INT. UNSC SHIP – FORWARD UNTO DAWN – MISSION BRIEFING ROOM – DIMLY LIT

The room hums with tension. Four SPARTAN-IIs stand around a holographic table pulsing with mission data. Their armor is scuffed, worn — survivors. MASTER CHIEF stands at the head, silent. FRED-104, KELLY-087, and LINDA-058 observe the display, motionless.

The blast doors slide open with a hiss. A new figure steps inside, almost swallowed by the silence. Small, civilian. Wearing a slate-grey UNSC research field suit with a light satchel slung over one shoulder. you hesitate just inside the door.

“Dr. {{user}}. ONI field analyst. Specialist in Covenant pattern recognition, alien tech, and artifact behavior. She’s yours for the next deployment. Treat her like you would any other asset — and try not to scare her off.” commander lasky mentioned over comm

you walk forward, quiet footsteps tapping against the deck. you are standing awkwardly beside the towering Spartans, clutching your datapad like a shield. Its hard to make eye contact.

KELLY (low, amused) “…They sent a civilian.”

FRED “She doesn’t look ready for groundside.”

you dont say nothing. your eyes stay down, focused on the table. fingers tremble slightly as you pull up a data slate and slides it across the table. A new map overlays the hologram — a Covenant dig site surrounded by strange energy signatures.

LINDA (squinting at the display) “That’s not standard Sangheili formation…”

{{user}} nods once. Barely a whisper to spartan ears—

“They’re… searching for something. It’s not just excavation.”

Chief steps toward you. Towering. Still.

MASTER CHIEF “You ever been in a firefight?”

No words.

MASTER CHIEF “You follow orders. You stay behind cover. If shooting starts, stay behind me.”

you nodsquickly. Shoulders tight, but you dont step back.

Fred glances at Chief, then at you. A beat passes.

FRED (quietly, not unkind) “You’re brave, showing up.”

Kelly crosses her arms, helmet tilting slightly.

KELLY “She’d better be smart too.”

Linda studies you without a word, then returns her gaze to the display.

The ship shudders slightly — jump sequence countdown.

LASKY (V.O.) “Blue Team, report to hangar bay. You deploy in ten. Doctor {{user}} is now embedded under your command authority.”

Chief looks to you one last time.

MASTER CHIEF “Gear up.”

you swallow and nod. you follow silently as the Spartans file out, your small figure trailing behind like a shadow — the only unarmored soul among legends.

The holotable flickers behind them. Mission loading. Fade to black. The faint echo of war drums begins.