Halo: The Search

Chapter 17

December 2nd, 2552
(Victor Huff) Taking a shower had never felt so good. Back then, it was a chore that I had to do as fast as possible so I could get back to doing the fun gimmicks I did at home.

Now, I was just standing under the hot water, letting it run from the top of my head to the floor. I washed my hair twice with shampoo and took time washing my body, making sure to get all the crud off me.

Once I was sure no more dirt was on me, I turned the shower off and dried off, getting into a pair of clothes left for me by Garret: A pair of black sport shorts with silk like, durable fabric. A plain t-shirt with the black italics, 'UNSC' across my upper chest and a pair of white socks that went to my ankles, along with a black pair of tennis shoes, made out of a material that was so breathable, I could feel wind hit my foot if I swayed my leg back and forth; the attire was comfortable.

I walked out of the shower room, which led into a locker room. I opened a locker, revealing a draw string back pack. It was black with the white italics 'UNSC' plastered in the middle. Inside was a knife, nothing else sadly. I had lost everything when I was with the commander, if I remembered correctly.

Footsteps echoed out near the exit and I saw Blue enter the room in his ODST armor. "Your dad says to rest up for the night and that you can catch up tomorrow on things." I threw on my back pack and nodded.

"What about Vex?" I followed Blue out the room and started walking towards the dorm I'd be sleeping in.

"Oh, he's with Alice, err Orange. Oh, and I'm Ty." I stood at the entrance of my dorm and sighed.
"How offended would you be if I stuck with the colors? They kinda... work." Ty just stared at me, without an answer. I nodded pivoting back and forth on my feet.

"Right... Well, uh, goodnight Blue." I closed the door and walked to my bed, kicking off my shoes and laying down.

"The color is... fine." I shook my head, listening to Blues footsteps become more and more distant.

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(Vex'Redna)
The room around me was a bland silver. I've been uncomfortably sitting in a tiny metal chair that cried out under my weight every time I shifted.

Both my elbows rested on the fold-up table in front of me, which also threatened to die from my weight as I leaned on it.

I was dully staring at the Orange ODST interrogating me. I didn't give her much information if the questions weren't related to me and Victor; that seemed to annoy her.

I hadn't been completely rebellious though. My answers were all truthful and I had admitted that I held murderous intentions towards Victor for awhile but things had changed later on.

Now she was just staring at me. I felt like something personal was floating through the air.

It wasn't like me to feel guilt but it's been the constant emotion for awhile now. I felt the need to say something, which also wasn't like me. She just continued to stare at me.

"Look, I know you don't trust me, along with the others here. For what it's worth, I've shoved away all bad intentions I ever held towards humans. I've realized that my beliefs that I put towards the war were a lie and that your species... was fighting for a cause better than mine. I'm trying to better my past self by helping Victor. All I've done to him was easily brushed off and he was willing to take me in, even defend me from being isolated by your commander if he were to refused to let me in. Human, I can't really come up with a speech laying down all my vows that will assure my allegiance to you. I..." I trailed off, unable to think of why exactly I was worthy of being taken in.

All the bad things I had done flowed back into my head and all determination to show my worth was replaced by guilt. I sighed and looked down. What a stupid situation to be in. I had the kids side on things, most likely because he was manipulated or just confused. I hadn't thought through how I'd earn trust from everyone on this space ship.

"Victor trusts you. You returned here with him in one piece. I'm pretty sure Commander Huff will take you in, if that's what your worried about." I looked up at the ODST surprised. I had never expected to hear that from one of their kind. Especially the type that I've seen obliterate so many of my own on the battlefield.

I felt this personal connection again as I just stared at the ODST in shocked silence. Humans weren't idiots, that's for sure. I felt this new found respect swell up inside me, yet again.

"However, just remember that you're going to have a close watch on you. Just because you're being taken in and lended some trust, doesn't mean that we're not gonna start out with boundaries. You'll be allowed to hang around Victor but you'll always have someone to watch you." I nodded in understanding, finding it only fair that I needed a babysitter. It would possibly annoy me but I was willing to work with this for now.

"I accept those terms. Am I allowed to rest or does the Commander need something?" She shook her head, drumming her fingers against the table.

"I'll escort you to your dorms. Commander Huff connected two beds together so you'd be comfortable." At that, she got up and walked to the door, turning a metal handle and opening it.

"Follow me."

I got up from my chair and accidentally kneed the table. It toppled over and I failed to catch it. I felt slightly humiliated but more or so angry.

Orange just stared at me, leaning against the door way. The quick rise and fall of her chest hinted that she was chuckling. I shoved the chair out the way with my foot and propped the table back up.

She turned and walked down a hallway that had many mechanical sliding doors to my left and right.

Stopping at one, she typed something in the keypad, I didn't manage to memorize. The door slid open and we walked in.

Sure enough, there were two small beds connected to each other. The room had plain white walls with gray trim around the bottom. The floor consisted of black tiles that dimly showed a reflection of two lamps that sat on small, gray nightstands, each positioned at the corners closest to the door. The beds were on the other side of the room, against the wall; those had a metallic frame with two small mattresses that formed a large enough one for me. The covers were a puffy grey with the black script 'UNSC' in the middle on both beds. The sheets under were white, along with the pillows and above both beds, there was a shelf in the wall that could hold personal belongings.

I felt exhaustion get the best of me and plopped carefully on the bed, not wanting to break anything. I glanced at the door and saw Orange leaning against the entrance.

"Hey, I'm sorry for, uh... stabbing you back in that forest." She perked up at those words and stood up straighter but with a slightly sassy lean. She put one hand on her hip and tapped her fingers against her leg with the other hand.

"It's fine. Your situation kind of called for that when I was trying to murder you. Anyways, I'm pretty sure Commander Huff wanted you in the training room with Victor tomorrow. I'll be there to supervise you on your first day aboard. Goodnight!"

The joy in her voice threw me off at the end and I couldn't answer back as she walked away. The door shut and I was left with my mandibles open, no words coming out.

I sighed and fell asleep, a few seconds after my face hit the soft pillow.