Chapter 2

Thunder crackled in the air, echoing in his helmet. Storm's getting bad, alot of accidents can happen in weather like this, Caden wisperd to himself. The target could literally be anywhere on the planet, and finding him this way was pointless. Instead he opted for this scouting run to get out the cave. His companion needed to dry her equipment, and he wanted out of any awkward situations that might arise. Small rivers snaked on the ground below, cutting through the dirt. Well this is beyond boring he said kicking a branch down and watched it float away in the small stream below. He felt his eyelids begin to grow heavier every passing second. Simple green Mark V armor shouldn't be very easy to see, especially not in a storm like this, he said lowering his head. Checking his motion tracker one last time before nodding off.

Her armor hissed as various pieces came loose and fell to the ground, leaving her in a skin tight under suit that left very little to the imagination. She was a little confused as to why the demon would run away like he did, the storm was growing. Setting her armor besides the fire, letting them dry. She rubbed her soar leg muscles, she had ran for what felt like hours to meet her hapless companion. The fire burned brightly in the small dark cave, casting shadows of her armor along the wall. Scanning the dark shapes that ran along the wall. Then she thought about how he reacted when she mentioned his mother, his outburst. Surely demons don't have mothers, they are so strong and humans were so weak, she said to herself rubbing he neck. Looking over toward the demon's pack, and wondering what kind of things a beast like that would carry. She picked the bag up, slowely, as it was heavier than she had thought, and brought it over to the fire for better visibility. Pulling on a bigger zipper on the top around, revealing neatly packed containers of of varying sizes. Pulling one of the larger container out, finding it filled with water. Why would he need these when he's not even alive, unless... a small smile forming on her face. The roars of nearby wildlife pulling her out of thought. Something's angry she said shaking her head, ignoring it as she continued to prod the demon's things. silvery packets of plenty, more water, ammo, cylinders that spewed white cream what humans called bio foam, and a piece of paper. Interesting, she pulled the paper out, it was a picture of a human woman with black hair holding a smaller human, a child maybe. They were smiling, was this the demon's wife and child? Could they do that? She had often seen humans carry pictures of thier families, an odd thing to do. The crackle of gunfire startled her, quickly she acted stuffing the picture in her suit and began to piece her armor togethor.

Caden slammed his back behind a tree, bullets tearing the bark away besides him. Stupid, stupid, stupid, he cursed reloading his magnum. Two punks had found him sleeping, the light of his overshields giving him away. This fight needed to be over now, before more showed up. Sliding out from behind the tree he fired two rounds into a screaming rebel, who fell to the ground with a wet splat. The second yelled curses at him as he frantically tried to hit the spartan. Well at least he's trying. Sprinting out from behind the tree he charged the rebel his shield lighting up the forest as bullets flew off of it. The bar on the top of Caden's hud shrunk below a quarter. Then he made contact with the guy, knocking the wind out of him and sent him to the ground. He gave few coughs then tried to get up, but a heavy boot kept him down. Wanna tell me where your boss is, or are you as thirsty as you look? What are you talki... his face submerged, struggling to escape. Just say when your good, the spartan joked, pulling the man up. You good now, or you still parched, he said tilting his helmeted head slightly. Please the man yelled in a shrill voice, I don't know what your talking about. Then why do you have this, Caden said tearing a skull emblem patch off the man's sleeve, Mr I don't know? The man began to laugh, there's a spot in a hell for you. A beeping noise coming from the man's chest. Everything slowed down, as he threw the man away and turned to run, a bright explosion engulfing him, blinded by light.

It wasn't hard finding out where the demon had been, charred trees had fallen, the ground scorched around a crater. Signi stared at the destruction, nothing could have survived an explosion like that. Then she thought of the picture, the demon's family. He couldn't die just yet, he still had a family to protect. The smell of ash and burnt flesh assaulting her sense, as she searched for the demon. Then she found it, a blood trail, heavy bleeding, she needed to hurry the rain was already washing the trail away. Quickly running, the metalic smell strong. Bloody handprints on trees, he was weakening. Dark red blood mingled in pools of water. Then she found him, slouched on a tree, blood leaking out of his side. Stepping close, making a small splash, weakly his head rose, he tried to raise a magnum, but it fell to his side. He didn't have long if he even had time, picking up his limp body she sprinted back to the cave, careful not to shake him up too badly. Occasionally he'd groan or say something too quietly for her to understand.

Caden woke up in a dark pit, quickly getting up. Where was he? Then he noticed that his armor was gone, simple clothes covered up his form. He needed answers, how did he get here? Where was here? What is here? Taking the only option available he walked forward, his legs felt weaker with each step, but he didn't care. Taking a few more steps he stopped to catch his breath. Closing his eyes and opening them again, he found himself in a burning city, but this was his home. Massive covenant ships hovered overhead beams of plasma raining down in the distance. He remembered his mother, he could save her, running down the street avoiding covenant soldiers as they patrolled the streets. Adrenaline pumping through his system, he tore through the city, coming onto the diner. The little red building's door hung open, he charged inside, he was too late. His mother lay dead before him once again, two burned holes in her chest, her glossy eyes starring into nothingness. Once again he cried like the child he was 8 years ago. He tried to pick her up, but was stopped by two burning blue blades protruding through his chest. He screamed loudly, as the blade was lifted into the air to face a large elite with golden eyes. Then it all faded as death claimed him.

He jumped up, gasping, holding his chest. His eyes darting around the cave trying to find that monster, but found none. Slowely his heart calmed, and he collected his thoughts. He was hunting a rebel leader, there was a female elite working with him, he killed one rebel and the other exploded. He tried to move but a burning pain on his side stopped him, he touched the wound, but was surprised to find bio foam instead. The motion tracker didn't show anything. Sighing, he began to remove his armor to see how bad the explosion had hurt him. Running his fingers along his back, trying to find the release hatches, finding one then two, three, four. His armor hissing as it released, setting them aside he took helmet off. His undersuit was torn in several places, revealing it's many layers. Bio foam was great he wouldn't be much in fight for a while. His handler was going to have a field day with this one. Caden would be lying if he said that he was completely loyal to the UNSC or ONI, there were thoughts of disappearing all the time. Shaking the idea away he looked around the cave for any sign of his companion and found none. But finding his pack by the charred remains if the campfire, sent him into panic mode. As quickly as his body would allow he was by the pack tearing through it's contents. Food, water and ammo were fine, bio foam was spent. But where was she, frantically searching his hiding spot for her. Anger and confusion boiling inside.

Signi was returning from forest, a fresh kill in hand. This planet held much game. Carrying the stag over her shoulder back toward the cave. Why did she help the demon, surely he would have died without her intervention. His armor and gear would more than likely fetch a fair price at the market. Not to mention the honor of slaying such a foe. Yet she cared for him, using bio foam on the wound. Maybe if he died in his sleep I'll sell the gear, she said to herself. The cave came into view, but the demon was missing. Hurriedly she entered the cave searching for her partner or payday. The click of his shotgun behind once again. Hand her over, he said in a labored voice. I don't have anyone demon she calmly stated trying turn to face him. you know damn well you do...thief, the picture, give my mother back. Her eyes opened widely, that woman was not his wife but his care giver, and the child him. Slowely she brought her hand to her chest and took the picture from out. Take it demon she said bringing it behind her, to which he quickly took the paper away. Why would you take this of all things, there's money and other valuables in there, but you take a picture? Signi felt, something tighten in her chest, was she actually feeling sorry for this demon. She turned to face him, but was surprised to find a young man with blue eyes starring back at her, absolute malice within them but they also held grief. She finally got the courage to speak, I'm sorry human I was just curious. He narrowed his eyes, his grip on the weapon tightening especially on the trigger. I...I believe you, you muttered, lowering his weapon, and turned away. That was my mother and me, he said setting the weapon against the wall. She must be proud of you, demons are powerful warriors. He turned away from her, I wish I knew, was all he said before stuffing the picture back inside the pack. He sighed, thank you for saving me, it's the only reason I didn't pull the trigger. Still wrapping her head around the fact that this demon was a human, and that he had thanked her. The target needs to die soon, if they didn't know we're here they do now, he said piecing his armor back togethor. Agreed, but can you fight right now? I can manage, if anything I can always hide behind you, he said with a small smile. Then I shall hide behind you when the explosions start, she said returning the gesture.