ALTERED ALLIANCES
ch.2
A large door at the end of the hall way opened up to reveal the large hanger. the hangers on board the supercarrier, Long Night of Solace, varied in size. some were around the size of a normal hanger, with enough space to fit one or two Spirit dropships. Hanger 14 however, was not normal hanger sized. Hanger 14 was one of the supercarrier exclusive hangers that was capable of housing entire starships. Just within Hanger 14 alone housed over fifty seraph fighters, a dozen spirit dropships, and the covenant corvette, Ardent Prayer. Ardent Prayer normally was capable of slipspace travel on its own but would require refueling over long distances, and we have been in slipspace for a long span of time.
Zimzam always tried to pause in order to take in the scope of larger than life things, hanger 14 being one of them. Yuto Stefumee, his Lance leader, rarely ever enjoyed such things and, preferred to get right to work, as is the case with most Sangheili.
There is pleasure in working hanger duty for an Unggoy such as himself. Yuto has been trusted with independently monitoring a single hanger with the help of his Lance consisting of no more than ten Unggoy. This gave Zimzam, as well as the rest of his Grunty friends not only freedom but also authority. It always tickled him to think that, if he wanted to, he could not permit an entire dropship of high ranking Sangheili from reentering the hanger and they couldn't do anything about it, granted he would never try it, knowing that he would get in big trouble when Yuto finds out.
Hanger 14's unique design is made up of three sublevels that form a sort of U shape around the large gaping opening. Zimzam's assignment was to monitor the second level.
the first time he had worked as a hanger monitor, it was rather nerve-racking. first, Zimzam was always afraid of heights. he was never uncomfortable looking out the windows of the ship and gazing down at a planets surface, but it was because the actual hanger itself was hundreds of feet tall and he was afraid of falling off. For whatever the reason, the people who built this thing never felt inclined to build railings. Second, he was scared of the Hunters. Every Hanger, even the small ones, had a pair of Hunters patrolling them. They weren't there to monitor and oversee entering and exiting vehicles.
They were there to transform any unwanted guests into a plasma singed puddle.
Originally, Zimzam wouldn't come close to the edge. but little by little, he grew more accustomed to being near a plummet to his death. he had motivation to do so. The view from the opening is amazing and has always been the favorite place for him to watch all the activity that takes place amongst the Long Night of Solace's fleet.
Zimzam could find beauty with many things, even the violence of watching a planet getting glassed.
The days shift up until then was about as ordinary as it could get. Oddly enough, ships don't really exit the hanger when experiencing slip space travel. Zimzam really wasn't quite sure why the job was even assigned to begin with.
Him as well as the other Unggoy on the second sublevel of the hanger were confronted by two Sangheili who were, previously, towing tanks full of Lekgolo worms into the elevators. naturally, that task fell upon us as soon as they caught notice of a few Grunts doing something other than strenuous physical labor.
That all changed during the last stretch of the shift. Zimzam could feel the familiar feeling. the whole ship experienced a subtle lurch forward. Zimzam was caught off-guard while pushing a heavy tank of lekgolo worms and nearly nearly lost his footing and stumbled into the tank. it was the sensation of the Long Night of Solace exiting slipspace.
From where he was on the second deck, he couldn't see what the outside looked like through the hanger exit. With great haste, Zimzam hauled the last Lekgolo tank onto the elevator and then pressed a button, closing it. He then hurried over to the edge not being as careful as he should be so close to the edge.
The view was... nice, but it wasn't what Zimzam was expecting. All he could see was just stars, one of which being slightly larger than the rest.
Jutfip waddled up behind him, wiping a little bit of Lekgolo slime off of his hands. "I thought you said we was glassing a human planet?" Jutfip questioned Zimzam. "So where's the planet?" Zimzam simply shrugged his shoulders in response. Truth be told, Zimzam wasn't sure either. "Yuto did say that it was a well defended planet. Maybe we're supposed to be stealthy or something." Zimzam suggested. "Pfft, get real Zimzam! Long Night of Solace!
Stealth! You've got quite the Grunty sense of humor!" Jutfip joked.
Suddenly without warning , the hanger sprung to life. Hundreds upon hundreds of covenant troops swarmed into the hanger. Kig-yar of all shapes and sizes and Sangheili of every color. "I guess that this really is a big deal..." Jutfip says while gawking at the army assembling in front of them. Zimzam just nodded his head in agreement.
YUTO'S POV
Yuto watched streams of Grunts, Jackals, Hunters, fellow Elites, and even Engineers file into the dropships and Ardent Prayer. It was amazing to see it all happen so fast. but it was even more amazing to know that this whole process happened without him ever knowing anything about it. How could the assembly of an entire army commence without him ever even knowing about it. He looked around at the troops marching by him.
He saw minor Elites and Grunts, no different from him. And yet there was a difference.
They knew about the invasion.
It was examples of things like this that agitated Yuto. The leadership of the Long Night of Solace never kept the whole ship informed of upcoming events including a full scale invasion.
Yuto came over and and lightly gripped the arm of a smaller minor Sangheili. "how long have you been aware that you were a part of the invasion?" Yuto questioned, similar to how a superior would talk to his underlings. The other Sangheili was taken by surprise by his sudden intrusion, but responded in kind. "Our Legion was informed this morning to board the Ardent Prayer once we exited slipspace."
Yuto nodded and stepped away from the traffic. He couldn't believe it. An entire invasion of a human stronghold and they were briefed about it during breakfast.
He disliked the lack of communications on board this floating city and would frequently express the flaws he observed to his Lance, however his words often fell on deaf ears.
He did notice that at least one of his Unggoy would always seem to be listening to his points which gave him a subtle encouragement to continue expressing himself.
The traffic commencing all around him slowly began to dissipate.
Yuto watched the whole process with his arms crossed; occasionally adjusting his left shoulder plate which would become loose from time to time.
Despite his grievances towards the sudden, unexpected entrance, he couldn't help enjoying himself. All of these people were under HIS supervision. no one else. it was power like this that he wanted, no, craved to have on a normal basis. But even if it were only for this moment he enjoyed it nonetheless.
Before Yuto could continue to wallow in his temporary power, a wave of commanding authority washed over him like a tidal wave. REAL authority. Authority that is forged through the blood of war.
Yuto turned around just in time to see the source of what had just sent a shiver down his spine. Several Sangheili, Zealot class, were all marching in the same direction.
His direction.
A part of Yuto wanted to move but he couldn't. His legs felt stiff and his whole body was cold and rigid just by being in the presence of this renown Zealot strike team.
They were getting closer and closer and Yuto's hearts began to accelerate. "I wonder what they'll say", "I wonder what they think of me." these were all thoughts crossing through his mind.
The strike team was now less than thirty feet from Yuto and was now acknowledging his stagnate presence. "Should i introduce myself? are there consequences for talking to someone of such status? I've never seen field marshall armor up close before."
"i wonder if he'll let me touch it."
They were now less than fifteen feet away and closing, but Yuto still hadn't budged. Some of the other Zealots began to look at Yuto, not so much annoyance, but rather with a sense of caution; however Yuto did not notice.
They were viewing Yuto's refusal to yield as a possible threat.
The field marshall, who had his head down in a meditative state, must have sensed Yuto in his path and finally looked up.
Never had Yuto Stefumee witnessed a colder, more commanding stare in his entire life. It was both a combination of burning anger and absolute willpower.
instantly after witnessing eye contact, Yuto practically threw himself out of the way. It didn't matter what he thought of the Leadership on this vessel, Yuto was not going to get in his way.
The group of Zealots continued on, unobstructed, the field marshall not so much as acknowledging he existed a second time. One of the Zealots on the Field Marshall's right side, the side closest to Yuto, glanced at him before letting out an audible "Hmph," clearly indicating disapproval of Yuto's entire existence.
Yuto's shouldiers slouched as he watched the Strike-team board a phantom dropship. If they got a Field Marshall to lead this engagement, then this invasion really must be a big deal.
He wished he was a part of a group like that. Respected by all, never failing a mission, being called to arms only when no one else can. It must be so nice...
...Being important.
ZIMZAM'S POV
Zimzam watched the whole thing unfold. It was weird seeing his leader and role-model being a nervous wreck around that well lit maroon armored Sangheili.
Zimzam was suddenly jerked forwards by a violent bump to the triangular methane tank on his back, knocking the majority of his weight towards his right side, almost causing him to lose his balance. Unggoy and Kig-yar never got along very much and it didn't help that they frequently outranked Unggoy more often than not. This particular Kig-yar especially did not like Unggoy. The Kig-Yar let out an obnoxious cackle along with his fellow Kig-Yar slapping his shoulder armor and joining in with their equally obnoxious cackles, creating a stupendously obnoxious chorus.
Zimzam adjusted his footing and glared at the assaulting Kig-Yar, clenching his fists. Zimzam was used to taking abuse from higher ups. But these were Kig-Yar, their rank in the covenant hierarchy was very close to that of Unggoy, so there was no way he was just going to let them shove him around like that. Jutfip had noticed and came up to his side, ready for conflict. "I'm not going to just let you toss me around like that!" Zimzam marched towards the Jackal who had his back turned towards him. "Hey! I'm talking to you, Scrub Grub!" With that said, Zimzam shoved the Jackal, right off of his feet, and into the other three Jackals.
The Jackal seemed to be taken by surprise by the Grunts retaliation and replied with a metallic sounding " WHOURSHK!" Both Grunts stood there, trying to understand what the Jackal just said. "I think that may have been an insult." Jutfip whispered to Zimzam. "Well I'm not taking it! Not this time!" Zimzam responded.
Zimzam had been soaking up harassment from Elites all day. Harassment from these mangy birdbrains was something Zimzam was not going to tolerate.
Zimzam raised his arms so that the barbs on them were covering his exposed flanks and were ready to respond to an offense.
The jackals clearly saw Zimzam's threat display and hissed at him while baring their razor sharp teeth. The Kig-Yar pack started forming a circle around the two, like wild animals circling their prey.
The tension where they were was so thick it could be cut with a knife. If Zimzam had sweat glands they'd be working overtime.
What kind of mistake have I gotten myself into. This is four against two, they're going to rip us to shreds.
Neither side was willing to make the first move. Zimzam and Jutfip were too worried about being overwhelmed by the the pack-like jackals and the jackals were reluctant to pounce on the pin cushion Esc Unggoy.
Both sides knew the stakes. If either one of them died, there would be no repercussions toward the assailants. The only people who would know about it would be cleanup crew.
One of the jackals looked like he was ready to lunge for Zimzam, it's mouth was gawked wide open and its talons were spread out and open so that they would be well suited for sinking into his Grunty flesh.
It was no better on Jutfip's side. He was a smaller than average Grunt in height and sheer size. The jackals seemed to view him as an easy picking as well.
Two blood thirsty Jackals eyed Jutfip in particular with their pupiless eyes. Both started closing the distance between them while snarling viciously. The formation of the rotating combat circle still remained
Jutfip looked even more nervous than Zimzam. Zimzam wanted to help but he couldn't. If either of them made a sudden movement it could cause the jackals to spring.
Him and Jutfip were now at the mercy of the Jackal pack.
Zimzam noticed something. None of the Jackals were higher than the rank of minor. That would explain why no individual had initiated an attack yet. None of them were leaders.
Desperate to escape the situation, Zimzam slowly reached out for Jutfip's arm and grabbed it.
"What are you doing?" Jutfip loudly whispered, but by no means trying to escape his grasp.
"Look around Jutfip. None of the Jackals are majors. I don't think any of them are going to attack."
Slowly, Zimzam shuffled towards an opening in the circle. The jackal they ebbed towards growled but also yielded a little space to the two Unggoy by widening the circle.
"RAAIESSHH!" One of the Jackals screeched at the two Grunts and charged at them. Zimzam didn't have time to get away before the, weight of a Kig-Yar fell on top of him.
Zimzam repositioned his arms as quickly as possible to cover his head as jackal claws raked across them. The pain was noteworthy but the armor on his arms protected him from any major damage.
Ironically, in this state of peril, Zimzam found time for reflection. It was almost surreal this whole event. He really didn't know what had gotten over him. Often he was the victim of harassment but rarely was he ever responsible for provoking or escalating it.
Man, all the times Yuto would step in to stop things from happening, this would be the absolute best time for that to happen.
But that wasn't going to happen. This Jackal would eventually break through his defenses and most likely kill him. The other Jackals would also do away with Jutfip in time. And it was all his fault.
"Hey! Hey! Knock it off!" It was an authoritative, yet very squeaky voice. Whoever it was, it clearly was working because the Jackals stiffened and halted their offense.
Zimzam took the respite opportunity to glance at who called them off. A Grunt ultra was quickly waddling in our direction with great haste.
"I swear, I can't let you four out of my sights for so much as a minute without you trying to kill someone!" The jaded Unggoy scolded the four Jackals. He didn't have so much as a hint of fear in his tone.
"RUOOASHH CCHHK!" The Jackal on top of Zimzam squawked in protest at what was most likely his leader. "I don't want to hear it Resh. Now get off of that Unggoy."
Zimzam was amazed by the pure confidence of this high ranking Grunt. Other than his armor, there was no physical difference between him and Zimzam.
Before the Jackal on his back could protest any further, he was abruptly hauled off by the Grunt Ultra who currently had a tight grip on a handful of Kig-Yar head feathers.
The Minor Jackal whimpered at the sudden pain but did not attempt to defend himself. Instead he submitted and awkwardly shuffled in the direction his Head Feathers were being yanked.
"Alright, now come on. Our dropship is departing and it's going to leave without us if we don't hurry. With that said, the Grunt superior gave one final tug in the dropships direction on the Jackals feathers, which received a feeble "Reeaauuhhhe..." from the Jackal. The other three yielded and followed closely behind, leaving Him and Jutfip alone and in shock of what just happened.
Jutfip reached out to help Zimzam back up from the floor. "You just had a brush with the great journey!" Zimzam heaved himself back onto his feet. His arm was very sore and his back was covered in cuts.
"Huff, don't let me do that again." Zimzam mumbled.
Zimzam looked back at the group being lead by the Grunt Ultra one last time before they disappeared inside the dropship.
"That Unggoy completely controlled those jackals, without them even trying to kill him." Zimzam said.
"Well," Jutfip began, "He is an Ultra. That's just, what they do." Zimzam clearly wasn't satisfied with that conclusion. "But you saw him right? He was no bigger than you were." Zimzam squeaked.
As a minor Grunt, the idea of possessing power was alien to him. never in his entire life had he held authority over anyone. authority was something zimzam wanted to experience very badly. even if it was only for a little bit.
One by one, the phantoms and spirit dropships disembarked from the hanger, phasing through the vacuum shield into the space outside. Then, Ardent Prayer's engines rumbled to life. The hum was similar to that of the Long Night of Solace but was a slightly higher pitch and didn't quite blend into the background like Long Night of Solace's did.
With a loud VVRRRUUUUMMMM, Ardent Prayer slowly thrusted itself out of the Hanger
Zimzam and Jutfip watched the Jackal and Grunt ultra's dropship drift off into space and turn into a glowing speck among all of the stars.
Jutfip let out a metallic "huff" sound, a typical noise Unggoy make to express disdain or frustration. "There are way too many Kig-yar on board Long Night of Solace."
"Yeah, it doesn't help that they have those new ones who are even meaner than the normal ones." Jutfip said. Zimzam shuddered. "Ugh, definitely." Ever since Long Night of Solace inherited control of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence and started taking on larger operations, these new Kig-Yar started showing up on the ship. they were even worse than the other Kig-Yar. Even though they weren't as high a rank as Sangheili, based on how they act, you'd think that they right behind the Hierarchs in the covenant status.
If those were the new Jackals that were engaging him and Jutfip just now, then they both would without a doubt be dead right now.
YUTO'S POV
Yuto watched every single ship come to life inside the hanger. Every ship, from Banshees, to Battle Cruisers, each hummed a grand orchestra that vibrated through Yuto's entire body.
Upon Ardent Prayer's departure, most of the other ships followed suite behind it. as each ship bypassed the fluid-like barrier that separated the Hanger from the vacuum of outer space, they all took up a formation around the central Battle Cruiser. Guns at the front, dropships at the back: standard procedure for ship escorts.
Each ship moved and flowed in it's own way, moving so that each ship performed it's own function within the disembarking fleet. Ardent Prayer rumbled in a linear direction, moving in the most efficient manor possible. Banshees and seraph fighters scrambled around their general area like drones, patrolling in random patterns. Spirits and Phantoms were the bodyguards of the Ardent Prayer. Moved in slow turns and twists, traveling at strategic points around the Ardent Prayer.
As the many ships now exiting Hanger 14 traveled further and further away, he saw them join up with other ships that left other hangers. Yuto couldn't believe how many ships were leaving all at once. Normally, the ships in Hanger 14 alone would be enough for a full invasion force. But it seemed that almost every ship Long Night of Solace could muster was slowly closing in on the distant planet that was no more than a speck from here. there must have been hundreds of them taking part in the invasion.
Yuto watched the ships fly away until the glow from their thrusters was all that was still visible. The dark purple color of the ship hulls blended perfectly with empty space. Yuto was sure that this would be successful. No planet could withstand this much firepower.
He then realized that he was now standing alone in a very quiet hanger having completed his *duty* for the war effort. Yuto exhaled, listening to the soft sound travel throughout the large room with ease. He wished that there was something else he could do to help. This didn't mean he disliked his duty, no, he just wished he could help in another way. Sangheili are naturally honorable, especially in combat. Having to work everyday maintenance onboard a ship full of renown warriors was very degrading.
Yuto thought about the Field Marshall Yuto saw earlier. A Sangheili of that rank must recall countless memories of the most glorious battles. Yuto wanted that. But how could he amount to something that great?
Yuto parted his mandibles, forming a frown. He was stuck in a rut. He wanted to be a legendary warrior, but his higher ups had forced him into regularly operating inside this ship. Yuto would never get passed the rank of minor as long as he was stuck in this cycle.
Alar Teferee had it much easier than Yuto did. Before joining the Long Night of Solace, Alar spent a couple cycles on board a light Battlecruiser. While on board, he spent plenty of time in direct contact with the shipmaster, due to the smaller size. That extra communication was most likely the reason Alar got better job diversity.
And the rank of major.
While Alar may have gotten that privilege, Yuto did not. Long Night of Solace was a Supercarrier. Yuto had been here since he graduated to warrior, and in all that time, literally not once had Yuto actually seen the Supreme Commander. Sure he had seen the blurry image of him on holo-projectors, but never had it been face to face. It riled him to know that he was being held back by this flawed system.
Yuto recalled his Grunts, oblivious to the damage present on the back of one of them. With their job done and a long day finished, The lance made its way back to their sleeping quarters. They would all sleep, oblivious to everything going on at the planet nearest to them, and unaware of the approaching hell awaiting everyone on board the Long Night of Solace.
