A/N: this timeline in the Halo universe will first start during the fall of reach, but after this prologue, it'll fast forward to around 2560, maybe after, I'll decide as the story progresses.

Also, Noble 6 In this story will be whoever you like, basically your ideal Spartan from Halo Reach, I want to keep the element of player choice from the game, so how they look and their gender is up to you, which is why the text will be non-binary, so you could continue reading it as male, female, or remain non-binary. And with that, lets-a go!

Prologue: New Ends

...

"Where…. Where am I?"

A voice called out id the void of darkness. Nothing came with detail, not a soul, just the black abyss of nothing. The figure continued to look outwards, finding an endless vacuum. The figure stood still, however, remain vigilant, as this wasn't the first time, they found themselves in a situation that contradicts their sense. The blackness remained silent until an unembodied, elderly voice responded.

"The Force, great soldier."

The figure looked around, finding nothing. They centered themselves in a more defensive position.

"Who's out there?! Identify yourself!" the soldier called out.

"One you will not meet. However, a message, I can pass on." The old voice spoke.

"What message?" the soldier responded, with a firm voice, remaining vigilant.

"A team you will become apart, I know. All but one, will perish."

"Noble team?" the soldier questioned.

"Noble? Hmph. Perhaps, I presume." The voice spoke, almost amused.

The soldier remained silent, watchful, looking around the black to find the source of this voice, however, it showed nothing.

"Your team, a dark fate awaits them, yourself included." The voice continued, "However their fates, you can prevent. All but one, may survive."

The soldier still said nothing but began to lessen their strained stance.

"A bomb, how the first will fall. To save them, a soldier, you must keep."

"the next, a sniper from afar. Their shields down will be. Recharge them, they must."

"And a third, your presence not needed, the one you've saved, will fill the spot."

The soldier took what the voice spoke, but was still wary of what 'wisdom,' they offered.

"Why are you telling me this?" the soldier questioned.

"A galaxy of mine, foreign it is, with yours. Crumble under tyranny, it is. Your force needed indeed."

The soldier looked out to the void, unsure of all this voice offered. "What? Why?", they asked.

But before they could get an answer, a light shined off the distance, glowing brighter by the second. The soldier looked towards the light and was instantly overwhelmed by the light. They attempted to cover the light with their arms, but still overwhelmed them.

…

Noble Six woke up from the sudden dream, or was it something else? they felt as if the dream was something more, like some omen. Six quickly shrugged off the thought, as they've realized the hog they've ridden has arrived at their destination.

Six quickly put on their helmet and leaped off the warthog as they began to trek towards a Command shelter.

…..

REACH, Szurdok Ridge, Ütközet

August 13, 2552
20:50 Hours

Reach has been invaded, a CSO-class Covenant Super-Carrier looms over the planet. 60 percent of the available UNSC fleet has been recalled to Reach, expected to arrive in 48 hours. But Noble team isn't waiting that long. Spartan Catherine-B320, also known as Kat, or Noble-two sanctioned a plan to use a rigged Slipspace drive to destroy the Supercarrier.

a modified slipspace drive turned bomb.

A bomb. The dream.

Noble-Six's thoughts drifted to the dream they had before meeting Noble team.

'A bomb, how the first will fall. To save them, a soldier, you must keep alive'

Jorge-052, also known as Noble-Four, was the second spartan sanctioned to accompany Noble-Six, due to his skill and expertise with heavy weapons and explosives. This was how the first one will fall, thought Six, as they board a Pelican en route to an outbound base, where they'll be picked up by a Falcon, headed towards the Sabre program facility.

That voiced mentioned keeping a soldier alive, I need to pick the right one.

…

Operation: UPPERCUT

August 14, 2552
12:50 Hours

A Covenant Corvette, en route to the Super-Carrier, was boarded by Noble-Six, several marines, and Noble-Four. Jorge was stationed to protect a Pelican, meant as a means to get off the Corvette, while Six was tasked to taking the bridge, along with setting a course for the Corvette to meet with the Supercarrier. 4 marines were also tasked to follow Six, while they make their way to the bridge of the Corvette.

Six went up to assassinate an elite ultra, which oversaw the destruction of a Paris-class heavy frigate, the UNSC Savanah, the very ship that donated her slipspace drive. Six motioned for the other marines to follow as the elite fell to the ground, before opening a door that would lead to the bridge. They stopped and looked towards the platoon.

"Which one of you was responsible for rigging the bomb?" Six questioned.

The platoon looked dumbfoundedly at the spartan by the request, but one soldier stood up front.

"I am, sir" the Marine spoke.

"Name and rank?"

"Ben Walker, Private First class, sir."

"Private, stick close to me and keep your head low, the rest of you, fan out for cover and ready yourselves."

"Yes sir!" said the platoon, as they ready themselves to siege the location.

…

Casualties were expected as they took the bridge. Fortunately, after taking it, three survived, Noble-Six, the squad leader of the platoon and Pvt B. Walker. After the course was set, Jorge called them all back for immediate assistance.

Once they arrived, it was a full firefight between the two parties, with Covenant forces on one side, and Jorge on the other. Quickly, Noble-Six and the two surviving marines engaged to assist.

…

"Distance is closing on this vessel's refueling track with the Covenant Super-Carrier. Seventy-six seconds to endpoint." Spoke the A.I. DOT, which monitored Reach.

Jorge attempted to activate the timer of the bomb, in order to destroy the Super-Carrier, however, something was wrong. Jorge attempted to start it again, only to receive a declining beep in return.

"Dammit." He said, "So, it's gonna be like that."

He looked towards the Six for a moment, before lightly smacking the panel in frustration.

"Well, I got good news and bad news." He said, turning to face Six.

"This bird took some fire and her thruster gimbal is toast. Which means the only way off this slag heap is gravity."

"And the good news?" asked Six.

"That was the good news." Jorge responded.

"At current velocity, fifty-three seconds to endpoint." Spoke DOT

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" Jorge spoke, sounding slightly defeated, as he took off his helmet.

"Bad news is, timer's fried. I'm gonna have to fire it manually."

"That's a one-way trip." Said Six.

"We all make it sooner or later." He said with a smile, "Better get going, Six, they're gonna need you down there."

"No, they'll need you both."

Six and Five turned towards the voice of a marine, with a plasma wound on his shoulder. It was Private Ben Walker, the last surviving marine.

"I'll fire the bomb, you two get to the surface." Walker said to the two Spartans.

"I don't think that'll be an option soldier, I doubt you know what to do here." Jorge spoke, facing the wounded marine.

"Sir, I'm already injured, and I've majored in demolitions, along with getting this death-trap strapped to the bird. I won't survive the fall, but you two still can."

"You sure you're willing to take the plunge soldier?" questioned Jorge.

"Reach was my home, and like hell, I'll let it fall." Walker responded, in determination.

"Hmph" Jorge huffed with a smile, as he puts on his helmet, "Then it's best we get going."

Noble-Five and Six marched towards the edge of the hangar bay, readying themselves for reentry. The pair stopped by the edge, and Jorge looked back at the soldier, already prepping the drive for detonation.

"Soldier." He called out.

Walker turned, gazing at the Spartans.

"Make it count." He said before pushing Six and himself off the rig.

The two gazed out to the ship, as it approaches the massive Super-Carrier. Seconds later after they've leaped, sparks appeared from the Corvette, as it charged for a rupture. Soon, a massive slipspace bubble emerged from the ship, consuming it, Walker, and a large section of the Super-Carrier. The falling Spartans watched as the bubble disappeared, leaving an EMP field and the remains Super-Carrier in its wake, as they plunged to the planet's surface.

…

Noble-Six awoke from the wreckage, with surprisingly Jorge somewhat close by. Both were injured from the fall, as they picked themselves up from the wreck.

"you're still with me Six?" Jorge asked, trudging his way to the other spartan.

Noble-Six picked out an M6G Magnum Sidearm from the pack they wore throughout the mission, leaving it.

"My arm's most likely cracked, possibly fractured, but I'll manage. You?"

"I'd say I've got a cracked rib cage, but otherwise I'm fine."

Six looked towards Jorge, who somehow has an M392 Designated Marksmen Rifle, as they both holstered their weapons.

"We should get moving, radio's fried from the impact and it looks like New Alexandria is 6 klicks north," Jorge explains, pointing North of their position. "We're not done yet."

…..

New Alexandria, Eposz

August 23, 2552
15:34 Hours

They've trekked for the past 9 days, as they reached over a ridge, overseeing an invasion of 3 Covenant Corvettes over a massive city Jorge recognizes as New Alexandria.

"The bastards really have a foot on Reach now have they," Jorge spoke, unholstering his DMR, with Six unholstering his magnum.

"Let's go, who knows how many civilians have already fallen."

…

Six watched on a beachside as several civilian transport ships make their way off of Reach. Six and Jorge had to separate to support as many other marine strongholds over civilian evacuation.

"Civilian transport away. You've saved a lot of lives today, Spartans." A marine spoke through the radio as transports made their way off the city. Suddenly, the radio began to flair in static, as another voice began to spoke from the comms.

"Do you copy? …Repeat, this is Noble-Two. Noble Six, Noble Five, do you copy?" Kat's voiced into the comms, getting a hold onto the two Spartans.

"This is Six, Go ahead, Noble-Two." Six responded quickly.

"We picked up yours and Noble-Five's transponder an hour ago but could not risk open comms. Covenant has this city sealed tight, you still with me Jorge?"

"Loud and clear Noble-Two." Jorge responded over comms.

"Understood, what's the situation at Starport and Portside exits?"

"The last transport is away." Six answered.

"same situation here." Jorge followed.

"Alright. We're bringing you to us."

The comm channel ended as Six signaled a flare to pick them up.

One soul down, now the other two.

…

New Alexandria, Eposz

August 23, 2552
18:57 Hours

Six and Five were on a Pelican, en route to a landing pad where Noble-One awaits them. As they approach touch down, Noble-Six holsters a DMR, as Jorge inspects his newly acquired M247H Heavy Machine Gun, unfortunately, it was not the same as his personal chaingun, Etilka. The Pelican passed a burning wreckage of a building, before touching down at a landing pad with two Falcons, with Noble- One awaiting the two Spartans.

Six jumped off the Pelican as it took off with Jorge, walking by Noble-One as one of the Falcons lifts off.

"Your report will have to wait, Lieutenant." He says, "The Covenant are jamming all Comms to Command. Kat needs your help running a counter-op. Jorge will do the same on the far side of the city."

Six continues walking to his designated Falcon, with two marines already situated on the side-mounted turrets.

…

All of Noble team awaited above the higher level, with Jorge and Emile-A239, or Noble-Four sitting by a nearby wall, Jun-A266, Noble-Three leaning on a railing, surveying the surrounding area, Kat working with a damaged comm relay a connection with command and Carter-A259, Noble-One or Noble leader leaning on a crashed Covenant Banshee awaiting for her to finish.

"Look at this place. Used to be the crown jewel… Hmph Not anymore." Spoke Jun-A266, also known as Noble-Three, as he pears out the burning city with a pair of binoculars.

He lowers the binoculars and turns around to see Noble-Six who've arrived after running the op. "Hey. You made it." He said, sounding slightly proud of their return.

"It's a regular family reunion." Spoke out Emile-A239, or Noble-Four, "Hey Big man! Your buddy's back."

"I have eyes, Emile." Jorge spoke, sounded slightly annoyed, which prompted a light chuckle.

"You sure your new toy has done the job?" asked Emile.

"It's not Etilka, but still gets the job done." Responded Jorge. only resulting in Emile to laugh from the remark.

"Does it really matter whether it's your gun or not?" questioned Emile.

"To me, it does."

"Both of you, cut it." Carter ordered as he approaches the railing. After standing by it, Jun started, "Sir, that true Gauntlet, Red and Echo teams assigned to civilian evac ops?"

Carter seemed unimpressed how Jun knows this intel, as those orders were reserved for senior officers, and he knows how and who was responsible for this breach. He turned Toward Kat.

"Those are senior-level communiqués." He spoke.

"I hear what I hear. Point is, why put Spartans on defensive deployments?" She responded, wanting to know about this revelation.

"I need that link to SATCOM, Kat." Carter ordered, ignoring her question.

"Chasing it, but this console's got more shrapnel in it than transceivers…" her tone slightly annoyed. She also realized Carter hasn't answered her previous question.

"You didn't answer my question."

"You want to know if we're losing." Carter points out.

"I know we're losing… I want to know if we've lost."

Carter looked back at the burning city. The air was thick with smoke and rain, the fire spread throughout the city, on buildings off the distance and from the ground, with Covenant ships looming overhead. Kat quickly went back to working with the heavily damaged comm unit, to see if a secure channel was even possible. Fortunately, she found a signal coming from Colonel Holland, but what concerned her was that they were being hailed… and in an open channel.

"Colonel Holland! Hailing us— What's he doing on an open channel?" she said with uncertainty

"Let's hear it." Spoke Carter, turning back to Kat.

"-in the southwest quadrant of the city, over?" Holland spoke through the channel.

"Sierra-two-five-nine. If you are receiving, I am authorizing override of radio security protocols to link with this channel."

This was concerning for the team, with their superior officer hailing their Spartan team through an open channel, knowing that this signal can be traced to where it's being sourced. Carter walked towards Kat, stopping just behind her

"How long for a secure link?" Carter asked

"I can't guarantee secure anymore."

"Could the Covenant trace it to us?"

"I could." Kat spoke, nodding her head.

"Noble leader, this is a Priority One hail." Holland continued to hail through the comms, "If you are receiving, acknowledge immediately."

Kat picked up a portable comm link connected to the channel and handed it over to Carter, "Keep it brief."

"Carter, here. Yes, sir…" he spoke through the comms, as he Holland spoke through the comm, however only he was able to hear it.

Meanwhile, Jun continued to survey the outside. As he did, noticed movement patterns from Banshees, Spirits, and Phantoms, all distancing themselves from the tower they were situated on as if they were retreating, maybe evacuating.

"We got movement. Multiple Covenant vehicles vacating the area." Jun informed, "And they're in a hurry."

"How often do you see Covenant retreat for no reason?" Emile questioned, looking towards Jorge, who raised an eyebrow.

Then Kat's comm pad began to flare up, detecting a spike in ion scrambling. "Radiation flare! Big. Forty million roentgen." She advised,

"Just lost Holland. What's going on?" Carter questioned, looking towards Kat.

"Atomic excitement scrambled the signal. Ninety million now!" she continued.

"Source?"

"Airborne. Close."

"How close?"

Before she could answer, a burst of light shined through the window. Out of the building, a massive Plasma lance was blasted right next to the tower, it's blast created a shockwave that blew through the window of the building, and knocked over any of Noble team that was standing, or sitting up.

"THAT CLOSE!" Kat shouted.

As the lance continued to burn through, all of Noble team began scrambling to their feet. Six helped Kat to hers, during which, they noticed something. Her armor's tech seemed slightly scrambled, from the shockwave, with yellow lights on her chest plate and wrist screen flickering, attempting to remain active before they went out cold, fading into black. Her shields have been disabled.

'the next, a sniper from afar. Their shields down will be. Recharge them, they must.' Six remembered.

She picked up her helmet from the ground and raced with Six for the elevator, with Jorge already awaiting the two inside, though taking much space due to his chaingun.

As they both entered, they noticed Jorge's body language tense in anger by the sight of his home being glassed. Kat quickly punched the elevator to move to the bottom floor.

"First glassing?" she questioned the two, as they remained silent, "Me too." She says as she puts on her helmet.

"Noble-Two, your shields are down." Six pointed out.

Kat quickly looked to her wrist-attached screen, which showed her armor's diagnostic. It was dimly lit, with an indication of her shields being disabled that Kat could barely make out.

"Good eye Six. Don't worry it's an easy reboot." She spoke, as she tapped into it. Soon, the lights on began to flicker in yellow, before turning green, and a yellow shield-like aura now surrounding her form. Good, now let's hope it's enough for that sniper. Thought Noble-Six.

"Kat, any idea where to go." Carter asked through the comms.

"already on it." She says, tapping into a comm pad, "Our best option is a fallout bunker on sub-level two, ninety-six meters North East. We get orders from Holland sir?"

"We're being redeployed to Sword Base." He spoke coldly.

"Sword? Covenant own it now." Jun reacted, not believing out of all places they were deployed to, it's the Covenant occupied Office of Naval Intelligence base.

"Which is why want us for a torch-and-burn op. Keep Doctor Halsey's excavation data from falling to enemy hands" Carter responded almost harshly.

The first elevator opened, with Nobles-One, Three and Four running through a damaged hallway, with a cave-in from the ceiling, showing the clouded night sky of New Alexandria, or at least what's left of it.

"If it hasn't already." Said Noble-Two, her elevator doors, with her shields now calibrated and fully charged.

"Maybe, but according to Holland, the Covenant are still hunting for something." Carter responded with a huff. The three stopped by a room, with heavy-duty doors and civilians that couldn't evac quick enough.

Kat, Six and Jorge all ran behind, with Jorge slightly trailing, much to Emile's frustration.

"Where does he get off calling a demolition Op Priority One-" she continued to speak. But when they loomed over the massive hole; a pink needle screamed from the top. What was expected, was the needle to cleave straight through her helmet, ultimately through her head. But instead, the needle shattered from the impact onto Kat's shield. She stumbled on her feet before quickly unholstering her magnum to the sky.

"Shit!" she shouted.

What was seen was a Phantom that loomed over the cave-in, with an elite Zealot over by the edge, a needle rifle on hand. She and Noble-Six quickly started firing onto the elite, which also began to fire upon the team. Shortly after, Nobles-One, Three, Four and Five unloading their shots at the elite. Soon after, the Phantom quickly began to evacuate the airspace, leaving Noble team alone in the ruins.

"C'mon! C'mon! Get in!" Carter ordered.

"Let's go! C'mon!" Jun added.

With that, the rest of Noble team darted for the door. Once inside, Carter pressed for the door controls to begin closing, albeit slowly, as the last 3 members arrived inside, sealing off the dangers.

It's done… now for the last one.

…

Sword Base, Babd Catha Ice shelf, Eposz

August 29, 2552
26:37 hours

Noble team broke through the Covenant defenses stationed in around ONI Sword Base, tasked with blowing the base into nothing but rubble. The team found themselves within the facility, overlooking a cornered room, with the bodies of marines littered throughout the room. The walls were charred in plasma scoring. Carter reconfirmed DOT with their revised rendezvous point, much to Jun's dismay. Soon, the walls by the corner of the room opened, revealing a dark chasm, leading further down the base. Apparently, this doorway and the revised route was the cause of an unidentified AI, with a greater clearance compared to DOT's.

"So Jun, you wanted to know of the base's secrets, here they are," Kat spoke amusedly, much to his disappointment.

The team continued down the tunnel, ending up at a tram. Reluctantly, they each stepped onto the tram, one after another, while watching for any sign of movement.

"Your new AI friend tell you anything else? DOT?" Carter questioned the A.I., to find no response.

"DOT?"

"She's been expecting you."

…

After defending a facility identified as a Forerunner construct, including a laboratory housing an AI construct that lead Noble team down the chasm, and Dr. Catherine Halsey. Noble team entered the facility, which leads to a long pathway into the heart of the facility, along with Dr. Halsey's Lab.

Inside of the lab observed a forerunner structure, the Doctor herself, and an AI construct Halsey described as one who've chosen a being to take her. Noble team was most perplexed by this statement, none more so than Kat.

"I'm aware smart A.I. are much more sophisticated, but an AI construct choosing a wearer is unheard of." She states.

"Well as you now are aware, she's not just any smart A.I. This'll be the next step in technological advancement and evolution. Starting with this one." Halsey replies.

She pulls out a cylindrical chamber from a station, within it carries the very essence of this new A.I. and walks towards Noble-Six.

"Take it, Lieutenant. …She has made her choice."

Six looks at Carter, which he responded with a nod. He looked back at the small chamber before grabbing it with both hands.

"Do you have it?" Halsey asks, not letting go.

"Yes," Six replies.

"Say the words, please."

"I have it."

With that, the Doctor released her grip from the chamber, now in the hands of the Noble Spartan.

Minutes later, Noble team and the Doctor now find themselves outside of a hangar, with two stationed Pelicans, one to escort Halsey to a nearby base, and the other to escort Noble to a Halcyon-class light cruiser, The Pillar of Autumn, where the A.I. was directed to be stationed with.

"Doctor Halsey, Noble-Three will escort you to Castle base." Carter said, arriving at the Pelicans.

"I require no escort, Commander." Halsey retorted.

"Jun, make sure nothing falls into enemy hands." Carter spoke to Jun, ignoring Halsey's request.

"I'll do what's necessary, sir…" Jun replied. "Good luck."

"You too, riflemen."

"Try not to get her killed, Jun." Jorge said as both parties made their way to their respective Pelican.

"Hehe, I won't." chuckled Jun.

…

While en route to the site, Noble team's pelican were being engaged by Covenant Air forces, a Phantom and 2 Banshees. As a result, their bird was heavily damaged, with its back thrusters destabilized, and its right wing ablaze, with Noble-One now injured.

"Noble leader, seek immediate medical attention. "DOT commented, detecting his status, "Noble leader, please respond."

Noble-Two and Six went up to the cockpit to check on him, while Noble-Four and Five attempted to shoot down their pursuers.

"Please respond, Sierra-Two-Five-Nine. You are alarming me.", the Pelican took another hit from a barrage of Banshee fire, damaging it even further. By aft, Emile pulled out a grenade launcher and fired onto one of the Banshees, its EMP disorienting the craft to crash on the second banshee.

"He's hit!" Kat shouted, now by his side, who removed his helmet, "He's got ruptures throughout his armor and body, I'm not—"

"Not sure how long she's gonna stay together." Carter announced, Ignoring Kat's concerns, "Skies are jammed up anyway. Gotta get you off her, Lieutenant.", his voice was gruff, more than usual.

"Commander—" Kat plead.

"Don't wanna hear it. Get the package to the Autumn."

"Done." Noble-Six replied, who's now by Kat's side.

"Not yet, it's not…" Carter said, looking back. His face was littered with blood, pooling out of his nose, mouth, and ears, with his right eye now blood red.

"Noble-Two, Four, Five go with him. It's a ground game now."

"Understood Commander." Kat replied.

"It's been an honor, sir." Emilie spoke, pounding his shoulder in salute.

"As from me." Jorge spoke.

"Likewise." Carter responded to each of Noble team, "…I'll do what I can to draw their fire."

The team made their way to the rear end of the troop bay, preparing themselves for a drop.

"Six…" Carter called out, which Six turned back, "That A.I. chose you… She made the right choice."

With that, Noble-two and Five set themselves on the left side of the hangar door, while Six and Four huddled by the right, with the A.I. chamber in Six's hands.

"ON MY MARK…!" Carter called out, holding out his hand as a count down. The team holstered whatever weapons they had, Jorge cradling his Chaingun as they all readied to jump.

Carter's hands began to count down until it made into a fist, "MARK!"

…

Noble team fought through waves upon waves of Covenant forces on their way to the Pillar of Autumn, many stood in their way, from drones, jackals, brutes and even Scarabs. The team now finds themselves inside a cave, after dealing with a swarm of drones. On their way, they found the exit of the cavern, but what followed made things far more difficult.

"Noble, you've gotta… situation." Carter spoke through the comms. As he said that, a Scarab emerges from outside the cave, towering over Noble. The team readied their weapons, expecting a fight.

"Mother…" Emile gasped in the sight.

"Commander, what do you suggest?" Kat questioned.

"Stay put. You'll get by, only with my help you will."

"Commander, you don't have the firepower!" Emile protested.

The Scarab began to charge its main projector, aiming directly at Noble team, but before it could unleash it, Carter's Pelican Drew its attention away, discharging its gun. The Pelican flew by, with the Scarab now drawn to the massive burning bird.

"I've got the mass." Carter finally spoke.

"No… No, he's not —" Jorge spoke, baffled for what Carter planned.

"He is." Kat finished.

"Solid copy. Hit 'em hard, boss."

The Scarab brought its attention back to Noble team, charging it weapons again for another attempt. In the meantime, Carter raced towards the Scarab at full speed with no sign of turning, firing its chin-mounted cannon. "You're on your own, Noble… Carter out."

The Pelican rammed straight through the Scarab, almost knocking it in the air. The impact rippled through the air, with fire bursting through the Scarab. The Scarab tried to get back on its feet, but the damage done by the crash was severe, with several more explosions chained throughout the Scarab, as it toppled over a cliffside, plummeting down until a blast was heard. Noble looked out for a moment, seeing their first casualty was their own commanding officer.

Six, however, took it more so than the crew. That dream mentioned one of us had to go down. Goodbye Commander. they thought, referring back to their dream.

"The crevice is just east of our position, less than a klick." Kat started, "if we move, we'll make it just in time before departure."

"Let's go."

…

"Good to see you, Spartan. Halsey assured me I could count on Noble." Spoke a man identified as Jakob Keyes, the Captain of The Pillar of Autumn, who has personally arrived with a pelican to collect the cargo. Noble-Six handed off the small chamber to the captain.

"You could always count on Noble." Spoke Jorge, who was stationed with Six to cover the landing pad for Keyes's arrival. Noble-Two and Four were on a different platform, which stationed a mass driver, used to cover the Autumn during its escape.

The platoon prepared themselves to leave on the Pelican they came in with, until Keyes noticed a round, purple ship approaching from the west side of The Pillar of Autumn.

"Cruiser! Adjusting heading for the Autumn!" Keyes spoke, "Noble-Four, Noble-Two I need fire on that Cruiser or we're not getting out of here! do you copy?"

"Copy that, captain!" Kat spoke through the comms.

"You'll have your window, sir." Followed Emilie.

The platoon boarded their pelican, prepping to return, with only Noble-Six and Five still on the platform.

"Bridge, this is the captain. We have the Package. Returning to the Autumn. Over." Keyes commed

"Copy that." Spoke a bridge officer

Suddenly, a Phantom flew over, destroying one of the Pelicans that supported the main Pelican Keyes was on. It crashed onto the platform, knocking Six and Jorge off their feet. The Phantom then made its way to the mass driver, dropping off 2 Elite Zealots, while firing on Noble-Six and Five.

One of the Zealots drew its sword and attacked Emile who was on the cockpit of the cannon. Emile shot the Zealot before it could make this move, however, and exited the cockpit to finish it off, with a shotgun blast point-blank. During which, the second Zealot approached Emile from behind.

"Who's next?!" he called out, not aware of the upcoming attack

"Behind you!" called Kat, who pounced on the Zealot before it could attack.

The two stumbled around, trading fists until the Zealot threw Kat off the Mass Driver. It went to focus back to Emile, only to end up staring straight into the barrel of a shotgun. Emile pulled the trigger, staggering the elite back as its shields took the brunt of buckshot, Emile took the opening and loaded another shell in the chamber, firing a second shot to finish it off.

"Didn't expect that! Huh!" Emile shouted at the dead alien, "Kat, you ok?"

"Never better…" she replied, recovering herself.

The Pelican made its way back to the platform, expecting to pick up the Spartans.

"Spartans! Get aboard! We gotta get the hell outta here!" one of the Marines called out.

"Negative, I'll cover the Autumn from here. If Reach is gonna fall, I'm going with it." Jorge protested.

"Not alone you're not." Six replied.

"Six you're not—"

"If one of Noble falls, we all fall, big man," Emile spoke through comms.

"I sanction that as well." Kat followed.

"We'll keep the Covenant off your back... Good luck sir." Six said, nodding his head to Jorge, which he reluctantly nodded back.

"Good luck to you, Noble team."

…

The Autumn is away... The mission is complete….. And Reach has fallen.

Noble Team, or what's left of them, with Carter gone, and Jun off-planet, stood upon a platform, overlooking a field, littered with debris, whether of a ship or building origin, it was hard to tell due to the hazy fog that covered over the area. Bodies of Marines and Spartans alike littered the field, with weapons and Armor abilities all equally scattered. Covenant ships and patrols overlooked the area, with their familiar hum filtering the air as they fly overhead. The team surveyed the field, all clutching weapons of their own. Kat, a magnum, Jorge a modified chaingun, Emile a shotgun, and Six a DMR, as they prepare for their last stand until it's their turn for their flames to die out, along with the planet they stand upon.

Six's thoughts drifted back to the dream, the one that lead Noble to where they are now. From what they've seen, and the actions they've pulled off, lead them to believe that if they had not done those things, they would have been just them on this field, alone. Not that they're used to fighting alone.

Alright, little voice, we're here, they're alive, and we're here… so what is it you want now? Six thought.

"It really has come this, hasn't it…" Jorge spoke first, breaking the silence.

"It really has… you did say you never wanted to leave Reach." Emile replied.

"Yeah… but not like this…", his tone sounding sad.

"Don't worry, I know we'll win this war, and when we do, they'll come back for it." Kat spoke, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Jorge looked over to Kat, staring into her helmet, assuming he's looking at her eyes. He nodded from the small comfort, with her nodding back.

"Six, got something to say?" she said, turning to face them.

Six looked around to see Kat, Jorge and Emile had their eyes on them, awaiting a response. They sighed, looked to the ground for a moment.

So?…..

"Listen, I—" Six started.

"Reclaimers…" boomed a soft, female voice.

The team scrambled for their weapons, all back-to-back with weapons at the ready.

"The hell was that? Kat?" Emile spoke.

"Source unknown, can't trace it." She replied, her voice stern as they look for the voice.

"There is no need for hostilities, I'm here to give you a new future…" said the disembodied female.

"Who are you?" Jorge questioned.

"I am a Forerunner, here to show you a new path, but there isn't much time…"

"A Forerunner?" Emile asked.

"Wait, how's this possible? Your species are extinct." Kat spoke.

"Kat was it?"

"They're the race that created that structure back down in Halsey's lab."

"Reclaimers, soon a portal will reveal itself, through it, is your best chance for survival..."

"What portal?" Six questioned.

Soon, a small slipspace portal appeared on the far side of the field, revealing two small pillars. The team gazed on, as the rupture closed, and the pillars oriented themselves to form another, more stable portal.

"Go, now! While it remains..."

"Wait, where the hell does it go?" Jorge questioned

"Who cares… if it's our ticket out of here, might as well." Emile retorted.

"We're not leaving Reach." Jorge scowled.

"I don't think we have a choice, multiple pings just peered into the radar," Kat spoke.

"From where." Six asked.

"EVERYWHERE!"

"Jorge! we gotta go, man!" Emile snapped at the heavy Spartan-II.

Jorge grumbled in remorse, not wanting to leave his home in this state, but he knew deep down, there was nothing more he could have done. He remembered the time he was about to sacrifice himself to detonate the slipspace bomb back at Operation: UPPERCUT, only to realize a Covenant fleet arrived over Reach.

After he growled one last time, he booked for the portal, effectively living his chaingun. Emile, Kat, and Six soon followed suite. Six looked around as they marched onward, seeing countless of Elites of various ranks, Jackals and Grunts racing to their position, seeing the Forerunner portal. They fire upon the Spartans, doing whatever they can to get them away from the portal.

Jorge was the first into the portal, followed by Emile and Kat. Six peered once again before it was their turn to jump in. They saw even Field Marshalls chasing them behind, blades drawn, and plasma whizzing past. Six jumped into the portal, right as the portal closed shut, and the Zealot swung forward. The remaining Covenant scrambled to obtain the Forerunner pillars, but another slipspace rupture appeared. The pillars entered the rupture before closing, leaving a very, very angry Covenant behind.