A/N: Hey guys, long time no see. Why? I'm lazy, what teenager isn't? exactly. Well here is chapter 5 and it's a short one. really short. like 400 words shorter than the previous shortest chapter. i plan on making the chapters longer, but of course that is harder than it sounds. oh well, enjoy and as always, review!
26 January, 2538(UNSC Calender)/
UNSC Artemis' Dispute, in orbit above Reach
"FUCK!" Eric yelled coughing up the anti-freeze.
Yes, he just got out of cryo. After Viper had gotten on the Artemis' Dispute, they made several random jumps as per the Cole Protocol. The Spartans had been put in cryo for the time being, as did every other crew member aboard.
The Spartans got dressed and headed off to the mess hall, it was sort of becoming habit. Eric waited in line and was surprised when he got some lasagne.
"What's this? No colourless goop today?" Eric asked the cook.
"Nah you're in luck, its microwaved lasagne that is probably stale. Enjoy" she said with a forced smile.
"I will" Eric said, leaving for the table his squad sat at.
"Viper leader to the bridge" said a voice from the ship's speakers.
"Aw man. I just got some lasagne" Eric complained.
"DIBS" the Spartans yelled simultaneously.
"First, what's with all the yelling stuff at the same time, secondly, its mine" Eric said before putting the entire lasagne in his mouth.
"Toodles" Eric said, muffled by his food.
Eric swallowed the lasagne and headed for the bridge. He was surprised at how close it was to the mess hall and walked in. stopping when he saw the Captain, he saluted and stood at attention.
"At ease" the Captain commanded, to which Eric moved his left foot out and his hands behind his back.
"We were able to monitor your team on the battlefield from orbit, that is, before we lost a connection when the Cruiser decided to hover above you. We noticed your skills in commanding a team were exceptionally pleasing, as well as your team's discipline on the battlefield. As of this moment, you are being promoted to Chief Petty Officer, congratulations" the Captain said.
"Thank you, sir" Eric said back, no expression was on his face but he smiled inwardly.
"But I'm afraid that's not the only reason I brought you here" the Captain's tone became one of sympathy.
"Sir?" Eric asked.
"A few months ago, while we were defending Katinka, Ackerson sent 300 Spartans on Operation: PROMETHIUS. All 300 were confirmed KIA. The UNSC has told me to keep this information from any Spartan teams I can. But I know how close you Spartans are with each other. I'm sorry for your loss"
"Sir, permission to inform my team" Eric requested.
"Granted, but please don't let this affect your performance on the battlefield"
"Yes sir"
"Dismissed"
Eric saluted and left for his team, he had no idea how to tell them what had happened. He already knew about it, but thought his influence on the universe may change some things.
'Maybe that was just unavoidable? They were built- we were built to die on the battlefield' Eric pondered.
He found his team in their quarters and had them sit down before he told them.
"Are you serious? Every one of them?" Tina asked.
"Yes" Eric said, not knowing what to say.
They sat in silence for a few hours, eventually deciding to try and sleep off their problems. No one had a good night's sleep that night.
27 January, 2538(UNSC Calender)/
UNSC Artemis' Dispute, in orbit above Reach
Eric groaned as he rolled out of bed, hitting the ground hard. He looked around and saw his squad was gone.
'Why didn't they wake me?' Eric thought.
He got up and dressed so he could go search for them. He wondered the ship for half an hour, trying to think of where they would have gotten off to. His first thought was the mess hall. When they weren't there, he went to the firing range. Again, he didn't find them.
When he finally found them, they were in the gym.
"Hey guys, how's everyone doing?" Eric asked his squad.
"Well, we are working off a lot of steam, so better than before, but still not so good" ken stated.
"It's good to see you guys are coping. I know I can't be in your heads, so I don't know how well your coping, but you are, so that's a bonus" Eric tried to reason.
"Yeah" Alice said, her eyes glazed in thought.
"Hey, not everyone is dead guys. We are here, and so are the other IIIs that the el-tee and chief chose. We are alive. We will stay that way" Tina stated.
"You always knew how to build moral" Peter said, a smile edged his lips.
"What can I say? It's a gift" Tina said.
"Who wants to spar? Bet I could beat any of you" Eric challenged.
"You're on" Ken yelled.
The two Spartans entered the boxing ring in the corner of the gym. Eric cracked his knuckles and his neck before assuming a fighting stance. Ken just assumed the stance. Eric tried to read Ken as they circled one another. Ken eventually swung a left hook, which Eric saw coming and ducked. Unfortunately, he fell straight into Ken's trap, which was brought to his attention when a knee struck him in the face. He staggered back a couple of steps but regained his composure in time to block another left hook and deliver one of his own. Not having any experience with this sort of thing, Eric thought he was doing really well, when ken suddenly dropped swung his leg out, tripping Eric and forcing him to the ground. Eric never saw it coming; he was upside down in a clinch with his body weight being pressed on his neck. He figured it was lost and tapped out.
"Well, that was quick" Tina observed.
"That's what she said!" Peter yelled.
"Oh god seriously? I mean we can't go ten minutes without a 'that's what she said' joke from you? They aren't even funny anymore" Ken ranted.
"They never were" Trisha stated.
"Well you're going to have to put up with it" Peter said, smirking.
"Seriously though, Ken, well done, didn't think you beat me so well" Eric said, putting his hand out.
"Thank you, now, who else wants to feed my ego?" Ken asked.
"Ha-ha very funny" Tina chuckled.
The Spartans spent several hours in the gym after that, weights, cardio, sparing and chatting.