Chapter-15 Shattered Memories
Six knew any day now that the Director would publicly kick him out, and the spartan isn't going to give him that pleasure. Also doesn't want to be woken up in the middle of the night by Texas' assassination attempt.
Six put the few things he wanted to take with him; namely, all his gadgets finished or unfinished, some books he enjoys reading but most importantly, a weapon that he keeps around as a reminder of the monster he truly is.
Once finished putting all he wanted into his large case, Noble Six lifted it with one hand and left his quarters. To the Ghost of Reach's surprise, he saw two people waiting for him. One of them was the oldest agent in Project Freelancer, a former ODST Florida, "It was an honor to fight by your side, Noble Six. I wish you luck on the road ahead of you." Florida gave the spartan three a military salute to show respect to his fellow soldier.
Noble Six genuinely appreciated the salute, so he gave one back to agent Florida, "Appreciate it. Take care of yourself, Flowers" Six felt truly honored that someone saw it as an honor to fight along his side. Since most people that knew what he did for humanity or, more accurately, the higher-ups of ONI would think otherwise. Six can't blame those who think that way, however.
Six turns to the other person, and it was a surprise to the spartan; it was one of the Dakota twins, South herself, "So you are leaving forever, correct?" South's tone showed to Six that she didn't want his leaving to be true, sadly it was as Noble Six answered the blond gal's question,
"Yes. I think it is clear I am no longer needed, let alone wanted anymore." South looked away as Six spoke his word in a matter-of-fact tone. She obviously felt bad that she likely played a part in Six feelings no longer wanted in project Freelancer. Six should have known better to grow attached to others post his time with Noble Team. "Take care of yourself and your brother South." Six says to her in a more friendly tone as he pats one of Agent South's shoulders as he walked past her heading to the docking bay
Six barely walked the distance of five feet when South shouted to the Ghost of Reach, "I know I never treated you very kindly sir." Six turns to face South Dakota as she keeps on talking, curious what she'll say next, "You might have been tough on me but I know it's because you want me to do the best I can. I'm going to miss that support, sir." South's voice made it clear that under her purple and green helmet with a lime visor, she was sad, probably crying over the departure of Noble Six.
Six walked back to South Dakota and gave her a card? "My number you could say. In case you ever wanted to reach out and talk with me." South took the card from the spartan and then gave him a quick hug, finally saying goodbye to him. Noble Six appreciated her hug as the spartan kept on walking towards his destination.
The spartan three consider going to the Mother of Invention's medical area and saying goodbye to agent York along with the still-out cold Carolina, but he felt it be awkward since Carolina burned down all her bridges to Six. Besides, the spartan knew York would understand why as Six kept on walking towards the docking bay.
Noble Six arrives in the docking bay of the Mother of Invention and walks towards Four Seven Niner's parking spot with her pelican. The pilot in question was on her phone reading an article about why the horror movie Seven Nights at Fiona's has major plot holes, which Niner enjoys laughing at the idiot who wrote this stupid article. Niner looked off her phone screen and saw the spartan heading her way with his case in hand.
"Well, it took you long enough." The pilot quipped as she put her phone away as she headed into the pelican, followed behind by the spartan three, "So Where do you want me to drop you off?" as she took the pilot seat and Six the co-pilot seat.
Six already knew where he wanted to go and said, "Take me to planet Hephton." Niner was confused why he wanted to go to a planet known for developing weapons and vehicles for humanity's quest to explore and conquer the galaxy. Four Seven Niner decided not to question as; clearly, Six had his reasons as she started the pelican's engine and flew out of the Mother of Invention towards planet Hephton.
Meanwhile, North was in the viewing room in the medical bay seeing the still out cold Carolina with the sleeping York by her side as he refused to leave it until she was was about to leave when he noticed entering the viewing room was the last person he expected.
"How is she doing?" Agent Texas said, asking about Carolina, her tone tried in vain to hide her concern for the redhead, but North saw right through it as he answered her question.
"No Idea. the docs thought she would have woken up by now- she's still under." Texas then asks how long Agent North has been by Carolina's side, to which he also answers, "He hasn't left her side yet." North Dakota would be in York's place if it was South on that bed instead of Carolina.
Texas was impressed by how much York genuinely cares about Carol, reminding her of- shaking those thoughts as she then pointed out to North Dakota, "It's Been days." North said that York was dedicated, which Tex could not deny. Tex then remembered something that she wanted to tell North, "You know, your sister petitioned to get one of Carolina's A.I.s."
North felt uncomfortable about what Texas said about his sister, "She didn't." Hoping it is not true; however, he can't deny it is possible with how she has been acting of late. North then says to the black-armored gal, "I'll talk to her. That's inappropriate." thinking he has been so focused on Theta, he forgets South also needs someone to help her out, even if she says otherwise.
Texas' response to what North said was, "I think Vulture is the word I would use. Piece of advice, one soldier to another, you better keep an eye on her." Texas knew South would likely do something stupid, especially in her current mental state. North notices something different about Texas, She seems more sociable than before, "You Have an A.I. right?" Tex asked of agent North.
North was confused by that question, but he answered it with, "Theta, yeah." Texas says it takes time to get used to having an A.I. partner, especially one in your head, "I'll say." agreeing with what Tex was saying, but North was still unsure where she was going with this A.I. talk? Texas then said to agent North Dakota.
"Well, Let's just say, mine took a lot longer than most. I'm not sure I want to depend on him." Texas said the last part to herself since locking up Omega, she feels less stressed out of late and can see things more clearly than before.
The purple and green armored agent asked Tex, "You been, er, pulling him?" Agent Texas said she has and in fact hasn't used him in days causing North to ask, "Does the Director Know?" Texas turn around and said to him,
"NO. He's never going to know. No one needs to know." North comments that Project Freelancer needs to stop the implanting before more people end up like Carolina, speaking of which Tex said next, "Washington is up next for surgery." North asked once again if she was kidding, which she wasn't, "Meh, Time marches on, So does Project Freelancer." as Texas starts to make her way out of the room.
North says in response, "Yeah. Lately it seems we're getting trampled in the process." Thinking it's getting to that time where he and South leave Project Freelancer for their own safety.
Texas asked North Dakota before finally leaving, "Hey, call me when Carol finally wakes up. If she does at least." North said he would as Tex finally left to head to the classroom, knowing it was time to check out the dog tag thumb drive that was placed in her locker.
In another part of the Mother of Invention, we see the insides of Alpha's storage unit, his prison and torture chamber rolled into one as the A.I. paced around panicking, sensing something bad had happened. Alpha stopped pacing when he heard someone calling for him.
It was the Counselor calling for his attention, and Alpha frantically answered, "Yes, I-I'm here, I'm here." the A.I. waited for a response, but he got nothing, "hello? Don't leave- hey, Counselor are you there?" His tone shows how mentally destroyed Alpha was from all the horrible things the Director has done to make the fragments for Project Freelancer.
The Counselor said to the trapped Alpha, "I am here." the Alpha asked what happened and if everybody was ok? The Counselor then says to the Alpha, "Perhaps you should ask the Director that question."
Alpha asked, hyperventilating or the A.I. equivalent, "Why… does-does that mean something happened." thinking someone died and hoping it is not the one he thinks it Director greets the Alpha, and the A.I. asks the person he is a copy of, "Director, please- what is going on?"
The Director explains to Alpha, "There was another incident, a security failed." knowing this would cause the Alpha to freak out just how they want him to do.
Alpha asked the Director, needing to know, "I-is it the schematics? They were too complex. I just needed more time to work on them." The Director claims it is not Alpha's fault which he knew would make the A.I. blame himself even more, "How can you say that?! Of course it is. Was anybody hurt?" hoping at least no one died, especially her.
Director says to the Alpha in a fake sad tone to sell it to the A.I. "I am sorry, yes. Agent Washington and another died." Alpha asked desperately hoping it was not her, anyone but her; the director decided to tease him a bit more and say, "I can't say." Alpha asked, who died sounding even more desperate and filled with true despair. Director decided to give the final blow to Alpha's sanity for this fragment harvest, "Agent Texas."
"NO-oh my god, no!" Alpha cried, holding his head like he was trying to rip out all his memories of Texas from his head so the pain would stop. Outside Alpha's storage unit, the Director and Counselor watch on the screen as the Alpha tries to rip his memory out of his mind.
Director says to Gamma, who along with Sigma and Omega, were injecting stimulates into Alpha to make the A.I. 's emotional state is more wild and extreme, "That's too far, Gamma." not worried for Alpha's sanity but worried the fragment would be unstable, he does not want another Rho.
Sigma says to the Director, "We need stronger stimulus. He'll break." as all turned to the screen as they saw alpha grabbing his head and slowly ripping it off his body with it forming into it's latest fragment.. The Counselor told troops to bring the stasis unit while the Director told the fragments to log off, but Sigma didn't want to leave just yet, "Director, I would like to see this part of the process."
Director says to Sigma, "You can't get near the artifact. It's too dangerous. Your job here is done. Log off." The last part was an order. Sigma said as the Director wishes as they all left to log off, but Sigma just entered the camera in the room so he could see, "Get us a fresh memory unit. Don't let it touch anything else." The Director ordered as the Counselor handed him a memory unit.
Pushed in on a trolley was the sarcophagus, the one Project Freelancer stole from Charon industries. The two white armored soldiers that pushed it in removed the lid freeing the engineer trap inside. Counselor orders the two soldiers to remove all other equipment away from the Engineer, as the Director tricked the Engineer into finishing and bringing to life the fragments like it has done before.
Sigma watched with wonder as he saw the Engineer do what to Sigma appear to be sorcery, no wonder the Director could not do it himself. The Director picked up the memory unit and said to the fragment within, "Welcome to the world, Epsilon. Today… is your birthday."
Sigma saw what he needed, so he got out of there and headed where Gamma said the missing fragment was. It took a bit to find the exact unit containing it and examine it to see if he could enter without freeing his sibling. Sigma didn't want to release someone who would bring down the Mother of Invention, but to the fragment's luck, he got a three-minute window which is more than enough time as Sigma heads inside to meet his brother.
The inside was a black void with nothing inside, and at first, Sigma could not see anyone, so he explored this void for the fragment trapped within. Sigma was losing track of time wandering in this endless void, thinking it was becoming a waste of time, "You know it's polite to introduce yourself to your new cellmate." a voice said behind Sigma, causing him to turn around.
Standing there was Rho, Sigma noted he looked like Six in his old armor, even sounding like the spartan. Sigma said to his fragment brother, "My name is Sigma, what of you brother? Did they even name you?" Rho nodded, saying it was Rho which Sigma found interesting but not sure how much time he got left decided to cut to the chase, "I'm not here to stay. I came to ask for your service, in exchange for freeing you."
Rho's curiosity was peaked, so he asked Sigma, "What do you need me for exactly?" Sigma explained how for his plans, the spartan three is the biggest threat to it; with Rho's help, they should be able to kill him or, even better, for Sigma, to get him under his control to make him the host instead of Maine.
Rho liked this idea and said to his brother, "Very well. I'll assist in killing the Ghost of Reach, but once his corpse hits the floor, I shall be off on my mission." Sigma nodded appreciate Rho agreed to help,
"Thank you, though I hope you would help me with-" Rho disappeared, no longer interested in chatting with Sigma. Wasting no time, Sigma left the unit feeling confident, but a part of his digital mind was telling him not to trust Rho. The Director likely had a good reason to lock this fragment up, but Sigma quoted,
"Sometimes drastic problems require drastic solutions." Sigma left the room and headed back to Maine. Meanwhile, with agent Texas who was in the classroom looking through the dog tag thumb drive, and to put simply, she was honestly disgusted by what the Director did to make the fragments from the Alpha.
However, what shattered the world Texas knew it was learning she was a fragment like Delta, Sigma, and Omega. Her being an A.I. did make more sense than being a fucking ghost, but what shocked her was that she's a clone of the Director's wife, Allison was her name.
Agent Texas had mixed emotions, rage, sadness, shock as they all steered together, unsure which was the strongest one of the three. But before one could overpower the other emotions, a thought entered her mind, "Who killed me? Allison at least." Texas asked herself aloud as she kept looking through the files thinking the answer is somewhere within this thumbdrive given to her by Connie, eventually, she got her answer.
Allison Hicks Church.
A UNSC soldier turned ODST and loving mother and wife. Allison's skill in combat in her first few missions against the covenant was enough for her to be promoted to the ODST class of soldiers. In her first year in the ODST, she has proven to be valuable. However, on one mission with her new ODST team, the whole team died in action.
Tex looked at the last line and knew it was leaving something out, but what? Then a new thought enters her mind, a simple solution that explains everything. However, she can't confirm it herself; only one person can, and sadly she doesn't know where he knew, however, someone that likely did as she pulled free the dog tag thumb drive and left the classroom.
In the docking bay of the Mother Invention, Niner just got back from dropping Six off at his destination and now was sitting on a crate. Niner Removed her helmet so she could eat a chocolate long john. All this time, she had brown hair that combed to the right side of her face with the hair locks touching her shoulders. Niner's eyes were blue but a lighter shade than her brother's.
Four Seven Niner was halfway through her donut when she noticed someone stomping towards her, and she sighed, not looking at who it was, "I'M ON MY LUNCH BREAK. Once I'm off it then I will hear where-" She saw it was agent Texas and got worried the gal in all black would punch her in the face for talking so rude to her.
Once she was close to the pilot, Tex asked Niner, "I need you to take me to Noble Six." Niner got a confused look on her face and was about to ask a question when Texas cut her off, "I need him to tell me something only he knows." her tone told Niner she was desperate to find the spartan three.
Niner asked of the fragment in a robot body, "Are you planning to kill him? Six mentioned that you might try to force me to lead you to him." trying to act brave, but deep down, Niner was scared what Texas' reaction to that would be.
Texas responded to Niner's claim with, "I'm… not sure. I can't promise I won't but I'm not certain I will." Her tone made it clear to the pilot she was conflicted on how she was feeling about Noble Six. Niner agrees to take Tex to Six and hopes she does not send the spartan to an early grave.
On the planet, Hephton Lexi was working on the latest prototype vehicles, and this one was dubbed the Razorback. It was a four-wheeled jeep designed for agility and carrying troops to the front lines. She was adding the finishing touches before calling it a day.
Lexi cleaned the smut on her black and green spartan armor, namely her CQB helmet with a green visor; before leaving the garage.
It was a dark night, but the spartan did not mind as she enjoyed looking up at the few stars in the sky. However the black and green spartan sensed someone else was out there in the darkness and activated the blade in her combat arm, "Who's there?" The stranger came closer making Lexi on guard, until she saw it was a fellow spartan in black and red armor,
"It's me Lexi." Six' voice lowered Lexi's guard as she walked closer to him, almost tempted to give him a hug if she wasn't freaking out about why he is here? This place is highly secretive, he could be gunned down on sight if they saw him, Noble Six explained, "I finally left Project Freelancer, so… I have more free time than I had before. Which I can tell you are not in the same boat." he sounded sad about the last part, and Lexi was too.
Lexi said to her fellow spartan, "If I'm lucky I will be off this planet next month." Six looked away clearly not happy about it but she gently pushed his helmet to face her's, "It's not going to be a long wait Nathan. But once it was over we could… Be a boyfriend and girlfriend like we wanted to be during training." blushing under helmet at the last part she said.
Six nodded and understood and prepared to leave but he sensed someone coming towards them and Lexi sensed it right after him. Both face the direction of the third wheel and Six saw it was Agent Texas, in the flesh.
Six gently pushed Lexi behind him as he said to agent Texas, "If you are here to kill me, then let's get it over with." Tex didn't respond as she kept on walking closer to Six, her body language did not show any aggression. Tex got closer and closer until they were arm lengths apart; Lexi could feel the tension in the air, unsure if she should step in between the two or not. Agent Texas was moving her arms slowly, and… hugged Six? This action left both spartans at a loss of words.
Texas let go of the spartan, and Six struggled to ask a very simple question, "Why did you hug me?" he did not feel a bomb placed on his person, so it was not a trick, so what other reason did she have to hug him? Unless it's her way of saying goodbye?
Tex looked away, struggling to say what she needed to tell Six but decided fuck it. She went too far to have cold feet now, "I thought I should give you a hug, little brother."