Past/Boot Camp
It was a cloudy afternoon over the Boot Camp, everyone had done their morning drills and where currently having a break. Leo, Ethan and Racheal where inside the barracks playing "Go Fish". It's been a couple months since Leo first met Ethan and Racheal. Ever since than, they've stuck close together like three peas in a pod.

Though Leo still feels slightly uncomfortable being around them, it's not that he doesn't like them. But he hasn't really had any friends since, Allison died. While the three continued playing their game, Racheal looks at the Barracks exit and her eyes widen.

Racheal: Shit! Here comes the Sargent!

Leo: Already!?

Ethan: Aw crap! Hide the cards!

The three of them quickly dispose the cards, in case the Sargent saw them. Why were they afraid of him finding out? Last time he caught them, he made them each eat a card... a nasty experience Leo remembers. Everyone falls silent, when they see Sargent Alan walking into the barracks.

Sargent Alan: LINE UP!!

Each person scrambles around, getting out of bunks and lining up down the hallway as the Sargent watches. Ethan, Racheal and Leo line up next to each other. Once everyone stood still and straight, the Sargent slowly began walking down the middle between all the trainees.

Sargent Alan: Alright ladies! Today we've got a special training planned for you all! Some UNSC scientists were kind of enough to transfer some experimental weaponry, for us to test today!

Everyone has a range of surprised and excited looks.

Sargent Alan: I want everyone outside and lined up in front of the shooting range, where I'll explain more. UNDERSTOOD!

Everyone: YES SIR!

We all head outside and make are way towards the shooting range. Once there, we all line up in rows as the Sargent makes his way to the front. As he's walking, Leo gets a glimpse of some strange looking weapons on a stand-up rack.

Racheal: (Whispers) Those are some dangerous looking guns.

Leo turns and see's Racheal looking at them too. The Sargent heads over to the racket and picks up one of the guns, showing it to everyone.

Sargent Alan: Now, over here we have what known as the ARC-920 or the 'Railgun.' Recently some scientists have been making a breakthrough with this here equipment. These are a compact-channel linear accelerator weapons, which quite heavy and take M645 explosive bullets. In other words, you don't want to be shot with this bad boy.

The Sargent gestures over towards the rack of Railguns.

Sargent Alan: Now, who would like to go first!

A random hand shoots up from the row of trainees.

???: I believe I do, Sir!

A male voice called out.

Sargent Alan: Then get over here!

The trainee walks out from the group, giving Leo a clear look at his face, he barely had any hear on his head and had green eyes. Leo recognises the guy as Riley, he's the asshole that constantly picks on Ethan since the first day.

He made his way to the front to the Sargent, with each step oozing with Confidence. Once in front of the Sargent, who roughly shoves the weapon known as the Railgun in Riley's chest. Sargent Alan gestures Riley over to the shooting range.

Riley heads over to it and takes his position, his whole body is straight as he brings the gun up and takes aim. As he holds the trigger, the Railgun barrel starts lighting up blue. Riley let's go of the tigger sending a round at the target scraping the side of it. Riley gets sent backwards and falls onto the ground, landing on his back.

Sargent Alan: As you can see, Private Riley has just demonstrated, how NOT to fire the Railgun! Can someone tell me, what Private Riley did wrong?

Leo raises his hand.

Sargent Alan: Yes, Private Church?

Leo: Riley took the position of shooting a gun with low recoil, but wasn't prepared for the large recoil of the weapon.

Sargent Alan: That's right! Why don't you come up here and show, Private Riley how not to fall on your ass.

Leo moves out from the row, making his way to the Sargent as Riley passes by him, shooting him a glare. Leo grabs one of the Railguns from the rack, along with some M645 explosive bullets. He gives the gun a quick look over, before standing at the shooting range.

Sargent Alan: Whenever your ready, Private!

Leo grounds his feet into the dirt, holding his upper body forward, positioning his whole body to withstand the recoil. He raises the gun up, taking aim at the target in the distance and takes a deep breath.

Holding down the trigger, the Railgun begins to charge up, until Leo let's go of the trigger. Suddenly, a round blast off straight at the target, obliterating it to pieces. Leo stood standing, but slid back a bit and his shoulder hurt from the gun slamming back into his shoulder.

Sargent Alan: Nicely done, Private Church. Do it, again!

Leo reloads the gun, takes the same position and takes a deep breath. He fires another round at a different target, blasting it into pieces. He slides back again and winces from the pain coming from his shoulder.

Sargent Alan: One more time!

Leo nods at the Sargent, before loading the gun again and aiming at his third target. Charging the gun up and shooting a round, he successfully hits the target again, but the gun slams into his shoulder hard.

He hears a faint "pop" in his right shoulder as flames of pain erupts from it. Leo grits his teeth in pain, clutching his shoulder and dropping the Railgun to the ground. The Sargent walks over to Leo.

Sargent Alan: Is their a reason for dropping an expensive piece of equipment, Private?

Leo: I-I think I dislocated my shoulder, Sir!

The Sargent looks at Leo's shoulder, seeing it oddly sticking out from the back.

Sargent Alan: That seems to be the case. Tell me Private, why did I ask you to shoot three times?

Leo: (Confused) To t-test the reload rate, Sir?

Sargent Alan: Wrong! It's because most men who fire this weapon, would of dislocated their shoulders in two shots. But the ones that didn't, are professional trained with this weapon.

Leo feels some pride in his words.

Sargent Alan: Private Williams! Escort Private Church to get that shoulder treated...

Leo see's Ethan making his way to Leo with a concerned look.

Sargent Alan: ...also take his new Railgun with him, if he wishes to be will trained with it. He'll need to practice in keeping that shoulder in tact.

Leo eyes widen with surprise with being able to keep the gun. Ethan picks the Railgun off the floor and starts assisting, Leo off to get treated. Sargent Alan watches the two of them walk off.

Sargent Alan: He sure is something... Allison.

Present/Valhalla
To the crashed Pelican, where Carolina is seen standing at the front of the Pelican with Wash nearby.

Carolina: Nothing. Nothing! A dead end! Damnit, not again!

With angry building up, she punches the ship, causing Church to appear.

Church: Hey, watch it! I'm still in here!

Wash: Response teams beat us to the crash, plain and simple. We knew the chances of finding something here were slim.

Church: Okay, well, what about the bases?

Wash: Blue base was swept clean. As for Red base, any evidence that might have been there was completely destroyed during the construction of some kind of giant, holographic projection room.

Church: Man... those guys are really starting to find creative ways to ruin my life... mother fuckers.

Carolina turns to Wash.

Carolina: This is our third wild goose chase, Wash! Even after she's gone, Texas is still finding ways to screw me over!

Wash: You can't blame her for this! Time isn't on our side, Carolina. Any trails she left behind likely went cold years ago.

Carolina: Are you suggesting we give up?

Wash: Of course not. I was just-

Carolina: Good. Then go spread the word; we're leaving.

Wash: But... we just got here.

Carolina: What's your point?

Wash: Well, don't you think we're pushing these guys a little to hard? This place is pretty much home to them. They may not be ready to leave it so soon.

Church: Yeah, I'm real choked up about it.

Carolina slowly approaches Wash, until they're standing face-to-face.

Carolina: Despite what those idiots may think, this is not a road trip; this is a mission. And I will see it completed. Is that understood, agent Washington?

The two glare at each other for a brief moment.

Wash: Yes, boss.

Wash simply turns around and walks away.

Church: Man, what the hell happened to that guy? Didn't he use to be a badass like you and Tex?

Carolina walks back up to the Pelican and removes Church from the Pelican very roughly.

Church: Ow! I meant badass uh... just like you! Just like... just you... only you. Nobody else!

Over to Leo, Sarge and Simmons approaching a small hut. A radio is heard playing music by the hut with a garden next to it, where they see Lopez's body being used as a scarecrow.

Sarge: There he is! Spanish Inquisition! Someone's been torturing him!

Simmons: Huh.... I don't think so sir.

Leo: Yeah, he actually kinda looks like a scarecrow?

Sarge: Savages! And they've erected this fence as a warning for civilized people to stay away!

Simmons: It actually looks like a garden. Wait a minute, is that compost? Sustainable farming? Environmentally friendly housing?

Leo: Looks like someone moved in, while we were gone.

Simmons: Oh no...

Sarge and Leo look at Simmons with puzzled looks.

Sarge: What?

A familiar figure in pink armor comes out of the hut and approaches Sarge, Leo and Simmons.

Donut: Oh, hey guys! I thought I heard voices!

Leo/Sarge: (Shocked) DONUT?!

Donut: Hi, Guys! Long time, no see!

Leo walks closer to Donut in disbelief.

Leo: How's this possible!? I was told you died!

Leo turns to Simmons for an explanation.

Simmons: I saw him get shot a-and thought he died!

Sarge: Y'know, we sure seem to say that a lot these days.

Donut: I almost was! That jerk Washington shot me in the stomach, but then my armor locked up on me. Kept me alive for awhile, until it unlocked again for some reason. It was horrible! Do you know what removes bloodstains from this armor? Not a lot I tell you. I laid there forever wondering how I was going to get all that dark red outta this light red. You know?

Leo: Well, it's great to see you again and alive, Donut! (Laughs) This whole time, I've believed you actually died, man!

Donut: Aw shucks, it's great seeing you guys again to!

Simmons: How did you survive? When your armor locked, you would've just bled to death!

Sarge: And when did you get all, new age-y?

Simmons: Uh-oh...

Leo: What?

Simmons: Guys, think about it. Medical attention, fringe holistic lifestyle choices, you know what that means...

Sarge: What?

Leo: Hold up, your not talking about...

A figure in purple armour comes walking up from behind Sarge, Leo and Simmons.

Doc: Wow, look what the cat dragged in! And by dragged in I mean spit out like a hairball, hey guys!

Sarge: Leo? Is that Doc behind us?

Leo: It does sounds like him, Sarge.

Sarge: Leo, get my gun.

Leo: You're holding it, Sarge.

Sarge: Oh. Right. Simmons, I'm going to need you to commence Operation: Point my gun at Doc.

Simmons: But sir, Operation: Point my gun at Doc was just a code phrase for Operation: Point my gun at Grif.

Sarge: Drat! Fine. Switch to Operation: Point my gun at Grif!

Simmons: Yeah actually sir, that one was... just what it sounds like. Sorry.

Sarge: Double drat!

Leo: (Sighs) We definitely need better operation names.

Doc: You guys do realise, I can hear you?

The End
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