Hello fellow reader,

As you can see I'm a new author writing about a Halo game. Funny thing is is that I'm not the biggest Halo fan. I've only really played Halo 3, Reach, and Halo 4. So why am I writing about a story in the Haloverse? One reason is that I'm not writing from Master Chief's perspective or any of the characters really. They'll be there, but I'm writing an entirely different character. For those of you who don't know, Halo 4's multiplayer lets you customize your very own Spartan, from there armour to there gender, rather than simply being a simple avatar for you to control. Moreover, Halo 4 also has a co-operative feature called Spartan Ops that expand the story of Halo 4. I'm writing from that point. Also, I've always loved strong, female characters and this is one way for me to do that. And, yes, while the story will eventually involve her being romantically involved with another woman, I intend to write this in a tactful manner. Also, who doesn't like lesbians? ;)

Anyway, with all this reasoning the heart of the manner is is that I was bored and I just had this idea in my head and so I just wrote it out. This chapter is shorter then I intended it to be but I think it gets the point across. A word of warning. I am going to be terrible at updating. So for those who are interested to see where it goes I just want to let you know that this may take a LONG while.

Sorry for blathering on, enjoy!


"Captain", said Commander Palmer, "I think I found our last recruit for Crimson."

"Oh?", Said Thomas Lasky, "And who might that be?"

Palmer slides the datapad across the table with a flick of her finger. She patiently waits as Lasky casually flicks through the information stopping once in a while to read the most important details. Lasky stops his investigation of the datapd and looks at Palmer with an expression she can't quite define.

"You really think we need this kind of person in Crimson? Hell, in any of our teams?," Palmer feels some of tension that she didn't know she had ease out her. His tone implied curiosity rather than downright refusal.

"Yes sir, I do", Palmer answers simply.

A raise of an eyebrow from him cues Palmer to explain.

"What she experienced in Skopje, while I admit was scarring, it also is what drove her to do what she had to in Reach. You and I both know that what she and the rest of her team did on Reach was nothing short of a miracle".

"Of that I have no doubt Commander," Lasky replied, "Her records and scores are nothing short of impressive, Lance Corporal in just two years, and that was before her augmentation, which by all accounts she shouldn't have survived. But what happened on Skopje and with Team Omega on Reach is exactly the problem. Didn't they have a nickname for her other than Wasp?"

"Yes sir".

"Well…what was it?"

"Pariah, sir".

"Sir", Palmer said in a tone that she hoped would not sound too forceful or disrespectful, "You asked me to recruit the best for Infinity and for the mission. She is the best sir. And, while I have no illusions that she won't have problems integrating herself with the other Spartans or staff. Her skills and experience are something that even most of her fellow Spartan-III's don't have, and we have got quite a few of them."

Palmer carefully looked at the Captain trying to gauge or predict what his response might be from his expression. Much to her chagrin, she was never good at being able to read the subtle nuances of a person's face. What she could see was that the captain's eyes were downcast; looking at the datapad he had set down on the table earlier in obvious contemplation.

After a strangely long moment, "I've never questioned your reasoning or your decisions Sarah", the use of her first name meant that it was not her superior officer talking to her but her friend, "But I'll ask again, is a person like her necessary for our mission?". Lasky looked at her dead on; his expression to her looked like a mixture of sadness, weariness, and something else. Something odd. Not fear exactly, but more of…an anticipation of whatever will come from bringing in such a figure."

Again, Palmer mentally cursed at not being able to read people better.

"Yes sir", Palmer said with no waver in her voice as she looked straight into Lasky's eyes, "I do".

Lasky merely nodded.

"Then make the call".