Reflection

'UNSC Pale Horse, Mars Orbit. November 28, 2552.'

Twenty six. Twenty six was the number of years Nathaniel was in this war. From the glassing of his planet to becoming what he was now, he was forever changed. No longer were there traces of the wide-eyed boy clinging to his mother's dress. All he could see in the visor of his helmet was a soldier; a soldier forged through hundreds of battles, losses of comrades and scars so deep, they might never heal.

However, today something else shone through. Hope? Happiness? Perhaps just feeling content? The Covenant was finally at the disadvantage, their fleet and armies decimated, with their leaders finding themselves confronting retribution by an enduring race of underdogs, battered and beaten but still standing... Still fighting...

To be fair, the fighting would never stop. There would always be enemies to combat. Missions requiring him to use his lethal expertise, but so was the purpose of a SPARTAN. But now was different. Humanity, for the time being, was going to survive and take back what was lost. Earth and Mars would be the beginning, followed by many other worlds hopefully.

That word again. Hope. Too many times he seemed to lose it's comfort. Kenneth. Alpha Company. Marcus. Valerie. So many lost... And he nearly lost both Hee and Tae. But now... Now finally, he was being rewarded for his reluctance to wallow in despair. Not only was the war seemingly won, but Valerie was alive. Alive and fighting here on Mars. When was he going to see her again? So much time had passed, that he needed... He needed...

He tapped the visor with his thumb, reigning in his rising emotions, merely letting out a sigh. It was fine. She was alive. If this was his last time seeing her, at least he'd know that much. That would be enough.

"Sierra One. Four. Three. Your presence is needed on the bridge." Bradley appeared in his translucent form on a nearby platform, "I can inform CHANCELLOR that you request more time to recover. Today has been quite... Eventful."

"That won't be necessary." Nathaniel rose and refastened his helmet in one fluid motion, before moving out of his quarters. He swiftly walked towards the bridge, waiting for the doors to slide open for him. His first step came with hesitation as he surveyed inside. CHANCELLOR and Bradley were naturally there, but the presence of two others caught him off-guard.

"It's been some time, Valor-Three." A man the SPARTAN had not seen for nearly a decade spoke to him.

"Major Miles." Nathaniel snapped to attention, his hand reactively against his forehead in a salute.

A chuckle escaped the man, "It's Lieutenant Colonel now, but I'm glad I haven't been forgotten." He glanced over his shoulder to the second person of interest. Another SPARTAN clad in armor, her helmet removed, revealing olive skin, dark hair and crystal green eyes.

"I don't wish to interrupt this reunion, but I believe you waltzed in on my ship for something more important than chit-chat, sir." CHANCELLOR spoke smoothly, garnering a furrowed brow from the Lieutenant Colonel, "Aye. I suppose I did."

The two unarmored men made for the holographic display in the middle of the bridge, the two SPARTANs taking their respective handlers' sides. As the two spoke, Nathaniel's gaze met with the other SPARTAN's, her lips forming a faint smile. Emotions began to rise within him again as his mind swam through questions and words. What came out instead was the lifting of his hand and a simple swipe across his helmet.