The ventilation unit in my office let out a low drone as I continued reading through reports and scheduling meetings.

It was almost meditative, in a sense. Sinking into a realm of numbers and messages.

"We're going to need to start building permanent housing soon." Frederick Carrington, my logistics officer, greeted me from the doorway.

I let out a sigh, "I know, but we still don't have enough raw material." I propped my head on my hands. "It's going to be start and stop, until we can make enough machinery to keep up construction." It was important, but we were primarily soldiers, not construction workers.

He tilted his head, "Have you read that report I sent you?" I shook my head, pulling it up on the computer in front of me and reading it absently as he continued. "I've consulted the only psychologist we have and they've agreed that even the appearance of progress is going to be important moving forward." He paused, "As for materials, there isn't much I can do on that front, I can't create concrete out of thin air."

I hummed in agreement, then came to a realisation. "I can Create concrete out of thin air though." He raised an eyebrow at that proclamation. I continued excitedly, "I might be able to Create whole buildings." I wasn't exaggerating either. Creation had become, not quite more powerful, but larger in scope. When experimenting my mana seemed to drain slower and I had been able to Create more, I hadn't really Created anything large since

Frederick merely blinked before nodding slowly, "I'll note that down, but it's not really going to be conducive to large scale construction is it?" He tapped at a tablet he had pulled out.

Taking a moment to think it over I agreed, "That's true, I can't be responsible for every building, but using my power to fill in the gaps of production is useful." Shrugging I continued, "Besides, this is really just a morale play in the short term." Another idea came to me, "We need to encourage the development of non-combat skills as well. Both to ground people and so that everyone can contribute some kind of skilled labour."

Frederick smiled slightly, "I was thinking something similar, I assume you're going to encourage this in your wellness checks?" I nodded, calling them 'wellness checks' gave me too much credit, but it did let me get to know everyone and get a better idea of how people were doing. "I'll get out of your hair then, I should have progress and reconnaissance reports sent to you by the end of the day." He turned to leave.

I let my focus drift back to my computer, "Send me the details for whatever architects we have as well, I'll need them soon." I added as he left.

"Of course, my lady." Frederick sarcastically added as he left.

I let out a huff of amusement.

Whoof, logistics were a bitch.

It was funny how well I could blend in just wearing fatigues, no one batted an eye as I meandered towards the tents. Well, a few seemed to recognize me but just offered a nod, I appreciated the sentiment.

Perhaps it was just the exhaustion, I did have to admit I wasn't looking my best.

Even with my newfound stamina, it was difficult to find enough focus to carry on each day. I needed to keep everyone busy or I knew there would be problems. There was too much to work through for everyone, so many dead and gone…

A whole planet burned, and I could do nothing. It was a sentiment shared by many.

I had… died, defending what was left. My mind and 'body' were crushed under the impossible task that was becoming Gaia. It difficult to comprehend what that even meant anymore, what was I? Was I even human?

I would have gone to Devas for help but he seemed to have disappeared…

We needed to get therapy, that was for sure.

I was pondering that when I reached my destination, a tent just like every other that surrounded it. I pulled open the flap, slipping inside without hesitation.

"Is this going to be an everyday occurrence?" Zachary asked, deadpan. He was lying on his cot and reading something on a tablet, still in fatigues.

I smirked, "It is when you're the person I know the best on the ground." I pulled a chair from the table at the side and sat down next to him. "Maybe you should try being less reliable." I joked.

He looked at me with amusement in his eyes, "Maybe I should." He let out a huff. "Speaking of, everyone is mostly settled at this point." There was satisfaction in his voice.

"Really?" I was skeptical, "How did you manage to bully all of the ODSTs into their new roles? The last three wouldn't take them no matter what I offered." I was curious, of the thirteen remaining ODSTs I had convinced ten of them to fill in as instructors or commanding officers. It was mostly just to organise the marines into something cohesive and get them running drills, I wasn't going to have a hundred and nineteen soldiers left to their own devices.

He set down the tablet and looked to the side somewhat guiltily, "I don't think you were persuasive enough in your offer." I blinked, confused and motioned for him to keep going. "I repackaged your arguments somewhat, one of them had bought into your priest's words so I convinced him that it was his 'holy' duty to ensure that your troops are as well trained as they could possibly be." He had a lopsided smile on his face as he finished.

I considered his words carefully… "So you manipulated them into accepting my offers." I cocked my head to the side. "Is that right?" He looked sheepish, I felt exasperated, "Zachary, you can't just-" I let out a sigh, "Besides the fact I don't want you actively spreading that stuff, it's not the kind of relationship you or I should build in these people."

He sat up straight and rested his head on the palm of his hand, "I disagree on the religious front, but besides that I think it's important we get back into a routine." He gestured broadly with his free hand, "You keep encouraging rebuilding and training, some of us think that we might be as safe as we thought." Zachary finished solemnly, gazing at me afterwards.

His stare wasn't judging at all, but it felt like I was being reprimanded all the same. I looked away and crossed my arms, "We aren't, or rather I'm not and you all are being caught up in it." I was uncomfortable admitting as such. It was acknowledging that while I had saved all of us, there wasn't really peace at the end of the tunnel.

Zachary grimaced, "So are we going to be attacked? The planet invaded?" I could see the thoughts rush through his head. I could understand the stress, we weren't in a state right now to defend against any real opposition.

Seeking to cut off those thoughts I waved my arms frantically to catch his attention, "No- No there won't be any attacks. Or- Well, at least I don't think so." I didn't even want to think about the possibility of that right now. He didn't seem to be all that comforted by that. "Look, I'm being sent places by the System to complete objectives. That's what I mean."

He contemplated that for a moment before responding, "So how are we in danger?" He looked confused.

I sighed, "This isn't a real place." He looked puzzled still. "As in, it doesn't actually physically exist." At this he looked even more confused. "This is just a kind of construct created in my soul, sort of, everyone here resides inside me. That's why I'm putting everyone in danger, even unintentionally." I finished grimly, simply waiting for his response.

Zachary seemed to ponder that for a minute, before seemingly coming to a conclusion. "So we're all inside you?" He asked. I nodded. "No one should tell the marines, there'd be no end to the jokes." He simply stated.

Blinking, I just absorbed the words he spoke. I snorted, covering my mouth to smother a laugh. I found it difficult to prevent a smile breaking out on my face, glared at him, "Zachary," I hissed. "I'm being serious, you're all in danger."

Raising a brow and smirking, he countered, "So was I, you have no idea how long they would keep that going." He continued, a current of surety in his voice. "Besides I always knew that you needed to be protected, this just cemented that fact." I couldn't refute that, and I flushed at steely resolve in that statement. I was comforted by the fact that- "Also, we need you to run the fabricators still."

I'm sure I looked appropriately aggrieved at the ongoing joke.

He let out a laugh and I was surprised for a moment, I hadn't heard him laugh before. I smiled, and sidled up next to him, he still looked amused as he watched. I slugged him in his shoulder for his impudence.

He let out another laugh even as he winced, "Sorry, I'll stop with jokes."

I was smirking as I stood up to leave. "Just remember to not spread that trash that Fynn's putting out." He waved a hand dismissively in response. I put on an unimpressed look to drive the point home, he didn't seem all that intimidated by it unlike some of the marines I had talked to.

"Get going, we'll talk about this later. You'll need your sleep tomorrow." It was my turn to be confused now, I raised a brow in askance. "I'm getting you to run drills starting tomorrow with me, I want you to be just as dangerous as any other Spartan if you're rushing headlong into threats."

I considered that for a moment, I nodded to him. "I'll go get some sleep then."

Stepping out into the night air, letting the cool air wash over me before I began my walk back to my room in the complex.

I considered the skills I had gained, before I found them almost repugnant when I had gained them. A constant reminder of the sacrifices I and everyone else had to make simply to survive.

That I would never truly be the same person I was before, or even fully human for that matter.

Lone Wolf Skill Set:

Lone Wolf's Grace (Passive): LVL MAX, Grants perfect balance, timing, and finesse. Protects against minor mental intrusion and mental fatigue. Project dignity, tenacity, and influence. "The Lone Hunter strikes with precision and elegance. They are indomitable in the face of adversity, and pursue their prey with single minded determination."

Physique of the Lone Wolf (Passive): LVL MAX, Grants fifteen (15) to every physical attribute passively. Improved skeletal and muscular structure. Protects against minor amounts of foreign toxins. "The Lone Hunter's strength and stamina is that of legends. They endure the trials ahead with unnatural vigor."

Last Stand (Active): LVL 1, When fighting alone, grants (10) to END, INT, and LUC. "They stand alone against peril, to that end they fight until the last drop of blood leaves their body."

Transformed against my will, and yet I could only look upon them in a new light.

I would become a Spartan not just in body, but in spirit as well. I would be a weapon honed to perfection. After witnessing the suffering etched into the hearts of those that followed me, I would break before I allowed my weakness to become another reason they felt loss.

My eyes lingered on the last skill, a remembrance of a fate avoided.

I began my approach home, determination in every step.

No one was going to fight alone, that I would be sure of.