I had this idea in my head and just wanted to get it out there. I know it looks like I'm splitting hairs at the moment, but I was just too excited to wait, seriously I thought of this yesterday and couldn't get it out of my mind.
I do not own Halo, just my OC's; also this is a slight AU since it details a battle on a planet that isn't in the Halo world.
Halo: My Father Was a Marine
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."-Desmond Tutu
Va'lorn observes the settlement before him with his young, critical eye. It doesn't look that different compared to the other structures within this small fiefdom, but Va'lorn knows for a fact that the person living within is as different as any Sangheili can possible come.
Nobody is really sure where the female came from, when she arrived or even how it is she came to be there. It's as if she just appeared one day and the community just accepted her.
Then people began to notice her when the fief fell into hard times. After Sanghelios left the Covenant, the people were deprived of workers, cooks, builders and engineers, rendering the mighty people to become embarrassingly helpless. For thousands of years they had relied on the work of the lesser species, the Unggoy and Kig Yars for example, both of which were supplied by the Covenant. Now without them and after so many cycles since there has last been a Sangheili farmer or builder, the civilization on the planet had started to crumble. It wasn't just the society that was in shambles, but also the people. Everyone became depressed that their religion, their superiority, everything, was revealed to be nothing more than a lie, a lie that many have believed in for countless cycles. They knew there are jobs to be done, but how can they perform such tasks when everyone, male, female, young and old were trained and only trained to be warriors? The humans, their new allies, had sent advisors to help the people to relearn how to live on their own, which is a long and slow process of change that the still prideful Sangheilis had to endure. However the fief of Mosaliee, or Mosali as it is now called, started to flourish, and it was all because of the female.
Va'lorn remembers the day he and the other younglings of the keep were practicing combat drills on the nearby lake when they noticed something, the odd female's house was still functioning. Curious, their instructor had wandered towards her house to see if she had an engineer, and if so, perhaps they could borrow it. When he returns though, he looked absolutely stun and immediately reported to the Keep lord. Later in the day the rumors started, one that made many people uneasy and slightly afraid; the female had installed her own power supply system.
Many people had watched as the Keep lord went to the female for the first time and when he return, he brought with him strange schematics which he gave to the guards and had ordered them to start building.
The guards were lost though, it wasn't because they didn't understand what the paper said, it was because they didn't know how to use the tools or the mathematics required to install such a device, one that has never been seen before.
The Keep Lord is already humiliated just for asking the female for advice, but he forced himself to go to her once again and asked for her personal assistance. That was when Va'lorn had seen her for the first time. He, as well as everyone else, was shocked beyond belief; the female was a youngling, just shy of becoming a full grown woman.
She looked normal Va'lorn suppose; she had the dark skin, a set of orange colored eyes and was close to becoming seven units tall. However, what set her apart is her confidence, she stood straight and converse with the males without regards to their gender difference. And when she converse she didn't speak, she used her hands and some sort of package of papers, all bounded together. Va'lorn though it was a tablet, until she removed a stylus, open the object and started moving it about the page before showing it to the males.
Bit by bit, with the uneasy movements of a newborn, they created a machine that had everyone baffled, nobody had a clue to what it was or what it could do. The female then help the males with installing the machine, she actually squatted in the dust, staining her robes, yet seemed not to be too troubled by it, and used the tools herself in the finishing process. They then put what looked like glass on the roof of the Keep, connect it to the machine and activated it. Va'lorn was mystified, the Keep's power grid reactivated almost instantly and without the use of an engineer or even a power source.
The female said that the power came from the sun, that this is called "solar energy."
After that day her name became well known, a name that sounded completely foreign to Va'lorn; Bree.
After that everything changed. Bree toured the fief, lending out her unbelievable knowledge to everyone who needed it. She built more solar powered homes, while also introducing wind, water and other natural sources that could be used to generate energy. She even knows a few things about farming and showed people how to do it. She used her beautiful pictures to explain how to use mathematical problems and how to apply them to certain problems experienced in life. She was even able to fix a Specter vehicle, she herself looked shock and later admitted she was merely experimenting, she wasn't actually expecting it to work.
She became a large part of the community afterword. Sangheili elders sought her out for advice, others have suggested that she should be a teacher, while many had elected her to become a personal advisor to the fief's Kaidon and all have begun to hold her in awe.
Yet she displayed more of her peculiarity when she decline, claiming that she isn't that important and surely someone with more experience is better suited for the position. Va'lorn knew for a fact that many Sangheilis would have jumped to obtain such a high social rank, so why didn't this female?
The happy times however came to a close. In the wake of the human alliance Sangheilis, who distrusted the aliens and still believe the people of Sanghelios are the superior race, began forming rebellion fractions and started assaulting the humans. One of the rebels had come to the fief and openly declared that Bree was teaching the people human knowledge and demanded her to tell the truth. She merely nodded her head, confirming that all her teachings had come from the humans, not appearing the least bit ashamed or afraid, which angered the rebel.
Though the people were surprised by this, they really saw nothing wrong, after all the humans are their allies now. But then the threats began to arrive, all proclaiming that Bree would be slain.
Determine to protect the female and her valuable information, the Kaidon of the fief had selected a young warrior and had tasked him with protecting Bree.
That young warrior happens to be Va'lorn.
The young warrior takes one last glance around, confirming the area is clear of any dangers before entering the premises. He opens the gate and walks in but stops. Along the path are flowers, all of which appeared to have been removed and place in the ground. Though they smell splendid to the warrior, he wonders why they are there, what purpose do these plants present?
He'll have to ask Bree later. With that in mind he continues up the path before stopping in front of the door. He wonders how to approach this matter. He was taught that as a male he can go wherever he wants whenever he want, but he reminded himself that he is in the territory of a unmated female and who knows, she might have some combat skills hidden amongst her other unnatural talents. He raises a fist and knocks gently on the door, stepping back as he waits.
It isn't long before he hears movement and the door opens to reveal Bree, his first assignment.
She looks the same since the last time he saw her visit the Keep lord, she has just entered adulthood while Va'lorn still has at least one more cycle to complete before he is dubbed a man. The only thing is she appears to have grown taller to the point where she and Va'lonr are almost eye to eye. Their same color orange eyes peer into one another while taking in what they are wearing. She is wrapped in the traditional robes of a Sangheili, but they have designs lace onto them, looking like she had done the work herself. He must admit he probably doesn't look as intimidating as he hoped to, who would be afraid of a blue armored Minor after all?
If Bree was offended by the rank of her new guardian she doesn't show it. She even smiles, with a almost tender look in her eyes.
This alone is enough to cause Va'lorn to question what kind of person he is dealing with.
That is answered when she holds out her hand with her palm open. Va'lorn is confused a bit until he remembers this is how she greeted people. She holds out her hand and the person in turn would shake it. In the back of his mind he wonders if this is some sort of human gesture. Cautiously he holds out his own hand, presses it against hers, feel her tighten the hold and she gives one firm shake.
She smiles at him once more before motioning for him to enter. Taking in another lungful of air, Va'lorn enters and Bree shuts the door as he does so.
He takes one glance around and instantly knew that this place is indeed different. The hallway he is in have squares hanging from them, squares that contains images, but they look so bizarre and random to Va'lorn. Without realizing it, he moves down the corridor, observing each piece of art, all of them are different, but were obviously created in the same manner. They are of different objects, pictures of birds, animals, suns, planets, Sangheilis. One picture causes him to pause though, it was placed among the rest of the pictures, but it stood out for reasons unknown to Va'lorn.
It was an image of a human.
For most of his young life he was told of the barbarians known as humanity, a race that is just as savage and deceptive as the Jiralhanae. They wage war upon one another, have different sects and views that sets them apart, none having the same insight as the other. Their technology is crude compared to those of the Forerunners and their fighting skills are sloppy as if they have never held so much as a blade their entire lives.
However the tables had turn in the past cycle when the Sangheili lost almost everything; honor, glory and chief of all pride when the Covenant reveled how weak they are and it is now the humans, the former enemy, who is helping them.
Still unaware of what he is doing, Va'lorn reaches forward, tugs the small square from the wall and stares at the image that is protected by some barrier that feels like glass. But his real focus is on the lone being in the center of the artwork.
It is delicately detailed to the point that Va'lorn believes he is staring at a black and white hologram and the alien is truly staring back at him. The being is a warrior, which is obvious due to the fact that the alien is holding a weapon and is clothed in armor. He guesses it's a male, though he had heard stories that the humans allow females to fight alongside them. Yet what surprise him are the male's eyes. They appear to be sparkling, a bright light of interest as he stares off into space.
Va'lorn then feels the presence and looks to his left, almost bumping his head against Bree's. He then feels foolish. Here he is in his charge's home yet he acted like it's his and is at the moment violating her space and privacy.
Bree doesn't look angry or even affronted by the lack of respect to her home. She merely looks at him before nodding at the picture, almost as if she is confirming something.
Va'lorn isn't sure what she is trying to say, but hoping to get some idea, he puts the imagery back in its former place before looking to the female again. She still has that same smile and gestures for him to follow her. She doesn't wait to see if he is following as she leads the way into one of the rooms with Va'lorn hurrying after her.
He pauses upon entering and is surprised once more. There is a large opening in the wall, a window, allowing Bree to look outside and view one of the suns as it descends and sets while the another ball of light remains in high orbit. There is a large table where two plates have been place, each one containing some sort of meal that is radiating the scent of meat. In the far corner is what appears to be a food processing area while the rest of the room is overflowing with various pictures. Each one though looks to be incomplete, almost as if the artist, Bree he suppose, is having a hard time focusing.
A small snap is heard and he turns his head to see that the sound had originated from Bree's fingers. He wonders how she produced the noise without using her vocal chords, a fact that chills him when he remembers that she is mute. How is she doing this?
She waves at him to have a seat in front of the meal that is practically inviting Va'lorn to feast, but he hesitates. What is it he is supposed to do? Is it even allowed for him, a guard, to eat while watching his charge? Why is she treating him like a guest rather than a warrior?
She doesn't appear to be asking herself these questions for she sits and looks up to him, as if waiting for him to come and join her. Finally he moves towards the table and sits, deciding to take the offering of food as an order from a superior.
He bows his head before saying, "thank you." His eyes suddenly widens as he realizes that this is the first tie he had spoken to her, he didn't even introduce himself.
He keeps his head lowered as he says, "My apologies ma'am, I didn't mean to forget myself, I am Va'lorn Mosali."
She smiles and nods her head. Does this mean she know who he is? Was she expecting him? Of course she is, she prepared a meal for him didn't she?
He is still wheeling from this small revelation when he notices that she is doing something with her hands. She is moving them in a variety of forms, holding up digits and twisting her hand before pointing at herself. He stares at her blankly before she performs the same action again. He blinks once as she does it a third time. Finally it dawns on him what it is she is doing.
"Bree," he says, using her name for the first time, "are you saying your name is Bree?"
She grins and nods in answer while Va'lorn sighs within himself. If this is how they are going to speak to each other for the duration of the cycle, Va'lorn might as well make an attempt at learning how she uses her hands to speak.
He then looks down at his meal and takes it in. He isn't really sure what it is he is staring at; it looks like meat, but it is brown and is radiating heat, not looking as nutritious as a fresh kill would.
He looks up to gage Bree's reaction to the meal but see that she has her head lowered. For a moment he thought she was bowing to him when he notices that she is making rapid gestures with her hands, capturing his curiosity. She then finishes before opening her eyes, grabs two of the utensils closest to her and uses them as she eat. Wishing not to disrespect her, Va'lorn grabs the same utensils and eats as well.
Bree uses the strange tools skillfully, she uses one to hold down the meat while using a small blade to cut it into pieces before presenting it to her mandibles, which in turns grab hold of each piece and pulls it into her mouth. It is obvious this is how she usually consumes her meal, but Va'lorn could not grasp it. Literally, the meat would not hold still for him, each time he presses down on it the dull blade would make a squeak that would hurt his ears and project the meat to move across the plate. He is also unable to cut the meat into squares, they will come out sloppily and disfigured. Finally he gave up and just picks up the food, wraps his mandibles around it and slowly bit off piece by piece of it. He is unsure if he would call the meal satisfying or if it's even worthy of praise with the unusual flavors he tastes on his tongue, but all that matter is that its filling his stomach.
Va'lorn finishes off the last of his meal and looks back to Bree who is still eating calmly with no rush, eyeing Va'lorn every so often.
The male tries to wait for her to finish so that he could leave the table, but patience was never his strong suit.
"May I go and check the perimeter?" he finally asks her.
Bree just looks up and nods, not appearing the least bit upset that he requests for an early leave.
Taking that small gesture in, Va'lorn stands and lumbers off to search the house.
Va'lorn has checked every room, every door and every crack before concluding that the house is secured. He peeked into Bree's bedroom, not daring to enter, and sees that's there are no windows so there's no threat of an intruder entering from any way other than the door. She has two spare rooms, filled with boxes that looks human in nature, filled with objects that baffles the Sangheili, but he decides none of them are hazardous and leaves them where they are. Each window in the structure is securely shut and even has some sort of device hooked to them, did Bree place them there and what are they for? He'll have to ask her later. With his initial observation completed, he returns to the same room to see how Bree is fairing.
She had finished her meal and is slightly shock to see that she even took the time to clean the dishes. As a important figure does she not have her own servants to perform such tasks for her? Then again, he hasn't seen anyone else within the house, so it must only be him and Bree together.
The female in question is seated on the other side of the room, sitting in front of some sort of furniture piece that is holding up a large paper while she moves a stylus over its surface. He is sure she hasn't notice his presence, so he stands by the door and keeps a keen eye on her, occasionally flicking his eyes all over the room as he searches for threats.
Units begins to go by to the point that one of the suns have set while the other is rising, a sign that its time to sleep, but Bree doesn't look the least bit tired.
Curious with what she is doing, Va'lorn walks up to her and takes one glance at the paper and becomes transfixed.
On the large paper she is drawing on are plain figures with no faces, hands or feet, just outlines of bodies, five to be specific. Yet what it was that captures his attention the mostly is the smaller image that is being held up by a small clip in the corner of the paper. It is an image, but this one is different. The figures look completely lively, all fully colored and all looking cheerful, but that's not what he found interesting, not entirely. It is an image of four human warriors, and the one in the middle is holding something in its lap, something small and who is looking just as happy as the humans. It is a Sangheili youngling, wearing a strange set of clothing style similar to what the humans are wearing except for their armor, but what stands out to Va'lorn are the youngling's eyes. They are a familiar shade of orange.
The male turn to face the ever cheerful face of Bree as she watches him, his stump yet amazed face must no doubt look amusing to her.
He looks between the Bree standing before her and the smaller Bree in the image; both smiling, both looking extremely happy. He wonders if this image is some sort of portal to the past, it's so real, far better than anything he has seen Bree create.
Bree lays a soothing hand on Va'lorn's arm, causing him to look at her. He can see something in her eyes, almost like it's a welcoming gesture of some sort.
He glances at the image one last time before looking to her and asks, "Who are the humans?"
Her smile falters slightly, but not all the way. She raises her stylus and writes on the paper once more, but instead of a picture, she is writing something. Va'lorn watches as if he is entrance before she raises her hand and one word is presented to him, written in the Sangheili hieroglyphs.
Family
Now he is really confused. Does this female not know that she was among foreign species? How could she think of the humans as one of their own? How did she fall into the company of humans to begin with? Where did this happen? How did it happen? Who are these aliens? And what did they do to her?
He hears slight shuffling behind him and turns to look. Bree has grabbed a much smaller pad and is writing something. When she is finished, she hands it over to him.
They are my family.
Va'lorn knows this, she probably just wrote it to assure him that she knows what she is talking about and there is no mistake.
Still, he looks up at her, too many questions still flowing through his mind before he finally utters one word, "how?"
She slowly looks past him, as if she in deep thought, processing the words in her mind as it travels deep into her past. Va'lorn is sure units have passed before she retrieve the pad from his hand, writes something down and present it to him.
It is a simple sentence, but one that he finds just as mind blowing and as alien as it could ever become, a sentence that he could not understand, a sentence with a word that he could not identify, a sentence that will no doubt change the way he views the female forever as he reads what she just wrote.
My father was a Marine.
I'll probably update this after I update my other Halo fic Unexpected Allinace in case you're wondering. I have no idea when the next chapter will be up, but I hope you can be patient.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed.