Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hunter and Soldier. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343 do.
(2526, April 7th Pelican Dropship, 01:00)
Pelican Bravo 15 slowly adjusted its orbit for the Sanatorium. Silver Team sat in the back of the craft, Arthur on a gurney held by 4 marines.
Gram looked at the Sanatorium. It looked like a building had been carved directly into an asteroid, only some of the structure seemed to be visible on the several-kilometer-wide hunks of rock. Gram guessed it was in the middle of an asteroid field to keep its patients safe, after all? Very few people knew about it, Gram pondered it being a military base if worst came to worst.
"Hmm…" Gram hummed and looked at Cal.
His combat boots kept a steady stream of noise on the hull under him. Sometimes people asked the Spartans why they rarely wore dress uniforms. Some simply understood their armor was as much skin as it was armor, it would be like parting a marine from their rifle.
Cal turned to Gram who still wore the sling. She could see enough movement in his fingers to realize that he had been healed enough. She placed her hand on his unwounded shoulder, getting his attention as she squeezed it.
"How's the arm?" Cal asked, Gram, shrugged his arm, showing that the bones had knitted themselves together nicely.
"I think I speak for everyone that fighting beats this hospital." Gram said, gaining a few chuckles and smirks as soldiers all shared looks.
The pelican slowly rotated as it turned to face the hanger, depositing the Spartans inside the station. The trio rose to their feet and slowly stepped off the craft and into the station. The marines wheeled Arthur behind them. Gram knew he was stable from the heavy rise and fall of his chest.
None of the marines seemed to say anything about the teenage supersoldiers. Gram didn't mind, ONI already asked enough of their group, not asking anything more was rather something he enjoyed.
"Do I have to wear this crap that much longer?" Gram asked, his eyebrow raised as Cal nodded.
Gram sighed and resigned himself to getting it off today. He turned to Arthur who commanded far more of his concern than his healing limb. The Spartan had been gutted like a fish if they ever ran into an ambush like this again? They might not be walking away from it.
Gram didn't mind that; he was a soldier. Did he hate suicide missions? Yes, but he was also prepared to give his life for the UNSC if that was demanded of him… But Gram would die on his terms.
"Gram…" Cal said, resting her hand on his shoulder.
He turned to her, pulled from his collection of thoughts at the idea, and resumed following the Spartan. He turned to her as the duo followed the gurney, passing numerous UNSC staff as they went.
"I expected a CO to talk to us when we arrived." Gram stated to which Cal shook her head and crossed her arms.
"This isn't a military base," Cal stated before a small smirk split her face. "You know we're supposed to be here a few days before Admiral Stanforth comes to collect us for our next assignment, right?" Cal questioned which gained a frown from her partner.
If there was one thing Gram hated more than the war? It was waiting, Cal was WELL aware of how eager Gram was to be back in the field, rifle in hand. She would be lying if she said she felt more at home in the jungle, firing at enemy targets with only her sniper and teammates as companions.
"I hate it when you bring up crap like that," Gram muttered as the team stopped in front of a heavily armored door.
Gram and Cal had seen a similar type of door at HIGH COM on Reach. Gram questioned the use of several heavily armed ODSTs, but then again? He wasn't the one in charge of the facility when it came down to it. He also noticed a pair of M202 XP machine gun turrets. Whoever was this door keeping out? The UNSC had spared no expense. Gram shared a look with Cal who nodded, both Spartans interested in what this place had to offer. It would not be the first time they had come across something that had interested them.
One of the marines at the door typed in a code, causing heat to slowly hiss from the door as it slowly but surely slid open. The turrets continued to track the Spartans the entire time… However? If they wanted to? The trio would have cut through security like nothing. They had already tangoed with people in MJOLNIR Mark 1 armor, what was a few marines or such?
"Cal, Gram, how are you enjoying the station so far?" The Spartans heard as they turned to look at Dr. Halsey.
Halsey watched them share a glance. They couldn't be caught off guard by her, they were Spartans… Her Spartans, Halsey hummed as the two teenager supersoldiers slowly started to speak.
"It's very interesting for a UNSC facility." Gram said and turned to Cal again. "But I'm curious about something, ma'am." Gram said before Cal picked up where the spartan left off.
"Why is it so hidden if it's simply a UNSC base?" Cal questioned, gaining a nod from Gram. "Wouldn't it be better as a naval base considering its position and size? The covenant couldn't blast through an asteroid field of this size, nor could they detect it easily." Cal added, crossing her bulky arms while drumming her fingers on her arms like she did plenty of times.
Halsey looked at the marines who both nodded to each other before looking at the Spartans.
"Admiral Stanforth will be arriving soon to explain that and more, Spartan," Halsey said before looking around and motioning the group ahead. "Let's get that arm checked and make sure Arthur is stable before then. I'm sure you're eager to get back in the field and continue fighting." Halsey put in and walked forward.
Gram hummed before Cal set her hand on his shoulder. The Spartans nodded to one another before slowly and surely following after the woman.
"You know for a fact that the war isn't going to wait for us." Gram said, looking at his arm. "I'm going to pay them back for this, though. Artie as well, they're going to be taken apart next time we get them." Gram stated with determination to go after the Covenant.
The covenant needed to be brought down… And Gram promised that he would be doing just that when they got out of here. Gram promised that.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that the next chapter will be longer by a bit or such. The next chapter will be in 2-14 weeks or such. The next chapter will be 900-1500 words or such and will show Silver Team getting their next mission, more talking and bonding, and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: I'm making a Mass Effect/Halo story soon.