All right! We go to the present for the next two chapters as we delve into how Anakin gets his group therapy down, and how he may be similar to a certain Spartan than he thinks. Read the end of Chapter 5 to find out what this chapter is all about.

Episode 6: A Dark Closet…

{Nightmare}

A young girl was running across a beautiful field of flowers, and a man chased her. Both were smiling and laughing. The man chased after her and called out, "Malika!" He ran towards her, and when she turned around and the man recoiled in horror. Her eyes were crimson, and blood came down from every orifice of her body. She smiled as the man continued to look on in horror. The field of flowers then burst into flame, and the sky turned from blue to red. She whispered.

"Why didn't you save me, Lance?"

{Commander's quarters}

Commander Escandor woke up with a start. He wiped sweat from his brow. He had a nightmare, one that has haunted him less and less, but still gave him fits. Thankfully, Doctor Schofield would be there to help him, and another person was helping him as well.

Next to him was Wren, who was clearly naked, and her sensitive parts seem to be covered up by the bed sheets. She was sleeping still, but she had a upward curve of her lips. Lance smiled at her. He was precious to him, and despite her Spartan status, God help whoever wanted to bring harm to her.

He kissed her softly on the lips, which got her eyes fluttering awake. She smiled up at him.

"Hey." He said

"Hey." She said, before she kissed back at him, while throwing her arms around his neck to bring him closer to her. After a few moments, they broke apart.

"Are you heading over to that session now?" She asked groggily. Lance shook his head. "Not yet, I have to report in with Admiral Morrison about Janus."

She swung her legs to the side, causing her to sit up and almost losing her only means of covering her chest. Lance smiled at her, and kissed her forehead. "I'll get there, don't worry." Wren said.

Lance gripped her hand a bit. "I hope so." Then left the room and Wren also left 10 minutes later. She went to the medical center. She hoped that Lance would be okay until then. She had heard his story, and even up to now, she wondered whether Lance has the capability to get over it.

Hopefully, this therapy session would help him, where she could not.

{Glinn's Field, 24 hours after the Jedi Exodus, The Present}

Jedi Master Kans Mercsis, A 30 year old Jedi Master with black hair and black eyes, had woken up after 8 hours of sleep. The last few days had taken a toll on most of his peers and the younglings were exhausted from the events of the Jedi Temple. He had rubbed the sleepiness of his eyes to adjust to his surroundings. He saw many Knights and Padawans lying in various states of sleep, some face down, some hanging from the side of the bed, or some were on the floor, to make way for their Padawans, or the younglings.

Kans realized that his was a Marine Barracks he and his fellow Jedi have taken temporary residence for now. It seemed like it was so long ago, that they were the saviours of the galaxy, and Kans was dedicated to bringing peace and stability to the galaxy.

Now, he was down on his luck, his robes are in tatters, with blaster holes still on his robes. He still wore them, but he knew that the robes had to go. He still held onto them for sentimental value.

I must really be getting old for this Kans said, and took it off and threw it into a trash disposer before walking out into the base proper. He saw men and women of the UNSC walk around and doing things like exercises or carrying materials or going into practice ranges. He also saw some fellow Jedi standing over there in the hangars, looking rather lost. He even saw some Clones who left the Republic conversing with Jedi and Marines. And he even saw some armored beings as well.

Spartans Kans thought.

Kans could not blame the Jedi moping. Just hours ago, the Republic they swore to protect had just turned its back on the Order based on the lies of Chancellor Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord the Jedi have been looking for ever since the blockade of Naboo decades ago. It made him mad, knowing how many Jedi died for a Republic that was under the command of the Sith, unknowingly or not.

Fellow Master Aayla Secura scooted up from behind him, she too having that same look of distress and loss that now became the norm. They were now Knights without a kingdom, or a Republic, to defend. It was disheartening.

Still, Aayla tried to keep Jedi spirits up. She would not succumb to the despair the majority of Jedi were feeling.

"This is not the end, Master Mercsis. We are still here, and we will come back from this." Aayla tried to assure Kans, but he still remained glum.

"Does not mean we shouldn't mourn for our losses." Kans said. Many of them escaped, but a lot more Jedi were still lost in the defense of the Temple. Many a Jedi lost brothers and sisters to both blaster bolt and explosion of fire. Kans lost some good friends, and mourned for them, even up to now.

Aayla fell silent, knowing that she too held some scars as well. Many Jedi could not sleep, and kept crying, and are even muttering incoherently. It almost broke the Order already. Then, UNSC soldiers, personnel, and staff did all that they could to comfort the Jedi. Most of them held the younglings and even some Knights as they sobbed and wept for their losses. Kans himself found a young marine who held him as he cried. For all their stoicism, organic beings can only last so long against so much. The Temple just proved too overwhelming to them. Later, the Jedi were told that most of them suffered an anxiety disorder known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD for short.

It is common amongst soldiers who have been through many horrific battle scenarios, and found themselves unable to cope with the magnitude of carnage they have seen. Many in the UNSC realized that help would be needed for the Jedi.

A UNSC Marine then told most of them would be scheduled for therapy, or psychological therapy, for the Jedi. Many of them consented, with Master Shaak Ti going first, as she took the hit hardest of them all, despite her years of training and experience. Kans knew that sooner or later, he too would have to face the Doctor and see his nightmares put to rest.

"You seem rather optimistic, Master Secura. I envy you for it." Kans admitted. Aayla gave him a good smile. "Not all of us are bound by grief, Master Mercsis."

"I wholeheartedly agree, Master Secura." A voice echoed from behind the two. Kans and Aayla looke behind to see Obi-Wan Kenobi walk up to the, with Siri Tachi holding his hand. Judging from their stances, smiles on their faces, and the way they held their hands. Kans couldn't help but feel happy for them, as did Aayla.

"It seems as though you two didn't waste any time." Aayla remarked. Both chuckled.

"Well, Obi-Wan took his time a bit. I simply waited for him to come from him." Siri said, making Obi-Wan roll his eyes at that.

"Excuse me? If I didn't recall correctly, YOU were the one who came to me, not the other way around, Siri." Obi-Wan said, earning a rather playful jab on the arm by Siri. Kans could not help but notice that both Siri and Obi-Wan were acting together with such affection that, not too long ago, would have gotten them kicked off the Order. With the change in such policy, however, many Jedi now found comfort in each other, a Clone, or even someone from the UNSC. Kans couldn't help but feel jealous on the new couple. If Obi-Wan could find such happiness, couldn't he?

"You two certainly did not waste time in getting together." Kans said. Siri smiled at him "Well, we did have a long history together." She smiled, before kissing Obi-Wan's cheek. The Jedi in question blushed, as Siri and even Aayla giggled at the sight. Kans himself held back a chuckle.

He had heard rumors about Obi-Wan and Siri being a couple a few years ago after their mission in Azure, where they had to take a ruthless bounty hunter, Magus, into custody. Siri jumped on his ship as he tried to leave and stopped Magus Cold, Magus shot at her, and earned a blaster shot to the arm and leg for her troubles, crashing both of them into the ground. Obi-Wan got to her side in time and treated her wounds. Many Jedi speculated that they were a couple after their mission, but it is still unclear what transpired during the time they left Azure, but Obi-Wan assured most of them that they remain friends, despite their closeness.

With Anakin exposed to have broken the celibacy made by the Order, Obi-Wan and Siri took it slow at first, but after a few hours of discussing, and concluding it with a hug and kiss, they officially got together, much to the happiness of Anakin and approved by Yoda himself. Kans hoped that one day; he'd find that happiness that Obi-Wan has right now.

For now, he'll simply content himself with what he has now. And right now, Siri and Obi-Wan were hugging each other and kissing, with Aayla looking on in amusement. Apparently, their argument ended in a "kiss and make up" as some Terrans would say it. Kans cleared his throat so that his presence is still acknowledged. Siri and Obi-Wan broke the contact off, both having red cheeks.

"I apologize for that." Obi-Wan said. Kans narrowed his eyes on the couple. "Make sure that next time, when you display your affection; do so when not in front other people." Kans advised, and both Obi-Wan and Siri nodded sheepishly, with Aayla still amused from the previous scene.

"Well, now what?" Obi-Wan said after he composed himself. Kans decided after a few moments of silence.

"For now, we find out just how to spend our time here wisely." Kans said. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"We basically find out how to pitch in, or how to better interact with the Terrans. They saved us, yet we know so little about them, nor are we very close to them. So , the best way to do that, is to explore the base a bit, get to know our surroundings, and the people around it." Kans suggested.

"That does sound very prudent, Master Mercsis. The Terrans let us in, so it would be best to return that kindness to the, even if it is as minor as making friends with them." Siri complimented.

"I agree," Aayla said. "If we are to regain the trust of the people in the Jedi, we can begin doing so here, in New Plymouth." She said.

And the four began to walk to the lower levels, to where most personnel and Jedi were there.

{Meanwhile,}

Etain and Lance stepped out of the Conference room, with the former looking weary and the latter was a bit neutral in his expression.

"I trust that whatever transpired here does not leave that room?" Lance asked. Etain nodded hesitatingly.

"Yes, although this troubles me. " Etain admitted. The last few hours have really taken a toll on her, especially the revelation that there exists long lost powerful relics of ancient beings who might have had a hand in the Andromeda to be rather overwhelming on a human mind, Jedi or not.

"The Jedi will be informed, but not before we confirm their presence here in Andromeda." Lance said. "If it is confirmed, you can tell them. But for now, I trust you will only relay this to Kal and Darman. I need them onboard if they expect me to help them fully."

"But you truly believe that an outpost of these "Forerunners" exist within Mandalore? The Taung did not leave any indication of such a race of powerful entities in their records." Etain said.

"The Forerunners were very thorough, and the Absolute Record does not lie. There are Forerunners, or their technologies, present in Andromeda." Lance reasoned.

"Will they come to harm the galaxy?" Etain asked.

"We will soon find out." Lance said, before he changed the topic.

"Now, I believe I am going to attend a Psychiatric session with some Jedi. You are welcome to join me and your family too." Lance offered.

Etain thought about it. Then decided to come along, but after she got her husband to join her. It would be a perfect chance to learn more on Terrans, especially on how they can help traumatized Jedi get over their experiences from the Temple.

"Well, considering your charms, I'm sure you can help the Jedi. Sure, I could spare a minute or two. Just let me get my Husband first." Etain said, before she turned around and left, leaving Lance alone in the Hallway.

Lance immediately put down his façade of happiness, revealing a rather grim expression on his face. "If you saw more of me, you'd think differently." He said to himself, before going to the area where the Jedi are working out their issues with Glenda Schofield.

On his way, he bumped into Kans and his group. "Greetings." Kans greeted, and then proceeded to introduce his group to the Spartan, and in turn, Lance gave his name, but only his first name. "What brings you here?" Lance asked.

"We are on our way to the area where the Jedi are being "helped" by your doctors. Can you tell me where they are?" Aayla asked.

"I'm on my way as well, you can follow me if you wish. But first, I'll show you around, since this is your first time." Lance offered. He also took this opportunity to lead them to places where they should go, and places they should not go. Better nip the curiosity first before it kills the Jedi.

"Thank you." Kans said, before he and his group followed Lance through the building.

{ Glinn's Field, 2 hours later}

Lance took his time, answering questions about the UNSC from his guests, mostly from Siri and Kans, while Obi-Wan and Aayla mostly listened in, sometimes opening up with a few questions of their own. Lance seemed to enjoy telling them information, as it would distract him from his current troubles.

He and his Jedi Tourist Group (He nicknamed them as such, much to the annoyance of Siri and Aayla, with Kans simply shrugging the notion, and Obi-Wan simply sighing) were led through the base, showing them the ups and downs of the base. He first showed them the barracks, then the armory and then some of the networking centers. All the while, Lance led them through the more sensitive parts and told them that these were only for the UNSC high officers and that the Jedi would only be allowed access to the more accessible parts of the base.

Along the way, Lance saw former Pantoran senator and soon to be wife of Daniel Stepson, Riyo Chuchi, with soon to be former Spartan Daniel Stepson, walking and talking and laughing about something. Lance decided to stop by and greet the soon to be married couple.

"Well, well, what a sight." Lance said in a loud voice, startling the two as they Riyo jumped a bit, and Daniel turning his head so quick, he nearly gave himself whiplash. Daniel was about to salute when the Commander held up his hand to stop Daniel's gesture.

"I've never been one for formalities, Daniel, so drop it." Lance said, and Daniel complied. "What brings you here, sir?" Daniel asked respectfully, taking note of the Jedi behind the Commander.

"I saw you were having a good time, Daniel. So I decided to drop in and see what you are up to." Lance pointed out, and then turned to Riyo. "So you must be the blue skinned beauty that stole the Spartan's heart over there?" He asked, gesturing to Daniel, who fidgeted rather uncomfortably, with the Jedi watching him curiously.

Riyo's cheeks blushed bluer. "I am flattered, Commander Lance. Daniel has always held you in high regard." She said, briefly giving a small smile to Daniel, who returned the gesture, before facing again to Lance.

He then gave introductions with the Jedi and Daniel, with Obi-Wan acknowledging Riyo beforehand.

"Well, if that is all, I still need to guide these tourists around." Lance said, pointing his thumb to the group behind him.

"Mind if we come along?" Riyo asked. Daniel was about to say "Don't bother", but Lance surprisingly said yes. "Sure, I might as well learn more on how Daniel's bed manners got you to marrying him." Lance said jokingly, causing the Jedi to laugh, and the couple to blush, with the Spartan redder than a tomato. Lance gave a hearty laugh at his expression.

Clearly, his day was improving.

{Therapy Session B, 60 minutes later.}

The group took another hour, spending time looking around, trying to integrate into the UNSC. Siri made friends with some female ensigns, with Aayla able to converse with two marines and an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), and Obi-Wan talking with Lance. Kans was actually having a good conversation with some ODSTs and a Marine group.

Kans noticed some rivalry between the two, differentiating the UNSC from the Clones that Kans used to serve with during the Clone Wars. Unlike the Clones, UNSC soldiers are slightly less obedient than Clones, so if he were to fight alongside these men and women, he would have to work harder on gaining their trust. After some time, he and his group left with Lance.

They arrived in a large room with Jedi sitting in a circular motion, similar to how the Jedi Council would sit, but most of them were either Knights or Padawans, all of them showing some form or signs of the deep mental scarring in their expressions. Obi-Wan saw some other Jedi behind them, or some member of the UNSC giving support with individual members. Clearly, these people must have been trusted enough to help them deal with the mental trauma.

Obi-Wan then spotted Anakin and Ahsoka, sitting together, with Padme behind him and putting her hand on his shoulder as a sign of trust. Obi-Wan and Siri went over to his side while Aayla went over to another fellow Jedi for support. Kans had little to do, so he made his way to some balconies.

Ahsoka, had only Padme and Anakin for support until she felt a hand on her right shoulder. Ahsoka looked up and to her surprise and delight, Barriss came for her friend. The Mirilian offered a small smile, which was returned with a rather large hug from the Togrutan Jedi, and she returned it, before they took their seats. Lance took his seat near the doctors, who acknowledge the Spartan's presence before they got everyone's attention.

"Alright people, now that everyone is here, I suggest we get started on this therapy session." Doctor Glenda Schofield called out.

Everyone did so and sat on the chairs provided. Some spectators would be present in some of the balconies above the room. Glenda and 10 other doctors sat down next to Lance.

"As you all know, most of you are here for counseling, as requested by Morrison and Grand Master Yoda. I know some of you disagree to being here," Glenda said, who merely glanced at some masters, who looked a bit uncomfortable, but otherwise fine. "But we Terrans know that after your ordeals, it can be understandable that you have some difficulties getting over those experiences. Some are more, deeper than others." She said, glancing over to Jade Lee, with her brother Robert and her companion Trips holding her hands on each side, and slightly squeezing them to acknowledge their presence with her.

"We call that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an anxiety disorder where traumatic events usually leave a lasting impression on soldiers who come back from long tours of duty. In your case, the last 48 hours have left your home in ruins will have a very negative effect for most, and in some cases," Glenda said, turning to Anakin Skywalker, "recall some repressed memories from the past and into the present."

"Today, we are going to share our experiences, so that all of us," She said, gesturing to everyone in the room. "Can help you get through it with all of you. Now, this is not a quick fix, but rather, this is a small step to recovery." Glenda then beckoned to Lance. "Commander Escandor has been part of the Rehabilitation program for Spartans dealing with their stresses and emotions when it comes to combat. Even Spartans can succumb to the same factors you are dealing with." She said. Most of the Rehabilitations came at least 2 months after the Human-Covenant War, as many survivors and veterans often had trouble dealing with their traumatic experiences. Since then, it has become a mandatory part of the UNSC, as the mental aspect of any conflict can drain anyone, regardless if they are superhuman or not.

The Andromeda branch was a recent thing, given that many refugees from the slave world of the Zygerrians are still suffering wounds the cut deeper than any blade. They had recently been given the monumental task of aiding the Jedi, half of the 7,000 or more people rescued from Order 66. Right now, there were many members that needed aid, but only a mere 200 will be getting the help for now. However, more doctors from the Milky Way would arrive soon, so help will be given to the Jedi in time.

Lance had been a part of it since leaving the Headhunters, and has often been playing the doctor role in comforting many of his fellow Spartans from the mental scars that haunt them. Spartans can adapt to more stress than normal men, but are not infallible to it. His expertise brought him to where he is now, aiding the Jedi.

One by one, the Jedi began talking. Many of them still dealing with recent events, others had much older, yet still scarring even up to this day, recently brought to the surface after the loss of the Temple. But the real shocker came when a few Jedi came forward telling everyone that some of them let the dark side take over them. Only through will, friends or loved ones, or even coincidence, which the Jedi present were able to come back from the brink.

The most disturbing of those accounts were from Anakin Skywalker himself. Confessing to his experience of anger that overcame him before the Battle of Geonosis, he retold his story to the Jedi, with every word spoken as though it took great effort to say it out loud. He had described to them first came to seek out his mother after recurring nightmares of his mother dying. He was describing to them now how he came to meet his new stepdad, Cliegg Lars.

"I had found out from him that my mother was taken by Tusken Raiders. I took after them, going by any leads, from merchants or traveling caravans. It took me a few days, but I found the Tusken Raiders responsible." Anakin paused, as if his next words would get him the unabashed hatred of every Jedi in the room.

Padme squeezed her hand on his, reminding him that she was there to support him. Obi-Wan did the same, as did Siri, and Ahsoka. "Master, please, we won't judge you." Ahsoka encouraged. Truthfully, she was slightly shocked that her master fell to the Dark Side so early in his life, but she was here now, and can help her master get through this, as well as using this to help herself as well.

"When I found her, it was too late. The Tusken Raiders had beaten her and tortured her like a wild Bantha, with her tied up to a wooden pole." Anakin said, the experience literally bringing him to tears. Obi-Wan gripped his shoulder tighter, as a sign of support.

"She died right as I found her, and-"Anakin sobbed. Ahsoka was disheartened with such a display. Her experiences were traumatic, but clearly this one would haunt his master even up to this day.

"This is painful, Master Skywalker," Glenda said, "but the pain will not go away unless you let someone in."

Anakin took a deep breath, before continuing.

"She died, after saying that she was proud of me." Anakin said, his voice starting to have an edge of barely contained anger in his voice, scaring his former mentor and his apprentice, except Padme, who knew what had transpired in that day.

"Then, I took my lightsaber, and cut down the monsters that killed my mother." Anakin growled. The Jedi and Anakin's closest friends, aside from Padme, stared in shock. Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and Siri were caught in various stages of shock. For Siri, the thought that the young boy who accompanied Obi-Wan in his youth could do such a terrible and cold-hearted act of violence, despite the understanding of why the act was committed; for Ahsoka, she had looked up to her master as the brother she never had, and this confession alone blew all preconceptions of Anakin from her mind, and left only a cold bitterness in its wake; but for Obi-Wan, he knew his brother might have been swayed by the Dark Side multiple times, only to discover he not only fell, but he crashed head first into the darkness.

He looked up to Anakin as more than a Jedi and even more than the Chosen One. He viewed Anakin as a brother. The sadness and grief Qui-Gon could be feeling if he ever saw or heard this was inconceivable.

"Not just the men," Anakin said in a fury, "But the women, and the children too! They were animals, AND I SLAUGHTERED THEM LIKE ANIMALS." Anakin snarled. If the people in attendance were shocked before, they were scared now, even the doctors in charge of this group session.

All except Lance, who knew far too well how the young man fell.

After all, he himself was in a position not too different from Anakin's years ago.

Anakin calmed down to see many of the Jedi and doctors in attendance looking at him as though he was a Krayt Dragon. Anakin bowed his head. He had just confessed mass murder to everyone in attendance, to his brothers and sisters no less.

After a tense silence, the entire room was filled with enough noise to fill markets in Tatooine. It was uproar, with Anakin bombarded with questions and accusations. Anakin turned to his closest confidants, and even they were still in shock over Anakin's actions. Ahsoka looked lost, Siri was pained, and Obi-Wan looked as though despair had overcome him. Only Padme remained with Anakin. He numbly saw Barriss struggling to maintain order but failing.

A gunshot rang out throughout the complex. Everyone suddenly turned to Lance's smoking Magnum pointing straight up and smoke coming out of the barrel, with crumbs of concrete raining down from the bullet hole in the ceiling.

"As much as I like people accusing each other of mass murder, this is not the way to solve things. I though you Jedi knew better." Lance shook his head in disappointment.

Many of them calmed down, but they still held looks of contempt and some hint of anger in their expressions. A Chiss Jedi who was in attendance looked at Lance with his fierce red eyes and said, "How can we calm down if this man," he pointed at Anakin, "who is supposed to be the Chosen One, just happens to slaughter a whole camp of Tusken Raiders? Sure they were evil, but they were all cut down by our own like a Sith! Who's to say he won't fall to the dark side as well? IF he does, we could fall with him." He argued.

That speech reignited the whole argument. This time, half sided with Anakin, another wanted his head on a platter, metaphorically speaking. Lance grumbled.

"Doctors, please turn away." He warned, before he pulled out a flashbang grenade.

Glenda, knowing how Lance easily has the tendency to be physical in any given argument, sighed. "Is that really necessary? Jedi are diplomants too, Commander." Glenda worked with Lance when she was treating Spartans. Glenda was the soothing voice, Lance was the muscle in case they got physical. Sometimes he was the one doing the talking in the sessions. Glenda was impressed with Lance's ability to help others, when she herself knows that Lance has more debilitating problems than standard PTSD.

Still, his ability to calm a tense situation is still comparable to using a MAC gun to open a locked wooden door.

Lance said with annoyance in his voice. "Diplomacy has failed." Lance simply said, before tossing the grenade in the crowd after cooking it in his hands. He immediately assembled his helmet while the doctors ducked. Some Clones noticed it and warned the other Jedi, but they were too busy arguing until the BANG of the grenade kicked in, rendering temporary blindness and deafness in equal amounts.

Most of the Jedi recovered quickly but the aftereffects kicked in for them, still keeping them dizzy until they recovered. They all glared at the Spartan responsible, who immediately retracted his helmet with a smug look on his face.

The Chiss from earlier rubbed his eyes furiously before turning to Lance. "Why did you do that?" He said slowly, hiding his frustrations underneath. He was not the only Jedi to do so, as many glared at the Spartan Commander who looked unfazed by the glaring given to him by the Jedi, except Skywalker, who looked on in confusion and slight shock.

Lance leaned in. "Because I want to prove a point. You are too embroiled on what should be, instead of what it is."

"What are you talking about?" Jade, who was also present and caught in the flashbang blast, recovered as well.

"Jedi have always had a high opinion of themselves. They believe they are invincible, and also incorruptible, that you are the high moral point the galaxy needs, when in reality, you are just as fallible as any other man and woman that lives and breathes in the galaxy. Anakin may be the Chosen one, but he can make mistakes too. That does not mean it should rule over their lives. You also made mistakes too." Lance said.

"What makes you so high and right? You don't know a thing about us!" A Human Male Jedi, sitting over at the far end, scoffed.

"And therein lays the arrogance, the same one that got your Temple up in smoke." Lance pointed out, with the Jedi looking a bit humbled. Some argued but their fellow Jedi silenced them, to allow Lance to speak. "There's an old Terran saying: Pride before the fall. You got a bit too proud, and the fall for you Jedi became very high as a result."

Many Jedi looked a bit humbled. In a sense, he was right.

"Okay, now about this problem, I might as well tell you my story. After all, he and I are not so different. I used to be exactly like him back then." Lance said, earning a look of surprise from Anakin, who then shrugged it off.

"I doubt you would have done the things I've done."

Lance leaned in, and said. "Well, stay awhile and listen. You may be surprised what I have to say."

All the while, Lance was thinking I wonder how Fireteam Napalm's doing? Hopefully, they aren't up to any deep trouble. Putting that thought behind him, he began to recollect his memories, back to the days of his years as a Headhunter.

AND FINALLY! It took me 3 revisions and 1 complete rewrite, but Finally, I got it! I am also playing Bioshock Infinite and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, so updates will be longer than usual.

Imaginary cookies if anyone can spot references.

Now, here is my signature second story in addition to this one.

Awakening

{Unknown UNSC Medical Facility, Milky Way Galaxy}

Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan 117 woke up with a start.

He was wearing nothing more than simple silk pants and shirt, used for patients in hospitals.

He had a spinning headache, and suddenly threw up. The after effects of cryo sleep were rolling over the Spartan. He adjusted to the lighting quickly, and saw he was in a medical facility, probably inside a ship. He began to see some UNSC logos in some nearby terminals, and breathed a sigh of relief that he did not land in an ONI facility. He regained his sense, and began to remember prior to his cryo sleep.

He, Blue team, Grey Team, and Spartan IV teams Crimson and Majestic had orders from then Captain Lasky to rescue Doctor Halsey from Jul' Mdama, leader of the Storm Covenant. Jul was eliminated by the Spartans, but their prize was snatched by ONI spooks, who tailed them. Despite their programmed loyalty, they were not about to leave the Doctor in the hands of ONI, they went after her for 20 bitter years. Despite the long amount of time spent in this, medical technology had been amped up by Forerunner tech, so anyone in their 60s could still look and move as though they were still in their 20s.

Finally finding her with the help of Cortana, he and the Spartans assaulted the Darkness Falls base only to find out that Osman had set her trap: All her enemies in one place to wipe them off as she planned to decompress the whole facility, but she did not count on Halsey's ruthlessness and determination to end ONI, and she did so with the only thing she knew how: Expose the Spartan II program, effectively blowing the lid off the Spartan project and ending ONI. Despite her best efforts, Halsey managed to get her revenge, and used the cryo tubes in the facility to escape certain death.

Now, he was awake, and no way of knowing what has happened.

"Fred? Kelly? Dr. Halsey? Cortana?" John called out, but received only silence. He heard footsteps, and assumed the worst. He quickly got surveyed the room, and saw a nearby mirror in the bathroom. He took a pillow and put over the mirror before giving a quick tap, with a muffled crunch sound from behind it. John took out the broken glass. It would do.

He began to lie and wait for anyone to come along to check him out. He heard heavy footsteps outside his door. Too loud to be any normal person, and too precise to be an ODST. It must be a Spartan. He then heard the hissing sound of his door opening. He saw a heavily armored Spartan, sans the helmet. John then noticed it was a she, with rather stunning red hair and blue eyes that seem to illuminate in the dark. He heard her sigh, and then she walked into the room, with her hands up as a sign of surrender.

Cautiously, yet swiftly, Master Chief closed the door behind him and held the jagged glass to her throat. No surprise, she was calm. After all, Spartans never balk, even in the face of death.

"Who are you? Where am I?" John asked in a rapid fire, yet deep tone of voice. He knew the Spartan can catch on, since she seemed to surrender even though she saw the room.

"Spartan N-657 Sofia Hendriks, callsign "Firebrand", captain of Spartan IV Fireteam Napalm, Lost Legion. And you are in the UNSC Save my Son, on its way to Reach. Authorization code JH-456-5TR." She droned, as though the act of saying it bores her. "I must admit, I am honored to meet you, even though you have a rather sharp object of my jugular." She said, with honest admiration lacing her voice.

John held the makeshift knife for awhile, before he put it down, and dropped it. Sofia turned around, and smiled at him. Despite being held at knifepoint, she was rather optimistic for a Spartan.

"Well, it isn't everyday I get to meet a legend." She smiled. John nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Sorry for that." He said simply.

"Apology accepted." Sofia said, then walked past her and motioned for him to follow.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"To the briefing room. I trust that you would want to wait for your friends to wake up. They're still in sleep; In fact, I'm surprised that you woke up 12 hours before everyone else." She commended the Chief. "Your reputation precedes you, Master Chief. You truly are the luckiest one."

He scoffed slightly. "We make our own luck."

"Whatever you say, big man. We'll stop by the cafeteria first. I imagine that you need something for food." She said.

John would have refused, but his body, despite the augmentations, gave in to the starvation, so John complied with her, and went to the cafeteria.

3 hours later, the Spartan II's all gathered in the cafeteria, eating up rations a bit hungrily. They were introduced to Spartan IV Fireteam Napalm, consisting of their Leader, Sofia Hendriks, Medic/Hacker Thomas "Smooth" McQueen, Sniper Hong Kwun Yin "Earth Lion", Heavy Weapons/Demolitions specialist Eliza "Voodoo" Klien, and Scout Jason "Gladius" Wisterfield.

They all met up with Spartan II Grey Team, and then a few hours later, they met up with Spartan IV Team Majestic and Crimson, and after 2 more hours, Dr. Halsey woke up too.

Master Chief gave his rather rare smiles for Dr. Halsey, with some of his colleagues doing the same.

"I'm glad to see you too, John." Halsey greeted.

Chief then remember one more thing. "Where's Cortana."

Halsey's small smile then curved downwards. It was more than 20 years now, so the probability of her existing up until now would be non-existant. Yet, it was Thomas who answered the Chief.

"Normally, all these years would have caused your AI to destabilize into rampancy." He said, causing some small speck of fear for his long companion's state. He braced for the worst news, but Thomas gave the more surprising answer.

"But, thanks to the Janus Key and the Absolute Record," Thomas said, glancing to Doctor Halsey, "we are able to use that and find Forerunner tech across the Milky Way. These technologies also include enhancing AI lifespans. Get my drift?" He suggestively said, with Master Chief's eyes went wide. A rare form of shock slightly appearing on his features, before he controlled it down under, to which the IIs and Halsey catches on, and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Hoya, Fireteam Majestic's CQC/Demolition Specialist, decided to ask something for the lot of them. "Okay, now that that's settled, y'all mind telling me where we going? And who you guys are? You ain't normal IV's, that's for sure. You guys ONI?" He asked suspiciously, with everyone else looking hard at them. Sofia sighed.

"We ain't ONI. As for that, we'll let CBMI explain that once we get to Reach." She said. Halsey voiced her thoughts of everyone in the room.

"Just who in the world is CBMI?" She asked in a rhetorical voice.

"Let's just say ONI screwed up with their secrets, such as the Spartan II project being leaked to the public." Hong, the sniper, said.

Halsey smiled slightly. Her revenge had come to pass. She was a rather reserved woman when it comes to success. This is among one of those time where she lets this one get to her head for once.

{15 hours later, Reach}

"I must say," Catherine Halsey said, taking a slight bite off a chocolate protein bar. "You CBMI really have spruced the place up." She said, noticing the memorial on the side of the ONI base. She saw her Spartans and some IVs were there both looking at it, or paying their respects, like Jai and Adrianna putting some dog tags near the memorial site.

It had been a mere 10 hours since arriving and they were all brought to a nearby barrack to recuperate. After everyone woke up, they were taken to the old ONI facility were the Spartans used to train. They saw the memorial site, and some Spartans, while they did not show it outright; felt a sense of gratitude that their fellow Spartans were honored like this. Even John, who held his personal motto of "No soldier should be rewarded for what is being expected of him", felt grateful that his brothers and sisters were honored for their sacrifices, and that they will never be forgotten.

So far, the group has only been able to catch up on calendar date, but so far, the other details were a bit mum. Even though most personnel respected them, they said that CBMI, the intelligence agency that replaced ONI, would be the ones to explain. According to the some marines they met, they were an improvement in terms of not trying to hoard power or actively trying to destabilize allies. Halsey smiled when she heard the news that Serin got her just reward for trying to screw her over.

Spartan IV Fireteam Crimson, consisting of Sniper Melissa Rodger, Leader Jack Turnbull, Demolitions/Heavy Weapons specialist Donnel Irons, and Ace Rick Horner took this with some stoicism only seem with twos, an observation Halsey made from just glancing at them. The other Spartan IV Fireteam Majestic took news of ONI's demise with mirth.

The two's simply stayed silent, although the slight shifts in their stances also indicated some manner of relief or joy to the demise of ONI, with Kelly most vocal about it.

The real surprise came when they saw Spartan III's, particularly Lucy and Tom. Both were happy to see their old friends and allies again. The shock came when they revealed that not only are they commanders, they were also married.

According to new UNSC rules and regulations, fraternizing was still a bit stiff, but now there was more freedom as it can be allowed so long as it would take them off the front lines, due to their relationship and at their request as well. Halsey smiled at them, genuinely happy that they still lived. Tom and Lucy had the rings to prove it.

They led the time distorted Spartans, plus Halsey, to the inside, where it had been repurposed by CBMI for its intelligence briefings. Many of them, DeMarco and Fred especially, were surprised by CBMI's hospitality and lack of "bullshit" ONI had been known for.

"I'm kinda surprised this is the new group is our new head intelligence bureau after the Dragon Lady over there," Tedra Grant's thumb wavered over to Dr. Halsey, "brought them cloak and dagger bastards down to nothing. Guess that plan worked." She said to Halsey, who merely nodded.

When she and her teammates discovered Halsey, they were filled in on Halsey's plan to screw over Osman for her transgressions during their assault on Darkness Falls, and when they realized Osman might kill them off when she turned off the base's life support systems, they willingly helped Halsey, then used the Cryotubes as their last hope to stave off oxygen deprivation.

Now, they were being brought up to speed by CBMI, with their leader alongside current leading UNSC official, Admiral Lasky. Halsey, John, and the Spartan IVs were a bit pleased that Lasky became admiral in their wake, in fact, Madsen said "About damn time someone gave him keys to the kingdom."

Gabriel Thorne, a Spartan IV with luck of a 4 leafed clover, also said this "Well, no more ONI bullshit, that's for sure."

"You got that right brother." Rick Horner agreed with him.

"Okay, now." Sofia said, gaining the attention of the whole crowd. "We're about to start the debriefing, so everyone please take a seat at the holo table." She said, gesturing to the chairs around the glowing table.

They did so, and holograms began to pop out in to existence. Many were high ranking members that most did not know, but when the last figure materialized, most of them knew instantly. John immediately stood to attention and saluted.

"Captain Lasky." He greeted, with the others doing the same.

Lasky smiled a bit, and gestured the Spartans to lower their arms. "Its Admiral now, Chief, and I told you, I never get used to being called sir by you of all people." He reminded.

Halsey looked at him with an expression likened to being impressed. "Well, you certainly moved up in the world, Admiral."

"Well, I like to think that you might have done something like that when you screwed over Osman." A Russian accent permeated a room, and a bearded man with General accolades on his uniform stepped forward. Lasky then introduced them to General Chernof, Director of CBMI.

"Well, now that we have everyone here, let's bring everyone up to speed. I got two UNSC AI, Hermes and York to give you the necessary information about the recent times, and our status in Andromeda." Lasky said.

Everyone remained silent as a man in greek attire and a man in a 19th century suit, Hermes and York respectively, began uploading data to the holo table.

General Chernof then began "So, shall we begin?"

THAT'S IT! We'll continue that next time, along with Commander Escandor's undercover mission that hit too close to home for him.

I've noticed you guys don't give me a lot of reviews, so please just review this one.