Chapter 1: An Emotional Start
Somewhere amongst the corridors of The Spirit of Fire is Anders' room somewhere she stays when she feels emotionally unstable looking for a way of expressing these inside feelings without letting anyone in. After a few hours of searching amongst all of the research papers littered around she finds her computer tablet and accesses the folder labeled 'PRIVATE' there are many files inside and another is about to be written.
"Reach, the planet that the Covenant wanted us off of. We've fought over it for years somehow holding on and for what? I often find myself thinking what would happen if we let them keep it instead of wasting countless marines and resources defending it." Anders stops writing hearing a knock on her door "Come in." A tall somewhat handsome man stepped through the open door, Forge had always managed to be there for her even if he didn't mean to be just seeing his face made her feel better. "Anders what are you doing? The captain wants us at the bridge…" realising that she is not in the right state to be seen by many he walks across the room and sits next to her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Don't lie to me I know something's wrong you're like this every time we go to a new planet"
Drying her eyes from the beginnings of tears she emotionally says "It's just. I don't see the point"
"To what?"
"Everything. No, just this, the reason for coming out here"
"Fighting?"
"Yes, no, I don't want to talk anymore lets go to the bridge"
"Alright but if you want to talk to someone just buzz me on the com any time"
"Ok let's go"
While walking through the many corridors Anders finds herself unable to keep her mind off of Forge. Did he really like her the same way she tried to convince herself she didn't? Was his sympathy just an act to jump into bed with her? Or did he see her as a friend. After reassuring herself she realises that they have reached the bridge. "Captain what did you want us for?" She loved the way he asked questions, as if he already knew the answer just making sure everyone else did.
"I need you go to Bravo base with some men and hold it against an assault"
"What about me?"
"I need you to get to Engineering and help the crew work on getting the MAC online so that we can eliminate any covenant bases"
"Fine I'll go now"
As they both left they reached the stairwell, one way leading to the Hangar and the other to Engineering. "Be careful" Anders didn't want anything to happen to Forge and she knew what he was like always rushing in to save people not caring whether he was in danger. "Don't worry Anders I'll come back, I always do." Trying to reassure her that everything was going to be alright with a smile.
"I know you do but if something was to happen to you I don't know what I'd, we'd do." Anders had hoped that he didn't realize her slip up, luckily for her he didn't he simply said "See ya when I get back later Anders." Then they departed for their destinations. When Anders had reached Engineering she started working immediately, making sure that she could hear everything that was going on during the mission by accessing the live feed. This was her routine if Forge was on a mission.