AN: Still don't own Metroid or Halo . Still don't know anything about Metroid .
Chapter 2: Introductions and Stories
"I've already set up a search beacon, but it will takes months, maybe even years for the UNSC to find us," Cortana said as Chief, John-117, climbed into his cryo-pod.. John took one last look at Cortana, the AI that had been with him through thick-and-thin, seen every horror that he had, and had become something of a best friend, a younger sister, to him.
"Wake me, when you need me," he stated, stoic as ever. Cortana had managed to open a small emotional gear in his brain, but years of training washed it away. Cortana sighed as she shut herself off, conserving the energy that she would need to stay operational if and when John awakened.
Hissing noises escaped from the sealed pod as the Master Chief stood up. He flexed his fingers and joints, testing his mobility. Mobility at roughly 70%, John made a small mental checklist in his mind, HUD visor fully operational, shielding at 100%, ammunition… check. Chief loaded his M6D pistol for a second while checking his surroundings. The last of Cortana's words still echoed, "Unknown hostile, it's time to wake up, Chief."
Another voice, not unlike that of a Spartan's also rang out, "No! You've got the wrong idea, I'm not a hostile!" she said, or at least he assumed that it was a she. She, he, it was wearing a bright orange and red armor. It resembled the MJOLNOR armor slightly. Chief flinched as he loaded his pistol. He would trust Cortana with his life any day, but attacking something without provocation was just wrong. True, he had killed hundreds of thousands of Covenant, but it was them who threw the first punch. Something, someone, so humanoid was a different story. Going through his options, he casually pointed his pistol at it.
"So, what did I miss?" he coolly asked. He took the time to observe the thing more carefully. It had armor plating, and a helmet not unlike his. Two oversized shoulder guards were located adjacent to the helmet. They were probably small battery packs for shields. A cannon, which most likely had multiple modes of fire, replaced its right forearm. Chief had no idea how far ahead in time he was, so it would be foolish to assume that the thing was anything but at the level of a Spartan, both in terms of skill and technology. As skilled as he was, MC would not let his pride or ego get in the way of a combat situation, like Fred did on more than one occasion. "I'm going to ask again, what's did I miss?" he took a few steps forward.
Cortana sighed, arms crossed. It reminded him of the time he almost activated Halo because 343-Guilty Spark told him to. The thing raised its hands… hand as a sign that it meant no harm. "Hey, I'm not your enemy," it said, "In fact; I have absolutely no idea who you are. My name is Samus, Samus Aran. Now, who are you?"
MC was unsure about whom he should trust, but he decided to take his chances with, Samus? "My name is Petty Officer Master Chief Spartan-117, but I'm sure that my rank doesn't apply in this time anymore."
"So, do you have a name?" Samus inquired.
"Yes, but I'm not going to tell you it yet."
"Well, I thought that a fair exchange would've been in order, but apparently not. Anyway, mind explaining to me what a Spartan is?"
"Well let's see, we're genetically altered super-soldiers who were abducted by the government at the age of 6,"
"Chief! Are you really just going to let this, this, thing know about everything?" Cortana was not happy.
"Well, I can only assume that we are in a future time, how far? I don't know. Either way, now that the Halo's have been destroyed and the war is over, I don't see the harm in telling someone who obviously has no affiliation to the UNSC about the
Spartan-II program."
Samus had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. "The UNSC? The war? What are you guys talking about?"
MC sighed, "This might take a while." The next 3 hours or so were spent telling Samus about everything. His story started from the telling of his being abducted by the government, the other Spartans, his training and augmentations, then to the Covenant, and lastly, the Halo's. He paused at the retelling of Sgt. Avery Johnson and the Arbiter, they were his comrade-in-arms, but they became more than that, they were friends, even brothers to him. They were as close to him as could be without being a fellow Spartan. Samus seemed very interested in the Covenant and the other Spartans, but what seemed to intrigue her most was the Halo's and Forerunners. She was about to ask a question, but was interrupted as another hologram came into view next to Cortana.
"You've been gone awhile Samus. Making friends?" he said, waving his hand at MC and Cortana. The hologram was that of a handsome man. Perhaps in his mid-thirties, like Cortana. A smart AI? John thought, just what time period is it? They only have a seven-year lifespan and… Cortana!
"And just who are you?" Cortana asked, once again, with her arms folded across her chest. Her facial expression was one of nothing less than pure irritation.
"That's Adam, my onboard ship AI. I gave him a personality, much like a smart AI. I've managed to elongate the seven-year lifespan by-
"Wait, did you say you can elongate the lifespan?" Chief inquired.
"Well, uh, yeah. Why?"
"Because, Cortana is a smart AI as you must have figured. Last time I checked, she was 5 years old. I have absolutely no idea what year it is, so I'm a bit worried that Cortana is going to 'die'."
Samus did not like this situation. Cortana probably held valuable information about the past and this 'UNSC' that supposedly existed. While it was wrong, Samus was a little desperate. These people were a goldmine that she would not let go.
"Don't worry about that, Chief." Cortana smiled, like how she usually did when she did something clever, "I shut off all of my systems after I set the beacon. I have at least two years before I 'die'. I also set a small calendar to show us how many years passed before you got awakened. Even so, I expected the UNSC to pick us up, not Miss Samus over there."
"Hey, that's what I call her too!" Adam said, nonchalant as ever.
So that's why she was surprised at my arrival. "Not that I think anyone would care, but I'd rather not be making acquaintance in half of a ship. You're more than welcome to stay in mine, but the living quarters are… less than exquisite."
Chief caught the gist, "Alright, just give me a second." Cortana 'jumped' into a data crystal as he stored it in his helmet.
"Uh, Chief? When was the last time you took a shower?" Cortana asked, her voice echoing through the room. Had Chief had the chance to grow up as a normal child, he would've been completely embarrassed at this statement. Adam had to stifle a laugh as Samus blushed a little under her helmet.
Unfortunately, Chief didn't get the hint. "Well, our adventures on Halo led to my having no time to rest. So, the last time I had a shower was after the 1st Halo, before the award ceremony."
"Well," Cortana started, "my calendar says that you've been asleep for over 2000 years. Also, it smells pretty bad in your suit."
Adam was fighting pretty hard to stop from laughing out loud. He was chock-full of personality and humor, even for a smart AI. Chief finally took the hint, "Uh Samus? Is it alright if I use your shower?" he asked embarrassed. Cortana was curious. Chief, embarrassed? She thought. The only time he was ever embarrassed was when Sgt. Johnson bested him in the shooting range! In fact, he's never been so open to anybody, especially after only knowing them for a few hours. What's with this girl?
This guy is incredible. Samus thought, First he aims a gun at me, then we make amends and he tells me all about events that I never knew existed, and then he asks me about a shower? Little did Samus know herself that she was attracted to the Chief. She didn't see it, Cortana didn't see it, Chief didn't see it, but Adam did. He'd heard of love at first sight, but that definitely wasn't the case here. Samus felt attached to Chief because they were cut from the same mold, they could understand each other. Losing your childhood, hardened by years of fighting and isolation, they both knew what it was like. Two hardened soldiers who can't find solace with anyone else, can find solace in each other. Adam felt a kind of brother-sister relationship between him and Samus, and he felt that he should support her as much as he could in this situation. And besides, this would give him a lot more material to make fun of Samus. A win-win situation, who could refuse?
AN: Wow this was a fast update. I'm off winter break so don't expect any other speedy posts :P. My usual style of writing would be very descriptive, but I tried to focus on MC's and Samus's interaction here. Thus the extra dialogue. I feel like I'm rushing things too much, and that the story will be all the shorter for it. I'm freaking out a bit, first ever published writing o.O This is really going to kind of be the set standard for the rest of my writings, so I hope it'll turn out okay. Reviews are always welcome, especially and critique you guys have to offer. Unnecessary flames will be ignored, but I don't know how to block people, only been a member for a few days.
