Richard Olson Plantagenet
8:00 AM, February 7, 2519
UEG Cruise Ship Aurora, en route to Eridanus II
"Same here with the rest of us! Almost everyone aboard this ship wants to meet the future Master Chief and his family and friends!" stated Jack excitedly.
"So, are any of you going to join the UNSC afterwards? If so, what branch?" asked Richard. He wanted to know if they shared any commonalities in a career.
"I'm joining the ODSTs!" That one was shouted by Carlos Jasper.
"I'm joining the regular Marines. The SPARTAN corps are overrated," said Jack Newton.
"I'm transferring schools to a college in New Alexandria, Reach. An UEG-provided education appeals to me," explained Sally Eleanor.
"I'm joining the Unified Earth Government. I'd rather be in a government office than on the front-lines, sorry. It's said in lore that combat against is the Covenant is brutal, no matter what," said Megan Grant.
Carlos then asked "So, what about you? What are your goals after Eridanus II?"
Richard replied with "I'm joining either the Spartan program or the UNSC Navy. Either way, it would be the first step of my grand plan for the Halo universe."
"What's your so-called "grand plan"?, asked Sally Eleanor.
"My grand plan involves playing a major role in exposing the truth about humanity and Forerunners to the Covenant in hopes of crushing the Prophets' conspiracy to trigger a genocidal war against mankind.", explained Richard.
"WHAT!?" yelled the group in unison, which drew the attention of several diners nearby.
"As for the Spartan program, you might not meet the DNA requirements. Consider that out of thousands of candidates in the Outer Colony vaccination program, only 75 made it in. The UNSC Navy would be a better option," Carlos explained.
"And how are we humans supposed to get in contact with the Covenant? We don't know where their capital city of High Charity currently is. Hell, that thing has a slipspace drive that can travel hundreds of lightyears in a day - it could pop up anywhere," criticized Jack.
"I'll propose a new Spartan program to Dr. Halsey for older teenager or young adult volunteers like us, similar to the ORION/Spartan-I and Spartan-IV programs, one that only requires a mental and physical tryout prior to augmentation. If not, I will join the UNSC Navy. As for contact with the Covenant, my opinion is either we let the Covenant come to us or we seek out the Covenant. I prefer the latter option, due to a smaller chance of an awry first contact," Richard gave his explanation, which was met with a nod or two.
"You cannot achieve this plan alone, or by ourselves. We would need the support of the UNSC." This is borderline unrealistic, thought Megan.
"Are you crazy? There is a large likelihood that most Halo fans would be injured or killed in either the Spartan augmentations or our failing attempt to stop the Human-Covenant War!"
The sentence spoken by Jack was overheard by a nearby diner, who replied with "Yeah, but at least I know I died with a meaningful purpose!"
Megan said "We got to try harder and smarter, as Richard would have wanted."
"That's right, Megan. As I would have wanted. But enough of my grand plan for now. Let's save the plan for Reach and High Charity, for we need to concentrate for now on affairs on Eridanus II."
"Agreed," said the four in unison.
11:00AM Local Time, February 13, 2519
Spaceport in Elysium City, Eridanus II
Finally, after a nearly week-long journey in slipspace, the Aurora appeared with a flash over the planet, before docking with one of the two space elevators located on the planet. Richard enjoyed the journey much more than a journey on an aquatic cruise ship of Earth-343, although the lack of real-time internet was a major annoyance to him. As he grabbed his bags, he made his way onto Deck 6, where passengers were disembarking. The space elevator complex looked like an airport or modern train station, but much more futuristic in design and windows showing the views of space instead. He made his way near one of the elevator shafts, where the group of five agreed to meet.
Soon after, they showed up, and the elevator descended, giving them spectacular views of space along the way. Finally, after half an hour, they were on the ground - and stepping foot onto another planet for the first time.
"To be honest, it was kinda underwhelming. But that's what happens when you commercialize space travel, said Megan.
Legion after legion of Halo fans, including Richard, Carlos, Jack, Sally, and Megan were boarding the buses that would take them out of the spaceport and into Elysium City. Richard's group boarded the bus that would take them to John-117's old house to meet John-117's family and friends.
John's Mother and Father
2:30PM Local Time, February 13, 2519
John-117's Old House in Elysium City, Eridanus II
In the living room of this quiet small house in Elysium City sat John's mother and father, watching the intense debates raging on TV in the UEG Senate on Earth-1 and the UN General Assembly on Earth-343 stemming from the revelations brought forth by the Halo games and novels, including the Spartan program and Master Chief John-117 being the central character of the games. It was already a week since it happened.
"Do you think this Master Chief could be our John?" said John's mother.
John's father growled "I have no doubts about it. This Master Chief is our John, and the government lied to us by kidnapping our son and replacing him with a clone who died 2 years ago!"
The father changes the channel and the TV shifts to another news report on a different story: a crowd of 21st century humans crowding around the entrance of Primary Education Facility #119 with local security guards trying to block them and the press.
"We shouldn't have let the humans from the other Earth come into our colonies!" shouted John's father.
"What you are seeing is a large crowd of these so-called fans of the Halo games trying to visit Primary Education Facility #119, which according to the fans, was the so-called Master Chief's old school prior to the events of the games," said the news reporter on the scene.
The TV screen shifts back to the Elysium City newsroom where one of the news anchors begins speaking: "We're getting reports of Halo fans converging on the neighborhood where the Master Chief used to live."
Then the news footage shifts to another crowd of Halo fans, young adults and kids alike, getting off the buses and into John's old neighborhood, with many of them heading towards John's old house as well as the houses belonging to the families of John's friends Parisa, Ellie Bloom, and Katrina.
A reporter, on the scene, walked up to a teenager wearing a NOBLE team long-sleeved shirt. Holding the microphone up to the boy's mouth, she said "Is there any particular reason you visited Eridanus II out of all the colonies?", to which he replied with:
"I think everyone knows why there are so many people here: Master Chief. We know he used to live in this area, and we want to pay tribute to his family by visiting. My second choice was Reach, to visit where Noble Six had fallen, but this was more important in the end."
"WHAT IN THE WORLD!?" shouted John's parents.
Seconds later, their doorbell began to ring. Quite frantically, in fact.
"I'll get it!" said John's mother.
She ran to the door and opened it, revealing a large crowd of Halo fans, stretching out everywhere on the street, who begin shouting and cheering at her appearance. Soon, she had to cover her ears to drown out the deafening applause. John's father followed soon, with a stern and disappointed look on his face.
"And who might you people be?" inquired John's father, trying to keep a smile, but failing to.
"WE'RE FANS OF YOUR SON, MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, JOHN-117!"
"And he's a hero to us all." added the group of five.
"You're kind and smell like soap, as your son would recall," said a random fan in the crowd. He was promptly elbowed by Richard.
John's mother blushes and smiles at the comment, while the fan looks at Richard with an annoyed stare.
"That's John's mother, she's married!" Richard admonishes.
"And who might you be?" demanded John's father.
The reply was "I'm Richard Plantagenet, I am one of your son's biggest fans for many years now. But the reason why we're here is because we have information on your son's current whereabouts. Can we come inside? We have quite a story to show and tell."
"I'm sorry, but the houses in this neighborhood wouldn't fit all of you inside. We'd have to find a larger venue," apologized John's mother.
"Is there a location where we can all meet and talk for a few hours?" asked Richard.
"There's a nearby gigantic field with a natural podium not too far from here.", said John's father.
"Then let's go there and start!" The crowd begins to follow the couple, at times singing the Halo theme song for patriotism.
3:12 PM, February 13, 2519
In a field outside a large farm near Elysium City, Eridanus II
John's mother, father and friends Parisa, Ellie Bloom, and Katrina listen attentively as Richard, and the other Halo fans explained everything about the events of the Halo games and novels, especially the events centering around John-117. By the end of it, John's mother was in tears with John's father holding her while Parisa, Ellie, and Katrina were stunned in silence. Parisa was also crying at this point, being hugged by Ellie and Katrina.
"What happened to my husband and I?", asked John's mother.
Carlos answered with a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, we do not have records of your final fate after Eridanus II was destroyed by the Covenant in 2530."
This piece of news causes John's mother to cry harder.
"We're dead! We died, and our son never heard from or saw us or his home again!" John's mother sobbed.
"It's okay, honey. We won't die this time. The arrival of Earth-343, despite all the problems it caused, might as well be a miracle in terms of information."
"It's okay, sir and ma'am. We'll promise that Eridanus II will be safe this time! No Grunt, Jackal, Elite, Brute, or Prophet will ever set foot on this planet in anger!" shouted a group of fans near Jack.
John's father replied honestly: "Thank you, all of you. I'd never thought we would become celebrities of this magnitude."
Soon enough, John's mother and Parisa stopped crying and regained their senses, looking at the Halo fans, including Richard again, though still teary.
"My baby boy! Growing up to become a soldier-" began John's mother.
"-Who became humanity's greatest hero.", finished John's father.
"We're proud of our baby boy!"
"I am grateful that my son has saved, or will one day save, humanity from its enemies." This was met by a standing ovation from the crowd, with massive amounts of applause continuing for nearly a minute.
After the applause had begun to die down, Parisa asked "What happened to me in the future?"
"You became a Company Grade Lieutenant in the Marines, and, while holding a childhood picture of yourself and John, unknowingly met him again during the Human-Covenant War without him revealing his true identity. In the conflicts after the war, you were recruited to become an agent of ONI," said Richard.
"Those ONI fuckers got Parisa, too?" exclaimed a surprised John's father.
"Calm down, my husband. We have children here." said John's mother.
"Thanks for your answer, but I'm not sure what the f-word means," said Parisa. This was met with massive amounts of heartwarming laughter from the crowd of fans.
"What about us?" asked Ellie Bloom and Katrina.
"You two survived the war as civilians." replied Carlos and a few others who had the same explanation.
"Boring! I want to fight!" exclaimed Ellie and Katrina.
John's parents and friends then look at Richard and the other fans intently.
"What are your intentions toward us? Something friendly?" kindly asked John's father.
"We're going to bring you all to Reach to visit John so that you all can have some closure with him," said Richard.
And attempt to join the UNSC and its Spartan program while we're at it, he thought to himself.
"Unfortunately, we won't leave for Reach until tomorrow as scheduled, so we might book rooms at a hotel with our own money-"
"Why don't you all stay for one night in this neighborhood, for free as long as you all behave like proper guests?"
The Halo fans were looking at John's mother like deer caught in the headlights.
"WHAT!?"
"We can't, not without the consensus of your whole neighborhood!"
40 minutes and more discussions later, the crowd of Halo fans agree to split into small groups staying at one house or apartment per small group. Richard, Carlos, and Megan would stay at John's family's house and Jack and Megan would stay at Parisa's house. There was also a large amount of fans who remembered the "Free accommodation" vouchers provided by the UEG, and decided to use them instead, about 40%.
Richard Olson Plantagenet
9:45 PM, February 13, 2519
John's Old House in Elysium City, Eridanus II
In John's old room, now empty since the death of John's flash clone with the exception of a bed and a nightstand, Richard set his iPhone on the nightstand, with the alarm set for 6:00 AM tomorrow. Whatever internet the house had wasn't compatible with something 500 years out of date, though he expected that.
"Goodnight, everyone," said Richard.
"Goodnight," said John's mother and father.
"Goodnight, Richard," Carlos and Megan said in unison.
As Carlos and Megan tuck themselves into bed in another room, Richard closes the door, turns off the lights and lays the provided sleeping bag on the floor. He would've liked to sleep in the bed, but knowing that the boy himself had once slept in it, he treated it like a holy artifact and tried not to touch it.
Man, what a chaotic day. I wonder how meeting Dr. Halsey and her Spartans, including John, will be like? It could get worse, solemnly thought Richard as he closed his eyes and fell asleep a few minutes later.
Dr. Catherine Halsey
6:00 PM Local Time, February 14, 2519
FLEETCOM MILITARY COMPLEX on Reach
Dr. Catherine Halsey and Senior Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mendez, the civilian and military commanders of the Spartan-II program, watched in awestruck and disbelief the various videos downloaded from Earth-343's YouTube showing the story of the Halo video games from the first-person point-of-view of Master Chief John-117, who was being controlled by the player.
"So, everyone on Earth-2 knew about the Spartan program from a work of fiction similar to our own lives? Should we be worried, and how is Parangosky taking it?" asked SCPO Mendez.
Dr. Halsey answered "I would be worried, but I wouldn't be very angry about it unlike Parangosky, who I heard is furious over such a large security breach."
"Back to our John-117, I cannot help but feel proud of his future accomplishments. How do you feel about John-117's future, Catherine?"
"Franklin, I am very speechless. His future embodies the eventual success of our program! Though I disapprove of Colonel Ackerson eventually starting his Spartan-III program in a way that I consider to be inferior to this program."
Just then, a security guard rushes in.
"The fans have arrived at the Complex's gates!"
"Take us down there."
"Yes sir, Chief Mendez!"
Dr. Halsey and SCPO Mendez ran after the guard.
At the Complex's spaceport, a large crowd of nearly 3400 people, including Halo fans and the families and friends of the Spartans, gathered at the entrance to the Complex after having been dropped off by shuttles from the Aurora. The Complex security guards formed a perimeter to keep the peace and prevent the crowd from entering the Complex without authorization.
The entrance doors open, introducing Dr. Halsey and SCPO Mendez, who are greeted by a loud cry from the Halo fans-
"WE'RE FANS OF YOUR SPARTANS!"
Meanwhile, the families and friends of the Spartans had begun to crouch down or cover their ears to drown out the loud declaration and shouting by the fans. Soon, the families and friends of the Spartans begin shouting their own demands.
"Take me to my son!"
"I want my daughter back!"
"I want to see John again!"
The shouting continued, with the fans begin shouting among themselves, but this was surprisingly silenced by Richard, who stood in front of the crowd, drawing everyone's attention.
"QUIET EVERYONE! Let's see what Dr. Halsey has to say!"
Dr. Halsey clears her throat and begins speaking to the crowd.
"To the families and friends of my Spartans, I sincerely apologize for causing all of you a great ordeal when I conscripted the kids for this program and replaced them at home with flash clones."
Then tears began streaming down her face like a small waterfall.
"Like you, the parents, I care for them and wanted the best for them. But I did, or I will do, horrible things to them that you will not forgive me for. So, please forgive me, and let me have a chance to make amends. I may not seem honest right now, but I am honest in my heart. At least some of you would know it was a necessary evil."
The families and friends of the Spartans, along with the fans, were silent, until John's mother was the first to speak, with mixed messages.
"I may want to punch your face several times right now, Halsey, but I am currently holding that urge back. So please, consider this a gesture of kindness."
The families and friends of the Spartans nod in forgiveness, leading the Halo fans to exhale in relief. Richard steps in front of Dr. Halsey and SCPO Mendez.
"I'm Richard Plantagenet, one of the biggest fans of the Spartan program, and we, the fans, are here to help your Spartans and their families and friends receive closure for their ordeal. Now, would you let us see your Spartans?"
Dr. Halsey thinks for a moment and then answers:
"Very well. But SCPO Mendez and his men will be your escort."
The Complex's entrance doors open, and the crowd of 3400 people slowly began to enter the Complex, escorted by the guards.
John-117
6:20 PM Local Time, February 14, 2519
Military Reservation 01478-B, Reach
John-117 and the other Spartan-IIs were doing training exercises when they notice the absence of SCPO Mendez.
"I wonder what's going on?" asked John.
"Beats me, I don't know either," answered his friend Samuel.
Suddenly, John detected a familiar scent in the air.
"I smell something similar to soap."
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out: "John!"
John-117 and the other Spartan-IIs turned and saw their families and friends, including John's mother and father, Parisa, Ellie Bloom, and Katrina, running towards them for a hug.
"Mom, Dad, Parisa, Ellie, Katrina!"
John-117 ran into their arms, being hugged not only by his parents, but also by Parisa, Ellie, and Katrina. Likewise, the other Spartan-IIs were being hugged by their families and friends.
Then, the Spartan-II trainees look up and see another crowd behind them - the Halo fans, who cry out with joy while holding up encouragement signs:
"WE LOVE YOU, SPARTANS!"
"Who are they?", asked John.
"You have fans, John. Many people on Earth-2 are very supportive of you, my baby boy," cooed John's mother.
"Actually, that would be an understatement. You're probably one of the biggest celebrities to the people of Earth-343 right now."
"I don't get it."
"I don't get it either," reciprocated Richard, who then introduces himself to John-117.
"I'm John, nice to meet you as well."
In one corner, Ellie, Katrina, and Parisa introduced themselves to what would become John's Blue Team: Sam, Frederic, Kelly, and Linda.
As the Halo fans, the Spartans, and their families and friends chat among themselves, Dr. Halsey clears her throat.
"Now what is the purpose of this family reunion?"
Carlos replied "We have information concerning the near future of the UNSC in relation to this program."
"Mendez and I would want to hear it. I think it's best to follow me."
SCPO Mendez barked the command: "Everyone, follow Dr. Halsey and I to the amphitheater please."
The crowd of Spartans, their families and friends, and their fans from Earth-343 began following the civilian and military commanders of the Spartan program to the amphitheater.
Steve Downes and Jen Taylor
Amphitheater at FLEETCOM Military Complex on Reach
8:00 PM, February 14, 2519
"Ugh, that felt like a rude awakening."
The voice actress of Cortana, Jen Taylor woke up feeling a minor headache. She and Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes found themselves backstage in the amphitheater at the Reach FLEETCOM Military Complex. Several days before, when the UN General Assembly started, they had been snatched from Earth-343 by undercover ONI agents who had infiltrated the U.S, drugged them, taken aboard a prowler and put into cryosleep, then taken out again and drugged for the final section. Additionally, most of the staff at Bungie, Microsoft, and 343 Industries working on anything Halo-related were taken into UNSC custody.
"It could get worse," said Downes, in his normal voice - not the deep voice that was used to make Master Chief famous in the video games.
"Aside from being surprised at seeing you here, where are we, Steve?"
"It appears Jen, that we are in a real-life UNSC facility."
Before they could continue their conversation, a security guard comes up to them.
"Get up, you both will be meeting with Dr. Halsey."
Jen and Steve's eyes opened wide in shock.
"CATHERINE HALSEY!?"
Meanwhile, in the amphitheater itself, it had been 2 and a half hours since the Halo fans conducted their presentation of the past and future of the Halo universe-from the Forerunner-Human and Forerunner-Flood wars to the Human-Covenant War and beyond- to the Spartans and their families and friends. Around this time, the presentation begins to wind down, leaving some to ask questions, including Dr. Halsey, who, despite initially feeling sick after the presentation, quickly managed to compose herself.
"Is it possible to replicate Covenant and Forerunner technology from the games for human technological applications?"
"Absolutely! Bungie, 343 Industries, and Microsoft, as well as some of us fans ourselves, have the knowledge and schematics-", answered Richard, who was then interrupted by a security guard.
"Excuse me, sir. Director Parangosky's surprise guests have arrived."
"What the hell?"
That bitch! What the hell is she up to? Catherine thought.
At the mention of ONI Director Admiral Margaret Orlenda Parangosky's name, a majority of Halo fans were booing and jeering, with the Spartans and their families and friends wonder what's going on with the fans' apparent disdain for the ONI Director.
The boos and jeers were silenced as a man wearing a costume strongly resembling the MJOLNIR Mark-VI armor enters the amphitheater.
"Who's that, mommy?", inquired John-117.
Before John's mother could answer, the man in the MJOLNIR costume removes his helmet, revealing to be Steve Downes, resulting in the Halo fans cheering and applauding in great joy, which was then amplified as Jen Taylor comes in behind Steve, who then says in a deep voice:
"Hello, everyone."
As the fans continue cheering and applauding, Jack Newton takes the stage to introduce Steve and Jen to Dr. Halsey, SCPO Mendez, and the Spartans and their families and friends.
Richard asked, "So what brings you both here to Reach?"
"Jen and I were asked by agents of Parangosky to support her publicity coup against Catherine and her Spartan program. We politely declined and they kidnapped and brought us here as a method of coercion. She won't coerce us to do her bidding."
"Therefore, Steve and I stand with Catherine and her Spartans!", said Jen in a voice all too familiar to Catherine herself.
This got everyone's cheers and applause.
Carlos silenced the amphitheater, "Everyone, quiet down! We have one more question to answer!"
Dr. Halsey asks again, "How can we save humanity and prevent the war with the Covenant?"
Carlos Jasper answers, "There many fans like Richard and I who are planning to expose the real truth about humanity and Forerunners to the wider Covenant in hopes of crushing the Prophets' conspiracy to wage a genocidal war. The Forerunner monitor Mendicant Bias, who is imprisoned in the Forerunner Key Ship at the center of High Charity, will have a key role in our plan. February 2525 is the deadline to take action, so we must not waste plenty of time. However, our plan requires UNSC assistance, which means we need the help of some of your Spartans after augmentation to assist UEG diplomats in this effort. As well as Lord Hood's authorization. Now, are there any adjustments to this plan that we need to discuss?"
The amphitheater then broke into the chaos of debates.
Another hour later, as everyone began leaving the amphitheater, Steve Downes is greeted by young John-117.
"So, you're the actor who plays me when I'm older. Will I look like you at your age?"
"No, John. But I'm certain you will sound like me. Come on, let's join with your family and friends."
Steve and young John-117 join John's parents, Parisa, Katrina, and Ellie outside the amphitheater for a long talk.
Dr. Catherine Halsey
11:10 PM Local Time, February 15, 2519
SPARTAN-II Doctor's Office
FLEETCOM Military Complex on Reach
Dr. Halsey was having a tiring headache over such a long and chaotic day. However, she called a private meeting with SCPO Mendez, some of the Halo fans, and actress Jen Taylor in her office with a window overlooking the nightly courtyard where the Spartans and their families and friends and Steve Downes sat and talked.
"So why are we having a small private meeting after a large public one?"
Jack suggests, "We are proposing some changes to improve the Spartan program-"
"-Such as improving the augmentation process in the hopes that it will not injure or kill the candidates," finished Carlos.
"And since there are smarter people like us in the Halo fandom, we suggest that you hire some of us and Ms. Jen Taylor here as advisors and consultants.
"I would be happy to be your consultant on the creation of Cortana.", added Jen.
"Plus, despite DNA requirements being a barrier for most of us fans attempting to join the program, we think there should be a Spartan 2.5 program for adult volunteers similar to the ORION/Spartan-I and Spartan-IV programs that only requires mental and physical tryouts before the augmentation process," said Richard. "And since your Spartans like being here, we need their parents' consent for their continued stay in the program, though the ones who would have been injured or killed by the augmentations in the near future should make more mental and physical improvements before attempting augmentation."
"I'll consider your proposals. Tell me, Mr. Plantagenet, what is your other option in the UNSC?"
"Alternatively, I would enlist in the UNSC Navy. However, if our proposals pass, then the Spartans should learn to command and fly capital ships, as your program is also technically a division of the UNSC Navy."
"These proposals are interesting. But Parangosky is an obstacle to your proposals-"
Megan suggested, "We can help you get rid of Parangosky and her corruption in ONI and nominate you as the new Director."
"Now, why would I want to be the Director of ONI?"
"Simple. You are one of humanity's greatest intellects, and despite your flaws, ONI would do better as an organization with a great scientist like you as its head than a corrupt admiral. As for our proposals, we can bypass Parangosky by only needing authorization from Lord Hood and the UEG."
"Director of ONI, eh? It's very tempting. Again, I'll think over and possibly consider your reform proposals."
John-117
5:00 PM, February 15, 2519
Spaceport at Reach, FLEETCOM Military Complex
Despite the joyous family reunion that the Spartans experienced with their families and friends last night, the time has come to say goodbye, as the parents of the Spartans signed consent forms the night before that permitted the continued stay of the Spartan trainees in the program on the condition that they would be spared being injured or killed during the augmentation process. As the fans look on, the Spartans and their families and friends were crying as they hugged, including John-117, his parents, Ellie, Katrina, and Parisa.
"Why are you leaving, mom and dad?", asked John.
"Because the fans knew that the UNSC has deemed children like you too valuable as their assets. That's why we're only here to visit and then leave.", said John's mother solemnly."
Then John's father holds him by the shoulders.
"Now listen here, son. You are not a child anymore. You are an adult capable of making your own decisions. Stop crying for us, you hear?"
John wipes his tears as his father continues speaking.
"But promise us one thing: when you're old enough, you must come home alive, you hear? Save all mankind and make our family proud."
"I will, and thanks and goodbye, mom and dad."
"Goodbye, my baby boy!"
"Goodbye, my son."
As John's father holds John's sobbing mother and walks away, Ellie and Katrina said to John:
"When we're older, Ellie and I will join the Marines and fight alongside you! Isn't that right, Ellie?"
"Yeah!"
"Goodbye, John, we'll see you later!"
As John waves at them, Ellie and Katrina ran to join John's parents.
Finally, there was Parisa standing by him.
"Why are you not leaving with Ellie and Katrina?", asked John.
"It turned out I met the requirements, so my parents and I persuaded Dr. Halsey and Chief Mendez to let me train for the Spartan program. I don't want to be a Marine and ONI spy, I'm going to be a Spartan like you!", declared Parisa.
"But I promised that I would protect-"
"Don't make a girl a promise, if you know you can't keep it. I will be strong enough to protect you like you did for me all those years ago at Lake Gusev."
This left John speechless. "Okay."
Richard walks up to John and Parisa. "Actually, Parisa, you won't be a Spartan-II. Instead, you are the first volunteer for the Spartan-III program."
"What's my personal number?"
"You are now Spartan-312."
Afterwards, many of the Halo fans went their separate ways, with some of them leaving to find work elsewhere in the UEG and some others choosing to stay as advisors and consultants on the Spartan program. As for Richard and his friends, they did the same, with Richard becoming an advisor and consultant on the Spartan program who is also planning to volunteer when the next Spartan programs start recruitment next year.
Excerpt from The Halo Age: Year One by Leanne Castro, published in 2589
"Despite initial intense opposition to the Spartan program in the United Nations on Earth-2 and in the colonies of the Unified Earth Government, the program received an overwhelming amount of support from the families and friends of the Spartans and fans of the Halo video game franchise, especially after said fans showed the future of the Halo universe to convince the families and friends of the Spartans of the future benefits of the program in relation to humanity's future. This amount of support was crucial in saving the Spartan program from termination, leading to several Spartan 2.5s being used to thwart the Prophets' conspiracy to wage genocidal war on humanity from High Charity in 2524…"
