After Noble team left, Reaper shook their hands before entering the room with his squad and a few additions

"Dr. Halsey, good to see you again." Reaper began, taking off his helmet

"Corey. I see you've done well for yourself so far. But tell me, who are they?" Halsey asked, pointing at the three troopers, Rix, and the rebel

"Ah, I'm glad you asked. These are those I wanted to request to be put in my squad. The former rebel there is Dak. The female trooper here is Ivory. And my friend here-" he said, holding up the skirmisher's hand with his own "is Rix Zhun. I'll talk more about her later. Now, the one with the shotgun is Seric. And the sniper here, he's Rosek." He finished introducing them

"Ranks?" Halsey asked, folding her arms

"Rix is a Major, although she looks like a minor, she is a special case. Dak was a PFC, and Ivory is a 1LT. Seric's a Specialist and Rosek is a Corporal." He answered, not skipping a beat

"I'll see what strings I can pull. Now, tell me. How was your first experience with Noble?" Halsey asked, obviously interested in his opinion

"Marvelous, ma'am. I'd be happy to work with them again. You know, Six remin-" he began

"I know. He reminds me of him too." Halsey interrupted, knowing what Reaper was going to say

"So, how are things on your end?" Reaper asked, beginning to get serious

"Better now that I have Professor Sorvad's 'Latchkey'." She answered, leaving things vague as always

"Understood. Everyone, leave the room." Reaper ordered, everyone doing so, only Halsey and Reaper remained

"We need to talk." Reaper said, no longer as hopeful as he way before

"Indeed." Halsey answered

"Reach. We both know it doesn't have much time. And I'm afraid no matter how hard we fight, it will fall sooner or later."

"You're correct. That's why I'm doing the best I can with this research. Give the human race a chance we never had." Halsey answered, looking at her creation

"And all you need is time. I'll do my best ma'am. Aside from that, Rix. Like I said before, she's a special case. Unlike other Skirmishers, she's..... Well, a little cowardly. Hence why she looks like a minor. At one point a champion, she fell through the ranks as her sisters have fallen one by one. And now it's only her. I made her a deal. Help me, I keep her safe, fed, and paid. Then return her home when this is over. I know how useful it is to have an enemy defect to the other side. We both do." He said, looking down when he said the last part

"We do. Dak and Rix will both have their uses. I'll do my best to keep ONI away from them, but you need to do the same with the enemies" Halsey answered

"Understood. And Dr?" Reaper asked

"Yes?"

"About Y/N....." He began

"The ODST. When Reach falls, they'll be ready. You have my word, Corey." Halsey told, reassuring Reaper

"Alright. Good luck with your research. And stay safe." Reaper said, saluting Halsey and leaving the room

"You do the same 116. You do the same." Halsey said when he left the room