Silence fell as Han concluded with the story of how she came to be. She noted the dark looks the humans were giving her. She jutted her head up at a defiant angle, feeling the tension in the room.
"How old were you exactly when you killed those people, Commander Vadamai," asked.
Han noted the strange, clinical voice change in Halseys voice. She didn't quite understand why it had changed, or why she would ask such a question.
"By Sangheili or Human years Doctor?"
"Human if you please."
Han paused and answered with a little hint of confusion in her voice.
"I would say about fourteen of your years. We actually are not quite sure as to how the Conversion has affected our ageing. Why do you ask this?"
"Because if we know at least your first name and perhaps your age in human years, we may be able to trace where you and your comrades came from. Maybe even track down any surviving relatives." A dark silence filled the room as Han stiffened, her comrades looking to her for a response.
"We have no human relatives," Han responded, her tone icy, brooking no arguments. Halsey studied the Converted for any sign of decent. None were given. Halsey decided it was time to press a little, see what she could learn.
"Very well then. So in summary by the age of fourteen years your moral sympathy and conscience that was given to you by your original race was seemingly completely eradicated, creating merciless, emotionally unstable, murderous children, am I correct?."
Han scowled angrily at the Doctor and almost snarled something when she paused and, after studying Halsey for a little while, bent her neck in a rueful smile, an understanding look crossing her face.
"You truly are one to be cautious of Dr. Halsey. Toying with others will get you into trouble one of these days."
"Is that so?"
Han chuckled, "Indeed, not everyone is as tolerant of word games as I am and I am not that tolerant by your kinds standards."
Catherine Halsey was intrigued. This hybrid, this "Converted", was sharper than she had given it credit for. Not many Sangheili had that kind of deep insight into a human word game, most taking almost everything at face value. Perhaps Han had not lost as much as her humanity as she would've wished.
"So I have observed Commander. What I would like to know is the part you and your fellow Converted played in the Human-Covenant war."
"We played many parts Doctor. The main reason we were created was to be used as disposable weapons in that war, nothing more."
Han replied, deep bitterness evident in her voice. Halsey noted this.
"Tell me all of it."
Time passed and Hans's skill and strength continued to grow as she advanced in rank. She fought and clawed her way up the chain of command, rank by rank until she gained a command position of her own, over her own kind.
Han walked at brisk but not undignified pace. She was on her way to meet up with the Legate for the assignment of her new team. It was all she could do not to show the excitement and tension she felt on her face. After the Conversion she had not seen one of her fellow Converted. Had her old friends survived? Would any of them be in her new team? Han stopped and took a deep breath to calm herself. She had not come this far to blunder now. She had to keep her emotions under control.
Taking deliberately slower, calm steps, she walked the last couple of feet to the docking bay. She found the Minister of Penance, his guard, and Commander 'Taeamee waiting for her, with two red and two blue armored Sangheili she did not recognize standing a little ways off. Han felt her heart pound in her chest and her feet stop. Though she could not see their faces, she knew without having to be told that these were her fellows, her people. What it was that made them stand out one could not exactly say without further inspection but there was an air about them that separated them from the others of the Covenant.
"Commander 'Vadamee come forward." The Prophet gestured for Han to join them.
She walked slowly over, mindful of the Honor Guard nearby. She did not want to do anything that would resemble a threatening move as she came to bow before the Legate. There was a brief silence as the Legate observed her with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Rise Commander and rejoice. Soon you and your new team shall help pave the way of the Great Journey."
"I am humbled by this honor. Direct thy weapon as thou wouldst see fit," Han replied humbly as she came to her feet, her head lowered in submission.
"The Penance will be joining the Fleet of Valiant Prudence that is going to a planet that has been infested by the humans. This is a great success, seeing as the filthy wretches have started to become more careful of their locations."
"Locations Legate?"
"The heretics have spread further than we had initially anticipated but the Gods have been generous with their favors. We have even found the name of their home world, though not the location."
"What is the name of it Legate?"
"Earth, or some such thing. Disgusting blasphemous filth! Only the righteous are allowed in the naming of planets. Rejoice in your strength and your forgiveness that has been bestowed upon you as you bring their final judgment upon them!"
"We shall become the hands of our mighty Lords and strike down the heretics to continue on in your service and that of the Holy Ones."
"I have come to expect nothing less of you Commander 'Vadamee. Do not disappoint me."
Han bowed in silent acknowledgement of the praise and warning. This kind of conversation was normal between her and the Legate, formal with an undercurrent of danger. Han new that if anything she did gave the Minister of Penance the slightest idea that she still retained any humanity, she and whoever were associated with her, would be put to a dishonorable death without any hesitation. Han had quickly come to realize her full situation as she'd advanced in rank. She was a weapon, not truly one of the Covenant just a tool for it. A weapon that failed was no good and would be disposed of. She come to fear that day, praying always to the Gods that she may not live to see it.
"Commander 'Taeamee will introduced your team the Prophet of Regret has picked for you."
"Once more I am honored by the High Prophets notice."
"As well you should, but such honor can be like your sword Commander. Beware where it falls."
The Minister of Penance finished warningly, turning his gravity throne full circle and departing, his guards not far behind. Han suppressed the intense urge to sigh. She knew the danger in attracting the High Ones notice. She did not need to be reminded as if she were still a kit. Han shook off her annoyance and rested her gaze on Ckwi, allowing her happiness at the new command to fill her gaze and color her tone as she spoke.
"It has been a long time since I have seen you last Commander 'Taeamee."
"Likewise Han, though I suspect I should call you by your title now."
"You are of higher rank than I Commander. How you choose to call me is of your own affair," she replied deferentially.
"That may be for now but from what I have heard, you are well on your way to becoming part of the Special Operations sector and higher."
"I would be very pleased by such news but only once I am in such a position."
Ckwi chuckled "No doubt. Your ambition seems to have no bounds, Commander 'Vadamee."
"Were you not the one to teach me not to allow myself to be limited by weakness? I shall add my strength to my bloodline and bring honor to my keep, no matter the cost to myself."
"So it would seem. It is an honor to the teacher to see the student go farther than was expected of them."
"I am happy that I can bring you joy in your old age Teacher," Han replied teasingly.
"I am no Elder yet Han. As long as we reach for the Great Journey I shall fight on."
"As will I Commander. Now if you do not mind, I would like to be introduced to my Converted."
"Very well then Commander, I believe you once knew Major Nagu 'Anausee under the name Jon-la."
Jon-la or Nagu now, stepped forward and removed her helmet, giving Han a respectful inclination of the head. Nagu's Conversion seemed to have gone over well. Short black hair with deep red tips hovered over her red armor. Her eyes were completely Sangheili, her skin dark like a male's with the scale-like bumps on the skin that Han could see. Unlike Han however, Nagu had a remnant of their old human hands, a small stub of joint that had once been a thumb on both hands.
"It does my heart well that you have survived the Conversion Commander Vadamee."
"Same to you as well Major 'Anausee," Han replied formally, nodding to her in return. She did not dare show the joy that she felt. Nagu replaced her helmet back on her head and stepped away as the other Major stepped forward.
"This is Major Erhar 'Elaodee. He has been proven many times in battle."
"It is an honor to meet such a high ranking Converted Commander. I look forward to serving with you," Erhar stated eloquently as he removed his helmet and bowed his head in respect.
When he straightened up his face surprised Han. Unlike herself or Nagu, Erhar had a very human face, so much so that it took awhile Han to nod back, not daring to say anything to him quiet yet. Erhar did not have the serpentine neck and permanent hunch that were characteristic of Sangheili neither was his head elongated to accommodate the classic four mandibles as Hans was. In fact only his bottom jaw split open, seemingly the only jaw change that had been brought on by the Conversion. Even most of his nose remained had remained intact, though it was a little flat. The two things that showed the most change in the Majors face was the slitted eyes, which were both a bright gold, and lack of hair, showing the same skin texture as the two female Converted also there was no remnant of human ears left.
Major Elaodee stepped back into line as one of the blue Minors stepped forward.
"This is another you may have been familiar with. Ussh 'Ramatee, formally known as Rktas. He is better at stealth than fighting upfront," stated Ckwi 'Taeamee with a slight tone of disapproval.
Hans' old friend did not remove his helmet and ducked his head in only the barest of acknowledgments. Her faint memories of him reminded her that even before the Conversion, he had rarely spoken except to criticize or mock. She bared her throat to him challengingly as he met her eyes when he straightened.
"Do you have nothing to say to me, old friend," Han asked, daring him to return her challenge.
Ussh lowered his eyes and head once more, lower than before "No Commander 'Vadamee. I am at a loss for words."
The words and tone was respectful with only a hint of sarcasm. She could live with that for now. She nodded back to him in the slightest of gestures. He returned to his spot with the other three without turning his back on her. Finally the last stepped forward.
"And this is Ngbe 'Jjasee, an aspiring fighter. He will do well with your team."
"I am honored to meet you Commander 'Vadamee."
He removed his own helmet and smiled at her pleasantly. His hair was a Mohawk of black hair, short and thick. His face was more like Hans with a bare remnant of a nose, four mandibles, and the skin texture of a Sangheili. His eyes were narrower than any of the others and unlike any Sangheili his eyes were a deep brown, almost black and slitted. Han nodded to him and gave a quick smile back as he returned to his place in line.
"I am pleased with the Prophets choice in my team," Han said to Commander 'Taeamee.
…
Hans' anxiety was so great that she didn't even bother to stop herself from pacing. This was her first time leading soldiers into combat. What if she could not protect them? Everything until now had been to place her in a position to care for her kind. What if she failed?The floor of the Penance vibrated beneath her feet, on its way to their target, with Han pacing the floor of the training room, not knowing how else for her to use her pent up worry.
"Why so nervous Commander? Surely you are not afraid."
She whirled to face Erhar 'Elaodee who was leaning against the door frame. Even though she had a few days to get to know her team, she still could not quite get use to him. His mostly human face made herself and most of the other Converted feel unsettled, causing Han to become irritated with herself. She should be able to handle this but her emotions had a way of coming out, whether it was when she was giving orders or even when she was just having a conversation, her discomfort and anger at herself came through. And now the one who was the root of the problem was here. She just could not catch a break.
"Fear is for the weak Erhar and I can tell you now, I am not weak."
Hans tone made it quite clear that his company was not wanted.
"Of course you are not. How could you be?"
Erhars own tone told her he was not about to back down. He causally straightened up and approached Han with that familiar eerie grace that had become a trademark of the Converted Elites as she tensed.
"You, who were the one to dare try to defy the Covenant and escape when we were kits, who has survived not only the Conversion but the Covenant and countless battles, becoming the Commander of some of the few remaining Sangheili Converted, no, you are not weak Commander, not on the outside at least."
"What do you mean," Han asked, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Mean Commander? Why I mean to ask what drives a female so far? What are you covering up I wonder. Are you still the naive afraid little human or have you lost your soul to the pride and blood-thirst that govern the Sangheili?"
Males, Han thought angrily. She was almost chest to chest to him now and she was past annoyed, she was mad. What right did any male have to doubt her, to test her, after all she'd been through! It was the same every time she was reassigned, all because she was a different gender. The fact that she just realized he was much taller then her as he looked down on her pushed Han over the edge.
"What drives me so far Major is the arrogant males under my command who seem to think they can do and say anything they please just because I am female!"
She kicked him in the chest, away from her and into the wall a few feet back. She braced herself for a fight as he staggered forward, righting himself, his hand placed gingerly over his now bruised rib cage. Then he surprised her again by laughing happily.
"That is a good enough reason for me Commander. I will leave you to yourself but please know this," Erhar started to head to the entrance as he glanced back at her.
"I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. I just wished to know who exactly I am to be serving under. Do not disappoint me."
He strode out as easily as he came in, leaving Han even more anxious and pissed off than before. Was he just playing with her or was he being honest? Was he testing her? She shook her head angrily to clear her head.
"Agony and blood I hate males at times," Han snarled under her breath as she continued her pacing.
...
For the second time that day Han was cursing under her breath. Her team and herself were pinned behind some twisted remains of concrete and support beams, being shot at from the front, by some new, strange humans. Their armor was different, their faces covered by golden visors and they were about the same height as a average Elite. They were stronger than the others Han had face before.
She took a quick glance around a pitted concrete beam at the pause in gunfire but was forced back into place by grenade explosion. She growled angrily. They had to get those generators. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, focusing on what little she'd been able to see. One had barley turned his back on her just a few feet away from her, presumably to reload. This new human soldier was behind his own barrier and though she only got a brief glimpse, she knew from the directions of the cover shots that at least two others were with it, one on either side.
Her eyes snapped open. Now she knew what to do.
"Major 'Anausee!" Nagu turned from her own shooting to face Han.
"Take half of what is left of the Unggoy, some Kig-Yar, and Minor 'Ramatee and circle right. I will take the rest and 'Jjasee and circle left. They do not seem to have that many troops left and what is left we can take care of. Be stealthy, make your troops stop firing a few at a time and leave in small, staggered amounts so that it does not seem suspicious. Give 'Ramatee a lead as well, he is good at stealth, this should show exactly how good."
"A deception." A familiar cunning look came to Nagus' eyes.
" Exactly. Major 'Elaodee-" he too pulled his attention away from the fight to her.
"You and the two Lekgolo will distract them while we get into place. Use various weapons from different positions, as if there are still troops back here. I hear you're a fair shot, so make each count understand?" He grinned and nodded
"Good, now let's move."
Han and Nagu continued to fire, steadily indicating for the troops to move out to the sides a little at a time. The two females and their fellows quickly followed, their movement covered by Major 'Elaodee and the Lekgolos. Han kept a wary eye on the fire fight as she led her troops through, cautious yet eager for the kill. She signaled for a halt when they came close to their target, the Commander waiting to hear from Major Anausee. She didn't have to wait long.
"Commander, we are in position."
"Then proceed. Wort, wort, wort!"
Han made some of the Unggoy charge in first, bringing out what remained of the Marines who were ready for them. She then directed the Kig-Yar to be long range shooters and to form a blockade with the remaining Unggoy. Then she waited, adding support when it was needed, watching always for the strange human warriors. Quickly growing impatient, Han turned to Ngbe 'Jjasee.
"Keep these filth busy. You should be able to finish them quick enough. I am going to scout out past these lines for those strange armored humans."
"As you wish Commander. Be wary though, there is more to them than we know."
"My thoughts exactly 'Jjasee. That is why I'm going to hunt them myself."
The two nodded and Han left, activating her camouflage once she got behind the lines. She stalked warily among the rubble, watching for any sign of movement. Unfortunately she was spotted first. An unexpected kick from the left made her almost lose her footing as well as lose her camo. She quickly turned to face her advisary and growled in anticipation. One of the strange humans crouched before her, a serrated blade in its hand. It stood almost equal height to her, covered in bulky green armor, its face completely hidden by its helmet and golden visor. Han activated her energy sword and moved into her own neutral position.
The two advisories circled one another, each wary of the other. Then the human took her by surprise when it charged, grabbing her middle and slamming the both of them to the ground, sending Hans sword flying. The human punched her in the gut a few times and as no other human could, cracked two of her ribs in the process. She snarled in pain and pushed it back by its helmet, her fingers cracking the visor and causing indents in the metal.
The human resisted her, trying to push back and bring its knife to bear. Han grabbed its wrist as the knife came close to her face. There was a pause as these two enemies struggled for supremacy, unaware of the chaos around them, one completely focused on the other.
They were almost equal in strength, but that slight difference was all Han needed to win. She summoned all her energy and snarled into the spider-webbed visor and rolled, getting a few punches in as she pinned the human down, keeping its knife arm away. The human finally head-butted her and she stumbled and fell on her back, pain making her vision blur. Panic shot through her as she spotted the blurred image of green armor staggering toward her. She instinctively kicked out and with extra strength born from desperation, her foot shot through the armored humans chest, strange red blood and clear liquids gushing out around her limb.
Han didn't know quite what to do from here. She could faintly hear the humans muffled gurgling as it died in agony and though her enemy was defeated, she wasn't sure how to get her foot out. The liquidized crystals in the humans insulated layer of the suit continued to leak out, causing the armor to cave in, making it even more difficult for her to remove her foot. She tried to wiggle it out but she could feel the ribs around her ankle and a little above it start to scrape and rip at her own armors under-layer. She was not about to add spilled blood to her already dishonorable injuries. Her patience at an end, Han exploded into violent explicative's as she started lashing out with her foot and the body that was still attached to it. Her bad luck was complete when she noticed that her Converted watching her.
