September 7, 2552

1630

UNSC Mother of Invention

Samuel strode down the hallway of the Invention with his smaller figured acquaintance, Isaac, and listened to him run his mouth non-stop. Speaking about missions, the war, and the training.

There wasn't a lot to talk about anyway. Sam barely knew his ally's past, and Isaac didn't talk about it - like himself - only talking about these past few events and maybe what the future might bring. Which was quite unpredictable. One day, they may be ahead of schedule and beating the Flood to their asses, and the next they are losing over half of the UNSC's army to it. It was a tough time and trying to keep their minds off of the idea that there is a chance they would lose was one of the soldiers top priorities.

"Then Gerry said that it doesn't hurt as bad and was totally safe to shoot without a suit." Isaac continues to rant with annoyance.

"And you listened to him?" Sam asks in a monotone without looking down at him.

"I thought it would be cool to try to shoot a heavily loaded machine gun without the suit until I was gutted and the gun dislocated my shoulder!" He shouts in anger before sighing and shaking his head. "I can't believe that I believed such an idiot. You know he shot one of the guys who were in the front line when he dropped his gun. How do you do that?!"

Sam only shrugs before he notices the Master Gunnery Sergeant walking down the hallway in their direction with a new figure behind him.

"Hey, Master Guns." Sam quietly informs the moody friend before the two salute him as he walks by.

"Afternoon soldiers." His voice greets the two without any hesitation in his walk as he strode past. But the female figure slows slightly to get a better look at the latino who stood motionless for a solid moment.

Catching her gaze, he follows the cyan orbs that captivated him. They gleamed curiously, growing smaller as she lengthened the distance between them. Her smile was small yet held a seductive print that showed her licking her lower lip for a split second. Winking at him, she turns away from him and continues to follow the Master Gunnery Sergeant before they disappeared around the corner with their footsteps growing softer the further they went.

"Hey, Sam." Isaac's voice pulls him out of his trance-like state and he snaps back at the soldier in confusion and surprise. "Hey, you good? You look out of it."

"I'm fine." He simply answers as he walks past him and back in the direction they were previously wondering too.

Isaac quickly glances back in the direction the stranger followed and eyed in sudden suspicion. Turning back and following his partner, quickening his pace to keep up with his long strides.

~~~Agent Russ~~~

Samuel sat at a table alone, picking at his food after he had taken a shower and changed into the UNSC uniform tracksuits that are provided. Training was as usual and he waited for his ally to show up, knowing how long he likes to take in the shower.

Living on a space station is harder than it may be on Earth. You don't see day and night. The hours are still 24/7 and is confusing to get used to as it really doesn't match up with any timezone. Even though it was near Earth, it wasn't the same. Some soldiers slept during the "day" while others slept during the "night". Some didn't even have an actual schedule. The counselor on board the Mother of Invention did recommend many of the soldiers on board to have a sleep schedule since it is important that they have proper functions in the mind and body when it is time to go onto the battlefield. Sam had experienced first hand of what happens to men who don't get the required amount of sleep. Many would start to hallucinate and shot allies instead of enemies. And some even dropped dead from exhaustion.

Sam continues to pick at the steamed vegetables on his metal plate before a hand slams down loudly, causing him to jump slightly and look up at the owner of the hand. Locking eyes with some blue crystals, he lets out an inaudible gasp and recognizes the strangers face from a few hours back. Without a change in her expression, she sits on the table and holds out her hand to him.

"Tina." She simply reveals with a patient hold of her hand.

Taking it into his, Sam shakes it twice before replying, "Samuel."

"I saw the way you were looking at me. You were interested." Tina gives him a mischievous grin as she continues to stare at him, locked eye to eye and not breaking away.

Sam feels himself beginning to blush. "Um, yes. No. Sorry, I was just curious, I-I," He gives up and drops his head into his palm, hiding his face with his hair.

"It's fine." Tina giggles with a slight shove of his shoulder. "I was just hoping to get to know you while I'm here."

"Not enrolling?" Sam asks in sudden curiosity.

"No, I am enrolled, but I'm on the Motherboard temporarily before they reassign me somewhere else." Tina grabs a carrot from his tray and munches on it as she continues to explain. "My last station was hijacked and destroyed. Thank God my suit was able to withstand being in space for 3 and a half days."

Tina wasn't telling the full truth. She was the one that destroyed the ship. And she was able to take an escape pod like Nickz did before the events that happened between her and her mother. Mu was able to call in some help from Space Command and they recommended staying at the Invention for a few weeks before finding some other station to be assigned to. Since she technically wasn't the UNSC's Marine soldier and project, she couldn't stay anywhere in full time - unless she chooses to return to Earth.

"That sucks." Sam simply comments as he eats a spoonful of mashed potatoes with some peas in it.

She sighs. "What could you do about it?"

Looking up once again at Sam with a sudden smile, she nods her head and once again locks eyes with his burnt orbs.

"I'll be heading back to my bunk. I'll see you around." Touching his shoulder one last time, Tina got off the table and headed out of the mess hall before running into a familiar figure.

"Hey, watch it!" He shouts.

Noticing who it was, Isaac stood up straight and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at her with a mixed expression.

"Well, isn't it the new girl. What brings you here?" He sarcastically asks.

Tina frowns at him and attempts to walk past him, but he quickly grabs her by her arm and holds her still.

"There is something about you. I don't know what it is. And I can't put my finger on it, but I do expect you to stay away from Sam." The two locked gazes, glaring at each other with a burning hatred; even if it was their first time meeting. "Getting too close will result in harmful consequences." He whispers in her ear before he allowed her to snatch her arm free from his grip.

Walking away without looking back, Isaac stares at her ass as it moves from side to side, hoping that he could get something like that in the near future. As the booty disappears somewhere, he gives himself a little smirk before continuing his walk into the mess hall to meet his friend.