Today was the day the new fireteam met each other.

Fireteam Scorpio had about 7 members. The Spartans included Sgt Monika Streiss, Captain Jesse Montoya, and an older man of Navajo descent, who simply went by the name of Joseph. No-one knew much about him, honestly. Made sense. He never spoke to anyone.

Then there were the Marine and the Army medic.

Rorke was a South African, formerly a mercenary and as ruthless to a point. He seemed nice enough today, however. Degrossi was an Italian girl, fresh from training and selected due to her capabilities as a field medic.

Speck walked down the narrow corridor in his full gear, helmet under one arm. Artemis walked beside him in her armor, her helmet also under her arm, and soon enough tried to strike up a conversation.

"Y'know, we never did find a way to shorten my codename."

"We didn't? Oh, bloody hell, erm... What about Artie?"

"Speck, I love it. You can call me that from now on."

The two laughed happily as they approached, the rest of the fireteam looking around. Montoya spoke with a happy yet almost bellowing tone.

"Ah, our Helljumpers!"

"Yeah, that'll be us."

"Hah. Still quiet as you were on that evac bird, eh Speck? And you must be-"

"You can just read that file, y'know."

Montoya was surprised at her rather indignant tone, but kept his cool and introduced the team.

"A'ight, so this is our gunner, Monika.. Speck's already familiar with her, aren't you pal?"

Monika winked at Speck, earning a cold stare from Art. She returned the stare, both glowering at eachother.

Joseph lifted himself from his seat.

"Hello. Name's Joseph, I'm the CQC guy."

He shook Speck's hand, before sighing.

"I'm a Spartan III, if you weren't aware. Fought alongside some 'jumpers on Reach, we'll see if you best them."

The two regular troopers made their introductions as well, with Maria being more quiet and Rorke fondly remembering the training days he had with Speck.

Once the formalities ended, everyone walked out. Two people lagged behind.

Artemis and Monika.

"So, you think he's yours, redhead? Hah. Die mistvieh."

"He is mine. Besides, given your accent I can tell you've had plenty of other sausages in your mout-"

Monika, by far the stronger one, punched her. As she walked toward her floored rival, Artemis swung back up and kicked her hard.

The Spartan growled, barely hurt, and using her full strength swung her at the wall by her leg.

A short brawl ensued, with Artemis being hit in the face several times and Monika receiving a black eye from a kick. However, Art soon realised that her speed was doing precious little, and soon the heavy-set Spartan smashed her hard in the face with one fist.

Artemis laid there, panting and with blood running from her face and nose.

"See? You're nothing, nothing but a maple-sucking hure! Speck is MINE!"

Monika sauntered off, chuckling darkly to herself.

Art, meanwhile, was busy trying to right herself when a hand offered to help her up.

It was Speck.

"Come on, Amelia. Don't cry, please..."

"Hah... You came back?"

"Of course, you're my best friend. Maybe even more than that."

She allowed herself to be lifted off the floor.

"C'mon, Artie, we can go get some food and watch that program you've been dying to see. Plus, we just got a shipment of new flashbangs and I want to go throw one into Rorke's dorm."

Artemis, upon hearing this, smiled and hugged him tightly.

"I-I'd love to. Thanks, Colin.~"

The two walked back to their barracks, her limping along.

Meanwhile, Monika was stood around a corner, having heard everything. She chuckled again.

"That was just round one..."