"-well I came from a colony, but moved to Earth… until I joined the Marines-" was all Lucy said to Deborah as she rounded the corner and without realising it, slammed right into a hulking twelve foot tall beast.
The force of the collusion jolted her violently as she hit something cold and hard, like metal and on another part which felt like tight cords of worms. Whiteness exploded in her vision and she fell backwards unto her butt. Smacking the ground ground hard, she squeaked painfully.
Pain erupted on her backside and her face hurt as well, like some one socked her in the face. She looked around with stars in her vision as she glanced at the form of a Mgalekgolo as her vision cleared slowly.
It was rumbling deeply and it scared the living shit out of Lucy because she had no form of protection. What with its Assault Cannon and shield. The five ton hulking beast was facing her. Green eyes staring at her from above, she couldn't help but whimper aloud.
Deborah was shell-shocked, staring wide eyed at the unexpected turn of events.
The Lekgolo were weird aliens, basically a colonly of worms, Lucy has heard of stories where they would kill allies just because they believed to be disrespected by another species, which they believe are all below them.
Lucy got mad. Why do they think their better than us!
"I'm sorry, but please don't squish me" Lucy said as calmly as she could.
The alien stared at her as its bond mate came to its side, both were rumbling to each other. The rumbling was deep and like a silent humming or cooing, it was beautiful until Lucy once again remembered the gargantuan standing above her.
The rumbling stopped and something else replaced the deep resonating rumbling. "why would we hurt you?" It said it the deepest voice she ever heard
Lucy was lost for words as she stared dumbly at the Hunters. "I don't know… sorry," she said, lost for words.
Lucy suddenly remembered all the aliens that were aboard the Ace of Spades, Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Lekgolo, A few Sangheili, and Huragok. Basically any of the species who would join a Joint-operation to broaden relations with the UNSC and the governments of the aliens that split up after the fall of the Covenant when the San 'Shyuum were disposed of their positions as the due facto rulers of the species through brainwashing.
Lucy felt her heart strings being pulled at the what those bastards did to the species of the galaxy, turned living, thinking people into genocidal monsters that would wipe out humanity because the humans were 'unclean' it truly sickened Lucy but she forgave them for one simple reason.
They helped tear down the Covenant.
"We are needed elsewhere, goodbye human…" the second Mgalekgolo said as it began to lumber away, each step making a resonating thud through out the hall. The first one grunted and followed close behind, waving to her, she noticed how they didn't move out of the way for anything or anyone in the halls as they walked.
Self centered assholes…
Lucy got up and rubbed her bum. "Its okay… I have to go… so, good bye Mr. Hunter," she said as it was already disappearing.
Lucy walked over to Deborah. "I don't want to ever repeat that… it was… frightening, to say the least."
Deborah nodded curtly, smile on her lips."Come on, Mess is just around the corner."
Deborah and Lucy walked into the Mess hall to see an assortment of things, the mess was divided into multiple sections, one for each species. It felt odd to be on the same ship with aliens and how they weren't trying to kill you because just because your human.
Lucy looked around the Hall and saw the Kig-Yar, the Storms and Skirmishers and the regular Jackals all eating plates piled high with meat, occasionally they would nip at each other, but no brawls would happen and break out, which was good, they apparently established a pecking order. Their sqawky language could be heard across the hall could be herd.
She noticed the Unggoy all huddled around each other as well as scattered among the humans, which accepted them. probably due mostly to the fact that they can speak near perfect English and how they were basically slaves their entire lives.
You ever speak to a Unggoy? Their adorable yet menacing.
Lucy found the five feet tall creatures funny and cute, but they can be tough and viscous if provoked. the Unggoy found themselves treated with respect among the humans and they quickly began following humanity because they needed leadership, which the Covenant provided, until 2553. Now, most are following the Separatists or on their home planet, living normally and trying to be independent from the Covenant.
Almost all of the species began to follow the Sangheili after the Great schism, and they were great leaders… but poor scientists. Which lead them to be weak and unable to repair their ships and equipment but humanity stood up and helped them and the other species. Huge cultural changes followed but it mostly stood the same. Now the Sangheili could produce their own technologies and stand proud again.
Lucy walked up to the chef and let him give her some food, a biscuit and mash potatoes with gravy and an egg with bacon... dear god it looked delicious, Lucy was practically drooling when she received her breakfast.
"Hmmmmmm," was all she got out when she walked away to acquire a seat to dine.
Lucy walked around to find a seat but couldn't find one, she huffed as she looked around and saw Deborah take the last open seat, Deborah mouthed "sorry" then looked away. Feeling like a lost child Lucy got upset. Her face flushing in embarrassment.
"Hey greenhorn! Ya' lost?" an ODST shouted, causing laughter from his friends. Lucy glared at the man but it, to no avail, didn't scare him.
Lucy noticed the Sangheili, which numbered in the hundred take an interest and gaze at her and the rude men, she heard a chorus of growls emanating from the Elites, they obviously disapproved of Lucy's harassment.
She was about to just leave and forgo eating when she feels a hand grip her shoulder, wondering the culprit is, she turned and was greeted by a very familiar face.
Her boot camp buddy, Zack Holloway.
"Z-Zack?" she stuttered, baffled. She honestly thought he was dead, he cut off connection with her a few years ago during their tours.
He grinned smugly. "The one and only."
She frowned at him. "After all this, me! Thinking you were dead! And now I finally see you and you are the same arrogant asshole," she spat at him.
He was about to speak but Lucy beat him to it. "And I missed you!" she said, giggling.
"Oh thank god…" he said in a relieved manner, betrayed by the smile on his lips.
Lucy trusted Zack, one of the only males in her life that she remotely trusted. But Zack was there for Lucy, boot camp, War school. Everything. He had been one of the main reasons she kept going, to become a marine, to endure the torture and he was even a shoulder to lean on when her past came about.
Lucy looked down, embarrassed. "Don't suppose you have a seat for me to use?"
"of course, madam, please this way!" he said jollily, walking to the edge of the cafeteria.
Flopping into the seat with a plop, she welcomed the reprieve from standing nonstop and embarrassment of looking like a fool in the mess. Licking her lips, her mouth watering. Its been days since she has last eaten, even in Cryo Sleep you get hungry after awhile. Digging in, she failed to notice the group of people around her. Until she felt a rasp on her shoulder.
"Oi! Whats yer' name 'Reenhorn?" a big burly man on her right said. He was obviously descended from Reach or any other Hungarian colonies.
"Corporal Lucy Ayala, 3rd Infiltration Battalion," She said proudly.
The man smiled and punched her in a friendly manner, she winced in pain, he obviously didn't mean to hurt her but damn, he was strong. "Oi? That's nice! I'm yer' CO, Captain Hellsworth, me name! 3rd Infiltration Battalion… what yer' squad rookie?"
She stopped eating and looked at him. "The Saints, sir."
He nodded solemnly and smiled brightly, clasping her on the shoulder, shoving her forward with a huerrump. He seemed like a friendly man, he couldn't be more than 36 years old, he looked rather handsome now that she looked. Very manly.
"Welcome to the team rookie! 'bet you'll do us proud!"
She smiled and blushed, looking down. "Thank you, sir."
His smiled faltered and she got the feeling she did something wrong. "No ma'am, ye' call me James." he said soothingly.
She smiled and bit into her biscuit. "Thank you Tank," She chirped.
"That me girl! 'Bet we get along real fine!" he proclaimed, chowing down.
After a few moments of silence, he broke it. His heavy accent gaining everyone's attention. "Time to 'induce ye' to yer' team," he said.
He pointed to a dark haired, young man. "This here Gunnery Sergeant Hemming." Hemming smiled and wave, he was obviously the Engineer of the squad, he looked nerdy, with glasses and an innocent look, yet he looked like he could handle a weapon if need be. Which wasn't a surprise. Anyone here could wield the weapons just fine.
He proceeded to point to a small petite blonde, with bright blue eyes and feminine features. "This here, Private first class Sammy. Or Doc. Ye' can guess why!"
"And it seems ye' already know Lieutenant Zack Holloway." Zack smiled but didn't look up from his position next to Lucy, instead he ate.
Also, this here is Sergeant Winchester, see now, he very important! He can pick a damn Turkey's head clean off a mile away! Tis' the reason I'm still here today." he pointed to a man of African American descent, he had a buzz cut and a scar trailing down his left eyes of hazelnut.
He smiled and poked a fork at her. "I got your back Corporal, just give me a clear line," He joked out. Lucy smiled and nodded. "Will do, sir."
Lucy smiled and continued eating. Not wanting to disturb the quiet peace that enveloped their table.
Sometime later, they all finished and waited for the debrief, they were lucky to be relieved so soon as they were ordered to the communications rooms for a full debrief on the operation that they were there for.
"Finally!" she blurted. Everyone smiled and continued walking towards the exit. Their bodies ready to be put to use on the ground.
I named Deborah after Deborah Samson Gannett, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, was one of the first American woman soldiers. In 1782, she enlisted under the name of her deceased brother, Robert Shurtleff Samson. For 17 months, Samson served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. She was wounded twice.
