A/N: Here's another piece of this story. There really isn't much to do in this story though, given the ludicrous level of power the Master Chief has. Therefore, if there isn't anything covered, you can safely assume that given the complete and total imperviousness that comes with the Worm CYOA's Alexandria power that John just ROLF stomps whatever the opposition is so long as it is a fight. Outside of a fight is different, but with the super inventor power Cortana has, they aren't in any serious trouble.
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John stood in the midst of the leaders of the superheroes. They were still incredulous over his story, but one of them, in a suit that John immediately identified as robotic, was arguing in his favor.
"The exotic particle effects we detected corroborate his story, to a degree at least," she argued.
"Her name is Dragon, and based on what I've been able to find, she is this Earth's foremost Tinker, a super genius capable of inventing things beyond anything that conventional science was capable of, at least in this time," Cortana explained inside John's helmet. "Of course many of the things that they've built are technologies that are close to what the UNSC was able to build, either something we've already achieved or something we could achieve in a few decades. Not to mention everything that the Forerunners were capable of."
"Very well," the cape identified as Alexandria acquiesced. "But that leaves the question of what we do now."
"I need to return to my own timeline," John said. "Is there any way you could help with that?"
A man in powered armor who went by Armsmaster shook his head. "There was a Tinker, Dr. Haywire, who built a portal between this Earth and alternate, but that was to the same point in time. I have no idea how we would find you own timeline to send you there, let alone back across the galaxy."
"I don't think he wants to be sent back into the middle of space next to a destroyed space station," Dragon said, amusement carrying over her artificial voice. "As interesting as it would be to study the artifacts of these Forerunners, being stranded outside the galaxy isn't worth it to me." Dragon's suit turned to John. "If we could study your ship we might be able to learn about what happened to your ship. Being able to study technology from centuries in the future is something that I think we'd all appreciate."
John frowned behind his helmet. They were the people of Earth, but at the same time he had consider operational security and the protection of classified data.
"John, I don't think letting them look at our ship is something anyone in the UNSC would have a problem with. Even if it isn't our Earth, it's still Earth and even if they can't help us get back, letting them examine our technology could do a lot to help them. You may have been able to beat the Simurgh, it isn't the only problem these people face," Cortana said, able to tell what he was thinking about.
John nodded. "The UNSC doesn't exist here, but it's still my duty to defend humanity. Tell me how I can help."
At that point, Cortana spoke up through his suit's speakers. "And as the UNSC's best AI I'd be happy to help out however I can."
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Saint twitched as a chill ran down his spine.
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"AI?" Dragon asked; the first to speak.
"Yes," Cortana replied. "I was created off an image of one Dr. Halsey, and was instrumental in saving humanity and all life in the galaxy. Nice to meet you, now let's get back on topic. I'm certain that just like we came from another dimension, these Endbringers are also from another dimension, and probably exist in multiple ones at the same time given their nature. So, let me tell you about something I lake to call Slipspace."
Armsmaster, Dragon and the handful of other Tinkers that were present leaned in and took note as Cortana explained the basis of the UNSC's interstellar civilization. Their skepticism at trusting an AI swept away as her lecture drew their interest. John stood by stoically as Cortana and the Tinkers began discussing possible designs, before Cortana nudged him to follow Alexandria while she continued to use his radio to speak with the Tinkers.
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Alexandria stood on a small rise looking upon the back half of the Forward Unto Dawn. When John walked up to stand next to her, she nodded. "Master Chief."
"Library of Alexandria."
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Dragon saw the two stoic figures standing next to each other with one of her drones.
"What is it?" Armsmaster asked, noticing her momentary pause in the discussion.
"Alexandria and the Master Chief are very…similar," Dragon replied.
"Tryina out stoic each other they is," a heavily armored British Tinker named Lorry said in thick Cockney accent. "Right romantic aint it."
"It isn't romantic," Cortana told them over the radio. "Trust me; the Master Chief isn't the type."
"I know what you mean," Dragon said as she carefully didn't look at a certain other Tinker.
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Sometime later, a special meeting of Cauldron's leadership was held on extremely short notice to discuss the new parahuman arrival and his AI.
"His farfetched story aside, how will the Master Chief impact our plans?" asked Doctor Mother.
"His powers will certainly be helpful in fighting the Endbringers and Scion," Legend said, "and the AI Cortana is giving us access to technology comparable to that of a high level Tinker and her project with Dragon looks promising."
"If it can actually hurt the Endbringers it could be used against Scion," Alexandria agreed. "Additionally, their testimony of what happened during the transition to our Earth seems to indicate alternate ways of acquiring parahuman abilities."
Doctor Mother nodded. "I've seen the notes and Contessa has already said that her power cannot tell if it is viable."
At which point the impeccably dressed woman herself spoke up, "Yes, it isn't like trying to directly model Scion. Instead it is as if my power is unable to grasp some essential step."
"That makes sense," Alexandria said. "For all that they are powerful, the entities have never demonstrated the ability to do something like this. These Forerunners on the other hand seem like likely candidates for achieving these new powers and the time travel. They may have gone extinct in the Master Chief's timeline, but with everything they were apparently achieved it isn't inconceivable that there is a timeline where they survived the Flood and any Entities that they encountered and learned how to cross dimensions to alternate timelines."
"How does that help us now?" Eidolon asked.
"The AI Cortana and Dragon are working to create a transdimensional weapon based on the slip space drive," Doctor Mother said. "Perhaps of a similar nature could be used to recharge you, give the similar nature of the Agents themselves."
"I cannot see if it would succeed, but it is worth trying," Contessa added.
"I'll speak with them then," Eidolon agreed.
"Perhaps we should bring the Master Chief and Cortana into the discussion," Alexandria said. "They could be useful allies if they understand the entire picture and regardless of whatever sent them here, the Master Chief has already demonstrated an invulnerability and strength far beyond anything I or anyone else has been able to achieve so far. I do not think anything short of the very weapon they are working on could have a chance to hurt him."
Doctor Mother looked at her skeptically, but it was Contessa who spoke first. "Does this have anything to do with that PHO thread I saw with a picture of you two standing next to each other?"
"No! It has absolutely nothing to do with that garbage."
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A/N: Can the Master Chief with his CYOA granted utter invincibility and super strength backed up by Super Tinker Cortana, Dragon and Armsmaster's inventions defeat Zion? Technically yes, though the trick will be doing it in a way that doesn't result in the apocalypse or something close to one.
Who will win the stoic male hero's heart? The daring heroine or the charming artificial intelligence? I don't just mean whether or not Miss Militia or Dragon will win Armsmaster's love, but what about the Master Chief?
Don't worry, that last part of the note isn't totally serious.
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