A Strong Foundation, Can Birth Legends - Part 5

{0630 Hours, July 12, 2519 / E[silon Eridani System, Planet Reach, Military Wilderness Training Preserve}

I held on tight as the dropship accelerated up and over a jagged snowcapped mountain range. The sun peeked over the horizon and washed the white snow with pinks and orange. The other members of his unit pressed their faces to the windows and watched.

It had been a good two years. I had completed two quests. One was the <I am your Older Sister>. I had completed it on the day I gained Kelly, Sam, and Johns's trust. I had got John's after we won and I told them we were family. The others, at the mess hall afterward. When everyone was seated and they had their dinners in front of them, I asked all of them a question.

"Do you guys like starving?" I asked in a loud voice. Everyone turned their heads toward me. I stood up and continued. "If you don't know how to answer that question, I'll tell you. You won't." Some of the kids chuckle at that. "Name's Alia, by the way. In case you can't read." More of them join in the laughter.

"I have experienced it yesterday, and three of you experienced it today." I look around the room. "We all hate to starve, which is why I propose we should rotate who starves." The room exploded with muttering and small conversation.

"Hear me out!" I yelled. The room slowly quieted down. "I understand that you don't want to starve. That you would do anything to keep from starving. It's human nature." I see some kids look down at the floor at that.

"But you need to remember," I say. "We are now a family. We were told that the first day we got here." Kids nod their heads in remembrance at that.

"As a family, we cannot allow one person to always take to the fall." There were some looks of confusion at my words.

"She means we can't let one person always get the bad things," said Sam. The looks of confusion disappeared. I nodded my head at Sam.

"That is why we should have a different team lose each day." I continue. "This means that no one will starve more than once each couple of weeks." Words of agreement start to come from the children as they digested the knowledge.

"You really are like an older sister," said John. "First, you scold me, now you solve our problems." He smiles. "I guess you really do see us as family."

I return his smile. "Your right. I do see you guys as family. Your all my precious little siblings." I look at all the children with a big smile on my face.

Dings rapidly go off in my head.

'It was that easy?!' I thought. 'I feel bad for doing this. Their so gullible.' I felt a little twinge in my heart. Children were so innocent. Nevertheless, I needed to do this.

We spent the rest of the time in the mess hall organizing a schedule for who loses when. When I got to the barracks to sleep, I head another ding in my head.

[*Ding* Hidden Quest Complete]

'Aren't they supposed to be hard to find.' I muse.

[They are, Alia. You probably won't find another one soon]

I open up my quest menu.

[Quest

<I am your Older Sister>

Description: Establish yourself as the older sister of the family (75/75) | Reward: Complete trust of all the Spartans | Timelimit: The augmentation surgery | Penalty: The Spartans who you did not accept you as their older sister will not listen to you | Status: Complete

<Hidden Quest - Outsmart the Foxes>

Description: You have learned that the instructors of the Spartan Program are testing the unity of the unit by forcing them to fight each other for food. You, who have single handily united the Spartans under your banner, have rendered this test obsolete. | Reward: Title - Strategist | Status: Complete

]

The title Strategist had given me the system upgrade - commander hud. When I switched this hud on, I would be able to see the basic information of all my troops in my vision. It showed the position, condition, and credentials (i.e. rank, name, sub-unit) of all my soldiers. It was quite handy when I wanted to quickly check on my troops before a battle or if communication through radio went down. It also gave me basic logistic information, like our total munitions, vehicles, etc. It would tell me what weapons we have, how many warthogs needed maintenance, the fuel in our frigates, all that handy jazz.

Sam's voice brought me out of my thoughts, "Nice place for a snowball fight." He said.

"You'll lose," Kelly said. She leaned over John's shoulder to bet a better look at the terrain. "I'm a dead aim with snowballs." She created the stubble of her shorn hair.

"Dead is right," muttered John. "Especially when you load them with rocks."

CPO Mendez stepped from the cockpit into the passenger compartment. We trainees stood and snapped to attention.

"At ease, and sit down." The silver at Mendez's temples had grown to a band across the side of his closely shaved hair, but it felt like he had gotten stronger and tougher over the years.

"Today's mission will be simple, unlike the norm." Mendez's voice easily penetrated the roar of the dropship's engines. He handed a stack of papers to me. "Pass these out, Recruit."

"Sir!" I saluted smartly and handed one paper to each of the seventy-six children in the squad. But not before I whispered to them, "follow the river, meet at the lake."

"These are portions of the map of the local region. You will be set down by yourselves. You will then navigate to a marked extraction point and we will pick you up there." The children looked at their maps.

"One more thing," Mendez said. "The last trainee to make it to the extraction point will be left behind." He glanced out a window. "And it's a very long walk back." I saw John's face scrunch ever so slightly. I could see the cogs in his head start to turn.

"First drop in three minutes," Mendez barked. "Trainee 097, you're up first."

"Sir, Yes Sir!" I replied. I glanced out the window to get one more good look.

The ship decelerated, causing my stomach to rise as we dropped to the ground.

"Trainee 097; front and center." Mendez stepped to the rear of the compartment as the ship's tail split and a ramp extended. Cold air blasted into the ship. He patted me on the shoulder. "What out for wolves in the forest, 097."

"Yes, sir!" I looked over my shoulder at the others. They all gave an almost imperceptible nod.

I ran down the ramp and into the forest. The dropship's engines roared to life and it rose high into the cloudless sky. I zipped up my jacket. I was only wearing fatigues, boots, and a heavy parka. I had to hurry before the cold seeped in.

I started toward one particularly sharp peak that I had seen from the air. The river lay somewhere in that direction.

I marched through the woods until I heard the gurgling of a stream. I got close enough to see the direction of the flow, then headed back into the forest. Mendez's exercises often had a twist to them - stun mines on the obstacle course, snipers with paint pellet guns during parade drills. And with Cheif up in that drop ship, I wasn't about to reveal my position unless I had a good reason to.

I stopped by a blueberry bush and stripped it of all its fruit, continuing forward while popping a few in my mouth. It had been a while since I could walk alone without having to rush. I took a deep breath of the fresh chilling air, before letting out a sigh. It felt nice to have a bit of downtime, no matter how small it would be.

Today would be the day. The day that would tell me if I had ruined the future or not. Hopefully, my interference in time had not changed what made John, John. It was his care for his soldiers that led him to volunteer for the most dangerous missions, which then led to many victories and fewer casualties. I knew that I was being a little paranoid, in fact, I had probably made him more caring about his troops, but I couldn't help it. There was a small chance that I had crippled John by giving him too much support. If that happened, well, humanity is kinda screwed.

'Ah, the burden of knowing the future' I thought. 'I wish there was someone to share this with.'

[There is, Alia] Eve told me softly. [Remember, I am always with you]

'Thanks, Eve,' I tell her. 'I needed that.'

I feel a weight lift off my shoulder. I straighten my back, hasten my step, and continue on.

<John's POV>

I watched Big sis - No, Alia - walk down the ramp of the dropship.

"Trainee 117," Mendez announced. "You're next!"

"Sir, Yes Sir!" I bark.

I glance out the window and scanned the terrain. I was looking for the river and lake that sis was referring to. 'Ah, I called her sis again.' I shake my head. Everyone else in the unit had taken to calling Alia sis, or Big sis. It was the only childish trait left among us. One that I was trying to let go of, but I didn't seem to be able to. 'Maybe I should just accept it,' I muse, before shifting my focus back on the terrain. There was a ring of jagged mountains, a valley thick with cedars, and a ribbon of silver - a river that fed into a lake. The ship decelerated again, before landing.

"Trainee 117: front and center," Mendez said from the rear of the compartment. Another wave of cold air blasted into the ship as the ramp extended. Mendez patted me on my shoulder before saying, "Watch out for wolves in the forest, 117."

"Yes, sir!" I say. That was it. The twist of this mission. Something about wolves.

I ran down the ramp and into the forest. The roar of the dropship echoed throughout the valley as it rose into the sky. I zipped up my parka. I was wearing the same gear as the others; fatigues, boots, and a heavy jacket - not exactly what one would wear in the wild.

I started toward the sharpest peak, where the river lay. I'd follow it downstream and meet the others at the lake.

I marched through the woods until I heard the gurgle of a stream. I got close enough to see the direction it went, before retreating into the forest. Mendez had a habit of adding dangerous twists to our exercises. With the Chief up in the air, I wasn't going to reveal my position for him to target at.

This was the first time in months that I had been alone and could just think.

I thought about the place that had been my home, my parents . . . but more and more that seemed like a dream. I knew it wasn't, and that I had once had a different life. But this was the life I wanted. I was a soldier. I had an important job to train for. Mendez said they were the Navy's best and brightest. That they were the only hope for peace. I liked that.

Before, I had never known what I would be when I grew up. I had never really thought about anything other than watching vids and playing - nothing had been a challenge.

Now every day was a challenge and a new adventure.

I knew more things, thanks to Deja than I ever thought I could have learned at my old school; algebra and trigonometry, the history of a hundred battles and kings. I could string a trip line, fire a rifle, and treat a chest wound. Mendez had shown him how to be strong . . . not only with his body, but strong with his head too.

I had family here; Kelly, Sam, the others in my squad, and Alia. Sis was the one who taught me how to treat my squad. My family. I still remember the day when she slapped me for leaving behind the other members of team 15.

"We are a team, a pack," she said. "so, John, you need to act that part. Understood?" She waited for me to give confirmation before saying, "You might not like me for saying this, but you needed to be reminded. It's my job to remind you, as the oldest in the family. So let me remind you, family doesn't leave anyone behind."

I smiled at that memory. I had been quite arrogant back then. The thought of my squadmates brought me back to the mission - one of them was going to be left behind. There had to be a way to get them all home. I decided I wasn't going to leave if I couldn't figure it out.

I arrived at the edge of the lake: stood and listened.

I heard an owl hooting in the distance. I marched toward the sound.

"Hey, owl," I said when I was close.

Sam stepped out from behind a tree and grinned. "That's 'Cheif Owl' to you, Trainee."

We walked around the circumference of the lake, gathering the rest of the children in the squad. I counted to make sure: seventy-six.

"Let's get the map pieces together," Kelly suggested.

"Good idea," I said. "Sam, take three and scout the area. I don't want any of the Chief's surprises sneaking up on us.

"Right," Sam picked Fhajad, James, and Linda, and then the four of them took off into the brush.

Kelly collected the map pieces and settled in the shade of an ancient cedar tree. "Some of these don't belong, and some are copies," she said, and she laid them out. "Yes, here's an edge. Got - it this is the lake, the river, and here . . . " She pointed to a distant patch of green. "That's got to be the extraction point." She shook her head and frowned. "If the legend on this map is right, it's a full day's hike, though. We better get started."

I let out a whistle and a moment later Sam and his scouts returned.

"Let's move out," I said.

No one argued. We fell into a line behind Kelly as she navigated. Sam blazed the trail ahead. He had the best eyes and ears. Several times he stopped and signaled everyone to freeze or hide - but it turned out to be just a rabbit or a bird.

After several miles of marching, Sam dropped back. He whispered to me, "This is too easy. It's not like any of the Chief's normal field exercises."

I nodded. "I've been thinking that, too. Just keep your eyes and ears sharp."

They stopped at noon to stretch and eat berries they had gathered along the trail.

Fhajad spoke up. "I want to know one thing," he said. He paused to wipe the sweat of his dark skin. "We're going to get to the extraction point at the same time. So who's going to be left behind? We should decide now."

"Draw straws," someone suggested.

"No," I say, getting up. "No one's being left behind. We're going to figure a way to get all of us out."

"How?" asked Kelly, scratching her head. "Mendez said - "

"I know what he said. But there's got to be a way - I just haven't thought of one yet. Even if it has to be me that stays behind - I'll make sure everyone gets back to the base." I say.

I heard a laugh from behind me. I turned around. It was from sis.

"So you took my words to heart," she said with a smile. "I'm glad you remember."

"How could I not?" I question. "You did beat it into me."

Sam and Kelly laugh at that. "I remember that day," said Sam. "She slapped you once, and you had tears in your eyes."

The rest of the squad broke into laughter at the image Sam described.

I grinned. I was thankful to sis. She always brought the atmosphere back up when it got gloomy.

"Come on," I say. "We're burning daylight."

I march into the woods, the others falling in behind me.

The shadows of the trees lengthened and melted together and the sun turned the edge of the sky red. Kelly halted in front of me, motioning for everyone to stop.

"We're almost there," she whispered.

"Alia and I will scout it out," I say. "Everyone fall out . . . and keep quiet."

(AN/: John calls Alia by her name in front of the others. He only calls her sis when their alone, or in his head. He doesn't want to be seen as a child so he hides all his childish features)

The rest of the children followed my orders.

Sis and I crept through the underbrush and then hunkered down at the edge of a meadow.

The dropship sat in the center of the grassy field; her floodlights illuminated everything for thirty meters. Six men sat on the open launch ramp, smoking cigarettes and passing a canteen between themselves.

Sis motioned for us to drop back. "You recognize them?" she whispered.

"No, You?"

Sis shook her head. "They're not in uniform. They don't look like any soldiers I've ever seen. Maybe they stole the dropship when Cheif wasn't there."

"I agree," I say. "Nothing can kill the Chief. But one thing's for sure: I don't think we can just walk up there and get a free ride back to the base. Let's go back."

We crept back into the woods and then explained the situation to the others.

"What do you want to do?" Kelly asked me.

I wondered why she thought I had an answer. I looked around and saw everyone was watching me, waiting for me to speak. I shifted on my feet. I had to say something. Then I felt a hand rub my back. It was sis. She whispered to me, "Take a deep breath and say what you have. The others will listen to you, so don't worry." She gave me a small smile. I took a deep breath.

"Okay . . . we don't know who these men are or what they'll do when they see us. So we find out."

The children nodded, seeming to think this was the right thing to do.

"Here's how," I tell them. "First, I'll need a rabbit."

"That's me," said Sis. Under her breath, she told me, "You're doing fine. You're a natural."

"Good," I say. "You go to the edge of the meadow - and then let them see you. I'll go along and hide nearby and watch. In case anything happens to you, I'll report back to the others."

She nodded.

"Then you lure a few back here. Run right to this spot. Sam, you'll be out in the open, pretending like you've broken your leg."

"Gotcha," Sam said. He walked over to Fhajad and had him scrape his skin with his boot. Blood welled from the wound.

"The rest of you," I say, "wait in the woods in a big circle. if they try to do anything but help Sam . . ." John made a fist with his right hand and slammed it into his open palm. "Remember the moose and the wolves?"

They all nodded and grinned. They had seen that lesson many times in Deja's classroom.

"Get some rocks," I tell them.

Sis stretched her legs and knees. "Okay," she said, "Let's do this."

Sam lay down, clutching his leg. "Oooh - it hurts, help me."

"Don't overdo it," I say, kicking some dirt on him. "Or they'll know its a setup."

Sis and I crept toward the meadow and halted a few meters from the edge. I whispered to her, "If you want me to be the rabbit . . ."

She slugged me in the shoulder - somehow causing my eyes to tear up. "Oh, I can still do it," she said with sarcasm. "And you think I can't do my part?"

"I take it back," I say, rubbing at my shoulder.

I moved off ten meters to her flank, took cover, and watched.

<Alia's POV>

I emerged from the edge of the meadow, running into the illumination from the dropship's floodlights, crocodile tears dripping from my eyes.

"Help me," I cried, a fake sob running through my body. I latch on to the arm of one of the men.

"My, br-brother, He's hurt." I stutter.

"Get off, girl" the man growls. He starts to reach for his baton.

"Pl-please. I'll pay you. With my b-body." I put my shirt in my inventory before slowly unzipping my parka to show my naked skin. I feel the gaze of the men, burning into my breasts.

"Sure," says one of the men as he licks his lips. "We'll help your brother, right guys?" The others nod.

"T-this way," I say, running off toward where Sam was. I signaled at John, telling him to report to the others.

I look behind me to make sure the men were following. They were, with lust visible in their eyes.

'Disgusting' I think. I promise to myself to hurt them badly. Especially the lower body.

I run into the area where Sam lay.

"Please, help me," Sam whimpered. "It's broken."

The men came closer, one of them trying to grab me.

A rock landed near him. The man spun, "Who's there?"

Sam rolls to his feet and we dart away. There was a rustling of leaves, before a hail of stones whistled their way towards the men, pelting them.

Kelly, me, and a couple of others appear and attack them. I kick at all the balls of the men I can reach, crushing them. The men fall onto the ground, groaning.

A few seconds later, all of them were on the ground.

The other children moved in. "What do we do with them?" Sam asked.

"It's just an exercise, right?" Fhajad said. "They're Mendez's men, aren't they."

"No, they aren't," I say. "John saw what they were going to do to me and Sam. Especially after seeing my naked body." I spit on one of them.

John nodded. "Mendez or our trainers would never do that to us. Ever. They don't have a uniform. Or insignias. He's not one of us." He says, kicking one of them in the ribs.

John looked really mad. I saw him wind up his leg again. I stopped him.

"Stop," I told him. "Don't let the anger get to you."

"But they tried to hurt Sam," he said, shaking a little. "They tried to hurt you."

I hugged him. "I'm okay," I say. "That's what matters. The fight is over. Calm down."

John took a deep breath and calmed down.

This was a problem, if, no when I got hurt, he might go ballistic. That was bad. I was his weakness.

"Let's go," said John.

"Want to call Mendez now?" Sam asked.

"Not yet," John told him. He marched onto the dropship. No one else followed. He fiddled around with the terminal in the passenger compartment. I heard Deja's voice and John saying something. He then walked out saying, "Everyone onboard - double time!"

We ran onto the ship.

Kelly paused and asked, "Who's getting left behind?"

"No one," John said. "Just get in." He got onto the ship last. I smiled at that. He was making sure that if anyone needed to be left behind, it would be him.

"Okay, Deja, get us out of here." He said.

The Pelican's jets roared to life and it rose into the sky.

- Time skip / John's POV -

I stood at attention in Chief Petty Officer Mendez's office. I had never been here. No one had. A trickle of sweat dripped down my back. The dark wood paneling and the smell of cigar smoke made me feel claustrophobic.

Mendez glowered at me as he read the report on his clipboard.

The door opened and Dr. Halsey walked in. Mendez stood, gave her a curt nod and then sat back in his padded chair.

"Hello, John," Dr. Halsey said. She sat across from Mendez, crossed her legs, and then adjusted her gray skirt.

"Dr. Halsey," I replied instantly. I saluted. None of the other grown-ups called me by my first name, ever. He didn't understand why she did.

"Trainee 117," Mendez snapped. "Tell me again why you stole UNSC property . . . and why you attacked the men I had assigned to it.

I wanted to explain that I was just doing what had to be done. That I was sorry. That I would do anything to make it up. But I knew that the Chief hated whiners, almost as much as he hated excuses.

"Sir," I say. "The guards were out of uniform. No insignia. They failed to identify themselves, sir!"

"Hmm," Mendez mused over the report again. "So it seems. And the ship?"

"I took my squad home, sir. I was the last on board - so if anyone should have been left -"

"I didn't ask for a passenger list, Crewman." His voice softened to a growl and He turned to Dr. Halsey. "What are we going to do with this one?"

"Do?" She pushed her glasses higher on her nose and examined John. "I think that's obvious, Cheif. Make him a -"

"Squad Leader" a voice interrupted. The door opened and someone stepped in. "Congratulations, John." They said, before pulling off their hat.

"Alia."