Disclaimer: I don't own halo or any other TV show or book mentioned in this story

Epilogue: goodbyes

It was a bittersweet moment on the bridge of the Cairo. On the main display was the bridge of the Gettysburg. Captain Anderson was standing with the rest of his senior staff, looking at the group of people on the bridge of the Cairo. John and the rest of blue team in their dress uniforms. Along with hood, the Arbiter and Keyes.

"Its finally over" John thought to himself. Vice admiral Parangosky was being court-martialed for treason. She confessed to orchestrating the whole affair but they knew she was protecting others who were involved. The Doctor had been successful in using the TARDIS to send the valiant back to his universe and the odyssey to their own. Now it was the Gettysburg's turn.

"Gentlemen it's been an honor" said Anderson.

"The honor was ours" said hood "the UNSC owes you and your crew a debt of gratitude for your actions".

"Thank you admiral. And Chief, take care of yourself and your team"

"I will, captain" said John.

"Anderson out" then the screen switched back to the UNSC logo.

"Ready to go home?" said Anderson as his crew was taking their stations

"Yes, sir" they all said.

"Good" he said as the captain took his own seat

--

The Doctor was standing in the TARDIS with Donna, Kagome and Inuyasha. He'd parked the TARDIS in engineering so they could hook the ship up.

"Is there any chance I can persuade you two to let me hang on to that jewel of yours?" said the Doctor "I would love to check out some of the parallel universes that are out there"

"Sorry Doctor, But I have plans for that jewel" said Inuyasha.

"We, have plans!" said Kagome

The Doctor finished hooking up the last wires from the center console that led out of the TARDIS, and into a panel in front of the warp core in engineering. Collins was amazed as he walked into the TARDIS and gawked at its size on the inside

"are we ready, Doctor?" he asked.

"Yep, just finished" as he connected the last wire.

"Anderson to engineering, lets go home."

"Aye, sir" said Collins as the Doctor threw a switch on the TARDIS.

John watched from the Cairo Bridge as the Gettysburg shimmered away.

"I'm going to miss them" said Cortana who was standing next to him in her new dress uniform. Hood had given her a commission with the rank of petty officer second class.

"I know" he replied "but for now we need to celebrate your promotion".

"I agree" said Kelly.

"Same here" said Lucy.

"Ok, then lets go" said Cortana and with that blue team left the bridge and headed for the commissary.

Tarinus summoned his second-in-command to the prophet's chamber, to share with him what he learned from the prophet's private databanks.

"Tarinus" he said as he entered "what have you learned?"

"I believe I have found a way to defeat the humans and their heretics once and for all. We must seek out this ancient enemy the forerunners mentioned in the sacred text".

"You speak of the flood" said his XO sounding puzzled

"No, the prophet's texts speak in great detail of this older enemy the forerunners fought before the flood. And I believe they are still here. With their help, we will defeat the humans and expand our great new covenant across the galaxy".

Message from the general: well I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it and I'm planning on a sequel but it won't be out until after my next story but check my profile for updates