Halo: The Search

Chapter 19

Five years later

January 23rd, 2557
(Victor Huff) Life started going one direction ever since I entered the frigate.

I took online classes, getting a certain amount of schooling required by my father. He also put in extra curricular classes, delving into multiple fields.

The course I had mainly looked into was the vehicles and weapons course. I would go through my regular classes, then go down to the training room to meet Garret. He taught me how all the weapons worked and would let me use a certain array of them.

My dad would even watch me, despite his busy schedule. He said he wanted me as an ODST, which I had mentioned wanting to be after some time on the frigate. Garret was a true marksman, compared to anyone I had ever seen in the shooting range. His reaction time and accuracy was mind boggling. Having him as a teacher felt overwhelming because he set the bar high but I was determined.

Vex would be with me throughout certain times of the day too. Denver allowed him to take certain classes that he'd expressed interest in. He also agreed to go through a class where they went over information on Covenant weaponry. He'd never have to correct the teacher but every now and then, he'd add a new bit of information to the curriculum that the teacher would record. Vex excelled in the classes he took but it wasn't his favorite thing to invest his time in. What he looked forward to was getting into the training room with me near the end of the day.

He'd always ask what I learned everyday, providing relaxing conversation.

I ran through my days with Vex all the time from that point and he'd go over his day as well, sometimes saying, "It was good," or giving me a more detailed rundown time to time, if something interesting ever happened.

This went on for around three years. When I was fourteen, the classes had started disappearing. I had passed all classes and was able to stop taking them at a notably young age. I began spending time in different areas, that weren't forced classes. I put myself through new courses with professional instructors, where I'd learn how to defuse a bomb, operate a vehicle or operate certain types of equipment; basic combat scenarios.

All remaining time was dedicated to training. Vex had put in his share of classes as well and was actually let out a year earlier than me, leaving him a lot of free time. He spent his time training, learning how to use human weaponry and basically proving himself to Denver.

He told him that he wanted to be with me in a squad. Denver said he easily qualified, he just needed to make arrangements. Garret, Tye and Alice had come more into the picture now as well.

I was inducted into more rigorous training with The three ODST and Vex. Denver taught us himself, showing us the ways of working as a team. We ran reconnaissance missions a lot of times, getting layouts of covenant outposts that were performing questionable actions. This went on for a year. These missions gave me time to bond with my official squad mates and to pick up some tips and strategies from the bunch.

When I was fifteen, we had finally been put on the field in an actual battle. At this point, Denver had gathered a good analysis on our skill sets. I sat in the back of the squad, providing cover fire with Garret. Tye, Alice and Vex would always push forward, demolishing any enemy that showed themselves. Tales of our experiences on the field began to spread throughout the frigate. Word spread of the young new talent that joined the squad, along with the alien ally that proved to be most dangerous on front lines.