Chapter 3: Trust

Date: 20 October 2552
Location: Old Mombasa, Kenya, Earth

Traitor.

The word echoed through my mind as I stared down at my tied hands, vision clouding with unwanted tears. Try as I may to fight it, shame rose from my stomach at the horrible deeds executed by this treacherous body.

I silently thanked the Master Chief as we passed the charred ground that symbolized my would-have-been demise. It wasn't long until we entered the city known as Old Mombasa. The crumbling architecture and silence left an eerie sense of unease in the air. I turned to who I recently learned was Jimothy.

"Can you please inform Sergeant Johnson that this is the direction that Elite came from? He's probably already aware but there could be an ambush since that patrol never returned."

Jimothy nodded and trotted ahead. I thanked him when he returned and kept my eyes alert. There was no time to worry, no time to despair at my predicament. My gut was telling me that we were about to be in a sticky situation and I wanted to try my damnedest to prevent as much stickiness as possible. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something not quite right. A faint purple light had shone for just a blip and my heart sank at what I saw.

Kig-Yar. Jackal. Sniper.

"Sniper! 2 o'clock! Balcony! Take cover!" I tackled Bobby to the side since it seemed that he was the one in direct line of sight of the marksman. We all heard the distinct PEW of the fired shot. Bobby grunted from the hit and then again when we hit the ground.

Too slow.

I glanced at Bobby who was prepping the graze on his arm. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as more snipers fired. Tuning out the shots from friendlies I focused on the covenant gunfire while we huddled behind a short wall. Bobby had placed his BR55 battle rifle down and, seeing the opportunity, I seized the gun.

In rapid succession I peeked, spotted the purple light, took aim, and fired. A displaced shot told me I had hit my mark. I didn't dwell on the fact that I must have a lot of experience killing as proven by such fine-tuned muscle memory especially considering the handicap of wrist restraints.

"Nice shot!" someone had called. There was no time for more compliments as Covenant forces came out of the woodwork. I spotted Chief who was front and center of the battle.

Let the front-line handle them. Just get those snipers before you have no team left.

I scoped the rafters and any other plausible sniper roosts. At the sight of one I shot and killed. Two purple dots snapped in my direction so I ducked. I met Bobby's questioning eyes.

"Two more snipers and you can have your gun back," I promised while reloading. Bobby just shook his head, smiling, and pulled out his M7 submachine gun to join the battle granting me some cover fire. I shot and killed the third sniper when it took aim on Bobby.

The fourth Kig-Yar sniper was focusing on the Master Chief when I took the marksman out. The sight of the Spartan mowing down enemies left and right was more than a little distracting. Heat creeping to my face snapped me out of my reverie. When I realized I had been openly admiring the man I blushed even more so, hoping no one had noticed.

I jumped back into action and took aim on the vulnerable openings in the Jackals' shields. One shot made them flail. A second in the head ended their existence. Six more shots at some Yanme'e Drones and the coast was clear. A few Marines and Chief scouted ahead for more enemies.

When the all-clear was given, the men grouped up around Sarge. I slowly approached the throng, weapon down, safety on, and finger off the trigger. Everyone watched as I came to a stop at the Master Chief's back. He didn't look stiff or even turn around which meant I had gained his…

Trust.

"That was you takin' out all those Jackals?" Sergeant Johnson asked, interrupting my thoughts.

I nodded and presented my weapon.

"She also shoved me aside on that first enemy fire," Bobby piped up, "saving my life."

"Keep the rifle," Johnson barked. "We could use that eye of yours."

"Yessir!" I replied, grinning.

"Aren't you gonna untie her?" Jimothy asked, adding a "sir" at Johnson's stare.

I interjected with, "I can manage. Besides, we can't be sure what will happen…" I trailed off. On that awkward note water was passed around and I gladly took a few gulps.

"We should move forward," the Master Chief stated. "In order to catch the enemy unawares, sir."

"Let's move out!" Sarge bellowed and everyone followed. I had planned to wait for Chief to move ahead before I'd fall in with the group. Embarrassment about my earlier daydreaming still ate at me. As the gap separating us from the group widened I realized my plan would not work. It wasn't until Chief turned to look at me that it dawned on me...

He's waiting for me.

I blushed and sprung forward feeling incredibly daft. He fell into step at my side with great ease. The thought crossed my mind to rush ahead and avoid him but I quickly dismissed the idea. His 2ft in height over me meant his longer stride would have no issues keeping up let alone the added boost of his suit.

Augmentations. ASTER. SIERRA.

I blinked to stop of the string of words. When I looked up to find him looking at me I blushed again.

"Thank you," he said abruptly. My body responded to his rich, gravelly voice in ways I steadfastly ignored.

At my prolonged silence he added, "The sniper… had me in his sights."

"It was nothing," I stated, exhaling sharply. "I'd easily do it again." I stared forward, overwhelmed with shyness. My heart was fluttering a mile a minute and I was pretty sure that if something in Chief's suit couldn't broadcast the fact, my face sure would.*

Does muscle memory extend to the heart?

I took a deep calming breath and smiled up at the Master Chief.

*Removed a reference to Cortana. I was getting ahead of myself and my character. :)