A.N. Edit: 10/11/15

One night in the cold depths of outer space a gigantic ship known as the Nevont is currently making its way into an uncharted area of the galaxy. Which appeared to be far away from any UNSC military base. Checking the ships hardware and mechanics is the Chief Technician, Gypsee. To the left of her, checking the pelican interface is an engineer named, Jimmy. After a few momentsof silence, Jimmy decided to try and make conversation with Gypsee.

"So...ma'am?" He begins slowly, trying to judge her reaction, "What do you think of the spartans on the ship?"

Gypsee, not wanting to waste her time talking with him stiffly says, "They're alright"

"Did you hear about the Serpent Squad leader?" He asks expectantly. Jimmy is making the the mistake many of the new recruits do, he's gossiping. Everyone that had served a considerable amount of time aboard the ship has the highest respect for what the crew considered to be "their spartans". Jimmy didn't know Gypsee well enough to speak so personally with her. He also failed to notice her growing agitation.

"Yes," She replied sharply, "What about him?"

"He seems to serious" Jimmy commented, wishing Gypsee would fill him in on the mysterious spartans. "I wonder why he doesn't relax when off duty. Even his squad does something to take the edge off"

"You don't want to know" Gypsee whispers to herself, but with Jimmy hearing it anyways.

"What do you mean?"

"Well we have time to spare, so if you're quiet Corporal, then I'll tell you...understood!"

"Yes, ma'am"

"Good...now it all began a few years ago, when the Nevont was still fitted for battle..."

[A few years ago]

It could be considered a routine night aborad the Nevont. The ship's goal was to explore and search for any other Shield Worlds that could have possibley gone unnoticed by both the UNSC and the Covenant. Gypsee was currently stationed in the Engineering Bay where she was watching over the ship's engine controls and making sure everything was functioning properly. It was all going well, until the ship came to a sudden halt, and the alarm started screaming.

*Warning, Approaching un-identified planet. Brace for impact, repeat Brace for impact*

"What the hell!?" Gypsee yells as she began searching the many screens that lined the walls for an answer. Each one read the same thing, static. After assigning someone to keep watch of things, she left the Engineering Bay and headed to the Bridge.

Once she arrived, she was met by a familiar sight, a spartan line up. This was a common occurance whenever the ship was faced with a problem that couldn't be handled from space. As she approached the captain, he was finishing debriefing on of the squads aboard the Nevont, Serpent Squad.

"Dismisses" The captain says with a salute

Each spartan salutes him in return as they leave the bridge while the captain shifted his view to the large window. On the way out, Gypsee notices the leader of Serpent Squad, Spartan-SV21, walk past without his helmet on. He has a scar on the left side of his face that runs down the whole side of his face. Something about his seemed familiar, but she brushed off the feeling as she approached the captain again.

"Captain" Gypsee greets with a salute

"Major" He greets with his own salute, "What may I help you with?"

"Sir, what happened to the ship? All of the equipment is going haywire"

"Well, putting it short, we found our objective"

"You mean..."

"Yes Major, another Shield World...except..."

"What is it, sir?"

"Apparently, there are large spore clouds hovering right outside atmo...and unfortunately...I know what that're composed of"

"What? Uh, sir" Gypsee asks, the concern for the crew evident in her voice

"Only two words..." The captain states. He then turns his head to face Gypsee. He looks her in the eyes and she can see fear, and can understand why as he says the two words she will never forget.

"...the Flood"