ＣＨAＰＴＥＲ ❸
Six awoke, finding herself chained to a wall in the lower half of a Covenant Super-Carrier.
"Hey!" She shouted. "Get me out of here!"
"There's no point shouting," a female voice explained. Six looked to her left, to find a girl of about 18, also pinned to the wall. Her black her was scrapped back, and she looked worn and tired.
"Nothing happens."
"Where am I? What am I doing here?"
"We're on a Covenant ship. They're kidnapping people who may have useful information. They torture us...If you're of no use, they kill you. There's no escape. Although..." The girl cocked her head to the side, evaluating Six. "You're a Spartan, yes? You're most likely a hostage."
Six groaned. "I have GOT to get outta here!"
The girl shrugged. "I'm Marie, by the way. Marie Waters."
"Well, I never tell anyone my name," Six replied. "But I'm Scarlett."
"That's a pretty name." Marie replied.
"Thanks, yours is too."
Kat analyzed the data on the Covenant Super Carrier, hacking into their network.
"Looks like they're heading for a Spire in the Covenant territory. With Six. In fact, I'm picking up several other cases of kidnapping across this area. Looks like farmers in remote areas, places where the main population wouldn't notice."
"Civilians." Jorge clarified.
"Yes. Looks like Six was the first Spartan."
"So, why do they need them?" Jorge questioned.
Kat shrugged. "Interrogations, I suspect. Hostages, maybe."
"So there's a decent chance she might not make it out alive." Emile said flatly, sharpening his knife.
"Exactly." Kat replied, glancing at Jorge.
"We need to track her," Carter said. "Kat?"
"Working on it. Looks like she's on a Covenant Super Carrier, hovering above Covenant Territory. The spire; it's a teleport to it."
"We need to clear out the area," Carter explained, his mind already calculating the situation. "Jun, you eliminate any jumpers. Do your best to make our job easier. Emile, you go with Jorge, get to the top of the spire. Kat and I will eliminate any ground forces."
Before anyone could respond, Carter had wandered off, sorting out Evac transport.
Jorge sat down, his mind on Six and those few moments. 'If only' kept running through his mind.
If only he hadn't let his emotions show.
If only someone had taken watch with her.
If only... He loved Six. Ever since that first day, his heart told him they were meant to be together. Jorge was a strong believer in what the heart said. He hoped she was holding on. He hoped she didn't hate, or feel uncomfortable with him.
But most of all, he hoped she was safe.
He promised her, that he would find her, and bring her back. Her being dead just wasn't an option. How could be lose her, when he had only just found her?
Days went past, and Six began to wonder if she really would make it out after all. She hoped that if she escaped, or if Noble Team 'rescued' her, that Marie would come, too. The two had formed a strong friendship, in such an unusual place and circumstances.
The Elite's who were in charge generally left Six alone, expect for the occasional growl or kick, which left Six with more anger and bruises. They took Marie often. She'd come back with bruises or burns, and Six would worry for her. Marie said she was used to it, that it got easier every time. But Six wasn't stupid; she could see the pain in Marie's eyes, the struggle to fight back the tears and screams.
One day, they took Marie and she did not return. For once, since her parents died, Six let herself cry.
She cried for Marie, for herself, and how stupid she'd been, for Jack and his death, for Jorge and all that had never been said.
She cried for her parents, for all the things she missed, and the general longing to have a normal life.
One day, a Zealot Elite grabbed Six by the wrist and dragged her to the top of the spire, despite her struggles. Surprisingly, the Elite has learnt English.
"Struggle more and I'll make your death worse." The Elite threatened, holding it's Energy Sword to her throat.
Just then, a Falcon flew up to the top of the spire, shooting Hostiles inside as it saw them. The Elite hissed and ducked, hiding Six with it.
Emile and Jorge clambered out of the Falcon, onto the Spire.
"You see her?" Jorge asked. There was no response from Emile.
"I'll make you bleed, you alien freaks!" Emile shouted, hoping to intimate any that were hiding.
The Elite covered Six's mouth, so she couldn't call out. However, just as Emile was sneaking around, Six managed to bite the Elite's hand, causing it to let go of her. She immediately stood up and called out to them.
"Jorge! Emile! I'm over here!" She yelped as the Elite grabbed her ankle, knocking her to the ground.
"Six!" Jorge and Emile called out in unison. They saw the Elite had Six again, it's sword to her throat.
"Let her go, you ugly mother fucker." Emile growled. Jorge clenched his teeth.
The Elite growled. "Leave, or she," he gripped her tighter, making her whimper, and Jorge squirm for her safety. "Gets it."
Emile left, going round to the Elite's back. As Jorge was still in front of them, the Elite was solemnly focused on him. Quiet as a mouse, Emile sneaked around and stabbed him in the back, grabbing Six and making a run for it.
Six was gently passed into Jorge's arms.
Due to the lack of hydration, she lost consciousness. In the final moments of being awake, she heard a voice.
She couldn't tell if it was Jorge or Emile, or even somehow Marie. She couldn't tell if it was her mind.
"I'll be right here," the voice said. "I promise, I'll be right here." Her eyelids got heavier and she fell unconscious.