Reach for Halo

Noble Team

After escaping the city, Six and I headed down to the coast and took care of the Covenant ground forces as well as firing missiles at a warship. With the warship over the city down, all the aircrafts containing civilians were free to go and left Reach. But the fight left me a little exhausted. Sweat was coating my body and all my clothes clung tightly to me which made me cringe. 

Noble Six: You okay? 

Mutasim: Yeah. Just... Need a sec to breathe. 

She pats my back reassuringly. 

Noble Six: You did good, kid. You did good. 

I nod in appreciation and go back to taking deep breaths while sitting down on the grass. As I focus on my own relaxing period, I hear Six's comms turn on and a familiar voice patches through. 

Kat (Comms): Do you copy? Repeat, this is Noble Two. Noble Six, Noble Five, do you copy? 

Noble Six: This is Six. Go ahead Noble Two. 

Kat (Comms): We picked up your transponder about an hour ago but could not risk open comms. Covenant have this city sealed tight. We're getting nothing from Jorge. 

Noble Six: He didn't make it. 

Kat (Comms): Understood... What's the situation at Starpoint exit? 

Noble Six: The last transport is away. 

She said as she looked at me. I knew what she was thinking. Me staying here would most likely mean I'd die here. Chances to escape from Reach are getting slimmer with each passing hour. By now, I reckon the only exit chance I'll get is if I take the Pillar of Autumn evac. 

Kat (Comms): Alright. We're bringing you to us. 

Noble Six: Copy that. But... I've also got a situation. I'll bring it up when we meet up. 

Kat (Comms): Got it. Kat out. 

Six stops speaking to Kat and pulls out a flare, ignites it and drops it close to us. After that, she walks over to me and offers a hand. 

Noble Six: Cmon. Something tells me you're not gonna leave so easily. 

I chuckle and grab her hand, letting her pull me up to my feet. 

Mutasim: Not like I was trying to. 

She pats my shoulder with an amused chuckle. Soon after, a Pelican flies down to us and hovers. Six enters first and then I jump in, sitting opposite her. The ship becomes airborne again and we fly back towards the city. 

Noble Six: A lot of people are usually afraid of us Spartans. Even the marines sometimes give us looks. So why not you? 

Mutasim: Because underneath that armour, you're still human like the rest of us. Sure, you went through a different childhood, if it can even be called that, but underneath the suit, you're still flesh and blood. You've still got a beating heart like the rest of us and you've still got feelings. 

Noble Six: Heh. That's... A little refreshing to hear. Thanks. 

Mutasim: Don't mention it. Sometimes I think you Spartans even forget it too. 

Noble Six: Yeah. More often than you realise... 

I notice her tone fall off towards the end as she looks down. Even if her face isn't visible, I can still sense her sorrow at the topic. Trying to change the subject, I talk to Six about any potential hobbies she has. She raises her head. 

Noble Six: Not really. Us Spartans usually stick to fighting. Don't really get a chance to have hobbies. 

Mutasim: Well... What if you were given a break or a vacation or something? I know it sounds ridiculous, but hypothetically speaking. What is something you'd want to do?