(Author's Note: I've been getting a hell of a lot of reviews and PMs wondering how I can post so fast, whether these are pre made things. Honestly? I'm writing my ass off every day and I haven't played a video game in a month (I am desperate to play Skyrim but I really want this out of my head and on my computer.) This is like some virus stuck in my head, nibbling away at my brain as I write. Elena is my muse, literally. She's awesome in my head, and there's so many things already planned out through the whole story (Sad stuff hits her like crazy, sorry Elena but the writer has to make this interesting.) This is how I see a kick ass pilot, not just something that shoots at things in the air, but has a life down below, and others are joined into her life and have a life of their own. Seth is just, well, he's got issues just like she does. I want them to have a happy ending! But they might not… depends on which ending I choose! Because I am god to them! Ha! Oh shit here they come with the bats again… *runs as Elena and Seth charge after the writer* "Don't run away! We are your friends! And we hate your knee caps!")
[0700 hours, March 25th 2554 (Military Calendar)/ Sol System, San Francisco, Moffett Airfield]
Seth woke up to find Elena tucked into the crook of his arm asleep. The covers were pulled up to her chest as she dreamed on. He smiled and lifted her arm carefully to slip away and put his underwear on. What happened last night between them was incredible. He did his best to make sure she was happy with his effort, and apparently she was seeing stars. He did good from what she told him, though she had never been with anyone else to go for a comparison. They had technically only been together for one night officially, and they hadn't actually gone on a date, and she had already put out for him. Was last night the date? They had known each other for so long, maybe they were due now that she wasn't with Andy, she was with him.
He walked carefully to the kitchen counter and checked for coffee. Elena hadn't checked the stock since she was gone for so long, so it was a bit low. There was an old bag of coffee beans in the freezer, and a can of instant in the cupboard. He sighed. He really wanted to make breakfast for her. He looked at her curled up on the pulled out couch still sleeping with a smile creeping on her face. He did a little "I'm macho" dance because he felt like a million bucks. The girl of his dreams was with him, or he should say he was with the girl of his dreams. She was by far more awesome than he ever could be. She flew state of the art fighters while he sat in a pod. Granted, he crushed transports with his mind and flipped torpedoes around mid-air and sent them back looking like happy faces, but still.
He slipped his shirt back on and got his pants on as well, then put his shoes on and tied them. He crept out of the hangar as silently as he could and got on his cycle. He pulled it back as far as he could to make sure she didn't wake up and headed out to get some groceries.
[Two hours later]
Elena slowly woke up to the smell of two things. Bacon, and coffee. She sat up and looked around and saw Seth at the kitchen cooking. He looked over at her and smiled.
"Coffee?" he asked. She nodded with a smile and got off the couch and looked for her underwear. She found it and put it on, and then found her bra and her shirt. They really had thrown their clothes around. She walked to him as he made an omelet.
"You like omelets don't you?" he asked.
"Yeah, definitely" she giggled as she reached around and hugged him from behind. He moved an omelet to a plate and dropped four pieces of bacon with it and some hash browns. He turned around and put his arms around her.
"So was last night… good?" he asked.
"Oh yeah. I was very happy" she smirked as he leaned down and kissed her.
"Good, cause I gave it my all" he said as he handed her the plate. She walked to the table and sat down with a Carafe of Milk already there.
"Well, um, you may need to tone down your all, cause… wow" she whistled.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked.
"I'm sore, but a good sore. After last night I feel… much better. Free" she told him as she took a deep breath. She noticed there was cut up fruit in a bowl on the table. He really went all out.
"I'm glad to hear that" he chuckled.
"What about you?" she asked.
"I feel… content. No problems, not a care beyond what I see here, you and me. No work right now, nothing."
Elena smiled and popped a grape into her mouth. She was happy. He walked over with his own plate and sat down.
"Dig in, plenty more where that came from" he told her. They both wolfed down their food and he went to make more.
"So a thought has been crossing my mind, and you don't have to answer it immediately. How do we go about this? You and I? I come and visit often? I get stationed nearby? What?" Elena asked.
"I've been having the same question as well hon. I think I-" he tried to say as his cell rang near the couch.
"I'll get it" Elena said. She walked over and grabbed it and turned it on.
"Hello?" she answered. No response. "Hello is someone there?" she asked.
"Uh, yes, is this Elena? This is… Riko… um, can I speak to Seth?" she heard.
"Sure thing, he's right over here" she replied and handed him the phone.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, it's me" Riko responded.
"Oh hey, how are things over there?" he asked.
"Um, well…" she trailed off.
"Is something wrong?" he asked and looked at Elena. She leaned against the countertop and watched him.
"Nothing is wrong, just interesting that Elena answered your phone" Riko replied.
"Oh. Well, she has clearance now, sort of. Hey, can you do me a favor? Can you get the paperwork for Elena to be sanctioned?" he asked.
"Are you kidding me? You and her are… congratulations! See, you just had to get kicked in the pants" Riko giggled.
"Yeah yeah, hardie har har. Can you do it?" he asked as he looked at Elena. She gave him a small smile still standing in her underwear and tank top.
"It's done. She has an EBI rating for the project, but not a huge amount. There are classified elements in it she cannot know" Riko told him.
"I figured that. As long as I can at least talk nearby and not lie about it to her, I'm fine with that" he said and smiled at her. He didn't want to lie to her, despite the fact he had already done it at the bowling alley. He did that to protect her from second guessing herself in all her actions.
"Hey, you'll never guess what I found out" Riko said.
"What's that?" Seth said as he grabbed Elena's hand and squeezed it gently. She squeezed back. They entwined their fingers together and he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb softly.
"Most of your work that is now piling up hint hint? It's being transferred to other remote viewers" Riko told him.
"Oh fuck, look, I'm sorry it's taken so long, I just… I couldn't leave ok? I just couldn't" he said and looked at Elena. Worry slowly worked its way over her face.
"Sorry" she whispered.
"Not your fault hon, I wouldn't have had it any other way" he told her seriously. He squeezed her hand again and then brought it up to his lips and kissed it. She gazed at him thoughtfully.
"It's not what you think Seth. New orders. I can't explain it over the cell, strict orders from the big cheese. You'll know when you come back in. Something big is in the works that even Tachi can't get access to, and I even asked Cortana to do a bit of snooping. Whatever the info is, it isn't digital and hidden in areas that there are no sensors or cameras. We AIs are in the dark."
Seth thought for a minute. Why would they transfer all of the work he was doing to track down rebels? There was so much he needed to do to help keep the UEG safe. His work load actually doubled after the Human-Covenant War. There were so few remote viewers, and only three that could manipulate objects, including him. The rest could only provide observation and information gathering, and even then, there were less than ten of the normal ones. Finding remote viewers was incredibly hard, as it wasn't like finding a Spartan. Genes only played a small part in how the person responded inside a cryo pod. Seth even knew there was a Spartan Four as a remote viewer. It depended on how their mind worked. They were still extremely rare.
"Ok, so I'm not doing anything wrong?" he asked.
"Nope, trust me Seth, Metfield thinks you walk on water. He relies on you way too much to try and pull that work without good reason. You're his right hand man. There is no way he'd not think highly of you" Riko told him softly.
"Ok, as long as I'm not pissing off the old man, I still owe him too much to screw things up for him" Seth replied.
"You do not screw things up Seth, that's a fact. When do you expect to come back?" Riko asked.
"When Elena decides to go back up. I hope… I hope it isn't for a few more days" he said quietly, and looked at Elena. She looked a bit sad and looked away from him. They knew eventually they'd have to be apart again. Goodbyes were always painful, especially since they had just gotten together. He was stuck here while she'd be anywhere they needed her squadron. It could be years before they physically saw each other again. Video calls did only so much to keep the pain staved off from being away from the one you love.
"Take your time, she needs to be fully recovered from any effects. And Seth, we still don't know if she has one of those… you know… still looking. I'd take a guess it isn't timed, but a trigger of some sort. Maybe a signal if it happened, and that's a big if" she told him.
"I can only hope the Precursors don't have that capability" he said and Elena looked confused. He shrugged and rubbed her hand again.
"Your parents have been asking about you, when you'll go visit them" Riko told him.
"Yeah… well, I'll have to see about that… they moved to San Diego so it's not like I can just up and see them whenever I please. Work first remember?" he sighed.
"Work second, love first, don't ever forget that" Riko sternly said. He sighed and agreed. He looked up at Elena and smiled. He couldn't stop marveling at how beautiful she was. She didn't wear makeup, she didn't need to. Natural beauty.
"Yeah yeah. I'll see about it after. Hey, we need to go check on her mother again and explain some stuff, anything else I should know?" he asked.
"There are some really interesting surprises you'll want to see when you get back. I don't want to spoil them for you, but there are some improvements that have come out of the skunk works" she giggled.
"For the pod? What are they?" he asked.
"I'm not telling, you have to see for yourself. Go on, go be with your new girlfriend, it can wait" Riko chuckled. She was always understanding. Whoever was used to make her, they were one hell of a person, always caring and yet still willing to tear another AI apart.
He said goodbye and turned off the cell. Elena was quick to lean against him as he leaned against the countertop and was almost laying on top of him with their angle. She kissed him and he kissed back.
"So everything is good?" she asked.
"Yup, at least I think so. Hey, I just realized something, shouldn't you call the big clunky ship you stay in?" he chuckled. She lightly slapped his chest with her hand and smirked.
"It's not clunky, and Dare would scold you to death for saying that. She's state of the art" she giggled.
"So is my refrigerator, but it's still clunky" he told her. She leaned back a bit and eyed him with an amusing look on her face.
"Are you talking about an actual refrigerator or the pod?" she asked.
"An actual refrigerator, not my pod, that thing is in a class of its own in clunkiness" he chuckled and she laughed.
"Clunkiness is not a word" Elena teased him.
"It is now, I made it officially, it will be in the dictionary soon, right next to Chunker, it's like clunker but it loses parts along the way, similar to a jalopy" he told her. She giggled and leaned her forehead against his.
"I love you" she said softly.
"I love you too" he replied and kissed her again.
"We need to get ready, your mother is going to probably make me clean her house for keeping you away without a report" he chuckled.
"Oh come on, we're both grown adults, she can just stuff it if she wants to complain that she didn't get the juicy gossip that we stayed here and…" she trailed off.
"And?" he smirked.
"You know, I was going to keep waiting until I was married before I… well, had sex. I guess I didn't wait did I?" she asked.
"Are you having regrets?" he asked worriedly.
"No, I… I did it with someone I care about, and like to be around and who understands me. You proved that last night. I…" she trailed off again.
"Wait, wha… are you wanting me to go get a ring and… uh…" he looked like he was now blushing, red in the face as he tried to figure out if he should haul out and do that. Did people really get married after being together for one night? He didn't really understand since she was his first, but if she wanted to, he didn't want to lose her.
"What? No, no. I'm just thinking about the future that's all. If things continue, and they clearly have considering how long we've known each other, maybe eventually… I know, I know I sound like one of those clingy girlfriends who immediately wants to get hitched and settle down. I don't think I can really do that yet. But, well, if everything goes well, and from the looks of it I highly doubt it won't, I'll be waiting for that question. You can imagine my answer. Just not now, I don't expect you to jump, but later, if you want to… I have no idea why I brought that up, forget I said anything, I really sound weird…" she told him. His heart was beating quickly. Could he work up the courage to ask her to marry him? Not right now, they were at the beginning of the relationship. Who could know if things might not turn out well. He prayed to everything that it did work out. He'd do everything he had to make it so.
"When that time comes, you can bet I'll have the ring ready Elena. I pinkie swear" he said and brought up his pinkie. She giggled and ringed her own around his and shook.
"But we don't have to worry about that right now ok? Just live in the moment. I don't want to think about the future until it's here, so right now is right now. Let's go get ready and head to see my mother, but first I get to call the clunker" she told him.
"She better not try and kill me or make me clean her house" he told her.
"Oh, I forgot, how did the game go?" She smirked.
"We were even, and we both missed our last strike. She actually missed one pin, and I got the same because of some kid running out in front of me when I threw my ball" he told her.
"Was the kid ok?" she asked.
"Oh he was fine, I flipped over him and nearly continued with my ball down the lane. Was not happy, but whatever, at least she can't try and punish me for losing as it was a draw" he told her smirking.
"Good" she replied and went to take a quick shower. She had spare clothes in the hangar, while he did not. She came out clean and fresh and he just stood there in what he wore yesterday. She popped a morning after pill quickly. She had gotten some a while ago but never expected to need them.
"Note to self, get more clothes" he chuckled.
"We could all go shopping today if you want" she grinned.
"I choose my own clothes hon, don't go nitpicking at me when I do ok? We're not married yet" he told her. She laughed and nodded.
"You aren't going to wear that sweater are you?" she giggled.
"Ha ha, practicing will do you no good" he told her smirking.
"Well, it's still a good idea. I know you have to watch how much you buy considering the amount of space on your cycle, but still, a few spares while we stay shouldn't be bad" she told him. He nodded as she called the Conundrum and they walked out of the hangar and she closed the door. They both got onto his cycle and headed back to her mother's house. Things would be far more relaxed now that Elena had come to terms with her feelings, in both Seth and herself. She still cared about Andy, but no longer felt for him the way she felt for Seth. It was only three days ago that she found out, but she had moved forward, just like he did. A new page was now being written for her.
[1100 hours, March 29th 2554 (Military Calendar)/ Sol System, San Francisco]
Seth and Elena had packed up. They had taken a week off to get Elena sorted out with her family and friends, to visit and get her back up to snuff. Her medical exam was complete, as was her review before a council involving Admiral Hood as one of the reviewers. They all agreed she was fit to come back, though under temporary watch due to her connection to the Precursors. They never told her that the watch was authorized not by the UNSC, but by GRID themselves in the background, and she was never told that it was because of worry about her potentially having a trigger inside her that could turn her against her friends. If, after a future Precursor attack that she responded well to it and no conditions arose, that she would be capable of reacting without a watch as a General would.
Elena felt the weight of being a tier above Colonel. She had reviewed the information quickly that was given to her. She didn't just have her wing under her command anymore, she now had three wings she had to handle. She was surprised what she had to control and now had to work with. Her original squadron was only one of the things she had to watch. Now, she had three squadrons per group, and there were two groups per wing, so she had eighteen squadrons she was watching, or 90 craft total. Not all of them were fighters, as in her wing there was an entire squadron devoted to Vulture gunships for ground support while her Black Blade Mk IIs watched the skies. She obviously had subordinates to help control everything, but it seemed daunting now that she was a grade higher. She was only three grades below the top of the top, and she'd be talking to them on an almost daily basis for the fleet.
Seth was more than supportive, and helped her collect her new uniforms and clothes befitting a General. She was the lowest rank of General, but she still was just that, a General. She had to prove she had what it took to do her job. If she didn't, she had others helping her to learn, and one of them was Seth. He had whispered to her once that he was a registered four star general, though he was a civilian. It gave him full control of the fleet if Admiral Hood wasn't there or if another General of the Air Force or Army showed up. He more than likely would never attempt that, as his job was different than theirs, but if he needed it, others would have to listen to his orders, even her if he told her. He even could have the Secretary of Security, Metfield intercede and speak on his behalf towards anyone higher than him. Seth didn't show it much, as he was pretty laid back, but he had quite a bit of sway and power, he just didn't like using it. There didn't seem to be a point for him. Why play with it if it didn't serve a purpose? If it didn't get him nearer to his goal, whatever that was, then there was no use telling someone to do something. He was a civilian government agent unless he needed to use the rank.
Elena walked down the stairs wearing her new uniform. The week was over, and she had spent some memorable moments with her family. Milo and Jack had come down and spent the last four days with them, and Seth seceded from Milo's old room, despite Elena's protests. Milo didn't mind letting him stay, and even offered to sleep on the couch, but Seth wouldn't have it. On the first night for him sleeping on the couch, she flicked his ear and told him to get up and come with her into her room and sleep alongside her. He obeyed smiling. He wasn't going to argue with her.
She stood proper at the bottom as her mother took a picture of her wearing her uniform.
"I never would have expected this, my little girl is a General" Elizabeth was nearly bursting into tears. Milo and Jack both saluted her, and she saluted back and told them to stand at ease.
"I'm not a General in this house, I'm your daughter dad" she told him.
"You're my fly girl, that's what you are" he chuckled. She giggled as Milo and Jack stood next to her for another picture, and then they waited for Seth to come down from the bathroom. He stepped out wearing his all black GRID uniform, with no badge telling which agency he belonged to. Everyone gasped as he strode down the stairs in black shined shoes and a black trench coat. He really looked the part of a spook. He looked very impressive. There was not one single fiber of cloth that was any color other than black, and he didn't have a badge area to display commendations or medals. GRID didn't use that, they were government, and anything they did was not allowed to be talked about, not even ONI could do anything to them.
"You look really nice" Elena said as she checked his black tie over his black shirt. She could only imagine how that was in the summer. She didn't need to really play with his tie, she just did it to get close to him, as he was used to formal settings because of what he did. He had told her over the days he had met the President of the United States, the President of the United Nations and just about every Secretary to both the United States and the UEG on more than a dozen occasions. He was on a first name basis with Metfield and President Harvin for the United Nations.
"Look who's talking, you look incredible" he said and saluted her.
"You don't need to salute me, you're a civilian" she chuckled and gazed at him.
"Force of habit to officers in your pay grade and above. I don't let on where I stand in the rank tier" he whispered.
"Ah, well, you hide it well" she whispered back and hugged him. Her smile was slowly fading as she realized she'd be taken from him, and thrown out into battles while he was on Earth. His smile faded as well as they knew now that they might not see each other for a while. They were being torn apart from each other because of orders, just like Renee and John had happen to them so long ago.
They heard the honk of the limo waiting for them outside. Seth's Motorcycle was transported for him by a pelican flying in and taking it back to the base.
"That's our ride" Jack said softly. He hated seeing his daughter like this. She had found love again and now she couldn't stay with him. She had even thought of retiring almost immediately just to stay on Earth, to stay with Seth. As the days went by, she realized just how much he listened to her, always remembering what she said, always caring about her feelings and watching how he reacted to them. He didn't just tell her to relax like Andy did, he listened and tried to help her with whatever she was thinking or doing. Elena could almost feel her heart breaking as she woke up in the morning and realized this was the final day.
"Come on, we don't separate just yet, we're in the same car remember?" he whispered to her.
"Yeah, but it doesn't make this any easier" she whispered back as she hugged him. He kissed her forehead as the others watched, Elizabeth and Jack holding hands.
"Hey, you aren't leaving each other, you'll just be away in body, not in spirit or mind. You'll see each other again" Jack told them.
"Yeah" Elena sighed and looked at them and then at Seth. He nodded as they walked to the door. Elizabeth said her goodbyes there, crying because she wasn't going with them. They would be dropping Elena, Jack and Milo off at Vandenberg AFB to be picked up and taken to the Conundrum, where Elena would be the top ranked officer on board. Admiral Hood was going to be on the Infinity. Afterwards, Seth would be driven back to an unknown location and then picked up by a pelican, then taken to SRI-2 DELTA. Afterwards, neither of them knew.
Elena could be shipped out with the next fleet operations towards the brute borders, or they might be sent to Sangheilios for something, or kept in some unknown area to protect against Precursors. They might even be sent to stop insurgents in an area. Seth, on the other hand, would disappear into classified and do not tell territory, seeking insurgents and either taking them out himself or reporting the information back.
They all got into the limo as their things were loaded into the trunk, and it drove off. Elena's mother watched with tears in her eyes and waved goodbye to her daughter. She hoped the next time she came home it would be on normal terms and not someone telling her that her daughter was dead. After her previous brush with death, she realized she had to do everything she could to keep herself safe, to come back to the ones she loved and cared about. She watched out of the back window at the receding view of her mother and the house she grew up in, her home. The feeling was wrenching at her inside as she turned around and looked down at the floor. Seth put his arm around her and hugged her close. She leaned against his shoulder and he leaned his head against hers.
"Everything is gonna be fine sweetheart, I'll find some way to see you, somehow" he whispered to her. She listened to him spout hope to her that may not come true. It was still thoughtful nonetheless.
"I just don't want to leave if I can avoid it, but… I guess I have to… do I really have what it takes to be a General if this is how I act?" she asked him.
"You do and you know it. I know you'll be incredible. Stay strong like you always have been" he told her. She nodded as they drove towards Vandenberg AFB. The trip was mostly uneventful, and when they finally came in view, Elena felt they were near their last few minutes together. The limo stopped and the doors opened, and Seth walked Elena down the hallway to the shuttle. She held on tight, not wanting to let go at all. She knew that once she let go, she would be in that shuttle and leaving him.
They entered into the shuttle bay and stopped. Jack and Milo shook hands with Seth and then hugged him, Milo hugging him like a brother almost and Jack like a son. They walked to the shuttle and let Elena stand there with him.
"I'll miss you" she told him as she faced him.
"I'll miss you too" he told her and she could feel herself already choking up.
"I love you" she said and hugged him close.
"I love you too Elena" he whispered into her ear. She pulled away as tears were forming in her eyes, and he brushed them away.
"Hey, stay strong ok? You'll be back before you know it" he chuckled, but he felt the pain too.
"If I don't…" she started to say.
"Fuck that, don't you dare say it, because I won't make the same mistake Andy did. I will downright decline that promise damn it, so don't even try it cause you'll just insult me. I'll never give up on you, ever. If anything happens I'll be at the forefront looking for you, and I won't rest until I find you. Don't ever give up got that? You're coming back to me, or I'm going to you, one way or another" he told her. She looked into his eyes and suddenly threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, a long slow kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed back, and then leaned his forehead against hers.
"Time to go" he whispered.
"I don't want to" she almost cried.
[Music: Regina Spektor – The Call]
"You have to. You know you do" he whispered back. She finally nodded and slowly pulled away from him. His hands traced down her arms and finally to her own hands, as slowly they left each other's grasp. It felt like someone had cut Elena's heart in two as she walked backwards towards the shuttle halfway and then walked the rest of the way facing it. She kept glancing over her shoulder as he just stood there, watching. He wouldn't leave until she was in the air. Elena walked up the stairs and into the shuttle, and then sat down in her seat. She strapped herself in and looked out the window at him standing there.
"Sierra 1-4-6 ready for takeoff" the pilot said as the shuttle closed up the door and pressurized, and then it lifted off, out of the large hole above and finally took off towards the ship. It was done. Seth was standing there without her. He sighed and turned around and walked out of the bay and outside, and back to the limo. He looked up and could see the shuttle turning into a speck in the distance.
"Time to go sir" the driver said.
"Yeah. Time to go" he responded and got inside the vehicle.
Elena sat in the shuttle as it shot towards the Conundrum. She felt like shit. She wanted to break down and cry, though she had to control herself because she would be in front of a welcome party on board. They normally did it for anyone beyond a Captain or Colonel. She was now a General.
The shuttle pulled into the hangar and landed easily. The doors opened and a naval officer emitted a pipe aboard sound from a boatswain's call. Two files of soldiers stood at attention as Elena exited the shuttle and walked down the steps and to the deck.
"Flag Officer on deck!" someone yelled as everyone stood at a crisp salute. Captain Dare stood at the front along with Colonel Falken, both saluting. Elena walked towards them and saw Aldric, Sarah, Roberts, Merricks, Jacobs, Buck, John, Kelly, Linda, Fred, Ash, Tom, Lucy, Renee, Jones, and a number of others in the back lines, behind the two files making the alley she walked through. She gave them a small smile as they returned it, and Colonel Falken made a small clearing of her throat as the squadron responded to Elena. She wanted them to be proper, but Elena wanted a warmer welcome.
"Welcome back to the Conundrum Brigadier General Gripen" Dare said still in salute.
"At ease" she replied and smiled. Everyone stood at attention.
"Full at ease" she told them and looked behind her. Everyone sighed and looked at her.
"So, had time to wind down?" Dare asked her.
"Yeah, well… I guess. What's happening now is what I need to focus on. What is happening with the ship Captain?" she asked.
"Ma'am, we will be leaving with the rest of the fifth fleet once we have fully prepared. We are still taking on supplies, and the new slip space drives are being installed" she told her.
"Veronica, I'm still me, though thanks for putting the full effort into it" Elena smiled to her. Despite the fact she was not with Seth, she was among friends. It would tide her over until she could see him again.
"It's good to see you're ok now Elena" Dare finally sighed and told her.
"Yeah. I… had some things to take care of down there, and now I'm ship shape" she responded. She wasn't in ship shape, she was a wreck because she couldn't be with the one she cared about, but she was hiding it quite well.
"General, this is Colonel Falken, she has command of the 988th tactical under you" Dare told her. Elena looked at her as she was still at attention even though she was told full at ease.
"Ma'am, it is an honor to meet you" she replied still staring forward.
"Oh, I highly doubt it's an honor for you, but whatever, I'll be civil" she smiled. Falken glanced over at her. She had kept in touch with Aldric while she was down below handling her personal problems. Everyone knew she was a stronger woman for it now that she had done things with her family.
"Ma'am?" she asked with a slight hint of worry in her eyes. She didn't know that Elena was annoyed with how she handled her squadron. It took her some effort to get her pilots out of their shells, and she had them back in them in less than a week. She was more than annoyed, she was righteously pissed, but she didn't show it.
"I said I highly doubt that as from what I heard, you didn't seem to care about a corpse floating in space?" Elena repeated her words that Falken had said to Aldric. No one said a word.
"Ma'am, this would be better talked about in private" Colonel Falken said and looked at Elena. Elena knew protocol.
"Very well. Captain" Elena said and Dare looked at everyone else.
"Dismissed, back to your duties" she barked. Everyone broke file and walked in different directions.
"Good to have you back Elena" Buck whispered over her shoulder.
"Good to be back Eddy" she replied and smiled to him.
"Yeah, great to have our commander back" Jacobs beamed at her. The welcome she gained was huge, far more welcoming that Colonel Falken had gained. Elena was a hero, a legend, and was practically placed on par with the Master Chief for her capability, along with the Spartans. Colonel Falken had so far proved not worth the rank.
Elena motioned towards the door as Dare and Falken walked through it, as Elena wanted Veronica to be a part of this. She had more information about what was happening on her ship. Elena followed both of them to the observation room. Elena was in charge now, by a long shot. What she says goes on the ship, regardless of what Dare would say except if it involved putting her crew in harm's way. Elena would never do that. She was Dare's friend, and had a good head on her shoulders.
"Kindly explain what it is you are doing with my wing Colonel" she said simply and calmly. She had talked to Seth and Admiral Hood on how she should act. Admiral Hood took her under his wing for just that. He knew she would probably not even stay a Brigadier General with how she responded to different problems, and this was just another step in her career. She didn't know if that was true or not, but she didn't want to let him down. She still wanted a life outside of the UNSC though, and a family of her own.
"I have been whipping them into shape ma'am, and allowing them to reach the top of their abilities" Falken responded, at attention still. She seemed to never be at ease, always military. Elena had a cool demeanor about her. She was holding all the cards, Seth made sure of it. One good thing about having a spy as a boyfriend was that she had access to anything that pertained to her, including her squadron. Her cool demeanor was about to turn into pure anger soon.
"Really? From what I've been able to find out, you sent one of my pilots to the medical bay! You completely disregarded all information regarding contact with a superior hostile foe and you disobeyed direct orders from the commanding officer in a battle that nearly cost the same pilot her life!" Elena barked. Colonel Falken stood there, and she could see the very slight flinch from her keen eyes and lenses. She was being reprimanded. She wasn't expecting that.
"What the hell were you thinking? That now you have control and you think you can do better? That you could just slip in to one of the best squadrons in the fleet, probably in the UNSC, and think you can improve on what I worked so hard to do? To get those five pilots to work as a team and do what no other person could even attempt out there, and that was fight a significantly more advanced foe and do it without casualties! So far my wing, not yours, has suffered not one casualty. We suffered damage yes, but not one life lost! And you nearly caused that!" Elena yelled at her.
"Just how good do you really think you are Colonel? You think you can best me? I'm fucking younger than most main line pilots and I'm a General, I've taken out an entire fleet before you even thought of transferring here! And if I find out that you screw with my pilots one more time without damn good reason and don't give them the respect they deserve for their actions, I will bury you. Do you understand? I will personally make sure you are transferred to some backwater station flying some clunker for the rest of your life!" Elena roared. There was a fire in her eyes, no, not a fire, a blazing inferno. She wouldn't let this subordinate destroy what she worked to build. Admiral Hood would have been proud if he was there.
Colonel Falken didn't show it much, but she was definitely fearful of Elena. Elena was two inches taller than the redhead, and though Falken looked almost like a supermodel, she was wearing makeup while Elena wasn't, and she was definitely not as confident now as she was before. She had expected to be praised for her efforts to work Raven squadron into something better.
"Yes ma'am, I regret my actions towards them. I will endeavor to do better by you, truly. I… apologize for what I have been doing. Had I been more alert in Lieutenant Reist's condition, that would not have happened. Had I read the data pertaining the alien forces, I would have been more proficient in assisting in defense. I failed, and I will do my utmost best to repair what I have done" Colonel Falken managed to say. For all intents and purposes, Falken had never seen Elena until today, and thought Colonel Gripen was a man. She had never seen a picture of her from the past, and wasn't allowed to read her file due to it being classified. She was expecting to wow and impress a male officer above her, and continue doing what she was doing. Elena had just knocked over her dream of that happening like it was a house of cards with her battle tank made of real life. You don't treat subordinates under your command poorly. Especially hers.
"I hope to god you do. Dismissed" Elena growled. Falken saluted her and Elena just stood there. Falken hesitated and walked out of the room.
"You know, there was a bet going out through the fleet to see how well you would do as a General now. I'm pretty sure most of the crew and I each just won 200 credits" Dare chuckled as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the door like it was Falken herself. Elena stood there and a small smirk crossed her lips.
"You enjoyed that didn't you?" Dare asked smiling.
"Yes I did. Yes I did indeed" she replied and let out a deep breath.
"Are you alright?" Dare asked.
"That's the first time I have ever had to yell at a subordinate. I shouldn't have lost my head, I should have kept my temper under control, but I'll be damned if she hurts Sarah again. God damn it, why didn't she read her medical file? I did, I knew she needed time to get her food down! I saw it the first day when she tried to make a good impression! She was wobbling! I never let her do that again!" she growled.
"I doubt Aldric would let that happen. Her and him have gotten a bit… close" Dare told her.
"You mean… good for him then, and her. He compliments her in a lot of ways. He'll be a good influence on her" Elena replied.
"No, you will be a good influence on her, now that you're back" Dare said and patted her on the shoulder. Elena sighed and looked at her.
"I hope I can be forgiven for leaving everyone back then to do what I did. I did it for them, for everyone" she told her.
"They know, and respect you all the more for it. You're a hero Elena, don't forget that. They look up to you. And now you'll do right by them yet again, like most officers strive to do with members under their command. Show them what you've always been made of Ghost" Dare told her. Elena chuckled and nodded.
"Thanks" she replied.
"Welcome. Now I need to see to the sitreps on the bridge. Your old quarters are waiting for you if you want them, and an office if you need it" Dare told her.
"You know I hate offices, I don't see a point to them. I'm still talking to people near my terminal in a chair. No, I don't want an office, I'll take my quarters though" she chuckled. She was the same Elena, the same commander that had a down to earth way of treating her pilots with respect, and they did well because of that.
"I figured as much. I'll see to it your things are sent to it, and the office still stands if you need it. You should settle in, walk around if you want, take a nap, General" Dare chuckled. Elena rolled her eyes and sighed. Dare walked out of the room and Elena just sat down in one of the chairs and looked out the window, thinking.
[Meanwhile]
[Music: Immediate – Imperitum]
Seth flew towards the desert in an unmarked pelican as he saw two also unmarked prowlers move away. He knew they were GRID already, and they landed carefully. He jumped out of the cargo bay and walked towards the opening that was now appearing on the ground, hidden from anyone as the doors opened. He walked onto it and the lift dropped quickly, the doors above closing, sealing him in. He felt comfortable regardless, as this was a second home to him.
The lift stopped and he walked off, as Riko suddenly appeared next to him and walked with him, not saying a word. He turned a corner and the doors opened for him immediately. Multiple heavy autocannons were attached to the ceiling and tracking movement, but none aimed at him, as both Riko and Tachi controlled them.
"He's here isn't he?" Seth asked.
"Yup, waiting for you in the lab" she told him. He nodded as she continued by his side, and just as the last door opened to the lab, he stepped in. What he saw made him stop in his tracks. The pod was filled with someone else, and there was another team of scientists and medical personnel working in the room. Metfield was standing there waiting for him with two guards.
"Well hello there my boy! Good to see you finishing up with your girlfriend, how is she?" he asked. He already knew, but he was asking out of being personable. He always did that with Seth.
"She's doing well sir, she's probably on board the Conundrum as we speak" he told him.
"Good, I'm glad to hear that. Ah, you're probably wondering what's going on over there?" Metfield asked as he thumbed behind him.
"I'd like to know, yes sir" he replied.
"Seth" he said, and waved his index finger in the air as if scolding a child.
"Sorry, Richard" he replied.
"Good. Now, what's happening shouldn't really come as a surprise to you. Before you say anything, you are not being punished for any wrong doing. You have performed extremely well over these years, and have done more than your fair share of work. I thank you for that. However, from reports and what we have gained involving your girlfriend, Elena, we believe it is in our best interests to continue efforts to contain the Precursor threat."
Seth seemed confused.
"I don't think I quite understand Richard, what's with replacing me with someone else in the pod?" he asked.
"It's not your pod anymore Seth. Your pod is being transferred as we speak. The new generation three is functional" he told him. Seth gawked. He had heard the generation three model was in development, but he had no idea it was finished by skunk works. The design was streamlined, with cleaner and far more efficient fluid transfer, better filtration system, faster nutrient injection capabilities and far more responsive emergency controls. All in all, he would be able to stay in the pod for longer without using any energy, upwards of 72 hours, as well as last longer in assisting forces in combat with the faster nutrient injections. The emergency systems would significantly improve how quickly he could get medical treatment if he needed it.
"That's good news Richard, but where?" he asked. He had heard of a few new bases being built around the globe, one in Germany, another in Siberia, and another in Antarctica. Was he being transferred?
"Guess, just take a guess Seth. Remember, you are not being punished. Just take a wild guess" he smiled at him and winked.
"Wha… you can't mean…" he said, not able to get the words out. He was going to be transferred to Elena's ship? His heart was beating a mile a minute. He'd get to see her again.
"Yes, that's correct. The Conundrum is going to be taking the entire team on board. The Precursors are a threat that we cannot ignore, and if you can provide a means of defense against them, whether assisting Raven squadron or providing advanced reconnaissance for the fleet, it would be very useful. You're going to be the resident remote viewer there, and a tier 0 asset. I cannot explain how important it is that you survive and come back. All information you can gather would be highly beneficial to provide a defense against the Precursors, as we know very little about how they work or their technology." Seth was almost in shock.
"But sir, isn't the Conundrum leaving orbit soon?" he asked.
"They can't leave if they don't have a slip space drive installed now can they? Who do you think is installing it and providing it Seth? And we're providing an improvement in their second R&D lab. It is away from Dr. Wright's lab to make sure he doesn't interfere. That is where the generation three stasis system will be located, as well as the AIs and spare reactors for the power. The equipment is going to be implemented as soon as you are aboard" Metfield told him smiling. Seth could hug him right now, he was so happy. Riko was coming with him, as was Tachi, and Dr. Montez and Jenny. His team was going to be ready to rumble next to Elena's squadron.
"Thank you sir!" he replied with a grin on his face. Metfield chuckled.
"I take care of my own Seth, and you guys take care of me. I cannot tell you how important it is for you to send whatever you can about the enemy forces back. Anything you find could be useful against them" the Secretary of Security told him.
"Yes sir!" he replied.
"Oh, and check the data Dr. Antonio Montez sent for you involving the new upgrades. Skunk works was able to find out some impressive things. Do you remember the beacon?" he asked.
"We used it to draw the Precursors out to retrieve Elena's body, yes" Seth replied.
"They believe we were using it the wrong way. They've implemented it into the new pod. It doesn't improve the strength of your abilities, it lowers how much stress your body takes from using them. I don't know the full details of it just yet as I am not exactly technically inclined, but I did read some of it. There is a miniaturized version of it now connected to the pod. It should significantly improve on how harsh your… manipulations are on your body. I didn't exactly read all of the numbers, but it looks as if it will drop the effects by half. Should give you something to go on next time" Metfield explained.
"Incredible… so it doesn't increase strength, just… lowers energy burn… at least it can't be used by the enemy sir" he replied.
"Yes, that means it most likely will have no use for them, but that doesn't mean they won't have other ways to fight back. Be on your toes out there. Also, we will be responding not just towards the Precursors, but towards rebel Sangheili as well. Your duties have been mitigated, but not dissolved. With our alliance with the Sangheili, you are still a remote viewer to find enemies of the UEG, and if you come across any rebel forces or insurrectionists, you know what to do. The work that was transferred from you to others is still open for your completion if you find them. There are still GRID ships out there, and if you contact them, they're sure to assist. You still have a black card on this Seth, full resources. Good luck, but I doubt you'll need it" Metfield told him. He patted him on the shoulder and walked out of the lab.
"Road trip!" Riko cheered. If Seth could high five her, he would have.
"Bring your sunblock and bug repellant Seth, we're going to be roughing it on board" Tachi chuckled from nearby.
"As long as I don't have to go commando, I'm a happy spook" he laughed at them.
[Two hours later]
[Music: Mika & Redone – Kick A*s]
Four pelicans shot up from the atmosphere, black in color with almost no writing on the outside. Their only insignia was GRID written on the sides in very dark paint, and they were armed to the teeth, almost as well built as Vulture gunships. They landed easily, as they had guaranteed clearance. The ROROs opened and Ezekiel and the rest of his maintenance crew watched in awe as soldiers dressed in full battle armor walked out without any insignia carrying equipment from the pelicans.
"Who the…" Ezekiel said as Seth walked out in his uniform.
"Which way to the 2nd R&D lab?" Seth asked him. He pointed.
"Thanks" he replied and followed the men as the scientists and medical team were hot on his heels with medical equipment.
[Meanwhile]
Elena sat in her quarters reading through reports sent to her. Jones was in one of the wings under her command, and he had said hello to her. She personally made sure he was a Commander now, as his superior was actually now dead from the fight against the fighters that she was controlling. She knew he'd take care of his pilots. She had almost an entire wing of Sabres and Super Long Sword IIs, and an entire group of Vultures. Wing, Group, Squadron, in descending priority and strength. She was going over the transfer of aviators to his wing as they had lost some pilots in the fight, and suddenly she got a ring on her door alarm.
Jones stood up and opened the door. Aldric was standing there.
"Yes?" Elena asked.
"You should see this ma'am. There are unknown forces, almost numbering a company loading things into 2nd R&D. I saw a pod go by of some sort" he told them. Elena's eyes went wide. No way. It couldn't be.
She got up immediately and ran down the hallway to the lift.
"Make a hole!" she yelled as marines backed to the walls as Aldric and Jones followed her. They entered and headed down to the deck where 2nd R&D was. They opened the door and ran to the lab entrance.
"Authorization required" the door systems said.
"Brigadier General Elena Gripen, Authorization code Alpha Tango Whiskey six two niner Delta" she said.
"Authorization not accepted. Please wait" the door responded.
"Not accepted? What the fuck? You have access to every room in this ship! How the fuck is your auth code not functioning?" Jones asked.
"I don't know, but something is going on" Elena told him. Tachi suddenly showed up.
"I'm sorry miss, but this place is currently considered unauthorized to UNSC officials by orders of-" Tachi started saying. Riko suddenly jumped out of nowhere and slapped him upside the head.
"Knock it off dickhead! She's with him! Sorry Elena, door's open" Riko growled as she glared at Tachi holding the back of his head, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"What? They can't go in!" he told her.
"She has clearance dumb ass! She gets to go! The others can't!" she snapped.
"Well I guess I didn't get that memo! Fine! You two stay here, General Gripen can enter" he winced as he still held his head. More than likely the strike was a minor virus attack that he was cleaning up from Riko.
"You're all good Elena, go on in" Riko told her and smiled.
"Thanks" she replied and walked through the first pair of doors and had them close behind her.
"Now starting cleaning process. Engaging emission of Trychlorhecticide and Sectizine. Scanning… no contaminants detected. You are now free to enter" the dumb computer said. Vacuum systems sucked out the gases which Elena was capable of breathing in, as they were nontoxic to her but would more than likely kill any bug or bacteria on her. The pressurized doors opened and she walked in to nearly gasp at the sight in front of her. Standing in the middle of the room, was Seth. He was looking at a data pad as Montez and Dmitri were looking at him.
"Well, we could connect to the power grid here and here, and then move the cores to here. Let's do that, and hope we don't blow the whole thing to hell. I do not want the Captain of this ship pissed cause we blew the lights out on this deck" he said. They nodded as Dmitri ordered two soldiers to move some equipment. He turned left and walked towards some equipment to open the crate. Elena walked towards him as he stood up and walked with a tool. He suddenly looked up and saw her.
"Oh, hey there" he said surprised. She immediately ran and leapt onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He grappled her and hugged her as she just hung from him.
"I missed you, and all you can say is hey there?" she whispered.
"I was only away from you for like five hours" he chuckled.
"It felt like forever" she told him.
"Well, now there is no forever. We have orders to be on the ship. I am an official remote viewer on loan to the fleet, temporarily. Our primary mission is to catch Sangheili rebels as well as beat the snot out of Precursors, as well as provide nice little bonuses to the fleet defense… and Raven Squadron, specifically a Brigadier General" he told her smiling.
"Really? So, you're staying?" she asked, smiling as she looked into his eyes.
"Since I'm connected to you, I go where you go. Priority is to retrieve information on the aliens in any way possible, technology or otherwise. I will, however, not always be running alongside you out there. Our primary concern is the security of the UEG, and if something is considered higher priority, we may not be keeping you company some times. You'll have to feel lonely without me and suck it up" he told her.
"Boo hoo, as long as it's only temporary I can live with that. We've survived without you before, we can survive again, though your help is greatly appreciated. As long as you come back each time, I'm content" Elena half said professionally and the other half she was just joking.
"You're welcome" he replied and grinned. She leaned her forehead against his as they just looked at each other. Dr. Montez cleared his throat and they both broke from each other's hold.
"Sorry. Um, yes, General Gripen, we're still under construction, it should take a day to finish the implementation of our equipment, we shouldn't be a bother to the rest of the crew" he said professionally.
"Yes, of course, let Captain Dare know if you need anything. And do see me for your quarters accommodations" she told him smiling.
"Ah, yes, I'll do that, thank you. Just mine correct?" he asked.
"Yes, the others should have it easily done by Cherry, the ship's AI" she told him and winked.
"That's good to hear. Well, I'll let you get back to your duties, we shouldn't keep you. Busy busy" he said and leaned in.
"I'll definitely see you later ok? Once this is all done. No worries?" he said softly.
"Of course. Deck 2, Room 30" she replied.
"Good. I'll have my stuff sent there then" he smiled.
"Cool beans" she chuckled, remembering what he had said before.
"I'll let you get back to your duties then. Love" he told her and patted her gently on her shoulder.
"Yeah, love" she repeated and smiled. Elena walked away and then turned around and looked at him. He smiled and nodded. She nodded back and then walked fully out of the lab and into the decontamination room, and finally outside.
"So what's going on in there?" Jones asked.
"I can't tell you, classified" she told him.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yup. Really. Let's get back to our duties, we were in the middle of the reports. Aldric, don't worry about it, everything is fine, nothing to worry about. Go take care of Sarah ok?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am" he replied and walked off. Elena and Jones walked back to the lift and entered, to get back to the reports.
Things were going to be very interesting now on board the ship with a CENTURION remote viewer on board alongside a PROJECT SHADOW ace pilot.
(Author's Note: The macho man dance is just like the village people by the way. You know, I got the Captain Picard Vibe right after I realized what was going on with Elena and the Precursors. Picard and the Borg. No, she doesn't have a connection to them, I'm nipping that in the bud right here and now. The trigger though, eh… maybe, maybe not. And now Seth is on board the ship! He should have stayed below, don't know why they didn't let him stay underground protected considering he could just remote view outside to get info. Maybe next chapter might explain it! Maybe not! I'm evil that way! I'm… oh crap, they're coming after me with the bats again! *Runs as Seth and Elena charge after him*)