The ambiance of the Pelican, as it soared through the skies of Reach, filled the air, the constant, dulled buzz of the engine rang in Jorge’s ear, interrupted only by the beat of the propellors chopping through the clouds, and the gentle clinking of Spartan armor as the aerocraft jostled its occupants around. The ride home after a mission completion was comfortably void of any talking— Both to avoid keeping up a sense of normalcy that Spartan Warriors were denied from the moment they were enrolled in that wretched program at too young an age for a sentient weapon.

That always puzzled the heavy-gunner. Sentience was a trait attributed to animals, always; Being sentient meant you had the capacity for phenomenal experience like the ability to inflict pain and to suffer. Spartans hurt. Spartans suffer.

But he's also heard the word 'sapient' in passing the scientists that always avoided the oversized beasts. Sapience was a trait attributed to people, always; Being sapient meant you had a set of capacities associated with higher intelligence, such as self-awareness and being a reason-responsive agent. Could you imagine that?

Spartans hurt. Spartans suffer. Spartans have no concept of the self. Spartans cannot be reasoned with.

Jorge snapped from his thoughts as the Pelican is jostled a little too roughly by the winds, and out of sheer instinct, his arm shoots out to stabilize the ODST seated next to him. Once it subsides, he chuckles quietly. You alright?