment and supplies for a decades long journey and production capabilities to make more, sets out as head of an official UNSC expedition, with some of the UNSCs best sent along. ONI operatives are assigned to the ships as well, including the new head of ONI Veronica Dare. Most information on the expedition remains on need-to-know basis.