Chapter Four: First Encounter

"Are they ready?" The voice of an older man, his tone matured and laced with a southern accent. Yet despite the simple question, his tone also held a certain authority and impatience. Also as if the question he had asked was more of a demand, a demand of a man tired of waiting.

The surrounding environment was that of a control room, to be more specific the control room of an UNSC frigate currently flying through the blackness of space. But this was no UNSC affiliated ship, this was something else. A military organization just with the label, an eagle to symbol unity and strength, the emblem of the UNSC. However, it was just that, a label.

This was Project Freelancer. Claimed to be independent of UNSC control and order. Freelancer had it's own mission, one that was said to save humanity. Much like how many of the UNSC projects that were funded secretly and hidden away from public eye carried the same motto. To aid in the fight of the Great War, no matter the cost.

And at any cost it would be. For Freelancer has already suffered many injuries and personnel death for the sake of the Project. Equipment failures, high risk missions, all resulting in either personnel injury or death. But it was all in the name of the greater good, at least, the greater good for the Project. Or so that was how it was seen in the eyes of the Director.

He stood, his stance straight and stiff with his hands behind his back as he spoke to the armored soldier that stood at attention behind him. His eyes forward, hidden behind his tinted eye glasses that only added to the effect of being unable to read any emotion. He was the head of the Project and the genius behind the creation of the Alpha Artificial Intelligence.

He was, Director Leonard Church.

Standing next to him the Counselor. A reliable and valuable asset to the Project and it's Agents mental health. His name, Aiden Price. Tasked with making sure the compatibility of the Agents stayed at maximum efficiency while also analyzing their personalities for possible A.I pairings. Of course that last part that was a hidden add on to his job title.

"Yes Sir! All available Agents are present and prepared for the briefing." This time the voice of a female. Her voice held a certain youth to it, proving that she was perhaps in her twenties. Yet the way she held herself was all business, any ideas of being a young adult pushed out and replaced with one idea and one idea only. Being the best.

Her name, was Agent Carolina. The current number one Agent of Project Freelancer. Shown by her name displayed proudly at the top of the leaderboard, found in every room that was on the ship known as the Mother of Invention.

Even though it was her name that was on top, there was much more that laid underneath. A new Agent had made her way into the Project. Quickly proving her skills by not only taking down three Agents at once, one of them being the current number two, but also completing missions more effectively than Agent Carolina. That Agent was currently not on the leaderboard, but it was well known around the ship at this point.

Agent Texas, soon to be number one. Or so the rumors that had made their way around the ship were saying. Rumors that Agent Carolina tried to ignore by spending most of her nights without sleep, training and pushing herself to beat Agent Texas should the next opportunity arise. And arise it would.

"Excellent. You may proceed with the briefing."

"Yes Sir." Agent Carolina replied as she nodded her head. The Agent followed loosely behind her by the Director would walk across what looked to be a metal bridge, leading them to a war room with the other Agents.

As Agent Carolina entered, the Director behind her by keeping his position towards the back merely to obverse and watch, she would approach the center of the room. Walking up to a table as the top of it would be holographic, able to project information as need be. It was used to brief the team before the heist for the Sarcophagus and it would be used here as well.

Standing around the table in no particular order were many Agents, each equipped with their own colorful armor. They included, Agent New York, Agent Washington, Agents North and South Dakota, Agent Connecticut, Agent Wyoming, and Agent Florida. And of course Agent Carolina would leaned over the table, resting both her hands on the edge as she tapped at the buttons. Changing the holographic display.

"Listen up people, this is important." She said, cutting any side conversations off as they all turned to look at her. As she tapped a few more buttons, she stood up straight and looked at Agent Washington. "Wash, Maine is still in recovery so I'll need you to take some notes and make sure he gets this information as soon as possible."

"Got it boss,"

"What about the rising star, Texas? If this is so important don't you think she should be here too?" The voice of Agent Connecticut cut in as she stood to the side. Her voice holding a certain tone of sass as she stood with her arms crossed.

"Agent Texas has no need to be briefed, I have already given her this information." The Director cut in, his tone heavy with authority has the tension in the room rose.

"Team player. . ."

"Enough C.T, let's get back on track." Agent Carolina cut in, bringing the tension back down and all attention back to her. She tapped on the table to bring up a list of reports. All being displayed in the center of the holographic table for the Agents to see. Most of them titled with 'Outpost _ [Status: Destroyed]'. "Team, we have a new enemy and they've been busy."

The sudden display of all sorts of mission reports, base status', and much more were enough to get the full attention of all the Agents in the room. It was almost like the entire room had gone silent, whether that was because they could not believe what they were looking at, or they were simply rereading the situation was up for debate. But surely everyone had the same thought in mind.

Who was the new threat?

Of course it was the tan Freelancer with his laid back attitude and tendency to make light of any situation that grounded the team. A necessary quality for a team member to have and one that Carolina and company appreciated.

Though at first it was the whistle underneath his helmet that caught the attention of everyone, followed by his comment. ". . .You weren't kidding, someone has way too much time on their hands."

The next person to speak was Agent Washington, the rookie of the team that had made his way up the leaderboard rather quickly. He was a jack of all trades per say, not particularly skilled in one field over the other, but also skilled in all of them at the same time. It made him a great asset to the team, a soldier with plenty of potential.

Though his lack of experience was shining bright through his voice as it raised to a higher pitch. A hint of panic laced between the words of his sentence. "You're telling me these bases have all been destroyed! All of them?!"

Carolina stood up straight looking between her teammates. She expected a reaction like this. To be fair she had a reaction like this of her own. When she found who that this was happening to the Project and it's outposts she too was surprised someone even had the guts to do something like this. Not to mention the skill alone. "That's right Wash. This is what we are up against next."

"Oh great," Next it was Agent South Dakota. Her rather sarcastic and bashful tone of voice was surely seen as an aggressive quality. But here strength that never seemed to waver mixed with her quick temper, much like the other women on the ship, seemed to be the very reason she had found her way in the top ten more than once. "We have the resistance crawling up our asses and now we have these shitheads. More fun for us."

C.T scoffed a little bit at her rather sudden outburst, however it was North that cut in next. "Now hold on South, we don't know who it was yet."

"It wasn't the resistance," Carolina cut in, tapping another couple of screens to reveal some security footage. "We don't have much on however this was. . .they are good, really good, at covering their tracks. Seems like they've done this a time or two before."

"Do we have any ideas?" C.T was the next to speak up, suddenly her full attention being placed on the matter as she leaned forward. It was rather unusual to see C.T so invested in a briefing before that did not have anything to do with their current mission or objectives concerning the Resistance. "Symbols, attack strategy, equipment, anything that could tie them to something?"

"No, nothing like that. Most of the footage we have here is brief. A couple seconds at most. Just enough to confirm one thing." Carolina brought up a single window of security footage, one picked out of many as it expanded to take up the whole screen.

"And what's that?" C.T commented.

"There is no them as in multiple, but them as in one person."

The footage would play, a brief five or so second video of a single armored person. Walking with his back to the camera as they held a weapon within their hands. They watched as that person lowered the weapon, holding it with one hand at the pistol grip and bringing up his free support hand. Within his hand, an object, too small to make out. However upon the action of him pressing his thumb to the top of the object one could put together it was a detonator. Upon pressing the button, the area behind him out of view would erupt in a bright light before causing the camera to go black.

The reaction in the room said it all. None of them in the room actually believed that this had been true. There was no way one person had taken out this many outposts. There was no way there was someone this skilled! Even Agent Texas, who had proven to be able to take out groups of people with her own two hands would probably have trouble with a task like this. But the thought that was shared still remained the same.

Who was the threat?

"Carolina, I hate to be that guy. . .but how sure can we be that all this was this one person each time?" York spoke up, his tone still light though holding a bit more seriousness to it. Speaking with his hands as he pointed to the screen. "I mean, this is a little hard to believe."

"We're sure. Though we haven't been able to catch them each time, when we have the profiles match. There's no other person it could be. Resistance descriptions don't match the armor that they're wearing. It's a new party." Carolina commented tapping on the briefing table to bring up a list of outposts.

"Why are they doing this? Did they take anything?" North asked, turning his attention over to Carolina.

"The strange part is, no they haven't." Carolina brought up a list of outpost equipment. Showing that indeed all equipment, at least the equipment that was not destroyed after the explosions, had been accounted for. "As you can see, all of our equipment has been accounted for. Weapons, armor, ammunition. They aren't doing this for our supplies but for something else."

"Any idea what that something else is?" Wash added, lowering his little notebook which he was using to take notes.

"No, we have no idea. But we do have an idea on what outpost will be targeted next." Carolina changed the screen once more to the outpost at which Agent Maine had been treated after the heist. "If you remember, this was the outpost Maine was taken to after the mission to obtain the Sarcophagus. Not long after, it was attacked and destroyed. The main objective of that outpost was to deliver ammunition to other outposts Project Freelancer had established. The shipping list that was in that database. . ." The hologram then brought up said list alongside a list of all outposts that had already been destroyed. "You can see that they've been following a pattern, very strictly too. If we simply look we can find-"

"His next target." Washington finished.

"Exactly,"

"Then what do you suppose we do next, Boss?"

"Simple. We meet our new friend at the next target." Carolina commented, closing out the windows on the table. This time bringing up a three dimensional model of the next outpost. "The Director has already picked a team for this mission. It'll include, myself, Wash, the twins, and York. The plan is simple. Myself, Wash, and York will be stationed inside the outpost running primary counter operations while North and South, you two will be running secondary support. Positioned outside the walls in the nearby mountain ranges." She finished, pointing at the specific objective points that were important to the plan.

"Why the hell do I have to be away from the fight?! Put Wash over there! We all know he's the worst fighter here!" South commented, her anger starting to rise as she leaned forward over the table. Glaring at Carolina.

"Hey!"

"You and North are a better team than Wash and North. We need you two together, while North is watching over the area he needs you to watch over him. We don't know how skilled our enemy is and if he gets behind you and North, there goes our cover and we are fighting blind." Carolina stated, her own voice remaining calm and steady. Though her stance said otherwise.

"South it'll be alright, you'll get your chance. Just relax." North commented, lending a hand on his sister's shoulder. She shrugged it off before looking away. "Also go easy on Wash, he's improved quite a bit since he got here."

"Whatever."

"Now that we are all on the same page." Carolina tapped a final button on the table for all the information to disappear completely. She stood up straight as she looked between all of her teammates. "York, Wash, North and South, you all have six hours to prepare for deployment. We move on this mission tonight. The more time we wait, the higher the chance this guy gets away."

They all nodded their head. Speaking in unison as they agreed. "Got it,"

"Good, that's all I have for you. You're all dismissed."

"North, South, you in position?" Carolina's voice came through within the helmet speakers as she held her hand to her helmet.

Just as she had briefed, Carolina, Wash, York, North and South had left six hours following the briefing. The first three had taken defensive positions at the front of the outpost while North and South had set up a position to over look the whole base. The plan was rather simple, they wanted to either capture of kill the enemy and stop him from destroying any more outposts.

According to the Director, this unknown enemy had already taken out over forty percent of all their available resources by destroying the outposts he did. The fact that he was straight up destroying them rather than actually stealing anything meant they would not be able to steal it back, effectively setting them back in progression of the Project's development.

Of course though Carolina had briefed this mission as a simple counter operation against an enemy of unknown but presumed high skill, it was something else to her entirely. If she was able to take down this enemy, it would surely boost her score on the board and land her in good favor with the Director. If she was able to capitalize on that good favor, her number one spot would be soon within her grasp.

So she was very much on edge, though she did her best to hide it.

To most she was able to do so, by most meaning everyone but York. Given how close the tan freelancer was to Carolina he could pick up on her small mannerisms that she did when she was stressed. Pacing, tapping of her fingers, constant questions. So he did his part by making sure to crack as many jokes as he could. Though most of the time it ended in him getting a dirty look but a distracted and thus more relaxed Carolina.

"Carolina, we read you loud and clear and we are in position. We got your back." North's voice came over the communication system. His voice as light and caring as it was in person, but it was also as if Carolina could hear the scoff from South in the background.

"Copy that, every fifteen minutes make sure to check in with Wash. That way we know we still have our eyes."

"Understood, talk to you in fifteen. North out."

Carolina lowered her hand and walked towards the front of the outpost. She had ordered the guards to focus more on the other entrances and possible breach points, leaving the front and most exposed to her and her team. She was confident that with her team they would be able to handle this. It just had to go smoothly.

She had reviewed the footage, what little footage they had of their enemy. He was good, really good, if he controlled the battlefield their fight would already be over. That is why they had North. If he was able to watch and communicate on where their attacker was coming from, they would be able to prepare and stop possible destruction of the outpost. If they lost him, they would be sitting ducks. Which is why they had South to watch his back.

Now all they had to do was wait, and by the tapping of her finger on the plasma rifles strapped to her thighs, she hated waiting. She had already paced back and forth from the entrance of the outpost to where York and Wash were currently standing. York with his shotgun in his hand and Wash with his battle rifle.

"She seems pretty stressed." Washington said, leaning his head over to York as he spoke more quietly. Looking over to their leader walk back and forth and continuously check in with other guard teams.

"What gave you that idea, Wash?"

"Well, I mean look-"

"That was a joke, of course she's stressed! What did you expect?" York cut him off, his obvious sarcastic tone going right over the newer member's head. His response a slightly whispering hiss as he tried to keep his tone down and lowered.

"Oh. . .right."

"I mean some random guy starts blowing up Freelancer outposts, out of nowhere. I'm sure the Director has been on her ass about handling this." York comments, looking over to her. His tone gave away his slightly concerned look he was giving their leader underneath his helmet.

"Yeah, yeah I know. But, did you see those reports? Who the hell can do that?! I mean, just over a dozen outposts in a couple weeks! That's not human."

"Yeah well, fighting some alien robot thing that's hellbent on blowing shit up would be the most normal thing we've done in a while." York kept his helmet pointed towards Carolina. "I just hope this works,"

"You're worried. About Carolina."

York turned his head back to Washington. "Of course, man. I mean, you know how she's been since Texas. She's more focused on that board than ever. I don't think she's barely gotten a good nights sleep since Texas showed up."

"Which means you haven't either."

"What are you going on about, Wash?"

Wash scoffed and shrugged his shoulders. Throwing a hand into York's chest piece. "Oh come on, don't think I haven't noticed. North tells me things you know." York stayed quiet as he waited for Wash to continue. "I know you stay up and watch over her, only question is, does she?"

"Of course not!" He then winced as he raised his voice, looking to Carolina to see if she noticed. She didn't. He sighed then turned back to Washington making sure to whisper again. "She would kick my ass if she found out about that."

"Then why do it?"

"Because someone has to." York shook his head and took a step back, chuckling as he looked at how clueless Wash was being. He looked at the ground for a moment before kicking some grass up. "North tells you things, huh? Like the time on Halloween he told you Maine wanted to be a cat?"

Washington shot a glare that could be seen through his visor at York. Receiving a laugh from the tan Freelancer. "That was not funny."

"It was very funny."

"I almost died from that!" Washington said, taking a step forward. "You told me he wanted help! So I spent all night drawing a cat face on his helmet! The worst part was, he was asleep! You told me he was just being still!"

After the story, York could not help but laugh a little. Looking towards the sky as he tried to contain his laughter. "That guy really is a heavy sleeper, huh? I remember when he woke up, he was looking around for you and you tried to hide but forgot the marker in your hand. Haha! He chased around the ship for an hour! A whole hour! Finally me and North had to calm him down." York spit out, laughing every once in a while in between words.

"You guys are huge dickheads. Like the biggest. I had to buy him a new helmet."

"Oh quit being a baby, Wash. We helped you buy it."

"After Maine threatened to rip you both in half!"

"That's besides the point."

"That's the whole point!"

"Will you two shut the hell up for one second! We have a mission!" Carolina's voice cut straight there their banter as she looked at both of them with a glare. A glare scary enough to basically make Wash hide behind York as they wished they could hide within their armor. Despite her having a helmet on, that was a look neither of them wanted to be on the receiving end of again.

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

"Wash, has North checked in with you yet?" Carolina asked, her voice dropping slightly but still holding it's authority. She walked towards them, keeping her hands resting anxiously on her weapons.

"Huh? Oh. . ." Washington went quiet for a moment as he looked at the timer displayed in his visor. "North wasn't supposed to until. . ."

"Until what Wash? What is the time?" Carolina asked, this time adding a bit more sharpness to her voice.

"Until, uh. . .five minutes ago. . ." His voice trailed off for a moment trying to hide his mistake as he lowered his tone. Almost like a child being caught in the act of doing something wrong.

"What?!"

"It's not my fault! York was distracting me!" Washing blurted out as he pointed at York.

The Freelancer instantly threw his hands up in defense and shook his head as Carolina shifted her glare to York. "What the hell, man!" He questioned as in return all Wash gave him was a simple shrug of his shoulders.

The banter of the three was interrupted by an eruption of fire and light from behind them. The rather large watch tower that was used as the central security building in all Freelancer outposts was currently combusting, shooting flames from all windows and on the verge of collapse.

Turning to face the explosion, the three Freelancers stood still as a multitude of emotions ran through their bodies. The helmets hid their faces but the visors perfectly reflected the fiery explosion to give hints to what they were thinking. Though each had a different outlook on the situation, all of them shared a base emotion. A emotion of fear.

And, just as their plan, the tower fell to the ground. A large crash of metal being echoed through out the outpost as debris was thrown into the air, clouding their line of sight towards the fallen tower. Gun shots could be heard through the smoke followed by small glimpses of yellow flashes.

Carolina was the first to break out of her trance. Anger flooding her body as she clinched her fist, screaming at her body to move. Forcing her legs to break the chains of fear that held her down. How was it possible that someone had already entered the base, destroyed all of their defenses and left them wide open with no cover in less than thirty minutes.

They had been played, right into the middle of a trap. Walked right into it without a second thought. Like idiots! Played like fucking idiots! Carolina was determined to fix this mission, her body fueled with adrenaline and frustration. No matter what she was going to complete this mission.

"York! Wash!" She screamed, gaining a snap of their heads towards her direction. Good, they were alert now. She could work with this. She could work with this. "Hurry! We have to find a defensive position! With all this smoke we can't see! We're sitting ducks!"

"Right! Come on Wash, let's move!" York screamed, pulling his shotgun up to his shoulder as he awaited a nod from the black and yellow Agent at his side. However, in response he got a hesitant nod, followed by another more confident nod as he also readied his weapon.

"Okay I'm with you!"

Then, from the midst of the smoke came the sound of a DMR rifle. Firing a handful of shots, the whistling and hissing of the rounds ringing loudly in Carolina's ears as they flew past her. She drew her plasma rifles, allowing a volley of rounds to fly back into the smoke. Her eyes jumped to her left as she watched York and Wash retreat to some cover, she just needed them to get to safety then she can worry about their attacker.

However, when the bullets were no longer flying past her but the sounds of shots still rang through the air. Her attention went to her teammates. The yellow flashes jumping into the ground behind their feet as they ran.

"Watch out!" She yelled, gaining the attention of York who pushed Wash forward. Causing the Freelancer to fall face first into the ground, however behind a set of cover. In return, York was rewarded with a bullet in right arm. Causing him to roll and also fall behind the cover.

"Gah! Shit!" He cried out, kicking his legs into the ground to move his back against the wall of concrete that was there for their cover.

Carolina cursed in her head but had no time to speak on it as the attention of bullets was thrown back at her. She jumped to the right, rolling behind a pile of bags used to create a barrier to defend the entrance. Guess they could be used both ways.

"York!" She called out, lowering her head as a set of bullets hit the barriers behind her. "Wash! Is he okay!"

"He'll be fine! Just a clean shot right through the arm. He got lucky. . .again."

Carolina nodded her head and went to look over the barrier only to be met with a volley of shots. Each one planting themselves into the bags that protected her. Throwing dust into her visor. She quickly ducked her head, "Dammit! I'm pinned! Wash do you have eyes!?"

Before Washington could answer, the sound of gunfire went quiet. No more bullets, as the battlefield went still. Carolina decided to take the risk and quickly shoot her head up, only to find that there was no bullets being sent her way.

She turned to look at York and Wash, who leaned desperately against the wall to hide from danger. However, the curiosity of the situation got the better of Washington who was closer to the edge as he too looked around the corner.

There was nothing, the smoke from the tower collapsing had mostly cleared itself. Allowing visibility of the area before them. There was no one, well no walking person. Bodies of the Freelancer personnel laid dead on the ground. But the attacker was no where to be seen.

"Think he ran away?" Washington asked,

"Really Wash? You think he just said, eh not today, and left?" York cut in.

"Maybe,"

"No."

Carolina decided to ignore their useless banter this time as her eyes scanned the battlefield. They were still here, but where? What was their plan? They had Carolina pinned down pretty well, but without the cover of the smoke she doubted he could have held that position for much longer. Especially considering ammunition was a concern.

But no matter how hard she looked, there was no clues to where they went. She one hundred percent, did not like this.

Then, heard through out the battlefield like a pin being dropped in an empty hallway, the sound of a click then followed by a hiss was heard clearly. Washington and York turned to their feet to see a grenade had found itself right in front of them on the ground.

"Son of a bit-"

"Oh shit!"

Both leaped from their position around the corner as they jumped into the open area of the battlefield. Washington diving and rolling to his feet as York simply dove onto the ground. The explosion of the grenade propelling them a bit forward as their ears rang. Carolina ducking behind her cover to avoid any possible shrapnel that would be thrown her way.

Washington, rolling to his feet and standing straight up readying his weapon in his shoulder. Scanning to the right towards where the tower fell, he would be met with the butt of a gun being slammed into the side of his head. "Gah!" He coughed out as he crashed into the ground.

York making his way to his feet aimed his shotgun from behind the attacker. His eye narrowing as he pointed the barrel of the gun towards their head. With a pump of his shotgun he began to squeeze the trigger. Only for the attacker to roll and lift to the gun barrel towards the sky. The shotgun went off, however missing as the attacker held the barrel with on hand.

Bringing his free hand around, carrying his weapon, he slammed it into the Freelancer's gut. Doubling him over with a cough as he released his grip on the shotgun. York then received the same treatment as Wash, as the back of his now free hand made it's way into the side of York's helmet. Sending him to the ground with Washington.

Raising his weapon he pointed it at Washington, ready to fire and kill. However, before he could get a shot off a foot was planted into the side of his head. Causing him to lose a couple steps of footing and stumble to the side. Turning on his heel he met Carolina, spinning to gain momentum and sending another kick to his weapon. Effectively knocking it out of his hands.

Yet, as she raised one of her plasma and went to fire, he pushed it to the side with his open right hand. The plasma shots being sent behind him as Carolina continued to squeeze the trigger. He kept a tight grip on her wrist as she struggled to break free. The attacker following up with his left fist being brought down onto Carolina's shoulder, causing her to drop the plasma rifle.

"Gah!" She spit out, as she regained her focus. Still locked in place by his grip, she went to strike at his head by bringing the other rifle across with to connect the side of the rifle with his helmet to break his grip.

Quickly ducking under the swipe, Carolina followed up with a high kick aimed for his side. But, with his superior strength, he caught it underneath his arm as he locked not only her arm but her leg in his grip. He let go of her arm only to bring the now free hand on top of her wrist. Causing her to drop her other rifle.

Gliding his feet across the ground towards Carolina's one support foot, the black armored attacker brought his right elbow up to her face. A loud crack as their armor's plating collided. Throwing her head back, she kept her stance strong. To break her, he threw his head forward. Slamming into her helmet once more.

Letting out a grunt as her head was thrown back once more, she blinked a few times underneath her helmet to regain her focus. Only to find it getting more blurry. Noticing her stance weakening, he shifted his grip, moving her leg up and over his right shoulder as he threw her weight over.

Throwing Carolina over his shoulder and adding force to slam her into the ground. She coughed as the air was expelled from her lungs. Laying face first into the ground, having only enough strength to turn herself over.

Her eyes laid on the attacker, wearing black armor. A design she had never seen before. His height making him easily tower over even the likes of Maine. He was strong, skilled, unlike anything she had ever faced before. She was utterly beaten into the ground.

Noble Six looked down at the three that he had quickly neutralized. He had already placed all of the explosives for the rest of the outpost. Gathered all the data he needed and now he had information concerning the fighting styles and skill levels of three Agents. Carolina, Washington and New York.

Reaching for his pistol on his side, Six readied himself to finish the mission with the addition of taking out some Freelancers. Yet, before he could do so a shimmer shuffled it's way across the ground. Moving faster than any of the Freelancer he had watched before.

However, given his Spartan augmentations he was able to track the movement clearly. Bending backwards to allow a strike to fly right over his head. Being caught of guard, a kick followed to his side. Connecting swiftly as the impact was felt deep within his rib cage.

A loud thud, like when two hard objects collide, was the result was the kick connected. Causing Six to step once to the left. Then with the opening from the kick, a fist planted in his mid section that sent him off his feet and into the ground. Landing and sliding to a stop on his back.

Pain shot through out his midsection and body as the wound he had received weeks prior was still freshly healing. Mostly a sore spot in his body, it was quickly reawaken from the force of the punch. The Heads Up Display flashed and warned him of his midsection weak spot.

"Ah!" Six hissed out as he gripped his stomach as he rolled to his side. Using his free hand to support his weight in standing back up.

Agent Texas uncloaked, allowing her midnight black armor to stand confident among the battlefield. Her sight went to Carolina, before looking over to York and Wash. Who were slowly making their way to their feet.

"Hurry the hell up and get her the fuck out of here you two. I'll handle this." Texas demanded as she kept her eyes on Six. In the meantime York gently grabbing Carolina and supporting her to walk as she gripped her shoulder in pain.

"You sure you got this? We can stay and help." York commented, turning around as Carolina's uninjured arm was wrapped around York. In response Texas merely turned to look him, her stance said it all. "Right, plenty scary. Getting the hell out of here."

As the three made their way away from the outpost and to an evacuation point. Texas took a step forward towards Noble Six. The Spartan now fully on his feet and shaking off any sore or tight areas. He was ready this time.

They circled each other, both of them keeping their arms at their sides as they awaited the perfect time to strike.

"Alright asshole, who do you work for?" Texas asked, her voice sharp as a knife. However, it seemed to roll right off of Six as he continued to walk around. Assessing his target. "Not the talking type, huh? I almost like that in a man."

Six tilted his head in confusing for a moment before Texas ran at him. Throwing his fists up in a ready position as she charged. Planting his foot forward, Six threw a punch. Aiming to catch the Black armored Freelancer in her assault.

Texas quickly jumped to the side, using the one foot she landed on to leap into the air and pull her fist back. Throwing it forward towards Six's helmet the Spartan quickly moved his head to the side. Sending his inside hand upwards to collide with Texas' chin.

The Spartan connected, throwing her head up as she landed on both feet. Regaining her footing, Six went to follow up with another strike only for it to meet her forearms brought up to block his punch. The strength from his punch caused Texas to slide back a foot or so. Giving her and Six enough space to reset.

Thus they began in a series of quick jabs and solid punches. The Spartan stepping towards Texas so they were a mere half a foot away as he threw two jabs, one left then one right. They were both deflected, one meeting her forearm the other being pushed to the side. She followed this pattern, throwing her own quick punches which were deflected or blocked.

They continued, picking up the pace as they exchanged blows. The timing between the strikes becoming less and less as they got faster and faster. The sounds of fist meeting armor, a muffled thud, echoing as small sounds of grunts came with the force of their strikes.

The two were locked, unable to move as to not give an opening to their deadly opponent. Deciding to mix it up, Texas threw a kick to Six's side only for it to be pushed back to the ground. Raising his knee to match her mix up of moves, she looked her fingers together and caught it. Then closing her hands together and bringing them up. Catching Six underneath by his chin.

However, in the wake of her hands being thrown up and Six recovering, the Spartan threw his other knee into her chest. Doubling her over, a blow for a blow. Pulling back his fist for a strike towards the side, Texas opened her hand and caught it. Going for a strike towards his head only for Six to catch it.

Soon they locked their hands together, being forced into a battle of strength as they both planted their feet. Wishing to over power the other to gain an opening. Texas raised her head and looked into Six's visor.

"Not too bad. No wonder you've been able to give the Project such a hard time." She said, a slight excitement coming to her voice. The smile could be heard clearly in her words. Her eyes went to the side of his helmet, where his visor met the base of the armor. It had a tiny label, right next to the UNSC label all designs of armor had. "B-312 huh? That's a Spartan tag isn't it. I guess I should feel honored. But I expected a bit more."

Six's eyes widened underneath his helmet. She knew about him, that was an advantage he was hoping to not have given up so quickly. Despite how sore his midsection was he knew he had to end this or risked the mission going south completely.

Tightening his grip he yanked Texas towards him, throwing his head forward with enough force to crack her visor. The loud smash of their two helmets colliding emphasizing the strength behind it. Texas let out a grunt as the impact hit her full force.

Letting go of her hands, Six wrapped both of his around her helmet. Sending her head towards his knee which came up half way. Causing yet another loud collision. Stumbling backwards, Six spun around and planted his foot in her midsection. Causing her to fall backwards on her back.

Pulling his pistol from his side he took aim. Squeezing the trigger as the weapon screamed in result. Texas rolled to the side, continuing to desperately dodge the volley of pistol rounds sent flying her way.

Rolling to a set of debris she jumped to her feet, leaping behind the rubble as the bullets collided with the concrete. Standing up between a wave of bullets, Texas planted her foot onto the large piece of concrete and hurled it forward.

The rock slammed into the Spartan. Causing Six to stumble as Texas dashed forward, throwing her weight into him sending him off his feet and back first into the wall used to defend the outpost.

Shaking his head, Six looked up to see a fist flying towards his face. "AAAHH!" Texas cried as she threw her fist forward. Rolling out of the way, the fist went into the wall, locking the Freelancer in place.

Planting his one foot, Six threw all his strength forward into a kick. Kicking Texas in the back and through the wall with a cloud of dust. Planting her face first into the ground. She was quick to move to her feet but as she did so, the butt end of his pistol met her face. Followed by a kick to her leg, forcing her to her knee.

Looking up with her cracked visor, she looked down the barrel of his pistol. Silence came over the battlefield as the area settled. No longer were there two titans stomping around destroying it more than it had already been destroyed. Then, with his finger on the trigger, Six squeezed.

Empty.

The tension in the area could have been cut with a knife. But before Texas could say anything, Six's fist came to the side of her head. Sending her to the ground.

He watched for a second. Making sure she was really down this time. Then his hand went to his stomach as his knees shook and almost buckled. His injury was really messing with his focus and given his sore body already, pushing it this far was probably not within the Doctor's recommendations.

Catching himself to not fall. Six reached behind him for the detonator. Pressing the red button on top and causing the outpost to explode. What little of it was left anyway. Turning towards the way he came, Six raised his fingers to his helmet. "Command this is Six, outpost destroyed."

"Copy that Noble Six, did you eliminate any targets?"

"Negative, I-"

"Why not?"

"I thought the primary target was the Director, Sir."

"If you are to run into any Freelancers, they will be eliminated. They are major security risks and will have to be handled in the future whether or not the Director is killed tomorrow or next week. Do you understand, Spartan."

Turning his head, Six looked at Texas. Laying on the ground with her visor cracked and damaged. "I understand,"

"Good, were you able to gather any useful information? Do you have your next move planned?"

"I have an idea." Six said before letting go of his helmet. Letting the call drop. Placing the pistol at his side he turned to where his DMR had been thrown. Walking over with a sore limp, he reached down and picked it up. Placing the weapon on his back before walking again.

He stepped over Agent Texas. Shaking his arm to regain feeling and to loosen it. Glancing at her one more time, he turned towards the horizon. The plains in front of him, filled with tall grass being what was between him and his Sabre. Marching forward, he left Texas on the ground.

He was sure he would see her again. Both of them.