To Kelly's annoyance, Manny and Makoa were using her as a pillow with Makoa on her right and Manny sleeping on her left thigh. She is thankful for the peace and quiet, as she has a limit with the two Morons.
While the two Elites were at the very end of the Pelican deciding not to sit down. The two grunts on the other hand were sleeping in front of her using her legs as pillows. Kat snickered at the site in front of her much to Kelly's annoyance.
" So what is the relationship between those two?" A voice said to her. Kelly looked up at Dr. Halsey who was right across from her. Must be referring to the two Marines who decided she would make for a good pillow.
" Uh well," Kelly spaced out.
"Are you in some sort of polyamorous relationship?" She asked making Kelly's face turn bright red. While Jesus spit out his water and desperately tried to hold in his laugh alongside Rigo who was smiling like a moron with Dani, while Raj was pinching his cheek to avoid laughing as well, Pards just shook his head. Kelly was awestruck while the two marines just kept on sleeping. She does not mind but man they are clingy sometimes.
" Well corporal?" Halsey questioned again.
" No ma'am, we are more like.. Siblings more than anything." She finally muttered. Halsey nodded her head. " Ah, I see." She responded.
" Considering how they are practically laying all over you, I came to that conclusion but I guess that is not the case." She finished.
" This is very common ma'am, Marines usually lay on each other while sleeping." She responded to the doctor.
" Interesting." Halsey said.
" Why the questions Ma'am?" Kelly questioned. Halsey turned back to her, she showed her handcuffs. " Being in cuffs and imprisoned there was very little, in the terms of entertainment so why not." She shrugged her shoulders. Kelly simply nodded.
Now that awkward moment was out of the way Halsey went back to her datapad. Although Jesus, Rigo, Ashley, and even Chips were giving her teasing looks, the Marine responded by flipping them off. The Pelican then entered Earth's atmosphere, It must be rain season as the Marines could hear the raindrops hitting the Pelican. " Earth is as beautiful as ever" Stacker commented.
" First time back on Earth sir?" The pilot questioned.
"No, but the circumstances before were less than ideal" Stacker simply responded.
" Well, it is good that it is under better circumstances." The pilot said. Stacker sighed
" Here is hoping." The base then came into view
" 20 minutes out from Oni base." The pilot said on the speakers let out. It looked like Kelly was going to have to wake them up soon.
15 minutes later
" 5 minutes out from ONI base." The pilot said over the speakers.
Kelly nudged the marines that were sleeping on her. " Come you two wake up" She whispered. Makoa and Manny both groggily got up. Makoa let out a yawn, while Manny cracked his neck. " We are here already." Makoa whined.
" The glories of space engines." Manny lazily yawned, stretching his arms.
" All right everybody check your gear." Stacker ordered. The Marines started to check their weapons and ammo. Rigo strapped his helmet on while Jesus loaded his BR.
Carlos calibrated his sniper scope, " Everywhere we go you always bring that damn sniper with you." Makoa snickered.
" Don't worry, I 'll make it work." Carlos responded. Makoa scoffed and took out his canteen and took a big gulp.
" Oh my fucking god you are so fucking loud when you are drinking," Frankie said annoyed.
Makoa rolled his eyes at Frank. " Whatever bro." he said sheepishly, only to be hit on the head by Kelly.
" Kells, what was that for!!" the Marine blurted out, turning to her.
" Have some class Koa, Frankie is right you eat and drink way too loudly sometimes." She scolded him. Knowing she is correct and that he can never win an argument with her. " Fine." He muttered.
" Yeah that's a go—" Before Frankie could finish Kelly gave him a death glare quickly shutting him up, not that she minded him busting Makoa's balls but they were on a mission right now, time for messing around was over.
The Pelican landed with a thud, everybody got up from their seats, the Pelican's door opened, and the Marine and ONI agents were met with heavy rain.
" Welcome to Maryland." an ONI agent said greeting them on the tarmac.
Ahh Earth, humanity's homeworld.
The Marines and their alien allies disembarked the Pelican. The two Elites and grunts were in awe at how beautiful the planet was, specifically Thezo.
Kelly and her squadmates followed the ONI agent off the landing pad. The base itself was pretty generic and not that impressive, at least that's what Kelly thought compared to the one in New Mombasa. The marines left the Helipad and continued following the ONI agent through the courtyard.
They then arrived at the entrance. " After you Halsey." Ramirez said letting the scientist go first with the ONI agents entering behind her followed by the Marines.
The inside was more impressive than the outside, but still pretty mediocre. The agent then led them up the stairs toward a rail elevator the same one on the Cairo and the Athens. Once inside, Ramirez then typed in the coordinates. The elevator went forward through the facility Kelly sat down on one of the benches, With Halsey and Makoa sitting to her left, while Yaz and Wip decided to sit on the ground in front of her. She looked out the window. The base interestingly has the same layout and was relatively similar to Athens station. There were differences but it was familiar.
" Enjoying the site Corporal Kelly?" Athena asked.
She shrugged " I guess, this place is not that special. She responded nonchalantly.
" Who are you talking to?" Ash asked, taking a seat right next to Kelly.
" Who do you think?" She responded. Ashley pondered for a minute, before finally figuring it out. " Oh the AI right." She said.
" I have a name you know" Athena responded over Ashley's commes.
" Oh yeah, what was it again? Kelly" She asked her friend.
The marine smirked. " You tell me, here's a hint her name is related to a city." She told her. Ashley thought about it then she found her answer. " Athena right named after the Nordic goddess." She answered, well half right at least.
" Greek, not Nordic" Makoa interjected. Leave it to the history nerd to always be focused on the smallest of things.
" Always eavesdropping as usual huh Koa" Ashley teased.
Makoa shrugged " I am just saying."
" Everything involving history and politics Makoa got you, you want to talk about the economic state of the world he got you, want to have a normal conversation no, but unhinged rants about politicians and foreign policy hell yeah." Frankie made fun of him, no doubt annoying him. But making Kelly and Ashley chuckle, also earning a smirk from Halsey. Everyone else for once decided not to join in and were doing their own thing. Manny, Jesus, and Rigo were busy goofing off as Usual. Carlos, Raj, and Pards were having their conversation.
The Grunts were now asleep using Kelly's legs as pillows much to her annoyance but she got used to it by now. Stacker well he was just relaxing in his seat with Dani seated right near to him. At the same time, Athena was busy listening to Kat and Sara's story back on Reach.
" Bru why you go to do me like that?" Makoa asked.
" You do it to yourself" Frankie swiftly responded.
Makoa scoffed in response.
" Well anyways, Corporal Shefte is right my name Athena is based on the Greek goddess." Athena said.
" Nordic, Greek same thing." Ashley said innocently.
Earning a glare from Makoa. " What?" Ashley teased trying to get a reaction out of him.
"Nothing" the Marine shook his head at her. The train car stopped and then ascended above the installation.
The elevator stopped at the top floor, Everyone exited with the two Grunts waddled behind the rest of the group. They proceeded through a long hallway reaching its end. Ramirez opened the door to let Halsey in. Makoa and Kelly followed only to be stopped by him. " Sorry, only ONI personnel are allowed in here." He told the two marines.
" Then why the hell did you bring us here in the first place?" Makoa asked annoyed. All the other Marines nodded in agreement
Ramirez held his hands up. " Just bear with me, just wait out here and stand guard."
Marcus then stepped in. " You heard him, everybody be on guard".
Chips rolled his eyes in annoyance. " Fucking Spooks, just like them to pull some bullshit like this." He said earning agreement from the rest of the marines.
" You can say that again." Kat said the Spartan was not too fond of ONI as well.
" Uhm Spooks?" Thezo questioned with his zealot counterpart wondering as well,
The two Grunts were too busy being Grunts so they were not really interested in the conversation.
" Spook it means that– It is a slur term referring to Oni agents" Athena interrupted, earning an annoyed glare from Makoa.
" Damn, you really going to let her do you like that Makoa?" Rigo teased. Making all the guys laugh.
" Me personally I would not take that disrespect." Frankie joined in.
" Man you know what, screw you guys I am just going to stay silent now" Makoa pouted.
Christian smiled " Oh come on Makoa quit being a dork, you know we are just messing with you." He said.
Makoa just flipped him off
" Sorry I meant no offense" Athena apologized to them.
Kelly shook her head. "Don't apologize, they are just morons" Earning a chuckle from Sara and Ashley Even Kat.
20 minutes have now passed, and the Marines were starting to get restless, To pass the time Rigo, Manny, Frankie, Carlos, and Jesus decided to play some UNO much to the protest of Stacker, but as they were in the most secured facilities on Earth he conceded. The two Elites watched with interest. The two Grunts fell asleep again. The three Women just kept watch alongside Christian Makoa and the other Marines.
" So Kelly got anyone special to ask out for the dance? Any guy in particular" Ashley asked freaking Kelly out. To be honest the marine did not have anyone in mind. Well it had to do with the fact that she was into women not guys, and over half the girls got asked out and she really could find anyone the only ones are left are the officers, but Kelly wasn't that desperate for a date. " Honestly I don't have anyone in mind' Kelly said desperately trying to change the subject.
" Oh come on, no one in particular." Ashley teased. She wanted to tell her, but after the incident with her parents she was terrified. Kelly brushed off the bad memories. " Listen Ash I need to tell you something was she really going to tell her." She said getting her best friend's attention. " What is it?" She asked. Kelly took a deep breath in " I am a le— Rigo you fucking cheater!!" Manny said interrupting her. " What do you mean how the fuck would I cheat at UNO!!" He shot back causing an argument.
" What was it you were trying to tell me Kells." Ashley asked. Kelly sighed "Nevermind."
Interrogation room:
Dr. Halsey knew exactly why she was here, Paragrosky. The psychotic woman had it out for her for the longest time. She considered her not loyal and was appalled by her undermining her authority. The scientist wasn't at all surprised when she had her arrested as soon as the war was over.
" Tell me about the children?" The Oni agent asked. There was a long period of silence. " Dr. Halsey." The Agent said her name in an attempt to break it. She turned to the interrogator and gave him a cold look. " You already know everything." She responded.
The ONI agent scowled at her " You kidnapped them."
Halsey shook her head. "Children's minds are more easily accepting of indoctrination, their bodies more adaptable to augmentation, the result was the ultimate soldier, and because of our success when the Covenant invaded we were ready." She responded. As immoral situation of how the Spartans came to be, you can't doubt that Halsey was right. " Messed up Situation." An ONI agent whispered to Ramirez, who nodded in agreement.
" Dr. Halsey you upended history for your own favor and you know it, you developed the Spartans to crush human rebellion, not to fight the Covenant." The interrogator spat.
Halsey sighed and looked up "When one human world fell after another, when my Spartans were all that stood between humanity and extinction nobody was concerned about why they were originally built." She responded
" So you feel in the end your choices were justified?" The agent questioned more.
Halsey looked the agent in the eye " My work saved the Human race."
" Do you think the Spartans' lack of humanity helped?" the agent asked another question, standing up from his seat
" What are you after? The others before you were Naval intelligence officers, but you, you're something else." She responded.
" Records show that Spartans routinely exhibited mildly sociopathic tendencies, difficulty with socialization— "
" Records show efficient behavior operating in hazardous situations I supplied the tools to maintain that efficiency" She interrupted.
" Do you believe the Master Chief succeeded because he was at his core broken?" He asked placing his hand on the table.
" What does John have to do with this?" Halsey responded with a question of her own.
" You want to replace him?" She accused.
" The Master Chief is dead" The agent coldly stated.
" His file reads missing in action." Halsey emphasizes the missing part.
" Catherine, Spartans never die" The agent responded with great ignorance making Catherine roll her eyes
" Your mistake is seeing Spartans as military hardware, my Spartans are humanity's next step our destiny as a species do not underestimate them, but most of all do not underestimate him." She said.
" That is all for my questions take miss Halsey to her cell." The agent said
" No can do." Another agent said coming into the room.
He set down a piece of paper," Orders came from the top, Halsey is to be freed, to work on a new Spartan program and other projects." The agent said.
" You can't be serious after all the things she did, we are just going to let her go!?" The agent protested.
The other agent simply nodded. " This is bullshit" the interrogator spat exiting out of the room.
" All right, let's get these cuffs off of you." the other agent said. Halsey put her hands out, and the spook took off the cuffs.
" Here is some paperwork for you, looks like the proposals you made to the Brass came through." He said. Halsey picked up the paper, it read Spartan 4 program. She flipped through the pages for some candidates for them, and some other details. " Huh looks like I am going to be working on the Athens for a little bit." She said. Looks like Admiral Hood came through.
" Ma'am it is time to go." Ramirez said. Halsey sighed, Ramirez held the door open for the doctor followed by the other agent.
The Marines were relieved to see the doctor finally come out of the interrogation room.
" Finally." Makoa muttered.
" Alright everybody check that you have everything we are heading back to the Athens." Ramirez told them.
" Just like that, we are back here on Earth and we are already leaving" Frankie complained.
" It is whatever bro be thankful we did not get shot at for once." Carlos responded. Frankie grumbled in annoyance.
" Quit complaining we here on assignment, not shore leave." Rigo responded.
" Hey cut the chatter, and get in the damn elevator." Marcus ordered before an argument could break out. The one Spartan, Marines, and the few Spooks entered the elevator, it took them to the first floor and proceeded on the same path when the group first went into the facility. Everybody didn't say a word some of the Marines were bummed out that they could not stay on Earth for some time. Ashley was still wondering what Kelly was trying to tell her but decided not to pry
" Well, that was a short visit" Athena commented breaking the silence.
" Would of been nice to go visit New York again." Carlos said. Raj and Dani nodded in agreement
" New York? Bro I would rather spend some shore leave back at home in Cali." Makoa responded.
" Why would you want to go there? Why not go someplace new." Jesus asked.
" I would like to go someplace new, but if I was going use the little free time I have, I would rather be back home spending time with my family." Makoa answered.
" Understandable." Jesus responded.
" Also to reminisce about the good times I had torturing Christian." Makoa added.
Christian rolled his eyes " Dork."
The elevator stopped and opened its doors. " Alright everybody get a move on" Marcus ordered. They all exited out of the building and made their way to the Pelican.
Suddenly Kat had a gut feeling that something was wrong there were fewer security personnel than last time. The guards stationed at the gate and watchtowers were missing,
In the corner of her eye an Innie suddenly came out with a rocket launcher and shot it. The rocket was heading straight toward Sara, Kelly, Manny, and Makoa. She dashed forward and grabbed the 2 marines in each hand, forcing them to duck.
The rocket went over their head and struck into a Warthog, causing a big explosion.
" CONTACTS!!" Marcus yelled. Suddenly more innies got out of cover a few in the guard tower as well and ambushed the UNSC.
" Protect Halsey they are here for her!!" Ramirez screamed.
The marines, ONI agents, and security personnel started to return fire alongside the two grunts and Elites. Thezo and the zealot quickly covered Halsey using their bodies as shields while the rest scattered for cover. One agent however was peppered with bullets before he could even draw his weapon. Ramirez with Thezo sprinted across the courtyard with Halsey in hand, however, an explosion landed in front of them causing them to stagger to the ground He quickly picked the doctor up and jumped right behind a crate for cover. " You moron we are supposed to take her alive!!." One innie yelled scolding his comrade, Carlos aimed his sniper rifle at the terrorist with the rocket launcher
Pards shot his battle rifle killing three of them. A sniper then locked his sights on him and shot. The sniper round pierced his left leg causing him to yell in pain. The marine fell down and was dragged into cover by Raj. " I need a corpsman!!" He yelled putting pressure on his friend's wound.
The Marines did their best to cover the agent and unlucky for them more enemies appeared behind them. " Behind us–ahh" A security guard warned before being cut down.
A few of the marines then started to focus their attention on the enemies that were flanking them. " Start laying down some fire, Jesus started suppressing them with your machine gun." The marines nodded and set his bipod on the crate and started unloading on the rebels.
Kat drew her assault rifle and engaged the enemy the other four marines got off the ground and did the same. " I will highly suggest getting into cover!!" Athena yelled. The three marines quickly got on their feet and started to return fire.
" Sara get over to Raj. You three with me, Vandum ."She yelled for the Zealot
" I am with you Spartan!!" the Zealot yelled
The two sprinted forward to the enemy the Zealot pulled out his energy sword. The Marines followed behind
" What the hell a Spartan!!?, what is it doing here!!??" An innie screamed not expecting to see a supersoldier. " Who cares!! Just shoot her." Another yelled.
" Oh shit they have a Eli-ahhh" Before the rebel could finish Vandun thrust his energy sword into him. His comrades ran away in terror panicking while shooting, the Zealot sliced through one rebel after the other with ease.
Kat quickly cut down a few of her own as well, A few rebels then turned their attention to her, big mistake, her shields easily absorbed the incoming fire. She immediately returned fire taking out a few of them, with the help of the three marines doing the same. " Grenade out!!" Kelly yelled tossing it. It landed and exploded killing 4 rebels. With the innies now focused on the Spartan, Ramirez grabbed Halsey and dashed back to the building, the door opened with more security personnel coming to help reinforce the Marines.
" Clear this area I got the watchtower" Kat ordered. With superhuman speed, Kat went forward and climbed up to the tower. Once there she made short work of the rebels one was stupid enough to try and stab her. She Easily blocked it and broke his arm in half and threw him off the tower.
The three marines cleared out the rest of the Stragglers with ease, now just one more area to clear. Kat Jumped down and charged forward, slamming into a rebel killing him on impact, and was cutting them down one after the other. " They are distracted push forward!!" Marcus yelled. The Marines got out of cover along with the security forces to drive out the insurrectionists.
All the rebels lay dead the Marines luckily only suffered one casualty, the same can't be said about the Security that was stationed here, but thanks to Kat they made short work of them. Kelly was looking at one of the dead bodies the soldier looked like your average Army trooper of course with the isgnia and marking to identify them as rebels, the helmet he was wearing was one of the old ACH helmets back during the day, some of them were wearing standard issue trooper and marine helmets.
" Athena I do not remember the Innies being this well geared." She told the AI
" Analyzing, hmm according to UNSC intelligence the Innsuerctionists, have gotten more organized and rich enough to supply their army with new and better equipment." Athena told her.
" Looks like the insurrection got themselves some new drip" Makoa commented.
Earning a glare from Christian. " Seriously dork, this is hardly the time for jokes now." He scolded.
" What I am just trying to lighten the mood." Makoa defended himself.
" You know sometimes you should just not speak." Rigo responded.
" Rigo you know what go fu–"
"Knock it off the both of you right now!!" Stacker ordered, quickly shutting them up.
" Always arguing huh" Athena commented.
" You have no idea" Kelly responded.
" Ramirez it is safe now" Stacker said over commes.
The agent and Doctor Halsey exited the building with the 2 grunts and Elite. She stopped midway through and gave a generous look to all of them. " I am about hungry for food nipple!!" Yaz yelled out, before being smacked on the head by Thezo
Halsey went up to the group of Marines" Thank you" she simply said. All of them just nodded. With that done they all made their way back to the Pelican. Once they were all in Stacker signaled the pilot for them to lift off.
Nothing. The pilot was trying to figure out why the pelican wouldn't go airborne, he would have his answer when the wing on the left would burst into flames effectively immobilizing the aircraft. The pilot slammed his hands on the dashboard in annoyance.
" Why haven't we got into the air yet?" The sergeant asked entering the cockpit. The pilot groaned in annoyance. "The damn wing got damaged during the fight." He complained.
"I will send someone out to go fix it." The sergeant responded leaving the cockpit.
He knew exactly who to ask. " Kat, you wouldn't know how to fix Pelicans would you?." Marcus asked her obvious rhetorically, Marines and their damn sarcasm. " On occasion" The Spartan answered sarcastically back.
"Kelly, Shefte go with her." He ordered. The two Marines simply nodded and followed the Spartan outside of the Pelican " Makoa can you go get a fire extinguisher" She asked him. " Sure I will be right back."
He then went back inside the Pelican. " Hey, can someone pass me the fire extinguisher?" Makoa asked
"Sure here." Christian said tossing it, causing Makoa to lunge forward to catch it.
" What the fuck Christian!? Don't toss the damn thing!!" the Marine yelled.
" Sorry!! My bad I wasn't thinking!!' Christian quickly apologized.
"I– you know what forget it." The marine stormed out of the Pelican, knowing that Christian was just being stupid again.
Makoa put out the flames so Kat could get to work " Thankfully this isn't plasma damage, so this should be easy enough to fix" She said.
"How long is it going to take?" Kelly asked.
" About thirty minutes" The Spartan answered.
Just what they needed, well at least some of the marines would be happy to know that they are staying a little bit longer.
Athena Station Lord Hoods Office:
" How long is it going to take for the peace delegation to get here?" Lord Hood asked Gering.
" In approximately two weeks." He responded.
" Good the quicker they get here the better I am sick and tired of this."
" The ODST escort is with them, yeah a six-man squad callsign Fire." The admiral told him.
" Good to succeed with this peace deal lets hope that the delegation gets here on–"
A knock on the door then interrupted him. " Come in" He said with annoyance.
" Uhm sir" A deck officer came in saluting him. " What is it?, can't you see I am in the middle of something" The admiral asked.
" It is Halsey sir, Insurrectionists attacked the ONI base in Maryland. The Marine force assigned to her were able to hold them off and on their way back." The officer reported.
Hood rubbed his temple he did not want to deal with this right now. " Good that you reported this to me, Transport more troops to this station, I don't care that we are low on manpower get it done dismissed."Hood ordered. The officer saluted him and exited out of the room.
Hood slowly turned over to Admiral Gering. " For our sake let's hope the peace delegation gets here earlier."
Makoa's POV:
When we got back to the station we were all dismissed back to our barracks, but of course not me though I was running errands helping Halsey unload her office materials. Due to manpower issues they assigned Ramirez somewhere else. Now I am stuck here. " Is this where you want it?" I asked placing down a box on her desk.
" Not there can you put that with the rest boxes in the corner." She pointed. I nodded and made my way over and placed it on the ground.
" Anything else you want Dr. Halsey." I asked her.
" Can you move those boxes onto my desk." She ordered. A please would be nice, but I did I was told. It took some time but we finally unloaded everything I turned to the Doctor awaiting for anything else.
" You can go now, since everything is in order." She stated non-cholantly. She is such a hard person to read
I nodded I made my way to the door but before I could exit I heard her call out my name. What is it now?
" Actually... Uhm Shefte." She said. I turned around waiting for her to well say something, but she just stood there awkwardly fiddling with her hands.
" Yes doctor?" I said trying to get her to say something. She let out a sigh " I just want to say... Uhm I just want to say." She muttered.
" Want to say?" I responded wanting her to continue.
" Thank you I wanted to say thank you" She said awkwardly, but it sounded genuine at least.
" For?" I asked
" Standing up for me back in the meeting room and coming to my defense." She nervously said. She averted her gaze from me
" Sorry, I am not good with stuff like this." She frowned making me chuckle.
" You are not the only one that sucks with socializing you should see me when I was younger, especially with women." I blurted out without thinking, after realizing what I just said my face turned to sheer horror, real smooth Makoa. But surprisingly she laughed.
" You bad with socializing, it doesn't seem that way with your female squadmates." She joked. Making me chuckle.
" Well I normally don't struggle with saying thank you." I said.
" Har har." She responded sarcastically.
" I was a nervous wreck." I told her. She smiled at me, so beautiful even though she is sixty she is sti— ah what am I thinking I have no chance with someone like her.
She moved a strand of hair "Would you like to sit down?" She asked me. My heart skipped a beat
" Uh sure." I nervously said. I took a seat right next to her and we started talking " So why did you join the Marines?" She asked me catching me off guard.
" Uh well since we were fighting for the preservation of our species, and college was not going well for me, I saw why not." I answered. She gave me a sad look did I say something wrong? I thought before I could ponder some more, she asked another question. " Is that it? because it seems like there is an underlying reason why you joined." She said catching me off guard.
" I grew up pretty privileged in California, so I felt like I had to give back somehow, I also always planned on joining, I don't know if you can't tell I am not the smartest person in the book." I told her. A long silence was followed after I watched her as she absorbed my answer.
" What made you want to become a scientist?" I asked her breaking the silence.
She looked at me, surprised seems like she wasn't expecting to ask a question of my own.
" Not much to tell I grew up on the Colony of Endymion's, in the coastal city of Port Vernon." She told me
I nodded wanting her to continue " Growing up I was very eager to learn and continue my education, unlike most children I spent my time reading and studying, in my adolescence my parents noticed how smart I was even than them." She said
She smiled and continued. " I was always so eager to share all the knowledge that I have with anyone. I also enjoyed chess I only lost to my mother once but every time we played I would beat her, But I still remember her words when she beat me." She said.
" What did she say?" I asked wanting her to continue when I was younger I enjoyed playing chess as well.
" She said to me in Italien "When the game is over, the king and pawn go into the same box." She answered.
" If I was any smart I would know what that means." I joked making her laugh.
" Sorry what she said to me was When the game is over, the king and pawn go into the same box" She said in English
" So what else happen?" She pondered for a moment.
" Well due to my academic scores I was sent to the Elite Academy of Endymion gifted, Even while there I defied all Educatory Standards." She told me.
Not going to lie all of this intelligence is pretty hot, like seriously. " I was eventually able to afford a trip to a Inner colony of Circumstance where I continued my education at Koletre-Browning University." She continued.
" Sounds like a prestigious school" I said making her smile
" It was, but anyway the school funded my education until the completion of my second doctoral thesis." She said. I will be honest I had no fucking idea what that was but I let her continue. " I then started studying computer programs, but then I eventually met Elias Carver at an academic social mixer." She smiled.
" I could not help but correct him on an obsolete algorithm implementation when I heard him describing the matrix mechanics of the socio-economic and politico-economic vectors of human expansion." She told me. Besides from correcting I had no idea what she just said. I looked at her dumbstruck and confused.
" I will be honest with you doctor Halsey I got no fucking clue what that is." I said honestly making her laugh.
" Well, the point was he did not take to kindly to that." She responded.
" I would think so if I was some science big shot." I told her.
" Well after I outlined a corrective matrix calculation, that got the attention of Captain Michael Stanforth and more importantly ONI." She finished ending her story.
" Since we are talking about spooks now the rest of your story is classified? Huh." I asked her.
She nodded her head. " Yes sadly, but enough about me let's go back to you." She said.
" What is there to tell?" I joked.
" Well for one you could tell me the actual reason why you joined the Marine Corps?" She asked. This again I swear this lady is very good a reading people. Should I tell her? Well for one it is kind of one of my darkest secrets only Manny and Rigo know, yeah I know it seems like the guy hates me but believe it or not he cares for me.
You know what screw it, she honestly told me her life story, besides obviously all the ONI stuff but, for some reason I felt comfortable talking to her I had no idea why.
" Well, I for one as you can tell am not the smartest person in the book." I said. She motioned me to continue. " In college I was able to pass a few of my classes I was a history major, but due to some poor decisions I only got Bs and Cs." I said. She kept on listening.
" My math and Chemistry classes were a different story, I had to retake English." I said trying to hold back my tears.
" As much as I tried I failed some of my classes putting me on academic probation, I honestly wanted to drop out causing a very bad argument with my parents." I took a deep breath.
" Sadly unlike you, I am a moron I told my parents about joining the Marine Corps and they flipped out on me telling me that I am going to die fighting the Covenant." I held back more tears. Surprisingly Halsey silently listened.
" My dad asked me why not do Rotc so I became an officer instead of enlisted, but I told him I was not smart enough for that angering him. One day when we were on the brink of losing the war, Kelly and my friends decided that college could wait so we joined the Marine Corps at the behest of my parents." I said wiping a tear from my eye.
She sadly looked into me and beckoned me to continue. " The true reason why I joined is because—" I paused tears were streaming down my face at this point. " I joined because I felt like the only thing I could offer in this universe is my life. That is why I joined hoping I could be of some use and if I died protecting humanity I would be content." I muttered pathetically. At this point I was balling my eyes out. I did my best to wipe the tears but it was no use.
To my surprise the doctor grabbed my hands and made me look up at her. " Makoa." She said with great conviction.
" You offer so much more to this world than your life, from just talking with you I could see you have a beautiful mind." Striking a chord in my heart.
" From the way I see you interact with your friends, you offer so much more, the joy I see you bring them, you are wrong in one thing and that is you are more valuable than you think you are." She told me.
" You don't need to be as smart as me or go to college to make your life valuable, you already provide that with your friends, you have people that care about you and that's all that matters." She finished. After hearing her words the tears stopped she looked at me with great care and was rubbing my hands. She then leaned in and gave me a hug which surprised me but I gladly returned the embrace. She looked up at me and we locked eyes with each other.
She slowly closed her eyes and leaned into me. I slowly closed mine but before anything could happen the door opened interrupting our intimate moment. " Hey, Dr. Halsey we need to ta–" Both our eyes widened in surprise as Andrew Gering stood there shocked beyond belief. I quickly stood up from my chair. " Admiral sir!!" I saluted.
" At ease, am I interrupting something?" He asked.
" No sir I was just leaving." I said making my way to the exit.
" All right then, Halsey we need to talk." Gering said turning his attention to her.
" Yes, admiral take a seat." She said recollecting herself.
I made my way out of the room and quickly walked down the hallway. Once I was a good distance away I leaned against the wall and put my hand over my chest, my heart was beating like crazy, were we going to kiss surely not, right? I mean what does a top-level scientist like Dr. Halsey see in a grunt like me. Not possible no way or is it?
I brushed myself off and started heading to my barracks I think I will keep this one to myself.