#blueteam

Fred mused that the last time they had likely dawned their formal uniforms was sometime back on Reach, but he doubted that was what was bothering her. Between the memorial and Osman offering Blue Team access to their files of their life before, Fred had to admit it was a lot to digest. Outside of requesting reassignment to their next mission, Fred wasn't sure what else he could do for his fellow Spartans. Linda was handling things with her typical stride, but again, Kelly was a different story. Glancing over to Linda for guidance, the only reply he got was a shrug as Kelly continued to stare down at the dress shirt in her hands absently.

Padding over, Fred leaned against the wall nearest to the woman. "You good?"

There was a soft sigh, Kelly's dark eyebrows pinching together as she closed the bag she had been fiddling with. "I'm fine."

"You're a terrible liar and you know it, Kelly." Fred replied, some humor in his tone.

Kelly paused, contemplating her words before turning out to the room, as to include Linda in their conversation. "It's hard to believe that John is actually gone."

That admission alone rung out like a gunshot. Fred pursed his lips and Linda stared down to her hands.

"I wont lie and say that I never expect him to die, I know better, we all know better, but..." Her shoulder's slumped. "I never thought I'd be the last member of the original 'Blue Team.' I didn't even get to see him die like I did Sam, nor did I get to say a proper goodbye. I remember waking up next to Grace, getting ready for our next fight and then I'm suddenly with Halsey crash landing on Onyx."

It was raw and honest, as much as a Spartan could be. Fred wasn't sure what to do with the information, also lot in his own mourning. Though, he couldn't help but to feel for the woman. John had been her closest friend among the Spartans, not only that but she'd been outright kidnapped, torn from an operation, leaving her comrades to fight for their lives. He knew she carried that guilt, even if it wasn't her fault let alone choice. It would likely haunt her as so many other things did.

Kelly had been prescribed sedatives several years ago, suffering from some kind of night terrors, writhing in her sleep. She had spoken of it on occasion, usually haunted by those she'd watch die, such as Sam and Kurt. Kelly was nothing, if not resilient, not letting it interfere with her life beyond rest, however now she had scores of more faces to add to the list. She'd watched Kurt die a second time after only finding him after years apart, not to mention Will taking a Hunter to the grave with him and the young Spartan III's being slaughtered after being fresh out of training. It would weigh on her - it was weighing on her. Now with the news of John disappearing off into slipspace, likely crushed into dust, it was multiplied.

Looking between Fred and Linda, Kelly continued. "At least he will be in good company, seeing Sam again, and all the rest."

"And he wasn't alone in the end either, wherever he is, Cortana is with him." Linda tacked on, her own commentary on the situation, an offer of comfort. "Who knows, maybe he will end up like me, in a cryopod out there somewhere."

"That's a whole lot of space we'd need to cover before we'd find him." Fred said, ever the realist.

"It can't hurt to keep our eyes peeled where ever we end up next," Linda shot back as she looked to Kelly, offering a small reassuring nod.

And that's how it became an unspoken plan.