Author's Notes: Well, this is the next one on my list. Yes, it's short. It's informational. BUT, I needed it. So, I'll have the next chapter up soon (probably for Turkey Day...happy Thanksgiving, all). This one is about 3,000 words...the next will be action-packed and back to the normal length. So, first...reviews!
(I had a LOT this time...thank you to EVERYONE!!!)
killerman83ca: Hey, no problem. You think of any cool fight-scenes or ideas (and this goes for anyone), feel free to send me a message. Don't put it on here...as that spoils it if I do use it. No guarantees, but if it's cool enough, I'll see what I can do. Anyways, thanks very much for reviewing!
GuardianXAngel: Hey, no worries at ALL. Trust me, the Spartan Laser will get some real exercise before this is over. And, by the way, which Machinegun is your favorite? The Assault Rifle, the SMG's, or something like the vehicle-mounted LAAG? Just curious. Thanks again for your review and, in regards to the homework...TRUST ME, I understand what you mean. Why do you think I only get out one chapter a week, most of the time? lol. ;)
...Curse you, Calculus. Burn and die. Or just die...whatever puts a cap on the homework.
Benaia Dre: (My Lord...I screw your name up the first time...every single time I try to type it...) YAY for my reviewers! lol. Glad you liked.
Suliac Griffin: Man, you get my "Review of the Week" award. That one really made me laugh. Anyway, I'm glad you liked it. Hopefully, you'll continue to be pleased with it. I'm really anxious to write and get this next chapter up (21), so let me know what you think! Thanks!
Trueshot159: Hey, long time no see. Glad to have you reading again, and I'm glad you liked it. Also, in regards to your idea about the stealth...I'm debating using the "Cloaking" equipment-item like they do in-game, to make their battles a little more like the game itself. Actually, this is something I want some feedback on, if I can get it. Just, if you (and everyone else) would, give me your preference, if I use cloaking like the Elites had in H:CE and H2, or like it is in H3. Just let me know.
Taylor114: You want real action? I'll get you some real action. Just stick with me a bit longer, and you'll see it firsthand. As for your comments on the Spartans...yeah, I couldn't do them without personalities. It's not in me. That's okay for a videogame, but not for a book. And...Zeke...lol, he's annoying and sarcastic but...that's what I was going for sometimes.
Samson00: Hola, friend! I still can't believe how fast you read the whole thing. Astounding. Thanks a lot for all the compliments. And, in addition, I've thought some more about the ideas we discussed...I'm gonna have some real fun with all this. Thanks for all your help, man.
Gormanuyai: Hehehehe..."almost" only counts in hand-grenades and horseshoe. Thanks for reviewing.
TheHuntedOne: LOL, you really have a thing for Blaine, don't you?
A, E: Well...yeah...lol.
B: ...Zeke needs time too. ;)
C: ...They need time too. If I don't give them any, they get depressed and don't show up to my other chapters. lol.
D: Hey, seriously, thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you liked it. I think, with your liking for the Cyborgs, you might get a real kick out of the special armor types they'll get later on (just something for you to think about).
numaman: Yes, it was a LOT of fun to write. This one here...not so much. The next one? Oh yes. I'll enjoy that one too. Also, I promise, next time around, I'll give you vehicles galore. My word. Thanks for the review!
Lord of the Trees: lol, yes they are. But...did you like it? lol. I wasn't sure. Hope so...
Raven of Alaska: Hello! Thanks for the compliment, and I hope you'll stick around for a while. Also...the quote...well, in hindsight, no, it doesn't make the most sense, but it sounded really cool in my head, lol. haha. Thanks again!
1 Way Ticket: lol, "smack talk." You know me...it's gotta be there. Thanks for reviewing! And that's right! If you're of alien-origin and don't have four mandibles and walk around on two legs, then you'd better run. The cage has been rattled, and Zulu Company is out and ready to go! lol, thanks again...hope you feel better...:)
Masquerade867: Wow, I just missed you when I put the next chapter up. Sorry about that! Thanks very much for your compliment!
NOW...finally...Chapter 20...
Chapter 20:
- War & Politics -
1500 Hours - December 21, 2552
Zulu Training Ground - Recovery Building
"Damn it, Jason." Corporal Charles said, staring blankly at the Spartan's recently re-armored leg. His last stunt with a Covenant Ghost had completely totaled the armor on his right leg. Of course, the super-soldier had never even felt it, but the MJOLNIR armor sure did.
"Sorry, sir," he answered. "It was that or be run over."
The Corporal rolled his eyes. "You know, Jason, I remember teaching you all how to jump in basic."
Jason laughed as he sat up in the hospital bed. "Heat of battle, sir," he said with a shrug. "I guess I just forgot."
Charles laughed. In reality, he couldn't care less about the Spartans' armor. It could be replaced. They, however, could not. "Just get out of the way next time, so I don't have to listen to the doctors bitch and moan."
"Got it," he said. The Corporal was about to leave when Jason added, "so, are Blaine and Stephanie doing alright?"
Charles nodded. "They're actually back to one-hundred-percent, already." He said. The two Spartans had just slightly overworked their mechanical muscles in ripping the plasma weapon from the bottom of one of the Phantoms. "I already saw the two of them, and I told them that, next time, I want them to please just shoot the damn thing."
"So, to be clear, what exactly are you doing to me this time?" Ezekiel asked the female scientist messing with the four mounted blades on his armor.
She looked up as she pulled off the armor around his left elbow-joint. "Under orders from the General, I'm installing bio-electrical, magnetic components into offensive weapon-systems for high-energy containment purposes."
Zeke rolled his eyes. "English, please."
The scientist's eyes looked up to the ceiling, searching for words. "I'm putting magnets in your armor that will produce a magnetic field around the blades on your joints, similar to those on a Covenant Energy Sword."
"And why do I need a magnetic field generator?"
Now it was the woman's turn to roll her eyes, annoyed. "Well, for the plasma-generating systems I have to implant within the offensive systems, of course."
Zeke's head suddenly jerked away from the wall he was staring at, right into the eyes of the scientist. "What are you talking about?"
She appeared to be getting more annoyed by the second. "The General has ordered the Augmentation Department to further supplement your battle abilities by implanting both a plasma-generating device and a small magnetic field generator within your armor. The magnetic field will be active at all times, and the magnets will shift to keep it aligned perfectly around your offensive mounts. However, the plasma will only be generated at specific times, like when you bend your elbows or knees for an offensive strike. When you're finished, the plasma will be dispensed from the armor."
Ezekiel blinked a dozen times, trying to process all of what he'd just been told. "So, I'm getting Energy Swords mounted to my knees and elbows?"
She rolled her eyes again. "Yes." She said, nodding. "Think of it that way. You and Victoria both are."
Zeke smiled. Cool, he thought, and suddenly saw a fatal flaw in the almost-great idea. He pulled his arm back from the scientist's grip.
"And how are these magnets going to shift on their own to match the blade? Or, more importantly, how are the plasma-generators going to 'know' just when to come on and off. What if I'm just bending my leg to sit down or something?"
The annoyed look in her eyes was replaced with one of pure irritation and frustration. "That's why you're getting an AI installed." She said with a tone popular when speaking to toddlers. "The AI will control the plasma-generators and magnets. Without it, the plasma won't be created at all."
Zeke nodded, reaching his arm back out to her again. "Alright," he said, "I understand."
She scoffed loudly. "Fitting," she mumbled.
"What?"
"The AI you got," she said. "It's fitting."
Zeke was getting tired of playing games. "What are you talking about?"
"Your AI," she said. "Its name is Demon."
Corporal Charles turned off the radio transmission, furious. Even after all the Spartans had been through, after all they'd become, the government still wasn't content to just let them fight. No, somehow, they weren't good enough yet.
No, he thought miserably, not again. Every time we've had a single success in the second set of augmentations, they come down here and they strip-mine us in the way of Spartans. Three Spartans, he reminded himself, three of them in the last two decades, and not one of them survived their damned 'final augmentation' protocol.
"Damn it all."
He looked at the clock. It was after six. They'd be arriving at Zulu Training Ground in less than two hours…and they'd be taking the Spartans…his Spartans.
"Man, I still can't believe you just stood there like a freakin' statue." Christopher said to Jason as he sat down on his bunk. It was now late in the evening, nearing eight o'clock, and the Spartans were awaiting dinner, passing the time by reflecting on their last victory.
"It was that or get my ass ran over." Jason answered, laughing as he flexed his biomechanical leg and the new armor covering it. "'Course, I wouldn't have had to if someone had just shot the damn Grunt." He glanced over at Zeke with a smirk on his face.
"I told you, Vic was in my line of fire." Ezekiel snapped with a half-hearted look of seriousness.
"Yeah," Jason laughed, "whatever."
"Well," Zeke said, letting a smirk crawl across his face, "maybe next time I won't shoot the Brute either." He walked away and sat down on his bunk.
Jason thought for a second what he might've done if the Brute had come at him too. He pondered how he could stomp both Ghosts for a moment, and then abandoned the idea in favor of stomping one and sticking the other with a Plasma Grenade. "I'd have managed." He said.
At this, Blaine stood up, brushing by Samuel to get to close to the center of the room. "So," he started, hesitating slightly, "did anyone else get an AI installed today?"
Jason was puzzled. He'd had what the scientists called a "minor AI" installed, but the electronic entity had no personality and was there for the sole purpose of assisting in providing a visual readout on his HUD for his biomechanical parts.
"Zeke and I both got one." Victoria said quickly.
"Only for the bloodlust," Zeke growled, not moving from his bed. "I don't need some two-bit, computer-generated nuisance telling me how mow down the Covenant's miserable excuses for soldiers."
Victoria laughed. "And for the plasma-mounts," she said.
"Plasma-mounts?"
"Our offensive mounts are being altered to have, in essence, plasma-coating, and will basically become Energy Swords on our limbs."
"Nice," Samuel said.
"Please," Zeke said, "the whole idea behind an AI is ridiculous. We're supposed to be the best. And, personally, I don't like the thought of having some computer entity floating around in my head."
Jason stared at him, mouth open. "Is someone having a bad day?" He asked, amused.
Zeke scowled, but said nothing.
"Moving on," Blaine interrupted, looking at Jason, "both Stephanie and I got simple AI's installed for readouts on our cybernetic parts. I was guessing that both you and Landon were given the same."
Jason nodded and looked over to Landon, who was doing the same. "They're barely even AI's." He said. "They have no voice, no 'mind,' no personality of any kind. All they really are is an extension to our suits' neuro-interface to tell us when our cybernetic parts are having issues."
"Spartans," the intercom speakers clicked on in the corners of the room. Jason immediately recognized the Corporal's voice, but he sounded deathly grim. "Report outside at once."
Great, Jason thought, this day just gets better and better.
Samuel let his hands clench and unclench as he walked down the hall from the Spartans' barracks. Both he and Magnus had also had minor adjustments made to their armor. Only, in their case, the change wasn't technological or biological. It was purely mechanical. Both of the enormous Spartans had had short, metal rods connected to the structure of the armor surrounding their wrists.
Samuel had realized, during their last fight with the Covenant, that his giant body packed an equally-enormous punch, and while his hands could easily withstand the blow, his wrists almost instinctively bent on impact. The bones in his arms were enhanced, and were pretty much immune to any thought of cracking, but a little extra support never hurt anyone.
At least, that was the scientists' take on it.
"Magnus," he said, looking slightly up at the other Spartan, "how do your wrists feel after having the rods put in?"
Magnus shrugged, his giant soldiers coming up over Samuel's head. "I feel fine." He said plainly. "I'm more worried about everyone else, and their AI's."
Samuel nodded as they opened the front doors and walked outside, seven other Spartans right behind them.
"What the Hell?"
In front of them were three large vans, similar to the ones that had taken them to Zulu Training Ground years ago, except that these three vans had no markings whatsoever and were completely black.
And, around these vans, stood a dozen men in lab-coats, four in Marine-style fatigues, Corporal Charles, General Malone, and another man in a white suit. Samuel immediately noticed a pistol at the man's side.
"Spartans," the man said with a smile. Samuel felt his blood run cold. "I'm here from the Office of Naval Intelligence."
"Oh Hell," Zeke's voice echoed in his ear, along with every other Spartan's. Samuel smiled behind his visor.
"The nine of you made quite a name for yourselves in Phoenix." He said, still smiling. "In fact, that's why I'm here."
At this point, the Corporal interrupted. "Spartans, this is Captain-"
"Names won't be necessary, Corporal." The man said, cutting him off. "You and General Malone here know exactly who I am, and they know I'm from ONI. That's more than sufficient." His tone was suddenly cold and sharp.
Samuel found himself growing with anticipation as the four military-dressed men stepped forward at once.
"Now," the Captain said, turning back to the Spartans, and looking right at Magnus. "What you all need to know, is that two of you are coming with us."
Samuel watched the Corporal's face turn to a grimace. Malone seemed almost chipper, though.
"I don't understand." Samuel said, stepping forward. He was head of Zulu Company. This was his responsibility, his place.
The Captain smiled again. "Good," he said. He pointed to Magnus. "You're one of the ones coming with us." He said. Next, he looked directly at Victoria. "And you'll be joining him."
Samuel found himself shaking his head subconsciously, trying to process what this arrogant, annoying ONI spook was saying. "I'm sorry," he said. "You're taking part of my team?"
"Well," he answered smugly, getting defensive. "It's really not your team, is it? It's my team. ONI funded this little science project, and now we're taking a couple of you in for some additional testing. You'll have the female back in less than 72 hours. As for the giant here," he looked at Magnus, "we've got big plans for him."
Magnus reached down under his bed, grasping his duffel bag and pulling it up to him. It wasn't a typical "packed bag," though. This one carried a Shotgun, an Assault Rifle, two M6G Pistols, and, as of the 19th of December, two Brute Spikers as well. In addition, there over a dozen clips of ammo, several grenades wrapped in foam, and a med-kit kept inside.
"Hey," a voice came from behind him. He turned around to see Blaine and Ezekiel stepping into the room. "You wanted to see us?"
Zeke's face lacked the arrogant smirk Magnus had come to expect, and Blaine looked like he was working to look emotionless. It didn't come as natural to him as it did to a couple of the other Spartans.
"I figured, with your leaving and all…that I'd be pretty low on the list of people you wanna talk to, like just above General Malone." Zeke said with a ghost of a smile tugging at his face.
Magnus felt himself smirk a bit. "You are." He said bluntly. "But 'want' and 'need' are two different things."
The two smaller Spartans walked toward him until they were less than two meters away. Blaine sat down on one of the bunks, looking up at him.
"Why did you call us in here, Magnus?" Zeke asked, suddenly impatient, but still with a neutral tone.
"I need to ask the two of you a favor." Magnus answered, unsure really of how to ask the two Spartans what was on his mind.
"And that is?"
Magnus paused, trying to place the words. Suddenly, what had been bothering him for over an hour seemed ridiculous.
"Magnus," Zeke snapped, "what is it?"
"I need the two of you to watch Victoria." He said without even fully realizing he'd said it.
Instantly, the two Spartans were looking at him like he was insane. "She's a Spartan, Magnus." Blaine said calmly. "Not only that, she's very capable of taking care of herself…perhaps more so than most of us."
"I know." The giant Spartan answered, trying to rationalize what he was saying, first to himself, and then to the others. "I know she's a capable fighter, even more so than the majority of us, and I know she can take care of herself-"
"So what the Hell are we in here for?" Zeke asked.
"Look," Magnus said, "I know she's a full-fledged Spartan. I know she's a skilled fighter and soldier. The truth is, though, that she's reckless. She always has been. She could've been killed last time when she boarded that ship all by herself, but she did it anyway."
The two faces staring at him softened slightly.
"Are you sure you just don't still have feelings for her?" Zeke asked, somehow without an ounce of cynicism or sarcasm. "I mean, as you did before the augmentations?"
Magnus shook his head. He'd thought of that already. "No," he said. "Whatever chemicals were supposed to suppress sex-drives in Spartans…they worked. I still care about her, but not like that. She's…she's like family, like a little sister to me."
"Right…" Zeke's voice trailed off as he rolled his eyes.
"So, what exactly are you asking us for, Magnus?" Blaine asked.
"I just want you two to watch her and to watch out for her."
"We already will." Blaine said, nodding. "We're a team, damn it, and we intend to keep it that way."
Magnus smiled. He'd expected no less from Blaine Everson. "Just promise me," he said, "that, as long as you're around, you'll watch over her, when I can't."
Zeke scoffed. "You don't get it." He said. "We're not babysitters. We're Spartans. And, as irritating as she is, even I've accepted that she's an incredible soldier more than capable of holding her own without a bodyguard."
"Just promise me, okay Zeke?" Magnus said, growing frustrated. Doesn't he think I know how it sounds? I've been trying to figure out what I'm saying for over an hour now. I didn't just randomly decide to have this conversation, damn it.
"I promise." Blaine said. "As long as I'm around, I'll do what I can to make sure you get to see her when you come back to us."
"Thank you." He turned to Zeke. "Well?"
"Alright," Zeke said, a cruel smile taking over his features. "I'll make you a deal."
Magnus rolled his eyes. Of course.
"I'll watch her, as best I can, until you return, on the condition that you promise me you won't go dying on us in some lab somewhere with those ONI spooks. I promise to do this, you have to promise to rejoin us and finish this war."
Magnus felt a smile creeping across his face. "And, supposing I die?"
The usual smirk returned to the smaller Spartan. "Well, then you're breaking your promise, and, when I finally do kick the bucket, I'm gonna be right beside you, reminding you that you broke it, for the rest of eternity."
Blaine laughed. "So, if you break the promise, you get to deal with Zeke once you die."
"Perfect," Magnus said, nodding and smiling. "If I break the promise, I'm going to Hell."
"Essentially," Zeke said, shrugging as his smirk returned. "So, do we have a deal?"
Magnus nodded, and the two Spartans stood up and started to walk out. The enormous Spartan turned to finish situating his bag, but stopped when the footsteps halted abruptly.
"Hey, Magnus," Ezekiel's voice echoed coldly.
"Yeah?"
"These emotions," he said, "these feelings about Victoria," he paused for several seconds. "They make for a great big brother…"
Magnus felt himself begin to smile, and then Zeke finished.
"…But a lousy Spartan."
And he left the room.
Two hours later, Blaine watched as the three vans pulled out. In one of them, Victoria was no-doubt sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, mere inches from snapping and telling the ONI spooks exactly what she thought of them.
A firecracker to the end, he thought.
In the other, Magnus was being held. Blaine couldn't fathom the idea of being taken for even more augmentations when they had barely survived the others. And, to make matters worse, the Corporal had informed him that, of the three Spartans that had ever made it through the second augmentations on the Training Ground before Zulu Company, all three were taken for "additional testing" and ended up dying at the hands of the ONI scientists.
And Magnus was next.
"Don't forget," Blaine said, watching the van as it went further down the road. "You made us a promise."