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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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"Unavoidable Irritation"

February 28 2527 - Hour 1021

MSGT Logan 'Log' Sutton

Aboard the UNSC Roman Blue, En Route to Shield 0459

"So, how are you now?"

Sif's tone was a mix of teasing and concern. A very dangerous cocktail if left without a reply and... I was incredibly confused about recent events.

Like a lot more confused than normal. Where to start? We got our asses beat by the Covenant troops dispatched by the Arbiter, Serin got quite hurt by the skirmish and I was... unsure how to register the whole 'an elite' just got close enough for a hug. What the hell had that been?

Starting with Serin's conditions, she was going to be fine. She got knocked out and yet received nothing less of a concussion and some bruises during the engagement. She looked quite pissed at that loss, and I could tell she was going to 'hit the gym harder' once she was allowed to resume exercises. Her body was recovering and that needed time to get things fixed up.

Then again, I was also relieved that Captain Hood had seen to actually follow Cutter into this little search since he didn't 'mess things up' by angrily attacking a Covenant ship for the killing of civilians, and get the Roman Blue damaged in the process. Arcadia had been almost cleared out of hostiles, so the departure of two ships wasn't going to present any difficulty for the remaining strike force. Plus, the prey we were hunting down had warranted 'extra attention', to the point of turning this chase into a relevant case against the Covenant. Especially when they had kidnapped Dr. Ellen Anders and were going to use her for something dangerous from the looks of it.

'If the Super-Scarab was something to note as proof of that.'

Scientists had looked into the device's remains and were stunned by the advanced and mostly unknown level of engineering displayed in that upgraded version of the mobile siege gun.

"Peachy," I bitterly answered. "So, what's the status of the others? And the armors?"

"Repairing operations are almost complete, and the rest of the BALMUNG squadron is almost ready for a new skirmish," The AI explained readily, yet her worry failed to diminish. "Still, I believe we are finally alone to discuss what happened during that ambush."

"What precisely?" I inquired flatly and the AI rematerialized her AI to stand by the bed I was sitting on. We were alone in the small room provided in the living quarters for my team. Nothing too shabby, but a slight downgrade from what we had back 'home'.

"Well, how about we start with the fact Dr. Anders has been kidnapped? I assume this was expected."

"Why do you think I asked for an orbital strike on the jungle before we went to check in?" I asked back and Sif hummed.

"I now see why. Yet, that would have sorted out very little. The jungle's density was too deep for a medium-level bombardment to clear it out of any ambush force. Still, it would have been a 'start' to clean things up," She reasoned. "But... it would have also prevented you from making that unusual rendezvous with your little admirer."

I frowned, my reaction drawing a chuckle out of her.

"Ah yes, the tough 'Log' has his own weaknesses when hugs of the hostile kind are involved," She joked mirthfully and I glanced at her with an annoyed look.

"It's lucky enough there was no one to see that. I would have been court-martialed for that BS. Especially since this isn't the first time I have dealt with... her."

Partaking in interactions of 'affection' with an enemy of mankind? ONI would have jumped at the chance to devour me up in that instance. I am lucky just for the lack of onlookers beyond Sif, and yet I couldn't help but feel the AI's knowing this just made things worse on me on a whole new level.

"Indeed. Same Elite, and... her reaction was indeed interesting."

"Why did she even do that? Like, she was just trying to kill me as expected before that and-"

"Then got overwhelmed by some psychological trauma. A breakdown," Sif interjected, humming as she retrieved some holographic windows. "I had studied her physical response and, coupled with her mental escalation, I would dare to say that what she did was unconscious and driven by... a pursuit of safety."

"...What?" I asked smartly, at this point not connecting dots on what I just heard. "Are you just telling me she just looked at me as if I was some sort of safety blanket?"

"Technically? Yes. I would say there's more to it, but I don't know enough of her situation to draw further conclusions. What I can say is that, despite the fact you two have been enemies for a long time now, she preferred you to any other ally in seeking 'assistance' for a mental breakdown," The AI answered calmly, losing herself in the details. "It is not unusual for individuals growing attached to the battlefield to... develop an unhealthy 'affection' for war. And due to how tedious it can be to find trustworthy allies as a high commander of a leadership struggling with factionalism, I suppose you, an unchangeable factor, was seen as a good substitute."

"That sounds..." Insane, worrying, jarring? "Sad."

Yes, sad felt appropriate considering the overall situation. Had things escalated further... Madness would have been appropriate at that point.

"I can be melancholic, but I wish to remind you that this interaction can actually lead to more. After all, her mind could see your 'instinctive hugging' as reciprocity. And that can lead to some escalation of sorts in the future."

I shuddered a little. "Got it. So, do we have a name on this Elite now?"

"I managed to get a name. Thela 'Vadamee- and from your current reaction, I am willing to bet you know who she is."

"Sorta..." I replied, my lips forming a thin line for a few quiet seconds. "Except in my original source of knowledge she is a he."

"Oh? Can you tell me more?" Sif inquired giddily, "Was it 'Thel' then? What about him? Did he have any specific known instances which you can bring up that could help me create a profile?"

"Uh... I guess, she- I mean, he got to the point where he became a Fleet-Master by 2552 and then tried to activate the first halo humanity found. The one John-117 destroyed-"

"By activating the self-destruction procedure of the Pillar of Autumn's engines and using the detonation to rip the ring apart. I have not forgotten your explanation, Logan," The AI half-chided, her amusement shifted into a more inquisitive and curious take on the matter. "Still, anything which would explain this odd behavior towards you?"

Truth be told? This discovery gave me no explanation on what had happened back there. And that worries me to a degree.

"No. I guess it could be tied with her current leader. The Arbiter in this time is a bit of a bastard. Rebel that got suddenly promoted into the highest ceremonial rank of his species," I replied curtly. "Still, nothing I can offer right now."

"Then we will have to keep an eye out on that matter," Sif concluded the topic, but not the conversation. "So what's next now? I suppose this trip to an unknown planet may end in some unpleasant discoveries."

"We are going to have an early encounter with the Flood," I admitted and the AI looked... upset.

"You- We are?"

"Yes. And that's why I suggest you bring up the plan you made to contain the parasite as soon as we 'spot' them."

Sif's tone completely changed at that. "I will prepare it for the occasion. How extensive is the infection within the planet?"

"They managed to subdue a large percentage of lifeforms within it. The lack of military equipment makes them dangerous just by their numbers."

"And we will make sure they don't acquire any military hardware during first contact," The AI confirmed, looking away and into new windows. "I will have to leave you now. I have... affairs to attend to."

That sounds ominous. But Sif didn't linger any further, and I remained to spend at least an hour off from other duties as I had more to think about.

The whole 'Thela situation' had left me in an odd spot. Can I do something about it? I mean, Alba was keen to join our side, but that was a circumstantial matter. Even if I brought up the truth about the Great Journey to Thela and others working for her, they would think I am lying and 'tainting' their greatest religious event yet. The indoctrination had dug deep into their minds, and I doubted any 'conversion' was going to happen anytime soon.

It was just perplexing how this curve ball came out of nowhere and was screwing my plans a fair bit. I didn't mind the whole genderswap instance the future Arbiter got subjected to but... there was another issue. One that had me bashing my skull a few times in the morning as it was the source of some unwarranted dreams.

I am a hot-blooded guy, there was no reason to doubt that, but I had been using my own battlelust to keep some interest in other desires under check. How is this tied with Thela? During that tight hug, I may have had the chance to feel how slender her body was through my own grasp and... I had the means to see her rear by looking over her shoulder. And that was a big cake that kept on haunting my goddamn wet dreams.

The struggle was intense but... at least I could live with the notion that those are just dreams and nothing crazy was going to happen in the next few years.

...right?

AN

Next time, Log and the BALMUNG Squadron handle the worst enemy yet: the Flood! Luckily for them, the equipment at their disposal will be enough to contain the infection for long enough to gain passage into where the ship they are looking for is going. And this time the Spirit of Fire is not alone in this journey.

Also, Log is a bit incorrect with his 'grasp' on Thela's most peculiar trait. That's not just a cake, it's the whole sweet bakery~.

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c