Author's note: Thanks for all the favorites and follows! Your support really means a lot. Just wanted to say that while 2B is on the halo from Combat Evolved (Installation 04) this story won't be focusing on the events of that game. The next chapter should hopefully shed some more light on what I intend to explore. Thanks again for your support and I hope you enjoy!
Fists smashing into the control panels, 9S began pacing, throwing up his arms, turning, stomping, doing anything his body felt compelled to do. Where!? Where had 2B gone?! How the HELL had she gotten teleported to-
"Unit 9S."
"GAHH! YEAH, what is it, Pod."
"It is illogical to allow a reasonable amount of emotion to influence your actions and judgment-"
"Please don't even go there, please," he breathed, "Don't- Don't give me the damn lecture. I know," and he did. 2B always told him. '9S, you need to calm down. There's no room for emotional distractions.' That's how it goes, right? He began marching up and down the length of the wall again.
Destroyed machine life forms were strewn about the floor below, motionless. His blade still lay plunged into one's chest, at first he thought 2B was vaporized. Destroyed utterly and completely in an instant, no trace left. Like a glitch in the simulation, she could simply be purged. So, he may have lost it a little, destroying anything and everything within the vicinity, a burning hate threatening to overcome him, despite the empty feeling he already felt from her absence.
Pod however filled him in that maybe, maybe just maybe, 2B still existed out there, somewhere. Maybe, just maybe, he could find her. If they could not however... He didn't want to even think of it.
Taking a deep breath and steadying himself, his eyes took note of the damage he'd done around him. The wreckage he left was somewhat impressive, machines torn in pieces strewn haphazardly across the small room. "Pod, repeat what you told me about this place."
"...Affirmative." Pod scanned the surrounding area again, its scanner relaying what it could learn, "After a thorough evaluation, this underground facility appears to be a Human research bunker, circa the year 2028, location is an unknown anomaly,"
"And the purpose of said bunker?"
"Further readings confirm a high probability, ninety-seven percent, the facility was used in some form of preservation of humans or human nature. Specifically, genetics and cloning," its mechanical hum emanating around the hollow, rusted, and derelict walls around him. "Multiple theories are currently forming."
"Right but this room here doesn't deal with any of that," said 9S as his eyes swept across the room.
"Correct, the surroundings show extensive evidence of some sort of high energy particle acceleration and electromagnetic radiation emitter, suggesting some kind of radiation research facility."
"Hmph," 9S folded his arms, nodding his head to the empty space where 2B once stood. "Okay, okay, but how does that lead to humanity's preservation? If anything, all it seems to me is that this is a weapon of some sort."
"Records and research suggest Humanity once considered such research as a means of finding a method of transportation faster than that of conventional speeds through the known universe. Additionally, this information would lead to the assumption that Earth once tried exploration beyond its planetary range," Pod 153 slowly rotated around the room taking in its environment, "But that's just speculation."
"But they stopped because something bad happened. Then everything just went downhill after that for Earth. Aliens, machines, whatever..." said 9S.
The silence lingered, Pod floating in the center of the room while 9S placed a hand on the railing, staring into the space where 2B once stood only a minute ago. His body stiffened. He still remembered it, when he grabbed her arm to try and pull her along, his hand phasing straight through her.
"If humans failed to create the technology necessary for traveling through time and space, how'd 2B get transported then?" 9S ran his hands through his hair. None of it was making sense.
"Uncertain, but logical deduction would dictate that the machine presence in the area were working on completing what the humans had started with."
"Why would the machines go out of their way, after centuries since the facility was sealed off and abandoned, to revive this old bunker." 9S lifted his head as he spoke, "What were they trying to accomplish?"
"Uncertain, insufficient data regarding current happenings. Proposal: Conduct more investigations and research regarding current happenings, if more available."
Eyeing the control panel once again 9S made his way towards the single computer sitting off to the corner of the room, "Can we even get 2B back through whatever's in these computers?"
"...Insufficient data-"
"Yeah yeah, I get the picture, never mind," 9S cut Pod off, sitting down at the lone chair that sat before the console.
"We just have to keep doing what we are good at," 9S mumbled to himself, though that seemed a daunting task right now. Nothing made sense anymore. Figuring out how this happened in the first place was already too much work, and how to even get 2B back seemed an even more far-fetched goal, "...Alright Pod, see what you can do here, I'm going to go investigate those schematics, I guess."
With the scanner's order in its program, Pod set itself to task, working with the various functions of the machine. While 9S activated a few of his hacking programs, working out whatever was needed. The truth had to lie hidden within the lab. It just had to.
No matter what, he would bring 2B back. That was all that mattered.
Blade swinging, 2B charged ahead. Leaping, and ducking as she swirled through the field, moving in calculated, fluid movements as she approached a group of small creatures that stood together firing green shots of energy from their strange, oval-shaped guns, her sword raised to strike, she leaped high through the air, bringing her weapon down with great force slicing the first target cleanly in two as blue bright liquid spewed from the creature.
Closing the distance between her and the remaining small enemy, 2B gracefully struck them down in the next breath, the bodies flying in twos, fours, and ones on the ground as she marched forward with intent, looking over the fallen victims she took no pleasure or interest in what they were or who they were, just another objective, another foe for her to fell in a list that seems never-ending, not once hesitating as she came upon three larger opponents wielding shields which guarded most of their frames, a tall, avian build, yelling some foreign language and raising the same oval gun into the air.
"Alert," cried Pod, "Weapons seem to emit plasma, an extreme risk for damage, proceeding with caution is suggested."
Plasma. So that's what they've been firing. Never had she encountered any such projectiles from machines or androids before, they must truly be alien. However, these things had to hit before it became dangerous, right? Just dodge until it's safe. With that knowledge 2B made sure to stand her ground against the new oncoming assault, avoiding the balls of energy coming from the firearms the creatures carried, with ease 2B managed to close in on the beasts quickly.
Swinging her blade diagonally, the creature was keen enough to guard, shield taking the full brunt of 2B's strike, but the force behind her attack was enough to cause the energy shield to fizzle and distort as blue sparks of electricity ignited the surface. 2B swiftly regained her stance after the deflection, cutting the now unguarded alien's shoulder open as it held its smoking shield up, giving a bestial cry of pain the creature fell to the ground dead, purple liquid squirting out from the wound.
The remaining two continued to shoot at the agile warrior as 2B twisted and dodged their onslaught, as Pod maneuvered closer to their position with a defensive volley of energy to deflect and deter their continued shots. As 2B slipped inside their guards, slicing one creature on the side while landing a vertical blow, splitting another one open. Their purple blood staining the soil below.
"Defensive pattern Epsilon implemented. Current hostile enemies reduced, remaining seven confirmed."
2B stood unmoving and undeterred as Pod opened fire at the rest of the small cluster of enemies. Firing off another two rounds, it brought one of the smaller enemies down. Causing the other shorter ones to scatter in different directions. The other avian soldiers however were wise enough to be patient, holding their shields high while maintaining the integrity and solidarity of the group's formations.
And then there were the larger armored creatures. Two blue and one red armored. Different from the rest, these three stood together barking orders and getting the smaller ones back on track. What are those, some form of captains? 2B wondered.
A barrage of blue shots soared through the air headed straight towards her, and 2B reacted with speed and grace, dancing around each of the blasts while readying herself to counterattack.
"Proposal: Eliminating the larger targets may cause smaller hostiles to disperse," 042 proposed in an effort to provide her with some form of advice to complete her goal of keeping the humans safe.
Taking Pod's assessment into consideration, 2B narrowed her eyes, watching as the three taller enemies kept close quarters to each other as they tried to suppress her attack, their movements oddly in unison to that of a tactical and well-versed fighting strategy. She knew not the creature's name, or what language they spoke or of their allegiance.
But at that moment, it mattered not. 2B had to finish the job. Whatever she needed to do to protect and help humanity, would be done. Dodging another volley of plasma fire she closed in on the three tall enemies, "Don't need you telling me that," she sneered under her breath.
Twirling, side-stepping, and twisting around the alien attack 2B leaped straight through their line of fire, sailing overhead and flipping through the air, Pod engaged with her as she flew through the sky sheathing her blade, she switched to her Type-3 Fists and landed in the center of the three tallest creatures, one was forced backward away from the fighting from Pod's onslaught of bullets but the remaining two, the blue armored aliens, now pressed 2B from two different directions with their large rifles in her face, quickly bring her fist around and landing a solid blow to the face of the alien closing in on her right flank, 2B noted how a flicker of electricity danced on the surface of its body after contact had been made, it seemed the larger ones had personal energy shields of their own, but the force of her attack was enough to not only shatter the energy field around its frame but caused the being's head to cave inwards, breaking and rupturing on contact.
Swerving around she kneed the second target square in its torso, a sharp crack emanating through the air as she brought her fist down onto its helmet cracking the metal piece and causing the large beast's brains to spill onto the dirt below as it collapsed.
Backstepping, the third red creature roared. Ignoring Pod's barrage and allowing its shields to take the hit, it thrust forward, lunging and bringing down its blue plasma rifle with the intent of crushing 2B's body. With agility and reaction times like lightning, she shoved forward, bringing her right gauntlet up and smashing through the creature's defenses, driving her fist through the shields and chest plate.
Fist buried into the alien's body and appearing on the other end, the creature held onto her shoulders before gasping and gurgling, its voice ragged and strained from the pressure. Pulling back and breaking free 2B stared as the creature fell, its plasma rifle dropped and rolled away from the struggle.
Purple blood covering 2B's arm, the smaller and shield-welding enemies scattered across the battleground in terror now, screaming a shrill sound similar to some sort of bird, a few taking potshots here and there but failing to get anywhere close. Switching from her gauntlets to her Virtuous Contract, 2B launched herself in an intricate display of motions and slashes, tearing through the small beasts without giving any chance to return fire in kind.
On the metal structure peering over their cover, the Humans watched the short skirmish in awe, looking out onto the carnage and destruction the nimble being had caused before taking the fight onto their assailants, seemingly cutting, slashing, and tearing through the last remaining foes on the battlegrounds.
"Wow... Martinez, you have any idea who that is or even what the hell she is?" the young soldier spoke, staring intently at the android destroying the opposing force.
Martinez scoffed, reloading his assault rifle, "The hell should I know."
"It's a Spartan, Davis that's the most obvious fucking thing," a shorter man hollered over the sounds of battle and screams of the creatures dying around them.
"A Spartan! Get real, Billings, Did you see how she fought?! This chick's like, like a damn ninja," Davis muttered, unable to stop smiling under his visor at the display in front of him.
"Well, I wasn't looking at how she did it. I was busy admiring the assets," Billings added while chewing on his rations, letting loose a chuckle as he readjusted himself behind cover, the others rolling their eyes. "You were all looking, though."
"If you all wouldn't mind," Sergeant Johnson sneered, glaring down at the men as his finger grazed the trigger, "How about we leave the gazing till after we've cleared the area of those fuckin' Covenant, huh?
"Right sarge," Martinez clicked the safety off on his rifle, aiming to help pick off what was remaining.
Johnson however raised a fist into the air, indicating everyone to stop, as a whole new wave of Spirit drop ships could be seen incoming. "Shit, hold that fire boys and girl," Johnson snapped as the wave came down into the distant area not too far away from where they all currently were positioned, the sergeant growled, "Take some cover and get ready for another round!"
Plunging her sword straight through the head of the last standing alien, Pod flew up to 2B, scanning and gathering more information regarding the things 2B had been destroying the entire time they had been in the facility.
"Recommendation, enemy reinforcements have dropped off on the other end of the platform. if unit 2B wishes to engage with further hostile units in the surrounding vicinity it's suggested we regroup with the human forces, to make further progress into achieving mission parameters."
2B pulled her Virtuous Contract up and out from the corpse's head as she surveyed the area. Just how many of these aliens, this, Covenant, as the humans called them, were there? "Good, we have to hurry," 2B wiped the blood splatter off her visor with the sleeve of her uniform, "Keep your readings on the humans, I don't want anyone getting killed on my watch."
"That may prove difficult to the task in mind, unit 2B,"
"Huh, and why is that Pod," 2B turned her heel to face the structure the human forces had taken position on. The Covenant reinforcements were already getting to work on sending down even more waves.
"The Humans are a rather rambunctious group, actively engaging a large body count of Covenant combatant forces without support from this unit and yourself. Despite showing their combat experience and resourcefulness, it's logical to suggest not all the humans will survive this battle."
2B shook her head at the pod's matter-of-fact remark, running forward at full speed toward the platform. "So, they're that stubborn huh, humans are more complicated than we'd ever thought, that's for sure."
Jumping up onto the platform and running up to the humans as they peeked out of their cover opening fire towards the Covenant's direction, 2B couldn't help but note their formations and execution were impressive. Resilience as well, she shouldn't have expected less, they were human after all.
Ducking a plasma charge the dark-skinned soldier caught sight of the white-haired woman approaching from the distance. Her eyes scanned him once, taking in his features. A black, male with a more lean, muscular build, dressed in the same gray and brown uniform as his companions, and judging from the patch and insignia on his shoulder and collar, a highly decorated soldier or possibly, some type of commander.
"Shit! Lady, the hell you doin', get yourself some damn cover," He shouted. 2B slid next to him, crouching just as a round of Covenant plasma shot past her head and hit the wall of the structure behind them.
Eyes scanning her attire, the older-looking gentleman took her in. Before chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief. "Not a Spartan, huh? I mean, shit, it's not every damn day you find a good-lookin' gal fighting with you, but hell." He shifted in the makeshift cover, tightening his grip around his assault rifle before firing off a few volleys towards the advancing alien troops.
"Spartan?" 2B questioned, shifting her to Pod as it floated into view.
"An ancient and legendary race of warriors originating from a pre-historic planetary formation known as Greece. The soldiers were said to be selected during childhood for physical, mental, and tactical advantages among other superior aspects."
"What does that have to do with anything happening today?" 2B mused as she prepared a response, not understanding any reference that was just thrown her way.
Ignoring her, the older, dark-skinned gentleman spat to his left, reloading his rifle. He rubbed his chin a moment, sighing loudly as if he was contemplating."Listen, I wasn't aware of every little thing we took on the Pillar of Autumn. But shit girl, from what I've seen out there," he pointed off towards the rocky cliffs where she came from, then toward the hills ahead, "I'm glad whatever the hell you are, or the organization you're from are on our side, fighting along with us, because in all honestly we aren't as prepared or equipped for this battle like we hoped to be."
"Unit 2B there-" Pod chirped again to the two crouched individuals as it rotated, aiming the large hovering craft before them.
"Another Spirit. We're about to get swarmed." the dark-skinned human let out a heavy growl, ducking lower in his cover as the enemy bullets and plasma charges exploded closer and closer around him and the android next to him, taking potshots at the ground troops coming in, "Oh, and I'm Johnson. Sergeant Avery J. Johnson. You know, just in case you wanna call my name out, sweetie."
Before 2B could question his proposition or attempt an introduction herself, Johnson took a chance and popped up from cover and opened fire on an enemy, managing to hit one of the strange alien's legs, tripping the bastard up before re-hunkering back into his shelter.
"Sergeant," 2B growled as a large explosion erupted from where the group was crouched and taking cover, as the barrages of incoming plasma rounds singed the edge of the structure. 2B and Johnson held strong, not flinching at the explosion. "You and your people should fall back now."
Johnson laughed in disbelief at the notion. His teeth flashing, the laughter audible over the explosions and fire from their rifles."I wouldn't give these alien bastards the damn honor. We're Human MARINE FORCES, trained killers and elite fighting force on behalf of UNSC military," he barked as a swarm of plasma began focusing in their general direction, "And I have a boot that would like to bury itself so damn far up these ugly Covie bastards' asses that their fuckin' alien ancestors would feel a slight chill," he shifted in place again, loading a fresh clip, and releasing the handle. 2B, deciding whether she found Johnson's anecdote disgusting or humorous, huffed as the man continued speaking, "No, we'll stay right fuckin' here, smiling and looking pretty, firing their asses to high hell! And that's an order, darling."
"You're crazy!" 2B exclaimed, having heard humans to be resilient against their odds, but Johnson was insane.
"Crazy ain't the worst thing a Marine has been called before!"
As if mentally connected, the marines cried out a collective 'HOO-RAH,' which their sergeant grinned and agreed with, nodding his head with them before his expression grew grim. He leaned to his left and locked eyes with 2B, an intense look in his eye, "Listen, girl. You want to help?"
2B blinked her eyes at his change of demeanor, "Yeah...I- I want to do what I can."
Johnson nodded toward battle, "Then deal with the Elites!"
Elites? Tilting her head at the odd name, 2B focused a second time on the cluster of enemy combatants making their approach in large numbers and slowly gaining ground, no doubt wanting to surround the human resistance.
"Elites?" She echoed.
Stopping a laugh, Johnson barked out as the firefight intensified, "Suppressing fire! Rough the Covies up!
The marines let out a primal battle cry, in near unison, and leaning out from behind cover, all unleashed a hailstorm of bullets towards the incoming force of Covenant that stormed in their direction.
Gesturing for her to peek over his cover, he pointed into the sea of enemies, "Those small goofy guys, Grunts, no sweat, we'll take care of them. Shitty shots and light troopers. Their best bet is to try and take you down with numbers. Forget them."
"Over here," 2B saw that from the Sergeant's guidance was pointing at one of the bird-like creatures that used shields for protection, who was leading a few of the smaller creatures around. "Those," he gritted out, "are Jackals. Those shields will protect from bullets and plasma. They have great eyes and situational awareness, they could be a problem. But don't let them be," 2B took it all in, remembering each creature type with the given name.
Johnson gazed into her visor, watching for signs of approval, before pointing to one final target, "Those big bastards, are Elites. Mean sons-a-bitches, those."
Looking beyond the makeshift cover, she could see four Elites clad in bright blue armor and brandishing plasma rifles, all heading directly for their positions. "You had the right idea earlier, take them out and the smaller guys are no threat. Eliminate the leaders, and the rest scatter, run and shit themselves. Easy."
"Simple enough," 2B kept eye contact with the sergeant as the Marines fired off everything they had, emptying their magazines into the enemy.
2B steadied herself, pushing herself into a sprinter's position, "I'll hold the Covenant's attention," she spoke in an authoritative tone, "While I'm taking on their commanders. Make the most of my attack, don't shoot me by accident, you got it."
"What's your name," Johnson mumbled under a curse as some Grunts began hobbling towards them, plasma pistols drawn, their strange yelping and hollering cries echoing across the battlefield. 2B stood, unrelenting to the rounds fired her way.
"2B." Vaulting from her cover, sailing straight overhead the marines. Twisting in the air like some sort of angelic dancer, the android gracefully made a rough landing. Dropping and rolling on the floor, and immediately darted to the closest hostile target, sliding forward on her knee as her sword cut through the body of the first alien she came into contact with, slicing it clean in half.
"2B... Definitely not a Spartan," muttered Johnson as he and his company of soldiers drew from cover picking off any grunt or jackal in their sight range, with 2B dancing through the group with blinding speeds.
Raising her weapon, 2B tore a Jackal's arm clean off and plunged her sword into its chest before shoving the dying beast aside. With one swift movement, she quickly threw her blade and severed another Grunt in half that was charging forward to join the fray, swooping in, Pod grabbed the blade and flew it back towards her, allowing her to dispatch another Jackal.
An Elite thinking distance was the key, threw a plasma grenade in her direction. Cartwheel dodging to the left, Pod flew in front and changed its configuration, activating its A090: Wire and firing in the direction of the large alien, wire wrapping around the blue beast's neck. Taking hold of Pod 042, 2B zipped across the field in the blink of an eye. Just as the plasma grenade exploded behind her.
2B and the Elites collided, her sword ripping out the throat of its neck and drawing blood from its chest as it clawed and gasped trying to stifle the wounds and retain any semblance of breathing, but to no avail as it collapsed, lifeless and bleeding, Pod released its tethering to the fallen, floating beside it's master.
Already spinning in her fluid motion, 2B kicked a grunt that tried to sneak up behind her, shattering the small creature's skull and dropping it dead immediately.
A pair of Elites seeing their brother down roared in retaliation, firing and charging towards the android, dodging, and side-stepping the multiple bolts, 2B sighed, in anticipation of their futile actions, these were just larger targets after all.
Plasma grenades landed around her in quick succession, Pod shifted the power for its M shield to maximum as it created an orb around 2B in an attempt to protect her as the rounds detonated around the android, shattering and tearing apart the ground where she once stood.
Smoke and debris engulfed her form. Believing her demise likely, the Elites lowered their weapons, a small breath of laughter emanating from their hidden mandibles as they exchanged their triumph. 2B shot forward from the smokescreen, dive kicking and knocking one of the Elites straight in the chest, over three hundred pounds of android shoving the massive beast to the ground, wind knocking from their chest and forcing the armor on their torso to decompress a little bit.
From their crumpled position, the Elite could see 2B raise her heel and slam down, stomping their face with extreme force and destroying its skull. As its life ceased, 2B spun on the spot. Slashing the other Elite before it could raise its rifle towards the android.
Opening fire on a few grunts Pod hovered over 2B's shoulder, "Alert," as a few Jackals tried surrounding the lone Android, their plasma bolts flying past her and singing the edges of the clothes, "Additional Spirit crafts deploying ground forces."
With an upward slash, 2B decapitates a Jackal. The final remaining Elite let out a bestial scream, shouting and raising its rifle high, yelling and roaring orders to the others, commanding them to surround the small figure.
Standing in the center of the mob, 2B flipped her white hair to her right."The sergeant and his troops have engaged the reinforcements on the other side of the platform," Pod stated in its typical flat monotone voice as 2B assumed a combat stance.
"Why isn't he waiting for us," 2B asked as she sliced open a grunt that ventured to close in on her position, its screams only being muted by its suit's helmet.
Pod shifted around, before firing another spray of energy shots at the other aliens attempting to swarm 2B's position, "Unknown: However, per the sergeant's attitude towards the battle situation, this seems normal behavior," it proposed, noting how the human warrior didn't hesitate a moment before engaging the enemy.
Grinding her teeth as she slew another Jackal, she huffed, "Damn humans, are they all like this."
"Likely."
"Driving me nuts is what they are..."
"It would seem a strong sense of team morale exists among their squad," Pod countered, "Is there an issue, unit 2B.?"
She sighed and twirled her sword, bringing it down and slicing it into the stomach of another Grunt, twisting her body and arcing out her weapon with precision, dispatching another Jackal that was closing in on her. Its corpse falling at her feet."No. But they act like they're the ones doing the rescuing, here!"
The Elites pushed forward, unloading volleys of blue energy towards the two. Hearing the multiple rounds from the aliens' rifles, Pod hovered up to draw their fire away as 2B dashed forward and swung upwards, disarming the Elite of its gun, before swiveling and kicking it in the chest and sending it into a boulder, the shockwaves cracking the rock apart.
Bodies littered around 2B as Pod 042 spun in the air, surveying and analyzing, as the sound of battle raged on the other side of the structure the humans took up position at.
"Mission Successful, remaining enemy activity in the vicinity eliminated," it replied before shooting down to float next to its operator, "Recommendation: rendezvous with the Human Forces. Engage and eliminate remaining hostiles, continuing with the original objective," it added.
Sounds of grenades and heavy gunfire rang through the air. Bullets ricocheted off surfaces around the battlefield and enemy screeching could be heard emanating throughout the war-torn environment, "Huh. They seem like they're handling themselves," she turned around and smirked at Pod 042, "but," the android continued to muse, "let's go and make sure they don't get themselves killed."
"Unit 2B, Humans seem more resourceful than you give credit."
"Aren't you the one who's worried about their safety," 2B jested while rushing towards the opposite side of the structure where the humans took cover. Her pace was fast and steady, her strides graceful as her heels clicked off the grassy hills. "I still want them safe too," 2B called, reaching up and grappling with the edge of the building and vaulting herself onto it.
"Affirmative," it chimed, floating closer to its assigned operator.
"I just think their ability to take care of themselves is... questionable."
"Opinions, noted."
"Course they are," 2B chirped.
As she reached the ledge of the alien structure, Pod began to speak but halted its report, stopping in its tracks, "Unknown entity, Identify yourself," It exclaimed, hovering in place to 2B's flank.
…
2B stood with caution, looking around for a moment for whoever or whatever it was Pod had detected."...Pod?"
…
"...An exchange of information?," it chirped, scanning through its functions, "Are necessary actions within your jurisdiction?" 042's one-sided conversation continued. "Cause? Unknown. What is the reasoning, justification, and motive?"
…
"What are you going on about, Pod?" 2B called from the ledge as the fighting continued behind her.
"Non-classified, and limited knowledge can be provided." It responded.
…
…
The conversation Pod was conducting went quiet. "Any attempt to enter this unit shall be met with, non-lethal, forceful removal."
2B hearing 042's threat aimed at whoever or whatever had attracted its attention caused her to raise an eyebrow in confusion, what was going on?"I can go out and ask those soldiers about some new hostile-"
"Negative," 042 warned, "Entering an exchange with the Humans is not necessary."
"...Then who are you speaking with," 2B countered.
042 froze momentarily, before replying."Another Unit."
"That so?," 2B retorted, watching it rotate and circle to her flank.
"A face-to-face interaction? Illogical. Query: Why would we choose that course of action." It rotated its frame around in the air before coming to a standstill.
…
"A more human approach?" Pod spun on the spot and directed itself to 2B. "Unit 2B, sensors indicate the battle is nearing its conclusion," it reported.
"Pod," 2B questioned in confusion to its lack of answers, "Who is out there. Tell me. We can't have them attacking us or the humans out here. Now tell me what's going on!" she hollered in a frustrated tone, this sudden exchange was quite infuriating and odd.
042 paused, a few lights blinked rapidly, and a whirring noise echoed within its metal frame, "Current objective: rendezvous with and assist the Human Resistance," it demanded, repeating her objectives.
"Don't worry about that right now," 2B ignored his order.
"Negative. Rendezvous must happen."
Flying off without a second thought, 042 ignored 2B's orders as she chased after him, before seeing where it was headed, "What the hell?" jumping off the top of the structure after her pod, sailing through the air, and landed in the middle of the Marine forces, despite the fight ending before she could assist the Humans, most of them looked like they didn't even break a sweat.
Which was strange as the fighting sounded brutal, if not more brutal than the conflict she had been involved with, no doubt from the sheer lack of firepower. They had very little, if any chance to kill these enemies. Yet, none of them are wounded, aside from a few cuts and grazes to the flesh from stray plasma fire here and there. But again, as 2B surveyed, no bullet wounds, or gaping holes.
All around her dead enemies covered the battlefield, yet the humans didn't appear outmatched, or to be hurting for survivors. Perhaps she undervalued their strength?
Shaking her head, 2B gathered her thoughts. She wasn't wrong, before she joined the Humans were barely holding their own in the first wave of the alien army, yet after that? There was some kind of an uneven and illogical turnabout.
How are they not more fatigued? Why do they not look as though they've been fighting for the better half of an hour, without proper supplies and ammunition? These humans don't seem tired, worn, or strained. Not a single ounce. 2B had so many questions running through her head, so many questions on what happened to the rest of this Covenant, and why did she not hear the Marines calling out for backup, or try to contact support? So much had occurred so quickly and in a single span of a few minutes.
She gazed up the slope in front of her, bodies of dead covenant soldiers were scattered up the small hill, some looked like they had been beaten, thrown, or punched to death by something heavy. Others looked like they had been killed with their own plasma weaponry, their guts strewn across the field and faces mutilated, only identifiable by the size and shape of their armor.
Treading up the grassy field, A strange sight stood at the crest, Sergeant Johnson and Pod 042 were speaking with someone, and upon getting closer, 2B finally laid her eyes on it.
An absolutely massive individual, green armor clad their body, and a golden visor peered down at the sergeant as she approached. Standing on the small hill, towering at least a foot taller than Johnson, the bulky armor making this thing appear even larger, its shoulder pad the size of 2B's own head. Was it Human? Preposterous as it might be, the idea that what stood before her was a Machine Lifeform entered the Android's mind.
Looking between her pod and Johnson as they talked, 2B felt a shift in the atmosphere, as it went deadly serious. Golden visor locked onto her the second she appeared, as 2B held its gaze. Her reflection gazing back.
"So she was just flipping around on the battlefield, Sword in hand, killing everything in sight, including their Elites," Johnson gave her the side eye, shifting his rifle between her and the colossus.
"Hold on," The giant's gruff and deep voice barked over Johnson's words, Pod and he turning in her direction.
2B stared, glancing at the golden visor before shifting her attention to his armored hand that began raising itself, palm open, toward her. His movements were slow, but she remained tense, his figure exuding strength and power, towering over everything and everyone.
The being said nothing to her, standing there in his metal plates as a purple light began shining in his outstretched hand. 2B's muscles tensing, eyes widening a bit, her breath caught in her throat. An attack. This massive armored being was about to attack. She was right, after all, he was a machine!
Preparing herself, 2B widened her stance and reached for her sheathed blade. This would end in seconds. This thing would be scrap metal. 2B felt her fingers clutch the hilt of her sword as the mysterious figure's light grew brighter taking shape and...
"Hi there," a small digital image of a... woman? Some humanoid-like strange, tiny, hologram stood there and waved with a soft smile on her features. What the hell...?
"...I'm a- uh... A-" 2B's form dropped slightly in its tensing position. Confused as to what this thing was doing, but kept her hand on her sword nonetheless. "What!?" she managed to exclaim.
The holographic figure's brows raised for a moment, before smiling and looking at Pod 042 in wonder, "You're right Pod 042, your friend here is very-" the woman cut her comment short before starting back up, "Well, it doesn't matter, anyway. Hi there, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Cortana!"
"Cortana...? This is-" 2B murmured, standing and lowering her weapon, gazing at Pod, Johnson, and the large, green-armored figure in confusion. "Who... the hell... are you?"