Chapter 8 NAME "Shit Happens" Part 5

=She nods=

Lynn: Alright, but are you sure that's all?

=He looks down at the dogtags. At her dogtags=

Draco: No, it's not.

=She drapes her arms around him=

Lynn: I understand

=She places a kiss on his cheek=

-Hernandez and Gold-

=They continue walking. Going through their usual banter=

Hernandez: So, I watched the tape of you at the range. You need to get better.

Gold: Fuck you man, atleast I can shoot and hit a target.

=Kind simply followes the Marines, not paying much attention to the bickering. He was more so looking around as they walked, making mental notes of all the changes. There werent many, but some of the damage was still visable=

-Hernandez and Gold-

Hernandez: Well, if you count during the mutiny. You were stuck in that corner. Who saved you?

Gold: Fuck man. I was just trying to lure those fuckers and then toss a frag.

Hernandez: Yeah, that's why I saw all of those grenades on you.

=Gold pauses. Unable to form a comeback=

Gold: Fuck... alright...

=Time passes on in silence as they pass through the corridors. Guard changes occured at designated points. When they hit the bridge. It was Kurt and Lao who were escorting the newcomer. They enter the bridge and salute Draco=

Lao: Captain! The soldier from the station is here.

=Lynn takes her hands away from him as he turns in his seat=

Draco: At ease, soldier. You are dismissed.

=They nod and take their leave=
=He looks at the Spartan=

Draco: Why are you here?

=Kind stands motionless facing Draco, and speaks confidently=

I was positioned at this Refit Station. As im sure you can imagine, it was rather dull. I requested to be positioned aboard the first ship to arrive. That happened to be this one, sir.

=He nods=

Right. So you had managed to get the luck of the draw, so to speak.

=He sighs=

Your name, and what you had done before joining this ship.
Your specialities as well.

=He recited the same tale he had given the UNSC when he arrived at the Station=

I go by the name of Kind. I am mainly an assault soldier, however i do have some experience with Piloting. I was stationed on Reach before it fell, and just narrowly managed to escape.

=He nods=

Very good.
As of now, I have no orders for you as we wait for the ship to be finished.
In the meantime please enjoy your stay and welcome aboard.

The name is Dante by the way.

=He motions to Lynn as she takes a seat on his lap=

This is Lynn.

=She waves and smiles=

Lynn: Hello, Kind. Welcome.

=He saluted Draco=

Yes, sir.

=He turned towards the door, and exited the Bridge=

=They watch as he leaves=

Lynn: He seems to be a good soldier

=He nods=

Draco: Yes, but I am not quite sure.

=She looks down=

Lynn: What do you mean?

Draco: I do not know. Not yet anyway.

(Molly)
=So, while Jason and the others were busy with the Serenity being remodeled, my squad and I (of which I was still only 2nd in command) were doing a routine patrol of Haven's atmo. The big ships stayed in orbit, keeping an eye for anything coming in via slip-space. We, and the other squadrons, were simply the secondary line, for any enemy fighters or landing craft. Truth be told, I didn't mind. Spent a few more hours in the sims in between patrols, and my flying skills, while still outstanding, were beginning to be shadowed by my 'kill' record. I no longer needed Argo to help me out with the weapons=
This is Talon 2- All clear up here. Again.

*Talon 1*
Roger that Talon 2. And do my ears deceive me, or are you actually hoping for some more combat?

(Molly)
No sir. Just a little bored is all.

*Talon 3*
Aww come on Edge, you really want to get in another fight? We're good, but we always lose people, friends included.

(Molly)
I know. It's just.......I'd hate for this to be all my career is. Just routine patrols.

*Talon 4*
Yeah, I know what you mean. Feels like we got bumped down to rookie stuff.

*Talon 3*
Aren't we still technically rookies?

*Talon 1*
Stow it, all of you. We have a job to do, so let's finish it up
=he was quiet for a bit, then: =

And hey, last one back to base at the end of the patrol, buys the drinks.

*Talon 3*
Hell yeah!

=Kind arrived at the Crew Quarters and chose a room with no name on the door. He walked in to find a rather plain room. White metal walls, a wardrobe in the wall next to a small table with a chair. A bed on the opposite side with a nightstand next to it, and a small cube of empty space in the wall across from the bed, just large enough for a small television. He closed the door and sat down on the bed. He began taking his armor off=

(Molly)
=Normally, most people my age (I'm 17, before you ask) would be worried when you're trying to keep your cover, and then get invited to drinks. Not me. What Jason (and my dad) didn't know is that while I was on the run from home, I had actually had a few drinks. Beer, Ale, Vodka's.....the usual. I never went crazy with it. Take a few drinks, then stop. Point was, I was not at all worried about my squad finding out the truth over a few damn drinks=
Talon 1, am I wrong, or did you just challenge us all to a race?

*Talon 1*
What if I did?

(Molly)
Well, you'd probably lose for one.

*Talon 1*
Tough words. Want to put your money where your mouth is?

(Molly)
You're on. We race back to base. Loser, owes the winner 50 creds.

*Talon 1*
Challenge accepted.

=He looks up to her=

Draco: Let's go to the training room.

=She looks down at him=

Lynn: How about I let you win this time.

=She gives a smile and hops off of him=
=He gives a gasp=

Draco: You've never let me win? You would never do that anyway.

=She shakes her head=

Lynn: Nope!

=She grabs his arm and pulls him along until he gets right beside her. They begin walking together again=

(Molly)
=About 20 minutes later, we had both landed back at Alpha Base, and I was 50 credits richer=
Hey, don't beat yourself up boss man. You almost had me there a few times.

*Talon 1*
Yeah yeah Edge. Okay, so besides me, who was last?

*Talon 3*
That would be me sir.......dammit.

*Talon 4*
I think we need to send Shamrock's jet in for maintenance or something. Damn thing was slow as hell.

*Talon 3*
Bite me. Alright, so where we going for drinks?

*Talon 1*
Nice little bar set up outside base. They've got good drinks, so we go there.

(Molly)
I thought it was the only bar outside the base?

*Talon 1*
Details details.

=Eventually they arrive, walking into the training room=
=He clears it out, not wanting anyone to watch=

=Lynn takes one side as he takes the other=

Lynn: Are you ready?

=She smiles=
=He goes into a stance=

Draco: Yes.

=On normal circumstances he would wait for an attack, but he had fought Lynn so many times that he wanted to catch her offguard. So, he ran up to her and slid. Knocking her down=

=She falls and lets out a breath. She had been hit first. This was new and she liked it=
=She flips up and turns to face him. She throws a punch, but he dodges it=

(Jason)
=I was down in crew deck, at the mess area. Truth be told, there wasn't much for me to do at this point. I mean, with Delta finally at peace (or something close to that) Haven currently faced no threats. Sure we still had the Covenant, but I had a feeling they were going to become less of an issue in the coming months. Speaking of, I had gotten some interesting reports: Silver had extended the long range comm array on Haven to pick up signals from UNSC space. Apparently, the war was finally over (unofficially) and a service was going to be held on Earth, in Africa. It was good to hear actually; I was almost afraid that Haven would be housing the last of humanity. Anyway, all that aside........ It had been a few months, since the people on Haven had been brought here. Okay, let me clarify: it hadn't even been half a year. Still, I was proud of them. I gave them tools and resources, and they made a life for themselves here. Made me feel like some kind of proud parent, which was stupid=
Yeah, it really is.

=I heard a noise behind me: the sound of footsteps. I turned, and saw Gabby walking out of the lift, heading for the mess=
Hey Gabby. How're the new engines doing?

(Gabby)
Hey Jason. The engines are unbelievable! Kenny and I are going to be down there for months, learning about them.

(Jason)
Heh, got it. Just don't forget to come out of there once in a while.

(Gabby)
=I opened the fridge, and grabbed a drink=
Don't worry, we won't forget the world above.

=She throws another right hook. This one is caught by him. He goes for a knee to the gut, but she puts her left arm in the way to block it. She does a spin, and his grip is lost. She spins again and lands a high kick to his head. He stumbles back as his head begins to hurt. He runs in for another round of up close and personal strikes. He throws a left, but is quickly rejected. She goes for a right and is also rejected. They are an even match for each other. She goes for a mid-kick to the gut and lands it. He stumbles back again, holding his stomach=

(Jason)
Good to hear. Hate to see you and Kenny spend the rest of your lives down there.
=I walked away, my snack in hand=

Keep up the good work crewman.

(Gabby)
Aye aye Captain.

(Jason)
=For once, I did not care that I was called Captain.

=She walks up to him=

Lynn: Done?

=He smiles and tackles her=

Draco: Not yet.

=He rolls off of her and helps her up=

Lynn: Sneaky, very sneaky. I love it.

=They take a stance and resume the training=

(Molly)
=Once we had our fighters all stored back in their hangars, my squad and I headed for the bar. It was one a few, small places that had been built outside the base (mostly by civilians looking to make an easy buck) and the bar's presence was tolerated. Command knew that soldiers needed some recreation, or release, and apparently, alcohol fell into that category. However, it was not without restrictions. MPs (Military Police) patrolled the area around the bar, and some were even inside. Fights were prohibited, and whichever soldier starts a fight, get's sent to a few days in the hold. It was fine to defend yourself, so long as you could prove that you were only defending yourself, and of course, didn't kill your attacker. Also, alcohol was strictly forbidden on the base, and if you came back drunk, you had to relieve yourself of all weapons and I.D. tags that could make you a danger to yourself and others. For the most part, that system was working; there were very few bar fights, and it was rare for anyone to come back to base drunk. So, me and my squad sat our own table, drinking a few cold beers. Some of it was human made, produced by some of the people down below the surface. The more expensive brands, were of Forerunner make, and they were strong. I saw a two guys, big, brawny soldiers, take a few shots of the stuff, and it hit them hard=

(Dormii)
=we started eating together, enjoying each others company. It had been a long time, I wasn't going to let any of it go to waste. I had a few bits of cheese and crackers, and maybe a stolen spoonful or two of soup. We kissed some more, and snuggled up next to each other as we ate. It felt good. I felt better than I had felt in a long time. I had completely forgotten about the scientists, the books in the fighter, Paarthurnax, Draco, Zeru, everyone. All I cared about was Jay, and that I had her back in my arms again=

(Molly)
=We spent an hour at the bar, having drinks and sharing laughs. I didn't really drink that much. It was good beer, don't get me wrong. I just wanted my sense all clear=

(Miranda)
=Down in the expanded cargo deck, I was checking out the new armor Jason gave me. Truth be told, I already knew how to use it, but not how to care for it. Thankfully, Silver was working with me, teaching me how to clean up the armor when needed=

((This is what Xazhi has been doing since his father sent him to SotM))

=The man screamed loudly, both in pain and for mercy, as the blood ran from his face to his waist. He was face-up, strapped to a large wooden table in a rather dark room. The walls were stone, and the only light was that of candles burning on another, smaller table nearby=

"Please! Dont!"

=The figure that stood over the man was of a young lad about the age of twelve. He brough a large buthcer's knife with crudely made serrations to the man's throat and jerked back violently, ripping it open and sending blood spurting. He looked up to another figure stading behind him, watching from the shadowns in silence=

?- Did I do good, Lady Arachne?

=The woman smiled warmly. She was rather tall for a woman, around 6 feet. She wore a long black dress with dark red and grey laces. Her silver-blue eyes shone in the candle-light like moons. She stepped forward, placing her right hand on the boy's back=

Ar- You did wonderfuly, Xazhi. You really are your father's son.

Xa- So what happens now?

Ar- One of my agents will bring news to the client, who will send the rest of the payment here to us.

=Xazhi looked at the tortured and mutilated body before him=

Xa- What about him?

Ar- He will be sent to 'Mr. Metzger'. You remember him?

Xa- He was the tall man with the scar on his face and the missing finger, right?

Ar- Yes, that is him.

Xa- Oh, okay. So he..?

Ar- Yes.

Xa- This is what my dad did?

Ar- Among other things, but yes. This was his primary occupation. A Nightmare-for-Hire, as he liked to call himself.

=She had told Xazhi a lot about his father's years on Shadow of the Moon. About how they met, his youth, how he established himself, and how he came to have so much power and respect among the criminals of the lower city. When the kid had arrived, he went straight to where his father had directed him before he left the Azure Comet. Lady Arachne was eager to take him in once she learned who he was. Since then, she had been almost like a mother to him. She had taught him all he now knew about what his father did, and how to do it himself. He once asked if this would have been the reason his father sent him to her. She replied "I know Jack. He would not have trusted me with such a thing if he did not want this for you". And yet, she doubted herself. Perhaps Jack had not wanted this, and only needed a safe place for his son to flee to untill he arrived. She sighed, and motioned towards the door=

Ar- Come. Someone is bound to have heard the screaming.

=They both exited the room, and went out into the streets, heading back toards their home in the lower city=

Paarthurnax headed to what looked like a cantine, he went up to the lady serving, and he picked some meat, much like what Dormii had gave him, back on that Planet.

"Thank you human"

=She takes a running start, bringing her fist up. He goes for the block, but she changes into a roundhouse kick. He studders back and recovers. He takes a deep breath and runs to her. As she takes a defensive stance he sidesteps to confuse her and throws a left. It hits her arm and she retracts it=

=She looks at him and smiles=

Lynn: I think I'm done for the day.

=He nods=

Draco: Are you certain? I know you can go longer.

=She giggles=

Lynn: I can make a joke right now.

=He stops to think, then laughs=

Draco: You could.

(Miranda)
=I continued to work on the armor. Truth be told, there wasn't a lot I could actually do. Not that many pieces were actually removable, and the armor itself was so durable, I doubted that it would ever really need maintenance, Still, it was something to do. I heard the lift doors open, but I didn't turn around, I was focused on the armor=

(Jason)
=I took the lift down to the cargo deck. Wanted to check on that sword Delta left me, and when the doors opened, I saw Miri, crouched on the ground, her Combat Skin before her=
Hey Miri. Working on your Combat Skin?

(Miranda)
Hey Jason. Yeah, just wanted to see if it needed any maintenance.

=She places her right hand into his left and they begin walking out of the training room. They head out to their room for some R and R=

(Jason)
=I snorted=
Doubt they really do. The Forerunners make their stuff to last, and I doubt the suits are any different.

=I walked to one side of the cargo deck, where the armory was. The room was bigger now, with more lockers, crates, and weapons than before. The original mix of Human and Covenant weaponry was still there, but now there was some very low class Forerunner gear. Low class, did not mean it was garbage, just that it was still in good condition, but at the lowest of ranks. But, that's not what I was there for: Delta's sword, deactivated, gleamed on the rack where I had placed it. It was an impressive piece, I had to admit. Silver took the liberty of scanning it. Apparently, the sword itself was one part metallic ore, something highly dense, highly heat resistant. The other part was the energy blade itself, activated at the push of a button. Either way, it was an interesting weapon. Though I had a feeling that I'd probably stick to the energy blades that my Combat Skin already provided=
Still, it would be rude not to give it a try.









((Next time, could I get an Instruction manual Xaz?))

(Dormii)
=i finished off a bite of a cracker and lightly rubbed her back=
Vobis bene? Es pius quiete.

Quote :

You okay? You're kinda quiet.

I swallow with difficulty, my throat was all closed up for some reason.

I'm fine. I just don't really have much to say. How could i after....Well.

(Dormii)
Volo loqui de? Scio pauca de mente alterius corporis continere.

Quote :

Want to talk about it? I know a little about another mind control your body.

Paarthurnax headed over to a table and sat at it. He was enjoying his meat. He knew not of Dormii's location, he was not concerned though. He knew everyone here.
He quickly finished his small piece of meat, before exiting the dining room. He was happy and averagely full up now. He thought about doing some exploring, and that was what he was going to do.

I shake at him

She isn't another mind. Not really.

(Dormii)
Age, quid illa?

Quote :

Well, then what is she?

More....

I wiggle my hands around a few times in the air before dropping them back to my side and smiling at him

I don't know.

(Dormii)
=i smile back=
Magna motu in via.

Quote :

Great gesture by the way.

=i wink, jokingly=
Quod dico, quid sentis?

Quote :

But, I mean, how did you feel?

Well.....I didn't really exist...So....

(Dormii)
=i raise an eyebrow questioningly=

=It was another night filled with nightscares. His PTSD was not getting any better. He wasnt officially diagnosed, but he knew what he had. Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Multiple Personality Disorder. It is a great combo. He slowly rises out of bed and turns. The dream this time was of the same mission. The same day. Everything went through him again. He stands and takes his arm into his hand. He attaches it and grabs the holster for the Hydra. He slips it in and heads out into the hallway. He takes it slow and silent, but this round he is stopped by a moan and her voice=

Lynn: Draco?

Draco: I'll be right back. Don't worry. I'll bring back something to eat.

=She says tentatively=

Lynn: Alright... Don't keep me waiting...

=His voice monotone. Cold=

Draco: I won't

=He steps out into the hallway and leaves for the mess=

(Jason)
=I took the sword off the rack, and tested it's weight. It had weight to it, but it was nothing I couldn't handle, and if I ever used it while in my Combat Skin, it would only feel lighter. I swung it a few times, but there wasn't any skill behind it, more like swinging a baseball bat. I'd need to practice with the sword, if I really wanted to make full use of it=

=Visions were still passing his eyes. Only in his eyes. The walls are red with the blood of humanity. Screams fill his ears. He hides a twisted smile. He walks with his head down as every person he passes dies. He stifles a sick laugh. Not wanting to alarm anyone=

(Miranda)
=I lifted my head to look through the small window of the armory, where Jason was. I saw him wielding a sword of some type=
Huh, never took you for a swordsman Jason!

(Jason)
=I barely heard Miri's voice through the wall=
Yeah, I'm not really a swordsman. It was a gift that Delta left for me, after the failed negotiations.

Zayne: You know you want that feeling again.

=He keeps his head low=

Zayne: You know you want that rush.

I play around absent-mindedly with the cutlery on my plate.

Why that look?

(Dormii)
Quid est, non esse?

Quote :

What do you mean, you didn't exist?

Well i didn't exist? She came here and i just...wasn't....

(Dormii)
Non esse?

Quote :

Not existing?

I don't get what you mean?

(Miranda)
He left you his sword?

(Jason)
=I walked out of the armory, sword in hand=
Yeah, he told me to use it well.

=I swung it a few times, in arcs close to my side, arms close=

(Dormii)
Venit et iustus ... reliquit?

Quote :

She came and you just...left?

=i put my arm around her=
Melius nunc quaerebant me.

Quote :

I am just trying to understand better.