Reach for Halo

Call To Duty

A couple days have passed since I confessed how I felt for Six. Training continued as normal and when we were alone, Cora would often tease me about my relationship with Six now. Though it was just playful teasing, nothing harmful. Besides, it was more like she teased Six than me. Mainly because Six wasn't sure how relationships worked or what the norm of a romantic relationship was. I found it cute and I've made it my mission to show her what it would be like once we had some time alone and out of training. 

Right now, I was on a break from training while Six was setting up some more firing targets. It was pretty quiet around the base which felt weird. As I look around, I notice the lack of other soldiers, making me frown. 

Mutasim: Cora? What's going on? 

Cora: In all honesty, I don't know. But since I'm checking the date, I'm thinking it's around the time of Halo 2's intro. Which means the Covenant will be attacking soon. Soldiers are probably preparing for the fight. 

Mutasim: Then we should too. 

Cora: Yep.

As if agreeing with us, an alarm blares throughout the entire base. Soldiers storm out of the buildings, armed with rifles and SMGs. A commander barks orders at everyone, shouting at them to prepare for combat. And the commander didn't exclude me from that. I nod and look at Six, seeing her pick up a battle rifle with a nod. We run into separate Pelicans as they take off and sit down. Next to me, a nervous soldier sits. A woman with blonde hair. Her hands and legs shake. 

Mutasim: Hey. You okay? 

Her head snaps to face me with wide blue eyes. I could see the clear terror in her eyes. 

Girl: Y-Yeah. Just... Nervous. We were told that the Covenant were attacking. I-I only finished my training yesterday. 

Mutasim: So this is your first time encountering them? 

She nods shakily. I pat her shoulder reassuringly. 

Mutasim: Just stick together with the team and you'll be fine. 

Girl: T-Thanks. W-Wait... Aren't you the guy who came back from Reach? With the Spartan? 

Mutasim: Yeah. 

Girl: I heard about what happened there. I-I'm not sure if I could have survived through that. 

Mutasim: A lot of people didn't survive. What's your name? 

Girl: L-Lilith. 

Mutasim: Lilith. Take deep breaths and think about something that makes you happy. 

Nodding, she follows my advice. She closes her eyes, takes deep breaths and slowly, the quivering of her body halts. 

Mutasim: Feel better? 

Opening her eyes, she nods. 

Lilith: Yeah. Though, I'm still a little scared about fighting the Covenant for the first time. What... What was your first time like? 

Mutasim: It was definitely scary. Even after fighting against the Covenant as long as I have, I'm still a little scared. 

Lilith: Really? 

Mutasim: Yeah. It never gets easier. All you can really do is just keep moving forward. The moment you stop fighting, you lose. 

Lilith: So just keep fighting, keep moving forward and that'll help?

Mutasim: No. But it'll keep you alive and hopeful. 

She nods. 

Lilith: R-Right. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you. 

Mutasim: Don't mention it. 

I look out of the Pelican and see Six waving at me from another one. I hold up a thumbs up at her, making her nod. We continue waiting for the Pelicans to reach the city. 

Though as we waited, I couldn't help but wonder how my next interaction with Thelya would go, especially since she would be known as the Arbiter.