1 week later...
This is Noble Six of the former, now mostly deceased Noble team. 2 months have passed since I've arrived at this abandoned subterranean facility. It is now day 31 at Sentinel Base Omega, it's 9:00 am, and the date is September 10th, 2552.
I think I've been doing a pretty good job keeping track of time so far. I've started to grow a light beard, this thing is really itchy, I think I'll shave it and my hair's getting shaggy now. I've always hated that as a kid. *chuckles* I think I'm starting to adjust to life down here, in a weird way it's peaceful I suppose, aside from Heidi watching my every move, hearing phantom noises, listening to things drop and shuffle around at night behind that door near the west wing, PLUS this place 'being the size of an entire fucking continent, it's actually pretty cozy...at times.
Heidi figures the noises I hear are just a little PTSD, there's nothing she can't fix I suppose... On the contrary, adjusting to this militarized lone wolf caveman shit has been coming along pretty well if I do say so myself...and I am. Heidi tells me I need to consider using spare parts from the base's leftover construction supplies and take apart what I need to build the beacon. I've been contemplating if I should do it or not. If I get this damn thing done I'll be able to install it into Heidi she says. She can send out a signal that'll hopefully contact the UNSC. Just gotta find the right frequency. I probably won't do that though, I have a better plan... this is Spartan B312 signing off.
Some unknown date later...
This is Spartan B312, the date is... I don't even know anymore. It feels like I've been down here a long time, I've been going a little crazy being alone with just Heidi down here, as "cool" as she is, I miss humanity, ya know? It's funny, you'd think a certified sole operative like me would consider this paradise. Well, It's a long way from that, although I do admit some of it is enjoyable at times, but I sometimes can't shake the thought of my past. Heavily sighs* Another 7 months and apparently I can get out of here, if Heidi allows me access to her unauthorized section of the base. I refuse to build a beacon when there might be some laying around here. It's been pretty hard keeping myself together at times, but the lounge in the southeast wing here is relaxing, along with the training facility...I miss my team more every day I'm down here, and I'm stuck with nothing but my thoughts. Somehow it's the fact that they're gone that keeps me going. If I'm not willing to keep fighting for myself, I owe it to them at least. This is Spartan B312, and Noble Six...signing off.
Sighing a bit, he got up from the center chair in the command center, looking towards the humongous computer screen, "Whatcha think Heidi," asked Six.
"It sounded superb sir! I liked the part where you referred to me as cool," she replied in her usual cheery tone.
"Yeah, you're cool Heidi...for now at least," he whispered.
"What was that Six?"
"I said of course it sounded superb, I'm Noble Six," he said scoffing overconfidently.
"Yes, the same Noble Six that would have most likely died without my artificially enhanced knowledge," replied Heidi in a mocking tone.
"Y'know for an oversized computer, you're kind of an ass. I don't like that."
"I am sorry, according to my subroutines it doesn't mention anything about a Noble Six particularly liking anything," Heidi croaked jokingly.
Six mustered an annoyed look on his face and hissed out, "I wonder who's genius idea it was to give you an actual personality."
"It was General Arthur McCain and before you ask no, you cannot swap out my personality settings."
"Like literally cannot? Or is it the, don't try and touch me or I'll electrocute your corpse, and deep fry your organs cannot," Six babbled curiously.
Heidi responds cheerfully yet ominously, "Well, you are welcome to try and find out sir."
"Yeah...no I'm good on that, and for your information the SPARTAN III program I was in, granted me accelerated healing."
Heidi started to form a rebuttal but Six interluded, "Nope, uh-uh save it, time to get back to training now."
"As you wish sir."
"You still don't know the date Heidi?"
"Unfortunately no, the glassing of Planet Reach has deemed my processors incapable of keeping up with my time."
Disappointing with this news Six replied depressingly, "Figures."
"The training course is now ready for you Noble Six."
"Alright, I'm on my way," said Six
"Would you like me to set up the default training course the custom one," she spouted out joyfully.
"Set up the custom one, and try to at least make it a little challenging this time," Six said with a small smile.
One of the pros of being down in the facility by himself was that he had all the time to hone his skills. There was always a certain thrill he had while training, it was almost like he was in the real battlefield, which aquas set him aside from his other Spartan peers during training. He always seemed to take it more seriously and in the process ended up being one of the best. Although now, thinking about being in a battlefield haunted him. The lost of his team bothered him every minute and he wasn't completely sure how to deal with it.
"A little more challenging you say? I can definitely do that sir," announced Heidi from the speakers sounding as if she was grinning.
"Also Six, would you like to suit up in your armor for this particular session? I've made several enhancements upon repairing it. I'd strongly advise you wear it."
Of course he wanted to wear his armor, he felt naked without it. He'd been waiting for it to be done getting repaired for a while now, he wasn't sure why it took so long but it was finally ready again.
"Heidi...what exactly did you do to my armor?" He questioned curiously.
"Oh! I've improved the regeneration process in your armor. I also was able to scoundrel up a new helmet for you, and I was able to add in a few... extra abilities."
Six paused for a moment then cocked a brow while asking, "What abilities Heidi?"
"You'll just have to try it on and see, sir."
Wearing his armor was like second nature to Six, it represented a part of who he was so he was eager to put it back on regardless. It had been too long.
"Alright yeah, I'm ready to put my armor back on."
"Splendid sir! I'll have it ready in the workshop," Yelped Heidi.
Processing the information Heidi just provided him with he headed to the workshop thinking, 'What did she do to my armor? Wasn't it already specially enhanced?"
As Six arrived in the workshop, Heidi sprouted, "Here it is sir! I do hope you'll enjoy what I've done to it so far!"
He looked to the right and immediately recognized his signature tan and peach armor with his under-suit laying on a metal table. On the table with his equipment he found Jorge's dog tags laying next to his armor.
"Jorge-052," was Jorge's service number implanted on the dark steel dog tags. He clenched his fist, remembering his deceased friend once more, with the same words replaying in his conscious like a broken record.
"Tell 'em to make it count," was Jorge's last words to him before he died. He wondered if they actually made it count, if humanity actually won after all this time.
Six heavily sighed after blocking out his internal conflicts and thoughts before seeking out his other accessories. Putting Jorge's dog tags to the side, he located his signature combat knife laying on top of his armor torso and a warm smile crept on his face. He loved his armor, it was like a guardian angel to him. It always looked out for him as he looked out for it, only something was a bit off about it this time. He couldn't put his finger on what was wrong, so he shrugged it off, setting his sights on his new helmet. It was a state-of-the-art Military Police helmet matching his mainly tan armor color. It wasn't as flashy as his last Operator helmet but it would do for now.
Suiting back up in his armor, he stored Jorge's dog tags to a pouch on his chest, making him feel somewhat whole again. He grabbed his new helmet and put it over his shaggy-haired beaded face.
His shaggy hair caused him to feel a bit uncomfortable in his helmet and he announced out loud, "Man I've really gotta shave this!"
He proceeded to the training room where he would practice his shooting and hand-to-hand combat with the training dummies.
He walked inside the big indoor arena filled with training courses and exercises then walked up to the weapon's cache. The arena was filled with sandbags, platforms, and small building-sized structures.
'The perfect training for a Spartan,' Six thought.
He walked up to the armory just outside of the training arena and viewed his weapons. Six really only used three types of weapons because they were his personal favorites, the DMR, the Magnum, and the SRS 99 Anti- Material Rifle, or the Sniper Rifle for short. Jun, his fellow Noble squadmate, helped him master his aim with the Sniper Rifle which was another reason why it was one of his favorite.
He viewed his weapons of choice and asked Heidi, "Whatcha think, the incredibly boring assault rifle, the savvy sniper rifle, or the insanely cool DMR?"
"The DMR sir, it's your best one. There are also multiple weapons placed in convenient places around the course. Courtesy of the General!"
"Smart guy, but I doubt I'll need all those weapons," Six expressed with confidence.
He picks up the DMR, loads the mags, readies his sights, and tells Heidi, "Let's do this."
"Beginning course 1, in 3..2..1...begin," and Six began.
First, he ducked behind some sandbags, looking up from his cover, he seen three holographic Elites with plasma cannons.
He chuckled a bit while thinking egoistically, 'This should be child's play.'
"BANG, BANG, POP" DMR shots ring throughout the training facility taking out the three holograms. More appeared and Six jumped over the sandbags until he reached a metal wall next to a small structure. A hologram imitating an elite popped out from behind the wall and Six put a bullet right where would be the Elite's forehead. He proceeded to advance through the training course sniping targets from off the platforms and structures in the indoor arena with ease. As he was beginning to reach the end of course 1 he noticed the holographic Elites were starting to spawn more rapidly, more than usual. It was as if they were appearing out of thin air around him.
Scoffing he thought, 'This must be her version of a challenge. Hmph, don't see the catch.'
"Kaidon sohruh kaysuhtah!" One automated voiced Elite shouted as the group seemed to shoot real fuel rods at him.
Six was able to backflip over the green orbing missile just in time to take out 2 holograms with his pistol before landing. Not having time to holster his pistol he retreated to one of the structures in the arena, duel wielding his DMR and pistol. While dodging fuel rod fire, more enemies seemed to suddenly appear and he head-shotted as many holograms as he could with his DMR and magnum, it still didn't seem like it was enough. While simultaneously sprinting towards the nearest structure, he found a lone structure and quickly ducked behind the window letting off a few more shots.
Breathing heavily while slouching behind cover, he reflected on what he said earlier, "Huh! So that's the catch!'"
Before he could fully recover and catch his breath one lone rod came swarming through the air hitting the wall beside him sending him flying into another wall.
"OOF, DAMMIT HEIDI WHY ARE THEY SHOOTING REAL FUEL RODS," he yelled out, rattled from the event.
"Make no mistake sir the fuel rods are not real. I am simply making the course a bit more...challenging as you commanded,' Heidi countered.
Not having time to formulate a response he shot one Elite point-blank before ducking another fuel rod and shooting 2 more. Six noticed one of the "conveniently" placed weapons on top of a platform near him. It was a Sniper Rifle sitting prettily on the floor of the platform.
"Well damn, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Six said exhaling gladly.
He sprinted towards a nearby wall and placed one foot on it propelling himself upwards landing on top of the platform and grabbed the sniper rifle before an Elite spawned below the platform.
He identified the Elite starting to raise its sights on the platform he was on. "OKAY, THESE GUYS ARE REALLY STARTING TO PISS ME OFF," he bloated out.
Six quickly fired from the hip hitting the Holographic Elite making it disappear, but not in time before it got a chance to fire the rod. Noticing the rod was coming towards him he leaped off the platform and onto the arena walls. He expected to break his legs doing so, and for this to be a horrible training accident but to his surprise, he was actually wall running.
Startled by his wall-running six shouted in panic, "UH HEIDI WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
"One of my many upgrades to your armor! Do you like it," Heidi sprouted.
"I THINK IM GONNA BE SICK," gagged Six, while running away from green plasma rods that seemed to follow 6 as he continued his wall running.
His position was hit with one of the green plasma rods sending him flying once again into a group of barrels.
Picking himself up while grunting a bit he noticed he was now surrounded by the holograms wielding the fuel rod cannons.
Letting out a tiring sigh he said to Heidi, "You know I'm never gonna forgive you for this..."
"Never say never, sir..."
Six frowned through his gold visor, "Huh? 'The hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"Just wait for it, sir..."
The holographic Elite's surrounding Six readied their weapons and were preparing to finish him off, there was more than he could count on his 10 fingers. He looked up defeated, staring into the green orb that was glowing off one of the Elite's guns. He closed his eyes and was beginning to think about his team, and his near-death experience above ground until he heard a voice through his helmet.
The voice said impatiently, "Lock your armor, Spartan!"
Startled by what he just heard he repeated, "Huh? Lock my armor? Wha- Who is this-"
"DO IT!" The voice interrupted fiercely.
Listening to the voice, Six clenched his fist and shoved it to the ground to initiate an armor lock. The holograms had already fired the fuel rods towards Six. He closed his eyes once more expecting the worse, and as he felt the heat of the rods getting closer to him a huge "KABOOM" echoed throughout the arena. Peeking out through one eye in his visor, he saw that the training course was completely devastated. All the holograms had disappeared and there was a huge pile of rubble around the arena.
"Heidi?! Heidi?! Status report?! What the hell just happened," Six shouted as the facility lights start to shut off.
"Aw hell. Not this again..." he murmured remembering the first time he arrived at the base.
He started to turn on the flashlight attached to his helmet but to his avail, Heidi started to power up again announcing that the backup generators were now operational. Not wasting any time Six burst demanding answers.
"Tell me what just happened Heidi! No more hiding, and no more of your secretive bullshit! Who the hell did I just hear in my head and why did the power just shut off?!"
Appearing as if she was stumped by the incident just as Six she says, "That was...unexpected sir. It appears your armor triggered an EMP blast. There must be an anomaly within your armor, maybe I could-"
"NO! You're not touching my armor again. I don't trust you, all you've done is tell me half-truths and lies since I've gotten here. You know what's going on, but there's something you're not telling me. Come clean Heidi..." Six grumbled pointing his finger at the speaker box from which Heidi was speaking from.
Heidi answered nonchalantly, "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. I have no knowledge of any other Human or A.I. in this entire facility."
"Not even in your top-secret West Wing?"
"No, Six. I detect no other life forms aside from you."
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, he replied in a deep serious tone, "So be it then..."
Six did not believe a single word Heidi told him. He wanted answers and he was fed up with the secrecy around Heidi. He wasted no time running towards the exit of the training arena, picking up another DMR with some ammo from the weapons cache strapping it to his back. He then blew past the rubble, sprinting towards the long corridors. Six's plan was to shut off Heidi from the command center via the main computer located there...if he could reach it. If he succeeded he would then try and get into the sealed off west section of the base to see what Heidi was hiding all this time.
"Scott, what are you doing?" Heidi's voice rang throughout the corridors.
"Uncovering your secrets..." he said in a determined manner still sprinting down the corridors with his DMR on his back.
"Noble Six! Stop what you are doing at this instance or you'll force me to resort to violence!"
"You gonna kill me? I'd like to see you try! Let's see who ends up killing who first," he hissed menacingly.
"As you wish..." Heidi responded swiftly while activating 2 turrets that came out of the corridor walls.
Noticing that Heidi had activated her turrets he quickly put his fist to the ground activating his armor lock, hoping that it would not end the same result as last time. Turret fire inevitably erupted on his position, but the bullets disintegrated as they came in contact with his force field creating a light blue aurora. Glad that his armor lock did not repeat the same cycle it did in the training arena he noticed his gadget was running out of power. Unlocking his armor he unholstered his DMR and opened fire on one of the turrets disabling it. The other one continued to shoot at Six gnawing off his shieldsbefore he ducked into one of the interluding hallways for cover. He waited until the turret overheated from firing and peaked out of cover aiming down the scope of his DMR sights putting a quick end to the turret with a few shots.
Heidi's British accent rang throughout the halls again this time informing Six, "Please don't do anything rash you'll regret later Scott. This is your final warning. Please surrender yourself."
"There's no chance in hell I'm surrendering! I'm gonna find out what you're hiding from me! You can try to stop me..." Six snarled, daring Heidi to continue to get in his way.
Six eventually advanced past a door allowing him access to the command center and Heidi was already waiting for him with multiple turrets mounted on the walls ready to annihilate Six. Heidi was located on the other side of the command center on the big computer screen. That's where Six was heading to shut her off, but first, he had to make it past her defenses. He placed his fist on the ground for his armor lock to power on, but it didn't turn on this time.
"I've disabled your armor enhancements Noble Six. You can no longer use armor lock or any of the others. Shame, you weren't even able to use all of them," Heidi announced.
"Shit!" He blurted out of frustration.
The turrets began to spew bullets with a few hitting Six's armor before he dived, taking cover behind one of the control consoles.
The machines continued to fire relentlessly with Six returning fire every now and then. The sound of bullets tearing through computers and glass shattering inhabited the command center.
"Really Heidi?! You're willing to destroy all this technology in here to stop me?" Six questioned.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes. You of all people should know that all too well, regarding your deceased squadron Six," Heidi hissed, taunting him.
Grinding his teeth, he stopped himself from spewing out an insult back. He instead brainstormed on how he could disable all her turrets at once, he'd save the insults for when he defeated her. He debated with himself for a second, reflecting on what he observed during his time with Heidi.
"That's it! The button behind the boxes!"
His eyes lit up as the words slipped from his mouth. He remembered a red button behind a set of cardboard boxes he had seen when he first arrived at Sentinel Base Omega. He hadn't said anything to Heidi about it because he didn't want confrontation before, especially after he learned she had automated turrets placed in the halls ready to cut Six down if needed.
He definitely wasn't in any shape to handle more confrontation, to begin with, the battle with the Elites on Reach before he arrived at the base made sure of that. The button was placed behind one of the control consoles, shadowed by boxes. If he could place an accurate shot it would pierce through the boxes hitting the red button, either turning Heidi off or disabling her turrets. There was one problem though, Six wasn't sure whether or not the boxes were empty so he was taking a gamble.
Six lifted his head a few inches to take a peek at the boxes but was interrupted by bullets spraying on his position.
A couple of strays clipped his armor causing it to flare up in a yellow aurora.
"Argh! Motherfu-" he grunted grinding his teeth.
The turrets were not letting up, every time one overheated there seemed to be 2 others blaring, preventing Six from getting a clear shot.
Slumping himself behind the control console again, Six gripped his DMR firmly while briefly returning fire at the turrets and reloading. The bullets seemed to do little damage to the turrets from what Six could tell, and he realized his current actions were futile against Heidi's technological advantage so he stopped firing for a moment. He had seen enough to know that the boxes were a couple of meters to his left with the control console in front of them, but there was no way he could get to them without being gunned down. This would mean that he would have to distract Heidi and the turrets somehow. Heidi was far from a fool seeing as she was an advanced supercomputer or A.I. so fooling her wouldn't be easy. Six doubted he had the perfect plan that could give him the advantage but he had no time to ponder. He was gonna go through with it anyway.
Six closed his eyes, squeezing them shut for a moment then called out for Heidi.
"Heidi! We need to stop this now! You've made your point, I was out of line I get it... I just wanted answers," Six expressed in a desperate tone.
Heidi continued to rain bullet fire from her turrets as if she didn't hear Six surrendering. The control console Six was hiding behind was nearly ripped in half from all the shooting it absorbed.
"Dammit! I know you hear me, there's no point in us fighting each other! We can talk this out, I'll drop my weapons. I just want a few answers, so stop shooting me, PLEASE! This isn't what General McCain would want!" he said now begging.
The turret fire suddenly stopped with the sound of bullet cases hitting the floor.
Heidi eventually spoke out, "You are right, General McCain would not approve of my actions. But I need to know, are you really done Noble Six? Is this blasphemy over? If so come out with your hands up."
Surprised that she was actually listening to him Six yells, "Y-Yes! No more fighting, see?"
Cautiously getting up he placed his DMR on the magnet on his back then proceeded to raise both of his arms slowly signifying that he was surrendering. He cast an eye to his left where the boxes were and started to slowly approach them while talking to Heidi. He glanced around and seen the barrels of the turrets were following his every step.
"I fucked up Heidi, I know! I should've continued to my regular duties and appreciated what I have down here."
"You are correct Six," Heidi said still sounding vigilant.
Still approaching the two stacks of boxes Six reasoned with Heidi, "I'm lucky I got out of Reach in time before it was glassed and that you were down here. If it wasn't for you I would've been dead by now, and for that, I am forever in your debt, Heidi."
"If your words are true then I require you to drop all of your weapons and place them on the ground."
"Done." Six nodded dropping all of his weapons except the knife in his sheath.
"ALL of your weapons Six."
Letting out a long exaggerated exhale Six informs Heidi, "You know I can't do that..." He was now halfway to where the box and button were.
He stared hard into the computer screen Heidi was on.
"Then I am sorry for what happens next," Heidi told him briefly.
The barrels on the turrets started to spin rapidly, letting Six know it was time to execute his plan.
Quickly, he picked up his DMR with his right hand and started sprinting determinedly towards his target. While running he takes his knife out from the sheathe attached to his armor wielding it with his left hand, and the bullets started flying from the turrets once again.
The regeneration shield around his armor started to disperse from the constant fire it took and Six desperately fired back with his DMR. His shield popped eventually and he could hear the beeping sound in his suit alerting him that his regeneration shield was gone. He was now in grave danger, a few more shots in the right places and he could die. It was now or never, he had to push that button somehow. Taking a desperation dive Six leaped dropping his DMR in the process and flicking his combat knife out of his left hand vertically, towards the small space in between the two stacks of boxes. The knife hit the button straight on making a single click sound. Six landed on his stomach and looked up to notice Heidi's turrets were now all powered off.
Getting up from off the ground he picked his DMR setting it on the shoulders and started to advance over to the main console that controlled Heidi.
"It's over now Heidi! You have no more defenses left to stop me from seeing what's behind that door in the west wing!"
"Do not be so sure Noble Six..."
"What do you mean-UGH!" Six couldn't move in his armor all of a sudden. It was like all the weight in his armor had been forced down on his body causing him to drop to his knees.
Letting out a brief chuckle Heidi says,
"Did you really think that your attempt to stall me wasn't anticipated? You forget that I REPAIRED your armor and that I IMPLANTED the enhancements. I can control what happens in your suit at any given moment such as right now by locking your armor. I could also tighten the undersuit that's located under your armor so that you'll suffocate on your knees."
Six felt the undersuit in his armor start to tighten around his body and neck causing him to gasp for air, and get teary-eyed.
"YOU...PSY...CHOTIC...ROBO...TIC...BITCH" he said struggling to breathe.
"For a hyper lethal assassin that worked for ONI I expected you to be a lot smarter, I was highly mistaken it seems," Heidi said mocking Six in her now evil British accent.
Six dropped to the floor, he could feel his body going limp from the lack of oxygen. He started to struggle to keep his eyes open and he was beginning to slowly fade away when he heard a loud female voice.
"ENOUGH! HEIDI, RELEASE HIS ARMOR BY 50%! DO NOT KILL HIM!" The female voice demanded.
Heidi informed the Woman while releasing Six's armor, "My apologies madam. He made a final attempt to get past the door I, however, was a few steps ahead."
Six was still on his stomach wheezing for air but still not getting enough through the vents in his helmet. He was being strangled to death by his own suit. He made a hopeless attempt to roll on his back to get more air but he didn't have enough strength. The Woman and Heidi continued their conversation but Six was too busy trying to recover to understand clearly.
The Woman announced to Heidi, "I'll take it from here, thank you for your assistance." Her voice seemed light but threatening at the same time.
"It was my pleasure madam! Best of luck to your assignment!"
"Thank you Heidi," the woman said.
Six could see the Woman walking towards him through his blurry, teary eyes. He reached out his hand to grab the DMR that laid next to him but the Woman kicked it to the side. She kneeled down rolling Six over on his back and examined his armor and helmet as if she was trying to figure out who he was. She proceeded to snatch Jorge's dog tags off Six's torso and put them in a pouch on her thigh. He made a flimsy attempt to lunge at her for taking something so dear to him but he was too weak. He couldn't see her clearly, but he knew Spartan armor when he saw it. She was wearing a UNSC GRD AKIS Helmet, with Violet armor mixed with another dark color that he couldn't make out at the time.
The mysterious woman tells Six while kneeling over him, "You're not gonna die here. I've got plans for you Spartan, and I've got some friends that will be interested in you as well. That's IF I don't decide to kill you myself, hopefully it won't come to that."
She slowly began taking off Six's helmet revealing an immensely purple man deprived of oxygen.
Staring deeply into his struggling eyes she says, "But don't worry, I think me and you are gonna get along just fine...Scott Flores." The woman assured him smirking through her helmet. She then stood up, towering over Six and slammed her Spartan boot into his face knocking him out.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Hopefully, you guys like the story so far. I hope I didn't bore you with the first 3 chapters I just don't wanna rush anything. But I think it's coming along pretty nicely feel free to voice your opinions! I'll get to working on chapter 5 as soon as possible