Just Dropping In (A RvB x Halo Fanfic)

Chapter 3

I carefully placed the dog tags of my fallen team in the pocket of my duffel bag. Today's the day I leave Infinity for the mission. Besides Commander Lasky, everyone on the ship believes that I am being transferred with a few other ODSTs from different companies.

Zack is still devastated, and I could understand why: I'm his second in command and his long-time partner. Losing someone that you can count on watching your back is heartbreaking.

I shake my head. But what good is a partner is they are always distancing themselves from everyone and only speaking when needed.

I slung the duffel over my left shoulder after checking that my sniper, silenced pistol, helmet, and spare armor are in my bag. He'll be fine.. he doesn't need me to help him run his company. Actually.. with me out of the picture, it's just a squad missing from his company.

I take a deep breath before walking out of my room. I take a glance at the sliding door, closing behind me. I'm not sure if I'll see this room again, but who knows?

I made my way through the hallway, towards the hanger bay. As I pass, privates and officers wished me well and "God speed." I don't remember how the phrase "God speed" came to be, but all I know is that it is another version of saying good luck. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to need all the luck I can get-

Someone bumps into my right shoulder, causing me to go into combat-mode instinctively. My right foot uses the moment from the bump to swing my body around and face the person responsible.

It was a female, about two to three years younger than me, I presume. I blinked a few times. She wore the exact same uniform as I did when I was just assigned to lead my squad. Four people stood behind her, and all of them had wide eyes.

"Oh, uh... I-I am so sorry, Lieutenant Mc-McKenna." The girl stutters.

I slightly laugh at her stutter. "It's alright, Sergeant..?"

"Sergeant Rose of Alpha Company, ma'am." She answered.

I raised my eyebrow. "I wasn't aware of a new squad joining the company."

The Sergeant's squad shifted nervously behind her. She lowers her gaze for a moment before raising it back up to answer.

"Well, ma'am... Major Steele didn't want you to know." She said in a small voice.

"Know what?" I asked. Why didn't he want me to know about a new squad in the company?

Rose takes a deep breath. "My squad.. is going to take your squad's place as the new top snipers in the company." She answers with a hint of fear in her voice

"What?" I say in disbelief. Zack wouldn't be that quick to replace me.. but then again, my squad was essential for scouting and stealth missions. "Why didn't he tell me this?" I ask. "If I would have known, I could have helped get you all to get settled into the company before I leave."

"Well.. he said that you wouldn't be able to help us since.. well, you know, THAT day."

"Lieutenant McKenna, we need you at the hanger bay in 15 minutes." Ronald says, appearing in a nearby console.

"Thanks, Ronald," I say, and he disappears. I focus my attention back on the new squad. Rose looks at me and changes the subject. "You're not being transferred. It's a secret mission, isn't it?"

How did she... "What makes you think that?"

"Well.. a transfer wouldn't leave in two days of notice. It takes weeks to finalize and then be shipped off." She reasons, and her squad behind her nods their head in agreement.