an ODST among Heroes.

S2-6

February 2549

The UNSC First Reverie had arrived hours earlier, now resting securely in a cutting-edge floating dock situated in the Pacific Ocean, adjacent to I-Island. Over the past year, the island had become a bustling hub of UNSC research and development, its facilities teeming with top-tier scientists and engineers from both UNSC territories and Izuku’s Earth.

The First Reverie, a venerable Phoenix-class colony ship once destined for dismantling, had seen an extraordinary revival. Over several months, it had undergone extensive upgrades: enhanced Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, revamped hangar bays optimized for more diverse craft, an expanded complement of advanced missiles, and as much internal compartmentalization as its ancient structure allowed. Yet the work wasn’t finished. The ship was now here for the next phase—upgrades to its armor and combat systems under the direction of the one and only Nezu.

Izuku couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for the Spartans under his command. They were about to experience something entirely different from their grueling battles with the Covenant. In some ways, dealing with Nezu’s peculiar genius was a far greater trial. Even John-117, the legendary Master Chief, had admitted that Nezu’s relentless energy and eccentric methods were taxing. Izuku suspected it was why John often found ways to sidestep assignments involving Izuku’s Earth whenever Nezu was involved.

The soft hiss of the door opening pulled Izuku from his thoughts. Daisy, a Spartan-II clad in her imposing Mjolnir armor, entered the room. But she wasn’t alone. Perched on her shoulder, clinging to the metallic plates like a mischievous child, was Nezu himself. His bright, inquisitive eyes darted around the room as he surveyed the gathered Spartans with a wide grin that somehow managed to be both endearing and unsettling.

Daisy marched up to Izuku and saluted sharply. “Sergeant.”

“At ease, Petty Officer,” Izuku replied, returning the salute with a nod. His tone lightened as he added, “Hopefully here to snag some well-earned R&R for me and my team while our home gets prepped to send the Covenant packing—minus a few teeth.”

Before Daisy could respond, Nezu leapt down from her shoulder with surprising agility. The diminutive chimaera landed lightly on the deck and scurried to the viewport, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he gazed at the First Reverie.

“Ah, Sergeant Halsey,” Nezu said, his tone almost sing-song, “your new title does have a delightful ring to it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Izuku replied, watching Nezu with equal parts amusement and caution.

Nezu clapped his paws together and turned to face the Spartans. “So, this is the ship I’m tasked with upgrading. A most fascinating opportunity! The thought of giving the Covenant something truly memorable fills me with glee. When Parangosky herself extended this offer, I simply couldn’t resist.”

In the small group of Spartan-IIIs standing behind Izuku, Amy muttered under her breath, “It just had to be ONI.” Her tone carried a mixture of resignation and irritation.

Izuku smirked faintly but didn’t comment. He knew the reputation ONI had among the Spartans—particularly the IIIs.

“What the hell kind of assignment is this?” Cooper whispered harshly, unable to keep his eyes off Nezu. “That thing is terrifying.”

Amy shifted uneasily, her attention momentarily drawn to the brief but familiar exchange between Izuku and Daisy. A flicker of jealousy crossed her mind as she wondered how their sergeant seemed to have a connection with the Spartan-II that went beyond mere formality.

Izuku, noticing the tension among his team, gave them a knowing look. His smile carried a mixture of reassurance and warning as he leaned slightly toward Amy and whispered, “Brace yourselves. This is going to be... interesting, in all the worst ways.”

As Nezu began rattling off a series of highly technical (and vaguely ominous) plans for the First Reverie, the Spartans exchanged uneasy glances. The mission ahead wasn’t just about fighting the Covenant—it was about surviving Nezu. And for once, Izuku suspected, his team might prefer the former.

---

Daisy, out of her armor, ran up to Izuku and pulled him into a tight hug, lifting him off his feet with an ease that spoke to her Spartan strength. Spinning him around, she laughed, her voice brimming with genuine happiness. “I missed you!”

Izuku chuckled softly, his arms wrapping around her in return. “I missed you too, Daisy,” he sighed as she finally set him down, her hands still resting on his shoulders.

Daisy stepped back, giving him a quick once-over. “Good to see you too. So, how’s John?”

“Still being John,” Izuku replied with a small smile, shaking his head.

“That tracks,” Daisy said with a faint smirk before her gaze drifted to the massive colony ship looming outside the nearby viewport. “Alright, spill it. How in the world did you manage to swing a ship this big?”

Izuku’s expression grew faintly amused. “Katherine,” he said simply, as if the name was explanation enough.

Daisy’s smile faltered, her brow furrowing as her expression darkened. “Her again,” she muttered, crossing her arms tightly.

Izuku noticed the shift and tilted his head. “Something the matter?”

Daisy let out a sharp breath, her shoulders tensing. “She took me from my home, Izuku,” she said, her voice quiet but laced with anger. “I was a little girl. She didn’t ask. Didn’t even give me a choice. And then she replaced me with a clone so my family wouldn’t even notice I was gone.”

Izuku’s heart sank at the raw pain in her words. He hesitated, unsure of what to say. “...Daisy,” he started gently, but she shook her head, cutting him off.

“Let’s just not talk about it,” Daisy said, her tone weary. “I’ve got enough ghosts as it is.”

Izuku paused, searching for a way to ease the tension. A small smile tugged at his lips as an idea came to him. “Alright. How about I buy you dinner?”

Daisy blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, she just stared at him before a faint smile broke through her grim expression. “...Thanks,” she murmured.

Before either of them could say more, a soft knock came from the door. Amy stepped inside, her expression carefully neutral, though her darting gaze betrayed her hesitation.

“Sir,” Amy began, her tone professional, “I—”

“Ah, Amy!” Izuku interrupted, his smile brightening. “Perfect timing. I’m buying us dinner. You’re coming too.”

Amy froze, her eyes flicking to Daisy with a mix of concern and curiosity. “You heard... didn’t you?” Daisy asked, her voice resigned.

Amy hesitated before nodding slightly. “Yeah,” she admitted softly.

Daisy sighed, rubbing the back of her neck before glancing back at Izuku. “Well, come on,” she said, forcing a faint smile. “Are you coming or not?”

Amy paused, then let out a small sigh of her own. “Alright,” she said, stepping forward.

Izuku clapped his hands together, steering the mood away from the tension. “That’s the spirit. Let’s go.”

As the three of them headed out, the weight of the past lingered, unspoken but understood. For now, they’d focus on the moment—a small reprieve from the burdens they all carried.

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