Well, figured I should probably get back to this. Got the rest of high school to do homework, right? But, back to the story. Here I was trying to build a little on the relationship between the Spartan and Nicole. I also realized that I haven't given a little information about each character and or personal creation. So, take a look at the end of this chapter and there will be a little description of each mentioned so far. Oh, and italics are phrases or thoughts occurring in the speaker's head.

I own nothing, yadda, yadda, yadda. Enjoy!


Chapter Four

Nicole Thompson tossed and turned in her bed, kicking sheets off then pulling them back up. Although she was asleep, the noises being made caused her to sound as if she was awake.

Enter Chief Nicole Thompson

Chief Thompson, Nicole

Time: 1600 hours

Location: UNSC colony Telenor 7

Evacuation during Covenant assault

I ran up the next set of stairs, charging through the rooftop door and into the bright sunlight. Skyscrapers all around me were aflame, either half collapsed or on the way to the ground. Phantom dropships rose from around the towers and sped off to the Covenant battlecruiser hovering just above the nearby mountain, Mt. Sykes. I turned back to the marines following me out of the stairwell and onto the roof. "Come on!" The squad ran past me, followed closely by a large armored figure. The Spartan stopped at the door, primed a grenade, and tossed it back down into the stairwell. He pushed me aside from the door and slammed it shut, shielding us both from the blast. There was an explosion, and smoke started pouring from behind the door.

He nodded to me, and I turned to follow the other marines. The entire building let out a roar as the titanium beams weakened. Parts of the roof began to give way, falling into the city streets far below. "Wildcat, where the hell are you?!" I yelled into my comm. No sooner had I said that then a Pelican rose at the end of the roof. "Move it!" I yelled to the marines, all deciding to take my order into consideration. The marines leapt into the Pelican. I turned back to see the Spartan pressed against the door, with something slamming against it while he kept pushing back. "Go!" he shouted. Two Phantoms rose up behind him, turning to begin deploying troops. I backed up slowly, ignoring the shouts of the marines behind me. The Phantom deployment bay doors opened, revealing Elites and Grunts waiting for a kill. A wave of aliens left the transports, all moving towards the Spartan. "John!" I yelled, hoping he'd be able to hear me. He glanced back, but was knocked away from the stairwell. He rolled backwards, but was able to upright himself and 'grab' the ground. He slide several inches before stopping, glancing up at what had hit him.

A Brute Chieftain emerged from the stairwell, fur singed from where the grenade had gone off, and half its armor blackened by the explosion. The Spartan stood, and watched the Brute command the aliens to hold their fire. A slight huff left the monstrosity as it leveled the hammer it was carrying. "I have killed many of your brothers. You will be no different." And with that, the gorilla charged. Sure the Spartan was fast, but the Brute was faster. His hammer made contact with the Spartan before he could even move, knocking him off the roof.

A scream escaped me but was passed on, along with the memory as a new one appeared. I was standing on the bridge of a ship, probably my father's since he was at the helm. He stood above the rest of the bridge crew, shouting orders for fires to be put out. Alarms blared through the deck. "Get us some room!" A Covenant cruiser sat a ways off the bow, firing plasma rounds towards the ship. The ship shook, throwing officers all around the bridge. My father, unshaken, helped a young woman to her feet. She seemed strangely familiar to me, even though her face wasn't visible.

He turned to the communications officers, shouting over the alarms. "Where the hell-!" The officer turned as if never hearing his commander speak. "Sir, new contact slipping in!" My father turned towards the window with a smile, something I rarely saw on him. Suddenly, another ship slid out of a whole in space, and began firing on the Covenant ship. But then, my dream went to hell. A man stepped from the shadows, rose a gun, and shot my father. Twice he gasped. I rushed towards him, but the entire dreams froze before I could reach him.

Present Day

Chief Thompson awoke with a scream. Droplets of sweat rolled down her forehead while tears rolled down her face. She glanced to her desk clock and saw she'd gotten only two hours of sleep. She got up and headed to the bathroom. Leaning over the sink she inspected herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, all knotted and tangled from the dreams she'd been having. Dry lines were spread across her cheeks from tears.

Turning on the sink and with a few splashes of water later, she was sitting back on the edge of her bed. After a few more minutes of contemplating, Nicole decided to get dressed. Nothing special, just an olive drab t-shirt along with some cargo pants. She glanced in the mirror and with a quick brush through her hair, she was out to take a walk.

She walked through many decks during her midnight stroll, passing several of her compatriots from the Providence. Quite a few recognized her from being their saviors, making sure to thank her or otherwise acknowledge her presence. And then it hit her: she'd never thanked the Spartan for saving her. If I was a Spartan, where would I be? She walked over to a nearby communication panel and keyed the bridge. A moment later, the voice of the Providence's AI Jarvis spoke. "Is there something I can do for you, Chief?" For a moment she was at a loss of words, frantically looking for a response. It finally stuttered out of her. "I was, um, wondering where the Spartan who was aboard the Providence is." While he was processing the correct response, Thompson shifted uneasily. Can an AI sense emotion? Probably. He's probably processing how to embarrass me in front of the Spartan.

Jarvis drew her out of thought. "Chief Thompson, Spartan 038 is currently located in the Training Bay. Shall I call him for you?" Nicole almost jumped off the deck. "No! I mean, no thank you, Jarvis. Just directions, please." The AI gave off no acknowledgement of knowing what had just happened. "Very well. Follow the green lights along the wall panels." He hadn't finished before bright green lights appeared along the wall down the corridor. "Thank you, Jarvis." And with that, she was off.

After riding in a turbolift for several moments along with a couple turns, Nicole arrived where the lights ended: a door marked "Observation". It hissed open at her presence. Inside was a large room with several control panels and video screens. Windows lined the walls, giving view into the training bay along with a door leading to a stairwell into the training bay.

Two other officers stood in the room, turning when Nicole walked in. One had the insignia of an Admiral, snapping a salute from Nicole. He was an older man, with a face chiseled from time, and a head with little to no stubble for hair. Medals and awards flashed across his chest. The other was a woman, dressed in a skin-tight uniform with a figure that made Nicole a little jealous. Brunette hair shielded some of her face. Nicole couldn't see her rank, so she just generalized the salute. "Admiral Hood, sir." "At ease, Chief." The Admiral said, returning her salute and turned to the other woman. "This is Lieutenant Lawson. Lieutenant, this is Chief Thompson, daughter of Captain Thompson." "Chief." She said with a touch of a British accent in her voice. Nicole nodded to Lawson. "You here for the fun?" Hood said, turning back to the windows. It took Nicole a moment to speak, searching for the correct response. "Um, yes sir." He nodded, waving her alongside him. She stepped up next to him and followed his gaze into the training room.

The training room was less a bay and more a coliseum. Large floodlights spread their brightness across everything in the "bay". The floor had metal beams and plates intended to act as cover, as well as small platforms to provide vantage points. The only being was a man standing alone in the center. He was tall and very fit, dressed in cargo pants and a green t-shirt that said "UNSC" across the back. Is that? No, it can't be. Can it?

A loud beep echoed through the bay. Suddenly twenty other fully armored marines marched into the room. But these were not ordinary marines; they were ODSTs. The best of the best, dressed head to toe in special combat armor specifically for them and each armed, unlike the Spartan. He stood motionless as the ODSTs surrounded him, taking aim with their handguns. An ODST in black armor with red trim stood out from the others, probably the officer, giving one simple order heard over the Observation Room's speakers. "Take him." And with that, the lights went out and the session began.

The ODSTs fired, only for the dumb-dumb rounds to pass through empty air. The Spartan ran opposite the leader, driving his shoulder directly into an ODST, picking him up and using him as a shield while running. Rubber blasted into the ODST shield, causing him to release a scream. The Spartan slammed him into a nearby wall he was passing knocking the 'shield' unconscious, before vanishing from sight.

The other ODSTs stood speechless, glancing to the officer for orders. "Got to night vision and get him!" They chased after him, spreading out to search through the bay. Out of the corner of an ODST's eye, he saw a fast approaching shadow. "There-" The Spartan rammed into him, knocking him across the room and into another ODST. The others opened fire, rounds pinging off the ground before he disappeared again.

Nicole and the others watched intently as the game of attack and vanish repeated itself. Thanks to a monitor, they were able to see the soldier's head signatures. Everyone's except the Spartan's. I wonder why. He's not wearing the armor…Nicole thought. The ODST numbers dropped until twelve were left, including the officer. The lights suddenly kicked back on. Bodies of unconscious ODSTs littered the bay. The survivors slowly moved back to back, watching every shadow and every spot of cover. One by one they dropped their pistol magazines, empty or full. Each drew a new clip, replacing the old ones. Nicole stepped closer to the window, and a horrible realization surfaced. She shot a glance to the Admiral. "Live rounds?! They'll kill him!" Fear, worry, and anger was mixed with every word. He may be a Spartan, but they're not impervious to bullets. "Calm yourself, Chief. Just watch." Hood said without turning to her. Nicole thought a moment instead of responding. Hm. Wonder who gave them the ammunition.

While she processed this a sudden exclamation was heard from an ODST below. The Spartan was back where he'd started, near the center right in front of the ODSTs, quite unharmed. "Gotcha." The ODST closest to the Spartan ran forward while firing. The Spartan ran to meet him, but knee-slid until he was under the ODST's outstretched arm. He half-crouched and spun with his leg, sweeping the ODST to the deck. Eleven left.

Two others charged forward firing their handguns while the others found cover to fire from. He dashed forward, grabbing the closest ODST and kneeing him in the abdomen. The Spartan rolled over his back into the other ODST. He grabbed the soldier by the collar and used him as a shield, taking the shock trooper's handgun and firing on his comrades. The soldiers all dove for cover, hoping to avoid getting shot and trying not to hit their ally. Two ODSTs weren't as lucky as a round penetrated each's leg. He tossed the ODST aside. Several more ran at the Spartan, hoping to overpower him. One drew a knife and shoved it at the Spartan. He leapt up onto the ODST, wrapping his legs around the trooper's arm and head, wrenching him to the ground and dislocating his arm. 6/12

The ODST let out a howl of pain while his comrade moved behind the Spartan. But the super soldier was already rolling backwards. He kicked upwards into the ODST's face. The shock trooper staggered back, giving the Spartan precious seconds to leap onto his feet. He kicked the ODST in the knee, forcing the soldier to crouch. He dove over the ODST, stealing his handgun in the process. The Spartan came up in a crouch, shooting one of the nearest soldiers in the leg. 4/12

An ODST grabbed the super soldier from behind in a bear-grab and forced him towards the officer. The officer drew a knife and chuckled as the Spartan was pushed closer. But before anything could be done, the Spartan pushed off the officer's body and flipped over the ODST holding him. He kicked the shocked soldier in the back, sending him into the officer and both to the ground.

Two bullets flew past him from two soldiers whom had taken a vantage point. The Spartan ran towards them as gunfire nicked the ground all around him. He fired on the pair, only for them to take cover in their obviously advantageous position. However, there were two smaller walls underneath the platform. He ran towards one, then partially up it before leaping across to the next one. Having gained enough altitude he leapt onto the sniper nest, landing in a crouch. He shot both the surprised ODSTs in their legs, making sure to kick their weapons away from them. 2/12

The Spartan heard a roaring sound behind him and turned to see the officer and the 'hugger' with jetpacks flying towards him. The super soldier dove off the platform, barely avoiding gunfire from the duo. He landed and rolled into a crouch, searching for the fliers. The officer hovered while the soldier flew forward. He stretched out his arms as if attempting to tackle the Spartan. The super soldier flexed his legs and crouched low. At the last moment, he leapt directly into the ODST's arms. The shock trooper wasn't expecting this and wasn't prepared for the impact, the added sending the pair on a spinning and random course. The officer wasn't ready either, as the pair slammed into him, causing both 'packs to explode and sending all to the deck. The Spartan was the only one who landed on his feet; the shock troopers on their backs.

The Spartan began making his way towards the exit. But the session wasn't over yet. Within seconds the officer was on his feet, blood covering his hand with a handgun pointed square center of the Spartan's back. "You no good son of a-" The Spartan rolled to the left, over the unconscious ODST, grabbing the fallen soldier's handgun. He brought the handgun up and fired directly into the surprised officer's stomach knocking the ODST back across the other trooper. 0/12

Nicole stood speechless. How the hell did he defeat twenty ODSTs? I mean, sure he is about twice their size, but still. Jesus… Hood turned to Lieutenant Lawson with a dangerous smile. "He's good." He looked to Nicole who was still staring into the training bay, but continued talking to Lawson. "I want to see him once he's cleaned up." "Aye aye, sir." Nicole didn't even notice Admiral Hood walk out, with Lawson close behind. She glanced over her shoulder back to Nicole, before continuing out.

Nicole continued staring down into the bay, watching as the Medical Units were putting the unconscious and wounded on stretchers, and quite unaware that the Spartan had come up the stairwell leading to the Observation Room. He cleared his throat, causing her to jump. She spun around to see him leaning against the bulkhead. Now that he was in the light of the Observation Room and closer, she could now get a better look at him. He was tall, about 6'4. His build was pretty average…if you've been working out since birth. The green shirt looked tight on him, mostly due to the bulk of his chest and biceps. Every one of his abs could also be seen, to which Nicole mentally counted. Twelve. His skin was white; maybe not exactly white, but bright enough to assume he'd never seen the sun. Haven't changed much, have you?

She then shifted her gaze up to his face. His nose and mouth fit him perfectly, each giving off a stoic, yet hardened look. His face was clean shaven, but not necessarily "clean". A three lined scar ran down his left cheek, just missing his eye before continuing again until reaching the corner of his mouth. Short, brown hair outlined the sides of his head, while slightly longer hair took over on top. The top was combed forward coming to a point in front, a sort of "outcropping". Then there were his eyes. Green, bright green, as if looking into a pair of emeralds. Nicole didn't realize she was staring into them until noticing he was look at her strangely.

"That, um, was some pretty good fighting." Her face turned red as the words left her mouth. She cleared her throat and straightened up, brushing her blonde bangs from her eyes. "I, just wanted to thank you for what you did back on the, um, Providence." He didn't move, but only stared at her. She suddenly found something interesting about the ground. Okay, so maybe I didn't think this through… She took a deep breath and finished. "If not for you, that Elite would have killed me then and there." Then the Spartan did something she didn't expect: he nodded. Pushing off the bulkhead he walked past her towards the door. She reached out, and let her hand slide across his bicep as she turned him back to face her. Not angrily, but just hoping to get some response. Little did she expect the small "jolt" that shot up her arm. "Seriously, John. Thank you." The doors hissed open, however he stopped. "Anytime." Wait, did he just talk? To me? "I'm sorry?" Nicole asked, assuming she was hearing things. "Anytime, Chief." he said over his shoulder. And with that he walked out, the doors hissing shut behind him.


So, it seems I've made an error no writer should, in that I forgot to give a short description of each character mentioned. An introduction, if you will. The name of the character, followed by some basic information.

Chapter One/Two

Captain Elias Thompson: Commanding officer aboard the UNSC Providence and father of Nicole Thompson. Strong, determined. 57 years old, but still has solid, white hair. Kind of looks like Lord Hood, but has hair.

Commander Nathaniel Novi: First officer aboard the UNSC Providence. Hot headed and career focused. Fit, 23 year-old. Clean-shaven, with your basic military buzz cut taking off most of his brown hair.

Jarvis: The Providence's AI (artificial intelligence). British, well mannered. (Imagine an older looking AI in a butler uniform, kind of like Alfred from Batman.)

"Sarge": Originally a Spartan. Has been deployed aboard the Providence for unknown reasons. White hair with gray peppered in. Also military buzz cut (look up pictures of Sarge from Red vs. Blue. Yes, it's the same guy).

Chief Nicole Thompson: Daughter of Elias Thompson, and commander of Providence security forces. Only person aboard to know the most about the Spartan. 21 years old. Blonde hair hanging loosely, but usually put into a braid (anyone seen How to Train Your Dragon? Like Astrid's hair).

The Spartan/Spartan 038: Spartan being transported aboard the UNSC Providence. Past is sketchy, but Chief Thompson seems to know a little about him. Has basic record for a Spartan soldier: skilled in hand-to-hand combat and in use of any weapon.

Chapter Three/Four

Admiral Terrance Hood: High ranking officer of the UNSC.

Lieutenant Katherine Lawson: Just a random officer, who happens to be incredibly attractive, and run into the Spartan as soon as he gets aboard the Gunslinger, AND happens to be interested in his actions. More about her will be revealed later.

And the rest are basic Halo critters, vehicles, and weapons that most fans should recognize. If not, take a look at the Halo wiki. Truly a site made for Halo geeks. Anyways, thanks for reading and, as usual, comments are appreciated. Until next time!

Stay frosty, my friends.