Halo 3: ODST Operation Cup o' Doom

Chapter Two

Aria and George hung out on the observation deck, pointing out patterns in the stars as they laughed and invented new constellations.

George chuckled. "That one looks like a piece of broccoli."

Aria looked over at him. "Are you hungry? Everything looks like food to you. I guess it is almost dinner time." She sighed. "I wonder what's keeping our new officer. I hope everything's okay."

"I heard rumors there were some Elites on the flight they had to wait for, and then they ran into some last-minute issues with the Pelican."

"More Sangheili?" She smiled. "More eye candy for me."

He shook his head with a laugh. Little do you know, he thought. "Let's get some food. I'm sure we have time. And now that you've mentioned it, I'm starving."

She smiled and nodded. "Same."

They made their way toward the mess deck.

"I'll meet you there, Aria. I need to grab something from my room."

"Okay."

They split up, and she continued on to the mess deck, waiting for him near the entrance.

Once he arrived, they grabbed a quick bite with Kayla and Yuri. Muhmep was off in her own world with the Unggoy.

Aria glanced over at the group. "It's sad she doesn't have many Human friends, but I'm glad she's getting along with the Unggoy."

Kayla nodded. "She's just too crazy and weird for most people. She fits in with them perfectly though—that's for sure."

"Watch out," George joked. "She might go kamikaze on us and whip out some grenades."

They stared at him.

"What?! You know how those Grunts get when they're desperate! Remember that train of them I had chasing me for five minutes? They were yelling and hooting, waving live grenades at me!"

"The fact they didn't blow up for the entire five minutes is insane!" Kayla added. "I thought grenades had a three-second time delay?!"

"That was pretty hilarious," Aria cut in. "You should have seen it, Chief. I watched them through my sniper scope the whole time."

"Someone had to take out the enemies instead of just playing with them," Yuri joked.

"I couldn't even focus!" Kayla said. "I was laughing so hard I nearly rolled off the rock. Thankfully Muhmep caught me."

"I took them out!" Aria protested. "Just... after George started crying that he was tired of running. The chain reaction from the explosions threw his ass into the river!"

"That water was so fucking cold!"

Kayla grinned. "Yeah, treating your hypothermia in sickbay was real fun. I should've sent your whiny ass to your room."

"Who would've waited on me then?" he teased.

She rolled her eyes.

Aria finished her dinner and cleaned up, placing her tray on the conveyor before returning to the group. "I'm heading back up to the observation deck. That Blue Giant is throwing a lot of solar flares—it looks gorgeous."

"Blue Giant?" Yuri questioned.

"Yeah, that blue sun way off our starboard side," Kayla answered.

"Ah. So that's what it's called."

"Hang on, Aria!" George stuffed the rest of his food into his mouth, cleaned up in record time, and jumped to his feet. "Okay. I'm ready."

They returned to the observation deck and continued stargazing.