Location: High Charity: Habitation Garden

Date: Nov. 2, 2552

With a deep moan and much twitching the SPARTAN appeared to be regaining consciousness. As the giant awoke he blinked his eyes several times. The lighting in the room was sparse and dim, but it was enough to make out two fuzzy figures. One was a medic in his white field uniform, the other a Sangheli with a shield and sword in hand. He tried to stand up but could not. It felt as if his limbs were made of lead.

Noticing the SPARTAN struggling to move, the medic looked somewhat surprised. "I'm amazed you can even move your fingers at the moment mate. I gave you enough morphine to keep a regular human knocked out for a few more hours."

Looking at the medic he decided to state the obvious. "Well I'm no regular human now am I?"

"I guess you're right. Well since you're awake now, I've had some time to get to know your friend here", said the medic gesturing at the Elite standing next to him.

Waving back at the SPARTAN, she appeared to be…blushing? Odd thought the warrior thinking about it. I did save her life come to think of it.

"Well seeing as how you two have gotten a chance to know each other, mind if I introduce myself?" said the SPARTAN trying to sit upright.

"Not at all soldier, though I would suggest not trying to sit-up. You might pull out those nice new stitches I just put in." chuckled the medic looking at the struggling super soldier.

"Well, then you'll have to excuse me. I'm SPARTAN 19, but you can call me Tom." Said the super soldier trying to pull himself up against the wall of the shed.

The medic made a mock salute and introduced himself. "I'm Cal, head of the 149th Medical Corps."

Nodding at the now sitting upright SPARTAN, the Elite introduced herself with a slight bow. "I am Nico'l Amalee."

"This is definitely new to me… An Elite that can speak the English language?" said the now somewhat perplexed Tom.

"Yes, well you see… I really don't know how to explain this." She said grinding her hoof on the floor nervously. "Back on my home world Sanghelios, I was a student at the academy studying human culture and language."

"Alright, well since you two have gotten better acquainted, I don't suppose you'd mind me interjecting," said the medic. "I'm hoping that maybe one of you has managed to figure out that maybe we ought to be trying to think of a way to explain this all to whichever side happens to be right outside those doors at the moment…"

It was that final exchange that silenced the inhabitants of the small shed. They realized now that they would be in for quite a few bumps on their little journey when they left this shed. It seemed quite odd that a group like this could be formed but some things are better left unexplained.

At this time, they started discussing how to get out of the shed. Realizing that Tom would not be able to walk under his own power for the time being, Cal began looking around trying to think of a way to move the super soldier without hurting him.

"Ahem…" said Nico'l as she gestured towards the hover-barrel lying on the ground near Cal.

"Hmm, I guess that would work "was Cal's reply as he sized up the piece of equipment.

"Hello. Do I get a say in this?" was the quizzical reply from the side of the shed.

"Well of course, but I don't think it will matter much if we stay in here without any clue as to what's going on outside." Said Cal.

Nico'l looked back at Tom, and seemed ashamed that she hadn't bothered to ask his opinion first.

"Well, what are you two waiting for? I know I may look like I can do anything, but at the moment I'm having a little trouble getting up…" said Tom.

"Woops! Sorry about that! I forgot you're still medicated" came Cal's surprised reply.

Helping the still heavily medicated SPARTAN to his feet, and laying him in the barrel as comfortable as possible, the odd trio began their little exploit to the garden.

Well, yet another little installment for all to enjoy! This one is mostly fluff from my point of view, but you do need to get acquainted with the characters eventually, and I see it as a rather convenient point to actually throw some names out for all of you.

Dragon

P.S. Thanks for the reviews and all the suggestions!