(Hey everyone! I realize this is coming out in March, and I said I would be working on this story more. Sorry. School occupied my attention for some time due to major projects. I also admit to getting side tracked by writing RvRWBYvB. I hope I get to writing more of this story soon but for now, I cannot promise anything. Lisa Loud and Nobel 6 spin offs are also on hold until I finish A New Mission. I do not want to retcon stuff in either story with stuff in this one. That being said, I plan to incorporate Walking Dead Saints and Sinners into this story later on. Please leave a Review, good or bad it helps.)
A brief recap of last chapter:
Chief went rogue to save the life of a marine under his command.
A new faction arose to aid Umbrella, the Whisperers.
Jackson defected and aided Chief and Private Kit in their escape.
Chief discovered Umbrella's true objective.
(I do not own Halo, The Walking Dead, or any other franchise I may pull from to make this story work.)
…
The clock ticked, every brutal second counted down to total brain infection. Lisa worked as fast as she possibly could to save this poor marine's life. Her heartbeat perfectly synchronized with the clock.
'90 seconds.' Lisa thought.
She applied a base drug to the infection sight and then to the neck and major arteries.
'70 seconds.' Lisa thought.
She applied another solution to the base of the brain stem.
'45 seconds.' Lisa thought.
She attached wires to the infection sight and the locations of all the injections.
'25 seconds.' Lisa thought calmly.
She ran a powerful electric current through the wires, making Arial's body jump. She looked at the monitor displaying the virus's progress. She breached the initial defensive tumors but the virus still spread.
'10 seconds.' Lisa thought.
She replaced the fuses of the current controls.
'4 seconds.' Lisa thought calmly.
She ran another electric current through the marine, this time making her scream.
'Time's up.' Lisa thought as she looked at the monitor.
The screen refreshed and showed the virus completely eradicated from Arial's body.
Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.
"The infection is eradicated. Cortana, you can take over from here." Lisa said before exiting the surgical room.
Several monarch soldiers passed by in the hallway with Master Chief in tow. Lisa decided to follow them, in order to report on Private Kit's condition. She tailed them to the command room, but the guards stopped her from entering.
"Sorry ma'am, this area is restricted." The marine said.
"Oh really? Well I guess you can explain to your superiors why you blocked a messenger with vital Intel about the briefing in there." Lisa said.
"And what exactly would that be?" The other marine asked.
"None of either of your concern, but I will say that you're C.O. will go nuts if I don't get in there." Lisa said.
"Yeah right. Get lost lady!" The first marine said.
Cortana appeared on a terminal next to the door.
"Hey, let her in. Or Noble Leader will be the first to know." Cortana said as the door opened.
The guards rolled their eyes and let Lisa through. She entered into a rather heated debate between Chief and Six.
"And you're basing all of this on the testimony of one defector and some vague puppet tactics at an old boarding school!" Six yelled.
"From what I've learned, Monarch doesn't exactly have a better theory." Chief argued.
"So you expect me to okay an op in neutral Whisperer country to maybe backup this 'theory' of yours?" Six asked.
"Yes." Chief said bluntly.
Six face palmed, "Now I see why they didn't make you a headhunter."
Lisa rolled her eyes and stepped forward. "Would you two cool it? You sound like you need marriage counseling, and God alone knows how much of that I've done."
"Who let her in here?" Six asked the Monarch officials in the room.
"I did." Cortana said.
Lisa looked at the map on the table.
"Whisperer country is rough terrain. If you want to find any form of Intel, you will need to look in the hills. They tend to build their bases there." Lisa said.
"How do you know that?" Shark asked.
"There is a small independent community around, here." Lisa pointed at a particular basin on the map. "I have two sisters who settled down there. For a while, I lived with them."
"And you're sure it's still there?" Six asked.
"Positive. They are on coexistence terms with the Whisperers, so long as they stay within their own area, and the main town is a fortress. Moreover, they have the best-dammed engineer alive on their side." Lisa said.
"Sounds like they're neutral. Do you know for sure if they'd willingly interact with us?" Shark asked.
"I can't say for sure. All I know is that they are great people who will do most anything for their own." Lisa said.
"Sir, we need to know for sure if the Whisperers are working with Umbrella. Not to mention the valuable intel that a high ranking member of their faction could provide if the first condition is true." Chief said.
Six sighed, "Alright, Chief. I'll send you in. But you'd better be right about this." Six said.
Chief nodded, pulled Cortana's AI chip from the center terminal, and walked out of the room.
Lisa followed the Spartan to the main hangar, which now hosted an entire compliment of Monarch troops and flight control staff. Chief grabbed an assault rifle and magnum out of a miniature armory and walked toward a Pelican.
"Sir, Fireteam Legion reporting for duty!" Private Hunter said in a salute to Chief.
Chief looked a bit surprised.
"Our orders are to accompany you to Whisperer territory." Private Hunter said.
"Is your squad formed up?" Chief asked.
"They're prepping their gear as we speak, sir." Hunter said.
"Good, we leave in ten minutes." Chief said before some tapped him from behind.
He turned around to see Lisa.
"I'm coming with you." She said before trying to board the ship.
Chief stopped her. "No." He said, grabbing her arm.
Lisa wrenched her arm away, "If you want anybody in that community to take you people seriously, you'll need me."
"This is technically a black op. And you're not even military." Chief said.
"I've already lost a brother and three sisters to Umbrella. I want to bring these animals down just as much as you do if not more. Right now, the maximum damage you could inflict to their control in this region is turning that community for Monarch. As it happens, I am pretty well connected in that town. So I'm coming, and nobody is going to change that." Lisa said indignantly.
Chief did not have time to argue so he let her on the ship. "Just stay out of our way."
"Quite pushy." Cortana said to Chief.
"They're the deadly ones." Chief said, remembering how Kelly acted the same way on occasion.
Fireteam Legion finished boarding the Pelican, and the gunship took off.
"Alright listen up." Chief said in front of his new team. "This is an unsanctioned op, we're operating outside the effective range of the Dawn's archer missiles, and this is technically neutral territory."
"So we don't have support?" Private Tucker asked.
"Affirmative. We turn this community and cripple Whisperer operations in this region before anyone comes to pick us up. Am I clear?" Chief asked.
"Sir! Yes sir!" Fireteam Legion yelled in unison.
"Alright, let's get down to business." Cortana said, displaying a holomap of the region.
"We'll set down here." A red light flashed in a clearing. "From there, we'll hike 6 miles northwest until reaching a river. We follow that river and it'll lead us to a basin where our secondary objective is located."
"The community is the secondary?" McConner asked.
"Yes, our primary objective is to locate and retrieve any and all intel pertaining to Umbrella's alliance with the Whisperers." Cortana said.
"Should sufficient evidence be found, our objective shifts to crippling their faction." Chief said.
"Once we reach the basin, we'll convince the community to join our cause and help us complete our primary objective." Cortana said. "Any questions, comments, or concerns?"
"I've got one." Lisa said unenthusiastically.
"That being?" Chief asked.
"If you go with this route, you're going to die." Lisa said.
Legion shot looks at each other.
"Elaborate." Chief demanded.
"Gladly. This passage is shared hunting territory, and the only diplomatic ground between either side. Naturally, it's patrolled by both sides and usually there's a massive herd in the area." Lisa said.
"We can handle a blow through op." Chief said.
"Sure you can. You and your AI might just make it out alive, albeit with both sides gunning for you and your squad dead." Lisa said.
"You're very optimistic." McConner joked.
"Optimistic isn't the half of it, McConner." Lisa said.
"Then what do you suggest, Doctor?" Chief asked.
Lisa examined the map, "There's an old Whisperer passageway through the more southern neck of the woods. We used to use it for smuggling people into the town from outside territories. It leads straight into the outer city limits. You'll find it faster, safer, and generally nicer on the feet than Cortana's route." Lisa said.
"Then that's where we're going," Chief said as Cortana altered their flight path.
...
Six sat in the Dawn's new makeshift command center, scanning over maps and troop movements. Shark walked in.
"Sir, command finished the arrangements for evacuating the kids to Hawaii. Delta force will detonate an EMP over the Umbrella sensor grid next Tuesday at 05:00 hours. The transports will have a straight shot over the Midwest, land at fort Packer, and fly escorted to Oahu." Shark said.
"Acknowledged." Six said, without even turning his head.
"Sir, one more thing." Shark continued.
Six turned his head this time.
"Admiral Kyle wants the Master Chief and the Covenant on that transport. From what I gathered, he wants Chief to lead Operation Enterprise." Shark said.
Six nodded his head, "Then let's hope he gets back in time."
"Should I inform the civilians of the transfer plan?" Shark asked.
"Affirmative." Six said.
Shark nodded and left the room. He made his way to the living quarters, which Cortana set up for the Ericson refugees. When he opened the door, Willie greeted him.
"Who are you?" Willie asked inquisitively.
"Lt. Max T. Shark. Who's in charge here?" Shark asked.
"Louis. Well, technically Clementine is but Louis is covering while she recovers." Willie said.
"Okay, where can I find this Louis?" Shark asked.
"You just missed him. He and a couple of others just went to visit Clem and Jaxx in sickbay." Ten said, overhearing the conversation.
"Thank you, I'll be on my way?" Shark said as he turned to leave. He felt a tug on his hand. Shark turned to see Alley Loud.
"Do you know where Auntie Lisa is?" She asked innocently.
Shark smiled as he bent down on one knee to the young girl.
"She's helping some of my friends out. She'll be back soon." Shark said reassuringly.
"Where's Chief?" Willie asked.
"Chief… He's also helping my friends out." Shark said, careful not to let on too much in front of Alley. Ten and Willie seemed to get the message through.
Shark left the room and continued to sickbay. There he found quite a few teenagers conversing, along with an alien.
"Excuse me, but I'm looking for Louis. Is he here?" Shark said loudly.
"That would be me," Louis said.
"Lt. Max T. Shark, I need to speak with you," Shark said before he and Louis exited the room.
"So what is it?" Louis asked.
"I've been ordered to inform you that in about a week, we're going to move you guys to Hawaii," Shark said.
"Hawaii?" Louis asked, puzzled.
"Yes, it's completely US-controlled and walker free," Shark said.
Louis looked back through a viewing port at the others. "I don't know if Clem is up for that big a trip yet."
"We've accounted for all medical conditions and variables in health, she'll be fine," Shark said.
"What about Chief?" Louis asked.
Shark began to realize just how much these kids looked up to the Master Chief, and in some ways depended on him.
"I'm not supposed to say anything about this, so don't repeat it to anyone, but Chief is going as well. They need him in Hawaii for something big we have planned for years." Shark said.
Louis nodded his head.
"If you need anything additional for the flight, just let me know," Shark said before leaving Louis.
Louis reentered the sickbay.
"What was that about?" Carl Grimes asked.
"Well, he told me that Monarch is going to send us to Hawaii. Apparently, it's safe there." Louis said.
"What's Hawaii?" Jaxx asked ignorantly.
Everyone facepalmed.
…
Chief exited the Pelican and gave the pilot a thumb up, signaling them to take off. After the gunship left visual range, Chief rejoined his squad.
"Sir, we've located the trailhead," Hunter reported.
"Let's move," Chief said.
The group began hiking into the thick forest.
"How likely is it that we're spotted?" Hope asked Lisa.
"Not very. Judging by the overgrowth, nobody's used this trail in years." Lisa said.
"How do you know about this trail?" McConner asked.
"My brother, sister in law, and I used it to leave the community," Lisa said.
"This place sounds nice. Why'd you leave?" Ted asked.
"The Whisperers were getting a bit bold with territorial claims. One day a friend of ours accidentally entered one of their new territories, which they never conveyed to us, and got herself stuck in a trap. The Whisperers placed a herd there to protect the land prior to all this, so…" Lisa spared the gruesome details.
"Yikes. That's a pretty horrid way to go." Hope said.
"Anyways, my brother didn't want to raise a family in an environment where one misstep could get you eaten. So, we said our goodbyes and left." Lisa said.
"Why'd the community stop using this trail?" McConner asked.
"I don't know. Could be any number of reasons, Whisperers found out about it, herd moved through, or they found a better route." Lisa said.
"Duck," Chief said.
"What?" Everyone said unanimously.
Chief sprawled, quickly followed by his team.
"What's happening?" Ted whispered.
Chief pointed to the ridgeline, to which McConner pulled his sniper rifle out.
"Yep, that's a scout," McConner said.
"Whose side? And did they see us?" Lisa asked.
"Whisperer, I think. He's wearing an odd mask. I don't think he spotted us though." McConner said.
"Drop him," Hunter ordered.
Chief raised his hand, blocking the order. He then pointed to several other spots on the ridge.
"Gees, they've got overwatch on this entire forest," McConner muttered.
"No wonder they stopped using this route. Anybody moving through here would get their head blown off." Hope said.
"We can still make it. Stay down and move sporadically toward the river." Chief said.
"The river is more open than anywhere in the tree line! We'd be sitting ducks!" Hunter protested.
"No, he's right. It's not uncommon for walkers to stumble into the river. We'd pick them up all the time out in the basin." Lisa said.
"Move to the river bank, and roll down the slope. Once you're in, float like a body until the current calms down. We'll rendezvous on the shoreline of the objective." Chief ordered.
Legion nodded their heads and began a slow crawl toward the river. Chief reached the shore long before anyone else.
"Best go stealth for right now," Cortana suggested.
Chief initiated his active camo module and jumped into the center of the river. Lisa reached the shore next, not having to carry the tactical gear Legion did. She quickly rolled down the slope and swam out into the river. Legion ducked into the river one by one, half treading water to avoid sinking under their own gear. The group floated downstream for around half an hour before the current settled down. Lisa eventually caught sight of some less forested terrain near the riverbank. She grabbed an outlying branch and maneuvered herself to shore. She scanned the cliff faces and saw no Whisperers, so she flagged the rest of Legion down. The marines swam to shore and joined her as soon as they caught sight.
"Where's Chief?" Hope asked, clearing her weapon of water.
"I don't know. He made it in well ahead of me." Lisa said, checking her own pistol.
"He's around here somewhere. Not like he just turned invisible." McConner reassured.
Ted scouted the land in front of them. "Looks like a wheat field. Any of this your guy's?"
"Probably, we have tons of these fields set up outside the main town. One of the only reliable food and herb sources around here. In addition, one of the only things we traded with the Whisperers." Lisa said.
"Anybody guarding them?" Hunter asked.
The sound of a shotgun cocking came from behind them.
"Drop your guns!" A man with a heavy southern accent called out.
"That's a yes," McConner said before setting his rifle down and raising his hands.
They turned to face a man with short grey hair, dark skin, and a red handkerchief over his mouth and nose.
"Who are you people? And why are you here?" The man demanded.
Before anyone could answer, Chief decloaked behind the man, disarmed him, and knocked him to the ground.
"I guess he can turn invisible," McConner said shocked.
Chief pointed the barrel of his assault rifle less than a centimeter from the man's forehead.
"I suggest answering your own question." The Spartan said.
The man pulled his mask down and raised his hands.
"Paul Muar and I guard this plot." The man said, quite scared.
"Paul?" Lisa asked confused. "Good Lord, I didn't recognize you."
Paul took a closer look at the scientist.
"Lisa?" Paul asked, equally confused.
Lisa nodded her head and smiled.
Paul started laughing hysterically. "Lisa Loud! I ain't seen you in what, almost five years?"
"He's cool Chief," Lisa said before the Spartan shouldered his rifle.
Hunter helped Paul to his feet.
"Who are your friends? Especially this guy?" Paul asked, mostly pertaining to Chief.
"Some people who have business with the Whisperers. As for the big guy, you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Lisa said.
"Well, I'll take you all to town. Maybe we can help set a meeting up or something. Follow me." Paul said.
The group followed Paul to a restored truck. A red Ford F-150 if Cortana's memory served right. After some talk, Chief and Legion climbed in the back and Lisa rode with Paul in the cabin.
"So how you been?" Paul asked enthusiastically.
"Overall okay. How about yourself?" Lisa carefully defected the question.
"Pretty good. We've made some major strides security-wise. I think what happened to Sam really got to Margret these past few years. She's done everything in her power to negate an incident like that from ever happening again." Paul said.
"Yeah, Sam." Lisa sighed, remembering the incident.
Paul took note of Lisa's response and tried to shift the topic.
"So, how's your big bro?" Paul asked.
Lisa sank into her seat a little further.
"What?" Paul asked, realizing he struck a nerve.
"He's dead." Lisa finally said.
Paul turned a shocked look at Lisa.
"What… What happened?" Paul said, completely at a loss for words.
"After we left, we spent a while just camping from place to place. Eventually, we found another community, far south of here. The guy who ran the place was an angel, and his son turned out to be a really great friend to me. Not too long after we arrived, Ronnie got pregnant so Lincoln finally settled down." Lisa started.
"Sounds like everything was going your guy's way. What changed?" Paul asked.
"A group called Umbrella came in. They attacked us for no reason. We did nothing to them, and they slaughtered everyone in that community. Ronnie caught one of the first bullets, and it broke Lincoln. He sacrificed himself so that my friend and I could get out with his infant daughter." She continued.
Paul just ran his hand over his head in shock.
"After that, I think I would have given up if not for a promise I made to Lincoln just before he died. I told him I would keep his daughter safe, and that's what I did. About three years later, we met these guys. They offered a measure of safety that I could never provide my niece. And for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I felt like I had a purpose again." Lisa said.
"So you came back to help them?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, and maybe help avenge Lincoln and Ronnie," Lisa said.
Paul rode for a couple of minutes in silence, processing the fact that one of his best friends was dead. Eventually, he found the strength to speak again.
"So what do the Whisperers have to do with these Umbrella pigs?" Paul asked.
"We think they may be carrying out ghost operations for Umbrella. They may also know something more about Umbrella's actual goals, which are still hazy." Lisa said.
"You know it's odd you bring that up," Paul said.
"Why?" Lisa asked.
"Because about a year ago, some kind of cue went down. Their new leader is this absolute creep, goes by the name 'Alpha.' She's broken a ton of treaties and diplomatic ties. We've never even met her face to face, it's always some intermediary." Paul said.
"Sounds like the kind of person Umbrella would prop up," Lisa said.
"Well, I can tell you that Alpha is bad news. So if Umbrella is as horrid as you say, then we've got a real problem brewing on our hands here." Paul said.
The Truck entered into view of a walled town. It looked somewhat reminiscing of Carver's community, just on a much smaller scale. Paul stopped the truck at the main gate.
"Wait here; I'll let everybody know we have guests," Paul said, exiting the truck and walking up to the gate.
He spoke with a guard on the opposite side and the gate began opening. Paul returned to the truck and drove through into the community.
"Welcome to Victoria," Paul said to the soldiers in the back.
The inside of Victoria actually surprised Chief. The buildings were obviously constructed after the apocalypse began, and yet they retained semblances of late 20th-century architecture. A thriving marketplace encapsulated the attention of most onlookers, as well as a large and ingeniously engineered watchtower. Victoria possessed working electric streetlights, a sewage system, and even several working vehicles.
"Wow. Quite the place." Hope said.
"It's almost as nice as Oahu," Ted commented.
"Don't get too attached. We still have a job to do." Chief reiterated.
The truck stopped in front of what resembled a town hall.
"End of the ride folks," Paul said exiting his truck.
Legion disembarked the vehicle and shouldered their gear.
"The order of the place changed up a bit since you left, Lisa. I'll see if I can get Margret down here to talk to you guys." Paul said before entering the building.
"So… We just wait here?" McConner asked.
"That's the plan," Hunter responded.
"Wait! What if these guys are setting up a trap?" Ted asked.
"Oh please! Have a little faith Ted," Hope responded.
"Well, it is worth bringing up," Ted reassured himself.
"If they were going to try something, they'd of done it by now. Besides, who in their right mind's going to mess with Chief?" McConner said.
"As much as it pains me to say it, Ted. McConner has a point." Hunter said begrudgingly.
Chief took note of Lisa looking around inquisitively.
"Homesick?" Chief asked.
"No, not really. It's not like I spent most of my life here. Still, there are a few good memories." Lisa said.
Chief nodded, recalling his own experiences of Reach and the Spartan 2 program.
Paul returned with a woman in her early 60s. Despite her age, she looked physically fit and quite intimidating. She possessed a complete Scandinavian complexion, deep blue eyes, pale skin, and vibrant blond hair. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Lisa and Chief though.
"Well… Long time no see." Margret said to Lisa.
The scientist just smiled.
"Who are your friends?" Margret asked. "And moreover, who's the big guy?"
"Sierra 177. This is my team. The United States Military sent us." Chief answered.
"So… Uncle Sam is still around and kicking after all." Margret joked, only inspiring a laugh from Hunter.
"I assume you're the leader of Victoria?" Chief asked.
"Indeed, 117. Is it okay if I call you that?" Margret asked.
"We all just call him Chief," Lisa said.
"Well then, Chief, I'm Margret Klinger. I do in fact run this here town and its surrounding land." Margret spoke in a heavy southern accent.
"The Chief and his team have information about the Whisperers that you need to hear Margret," Paul said.
"Then we best take this inside," Margret said, leading the group to her office.
Over the course of the next hour, Lisa downloaded her story to Margret and Chief explained the origins of the virus, Monarch, the US remnant, and finally their mission.
"You want us, to break ten years of diplomatic ties with our only trade partner for an outside war?" Margret finally asked Chief.
"Yes," Chief said bluntly.
"Alright then, consider us a US ally. You have my blessing and support to do whatever you need to in this region." Margret said.
"Wait, what?" Hope asked.
"Are you second-guessing my decision?" Margret asked the young marine.
"No! No! I… Ah… Just thought it would be harder to convince you." Hope said.
Margret gave Hope a cold stare and then started laughing sarcastically.
"Sorry sweetheart, I'm just messing with you. But seriously, I owe Lisa's brother my life, we all do. Lord only knows how many times he saved this town. I couldn't care less about who's asking or what they're offering. I don't intend to let his murder go unpunished, and I'll bet every person here who remembers him would agree." Margret said.
"Well then, thank you, I guess." Hunter said, just as confused as everyone else.
"Now, my only question is do you people really plan on going into Whisperer country all on your own? Because that would be suicide." Margret asked.
"That's the plan." McConner said.
"Ma'am, my squad can handle themselves and I can handle whatever they throw at us." Chief said.
"Pretty bold claim, Chief. What proof you got to back it up?" Margret asked, purely for the sake of investigating Chief.
"I saw someone like him rip an entire platoon apart in under 3 minutes, and come out without a scratch." Lisa said, earning an actual stare from Margret.
Chief removed Cortana's chip from his helmet and placed it on the table. Cortana then displayed her hologram and pulled up the footage of Chief massacring an entire herd.
"What on earth?" Margret exclaimed.
"Hello, I am UNSC AI Cortana. I'm also the Chief's virtual partner. I recorded this footage when Chief engaged and decimated a herd of several hundred." Cortana said.
"You are full of surprises, Mr. Chief." Margret said closely observing Cortana and the footage.
"Actually, it's Master Chief." Cortana said.
Margret gave the AI a look.
"She means the rank." Lisa explained.
"Ah. I see." Margret said. "Well, it's already late afternoon and you folks must be tired. You are all welcome to stay here as long as you need. If you need any support before heading into Whisperer territory, just let me know." Margret said.
"Thank you, Ma'am, that's very generous." Hunter said.
"It's the least I could do if it meant helping avenge Lincoln and Ronnie Anne Loud. You all just better kill the SOB that dared take a shot at them." Margret said.
Chief nodded, and the group left the building.
"So, are we staying somewhere?" McConner asked.
"Yeah, there is a couple here who used to host travelers." Lisa gave Hunter the directions. "Just tell them that I sent you, and they'll get you settled in."
"Alright then, Legion let's move out." Hunter said.
Chief grabbed Hunter's shoulder, "Meet at the front gate tomorrow at 3:00 hours."
"Yes, sir." Hunter said before taking his squad to the inn.
"What about you?" Lisa asked.
"I'm fine." Chief said.
Lisa eyeballed Chief.
Chief rolled his eyes under his helmet, "Spartans can go extended periods of time without sleep."
Lisa nodded her head, mostly trying to figure out how that was possible.
"What about you?" Chief asked.
"Oh, I can crash with my sister. She only lives a couple blocks down anyways. When are we planning on heading out?" Lisa asked.
"Be at the gate at noon tomorrow." Chief said, knowing they would be gone long before then.
"Alright then. See you tomorrow." Lisa said.
Chief nodded, and the two went their separate ways.
Lisa took a walk down memory lane as she strolled through the dimming streets of Victoria. All the memories started coming back to her. The little family that she once had here.
'Why did we ever leave?' She asked herself.
She soon found herself in front of an all too familiar sign, which read 'Loud Mechanics.' She looked inside the fence and saw an open garage with someone welding underneath a car. Lisa found the dial to open the gate and typed in the code. The fence opened and Lisa walked up the driveway and over to the garage. She would have said something, had she not accidentally tapped and knocked over an aluminum pole. An ear-piercing sound filled the air; the figure under the car stopped welding and started sliding out from under it.
"Max, I swear I'm going to…" The figure yelled until catching sight of Lisa. "Lisa?"
"Hey, Lana." Lisa said.
Lana tossed her mask and tools aside before bear-hugging her sister. The elder Loud sported a very physically fit build nearly six feet tall, short blond hair, a backward red baseball cap, oil-stained jeans, a sleeveless pink undershirt, and a welding jacket.
"Where on earth have you been?" Lana asked after finally releasing her younger sister.
"All over the place, really. Let's just say, it's been a crazy couple weeks." Lisa sighed.
"You're here, safe and sound, and that's what matters," Lana said.
"Where's Lola?" Lisa asked.
Lana scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Probably gambling or in bed with someone. I can't even keep track of all her insane kids anymore either."
"I take it this Max is one of them?" Lisa asked.
"Oh Lord! He is the devil incarnate. That boy has his uncle's curiosity and his mother's lack of impulse control. Rolled together and…" Lana bit her lip.
"Yeah, I'm imaging complete chaos," Lisa said.
"Like you wouldn't believe. Hey speaking of Lincoln, is he here too?" Lana asked with excitement.
If Paul struck a nerve, then Lana broke a bone. Lisa hung her head down, fighting tears. For the longest time, she tried to forget everything about her brother. She tried to shove the mess of his memory into a corner of her mind and act like the corner didn't exist. Now, she had to be the one to tell her sister that her older brother wasn't coming back.
"Hey, are you okay?" Lana asked before Lisa completely broke down.
Lana knew there were very few things in the world that could make her sister shed a tear, let alone break down into a sobbing fit. Lisa took both her parent's deaths like a champion, even comforting the rest of the family when they needed it the most. The only other time Lana had seen her sister like this was after they lost Luna.
Lana hugged Lisa, "He's gone, isn't he?" She asked, managing to retain her own composure.
Lisa nodded her head while sobbing on her sister's shoulder. Lana stayed with her sister for a while and finally helped her inside the house.
Meanwhile, Chief walked along Victoria's wall.
"Hey, Chief. I'm going to do a quick maintenance reboot, just to make sure I'm ready to go for tomorrow." Cortana said.
"Roger," Chief said as Cortana shut down and began rebooting.
Chief shouldered his assault rifle and gazed up at the night sky. Despite the streetlights from Victoria, he could clearly see the Milky Way in its full grandeur.
"Magnificent, isn't it?"
Chief turned to see a man standing next to him. He wore a purple trench coat with a white undershirt, black gloves, a top hat with wielding goggles slung over it, fine black dress pants, and black shoes with violet trimming. He had pale skin, an expertly well-kept short black beard, and vibrant blue eyes.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you." He said.
Chief shrugged it off and continued looking at the sky. He did find it odd that his motion sensor didn't pick this person up though.
"The night sky, one of the greatest sights in all the universe. It's so simple to take in and yet it's fascinated countless generations. A true marvel, wouldn't you agree John?" The man continued.
Chief reached for his magnum and pointed it straight at this person's head.
"How do you know that name?" Chief demanded.
The man seemed unphased, sill retaining an oddly comforting smile.
"I've had my eye on you for a long time John. Even before the Spartan program, I could tell you were born to be a hero. Such herculean strength, odyssian guile, and yet humility unknown to the universe for centuries." The man complimented.
"What are you? Some kind of Covenant? A Forerunner?" Chief pressed.
The man chuckled a little, "I have been known by many names and titles throughout my time; but to you John, I am the Way Finder."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Chief asked.
"I am here to counsel you and advice you on your journey." The Way Finder said.
"Then answer me this, how the hell did I end up here in the first place?" Chief asked.
The Way Finder looked at the sky again, "There is a place called the 'Cave of Souls,' you will find the answer you seek there as well as someone you need to meet if your mission is to succeed."
Chief looked at the sky as well for a second to think. "And where exactly is…"
He looked back and realized the Way Finder vanished.
'What the hell?' Chief thought to himself just as Cortana came back online.
"Well, that felt refreshing. I hope you didn't get too lonely." Cortana joked.
(So three quick announcements:
With the Corona Virus shutting down the USA, I'm getting a small reprieve from school so maybe expect another chapter soon.
I'm officially declaring A New Mission canon to Red vs RWBY vs Blue. There definitely won't be any overlap of main characters but the stories will share the same primary antagonist as well as two other support characters. (The Way Finder is one of them.)
This chapter served to set up the Lisa Loud side story, which I intend to write after A New Mission is complete. (We are about halfway there.)
Please leave a review or even a comment, as it does greatly help.)