Steele's POV

I woke up the next day and got ready for classes and training, all the while thinking about the terminal that went haywire. What was that? Did our system get hacked? And who was the kid? He was important, that much I knew, otherwise he wouldn't have appeared on the terminal. Especially not on the Infinity, which is the crowning jewel of the UNSC fleet. I sat down at my desk, staring at the terminal for a moment and considered researching a bit. But as I looked at the time, I shook my head. I didn't have time to think about it right now. If I spent time doing that I would be late for training.

I stood up and made my bed, straightening my physical training(PT) uniform before heading to the training area. As I got there however, peculiarly everyone was lined up and looking at the door expectantly. I didn't know what was going on, but following the crowd this time seemed to be the best move. I got in my spot and joined them in looking at the door. Another peculiar thing was that it was deathly silent. Not even the cadets who usually liked to chat said a word. I was about to give up looking at the door when it slid open and Sergeant Silas came in. We instantly straightened our postures and saluted. "Sir!" we shouted in unison.

I joined in, still confused on what was happening. Sergeant Silas strolled in front of us as we stood at attention, inspecting the ranks before he spoke. "I see you got the message," He commented.

Message, what message?

He continued, "And I am proud to announce that your group has been chosen to test out new experimental power armor for our team of scientists. In exactly 1 hour, you will report to the training room wearing the armor. This suit gives you extra strength to do things you couldn't before and it is the hope of the team and the UNSC that after preliminary tests it may be used by regular soldiers on the battlefield to bridge the gap between front-linesmen and Spartans."

I widened my eyes slightly, focusing on the part about use being chosen? And Experimental armor? That means it is almost guaranteed to have issues like software bugs or physical weaknesses. I did not like this as much as my squad probably did.

"As a reward for this mandatory testing of the armor, you will all advance a rank. I am giving you the hour to prepare and put your armor on. Most of you will find it a bit hard to manage at first since it's not like your training armor, but I'm sure you will adapt quickly. You have proven to be a very effective and capable team, which is why this opportunity has been presented to you. That's all for now, you are dismissed." he ordered, and left out the same door he came in from. Immediately the room was alive with talk. I heard someone to my left say, "I can't believe it! We get to test power armor. It's gonna be so cool to have enhanced strength, and we get to advance a level." I looked around for Kade or Scott as I wanted to see what they thought about the Experimental armor. I spotted them talking to each other near the wall, excitement beaming from their faces. Making my way through the chatty crowd, I walked up to them.

"-eve it. Oh hey Steele, aren't you so excited?!" Scott finished, Kade turning around to face me too as I approached. "I personally think that this is a mistake. Experimental armor? It will most likely have flaws and someone's going to get hurt." I stated, a bit upset at the whole situation, especially since it was an order so we had to do it. Kade replied, "I was thinking the same thing. On the bright side, at least we get to go up in rank if we do it."

"Oh, I never thought about that." Scott said, replying specifically to my comment and less excited now. I noticed people started leaving to put their armor on and figured we should head out too. "Let's go White team, we have to put our armor on regardless. Meet back here in time for the exercise." I said. They nodded and we walked out, going our separate ways to our quarters. I arrived at my room and saw the armor resting on my bed. It was a base-green and had white stripes. The helmet had a rounded visor and lights on either side. I sat there staring at it for a moment, deciding which piece to put on first. Then I noticed the undersuit hiding below the chest armor. I know for sure that I have to put that on first. I slipped into it and zipped it up.

Then I decided to do the chest-piece since it had been resting on the undersuit, and then the arms, and the rest of it in order from top to bottom. I finally finished, putting on my boots last and stood up. I went to my computer and turned on the camera, taking a look at the fit and features. I had to say I did look kind of cool wearing it.

However, as I turned around I noticed a fault in the design. The back of the knee was open, the thigh-piece and the calf piece came no where close to covering it. The only thing in that area was the thin undersuit. They had made it so there was nothing there as to allow me to bend my knee without any restriction in movement, but the sheer size of the opening combined with the lack of armor meant that someone could easily cripple you there. I shook my head, what a terribly obvious weakness, how did they miss that? I knew that I had a bit more of a practical/critical thinking mindset, but that didn't excuse the development team from making such a blatant error.

Though I did notice how the suit seemed light as a feather. I jumped to see if I felt a difference and unexpectedly I touched the ceiling of my quarters with my head. Weakness forgotten, I jumped again. Wow, nice strength. I can't wait to test this out. I looked at the time. There was still half an hour until we were to report for the exercise. With the free time I now have, I can look up that kid from the terminal. There's a distinct probability that he's not actually important, but I have nothing else to do during this time and it can't hurt to check.

I went to my computer and looked up The Infinity, the ship from my terminal. The ship came up. It was a massive ship with two giant alien thrusters on the back and the biggest ship I had ever seen. Being the new flagship of the UNSC fleet, it was often used in propaganda messages that we sometimes saw around base. I clicked on it's directory and searched for a red headed kid with a scar named Kyle. 2 people came up and I clicked on the one with the green eyes. His profile opened with the info, Kyle 324, 5ft, green eyes, small scar across nose, 115 lbs, lvl 4. Augmentations scheduled in 2558. Under watch at all times.

So he was actually someone important, that's weird. I checked the time again, 15 minutes left. I clicked on his accuracy, waiting a bit for it to load. 0.87, that's pretty good. My own accuracy was .93. I clicked on his past battles. All wins. That's really good.

I checked the time again, 10 minutes left. Time to go. I swiped the holographic screen to close out and turned off my computer. Then I walked to the training room, boots clinking against the metal floors. I entered the training room. Besides 2 other people, I was the only one there. I stood in line and waited for everyone else to arrive.

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People started trickling in, some walking a bit funny as they weren't used to the new armor. The line filled up and pretty soon everyone was accounted for.

We looked towards the door as it opened, revealing the Commander. He walked in and stood in front of us as we stood at attention. "Today cadets, as you've been briefed you will be doing a mock battle to test out the experimental armor. The format of today's match is a Team Deathmatch." He said. "Two teams will start at opposite sides of the room. After the starting countdown, you will work with your respective teams to wipe out the enemy. Which ever team eliminates the other team first wins. In this game only helmet shots will count as 'kills'. Understood?" He asked.

"Sir, yes Sir!" We shouted in unison.

"Good, the same teams you used in the last Capture the Flag will be the teams for today. The training floor is already set up so Red team come with me. Blue team will start from here. Oh, and here's the catch, after 20 minutes, the 'dead' are revived." he said and walked off into the training area with Red team. Hmm, I thought. I assumed they decided on Team Deathmatch to hopefully increase the amount of conflict and scenarios that real soldiers might find themselves in. The more they can gain out of a single test, the better. Anyway, As the group leader, I would now be responsible for coming up with a plan for my team. I looked over at my squad that had assembled. They were staring expectantly back at me, waiting for their orders.

I took into account that many people were probably doing this mode for the first time, and the fact that we still needed to get used to our new armor. A normal approach wouldn't work, as close combat fighting and simply charging in would likely get everyone eliminated as they fumbled to move the equipment quickly. Hmm.... I know!

I approached the team and stated, "We will be doing something a little different this time since this is a new game with a new scenario. I will assign two small parties of 5 go out on recon. They will not make the enemy known of our presence or engage, only scout out the area and report back to me." They nodded, a few smiling. Regardless of what it was, my plans usually ended in victory, and I had painstakingly gained their trust up until now.

I continued, "Then we will divide up everyone who remains into two groups that will prepare for combat in two different areas. There," I pointed to my 11 o,clock at a diagonal, "and there." I pointed to my 2 o,clock at a diagonal opposite from the first. "Each group will spread out into the foliage as far as possible, although still in visual range of each other." I declared and they nodded, dividing themselves into the necessary groups with little correction from myself. A person from the second main group spoke, saying "What happens if we find them and they don't see us yet?"

"Then report back to the other groups so we can surround them and take then by surprise." I stated simply and he nodded. "Anymore questions?" No one spoke-up. "Ok, then get into position and wait for the countdown." I ordered. The different groups then arranged themselves behind the starting line directly in front of the different areas they were in charge of. As the last person settled, the countdown started. 10...9...8...7...

We all anxiously awaited the start of the match. The scouts had their weapons away and were prepared to run as soon as it started.

4...3...2...1! We moved into action. I lost sight of the other groups as we went in and focused on my own. I gave the signal to spread out as we reached the area and we slowed down and spread out among the foliage. We quickly moved to the other side of the map from that position, White team and a few others splitting off from the main group to eliminating a small enemy squad before returning. I chose my steps carefully, trying not to make any sound since we were now very close to their base. Since we had not encountered any other enemies and none of the other groups had reported back, they had to be lying in wait for us there. For a few minutes there were no signs of the red team as we waited, still not in sight of their base as it would be too risky to get close without seeing anyone. Then I saw something, a glint.

I waved to my team to stop and hide as I slowly moved forward, a few men doing the same. As I crept forward I saw it again. I switched weapons and zoomed in on the area with my sniper rifle, now completely stopped in my tracks. As I zoomed in, I saw him, a scout. He had a sniper rifle and was picking his way through the forest about 700 feet away. I quickly checked the area around him for others. Seeing none, and making sure my muffler was on, I zoomed in on his visor until I could see a reflection of the forest on it. I pulled the trigger and shot, changing weapons as he fell backwards.

I motioned for my squad to move in and set up a perimeter, which was an area that we had people stationed on the edges of to watch for the enemy and could be sure no one was inside it. I walked over to the Red Team cadet. There was a large paint splatter on his visor where I shot him. His only primary weapon had been the sniper, which was laying on the ground. He had a few flash grenades which I relieved him of and a small pistol. I put the small pistol in a magnetic holster on my mid-thigh and Scott approached me. "What should we do with him? Take him with us so he can't revive?" He asked, crouching down.

"No, that would just weigh us down. Though we can't let him use that sniper against us later. We can't carry any more weapons and I don't like breaking property but these don't cost that much. Take care of the sniper." I said. He nodded and I gave the signal to move out. I was a few feet away when he snapped the rifle in half, using the extra strength given by our new suits. Pieces flung everywhere and I felt one catch in the exposed top part of my calf-piece, slightly pressing just below my knee.

Cursed weakness, I thought and shook my leg out straight to get rid of it. The pressure disappeared and I continued into the forest, periodically checking the area with my sniper for enemy activity. We would be upon the Red base soon. As I walked farther, I lifted my leg quickly to step over a log. Suddenly I felt an extremely sharp pain just under and above my knee. I looked down to see that the piece of the gun had stabbed me from the back of my knee and had pierced completely through it to the front of my leg.

I cried out and fell over, more pain shooting up my leg as the piece dug deeper. Scott signaled the squad to halt and rushed to my side, "Steele, what's wrong?!" I rolled over on my back, gritting my teeth and trying and failing to extend my leg. Blood was running down my leg and my hands where they were holding just above the stab. It must have punctured a major vein, I needed to stop the bleeding quickly. I let go for a moment with my hands to tear the undersuit to make a tourniquet, blood dripping from my fingers and smearing on my armor. Scott looked at my hands and my knee and exclaimed, "Oh god, you're bleeding bad!" The rest of the squad came over and through my squinted eyes I saw them crowd around me. As I tightened the tournequet, trying to keep the blood from flowing, I saw a red glint. I whistled the tune, red robin, to them to signal a warning as the pain was preventing me from speaking, but it was too late.

The entire red team had come up on us while we were distracted. They had surrounded us and the moment the squad looked up from me, red team started shooting. Scott immediately got hit and the rest of White team heard the signal and took cover, returning fire. I rolled over, gritting my teeth as pain spikes shot up my leg. I got up on my good knee and held into a tree for support. Suddenly a red team member came out of the foliage right in front of me.

He was holding a sniper rifle with it slightly lowered so that in my kneeling position I was staring right up the barrel. He noticed me immediately and, trigger happy that he had caught the leader of the squad off-guard, raised his rifle slightly.

I felt the dull thump of the barrel hitting my visor as he pulled the trigger. The visor shattered inward from the rapid change in pressure and the force of the shot, flinging glass into my face at high velocity. The last thing I saw was him stepping back in shock before everything went black.