Carter-A259

{ independent rp blog for carter-a259 from halo: reach. will rp with anyone and everyone. }

[noblecommander-a259]

☤ carter & six

[ignusaeternum]

  "It can wait. Wasn’t very hungry anyway." 

Akemi hadn’t been this excited for a sparring match in quite some time. Though she still was extremely doubtful of the fact that he would have just forgotten Reach, a small part of her wanted to be sympathetic and blame it on the damage he suffered. 

The final member of Noble Team was proud of her skills in hand to hand. It came in part with stealth skill set of hers. It wasn’t entirely an egotistical thing. It was quite well proven. And from what she knew, Carter was far better at being a squad leader, and little else. 

1500 wasn’t long from now, and she had no where else to be. So she would simply wait with him here.

[noblecommander-a259]

It was settled then. He'd attend to some business to his quarters and then he'd spar with her. At least Sean was getting a kick out of this - none of the IVs had ever seen Striker test his skills against a II or III. Part of them started to wonder if their teacher had actually seen combat against anything other than the Covenant, if he did at all.

"I have some paperwork I need to take care of, but... 1500 it is," he said. He had two hours to report to the UNSC of their sighting, get a handle on what he was supposed to do and see if he was allowed to drop the facade around Six.

Glad he managed to not attract too much attention to their impending match, although he doubted Sean would keep his mouth shut about it prior to the sparring itself, he was relieved that no other pairs of eyes were on the three of them. Years allowed people to get used to the cyborg in the corner - he was a wallflower now.

"If you'll excuse me," Carter murmured, rising from his seat and taking his tray with him. "I'm going to head over to my office."

[noblecommander-a259]

☤ carter & six

[ignusaeternum]

  "Understandable, seeing your accident.” Her helmet cocked to the left a fraction of an inch, and she lightly drummed the pads of her fingers onto the table between them. The Spartan-IV sitting in on the little exchange shifted uncomfortably. A moment from Reach flashed before her eyes. The Commander cradling Kat’s body so gingerly after New Alexandria was glassed. How much and how quickly he had changed. 

But he clearly didn’t want to talk. So she would let him be.

"I’m heartbroken that you don’t remember. But—” A quick check through the base’s non-Spartan IV personnel lead her to finding him working as a trainer under a different name.  ”I’m sure a quick sparring match will bring your memory back?”

[noblecommander-a259]

"Sparring?" Carter repeated. "I... uh..." He casted a glance quickly at Sean, who was nodding animatedly, much to his discontent. If he turned her down, he ran the risk of being rude, and Carter wanted to be nothing but courteouss towards his fellow survivor of Reach. He could keep up the charade of amnesia for however long he wanted, but he knew eventually that Six would find out. He supposed it was time to seek out higher ups and inform them of their meeting, to see if anything of good could come of it.

"I suppose I could oblige," he said finally. Part of him wondered if it was to save face, or if he really wanted to spend more time with Six. At least she bought the amnesia thing. And he could do with a challenge, anyway.

Having been the only member of the Noble Team to not actively participate in a mission as her partner, Carter had yet to observe her skills one on one. Might as well make up for time lost.

"Need to finish your meal first? I have a class at 1500. Care to sit in?"

[noblecommander-a259]

☤ carter & six

[ignusaeternum]

  Of course he didn’t look the way he had the last time she had seen him, bloody with a hole in his stomach piloting a Pelican en route to the Pillar of Autumn. But she never forgot a face. Even half of one, like he was left with. Of all of Noble Team, the only one she would not be able to recognize at a quick glance would be Emile. Because she never got to see what lay beyond the scratched artwork of his helmet. 

Carter was distinctive enough for it to be very easy to tell it was him. The bright blue eyes especially.

She had refused to give any member save for Jorge the opportunity to see her face. Not only that, she had never revealed her name. Carter only knew it because he had been accessed her heavily redacted files. In a way, she graced Noble Team with only pieces of who she was. Kat, her fear. Emile, her anger. Jun, her patience. Jorge, the ounce of friendliness she could muster within her.

But Carter? They never worked together exclusively.

Akemi remained where she was seated for quite some time, gaze never leaving what was once her leader. The IV that accompanied him at the table, she could hear him make a few remarks, but paid him no attention. Until he waved her over. She rose slowly, leaving her tray where it was, and approached their table.

She sat between the III and IV, her eyes still never leaving Carter, hidden beneath a golden visor.

"…Sir. Been a while."

It was all she said, tone as level as it had ever been and just as quiet. Just a notch above a whisper.

[noblecommander-a259]

He furrowed his brow, pretending to attempt place the armor somewhere. He'd never had a propensity for acting. But whatever silly reason the UNSC had for keeping his existence shrouded in mystery, he still had to keep himself hidden at all costs.

"I... guess so." His shoulders lifted in a small shrug. He'd never had too much contact with Six. Not personal contact, anyway. He didn't take time out of his schedule to converse solely with her. He was too busy playing leader to pay any heed. And so, he supposed, it would probably make sense if he didn't recognize her.

Head trauma, amnesia. All pieces that could fit in a puzzle. The hole was very broad, and he could fill it well. If Sean could keep his mouth shut for longer than a minute, at least.

"I feel like I should remember you," Carter continued. A sheepish grin stretching across his face, he rapped a knuckle against his metal temple. "Sorry. Head got switched around a bit a while back.

"What was your name?"

[noblecommander-a259]

☤ carter & six

[ignusaeternum]

  Light footsteps carried the Spartan through the base like a specter. A ghost of Reach in charred armor. Black crawled up the gray like a monster slowly consuming it’s prey. Many asked why she did not shed the “outdated” armor. Others asked if she kept it to serve as a trophy for her having crawled out of hell. To Spartan-B312, it was nothing more than a reminder of the only team she had ever served with. And that they were—mostly—gone.

Jorge had survived. Akemi knew this for an undeniable fact, despite initially having believed otherwise. Believing him to have been just the result of trauma long hidden away into the back of her mind.

A prosthetic leg was the main physical change that Six had suffered since the start of the Battle of Reach and the last time Noble Team was a whole. It, was bestowed upon her after an infection had spread through the limb whilst trying to flee the Shipyard. Too many needles left unattended to could do that. 

She wondered in silence as she walked through the Mess Hall, why exactly she had been assigned here to begin with. Having become “acquainted” with the Spartan-IV trainees, it was clear that she could not train them. She hadn’t spoken a word in four months.

A small tray of food lay in her hand. Somewhat different than the standard slop the cafeteria was serving. But it still looked gray and unappetizing. Scanning the crowd while she was making her way out to eat in seclusion, where none would see her, Akemi caught what nearly looked like a familiar face. Her blood turned to ice.

Frozen mid-stride, a small Marine who had been walking behind her accidentally bumped into the Spartan and cried out in surprise. He was ignored, and she began to make her way towards the familiar face. She eased herself in a seat at a table directly across from his own, and simply watched him for a short while. How..?

[noblecommander-a259]

The SPARTAN-III inhaled sharply as he realized he'd been found. While he was sure the fact that he had a robotic arm and that just about a quarter of his face was encased with metal, replacing one of his eyes with a glowing red one, he still couldn't shake the feeling that she recognized him.

It was then that his companion noticed his demeanor, and, with a quiet "Sir?" turned around to look for what caused his tutor's alarm. Staring directly upon the other III, the IV cocked his head, curious. "You... knew her, Striker?"

Clearing his throat, the man shrugged. "Sure, I guess. A while back, I think." Carter had read his own file over and over. He was kept secret for a reason, and he wasn't going to lavish recognition upon anybody he recognized from a previous time. For all intents and purposes, Carter-A259 had died on Reach, and the UNSC went through great lengths to make it so, even creating a flash clone for them to bury.

While he didn't quite understand why he had to be kept a secret, it was not at all like him to defy orders and expose himself. And so he would remain in the unknown, hidden from those who were and weren't looking.

He couldn't afford to risk the wrath of the UNSC, anyways. Where would he go, if not with them? His only purpose was to be a SPARTAN, and when his command failed, he was then sent to make sure others were prepared for battle. He had no intention to see his parents once more, neglectful people who barely gave him the time of day. He had no purpose other than to serve.

Unfortunately, though, his pupil's interest has been piqued, and, however bright the boy may be, he's always been on the scuttlebutt-spreading side. "Who is she, Striker? Old friend?" His brow arched suggestively and Carter scoffed rolling his eyes.

"You know I don't do that," he said. "Women. Men. People in general. Not my area."

Even with his dismissive tone, Sean just wouldn't let go. All he could do was narrow his eyes as the IV lifted up an arm and waved Six over. His fist clenched underneath the table, and he exhaled slowly.

Obfuscating stupidity it was, then.

[noblecommander-a259]

☤ carter & six

Striker rubbed his jaw as he sat in the mess hall. His shoulders hunched, he seemed to be folding in on himself, occupying a corner seat. While a man with new tech for limbs could hardly be ignored, the IVs learned fast that it wasn't wise to question the combat expert's past. All they needed to know was that he was a SPARTAN-III - nothing more, nothing less.

His eyes narrowed as he noticed a IV sit across from him without invitation. Carter's glare isn't enough to scare away the boy - one of his more tolerable students, thank God - and so he sets to resolutely staring at the younger man who stubbornly stares back at him while mechanically chewing a piece of lettuce.

Letting out a scoff, the former Noble commander leaned back, head resting against the wall. The SPARTAN's gaze travels across the room, a select number of people feasting away and, as far as he knows, gossiping away. Those of higher rank usually chose to sit together, as well as whatever SPARTANs had gathered, but Carter preferred solitude. And then it was broken by the upstart who decided he'd dare to sit with Striker.

His momentary scope of the room is finished, until a certain person catches his eye. A woman - a woman whom he once knew. His alarm made his stance grow rigid, and he then turned slowly to his compatriot, hoping that no heed was paid to his change in posture. When he was reassured that his stiffness went unnoticed, he allowed himself to turn back. While he hoped for no contact, as per the UNSC's orders, he was glad to see that at least someone made it off of Reach.

[noblecommander-a259]

Colorado nods. "Y-Yeah! O-oh shit!" Red dots appeared on her HUD. "C-Carter stay behind me!" She pulled out her swords while activating her camo. She then proceeded to swiftly slaughter 3 elites without a sound. Purple blood splattering onto the ground

Carter did as she asked, though his male pride very thoroughly assured himself (why did he need to assure himself? He wasn't at all self-conscious) that he could've managed to take out the Elites on his own. While conflict wasn't something he particularly wished to take place often, a part of him still quirked a brow at allowing others to do the work he could've done himself.

His willingness to participate was what made him a better leader than most, he'd thought. Sure, many commanders fought on the field of battle with their troops, and many were revered for it, but Carter always took it upon himself to do the most work out of all - not to search for acknowledgement, but to ensure the safety of his own people.

"Thanks," he said stiffly.

[noblecommander-a259]

Ω carter & christian

[christian-b122]

Rookies…utter ROOKIES. No matter what the UNSC said, or what they insisted, Christian would always think of the Spartan-IVs as rookies. Because, really, they were. Rookie Spartans for sure. None of them had the training the other Spartan’s did…just what they had from ODST jump school, or whatever other SpecOps unit they’d been pulled from to become IVs. He could see it in their postures, their actions…even the way they chatted on the battlefeild. They were good soldiers…but they were NOT Spartans. That might change though…whoever this new DI was, he had some EXPEREINCE to him. He reminded Christian of Chief Mendez, the Devil himself who had ripped him and the rest of Beta Company apart and smashed them back together with spit, curses and a vigorous application of boot and stun baton until the resulting mess formed  a Spartan-III. He almost LOOKED like a Spartan too…in his build, his posture. That was good…the IVs under his training would shape up. "Sir." He said, edging around the other soldier. He was outranked by quite a bit, he could guess…

[noblecommander-a259]

"Soldier," Strike greeted in return. He hadn't aroused too much suspicion it seemed. The man hadn't shoved him up against a wall and interrogated him, which was a good thing. Turning to his students, he surveyed them once more. While their pose definitely needed work, he noticed they'd straightened upon sighting another SPARTAN-III. Significantly larger, and obviously more powerful.

The IVs were never meant for heavy duty work. If the IIIs were made to be quick replacements for whatever IIs they had left, then the IVs were most definitely meant to be cannon fodder.

Carter felt sorry for them, in a way. They were never at all supposed to be the perfect soldiers the IIs had ultimately become. They were never even the spares the IIIs were, gleaming some respect probably founded upon their size - while smaller than a II but still managing to maintain a semi-threatening stature.

"Center yourself," he said, demonstrating once more. "The easiest way to topple an opponent is to knock off their balance. And if you yourself are unmovable, then it's all the more likely you'll disorientate your enemy."

His eyes traveled to the III, just to make sure that attention was not drawn to his person with vehement speed, and focused himself on instructing the IVs before him. While some peered curiously at the other SPARTAN, a stern glare from their instructor helped hone their attentions at once.

[noblecommander-a259]

"Sir yes sir!" The two girls responded and started running again. "I-I did see a woman! She said her name was Kat" Colorado says to the AI and Carter. The AI gasps "She's Noble 2!!"

His eyes widened at the mention of her name. “Yes, she’s a member of my team.” He was one step closer to getting Noble together than he’d expected. Not that Carter was at all complaining.

"Any idea where she was last?" He was anxious to get everyone together and find a suitable place to gather reinforcements. While it was likely they were going to be alone on Reach, he could only hope for some form of help.

[noblecommander-a259]

Colorado sighs. "Gemma come out" A little yellow and pink AI flickered next to Carter. The little girl AI giggles. "Hello Noble team leader Gemma's name is Gemma!" She greeted curtsing in her dress

He tipped his head down briefly in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Gemma. ‘M Carter.” Dot wasn’t responding at the moment, frustratingly, but at least he had contact with some sort of AI.

Clearing his throat, he frowned. “Not to, uh, rush you or anything, but… I’d like to find my team before nightfall.”

[noblecommander-a259]

Ω carter & jorge

[noble-5-deactivated20131201]

  The sight of the younger man wiping down his deep blue Commando helmet was something Jorge hadn’t seen in a while - Noble had been busy of late, practically living in their suits for weeks and even months at a time, continually deployed to counter threats posed by the relentless Covenant and the ever-present malice within human borders, the Insurrection. The Commander’s repetitive motions with the microfiber cloth were mechanical, as if he were only performing the task to kill time. The not-so-subtle glance over at the deck of cards might as well have been a plea for rescue.

"Commander," he returned, inviting himself in further. Anyone outside of Noble Team might have assumed their roles were the opposite of the actuality, but Jorge would be the first to speak up and correct the mistake: he had over a decade of years on Carter, but he had accepted the Spartan-III’s leadership since they first met. His attitude of deference toward the man was anything but unwarranted, as he had witnessed time and again Carter’s ability to lead even the collection of colorful personalities and out-of-the-box behavior that was Noble Team to victory.

That said, the older Spartan still found it incredibly easy to read the Commander, and it was why he always bet on Kat when it came to a battle of wills between the two - he could tell the argument had been lost for Carter before it even began. If the Commander wanted to gamble, Jorge was sorely tempted to go easy on him. Lining his pockets with his teammates’ credits was only fun when said teammates needed to be put in their place.

"If you’re not set on polishing right through the paint, sir…" He picked up the deck and plucked off the rubber band that held all the cards together, and began to shuffle. "Perhaps you’d care for a more risky distraction?”

[noblecommander-a259]

Carter's brow arched and his head tilted. Should he accept? It'd seem rude not to, but he wasn't all too keen on losing his earnings. His fingers drummed on the helmet as he contemplated his choice, making sure to keep his facial features as stony as possible without appearing unfriendly. A brief grin flickered across his face before sliding off almost immediately after it was created.

"Sure," he said. "Why not?" He was all alone in the room. Kat and Six were off on patrol, Emile was probably off cleaning his knives, and Jun was doing... Whatever Jun did. If he was crushed humiliatingly, at least it wasn't going to be in public.

Far be it from Carter to worry about his pride during a time of conflict, but there were some things that could help relieve stress, and God knows he'd built up copious amounts of it. Card games were reminiscent of simpler times, where the only problem was the Insurrection and he didn't have to worry much about Reach falling to the ever dreaded Covenant, not to mention the UNSC breathing heavily down his neck now that the threat had reached his territory.

Setting the rag and his helmet aside, he reached his hands up to rub at his sore neck, dull ache from having his head tilted downward for the better part of four hours. His armor was nearly spotless, and he'd almost forgotten that his entire left arm needed to be cleaned, fingers scrubbing furiously at the helmet in a robotic fashion, when he'd been staring at the wall.

"I could use a little distraction."

[noblecommander-a259]

Ω carter & six

[lt-viper-312]

  "I know." The words were simple, but meant something far more elaborate than what was verbally said. She knew that he would’ve done anything to save them all. She knew that he would have to bear the guilt of their deaths for the rest of his life. She knew that all though he was strong enough to deal with this pain, there would be some part of him that doubted whether or not he was a capable leader to them all.

And he was, at least to her.

In the short span of their professional contact, she found that Carter was a strong man, formidable mentally and physically and a natural leader, however that came to be about. “It was never your fault,” she continued, and reached out to grab his shoulder, surprised at how warm the metal was compared to his flesh.

"We do what we have to for our own, and you did the best you could."

They hadn’t failed, technically. They got Cortana out, and, although the planet was glassed, at least two members of the Noble Team survived to tell the tale.

"Do you… Do you wanna get drinks later?" she suggested, after a brief pause. "To catch up, y’know? I mean, it’s been five years. Something’s had to have happened during that time."

[noblecommander-a259]

Carter casted a glance to one of his students - a young female IV who stopped in the hallway once she noticed him with another woman of his approximate height. The IVs knew that the older SPARTANs liked to stick together, but he wouldn't put gossiping past her. Said student was a fast learner, good at quick, agile combat, but she severely lacked discipline. Pulling Six away would only attract further attention, and maybe even bring the UNSC's wrath upon him, and he couldn't risk it.

The former Noble commander was already talking to someone he wasn't supposed to. Although it wasn't as if the UNSC gave him lists of people he could speak to and couldn't, he was definitely sure that he wasn't meant to talk to one of his old team. Rumors spread like wildfire, and rumor weren't something he could afford to cause.

He nodded once quickly. "Sure. There's a bar a couple of blocks off. I'll... See you there. Marty's."

He kept the affirmative short, and put a hand on her shoulder before swiftly turning on his heel, barking at his student, "What are you starin' at, SPARTAN?"

The girl straightened and, for all intents and purposes, squeaked. Setting his mouth in the mouth disappointed grimace, he glared at the IV. "Move along," he hissed, his hands flying out in front of him in a shooing motion. 

Striker's lessons were about to start anyway. Waving his pupil off, he turned once more to Six. "Eight-ish?" 

[noblecommander-a259]

( whoa hey guess who's actually alive. and getting to replies. two month old replies. )

[noblecommander-a259]

"Y-ou thought I-I was getting the b-io foam for me?" Colorado pointed to Carter's cheek that was gushing fresh blood. She put her helmet on. "Put i-it on your c-heek, it'll help"

Carter started, his left hand quickly climbing to press to his cheek. The sting wasn’t enough to make him wince, but his glove was still stained with a dark red when he pulled his fingers away. “Oh," he murmured. “Thanks." Taking the bio foam, he administered it to himself, ignoring the slight tingly feeling that always came when it repaired wounds.

[noblecommander-a259]

Colorado stood up trying to clear her vision. She blinked a couple of times and touched her forehead. "S-tupid Covie f-uckers, they cut me" She pulls out a small med kit looking for a canister of bio foam. She sat back down.

Brows climbing, he shifted his gaze. Impatience wasn’t something he was used to dealing with, but he would be willing to wait if it meant his companion was at maximum help. “It… It doesn’t look too bad," he stated.

[noblecommander-a259]

Colorado took off her helmet. Her military cut white blonde hair was almost styled as her long bangs were pinned back by a snowflake print ribbon in the form of a bow. Tucking a strand of hair behind her hair showed the metal alloy ear that had cords attached to her neck and left temple. A blue light softly pulsed as crimson dripped from her forehead. She was panting softly and sat down

He watched her move, hands playing with his helmet. Being not at all out of breath, he was prepared to move already, but her movement stopped him from doing so. “You, uh, all right?" Carter asked, gesturing to the ear and then the red. “Take your time. We can leave when you’re ready."

[noblecommander-a259]

"Sir, we're all separated. I'm on one side of Reach and haven't seen Noble at all. None of us have. The only thing we saw is more swarms of Covies. I panicked noticing my squad got split up. We will help you find your team. First things first. We need to find each other" Hawaii instructed over the COM's. "Stick with Colorado. She is a hell of a fighter and hacker of technology. She will come in handy"

"Got it." He turned his head to look at Colorado, sizing up the girl. She reminded him of Kat, in a way. From what he could see of the girl, as shy as she was, there was something about her that just reverberated lethality. “Carter out."

Sighing, he removed his helmet, letting his head hang down and allowing him to sort out his thoughts. While getting Noble off Reach was his main priority, the only way he could get to them would be to find some help, and this team was offering it. Regroup, and then search. Now, if only he had a decent idea of how far the impending doom soon to befall Reach was.

[noblecommander-a259]

Ω carter & jorge

"Noble Five," Carter greeted with a nod, turning his gaze back to his helmet, which he was polishing. Aesthetics were never actually a priority of his, but the lack of work left him with a rather gaping vacancy in his schedule. Might as well make himself busy somehow, he figured.

He eyed the deck of cards on his desk, a gift from Kat a while back. Gaze flicking back to the SPARTAN-II, his brow arched, wondering whether or not he should accept a game if he was offered one. He hadn't played in years, and the closest contact he'd had with the activity was watching Emile and Jorge go at it.

His resident heavy weapons specialist was notoriously good at the game, and Carter knew the odds were not in his favor should he even touch the cards. Still, had to be better than scrubbing away furiously at the blue armor he wore every day.

A soft snort escaping him, he returned to his task, resolved not to indulge in card playing unless a game was proposed.