Prologue
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The Null entered our world without warning. There were no warning shots. No indicators of coming conflict. No time to prepare. Within an instant, our universe was changed.

After the Promethean conflict, the species of the galaxy came to a consensus. If we were to avoid the risk of galactic apocalypse, we had to unite for the common good of our stars. For the first time since the age of the Forerunner, the galaxy walked under a combined banner. Under this banner, there was struggle, strife and hate all the same but beside it stood progress, reconciliation and hope.

A great tear appeared before the planet Eores. The Null spread from the tear, reaching to the planet and it's people. The planet buzzed for hours with reports of strange beings descending from the sky. They rained oblivion on the people of Eores. Cities fell. Populations were slaughtered, life seemed to come to an end.

And then in a secular moment. Within the blink of an eye, Eores disappeared. The buzzing stopped.

Silence consumed the space around the great tear.

Mission Briefing (Part 1)
Exert from the audio logs of Commander Samuel de Guard
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"How can you be sure your intel is solid doctor?"

"With all due respect sir, this is a solid as it'll get. We have nothing else to go off of."

"You want me to move the largest fleet in human military history, to some nondescript location in the North American tundra, based on the hunch of a crackpot team of archaeologists and the ramblings of some mystic from several centuries ago?"

"Yes sir. Exactly."

"And correct me if I'm wrong, but this place, this Dust Palace, if it does exist, the Null will most likely swarm to Earth like moths attracted to the flames of hell."

"Yes sir, most likely"

~Silence~

"Ten. Ten Spartans and the wings to fly them in. Get it done."

Mission Briefing (Part 2)
Exert from the audio logs of Commander Samuel de Guard
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Alright Spartans, here's the long and short of it. Doctor Lionel and his team believe that the Null have a grand weakness. They are tactically worthless without their leaders. If the intel is solid, there are four Null that rank higher than all the rest. Three of which are known as Dust Lords, Null of incredible power and prowess. Doctor Lionel and his team submit that eliminating just one of the three with serve as a crippling blow to the Null infrastructure.

It is also the belief of his team that one Dust Lord in particular can be found in a place known as the Dust Palace, which just so happens to have it's front door on Earth.

You'll be ringing the doorbell and you'll deliver a powerful message to this Dust Lord.

Get the hell out of our universe.

I tried to inquire about the possible fourth target, but the good Doctor strongly suggests avoiding interaction with that individual.

The Tethering Ritual
Compiled translation from the Archmori
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The Dust Palace embodies the living irony. Built by the non-physical to imitate the physical [real] in such a way neither can host [own]. In it's own existence it is limited; confined by the measure of it's own strife. It is neither real nor unreal. I have listened to the Palace speak. It can be connected but never fully merged. On one end an anchor clings to the physical, on the other end, an anchor to the non [physical]. It can be called [The Palace] by those who hold the anchor. Desire it to come forth and it shall. It will extend it's hand to you and welcome into the ironic realm.

Like a boat used to cross an ocean. Touches both shores, but never feels the grass of the land.

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