Yeah yeah, its been a whie i know.
Battalion is busy as fuck training and getting ready for afganistan. If i dont update for awhile thats why.
But rest assured another chapter is always in the works. Enjoy.
At the entrance to the concealed path, the ODST commander stood patiently while Airon and Miyuki walked down the path.
He smiled as Miyuki waved at him and he waved back courteously.
The young boy from yesterday, he was pretty sure his name was Thawnbolt, was walking next to Airon. He had been bandaged up from his encounter with the Traxins and Ellis was glad to see that he was already back on his feet.
Suddenly however, from behind them came a crash that shattered the morning calm followed by yelling.
"Watch out! The carts out of control, get out of the way!" Ellis stood up and saw that higher up the hill to the castle, two carts full of goods that had been making their way up to the castle were now barrelling down the hill, and gaining speed each second.
The beasts pulling the first cart had gotten loose from their ropes and caused the cart to fall out of control, having been spooked by something or another, whereas the second had come loose from the people dropping their handles and ropes and jumping out of the way and was now barrelling end over end now.
The hill itself wasn't steep, but it had enough of a slope to cause the two carts to pick up speed.
"Look out!" Ellis yelled out to Airon, who had heard the call from up the hill and had turned to face the sound of the disturbance.
Ellis watched, unable to do anything as the carts closed on Miyuki and Airon.
"Move!" the ODST Captain yelled, running up the hill now.
At the last second, much to Ellis' surprise, Thawnbolt pushed Miyuki out of the way just in time, before grabbing Airon and diving out of the carts way.
Ellis heard a cry to his left and looked to see that an older gentleman had fallen on the path, directly in the carts way, with a younger girl that was another one of the curious creatures he had seen all over bending over him, trying to help him up to get him out of the way.
The ODST rushed forward without thinking, charging up the road to the pair.
"Get out of there! Move!" Yelled Ellis, in his well practiced commander's voice.
The girl however didn't seem to hear him, trying desperately to help the old man to his feet.
Ellis reached them the same time as another by-stander did, who pulled the girl off to the side of the road, while Ellis grabbed the old man by his clothes and dragged him out of the way, just as the carts crashed into each other right where he had been not a second before.
Ellis stood there, breathing heavily and doubled over as he watched the 2 carts finally crash side by side into the bottom of the road, bringing their deadly rampage to a halt.
He looked down at the old man whom he had pulled out of the way not a moment to soon.
"Are you alright?" he asked, visually checking him over for wounds.
However, the man seemed too shocked at the ODST's appearance to even answer, he lay gaping up at the silver mirrored visor of the Helljumper with a look of awe on his face.
"Captain Ellis!" Turning away from the old man, the Helljumper spotted Airon and Miyuki running down the path towards him.
"Over here! I'm alright!" Shouted the commander, waving at them to get their attention.
Looking around he spotted the girl and her rescuer a little ways away, who were also staring at him with fear and awe.
Miyuki imminently ran over to help the older man up, while Airon and Thawnbolt checked to make sure that everybody else was okay.
However the older man protested as Miyuki attempted to help him up; "My lady, I'm fine. Please do not trouble yourself with me."
"You're hurt, you need help." Said the young Princess who, with help from Ellis, managed to get the man to his feet.
She smiled kindly at the old man who managed a small bow.
"Thank you my lady."
"Teacher!" the girl that had been rescued by the passerby rushed forward and hugged the old man, "I'm so sorry! I tried to help you but I couldn't and you could have died, and it would have been my entire fault!" She blurted out quickly.
"Calm down Kasuka, I'm alright. Thanks to this... man, anyways." Replied the old teacher, turning everyone's attention to the strange black armoured man before them.
Ellis, now face to face with the girl, saw that she resembled a variant of a lynx.
The girl turned to face him and he could see her eyes filled with both questions and fear as she looked at him.
Taking a deep breath however, she walked up to him and gave a small bow.
"Thank you for saving Teacher." The Lynx said, fidgeting nervously in front of him.
Ellis however waved it off, "It was nothing, and I couldn't just stand by and watch."
"Who are you stranger?" Asked the old man, his eyes narrowing, scrutinizing the ODST.
"This is Captain Ellis," said Airon stepping forward, next to Miyuki, "He is a friend and ally of ours from a foreign Kingdom. He is here to help deal with the Traxins that have been prowling about as of late."
The elder gentleman, noticing Airon for the first time, stood again in shock before bowing deeply.
"Apologies my lord, I meant nothing of it..." He turned to face Ellis, who was still staring at Airon, thinking hard.
"Thank you sir, were it not for you I would be dead for sure, along with my student."
"It was nothing, glad to be of assistance." Replied Ellis politely.
"Well, you can be sure that all my students and all the locals down the tavern will hear of your deed. You have gained many people trust today good sir!" The man bowed and started walking off.
The ODST stood next to Airon and Miyuki, watching the old man and his student disappear as helpers from the castle and people along the path hurried towards the crashed carts.
Some with less than honest intentions, he was sure, hoping to maybe sneak away with a few things here and there.
He didn't even register the fact that Thawnbolt was standing next to him until he saw him move, clutching one of his wounds as it throbbed in pain.
He turned to look at who had made the sound as Miyuki rushed over and inspected his injury.
Thawnbolt was one of the people that was 100% human, and no older than 16.
He was tall and lean, apparently still growing into his body with a mane of blonde hair atop his head.
However he waved Miyuki off, insisting that he was fine, while glancing up at Ellis.
"Hell of a way to start off the morning. This happens a lot?" Ellis asked Airon, grinning slightly.
"Not at all, this only happens when someone gets careless, accidents are bound to happen that way. I'm sure that Guard Captain Garit will find the ones responsible and fine them. Quite a hefty fine at that too, knowing Garit. Damn good soldier, just a disciplinarian too." Sighed the young Prince.
He turned and looked at Thawnbolt, who was standing next to them now.
"Thawnbolt, you did great re-acting so quickly back there, thank you. I owe you my life." Airon praised the boy.
Thawnbolt snapped into a bow. "Thank you my lord. I'm just glad that you and Lady Miyuki are alright."
Thawnbolt then looked back up at the ODST Captain, who stood on the other side of Airon.
Ellis took notice of this and guessed what the boy wanted.
"If you're thinking of thanking me for yesterday, it isn't necessary." Thawnbolt blushed slightly and quickly looked away, embarrassed that he had been so easily read.
"He's been asking all about you ever since he woke up this morning," said Airon grinning, "kept bugging us to let him come down to your ship with us."
Ellis looked over at the boy that he had rescued yesterday and felt a surge of memories hit him.
Seeing him up close, the teenager looked exactly like one that he had seen long ago. He couldn't stop the images that came rushing forward into his minds eye.
A boy, standing his ground against a Covenant kill squad, shielding his classmates from them with only a pistol.
Ellis had been watching from a caved in building 600 metres away with his team, unable to do anything as a Brute shot him square in the chest, while the Jackals closed in on the helpless students.
He gave his head a hard shake, forcing the memories back down into the dark depths of his mind that housed all his memories from those dark horrifying times...
5 minutes later, the group members were trudging down the path to the crashed ship, the sun cutting rays of light through the canopy of tree cover.
As they approached, they spotted Floyd standing guard near the ship, armoured up with his rifle slung across his body.
The trooper looked tired, but alert. His armour having the appearance of being thrown on in a hurry.
Ellis had radioed back to the ship to have somebody stand a quick watch while he dealt with the cart situation. After all, he couldn't just leave the ship unguarded.
The Corporal came to attention and saluted Ellis, "Morning Sir!" the trooper said in a tired voice.
His attention turned to those following behind his commander after Ellis cut him a salute.
"And a good morning to you folks as well ma'am." The trooper's southern Earth accent showed a bit as gave a friendly nod to Airon and Miyuki.
"You're dismissed Floyd, go catch some sleep." Ellis ordered, patting the trooper on his shoulder plate.
"Best order I've ever been given." The Corporal commented with a tired grin.
The trooper turned and trudged back into the ship, his rifle slung over his shoulder as he stretched.
"Wow, you were really busy last night." Airon commented, looking around the crash site, impressed with how quickly their new friends had set up their equipment and camouflage.
"Well if we're going to be here for awhile might as well make the most of it." The ODST commander remarked as he brought over a few camping stools for them to relax on.
"Captain, I've been meaning to ask you..." Miyuki started but Ellis cut her off.
"Please, it's just Ellis." The commander said with a wave of his hand.
Miyuki smiled, "Of course... Ellis. You said you crashed because something attacked you. Correct?"
The troopers face became notably darker, before he nodded. "Yes. That's right."
"Well, what is it exactly that attacked your ships?" Asked Airon, leaning forward.
Ellis sighed and leaned back, staring up at the Albatross and the sun shining off of its armoured hull.
"That is a very long story. You don't need to worry, what attacked us is long gone and no threat to you."
"That's just it though," Airon said darkly, also looking up at the crashed ship, "Garit made a good point after you left, he said that whatever attacked you must have been very powerful and very dangerous."
"It might be best to just tell them sir." Came a gruff voice from the entrance to the ships interior.
Ellis turned and saw Gunny striding towards them, a cup of MRE instant coffee in each hand.
"Figured they'd ask sooner or later." Gunny stated as he handed a cup to the Captain.
"Yeah, I know. It's just not my favourite thing in the world to talk about," Ellis turned back to face his guests, "some of this might be very difficult to understand, but I'll explain it as best as I can."
Ellis noticed Thawnbolt lean in closer, paying strict attention as he began.
"45 years ago, our civilization was spread out across the Stars on over 90 different planets. Our overall population was nearing 40 billion." Ellis started.
"That's a lot of people" Whispered Miyuki.
"Indeed. Anyway, there was this planet, called Harvest; a peaceful farming colony. Then one day, all contact with Harvest was lost. The UNSC sent a ship to re-establish contact with them. Shortly after all contact was lost with that ship as well."
Ellis paused and took a sip of his coffee before continuing; "A Battle-group of 3 ships was sent to investigate, and soon after reaching the planet, we lost contact with those ships as well. One managed to limp back, barely holding itself together."
Ellis took a much larger sip of the MRE coffee this time and shook his head as if to get rid of the bitter taste.
"The ship reported that Harvest was gone. Destroyed. Nothing but a burned out rocks floating in the blackness. Its entire population of 3 million people, dead."
Miyuki gasped, covering her mouth in horror, while Airon unconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword on his hip tightly.
Ellis continued, explaining as best he could without confusing his new Allies. He explained about the war, how Humanity had fought for survival and the never ending parade of losses as planet after planet fell to the alien horde known as the Covenant. How brave men and women stood their ground and fought, even when they knew they where outnumbered and outgunned.
He told them about how desperate they were, that before long there was only a handful of planets left, with the population down to just over 19 billion.
"There was one thing though, that struck fear into the hearts of the Covenant; Spartans." Ellis said dramatically.
As much of a rivalry that the ODST's had with Spartans, towards the end of the war Ellis had come to respect them. Hell, he owed more than one of them his life.
"What's a Spartan?" Asked Thawnbolt, speaking up for the first time.
Dante had been walking with the girl all day, the better part of which she was sleeping, but when his HUD showed the time of 12:43 PM, he thought that they should stop for lunch.
Dante may be a Super Soldier, but seeing how as he wasn't in combat nor was there any immediate threat, he could take a rest and grab some chow, and possibly try his Comms again.
Finding a little spot just off the road, he set the Vixen down gently and tucked the blankets back around her.
He made a quick sweep of the perimeter; making sure once again that there were no threats present.
Checking his motion detector one more time he then undid the seal on his helmet and took it off, the warm summer air filling his lungs as he breathed in unfiltered oxygen.
Sitting down beside the tree where he'd laid his sleeping companion, he tore open 2 MRE's from his pack; spaghetti and Buffalo wings, and took the effort to actually make the meal, pouring water into the pouch full of chemicals and letting it heat up the bag and cook the meal.
He gently nudged the form that was the sleeping girl next to him, who awoke with a start before recognition dawned on her face and she looked up at him sleepily.
He handed her the Buffalo wings and she looked up at him, curiosity in her eyes.
"Go on, eat up." She smiled brightly at him and tore into the MRE just as she had before, and he chuckled as she got the sauce all over her face.
A few minutes later and the meat was devoured along with the rest of the meal and she looked over at him smiling brightly and licking her lips satisfied.
Dante, finished with his also, sat back and looked up at the bright sky that was full of small fluffy clouds, lost in thought.
"Hey," he said turning back around to the Vixen, "you don't have a name right?" He asked gently as he could, not wanting to offend her.
She hung he her head sadly despite this though and slowly shook her head.
"Would it be alright if I gave you one?" He asked hopefully.
Her head snapped up and she looked at him, a bit shocked but nodded her head eagerly.
They sat and he gave her suggestions that ranged from all over, but she eventually settled on one; ' Myra '.
He smiles at her, "I like it, and it suits you."
She beamed up at him happily.
Dante leaned up against a tall tree, putting his helmet back on, content in taking a quick rest from walking for a whole day.
The girl continued staring at him as he started to drift off to sleep, looking as though she was having some internal struggle. Slowly and carefully she got up and, taking her blankets with her, made her way over to him.
Dante looked down at her as she cuddled up next to him, her head lying in his lap as she curled herself into a ball by his legs. She must have been tired as all she had done is sleep, but Dante thought that a quick rest for half an hour would do them both good, even if it was the middle of the day.
He placed his arm on her shoulders softly, holding her into his lap as she nuzzled up to him.
He wasn't to sure if sleeping on his titanium plated armour could be that comfortable, but she didn't seem to mind.
As he fell asleep with the Vixen lying in his lap, feeling that same pull in his chest towards her that he'd felt the previous night.
Ellis turned and looked at Gunny, who was grinning.
"A Spartan," Gunny started, "is a living, breathing killing machine. They have a reputation for making the impossible happen, performing damned near miracles. A single Spartan, can change the tide of any battle."
Thawnbolts eyes lit up bright with amazement, while Miyuki and Airon tried to imagine such a thing.
"The only reason that we're here today... that any of us are here today is because of a Spartan." said Ellis dramatically, gunny nodding in agreement.
"John; Spartan 117."
"What happened?" asked Airon.
"At the end of the war humanity was on the brink of extinction. The Covenant had found Earth. We were outnumbered, outgunned and out matched. We fought, we fought damned hard. We made them pay for every single step they took on our home planet. But it just wasn't enough. Spartan 117 gave us hope, he never quit, never gave up." Ellis said proudly.
"The story is very complicated and long, however perhaps we should save it for another time; when Captain Garit is with you perhaps." Said Gunny, trying to avoid the complications of attempting to explain the Halo rings and the flood.
"Fair enough." Said Airon stretching back and thinking about these 'Spartans'.
"You said, 'we fought'," stated Miyuki looking thoughtfully at Ellis, "you mean that you fought in that horrible war?"
Ellis nodded grimly while gunny looked away. "We did. It's... not my most favourite part of my life or memories."
Miyuki nodded, she knew that Garit often felt the same way whenever she tried to talk to him about the battles he had fought in.
"We had a Spartan with us on one of the ships actually," Ellis commented, trying to change the subject, "He was supposed to drop down in with us, but then after the attack that plan kind of went to hell."
"Really? That's too bad, I think I would have enjoyed meeting one." said Airon thoughtfully.
Gunny laughed. "Most people that meet them are scared shitless of them. They're almost 8ft tall, with muscles the size of my head, and their armour is 1000 times more powerful than ours."
"Speaking of meeting people," Started Ellis, his eyes glancing up at the very odd ears on top on Airon and Miyuki's heads, "I've been meaning to ask you. About all these people around here that look like animals... what are... they... you." Ellis finished, fumbling over his words, whilst trying to sound apologetic too.
Miyuki giggled and Airon looked at him curiously.
"You mean, you don't have Chimeras where you're from?" Asked Thawnbolt, looking surprised.
"No, we don't," said Ellis, "is that what they're called? Chimera?"
"Closest thing I've seen to one is a Sangheili." Added Gunny.
Miyuki nodded. "Yes, they're called Chimera. The book of the Guardians says that long ago the Goddess made the Chimera alongside Humans."
"So why do you and Airon only have the ear thing going on?" asked Gunny, also eying the odd appendages on top of their heads, "you a mix or something?"
Miyuki laughed, "I've never quite heard it put that way before."
"Yes as a matter of fact. Our parents were both Chimera that mated with a human, hence the whole 'ear thing'." Airon said, also smiling a bit.
They continued talking for awhile; discussing all manner of things and for once the ODST's found themselves actually having a good time.
When Ellis was in his schooling days, he had taken two subjects for further education; Agriology (the study of primitive people and their society) and typical military history. Because of these two, he had quite a large interest in these people and societies, not that he would call them primitive.
After a bit however Airon and Miyuki decided that it was time for them to get moving on, they where supposed to head down to the city and make their daily rounds.
"Though we may not be King and Queen yet," explained Miyuki, "I think its good to keep up public appearance, it makes the people feel like they are important and helps a lot with governing decisions."
"Really? That's very wise of you. Perhaps, if you don't mind, myself and a few of my troopers could accompany you? I'd like to get a better look at the surrounding area anyways." Said Ellis, his tactical mind jumping into action.
"That would be lovely!" Miyuki smiled, "I would love to show you our city!"
Next to her Airon just smiled and put his arm around the young princess.
"Sounds like we got ourselves a patrol," said Gunny, "you want me to wake the men sir?"
"Yeah, go ahead and wake them up. Have them load up for a light patrol." sighed Ellis.
He had hoped to give them a little more sleep, but there was work to do. A thought occurred to him at this.
"Hey Gunny, grab me a 7 hour energy shot too would ya?" asked the Captain.
"Can do sir, got one in my pack." came Gunny's response.
"If you wouldn't mind Ellis, I'm actually curious to see the inside of your ship." added Airon, standing up.
Ellis paused and thought for a second.
"Sure, why not." He replied hesitantly, but then waved them forward, following Gunny as he entered the ship.
"Get up fucktards! We've got work to do!" They heard Gunny yell from just inside the doorway.
A chorus of curses and 'fuck you's' followed this statement.
"Let's go! Come on, get up! We've got shit to do, so unfuck yourself and get your asses in gear!" Ordered Gunny loudly, walking over and kicking Treven's rack.
Airon, Miyuki and Thawnbolt walked in just as the ODST's were starting to get up, with Ellis standing beside them watching with a grin on his face as the troopers began to get up, bitching and moaning all the while.
Next to him, his guests were focused more on the interior of the Albatross as the looked around with wide curious eyes.
Airons attention, he noticed, seemed to be focused on the two giant monsters in the middle of the bay; The Warthogs looked as impressive and menacing as ever, standing a silent watch as the troopers slept.
"Get moving Marines, it's another glorious day in the Corps! Every meal a banquette, every march a parade, every pay check a fortune. God damn I love the corps!" Gunny quoted as he strode about the troop bay, making sure the troopers were doing as they were told, causing more than one snappy comeback and Ellis to smile.
"What are those giant things in the middle there?" Asked Airon, gesturing towards the Warthogs.
Ellis turned his attention away from the Hell Jumpers getting ready and looked where Airon had gestured.
"Ah, yes. Those are called Warthogs." Ellis said, walking over to the nearest one; the LAAV, with Airon following.
Ellis explained as best he could about the Warthog and just what it was, while Miyuki stood awkwardly over by the door with Thawnbolt, who had a smile on his face like a kid in a candy store.
She watched as the Marines got dressed and put their armour on, more than one of them calling out a good morning ma'am to her.
Carmela walked over to Miyuki, just having finished putting her BDU's (Battle Dress Uniform) on and locking her armour into place.
"Don't let them fool you;" said the Female ODST, "they're a bunch of wusses."
Miyuki grinned, "They certainly don't seem like it."
She turned to Carmela, who was strapping the chest piece of her armour on tight.
"It can't be easy being the only girl amongst you."
Carmela laughed, "Nah' these guys are my family, as much as I hate to admit it. It's like having a lot of brothers. Really annoying, ugly and smelly brothers." The two laughed.
"She's more of a guy than a girl ma'am; don't believe a word she says. I'm not even sure sometimes if she doesn't actually have a di..." Seth had to duck as a wrench flew past his head.
"Shut your whore mouth!" yelled Carmela, who charged at Seth as Miyuki's eyes widened.
Within the next few minutes; Carmela had landed on Seth twice, the first having been kicked off by Seth's instinctive kick.
The second time, she jumped on his retreating figure and tackled him down, where his head hit Treven's bunk.
Every one of the soldiers present stood around in a circle and cheered one of the two opponents on.
"I bet you my last Hershey bar against your favourite packet of chicken pasta MRE that Seth will win!" Treven whispered to Gunny.
"No way, Carmela will win." Replied Gunny.
5 minutes and a fight later, where Seth had a black eye, choked for two minutes repeatedly and held in an arm lock, the ODST's stood fully armoured and geared up for the patrol.
As they stood ready, Gunny looked pleased as Treven handed over his Hershey bar.
"Seth, Floyd. You two stay back and guard the ship. And try to recover your severely bruised ego." Gunny ordered as they troopers filed out, following their new allies.
They stepped out into the sun and stretched.
"Right, well we'll follow you. Just lead the way." said Ellis walking along next to Airon.
Side note, 21st Birthday tommarow. Getting fuuucked up.
