Chapter 3: Getting Started

*Kiera's POV*

"Are you excited?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"You suppose? We just got tasked with the search and recovery of Spartan-117-the one and only, and you suppose that you're excited?!"

Sarah continued to walk forward, her face unchanging. I didn't understand how she was so... like this. We are going to find the Spartan, for crying out loud!

I huffed out loud, trying to get her attention. "Look, Sarah, I know this is dangerous-"

"Dangerous?!" She wheeled on me, almost spitting. "We're entering into potential enemy territory, where Sangheili relations with the UNSC aren't actually stable, so God knows what they would do to us if they found us?! And that's not including how the Kig-Yar and Brutes feel about us-which, we already happen to know. But above the huge risks, I have my young daughter as a teammate, along with another stranger who has a kid of his own!"

She stared at me with a cold expression. I swallowed my words down my throat, ending her rant. There wasn't any use arguing with her now. I wanted to go badly, to escape Earth and just for once in my life do something so incredible.

"Do you understand me, Kiera?" Sarah asked.

"I had top honours at the military academy, so I think I can handle this."

"Do you understand me?"

I sighed. "Yes, I understand you. Now let's go see the ship."

It sat outside the station, quiet and undisturbed while a few Pelicans were being flown back from dropping off supplies: it was a Winter-class prowler; a classic. It was a sleek grey, metal colour. Large, considering our small my team was, but I remembered reading that it could be operated by a small crew.

"A small crew that needs an AI to operate this." I mumbled under my breath. Sarah and I moved to the next window to see what exactly we were given.

"Good, good .. interesting." Sarah commented as we passed by. "Decent armour .. bay doors so we may have access to a pelican." Since she was the pilot, I remained quiet, knowing she knows more than me.

No more windows appeared, so we continued to walk along the hallway until we reached the bay doors. Sarah reached forward, swiped her ID, and was granted access to the bay.

As we walked in, Sarah turned to me and said: "I wonder if we'll get an AI. We'll need one for the ship, unless our other teammates can pilot that."

I detected the sarcasm, and wondered if she was really that perturbed by the fact we have to work with criminal-like people.

The door beeped, indicating it was closing, and slid shut. I slightly jumped forward to get in front of Sarah to be the one in front.

All three of the pelican's ramps were extended, and people scurried back and forth with crates, amongst other things. Everything was tightly packed and secured. We watched the procedure before we were approached by one of the pilots.

"'Scuse me, misses, but are ya supposed to be boardin' the prowler?"

I stepped back while my mom stepped forward, nodding. "Yes. How soon can we board?"

The pilot scratched his head, and surveyed the flurry of activity. "Well, I suspect that all supplies will be on the UNSC Nightingale soon, as we're just 'bout finishin' up. I'll come and get ya when that's good."

The pilot left back to his pelican, and entered from, the back, barely making it past all of the things on board. A technician spoke over the loud PA system, informing for everyone to clear the deck and wait until the Pelicans left the bay.

Sarah pulled me off to the side, where other technicians were standing with data pads as one by one, the Pelicans lifted off, and glided towards the open, but shielded doors. After they disappeared, the technicians standing by us moved forward to help prepare the next shipment.

The door we entered from opened, and our two teammates walked in. Jakob was the first to smile at us, but Trey just stared, suddenly quiet.

They moved towards us, and I saw Sarah stiffened. She always did that when people she didn't like approached her, but she somehow always managed to act like she didn't.

"Ladies." Jakob smiled at both of us, before turning to Sarah. "It'll be a pleasure working with you both."

"Why yes, of course." My mother politely smiled back, although I could see it was fake. "I'm sure we'll make a wonderful team, you and your son."

Trey finally perked up, and smirked. I prepared myself mentally for a bad joke just as he said: "And I'm sure we will, Sarah. It's honestly a pleasure to meet you. And your hot daughter."

"Trey!" Jakob cuffed him in the back of the head, obviously a reoccurring habit as Trey tried to duck but failed.

Trey smiled sheepishly at me. I felt like I might throw up.

"Oh, well, don't you have an outspoken son." Sarah stared at Trey, who winked at her.

Jakob sighed and massaged his temples. "I should clarify that Trey is in fact not my son, rather my step-son, it simpler terms."

I couldn't help but glance at Trey, comparing him to Jakob. When Trey saw me looking at him, he smiled, and wiggled his eyebrows. I rolled my eyes, already dreading the fact that I would be stuck on a ship with this guy.

"Stand by, Pelicans are re-entering bay. Please move to designated spots and remain there until Pelicans have safely landed."

Jakob pulled Trey back and stood somewhat behind Sarah and I. The four of us watched as the Pelicans came back, and landed. Personal immediately went to work as soon as the hatches opened.

The pilot who talked to Sarah and I earlier came out of his Pelican, and spoke with a technician. They seemed to agree on something, because the pilot laughed and shook the technician's hand before jogging in our direction.

"Hey, ladies. Yous are good to go!" He smiled at once, and looked at my two male teammates. "Are these two with ya?"

"We are," Jakob intervened. "Nice to meet you. I'm Jakob and this is Trey."

The pilot tipped his chin down in a kind way, acknowledging them. "Alright. I can take you aboard the Nightingale. The other Pelicans can finish up what's left."

The pilot walked away, and motioned us to follow him. Sarah automatically took lead, with Jakob close behind. Trey smiled at me, and bowed. "Ladies first."

I glared at him but walked forward anyways. As we approached the Pelican, the pilot jogged up the ramp, and up to the cockpit. "Better buckle yerself up, we'll be leaving shortly." He called out as he himself jumped into the pilot seat.

I automatically picked a seat on the left side, and sat down. Sarah sat down beside me, and began buckling up. Trey and Jakob sat on the opposite side. Watching Trey, he buckled up, and sat back, relaxed. He saw me staring, and smiled. I looked away.

Almost immediately, we lifted off, and exited the hangar. The radio in the pelican buzzed with chatter from the other pilots. Our pilot ignored it, and focused on flying. The trip itself was short, but quiet. Neither Sarah or I made conversation to our two teammates. In my peripheral vision, I saw Sarah gave a tight-lipped smile and nodded to someone.

We led on other Pelican out of the hangar, through space, and into bay. The pilot turned 360 degrees, and backed in slowly, setting us down when we've reached the right spot. He touched the Pelican down gently, and opened the ramp. "Alright, folks. Yer good to go! Have a safe trip!"

Sarah was the first to unbuckle and leave. I quickly unbuckled and left the Pelican, eager to see the ship. Trey was close behind, followed by Jakob.

The hangar wasn't huge, just enough to keep one Pelican. Jakob whistled, obviously admiring the ship so far.

"Glad to see someone else likes it, eh?"

I paused. I didn't recognize the voice at first. Sarah slowed down ahead me, her head titled to the side a bit. Trey sidled up beside me, also looking for the voice.

"And you are?" Jakob called out, spinning around in a circle.

"Oooo-oo. I'm a ghost!" A life-size avatar appeared. The man raised his hands, and waved them about. "A ghoosttt!"

"An AI." Sarah stepped past it admiringly. "Nice."

The AI laughed. "I do try. The name's Keating. AI Keating at your service, ladies and gentleman."

The AI's avatar was a middle-aged man, or looked to be, wearing a crisp tuxedo, hair slicked back.

"James Bond." Trey clapped his hands together and pointed at Keating. "That's who you look like."

"Well, I may not be Double-07 but I think I may have a slight advantage over Mr. Bond if he were to exist today." Keating winked at Trey. He spun on his heels, and addressed the rest of us: "Right this way to the bridge, folks. It is important that we get underway as soon as possible to our first destination, and we must all be on the bridge for the transition."

Keating led the way, and for once, we were all quiet. I think it was because we were all actually doing this, but I didn't dare break the silence.

"You have the most intriguing accent," my mother commented quietly as we walked down the corridors."

"Thank-you, Miss Sarah Free. It is a mixture of French and Italian."

We arrived at the bridge to find a series of chairs and consoles spread out; the screens online flashed diagnostics and other things that I wasn't familiar with.

"So, what now?" Jakob asked, stepping away from where we all stood.

Keating walked to the nearest console, and began tapping away. "Please, everyone, take a seat. We are moving away from Nassau station to prepare for our transition as we speak, so time is of the essence."

Sarah was the first to sit down. Following her quickly, I sat down in a chair nearest to her. Jakob went to the chair closest to the frontal screen, and Trey just sat down near him. No one spoke.

Pausing in his flurry of taps, Keating raised a hand to his ear as if he was talking on the radio. "Roger, Nassau. We are prepped and ready for slipspace launch. Stand-by for an message when we arrive."

"So, will we feel anything?" Trey asked, casually. Glancing at him, he almost seemed normal.

"Yes, you will. There are a range of symptoms, but it your case, I assume nausea would be the major role."

Trey didn't ask anything else. He just nodded slowly, before settling back into his seat.

"Please stand-by crew, for slipspace jump." Keating announced.

Sarah leaned back into her seat, and closed her eyes. Unsure of what to expect, I followed suit, and closed my eyes.

I felt nauseous, and prayed that I didn't throw up.

"And, we're done. You may move about the cabin now."

Opening my eyes, I felt dizzy. Shaking my head to clear it, I stood up, hands clamped to the arm rests for support.

Similarly, Trey and Jakob also seemed to have trouble. Sarah, my mother, was fine.

"So," she asked. "Now that's done with, I feel that it's best that you give us a quick tour, Keating, and we go to bed."

"Fair enough," Keating replied. "Let's get going."

The main door to the bridge slid open, and Keating walked to the exit. "Come along, people. I'll be sure to be brief, for you own sake." He glanced at Jakob and Trey, who were holding onto each other's shoulders. "Will you two be fine? I can pull up-"

"No, Keating." Jakob gruffly replied. "We'll be fine. Just a bit ... unbalanced. That is all."

Keating nodded, and motioned for Sarah and I to follow. Walking along the corridors, we eventually came to a large rec room.

"This is the Officer's Mess. You are welcome to eat here, as this is actually where all the food is."

"It's huge for four of us." I whispered to Sarah. She nodded in agreement.

"Yes, quite." Keating added in. He wiggled his eyebrows, and smiled when he saw our confusion. "I am an AI. This ship in a way is me. I can see and hear everything." He glanced disapprovingly at Trey. "This also means I know exactly what you think of that blonde marine woman who escorted you to the hanger, Trey."

I saw Trey stare blankly at Keating, unmoved. "How, exactly, do you know?"

"I piggybacked a COM signal from a Pelican." Keating waved him off. "Now, to bring this tour to an end, let's go to your cabins."

"Finally." Trey sighed. "I'm bored."

"Well, let's not waste time dawdling." Keating said, and smiled at us. With a snap of his fingers, he called us out of the room, and we continued to walk along corridors, taking a flight of stairs down until we reached the a hallway where doors lined each wall.

"Ah, here we are! You get the Officer Quarters, so they shouldn't be too shabby. Quite cozy actually; I think you'll like them."

I saw our luggage sat each in front of a door. It appeared my room was beside Sarah's room, but across from Trey's. How it got there, I had no clue.

Trey walked to his room, and grinned. "Alright," he said. "Open sesame!"

Keating glanced at him quizzically before turning to Jakob: "Should I comply and open the door automatically each time he says that?"

"Nah, just let him go." Jakob stared as Trey stood, looking for a way in.

"Very well," Keating replied. "I will help the poor chap out."

Sarah-already knowing her way around a ship-got her door to open, and motioned me over. "Here, Kiera. Hold your hand in front of this detector and let it scan your fingerprints. Once confirmed, it'll let you in."

Trusting her, I walked over to my own door, and did as my mother instructed .The door bleeped cheerfully, and slide open. I leaned down and grabbed my luggage.

"Hey, how did she get in?" I heard Trey ask from behind me. He was obviously confused. "Keating!"

"Trey, stand in front of the door with-" Keating got cut off as the door slid shut behind me, gently sealing with a hiss.

My room consisted of a desk with a computer and tablet, a dresser, wardrobe, double bed, and another room which I believed to be the bathroom.

I threw my duffel bag on the ground by my feet, and leapt into my bed. It was neatly made, and I prayed that it wouldn't be a rule that everyone had to make their beds in the morning.

"Enjoying yourself, Miss Free?"

Keating appeared in the room, leaning on the wardrobe. His hair was a bit ruffled, unlike its previous state.

"Having fun with Trey?" I was well aware of what AI's could do, and I guessed another part of Keating was still showing the kid how to open the door.

"Yeah, not really. He's a slow learner, that one. Curious too." Keating narrowed his eyes. "I sent Jakob away but I think it might have been good to have kept him around."

"Probably," I squirmed deeper into the mattress of the bed, hoping to find a comfortable spot. "I'm not a huge fan of Trey, but Jakob seems decent at least."

"Hm. Yes, I know, I've read your files." Keating straightened up, and winked at me. "Well, I best be going. Good day to you. And remember to get some sleep, tomorrow will be a hell of a day."

For entertainment or comical purposes, Keating jumped up and disappeared. His avatar was gone from the room at least. I had no doubt he was still monitoring me.

Getting off my already messy bed, I unpacked a bit of my things, and started getting ready for bed. My gut knew what Keating told me: tomorrow will be a hell of a day. And God forbid, I wanted to be prepared for it.

A/N : Just a quick reminder that Dejae writes for Kiera's point of view. So anything in Kiera's POV is to be accredited to Dejae.