It is a night sky: several bright pinpoints of white light, stars, hang in the center. It's a tranquil forest, with lush greenery and a winding river.

Cortana: They let me pick. Did I ever tell you that? Choose whichever Spartan I wanted. You know me. I did my research. Watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be.

Something comes into view entering the atmosphere, trailing flames splitting the night sky. Although it is not recognizable, it is the Prophet of Truth's Dreadnought.

Cortana: Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave. A natural leader.

The fireball comes nearer, streaking across the sky.

Cortana: But you had something they didn't. Something no one saw but me.

A second, lesser fireball breaks off from the main one. It moves at an oblique angle to the first, in the direction of the forest. It moves closer while the first vanishes behind a spray of trees.

Cortana: Can you guess? Luck.

The fireball roars past and smashes into the ground with an earth-shattering impact.

Cortana: Was I wrong?

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The sun streams through the trees onto the smoking ruin where the object hit ground. Several Marines move around; First Squad. The one in the back wears a Sergeant's cap. The Marines of First Squad anxiously observe an object just below the view position.

Marine #1: This ain't good.

Marine #2: Damn. How far did he fall?

The Sergeant in the hat takes a long drag on his cigar and blows out smoke. He turns around, revealing he is Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson.

Marine #3: Two kilometers, easy.

Johnson: Stay sharp!

The Marines move closer to the object while one aims his gun to the left then the right watching for any sign of the enemy. The object is finally revealed to be the Master Chief. He lies at one end of the impact crater. The Marines move closer to the Chief, taking up combat positions. One sits down beside him and takes out a small computer.

Johnson: Corpsman?

Corpsman: His armor's locked up. Gel layer could have taken most of the impact...

He taps something in on the computer. With a hiss, the Chief's outstretched arms collapse onto his chest. The Marine checks for vital signs. No readings.

Corpsman: I don't know, Sergeant Major...

Johnson kneels by the side of his fallen friend and places a hand on his chest, feeling for breath, or any sign that the man is alive. He inadvertently breathes smoke into the Chief's face. After a few seconds, he sighs sadly, reaches behind the Chief's head and pulls Cortana's empty chip out of his helmet.

Johnson: Radio for VTOL, heavy lift gear. We're not leaving him here.

He looks down and realize the chip is empty. An armored hand reaches up and grabs Johnson's wrist.

Chief: Yeah. You're not.

The Chief pushes himself slowly to his feet.

Johnson: (sighing) Crazy fool! Why do you always jump? One of these days, you're gonna land on somethin' as stubborn as you are! And I don't do bits and pieces!

The Chief says nothing. Instead, he reaches down and takes Cortana's chip from the Sergeant's hand and lets go of his arm.

Johnson: Where is she, Chief? Where's Cortana?

The Chief stares at the data crystal, and for a second, Cortana's face flashes across his screen.

Cortana: (voice over) Don't make a girl a promise...if you know you can't keep it.

Johnson gives him a confused look.

Chief: She stayed behind.

Chief inserts the chip into the port at the back of his helmet.

Johnson: Corporal? Make it quick.

Corpsman: Sorry, sir. (to Master Chief) Your armor's still in partial lockdown.

After they finished testing his armor's functionality, they hear bushes rustle and Y/n comes out, putting his rifle on his back.

Y/n: Johnson, we're clear for now, but I don't think-

Y/n stops mid-sentence and sees Chief on his feet, looking back at the young ODST.

Y/n: CHIEF!

Y/n rushes at the Spartan and tightly clung to his waist. Chief barely moved from the tackle, as he then wraps his arms around his friend.

Y/n: I was so worried!

Chief: Likewise, Y/n. Glad to see you're okay.

Y/n lets go of Chief's waist, but Chief keeps his hands on Y/n's shoulders. He looks up... and sees the heat-wave effect of a Covenant active camouflage. Johnson gives it a nod. An Elite decloaks, revealing itself to be the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam.

Chief pushes Y/n behind him and moves with fluid grace, brushing aside Johnson and another Marine next to Arbiter, drawing Johnson's pistol from its holster.

Johnson: Chief, wait!

Chief jams the pistol between Arbiter's mandibles.

Johnson: The Arbiter's with us!

'Vadam glares at the Master Chief, but shows no sign of discomfort nor makes any move to point the gun away from himself. The Chief hesitates to lower his gun.

Y/n: (grabs Chief's shoulder) Chief, listen. Arbiter and the rest of the Elites broke away from the Covenant. They understand now that the Halos are giant killing machines, not tools that deliver salvation. They're on our side.

Johnson walks up behind Y/n.

Johnson: And we've got enough to worry about without you two trying to kill each other!

The Spartan slowly lowers his gun. Arbiter clacks his mandibles together.

Arbiter: Were it so easy.

Arbiter makes to move past Chief, but the Spartan pushes him back. Arbiter turns and walks away.

Arbiter: We must go. The Brutes have our scent.

Johnson takes an assault rifle from a Marine.

Johnson: Then they must love the smell of hero.

Johnson hands the rifle to Chief, who snatches it swiftly, as if annoyed by Arbiter.

Y/n: Chief?

The Spartan looks at Y/n.

Y/n: I'm glad you're back.

Chief pats Y/n before they walk off.

(HALO 3 HAS BEGUN! LET'S GET THIS S*** STARTED!)