Author's Note: Well, never say never, right? ;)

I honestly thought I was done with the Cooper stories after "The Fate of Humanity", but low and behold, between the "Forward Unto Dawn" web series, the recent new Halo novels that have come out, and most especially Halo 4, I found that my muse came back. As soon as I finished the game, I was viciously attacked by rabid plot bunnies, and so I had to start writing again. xD

All the usual disclaimers apply: I DO NOT OWN Halo, the franchise/the books/the games/other media. I'm just writing a story based off this incredible universe. And, like with the previous installments in the series, times/dates/settings may be slightly AU. Also like its predecessors, this story is rated T but tends to toe the line with M for language, violence, blood, gore, and some suggestive/sexual content (not graphic).

Important to note is that I have not read any Halo books based on the Forerunners, and I'm not yet finished with The Thursday War. So. I'm developing a storyline based on what I've read so far, and what I played in Halo 4. The rest I'm taking under creative license, since I have my own ideas of what I'd like to do with my characters in particular with regards to recent Halo universe happenings. So if it's a little off main canon, don't freak. I am, however, trying to keep it as plausible as possible (say that fast five times). I went back and edited the final epilogue of "The Fate of Humanity" to fit Halo 4's timeline, so that, at least, should be good to go.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you Part 4 of the Cooper series (no longer a trilogy!). Hope you enjoy. :)

Intro: Back in the Fray

WARNING! TOP SECRET! EYES ONLY!

SCANNING IN PROGRESS…

…CLEARANCE GRANTED

/TO: Major Natalie M. Cooper, Commanding Officer 8th Engineer Battalion, 32nd Combat Support Regiment, UNSC Marine Corps

FROM: Rear Admiral Sarah Dartmouth, Commandant UNSC Concord Naval Air Base NA6, Pensacola, Florida, United States. North American Territory, UNSC Navy

SUBJECT: FILE ENCRYPTED

MESSAGE:

Major Cooper,

In addition to numerous reports of growing unrest in the Outer Colonies, courtesy of the neo-rebel movement springing up again since the end of the War, we've received a large amount of intel pointing to a possible revival of the fight against the Sangheili as well. This is all very troubling to the brass, to say the least.

I'm going to be frank with you, Major. I'm not sure how long this comfortable lull will last. It's surprising it's lasted as long as it has for us here on Earth, given what I've been told recently. If things end up getting too out of hand in the Outer Colonies again, due to either of these groups being hostile to UNSC forces stationed there, you may see a deployment coming up for your unit before the year's end.

Be ready.

Rear Admiral Sarah Dartmouth, Commandant UNSC NA6

/END MESSAGE/