Halo 3: ODST Operation Cup o' Doom

Chapter Nine

Aria stretched her arms over her head as they stepped off the pelican.
"Finally. A day free of chaos."

Kayla snorted. "Give it five minutes."

The market district spread out before them — neon signs, small shops, street vendors, the smell of rain on stone, and food carts steaming with everything from meat skewers to fried noodles.

It felt... normal. Rare, in the life of the UNSC.

Kayla inhaled deeply. "God, I missed real air."

"Same." Aria looked around in awe. "And the food smells amazing."

A local vendor waved them over, holding up a skewer of grilled meat and a verity of vegetables.
"You two military? Half-off for those who saved our hides!"

Aria blushed. "We didn't do it alone."

"That's what everyone says," the vendor replied. "Heroes never brag."

Kayla elbowed her. "We'll take two!"

The vendor nodded and grabbed two skewers, passing them to her as she handed him some cash, "keep the change."

Munching on their snacks, the sisters found a small clothing shop tucked between a weaponsmith and a bookstore.
Kayla immediately dove into the racks.

"I need tops that aren't either bloodstained or regulation," she said.

Aria held up a sleek black jacket. "What about this?"

Kayla put it on, checked the mirror, and tilted her head.
"...I look hot."

"You always think you look hot."

"Because I do," Kayla said, striking an exaggerated pose.

Aria laughed and moved to another rack. Her eyes caught on a short, fitted red top.
She hesitated.

Kayla peered around her. "Try it on. Come on."

"I don't know..."

Kayla dragged her toward the changing area. "You faced down a Chieftain with a shotgun and attitude. A crop top won't kill you."

A few minutes later, Aria stepped out wearing the red top and dark jeans.

Kayla's jaw dropped. "OH my god. You look incredible."

Aria blushed so hard she nearly matched the shirt. "It's... different."

Kayla grinned wickedly. "Rha' is going to malfunction."

"KAYLA!"

"What? I'm just saying. He'll short-circuit."

Aria punched her lightly in the arm. "We are not talking about him today."

"We'll see."

After buying their clothes, the sisters wandered deeper into Concord's market district, where the storefronts shifted from clothing and souvenirs to functional, utilitarian vendors — hardware stores, tool depots, repair kiosks, weapon shops... and then Kayla's eyes lit up like she'd spotted heaven itself.

A sign above a bright storefront read:

"PATCH & HEAL — Medical Supplies for Colonists & Corpsmen!"

Kayla grabbed Aria's wrist.

"Oh. My. God."

Aria blinked. "Kayla—"

"We're going in."

"But—"

"We're going IN, ARIA!"