𝛃 - 019.02

[inmylight_comdr]

[ONI Freelancer York had defined Catherine's mission parameters as 'explore and survive'. The latter was made ridiculously easy since the castle provided basic necessities in the blink of an eye. Boooriiing. The former was proving far more interesting, given the sheer variety of residents, and the fact that she'd never before in her life seen a

Comments

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[Well, there's a locked door labeled as being home to an Agent Washington at room 1103. It might be worth checking out for Kat. No signs of the owner outside. he's busy with some project or another inside.]

[inmylight_comdr]

[Locked doors were obviously put there for her to practice on. There might be the slightest bit of hesitation at 'Agent' on the name plate, but it ultimately doesn't stop her from picking the lock anyway.]

[Normally, she'd have tripped one of Washington's locks with ease, but as a new recruit it takes her quite a bit longer, but she's determined. That lock is going down.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

[The amount of time is the only reason Washington notices that he's got an attempted break in on his hands. but it's not obvious enough to be Maine, which makes him curious. Once she finally gets the door open, there's a form in the same kind of armor York has waiting.] Is there a reason you're breaking in here, kid?

[inmylight_comdr]

[She's in the process of just letting herself in when she sees and hears him, and immediately snaps to attention and salutes. Ohcrapnotagain]

Sir! Just ... practicing my infiltration, sir! [Which was mostly true. The fact that she was just generally curious about such things didn't help matters.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

By breaking into my personal quarters. Wonderful. [Tone really isn't matching the words, at all.] Name?

[inmylight_comdr]

[She didn't budge. She couldn't remember if she was supposed to wait for him to salute or not so she just ... kept it there.]

Catherine-320, Blue Team Beta Company, Sir! [

[dontpatr0nizeme]

At ease, kid. I'm not that big on formalities in this place. Come in, and we can have a little chat about your disrespect for privacy. [Okay, that was actual amusement.]

[inmylight_comdr]

[She falls into parade rest, still a moment before belatedly closing the door behind her and walking further into the room. He may sound amused, but suddenly she felt like she was in for a lecture. Thankfully he didn't yell like Mendez.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Now, Catherine, do you know who I am? And how much there is in here that you shouldn't get into?

[Dryly] I don't lock my door for fun.

[inmylight_comdr]

You're a Freelancer from ONI. [a beat,] or a Spartan. [Another beat.] Or both? [Could there be Freelancer Spartans?]

[She withers a little inside at that. She's thinking maybe some yelling would be better.]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

The first one, kid. Agent Washington.

[Continues giving her a look.] What do you have to say for yourself? You know, breaking and entering a superior officer's quarters isn't something that should be punished lightly...

[inmylight_comdr]

I -- I'm sorry? [OH GOD PLEASE no latrine duty she's had enough of latrine duty]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Sorry doesn't cut it when you could get people hurt or killed, kid.

[inmylight_comdr]

[Her eyes go saucer-wide at that.]

I didn't -- I wasn't going to -- [WAT]

[dontpatr0nizeme]

I keep some dangerous things in here.

Who's your superior officer here?

[inmylight_comdr]

[A stiff nod, then a small pause. She hadn't found any other UNSC officers, so really, there was only one appropriate answer here.]

ONI Freelancer Agent York, Sir.