Disclaimer: All HALO characters not my own belong to Microsoft and Halo studios
Sorry for the late update everyone, as its Christmas, I cannot spare much time for my uploads, but hey, it's Christmas so….MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL
Christmas Special
December 25, 2534, 0945 hours [MILITARY CALENDER]
Location: En-route to Kennewick system, UNSC Halcyon class light cruiser, Roman Blue
Third Person POV
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The environment on the warship was very much different compared to any other days.
The usual stoic, anxious and hardened demeanor of its occupants was now replaced with a sense of relaxation, calmness and most of all Fun.
It was of course the first time in many months, even years that the crew onboard had been this relaxed, and it was understandable for them to be as such.
Christmas had dawned and with it a day of light, yet hearty celebration, not of victory, but in remembrance of a tradition forged thousands of years ago, in Earth's ancient time.
A holiday celebrated in the name of a figure of a religion long since irrelevant to every man and woman in the colonies, a day which will never fade until man itself does.
Christmas was no longer a religious holiday, No, it was now a cultural holiday, a day celebrated by everyone, and the crew of the Roman Blue upheld that day.
The first they had celebrated since the beginning of the war against their zealous alien enemies, a war that was nightmarish to all, yet one that ensured their continued survival, an assurance which wouldn't last long.
But that wasn't what was on the mind of everyone onboard the warship, for now, for today, they could forget everything and enjoy this small moment of peace…and by everyone…it meant everyone.
The doors to his room slid and hissed opened; greeting him was the usual empty hallways of the cruiser, but unlike other times when it was usually barren, today, atleast the walls were mildly decorated with some red and white ribbons, the color often used to indicate Christmas.
'Here's Christmas' Tyler thought as he stepped out of his room and onto the hallway.
He was out of his armor as he had wanted it checked for any damages, and also to get some shower, and so he was dressed in his usual black fatigues and black shirt, he loved the color black, and he was damn sure had it been in HIS universe, people would have made some questionable comments on it.
Tyler continued through the hallways, eventually exiting the Officer's Quarters and into the main hallways which conjoined with those that led to the Launch bays, Mess halls, Cryo bays and Bridge.
Among these many intersections, Tyler came across a Varity of personals, Naval, Marine, technicians and Medical, all of whom as he passed by wished Merry Christmas. Even Captain Hood was strolling around the ship…guess he too wanted to have some time off of the war.
In other days, all except the Captain and his own team would salute him, not only because he was an officer now, but because he was a Legend onboard the Roman Blue, and in his classic humbleness, he was not even aware of it.
Nearing the elevator which would take him down to the hangers, Tyler came across Alexander who seemed to be heading towards the same direction, he too was outside his armor, similarily dressed as Tyler, "Morning Tyler" he greeted.
"Morning" Tyler returned the greeting, "Going to the hanger?"
"Yeah, let me guess, you're going there as well?" Alexander asked, as both he and Tyler stepped inside the elevator.
The elevator began its descent as Tyler pressed on the panel besides the entrance, "You're on point" he answered, "Where are the others?"
"Most likely at the hanger, heard from Nero that all three of them were down there" Alexander replied.
"Any idea what they're up to?" Tyler further asked.
"My guess, Maria's probably cleaning her gun; Owen's probably sniffing out any imperfection in the vehicles and Cassandra…no idea" Alexander guessed.
'Very specific guess for Owen…not surprising" Tyler thought.
"You know, this whole, Christmas day is…very weird" Alexander said, to which Tyler raised an eyebrow, "I mean, I'm not saying I don't know what it is, just that…I forgot how its…celebrated"
"You never celebrated Christmas?" Tyler asked, completely missing the point that he had forgotten how it's celebrated.
"No, no, we did…just not like this" Alexander corrected, "Back during training, whenever ever Christmas came, the only thing we'd get would be either better food, warm clothes and…Special trainings"
"Chief Mendez really did push you all, didn't he?" Tyler asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'd be surprise if he didn't push us all to our limits" Alexander chuckled, "But really, that's the reasons we're still here, still alive, and before you ever ask, I don't regret being a SPARTAN, even though its less desirable"
Tyler silently nodded, even though Alexander was…less disciplined compared to other SPARTANs, even he too like every other SPARTAN was indoctrinated to the core by their trainers.
"You never told me about your time in boot camp, not that I need to know, just that I want to know how it was for everyone" Tyler asked, not getting the exact words he should have used.
"Ah…" Alexander said, clearly hesitant with the question, "How about another time…it's, complicated"
Tyler nodded, understanding how it must feel for him. Tyler too would feel hesitant if someone were to ask his past, one which would be considered as horrific.
"Tyler. I-I always had a question in mind" Alexander said.
"Spew it then" Tyler casually replied.
"Do-do you see me as a nuisance?" he asked, taking Tyler aback, he hadn't expected this kind of question, and he could tell Alexander was actually serious about it.
"Other's might have a different say…but for me personally…I don't mind your care free demeanor, after all, emotions are one of the factors that makes you Human" Tyler said.
Alexander stayed silent for a moment, digesting his answer, while he stayed like that, the elevator grinded to a halt, and its doors hissed opened, before they walked out, he spoke, "Thank you, Tyler"
"No need, now let's go" Tyler brushed off as he stepped off the elevator, soon followed by Alexander.
The Hanger/Launch bay was filled with much more activities than usual, and the activity ranged into more relaxed category, like, instead of Marines always donned in the BDU's and fully equipped patrolling the area, today, those same marines lounged around the crates they used as make shift seats, often playing cards, which was the most popular game on the ship.
Maintenance workers were on the usual shifts, inspecting each and every vehicle for any unrepaired damages, and the pilots, or Flyboys as the marines refer to as, too mingled with the marines.
However one thing did catch Tyler's eye, on the far right end, huddled around some crates were a gang of ODSTs, joined in by some marines and Flyboys.
Feeling interested both Tyler and Alexander decided to pay them a visit. As the two SPARTANs neared the group, one of the ODSTs noticed them, recognizing Tyler, he immediately was about to offer a salute, but was halted by Tyler who motioned him to be quite.
The group seemed to be observing an extremely intense match of…Uno? 'Damn UNO's canon here?' Tyler thought. Never had he thought the most frustrating game where friends can become enemies could have actually existed in the Halo universe.
Tyler noticed some familiar faces among the players, but the more important one's were, Twister or Lisa, who seemed to be one of the players, she seemed to be the closeted to actually winning, with only four cards.
Then there was Noah, the ODST Sergeant or Lisa's brother in law, was also one of the players, and seemed to be the one getting absolutely Cooked, as Tyler considered, somehow getting his cards up to twenty nine.
And finally, the one that Tyler and Alexander least expected to be a part of this, Cassandra, never had Tyler thought that she would be into something like UNO, he always thought she would be somewhat of a chess person, if ever introduced to that is.
Although it was unnoticeable to a normal human eye, for the two SPARTANs, it was clear that Cassandra gave a quick and immediate side eye towards the two SPARTANs that watched, so fast that it seemed that she hadn't done anything.
"So, who's winning?" Alexander asked out loud, gaining all of their attention and looks.
An awkward silence followed as everyone looked at Alexander, completely ignoring Tyler who was resisting a laugh, 'Well done Alex, you're the worst at stealth' Tyler thought.
"What? I'm just asking?" Alexander said
"It's a serious game, Sir, interruptions may get you a…black eye, especially from the chief" one of the ODSTs whispered over to Alexander, who in turned gazed at Cassandra who was giving him a death stare.
"Right…don't mind me, just a casual spectator" Alexander said burring behind the other ODSTs by slowly kneeling down.
Eventually the game continued on, with Lisa drawing ever closer to victory while Noah continued to get ganged on by both Lisa and Cassandra, and Cassandra…she just, as Tyler would refer, Trolled everyone, slamming reverse's and blocks whenever opportunities arises.
The game finally ended on the eighth minute after Tyler and Alexander joined in on the spectator's team, the game finally ended with Lisa pulling the classic 4 card as her final, instantly winning, while screwing up Noah, who groaned in defeat and annoyance, indicating this wasn't his first lost.
"It's alright Sarge, it's just a game" one of the ODSTs said while the others laughed.
"Game? It's a damn blow to your prestige" Noah shot back, "Damn bastards teamed up on me"
"What's the matter sarge? Can't beat two women?" another ODST teased which only made their laugher louder.
"Well I'll have you know private, that one of them is my SISTER IN LAW! And the other is a DAMN SUPER SOILDER!" Noah shot back, only for his men to laugh harder, Tyler had to agree, it was funny seeing the ODST sergeant so frustrated.
"I found the game quite intriguing" Cassandra commented as she shuffled the cards, "How about another one?"
"No thank you, Ma'am, I've got my honor damaged enough" Noah refused to which his men simply gave a playful Boo's. "Alright maybe if I have another MAN playing with me"
Every male present, ODST and Marine looked at each other, seemingly silently deciding on who should join the Sergeant, and as expected no one stepped forward as they themselves knew they were going to lose…until.
"I will" Tyler said as he walked towards the centre, the ODSTs giving way as he did so, some of them even gave small cheers as he passed by, 'Yup, I'm gonna enjoy this' he thought.
"Happy to see you join me, Sir, atleast I know I have a Super soldier as well backing me now, right?" Noah said
"Maybe" Tyler said as he sat on one of the crate's directly opposite to Noah.
"What prompted you to join?" Cassandra asked as she distributed the cards among the four players.
"Got bored" Tyler said as he picked up his cards.
"Ready to get your ass kicked as well, LC?" Lisa said with a grin.
"We'll see about that" Tyler replied with a small grin of his own.
He couldn't help but feel nostalgic, the last he had ever played UNO was back in his universe, with his old friends…which would always end with them trying to kill each other…ah Good times.
Meanwhile Alexander watched from the side as Tyler joined in on the game, "Is there a fifth slot open?" he asked.
"No" all four of the players including the onlookers replied.
"Well, guess I ahead then…haha" Alexander said nervously as he slipped away from the group, "Guess I'll have to find Maria…nah wait she'll kill me…Owen? Nevermind he'll be God knows where"
Sighing, Alexander made his way towards one of the empty crates close by the walls, after making sure it was sturdy and wont accidently break, he comfortably took a seat.
"Oh well, guess I'll start with you then" Alexander said as he pulled a metal plate from his pocket…the same plate that contained the painted future logo of their team, there was still some unfinished details that had to be inserted, Alexander wasn't sure if they would even be allowed to customized their armor, if ever, their olive green armor was what made them indistinguishable from one another…only very few SPARTANs like Tyler were an exception when it came to armor and customization.
"A little logo won't hurt too badly, I guess" Alexander murmured to himself as he indulged himself on continuing his piece of art.
A/N: again I apologize for the late upload, I had to work continuously with the ACTUAL next chapter and Christmas dawned soo…yeah…
As explained before on the previous chapter, this would be a short, and i mean a very short chapter...compared to other ones, this chapter would not hold anything significant to the overall plot of this book, just that Christmas was near, and I want Tyler to have some time as well……anyways likewise, A very, very, Merry Christmas to all…