Chapter 2

September 28, 2517

We were forced to stand in a long line. All 300 of us were. 082 (never really got to know her name) was ahead of me and resisted as they tried to place her in the barbers chair. She hit the barber in the arm and caused him to drop his shears. She leapt from a chair and ran towards the door. We all cheered her on. Three attendants pinned her down while the marines tried to make sure we didn't ecsape.

Halsey walked in and looked to the barber, who had finally shaved 082s hair off, and he turned to her.

"Damn it! I've seen feral cats squirm less...and leave fewer claw marks." He rubbed a long set of scratches on the side of his face. He turned to me and waved me forwards. I took a step back and glared at him.

"No." He reached out and grabbed my wrist. "No!" I ripped my hand free and kicked him in the knee. He fell and I ran as fast as I could. I had to find a ship to sneak onto so that I could get back home. I tripped and hit my shoulder on the ground. I stood quickly, right as Halsey walked into the hallway.

"And where do you think you're going?" I took a step backwards,

"I like my hair the way it is." I had it pulled back in to a braid and then twisted around into a bun.

"Come on 118. You need to have your hair cut." I shook my head.

"No. No one will touch my hair." I looked to the left of me and saw an open door. I dove through it and slammed it shut. Big mistake. I walked right into the middle of an ONI meeting. I looked around saw a door across the room. I ran towards it but was caught by a tall man who had been standing in the corner. I attempted to wriggle my way free but wasn't strong enough.

Halsey opened the door and looked to the older man sitting at the table. "So sorry Admiral Whitcomb. I should have kept a better eye on her." I used the moment when the marines grip relaxed and jabbed him in the gut with my elbow. He doubled over and I ran towards the door. Only to be stopped by the Admiral.

"It's alright Halsey." He crouched down in front of me and looked at me. "Why were you running?"

"They wanted to cut my hair." I reached up and touched the braid. Hairs were coming loose so I pulled the hair tie out and shook my hair loose, pulling it back into a simple pony tail. "I won't let them."

"I wouldn't let them either. What's your name?" I was beginning to trust the Admiral.

"Justine sir." I smiled slightly and he thought for a second.

"That's really close to Justice. I like it." He stood and looked to Halsey.

"I'm sure you can make an exception. Just for now." Halsey nodded.

"Yes sir." She turned and walked out with the barber following. I followed after her and saw John standing outside the door. His hair had been cut already. I told him what had happened. He laughed and I leaned against the wall beside him.

"Nice. So now you have a freind in ONI." I nodded and watched as the other Spartans walked out. We followed them and soon arrived in the barracks. I pulled my hair back into a bun and put on a hat. I sat on my bed and grabbed a pencil and paper. I began to draw and soon found the image looking like a wolf I had seen one summer back home. I folded the paper into a plane and threw it to John. He caught it and looked at the picture. He turned to me and gave me a thumbs up. He folded it up and threw it back. Jorge caught it. His reflexes were something else. He unfolded it and looked to John, who pointed to me.

I looked down and turned a bright shade of red. Only my brother had ever seen my drawings. I looked up and Jorge was walking towards me. He handed me the paper and I placed it with a few other drawings of mine. "You're an artist?" I nodded. "Cool." Roll call sounded and the boys went to their barracks. The girls stood and saluted as one of the marines walked past. She walked out after inspection. I laid back and soon fell asleep.