Chapter 6: Complications part 3

I was shot in the leg when i was 7... they preformed surgery on me with now anesthetics or numbing agents...but i didn't cry, so no, I'v never felt that pain, I'm sorry...

Eh. Better than it was yesterday.

(Lana)
No, it's okay.

=i smile and shake my head again=
Sorry, I didn't mean to dump that on you.

It's ok, besides there's time to easily Cheer you up!

Um.. ok..

=I begin to walk away=

Do you mind if I talk to her?

(Lana)
Yeah? How do you plan on doing that?

Flowers, Chocolate, maybe an oversized stuffed animal... I don't know I'll think of something!

Go ahead? Thats not really my decision...

(Lana)
=i chuckle and lightly poke him in the arm=
You'll have to try harder than that.

hmm... well there's no movie thearters on the ship as far as I know... so... what are you in the mood for doing?

=as I read the files, I flash back to the debriefing of Operation: Cloud=

(memory from 2550. Location: Project Vigil HQ)

I was in the debriefing room, with the rest of my team. There was Leo, sitting across from me, my second in command, and something resembling a close friend....... at least by Spartan standards. Charles, or "Chuck," as he preferred to be called, my heavy weapons specialist, sat next to Leo, sharpening his knife. Mal, the Blacklight's pilot, sat at the end of the table, wearing those damned vid glasses. Kate, the teams only girl, and second hand to hand specialist, sat at my right, and I couldn't help but edge away from her: she was crazy, reveling in blood shed. Finally, there was Jacob, our sniper, and generally the most quite guy on the ship.

=the comm screen turned on, and we were greeted with Colonel Harper's face, a middle-aged man with the will of a mountain=

=Harper= to team= Well done, Black team. your mission was a success.

=I couldn't help it=

=Jason= =to Harper= Mission? All we did was drop off a box on a colony. I admit, it was a rebel world, but it it wasn't a job for us.

=Harper just stared=

=Harper= Actually, it was precisely the job you were trained for. That "box' as you call it, was an experimental nerve gas, one we were hoping to use on Covenant controlled worlds, but had to test on a world with less risk.

=I feel the bottom of my stomach fall out of me=

Nerve gas, sir? =I asked, with a tremble to my voice=

(Lana)
=i laugh=
You're thinking like how Dormii does, 20th and 21st century. C'mon. Try harder.

=Harper looked at me carefully=

Yes, a nerve gas. But to answer your previous question, Lieutenant, your team was chosen, because first: none of you exist. Second, you were trained to take on missions that would have other soldiers puking their guts out.

=That last part seemed proper for me, considering how I felt.=

=Harper continued= The nerve gas in question was designed to spread, quite quickly, into the planets atmosphere. Just a tiny breath of it, is enough to kill.

=I felt sick, like I might puke right then and there=

=The rest of my team looked troubled, except Kate, who looked disappointed. I just wanted to know one thing....=

Sir, does that mean the entire colony is......

=He cut me off=

The entire colony, is a ghost world. Were feeding the media information that terrorists, released a plague on the planet.

=which is exactly what I felt like=

hmm... well we're in a ship, so no beaches near by... just walk around and talk?

(Lana)
That works.

=i put my arm through his and we start walking=

So... what do you want to talk about?

=I suddenly wake up from the memory, the all too familiar taste of bile in my mouth, and find out I dozed off, I was in my room for too long=

Harper........ I don't know how, but you and your crimes will be brought to light. Maybe then, I can find some peace.

Still, he's got more resources at his disposal, not to mention the last three members of Black team: Leo, Jacob, and Kate.

=I shivered as her name came up=

Jesus, I don't want to have to fight Kate at close range. We're both practically equal, and may just kill each-other .

(Lana)
=i look him in the eye=
You tell me.

uhh... so is this your first date too?

(Lana)
No. It's either my third or fourth, depending on who you ask. I'm guessing your first?

yeah my first...

=I give a weak smile=

There's a pool in the rec room...

(He finishes the training and workout)
(Hope appears)

Hope-Isolation?

Dante-What are you talking about?

Hope-I am talking about you, Isolating yourself from everyone

Dante-I am not.

Hope-The extent of your converstions these past few days. Were with Sarge, Andrea, and Myself.

Dante-So.

Hope-Go on. Talk to someone else.

Dante(sighs)-Whatever

(He stands and walks out of the training room)

(Lana)
Stop being so shy. Pool sounds good. Lead the way.

=i sweep my arm to gesture the hall=

It's been awhile since I'v gone swimming...

=we walk into the rec room=

God bless it.

(He sighs)

Haven't talked to myself this much

Hope-Your not talking to yourself

(He pauses)
(He walks out to the messhall)

(Lana)
Same here.

=i take off my socks and shoes and dive into the pool. i surface, my hair sticking to my face=
Well? Gonna join?

Didn't Syaa say there was a pool around here?

=I look at the handy dandy map and guide myself to the recreation room=

=I take off my armor=

BELLY FLOP!

=I do as previously shouted and hit the water=

ow!

(He enters and takes an apple)
(He walks out and eats)

(He heads off to the rec room)

Got nothing else to do

(Lana)
=i can't help but laugh as he does that. i swim over to him=
You just like pain, don't you?

I do what I can to make people laugh...

=I walk through the door and spot Lana and Scythe=

Am I intruding?

=I look at Snow=

As a matter of fact you are!

(Lana)
=i chuckle=
Well, then I guess you are.

=I cringe at his anger=

Erm.. sorry..

=I turn to walk out=

(After some time he finally finds it)
(He enters and sees Lana and Scythe)

Wow...that was quick

(He shakes his head and heads to the edge of the pool)
(He takes off his shoes and socks and sits there)
(His mind wanders)

=to Scythe=
Hey, you didn't have to be that angry.

=to Snow=
Hey, Snow, I guess it's okay if you stay.

go away, man.

=i look back at her=

I just remembered... I don't have a change of clothes... I'm going to be soaked for awhile...

=I see Draco walk in and take a seat near the pool=

Well at least I won't be crashing the party alone.

=I take off most of my gear besides the fatigues=

(Lana)
=to Scythe=
Okay...I wonder what you can do about that.

=i laugh and swim around=

It feels weird with other people here... just sayin'...

That is why they call it a public pool, boy.

=I take off my shirt and pencil dive into the pool=

(He watches as the water ripples)
(Reminding him of the ocean)
(He smiles)

(Lana)
Well, than don't mind them. Just focus on me.

=i keep swimming=

=I swim towards her=

That won't be hard!

=I smile=

(Lana)
=i swim to the edge and wait=
Oh, so now you're not shy? I should've gotten you wet earlier.

(Ash appears beside him)

She isn't here

(She stays there)
(He sighs)
(He remembers the cave. The rain falling outside)
(He smiles at the thought)

That sounded wrong...

= I chuckle=

Emm..

=I swim to the corner of the pool to relax=

I will pretend I didn't hear that.

(Lana)
=i smile and ignore Snow=
That's why I said it. You seem like you need a crash course in opening up.