The Banished vessel loomed menacingly in the darkness of space, its jagged hull bathed in a red glow, casting long shadows across the command bridge. Inside, the atmosphere was tense and foreboding, with soldiers and officers working diligently under the watchful eye of Atriox, the supreme leader of the Banished. Towering and intimidating, Atriox surveyed the operations with an air of dominance that filled the room.

A Banished officer approached, bowing slightly in respect before addressing Atriox. "Supreme Leader Atriox, we are nearing the location of the UNSC Autumn."

Atriox turned to face the officer, his expression as stern and unyielding as ever. "Excellent. Increase our speed and prepare for immediate engagement."

The officer nodded, swiftly relaying the orders to the crew. The ship's engines roared to life, and the vessel surged forward with renewed intensity, its purpose clear.

"At once, Supreme Leader. We will reach the UNSC Autumn shortly."

Atriox watched the view screen intently, his grim determination reflected in his steely gaze. "The time for retribution has come," he growled. "We will crush them and take what is rightfully ours."

The Banished crew worked with precision, their movements efficient and practiced. The ship continued to gain speed, cutting through the void of space, closing the distance between them and the UNSC Autumn. Atriox stood in the center of the command bridge, his presence a looming shadow that dominated the room. The soldiers around him moved with a mixture of fear and reverence, knowing that failure was not an option.

His voice, low and menacing, resonated through the chamber. "For too long, the UNSC has stood in our way. They have taken our brothers and sisters, and they have spilled our blood. But today, we show them the might of the Banished."

The crew responded with a unified roar, their loyalty to Atriox unquestionable.

"Supreme Leader, all systems are ready. We await your command," the Banished officer reported.

Atriox's eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he clenched his fists, stepping closer to the view screen. "Prepare the boarding parties. Once we are within range, unleash everything we have. Leave no one standing. We will take their ship, their weapons, and their lives."

As the ship neared its target, Atriox's voice rumbled through the command bridge like thunder. "Today, we remind the UNSC who truly controls the battlefield. Today, we reclaim our honor and our strength. Forward, my Banished! To victory!"

The crew roared again, invigorated by Atriox's fiery words. The ship sped towards the UNSC Autumn, ready for the confrontation that lay ahead.

Meanwhile, aboard the UNSC Autumn's detention block...

In a dimly lit detention area, Agent Jonesy and The Foundation sat inside a high-security cell designed for intruders. The cell door was a glowing holographic barrier, impenetrable and casting a faint blue light across the room.

Jonesy sat on the floor, his expression one of disappointment and frustration. He glanced over at The Foundation, who stood resolutely by the barrier, scanning the room for any potential weaknesses or escape routes.

Jonesy's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Standing there looking tough isn't going to break us free, you know."

The Foundation, visibly annoyed by the remark, turned to face him. "If you had rifted us out of here, we wouldn't be detained in the first place."

Jonesy rolled his eyes as he stood up, frustration boiling over. "And if you hadn't tried to make a run for it without a plan, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

The Foundation scoffed, crossing his arms. "So now it's my fault? I reminded you that finding the right Master Chief was not going to be easy. The plan was clear—if everything else failed, we would leave. But you decided to improvise."

Jonesy clenched his fists. "Improvising is what's kept us alive so far. If we stick to the plan without adapting, we're going to fail."

The Foundation took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Adaptation is one thing, recklessness is another. We need to work together, Jonesy. Blaming each other won't get us out of here."

Jonesy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You always think you know best, don't you? Just because you've survived on improvisation doesn't mean it's the right call every time."

The Foundation stepped closer, his voice rising with intensity. "And you think sticking rigidly to a plan that's clearly falling apart is better? We need to be flexible, adapt to the situation."

Jonesy's frustration bubbled to the surface. "There's a difference between being flexible and being reckless! You jeopardized our mission because you couldn't follow a simple plan."

The Foundation's eyes narrowed. "Acting without thinking is what got us here. We had a chance to regroup, to find another way, but you just had to push forward."

Jonesy threw his hands up. "Well, maybe if you listened to me instead of dismissing my ideas, we wouldn't be stuck in this cell!"

The Foundation stepped even closer, their faces inches apart. "Listening to you is exactly what got us here. Now, we need to work together to get out. That means using your rift when the time comes, but until then, we wait."

Jonesy took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Alright. We work together. But you need to trust me more, and I need you to be more careful. Deal?"

The Foundation nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Deal. So, what's the plan?"

Jonesy exhaled, thinking for a moment. "You're not going to like this. We play the waiting game. They'll eventually decide what to do with us, and when they bring us in, we make our case."

The Foundation looked at him skeptically, but after a pause, he relented. "Fine. But if they take too long or decide against our story, we rift out. Agreed?"

Jonesy smiled, relieved that The Foundation agreed with the plan. "Agreed."

They both settled in, the tension easing as they prepared for what was to come. For now, all they could do was wait.

Back on the bridge of the UNSC Autumn, the room bustled with activity. Holographic displays flickered with streams of data as the crew huddled around a central console, focused and tense. Captain Keyes stood at the helm, his expression stern, flanked by Master Chief, Cortana, Avery J. Johnson, and Arbiter. The discussion centered around the two intruders currently detained aboard the ship.

"These two individuals," Keyes began, his tone measured, "their origins and technology are completely unfamiliar to us. We don't have any records or intel on them. Before we decide our next steps, we need to determine if they pose a real threat or if we can trust their claims."

Master Chief stood stoically in the background, his visor reflecting the dim glow of the holographic displays. Beside him, Cortana's holographic interface flickered to life as she delved deep into the data.

Cortana turned to the team, her voice calm yet precise. "I've run extensive diagnostics on their technology. It doesn't match anything in our records or known databases. Their behavior suggests they're from a universe outside our current knowledge. If they're being truthful, they're not part of any faction we're aware of."

Avery J. Johnson leaned against a console, his arms crossed, a skeptical frown etched on his face. "So what's our move? We can't keep them locked up forever without more information. But letting them go without knowing their intentions? That's a gamble I'm not eager to take."

Master Chief spoke up, his voice steady. "We're also out of time."

Keyes glanced at him before whispering under his breath, "Dammit... the Banished." He took a deep breath and turned back to the group. "Alright, let's make this assessment quick. Anyone have anything to add?"

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Arbiter, who had remained quiet throughout the conversation, stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "During my encounter with one of the intruders, the one with the armor... it was clear he was only defending himself. If he had meant to kill me, I would be dead. This suggests their intentions might not be as hostile as we feared."

Keyes absorbed Arbiter's words, nodding slowly. "And you're saying their actions might indicate they're not a threat? We need to weigh this carefully."

Arbiter nodded, his voice resolute. "Yes. Their combat was defensive, not aggressive. We should consider the possibility that their goals do not align with our current fears."

Master Chief, who had been quietly observing the discussion, finally spoke up. "If they're not a threat, we give them a chance to tell us the truth."

Captain Keyes sighed, acknowledging the input from Master Chief and Arbiter. "Alright. We're running out of time and options. I'll trust your instincts." He turned to Sergeant Johnson. "Johnson, bring them to the briefing room. We'll give them a chance to explain themselves. But don't let your guard down, and make sure you've got backup."

Avery J. Johnson gave a sharp nod. "Understood, Captain. I'll grab some Marines and make sure they're escorted properly." With that, he headed toward the door, his steps purposeful.

The door to the cell opened with a hiss, revealing Avery J. Johnson and four Marines standing in the doorway. Johnson eyed Jonesy and The Foundation with a mixture of authority and lingering skepticism, still unsure of their motives.

"Looks like you've got a break," Johnson said, his tone firm. "We're giving you a shot to explain yourselves before things get worse."

Jonesy and The Foundation exchanged wary glances as they were escorted out of the cell and down the corridor. As they walked, Jonesy leaned in and whispered to The Foundation.

"Seems like the plan is working."

The Foundation replied in a low voice, "Keep quiet and follow their lead."

Returning to the bridge of the UNSC Autumn. Avery J. Johnson and his Marines escorted Jonesy and The Foundation into the room, where Captain Keyes, Master Chief, Cortana, and Arbiter awaited them. The air was tense, filled with an urgency that couldn't be ignored. Captain Keyes acknowledged Johnson with a curt nod of thanks before turning his attention to the newcomers.

"You two have caused quite a commotion coming aboard this ship," Keyes began, his tone clipped. "And we're running out of time. There's a dangerous faction called the Banished gearing up for an attack on our position. You might not know who they are, but they're a serious threat. Before I can deal with that, I need to understand who you are and why you're here. If you have anything to say, now's your chance. Speak up before I decide it's not worth my time to deal with you."

Jonesy, sensing the gravity of the moment, stepped forward, his voice carrying a note of authority. "Wait, did you say the Banished? I know all about them."

Keyes's eyes narrowed in surprise. "You know who they are?"

Arbiter stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "How do you know about the Banished? Explain quickly."

Jonesy nodded, unperturbed by their scrutiny. "The Banished are a powerful faction led by Atriox, a former Covenant warlord. They broke away from the Covenant after a rebellion and have been expanding their influence ever since. They're highly organized and ruthless, with their strength lying in their sheer numbers and combat prowess."

Captain Keyes exchanged a perplexed glance with Arbiter before narrowing his eyes at Jonesy. "How do you know all this about the Banished?"

Jonesy hesitated for a moment, looking to The Foundation for reassurance. The Foundation nodded subtly, signaling for him to continue. Jonesy took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room ready to explain.

"Alright, this might be a lot to take in," he began, his voice calm but firm. "My name is Agent Jonesy, and this is my partner, The Foundation. We come from a different world. This isn't the only Earth out there—there are countless parallel worlds, each with their own unique history and threats."

The Foundation stepped forward, adding gravitas to the conversation. "What Jonesy is saying is that we're part of a multiverse—a network of interconnected universes. This world is just one of many, and each has its own set of events and entities. Our mission here is to address a threat that spans across these worlds."

A lighthearted chuckle came from Avery J. Johnson, cutting through the tension in the room. "More Earths, huh? So, you're telling me there's a universe out there where I'm even more handsome? Damn, I bet those versions of me can't keep the ladies away."

Captain Keyes, who had been quietly absorbing the information, now leaned forward, his expression one of curiosity mixed with disbelief. "Fascinating. So, you're telling me that this is not the only universe? There are others out there? More... Earths?"

The Foundation nodded. "Exactly. The multiverse is vast, and threats can ripple across different worlds. Our current concern is a rogue AI—Cortana. She's been causing chaos across the multiverse."

At the mention of Cortana, Keyes' eyes narrowed in confusion. He interrupted, his voice sharp. "Cortana? Are you talking about our Cortana? What exactly are you saying?"

Jonesy met Keyes' gaze firmly, trying to ease the captain's bewilderment. "Yes, we're referring to the Cortana from your world. But you need to understand, she's not the only one. In another universe, she went rogue and became a significant threat. She's causing chaos across multiple worlds, including yours."

Keyes leaned back, the weight of this revelation pressing down on him. "Do you have any reason why she went rogue? What made her jeopardize her directive?"

Jonesy shifted uncomfortably, his voice faltering. "That... I'm trying to figure out."

Master Chief, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward. His voice, though calm, held an undercurrent of concern. "What happened to me in that world? Did I stop her?"

Jonesy shook his head grimly. "Unfortunately, no. Despite the efforts of that world's Master Chief, the rogue Cortana proved too powerful to stop. She continued her path of destruction, and that's why we're here—to prevent the same fate from befalling your world."

Cortana's holographic form flickered beside Master Chief, her voice curious. "Amazing... another version of me from another world. Who would have thought the idea of a multiverse could be real? And to think, a Cortana who would go against her directive... Not that I'd do the same."

The tension in the room grew thick as everyone processed the gravity of the situation. Captain Keyes let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples as if trying to grasp the enormity of what he had just learned.

"This is... too much to understand," he murmured, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Before Jonesy could respond, the ship suddenly shook violently, throwing everyone off balance. Control panels flickered, and alarms blared as the Ship of Autumn trembled under the force of some unseen threat. Everyone scrambled to regain their footing, bracing themselves for what was coming next.

Avery J. Johnson: "What the hell was that?!"

Captain Keyes quickly regains his composure and contacts Esparza.

Captain Keyes: "Esparza, what's going on? Report!"

Esparza, with the calm expertise of an experienced engineer, responds urgently.

Esparza: "Hull breaches across multiple sections, Captain. We're taking on heavy damage!"

Arbiter, glancing out the large window in front, notices the incoming threat.

Arbiter: "We have company. It's them."

The scene ends as the team scrambles to address the immediate threat.

Captain Keyes, with a sense of urgency, turns to his team.

Captain Keyes: "You two, will discuss this later. Everyone, battle stations! We need to prepare for combat."

Jonesy pulls Foundation to the side, whispering urgently.

Agent Jonesy: "I think now would be a good time to use the rift."

Foundation confused curious to Agent Jonesy's idea.

Foundation: "What are you suggesting?"

Agent Jonesy: "Will discuss it later, but will need Captain Keyes to know our plan."

Foundation: "Your plan better work Jonesy."

Jonesy and Foundation turns back to Captain Keyes, who is organizing the crew.

Agent Jonesy: "Captain Keyes, I know gaining your trust is difficult right now, but we have a potential plan to stop the Banished from causing more damage. We need to discuss it."

Captain Keyes looks at Jonesy and Foundation, intrigued but wary.

Captain Keyes: "I'm listening."

Jonesy and Foundation exchange a knowing glance, a small smile appearing on their faces as they prepare to reveal their plan, leaving Keyes and the others in suspense.

The briefing room was thrown into chaos as alarms blared, and the lights flickered. Avery J. Johnson stood rigid, his eyes scanning the room with an intensity that could pierce through steel.

"What the hell was that?!" Johnson barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony.

Captain Keyes quickly regained his composure amidst the turmoil. His hand shot to the communicator, his voice steady but urgent. "Esparza, what's going on? Report!"

Esparza's voice crackled through the comms, calm and collected despite the crisis. "Hull breaches across multiple sections, Captain. We're taking on heavy damage!" There was a pause, followed by a static-filled cough. "Trying to get containment back under control."

The Arbiter, standing near the large window at the front of the room, glanced outside. His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the incoming threat, his voice dark with realization. "We have company. It's them."

Keyes' expression hardened as he turned to the crew, his voice rising above the alarms. "Everyone, battle stations! We need to prepare for combat!" His tone left no room for hesitation.

Johnson gripped his weapon tighter as he and the others scrambled to address the immediate threat. Keyes turned back toward the center of the room, his focus clear.

"You two," Keyes said, pointing to Agent Jonesy and The Foundation, "we'll discuss this later. Right now, we need everyone ready."

As the room bustled with frantic activity, Jonesy pulled The Foundation to the side, his voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "I think now would be a good time to use the rift."

The Foundation frowned, glancing at him in confusion. "What are you suggesting?"

Jonesy's eyes darted around the room before he leaned in closer. "We'll discuss it later, but Captain Keyes needs to be in on our plan."

The Foundation crossed his arms, his tone skeptical but measured. "Your plan better work, Jonesy."

With a firm nod, Jonesy turned back toward Captain Keyes, who was in the middle of organizing the crew for battle. The two moved quickly to his side.

Jonesy spoke with a newfound sense of urgency. "Captain Keyes, I know gaining your trust is difficult right now, but we have a potential plan to stop the Banished from causing more damage. We need to discuss it."

Keyes turned to face them, his expression a mixture of intrigue and caution. "I'm listening."

Jonesy and The Foundation exchanged a knowing glance, a small, confident smile forming on their faces. The room seemed to slow around them as they prepared to reveal their plan, leaving Keyes and the rest of the crew in suspense.