Halo: The New Recruit

Chapter 7: Aftershock

Troy tossed his helmet on his bed and changed into the regular grey naval uniform. He made his way to the mess hall to grab something to sate his terrible hunger. He settled down at an empty table as he usually did. Calsu sat down opposite him. Before he could greet her, she cut him off.

“You did a great job,” she congratulated him. Troy raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you were injured?” Calsu blushed.

“Yes. I... er, I suppose I was.” Troy noticed something wrong instantly. This wasn’t the embarrassed kind of blush you got when your crush found out you liked them; this was the ashamed sort of blush you got when something terrible has happened that’s out of your control, and you’re too scared to tell people about it. Troy clasped her hands, making her look up, right into his eyes. Troy didn’t know when he started caring about how Calsu felt, but something was making him say:

“Calsu, what’s wrong?”

‘Nothing,” she mumbled, trying to look away, but Troy grabbed her chin gently and pulled it back to face him.

“Look me in the eye and tell me that.” Calsu looked down as soon as Troy released her. She trembled slightly as she whispered.

“I-I... the injury... there is a... a permanent effect...” Troy squeezed her hand comfortingly. Something was terribly wrong. Sangheili never stutter. Wait... was that a tear in her eye?? “I can no longer have children,” she babbled, tears flowing freely now. Holy shit! Troy mentally screamed. “My womb was critically damaged!” she sobbed. Troy quickly put an arm around her and led her out of the cafeteria, away from the stares she was attracting. Unable to think of anywhere else private enough, Troy took her to his barracks. He knew Sally was out in her lab, testing some Forerunner tech they had brought back on their other mission. He sat Calsu down on his bed, pulling up a chair so he could sit across from her. Before he could ask, Calsu launched into her explanation, so fast and with such a wavering voice that he could barely make sense of the syllables coming out of her mouth. “I will never get a mate now! They will all reject me as soon as they find out I cannot produce young! I will never find love! I have no purpose, I am dishonouring my bloodline!” She was really worked up. Troy was starting to panic. What if she blames me? What will she do to me then? Troy already knew what her kind was capable of, and did not want to experience it again. Calsu finally calmed down enough to see the distress she was causing him. Unable to produce words anymore, she just fell forward and hugged him, trying to put his fears to rest and comfort herself at the same time. The first half worked.

Sally trotted down the corridor to her barracks. She had been having an easier time sleeping recently because Troy was having his nightmares less. She assumed it was because of his new teammates, and was happy for him. She was surprised to see Troy sitting outside their barracks, leaning against the door with his head lolled back.

“Troy? What are you –”

“Shhh!” Troy silenced her. He grabbed her by the arm and led her away. When they were a few corridors away, he assaulted her with his story. “There is a very distraught Elite in my room and she is crying and shit and she is really really panicking and I have no idea how to deal with it she’s a girl and I was wondering if you have any ideas on what I should do she’s asleep at the moment and I don’t want to wake her up!” Sally’s eyes were rather wide at the amount of information he had just given her.

“There’s an Elite in our room...?” she repeated slowly. Troy nodded.

“Yes! Her name is Calsu. Please help!” Sally cocked her head at him.

“And... you’re not scared of this Elite?”

“Of course I'm scared of her! Why else would I be asking for your help?” Sally frowned at him. “No! I didn’t mean it like that!” Sally shook her head.