UNSC Infinity in orbit above Requiem

February 14, 2558

The Atrium Park was much different at this hour than it was when the funeral for Castle. Fancy lights lit the darkened room in a rainbow of colors and the speakers were blaring loud trendy music.

The grass turf was full of all kinds of people as they simply danced the night away. Many of them were never born dancers, but after constant days after days of working around the clock, even the thought of a simple night of recreation was gold in their minds. Everyone there was either in a suit, dress or their service uniform. Infinity had a sizable civilian population aboard, with scientists, assistants and consultants to name a few of their occupations.

After a while, the DJ had tuned it down to a much slower romantic theme, people began to pair up and slowly sway to the beat, arms around one another.

None of Eon really wanted to be there. Lusana had hung out at the Spartan's table before excusing himself to speak to Tyrant. Fowler had gone off into the crowd, probably to hit it up with one of the ladies. That left Austal and Pine, who curiously watched Bailey at one of the other tables talking with a few other Spartans, which they assumed were her old fireteam. She had spotted Eon at a table when she walked into the atrium, but wasn't invited nor did she take an initiative. However she did speculate that they wouldn't just blatantly ignore her…maybe Austal would, but she did spot them from a far distance.

"Now here's the one thing about being a married man," Pine continued to lecture on. Ever since they had gone into the place, he had talked to Austal the dos and don'ts that was bestowed upon him from wearing a ring.

"Do not under any circumstance dance with someone else's girl and you are no longer allowed to accept an invitation from them. Especially if your wife hates her."

"If we're not allowed to dance here then why the hell are we here?"

"We are here to make sure Fowler doesn't get himself into trouble."

"So you can say we're the designated drivers."

"More like designated walkers to haul his drunk ass back to the quarters,"

"That won't go well on his record," Austal chuckled.

Pine agreed with him, "No it will not and he is responsible enough to keep in check. We should also make sure Bailey is okay too."

"I thought you said we aren't allowed to dance with other women,"

"First of all, I didn't say you had to dance with her and second, she's not here and unless you told her about it, then it's all good. She's not here to stop you. Would you stop Gabrielle if she wanted to dance with another man for fun?"

Marcus shrugged, "I'd probably deck the guy if he looked like he was going to kiss her,"

"Exactly, it's all just fine as long as you don't cross the romantic borders. Besides, we never did throw you a bachelor party and it will take a few days for your marriage to validate on your home in New Corsica; so technically you're still single."

"Are you insinuating that I should ask Bailey to dance?"

Ross lightly hit Marcus' shoulder, "C'mon man, I know that incident back there was just a cover up. You think she's hot." He pointed at himself, "I do and I've been married for six years. Loosen up bro."

They both sipped their punch and watched as one of the officers approached Bailey, casually inviting her to dance, but she smiled and politely declined. A couple more guys, including one of the Spartans tried their luck and had the same result.

"Go before she's stuck with someone she doesn't want to be with."

"Not happening."

"Hi Marcus!" A blonde woman called out in a teasing manner before the group of ladies behind her burst into laughter. He raised an eyebrow.

"How do they know my name?"

"She's the one you kept staring at while we were getting our paycheck deposits. That was the financial officer remember?"

"Oh right." He sighed, "Fine."

It had only been a couple of days but Bailey's old fireteam, Wake but it felt like she was completely alienated from them.

She never really got along or even took the time to get to know any of the guys, but they had asked her a couple questions and then resumed talking amongst one another.

From one group of boys that shunned her to another and then back to the first.

A shadow fell over her and she had silently grumbled that Eon didn't have an op yet. The bunch of men that had come to ask her onto the floor were drastically different age groups from both quite young and old enough to be her grandfather.

"No thanks, but I appreciate the offer,"

"Wow you are an elusive fish," A familiar voice said.

Bailey looked up. This guy was the last person she wanted to dance with. How he was married and an ass at the same time baffled her.

"Definitely no to you,"

"Well I was kind of hoping we'd be able to enjoy ourselves before we're gone on another op,"

"Well I'm with my old team here and enjoying myself just fine."

"You don't look too involved."

"Spartan, she said no already," One of Wake bluntly snapped, "Go find someone else."

Marcus nodded, "Let me know if you change your mind,"

As he left, the rest of Wake began talking amongst themselves again. Occasionally one would point to a single girl out in the crowd and asking the others if he would have any luck.

"Thanks guys,"

None of them even paid attention, only when they began wondering if she'd be inclined to dance with them too.

Wake wasn't a bad team. She and the rest of them worked together fine in War Games and on the field, but she was once again the loner when the armor and helmet came off.

Sighing, she got up from the table and left her old squad.

They didn't even glance in her direction.

"You know this doesn't mean we're good," Bailey growled as she and Austal gently danced with one another alongside the others.

He didn't smile, "I didn't ask you because I wanted to apologize," When she frowned in confusion, he added, "I asked because you definitely looked uncomfortable and you looked about ready to leave if someone else came up,"

"They're all a bunch of rats and you're one of them,"

"Hey," He feigned hurt, "We're dancing here, can't you be at least a little nice?"

"Fine."

"How much do I owe?"

Something like that just infuriated Blake, but he had said it in such a nonchalant manner, she held her tongue in trying not to laugh.

Still, she was mad at him for lashing out at her just because she saved his life. He seemed cocky, but he was good at fighting, so he could at least back it up.

"You're married," The question was blurted out, "Why'd you ask me?"

"So you didn't look so lonely."

The dance ended shortly after and Eon felt rested and ready to head out, but still no missions had been set. Fireteam Crimson had eliminated Parg Vol, but in the process it revealed a much more sinister leader of the Covenant.

Jul 'Mdama.

Known as the Didact's Hand, he was among the first of the fleet to enter the planet when the Master Chief was pulled inside as well. When the former Captain Del Rio made the decision to leave without the Spartan, 'Mdama quickly established outposts and bases all around the planet.

When Infinity arrived six months later, the Covenant and their allied Promethean constructs had nearly complete control of the planet. Some parts were easy to clear out and establish their own UNSC bases, but there was a lot of ground still under their control.

Only Bailey had faced the Prometheans, so she was briefing them on their new enemies just a couple hours in the morning. Their next op had the potential to face these new foes and despite her little experience combatting them, it was better than going in blind without any idea of their dangers and weaknesses.

"These are the crawlers," She pointed to a hologram with the quadrupedal drones, "They're fast, attack in packs, but lightly armored and fairly easy to deal with. You've also got the support watchers and finally the knights. These guys are tough and have multiple layers of shielding and armor, so it does take a lot of fire to eliminate them. They have different rank structures too, but they all share one characteristic."

"What's that?"

"They're all dangerous and unpredictable with their teleportation abilities. Kill on sight." She brought up more holograms, "We have Lancers, who will use a binary or light rifle, they'll often teleport in a charging motion when their shields are breached. Battlewagons here use scattershots and often jump to attack. Finally the Commanders are the ones who have incineration cannons and they can pulse themselves into the air, which can really drain your shields," She tapped the last one, "Just don't get close because it usually follows its pulse up with a shot and it's enough to burn you to bits."

"Always love new competition on things trying to kill us," Fowler said, "Can't wait to meet all of them."

"Gentlemen," Lusana stood up, "Why don't we go and see how we fare up against these Prometheans in the War Games?"

Everyone nodded or spoke their agreement.

So with awkward dances and introductions of the Prometheans, we move on to the next op :D

Thanks for reading and reviewing, you give my writing purpose.