Chapter 7- Mourning

"And that's what happened, sir" Jack finished, glancing between Sergeant Smith, and Captain South's image on the huge monitor. He had been at attention all through the debrief.
  Jack stood in the Sergeants quarters of Epsilon base. The small office was cramped and dark, with a large computer system on the north wall opposite the entrance, and a large table in the centre. The massive monitor was lit up with Captain South's upper body, as he sat comfortably in his chair up on Oceans Grace. And just to the side, the distinctive blue avatar that was Charles gleamed on the screen. Jack and Smith stood next to the table.
"Very well Graves" South clasped his hands together "At ease, soldier" South's eyes were filled with compassion; obviously he knew how Jack felt.
Jack had messed up; he knew he'd messed up. And because of it, Rob died. Jack finally settled into a comfortable stance, and looked over his shoulder to the large figure that lingered in the shadows behind.
Owen was leant against the walls corner, arms folded and head resting on his chest. And since he hadn't removed his helmet, Jack couldn't tell if he was awake or not, but he didn't care, all he could think about was Rob. Turning back, Jack merely stared at his boots as Smith and the Captain spoke.
The journey back on the Pelican was awful. Everyone was sat around Rob's body bag, just staring into space. No one spoke. The only sound made was the sound of the Pelicans thrusters, and the occasional whimper from the others holding back tears. Owen had been as quiet then as he was now.
Jack himself, spent majority of the trip staring at Rob's ring and service tag.
It was dark when they landed, and Smith had dragged him and Owen along to the Sergeants quarters for a debrief, with no chance to drop their equipment off.
One thought kept running through his head. Was it worth it? Was it worth Rob dying just to save a Spartan?
Jack merely sighed, and Smith shot him a quick glance. Jack met his gaze filled with sorrow; however Smith didn't glare at him. Smith's face was full of sympathy. He knew Jack had seen marines die before, but never a friend. Smith turned back to the monitor, and Jack listened in on the conversation.
"It wouldn't be fair to say the mission was a failure" South began "But I was hoping to recover all of White Team"
Jack back onto the table, placing his left hand on his helmet which sat upon it. His heart sank at the thought that Rob had died in vain.
"But sir" Smith interrupted "What Delta-17 did was heroic, they took on two Covenant fortifications and destroyed them with no ordinance or support" Jack felt his spirit lift slightly.
  "And by doing so..." Smith continued "They've made that entire range of mountains safe for UNSC personnel, as well exposing the Covenant encampment there. In my books sir, that is a success"
A slight smile broke across Jack's face.
"Very true..." Charles contributed "I do think now would be an appropriate time to speak to Owen about his ventures..."
Charles looked a Jack briefly, and then turned his avatar towards the Captain.
"In private, if I might add sir"
South nodded in approval.
"Ok Graves" Smith addressed Jack, who immediately stood back to attention "Go to the barracks and get some rest, you're gonna need it after today"
Before Jack could move, Smith walked towards him. He then spoke quietly, nearly whispering so that the computers microphone couldn't pick up the speech.
"And don't blame yourself for what happened to Private Williams, it could have happened to anyone"
Jack didn't know whether this was meant to make him feel better or not, but he merely nodded.
"Dismissed" Smith said plainly, walking back to where he once stood.
Jack saluted, grabbed his helmet from the table and marched towards the door. As it swiftly opened, Jack shot one last glance at Owen. He hadn't moved at all, and still looked to be asleep.
"Hope you were worth it" Jack thought to himself, and left the room.

The door slid shut just as it had opened.
"Poor kid..." Smith muttered, shaking his head slightly "Losing a comrade is never easy"
"I don't think it can be easy" South commented "Remember how you took your CO's death, all them years ago?"
Smith shuddered at the thought, but pulled himself together.
"Speaking of team mates" Smith span around, staring at Owen "Where are your Spartan buddies?"
Owen lifted his head slowly, orange visor gleaming from the light of the monitor. Pushing himself off the wall, he walked closer, his arms swinging at his sides.
"Unable to confirm their location, sir" his gruff voice replied.
"Have you tried contacting them since you destroyed the Covenant radio tower?" South questioned.
"Affirmative, no response from either of them"
Smith cursed silently.
"What are my new orders then, Captain" Owen crossed his arms expectantly. Smith looked at him surprised, dumbstruck at what he had just said.
South wasn't especially appreciative of how he had just spoken, frowning slightly. But he knew how Owen was, always the mission on the mind.
"Very well Owen, I have a new objective for you" South shifted in his chair, crossing his arms with authority.
Owen allowed his arms to fall back to his sides, respecting the Captains status.
  "Your to search for the rest of your team"
"As you wish sir..." Owen replied, but was cut off by the Captain.
"However, I want you to go with Graves and his team"
"Sir?" Owen wasn't expecting that.
Smith just looked around in bemusement.
"You proved to be a formidable force, and I believe that if you continue to work with them, your chances of finding your team mates will be much greater"
Owen pondered on this thought for a moment, and then nodded in acknowledgement.
"Yes sir, I believe that may be the best course of action also"
Smith stared at the Spartan. The orange visor that covered his face made it impossible for Smith to guess his thoughts.
"Well..." Smith finally spoke up, smirking slightly "We'll let you deliver the news"
"Just remember that Corporal Graves is in-charge of Delta-17" South added "Your just a tag along, so to speak"
"Yes sir"
"Also, if you get an idea as to the location of one of your team mates, you are permitted to pursue it, with or without Delta-17" South finished.
"Roger that" Owen nodded.
"You may go now" South waved his hand, dismissing the Spartan.
"Thank you, sir" Owen nodded slightly, gave a quick salute to the Captain and Smith, and left the room without another word.

  As the door shut behind the Spartan, Smith shook his head with disapproval.
"Don't think anything of it" South chuckled "He isn't disrespectful, it's just the way he is"
"Eh well..." Smith dropped the subject, and then looked back to the monitor with a serious expression.
"What are we gonna do about this Covenant encampment? I've still got three Scorpion tanks from the other day, I could send those up to take care of it and-"
"No need, I have something special in mind" South interrupted. He briefly nodded at Charles, who had been quiet the whole time. Charles took a quick bow, and disappeared in an array of blue lights.
"Like what, sir?" Smith asked, baffled. What would be better to take out an encampment than Scorpion tanks?
"An ODST squad, to be exact" The Captain typed something onto a keypad off screen.
"Your gonna send Delta back up there?"
"No no, a different squad... A SpecOps squad"
"Who then?" Smith was curious now. A cocky smile spread across the Captains face.

"Bravo-09"