"Chief?" She said softly. She was loath to wake him but she knew he wouldn't like it if she allowed him to sleep anymore. "Chief wake up," she said gently.
"Cortana," he said softly, half asleep. Cortana knew if she had a heart she knew she would have experienced a heart "flutter". Here was a man who had killed thousands of Covenant, saved the world twice speaking to her in a half dreamlike state with such tenderness…It's not fair, she thought despairingly.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
Fortunately for Cortana it didn't last because his military training kicked in and he sat straight up with his gun pointing in front of him. "What's happening?"
"Woah. Easy there. Nothing's happening. We're all right." He relaxed somewhat.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"1 sleep cycle as I promised."
"Time to get back to work."
"Yes," Cortana agreed.
"How much further to Infinity?"
"Not too much further. Figure about another 30 minutes of running at your pace and we'll be pretty close."
He started off in the direction Cortana had marked on his HUD.
"Cortana?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"You were right."
"Of course." Cortana kept her tone light but worry began to cloud her thought processes.
Is he okay?
Check his vitals.
All normal.
What's going on?
John.
He's not as young as he once was.
One person shouldn't have to carry so much.
The Chief entered a clearing which enabled them to see Infinity. It was on still intact laying on the ground with the Didact's ship hovering near the bridge.
A voice came through the Chief's helmet. "This is Lasky to UNSC Infinity. We're up to our necks in bad guys down here. Does anyone read?"
"This is Sierra 117 of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn. We're on station, ready to assist."
"Negative copy did you say Forward Unto Dawn? Come again."
"I can't clean up the signal Chief."
"Light up their friend or foe tags. We'll need something to zero in on."
Cortana and the Chief continued to track Lasky until they reached a large heavy door. "Multiple Id's. Chief they're friendlies!"
The door opened to reveal several UNSC officers inside. The first walked towards Cortana and the Chief with a firm quick step. "I'm afraid we'll have to give you an I.O.U on that welcoming home party." He smiled and offered his hand to the Chief. "Tom Lasky. UNSC first officer of the Infinity. Never thought I'd see you again."
He knows John? Curious. I'll have to search the data banks later if there is an opportunity.
From their initial greeting Cortana decided she liked Lasky. He was young but he was calm, personable and she could see that those in his command respected him.
"Seal her up!" A woman to their right barked.
"Yes Ma'am."
Cortana needed a moment to understand what she was seeing. It was a younger looking woman much shorter (though still tall by human standards) than the Chief in MJOLNIR armor. A Spartan? Cortana did a quick scan of the woman. Her FOF tag identified her as Commander Sarah Palmer. Full last name with no number. The UNSC must have commissioned more Spartans to be built. Cortana did another scan of Palmer's physique. While it was enhanced there was no indication of any of the physical markers like the ones left on the Chief's brain from his intensive indoctrination and augmentation process. They must have gone through the process as adults.
Palmer walked slowly up to the Chief eyeing him up and down. Then she smirked and said, "I thought you'd be taller."
Cortana snorted. Who does she think she is?
So The UNSC thinks it can just replace it's greatest warrior with a bunch of pretend Spartans?
He can't be replaced!
Cortana. We've been gone for almost 5 years. There are only 4 of the original Spartans left including John. This is be expected.
She should give him the respect he deserves.
Cortana.
Does she think she's just as the good as the Chief?
How dare they!
She'll soon find out how good he actually is.
"Commander! Radio's hot!" An officer shouted.
"Spot to com. What frequency?" The voice on the other side was Del Rio. "What frequency damn it!"
"Captain. This is Commander Tom Lasky. All recon birds are down repeat all birds are down. We've got numerous casualties and require immediate assistance."
"Finally. Did you get the coordinates to that gravity well?"
"Affirmative sir but we're gonna need to bust out of here."
"MAKE IT HAPPEN COMMANDER."
Cortana couldn't believe what she was hearing. For the first time she made her presence known to the rest of the people in the bunker. "You were sent on a scouting run in the middle of an attack on the ship?"
Lasky looked up at the Chief but made no indication he was surprised at the sound of her voice. "The Captain thought Infinity could provide us cover and hold off the attack at the same time." From his face she could tell that this sort of thing happened often.
Great. An incompetent CO.
What an idiot.
Cortana!
Has the UNSC completely deteriorated since we left?
"Sir," Sarah Palmer said walking up behind Lasky, her tone gentle. "We'll never get the wounded out on foot."
Lasky winced as he stood up and said to the Chief, "I don't suppose it's too soon to call in a favor?" Then he smiled to himself as if remembering something. "I don't suppose you're any good at clearing LZ's?"
"On occasion," John said. "We'll give the all clear signal once the area is secured."
What? Most everyone is intimidated by John. How is Lasky not? More than ever Cortana's interest was piqued.
The Chief began walking to the back door of the bunker they had been in with the rest of the Infinity crew.
"Cortana where's the optimal position for an LZ?"
She scanned the area until she found a spot that satisfied her. "There's a break in the foliage just North of here. Should be big enough for an LZ."
The Chief didn't say anything in response but started running toward the area Cortana had put on his HUD.
