Journey to the Gift of Knowledge Chapter Six

Chapter Six: Birthday for an Angel and without the Archangel

[Jan. 11, 2561]
[Location: Shaine's Underground Base of Halo Ring]

(Shaine's POV)
Today's a night and tomorrow is my birthday, I still cannot get my mind off of it that voice told me and I know it's not really something inside, but it sorted like... telepathy. It doesn't make any sense when I was in the ruins, but somebody, except PMC and Dark Krosheet Clan, are among... us LAC. It might be Forerunner... I study about them when I read my father's dairy/journal that technology device that Forerunner uses them... but it might sound disturb though. Sigh, last night was terrible mistake, I don't know if Aeon can hold on much longer inside. I think I should go check on him in the same ruins... I hope nothings worse in there. Other than that, I wish my twin sister would be found and come to the Birthday... I can't go on without her, she would love the cake and present since our family gave us the birthday presents. I just want her to be found and go together as the good sibling in the birthday. Maybe I can give her some of mine to her... I really hope for that day...

"Raine.." I whispered.

[Location: Raine's secret campsite]

(Raine's POV)
Military Time: 2315 pm.. in my campsite... Tomorrow is my birthday and I was busy to do some investigation and either thinking about Shaine. I cannot go reveal myself when I can't go near her, because of those PMC's agents. It ain't gonna be easy for this and I feared that somebody is still wondering around the Halo Ring. That I ain't gonna let it happen if I'm around. I heard the whoosh sound of the teleportation behind me... Heh, speak of the devil... I know someone who isn't going to run away...

"Adrastos... Long time no see..." I responded.

[Mistress Raine... I should have known you come back in Halo Installation... How was the bounty hunter job, Mistress?] Adrastos hissed as he's asking.

"Like hell... but it's been good when I was working with System Alliance and became Spectre, then I became the bounty hunter and get money... Anyhow how's my sister? Is she staying out of trouble in the ruins?" I asked.

[... Not so good. She went in the temple of prison district below, but for luckily AI Construct Monitor is taking the hold of the Rampant AI.] Adrastos moaned as he's sadly said.

"Rampant AI?... That doesn't sound very good for the uncontrollable tech. Let's keep it down and quietly to keep our selves, Adrastos, and one last to ask... Is Shaine misses me during my absense?" I answered sadly.

[Yes, Mistress Shaine was worrying much about you... but this Turian, her partner Terrius, was doing well with her the whole time.] Adrastos hissed.

"I see... I should thank him for being there with her..." I murmured. "That'll be all, Adrastos. Thank you and keep a secret from everyone including Shaine, all right?"

[Yes, Mistress Raine..] Adrastos bow his head and teleports back to the base while I was sitting by the campfire. My sister always worried about me when I'm gone missing, I ain't gonna let it happen if those PMC are snooping around again if they plan for the next move. Hell, not gonna happen... I should be more careful and make a plan easily for the tactics.

(General POV)

[Jan. 12, 2561]
[In New Nightclub]
In morning, Terrius woke up first and got his gears including a birthday gift box prepared. He sees Shaine's private room as he's looking at the window, he hop on the warthog in the garage until he start an ignition when the engine is running. He drove off through the teleporters to the outside, he look at the himself and vehicle he's driving as it has black stuff all over, he sigh, "Good thing it's washable to scrub off the black stuff.." So he resume to drive over the city within less of few hours to get there. At afternoon, LAC troopers and Operatives like Dante, Wolf, Legion, Fang, ODST Adrian-934, Rysa and Uhze Nostrom helping out to decorate the nightclub until other guest came such as Agent Illinois, Agent Noble, Green and Blue, and Lily Ph-204 came over inside until last arrival who is Covenant Seperatist FleetMistress Alei Iakanee comes in as well.

"Got the king-size chocolate cake, bunch of Budweiser and pizza ready!" Dante shouted as he enthusiasm.

"Sir, next time, let us handle for snacking. You might need to take an easy for those pizza.." LAC Trooper replied.

"I rarely hope she likes my present, Shaine will be pleased about it." Noble said excitedly.

"Hehe, no worries, Noble. She'll love your presents when after the cake." Fang said excitedly as well. "That she'll love it what I got for her..!"

"HELLO!!!" when the voices shouted while decorating the nightclub as it is revealed the bounty hunter Wraith and his secondary partner Mike who came for the Shaine's birthday party.

"Guess we arrive just in time!" Wraith excited.

"We brought the crate for her and some.." Mike replied.

"That's good... We're gonna be focus on decorating so you two may be seated.." Terrius said.

"Everyone's got their gift to Shaine. I really hope that she likes mine." Legion said excitedly as he chuckling a bit when Terrius looks at him with an sweatdrop as he begin to know that something might will come in... 

Terrius got all the paid for the liquor bar for all half and all half for the rest of bottles in the crates from Dante and LACs troopers. He looked up at the bartender as he recognized the female from the other sport bars and pub.

"Sam? I didn't know you work in this new nightclub?" Terrius wondered as he stare at her.

"One of my relatives needed help in here so I participate this job." Female bartender answered.

As Wolf joins with Terrius and bartender Samus Prower wipe the counter a bit.

"Any drink, sir?" Samus asked to Wolf.

"Yes." Wolf gives the credits to her and Samus gives the drink to him as traded.

Whilst Terrius makes the message as he's typing randomly for the few moments and done as he send it to Shaine for as the important message. He hope for her to come over to the party in time.

~~~~~~
[Location: the unknown ruins]
[Military Time: 1535 PM]

(Shaine POV)
I hoping that Aeon is available to speak with me whilst he's guarding the monitors and firewalls from the rampant AI. I should really be careful what I'm going through the ruins. As I go through whilst passing the entrances, it would seems normal than the ambushes from last encounter by the PMC... wonder how they found out about last ruins location. No matter, I really should focus on checking Aeon and see if he's okay. I had the feeling that those PMC and Dark Krosheet Clan... and Covenant Remnant are catching on and on when I was going explorer the Forerunner artifacts and tech. Furthermore I was about to go to the elevator and-

"Miss Shaine! Do not come in here! You should worry about some other things!" Familiar voice shouted in my helmet communicator.

"Aeon, how are you been doing? Is it worst?" I asked into my communication channel.

"It could be much worse! It's tries to bypass the coding frequent and I manage to changing it!" Aeon replied. "I'll be fine then!.. And Miss Shaine... Happy Birthday!.."

I gasped loudly until I check the time as it is 1612 pm and receive one message from Terrius... Oh geez! It sound important but he wants me to meet at... new building?... I heard there was new nightclub was open by last week. Who am I kidding, of course I had to go meet him there and see if any things been going on. So I sprint back to outside and headed to the city... I got no time to go change my cloth, I might as well leave my armor on.
~~~~~~~~~

(General POV)
Back at Nightclub, the LAC groups are waiting for the Birthday girl arrived when it's been last few hours. Terrius was worried about Shaine at the moment while he's having the drink. Fortunately he receive the message from Shaine as she's on her way within twenty-five minutes of riding the mongoose. He announced everyone, "Everyone! Be prepare to give her the surprised! She's on her way to here!"

"Right then, everyone stay in position!" Wolf shouted.

As everyone in the nightclub prepares and uses the active camouflage to hidden very carefully not to hit any objects. Wolf prepares and hidden very stealthy and even Terrius was well-hidden. At outside in the highway as Shaine made it to the city with her mongoose vehicle throughout the district. She parked her mongoose and ready to meet Terrius inside the nightclub so she opened the door, then she said, "Terrius! What is important about-"

"SURPRISE!!" As everyone in the nightclub reappeared from active camouflage, but until Shaine screamed in shock and punch one of LAC Trooper at the face.

"Jesus!" Wolf shouted in surprised.

"Damn!" Everyone replied in response.

Shaine look at trooper until she cover her mouth with her both hands, she said, "Oh shi... I'm sorry! That was my bad!"

"Ey! It happens, Shaine!" Legion answered.

"Yeah, we all know it was an accident." Wolf smiled.

"Nice punch there!" An random Krogan applauded whilst he's walking pass.

Shaine put her hand behind the head with her awkward grin whilst she wearing her helmet.

"Anyway! Let's move on and forget about it!" Shaine announced.

As everyone gathered after Shaine sat down by the bar and gave the gifts to her.

"Here's my Shaine, I really hope you love it." Noble said as she gave the gifts to her.

Shaine open up the gifts from Noble as she got an personal customized sniper rifle and magnum, so then she said, "Wow, thank you Noble. Love how you made it for me."

ODST Adrian gave the gifts to her as Shaine open up and receive the Guitar and with credit money.

"Here's the guitar, Shaine. I hope you like the guitar." Adrian smiled.

"Hm, thanks... I don't know how to play the guitar.." Shaine response.

"Here's what I got for you, Shaine!" Theron gave the gifts to her until she open up and receive an tech console game and some for console.

"Thanks Fang." Shaine smiled a bit.

Wraith and Mike pushes the big crate to her and including other small crate for the gifts for her.

"That's unexpected for the big crate? What's in there?..." Shaine questioned.

"Oh, you'll see what's in there..." Wraith smirked.

[Take off and Land on 2012 - Kistune2/Theater - PERSONA 4 OST]

Shaine opened up the crate until something's jumps out and goes by Shaine on the sided as it is an robot... an dancing robot as the music was on.

"Why the dancing robot!?" Shaine shouted.

Shaine quickly deactivate the dancing robot as the music stops.

"Oh, you no fun." Wraith said.

Shaine quickly open up the small crate as she receive the dark purple storm rifle, she shouted, "Ey cool color!"

Wraith glared at his partner until Shaine can tell this weapon belong to his..

"Shaine, I got you some vehicle. It was waited outside." Legion smirked deviously.

"I'll check out the vehicle later after the party, Legion.." Shaine answered. "And are you planning to land that scorpion onto me?"

"What no. No.. Maybe a little.." Legion murmured.

"I got you the mongoose, Reclaimer. As you said, after the party you'll check it out." Shipmistress Alei replied.

"Thank you, Alei." Shaine grinned.

"Here's the gift for you, Shaine." Rysa gave the gift as it looked like an shape of an kitana when she unwrap it as it was platinum made kitana.

"Heh, Thanks Rysa." Shaine said kindly.

Terrius comes through the crowd and gave the box with an ribbon bow on top to her, as he said, "Here's the gift from me, Shaine. Happy Birthday.." Shaine open up the box and takes it out as it reveal the bracelet as it looks very fancy and beauty for the silver metal.

"Terrius... I... I don't know what to say... I love it...!" Shaine said gently.

Shaine felt amazed and gotten admired to the bracelet from Terrius' gift. So Wolf place the gift by her until Shaine notice the last gift from Wolf, she unwrap the gift as she got an picture frame of LAC group picture. She willing to cherish the picture and the frame as the good memorable, she replied, "Thank you Wolf."

"You're welcome, Shaine." Wolf nodded.

"Thank you all for the gift, everyone." Shaine thanked everyone. "Now then... WHO WANTS THE DRINKING CONTEST!!"

"Oh spirits.." Terrius facepalm.

"RIGHT! What's your preferences, first one to finish or drink till you drop!" Wolf smirked after he remove his helmet.

"OH! You're on!" Shaine smirked as well as she remove her helmet until she and Wolf sat down on the chair as all the alcohol beverage was set on the table. As all the LAC gathered and beginning to betting the challenger.

"My bet's on Shaine!"

"Right, lets get this show on the road." Wolf begins his first drink of Budweiser in the cup and set it down on the table. Shaine drink the first cup of Budweiser and set it down on the table. In few minutes later, all the beverage containers are almost empty as Shaine and Wolf still on the challenge of drinking. They were drunk when they keep drinking whenever one's are losing.

"*hic* Give up, *hic* Wolfy...." Shaine said as she drink her saki.

"Over...*burps*...my...dead...*burps* body" Wolf replied after he drink his saki too.

"Oh... *hic* you *hic* will *hic* drop..."

"Like...hell...I wi...will"

Shaine drinks the another glass and slam it on the table.

"Your...gonna...hurl...by...the end...of this" after wolf drink his cup.

"Oh.. try and.... drop me..." Shaine said as she drinking still.

"... I guess it's gonna be tied." Terrius wondered.

"It...*hic* won't" Wolf said.

"Yeah, my cat friend(Terrius)... It won't.." Shaine answered.

"Cat...he's a...dog.." Wolf replied.

"NNNnnooooooo.... *hic* He's a cat, damnit!" Shaine yelled at him.

"Dog...*hic*" Wolf retorts.

"It's A CAT!!" Shaine drinks up and struggling a bit when her head swirl.

"...How bout...we agree it's...*hic* a hybrid" Wolf answered after he drink up.

"That's impossible... She won't survive to swim..." Shaine drinks up the last glass. "Now your move... Wolfy..."

Wolf drink up his cup and slam it on the table, he said, "....commme onnnnn....drop"

Shaine grab the glass and her arm struggling, but she drinks it and answered, "You drop... Wolfy.."

"No...You.." Wolf starts staggering badly.

"Umm... Wolf... You seem struggling from the drink..." Terrius worried.

"nononono...I'm good"

Shaine drinks quick, "Oh... you seem like it..."

"you...too" Wolf drinks his cup.

"No..." Shaine grab the glass then drinks up. "You..."

"Oh I can....go all...night with...this" Wolf drinks his cup again.

"Damn.. this is insanity..." Wraith mumbled.

"You do... huh?" Shaine asked.

"come..on drink" wolf retorts.

Shaine drinks up but she almost pass out from her head and felt numb heavily.

Wolf drinks up the cup but until instantly hurls loudly at the floor.

"WHOOP! You're out!" Shaine pointed out and until she passes out instantly, Wolf falls to the ground as he passes out as well.

"HAH! SHAINE WON! Our bets win!" LAC Trooper shouted cheerfully, but all LACs (including LAC members) stood silence at the moment. "What? too soon..?"

Wolf gets back up only to throw up a second time until everyone felt disgusted when he throws up on the floor again.

"Guess the party is over..." Terrius said.

~~~~
Next Day later, Shaine threw up outside by her base while Terrius look away as he won't dare to look. He shook his head and hoping both her and Wolf will be feeling better within the few minutes or few hours from last night. Although he's willing to check and investigate to see what he'll be learned from her. He wasn't feeling snoop around her stuff, but he decide to wait for Wolf gets better before Shaine gets better. Lastly, Terrius glad his gift for Shaine getting admired the bracelet. He's willing to tell her how he felt from her whenever he gets a chance between her and himself..

=END=