Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hunter and Soldier. Enjoy the 4200-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343 do.
(2517, July 13th Reach 17:30)
Cal watched the 6-year-old boy take another punch to the face, knocking the boy to the ground. His face was bloodied, his eye swollen in agony as he was dragged off the floor. His ashy black hair sprawled out, mixing with the crimson blood running down his body. His arms were covered with various cuts and bruises.
"I know you know, boy." The soldier said as he picked the small boy up. "Just tell me where they are and go home. You don't want to be a soldier, do you?" The soldier asked before looking at him.
There was the sound of spit being thrown from his mouth. He looked at the soldier before being tossed into a tree. The boy started to climb to his feet. There was a notable limp in his step and his arm hung at an awkward angle, showing it was damaged. The marine kicked him again, knocking the boy to the ground.
"Go to hell." The boy said before groaning as the marine went to pick the boy up again.
That was before the marine spasmed in pain. A screech of pain tore itself from his lips as he finally collapsed to the ground.
The boy grunted and looked up to see a girl wearing a black tank top with 141 plastered to it alongside green pants and black boots. She slowly walked over to him, a captured humbler stun baton in her hand.
"You should have run…" The boy said and pushed himself up with his other hand… "Ow… They're rounding us up… I could have taken him…" He muttered to himself before the girl looked at him with interest.
"No, you're an idiot." The girl put in before dragging the boy up to his feet. "But you're stubborn. You took several paintballs to the body, didn't you?" The girl asked, wrapping his unwounded arm over her shoulder.
"Ow…" The boy said as he looked at her. "He was asking about you, you know…. I didn't tell him anything." He put in as he turned to her.
"But you didn't crack…" She responded and nodded at him. "What's your name, anyway? You've been trying to get ahead of the others at times… Even if it gets you shot…" She added which caused him to shrug, sending a wave of pain up his arm.
The boy looked at the girl with interest. She was notably taller than her, she had stood out from the rest of the kids with snow-like white hair and amber eyes that shone like stones.
"Who are you?" The boy asked which got a look from the girl.
"Callista." The girl said before looking ahead while the duo continued down the path. "You?" She asked, straightening up as the boy looked ahead.
"Gramsley." He said and frowned before looking at the ground. "But I like Gram better…. And you sound more like a Cal… Callista sounds girly, you're not that girly, are you?" Gram asked his undamaged eye-widening.
"No… I'm not." Callista said before humming. "But your still an idiot, Gram…" Cal put in with a sigh which he chuckled.
(July 17th, 2523, 1200 hours, Reach)
Cal heard the rustling before she said another word. She climbed onto her bed and looked up at the ceiling. There was a single knock upon the ceiling.
She returned it before grabbing her boots and exiting the cabin before looking up in time to see a blur of motion reach into one of the walls. The figure turned to look at her as Cal shook her head.
Cal turned and wrapped the worn bedsheet around the cabin's waterpipe before slowly starting to scale the cabin. The figure watched with interest as Cal slowly scaled the metal, tucking herself against the shadow of the house to conceal herself from the security systems.
She turned and braced against the flat of the house, curling herself into a ball to gather power. She looked at the place she wished to jump before uncurling, kicking off the pipe, and towards the far wall. She grunted and looked up at the figure.
"Couldn't sleep?" Cal asked as the figure grabbed her hand and pulled her atop the concrete barrier.
"No… Tango Company sent a squad…. Not under the Chief's orders." The figure stated before he sat down upon the cold stone.
Cal turned to Gram who hummed and looked at her with interest. He pulled his knee to his chest and looked up at the starry sky with wonder.
"Did I wake you?" Gram asked, a frown gracing his chapped lips. "I was trying to make it to one of the trees…" Gram said before nodding at his arm.
There was a purple bruise, it wasn't anything major, but it would affect his aim if he had to shoot. Cal frowned and signed.
"No, I haven't," Cal responded and leaned backward. "I've been busy trying to figure out the stars and their positioning… Few of the trainers tried to corner me in the forest." Cal added, gaining a frown from Gram.
"You were interested in Deja's talk about astrology," Gram responded as they looked over the cabins. "You've been, ok? They found the radio I was using…" Gram stated which caused Cal to hum.
She looked at Gram, most of the others thought he hated the other Spartans, getting into a scrap with Isaac.
"I spoke with Will and Leon." Gram said, seeming to coil his feet under him like a snake. "Leon's pretty damn good at hand to hand…. And Will's rewiring of the radios to trick the squad? I wish I was that good." Gram said before smirking to himself.
"How many times have you snuck out?" Cal asked which was greeted by a raised eyebrow. "You know they're going to get worse with training… People don't like to lose, what if you get caught?" Cal stated and got a shrug.
"If they caught me again?" Gram asked and hummed while looking up. "Then I'm a pretty crappy soldier, Cal. My job is to find the shooter before they find me… Can't let the squad down." Gram said while looking over his shoulder.
"You're not a bad scout, Gram." Cal put in, laying her hand on Gram's shoulder. "Crappy shot compared to me," Cal said, a smirk of her own across her lips.
"Says the second-best sharpshooter." Gram said and gained a punch to the shoulder. "Still? I can hit the mark when I need to… You're done for tonight's talk?" Gram asked as he leaned back next to the sniper.
"No, I'm good for now… I've got your back tomorrow," Cal responded, gaining a hum from Gram. "Just don't get too reckless, Silver Squad needs its scout… And I need my spotter." Cal said as Gram nodded and crossed his hands behind his back.
Both Spartans watched the stars. They had made do with worse sleep… And both knew the marines already underestimated them.
Both Spartans were part of a group… And they didn't plan on being the weak parts of the group.
(July 27th, 2525 4 months before augmentations. Medical Facility Endurance, Reach)
"'Cal'-141 and Gram-077." Chief Mendez put in as he looked at Dr. Halsey. "I'm sure you've heard about them…. Being the 'mother' of project Orion…" Chief Mendez put in which got a hum while he folded his arms.
The duo sat outside the room, covered in the bruises and cuts from another training exercise. Halsey looked at the 'father' of the Spartans as the UNSC had taken to dubbing him. She moved across the lab.
"And you pulled them from the rest of the group?" Halsey questioned before looking up at the man. "And yes, I have…. Would you like to review their files?" Halsey asked and tapped several keys.
A series of computers lit up while Mendez stared at the doctor with frustration. She didn't care at all about protocol or decorum, simply her research or such.
The profiles finally popped up, displaying key information… No doubt ONI kept its eye on the project at the moment with interest.
Profile: Sierra 141-Cal.
Date of Birth: Born on Earth, 2511 January 1st.
Height: 2.4 Meters '7.8ft'
Weight and other physical attributes: Hair? White. Weight? 215lb. Eye color? Amber.
Skills: master marksmen, hand-to-hand proficiency, a skilled tactician with the rank of Chief Petty Officer Second class.
Other notes: Strong affinity with spartan 077.
Halsey turned to the other files which showed Gram's file as she tapped on her notepad, making miniate changes as she went.
Profile: Sierra 077-Gram.
Date of Birth: Born on Reach December 23rd, 2511.
Height: 2.2 meters '7.2FT'
Weight and other attributes: Hair? Ebony Black. Weight? 200LB. Eye color? Crimson.
Skillset: Skilled tracker and scout. Skilled hand to hand and marksmen proficiency. Expert on 4 languages. The rank of Chief Petty Officer Third class.
Other notes: Strong bond with Spartan 141, further research required.
"That last part is the problem." Mendez put in as he folded his arms across his chest. "141 and 077's bond is hindering them." Mendez stated which caused Halsey to hum and raise an eyebrow.
"Oh?" Halsey asked and crossed the room to the holo table in the middle. "Chief Mendez? You are aware that the Spartans were taught to prioritize teamwork and coordination. I've been monitoring them just like every other spartan." Halsey put in before turning to the door.
Both Spartans were called in. Halsey turned to Mendez as the Spartans were escorted in with a pair of ODSTs. Both stood in their black tank tops, green pants, and black boots… Then again? This wasn't official military… And both were pulled from off duty with little warning.
"Cal, Gram." Halsey put in as the duo snapped off a salute to the duo before Halsey turned their attention back to the issue at hand. "Would you like to explain your last assignment?" Halsey asked which made the duo share a look.
Cal spoke up before Gram did which didn't bother the spartan in training. He was busy checking around the room to take in the site.
"We were sent to either destroy or help capture the URF Cruiser Gateway," Cal stated and got a nod from Gram. "Along with help eliminate Colonel Watt's staff officers," Cal reported while Halsey hummed.
"And how well did this mission end?" Halsey inquired, gaining a look from the duo.
"The vessel was destroyed with all hands-on deck, ma'am." Gram stated, still holding his salute before a nod caused the duo to stop. "We managed to retrieve intel from the main computer before an onboard FURY class nuclear warhead gutted the ship," Gram added as he crossed his arms.
He tapped his right foot, a tic that he had that showed he was eager to continue to fight. He wanted an enemy to combat. A glare from Cal caused him to slowly calm down.
"Gram, did you wound Bravo Squad when they tried to take Cal away?" Mendez asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes sir," Gram responded, his voice steady and focused. "They were with Tango Company. Last time they broke her arm for neutralizing one of their Pelicans." Gram put in which got a frown from Mendez.
He had reassigned Tango Company. Halsey wasn't surprised, there was only one officer that had the authority to send them back.
"Ackerson…" Halsey hissed before Mendez cleared his throat.
"Spartan, were you not assigned a group?" Mendez asked which got a shake of the head. "Oh? I thought your trainer was clear that you were assigned to Red Team." Mendez put in as Halsey put in something.
"Gram, did a member of spartan Red Team wound Cal on September 20th, 2523?" Halsey inquired, gaining a glance from Mendez. "And did you defend Cal and help secure victory over them in a training exercise with team Omega?" Halsey questioned and got a nod.
He turned to Mendez who was busy questioning what had been done at the moment. She could tell the two were quite close at the moment. That was not a flaw as both still fought for humanity as a team.
"Gram still went out of his way to continue to rendezvous with Cal." Mendez put in before Halsey cut him off.
"Cal, Gram? You are both close and have been since training, yes?" Halsey asked and got a nod from the duo. "And both of you have been quite effective as a team, yes?" Halsey asked, spinning her pen through her fingers.
Another nod. Gram gazed at Cal with the protective gaze once more. She returned the gaze in an unspoken bond only they seemed to share.
"You may wait in the hanger," Halsey stated which got a nod. "I will meet you both down there soon," Halsey added as the duo turned and filed out.
"Your fine with them being so close?" Mendez questioned with a raised eyebrow at the moment. "Gram often puts Cal's orders over other orders almost always," Mendez added which Halsey waved her hands at.
"Both are rather close, Mendez." Halsey put in, crossing her arms. "They are a team; I've been keeping an eye on them at the moment. Cal is not one of the identified leaders Spartans… But she is a skilled soldier. Her skill at sharpshooting is directly behind Linda's… As Gram's speed is right behind Kelly's. They are a team, a unit…. A pack." Halsey said and turned back to the console.
"Packs put their safety over other priorities." Mendez put in which got a hum from Halsey.
"Think of them like a pride of Lions… Or a pack of wolves." Halsey put in and tapped at the console. "Both are rather protective of the other and work in tandem," Halsey added and smiled once more.
She knew more than usual that they were close. They were a team, and she had a plan to deal with their rambunctious attitude anyway.
(September 11th, 2525, Reach)
"Upper corner, 3 meters." Gram said as he and Will raised their weapons. "And middle ridge, 4 meters." Gram stated before a pair of sniper shots cracked across the room.
The stun rounds hit the trainers in the joints of their legs, both collapsed off their cover while Gram turned to will as they swept their training weapons around the room.
"I counted 6, where's Blue Team?" Gram asked before more gunfire was heard. "Cal, can you still see us?" Gram asked and aimed his pistol around.
"Relocating, give me 10 seconds… Move on 5," Cal responded as Gram nodded.
In 3, the 2 Spartan-IIs were already moving, by 5? They were already moving faster than their trainers could. The glint of metal caught Gram's eye as he frowned and pulled Will to cover.
"Cal, three more, upper ridge." Gram said and turned to Will. "Where're the jokes, Will? You're usually never this quiet." Gram stated which got a frown.
Before his friend could say anything, the ridge exploded in gunfire. Gram could do nothing but a curse, they had been ambushed.
Gram raised his arm to fire only for the pain to lance across his left arm, he raised it to reveal a red splotch from where he had been hit. He could barely feel his limb and it hung limply. A TTR round, the anesthetic had paralyzed the limb, stopping him from raising the limb.
It wouldn't put him out of action, but the temporary loss of the muscle meant that his aim would be hindered… And his ability to reload would be hampered, meaning he was less effective.
"Damn it…" Gram cursed before shifting his pistol to his other hand. "Cal, I just took a hit. My left arm is out, what's your position?" Gram asked as he sighed and shook his head.
Cal said nothing, her rifle, however? That answered with 4 cracks as 4 trainers collapsed, their legs hit with more TTR rounds.
"Blue Team reached the target," Cal reported which made Gram nod. "Nice calls, Gram," Cal added as Will turned to Gram.
"That's why I stopped joking," Will stated and moved up as Gram shook his head.
Cal slowly emerged; her rifle emptied at the moment. She expertly slung it over her shoulder as she approached Gram.
"He's changed a lot since we got surgery." Gram said and shook his head. "I was just trying to keep his morale up… Damn, my arm is more number than usual." Gram stated and turned to Cal.
"Let's go ask for the baton to get the shock out," Cal said and helped Gram off the course.
"Hey? Cal?" Gram asked, gaining his partner's attention. "Promise me you're not going to turn out like that… I get being a soldier when it matters… But not this 'the mission is life' crap…" Gram said which was greeted by a hum.
"We're soldiers now, Gram." Cal put in as she and Gram walked off the course.
"And still people, Cal." Gram said with a frown. "Not machines… We're people, and I don't want to lose that to win." Gram said before the duo exited the course.
(Present Times)
Gram took a few seconds to get back up and then turned to look at the disabled tank. Gram looked up at the ridgeline where Cal sat, her rifle smoking.
"That's 6 times I've had to save you." Cal put in over comm line. "You good?" Cal asked as Gram looked at the pilot, slumped over and a smoking wound on his skull.
"Yeah. Nice shot, Cal." Gram said before looking up at her. "Where are the other sentries?" Gram asked, scanning the area.
"Retreated inside when I took out the tank." Cal put in to which Gram nodded and turned before he turned to the tank.
He pulled out a small charge and crawled under the vehicle before placing it near the middle of the craft. A Lotus Anti-Tank mine. He'd leave the device as a trap. If someone was stupid enough to attempt to operate the vehicle? They'd be entering a 66-ton armored coffin.
"We are operating on comm?" Gram asked and got a green acknowledgment light. "I'll scout ahead, can you cover me?" Gram asked and was answered by a hum.
Gran turned and started down the path. He drew his BR before he hummed and nodded once more.
Gram stuck to the trees, leaving the tank behind as Cal dropped the mostly depleted magazine. Gram turned, pushing the small of his back against the trunk of a tree as he did so.
"This feels familiar." Gram said while slowly inching forward. "Only they don't have prototype armor…. Cal, what the hell do you think the Covenant want here?" Gram questioned to which Cal hummed.
"Knowing them? Ancient ruins or something." Cal responded before zooming her rifle in. "Why, rather be doing light work than this?" Cal questioned to which Gram chuckled.
"No, just don't like suicide missions." Gram stated and took cover again. "We're alone without any resupply, outnumbered in the thousands… There's unfair and then there's expendable." Gram said, the bitterness in his voice clear.
Cal readjusted herself and sighted Gram again. It was hard to imagine this boy was the same one who was the first to be subdued in training. It did bring a bit of a nostalgia air to her as she remembered training.
"You can't blame yourself for that, Gram," Cal responded, trying to sound rational. "There was nothing we could have done. Someone had to blow up the ship, you'd rather be dead than that?" Cal questioned which gained a sigh from Gram.
"Rather not have YOU talking about how you might die one day." Gram said, finally arriving at the gate. "I'm not going to lose more family…. And second? Don't give me that duty first, crap. We're going to win this war as a team… Like we did this entire time." Gram said before Cal hummed and decided to regroup with Gram.
Cal could say nothing to this, she saw the other Spartans as family… And she KNEW Gram wasn't lying about if she died that he WOULD snap. Gram was a spartan, but he was still human… And losing her? One of the people closest to his heart? It was a bullet that he'd never recover from.
"See anything?" Cal asked while she rushed to Gram's side.
"Couple sentries." Gram said while Cal returned to his side. "I think I found the 'Holy Temple'." Gram stated as he and Cal looked ahead.
Ahead was a twisted foundation of steel, concrete, and Titanium-A. Gram saw the remains of several gun turrets, he couldn't picture what the building had been before this… But he could certainly guess that it was the URF base.
The covenant carrier from before hovered over the base, floating like a shark in some vast ocean. A beam emerged from the midsection of the craft and Gram could see the silhouettes of covenant warriors floating down. The flames observed more destruction, but Gram was sure that anything the URF currently had was turned to scrap and ash.
"I think you can cross recover and target neutralization off the list…" Gram said while lowering his rifle. "Whatever they want? It's here… And I don't like the odds of facing off with a warship that big." Gram said while he looked to the side and shook his head with annoyance.
His options slowly counted down to near zero. There was no conventional weapon he or Gram currently had that could destroy a Covenant warship.
"I think I know how we can stop them," Cal said, gaining a raised eyebrow from Gram under his helmet. "Those bombs have to be in there…" Cal said, letting the words linger on Gram's mind.
He nodded; the Nukes might not be that useful until recovered? But if they could capture even one? It would allow them to raise hell with the covenant.
"How exactly are we supposed to make it to the armory with ten thousand soldiers between us and them?" Gram asked while checking his rifle. "I don't exactly have endless magazines, and the second they know something is up? They're going to be raining bombs down…" Gram put in and hummed.
Cal said nothing, simply pondering the course of action. It was true that the covenant not only outnumbered them but also had the advantage of aerial support… But she guessed there were still pockets of URF resistance the Covenant was focused on.
"Follow me," Cal said, drawing her assault rifle and leaping atop a small hill.
"And I'm the show-off…" Gram muttered before leaping up and landing on the hill before following the sniper. "Hope your plan doesn't involve splitting up. We're not going to stand a chance at this apart." Gram said which was indeed true to Cal.
But she had no intention of splitting them up. That would divide their force in half and leave them sitting ducks anyway. Still? There was a small chance they might have to at the moment anyway and make do with what came next.
"Brothers, the humans continue to battle our forces to the west." They heard from an elite as they put their backs to a former pillar from the base. "Why do we not burn them and take our prize back?" The elite questioned to which Cal and Gram could only share looks with the other at this.
"You fool." Both heard over the comm as they shared a look. "The holy relic cannot be damaged! Find the Silent Oracle, or I will have your skull for a trophy!" Both heard as Cal checked her magazines.
It was then Gram noticed something. While there were mainly Elites, Grunts, and Jackals all milling around? At least a dozen gorilla-like creatures were picking through the wreckage. They hefted cruder weapons than the other Covenant soldiers, and Gram watched one shove another out of the way as they secured and policed weapons.
Gram was not stupid. He knew what the creatures were, they were the same creatures that were found on Harvest and caused the war with humanity…
"Brutes," Gram whispered to Cal. "Damn it, they're tougher than the elites." Gram stated and shook his head. "Get anything big?" Gram asked as he checked his rifle.
It had to be the Covenant's shock troops acting as security. Gram heard some of their reports, and it was clear that they posed just as much threat as the elites.
"Not without drawing too much attention." Cal put in as she questioned her next move. "Go around them, I'm picking up radiation… There." Cal said and nodded towards the rubble.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out I know Spartans have suppressed romantic feelings… But I wanted to show Cal and Gram have been close for years. The next chapter will be 1500 words and will be part flashback… And part Gram and Cal infiltrating the covenant facility. Until this week or such. Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Should I show the mission Cal was on in Halo Legends and the Events of the first Halo Game? I'll leave a poll for that. Most chapters are going to be 1200-3000 words for now.