HRP Reboot - Chapter One: Breakups Suck

Giggling, Siri set the pad down and sighed. Rika wasn't moving.
"Requiem. Knight to D6."
The holographic man appeared. "Ah. Excellent." He moved a piece, then dispelled the chessboard. "Day off? Again?"
"Yep. Do what I need done. You have all you need."

She closed her eyes as Requiem disappeared.

Ozren glanced up from his tray to look at Daniel. "So, just to be clear; are we being dropped, or are being dropped off?" Daniel carefully thought for a moment, remembering the specifics of their orders. "Dropped off. No need for the usual insertion, unless you want to scare some of the tech boys down low. Honestly though, why assign ODST's to this kind of job...."

As Ren finished KP duty, he rigged up the oven to burn anything put into it.

Simple fix was to turn it off and on again.

But who ever thought of that?

Jaryd hopped up, holstering his weapon when he was finished with his work. He examined it slightly, noting how the light played with the metal now, and began wandering around, making a general heading towards the maintenance bay again. This time, however, he just wanted to play around with the vehicles, see what he could come up with.

Michael and Lina were messing around with a Falcon, having removed the side mounted guns, replacing them with...Gauss cannons.
How quaint.
"We're crazy." Michael muttered as he manuevered a pair of heavy machineguns over, preparing to mount them on either side of the cockpit, with five hundred round ammo boxes attached to them. Lina was welding armor onto the tail for effective counterbalance.
"Think we should overhaul the engines again, dunno if they'll -"
"We will. When we're done, this thing is gonna blow shit up like never before."

"Maybe we're being punished or something....." Chris said. No one really knew, though the running theory was that it was very important, whatever they were assigned to protect. Eventually, it came time for them to depart, piling into a pelican as the frigate neared the planet.

A short walk later and Jaryd was in the maintenance bay. He noticed Michael and Lina over by a Falcon. He called out before his armored boot clanked over. "Hey! What ya making?" His face was ecstatic, a large grin going from ear to ear as he looked over their handywork. "Very nice. Got a name?" He asked, grabbing a toolbox.

Wolf piled into the waiting pelican after finishing their meals. Marcus knew nobody was happy, but they knew not to risk Marcus' wrath. Of course, this was now filled with two squads of ODSTs. Jose was the only one who sort of stood out, with the red cross emblems on his shoulder armor. And Marcus was the only one with the highest rank on the pelican, it seemed.

Well...let's see what the spooks down there want dumb grunts like us to guard...

"I was gonna say the Eagle. But we're open to suggestions." Mike said.

Requiem appeared in Saoirse's room. "Pelican launched from UNSC Hammer Time. ETA is ten minutes."
"Thank you. But as you can see, Rika refuses to move."
The Spartan 3 shifted a bit. "You're comfy and not trying to move me."
"I tried moving you once. You handcuffed me to my own bed." The scientist objected.
"I can do it again."

"NOOO1" she nearly screamed too loudly.

Requiem rolled his eyes and left. Crazy bitch and crazy techie.

John went into the infirmary, saw Barnes, and sat down next to him. Funny thing was, Doc was right. All he needed to do was to see him. Barnes was still asleep, so John quietly sat next to him. He started reading some mail he had gotten, but most of it was junk mail. He then read some books, watched some movies, and read some news. It felt good to know Barnes was alive, but being in here without someone to talk to was... Boring.

Doc and the other two went to the mess hall on the base for some food. The place was a bit crowded with MPs and Marines. As they walked in, they got their food and sat in a table towards the corner. The three had nothing to talk about, nothing to argue over. Just silence, knowing that Barnes could've been killed because of their ridiculous behavior up on the Hornet, and even down here.

As the pelicans descended, the Hammer Time remained in orbit above the target location, as she monitored everything. Inside the pelican carrying Dragon Squad, some of the people in the troop deck couldn't help but look through the small windows, back at the frigate. It was still an impressive sight, the warship hovering over the planet.

A few minutes later, the dropships landed at ONI base November, coming to a rest on the landing pads. Someone was there to meet the ODST's as they got off. "Welcome to ONI Base November gentlemen. My name's Yusuf, and I'm here to take you to the operations room, speak with the head of the facility. They'll have your orders. Please, follow me." And then he led the, through the facility.

Finally able to escape Rika, Siri took a shower and managed to run to the Ops Room, arriving fairly quickly.

She stood with the others, waiting.

It wasn't exactly long, before the group led by Yusuf reached the ops room. But he did take a moment to show them where important things like the mess hall and barracks were. Thankfully, they weren't too large a detour that they didn't keep people waiting too long in the ops room. Finally, they entered the somewhat spacious room, though the team was still in armor, helmets off but carried in the crook of their arms. Daniel stepped forward and barked "Dragon Squad reporting for duty."

The project lead, Doctor McCallum, stepped forward.
"Welcome to November. I am Project Lead, Adam McCallum. The others here are Doctors Lara Tesohni, who works with making the CIC. Saoirse Monroe, AI and part of the design team. Harold Montegomery, engines."
He named four more people, then resumed looking at Dragon. "We've had Rebels attacking us, as well as an increased interest in our project. Thus, you are the security now. Two more ODST squads are deployed around here. Colonel Custer is the Security Specialist and will tell your orders. Thank you for your help. You may go."

Saoirse siddled to the side and flashed Lin a quick smile.

If Lin noticed the smile, she certainly didn't show it. Right now, this was a mission for her. She needed to remain professional. As for the rest of the squad, once they got the idea of just why they were needed, then they began to accept the role a little more. Grudgingly, but they still accepted it. However, they did all sort of think the same thing, a line that nearly all ODST's knew; Spartans get the fun jobs.

Dismissed, they left the ops room, heading for the barracks so they could get top bunk. Dragon squad, being the first ones in, were actually the last ones out, so they were in the back of the line of troopers as they moved down the hall.

Saoirse left, passing by the ODSTs. She brushed against Lin, pressing a note into her hand.

Four hours. My room. I'm cooking.

-Siri.

Lin couldn't help but grin a little, though, worked hard to make sure no one saw it. She'd read the note when she got to her bunk, but until then she followed her squad.

Arriving at her room, Rika gone, Siri began gathering what she needed.
Four hours.
Yeah. She could make a lot for Lin.

"I personally was thinking of Woodpecker. The sounds of those guns would just be like a bird hammering on wood. Bapapapapapapapapap." He mimed, walking over to the other side of the craft to look at the engines.

When Dragon squad got to the barracks, they managed to grab some bunks that were all close together. Granted, most of their own personal effects were back on the ship, but in all honesty they weren't necessary. Each bunk had what they'd need while living on the base, and weapons could be found in the armory.

"I was thinking Peregrine." Lina said.

"Peregrine? What's that?" Said Jaryd from the other side, putting down the toolbox and taking out a power drill to start opening up the engine panels.

Lin lay on her bunk, reading the small note. Four more hours before she could actually go, even though she would probably have to be on guard duty somewhere. So how she was going to explain what she was doing was beyond her. She'd probably have to ask Chris to cover for her.

Weiss Schnee wrote:

I fired a burst into a second guard, killing him as well.

I trained my weapon on the last man, a relatively fit one with slightly tanned skin, as he brandished an M6K Handgun.
"Drop it," I said, giving him fair warning, when he didn't, WIND spoke.
"Drop the fucking gun,"

With the prospect of being shot either way, he complied, dropping the gun and raising his arms.

I moved over cautiously, pushed him onto the desk and bound his wrists behind him.

"Target is in custody," I said into my comms, "Requesting extraction,"

"Understo-..... -qua. Pel-...... oute t-........"

"Say again, control?" I replied, not hearing through the static caused by the storm outside.

"Pelican i... route-... bravo-...., repea-..., Pelican is en route, extraction point brav-... how copy?"

"Pelican is en route, rally point Bravo," I relayed back to control, "Understood, moving to extraction point bravo,"

I slung my rifle, placed a hand on the captives' shoulder, and drew my pistol as WIND led the way to the door.

Settling down to let the food marinate, Saoirse sat down to think of a plausible way to get Lin off the hook for guard duty.
And she came up with nothing. Dammit. Lin was on her own.

"Hey Chris," Lin said as she rose from her bunk. Chris walked over and sat by her. "Yeah Lin, what's up?" Lin grimaced a little not wanting to risk Chris getting in trouble. But she wanted to see Siri. "Can you.....cover for me, in four hours? There's somewhere I need to be." Chris' face took on a knowing grin. "Ah, I see. Sure, no problem Lin, I got ya covered."

Lily smirked, having taken her bunk along with the rest of Wolf. Mitchell was on his bunk, and he really didn't want to get a fight instigated. Jose was out like a light and snoring like a chainsaw, which Marcus found humorous. Alexia was also getting some much needed sack time, though Marcus was still thinking of her punishment for that fight two days earlier.

Lily looked over, having known Lin for a few months, had a small feeling. Marcus looked and nearly rolled his eyes. Lily asked, "So...still hanging with that high class girlfriend of yours, Tanaka? I've heard rumors that say so." Marcus was about ready to separate the two of them, knowing that they might come to blows.

Lin's face turned scarlet as she cast an acidic look towards Lily. "Maybe I am? What does it matter to a talentless excuse like you?" Daniel sighed, and stood up and between the two before things got worse. "Marcus, you handle yours I'll handle mine?"

Marcus nodded, "Yeah, you read my mind, Daniel." Lily though, wasn't finished, "It matters is that it's going to end in tears, Tanaka. That bitch is going to drop you faster than a bad habit, and you kno..." Marcus fixed Lily with a stare, placing himself in between the two of them.

It was only a matter of time until one or the other snapped.

The distinct click of a saefty being disengaged sounded.
"Call Saoirse a bitch again, Helljumper, and it will be your last words."
Leaning against the doorframe was a fifteen year old girl with purple-dyed hair and a military jacket and fatigue pants stared in, M60 drawn. But what was even more prominent, besides age, was the familiar Eagle patch.
A patch known to many ODSTs.

Lin however, oblivious to the newcomer, stood up and glared at her. "What's the matter? Jealous because I've actually got someone and you're still so unused that every time you walk you creak?" Daniel slammed her against the wall. "That will be enough Tanaka."

Marcus, turned toward the soldier, "No need Spartan. I'll handle me and mine." Marcus gave Lily a stare that would have blasted through deck plate, and Lily simply stood mute. One seemed to have shut her up, but she was still raring to go at Tanaka, and Marcus held her back as Lily gave the other sniper a scathing curse in Japanese.

The entire squad just watched, and Marcus' ears burned as Lily added, "Not any more. I think actually got someone who'll still be here when the smo..." Marcus then boomed, "Enough Inomura." Mitchell, out of the corner of Marcus' eye, turned beet red, knowing Lily's last remark was directed at him.

Rika bristled. "Shut her up then, before I do." She said to Marcus.

The Spartan was obviously on edge about...something.

"Yes sir," Lin said in a cool voice, though her gaze never left Lily. She really wanted to hurt her now. Chris moved in, talking in a hushed tone "Lin, calm down. The cow's not worth it."

Lily's eyes were narrowed, and Marcus kept his word, and the last words she said were, "Yes, sir." Her tone was laced with acid, and her face was beet red. She wanted to rip Lin alive. Alexia was close to stepping in. But Marcus handled it professionally, and Lily didn't say another word.

He looked to the Spartan, "I'll keep it shut, Spartan. Don't you worry."

The safety flicked back on, Rika crossed her arms.
"Good. I'd hate for you to wake up and find her strung outside butt naked with dicks drawn all over her face."

Rika left without another word.

Jose was sniggering at that, and Marcus merely cocked an eyebrow. He kept his curiosity to himself. Lily was white with anger, but she kept her mouth shut. Alexia hadn't needed to step in, and that was a bonus in Marcus' book. Mitchell kept his head low, but his face was still a bit red.

Well...I'll address that in due course. But I've got something to deal with first.

The three got back to the barracks, full from the food, John walked back in.

John- "We got two new squads on base gentleman. Looks like they might be on guard duty just like us. We'll be working together. Also, Barnes will be out of the infirmary in about 2 days. Gives us enough time to give him a warm welcome."

Kyle looked at him, tuning out the whole Barnes thing, "You mean to tell me... that we actually get help this time around Sarge?"

Gerry smirked while lying on his bed, hat low, and relaxing. "Big woop, we had no idea what we were up against, and it isn't like the new squads are any better, or any worse. We're all trained the same. To be killers, and to have our hands in our pockets. So whoever these guys are, they can bite me."

Doc was lying on his bed, reading his book, from 2012, called "Lone Survivor". "You guys ever think about not being so competitive, and read a good book? Especially from the 21st century? You should... Really, takes your minds of things for awhile."

Everyone just looked at Doc, Gerry and Kyle threw their baseball caps at him and laughed.

Kyle- "Doc, why do you make suggestions that no one is interested in?"

Gerry- "I agree, half the things you say don't really make any sense to me."

Doc looked at them, then back at his book, "Well maybe because you both are meat heads, and should really pay attention to what you say, and hear. From what I understand, Gerry, you were a child in your last platoon, and Kyle the only reason you're in ODSTs is because you can shoot well. Though I'm surprised that with that mouth of your's, you haven't been kicked out yet."

Kyle glared at him, "Well if your so 'perfect', then why don't you tell the squad your 'war hero' stories. Eh, Doc? Oh that's right, half the stuff you said you made up just so you could get here. So start putting us down because we don't want to listen to your bull shit."

John shook his head, and before Doc could say anything, he butted in, "Anyway! About our next assignment, we'll be on watch with Dragon Squad and Wolf Squad. We report in to whoever is our CO for the night. Understood?"

All three of them sounded disappointed about the new squad coming in, so they all grumbled away,
"Yeah, yeah."
"Understood"
"Aight"

"You're right," Lin said. "She's not." And with that, she sat back down on the bunk. The rest of Dragon squad exchanged a glance between themselves, and went back to what they were doing.

The meat done marinating, a few hours later, she removed it from the fridge and set it on the counter, then started tossing a salad together. Checking the pudding, Siri pushed the salad to the side and checked the meet.
One hour of cooking and everything should be ready when Lin arrived.

Lin was faced with a small dilemma: she had nothing to wear for this little.....meeting. Oh she had her usual, casual wear. But none of it was something someone wore when seeing a flame. But it wasn't like she had a lot of options, so she was left with wearing her tank top and cargo pants, and a jacket over the tank top. Last she heard from Chris, her friend said that she had a decent cover story for her absence. In reality...... "She's going to see a date with her friend," Chris told Daniel when they had a moment. At first he blinked, but then sighed. "Unbelievable.....I should bust her for this, but I don't think I will. My own way of getting back for putting ODST's on guard duty."

John messaged the squad leaders from Wolf, and Dragon Squad to meet him in the mess hall. Why? Because he wanted to discuss somethings before working with them. Maybe discuss, in someway, getting Sargent Graham to listen to orders from other NCOs besides himself. Or maybe getting to know them, not on a personal level, but in more of a professional matter.

Lampert, Murand. This is Master Sargent Do'Tree, meet me in the Mess Hall in an hour. I have somethings to talk to you about. Especially since we will be seeing eachother, a lot.
M.S. John Do'Tree
Achilles Squad

The table set, food ready, Saoirse sat on the couch, fidgeting. She felt like her room was too gran for Lin, but it was simpler then most apartments. Then she was wearing a pink blouse and jean shorts...but...she probably didn't have much? Was she overdressed?

Siri kept fidgeting and overthinking as she waited.

Daniel received a message from the Master Sergeant. One hour before a meeting between him, and Marcus. Great..... "Well.....looks like Lin won't be the only one entertaining people." Chris thumped him on the shoulder. "Come on, it's standard protocol, I think. Probably just Ms. Do'Tree wanting to establish a pecking order." She said MS for Master Sergeant as Miss. Clearly, she wasn't all that fond of higher ranks. Or she just never took things seriously.

Lin was on her way to Siri's room, feeling slightly stupid. She was supposed to put her duty first, and that included her orders. Not messing around with an Admiral's daughter.

Siri now was pacing. She should have asked her to come when she wasn't suppose to be on duty.
Oh, Lin probably is in trouble.

Siri stopped pacing, and sat down again to wait.

Marcus recieved the message with a slight scowl. He had enough problems on his plate. He knew what to do, and knew from experience that Jose could handle the three.

Little prick. Probably wants to establish who the hell was in charge here. Well...he'll be in for a shock.

Marcus then had a slight smile on his face. This would be an education for the three of them. He looked to the Daniel, saying "So...I take it that you got the same message I did?"

Lin reached the room, and waited for a few minutes outside the door. She was calm, though a little anxious. Live fire situations she could handle. Dates? Not so much. But she knocked on the door.

John walked towards the mess hall. Hopefully they were coming here, and hopefully shit wasn't going to get stirred up tonight. Especially with everything that has happened the past few days.
Barnes getting shot, almost being court martial-ed, pretty being kicked off the Hornet . Hopefully this will go a bit better, and hopefully one of these Sargent's can put some pressure on Kyle. At his age, and his tours of duty, he doesn't have the energy or the will to put Kyle in his place, or deal with his bullshit. At any rate, hopefully they got the message and will be headed here shortly.

Siri jumped up and walked to the door, but took a minute.
One deep breath later, she opened the door. Seeing Lin, she gave in.

Pulling the ODST to her, she kissed Lin without hesitation, wrapping her in a hug. The kiss lasted a few seconds before Siri pulled back.
"I missed you."

She was slightly surprised by the kiss, and made a sound when she was pulled into the hug and had her lips ensnared. But her eyes flutter close and she groaned into the kiss, relishing the soft lips. "Same here," she said, finally free. "Can I come in?"

Daniel left Chris to go back to the barracks while he headed for the mess. This was bound to make for an interesting discussion.