Augmented Heart

10

Back to my usual habits, I had to be woken up in the morning. My body still ached. I pried myself off of the bed slowly.

"You feeling okay?"

"No," I pulled my pants on with less than graceful balance.

"What do you need?"

"A vacation maybe."

"I have pain medicine."

"That will do," I twisted my hair into its usual tight bun.

"Does it hurt to have your hair that tight?"

"Yeah, I've been thinking of cutting it short so I don't have to deal with it. I've worked hard to grow it out though."

"I think it would look pretty short too."

"You're sweet," I finished lacing up my boots. "I should get to work."

He kissed the top of my head before I made my way to the warehouse.

"No sign of Sarg yet," Noah said. "He's usually here before all of us."

"It probably means he's in a meeting, which probably means something's gonna happen," One of the other guys was spinning a torque wrench out of boredom.

"He's right," Noah agreed.

"A lot of things that happened lately have not been so pleasant," I sighed. Footsteps echoed through the entrance, signaling that Sergeant Martin had arrived. We stood at attention.

"At ease, marines. The covenant is acting up again."

I leaned against my toolbox, waiting for him to continue.

"Since Sage and Noah were so successful in helping with the last mission, they'll be sent on this one as well," He looked directly at me. "You be good. No distracting the Master Chief. Make sure you're respectful to the other Spartans too. You'll answer to them while you're away."

"Yes, sir."

"Now, go load up your duffel bags and be at the Pelican in half an hour."

I hadn't even done laundry since we returned from ONI. All of my clothes were dirty save the uniform I was wearing. I hustled back to John's room, not even sure if he'd still be there. I ran into him in the hallway.

"Here," He handed me my duffel bag.

"Thanks, but all of my clothes are dirty."

"I washed them."

"What? When?"

"During the night. I don't need much sleep."

"Thank you."

"I saw your friends were coming as well."

"Yes," I sighed. I felt like we'd only made it out alive last time by pure chance.

"Don't worry. I'll keep you safe. There will be plenty of Spartans this time as well."

"That makes me feel a little better. Where are we even going?"

"Eridanus II. The covenant has landed there and is now terrorizing civilians," His fists clenched. "Dr. Halsey once told me that's the planet I was born on. I lived there until I was six."

"Oh no."

"Yeah," He gave me a hand into the Pelican.