Let it be known that David Brightling is not my real name. It is my pseudonym. I am not one of those people who write a fanfic and include themselves in it. Believe or not, I thought up this David before I did my pseudonym. Just thought I should mention it. Anyway, as usual, enjoy and review!

Also, sorry about not updating in forever! Been grounded for a while. Let i be known though, I will not be taking a two month long break until this story is done. Anyway, enjoy and review!

14:33 AUGUST 15, 2552

BRIDGE OF UNSC FIREFIGHT

"Gentlemen," Captain Arkansas of the Firefight said to me and Roger, "do you know why I've called you here today?"

We look at each other for a moment.

"No sir." We reply simultaneously, still standing at attention. Our presence has attracted the eyes of some of the officers working around us. They watch us with an odd mix of boredom and interest, like they're curious as to why we're here, but also want us to leave so they can continue on with their work.

"Well then, let me explain," he says to us, his normally dull voice growing into a warm, grand tone. "For your heroic actions in the Viery Territory, you, Lance Corporal Roger Harum, have been promoted to the rank of Corporal. And you, Private First Class David Brightling, for protecting your brethren, even at the cost of your own life, you have been awarded the Red Legion of Honor, and have been promoted to the rank of Corporal."

I widen my eyes at the last part, and I see every eye on the bridge turns towards me, even Roger's. Slowly, one by one the officers on deck begin to applaud Roger and I. The Red Legion of Honor, or more simply known as the UNSC Legion of Honor, is one of the highest honors to be awarded to a Marine or crewman. The recipient must commit an act where he or she puts his or her life at risk to save their comrades.

As the Captain hands me the medal I stare at it for a moment, my concentration drowning out the noise around me. How could I have gained such a medal? How? I ask myself, still staring at the medal. I look back up at the Captain's smiling face. I stick out my right hand and he grasps it, shaking it firmly with his calloused hands. He hands Roger his new rank and stands back. We salute him, and, after he returns the salute, we walk off the bridge, me heading back the infirmary, and him back to his quarters. At the intersection between the two, we shake hands.

"Congratulations mate. You did good." He says as we split up.

I walk down the metal corridor, deep in thought. My crutch makes a loud thumping noise against the unusually loud corridor. My leg is still injured though not as bad as before. The war against the Covenant and their plasma weaponry has done wonders for our medicines against burns, no matter of what degree. Unfortunately, when they cure the brunt area, they replace the dead cells with new ones, making it so that for the first week you are in unimaginable pain. Thankfully though, along with our medicines of burns, our painkillers have gotten even better.

They had started to wear off by the time I made it to my room. I pressed the panel and the door slid open with a hiss and I see Emma fixing my bed. Emma is one of the nurses on board the Firefight, and she is damn good at her job. She had been assigned to take care of me and I can honestly say I felt taken care of. As the door opened she turned around, her brown bangs getting in her equally brown eyes.

She brushes her hair out of her eyes as she greets me cheerfully, "Oh hey there David. It's about time you got back."

"I'll say. I feel like hell." I reply, the painkillers quickly fading.

"What's wrong?" her cheerful voice immediately growing concerned.

I walk over to the bed and set down my crutch before laying down.

"Nothing much, but hey can you give me some more pain meds?"

"Nope."

"Than- wait what?!" I yell in shock. Why can't I have my pain meds?!

"I'm only kidding dumbo. Give me a sec." she laughs at me as she sticks the needle into my arm.

"That's not funny," I growl at her. "You try being shot in the leg by a plasma turret."

"Why do you think I joined the medical corps? To avoid that. What idiot would sign up to get shot?" she looks at me before exiting the room, "Oh wait."

She runs away laughing as I look for something to throw at her. After she leaves I look around for something to do. I spot my computer and turn it on. I immediately check the Reach news programs for information on the invasion. I scroll through the news reading different reports. I become so engrossed in it that I don't hear Captain Arkansas enter the room. He waits for a moment before clearing his throat loudly. I look up in surprise and sit up, the closest thing I can get to standing at attention.

"Ah, I see I finally have your attention." He says wryly. "I have some bad news for you."

I look at him surprised. "Sir?"

"The Firefight is going to be seeing a more . . . active . . . role in the defense of Reach. And with us going head to head with Covenant ships, well, we're going to need more medical rooms open." He sighs, looking at me apologetically. "Sorry son, but we're going to be sending you to a hospital in New Alexandria."

"No need to apologize sir. I'm no good to anyone in my current condition. Besides, I'll be able to heal quicker down there, seeing as they have better technology than this old rust bucket," I tell him, a smile growing on my face as he looks at me sternly.

"That's my ship you're talking about there. Now apologize to her," he commands me.

"I'm sorry Firefight, and sir?"

"What?"

"It's been an honor sir. I'll see you when we get the Covenant off of Reach." I grab my crutch and slide off the bed. Walking over to him I hold out my hand and he shakes it firmly.

17:27 August 15, 2552

Hangar Bay, UNSC Firefight

I watched with heavy heart as the Pelican landed in the hangar bay. As the rear of the ship opened up, I turned to look back at the small farewell committee that had gathered. A dozen or so of the crew that I had made friends with, including Roger, Emma, Captain Arkansas, Aloum, a technician I met my first month here, and a couple others. I study their faces, knowing that this could very well be the last time I see any of them.

I wave one last time to my assembled friends one last time before walking into the Pelican. A couple other of the Firefight's wounded hop on board with me. They shout goodbyes as the rear hatch closes.

"Alright everyone, get ready to roll, taking off in 30. No need to buckle up, there'll only be a minor bump while we switch gravity zones." The pilot says to us, twisting in her chair to do so. Most of us take seats. I decide to stand. Let the more wounded rest up, I think to myself.

As the Pelican lifts up, I look forward, not glancing back at the friends I'm leaving behind. I hate goodbyes, I always have. Too sad, too final. I think about the months I've spent aboard the Firefight, the friends I've made, the experiences I've had. And I got the strange feeling it wouldn't end at Reach. Strange and cold.

And as the Pelican left the Firefight behind, leaving it as just a small dot in the evening sky, I didn't look back. I never do.

This is something of a filler chapter. There's not much action, but the Halo story isn't all combat. As fanfiction readers you already know that. The Halo story is about the characters that make up the story. Where would it be if the Chief was some super soldier with no background? It'd be a regular game that a couple of people would play for the shooting, not the game that millions play for the story behind it, the story that makes it seem real. I know this chapter may have seemed boring but the action is coming and again, I'd like to thank all who've read this so far, especially The Constitutionalist, Shikio, War Wraith, and x0DragonObsession0x. SemperFi!