Ok everyone, a big thank you for the support and reviews. I was surprised that the first chapter got such a positive response. Anyway, since I'm going to be continuing this. There were a couple of things I wanted to make clear. While I am watching the Halo TV series and I do think some things are pretty good, this fic is NOT based on it. If it helps you visualize these characters by thinking they look the same as they do in the show then that's fine.
And while I am a really big fan of the Halo lore, I'm not an expert so there will be some mistakes here and there, so I hope you can forgive me for those. I will try my best to speed up the covenant meeting cause let's be honest that's when the real Halo story starts.
While the first Chapter of this fic was a type of time skipping Journal entry, that is something you won't see too much of. I'll be using that type of chapter as just filler to get more time skipping in there.
Anyway, Enjoy
Pride, it was something that came to Catherine Halsey as she looked out the large observation window and down to her Spartans, what was left of them at least. It's been three months since they went through the final augmentation procedure, and we lost a good number of them. Thirty. Out of seventy-five of my Spartans, thirty died during the procedures while twelve did survive. They were crippled beyond use in active service.
Thirty-three. That was the number of Spartan IIs who survived the augmentation, thirty-three Spartans to protect humanity from all threats 'so what's the point of this?' she couldn't help but find herself wondering. All around her where high ranking officials, both from ONI and UNSC. This is something that has never been done before, there were many different faces she recognized such as Hood, Ackerson, Holland, Cole and even Jacob had found himself here, all standing around a large table that each held a data pad in front of a chair, presumably for each of them. She hasn't seen him in a while, not since she handed Miranda over to him to be raised. But why would they be here? This base is not something that should be used to play host with.
All while they conversed about numerous topics, the Spartans just stood there unmoving in the large atrium underneath them. Standing at attention fully armed and armoured, not in Mjolnir. The experimental armour wasn't ready just yet, so they wore standard UNCS marine armour "this isn't going to end well" a voice interrupted her chain of thought before she could think about the logistics of the armour.
Turning her head she saw her partner in the Spartan program who has been by her side for the last nine years. Franklin Mendez, while he was a step below her in the program due to it being her program. She wasn't stupid enough to think that she could just get rid of him. If there was anyone who knew the Spartans better than her it was him. While she was in the lab preparing them with the best meals, sleep schedules, making sure the augmentations would be successful. He would be with them in person, training them, teaching them, turning them into a unit, a team. They wouldn't be in this position without him "what do you mean?" she asked crossing her arms "they've never been this ready"
"And Parangosky knows it" he added back calmly "she knows what they're capable of, yet we're still here. For a test? No, not for them" he shook his head "she has a competitor, something she wants to see put up against the best" he added, frowning as he looked down to the Spartans.
She couldn't stop the smile from coming onto her face "it won't be a problem" she said confidently "unless she wants to throw a nuke at them it won't matter. They can handle a small army"
"When have you ever known Parangosky to do something unless she was sure it would work in her favour" Mendez countered. While he was proud of his Spartans like her, unlike her however, he wasn't one to let ego get in the way of his critical thinking, but that comes with the territory of being a chief like him. Even the top-ranking officers give respect to those with his rank.
She had to admit, he had a point. She wouldn't lie and say she wasn't a little nervous. She would never say she didn't have faith in her Spartans, but they weren't unstoppable. Not yet "we'll just have to wait and see"
"Not for much longer" he said back quickly, when Hasley turned to look at him, but he didn't turn back to her, he just nodded down to the atrium where her Spartans stood but now, they weren't alone.
"What is she doing?" she asked not even trying to hide the look of anger as she saw the woman who made this meeting possible "Avery Johnson" she mused looking at the well-built man walking in behind her.
"what's one of the Orian successes doing here?" Mendez asked out loud to himself more than to anyone else. Hasley couldn't find an answer, of course she knew everything there was to know about the first attempt of the Spartan program and the steps that they took which in turn made her own work easier.
Down within the atrium one of the many different entrances opened and Parangosky walked in with her head held high and a level of confidence that the Spartans where unused to seeing from anyone other than Halsey and Mendez. Behind her Johnson walked close with his usual attitude and a cigar hanging from his mouth "Spartans!" she announced, the second the word left her mouth. The sound of all their feet hitting the ground echoed throughout the entire atrium as they saluted her, easily able to recognize the rank on her shoulder "my name is Admiral Margaret Parangosky" she introduced herself "at ease" as if in one body all thirty-three of them placed both their hands behind their backs and their legs separated a perfect distance from each other.
For a moment the Admiral just walked back and forth, inspecting each of the people in front of her. They were far larger than herself even though they were only fifth teen years of age, those augmentations really did wonders for them. Of course, she had all the files on each of them, but this would be the first time she's meeting them in person, it's good to see them with her own eyes. They were unmoving, unflinching, in truth it was a little unnerving "I understand a leader has been chosen among you" she spoke "step forward"
Someone immediately did, of course she knew who this was. She read the file carefully, she knew everything about him "John 117" she said.
"Ma'am" he nodded back before starring forward yet again.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I am a Spartan ma'am"
"And what is a Spartan?" she added with a tilt of the head.
"Spartans are the most elite of the UNSC soldierly, each one being given mechanical and biological augmentations that will allow us to adapt and excel in any combat situation" he listed like he was nothing more than a machine then a man.
"Is that so?" she asked taking a step closer towards him "and I assume you would stand by your fellow soldiers in the face of war?"
"I will never leave my Spartan's behind" the answer was immediate.
She shook her head "I never said Spartans I said fellow soldiers"
His answer wasn't as quick this time, but it did come "I won't run from the front lines, if marines and ODSTs are beside me I'll watch their backs as they will mine" he reasoned.
She was quite for a moment, not because she didn't know what to say but just to allow him to squaller in her presence, which he did do. He may be a Spartan but he was also a teenager and no matter how much Catherine wanted to pretend otherwise, he wasn't a machine. Only the most elite and battle hardened of veterans didn't squirm under her gaze, only due to the fact they would be so emotionally dead after everything they've been though "It's funny you should mention the ODST's 117" she started to slowly pace in front of him "in fact, you hold a record. So far in your military career you're responsible for the deaths of more friendlies than enemies"
His silence was deafening as was the silence from everyone was even more so, the other Spartans held no emotion but she could tell that they all became tense at her words "three ODST's dead in a gym by your hand" she added.
"Your statement is flawed" he said back calmly as he could.
She tilted her head at him "is it?" she asked.
He nodded "those ODST's were not friendlies, they came to me looking for violence. I simply defended myself. I do admit that killing them was not something that I wanted to do, at the time I was testing myself after the augmentations where given. Trying to understand my new limits" his eyes looked down to the ground and a small look of shame found itself on his face "their deaths where regrettable and if I had the chance to make it right I would have done"
She was quite yet again as she looked at him but unlike last time the tension in everyone was lessoned, she turned away and started to walk a long line around all of them "If you would?" she asked nodding to Johnson before making her way out of the atrium, it was time she met up with the audience.
"Spartans!" he shouted taking the cigar out of his mouth, immediately they all once again saluted. Unlike Parangosky however, he had them hold it for a little longer "let me explain to you the situation you have now found yourself in. At ease" they all once again assumed the relaxed stance and 117 took his place back with the others "as your leader has said, you've been trained to be the best of the best, you've been trained to be an unstoppable force. This going to be your chance to prove it to not only to yourselves but those important people looking down on you" he waved a finger over his shoulder pointing to the observation window "every single one of you, the entire Spartan II program is about to face off in a live fire exercise against Project Atlas"
As he said this, even though their heads didn't move, he could see that their eyes were looking side to side, glancing at each other. He wasn't surprised, this would be a first for them. He's read to reports, he knew that they've only ever fought against each other and never in live fire "You're objective, eliminate project Atlas. You have one hour to prepare yourselves and head to the meeting point at the edge of the base. Dismissed" everyone saluted before moving away in a single file line, their step perfectly in sync with each other.
The doors opened and she walked through them and Parangosky entered the observation room to be surrounded by the only humans alive who could match her politicly, she laughed mentally. Ok that was lie, only Hood could do that with him being the Admiral of the UNSC overall. The others could shout and complain and could do it loudly, but they wouldn't make much of an impact.
"Margrit, so lovely to see you again" Hood said being the first to take a step forward and offer his hand to her.
Which she did take without issue "Likewise Terance" she smiled back. That was one of the benefits of being the top of the food chain, you're allowed to say first names without too much draw back "did you have nice flight in?" she asked as the two made their way to the centre of the room.
"I did, it gave me time to read through this Spartan Program" he said with a calming voice, she knew that he didn't have the full picture. Even if she was sure she could get away with it one way or another, if Hood ever found out about the truth of the program he would not stop until he knew everyone who was responsible was in prison. That why he was only told about it now, due to the augmentations you wouldn't be able to tell how old the Spartans where and when the file hood was given said they were the right age, who could argue?
"Project Atlas?" a new voice said from beside her, turning her head she was met with the woman she really to loath, even if she knew she needed her "I wasn't aware my Spartans had a competitor?" Dr Halsey's was polite but at the same time stern.
Parangosky gave Hasley a cold stare which was returned "there are many projects you are not aware of Doctor Halsey, just as many are not aware of yours" she simply added.
And wasn't that a bitch? Something that Halsey couldn't argue against, something no-one here could argue against. Everyone here knew exactly what ONI was and Parangosky was queen bitch of that kingdom, she was the only one that got all the information "If I had known that there was a project that could rival my own program, I would have been happy to assist" she added with a slight condescending tone.
That was true, neither Admiral Hood nor Parangosky doubted that but that doesn't mean it was something she wanted, she didn't want Halsey anywhere near Atlas. It would go completely against what she wanted the project to be "I believe Doctor Stevens has the situation well in hand" she simply replied.
Doctor Stevens? The name meant nothing to Halsey, either it was someone who needed to be kept a secret much like herself or someone to low profile to notice. Knowing Parangosky it could be either.
"And you do have our attention" Hood said before Hasley could speak up "I do hate to rush things Margrit but if we only have an hour before the War Game starts and since I have a feeling, we're going to need more than that to be caught up on Atlas, perhaps we should begin" he added calmly. Looking around at the others in the room Parangosky could see that while they were talking to each other, they weren't trying to hide the glances they were giving each her. They too were eager to get started.
"Very well then" when she turned and started to walk towards the table, everyone immediately turned away from the one they were talking too and took a seat. There was no particular order to the seating, they were very high in the military food chain so to speak. No matter where you were sitting, everyone knew who was in charge. Or at the very least who could punish who for stepping out of turn.
When all where sat down, the data pads in front of them where opened and they could all see the same file "this is project Atlas, the reason each of you are here is because some of you are a high enough rank to find out regardless" her eyes found that of Hood, Cole and Holland "Some have qualities that could be useful in the future" eyes landing on Ackerson, Mendez and Hasley "and one, who already knows of it" Key's own eyes widened when he caught on to what was being said. Honestly, she was surprised that he was surprised, he was the one to find Atlas in the first place after all 'he must have thought we would have killed him' she mused mentally "I'll give you a few moments to read through it before we continue"
It was complete silence, every single person in the room was glued to the data pads. As Parangosky observed each of them, there were many different emotions being put on display. Hood was looking over everything with a hard stare, his military mind going over every detail and how best Atlas's power could be used. Very similar to how Cole and Holland looked though they both seemed much more surprised and almost unbelieving of the data they were looking at. Not that they would ever say it out loud, they did believe it. It was just hard for them.
Ackerson on the other hand had a small smirk on his face, no doubt seeing how he would use someone of Atlas's power. Not that she would let Ackerson anywhere near him until Atlas is old enough to have a little more cynical traits in his mind, according to Steven's Atlas is a bit too trusting at the moment. No, Ackerson was here for another reason.
Keys and Mendez had the most neutral of reactions, each looking down with neutral gazes as they read, for Keys she shouldn't be too surprised. He did already know about him, as for Mendez, well she could only assume that after everything he's been through. He's just too emotionally dead to be surprised by anything anymore.
Hasley on the other hand, that was a reaction she would lock in her memory for the rest of her life. The more she read the higher the levels of disbelief and anger appeared. She has no doubt started to realize just what her Spartans are going to be going up against and just how low the chances where 'is that fear I see on your face' she thought to herself. Parangosky almost felt bad for her but then realized that she wouldn't be worried for the Spartans as people but as a craftsman that was about to lose their favourite tool.
"I must say Margrit, this is certainly ambitious, even for you" Hood was the first to say. Of course, he hadn't read through the entire thing. It was hundreds of pages long and would take hours to finish everything.
She would assume that he only read the first few introduction pages which simply have a brief explanation as to what Atlas really was, what he could do and what the plan was "indeed" she nodded "I saw an opportunity to create something really... special" she added, little childish but the word fit the purpose.
"The potential is undeniable" Key's speaks up "but I am worried about what this means when word is spread" he looks up towards her and continues "there's no way you'll be able to hide something like this, especially if you want him on the front lines. There won't be a secret for very long" he warned.
She found herself nodding back "I'm counting on it" she said back calmly "the whole point of Atlas is to be a symbol people can look up too"
"More than that" Ackerson spoke up though he was still looking down to the data "you want him to be a weapon just like the Spartans. But not against the insurrectionists" He turned and looked at her "you want him to fight against his own people" he summarized not hard to put together when you really thought about it, if there was one alien that could do these things. There could be a very good they'll be an entire race that could do the same.
"We are his people" she corrected "we cared for him, we raised him, and he's been loved. He has no reason to choose them over us"
"Do not underestimate the argument of home vs heritage" Mendez spoke up looking towards the Admiral "that could always go either way"
She simply tilted her head at him "and yet you continue your own work with the Spartans" she added with a calm tone. Mendez didn't say anything else, not with the other big wigs present. It was a hard point to argue against, the Spartans at the end of the day were children kidnapped from the outer colonies, indoctrinated and trained to fight against terrorists from the outer colonies.
"My Spartans have spent years being trained in every way to be masters of warfare" Hasley spoke up looking form the data pad finally, though she did leave out the brutal indoctrination process they all went through "their loyalty to the UNSC has never been in question and it never will. You can raise... it however you want. But what do you think will happen when it sees the dark side humanity has, do you think it'll be so happy to fight for you"
"Yes, I do" Parangosky was always confident in her words, it was quality of the job "Atlas will be the one humanity will look up to and when the insurrectionists see him on the battlefield, they'll surrender at the mere sight of him. He'll end wars before they even begin" she eyed the scientist "he'll make your Spartans obsolete before they can even start" the smile she gave her was a little much but the frown of anger on Halsey's face made it worth it.
"That Halsey woman really doesn't like me" Alt said as he stood with Stevens. The two of them sat side by side in the back of a jeep. When they arrived, an escort was there to meet them and within a few minutes they were driving around the border of the base. It was a big base, bigger than any he's seen before, it's been fifth teen minutes of driving and they still haven't reached the edge.
While they both sat in the back of the Warthog as the soldiers drove them forwards, Stevens was looking at a data pad that had who knows what on it. Alt on the other had been trying to relax, letting the wind flow over him. Though to be fair he also used his hearing in order to listen to what was being said about him in that meeting neither of them were allowed to attend. Which seemed ridiculous to him, the meeting was about him for god's sake.
"You can't blame her" Stevens said as he looked over towards him "you're about to ruin years of her work"
"I'm not going to kill them" he frowned back.
Seeing his face, Stevens put the pad down and wrapped a hand around his shoulders and pulled him into a sideways "no-one's going to make you do that. Whatever she said, I'm sure it was just to make Halsey squirm. Parangosky doesn't like her very much" leaning down he whispered in his ear "and I thought we agreed not to talk about what you can hear when we have company" he nodded towards the two soldiers that were driving them.
"They can't hear us when we talk this low" he responded calmly, looking to the left and off the side of the truck. His eyes landing on the primary building complex, though he frowned when he looked closer. The iris twisting and turning like a camera lense, the very walls of the building becoming transparent. Though what really got his attention was a grouping of heavily armed soldiers going over their weapons "you said there were thirty-three of these Spartans right?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, they're supposed to be the best of the best. Which is why you're going up against them" Stevens said back from behind him "why?" he asked.
Without looking back, Alt shrugged "They look... younger than I would have thought" he added.
"...yeah" he sighed back looking back down to the data pad "I'm still looking over the data of this program. They are young but at the same time, they've been augmented more than anyone else has. They'll pack a punch. Well, not sure how much that will matter compared to you, but you know... it's worth knowing" he added.
And that was what caused Alt to be confused, if it was so clear he was going to win then what was the point. Was it just to show him off to the high-ranking important people? Though he didn't get to entertain the idea for long as the truck stopped, looking out he could see that they were outside the edge of a woodland, not really big but it was enough to have a fight in. When he and Stevens stepped out, the two who were driving led them to small buildings that could almost pass for shipping containers.
Three of them, separated by a few meters. The front of each had a wall completely missing giving view to a very advanced looking piece of computer tech, there was well over a dozen different people all typing away on the different screens and talking to each other. Though when the two stepped forward, a woman turned and walked over to great them "Oh shit" he heard Stevens say to himself.
The woman had a stern expression on her face and regarded them both coldly as she stopped in front of them "Stevens" she said with frown on her face.
A look that he returned "Williams" he said placing a hand on Alt's shoulder "so... good to see you again" he added though it seemed like it was strain to say even that.
"No, it's not" she immediately said back crossing her arms as she looked down to Alt "so this is Atlas" she said matter of fact looking down at him and he started to feel like he was under a microscope "go to the second observation box" she pointed to the second open container "get changed into the monitoring suit and wait there until you're called" she ordered.
It took a lot of effort to not tell this woman to just piss off 'could she just ask nicely' he thought to himself as he frowned at her "is there a problem?" she asked him with a frown.
"there's about to be" he found himself saying before Stevens could stop him. Though before this Williams could retort, he beat her too it.
"Hey!" he scolded with an angry tone causing Alt to look up at him "go get dressed" he added.
Sighing, Alt placed his hands in his pockets and sulked off towards the container he was sent to. Walking in he could see that it was made to look like some type of changing room, coat hangers, benches and a sheet of blurry glass that would be used for changing behind. Though there was no missing the large glass locker that held a really weird looking suit, it wasn't armour, looked more like a tight one piece that would be a tight fit. It was easy to make out what it was used for on the other hand, based on the number of wires and small camera's spread around different points on it. Not to mention the small ear-peace that was hanging from a loose wire around the neck.
It wasn't noticeable, not really. You'd only see it if you were looking at it, if you weren't then you would see a dark blue suit that had small red lines that went across the arms, legs and chest. Though that was just because they hide the wires that connect everything together.
Stopping in front of the locker, Alt gave out a small sight and opened it before taking the suit and moving behind the glass. Not that he was shy about his body, he's been around doctors and exams all his life, at this point he's kind numb to it all. What was annoying on the other hand was listening to what was being said in the main control container, at least that's what he assumed it was.
"He's unstable" he heard Williams say with an annoyed voice.
"He's a teenager" Stevens said back in an unamused voice "what do you expect?"
"He's a weapon" she shot back and Alt halted as he dropped his shirt to the ground, he hated being called a weapon. He knew who he was and he didn't need this bitch telling him otherwise "And I expect him to follow the orders he's given"
"Soldiers follow order, he hasn't signed up to anything yet. As far as the law is concerned, he can't be ordered to do anything due to someone's rank"
"Oh of course" the sarcasm was a little thick "because we give two shits about the law. It's worth more to ONI then a small army, you really think Parangosky will let it choose its own life?"
Sitting on a bench behind the glass, Alt's jaw tightened as he listened. Steven's never lied to him, neither did Johnson. He knew what was expected of him and in truth, he didn't mind all that much. He liked that he would be helping people, what kind of monster would he be if he said no to that? But that doesn't mean he wanted it to be force on him. Shouldn't he be able to choose his own life?
"Thankfully she won't have to force anything. Because he wants to help people. I've done what I can to raise him right, he values human life and I'm confident that once he gets the chance. He'll sign up of his own accord"
That was true, Alt sighed as he zipped up the centre of the suit and rested his arms on his knees for a moment, letting the small earpiece hang from its wire for now. He would have liked to just centre himself for a couple of minutes, but it seemed that wasn't going to happen. The sound of loud engines caught his ears, twisting his head to look out the container. It was hard not to see the silhouette of a pelican get closer and closer until it was hovering just in front of the three containers. Slowly the ship turned around and landed, when it did Stevens and Williams both stepped out.
Though Alt stayed where he was for a moment, besides it would take another minute for the thing to land and the ramp to lower anyway. Closing his eyes, he took a couple of deep breaths. This was something that was not easy, in fact it was really hard. Being able to shut out what was happening around him, took a lot of focus. It took him weeks of training, a training which consisted of him lying in his bed and trying to shut out all the sounds, all the smells and all the tastes. It was the only way he could sleep anymore, if he couldn't do this then the world would just be too loud to focus on anything, like sleep for example.
It's hard to tell how much time passes when he does this so when that "ALT!" came from outside, he didn't know if it was the first time Stevens said his name or the sixth. But knowing that he could delay anymore then he already has done, standing up Alt walked around the glass and made his way outside. When he did he saw a small group of people, some he didn't recognize, some he did.
When he got close enough, Stevens moved a few steps towards him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder "how does it fit?" he asked.
Alt gave him a half shrug "it's a little snug" he added.
All he received was a sympathetic smile "yeah, unfortunately that was unavoidable. Anyway, let's do some introductions shall we?" he smiled a little bit more brightly as he gestured to those in front of him "we have Admiral's Hood and Parangosky. Admiral Hood is the head of the UNSC navy and Admiral Parangosky is the head of ONI" he said.
Alt stepped forward and reached out with his hand "it's nice to meet you, I'm Alt" she with a small smile.
If Hood had a problem shaking hands with an alien, he didn't show it. He grabbed Alt's hand and shook it firmly "it's good to meet you son, I'm looking forward to what you can show us" he said.
Alt nodded with a nervous hue "I'll try not to disappoint"
"Well, I certainly hope not" the woman who stood beside Hood spoke as she took a step forward "Now it would be embarrassing for you to stop impressing us now that we're all watching"
Letting go of Hoods hand, Alt turned to look at Parangosky. He knew who she was, while he's never met the woman he knew all about her, Stevens never lied to him about who his work boss was and how powerful she was "I thought you were always watching?" he challenged with a small smirk.
Far from being offended, if anything she seemed to like his attitude towards her "oh not always, but when I'm not you can be sure someone is doing it for me"
"I don't doubt that" he found himself saying, it was a reasonable enough guess to say that she knew that he knew that he has been surrounded by ONI agents his entire life.
Based on the small smirk she gave him, he hit the nail on the head "I do find myself wondering what your own personal plan is" Hood interrupted the two "from the reports, you don't have a problem fighting for your people. But in what way do you want to do that?"
Now that was a first, sure Alts thought about this before but it was first time someone's asked him. Not even Stevens asked him about this before. After a moment he was able to answer "for a while I didn't even know, I thought about joining the army or navy, but I know that it'll never happen the same as it would for someone else" his eyes found Parangosky's for a moment. Not that he would blame her, he would do the same if the situation was reversed "I want to stop the insurrectionists but... I don't want to fight them. They just need convincing that they're wrong"
Both Hood and Parangosky's eyes softened for a small moment before they returned to the public faces they put on. Maybe they agreed with him, maybe they thought he was naïve, but he also knew that he would be meeting the insurrectionists one way or another, they couldn't afford not send him into the fight. Especially after they see what he can do against the Spartans in this little war game.
Though before someone else could continue the conversation, a new voice joined the others "well, isn't that just lovely" looking over the Admirals shoulder. He saw a middle-aged woman with blonde air that that just reached the base of her neck, while Alt has never seen her before, he recognized the voice from the meeting he overheard earlier, Hasley. Though to his surprise the head of the Spartan program instead turned her gaze to Stevens "it seems your... methods didn't quite work out"
'What the hell was that supposed to mean?' Alt founding himself thinking with a scowl. Stevens on the other hand just put on a relaxed smile "Well, you can't control everything your child dose. Just raise them as well as you can and hope for the best. Not that I expect you would understand that" there was a certain point to his tone that Alt found himself thinking that there was something he was missing and when he saw the frown that appeared on Hasley's face, he knew he was missing something.
"Perhaps it would be best if we begin" one of the men who wore a uniform with a lot of ranks of the side spoke up, he didn't know how he was and he and the others started to walk towards the centre monitoring station before he could ask.
Steven's nudged his shoulder and the two started to walk away in the opposite direction "what was that about?" Alt found himself asking.
"hhmm, oh Hasley?" he asked and after he got a nod, he continued "It's kind of an open secret that she got pregnant a while ago and rather than try and raise her child, she just dumped the kid on the father" he explained.
"What a bitch" he found himself saying before he could stop himself.
"Hey!" Stevens scowled with a small slap on the back on his head, not that it hurt but it was the intention that mattered "I don't like that language"
"Sorry" he said back quickly in a quite tone but it was clear that he didn't mean it.
After a moment the two stopped in front of a metal fence with a small gate "Ok" Alt turned around to look at Stevens while he placed a hand on his shoulder "once you step through that gate, just wait there for a moment and we'll let you know when to start. And listen, the objective of the Spartans is to kill you but you can go about this however you want, kill them or knock them out. It's up to you but the important thing right now is to show off what you can do"
Alt listened to his words and after considering them he nodded "I'm not going to kill them" he said firmly.
"good" Stevens smiled "that would make it easier for that lot to accept you. Hey" he said as he let go of the shoulder and looked down to him "you and me. What are we?" he asked.
Alt smiled at little "we're a team" he responded.
"Damn right" he started to walk backwards "knock them dead. Love you son"
"You too dad" Alt called out automatically before he turned around and walked towards the metal gate.
Ok guys. Let me know what you all think in the reviews down bellow (Again, Sorry in advance for any lore mistakes that came from this chapter) Though I do want to say that I'm basing the personalities of some characters such as Mendez, Halsey and Parangosky from how they are portrayed in some of the books, specifically 'Glasslands' It's a great read, can't recommend it enough. There's even some quotes from there in here.
