Chapter 13

October 8, 2552, 0645 Hours, Losantiville, Seven Hills Region, planet Mars

Wham!

The sound of the boxing heavy bag being torn from its mooring and slamming to the ground caused the ODSTs in the gym to spontaneously stop what they were doing to stare at Mike whose punch had broken it. They knew Spartans were strong but this was beyond their expectations. Yet they didn't know what was coursing through the veins of the troubled man.

Mike had barely slept the previous evening and when he did bizarre and troubling dreams he couldn't understand had filled his mind. He could think of nothing but Melanie returning from the dead. His mind had drifted back to their years together at Camp Currahee on Onyx. He'd never really understood, let alone reconciled, his feelings for his former teammate because she was dead. And now she was back. So, in an agitated state of mind when morning had dawned on Mars he'd gone to the gym to work off some of his growing frustration.

But with every punch his frustration grew until he couldn't stand it and with one massive blow to the bag he'd broken it. Panting heavily from the exertion he just looked at his target, unsure what to think or do as the others in the gym drifted back to their own workouts. Rather than relieved Mike felt even more agitated. This was going to be a tough day.

October 8, 2552, 0950 Hours, HIGHCOM facility Bravo-6, Sydney, Australia, Planet Earth

Natalia hadn't slept well the previous evening. The encounter with Jun the previous morning had not only messed up her whole day but had thrown her off through the night. She'd not taken calls from her father or MacKenzie and had even had three stiff drinks, her first since returning from Reach. The alcohol had helped to dull the pain she felt from her former teammate's obvious rejection. While she and Jun had rarely talked during their time together he'd never treated her with hostility like Kat and Emile had. And in the end they'd all worked together and she'd earned their respect and even praise for what she had contributed.

But then she'd been extracted and all but Jun and Mike had died defending the planet while she came home safely.

The troubled woman had come in late for work, feeling the effects of the previous night and in a darker mood than the slate gray skies that had threatened rain for Sydney that day. Logging into her data terminal she immediately searched for the personnel records of Jun, not caring anymore if anyone found out what she was doing. She saw that after his return from Reach he'd been reassigned to ONI Section 3 as some sort of training NCO. She couldn't find out what he was to be training, that was a higher level of classification and in truth she didn't really try. Jun was here and Mike was on Mars.

Another injustice.

But was it? What if Mike had been there instead of Jun? How would he have reacted? The thought sent a panic-filled rush of adrenaline that brought her instantly to 100% alertness. Would he have reacted the same way? The thought plunged her mood even blacker. The astute sniper's question about her being in touch with Mike also set her back on her heels. She knew where he was but hadn't reached out to him. Why?

Natalia knew why, it would only cause problems and complications for her insatiable desire to see him. But was it? Was she perhaps afraid, if she got honest with herself, that he'd react the same way as Jun did? Happy thought, the troubled woman mused.

The rest of the day went no better. For weeks she'd been happy that people had been leaving her alone around ONI headquarters. Once she'd been sought out but now it was the opposite. She'd wanted time to sort her thoughts and feelings out so the lack of attention had been appreciated but now it shifted in her mind. She'd been rejected by people, her Natalia Misriah. But then she considered what she'd offered before that made people want to be around her. Images of who she was and how she'd acted in the past came flooding in like a video highlight file and it sickened her. She'd tried not to be that person since Reach and now no one wanted her. Part of her longed for the simplicity of her previous life. What was the expression? Ignorance is bliss? Unfortunately the blind could now see and she couldn't return to that prior state.

Natalia left the Hive in a foul state. Instead of going to the gym to work out she went straight to her home. There were no greetings as she left beyond the polite cursory ones everyone shares with each other. Her opulently furnished home was in a desired neighbourhood and yet it was beginning to feel like a prison and not a sanctuary. Without an appetite she couldn't bring herself to make anything to eat nor would she even pick away at the prepared food she had. Instead she went to the liquor cabinet and assessed what she had. It was well-stocked since she used to entertain often but that was another thing that had changed since Reach.

Falling into a state of depression, thoughts of guilt, shame, rejection and several other emotions she couldn't put her finger on began to scream at her. To quiet them she began to drink. Natalia wasn't sure how much she'd had or what time it was but in the fog of her inebriation she thought she heard her door buzzer go off. She paused and listened again. Yes, it was clearly the door.

Suddenly, Natalia thought to herself that she wasn't alone in the world; someone had come to see her. Maybe it was Mike, come to sweep her off her feet and take her away from all this mess. It made sense after all the drinks and was even plausible to one who was drunk. She tripped over a hassock on her way to the video terminal by her door to let him in but more eagerly sought the chance to let him into her life fully. Fumbling with the button to engage the live feed her heart beat with anticipation.

It wasn't Mike, it was MacKenzie.

Mike wasn't there. Of course he wasn't, he didn't want her anymore, she thought in her drunken state, why would he? Only MacKenzie did. Something in the recesses of her mind tried to argue against this thought, tried desperately to show her the folly of what her mind was hammering her with. But the alcohol had provided a barrier to rational thought and all she was left with was her original conclusion.

So be it.

Entering into Natalia's condo the charming business executive seemed pleased to find her in the state she was in. He'd had a few drinks himself which had emboldened him to come over and try to spend some time with the woman who thus far had rejected his advances. But he hadn't gotten where he was by being passive so he continued to press in.

"Wanna drink?" Natalia slurred.

"I thought you'd never ask," MacKenzie responded smoothly.

October 8, 2552, 2200 Hours, Losantiville, Seven Hills Region, planet Mars

Mike had to admit that Melanie knew her stuff. She'd taken the team through several training exercises and not only did she have a depth of skills in the area of infiltration he didn't but she turned out to be a good teacher also. His emotions were still a roller coaster though so he swirled through a cycle of admiration for his former teammate's abilities and resentment of the fact she was able to give his team something he couldn't. He found himself possessive of the Wolfpack already and protective of any who would seek to be part of it from arm's length, even someone he'd once had feelings for.

Then there were the feelings.

Yes, they were bubbling up to the surface as well despite how hard he'd been trying to keep them in check. He wasn't sure what he was feeling right now other than confusion. He was still trying to manage his feelings for Natalia and now this?

Melanie had tried several times over the day during lulls in training to engage him in conversation but each time Mike had coldly rebuffed her. He wasn't sure why, these were new feelings for him and he couldn't figure them out which made him even angrier then he was beginning to admit he was.

But why was he angry? What was the purpose? The motivation? For years as the Lone Wolf his life and actions had been very ordered and directed but now that increasingly he'd allowed himself to feel things that order had been blown up. For the first time he'd almost wished Jun had left him back on Reach.

Almost.

Still, Mike Nantz wasn't about to give up. He was too stubborn so he'd figure this out. It just might take some time. Tomorrow was another day. He'd try again to be better, to sort it out. He had time to put this all together. But the creeping question for him was: how much time?

October 9, 2552, 1010 Hours, Sydney, Australia, Planet Earth

Natalia woke with a start. Her head throbbed as she checked the time.

Rolling over she saw the impression on the side of the bed where MacKenzie had been. The executive was already gone, a testimony to his diligence, or fear of Spanner Misriah. Natalia on the other hand was late for work at the Hive but she didn't care. It's not like she would be missed.

Then her actions of the previous night hit her just as the bile from the alcohol she'd been drinking began to well up due to her movement. She could see again what she and MacKenzie had done; she could even feel his arms around her.

"No!" she screamed in horror as the acids in her stomach began to erupt like a volcano.

Natalia ran to the bathroom to throw up. While she may be able to purge the excess of alcohol in her stomach she couldn't erase what had happened. Guilt, shame and even a touch of confusion reigned as she tried to reconcile what she'd done and why.

October 9, 2552, 1145 Hours, Losantiville, Seven Hills Region, planet Mars

"So the key for you to remember is that while your SPI armor does lack advantage in terms of ballistic capabilities, the photo-reactive cells can give you more than merely an active camouflage capacity. When used properly you have the ability to mimic a wide range of electromagnetic radiation," Melanie explained while debriefing the team after a training session as Mike watched.

"Which means that while we can make ourselves invisible to the eye we can also go black to certain sensor arrays," Maia added.

"Correct," Melanie replied, face breaking into a wide grin, happy to see the Spartan got her point. "I know your job is not going to be infiltration but you'll find there will be times the skills would be useful. Am I right sir?" She looked to Mike for affirmation.

This was a moment of truth. Melanie was seeking his endorsement of what she'd been teaching. Mike had to admit she knew her stuff, way more than he did on this topic and he'd picked up some tips already. The turmoil of her walking back into his life still swirled but he also had a responsibility to get his team ready for combat and she was helping. Time for him to put his personal feelings aside.

"You're absolutely right, Melanie," Mike confirmed.

He's still calling me Melanie, she thought, not Mel. Why does this upset me? It's been years since we were together, but it does. Though the attractive Spartan's face was an unreadable mask, inside her stomach was churning. As with Mike she'd locked out her feelings and emotions after Op. Torpedo and had gone into a form of autopilot. The persona of 'Whisper' had helped. She'd worked alone and not allowed anyone to get close to her.

In truth she hadn't wanted anyone to. The pain of loss was too great.

Melanie had tried to forget about Mike-B312, though he'd been Michael to her then. When she'd come into the training company at Camp Currahee scared and confused Mike had watched over her, protected her in many ways. At first he was like a big brother though they were the same age but then towards the end as their bodies matured her feelings had changed. She believed his had changed towards her as well. There had never really been the time or opportunity to explore these feelings though there had been one time when they'd been alone on a recon training mission. She'd locked that special moment away afterwards, fearing to let it out. So she'd followed Mike's exploits over the years but had resisted the urge to contact him.

Then she'd been sent to Mars to work with him and she couldn't hold it back. She'd been nervous about their reunion and his anger at seeing her hadn't helped. That had annoyed the proud woman herself but when she'd been honest with herself she had no right. He'd thought she was dead all these years. It had dawned on her the first night after she'd been reunited and sleep wouldn't come that she'd been selfish. A pain of lost opportunity overwhelmed her and the woman was glad she was alone so no one could see her reaction. But what now? They were still at war and this was a short term assignment. Could she allow herself to open that locked storage area of her feelings about Mike? Should she?

"In fact I used similar tactics on a mission two years ago though Melanie's are more sophisticated," Mike admitted. "We can definitely adapt them with her help to our team environment."

"All right people," Gunny MacGregor broke in, ignoring Mel, "break for chow and then we're in the field for a live fire exercise to see if you can remember to shoot after all this sneak and peak," he added with a sneer. "Pelicans will pick you up at 1230 hours so you better shake it. Dismissed!" his voice boomed.

Melanie was left standing alone as the team and Mike left for the mess hall. MacGregor doesn't seem to like me too much, she thought. I guess that's not surprising, all things considered. And I'm still Melanie to Mike, she added, forlorn and suddenly caring with her former friend thought of her.

October 9, 2552, 2125 Hours, Sydney, Australia, Planet Earth

Natalia couldn't be in her condo a minute longer. The thought of her and MacKenzie together there sickened her. He'd left several messages for her during the day and if she'd tried to play a game in her mind that nothing had happened his happy thoughts of the previous night obliterated that fantasy. In addition, the confident man's assumptions that all was well and they were now back together again angered the proud woman. She's needed to get out, she needed to forget. There was only one place for her to go.

Marquee Sydney had been the top club in the city for centuries, an unusual event for a fickle public looking to be entertained. Multi story screens, go-go dancers, exotic drinks and the latest music played by world-famous DJ's ensure this was the place to go. But what really set it off from other clubs in the city was the who's-who list of those who regularly came to party which included not only the beautiful people of Sydney but international stars in town who came to see and be seen plus partake in the invitation-only after-hours parties. The mega-club's biggest physical attraction was the VIP area roped off with red velvet robe and bouncers who ensured the people behind the ropes would be seen and not disturbed. It was a formula that had worked for decades and despite the war continued to this evening.

Natalia walked into the club that was only starting to get energized and breezed into the VIP area without a word. No one stopped her for all conversant in the nightlight of Sydney knew who Natalia Misriah was.

"Hey Tali! The tall bartender with bleached blonde hair and surfer's lithe body greeted her with a happy smile. "Haven't seen you for a long time. What's new?"

"Nothing," she mumbled in reply, remembering him from her past.

Though the bartender waited for her to expand on her answer it was the look he gave that caused Natalia to flinch. It was a knowing look, a hungry look. The same kind MacKenzie gave her. But then why shouldn't the man? She remembered the time they'd spent together after hours after a night of partying.

She wanted to forget that too.

"Bring me a drink," Natalia ordered.

"A Stinger?" The phrase condemned her. She needed to forget.

"No. Double Vodka on the rocks."

The bartender gave her a surprised look but followed her instructions bringing a glass of the clear liquid. If the music hadn't been so loud the sound of the ice cubes tinkling together would have been music to the convicted woman but it was lost to Natalia. She took the glass and in one smooth motion downed it in one toss. The liquor burned hard going down and she almost winced.

Almost.

It was time to forget.

"Keep them coming," Natalia ordered.

Time was lost and memories eventually dulled. Memories of Reach, of Mike, of her forced extraction, of her father's condemning looks, of her mother's abandoning her when 'things didn't work out', of last night.

"Stinger! It is you. I almost missed you. It's been too long."

The declaration of her nickname in Sydney was like an electric shock that jolted Natalia out of the pleasant stupor she'd fallen into. Standing before her at the head of a pack of twenty-something beautiful people was a handsome senior executive at one of her father's subsidiary companies. There were many of them because her father owned a lot but what distinguished this one was of the relationship he'd enjoyed with her before Reach which meant the inevitable question was about to come.

"Where's MacKenzie?"

She'd expected that since this young, ambitious man was a best friend, if they truly had those, of MacKenzie. He had been a frequent member of the group Natalia had run with prior to her leaving for Reach.

But a lot had changed since then.

Natalia shrugged, trying to figure out a way to get out of the conversation. "I don't know," she slurred, the alcohol fighting to take control.

"Because after last night I'd have thought the two of you would be glued together like you used to be."

It wasn't the accusatory tone of the man that did it or even the knowing laughter from the rest of the group. It also wasn't the fact that MacKenzie had obviously told this man what had happened between them the previous night already. No, it was the accusatory voice that was never far from her that pushed her over the top.

Spoiled little rich girl.

Natalia Misriah, in her inebriated state, decided it was time to fight back. She'd been on her heels for weeks and now it was time to push out of the corner.

In a surprisingly fast move for one showing signs of intoxication Natalia took a half step and caught the laughing executive with a hard right hook punch that broke his jaw. As the man fell to the floor screaming in pain something snapped in Natalia. Several of the women screamed as she pounced on the group, landing an uppercut on the jaw of another. The crowd scattered as Natalia opened the flood gates of all her rage and hurt. Club security tried to intervene but Natalia was not there anymore, she was on Reach, fighting for her life against the Covenant who were trying to kill her. A vicious knee to the groin brought one of the burly bouncers down and she spun out hitting another with a one-two combo. The dangerous boxing champion was a whirlwind and no one, not even the club security, wanted to get in her way.

Later, those who still wanted to defend Natalia Misriah would say she was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after Reach while her many detractors would say that fate had finally caught up to the arrogant, spoiled billionaire's daughter.

Regardless, in the end it took the Sydney Police and UNSC Marine Military Police to put an end to her destruction. Now Natalia would never be able to forget.