The episode rewinds 22 years, unveiling the early days of Master Chief, then known as Pablo Schreiber. He was rigorously trained to become a Spartan warrior, a fearsome force of nature. As the night deepened, he awoke and embarked on a mission, his steps echoing in the silence.
It was then that he encountered Soren, who queried curiously about the absence of his armor. John's hand tightened around his plasma gun, his eyes steely. He recited the unyielding rules of the program, stating that he couldn't let him go, even resorting to lethal force if necessary.
Soren's pleas fell on deaf ears as he tried to appeal to John's sense of reason, reminding him of how the UNSC and Halsey had programmed his brain to prioritize the unit over individual lives. After a tense moment, John relented, granting Soren five precious minutes to flee. He feigned a jammed gun, allowing his compatriot a chance at survival.
Meanwhile, John-117, now in his element, piloted his ship towards their next destination, Kwan at his side. As they traversed the mysterious slipspace, they emerged into an asteroid field, a maze of colossal metal objects. Master Chief maneuvered skillfully through the asteroids, while Kwan's eyes widened as she spied a hidden space station, disguised as a beard among the asteroids. Its design was unlike any they had ever seen.
As they entered the facility, ominously named "The Rubble," tension mounted. Weapons were drawn as they braced for what lay ahead. Then, a man emerged, his voice calm yet authoritative. It was Soren-066, the young man Master Chief had let slip away two decades ago. He greeted John warmly and informed Kwan that there was a bounty on her head, placed by Vinisher Grath, the new head of Madrigal.
Back at UNSC headquarters, a meeting of the galaxy's most powerful organizations was in full swing. Captain Keyes praised John's handling of the situation but recommended that Master Chief be terminated. However, Halsey had a trump card up her sleeve. She had Captain Hood question Keyes' intentions regarding the elimination of the world's most revered Spartan.
Then, Dr. Haley made a revelation that shook the room. She unveiled Cortana's new program, tying Admiral Parangosky to it in the process. Cortana would be like a Spartan, but even more powerful, with the ability to override Spartan consciousness. In essence, if John were Cortana, he would have obliterated Kwan without hesitation.
The scene was set, the stakes were high, and the fate of the universe hung in the balance.
Hood summons Admiral Parangosky to gain her perspective, given that Halsey has intricately involved her in the Cortana project. She acquiesces with a nod and turns her gaze towards the esteemed doctor, who returns the gesture with a warm smile towards Keyes. "Indeed," she confirms.
Meanwhile, Vinisher embarks on a gruesome spree, eliminating resistance members one by one who had any ties to the General.
Back on the Rubble, Soren introduces John and Kwan to Reth (portrayed by Johann Meyers from The Wheel of Time). His past experiences on a Covenant ship have left him with tales to tell. He verifies that the mysterious artifact is indeed connected to the alien races' religion. When Reth attempts to touch it, nothing happens, and his hysterical laughter echoes through the air. Evidently, he is not the blessed one destined to activate it (unlike John-177, who once succeeded in doing so).
Well, if you weren't aware of John's unique ability, you are now. Reth attempts to throw the object at the Spartan, but John quickly grasps it in his hand. A burst of blue energy wave erupts across the Rubble, triggering a flashback for the Spartan. The visions reveal a haunting scene of what appears to be his mother, lifeless, being carried away. He runs, accompanied by his loyal dog, over a pile of rocks, while his father's stern voice echoes, calling his name. His mother seems to be concealing something wrapped in a napkin from the man.
As John snaps back to reality, Reth's screams fill the air. "What are you?" he demands, his voice filled with bewilderment. He continues, addressing John directly, "Don't you even know what you are?" Then, a shocking revelation: "You are unlike anything they have ever encountered!" Is Reth referring to Makee (played by Charlie Murphy from Peaky Blinders)? He adds that it's a door, but to what realm? The end of the world, Reth warns.
The Master Chief is fully aware of his responsibility to return the artifact safely to the UNSC. Its inherent danger is all too apparent, and he realizes that safeguarding it on the Rubble is a perilous task. Therefore, he reluctantly leaves Kwan behind, entrusted to the care of Soren. His team escorts him off the ship, with handcuffs firmly in place to ensure his compliance.
Dr. Halsey wastes no time, instructing two of her men to secure the case containing the locked "weapon." She is not one to indulge in idle chatter, as John-177 attempts to relay the visions that have plagued his dreams. She has no desire to hear his musings, preferring instead to delve into the practicalities of the situation. Her primary concern is to understand why he chose to rescue the girl. He senses a mysterious connection to her, one that he cannot quite explain. (The scene shifts to reveal Makee, as she undresses, revealing intricate white tattoos adorning her back.)
The good doctor presses further, inquiring, "Why did you choose to return?" His response is resolute, "There is no one else I can trust." She offers him her gratitude, seeing this moment as a fresh start. Together, they proceed to the pod where Cortana lies in hibernation, awaiting their next command.
