Chapter 1 R&R and Enjoy

The Prodigy and the Veteran

[Play Halo ODST Project Valkyrie Theme "The Way" on YouTube]

"How are the preparations coming Ms. Lucy?"A shadowy figure asked concealed by the darkness that veiled the room.

"As well as you'd expect, Director. Considering the usual complication." Lucy replied a submissive tone in her voice.

"Don't remind me." The Director exclaimed recalling the unwelcome wrench thrown into the very core of his plans. "What of Michael, how is he fairing? I assume his training is progressing as planned."

"You mean Adam." Lucy corrected.

"Adam?" the Director paused,"Does he still insist on going by such an absurd moniker."

"Adam is not an absurd name okay. Director, now that's an absurd name." Lucy interjected,"And, in case you haven't realized, its not just a name to him. Its important to him because it's the name that you gave him."

"Careful Ms. Artificial Intelligence. If I sense even the slightest disrespect in your tone... well you remember what happened the last time don't you?" The Director explained a twisted smile made its way to his face.

"Of course, Director." Lucy stated as her eyes made their way to the floor.

"Now, I believe before you decided to distract me with your nonsense, you were about to give me the latest in Michael's progress." The Director said taking control of the conversation."Is he everything we hoped he would be."

"You tell me."Lucy stated as she waved her hand toward the screen before her."This is some quick footage of his most recent close combat session" As she did the screen lite up and a video of a young trooper wearing a green t- shirt, cameo trousers and combat boots surrounded by four men, wearing the same.

[Play Halo ODST Project Valkyrie Adam's Theme on YouTube]

The young man stands still, so very still that his attackers can no longer tell if his even breathing. After a moment the young man blinked giving one of his attackers the opening they were looking for. His opponent leaped in to take advantage. The young trooper quickly let loose a low kick throwing the attacker off balance followed by a flurry of quick jabs to the gut. Ending with an close range uppercut. The other three men now realizing that they would have to work together to be any kind of a threat all pounced in at once. The young trooper jumped out of the circle of death that surrounded him avoiding their initial attack. One of the men throw out a wide right hook, Adam quickly snaked the man's right arm with his left then proceeded to headbutt the man knocking him to the floor. The next attacker came at him with a waist level round kick, Adam grabbed it with amazing speed and sent a quick knee up into the soft portion of the man's leg followed by a round kick to the face. Dropping him immediately. And the last attacker rushed him like a man from hell. With what appeared to be very little effort The young trooper tripped him while simultaneously sending an elbow into his back.

"Good."The Director exclaims,"Now what of our special guest."

"Good?" Lucy stopped him "That was amazing! He took on four fully grown men and didn't even break a sweat."

"Lucy please." The Director explained,"I can't be expected to be in awe every time things go as planned, just like I can't be expected to be impressed when you don't make a mistake. I'm a very busy man."

"There's a special word for people like you." Lucy whispered.

"What was that?" The Director questioned.

"I said our special guest is docking as we speak." Lucy replied.

"Good, good." The Director stated as he exited the room. "Send him to my quarters at his earliest convenience."

"Good, good." Lucy mocked," If i had a stomach I'd barf."

"Your overplaying the whole I hate my boss thing." a voice enters the room. Lucy eyes turn to meet the gaze of the young trooper from the video.

"Adam?" Lucy said in a confused tone,"What are you doing here? Couldn't stay away could you?"

"Very funny. Heard that he was coming aboard today. Came to you to found out whether it was true or not." Adam stated plainly.

"I don't see what's so funny about it." Lucy studied the newly trained trooper,"We normally don't get any kind of direct interest out of you towards well... anything. What's so special about this one?"

"That's what I'm hear to found out." Adam declared,"I mean you've heard the stories haven't you? This guy's either a legend or a monster... or both."

"You know what they say, when have expectations you're only setting yourself up for disappointment." Lucy explained gloomily.

"Yeah well I'll be the judge of that." Adam stated with the utmost confidence in his voice.

"Wooo, Wooo Slow down tiger." Lucy stopped him,"Listen you and him. The way his sees it you're on two totally different levels. He's been all over the Galaxy fighting covenant and terrorist groups alike. And you... You're different Adam."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Adam inquired.

"Just..." Lucy started,"Just don't expect him to treat you like one of the guys, you'll have earn that."

In The Director's Office

"I heard you wanted to see me. A lot. That's one persistent AI you got here " A man says as he enters the room. He was a dark skinned skinned man with a toned frame, his hair lay in a rusty high and tight that sat atop his head.

"Aw, Lieutenant Miles, Just the man I wanted to see." The Director smiled, "Do come in. Take a sit please."

"No thank you sir, I'd rather stand." The Lieutenant replied.

"Lt. Miles. You insult me. Not only do you not give me the respect of a proper check-in, you then refuse my generous offer, Now if you were one my troopers..." The Director started.

"But I'm not one of your troopers." Lt. Miles interrupted,"Lets not forget you requested my presents here not the other way around. I know all about the shady business you guys are associated with. The only reason I'm here is because my chain of command said I had to see what you had to say."

"Indeed." The Director laughed, "However, you might find that the more valuable a commodity you become to ONI, The closer you'll find yourself to where you want to be."