Halo Lighting System First Strike Games - Manual (Page 339)

ERIC NYLUND 335
from all threats, and they had fulfilled their duty as few ever
could. And like his Spartans who were "missing in action," the
Admiral and the Lieutenant would never die, either. Not because
of a technicality in a mission status listing, but because in their
deaths they would live on as inspirations.
John turned and watched as Linda, Will, and Fred occupied
the bridge stations. John would make sure that he and the last
surviving Spartans did the same.
The elevator doors opened, and Sergeant Johnson stepped
onto the bridge.
"Got all those Covenant Engineers rounded up on B-Deck,"
Sergeant Johnson announced. "Slippery suckers."
The Chief nodded.
"The boys at ONI and those squid heads have a lot in com-
mon. Can't understand a thing they say and they're just as good
looking. Guess they're all going to have a long talk about technical
whatsits and scientific doodads when we get home."
Sergeant Johnson crossed the bridge to the Master Chief.
"There's one other thing. Another ONI thing." He held out a data
crystal and his gaze fell to the deck. "Lieutenant Haverson gave
this to me before he and the Admiral left. He said you'd have to
deliver it for him."
John stared at the data crystal and reluctantly plucked it from
the Sergeant's fingers as if it were a slug of unstable radioactive
material.
"Thank you, Sergeant." He hesitated and then added, "I'll take
care of this."
The Sergeant nodded and strode toward Weapons Station One.
John turned back to the blank monitors and retrieved the other
data crystal from his belt compartment. Yesterday he had be-
lieved he had done the right thing by giving the Lieutenant all of
Dr. Halsey's Flood data—including the data on the Sergeant,
which she assured him would lead to his death.
But now?
Now, John knew the difference one man could make in this
war. He understood Dr. Halsey's desire to save every person she
could.
John held the two data crystals, one in each hand, and stared at
them—trying to discern the future from their glimmering facets.