- soulguard
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- Exalted Mythic Member
Monroe downed her second drink. “I think it was about two years ago. It was thanks to Kim, really.”
“To Kim!” A very intoxicated man shouted after overhearing the captain’s words. Everyone raised a glass and took a drink.
Monroe continued. “Her recommendation to ONI earned me the promotion. We had just successfully tested the Rogue Fantasy’s cloaking engine. We slipped past an entire Covenant fleet, right down the middle of their formation, undetected. It was the first test of the cloak.” Monroe smiled as she thought about the memory. Obviously she had more memories involving the incident that she didn’t want to share. She then looked at Rose with an awkward glance. The scotch was starting to take its toll. “Sergeant Raynord is waiting for you. Quit your staling!” With a quick nudge Rose stumbled past a few ‘happy sailors’ and stopped at Eric’s bed side. Monroe had already gripped another shot, and was waving Rose away as if she were a bad puppy.
Rose looked down at Eric with an embarrassed gaze. “It looks like they’re using your quiet time in order to have a party.”
Eric mumbled. “That’s because I can’t order them to get out.” He winced after attempting to laugh. Rose reached out, her heart filled with concern, but Doctor Smith placed a hand on Eric’s chest to calm him.
“Eric, say the word and I’ll kick them out for a little while.” Doctor Smith mumbled. A few comments rumbled from the crowd and Captain Monroe clearly ‘booed’ out loud. Although the officers of the Rogue Fantasy were talking amongst themselves, they could still hear some of the conversation at Eric’s bedside.
Eric patted Doctor Smith’s hand. “Everyone in the room is the only family I have left, Doc. Let them be.” Eric sighed.
“You see, that is why we love you man!” An officer near a window shouted. The atmosphere returned to its carefree nature.
Corporal Hall walked to Eric’s bedside. “Sir, I wish I could stay, but I have to dispatch to the 501st. 05 says that you need to get on your feet, fast. They need you.”
Doctor Smith cut in as memories of the 501st quickly appeared in her mind. “You’ll be under Colonel Ackerson’s command. Word of advice; ignore him. He’s a prick, a desk jockey pushing for power. He wants to win this war just like the rest of us, but he’ll do anything to achieve it as long as he gets recognized for it. If you happen to face him, agree with everything he says, and then report to Captain Brain Haden. He’s the captain of the Inner Power. He’s about the only man that Ackerson will honestly listen to.”
Eric saluted loosely. “You heard the Doc. Watch your ass, Corporal.”
“Sir, it has been an honor.” Hall turned, took a shot glass from a soldier and held it high. “To 19!”
“To 19!” Everyone repeated as they tossed back the drink.
Rose watched this familiar display; how all of the soldiers that had survived the Rogue Fantasy’s crash had gathered around Eric and were morning and celebrating. Eric always had a magnetic personality. People followed him no matter what. Even in college he was able to convince his closest friends to join the military and help protect their homes. He was a natural born leader, the type of man that anyone would follow and willingly respect. Rose knew the feelings all to well.
Though she chose not to follow him to war, Rose struggled hard against the decision to remain in college. A piece of her heart had left when Eric, Kimberly, and Melanie joined the UNSC, but she made a conscious decision. She could still visually recall the day she found out Eric and the others were dropping out of school to join the military. She could still feel her heart sinking as she raced across campus to say goodbye to Kim and Eric. She could remember her frustration of fighting through the crowd of sports reporters, which had blocked her path to the campus tram station and prevented her from saying her farewell.
Fate brought Eric back to Rose, yet at the cost of Kimberly’s life.
Rose watched as Eric talked softly to the Doctor, they had known each other for well over fifteen years, and talked on a level that Rose knew she couldn’t understand. Rose sat silently at Eric’s side, listening to the happy comrades gossiping around her. This was Eric’s family, the soldiers he had been fighting with for all of these years. She looked around at all the inebriated faces and smiled softly. It was at this point that she realized she was holding Eric’s left hand. She nervously looked downward at her hand, and felt the lock of her fingers within his. She became nervous. How long had she been unconsciously holding his hand?
Rose looked around the room again to see if anyone had noticed, or cared. Eric did not seem phased by it, as he continued to talk with Doctor Smith. The other officers in the room continued to talk and drink, occasionally looking toward Eric, but not making a fuss. Was this okay? Kimberly was their leader, the Black Operation’s Senior Chief Petty Officer, and their friend. Clearly they all noticed that she was holding his hand, a sign of replacing Kim, but they didn’t care.
Rose lowered her head, and focused on Eric’s hand. It was scarred badly from the surgery that made him into a Spartan. She rubbed her finger over the scars, gently messaging the wound. Eric rolled his head over and smiled toward her, Rose softly returned the gesture, and Eric returned to his conversation with Doctor Smith.
Apparently it was alright for her to hold his hand. But was it really okay to be trudging over Kimberly’s grave?
- - - - - - - -
Troop Supply Territory
Camp Eden Civilian Defense Net
Abu Simbel, Egypt
November 2, 2552
The sun burned brilliantly overhead as transport ships landed and took off from the nearby airfield of Abu Simbel. In the distance, nothing could be seen, but every Marine, Grunt and Elite knew what lay further to the South. The Flood would arrive, and it seemed that nothing could slow this particular wave down. Not even the mighty Nile River would slow their onslaught. Once the Flood crossed the River, they would literally be in Camp Eden’s backyard.
Several Grunts sat in a circle, quietly resting as a red armored Elite paced around them. The Elite focused his attention toward the south, knowing that the creatures would come. He then looked to his left and watched as more humans began to rest in the shade of their vehicles. It was hot, and the sun was beating down on them, but the Elite was not going to become relaxed; the wealk humans would not last a day under his command. The Elite then watched as the armored human, the Demon, sat atop the massive Scorpion Battle Tank. The Demon’s gaze was like his, staring toward the south in anticipation of the coming battle. Clearly, the Demon was the only warrior in the human military.
Kelly sat motionless, her eyes focused on the southern plains beyond the mighty Nile River. Yet in her mind she replayed the events that had occurred a few moments before.
“I gave you a direct order!” Major Rawlings had fumed over the line. “Return to base, immediately!”
“I can not obey that order, Major.” Kelly calmly replied. “Defense of Abu Simbel is top priority. The Elite commander of this defensive has not returned, and I can not leave this defensive front without adequate seniority.”
“Kelly, this is bigger then you. Your mother understood, and even though she was reluctant to give you to me, she knew it could not be avoided. This is the future of humanity we are attempting to save.”
“From what I can tell of the situation, you are attempting to use me in order to further your own motivations. I’m a soldier defending the Earth from a threat. I remember the stories you told me when I was young, but I have come to the realization that I am nothing like the woman in your story. If I am forced to choose between the path she chose and the path of a Spartan… I choose to be a Spartan, ma’am. My duty is to eliminate this threat and lead my unit. You trained me, made me, and gave me the tools to be a Spartan, not a Reclaimer. You should know this.”
“You aren’t listening.” Major Rawlings sighed heavily. “You are the last of us who is able to…”
“Major, the com channels should not be used for personal chatter. If I survive this defensive we can talk when I return.” Kelly cut the line, losing her patience and tolerance for Major Rawlings lack of understanding what she is forced to decide. Her constant spats about the Ark, the Crystal, the Reclaimers, and humanity. Kelly only wanted to focus on the now, her duty. Humanity had to come first, and right now the only humans she cared about were the ones standing at her side on the front line of Abu Simbel.
She understood what the Major wanted. Kelly remembered the story of Elena, ‘The Guardian of the Luminous Key’, and what it meant. It was a story which had been passed down for centuries throughout her family, and it was clear that it was more then just a story; it was history. Kelly’s heart grew even heavier with this burden. She was no longer a simple soldier, created to be the most powerful weapon against the Covenant, she was the last of an ancient clan whose sole duty was to protect a powerful ship buried underground. A ship that recreated humanity and controls the most powerful weapons system the universe has ever seen, Halo. And according to the history of her family, it was time for her to defend and use it. She was being called to activate Halo and fulfill her duty the universe.