Reach for Halo

Six's Wish

It was a long flight back to the base. Six spent the whole trip sleeping on my shoulder. Considering the mess back on High Charity, I understood why she wanted the sleep. Well, that and that she didn't know what my situation was like for a long time. 

Finally, we arrive and we descend onto the landing pad. I caress Six's cheek, making her groan quietly and wake up. Her eyes flicker open sluggishly. I smile at her cuteness. 

Six: Ungh... Mutasim...? 

Mutasim: Sorry Six. As much as I'd love for you to keep sleeping, we gotta get up. We're back at the base. 

Six: Awww... 

She pulls away from me reluctantly and stretches her arms upwards, yawning as she does so. Once she fully woke up, she put her helmet back on. We land and jump out of the back of the ship. As soon as I jumped out, I saw a familiar blonde, her eyes widening. 

Lilith: Mutasim! You're alive! 

I smile and wave at Lilith. 

Mutasim: Hey. We'll talk later, k? 

Lilith: Y-Yeah! It's good to see you safe. 

I chuckle and follow Johnson. Though from the corner of my eye, I could see both Arbiter and Six looking at Lilith before turning to me. 

Six: You... Know her? 

Mutasim: Back when the Covenant were attacking Earth before we went to the second Halo ring. It was her first encounter with them so I helped her out, reassured her that everything would be okay. 

Six: I see... Well, she looks a lot happier and confident now. 

Mutasim: Is... Something wrong? 

Six: No. No, nothing's wrong. I guess you just have that effect on people. 

My instincts were calling bullshit that "nothing was wrong", but I knew better than to start shit with a Spartan. So since I valued my life, I kept my mouth shut. Miranda meets with us and salutes. Johnson and I do the same. 

Keyes: Where'd you find them? 

Sgt Johnson: Napping. Out back. 

Keyes: I'll bet. It's good to see you Chief, Six. 

Chief: Likewise ma'am. 

Six: Good to see you too. 

Keyes: Let's get you two up to speed.

She turns and begins to lead us to the main control room. We walk through the halls, passing by many wounded, both humans and aliens. 

Keyes: As Mutasim and Cora predicted, Truth's ships breached the lunar perimeter and smashed what was left of the fleet. They landed. Here, in New Mombasa. Terrestrial casualties from the bombardment were... extreme. 

Chief: What about Halo? 

Keyes: We stopped it, but only temporarily. Now, Truth is looking for something called "The Ark", a place where he can fire all the Halo rings. If he succeeds, Humanity, the Covenant, every sentient being in the galaxy... 

Chief: The rings will kill us all. 

We arrive in the main room. But upon entering, we're met with a strange sight. Two marines were trying to push off a certain Brute from one of the monitors. And from the looks of it, the Brute was playing video games. 

Marine: Come on! You've gotta stop playing! 

I shake my head, sighing. 

Chief: Should I even ask?