New Place, New Adventure
The ship has already taken off and everyone was just in the room doing their usual things like talking about different topics and other stuff. They also looked out the window and saw that chorus was getting smaller as the ship went up higher to space. Tucker then decided to change the subject.
Tucker: Man, I wonder what big adventures we'll be doing again when we get home.
Caboose: Oh, I know, how about we play Hide and go seek! I always love hiding in the refrigerator.
Tucker sighed in annoyance.
Grif: Well, speaking of refrigerators, I wonder where do they keep the food supply in this ship?
Simmons: Grif, you just ate recently back at Chrous and now you're hungry again?
Sarge: You better keep away from those MRE's you pile of dung.
Donut: So much for that, I mean did everyone decide on which place we'll be headed?
Doc: Huh, I never though about that.
Tucker: What do you mean? This ship is already taking us home.
Donut: That's the point. Which home will it be? Blood Gulch, Valhalla, or maybe even our original homes before we joined the army?
Tucker: You know what, you're right, I gotta ask the pilot which way we're headed.
Tucker stood up and went towards the cockpit. On his way he encountered the freelancers and Dr. Grey going towards the bunks. Before he could pass them by, Washington asked the aqua soldier.
Washington: Hey, uh, we are you heading?
Tucker: Oh, I was just going to ask the pilot on where are we heading.
Wash: Well, make it quick, we're going to be discussing somethings back at the bunks.
Tucker: Is it serious?
Wash looked at Carolina who nodded in return.
Wash: Well, you'll find out after you return.
Tucker: Ok then.
Tucker finally made his way to the cockpit, which was also part of the ship's bridge. He was amazed by the controls and gadgets inside like a holo-table, screens and navigation systems. He then noticed the pilot driving while listening to some music. He walked to wards the pilot.
Tucker: Hey new guy.
The ODST spun around and switched off the music facing Tucker.
Tucker: So, where are we going?
JD tapped his helmet which he remembered something. He shrugged in response. He then pointed to Tucker to ask if he knew which place.
Tucker: Yeah about that, we were still deciding on which home we'll be heading to so I should just go back and plan with the others.
JD nodded.
Tucker: Well, see ya later um.
The trooper pointed to the nameplate in his armor again
Tucker: Well see ya later JD. You wouldn't mind if we call you Rookie since your new?
JD shrugged again.
Tucker walks back to the bunks while JD resumes to pilot the prowler ship. When he arrived, the crew formed around in a circle.
Doc: So, what did he say?
Doc asked Tucker.
Tucker: The guy's the silent type, but yeah, he also didn't know where were headed.
Caboose: Oh, is he playing the silent game? I want to play to.
Carolina: Well it's a good thing we didn't tell him where because I have something in mind.
Grif: Well if it's another big adventure then I'm out. Flush me out of the airlock. We just recently ended one and to have another would be to soon.
Sarge: Please make it one, I have been waiting to flush this morbidly fat piece of failure out of an airlock for some time and cross it out of my bucket list!
Caboose: Yeah and maybe we could go flying out in space and count stars!
Carolina: Quiet! Please just hear us out.
Washington: Look guys, I know you're all tired of more dangerous adventures and want to go home and relax, but did anyone of you decide on which place you'll be going home to and what to do next?
Caboose: We could go to your house and have a sleepover.
Everyone: Shut up Caboose.
Wash: What I meant was, well, that we could leave all the fighting behind us and go to a place to start over again.
The Reds and Blues looked at one another with uncertainty.
Tucker: Are you sure there's even a place that we can hide from all the crazy shit we may do in the future?
Dr. Grey: Well, I talked with Santa earlier and said that there was a temple that can take you somewhere else.
Doc: Great, another thing involving aliens and their destructive creations.
Dr. Grey: I can assure you there won't be anything destructive and mayhem related stuff regarding that temple.
Tucker: Does it really do that?
Dr. Grey: Well if it's Santa then he really is speaking the truth.
Carolina: So, what do you guys say?
Grif: I'm in.
"What!"
Everyone was surprised at Grif's sudden agreement.
Grif: I mean, when we get back to Valhalla or Blood Gulch, what are suppose to do, go back at that red and blue thing? Besides, it's getting pretty boring over there anyways. I'm in as long as this new place wherever we're going does not involve work.
Simmons: Never thought I'd see the day Grif actually contributing.
This got some laughs from the group.
Simmons: Well if he's in then I'll go too.
Sarge: Same here.
Donut: Oh yeah baby.
Lopez: Si.
Caboose: We're going on a field trip? I'm in!
Tucker: You guys convinced me enough. I'll come along to. Bow chicka bow wow.
Doc: Count me in too.
Dr. Grey: Splendid! Let's go talk to that pilot ODST guy.
When the group officially decided to go along with Wash and Carolina's plan, they returned to the bridge to speak with JD.
Dr. Grey: Hello Mr. JD, would you mind taking us back to Chorus?
The Rookie motioned his hands to ask why.
Sarge: Trust us son, we're going back.
The Rookie nodded in response.
JD did what was told and turned the ship around back to the planet. He was now given instructions to fly back to a specific location. When they arrived, the prowler landed in front of the temple.
The Reds and Blues went out and arrived at the entrance. Santa greeted them.
Santa: Hello humans, I assume you now decided to use the temple?
Simmons: What exactly is the purpose of this temple. Does it really take us somewhere?
Santa: My creators built this temple so that they can be free from all the violence they have experienced and vowed to start over and renew their ways of life.
Simmons: Oh.
Donut: I think it's best we do this.
Doc: I agree, no more violence. Just being peaceful and passive is good.
Caboose rushed to greet the alien construct.
Caboose: Santa! Oh if I knew you were here I would have given you cookies!
JD was curious as to what the others were doing and went out of his ship to join the rest. When he got out, he was shocked to see Santa the A.I and mistook him for a Covenant Sangheili. He aimed his SMG towards the alien construct.
Tucker: Woah woah calm down dude, he's just an A.I and our friend.
The ODST/pilot was surprised to hear this.
Santa: I assure you human, I mean no harm.
JD lowers his gun.
Dr. Grey: Yes Santa, we would love to activate the temple.
Wash: Wait, Dr. Grey, you want to come along with us?
Dr. Grey: Sure, I already received permission from Kimball. Also I don't want to miss a chance to see a new place or dimension we get transported too. It will be great for researdch!
Grif: I've called my Sister, she said she wouldn't mind me going on new places and she's doing just fine back at the Gulch.
The rest of them looked at JD.
JD shrugged.
Simmons: Do you have someone waiting for you?
JD shook his head for a no.
Sarge: Discharged from duty son?
JD nodded for a yes. Everyone just accepted his answer.
Carolina: Ok Santa, we're all good.
Santa: As you wish. May you all have a safe journey ahead of you.
Santa proceeds to activate the temple. Suddenly, a huge white light was shot out of the tower and surrounded everyone.
Caboose: Ah, an amazing light sho-
Caboose was cut off as the light engulfed them completely.
-/New place/-
After the huge flash of light, the crew found themselves lying on the ground in what appears to be a forest. The foliage and leaves were all so red that it appears as fall seems to last forever. Carolina and Washington were the first to recover and see their friends lying on the ground still groaning.
Carolina: Everyone, status report?
Wash: All good ma'am
Dr. Grey: I'm fine.
Simmons: Same here.
Caboose: Oh no, why I'm I only seeing Red? Ah, it must be blood!
Sarge: Aha, see now Blue, you are now drowning in thy blood in which we, the glorious Red army has shed!
Tucker: Caboose, you're just lying flat with your face in the ground, also it's not blood, it's just red grass and leaves.
Caboose: *sighs of relief*
Grif: Ugh, my head. Where are we? Everything's so smooth and clear. Could this be Canada?
Grif then sat up.
Donut: If only these leaves were maple, then we probably would be.
Doc: You do know maple isn't only native to Canada.
Donut: It's not?
Lopez: Si, hay aproximadamente 128 especies, la mayoria de las cuales son nativas de Asia, algunas tambien aparecen en Europa el Norte de Africa y America del Norte. ( There are approximately 128 species, most of which are native to Asia, with a number also appearing on Europe, northern Africa, and North America.)
They all stared at Lopez unsure of what the robot said.
Lopez: Te odio pendejos. (I hate you assholes.)
Carolina: Alright, so much for that, where are we?
Dr. Grey: Oooh, I would love to research about these plants, let me just get some samples.
Wash: Has anyone seen JD?
Sarge: You mean that pilot?
Wash: Yeah.
Wash was right, the Rookie was nowhere to be seen. Including the prowler. Everyone then looked around.
Tucker: Huh, he may have been teleported somewhere else.
-/With the Rookie/-
The ODST/pilot was on the ground lying. He then wakes up to see that he was on a forest filled with red leaves. He stands up to see that he was teleported next to his ship. As he walks over to it, JD notices the others we're missing. He then thought *Could they be teleported somewhere else? Drat.* He opened up is VISR's NAV data and saw that he was alone in this area of the forest. No friendly signatures in sight. *Maybe they could be somewhere around. Better go look around for them*. The trooper went inside his ship and grabbed some supplies. He grabbed an M7S SMG and a magnum and extra ammo. He also put on his ruck sack and placed other stuff inside it as well. He now made his way out of the ship and activated the defenses so no stranger can enter it. After doing those, he sets out into the unknown forest looking for the simulation troopers.
-/Back with the others/-
Doc: Was he even included when the temple activated.
O'malley: Yes, he was unlucky like you fool. Always forgotten and not being included in your friend's activities.
Doc: Zip it O'malley.
Dr. Grey: He must have been included in being transported here.
Wash: Also, the ship is not here.
Simmons: There goes our supplies.
Grif: Damn it!. We're stranded out here in the middle of nowhere, with no supplies at hand and shelter. That's just great! When I thought that we could finally relax in wherever the hell we are right now. Good try everybody, good try *sarcastically claps*.
Sarge: Which is exactly why we could finally use you for something else like sustenance you lazy, good for nothing bastard. Hey Simmons, why don't you go start grabbing firewood so I can whip us up a Grif a la creme.
Simmons proceeds to do what his CO ordered.
Simmons: Sir, yes sir!
Grif: Kiss-ass.
Carolina: That's enough! How about we try to asses this situation like proper people. Santa, where did you take us?
There was no response, only the breeze of the wind and rustling of leaves sounded off. Though it was still day, the silence of the forest was still eerie.
Dr. Grey: Oooh, this tree is gushing out some liquid stuff.
Tucker: Bow chicka bow wow. Now you're speaking my language.
Carolina: Shut it Tucker.
Dr. Grey: Darn, if only I have a jar with me.
Washington: The wind feels nice, I'll just go to feel the breeze, it won't be long.
Donut: Sure thing Wash.
Washington proceeds to remove his helmet. When he did, he ruffled his blonde hair and swept it back so it wouldn't disturb his face. After doing so, he looked back at the others who were staring back at him with silence. The grey freelancer asked.
Washington: Why are you all looking at me?
Carolina: Wash, you- your face uh, I don't understand.
Tucker: Holy shit dude.
Washington: What about my face?
Washington looked to the reflective visor in his helmet and when he did, he was surprised and dropped his helmet to the ground. This can't be, he was supposed to be thirty and now he looked like he was just around 17.
Washington: What the hell?
He also noticed his voice sounded younger.
Carolina: Everybody, helmets off.
Everyone did remove theirs and were surprised to see that all of them were back as teenagers, save for Sarge though he looked like he was in his early 20s and Lopez because he was just a robot.
Carolina: What happened to us?
Dr. Grey: My guess is that when the teleporter activated and brought us here in this new world, it affected our bodies physically and ended up de-aging us to a certain extent.
Donut: Why would it affect us though?
Simmons: I have no clue, this is a lot to take up in.
Doc: Santa said that when the creators of this temple were satisfied with what they done, they returned right?
Carolina: He did say that.
Doc: Then how do we know we've done good and how can we go back?
The rest were lost for words of this.
Carolina: I... don't know.
Grif: Great, so we're back as teenagers and stuck here with no way of returning, this just sucks.
Washington: Well, we aren't gonna be getting any answers by just sulking, come on. Let's go find a way out of this forest while looking for JD along the way. Then we can find a city or village of some sort to ask questions.
Carolina: That sounds like a good plan. Alright everybody, get up and let's move.
The group did what was told and followed the freelancers. Little did they know that this forest was packed with dangerous beings lurking around.
END
A/N And that's it. Chapter two released. Me separating JD from the group is a reference to the Rookie from ODST who was separated from his group and is trying to find a way to meet up with them. Also, Grif asking on where they were is a reference to the episode Brick Gulch Chronicles.
