Project Freelancer

"Allison, can you hear me?" The voice sifted through the darkness, causing the Spartan's heart to pump more quickly. Her eyes fluttered open to find herself collapsed onto the cold metal grate of the cryo room. Drool dripped over her lips and snot ran from her nose down onto the chilled surface, her entire body trembled, her eyes fluttered. "Cadet, get up." She felt a hand grasp her upper arm and lift her upward easily. It was Silva. "Mehaffey, come on." She lifted the young Tex and pressed her against the wall. "Where is your head?" She tapped the young cadet upon her cheeks a few times before Tex's emerald eyes met the forest green hues of Chyler Silva. Silva and Vickers were the only Cadets on Tex's side. The only cadets that looked out for the young girl. "Come on." She pulled Tex close to her body as the young girl wheezed, her eyes were wide. Cryosleep wasn't something that was taking a liking to Tex's body. Being such a young age, her body couldn't handle the extreme temperatures. With each waking Silva would have to help her to her feet, brush emesis from her cheek, and help her put on her battle gear.

It was like this every time. Tex would be disoriented and confused for a good ten minutes after waking from cryosleep. But once she woke, there was no stopping her. "Come on sweet pea." She said as she carried Tex over to the equipment locker. Tex heaved and gagged as her knees gave out once more. Silva took in a deep breath as she dressed the young cadet. "They need to stop this training with you until you're of age." She growled as she clicked the plates into place on Tex's body. Soon enough, she placed the helmet over the youngster's head. "Alright, here you go." Tex was a bit more oriented at this point.

"Are you two coming or what?" Sullivan snapped. He was the squad leader that Tex had put in his place time and time again. "If you don't hurry they will just kill us before we even get out of our base." He stood with crossed arms.

Silva shot a glare as Tex wavered slightly. "She's only nine, Sullivan. They haven't done testing on what it does to a child's body. It's hard enough on our bodies and we are ten years older than her. Give it a rest!" Silva pushed Tex forward gently as the cadet began to orient more.

"What is that mission?" She asked with slurred speech as she blinked her eyes several times.

"Take out the enemy team, it isn't capture the flag or anything like that today. Just simply, survive." Silva said as she ran forward to group up with the other teammates.

"Finally." Sullivan snapped. "What's your plan half pint?"

Tex looked around the map. A vast forest. She took in a breath as she watched her radar. No movement. "We need to get a flank on the other team. They will move in a group, if we attack from a flank, or even both sides, we should be able to take each member out within seconds with no casualties on our team." She gave a nod as she glanced around their surroundings. She lifted her helmet from her head and set it down.

"What are you doing?" Sullivan looked to the helmet.

"Take off your helmets, they can't see us on the radar if we don't have our helmets on. They will see our way points here. It will lead them right where we want them." Tex replied as she adjusted the heavy DMR to her back. She pulled the pistols from her thighs as she watched Vickers and Silva do as she had ordered. The others stared at each other in awe.

"We will be blind!" Sullivan protested.

"So will they." Tex said as she turned, "I want half over there, the other half with me." She ran up a hill and crouched down in the brush, waiting. The team split up, the helmets sat in waiting in the middle of the valley floor. Soon enough the other squad approached. The hand signals were flawless as the leader gave directions. The group opened fire only to find that helmets were the only thing in their view. Before the group could respond each was taken out with a head shot and a few other shots to their body.

Tex gave a smirk as the world began to fade away from around them. "Axios." She grinned then looked up to Silva whom ruffled her hair. With each tactical group she led, she became better. With each win, the commander watched her, soon enough, they would put her in for Spartan training. Soon enough she would be a graduate of CAMS.

"Agent Texas, get up for training." The Commander was in the barracks. Everyone else had left for breakfast, except for Tex, whom was still unconscious. Her body was trying to mend itself. The Commander looked to her bandaging, he shook his head, he was unsure why they hadn't put her in hydro at least, or placed her on a medical hold. "Hey, you have to get up." He nudged her shoulder.

Tex's eyes fluttered open, she looked to the man whom sat above her, his jet black hair was as dark as the night. She immediately winced, her head throbbed, her vision blurred. She slowly sat up with the help of the Commander. He assisted her to her feet and then helped her with her new armor until she finally placed her helmet upon her head. Tsk, tsk, you need to focus, Allison. This haze that you are in needs to get out of here. Don't give in to a little injury. Omega spoke as soon as the lights to her helmet flickered on. The commander pushed her forward until she walked on her own. Tex made her way to the training room. She loaded herself up with a pistol, two sticky grenades and a DMR. By then everyone else had filtered in. Maine bumped against her roughly, causing her to stumble. He chuckled and continued on. Oh, you just wait. We will smash his face in, Allison, you'll see, he won't even know what hit him. It'll all come in time. Omega was feeding off of her frustration, off of her confusion. Any emotion that entered her body he fed from to become stronger. He was in control. Tex had no control with his head injury. None at all.

It wasn't until CT shoved Tex backward that she woke up. That she actually knew what was happening. Tex stared down the barrel of the drawn pistol, "CT?" She asked, confusion flooded her voice. The doors shut then. Tex shook her head as Omega tried to take control yet again. But, she was aware now. She wasn't in the haze for the time being. The elevator lifted upward and allowed her to enter the observation room that the other Spartan's stood in. Tex made her way to the window and looked down over the arena. She watched as CT shot out the lights, as head shot after head shot increased the points of blue team.

"She's a good teammate to have." Washington's voice entered her ears. "I teamed with her once. It was the best game I've had with a teammate yet." He chuckled. "How's your head, Tex?"

Tex looked to him, her golden visor reflected the lights of the room. She smiled beneath the helmet. She couldn't ask for a better teammate and she knew it. "My head..." She finally replied. Though, it wasn't much of an answer.

Washington sighed slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The director made a good call pulling you from that match. You're luck CT pushed you back. They would have murdered you out there. You're confused. You're slower than you should be. Can you even keep your focus, Texas?"

Tex stood there for a long moment, her eyes went back to the arena where she watched CT approaching from behind. "No." She replied, her speech slurred slightly. Her brain had swollen from the injury, putting pressure against the fragile organ, it pressed down into her brain stem. Threatening to cause further injury. "No...I can barley stand....." She turned and stepped from the glass, her steps were stiff, she stumbled slightly. Maine noticed this and moved her direction. Washington was still focused on the fight below. Tex made it out into the hallway, she leaned against the wall, her breathing deep and shaken. "Come on..." She muttered to herself, trying to focus, she just had to make it to the infirmary. She needed medication, rest...something...

A body slammed against her back, pinning her before she was flipped. Her back smacked against the wall and a fist collided with her side. Tex curled forward, her teeth clenched together. She felt the attacker grab her helmet and slam her head against the wall. The world began to spin. Let your walls done, Allison, trust me. Just let me take over! Omega snapped. Tex stared up to Maine as he pressed against her. He didn't speak as he brought his knee into her abdomen. "St-stop..." Tex whimpered as she curled against the Spartan.

Maine chuckled then. "Not so tough now huh, Texas?" He slammed her into the wall again. Her head began to throb. She could feel her pulse in her ears. Her mind began to race. Come on, come on, come on! Hit her again and see what happens! Omega beat at her, trying to break into control. Maine slammed her again, this was the last straw. It was the last bit of damage she could take before her walls fell. Her body went rigid for a moment before her hand reached up and gripped Maine around the throat with an inhumane like force. It was enough power to crush concrete. Maine began to choke as the Spartan lifted him from the ground. The chip in the back of Tex's helmet glowed a bright blood red. She took him and threw him across the hall. He landed with a thud against the wall. "That's right! Bring it on!!" He chuckled as he got back up. "Is that all you got? Huh?" He brought his hands up in fists, ready to fight.

Tex rushed forward, her shoulder collided with his chest, slamming him into the wall once more. She began hitting him with hooks and uppercuts to the torso. Each blow caused Maine to curl slightly forward. Then, the icing on the cake. Tex stepped back as Maine fell to his knees. She stood there for a moment before she brought her knee into the side of his head. The entire visor shattered against her force, Maine skidded to his back on the floor, his breaths heavy. Tex rushed forward and landed on top of him, she began to hit him with blow after blow. Blood splattered the floor before Tex backed off. Her breaths were quick and heavy as Maine lay unconscious on the ground. Claps began to echo down the empty hallway. A single set of hands hitting together over and over. Tex spun to see the director, her vision began to blur again as Omega allowed her control once again. The glow at the back of her helmet disappeared and she stumbled to the wall, using it for support. "Bravo! Allison, look at how strong you are!" The Director grinned. "Now, I need you to rest. I need you to recover. Soon, training will end and you will be in the field with CT. You must be strong before this, so as you do not fail a mission." The director tapped a button on the wall. This button called the medical squad to their location. He stood with a grin. "You're the strongest Spartan we have Tex." He stepped forward and gently lifted her helmet from her head. Blood poured down the left side of her face from her wound. Maine had roughed her up pretty good once again. Though, this time she had fought back. The director grinned as he pulled a rag from his pocket and began to wipe away the blood.

The medics came rushing down the hall with a cot and their bags. "Holy shit!" One nearly screamed when he saw Maine laying on his back on the floor. He then looked up to see Agent Texas. "Did she do this?!" The medic asked as the others began to get the Spartan on the cot. He came over and began to inspect Tex as the director only grinned. "Director....did she do this?" He asked again.

"Of course she did." He smirked. "I set it up." He chuckled before he walked off. He had indeed set it up. The entire situation. From Maine bashing her head in, to this little quarrel. He had bet Maine that he couldn't beat Tex. That he couldn't knock her out. The director had lost the first bet, but he had won it all back and then some with this little match.

Tex's eyes fluttered as she looked to Maine, she couldn't remember what she had done. "I..." She swallowed. Her helmet rest in her hands. She stared down to it, fear in her eyes. "I..."

"It's alright." the medic said as he walked her to the infirmary. He was silent all the way there until he set her on the bed. "Here." He pulled her armor from her arm and stuck a large bore needle into her skin. He then began pumping fluid into her body. "This might make you dizzy, and it will most likely make you sleep." He warned. "But, you need to rest, Agent Texas. You can't keep doing this to yourself. No matter what the director says. I know he is screwing with your memory. We all know. We had a briefing on it. You just need to hang in there." He began dressing her injury on her head once more. "Just don't get yourself killed." He pulled the needle from her arm and placed a bandage over it before he replaced her armor. "Now get to the barracks." He ordered before he ran off to help tend to Maine. They were sticking needles in the Spartan's body, patching his wounds, and prepping him for hydro therapy.

Tex stood slowly, she pulled her helmet over her head and began her way back to the training zone. She had to cheer CT on. They were a team, after all. She staggered slightly as the medication that the medic had given her began to take effect. Her vision cleared up quite a bit as she walked in through the double set of doors. South ran up to her as soon as she entered. "What did you do to Maine?!" She snapped. Tex looked to her and only shook her head. It would be a lie if she made something up, she didn't know. "Tex, where is he?!!!" South shoved her.

"I don't know." Tex replied, her voice forced as she fought Omega back from her thoughts again. Do it, let her shove you, let your walls back down, I'll kill that bitch. Omega chuckled. South growled and ran off to York and the others. Tex found CT and stepped to her, she gave a nod. "Good match." She said softly as she got to her side. She had glanced to the scoreboard as she entered the room. "Sorry I wasn't there." Tex summed up as she looked down to CT, she leaned against the wall slightly for support. "I'll recover, I promise."

"Connie wait..." Tex managed to protest as CT lifted her arm around her. Tex couldn't fight against her though as the drugs that the medic had given her began to take effect. She was in and out of a conscious state as she was helped to the barracks. Tex would lean more heavily upon CT when she nearly passed out, then she would stand herself back up, and once more she would nearly fall. When CT held the pills out to Tex she slowly took her helmet off, revealing her yet again blood soaked bandage. She popped the pills into her mouth. "CT...I'm sorry..." She whispered before she had collapsed onto the bed. She had passed out before the Spartan could even leave.

"Come, sit." The commander spoke as he sat behind the desk. Tex pulled her helmet from her head as she stepped into the room. Her eyes looked over the pile of paperwork on the table. "You're wondering what this is, aren't you?" He asked with a smile on his lips. "You're special, Allison." He watched the look of awe cover her expression before he chuckled. "Your mother enrolled you into CAMS for a reason. She knew you would succeed. Tomorrow you will graduate. Then, you will be sent to Spartan Training Camp. You will become one of the first officer rated Spartans, Allison." He paused, to watch the child's reaction.

"Sir, I don't understand. I thought, I was just here for training, until I was of age to join the UNSC forces."

"You are here to become something greater, Allison. Your mother already had that in the works for you, otherwise you would not have started training until you were seventeen." The commander gave a grin. "Congratulations." He said before shoving her from the office.

Tex stood at the doorway for a long moment before she took off at a sprint back to the barracks. She found Silva and threw her arms around the sisterly figure. "Chyler!!" She cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had thought that she was to graduate with her squad, but now she knew that she was to be ripped away from them and shoved into another foreign environment.

"Allison? What is it?" Silva asked holding the young girl close.

"They are sending me to Reach tomorrow...to a Spartan Training Camp..." Tex cried into the girl's arm.

Silva froze, she took in a long, slow deep breath. "I knew this would happen." She whispered. "You'll be fine, sweet pea. I promise, you can do it. You're strong...and you're very talented. They would be holding you back by not sending you. You're young enough." Silva gave her a squeeze before she released her and wiped away some of the tears.

Tex whimpered slightly. "Why can't you come?" She cried.

"I am set to be on the Dawn next week, after graduation. I have a place, Allison....I can't come....I can't be a Spartan..." She shook her head.

Tex buried her face into her friend again as she began to sob. She was terrified. She had heard horror stories of the boot camp that was to come. She already knew how hard it would be and she feared that it was worse than what she had been told.

Over the next week or so, Tex slept. She only woke when the medics came and hooked up IVs to her, and she only woke to the jab of the needles. They gave her medication to keep her strength up, to replace the missed meals. Soon enough, the wound on the side of her head stopped bleeding and soon enough, her vision cleared. It was nearly two weeks by time Tex woke on her own. She sat up quickly, as if frightened awake. She looked around the empty room before she stood. She stood in her black tank and her CAMS sweatpants. "You're awake...." The medic said, he stood in the doorway with another bag filled with a white milky liquid. "Wow..." He carefully pushed Tex back on her bed and pulled her arm into his lap. "One more of these, alright?" He asked and gave a smile to the Spartan before he shoved a needle into her vein. Her arms were trailed with bruises from the huge needles. Tex winced to the sting as the liquid entered her body. The medic looked over her wound and changed the dressing. "You should be good for combat again, Agent Texas." He gave a nod as he finished the wrap. He pulled the needle from her arm. "If you need anything, just give me a call." He then left without another word.

Tex stood again she stepped from the room and walked to the cafeteria where everyone had gathered. The chatter silenced when she walked into the room. The Spartans stared to her in awe. No one had expected her awake so soon. Tex filled her tray and made her way over to the lone table in the corner with CT. She gave a sleepy smile. "Connie." She said as she sat down. "How long have I been out?" She asked softly.

Tex was silent as she watched CT. As she listened to her friend nearly sob. "Connie." She finally spoke at the end, she stepped forward and placed her hands on the railing. "Come here." She took CT's arm and pulled her along until she followed. Tex walked down the hallway and then into a sparring room. She pressed a few buttons on the code pad before she turned to the Spartan. "Let's go." She gave a nod. "Just block my hits, okay? We can plan this out, make it look good, and you can win." She gave a smile. "Don't worry, they can't see in here, I blocked it." Tex stepped forward to CT and brought her hands up. She was well aware that she didn't have any armor on. "Just don't hit me too hard, alright?" She gave a wink.

Tex shuffled her feet and hands, a smile on her lips. She loved hand to hand combat. It was her strong suite. "I'll jab." She said jabbing slow enough to allow CT to block, "Cross.....right hook.....left uppercut...kick...." Tex stepped back, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She had contacted CT a bit roughly with the kick, though she hadn't put enough force into it to cause any damage. "Okay..." Tex nodded to herself, she gave a soft smile again. This reminded her of times she had spent sparring with Silva when she had been in CAMS. Tex stepped forward, still bouncing about, "Show me what you got." She smirked. She side stepped and blocked the hits until CT caught her off guard with a hook. It collided with her forearm as she had attempted a block at the last second, then CT's fist had plunged into her head. Tex stumbled a bit and giggled, "That's good, you've been training, right?" She smirked to CT. "Now try this." Tex stepped forward, hooking right, crossing left, throwing a knee and two uppercuts. She was gentle with her hits, so as to not hurt herself or CT.

Tex lowered her arms and smiled, "You can do this, we just have to turn this into a sort of dance, to make it look real. If you curl like I've hit you, if you fall like you're hurt. They will believe it." She sat down on the floor then, feeling a bit dizzy from the blow that she had suffered. "Not to mention, I'm weak. You can beat me CT." She whispered, holding her head slightly. The bouncing around was enough to make her queasy. "I used to spar a lot when I was in CAMS....Silva..." She paused for a long moment, her expression becoming blank. "Silva and I became masters of making light contact look real, making it look as though it had hurt. That is how I became so good at hand to hand. Silva and I sparred every single day, at least twice a day. Sometimes we would go for real. She could really rough me up. But, most of the time it was for fun, and we made it look like we were hurting from the blows, but, in all reality, each hit was just a tap." Tex grinned, "They won't even know. Especially without shields, you can beat me." She gave a nod. "We will use my weakness to our advantage. I'm not letting you get sent home." She shook her head. "I will not accept another teammate." She chuckled then, she was quite positive, given the situation. It had to be something from the head injury. She stood up and staggered slightly, she put her hands up. "Okay, again."

Tex rushed forward throwing punches, she grinned as CT blocked her, she then blocked the counter attacked and giggled as she stepped back. "Perfect." Tex grinned then held her head as the world began to spin. "Woah..." She leaned against the wall. "I think...that's enough...for now...I..." She took in quick breaths as her vision tunneled. The only downside to this plan, when Tex would become weak and dizzy in battle, Omega would have a chance to take over. This was something that Tex was not thinking about, as she was not thinking clearly due to her head injury.

Tex let out a cry, a cry of real pain as she smacked against the wall. Cheers could be heard through the glass as a few of the Spartans enjoyed the fight. The others, well, they were completely silent. Most wanted CT to lose. Most wanted her gone for good. Tex staggered to her feet, her breaths were ragged. Her eyes blinked several times as she finally stood without her hand against the wall. That's it, come on now. That's right, let me in Allison. Omega nearly chuckled as he attempted to take over. Tex stumbled again and stepped forward, she threw a punch which CT easily countered. Another tap to the side of her head, Tex fell to her hands and knees, her breathing quick. The chip in the back of her helmet began to glow a bright red. Tex clenched her jaw as she fought to keep control. It was too late.

She shot up, her arms wrapped around CT's middle and rushed her backward until her back collided with the wall. The cement crumbled slightly from the amount of force. Tex brought a few uppercuts into CT's abdomen, the force behind her hits was not that of play anymore. It was that of Omega and his raw strength. The director smirked as he saw the red light from the back of Tex's helmet, he knew quite well what had happened. He could tell the fake strikes. He knew Tex was going to let CT win. But now, it wasn't up to Tex what happened. Now it was all up to Omega. Tex continued to drill CT until somehow the Spartan broke free from the punches that were fueled by blind rage. The Spartan shoved Tex back and she skidded on her heels. "That all you got? Come on!" Tex chuckled, the lights of her helmet had taken on an eerie red color now, instead of the bright blue that belonged.

She rushed forward again, her movements were not fluid. Her strikes were not as swift as when Tex had been in control. Sure the strength was there, but the agility was no where near the same. CT managed to step to the side and bring and elbow down into Tex's back, causing her to stumble and fall flat on her face. CT was on her back in an instant, one hand shoved Tex's helmet straight into the ground, visor first, the other reached for the chip. Tex struggled against her, groaning just before CT slammed her head once more. It was hard to tell, but the words 'I'm sorry' may have left the Spartan's mouth just before she knocked Tex unconscious. She pulled the chip from Tex's helmet and crushed it between her fingertips. The red glow that had once been in Tex's helmet faded. The blue lights flickered a bit before finally going out. She was unconscious. Her breathing slowed and her balled up fists loosened into gently curled fingertips.

"Bravo." The director clapped, he had a smirk on his lips. "CT, tell me, what was it that you were thinking, destroying that AI? Hm? I placed it there, do you not think that I wanted it there, that it was placed there for a reason?" He crossed his arms as he looked to the motionless body of Tex. "Nevermind that, how does it make you feel that you smashed your friend's face in?" He smirked once more, "Does that make you feel superior?" He tilted his head slightly. A bit of blood dripped onto the metal floor. She would recover, and this wasn't nearly as bad as Maine had beaten her, but, she would be lost for a few moments when she first woke. He knelt next to Tex and rolled her to her back gently before he removed her helmet. Her nose bled freely, her eyes were peacefully shut, a bit of blood even trickled from her mouth. "Bravo, CT." He clapped again as the medics rushed in and stole Tex away. "Bra-vo." He gave a nod. "You get to stay. I won't lie, I had my doubts. You got lucky. You're lucky you crushed Omega." He then left the training arena.

Carolina found herself next to CT as the other Spartans walked away to get chow. "That was quite impressive. I was worried there for a moment, I didn't want to see you go, CT." She gave a soft smile. "Tex will be alright. Don't worry. She's tough." She said before she turned and ran off to catch up with the others.

Meanwhile...

Tex coughed as she began to wake, her fists balled and her eyes shot wide open. The medics fought to hold her down on the table. The Spartan threw the humans from her body and flew up from the table, she loosened slightly as she realized where she was. Her breathing slowed as she sat back down with the assistance of the lead medic. He looked her over and gave a nod. "You're alright." He said softly, "She got you good though." He gave a soft chuckle.

Tex blinked a few times before he pressed the helmet back over her head. She then stood and headed down the hallway toward the barracks. She staggered slightly in her steps, still dizzy from the powerful blow that CT had dealt her to get the AI from her helmet. Tex felt lost. Her memory felt as though it was fading slowly. She found her way to her room and sat on her bed, her breathing had quickened, tears had welled in her eyes. She couldn't remember what had happened. Was CT alright? Had she hurt her? Where was Omega? She sniffled slightly as she looked down to her hands, she looked over her knuckles then as a single tear rolled over her cheek within her helmet.

Tex sat motionless for a long time as her memories began to slip away, she began to slip into her dreams once more, her head leaned against the wall that sat next to the head of her bed. She began to calm and eventually her world filled with the peacefulness of sleep, until the soft pad of footsteps echoed into the room. "Agent." The voice was muffled. The sound was familiar. Slowly she reanimated. Her eyes rose to the speaker. "Agent, are you alright?" The words seemed to echo through her helmet. Tex looked through blurred vision, she felt herself nod. Then she felt the hands of the Spartan that stood before her lift her upward until she was on her feet. "Agent Texas." The world was becoming clearer now, the words had less static. She recognized the voice now. It was Carolina. Though, she couldn't remember the name. The armor, it was familiar. The voice, she had heard it before. "You need to get up." Her voice was stern. "It's CT, you need to come with me."

Tex furrowed her brows, she looked to her hands, her eyelids felt as though a thousand pound weight had been attached to them. It felt as though her body had been buried six feet under. Her heart leaped along as though it were a rabbit being chased by a fox. "Who?" Tex asked as she pulled the helmet from her head.

Carolina knelt before the steel Spartan, she pulled her helmet from her head and searched Tex's eyes. "Connie, CT...your partner..." She looked to the helmet that Tex had removed. "That...chip..." She pulled the helmet into her hands and turned it over a few times in her hands. "That chip...was it your memory?"

"Allison." The director's voice chimed in. "Yes, that was her memory, that was the entire purpose of the AI. To help her keep things straight for the project." He stepped forward into the room, his eyes looked over the confused expression of Tex before he looked to Carolina. "Go." He said, his voice low. Carolina carefully set the helmet on the bed next to Tex before she hurried from the room. It wasn't a good idea to piss off the Director, of all people. "Allison." He began as he pushed her to sit back on the bed. "Tell me, what do you remember?" He asked softly.

Tex looked down to his pale hands that held hers. His skin was warm to the touch, almost like a fire burning beneath his skin. Eventually she shook her head. "Is that my name?" She asked.

The director grit his teeth. He sighed heavily then as he looked her over. "Alright. It's alright." He said before he rushed from the room. He was only gone a matter of minutes before he came skidding back into the room with a small light blue chip in his hand. He grasped Tex's helmet gently before he looked up to her. "Here." He said as he placed her helmet back over her tear streamed face. "Just relax, Allison." He spoke, genuine care in his voice. He sat back, sitting in the desk chair as he watched the Spartan before him. Her blue lights became a lighter color as she leaned forward, her breathing slowed and the tears stopped rolling over her cheeks.

Allison Mehaffey, graduate of Corbulo Academy of Military Science with flying colors at the age of nine. Graduate of the Spartan II training sector on Reach, you were the young age of seventeen. Young. You're very well rounded for your age, plenty of achievements. You were selected for Project Freelancer, by the Director....formerly known as General Orin. He knew you, before...you knew him as well...when he was just another foot soldier for the UNSC, you fought alongside of him....you cared for him....

"Mehaffey! Wait!" The shouts echoed off of the trees.

Tex spun around, she had been nineteen at the time. This was just another mission to her. Another shoot them all and get the pay sort of mission. But no, that would be too easy. Tex looked down with fear in her eyes as a blade exited her body. Blood spewed all over the white drywall of the run down home. She had been sent in to help exterminate the realists. The fighters. The ones that chose not to abide by the laws that had been set forth. "Wait!!!" The voice again. She felt warm arms wrap around her body as everything began to fade. "You can't leave....please..." He whimpered. The he was the director at a younger age. He called in for help. No one came. He pulled his own shirt from his back and wrapped it tightly around her middle, to stop the bleeding the best he could. "You'll be alright." He said as he kissed her cheek. "Don't worry." He kissed her on her lips then. "I promise, I won't let them take you." He gave a reassuring smile before he lifted Tex into his arms. Her tactical armor weighed her down, but that didn't stop him.

The director got Tex to safety, he got the medics to patch her up and throw her into a hydro chamber. When she woke. Her memory had been gone for so long that it had seemed to vanish. She couldn't remember his name, but his face...that was familiar. I won't let you forget.

Tex gasped as she sat up, her eyes wide. The director grinned as he looked her over. "That's just....a replacement AI, until I find you a new one. That is Zeta." He nodded, "He is different from Omega, if he sticks, then you may keep him. If not, I will return to plan B, I will get Theta for you, or Epsilon." The director took in a deep breath, "Do you remember your name Agent?"

"Allison, Agent Texas, Tex. Project Freelancer." She repeated, she didn't miss a beat.

The director gave a smile then, "Alright, agent, go find your teammate, she is in the infirmary." He then left without another word.

Tex sat there for a long moment she still couldn't remember what had happened in the fight, she remembered CT's harsh kick to her side, then, nothing. She woke in the infirmary. She shook her head as she moved and walked down the hallway. Allison, you didn't hurt Connecticut. It was Omega. Remember that. Tex gave a nod to the new AI within her head. It was a nice change of pace to have something that wasn't attempting to take over and burst into a fit of rage every few seconds. It felt as though this AI would work with her, instead of against her.

Tex followed the winding halls until she found herself standing in the doorway to the infirmary. She was greeted by a medic whom pointed her in the right direction. Tex stepped into the doorway and paused. "CT?" She asked softly. "I..." She stepped forward then hesitated. "I'm sorry...I...this is my fault..." She muttered as she stepped forward. "Are...you alright?" Tex asked as she knelt before the Spartan, she slowly slipped her helmet from her head, this revealed her troubled expression as she looked over CT. "I'm sorry." She whispered this time. You didn't do it, Omega did. She's going to be alright...just like Silva, remember? Tex tensed now as another memory threatened to entered her mind.

"Allison!!" The playful voice of Cadet Silva filled her ears. She felt warm arms wrap around her middle and hug her closely. "This is it, your last day! You'll make a great Spartan, much better than a Lieutenant." Silva nodded. "I guarantee it, sweet pea."

Tex giggled and hugged herself to the sisterly figure. "I'm going to miss you Chyler...why can't you come? You would just...not go to the Dawn...just...come....and..." She began to tear up, her voice shook now, her eyes filled with water, the tears threatened to roll over her rounded cheeks.

"Be strong little one." Silva hugged her closer. "I'll always be here for you. Just wait. You'll see me again. I know it. I promise...." A promise that had never been completed...a promise that Tex had held on to each day throughout training, the thought of seeing her 'sister' again kept her positive.

Tex had stumbled and slid down the wall when the memory rushed into her mind. She had fallen limp and lifeless. Her breathing had quickened and her fists balled. She mumbled slightly in her sleep as the memory continued on. Then, when she woke it was with a huge gasp for air, as if she had been holding her breath the entire time. She blinked several times to regain her vision, then, eventually, her eyes fell upon CT once more. She was silent now though, 'sorry' was all that came to mind. But somehow, she knew that sorry wouldn't fix her teammate.

Tex stared up to CT with tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. She was silent as CT spoke of the memories that Omega had transferred to her. "I can't remember." She whispered softly just as the doorway opened. She looked to the Commander with a puzzled expression upon her face. As he spoke she looked to CT then back to him and gave a nod. When he left the room she looked back to CT, she slowly stood and pulled her helmet back over her head. "We should do as he says, get something to eat, and then we need to gear up for this mission." The light blue glow illuminated from the back of her helmet. Zeta wasn't nearly as controlling as Omega had been, but, he still gave Tex that push that it took to get her going, to get her into fight mode.

Tex stepped from the room slowly, her body still felt as though it was in a daze from the memories. "What did you see?" She asked, curious. "I wish...I could remember..." She bowed her head slightly. You can remember, Allison. Just focus. The director put me here to help you. Relax, Agent.

Tex was silent the rest of the way to the cafeteria. She grabbed her food and sat at the same table in the corner as always. She munched down a few bites before she looked to CT once more. "I know the director, from my past." She said softly. "The AI showed me..." She then looked back down to her food. "Why would he have put Omega in me if he cared for me? Omega was such a dangerous AI, you even said so yourself."

Tex was incredibly calm, much more so than she had ever been. This had to do greatly with the fact that she wasn't being controlled by Omega anymore. Her entire demeanor would revert back to how she had been before, when she had been in CAMS and in SPARTAN II training. She looked back to her food and finished before she stood with her tray in her hands. She felt a slap on her back. "Congratulations!" Washington said with a grin on his lips. "You and CT are the first for a drop mission. A real mission." He grinned, "You should be proud, Agent." He said before walking off.

Tex looked to CT with a smile on her lips. "That's something, huh?" She said softly before she pulled her helmet back upon her head. She then stepped off, waiting for CT as she did so. She led the way to the armory before she stepped off and placed two pistols on her thigh, a knife on her right shoulder and then a DMR on her back. She was set. Tex nodded to CT before they then entered the briefing room. It was different from the training briefing room. It was small.

The director stood behind a small table, he had maps laid out upon the glass. "Alright you two." He said as he pushed a few items forward. "This is an Intel mission. Agent Texas, you're the master of moving about undetected. That is the goal. CT, you're great with a sniper." He pulled a sniper from beneath the desk, it was modified, a semi-auto hybrid. "As Texas advances you are to take out any target that comes close to her. Agent Texas you are to secure this computer system, you must place a bug in it, so we may get information from them on the location of the Forerunners, these combatants have a close tie with them..." The director took in a deep breath as he looked down to the map that appeared above the table, it was 3D. "This is your drop location." He said as a red dot appeared. "Agent Texas." He paused, looking to her, "Do be careful, if you fail this, both of you are out of the project..." He grit his teeth as he said this, clearly this was a decision that had been made above him. He wouldn't kick Tex out of the program for anything.

Tex gave a nod as the door behind the director opened, leading to the pelican plane that would take the two Spartans into the headquarters that they were to infiltrate and gather intelligence from. "Alright, lets roll." Tex said as she looked to CT. She turned and headed out into the hanger bay. She stopped at the tail of the Pelican, the ramp rest just inches in front of her. She then took in a deep breath and ran up the metal and took her seat in the back. Soon enough, they were on their way...

Tex had only given an absent nod to CT's question of where the AI had come from. When CT handed the high powered revolver to Tex she stopped in her tracks as she looked over the silver barrel of the piece. If her helmet had been off CT would have seen her shocked expression...well her expression of awe as she turned the gun over in her hands. It was heavy. Just as the Spartan stated, but it wasn't too heavy. It was just right, it wasn't feeble and small like the magnums and it wasn't as large as a sniper rifle. "Thank you." Tex had said softly. She was silent as the Pelican took off into the dark skies, her head leaned back against the headrest of her seat as they entered the portal. It was rough sailing. Her body bounced around quite a bit. Tex shut her eyes tightly. "I hate flying!" She cried, her voice had been full of fear. Allison, you are just fine, it's just a bit of turbulence. No need to fret. Just stay calm, we are almost there. Once we arrive you get to take control of the mission. Zeta's voice calmed down the Spartan. She turned as the Pelican leveled out and the darkness of the night blanketed the land beneath them. A complex came into view. The soft orange glow of lights in the distance.

"Alright, we're dropping you on this tower up here, you'll have to rappel down, I'm not getting any closer to that stronghold than I need to. The intel is in building seven. Try not to get noticed, you'll raise an alarm!" The pilot yelled back to the Spartans. The back door began to open then as they continued to fly forward. Tex pulled on a drop harness quickly, she adjusted the straps on her legs and fed the rope through the caribeaner before she backed up to the ledge. The wind sucked at her body, threatening to rip her from the Pelican. "You drop in....three........two...........one......go!" The pilot called over the hum of the engines and the scream of the wind.

Tex took a leap of faith then, she tumbled backward. The sound of the rope slipping through her gloved hands seemed to echo through her mind. She moved a hand behind her back and her descent slowed slightly just before her feet made contact with the top of the tower. Tex looked out over the complex, they were a good quarter mile out. On the outskirts. Just far enough that the insurgents wouldn't notice them. Tex looked to CT, "Alright, we got this, cover me." She gave a nod before she slipped down the ladder and began running through the waist high grass toward the complex. There were several buildings, each were connected by a bridge or walkway of some shape or form. A landing pad could be seen from the tower that CT and Tex had landed on. Tex crouched quickly, shielding herself from the watchful guards as she slipped in closer.

Soon enough Tex was climbing up another ladder to get herself at the same lever of the complex. She hung on the wall for a moment, just by her fingertips, waiting...until the guard looked over the edge. She grasped him by his shoulders and slung him over the edge. He landed on his head with a sickening crack, a grunt escaped his body before he slipped from life itself. Tex climbed up over the edge and moved along. "CT, do you have eyes on me? Can you hear me?" She was just testing her radio at that point.

Tex peered around the corner, no one in sight. She then took off at a quick, silenced sprint into a building. Building number 7. Tex moved around quickly, dodging behind lockers or walls when she saw a guard. She found herself in the main computer room soon. She stood before the master computer and slipped her AI into the slot. Zeta appeared in a holographic image above the pod. He looked to Tex a moment, his DMR in his hands. That was rather quick, don't you think? A little hazardous? You could have gotten us both killed. He seemed to scold, speaking of her avoiding the guards instead of killing each contact. He also was refraining from yelling at her about leaving CT's view. CT wouldn't be able to protect her in here. Not through the walls. "Just hurry up and get the intel, Zeta." Tex said as she typed into the computer. Zeta sighed as a small keyboard appeared before him, he began typing as well. Hmm interesting...yes...this must be it...Allison... He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes stared over her shoulder. Tex turned slowly to see a guard standing with two coffee mugs. The steam rose from the cups into the air of the building. The guard looked nervously to the large 'Alarm' button that sat against the wall. "Don't do it." Tex warned as she pulled the revolver from her thigh. She cocked back the hammer as the guard shook his head and lunged for the button.

Tex pulled the trigger. She flew backward into the computer, causing sparks to fly everywhere. She hadn't stood in a strong enough stance to keep herself still from the repercussions of the gunshot. The guard fell to the floor with the mugs, the glasses fell to the tiled ground next to his body, the coffee burst and spilled everywhere. "Hurry up!!" Tex urged as she looked around frantically for other guards. Okay, got it! Pull me now! Zeta ordered. Tex pulled him from the console and placed the chip back in the back of her helmet. She felt the strength of her AI spreat her her muscles before she took off in a quick sprint. She shoved a few guards from her path, soon the alarm was raised. Red lights flashed as Tex made her way back out onto the walkways where several guards were headed in her direction...