The next morning was slow, John had to think seriously about what he was
doing, what choices he was making. But his thought was broken when he heard
the strong sound and the bass of a stereo that could only be owned by Aali.
He slowly walked to the Girls shower and opened the door, the shower was on but couldn't be heard because of the loud rap music that was played my Aali. Yeah, she was a white girl, but when did that ever stop someone from listening to Kiah?
He walked in slowly, liking the sound of the music and tried to find Aali, he slowly turned the corner and spotted the shower that was on, he couldn't find Aali though.
He was only wearing his boxers, he was planning on taking a shower too, but he wanted to find Aali. Finally, he shrugged and turned around, and as he did, he spotted Aali behind him, staring at him evilly.
"What are you doing in here John?" she asked, and she wasn't wearing a very large towel so, his attention was kinda drawn away.
"I.Uh.wanted to ask you." he stopped.
"Yeess.?" she asked.
"If you." he stopped again, as his eyes crept down her smooth figure and stopped at one place.
She then bent down a bit so that she was level with his eyes and waved her hand.
"Hey, I'm up here, buddy!" she said as he looked back to her face.
"Sorry, I heard the music and I was kinda drawn in here, anyway, do you have any shampoo?"
"Yeah." she answered as she bent down and grabbed it from her bag, she rose again and handed it to him, he took it and started walking out, then, she spoke again.
"Another thing, Nice Cover up.I mean, the whole Shampoo excuse."
He smiled slightly and walked out.
David watched him as he walked out with and smile and wondered what happened. He thought for a moment.
"Yes.John and Aali DO spend a lot of time together actually, maybe they do have a thing."
He then walked over to the AI's and watched them for a moment, then Athena looked at him.
Yes, David?
"Would either of you know anything about any relationships that would be going on around here?"
I believe I would.
I would too.
"Do you know anything about.John and Aali?" he asked.
Cortana and Athena looked at each other.
As far as I know, John is very professional, and I don't think he would endanger his team, and himself, along with the mission, for a woman.
Then again, you have to remember in the Files, Code-named 'The Fall of Reach', he lost everyone he cared about IE. Kelly, Linda. So he might be in need for Female companionship. Aali understands what he's been through.I wouldn't put it past them to be attracted to each other at all.
I have known John for a long time, the loss of Kelly, Linda and the other Spartans was forced to be put behind him. If he ever Remembers it, that would be a miracle. And John has never shown feelings for Aali, nor did he for either Kelly or Linda.
Her certainly showed feelings for both. He was often with and speaking to Kelly, and he was seriously upset when he lost Linda.
Well David, it seems that myself and Athena cannot agree, you are forced to come to a conclusion yourself.
"Great." he sighed.
"What's great?" asked Aali as she stepped up behind him
He turned around quickly and smiled.
"Uhh.nothing, just.curious about something."
"About me I presume David?" she asked as she dried her hair.
"Well.yeah.kinda"
"Then ask."
"Uhh.alright. Is there.anything going on.between you and." he stopped.
She looked at him blankly, then it hit her.
"Oh! You mean me and John, right?" she asked smiling.
"Well, yeah."
"No, there is nothing 'going on' between myself and 117, we are merely.people that understand each other.
Told you that John would not have feelings for her, Athena, I am still.the superior AI.
Whatever you say, Cortana.
"Thanks for clearing that up for me, Aali." Said David calmly.
"No problem."
Then he thought of something else to ask her.
"Would you mind telling me, what happened last night? I heard something about you getting John Court Marshaled. What was that about?" asked David.
Aali looked to Athena and Cortana, they both shook there heads.
I don't think it's your place to say anything about it, Aali.
I agree with Athena..
"I have to agree with the AI's, it's just something that myself and John disagree in." she answered, and began to walk away.
Finally, Dr.'s Benton and Slattery walked in slowly and stood side by side.
"Well, the day has arrived where you choose your names for the game play/ training parts of being here." Said Dr. Benton.
"Yes, these names can be silly, fun, serious, doesn't matter, because they are just used for training. When I call your name, come and give your name. Aali Evenstar."
Aali walked forward, with a name in mind already, it was the name she had on her silver name-plate.
"Jedi Elf" said Aali plainly.
After everyone had there names down, the list looked like this. Aali: Jedi Elf David: Me Eric: The One Nhan: SpiderNon Jaime: A Fatass Danny: RoadDoggFL Paul: Reptile Josh: A Bone John: Spartan 117
"Very well, we'll have these processed soon. Now, you should probably get ready for battle, you're going after the 2nd group." Said Dr. Slattery. Then, both AI's appeared again.
May I put my opinion in. I think it would be best that you go together this time, and from now on. At 10%, the Covenant can be powerful, and I can almost guarantee that the second group will be larger, and the last even larger.
I agree with Athena again, it should be good that you all go together, a larger group would be better when taking on the Covenant.
"What about the position of Master Chief, can there be two of us?" asked Aali.
I don't think that would be a good idea, but Athena has already chosen who will be the Master Chief.care to tell them?
Spartan 117, will provide the roll of Master Chief on this mission, sorry Aali.
Aali bowed her head slightly and turned the light that indicated the fact that she was Master Chief, off.
"Understood." She muttered.
Now go, get your armor on, we don't want to waste any time, if we are lucky, they decided to sleep in this morning.
All of them were ready, John stood in front, but Aali was close behind, she felt inferior to him now that he was the only Master Chief, he had the power to give orders. He then opened a private COM channel between them.
"Aali, you know now, that if I choose to do what I have talked to you about, then you cannot Court Martial me, whether you want to or not.you are a lower rank." He said.
"But John, even you know that if you did that, you would be endangering the mission, and the most important part of the team.you" she answered.
"Don't say that. I am not the most important part, I am only a piece of the team. Yes, without me, the Team wouldn't be complete, but if ANY of the other pieces were missing, the puzzle would STILL be the same amount of unfinished as if it were me."
Silence took over and she closed the channel.
Everyone ready to go?
All of the Spartan's nodded as they were dropped off again.
They started walking, and Aali stepped up next to John, he only looked at her.
"Something you need?" he asked.
"No, just getting a look around." She answered.
"I'm quite sure you can get the same look from behind me." he added as he walked forward a bit more.
She frowned and stepped behind him next to David.
"He seems a bit power hungry, doesn't he?" asked David.
"He thinks he's God when he's the Master Chief, I would hate to be on his team."
David then sat his hand on her shoulder.
"You are, Aali."
She then thought of something.
"John?"
She got no answer.
"John!?"
Still nothing, then she remembered.
"Master Chief?"
"Yes?" he answered.
"Do I still have the installation of Athena in my mainframe?" she asked.
"I would think.Cortana?"
I'm on it.Yes, Athena is still installed into your mainframe, 118.
"Very good." She replied.
"Anything else 118?" John asked.
"Defiantly not" she answered as she closed the COM down.
He was surprised at her answer, but disregarded it.
20% enemy life form detected.
John looked ahead and saw nothing.
"How close?" he asked Cortana.
Approximately 10 feet ahead of you Chief.
"Are you sure?"
Very.
"I don't see anything though, they should be right."
He was then cut off as he was lunged at and tackled by a Elite, he tried to fight it off, but it was as strong as he was. The rest of the Aliens, 2 more Elites, a Jackal and 5 Grunts attacked the rest of the team at that time. Aali was cornered by the Grunts, they were too close for a grenade or a rocket from Paul. She pulled out her pistol and started shooting them, but she looked quickly to John, who was still fighting off the Elite, and a Jackal was coming towards him also.
"JOHN!" she yelled, and instead of fighting off the Grunts that were next to her, she shot at the clear, Orange area on the Elite. Dead. John then got up and glanced at Aali, she could feel the glare even from behind the helmet. But he continued fighting the Jackal. She turned and fought off the Grunts , even though since she stopped to save John, he shield was slowly filling, but her health was mostly gone.
Aali turned and watched as Paul was setting up his Rocket Launcher for one Elite, and Eric was trying to snipe it, but it kept moving. Aali opened fire on it with her Assault Rifle and distracted it long enough for Eric to get it in the head. And right after that, a huge explosion was heard and felt from Paul's rocket Launcher.
"That was awesome work." said Aali happily, but John walked up to her and ripped her helmet off.
"What was that soldier?" he asked.
"I was protecting the Master Chief, sir!" she answered.
"What have I told you!?" he yelled.
"I know what you told me but."
"What have I told you Soldier!!?" he cut her off.
She swallowed hard.
"That no matter what, I should shoot for myself, and protect only me, not the Master Chief!"
"Right!" he yelled, "And what was that, that you just did?"
"I saved the Master Chief, sir!"
"No! Incorrect Soldier! The Master Chief was in no need of 'Saving', you risked your life for an unnecessary cause, you could've gotten yourself killed, and you would've been the only, ONLY dead one!"
Aali lowered her head in shame as she was criticized by John. Now she knew why he was the Master Chief, he was, in fact, right for the job.
"Lets go troops, we're done here." He yelled as he went back the way they came.
They walked silently for a long time, then Athena came in on Aali's COM.
40% Enemy Life Form detected, behind us.
Aali did a double take.
"Repeat the percentage."
40%
John then came in.
"What is it soldier?"
"My AI has informed me that there is a 40% life form detection behind us." she answered.
John paused.
"Tell her to take another scan."
"I did already.it's 40% sir." She answered.
"Shit." murmured John lightly, "Well, I guess we aren't done yet."
"Alright, Eric, you get somewhere and snipe, we'll need it. Paul, you get somewhere and have your Rocket's ready. The rest of you...have the Grenades ready." said Aali, she could feel John's eyes on her again.she was giving orders and he didn't like that.
"What are you doing Soldier?" Asked John.
"Giving my troops orders, Master Chief sir.I know what I'm doing, and could you for once understand and respect that?" she said.
John stood silently and looked at her.
"Very well.but if at any time I feel you are not doing what is right, I will take over again, understood?" he said.
"Understood, Athena, how close are they?"
10 feet and decreasing.
"Everyone, be ready, we might be able to do this in a few seconds, Eric, you're 1, Paul, you're 2, Grenade people, you're 3, and the Assault Rifle people, you're 4, when I call your Number.start doing what you do. #1!" said Aali. Eric then started focusing and shooting out aliens, they ran forward quickly, and Aali yelled again.
"2 and 3!"
Paul got up with his Rocket Launcher and started firing, while the people with Grenades started throwing them.
"Focus on the larger ones! Elites! Jackals! So forth!" yelled John.
Finally, all that was coming towards them now were about 15 Grunts and an Elite.
"4!" she yelled as she took her pistol out, focused and took the Elite out.
After about a minute, the smoke cleared and they all looked around. Not a live alien to be found.
They all patted Aali on the shoulder and back and congratulated her. Then John stepped forward.
"Nicely done 118, not once you worried about the Master Chief, then again, that's who you were." He said as he walked away.
"Come on, time to go.Cortana, status?"
2nd group taken out.3rd remains.
"Very good, lets go."
He slowly walked to the Girls shower and opened the door, the shower was on but couldn't be heard because of the loud rap music that was played my Aali. Yeah, she was a white girl, but when did that ever stop someone from listening to Kiah?
He walked in slowly, liking the sound of the music and tried to find Aali, he slowly turned the corner and spotted the shower that was on, he couldn't find Aali though.
He was only wearing his boxers, he was planning on taking a shower too, but he wanted to find Aali. Finally, he shrugged and turned around, and as he did, he spotted Aali behind him, staring at him evilly.
"What are you doing in here John?" she asked, and she wasn't wearing a very large towel so, his attention was kinda drawn away.
"I.Uh.wanted to ask you." he stopped.
"Yeess.?" she asked.
"If you." he stopped again, as his eyes crept down her smooth figure and stopped at one place.
She then bent down a bit so that she was level with his eyes and waved her hand.
"Hey, I'm up here, buddy!" she said as he looked back to her face.
"Sorry, I heard the music and I was kinda drawn in here, anyway, do you have any shampoo?"
"Yeah." she answered as she bent down and grabbed it from her bag, she rose again and handed it to him, he took it and started walking out, then, she spoke again.
"Another thing, Nice Cover up.I mean, the whole Shampoo excuse."
He smiled slightly and walked out.
David watched him as he walked out with and smile and wondered what happened. He thought for a moment.
"Yes.John and Aali DO spend a lot of time together actually, maybe they do have a thing."
He then walked over to the AI's and watched them for a moment, then Athena looked at him.
Yes, David?
"Would either of you know anything about any relationships that would be going on around here?"
I believe I would.
I would too.
"Do you know anything about.John and Aali?" he asked.
Cortana and Athena looked at each other.
As far as I know, John is very professional, and I don't think he would endanger his team, and himself, along with the mission, for a woman.
Then again, you have to remember in the Files, Code-named 'The Fall of Reach', he lost everyone he cared about IE. Kelly, Linda. So he might be in need for Female companionship. Aali understands what he's been through.I wouldn't put it past them to be attracted to each other at all.
I have known John for a long time, the loss of Kelly, Linda and the other Spartans was forced to be put behind him. If he ever Remembers it, that would be a miracle. And John has never shown feelings for Aali, nor did he for either Kelly or Linda.
Her certainly showed feelings for both. He was often with and speaking to Kelly, and he was seriously upset when he lost Linda.
Well David, it seems that myself and Athena cannot agree, you are forced to come to a conclusion yourself.
"Great." he sighed.
"What's great?" asked Aali as she stepped up behind him
He turned around quickly and smiled.
"Uhh.nothing, just.curious about something."
"About me I presume David?" she asked as she dried her hair.
"Well.yeah.kinda"
"Then ask."
"Uhh.alright. Is there.anything going on.between you and." he stopped.
She looked at him blankly, then it hit her.
"Oh! You mean me and John, right?" she asked smiling.
"Well, yeah."
"No, there is nothing 'going on' between myself and 117, we are merely.people that understand each other.
Told you that John would not have feelings for her, Athena, I am still.the superior AI.
Whatever you say, Cortana.
"Thanks for clearing that up for me, Aali." Said David calmly.
"No problem."
Then he thought of something else to ask her.
"Would you mind telling me, what happened last night? I heard something about you getting John Court Marshaled. What was that about?" asked David.
Aali looked to Athena and Cortana, they both shook there heads.
I don't think it's your place to say anything about it, Aali.
I agree with Athena..
"I have to agree with the AI's, it's just something that myself and John disagree in." she answered, and began to walk away.
Finally, Dr.'s Benton and Slattery walked in slowly and stood side by side.
"Well, the day has arrived where you choose your names for the game play/ training parts of being here." Said Dr. Benton.
"Yes, these names can be silly, fun, serious, doesn't matter, because they are just used for training. When I call your name, come and give your name. Aali Evenstar."
Aali walked forward, with a name in mind already, it was the name she had on her silver name-plate.
"Jedi Elf" said Aali plainly.
After everyone had there names down, the list looked like this. Aali: Jedi Elf David: Me Eric: The One Nhan: SpiderNon Jaime: A Fatass Danny: RoadDoggFL Paul: Reptile Josh: A Bone John: Spartan 117
"Very well, we'll have these processed soon. Now, you should probably get ready for battle, you're going after the 2nd group." Said Dr. Slattery. Then, both AI's appeared again.
May I put my opinion in. I think it would be best that you go together this time, and from now on. At 10%, the Covenant can be powerful, and I can almost guarantee that the second group will be larger, and the last even larger.
I agree with Athena again, it should be good that you all go together, a larger group would be better when taking on the Covenant.
"What about the position of Master Chief, can there be two of us?" asked Aali.
I don't think that would be a good idea, but Athena has already chosen who will be the Master Chief.care to tell them?
Spartan 117, will provide the roll of Master Chief on this mission, sorry Aali.
Aali bowed her head slightly and turned the light that indicated the fact that she was Master Chief, off.
"Understood." She muttered.
Now go, get your armor on, we don't want to waste any time, if we are lucky, they decided to sleep in this morning.
All of them were ready, John stood in front, but Aali was close behind, she felt inferior to him now that he was the only Master Chief, he had the power to give orders. He then opened a private COM channel between them.
"Aali, you know now, that if I choose to do what I have talked to you about, then you cannot Court Martial me, whether you want to or not.you are a lower rank." He said.
"But John, even you know that if you did that, you would be endangering the mission, and the most important part of the team.you" she answered.
"Don't say that. I am not the most important part, I am only a piece of the team. Yes, without me, the Team wouldn't be complete, but if ANY of the other pieces were missing, the puzzle would STILL be the same amount of unfinished as if it were me."
Silence took over and she closed the channel.
Everyone ready to go?
All of the Spartan's nodded as they were dropped off again.
They started walking, and Aali stepped up next to John, he only looked at her.
"Something you need?" he asked.
"No, just getting a look around." She answered.
"I'm quite sure you can get the same look from behind me." he added as he walked forward a bit more.
She frowned and stepped behind him next to David.
"He seems a bit power hungry, doesn't he?" asked David.
"He thinks he's God when he's the Master Chief, I would hate to be on his team."
David then sat his hand on her shoulder.
"You are, Aali."
She then thought of something.
"John?"
She got no answer.
"John!?"
Still nothing, then she remembered.
"Master Chief?"
"Yes?" he answered.
"Do I still have the installation of Athena in my mainframe?" she asked.
"I would think.Cortana?"
I'm on it.Yes, Athena is still installed into your mainframe, 118.
"Very good." She replied.
"Anything else 118?" John asked.
"Defiantly not" she answered as she closed the COM down.
He was surprised at her answer, but disregarded it.
20% enemy life form detected.
John looked ahead and saw nothing.
"How close?" he asked Cortana.
Approximately 10 feet ahead of you Chief.
"Are you sure?"
Very.
"I don't see anything though, they should be right."
He was then cut off as he was lunged at and tackled by a Elite, he tried to fight it off, but it was as strong as he was. The rest of the Aliens, 2 more Elites, a Jackal and 5 Grunts attacked the rest of the team at that time. Aali was cornered by the Grunts, they were too close for a grenade or a rocket from Paul. She pulled out her pistol and started shooting them, but she looked quickly to John, who was still fighting off the Elite, and a Jackal was coming towards him also.
"JOHN!" she yelled, and instead of fighting off the Grunts that were next to her, she shot at the clear, Orange area on the Elite. Dead. John then got up and glanced at Aali, she could feel the glare even from behind the helmet. But he continued fighting the Jackal. She turned and fought off the Grunts , even though since she stopped to save John, he shield was slowly filling, but her health was mostly gone.
Aali turned and watched as Paul was setting up his Rocket Launcher for one Elite, and Eric was trying to snipe it, but it kept moving. Aali opened fire on it with her Assault Rifle and distracted it long enough for Eric to get it in the head. And right after that, a huge explosion was heard and felt from Paul's rocket Launcher.
"That was awesome work." said Aali happily, but John walked up to her and ripped her helmet off.
"What was that soldier?" he asked.
"I was protecting the Master Chief, sir!" she answered.
"What have I told you!?" he yelled.
"I know what you told me but."
"What have I told you Soldier!!?" he cut her off.
She swallowed hard.
"That no matter what, I should shoot for myself, and protect only me, not the Master Chief!"
"Right!" he yelled, "And what was that, that you just did?"
"I saved the Master Chief, sir!"
"No! Incorrect Soldier! The Master Chief was in no need of 'Saving', you risked your life for an unnecessary cause, you could've gotten yourself killed, and you would've been the only, ONLY dead one!"
Aali lowered her head in shame as she was criticized by John. Now she knew why he was the Master Chief, he was, in fact, right for the job.
"Lets go troops, we're done here." He yelled as he went back the way they came.
They walked silently for a long time, then Athena came in on Aali's COM.
40% Enemy Life Form detected, behind us.
Aali did a double take.
"Repeat the percentage."
40%
John then came in.
"What is it soldier?"
"My AI has informed me that there is a 40% life form detection behind us." she answered.
John paused.
"Tell her to take another scan."
"I did already.it's 40% sir." She answered.
"Shit." murmured John lightly, "Well, I guess we aren't done yet."
"Alright, Eric, you get somewhere and snipe, we'll need it. Paul, you get somewhere and have your Rocket's ready. The rest of you...have the Grenades ready." said Aali, she could feel John's eyes on her again.she was giving orders and he didn't like that.
"What are you doing Soldier?" Asked John.
"Giving my troops orders, Master Chief sir.I know what I'm doing, and could you for once understand and respect that?" she said.
John stood silently and looked at her.
"Very well.but if at any time I feel you are not doing what is right, I will take over again, understood?" he said.
"Understood, Athena, how close are they?"
10 feet and decreasing.
"Everyone, be ready, we might be able to do this in a few seconds, Eric, you're 1, Paul, you're 2, Grenade people, you're 3, and the Assault Rifle people, you're 4, when I call your Number.start doing what you do. #1!" said Aali. Eric then started focusing and shooting out aliens, they ran forward quickly, and Aali yelled again.
"2 and 3!"
Paul got up with his Rocket Launcher and started firing, while the people with Grenades started throwing them.
"Focus on the larger ones! Elites! Jackals! So forth!" yelled John.
Finally, all that was coming towards them now were about 15 Grunts and an Elite.
"4!" she yelled as she took her pistol out, focused and took the Elite out.
After about a minute, the smoke cleared and they all looked around. Not a live alien to be found.
They all patted Aali on the shoulder and back and congratulated her. Then John stepped forward.
"Nicely done 118, not once you worried about the Master Chief, then again, that's who you were." He said as he walked away.
"Come on, time to go.Cortana, status?"
2nd group taken out.3rd remains.
"Very good, lets go."