Sorry for not updating this for such a long time, I didn't really have the motivation to do it, but from now on I'll try to update regularly.

Thanks for the reviews!

Chapter 3

0834 HOURS, DECEMBER 18, 2546 \ BRUNELS SYSTEM, ABOVE NEW LLANELLI, UNSC ALL UNDER HEAVEN, OFFICER DECK

The door to Admiral Stafford's office slid open. Tom stepped inside.

The Admiral was sitting at his desk looking at a data pad. He looked deep in thought.

Tom stood at attention and saluted. "Spartan-B292 reporting for duty, Sir," he said in a confident tone. The Admiral looked up at Tom.

"At ease, soldier." He sloppily returned the salute and motioned to a chair in front of the desk.

Tom accepted the offer and sat down.

Admiral Stafford cleared his throat. "The STARS images came in from Pegasi Delta," he started, "Operation: TORPEDO was an outstanding success, Beta company destroyed the shipyard and a Covenant fleet in the process." He paused for a second and swallowed. "Even with casualty rates like this, it is a huge victory for the UNSC, honestly we were surprised that the two of you came back, but we are glad, really glad. You Spartans are the best asset we have."

His expression abruptly changed to sympathetic, like he went from a superior officer to some kind of strange father figure. "Look, I know what happened was terrible, someone your age shouldn't even be fighting, but we are thankful for what you did."

"Thank you sir, it was my duty," said Tom plainly.

"Now for the bad news, we are currently orbiting the colony of New Llanelli. The Covenant have been sieging the planet for weeks, the interesting thing is that they are not simply glassing it. Something they want is down there and we have to find out what that is. The concentration of their attack is the capital, Béliot."

Tom nodded to signal that he got the information.

"Our forces in the city are struggling and we can't afford to lose it," he continued. "And that is where you come into the picture, we need every available unit to help defend the capital."

"I know this is a lot to ask after what happened but the marines in Béliot could use any help." The Admiral let out a sigh, "And please remember, you can turn this down any time, you had already done enough for the UNSC."

Tom was surprised by the Admiral's request, mostly because it wasn't an order. He thought about declining for a moment but then realized this is what he was trained for, to help humanity against the Covenant. Even though Operation: TORPEDO left its mark in him he could still fight and revenge his fallen brothers and sisters.

"I'll do it, Admiral," he said proudly, no hint of regret in his voice.

The Admiral gave him a slight smile. "Well then, find Captain Reynolds, he will brief you about your deployment. Dismissed soldier," he replied with a salute.

Tom returned the gesture and was about to leave but then he turned back. "Sir, if I may ask, where is Spartan-B091?"

"She is in the medbay, she was pulled out of cryo earlier due to medical reason but she is okay now. She is not combat ready though," the Admiral told him.

Tom felt relief wash over him, so Lucy is fine after all. "Thank you Sir." He saluted and walked out of the office.

After Tom left the room a woman materialized on the Admiral's desk. She was wearing combat boots and a leather jacket. Her hair was cut into a mohawk. Her hands were on her hips and she had the I told you so look on her face.

"I told you he would accept," Nayla, the ship's AI, said with a sly smile.

"Figures," the Admiral paused, "he was bred for war after all." Stafford sighed. "Why the hell are we even using child soldiers." He was clearly angry. "The kid is only 16 for God's sake."

He opened one of his drawers and took out a small wooden cigar box. It has been empty for a long time, resupplies were declining in the past years, especially luxuries. He only kept it around because it reminded him of home.

"Well, you are the one who is sending him down to that planet," Nayla retorted. "And you should know that the girl would want to go with him."

"I was expecting that . . ."

Stafford put the cigar box back into the drawer and stood up. "Get me a status update from Captain Reynolds, we have to start deploying troops soon."

Tom was stopped by a doctor before he could enter Lucy's hospital room.

"Sorry to interrupt," the woman said. Her name was Jane Matthews according to her name table. "No insignia, so she is a civ," he thought. "You are Tom, right? The other Spartan," she asked.

Tom only nodded. The woman was clearly nervous around him, she probably hasn't met a lot of Spartans.

"Before you go in there," she started, " you should know that she is quite unstable, when she woke up she tried to escape, we had to sedate her."

"I'll manage," Tom said with a half-smile and headed for the door.

"Wait!" the doctor pulled him back by his arm. He turned around at such pace and force that it startled the women. "Mental note: I probably shouldn't yank bioengineered child psychos around, yes that would be a good idea," she scolded herself. "Uhm . . . sorry about that but there is some bad news."

Tom looked at the doctor, confused. "But Admiral Stafford said that she was healthy. I had seen her after the mission, she only had minor injuries."

"Well," Jane started, "physically she is perfectly fine but mentally . . . it's not looking too good." She paused for a second and swallowed. "Before Lucy was put in cryo she was diagnosed with posttraumatic vocal disarticulation. She won't say a word."

Tom was shocked. "No this can't happen to her, she's stronger than this." He started to feel worried.

He nervously opened the door.

Lucy was lying in a hospital bed on the far side of the room. She was hooked up to several medical machines, with tubes coming out of her arms and body. She looked so peaceful yet fragile, Lucy was always one of the smallest S-llls. Tom slowly walked closer. The only sounds he heard was her breathing and the steady beeping of the heart monitor.

Tom sat down on the bed next to her. He leaned over her and hesitantly brushed a strain hair out of her face, he never noticed how long Lucy's hair had grown, it was way out of regulations. Her black hair complemented her pale complexion nicely. Tom only noticed now that she looked kind of . . . beautiful. He suddenly felt a bit weird, he never thought of her in that way. He quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.

Suddenly, Lucy's eyes shot open.

To be continued . . .

Thanks for reading!

I know the story I kind of slow but in the next few chapters, the battle of Béliot should start. And I honestly don't know why I made the AI punk, sort of just felt like it.

Next chapter should be up in a week at most.

STARS stands for Stealth Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance Satellite (it was mentioned in Ghosts of Onyx)

Please give your opinion about the story, reviews are always appreciated!