Goodbye is not Forever
Chapter 3 The Mission
Author notes
Thanks to the people who did review my story, come on people reviews keep an author alive. As always, R&R and I hope you like the next chapter and thanks again to Aceswild13 and Randompokemonfan for the reviews.
"What! A mission, sir I'm sorry but how do you expect me to do a mission in this", James question.
"Because I ordered you to and your one of the best James I know you'll get through this".
"I don't think I can though and what do you mean I'm leaving Earth?" I can't believe this I just lost Jade two weeks ago and they expect me to go on a mission in this state and I'm getting shipped out of Earth James thought to himself.
"I mean your going to a different planet… your going to Reach to meet the woman that requested both your and Jades help".
"Wait both of us doesn't she know that Jades gone?"
"I don't know but she said she has to come… no matter her condition".
"Why", James questioned. Why would my contact want Jade no matter the state she's in? This doesn't make any sense.
"As I said I don't know why just that she needs you both".
"Alright who is she?" James asked curiously.
The commander paused; he seemed to hesitate to say who this person was.
"Doctor Halsey". He said in a serious tone.
"Halsey?" James questioned. Why Halsey? I haven't seen her in years. Last time I saw her she was working on her Spartan project and since she created the Spartans I've had mixed views on her even if she is my friend. I'm fine with getting a few extra men and women for the fight but not by kidnapping children.
"Yes Halsey".
"Did she say what she wanted?"
"No, all she said was that she needed the two of you for an important mission and that you'll find out what that is when you get to her lab".
James sighed "Alright I'll go when do I leave?"
"This evening"
"Alright I'll get ready then"
"Also James you'll be taking your team she said you'll need them"
"Ok once I'm ready I'll get everyone else"
The commander nodded and walked out leaving James to his thoughts.
Why would Halsey want Jade and I? And why does Jades condition not matter? James continued to ponder while packing his things. She better have something good for us for calling us to reach. He sighed knowing Halsey it will just be to have an extra pair of hands in her lab. James finished packing and took the photo from the drawer, took the photo out of the frame and looked at it. James sighed loudly. "I guess we're heading to reach", he said as he put the photo in his pocket and walked out to a room two doors down and knocked on it. James heard footsteps walking towards the door and the door opened.
"James how you feeling?"
"Better", he smiled. "Mind if I come in?"
"Sure", she said moving from the door. James walked in and silvers closed the door.
"So what's up?"
"We have a mission".
"Really are you able to do it?"
"Yeah I'll be fine but you need to pack your things we're heading to Reach"
"Reach? Why Reach?"
"I don't know all I know is Halsey needs us for something but she never said what it was"
"Well that's just great, I prefer to be told what we're doing before we go", she sighed.
"I'm gonna tell Jack, can you get the others and meet me in the docking bay?"
"Sure thing", Silvers smiled.
James smiled back at her then left her room and walked across the hall. He knocked on the door and waited but never got a reply, he knocked again but still nothing as he knocked the third time he heard jacks voice.
"I don't think he's going to answer", Jack joked.
"Ha ha very funny get your stuff packed".
"Why what did I do?"
"Nothing it's because we have a mission we're leaving Earth".
"Ah alright, how you holding up by the way?"
"Better but I still miss her a lot", James said losing his smile and looking down at the floor.
"We all do James but I'm sure she wouldn't want you to be acting like this she'd want you to live happily so live for her", Jack smiled.
"Thanks your right I'll live for her".
"Good so where are we going?"
"Reach".
"Cool never been to Reach"
"Well sorry to say we're not going to Reach to sight see".
"I guessed that", Jack laughed.
"Meet me in the docking bay I'll fill you in properly there".
"Ok see you there".
They fist bumped then James walked out headed for the docking bay looking a bit happier than he did but he still had Jade on his mind. James walked towards the bay doors and just as he reached the doors the captain walked out.
"Captain… look I'm sorry for…"
"Its fine I know what's going on but you just wait till you get back", he smiled.
"Looking forward to it", James laughed.
The captain nodded and walked off whistling to himself, James smiled and walked into the bay.
As he entered he saw two pelicans getting prepared to depart, he saw his team at the left one loading supplies and the bags onto it.
"Hey is every one ready?" he asked.
"Almost sir!" Silvers shouted from inside the pelican.
"Sir?" James said confused. Why is she calling me sir? She out ranks me.
"Yup", Jack replied smiling.
"Why are you calling me sir?"
"Because commander briefed us about how Halsey needs you for something so he told us that for this mission you're our leading officer we have orders to follow your command", Silvers told James.
"Alright", James said slowly. "So who's ready for a road trip?" James joked.
Everyone lined up and stood at attention. "Ready sir", Jack told James.
"Guys listen we're friends don't treat me like a superior just treat me like you normally would ok?"
Silvers laughed "Alright James, well shall we get going then?"
Everyone walked to the pelican and got on board but as James was getting on he saw Jades Cryo pod being loaded into the other pelican. James sighed. "I whish she was still alive I'll miss how she always got people to talk while on the pelican". He sighed again. "It just isn't going to be the same", he whispered to himself then he got on board and sat next to Silvers.
"Alright this is Kilo 43 and Kilo 44 ready for departure to the UNSC Absolute".
"The Absolute?" James questioned over the com. His com crackled and the pilot spoke.
"You'll see".
Great I hate being left in the dark, first with Halsey now our ship is suppose our ship isn't that big of a deal but still. He inwardly sighed. What's next?
The pelicans left the bay and flew upwards headed for space around Earth where they would meet the Absolute.
"It should take about eight minutes to reach the absolute", there was a small pause then the pilot spoke again "Leaving the atmosphere in two".
Well James thought I guess we're headed for Reach then, I wonder what's going to happen. In fact I what Halsey wants… this should be fun James thought sarcastically.
The hold of the pelican was eerily silent, no one was talking, on one was saying a word and James didn't like it but he couldn't think of anything to say. What could he say they couldn't talk about the mission like they usually do considering they have no clue to what they're mission is. James sighed inwardly again then an idea struck him.
"Hey anyone been to Reach before?" James asked hoping someone had.
"I used to live on Reach before I came to Earth", Silvers said.
"Really what's Reach like?" Jack asked.
"To be honest it's a lot like Earth, lots of common jobs you'd find on Earth and people live the same way".
"The way people live?" Clair questioned.
"Yeah like there are a lot of farms and a lot common jobs in the cities like banker or store clerk that sort of thing".
"Ah".
"Just one thing though the animals are much different from Earths, quite a few are aggressive out side if cities and farm lands so be careful alright".
"Cool what animals is there?" James asked.
"Well there are the Guta Big nasty things I can't really describe them but if you saw one you'd know what it was and there are Moa they are like ostriches except a bit more docile".
"Can't wait", Jack cheered.
The com in the pelican crackled to life and the pilot spoke.
"Alright we're nearing the Absolute I'll bring the forward monitor on now so you can see".
The screen flickered on and a large ship appeared on the monitor.
"And there she is the UNSC super carrier Absolute one of the largest ships in the entire navy".
"Whoa", was all James could say.
"That fucker is huge!" Jack commented gaining a laugh from the team and the pilot.
"Beginning our approach now", the pilot told Echo.
The pelican slowly arrived at the hangar, rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, and slowly entered the hangar. The pilot extended the landing struts and descended to the floor. Once the pelican landed, the pilot opened the doors to the hold with a hiss as the hydraulics moved and Echo stepped out of the pelican. A man in a naval commanding officer uniform greeted them. Judging by the way he looked James guessed he was in his fifties. All of Echo lined up in front of the officer and saluted.
"At ease and welcome to the UNSC Absolute I'm Admiral Will miles captain of the Absolute and your escort to where ever you mission takes you".
James stepped forward and extended his hand out and Will took it in his and shook James' hand.
"Great to meet you Admiral I'm James and this is Echo team". James pointed to the woman on the left. "This is Silvers, Jack, Clair and Shana and you know me Echo's leader… we did have another member but she…"
"I know I'm very sorry for your loss I've been briefed about Jade and I know how you feel I've lost people close to me too".
"Thanks", James said looking upset once more. "I've heard a lot about you Admiral", James said changing the subject.
"Have you now?"
"Yeah your one of the only fleet commanders to take on two covenant super carriers and only lose one ship that's one of the greatest feats I've ever heard about", James praised.
"Well thank you but covenant are no match for me and my fleet", Will smirked. "And you don't have to call me admiral just Will ok, now follow me I'll take you to your rooms".
"Right oh and Will what about Jade?"
"Don't worry your team has my permission to see her when ever you want".
"Thank you", James smiled and followed t Will out of the hangar and down a few corridors to an elevator, they got in the elevator and it went down four floors and they got out.
"Here we are pick a room although James your in the first room ok".
"Right", James said.
"Make yourselves at home while we link up with my fleet", Will told them.
"Wait fleet why do we need a fleet?" James asked.
"Halsey thinks it's a good idea for my fleet to accompany us where ever we go, she said there could be danger any where but that's all she said".
"Ok, I'll never understand Halsey".
"That makes two of us", Will commented.
Will and James shook hands once more then James went into the room he was given and closed the door and sighed.
"Something tells me this is going to be a long mission I hope Halsey has something good for us", James said to himself as he collapsed on his new bed. "I also wonder why we need a fleet?" "Halsey what are you up to?"
