The Master Chief's solid stance only breaks to look at his fellow Spartan. She was already familiar with destroyed worlds. But it wasn't until this moment when he saw it.

"Permission to stay on the bridge." He asks. "Sir... We need to see this."

The Captain hung his head.

"Very well, Spartans. After all you've been through to save Jericho Seven, we owe you that. We're only thirty million kilometers out-system, though. Not half as far as I'd like to be." He turned to face the Chief. "We'll stay to watch... But if those bastards so much as twitch in our direction, we're jumping the hell out of here."

The Spartan slowly nodded.

"Thank you, sir."

The ship's engines rumbled, and moved off. The Master Chief rose an arm to get Ami forward.

Three dozen Covenant ships -- big ones, destroyers, and cruisers -- winked into view in the system. They were sleek, looking more like sharks than starcraft. Their lateral lines brightened with plasma -- then discharged and rained fire upon Jericho VII.

The planet's lakes, rivers, and oceans vaporized. By tomorrow, the atmosphere would boil away, too. Fields and forests were glassy smooth and glowing red-hot patches. Where there had once been a paradise, only hell remained.

John continued to watch. He stood for as long, not moving a muscle.