SPARTANS don't gawk. They aren't supposed to. They are ideal soldiers and mostly stoic to a soldier. Except Kurt and Sam and maybe some of the new ones. That is what Matt always told himself. Thing is, he's gawking now, and without a helmet to hide it. Just openly staring until he casts his eyes about. Had anyone else seen Mendez almost laugh? There was no way that happened, or that the man was talking to him in such a familiar manner. It wasn't... possible. Nor was the smile. A smiling Mendez would be like... like the Conselor actually emoting, or the Director smiling. Not possible things.

Today is just full of the impossible he supposes.

"Served battle units some. Then bags. Black."

Seemed like he was made for it. A series of them. He was a whole set of matched black ops luggage. Still, it felt oddly nice to see his old instructor. To the point where he reaches up to indicate his throat. The clearly new scarring.

"Latest bag. Til Kurt."

Perhaps too much to admit, but this was one of the people he had always been trying to prove himself to. That he was good enough. That he could serve. This man had helped make that concept an engrained part of Matt. Almost made him want to break opsec. Not that he would. Kurt might get some out of Ackerson if he was read in to Freelancer, which Matt doubted. If Kurt needed support Ackerson could have scooped Matt for it years ago. As it was Matt clearly had fallen under some other ONI appointment.