Halo 3: ODST Operation Cup o' Doom

Chapter Four

Private Tucker looked over at the five Minors. "I dare you guys to steal a pair of panties from all the females in our division."

The Minors exchanged confused looks.

"Panties?" Minor Segee asked.

"Their undergarments. Underwear. Intimate clothing. They've got a bunch of names." Tucker smirked at the other Privates. "Call it a 'rite of passage.'" He handed Minor Shoee a master key. "All lower ranks have to do it."

Shoee accepted the key with uncertainty. "I do not understand these Human games, but if it must be done, so be it."

The Privates snickered and gestured toward the first door in the corridor.

Minor Ghotee nearly went pale. "Even the Sergeant's!?"

Private Tucker nodded. "Hers are of the utmost importance."

The Minors looked at each other again before Shoee approached Aria's door and unlocked it. Once inside, they tore into their search, nearly wrecking the Sergeant's room in their frantic scramble.

"I can't find any!" Shoee whined from under the bed.

"Perhaps she does not wear any?" Minor Dasee suggested. "What do they even look like?!"

"I doubt that," Ghotee muttered as he opened a dresser drawer. "I have no idea." He paused, then whispered, "Ah—these must be them." He held up a silky pair, then sprinted out of the room. The others followed close behind.

He presented the panties to Private Tucker. "Are these 'panties'?"

"Yes! Very good. Now, on to the others. I'll deliver these."

The Minors continued down the adjacent corridor and opened the first door.

There, in the center of the room, sat Muhmep—cross-legged and smiling at them with unsettling intensity.

Shoee stepped back and the door slowly closed. "Okay... that was creepy."

"Corporal Hicks is indeed strange," Dasee whispered.

"Anyone who can communicate with Unggoy has to be strange," Shoee muttered.

"Let's skip this room," Ghotee suggested. "Move to the next one."

"But Private Tucker said we must collect undergarments from all the females," Segee argued.

Ghotee sighed and reopened the door. "She's gone!" he whispered. "Come on."

They slipped inside, grabbed the Corporal's panties as quickly as possible, and hurried out. Two doors down, they tried again.

There she was again—same posture, same smile.

Shoee stepped back and allowed the door to slowly close. "I don't care what Private Tucker said. What's he going to do—count them!?"

"Um... let's try that one," Minor Tutee said, pointing down the corridor.

They moved to the next door and opened it.

She was there again.

"By the Prophets! This one is a demon!" Minor Tuee gasped, backing away as the door shut.

"Let's skip this corridor. It's possessed," Shoee declared, practically jogging away.

They moved on to the next corridor.

"Let's try this room," Shoee said, opening the next door.

Inside, Kayla was sleeping soundly—and heavily.

"Sergeant Peril is sleeping. Perhaps we should skip her room?" Segee whispered.

"She's sleeping. This will be easy," Dosee insisted, pushing past them.