Chapter Two, part one:
2240 hours; Central Command Station Radiant
Hydroponics consisted of a single square mile's worth of imported terrain, the soil often more than fifty feet deep. It was unlevel, and in some places, untended, giving it an almost natural forest-like feel. Limbs covered in leaves and some that were bare drooped across what had been a walking-path just three months ago.
'Lygotee remembered walking it, remembered the look of the path it followed through the trees and underbrush. In the center was the largest known species of tree, but it was in the center of a large meadow-like clearing in the middle of the faux forest. It was almost as if a piece of a planet were right down the hall- one of the pluses to being stationed on an orbital platform rather than a cruiser or dreadnaught. At first inspection it seemed huge, yet if one spared the time to explore the whole area it presented itself as being rather small.
'Lygotee had run longer stretches than it could provide while still in training. He had always rather liked the vegetation, yet could never seem to bring himself to linger in Hydroponics for any more time than it took to cross from one door to the next between corridors. Now he stood under the eave of the edge of the chamber, staring out into the thick vegetation with an unreadable look on his face. His lower mandibles clicked once when his reverie was disturbed by motion to his left, but he recognized it quickly enough as the teams of Unggoy he had sent out to practice earlier that evening. The weary grunts were packing it in for the day and hoping to head for their racks in the methane chambers three decks below. He considered stopping them, but if the mines set in the Sangheili quarters were set to go off when the doors opened a second time, then the Brutes weren't liable to expect any fireworks until morning- and a tired grunt was worse in battle than one who merely had bad aim.
He looked away, deciding to let the Unggoy sleep. Tonight the Sangheili would not sleep- Hydroponics was no place to catch one's rest, but scattered hidden amid the trees the Elites had hunkered down, most of them willing themselves to gain as much rest as they could. They all knew that once the fighting started, it wouldn't stop until one side or the other was completely erased from the decks of the Radiant.
"I thought I would find you here, Leader."
Startled, 'Lygotee jerked out of his half-asleep stupor that he hadn't known he was in. Too much still and quiet would do that to a body, he mused, but he still berated himself for his inability to govern his reactions to his environment. That had been his most defining fault of all, though his quality seemed to have been being the one that was always awake when everyone else was asleep. Tonight appeared the exception.
A soft laugh followed the motions of the black-clad Elite as they sat beside him under the eave. "You shouldn't fight it- you'll need all the rest you can get."
'Lygotee tried to focus on his new companion, but the dark dressage hid them nearly completely from view. Had they activated their camouflage engines he might have seen them better. "You shouldn't be calling me Leader."
He received what he figured was an expressive look, but it was too dark to tell what the expression had been. "I may call you what I will, Commander. It is my right."
'Lygotee nodded- he had to agree with that, at least, as it was a good point. "Leader, then." He conceded. "What brings you to this place at this hour?"
"You did, Commander, or had you forgotten already the pain you fear to feel should your brethren die without opportunity to fight back?"
"I have not forgotten… am I permitted to know who you are, or shall you always remain a shadow to me?"
"You ask the questions you know the answers to, yet you never fail to seek the answers to the ones you do not. Tell me, Commander 'Lygotee, why you hold a fondness for a thing you dare not linger near?"
'Lygotee frowned. "I remain where I am taken, and I follow the oath of my fathers." He replied. "I have my Elites and the Covenant… and nothing else. Tonight I wonder if I shall keep the last."
His companion spent a moment in reflection. "'Lygotee, Answer me this just once."
'Lygotee looked at him. "Ask." Without knowing who he was speaking with, there was no way he could address them properly, so he didn't even begin to try. If they required a proper address, they would reveal themselves so he might.
"Many Commanders feel a bond of friendship with their teams, yet you have taken yours to a bond likened to that of your kin. Why."
"We are all brothers." 'Lygotee began, but he trailed off before he could add anything else in lieu of the upraised hand he suddenly noticed.
"Did I not ask you to be honest with me, 'Lygotee?"
'Lygotee thought about that. "No."
"Then I make the request now."
He sighed. "What do you expect me to say? We are a team, we function as limbs on a single entity, and we do it well. The loss of one of our number will decrease our efficiency and the loss will be felt for some time to come for this… and other reasons."
"Other reasons?"
"Would you have me fill the night with tales of yester or would you prefer I not answer that?" 'Lygotee asked, feeling a little stressed.
The Elite only nodded. "You asked me why I am here."
"I did." He inclined his head.
"I will answer you. My purpose here was to watch the Prophet of Mercy, and ensure nothing ran amiss. In so doing I was witness to your meeting with him and it piqued my interest." He looked over at 'Lygotee. "I heard your warning to the Sangheili here on the Radiant. I was impressed by your care for the welfare of our kind, even despite the will of all others."
"I am not here to start a fight." 'Lygotee answered, sternly. "We will not betray the Covenant unless it betrays us."
"I fear it already has… brother."
'Lygotee looked back, then. "Explain yourself."
"The Humans have pushed the Prophets to bolster the conflict and many forces were sent to their Homeworld. However you have all been left out of a revolution that occurred within the forward ranks of the Covenant, but it is about to reach for you."
"The influx of Brutes…"
"Among other things."
'Lygotee shook himself. This was lunacy! The Brutes were probably just looking for ways to mock Sangheili honor and stability without being blamed outright for unrest in the Covenant. 'Lygotee sighed. As much as he liked the thought, he realized it wasn't quite true, and he could never convince himself that the Brutes would play so nicely.
Elite blood would run before this was over. If 'Lygotee had anything to say about it, it would not run alone. "Your words are heresy, whoever you are." 'Lygotee snapped. "Do not speak them further. I will not be privy to a plan to dismantle the Covenant."
"Plan? What plan? The only ones with plans are the Prophets. The rest of us merely subsist in the fashions we find approachable. You may not enjoy this change, and indeed there is little doubt it will hurt. But it is upon you whether you would be a part of it willingly or not." The Elite answered. "You recall the Demon?"
"I do."
"He returned after the destruction of the first Halo, to the second. There he slew the Prophet of Regret. You may understand how shaken Truth and Mercy were. It is what caused the change of Honor Guards."
'Lygotee wondered whether to laugh at the lunacy or gape in shock. A Prophet was dead? How could that justify using Brutes as guards? They would be as liable to kill the Prophets themselves than wait for the Demon to do it. "How many of the Honor Guard fell that day?"
"All of them. Every one Regret had in company was killed as well- though we can not know for certain how many were slain by the Demon and how many simply did not get clear of the temple before the Fleet opened its guns on the structure. They flattened it, you know. Trying to kill the Demon. He escaped anyway."
"I have no doubts that he did." 'Lygotee muttered. "He has proven himself many times to be formidable. It was he who cut a swath through our brethren in order to access the means by which he committed his first deed and earned the title of Demon."
His companion smiled. "You don't follow the Covenant blindly, I see."
"How could they justify disbanding the Elites on that?" 'Lygotee asked. "The Demon cannot be stopped by normal means and even the Honor Guard have a limited arsenal with which to perform."
"Such arguments would put you at odds with the Hierarchs, Commander. The Brutes murdered a great number of your kin for such views. The High Council threatened to leave the Covenant, which got the conflict started, but it hasn't ended yet- even though the Arbiter himself was there to bolster the ranks with morale."
"The Arbiter was said to have died already." 'Lygotee mused. "How do you expect to convince me that he lives still?"
"The Great Journey was forestalled by his action alone. The Brutes have lost their Chieftain because the Arbiter killed him."
'Lygotee gave his companion a curious look. "The more words I hear from you the less I like you. And the less I like the situation." He said. "You make heretical claims and blasphemous statements… but at this hour I feel to call you down would be the deaths of us all. I don't know if what you say is true, but I know the Brutes well enough, and I can see when a thing looms over me."
"Don't ever let that wit go, Commander." The stranger said, as if he were proud of 'Lygotee for some reason. "It'll save your life someday." He stood, and walked away, leaving the Commander feeling mixed and confused. He knew what was likely to happen and what would happen if certain things turned out a certain way, but there was no telling if it would. Just a lot of signs pointing to that it could. Still, he didn't like any of it and the last thing he wanted to get caught up in was a civil war inside the Covenant. Prior to the declaration of holy war on Humanity, things had been relatively quiet. The integration of the Yanme'e into the Covenant had been the biggest thing he could recall.
'Lygotee stared into the trees for a moment, trying to think of what he would do if he ever had to answer for this. If he ever had to explain to half the population of Sangheili why he had gotten them out of their beds at an ungodly hour to rest them in Hydroponics.
If… if he lived through this. Something in his gut was telling him how much he needed to stay aware, how this could become so much worse than anyone might anticipate. And he knew if things did get out of hand there would be no help for it, because in the end they were still going into this with only half their hearts for the fight; many still were undecided whether there would be a fight. No one doubted it was a good possibility, but possibilities never told truth for fact, and the truth was what they so desperately needed right now.
The Brutes had one over them already by the fact that they alone knew whether there would even be the suspected and partially anticipated conflict. 'Lygotee wished 'Obaulee could be there, wished his team were whole. The odds would not be so bad if they were all there. Nothing frightened him when the three were there with him. Sadly he shook his head. 'Obaulee was the last thing he was liable to get right now, and a complete team was out of the picture. Someone new would cause disruption and upset the already chaotic pattern they once had shared. His team had lived up well to the title of Elite; between the four of them, there had been nothing they couldn't accomplish, although their tactics had been something more than normal.
Adaptation had come in the form of 'Obaulee. The Sangheili had taught the rest of them what the meaning of improvisation was. There had not been anything quite like 'Obaulee. 'Lygotee ran his taloned fingers along the armor on his mandibles, remembering the last mission they had done together. One tiny misstep had doomed them all. Everything had gone very wrong very fast and even before the mission objective was in sight. 'Lygotee hadn't let a moment pass that he hadn't thought of what things would be like if he had simply greeted the traitorous Unggoy with a plasma bolt to the face. The event made him question his leadership quality, but 'Pohamee and 'Lavuree only leaned on him more, as if 'Obaulee had been a crutch removed at a bad time, leaving them only one person left to support them.
He didn't believe he was worthy of their loyalty anylonger, but at this point to retire would be a bad thing. And even if he managed somehow to pull that off, he would only be kicking himself more when the news reached him later of the systematic annihilation of all Sangheili aboard the Radiant.
'Lygotee began to consider what might become of them all if they did happen to defeat the Brutes and persist despite any conflict. Would the Great Journey leave them behind? Or did that matter anymore? If they were all dead before it happened the same outcome was assured. What was the point? 'Lygotee didn't want to die, but it wasn't beneath him to dedicate it to a worthy cause. For the longest he had assumed the Covenant was that cause. Yet the more time passed the more he came to realize that everything he had known or thought he'd known had all been a lie.
The Covenant was crumbling around him, and no amount of dedication or blood could seal it back together. The Sangheili were being evicted, eradicated… erased.
'Lygotee spent a moment in reflection, contemplating the patterns of action they could take when the conflict began and the shooting started. How many would die? How many would never know if their efforts were for good or in vain? How many more would sacrifice everything for nothing? Who would see the end? Who would be able to forgive him, when it was all said and done, after many of their brothers had died and all that remained was a blood soaked truth?
"Let go." 'Lygotee turned his head, curious who had spoken. At first he wasn't sure if it was even addressed to him, but the Sangheili standing beside him was facing him. 'Lygotee blinked. How odd… behind the Elite were the sands of the desert following the borders of a plain where the Academy was. He remembered the place as being where he had stood just before graduation, trying to make sense of something that so many years later he still didn't understand. Cloaks snapping in the stiff, hot wind, the two of them had stood there overlooking the sweeping desert for several hours. No one came to them, complained about them missing time in the school.
'Lygotee shook himself. Eighty years ago that day he had been here, and here he stood again. It occurred to him it wasn't likely to be real. Was he that exhausted? Doubtful. He'd only missed a few hours of sleep total. A day shy of his deployment to join them, his bloodline had been completely wiped out. All the Sangheili bearing any relation to him were gone in the blink of an eye, and all that remained of the contingent of vessels was glitter in the cosmic picture. Even the Prophets hadn't known what had happened, but they quickly found out- all the scout and recon vessels sent to investigate suffered similar fates until they figured out the space was booby trapped by natural anomalies. It was a no-fly zone found the hard way.
'Lygotee stood very alone against all that could be thrown his way and he knew it. Right there facing the open, empty expanse of desert, he had never felt it more. The memory revived told him the feeling had returned. He had worked hard to forge his surrogate family, and now it was slowly being stripped from him, too. 'Obaulee was only the first. 'Lygotee could only wonder, wait and fear.
After they were gone, what was left?
'Lygotee turned from the sight, but there was nothing else to look at, nothing there but the individual beside him rendered in fuzzy detail. He lowered his head, and closed his eyes. Eventually, a similar fate would be dealt him and on that day he would define whether he should be remembered or forgotten, the last of his bloodline and the sole survivor of the biggest catastrophe known to the Covenant Archives. A million lightyears could never be enough space between him and that looming shadow on his heart. He had known a number of them- cousins, parents, uncles and aunts, a sibling and their mate.
It was all gone.
'Obaulee was gone.
'Lygotee had never felt more alone.
Chapter Two, part two:
0215 hours; Central Command Station Radiant
Enin 'Lygotee shot to his feet, the hiss and spit of his energy sword coming active in his grasp alerting a pair of Sangheili to his left. He looked around, wondering where he was, before his posture straightened and he touched the power stud on the sword again.
He ran a hand over his face, and sighed. Nightmares. He always had a few, but now was not a good time. How could he expect to rest if they woke him every few hours? He checked his arm-chrono, and frowned. It was early enough to catch the dead asleep. Shaking his head at the frustration, 'Lygotee decided to walk for a stretch before doing anything else. His method of arousal had left his system shot up with adrenalin, and for it he knew he could never go back to sleep.
Casting the Elites to his left a look, 'Lygotee decided to go right; he didn't need to have any close encounters with anyone who might want to talk to him, and he didn't feel up to answering a query after his health. Aside from the content of his dreams, he was fine, and if that wasn't obvious he wasn't going to answer it. What troubled him was the fact had been easily concealed from the others until now. Here they could all gather like an audience and see him fly from sleep into a battle-ready stance without prompting, and ridicule him for it. He often couldn't remember what in the dreams woke him like that, but when he did he put it out of his mind in favor of other things. Any Sangheili warrior worth his salt would never show weakness.
'Lygotee followed the outer walk around Hydroponics, trying to soothe his nerves and regain his frazzled composure. If his team saw him like this, they would doubt his ability as a fighter. He hated not being able to gain any decent rest in his own quarters, but there was no way he was sleeping with a mine primed to blow right beside him. As he walked he slowly worked out the cramps in his shoulders, borne of resting in his armor and sitting up. He'd had worse, and less, but here he didn't need to. It irked him to be so constrained by such a pathetic yet unmeetable foe, powerless to solve the problem.
He paused by the air vent that took atmosphere from Hydroponics and sent it through the rest of the station, and studied the reflective metal grill over the hole. The latches were open, likely because they had been forced open and couldn't be closed again due to the push without some similar force. 'Lygotee looked from the grill reflecting the twilight star shine through the open windows above the trees to the wall beside it.
The fleet standard purple looked a silvery grey under the dim light, but if he studied it long enough he could tell it wasn't really grey at all. Looking past his armor-clad thighs at his hooves, 'Lygotee studied the dirt on his boots. It was only enough to make his otherwise clean armor look spotty where it was covered by unreflective soil, but it made a pattern of interest. Hearing movement to the side, he looked up to see a Sangheili leave the treeline and walk past his position as if he had his cloaking engine active. 'Lygotee knew better than to assume they didn't see him, though. All Sangheili had excellent senses, and he was also standing against a reflective wall- at the very least, he was rendered as a silhouette.
This did not appear to deter the fellow from ignoring him, though, but it wasn't as if that bothered him- however the proximity did, and he resumed walking. 'Lygotee wasn't a large Elite, but he was tall- which gave his frame the false appearance of being overtly thin. He was light on his hooves, quick with action and reaction, and lithe as an athlete. Though it hurt to perform such a task, he knew he was capable of bending himself nearly double backwards- a fine quality if only under certain circumstances. 'Lygotee folded his hands behind his back as he paced, thinking and trying to compose a comprehensive plan if the Jiralhanae- though better known as Brutes in 'Lygotee's opinion- ever found them before all of them could waken and be ready.
The pensive Elite strode after the sound of soft breath on foliage, aware more than half had been more successful at getting a few more hours of rest than he. He didn't need to awaken them too early. They would need all the rest they could get if things turned south. He found a broadleaf tree to stand under, and stared into the forest, speculating how many were actually present; they were too numerous to be revealed by a single scan of the trees, yet he doubted there were that many more besides. Sensing a presence beyond the sightline approaching, 'Lygotee held to the Plasma Rifle still clipped to his hip and stepped forward, cautious of finding a Brute.
"You often remind me of a frightened youth when you're nervous, Leader." 'Lygotee recognized the voice instantly and turned to see his effort had been thwarted by his teammate. He wasn't that surprised. 'Lavuree had always been one notch above his skill at stealth, but the best thing he was good at was his ability to make someone that was on to him believe he was several feet from his actual location. The quality had stayed his life on numerous occasions.
"And you remind me of a flightless bird seeking the sky in a panic when you are." 'Lygotee replied, tartly. "You know I am far from at ease this hour, 'Lavuree- why do you torment me so?"
The Elite folded his hands behind his back and shrugged, though he remained expressionless. "Is it unwise to test one's Leader for sureness before a battle we may or may not see? You are so wound up it hurts just to watch you walking."
'Lygotee tilted his head. "Why would that be a problem? My ability does not wane under pressure. You have witnessed that personally."
"Yes, Leader. But it never hurts to be certain- your words, I believe."
'Lygotee scowled at him, but he couldn't protest. Indeed they were his own words, and 'Lavuree was right, again, about that reflection 'Lygotee was casting. The Commander had some problems, not just faults, and every once in a while, they would show their ugly heads for all the Covenant to see. Though possessed of an efficient team and owning good proficiency himself, and having few if any failed missions under his belt, 'Lygotee had been slow to climb the rank ladder because he was considered unstable. No one could know, not even him, when that instability would wreak its havoc.
He didn't have a problem with fear- he had learned long ago how to deal with and master its influence, along with all his other instincts. Fight and flight had been killed, in favor of calculation and execution. Panicked frenzies accompanying instinctual reactions had become very unhealthy for him while still in training. But the onset and timing of his internal struggles unsettled him. How would he know if he needed to withdraw? He knew one thing, though. Eventually, it was going to spell his doom, and there was no amount of aid from his team that could save him.
"Why are you up so early, Leader?" 'Lavuree asked. "Your wandering has awoken several of the others who feared your footsteps belonged to a Brute."
'Lygotee had no excuse. "I am up because I wakened and could sleep no longer. This waiting has destroyed my nerves and I fear to be numb for a week."
'Lavuree laughed softly, amused by the joke. "Leader, even if you cannot sleep you may do well to preserve what energy you have. Find a comfortable place and sit down."
'Lygotee frowned up at the skylight. "I am far too restless to pull off such an action. Surely you recognize that."
'Lavuree took his shoulder in hand, catching his gaze. "Leader." His voice had an edge to it- he was pressing his luck by attempting to give a higher ranking officer an order, and more so by trying to enforce the command. But it was a legitimate request- and 'Lavuree had pointed out he was doing what he had not wanted to by wandering; waking the others. He had a point, and a prominent one.
'Lygotee brushed the hand down, but nodded. 'Lavuree had never done him wrong. He could forgive this once. "I will find a place to sit."
"Thank you, Leader." 'Lavuree stepped back, allowing his Commander room to move, and watched as he paced silently away, aware that 'Lygotee was stressed indeed to have let such an encounter pass without comment. He feared his kind might never know retaliation if a fight broke out. But beneath that he worried more that he had caused such a fight, and carried the wondering sadness that if that be the case, how he might atone for it, or if anyone would ever forgive him at all.
'Lavuree understood the position took more strength than he had to hold up against it. The massive weight would crush him, but 'Lavuree knew not how to help or what would become of his Commander after the fact.
Four hours passed without a single incident, but hardly any who had come awake had been able to go back to sleep. The Hydroponics bay had begun to shift, the occupants restlessly stirring and becoming slowly active in the light of the new day. The star the station's orbit was around glared brightly into the trees, shining through the overhead windowpanes. It was a translucent metal, though, not any sheet of silica. Glass was far too fragile to use on hull side placements in the deep cold of space. The tiniest micrometeorite would shatter the whole pane.
'Lygotee met 'Pohamee at the fourth sector door, but only because he had seen his teammate there and walked the distance to share a few words. "Morning never looked so blasted grim." 'Pohamee commented, after his Commander had come to a stop.
"Ah, yes. Not all mornings are good as we would wish." 'Lygotee agreed.
"What do we do now, Leader? Many would do best to have their armor systems with them- and most do not. And I myself am fighting a losing battle against hunger."
'Lygotee smiled. "Easy, 'Pohamee. Back through the air ducts, one or two, to collect and retrieve then distribute the armor they left in their quarters, and when we are all suitably armed, we may traverse this Station to the Resource Chamber for the meal you crave." He picked absently at a bracer. "I admit to wanting to eat too."
'Pohamee smiled at him. "That, Leader, is because you are mortal, you are Sangheili, like the rest of us."
'Lygotee gave him a playful frown. "I never pretended to be more than those things. I am no god nor shall I ever aspire to be. Gods have to keep people that hate them."
'Pohamee gave him an interested look. "Hate them?"
"For every religion there are heretics, unbelievers, and infidels. It is a function of life to be this way." 'Lygotee answered. "So some or most honor them- alright, what to do with the dissenters?"
'Pohamee laughed. "Continue your speculation, Leader- I will dispatch runners for the armor and explain the morning's plan to the rest."
'Lygotee nodded his approval, and watched as 'Pohamee left at the same pace that 'Lavuree approached. "Is this door one of those we wish sealed and guarded, Leader?"
'Lygotee turned to look directly at 'Lavuree before answering. "That question you should ask of 'Pohamee- this was where he stood before I gave him instruction."
"I understand…" 'Lavuree gave the door some study before looking again at his Commander. "I might inquire as to your master plan for this day."
"I have none." 'Lygotee admitted. "I hope to rely upon the witness and thought of these Elites in the hours to follow."
"What of the others? The Unggoy are not a part of this unrest we are feeling."
"I have a suspicion they may wish to help resolve it, despite that- the Unggoy have no love for the Jiralhanae. Perhaps in them we may invest an ally."
"Maybe, Leader, it would be best to leave them out of it."
"While I see that as an option, 'Lavuree, I do not doubt if the Brutes decide to cause a fight between us the Kig-Yar will join them."
"What makes you so sure of this, Commander?" 'Lavuree asked.
"I was merely voicing a hunch, 'Lavuree. Do not presume to take my words as fact." 'Lygotee advised.
"Yes, Leader."
"How fare the Sangheili this morning?"
"I have heard more lines poised in jest than ire, Leader- some joke how long it has been since they had slept on real soil, others at their histories with insects."
'Lygotee nodded his approval. "Good, they are amiable. This will stall any disturbances within our own at least for now."
"There was one I thought we should keep an eye on, though, Leader." 'Lavuree mentioned. "A Watchman, called Domavai."
"Domavai? How interesting… I had not known there were any aboard the Radiant with so little field experience."
"His honorific is misleading, I might note." 'Lavuree mentioned.
"How?" 'Lygotee looked at his teammate curiously.
"While he has seen no battle, Domavai has been credited with the deaths of not one but two Lekgolo that presumed to fire up at the balcony where a squadron of Sangheili and Unggoy stood. He isn't unproven."
"I see."
"At report, he had no weapon with which to meet them."
"You wanted to watch this one? Why? He seems perfectly capable to me."
'Lavuree cast his Commander a look 'Lygotee found unreadable. "Leader, he strikes me as one we may not be able to rely upon under great stress. I wanted you to be aware he may not live up to old standards as there are some things that can only be done once. He may be the kind of Sangheili nothing wants to mess with- I do not discount that. But he may very well be the kind of untrainable youth that gets by on meager grades and the actions of his fellows to see him through. He has accomplished something of note, it is true. But I do not see him as a great asset and we do not need to mistake him when it matters."
"So noted." 'Lygotee acknowledged. "Who can we rely upon, then?"
'Lavuree gave the sifting crowd of Elites a glance. "I do not know their names, Leader. You may need to see to that yourself, as I am not renowned for my character judging ability."
"Very well." 'Lygotee stepped from the door, but that was all he did. An Elite clad in blue armor followed by one in yellow stepped up, blocking his way. 'Lygotee looked first at the blue-clad, then the yellow. "Supreme Commander." There was only one aboard the Radiant that wore golden armor. Though he was honestly surprised to see him here; the Supreme Commander didn't bunk with the rest of the Sangheili in that quarter, as he had his own.
"You have some explaining to do, Enin 'Lygotee."
"I would gladly answer any and all questions you have, Supreme Commander." 'Lygotee inclined his head in the superior's direction. Looking back at the Supreme Commander's escort, he greeted the fellow with a curious look. "Do you require something of me also?"
"Not before the Supreme Commander." He wisely decided, stepping aside. Now it was clear the one had not been following the other, but merely aiming for the same destination a step behind. 'Lygotee nodded to him.
"You may consult with 'Lavuree here if it is not urgent or a private matter. I will hear of it when the Supreme Commander has finished with me." Turning to the aforementioned, 'Lygotee added, "Do you require private discussion or does the current location please you?"
The Supreme Commander eyed him for a moment, before deciding. "We will speak alone; come with me." 'Lygotee didn't hesitate when the superior officer turned away, keeping stride a step to his right and rear- following leadership yet not surrendering completely his own authority by being off to the side a little rather than fully behind. 'Lavuree watched them go, able to tell by the direction they were headed that the Supreme Commander was going to use the foyer to his personal quarters as the mentioned private area.
He looked at the blue-clad Elite they had left behind, then. "What is your name and rank?"
The Elite stiffened to an attentive posture. "Hoku Zimivee, Field Master."
"And what did you need the Commander's attention for?"
"There is air in the corridors again. But there have also been reports of four out of five of the quarters erupting in unexplainable explosion upon opening of the doors."
"He knew this. Had you used the air shafts like he instructed, you would not have needed the doors and not triggered the mines. The loss of atmosphere in the corridors was a ruse intended to maintain order while the majority of you were only half-aware."
The Elite pondered that. "And to discourage usage of the doors…"
"Exactly. Do you see now what happens when you disobey an order?"
Zimivee frowned, but pensively, not irritatedly. "Yes, Leader. I will relay this to the others." He looked up to meet 'Lavuree's gaze. "Leader?"
"Dismissed." 'Lavuree watched him go, noting the nature of his stride. Apparently he didn't much like the turn of events, but he wasn't too pleased with his brothers who had dared open their quarters' doors, either. Satisfied, 'Lavuree turned his gaze out to the entrance to the corridor that his Commander had disappeared into.
'Lygotee had handled the situation here smoothly, and he was good at keeping his cool, even in surprise, but in private the Supreme Commander could roast his cool without stirring the other Sangheili and possibly get a reason to depose 'Lygotee entirely.
Currently all that 'Lygotee heard was silence, though. He watched as the Station's highest ranking officer walked a few paces away and turned to face him fully from that distance. 'Lygotee never let his shoulders relax, never let his gaze wander. He knew he was here for something less pleasant than he might have liked.
"Tell me something, Commander." He was older than 'Lygotee, but it only showed as hardened features, not softened or sagging ones. Age could not defeat this Elite- it would take something less subtle.
"Yes, Leader."
"Why have all my Elites spent the night in the Hydroponics bay? What meaning is this? What are you up to?"
"I only had their well being in mind, Leader. The Brutes laid mines in our quarters, but I was the first to notice. So I made sure none were harmed by evacuating the Sangheili quarter entirely."
"The Brutes laid mines in your rooms? Why? Brutes prefer to watch when their prey dies- even more prominent is the preference to become lathered in the prey's blood."
"I believe they meant to thin our ranks before doing that, Supreme Commander." 'Lygotee added. "Brutes love to do the things you mentioned, it is true. But Brutes have no honor, and they do not like to die to feel the power the action gives them."
"You believe they mean to start a fight? You have lost your mind. I will have you removed of your head for this lunacy."
'Lygotee's features tightened, but he held his pose. "If you wish proof of my claims, Supreme Commander, I can show it to you myself. You are renowned for your wisdom and wit. Do not fail your reputation now when it counts most."
The Supreme Commander gave him a dissatisfied look, but he obliged by opening a comn channel to another Elite- though he meant to speak first, the noise that came through the device drowned him out and rewrote the expression on his face.
"Move away from there!!" The words were shouted so loud they were quite audible over the following explosion and subsequent scream of combined surprise and pain. The Supreme Commander cast his glare at 'Lygotee.
He grimaced. "I had hoped they would not encounter that…"
"What have you done??"
'Lygotee looked the Supreme Commander in the eye. "Not half what I had hoped. That they have set the mines off is testament to that, Supreme Commander. Humor me this day. The Jiralhanae mean ill for us, and I only meant to prepare our brothers for that." He spread his hands. "What would you have of me, Leader?"
"Don't move, this will hurt."
The Supreme Commander grunted. "We will see if you are right. If you are, you will be rewarded for your foresight and planning in advance." He said. "If you are wrong, I shall kill you myself." He cast his gaze over the Elite before him. "Why are you carrying a sword?"
"It belonged to my forefathers. My fifth great grand forefather built it himself." 'Lygotee answered. "It was given to me when I entered the Academy, Leader."
"That explains why it is so odd looking."
"By the Prophets. Stop! I told you not to move. Your blood will fill all the perforations in the floor."
The Supreme Commander looked at his comn unit, and switched it off. "I assume you have a method of determining the nature of the placement of these… 'mines'."
"I witnessed three Brutes leaving before noticing the mine, Leader. It was only a logical conclusion."
"Why would the Brutes attack us? We are part of the same Covenant." He waved loosely. "And the Prophets would never condone such wanton actions aimed at its destruction, considering how much time they put into building it."
"I spoke with the Prophet of Mercy yesterday. He revealed nothing of anything and denied me the answers to the questions I presented. He thought it reasonable to leave me with a little religious advice as enough."
The Supreme Commander gave him an unreadable look. "You spoke to him yesterday? At what time?"
"Evening, Leader."
"He must have left almost directly after seeing you, then. The Prophet of Mercy is already arriving at the Sacred Ring."
'Lygotee found he was somehow unsurprised. Of course the Prophet had only been passing through. They didn't like to be near any real conflict- and even if he hadn't condoned it, perhaps he sensed it and had moved on as fast as his ship could refuel. That had been the only real reason for the stop to begin with. 'Lygotee stared at the Supreme Commander without seeing him. There would be bloodshed, but it wouldn't run pure. Of that he was certain. Creatures of the Covenant from all walks of the galaxy would be there when it began. Perhaps there would be a cease-fire after a time, but it could never happen fast. 'Lygotee understood that.
Even the Supreme Commander understood that.
Chapter Two, part three:
0845 hours; Central Command Station Radiant
In the span of a few short minutes there seemed an eternity had conspired to pass. If he had known that it had meant to try a stunt like that, 'Lygotee would have tried to compensate. For now, though, he could only improvise and move on.
"Leader, look here."
'Lygotee turned, to see an Elite he had never spoken with before addressing him. He dismissed the question of identity to see what was in reference. At the door's seams there could be seen a stripe of lumpy, oddly- textured metal, following the outline if where the parts of the door would separate when it opened. He gave it an interested look. Many Elites had already gone beyond this point, but it wasn't evident why this door had been sealed shut. It was a side passage, one of perhaps hundreds that went to the same destination from various points. Still, it was worthy of note considering that destination might be where the Brutes were doing something. He extended a hand, and touched the end of a claw to the weld, but it proved old- it had long ago cooled and gotten hard again. The door was sealed. 'Lygotee looked at the Elite that had pointed it out.
"Why would they seal this door? To keep us out of there they would be welding doors all day."
"I don't know, Commander." He responded, studying the scene ponderously. "I just noticed this was the fourth door that looked this way."
'Lygotee paused. "The fourth, you say?"
The Elite met his gaze, and nodded. "Yes, Leader."
Bile welled in his throat. A trap. Again. He touched the activation switch on his comn, but it wasn't tightband. Anyone with an operating comn would hear. "Move with caution, brothers. Something else isn't right this day. Keep your weapons and your wit primed."
"The Brutes probably heard that, Leader." The Elite beside him mentioned.
"I do not care if they did." 'Lygotee muttered, giving the sealed door a contemptuous look. "The arthropods won't know what to make of it anyway. They have doubtless made more preparations than this, and cannot know to what I refer."
He received a muted nod in reply. The Elite didn't even react to the reference to the invertebrate name. Hardly anyone would have protested the accusation. Maybe the Jiralhanae would know, maybe they wouldn't. But everyone had their armor and weapons with them, as well as there being more than seven in proximity. Hundreds all filed to the Resource Chamber, following the same hall. 'Lygotee met up with more than half the Radiant's compliment of Sangheili warriors, when he reached the Resource Chamber. Still more were coming in. The room was large enough to accommodate them all, but it hadn't been meant to service them all at the same time. It was meant to handle multiples of species, though, which was why it was as big as it was.
'Lygotee paused to survey the shifting mass of Sangheili, and found himself awed for the first time since he left the Academy for the fleets of the Covenant. They were magnificent. Each tried and capable, hardened and sure warriors who had each seen enough and some of them too much. 'Lygotee tried to pick out the one 'Pohamee had mentioned with the honorific vai, but after several minutes gave up and surmised he might still be enroute. If he was as green as 'Pohamee said, he didn't show it in the way he carried himself if he really was there already.
'Lygotee spotted his teammates, but before he could consider joining them he spotted the Supreme Commander again, and wondered if the effort would be worth it. The officer had made himself quite clear that anything wrong would be on his head- if it was a heavy load his head would lose its hold on his shoulders.
Shaking it with a sigh, 'Lygotee made for familiar company anyway. There could be nothing to help what happened, though at this point he was reluctant to address it as an if anymore. The Brutes meant something- and it wasn't nice.
After he had gained a meal and sat with it to eat, the first of the Unggoy began to arrive, though there were still no sign of any Kig-yar anywhere yet. 'Lygotee watched as the still bleary-eyed grunt toddled over to the food nipples suited to his kind. The Elite had become accustomed to the varying methods by which the creatures of the Covenant consumed sustenance, and found the actions easy to ignore. Slowly the little creatures accumulated and on occasion got underfoot of the bigger Sangheili. This always caused a commotion, but 'Lygotee could only smile. The five-foot Unggoy were always the ones under the hooves of the seven-foot Sangheili, though usually this had nothing to say about who was knocked down for the encounter.
Small though they might be, there was no pull quite so strong as that an Unggoy could deliver when his little foot was caught under something heavy. And there were few who could take a sudden removal of their footing with grace.
Several got into arguments, but these were short-lived, as the Sangheili were expecting a fight with the Brutes and understood the Unggoy were not their enemies. The Unggoy, for their part, were not terribly inclined to argue with an Elite, and abandoned the tirade as soon as it became apparent they could.
Still, there wasn't an Unggoy who didn't have an opinion, which enabled the argument to start to begin with. 'Lygotee watched as the milling crowd of his kind began to sift away from the rows of food nipples, unwilling to continue that activity, which though was slightly uncharacteristic of normal Elites, pleased the Unggoy, who could now breakfast in peace- relatively speaking. 'Pohamee moved in his peripheral, catching his attention, but though the Elite said nothing, he was wearing an amused smile. What piqued 'Lygotee's interest was the fact that it wasn't directed at the events surrounding the Unggoy at all. 'Pohamee was smiling because of 'Lygotee.
"What?" 'Lygotee asked, petulant.
'Pohamee just shook his head, mandibles snapping in a gesture of dismissal. "Nothing, Leader."
'Lygotee knew better, but he knew it wasn't worth pursuing too, so he let it rest at that. 'Lavuree, for one, was wearing the same expression. He, though, was wisely trying to conceal it with a clever guise of focusing the look at his food. 'Lygotee shook his head at his companions, and finished his own meal. When each had finally finished, he spared them each a look. "Ideas?"
"Leader?" 'Pohamee asked, puzzled.
"I was alerted to the fact that the doors along the corridor to get here are all sealed shut. I doubt each and every one of them can have hull breaches beyond them, so the Brutes must wish to funnel us somewhere. Ideas?" 'Lygotee elaborated.
"I noticed that. I also noticed they missed two doors which I thought were mistakes until I realized I knew what was beyond each of them- very strategic." 'Lavuree mentioned. "I don't think the Brutes are that good at planning ahead, though, Leader… I have seen them. They don't know the first thing about welding or brazing. My guess is they got the Kig-yar to do it."
"Or they got the idea from the Kig-yar to begin with and simply took it to give it back." 'Lygotee added. "What can we do to counter that?"
"Standard grenades don't even mar the laminate on the walls, Leader." 'Lavuree mentioned. "We would need to have something bigger and more heavy to open them again. But if we did it would destroy the Brutes' plans to force us down a certain route- not to mention they forgot to post guard to make sure we don't pop them open while they aren't looking…"
'Lygotee nodded. "Good so far."
"Brutes, post guards? That requires forethought that involves actual cognitive ability. Brutes that can pilot starcraft are rare. Brutes that can come up with a plan without help don't exist." 'Pohamee stated.
"Perhaps, 'Pohamee." 'Lygotee said. "But don't underestimate them- though I agree we should consider the Kig-yar more carefully."
"We are in the company of many brilliant minds, Leader." 'Lavuree mentioned. "We should run these things by each of them."
"Who did you have in mind?" 'Lygotee asked.
"The one who came to speak to you before the Supreme Commander called you away- Hoku Zimivee… a Field Master. I also spoke with Avin Szęnaqee and his Commander, G'vil 'Döthumee. They all struck me as merely needing the prompting to devise stratagems with which to subdue the Brutes completely."
"They have laid mines in our quarters and spilled Sangheili blood." 'Pohamee snarled. "They will pay for that. I will not be satisfied with their mere subdual."
"Are you willing to sacrifice the honor of your entire bloodline for this vengeance?" 'Lavuree asked, his own tone unforgiving. "We are not going to cause another Uprising and be hung by our entrails for heresy!"
"Peace, brothers, we needn't fight amongst ourselves." 'Lygotee said. "Brutes are what they are and will never be anything but. We on the other hand have potential and capacity to grow beyond pettiness. But ultimately I am forced to agree with 'Pohamee. The Brutes started this… but we will end it."
"Forgive my intrusion, brothers…" An Elite said, nearing their table. "But I heard you speak my name and wondered if you meant to call my attention…"
'Lygotee looked up at them. "Which would you be, then?"
"I am Zimivee, Leader."
"Ah… I recognize you now. You pointed out the welding."
"Yes, Leader."
"We didn't call for your attention. But now that we have it, you may join us in our deliberations concerning the situation. 'Lavuree tells me you are recommended as an able thinker to add to the pool of thought as for what we may do and how we might do it in light of recent events." 'Lygotee extended an arm to a seat that was as yet untaken.
Obligingly, though unsure if he could provide in this new duty, Zimivee moved to the seat and sat down. "Continue without me, brothers- I have nothing at this time to contribute and can only give insight on what I am already certain has not been hashed to death already. I would also appreciate knowing what ideas have already been discarded."
"Very well- a wise approach, I might say- so listen carefully." 'Lygotee told him.
"What if nothing else happens?" 'Pohamee queried. "It could be they will wait for us to make the first move. As much as I wish to crush them I am not that easily goaded into foolish action."
"They have already begun, 'Pohamee." 'Lygotee mentioned. "We have three dead brothers and five injured ones just from this morning."
"So are we going in?"
"I somehow doubt the wisdom of that option." 'Lavuree added, speculatively. "I don't intend to allow them to whittle us down little by little, but I doubt they can resist open combat for long either. As for us, I am unsure how to proceed, but I am certain that heading into their nest would be bad. We could take it, I suppose, but it seems to me it would be a victory bought at too high a price. Look how much preparations they've done where we were watching them. There is simply no knowing what to expect when going into there."
"I like your point. Well made, 'Lavuree." 'Pohamee mused. "But while it tells us what not to do, it still leaves us no direction on what to do."
"I confess I had no intention of trying to add anything of that nature to my explanation." 'Lavuree said. "Primarily because I have nothing in the department to give."
"I have a pretty good idea where they've holed up most of their numbers." 'Lygotee said. "I found a problem with the location almost as soon as it became obvious as where they were. There would be no way short of divine intervention that we could enter without being bottlenecked and wasted in the doorway."
"Stealth."
The three who had been speaking at length turned to regard the input.
Zimivee looked at them each in turn. "Stealth. Is it not obvious, brothers? If we cannot meet them in battle on the floor where they stand, then we must seek another route. You gave us the idea when you routed us from bed last night, Leader… I hadn't known until then that I could fit in those places."
'Lygotee and his team exchanged glances. "How would this plan be executed?" 'Lygotee asked.
"Well, not everyone can be up there. It would be backed up all over the station and the drop in airflow would alert them and render the effort moot. If we did follow their funnel with a few of our number to instill the thought that their poor plan had worked, then they would be distracted enough to allow any covert operations to go off without a hitch."
"You're implying something. Elaborate." 'Pohamee stated, his eyes narrowing.
"They're holding all the munitions, you see." Zimivee clarified. "They have the corridors to the armory and the bays sealed off- they brought a lot of munitions with them so both places will be rich in weaponry and ammunition. We will run shy faster than they will because they do tend to be capable of taking more damage before dying."
"He's right." 'Lygotee mentioned. "I hadn't thought of that… you see what wisdom you hide from us, 'Lavuree?" His accusation was in jest, though it was also genuine, and was accompanied by a light push on 'Lavuree's shoulder.
'Lavuree just clicked his mandibles in mock irritation.
"What do we do as for the ones that want to kill them all without bother for tactical value?" 'Pohamee asked. "I noticed at least one of them thinks like these Brutes would be easy kills if someone would just grant him a sword."
"He isn't getting one." 'Lygotee said. "It comes as simple logistics. Some of us are still bitter. I find that understandable yet distasteful as well. I still do not know why this conflict of interests has come to this, though I aim to find out. Preferably, before it ends on a note that is too sour for the High Council to swallow."
'Lavuree cast Zimivee a glance, his face clear but his eyes betraying his pensive mood. The gaze made the younger Elite squirm.
"'Lavuree, ideas?"
'Lavuree looked over at them all. "For what, though? So far we have little to go on and less to gain. I realize the Jiralhanae will never let us have that kind of grace period, but I still believe it would be better to stay our weapons until we have more intelligence on this rather strange series of events."
"Well spoken, brother, but it does not help the situation." 'Pohamee said. "As you yourself pointed out- the Brutes would never allow us that kind of time."
"What would you have me do?" Zimivee offered. "I am admittedly not the best of those here this day but I was at the top of my class in stealth and recon… I could infiltrate and look around. One Sangheili will be missed easier than half a dozen or more still."
'Lygotee looked at him. "How long do you plan to take at this mission?"
Zimivee shook his head. "I want to give you something reasonable, but I know circumstances aren't always congruent to plans. I would say then that it may take longer than my camouflage battery will last. To that end I doubt I could find a good enough hiding place to wait for it to recharge, either."
"So take two." 'Lygotee prompted. "They are small and can be clipped to the same area on your belt if you can rearrange the rest of your equipment to allow."
'Pohamee nodded his agreement. "I hope you know to be mindful of your scent- the Jiralhanae have noses better than the Unggoy."
"No they don't- they merely listen better." 'Lavuree stated, flatly. "I have seen an Unggoy stagger at an odor he found pungent and distasteful that the Jiralhanae missed entirely. I believe it was the Jiralhanae the grunt was smelling, at that." Turning to Zimivee, he added, "Find the one you feel faint to breathe near, and hold position beside it. The others will not be able to smell you."
"But if I'm feeling faint to breathe near him…" Zimivee protested.
"No one here has said you may not take a breather with you."