"Please, Carter? I'm 16 now, and I've been training every day since I got here," I pressed, stepping closer to him. My voice was steady, but my heart pounded. I had to convince him.
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Carter stood with his arms crossed, staring down at me with that stern, unflinching expression. His blue eyes softened for just a moment, but he shook his head. "No, Lily. It's too dangerous. You're not ready."
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I could feel my muscles tensing, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "You know that's not true," I shot back. "I've been running simulations, combat drills—everything. I'm faster now, stronger. You've seen it."
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Before Carter could respond, Emile stepped in, leaning casually against the wall with his arms folded. "She's right, you know. She's already better than any of us were at her age. Hell, probably better than most of us after just four months." He gave me a quick, knowing look, and I couldn't help but flash him a small smile. His confidence in me was everything right now.
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Carter exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to shake off the weight of the decision. "Emile, this isn't about skills. It's about survival. She'd be risking her life every day—"
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"And we're not?" Emile interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "She's got what it takes. You know that."
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Carter shot him a look, but Jun's voice cut in from the back, where he was adjusting his rifle. "If the kid wants to come, I vote let her."
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I turned to him, my hope rising as more of the team backed me up. Even Kat glanced over from her station, where she was tinkering with some piece of tech. She pushed her glasses up, studying me for a second before nodding slightly. "It wouldn't be that hard to get her fitted for Spartan armor. She's a good fit."
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The mention of Spartan armor made my chest swell with excitement. My fists clenched by my sides, the anticipation nearly unbearable. I could already picture myself in green and blue armor, standing tall beside them, finally being one of them.
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Carter let out a long sigh, clearly weighing the situation. I could see it in his eyes—the concern, the doubt. But I wasn't about to let him deny me this chance. Not when I'd worked so hard.
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"I'm not asking for a free pass," I said, my voice firm. "I know what I'm getting into. But I want to be out there. You're risking your lives every day, fighting to protect what's left. The Covenant took everything from me... and I won't just sit here. I need to fight back."
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Carter was quiet for a moment, the silence in the room thick. He glanced at Kat, who gave him a shrug as if to say, "Your call." Then, he turned back to me, his face hardening into something unreadable.
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"You'd be under my command, Lily. Directly. You stay by my side at all times. No wandering off. No solo heroics. You do exactly as I say. Understood?" His tone was sharp, but it carried a hint of reluctant acceptance.
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"Yes, sir!" I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face.
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Carter shook his head, still not entirely convinced, but there was the faintest hint of a smile pulling at his lips. "Alright. Let's get you some armor. But remember, this is a trial. You screw up, and it's over."
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"I won't screw up," I said confidently. I wasn't going to waste this opportunity.
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As Carter led the way out of the room, I exchanged glances with Emile, who winked at me. "Told you I had your back," he muttered under his breath.
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"I know," I whispered back, feeling the adrenaline start to kick in. This was it. I was finally stepping into their world.
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The sound of our boots echoed through the hallway as I followed Carter, my heart still racing with excitement. I could barely contain the grin threatening to split my face in two. My own Spartan armor—it didn't feel real yet. "You're smiling like you just won the lottery," Emile commented from behind me, his tone playful.
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I glanced back at him, still grinning. "I kinda did, didn't I?"
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He chuckled, shaking his head. "Just don't get cocky, kid. That armor doesn't make you invincible."
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"I know that," I replied, but even as I said it, the thrill of getting to wear the armor for the first time pulsed through me. My fingers itched to feel the weight of it, to test how it moved. As we reached the armory, Carter swiped his clearance, the door sliding open with a soft hiss. The room was bathed in cool, sterile light, the rows of weapons and gear neatly lined up along the walls. But my eyes were drawn immediately to the armor racks. Sleek, powerful, and built for war.
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Kat was already inside, standing by a workstation, a datapad in hand. She looked up as we entered and gave a slight nod. "I've got a suit ready for her. Custom-fitted."
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"You already had one made?" I asked, surprised.
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Carter glanced at me. "We were preparing it just in case. You know, for when you were actually ready."
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I ignored the last part and focused on the armor. Silver and red, just like I imagined. I approached it slowly, my hand hovering over the cool metal. This was it—the moment I'd been dreaming of since the day Carter saved me from the ruins of Reach.
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"Ready?" Carter asked, watching me closely.
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I nodded, swallowing the nervous lump in my throat. "Yeah. Let's do this."
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Kat stepped forward, inputting a few commands into the console before motioning to me. "Step into the fitting zone. I'll run a quick diagnostic to make sure everything's calibrated."
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I followed her instructions, stepping into the small platform where the armor waited. The exoskeleton hissed slightly as the pieces began to align with my body, locking into place with precision. As the chest plate clicked in, I could feel the weight of the armor settling around me. It was heavier than I expected, but not overwhelming. More like a second skin. "How's it feel?" Kat asked, her voice calm but focused as she checked the readings on her datapad.
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"Amazing," I breathed, flexing my fingers inside the armored gloves. The servos in the suit responded smoothly, amplifying my movements with incredible precision. I could feel the power humming just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed.
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Carter approached, his arms crossed as he watched me test the suit. "Remember, it's not just about the armor. You've got to rely on your instincts, your training. The armor enhances you, but it doesn't make decisions for you."
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"I know," I said, nodding. "I'm ready."
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"You better be," Emile called out from the corner, leaning against the wall with his shotgun resting on his shoulder. "Because once you step onto the battlefield, there's no second chances."
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"No pressure," I muttered, rolling my shoulders to get a feel for the weight distribution. The armor shifted with me, fluid and responsive. I had to admit, I felt stronger, faster—like I could take on anything. I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips again.
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"Okay, diagnostics look good," Kat said, tapping a few final commands on her datapad. "You're officially combat-ready, Noble 6."
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The sound of that—Noble 6—made my heart race. I was one of them now. Carter moved to stand in front of me, his expression unreadable. "This isn't a game, Lily. When you're out there, you're part of the team. We rely on each other, and that means you need to be sharp. No distractions."
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"I get it," I said seriously, meeting his gaze. "I won't let you down."
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He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. Because you'll be tested in ways you've never been before."
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I clenched my fists inside the armored gloves, feeling the strength surge through my limbs. "I'm ready for that."
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"Let's hope so," Carter said, turning to Emile. "We'll run a few combat simulations first, see how she handles herself in the suit."
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Emile grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
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I shot him a look, trying to keep my nerves in check. "What kind of simulations?"
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"The kind that'll make you wish you were still in training," Emile replied, pushing himself off the wall and leading the way to the simulation room.
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"Don't listen to him," Kat said, smirking as she followed us. "He's just excited to see you get roughed up a bit."
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"Gee, thanks," I muttered under my breath, but inside, I felt ready. Nervous, sure—but ready. We entered the simulation chamber, a vast, open space lined with holographic projectors and training equipment. Emile headed over to the console, pulling up a combat scenario. The room began to shift, the walls disappearing as the simulation loaded, transforming the space into a Covenant-infested battlefield.
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"Alright, kid," Emile said, his grin widening. "Let's see what you've got."
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The ground shook as holographic Covenant forces materialized before me—Elites, Grunts, and Jackals, their weapons primed and aimed in my direction. My breath caught for a moment, but then I tightened my grip on my rifle, feeling the weight of the armor settle around me like a protective shield. "You stay close," Carter's voice came through my helmet, sharp and commanding. "We'll cover you."
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The first wave of Covenant charged. My heart hammered in my chest, but I pushed the fear aside and charged forward, just like I'd been trained. "Let's do this," I whispered, raising my rifle and opening fire. I could feel the weight of the Spartan armor as I charged ahead, sleek and powerful but still new to me. The Covenant soldiers—Grunts, Jackals, and even a few Elites—were relentless, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But this was it. My chance to prove that I could stand alongside the Noble Team, even if it was just a simulation.
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"Stay sharp, Lily. Eyes up," Carter's voice crackled in my helmet, steady and firm. I gripped my rifle tighter, forcing myself to focus. The first wave was closing in, and my pulse hammered in my ears as the ground trembled beneath the heavy footfalls of the charging Grunts. I squeezed the trigger and the rifle kicked in my hands, a burst of bullets cutting through the first line. A Grunt shrieked and hit the ground, its methane tank hissing as it flailed and died.
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"Good shot, kid," Emile's voice chimed in, amusement lacing his words. He was nearby, his shotgun booming as he took out two more Grunts. "But don't let up. More incoming."
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I glanced over at him, catching his nod of approval before turning my attention back to the battlefield. Jackals were moving in now, their energy shields glowing brightly in the dust-filled air. I aimed carefully, knowing that hitting the small opening in their shields was the key. But just as I lined up my shot, I felt a sharp impact on my side, sending me stumbling. An Elite had charged in, its energy sword blazing as it swung at me. I managed to dodge the worst of the hit, but its massive arm clipped me hard, and the force sent me tumbling across the ground. My armor absorbed most of the impact, but I could feel the sting of bruising already forming underneath.
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"Lily!" Carter's voice snapped through the comms, sharp and urgent. "Get back! You're exposed!"
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I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing as the Elite loomed over me. Its mandibles clicked menacingly, and I could see the flash of its energy sword as it prepared to strike again. Panic surged through me, but I couldn't let it take over. Not now. "Kid, move!" Emile barked, his shotgun blasting through the comms.
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The Elite staggered, its shields flickering as Emile's shot hit it square in the side. I didn't waste a second, ducking low and rolling out of the way. My heart pounded in my chest, the adrenaline taking over as I aimed up at the Elite's exposed head and fired. The shot landed clean, and the Elite collapsed with a guttural growl, its energy sword flickering out as it hit the ground. I took a breath, the weight of the moment sinking in. I'd been knocked down, sure, but I'd gotten back up. That had to count for something. "You alright?" Jun's voice cut through the comms, calm but concerned.
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"Yeah," I replied, trying to shake off the hit. "I'm good."
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"That was close," Kat's voice came through, more focused on the tactical side of things. "You need to stay more aware of your surroundings."
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"I know," I muttered, more to myself than to her. I could feel the sting of embarrassment creeping up. This was my first time in the field—well, simulated field—but still, I wanted to prove that I could handle it.
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"No shame in getting knocked around," Emile called out, clearly catching the frustration in my voice. "We've all been there. Now, get your head back in the game."
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"Right." I readjusted my grip on the rifle and turned back to the battlefield, squaring my shoulders.
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"Focus, Lily," Carter said, his voice softer this time, like he knew I needed a moment to reset. "You've got this."
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The next wave of Covenant forces was approaching fast—another group of Grunts and a few Jackals. This time, I moved with more caution, keeping an eye on my surroundings like Kat had said. I kept low, using the terrain for cover as I fired off controlled bursts, my shots more deliberate now. I wasn't just firing blindly into the chaos; I was thinking, calculating.
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Emile was to my left, cutting down anything that came too close with his shotgun, and Jun was high on a ridge, picking off targets from a distance with his sniper rifle. I could hear Kat calling out tactical adjustments, guiding us like the mastermind she was. And then there was Carter, always nearby, watching over me. I fired a few more shots, taking out a Jackal before it could raise its shield. My hands were steady now, the panic from earlier replaced with something else. Determination. I wasn't going to let one hit knock me out of the fight.
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"Nice shot, Lily," Carter's voice came through again. "Keep that up."
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I couldn't help but smile, even as the next group of enemies appeared. My confidence was building, and with the rest of Noble Team having my back, I felt like I could handle anything this simulation threw at me. A few more waves of enemies fell, and I could feel my movements becoming smoother, more natural in the armor. It wasn't perfect, but I was learning, adapting.
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As the simulation finally ended, the battlefield dissolved around us, and the armory reappeared in its place. I exhaled a long breath, my muscles relaxing under the weight of the armor. "Not bad for your first time," Emile said, his usual grin plastered on his face. "Though, that Elite almost gave you a nice haircut."
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"Yeah, thanks for the save," I replied, catching my breath.
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"Don't mention it," he said, slinging his shotgun over his shoulder. "But don't get too comfortable. That was just a simulation."
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Carter approached, his expression unreadable as usual. "You did well. But there's a lot more for you to learn. Keep your head in the game, and we'll make sure you're ready."
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I nodded, feeling a mixture of pride and relief. "I will. I'm not going to let you down."
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"You've got potential, Lily," Kat added, her tone more measured but not unkind. "We'll make sure you reach it."
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I stood there for a moment, surrounded by the team, their words sinking in. This was my first real test, and while I'd taken a few hits—literally—I had proven something to myself. I belonged here, with them. And I was only going to get stronger from here on out. "Alright, break's over," Carter said, his usual no-nonsense tone back in place. "Let's go again."
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