War for Freedom

(Chapter 15)/The Chosen's Services

Chloe's POV:
April 3rd, 2093, 07:30:
Vanguard Base:

Sitting in my room, I was looking over my weapons again, making sure they were well oiled and ready for our next mission. Zero and Mariana came back yesterday, and their encounter with that vine mutant has gotten everyone on edge. We've faced mutants before, but they were giant, Feral animals. If plants can become Feral's as well, what's stopping everything else from becoming one as well?

An then there's Orion, that AI Zero brought with him from the main C.A. base that we finally located thanks to their efforts. While I remain unsure about whether his decision was right or wrong, Orion has proven useful thus far when analyzing the data it took from the C.A.'s main terminal. It can be strange knowing that an AI is inside the helmet of Zero, but that was Zero's decision, so he can deal with the consequences.

Hardly anything happened while Zero and Mariana were gone, the rest of us mainly trained with Bravo Team so we all have an understanding of their abilities. Everyone was doing their jobs, at their posts, and more, while we Spartans were prepared for anything. My Mother, Helena and I hung out a lot, catching up further about our lives. It was quite relaxing, being in both of their presences again.

As for the others, Via has been watching her brother very closely, to make sure he doesn't make any more of that alcohol again. Ruby was helping Dr. Lesley during this week to better train her surgery skills. Rena was busy training her skills with humans, sharing her knowledge along with being taught by them. It was an overall busy week, even when nothing of note happened.

However, just as I finished placing my rifle back together and making sure it can take bullets, my com-link beeped. A second later, Orion's voice came through and said,

Orion: "Chloe, do you copy?"

Chloe: "I do Orion, what's the situation?"

Orion: "Something is off with Zero, he isn't responding to anything I say, and he's preparing much of his equipment for something, I believe he is about to leave, for what purpose, I have no idea."

That's strange, we have a meeting in the command center in just under an hour, what could he be preparing for? Orion knew not to contact me unless it was necessary or important, so if it's telling me that Zero is preparing equipment, then it's much more than normal. Shouldering my rifle, I walked over to my door while saying,

Chloe: "Alright, I'm on my way, monitor his movements and inform me if he tries to leave."

Orion: "Understood ma'am."

After that, my com-link beeped before I opened the door, closing it behind me and starting to make my way to Zero's. As I got closer, the room to Mariana's room opened, and she looked at me with her armor and helmet on before asking,

Mariana: "Something wrong Chloe?"

Chloe: "Orion informed me that Zero is about to leave for unknown reasons."

Mariana (confused): "But that doesn't make any sense, he and I just got back."

Chloe (nods): "Exactly, be prepared in case if he slips past me."

She nodded at me before I turned towards Zero's door and started to open it. After doing so, I walked in and saw Zero sitting in front of his desk, examining his dual pistols. Looking around him, he had two duffel bags next to him, and they were filled with gear and weapons. Walking over to him, I placed my hand on his shoulder before saying,

Chloe: "Zero, what's wrong, did something happen?"

Zero (???): "So, you're the leader of this man and the other two that were in the coliseum."