Six looked out of the viewport on the bridge. He was back in his armor; the new components were great and worked well. But felt wrong to him, maybe because the armor that he had came from reach with him and were the last reminders of noble that he had left besides Georges dog tags. He thought about the big Spartan ll and how in the short time that six got to know him he tried to do good whenever he could and able to. Sometimes it was a few words that were needed at just the right time or a nod of understanding was all someone would need.
Six also knew what other men were able to do their fellow man. The horrors that could be done to another. It forced six to think about a 20th century storyteller whose name he could not recall but words he remembered for a long time. "All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells are within you". Six had heard that quote years ago and it had stuck with him for a long time. Never really believing the words but wanted to. When he finally was part of a team did, he finally understand it.
Looking over at the captain six saw that he was about to speak and pushed the thoughts in his head to the back of his mind. Intent on waiting for the captain to speak.
"Glad that your armor got fixed six, I fear that we may need you very soon.
Why sir?
What do you think I mean by that?" Giving six a very natural look
Six thought about it for a moment and the spoke again.
"Sir if the covenant had found reach then it will only be a matter of time before they find earth sir.
Correct you are six, that is why we will need every man, bullet, gun, and ship, we have to maybe even have a chance at stopping them, And I hope like hell that we can. Do you watch movies six?
Ugh… not really sir. Never really had the time to.
That's a shame. There is an old film for the 20th century that I think kind of fits this. It's called Independence Day, good film dated by our standards now. But that is not the point, the point is that humanity was under attack by aliens which may sound kind of familiar."
The captain gave a half-hearted chuckle and the kept-on speaking
"The fictitious president of the united states in the movie near the end of it gave a speech to assembled personal before they were going to attack and hopefully take done the bad guys. It went like this.
"Good morning. In less than an hour aircraft from around the world will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind". That word should have a new meaning for us all today. We can't be consumed by petty differences anymore; we will be united I common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the fourth of July and you will once again be fighting for our freedom…. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… But from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day the world declared in one voice "we will not go quietly into the night" we will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today is our Independence Day!"
The captain finished and looked a bit uncomfortable with all the stares from everyone on the bridge.
"I may have watched it more then once as a kid."
Six just nodded his head
"It is still a good speech, Sir."
Leaving it at that they both stood there for a few more minutes before the captain spoke again.
"We are going to be leaving slip space here soon, so just be ready for it six.
Roger that sir."
No sooner that six stopped speaking that an alarm went off catching the attention of the sailor sitting in front of the terminal.
"Sir, leaving slip space in 30, 20, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, exiting slip space."
When he finished speaking the view changed from blue rushing around the to the seeing Cairo station sitting in front of them. Like a sleeping giant.
"Sir we are being hailed by Cairo station sir.
Then answer it son.
Roger that sir."
Having to wait for the ensign to patch the comm channel to the bridge comms six waited with baited breach.
"UNSC Jon Paul Jones, This is Cairo station please ID that you are still who your ID says.
Cario station this is captain jones of the Jon paul Jones please refrain from shooting at us that would be great.
Huh that would be nice for sure sir. You may precede to docking bay three. The officer in charge here will be ready to meet you when you get here.
Will do Cairo station and thank you. Moving to bay three. "
With that that comm line was cut. And with it the captain looked at six. gather the ODST's that you brought with you six and then meet me at the docking lock, understand.
Roger that sir.
And six, try not to be late please that would look bad yeah. "
Giving a soft laugh six just nodded and left to gather the hell jumpers. Moving through the ship six found the troopers in the mess hall.
"You two, lets go.
Where to six?
To meet our new host in Cairo station now lets go.
Roger that six."
Without saying anything else they both got up and fallowed six to where the captain would be meeting the officer in charge.
"Here sir.
Right on time six."
Looking at the ODST's he just merely nodded at them.
Only having to wait for a few minutes the doors to the outside finally started to slide open. Six tensed only slightly ready to meet any danger if it was present. Only the ODTS's noticed the slight change in his stance but mirrored him just in case there was trouble.
Once the door was fully open did six see who was on the other side of it.
It was Lord hood.
Lord hood looked at the assembled group of people before him, notching the Spartan and ODST's ready for a fight, he looked at the other people present and saw that they did not take notice of what he saw. Looking back at the three warriors he just nodded and then again faced captain jones.
Captain it is nice to have you here and I see that you brought some of you men with you.
Just the ones that escaped reach on a pelican and reached to meet us as we evaded a covvie light cruiser sit.
Really, who was the polit."
Thought he pretty much guessed it would be the giant super soldier he just wanted it to be said out loud.
"That would be first lieutenant B312 sir, Nickname six sir.
Six, of noble team?" Raising an eyebrow
The Super soldier peaking for the first time.
"One and the same sir.
Hmmm, I here that you are responsible for some of the only victories that we would have at reach?
Not just me sir, but my team as well most who lay dead on reach sir.
My condolences son, and your team will forever have my thanks for laying down their live for the rest of us to be able to keep fighting on. Their sacrifice will not be in vain this I swear to you.
Thank you, sir.
Now follow me, we have much to do and to talk about."
Following lord hood they left the docking lock and into Cairo station. As they were walking six walked by a window and stopped. Everyone else kept moving but the two ODST's. One standing to either side of him six just looked at the planet in front of him.
Earth, The birthplace of humanity. And six made a vow to the memories of noble team and everyone else this damn war had taken form humanity. That he would go down fighting for them and earth. That he would die fighting for his.
Pale bule dot.