So its been about 2 years since my last chapter hehe.
i'm not gonna lie, I was ready to let this story go because i had lost all motivation, gone through a lot of shit, and just moved onto other things. But this story has never really left my mind and ive come back every now and then to read reviews and see how this story is going.
All i can say is im blow away by how many people are continuing to read this story and how many people want me to continue it. We've had over 58,000 views and gained so many followers and with the help of the review section and the recent news about Halo Infinite, ive decided that i will return to Halo: An Odd Relationship and try my best to continue the story for you all!
I'll also try to respond to all reviews from this chapter onward!
Before reading this chapter i recommend that everyone go back and read the first 10 chapters again because i guarantee that the older readers may have forgotten whats happened.
without further ado, lets gets Chapter 11 started!
Location: State of Jalam, Ancient Sangheili temple, Covenant operating base
Date: 22nd February 2558
Time: 1840 hours
Reesha fell into an abrupt silence, just staring at the figure walking towards her.
"Who is he?" Mayne asked, now suspicious of the Sangheili that was causing such a reaction from the warrior female. When he received no response, he asked again but a bit more forcefully.
"Who is he to you Reesha?" But still she would not speak. Looking into her blue eyes he could see intense anger, but he could also see that something scared her. As the Sangheili approached, Lashra paused while the others continued on. He waited and the silence between the two grew.
"Commander Reesha. I would expect that such a prestigious Sangheili such as yourself would know how to properly address her superior." He finally said, his voice oozed with mockery and his lips pulled up into a sneer. Mayne saw Reesha's hand twitch slightly towards her blade but still she said nothing.
"Not going to speak I see?" He questioned.
"I have no words for scum like you." Reesha suddenly shot back like a poison tipped arrow, her lips drawn back with a snarl. Lashra didn't react but kept his sneer.
"You are lucky Commander, had another been in your position I would strike them down for such insubordination."
"I would be honoured if you tried." Reesha snarled and clenched her fists. Lashra merely emitted a low guttural laugh and walked by them. Mayne went to question, but Catherine waved him down.
"We got a bird incoming, get ready to go." She called. Mayne nodded acknowledgement and turned back to Reesha but she had already walked away and was in a quiet discussion with Zek. Knowing that there was nothing he could currently do he walked back to his group and aboard the phantom they sat against the metallic bulwark in silence, listening to the marines as they chatted. A couple too, sat in silence like the ODSTs. Some wore blank faces and one with his eyes red with concealed tears. They must have left a friend behind, stripped of their dog tag and left to freeze in the night and then dry in the scorching day. Mayne felt pity for them for he knew all of what they felt. The Sangheili were in their own corner of the cabin. Reesha stood still, staring absently at the floor whilst the others spoke amongst themselves in their own language. Lashra was nowhere to be seen, most likely in the cockpit with the pilots and the Arbiter. Mayne wished there were something he could do for her but didn't know what troubled her so much.
As he leaned his head against the wall, he felt waves of fatigue wash over him as he was finally able to release his breath after the events of that afternoon. He removed his helmet and began to close his eyes and as sleep threatened to engulf him, he gratefully accepted.
Location: UNSC B Training Facility, Africa, Earth
Date: 19th April 2551
Time: 2300 hours
Mayne and Clare stood in the darkness of the gym, away from the prying eyes of the security cameras. Their lips intertwined with one another for a straight two minutes before parting.
"You never cease to amaze me, Clare." Mayne grinned at the smaller girl who smiled back her white teeth extremely prominent in the low light. She cupped one of Mayne's cheeks and drew him in for another kiss.
"It's been four months, surely you've gotten used to it by now." She smirked. Mayne brought himself mere inches from her face.
"Never in a hundred years will I ceased to be amazed." He whispered and kissed her deeply. This time Clare bit down softly on his lips, sending tingles down his spine, sending waves of heat through his body. Mayne instinctively drew himself closer until he was against her, his hand sliding beneath her PT shirt, feeling his way to her breasts and then slowly massaging them. Mayne was rewarded with a soft moan and Clare's hand left his shoulder and brushed against his erect member. Spurred on by the action Mayne went to lift Clare's shirt above her head but she calmly placed her other hand on his.
"We can't do it tonight Mayne, not with our final ceremony tomorrow. We can't risk ruining our careers before they even begin by being caught here." She said gently, her other hand still running gently over his pants. Mayne sighed and nodded. The risks of being caught were too high and with the completion of their training just some hours away they could wait just a little longer.
"Your right, we should probably get back to our room." He said. He leant in and kiss her passionately once more before they walked casually back to their room, taking particular routes as to not be spotted by the overhead cameras.
Mayne tapped the open key and the door to their bunk room slid open to reveal Avery, Sarah and Henry, sitting between two bunk beds playing a game with a stack of cards.
"And there's our favourite couple." Avery smirked and glanced at his watch, "Lights out was called two hours ago and we have all been so worried that you two must have gotten in trouble with One Section again." The others all began laughing and Mayne felt his heat rising slightly to his face and when he glanced at Clare, she too was showing some embarrassment.
"Hey, we made it back without cuts and broken bones, so mission success I think." Mayne laughed, bringing Clare closer to his side.
It had been only three weeks before every member of Four Section knew of the relationship that had budded between himself and Clare and they had all thankfully accepted it. They had even bailed them out a couple of times when they were late back to the room and the lieutenants had come snooping around for anyone unlucky enough to be caught out of their cots.
"Alright well now that everyone is here, we should all get some shut eye 'cause in a couple of days we'll be out there bringing the fight to the Covenant." Avery declared and received a chorused OORAH from Four Section. Mayne opened his locker and stripped out of his PT gear, earning a smirk from Clare as she did the same beside him. They then dressed themselves into loose shorts and tank tops and as Mayne closed his locker Clare gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight Mayne, sleep well."
"You too Clare." Mayne replied and collapsed onto his cot and the lights dimmed into darkness.
On the Parade ground, Mayne was already breaking a sweat in his ceremonial uniform as the early morning African sun shone down upon them. Beside him was Avery and other side stood Henry, both also in ceremonial dress. Across from Henry stood Clare and Sarah. The ceremony must have gone for one or two hours as words of praise were given, rewards were given to those that scored in the top five percent of all trainees and then finally words for the future.
After the ceremony each section was called to Major Sam Williams' office to receive their first placements. Eventually Mayne and the others received the order and made their way from their room to the Major's office.
"At ease, Four Section." Williams said emotionlessly. Mayne relaxed his posture as did his comrades. The major stared at each person individually, eventually letting his steely gaze fall to Mayne before letting a smile break through.
"I would like to congratulate you all personally for passing. This section in particular has done extraordinarily well over the last eight months. I hope you are all very proud." Mayne nodded, half in response to the Major's words but also as he thought back to the eight gruelling months that lead to this point. There was pain, verbal and physical but there was a worth to all this. He glanced at Clare, standing straight-backed and proud. He'd gotten himself a wonderful girl and become one of the best the UNSC could throw at the Covenant.
"Now you're probably very eager to learn about your first placement. You're to be joining the UNSC Patriot under the designation; Fireteam Chaos. You head out tomorrow. Welcome to the real fight Helljumpers." He gave a rare smirk at the end of his briefing and dismissed the team now formally known as Fireteam Chaos.
Once they got back to their room Mayne was pounced upon by Clare.
"We did it!" She yelled triumphantly as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply.
"Did you hear the Major? We're officially Helljumpers!" Henry whooped.
"Fireteam Chaos sounds so fucking cool!" Sarah cheered and grabbed Henry and Avery around their shoulders, "We're 'gonna give those Covenant bastards a run for their money!"
Mayne wrapped his arms around Clare and held her tight.
"And we're gonna do it together." Clare said, her voice muffled against his chest.
"That we will Clare, that we will." He replied and gave her a brief peck on the forehead.
Location: Kapursa, State of Moram, Sanghelios
Date: 22nd February 2558
Time: 2000 hours
Mayne's eyes flicked open as he felt a firm hand on his shoulder.
"We're here Mayne, let's go." Ajax said, helmet adorned. The others were already beginning to exit down through the gravity field and Mayne wasted no time in placing his helmet firmly on his head and using Ajax's extended hand to pull himself up.
Once on the ground Mayne was in awe of the scenery around him.
"Welcome to the city of Kapursa, capital of the 'Moram State." The Arbiter announced when everyone was present. The party stood in a large sandstone courtyard among three towering domed buildings, behind them lay a set of grand stairs that led down into the rest of the city, clustered with buildings and the sounds of a busy world. Beyond the city lay an open plain of desert and rock which eventually met with a contrasting aqua green ocean.
"This place is amazing..." Catherine's voice trailed off slightly as she looked around at the domed buildings and then across rest of the city below them.
"It is admirable that you think so. Kapursa is arguable the most beautiful city of all Sanghelios now that the Covenant has laid waste to the State of Vadam." The Arbiter stated enthusiastically, although dropping his head the slightest at the mention of his home State. Around them the company of marines had already begun settling themselves into their new home for what is assumed the next few months. Scorpion tanks and warthogs lined the sides of the courtyard and marines moved about, training or following orders from their higher ups.
The arbiter exchanged a few words with Lashra and Reesha who stood a bit apart from her superior before turning and entering the Phantom and presumably returning to his home State. Lashra turned on his heel and walked straight-backed towards one of the large buildings, leaving only Reesha.
"Follow me, let me show you to your sleeping quarters."
The night was bliss as Mayne lay sprawled upon his pop-up cot in one of the spacious rooms of what Reesha had clarified to be the Temple of Viln, named after a prestigious Sangheili general; Viln Moram, responsible for the foundation of Kapursa many hundred years ago. First built up as a stronghold and family village for the Moram family and allies, its role has changed as it gradually developed over the years into one of the largest trade capitals of the planet.
Mayne sat up and gazed out one of the large open windows and the still bustling city below, the darkness below the 'HQ' as Captain Hendricks had termed it was speckled with several hundreds of lights by the traders who seem to never cease their work.
"Can't sleep either?" Catherine surprised Mayne and he turned to look at her, not showing any sign of said surprise. Catherine stood up from her cot and walked over to the window and crossed her arms on the sill. "I still can't believe that we're on the home world of the species that almost singlehandedly put us in the history books, never since this damn war began did I ever believe that we would be where we are now." She spoke without looking back at Mayne, speaking as if her mind was wandering elsewhere. Mayne hefted himself off the cot with ease and stood beside his fireteam leader. "you could hardly tell the difference from earth, except of course the fact we're hundreds of thousands of lightyears away from home." Mayne nodded agreement. The view from their room was almost the exact same as looking out an apartment building back on earth, or any densely colonised colony for that matter.
A brief silence then settled over the two soldiers, neither of them wanting to break the peacefulness of the night.
"I've read your whole file Mayne, your account on the events of your fireteam, the months after the event as well. Have you sought after any help? Any counselling?" Catherine finally said and Mayne shook his head, already his mind was starting to lock itself down, closing itself off from the rest of the world. A protection from the memories he knew would resurface.
"No, I didn't, and I don't plan to talk to anyone about it now." He said, harsher then intended and after a brief second Catherine turned and pointed a finger directly at his chest.
"Well you're the 2IC now so you better shape up and act like it, you can't be caught up on this forever, you have to let people in someday." Catherine replied, equally as hard and walked back to her cot. Mayne was not sure whether she went back to sleep or not as he walked out of the room in search of a quieter location.
Even in the dead of night, with the moons Suban and Qikost shining down upon the sandstone courtyard, the quiet murmuring of marines on night watch pierced what would be a bliss silence. Mayne glanced around, hoping to find somewhere away from the eyes of his fellow soldiers and his eyes fell upon an archway leading off into a dark corridor. Almost unconsciously Mayne began to follow the path, walking deeper into the darkness with what seems to be no end in sight. However, just as soon as the darkness of the corridor seemed to engulf him, he arrived at the end, an open garden set upon the edge of the temple overlooking the vast rainforest of the neighbouring state where the past days' battle took place. This is what he was looking for. It was quiet and peaceful, the only sounds penetrating the silence were the alien insects and the quiet breeze.
Mayne's mood soured as he took a few steps in and saw a large shadow leaning against the balcony, too large to be a marine, or human for that matter. He turned about but was stopped by a voice from the shadow,
"Mayne, you are up, can you not sleep?" the figure turned around and Mayne could see the small glint of bright blue eyes in the moonlight belonging to Reesha.
Mayne turned back to face the black armoured female,
"yeah, this is all pretty intense." He said as he walked to stand beside her, Reesha cocked her head to the side interrogatively, "as in, just a short time ago your species was about to annihilate mine and now we're all expected to be good friends"
Reesha looked back out over the vast expanse of vegetation below them,
"There are still many of my species that believe our alliance to be a heresy, many of the warriors I fought with continue to believe in the false gods and deem us to be heretics…" her voice drifted off as she continued to stare off into the dimly lit void of night, "This planet used to be so peaceful. Now our cities and states burn with the fires of war started by lies of the cursed prophets. I have lost family and fellow warriors to Jul Mdama's army and before this is over, I believe my life may be taken too."
Mayne disguised a small measure of shock upon hearing normally valiant commander's negative view on the situation for her planet and through the numbed fog in his mind, a flicker of sympathy began to emerge.
"We have all lost people in these wars, many who we loved and cared for, shared our lives with and gone through so much with. The best thing we can do in remember them and never let their memory die." As he said this, images of Clare, Henry, Sarah and Avery flashed through his mind. Why was he speaking like this? Saying these things that he had never thought before, let alone said aloud?
Reesha remained quiet, looking off into the darkness. The silence drew on for what seemed a millennium.
"Lashra and I have a negative history." Reesha said suddenly, catching Mayne off guard.
"Sorry, what?" He questioned, turning to face her.
"You asked before who he was to me, did you not?" Mayne nodded his head simply in response, his curiosity aroused. "Throughout my time in the Covenant, Lashra made it clear he wanted to be my suitor. His attempts were constant in trying to persuade me into courting him and providing him with children. As time drew on, his attempts became threats." Reesha dropped her head and her tone softened.
"he threatened to take what I most dearly care for, away from me. I told him he could not touch my family, for my family had great wealth and favour amongst the other states in the region, but that was not where his intentions lay. He orchestrated the violation and murder of Ceea."
Mayne felt the hot flush of anger,
"And there was no punishment for him!?" He exclaimed softly, careful not to disrupt the quiet night. Reesha glanced over to him,
"He is a high-ranking male, no one would believe him of such a crime." Her voice was quiet, but Mayne could hear the concealed anger within. "And no Sangheili would care much for a simple female soldier who would let herself fall in such a manner, they would say she was clearly not meant to be a warrior."
Mayne shook his head slightly,
"That's ridiculous. Regardless of gender or position, anyone should be prosecuted for wrong doings on that scale." He argued but Reesha shook her head and turned away from the rainforest view and began walking back towards the dark corridor.
"Some things just aren't possible in this culture, while I wish Ceea could have the justice she deserves, she will not." As she was about to disappear into the darkness, she turned, exposing those brilliant blue eyes in the moonlight. "Thank you for hearing me, it is relieving to express that to another, even if they do not fully understand. I hope you sleep well Mayne."
Mayne raised a hand in farewell and Reesha disappeared into the dark corridor, leaving him to ponder the reason for her expression of such a traumatic experience, and more importantly, why his normally emotionless heart was feeling so much empathy for her.
And there we go! Its only been a 2 year wait for this chapter but i fully hope to return to this story and i am more then determined to get it finished.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and ill see you all in the next one!