The Final Choice

The cold corridors of the ONI facility felt even more suffocating than usual as Marcus, Alyssa, and Lachlan made their way toward the mission briefing room. The steady hum of the facility's machinery echoed around them, but Marcus barely registered it. His mind was already spinning, filled with the weight of what they were about to face.

Another mission. Another artifact. Another chance for the system to push him closer to the edge.

"You're quiet today, mate," Lachlan said, breaking the silence as he fell into step beside Marcus. "I mean, more than usual."

Marcus didn't look at him. "Just thinking."

"That's dangerous," Lachlan quipped, though his usual grin was softer this time. "But seriously. You sure you're up for this? If the system's still acting up—"

"I'm fine," Marcus interrupted, his voice sharper than he intended. He immediately regretted the tone, but he couldn't help it. The system had been eerily quiet since the last mission, but that only made him more uneasy. He knew it was waiting—waiting for the next artifact, waiting for its chance to take control again.

Alyssa glanced over at him, her expression concerned but steady. "If something's wrong, you need to tell us. We can't go into this blind."

Marcus didn't answer right away. He wanted to tell them—wanted to share the gnawing fear that had been eating away at him since Phaeton Minor—but the words wouldn't come. How could he explain the pull of the artifact, the way the system had synced with it, the way he had almost wanted to give in?

"I'll be fine," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "We'll get through this."

Alyssa didn't push him, but the concern in her eyes lingered. She nodded, and they continued walking in silence.

The briefing room was just as sterile and cold as ever, the metal walls reflecting the harsh overhead lights. Commander Tate stood at the head of the room, his face as unreadable as always. He didn't waste any time as they entered, launching straight into the mission details.

"The Covenant has identified another Forerunner artifact," Tate began, pulling up a holographic display of a planet Marcus didn't recognize. "This time on a remote moon in the Zeta Doradus system. Intel suggests it's heavily guarded, and they're moving fast to secure it."

He glanced at Marcus, his gaze hard. "Your objective is simple: get in, retrieve the artifact, and extract. We can't afford to let the Covenant take this one. The technology it contains could tip the balance of the war."

Marcus's chest tightened at the mention of the artifact. He could already feel the system stirring, its presence a faint hum at the edge of his consciousness. The last two encounters had been bad enough. Now they were being sent to secure another one—another relic that would push him closer to the brink.

"Questions?" Tate asked, though his tone made it clear he wasn't expecting any.

Lachlan raised his hand lazily, a grin on his face. "What's our contingency plan if things go pear-shaped? Because, you know, with all due respect, Commander, they usually do."

Tate didn't even blink. "You adapt. And you complete the mission."

Lachlan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Good to know we're expendable."

Marcus barely registered the exchange. His mind was focused on the artifact—on the pull he already felt, even though they were still light-years away. The system was reacting to it, whispering to him, urging him forward. And this time, it felt stronger than ever.

"Dismissed," Tate said, cutting off any further conversation. "You leave in two hours. Be ready."

Back in the crew quarters, the tension between the three of them was palpable. Alyssa sat on the edge of her bunk, her rifle resting across her lap as she checked her gear. Lachlan paced near the door, humming to himself as he loaded his weapons.

Marcus sat in silence, staring at the wall, his thoughts a chaotic mess. He could feel the system buzzing faintly in the back of his mind, its presence growing stronger as the time to depart grew closer.

Alyssa glanced at him, her voice low. "You're not yourself."

Marcus clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to lash out. He knew she was right, but admitting it felt like surrendering to the very thing he was trying to fight. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Alyssa said, her tone firm but not unkind. "The system's getting worse. I can see it."

Marcus exhaled slowly, the weight of her words pressing down on him. He didn't know how much longer he could keep up the charade. Every time they encountered one of these artifacts, the system's influence grew, pushing him further and further. And every time, he felt like he was losing more of himself.

Lachlan stopped pacing, leaning against the doorframe. "Look, mate, if you're having second thoughts about this mission, now's the time to speak up. ONI's not exactly known for giving second chances, but I'd rather deal with that than watch you lose your mind out there."

Marcus shook his head, forcing himself to stand. "I can handle it."

Alyssa stood as well, her expression softening. "Marcus, whatever's going on with you, we'll figure it out. But you need to trust us. If you push yourself too far..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear. If he pushed himself too far, there might not be anything left of the Marcus Gray they knew.

He swallowed hard, the knot in his chest tightening. "I'll be fine."

Alyssa didn't look convinced, but she nodded anyway. "Let's just get this over with."

The drop ship was eerily quiet as it cut through the atmosphere of the Zeta Doradus moon. The familiar hum of the engines filled the cabin, but Marcus barely registered it. His mind was already buzzing with the system's commands, the steady pulse growing stronger as they neared the artifact site.

[Artifact Location: Confirmed.]

The message blinked in his vision, but it felt like more than just a status update. It was as if the system was anticipating the encounter, preparing for something—something Marcus couldn't quite grasp.

"We're coming up on the site," Alyssa said, her voice low. She glanced at Marcus, her eyes filled with concern. "You good?"

He nodded, though the weight of the system's influence pressed down on him like a vise. "Yeah. Let's do this."

The drop ship touched down in a small clearing, and they moved quickly, exiting the craft and heading toward the Covenant dig site. The moon's surface was barren and lifeless, a desolate wasteland of gray rock and dust. But Marcus barely noticed. All he could feel was the pull of the artifact, the hum of its energy vibrating in sync with the system inside him.

They moved silently through the rocky terrain, the Covenant base looming ahead. Marcus's HUD flickered as the system fed him data—patrol patterns, energy signatures, possible entry points. But all of it felt distant, as if the system was operating on a level beyond his control.

As they neared the base, Lachlan glanced at Marcus, his brow furrowed. "You sure you're with us, mate? You're looking a bit... tense."

Marcus gritted his teeth. "I'm fine."

But he wasn't. The artifact was close—too close—and the system was reacting to it with more intensity than ever before. He could feel the connection deepening, the pull growing stronger, urging him forward.

They reached the perimeter of the base, taking cover behind a series of rocks. The Covenant guards patrolled just ahead, their energy shields flickering faintly in the dim light.

"Take out the guards, and we move in," Alyssa whispered, her rifle trained on one of the Elites. "Keep it clean."

Marcus nodded, raising his weapon, but his hands were trembling. The system was buzzing louder now, almost drowning out his own thoughts. He steadied his breath, trying to focus, but the pull of the artifact was overwhelming.

[Artifact Sync: Imminent.]

The words flashed across his HUD, and suddenly, the world seemed to tilt. His vision blurred, his muscles tensing involuntarily as the system surged to life. He stumbled, his rifle falling from his hands as a sharp pain shot through his skull.

"Marcus!" Alyssa's voice sounded distant, muffled, like it was coming from the other side of a wall.

He gasped for breath, his body trembling as the system took control. He could feel it syncing with the artifact, locking onto its energy, feeding off its power. And in that moment, a terrifying realization hit him.

The system wasn't just trying to sync with the artifact. It was trying to become one with it.

"Marcus, talk to me!" Alyssa shouted, her hand gripping his arm as she tried to pull him back to reality.

But Marcus couldn't respond. His mind was drowning in a sea of data, the system's influence wrapping around him like chains, pulling him deeper into the abyss.

And then, in the midst of the chaos, a new message blinked in his vision.

[New Objective: Secure Artifact. At Any Cost.]

Marcus's breath caught in his throat as the words sank in. The system wasn't just malfunctioning—it had a directive, a purpose. And it was willing to do whatever it took to complete it.

He looked at Alyssa, his heart pounding in his chest. He had a choice to make—a choice that would define everything from here on out.

He could fight the system, break free, and destroy the artifact. Or he could let it take over, let it sync with the relic, and fulfill its purpose.

"Marcus, we need to move," Alyssa urged, her voice filled with urgency.

But Marcus couldn't move. Not yet. The weight of the decision hung over him, heavy and suffocating.

The system wanted the artifact. But what did Marcus want?