Many Years Ago: Freelancer.

Three of us (me, York, and a man who went by the name "Nevada") stood in the office of the Director as we awaited to hear of our next mission. I looked around for a second as I was able to see the multiple online monitors.

"Good morning." The Director greeted us, causing me to focus once again, "As you may know, our enemy is the Insurrectionists. They currently have built a base in the Barrens."

"That seems... somewhat unlike them, actually." I interjected.

"How so?" The Director raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well, don't they usually set up their bases in less rural areas?"

"Usually, yes." He gave of a short, yet sharp, exhale, "But they've figured that out and decided to create one there." He waved his hand at us dismissively, "We'll give you more information tomorrow morning. Prepare for launch. You're dismissed." York and Nevada saluted as I put my fist over my chest like they do in Attack on Titan as the three of us turned around and started walking out, "New Hampshire?" The Director asked of me.

"Yes, Director?" I turned around and stood at attention.

"I would like to talk to you for a moment." He said as the door shut behind me.

"What is it you would like to talk about, Director?" I spoke just a little more relaxed.

"As the leader of this mission, I require you to follow a separate task on your own." He handed me a large, yellow envelope with the letters "Top Secret" in bold, red font.

"You must be mistaken." I sighed as I opened the envelope, "York and Nevada are higher on the scoreboard than I am."

"I am not mistaken." His voice was strict and brought chills to my spine.

I pulled the first of many pages as I read the black font written, "E-executioner's mission?" I looked up at the director, "Like I said, York and Nevada-"

"I do not trust York nor Nevada to preform this task." He practically snapped, "Everything is explained in the papers I have given to you. You are dismissed." I put the paper back in the yellow envelope and gave a salute in the same manner as before before turning around and walking out.

I am a ball of clay that the Director has molded into a soldier so that I would follow his every whim... and because of that, I was not able to cry at the time as I hovered over Agent Nevada's corpse. There was no Insurrectionist base in the Barrens. My mission was to kill Nevada, for he had been betraying Project Freelancer by giving information to the Innies. He was just like C.T. will be, and I knew he was the one doing the right thing, but I slaughtered him anyways. The least I could do for him was cry, but I wouldn't... No. It wasn't that would not, but it was that I could not. I looked up at York, who quite possibly had a look of astonished disappointment as he looked away from me and started the ten mile hike back to our Pelican.

Present Day.

"Walker! Wake up!" I was awoken by a slap to the face. I opened my eyes and punched whomever just hit me in the chest, making a ring sound and causing them to fall to the ground. I held my face for a moment as I felt the warm tears flow over my hand. I looked over the edge of the bed to see Tex attempting to stand back up.

"I-I'm sorry, Tex." I mumbled as I got out of bed in order to help her up.

"No, it's fine." She tried to keep quiet as she stood up on her own. She just stood there, watching me.

"Um... Is there a reason as to why you woke me up?" I cocked my head to the side.

"Uh..." Her voice trailed off for a second, "You were thrashing around... and I didn't want you to end up hurting yourself."

"Alright." I yawned and stretch out my arms, "Thanks for that. I owe you one." I turned around to face the clock that had rest on my desk, "I might as well get up anyways." I gave off another yawn as I maneuvered myself to the closet.

"It's still early." She glanced at the clock before watching me.

"Well," I sighed, "I'm usually up about an hour from now, and if I can fall back asleep, it won't be worth it." The room went silent as I put on a pair of shorts and zipped up a grey jacket.

"... Do you mind if I ask what your dream was about?"

I turned to face her as I opened my mouth to say something, but I ended up biting my tongue, "You know, I don't quite remember." I gave off a faulty, yet convincing, smile as I walked out and closed the door behind me, feeling my face drop as I began to pace the base a few times over.

It was now about seven a.m.. Everyone had been awake as I was now sitting at the table, eating what some may consider as food.

"You alright?" Tucker asked as he opened the fridge.

"Why does everyone ask me that?" I practically snapped.

"Careful, man." Church looked up from his newspaper, "She's a little volatile."

"Yeah. Kinda figured that out on my own." Tucker laughed as he pulled out the carton of milk.

"Hey~" Sister chimed as she practically skipped into the dining area.

"Shit." I muttered under my breath.

"How'd you sleep?" Church asked the girl in the yellow dress, trying to behave as if he actually cared about his team.

"Okay... I guess." She spoke at her usual, annoying pace, "But I did wake up to someone screaming." Immediately, Church snapped his newspaper down and Tucker shot his head up as they looked at the woman and briefly exchanged looks.

"Yeah. About that..." Church stood up, "I think we have an extra pair of ear plugs lying around, If you'd like to follow me." He started walking away as the woman followed him.

"Oh, shit." Tucker jumped as he set the carton of milk on the counter and ran for paper towels.

"I scream in my sleep?" I questioned the man.

"Um..." He looked back at me, "Yes? It's been an issue for the past... two weeks."

"Two weeks?!" I snapped as I shot out of my seat, "How come no one's told me."

"We didn't want to mention it. You never remember by morning, anyways." He defended, then went silent as realization hit him, "Wait. How do you know it's you?"

"Uh..." My words trailed off as I ducked my head.

"You wanna talk about it?"

"Not really." I muttered as I sat back down and continued to eat.

"Are you sure?" He sat down at the seat across from me.

"Yeah... I'm sure." I spoke in a weak, shaky voice. man. I must really look weak right now. Then... there was silence. Cold and disheartening, "I've... made some mistakes..." I spoke in a low voice as I continued to stare at the table.

"Haven't we all." He laughed.

"No. I've made cruel, regrettable, and absolutely unforgivable mistakes." I looked up at him, barely noticing the tears brimming my eyes.

He watched me for a moment, practically scanning me, "Then tell me, what is this 'cruel, regrettable, and absolutely unforgivable' mistake?"

I broke eye contact, "I... I'm sorry. I can't tell you."

"You're gonna have ta tell me now. You're the one who brought it up."

I sighed as I took advantage of silence that had been given, "I... have killed a lot of people in my time in the UNSC." I spoke meagerly, "And I know what you're thinking. A soldier is devoted in their job and has to realize that there is a chance that they may have to kill... but..." I trailed off again as I looked him straight in the eyes, "I was... ordered to..." I ducked my head down again.

"Hey," He spoke up again, "I'm sorry. If you don't wanna talk about it, you don't have to. Just forget about it." Silence filled the room once again.

"..." I watched as he continued to eat, and I let out a sigh and cleaned up my area, putting my plates in the sink and throwing away any and all trash.

"Hey. If you want, I could probably help you feel better." He suggested.

"Nice try." I gave off a false laugh.

"Meh." He shrugged, "It was worth a shot."

"No it wasn't." I ruffled his hair and made my way back to my room in order to put on my armor and officially start my day.