Hello everyone, i don't know why but these updates just keep coming to me. I hope you all like this new chapter. It's much much longer than usual and i don't know how often they'll be around this length. I just felt like i had things to sort out in this chapter. Hope you all enjoy. Plus thank you for all your reviews and thank you to all those that have been reading this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Halo, if i did Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb never would have died. But he has the single highest body count so at least he died a hero.

Chapter 4: Allies?

I woke to a brand new day, or night, or whatever you call it in space. But I had some sleep anyway. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, I never expected military beds to be so nice. After about five minutes of relishing in the warmth and general cozyness of the bed before getting up and going for a shower. My room must be for the higher ups, as I highly doubt everyone has a room and each room had their own bathroom.

As I looked into the mirror opposite as I brushed my teeth, I saw a silver eyes watching me. They were my eyes, but instead of being brown, they were silver. They were slightly disturbing to me, they looked like clear ice, I didn't understand how it could have happened though. It must have been a side effect and I'm glad it's the only one.

I wondered what I should do about breakfast, should I join my designated team or should I go and eat with my friends. I guess I should be sociable with my fellow Spartans as much as I wanted to go join the friendly banter of the men and women from before.

I quickly got dressed in similar clothes as yesterday and went to get breakfast, or lunch or whatever it was supposed to be, I don't know. I passed through the door and several eyes were upon me, no happy faces among them. Some were curious as to who was entering their domain, others weren't happy at the intrusion.

There were only ten or so in the room but I felt like I was standing in front of an audience of hundreds. I timidly went over to select my food and selected a table separate from anyone else. The rest of the Spartans all sat at the same table quietly talking away while I sat at a table alone watching space through a window wondering what any of my friends were up to.

I was in the process of wondering how safe it would be for there to be a window on a space ship, when I was shaken roughly from side to side. All I could do was close my eyes until the shaking passed. "For the last time, only specific personal are permitted in this cafeteria. You will have to leave immediately."

The person who spoke was sitting across from me, he was staring harder at me and certainly didn't look like a happy bunny. "But." I didn't get any further as he stood up and pulled my tray from me.

"No buts, this is a restricted area. Leave now or you'll spend time in the brig." Now I was sweating. I really wish I chose the mad people I met yesterday. Luckily a familiar face walked in and I sent her a pleading look. She just smiled at me and sent a look of 'you owe me one'. But it'd be worth it to avoid any confrontation with this man.

"I hope you're playing nice with your long lost sister, Fred." Her mocking voice broke the tension in the room. I was eternally grateful until all eyes turned back to me. They all looked at me this time, this time they looked at me as if they were judging me. Seeing if I really was one of them.

And no matter what anyone said I would never be one of them. I really didn't fit in here. It wasn't just their height and general size compared to myself, but the way they moved and spoke and acted, they were different. Different from me at least.

"So she's the new addition to our team? I'm sorry, I wasn't aware, I hope we get along well." I just nodded, I hoped we could work together well. I pulled the tray back to myself and dug in. The other Spartans seemed to all move to my table and their chatter continued.

As I finished and was about to leave when the woman next to me grabbed my arm, "I'm sorry, but before you leave could you tell us a little about yourself? It would help us all work as a cohesive unit if we knew a bit about you." I looked closely at her, trying to see if she was suspicious. All I could tell was she was calm at least, and I was grateful, if they were angry I doubt I'd be able to do anything.

"Well what do you want to know? My name's Alexa-016 and I was trained to fight alone." It was all I could say, but I guess it's always best to keep lies simple an easy. It was the cover the doctor gave me so I guess it'll hold as long as I'm vague about it all.

"You two should get alone well then Linda, my names Kurt. Glad to meet you." I was surprised as this second man introduced himself so confidently. He was much friendlier than Fred was. I looked back at the red head next to me, why would I get on well with Linda?

"If ever there was a lone wolf among us, it's Linda. You two should be able to get along well and don't forget about me. Let's do our best." Kurt was really making me feel welcome. Just then another walked through the door, he was wearing casual clothes like me but his had blood on it, I didn't think it was his.

A Spartan who had yet to introduce himself walked over to him and asked what had happened. It seemed that he was their leader considering everyone's reactions. Every Spartan in the room but me was paying rapt attention, maybe they did this for all their 'family' members but I think he was special.

"I was in a fight with some ODST's in the gym. I was ordered to enter the ring with them, the lucky ones were carried to the infirmary. I'm fine but I don't know about the ODST's, I want everyone to be careful they may try to target us." Everyone was thinking about him, but I was thinking about the friends I made yesterday, were any of them now in the infirmary. What would they think if they knew that she was apart of the ones that put them there?

I couldn't stay, I had to find them. I practically ran for the door, and down the corridors until I reached the other cafeteria, I spotted them all sitting at the same table as last time. They appeared to be a bit more solemn this time. I hesitantly walked over to them and sat down next to Lucy.

I was getting a subtly stares from all around the table, but none I could actually catch. As soon as I turned they'd look away, I knew they knew about me, and it was clear they were affected by something and the only thing that had happened that I knew was the fight between the Spartan and the ODST's. They probably didn't want me around, so I stood to leave, I'd give them some time.

"Hey, are you still mad enough to hang with the helljumpers?" Lucy's voice carried over to me and cut through the silence, I knew that whatever answer I gave would shape our friendship. So I gave the only response that felt right among them.

"HELL YEAH!" Now if I had said that anywhere else I would have felt like a massive fool. But again it felt right among them, I hope they could forgive me for what I am now. But I just left to give them some space to mourn for their friends.

I decided to go visit my other friend. I stopped a passer by and asked them for directions. After a quick thank you I headed of in the direction I was pointed. When I got there I was in awe at the size of the room, it was bigger than the cafeteria and the gym together. It was truly massive. I headed over to a line of planes like the ones that took me here, I remembered they were called pelicans. I looked for markings that would tell me which one I was looking for, but I didn't need to. I just followed the laughter and loud voices.

I followed the noise to a pelican with it's rear hatch open and inside were thirteen people sitting around on the floor playing cards. I spotted my friend at the other side laughing with the people next to him. He looked like he was having fun so I was about to turn around and go when he spotted me, "Hey, where're you going you just got here? Come on and join us, jack move over some, here sit next to me I'll protect you from this horrid lot." Another round of laughter went up round the circle.

I obliged and worked my way round to him. "Hello again, hope I'm not getting in the way. Why are you playing cards in this pelican?" I was curious as to why they decided to play here when I'm sure there are better places.

He looked at me as he dealt the cards out again, "Don't worry I did invite you here, for the record my name's Edward, we never did exchange names last time. We play cards here on my ship as a sort of tradition." He turned to the circle of card players. "We flyboys and girls are practically married to our ships now aren't we?"

A chorus of cheers went up from the card players. "Damn right. Without them we'd be nothing, and without us they'd be nothing." The woman next to me answered his question. She appeared to be thinking hard about her hand as she said it but I couldn't tell.

"So Ed tell us how you became friends with one of these kid soldiers we've all been hearing about?" A clearly experience man across the circle asked. He looked like he had been flying for as long as I'd been breathing. He also wasn't looking at me as if I was a threat, so that meant so far he was in my good books.

"We just met in the gym a while ago, as you can see she's certainly not like what we've all heard. Plus she's been getting on well with the ODST's, or at least she was until what has just happened. That's probably why she came to visit." I looked away sheepishly as he guessed the reason to my visit. It wasn't like I was never going to visit at all, he was fun to hang out with.

"Don't worry about the ODST's, if you made a good impression they won't blame you for your comrades actions. I should know as I was one of them and even if they do blame you, don't worry, we pilots have got your back." I looked around and it wasn't just Edward who was smiling at me. I was glad to have their support.

I had hope now, just because of what I was these people still accepted me. "Thank you, all of you. I'm glad you can see past what I am and I hope we can all get along well." It seemed whatever ice there had been was broken and everyone began to freely act around me.

Hours past and I sat there playing cards and learning about all the players. Some were pilots for pelicans and others were pilots of something called a longsword. They seemed to take more pride in their assigned vehicle. While playing cards with them I realised they all had these marks by their right eye like a feathered wing. I wondered as to why they all had one. But I quickly forgot as I won the hand.

Eventually the games calmed down again and I decided to go to sleep, Edward decided to keep me company and since he was heading in the general direction walked me to my room. I changed into some night clothes and went to sleep blissfully unaware of the events that awaited me.

I awoke to a hand being placed over my mouth and my eyes quickly snapped open, I saw nothing but faceplates. All around me were faceplates staring at me. I tried screaming for help but my voice was muffled by the hand and was lost to the darkness. Several more hands held me down as I began to struggle, I was strong now but I had no momentum and I couldn't think rationally.

A whirring noise cut above the silence and a man stepped out of the shadows with a weird pen looking thing, he brought it to my face and I froze in fear as a stinging sensation passed over my face. The left side of my face under my eye and the right side of my face to the right of my eye. It took several minuets and I was terrified for every second of them. As soon as it finished the lights flicked on and each of them took off their helmets. I went from terrified to shocked. Everyone was here in my room, all the pilots and ODST that I'd become friends with were smiling at me, some of them laughing.

Then the one forcing me to keep quiet removed her hand and her helmet. It was Lucy and she was grinning at me. "We don't care what they made you. We know who you are, your our comrade and we've always got your back. This was just payback for never telling us to begin with."

Lucy was being surprisingly serious, I didn't know what to think anymore. I'd only seen her a few times but serious didn't suit her. Ed stepped forwards, "Sorry about all this, but I talked to a few old pals here and we thought we'd all welcome you together. So if you ever need a favour from either a pilot or ODST just take your helmet off and show your face, they'll know you're one of us."

I didn't have a clue what he was saying, so I just stared blankly at him. "Well we have to go, can't hang out in your room all day can we?" They all started all started for the door. "See you later Squirt." Lucy waved goodbye.

"I'M NOT SHORT!" I shouted indecently at the door and a collection of laughter was heard from the other side of the door.

I just rolled over and went back to sleep I was way to tired to deal with this, especially after that short comment. I am not short. I woke up again a few hours later and decided I'll go see the doctor and find out when we were going back so I could find out when my training was going to start. I went and had a shower and brushed my teeth. As I looked in the mirror I almost screamed again.

There was the same mark the pilots had by my right eye and under my left was some kind of missile or pod that looked as if it was falling from my left eye. The word ODST was visible across the pod. It looked like the bottom of it was on fire, I tried to rub these marks off with a wet cloth but it didn't work. It only stung as I touched it. Please don't tell me they're permanent. If I ever made it home, what on earth would everyone think.

I eventually gave up when I realised they weren't going to fade. I let out a massive sigh and mentally promised myself I would punch Lucy and Edward next time I saw them. I got dressed again in similar clothes and headed off to find the doctor. I headed to the Spartan cafeteria first to ask for some directional assistance.

Inside I spotted several scientists and Spartans, I walked over to a friendly face. "Excuse me Anders, do you know where doctor Halsey is?" She looked up for her meal and smiled at me. Her smile almost turned to laughter when she saw the marks on my face.

"Interesting taste in tattoos Alexa. Either that or you've got some interesting new friends. Yeah I know where she is, I'll even lead you there if you give me a second with my meal." She quickly stuffed her face with everything on her plate, I was both disgusted and amazed. I expected a full hamster effect but nothing. "Well are you coming or not?" She had already made it too the door while I was lost in thought.

We walked down corridors together in silence until, "So are you going to talk to her about how you're not actually a real Spartan?" She had stopped and turned to face me with a knowing smirk. I didn't know what to do, I didn't expect anyone to find out of their own.

"How about we discuss it with the doctor? She's smarter than me." I hoped with the doctor around I could stop this from going badly. I don't know what to expect among the crazy people on this ship anymore. Everyone has surprised me, so although we're friends I couldn't tell if Anders was going to remain so. I hoped she would.

She seemed to accept that answer and turned around to continue down the hall, "You can tell me anything you know? We're friends aren't we? But I can wait. Just know whatever it is you're keeping secret you can trust me with." As she finished we appeared to arrive at our destination.

Anders knocked on the door and waited for a response. When the doctor's voice was heard she entered the room with me in tow. The doctor looked a little confused at our entrance together, but I think she realised it soon enough that the secret was out. She was smart like that.

"So what brings you both to my office? Nothing wrong I hope?" The doctor gestured to a couple of chairs opposite of her desk for us to sit down on while we had what I presumed would be a long conversation.

Anders took the chair and instantly looked more focused on the task at hand. "I want to know the truth about Alexa, is she a Spartan?" I could tell in her voice she was being careful with her words and she was thinking hard.

I could tell there was an upcoming battle of the intellects and that was one of the most scariest kind of battles to one such as myself. "Well of course she is a Spartan, why else would she be here? I don't suppose your accusing me of randomly picking up some kind of stray and adding them to the program? If you had higher clearance I would show you her file." There was the doctors counter attack.

"Well, files can be forged and you don't know what I'm accusing you of if I'm not accusing you of anything yet. And for the record I wouldn't put it past you to randomly add someone on a whim." And there was Anders response. I felt so dumb with these two around. Together they probably had three to four times higher IQ than me.

"Well what is it you're accusing me of then Doctor Anders?" The doctor knew she had stalled Anders for a second there. I'm just glad neither of them seemed aware I was even in the room. Maybe if they stay distracted I could sneak out.

"I'm not accusing you at all. I just want to know the truth about Alexa, she isn't a Spartan." Anders was clearly tired of this little game, but I didn't care to stick around to see if Halsey was. I had already slinked out of the chair and was on all fours headed for the door slowly and carefully like I was in a room full of sleeping animals.

"Alexa, where do you think you're going? It's actions like those that set you apart from the rest." I just stiffened at the sound of my name and made my way back to my chair. "You're right about her Anders but it's her past, you should ask her if she want to let you in on our little secret."

Anders turned to me, "Will you trust me?" I just nodded, I had decided from the start to let her know. Not telling friends had already caused me enough trouble and a sleepless night. Plus she seemed like a nice person to me, kinda like what I expect a big sister to be like. She was only a little older than me but she was so much smarter and more knowledgeable and I felt like I could trust her.

The doctor just smiled at me and shock her head gently. "I guess two people might be able to solver our little problem faster. Alright if you trust her I'll tell her everything." And she did. Told her the truth about it all. Everything from my mystery appearance to the interrogation and the augmentations. It wasn't a long story but it was still a lot to take in.

After it was finished Anders turned to look at me, "You chose this? You chose to become a Spartan? Why?" She looked honestly confused, like all that intellect was trying to process an incorrect equation. To her it must be like trying to understand why two plus two equalled three.

"Because she offered me a place, with friends. Everything that's happened so far has been great." I don't know if it made any sense to her but she accepted my answer. I'm glad I can rely on her.

"Well thank you for your trust little one, we can talk more later. I'll see you later Dr. Halsey." With that she left the room, and I was furious with her yet again, why is it every time we meet she annoys me to no end.

"I'M NOT LITTLE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs to release as much fury as I could before I had to go to the gym and punch some stuff again. The doctor clearly found this amusing and I felt like dying from embarrassment.

"I see you've enjoyed your stay here, life won't always be fun and games but it looks like you've got good friends to watch your back." She pointed to my face as she told me that and again I was embarrassed. But she was right, I would need all these allies to survive whatever I was supposed to do.

"Doctor, when will I be trained?" I decided to ask her the question I came here for, the answer would hopefully make everything worth it. She just smiled at me.

"I'm glad to see you're eager to start you training, in a couple of weeks we'll be back at the facility, so you have until then to relax and after that it's going to be rigorous and relentless." She gave me one of her scariest smiles as she said that. It was truly intimidating and I made my mind up to enjoy whatever time I had left.

I was grateful, I wanted the strength to protect all my new friends. "Doctor, what'll I learn?" She looked at me with curiously, as if she was studying me to find out my strengths and weaknesses and to figure out what I should be trained in.

"Well you will have training in multiple forms of hand to hand combat, how to shoot a variety of weapons, our tactics and signals. Is there anything you already have training in? Is there anything you specifically want to learn?" As she ticked of the list I felt I had a lot of catching up to do, and I knew I was getting the shortened version of a Spartans training.

"I want to learn how to help, I may never be able to shoot as well as the others, please teach me how to take care of the inevitable injuries and I'd like to learn how to drive and pilot vehicles. These things will let me be a more versatile and contribute more to the group." I thought back to my life before and although I had never really liked the idea of violence, I'd always like the blade.

It was underrated as a weapon, appearing outdated to many who favoured guns, people like my family, but I thought a sword wielded properly could be deadly and beautiful, better than any gun. Not just swords but also knives and anything else with a sharp edge. I'd taken a few lessons in kendo, I didn't know if the doctor had any interest in that or not, but I thought I'd tell her anyway. "I also took kendo lessons, I've never touched a real sword but I know a little on how to handle one. I don't know if that'd be of any interest to you."

She was interested by the mention of a sword. I think it was an unusual form of combat. Well it was rare where I came from and now I'm in a futuristic place with ships in space, maybe they don't even know what kenjutsu was. "Maybe I'll find someone who can teach you. But no promises. I think it'll be good for you to continue this, help ease you into things a little more." She offered a reassuring smile.

I stood up and moved to the door, "Thanks for your help doctor, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you, just tell me if you need anything." With that I gave her my best grateful/sweet smile and left. I was still smiling as I went for lunch, or breakfast? I hate space. I decided I'd give my fellow Spartans another try.

I walked into the restricted cafeteria and saw it was packed with what I presumed was most of the members of the project. About thirty people clearly stood out as Spartans by their young looks and big muscles and they were all fairly tall. Also they occupied the same tables together. There were several scientists occupying a separate table as well, sadly Anders wasn't here this time, so she couldn't save me if I got into trouble this time.

I still decided to brave it and selected my meal and looked for a seat. I spotted an empty seat next to the man I recognised as Kurt, and he was surrounded by Linda and Fred and a few others I recognised but couldn't name. Even the man who was in the fight. While Fred did scare me I decided to choose the devil I knew rather than sit next to an unknown.

I timidly walked up to Kurt and sat next to him placing my tray on the table. He didn't notice me originally, I think he was expecting someone else but his face lit up as he saw me again. "Hey Alexa, wondered when we'd see you again. You left in a bit of a hurry. Why'd you have an ODST tat on your face all of a sudden?" At the mention of an ODST tattoo all eyes in the immediate vicinity were on me.

One who I'd yet to be introduced to really didn't look pleased, "That's a sick sense of humour, are you trying to stir up trouble between us and them?" At first I wasn't too intimidated as she wasn't much bigger than me, but after that earful a part of me was eyeing the nearest exit. But another part was tired of the general bad attitude towards me from what was meant to be my team.

"It's not like I asked them to give these tattoos to me, they told me it was a sign of our friendship so I don't think it'll cause any trouble with them. But I won't deny they're causing trouble." I found I could actually be quite fierce when I wanted to. But maybe I shouldn't have told them I was friends with the ODST.

"See Kelly, she has a good reason, they won't be any trouble. So lets just get along, she's a part of us, so there's no need for any arguments." I'm glad Kurt was on my side, or was on the side of peace. But Kelly didn't look happy.

"Kurt, is she really a part of us? Look at her, she'll have to prove she one of us before I accept her. Especially considering who she's allied herself with. They've caused us nothing but trouble" It didn't seem Kelly would be changing her mind any time soon. If I'm honest I didn't care at that point, on average they were against my presence there, I woke turn my back on them but I'm not going to cut off other friends or beg them to be my friends to get along with them.

I could kinda understand why they were this way though, they had been a close knit group for a long time and they were hesitant to accept anyone else into their little family. Especially someone who also allied themself with their rivals or enemies, I don't know how much they don't get along.

The rest of the meal was finished with little to no trouble. It wasn't as lively as the other lunch room but there was conversation and I got to know the names of most of my fellow Spartans and their strengths and weaknesses. They had all warmed up slightly to me, except Kelly. Even John, the one in the fight didn't appear to have a problem with me, I didn't doubt he'd flatten me if I proved to be a threat, but at least he wasn't hostile from the get go.

I finished my meal and said goodbye. I decided it was time to get some payback. I thought I'd go for Lucy first, for the squirt comment, I was going to make it hurt.

I managed to find her in the other cafeteria, I guess it was just the hang out spot for them, they were always sitting at the same table. I slowly approached her from behind as she chatted animatedly to someone across from her. Neither noticed me. I was just about to bop her on the head with my fist when I was tackled to the ground by my intended target. Before I knew it she was trying to tickle me, "Aww, does the little kid want to play with me? I do hope you weren't trying to get some revenge, especially after we've been so nice to you." She was trying to give me puppy eyes as she said that.

This was why I liked the ODST's, they were nice to their comrades and mad as a box of exploding frogs with smiley faces drawn on them with the tears of hippos. You never knew what to expect with these people and I was paying the price. I never thought Lucy could actually pull off puppy eyes, if I honest I never thought anyone over twelve could pull it off effectively. Well except me, but as I'm constantly reminded I could pass as a twelve year old, but here was an eighteen year old pulling it of perfectly. "No, I would never think of revenge, please stop." I could barely get it out as I was laughing to much from the tickling I was receiving.

Eventually she got bored and stopped, she just jumped up and just continued with her food. I slowly got up onto my shaky feet. I made my way over and sat next to the crazy woman. I felt right among the non-Spartans, everything was just better, an hour or two passed just messing around and having fun when I decided to see if I could actually get some revenge on the other one.

Again I said my goodbyes and this time I headed off to the hanger, I found the pelican from before and again it was bustling with life with everyone playing cards again. I spotted Ed sitting with his back towards the exit this time, there's no way I'd let myself fail in my goal again. I slowly snuck up from behind again and was about to raise my fist when, "I do hope you're not going to try to hurt me for what's happened are you."

I just let out a sigh, "No. Mind if I join you?" I was too tired to bother anymore, everyone else always won anyway, and it's not like they did it to cause me any problems. It was quite the opposite. They did it to show that nothing would change and we were still friends.

He just gestured to a spot next to him and dealt me a hand and we played cards, which I was surprisingly good at. I mean for someone who had only just learnt how to play, I was playing pretty well. Again hours passed, and I was getting sleepy so I decided to call it a night, or day or whatever it was meant to be, I hate space.

By the time I got to my room I decided to just crawl into bed, it had been such a long day and it was all catching up to me. I swear if anyone disturbed my sleep tonight, there would be homicide. After that thought I drifted of into unconsciousness.

Hey everyone, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Longer than usual but i just enjoyed writing it.

Reviews:

Halobeast: Thank you for your review, i agree that some stories are a bit quick and i used to write that way too so i slow myself down. I try to make it around one third speech and two thirds text. I want everyone to know the situation she's in and feel the surroundings. At the moment I'm not going to be able to fit them in but give it a couple of chapters when there are more marines and pilots and other such personnel then i don't mind being send ideas. I don't guarantee they'll survive long or they'll even get into the story but it depends on how the story goes. Also no Spartan's and such so please just keep them reasonable if you want them in. Again thanks for your review.

TheWizardofOzbourne: I do plan to summarize time in future chapters, but this is the beginning of the story and i don't want to do that just yet. I will when there are gaps between events and such. But I'd probably do the beginning and summarize the rest of the gap between major events and such. Thank you for your offer of help and I'll be sure to do that. In fact it'd be useful to be able to double check facts and bounce ideas. But i do know a lot of the Halo history, I used to be a massive fan. But I'm still human and make mistakes, so any help would be appreciated. I'm glad you're liking my story so far.

Thanks for everyone's support, I'm glad people like my story so far and i hope you enjoy this chapter as much as all the rest. I'm grateful for all the view and reviews. Remember Reviews = Love = Updates

TTFN :)