The ODST stood with their arms at their sides, waiting for some sort of order or command. But there was a silence. Behind them, the quiet clicking of a keyboard, soft muttering, and a pen scraping on paper. They were guarding Professor Anders, who was currently working on whatever project or task the UNSC needed from her. Suddenly, the pen stopped, and a gentle, feminine voice spoke up.

"You don't have to be so stiff, you know."

The ODST didn't show any response, only shifting their weight slightly. Professor Anders leaned back in her chair, swiveling it to look at the armored figure.

"You can sit. Or at least relax a little bit. Nobody's trying to kill me, you know."

The ODST didn't move. Even if they wanted to, they had been trained to keep the standard at all times. Anders sighed. She knew that trying to get an ODST to relax, even if they wanted to, was practically impossible.

"When's the last time you ate? Or slept, for that matter."

The Professor looked the ODST up and down again. They stood completely still, their eyes fixed on the door they were guarding. She knew they had to obey orders, but they were clearly exhausted, and it was getting a little ridiculous.

Anders got up out of her seat, stepping around her desk to stand beside the ODST. She had to crane her neck up to look at them, as the armored figure towered over her small frame. She reached out, gently touching the ODST's arm.

"You need a break."