[Open in journal and in person in the lobby]

[lonenoble]

[This isn't been remotely what she'd been expecting to have happen. Not by a long shot. She knows it is only a matter of time before it finally happens. Alone, with all of the Covvies on Reach... It is just a matter of time before the deathblow finally falls. She knows death is coming. But she doesn't regret it.

She just watches on her back as what should be the deathblow starts to fall.

Suddenly, the scenery changes. The Elites vanish. She's indoors. And instead of Reach... It's an unfamiliar room.  A lobby of some kind.  But she's injured. Her helmet is nearby on the floor. And she's gasping for breath as she tries to deal with the injuries from the Elites that she'd been trying to hold off.  When she finally manages speech, it's rushed.]

How did I get here? What's going on?

Comments

[lonenoble]

Dr. Halsey. [Resisting the urge to ask Kat if she hit her head or something. Especially with the other bad news.]

We did that much... Wish I didn't have to deliver that kind of news. Do you want detail or is that good enough? [The look in her eyes says she really doesn't want to give detail, but if ordered...]

[inmylight-comdr.livejournal.com]

[Nope, name doesn't register. Kat will have to ask later, she's wondering why this Halsey person is so important.]

[Kat glances up at her a moment. Yes, she's going to want the details eventually. This is her team, her family, all she's known for most of her life. She's going to want to know.]

[But Six just got here. She closes her eyes and holds her breath a moment. Death was no big surprise. They'd all expected it. Kat was no exception. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.]

Eventually, yes. For now ..... for now, just me. [She knew at this point she couldn't expect more than a week, but at least she hoped to be able to go back to take out a few more of those Covvie bastards with her.]

[lonenoble]

Covenant sniper. We didn't see the bastard until it was too late. Shot you in the head.

[Actually trying to avoid saying when. Things you don't want to know, Kat.]

[inmylight-comdr.livejournal.com]

[Kat visibly starts, looking Six straight on.] A sniper ...

[but that's just half the story, and once she gets over the shock of having been taken out so easily (at least the initial shock; this would fontinue to haunt her), she had to doggedly press on. Newly arrived, wounded or not, Kat's questioning got a little more sharp.] When, Six?

[lonenoble]

Not long after we received the orders regarding Sword Base. You didn't even make it to the bunker alive.

[inmylight-comdr.livejournal.com]

[Okay yes, she's losing it a little. Her time here alone has been hard enough. Now there's nothing to go back to? Speaking fast and sharp, leaning forward, tense.]

The bunker in New Alexandria? August 23, the day I was brought in here ...?

[lonenoble]

[Six nods. No point in trying to sugarcoat it. And damn, while it might hurt Kat... It just brings back the memories of all her failings. All the lost teammates on Reach.]

[inmylight-comdr.livejournal.com]

[Kat's stock still and quiet for a moment, then pushes off the bed and starts pacing. She's conflicted. Good god is she conflicted. The best news - one of her team is finally here - and the worst news - she's spent a year telling hersle she had something to go back to. It crashes together in her head, making her restless and agitated. ]

[lonenoble]

[Six stays quiet at this point. She's not sure what else to say. Not at all.]

[inmylight-comdr.livejournal.com]

[There's really nothing else to say, is there? Kat's struggling for words -- as happy as she is to see her teammate, this revelation has deeply shaken her and she's having a hard time pulling herself out of it.]

[Eventually she gets herself calm enough, tense, glaring at the floor, making a concerted effort to keep herself together in the face of her teammate. A whole year without direction or action and now without purpose. She forces herself to sigh, to shed some of the immediate worry, and look at Six.]

If you'll excuse me, Six. I need some time. You have any questions, report to Freelancer York. If you absolutely need me, I'll be in the cemetary.

[And without further preamble, she's turning and leaving. It's too much for her to deal with right now on top of Six's arrival.]