Alright so I pretty much changed the ending then from what was originally there. cut down info dumps and kept stuff vague. So later on others would learn more as Six opens up more. Also Noble Six might get an actual name then "Spartan" or "Six". Still thinking on a play on Demolition Man. Anyways here is the updated one (still not 100% happy but need to get my ass in gear for Wayward Souls and Obsolete Warfare)
It was a somber ride for Valeria. Here she was in a carriage that moved on its own power, a wondrous thing that would have made anyone else on earth be awestruck. Yet after all that has happened in the past few days, and now surrounded by the wounded and deserted, she felt despair.
This "Truck" as the people in green called it had all the wounded lay in the center floor. There where only three left out of the dozens that where. The healer Mari and the Wizard Cato tried their best but Hardy had taken them. A Goddess that Valeria cursed ever more.
Children where left behind with their dead family. No one was willing to take them to wherever they intended to go. Instead the Men in Green took them in. 24 in total crammed in the truck bed. Some sniffled with tears in their eyes, others too young to comprehend what was happening. Some just sat there like her in silence. A lot of them around her age.
Her mother Cassiopeia sat next to the healer Mari. In her arms was a baby no older then a few moons. "A miracle" her mother said. They found the girl under the burnt remains of the father. The mother had been swallowed whole by the Flame Dragon before. Fate had dealt a poor hand to such a tiny infant.
Her eyes wondered to the healer herself. Much like the others she wore strange green clothing with patterns. A tall slim figure that was almost as tall as their savior. Like him she had raven hair, but with eyes like sapphires. She had a gentleness to her when it came to dealing with them. She did her best for them all and it showed.
The Wizards apprentice sat next to Valeria. For some time she just looked on at the armored knight that sat at the very back. She wondered if it was a curiosity of him or something more she would never know. The mind of a mage was different from her.
There in the back was The Man of Black Iron. He sat on the floor with his back against the metal wall. Knees to his chest with both arms wrapped around. The soft glow of light from his left forearm illuminated his face. His helm was somewhere else now with the black covering. A face as scared as she had ever seen almost glowed in the light. Pale skin with red almost angry wounds of old crossed the it.
His eyes where closed, and his breath was soft. For the past day and night he was awake all this time. After looking out for her and the people against the dragon it was well earned in her opinion. Others thought so too as they kept a wide enough space as their ride could allow. No one dared to even approach him, not even the Wizard that wanted to know all about him.
And yet she dared to.
She moved closer to him disregarding the looks from the others she passed. Valeria stood right in front looking down. He had not stirred once even as she slowly sat down next to him. Her eyes moved all over till they spotted the mark on his right breast. An image of a white wolf howling into the night with an ice blue moon behind. Something about it drew her in, like she had seen it before. Her hands drew close to it, almost touching till she yelped.
A fist of black armor wrapped around her wrist in but a blink. Instinctively she tried pulling away but it was as if she was locked in place. Panicked glances soon fell to his face. One eye cracked open in an emerald gaze. She froze not knowing what to do. 'Would he hurt her?' she thought.
To her surprise he simply sighed. The vice grip broke and he simply went back to sleep. Everyone else just stared at her. Some in shock, others like her mother simply had a look of wanting to scolded her. Rubbing at her wrist she soon took her seat next to the apprentice again.
The great white dome opened up just as a black SUV emerged from the abyss. Hazama stood with is entourage as it pulled up. Out from the back seat a woman in standard dress uniform stepped out. She gave a crisp salute. "Major Yoshino Manami reporting sir."
The Major was one of the top officers in the Intelligence Department. A bookish woman with sharp brown eyes behind round glasses. Long black hair had been tied up and capped off by her beret.
He returned it. "Right Major, I assume you have been briefed?"
"Yes sir. Intelligence is quite intrigued on the radio transmissions picked up in the region." She took out a brief case from the back. "Are there any new developments Lieutenant General?"
"Plenty." He sighed. "Third Recon has met with the person in question that had made the wide band call. To put it in the team leaders words "He's a giant future man in power armor"."
Manami just stared at him with a stone face. "You're kidding right?"
Shaking his head he replied "I'm afraid not Major Yoshino. And there is more to it."
He beckoned her to walk with him. As they did he waved off everyone else. What he was going to say was just between them and a few others that had already been briefed.
"Third Recon was also in the middle of watching over a civilian convoy from one of the near by villages. Coda upon hearing about the attack on a near by Elven village by a large dragon." He let it sunk in as the Major became more and more confused. "Fearing for their lives they packed what they can and headed to one of the near by cities. On the way they picked up the "Giant Future Man" along with three others. One of which is a local religious leader."
"A priest?" Manami asked.
"No. They call her an "Oracle" or "Apostle". She claimed to be an immortal servant of some Dark God." He again shook his head. "I expected weirdness from this world, like those from the manga my daughter reads. But this is getting ridiculous."
"Well Romans, knights, Orcs, and other things come out of the Gate." Manami gave a slight chuckle. "Why not Elves, dragons, and people from the future?"
"Still not the worse of it." He sternly said. Manami could see the sour look in his face. "The civilian convoy was attacked by the dragon."
Now she stopped in her tracks. It was a bit before she spoke. "Casualties?"
"Over two hundred dead." His mouth tighten in a thin line. Hazama wondered why they didn't call in more support with handling the refugees. He could have easily allocated a few Type 73 heavy trucks. "Estimated one hundred fifty from the attack, rest where left behinds on the trail."
"People where left behind?" Now Manami was worried. "Lieutenant General Hazama if word gets out that civilians had been intentionally left behind..."
"We would denied it." He finished.
"That won't work." She was getting angry at this point. "Hazama you realize that the U.N is already breathing down our necks for this whole operation?" He opened his mouth but she cut in. "No you don't sir!"
Manami started to pace a bit. "Right now they had been sending inquiry after inquiry on what is going on over here. They want casualty rates on each incursion. If we are following the rules of war. If there is any civilian casualties." She put a lot of emphasis on those words. "We already projected refugees, and set aside materials plus aid. Said aid you have asked for."
Those sharp eyes of hers where intense on his. "Now General, how many refugees will we be taking in?"
"Thirty civilians, and five "Persons of Interests" not including." Some of the tension in her eyes released. But was back stronger then ever when he continued. "Most of which are children."
Manami inhaled. "Adults?" She asked.
"Including the three wounded Third Recon is bringing? Total would be seven." Hazama could see the gears turning in her head. If they could they would ask if the remaining adults could take care of the children most the time. That is if only a few are young.
"How old are some of these children?" Manami had the same line of thought.
"The Lieutenant was not privy to details. Only that they had a lot of young folk." This soured the mood a lot between them.
Manami moved on. "Is the interrogation rooms set up in the main command building?"
"We just flipped the switch on. Whole building is powered. Plumbing still needs work." He turned to her. "But that room was set up first thing for our "guest"."
"Good." Manami was happy about this. "If this man really is from the future we should be able get a lot from him." She smiled. "This whole Gate Incident was a tragedy from the start, but is becoming a boon for all of us."
Hazama continued to walk silently besides her. Worry started to creep in from the back of his mind. Sure they had secured it for themselves in the claims of "domestic dispute". Twisted words in documents in order for them to be here. The international community abhorred their claims that the land beyond was theirs. They did not like the fact that they claimed it was only their problem to solve.
In the attack on Ginza it was reported that hundreds if not a thousand foreign tourist where either killed of reported missing. Embassies in the government district where razed to the ground in the bloody tide. India's was first before the others burned to the ground. America's was last before everyone in the building was slaughtered. International pundits even claimed that the JGSDF held off till the buildings where all but ash. It infuriated Hazama that such claims where made.
China was outspoken about sending in only military personnel on this expedition. Scientists and other academics where barred till things have been secured, if they get secured. Even then the government will only allow Japaneses scientist into the Special Region. The fact wasn't public yet, but a few chosen where contacted. A friend of his from University was on the list. Hazama spoke to him before the departure and found his disdain for it shocking.
"A discovery like this is a global affair for the scientific community."
After that a new list was made, a few names missing.
While China was rousing the international community about a "new Imperial Japan", Russia had been vocal about wanting to destroy the Gate for good. Siting the fact that it was a danger to both health and safety. Unknown bacterial and viral infections being a possibility along with any other invaders entering in. They had also been vocal about releasing the prisoners back to the other side. A "noble" endeavor but Hazama knew that they just want to get rid of an advantage that Japan had over them. A potential resource boon with an untapped world.
As for the Americans, they where quiet. Uncharacteristic that sent alarms in him into overdrive. A few Generals started to rouse over not using The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. It was quickly put down when they declared this incursion as a "police action". President Darrel simply supplied arms to them and kept his mouth shut.
Still it was hypocritical for all of them. Hazama knew that a lot of people both in the JSDF and the nationalist parties want to take the land for themselves. They already declared it theirs and theirs alone, why shouldn't they get whatever there is here? China wanted it for themselves to colonize as well with their population. Russia knew that there was a good chance of oil being here and worried about losing their edge in that market. America was the same, they didn't want to lose economic power over them. Global politics was just an exercise in hypocrisy. And here he was enforcing it.
Deep down Hazama just wanted to punish whoever started the whole mess. Another friend of his lost a kid in Ginza. His daughter was going to that convention but thankfully was sick. But she also lost friends when they hit the place. The thought that he had dodged a bullet with losing someone he held dear shook him to the core. He had the conviction to end this fast so that it wouldn't happen.
Both he and Manami stopped in front of the new command building. Already military police armed with rifles stood attention with the medical staff. One of them ran up to him and saluted.
"Sir, Third Recon just passed the front gate."
"Good." Hazama beat down the nervousness in his psyche. Replaced now with the calm he strengthened in years of training and experience. "Have your men and the medics be ready. We do have wounded with degrees of burns."
The medic team got to work in preparing. Major Yoshino was as stone faced as him when the vehicles started to pull in. Whatever may come they should be ready.
Night had finally come as the three vehicles passed the gates to the base proper. Itami could see that they really picked up the construction of the fort. Walls formed into a six pointed star for ease of covering fire like in Americas colonial era. He even joked with Kurata about how they "Made a magic pentagram in a fantasy world".
He lightly chuckled at the thought as they hit fresh pavement. By Hazama's orders they where to stop by the command section of the base for debrief. That, and to meet the refugees.
A sour look then spread on his face. Up ahead was their intrepid General, standing tall with both arms behind him. Right next to him was someone he doesn't recognize, but had markings of a Major. Behind them he could see no more than fifteen armed guards and a few medical personnel. Medics he figure would be there since he called them in. However the amount of MP's was deeply concerning.
Both HMV's and the truck stopped and switched off. Itami and his team hopped out giving their leader a snap salute. Hazama and The Major returned it before the General gave them an "at ease". He looked at each and every one of them before stopping at the tall medic. Mari held in one arm a bundle of cloth which a tiny hand started to reach out and grasp at anything. He soon leaned a little to see the refugees climbing down from the truck bed. There where only a handful of teens and adults helping little children to the ground.
All of them started to huddle together as they looked around the strange place. Light posts had already been set up illuminating the night in artificial sun. Something that none of them had ever seen in their life, and it showed on their face. Itami couldn't help but chuckle at their looks till Hazama's disapproving gaze fell on him. He quickly went stone faced.
"These are most of the Coda refugees. We still have three wounded in the back, Sir."
Hazama nodded as he waved over the medical team. They sprang into action laying out stretchers while a few climbed up. Seconds after one reeled back and fell to the ground. The others soon scrambled back as the truck shook a bit as a weight shifted off. From what came into view put both Hazama and the MP's on guard.
The Spartan stood tall while in his arms was one of the wounded. A heavily muscled man now burned from the attack. Gently he was placed on one of the stretchers which took two of the medical staff some trouble to lift. The Spartan then looked over to the people that now pointed weapons at him. Their face was expressionless, yet the eyes held a calculative gaze. Darting to each and every one of them as if to size them up.
Itami could see the Major with them crack a slight smile. A look of intrigue simmered under the surface. A slight chill went down his spine for some reason. A feeling a dread if any. More so now that the titan of a man strides towards them.
Stopping next to him he scanned over Hazama. To everyone's surprised he snapped to attention with a salute. "Sir."
A quiet moment passed through before the Major nudged the dumbstruck General. Recomposing himself he returned the gesture. "At ease."
Falling to a parade rest the Spartan stood motionless. Itami was always impressed by what they did. Professionalism wasn't his thing even in the military, but seeing it in action to this degree did stir something in him. While he contemplated the Major started to speak.
"I take it this is the "Future Man" that you spoke of Lieutenant Itami?"
Itami shook out of his thoughts. "Er... Yea- Yes Major."
"And the other people of interest?" She looked out at the huddled masses.
"Right, Ma'am." Itami motioned for one of them to come forward. "Tuka?
One of the teenagers from the group slowly stepped forward. Hazama looked up and down the girl with bright gold hair. He was surprised to see that this girl had pointed ears that actually twitched. She rubbed bother her hands in nervousness at the Generals gaze.
"This is Tuka Luna Marceau. She's the only survivor from the elf village." Itami was sadden when those words left him.
Hazama bowed and in the native language he replied with "I'm sorry." This surprised Tuka, but in kind bowed with a "thank you".
Itami continued on with the next two people. "This is Grand Master Cato El Altestan. A wizard of this world." The older gentlemen with long flowing gray hair and beard to match bowed. Like a wizard he'd seen in manga he held a wooden staff with an amber gem tied to the end. Unlike those he'd seen however we wore a white toga like a philosopher of the classical era.
"And with him is his student Lelei Le Lalena." The teenager next to the old wizard had Hazama's curiosity. She sported short aqua teal hair and bright red eyes. Her dress was a modest one of green, and in her hands she had a staff much like Cato's only with a bright blue gem. She gave off an expressionless face, but like her master she gave a bow of respect towards the General.
"And last we have-." Itami didn't get to finish when another very young teenager pushed him aside. Hazama's brow shot up at the site. She had crimson eyes set in bright white skin. Long raven hair that held an impressive bow. Her black and red dress reminded the General of when his daughter set off to Akihabara in such fashion. With a massive prop weapon too, but he could already tell that the massive obsidian halberd was anything but.
"Rory Mercury, Apostle of the Dark God Emroy." She gave a curtsy and bowed at Hazama.
He looked back at Itami with another questioning expression. The Lieutenant sighed "Long, long story Sir."
"Right." Hazama looked back at the Major. "Major Yoshino, how should we proceed?"
"Military Intelligence would like to know more about elements in this world that could hamper our progress." She took a once over both Cato and Lelei. "Or gain information from local leaders." A predatory gaze fell on Rory. "But, their main concern now is..." A wicked smile ripped through her face as she looked up at the Spartan.
"You." That word was drawn out in english. If it was supposed to rile anything in the Spartan he never showed or cared. Like a statue he stood weathering a storm. If it had been Itami he would have shook.
That smile faded as she continued. "Third Recon is to escort all refugees, but him, to the campsite we set up. Food, water, and fresh clothing that we manage to gather are all there waiting."
Hazama nodded. "You have your orders Lieutenant."
"Uh, permission to speak Sir." Itami stammered.
Hazama sighed. "Yes Lieutenant Itami?"
"Is the Spartan being detained?" He looked up next to him. Still he did not budge.
"Yes Lieutenant." Major Yoshino cut in. "He's identified with a group that has no business operating in the Special Region."
Itami sensed that this was a lie. Something was up with Military Intelligence, and it all fell on the guy that helped them. As if sensing those thoughts the Spartan lanced down. Nodding ever so slightly Itami could understand.
Sighing he spoke. "Alright." Turning back to his men and the refugees. "Listen up Third Recon. Get these civilians to the camp, help out where you can. You get me?"
"We get you Sir!" they all yelled back.
As everyone began mounting up again Itami placed a hand on the armored shoulder. "Good luck, Spartan."
"You Too, Lieutenant." He simply replied.
Six watched as both team and refugees left the area. Now he was there with a General, a spook, and a whole mass of armed troops. Not knowing the Japanese language he could already guess by body language and tone what they where doing.
Obviously a threat to whatever operation this was. The hardware he had would be a boon to anyone that could revers engineer it. If thinks hit the fan he could easily dispatch everyone before retrieving what gear he left in the HMV. But still he would like to play this out peacefully. That is if they where willing to.
"Now then," The Major spoke in english, "I want to know why a heavily armed and armored soldier is doing in a restricted area?"
"Restricted?" Six spoke. Face still stone and gaze ever watching her movements. To anyone there that watched it was like two predators staring down each other waiting for the chance to strike out.
"Yes." She took a step at him. Her head came up to his chest forcing her to look up. Hands soon brushed over near the Eagle, and Globe branded on his left chest. Those same hands soon made their way to the hilt of the kukri. Immediately he reacted. With a flash his right hand gripped at her wrist, force was applied around it.
She hissed and instinctively tried to pull back. Rifles rose as the MP troops reacted to the sudden development. Hazama himself reached for his side arm as well. Manami's eyes shot up to find his own very close to her face. Panic was seeping from her eyes, a look of impending death reflected.
In a calm and controlled voice he gave his only warning. "Don't touch that. Are we clear?"
The Major stammered something in her own language. This prompted Six to apply more pressure. "Cr-Crystal!" She yelped out. Manami collapsed as the vice grip broke. She panted heavily from the pain.
Six's attention soon turned to Hazama who now had his pistol drawn directly at him. This only prompted for him to shake his head. "I've had a rough couple of months Lieutenant General. You do not want to test my patience right now." He motioned to the woman on the ground. "Whatever game you and the rest of your officers want to play I'm not willing to participate."
"This isn't a game." Hazama glared at him. "We picked up your call to the UN. They have no right to be here and thus you are unlawfully on Japanese soil."
"Figures." He spat to himself. "That the excuse to detain me?"
Hazama was hesitant. "...Yes."
"I take it that it was the spooks idea?" Manami tried to crawl away but froze as she felt his gaze upon her.
"...Yes" Hazama lowered his weapon. "Stand down." He ordered. Everyone else was hesitant at first. Slowly they lowered their own to a ready position.
"Look, it wasn't my idea for all this." Hazama holstered the gun. "But when we picked up that transmission it got everyone worried. We're in an unknown world with magic for God's sake."
Six had to nod in agreement at that. "Understandable sir. I know my superiors would have too given what we have been through."
"And that is?" The General questioned.
"Long story." Six simply answered. "One I'm willing to share if you would in turn share your story."
"The Lieutenant didn't tell you anything?"
"More like just the messenger for another. That Rory girl, though would use that term lightly."
Hazama gave a slight chuckle. "Figure that there was more to her then her appearance." He stood more straight as he walked up to him. "Again sorry for getting on the wrong foot. Lieutenant General Hazama." He reached out with his hand.
Six took it lightly. "Spartan Beta-312. Don't really have any other names besides code names."
"No name?" His face contorted in confusion.
"Got scrubbed early on in my life." He gave a slight shrug. "Can't even remember it after all these years."
Manami finally picked herself up from the ground. "We figured you had to be special forces." She looked now intently at him. "For who though is what we wa-"
"They don't exist." He cut her off. "At least for a long time anyways."
"So the Lieutenant's claims of a "future man" are correct?"
"...Yeah." Six simply stated.
"Did you have any contact with a Gate before coming here?" Hazama said.
"Negative. Don't know how I got here." The last thing he remembered from Reach was detonating a plasma grenade. After that it really was a mystery, though he would not tell them that detail.
"Major Yoshino," Hazama called. This prompted her to stiffen. "I want you in the infirmary to get that wrist checked out. In the meantime I would like to have a chat with the Spartan."
"But." She tried to protest to no avail.
He waved her off. "Have no fear Major. I'll be sure to record everything for the Intelligence Department." There was a slight smirk on the opposite side from where she stood. Six couldn't help but start to like him.
With a pained expression she was escorted by one of the MP's. As they watched Hazama waved off the rest of the group. "I have it from here. Come Spartan, well talk in my office instead of the interrogation room they set up."
Following the General towards the new buildings Six had one question in mind. "If I may sir, why the sudden change?"
"Hm. Well for one you saved my men and the refugees. Second, I never liked the way Military Intelligence wanted to handle all of this." He looked over his shoulder at him. "Personally they are just CIA wannabes."
"Been around such for most my life." Flashes of all the times he had been with ONI agents. Some acted like the Major, while others where more subtle. "ONI's much worse."
"Oni? Like the mythical demons?"
"Office of Navel Intelligence. Guess you can call them future CIA on steroids." He had to suppress a laugh from the looks he was given by Hazama.
Entering in the building Six could tell that everything was still under construction. Drywall was still being painted. Electrical, HVAC, and all manner of material was still scattered. Light fixtures had been freshly installed casting everything in bright lights.
"Mind the mess. We've just finished constructing the structure itself. As for my office well..." Hazama opened the door that had his name on it.
Inside it was spartan as it could get. A wood desk that still had a clear plastic tarp wrapped on it. Two chairs where also freshly put together leaving large cardboard boxes and tools shoved to one corner. The General dragged one of the wheeled office chairs with him and sat down. Fingers wove to one another as he rested them on the plastic.
"You can also take a seat if you want to." He motioned to the other.
Six looked down at it before motioning to the armor he wore. "I'm afraid I'll break it wearing this."
"Guess that armor weighs more then it looks?" He chuckled slightly.
"Material science came a long way into the 26th century, but even then a suit like this comes in at half a ton." Six shrugged. "It is as heavy as it looks."
The General leaned back. "That far in the future?" He contemplated a bit. "What was the year before coming here?"
"August 30, 2552."
Hazama whistled at that. "Humanity came far in that time?"
"Yes, sir." Six smirked. "By then Earth had been unified under the UEG. You could say it's the UN's replacement."
"And the UNSC?" The General was getting more interested like anyone if they where given a glimpse of the future.
"United Nations Space Command. The scientific, exploratory, and military arm of humanity." Six pointed at himself. "I'm part of the army if you couldn't tell already." He joked.
"Heh, so do all soldiers get fancy power armor like yourself?"
The Spartan mauled over the question. How much was he willing to give out? He knew a lot of things in his time as a Spartan. Accessed ONI files for some missions that where deemed tier one. Engineering, electronics, weapons all in his head. Hell given enough time he could theoretically make a slipspace drive. Sure he wouldn't know how the damn thing worked exactly on a mathematical scale but he could.
It was dangerous knowledge too given in the wrong hands. In the first quarter of the 21st humanity was divided and fought one another. Resources and ideology was the main factor while greed snuck in. Sure a lot of it could help such as space travel and fusion plants to help with the current global climate. However the ideology that dominated the current geopolitical climate might cause more harm.
'Half-truths and lies Lieutenant.' Six thoughts rang out. 'He and the rest don't know the whole story.'
'But should they?' Another wormed its way in his brain. 'The Covenant could still be out there!'
'Are they?' His voice shot back. 'From what I gather there was no such thing as "The Ginza Incident" in the history books.'
'Then get the information you need them from these people.' His other voice shot back.
Six let out a breath. "Not really," He began. "Only special forces units like myself have access to it."
"So none of the stuff Heinlein predicted." Hazama shook his head. "Shame."
"Heinlein?" Six asked.
"Uh, science fiction author. Famous one at that." He had a perplexed face. "Don't suppose his works survived over five centuries?"
Six shrugged. "Never personally heard sir."
"Guess not." He said dejectedly.
"Anyways," he continued. "This special forces you are a part of?"
"Spartan program." He quipped. "A lot of what I do is classified due to the nature of it. But if I'm deployed then it is a dire need."
'And dire need it was.' His thoughts rang sarcastically.
"Given what the Lieutenant said you could do I can see that." He tilted his head pressing his lips together. "Being able to run faster then most athletes in a dead sprint. Chucking some sort of blue grenade with devastating accuracy and effect." His fingers wove together, leaning in with a glint in his eye. "Now is it the armor that allowed you to do this, or is it something else?"
"Yes." Six answered in a deadpan tone.
"Yes as in?" Brows furrowed at the super soldier.
"Yes." He repeated.
Hazama hummed as he nodded his head fast. Leaning back he sighed. "Classified?"
"Tier Zero, yes." This got a perplexed gaze.
"And Tier Zero means...?"
In a flat mechanical tone Six gave his answer. "You learn it, I put a bullet in your head. No and, if, or but about it."
Eyes bugged out of his head before covering it with a stone face. "Noted. Now is there anything I can ask you that isn't classified?"
"Anything broadly related to the UEG, UNSC, or humanity in general. But not specifics." Six had hoped that by answering general information would placate Hazama and the rest of his superiors.
Hazama was annoyed but understanding with a nod. "Alright. Can I ask if we as humans colonized other worlds outside of Sol?"
"Yes. Humanity in the 23rd century developed FTL and in three centuries colonized over 800 worlds in the Orion arm of the galaxy." The general was about to ask something else before the large super soldier raised a hand. "No I do not know how it works or to build one."
That made him slam his mouth shut with an exacerbating huff. "Wasn't going to ask. On the contrary I was going to ask how one entity could govern all those worlds?"
"Not easy." Six shook his head with a hint of amusement. "Massive bureaucracies only held together by dedicated workers and artificial intelligence."
"A.I?" The older gentlemen sat straight.
"Helps the UEG with menial office work while real people do most the heavy lifting." In his mind he knew that wasn't the whole truth but for everyone's sake he wouldn't introduce the concepts of "Smart" and "Dumb" A.I.
"So the UEG. Is it like the UN or is there more?"
"Most nations and some colonies have a fair amount of autonomy. Japan including if you are concerned about that." Again Hazama nodded with some approval. "That said most forms of government is deferred to the UEG."
"What about the UNSC? You said it was both scientific and military?"
"Best and brightest of humanity." Six gave a curt smile. "We all took an oath to "Defend Earth and all her Colonies." no matter if you are armed forces or a scientist."
"Branches?" He questioned.
"Many. Still have wet and exo navies. Army for planetary defense. Marines for expeditionary. Special forces ranging from Orbital Drop Shocktroopers to us Spartans."
"Orbital what?"
Now Six had a wide smile. "ODST's. "Feet first into Hell" as we all say." He tapped the chest plate and shoulder pads. "Spent some time with them and have been supplemented with the iconic look you would see them wear. Best men and women I've fought with and dropped from orbit too."
"With dropships?" Now Hazama was at the edge of his seat for this.
"Drop pods sir. Fastest way to get planet side for shock and awe tactics."
The General started to mutter. "Power armor, drop pods, starting to sound like Starship Troopers." He then gave a cough. "Continue."
"That's just about what they do. Drop from orbit, blow stuff up, then get on the boat to leave."
"No jump jets or power armor too?" He asked.
"No to the power armor. Jump packs are something we do have though but only met one unit that used them." Memories of New Alexandria started to flood in. An ODST ran up to him with a pack in hand.
"We've got an extra jetpack. Go ahead and try it on, Spartan."
Six quickly Placed the pack on. Magnetic clamps locked in place as his HUD OS registers. Thruster nozzles spring to life as the mechanical whirling pointed in every direction. Final checks lit green across the board. The mans face could be seen from the depolarized visor. A face that beamed with pride.
"Welcome to the Bullfrogs!"
"The Bullfrogs where some amazing Helljumpers." He said solemnly.
The General could tell the disheartened tone from the man before him. He asked quietly "Take it not all survived?"
A deep sigh escaped him. "No sir. Blitzed passed entrenched enemy elements. I was the only one to punch through. The rest... didn't make it."
There was a grim look on Hazama's face. "I'm sorry Spartan."
"That's war sir." He shrugged. "It happens more then you think where I'm from."
"Meaning?"
Six froze. He let on more then he wanted to in a laps of both judgment and emotion. Thinking now that maybe after years of fighting and the marathon that was the fall of Reach the cracks in his psyche must be getting larger. Faced with his own death would have made it far worse.
Thinking long and hard he asked the General. "If you knew something that would happen far into the future, would you tell someone?"
He leaned back far making the office chair squeak. Contemplative thoughts ran all along his face. "Hm," he hummed a few more times. "Depends on what it is exactly? Is it something that would get me killed if I learned about it." A side eye thrown at the Spartan.
'Well got me there.' He thought. "No."
"And it has something to do with "it happens more then you think"? Correct?"
Yes sir."
There was a pregnant pause.
"... Is it aliens?" He asked nonchalantly.
"Putting it bluntly there sir." Was all Six could say on it.
"Life imitates art I guess." The man huffed. "Kind of figured something like that was bound to happen to humanity if we ever got out there in the ocean of stars." He stroked his chin in more thought. "And you confirmed it no less."
"Don't know if it's still true though."
Hazama stopped to gaze back at him. "Why is that?"
"Never in the history books had there been a "Ginza Incident"." He pointed out. "No mentions of Japan going to another world or anything like that. A thing like that would have been monumental in the history of humanity."
Now they both ponder at the thought. The General drummed his fingers as he mauled over it. "Well... Don't know what to say to that now. As for the whole "alien" thing, I propose that we keep it between us for now." He gave a wink.
The look Six gave him after cause Hazama to laugh out load. "Spartan we already been invaded by one set of "Aliens". I don't think we need to worry others about another "potential" alien threat."
"Right sir." Six stood straighter. "Now that I talked a little about me, I would like to know more about the situation I'm in."
"Such as?" Hazama gave a sagely grin.
"What the Gate is. What planet this is. And also your thoughts on suppose "Gods & Magic"."
Pinching the bridge of his nose Hazama gave his best answer. "Currently no one here or in the expedition has a name for this planet. We've been calling it "The Special Region" though it wouldn't be a name I have chosen. However the landmass we are on currently is named "Falmart" by the natives."
Reaching for a bag by his desk he produced a rolled up map that had been freshly printed. On it was a graphic drawing that looked to be stitched together by computers. In the center was a hill with kanji written in red ink. Other marks could be seen with graphics of mountains, hills, rivers, and cities.
Pointing to the center he explained. "We are here. Alnus hill they call it or "Holy Alnus". The Gate opened up at this point as its start and endpoint in the center of Ginza back on Earth. Most the egg heads think it's a stable wormhole of some kind. Whether it is or not isn't my concern. I leave that speculation to people way better then me in theoretical sciences."
Six committed to memory everything on the map. Plans formed if things go sideways in the worst case. Praying that it wouldn't since so far these people where the only connection to Earth.
"As for Gods and Magic." He started to chuckle. "Not sure on gods, but magic is real."
This grabbed the Spartans attention causing Hazama to throw up his arms. "On our first push into Ginza some old man in a pointed brim hat and wood staff turned the pavement to ice in a blink. Another fired off an honest to god fireball that impacted the side of my tank. When we came to this place there where plenty more wizards giving their all at us."
Six couldn't help but have a skewed face. "I'm still trying to register all this. Even after fighting a damn dragon sir."
"Took me a bit too don't worry." He stood up and walked around the desk patting the armored shoulder. "Now on to there matters."
Leaning on the desk with one hand he began. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Where you not going to detain me?" Brows raised at the man.
"Doubt we could detain you." He gestured at all the armor he wore. "Doesn't look like we could force you out of it. Nor keeping your weapons either since it looks like you can take us all out with just that knife of yours."
"You would be right sir." An amused tinge to Six's voice.
"But you did hurt one of my fellow officers. Higher ups wouldn't stand for it." Leaning in closer he whispered. "Though you could have done a lot more to her I would imagine without a second thought."
"She did go for my knife." Six retorted.
"That she did." He hummed. Crossing his arms he continued. "Still for something like that you would need to be disciplined." Thinking carefully he added. "Instead of detaining you, would you be willing to work off your punishment?"
"Depends on what you ask." He didn't like where this was going.
"Currently we are in a bad situation regarding on the refugees. Now we planed for something like this but time table wise we didn't have anything in place. Now we had to speed it up. We're short staffed on looking out for them, including the young ones." He rubbed the back of his head. "Which is most of them."
Six had to stifle a chuckle. "Are you asking me to babysit?"
He held up both palms flat with a shrug. "If you put it that way yes."
"A gross misuse of Spartan assets there Lieutenant General." If ONI could see their "Grim Reaper" now.
"For all intended purpose you are also a refugee too. Don't care what the Spook herself or the others say."
This really surprised Six. "So do I count as civilian contractor."
"Para-military actually." He shoved off the desk. "That way you can keep armed with whatever you have with you. Don't let them out of your sight."
"That's generous of you sir." Six quipped.
"Well you do have future tech that I would rather not see anyone else use. Even my own country."
Walking past he opened the door. "You should head back to the camp anyways. I need to think over some things like how to get the Major off my back when she finds out I didn't record a single thing." Laughing a bit he motioned Six to walk out. "I'll have someone escort you too."
"Thank you sir."
"Oh and one more thing." Six turned back to him. "I would want to talk again around 0900. I should be available then."
Smirking a bit he nodded as he turns to leave.
Hazama closed the door silently before slumping down. Both hands rubbed his aged face that seem to aged more from his meeting with the Spartan. Thoughts ran a mile a minuet at some of the information and some of what had happened. Not only that they still had civilians to take care of. Wizards, and elf, and a self proclaimed Apostle.
"Damn it why can't anything be easy." He muttered as he radioed in for an escort.