A Spartan's War
A/N: It has been forever since I have updated! Sorry for the delay, but life happens fast and my writing has been on the back burner. New chapters should start to pick up as my time frees up and my inspiration returns. I have also been looking through old chapters and I have come to the decision that, yes, I may have plenty of OCs and characters, but the focus will be mainly on the main characters with others woven in; so in other words not all characters will make an appearance all the time. Please read and review!
Thanks to the reviewers: Scout Neon Templar, Anonymous, and Tomking
Chapter 21: Innocence
PLANET SURFACE-16:00 HOURS
The slight rise and fall of her chest behind armor was the only sign of life in the armored Spartan. Jessie stood stock still as she surveyed the ridge she now stood upon, weapon held loosely in her hands and her HUD running diagnostics. Below her lay a small Human community, dull grey buildings dotting the hillside and ant-like forms of people and transports going about their business. Since the initial attack when the Human and alien parties had arrived, security and patrols had been double. Hence, Jessie doing her role of scouting. As a Spartan, she had distinct advantages to being assigned to watch the city for suspicious activity.
The bright yellow sun was briefly obscured as a patch of heavy clouds passed over; momentarily pulling the warrior's attention to the sky. The clock display on her HUD flashed three times, indicating the end of her patrol duty and small text readouts were removed from her vision, filing away possible coordinates of safehouses and patterns of travel by suspected people. She had yet to venture into the community since her armor and armed appearance would draw too much unwanted attention from the city dwellers.
Having watched life in the city for close to a week, Jessie reflected on the prospect of normal life. It seemed so mundane leaving one's home to work for hours then return home to eat and sleep, then repeat the process for five days before two days of rest. She was used to the unpredictability and danger of her career. Adrenaline filled 'work hours' and very tough customers compared to ones encountered at a retailer shop she had monitored.
The buildings below cast long shadows as thick storm clouds rolled in, puffs of deep grey clawing over each other and finally obscuring the evening sun.
"Better return to base before the storm hits." Jessie collapsed the scope on her sniper rifle and returned it to the magnetic holster on her back. She then gave the city one last critical glance then turned in the direction of the base. What she didn't expect to see was a little dirtied child staring up at her. The boy looked to be about 7 years of age and was dressed in nondescript clothing. His face was dirtied as well as his hands and the front of his shirt. He started up at the soldier with a blank face and clasped hands.
The super-soldier froze, unsure of the situation. The child obviously was from the city, how long had he been standing there? How had she not heard him or noticed him behind her?
"You've been standing here for a while." The boy's green eyes darted around Jessie's golden visor, unsure where to lay his gaze.
"You need to return home, boy. I'm sure your parents are worried about you." Jessie resounded.
"Are you here to stop the bad men?" His gaze finally settled on the middle of her helmet.
Jessie looked down at the small boy. It was obvious he was from a lower class, whatever system this community had. She couldn't answer all of his question since it would give away her anonymity in surveying the city for more potential rebel strongholds.
"I know you are. Why else would you have a gun and armor? Are you a Spartan? I've only heard stories about them. Super-soldiers that never die. That means you can help us, please do-" While the kid launched into a curious string of questions and comments, Jessie pressed two fingers to the right side of her helmet, activating her comm.
"Chief? It's Jessie and I have a slight situation."
"What is it?" She could hear the slight breathlessness in his voice hinting at him returning from his own long patrol.
"I have a child from the city with me. He, he managed to sneak up behind me and he has pretty much figured out what I'm here for."
"Are there any other children? His parents or rebels using him as a distraction?"
"No. Just the boy and I."
"If he is alone, bring him in. We don't want any loose ends and he has the potential to serve as eyes on the inside since you can't enter the city limits."
"Will do, Chief. Jessie out." The female Spartan carefully kneeled down on one knee in front of the boy.
"Are your parents around?" She asked gently.
"No-my parents…I'm an orphan." He stated. Accepting of the fact he was on his own.
"What are you doing up here?" She questioned.
"I noticed you a few days ago when I was playing outside. So, I guess I decided to come closer." His shoulders rose and fell in a small shrug.
"That wasn't safe. You don't know who I am or if I would harm you," She calmly admonished. "I need you to return to my base with me, would you like that? We can get you fed and all cleaned up."
His green eyes sparkled and he bobbed his head in vigorous agreement. Then, the boy stretched his hands up towards Jessie, arms outstretched. Instinctually recognizing the sign, she stood then gripped the child under his arms. She lifted him and balanced him on one armored hip, arms cradling his back. Normally, at boy his age would not be an easy burden to carry, but the size difference in a Spartan made the task simple.
"My name is Peter." He stated quietly as he inspected the side of her helmet.
"I'm Jessie, nice to meet you Peter."
"You too." He placed his hands on her shoulder and settled his chin on top, content to wait out the walk back to base.
PLANET SURFACE-17:45 HOURS
Jessie set the pistol down on the table of her shooting station. Her mind wandered back to Peter and her earlier encounter with the small boy. Sometime during the journey back to base, he had fallen asleep in the Spartan's arms. She had gone to her room and tucked Peter into her bed, all the way insisting to the Chief not to wake the boy and they could talk to him after he had awoken, eaten, and been cleaned up.
A slight smirk crossed her covered face as she thought he was much nicer than the first locals they had met days before. She loaded another clip into the pistol and readied another target in the indoor shooting range; the pouring rain barring her from the outdoor test range unless she wanted to get rained on more than she had already that day.
Jessie squeezed off three shots before she sensed another body in the room, unlike her encounter with Peter. She disengaged the shooting aid on her HUD and peered over her shoulder to ID the individual.
Vora stood a few feet behind her, carbine in hand.
"Thought I'd get some practice." Lifting his arm to emphasize the sleek weapon.
"I can tell." Jessie reengaged her HUD and brought the pistol back up to bear, placing a bullseye shot.
Vora fluttered his mandibles and moved over to the station to her right. As he moved past the super-soldier, his nostrils flared and he picked up an unexpected scent from the female. His eyebrow ridges knitted together and he faced Jessie.
Out of her peripherals she saw Vora, so she turned and said, "Something the matter?"
"I-child. I smell the scent of a child on you." His eyed were clouded and head tilted slightly to the right.
"Ah, yes. Interesting story actually. A small boy snuck up on me while I was on patrol and the Chief had me bring him back to base. I carried him, so that's why you can smell him." She watched the Shipmaster process the information.
"It was unexpected and rather welco - never mind. Where is the boy?"
"He is asleep in my room. I had to make sure the Chief wouldn't bother him until he was ready." Vora didn't say anything in response nor did he turn back to his gun. "I was about to go check on him if you would like to join me."
"May I? I have seen so few Human offspring in my lifetime." Vora stepped out of the shooting box and nearer that of Jessie's.
"Of course you can. But he probably has never seen anything but Humans, so you may want to be cautious." She gathered her weapons as did Vora before returning them to the shooting range armory.
PLANET SURFACE-18:30 HOURS
Jessie paused at her door before opening it and slowly stepping in, motioning for Vora to do the same.
The lights were dimmed but not off, as Peter claimed to have a slight fear of the dark as all children do. The bed was rumpled in the shape of a small nest created out of the Spartan's blankets, but there was no sleeping boy to be found. Jessie's head turned to look at the bathroom door as the sink turned off and the door opened.
Peter moved out of the smaller room and immediately looked at the woman, "I wanted to wash my hands."
"That is fine, Peter. I just came in to check on you." Jess watched as Peter peered around her to look at the massive alien hovering near her shoulder. "This is Shipmater Vora 'Ledum, Peter. He is an ally of the Humans and a companion of mine." She introduced the Sangheili.
Peter stared wide eyed and said nothing before moving forward a bit. As he drew near, Jessie kneeled down. Peter stood with Jess' kneeling form and pressed himself against her and steadied his hands on her knees so he could peer around to Vora with the Spartan's body between them.
Vora gave them a bit more distance before kneeling down himself, "I will not hurt you, child. Do not fear me." Peter looked up to Jessie, questioning. She gave his back a small encouraging push and the boy moved to walk over to the alien.
'Ledum stretched out his arms to bring the boy nearer, inspecting him as much as the child was the alien.
Peter looked at the much larger alien in amazement. His unarmored body was muscular but much softer in comparison to the hard MJOLNIR armor Jessie was encased in. His green eyes watched the alien's reptilian like eyes as they searched his face. Nervously, he raised a small hand to the fluttering mandibles on Vora's face. They stilled as small fingers lightly tapped then wrapped around a lower mandible. Vora stilled and watched the child's curiosity get the best of him as he explore the contours of a face obviously alien from his own.
When Peter removed his hand from his face, the Zealot brought the boy up to rest on his knee. The child looked like a tiny Human as all offspring look like, Sangheili included. He was curious and seemed to have this spark of intelligence beyond his young years. As he watched the child he seemed to have created a quick bond with the woman kneeling in front of the pair.
Peter swiveled on Vora's leg to face Jessie, "Do you always wear that helmet?"
Jessie answered, "Not all the time, but my job requires me to wear it a lot." She pressed the releases and slid the helmet over her head. "Peter, why don't we go get you fed and washed up?" Peter nodded his head in vigorous agreement as Vora stood up with the child still in his arms. He squirmed to be put down and as soon as his feet his the floor he plucked something off the bed and stuffed it into the pocket of his over-sized pants.
"Ready." He responded.
PLANET SURFACE-19:00 HOURS
Vora and Jessie waited in the locker room as the now full boy cleaned himself up in the showers. Vora leaned against the row of lockers as Jessie sat on one of the Spartan-reinforced benches, helmet balanced on her knee.
"You seemed like a natural with Peter. You have any kids?" Jessie asked. Vora gave a small sigh before answering.
"I have no children of my own, but I have played a role in raising my brother's children. Two sons; one is just beginning his service in the military and the other is still small and at home with his mother." He closed his eyes for a moment at the memory of his lost brother.
"I am sure you were a good figure to the boys." Jessie responded, easily noticing the sensitive matter of the subject.
"It is a shame their father wasn't the one to raise them, but I did enjoy my time with them. Peter is about the same age as the youngest one." Vora commented, thinking of the small Human.
"If you don't mind me asking, why do you not have children of your own? You are a successful Shipmaster and are respected among your ranks."
"I have never had the time or found the right female. One does not become a Shipmaster of a carrier such as the Triumphant Declaration chasing women. If I found the right mate and time I would sire offspring, but I would want to be home to raise them, not fighting a war. Yes, we find honor in the military, but I would not want to die and forever leave a mate and kit alone." 'Ledum explained.
"That makes sense. Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into it." Jessie nodded her head a bit as she watched the Shipmaster. Vora looked down at Jessie and asked,
"What about you?"
"I do not know. The Spartan project places restrictions on things, and that is one I have never considered. This is what I have known my whole life. This war with the Covenant is my life, the reason I am the way I am. We were all Peter's age when we were conscripted into the program, it's hard to think about things like children when all I know is war and am part of a war with no near end. I am a solider, what I'm supposed to be." She rubbed the back of her neck and ran her fingers under the high neck gaiter of her armor. 'Ledum observed the slight nervousness of her expression.
"This war will end, you'll have a chance to know something other than war-" Vora quieted as his keen eyes watched two marines scurry past, destination the showers.
"This war is far from over, but I do not know what the UNSC has in store for Spartans. We are more than career soldiers, can we even adapt to normal life?" She shook her head, curls lightly slapping her cheek.
The conversation was about to continue when a soaking wet Peter appeared in a too large white towel. He looked from the Spartan to the Shipmaster, "I'm finished with my shower."
"Alright, let's get you dressed and then get you something to eat." Jess stood and retrieved the boy's clothing from her locker; he promptly dressed with the offer of food.
PLANET SURFACE-19:30 HOURS
Peter sat scores the table from Vora and Jessie, quickly spooning food into his mouth. With the boy occupied with eating, Jess turned her head slightly to Vora,
"You don't have to be here. I'm sure you have something better to be doing."
"I would rather spend my free time with you and Peter than review meeting notes in my room. One can only stand Human diplomats for so long." He murmured back, mandibles tight against his face, orange-copper eyes catching the slight pink across her cheeks.
"If you feel as such. I have to take him to see John soon. I do not know if it would be best for you to tag along."
"I see no problem with it." Vora titled his head and adjusted the way he was sitting. Peter watched the two of them converse, extremely interested in the tall, heavily armored woman and the unique, powerful alien.
"Alright. How have the meeting been going, any progress?"
"You Humans can be very thick headed. I have convinced some leaders of our means, but many still insist we are lying alien scum."
"Yes, Humans can be like that especially diplomats." She shook her head briefly. "Have you seen Janu? I have patrol with him tonight and I haven't seen him all day." She asked Vora while she checked on Peter.
"He has been exercising in the gym last I heard. He shouldn't be hard to find. If not, ask S'rin, he will know." 'Ledum watched Peter shovel the last bite of food into his mouth and set down his utensil.
"Peter, I need to take you to see my team leader, he has a few questions for you." The party of three slid out of the booth then began to make their way to the interrogation rooms and holding cells.
As they walked down the hall, Peter slid his hand into Jess', giving a nervous squeeze. She gripped his hand back and gave him a reassuring smile.
When they reached the door, a helmet-less John met them. He was standing behind a table with a thin layer of paperwork and a computer. The two captured rebels were each seated in a room visible through the two-way mirror.
"Chief, this is the boy I mentioned when on scout duty." John stood and approached the child next to Jess' leg.
"I am John, I have a few questions for you." He extended his gloved hand and gave Peter's a light shake in greeting.
"Ok."
"How long have you lived in the city on this planet?" John questioned.
"My whole life." He answered.
"And have you noticed anything new or different recently?"
"Why?" The boy countered with a question.
"You see those two men?" John motioned to the figures beyond the glass. "They are part of group that poses a threat to the city you live in and the soldiers of this base." Peter gazed at the two men then the soldiers behind him, his face scrunched in thought.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"Kid's sharp." John mumbled to himself. "You are the first contact with anyone from the settlement a ways from here."
"There is an old warehouse near the edge of town that a lot of people have been going to. And there is a big building outside of town I heard some adults talking about."
As John and Peter conversed, Jess watched the young man through the mirror. He was shaking some and eyes darting around the room nervously. Jess' hand slowly settled over the pistol on her thigh, unease washing over her. She wished she had a rifle on her back, but all the had was the handgun on her thigh and the knife on her chest plate.
Vora sensed her apprehension, "What is the matter?"
"Something is not right." She murmured back. She wrapped her hand more securely around the weapon and strained her ears to hear anything unusual. The young man could not keep still and the older man was visibly sweating. Something was definitely off. "Go get your armor."
"Nothing is wrong."
"Just do it. I know something is not right, get your armor and a gun. You are going to need it." Vora nodded his head once, still not believing the Spartan and went to change into his armor.
A few minutes passed and when both rebel's pressed their hands to their ears, her suspicions were confirmed. Moments after, a deep thud and resonating boom traveled through the walls of the base. A few files fell from the table and the lights flickered.
"Shit!" John shoved his helmet on his head and yelled for a status report.
"Peter, climb under that table and do not move until I tell you to!" Jess pointed to a table in a small corner with only enough room for a small child. Another boom shook the building and the lights flickered, the moments without power lasting longer. Peter scrambled for the cover and peaked out once he was safe under the thick table.
Jess knelt by him, "Stay here and do not move or make a sound unless the Chief, Vora, or I come for you. Understand?"
"What's happening?" Peter shook a moment.
"We are under attack. Do you understand what I told you?"
"Yes. Please, don't go."
"I'll be in the other room, then I'll come right back." Jess pulled her pistol from her thigh before chambering a round and flicking off the safety. She then removed her helmet from the clip on her belt and secured it over her head.
Once more the room rattled and the lights finally gave out, plunging the room into deep darkness. The lights on Jessie's helmet snapped on and she turned to Peter once more, "Keep quiet." The lights casting a glow over part of her gold visor and dark black helmet. Peter put a finger to his lips then disappeared into the shadow under the table.
"Chief, I'll figure out what is going on; those two know something. You get out there and stop this damn show."
"Already on my way." John loaded his rifle before running out of the room.
Turning to the door that lead to one of the interrogation rooms, she opened the door and stepped through. When the dual beams of light from her helmet washed over the table and chair, the young man raised his hands to block his eyes.
"Start talking." She growled. The man said nothing and kept blocking his eyes from the light. "Alright, let's do it your way." she gripped the muzzle of the gun and swung the butt towards his head. The metal gun connected with a loud clipping noise and threw his head back. She grabbed a handful of hair and uniform and turned on him. "Tell me what you know!" She shouted.
He gapped in horror and babbled a bit before quieting. Jessie yanked his head back and pushed the handgun into the bottom of his jaw.
"I don't have all day and my patience are shorter than the time it'll take this bullet to reach your brain." Jess snarled.
"Don't shoot me! This was the plan from the start!" He tried to push the gun from his face, but removed his hands after a futile attempt. "We were to attack the landing parties and kill who we could. The Captain and Split-lip leader were priority one. Spartans and officers second."
"Continue." Jessie pushed him further into the metal chair.
"We knew you would send someone to the ridge, so we arranged to get a guy on the inside. Then, we would bomb the base and kill and take who we needed. You have collected quite the gathering of potential and important bargaining chips."
"Thank you for the information. You are no longer any use to me."
"No-!" She squeezed the trigger and the man slumped in her hands, blood spilling from the hole in his head. Jessie dropped the body and stormed out of the room.
She threw open the next door, "Look, I'll tell you what's going on-."
"No need. Your friend already talked." She leveled the handgun and shot the man point blank. He too slumped to the floor, blood pooling around his head. Grumbling in anger she went back into the main room.
Her headlamp revealed Vora racing into the room, "Damn attack was planned!" She said.
"It's a mess out there! I've got a heavy squad tailing me, get ready." His gold armor gleamed as he jumped towards her. A round of large explosives then went off. The wall exploded into chunks of debris that was propelled back along with the two warriors. Vora crashed into a cabinet set and Jessie was thrown to the ground.
He tossed a plasma grenade out of the new hole in the wall while Jessie scanned the dust filled air. The particulate made it difficult for the light to penetrate more than a few feet in front of her. "Where are they!" She murmured to herself.
'Ledum stood quickly and stalked to the gapping wall, Jessie staying back, knowing of the small boy cowering in the back of the room.
Suddenly, a squad of heavily armed and armored men rounded the corner and burst into the room. The Shipmaster kicked with his legs, knocking the first man down and started firing rapidly with his plasma rifle with the intent to gun them all down in a wall of hot plasma.
Jessie gripped her pistol and placed well aimed shots with the limited vision and ammo she knew she had. A man neared and she shot him twice in the chest and one to his helmeted head. The blood that flew into the air was contrasted with the heavy grey dust floating slowly in circles. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed Vora heavily engaged with part of the squad, but could not go to his aid as two men were making their way too far into the room for comfort.
Slamming her pistol back onto her thigh, she yanked her combat knife out of its' sheath and spun it in her grip until it faced outward. The two soldiers were too focused on Vora to see her coming. The first fell to slashed on his torso and a stab wound to the shoulder. The second raised his gun and smashed it with all his strength into Jessie's collar bone. Her shields chirped and she pushed the man to the ground. As he shot her at point blank, she shield snapped and died before she sank the blade into his neck, he died fighting and she yanked the bloody knife out of his body. She looked up to see Peter's form in the corner. Knees drawn up to his chest and tears steaming down his face.
"It is going to be alright. Just stay quiet, don't cry. It'll be alright." She reassured him. The fact she had fiercely stabbed a man in front of him didn't help, but there wasn't much else she could do.
Turning back to fight, she watched Vora fight with the Humans in darkness. The hot blue plasma periodically illuminating the small are around him. One hand shooting his rifle, he reached to his belt with the other. The bright blue blade of his Energy Sword made the soldiers jump away from him; knowing the deadly accuracy of such a weapon when in the right hands. Issuing a battle cry, Vora swung with sword with calculated and practiced movements. Slicing through the heavy air, he felled on man after another. Their cries sharp as sharp blade bit through their armor and burned their flesh.
Then, the room fell quiet.
"That was the last of them." Vora's breath was heavy with exertion, but he looked like he could go on for many a round. "What did they want?"
"You." Jess responded, flicking the wet blood off her knife.
"Me?"
"You or anyone else of any significance. If they can't kill you, they would take you captive. This was the plan from the start. The rebels would kill who they could and take others hostage in a dose of elaborate plans. They want to milk our militaries and government's with important hostages."
Shipmaster 'Ledum swore with Sangheili words Jessie could only guess at. "We must flush out the base then figure out what we plan to do about this pocket of rebels. They know we are here, the time for monitoring has passed and the time for a direct offensive has begun."
"I cannot go far, I have Peter to protect." She pointed to his hiding spot.
Vora 'Ledum gave a small growl as he surveyed the room then turned to the Spartan.
"You must go help fight. I will stay here and protect the boy." Jessie's helmeted head just looked at him, quiet.
"I better find the two of you alive when I get back."
"You have nothing to worry about. We will both be fine." The illuminated Energy Sword a hint of what the Sangheili could do to protect both himself and the boy entrusted in his care. "You need to be safe and return in one piece. As much as you don't want to find us dead, I do not want to hear about you dying." The Zealot gave her shoulder a tight squeeze, one she returned before tapping her temple in quick acknowledgment before slipping out of the door to join the fray.
And there you have it! Chapter 21! Please tell me what you think. As always, I am open to ideas. I don't want to go too fast or too slow, so I am starting to find my pace for the romance as well as figuring out the direction of the story. Please review and keep an eye out for chapter 22!
-Masterful-Min