Hey everyone! I am not dead and neither is this story. Things just have been crazy with this whole thing going down and stuff at my work. I have moved two times in like the last two months or so. That is fun. However I want to thank everyone for their support for this story. I have a lot planned out for this story and I hope it goes as well as I hope. For now we have a new chapter! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Six: Blue Vs Red

The Mother of Invention. The UNSC Frigate styled space cruiser, home to Project Freelancer and it's Agents. Working as a mobile headquarters for Project Freelancer during it's prime. Currently floating through space with no destination in mind. One of the many camouflages the space station had when it came to enemy tracking.

With no permanent station and constantly on the move around the galaxy, the Mother of Invention did pretty well to stay invisible. With the deep resources that seemed to have beeb gifted to Project Freelancer, they were free to stop at any of their controlled refueling stations without fear of enemy attack or information compromise.

At least that is how it used to be.

Now the environment of the ship was rather unsteady. It all began with the arrival of the newest Agent, Agent Texas. Who had quickly made a name for herself by defeating not one, or two, but three Agents all at one time in many different combative situations. One of those three being the current number three and previous number two. On top of that, she quickly climbed the ranks of the leaderboard and become Freelancer's number one Agent. Above the long runner number one Carolina.

Texas' missions were quickly treated as legendary stories among personnel around the ship as rumors of her spread like wild fire. Stories of her, fighting entire armies, blowing up whole buildings, and even fighting along side the Master Chief, had currently made an impact on the morale of the whole Mother of Invention personnel. Despite some of these stories being rather false.

Yet it also caused a lot of conflict and tension. For Agent Carolina, the previous target for unreasonable rumors, who had been demoted to rank number two and now seen as the second best Agent Freelancer had to offer.

These were minor shakes and changes to the environment as a whole compared to the tidal wave of rumors that spread once Agents, Washington, New York, North and South Dakota, Carolina and Texas returned from failed mission to protect a Freelancer outpost. Not only had the tension on the ship risen many times over, but also with the added rumor of a mole within the ranks of Freelancer, feeding information to the resistance, there were many to doubt the future of the program.

Stories of a single soldier had been the current buzz around the ship. Stories of said soldier completely wiping out whole squadrons of Freelancer security personnel, neutralizing multiple Agents, and crippling Freelancer progression by limiting the resources available. And to the Agent that held the number two spot, it was a rather sore topic to discuss.

"Hey man, did you hear?" A soldier asked his partner as they walked, weapons in hand, down a Freelancer hallway. Two regular Freelancer personnel assigned with security detail to patrol the ship and ensure it's safety.

His partner, looking to his left slightly as he continued to walk forward down the empty hallway. The wall lined with the nothing more than artificial lighting that provided the only hint at what time of day it was aboard the ship. Given there was no sunrise or sunset in space, it proved to be rather useful.

"Hear about what?"

"Reaper?" The first soldier asked, his voiced laced with a 'really you haven't heard' sarcastic tone.

"Who?"

"That's what they're calling the guy that took down Texas and Carolina! The same guy who has been blowing up all our outposts and supply stations! You know, I knew a guy, who knew a guy, that had a brother that was stationed on one of those outposts. Guy was blown the fuck up, said the dude didn't even act human!"

"Reaper? Really. . .Heh." A scoff could be heard from the other man as he shrugged his shoulders. "Wait, how the hell do you even know that this story is real if the guy telling the story was killed?"

"What do you mean?"

"You just said he was blown up!"

"He lived long enough to tell the story, then he died of his wounds."

"That makes no sense."

"Shut up and just listen," The guy snapped as he threw his fist into the guys shoulder. Taking a deep breath and continuing to walk alongside him. "Anyway, apparently he was moving so fast he was out running bullets! His armor was black as midnight. And he fought with two swords! Or wait. . .was it two scythes?"

A deep breath could be heard from the other guy as he shook his head. "That doesn't sound real."

"Yeah whatever dude. Don't come crying to me when he comes aboard this ship and kills you."

"Like that's gonna happen. I mean, do you really think he beat both Texas and Carolina? Both of them? You seen what Texas did to York, Maine and Wyoming! I just don't see it."

With a shrug of his shoulders, the other guard looked away. "Hey man, believe what you want. I'm the one that seen Texas' helmet. Shit was fucked."

A small chuckle came from the other man. "Whatever dude, I don't believe it."

An arm would make its way around the one man's shoulders. Carrying his gun in his free hand as they continued to walk down the hallway. "Don't worry, buddy. I'll fight him off. I can probably take him, then after that. Carolina might go out with me."

Throwing the arm off of him, the other guard shook his head again. "Don't let her hear you say that. I heard she shot a guy out of the airlock after he asked for her number."

"Yeah maybe, you're right. I heard she ripped a guy in half after he sat next to her at lunch."

The guard looked at his friend for a moment. "You're an idiot. I don't think anything you say is true."

"Hey man, my sources are-" As the two went to turn a corner the one guard was cut off by a loud thud. Another body crashing into him sending him to the floor. His friend, still standing, looked at the man and laughed as he fell. Muttering some curse words, he stood up and went to say something only to feel an intense glare crash down on him. Both of them freezing in place to see Agent Carolina, speak of the devil, standing and looking at both of them.

Her glare could be felt behind her helmet and theirs. Despite the visors that protected them, it was like she was shooting bullets into their skulls. Completely frozen as her overwhelming and clearly pissed off, aura choked them nearly to death. She was plenty more scary in person than any story had ever said.

"Don't you two have a job to be doing instead of running your mouths?" She asked, despite how calm it seemed, each word dripping with anger. An anger that could only be described as so raging hot it was cold as ice.

The guards had quickly frozen up at the position of attention and spit out a response as quickly as possible to not further piss her off. "Yes, ma'am!"

She leaned close, the glare almost intensifying exponentially as she did so. Looking between both of them as she clearly but quietly spoke. "If I see it again, I'll rip you both in half next. Then shoot your asses out of the airlock."

In response, bedsides nearly wetting themselves. They nodded their heads. Before turning on their heels and basically running down the hallway. Getting as much distance as they could between them and Carolina.

Watching them run, she let out an angry growl before continuing on her way. The Director wanted to brief her on a mission she was being sent out on. Apparently to test some new equipment against some simulation Troopers. Given that she had just gotten out of physical therapy for her shoulder and the loss to not only that solider but also Texas was very vividly still in her mind, this was something she needed.

Simply put, she was a walking time bomb of rage. And these Simulation Troopers would hopefully relieve some of that anger. Hopefully.

Yet as the Agent came to the door that would lead to the control room of the ship, the area that seemed to be where the Director spent most of his time, she stopped. Her mind wondered to thoughts concerning her spot on the leader board. There had to be more she could give, there had to be more room for improvement. Right now she was stuck, no matter the amount of training, how much she pushed herself she seemed to stay right where she was.

She raised her head slightly and turned towards the board. Her visor reflecting the names that were displayed. As of right now, her place stayed the same, number two. The gap between herself and Texas stayed the same. No matter the amount of points she gained for any amount of missions, she did not move.

Was this really all she had to offer? Was this really as far as she could go?

She clenched her jaw together, balling her hand into a fist as she thought about Texas. But, the worst part was, she was far from being the best. That soldier, from the report, that Spartan, he was able to beat both her and Texas. How was she supposed to beat that! If she could not even beat Texas, how was it that she could beat him!

UNSC Spartans were the top soldiers, the best of the best, trained weapons. Stories of them being able to take own entire armies of Covenant in the Great War only further proved her point. Was it even realistic at this point for her to even try? How could she fight the best the UNSC had to offer it just was not fair!

No. . .She could not think like that. The tension she had with her fist was released as she opened her hand. With a narrow of her eyes and a deep breath she raised her head and relaxed. There was a way, there had to be. First she would beat Texas, then that Spartan was next. Up until now there was never any challenges that she could not handle. She just had to put in the work. She could not give up. Not now.

If she did that, he would never be happy. He would never look at her the same way again.

"Agent Carolina," The door in front of her must have opened without her realizing it. Standing in front of her with his arms behind his back was the Director. No different than the last time she had seen him. "Are you ready? We will be sending you to test some of our newer equipment against some simulation troopers. We expect great things."

She straightened herself and took a step forward. Her body filling with determination. She had to do this, she just had to. Losing was not an option. "Of course, Sir. You can count on me."

The sun was high in the sky as the time of day was noon. Its rays beating down on anything not fortunate enough to find shade. The only catch, there was little shade to be found. As the Sun positioned itself over a canyon, little grass or trees to be found to produce natural shade. However, instead of plants and other life, there were structures. Two to be exact. Military bases constructed on each side of the canyon, leaving exposed middle to no one.

One Red base and one Blue base.

Sitting on top of the rock side of the Canyon, the natural mountains that surrounded the area in question, Noble Six held his DMR tight into his arm. Positioning the scope of the rifle up into his visor as he used the weapon to scan the area.

This was mostly an empty box canyon, other than the two bases, on a planet far away from any civilization. The only living people being a two groups of soldiers that had established bases on each side. They were militarized, armed with weapons, the Red side being armed with a Warthog and the Blue side having their own tank.

However, despite their attempts to prove they are their own militaries. . .they did nothing. Six had been scouting them for hours, all they have done is eat, sleep, and stand around. The Blues had tried to figure out how to drive the tank only for the tank to open fire on its own team. The Reds seemed to be doing. . .military drills? Mostly the commanding officer, or so Six assumed, yelling at the orange one as the brown one worked on many little projects on the base.

What was happening here?

Lowering his weapon, he stopped his scouting and continued to stay on one knee. His eyes went to the side of his Heads Up Display, double checking the coordinates. This was the place. These were the coordinates he had gotten through the information he stole from the last Freelancer Outpost.

So why did Freelancer take interest in a place like this?

The information Six had gathered specifically listed this canyon many times. From the description give, he believed this to be some sort of facility that was used for equipment testing. From the looks of it there was no equipment to be tested, no trained personnel. Just, Red and Blue soldiers.

The equipment the soldiers had were similar to the equipment Freelancer provided its Agents. Yet, there was no information on Red and Blue soldiers in the initial brief provided to him by the Office. There was no information concerning these soldiers in any of data he had collected from raids. Not to mention, this base was not listed on the list of outposts he had gained after his first raid on a Freelancer information storage.

If these soldiers were apart of Freelancer, they surely did not look like it. Given they had separated themselves into two different factions meant that they wished to oppose each other in some fashion. But, would that not be counterproductive? If both groups of soldiers were enlisted by Freelancer why would they fight each other? To be honest this did not make much sense.

Despite the differences the bases established between each other, there was another strange encounter the two factions had. One blue soldier would often talk and communicate with a red one, well actually he was orange. So maybe they were not enemies after all, perhaps they were squadrons of soldiers. Red and Blue colors used to distinguish the different squadrons, it would make sense why there were two bases then.

But would it not be a little extreme to base an entire squadron around a single color? The way they acted they seemed more like two different armies, though he supposed it was not impossible. Perhaps it was pride in their squadron and they wanted to show it? Such actions and feelings did exist to an extent in Military Basic training to this day.

If they were fighting they did a rather poor job of showing it. Most of the time the two groups stood and talked to each other. They had plenty of opportunities to coordinate and execute assault missions. Given the defenses of each base, it would be rather easy even with basic infantry training.

To be fair if these soldiers were apart of Project Freelancer they would be considered enemies. But given how. . .untrained they were or seemed to be, they would be little threat to him or anyone. But this situation, this setup, it did remind Six of one memory he had while trying to complete his final Spartan training.

Noticing movement from the Blue base, the Spartan decided to push the thoughts to the back of his head. Standing on his feet, he looked down at the base, holding his weapon tight into his arm. How should he approach this situation? He had no orders in regards to eliminating these soldiers and the Office never asked for his next assignment so, all in all, it was up to his judgement.

If they were apart of Project Freelancer, Six found it hard to think he would let them walk away. Given his orders concerning the Project, leaving any loose ends was unacceptable to any degree. But then again. . .killing people that had no part in this, that was almost the same as killing innocent people. That was not his assignment.

Even if it had been in the past.

So perhaps it would be best to simply go down there. That was a rather simple plan, given the read on the situation, he figured that's all he needed. But what if they were enemies? Then he would be completely exposing himself. Maybe it would be best to try something more. . .his style? Without killing anyone, yet that was.

Taking a step back, he decided either way he had to make his way down there and meet them himself. First he would visit the Blue soldiers. Then the Reds. Hopefully after that he could set up for his plan.

If it worked, the Director and all of Project Freelancer would taken care of within the next couple of days.

"Dude, I'm telling you it is."

"No, just no, that doesn't make any sense!"

Two voices could be heard at the front of the Blue base. Standing aimlessly with no intention or purpose was a light blue soldier, a cobalt color holding a sniper rifle. Yet by the way he held it, he was not very comfortable with the long ranged weapon. Doubtful that he could hit anything at a significant distance. The other, another shade of light blue but an aqua of some sort. Holding in his hands a battle rifle. The standard issue weapon that seemed to be the main weapon used by most soldiers other than a few.

"Dude, fire is totally burnt." The one in aqua armor commented.

"No, fire burns things. Not burns itself. It's like that stupid argument about water." The one with the sniper aggressively shot back.

"But water is wet."

"No it's fucking not!"

"Guys, guys. We all know, uh, water is blue. Duh." Another voice cut in, the third and final soldier apart of the Blue army. This one had blue armor, the stand issue blue with his battle rifle in his hand. Yet he was standing in front of a mountain of metal scraps. Seeming to be tinkering with something.

"Loco, sometimes I wonder how you see the world. Like- Wait, what the fuck are you building?" The one with the sniper commented. Turning to face the darker blue soldier.

"Oh, this is uh. Yeah you see. Buckey said he wanted a girlfriend, and Shelly was too. . .mine. . .for him. So I said I would build one." Loco commented.

"Damn right, build me a babe, Loco. We are gonna get busy tonight. Boom-Chicka-Wah-Wah." Buckey stated.

"You're fucking disgusting. But I better not see you watching any more porn on my computer." The one with the sniper added.

"Oh, Temple, chill out dude. I didn't just watch it, I downloaded it. That way I can come back later."

"I fucking hate you. I want you to know that."

"Gah! I have been captured!" Loco screamed out. Temple and Buckey standing in front of him, paying him no mind shrugged off his cry.

"Yeah yeah, okay. Just shut up and work, idiot." Temple commented, waving a hand in his direction. Paying no mind to warning that had come from the blue soldier. Yet they both tensed as the sound of a weapon charging echoed through out the empty space in front of the base.

"Unfortunately I have questions that need answers." A different cut through the tension that had been building. Before the two could move, the voice commanded something else. "Turn around, slowly. I wouldn't try anything."

Temple and Buckey did so and slowly began to turn around. When they did so they came face to face with a soldier clad in black. A knife pulled and pressed against Loco's neck and a pistol aimed in front of him. Changing position between the two of them.

"Look if you're going to shoot the idiot do so, save me the damn trouble." Temple commented, despite being rather tense he also seemed rather serious about allowing a teammate to be killed.

Noble Six tilted his head for a second. He was serious serious? Just like that? These soldiers were really something else. Maybe it was something covert, black ops, he had been trained in how to handle interrogation. Both receiving and dealing. Perhaps they were just highly trained-

"Ah, god. He is terrible at giving hugs!" Loco screamed wiggling against the weight of the knife pressed to his neck. "Surely there is more to this! Oh! Have you brought presents."

"Loco, just the hell up. That's not how you're supposed to act when you're captured!" Temple screamed, forgetting about the current situation and its danger.

"Yeah dude, you're supposed to totally break out and use your awesome fighting moves." Buckey chipped in.

"No! Shut up! Wait actually- Please try and break out so he kills you." Temple corrected.

"Very funny, why would I be in danger. That's not what hugs are about." Loco replied back.

"That isn't a hug!"

Never mind, Six mentally took back anything and everything he was just saying. The Spartan lowered the weapon and slowly lowered the knife. "Are you soldiers apart of Project Freelancer. Identify yourself."

Temple and Buckey exchanged a look before turning back to Noble Six. Temple took a step forward, holding the sniper rifle loosely in his hands. "Uh, no? We are apart of blue army. You know," He waved his hands around, mentioning everything around him. "The very reason why everything is blue."

Noble Six narrowed his eyes underneath his helmet. Blue Army? There was no listing of such a military in any records he had on file. There were supposed to be no other military forces in this area of space other than Freelancer. Maybe the eventual appearance of Charon, but. . .who exactly were these people.

"Look," Temple spoke up. "I'm Temple, leader of Blue Team."

"Who made you the leader?" Buckey cut in.

"Uh, command."

"When?"

"When I got this sniper."

"So if I get the sniper I'm leader?"

"That's not how that works,"

"But you just said-"

"Shut the hell up! I know what I said!" Temple turned away from Buckey with a huff and a deep breath. "Okay," He said to himself before calming down. "Anyway, I'm Temple, the leader of this base. This is Buckey, my assistant-"

"Fuck no."

"Buckey! Shut the fuck up! My god! Just be quiet!" Temple exploded, his voice reaching a higher level of pitch as he raised his voice. If someone could see Six's face right now, it would not be very impressed. Like at all. "And the idiot, is Loco. Now, who the hell are you?" He asked, his voice dripping with frustration.

The Spartan decided that whoever these soldiers are. . .they were not enemies. At least more so to themselves given their training than other people. So releasing the one known as Loco completely, Six placed the pistol at his side while sheathing the knife away. Regaining this thoughts a little, he spoke. "I'm. . ." How should he address himself? Given what he knew he doubted they would understand how to identify a Spartan Tag. "Sierra B-"

"Sierra? Ain't that a girls name." Buckey cut the Spartan off, turning back towards Temple as Loco made his way to the side. Brushing himself off a little.

"Sure dude, but I mean there are plenty of people using gender neutral names." Temple commented turning to answer Buckey's question. "I mean like Jamie, uh. . ."

"Frank." Loco added.

"Who the fuck would name their daughter Frank, Loco."

"Who's daughter?"

Temple turned back towards Six. "Hey, can you go back to holding him? I'll try harder for you to kill him this time."

". . ." Six remained still, quiet even as his brain tried to connect the dots. What was going on here? These were soldiers. . .right? They were trained soldiers. Like, military? Not even during his time on Reach had he met soldiers so, different. Not ever in his entire career.

"Sierra?"

The Spartan moved his head a little, acknowledging the name that had been given to him as his visor completely emphasized his blank stare. "My name isn't- Never mind. Your military ? Can I see them?"

"Oh, sure." Temple said, reaching into one of the many storage holders on his armor and grabbing his wallet. Pulling it out while leaning the sniper on the ground. He reached and grabbed a card, handing it to the Spartan.

Six took it in his hand and looked down at it. Turning it over and running his eyes over it. The orange visor reflecting the card as the rest of the blue soldiers looked at him with question. Slowly but surely Six raised his head. "This. . .This is a civilian drivers license." Flipping the card over he showed it to the blue soldiers. "With sharpie written on the back saying, military ID."

Temple shrugged his shoulders, snatching the card out of Six's hand and putting it back in his wallet. "Hey dude, not my fault! Alright, Blue command said they ran out of those so this was the best they could do." He said as he placed the wallet back in his armor. "At least my name isn't totally a chicks name."

Six stared blankly at Temple for a moment. "My name isn't- Wait, Blue command? You have a command center? Do you have the radio frequency? I need to confirm this immediately."

"Chill out dude, yeah I got it right here."

The Spartan eyes the radio frequency numbers closely. Typing in the frequency into his wrist pad that was connected to his helmet. Watching as his Heads Up Display ran the numbers, the message illuminated in green appeared. 'Frequency Confirmed'.

Taking a deep breath, then a sigh in relief. Maybe this would not be a complete waste of time. If he could figure out some information concerning this 'Blue Army' maybe he could figure out why Freelancer was so interested in this canyon and these soldiers. There had to be something he was missing. But what?

Nodding his head, Six looked to Temple. "I'm going to contact your Command. I'll be right over there." Six added, getting a nod from the soldier with the sniper before the Spartan walked away.

Taking a few steps away, ensuring that he would be able to have a conversation without being interrupted. Six raised his hand to his helmet, pressing two fingers to the side as his helmet buzzed. Then a voice came through the communication speakers within his helmet.

"Hello, hello. What's up dude! This is Blue Command, Bluey Blue. How can I help ya, Dude."

Six could not help but drop his shoulders a little bit. What. . .the actual. . . "Blue Command, this Sierra Br-"

"Oh Sierra, excuse me Ma'am. Did not mean to be rude. So Sorry."

"I'm not a female."

"Oh dude, parents totally hated ya didn't they? Sorry to hear that dude. Anyway, this is Blue Command. How can Vic help ya."

"I need military confirmation concerning the soldiers at my location. I also require authorization codes for military deployment of soldiers in this area, following UNSC Instruction thirty six dash twenty nine zero three."

There was silence on the communications for a moment. "Oh uh, of course dude. Let me get that real quick for ya. Just need to uh. . .look in my desk dude." There were obvious sounds of papers being moved. Of course, it sounded like a recording of just papers being thrown onto the ground. "Oh here dude. Sending it to ya. Shoulda got it. Anyway thanks for calling Blue Command. Later, don't call back."

Six's eyes went to the side of his helmet, there was no messages. "Negative I did not-" The call was cut right there. Leaving a constant tone in the man's absence. The Spartan stood in silence for a moment, simply listening to the tone. "You have to be joking." He said to himself, his calm and collected Spartan attitude starting to crack.

Taking another breather Six turned around and walked back over to the group of three Blue soldiers. They seemed to have forgotten about everything that had just happened, for they were back to standing around and talking about something else.

However, upon noticing the larger soldier they stopped and turned to him.

"You talk to Vic? Yeah that guy's an asshole." Temple commented as he looked into the visor of Six.

The Spartan slowly turned his head towards Temple. Tilting his head slightly in question. He knew him? Vic? That was the name he gave Six at the beginning of the call. Usually command had many operatives running COMMs unless it was a more personalized mission like the one Six was currently on. "I did, is VIC your supervisor?"

"Hell no. Just some dude that calls us when Blue Command hires Freelancers to come and help out. Last month they sent some dude to come here and blow some shit up. Guy had a whale helmet. Craziest shit I've ever seen." Temple commented,

"Nice guy though." Buckey cut in.

"Yeah nice guy." Temple agreed.

Though something caught Six's attention. Temple just said that Blue command hired Freelancers? From what he understood Freelancers were not Mercenaries. The Director was not in the business of selling his soldiers for dirty work. At least from Six had gathered, there had to be a reason. The Director usually had one. "You said they hired someone? You're sure he was a Freelancer?"

Temple looked to the sky for a moment. Humming. "Uh, yeah. Pretty sure. Called himself Agent Illinois of Project Freelancer so I think so."

Noble Six knew the name, he was one of the Agents listed to still be active. He was the teams demolition expert. Despite not being one of the top ten, his skills with a rifle and in combat were above average excluding his abilities with explosives. "Do you know what they paid him? Information? Weapons?"

"I'm assuming just money? What else."

The Spartan lowered his gaze for a moment, getting lost in his thoughts. That could not be right, that did not add up. For a small military such as the 'Blue Army' to pay Freelancers for what again? What did they even need them for? Did that mean that the other side, the 'Red Army' could also pay some other third party soldiers?

Secondly, what did Freelancer get out this? If they were paid to help fight or do whatever they needed them to, surely Freelancer had enough funds to get them by. The Spartan seriously doubted that they needed money from paid jobs such as this. So what was the real reason Project Freelancer was so interested in this canyon?

Though, in a way, it did make sense. At least a little. If Project Freelancer was receiving some sort of reward for helping these two armies in whatever was happening, then it would make sense to continue it? Perhaps they mentioned it because, like Six had thought, they were sending Agents here. And soon.

His plan did depend on Agents showing up, originally Six thought he could use whatever was here to lure them to his location. But he supposed it would make his job easier if they came to him. The only question was, when?

The Spartan broken himself out of his thoughts. Raising his head to meet Temple's gaze. "Are you aware of any Freelancers coming to visit soon? Anything Blue command paid them for to help with?"

Temple shook his head. "No I don't think so. I mean we are supposed to be fighting the Reds but, you've seen what we do here. Fighting isn't really our thing."

That was putting it lightly. "So your main objective is to overthrow Red base? Take over their supplies? Then you can move on to your next mission." Six commented, he was trying to piece together the purpose of whatever was happening here. Slowly but surely, it was sort of making sense. Only a little.

"Why would we want two bases?" Buckey added.

"Yeah, no. We've never wanted that. We assumed we just take their flag. Then, like, that's it. Haven't really thought that far ahead." Temple commented.

Six narrowed his eyes once more. The more and more he seemed to talk with these soldiers the more and more he came to realize there were a lot more questions then they seemed to have answers to. If they had any answers to begin with. "A flag? That's your objective."

"Yeah dude, why else would there be two bases in a canyon." Buckey stated.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Six said quietly, more so to himself than anyone else. "Alright I need a status report of the current situation."

"Huh?" Temple asked confused.

"Staus report." Six repeated.

"Oh he's asking you how your day is going! Mine is going well." Loco added from the back.

"No Loco shut the hell up. I think he wants to know how the base is? Right? That's it?" Temple asked.

Six stopped for a moment. Seriously? They didn't even know how to give a proper report concerning mission objectives, bases supplies and soldier morale and health? An overall percentage of mission readiness? "Sure. Show me the base."

"Why didn't you just say so. Come on. Follow me." Temple said waving his hand towards the entrance of the base.

It was rather simple layout, a two story base. The first and bottom floor housing a main area as well as a barracks with a hand full of rooms. A shared bathroom that allowed for five stalls and five showers. A small dining area equipped with what looked like a. . .burnt kitchen? And some tables. The slight illumination of blue lights running alongside the walls and floor.

It was without a doubt Blue base. But to the Noble Six, it seemed for like a storage facility. Given there were plenty of empty storage containers, moving equipment that was either broken or old, and the amount of scrapes and dents in the walls suggested there was plenty of supplies stored and moved from this building.

But now, it was a base. Or at least, some what of a base. There was still zero defenses. Unless you counted the handful of larger metal panels that could act as cover int he situation of a firefight. But the strangest object they had, well one of them, was the teleporter. If this was such a low income base, why would you have something experimental? Given most teleporters were safe for use, Six never really seen them in combat unless it was during training.

Training. . .Interesting.

The second object that was rather strange in nature was their flag. Or what they called a flag. It was not traditional by any means. No team emblem, no actual metal flag pole. Not even the flag itself was made of regular material. Instead they had this. . .

This happened to be a broom stick with a pair of blue underwear taped to the top.

"This is it, the flag that we were ordered to protect. It doesn't do much, cause ya know. It's a flag." Temple said standing next to Six as the Spartan stood still, mind blown, yet again, over the object before him. Every time, every single time in the past couple hours he thought he could not be more surprised, he was wrong.

Emile was most definitely laughing at him right now.

"This. . .this is your most important objective? A broom with some underwear." Six commented, keeping a still stance as he stood in front of it.

"Hey man, it may not be the best. But it's our flag. We take pride! Also. . .we lost our old one because we thought it would be a good idea to bury it so the Reds couldn't get it but we forgot where exactly."

"That sounds like a terrible plan."

"Well we know that! Now."

Noble Six took a step forward. Picking the broom. . .flag, in his hands and looking it over. Not because he was interested in the design of the flag but because of what it meant. The more and more he tried to make sense of everything, he couldn't. Everything that this canyon had, the base, the soldiers, the flag, it all reminded him of the same thing.

A game. Training.

The exact same training he had when he was going through the motions to finish his Spartan training. Except his was virtual. Virtual link multiplayer, team slayer, training. Used for testing the abilities of Spartans in realistic combat situations without putting them in true danger. Usually there were two groups of Spartans, two teams.

A Red team.

A Blue team.

And the objective they played the most to teach their soldiers strategy, attack and defending tactics, and most importantly teamwork.

Capture the Flag.

"Hey, Sierra?" Temple called out gaining the attention of the Spartan, causing him to lower the 'flag' and looked at the soldier. "You like the flag huh? I knew you would once you seem the craftsmanship of yours truly up close. Crazy though, who would have thought when I signed up with the UNSC to fight aliens I was going to be stuck guarding a fucking flag. Life's fucked."

"Wait, you what?" Six asked, turning his full attention to the soldier. Now that was interesting, did he hear that correctly? "You said you enlisted into the UNSC?"

"Well yeah, how else do you think I got here. I mean, I grew up on Tantalus. Joined the military with my buddy, Biff. We went to the same high school together. Decided to stick around, watch each others backs." Temple looked off to the side for a moment. "I heard uh, rumors, not long after I got sent here. The colony, it got attacked by the Covenant, heard stories it might have been glassed."

Six stopped for a moment. His thoughts running wild, this soldier grew up in UNSC controlled space. An inner colony. If what he was saying was true, he enlisted into the UNSC as a Marine. Yet he was sent here? To Blue Army? How was that possible? The UNSC had zero control over this army not to mention barely had any influence here. As far as he was aware people get hired into Charon not enlisted. . .He could understand how, given their close resemblance to the UNSC, someone could mistake them but. . .No, this guy was an actual UNSC soldier. At least at one point.

"Tantalus was destroyed. Partially. Half the planet was glassed before the UNSC could rally a force large enough to drive the Covenant back. Unfortunately most of the details concerning that colony are classified and unknown. I'm sorry but I don't know anything else." Six added, his voice dropping slightly. A reminder of what his goal was after this. What was actually happening outside of this canyon.

Temple raised his head a little. "How do you-"

"I fought in the war." Noble Six cut him off. Turning his head away from Temple's gaze. Locking his own eyes and facing his visor more towards the flag in his hands.

"I see. Uh, sorry to hear that. I'm sure that war is more fucked up than I can imagine. And I can imagine some fucked up shit." Temple looked to the side for a moment trying to find a new topic to discuss. "Say, uh, you can stay here. If you need. I'm not really sure why you're here, or who you are Sierra. But if you're UNSC you're a good guy right? We don't get many visitors as you can tell so, we have plenty of room."

Good guy. . .

Six raised his head slightly and lowered the flag. Placing it against the wall as he continued to study it before turning back to face Temple. "Thank you, though I shouldn't be here long. I just have something to handle with Project Freelancer."

"Ah, so you're here for the Agents. That's why you asked about them earlier. Makes sense, some of those guys are dicks. We won't stop ya, can't say we'll help either. We aren't much of anything really. Just a couple of annoying assholes in a canyon." Temple noticed Six continuing to glance at the flag. "Say, why are you so interested in that thing anyway."

"Just reminded me of something familiar."

Alright everyone that is it! Just a chapter about Six meeting the Blues and Reds. Perhaps a sneak peak at what will come when he meets the main cast later down the line. Either way I hope you all enjoyed a little break from all the action but a little story progression here and there. I hope to have the next chapter out like really soon so we will see! Review and I will catch you all next time!