Author's Note: Thanks to Kalshion for being my proof reader.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Halo universe, which is the property of Bungie Studios. However, any non-Halo species (and characters made from them) belong to me.
Chapter 9: The Plan
"Did you find him?" The Arbiter asked when the group returned.
"Yeah, but the crazy bastard took himself out before we could get him to talk." Johnson grumbled.
"He was indeed a Sangheili." Rtas explained. "Unfortunately his method of suicide left us with no means to identify him."
"Sounds like he had something to hide." Master Chief commented, to which the Arbiter agreed.
"Yeah but unfortunately that Phantom he came on was clean of any ship identification, smart bastard." Johnson said. "However thanks to 'Mura here we have a good idea of how many of the bastards are on the station."
"Found two different scents." Vl'asuna explained. "One belonged to assassin, the other unknown but also Sangheili."
"Did he say anything? Anything at all before he sent himself to the afterlife?" The Arbiter asked.
"Somethin' about correcting a mistake and ending you guys shame." Johnson said.
"Assassin talked to someone." Vl'asuna said. "Before he tried to flee, his partner no doubt."
"Don't suppose you caught anything he said…" Johnson said hopefully. "Like a name?"
Vl'asuna's ears pulled back as she concentrated. "No…" She said regretfully. "Spoke too quietly for me to make out."
"Either way this means that there is one other that is after your blood brother." Rtas growled. "Perhaps it is best we take you back to the Shadow of Intent…"
"No." The Arbiter said. "We don't know if this other individual has supporters hidden on the station or even on the Shadow of Intent…and until we can be sure there are no traitors within our own ship no where is completely safe for me to go."
"And besides the scent 'Mura picked up we have no leads." Johnson grumbled. "And I doubt having her sniff every Elite on the station would be appropriate. Hell a judge wouldn't even look at the case if that was all we had on the guy."
"How much word of Maiken's survival?" Vl'asuna suddenly asked.
"Besides us, the hospital folk and high command? No one." Johnson replied. "Standard procedure when it comes to an attempted murder."
"Keep it that way." Vl'asuna suggested. "Longer truth hidden, more careless other party maybe?"
"She has a point." Cortana said, from a console nearby. "Whoever arranged this is probably expecting some kind of backlash. Think of the weapon used. He was obviously trying to frame humanity for the Arbiter's death, possibly trying to ignite a new war between our species. If we play along…."
"They may reveal themselves." Rtas finished for her. "Brilliant idea."
"What about the assassin?" Master Chief asked. "If people know he was an Elite this won't work."
"Chief, right now the only ones that know of mister Kamikaze is us and the higher ups." Johnson said. "We'll keep a lid on the truth of that as well. Twist the truth a bit to make this scheme of ours work better."
"No work." 'Vl'asuna said. "Assassin talked to someone remember? Other party likely know he dead."
"Damn, good point." Johnson grumbled. "Bastards would know we are trying to pull a fast one on them."
"If these individuals are really trying to ignite a new war, they may twist the facts themselves to do so." The Arbiter said.
"An excellent point Arbiter." Rtas said. "The only thing we may need to do is just announce that you died due to this attack and keep our ears open afterward. I'll brief our troops appropriately."
"We should clear this with command first." Master Chief stated.
"Don't worry Chief, we'll clear this idea with the higher ups first. In fact, going to do so right now…."
"No need Johnson, I did it for you." Cortana said.
"Son of a….damn you Cortana, I wanted the pleasure. Well what they say?"
"Green light Sergeant Major."
"Excellent." Johnson said. "Well Arbiter, looks like you will be 'officially' KIA." He patted the Arbiter on the head as he added. "Alas, poor Arbiter…I knew him well…."
"Do that again and I'll bite your hand off…" The Arbiter growled.
"Ooo…for a dead guy he sure is feisty!"
The news of the Arbiter's death more then made up for this disappointment in losing Tora, whom was one of his best men. Yes he had been a fool to stay in the hanger like that, but that no one had come looking for him by name meant he died with his identity a secret, which meant not all was lost. What stung though was that his Phantom was under constant surveillance now, so he couldn't leave the station nor summon more of his own troops from the Righteous Justice. He just hoped his second in command would be smart enough to keep the ship hidden in the dark side of this planets moon. He was alone for now and had to do things himself, not that he minded.
While the humans had announced it had been a Sangheili that did the deed, he intended to create some doubt among the Sangheili on the station. First however, he needed to disguise himself: trying to incite war in his gold armor would immediately draw too much attention to himself, not to mention easier to spot in a crowd. Like what he tried to do with the Arbiter, he knew how to point the blame elsewhere and indeed he had already taken the first step to ensure it. Now all he needed was a victim.
Activating his camouflage, he started to hunt for the perfect prey….
Niko 'Tormus walked down the hallway, wondering if he was going in the right direction. The Minor was trying to find the café other Sangheili had recommended to him, but right now all he was seeing was a bunch of offices. Damn human construction. He thought, wishing he had waited for the others, others that knew the way. Niko had really wanted to try some concoction the humans called 'ice cream' and was intrigued by how he heard they came in almost limitless flavors. With the Arbiter's assassination, he wasn't sure how long the current alliance would continue to hold and he wanted to sample as much of the human cuisine as possible before a fall out happened.
"Be on guard." He remembered Shipmaster 'Vadum tell him and the others. "The ones responsible will likely try to twist the truth of what happened in their favor, inciting a new war between Sangheili and the Humans."
But why would anyone do so? He thought, turning a corner and seeing to his dismay more offices, though this section looked worse for wear: obviously this part of the station had yet to go under repair. The Arbiter saved us all by opening our eyes to the truth. There is a new era ahead of us!
There was a brief blip on his radar and Niko turned to see who it was, hoping to ask for directions, but he saw no one. Something must be wrong with my radar. He thought, tapping the side of his helmet. I'll have to have it checked out when I get back to the ship.
A sound, one of metal scrapping against metal, made him spin around, but he couldn't see the cause. Am I hearing things now? He thought, getting unnerved. I need to get out of this area before I go crazy…
Something suddenly tripped him, sending him sprawling to the floor and momentarily stunned him. Before he could recover his senses, something jumped on top of him, pinning him to the floor. Then he felt two hands wrap around his neck and start squeezing.
"Forgive me brother…" The voice of a fellow Sangheili said, the tone telling him he wasn't sorry at all for what he was doing. "But this is for a greater good…."
By the gods it's one of them! Niko thought has he feebly tried to break free. The unknown male however knew exactly how to position himself to easily keep him pinned, keeping him from reaching for one of his weapons. Niko tried kicking and elbowing the male, but he had no leverage and the impacts only made his assailant laugh. He desperately wanted to call someone on the comm, but with his assassin keeping him from taking a breath he was unable. Utterly helpless, the world around him quickly became black.
Kesi smiled with satisfaction, unable to believe his luck. This foolish Minor had gotten himself lost in the maze of hallways, making him an easy target. Even better, the fool had the same eye and skin coloration as he, so taking this male's identity will be easy.
He picked up the unconscious Minor and dragged him into one of abandoned offices that lined the hallway. Once there he stripped off both his own and the Minor's armor. Now for the annoying part. He thought and proceeded to put his gold armor onto the limp body of the Minor, which was like trying to dress an eel. After some time he was able to succeed.
That part done, he sat down on chair close by. He wasn't going to put on his 'new' armor yet, not until after the next phase. If this was to look realistic, he had to wait for the Minor to regain consciousness; then kill him. It would also help to know what the Minor's name is as well.
While he waited, he inspected an object he had brought with him wrapped up in a swatch of cloth, admiring the handy work. He may despise humans themselves, but he had to admit they had some very nice blades….
Niko woke up with a throbbing headache, wondering why he was still alive. His vision was a bit blurred and his armor felt funny. "What is your name Minor?" A voice asked him, sounding calm and concerned.
"Niko…" He replied as he adjusted his armor until it felt right. "Niko 'Tormus." Niko looked around to see he was in some kind of office, but that was all he could tell since his vision was taking its sweet time correcting itself. He tried to activate the commlink to report what happened but it seemed to have been damaged during the struggle. "I…I need to get back to the others."
"Why?"
"I was attacked. I need to report it." He took a step but nearly lost his balance due to a sudden wave of dizziness. Niko felt himself be steadied by a strong hand and looking to his right he saw another Sangheili, sans armor. Then he saw for the first time that he was wearing golden armor, Zealot armor, and a feeling of dread overcame him.
Before he could react to this new knowledge, something was slammed against his neck and was then yanked away. He felt something warm run down his neck and when he touched it then looked at his hand he saw it was his own blood. Dark spots started appearing in his already blurry eye sight as he fell to his knees. He tried to call out but his murder had aimed precisely where his vocal cords were located, severing them along with the major arteries in his neck.
As he fell to the floor, he watched as his killer dropped a large blade close by, but keeping the cloth he had used to hold it with. He watched with fading vision as the traitor wiped any of his blood off his person then causally started putting on a set of blue armor, his armor.
Niko closed his eyes, realizing in his dying moments he had given this traitor everything he needed to continue whatever plan he had. He prayed to whatever gods that were out there that they would watch over his brothers and the humans….
