Just Dropping In (A RvB x Halo Fanfic)

Chapter 7

Dear Director,

Due to your busy schedule, we have begun interviewing members of your staff. I'm certain you will let us know if this bothers you. Our debriefings keep coming back to a single subject at Outpost 17-B. Can you explain to us what this Meta is and what your plans are to deal with it?

I look at the word "Meta" and "it." It's clear that this "Meta" they are talking about is an issue to both sides, but what exactly is the Meta?

I should probably ask Washington about this. Then again, it's been weeks since I've talked to him. After almost getting my cover blown, the Chairman promoted me to be the prison block's Commander and given me three replacements. I decided to run the prison block just as I would on Infinity: calling fellow soldiers by their last names and a better watch cycle. However, in addition to my promoted rank, the Chairman also has me training privates, so I can't guard Washington anymore. I can go as far as to say that he probably doesn't remember me anymore.

There was a knock on the bunk door with a voice sounding on the other side saying, causing me to quickly close out of the file and turn off my datapad, placing it down on the desk beside me. I stood up, and my mind flashes back to when I was on Infinity. I can see each of my former squad's pods as I walked down Hell's Waiting Room. My former self walked by each pod, giving it two knocks, each with a one knock response back. The last pod was Walker's, who gave me a single knock and said, "We're with you till the end, Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant McKenna?" A voice asked. I blinked a few times and was brought back to the present, my right hand shaking uncontrollably. I steadied my hand with the other and let out a sigh. 

"Come in," I answered.

Mike, who's the last name I found out was Wazowski, walks into the bunker and gives a short salute to me before announcing. "Sorry for the interruption, ma'am, but we have an incoming transmission from Washington's channel."

A transmission on Washington's channel? "Show me."

He nods, and I follow him to the prison's main communication room, where he led me to one of the computers that displayed the call but was on hold and said. "I told the guy to hold for a moment and transferred his call to this computer."

"Anything about the guy I should know about?" I asked as I put the headpiece into my ear, adjusting the mic near my mouth.

Wazowski shifts his stance. "He... kind of sounds like a kid."

I looked away from the computer and gave Wazowski a strange look. "You mean a kid called the prisoner?"

"No, no, no, it was an adult, but he acted and sounded like a kid. He called the prisoner 'Agent Washingtub.'" Wazowski explained quickly.

"Right... So a kid." I slowly turn back to the computer. "You can wait outside. I'll let you know if I need anything."

"Yes, ma'am." He answers, and I could hear his footsteps walk towards the door. I waited until he shut the door before focusing my attention on the call in front of me. Freelancers normally have secured channels; how did a kid get ahold of a Freelancer's channel?

I press the button to resume the call and said. "This is Lieutenant McKenna of the UNSC Staff of Charon. Who is this?"

"Hey, Caboose! The music stopped, and a lady is speaking!" Someone yelled very loudly on the other side, causing me almost to rip off the headpiece because it was so loud.

While ensuring that I didn't have any hearing loss, another voice responded to the person. I couldn't make out what he said, but seconds later, a different voice came to the headpiece. I'm assuming it is Caboose. "Ah yes, I would like to order some chicken nuggies and chocolate milk."