Halo – S02E01 – Sanctuary | Transcript

S2E1 of Halo: Master Chief recovers, faces a Covenant ambush, disputes with new UNSC officer Ackerson, and Soren's plot around Halsey unfolds
Halo - S02E01 - Sanctuary

Halo
Season 2 Episode 1
Episode Title: Sanctuary
Original release date: February 8, 2024

Plot summary: In “Halo Season 2 Episode 1: Sanctuary,” the season begins with Master Chief John-117 recovering from injuries with a severed connection to Cortana, setting a tone of loss and change. The episode quickly moves to a mission on Sanctuary, where Master Chief and the Spartan Silver Team are investigating a missing UNSC Marine unit and rumors of a Covenant attack. This leads to a confrontation with Covenant Elites using active camouflage in a fog-covered ambush, where Master Chief narrowly escapes with a surviving soldier, hinting at a mysterious Covenant presence. Back at Reach HQ, tensions rise with the introduction of James Ackerson, a new UNSC Intelligence officer, challenging the team’s narratives and decisions. Concurrently, Soren-066, a former Spartan, is drawn into a plot revolving around Dr. Halsey’s survival and a potential trap set in the guise of rescuing her. The episode interweaves themes of betrayal, leadership disputes, and the haunting loss of Cortana, culminating in a mix of personal vendettas and strategic skirmishes that lay the groundwork for the season’s unfolding narrative.

* * *

[dramatic music]

[Cortana] Chief?

Wake up.

I need you to wake up.

Please, wake up.

He’s dying.

We’re losing him!

Sever the connection.

[jumbled radio transmissions]

[Highroller] Condors dispatched to grid one, niner, seven, niner, six, six.

Stand by for ETA on station. How copy?

[Nix] Good copy, Highroller. Evac on the way.

[radio chatter]

[Shepherd] Silver, this is Shepherd requesting support in the village, over.

[Kai] Chief.

Shepherd 7, this is Silver 1.

Inbound to your location. Out.

Riz, on me.

Maintain over watch.

[Vannak] Kai doesn’t need a spotter.

Maintain over watch, Vannak.

I know this isn’t what we trained for.

Try to stay focused on the mission.

[Spartans thumping]

[tense music]

He serious?

Don’t start.

What mission?

Third civilian evac in six months.

This is babysitting.

For his protection.

Yeah, for babies.

[radio chatter]

[vehicle rumbling]

[townspeople chatter]

[radio chatter continues]

Make a hole!

We really need you to move down, sir.

Corporal, what’s the hold-up?

It’s this lady, sir, she’s some sort of shaman.

Priest person. A shaman priest person?

I don’t know what you call it exactly.

I’m a Baptist.

Corporal, did you explain politely and clearly that this is a temporary evacuation, and we are operating under the full authority of the UNSC 709, Section Four, Subsection A?

Yes, sir. I don’t think she wants to comply.

Then we comply her ass, corporal.

Ma’am, place your hands…

[crowd shouting]

Stand down!

Lower your weapons!

[Chief] Kai, talk to me.

Our captain continues to win hearts and minds, Chief.

[Chief] Hold the commentary, just give me the sit-rep.

[Kai] Shepherd is interfacing with local leadership.

I make 20 possible hostiles.

[Chief] Copy that, Silver 2.

Been meaning to ask you, did you take your pellet out?

What are you talking about?

Riz say something to you, “cause you know she’s…”

No one said anything. Relax.

It’s just a feeling.

I pulled it three weeks ago.

And?

And what?

Do you feel any different?

No.

I watch programs sometimes.

Programs?

Like, about animals and stuff.

Oh.

Don’t do that.

Wait, hold on.

You see that? Call it in.

It’s a flash.

A flicker.

[tense music]

You want me to call in a flicker?

Do you see it or not?

Covenant. They come here, they see your little village, they will burn it.

Plasma. You understand?

You, your people, all this, turned into glass.

Get that translator down here.

Sir.

I understand you.

Good. That’s great, now I’d appreciate…

I understand you’re the same that came before.

Excuse me?

To our first home.

Forty-two years ago.

On that planet, it was warm.

On that planet, there were fish.

Ma’am, I’m trying to help you people.

I’m trying to…

To save us.

Yes, that’s what you said the last time.

Before you scattered our people to planets like this.

I don’t think we will need your help.

[townspeople gasp]

What’s the problem, Captain?

You should know I’m authorized to use whatever force I deem necessary to protect you, ma’am.

Sir, still no contact with Bravo.

You’ll excuse me.

Not everything has a soul.

[crowd chattering]

Some things, not all.

Some places have souls, like this one.

[crowd chattering]

Did you know that?

It’s true.

He’s going to think about it.

[crowd laughing]

Our faith tells us that to leave our planet in its time of torment is no different than to abandon a dying child or parent.

Have you family, Spartan?

Have you faith?

No.

These things are not for you, are they?

[Highroller] This is Highroller FLEETCOM EWS tracking Covenant CPV-Class Destroyer approaching Sanctuary.

ETA one, one mikes, this is not a drill.

[soldiers shouting]

Where are my goddamn Condors?

Sir, Bravo’s somewhere up on that hill.

Comms are out, they got no idea what’s coming.

What you want me to do? We’ve got 19 minutes…

I’ll get your marines.

What? No. Hell no. I can’t risk…

Sir, let him go, please.

I’ll bring them back, sir.

Dust-off is in one-five, you copy?

Riz, get to the Condors.

Help the villagers evac.

Copy that, Chief.

[Nix] Go, Marines!

Ten mikes, then this whole planet is glass.

[tense music]

[Chief thumping]

[radio chatter]

[tense music]

Cliff face 100 meters to your 12.

Well, that’s straight up.

The Nubian Ibex can scale an 80-degree slope, over.

What?

What?

[grapple pops]

[dramatic music]

[ships rumbling]

[radio chatter]

[townspeople shouting]

[Vannak] Approaching the ridge.

You should hit the road on the other side, Chief.

I’m going to lose him in that fog.

[tense music]

[eerie radio interference]

Silver 3, you hearing this interference, over?

Silver 3.

[Vannak] Affirmative.

But your signal is breaking up, over.

I see you on the marker.

Confirm contact with Bravo Team, over.

Negative.

Just the vehicles.

[Vannak] Sit-rep eight, shit, nine.

It’s a bad copy, 3.

Come again.

[Vannak] You got six minutes before those.

Covenant ships arrive.

We’re out of time.

Copy that.

You and Kai get those people on the Condors.

I’m just going to check on something.

[Vannak] Negative.

If you do not turn back now, you will not make it.

Chief?

Don’t wait up.

[tense music]

[gunfire]

[soldiers shouting]

Oh, come on.

Hold fire! Hold fire, Blue!

Shit.

It’s a Spartan.

Master Chief.

You Bravo?

We’re Bravo.

Communications team.

I know.

I can tell from your aim.

Where’s the rest of your unit?

We were out by the relay.

Fog came in, comms went down.

Couldn’t find anyone.

Got separated, tried calling out.

Okay. I’ll try to find your buddies, but we got to get you off this mountain.

Shepherd X-Ray, this is Silver 1.

I’ve got elements of Bravo Team.

Requesting exfil.

Shepherd X-Ray?

There’s no comms here.

Interference from the relay.

It’s probably a magnetic anomaly.

Oh, for the last time.

It is not a goddamn magnetic anomaly.

Shut your holes. Both of you.

Okay.

Come on. Let’s move. On me.

Rand, let’s go.

What?

What’s the problem, Private?

Private Rand thinks he saw something in the fog.

Private Rand thinks that if we make noise or if we move, then we’re gonna…

[Rand yells]

Run.

Go!

What the hell was that?!

[tense music]

[soldier yelling]

[gunfire]

Don’t! Don’t engage, don’t!

Move!

[soldiers yelling]

[tense music continues]

What the hell is that out there?

Pick up that weapon.

What’s your name, Corporal?

Perez.

Stay close to me, Perez.

I can’t see anything.

I think they’re gone.

No. They’re close.

How do you know?

The smell. Move!

[gunshot]

[creature growls]

[gunshot]

[sword swinging]

[gunfire]

[sword slashes]

[gun melting]

[both grunting]

[gunshot]

Ohh. [Gasps]

Shit!

Get down!

[Perez yells]

[gunshot]

[both grunting]

[tense music]

[creature grunts]

[neck snaps]

Perez?

Corporal?

[gun clicking]

[tense music]

[creature growls]

[sword humming]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[creature growls]

[Chief groans]

[energy sword hums]

[sword slices]

[Chief groans]

[creature growls]

[creature yelps]

[gunshot]

[sword slicing]

[gunshot]

[knife slices]

[gunshot]

[Chief grunting]

[creatures growling]

[gunfire]

[creature struggling]

[Chief grunting]

[gunfire]

Corporal?

[gunshot]

Corporal?

[solemn music]

Perez?

I got you, Marine.

[Perez groans]

I got you.

[Perez panting]

[energy swords blazing]

[tense music]

[energy swords blazing]

[energy swords extinguish]

[mysterious music]

[beam thunders]

[dramatic music]

[townspeople screaming]

[beams exploding]

[dramatic music]

[people shouting]

Pilot’s getting twitchy.

Kai, we got to go.

One more minute!

Come on, Chief.

[ship rumbling]

[ship explodes]

[townspeople screaming]

It’s getting a little warm in here.

Kai, you copy?

[dramatic music]

Find your faith, Spartan.

I have seen your death.

It comes soon.

Chief, let’s go.

[dramatic music]

[engines revving]

[dramatic music continues]

[soft music]

[helmet hissing]

[soft music continues]

[ethereal music begins]

[water spraying]

[radio hissing]

[woman] Stay with me.

[loud banging]

[Keyes] Welcome back.

I know that was difficult.

I don’t expect you to like it, but we have to accept it.

Bear in mind, would’ve been a lot worse.

Admiral, we need to debrief on what we ran into out there.

What you saw in Sanctuary has been happening across all of the outer colonies.

While you were deployed, we lost Madrigal.

We lost Estuary.

And FLEETCOM predicts that the Covenant will glass.

Fumirole next.

Sir, this is different.

The Covenant was already there, on Sanctuary before they glassed it.

Doesn’t make sense, does it?

If your plan is to glass a planet, why invade it first?

Put it in your report.

ONI will conduct intel analysis.

We don’t need ONI to tell us what we saw.

Sorry.

First time down here.

No one told me it’s like a maze, isn’t it?

Well, please don’t mind me. Carry on.

Sir, if I may.

Who the hell is this guy?

Mr. Ackerson is Dr. Halsey’s replacement.

Replacement, sir?

Director of the Spartan program.

Oh, that’s very generous, Admiral.

But no one can replace Dr. Halsey.

She was one of a kind.

Is.

Hm?

You said was.

Did I?

She’s not dead.

No, no, of course not, no.

Our Dr. Halsey is nothing if not a survivor.

I can only hope she survives long enough to face the full consequences of her actions, wouldn’t you agree?

Look.

I’m not here to replace Dr. Halsey or to dismantle her work, problematic as it may be.

No, I’m here

because I believe in you.

And I believe in this program.

Point is, I need you

to be the very best operators you can be.

Well, you can start by telling FLEETCOM to let us off the leash.

We need real combat missions.

Mr. Ackerson, this is…

Vannak-134.

Of course it is.

And this is Kai-125.

Big fan.

Riz-028. Good to see you back on your feet.

And the Master Chief.

It’s an honor.

Keeping the enemy engaged in the outer colonies is the mission.

We keep the fight out there, we have peace here, people feel safe.

Are they?

We will turn this around, I assure you.

Well.

I have taken enough of your time.

Carry on, Admiral.

Very well. Ten-hour leave.

Medical needs to clear each of you before you’re relieved.

Sir.

Who is he?

He’s the boss.

[tense music]

[alarm buzzing]

[dance music]

[Minnie] Welcome one, and welcome all to this, our humble pile of rock!

[Minnie laughing]

Bring them in!

Come on, darlings, don’t be shy!

In you come!

Come on, now.

Now, this is lot 436, hailing from planets former and parts various.

And hey, hey, no visible disease in these ones.

[crowd laughing]

Now here, we’ve got a pair.

And your Minnie’s kind-hearted, so they never will be parted, bless them.

What’s your names, darlings?

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh?

Too late.

[crowd laughing]

Go on, boy.

Tell him who you are.

Felix from Harvest.

[crowd chattering]

We escaped the glassing on a fuel barge.

Me, my sister, my mom got split up on Sedra.

I don’t where they are now.

Six months, seven planets, no one would take us.

[Vera] What’s his trade?

Merchants mate.

Botanical fibers mostly. Metals, salt.

Oh!

[crowd laughing]

Now what are you supposed to be, eh?

Oh, thief.

Oh, kidnapper!

Thug.

And oh, oh! What do we have here?

[Minnie groans]

You don’t want to know.

[blows land hard]

A killer!

[crowd cheering]

And a liar!

Oh, you see? [Laughing]

[Minnie shouting]

[crowding cheering]

[Minnie laughing]

Most will be sent back into the merciless void of space.

But for the lucky few, in exchange for asylum, these persons submit to indentured service for the next two years.

Selection!

What say you?

[crowd shouting]

Here.

Him?

Yeah!

Tag him, then. Tag him!

What? What?

[gun snaps]

The man’s a criminal!

[Minnie] No. A Criminal? Where?

Listen to me, I have something you want.

I very much doubt that, sugar.

I know the location of… of a thing of great value.

Of a thing of great value?

Think you’re the first man to walk into a roomful of pirates with promises of treasure?

Not treasure. A bounty.

For Catherine Halsey.

[crowd murmuring]

[Minnie laughing]

If you know where Halsey is, why not collect the bounty yourself?

I’m no bounty hunter.

Just a merchant’s mate, sir.

And the thing is, see, the place they got her, it ain’t so easy to get to.

On account of having to wade through all the bullshit?

[crowd laughing]

So, I imagine you’ll be wanting a share of this bounty, then.

Well, times being what they are, sir, I suppose the right to live free among you fine folk would be payment enough for me.

[laughing]

[all laughing]

Get him out of here.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye, my darling.

And come on in!

I’m telling the truth!

There you go, there’s the next one!

Give us the next ones!

Plenty more where they came from.

Come on, now!

Come on!

[crowd cheering]

[door sliding]

[static hissing]

[gunfire]

[soldier shouting]

[Ackerson] John.

Come in, please.

I know what you’re thinking. Sorry. Three weeks.

Haven’t done anything with the place.

You know someone suggested I should get a plant.

Ah… So, met with your team, each of them remarkable warriors.

Yes, sir.

You know we don’t have to be so formal, John, in here.

But whatever makes you comfortable.

Yes, sir.

I apologize for not knowing who you were yesterday.

Looked up your record.

You were in the field before.

Before I joined ONI and hid behind this desk.

No, sir, that’s…

It’s all right.

Not what I meant.

I’m joking, John.

But yes, I have seen combat.

That’s good. For us.

To have someone in charge who’s been there.

Who understands what it’s like.

I know this enemy, sir.

Everything they do has meaning, intention.

The Covenant attacked the comms relay on Sanctuary.

Then they glassed the planet.

Clearly, the relay wasn’t the objective.

What do you think they were after?

The experience of taking it, sir.

I think they were training.

Training?

For what?

I don’t know. Whatever comes next.

Something bigger, maybe.

Do you mind if I ask you some questions?

Please.

Have you ever experienced hallucinations?

What?

Sleeplessness? Confusion.

The sensation of lost time.

I thought we were talking about Sanctuary.

We are.

No, listen to me.

We need to find out what they were doing so that we can make…

I need to know what you were doing, John.

Six months ago, Dr. Halsey was implicated in a number of crimes.

The ONI has since become aware of certain unauthorized procedures and projects, including the creation of an illegal AI.

What is this?

Which was implanted into the UNSC’s most important strategic asset, John.

You.

Yeah.

Well, they took her out.

It. So… you don’t need to worry.

That’s my job, to worry about your readiness, your reliability.

Is there some question about my reliability, sir?

No, not at all.

Then I think we’re done.

Sit down, please.

[tense music]

Look, I want you to know you can talk to me, John.

Everyone knows the Master Chief.

I suppose… I wonder if anyone really knows John.

May I go now?

No.

[Soren] They never stole a ship.

Never looked down the barrel of a gun.

[Carina] You can teach them to be pirates.

[Soren] I don’t need more dead weight. I need leaders.

[woman] You have Antares.

[Soren] Don’t remind me.

[Laera] Oh, there you are.

Where have you been all day?

What’s with him lately?

I saw a family at the gate today.

From Madrigal, I think.

Little boy, same age as Kessler, same eyes.

And I thought, that’s us, but for a little luck.

They were us, Soren, and there was nothing I could do.

You know I’d never let that happen.

Mm, you can’t control everything.

Planets turn to embers, people turned away,

indentured, lost.

[Soren] I can’t worry about an entire galaxy.

How can you not? Everything’s on fire.

Are you listening to yourself?

You sound ridiculous.

Nope. Sorry.

I’m ridiculous?

I didn’t say that.

Me? I’m the ridiculous one?

While you sit here playing Pirate King, pretending that everything as it was, fantasizing about being the hero that brings Catherine Halsey to justice.

I don’t fantasize about Catherine…

I saw the look in your eyes when that boy said her name.

You think I don’t know that look.

It’s the same look you get every time

some poor, desperate fool comes in here

claiming to have seen her.

One time!

Four times in six months.

And everyone knows it’s all ghost stories and rumors.

[Soren growls]

Except for you.

I’m ridiculous.

[Laera] One of us needs to see the world as it is.

I see it.

Do you?

Because you need to be kinder to your crew.

I’ll handle my crew.

[Laera] You brought that treasure back from Madrigal.

You didn’t share it with them.

They didn’t do any of the work.

There was nothing to share. It wasn’t that much.

But they don’t know that.

They talk to the other syndicates.

Good. Let ’em go.

We’re slipping.

I don’t know how it happened.

But the other families, they’re not afraid of you.

You want me to remind them?

I wanna go away.

Where?

Anywhere.

Maybe we just go. You, me, Kess.

Just get on that ship and…

And what?

Run?

We don’t run.

We don’t run.

[Kai] Hey, Chief.

Come look at this.

[Keyes] Linguistics specialist Perez assisted Spartan’s Silver team in maintaining a defensive perimeter until all civilians were safely evacuated.

[Vannak] Someone should tell that to the civilians.

[Keyes] Because of the bravery and initiative she exhibited on behalf of her fellow Marines, Corporal Perez led the evacuation of civilians while returning fire, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.

This Colonial Cross is presented to Corporal Talia Perez.

[spectators applaud]

[audience applauds]

[Stephanie] Where is the Master Chief?

Hello, Stephanie. Great to see you again.

Master Chief and Silver Team can’t be here today.

They’re out there fighting for you.

[Vannak] Turn it off.

I had enough of this guy in my debrief.

We are dictating tempo.

What questions did he ask you?

Hey, answer me this.

How come every time we evac some Outer Colony shithole, it’s all in a day’s work, but when you guys do it, you’re war heroes?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

I heard they brought home a bunch of empty coffins.

Yeah. Put you in one, bitch!

[VAL-015] You need to keep the people in line, Chief.

This is why you don’t go taking your pellet out.

Makes you emotional.

Leads to bad decisions.

Shut your mouth.

Or what?

Halsey’s gone. She can’t help you.

Silver Team isn’t Mommy’s favorite anymore.

Say what you want about Halsey.

At least she kept us in the fight.

This new guy, he’s got us escorting a tech team

on some fix-it mission.

You believe that?

What’s he got you fixing?

I don’t know.

Comms relay went down in some nowhere system.

No combat. It’s bullshit.

So, why send Cobalt team?

Well, I think it came down to looks, didn’t it?

That is affirmative.

They insisted on the most attractive team.

So, sorry, Riz.

Suck big ass, Karim.

Nice.

Is Vannak still writing your material?

Boy, I’m about to wear you like a sock.

Stop picking on Silver.

They have feelings now.

Let’s move.

Hey, Val.

Just treat it like it’s real.

Always, Chief.

[Kai] If I ask nicely, do you think they’ll let me shoot those guys?

[Ackerson] …the battle space.

There will be losses, but we are winning, and we will continue to win because we have something the enemy does not.

We have heroes.

[crowd cheers and applauds]

[Kai] Chief, you all right?

[tense music]

I get that you have to lie to the public.

That’s what you people do.

But if you’re sending Cobalt to another comms relay, you better tell ’em to expect the Covenant.

Excuse me.

I told you what hit us on Sanctuary.

Nobody out there knows anything,

and no one in here seems to give a shit!

Keep your voice down.

You’re a non-commissioned officer.

Just because you don’t see a response doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

Just listen to me, please.

I did listen to you, John.

I read your report. It’s all there.

Let’s review, shall we?

You pursued the captive Marines and were surrounded by a significant force of at least 30.

Yes.

Sangheili.

That’s right.

Yes.

Apparently under the command of an elite who

how did you know he was the leader?

I know a leader when I see one, sir.

Yeah, right. Of course you do.

Yeah. Well… it all makes sense to me.

I guess my only question is how are you alive?

Did you defeat them all?

Did they defeat themselves?

[scoffs] They disappeared.

I see.

You know, John, I never approved of Halsey’s methods.

No.

What she did to you all was unconscionable.

The Cortana system…

No, no.

Was never intended to be…

No, sir.

It’s no wonder you’re experiencing some… I’m not experiencing… irrational any residual side effects.

No, sir.

Memory.

Negative, sir.

Emotional dysregulation, John, and until you are willing to be honest and forthcoming with me about your condition…

What condition?

I cannot authorize Silver Team

to perform combat operations.

No, sir.

Take your hand off me.

Don’t do it.

Silver Team’s the best weapon you got.

Just tell ’em what they’re walking into.

Tell Cobalt.

That is all.

[Kessler] Where are you going?

[Soren] To work.

[Kessler] You said you don’t have to do that anymore.

I never said that.

You did.

Yeah. Well, sometimes I still gotta go.

[Kessler] Why?

“Cause I’m the boss.”

And every now and then the boss has to remind people that he can do all their jobs too.

Or they won’t let you boss them.

That’s exactly right.

Get that thing off your head.

This look tight to you?

Are you scared?

Am I scared?

Do you know who your dad is, huh?

Do you know who your dad is?

Yeah.

And what do people say about your dad?

He’s a bad man.

He’s a very bad man.

Look at us.

Just two handsome devils who ain’t scared of nothing and nobody.

What about the monster?

What did we say about that?

I’m too old.

You’re too old and too big to be scared of nonsense and make-believe.

Right?

I know what you want me to say.

Say it. there’s no such thing as monsters.

Why not?

“Cause it’s a lie.”

Where are you getting this from?

Somebody put this in your head?

No, it’s just there.

Okay. Last time.

There’s no such thing as monsters.

No creatures who come in the night to snatch little boys away and steal their souls.

Do you swear?

Yes.

[Kessler] Do you swear on my life?

It’s time for you to go to bed.

[faint ominous music]

[gun clicking]

Swear it. there’s no such thing as monsters.

I already told you.

You’re too old for this.

[ominous thudding]

[men yelling]

She’s looking good, Antares.

[Carina] What’s got into him?

You comfortable?

Yes, sir. Very.

Good.

Now I’m gonna give you one chance to get your story straight.

Don’t have me flying all the way out there and then suddenly your memory gets fuzzy.

What’s your name again?

Felix.

See, Felix, just ” ’cause we take you out there” doesn’t mean we bring you back.

You understand?

I know where she is.

[tense music]

[door clanks, slides open]

[lively chatter]

You need to press the…

You need to be more careful.

Admiral!

Not anymore.

I’m just a private citizen now, a regular Joe.

Someone had to take the fall for Halsey.

My number was up.

But you know I have a habit of lingering, especially where I’m not wanted.

What are you going to tell me about Sanctuary?

They glassed it. Just like everywhere else.

You’ll have to do better than that.

What did you see?

I’m afraid that’s classified, ma’am.

You should know there are elements within the UNSC that don’t take these events as seriously as you and I do.

Ackerson, for one.

What do you know about Ackerson?

I know you’ll find him unresponsive to your theories.

He’s ambitious, he’s not interested in controversy.

Frankly, no one wants to believe this war is changing.

I want you to pursue evidence of the Covenant’s other activities, and when you find it, bring it to me.

Here.

Press the button, and I’ll find you.

What will you do for me?

I’ll believe you.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[Felix] So, I turn up for this salvage job.

Well, the crew, these aren’t farmers.

I’m talking very scary individuals.

Like… bounty hunters.

Not bounty hunters.

No, I’m serious.

Would you just let him tell it, Carina?

So, I’m running the flat-loader, and they’ve got this big crate, and I lower it onto the deck and the side panel falls off.

They didn’t think I saw, but I did.

A cryo-tube.

And there’s this woman in it,

and I’m thinking, I know that face.

Her picture was all over the place, remember?

Catherine Halsey.

I knew.

And the ship went missing.

And I was the only one who knew the course they’d plotted.

Right through

[alarm beeping] Oh, shit.

Get us onto that airlock.

Aye, Captain.

I’m gonna need to suit up.

That ship looks ready to break apart.

You should be careful.

You should be careful.

You’re coming with me.

[tense music]

We could split it, the bounty, maybe 60/40.

You’re right. Dumb idea.

Cargo hold’s down there.

They said you used to be a Spartan.

[Soren] Long time ago.

[Felix] So, you knew her, then? Halsey.

They say she’s a genius, but a little on the evil side, right?

Whoa.

What do I do?

Don’t touch anything.

[feet thudding]

[Felix] She took little kids, right?

[ominous thudding]

It’s not about the money for you, is it?

It’s about what she did to ya, that arm.

I said the wrong thing, didn’t I?

[Soren] Yep, you did.

[massive whooshing sound]

[Felix] Oh, shit!

[Felix gasping]

Let’s go back.

Calm down.

There she is, told ya.

[feet thudding]

[Felix exclaims]

Sorry!

Which panel?

What?

You said one of the panels fell off.

Which one?

Right. Um… on the side there.

You were on the flat-loader and you saw her.

How?

Right.

Um…

No, I got down first to look.

Who are you? Who are you working for?

[thunderous hum]

Antares! What the hell are you doing?

[loud banging]

[Felix] I don’t think they’re coming back.

Shit.

[footsteps approaching]

Who’s first?

[Felix] Soren-066, you’re under arrest…

[men grunting]

…for the crimes of piracy, kidnapping, extortion, and treason.

[distant upbeat music]

[woman] Hi there, sailor. What are you looking for?

First time?

Welcome back, customer.

Setting your visual paramiters.

I don’t really know what people say to each other.

I think there might be something wrong with me.

Like there’s a part of me that’s missing, or sometimes there’s a sound like something in my head that doesn’t belong.

And I think maybe it’s a part of you that got embedded somehow in me.

Oh, sweetie.

You miss her, don’t you?

You don’t have to do that.

Do what?

Talk.

But I want to be her for you.

Yeah. Well, you can’t.

Is it my nose?

No.

Are you sure?

Your nose is fine.

You can change it.

I know I could change it. I don’t…

[clears throat]

I don’t wanna change it.

Well, maybe you don’t really want her at all.

Don’t you even know what you…

[eerie interference]

You should’ve stayed with me.

Sweetie?

[John gasps]

Oh, darn. Looks like our time’s up.

To add more time, please swipe.

Hi there, Sarah, what do you…

[pensive music]

[Makee] You should’ve stayed with me.

[woman vocalizes]

[Storyteller] It’s very old, the monster.

Older than the light, older than this rock older than your god.

It knows us inside and out.

Smells our fear.

[dramatic music]

Sees our secrets.

It’s been here all that time.

Waiting.

To meet you in the dark.

there’s nothing you can give it.

[Kwan] The only thing the monster wants is for you to know that there’s nothing you can ever love that it can’t take away.

[pensive music]

You believe me now, don’t you?

[dramatic music swells]

[closing theme music plays]

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read More

Weekly Magazine

Get the best articles once a week directly to your inbox!