Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hunter and Soldier. Enjoy the 1400-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343 do.

(2526, April 5th Valiant Class Super Heavy Cruiser Everest, 03:00)

"Both Petty Officer Third Class Arthur 079 and Petty Officer Second Class Gram 079 were wounded," Cal reported, her voice as stoic as possible.

It didn't fool Cole, not for a second. The man could see the helplessness, the anger, the regret, all over her face. Cal blamed herself for what happened. Others would have scolded Cal for not being in her dress uniform, instead of picking the black tank top, brown military pants, and boots she and Silver Team usually wore. Cole wasn't most people, currently.

"ONI will be aboard to take the prophet into custody," Cole responded, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure you're eager to fight, but with Silver Team half WIA and the Pious Ramage…." Cole added while looking at the ship.

The vessel had been atomized thoroughly, Cole had watched the 5-kilo long warship burst and explode like a tick filled with blood. It scattered debris all over Zhoist's orbit. They had lost the Whispered Lance and its crew to do so, however.

That, coupled with the fact that the rest of the Spartans would engage the rest of the disorganized Covenant fleet?

"Silver Team's role in the battle is done, Spartan," Cole said, already anticipating the next words Cal would speak. "Go see your partner, I know you are worried about them no matter what your training is," Cole ordered and dismissed the spartan.

She said nothing, simply departing as she turned and left. Cole turned to organize the attack on the rest of the Covenant fleet.

(Medical bay 1)

Both Spartans had been moved to separate medical bays to keep their injuries secret. A masquerade that would never last. Solomon had gone to look after Arthur who she heard would live.

She remembered what she heard from them. A ruptured lung, 50% damage to his appendix, his hips slightly dislocated… He'd live, but it would be weeks before Arthur was back on the front lines once more.

Gram had a similar prognosis, his right deltoid was torn up, his humerus was sprained or fractured to the point where Gram's arm should have been destroyed. His upper ribs had been damaged, saved only by his augmentations. She didn't know what other damage to his upper body he sustained. Dr. Halsey was being brought in to repair their armor if possible.

Cal looked at Gram whose upper body was lined with bandages. It had taken several narcolytive sedatives to keep the spartan unconscious. Cal remembered helping the medical staff restrain Gram to keep him from moving. He had almost knocked out 6 or seven staff before they sedated him.

Gram had looked at her when they had removed his helmet it was the same stubborn and steadfast determination he had when he was younger.

Cal felt vulnerable without her MJOLNIR, she couldn't imagine how vulnerable Gram felt. They had completed their mission; the Prophet had been moved to a secure location. Cal had seen a Winter Class Prowler arrive aboard the Everest, no doubt taking the Prophet into UNSC custody.

"Gram has always been more aggressive in combat, hasn't he?" Cal heard from behind her as she turned to see Dr. Halsey. She was about to salute before the doctor shook her head.

"Cal, I heard Silver Team completed their mission while SILENT STORM is still being executed," Halsey stated and looked at Gram. "I expected you here. You were both inseparable during training, I can imagine nothing changed after it." Halsey mused, tapping on her datapad.

"Gram insisted on being my partner since training, ma'am," Cal stated and rubbed at her temples.

"Silver Team is similar to Blue Team, Cal." Halsey put in and made more adjustments on her tablet. "You and Gram have been in sync since the training. Don't think I didn't notice you both meeting every night to talk. Not many Spartans have your bond, you trust your very lives to each other, do you not?" Halsey asked to which she got no answer.

She didn't need one, Halsey knew her Spartans better than anyone in the UNSC. Cal was worried about Gram; the stubborn professionalism was something only Gram and a few others cut through.

"Do you know you're always examining a room when you're cautious?" Halsey questioned the spartan. "Just like how Gran narrows his eyes when he's mad, coils his legs when he's anxious… I know you're quite concerned about Gram. Don't treat this as simply you are observing your teammate. He's more to you than that." Halsey put in as she sighed.

Gram would live. He had too much determination to die. She did wonder how long it would be till Silver Team was dispatched again. There was no end to the endless battles the Spartans were tossed into.

"I also know those drugs that were estimated to knock him out for a day?" Halsey asked and checked her watch. "Gram will be awake in 2 hours, maybe less. He was a fighter since the day he was selected." Halsey put in to which Cal could only shake her head.

"He's more headstrong than Solomon," Cal responded while shaking her head back and forth. "He's going to get himself killed one day because he keeps charging into fights," Cal stated as Halsey shook her head.

"He relies on you to have his back, Cal." Halsey pointed out and looked down at her clipboard. "I know EXACTLY that you like to try and follow orders to the letter. You're far too eager to look out for everyone but yourself. That's EXACTLY why Gram is the one looking out for you." Halsey said before an ONI agent arrived at the moment.

Cal said nothing as Halsey left. The 'mother' of the Spartans would return. There was nobody more qualified to work on the Spartans besides her.

Cal turned her attention back to Gram. The spartan looked as still as a statue, so vulnerable without his armor… So human. Cal wasn't one of the Spartans that believed they were indestructible, but she knew they weren't…. Most of the UNSC should know that by now considering how hard Spartans fought.

She decided to give it an hour and return to talk to Gram after more paperwork was done.

(1 hour later)

Cal watched the Prowler which had delivered Dr. Halsey to the Everest prepared to leave. The Prophet was placed onto a gurney with over a dozen ODSTs and ONI security escorting him into the craft. Cal heard the Prophet screech threats and taunts at the guards as they escorted him into the spacecraft.

Cal guaranteed she NEVER publicly saw the Covenant leader again. Nor did she want to, the creature had contributed to the human genocide and what happened to her team.

"Do you think it will end the war, ma'am?" Cal asked Halsey, almost sensing the woman before she appeared.

"Unlikely, the Prophet doesn't seem to have a high rank, but I'm sure there's a plan, Cal," Halsey said before they walked back to the medical bay.

There was a rush of doctors and medical staff past them as an alarm went off. Halsey turned to Cal as the duo hummed,

"You know he's that stubborn, to begin with?" Cal asked to which Halsey nodded.

"Gram has always been eager to be the first to fight and last to leave," Halsey stated as they approached the viewing window. "Gram won't attempt to get up, the sedatives are still in his system. Give it a minute, then come with me." Halsey ordered and got a nod from Cal.

Gram grunted and looked around the chamber with interest. He looked at the doctors with curiosity. He noticed Cal through the window, stopping any motion from the Spartan as he looked at Halsey as well. He grunted in pain as the medicine took effect once more.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter is done. I want to point out that the next chapter will set up a small-time skip… This was followed by a time skip to several years later. The next chapter will show Gram, Halsey, and Cal talking followed by Halsey speaking to Admiral Cole. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter will be 2000 words and will be in 2-12 weeks or a few months shortly.