Chapter VI: Halo
Location: Command Deck of the Seeker of Truth, in orbit of the ring world.
Ship Clock: 06:24 hours
Date: September 19, 2552 (UNSC Calendar); approximately 9 hours prior to the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's arrival.
"Is that what I think it is, your Excellency?" Nazo said, staring in awe at the viewscreen before him; he had a small speech impediment due to his lower-right mandible being completely gone.
"Indeed it is, 'Bezatee. What I am about to ask of you may be a shock…or it may not, but it is this. How quickly could you have your entire platoon ready for deployment?" Thel 'Vadamee said.
Nazo raised a brow in slight surprise. "Five minutes."
"Excellent, I suggest you order them to prepare for departure." Thel leaned in and spoke quietly, so only the two of them could hear. "How is Major 'Izakee faring since his last assignment?"
"I, unfortunately, cannot say, your Excellency. I gave him the appropriate time and space to grieve, but he…is much quieter than he was before. You would have to ask his squadmates," he finished with a shrug.
"Why have you not? I do believe that is a small responsibility as their commander, 'Bezatee." Thel turned back to the viewscreen, studying the ring's intricate and glorious surface. "Now go. We have been waiting for this day, and I will wait no longer."
"Of course, your Excellency."
Garek barely registered that his door chimed as he typed away at his terminal. He had been busy for the past week and half, doing research on the humans' movements on different worlds or studying what very little information the Covenant had on Spartans. A small part of him was surprised that he was able to do such research on what little sleep he had gotten since Reach; when he tried, he would just toss and turn for hours until the Third Cycle became the First cycle again and when he did sleep, it was filled with visions or nightmares. All-in-all, he was in rough shape. He sighed when the chime rang again, keying the intercom. "Yes?" he said, his voice hoarse.
"It's Deza."
"I'm busy at the moment, Deza. Could this wait?"
"I'm afraid not…"
He sighed again and unlocked the door, rubbing his face tiredly as he said, "Enter."
"I'm sorry if I'm intruding, but…" She paused when she actually looked at Garek. His skin had turned an unhealthy looking shade of gray, almost silver, his eyes had dulled and sunken into his head a little with black bags underneath; he almost looked dead. "Garek, you look terrible."
"Whatever," he grunted, returning attention to his terminal. "What do you want?"
"To check on you; you used to come see me at least twice a week to report your…sleeping patterns. I haven't seen you since," she trailed off.
"Go ahead, say it."
"Since your brother died."
He shrugged. "I have been busy."
"That's not what others are saying…"
"I do not care what others think, they do not know what it is like."
"Are you listening to yourself talk, have you looked in a mirror recently?"
"Can't. It's broken."
Deza sighed. "Garek, listen. I'm concerned, your squadmates are concerned. Hell, even some of the Rangers that don't like you are concerned."
"I don't-"
"Yes, you do," she interrupted, turning the chair away from his desk. "Now, I am going ask you some questions, and you are going to answer them."
Garek huffed and crossed his arms, "Fine."
She pulled up another chair and sat across from him. "How have you been sleeping?"
"Come on, Deza. Look at me."
"Have you slept at all in these three weeks?"
He thought for several moments before shrugging. "I cannot say."
"What little sleep you have gotten, did you have any visions?"
"Every time I close my eyes…"
She nodded, continuing to take notes. "What about the sleep aid?" He simply pointed to the wall behind her, where the green liquid had stained the wall and floor, the vial shattered in a puddle by the door. "Garek…"
"It didn't help," he growled.
"That's what I'm here for, Garek."
"What could you have done? Do you have something…more potent…something that would put me under?"
She took note of the almost pleading look in his eyes as he asked the last question. "No…not at this moment."
He looked back to his terminal. "I should really get back to what I was doing…"
"Why are you doing this to yourself?" she thought, her eyes widening at the realization that she had voiced the question. He was glaring at her now, his mandibles closed tight and his eyes slits.
"Get out."
She shook her head, having a thought. "No."
"Out!"
"Answer the question first," she said, returning the glare he gave. He slowly stood and moved to grab her arm, but froze as she backhanded him. "Sit down."
He complied and sat, his head hung shamefully. Several minutes passed before he spoke. "Because…I am a…coward, and I don't deserve my station," he said lowly. "I…I could have saved him…stopped that tank from…" He didn't finish, shaking his head. "I could have done it," he muttered repeatedly.
"Garek…Garek!" He stopped and looked at her. "There is nothing you could have done. Tavo was resigned to his fate…he wanted you to have this." She reached into a pocket and took out a small stone. He snatched it from her grasp and looked at its smooth, blue-green surface, turning it over several times in his hands. "What is it?"
"A sapphire," he said. "My oldest brother, Soha 'Arozakee, sent it home to mother before his death on one of the human-controlled worlds. Believe it or not," he paused to chuckle, "it brought my family great luck in the years to follow; we never had a single bad crop. When it came time for Tavo to leave for service, she gave it to him without father's knowledge. We still had good harvests, but they began to decline…" He closed a hand around it before placing it on the desk. "Thank you," he said, suddenly embracing her.
She sat still in surprise before slowly returning the gesture. "You're welcome."
"Ahem," a new voice said in the doorway, the two instantly separating. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, your Excellency," Deza said, a barely noticeable blush on her face.
Nazo smirked and waved her over. "How is he?" he whispered.
She glanced at Garek, who had his head turned away in an attempt to hide his own blush. "He's seen better days."
"Humph, indeed. Thank you for checking on him, 'Telam. I will forget what I saw."
"Thank you…and, don't get the wrong idea. He doesn't have eyes for me," she whispered.
"Noted. Did you tell him?"
"No."
Nazo nodded. "Now, if you would excuse us?"
"Of course. Stay on the path..."
"For it is reaching its end," he finished. "So, Major. I have heard some things about you…"
"I'm sure. I'm fine," he said, anticipating the question.
"You do not look it."
Garek sighed. "I know. Are you here about the ring, sir?"
"I am. Get washed up, geared up, and get to the loading bay."
"Now?"
"For your sake, I'll try to persuade the Supreme Commander to delay our landing for another few hours. He is concerned about you, as well." He walked over to the terminal and shut it down. "Now get some damn sleep, Garek. You look like a living corpse."
Garek paused at the use of his given name. "Yes sir."
Location: Starboard Loading Bay #26
Ship Clock: 12:37 Hours; approximately 3 hours prior to the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's arrival.
"You are looking much better than you did a few hours before, 'Izakee," Nazo said as they waited for the Supreme Commander to arrive.
Garek chuckled. He still had bags under his eyes, but his skin tone had already returned to its normal state and his eyes no longer looked dull. "Thank you, sir. I suppose that nap did wonders for me, because I certainly feel better."
"Excellent," Thel suddenly said. "I don't want any of the troops under my command to be feeling down when the Journey is so near."
"Indeed," Nazo said. "What would you have us do, your Excellency?"
"Right," Thel said, as if forgetting why he had gathered the entire 78th Ranger Division. As they all got into formation, going by squad then rank, he moved to the front and spoke. "My brothers, below us is the answer that we have sought for generations! The holy Prophets have spoken of this day for quite some time, and it has finally arrived! The Gods have smiled upon us by leading the humans here…so that they may witness, firsthand, their limitless power! In the days to come, they will watch as we walk the path into the Divine Beyond while they are cast down by the Holy Wind!"
Garek secretly rolled his eyes as the rest of the troops collectively roared in approval. "He may be a great public speaker and leader, but that is bullshit," he thought.
"Now, mount up! The time is at hand, and you will ensure that we walk through the gates of Paradise!"
Garek wasted no time getting onto the Phantom that he would share with squads one and three. He stepped into the cockpit to see a familiar face. "Rypa, you survived!"
The newly-appointed Major grinned. "Aye, and I see you did as well!" He looked to his new co-pilot, a Minor, before continuing in the same dialect they had used the first time they met. "I heard about what happened. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Garek said warmly. "I will join him soon, eh?"
Rypa nodded, "As will the rest of us, brother. If we don't speak before it begins…see you on the other side."
Garek nodded once before walking back into the troop bay and joining his squad at the back of the Phantom; they would be the last group to exit the dropship. "Well, there he is! Mr. Skeptical!" Ar'n said lightly as Garek sat next to him.
"I can smell the alcohol on your breath. You best put your helmet on before Nazo catches it, too," Garek said seriously, ignoring his friends jibe.
"Why do you have to be a buzz kill?" Ar'n muttered as he complied with the order. "I was only joking."
Garek smiled. "I know," he said, softly punching him on the left shoulder pad. "In all seriousness, Nazo would go crazy if he smelled your breath."
"I know." Ar'n looked around briefly before leaning in and whispering, "Garek, what you told us about the rings…is it true?"
"I honestly don't know, Ar'n. I'm not sure I should believe my visions…I have yet to see one come true."
"Hmm. Only one way to find out, I suppose."
"Indeed." He slipped on his own helmet before standing and approaching Nazo at the front of the troop bay, where he was talking with the leader of 3rd Squad – Major Domo Anto 'Defrumee. "Sir, what exactly will we be doing?"
"If you had been here a moment ago, Garek, you would have found out," Anto said rudely.
"Kiss my scrawny ass, Anto." He and Anto had never gotten along. Anto thought just like the majority of the soldiers from his group in the 349th had, and it didn't help that Garek had beaten him in every spar they were ever paired in.
"Quiet, both of you," Nazo said haltingly. "Major 'Izakee was doing the right thing in making sure that his squad was prepared for the landing. It may be a gift from the Gods, but we do not know what is lurking down there." Anto stifled a growl as they shared a nod. "Our squads will be forming a triangular perimeter in this region." He highlighted a valley on the holographic screen of his datapad, expanding the area. "This perimeter will be scanning for any type of hostile activity before securing the region for the Council. 'Izakee, your squad will start here and search in a two hundred-fifty meter radius while the other two squads do the same here, and here." He highlighted these areas with different colors as he spoke.
Garek frowned, noting something. "Z'aes," he said, nodding him over when the Minor looked his way.
"Sir?"
"What is it, 'Izakee?" Nazo said curiously.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Z'aes?"
"Yes." He pointed to a small area where the three circles didn't meet. "Is there a reason for this hole in the perimeter, sir?"
"Ah, that. Yes, 'Xaseree, there is. This," he said, highlighting the twenty-five meter hole, "is one of the entrances to what the Prophets called the Library. We were kept in the dark about what is inside, as we are simple ground troops." Nazo scoffed before muttering, "My ass."
Garek and Z'aes chuckled while Anto's face hardened. "With all due respect, sir, you shouldn't insult the Prophets in such a way."
"I was simply using their words, Major 'Defrumee. If the Prophets want to hold that against me, that is their problem… but, as they said: we are simple ground troops. Why would they waste their time on us?" Nazo smirked as anger grew in Anto's eyes. He deactivated the datapad and nodded. "Dismissed. 'Izakee," he said as Garek turned.
"Sir?"
"Smack Ar'n for me; I can smell the Q'osa from here."
Garek nodded. "Oh, about that…I believe he has a problem, sir. He has been drinking heavily ever since he got his quarters and when I would go by on my nightly walks around the ship, I swear I heard him sobbing through the door…"
"Hmm," Nazo turned toward Ar'n, "Minor 'Drakosee, get up here!"
Ar'n stood at attention before the two, "Sir!"
"Give me the flask," Nazo demanded, holding his hand out. Once Ar'n had handed over the small canister, he held out his other hand, "And the other one."
"Shit," Ar'n murmured, handing over a smaller canister and watched as Nazo open them both, rearing his head back at the smell.
"What proof is this?"
Ar'n visibly gulped, averting his gaze. "Pure…"
"Are you trying to poison yourself, boy?"
"No sir."
"I would have your ass for contraband…if the Journey weren't so near." Nazo walked over to one of the hatches in the floor, which led to a gravity lift. "So instead, I will do this." He keyed a button on the ceiling, using the hatches manual override and revealing a large body of water below. He looked Ar'n in the face as he dropped both containers through the hatch, closing it afterward. "Now take your helmet off." Ar'n tilted his head before complying, promptly getting backhanded by Garek. "It's time to sober up, 'Drakosee. We have much work to do, and I will not have one intoxicated soldier endangering everyone's lives. Is that clear?"
Ar'n blinked his right eye several times before answering; one of Garek's knuckles had struck the sensitive area between his upper mandible and eye. "Yes sir."
"Return to your seat, both of you. We still have quite a trip."
"He told you to do that, didn't he?" Ar'n said once they were seated again.
"Aye, he did. I may not agree with his methods, but he's right, Ar'n. You really shouldn't drink so much."
"How much I drink is none of your concern."
"Actually, Ar'n, it is. We may be friends, but I am your superior now. If you have a problem, it is my duty to find out and report it so that you can get help with that problem."
"Whatever."
"Do you, at the very least, admit that you made a mistake?"
"Yeah."
Garek nodded. "That's good enough for me," he said, the two falling silent for the rest of the trip. He involuntarily looked up when the familiar cyan light blinked on.
Nazo moved to the front of the troop bay and held his arms out in front of him, palms facing the ceiling. "Stand up!" He patted his chest plate once they were all standing, "Equipment check!" The sound of weapons being charged, shields humming as they rose, and hands patting against armor echoed throughout the Phantom's troop bay, "Squad leaders, report!"
"1st Squad, ready!"
"2nd Squad, ready," Garek called.
"3rd Squad, ready!"
Garek felt the Phantom come to a stop as the doors lowered. "Major 'Defrumee's squad, disembark! Maintain comm silence until I give the all clear!" Nazo got at the rear of 3rd Squad as they got ready to deploy. "The same goes for the rest of you; maintain comm silence." They soon arrived at the second drop-off point, Ar'n hefting their squad's plasma turret as they disembarked.
"Why make me carry this thing?" he muttered. "Why not the heavy weapons specialist?"
"Because," Z'aes began, "you're the second fastest in the squad."
"Yeah, but Garek's faster."
"He is also the squad leader and sniper, whereas you are a simple rifleman." Z'aes suddenly scoffed. "Someone's a little cranky when they are sober…"
Ar'n growled. "Fuck you, alright? You have no idea-"
"Task at hand," Garek said haltingly. "Ar'n, hand that here. Cover me." Garek clipped the Beam Rifle to his back before taking the turret and resting it on his shoulder.
"Sorry, sir…and, thank you."
"No problem. Z'aes, a soldier should be willing to handle any order they are given, whether they like it or not. Position, specialization, or rank does not matter."
"I know. What if an order isn't worth following or puts everyone at risk?"
"That would be the obvious exception. An order like that, you have my permission to disobey…not that I expect one from Nazo." The Phantom slowed to a halt for the third time and they stepped off into a lush forest. They simply stood there a few minutes, taking in the beautiful scenery. Once he was sure they had had enough time to familiarize themselves with the sights, smells, and sounds, we waved for them to move out with his free hand. "Spread out, far enough for at least one other member of the squad to see you. Ar'n, move ahead and find a place for this turret. Remember, we need at least a one hundred twenty degree field of view." Ar'n nodded took off, going far enough where Garek could just see a few portions of his off-white armor. Garek moved the turret over to his left shoulder and took the Type25-DER from his thigh, aiming forward in a slow sweeping motion. Orna and Z'aes moved away from him until they formed a diamond formation, each of them being twenty-five meters apart. He holstered the weapon upon seeing that Ar'n had stopped, waving for the other two to find spots to cover him from. "What do you have for me?"
Ar'n pointed, "Over there. Do you see how the boulders are shaped?"
Garek walked over to the formation and stuck his head through the opening; it almost looked like the rocks had served as a bunker at some point, likely several millennia ago. "Excellent find, my friend," he said, setting the turret down and climbing through the hole. "Hand me the turret." He took hold as Ar'n fed it through, unfolding the stand and securing it into the soft earth. Due to the space being so cramped, the gunner would have to crouch when the time came. "One hundred twenty-five degrees…again, excellent find, Ar'n."
"Ah, don't mention it. What's next, sir?"
Garek made a shrill chirp, calling for Orna and Z'aes to regroup. "Now, we secure the perimeter. Fifteen meter spacing, let's move," he said shortly. They only had only a small area left to secure when Garek suddenly made a low growl, getting everyone's attention. He pointed to an earhole, silently telling them to listen while signaling them to stay completely still with the other hand. It took the three of them a moment to hear what he had, all nodding in confirmation. The voices grew louder; they were humans speaking in a language that wasn't English.
"Ich denke, dass wir, Kapitän verloren sind."
"Ja sind wir gut verloren. Wir sind irgendeine ausländische… Sache, sind wir hier mehrmals vor gewesen, und wir sind verloren. Sie wissen etwas, Harklahn, sind Sie ein wirkliches Genie. Intelligentester Mann habe ich überhaupt das Vergnügen zu kennen gehabt. "
"Maloy, verlassen den armen Jungen allein. Ein Wiedereinbau kann er sein, aber der bedeutet nicht, dass Sie erhalten, ihn wie Scheiße zu behandeln. Zeigen Sie etwas Respekt, er ist im gleichen Boot wie wir."
"Ar'n, what are they saying?" Garek whispered.
"I don't know. My translator is putting the words on my display, but not actually translating it." Garek continued to listen to their distant banter, frowning when he thought he recognized the third voice. "Then again," he thought, "they all sound the same to me." Ar'n looked back at him questioningly, his eyes asking what they should do.
"Let them pass. It sounds like they will run right into 1st Squad."
"Major 'Izakee, how goes your patrol?"
"Just fine, sir; we have completed our sweep and are making our way towards the entrance of the Library now." Garek heard Nazo begin to say something over comms, but his voice was muted by the deafening roar of engines flying low overhead. He looked up to see a lone human ship, flying fast and way too low to the ground. He felt a quake under his hooves as a cloud of dirt and debris rose several miles away from them. "Um, sir…tell me that I was not the only one to see or hear that…"
"You weren't imagining things, Major. It would seem that our foe has arrived much sooner than anticipated…Hurry to the entrance; set 'Drakosee and 'Stronasee at your turret position."
Garek waved them off before setting off for the waypoint on their HUDs. "Well, this will surely complicate things," he said, slowing as Z'aes struggled to keep pace.
"I don't know, Garek. We have more than half of a fleet, while they have the one ship. A ship, I might add, that is missing the majority of its crew."
"How do you know that?"
"The Supreme Commander came to me, asking for my opinion on what to do."
Garek glanced at him. "Thel, a tactical genius, came to you for advice?"
"I thought it was strange, too. He wanted to just destroy the ship once it left slipspace, but I suggested he send boarding parties instead…that ended well."
"What happened?"
Z'aes slowed to a jog as he accessed the small computer on the underside of his wrist armor. "Apparently, there was a Spartan on board. It says here that he fought off most of our troops by himself, critically wounded a Spec-Ops Officer, and…"
"And…what?"
"That's it. The report just ends there."
"An unfinished report? That seems highly unlikely," Garek said as they finally approached the tent serving as their field HQ.
"Not unfinished, 'Xaseree, but classified. How are you reading that report?" Nazo said from behind a table; a holoprojector rested in the middle, displaying their area of operation and several yellow-orange dots. He walked around the table, stopping before them with his arms crossed. "I am waiting…"
Z'aes finally shrugged. "It's on the public Battle Net, sir. Have a look," he said, holding out his datapad. "That first section is, anyway."
"Hmm, so it is. Excuse us, 'Xaseree?" Z'aes silently bowed his head with a salute and left the tent. Nazo casually leaned against the table before continuing, "I know that you don't like Major 'Defrumee, but not telling him about a human squad heading his way? That may be how he would do things, but not you 'Izakee. Oh, feel free to drop formalities and speak your mind."
"What makes you say I wouldn't?"
"Because you care too much for others' well-being…so much so that you place it before your own. Is there something I should know about?"
"No."
"Humph. Well, whether you did it on purpose or not is irrelevant; they ran into each other and 1st squad drove them away…but not before Major 'Defrumee lost one of his troops. He sent me a brief recording of the battle…it was him, 'Izakee."
Garek shook his head, confused. "Who?"
"The human who cost me this," Nazo said, indicating the stub where his lower-right mandible used to be. "We may have lost one of our brothers, but we took one of theirs prisoner."
"A prisoner of war…since when do we take prisoners?"
"We don't," Nazo said lowly, "but, apparently 'Defrumee does. Now, don't call me a sympathizer, but…that human doesn't deserve what 'Defrumee is doing to him…he is but a boy."
"He's surely old enough to serve in their military."
"From what he had told 'Defrumee, he is two years younger than the required age. He is very cooperative, for a stubborn human."
"Yet 'Defrumee still tortures him?"
"Aye."
"And you're letting him do that?"
"No. I just sent someone to relieve him of his command of 1st Squad." It was a few minutes before either of them spoke again. "Well, I think you should get some more rest, 'Izakee; you will need as much sleep as you can get."
Garek nodded, thinking. "How much sleep would you recommend?"
"Still tired, are we?"
"I believe I had…maybe seventy-two hours of rest in three weeks' time, so yes."
"Get as much sleep as you feel you need, 'Izakee. I will send 'Defrumee out to man your turret while 2nd Squad patrols our little camp here," he said, unfolding his arms and looking back to the holographic display. When Garek remained, "Are you still here?"
Garek suddenly snorted and looked around. "Huh?"
Nazo laughed; Garek tilted his head, for it was the first time he had heard the Ultra actually laugh. "Did you fall asleep standing there? Get out of here, your tent is across from this one, in the middle." Garek felt heat on his face, his embarrassment making Nazo laugh harder. "Just get the hell out of here, Major. You're killing me."
Garek chuckled himself as he saluted. "Yes sir, right away." He left the tent and quickly looked around, seeing that it had gone dark in this region. "Huh, it was like noon back home when we arrived only a few minutes ago," he thought, shrugging as he began walking for 2nd Squad's tent. They weren't tents like the humans used; they were crafted from the same metal used in most Covenant military items, only much more flexible. When not in use or being transported, the material was soft to the touch and could be folded in any way imaginable. When activated, however, it was like any other Covenant military building; hard to the touch and very durable. He entered, dim lights winking on when they detected his presence.
The interior consisted of the entrance, which held weapons and armor crates or racks. Then, there was a hallway with six doors on either side. The rear of the building held the washroom and lavatories. "We must be sharing with part of another squad," he thought as he keyed the proper access code next to the door marked with his surname.
"No. The other residents would be your commander and I," a voice said. Garek froze, hearing the authoritative, respect-demanding tone that this male spoke in; he sounded much older than Nazo, likely already in his hundreds. Garek slowly turned toward the voice, freezing again when a Councilor stood in the doorway across from his. "What's the matter, boy? Can you not speak now?"
He bowed his head. "My apologies, your Excellency…you surprised me, is all. May I ask you a question?" The Councilor slowly nodded; Garek could tell that he was being scrutinized. "What are you doing here? The Council was not supposed to arrive until-"
"Let me stop you right there, Major. I apologize for interrupting, but I am here to ensure that you are doing your job properly."
"Me?"
"Well, the Rangers. Your unit is new, still considered fresh and therefore, not considered trustworthy of a task such as this. So, the High Council of Masters sent me, Ralo 'Grodasee, to observe and report the 482nd's actions and performance." Ralo said all of this in complete monotone, which clearly said 'Don't mess up, and you won't be put to death by some assassin'. "Waste of my time," he murmured, Garek barely catching it.
"How do you think we are doing so far?"
"I have seen far worse in my day…but, I have also seen much better. Nazo 'Bezatee has proven to be an excellent leader, but he has spread himself too thin across his perimeter and the loss of a soldier showed that. How much do you weigh, Major?"
Garek was caught completely off-guard by the question. "Umm…398 pounds, I believe."
"Do you not eat, boy? You look like nothing more than skin and bone."
"I eat plenty, your Excellency…perhaps more than most of the larger males." Again, Ralo just nodded. "No offense, but…your questions are making me uncomfortable."
"None taken, Major. I must admit, it has been quite some time since I have spoken with anyone who wasn't another politician or my mate, so if I seem intrusive, I apologize. I have one last question before I leave you be…you look quite tired."
"I am, very much so. The past month has been rough," Garek said, falling silent and waiting for the Councilor to speak.
"What is your opinion on this, just between you and I?"
Garek glanced at the door leading outside. "No disrespect, your Excellency, but I feel that my opinion would get us both executed; me for making such a blunt and 'heretical' statement, and you for keeping it to yourself…given that someone found out of course."
"Ah, but that is the key to being a politician, boy. You must know how to keep a secret or lie when you need to, all to keep the public safe and happy. Perhaps I could step into your office, as it were?" he said, gesturing to Garek's door. He stepped through his, closing and locking it behind him. "My room has ears in it," he whispered.
"And you were asking me those things while standing in the doorway?" Garek said incredulously.
"Nothing incriminating was said Major. I assure you that you will not awaken with a new hole in your throat."
Garek knew that Ralo was trying to be funny, but something about the way he said that last sentence made him extremely uncomfortable. "Um…right, come in and I will tell you what I think." He stepped aside and allowed the Councilor to step in first, following shortly after. The room was very basic; one single bed, a personal locker, a desk, and a chair. Garek sat on the bed while Ralo opted to stand. "What did you mean, exactly?"
"How do you feel about the Great Journey? And, be honest. As of now, we are no longer a Councilor and Major Domo, just two people making small talk."
"On a very touchy subject," Garek added, sighing. "I…don't know what to think. I practice the Old Beliefs, and I…never believed in the Journey or its Path."
He watched as Ralo frowned; not angrily, like he had expected, but curiously. "Why is that? The Prophets have never failed to be right before…"
"Have you forgotten the foundation this Covenant is built on, the war that raged? These relics, these gifts left behind by the Gods are meant to be used and cherished, but not for war and destruction. I believe that They wanted us to expand, but in a much better manner than we are currently using. I mean, we're destroying entire planets simply because a species who doesn't share in our beliefs occupies them. Quite frankly, your Excellency, it's just…asinine."
Ralo blinked, stunned by his words. "You didn't lie about being blunt…" he began. "We are alike, you and I. I, too, practice the ways of the Ancients…but, we are a warring species; always have been, likely always will be. Before the San 'Shyuum came along, rival clans or keeps would constantly be at war over territory. Do you think the Prophets are liars?" he finished suddenly.
"I don't think, I know. As you said, it is part of being a politician…only these are corrupt and greedy, lying for their own personal gain. The High Council of Masters isn't much different."
Ralo sighed. "I will give you that one. The others laugh at me for suggesting we try to make peace before it is too late. The humans may not be the smartest or strongest bunch, but they are much smarter than the Jiralhanae, have more courage than the Unggoy, are nowhere near as greedy as the Kig-Yar, and are about as brilliant as we are. Don't get me started on the Lekgolo, Huragok, or the Yanme'e."
"Do you know what the humans have that none of our races do?" Ralo simply shrugged. "Ingenuity; they have the capability to take the rawest of materials, sometimes next to nothing, and make something useful or great. We call them idiotic vermin, but take a look at the guns their ships are armed with; they can destroy or cripple the best of our ships when they are fully-shielded.
They are like a mix of all the species, really; they are strong enough, smart enough, and brave enough to outwit some of our most brilliant tacticians." Garek huffed. "In short, they know more of war than we do because they have been fighting them since they were able to combine rock and wood to make weapons."
"Hmm. You know more than most Zealots, Major."
Garek shrugged, "I like to know my enemies. The humans have a saying that dates back several hundreds of years and it goes like this: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The author of that quote never commanded a ship or led troops into battle; he was but a man who put words onto paper. Tell me, how are they idiotic when a civilian can come up with wisdom such as that?"
"I suppose they aren't. After all, idiocy and ignorance are two different things."
"Exactly…no disrespect, but are we done here? As I said before, I am very tired."
Ralo nodded. "I appreciate that you took the time to speak with me. It's good to know that someone else feels the same way I do."
"Likewise, your Excellency. What was said…?"
"Will not leave this room, on that you have my word." Garek nodded, beginning to remove his armor. "Rest well, Major 'Izakee."
"Thank you, Councilor." Garek slapped a palm to his face when the door closed and locked. "Stupid," he muttered. "I hope what he told me is true, that he is a man who honors his word." He undid his bodysuit and slid it down to his waist, tying the sleeves around himself. Frowning, he laid back; he couldn't place it, but something just didn't feel right and it had nothing to do with his talk with Ralo. "No, somehow…I feel a disturbance in…the natural order of things. Damn it," he thought, quickly growing frustrated as he tried to think of what this 'disturbance' could be. That did not last, however, as the lack of sleep completely caught up with him.
He had no idea what had just been unleashed by a certain, newly-demoted, Minor Domo within the library…
