(Read Subject S-116 first. It's short but a teaser.)

Unknown year

Undisclosed ONI location

Halsey was staring at her newly armored Spartan, who became augmented much sooner than the previous II's. The spartan began to look at his lower body and nodded in approval of his armor

"You'll be able to customize your armor to your liking soon enough. For now, this Mark V (B) armor will be sufficient." Halsey stated, before handing the spartan his new helmet, who took it immediately and put it on

"Feels..... Odd. But in a good way." The spartan stated

Halsey nodded, before activating the spartan's HUD

"Everything seems to check out, 116." Halsey told, looking up from her PDA

The spartan nodded again, when he tried to scratch his head, banging his head on his helmet, causing Halsey to do her best to keep a straight face

"You'll get used to it. Usually, I would want you to have experience to manage a team, but I'm going to give you a small squad, you'll be they're commander."

The spartan tilted his head before noticing movement from behind on his motion tracker, four small blips, he turned around and noticed three females and a single male

"You called, ma'am?" One asked, wearing nothing but a spartan techsuit along with ears and a tail

"Scarlett, this is your new commander." Halsey stated, motioning towards 116

The four looked at the spartan for a moment, before he held his hand out

Another female wearing an ODST shirt and black jogging pants stepped forward and took his hand, shaking it

"Nice to meet you, Commander. I'm Vinnie." She told, her black bunny ears twitching and her dark red eyes glistening

"..... Corey. I'm Corey." The spartan replied, before looking at the others

Scarlett eyed him wearily while a female with cat ears just stared at him, she was wearing a flight suit while the male just stood there, his pilot helmet giving him a dead look

"That's Jack and Layla. Our pilots." Vinnie spoke up, breaking the silence

"Alright, Vinnie show the commander to his new quarters. Tomorrow will be the first team exercise." Halsey told, before walking off

"Follow us, sir." Vinnie said, the group leaving the room and entering the hallway

"Commander, huh? Why did Halsey give us another member? I thought it was just supposed to be the four of us." Scarlett whispered to Jack and Layla

While the commander heard Scarlett, he didn't say anything, he didn't want to stir anything in his new squad

"This is our room. We have multiple bunks, choose any you want." Vinnie said as she opened the door, the commander walked towards the back corner immediately and sat down, Vinnie following close behind

"My bunk, huh? Vinnie said grinning slightly, the commander began to get up before Vinnie pushed him back down

"No, take it. I don't mind. But I'm not leaving my bunk. I'll be taking the top bunk." Vinnie said, climbing the ladder and laid down

The other three members were still at the door, just watching

"Does..... Does she like him? She hasn't even seen what he looks like." Jack asked

"Well, she is special. Don't forget, she's sensed things in the past." Layla replied

"I'm gonna keep my eyes on him." Scarlett told

"What planet are you from?" Vinnie asked, peeking her head under her bunk, inches away from the commander's helmet

"Earth." He told, before he laid down

"Reach." Vinnie replied

The commander glanced at her, before taking his helmet off

"Reach, huh? Where from exactly?" He asked, putting his helmet under the bed

"New Alexandria. You?" Vinnie tilted her head

"(Redacted to you, Reader!)" He replied, scratching his forehead

"Oh, that's where Layla is from!" Vinnie said excitedly

"Huh?" Layla asked from across the room

"Nothing, sorry." Vinnie said, giggling

"Kill count?" The commander asked

"Huh?" Vinnie asked in confusion

"Kill count. How many covenant have you killed?" He repeated, staring into her eyes

"About 200+. You?" She replied eagerly

"351. Exactly." He responded, not looking away

"Oh, nice. Looks like we're all experienced then." She said happily, her eyes closed

"I worked alone before this. It's gonna be odd commanding a squad for the first time." He told honestly

"Wait, you haven't worked with a group before?" She asked, clearly confused

"Nope. Better teach me. Lt. Commander." He smirked

"Huh?!" She exclaimed her face reddening "S-shouldn't Scarlett be the Lt. Commander?!"

"I have a feeling you'll do fine." He said, patting her upside down head