When I explained to the squad about the proposition that Admiral Hood offered us, A lot of them were skeptical. Of course, Manny, Makoa, and Chips were willing to take that leap forward with me since they always wanted to be ODSTS Rigo and Sara were not very fond of the idea.
" Kelly I don't know ODST training is no joke." Rigo said
" Yeah, and I just recently became a marine." Sara added.
" Come on you guys this is one in the lifetime chance for us." I said trying to convince them. I was sitting down Kelsi opted to fall asleep on my shoulder so I threatened Manny and Makoa to keep their mouths shut.
" Think about it you guys, if it proves too much you can just quit midway through." Makoa said also trying to convince them as well.
" I don't know bro ODST training is pretty intense." Rigo argued as well, he decided to stay after telling him about the proposition.
" Think about it Rigo becoming a Helljumper would be awesome." Manny said.
" I joined simply because we were losing, and with the war done I was hoping to get out." Rigo told us. Makoa out of all of us three seemed to be offended.
" Bro do you not see what is happening out there, Humanity needs us more than ever." Makoa told him, Rigo scoffed.
" Yeah humanity needed us when we were at war with the Covenant, when it came to the Innies we should just give them their freedom." Rigo shot back.
" I have to agree with Rigo on that one remember what the UNSC did at Far Isle." Sara said.
" Sara of course I remembered what happened at Far Isle nothing justifies that, but you saw those innies back in New York. Those tattoos they had it goes to show what type of people they are." Makoa said.
" I am pretty sure not every insurrectionist is neo-Freindist or Nazi Makoa." Rigo responded.
Makoa sighed. " That is not what I am saying but have you not heard about the pro-peace minister going missing, even one of their own people, it Kind of tells you something when they take out the pro-peace leader." Makoa responded.
" That may be true b– Let's not forget that the UNSC was willing to go to the negotiating table but refused to do so because of our alliance with the Elites." I interrupted making Kelsi fidget in her sleep oh she was so cute.
" I don't know Kelly becoming an ODST is already hard enough." Sara told me.
I looked over and saw Ashley looking at her nails she said nothing the entire time. " What you think Ash you been silent this entire time?" I asked.
" Yeah, what are your thoughts on this Ash?" Chips joined me.
She simply shrugged her shoulders. " Ah, college is boring becoming an ODST sounds cool so I see why not." She responded non-cholantly.
"That's it?" I asked her surprised. She shrugged " You are my best friend Kells I go to hell and back with you, also the Innies can go fuck themselves." She told me.
" Come on Sara, Rigo think about it the worst that could happen is you quit." I told them. Rigo let out a deep sigh.
" You guys really want this?" Rigo asked us.
" Yes." We all said. He shook his head.
" Then count me in I guess." Rigo finally answered.
" I guess I will go since you are all so keen on it" Sara answered making me happy.
" Ten bucks Makoa will be the first one to quit." Rigo joked.
" Hey what the fuck is that– Makoa shut up." I yelled at him so he would not wake up Kelsi. Of course, the moron simply replied with my bad.
With that said and done Rigo left to the other barracks to ask Carlos, Frankie, and Jesus. According to him they should accept because they thought about the special forces for a little bit Jesus might take some convincing.
I gently moved Kelsi onto my bed while I decided to sleep on the floor. Makoa gave me a stupid grin alongside Manny perverts the lot of them. I then drifted off into a deep sleep.
The Next day
I was in a open field looking off into the sunset I looked down at myself and saw I was wearing my marine armor, what exactly is going on here. " Let go and submit." A demonic voice said.
Oh no and I saw the flood rushing towards me I immediately started running but was cut off by more in front of me. One of the infection form jumped onto me and started to infect me the pain was overwhelming as I started turning I screamed but it was no use. " Let go" The demonic voice said.
I shot up from my bed sweat dripping from my bed I looked up and saw Kelsi and Makoa making some coffee looks like I didn't make enough nose for them to notice I was having a nightmare. I walked over to table. " Good morning Kelsi, Koa" I yawned.
" Oh good morning Jane, I made you some coffee." Kelsi chirped, handing me my drink. I could get used to this.
" I made it because Makoa here says you don't appreciate his coffee." She told me making me stare at Makoa.
The moron just shrugged at me with that stupid grin of his. I rolled my eyes at him. But I looked down at my coffee and it smelt good. I took a sip of it and immediately smiled with glee. " Oh my Kelsi this taste so good." I told her making her smile.
" I am glade you enjoy it." She smiled at me. Makoa scoffed " So you like her coffee but not mine, Kells we been friends since what elementary." He told me crossing his arms. I was about to retort but Kelsi beat me to it.
" Uhm Shefte I am pretty sure we just met yesterday." She responded. Makoa facepalmed " Not you I mean Kelly." He stammered pointing to me to be honest his stuttering made it sound like he said Kelsi. " All right I am confused do you mean Kelly or Kelsi?" I asked.
" Oh my god I said Kel-ly as in K E L L Y" He emphasized. The blonde simply rolled her eyes, ha she is just like me. "It sounded like you said my name to be honest Corporal." She responded.
" Ok, is it just me, but why does everybody keep mishearing me?" Makoa groaned.
I rolled my eyes. " Makoa no, it is just that you misspeak a lot and you give Manny shit for misspeaking." I responded.
" Word." Manny said who was now up making his bed.
" Bro go to hell." Makoa said.
Manny laughed. " Already going to happen but don't act like you ain't coming with me dickhead." He said.
" Yeah whatever." Makoa dismissed him grabbing some food from the cabinets leaving Kelsi and I alone.
" So uhm Lt Brunet?" I asked her, she smiled at me.
" Jane please call me on a first-name basis, we were already doing that last night" she chuckled. Crap again real smooth Jane.
" Well uhm, Kelsi?" I asked her using her first name.
" Yes." She responded wanting me to continue. Leaning down on the table
" So later down the line do you consider getting together." I asked her.
" Jane I need some time to think about it." she sighed at me.
" But I think later on I will be willing to try." She said with my giving me hope.
" One other thing?" I asked getting her attention
" Yes?" She looked at me.
" Can I please just get one more kiss please?" I begged her.
She sighed but relented as she grabbed my face and kissed me . The kiss was amazing and it lasted for a minute probably one of the best minutes in my life. " wooh wooh" Someone interrupted us. I turned around to of course see Makoa whistling. " I do not know about you girls are making my morale shoot through the roof." He joked. Manny came up behind him and slapped him on his forehead.
" Oi what the hell, I was just joking." He said rubbing his head.
" Shut the fuck up and let them have their moment." He responded.
" It was just a joke!!" Makoa groaned.
" Thank you Manny" I told him, he responded by giving me a thumbs up. I swear out of the two I prefer Manny sometimes.
" You know those two are kind of funny." She told me.
I gave her an odd look. " In what way." I asked her.
" In a goofy Kind of way especially Makoa even when he is not trying." She chuckled.
I rolled my eyes " Please don't encourage him." I begged her.
" I don't know it might be fun to see." She told me.
" After knowing Makoa since elementary I will tell you it would be anything but." I responded making her laugh. " At least he is honest." She told me. I rolled my eyes. " A little too honest." She told me.
" What you mean you are upset at me for not saying bye we were in a fucking gunfight Joey." Makoa yelled on his phone.
" Guys listen to this bullshit." Makoa seethed putting it on speaker.
" Bullshit? what do you mean you hurt my feelings when you didn't say bye." Joey responded.
" We were getting shot at you fucktard!!" Makoa screamed.
" Still could have said goodbye." Joey said.
" Joey I swear to god I am going to touch you next time I see you." Makoa warned.
" Makoa's gay?" Kelsi asked me.
" No he is just retarded" I told her making her laugh.
" He is confused." Manny joined in.
The doors opened to reveal Carlos and Rigo.
" Alright, I am having some people over I am hanging up now go fuck yourself." Makoa finished. " Not even a goodb–" Before Joey could finish he hunged up on him and greeted our two other squadmates.
" Rigo burrito how is it going." He greeted.
" I have just arrived and you are already annoying me." Rigo sighed.
" And you love me for it." He responded.
" I already said this I tolerate you, there is a difference" He responded to him.
Makoa waved his hands at him. " Oh come on I know deep down in your heart you love me."
" Shut up!!" Rigo yelled at him.
" Anyways Jane we should go and tell the brass regarding the offer." Kelsi told me. I shrugged my shoulders. " I do not see why not.
" Oh come on Kells, I just got here." Rigo groaned. But before I could respond to him. " Uh sorry Rigo but Jane and I need to go." She answered for me.
" Uh I was talking to Kelly, but ok I guess." He responded sheepishly.
" Oh sorry I thought you were talking about to me." She said embarrased.
" We probably refer to Kelly as Jane or Kelsi as Brunet." Makoa suggested.
" I will call Kelly by her first name even though that is a bit weird." Rigo agreed.
" I do not see why not." Manny agreed.
" Why not." Chips agreed followed by Ashley and Sara.
" All right I would love to stay and chat but we need to get going." I said.
" Shouldn't we all go since this is regarding all of us?" Rigo asked.
" Yeah Kells, wouldn't it me more sense for all for us to go" Ashley asked me. Kelsi was about to respond but realized that Ash was referring to me thankfully. " We do not all need to be their also I am pretty sure the brass doesn't want a bunch of Marines to come knocking on their door without knowing." I told them.
" That is fair." Makoa responded.
" All right then but if you would excuse us we have a meeting to go to." I told them. I waved all of them goodbye and I followed Kelsi out. In the corner of my eye I see Rigo trip Makoa causing him to spill his water all over him.
" Ha ha ha ha ha!!" He evilly laughed.
" Next time we are sleeping together I am touching you so hard." Makoa seethed.
" Why are you gay?" He sarcastically asked. I shook my head at their antics.
She notified the Brass that I have made the decision. I was wondering why, they wanted to see me in person I mean I already said yes. When we finally arrived at the door, I took a deep breath in before finally going in. Hood and Gering were both their waiting for me, oddly enough Stacker was with them as well. " Admirals" I saluted alongside Kelsi.
" At ease Corporal." Hood said. I stopped saluting and awaited for them to start talking, I was still wondering why Stacker was here.
" So Kelsi here told us that your squadmates have said yes?." Hood said.
I nodded my head. Athena then appeared " Just like I predicted they all said yes, accept for the other two " She said. How– oh right smart AI of course. " Since you said yes, Sergeant Stacker here is going to train you." Gering told me.
" Well Kelly looks like my final task before retiring is going to train you and your squad to become one of the best ODSTS that the UNSC as ever seen he told me." Stepping forward.
" So that is why you are here sir." I responded.
" Also it should be added that the physical part of your training will be cut in half, partly to due with your impressive service record however your training will be intensified." Athena said.
" My job is to hold your hand while through it." Stacker said. Well I was not expecting this ODST training is already hard enough.
" Sir with all due respect why are we doing this exactly?" Genuinely curious.
" A AI chose you for a reason, Seargeant Stacker here is insurance to make sure she chose right." He answered me.
" Well my squad does not know this." I told them
" You can tell them this if you like, but be warned, you will go though hell." Gering added.
" So corporal you still want to accept the offer?" Hood asked me. I looked at Kelsi then Athen, then back to Hood, well I always wanted to become an ODST for the longest time so no use backing out now.
" Yes sir." I answered. Hood nodded in approval. " You and your squad pack your stuff, you are heading out tomorrow." He told me.
" Just like that we are leaving?" I asked surprised.
Hood nodded. " We need to get you ready as quickly as possible you will start training tomorrow dismissed." He told me
Both Kelsi and I saluted and left the room, I can't believe this was actually happening I was going to become a Helljumper it has been one of my dreams since high school, my parents of course disapproved but I could care less what they thought. Kelsi smiled at me. " Well somebody is happy." She commented.
" Happy I am over the moon becoming an ODST has been one of my life long goals since forever." I responded.
" Well I will miss you Jane" She responded sadly.
" Oh Kelsi." I responded sadly.
She shook her head at me. " We all knew that this would be difficult, since we are both in the military." She responded taking her hands in mine.
" But I am shipping out tomorrow." She told me.
" With Commander Keyes right?" I asked her.
" Yes sadly." She responded solemnly.
" Well we should of expected this to happen." I responded. Who was I kidding it was bound to happen.
" It still hurts though." She said trailing her hand in my hair.
" Still want to do this?" I asked her. Making her roll her eyes
" I told you I am still unsure." She responded at me bringing my hopes down
" Well I am going to miss you still" I told her brushing off what she said earlier.
" I will too" She said giving me a hug.
" Yeah I am definitely going miss this." I said nuzzling into her.
I wanted this moment to last forever. We stayed like that for a little while and for once I was genuinely happy in a very long time.
The next day
" All right I think that is everything." Makoa said.
I raised my brow at him "Are you sure that you have everything?" I asked him sounding like a mom.
" I am pretty sure Kells" He responded giving me a goofy smirk.
" I swear to god if you forget something" I warned him
" Don't worry Kelly if the idiot forgot something that is his fault" Manny told me. Making me sigh.
" Fine then, But Koa I swear to god if you forget something you better not be upset." I warned him.
He shrugged his shoulders. " Don't worry I am pretty sure I have everything" He told me making Ash scoff she knows him too well.
" Okay but again if you are missing something don't get mad at me" I warned him one final time.
" Are you guys ready to go." Rigo said entering our room.
" I am good got all my stuff." Ashley told us.
" Same here I got it all." Chips said grabbing his bag. While Sara gave us a thumbs up, I swear we need to get her to talk more.
" Well then what are we waiting for?" Rigo asked.
Manny and I sighed."Makoa" We both said simultaneously. Rigo groaned in annoyance. "Oh my god you are taking longer than my girl did to get ready." He complained at him.
" No Mames, why you taking so long bro?" Carlos said coming in.
Makoa threw his hands up. " I got everything jeez I am ready." He responded to the two.
" Uh huh." Rigo responded. We all grabbed our bags and luggage and made our way to the hangar.
I walked through the halls and couldn't believe we spent a month here can't say I will really miss it. Well except for the time I spent with Kelsi. I smiled at the thought of her. Makoa raised his brow at me of course he had to notice " What you smiling about?" He asked me.
" Oh, nothing." I responded.
" Are you sure, doesn't have to do with a certain blonde." He joked making me roll my eyes, a mischievous thought popped in my head and I turned to Makoa. " Just wondering Makoa are you thinking about a certain scientist right now?" I asked him. He immediately went silent, got him. " Exactly what I thought." I said.
Rigo laughed " Damn you going to let her do that to you Makoa." He said.
" Rigo shut up." He hissed making him laugh more.
When we finally made it to the hanger bay we all set our luggage down and began to relax. " Damn, you guys are already leaving not even going to say goodbye?" Frankie said with Christian by his side entering the room.
" Frankie!!" Carlos said fist fist-pumping him. He greeted everyone else, while Makoa was as usual harassing Christian.
" Bro can you stop being gay, this is supposed to be a heartfelt moment, I am not going to see you for a long time." Christian said.
" My bad G" Makoa joked but not before slapping his ass.
" I hate you sometimes." Christian hissed rubbing his butt. Suddenly the doors opened to reveal Dr. Halsey who made her way to Makoa. Lucky for him she did not see him slap Christians ass. But nonetheless she made her way to him. I swear I don't know how he was able to hook up with someone like her but he got lucky. The scientist wakjed over to the Marine, she had this prideful way of carrying her self
" Hey Koa" She said.
" Hey Halsey." He responded by hugging her.
" Hey so I see you are becoming a ODST" She told him.
" Yeah, it has been one of my lifelong dreams" He responded nervously touching his neck.
" And not even a goodbye." She joked.
" Oh my bad Doctor Halsey, they didn't give me time to say goodbye." Makoa quickly apologized.
She lightly punched him in the shoulder " I am just messing around silly, Jeez I can joke around too." She responded that last statement received glares from everybody.
" What?" She asked.
" No offense Ma'am, you don't seem like the type." Chips said, to be honest he is kind of right.
" I may be old but I can still make jokes." She chuckled.
" It is not that we just didn't expect to be making jokes since you are so serious all the time." Makoa responded.
" Well this is a exception." She smiled wryly. Everyone shook their head but went back to their conversations
" I will miss our chats you know" Makoa whispered to her no one else may not have heard it but I did I then positioned myself right next to them to eavesdrop. A little bit rude I know but I am curious.
" Same here it has been a long time since I have relatively normal conversations with someone" She said back. I tried so hard to keep in my laugh. Normal conversations? Makoa was anything but normal but maybe Halsey can be a good influence on him.
" Yeah, same here again sorry for talking your ear off." He apologized.
" Oh don't worry about it I enjoyed it." She said taking his hand in hers.
" So you sure you can handle what is coming to you, becoming a ODST is no joke." She told him.
Makoa Laughed " Don't worry about me I used to be a wrestler it is like what Dan Gable use to say " Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy." He said making Halsey roll her eyes.
" Koa you are trying to become a ODST, they have the most hardest training than every other special forces the best of the best." She said.
" Don't worry about me I did my research I know what's coming." He responded. Halsey sighed. I wonder why she was so worried.
" Remember what you told me on why you joined the Marines?" She asked.
" Yes" Makoa said getting uncomfortable.
" Well I hope you are not doing this to fulfill your goal of..." She then whispered something in his ear. That was odd. I wonder why she did that. But then it became clear. She looked over to me and winked at me, unknown to Makoa. That sly scientist she knows I was eavesdropping on them.
" Makoa please remember our talk, please be careful, I care for you you know, more than you realize.
" Halsey I—" Before he could respond Halsey cut him off.
" I want you to know that you matter to me, that at least someone in this universe cares for you." She wrapped her arms around him.
" Uhm Halsey what are you tr—" Before he could finish My eyes went wide followed by gasps from Ashley and everyone else. Halsey just kissed Makoa, to make things better it turned into a make out session. Manny watched as he cringed inside. While Christian seemed genuinely happy for him. Rigo and Jesus were too shocked to say anything. " What in the hell" Rigo said,I spoke too soon.
Sara and Chips well they shared the same reaction along with Frankie. Carlos nodded his head in approval, genuinely happy for him. Me I did not know what to think.
When the two finally stopped. Halsey looked up at him to face a shocked Makoa who was bright as a tomato right now.
" What I am trying to say is Makoa, I like you." She finally said. As the words left her lips everyone went dead silent. " I uh I I Uh" Makoa stuttered. Oh please Makoa don't screw this up. Before the moron could mutter anything coherent her phone rang up and she had to leave.
" I am busy at the moment can't this wait" She said fusturated.
" Uhh fine" She finally let out. She hanged up the phone and turned back to Makoa. " Sorry Makoa I have to go but I will see you soon." She said giving him another peck on his lips.
" Wait what huh uh Halsey wait." Makoa called out. But it was too late the scientist already left to exist but not before giving Makoa a wink.
Once she was gone Manny decided to be the first to break the silence. " Man somehow you take a dub but it ends with a L" Manny made fun of him.
" Hey it is a W for me at least no more gay jokes and suffering from Makoa!!" Christian yelled proudly.
" You know it is crazy that someone like her will fall for someone like you." Rigo commented.
" I would say I am jealous but she is a bit too old for me" Jesus said.
Making Rigo shake is head in disappointment.
" Well Makoa mate, congratulations" Chips said genuinely happy for him.
" Hey Makoa mate you there" Manny said, waving his hand in front of him.
" Hello, Makoa" He said to him.
" Huh what is it." He said still dumbstruck.
Rigo groaned. " Did you hear anything we have said in the past 5 minutes?" Rigo asked
"Huh?" he stupidly said.
" OH MY FUCKING G—" I shut out Rigo's rant I did not want to deal with him right now. But my mood was quickly changed when I saw Kelsi walk through those doors.
" Hi Jane, I see you haven't left yet." She said, giving me a hug. I gadly returned the embrace. " I see they are going at it again." She commented watching Rigo and Manny flaming Makoa.
" Yeah they really are, you missed a lot." I said letting her go.
" What happened?" She asked me.
I chuckled. " Oh nothing really just Halsey announcing her love to Makoa" I told her making her eyes go wide.
" What, that happened?" She asked shocked.
" Yep" I simply responded.
" Well I wasn't expecting that today." She told me
" Yeah tell me about it, but anyways I thought you were shipping out?" I asked her.
" Still am, in approximately one hour." She responded.
" Oh I see." I responded.
" So after you become a ODST any plans afterwards?" She asked me.
To be honest I never really thought about it. I mean considering how the war was going for us I never really thought about a future after the military.
" I don't know exactly, I never thought about it." I told her.
" Well you have time to think about it at least." She told me.
" Now thinking about it I could continue my education in UCLA and get my banchelors in business." I told her.
" You were majoring in business? I am a physics major myself." She told me.
" Where did you go?" I asked her.
She smiled at me. " USC" I rolled my eyes no wonder she was smiling, and of course it had to be our rival school. " Go Trojans." She said in a attempt to annoy me.
" Oh shut it Bruins are better." I told her making her laugh.
" So?" I asked her.
" Hmm." She said looking up at me
" So what exactly do you want to do when you are done?"
She pondered for a bit before she finally gave me her answer. " I want to be a teacher." She told me.
" Oh I see." I said surprised.
" What, don't think I will make a good fit?" She asked me
I waved my hands erratically. " Oh no it is just I never figured you to be a teacher, just surprising is all." I told her.
" On a off note I think you will make a good teacher." I continued.
" Thank you Jane." She smiled appreciating the compliment.
" Your welcome Kelsi." I told her. We kept on talking for another 20 minutes, I wished it lasted longer, but sadly it was cut short with our ride finally arriving in the hanger. My squad, now all done flaming Makoa they all started packing their stuff.
" Looks like I got to go." I told her, she was sad that I had to leave but gave me a hug which I gladly returned a favor. " I will see you later Helljumper." She said. Helljumper never thought I would see the day I become one, a sense of pride filled in me. But alas I was sad to see Kelsi man the those hip sways, STOP I am not Makoa, I waved goodbye to her and made my way to the pelican.
Once inside I reluctantly took my seat right next Manny and Makoa as all the other seats were taken or it was occupied by luggage so I had very little choice.
As soon as I take it Makoa already turned to me. " So you like Kelsi huh?" He said surprising me I thought he was going to make one of his so called "jokes"
" Yes, what about it?" I asked him. He smiled back at me " Oh nothing I think it is a good thing for you, still can't believe it took me so long to figure out you liked women."
" I didn't really wanted it to happen, I didn't want my sexuality too define me but also I was scared you guys would cut me off." She responded.
" Ha, you are crazy like I care what your sexual preference is." He said
" Thanks Makoa I apre– Also it is hot seeing you two kiss got my morale up." He interrupted me and of course, he had to go back to being retarded. Manny of course thankfully hit Makoa on the head, causing a argument. As annoying as those two are I am glad to have met them. I received a phone call from Kelsi, oh yeah I got her personal number, forgot to mention that. Anyways I picked up the call.
" Can't leave me alone for ten minutes huh?" I teased.
She scoffed " Shut up and go to the cockpit and look to you right." She said. I got up from my seat much to the confusion of my squadmates and made my way to the cockpit. The pilot did not to seem to mind once I went in I looked out the window and saw it the Determined. I never saw one before with only being 12 left and all, but I must say it was an engineering marvel. " That ship would give the innies a run for their money." The pilot told me. Yeah no kidding the sheer size and the amount of guns on that thing were huge.
" Nice view huh." Kelsi said over the phone.
"Thank you Kelsi." I smiled.
Hours later
The ride was thankfully peaceful for once. Mainly because everyone fell asleep, but I am not complaining. " We are reaching the base in 30 seconds." The pilot said waking me I turned over and shook Makoa. " Hey wake up we are almost there." I said.
" Uhh we are already there?" He asked tiredly.
" Yes we are now get up." I ordered him
He groaned sleepily, I started to wake everyone else up, to finally get ready to disembark. When the pelican finally landed it was night time, where we were at I had no clue. Greeting us was Stacker. Everyone but me was surprised to see our old squad leader here but before we could have some heartwarming reunion.
" What are you waiting for line up!!" He yelled at us out of nowhere. We quickly followed his instructions and stood ready at attention.
He analyzed every one of us. " So all of you want to become ODSTS huh?" He asked us what followed was a long silence all of too scared to answer.
" WELL DO YOU OR NOT!!??" He screamed again. Making Sara flinch. She has only been a marine for a month so she was not used to this as us.
Rigo stepped " Stacker sir yes we d- ahh." All of us widened our eyes in horror as Sergeant Stacker punched Rigo causing him collapse to the ground.
" It is Sergeant!! Private Rvcubala or how the hell you pronounce your stupid last name!!" He yelled.
Rigo got up holding his stomach in pain. " Now I will be blunt you have got to be one of saddest bunch of recruits that I have ever gotten!!" He yelled. What the hell is going on we served with him he knows how we are in combat.
" But once I am through with you you will be the finest ODSTS that I have ever trained, or if you are too pussy you quit!!" He said.
" I will physically and mentally break you down to the point you will wish you never came here!!" He continued.
" Now all of you get to your barracks you will find your clothes on your bed, you will wake up at 0700!! You got me recruits!!" He finished.
We all responded with a sir yes sir, and were dismissed.
" Oh I almost forgot I will keep a hold onto your phones and personal items until your training is complete you will only talk to your family and loved ones using this camps vid calls." He told us.
Jesus cursed to himself when he got his phone taken, " I am going to miss my porn." He said sadly.
We all reluctantly gave our phones to the sergeant, this was expected but it still sucked.
With that done we quickly made our way to the barracks all nine of us started claiming our beds, we immediately changed into our clothes. They were nothing special it was a black t-shirt that said ODST on it with green cargo pants.
" Is it just me but did Stacker come across harsh?" Makoa asked.
Rigo scoffed in response. " Harsh the asshole punched me in the stomach, I mean shit I know ODST training is tough but hell I don't remember them hitting recruits." He ranted.
" To be fair it is ODST training." Jesus joined in.
" Still, he punched me." Rigo complained.
" I don't know mate maybe this was a mistake." Chips said having second thoughts.
" Honestly bro I agree." Carlos added.
" What do you think Kelly?" Ashley asked me.
I shrugged my shoulders. " Doesn't matter what I think." I told her
" Seriously Kells surely– Makoa it has been a long night lets just all go to sleep we have a big day tomorrow." I interrupted him.
Makoa reluctantly went to his bed even though he wanted to continue the conversation. Everyone did the same as the lights were turned off. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
The Next day
I woke up to the sound of shouting and screaming, I looked up to see Stacker banging on something while shouting at us to wake up. To make it worse I checked the time and saw it was 0600, we still had a hour of sleep left. Regardless we all got out from our beds as we got ready and rushed outside of our barracks. We all lined up and stood at attention, and just our luck that it was raining heavily and it was freezing cold.
" All right recruits!! We will be going 10-mile run which will be our warm-up!! After that we would be going through the basic obstacle courses!! Any questions?" Stacker said enthusiastically.
Rigo raised his hand. " Yes Recruit!?" Stacker asked.
" Weren't we supposed to wake up at 0700 instead 0600?" He asked.
Stacker widened his eyes in anger. " Oh did I now?, I don't recall what a stupid question recruit!!" He yelled.
" Because of your stupidity you will be running 15 miles instead of ten!!" He said. This earned a groan from everybody including me.
" Well what are you waiting for you useless pieces of shit get going!!" He yelled again I swear by the end of this I am going to go deaf. But with that our path to hell began.
The 15-mile run was pure torture, Rigo and Jesus started throwing up. But near the end we were relieved however it was short lived as Stacker quickly had us go through the obstacle courses which was already hard enough but we had to deal with the fatigue of the run. It was getting so bad that even Ashley was so close to hurling and she has the best cardio out of all of us with Makoa in second.
" All right recruits now it is time for one of my favorite parts involving live ammunition." Stacker psychotically said. We all groaned dead tired after the obstacle courses
we went to crawling through the mud and barbed wire with them firing live rounds just merely above our heads. Thankfully being combat experienced it wasn't as bad as it should of been but it was still intense. When it was all said in done and we got ourselves cleaned up and went to the cafeteria we were exhausted. Rigo and Jesus were having second thoughts but with some convincing I was able to get them to stay, little did I know more hell awaited us.
7 days later
Torture that was the best way to describe these past 7 days, everyone was at their mental breaking point especially Jesus and it was only the first week we still had 2 weeks left, all of them may not have noticed but Makoa and I saw that our training was twice as hard, we said nothing about it of course, but I could swear it seems like Stacker was trying to get us to quit.
" I don't know if I could keep up with this you guys this is getting ridiculous." Rigo said.
" Honestly I feel like quitting the fact they are shooting live ammunition over us is driving me insane." Jesus agreed.
" Come on you guys we have only two weeks left before we get to the good stuff." I said in a way to encourage them.
" Yeah guys we already came this far we need to keep going." Ashley agreed with me.
Before we could continue our conversation Sergeant Stacker came in and ordered us outside.
" Get your worthless asses outside and line up!!" He yelled
We all rushed outside and made a line, like we did for the pass seven days.
" All right you know the drill!!" He screamed. Who would of guessed another run uh this was getting ridiculous.
Once we finished the run Stacker oddly enough had us line up again.
" So how are you liking your 1st week of training." He sarcastically asked us. Oh how cute, none of us bothered to answer him, not like it mattered. " I will take it that you are having a fun time." He said clearly trying to gaslight us.
" But for fun I decided to dig up information on all of you, and oh my word, aren't all of you pathetic!!" He said surprising us, what did he dig up? What is he talking about? All of that would answer itself as he continued.
" Let's start off with the least worse of them all starting with recruit Jane Kelly" He said. I took a big gulp preparing myself what he was about to say.
" So grew up Rich two loving parents went to a good school, but we have a tiny problem that being apparently your parents finding out later on you like pussy, well ain't you a dyke bitch aren't you." He said with so much venom and hatred in his voice.
" How are you supposed to become an ODST when you are too busy being confused with your sexuality or you are too busy running after some girl." He continued insulting me, I was getting more pissed off by the minute
" Pathetic well at least your parents agree with me how much of a freak you are, hell I don't think you will survive another week." He finished. I clenched my fists I was beyond pissed but I was not going to let him ruin this for me it was clear on what he was trying to do, he was trying to get us to quit.
" But enough about you, you are not that special their are plenty of other people having mommy and daddy issues, so lets move onto Williams."
" To be frank nothing I could say about you other than how bland an boring you are, which is exactly the problem we are special forces so I do not see you lasting another day." He said. Ashley tried to hide it but what he said stung.
But he would move onto Sara. " Well isn't it the Hungarian bitch, wonder how daddy would feel knowing his daughter became a meathead Marine and not growing up to be a scientist and doing something with her life instead of still crying about his death." Sara clearly was holding back tears but he moved on to Chips.
" And we have the Aussie another rich boy who grew up and defied his parents, ain't worth anything between Jack and shit, you should go run back to mommy and daddy, Oh wait you can't because they practically disowned you." He spat this was getting worse by the minute.
" Here is Ochoa, nothing really much to say about you other than the fact the amount of girlfriends you had, don't know why they would waste time with a low-life like you, especially with your terrible grades." He said, surprisingly Carlos took that real well.
" And now Emanuel Chavez, nothing to really say other than the fact you can't get laid and you have zero game, only thing you got going for you is your height, but you are so goddamn ugly you can be called a modern art masterpiece." He finished with him seeing no reaction.
Up next down the chopping block was Jesus " And of course the fucking biggest degenerate in the group I know all the porn you have watched you disgust me, they have a word in Greece, it is called Malaka, you are the definition of it." He finished moving onto Rigo.
" The other most pathetic one of them all it is not even worth saying your name, had to go to continuation school because of your lack of care and effort and you want to become a ODSTS such a waste of my time, and oxygen." Rigo did his best to hide the pain in his face but the words cut deep into him. Since Rigo was the second that means oh no, Makoa was the last one and according to Stacker, he was the worst out of all of us. The Marine sergeant made his way over to the end of the line where Makoa was to my right. He stopped in his tracks and scoffed at him.
" And finally the worst one recruit Shefte, do you know why you are the most pathetic one of them all?" He asked him.
" Uhm.. I do not know sir." He responded bad move. Stacker burst out laughing confusing us. " You really don't know why but I will tell you I pulled up your grades and records, hate to say it you got to have the worst GPAS I have ever seen." He said.
" Let's start shall we, elementary school you suffered from Ds and Cs only were able to advance a grade because you were special needs or whatever the fuck it is called." He said.
" I have a IEP sir it is ca— I do not care." He interrupted.
" Lets see the best you got were Bs in middle school still did a piss poor job, but when you reach high school you barely passed your classes I will say this at least you did not go to continuation school." He kept on insulting him out of all of us he was grilling Makoa the worst, as on why I had no idea.
" Only one good thing is that you joined wrestling but even then you did a terrible job considering the amount of wins and losses you had." I thought that was over but no he continued. " But I discovered you had a special class to help accommodate you so as usual you could not do it on your own and somebody had to help you along the way with your classes, but oh wait their is more, claimed to love wrestling so much but couldn't even get out of league all those practices for nothing huh, but when you moved to college Fs and D's in many of your classes to the point your best grade was a C in history oh my god how much more pathetic you can get than that and that was your major but the icing on the cake was being used by a girl who only dated you for a day hah." He laughed, this was just straight up bullying at this point.
" But wait there is more not only that when you were barely able to get you grades in order you wrestled and still got your ass kicked, you made it to state but so what, you didn't place so another waste of your time." He said but continued with his onslaught
"And that is why you are so pathetic, to top it all off apparently according to your parents you are also autistic." He said shocking all of us, sure we made jokes but we did not know he suffered from it, Actually on second thought Rigo may of knew.
" What I thought I had AD– Regardless Shefte you still are a disgrace how can you become an ODST, hell I do not know why you even want to become one, do you just want to die is that it?" Stacker said shutting him up, Makoa could not help it anymore as tears started to stream down his face.
" So you just want to die huh, if we are being honest the only worth you can give to this entire universe is your life." He finished at this point tears was streaming down his face
" Aww his the poor little boy crying, aww poor baby you need mommy to come help you." Stacker gloated if that wasn't enough he went the extra mile and started shoving Makoa.
" What's wrong, you going to keep crying." He said shoving him.
The shoves then turned to hits. " What's the matter too much for you, you can always quit or just die, this universe will be the same without you,just end up being another statistic." He said now hitting him. We watched helplessly as he continued verbally and physically attack Makoa. All of us wanted to put a end to it but were too scared to do so. Makoa desperately put his hands up to stop his attacks but only encouraged him to continue.
" Sir why? please stop." He cried out only for it to fall on deaf ears.
" Oh shut it you pathetic useless worm!!" He yelled, it then turned from bad to worse as Stacker punched him causing him to fall on the ground. I couldn't take it anymore of it this, Stacker was going too far. I got out of line to stop him.
I grabbed him on the shoulder " Sir this is going to far." I said. He responded by slapping my hand away and grabbing me by the collar.
I was surprised at the sudden shift in violence, but I did not fight back, everyone else stood in line too terrified to do anything.
" You dare touch me recruit Kelly!!" He screamed in my face. I expected him to start landing some blows on me next but I felt, nothing
But he went right next to my ear and whispered something. " Kelly if you truly care for Makoa you will not do anything, what I am doing right now is for his own good you have to trust me." He whispered into my ear. He looked at me to see if I got the message I decided to trust him on this but I hope there was an explanation afterward. I nodded, and he let me go and went back to Makoa. " Get up Shefte you pathetic useless piece of trash!!" He screamed. Makoa lay there on the floor curled up crying.
" I said get up!!" He shouted again. To everyone's surprise, he got up and went back in line. " Hmm you may not be as pathetic as I thought, all right get to the obstacle course time for some more training!!" He screamed again. All of us went to the course, but not before I turned around to check on Makoa, his nose was red and his eyes were as well, as tears continued streaming down his face.
After it was over we all took a shower and went into the mess hall but someone was missing that being Makoa. " Should we go look for him?" Manny asked.
" Do not worry Ash and I will go you guys, enjoy your food." I told them
Ashley and I went outside of the mess hall and began our search.
Athena's POV:
I was in shock and was angry. Stacker went too far. I watched the footage over and over and still could not believe it.
I am going to have a little chat with him about that. But what was even more worrisome was that Makoa was missing from the mess hall, finding him would take priority.
" Alright, Ashley you want to take the buildings to the left or our right?" I heard Kelly, There will be no need for that because I could just go through the cameras and there he is. Makoa is in the armory for some reason, oh no I need to reach Kelly but how, Oh screw this is the best way to do it.
"Jane Kelly, and Ashley Williams please report to the armory it is urgent, I repeat please report to the armory." I said over the speakers. Hopefully, the two women will follow through with my advice.
Jane Kelly's POV
Both Ashley and I were confused when we heard the announcement, well Makoa can wait. We made our way to the armory which took us a couple of minutes the door closed behind us, Ashley tried to open it back up but it was locked and she appeared.
" Hi Kelly." She said surprising Ashley but not me, I knew that was her.
"I raised my brow at her I take it you are the one that called us here?" I asked her.
" You guess right, but I need to cut to the chase, Makoa is in the armory he seems to be in a mental episode right now." She told us.
After hearing that Ashley and I quickly ran to the weapons room with the guidance of Athena, the doors opened and we jumped inside. We spotted Makoa in the back corner, but to our shock he had a magnum pointed to his head.
" Makoa what the fuck are you doing!!" I screamed at him. The Marine turned to us shocked.
" Shit!! Kelly, Ashley what are you doing here?" He asked trying to change the topic.
" Don't go trying to change the subject!!, what are you doing!!" I screamed at him.
Makoa tried hiding the magnum but it was already spotted by Ashley and I.
" I don't know what you are talking about?" He nervously said.
" Makoa please don't do that we saw the magnum in your hand." Ashley said this time.
" I I I uh.." He stuttered.
" Koa please don't tell me you were going to do what I think you were going to do." I said slowly approaching him.
He then started breaking down again.
" Kelly I am sorry I can't do this anymore, what happened today was icing on the cake." He cried.
" Makoa he was only saying that to try and make you quit." I told him.
He shook his head. " Everything he said was true though I am useless Kelly I can't keep doing this." He kept on crying, he then fell to his knees and pointed the gun back to his head.
" I can't continue on." He kept saying.
Ashley and I slowly made our way to him.
" Makoa please put the gun down let's talk." She said.
" I just want it to stop the nightmares, this fucking feeling of being useless I can't take it anymore!!" He yelled.
I had no idea that it was this bad I know that Makoa had some issues and was scarred from the war but I didn't it was this deep.
" Makoa you are not useless you became a Marine for god's sake" I said. The statement at least made him point his gun back down.
" I just feel so fucking stupid, I can't even pass community college classes damn it!!, and to top it off I am autistic, I fucking hate myself so much!!" He yelled breaking down.
" Makoa, you are not useless, hell who cares if you are autistic. It doesn't change who you are." I told him.
" You have a amazing and beautiful mind Makoa you are smarter than you realize." I told him.
" My grades in school says otherwise." He responded
" Makoa school doesn't dictate if you are smart or not, plus you graduated." Ashley told him
" I just feel so useless, I thought becoming a marine would help." He let out.
" Listen Koa, you have proven countless times of your worth we care for you man please just put the gun down." I begged him.
" A dark part of me was hoping that when I join I would die so I at least can give something to this galaxy." He kept talking down on himself.
" Makoa you don't need to give anything to the universe you already are already doing that us, to your friends and family." Ashley encouraged.
" I feel trapped!!" He let out again.
I walked closer to him. " Makoa please don't do this, whatever Stacker said doesn't matter to Ashley and I care about you, hell all of us do thats all that matters Makoa." I said.
" Can you please put the gun down." Ashley begged.
The tears then became uncontrollable. " I.. I am sorry." He dropped his gun and fell to to the ground.
Ashley and I rushed over to him and engulfed him in a hug.
" I am so sorry, so sorry, so sorry." He kept on saying.
I chuckled nervously. " What are you talking about you saved us from your friends braindead conversations in the mess hall." Ashley gave me a annoyed look, but it did it's job in making Makoa laugh.
" I am so sorry guys." He said.
" There is nothing to be sorry for, but promise me you will never do something like this ever again." I told him
" After this never in my lifetime." He told me.
We all got up from the floor while Makoa wiped his tear. Ashley reassuringly rubbed his shoulder.
" I am glade to see this crisis averted." Athena said on the speakers.
" You were watching the whole time?" I asked her.
" Well yeah we have something called cameras?" She joked. Ah totally forgot that she loves being sarcastic.
" Anyways on the off note I deleted the security footage so Makoa doesn't get medically discharged for mental instability." She told us.
" Thank you Athena." I said. The ai unlocked the doors for us and we made our way back to the mess hall were the rest of the squad made it their goal to cheer up Makoa.
Athenas POV
With that crisis now done, I contacted Stacker so I could have my talk with him. He entered the room casually I angrily turned towards him.
" You called for me Athena?" He asked.
" Yes I did." I said crossing my arms.
" May I ask what for?" He questioned.
I sighed. " We need to talk about what you did earlier today specifically recruit Shefte." I said.
" What about it?" He asked again.
I raised my brow at him. " Well sergeant to put it simply you went too far not only did you say those horrible things to him, but you went as far as too striking him." I told him
Stacker shook his head. " If you hadn't noticed Athena this isn't a daycare." He told me.
" Wel if you haven't noticed I don't remember drill sergeants assaulting recruits." I shot back.
" Listen Athena I am under orders to try and make them quit and be 10 times as hard on them than your average ODST trooper, I mean you chose Kelly and more specifically her squad, I am making sure you made the right choice." He told me.
I rolled my eyes in response Listen I know I said to intensify their training but I don't remember saying trying to get them to quit.
" Listen, sergeant I know this is not a daycare but even by ODST standards you crosse a line, do that again and I will make sure admiral Hood will find a replacement." I warned him
" What makes you think Hood would so easily replace me under your orders?" He asked me.
" Who is to say he wouldn't, I mean he accepted my proposition at the end of the day." I said making him go silent.
" That is... a good point." He conceded.
" So I recommend not to do that ever again." I warned one last time.
" I will make sure to do that." He muttered walking to the exit.
" Oh Stacker by the way." I said stopping him in his tracks.
" Yes?" He asked.
" I kind of revealed myself to Ashley and Kelly." I smirked making him groan.
" You were supposed to do that when they were done with training." He complained making me chuckle.
Kelly's POV
The last 2 weeks were hell on Earth. Rigo and Jesus were close to quitting, but with some convincing, we persuaded them to stay. Now we were learning how to work as a squad and general tactics.
We were at the field practicing CQB, Manny and Makoa were getting chewed out from their constant arguments and fights, Stacker was losing it with them.
" 3 2 1 breach!!" I yelled. Manny kicked down the door, and threw a flashbang and went in clearing the building.
" Room clear." I shouted. Once we were done Stacker entered the room. " Good job clearing the building that is a new record" Stacker complimented me.
" Thank you sir." I saluted him.
" I think you got it in you to be squad leader." He told me.
" I think you have it in you." Lieutenant Potts said, walking up to me.
He joined Stacker in training us on CQB unconventional warfare for the past two weeks it was honestly not as torturous as the 3 weeks of hell we went through however Stacker was being a hawk as usual one minor mistake and he was all over our asses but it was bearable enough. My only worry was Makoa. Ashley and I kept an eye on him after the incident thankfully Athena deleted the footage so no one else knows about what happened.
If they did he would've surely gotten kicked out.
" All right everybody, that's a wrap return to the barracks" Stacker told us.
We all started packing our things. The training armor they gave us was nice not as cool as the real armor we will be getting, but it was slightly heavier than our Marine armor.
We rode our Warthog back to the barracks. We dismounted and everyone went their way except Makoa and I alongside Ashley stayed back.
I turned to Makoa " How are you holding up? I asked him.
He looked up at me and give me a thumbs up.
" So ok, meh?" I asked him.
" I am doing just fine Kelly." He told me.
Ashley raised her brow at him. " Are you positive." She asked him.
" Yes, I am positive." He responded starting to get a little bit annoyed.
" Hey, what y'all still doing out here ?" Rigo asked us.
" Oh nothing." I answered quickly.
" Well the rest of us are going to go get some shut-eye, you should too we have to wake up early again tomorrow." He said tiredly.
Rigo walked back inside, I turned back to Makoa. " You sure you are ok?" I asked him.
" Yes Kelly I am fine." He told me.
I sighed heavily "OK then." I responded. The three of us returned to our barracks where we fell asleep, only 1 more month left.
A few weeks later:
If I could tell you how torturous drop pod training is, hell seems fitting I was beginning to see why ODSTS were referred to as helljumpers.
Rigo must have barfed like 5 times every time we did it. The day was almost done, and we were dismissed back to our barracks after learning some more squad tactics, our training was over and we were close to graduating this was our last day. From not only learning squad tactics they also taught us survival skills when we are dropped behind enemy lines, All of us especially Makoa were pushed to our mental and physical breaking point, but it was done.
Rigo groaned as he flopped onto his bed. " I fucking hate those pods." He complained.
" Better get used to it then we are going to be deployed by those pods for now on." Jesus said causing him to groan.
" Well, I for one am happy that the training is over." Makoa said.
" Amen to that mate." Chips agreed.
" Honestly Makoa yeah." Carlos joined.
" Anyone got any final thoughts before we graduate?" Ashley asked.
" Well I am happy to say that we made it through." Jesus said. Everyone agreed with him.
" Anything to add Sara." Ashley asked the Hungarian.
"She shrugged her shoulders. " I honestly thought I would not make it but there is a Hungarian saying Aki mer, az nyer, He who dares, wins." She said.
" Well said Sara, your dad would be proud." Ashley responded. But speaking of families once we were done with our training excercise, they gave us the option of inviting our family members to our graduation ceremony of course, everyone else invited all of their family, I thought long and hard about mine, I of course invited my two older sisters, I would invite my little sister but that means bringing my parents so I don't know, I was still undecided. The last time I saw my parents it was not on good terms. Especially my mom not after the stunt she pulled.
Ashley noticed me in deep thought, she got up from her bed and sat down right next to me. " What is on your mind Kells." She asked me.
" Oh, nothing." I said trying to change the conversation.
Ashley gave me a weird look. " Come on Kelly, we have known each other forever what's on your mind?" She asked again. I sighed and looked up at her.
" I am debating if I should invite my parents." I told her.
" Why not?" She asked me.
" Well last time I saw them we did not leave on good terms they discovered I was attracted to women, and they were not happy to say the least." I sighed.
Ashley waited beckoning me to continue " A part of me wants them to come since they are my parents after all, another doesn't since they seem so damn adamant that I chose to be gay and I wasn't born this way." I finished.
Ashley pondered for a moment processing what I just said. She then looked up at me. " When was the last time you saw your parents?" She asked.
" Uh it has been 3 years." I answered her. She then was stuck in deep thought.
" I say invite them." She finally said shocking me.
" Just like that I should invite them after having little to no contact with them for 3 years." I responded, and yes the few video calls that I was given I only talked to my three sisters, I was already under a lot of pressure the last thing I needed was my parents telling me how much of a freak I am.
" Hear me out for a sec." Ashley told me interrupting my thoughts.
" It has been 3 years they could have changed their minds." She told me, ha I doubt it.
" Ashley you do not know them like I do." I responded.
She chuckled. " You don't know Kells people can change especially after 3 years, plus at the end of the day they are your mom and dad, becoming an ODST is one of the most greatest accomplishments anyone can do. They should go and see you graduate." She finished. Honestly, she made a compelling argument it has been three years and at the end of the day they are my parents
" I guess you are right I will invite them." I finally gave in making her smile.
" I am glad to hear it." She said.
A part of me is telling me that I would regret this but we will see how it goes.
" Well I am going to head to bed, it is a big day tomorrow." She said hugging me. " Yeah good night Ash." I said she smiled at me before going to her bed.
" All right everybody lights out!!" Stacker yelled. The lights turned off while I pulled the covers over me, and everyone else started to fall asleep.
Graduation. I never thought I would see the day I thought to myself, I then closed my eyes and went fast asleep.
I still couldn't believe it, the day began like any other everyone did their usual routines, but then the time finally came.
We were all in the auditorium dressed up in our now black Formal dress uniforms, signifying we are not just soldiers but Helljumpers.
Makoa was given the honor of holding the flag of UNSC while his brother Manny carried the colors of the Helljumpers.
We were joined by other groups of trainees who were able to pass their training, besides us, I never really got to know them for some odd reason we were separated from the rest of the recruits, but I never questioned it. Stacker was in the front as well as the other Sergeants.
We all stood silent, but like a blessing, the doors opened. " All right Helljumpers move out!!" Stacker ordered. We all began marching through and met with a huge applause from the crowd.
" Hey Rigo did you invite the entire family?" Makoa joked.
" Can you shut up and let me enjoy this moment in peace." Rigo sighed.
We marched through as the audience applauded us. I searched for my family and spotted my two older sisters in the crowd a long my little sister who seemed happy to see me, and there they were my parents. They were clapping but they seemed indifferent to the entire ceremony, were they still upset I have no clue. Everyone else is family seemed to have shown up as well.
" Face right!" Stacker and the sergeants yelled. We faced the audience in the stands as we kept on marching through the building.
" Face left!!" He yelled again. We all kept on marching until we finally stopped in the center of the field.
The commander appeared in front of us on the podium. The crowd queted down and awaited for him to speak.
" Citizens!! We are gathered here today to celebrate the graduation of these new recruits, from then on to this day you are no longer recruits but are ODSTS!!" He triumphantly said, the crowd responded with a huge round of applause only to go silent again.
" The insurrection is on the rise again, destroying everything that we have fought and strived for, however if they think the UNSC is just going to roll over they are mistaken!!" He continued to be met with more applause before going silent again.
" But these ODSTS the UNSCS finest will bring a swift end to them!! We will be the vanguard that will destroy them and after we will have everlasting peace!!" He yelled on the top of his lungs, more applause followed.
He raised his hands into the air. " Congratulations recruits you are now officially ODSTS, FEET FIRST INTO HELL!! HELLJUMPERS!!" He said finishing with our motto.
The crowd went into applause again. " All right ODSTS stand at attention, you know the rules you can only move until a family member touches you. We all did what we were told and lined up as the crowd dispersed in search of their loved ones.
I waited alongside Manny and Makoa, Carlos was the first to go being greeted by his family, second was Jesus, his cousin Alexis getting to him first. Next was Dubbo, his sisters showed up a long side there middle aged aunt.
" Aunt Cathey!!" He yelled giving her a hug. Woah she looked good for her age. I thought no doubt Makoa is going to be staring at her pervert.
But sadly not his parents. Sara had no family whatsoever so she was automatically dismissed.
Ashley got bear hugged by three of her little sisters, her parents were so proud of her.
Up next was Rigo being greeted by his nephew who was only one year old, he was so happy becoming a uncle.
Manny and Makoa were the last their family hugging them so proud that they made the cut to become ODSTS, their dads especially. Oh did I mention them being brothers was a running joke, I forgot the context.
Then their leaves me, all my other squadmembers were talking with their families, I was wondering what was taking them so long.
But thankfully my prayers will be answered when I saw my two older sister run up and give me a hug.
" Oh my god Jane it is so great to see you, you look good." My sister Jessica told me.
" Oh my god you look so great, ODST can believe you did it" My other sister Shanon proudly said.
When they were finally done hugging me to death I then saw my youngest sister Jade come into view.
" Hi Ja–" Before I could say anything she leaped into my arms crying into me. I returned the hug, man it has been so long since I saw her 3 years it has been. She then looked up at me, " You said you will visit." She cried at me breaking my heart.
" I wished I could sis trust me if I could of I would of visited you." I told her, now thinking about it this is the first time I saw my family in years.
" Will you be able to visit more often?" She asked me.
" I will do the best I can." I told her but it did little to satisfy her.
" I know you were busy but I still missed you sis." She told me.
" I know but thats what being part of the military is." I told her She sighed sadly.
" Why can't you be a teacher or lawyer or something?" She asked me.
" Oh Jade that is not something I want to do you know that, plus I always planned on joining." I told her.
" I know I know, just try to visit more often." She finally said. This is odd normally Jade does not like close contact especially with her condition and all with OCD
" Again I will do the best I can." I told her.
When she finally let me go.
I then saw my two parents wearily approach me. They just stared at me unsure on what to say,
" Uhm hi Jane." My mother awkwardly said to me.
" Hi Jane I see you are a ODST now." My dad joined in, I can't tell if my parents were disappointed or not but so far so good we were not screaming at each other.
" Mom, dad." I said non-cholantly.
" So uh the ODSTS do they pay more than being a marine?" my mom asked me.
And of course just like my mother to just care about material wealth I swear that is the only reason why she married dad. I raised my eyebrow at her.
" Yes they slightly pay more than the marines." I answered her.
" By how much?" My mother asked her.
" Just enough." I answered right back getting sick of her questions.
" What is that supposed to mean?" She asked again causing me to shake my head.
" Mom just let it go." Jessica told her.
" Let what go, I am just worried that Jane here is getting paid enough money so she will be financially well off." She said.
" Honey please." My dad tried to talk some sense into her only for it to fall on deaf ears as usual.
" Oh Jane, let's be honest here." My mom said getting my attention.
" Mom. now it not the time." Jessica warned her.
" No, it is the time." She shot back. She know looked back at me this should be good.
" Jane listen you should quit your job." She told me angering me.
" Why?" I simply asked.
" Mom I don't think we shou– Oh quite Shanon" My other sister tried to change the conversation.
" Jane to simply put it I don't think this job is right for you, Hell I don't even know why you joined in the first place, we were still recovering after you chose to be–" She trailed off making me raise my eyebrow
" Choose to be what exactly?" I asked wanting her to continue. Jade to shift uneasely
" Keep your voice down it is already embarrassing enough when we go to church, there has been so many rumors." She said awkwardly. Not going to lie a deep part of me was hurt that she said that and she is more worried about how people view them than their own daughter.
" Word spreading about what?" I said again wanting her to say it.
" Jane I think y— No I want her to say it." I said interrupting Jessica. Things started getting tense, Jade awkwardly fiddled with her thumbs, while my dad nervously touched his neck.
" Oh do I really have to say it Jane? You choosing to be gay or whatever it is called, we are very ashamed at the fact that you slept with a woman, because of that we get weird looks when we go to church a lot of rumors circulating." She finally said.
" She is right Jane it is embarrassing." My dad said agreeing with my mom not surprising at all.
I shook my head in dissapointment. Even after 3 fucking years my parents still couldn't accept for who I am, my sisters at least didn't care why can't they do the same.
" Mom can we talk about this another time, today should be a special day for Jane."Jessica tried again only for it to fall on deaf ears.
" Jane, come on your father wants you to inherit the company, if you don't want to do that, thats fine however we think you should meet this guy your father and I are talking to you, he is very sweet you should de— Ok mom I am sorry that is where I am going to have to stop you." I interrupted, shocking her but to be honest I did not give a fuck enough was enough.
" I have just about had it with your guys bullshit." I said getting the attention of some of my friends.
" Now listen here mom, one I did not choose to be gay that is not a choice but who I am." I said angrily, only for her to roll her eyes pissing me off more. " Oh please Jane it is just a phase, how can you be so selfish and do this to us." She said sending me over the edge.
" Ok that is fucking it!!" I screamed now getting everyone's attention.
" I am sorry but I can't change sexuality!! I like pussy get over it mom." I vulgarly said, making my parents eyes widen. Makoa and Manny did their best to keep in their laughter. While Rigo covered his poor nephews ears. Ashley saw the pain in my eyes and realized it was not a good idea to invite my parents.
" Also I will not be quitting my job that I put my blood sweat and tears for!!" I yelled again.
" But I will certainly not date some guy I never met in hopes of you turning me straight, I am a fucking lesbian I like pussy and women so get over it, also FYI I am already seeing someone and it is not a dude." I finished.
My parents just stood their shocked out of there minds, to be honest I just don't care anymore if they can't accept me for who I am it is there lost, if they are going to choose their own religion over there duaghter then fine.
" I think I need to go." My dad said.
" I think I will too, come on Jade let's go." My mom said grabbing her hand. My sister broke out of her grip. " No I don't want to stay." she said.
"Jade you are being ridiculous." She said trying to grab her again
I got in front her and pushed her hands away," I am pretty sure if she wants to stay she can" I said, My mom looked at me surprised that touched her.
" Come on Jane you can't be ser—" she stopped talking as Ashley appeared behind me
" You heard her Mrs. Kelly." She said
" I will be in the car." My mom told us walking away
"Thank you Jane." My little sister told me.
" No problem Jade." I responded patting her on the head.
" Well that was some family reunion." Makoa awkwardly joked.
" Oh shut up." Manny said hitting him on the forehead.
The celebration continued without anymore drama I was sitting at the table with my three sisters telling me what they been up to.
Jessica is a teacher now while my sister Shanon became a lawyer. Jade was about to start her senior year in high school which was good. I also was told that since she just turned 18 she would be moving in with Jessica and Shanon who bought a house together.
" So what did you do?" I asked Shanon.
" Oh easy had campus safety escort him out." She finished earning a luagh from us all.
" I swear I would do what you do Kelly sometimes. Fighting aliens seems easier than dealing with high school students." She told me.
" Oh trust me that is something you don't want to do" I warned her
" Plasma it is not good for your health." I joked.
" What was it like fighting the Covenant?" Shannon asked me.
" It fucking sucked." I told her.
" In what ways?" She asked.
" Oh you know being outnumbered, outgunned the usual." I answered her.
" Ok you made your point." She said hearing enough.
We ate our food and it was peaceful for the most part, I had a good time with my sisters, but sadly it had to end as the visiting hours were done and they had to leave. It was sad for all of us, due to the war we had no time to spend with our families. We finished cleaning up the building until Stacker told us to come meet him in rom E-103.
Odd but we all made our way there. " Just what is it does he want us for?" Makoa complained.
" I don't know man but I hope it is not some type of surprise exercise." Rigo responded. We walked into the room and were met with Dr. Halsey, Kelsi, Watson, and Stacker.
We all immediately stood at attention. Makoa was visibly happy to see Halsey, as was Manny when he saw the blonde doctor, I shared the same feeling. The two idiot brothers were visibly happy to see the two doctors more noticeably Makoa
" Hello again, you are probably all wondering why we brought you here." Halsey said, winking at Makoa making him blush.
" Well I will cut to the chase, with the insurrection on the rise again, Command has decided to start a new program." She said.
We all questioningly looked at each other. " And we are offering you the chance of being the first candidates." She said.
She can't be thinking what I think she is saying. Kelsi then stepped forward, " Project Hoplite it is called that is what you will be a part of." She told us.
" Doctor Halsey, and Watson here have been developing ground breaking augmentations, to work on adults." Stacker joined in.
"This program I must warn you is very dangerous." Amelia warned us. Smiling at Manny.
" So how about it Helljumpers thinking about becoming super soldiers?" She said.