No Gods, Nor Masters

Easy Day

At Alice's household, the young woman spoke to the gathered Spartans, a smile on her face as her kids ran around to each of the guests, surprising BLUE Team with how friendly they were. Looking at Halsey, she continued explaining, "... After my surprisingly timely death on Reach, it turned out some form of God-machine or other had a better idea. It dropped me off here in about the year 1990, right at the turn of the decade. You can imagine what it's like when a random woman wearing a full-body armor suit drops into the middle of rural America."

"Scared the living shit out of a bunch of us, heh," Johnson quipped as he scarfed down some of the food.

She chuckled, shaking her head, before adding, "Johnson was the first person to see me. Man looked a little less worse for wear back in the day, too, but he did save my ass from the CIA spooks, offered me a place to lay low. Turns out he was also a 'Nam Vet and was still a Marine in Reserve at the time I arrived, so..." she hummed and looked to him, "While I was 'hiding', he figured it'd be a good idea to go get me paperwork so I fit into the US better."

She sat herself down after handing the plates with food to the others, continuing, "I also decided I wasn't going to hang around and do jack shit while he did that, so as soon as I got a green card and some proper paperwork, I tagged into the US Military as a Marine, just in time for Gulf One. Man, that was fun," while letting out a chuckle. Halsey seemed to be listening intently, while the Spartans simply enjoyed their meals, one ear open and listening to her as well.

"... Were you able to-" Halsey started

Six snorted, "No, no, I was not able to wear my armor, sadly. Didn't really matter, though, apparently. Turns out a supersoldier that was taller than your average Haji, or, hell, your average Jarhead, wasn't going to be facing much in the way of trouble, doc. Afghan and Gulf Two also proved that, though the last couple years of Afghan, I toured without Johnson here..." before turning to him.

The old marine hit the metallic prosthetic with his knuckles, two light clinks echoing as he said, "Got hit by an IED when Taliban decided to play coy and ambush our damn convoy," then he motioned to the Spartan woman and stated, "Alice's husband dragged my ass outta the line of fire and called for a MEDEVAC while he and his platoon held ground. Helmand ain't shit to scoff at, I'll tell you..."

Alice smiled at that, while Halsey took a sip of her drink and said, "I see... What's your husband's name?"

"... James..." She replied, "Jamie..." And she smiled, a little sad, as she gazed at the food in her plate. Halsey, a surprised Shino and the Spartans had wanted to let the woman have her moment. Her children, however, noticed that their mother was sad and, without wasting another second, ran to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace. She jumped a little, then sighed and hugged her little kids back. She sighed and said, "Let's just finish eating. I'll tell you guys everything after we do and I put the kids to bed..."

And indeed, half an hour later, the kids were fast asleep with their bellies full. Alice peered into their room with a small smile, then gently locked the soundproofed, bulletproof door and turned back to face Halsey and the others, her face now dead serious. She crossed her arms and said, "To preface this, doctor, Blues... I'm not leaving this Earth. I'm not coming back... Not while those two still need to be raised."

Halsey and the others looked to one-another, while Shino stared, wide-eyed at that, before Halsey turned to the woman and told her, "Don't worry, Lieutenant. You'll be happy to know your and Noble's services have been commemorated amidst so many others' sacrifices on our Earth... Your return to duty is not necessary. You've been honorably discharged by your perceived demise."

Six's shoulders sagged. She sighed, seemingly relieved, before motioning to the couch and easy chairs. She went to sit on one of the chairs, while Halsey sat herself down on the couch. Johnson gave a wave to the Spartan-III and then motioned to Chief, the Blues and Shino. She nodded in thanks. Johnson turned to face the Spartans and said to them and Shino, "Alright, kids. Onto the porch. Gotta let the good Doc and Alice talk alone."