Chapter 9: Demon

Date: 17 November 2552
Location: Shadow of Intent, Airspace Over Kenya, Earth

The Pelican decelerating woke me from a fitful slumber. The Marines aboard observed me with distrust as we docked. The same female Commander from video COMs earlier exited the cockpit and everyone stood at attention.

"Marines, at ease. Time for some R&R. Gather supplies; complete some much needed maintenance on your gear and yourselves. I'm sure we won't have as much time as we'd like before shipping out again. Dismissed."

She met my eyes and continued, "Jayne, a word?" She motioned for me to follow her. "I'm Commander Miranda Keyes. I've heard a lot about you."

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am," was about all the reply I could muster… unsure of where this conversation was headed.

"Likewise. We share many friends in important places, friends that I trust." She stopped walking and faced me. "I know enough about you, about your past to be apprehensive."

I nodded in understanding.

"But Johnson, Chief, your brother… they all trust you and that's enough. So, I'm going to level with you. Back at the Crow's Nest you were supposed to stay in cryo* until a trial could be held for your crimes."

The blood drained from my face.

"Things changed for obvious reasons but a trial will eventually be held. I wanted to give you a heads up."

"I don't need to be put in cryo," I responded. "I'll comply. I understand that there are consequences to my past actions."

"Actions you don't remember," Miranda supplied.

"I have to believe everything will work out," I stated emphatically which was in direct contrast to my shrug.

She grinned. "Tom always said you were an optimist. It made you a good leader, once upon a time."

I huffed a laugh. "Is that why I barked orders at Chief and Arbiter earlier? My leading is innate?"

"What I wouldn't give to review Chief's POV recordings of that…" The Commander shook her head in amusement. "At any rate, I have a meeting to catch. Freshen up! I have intel that your beau will be here soon." She smirked at my blush and walked away.

"Welcome aboard the Shadow of Intent, Demon's Mate."

"Arbiter!" I spun around to face him with a grin. My elation turned to puzzlement when I finally realized what he had said. "'Demon's Mate'?"

"Yes." Was all he said as he continued walking the way Commander Keyes went.

"What did he mean?" I asked the nearby group of Sangheili. "I'm the mate of a demon?"

"Not just any demon," one replied. "The Demon. You may know him as 'Master Chief'." My eyes widened in response.

"Where's your nearest washroom?" I squeaked out. I ran where they pointed to splash water on my face and "freshen up" as the Commander had suggested. What the hell was happening?

When I exited the room I spotted Sarge relieving some Elites of carbines and the Arbiter toting an M41 rocket launcher and an M7057 flamethrower.

Smothering a laugh I called out to Johnson, "Sergeant! Need a hand?" He grinned and tossed me a gun.

"Lask-aayyyy! Will you be joining me?"

"No," came a firm reply from an all too familiar voice. Rebellion flared under my skin as I looked up at the Demon.

*Cryo has many uses. Healing, travel, holding violent prisoners until execution. Why not all of the above at once?