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Untitled
Posted By: Rob Hoffman<rob91@ptd.net>
Date: 25 June 2007, 11:35 pm
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09:00 hrs (earth time) September 22 2552
Arlington National Cemetery
Section 117 "Interstellar War Tomb"
When a man dies in war, his death is usually not grand, or dramatic like you would see in movies, or television. Most times no one knows about it. Men like Capt. Jacob Keyes die all the time, and there is no parade, or ceremony in their honor, just a few people standing around a small box. Which is the case with this war, the Covenant War, the remains of the fallen are usually never recovered. So, at their funerals, friends and families place personal effects in small boxes, and those boxes are placed in "tombs" more like lockers at a train station. Each with names, numbers, and dates.
The cemetery has been a busy place as of late. Today the "remains" of Capt. Keyes are being laid to rest along with countless other soldiers who died on Halo. Among his personal effects in his "tomb", some pictures from the Naval Academy archives, and his fathers pipe that was recovered from his Flood infected, deformed body by the Master Chief, and given to his daughter, Miranda, the only person attending her father's funeral.
She takes one last look at her hero's belongings all that remains of such an extraordinary human being, pulls the protective covering off the vacuum seal on the boxes lid, and closes it forever.
"Goodbye Daddy." She whispers and turns to leave the tomb. Down the lift, six floors to the atrium at the entranceway. She stares up at the glass ceiling high above her head, and notices it started to rain while she was "burying" her father. "Good!" she thought, "It should always rain, when a person dies."
Stepping out into the cool moist air, she spots a familiar face standing before her. "You're late soldier." She says softly. "Sorry mam, but this rotation doesn't mesh well with my social agenda." He said, with a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lip.
Not able to hold emotion back any longer, Miranda broke down, and rushed into his arms. "I'm so sorry Miranda," he said. "I should have been there! I shouldn't have left your father alone!" The rain mixing with the tears on his face, hiding his emotion. "For five years I served with him on the Iroquois. My marines and I kept the Covies off that ship for five years. If I wouldn't have gotten burned over Sigma Octanus."
"RJ, there was nothing you could've done. If you were on Halo, I would have lost both of you." She said as she caressed his cheek softly, and noticed immediately the edges of the plasma burn scar that stuck out above the collar of his Marine dress uniform. 'How are you feeling?" she asked. "Well enough to be back on active duty," he said " but you know the military. By the time the paperwork goes through, this war will be over." Miranda smirked, if he only knew how close this war was to being over, what a blow it was to Covenant to lose Halo, and how they were on there way to Earth's doorstep at this very moment. But, she could not tell him, not with out clearance from at least three generals, and countless ONI brass. Plus, she knew him all to well, and she knew he still wasn't healthy enough to take on the Covenant, which is what he would do.
"You saved so many people aboard that ship when the Covenant attacked. I read the report. That deck was already half melted when you went in to get the crew out. You earned the medals on your chest." She said with a soft smile, wiping away the tears she already shed too much of. "My father was proud to have you on his ship. He would always brag about you when we spoke…. Robert Jayne, youngest Gunnery Sergeant in the UNSC, best Q.R.F in the military," She said playfully rolling her eyes, and making Robert laugh. "I think he was trying to play match maker".
"How's your Spartan friend?" Robert asked. "He's aboard the Cairo, which is where I'm headed. Lord Hood will be presenting my fathers medal there, then I have some unfinished business with the Covenant.
"The only person they should fear more than your father is you. It's my experience that you don't want to piss off a Keyes." Robert said smiling. "I'm sure a female Keyes is far worse."
Miranda tired of war. She wished to talk to her oldest friend about less depressing things, like it used to be growing up. Her thoughts drifted to childhood memories, of first kisses, and school dances, to when the both of them enlisted, her the Navy, him the Marines, and how they promised to always take care of each other. And, then to Robert's wedding day, the last day they saw each other, before war took them to opposite sides of the galaxy.
"How are Shannon, and the girls?" She asked as they both sat down under a covered park bench. "They are good, they send their love. Shannon wanted to come, but she was stuck at the hospital, and couldn't get time off. Seems the best places to work these days are hospitals, and funeral parlors." Robert said sadly. "Plus, with the move things are crazy at home right now."
"So what part of the planet did the UNSC stick you on this time?" Miranda asked. "New Mombassa." Robert replied with a chuckle. "New Mombassa! Yelled Miranda. Jeez, I'm surprised the military even knows that place exists! Are they building a base there?"
"No, they are assembling a team to guard that space elevator contraption they built there, and someone has to train them." His expression shifted.
"Miranda, if In Amber Clad needs a gunnery sergeant, I can be ready in less than 24 hours. Remember that. "
"Go home to your family, Robert. Enjoy them while you can. You don't need to protect me anymore. I'll be fine"
Robert stared into her eyes as if reading her thoughts. She looked away. "What aren't you telling me Miranda?"
"It's nothing." She said quickly. "I have to go." She leaned over, kissed him on the cheek, and got up to leave. Miranda, I can help you, don't shut me out, it's me!"
He had a family; he has something to fight for. They had something to fight for, and she was determined to protect him for a change.
"Go inside, pay your respects to my father. His stuff will glad you stopped by."
Miranda grabbed his hand and gave it tight squeeze. "That's an order." She said as she turned to walk away.
"Yes mam." He said sighing.
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