004. Firsts

Kat leaned back and looked out at the stars above them. She glanced over at the man next to her. "It has been forever since we have done anything like this."

Carter nodded his head slowly, not looking away from the stars. "There hasn't been much time to do things like this. When was the last time?" He frowned, unable to recall where or when.

"It was back when we were first starting as a team. I don't recall which planet though." Kat tilted her head to the side. "Though at that time we were waiting for evac, and there were Covenant cruisers in the sky." She turned toward the stars, almost able to see the sleek alien ships hanging above them.

"If I remember correctly, that time we had company."

"Oh, Richard was half in shock, I don't think he counted as company." Kat pulled off one of her gauntlets and ran her hand through the grass. They spent so much time in their armor sometimes she forgot how the world felt around her.

Carter turned his attention to her. "You remember the first time that our team went out on a mission?"

Kat smiled slightly and nodded her head. "I questioned every order that you gave us. About halfway through the mission you made it clear I should stop."

"At least you stopped."

"I did because I realized it wasn't helping. I still thought the second half of your plan was stupid." Kat lay down on the grass. She tugged a few blades out of the ground and held them up, letting the wind blow them away.

"My plan was stupid? Remember the first op I let you talk me into? That was a crazy stunt."

"You're the one that agreed to it."

"Why I agree to any of your plans is beyond me." Carter turned back to the stars. He didn't want to admit it but he knew that Kat had a persuasive power over him. She could get him to agree to things that he would think ridiculous if they'd come from anyone else. "Remember the first death on our team?"

"How could I forget it? Tyler was a good soldier but he should have followed orders. Such a foolish thing to do." Kat clenched her fists and, to try to keep herself calm, moved her hands behind her head.

"We got a good replacement though. Strange to think that Jake was the first replacement in our team. He managed to stay with us for a long time. Though I remember how reluctant I was at the time." Carter shifted one of his legs so it was bent at the knee and rested his elbow on it.

"It was only the first of many. Each time I feel more and more reluctant to have someone take the open place." Kat grew quiet as she looked over at Carter. "It is a bit depressing to think that we are all that is left of the original team. Do you remember the first Covenant you killed?"

Carter nodded his head ever so slightly. "Yes, it was a jackal. If I remember correctly, Sara had shot its foot and I shot it in the head. I have to admit, it was more satisfying than killing any human could be. What about you? Remember your first Cove?"

"That's a good thing. You shouldn't enjoy killing other humans. We should be trying to save them." Kat looked up to the sky. "I don't really remember my first Covenant kill. I remember it was when we were set to destroy that base camp but I do not remember the first shot." She sat up and looked over at her leader. She paused for a moment and her tone became quieter, a bit hesitant. "Do you remember the first time we—."

Her words were cut off as the screen on Carter's left forearm flashed to life. He shifted his arm reading over the message. Noble One stood and slipped his helmet back on. "Come on Noble Two. There's work to be done."

Kat sighed and stood up, slipping on her own helmet. "There's always work to do. It's not like this is the first time that a relaxing moment has been spoiled by work." The two Spartans moved off down the hill toward the base and their new mission.