ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ ❻
Carter had by now, thankfully sobered up, largely with thanks to Kat. Now, he was driving a large truck; large enough to carry them all.
Kat sat in the front with Carter; Jorge and Scarlett behind them; and Emile and Jun behind them.
"Where are we going, boss?" Jun asked.
"First, to a shipyard. We're getting the hell off this planet...We're going to Earth, noble."
"Earth?!" Jun and Jorge called out in unison.
"Sir, why don't we stay here and find somewhere more...Remote?" Jorge suggested.
"Jorge," Carter said slowly. "We are facing a full-scale invasion. Command had given us orders to take a break - Now that I think of it, god knows why they let us - And you want to go elsewhere on this planet? Covenant, Jorge. They are still a threat." Carter had said this slowly, as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
This aggravated Jorge, but he did not show it. However, Jorge's hand around Scarlett's waist tightened slightly. Scarlett squirmed slightly under Jorge's tightened grip, but did not say anything. She knew his tempers - And they weren't good. He had never actually shouted at her, but she'd seen his fights with Emile. Eventually, after what had seemed like an entirety of awkward silences, they arrived at the shipyard where a Pelican waited for them.
Scarlett had fallen asleep on the journey, her head leaning against the door of the truck. Jorge had admired her peacefulness as she slept. He realized how much he truly did love her and how lucky it was she was still around.
"Hey," He nudged her gently, waking her from her sleep. "We're here."
She squinted and nodded, sitting up and stretching. "Can't believe I fell asleep...Still, the initial journey was SOO boring!"
Jorge chuckled and nodded. "I know."
They opened the doors and climbed out of the truck. Scarlett squinted and watched the Pelican land.
And then that's when she saw him.
He was a normal marine; Yet the similarities he had to Jack were overbearing. She gasped - Loud enough for Jorge to hear and jerk his head in her direction. "Scarlett? What is it?"
She wanted to tell him so badly. But she couldn't. Her past; the scars; it was something she kept to herself.
She vowed to never tell anyone. Even Jorge. Jack, him in her memories; she wanted to keep him there, let no-one else know. As selfish as it sounds, she wanted to relish him. To have him in her mind only. To her, she thought nobody would understand the overbearing guilt she felt over Jack's death. So, instead, she shook her head solemnly and replied, "It doesn't matter."
Jorge frowned but nodded nether less. His kept his eyes on her for a few moments, searching her face for any sign of what had happened.
His attention was soon drawn back to the Pelican landing.
"Alright Team," Carter spoke up in his this-is-my-plan-so-listen voice, even though they weren't strictly on a mission. "The ride to Earth is going to be a boring seven hours. So some basic rules. Jorge, Emile, no fighting. I do not want to be sitting through seven hours of you two bickering, we hear it enough already. And Jun, try and keep the chat level low. I don't want to hear your latest story on how-to-make-a-pizza-in-30-minutes-flat for seven hours. Got it everyone?"
Emile scowled and muttered "Fine."
Jorge nodded, his face serious. Jun also nodded, but the mischievous sparkle was still in his eyes.
They all boarded the Pelican; Carter piloted; Jun sat on one side of Kat, chatting away; Kat nodded but looked as if she wasn't listening, and frankly, didn't care. Scarlett sat on the other side of Kat, with Jorge's arm around her.
Emile sat way at the over end of the Pelican, by the door, as if he was planning to jump if the trip became too much.
Hours passed, and Carter and Scarlett switched; Scarlett, herself being a pilot, flew the Falcon whilst Carter rested.
Kat had nodded off, and everyone assumed Emile had done the same, as he wasn't talking (no surprise) but wasn't sharpening his knife either.
Jun and Jorge quietly chatted. Mainly about cards for the most part; Jun whined to why Jorge was always winning.
"Skill, my friend," Jorge had said, patting Jun on the back. "Pure skill. And lots of practice."
"Modest, aren't you," Jun scoffed. Jorge chuckled.
"Say, I know a good opponent for you."
"Oh?" Jorge questioned, raising his eyebrows.
"Why not Scarlett? Have you even played her?"
"Come to think of it..." Jorge said thoughtfully, scratching his stubble. "No, I don't think I have."
"She's your girlfriend! What else haven't you two done? And by that I mean the basics. You taken her out for dinner?"
Jorge raised an eyebrow. "I can't exactly do that, remember? Where's the nearest restaurant in the middle of scenic nowhere?"
Jun rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, -It-All! But now it's your chance! Vacation. Earth. Free time. City. Come on, put them together!"
Now it was Jorge's turn to roll his eyes. "Yes, I have thought of it. And I know the perfect spot. But I'm gonna need some help, I'm not really the type to organize dates."
Kat must've woke at some point, because she said, "You need help organizing a date? You're asking the right Spartan."