Chapter Text
The Falcon flew low over the boggy lands, with only the team’s helmets protecting them from the noxious smell. Bogs weren’t uncommon on the planet, but this particular one had been used for waste disposal before the terraforming was completed. “Richard! How long?” Sarah B133 used the helmet radios, blasting an ancient rock theme from the speakers, drowning out all other noise. “Hmm? Sorry, ‘bout 10 minutes. We did good today though, right? Hell of a story to tell.”
“Quite” Sarah replied. The mission had been a success, no-one had been hurt, so why was she so on edge? The mission had her feeling uneasy, but from her experience, this meant something was wrong. She’d ask their CO when they got back. “Alright, we’re not far out now, we did damn good today! The CO will be happy, so relax and enjoy the flight!” They gave their agreeance, quickly sinking back into their uncomfortable silence.
On the gun, sat Derek B221. He surveyed the scene, as did Marie B256 “What do you think of this, Derek?” she asked, her French accent turning the simple question into something akin to poetry.
“I don’t know. Whatever we hit, it wasn’t insurrectionist. Brass must have thought it would be though, else Miles would be here. Covenant? I don’t think so. It wasn’t purple enough, and they’re not ones to leave stuff abandoned. We were finding data though, clearing it for scientists...Innies only use our stolen tech, but it wasn’t Covvie. I ain’t got a clue” Marie winced at a glint of light from behind the hills. Thankfully, her armour masked the movement. It was surprisingly clean, usually covered in mud to mask her appearance. Derek, however, coloured his dark umber, with orange pauldrons, shin guards and helmet. Derek’s was also heavier, not just due to his larger frame. He had countless explosives, grenades, remote detonators, whatever they needed. Marie travelled light, only some spare mags, binoculars and her knife. Snipers tend to be light on their feet. That’s what she always told them when they asked.
A dark cloud encroached, smothering what little light streaked onto the brown earth below. The drizzle started dropping, pattering quietly against the steel of the Falcon. Marie thanked her armour, not for the first time, for being both waterproof and temperature controlled. A huge suit may not enhance stealth, but it kept her to herself when out, which suited her just fine.
Finally, the base was in sight. The oppressive steel structure loomed over the surrounding lands, bare but for the small patches of grass. Steel barricades were arranged in lines, manned by sparse deployments of fed up looking soldiers. They glared at the Spartans with barely concealed jealousy. Further from the base, past the barricades, lay trenches filled with sharpened wooden stakes. Crude and brutal, but effective. Deep in the dark shadow cast by the edge of the valley sat the staging ground, with Falcons, Pelicans, Warthogs and Scorpions sat in perfect disarray. Many more were housed inside, underground. Only a fraction was above ground, but it was a perfect show of UNSC might, a symbol to the people or any who dared challenge it.
As the Falcon hummed quietly, coming into land, Aaron B183 strode confidently towards the vehicle. As the occupants dismounted, he gazed at them, waiting for their words. Immediately, Richard B341 and Derek began, discussing the contents of the area, their finds and most importantly, the complete lack of any hostiles. Aaron curled his lip inside his helmet, thoughts racing. “Commander.” He said to Sarah. He didn’t need to say anything else. They told you I’m unstable and you listened, didn’t you? He wanted to say. Instead, he whirled around, furiously, storming away. The CO had wasted Spartans on an area with no hostiles. What had been the point? What had they found that was so important?
Heading inside the blast doors of the complex and into the heart of the installation, the team assembled around a table. Richard flicked on a lamp, ready for Sarah’s debrief. “Ok, as you all know,” she paused to remove her helmet, prompting all but Aaron and Marie to do the same, “We went out today. We explored new territory, and we did a damn good job. The downside is, we don’t get to find out what we exactly found.” Sarah could see the team become agitated, with the exception of Aaron, who simply chuckled. “If we don’t get to find out, what was the point?” Derek asked, looking to Sarah, who ignored the nodding Richard.
“Calm it, and I’ve said this to the CO. He said they’re operating on a need to know basis. Right now, all we need to know is if the ‘no hostiles’ situation changes. Understood?"
“Even if they told you, it’d be wasted breath. If you don’t know what it is looking at it, then why would you need to know?”
“Aaron you don’t get it. This was crazy shit. It was all silver and bronze, looked like Egypt in 2000 years! All these flickering blue lights and creepy floating stuff.” Derek explained.
“It was quite thrilling, I agree. However, if we are being denied knowledge, we must accept it.”
“Marie is right. I can’t change it, but if I knew I’d tell you.” With that, Sarah motioned for them to leave.
Later, in the bunk room, Richard was quietly mumbling along to an old tune, irritating everyone. Aaron sat, soundlessly sharpening his knife. The continuous rasp soothed Sarah, who lay reading a scarred paperback novel. It was comically small in her augmented hands. Derek was asleep and Marie observed them all, like a mother hen. Only protectiveness was replaced with simple inquisitive spirit.
Richard noticed this, before moving over to her “Come on Marie. You love it really!” At first, she ignored him. He was always rather abrasive, which somehow, she found drew her to him. As he neared, her posture changed, as did her lips. They shifted from her natural tight-lipped scowl to a gentle smile. “Come on.” he insisted. Shaking her head, Marie rose slowly, beaming at him. Ignoring the questioning looks from the others, they began to dance. “You need to relax sometimes, you know that?” Richard said.
“Is that so?” Marie replied, “It can be difficult to have fun in our position.”
“Yeah, we’re in the army, but we’re also superhuman goddammit! If that isn’t a reason to enjoy yourself, what is?”
“Great power, great responsibility?” Sarah called out dismissively. Richard glared at her good-naturedly.
“You could do with loosening up every now and then too. With all due respect, Commander”
“I am. That’s why I’m reading something other than military reports for once.”
“That wasn’t my point. We all need a sing and a dance to loosen up.”
“You’re telling me you see the Lieutenant Commander over there dancing?” Derek laughed, guffawing again when Aaron shot him a look of pure poison.
“That’s a fair point. Be miserable then, it’s fine by me.” Richard said. He and Marie continued to enjoy themselves, sometimes humming the tune or singing words.
As the night grew older, more of the team moved to sleep. Sarah snored with the book still on her nose, Marie had left Richard to dance alone and he stopped soon after her. Derek was sat in a chair, his helmet at his feet. All but Aaron slept. He looked around, at the team, what they stood for, how they appeared to the soldiers. Invincible Spartans curled up like children at their grandmother’s house. Murmurs of doubt ate at his mind, but he buried them for now. If only they saw them now. Rising quickly, he sheathed his blade, before lying in his bunk, ready for another day.