"I was," the Chief corrected flatly. And he'd gone back. So many were dead that it still didn't sink all the way in, he didn't have time for grief. Someday he'd have to stop long enough for it to catch up, but John was never one to sit idle for any length of time.

"Before I was on Halo."

Arachidamia moved before the Chief did, back the way they'd come.

"This way's to the fore," she said. She didn't pause to see if they'd follow. She knew John would.