User:Hollywood101x/Promotion


 * Simple short story about two of my more favorite SPARTAN-IVs becoming leaders of their team and squad.

Promotions
SPARTAN-B015 darted forward, his heart raced, his legs felt like rubber with each step. But he put the pain into the back of his head and ignored it, he dove to the ground and rolled to a stop and came to a knee. He reached for his holster and produced a M33 Revolver. The sidearm felt awkward in his hands but he switched the safety off and fired two rounds at the silhouette in front of him. With a grunt the silhouette fell down on its back, B015 turned his attention to his left and fired three times before going into a dead sprint for cover behind a small crate. He kept behind the cover for a moment and caught his breath, in between heartbeats he heard the heavy footsteps of combat boots approaching quickly. He looked to his right, another silhouette closing in on his position. B015 tightened his grip on the revolver and quickly darted from his cover to take a shot. Three rounds hit the silhouette before toppling over. From the corner of B015’s eye he turned his attention to his right and pulled the trigger only to hear the empty disheartening clicks of an empty clip. Cursing under his breath B015 threw the sidearm at the third silhouette square in the chest, the silhouette was in slight shock and was in the middle of recovering its stance when B015 ran forward, grabbed the weapon and twisted it awkwardly in the owner’s hand. B015 turned and stood behind the silhouette and pulled the trigger putting two rounds into the silhouette’s spine.

“Time!”

B015 dropped the weapon as floodlights turned on one by one around him lighting up the large storage facility. The three silhouettes slowly pulled themselves up to reveal themselves as ODSTs; one shook his head and cursed loudly. B015 watched them for a moment, another close quarter’s combat simulation, he had made to many mistakes, mainly the pistol he preferred using the M98 Compacts and disliked the feel of the revolvers.

A large man walked up to B015 with his arms crossed and eyes furrowed. His expression cold and empty, “SPARTAN-B015, wasn’t your best that’s for sure. Christian what happened.”

Christian, Spartan-B015, looked at the man for a moment, “Sir, no excuse.”

The cold expression seemed to burn holes in Christian’s forehead. It finally spoke again, “Christian, get used to firing the M33s even if you dislike them. And resolve whatever personal problems that are affecting your performance.”

A shiver ran down Christian’s spine, how could he know? Christian hadn’t told anyone about his friend. “Yes Sir.”

Ajax looked at the fifteen year old boy for a moment; he was easily able to pinpoint the problems B015 was facing. “B009! You’re on deck!” He said as Christian turned away from him and walked out of the training area.

Christian walked to the student lounge, he had a lecture in an hour but he wanted to relax. He had pushed himself to run twelve miles that morning, as well as a strenuous weight lifting. Than he had to hit the training courses where he had gone at least nine times that day. He entered the rounded building, a cafeteria in the center with tables and seats surrounding it. On the outer edges were couches and lounge chairs with small TVs. He spotted a friend of his, SPARTAN-B031 and walked over to her as she finished off the ends of her meal. “Yo.” She said with a mouthful of food.

“Lauren.” Christian said taking a seat opposite her. “Hey have you studied for the test next lecture?”

She frowned, “We have a test?”

Christian looked at her for a moment in disbelief.

“Ah whatever, I’ll do fine.” Lauren said than finished off her bottled water. She looked at Christian, he seemed tired. “What’s up with you?” She said kicking his shin underneath the table.

Christian felt the hit and let it slide, that was Lauren’s way. It hurt, but that was simply the way she was. “I’m just worried about Kinu.”

“Aw why the hell are you worried about her for?” Lauren said leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms. “It’s not like she’s lacking in the physical examinations or the academics.” Lauren got a bit louder.

“You know how she is.” Christian said quietly.

“If she wants to think everybody hates her than fine by me, why the hell are you letting it affect you?” Lauren said arms still crossed.

“Lauren, we’re Spartans. We’ve got to look out for each other.” Christian said, he than took off his olive drab t-shirt to reveal a black sleeveless wife beater underneath it.

“No strip teases.” Lauren said kicking him again. “Anyways, I guess I better go study. See ya.” With that Lauren got up and walked away. Christian sat there alone for a moment. He got up and went to one of the couches, he laid down wanting nothing more than to gain a few minutes of sleep. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to calm himself into a gentle sleep when he felt someone sit near him. He opened his eyes to see B017 at the end of the couch. Damnit she was quiet.

“Kinu, what’s up?” Christian said pulling himself up, he wouldn’t be sleeping.

“Nothing.” There was a pause in her voice, “How did you do on the combat exercise?” She asked softly, her eyes weren’t even facing him.

Christian looked at her, Kinu was a soft spoken gentle girl who had a problem with her self confidence. She though of herself as being different for her half Japanese, Caucasian ethnicity, it had really started to become a problem. “Not the best, how about you?” Christian asked, he was concerned for her

“I messed up again.” She said putting her head down.

Christian turned himself so that he sat adjacent to her, he leaned back against the couch and rubbed her back with his hand to comfort her. “It’s okay, you’re still the stealthiest one here.” He patted her shoulder for a second than added, “You’re also one of the smarter ones.”

Kinu looked at him for a moment than turned her eyes away again. “Thank you, Christian. You’re different, special.” She said ever so softly, it had barely come out a whisper.

Christian shocked by what she had said took a moment to recover himself than smiled lightly. “We’ve got that test coming up, why don’t we go study for that.” Kinu nodded her head slightly and they got up. As they were walking away Christian heard his tag number being called from behind, he turned around to see Ajax standing there with his hands at his hips. “Damnit, Kinu I’ll meet you in my cabin okay?” She nodded her head again than turned away as he headed towards Ajax.

“Sir.”

“Christian. Solve that personal problem yet?” Ajax said.

Christian slightly turned his head to look at Kinu than turned back to his commanding officer. “Yes Sir I believe I have sir.”

“Good.” Ajax said that brought his arms across his chest. “B015 I’m going to be straight, I’m putting you in command of a recon team, you’ll be assigned to Recon Team Tsubasa ofSquad Charcoal, Grey Platoon.”

Christian wasn’t sure of what to say. “Wait sir, I don’t think I qualify for a leadership pos…”

Ajax cut him off mid sentence. “SPARTAN-B015 you have been placed in command, you will be leading three other Spartans who will be depending on your decisions to stay alive.”

There was a moment of silence as Ajax let the words sink in for effect. Christian spoke, “Sir who will be placed under my command?”

“B017, B029, and B031.”

Christian thought for a moment, he didn’t want to lead. If any of them became injured or hurt it would tear him up inside, he couldn’t even comprehend how he would feel if one were to die under his command. Kinu-B017, Sarah-B029, and Lauren-B031, they depended on him one mistake could lead to dire consequences. Made worst that these three were close friends.

“Christian, get your team together by tomorrow morning. You’ll be running another drill.”

“Yes sir.” Christian stood there motionless, could this nightmare really be reality. He had never wanted to lead, never wanted to take responsibility for other’s deaths. He simply wanted to follow orders, but now he had been picked, why he wasn’t sure at all. How could Ajax come to such a decision like this, maybe the drill tomorrow would change his mind. Ajax began to walk away when Christian spoke out. “Sir, who is in Squad Leader?”

“SPARTAN-B053.” Ajax stated than turned and walked away.

B053, Christopher, was he really the best choice? Christian thought for a moment than realized that Christopher had been one of the best Spartans, Christian would ask him for help.

Christian walked away, he wanted to talk to Chris, he had completely forgotten about the lecture and the upcoming test. His mind was too occupied. He finally found B053 in the gym working on the incline press. “Chris.” Christian said walking up to the other spartan. SPARTAN-B053 turned his head and looked at Christian, he only nodded his head. Chris wasn’t much of a talker. “You were put in as Squad Leader for Squad Charcoal, Grey Platoon.” Christian said taking a seat near him.

“Two hours ago.” Chris said than slowly brought the weight to his chest, he held it there for a moment than after a moment he pushed, his triceps and shoulders strained to move the heavy weight. “You’re under my command as Team Leader of Recon Team Tsubasa.” Chris added and brought the weight down once more.

Christian sat there for a moment wondering what to say. Should he show that he was unsure of himself as a commander?

“I’ll keep it short, Christian you’ll be in command of three other Spartans, not only your Spartans but MY Spartans as well, don’t let me down.” Chris said looking at him than brought his attention back to the weights. “If 013 believes you can lead than you can lead, instead of doubting yourself think of what you can do to help the team.” Chris added once more.

Christian just looked at him, B053 was in command of eleven other Spartans but he acted calm and collect like he usually did, as if his promotion was nothing. “Chris, how are you able to take the responsibility of being Squad Leader? How do you handle the responsibility of eleven other lives?”

Chris brought the weight down then pushed up, he repeated it once more before putting the weight back. Taking an olive drab towel he wiped the sweat that had gathered on his forehead. He lazily threw the towel to his knee and looked at Christian with calm determined eyes. “If I can’t, who else will?”

Christian looked at him for a moment, Chris was so sure of himself. Damnit why couldn’t he feel that way? “Christian, prepare for the test, you still have a little time to study. It’s not that difficult. I’m having you transferred to my cabin, be in by tonight.” Christopher said as he moved to a free bar and pumped his arms to feel the strain in his biceps. Christopher couldn’t help but be amazed at the improvement he had made after their augmentation, but he kept that hidden inside of himself and stayed calm and still.

Christian watched him for a moment, “Yes Staff Sergeant.” Than he got up and went to his cabin.

Christopher continued to pump the heavy weights, he finished his sets than put the weight away. With his workout done he walked out of the gym and headed for the showers. The four minute walk across the portion of the base had kept him cool with a soft breeze. He rubbed his neck and counted his steps in boredom. He finally approached the small dull white building that was the company showers, others were inside as well naked and unashamed. Uncaring of their bare skin they simply showered, dried, changed than left. A daily routine for them after so many years of training. He passed by the other Spartans as they bathed and conversed with each other. Two made jokes about how another had screwed up during the obstacle course. He reached the farthest faucet and separated himself from the rest, he turned a small knob. Cool water splashed against the top of his head and flowed down before finally warming to a comfortable temperature. He shampooed and used a small bar of soap until he was done. He stayed under the water and tried to relax for a bit, thinking of what he needed to do as Squad Leader. He had already pointed out team leaders and members of the recon team as well as picked out a weapon’s team. Now all that was left was finding a spotter for himself.

“Chris. Congratulation on Staff Sergeant.” A voice said behind him.

Chris turned around and faced the soft voice to see a well built, pink hair girl standing just as naked as he. Her wet hair stuck to her skin as she stood there arms crossed with a slight smile. SPARTAN-B044 YUI. “Thanks.” He said than turned back around to face the water.

Yui smiled, Chris was being his usual self. He wasn’t very close to anyone but she knew that he cared for their safety. Out of all the other Spartans she seemed to have the closest relationship with him, why or how she had no idea. An odd situation that no one seemed to be able to explain. She stepped forward and leaned against the wall beside him and stared at his closed eyes for a moment. “Well if you were picked as Squad Leader that must mean I’ll be put in command to huh?” she said jokingly.

Chris didn’t answer, simply let the water cool himself.

“Have you picked a spotter yet?” She asked, Chris was one of the best snipers in the battalion maybe even in the whole regiment, if not the top ten at least. He had beaten her score by only a few points.

“You.” He said than finally opened his eyes and faced her. She was shocked for a moment.

“Wait what?” Yui had honestly never expected for him to pick her, she had heard a rumor that she would be put into Purple Platoon. “Why me.”

Chris stopped the water and began to walk away, as he passed her she could have sworn she heard him say. “Because I don’t want to trust anyone else.” She watched him walk away and smiled once more.

Christian had finally brought all of his belongs from his old cabin to Chris’. The cabin held two very small rooms, enough room for a bunk, desk, chair and footlocker. Each room was separated by a small thin wall that connected by a two entry bathroom to be shared. Christian had placed everything where he wanted it and had begun to work on preparations for the next morning. He had talked to the others about the recon team, they seemed excited to finally be placed into units. “Hey Chris?” Christian said knocking on the bathroom door that would lead to his room. There was no reply so Christian slowly began to open the door, “Chris?” still nothing. With a final knock he opened the door to see no one there.

Christian looked at the empty room for a moment, nothing out of the ordinary really, on the desk was a bible, a music player and headphones, and finally a small folded piece of paper. Christian at first thought nothing of it but he became curious, Chris was such an unknown to the rest of the Spartans. He slowly stepped toward the paper, it was folded into three sections, he could see the black ball point pen resting inside the folds. Finally he held the piece of paper between cautious fingers and slowly opened it than stopped, he put the paper back the way it was and stepped out of the room and into the hallway. He needed to go for a run.

Chris looked at the clock on the wall, 0030. It was late and he was up past curfew but he wanted to do some reading. He finally put his book down, remembered the page number and put it back on the shelf. He sat up in his chair and began to leave the empty and dark library, hands in his pockets he exited and walked outside towards the cabins. He made each step slowly to keep the noise down and to allow himself more time to think. Without really realizing it he found himself checking on all of the Spartan’s cabins that would be under his command. When he reached Yui’s he slowly opened the door, she never kept hers locked. And looked inside and saw her sleeping peacefully, her eyes made the slight movements of dreaming. He watched than closed the door and walked away. He kept down the hallway, his steps echoed through, as he made his way down lights turned on one by one than turned off after a moment later. He stopped though, one of the lights stayed on a moment to long, he controlled the urge to look over his shoulder, instead he kept his pace, creating fists in his pockets until he finally came to a complete and sudden stop. With a quick movement he turned around, his fists at the ready. Without thinking he threw a punch with his right but was immediately stopped.

Spartan-013 stood towering over him, he had caught the punch with his own hand. “B053 what are you doing up?” he resonated without emotion.

“Nothing sir.” Chris said than lowered his guard as Ajax released his grip. Damnit he was quiet and fast.

Ajax looked at him for a moment, “Spartan, there’s nothing wrong with checking on your team. It’s a good thing, next time just do it before curfew. Now return to your cabin and get some rest.”

Chris eyed him for a moment, “Yes sir.” Chris than saluted and headed for his cabin, had 013 given him a complement?

Chris finally went to his cabin, opened the door and looked at his desk. The piece of paper there was still folded but slightly moved, Christian probably looked at it. If he had Chris didn’t mind, it was only a Will. He took a moment to look into his roommate’s cabin. He slightly opened the door and saw Christian and Kinu sitting on the bed studying. He opened it further letting his presents known.

“Hey where were you?” Christian said with his notes in his hand.

“Running.” A lie, Chris looked at Kinu, he hadn’t gotten the chance to inspect her cabin since Ajax had interrupted him. “Kinu, it’s past curfew get back to your cabin.” Chris said softly yet almost distant.

“Yes Staff Sergeant.” She said shyly and almost scared. She got up from the bed, grabbed her notes and pencil, held them close to her and exited.

“Christian, same to you get some sleep.” Chris said than returned to his area, but before he readied himself to sleep he exited and went to the hallway where Kinu quietly walked with her arms folded across her chest holding the notes.

“Kinu.” He said, she stopped and slowly turned around. He slowly walked up to her and noticed how she diverted her eyes to the ground and slowly lowered her head. “Kinu, Christian’s unsure of himself as Team Leader. Be sure he knows he has your support.”

Kinu looked up at him for a moment, this was probably one of the first few times she had heard SPARTAN-B053 speak let alone to her. Realizing what he was saying she nodded firmly and with that he returned to his cabin as she did to hers. As she prepared herself to sleep she knew that she, would be fine. Christian would be a good team leader, and Christopher would be a good squad leader. She and the other Spartans would be just fine. Squad Charcoal would be just fine.