Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hunter and Soldier. Enjoy the 1100-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343 do.

(2526, April 8th UNSC Medical station Sanitarium, midnight)

Gram, Cal, and Arthur all reported to the bridge of the station. Admiral Stanforth slowly emerged from an adjutant elevator. The group all shared looks before Gram looked at his healed hand. He knew there was still some healing left to go, but the mission came first.

"I'm glad to see you've recovered from your injuries." Stanforth put in and got nods from the Spartans. "I would have wished to have Spartan-079 here… But I'm damn sure he'd be here if the medics weren't keeping him under for now." Stanforth stated, gaining slight frowns from the supersoldiers.

"Did the target disclose any information?" Cal questioned and got a slight smirk.

Cal and Gram shared another quick look while maintaining their salutes, they knew the war wasn't over. It wouldn't be over if Admiral Stanforth was here.

"We're keeping the prophet in UNSC custody until the rest of HIGH COM decides what to do with him," Stanforth added before turning to the board behind him. "In the meantime? I'm going to guess you're aware one strategic victory doesn't end the war. The covenant did not lie down upon losing the Rampage at Zhoist." Stanforth put in and gained several nods.

"What's our assignment, sir?" Cal questioned the same professionalism within her voice as always. "Silver Team will carry it out. We've all been eager to get back into the field." Cal added as she turned to Gram.

"How familiar are you with Covenant supply routes?" Gram heard the admiral ask. "Our next operation for you is more… Unique than extracting a simple Prophet," Stanforth added, pausing only to brush off his uniform.

"You need us to take out a Covenant supply base, sir?" Gram questioned; eyebrow raised in interest. "Permission to speak freely, sir?" Gram asked and got a nod from the admiral in question.

"Why do you need Spartans to handle this?" Gram questioned; his eyebrow raised. "With all due respect? This op doesn't sound like something Spartans are required in. Military bases could be taken with an ODST battalion or even just destroyed from orbit with the Leviathan's weapon systems." Gram pointed out and frowned.

The admiral nodded, if the Spartans knew who they were killing? They'd ask dozens of questions, Stanforth knew the next mission was dangerous, not dangerous enough for Spartans, but only Spartans could accomplish what he had in mind.

"Solomon, could you kindly report to the hanger for now?" Stanforth asked, gaining a nod from the Spartan as he hummed and slowly walked out of the room.

Stanforth watched Cal and Gram share more looks, both Spartans were more curious now than anything. He wasn't a phycology expert, but he didn't need to be when it came down to it.

"This isn't simply a seek and destroy mission, I'm having Sliver go after something more valuable," Stanforth stated which gained a hum from the duo as they turned to the side. "We've discovered a flaw within the covenant. A minor one, but something we believe we could slowly exploit." Stanforth stated, gaining a blink from the Spartans are they pondered this.

A flaw within the covenant? Had the prophet spilled a weakness that they could use against the Covenant? Gram and Cal didn't know if the Covenant leader was a coward or not, but if it could do enough damage to the Covenant? They didn't find the subject rather weird.

"And what is that sir?" Gram questioned, curious as to what had brought the Covenant to this weakness.

"Their love of 'holy' relics, tech like the things you encountered on Eden," Stanforth added, making the duo's eyes widen.

"Sir?" Both Spartans questioned, not expecting anything similar to this to arise.

Then again? The admiral seemed noticeably calm. They questioned if this was a good thing or not, the admiral had gotten a plan in his head. They could only offer advice on how best to carry out said plan or such. They were soldiers, it wasn't their place to cut into plans they weren't privy to in the first place… Still? They were confused as to this mission the more they thought about it.

"Will we be operating alongside other units?" Cal questioned as Gram cleared his throat. "With all due respect, sir? There are not many other parts of the UNSC that are… Decent when it comes to supporting Spartans in the field." Cal added to which Gram pipped up.

"Plus, I'm not sure Silver Team is in the best area, sir." Gram put in, cracking his fingers. "My arm is good for shooting, but I'm not entirely at 100% yet. Add in Artie being WIA and such? We can handle it, but Silver Team isn't at 100% yet." Gram added while Cal nodded.

Stanforth was silent. He was set to travel back to Zhoist to hear how well SILENT STORM had gone so far and he knew more than anything the Spartans weren't complaining. Cal and Gram usually raised eyebrows at their work, but they did it, nonetheless. He couldn't blame them for worrying about mission permitters, it was PART of what made Spartans so effective.

"I'm going to speak to the medics to see how long it will take Arthur to be healed," Stanforth stated as he hummed and simply turned to the side. "I'll give you both 2 weeks, we still need to process the data and drum up strike teams regardless. Cal? I want you here first thing tomorrow at noon, Gram? Have Dr. Halsey look at that arm and get it fully healed." Stanforth added before he turned and left the duo.

"Always off the books op for Silver Team." Gram pointed out; eyebrow raised as he questioned what came next. "I still wonder what's going to happen with the Prophet…" Gram added as Cal hummed and simply pondered in silence.

Both Spartans were left to reflect on this sooner or later. The war would continue, and they stood ready for that no matter what… Even if it meant more war.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out next chapter will be short as well. The next chapter will be in 2-10 weeks and will show more talking and setting up the mission and such for Cal and Gram. Until then? Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: My Covenant story is 1200 words in a few months. Pyrrha 1500 in a few months. The Cruiser story 1200 in a few months and I will be making a UNSC navy story soon if possible.