Ok, I'm super sorry it's been so long since an update, but I've been horribly busy. I know that sounds like a bad cop-out, but between school work, family stuff, ACS, ODST being released, and trying to keep up with my house work, I've barely had time to write. However!!! - This chapter is ALOT longer than the others. It was 23 pages on the word processor, while the others have been about 13. ( Note: I played ODST through in 3 hours on normal, now working on getting my ass kicked in hard.)
Dark side of the Coin ~ your reveiws always make me smile, and give me huge confidence boosts! TY ever so much :D
tremerid~ Glad you liked it, and it had you laughing. Ross is deffinatly some of the comic relief. ( iam going to refrain from making him a complete dumbass, like so may people end up doing with similar characters. Overall I'm really glad you like my OC's, I try to avoid the basic cookie cutter ones people all to often fit into fanfic's. They're always tough, or super smart, or unbeatable, or can keep pace with the main hero, etc etc, blegh.
~ I've never had anything published, but I hope to one day. I have a lot of original fiction in my head, and some on paper. ( I often make my gaming group run through them when we get together, lol.) I'm stoked you're liking this alot, and I hoipe to keep it up.
I hope to continue imrpessing everyone. I never thought I would get reveiws this good, or that so many people would enjoy my story this much!
Again, I own nothing but the personalitys of my OC's.
Enjoy ! :D
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The Chief found the doorways short, and he had to duck every time he moved through one of them. He was used to buildings and objects not being suited for him though. Following the doctor down to the med bay, hw couldn't help but raise an eye brow at how small it was.
If the med bay was this small, he wondered about the size of the ship. The Captain had said it was a transport. Judging by the size of the crew, it couldn't be very big.
The doctor stopped by the door, and looked the Chief over once. "The status display on your cryo tube said your injuries are extensive. I'm not even sure how you're walking right now."
Chief, John, wasn't sure how to respond. He said the most logical answer that came to mind, " I've had worse."
The Doctor stared at him. "Oook. Um, You'll need to remove your armor, I think you have internal bleeding, and that could be fatal if we don-"
John was already ahead of him, and released the seals on his helmet. The pressurized hiss lasted for a moment, before he pushed it off his head.
Simon was getting a look at something millions would have killed for, and that was rarely available. What was funny, was he didn't even realize how big it was, though it was obvious that he was intensely curious. He made no attempt to avert his eyes.
The face behind the gold visor was a surprisingly plain one, upon first glance. His skin was pale, (Simon suspected it was due to lack of sun exposure for long periods of time,) and his hair was a deep rich brown that highlighted the bright hazel eyes. His features were perfectly symmetrical, but marred by scars. A long white one ran off the corner of his mouth, and another from his hairline to his eyebrow. Dozens of other smaller ones were visible, but each and everyone looked as though they had been lessened with advanced medical technology. The expression he wore was rigid and stoic, but not cold surprisingly. The best word to describe it, was observant. It wasn't an unfriendly face, but one that you thought twice about approaching to fast. He efficiently and methodically began removing his armor, piece by piece.
John placed his helmet on the table in what appeared to be a common area right outside the medical bay. Then he worked on his arm plates, cautious of how he set them down. The materials they were made of were heavy, and easily damaged anything that wasn't as resilient as them.
Simon placed Cortana's holo pad down on a counter in the med bay. He'd retrieved it thinking the Master Chief, as she called him, might feel more comfortable with her near by. He could only imagine what it must be like to wake from cryo and only have one familiar face around you in an otherwise completely foreign environment.
John had the chest plate, and all the rest off. The black body suit was all that was left. He felt naked without the armor pieced together and his shields functioning, but could not deny his need for medical attention. The pain was so bad, it was causing his vision to blur now. He noticed the doctor patiently waiting, and pulled the gloves off. Though his training screamed to keep his guard up, something akin to instincts said he was safe for now. There was nothing in him that would deny, rest would be an extreme relief. Guilt however crept up at the thought of resting, when he didn't know the fate of the war, and everyone in it.
The Chief walked into the small medical room and sat where the doctor indicated. He was glad he took off the armor, other wise the exam table might have crumpled under his weight. Common sense made him begin to take off the upper half of the body suit.
The doctor was placing a dosage of clear liquid in what John recognized as an injection gun, though it was a different model than he was used to.
Simon could feel eyes on him, and had the distinct feeling he could easily be dead if this man wished it. It wasn't an uneasy feeling, or an annoyance like with Jayne, but an unspoken fact that demanded respect for his new patient. He was all too willing to give it. The doc was already aware of how incredibly fast this guy could be, even when extensively injured. He knew of only three people that even had a chance of being that quick. One had been Jubal Early, the bounty hunter that had tried to claim River for the federal reward. Second was the operative of the Parliament, who had disappeared after the Miranda incident. Mal had threatened to end him should they ever cross paths again. Third on the list was River herself, who was letting her talents shine more and more. He couldn't help but wonder what this man was capable of at his best.
Simon turned, and felt like his mind had been read. What looked like a black body suit actually came apart in two pieces, and the 'chief' had already taken the top off. The doctor felt himself cringe at the sight in front of his eyes.
The first eye catcher was the angry blistered skin on his neck, across the chest, and his arms. The burns were some of the most severe Simon had ever seen, and he was a rutting trauma surgeon. None of them appeared to be any worse than third degree, but the danger of an infection setting in was bad. Black and purple bruises bloomed across his collar bone on the right side, and were splotchy all the way down his arm. He wasn't even sure if there was a spot on this guys body where the skin was it's normal color, because the bruising and burns seemed to engulf him from the neck down. A large lump told the doctor where the arm fracture was.
With the armor off, Simon noticed he was having trouble breathing, only getting shallow respirations, and swelling was beginning in his midsection.
"Lay back please, I think your lung may be collapsed, and you may have internal bleeding."
If that's it then I've had worse. John thought to himself. But he did as the doc asked, even if it was a bit slower than he would have liked. He tried his best not to let the pain show on his face. Pain was the least of his worries, and should be the last thing on his mind.
The doctor walked over to him, a hint of what seemed like caution and curiosity in his body language. He checked Johns eyes and looked at his head quickly. He told the Chief he had suffered a severe concussion. An examination of Johns abdomen confirmed that there was internal bleeding.
"I'm going to have to dope you. I'm sure you know what internal bleeding will lead to. It's not anesthetic but we don't have access to proper medical facilities, and I don't think you can wait."
"Dope me with what?"
"An opioid drug. It will have you out in-"
"What drug?" John was persistent, and his voice as deep and mangled sounding as ever, even without the helmet.
"Dilaudid."
"Hydromophone? An analgesic that acts centrally and is often used instead of morphine. One of the strongest out there. Is that all you have?"
Simon stood straight up, astonished. Did he have medical training?" Uh, yeah. Supplies are limited when you're poor, and even more so out here on the Rim. "
"How much.?"
"1.5 milligrams."
"You may want to make it two to 2.5 doctor, if your goal is to render me unconscious."
Simon looked at him oddly for a split second. "A dosage that high could be dangerous."
John opened his mouth to speak, and hesitated for just a second. He was having sharp pains in his chest, and his head was starting to swim. As if on queue, Cortana materialized on the holopad. If she was human he might have considered hugging her. She had interrupted the verbal stumble caused by pain.
"Master Chief is not normal doctor. I told you in the bay he was a Spartan, and could take more physical punishment than regular people. This also means things like medications affect him differently. Up the dosage, or risk having him wake while you've got him cut open. I can't imagine what that would be like. "
"Not pleasant…" Simon said absent mindedly. He put a larger dose in the gun, and placed it at the man's neck, where the skin wasn't burned. There was a ping, and release of the chemical.
Medicine raced into his bloodstream, and he could feel it moving in him like oil oozing down a slope.
"Ok Master Chief, I'm goi-"
"Call me John for right now."
Cortana's mouth dropped open, and Simon shifted, uneasy about how to react. The seconds seemed to stretch on uncomfortably.
John wasn't sure why, but he had a good feeling about the doctor, and was just completely tired of hearing his rank uttered constantly, and used like his real name. Several decades is quite long enough. Even if this only endured for the time he was this mans patient, the brief respite would be most welcome.
He glanced at the doctor, sure the weariness was showing in his eyes. "My name is John." Repetition was not something he was fond of.
The Doctor was still as a statue, but fluttered his eyes between John and Cortana quickly. Calmly, he commented, " My name is Simon.."
John would have held up his hand, but the dilaudid was rapping his system and drifting him out of consciousness. Strength was sapped from his limbs, and they felt heavy and useless. Darkness clouded his vision, and finally forced him under, into sleep.
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Simon wasn't so sure how he should take in the last few moments. His extensive comprehension skills were jumbled about by the suddenness of what had just happened.
He was snapped out of it very quickly by Cortana's voice.
"Well that's something you certainly don't see everyday. "
Simon moved around, grabbing his instruments. "What's that?"
"He broke Military formality. That's doesn't happen often doctor." Why he's never broken it with me, I'll never know. I've only always been there for him since I was programmed.
"I guess I should feel privileged then."
"You should."
Booted feet tromped down the stairs, announcing Zoe's presence. Softer, almost inaudible footsteps were the only clue to River's place directly behind her.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but the Captain wants to speak to Miss Cortana while her friend is indisposed."
Cortana pivoted to look at Zoe, and didn't even try to hide the expression on her avatar..
"I'll be staying right here until the Chief wakes up."
"I'm afraid that's non-negotiable ma'am. Captains orders, and he runs this ship."
Cortana crossed her arms, and wanted to tell this woman what she thought the Captain could do with his orders. John pushed his way back into her mind, and reluctantly she retracted the prepared response process. He was in more trouble medically than his demeanor had let on, and if she acted selfish and arrogant right now, it would do him more harm than good. These people were willing to help them, and so far had requested nothing in return. It was time for a computer program to count her blessings, and assess her recent thought strains and coding. A bit of humility would not kill her, she hoped.
"I guess there's not much to discuss then. I want to be brought back here when we have finished what ever business he wants to discuss."
"Of course," Zoe muttered, as if the computer should have know better. River stepped around the older woman's frame and moved to grab Cortana's holopad. She looked at the unconscious form of the man on the table, and muttered something in Chinese about the general with no soldiers. Naturally, no one had a clue what the meaning was.
The AI had the urge to look over her shoulder at her Spartan when the teenager carried her out of the room. How had two of the most important members of the UNSC end up on some obscure junker, among crew than couldn't hold a candle to them, or any other of their comrades . The Chief was once the restricted patient of hand selected doctors, and privileged to the best medical care anywhere. Now, he was having to settle for some MD of unknown skill or talent with half rate equipment and no supporting surgical or medical staff.
"Why are you glowing red?" The girl inquired.
"Huh?"
"Your color went from bluish purple to red. Why?"
Shit. Keep yourself in check! " Oh, running some statistics."
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"Glad you're here Zoe. As long as you're gathering information for the Captain, you can assist me."
The first mate of the ship looked at him, and smirked ever so slightly. The Doctor had learned a lot since he first boarded the ship, looking horribly out of place on Persephone. Just when the rest of the crew thought he'd never catch on, he'd surprise them again and again.
"What does Mal want to know?"
"Everything you do."
"Then scrub up. You can learn with me, and relay the details." There was a glimmer of sarcasm in his voice. Simon understood the motivation behind Mal's intentions. However, something in him decided to keep John's name to himself for now. If John wanted anyone else to call him anything outside if his military rank, he would be the one to say so. One could chalk it up to doctor/ patient confidentiality.
He prepped the machines sitting above the bed. First order of business was to cauterize the internal bleeding…..
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Mal sat in the co-pilots seat, jaw jacking with Wash about whether the current string of events was amusing or not.
"I'm sorry Mal, this stuff just seems to happen to us, with good reason."
"Good reason?" The tone in Mal's voice was incredulous.
"We took on River and Simon, and look what we exposed in the way of Alliance secrets. She's also saved our behinds several times!"
"At the cost of how many lives? Book? Haven? Almost losing you?"
Wash shook his head slightly. "Shit's gonna happen Mal, whether you want it to or not. Book and the Haven settlers knew the kind of business we were in, and the possibilities that could occur. It's not like they didn't risk their own fates, going against the corporations constantly for the mining rights on that dusty little moon. Damn good of them to stand their ground constantly might I add. History is full of events that happened because people took chances, good or bad. "
"I don't wanna take chances with the lives of my crew. Any time any of you were in danger, it's was by your own gorram choice."
Wash held up his hand. " I get that Mal, we all do. You think I don't know what can happen to me, being the pilot of a ship running these kinds of jobs? Being part of Serenity's crew comes with risks. You don't sign up, or stay if you can't handle that. I for one stay because, because the love of my life is here, and I know that despite some of the things we've pulled, no one on this ship is a bad person. Cept for Jayne, but, we won't talk about that."
"I don't like it Wash. I shoulda set those two back on their little wrecked boat, gave a big ol heart felt wave, and been done with it. Shoulda with Saffron, and might shoulda with the Doc and his sister at the time."
Wash leaned forward in the pilots chair. "But you didn't Mal. That's what sets you apart from the rest of the junk floatin around the border and rim worlds. That's why you inspire that insane loyalty in all of us. That's why we stay. Serenity is our home, and you're her captain. Can't have one with out the other. "
"You get any mushier with me I'm liable to smooch on you Wash."
"I'd be forced to stand up for my self, and go hide behind my wife Sir."
Glancing movement to his left that was wearing a red sweater and white skirt, Mal nearly jumped out of his seat when he saw River silently glide up, holding the black form of Cortana's holopad. He wasn't sure how he had not seen her, till the revelation of her bare feet dawned on him. She was silent like a damn cat.
"It's the blue lady's time to talk again." The scrawny girl put the device up on Wash's controls, and dropped into a little sitting position.
Cortana's avatar materialized on the pad again. She looked around the bridge.
"Kinda small in here, I get the feeling this isn't a big ship."
"She's big enough," Mal responded defensively.
"I'll take your word for it. Now Captain, what was so important it couldn't wait until the Chief was seen to?"
"Does a pretty lil list really need to be laid out for ya? The two of you just come out of no where, sellin some kinda wild story and 'spect everyone to just jump on yer command? I'll make it abundantly clear to you, so there's no confusion in the future : This is my ship, I have complete and total command over everything that happens on it."
Wash snorted into his fist.
Mal ignored him. " This is not your UNSC, and your rank and titles mean diddly squat to me. I took a huge risk bring you two aboard. Likely to get me all kindsa unwanted affection from dubious admirers. So when I ask a question, I will get answer."
She almost said Or?. What she hadn't told anyone, not even John yet, was that she had managed to get into Serenity's computer systems through the wireless connections. It had taken some time, about ten minutes, but after reconfiguring some programs it was all possible. If they so much as showed an glimmer of ill will towards John, she would shut their ship down, or worse. For now though, it seemed the best course of action would be to go along with the Captains wishes. She would be watching everything. She was the ship now.
"You understand?"
Cortana looked at him innocently. "Of course Captain Reynolds. Don't forget, I'm programmed to follow certain protocols, pertaining to classified information. Some things I just simply cannot reveal."
"That's understandable. I might be able to look past that."
"Also, Master Chief may not be willing to speak to you on much."
"Now that I can't look past."
Cortana's avatar looked exasperated. " He's a career soldier. You will never get a syllable of information that could be classified out of him. Spartans cannot be threatened either, just to cover another pointless avenue of conversation."
"My patience might just wear thin with your avenues of pointless conversation. Won't be tolerat'in any of that luh suh outta him neither."
"She's sick!"
Mal jerked his eyes down at River and her sudden outburst. "What?" Three voices said at once.
"Virus strings wrapping the spine. Temper tantrum prone child that knows to much. Gorging data. Tainted home. The lion with the thorn in his paw is our friend. Pull the thorn for gratitude."
Mal looked over at Wash. "Get any of that?"
"No, but I think I hurt my brain trying."
This girl knows I'm in the system. Does she have a neural implant like the Spartans?
"Always nice to hear River's view on things. Keeps things interesting." Mal joked. He'd caught the flicker in Cortana's demeanor. Rivers rhyme had been about the AI. But, the talking computer didn't need to know what he was thinking. Over the time the brother and sister had been with them, Mal had learned to pay very close attention to what River said, especially in odd situations and or jobs. It had saved their asses more than a few times.
"Back on track," Wash said," What about this war you guys were fighting? Who is the Covenant?"
"That, is a question I can answer. It is an organization of alien species allied and on a holy pilgrimage. The great journey. Their leaders, the prophets, have called for the end of mankind 'heretics'."
"Now that's something I'm just having a hard time grasping. I don't tend to take others words for gospel, specially not folk I pulled off a derelict rig tryin to sell me go se about aliens."
"That's unfortunate Captain. I speak only truth." Ha.
"People can speak all matter of words they see fit. Don't mean it's fact."
"What about if I show you fact?"
"Really now?" Mal was still skeptical, but interested.
"Really. It'll take some wire work. Got a screen?"
"I do indeed." Mal swerved around at Wash., "Get Kaylee up here."
Wash pressed the ship com and called into it," Kaylee, the Captain needs you to wire something. He doesn't wanna get electrocuted again."
"Heyyy."
"Sorry sir. The urge was irresistible, what with the memory of your face the last time, popping up in my mind."
"You wipe that memory right now hear me?"
River giggled. Mal stood up and looked over the control panel.
"I didn't ask for the input of the peanut gallery!"
Cortana cracked a smile. River looked up at him with her big eyes, and said. " This one does not like legumes. The fallacious planet tastes funny."
The Captain wrinkled his brow, in the all to common expression that usually followed anything River said. Kaylee walked in with a smile on her grease smeared face.
"The Cap'n trying to rewire something again? You didn't let him did you?"
"I'm standing right here!"
"Oh I know. I see you Captain. You didn't touch anything did you?"
"What the- What is with all of you? I made one mistake! One!"
Jayne popped his head. "He's not rewiring again is he?"
Mal threw his hands up. "A crew is supposed to adore, respect and fear their Captain!"
Jayne snorted, and disappeared chuckling. Kaylee planted a kiss on his cheek and said, "I love my Captain. He's a nice man that looks out for us."
"I am not. Don't you ever accuse me of that. "
"Sir, no one will ever mistake you for something fluffy and cuddly, to your face."
"Shut up Wash." The pilot chuckled to himself, and continued to tend to the controls.
"Kaylee, you think you can find a way to hook Miss Cortana up to one of these monitors? She's got something she wants to show us."
"Sure thing Cap'n. Just need to look at what kinda set up she's got. Don't think I've ever handled anything that advanced."
"I'll help you out Kaylee." Cortana chimed in. Her avatar glowed a warm purple. The cheerful mechanic had grown on her. This would also be an opportunity to learn more about this strange system. The pilot, 'Wash', seemed friendly enough. He was talkative if you picked the right topic. She would talk to these two, and work on configuring her programs to enter the system called the 'Cortex'. It seemed like a network of wireless signals and databanks. A wealth of information was just a few configurations away.
"Well that's just shiney." Mal muttered. He slipped out the door, and headed to the cargo bay area. His stomach felt weird when he laid eyes on Inara's shuttle. There was still a lot left unspoken between them.
She had stayed with Serenity for a little while after Miranda, before going back to the training house. It was only recently she'd come back. When he'd asked for an explanation, she had said she was 'land sick' and needed to travel for a bit. She paid him rent in exchange, as before. It wasn't like he'd of told her no any how.
Mal wasn't sure what to make of any of it. It was plain as day they had feelings for one another. But he was unwilling to compromise with his line of work or his beliefs on hers. At the same time, Inara was unwilling to give up her career for anything. It had put considerable strain on them to say the least. They barely spoke, and when they did, the conversations were brief, and to the point. Every time he walked towards those doors to speak with her, he was ready to see if they would get anywhere, eager even. However, his emotions and stomach would do a 180 turn once inside, and all he would want to do is retreat to his bunk. What was it about her that got him all turned up in knots?
He felt he owed her an explanation about what was going on. Why he felt this way, was beyond all his comprehension. The way he ran things on his boat was totally up to him, and no one had the room or the authority to tell him otherwise. Still, he had the nagging suspicion that things were going to get even more interesting in the near future. It might be only fair that he warned her, incase she wanted to be left on a planet like Persephone. Waitin out till the drama was done might not be a bad idea. Sounded appealing enough to him.
It felt like he'd been standing outside her door for hours, and it was time to make his feet move forward. They were heavy, and Mal wanted to turn around and walk back to the bridge. Bravely, a hand reached up and knocked on the door. Inara's sing song voice said " Shi?"
"It's me." He wasn't normally inclined to wait for her permission. But his feet remained planted to the floor until she said ." Come in."
The inside of her shuttle was lush and luxurious as always, and she sat at the cortex terminal. When she turned her head, and slight look of surprise graced her features. She didn't think it was him at the door. "What is it Mal?"
The smell of incense invaded his nose, and made the atmosphere more oppressive, instead of relaxing.
"Um, figured we might have a talk bout whats going on as of late."
"Now you want to explain it to me?" She hadn't turned completely from the cortex yet.
"Didn't know what was goin on yet. Still don't, but I'm not as much in the dark as was before. Wanted to come let you know, case things go south. Weird goings on that I don't right get yet."
"Did you interrogate that injured man yet? Have Jayne make him talk?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm. It told Mal she thought the situation could have been handled differently.
"Hmph, acted fine to me, an im not carin what the docs little read out said. He pointed a gun at me!"
" Wouldn't you if you woke up in a strange enviorment surrounded by this crew?And clearly your eyes lack the proper training. That man was severely injured. His foot was broken, and he was breathing shallowly-"
"And I'd like to be knowin why they school little whor-"
"Chiu se."
"Really now? That's didn't take you long."
Inara swiveled around, the look in her eyes dark. "It didn't take you long to go straight to the whores remarks did it?"
"Well technically I never made no remark bout whores, seein as you cut me off all quick like."
She rung her hands in frustration. "What do you want Mal?"
He hung his head and stared at the floor for a moment. "Your thoughts on the situation."
Inara blinked, taken aback. Was he serious? Captain Malcolm Reynolds coming to her for advice and opinions? She was tempted to comm Kaylee to see if the ship were about to explode.
"You're serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking an full up on sugar and love Inara?"
He watched her expression soften. It was so slight, and inconspicuous that no one that didn't know her would have picked up on it. It gave him a little bit of hope. She moved from her seat at the cortex terminal to the couch and motioned for him to join her.
Mal looked at her, then to the terminal, then to her again. Instead of walking towards the couch and the beautiful woman sitting on it, he moved into the cockpit of the shuttle.
Before she could inquire as to what he was up to, the power in the shuttle shut off. The only light came from lit candles.
"What are you doing?"
He came back out of the curtains, and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't want anyone listening."
She glanced around. "Who's going to hear anything? Just make sure the door's closed." She said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"It's not human ears I'm concerned about."
Inara furrowed her brow. The energy in the room was tense, and foreboding. Something was wrong. "Mal, whats going on?"
He looked up at her.
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Simons incessant nagging for new medical equipment had paid off, only it wasn't a member of Serenity's crew it was being used on first. The supplies and equipment that had previously graced the very modest sick bay were rudimentary and almost completely outdated.
As of recently Mal and taken up a deal with Simon to treat people when they could for extra cash on the back water planets. The residents would trade them food or fuel or what ever was useful that they could dredge up. Against Jayne's suggestions of extortion, Simon made sure to be fair. Usually the folk had their own supplies, but no one who knew how to use them. A basket of fresh corn or greens, or even apples was more than enough for trade, and got the crews mouths watering in the process.
He was curious as to whether or not Mal would want something out of this man. His mind didn't think so low of his Captain however.
Zoe's help had sped up the process. The extent of this guys injuries still baffled the Doctor. John should be dead, by all accounts. There was no doubt in Simon's mind he was a good soldier, but every person had their limit. First he had to go in and fix the spleen immediately. Internal bleeding meant death if it was left unattended. Second was the collapsed lung. How the Guai someone could walk with a collapsed lung, as if there was nothing wrong…
What was plain as day to Simon, was that multiple major surgeries had been performed on this man over a long period of time. He found evidence of augmentation and implants on the scans he ran. There was light scar tissue on the bones, and several major organs and glands.
When he voiced the discoveries to Zoe, she wanted to know more.
"So this guy was operated on numerous times, for the purpose of physical and possibly mental enhancement?"
Simon looked away from the screens, and started tending to the severe burns.
"That's what I'm seeing so far. I'd need to run more tests to know everything. But the way I'm seeing it, someone medically made themselves a super soldier." His voice went darker this time, as the topic struck home for him. Thoughts on River and the academy brought a simmering cold rage back to the surface of his mind.
"I'm going to have to tell the Captain."
"I don't see why this information would be useful, or even relevant." He felt like he was betraying John somehow, which was absurd. He'd barely said a full paragraph to the guy, and had gotten even less in return. But he felt that the revelation of the mans real name was big, he just didn't know how yet.
"Doesn't matter how you see it Doc. Captains orders. He wants all the information he can get his hands on."
Simon leveled his eyes at her. "I don't need to be reminded Zoe. That doesn't mean I can't gripe when he's not around, in some form or fashion." She grinned.
"You and your sister have picked a few things up."
"Oh my mother and father would be proud."
In her head, Zoe laughed at the Doctors dry humor. She would never deny the respect she had for him, after what he did for River. That took courage most don't have in them.
The her thoughts focused on the man laying in front of her. The guy screamed career military. It oozed off him the same way it did her. If her knowledge on the ranking system was similar to where ever he was from, this guy held high rank, and was important. Navy most likely. He had a handsome, hardened face. The glare he gave must be intense and intimidating. The guy was built like a soldier too, and the tallest man she'd ever seen. He made Jayne look small, and that was no easy feat.
He was easily built of solid muscle, and would more than likely be the kind of person you wanted on your side in a fight.
She'd sized him up, and so far, didn't have a bad feeling. Other than the fact he had pointed a gun at Mal, she'd taken no issue. Something had the Captain thinking in over drive, but she really didn't think it was this guy. Well, maybe it wasn't him right now. A lot would depend on the information Cortana revealed to them, and what this guy did when he woke up. She'd never admit it, but he was someone Zoe just might not want to engage in a fire fight with. Simon cut her thoughts off when he asked her to dig out the splints. This guy had more than a few broken bones.
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"So I'm thinking it might be a good idea for you to stay on Persephone a bit. Might be some imminent peril comin down on us. Gives you some nice time to play with for entertainin some clientele."
Inara blew out a frustrated, burdened breath. "Mal, I'm not leaving you. You don't know anything will even happen."
"Please, just think about it. Them as need to get paid, like us common indecent folk, did a bang up job today. Good scratch was got, an it be burning a hole in my pocket. We still gotta bushwhack Karyn with all manner of pretties we got onboard, and pay a visit to a rather discreet fence. You got a peck of time to mule it over."
"And what are you going to do about your guest?"
Mal paused on the way out the door and looked back at her. "Don't rightly know yet."
When he had gone, Inara went back to the cockpit and turned the power on. Everything he'd said to her, his thoughts, feelings, and concerns sunk deep into her. She couldn't help but pray he made the right decisions, from his head and his heart.
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Mal wasn't far from Inara's door when Kaylee came looking for him. It had apparently been longer than he'd thought. She gleefully told him that once she understood the wiring inside the holopad, jury rigging it had been a piece of cake. She wasn't ashamed to say, she took some extra time to study the make up of the electronic device, and how it worked. Mal smiled at the cheerful mechanic, and asked what she'd learned.
"Oh Cap'n, this is more advanced than anything I've ever seen. Better than Alliance."
"Really now?"
"Blows that purple belly crap right out the waters. Condensed crystal chip memory systems, accelerated processing-"
"Kaylee, Captain dummy talk please."
"Shiny stuff that cleans house on anything those Gou cao de Nien Mohn could dream up. I wouldn't as had a clue to my way round it all without miss Cortana."
"Good girl. Nice language too. You been round Jayne to long."
On the bridge, Wash was regaling Cortana with his tale of actually pulling off a Crazy Ivan. After getting him to explain the maneuver in full detail, including the mechanical facts, she became curious about these 'Reavers'.
"Well, they're psychotic cannibals that raid the settlements in the Rim Worlds, killing, raping, torturing and eating anyone they come across. They attack ships too. Pull'em right outta space and rip'em to pieces."
"Planets like Lilac?" She inquired. Wash looked at her confused, his big eyes bordering buggy. It was very comical.
"I've infiltrated the cortex's wireless signal, and I've been reviewing basic information for your world for about thirty minutes now.
"Uhh, yeah. I know they had an attack there just a year ago. Reavers are pushing out further every year."
"And makin my sky get awful crowded." Mal interjected. He walked through the port door with his thumbs in his belt loops, and looked at Wash. "Didn't we have this exact conversation before?"
"Well not exact. Last time there was wine, and little cookies with sprinkles." Wash leaned his head over the back of the pilots chair, batting his eyes and speaking in sickeningly sweet tones.
"Blink those eyes again and I'm liable to club you."
"Oh second dates are magical. Can I wear a pretty dress?"
Mal raised an eyebrow at him. "Anyway, movin right along, You got some evidence to show me miss, of little green men and such.'
Cortana flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I wouldn't call them little or green. Well, the grunts are small and purple… "
The monitor behind her lit up with white static. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
"Ooooo, static. That's nothing new."
Mal hadn't even noticed Jayne behind him until the smartass remark was made.
"Oh Jayne, you can go back to playing with your toys. This footage might not be suitable for children." Kaylee said sweetly. He made a face at her.
There was no slow, or silent introduction. Cortana began showing them footage right from the heat of battle. A grenade went off, and filled the screen with light. She watched the Captain suddenly tense up, and a curious look come over his face. It was hard, and stoic, but spoke volumes about him in an instant. He had seen battle before. Malcolm Reynolds was a veteran of some kind.
The screen cleared, and green armored soldiers fired their guns into the smoke. Dark shapes formed in it, and there was a roar. Something leapt through the wall of smoke, holding an iridescent, glowing dual pronged weapon. It thrust the tip of the weapon into the first man's chest.
Mal took a step forward, and decidedly did not believe his eyes. The thing had four mandibles on it's face, and a rounded off dome head. It was not human.
"Wo De Tian A!"
"What in the ruttin name of-"
"That's not human!"
"How is that even possible?"
"Holy journey a lie, gone bust like balloons…"River said, watching the screen.
Cortana said nothing, but was genuinely convinced these people had never seen an alien before. She watched the Elite on screen slice the Marines apart. The footage was from a dead soldiers helmet HUD.
The line of Covenant grew. Grunts and Jackals with their sheilds, and more Elites in different colored armor. Their weapons did damage like nothing Mal had ever seen before. Jayne was drooling at the effect of the plasma rifles.
Before the line could go further, more green armored soldiers, identified by someone off screen as 'Marines', flooded the battle zone. War cry's and screams were so thick, you could almost cut through them with a knife. The battle was a bloodbath. Everything the plasma touched was horribly scorched.
White static again, and Mal saw purple colored vehicles being blown out of the sky by tanks. Large rounded off violet cruisers pouring white hot plasma onto a planet.
"Reach." Cortana said softly.
Black pods flying down to the earth at break neck speeds. Fast forward to their landing, when black armored men in face concealing helmets burst out of the doors, the letters ODST emblazoned on their chests under to the UNSC symbol.
"Wait, what the crap are they? Spartans? Like the guy we got down stairs?" Jayne asked.
"No," Cortana answered," They are ODST's."
Mal looked at her." And that stands for?"
"Orbital Drop Shock Troops. You don't get much tougher than those guys, except for the Spartans. All volunteer, and the best of the best."
"They fall though atmo in those tiny little pods?" Kaylee asked, in awe, and just a little shock."
"The hell with that. Gorram death wish." Jayne muttered.
She made sure they saw the devastation of a glassed planet, the billions dead in an instant. They needed to see this. Maybe then they would appreciate things a little more. Show more respect for her Spartan. What? What the hell is wrong with you?
Kaylee covered her mouth, and it was almost certain tears were welling up in her eyes. They got to see Harvest, Soma, Kaynor, Reach, New Mombassa. She did not spare them the horror. The only thing she held back was classified information.
Lastly, she showed them footage taken directly from the Master Chiefs HUD camera. It was from the fight in Africa. A Brute gripped a Marine by his neck, and was pulling the man's limbs off, one at a time….while he was living. Chief shot once with the sniper rifle to end the man's pain, and a second time to end the Brutes life.
Kaylee looked away. The expression on Mal's face was a mix of horror and disbelief. Wash was disturbed. Jayne gawked.
Another brute charged the line, and the gun was out of bullets.
They looked on, breath caught in chest, as who ever was behind the camera pulled a combat knife, and charged right back. At the last minute the view flipped, going airborn, till the angle was apparently on the monsters shoulders. The knife was brought down hard, directly into it's skull. The thing thrashed violently, and the knife came down again, and again, on the skull, face, neck…. Blood was everywhere by the time the beast fell to the ground.
Marines stood around, looks of mild surprise adorning their faces, and maybe just a bit of admiration. The fallen soldiers gun was picked up, and the person behind the camera moved on.
At that, the screen went blank, and Cortana cut off the footage.
Mal, was at a loss for words. He had wanted to know whether or not they were telling the truth, and now he knew. He rotated to look behind him, at his crew, and noticed Zoe had joined them at one point. Her face was cold and stoic, and she was thinking hard.
The hands of the guy from the last bit of footage looked familiar to her, and she spoke up. Her voice was even and dark." Who's person did that video come from?"
Cortana glowed a bright indigo. "The man you have unconscious in your medical bay."
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After what felt like forever, Simon had finally finished trying to fix someone that was so severely physically broken. It did beat trying to fix a mentally broken human for once.
He couldn't help but think that there was so much more to this man than any of them knew. One could only fathom exactly what was done to him with all those augmentations and surgeries.
Zoe had left some time ago, and he said he'd clean up, and make sure there was a bunk ready. This guy would eventually need to sleep some where else. John had been under for some hours now, and should likely be out a little while longer.
He spotted a very brief, shock of white out of the corner of his eye. If he wasn't mistaken, it was his sister. Placing the tools in hand down, he moved towards the door way.
"River?"
She was there, crouching close to the ground, and holding John's helmet in her hands while staring into the gold visor.
"What are you doing? You shouldn't touch other peoples things-"
"It's like watching a movie."
"Huh?"
"I can see everything. So many deaths. Violent, swift, flowing like a stream of water from this."
"Are you talking about former owners of that helmet?"
She turned to look at him, and didn't bother to brush away the strands of hair in her face."
"Committed by the hands that placed it on his head. Like snuffing a flame with his fingers. Herald of destruction for all the unkind. They called him Demon, he is not."
"Uh huh….. Well, I'll figure out exactly what you mean in a minute. Lets move over here and put the man's equipment down."
She stood up, and maneuvered away from his hands but was still clutching the helmet. She thrust it up at her brother, facing front.
"Simon can't you see them? Hear them? Evangelical chorus of death bidden souls, ended at the hands of the one the old kind call Reclaimer! They scream out in anger! Ching Soh! The fallen Zhan Shi rise up in defense! Silent battle in the void."
"Ok, you might need to take a dose of your medication."
"I need no rutting pills! They speak to me with a gospel of praise, I am struck with the force of their will, demands for quarter and support! Don't you feel it? So much agony and emptiness for the benefit of masses. Masses of unwitting greedy salivating ignorant fools. Ungrateful pigs. Fallacious fate. Gorram the mental offspring!"
"Shhh, River calm down. Put down-"
"John doesn't want it. He'll never say it, but he doesn't want it. Losing purpose, black tunnels and labs. The gift of life now needs meaning." She wasn't loud, or hysterical, but her voice was full of energy, almost as if she had some kind of grip on what was entering her brain.
Simon was hesitant. Maybe he should try not to give her meds for now. She smiled and looked into the face of the helmet again.
"Blessed are those in the presence of the angel. We should be happy. It's a mutual need." Then, as quickly as she had picked it up, she put it back down.
"Are you ok?" He was so concerned about his sister constantly. The care was unwavering, to the point Simon had neglected his own life to the greatest heights. This last year he'd been able to build a relationship with Kaylee. It was one of the biggest sources of joy for the doctor.
"I'm fine Ghun. Brain still all a twitter, leaking thoughts randomly, but this one is happy."
He smiled, and hugged her.
"He woke up."
"Huh?"
"Mending fast. The Captains about to mess with something again. I have to go save the comm system."
Barefoot and silent, River glided off towards the bridge. Behind him, Simon heard movement. Much to his surprise, his patient had moved into a sitting position, and was inspecting his work. He face went a little red, wondering if the guy had heard any of Rivers ramblings.
"My god, were the drugs past date? How are you awake?"
John however, was unalarmed. His expression almost asked the Doctor what he was so worked up about, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. Part of him wanted to continue watching the smaller, skinnier man twitch in unnecessary worry. But that wasn't professional, and he rarely jested with anyone, usually only peers.
"My metabolism processes chemicals faster than normal. This is why I told you to use a higher dosage."
"Regardless you shouldn't be moving right now-"
"It's never smart to have your only OR table taken up." John looked down at the IV line in his arm, and pulled it out.
"C'mon now, You seriously need to be down for at least a few more hours before you can get up and move around."
John fixed him with a look that was a mix of exasperation and amusement. Simon was taken aback just slightly at the intensity of the look, and the expression in it. Maybe because his face was constantly devoid of emotion, the moment traces showed of it up, it stood out.
"Where's Cortana?"
"On the bridge with the Captain still, I'd assume. Now will you lay back down?"
"I'll make you a deal Doc- Simon."
He remembered my name. The Doc looked up at him and replied sarcastically, " Really? And what would that be?"
"I'll humor you. If you have somewhere else for me, I'll sleep there. Otherwise, I'm putting my armor back on, and pulling up some floor." The casual tone in his voice surprised John.
Simon sighed, clearly frustrated. "Fine, there's a bunk available down that hall. Third one." He wasn't stupid. If John wanted to do something, Simon doubted anyone could realistically stop him." You should rest for at least a day."
The Chief glanced at him, and raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. The doctor was pushing it, but he was in a compliant mood. He needed the rest anyway. When his body recovered he could work on finding a way back to Earth, and the UNSC. He pulled the rest of the leads for the medical equipment off, and inspected the bandages on his body. The place on his clavicle that had been throbbing with horrible pain was now swollen, and had several small marks from what appeared to be incisions. It appeared these people had bone knitters. His foot was in some kind of small, boot like splint. One was also adorning his right forearm. From the looks of things, this doctor knew his trade.
Slowly, he eased off the table, aches and pains making their presence known. His limbs were stiff, and protested any movement. The Chief did his best not to let it show, and forced his arms to replace the upper half of the body suit.
Breaking the silence, the comm crackled with Rivers voice.
"Simon, I need your help with something."
Simon looked back at John and said, "Excuse me. I'll be right back."
The Doctor left the room, and felt the Spartans eyes on his back.
Chief gave his surroundings another glance. He knew he was being overly cautious, and if these people had wanted trouble it would have happened already.
Walking was painful, and he still had a slight limp from his broken foot. The armor pieces were still placed neatly in the little common area. He grabbed his helmet off the table, and walked down to where Simon had said the spare bunk was.
The small door was a sliding one, and he looked into the small sparse room. The bed was incredibly inviting, despite the fact that it would probably be a tad small for him. He sat his helmet down by the head of the bed, and went back for the other pieces.
The going was slow, and the sections of MJOLNIR armor were heavy. Were it not for his enhanced strength, Jon would not have been able to lift them. The remnants of the drugs in his system wasn't much of a boost either.
It was years after the augmentation surgeries that he actually realized how much stronger he and the other Spartans were from others. Each of them had killed several trainers over the course of time.
Thoughts of them, his family, flooded his mind. His missed them.
When each piece was sitting in the spare room, and he had a layer of sweat forming across his brow, John decided it was time for him to sit. The Spartan knew his limits, and right now he was pushing them. The bed was soft, and felt like nothing less than heaven. The door was closed, and the lights were off.
Blowing out a breath, John felt that he could finally rest. His mind wandered where Cortana was, but there was no doubt in his mind that the AI would be chirping in his ear soon. Her presence was a comfort. However, for now the silence was appreciated. He also thought breifly about what little he had heard the girl, River, saying. She was odd. They had been talking about him at one point, but the topic and point was lost on him.
The Chiefs eyelids closed, and he was sleeping instantly.
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Ok, I hope you guys liked it. Next Chapter it's the ODST's with Reavers thrown in! Ass kicking will insue. Reviews are more than welcome, and also full of awesome!