Meeting the SKELL nut
Elma had set up a room in the barracks for me which was surprising and appreciated as I have never had my own room in the UNSC… well okay I had one in sword base but that didn't last too long. I locked the door and removed the MJOLNIR armor plates. The last thing to go was my helmet which I looked over for any damage. The only marks on the armor were very light plasma burns and nothing more.
'Their weapons fire plasma shots alright, but it's not like the super heated plasma the covenant used.' I then unzipped the neck area of the under suite and took off the multiple tags I was wearing. Even in Valhalla I hung on to the tags of the few that called me teammate. Of course I kept the tags of Noble team, they were the closest thing to family I had since my mom died. I placed their tags into one of the many hidden compartments. That left only 3 chains. My wolf emblem pendant which I would never leave behind, Noble teams pendant, and Nia's dog tag. SPARTAN Blade, she wasn't given a number and was a lot like me, a lone wolf. The difference is that I became a lone wolf while she started as one. The tag was a permanent reminder of the loss of my mirror image. I didn't really know who she was as she spoke even less than me… and yet her first words to me were also her last.
"Martin, promise me that you won't be like me. Don't become a machine, a ghost. If that happens then all you'll have in life… is death"
In that moment, in this new universe and world was when I realized something… I failed her. I shook my head and put my tag back on along with my pendants and Nia's tag.
'I'll try Nia, but old habits die hard.'
I cleaned of the armor and placed the plates back on while I pulled out the data chip Emile gave to me and placed it in the com device. Scrolling through the files I noticed one thing, there were more than just weapon blueprints in the chip. Armor schematics, data on the UNSC and ONI, even my file was there. Of course most of it was covered in black ink but still.
'I don't know how you got all of this while dead Kat but maybe I should stop doubting your Intellect.' I found the blueprint I was looking for and set out to find someone to build an old tool of mine. When I reached the main area of the Barracks it looked as though the colonel was done briefing the commander… and Tatsu was still here.
'I guess she was serious'
"Six, you going some where?" Elma asked
"You said outfitters build weapons, who's your best one?"
"A woman by the name of Alexa, she works in the SKELL hanger. I'll mark the area on your map so you know where to go. If I may ask, what do you need?"
"I'm going to see if this Alexa can build an old favorite of mine. I've got the blueprint and the supply list so hopefully she can get it done."
"Well she's the best for a reason, I'm sure she can handle it."
I nodded and began to walk out until Lin called out to me.
"Six"
I turned to her as I was opening the barracks entrance
"Just to give you a heads up, Alexa is a little quirky and by that I mean she puts my love of SKELLS to shame."
I didn't know how to react to that so I simply made my way out of the Barracks and began the long walk to the hanger.
Alexa POV
"Almost… there" I finally fit the power core into the slot, completing the beautiful piece of work that was my SKELL.
'Man.. if I was allowed to fly you all day, I would do just that.' Looking over all the curves and bolts of my mech nearly made me drool.
'Okay, just 3 more hours and I can do whatever I want with you' I wiped the sweat off my face as began to work on the next repair, which happened to be Doug's SKELL. I went through the normal routine; check for outer plating damage, run an internal check, then focus on the repaint. I was about to get started until something new walked in.
'Hey, I didn't know we made smaller scale SKELLS. I mean it doesn't look like a SKELL but what else could have armor that awesome! I mean the blue paint isn't in the best condition but that silver visor is sick… wait is it walking toward me? Ok get it together Alexa you can do this.'
I stood up and gave this mech my full attention. As it got closer I took notice of two symbols on its chest plate. One was a howling white wolf with a blue circle background that blended with the color of the armor and the other was an eagle with its wings spread out, the banner under it read UNSC.
"You're Alexa Frost right?"
'Wait… it talked? Oh god I'm an idiot, its just a guy in armor… really cool armor but not a SKELL… wait he asked me something, I should probably answer.'
"Yeah that's me" I gave my best smile to this armored blade
"I was told you were the best outfitter, I want you to build me a weapon if you can."
"Sure, what do you need?" the 'man' proceeded to pull out his com device and send me.. a blueprint.
'That… wasn't what I was expecting. Okay let's see' I had to hold in my laughter. 'A DMR? This guy wants a DMR? Okay sure I've never seen this model but still.' "Are you sure you want this?"
"Can you build it?"
"Oh yeah, this should be a piece of cake but really, a DMR?"
I got no verbal response but it didn't take a genius to see beyond the visor, he was annoyed.
"Okay… I'll have it to you in 2 days, and since it's your first order it's on the house."
"Thanks" he turned to walk away before I called out
"Hey, I never got your name." he stopped and turned for a brief second.
"Lieutenant Noble Six" he then kept walking as I turned back to Doug's SKELL. For the first time in forever though, my mind wasn't on the beautiful machine in front of me, it was on the soldier that had just walked out.
'What kind of a name is Noble Six?'
AN: A bit on the short end I know but after the last one took too long I thought I'd get this out quickly. If anyone gets the reference I made, you get a cookie.
