On My Orders

From the sound of the plan he was a little bit nervous, not because he was worried of the device, he didn't want his best soldier to get slaughtered. He knew she can handle herself, that was no doubt, he's seen her accomplish feats that no other Spartan could ever commit. But this was different now, that gash may not have been fatal, but what if it messes with her combat skills, throws off her aim or worse, he was stressing under his armor but he had to stay calm otherwise they'd screw something up. He raised up on one knee and equipped his rifle, he was all for the plan except for one part, which was when she wanted to hold the device.


After the briefing aimed his helmet back at her, he stood her up, so they could start searching for a vantage point, but all at the same time he didn't give her the artifact. If he did, the elites would be all over her, they wouldn't even regard the Captain being around. "I want you to know, I'm for this whole plan, but I'm not making you an homing becon for covenant. I'd rather fail the mission, than lose you."

Captain's intentions weren't always best, but he'd lost soldiers before, but none were like her. She was special to him, in most words close to him,he'd never live it down if she was to die because of him. Why she suggested such a thought was only a guess, maybe it was apart of the plan, and the more he thought about it, he realised just how suprisingly affective it'd be. She must have noticed how his rage shot up when she was hurt, so she must've know adding his sniping skills into it would make her invinsible to them.​
 
She never understood what he was talking about, but decided not to go further into it.

"Captain, I have to. It's only to give you a clear shot of the covenant. You are much more skilled at this than I, sir, and i can make sure you have wide open targets."she retorted, cheeks puffing out a bit. She didn't mean to sound like an immature child about the whole thing, but then again, he wasn't really focusing. She wasn't going to tell him that, of course. He would scold her and a scolding was not what the two of them needed at this point. They needed a plan. She had a plan. He just wouldn't follow it.

That was when Iliana suddenly formed another idea. She took one look at her captain...

....and the next second she grabbed the recorder and sprinted off down the terrain, not looking behind her. She could only imagine what thoughts were going through his head, but she honestly didn't care. She was going to do the mission regardless of whether he wanted her to or not. Not once looking behind her, Iliana bound over a fallen tree, making as much noise as possible to alert the covenant. The elites would soon recognize her presence and go after her, giving Captain a clear shot. Her only primary objective: Don't get captured.​
 
A suprised expression shot down his face, she just snatched the device and ran, either she was very brave or kinda nuts, she did it. The Captain's first thought was "ARE YOU CRAZY!!!?" But as the elites tailed from behind, he noticed how they lined up perfectly, he was right on one part, they didn't notice him and they were all over the Recruit's trail. And as he expected of himself, his rage kicked in as foretold by his own emotions. The male Spartan sprung into action right after she jumped the fallen tree. He aimed his rifle forward as he made progressive steps in her direction, eyes focussed and precision sharpened. He was counting them up, to lay them down.

The Spartan's eyes locked on the first elite he saw, about 10 meters away from Iliana, Captain pulled the trigger and dropped the beast quick. Two others sprinted their way to her, so he started walking faster and pulling quicker. Another single blast from the rifle sounded and struck both persuers in one shot., the bullet ricoched off a tree's trunk and took out another one. As he moved forward striking down the covenant, he counted his shots, in the clip he's using now two shots, as for his clips he had a maximum of 12, each fully loaded. Plus the sniper shots on his shoulders being as extras, just in case they were needed.

Radd released shot after shot into eack enemy that came cross, the rifle sounding throught the silent air, BAND BANG BANG, went his weapon. So far he'd dropped enough of them to think it was over, but could continuosly feel something still lurking around. The forest was silent, except for his and her foot steps, enemies didn't seem around but felt close. And unfortunaetly, he was right, Zealot right. A Zealot suddenly sprung itself from the bushes and made a reach for Recruit. Captain's heart slowed down, and from his perspective so did time, he could hear his heart beating in his chest, his feeling somehow shutdown. And in a rapid succession, he acted. From 12 meters he shot the Zealot throught the side of it's mandibles, before it recovered captain tackled the creature to the ground and began beating it to death with savage punches from his right arm. He didn't stop until a small amount of purple liquid slanted across his helmet, his breathing was heavy and he felt calmer after he finished it off. Radd looked over to her, if she's stopped, and breathed out gently.

"You..OK?"​
 
Fear bobbed like tidal waves through Iliana's body. The tremor started at her feet and then snaked its way up her body. The fear manifested itself deep into her mind and even settled somewhere deep in her heart. She stood shakily, gazing down at Captain with wide, orange eyes. Ever punch he sent to the Zealot caused her to cringe. Her mind willed herself to look away...to turn away...to get away! But Iliana only stood stark still, eyes shaking in fear when Captain sent the last swift punch to the Zealot. The elite was long since dead, but Captain continued to send swifts punches to its lifeless body. When it got to the point where she was going to scream for him to stop, he suddenly ceased his tirade, breathing heavily and looking up at her. Her body flinched at the sight of blood that was stained across his helmet.


"You....okay?"


She didn't answer at first. Couldn't, actually. All of the color was drained out of her face. She couldn't believe it....she was actually fearful of her captain! Normally, he wouldn't go to such extremes to take down the covenant. He had more strength in his pinky than most marines had in their entire body. But that strength didn't matter when he pounded the Zealot into jelly. It was almost if...almost if he was satisfied that he was extracting blood from the carcass. As she stood there, dazed and in a fearful trance, she could do nothing but tremble from head to foot.


Iliana had experienced covenant by the masses, grenades thrown in her general direction, and the death of fellow spartans. However, that fear, had nothing to do with how terrified she was at that very moment. Even with all of the covenant dead, and them safe, Iliana felt that if she moved...if she breathed one word....​
 
He was a little concerned about her being so silent, but then again, if he saw how he killed that thing himself, he'd be afraid to. For now they had to shake it off and get on with the mission, it might be a while, but he knew she'd forget what he'd done. If not then he'll try to help as best as he can, that was his mission 24/7. To save and protect his recruit to the last breath. Captain slowly stood to his feet as he wiped away the blood from his visor. To make sure he was ok, he shook his head a bit and leaned his head side to side. He didn't have to look her in the eyes to know she was afraid of him, for the moment, such brutality wasn'y really expected from him. But raged can change even the boldest of people.

"Recruit",he pleaded, "Are you ok", he questioned. As he waited for her response Captain typed into his tact pad to call fo pick-up. They're mission was complete, so sitting there dazed would really be insufficient for them at the time. The two Spartans needed to relax, get their heads together, and if possible, rest easy. And if anybody needed it most, it'd probably be his partner, whatever was going through her head was probably eating at her mind, slowly rearranging her thoughts about him.

"Command, we've finished up over here." said Captain, "Roger that Captain, entering your pick-up zone.. now." replied a pilot. behind about six trees, landed a pelican sent to retrieve them and what they've recovered from recon. Radd was relieved, but still worried about Iliana, he slowly eased towards her and nudged her arm. "C'mon we're leaving.." he smoothed.​
 
Iliana was nudged by Captain, who tried to lead her away from their current location. She was still traumatized at the rapid events but her feet shuffled behind her nonetheless. She chose not to answer the question of concern he through her away. Was she okay? Iliana quickly shoved the helmet that was wedged between her arms directly back on her head. She didn't want to look at him or want him to look at her. She forced out a small cough and nodded once.

"Yes, sir."she said simply. That may have not been the detailed response he was looking for but it was the only one he was going to get. They made their way over to the pelican, not exchanging one word of conversation. Iliana's current mission was to drown out all thoughts and vivid pictures of the battle from her head. He had been foolish to get that close. His expertise was long ranged, and if she gave him clear shots of every enemy, why did he feel the need to run after her? Did he not trust her?

Iliana let that thought nestle in her head as she sat in the passenger side of the UNSC vehicle. She placed both hands on her lap and patiently awaited the deep hum of the propellers. The sooner she was out of there, the better. She had hoped the engine would be loud enough to block out the noise between the two of them. She even had a fear of conversing with him! When she returned to her barracks, she would shut herself inside and remain there until the very next briefing. Iliana looked out at Reach, watching the still of the grass and plants as all traces of covenant life were eliminated.​
 
The soldiers were seated, the night was soundless, and so was the flight back to Command. No words, no gestures, just nothing. Almost all the mrines they had with them were jet-lagged, but Rad was only concerned with Iliana at the time, she probably didn't want to talk when they returned and hed have to respect that. Some of the marines started to ask questions whether the two were ok, and like most disturbed soldiers, they didn't answer. Just them and their damaged thoughts, flying back to the barracks, where they both could try to be at ease.

"Alright, here we are." the pilot announced, as the pelican came to a gentle stop along the ground, Captain let out a relaxed sigh. The entry door opened and the marines walked out first, Radd followed close behind while waiting for iliana to come with. He stood five feet awat from the vehicle, feeling she'd want some space, and kept his hands behind his back. The hum of the thrusters slowly eased away into the air, and their pilot exited the pelican as she removed her helmet. "My naes Carol, ODST flight agent for three years. You might want to check on you're partner back there."

he lifted his finger to respond to the woman, but nothing came out of his mouth, just silence. He wiped the forehead of his helmet and sighed again, "thanks" he replied. She noded the strolled off, radd kept himself waiting, and if she just passed him up then i guess he'd have to understand that too.​
 
The second her MJOLNIR boot hit the ground at the UNSC base, Iliana felt instantly relaxed. The calming and bustling atmosphere of the base as exactly what she needed to suppress the dark feelings that had recently clouded her thoughts. UNSC was at a relaxed mode as of now. The covenant were on reach, but they were not big enough of a threat to cause the entire base to go into evasive maneuvers. Basically, the marines and Spartans practically had their legs up on the the table, waiting patiently for the real action to begin.

Captain had heard the call of another woman, and Iliana, not wanting to seem nosy, merely turned the opposite direction. He always had someone coming to him giving him updates, briefings, and status updates. He would listen dutifully with his hands behind his back as usual. The times where he was suited up, once could hardly determine where he was looking at. Iliana remembered many a time where he would brief her on the current mission or tell her of the new strategies and formations. She would have her eyes pierced into his helmet, and could only make out a flicker. Iliana's eyes were a phenom in themselves. They were sharper than any binocular or scope, and she could detect the slightest of movements from as long as 350 meters away.

She had decided to wait until he properly dismissed her to her barracks. When the words of the woman died out, Iliana spun on her heal in a crisp stand of attention, legs slights spread apart and hands at the side of her curvaceous hips, awaiting his orders.​
 
Soldiers marched left and right just prepping weapons and enhancing equipment. Not for immediate action, but for struggles further down the road, battles that will require much more hardship than most can give. In his mind, the covenant were like a sickness. First it starts out normal, then it get worse, then severe, and soon unable to treated. Reach, the beloved home of the UNSC's finest, was standing at the ready to repel and destroy the on coming battles. And rest assured, like everything else he cared about, he'll fight to last breath to defend Reach and the people among it. But the most he protected was Iliana.

He could always remember back when they were in training, he'd always be the one to win most of the hand to hand sessions. That was where he learned the most about her, infact thats were he noticed how fast she could adapt to most hairy fights. He smiled under his helmet from thinking back to how he knew her as a new comer, even the day they gavee her her armor. A proud sensation rivled through out his body, as she stood at attention in front of him, reminding him what it is he fights for.

"At ease", he mumbled, "You performed perfectly today Recruit, no dobt. I apologize for any mistake I may have made in front of you." Radd stepped three inches closer and placed his handon her shoulder, "Go to your bunker and relax, you've earned it." Under his helmet he was smiling, and just glad that he was able to be sure the two of them would be well rested.​
 
Orders were orders, of course. Iliana sent him a crisp salute, along with a sharp, "Sir!" Before turning on her heel. she could've sworn she saw a tug at the corner of his mouth through the helmet. Discerning the action would only give her a head ache, which was the last thing she needed. Her head was tossed in tangles in so many directions. It was hard for her to think on priorty, importance, foolishness, and fear. The battle had raked at her mind and the gash on the side of her head didn't help at all. Seeing a medic was not an option. She need not bother the UNSC medics with a minor scrape on her head. Finally turning on her foot, she made her way to her barracks.​

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The atmosphere itself was enough to make the spartan weak in the knees. It had been almost 4 days since she had seen her barrack (being on infantry missions with Captain kept her away for days on end), and finally being back to her "home" was enough to make her melt. The familiar smell of pine slipped through the MJOLNIR armor that she couldn't wait to squeeze out of when she walked into her barrack. The first thing on her mind was a shower:a long, much needed shower. If she could sleep in the tiny tun, she would.

Iliana stepped through the door and immediately tossed her helmet on the small chair next to the bed. A loud yawn followed suit as she rolled her neck, shivering when she heard the satisfying pop of her bones. Iliana was stiff the entire battle, even going as far to give herself a massage! But now, however, it was just her and her paradise.​
 
Relaxation, thats what was on his mind. Just a blissful thought of removing his armor and sitting back in his bed, just laying there with his eyes closed and relaxing to the silent sounds of a silent base. He removed his helmet for starters, he sat it down on a small dresser next to the front of his bed. He massaged his head as he removed the rest of his armor, leaving him in just a tak-top for the moment. Radd opened one of the closets in his barracks and pulled out some uniform approved cargos, putting them on he let out a yawn and layed on his bed.

"What a day.." he sighed, laying his head back on the gentle pillow below it, he constantly thought back and forth about what came over him during the mission. things like that don't just come to you without reason, but not only that, there was a Zealot on the field, a Zealot! And yet he killed it so easily in that state. He questioned himself whether he was crazy or just seeing things, but no it was real.


Radd curled himself up slightly in his bed, closing his eyes and waiting for his sleep to take him. Because atleast in his dreams, everything is at peace.​
 
Night was not far away and with the darkening of the skies, sleep was soon to follow. The recruit had long sonce showered and dressed into the black cargo sweats that the UNSC had provided the rest of the recruits. The fabric was a bit scratchy and uncomfortable when it rubbed against her legs. She would rather be in her full armor than to wear those dreaded things, so she took them off and climbed into bed. The barracks were meant to be occupied only by the spartan or marine it belonged too. At times, the marines would invite each other over to different barracks, but that kind of socializing never happened at night.

Iliana was friends with no one so she need not worry about someone hammering on her door. Her solitude was oddly enjoyable. Gossip in the UNSC was a growing pandemonium waiting to happen. As if the covenant didn't cause enough problems, word-of-mouth was just as deadly. Iliana kept to herself in her barracks, on the battle field, and anywhere else she may be spotted at. Solitude was the best.

A sweet yawn poured from between her teeth when she crawled into the bed. The sheets, unlike the cargos, were a smooth linen with a smell that always reminded her of hot roasted honey nuts. The smell was enough to make the spartan's mouth water, yet she indulged in it, eyes drooping in fatigue.

Zealot...covenant...recorder...Captain....

Iliana's eyes drooped lower with her face stil nuzzled in the sheets as sleep soon consumed her.​
 
It'd had only been about an hour since they returned back to base, night had fianlly taken its swallow over the land. And yet Captain couldn't sleep. In his mind, he couldn't help but wonder how Recruit was feeling, was she having nightmares, was she feeling scared, he didn't know and it worried him. But then again, if he was wrong and walked over there for nothing, he'd probably seem crazy to the rest of the bases personel. But, it was a risk he was willing to take. Mustering up whatever nerve he had in him, he grabbed a jacket he had in his closet, and starting making his way to Iliana's barracks.

The thoughts of the Zealot incident were cleared from his mind, but he just wanted to make sure she was ok. Along the way, he started to take into mind, what if she had friends around the base taking care of her? Maybe a few marines, an ODST at least, but after questioning it so much. She never really did rely on any other than him in the base and on the field. In fact, she was open to just him most of the time, didn't really say anything to other soldiers around the place. That thought hit him hard as he approached the door to her barrack, smelling a relaxed sent of pines and hearing a yawn from behind the door.

He raised his fist to the door and gave three soft knocks, he wanted to check on her, but didn't want to be rude. He placed his hands in his pockets and stood there silently waiting for her to either respond or just continue to rest. Radd felt almost nervous being there, he was afraid she might lash out at him, and from all the worry, he didn't notice that he wasn't wearing his helmet.

​
 
When a soft rap came at her door, the first thing Iliana reached for was the pistol lying beside her pants. She had even forgotten to grab her pants. That came second. The spartan scrambled to put the hell-spawned cargos on as she still held the pistol in one hand. Her movements were sloppy as she stumbled around the room. When she opened the door, the look of intimidation would've dwindled down to nothing but mere curiosity as her orange hair was splayed across her face. She didn't look as foreboding in her night clothes than she did her armor.

Iliana grabbed the handle and swung the door open, pointing the pistol directly in front of her.

"Don't you dare mov--" Iliana blinked once as she stared into the face of none other than Captain 259. Iliana's face was flushed from top to bottom in a deep crimson red, gun shaking as she lowered it nonchalantly.

"S-sir...! My...my deepest apologies!"she sputtered, fully lowering the gun and attempting a feeble salute. What the hell is he doing here?! Did I do something wrong!? Questions zipped through her head but she cracker her door open nonetheless to allow her higher officer to enter on his will.

"M-make yourself at home."she said, closing the door behind her and leaning her back against it, eyeing the spartan with puzzlement.​
 
"Thanks" whispered from his lips as he strode inside her barrack's door, he noticed that she had a look on her face that seemed as if she was spooked by something. At the time he still didn't notice he wasn't wearing his helmet, so he could only think that she was shook up by something else.

he eyed around her room, noticing how some of it fit a bit of her personality. He sat on the edge of her bed looking into her eyes, seeing how she looked a little embarassed, he asked "Are you ok over there?" as it fluidly fluttered from his mouth he rubbed the back of his neck from feeling nervous. Radd had never really had time with Iliana like this alot, so it was almost new to him. but the relaxing smell of her room, calm sounds of night, and the thought that isn't the only one feeling strange was comforting.

When she said to make himself at home, he removed his jacket and layed his hands on his lap. Revealing his black tank top and his muscled arms. It took a while, but he easily relaxed in her pressence at a progressive speed. The male spartan leaned back his head and sighed out whatever worries he had left, and finally.. he was relaxed. Capatin made a soft grin and looked at Iliana with a musturd up smile, waiting for a response.​
 
Iliana shakily made her way across the the barrack, walking slowly to the base of the kitchen, but careful not to keep her eyes off of her Captain. She didn't want to appear rude in front of him, especially since he was completely disarmed!

"Y-yes, sir. Iamdoingfine."she said, realizing that she slurred that entire sentence in nervousness. To stop herself from making a bigger fool of herself, she walked into the kitchen and grabbed two glass from the cabinet above her head. "Are you thirsty, sir? I can make some coffee if you like."she said, speaking out to him from the kitchen. She was grateful that she was away from his gaze so she could find time to mull over her thoughts...

WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?! ITS 1 IN THE MORNING AND HE COMES INTO MY BARRACKS!? FOR WHAT!?!? And to make matters worse, he is disarmed! DISARMED!

Iliana's hands trembled on the handle of the coffee pot, but she managed to pour some into the tiny glass anyway. Making her way over to the pantry, she added cream and sugar and stirred it with her finger. The heat hadn't bothered her in the least. She made her way back into the living room, taking a seat on the far chair away from him, sitting upright and straight.​
 
"Sure, I guess." he replied, watching her walk into the kitchen. He noticed how she was sounding a bit shaken in her words, it was strange but understandable. He's up this late, visiting her in her own barracks, and after a while of thinking, he wasn't wearing his helmet.

Radd nearly jumped from noticing his naked head was wanderig about, it even made him wonder if that what she was freaking out for. He could only wonder why though. Did she think of him as the more strong silent type? Was he the image of a more terrifying soldier? Every question he could think of would bounce on and off of his mind, almost sending him into confusion. He sar a few bars hanging over his head and reached up to grab them, when they got into his grips he started pulling himself up off the ground. He thought she would be there for a while, so he decided to keep himself preoccupied.

As he kept himself focused, the shuttering of a rumbling pot echoed from the kitchen. He looked over shoulder to see what was going on, but he was doing pull ups five feet of the ground, so it was a little irrelivant for the moment. Breaking through twenty pulls, he heard a quiet thump in the room, he quickly turned his body in mid air to turn around and spotted Iliana, sitting right there in a chair. He didn't know how to respond after she just caught him doing this so he just hung there for about three minutes, and mumbled

"My bad."​
 
She was quite startled to find him working out in her living room, but for fear that her hand might shatter the frail cup in her hands. Besides, he is a captain, so he may be used to that kind of intense training. Training all night and all day, non stop. Iliana couldn't see herself doing that. He wasn't much a strong person anyway. What she lacked in strength, she made up for in speed, skill, and strategy. Iliana watched him pull himself up, completely unaware that she had entered the room. She still sat straight in respect and waited patiently for him to complete his work out. When his eyes landed on hers he stopped for a moment, hovering in mid air.

"My bad."

"It's fine, sir. I understand that you have a need to do things like that. Being a captain and all."she said, taking a sip of the coffee. Even though it wasn't cold, the coffee warmed her body thoroughly. Her eyes fluttered to a close in peace as she enjoyed the sweet liquid pour down her throat and into all veins of her body. She opened here eyes slowly and looked at him, still trying to keep a calm and respectable composure.

"Captain, if you do not mind me asking, what are you doing here?"she asked, taking tentative steps into the conversation. The last thing Iliana wanted was for him to think she was being rude or demanding. She crossed a leg over the over, bringing the cup to her lips once more.​
 
He released himself from her barrack's cieling and made a soft landing on the floor. Radd was relieved when she asked why he was there, it would save him time to explain his reasons for coming by. As he picked up the warm glass filled with fresh coffee, he calmly and nonchalantly answered her question.

"I wanted to see how you were doing after the mission. You know, make sure you were feeling alright." He raised the glass up to his lips and took a quick sip of the sweet, creamy, warm liquid. Letting out an eased sigh as it flowed down and through out his viens. Captain held the cup in his hands, holding his head down hoping she wouldn't think he was crazy for feeling concerned about her. For the most part, he didn't understand why he was there either.

"If my coming here was a little... disturbing then I apologize." he added, as he rubbed his thumb against the handle of the glass. He would have felt a bit more awkward if she was mad at her, but so far she didn't seem to be. From the view of the conversation it felt peaceful, relaxing, more of a welcomed feeling. Radd starred his eyes into the glass with a small smile on his face due to this enjoyable sensation. ​
 
"Oh, I see. Yes, sir, I am doing all right. I just needed a little time to myself for a while. After 4 days fighting the covenant, I get pretty restless. It just feels wonderful to finally be back behind the safe holds of the UNSC base and my barrack. Here, I do not need to measure precision or determine distance."she chuckled, running a finger through the long orange hair that poured like a water fall around her cheeks and shoulders. The coffee had long since cooled and Iliana only stirred it around with her finger some more, looking from Captain to the cup and back to Captain again.

"You are also not bothering me, sir. I wasn't doing anything important. To be honest, this company is very enjoyable. Thank you, sir."she added shyly, rising up to put her cup back into the kitchen.​
 
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