September 12th, 2552

Captain Keyes looking over the files on the large holoboard in front of him. On the Pillar of Autumn's bridge, men were busy and running about, trying to read the data from the last slip-space jump.
"Did we lose them?" Keyes asked softly.
Cortana, the battle-ships AI appeared on the pad near the center board. She smirked a little.
"I think we both know the answer to that." She said, glowing an astonding purple, data streams flowing through her body.
Keyes sighed heavily and jammed his pipe into his mouth. He was a man of sixty, easily, but he was a genious tactician and the captain of the battle cruiser.
"And that object?" He gestured in the view.
"It looks like some sort of ring-world captain." Cortana scanned.
"Well it's the only place we can go if the Convenant catch up. Tell Corporal Kilgrin and her team to wake out guest. It's time to give him a warm welcome."
"Yes sir." Cortana replied, messaging the Corporal and the other marines supposably escorting the Master Chief through the thawing process.

***

Cryobay 2

The Master Chief, in full armor, was encased in a frozen chamber. He had been tended to in the cryobay for nearly three months, waiting until he was needed or called upon.
Aaron, the specialist tapped on his screen. "We're unthawing him now? We must be in trouble." He whispered softly.

Devon crossed her arms at that. She knew... full well that they were in trouble, but it wasn't because of hard work. She and her other soldiers were fighting tirelessly against the covenant. She nodded though, humble enough to admit that they were in trouble. She glanced from Aaron to Master Chief... the man in the cyrocontainer. "How long?" She asked Aaron.

"Just another few seconds. There! The pins unlocked." He said with a grin. "so you get to go down there and meet him? Lucky bitch." He teased a little.
The containe down in the room below hissed and decompressed. The lid opened, and the man stirred slightly.

Devon shot a small glare at Aaron and shook her head. She opened the small door and slid into the room. It wasn't exactly the warmest place, but she didn't let it show if it was too cold. She walked down and looked to where the man was frozen or... thawed now.

The Master Chief in full armor was MUCH larger and taller in person then he looked from far away.
Sounds of his breathing echoed through his helmet, and he lifted a hand before trying to sit up.
Usually, people went into cryo naked because any clothing stuck on would freeze to the skin. The Master Chief was in a lot of pain having to go in with his armor, but that had been his choice incase they were in a state of emergency. He glanced over and saw the lone girl marine.
"Are we in danger?" He asked, not hearing any alarms.
"Devon, take him for a walk and make sure his armor is functioning properly." Aaron's voice spoke over the intercom.

Devon shook her head. "Not in anything immediate." She spoke to the man. She watched him move, obviously in a lot of pain. "Take your time, sir... you don't need to rush this process."

Master Chief, helmet on was expressionless. But he tried to exaggerate body moments to communicate properly with someone who couldn't see him. He nodded clearly and slowly sat up, grunting a little. "What's your name and rank?" He asked, swining a leg out of the bay to get out.

"Corporeal Devon Kilgrin sir." Devon said and watched him move. "I've been sent to make sure that you are alright from the cyro. When you're ready we can take a walk."

Master Chief nodded again and planted his boots on the ground. He offered a black gloved hand for her to take in greeting.
His other spartans comrades...if they had been still alive would have protested rudely to any marine trying to help. But John was different. We was different in the body, but, that didn't mean he didn't respect others that were not like him.
John still considered himself human when the others did not.

Devon nodded and reached out to take his hand as well and shook it, firmly enough, but of course his hand was much much bigger then hers with the armor. "It's nice to finally meet you." She said, having heard so much about the man in front of her.

Master Chief nodded and chuckled a little. He managed to stand, towering above her. "Do you know about the state we're in? I wouldn't have been unthawed if there wasn't something going on." He said plainly, taking a few painful steps forward. He'd have to walk it off.

Devon nodded. "I'll tell you as we get moving." She said and watched him move a little bit. "Again... don't rush anything. We don't want you to be injured after the thawing." She waited for a few moment. "The covenant is... getting stronger sir and we're not able to keep up."

Master Chief nodded slowly and started to walk around the bay. He kept his pace painfully inching. "The Captain had planned to jump through slip-space." He nodded slowly. "I doubt we lost the Covenant ships in the travel."
He paused and twisted his back.

Devon nodded. "That's exactly what happened sir." She said. "And they've been attacking us left and right...we're not managing very well." She frowned a little.

As if the universe ran on 'good timing' The pillar of Autumn shook horrifically. The Master Chief stmbled into the side of the wall and managed to keep his footing. The observation room exploded, burning Aaron where he stood. A marine came through the door. "Kilgrin! Master Chief! We're under attack! The Captain needs you both on the bridge ASAP!"
Master Chief turned to Kilgrin. "Can you guide me to the bridge?"