AN: So sorry it took so long for this chappy, but WoW is so damn addictive :P... XD
This chappie might have a whole new surprise for most readers, and I might dedicate something more to it but we'll see X3 Have fun!
Chapter X – Deus Ex Machina
Akena's face looked grim, Chakuth noticed, 'Why are they even trying...?', he thought to himself as he watched the red dots on the holomap. Seraph Fighters, obviously, Chakuth knew. He stared back at his navigation board and sighed to himself recalculating their entry trajectory with every change of course.
He wondered why Akena didn't use the many plasma turrets the Zealous Liberator had. He bit his lip and closed his eyes, thinking of the sudden hardships that were placed on his small shoulders, 'General... I don't know if I can do that, I'm only 19, not ready for such intense responsibilies. I can't lead my kind out of the slavery, I just can't...', he thought and stared absently at the many trajectories he had allready tried.
The jerk to the ship meant they entered the atmosphere, to his surprise Chakuth heard the Sangheili aboard cheer.
He stared around, his eyes immediatly priming on the yellow dots flocking around the red ones and eliminating them, one by one.
"The humans?", he asked Akena as he turned finished typing the new trajectory.
"Most likely, after they destroyed the first red dot, they became yellow.", he smiled and steered the ship into Chakuth's directions.
Kahlanx stared at his hands on the thick windows that revealed the earth's battered surface. His mind was set on one thing, his brother, the only thing he could never get out of his mind. He thought back of the days he was picked on by Xehn and his friends and closed his eyes thoughtfully, feeling an inner smile.
The hand on his shoulder startled him, he looked back, and to his surprise, Xurru and Garrex stood before him.
"Hey Kahlanx, awesome armour you got there!", he said as he cocked his head to the side, a friendly gesture.
"Xurru! Garrex, I can't believe it, you're still alive!", he shouted and grabbed Xurru's hand. Garrex laughed and Xurru patted Kahlanx' head.
"Man, that's been a long time, hasn't it, how's Xehn anyway? Is he ok?", Xurru asked.
Kahlanx tried not to think of the pain it caused him to divide from his brother, "Well, he's with the humans right now. We'll rendevouz with him as soon as we landed.", Kahlanx said.
Garrex nodded, "That's great news, so why the fancy goldtrimmed armour Kahlanx, what's the deal?", he asked.
Kahlanx grunted, "Heh, It's my special operations armour, didn't you hear? I'm part of a special team now. Xehn etched my name into the back too, and I etched his into his armor.", he radiated, he was so proud of his special mission and armour.
He wanted to tell them everything, about how Chakuth chose them, about how they worked together and came face to face with the legendary Demon, how they had escaped, and how brave Xehn had been by staying behind to save them all.
But as Akena's voice suddenly was heard on the Com, Kahlanx noticed how their attention got drawn away from him.
"We will be landing soon, brace for impact.", it sounded very calm, yet bore a hint of tension.
"Well are you ready to fight for our freedom? To fight for what we're worth, against our own kind, of all things.", Xurru looked exhilarated, Kahlanx could imagine him rubbing his hands with a strange sneer on his face, he chuckled at the thought.
"It's not our kind anymore, it is the enemy, and it was placed upon Chakuth to liberate our faction from the Prophets and their false religion.", he stared at how the Earth's surface continued to close in on them, 'And I will be able to see Xehn again…'.
They could hear the ships engines suddenly change from a rumbling wiz to a more silent hum. They had entered a hovering state and were ready to open the Gravlifts down to the surface.
Xehn stood next to the person he once called 'demon', now he learned he had a name, a voice and a personality. He had never thought to have learned this human's name and actually respect him for who he was.
He shielded his eyes against the bright turquoise light that radiated from the Gravlift beam.
He waited, then small, no tiny figures emerged from the ship he had never seen before. He pondered the reaction his brother would utter as he watched him stand next to the human, he felt an inner smile rouse as the figures grew bigger and bigger until he could identify his team, Chakuth, Miph, Calith, Vemeth, Denakh, Duthaz and his own little brother.
It seemed like it happened all to fast, Kahlanx suddenly hung around his neck, screaming and laughing and possibly crying at the same time.
Xehn rolled his eyes and pushed him off, "Man, Kahlanx I haven't been gone that long, you twerp.", he said, his voice thundering in Kahlanx' chest.
"Shut up, just for once I don't care about you 'I don't care attitude' because it's important for me to know you're still alive…", he said and grabbed his brother again.
Xehn shook his head silently, "I'm glad to see you too…", he said softly and let his big hand pat the back of his brother.
Chakuth walked towards the Master Chief, he stared at the powerful human and nodded in respect.
"We're extremely grateful for your hospitality and we thank you for taking us in.", he started, but the human waved his sentence off.
"Don't be, we have seen what your kind can do, and we are grateful enough to fight at least half less of you. Consider this base your home if you wish, I wont stay here long, but I'm sure you have your own battles to fight.", he spoke.
Chakuth nodded, then stared back at Akena, "How many seraphs do we have?".
He noticed how the Sangheili looked away in thought, staring at a few others.
"I'm thinking about two… maybe three, in the hangar", he said.
Silence fell, Chakuth had hoped for an entire squadron, but to think that way was completely irrational.
Xehn stepped forward, his brother clinging to his arm, tapping one of his fingers on the small device on his throat, "Teach Sangheili to use human Longswords, I'm sure the humans have more starcrafts then we can muster at this moment.", he spoke, surprising the Unggoy and Kahlanx by his translated voice.
The green armoured human nodded slightly, then looked back at the highest ranking officer in command of the base, "Supply them, I have to leave as soon as possible, someone is waiting for me.", he spoke, then walked past them, towards the base.
Before he entered he stared back at the small Unggoy in charge, "I hope you're ready for this, grunt, your responsibility is a lot bigger then you might think.", he spoke calmly, then walked into the base, leaving Chakuth staring at a closed door.
The Unggoy turned his dark eyes at his team, "I'm glad we're reunited, it means we can finally continue this mission.".
Duthaz stepped forwards, "Tell me Unggoy, what IS the mission now", he asked crossing his arms and narrowing his bright orange eyes.
Chakuth smiled underneath his breathing mask, "Easy, we ask the demon what his motives are and we find our own way to compliment that motive.", he said and stared at his teammates.
Miph stepped forward, "Okay, so we basically team up with the humans, assassinate Truth and finish this silly war.", he said, his voice slightly mocking the situation.
Xehn cocked his head to the side, his voice translated into the human language, "I think we need a different take on this, I think we need to somehow take out the troops the remaining followers of Truth have. Assassinating truth will be a task impossible for a team of our size.", he said.
Chakuth looked puzzled, Xehn had noticed as the first the little Unggoy was contemplating something.
"What's on your mind, Chakuth.", Xehn asked, his bright coloured eyes shining.
Chakuth stared directly into his turquoise eyes, for the first time stepping off the common idea of faceless aliens, Xehn's eyes showed a certain pride, but also a deep and hardened sadness.
Chakuth felt he had narrowed his eyes at the inner emotions of the emotionless creature staring back at him.
"We will infiltrate all the ships in orbit around the earth and destroy them from within…", he suddenly blurted out.
A short silence, then Duthaz' exaggerated laugh.
"Are you kidding me!", he bloated, "Covenant cruisers and destroyers are the best secured ships in the armada and you want to 'infiltrate' them? HAH!", he continued his mocking laugh until Akena stepped forward.
"An excellent idea General Zhetey, I'll make the arrangements!", he said in his eerie cheerful voice and marched off in the direction of the Zealous Liberator.
Duthaz looked obviously shocked, "Since when did.. 'general' Zhetey get a lapdog…?", he asked.
But the stare Chakuth gave him was a cold and serious one, "Since I became General of the Unggoy army, since I became owner of the Zealous Liberator.", he replied in all the calmness he could muster.
Duthaz was silent, Miph, Calith and Vemeth gave Chakuth a victorious glance, Xehn and Kahlanx remained their emotionless selves.
"Infiltrating the Cruisers and Destroyers it is then, let's go.", Chakuth said and walked the same direction Akena 'Anumee did.
As soon as the human leaders on the ground were notified of Chakuth's radical plans and all the remaining Covenant soldiers had been assigned to their posts most cam to watch the magnificent saviour-ship take off.
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The human base's leading officer, James Harper, stood next to the lab coordinator Richard Bane, midst the mass of Covenant staring the ship off, they felt a shock of irony cross their hearts, they had killed the most of the creatures standing around them, yet the aliens showed no particular hatred to work with them.
"Was it smart to send Kate off with them…?", Richard suddenly asked staring at the massive ship and the engines slowly roaring to life.
"She seems to have taken a liking in the Hunter that stayed with us and arranged most of the meetings now… She also has the most knowledge of Covenant technology of us all, she will be needed more there then she is here, believe me.".
Richard felt it to be a bad idea to send his younger sister off in space with insufficient human control over the beasts around her, but he also felt going against the officers decisions might be a bad idea, instead he sighed and watched how the ship gathered an enormous speed in a short time and made it's way out of the atmosphere.
Kate Bane had never been in space before, she was born and raised on earth and had never been in any altitude higher then passenger flights took her.
She had been given a rather large laboratory like room to work in and 2 human companions, but she had always preferred to work alone.
As the doors opened the three humans looked up in surprise and watched how the black with gold trimmed armoured Hunter walked in.
He fidgeted with the apparatus on his neck, "I would like to speak to you…", Xehn said calmly and watched the other humans stare at him, "Alone…".
Kate waved the other two off with a nod and stared back at Xehn, "What is it?", she asked him, her face lighting up whenever she saw him.
"I'm making sure you're off this ship with the first flight back to earth…", he said and sat down on a desk he felt strong enough to support his massive weight.
"Pardon me?", she stated.
She had seen Xehn's eyes before, never thought to see the eyes of the most feared of the covenant but she had seen the sadness he carried with him.
"I'm not leaving this ship you hear?", she said suddenly.
"Yes you will, I'll make sure this will happen.", he said, coldly.
Her facial expression turned suddenly, "Don't project the feelings you have concerning your brother on me, hunter. I'm old enough to take care of me, and don't think just because you're of a different race I can't read you as well as I can read humans.", she said.
Xehn's eyes shimmered, then narrowed, she heard him growl before, but this sounded somewhat different.
"I cannot allow you to stay on this ship!", he suddenly shouted, becoming more and more uncertain of what to say.
"What are you afraid of, something will happen to me? Is that it?", she shouted back at him.
Silence.
"Xehn… are you afraid something bad will happen to me…?", she suddenly asked calmly, almost whispering, staring at his heaving chest.
Another silence, awkward this time.
She could hear his irregular breathing, long deep inhales and short exhales, all indicated for her that he was having a hard time with something.
She then smiled at him, her soft caring smile, "Nothing will happen to me while you're here am I right?", she said suddenly.
He stared at her, if she didn't think his emotions to be hidden she was proved wrong, but she had never thought to see the brutal killers to show affection to anything other then their fuel rod guns and heavy shields.
She had caught him right where she wanted him, and he felt there was no way out anymore, but giving in that in the last few days spending with her he had developed a small protective feeling for her was far beyond his pride could allow him to go.
He felt a strong need to growl and vent his frustration, but every move or word he would utter now could be a sign of his defeat to her.
'Damn…', he thought as he stared at her.
"I'm actually surprised you care about me that much Xehn.", she said and put down the tools she was working with earlier.
Xehn was about to say something but decided against it, he was still to proud to give in to the human woman.
She walked towards him and took his immense hand, it took both her arms to lift it and hold it good.
"I appreciate your concern, its cute Xehn…", she said and smiled, staring at his hand.
Then looked at his turquoise eyes, calm and shallow now, like the shore of a tropical beach.
She felt how his hand moved suddenly and how his other hand found its way to her shoulder.
She felt her smile turn into a small grin and closed her eyes in their moment of warmth until Xehn rose his head slowly.
"You're welcome…", he said.
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Chakuth had his hands firmly on the console, his dark eyes primed on the navigational screen, he knew soon he had to leave his work to someone else and board the only Phantom in the squadron of Longsword and Seraph fighters.
He watched Akena's screen as he saw how they entered the right position for and felt his heart skip a beat.
Akena turned around to signal Chakuth for his leaving but found that the chair the Unggoy was sitting in before, was empty.
Chakuth was already on his way to the hangar and saw how other Unggoy and Sangheili were doing the same. He felt weird but when the other 4 Unggoy of his team met up with him he felt a lot more secure. He saw how Xehn left the lab and how Kahlanx already stood waiting at the Phantom they were given.
Duthaz already found his place behind the controls of the agile spacecraft.
As Chakuth and his team stepped inside Chakuth separated from them and waited for 3 humans to step in, then closed the bulkhead to the cockpit, staying behind with Duthaz.
"Are you ready…?", The Sangheili asked, but Chakuth didn't reply, instead he started up the navigational computer and watched how it readied itself by checking its surroundings.
"More ready then I will ever be, it's time to end this war.", he said.
Duthaz started the engines and waited for the signal to leave. When all other fighters before him had depleted, it was his time to leave. With a swift movement the Phantom was off its guards and flew into space.
It remained silent in the cockpit as the Sangheili did his task and Chakuth did his, the navigational board showed now signs of their target as of yet. A giant CCS class cruiser the size of twice the speedy Zealous Liberator. The control centre for all the cruisers and destroyers in orbit around the earth.
Once taken out all orders to destroy go with it.
Chakuth's plan had been a dangerous one, but to secure the earth of it's inhabitants, the giant flying plasma guns had to go…
Chakuth stared at Duthaz, "We're in range, do your thing.", he said, then entered some trajectories.
The Sangheili nodded and opened the com to the frequency of the command centre, "Divine Hierarchy, Divine Hierarchy do you read, this is Phantom 32-98.6 requesting for permission to land, we have a shipment of pilots for Seraph fighters.", Duthaz skilfully lied and slowed the Phantom down.
First an odd static then he heard a familiar voice, "Is that you Duthaz 'Kinomanee?", it sounded. Duthaz seemed surprised and happy at the same time, "Enka! What in the name of the prophets are you still doing there!", he shouted.
Chakuth stared at the lighthearted Sangheili, he seemed to know someone aboard the Divine Hierachy. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, then opened his com aswell, silently.
"Squadron 1 and 2, take the Divine under fire, don't get shot down…", he said then closed the channel.
Duthaz was still in a nostalgic conversation with Enka as he slowly piloted the ship towards the command ship.
"Hold on Duthaz my friend, we're under fire! Human Long swords, a whole squadron… no two!", static… Silence… static, "Duthaz, you there?", he asked then another static.
"Shields up!", he shouted and the com died out.
Duthaz was shocked, he saw how the squadrons which seemed to be on their side attack the ship his best friend was stationed on. Then stared at Chakuth, and in a frenzy attacked him.
"You! Damn you crazy son of a bitch, order them to stop attacking, there are Sangheili on that ship!", he shouted and enclosed his hands around Chakuth's thin but muscled neck.
"Get of and back to your controls you idiot!", Chakuth managed to shout through the strangling grip of the larger alien.
"Vemeth!", he shouted through his compad and watched the doors open and the Unggoy run in.
"Hands of split-chin…", Vemeth said pointing a charged plasma gun at Duthaz' head.
Duthaz let go and watched how Chakuth raced back to it behind the consoles, and how Calith walked in as well, guns aimed at his head.
"Its ok Vemeth, man the turret, 'shoot' the Longswords out of the area, at least 6 per Squad.", he said leaving Duthaz completely puzzled.
Vemeth didn't even hestitate one second, he knew of Chakuth's plans well before Duthaz did.
"Duthaz are you done being ridiculously angry? If so get behind the controls ready to tell them that we took care of the Longswords.", he said and rubbed his neck.
The Sangheili was astonished, it was the perfect delusion for them to believe they were still on the side of the Prophets, he growled softly and opened the com again.
Vemeth had 'taken out' 6 of each squadron of Longswords and Chakuth had ordered them to retreat.
"Enka… Are you there? We took care of the Longswords, patch through the hangar number for us please.", he said, still surprised at Chakuth's fast thinking.
"Sure thing my friend, Welcome aboard the Devine Hierarchy, Deus Ex Machina.", it sounded back.
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Footnote: Oh gawd, actually a Forummate of mine brought me on the idea of having Kate and Xehn getting closer to eachother. She's just so interested in him and well, Xehn must have his own reasons for this odd turn of events. I'll post 11 soon :)