I'll Stay
Ch. 3 Work it out
POV: Cal 141
They were an interesting bunch. Unlike other ODST, they seemed to want to talk to know me. Normally ODST hated Spartans, it was the tensions brought on by John. (At least that's what I was informed by the others.) But this team was not the same. I was always one of those spartans who moved from non spartan teams to non spartan teams ever since "That Day." I have never served on a mission with a squad more than once, let alone talk with them. Yet there I was, walking to the ship's gym with my last team.
"I still don't get it…"
I turned to O'Brien who made the comment. He had his arms behind his head as we all walked down the corridor.
"...Get what?"
"How you are only allowed to tell us your first name."
It wasn't much to think about for me. I have long forgotten it and it wouldn't help me anyways if I remembered it.
The man named Cortez came to my rescue, "Knock it off O'Brien, that's her business."
"Yeah, but what's the point? Not like it's as if the covenant goes after individual families."
"True, but our enemies aren't just the covenant, O'Brien."
This was also true. Contrary to what others may say, the insurrectionists still pose a major threat to the U.N.S.C. I was sent on missions countless times taking out Insurrection cells in the core worlds. They definitely don't care that humanity is on the brink of extinction and still want everything for themselves. I never would admit it aloud, but I always hated those missions. Not that they were hard, but I would always see "Their" faces.
I spoke out loud for the first time since walking down the hallway.
"...The Insurrection may be small, but they are cunning. They are human after all…"
The men kept up with my walking pace silently. Looking at me as if I was going to continue.
Well I better say something. What would John say?...
"...But we will win in the end, we're human too."
This seemed to satisfy them, as each of them grew smiles on their faces.
"Yeah, those scrubs can suck it for all care. If I ever get the chance to face them, they'll never see it coming…"
One could not help but laugh at that enthusiasm, I almost did...
Cortez chuckled as he spoke, "You might before this war is over O'Brien, but would you get your head out of the clouds and turn back! You just passed up the gym!"
Sure enough, he had. Dutch and Cortez were waving their hands as the man turned around.
"Very funny guys, let's just get started."
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The room had the same setup as any standard gym you would find on any standard UNSC ship. It had all of the necessary equipment. The only problem was that everything was occupied.
"Geez, are all of the ODST here?"
"That's right son."
All four of us turned to the source of the voice.
It was the ship's captain. He looked ready… Ready to give bad news.
"Now that everyone is here, we can get on with the announcement."
"Pardon me sir, what announcement? Nobody told us anything."
"No need to Sergeant Cortez, Bejia informed me your team was heading here anyway."
Cortez spoke up, "Bejia? I thought the ship's AI was called Spot?"
"That's just it son. It's not ours. It belongs to Dr. Halsey who arrived on the ship about 4 hours ago."
…DR. HALSEY?! Here?!
"I can Introduce myself, thank you very much Captain."
All of us turned to the voice behind us. Sure enough, I saw the face of someone I could never forget. One that us Spartans would call "Mom" from time to time.
"Ah, Cal. Good to see you up, and your team as well. I have yet to thank them for taking care of you on the last mission."
"Ma'am, they had nothing to do with my actions-."
"We can discuss this later Cal. We have more pressing matters at hand. And don't take me the wrong way. I mean it when I said they did good… Moving on."
The doctor nodded to the Captain and knew what it meant.
"If I can get everyone's attention, we can get this show on the road!"
Everyone on the equipment got off and stood at attention. Our team did the same.
"Now, let me be clear. What is about to be said must not leave this room. Understood?"
Almost everyone in the room answered in union, "Yes Sir!"
"Good, I'll leave the introduction to Dr. Halsey."
The said Doctor took the center stage, "Bejia, please double check the room for any listening devices."
"Yes Doctor."
It only took 3 seconds, "You're clear."
She thanked the AI with a nod.
"Up to now, the UNSC has been leading a war of attrition against the Covenant. They hold a technological edge over us. Sweeping us away at almost every turn, even with our numbers. However, recent developments have given us a chance to change those circumstances."
As soon as she said that, almost all of the ODST in the room started whispering. The Captain made quick work of it.
"Let the Doctor finish!"
"...Thank you Captain. Now let me get to the point, we are offering a chance to all of you to turn this war around. But to do that, you will need to undergo training beyond what you have taken…"
She took a breath before continuing.
"You will be training with teams and or individual spartans for the next couple of months. In that training, you will be working to trust one another and become an effective unit for a mission that requires the perfection only a spartan can give."
It was unreal, even though Halsey said it I couldn't believe it. What she was saying went against everything she stood for. And yet, she seemed so sure.
I couldn't just not say anything?
".. And what is the mission Doctor?"
Regret could be seen in the Doctor's eyes, "I cannot go over the specifics now as not everyone here will pass. But I will tell you all you need to know when the time is right Spartan. All I can say right now is the name, Operation Red Flag."
End Chapter