Ch. 4 War, Terrible War.

Rock woke up to a dull throbbing in her head, nothing like what had happened yesterday, but enough to get her attention, and wake her up. She sat up slowly, careful not to upset anything. Looking to her left, she saw the large green-armor-man from yesterday, only he wasn't wearing a helmet. He was sitting on a chair, head leaned back and snoring softly. Rock gripped her katana tightly and slipped out of the covers, making her way over to the man. She stopped a little over one meter away from him. She looked closely at the different armor pieces he had on, and then looked at his face. It was pale, with various small scars crisscrossing near his eyes and ears. He had brown hair and she could see his eyes darting around under his eyelids. His fingers were twitching as well. Dreaming… best not mess with him now. She looked around, and spied his helmet sitting on a table. Curiosity piqued, she crept over and picked it up, surprised at its weight as it was extremely hefty. She put it on over her own head, wondering what he saw when he looked through the visor. There was a moment of nothing but orange hued surroundings, and then the helmet, sensing that someone had put it on, flickered to life. There was a slight buzz as a large, empty bar appeared at the top of the visor, and a circle flickered into existence in the right hand corner. Suddenly, a red triangle popped up in the middle of the visor and a small voice said, "Error, unauthorized user, activating defense protocol." There was a low hum, and Rock felt a jolt of pain around her throat. She quickly yanked the helmet off, and dropped it on the table.

"Having fun there, Mato?" Rock spun around to see the man on the chair staring at her with piercing blue eyes. He had no smile on his face, but his eyes twinkled with humorous light.

"What did you call me?"

"We figured that it wouldn't do to call you what the Forerunners called you. It just made you seem like an object. So, we gave you a new name, Mato Kuroi. If you go on a mission with us, you will have the codename Black Rock Shooter, or Rock." Rock- no, Mato- tried the name out for herself. Mato Kuroi… I like it. She nodded, and then remembered her actions from yesterday, lowering her eyes slightly. Chief guessed what she was thinking about. "Hey Mato, it's okay. The Arbiter was supposed to test you to see what you were capable of; it's our fault that you were pushed into going into that state." Mato looked him in the eyes, and tilted her head quizzically. Chief shook his head, "You don't talk much do you? Oh well, the point is, we were trying to see what kind of training you will be needing, because we are going to be preparing you for life on this ship. If we are attacked, unless you are given orders to fight, you need to come directly to the bridge and I will meet you there. Is this understood?" Mato nodded. "Good. Now, Texas will be stopping by shortly to take you off ship. You are going to be getting new clothes and she is going to get you some things that I guess a normal teenage girl would have." There was a knock on the door, and Rock jumped, sword already pointing to the door. Chief held his hand up, "Hold it, it's just my friends. Guys, you can come on in."

The door slid open, revealing the people she had attacked. Only one of them was not wearing their armor. The red haired woman walked in and smiled at Mato. "Hey there girl, you ready to go do some shopping?" Mato nodded hesitantly. She must be Texas. The other three walked in. First, the large blue armored man had to duck under the doorframe and scoot off to the side to allow the rest of them to enter. That has to be the Caboose person. Second was the white armored man, who had a slight limp and a scorched chest plate from yesterday. Wyoming I guess… Lastly was the one she knew only by the name Arbiter. When they had all filed in, Texas gestured for Mato to follow, "Come on, we need to get you some better clothes. We'll let the boys talk sports or something."

"I do not talk of sports, Texas." Arbiter called out.

"Thel, it was just a figure of speech." Texas smirked and left the room, followed by Mato, clutching the sword tightly.

Thel thought for a moment, "I shall return soon. I must give Mato her sheath." He stood and hurried out the door. "Texas. Mato, pleas wait for a moment. The pair stopped as the he jogged up to them. "I believe that this is yours, Mato." He held out the sheath to Black Blade, and almost smiled as Mato hesitantly took it. "It might make it easier for you to carry the sword." Mato nodded and slid the sword into the sheath. Now, she could carry it by the middle of the sword and it did not attract to many odd stares.

Texas nodded with approval, "Now we just need to get her a belt so she can hook it on. Thanks Thel."

Thel shook his head, "I thought it necessary." He walked off, leaving Mato and Texas to their own devices.

Texas smiled, "Well that was nice of him. Come on Mato, the ship should be in orbit now, so we can go shopping." She headed off in the direction of the landing bays, Mato close behind.

Human Colony- Equinox

Texas stepped off the transport that brought them down to the surface. Looking back, she saw Mato looking distrustfully at the people around her. "Mato, come on. Just stick with me." Mato hopped off the transport and followed Texas. The first store they stopped by was full of brightly colored clothing. Mato just stared at the shock of colors in disbelief, and shook her head. There was no way anyone was going to make her wear that. Texas saw the movement and agreed, "Not your style? I don't blame you. Thankfully, our store is at the back." Without bothering to look at any of the clothes around her, Texas took off, going to the back of the store.

The came to a stop in front of a small store with blacked out windows, and a simple five pointed star served as the sign. Texas walked in without hesitating, "Yo Saya, are ya open?"

"Just one second!"

Texas smiled and glanced at Mato who was looking for the source of the voice. "She's an old friend. I met her on one of my earlier missions when we were trapped in the basement of some building. She designs and makes special clothing. I sent in a request for some clothing to be made for you. She was probably up all night making it too."

"Texas, is that you?" A woman with brown hair and a red vest appeared behind the counter, grinning from ear to ear. "I thought I heard you. I guess you're here for that order?" Texas nodded and Saya continued. "Oi, Yomi! Come show Texas what you made!" She glanced back at Texas, "I let Yomi do this request, seeing as the darker colors are more her style. I am actually impressed with her work!"

A girl with black hair, green eyes, and wearing a gothic style dress, came around carrying a package. "Hey Texas! Who is this for, cause it certainly wouldn't fit you." She set it on the counter and looked at Texas expectantly. Texas just chuckled and pointed at Mato, who was looking at Yomi with some interest. Yomi just smiled, "Hi. The name is Yomi Takanashi. What's yours?"

There was a pause before Mato answered, "Mato Kuroi."

Yomi nodded and looked towards the door she came through, "Hey Kagari! Yuu! Come meet Texas's new friend!" She glanced at Mato, "I help with armor and clothing design."

Mato blinked in surprise as two more people walked out. The first one was a girl with yellow hair, gold eyes, and wheels replacing the lower portion of her legs. "Hiya, I'm Kagari, Kagari Izuriha! I'm the mechanic!"

"Kagari, you're going to scare her!" The third girl had platinum blond hair, orange eyes, and black elbow length gloves. She smiled at me, "I'm Yuu Koutari. I do the weapons work in here." As she spoke, a metal tail with a sharp point flicked up, causing Mato to jump back with one hand on the hilt of the katana. Kagari yelped and fell off the spinning chair she was sitting on. Yuu held up her hands, "Whoa, hold up! It's only my tail, see?" She turned to the side and pulled up the back of her turtleneck, revealing the tail that came out of the base of her spine. "It's an augmentation I call Stinger."

Mato looked at it curiously, "Does it hurt?" Texas looked at her in surprise, but said nothing.

Yuu glared at Kagari, "Only when someone yanks on it." Kagari giggled, looking sheepish. Yuu looked back at Rock, "Hey, do you play basketball?"

Mato tilted her head, "Basketball? I have never heard of it."

Yuu looked scandalized, "Ok, you are going to get changed into your new clothes, and then we are going to teach you how to play the best game ever."

Yomi handed Mato the package and pointed her to the changing rooms, "It usually ends up in a sparring match, so make sure you wear the jacket."

Texas smiled as the two girls walked off, "Hey, Saya? You wanna go get a coffee or something while Yuu tries to teach Mato about basketball?"

Saya grinned, "You read my mind. Actually, we can just go to my office, I have a fresh pot brewing." She whispered, "I need to talk to you in private."

The two women left the room whispering. Yomi watched them leave. "You guys can come back out, they're gone." The other two girls crept from their hiding place behind the counter.

"We eavesdropping on them?" Strength asked?

Yomi nodded, "Yes we are, but first, we need Mato with us."

Kagari blinked in surprise, "Why?"

"First off, she probably can help us. Second," Yomi looked back grinning, "I want to see how she looks in what I made."

Kagari smirked, "I think our little birdie has a crush on Mato."

Yomi turned beet red, "Wh-what? N-no I d-don't!"

Yuu grinned, "Methinks doth protest too much."

Yomi groaned, "I thought you were on my side Yuu!"

Kagari and Yuu just laughed at their sister's obvious dilemma. Suddenly, Yuu choked and pointed behind Yomi. Kagari whistled, "Now that is hot!"

Yomi spun around, and froze. Mato stood there, clipping the katana to the belt on her new jeans. She wore a short black shirt that exposed her midriff, revealing a large scar on her stomach. A pair of knee-high boots raised her height by three inches. The final piece was a full-length duster with a hood. A white stripe ran down both sleeves, a white star was place on the front left hand side, and a larger one was on the back. Yomi's jaw worked up and down, trying to say something, but ending up looking like a fish.

Kagari clapped her on the back, "Looks like you really out did yourself this time!"

Yomi turned red and shook her head furiously. "We need to go see what they're talking about. Come on. Yuu, fill Mato in."

Yuu snickered a bit, "Hey Mato, we're going to go listen in on Texas and Saya's conversation." She looked to make sure that Yomi was occupied. "Yomi likes you."

Mato tilted her head. "I suppose she seems friendly, if a bit odd. Why was her face that red?"

Yuu giggled, "She really likes you. Let's just say that." She watched Yomi. "I don't really know much about you, but I just want you to know something. If you ever harm her, Kagari and I will kill you." She walked off, following Yomi and Kagari.

Mato was confused now. What did Yuu mean by Yomi liked her? She thought back to the way Yomi reacted when she came back from the dressing room. She seemed flustered, as if she had been confused by something she was not expecting.

"Hey Mato!" hissed Kagari. "Come on!" Mato nodded and followed the trio of strange girls, deciding to ponder Yomi later. They stopped by the room that Saya and Texas disappeared into. Yomi gestured to Kagari, who pulled out a small device and turned it on.

"…uo sure?"

"Positive, my surveillance has shown an increase in Covenant movement. I tapped into their communications, and found out that they are planning an attack on this colony."

"How soon?"

"Very soon. My Wortish may be a bit rusty, but it sounds like they plan on catching the UNSC with their pants down."

"Like now?" There was a moment of silence. You get the girls, I'll report to Captain Jones."

The girls scrambled to get away from the door. Yuu grabbed Mato and dragged her along, all of them disappearing into the store area as Texas and Saya came out.

"Girls, get your projects and meet me in the garage!" Saya stood there with a giant, serrated sword strapped to her back, and red, clawed armor covering her arms. "Mato, you are going to wait with us while Texas reports to the captain."

Mato nodded and watched curiously as Yomi and the others ran into the workshop. Five minutes later, Kagari rode out on her wheels, wearing yellow armor on her arms, carrying a large, hand and a half sword, and a large circular shield was on her back. Soon after that, Yomi ran out carrying a scythe, her arms were covered with black armor, and she wearing a strange, wing-like jetpack on her back. Kagari looked at Yomi questioningly, "Where's Ebony and Ivory?"

"In the garage, come on! Yuu's going to meet us there."

Mato followed them as they ran out the back.

"Holy Hannah! Look at that!" Kagari pointed up in the sky, where a formation of Y-shaped ships flew overhead.

"Covenant Dropships!" Yomi breathed. "Move it! We need to get to the garage!" They raced to a nondescript looking building next to the shop. Unfortunately, a Dropship landed in front of them before they could get in. The side opened up, and two large, brutish looking aliens jumped out, one wielding a giant, hammer-like weapon, and the other held a strange weapon with glowing metal spikes sticking off it. "Oh god, it's Brutes…"

Mato looked at Yomi and Kagari, who were shaking with fear, and then at the large aliens. At that moment, she felt an unusual feeling. She was unsure what it meant, but she wanted to protect Yomi and Kagari from these things. Without hesitation, she drew her blade. "Go. Get in the garage. I will hold them off.

Kagari looked at Mato uncertainly, "Are you sure?"

Mato nodded in return, "Go!"

Kagari grabbed Yomi, "Let's move it!"

"But Mato-"

"She can handle herself. We just need to be fast enough to get some help." The two of them ran into the garage, giving the Brutes a wide berth.

The Brutes looked at Mato curiously. Usually, the pale, fragile humans ran away in terror when they showed up. This one seemed to think it had something to prove. The hammer wielding one looked at its partner in confusion.

Mato ignored the silent exchange going on between the aliens, closed her eyes, and concentrated on trying to find the fire she used yesterday. She felt a light tingle coming from her left eye and her right arm suddenly felt heavier. Opening her eyes, she saw the Brutes looking surprised. She looked down at her arm, and saw that she was holding a large metal blade weapon. "Black Rock Cannon. Lance Mode." The Brutes watched her warily, before the gun wielding one decided to break the standoff by firing on Mato. She felt a strong tingle come from her eye as the Brute raised the gun, and she knew she had to move. Not stopping to think, she dodged to the left and darted forward, narrowly avoiding a volley of glowing metal spikes. She lunged forward, stabbing at the gun wielder with the lance, and slicing at the Hammer wielder with the katana. The gun wielder was not expecting an attack, and so had no time to avoid being impaled by the end of the lance. The Hammer wielder was able to avoid the slice, and retaliated with an Earth shattering blow in front of Mato. The hammer forced everything away from it, and sent Mato flying. The impact with a wall across the street made her lose concentration, and the lance collapsed with a blue flash. She lay there, body racked with pain as it attempted to heal itself. Slowly, she staggered to her feet, dizzy and disoriented. She looked over at where the Brute was, and saw it picking up the gun device from the now dead partner. It pointed it at her and fired three times, each round sinking into her. She looked down, and saw the superheated spikes protruding from her torso. Her vision flicker blue and black, going in and out. There was a distant explosion and she saw something that just did not compute with her failing brain. A huge, spider-like tank exploded out of the garage, and she could see Texas, Saya, and Kagari riding it. Kagari seemed to be driving it! The brute was quickly crushed under the wheels of the tank. Mato's vision flickered again, and she saw what looked like Yuu, only she had giant metal arms, and Yomi riding on a giant skull-like thing with a second one hovering behind her.

Yomi looked over at her and screamed, "Mato!" She jumped off the giant skull and flew over to her. Mato started to fall, but was caught by Yomi. "Oh my god! Texas! Mato needs help!"

The last thing she saw was the girls surrounding her, and then she faded from the world.

How's that for my first cliffhanger. Review please!