Halo: Friend Or Foe

Chapter 3

"Get out of here! Move!" The Chief tries to yell to his teammates but it's no use. His memory of his squad standing in front of him getting blown up becomes blurry, and then his vision fades back to reality and a red screen flashes in his face. Multiple breaches. System critical. The Master Chief shakes his head and dismisses the pop-ups and feels all the pain from his wounds rush at him all at once, his nerves returning to his senses. The last thing he remembers was...the Flood! The Chief sits up suddenly, wincing at his injuries as he moves. Then he looks around, hands at the ready, and realizes he isn't in the same place he was. He glances down at his foot and ankle, which has been supported by three thick sticks and some silk-like bandage. As he looks at himself more, he sees he's covered in bloody bandages, all neatly placed over the rips in his armor's fabric and on wounds. He searches the area for the person responsible for rescuing him and also wonders how they managed to. He hears footsteps and lays back down, as if he hasn't moved. He watched from below as an extremely tall, bright white-skinned, human-like female entered the room with a wooden bowl in her hands. She wore a bright-white robe, silk-like and many small pieces of gold jewelry around her neck, ankles, head, and shoulder areas. Her hair flowed as if in water, even though there was no wind coming from anywhere. She walked toward him and kneeled down next to him. He observes her from his helmet as she gently applies whatever is in the bowl on his wounds as a healing agent. Her hands are soft and movements slow. Whoever she is, she does not seem to be a threat. When she finishes, she puts the bowl down, and looks toward his face. He wonders, as she starts to get up to leave, but something in him makes him gently grab her wrist.She gasps in shock and relaxes when she looks back at him and sits back down. "Thank you. For getting me out and...helping me." He says to her. "What's your name?" The Chief asks her. "Arani." she replies. "Well, Arani, I need to go. I have a..." he's hesitant to tell her, since he doesn't know much about her or what her intentions are. "Wait!" She yelps, reaching for him as he gets up. "Um, I haven't put any ointment on your neck wound." She says, pointing toward the injury. The Chief sits back down in front of her to allow her to apply the cool healing gel on his tender skin. It stings a little, but it doesn't bother him. "Sorry." she said, gentle. Arani finishes up and puts a new bandage on, letting him get up to leave. There's a silent pause as they are both still. The Chief is curious about who she is so he asks "I don't mean for this to sound harsh, but what are you? You aren't Covenant, not the Flood, definitely not human, so..." He waits for her answer. "I...don't know." she replies. The Chief furrows his brow, but knowing he needs to go, he doesn't press on. Sooner or later, the Spartan gathers his gear, turns around towards Arani and nods goodbye. He is just about to step out of the cave into the lush forest outside when Arani catches up to him and places a hand on his shoulder. The Chief notices this and slightly flinches at the contact, but then relaxes. He is about to say something when Arani speaks up first. "I know you have your objectives and that you work alone." "What makes you say that?" He responds. "You're like me. A soldier. A warrior. A leader." Arani tells him. "You feel guilty. You believe it is your fault that something happened to you. Or to the people around you." He tenses at her words, knowing what she's talking about and then calmly, but firmly answers "If you're like me, don't we all?" "Yes, we do. So, maybe, if I help you on your journey, you could help me with mine?" Arani pressed. When she spoke those first words, it almost seemed like she was talking about herself as well. The Chief is quiet for a moment. "Alright, Mister..." Arani wants to know what to call him. The Chief is stumped by this question, as he has never thought about what he would have others call him since they would already know who he is and just say "Chief", " The Master Chief", or " The Chief". He wonders for a moment, about if he should tell Arani his real name. He thinks a little more and says, in a weird, awkward-ish way, "My name is John." "Where to, John?" She questions, staring down at the back of his helmet. He scans the tall trees and giant leaves that tower over them, giving them a little cover. It was cooler in the cave, but his suit gave him some comfort by adjusting the "atmosphere" in it. Cortana suddenly comes back, asking if he's alright or if he hears her. "Time to get moving." The Chief whispers.