Chapter One: There and Back Again. (Welcome to the World, Sunshine!)

So... this is what dying is like. I thought as I gripped the harness around me. Tears pricked my eyes as the smoke was slowly choking me. If this was how I was suppose to die then... NO I will not go out like this! Everything screamed in my ears as the world became deafening, I closed my eyes not even able to hear myself scream. As quickly as it deafened me the world became silent like the grave I jumped into.

I felt a cool breeze tickle my cheek as my eyes fluttered open. Heaven had other plans it seems as I found myself meters from the wreckage. I moved slowly as I forced myself to roll over and sit up. I waited for the usual Marine handler to run over to me, throw a gun into my hands, and give me my marching orders. I looked over at the wreckage which looked like a ball of aluminum exploded. I sat there in that hellish calm and eerie silence as I gathered my barring and nothing moved except the dancing fire.

No one was telling me what to do... no one to order me around... no one. I felt something in my brain slowly click. No one was ordering me what to do. My tongue ran over my chapped lips as I could hear the faint voice of my mom, Stop licking your lips they'll crack. I gently bit my bottom lip tasting blood. I know mom... I felt my body finally catch up to my mind. Spartan time was a bastard at times like this. Feeling all disoriented and everything around you moving as slow as molasses. It was suppose to be helpful in times like this but I felt so vulnerable.

I jumped to my feet and ran over, lucky I still had the boots on my feet, to the pile of wreckage. All I had was a Spartan issued Bug Out Bag since, as luck dictated, that my armor had to be on a completely different transport. I felt naked in the nanosuit we wear under the armor as I was still pretty small and with my luck everything had to be custom made but it would protect me... sort of not really, but a good attempt on my part to stay positive. I opened my bag as I looked over what I packed up: Knives, a standard military Shotgun, military Magnums, appropriate ammo, grenades, a datapad, rations of food and water, a flashlight, and a new medkit. I checked the ammo as I only took out one of the Magnums and closed the pack. I felt the weight resting on my back as I began walking.

Mentally I was waiting for those voices... for the Marines to wake up and call me back. But as the meters between me and the wreck grew I felt something different. For the first time in 18 months I could just walk away. A temporary feeling of freedom at best but... I still didn't stop the smile from creeping over my lips. My heart raced as there was no looking back and I raced away never looking back. Even if I was only free for a few hours I would savor this feeling in my chest. The feeling of making my own choice once more... the feeling to be free... even if it was only for a little while... I would never regret this.

Toma' Zukori walked with his sibling as the Field Marshall was still missing. One could argue that it was religious zealotry that got him killed but... Kulu' Gammee was not blinded by faith. H'el hissed out a sigh of frustration as the tracker, issued in all armor, kept drifting in and out. "Anything useful?" He spoke breaking his brother from his frustration.

"We're getting closer as the signal is disappearing less often but I see no battle here." H'el spoke as his mandibles were tight and the clicks were hard.

Toma opened the small holographic display as he looked over the signal origin. Sure enough it was telling them that they should be able to see Kulu clearly from where they were. A crash site of a human escape ship or pod... well regardless of what it was... it crashed nearby. "We might as well tell command of the crash..." H'el said slowly as he looked at the radar. "At least our search-"

Toma looked to his brother whom was currently intently studying the coordinates of Kulu's tracker.

"He's underground."

He looked at H'el surprised as he looked at the signal coordinates and sure enough it was reading correctly. Movement down in the small depression as Toma pulled his brother back and they both crouched down.

I looked over at the top of the hill as I thought I saw something moving but I continued over to the structure. If I could get to the top of it I could have a nice vantage point. A growl and my pistol was in my hand as I turned around. I backed up slowly as I looked for what made the noise. I heard it again! However, I smiled at my own silliness as I was starving. "Well great job Mary. Mistake your own stomach for the Covenant." I say as I holstered my weapon and sat down in the shade of the structure.

What I did not see was the faint glow that ran through the wall behind me. It happened while I pulled out my rations and biting into the absolutely delicious cardboard like protein bar. I failed to notice the sudden lack of wall behind me. Yeah. Pour a few million credits into child supersoldiers and yet they fail to notice the sudden lack of wall behind them. What did I do? I leaned back really quickly.

"WHAT THE HELL!?" I screamed as my legs hugged my Bug Out Bag tightly bringing it along for the ride. Now I know stealth and military mystique surrounds the Spartans but I failed that class and my sudden screaming was the shining moment of what I learned in stealth class amounted to.

"What did I just watch?" Toma said in a slightly exasperated tone.

"Will of the Forerunners? Regardless we've now got a way down to Kulu. Thank you human." H'el said with a slight chuckle.

"H'el."

"Yes Toma?"

"You are weird."

"Well you might think so but I'm just going to take that as a complement." H'el said clicking his mandibles in delight much to the chagrin of Toma. Toma established a link to the camp as they gave up the two targets. Now all they were hoping was for Kulu to stay alive long enough for help.

(Kulu's POV sortof )

Kulu awoke once more to the constant dull throbbing pain in his side. With a hiss he looked down to his side as his hand slowly moved away revealing the dark purple blood under it. He was slumped up against the wall, Salh... His head slowly moved around looking for the scholar. He cringed as the pile of gore on the other side of the room was what was left of Salh. He took the brunt of the grenades but the small room couldn't protect them. They threw a few grenades in... bodies too close to each other. It was a simple study, quick and painless, his mandibles closed as he smiled, Salh suggested it might restore his weakening faith.

Everyone was dead... the room was drenched in the scent of death. All of them feeling happy and celebrating as they felt that swell of faith return to their hearts but all gone. His eyes roamed over their bodies. His legs felt numb as this was a death he deserved... all that he's done. He closed his amber eyes as he could see his beloved as she leaned in with mirth in her eyes. He would be with her soon and with Kithra. He would be with his family again soon... But he felt his limbs once more as the numbness went away for a moment.

A section of the wall to his left opened up. As a scream rushed down as a human, a terribly small one, fell out and he heard that painful crack as its skull hit the metal like stone. A hiss as fingers cradled the back of the skull. Shoulder length fire hair... female, yes in human society only females kept their hair that long, generally. It hissed out expletives and grunted as a bag fell on her stomach. Kulu felt like he must have been hallucinating... as he watched with shallow deep breaths.

Tears ran down her dappled cheeks... dirt perhaps? She curled up as she cradled her skull gulping air loudly, an attempt to stop crying. She curled up so terribly small to Kulu and it made him uncomfortable. He was strongly against the genocide of humanity, which caused him to go into early retirement early in the war. It never sat well with him. The reasons to destroy a species that has proven itself to be strong and worthy of Sangheili respect never tasted good in his mouth. She uncurled as she pulled out a ribbon from her bag and tied up her hair. On her head sat a bow, why make yourself a target? He thought as he leaned in more. All Kulu felt was pain and grunted.

Her eyes met his own and he noticed the pistol in her hand but what forced his eyes to remain on her face was his own disbelief. It wasn't the odd violet eyes, much like the color of his own blood, nor the few scars that were on her jaw, no it was how young she looked. That disturbed Kulu. He studied humans, he needed to know their language as he interrogated them, he needed to know what would kill them and what would heal, it boarded heresy but he did not care he challenged them to prove him wrong. He studied their language and combed through the junk data, he read their books. He saw the tenacity and value of Humanity as worthy foes... but by the Forerunners... she looked too young for combat.

Her face was still round but her limbs thin, that was indication of human young. They either became lanky or round. He would guess she would end on the more lanky spectrum as the extra fat in her face was leaving. It broke the intense stare as it sniffled and rubbed away the excess tears. By the Forerunners they're sending their young into battle now! He hated to be the invaders... young did not fight back they simply fled. When cornered they covered their eyes and ears and waited for the end, the older they got the more combative they grew. Yet only adults could use firearms. It sickened him and aggravated him, they do not demand such things upon their own young.

Another jolt of pain and his breathing turns labored. He watches her holster her weapon as in a blink she was crouching in front of him looking with that unbridled curiosity young seem to possess. Too young to be sent to her death, him being still caught up on that topic Kulu nearly missed what left her mouth, "Nasty wound big guy," she said with amusement? "Let's get you patched up, shall we?" She smiled at him, a human expression of joy, but also one of assurance, comfort, cockiness, comfort.

Well did you enjoy that? I've gotten around to redoing the first part of my story as I've gotten bit by the Halo bug. But I also need inspiration for my next part and well update this part.

Typed up on 5/17/2015