I tried to write a bit more for this chapter. Enjoy.
Kelly stepped off of her Pelican and into the bowels of the UNSC Thermopylae. The hangar was filled with personnel moving crates and seeing to the Pelicans. It had been twelve hours since ONI had gotten their grubby mitts on this ship and they were already laying claim to it. Many of the crates that went past were marked with "Top Secret". Kelly made her way through the mass of people and into the corridors of the ship.
As Kelly walked through the gleaming halls of the ship she heard footsteps coming towards her fast. She turned and almost got flattened by half a ton of armoured Spartan. The Spartan snapped to attention and saluted when he noticed Kelly's rank.
"What the hell do think your doing running around this ship? Name and rank soldier!"
"Yes ma'm. Corporal Jordan, Sierra- D266." Stuttered the Spartan even though he was looking down at Kelly.
"And the reason your charging around in full armour?" hissed Kelly.
"Captain Andreas told all the newer Spartans to report to the starboard gymnasium. Scuttlebutt says he's gonna fight the Elite." Said Jordan, obviously finding his courage in front of the Major.
"Carry on Corporal." Sighed Kelly. The Spartan saluted again and jogged off down the corridor. Kelly walked off after him. Captain Andreas was a royal pain in the rear sometimes but he cared for those under his command. He obviously wanted them to see this so they could learn how to fight an opponent larger than a Spartan. That or it was entertainment for the troops. Either way, Kelly decided to go along. She had spoken extensively with the Captain and read his files. But she had never seen him in combat. Andreas was supposed to be a close combat monster.
The Thermopylae had two large Gymnasiums, one on each side of the ship. Currently the starboard one was filled with a large crowd of Spartans, Naval personnel and ODSTs. They surrounded what resembled a hastily constructed ring. In this ring stood a Spartan. He stood at around 7ft and went without a helmet. He had what could be described as a handsome face with short light brown hair. His armour was a light grey, decorated with stripes of light blue. His chest plate had been modified and held two short devices to his front. In front of him there was a massive Sanghelli warrior. He was easily 8ft tall, possibly more. The Sanghelli wore a fairly standard suit of power armour. It was coloured a deep red. The Spartan called for silence and then spoke.
"Right then, listen up newbie's! At some point in your careers you are going to have to fight an opponent that is larger than you. Pray to what ever gods you believe in that it isn't a Hunter. More likely it will be a Brute. Though Sanghelli fight differently from those savages, you should be able to learn something. That and I get to settle the score with split-lip over there." Several of the older Spartans laughed and the Elite opened his mandibles in the Sanghelli equivalent of a grin. Captain Andreas nodded to one of the female Spartans at the side who tossed him his helmet. It was an old Mark V helm that had been upgraded to work with all current armour lines. Andreas clipped it into place- his shields flared as they activated- and turned to face the Elite. The women who had tossed him his helmet spoke.
"Right, you both know the rules. First one to drop their opponent's shields wins." She said.
"It is an honour to fight you as always Andreas." Said the Elite.
"Same to you Norvek." Said the Captain. The two warriors bowed and went to opposite ends of the ring. At the same time, one of the Spartans started calling for bets.
Norvek roared and drew what looked like two energy sword handles fixed together from his side. He flicked it and the shimmering blade of an energy broadsword came to life. The blade was about a three quarters of the size of the Elite. Andreas lowered into a ready stance.
"Three…two…one…fight!" Cried the woman. Both the fighters charged at each other. Norvek let loose a battle cry and brought his blade up, ready to swing it at Andreas' stomach area. Just before the two slammed into each other, Andreas crouched and leapt over the Elite. He spun in the air and landed in a crouch behind Norvek. Andreas grabbed the devices fixed to his chest and tore them free. With a flick of his wrist they ignited into a pair of energy swords. Murmurs ran through the crowd at the sight of a Spartan apparently wielding energy swords that he owned. Andreas charged at Norvek's exposed rear. The Elite turned just in time to bloke the Spartan's vicious blows. The crowd cheered as the blades connected and sparks started to fly.
Meghan G123, the Spartan that had tossed Andreas his helmet lent against the wall beside a holo-pad. The pad burst into life and displayed the image of a young woman. She wore a knee length white dress that was held by a brooch at her left shoulder. She also had a quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder and an ornate bow clasped in her hands.
"So, what do think the Captain's chances are Artemis?" Asked the Spartan.
"It is difficult to figure out Lieutenant." The AI leaned on her bow as she pondered the question. "Captain Andreas has always displayed an aptitude for close quarter combat. But the five duels these two have had, Norvek Coroma has won three, while Andreas has only won two. But the last duel these two had was a victory for Andreas."
"It's all to play for then." Stated Meghan.
"Exactly Lieutenant." Said Artemis. The doors to the gymnasium slid open and Major Kelly marched in. Meghan stood to attention as she came over to her and Artemis.
"Major Kelly, what brings you hear?" Asked Meghan as she saluted.
"I nearly got run down by one of your Spartans who was heading hear in a hurry." Replied Kelly. Meghan sighed.
"It was Jordan wasn't it?" Said Meghan.
"Yes actually. How did you know?" Asked Kelly.
"He's always been a little clumsy. He also has the same amount of common sense as a tea spoon. Strangely enough he one of Delta company's best pilots." Said Meghan.
"And what exactly is going on hear?" Asked the Major.
"A grudge match." Said Artemis. "Ever since Gamma Company's first deployment at the end of the Great War, these two have been trying to out do each other." Kelly was startled by the sudden explanation from the AI as she hadn't even noticed it was there.
"Your Thermopylae's AI aren't you?" Said Kelly to the AI.
"ONI AI 3432401. AKA Artemis at your service." Said Artemis as she curtseyed to Kelly.
"Things are getting interesting over there now…" Said Meghan as she watched the two combatants slashing at each other.
"Smart move at the start there Andreas." Grunted Norvek as the pair strained to break the lock they had gotten into.
"We always start the same way. Thought… arghh… I'd shake things up a little." Said Andreas as he forced Norvek back and slashed at his legs. The Elite leapt back faster than his size would have made seem possible. Andreas readied to strike again as Norvek dropped low and punched Andreas in the gut. The blow sent Andreas flying. One of the Spartan's energy swords snapped of and skittered away across the floor. More importantly, Andreas' shields had been reduced to half by the blow it was that strong. Andreas stood, he was more cautious now as he only had one of his blades. Norvek held his broadsword like a large kite shaped shield and circled him. Suddenly he twisted his grip and swung the sword, aiming for Andreas' head. Andreas snapped his sword of and ducked under the swing. The Spartan unleashed a flurry of punches at the Elites stomach and the rolled away, activating his sword as Norvek doubled over.
"Come on split-lip. You've got fight in you still." Jeered Andreas. The Elite roared and swung his blade one handed. The blade grazed Andreas' forearm. It was enough to drop his shields to a fraction. 'No more' thought Andreas. As Norvek held his arms open in a taunting gesture, Andreas charged. He swung his left arm with enough force to send the Elites sword flying across the floor. Andreas tackled him and pressed his sword against Norvek's shields. After a second they burst and the fight was over.
"I win my friend." Said the Captain.
Well after my first little chapter I got the same amount of reviews as my first fic that reached six chapters. Hopefully it is a sign.