Alright, alright. If you were wondering about the huge delay in the last chapter, it was 'cause I was distracted by friends and school. Let's...just get back to this.
O
Veru 'Thamal was on her way to Captain Cutter's office. She left the Female Quarters. It wasn't very private, and most of the Spartans were...not as accepting as Craig and Crow were. She chose to skip breakfest, as humans called it, and go straight for the Cutter. Craig, her first -if not only- friend on Earth was an early riser, so probably was at a Pelican hub. He was always...alert. Restless. Of course, she'd never actually seen him sleep, but he was probably waking up from time to time. Sangheli needed sleep, so humans probably would as well.
They'd been friends for about a human week. In that time, they'd battled together, learning where the other was weak, the other strong. They made a good team after they learned what the other tended to do. Craig was a skilled fighter, but was truly amazing when he had a Gatling gun. He avoided Rocket Launchers though, said they were useless against anything but large vehicles.
Veru was much better driving than on foot, but could still handle herself. She liked using mid-short range weapons, they were the most versatile, which suited the Sangheli combat style: Swift, adaptable, and precise.
Craig had also been letting her in on his past. Which even Crow said was pretty rare. And that Craig was the kind of guy that you really had to force to talk. But you also had to know when to simply' "Shut the fuck up" as he put it. But she never prodded very far, so Craig never had to talk about it. But, being the curious alien she was, she was always wondering why he didn't like it. So she went to Captain Cutter, who Craig had said was "The man he respected the living fuck out of".
She knocked on the door. She heard the Captain's voice welcome her, and she went inside. He looked a bit suprised, but calmed himself. He realized it wasn't an Elite trying to kill him. He stood and leaned over his desk, extending a welcoming hand. She took it and they shook. She'd learned from Craig that that was the way humans greeted each other.
"I'm Captain Cutter. What can I do for...You're Craig's friend, aren't you? I saw you a few days ago. After that fight. I never learned what happened, by the way."
"His name was Ripa 'Trantant. Since I'm one of the few females here, and I was the bondmate of a Ranger, he wants me as a consort. He's what you humans would call a "Prick" and a..."Womanizer" I think."
"I see. So what brings you here?" Cutter asked as Veru took a seat. She gave a few testing bounces and he couldn't help but smile little bit. When they're not glassing planets or killing Marines, they're cute. In a weird sort of way.
"Craig talks about you a decent amout. Like you're the man he respects most. And a person named Betty. I wanted to know something about that. And he pushes me away when I try to get any information out, so..."
"I see. He respects me because I made a considerable impact on him. I got to know him when he was stationed on my ship, the Spirit of Fire. I even risked a Pelican to save him when he was scouting in a Scorpion. And he metioned Betty?" He asked, and without a response, continued. "I didn't know much about her, to be honest. All I knew was that he and her were pretty close. Two of the first three Spartans to face the Covenant. If it weren't for them, Spartans wouldn't have energy shields."
"Really? That's how you humans got them..."
"But here's a report on the mission where she was confirmed KIA. Go to Sgt. Buck. He's the only one alive. Other than Craig." Veru thanked him immensely and before she left, Cutter asked her why she was here in the first place. With a quick explanation, she was gone.
On her walk down to Buck, she looked over the report. She could read just enough English to understand most of it. But it didn't give any details on what happened. So that's why Captain Cutter sent her here. She looked right and saw a group of four ODST's lounging.
"Excuse me," she said. They all tensed, but then remembered that Elites were allies now. She hated that people flinched when they saw her. "Are you Sgt. Buck?"
"That's me." He said, standing up. He looked as if it were still the war and she'd ambushed him. "Why?"
"You went on a mission with Spartan-43. I know him, and he constantly brings up a female named Betty. I obtained a copy of the report from Captain Cutter, and you were listed."
"Ah." Was the only word he said. But his eyes said more. They wanted to say all the feelings he had about that mission. "That mission." He shifted uncomfortably, remembering all the rage Craig held. He shuddered at the visual his memories forced onto him. "See, he and Betty were...close. If you get what I mean."
"If you're implying something, no I don't."
"Oh...well...they were real close." No response telling him she'd gotten it. "They...they were the first ones to mate with each other." She nodded in understanding. They were bondmates. And being the first one to mate with another was probably an important concpet for humans, Veru guessed. "So we were all hot-dropped near a base..."
O
Four figures all crouched down near one another. A few hand signals were given by one, and they split up. Two went left, two right. They split ways, staying hidden in the thick jungle growth. It was the dead of night, insects chirping thier little songs. The largest one of the group clenched his rifle tighter. "43," He heard an ODST say over the comm channel, "Take the hill to the North-East." Craig moved quickly up the hill, straining for his steps not to make noise.
A grunt stood unwarily at the top. Slowly, Craig pulled a combat knife from his chest gaurd. His pauldrons, standard MK-V, thankfully allowed him to swiftly bury his knife hilt-deep into the unsuspecting Grunt's neck. It make a small squeak as it died.
Perfect.
One last thing to do: Prop up the corpse as though he was just naping, not missing a jugular. "Ready." He declared in a whisper.
"I'll take the first shot." Sgt. Matad declared. "Pick a target. I'm taking the Brute near the comm station."
"I'll take the comm station itself. Let's give these Covie bastards a scare!"
"I'll take the Jackal sniper."
"43, picked one?" Matad questioned. Craig told him he had a target, not to worry. Centering the crosshairs on the Brute's helmet, he breathed out and fired.
Half of the Brute's head was spontaneaously missing. As well as their comm link, and their sniper. But what about number four? Matad could only guess until he was lifted and turned to face an angry Brute Cheiftan. The Sgt prepared for the end until he was dropped abrubtly at the sound of a Sniper shot.
"I told you I had a target." Craig boasted unfazed. Matad cursed under his breath. How did a Brute sneak up on him? The SOB was about to pump a few spikes into his gut! And why didn't Craig warn him?
"Thank you, sir." Sgt. Matad said from instinct.
"What? Just a 'Thank you, sir?' is all I get?" Craig said sarcastically. "But don't worry. I just do it for my country."
Even more sarcasm.
"Will you two lovebirds stop diddlefucking and join the firefight?"
They both realized they hadn't been shooting. "R-i-i-i-ght."
O
Once they rest of the hostiles were eliminated, Craig quickly ran down the hall. He smiled under his MK V visor. Betty'd have no toruble getting out. He looked over his shoulder, making sure the ODST's were following. Cpl. Buck ran through, Sgt. Matad, and Pfc's Samuel and Nate all made it in. But Craig didn't slow down to let them catch up. One: He wanted to see his first love, and the faster he extracted her, the less time the Covenant had to send a Spirit.
He rounded a corner and sprinted. This had to be the way.
Unfortunately, it was.
Once Craig deactivated the barrier, Betty stepped slowly out. Craig held out his arms, smiling warmly behind his helemt, and he de-polarized the visor, making it so she could see his eyes. Of course, the Brutes had stripped her of hear armor. And of course they'd beaten her for information. So that explained the blood. But Betty...she was a tough bitch. Nothing got to her. Call her the dirtiest thing you can think of, she'll brush it off. It it got to her, you'd be flat on your ass. If you were lucky, you just got a better insult back.
Most of the other Spartans couldn't see how they went well together. But they were a squad. You learned to get along with your squad.
She always had those eyes. The eyes that fire lasers of confidence. Swagger. One look from them and you either look away or you blush.
Not anymore.
Her eyes were broken. She was trembling. Every little move of Craig's made her flinch. She looked near tears. She was never in tears.
Never.
Her eyes looked to his hip. His .45 rested in it's holster. She lunged for it, and took Craig by suprise. He was too stunned by the way she was. It was horrifying to see a Spartan this way. He barely stopped her from bringing the gun to her temple.
"What are you doing?" He asked, shellshocked. He held her hand for a few seconds, allowing them a moment. Her eyes narrowed in sadness, and she flicked them down. He followed. There was blood, of course, but mostly between her legs.
Craig put two and two together.
He stepped back, letting go of the .45 in her hand. He stepped back in shock, anguish, and shame. "Be-..." He trailed off, unable to find his voice.
She remained silent, only lifting the gun towards her temple. The cocked the gun, and looked deeply into her lover's eyes. She didn't want it to end like this.
But after what they did to her...there was no other way.
"So...she killed herself?" Veru didn't wait for an answer. "What did Craig do then?" Buck leaned forward and closed his eyes, pressing his fingers into them. It was the only way to stop the ache that was made of all the things Craig did.
"God, what he did. Still gives me nightmares sometimes. I don't know exactly what happened, but I heard the screams. It was just the most horresndous, agony-filled, blood-curdling screams I've ever heard. I remember what he did to the Chieftan though."
"What was that?"
He cursed under his breath. "He quite literally shoved his size thirten boot shin-high up his ass. I'm not making this shit up. I couldn't."
Veru was silent for a good long while. She quickly stood, and thanked Buck for sharing the story. He only muttered and waved her off. He didn't like to remember that mission.
A few hours later, Craig managed to find her. "Hey, Veru..." He trailed off, holding his hand behind his head. He held his helmet under his arm. "I just...wanted to ask that...well, maybe you'd...I don't know, like to spend the day together? Or something?" He asked nervously.
"Why?"
"Umm...well, I guess I want to know more about you." He sighed. "Could you please say 'Yes'. This is akward enough as is."
"Sure. It sounds...fun." She chuckled. He relaxed instantly.
"Thanks. Oh, and if you want to hear a story about my past, come to me, alright?"
A/N
I buckled my ass down and got to writing. So there. Enjoy. And tune in next time to see just how akward it gets!