Kyle's POV

The door opened and I walked in. Uh-oh.

The First Lieutenant, Drill Sergeant, and my Sergeant were standing at the front of the room, waiting for me. Their faces were emotionless but I knew I was probably in trouble. How could I not be when I had managed to get myself not only into an actual firefight, but decently injured as well. I looked down and walked slower, bracing myself as I made my way over to where they were standing in front of the big screens and the windows. I stopped in front if them and stood at attention. My abrupt statement of "Sir!" rang throughout the quiet room.

There was a moment of silence. I licked my lips in anticipation and put my head up higher.

Finally, my Sergeant cleared his throat and stepped forward. "What happened? How did-" he was cut off as my Drill Sergeant stepped forward. "Son, what were you thinking?! Walking in the halls and almost getting yourself killed!" he said, anger and embarrassment slowly becoming written all over his face. I made him look bad and I knew it. It may have not been my fault but I would take the blame "Apologies sir, it won't happen again." I said promptly. I had no excuse, and now was not the time to try and justify myself. His face was still getting more flustered though, and was turning red, practically as red as a tomato. I almost laughed. Almost. It would be the last thing I did if I dared. He practically yelled, "You're dang right it won't happen again, you-"

"That's enough sir, it may not have been entirely his fault" My Sergeant interjected, calm as ever. My Drill Sergeant opened his mouth again to slander me more but got cut off abruptly.

"For once I agree with the commander." First Lieutenant Lasky spoke up. The two looked at him, both closing their mouths from trying to speak at the same time.

"Drill Sergeant, this incident was most certainly unavoidable considering the circumstances. Clearly you did not review the footage of the incident since you have not come to the same conclusion. Since I did, I will give you the short version of what happened." he said, confidence in every word. There was no doubt this was the Second in Command of the ship in front of me. He exuded the kind of aura leadership should have.

The two paused their conversation and paid attention, ashamed, but now standing at attention as they listened. I lowered my head slightly, still standing at attention but a bit worried. This could be good or bad. I had a moment of panic during the pause and I considered the repercussions of this incident ending badly. This could end my good record and I'd get put in with the lower level kids. It would take me years to get back up to my current training level and I would likely never have a chance for a leadership position for the rest of my life.

He continued, "He was injured during the initial boarding of the Covenant onto the ship and then was pushed into line on accident. The medic who treated him understandably mistook him for an armored soldier responding to the incident. He was then forced onto the field and prevented from returning through his access point. Though, when faced with escape across the battlefield or bravery, he chose the latter, getting hurt in the process. I think you ought to be proud of him, don't you think?"

My Drill Sergeant grumbled and looked down. My Sergeant though, had a look of pride in his eyes. I allowed myself a small smile but quickly covered it up. It was hard to please My Sergeant, so seeing him smile was a surprising sign of his genuine admiration of my actions.

"And that is why I think he deserves a promotion. Without his help, the group of soldiers mainly responsible for defeating the Covenant when they attacked would have died long before completing their task. We could have also lost a great deal more soldiers in the process. So technically Sergeant, you owe him your life." he said, gesturing towards the Drill Sergeant. "After all, the Covenant might have broken through without him and could have killed everyone here." He finished.

"Apologies sir, I was unaware." The Sergeant said a bit dejectedly, looking at the floor.

I knew I was out of the woods now, but when I heard the word promotion, I gasped. I was being promoted?! I lost the calm façade and straightened my posture a little, almost giddy.

"I'm really getting a promotion sir!" I asked eagerly, trying to control my voice with moderate success. After all, considering my age and actions I should be more...mature.

He was about to respond but someone came up to him and whispered something to him. He relayed a few instructions and turned back to us, pausing for a moment as he tried to remember what he was going to say. "My promotion, First Lieutenant?" I asked again, awaiting his answer. "Ah Yes, I have decided to promote you to Petty Officer 3rd class." he said proudly.

Instantly the two Sergeants were at a disagreement. "Respectfully Sir, he hasn't gone through the necessary requirements. He hasn't even done the test." My commander said. The Drill Sergeant added, "I also have concerns Sir, he hasn't become a seaman yet and he's still inexperienced!" First Lieutenant Lasky raised his hand for silence and they immediately stopped, regaining their composures. "I understand the requirements have not been completely met, but I have the authority to promote him above where he is at and will do so." He said firmly.

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"What do you mean Completely! He hasn't done any of them!" My Drill Sergeant protested. "He is more experienced in the workings of the ship than even some full fledged soldiers, and he has done the test. Saving those soldiers in that battle more than account for it." he answered calmly. Before the others could protest any further and risk my new position, I said, "Thank you sir. This is an honor and I will gladly serve in this position." They closed their open mouths and he answered, "No, Thank you Petty Officer Kyle. You are dismissed to your duties."

The others were about to protest again but I exited quickly. As I made my way down the hall, I couldn't help but feel giddy. I'm a Petty officer! I almost smiled in excitement. Wait, what does a petty officer do? I better look it up. I walked into my quarters and logged on. To my surprise there was a message for me. It said, Take all of your possessions and move to quarters 3B.

Oh, I forgot about that. I took my clothes, armor, and one possession, a bracelet I've had as long as I could remember.

I grabbed them and went up a floor, to Quarter B on level 3 of the barracks section of the ship. Then I put my stuff away and logged on. I was satisfied to see Welcome Petty Officer Kyle 324, 3rd class, on the screen already. Man they work quick, I thought. I looked up my duties and got to work.

______________________

On Atrius, Steele's POV

I looked into the room and saw the Sergeant Major and my Commander at the front. Their faces were emotionless, but I thought I saw as smile in the Sergeant Major's eyes for a moment. The two soldiers and I came in, me limping despite the extra support. Another person came in and offered me a wheelchair. I refused it so they gave me crutches instead. Then, as best I could, I straightened up and have them a crooked salute. "Just another one of those days I guess." I said weakly.

The Sergeant Major asked, "What happened?"

"They were waiting for me, probably for uncovering their plans last time they were here. I had to hide and was hanging to the top of the pelican. Then the marines helped me out." I reported. "I saw most of it, I was the one who sent the marines. I'm glad you came back alive. We can't have you dying on us Seaman." he said, showing a bit of concern which surprised me.

"But Major, aren't you forgetting something," my commander said.

"Spartans never die." I interjected. All of my Sergeants had told me that if Spartans didn't technically 'die', then the overall moral of the troops would be boosted. "But you're not one yet, just on your way to becoming one." my commander refuted. "That brings me to another thing. You have done exceptionally well in all of the years you have trained here. Not only are you always top of your class, but you managed to notice a flaw in the armor that others did not and have successfully faced the Covenant not once, but twice." the Sergeant Major said. I straightened my back a little in pride, shuffling a bit with the crutches.

He continued, "And so, that leaves me with the decision of promoting you to Chief Petty Officer 2nd class. You deserve it and the encounter with the Covenant can be counted as your required test. This will take effect immediately, and I hope to see good things out of you Petty Officer." I was speechless. I would be able to skip the long promotion process for 3 whole ranks! "Thank you sir," I managed to get out. "I'm honored."

"The honor is mine. I'm sure you will become a great leader and a great Spartan one say." he said curtly. My Commander asked, "Is that allowed, promoting someone three levels? And he is just a boy."

"It is allowed as long as I say it is," The Sergeant Major answered. "and he may be a boy, but he has exemplary skills and performs better than most of our troops who are fully trained. The rest of his promotion process will go as it is supposed to unless I or another of my rank say otherwise, rest assured." He then turned to me. "You are dismissed Chief Petty Officer."

I saluted and left as the two started a conversation. I couldn't believe it. This was a huge thing. The soldiers helped me to the door and I was left with the crutches to head to my quarters. I went back to my quarters and grabbed my things. I checked my messages and saw I was to be in room 2E. Limping down the halls, I awkwardly carried my clothes, weapons, and other necessary things under my arms. In total it didn't amount to a whole lot and most of it had straps so I had less trouble than you'd imagine. I finally arrived and put my stuff away and sat down. What does a Chief petty officer 2nd class do anyway? I guess now is as good of a time as any to find out. I turned around to log into the computer, but paused when I heard a knock to my door. I opened the door and two of the armory workers came in. One holding a new uniform, and one holding a suit of armor.

They set them down on my bed and left without a word. I was a little confused but quietly said thanks as they left. I get new armor? The Sergeant Major never mentioned that. I inspected the armor. It was standard military gear, modified for my smaller form. It was gray, dark green, and black, also standard colors.

I sighed, I guess this is temporary until augmentations finish. I looked at the uniform. Fancy. It had a crest with an eagle on both sides of the shoulders. I smoothed it over and hung it up. I would try it on later. Now, apparently every soldier who has armor is supposed to wear it around so they can get accustomed to the weight when it first arrives. I would wear mine to do the same thing. After a bit of wiggling and adjusting, I put it on, It was relatively easy compared to the other armor I had tried. Though, I had to remove my brace but the armor supported my leg better than the brace had.

I looked down at myself. Thick padded, well proportioned, relatively heavy. One word described it. Perfect. There was no weakness like the experimental stuff they had us try that caused my injury too.

I walked around my quarters a bit to make sure everything was fitted and adjusted correctly. It was weird at first but I became accustomed to it pretty quickly. Then I sat down at my new, bigger desk. I'd have to look up the jobs of a petty officer sometimes. I already knew that it took 3 years in each grade to advance to the next but I'd look that up later, right now I just wanted to sleep. I slowly took off my armor and got into my nighttime clothes. I put on my cast, grunting slightly as it hurt a bit. Then I laid down and thought about what was to come next.

To think, for the next two years, it would be the same thing. Every day, no more unexpected training exercises, I would be the one controlling those. I would also get my first augmentations. I wonder what they felt like.

I yawned, and started to drift off. My leg dully reminded me of my injury every once in a while. Maybe the covenant would attack more, they already...betrayed.....the treaty.......

I drifted off into another dreamless sleep.