Chapter 9

Austin- It's most likely that one of the next chapters is going to be dedicated to them. Wanted to focus more on the White Base initially as well as Chief and Lilith.

R reyes- I'm missing crucial information from what you're saying, but I imagine it's about how Chief is surprised to see how Mobile Suits are used and are considered effective weapons given how advanced Halo military technology is and more lethal than Gundam UC technology. I mean wouldn't you be surprised and raise an eyebrow if impractical technology or vehicles in your universe are considered effective and you have no idea why they are?

Nemesis Astraea- I was thinking more of a Gundam, GM, or a Dom than a Gouf as I see that as more of a Sangheili Mobile Suit than one for Master Chief, but I do see the reasoning behind it.

8/14- Update

Bright

"I'm glad to see that the enemy surrendered without too much difficulty." Said Lieutenant Matilda, a young, red-haired woman in an Earth Federation uniform as she addressed Bright, who simply nodded. The two were currently meeting next to Lieutenant Matilda's supply transport ship, a large yellow-colored cargo hauler called a Medea transport. It was used by the Earth Federation to transport supplies all across the world to various Earth Federation bases and outposts on Earth. Matilda's Medea in particular was assigned to resupply the White Base and its crew whenever possible given its importance to the Earth Federation currently. Despite this priority mission, she still helped other bewildered Earth Federation positions across the world as well, which is becoming increasingly harder as supplies are becoming increasingly stretched thin as the war dragged on. Hence, the reason she asked Bright and the White Base to assist in raiding this Zeon Base for its supplies. She secretly despised such tactics, but reluctantly had to do so because of the strained supplies at the moment. Every single Federation front line or base was in desperate need of supplies of all kinds, but there simply wasn't enough to help out everyone sufficiently.

"Yes, I'm proud of my crew for their discipline in the situation." Said Bright as he looked at Matilda as she went over what they have taken from the military base. Not only were they taking whatever they could transport from the base, but they were also taking whatever prisoners they acquired with them. Fortunately, a second Medea was given to her to help with the supply raid by Earth Federation General Headquarters so they should have more than enough space for both the supplies of this base and whatever prisoners they could acquire from this base as well. After all, it wouldn't do to leave Zeon soldiers here with a functional base, regardless of their training, after raiding it.

Speaking of the base, Matilda had sent a message to General Headquarters about the status of the base and what to do with it. It was more or less largely intact and she didn't have the resources to scuttle the base. So, she sent a message to General Headquarters on what to do with it. Hopefully, they'll inform her soon. She needed to get these supplies to Federation forces that needed them. Speaking of supplies, Bright had given her some…interesting requests.

"Well, before I forget, I'm pleased to inform you that we have all the items that you had requested to be brought forth to the White Base." Said Matilda as she raised an eyebrow at the items. They weren't anything dangerous or anything. No. Instead, she was perplexed at the strangeness of the items that Bright requested her to be on the lookout for. He claimed they were for the refugees, some of which were close to some of his crew, but she found some of the items still strange because some of them were exactly something that people use anymore. For example, a staff with a white bird at one of the ends.

The staff didn't look like a walking stick and even then why would anyone use a walking stick over a cane? Then there was the stack of small papers that contained strange symbols that Matilda had never seen before. And finally, there was the chest with an odd name on it, likely the owner. Upon opening the chest, it was filled with clothing that Matilda had never seen before. All of it was strange and she wondered why Bright was doing this for some refugees. He claimed that it was to boost the popularity of the Earth Federation, an admirable thing, but still. She questioned the odd requests, especially the one concerning the papers with strange symbols. She'll have to speak to Bright about these.

"We have the items that you requested us to obtain from the enemy base, Lieutenant Junior Bright." Said Matilda as she looked at Bright, who blinked at the rank that she gave him as that wasn't his official rank. He was still an ensign after all, despite being the captain of the White Base. "They'll be transported to your ship shortly along with additional supplies that General Revil requested that I deliver to the White Base. If I may be so bold Bright, why are you doing such acts of charity for the refugees? Is it on account of their relations with your crew?" Upon hearing that, Bright gave a lie to Matilda about the reasoning for the strange items.

"Simply put, we owe a debt to some of the refugees nearby for assisting us when we required it." Said Bright. "Not only that, but this served as a golden opportunity to strengthen relations between the Earth Federation and the people in this region. At least to my mind." Matilda seemed to buy that answer because she praised Bright in her next sentence.

"You have my respect then, Bright. More so than you already do." Said Matilda before changing the subject of their conversation to something even more important. "But as much as you have my respect, Bright, I also bring something more substantial for you along with your new orders from General Headquarters." Upon hearing that, Bright narrowed his eyes a bit before readying himself for whatever Matilda was going to say to him, which she soon did.

"As you may have noticed, I called you by the rank of Lieutenant Junior, yes?" Asked Matilda. When Bright nodded, she clarified. "That was because General Headquarters decided to promote you to that rank on account of your successful leadership of the White Base. Congratulations. Your rank plaques and insignias will be amongst the supplies, Lieutenant Bright." Feeling stunned to be receiving a field promotion, Bright nonetheless took it in stride, thanking Matilda for notifying him. "You're welcome, Lieutenant Bright. Now, you're new orders." She then took a deep breath before telling him his next set of orders. "As you know, the Zeons have a massive mining operation in Eastern Europe in Odessa. That operation not only provides them with a major staging ground for their operations on Earth, but it also provides the Principality with much-needed resources. Resources that help them continue fighting this war. Until recently, we didn't have an opportunity to strike a crippling blow at that region and potentially turn the tide of the war in our favor. But with the recent death of Garma Zabi, however…"

"Now we have the ability to do so." Said Bright, now seeing the big picture now.

"Correct." Said Matilda. "Operations are now underway to retake Odessa City and the region from the Zeons. And General Revil wants the White Base to assist in taking the operation."

"I see." Said Bright, upon hearing that. "Very well. We'll proceed to Odessa the moment that we're able to."

"Good." Said Matilda with a nod. "More instructions will be provided to you along with your next resupply. For now, just head to Odessa. I'll give you a notice ahead of time when our next rendezvous should be."

"Understood." Said Bright. Giving a sound of satisfaction, Matilda then changed the subject.

"In that case, I believe that we're done here, Bright. You may now return to your ship." Said Matilda as she looked at Bright before saluting him, causing him to do the same for her.

"Thank you." Said Bright before taking his leave. Heading straight to the landed White Base, Bright saw several trucks filled with supplies heading to the White Base in the only hanger bay open for them, the one that didn't contain the Pelican dropship. No doubt that one of those trucks contained Lilith's personal belongings within its cargo of supplies meant for his crew.

Truth be told, he was stunned along with Sayla when Lilith asked them to get her items from the Zeon base, specifically her magic staff and stacks of paper that she used to wield her magic. Unlike the green armored soldier, Lilith was more straightforward with information about her and, honestly, friendlier to talk to than him. Though, when she told them what she was, he was seeing that the green armored soldier was more believable than her as she told them that she was a Witch and that those items of hers help her conduct magic.

When she told them that, Bright just looked at her incredulously. A Witch and she can do magic!? Completely absurd and he told her as such. When she heard that, Lilith then, using her left pointer finger, created a blue circle, and out came a stream of flames that went to the ground harmlessly, showcasing that she can, in fact, use magic. She then cast a few more, harmless spells to show that she can really do magic, stupefying everyone that saw it. Well, except for the green armored soldier, who still stood still like a statue as he watched Lilith cast magic.

Remembering that irrefutable proof, Bright felt a headache coming to him. Not only did he have a giant of a soldier that can easily wipe him and his entire crew out from the looks of him, but now he has a witch that can cast magic. Magic! A fictional thing used in children and fantasy books was actually a real-life concept before his very eyes.

The rational part of him tried to think up a logical way that Lilith did what she did, but he couldn't find anything. She didn't have any sort of device on her that could do the things she did, especially the one that she sent out a sizable block of ice on the bridge from a small blue circle, which was probably the most undeniable proof she did that proved that she was a Witch.

Rubbing his temples, Bright wondered what the heck he did to bring this upon him and if he should worry more about Lilith than the green armored soldier because…well…magic. There was no telling what she can do with that stuff. He was also glad that he didn't tell Matilda about the recent additions to his crew because he was positively sure that even the kind officer would think he was going insane if he told her that he had a Witch onboard that can do magic. He really didn't want to go to a mental institution or be declared mentally insane because of that.

Sighing, Bright wondered what Lilith was doing now and how the crew was reacting to her being able to cast magic.

Meanwhile

Hanger

"Make it snow! Make it snow!" Yelled a blond child as she and the rest of the children on the White Base, which were only three, were crowding Lilith, watching her cast a few harmless spells that enthralled them. Lilith just smiled as she heeded the request of the young child and began making it snow by creating a spell circle in the air above the children, who then squealed in joy as snow began falling down on them.

"You see Chief. She's actually a Witch." Said Fernando as he and Chief were watching Lilith entertain the children with her magic. Watching along with them were a few members of the White Base crew, who all wore expressions of shock and disbelief upon seeing Lilith doing, what they can only describe as a child's fantasy come to life as she cast magic spells for the orphaned children of the White Base. After seeing enough from the White Base's bridge regarding their complement of weapons, Chief left the bridge with Lilith after she finished telling Sayla what she was missing and the two headed for the hanger where their Pelican was. It was there that Fernando told Chief what Lilith told him and the White Base crew about her people and what she can do. Having seen Lilith cast magic on the bridge, Chief believed Fernando and instead looked at Lilith as she showed further proof that she can do magic. While Chief didn't show what he thought of this, Joy was showing it completely.

"Oh my god!" Yelled Joy with excitement as she watched this miracle happen before her. "Actual magic! I've heard about the term before, and I can't believe that I'm seeing a real-life example of it happening before my very scanners! I thought magic was only going to be done with special equipment or special effects with the purpose to entertain people, but no. Actual magic is happening before my very eyes. Oh, this is just so exciting! What do you think Chief?" Master Chief didn't say anything as he watched Lilith continue to cast spells at the request of the children, seemingly happy to do so for them.

While Joy was acting with excitement about it all, Master Chief was acting more reserved. If Lilith was truly capable of casting magic, then he needed to be on guard and think of how to best combat it.

Master Chief had heard of the term magic before, but he never thought he would encounter something that can actually do magic. Sure, certain Forerunner technology and equipment were capable of doing things that some people would claim as magical, but it was still technology. Highly advanced technology beyond the reach of humanity and even other alien species, but still technology. Here, Lilith was conducting actual magic with no assistance at all. It was both intriguing and unnerving as well, especially if she can do more than what she was doing at the moment.

While Chief was doubtful that Lilith would turn on them, she didn't seem to be someone that would betray, though he wasn't discarding that possibility, he was more in the line of thought of people like her coming to attack them for whatever reason, like being enemies of Lilith or being forced to because of enemies of this ship and the organization it serves under. Like the Zeons for example. If so, he needed to think of proper strategies to defeat such opponents and the best way to do so was to see Lilith perform her magic. See the drawbacks, if there were any, and what he can do to minimize the effects of her magic against him in a fight.

Seeing her cast one more spell, Chief spoke to Fernando.

"What do you think of her, Fernando?" Asked Chief, addressing Fernando by his real name. The man sighed before telling the Spartan what he thought of the Witch honestly.

"I don't know, Chief." Said Fernando honestly as he looked at the Spartan. "Stuff like this is really above something a civilian like me should know. I mean, actual magic Chief. It's like I'm in a fantasy or something, Chief. We're not only in an alternative universe, but we also got magic to deal with. Like, this is a lot to take in. Man, my life has been crazy since I meet you. It's…it's a lot to take in."

"I know." Said Chief, understanding Fernando's predicament. A simple civilian contractor forced into this position would have a lot to take in. And that wasn't counting the amount of stress he had to endure while working with a Spartan as they fought against an occupation force of pirates/raiders for a ten-thousand-kilometer-in-diameter installation while also uniting the last remnants of their fleet to drive them back. All of which he undoubtedly did not sign up for when he worked for the UNSC as a civilian contractor. Speaking of the Banished, Chief wondered about the Banished troops that had been in the blast radius of the explosion that Chief saw before coming here. Did they also survive the explosion and were sent here as well? If so, where were they, and would they become a threat in the future? He didn't know and he had to be prepared just in case for he was certain that, if they did survive and were teleported here, they'll come for them and that means they'll come for Lilith and the White Base just because of their affiliation with them.

As he thought about the Banished, Bright suddenly arrived with a white staff with a carving of a bird on top of it. Behind him were two teens, one of them holding a chest. Clearing his throat, Bright announced his arrival and looked at Lilith, who looked at him after finishing casting a spell for the children. Upon seeing the staff in Bright's hands, her eyes lit up.

"Oh thank the stars!" Yelled Lilith in relief before asking Bright to let go as she extended out a hand towards her staff. Sure enough, the staff flew out of Bright's shocked hands and went straight to Lilith's own outstretched hand, which caught it with practiced ease. Upon its return, Lilith embraced her staff, rubbing her cheek against the animal carving. "Thank you, Mr. Bright. This staff means the world to me. It's a gift from my father and I couldn't bear to lose it." Upon hearing that, one of Bright's escorts, Kai from before, spoke up.

"Yeah, well. How about this chest?" Asked Kai as he held the chest, annoyed that he had to hold it. "What's in here?"

"My belongings." Said Lilith before hopping on her staff and floating up towards Bright and Kai, much to everyone's shock or surprise. They didn't think that she can actually use her staff to fly like in children's books and cartoons, but here she was using her staff to fly. Floating towards the upper floors and towards the young men, she took the chest from Kai and floated down towards the Pelican, where everyone down below was looking at her floating around in her staff, like the Witches from old cartoons and books. Seeing this, Kai decided that he had enough for one day and decided to hit the hay.

"That's it." Said Kai as he felt a headache form in his head. He had already been told that she was a Witch and showed proof that she was, but now this. This was too much for the young teen. "I can't take anymore reveals. I'm going to bed. Don't try to stop me, Bright. I can't take any more of this." With that, Kai took off, leaving Bright with only one escort. Sighing in understanding, Bright watched as the orphan kids of the White Base began swarming at Lilith, their child-like mentality making them see her as cool and amazing with all that she's done so far, preventing them from seeing how much of a headache she was giving to Bright with all her magic and other things.

"I don't think I can handle any more for today either." Thought Bright, considering taking a short break to take his mind off of everything that he's learned and seen today. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't do it yet as Chief was looking right at him.

"We need to talk." Said Chief as he looked at Bright. "About your crew and these Mobile Suits. Now." Sighing again, Bright wondered what the hell he did to deserve all this again and if he should requisition some aspirin from Matilda the next time they meet as he had a feeling that he'll experience more headaches from these new arrivals in the future.