Hi, I know it's been awhile.
As per usual, excuses after the chapter. : )

This chapter is quite vital to the development of the character and future plot line. So I hope you enjoy.

Also, this update was made in the seventh hour of the seventh day on the seventh month in a year that is a multiple of seven. How's that for a seven reference. : P

Disclaimer: I don't own Halo, if I did, then Kat from Noble team wouldn't have had such a senseless death. I mean, seriously, shot by a sniper randomly like that.

Chapter 8: Mjolnir?

After the surgery I spent a couple weeks on that ship. We apparently had a destination in mind but we weren't going in a straight line. We seemed to be making every stop available and every time John would deploy with a team on some anti-terrorist mission. As he was trying to get everyone out once it meant I didn't have to partake in another. Which meant I could rest and let my head and side heal.

Neither Anders or the doctor had told me what the surgery was for, although I could tell it was something to do with my head. That was somewhat unsettling. Although it did mean I got to relax with my giant teddy and the other Spartans. And when I tired of their lack of social skills I went to talk to Anders. I also met my new marine friends a couple of times in the cafeteria and the gym.

We got along well, but it was clear they kept a respectful distance from me as an ODST, if only they knew the truth. I ran into the other ODST on board the ship, unlike the last ship this one only had a small number of Helljumpers. It was less of a fighting force and more of a small unit for special operations to support the main contingent of marines.

Hopefully with the Spartans on board no one else would be needed. I made sure to train daily so I could hopefully keep as many friendly forces away from the combat, I thought if I was good enough then the higher ups wouldn't need anyone else and no one else would have to kill or could be killed.

It was due to this regiment of training me and Sam grew closer together, he was a great training partner although I needed Kelly if I wanted to test my speed. But teddy and I became good friends since I told him all my secrets.

Everything was going great, until the captain's announcement telling us all that we were exiting slipspace. I was in the canteen with my marine friends when that happened, I had to politely excuse myself and make my way to the barracks. I had now been waiting for five minutes next to my teddy, as John was called to the bridge.

Eventually teddy walked over to a flashing light on the wall and pressed a button and John started barking orders. Apparently there was trouble. Suddenly Sam's ordering us down into the hanger and into a pelican waiting for John, Halsey and Anders. But I knew they would be awhile.

I could feel the ship shake as something impacted against it and the retaliation as the sound of rushing wind, like a hundred birds swooped by. The pull of the ship as it increased in speed. I did not like this one bit. I all but clung onto teddy's hand, partially keep myself in my seat and partially to calm myself down. The loud reverberating shockwave from whatever cannon they had onboard did nothing to calm my fears. It was around the moment of the second shockwave I realised I hated space battles.

Just when I thought it was over, the sirens flared and many pilots ran past the opening of the pelican for their fighters. I wondered how many I would see again, and when I heard another missile, I realised the answer was none. It wasn't long after that when John, Doc and Anders arrived. Two of which looked quite disturbed. I guess it was worse than I imagined.

As the pelican began to rise I wondered if we would return, or end up like the others. I couldn't see why we were leaving the ship, but I guess I just had to put my faith in Doctor. She wouldn't use us as bait with her on the pelican. We were likely going to escape or get some big weapon and destroy them.

The view from the pelican rear window was my first glimpse of them and what they were. I could see the damage to the clearly human ship and the small crack to the shimmering purple vessel. The bulbous purple alien ship contrasting against the black void of space was beautiful, but also quite eerie. Like it would just slip into the shadow of the void and reappear long enough to seal your fate. I could only wonder at what the creature that created it designed it for. It was both a work of art and a deadly weapon.

The flight was over in little less than an hour, but in my musings I lost track of time. I had also realised I had forgotten to let go of Sam's hand. As we came to a nice landing, I released his hand with a sheepish smile and quickly followed Anders and Doc into the facility.

The facility was underground, but wasn't long to get there. As we entered I couldn't help but marvel at the size of the room, the number of scientist and the hologram A.I.s.

I quickly realised I was falling behind and caught up just as the Doctor walked to the front of the crowd of super soldiers, to stand next to a towering suit of imposing armour. The image was striking, reminding me partially of the metal armours of ancient warriors.

"Project Mjolnir." The doctor snapped her fingers and a technical layout appeared in mid air. I tuned out just staring at the magnificent armour, just wondering if it was possible to loose while wearing that. I felt I could stand in the way of armies in that suit. And if the doctor was so impressed with it, and by all the big words I didn't understand, then it must be good.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as the screen changed to a man dressed in the suit.

"Please raise your right arm" The man's arm shot up at an incredible speed, my amasement quickly turned to horror as the man's arm shattered, his own pain causing him to spasm, moving more and more until the doctor decided we'd seen enough. At least she was telling us the risks.

"Normal humans can't handle the increased reflexes this suit provides. You however might just have the strength and enhanced skeletal structure to use these suits. There will however be some risk, we haven't had the time to perform complete tests. So take it slow and steady at first." The Doctor was clearly very worried about our safety. "So, any questions?"

John's hand rose up from the crowd, "When do we get to try them?" Asking the question that was clearly on everyone's mind.

"Right away, now we need to start slow though, any volunteers for the first test subject?" As soon as the Doctor asked everyone's hand went up, but me. I could only think back to the man, screaming and dying.

Unsurprisingly she picked John, she glanced in my direction but noticed I hadn't decided to volunteer. We waited patiently as the smart people came and built the armour up around him. Like a complicated game of tetris as the layers built up around him. Eventually it was complete. The Doctor moved to stand in front of him. "Now I want you all to stand back. Now listen closely John, I want you to think and only think about moving your arm."

He was motionless for just a second before his arm shot up. Without all the screams and sounds of bones breaking. Instead there was teddies' applause and an almost audible and collective gasp. The movement was lightning fast, if we weren't watching for it we would have missed it.

As soon as he successfully moved his arm we were all cleared to try it out. I quickly jumped to the front of the queue. I couldn't help but look left and right to see Kelly and Sam also preparing to be encased. After quickly dressing in the underlay, I had to remain motionless as the surprisingly light armour was built up around me. It almost felt weightless. As soon as we finished, I noticed John running some kind of assault course. Doctor quickly told us to also only think about moving, and that everything was thought operated, from movement to com controls. Just think and it will happen. So of course the first thing I did was think about opening a private com channel to teddy.

"So teddy, what can these suits do?" I sheepishly ask. But I knew he wouldn't hold my lack of attention against me. He'd probably roll his eyes and end up listing the features in simple understandable terms for a moron like me.

His voice came thought the speakers in my helmet either side of my head. "Basically it makes you stronger, makes you faster and can absorb a lot of damage. Plus it's airtight with about ninety minutes of air. Simple enough for you?"

I didn't respond, I, for once I couldn't think up a reply. I guess I deserved that one really. I'd never understand the technical jargon. Just tell me what it does and how to do it and I'm fine. I did however get my own back after lapping him round the assault course. I felt better after that. Then I heard news that made everything even better still, we got to keep the armour.

Then I realised what was happening right now in orbit. This wasn't some kind of gift, this was payment, an exchange, we needed this for the mission ahead and we needed to win in order to make everything they put into us worth while. And I personally felt the need to succeed to repay the Doctor for everything she had done for me so far, I owed her this.

My suspicions about the next mission was correct, we would have a role to play in the destruction of the purple ship, but I had no idea what we were supposed to do in this tiny craft against that unstoppable alien ship.

John was in the pilot seat with Doctor and Anders. I could see the planet behind us, we were flying straight up and towards the ship, I think that teddy was the only thing keeping me calm right now. He was a great friend, I know I just had to believe in my teddy, and all the other Spartans. They were the real deal, I would be safe with them. And together we could beat these monsters.

Then suddenly Sam stood up and left, to return a second later. I gathered John had asked him to do something, and that everything was starting. I decided to check my rifle again. A simple assault rifle, durable and versatile. Just like I needed to be.

Soon after I finished I looked up to realise there were less Spartans in here than before. And the exit was open. Had Sam lost it or was it part of a plan. I almost smacked myself for loosing faith in my teddy. He wouldn't run away, there was a plan. As soon as I thought that, the COM activated and confirmed my conclusion.

"Requesting permission to attack the covenant ship, ma'am." I knew John would have a plan. But it might be nice to know what it is.

And Doctor gave an almost predictable response. "Most certainly not." Yep, predictable. "If a warship like the Commonwealth couldn't destroy it, a pelican is certainly no match for them." I would have said the same thing, but I know John wouldn't go for a plan that obvious. I know I wouldn't.

"Not the pelican, no." I knew it, he wouldn't be planning to use this pelican against that monolith. "But I believe we Spartans are. If we can get inside the enemy ship, we can destroy her." Okay, this took the biscuit on insane plans.

"How will you get onboard?" I looked around the inside of the pelican and I could see what I recognised as thrusters. I hoped he wouldn't order us to use them. I'm kinda allergic to things I don't want to do. And I was certainly against jumping into a void to launch myself at the enemy.

"We go EVA and use the thruster packs to intercept the Covenant ship as it passes en route to the Commonwealth." It was at this point I blocked the COM, I didn't need to hear anymore, I'd just ask teddy later. I felt the panic surge again until I noticed in someone's reflective visor that I looked the same, I was a Spartan.

I also noticed in the reflection that at some point Sam had probably attached Doctor's sword to my back, I thought I left it behind. It calmed me to know that he would have my back, no matter what. He really was a big comforting teddy looking after me.

The sword also reminded me of all I owed Halsey, and I wouldn't let the Doctor down. I was shaken from my thoughts by a Spartan offering me a thruster pack and warhead. I just knew it was teddy again. I turned my COM back on in time to hear John give the order, "We'll only get one shot at this, plot an intercept trajectory and fire your thrusters at max burn. If the target changes course, you'll have to make a best guess correction on the fly. If you make it, we'll regroup outside the hole in their hull. If you miss, we'll pick you up after we're done."

Sounds like a plan, "and if we don't succeed, then power down your systems and wait for UNSC reinforcements to retrieve you. Live to fight another day. Don't waste your lives." That part of the plan didn't give me as much confidence as the first part. I mean, what are the chances of UNSC forces arriving before we passed away silently drifting through space. Yeah, that would give me nightmares, if I lived long enough to get some sleep again.

The tail of the pelican opened silently in the vacuum. It was disorientating standing next to the edge of death while moving so fast without the slightest loss of balance. John jumped off first, followed steadily by a stream of other Spartans. I noticed one behind me and I knew exactly who it was. Sam opened a private COM, "Are you going to jump or am I going to have to push you?"

I didn't waste another second. While I didn't want to do this, I certainly didn't want to give him the satisfaction of pushing me. I had to do this myself. I found myself hurtling towards the purple ship. I was alongside another Spartan, my heads up display told me it was Linda. We were matched in speed and matched in stupidity as we collided with the ship's shields, but I noticed a second later, the flash, the waver of the silver sheen the shields provided. I saw her offer her hand and I knew what she had in mind. I took her hand, another flash, and she threw me. This propelled me towards the ship, and her into space.

This time, instead of colliding with the shields I passed through into the ship and fell to the deck. Why? It was all I could think. Surely Linda could have been of more use that me, why did she sacrifice herself for me. Why did she entrust me with the mission, did she trust me that much, or was she so sure in defeat that she wanted others to live a little longer?

I quickly forced those thoughts to the back of my mind, this was not the place for them. I raised my MA5B and opened my COM's, I had to find out if anyone else had made it. Silence. "Hello, this is Spartan-016, anyone else make it?" Silence. I decided staying put was the best thing to do until I could contact someone else, if I couldn't then I don't know what I was going to do.

I was considering continuing the mission, I had waited a couple of minute, surely someone else had to have made it. Just as I was about to give up, two other Spartans tumbled though the opening. "Oh, shame, I wanted to be first." Sam's playful remark came through the COM. The other was Kelly. Where was John, surely he would make it. This was his plan, he was the leader. He had to make it.

The three of us stood waiting, until suddenly another Spartan fell though the gap. "What took you so long?" Sam was certainly in a good mood, either that or he was trying to improve our mood.

"I think we're it." Kelly lifted her blast shield to show her face as gestured to the four of us. "I'm not getting any other responses over the COM channels."

We climbed down to a lower deck. "Gravity and with nothing spinning on the ship." John was clearly surprised by this revelation. If the thought of space travel wasn't still so new to me, I might have been shocked too, but artificial gravity and space travel aren't too far apart.

"Doctor Halsey would love to see this." Kelly was probably right. If this was such a find then I'm sure the Doctor would love to study it. She was a highly curious person. We kept moving, scaling the purple walls until we were roughly in the middle of the ship.

I could feel the ship moving, and I know John managed to tell as well. "We better hurry." We stepped onto an exposed deck and the view was great, I'd never tire of seeing the stars from a ship. We paused for a second while John ordered weapons check. The guns made the journey intact, even my sword. Not sure what I'd need it for though. But it was more of a moral boost for me than a weapon.

I let out a sigh of relief to see the warhead was undamaged, I did not want to carry a damaged warhead, call me paranoid, but something that could blow you up and not leave a trace left me nervous, and I wasn't carrying it if it was damaged. I drew the line there.

We kept moving and came up to some large sliding doors, in yet another shade of purple. Sam and John started trying to force the door open, we quickly entered in formation, I was careful to stay alert, I wasn't going to be the weakest link here.

"You think they need all this space because they're so tall?" Kelly asked referring to the ceiling, it was several meters tall.

John's response was short and concise, showing he was heavily focused on the task at hand. "We'll know soon."

We worked our way down some corridors in formation, John and Kelly up front and me and Teddy covering the rear. We came to another door and I almost groaned. But Kelly decided to try pressing some buttons, the console had several buttons on it, each with some alien glyph. She tried several buttons, making the door hiss.

"Try another," Sam prompted, and this time the door opened.

This room was different, it was not the colour, or the alien design, or the size of the room that was different. It was the meter and a half tall monster, the creature was a blend of jackal and eagle, it stood on two feat, with a monstrous head, with rows of sharp teeth and a head of feathers. I know the Doctor would like a look at this.

It was but a moment before it started to screech and reached for something at it's waist, but it would never reach it. The four of us opened fire. My hesitation for killing was suspended in the case of this creature.

Blood splattered the floor as it's body was torn apart by the rounds fired. Bit's of bone and brain were mixed in with the blood as it's life oozed from it's wounds. Although it couldn't contemplate this as it was long dead.

"That was easy," Teddy captioned, "They sure aren't as tough as their ships."

"Let's hope it stays that way," John replied.

I agreed with John, but I doubted it would, for all we knew that was the weakest example of their kind. This was first contact, not the time to start letting your guard down with generalisations.

"I'm getting a radiation reading this way," Kelly indicated to another corridor, Kelly set up a NAV marker to lead us to the source of radiation she had detected.

I was thinking it was strange how few creatures we had found on board, we were in position to open the next door, I mean, a vessel this size would usually have hundreds on it, I mean from what I had experienced.

Unfortunately the door opened as I was lost in thought, I managed to raise my rifle like the others, but I could only watch as the creature did the same. However it had some kind of barrier of light protecting it. Just looking at the beast I could tell it was out for revenge and it knew from my slow reaction that I was it's best chance for a kill.

It fired. Time slowed down, my eyes began to water as I waited for the shot to hit.

Sam moved fast, faster than me, faster than Kelly, he tackled me to the ground and out of the line of fire. With my finger still on the trigger, I managed to take out the creatures legs and John moved up to place a burst of fire through the creatures head.

The glowing shield couldn't protect it from that. The shield disappeared with the creatures death.

Kelly helped me and Sam up, while John stayed on watch, adding another burst into the head of the creature when it's leg twitched. Better safe than sorry. I walked over to the dead creature and removed the dead monster's arm guard, from what I saw, the protective light emerged from this device. I would return this to the Doctor in one piece if it killed me.

"I'm okay," I looked back at my teddy bear, "Just a little singed." I could tell he was grinning behind his helmet, but his armour was blackened. My gut fell, I was responsible for this, but I was confident that the Doctor could patch him up.

Sam waved us away and we continued into the room. Behind a large window was a large chamber with a cylinder that ran the length of the room, with red light and sloshing liquid. Yes, this looked important. Time to blow stuff up and get Teddy to some medics.

We all noticed the movement below, we had to hurry. Sam, took the warheads and shot the crystal window until it shattered. John set the timers and it came up on my screen, a three minute countdown holding position until the bombs were set. John turned to Sam, " You'll have to stay and hold them off. That's an order."

Kelly was as surprised as me, I couldn't process that order, why? Why would my teddy bear have to stay. If he did, he'd be killed by the bombs. I must have misheard John.

Sam nodded, "I think I can hold them off that long." Turning, he showed me his side, the armour was blackened and under the fist sized hole the skin was blistered and burned. In my shock I couldn't connect the pieces. I hate to admit it but tears were flowing freely, behind my polarised faceplate I was trying my best to maintain control of myself.

"That's nothing," Kelly argued. "We'll get you patched up in no time. Once we get back…." Her argument died half way through. I was still ignorant of the situation. Why was she giving up?

"Exactly," Sam whispered. "Getting back is going to be a problem for me." Why? The tears clouding my reasoning.

"The hole." John explained, reaching out to touch it, "We don't have any way to seal it." Realisation hit me. He saved me, and as a result he was going to die. I lost myself in guilt. And then the countdown started to tick.

John clasped Sam's hand and squeezed it.

Kelly hesitated, then saluted.

I practically leapt into his arms giving him the best hug I could manage in the clunky armour. I opened a last private COM, "Thank you so much, I'm sorry I let you down Teddy. I owe you one."

Sam let go, "No, you're wrong, you don't owe me anything." He turned the COM back to the group, "Now, get going you three."

John grabbed Kelly's arm and practically dragged her away, while I gave a quick salute and vanished out of the room with the others.

The countdown kept ticking by as we sped through room and corridor alike. Past the corpses that I only wanted to kick, but the time did not allow it. Pity.

John lead us back to the hole in the ship, the countdown was dangerously close to zero. We had to painfully for the shields to drop for us to escape. Part of me wanted to stay. No, I was almost certain I wanted to stay. But John and Kelly's grip on me wouldn't permit it. The three of us leapt as the shields dropped, clinging to each other as we put all out strength into our legs. I managed to get a good look as the explosion ripped though the ship, contained by the shields, until they gave way and the explosion rippled out into space, heat washing over us. But it couldn't sooth the coldness inside, the guilt of killing my friend.

I hope this chapter was to your liking. : ) I had to follow the book a lot so like one of my earlier chapters it might lack the usual feel of it. I know what some might think, about killing off Sam again. But still, it had to be done.

On to the part of the author talk reserved for the standard excuses, I know I said I'd have this chapter up earlier, but it was harder to write than expected as I had to follow the book a bit more than I would have liked. But the next chapter should be much quicker.

A quick thank you for everyone that responded to my poll, it's appreciated. I value everyone's opinion. And in this case I really do need to know what i should do.

Reviews:

Whrr trudy: Yep, I agree, that's kinda why I chose it. I like giving the characters nicknames in it, as I think it gives Alexa a bit of a personality. Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

Guest: Thanks for the support, here you go, hope you enjoy this as much as the last.

NoodleCats: Yay, a reference to 7 in the reviews. Also, I'm glad you've liked it so far. Hopefully this chapter will live up to any expectations you have. : )

Coldjoker: I'm glad you've liked it so far. I wanted to make this story as original as I could to explore a new possibility. Plus, you are aware that John is the Master Chief, it's just later on he goes by his rank more than his name.

1800hellmo: I'm glad you liked the last chapter, I have to draw it out a bit between action scenes, while a story needs a balance I will admit I'm not a fan of writing combat scenes.

thearizona: Glad you like the story so far. It's always nice to read supportive reviews. They give me a burst of energy to keep writing a little longer. I know what you mean, the other options do pose some interesting possibilities. : )

Just a warning, the next chapter might take a while. While writing this, I looked back on past chapters and the spelling mistakes were cringe worthy. So I want to try to fix those. It's probably quite obvious nobody else checks the chapters before I add them to the site.

Remember as always:

Reviews = Love = Updates

TTFN

: )