Chapter 8 NAME "Shit Happens" Part 3

(Molly)
Huh, impressive.

(Jason)
Yeah, it sounds good on paper, but in reality, the place is more like Slum City. Most of the cities that were there, got destroyed, and most of the land masses were glassed. Now most of the population zones are underground, in the same tunnels that Jean and his troops used.

(Molly)
So, we're going underground? Literally?

(Jason)
=I snorted=
Nope. From what I've heard, the warehouse district is on the surface, near one of the only surviving cities.

I'd like to see you try, but enough with the idle chit-chat, I'm ready to make my report.

=The hologram straightens its appearance becoming a dominant force in the room=
Patch me through to your commanders, I have level tier one information to report.

=I begin to retreat from the hanger, retracing my steps=

(Dormii)
=i rub the back of my neck=
Yeah, there are no commanders.

(Molly)
Ah. So, all we do is land, and grab the stuff from the marked warehouse?

(Jason)
Yeah. And with luck, we won't run into any real security.
=we both stayed seated for the next three hours. To be honest, it wasn't that boring; I had a movie playing on the screen, and Molly and I finally got some time to ourselves to talk. It also gave me an opportunity to work on my fledgling parenting skills=

=I reach the Medical bay and stay out of the way of the door as it opens=

Excuse me?

=The AI's brow wrinkled as she stepped as close as she could too the Spartan=
What do you mean... There are ''no commanders''?

=They take a seat at a table=
=Each having their own food=

Lynn-What happened? During your sleep?

Draco-I dont want to worry you.

Lynn-You'll worry me if you dont tell me.

Draco-I believe...he is getting stronger.

Lynn-What does that mean?

Draco-It means. That I may not be able to keep him in control for long. Or, I can and we are trapped forever into a coma.

=She puts her arms around him=

Lynn-It'll be alright.

=I stick my head out to observe the people in the Medbay=

--Two Hours Later--

(Jason)
=we exited slip-space in the Chi Rho system two hours later, and Molly guided the ship into the planets' atmosphere. On the way, we had to flash some identification at the UNSC ships in orbit to let them no we meant no harm. According to sensors, all that was in the system were three frigates, and one destroyer. A few minutes later, we had landed at the docks on the planet. Conveniently, they were close to the warehouse area. I suited up in the Forerunner armor, just to be safe, and left the ship, armed only with the new pistol, and my assault rifle. Hey, I was paranoid=

Okay Molly, the ship is yours until I get back. Take care of her.

(Molly)
Sure thing Jason.


--Rooftop. Far Building in the Warehouse District--

*Alan-sniper*
I see him. He's headed for the warehouse you're in.

*Michael-team leader*
Good. We're in position. Wait until he gets to the center of the room. And remember, don't kill him. ONI wants him alive, so make sure the power on that thing is toned down.

*Alan*
Don't worry. I've set the gun to its lowest setting. Even then, it still has to go through a few buildings, so he won't die.

(Dormii)
=i look her right in the eye=
I mean exactly that. There are no commanders.

I... I don't understand, explain.

=The AI's transparent face had a look of confusion painted on it=

(Dormii)
There are no commanders because we aren't UNSC.

=i waited for her reaction=

Excuse me..? You aren't UNSC? But your Spartans? What are you then Freelancers?! Mercenaries?

=the data streams surrounding the AI began to glow red with he confusion and dismay=
I demand you let me talk to the authorizes, you will be well rewarded for your efforts in retrieving me.

=I sneak back and run across the door to avoid identification=

=I watch my back on the way past=

(Dormii)
Just calm down. Yes, most of us are Spartans. But we all have left the UNSC for one reason or another. If you want to talk to them, that's fine, no one is going to stop you. As for rewarding me...they would most likely shoot me, rather than give me any type of reward.

Shoot you..? What di....

=A certain indescribable look falls upon the AI's face as they suddenly realise something terrible=
You aren't those Spartans that ran away are you..? The ones who blew up that Prowler!?

(Dormii)
=i nod, grimly=
I was one of them, yes. But my past goes further back than that.

Of course Dormii, you must be Dormii Fortuni. I read the files when the incident happened.

=The AI's eyes widen in awe=
So this means I'm at the hands of the most wanted human beings in UNCS space...

Great, I knew this whole operation was going to end badly

=I hear a faint sound of a welder and slow to a walk=

(Dormii)
Don't worry, we aren't going to do anything bad. If you want to go back to the UNSC, that's fine. We'll think of a way that involves that without me getting shot.

=I slowly edge open the door and peer inside a metal working shop=

Why would I not want you to get shot after you slaughtered all those people?

=The felt a strange feeling something completely alien to her, something she could describe or recognise=

(Dormii)
Because I didn't have a choice? That I was forced into that situation by forces outside my control, but well within the control of the UNSC?

=the plates on my arm snap closed against my arm=

=I jump a little bit and push the door completely open=

So you don't take any responsibility for all you've done?

=The AI shakes her head dissipoited with this concept, she never truly understood why humans always ''shifted'' the blame=
I don't understand how you can feel like that? Why do you feel like you deserve freedom after the freedom you took from all those men, woman, and countless others that came under your fury?

=Suddenly the AI stops her endless rant on the Spartan and stares at a strange figure at the door=
Great another one...

(Dormii)
Because I wasn't in a fury. I was sad, and scared, and pleading for them to simply stop attacking me so I wouldn't have to do what I did. I took the blame for what I did, until I found out that I was made to do exactly what I did, kill those who attacked me and follow orders.

=i look behind me at the door=
What do you want, Snow?

=I snap to pointing my gun at him=

What?

(Dormii)
What. Do you. Want?

Who are you!?

=I stand up tall and ready to shoot=

(Dormii)
=i look at him with a look of confusion under my helmet=
Dormii Fortuni.

Let me guess, another deluded and armed crazy.

=The AI begins to get impatient wanting to leave and return to her home, where everything was in order just the way she liked it=
Well as much as I've loved my visit, I think I've out stayed my welcome.

(Dormii)
=to the AI=
Nonsense. You are welcome to stay however long you want. And I'm not crazy. Well, technically I am, but that's not the point.

=to Snow=
Put the gun down, Snow.

=I look around=

Oh god...

=I pull the trigger=

(Dormii)
=the round bounces off my armor, the shields not up=
Snow, seriously, stop shooting.

=I try to fire twice, but only 1 bullet goes off=

Euughh...

=I throw the gun on the ground and unsheathe the knife=

Well gunfire! Isn't that just great, whatever you do here, you must do it really well.

=The AI sits on her Holo-tank awaiting for the next disaster to commence=
There are so many other places I'd rather be then here...

Oh and now look! Knife fights! What a show!

(Dormii)
=i sigh=
Snow, you are making a really bad mistake.

=i extend my arm blade, keeping the smaller blades attached for now=

=I stand ready to fight=

You die.

(Dormii)
=i shake my head=
I really doubt that, Snow. No one is going to die, here.

=I step closer, keeping the blade toward him=

Well at least we know this ''Snow'' person is skilled in his linguistics.

=The AI turns away in disinterest and she begins finishing her work trying not to be distracted by the stand-off =

(Dormii)
=i emit a banshee scream from my armor, but I keep the volume soft. My voice is altered by it, giving it a demon-like quality=
Don't try it.

=I try to grab my ear but my helmet covers it=

=I get angry and I charge at him with the point toward him=

(Dormii)
=i keep the Scream going and grab his hand with the knife in it. I twist, trying to force the blade out of his hand. AT the same time, I drive an elbow towards his ribs, intending to knock him backwards=

=I take the impact and attempt to punch him and steal the knife back=

(Dormii)
=i drive my head towards his hand. I knew that it would hurt more him due to my helmet. I kept the knife out of reach and turned off the scream=

=I feel a major sting in my hand and I grab it=

=I hold my head and turn to look at the pistol=

(Dormii)
=i pull his arm taut and put my other arm on his shoulder. I twist, trying to throw him over my hip onto the ground=

=The wind gets knocked out of me as I watch the pistol=

=I quickly scamper over to pick it up and step back from him, searching for a clip=