User:Guruson/Forerunner-Ancient Humanity War

This war started before the firing of the Halo Array. Now it is but a story. One day, we will be fighting in it.

Prologue
Ancient Humanity, closely tailed by the Flood, rapidly expands into Forerunner territory. The Forerunner were puzzled by our hostile intent. But we were stronger then them. We knew better then anyone why we did what we did.

We had no choice.

Chapter 1, Intents
They had been keeping specimen of the parasite in their Installations. Researching it. Trying to become immune to it. We were better then that. We saw that we had to do what they were oblivious to. Long, very long ago, they had this conviction. "Preservation of the diversity of life throughout the galaxy", they call it. This is why we were better. We steeled ourselves for what needed to be done. But they, they didn't. They were holding on to this 'Mantle of Responsibility'. Desperately trying to hold back the Flood to manufacture a cure, become immune to the Flood, they had let the parasite roam free. They gave the thing time to evolve.

I was there when the hardest decision was made. I was there when they told us to initiate the Protocol: Sacrifice over 10 colony worlds to distract the Flood. But it was stronger. More intelligent. The Protocol failed. It hadn't bought into our trick. The Forerunners were getting stronger. We had been sighting these odd soldiers, these 'Prometheans'. Forerunner soldiers, but different. They were stronger then any other Forerunner military force. I think that they might have been the Shadow-of-Sundered-Star's personal force. This one war we were not going to win.

We failed terribly. Setback after setback, our everlasting offense was being halted. Thousands, if not, millions of lives were lost when they were done annihilating us. Preservers of life? I hadn't seen anything of that in a hundred years. But, who am I to judge. I do as I am told. They seem to be quite persistent. When we withdrew, they did nothing. They held their ground. Once we were out of the picture, they could focus on the Flood, but, only to see it in an unstoppable march.

Chapter 2, the Life-workers
I was there to accompany Lord-of-Admirals, my commander, aboard a Life-worker ship. I had seen one before, but not in this situation. I was in a large room when Shadow-of Sundered-Star, shortly named the Ur-Didact, stood at the bed where my commander lay. I could not help but stare at him. His armor must have been at least been of Ahnka-14 classification. I watched my commander as he conversed with the Ur-Didact. Shortly after he deceased, I was approached by this Forerunner. She was not of military class, yet she wore a Containment-class sidearm. She was a Life-worker. She said she had something important to tell me.

After we had wandered the hallways for some time, we sat down at a table near a window. She had asked me about my past, my ancestors, my personal convictions, anything that seemed irrelevant at the time. She knew someone who would like to meet me. "Good, but what is your name?", I asked. She said: Illuminated-Star. Nevertheless, I was quite surprised, a Forerunner who actually was interested in me. After a short conversation with the ships' Controller, I was allowed access to the rest of the ship, but always accompanied by an armed guard. I had no hostile intent, I was just very curious to see why this Life-worker was so interested in me.

While we were waiting for a guard, I took the opportunity of examining the ships interior. It reminded me of an early mission I had been on. It was 23 years ago that we had found a derelict Forerunner ship, filled with the parasite. In an attempt to cleanse and salvage the ship, I had joined a squad to-wait, the guard has arrived. We proceeded through more hallways, and entered a large open area. In the center was something that seemed like a holographic projector. There were guards present in the room, but, for what purpose? I already had a guard assigned to me. There were more Life-workers in the room, but they looked at me the same as Illuminated-Star did.

Chapter 3, Plan B
The holo-projector lights up, and projects an image. A Life-worker, but not like any on this hip. "She must be a high ranking Life-worker", I thought. She says: Illuminated-Star, you have called for me? Ah, I see, a Human. Illuminated-Star: "Yes, Librarian. I have acquired important genetic material." "No offense to you.", she says to you. Librarian: "I assume you are briefed, Human?" "Not really." "Allow me: Our time in this galaxy is at an end. The parasite, as you also know, is rising. I have started cataloging all life in the galaxy. Your genes haven't been indexed yet. It is of vital importance that you reach the Greater Ark, where you will be indexed. This, not for our greatness, but for the survival of life everywhere in the galaxy." I nodded. I eagerly await your arrival. The holo-projector shuts down.

As we wander through the hallways again, talking about the recent events, a familiar feeling arises. I always feel it when I am about to be attacked. I ask Illuminated-Sun if I can contact the ships' Controller. She accesses a nearby terminal and patches my suit through to the Controller. I ask him if there are any hostile signatures nearby. He does an short range scan, but finds nothing. As he tell me that, the alarms sound. "An automatic scanner has detected Flood spores nearby", Star reads from the terminal. The Controller announces: "Flood threats detected." The ship shakes heavily. The Controller continues: "Hull breached, all personnel, prepare to for Stage Five Combat." I ask her: "Stage Five?" She continues: "Immediately reassigns all personnel to combat the Flood". Then I realize: "I need to reach the Librarian", I say out loud. Star agrees and opens a nearby wall panel. There are guns stored in it. She hands me a Forerunner rifle. You'll need this.

My HUD tries to make sense of the gun. It designates the ammunition port, the scope, the heat exhaust ports and grips. It also shows what ammunition is used: a handheld version of a Power Core. I take a short moment to observe the weapon, but Star tells me that we have to go. On the way, I find a weapon similar to that of Star, I keep it by my side, just in case. Underway, we witness a Flood Spore Cloud engulf a Life-worker. Star closes and locks the door, and sits down next to it. "That was my sister", she weeps. You: "We don't have time for this". Star: "How can you just not care?" You: "How do we get of here?" Star: "I'm not coming with you. My sister's dead, and I cant live without her." You: "That's not,.. We go together." The doors starts cracking, and then breaks open, and a Combat form drags Star back into the hallway. You stare at her being dragged away, and then continue walking.

Chapter 4, Flood Everywhere
You combat some Flood you encounter. As you reach the Controller's room, he says to you: "You shouldn't be here. You should be far away from this ship by now." You:"How far has the infection spread?" A hologram appears in the middle of the room: "Its bad." Red spots on the hologram of the ship represent Flood. The majority of the ship has already been infected. There are some neutral spots, near where you are, near the power core room and some corridors. Controller:"Hallways have been sealed off, but not for long. They'll break through those doors in a matter of minutes. Get yourself out of this mess, and proceed to these coordinates before you go down with the ship. (your HUD says: 'New intel received'). You'll have to clear a way out. Good luck. And son, have this: They'll recognize you by this chip. Its the Caretaker's chip. Now go!" On your way, you fight some Flood. You enter the Hangar, where there are some guards protecting Life-workers: "Sir. Can you fly this craft?" You look at the chip and say:"I think I do". Guard 1: "Good, everyone, get aboard." Guards 2+3: "We'll keep them off while you leave". You to guards: "Give 'em hell, soldiers". Guards: We'll do, Sir. Now get going". You enter the craft, and fly away from the ship as fast as you can. Far behind you, you see the ship exploding. One of your passengers asks the guard: "Where are we going to go now?". Guard: Hey cap'n, we got a rally point? You: Good question. I got some coordinates from the Controller, any idea where they lead? Sending 'em through." "Hold on, inputting coordinates... They lead to the Audacity, another Life-worker ship.