Someone in the reviews assumed Lord Hood was in cryo as well, I just want to state that he is indeed 87. Men today have been able to live to be 100, so I don't think its too much of a stretch for him to be his normal age, especially sense he is living five hundred years ahead of us with medical science being more advanced. I don't want to use cryo as an excuse for everyone I bring in, y'know? Plus its not like he is gonna be fighting.

Six POV

'I can't believe it' I couldn't stop thinking about our encounter with Lord Hood. Of how lucky we were it was him, and not someone from ONI, or perhaps a group of insurrection troops who were waiting for the perfect opportunity to ambush a couple of freelancers.

~flashback~

"Lord Hood, sir!" I stopped standing at attention, yet I couldn't help but stay tensed up. This was either the worst, or the best person to find. Lord Hood, Chairman of the UNSC security council, De facto leader of the UNSC, the man who set up the alliance with the elites. This man could either be the lucky break we needed.

Or he could utterly destroy us.

Lord Hood was an imposing figure, standing at an impressive height of six foot four, with a perfect posture, a calm composure, and having an air of confidence and authority.

Even though he was a Spartan and was much bigger than the seasoned veteran, he was still intimidated by the man, especially considering the circumstances.

Soon the whole base started lighting up, Lord Hood starting to walk towards the gate of the base slowly, "Noble, there is no reason to be worried. I'm a friend, and I came here to talk. Walk with me." It wasn't a request, it was an order.

Connie and I looked at each other, both of us eventually nodding and started following him.

I looked up at the towers, noticing in each tower two people with armor on, it was dark, most likely shades of black and dark blue, the only reason I could see them now being the lights turning on.

"Sir, who are the soldiers in the towers?" He glanced at me for a second before looking forward.

"To answer your question, they are Spartan IVs. ODSTs who chose to be Spartans, these ODSTs being the best of the best. Well, the five that were ODSTs. The other three Spartan IVs, we're Spartan IIIs who were still alive and joined the program. Sense they were already enhanced they got further training and new equipment. I hope that's a good enough answer for you."

I nodded silently, noticing one of the IVs had a snipe rifle and was coming down from his tower. Halfway down the ladder he hopped off and started heading towards us.

"Sir, forgive me for being blunt, but why are you here? How did you know we would come here?" I couldn't help but question what was going on. It seemed to convenient.

"I knew you would be here because I put those false coordinates in the Prowler you took from project freelancer. I expected either loyal agents to show up, hence the Spartans, or someone who knew the truth and was trying to go against the program. Which is why I'm here. If it was someone who knew the truth I decided I would be able to offer them help."

"Why not just destroy the mother of invention? Send two Paris class frigates and it won't survive."

"Because Spartan, many of the people on board don't know the truth, they are innocent in this affair and I would prefer to not kill them all just because they are ignorant." His explanation made sense. I didn't want him to destroy the mother of invention anyway, I just wanted to know if it was a possibility.

So what are you here for?"

"It's simple. To put someone new in your group and to give you some new equipment." The Spartan with the sniper intercepted us.

~flashback end~

From there, Lord Hood saw fit to give us new supplies. Food, ammo, grenades, covenant weapons, he said we would just have to call when we needed supplies and he would make sure to supply us.

The new member of the team, the Spartan Lord Hood had join us, as soon as we got on the ship he told me exactly why he was the one who was chosen to join me on my escapades

~Flashback~

Once the ship was back in slip space, heading towards our last destination, was when the Spartan, who hadn't said a single word so far, put a hand on my shoulder and nodded towards the storage room. He wanted to talk.

I followed him into the storage room and watched as he closed the door.

He started to take off his helmet, saying-

~flashback end~

I was shaken out of my thoughts when the Prowler exited Slip space. I looked out the window and saw the half glassed, half revived planet of Reach.

As we started to approach the planet, I couldn't help but think of the question he asked me-

"You may kill your enemy, but do you hate them?"

I love that iconic line.