ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ ❼

Jorge and Jun shared a skeptical look with each other at Kat's words. Kat noticed this and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on, guys. I am dating Carter. We've had some 'dates' in his office."
Carter woke at the sound of his name. "Huh? What?" He blubbered. Jun shook his head, amused.
"Anyway," Kat continued. "Find a nice, small resturant. Somewhere quiet, like an Italian place tucked away. Get a corner table; more privacy from eavesdroppers. A candle, bottle of wine..Simple."
"Wow, Kat," Jun remarked. "I'm impressed."
"Alright, everybody, we're currently entering Earth's atmosphere." Scarlett's voice sounded over COMMS.
"Hurrah!" Jun sounded, before noticing everyone's facial expression. "I mean, uh, yay?" Emile cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Sir," Jorge changed the subject, "Do we have any cR to spend on Earth?"
"They don't use cR, Jorge. There are lots of different currencies; 'dollar', mainly. But also 'pound', 'euro' and many more. So just to be sure I brought 100,000 of each. I don't know the currencies well."
Kat raised an eyebrow. "Commander, that's the same as 2000,000cR!" Jorge was sure he heard Carter's jaw hit the ground.
"Oh..Well...Er..." Carter rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Maybe you and Scarlett can go crazy on a shopping spree?"
Kat laughed. "Alright, but that won't be until she's finished her date with Jorge."
"Date?" Scarlett questioned over COMMS, whilst Jorge face palmed. He had hoped it would be a romantic surprise.
Carter raised his eyebrows. "Assuming she isn't aware of these arrangements?"
"Whoops," Kat replied, feeling stupid. "My mouth is getting as big as Jun's."
"Hey!" Jun shot her a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I agree, Jun does talk too much." Jorge agreed with Kat.
"Good thing it's normally related to the mission," Carter replied cooly, tapping on his TacPad. "Scarlett, how long before we land?"
"Ooh..Maybe fifteen minutes, Sir. We've just gotten into Earth's atmosphere. Shouldn't be long now."
"Alright, people," Carter stood up, talking in his commanding voice again. Everybody, including Emile, listened. "You'll all get a certain amount of dollars to spend. Use it wisely - Don't go buying things you'll either regret, or have no use for. And Emile, try and act normal. Don't go around accusing every civilian that they're rebelling against the UNSC. I don't wan't to have to get Jorge to babysit you. I'm sure he's got better things to be doing." Emile scowled at this.
Jorge smirked, thinking of the extra time he could spend with Scarlett.

Back in the cockpit, Scarlett softly swore. She almost lost complete control of the Pelican. They were entering Earth's atmosphere too quickly, and soon enough, she knew they would crash land.
Knowing that she couldn't risk her whole Team dying, she spoke up over COMMS. "Alright, Team, we've got a situation. We're coming too hot into Earth's atmosphere. So, I need you all to get your emergency equipment set up. You're going to need to evac before we hit."
"What about you?" Kat asked.
Scarlett paused, knowing what Jorge's reaction would be. "I'm staying."
Almost straight away, Jorge protested. "No! No, you're not, Scarlett! You're coming off with us."
Scarlett sadly shook her head. "No. It's important I try and keep this Pelican together, otherwise it's gonna crash-land on Earth. They're might be more causalities. It's better this way."
"But at the risk of you." Carter softly responded.
"I'm sorry, Commander. I want to keep you all safe." Carter sadly nodded, his voice quiet. "Alright, Noble. Get your emergency equipment together and get ready to jump." Everybody did so in silence. Then, one by one, they made the jump, pulling their parachutes out at the right moment.
Jorge was the last to leave.
"There'll be another time..." Scarlett whispered.
"I love you." Jorge whispered. Scarlett, who was too busy trying to control the Pelican, did not hear.
Jorge, figuring he didn't have much time, took the jump watching the now-flaming Pelican fly away. He landed softly on his feet, with much thanks to his parachute.

Jorge wasn't sure where Scarlett was now, but nether less, he looked up and squinted against the sun light, searching the sky for any sight of that flaming Pelican.
He felt a hand gently tap his shoulder, and turned to see Carter, a sad expression on his face, shaking his head.
"I don't think she would have made it." Carter quietly said.
Jorge shook his head, certain that there had to be some chance. "She could've made it...I'm sure she could've of! She can't leave us...Me. She can't."
"I know. I'm sorry." Jorge shrugged Carter's resting hand off, and stalked ahead, determined not to give up. Cater watched him go.

A few hours later, and Noble still hadn't moved, mainly thanks to Jorge, who insisted that they should stay.
Suddenly, a burning light entered the sky, slowly coming closer. Jun, who had noticed this, frantically tapped Jorge's shoulder, who had fallen asleep largely due to exhaustion.
"Hm?" Jorge groggily asked.
"Look!" Jun exclaimed, pointing to the sky. Jorge squinted against the sunlight and then saw it. The burning Pelican, now incredibly close.
"That's her! Scarlett, she's coming!" Jorge yelled, standing up. But the Pelican was going too fast, and instead of landing, crash-landed.
Thankfully, the Pelican was low enough to be dug into the ground, slowing any crashes. The Pelican, suspended by the dirt, stopped.
Jorge stood up, frantically running to it. He literally tore the door upon and jumped inside, finding Scarlett unconscious in the Pilots seat.
She was largely uninjured, just a few minor scratches. Jorge gently lifted her up and carried her out of the Pelican, treading carefully.
Jun rushed towards them. "Is she okay?"
Jorge nodded. "She's fine. Just a few scratches."
"We should get her to a Hospital, anyway." Jun suggested.
"That's a good idea, Jun," Replied Carter, who had noticed the confrontation and walked over. "Good thing Kat supplied me with this device. A cell phone, I believe. It'll be interesting to use compared to COMMS."
Kat walked towards them. "Commander, push 911 into it. Then, ask for paramedics."
Carter raised his eyebrows. "Yes, Catherine, I know what to do." He began ringing the ambulance and walked away, sorting it out.
Kat sighed, shaking her head. "I hate it when he calls me that." Jun laughed lightly.
Jorge laid Scarlett gently down on grass, surveying the area. "So where exactly are we?"
Kat frowned, tapping on her data pad. "Uh, a public park in the United States, according to this."
"So that means..." Jun clarified, looking up to see a crowd forming, largely confused. A police officer marched up to them, a notepad in one hand.
"Alright, what's going on here?" He sternly asked. Kat held up her data pad as an I.D. "We're with the UNSC. Special military Spartan Team, Noble Team."
The officer took off his hat as a sign of respect. "Oh, my apologizes, Ma'am. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Just get the area secured and sealed up, then deal with the wreckage." The officer nodded. "Of course. And umm," He gestured towards Scarlett lying unconscious on the ground. "Is she okay?"
Jorge quickly nodded.
"We've got an ambulance coming." Kat explained.
The officer looked relived. "Oh. Well, alright then. We'll get this cleared up," He turned towards the gathering Civilians.
"Alright people, there's nothing to see here! Move on."
Emile, who had been silent during the entire confrontation, spoke up. "They look like rebels."
Carter, who had finally returned, frowned at this. "No, Emile. They're civilians," He slowly explained. Emile scowled.
"Anyway, the ambulance is on its way. Scarlett's gonna be fine." He explained. Everybody nodded, relived.