Halo: We Are ODST {IC}{M}

[Q]

Private Talgott wasn't invited to the command center. After all, he was but a lousy recruit. As he was wandering the Alamo, a silver-painted phantom dropped reinforcements within the walls. A silver phantom? It hadn't been long ago since he saw one just like that somewhere in deep space after his run-in and subsequent capture by jackal pirates.

Out of the gravity lift dropped a white-armored sangheili Ultra along with some happy-looking grunts. Talgott knew this elite! It was R'Kahn Sever'ee! His luxury yacht's silhouette could be seen in the clouds underway back to the battle above.

"Recon!"

Talgott, still wearing his helmet, walked up to the muscular two-feet longer alien. R'Kahn, in all his cultural wisdom and youthful ignorance, growled back at him and wove him off with his four long fingers. "Be wary, human! I am preoccupied!" Talgott smiled under his helmet. However impressive their adaptation to alien languages, those aliens always spoke so silly. He took off his helmet and opened his arms, ready to embrace an old friend.

"Saxophone-man!"

Giddy as a schoolgirl, the mighty R'Kahn Sever ran into private Talgott's arms and raised him into the air. All of his grunts marveled at this so called 'Saxophone-man human'. "Blood brother!" The elite Ultra finally set him down.

It wasn't long before R'Kahn and Talgott had set up a makeshift jazz lounge in the eastern quadrant of the Alamo. Talgott manned the saxophone, R'Khan the piano (although he wasn't very good) and the grunts did percussion on Talgott's dual helmets and other scrap metal. The saxophone and piano were brought in from the Burden of Impotence, R'Kahn's flagship. After befriending Lester Talgott a few months prior, he had taken up the piano himself hearing the ODST's endless monologues about the beauty of jazz. And although the sangheili could not work out the sax, the grunts occasionally had fun with it.

At least a dozen battle-worn marines shuffled to the multi-species jam session. R'Kahn and the grunts had found a rhythm. It was time for Talgott's saxophone solo! His broken-or-bruised arm made it a little difficult, but he was a jazz musician - he could never fail a crowd. Even in the command center could Talgott's saxophone solo be heard, albeit very faintly.

[Dnafein]

Johnny rolled his eyes as the AI answered for him every time he was asked a question. “Where were you when I had to answer the fucking coms?” He muttered as the computer gave numbers based on its personnel records.

“Actually,” Shen corrected when the AI finished. “Every citizen of the Alamo is now a veteran soldier. They not be exactly trained or very good, but they held.”

As the elite spoke Johnny smiled, and nodded appreciatively. He listened to the status of the vehicles and raised a finger as Wolf asked her final question. After Shen gave a whistle an older marine shoved a bloody faced lieutenant into the room. As soon as the officer saw Wolf's rank he straightened and jammed a finger at Shen.

“Shoot that traitor now.” He ordered.

Johnny raised an eyebrow and smirked. “The Alamo declared its independence at the cost of the coward's” Shen tilted his head towards the bloody nosed officer. “Leadership. As Lord Commander, I can offer an alliance; Or agree to return to the fold, should the coward be properly punished.”

“Lies!” The officer barked. “This traitor lead a mutiny and beat me. Shoot the traitor.”

Johnny shrugged. “Yeah, I kinda did. This fucking asshole lost his nerve when the colonel I was escorting ate a beam rifle round. Started demanded we evacuate him immediately. Instead of listening to reason he insisted we get him out.”

The officer started to interrupt as Shen explained. The former ODST motioned to the older marine who smacked the officer in the back of the head before he could speak. Shen continued, “It didn't matter that we were surrounded, or that we'd abandon the few scientists scattered in the field. Hopefully, they kept their heads down when this started.”

“Your call puppy. You can pardon the mutineers, and decide a punishment for the coward.” Johnny shrugged, “Or you can shoot me. Your call.”

[MidKnight]

Watching the two as they quarreled one another. She continued to listen and watch as the two finished arguing and left the punishment to her. Looking at the others around she stands straight and looked at the Lieutenant. "Your in the wrong area to order me...Lieutenant." She set her helmet on the holo table and walked to the AI. The AI watched Wolf as she came closer and was frightened at her sight. She stopped and folded her arms on her chest. "Initiate Protocol: Delta Tango Lima two three ten." She announced.

Ghost flickered a moment and nodded his head. "Protocol initiated." He replied.

"Is what happened here true?" She asked the AI.

"The previous Commander of this station was indeed assassinated by enemy sniper. The kill shot was fatal in the neck area cutting life instantly." Ghost looked to Shen. "Lieutenant James Andrews became the next Commander and attempted to abandon his station once Covenant forces appeared. However he was detained and placed in the brig as a prisoner. Commander Shen was promoted as protocol to control the station and defend it by any means necessary." He lowered head. "He also recruited a large number to defend the station against the invaders."

Wolf listened carefully and observed the AI. "So he created a Militia." Her head turned to Shen. "Deserting your post is punishable by death." She eyes looked to the Lieutenant. "I'll add that to my report." She quick drew her pistol and aimed at the officer. Pulling the trigger and fired one round at his head. The body dropped quick after one shot and she holstered her gun. "Then again he could be trialed and usually they get the death sentence anyways." She takes in a deep breathe. "Don't Tell Lies." She muttered. "But as for a mutiny...I wouldn't recommend calling it that to the Admiral. I would prefer it as 'removing office.' or 'No longer fit for duty.'"

Ghost looked up to the Captain and back at Shen. "I would agree to that." He said softly.