Strife: A Red vs Blue Fan Fiction

The Mother Of Invention

April, 07, 2546

Mother Of Invention, UNSC controlled space

21:00

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"We've arrived,"

It took me a moment for the information to process thrugh my head. Was I really asleep that long? I yawned, nodding, not responding verbably to the marine.

I pushed myself up off the seat, using the side of the pelican to prop me up. I faintly heard one of the marine's radio go off, and he turned away, putting two fingers to the side of his helmet. He nodded, taking his fingers off the side of his helmet, turning to his friend standing close beside him.

"Thom says we should probably not head down by the-"

The sound of a rather large explosion echoed through the halls, followed by someone or another screaming...

A loud thud followed shortly after, then a brief pause of silence.

Then the hysterical laughter from... several sources.

"Yeah, Thom said to stay away from their little play area. Apparently, they were cleared to experiment with small-scale explosives, and look where that got 'em,"

I peered around the pelican, my eyes searching over the hangar bay, not finding anything out of the normal. A few of the works who remained in the hangar didn't even seemed bothered by the explosion, or the following laughter, not questioning it.

"Miss Abney? Follow us. The Director needs to speak with you," One of the marines said, placing a hand on my shoulder to draw my attention. I arched a brow, turning towards him, questioning him silently.

"You'll figure out who it was when you get settled down. I'd recommend not questioning it, just yet," He said, shaking his head slightly.

The other marine turned to his companion, "Do you think it was him?" He asked, crossing his arms across his chest, a quiet sigh following his sentence.

Without even hesitating, the other replied. "Of course. Probably with the rest of the team with him,"

"True. Where he is, the rest are sure to follow. Do you think she'll be part of that team?" The other asked, nodding in my direction. I just arched a brow at the two, crossing my arms over my chest, leaning against the side of the pelican.

"If she's placed on that team... I feel sorry for her. No telling what the hell they'll do. Remember the last newbie's greeting?"

"Yeah, but that little guy was inexperienced. This one... she has experience. Maybe a bit more than some of the team members, you know?"

They chatted on for awhile, just ingnoring me, as if they forgot I stood just mere feet away from the pair. I cleared my throat, drumming my fingers on my arm.

They snapped toward me, then looked at each other, then back at me, each of their movements syncronized. "Sorry about that. Follow us, the Director's waiting in his office," One said, turning on his heel, and heading to the hangar exit.

"You said that ten minutes ago..." I muttered under my breath, casting another look around the hangar. Still wish I was stationed on a Naval vessel, but... oh well. My station is my station, I guess. I'll get used to it here... eventually, that is.

I placed a hand on one of the marine's shoulders, dragging his attention towards me. "Does this place carry alcohol?" I asked, knowing that it wasn't exactly the best question to ask.

"Yeah... Every Agent is given a twelve-pack of beer or the harder stuff once every two weeks. If you apply for it, that is. Most chose not to, but... I think you might want to drink a little around here, well, if you're placed on... that team," He replied, chuckling lightly as he finished his sentence.

"You kee saying 'that team' or 'them'. Who are they?" I asked, dropping my arms to my sides once again.

"Oh... you'll figure it out. Just give it day, or even a few hours if you're unlucky,"

"Unlucky?"

"You'll understand that notion soon enough,"

I sighed. I guess they won't give me answers, anyways. It's pretty much useless to persist, with these two. I shook my head, remaining silent for the time being.

They stopped just short of a door at the end of the hall. One of them knocked on the metal door. "Director, Gunnery Sargeant Cassie Abney has arrived," He said, backing away from the door.

After a minute, the door opened, revealing a dark room with a man sitting behind a desk, the light from his unused computer illuminating the side of his face. They motioned for me to enter the office before turning, and leaving back down the hall where we came from.

I paused briefly before stepping across the threshold, the door slamming shut the moment I was past it. I looked at the man, trying to remember where I knew him from. I know I've seen him somewhere before. I just don't remember where...

The memory of the graduation ceremony flashing back through my mind.

He was there, sitting in the small audience.

Observing us.

I shook my head, pushing the memory from my head. I stood there, awkwardly, glancing around the room, wondering what to do. There seemed to be a deactivated screen sitting behind him. I drummed my fingers quietly against my thigh. What do I do? What do I say?

I had no problem conversing with the higher-ups back on Earth, or even back in New Phoenix. I guess it's just because I don't even know this guy, or what his whole 'Project' is about...

He looked up from his paperwork, sitting back in his chair, resting one hand over the other on his desk, just looking at me. "Gunnery Sargeant Cassie Renee Abney of the one-hundred first division. Served in two named battles against Insurrectionists, and several more smaller battles," He started, his words tinted by a heavy southern accent, even more than my own.

"Your story is an interesting one. Strong and independent, but after a betrayal, you find yourself broken, an alcoholic. And finally, you find yourself here, in Project Freelancer," He finished. I felt my nails digging into my palm. It might have happened some time ago, but it's still a touchy subject.

"Someone the Project will gladly welcome, someone with more experience out in the field," He held out his hand, a gesture that doesn't fit the mental picture I've created him to be.

I took his hand, nodding at him, still silent.

"Welcome to the Project, Agent Ireland,"

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A/n: Aha, sorry for ending it this way! The team will be FORMALLY *wink wink* introduced in the next chapter, so stay tuned!

I... still don't have much to say, my friends.

Other than I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Well... See ya!

-Seekers, signing off.