Ch 3
Two days later
"Well that was interesting." Cortana said.
"You and Dr. Halsey were arguing back and forth about your attraction to me. It was rather unnerving." John said.
"I didn't know the great master chief can be flustered." Cortana teased.
"Up yours, Cortana." Chief said.
On the bridge, Lasky was busy going over plans to attack what was left of the covenant remnant. Since Jul's death, they were easy pickings, and it appeared they were all heading to the Elite home-world.
"One final last stand. Have Lock's fireteam on standby. And get the Chief up here." Lasky said.
Arriving at the bridge, John saluted the captain, who returned said salute.
"Chief, we've been tracking the movements of the Covenant remnant. And they're all heading to Sanghelios." Lasky said.
"Not good. If they get the Arbiter…" John started.
"Our alliance with the Elites is all but finished." Cortana finished.
"Fireteam Osiris will handle the covenant. Chief, you, Palmer, and Halsey are needed for something else." Lasky said.
"What's more important than the covenant?" Chief asked.
"Arbiter told me they've found some forerunner tech. While everyone is fighting the Covenant, he wants you four to investigate, and make sure it doesn't fall into enemy hands." Lasky said.
"I understand." John said.
"Good. One final thing." Halsey said, entering the room, tossing a pad on the holo-table.
"What is it?" Cortana asked.
"Our… I'd like to say ambassador, but I'd rather not." Halsey said.
"Who is it?" John asked.
"Lavernius Tucker. Grade A-asshole, and Casanova wannabe." Halsey said.
"How is he our problem?" Palmer asked.
"He's more interested in sex, than his job as an ambassador." Halsey said.
"Chief, if he hits on me, I reserve the right to kill him." Cortana said.
"If he hits on you, I reserve the right to torture him before you kill him." John added.
"Nice to see I raised you two kids well." Halsey dryly said.
"30 years of war will mess up your mind, mom." Cortana responded with the same wit.
"Nice to know we have a lovely dysfunctional family onboard." Palmer sarcastically said.
Halsey didn't say anything else, but her eyes went downcast, and her shoulders slightly dropped.
…
Sanghelios
"Arbiter could have told us it was in the middle of fucking winter." Palmer said.
"After seeing our planets burn, winter seems like a luxury." Halsey said.
"We might have time for a snowball fight, if anyone wants to." Cortana playfully quipped.
"Everyone, against me." John voiced.
"That's still not enough." Cortana replied.
"If you two are done with your pillow talk, we have an ambassador to visit." Palmer cut in.
Approaching the coordinates of the forerunner artifact, a blip appeared on the chief's radar.
"Contact, up ahead!" John shouted, crouching. He pulled out his pistol and gave it to Halsey.
"It's me! Don't shoot!" Tucker said, walking forward with his arms up.
The team lowered their weapons, and approached Tucker, who was clad in green ODST armor.
"Master Chief, Commander Palmer, and Dr. Halsey. We've been sent to secure the forerunner artifact." John said.
"They didn't send any chicks, bummer. I prefer humans to aliens." Tucker said.
"The artifact. Please." Halsey spat.
"Okay. Man, she's a sour one." Tucker said.
Chief felt like strangling Tucker on the spot. Yet he relented from his impulses. They followed Tucker down a staircase and into a room. Cortana immediately hacked into the forerunner system and was surprised at the find.
"Guys, this is something we've never seen before." Cortana said.
"I knew you guys brought a chick." Tucker said.
Chief let Cortana manifest herself and gave her his shotgun.
"What is it, Cortana?" Halsey asked.
"I don't know much. Something called a guardian. Obviously, it was built to guard something, but what, I don't know." Cortana said.
"Could be a planet defense system." Chief said.
"Maybe. I need more time to study this device. See what we're dealing with." Cortana said.
"Great. So the hot AI gets to do all the boring science shit." Tucker said.
"Cortana, I change my mind. You can kill him right now if you wish. Torture would take more effort than I'm willing to give." Chief said.
Cortana settled on kicking Tucker right in the nuts as hard as she could. Tucker rocked back and forth on the ground, cupping his balls, squealing in a high-pitched voice.
"I wasn't that ruthless when I was your age." Halsey said, as they left Tucker and headed further into the structure.
"Must have got it from the chief." Cortana replied.