Authors Note: Thanks to Gecko-1539 for proofing this.
Disclaimer: Halo, Sangheili, Rtas and Thel belong to Bungie Studios. However, Original Characters, like Zeno, belong to me.
Chapter 2: Changes
Lila had developed well over the last eight years. Her body was lean and well toned, her motions were smooth and graceful and her emerald eyes sparkled with life. He may be semo, but even a semo could recognize a female that would be highly desired by the non-semo males and Lila was certainly one of those.
"Oooh…This is more like it…," the young major beside him groaned. "Blood, I may have to leave early." Zeno chuckled as he watched him cross his legs out of the corner of his eye. "I wonder if any of them are available for breeding…."
Zeno snorted at the comment. "Unless you are willing to wait at least a year, that would be a 'no'," he said.
"Huh? Why?" On his other side, he noticed Miko was giving him a similar questioning look.
"When a female is fully initiated into a Gi'vea troupe, she is forbidden from taking a mate for ten years. After that, she is free to choose who she wants."
The major groaned in disappointment, Zeno noticing a couple other groans as well: apparently, he educated more than one young Sangheili male about this today. Better they are told now, then to get smacked in the groin later when they try to seduce one later, he thought with a smirk. Focusing his attention back on the dance, and on Lila, he could see his twin was clearly enjoying herself. He just hoped that if she happened to spot him the crowd that it wouldn't lead her to distraction.
She only has two years left, Zeno thought with a slight frown. After that, she will likely be swarmed with potential suitors, if the current kaidon does not marry her off first. He nearly scowled aloud at the thought. Most kaidons respected the Gi'vea and allowed them to choose who they wanted, but once in a while the political pull a kaidon could gain by offering a Gi'vea as marriage material was too tempting to resist.
Zeno did not know who the current kaidon of his keep was, nor did he really care: it was likely someone that would have hated him for what he was anyway. He silently vowed that if the kaidon did decide to force Lila to marry someone she did not want, he would have something to say about that. After all, Lila promised Zeno her firstborn to raise as his own child and he would much prefer Lila chose who the blood sire was then some bastard that only saw her as a political tool.
The Hi'to dance ended and Lila disappeared behind the curtain. Another Sur'to followed, the dancers in slightly different outfits this time. The colors, while still the home world colors, were more faded and not as bright. The music here took a more sorrowful tone, the dancers movements slower with the cues spaced out further. This one ended with all the dancers bowing toward the audience on the last cue and the curtain drawing closed for the last time. Those in the audience that had been to a show before got up and started to leave, though a few wandered toward the headmistress, likely to see about other services.
"That is all?" The major whined. "I thought this was supposed to be longer…."
"Three sets, that is all," Zeno said as he got up.
"Pity, oh well, I will have some sweet dreams tonight anyway." Zeno chuckled as he watched the major get up and walk away. He himself, started toward the stage.
"Zeno, where are you going?" Miko asked, following him.
"To speak to someone I have not seen in years," Zeno said with a smile, his eyes searching for his sister. He spotted her helping the musicians carry their instruments back into one of the tents. Not wanting to startle her and likely drop the fragile instrument, he waited until she came back out again to call out her name. "Lila!" He cried, waving his hand.
Lila, surprised at hearing her name, looked around for the source. When she saw him, her eyes widened at first in shock, then in joy as she rushed toward him. "Zeno!" He heard her cry and within seconds, she had her arms wrapped around his neck, embracing him. Zeno chuckled and returned the gesture. "It is so good to see you again, brother."
"Aye, sister, it has been years," Zeno said smiling.
"Lila 'Ribal!" The headmistress suddenly growled, coming toward them. "Remember the protocols!"
"It is alright, headmistress," Lila said to her. "This is my twin brother, Zeno, you remember him surely?"
The headmistress narrowed her eyes at him, and then her harsh features softened. "Ah, yes I do remember." She poked him in the gut with her cane. "You have filled out nicely, Zeno."
"Thank you madam." Zeno bowed to her out of respect.
"And who is this?" She pointed her cane at Miko. "Not someone who is trying to sneak one my girls away, I pray."
"I assure you, madam," Miko said, looking a little intimidated by the cane. "That I have no such intentions."
"And on my honor, headmistress, I will ensure he behaves himself," Zeno added.
"Very good. I will leave you be, Lila, but do not take long: you have other duties to attend to before the next showing."
"Understood, headmistress," Lila said, bowing.
"You seem to be doing well for yourself." Zeno said, as the headmistress walked away.
"I do what I can," Lila said as they sat down in some of the seats. "Who is your friend?"
"This, is the love of my life, Miko 'Kemotee." Zeno said, patting Miko on the leg, whom blushed.
Lila beamed at the news. "A pleasure to meet you Miko and I am glad he has found you. Zeno had long been hateful of his own nature."
"Tell me about it," Miko said with a smirk. "Took me months to finally win him over."
"What can I say? I am stubborn…," Zeno grinned.
"Indeed you are, brother." Lila giggled, then her face went sullen.
"What is wrong, sister?"
"A lot has changed in the keep since you left, Zeno," she said sadly. "There is much to tell you and I do not know if I have the time to tell it."
While Zeno personally did not care about the keep anymore, he could tell it was bothering her and wanted to let this out. "I imagine a lot has changed since Kou's death," he said softly. "Can you give me a short version of events? We can discuss the details another time."
"I do not know if I can shorten it adequately in the time I have, but I will try," Lila said. However, before she could begin they were interrupted.
"Zeno! Miko!" A familiar voice said. They turned to see Justal, in full armor, heading in their direction.
"Oh, what does he want?" Miko muttered. "Things were about to get juicy."
Zeno gave his lover a look, then they all stood as Justal joined them. "What is it Justal? You are interrupting something rather important," Zeno asked.
Justal, however, seemed to have gotten distracted by the sight of Lila and was now leering at her. "Hello, beautiful…," he said seductively. "Mmm…I would not mind you on my shaft…."
Zeno felt a rush of rage: how dare he speak to her that way! Before anyone else could react, he struck Justal in the snout. The SpecOps staggered backwards, holding his face. "Mind your mouth you uncultured cretin!" Zeno hissed. "You do not speak to a Gi'vea or my sister that way!"
"Your sister?" Justal blinked, looking between the two. "Awww blood…."
"You are lucky he hit you first," Lila said, looking disgusted. "I would have hit you lower…."
Justal got the point and quickly covered his nether regions. "I would rather keep my ability to sire young, thank you."
"I would suggest you tell us whatever it is you wanted to tell us, before Zeno, or Lila, decides to give you more punishment for you rudeness," Miko said, folding his arms.
"Right, right…." Justal backed away a few more paces. "The commander is recalling all the recon pairs. He wants you meet with him in his quarters immediately."
Zeno sighed heavily. "Looks like even the short version will have to wait," he said.
"So it seems," Lila said, looking disappointed. "Take care of yourself, brother. I hope to see you again soon."
"Same here, sister." Zeno gave his sister an affectionate nuzzle, she returning the gesture, before parting ways. As he and Miko headed out of the spiritual distinct, Zeno's mind started to wander. Though she was happy to see him, Lila looked extremely troubled during the brief time they spoke.
"What is on your mind, Zeno?" Miko said, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"I wonder about what Lila wanted to tell me," Zeno said with a sigh. "All I know is that it was about our keep. Thing is, she knows how I feel about our keep."
"Which is?"
"That I want little to do with it," Zeno growled faintly. "Lila and Kou were the only reasons I would have wanted to return: no one else in that place cared a lick about me."
"She did say that things have changed, maybe their stance on you has improved for the better?"
"I do not know, but a part of me doubts it."
"Perhaps someday you should return and see for yourself?"
"I would rather have information on the keeps status before heading back, so I am prepared, both physically…And mentally."
"Understandable." Miko then muttered something Zeno barely caught. "I wish I had been, long ago."
"What do you mean by that?"
Miko blushed and turned his head away. 'It is nothing, Zeno. It is…Irrelevant to the present."
Zeno didn't quite believe him, but could tell his lover wasn't willing to talk about it. "Very well," he said softly.
They didn't bother stopping by their room to change into their armor, not with Justal's message sounding so urgent. When they entered the commander's quarters, the sight of every SpecOps assigned to the recon unit being present greeted them. Some were in their armor, while others, like them, were in their civilian clothing. "Justal was not kidding when he said it was total recall," Miko muttered.
"Indeed. Any idea what this is all about?" Zeno asked the group.
"No idea," One of them, Gilum his name was if Zeno remembered correctly, said. "That he called all of us here suggests it is something very important."
"Where is the commander?"
"In the other room," another, Henun, said. "He said he will be back in here shortly."
"Probably to collect himself, that is my guess," Miko said. "If this is as important as it seems."
They didn't have to wait long. Rtas stepped into the room moments later and immediately Zeno noticed that how disturbed Rtas looked. He watched as the commander looked around at all of them, a faint smile of pride creasing his face. "You are all here, good," Rtas said, moving to the middle of the room. "What I have to say will shock you all, perhaps even cause you to question your loyalty to the Covenant."
"It is something that dire, commander?" Henun asked.
"That is a matter of opinion, Henun, but we all know what has been happening as of late." There were nods of agreement all around. "The Hierarchs have broken one of the longest traditions in the Covenant by replacing the honor guard with Brutes and word is, that those savages are now taking the place of shipmasters within our fleets as well."
"What!" Miko cried and he wasn't the only one that made such a cried. "Have the Prophets lost all faith in us!"
"I do not know, though it appears to be so," Rtas said solemnly. "Regardless, the Hierarchs claim the Great Journey will soon begin. With that knowledge and the fact that the human homeworld has been found, the Hierarch has ordered me to disband the recon unit."
There was no outcry this time: only shocked silence. "Why?" Zeno finally spoke up. "Yes, we have found the heathen's homeworld and soon it will be cleansed, but they no doubt have colonies and other settlements still yet to be discovered. Not to mention the demon that is still running around on the sacred ring, likely looking for a way to stop the Great Journey from happening. It is premature to disband such an essential unit now, Great Journey or not."
"The demon's status is unknown: it has not been seen since Regret's murder, Zeno," Rtas said. "Still, you have a valid point, Zeno. It is premature, but I had no say in the matter."
"What will become of us then?" Henun asked.
"Most of you will remain with me, though some will likely be transferred to other fleets. I will ensure, certain pairs are not separated." He looked specifically at Zeno and Miko. "This will take time to finalize, so in the mean time, as a last mission as a recon unit, you have been tasked to be the perimeter watch around the control center of the Holy Ring. Soon, the High Council will be taken there to observe the start of the Great Journey and the Hierarchs want to ensure the area is secure."
"Basically we will be babysitting the Brute honor guard when they arrive. Lovely," Miko sneered.
"The Prophets insisted on the extra security for such an important event, so it is imperative that we work together. The humans are still out there, their demon possibly among them: we cannot risk them interrupting the activation of the Ring." Rtas took a deep breath before he continued. "The other concern is the possibility of the parasite being present on this Ring. They were present on the Ring the demon destroyed and on the gas mine where the recently vanquished heretics gathered, so I have every reason to believe they may be present on this Ring as well. You are fortunate so far that none of you have encountered the parasite, but that may change soon. Therefore it is in your best interest to know how to combat it, should it appear."
The Flood. Zeno had heard many horrid tales about them, both from the survivors that managed to escape the first holy ring before it was destroyed and from Rtas himself. The commander's experience would be valuable indeed if his concerns about the parasite being on the ring turneds out to be true. "Share with us your wisdom and experience then, commander," Zeno said. "So that we may know how to combat the parasite and avoid the fate many befell to them."
Rtas nodded and walked over to a console. After typing in a command, a few schematics popped up, showing four different Flood forms. One looked vaguely human, while the other was distressingly Sangheili. The third looked like a walking gas bag and the last looked like a smaller version of the walking gas bag, only with many tentacles as legs: Zeno felt a shiver go up in his spine just looking at it. "Energy swords work best against them, but I would advise not letting them get too close if you can help it. Any plasma weaponry will work well, if you know where to shoot them," Rtas began. "Now, heed well to what I am about to tell you my brothers, for it may save your life…And your sanity…."
