Author's Note: Sorry this took a lot longer getting out than planned. Gaming/holidays/life got in the way, but it's finally here. Onward!

Chapter Sixteen: Blackout

Our escort ship arrived even earlier than our new projections had suggested - two hours after I'd met on the bridge with Captain Dakhati, I was back there again, standing beside him, his XO, and Lieutenant Commander Lloyd as we waited for the Elites' command group to board. I'd spent the intervening time below decks with Major Delaney, getting our Marines and vehicles and supplies organized. We'd been so busy that I hadn't even seen Willis off. My husband was somewhere out in the void surrounding us now, along with his air wing, ready and on-station just in case things went sideways. Trust between the species only went so far - and there was plenty here, outside of UNSC-occupied space, that we needed to look out for.

As I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, dressed in full uniform including my cover - but without any armor or weapons, besides my sidearm - I released a discreet sigh.

"What?" I heard over the COM bud in my ear. "Are they there already? I didn't even see their shuttle fly out to dock yet."

I snorted, smiling to myself a bit. "No. Just getting antsy, I guess."

"Don't be," he said in a purposefully chipper tone. "This'll be the smoothest transfer you've ever overseen in your career."

This time I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. "Have you been listening to one of those inspirational self-help audios lately? Because that sounds like a load of crap."

"Hey now, just trying to help."

"Mmhmm."

Our private channel went silent then, and I figured he was probably preparing his men for what was to come. Not a bad idea, considering. I would've done the same, but all my charges were still below deck with my XO, scrambling to get everything into place. As commander of the Marine contingent on board, I was up here for ceremony only.

Commander Lloyd, standing beside me, leaned in and whispered, "Any news from Major Hawk, ma'am?"

"Nope," I answered. "Why?"

He straightened again, but kept his voice low. "Just wondering if the Elites are almost here. I know it was him you were talking to."

"He, uh...didn't say."

"Oh. A personal conversation. Things are looking up then, huh?"

"For now." I kept my gaze on the partition to the bridge, presently still shut, and leaned in myself this time. "It's actually more like...we're dating. Do you have any idea how weird it is to date someone you've been married to for a decade and a half? Because if not, let me tell you." Then I sighed. "But, it's a start. And it's been...surprisingly fun so far."

My friend smiled a bit. "Good to hear, ma'am. I knew you two would figure it out."

"Natalie?"

Startled by the interruption, I glanced around for half a second before realizing it was Willis again. "Yes?"

"Something's wrong."

His tone had changed. Gone was the playfulness, replaced now with a subtle urgency. That heightened my senses as well, and I looked out of one of the large windows on the bridge out of reflex. Predictably, the space outside between us and the approaching alien ship was too dark and too vast for me to make anything out without my helmet on.

I gestured to Captain Dakhati, standing several feet away, before asking Willis, "What do you see?"

"That's the issue, Coop. Nothing. There's no shuttle, no escort, not even the wing of Seraphs that was supposed to be out here. And the ship's getting closer. Their security detail at least should've been en route by now." He paused for a brief moment, then asked, "Orders?"

"Not my call, Will. I'll bring in Dakhati and he'll let us know."

The ship's captain was in front of me now, one eyebrow raised. "Colonel?"

"We've got a problem, sir," I said without preamble. "Our air commander is reporting no movement from the Glory."

"So?"

"So?" I couldn't believe I had to explain this, but I tried my best to keep an even tone. "Sir, with respect, protocol states that the Swords' air wing should've deployed by now. At this distance - "

He held up a hand to stop me. "Not to worry, Cooper. They're ahead of schedule. We just need to be patient."

"Respectfully, Captain, I believe - "

"We will wait another ten minutes," Dakhati said firmly, cutting me off again. "In the meantime, tell Hawk his job is to standby and not to create unnecessary panic."

It was difficult for me to hold my tongue, but I did so and nodded. "Yes, sir."

I waited until the captain had resumed his position next to Commander Aròn once more, opposite Cal and I and out of earshot, before hailing Willis. "Orders are to standby, Major."

"What?"

"That's from Dakhati, not me," I whispered. "Stay sharp."

"Yes, ma'am."

Beside me, Caleb heard what I'd said. I knew because of the sympathetic look he gave me. I ignored it, though, only because I could feel my heart pounding faster all of a sudden. I was worried for Willis, and I hoped he'd tell his pilots to remain vigilant, even if Dakhati was convinced it was nothing. If my husband truly thought something was up, I believed him - no question. Our instincts - in combat, at least - had yet to lead us astray after all these years. And that was definitely a big factor in our continued survival during wartime, when so many of our fellows had perished.

I wasn't planning on getting either of us killed today.

"Natalie, tell Dakhati we're moving ahead," Willis said then.

"Will, your orders are to - "

"I know. But I'm not going to just sit here and wait to get hit if this isn't what we think it is. And I strongly feel that it's a set up."

I opened my mouth to reply but nothing came out. For the first time in years, I was feeling a little out of my depth. I was no longer ranked high enough to oppose Dakhati's orders, even if I knew in my gut they were wrong. And shipboard and space action was outside my jurisdiction regardless. For now, I could truly do nothing but wait, and I abhorred it.

That sense that things had been spiraling out of control lately? Apparently not just limited to my life in garrison.

Lloyd glanced over again and our eyes met; I knew he'd have my back in a disagreement with the ship's captain. And if Dakhati did anything to screw over Willis and his pilots, I'd have no trouble speaking my mind. But things never got that far, because suddenly Willis's voice came through the shipboard COM on the bridge.

"Stars, it's not the Swords!" he cried, and I tensed up and gripped the pistol on my hip out of reflex, still in its holster.

Captain Dakhati and Aròn both reacted with shocked faces. In the moment, neither did or said a word as Willis kept the channel open a second longer and issued orders to his pilots.

"Everyone, you're free to engage! Let's go!"

It was only after that that the captain seemed to return to the present. He quickly turned to Lloyd and I, and said, "Colonel - "

But we were already picking up our helmets and grabbing our gloves. I stuffed my cover inside one of my cargo pockets.

"Sir, I'll get the Marines ready for boarding action," I said, and moved on with the spook behind me. In my head, though, I added to myself, You make sure you don't get my husband killed.

"That's why they were so early," Lloyd commented as we sprinted past confused Navy personnel on our way to the elevators. "Did Hawk say what he saw out there? Is it the Covenant? Jackals? Prometheans?"

"I know as much as you right now, Cal," I answered hurriedly as I waited for the elevator to appear. The doors opened with a ding and we jumped inside, standing impatiently with hands gripping our helmets tight. I tapped a finger against my ear bud then and hailed my XO. "Delaney, change of plans. We've got an enemy vessel sitting outside. Not the Swords. Our RV point's been compromised."

The major's response was surprised but fast. "Roger that."

"Get everyone geared up and we'll split off. Make sure we get a guard up on the bridge and a company per deck. Two for the hangar bays."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm with Commander Lloyd. We're hitting the armory and then we'll be down."

The connection cut but a light ping sounded in my bud. He'd gotten the message. I turned back to Lloyd as soon as the elevator doors opened again and we stepped off, and I saw him trying to read and tap away on his datapad even as we ran.

"Seraphs," he said aloud. "Your husband and his air wing are fighting Seraphs outside. Not friendly, because these ones fired at us. The Sangheili aren't happy about our presence here. Looks like they intercepted our correspondence with the Swords and found out when and where we were meeting. Beat 'em to us."

"Or someone fed them the info."

"Yes."

I shook my head, as I couldn't afford to tangle with that possibility right now. "Forward everything you've got to Dakhati. He'll take it from there."

"Right away, Colonel."

We reached the armory then and I went straight for the frag crate, picking up two grenades before pulling a nearby battle rifle off the rack. I stuffed as many extra mags in my cargo pockets and web belt as I could carry, clipped the frags on my person, and finally pulled on my helmet, armor, and gloves. Lloyd did the same.

"Let's hurry and get down there. This is bound to get interesting very soon."

Down in the cargo area, things were in complete chaos. Delaney and my Marines had had to pivot very quickly from getting ready to board a friendly alien vessel and transfer personnel and equipment to preparing for shipboard combat, and the jarring nature of the circumstances were clearly on display. Enlisted Marines were running around with gear only half on, helmets and in some cases even weapon holsters still in their hands, while I watched the officers trying their best to get them all organized.

"Marines, listen up!" I shouted, and most of the mess, at least, came to a halt. "We've encountered an enemy ship. Likely the Covenant. It's not the Swords and we won't be grouping up with them today. Stick with your lieutenants and captains, get your weapons ready, and move to your designated spots when you're told. Look sharp, and semper fi!"

"Oorah, Colonel!"

The throng began to move with more purpose. It was a good start, but we still needed to be ready fast. From my helmet this time, I opened a COM channel to my battalion commanders. "Majors, this is Lieutenant Colonel Cooper. I've got orders and sectors to cover for each of you. Delaney?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"You're to remain here in reserve, and to watch over the supplies and the belly of the ship, should it come to that."

"Understood."

"Major Mullen? Your battalion's got the mid and upper decks. Split into companies and you'll keep the levels clear if the Covies try to board through the airlocks."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Murphy?"

"Colonel?"

"Your batt has the hangar bays - starboard and port, half on each side. You've got right, I'll take left. Everyone, let's move!"

I didn't wait for the former Helljumper's response - there was too much to do and no time to waste, if things were truly going in the direction I thought they were. Things seemed to be finally settling into place now, with my Marines splitting off and making their way to their areas of the ship to defend...but even I couldn't anticipate what happened next.

About halfway up to our post - running up the metal stairwells now, not the elevators - the ship suddenly gave a groan and lurched as Dakhati made what I assumed were aggressive evasive maneuvers. That wasn't good. The deck literally disappeared beneath my boots and I was left attempting to climb up air, failing, and hitting the ground. Hard.

"Ma'am?" Lloyd asked, bracing himself on the step above us with his arm, weapon in hand. I shook my head.

"I'm fine," I answered, noticing that many of the other Marines were also rapidly picking themselves up from the deck to forge ahead. "Just...haven't had to use my sea legs in a while."

"Come on," a gruff voice said behind me, and then I was unceremoniously picked up from under my armpits to standing. "Two decks left to go, ma'am."

I turned to my left and saw Major Murphy, going up the steps two stairs at a time to make up for the lost minute. He was cradling his SMG in his hands, and I could tell he was itching for a fight.

Fortunately for him - and unfortunately for the rest of us - he was about to get it.

We'd just reached the landing on the next deck when a thundering blast threw everyone off their feet again. I shut my eyes and heard a sound like metal twisting and warping, then screams, then...nothing. And with my heart nearly thumping out of my chest, I knew what had happened.

We were in vacuum.

Thanks to training I reacted physically instead of emotionally, moving quickly to press the seals on my full-face helmet, gloves and boots before I was even really thinking. Then I ordered everyone else to do the same.

I took in a large breath once my HUD let me know my person was secure. I tried to focus on my rapid breathing, slowing it down so I didn't waste what little oxygen I had - fifteen minutes for standard shipboard uniforms. Just enough to have a chance for pick-up in situations like these. Nothing more.

Once my heart rate had steadied a bit, I got a look around as I drifted. We were in a debris field - pieces of dark metal and wires from our ship's breach surrounded us.

I was upside down. Or maybe right side up. Sideways. In space, it was almost impossible to orient yourself. But I knew I needed to stop my spin, and I needed to get my grip on something to return to the ship. I grabbed onto the nearest wire floating beside me, a thick cord, and pulled. It succeeded in bringing my momentum to a halt, but I found as I continued to tug on it that it led nowhere. That wasn't going to help.

Panic bubbled up again in my throat, especially when the next time I slowly turned I saw several bodies floating further beyond - Marines of mine that hadn't been fast enough sealing up their suits, and others who'd been killed outright by the blast. I had to swallow twice to center myself again.

And in the meantime, another thought formed: those of us who'd survived the breach were sitting ducks out here for the Seraphs.

I swallowed a third time and opened up my private connection to my husband again. In a voice much lower and shakier than I intended, I said, "Willis. The ship..."

"What?"

"We've been hit."