The Rabbit and the Wolfe

Sorry for the long wait! Hope you are all ready for chapter 11. It's mostly fluff, but it has enough fluffy goodness for everyone! So, dive in and don't forget to favorite, follow and review!

As always, a big shout out to my editor, MightyMilkDuds! You, sir, are awesome!

11: Day after Day

December 4, 2561

UNSC Infinity, S-deck, Spartan Quarters

77 Polar System

1830 hours

Kelly let herself sink into the bed as much as the stiff material would let her. Apparently, the UNSC had numerous issues to deal with over the past few years, but comfortable sleeping arrangements for their soldiers was not a paramount concern. That didn't seem to bother her two companions in the slightest, who slept soundly in spite of their cramped accommodations. Amber was curled up between her parents, cooing softly into the recycled air that circulated throughout the ship. She had been hesitant to sleep at first, fearing her mother and mommy would disappear when she awoke, but Sandra had been quick to reassure the little Sangheili that they weren't going anywhere. Her lover's words seemed to be enough, as Amber had nuzzled her way into the small gap between the two Spartans and quickly fell into a deep, restful slumber.

Rolling onto her side, Kelly leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her daughter's head, eliciting a soft giggle from the sleeping alien, before becoming silent once more. Absentmindedly, she ran a hand through Sandra's golden locks, relishing in the contact she had desperately yearned for so long. How could anyone not want this? True, I am not the same Spartan I was three years ago. But I feel… whole. Complete. Loved. Something I never had. She could feel the muscles in her face pulling her lips into a smile but didn't even bother trying to hide it. I wouldn't want it any other way. Leaning in, she captured her pup's lips in a gentle kiss. Even dead asleep, Sandra tried to follow her scout as she pulled back. Green eyes slowly revealed themselves to her as her other half came to.

"I thought I felt something." Sandra muttered, traces of sleep still coating her melodic voice.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Kelly replied innocently. Sandra merely rolled her eyes, giving the veteran a knowing smile. Sandra reached out and took Kelly's hand, interlacing their fingers.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Sandra whispered, gently rubbing Amber's leathery head with her free hand. The older Spartan could feel her smile grow even brighter, ignoring the subtle ache in her jaw from her abused muscles. Looking down on the sleeping child, Kelly hummed in agreement. Amber was indeed beautiful and easily the best thing that had ever happened to the veteran.

"Just as beautiful as you." Kelly said quietly, mindful of the child sleeping between them. Strangely, there was no comeback. Her words just floated away, carried by the oxygen particles around them, never to be seen again. Sandra slowly leaned in, allowing her head to rest on Kelly's pillows. The older Spartan was content on just letting her pup fall back asleep on her chest. She didn't know how much time they were allotted, the Commander had only given them a minimum number of hours to sleep, but she was determined that her two angels get all the sleep they could. That was before she felt wet droplets hit her shirt. At first Kelly though it may have been drool from her lover, or even blood from a reopened wound, but then she heard the sobs. Her lover's shift in mood was so sudden, so jarring, that Kelly was momentarily frozen, unsure of what to do. They were quiet, but insistent, like a child pleading with their parent for treats.

"We almost lost her." Sandra strangled out. All the pain, all the worry she had been carrying around inside of her ever since they left for Permefreis poured out like a waterfall, raw and unfiltered. Kelly wrapped her arms around her, drawing her as close as she could without squishing Amber between them. Each sob that wracked her body felt like a knife in Kelly's gut. She couldn't stand to see her lover cry, ever. She was no wizard with emotions, but she had to try something, if only to make herself feel better.

"But we didn't." Kelly tried to reassure her. It seemed to have the opposite effect as she cried harder, tears streaming down her face.

"We could have! And that's what scares me." She whimpered. Kelly continued to rub small circles on her pup's back, a pensive look on her face. Clearly, she would need another approach. Luckily, she had an idea. She had always been a direct person, facing any challenge head-on, as any Spartan would. This was no different. Gently, she separated herself from Sandra, keeping her at arm's reach, even as part of her screamed for her not to.

"Look down. What do you see?" Kelly asked. Blinking a few times to clear her vision, Sandra tilted her head to get a good look at what was below her. Though her eyes had adjusted to the darkness of their quarters, her augmentations only went so far. "I-I don't understand. Just Amber an-"

"Exactly." Kelly interrupted, not allowing the younger Spartan to finish. "She is here, with us. Safe. What couldhave happened is irrelevant, because it didn't. We saved her." She shook her head. While not wrong, it wasn't exactly right either. "You saved her." Sandra lifted her head, and Kelly saw the unshed tears that seemed to sparkle in the woman's emerald green forests. Even in that moment, eyes tinged red from crying, her face wet from the salty tears she had shed, hair that lay haphazardly strewn about the pillow, and still coated in a thin layer and dried sweat from the days before, she was still the most beautiful person Kelly had ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was so caught up marveling the woman in front of her she almost missed the blonde's next words.

"Thank you." She whispered, leaning in close once more. The veteran's words had an astounding calming effect that Sandra was all too happy to indulge in. Kelly was a drug. And Sandra was woefully, hopelessly and irrefutably addicted to it. Even if there was a cure to her 'condition', Sandra would never take it. She spent the next few minutes basking in her bunny's embrace, soaking in it, like a plant would absorb all the sunlight it could on a warm, sunny day. Somehow, Kelly always found the right thing to say at the right time. It was an intriguing facet of the Spartan's personality that continued to amaze her, even to this day. Sandra let out a light chuckle at the thought, which faded into the recycled evening air. To believe I had her all figured out…

The minutes continued to tick by silently, save for the even breaths of a young Sangheili and the ever-present hum of the hybrid engines. The two women had forgotten how relaxing the monotonous drone of the Infinity's drives could be. Like a sweet lullaby sung to children to coax them to sleep, the Spartans were quickly finding it harder and harder to keep their eyes open. Six hours was not enough for their abused bodies and brains; they demanded more time to rest and recharge before they would allow the women to function properly.

"Hey, Kelly?" Sandra asked sleepily, trying to stifle a yawn halfway through and failing quite horrendously (spectacularly?).

"Yes?" Came the muted response as the veteran tried to stave off the rapid onset of sleep long enough to answer her pup's question.

"I love you." For once, Kelly's response was not clear and precise. What came from the veteran's mouth was a verbal mire of sounds that landed somewhere between a groan and a sigh, nowhere near recognizable as any sort of proper speech. Scooting closer, Sandra draped an arm over her bunny's stomach, yearning for comfort. Her silent cry for contact was quickly alleviated as Kelly intertwined their fingers, leaving them to rest in their cocoon of warmth. The veteran's simple action brought a sleepy smile to her face. Kelly was starting to come into her own, not only as a mother, but as a partner as well. There was still much to do, both on and off the battlefield. But at the moment, Sandra was content.

Sol System, Earth

Oceania, Eastern Australia

1900 hours

Megan tucked a loose strand of blue hair behind her ear as she shifted on the short couch, folding her legs underneath her. The setting sun caressed the horizon like a lover, painting the skies above in warm shades of orange and purple. The sunsets are always so beautiful here… Megan mused, smiling at the gentle colors which bathed her skin with warmth. To think, what boiled down to be a big ball of Helium could propagate life. It boggled the mind. Flashing a smile to the sky, as if thanking the star for everything it's done, she picked up the tablet she had set aside a few minutes before. While not something she would typically read, one of her coworkers had recommended it and she quickly became engrossed in its pixelated pages. Her past relationships had left a sour taste in her mouth when it came to reading romance. The teacher tended to find most novels filled with redundancies, bland characters with artificial personalities, and more clichés than she could handle. But this one was drastically different, as shown by the woman's testament of being unable to put it down.

"Babe? Babe, where are you?" Her boyfriend called from inside her apartment. With a sigh, she put the book back on the armrest. Honestly, it would be nice if I could get at least SOME time for myself once in a while. Guess the book would have to wait a little while more.

"Out here!" She fired back. Ordinarily, she would have met him at the door, but she was enjoying the evening weather and didn't want to move. The soft whoosh of the door broke her gaze with the fading light of the day.

"There you are." He said, coming up behind her and laying a gentle kiss atop her head. Not satisfied enough, Megan craned her head around and was rewarded with another one on the lips. They broke apart a few moments later, their customary greeting complete. They first met at an international teaching conference almost two years ago and quickly hit it off. He was stunningly handsome, with his dark chocolate complexion, chiseled jaw and gentle eyes that drew her to him, like iron to a magnet. But it was more than just his outward appearance that left her weak at the knees. He was intelligent, charismatic and caring, sometimes to a fault. When they went out, she happily soaked up all the jealous looks people sent her way. She finally had something she had been wanting ever since she was a little girl and would not let others squander her joy. But as excited as she was to begin each new day in this relationship, she was also cautious, not wanting to rush into things only to ruin them. She was determined to make this work, no matter how long it took. She would not mess this one up.

"So, I've been replaced by a book, have I?" He offered teasingly. Her cheeks warmed at the mention of being caught, and quickly pulled the tablet into her lap before he could get his hands on it.

"N-no! Not at all!" She weakly defended herself, hoping he wouldn't catch her brief stammer. No such luck. His hazel eyes pulsed inquisitively as he leaned over her chair to get a better look.

"Romance, huh? I thought you didn't like that stuff. Too sappy and fake, if I remember correctly." She nodded in response, her lips breaking out in a small, guilty smile.

"Yeah, but I like this one. It's different."

"Oh?" He said, slipping in beside her. "Different how?"

"Well, to start, I actually enjoy this one. The characters are believable and the plot isn't half bad." She said, picking up her book intending to get back to reading. Even with the minor interruption, she wanted to finish it. She caught his understanding nod out of the corner of her eye. As a literature teacher himself, he knew how the good ones can drag you into another world altogether. Taking the opportunity, Megan snuggled up next to her boyfriend, bathing in his natural warmth. Now comfortable and warm, despite the evening chill, she began her book once more. As her brain comprehended each word on the tablet, she felt herself drifting off. Not to sleep or another world, but to her most enigmatic and quiet friend.

I hope you're safe, Linda. We haven't talked for so long. And I'm worried about you. Our last conversation did not end on the best of terms, and for that I'm sorry. I was pushing you to a place you weren't comfortable with, and that was wrong of me. Ha! Look at me. Having a conversation with myself, talking to you like your right here. She chuckled at the thought.

"What are you laughing at?" He asked from behind her.

"Nothing. Just a funny part in the book." He gave a noncommittal hum before closing his eyes to rest. He must have been tired, packing for the trip they had planned. They had both taken off work to get some well-earned vacation time. Almost two whole weeks of spas, relaxation and the most importantly, shopping! Now, Megan loved her students, often joking to the other teachers that they were her babies, but everyone needed a break once in a while. Why pass up such an amazing opportunity? It was at that moment that a wave of guilt hit her like a small boat tossed about in rough seas. She had told Linda about her boyfriend but had neglected to return the favor. It wasn't that she was ashamed of her friendship with the Spartan, but she wasn't sure how he would react. It was this unknown that held her tongue.

But why should I let the fear of the unknown control my life? There will always be things I do not know and things I will be afraid of. Why should that stop me? After all, if I didn't go up and talk to him, I wouldn't be sitting in his all too comfy lap enjoying my book, would I?

Placing the data pad on the patio floor, she shifted in his arms, wanting to look into his hazel eyes. "Hey, Kevin, baby, I haven't been completely honest with you." She said remorsefully. He cracked open an eye, curious hazel looking into anxious blue. Folding an arm around her waist like a chocolate blanket, he ran a hand soothingly through her oceanic hair.

"Babe, whatever it is you can tell me." He offered honestly, flashing her a brilliant smile that made her insides summersault. Swallowing thickly, she nodded, doing her best not to drown in her nervousness.

"Well…I have this friend. Her name is Linda, and, well, I kind of told her about you. Sorry for not asking you first." His bark of laughter caught her by surprise.

"Was that it? Megan you don't need my permission to tell people about us. I'm not trying to keep it a secret or anything." He reassured, rubbing small circles on the small of her back. He continued his relaxing ministrations as her lips slowly released the pout they had been greedily holding on to. He craned his neck up and captured her lips in a kiss. It was slow and sensual, their mouths coming together in a tender display of affection. They gently separated as their need for air overtook the need for connection. "Feel better?" He asked affectionately.

"I always feel better after your kisses." She answered, flashing him a small, sincere smile. "Speaking of feeling better, are you all packed for our trip?"

"Brought all my stuff over. That's why it took me so long. Are you excited?"

"I can't wait. I love my kids but being able to enjoy two unobstructed weeks with you…marvelous."

He chuckled, something Megan found exquisitely charming. "Always the wordsmith." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. "So, can I meet your friend?" Megan was thrown off by the sudden change in topic, but quickly recovered.

"Uh... I don't know, baby. She isn't really the talkative sort. And frankly, she's pretty intimidating." There was more to it than that, but Megan didn't want to divulge that information just yet.

Like the fact you practically shoehorned the woman into a date the first time you met her?

No! Another part of her mind shot back defensively. It was just a friendly offer!

Yet you felt the need to go all out in the wardrobe department?

That was…ok, I guess I may have meant it as a date. But it didn't happen, so no harm done! The more rebellious part of her mind quieted at that. She didn't really want to revisit the events that happened that night, more content to leave them buried, concealed within the deepest recesses of her mind. Like a virulent toxin or a rabid creature, Megan sought to keep them contained, where those nightmares could harm her no longer. Coming back to reality, she could see Kevin looking at her expectantly.

Crap.

"I, uh, um…tacos?" Kevin burst out laughing, almost throwing her off the furniture they were curled up on. She squealed as she slipped off his chest, but a quick arm prevented her from hitting the concrete floor. That would have not been pleasant, not to mention mortifying. Her skin grew warm just thinking about it.

"Not what I was asking, but that's a good idea for dinner." He said with a smile, leaning in to capture her sweet lips in a gentle kiss once more. Quickly scooting back to her previous position, Megan let her lips do the talking as she peppered him with kisses. The minutes seemed to melt away as they became familiar with one another once more. Tongues danced together as the air around them seemed to radiate passion like a mistress seducing her lover on a cold winter night. His hands may have lacked the roughness and calluses of her past relationships, but that did not stop him from gliding them down her sides. She could feel her skin heat up the more his hands moved across her body, as if she rubbed up against little flickers of flame. Her emotions began to sizzle, desperate to boil, to become more. Her breaths came in hitched, short intakes of air, that left her but momentary respite before she dove back headfirst back into the churning waters of desire.

But as much as she yearned to return to those pellucid waters, their dark depths offering an infinite amount of intimate, perhaps even lustful possibilities, something held her back. An unseen force, as invisible as the air around them, but as strong as a black hole's event horizon. Never seen, but always present. With a mixed sense of both relief and sadness, she was lifted from the sea. By what, she could not say, only that it was insistent that its task be done. Biting her cheek, she reached down with one hand and gently lifted a chocolate appendage that had rested itself upon her rounded cheeks.

"Sorry. But I-" She began, looking into his confused hazel eyes. They were so warm and inviting, but something told her to hold off. At least for the time being. "I don't think I'm ready for that just yet." Megan could see the disappointment swirling in his hazel orbs, but she was still afraid, not of the unknown, but of the known. Terror and vulnerability were emotions she had experienced firsthand, feelings she never wanted to become acquainted with ever again. Who knows? She may never get over her fears, her faults, her vulnerabilities. Kevin quickly cut in, reassuring her and dragging her from the dark thoughts that descended upon her like a pack of feral beasts.

"Hey, hey, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If you aren't ready for that, fine. You aren't. That doesn't make you any less of a woman. In fact, it just makes your beauty shine all the brighter." Megan managed to flash him a weak, albeit warm smile. The oranges and pinks of the setting sun had receded to sleep, leaving only the blues and purples to watch over the night sky. With it came the cooler night air, sending a shiver through the aquamarine haired woman, in spite of the warm, luxurious accommodations she found herself on. With another kiss and a reassuring smile, Kevin prompted her to get up and retreat inside, where they could cuddle up somewhere warmer, preferably with tortilla-wrapped bundles of cuisine. It had been a long day, filled with screaming children and an affectionate boyfriend, but Megan was looking forward to a trip loaded with shopping, dancing and a beautiful, tropical climate to top it all off. Little did she know it would be anything but.

UNSC Infinity, S-deck, CQC training room

2200 hours

Sandra blinked wearily at the angry fluorescent lighting that unyieldingly beat down upon her, trying to keep the worst of it at bay. Have the lights always been this bright?! She mused unkindly. Kelly was right: six hours was not nearly enough time to catch up on lost sleep, even more so with the addition of a clingy Sangheili child. Nonetheless, here she was, alone in one of the CQC training rooms, only a scant eight hours after securing the ship. Throwing a hostile glare towards a set of innocent training gear in the corner, she set about stretching the sore joints, knowing she was going to regret it later.

Kelly had taken Amber out before she woke, leaving a note as so to not worry the blonde. Sandra had found it laying on the pillow beside her, the short, simple message bringing a smile to her face. The ex-ODST no longer felt uncomfortable training alone, but old habits die hard. Kelly had accidently come across this little tidbit of information one morning, after scaring her then, teammate, half to death. Needless to say, her scout was not her friend that day as she nursed a bloody nose. From then on, Kelly gave her space to practice her morning routine, joining in on occasion. But there were perks to working out alone. No interruptions, for one. No other voices, no inquisitive children, and most importantly, no curvaceous assets to distract her from her routine. Ever try to do push-ups while staring at your girlfriend's ass? No? Let's just say they get a lot more challenging. If Linda caught her staring, Sandra would never live it down. But while the sniper would hold it over her head for the foreseeable future, Kelly wouldn't hesitate to stab even Frederic if he so much as opened his mouth, brother or not. Poor bastard.

Feeling the last vertebrae pop under her skinsuit like cheap fireworks, Sandra sat down on the titanium floor, her armored plates scraping gently against each other. Pulling her swords from their magnetic cradles as if they were made of glass, she gingerly placed them on the floor in front of her. While not part of her normal routine, it had been some time since she had last meditated. Almost three years, in fact. She had just begun her work for ONI on Escala III and needed some guidance. Needed to remember who she was. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Deep, full breaths. Breathe in. breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. As her lungs continued to circulate air, the rest of the world fell away. Light was replaced by darkness. Noise fell away to silence. Serenity surrounded her like a soft breeze across a meadow that sparkled with daffodils. Sandra could taste the food on her plate. She could hearthe birds chirp and chatter after a rainstorm. She could taste the ozone in the air as blade clashed against blade, all the while she watched, awestruck, as the guards trained against each other.

But memories were a double-edged sword. For every pleasurable one, there was one of pain. For every smile, a frown was sure to follow. It was difficult to swallow the sweet without choking on the bitter. As her ancestors had done for loves that had passed on to the next world, tears welled up within her own emeralds, afraid to leave their cradle, but eager to share their woe. Her calm, even breaths had turned shallow and ragged, as if the life was being strangled from her. Her lungs felt constricted, like a Hunter had sought fit to sit on it as some sort of cruel punch line to a terrible joke. A dull thud of something metal hitting the floor ripped her from her trance. Blinking away the few stubborn tears the refused to fade, she turned towards the noise, a scowl chiseled on her immaculate beauty. Dr. Halsey stood in the corner, her face unreadable, staring at her, studying her.

"You seem to have difficulty maintaining a deep level of concentration." She stated, almost artificially. Almost like she was talking to a machine, not a living being. To be honest, it creeped Sandra out. "Though it isn't particularly surprising, considering your lineage."

"Excuse me? Just what is that supposed to mean?!" Sandra retorted hotly. Truthfully, she had been more than a little caught off guard at the interruption, but this woman seemed to take an immediate dislike to her for some reason. She may have become a bit defensive.

"Exactly what you believe it to mean, Spartan." Her face remained frozen, not even a flicker of emotion showing between the wrinkles. Evidently, the woman was mocking her, but Sandra was having none of it. Muttering unkind words under her breath, Sandra stood to her full height, storing her hilts back within their magnetic cradles. Her boots rang loudly off the metal floor as she marched across the room.

"You seem to have a problem with me, ma'am. I would like to know why." Sandra spoke as politely as she could. Despite being over a foot taller than the other woman, Halsey did not look intimidated in the slightest. The lack of response from the older woman did not settle well with the blonde, as her lips curled in anger, showing her teeth.

"You are in a place you don't belong, Spartan. A place I seek to remove you from as quickly as possible, to undo any damage you have inadvertently caused. Because it is clear to me that you do not take your duty seriously." Her words were like cold steel, sharp to the point and delivered with brutal effectiveness. Who the hell does this woman thinks she is!?

"And where exactly do you think I don't belong?" Sandra responded icily, folding her arms across her chest plate and glowering down at the SPARTAN-II program's creator.

"With my Spartans." Halsey responded in equal measure, not bothering to shroud her contempt for the blonde Spartan.

"Your Spartans? I'm afraid I don't follow." Sandra pretended not to hear the snort of exasperation that left the doctor's nostrils. This conversation was going nowhere fast and this woman was really starting to get under her skin.

"Yes, Blue Team are my Spartans, and you are a liability to all of them." Halsey retorted, as if it was a statement of fact.

"I'm an asset to Chief, Kelly and the others. A damn good one! You know nothing about me."

"You have no right to use their names!" Halsey hissed, ice swirling behind her blue eyes, like the precipice of a jagged, deadly glacier.

"I have every right! Where were you when they were trapped in a Covenant cruiser?! When their backs were against the wall with no way out? When their world turned inside out, I was one of the few whom they could still trust. I have been there for them. You. Haven't." Truthfully, she knew the doctor had no response, for she was not a soldier. The selling point was just to give her a few moments of respite.

Sandra's green eyes burned brightly, to combat the freezing temperatures of the creator's icy comments with a raging emerald blaze. The two women were entrenched in their beliefs and would not give any ground. For if either gave an inch, their enemy would take a mile. Halsey opened her mouth to continue their argument when the door opened with a soft whoosh. Frederic stood in the doorway, his visor shifting awkwardly between the two women.

"Are we interrupting?"

"Yes." "No." They replied in unison.

"This conversation isn't over." Halsey declared forewarningly.

"No. It isn't." Sandra practically growled, glaring at the woman as she made her way out of the room, giving her regards to the Fred and Linda as she left. She closed the door without looking back, leaving the three soldiers to their own devices. She had more important things to do than arguing like a child.

"You have a very…distinct voice." Linda said distractedly, her helmet obscuring any subtle cracks in her stoic exterior. That brought a small chuckle out of the youngest of the group.

"Well, some people just bring out the best in me." Sandra said, sauntering towards the arena in the middle of the room. "What an insufferable ass! How anyone can stand that woman is beyond me." She added to no one in particular. Behind her, Fred and Linda shared a knowing look. The circular arena sat in a well-lit section on the far end of the room. Built using pneumatic risers and props, the same technology implemented in War Games simulations, the arena could be modified to duplicate most environment. Though these arenas were specifically designed for close quarters combat using live combatants. As such, they lacked simulated sensory input, preferring the 'old fashioned way' of honing one's skills.

"Care to go a few rounds?" Fred called across the room, nodding towards the raised platform.

"Ha! With your skill, you'd knock me on my ass in less than a minute!" Fred couldn't help but smile. He was Blue Team's CQC specialist after all. "I have a better idea!" She added, entering a code into a storage locker. "Catch!" Fred caught the object as it flew through the air, and he swore his heart skipped a beat. His smile disappeared faster than a kid who dropped his ice cream on the hot pavement during the summer. Shit.

Linda saw the whole thing from the sidelines: the swell of pride, the slump of his shoulders and, finally, the weapon in his hand. There were only a few times she had seen him go through such a fluctuation of emotion so quickly. Unable to contain herself, she burst out laughing. It wasn't loud, nor was it particularly boisterous, but it was there. The sniper had not laughed, actually laughed, in a long while.

"I wouldn't laugh, Linda, because you're his second." Sandra said teasingly, tossing the sniper her own hilt with a childishly gleeful grin etched upon her face. Linda's laughter died instantly. I take it all back. This woman needs to go. While the Spartan-II's entered the arena, with some notable reluctance, Sandra scooped her waiting helmet off a nearby table, sliding it easily over her head. "All right, let me see what you've got." Sandra challenged, pulling her hilts free and igniting the blades in one fluid motion. The red glow given off by the twin custom swords was quickly matched by a stormy blue as the Spartan veterans lit their own weapons. The dance had begun once more.


Kelly and John languidly marched down a familiar corridor, each lost within their own world. They had just been relieved and were on their way to the mess hall to grab some much-needed nourishment. Half a ton of armor and they barely made more noise than slippers sliding across a carpeted floor, a testament to their unmatched experience inside the armored exoskeletons. The bodies were gone, but the sanguine scars remained, like the shattered debris left behind after a hurricane. When the Infinity returned to Earth, when the stains were removed and the holes mended, the memories would remain. Like seeds that sprouted a thorny brier, they would fester within the confines of the subconscious, trapping them within their own nightmares to drain them of their life. Many would survive, but some would be consumed by the horrors of the past, never to rise again.

"Come on, we don't want to miss this!" A Spartan said to his companion as he ran past the veterans, pulling them back to reality.

"It's just a sword fight. What's so amazing about that?" His companion shouted back. As the eager Spartan and his companion rounded the corner, Chief slightly dipped his head in her direction, the slight gesture needing no translation: I wonder who that could be? Care to hazard a guess, Kelly? Rolling her eyes behind her opaque visor, she picked up her pace as they made their way to where her lover had obviously garnered a crowd.

Whatever the two super soldiers were expecting when the entered the small arena, it certainly wasn't this. It was a madhouse. There were at least four dozen servicemen and women gathered before the small arena, all cheering loudly, as if there was some unwritten pact to make as much noise as possible. The scout was also able to pick a few soldiers discreetly making bets with those around them. Unorganized events such as these were against regulations, and generally frowned upon by the higher echelons of command. Unsure of how to proceed, she looked to her friend and leader. To her surprise, he had slipped away, nestling into the corner of the room. With a mental shrug, she followed his lead, posting herself by the door, eager to see her love thrive in her natural element.

Though her pride clung on to the small hope that her brother and sister would emerge the victor, the more practical side of her knew the two of them didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. Fred and Linda weren't just losing, oh no. They were being manhandled. They may be proficient with almost every weapon they touched, but they couldn't hold a candle to her pup when it came to energy swords. A combined few months of Covenant weapon familiarization training was laughably pathetic when compared to almost a full decade of dedication to the sword arts, including years of personal training by some of the best sword masters in the known galaxy. Now the only matter left to settle was when would Sandra stop showing off and end this bout. Fate must have owed her big time, because it didn't last long after that. With a flourish of dazzlingly masterful movements that would turn any Sangheili green with envy, Sandra quickly disarmed the two Spartans. Cheers and curses momentarily drowned out the hybrid engines, replacing the steady hum with unsynchronized rumble.

The crowd dispersed quickly, excitedly talking amongst themselves. In just a few short minutes the room had gone from over fifty occupants to just five, reminding those who remained just how silent the ship could be.

"An impressive performance, Sandra." Chief spoke from his corner, breaking the silence. Perhaps the quiet was still too raw, even for Spartans.

"Maybe you would like to get your ass kicked next time, Chief." Fred responded jokingly, a smile clearly evident in his voice.

"You looked like you were handling yourself just fine." Chief fired back with his own friendly jab, bringing a smile his team.

"Speak for yourself." The sniper crossed her arms across her chest, clearly unhappy with her loss. Fred bumped her, to which Linda replied with a vulgar gesture. When Sandra laughed at their little exchange, Linda opted to remain silent, instead electing to burn the younger Spartan to ash with an intense glare. Eventually, the members of Blue Team drifted out one by one, either by hunger or the need to put some distance between themselves and an infuriating blonde, leaving Kelly and her pup alone to their own devices.

"Seems were all alone." Sandra said coyly, looking aimlessly about the empty room. Kelly's face blossomed with embarrassment as her mind immediately went to the raciest solutions to their current predicament. But she couldn't let her lover know or the woman would become nigh impossible to reign in. Besides, she wasn't as green as she once was. She could handle herself when Sandra became…imaginative.

"Seems so." Kelly replied succinctly, making sure to control the quiver in her voice. There. Not so hard. Her confident smile eroded with every step the shorter woman made. Her sapphire orbs were glued to the woman's hips as they swayed hypnotically, closer and closer. Like a moth drawn to a flame, Kelly refused to look away, unconsciously moistening her lips with her tongue. Are my suit's temperature controls sill working properly? I feel like I'm burning up. Sandra sauntered into her scout's personal space, practically plastering herself against the veteran. If anyone were to come through that door, they would be met with a holistically unprofessional image that would be burned into their brain for the next century.

"Perhaps I could tutor you." Sandra offered, savoring the fact that Kelly was trapped between her and the wall. "A little 'personal' training. How does that sound, hmm?"

"I do-" A hand running up her thigh choked out the rest of her sentence, bringing her mind to a screeching halt. Sandra was enjoying this, the little minx! Growling at her pup's little teases, Kelly sought to stabilize her overly reactive libido. She was a Spartan, not a hormonal school girl, damn it!

"Afterwards, if you sufficiently performed to my expectations, we can take a nice relaxing shower. Together. How does that sound?"

Kelly dropped the opacity of her visor giving the woman a pointed look with her sapphire orbs. "I hate you."

True to her nature, Sandra took it in stride. "Good girl." She purred, giving the older Spartan's buttocks a firm squeeze, eliciting a startled hiccup for her efforts. Peeling herself away from her white armored companion, Sandra hit the door release and disappeared with a soft whoosh, leaving the poor soldier to fend for herself.

United Rebel Front Stronghold

Unknown System

2330 hours

Wilhelm Sundance took a deep pull from his cigar, the pungent smoke rolling through his lungs like the heavy fog of the 18th century London. The orange tip glowed intermittently, pulsing in time with the beat of his heart as he looked over the plans strewn across the table. Around him were the other members of his 'inner circle', a term he had become fond of, all deep in thought. With the Infinity crippled-but not beaten, he had to remind himself-their plans had to be modified in case the flagship decided to make an appearance. Extra precautions had to be made. Money flowed from their pockets like water, as bribing officials, security guards and other key members did not come cheap. But their plan would work. He would bet his life on it.

"Your report is thorough," He complimented, flicking his eyes to his good friend. Alexander gave him a short nod but kept silent. A shame we could not get that Spartan to join our cause. But a deal is a deal. While he could not agree with the soldier's allegiances, even though he was no longer a part of the UNSC, he still hoped the information could help the man find his family. Tapping the excess ash into a nearby dish, he continued, this time addressing the entire gathering. "All of our effort, our funds, time, money and suffering has gone into this single operation. We cannot afford to fail. Millions are counting on us. To free them from oppression. From tyranny. But we cannot let our desperation or our hate win out over caution. Everyone here has put in too much to see it fail now."

"Here! Here!" One shouted.

"I completely agree!" Another one broke in.

"You're damn right we have!" A woman shouted, adding her own feelings to the mix. Wilhelm held up a hand for silence and the praise and murmurs fell away.

"I know you all know this plan like you would your own children, but I want to cover it all again. To make sure there are absolutely no mistakes." He took a few seconds to shoot each member a look so sharp it could cut stone. There would be no errors in this plan. It was flawless from start to finish on paper. And Sundance would see that it remained so in its execution. Satisfied, he continued with his explanation. "The UNSC's flagship, the Infinity has been crippled, both physically and morally. They survive, but must head back to Earth for repairs, as it is the only planet with the facilities big enough to refit such a ship. Whether they retreat for repairs is irrelevant. We must be ready for anything. Admiral, how ready is your fleet to depart?"

An elderly, if portly, gentleman with a bushy, silver beard cleared his throat. He used to be an Admiral (or so he said) on one of the Outer colonies, before it was glassed by the Covenant. He had joined Wilhelm and his growing resistance when the UNSC would not return to purge the alien scourge from his home planet. He was in control of their fleet of warships, and if Wilhelm were to be honest, an excellent commander. "The men are loading the last of the weapons and provisions as we speak. The cloaking fields and stealth systems have gone through their shakedown runs and are operating green across the board. We are ready to go when you are." Sundance gave the man a small nod.

"Good. Now, Alexander, you formulated the most efficient plan to secure our foothold on the planet. Care to enlighten your fellow commanders?" Reilcat grunted, running a hand through his greying hair. The Major looked worn down, like the horrors he had witnessed during the war slowly dragged him to his grave. Though he slept for over twelve hours, dark circles still lingered under his eyes and the emerald cores had dimmed over the past months. But he was still a soldier, ready to take the fight to the enemy. The UNSC still needed to pay for their crimes.

"This portion requires the completion of two critical objectives. First, their interplanetary and extraplanetary communication network must be brought down. This will prevent our enemy from calling reinforcements and keep the rest of the planet in the dark as to what is happening. But that won't stop a passing patrol from decimating our forces. We need their focus to be elsewhere. That is why we have stashed multiple SHIVA warheads in key locations. The detonations will easily pull their attention away from any small-scale conflict. This will allow us the time we need to establish a foothold on the planet."

"Won't the civilian casualties be…high?" A captain questioned from across the table, unease painted across his pudgy face.

"That's the point. They knew what they signed up for." Reilcat snapped, glaring menacingly at the poor man. The man opened his mouth to argue, thought better of it, and kept silent.

"While our methods may be seen as 'inhumane' or 'brutal' by some, it is, regrettably, the only way now. Our people have tried more peaceful means to obtain our goals. All were met with failure or force. Armed resistance is the only way forward, because violence is the only thing the UNSC understands. I wish there was another way. Truly, I do." Wilhelm broke in sadly.

"Remind me again, Wil. Where are we going?" A raven-haired woman in her early thirties spoke, butting in to the impromptu moment of silence.

Releasing a frustrated huff from behind his cigar, he gave the woman a depreciating look. An ex-ONI operative, his cousin had the most experience when it came to covert operations, even if the woman infuriated him on occasion. Like now, for instance.

"Melody, how did you get through ONI training asking questions like that?" His sneer did nothing to dissuade the hateful glare that was sent his way as she ground her teeth in silence. If looks could kill… "Epsilon Eridani III, otherwise known as Tribute. The Inner Colony world used to be an industrial hub and economic anchor for humanity before the Covenant attacked in 2552. Over the years, they have rebuilt, slowly returning to the pinnacle of trade in the post-war era. Casbah, their capital city is now home to a sprawling mall and a garden of monuments. Named Humanity Mall, it is dedicated as a testament to Humanity's ability to endure. Considered a prestigious vacation destination by many, but more to the point, it remains a stronghold for UNSC morale. In short, it is the perfect target." He gave a winning smile as he closed his pitch. Many of those around him returned the gesture, happy to be a part of such an undertaking. Only Reilcat and Melody remained unmoved. The former rarely showed any emotion close to joy and the latter was still pissed. Oh well. He could live with that.

"I didn't need the history lesson." She growled out between clenched teeth. Her eyes narrowed even further, if that was even possible. "Just give us the damn time table."

Sundance frowned, his charming personality slipping momentarily before snapping back, like a rubber band. "Assuming preparations are completed within the next day or so, we leave for Tribute within the week." If everything went according to plan, their small fleet would enter slipspace within the next two days. From there, their trip to the inner colony was just over a week away. "Any questions?" There were none, a sentiment secured the shaking of a few heads. They were ready. Their troops were ready. Best of all? The United Nations Space Command had no idea they were coming. While the attacks on Imber and the UNSC Infinity had been met with varying amounts of success, Wilhelm was confident their actions on Tribute would have a monumental impact. It would be the spark to reignite the Insurrection and free their people from an oppressive, tyrannical government. It was time to get to work.

Come Back Next Time!

Hoped you all liked it! I know it wasn't as action-y as the few previous ones, but after the next chapter, we are once more dropping into the action! Till we meet again, Halo fans!