So you may have noticed I posted the chapter intended for today yesterday, but I am actually glad I did so because I realized that Chapter 28 is the end of Part 1, or the chapter at which I had originally thought I wanted to be the end of Book 1 when I first wrote it.

I decided after writing the next few chapters after this to simply continue with the first book instead of going onto a second, but this does mean that we have reached the halfway point of the book! I know, it came up so quickly!! It seems like just yesterday I published the first chapter. I appreciate everyone who has engaged and stayed with me so far, and I thank you for the 4,000 reads and 20 followers, 10 favorites, and 3 ratings/4.83 stars! Specifically I also want to thank Draconian Kin and Silent Rain for being active commenters! As for my followers, unfortunately I can't see your names or I would include them :)

Also, don't worry, this isn't the announcement of a hiatus, I will continue posting chapters regularly and you can expect the next one next week at the normal time. I hope you guys will continue to read along and that I can continue to entertain you all!

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Part II: Prologue

The last Pelican left, taking with it the rest of the Civilians off to the same Frigate that had brought Kyle here not so long ago. My team packed up the last extra supplies from the hangar, clipping on ammo and anything they could carry without hindering themselves. I looked out at the Covenant ship coming increasingly closer. My team walked up, weapons on their backs, each nodding that they were ready. "Let's go." I said, and we ran out of the base, accelerating to our top speed. I led them towards the trees east of where the ship was coming in towards the base. Soon as we passed the first layer of trees we heard a terrible crumbling and burning sound. I looked behind myself and saw what I had expected, the facility was being glassed. I looked away and we continued to run, the ground a blur, darting around obstacles until we were about 15 miles away. I slowed down as we reached the edge of the forest, the others following suit. I paused near a large hill and slowly walked up it to see what had been done. I reached the top and stopped.

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I stood there silently and watched as yet another evacuated facility become a wasteland of molten rock.

I ran my thumb over the ridge of the energy sword I was holding, then lowered my hand and placed it on my thigh. I heard footsteps as Selina, Kade, and Scott walked up behind me. I turned my head slightly to signal them that I had heard but kept my eyes on the destruction unfolding in the distance. "We'll find him Steele. And whoever did this will pay along with the Covenant, you have our word on that." She said, resting a gloved hand on my shoulder in a rare show of comfort, leaving it for a moment before she lowered it. I nodded, clenching my fists.

"Chief, we have company." Kade said. I turned and looked up to where he was pointing. A covenant ship was lowering through the clouds not too far away as it's beam charged and fired. They turned to leave, jogging back down. I looked back at the facility for a moment. Then I turned and ran down the hill to join my team. We dodged rocks, jumping over logs and forgotten Covenant, heading towards our next clue. I clenched the dog tags in my left hand, grimacing. Whoever you are, get ready, because we are coming, and we will find you.