I was thinking of bringing the UNSC here later, along with some Covies, I'm probably gonna do it but let me know what you guys think.

'this' is thinking

"This" is talking

"This is me totally forgetting to close off the speech or thought line.

I awoke to the smell of food, fresh food... something I wasn't accustomed to in this world. My eyes flickered open and I coughed a few times. I sat up and rubbed my neck, it was extremely dry, my vision was still hazy from having just woken up.

"Your awake Mr. Alexander" Said cute voice I recognized. I glanced over.

"Hmm? Oh, hey Siesta... um... what are you doing here?"

"Ms. Valleire wanted me to bring you up some food, she's been so worried, she stayed up for nearly two days straight with no rest watching over you."

"Really?"

"She even got a special elixir to help with your wounds."

"Wow... that's... so unlike her..." I muttered

"Well, to be honest allot of us thought you weren't going to wake up..."

"Pfft, takes more than one Brute Chief to stop me..." I boasted, then my ego deflated as I admitted "I'm just a bit rusty that's all..."

"Well then, maybe you should practice?"

"That's a good idea actually..."

"But until you are in good health I suggest you get some more rest, but I'm sure Ms. Valleire will be glad to know you are alive."

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

About a day later I was in a rather awkward position... back the old routine I guess...

"Hey Lousie?"

"Yeah?"

"I heard from Siesta that while I was injured you watched over me, so... for what it's worth, thanks."

"I believe there is a bit of a misunderstanding... as my familiar it's my job to take care of you, so by that logic you should always be thankful of me..."

"Wow..." I groaned

"Now then here, this is all the laundry that piled up while you were out."

I sighed "Well, I guess since you helped me, I won't shove a gun in your face for making me do this, consider it re-payment."

"Re-payment!" She exclaimed

"Yeah, Louise, I'm a soldier, not a slave or servant, but understand the virtues of gratitude, so for what it's worth, I figure I owe you... and if you make another snide comment about how a familiar should always owe his or her master and what not... I WILL burn these clothes."

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

"You stupid useless familiar!" Lousie yelled at me "once your done there meet me at my class!"

I sighed, was I ever gonna go home at this rate? I had already tried to contact UNSC command but to no avail, guess I was gonna just have to rough this one out... great!

Later at Louise's class I heard them talking about different types of magic and how the elements combined to form dot, line, triangle and square class mages... then the Red head, whom I later identified as Kirche spoke up.

"I know someone in this class who can't use a single element..." all eyes drifted to Louise... despite how much I really disliked her I felt obligated to stand up for her...

*bang*A bullet whipped right past Kirche's face, taking off a bit of her hair in the process... all eyes were on me and my smoking magnum which had just been fired. "You wanna say that again? See how accurate I really am?"

No replies from anyone "That's what I thought..."

*Later*

Once we had left the class I said something probably quite stupid... "Zero... ZERO! Hah! I get it now, zero as in cant cast anything and is a failure at everything!" I noticed Louise whistling like a kettle... and then once we got back to her room I totally murdered it... "And Zero... as in, zero chest... haha!"

"WHAT WAS THAT!" she got right in my face... or at least as much as she could despite the fact I towered over her.

"I went over bored didn't I?" I stated

"No food for two days! And no sleeping here tonight!"

I thought about shoving a gun in her face again, worked wonders last time, but I decided I'd just be making future fights worse... so I shrugged. "Whatever..." I started to leave "Oh by the way, don't open that dresser, I planted a grenade in there and if you open it then it will explode." I didn't but I needed the last laugh... especially with the look on her face being worth the lie.

I sat down outside the room and put my helmet on the ground next to me and tried to nod off with no success... I heard footsteps.

"Good evening Alex" Said Siesta the maid.

"Oh hi Siesta, what going on?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

"Oh, pissed off the master, got punished, you know... the usual..."

"I see..." and then my stomach growled. "Hey how about you come down to the kitchen with me?"

"Sure" I got to my feet and hit a button on my armor and it changed in a green light, similar to a recharging shield to my normal marine armor. "Anywhere is better than here!"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Sorry they are only leftovers" Said the Head Chef Matreau. "But go ahead and eat as much as you want, oh sword of ours!"

I shoved a few pieces of soft bread into my mouth and swallowed "I'm a sword?"

"That's right kid, you're a commoner just like us, but you somehow won a duel against a snotty nobility boy! You're the pride of the peasants!"

"Well, to be fair, I do have years of training under the belt... the Brute I fought however was the real challenge" I sighed "Wasn't expecting one of those to be here!"

"Did you hear that? A true master never boasts of puts himself above the rest! And we expect nothing less!"

"We expect nothing less" chanted the rest of the kitchen staff.

"Damnit man, do these nobility douche-bags always eat stuff this good at every single meal!?" Then I felt a hand clap my back and Damnit! It was one strong hit as it knocked my face forward into a bowl of soup...

"When it comes to me, Marteau, I can make about anything taste absolutely exquisite, it's like magic you can eat!"

'So much for modesty and boasting' I thought 'but I guess he's got a right to.'

"Well thanks Marteau, but I'll head out now."

I stepped outside and it was dark out, I sighed and then heard Siesta behind me.

"You should come again sometime Alexander, everyone here is a fan of yours."

"Ehehehe..." *sweat* Thanks... and due to the events of tonight I have confidence that I can stay here... for a substantially longer time then I was before at least... but... when I got injured again... I really thought I was going to die... again..."

"Again?" Siesta asked in shock "What do you mean, again?"

"It's a long story... one maybe we will have time for later... but to sum it up, I died as a last stand protecting my home... then someone brought me back... It wasn't a pleasant experience, and I can't say I'd want to go through it again..."

"You know it wasn't until Ms. Valliere got a really expensive elixir that you began to come around."

"Yeah, well being a noble and all I bet she's got allot of money..."

"Hey, Alexander?"

"hmm?"

"I'd like to have a long talk with you sometime, if that's alright?"

I swear my face was as red as red plasma. (Brute-plasma rifle) "Um sure I've got no problem with that... but I think it's getting late and I should get some rest. G'night Siesta."

"Good night Mr. Alexander"

I walked back to the tower, thinking 'What a sweet girl, again, unlike a certain someone...' I entered the tower and made my way up, noticing a giant red lizard at the end of the hallway. 'Oh shit, that is Kirche's salamander right?' I was proven correct as it leapt on me and dragged me away. What did I do to deserve this? And how it was able to drag someone of my build was surprising.

It plopped me down in a dark room with candles lining the perimeter. "Huh? What's the meaning of this!?" I asked then noticed a silhouette, who upon stepping forward I realized was Kirche... and she was wearing rather skimpy lingerie... I gulped and stood up.

"Welcome Alex, or was it Scorch?"

"Um, either one works, but for the time being I'd prefer Alexander..." I said.

"Alright Alexander, welcome to my very private room... and, you know I'm doing something I shouldn't but you see my codename is fever, and I tend to burn up like a flaming torch..."

I sighed, this was just plain overkill... I didn't like women who when overboard with the drama... "Is that so?" I asked, clearly un-amused.

"You don't understand, I'm a woman in love and the one I love is you!"

It hit me like a cruiser and I shook my head "Ok, this is too much for me... not your confession but this acting... it's just so..."

"But you looked so handsome out there when you defeated Guiche in the duel... and took down that monster..."

Great... she knew how to arouse me... not my erotic side, not my romantic side, no, that was the old ego flaring up. "Well thanks..."

"And you know I love a man in uniform..." She tried to push my down but failed, I snapped out of it.

"Look, I've got bigger worries on my mind, last thing I need is..." I motioned to her body and mine, kinda flailing my hands a bit "this."

"What?" She sounded heartbroken, probably the first time she was ever rejected.

"I'm sorry but I just have allot on my mind right now, about my home..."

"Well then why not talk about it while we work our way around..." she said seductively.

"Well... ok..."

"What about your family?" she asked

"Dead..." I stated bluntly

"Oh..." it seemed like she was startled by the statement "I'm sorry but... what about friends?"

"Also, dead..."

"W-what are you saying you have no friends or family back home!?" she said with legitimate concern.

"Something like that..."

"But why!?"

This was something I knew was going to hurt to say... but I had to say it... "I was taken from my family at the age of 6, trained to be the best of soldiers at the time... we had the best training, best equipment and more... but it wasn't enough... family was most likely glassed, my friends... well..." I pulled out the dog-tags of noble team. And as I held up each one I spoke about them.

"Lt Commander Catherine-B320, Kat, Spartan-III, UNSC special warfare command, attached to Special warfare group three... Noble two... died with a covenant sniper blast to the head..."

"Chief Warrant officer Jorge-052, Spartan-II, Special warfare group three... Noble five... gave his life, thinking he had saved the planet from invasion... that lucky bastard."

"Commander Carter-A259, Spartan-III, Special warfare group three, Noble one, crashed his ship into an enemy heavy assault platform to save myself and Emile"

"Warrant officer Emile-A239, Spartan-III, Special warfare group three, Noble four... died with a Covenant energy sword through his abdomen, but not before taking them with him."

"Mind you there are two others I don't have the tags for... Chief Petty Officer John-S117, The Master Chief and Warrant officer Jun-A266, I have no clue as to where they are..." I walked over to the window and look out at the sky. "I miss them..." I wondered if they were still out there, I didn't turn to Kirche but I could tell she was listening, possibly trying not to break down from my story. "Spartans have an old motto... Spartans never die... they're just missing in action..." I sighed "Sadly... Jun and John are the only cases I know of where they truly have been recorded as MIA... truth is... I'm possibly the last Spartan alive..."

"Well then I suppose one like yourself would need some sort of comfort..." replied Kirche who tried to get on me again... then I was saved by the bitch... again...

"Kirche! What are you doing!? And why are you trying to seduce my familiar!?" Louise burst into the room as Kirche was onto of me, I gulped knowing where this was going...

"I'm afraid it can't be helped, love and fire are the destinies of the Van Zerpes family."

"Come here!" she ordered me

"Look here now!" Kirche shouted at Louise "He may be your familiar but he is still a human being with feeling and hopes, there is no reason to get in the way of romance! Right Alex?" and Kirche stuck her breasts in my face, and being the sick fuck I am.

"Y-yeah, that's right... it's unreasonable!"

"Fine! But you do realize that come tomorrow he'll be burned alive by at least ten angry noble men!"

"That is if this ever got out" I said "Plus... I'd like to see them try..."

"Come here!" Louise shouted

I sighed, something I've been doing allot I've noticed... I stood and followed Louise back to her quarters.

"Seems I was wrong trying to treat you like a human being..." she said

"What do you mean by-" she pulled out something from her dresser "Is that a riding crop?"

"Yes, it IS!" she yelled and advanced on me taking a swing. I caught her arm easily enough, to my seasoned soldier's mind her movements were slow and easily predicted.

"What's the big deal? I mean it's not like I wanted to get dragged in there, we just talked!" then she did something I should have seen coming, kneeing me in the groin.

"GAH!" My voice raised an octave but thankfully the protection my armor provided allowed me to recover quickly. But was I pissed! I didn't mean to hurt her though.

"Ahhh!" She screamed as her wrist which was still in my hand, began to fracture. I realized what I was doing and shoved her away, while she gripped her swollen wrist.

"Never again!" I roared at her and changed into my MJOLNIR armor as I sat down on the bed of straw. My anger subsided and I heard a faint sobbing, Louise was crying. I let myself out of control...

"S-sorry Louise..." I said and approached her and took her arm, rolling her sleeve up.

"W-what are you doing?" she demanded.

"Just stay calm and relax... close your eyes." She did as told and I pulled out some cotton balls with a numbing agent on it, using it to dab a bit of it on her upper biceps. Then took out a needle, I hopped she didn't notice... and injected the stuff into her... (That's totally what she said, but I digress) I pulled the needle out of her and she winced, opened her eyes and saw the needle.

"W-What did you do to me!?"

"It's morphine, a pain-killer used for war, it will stop your wrist from hurting. And this..." I took out a strand of cloth and wrapped it tightly around her wrist to brace it. Modern medicine... well to some extent. "Now get some rest..."

"Wait... um... I... I want..."

"What?"

"I-I want to... t-to apologize..."

I was shocked "You apologize to me? Well... isn't this a first?"

"HEY! If I acted like this to often to my familiar then he'd think he could get away with anything!" she screamed.

"Touché..." I rolled my eyes.

"Tomorrow we are going into town to get you a sword."

"A sword? Why would I need a sword? I've got all the weapons I'd ever need already."

"Hmmf, well I assume your magic guns use ammo right? And that blue sword requires some sort of power... that being said all those weapons are limited."

"True..." but I didn't bring up the fact that I had enough ammo to supply a whole platoon.

"Besides I'm sure you want to blend in, those weapons are a dead giveaway!"

"Yeah like my armor and clothing and attitude aren't?" I mumbled softly.

"I heard that!"

*whap*

"Ack!"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Louise had taken me into town via horse... I had to ride on back and I had changed to my normal marine armor to avoid crushing the poor thing. Oh yeah and she failed to mention it was a three hour ride... it would have been faster if I tried to warp in a mongoose...

Eventually we found the weapon shop, all the while people had been giving me weird looks to which I replied with a killer stare and they just quickly looked away and went about their business.

"Hmm." Louise mused as she twiddled with a rapier "from the looks of it you could handle a much bigger sword than this..." she looked at the shopkeeper who was a rather derpy looking fellow in my opinion. "I want one that's longer and thicker!"

I couldn't resist the oppritnuity "That's what she said! HAHAAA!" and Louise glared confused daggers at me, obviously not getting it, but also getting that is was a joke at her expense.

"Well I believe this is the right size for him."

"NO! I want one that is bigger and thicker! ALEX! If you say that again I will whip you!" she finished just as I was about to repeat my previous line.

"Fine fine!" the shopkeeper grumbled and muttered something about stupid nobles to which I was inclined to agree partially. He came back out moments later with a gleaming golden sword... golden...

"This is the finest item we have here, forged with the finest methods of alchemy in Germania!"

"I'll take it how much?"

"only three thousand new gold coins."

"three thousand!? You can buy a small estate with that much money!"

"I don't suppose you take UNSC cR (credits) do you?" I got two confused glances which answered my question quickly enough.

"I only have a hundred gold on me..." complained Louise

"Well a decent claymore on average costs about two hundred gold."

"Isn't there anything I can buy for a hundred?"

"Wait! Yes there is in fact!" The shopkeeper went back and dug around in a barrel for a second then pulled out a blade, red with rust...

"You've got, to be kidding me..." I looked at the sword, dumbfounded.

"Fine I'll take it." Louise agreed

"WHAT!?" was my reaction... but the deal was done and we left the shop with the rusted blade.

"Man" I said as we walked down the street "He musta been trying to sell this thing for a loooong time..."

"I didn't have enough money due to some other expenses!"

I then remembered what Siesta had told me about Louise buying a special potion to heal me from my battle with the Brute. "Oh right..."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Hoy crap!" I said as Kirche gave me the golden sword, at first she was pleased, but then realized my expression wasn't a happy one, more like a confused one. "Why would you buy this piece of junk?"

"Excuse me!?" Kirche yelped, and I could hear Louise snickering at her shock.

"It's gold, gold is a soft metal meaning it is easily broken! You'd better return this." I offered and gave the sword back.

"Oh c'mon! This sword is straight from Germania, the best blades and women come from there!"

"Women, possibly..." I could hear Louise growl at that comment "But swords, please, bring me something that can actually cut butter and we'll talk." All the while speaking with a flat and calm voice.

"Oh come on!" Kirche squealed

"Hey would you guys shut it, stupid women!" Someone yelled and we all looked for the source of the voice.

"The sword." Said Tabitha, the blue haired little girl who had followed Kirche said.

"I was takin' a nice nap then you went and woke me up!"

"Am I going crazy or is this sword talking?"

"Why so surprised" the sword said "You've got an awful silly face for someone who's a user!"

"Yup, I'm crazy..."

"Isn't that an intelligent sword? One with the power of speech?" asked Kirche

"I didn't know a thing about this creepy sword, I'm gonna return this right now!" said Louise

"Where are we? What year is it!? Ooooggh, I'm so confused!" complained my sword.

"Hah, I like this one!"

"WHAAA-?!" screamed Louise and Kirche.

"I'm Alexander, nice to meet you." I said

"I'm Derflinger, nice to meet you brother!"

"Why is it that all the really weird thing always seem to happen to me?" and Louise sighed.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Louise's POV

"Welcome to Reach..."

The dreams were getting more and more realistic...

We were on one of the two metal birds identified as Falcons and we were heading towards something called a relay station whatever those are.

We were flying along a cliff face when the Blue Spartan, Carter spoke up "Listen up Noble Team we're looking at a downed relay outpost, fifty clicks from relay Visigrad, we're gonna introduce ourselves to who ever took it out and then Kat's gonna get it back online."

A voice crackled in my helmet "Get me under the hood commander" said Kat

"Sir, why would rebels want to cut off coms from the rest of the colonies?" asked Jorge

"If you get a chance, maybe you can ask 'em Jorge?" Carter replied with the slightest bit of cold humor.

After a few moments of flight Kat spoke again "Commander, we just lost all contact with HQ."

"Back up channels?" Carter asked

"13 channels... nadda... can't say what's jamming us though."

"You heard her, Deadzone confirmed, command will not be keeping us company on this trip."

"I'm getting lonely already..." said Emile.

The dream fast forwarded again, I saw brief glimpses of battle with an assortment of strange creatures. Eventually the head pounding stopped and the dream slowed down again. I was standing over a horrid sight... personally I wanted to throw up, but the body I was inhabiting was able to keep his lunch down.

I stood over the body of a old man who lay in a pool of his own blood. While the others took to inspecting the surrounding area.

Carter walked over to an injured marine in the corner "Where's the rest of your unit?" he asked

"W-we got split... I don't think they..." there was a pause "It sounded bad on the coms..."

"Alright corporal, stay put, we'll get you a combat surgeon."

I reached down towards the bloody man on the ground and inspected him as something fell out of his coat pocket. A card of some sort.

"Damn, plasma burns." Said Kat.

I picked up the card, "Found something" I said and held up the card only for Kat to snatch it away.

"I'll take that Six, not your domain."

"I got a live one over here!" Called Jorge and pulled out a woman in her late teens or early twenties who was trying in vain to beat Jorge of her as he pulled her out her hiding place.

She was speaking a strange language I didn't understand but Jorge said calmly. "It ok, I won't hurt you."

"Jorge!" Said Carter

"I got her... stay still... and I'll release you..." and slowly the girl obeyed and stood still... then to my shock three of the split jawed creatures dropped down with glowing blue swords, two ran out of the room after attacking us but one stayed and jumped on me but I punched it in the face and it roared. It was then deterred by the rest of Noble team and it ran out the door.

I could hear screaming as the Elites as they were called took the injured marine hostage and the screams from the girl in terror.

"Another one got out, permission to pursue?" asked Jorge

"Negative, stay on them, Two, handle the girl, Five and Six clear the hole!"

"Aye sir!" said Jorge and I followed him through the door as I reloaded my gun.

I turned back to watch as Jorge slammed the door shut behind us and the dream fast-forwarded again.

This time I was back in the room with the rest of the team as Kat opened up a panel under some strange box with buttons all over it.

"How long?" asked Carter.

"Hmmf, question of my life" Kat replied. "If the question is when will this relay be back up and operational... I'd say two weeks, earliest. This is plasma damage! All major uplink components are fried."

All this technological crap they were spewing made zero sense to me what so ever!

"Two minutes is to long" Said Carter

"Which is why I'm splicing into the main over line bundle to get you a direct link to Command... your in my light commander."

"Find out what she knows" said Carter and pointed to the girl in the corner.

Jorge approached her and tried to get her attention but she just shoved him off and Emile chuckled.

"What's your name? Do you live around here?" Jorge asked and removed his helmet. "A nevem Jorge" he said in a strange language.

"Sharla..."

"Sharla? You accent sounds familiar... shapro?"

"Jengari" replied Sharla. Jorge looked at the body...

"Friend of yours?"

"Father"

And my heart sank... bearing witness to the death of your own father and not being able to do anything but cower in fear... I already pitied the girl.

"Sharla Long, I'm sorry"

"Why would you be?!"

Emile chuckled again "Big man forgets what he is sometimes..."

Jorge walked past us "She just lost her father!" he turned to Carter "She needs a full psychiatric work out."

"She's not the only one" commented Emile which set Jorge off.

"Lock it down both of you!" commanded Carter. "Get her on her feet... the body stays here."

"Thank you sir."

Jorge walked back past us again and glared at Emile before helping Sharla up and leading her out.

"Signal!" Kat proclaimed "It's patchy but it's there"

"I'll take it" said Carter and walked over to the sparking box of lights.

"Best not touch anything... you wouldn't want to ground this place."

"Noble team we are receiving you, what is your current situation?" asked a man from inside the box. I heard this as I was walking away with the others.

"Colonel, there are no rebels. The covenant are on Reach!"

"Come again Noble one, did you say Covenant?"

"Affirmative... it's the winter contingency..."

"Then may god help us all..."

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Let me know what you think of this so far, feel free to critique, compliment, or hint/tip me in a review. Thanks guys.

PS: As a reminder, let me know what you think of bringing the UNSC and Covenant into the world of FoZ.

WTYL. (Write to you later)

:D