A/N: YOOOOOoooooo… I don't know. Just wanted to start out differently. Anyways, sup people of the world? Haha. I've been in a really good mood on and off lately. The only off part was that I had four hours of fucking homework on Monday (Oct. 25) and one of those hours was wasted on a late project that I couldn't even hand in late (and school pretty much). I don't blame my teacher, of course not, he's an awesome teacher. No, I blame myself for forgetting to do that Health paper over the long weekend. Anyways, I got a new videogame on Saturday and played it for the rest of the weekend, didn't get time to really play it Monday, and finished it yesterday (Oct. 26). Bio, it really took you four days to beat TimeShift? Yes, yes it did. And I enjoyed every moment of it. No, it normally only takes me about two days, three tops, to finish any kind of game. Except Harvest Moon games. They are boring as hell after the first few days but they're so addicting. I still have no idea why I used to play them (still do on a rare occasion); I just do for some reason. Anyone who likes first person shooter games, or any video games at all- GET TIMESHIFT. It's awesome.
I meant to post this yesterday, but dad wanted me to watch TV in his office with him. Bah I feel bad for not updating in 21 days. Oh well, better than last time.
On a more important note-
I got a beta! :D Credete is his name and he's an awesome editor. He corrected any mistakes I missed (I reread this chapter twice already before this happened), and gave me a really great idea. Tensions will start to run high as this story goes on. Giant thanks to him!
(Wind rages outside) Yikes this weather is making me edgy. Even the weatherman didn't predict this storm. Anybody else being affected?
My dad got surgery exactly a week ago. Nothing too serious, the docs' just cut off his uvula and some glands so he'd be able to sleep better without waking up gasping (throat used to close up I guess). No luck yet, but that's either because of the medication or the fact that he's still in a lot of pain. The pain actually got WORSE yesterday to a point where he couldn't even eat mashed potatoes and gravy. Of course, he hadn't stuck to his diet and ate solid foods only a day after the surgery, then on Friday he did something stupid and had chips. Worst. Idea. Ever. (sigh) Hopefully he gets better and gets some sleep- he's only running on a maximum of two hours of sleep a night.
Replies in case I hadn't replied to you or you reviewed without an account:
Mysterious Angel-05: Thank you! Haha, more thoughts like those on the way. Thanks for reviewing and loving it!
: Nice name. Thank you very much for the review and compliments!
The Lonespartan: Thanks for the cookie and thanks for reviewing and complimenting xD
Kris: Thank you, and let's just say that lots is laid on the road ahead. Thanks for reviewing and complimenting!
sky: Thank you for reviewing and loving it! Here's an update
Thanks for everyone who has reviewed, alerted, and favorite this story so far! Greatly appreciated and I plan on running this story for a very long time!
Three pods found; all dead. Two landed on their side, one on its back. It wasn't looking good. Though Spartans can take more damage than the average soldier, they are just as fragile when it comes to crashing landing in an enclosed space.
We traveled through the forest, getting closer to the unresponsive pod. Still no answer from Jessica, and Cortana would have paced in anxiety if she was able to.
"Ugh… what happened last night?" The radio crackled.
"Jessie?" I could practically feel Cortana jump. "Can you hear me? We're closing in on your position." Relief was heard in her voice.
"Cortana…?" She seemed disoriented, like she just had woken up. It wouldn't be a surprise though; she has dozed off a couple of times in training missions. "I-" Twigs were heard snapping and being moved away before the radio on her end clicked off.
"Jessie...? Chief, hostiles ahead." I readied my gun and moved faster, bursting out into a clearing, my finger held down the trigger. Bullets hit their marks, and in seconds it was over before they could so much as lift their guns; several grunts and one brute minor. The marines and ODSTs behind me caught up and surveyed the small battle scene before taking point. I walked over, stepping into the still-warm trail of the crashed pod. Moving a few branches and stepping over a fallen tree trunk, I spotted it a good three yards away. Dents and scorch marks littered the metal, but that's not what caused the momentary thought of worry. The pod was upside down, set up against a broken tree trunk while the top was dug into the ground. A spider web design made up the glass on the door, not allowing a soul to see through it.
"Oh no…" I walked over to the pod, and crouched. "Jessie, are you still with us?" Cortana tried, but the radio on her end was still off, and no doubt she couldn't hear her through the speakers. "Chief, get that door open." My hands gripped on either side of the door as I dug my boots into the ground. My fingers dug into the metal and I moved one hand towards the top of the door where a hinge was. I dug my fingers into it and starting to move the door towards myself.
"Stand clear." Cortana said just before I ripped the door off, hurling it away into the trees.
I stepped back, in time to avoid an armored body tumbling out, landing spread eagle out in the dirt.
"Ow." She said nonchalantly, getting up, and rolling her shoulders. She then retrieved her weapons, in time for some marines and ODSTs to come to the small crash site. "Took you long enough."
"Are you okay?" Cortana asked, relieved that she was still alive.
"I'll live. But just a word of advice, don't land upside down. It gives you a killer headache." She chuckled, turning to me. "What was that anyway? That big green… blob of goo."
"Plasma cannon, Banshees are equipped with them, like how Hornets have the tracking missiles."
"Ah… okay."
"You have no idea what a Hornet is, do you?"
"Not a clue."
Some marines were pacing, impatient to get on with the mission. The ODSTs were more professional and hung back, waiting for us to give the order and continue the mission. Jessica leaned to the side, looking around me and stilled. I nonchalantly raised an eyebrow, before glancing over my shoulder. A man, about 5'6" with brown hair, hazel eyes, was standing towards the back, glaring hatefully at us. I turned back around; I was used to seeing those kinds of people. I looked at Jessica, waiting for an explanation. She spoke on my line, only I and Cortana could hear, but that didn't stop her from speaking in a hush tone.
"Don't say my name around them."
"Why not?" Cortana asked.
"Just... don't, alright? Those three, the two with the glaring asshole, those are the marines I befriended. They think 'Jessie' is a marine recovered from Reach."
"And you didn't mention the tiny fact that you're a Spartan?"
"Tyler, the guy who's glaring, hates Spartans. If he knew who I am, right now, he would turn the other two, and possibly any future comrades, against me." That's another thing with her; when she isn't in one of her "moods", she's self-conscious.
"And you want to make friends, by keeping the real you a secret?"
"…...Maybe." She looked away and Cortana sighed.
"Hey, Spartans!" We turned to see the man named Tyler, and an ODST glaring at him for yelling so casually to two higher ups. "Are you done flirting with each other, or can we get on with the mission?"
"Quiet Private." The ODST glared.
"Oh shut up you asshole." The marine directed the glare to the ODST now.
I looked back to Jessica when she forgot to disconnect the line, muttering. "Oh shit, he's here too?"
Cortana didn't ask. When my helmet was still turned towards Jessica, she realized her mistake.
"Oh shit, is this still on? Oh well, better have fun with this…" Click. Jessica strolled past me and proceeded to tower over the private, the two beside him backing away slowly.
"Excuse me Private, I couldn't hear you properly, would you like to repeat that?" The shorter man glared up at her after a moment of shock (perhaps because he didn't expect a female Spartan?), unable to see her face, but stayed silent. She straightened up. "Yeah, didn't think so." She walked passed him, towards the clearing where the rest of the team was. I walked after her, ignoring the soldiers that watched us leave before following as well. The brown head ground his teeth together before shoving his helmet on and stomping after his comrades.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
It's already been a half hour of traveling. Currently we're hiking up a mountain, and I still wasn't sick of this place. All the nature here... it's just wonderful. Yeah, it would dull over time, but I'm thinking of spending my retirement here. Pfft, yeah right, I don't think Spartans get retirement. Either die or go AWOL probably. Yup, the future is looking bright.
I winced when I arched my spine back to stretch, the lower disks burning along with the muscles near my shoulder blades. A headache wasn't the only thing I got out of that crash. Headache, bruises on arms and legs, and back pain? I feel old...
I breathed in the air that came through the vents, unable to smell it from the ventilation, but just for effect… "Ahhh… Smell that fresh air."
"You're not a normal Spartan, are you?" An ODST chuckled, pausing in his steps beside me. The path was not narrow, only three people width, but we still had to be careful about someone falling. It was a good 200 foot drop off the steep cliff. Even a Spartan couldn't survive that without problems.
"Nope!" I chirped, walking beside him, letting a sarcastic comment out. "Thanks for noticing, it's not too obvious, is it?"
He laughed.
"What's your name, I don't want to keep calling you 'Spartan' the whole time we're on this mission."
"Call me Jess, or 113. You?" There's many 'Jess's in the UNSC, it could stand for Jessie, Jasmine... okay that's all I can come up with. Oh well, I think my nickname is safe enough.
"Oh that's right, you have numbers. Nice." His screen wasn't dark, letting me see the smile. So he wasn't being sarcastic when he said it… "My name's Derik. And this here is Cassy." He nudged the gal that was passing him. She turned and glared at him, a smile on her face. Their faces looked identical, related perhaps?
"What about me?"
"Just introducing ya to Jess, Cass." She looked up to me and smiled.
"Nice to meet ya Jess, my lil' bro ain't troubling you or nothing, right?" I smiled, letting a chuckle out before answering. Siblings, perhaps twins by the look of it. Both looked 26, give or take a few years, and had the same features with a few differences.
"Not at all."
"Well okay, but if he does, tell me and I won't hesitate to throw him off the cliff, alright?" She laughed while Derik walked closer to me, eyeing his sister wearily. I smiled; these guys are alright.
I glanced behind me. Tyler was watching our every movement, John and me, a scowl etched on his face. I frowned. What made him hate Spartans so much? Doesn't he know Spartans have died for this war too?
I shook my head, turning forward again. I don't think anything could help me understand that kid. Why Pedro and Dillon hang around him, I'll probably never know.
... ... ... ... ... ... …
We made camp in a place where a cliff overhangs and shelters the space, circling around on two sides while on the other two was the dense forest. Marines and ODSTs made the camp while John and I patrolled the area separately. It's been only twenty minutes and the one question I have had stuck in my mind all day just had to be asked out loud.
"Hey John?" A sigh was heard on the other end.
"Yes?"
"How come we landed so far from the objective?"
"If we landed beside the objective, brutes would have been over us before the door could open."
"Oh… okay." I looked up after a moment. "I can see the other side of the Ring. Is that normal?" Another aggravated sigh. Well he hasn't changed a bit.
"Yes."I took the hint and stayed quiet, surveying my surroundings, walking as quietly as I could.
Soon, we spotted each other and made our way back to the camp. I nodded to the General in greeting, before making my way to a more secluded place (or in this case; the place farthest away from Tyler and the gang) and grabbed a blanket, laying it down in the spot. I sat beside it, not wanting to get it dirty. I surveyed the camp; people laughing and eating, some turning in early, others playing poker and telling stories. I listened with half a mind, spacing out with the other, sitting Indian style next to my blanket, after a while I started to notice more and more marines going into their tents for bed. I looked around, all that were left were some ODSTs and John further away, on guard duty. I shifted, my body ached from sitting in the armor for too long.
Ah, crap my ass fell asleep…
I glanced around before I started taking the armor off, the seals hissing quietly as I watched the ODSTs, making sure none of them were looking at me. They had already stripped themselves of their armor, even before they ate, and got comfortable. I looked at John and wondered if he was having the same problem I was.
Wait.
Why do I care? It'd be great for him to have the same problem, and then he'd be even more of an ass.
I scoffed and proceeded to take off my armor. Soon, it was all piled next to the blanket, and all that was left was my helmet. I hesitated before taking it off and set it beside me. I stretched, my joints popping. Ah that felt good…
I looked around, some ODSTs were still around the bonfire, sharing stories and talking in the calm air. I got up, but was noticed instantly.
"Hey Spartan, come on over." A woman with blonde hair and brown eyes waved me over, patting the seat next to her. Others turned to watch as I wearily walked over, taking the seat. They turned back to their conversations and the blonde turned to me.
"So, what do they call you?"
"Jessie." I took a quick look around. Thank god, James turned in early too.
"Cool, my name's Jen." She nodded to me, and I returned the gesture. Derik and Casey weren't here, must have already gone off to bed. I listened to the stories the ODSTs shared with each other, feeling oddly alone even when I was surrounded. A thought came to mind and the corners of my mouth fell ever so slightly.
It's been twelve years. Many things have changed; so many things. Everything is different… it's almost scary. It's like being reborn into a world, silent and dead, then being rescued and thrown into a loud and living life. It's… unnerving. I thought the cafeteria was bad, being surrounded by marines that thought I was one of them. But this isn't much better; being around people that… included me without hesitation. Too accepting I guess… I'm still getting used to even seeing one living being around, nonetheless more…
"So, Jessie was it?" I looked up, seeing a black haired man with a goatee and brown eyes. I nodded. "What's the first thing you're going to do when the war's over?" I blinked in surprise and looked back down at the fire, a confused expression on my face. After a moment, I answered; unsure and off guard.
"I'm… not sure. Never really thought about it…"
"Well I know what I'm going to do!" Jen grinned.
"Yeah, hit the clubs." She frowned and hit the man next to her upside the head.
"Ah, shut up." They laughed. I smiled, before looking back down to the source of warmth.
"Yeah, next time I get on leave, I'm visiting my wife and kid. It's been a while since I've been able to see them."
"My wife's pregnant!"
"Really? Congrats!" "Great!" "Boy or girl?"
"We don't know yet, she just found out a month ago." A pang of jealousy burned in my gut from hearing everyone's side, making me wince.
What am I going to do after the war? Spartans were trained since childhood about war. All we've lived for is to fight. Thinking about it now, it doesn't seem fair. Forcing little kids into a program and taking their childhood away. But there was also logic in it. If they hadn't done what they did, humanity could have been extinct by now.
What is there after a war?
I remember some things that people said, what civilians do. I then tried to imagine myself in the civilian world. A woman in the kitchen, cooking and waiting for the man she loves, to come home and spend time with. I went to shake my head, when an even crazier thought came to mind.
What about kids?
I shook my head even harder, shaking the thought from my head. Yeah, like I even want kids. Hell, I can't even imagine being with someone, not to mention having their offspring.
"Jess, you okay?" I looked up to find Jen staring, worried, at me. I smiled.
"Yeah, just a little spacey." She giggled.
"I didn't even know that Spartans could be spacey." I smiled, though inside I had frowned.
"Why do you have to be this way? What's wrong? I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong." The figure seemed to loom over the shorter one, and though their thoughts were helpful, the air was tense from the kneeling form. The shorter one gripped their head, pulling at their hair as frustrated tears leaked from closed eyes.
"I don't know!"
I blinked, the image vanishing. "Yeah… I'm just different." I looked behind me, seeing John's silhouette fifteen feet away. "I'm going to go on watch, okay?" She nodded and I left, walking over to John.
Why am I doing this?
I sat down next to him, looking up at the stars as his helmet faced straight. Minutes passed and I wondered if he even knew I was there. I could have hit myself. This is John we're talking about; he thinks he knows everything. I blinked, eyes at him, before blinking again, returning to the stars.
"What do you want?" The voice startled me, not expecting him to speak first. I regained my posture and closed an eye, looking at him through the other.
"What makes you think I want anything?"
"You don't talk to me unless you want something. Spit it out." I frowned as he spoke and sighed.
"What's after a war?" His helmet shifted towards me, still unable to see his face.
"What?" He wasn't expecting that, which made my mood lighten; even just a little.
"What's after a war? What happens when this war ends?" He turned back to the woods.
"Humanity will celebrate their victory and continue on living."
"No… I mean… what's after the war… for us? Spartans I mean." His helmet turned fully to me. I hesitated before slowly wording out my thoughts. "I mean… all that I know… that any Spartan knows… is how to fight… there's not many places in civilian life where Spartans could belong…" He turned forward again.
"There is no place for us in that life." I opened my mouth, wanting to protest, but shut it and looked towards the ground.
… … … … … … … … … … … …
I glanced at her, and then back at the camp. Everyone was either asleep or preparing for it. I watched as an ODST looked around, spotting us and nodding, before dousing the fire and going into his tent. I turned forward again, looking to the forest before looking higher. I glanced at her again, the silence bringing curiosity to my mind.
Is she honestly thinking about that?
Is it possible for a Spartan to live in the civilian world? Is there a life for a Spartan that doesn't involve war? Great, now she's got me thinking. Logic overtook my mind. No, it's impossible for a Spartan to live as a civilian.
What about Marie?
That's different, she had no choice when she got injured.
She could have joined the ONI, like the others. But she didn't.
I contemplated this for a moment, before another thought came to mind.
Why did she even ask?
"Why?" Her head jerked up, looking at me.
"Huh? Oh! Uh… No reason… The ODSTs were talking about what they were going to do when the war was over… and it just got me thinking…" I felt my throat vibrate as I hummed, eyes watching the area. I shifted, my armor clinking softly together.
"Don't you want to take your armor off?" I glanced at her, before looking back to the forest.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because the Covenant could be watching, waiting for their chance to attack; you should know that." She huffed in annoyance.
"Fine, stay in your armor all night; just don't complain in the morning about your aching ass." She crossed her arms, looking away as she shifted in her spot. I glanced at her again and breathed out through my nose.
"What happened to your under armor?" I referred to the black shorts and tank top.
… … … ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I shifted, not looking at him. Fuck, even moving hurt. "Jessica." What did he call me?
"I told you not to call me that." I glared up at him.
"I asked what happened to your under armor."
"It's not my name."
"It's my responsibility for your well being."
"I don't even like that name!"
"I don't care."
"You're such a jerk."
"Why are you acting like this?"
"Because you're a cold-hearted jerk!" Wow I need a different reason. All the time in the past, whenever our teams had to go on missions together, somewhere on the way he and I always had to have at least one little heated discussion. Well, I picked him, and somehow agitated him enough to pull him in. A decade later and my comebacks somehow managed to have gotten worse. Gotta work on that.
Ouch, I can actually feel his scowl.
… … … ... ... ... ... ... ...
I shook my head, before glancing back towards the camp. Nothing stirred, which surprised me since she was close to yelling.
"Look, its 50 degrees."
"It's a good temperature…" She added, shifting again. I ignored it.
"You're dressed in a tank top and shorts; you're going to get sick if you keep wearing that out here. Where is your under armor?"
"…" She shifted, quickly looking up at me before staring at the ground in defeat. "By my armor… I don't see why I have to though, it's not like we're gonna just get attacked right now." She huffed and I turned back to the forest. Not a moment later I swung my head back to her as a muffled scream came from her.
My shoulders relaxed and I held out a hand, letting the tarantula crawl onto my armored hand before throwing it far off into the trees. I turned my head back to the red faced Spartan.
"Shut up." She grumbled, not facing me; she couldn't. I felt the corner of my mouth tug.
We sat in silence for who knows how long, but then I noticed it; Halo's two moons were already three quarters across the sky. I turned to Jessie, about to say something, when I closed my mouth at the sight of her. Her head was bowed, chin tucked, arms slack on her knees. Crouched over as she kept the crossed leg pose; her breathing deep and even. I sighed and stood, stretching. My spine realigned itself with a few pops and cracks, my arms trembled before I let them fall. I sat back down, rolling my shoulders. I rested my wrists on my knees, thumb and finger touching each other. I closed my eyes, back straight as I attempted to clear my mind in an attempt for time to go faster. A few minutes later I cracked open an eye.
My elbow jabbed into her arm. Her head shot up and her body fell backwards, legs still folded.
"Eep!" She looked around, eyes wide as she tried to find hidden enemies. "What's going on, who's attacking?" She attempted to jump to her feet, forgetting her legs were still tangled. She squeaked, falling forward onto her face. I sighed and grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling her back up as she squeaked again.
"At ease." She looked up at me, narrowing her eyes.
"Then why'd you wake me up?"
"I didn't want to hear you complain." I turned forward again, but was still able to see her surprised face, before she looked away, grunting. I looked back to the woods, but that didn't stop me from seeing her wince.
"Go back to sleep." She scoffed and stood up.
"Yeah yeah, don't tell me what to do…" She got up and walked away towards her spot, laying down, facing towards the stone wall.
…
When all was quiet and deep in slumber, I let my mind wander as my eyes searched the darkness for hostiles, even though Cortana would alert me of any if I started to slip off too deeply. My mind started to wander to today's earlier events.
"Good luck, buddy. You'll need it."
What did he mean by that? He couldn't have meant that he knew I would have complications going on a mission with 113.
"Come on Mike, lay off." His eyes told nothing, but his voice hinted a knowing thought. Something they didn't want me to know.
I'll let it slide- for now.