I know it's been a while and the wait is honestly unacceptable, but I hope the extra length of this chapter makes it worth it. Probably not, but you never know. Actually, this is probably one of the more 'feels-y' chapters we've had, so maybe you'll like that. Either way, please read and enjoy, and tell me what you think at the end.
I sit in an office that's an exact duplicate of the last. I realize that these two representatives probably aren't stationed here, but were sent when we came with Dr. Han. I wonder what their goal is, aside from trying to recruit my family. I wonder if any of their discussions with the Covenant have involved mom. She used to work for them. I hope they're smart enough to not want her back.
Spanner sits at the desk, whatever files she needs for this conversation already laid out before her. It's clear she has been waiting for me, and I wonder why I didn't think it was odd that Hargrove wasn't ready for our supposed meeting. She folds her hands and rests them on the neat stack of papers, watching me.
"What do you want to talk about?" I ask after another moment of silence, ready to get this over with.
"Just one thing," she finally answers, "an invitation."
"What kind of invitation?" I ask warily, remembering the earlier threats.
"A place that may be able to help your family," she replies. "Have you ever heard of the Spartan Academy?"
"No," I say with a brief shake of my head.
"It was created shortly after Dr. Halsey's Spartan program was shut down," the woman explains. "When Dr. Halsey was arrested, it was discovered that she'd already begun training a new group of children to be Spartans. They… couldn't just be sent back to their families, for numerous reasons. Most didn't remember the life they'd had before, and none of them were in any state to try to live a civilian life.
"The Spartan Academy was created by a group of former UNSC scientists and psychologists who thought they could help these children. The facility is designed to train them for more normal lives, and help with any trauma they've undergone during Halsey's experiments." She pauses once she's done, seeming o expect some sort of response.
"What does this have to do with us?" I ask. While it sounds like a good thing, if a bit of a publicity stunt, I don't understand why she'd choose to inform me of this.
"The head of the Academy, as well as myself, believe many of your siblings may have sustained similar trauma to what the Spartans did," she explains. "He asked me to extend an invitation to you and the rest of your family. Anyone who isn't ready to enter normal society and who might benefit from time at the Academy is welcome."
"No," I say immediately, thinking this feels like a trap. "We don't want to be involved in any more programs with the UNSC."
"The academy isn't run by the UNSC," she says quickly. "It's privately funded, and none of the staff are under UNSC pay. We're not trying to manipulate you," she promises. "They just want to help."
I cross my arms and glare at her. "No," I repeat. I won't let someone split us up, and I won't send my siblings away somewhere that some doctors can try to pick at them and change the way they think.
Spanner sighs, appearing tired. "Think about what's best for them," she urges me gently. "I'm sure you realize they're not ready for a normal life. Fighting is all they've known. Do you think they'll be able to go to a normal school without any problems?"
I want to say yes. I want to believe my family is capable of anything, and what's happened can't have affected them negatively. I know it's not true, though. I've seen Rubi's mood change since Lico's death, drifting into depression that even Franc can't seem to pull her out of. Franc's been much the same. Rhodi and I haven't spoken in days, which is odd even when we're busy. Iodine's been far from himself as well. And now that I think about it, I realize that each of them have either grown distant or changed in some other way. This journey has taken a toll on us all. Despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to stop it, and I doubt I can fix it alone.
Spanner recognizes my thoughtful silence for the acceptance it is. "They need this," she says. "If you really want them to have a chance, then you need to do this for them. They deserve it, Silver."
I lock eyes with her, searching for any form of deception or malice. "I'll think about it," I finally concede. It isn't a promise, and I know she won't take it as one. I still fully expect to reject the offer after having thought.
"I suppose that's all I can ask," she says. She grabs a small stack of papers off her desk and passes them to me. I reach out and take them with some hesitation. "This is everything you could need or want to know about the academy, at any rate," she explains.
I nod and mutter a quiet thanks, eyes already scanning over the top page. I recognize a few of the names of the doctors, though most are foreign to me. I plan to look all of them up later.
"Was there anything else you need?" I ask, glancing up at Spanner once again.
"No," she says, standing to see me to the door. We exchange the usual pleasantries of her thanking me for coming and me thanking her for the offer, though we both know it's rehearsed and empty. Once I'm out of her office I leave that section of the ship as quickly as I can. I never was a fan of meetings like that.
I run into Junior and Tucker on my way back. I think I'll thank them again for how much they've helped us, but pause before I get the chance. They both appear nervous, huddled close as they have a quiet conversation. I don't think they've even realized I'm there; they're too focused on their discussion. I try to catch what they're talking about while I approach, but even with my slightly enhanced hearing it's too quiet, and I never was good at understanding Sangheili when whispered.
"Hey," I say when I'm only a few feet away from the pair, finally catching their attention.
"Silver," Tucker exclaims, sounding both surprised and relieved. He steps away from his son and approaches me quickly. "We need to talk, now," he says, motioning for me to follow him down the corridor without much explanation.
"What's going on?" I ask, surprised by his serious tone. I've only ever seen him behave like this a few times, and none of them were good situations.
Tucker doesn't answer until he finds and empty room and drags me inside. I see Junior station himself in front of the door just before it closes. Tucker checks around the room quickly before finally deciding that it's safe to talk.
"Junior heard what the council's decided," he begins quickly. "He wasn't supposed to know yet, but somehow he found out. It doesn't matter," he adds, shaking his head dismissively before he can start on the tangent. "He said they're going to arrest Gold," Tucker blurts finally.
"What?" I ask, hoping I misheard something during the hasty words.
"One of their scientists decided it isn't possible for someone to be controlled for as long as Gold was," Tucker says more slowly, voice indicating a certain disdain for this random doctor. "They think Gold and Boron must have actually chosen to work with Dr. Han, and deserve the same punishment she's getting."
"And they're going to kill her," I guess, knowing enough about Covenant laws to realize it's the only fitting punishment for her crimes.
"Exactly," Tucker says. "We only have a few more minutes before the announcement goes out to all the soldiers here. When that happens, they'll arrest him, and they won't wait long for the executions."
"Is there any chance to change their minds?" I ask, knowing the answer before I even speak.
Tucker simply shakes his head. "I asked Junior. He said your best option is to run."
I sigh and nod. "I need to get back, then," I say, turning toward the door. I force myself to stay calm. I'm used to acting without pause in these sorts of situations. I'll let any anger I feel toward the Covenant show through once we're all safe. "It might be hard to get all of us out of here, especially if the Covenant are still guarding our ship."
"Junior might be able to clear out the hangar," Tucker offers, following me out into the hall. He has a brief exchange with Junior before the alien runs off. "We have to do this as fast as possible, though," he adds.
I agree, trying to get back to my quickly as I can without looking suspicious. I try to control the feeling that every second we aren't moving is a second closer to something terrible happening. I finally get to the room and burst through the door, shutting it quickly behind myself while Tucker keeps an eye out in the hall.
"We need to move," I announce, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Why?" Wash asks, though he doesn't waste an instant gathering whatever belongings we have with us.
"They think Gold's guilty," I state, going on to explain what Tucker already told me.
"That's not true," Gold says, sounding hurt and insulted that anyone would think he chose his actions. "I would never try to kill innocent people, or my family."
"I know," I say. "But they don't believe it. We need to get out of here before they arrest you." I grab his arm and try to pull him to the door but am surprised when he doesn't move.
"What about you guys?" Gold asks. "And everyone else back at our base? The Covenant only want me. If we all run, they'll think we're all guilty. I can't take away their chances at a normal life."
"We'll be fine," I say quickly.
"No, you won't," Gold argues. "You're the one who always said we can't keep running forever. And you're right. All of you deserve a chance at a normal life."
"We're staying together," I say adamantly. "I won't let us split up."
"That's not your call, sis," he says, a sad smile on his face. "If the Covenant think I'm guilty, then they probably think I've been tricking you the whole time since you caught mom. If I leave and you all stay, then it'll confirm their theory. They'll still think you guys are innocent. You don't have to give up your chance at freedom."
"But we just got you back," I argue. "And we said we'd all stay together."
"You know as much as I do that that would never happen," he replies gently. "We're each going to live our own lives, and they might not all match up. Some of us might move away. We're all gonna grow up. What's the difference if I leave now?"
"I don't want you to go," I answer simply. I can't say the rest of my thought; that I already lost Manny, and I thought I lost Gold once before, and if he leaves I may never see him again, and I can't lose another partner. Our family already feels so broken; I don't want anyone else to leave.
"I know." Gold steps closer and speaks softly, so I know only he and I can hear. "But I can't stay here, Si. I… I just keep thinking about Boron, every second I'm with you. And I know you didn't mean for him to die. You didn't mean it. But I can't help seeing you and remembering that he's gone. I'm trying to forgive you, I just… I need some space, Silver."
I hear the pain in his voice. I can sense that he's torn. He loves me, I know he still does, but at the same time he knows I killed Boron. I understand that's a touch feeling to get past. Still, I wish he didn't want to leave. I want us to work it out together.
It hurts, knowing that he hasn't actually forgiven me yet. I haven't forgiven myself, but I'd thought he didn't hold it against me. I wonder if he'll ever truly come to terms with what I did. I just hope things will be the same between us some day.
"There's no time to argue," he says more loudly, so everyone else can hear as well. "I'm going. Alone."
"Not quite," Nick says, stepping forward.
Gold raises his eyebrows as the older looking man steps forward, but he doesn't try to warn him away. "You coming?" he asks his former teammate, apparently having no objection. I begin to wonder if they discussed this already.
"None of us seem to do very well on our own," Nick commented. "And I kind of like the idea of one more adventure."
"I'm coming too," Tinu says, stepping up to Nick's side and grabbing his arm. "If you're going then I am too."
"You should stay," Nick tells his sister.
"We're partners," Tinu argues, sounding petulant and scared and like the thought of Nick leaving is worse than death. "We don't split up ever, so I'm going with you."
"Not this time," Nickel states, managing to sound gentle and commanding all at once. "You've got all your plans and dreams to follow. I don't want to keep you from them." Tinu begins to protest before he grabs the hand on his arm and folds both his own around it. "We both know I've only got a few years left," he says.
"That's not true," Tinu says in a distressed tone. "You- you've got plenty of time. Rhodi said-"
"Rhodi said I'll live fifteen more years," Nick agrees. "But most of those I won't be able to fight. I don't have the chance to build a life like you have. Hell, I'll be lucky if I'm not bedridden in five. I just want to have some fun with the time I have left."
"But we can do that together," she insists, tears forming in her eyes.
"You shouldn't put your life on hold for me," he repeats, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. I can tell by the way Tinu's chin beings to tremble that she's finally done arguing. "You said you and Donut are going to start a clothing store. Make sure it's ready to show off when I visit."
"I will," she promises, pulling him into a tight hug. She sniffles as she buries her face in his shoulder. "You just make sure to come back," she practically begs. When she lets her partner go she stands up straight, making an effort not to cry. She's failing.
"Promise," Nick agrees before joining Gold by the door. The two look back into the room awkwardly for a moment before reaching for the controls.
"Wait," Wash says. For a moment I hope he'll change their minds somehow. I think I might not be saying good bye to my brothers. Then I see him reach for the AI slot on the back of his neck, and I realize what he's doing. "She wants to go too," he explains as he removes Rho's chip from his skull.
"Is she sure?" Nick asks as Gold tenses.
Wash nods, holding the chip out to them. "Rho's designed for battle and navigation, and civilians aren't legally allowed to own AIs," he explains. "She doesn't want to hide somewhere, and she thinks she can help you."
"Of course she can," Nick agrees. "Rho's the smartest AI I know." He notices Gold's hesitation after a moment and accepts the AI himself. It's no surprise Gold wouldn't be willing to carry her. After spending so much time with mom controlling him, he probably doesn't want anyone else in his head.
Nickel quickly puts the chip in the empty slot in his own neck. After a moment the AI appears at his shoulder. She faces me and I can somehow tell from her body language that she's sad.
"Take care of them?" I request, trying to avoid saying goodbye to her.
"Of course," Rho agrees, nodding. She glances around the room before settling her eyes on me again. "Don't get lost without me," she adds, a humorous twist to her voice.
"I'll do my best," I promise. I wish I could hug her or something, make some sort of parting gesture, but all I'm capable of is waving. I can see by the way her hands clench at her sides that she feels the same.
"Bye," Rho finally whispers before pulling her attention away from me. "Ready?" she asks, glancing between Nick and Gold.
"Ready," they agree. I watch as they leave, recognizing the small reluctance to their steps before the door shuts behind them. I stare at that door for a long time, wishing it would open and they'd still be there.
After a few minutes of silent staring an arm wraps around me. "They'll be okay," Wash says assuringly, holding me to his side.
I nod. "I know," I whisper. "They're smart, and capable, and they have Rho to look out for them. I just don't want to see them go."
"You wanted them to have a chance at a life they'd choose," he points out. "They chose this. It could be worse."
"Yeah," I say, though I know I don't sound very convinced. He sighs and kisses the top of my head, and I lean further into his embrace, glad for that support.
"Come on," he says, urging me away from the door and further into the room. "Tinu probably wants some company right now."
It's less than a minute before we hear the base's alarms sound. I know there will probably be some additional questioning soon, to determine if we helped Gold escape. I don't worry too much about it. If we've made it this far, we can make it through one more lie.