Sorry for linking you to another thread, I posted it in the Halo 4 forum and I regret it because most of the people there only care about the Multiplayer. I think its really good, and it is EXTREMELY long. Again, not trying to publicize but I think the Universe community is just more appropriate for my thread.
https://halo.xbox.com/Forums/yaf_postst41102_Piecing-the-Puzzle--Setting-the-Stage-for-Halo-4.aspx
EDIT: fixed the link