Chapter 11

A/N: I live!

And wow! That beginning to Volume 3 was amazing! C'mon, you guys can't deny that, huh? Well anyways, welcome to another chapter of Becoming Human.

Last time we left off, Riley had just schooled Coco in hand to hand combat in which needs to be practiced more often. But now, let us step away from that for the moment being as we now bring ourselves to honor those who have fallen in defence of us.

A.K.A, Remembrance Day. And it is pretty important to me since my great-great grandfather fought in the Second World War.

And you may see familiar words to a certain trailer. Just fixed it up to fit the current timeline in the Haloverse.

Hope you guys didn't mind my ranting. Onwards to the story.

Riley pinched the bridge of his nose lightly as he was in the elevator that would whisk him up to the Headmaster's office. Letting go of the nose, his hand casually slipped back into his pocket of his pants. "Some ride I've been on," He mused quietly. "Never thought I'd be teaching kids how to fight against other people, or humanoid since some are Faunus."

It has been a week since Riley had begun teaching his own combat/strategy class. While Glynda did teach a combat class, it was mostly in a tournament style from what the ODST has witnessed himself. His way of teaching was to give knowledge to the students on how to fight against other things than Grimm. And giving them strategies to consult in for basics before he would teach them to trust their guts. Being a Marine in the UNSC was that you'd have to be trained quickly to fight in the Human-Covenant War to protect humanity.

He was deep in thought that he didn't notice the small ring of the floor that he punched in to exit off of. "Yes, Mr. O'Neil? What is it?" Ozpin asked from his desk causing Riley to jerk from his thinking state.

Shaking his head, the ODST walked into the office with a deep sigh. Riley reached the desk and gave Ozpin a quick salute despite being told that it's okay not to salute. To him, it was a formal way to acknowledge his superior. "Ozpin, sir."

"Is there something wrong, Mr. O'Neil?" Ozpin asked him.

Riley held his breath for a couple seconds before nodding. "You... Have seen the video I gave you on Monday?" He answered the Headmaster.

"Why yes. I can see that it seems pretty important for you."

"I'm... I'm just wondering if I could be given absence with your permission just for today. It's that occasion you've seen."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow taking a small sip from his mug. "Today?"

"Yes, sir. Today. May I have the permission? I never missed one day... It's for him, ya know?"

"Well..."

A few minutes later...

"You want me to teach his class?! But he's the one that teaches it! Why is he given the day off today?!" Glynda shouted at her friend with her hands slamming down on the desk, not quite being her usual professional self in front of him.

Ozpin nodded remaining calm as he closed his eyes. "Glynda, he asked me directly early today if he could. Today is something important for him. I decided to be lenient and allowed him to have today off."

The Huntress merely squeezed her eyes shut and growled softly. "Ozpin, what could be so important to him?"

"Glynda, you know today is the seventy-eighth anniversary since the way in Remnant has ended? Mr. O'Neil has something similar to that. Have you even been watching the video documents he has been giving to me his time here?"

Glynda shook her head slowly making Ozpin shake his head sighing. "No, I have not. I have been busy making sure that he doesn't get himself killed. He's reckless. He keeps pushing students far beyond their limits. And it's only been a week. A week."

The Headmaster placed his hands in front of his mouth nodding. "Evie? Upload file 5982 onto main screen of my office. And please, close the shutters while you're at that."

"Yes, sir, Prof. Ozpin, on it," The Academy's A.I replied back doing everything asked to her at once.

The shutters of the office slowly rolled down as the window behind Ozpin roared to life with light flashing on. Glynda was utterly confused why her colleague was doing this. "Ozpin, what are you-"

"Look at the screen and pay attention."

The room was soon dark with the illumination of the lit up window and dimmed lights from above shining. The window soon started playing a video. "Ozpin, is this one of the videos he has sent you?"

"Glynda, please just watch. You'll understand soon enough."

The first thing that Glynda saw was a man somewhere in his early fifties dressed in a black military uniform, somewhat similar to General Ironwood, but was white instead. He wore an officer's hat with a laurel wreath and a small circle inside it in a silver finish. The video was at an angle where it showed that he was standing behind a podium with a path going that lead to a doorway going who knows where. She also managed to see some other people, men and women dressed similarly to the man at the podium standing at ease. Behind him was a holographic screen with names showing up which seemed to be a mystery to her at the time. All she saw were names appearing on the screen only to stay for a few seconds before fading away for another name to take it's place.

And something she saw surprised her. Beside the podium and the man was someone she knew too well. That someone happened to be the one she was babysitting for a week. Just like him, he wore a black dress uniform, but bore a different symbol on the left. Unlike the others who had an insignia with what looked liked to be an eagle stretching it's wings upwards to take flight with the words UNSC in the center, underneath his shoulder was an insignia with a burning skull in sliver.

She then saw Riley step forward looking at the people before him. "Steady up," He ordered in a firm voice. What she could see was some of the people coming to a somewhat steadied stance with their hands behind their backs and feet shoulder width apart. "Attention." All at once, they put their feet together and had their arms snap to the sides, their thumbs on the seams of their pants. Riley then did a right turn and soon commanded, "To the front, salute!" Everyone brought their right hands up and saluted the man at the podium before he saluted back. After a few seconds, they lowered their arms and Riley did a left turn to face the front once again.

The man took a deep breath and nodded placing his hands on the edges of the podium. "In war, the first thing lost is time," The man began to speak, his voice echoing out through the room. "The hours become days. The days years... And the years turn into decades... Some of us here can't remember a time before the Covenant. Some of us have been around when the Insurrection was active. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost when we've been fighting each other. And that only went into the millions once we've encountered the Covenant."

The Huntress was a slightly shocked hearing this. "Ozpin, they were at war with themselves before this Covenant came along?"

Ozpin merely nodded at her watching the video closely. "Indeed. Mr. O'Neil has told me that some planets of the UNSC wanted independence. Sadly, the main government didn't allow it. Lines were soon drawn and it began." Glynda remained silent returning her attention back to the video.

"War is all we know. And in our ongoing conflict, we lost more than our sense of time. We've lost loved ones, planets, and entire civilizations. To think there was a time of peace is almost unimaginable."

Glynda was shocked to hear this. Entire planets lost? Civilizations wiped out? While Remnant was under constant threat of the Grimm, there were the Huntsmen that protected and made sure the remaining kingdoms stood active. And what was this Covenant she heard from the man.

"But we are courageous. We fought back. In our battle for humanity, we've lost so much. But we have been given heroes. Heroes that continue to rise up. Heroes that fall in the line of duty. Heroes who fought tirelessly to defend us. At Osiris, on Jovan, and current battles across Harvest. Brave soldiers who fell against the Covenant, and continue to do so now! They didn't fight for glory. But nonetheless, it's all there to see." The man looked behind him to look at the holographic screen that continued to show names.

Glynda held her breath. Over the course of the video, she noticed that names kept showing up ever since it started. She was breathless seeing at the number of names that appeared. One after another.

"War may take from us. But it gives us heroes. Their bodies may be buried. They may be killed in action. But their legends, their stories, and most importantly, their courage live on. And heroes never die."

The man then did a left turn to face the ODST that soon did a right turn to face him. The camera soon changed angles and was now in front of the podium zooming in on the two. The man nodded and saluted him making Riley salute back at him. "I'm sorry..." He managed to say before the video ended.

The window soon went blank before the light was extinguished. The shutters rose back up letting the sunlight back in.

The Huntress stood there in shock as she slowly rubbed her arms in embarrassment. Ozpin nodded at his friend with a soft smile. "Do you understand now, Glynda? It's an important day to him. And to all of us, it's important since the war ended."

"I..." Glynda swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded in return. "I understand, Ozpin."

Riley was in his room sitting at his desk. He was seated on his chair leaning forward with his hands cupped bellow his chin. In their grasp was a pair of dog-tags dangling. They had dirt and grime on them from all the action they've seen. Scratches were prevalent on them but they still showed the names despite their state. He never told anyone yet on Remnant that he always carried these dog-tags in his pocket as they were some of the last few mementos he has left of them.

"Riley? You alright? Haven't seen you like this since we made feet first into Remnant," Heather asked the ODST, appearing before him in her usual small figure standing on the table.

"I'm fine, Heather. Just... Just taking a break from teaching for today... Just for today..." Riley uttered back to his A.I closing his eyes in deep thought once again.

"How long has it been since Hood gave me that medal? The same medal on the same day it happened... Rather not wanting to remember..."

"Is this about your day? I did read your track record... I'm sorry," Heather told him with her voice becoming rather quiet not wanting to intrude more.

Riley smirked lightly and nodded. "Thanks... I'm glad you understand, Heather. That means a lot to me, even if you're an A.I."

Heather beamed at the praise from him. "No probs, Riley. Just looking out for my host." She then tilted her head before looking at his Scroll. "Hmm, interesting."

Riley titled his head back at her before placing the dog-tags on the desk. "What's going on?"

"Ummm... How do I tell you this? Yeah... Goodwitch wants to see you out in the front. By the monument," Heather squeaked back softly.

The ODST groaned placing his hands on his face. "You gotta be kidding me. The day where I need to rest for now and I have to meet up with her? That's exactly why I hate the brass at times," He muttered before standing up. "What does she want from me, Heather? It better be good."

"Hmmm, she says that she needs to talk to you regarding about a certain event today. Says nothing about what she wants to talk to you about, just wants you to meet her."

"Is it at least warm outside for me to wear the cardigan?"

"Should be. Warmer winds just came in," The A.I told him doing some double checking to be sure. "Yup, totally warmer."

Cue: Unforgotten- Halo Legends Soundtrack

Riley sighed in frustration as he pulled up the collar of his white cardigan up more. Heather was right when it was warmer outside, even with the sun shining brightly. He was just annoyed since he was told to meet up with Glynda. "Let's just get this over with," He mumbled quietly. Fixing the black beanie on his head to feel comfortable, he ventured outside.

Walking out the front entrance of the academy, he felt the sun land on his face while the soft crunch of the lightly snow covered ground came to his ears with each footfall. The ODST wasn't the only one outside. Some students were strolling about since it was lunchtime for the student body.

Riley strode towards the monument with his hands snaking into the pockets of the cardigan. Looking around, his eyes soon landed on the very person he was to meet up with. Despite the light snowfall and the slightly cold weather outside, Glynda was still wearing her usual attire with only a thin grey jacket over the dress shirt. "Miss Goodwitch?" He called out to her coming closer.

The Huntress turned around to look at him and nodded. "Afternoon, Mr. O'Neil. I trust you are doing well?" She greeted back to him before returning her gaze back to the monument before her.

The ODST just groaned softly stopping beside her. "I'm fine. Just fine." He then followed her example and turned to look at the statue. His arms crossed before his chest and then shook his head. "So, why are we out here? Could've met inside where it's warm."

"Well, thought we would meet out here in front of the memorial for the occasion." Glynda soon sighed herself and looked at him. "Do you know what today is, Mr. O'Neil? Remnant wise?"

Riley simply shrugged in response taking a closer observation of the figures. "No clue. Sorry if I don't really know."

Glynda nodded back at him. "Well, it is quite similar to what you're honoring. I've seen the video you've given to Prof. Ozpin. And to say... I understand why you took the day off today."

"Finally warming up to me, huh, Goodwitch?" Riley teased back with a grin forming on the corners of his lips.

"Don't just assume I'll let you off the hook every time you run off for something. But, just this once. And to answer your confusion about today, today marks the beginning of the end of the war in Remnant."

Riley widened his eyes at what was told to him. "Remnant had a war? Well, then again, as long as mankind had emotions, one man will fight another."

"It's been almost eighty years since it's ended you know."

"Eighty?"

"Indeed. It's been quite a long time. But it still has it's after shocks. The hate for Faunus grew more rather instead of decreasing it. When the war ended, they erected this monument here where peace was made. To commemorate those who have fallen in the war and what Huntsmenship truly means." Glynda was expecting for Riley to respond back but he didn't say anything in return yet. "Mr. O'Neil? Mr. O'Neil?"

Turning around to take a look, The Huntress saw that he was standing at ease, head lowered, and eyes closed. Sensing that she shouldn't say anything else, she waited with a soft sigh.

An entire minute has passed by as Glynda thought to herself that she didn't notice that Riley resumed his relaxed stance looking at her. "Goodwitch?" He said to her breaking the silence.

Glynda shook her head and looked at him as both sported quizzed looks on their faces. "Oh, forgive me. I just went blank for a moment. Um, would you mind telling me what you were doing?" She asked quickly recovering.

"A moment of silence. Basically, you give your respects to those who have fallen in the defence of others. I know because I wouldn't be around if my old man didn't join the UNSC. Doing so made him meet with my mom. He was a Marine before progressing up to being a commander of his own ship. He made sure our home colony was safe. Last I've heard of it that it is doing well."

"Pardon, but what was your home colony?"

"I can't say what the name of my home planet is because of protocol... But maybe I could make the exception... Reach. Just a jump away from somewhere really important to all of the UNSC. And that's all I'll be saying because of other protocols. Sorry."

Both were silent for a moment. "Well, I hope you have the rest of the day to yourself in peace. Mr. O'Neil."

"Um... Thanks I suppose?" Riley replied back feeling a bit awkward of the current situation.

Before they could part ways, they heard snickering nearby and looked to see the disturbance. What they saw was a few students at the monument. It wouldn't been that bad, except they were taking pictures of it with goofy faces and making rather rude hand gestures, pretending to pick one of the statues noses.

Glynda was about to have a word with them before seeing the ODST was already doing that. "Great, is he going to punish them for doing that? Push ups? Laps around the academy?" She whispered to herself.

Instead, she got an entire different outcome.

Riley got over to them with his arms still crossed. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked them sternly.

"Taking pictures. What else?" One of the students retorted back to him.

"I can see that. But mind doing that around here. I expect you to give this statue respect."

"Why? It's just a statue."

Riley remained quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It's more than a statue. Tell me, what are you three doing here? Here at Beacon?"

"Well... To become Huntsmen?"

"Correct. But do you know why you're here at this exact moment? Why you were disrespecting this very monument?" The three didn't have any words to respond back to him and remained silent. "Because there were those who fought for you," Riley told them pointing at the monument. "People who put their necks on the line to create a future for people like you. They fought for you because you mattered. So you won't have to face what they faced. And you are here now to continue their legacy."

After another moment of silence, Riley shook his head once again and walked towards the entrance leaving the three students in contemplation. And for Glynda, this was shocking to her. From her entire time overwatching him, assessing him, what not, she gathered that all he was was a stubborn soldier who does nothing but fight. But the conversation they had and his chosen words to them, made her see that he is more than meets the eye.

"I should really start watching those videos he's given to Ozpin."

Location: Planet Reach

Time: 2257 hours

UNSC Pathfinder

"Admiral, I'm sorry. But I still couldn't find anything after the fiftith first scan of the planet. And this has been for some months."

A man in his mid thirties sighed nodding at his A.I construct on the holographic portion of the table in at the helm. Most of the crew of the Marathon-class heavy cruiser were asleep by then but some remained at the helm to make sure the vessel was functioning at a hundred percent. After being promoted to be an admiral from UNSC Command, he was given this ship. It was decommissioned and was sentenced to repairs after surviving a number of Covenant assaults on it. It was soon dubbed Pathfinder because it made it's way back to them all the way from the outer colonies, and it still packs a punch.

He was armored up in his ODST armor back when he was serving in the 7th Shock Troopers Battalion some years ago. To him, he was always battle ready and willing to drop in with his men to lead them in battles. He rubbed the scar that ran from the bottom right of his nose all the way down to his chin crossing over the lips. Brown eyes blinked tiredly while he scratched at his dark brown hair that was already having some grey hairs sprouting from all the stress and leading his fleet.

"It's alright, Gloria. You've done what you could," He answered back yawning.

"Admiral, you should get some sleep. Your bags aren't getting better with less," The A.I, designated as Gloria, told him with her hands on her hips.

"You're right... I'll catch some shuteye soon. Just gotta... Have some things attend to before I turn in, kay?" He told her with a weary smile.

"I'm sure he's in a better place now, sir. His men said that he made sure they got off the planet."

"Gotcha... Well, night to you, Gloria. And make sure Pathfinder is ready for action if we're needed."

"Hear ya. Night, Patrick." Gloria then disappeared in small flash before heading off to do her duties.

Patrick sighed heavily leaning more of his weight onto the table. "I hope he's in a better place. He's gotta be." He was by his lonesome for a few moments before feeling someone hug him from behind with a smile forming. "Ceri... Shouldn't you be asleep with Carlyn?" He whispered back.

"She's asleep after I sang her favourite lullaby for the past half hour, Pat," The woman whispered back to him. She was dressed in a dark grey shirt with green pants and black boots. Auburn hair flowed past her shoulders with her hazel eyes looking past him at the table. "Patrick, come to bed. You've been overworking yourself."

Patrick nodded and turned around in his arms. He placed his head on top of her's and inhaled her scent in. The relaxing scent of cinnamon and vanilla filling his nose. "Sorry about that. Just can't get my mind off of him."

Ceri just nodded in return and placed a tender kiss on his neck. "It's fine. I understand. I would've been the same if my sister suddenly vanished."

"Well, I'm heading to bed now."

She smiled at him and let go of him. "Good. You really need it. Your body really needs it." Ceri then snapped her fingers going past him to the table. "Oh, I forgot to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Patrick asked with his head titled.

Outreaching her hand, Ceri swiped her hand upwards with a screen coming up. Patrick took a close look and widened his eyes seeing it was from the Office of Naval Intelligence. "Ceri?"

"Oh calm down. I'm ONI, so I have access to this. So I found this from some colleagues of mine, ONI researchers took a closer look on Planet Algolis' surface where the explosion took place at. Months ago, they found something... Something astonishing. It could even mean humanity's salvation." Pulling up the image of the planet she was speaking about.

"They found something they've dubbed as a rip in universal dimensions. A tesseract if you'd say, like that old movie about those avengers or something." Ceri then swiped to the right showing a profile picture of Hades Corps' Commander. "All that nuclear firepower he had on him in theory might've teared the dimensions apart. And with further study, they found out that it could open again to another dimension by using slipspace warp near the planet's surface."

"Meaning?"

Ceri turned around to look at him as she had a wide smile on his face. "Patrick... He could be alive. Your brother could be alive in another place. There's a chance that he is alive. In a world where humanity can thrive without the fear of the Covenant showing up."

Patrick was silent hearing this from her, from his wife. "Riley..."

Aaaaaand, we'll end it off here. So, what do you think of that cliffhanger, huh?

And remember to give a moment silence when you can to those who have fallen in our defence. We have a lot to thank them for.

I always thought of the Haloverse having something similar to Remembrance Day in our time. So this happened.

Later everyone!