Did any of you notice the references last chapter? I'm sure you did. Anyway, I want to clear this up. Devil Dogs are a Little Debbie cake; no I didn't think about it.

Rebel Base, Jordan, age 35:

Lieutenant O'Neal and I slowly clear the ice bunker. No enemy combatants have engaged us. Something's wrong with this bunker. It is unnatural. The enemy is waiting for us, I feel it.

"Lieutenant, I have a bad feeling about this." I state nervously.

His visor shows my reflection as he faces me, "Keep your head in it trooper. We're doing this for the others. No one gets left behind."

For someone in his early twenties, he's kept himself from becoming shell-shocked. I wonder what keeps him from going crazy.

I nod and follow. This place is quiet and the ice seems slick with fresh water. I'm just imaging things, the ice isn't melting. No it's just an optical illusion that my eyes are playing on me.

"Get back!" Lieutenant O'Neal shouts while shoving me backwards.

Before I ask a question the roof collapses. O'Neal!

I frantically begin digging the ice away with my bare hands. Zoe would never forgive me if her boyfriend is dead. I can already imagine the humiliation I'd receive from her.

"Jordan, you read?" Zoe asks, making me become even more nervous, "Heard a loud noise after dust off. You two alright? Over."

I have no choice but to answer her, "Copy. I hear you loud and clear. The ceiling collapsed on us and I got..."

Before I explain the situation, Zoe is yelling at me, "You make sure Blake gets back alive! I'll kick your ass and then slice your fucking balls off if he doesn't! Do you here me trooper!"

"Give him some slack. I'm fine, just trapped under ice." Thank God, Blake's alive.

Maybe I can get back to my daughter in one piece today. She's all I have left to remind me of her mother and sister.

"Get back you bastards!" I hear Blake shout over the comm system, "Fuck off! Thought you had me? I slit your throat bitch! Fuck, get off!"

I continue digging into the ice to get to O'Neal. He needs help and I'm all he's got.

"Zoe, get Billy, Alpha, and Bravo back to the ship. I'm going to get the lieutenant." I confidently order before being drained of all confidence.

"I want it done, now! I hear a struggle coming from his line." Zoe shouts in a pained groan over the landing gear extending.

Shadow of Intent, Rehe, age 23:

The hangar is busy with a team of human doctors rushing to a pelican that has just returned from the unknown planet.

Maria failed to notice me rushing towards the humans. Four troopers emerge from the vessel: two are dead; the other two are bloodied and limping in pain. Rookie's not with them. Where's my mate?!

"What happened? Where's Rookie?" I question the female who led the expedition.

She faces me with her visor reflecting my image, "Ambush. Two troopers are trapped down there: Blake and Jordan."

My eyes widen in shock. Rookie is trapped on an unknown planet with hostiles. He'll need help.

"We need to launch a rescue mission." I state with my concern over my mate, "I'll lead the mission myself."

Before the injured female can reply, Maria interrupts me, "I would like to introduce you to your Blake's children: Shaun, Jasmine, Blake Junior; kids this is Rehe, your new mother."

What? Did she just say that I was their new mother? No. A million times, no. I refuse to be anyone's mother.

I turn and glance at the human children. They look nothing like Rookie, they're hideous. But their faces look so innocent and fragile like a Sangheili child. The female looks ready to burst into tears and the males are nervously standing in front of me. I do not have time for them. My mate is trapped on an ice world with only one other trooper. I don't doubt Rookie's skill, but an entire planet.

"Stay with them until I return!" I snarl, causing the children to hide behind Maria, "Follow me to my quarters, and stay there! Your species isn't doing anything to save my mate."

"Miss Maria, who's her mate?" Jasmine asks as I lead down the halls.

"My mate is your father. In terms that makes me your mother." I answer entering my quarters and angrily collect my gear, "Stay with Maria until I come back with Rookie."

I attach each armor piece with minor difficulty. The armor is lighter than I remember when I received my first set. My weapon sits against the wall as I place my newest energy sword to my hip magnetic lock. The carbine whines to life as I insert the plasma cartridge. I'm coming Rookie.

I leave the room before any questions were asked. The drop pods are going to be an excellent learning experience for me, as it is my first time dropping.

"What's the rush, Rehe?" Beko chuckles next to the pods, "All jumps are to be reported."

"The humans refuse to rescue my mate and I plan on doing it myself." I growl in irritation.

"You're doing it wrong." Beko chuckles and stands over me, "How did you plan on getting back if you took the pod down there? Follow me to the phantoms and we'll see what I can do."

I stand in disbelief, "You're coming too? Without any demands? No requests, nothing? You're just coming along with me?"

"Would you prefer to be questioned and decrease your mate's survival chances?" he smirks, "Do I want to save a human? No. Do I want to see a beautiful female happy? Yes. I'll do what it takes."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I question and stare in disbelief.

He nods and I stand for a few more moments. I'm not going alone. I'll be able to have a partner while engaging the enemy.

Hope y'all had a good Thanksgiving, which explains my delay. I feel like I gained twenty pounds over the weekend.

I got a new poll up that directly affects the story.

Should Rehe become pregnant with Rookie's child? Yes, No, or should it be a Sangheili that impregnates her (optional)?

I'll wait till December 9, 2016.