When Destiny Burns, Ep. 2 A Halo and Inheritance Cycle Crossover [Discontinued]

Chapter 19.1 Proper views pt. 1

"Specialist Sunfield. It has come to my attention that you have worries regarding the second generation of Spartan-II's and their different form of augmentations?"

"Yes Colonel. I have read the files about their augments...even the ones that I was eventually refused, much to my chagrin. You were stated to have used a cocktail of illegal drugs and other agents to alter the frontal lobes of the Spartans. But why? Surely their combat prowess is large enough without having to tinker with their brains?"

"Specialist, you do not seem to understand. We were –are- at war for our very survival. Colonel Ackerson's death at the hands of the brutes was very unfortunate, as he possessed a mind that could come up with just the right projects that this war needed to be won, including the needs to make sure that your worries are in vain. He made sure that the right supply of antipsychotics and bipolar-integration drugs was available to the Spartans."

"I do not think the payoff is in their favor, Colonel. Two-Sierra eleven for example has been missing for months at an end now; I shudder at the thought of what he must have become."

"His position is unfortunate, yet acceptable. Yours however, is not. Admiral Parangosky is growing tired of your constant meddling –probably due to Halsey giving her a headache- so if I were you, I'd be really careful of what you are pushing your nose into."

"Are you...threatening me, Colonel?"

"Lady, I'm saving your ass."

-conversation between Mental Health Specialist J. Sunfield and Colonel Moore, replacement colonel for the Secret-Spartan-II project.

Lady Nasuada watched the last soldier disappear between two houses and sighed explosively.

"As if the constant pressure of leading an army isn't enough," she scowled. "Now we have to deal with soldiers who came from the stars as well!"

"Be calm my lady," Raia replied with a smug. "These men have offered their skills to our cause."

"Do not seek to patronize me, Raia. I do not know what it is this Captain Wren seeks, but it is not the Varden's victory. "

"It is obvious that they seek Spartan," the Shade replied. She had carefully analyzed those soldiers' every spoken word and she had gleamed multiple double meanings from the way they moved, talked and looked. Normally, she would have thought it strange that humans were so capable at hiding their emotions, but Spartan had been hiding the fact that he had been suffering from her drug for days, so she should have expected the same stoic attitude from his people. They weren't as masterful in the gifts as hiding your emotions as he was, but they were gifted, nonetheless.

"Yes...the Spartan. He has told us before that he is part of an Elite group...I had never understood just what he meant though."

Raia had. She had just not wanted to think about the idea that there might be more warriors like him. It was disturbing in a way, but his existence was painful enough as it was. Still, the fact that the people that were supposedly his people all appeared as normal humans gave her hope. It was obvious that they had somehow tinkered with the Spartan's mind and body, but how? And why? "I think that he is still the only one of his kind on this world. They talked as if they needed him specifically."

"I know. And what strange world did they come from that magic doesn't exist? Surely humans would have some capable magicians..."

Raia snickered. "They have rapid-firing crossbows that tear through every ward with a few shots. I don't think they need magic where they came from."

"Still, the Spartan spoke of a bloody war in which he had fought. I think magic would have had some good use in there." Nasuada fell quiet as she continued to ponder the past conversations. As soon as Wren's team had left, both the human and the shade had traveled to the outer ridges of the wall, where they could follow the trio of soldiers. It was unfortunate that they hadn't been able to learn anything new. But then again, neither had Raia expected to. "And what about you? Do you trust them?"