Chapter 12
//0100 HOURS
OCTOBER 26, 2552
UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR//
FORERUNNER COMPLEX
BEVROREN, NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
85 PEGASI-194A STAR SYSTEM
Avelyn was now a firm believer that this facility was far larger than the scientists had ever fathomed. The elites were covering an amazing amount of ground with their lengthy strides, pounding out a dull, drumming rhythm on the floor as they wound through a maze of hallways, following the instructions Katerra relayed through Avelyn.
Other than that, they did not speak, and Avelyn's world, carried by Rydl as she was, was composed of Rydl's short, quick breaths in her ear, the pounding of his heart, and their footsteps. She had noticed that their feet looked like the cloven feet of some herbivorous animals native to Earth. She wondered what Rydl would say if he knew she was comparing him to a docile cow, and glanced up at him. He was intent on their destination, concentrating on some internal thought, devoting himself fully to running and listening for her instructions. His run was actually very smooth, though she was glad she was not susceptible to motion sickness, because had she been she had an inkling that she would have already marred Rydl's polished armor. It was sporting quite a few scratches anyway, however, probably from the combination of the battle and their trek through the ventilation shaft. If she survived this, the xenotologists would love to pick her brain for all the little tidbits she was learning.
"They're just ahead," Katerra murmured in her ear then. "Wait, they're coming back this way!"
"Stop!" Avelyn said. "They're coming towards us." Immediately all three slid to a neat stop, backing up to the hallway they had just passed. Rydl set her down before moving back to the edge to peer around the corner. Avelyn stretched and listened to the commotion--several grunts, scuffles and footsteps, a muffled growl--that grew closer, then faded away again.
"Come," Rydl said, picking her up again, this time piggyback style. "They continue deeper into the complex." She wrapped her good arm around his neck and held on as Rydl took off again, stifling a laugh as this position brought childhood memories to the surface. How much stamina did they possess? Even the surefire Spartans would have tired by now. She was beginning to see why humanity was losing the war.
"Did you see Commander 'Rolomee?" Zakl asked.
"There is a commander in the middle, but many of 'Leetomvenee's troops are present too," Rydl answered. "I could not tell who it was. Now be quiet."
Wherever the ship master was going, it had to be at the very heart of the complex. Avelyn stifled a groan as she thought of traversing all of this herself and prayed she wouldn't have to. She could be lost in these passages for years and never see the same corner twice. Of course, they all looked identical, save those runes on the walls. The trip seemed to take that long, but in truth it could only have been ten minutes before she heard voices up ahead and Rydl stopped, lowering to his knees. She scampered to the ground and knelt against the wall as he moved forward to see what was going on, the twins pausing behind them. They were a bit winded now, she noticed with a hint of satisfaction.
"It's 'Leetomvenee," Rydl reported inaudibly. "No sign of Commander 'Rolomee. Can you raise her?" Zakl immediately tried, but Avelyn turned her attention away before seeing if he got through. She crept up beside the major, peeking her head around to survey the scene down the corridor. A mixed group of elites and grunts in a rather colorful array of red, black, and blue armor, equipped with a wide assortment of weapons, was gathered at the end of the hallway in front of a giant door, much like the other ones they had slipped through, their backs to them. Clearly they were not expecting an attack. Near the front was the gold armored elite, a lone figure in white at his side. As she watched, Keeper's hologram appeared, a brilliant blue. She couldn't hear what was said, but Rydl could, and immediately swept her out of her crouch and pushed her behind him as he straightened.
"Where are you, human!?"
Avelyn looked up at Rydl as her translator delivered the sudden shout. His face transformed into a silent snarl, and she flattened herself against the wall. Zakl and Stev turned invisible by the unspoken consent that only twins possessed. They had been working as a team for hours now, and he had labored to keep her safe, but now that discovery was inevitable, would he continue to risk himself for her?
"What are you going to do?" Avelyn whispered.
Rydl only growled, stiffening as footsteps came closer.
"Human!" the Ship Master roared, making Avelyn's bones shake. She swallowed, remembering the ship master's violent outburst onscreen in the infirmary, and had no desire to be in his grasp. She ducked her head and pressed her cheek against the rough fabric covering her good shoulder, willing the rest of the world to disappear as tears finally dampened her eyes. She wanted to go home, lie down, sleep; forget about this entire mission. Would this nightmare never end?
"Major?" Zakl's voice rumbled quietly in the empty air. "Do we reveal ourselves?" Rydl bowed his head, and Avelyn could see the indecision in his eyes, even in the dim light.
"Yes," he said, abandoning a whipser. He straightened and whirled angrily on Avelyn, seizing her upper arms roughly and stepping away from the wall. Avelyn resisted screaming only because it happened so fast she could not properly intake enough air, and the throb of pain in her arm took away what breath she had. Zakl, followed closely by Stev, dissolved into vision as the three turned the corner simultaneously.
"Ship Master!" she heard Rydl shout from behind her.
The ship master froze when he saw them, suspicion marring his features, immediately changing as he caught sight of Avelyn. "What impeccable timing," Oris said, striding forward to meet them.
Rydl easily moved to meet the ship master, where he bowed. "Sir, we found a prisoner. Perhaps it can tell us what the vermin were doing here."
'Rymeristee waved a hand, dismissing the notion. "I have a much better use for it," he said, eyes skimming over Avelyn's face. She looked away, dropping her gaze to the floor. "What is your name, Major?"
"Rydl, sir, of House 'Ulanam," he answered. "I am under the command of Commander 'Rolomee."
"Well met, Major 'Ulanamee. Bring the vermin here," Oris ordered, turning and starting back for the Vault. Rydl hefted Avelyn, following behind him. Unable to resist, her glance flickered around the party as Rydl carried her through the Covenant warriors: everywhere, she saw the same look a disgust, of condemnation, clearly recognizable even on alien features. They parted for Oris.
"Sir?" Rydl asked as the ship master stopped beside a white armored elite--who she assumed was the other commander, 'Leetomvenee--and a huge door that blocked the corridor.
"Put the vermin down here, Major."
"Have you any word from Commander 'Rolomee?" Rydl asked as he did as directed, setting Avelyn on her feet but keeping a tight grip on her. Avelyn's gaze settled on the door controls. They seemed to be too small for the elites to use, yet they most assuredly were not human. "I have been attempting to contact her since discovering the vermin, but have been unable to do so."
"The commander has been removed from duty," Oris said. "Her forces answer directly to me." Out of the corner of her eye, Avelyn saw the other commander start slightly. With their attention distracted from her for the moment, Avelyn lifted her gaze from the floor and studied the scene. To her surprise, she found Keeper watching her closely.
"Wh--With all due respect, sir--Why? When?" Rydl was clearly shocked by the answer. The ship master narrowed his eyes in annoyance, glaring at the younger warrior.
"Do you, Major, question the orders of a ship master?" he asked, the threat in his voice clear.
"No, Ship Master," Rydl said, shaking his head. "But why was I not informed? What of Subcommander 'Kattrinee?"
"I am here, 'Ulanamee." Another elite, wearing black armor as Rydl did, stepped through the throng of warriors to stand beside the white armored elite. Rydl acknowledged him with a nod, then looked back at Oris.
"Then why has he not been given command of the squad?"
"It is not your place to question me," the ship master snarled, his patience clearly used up. "Keeper!"
"Yes, Oris?"
"Open the Vault now!"
"Keeper, what's Lumeria's status?" The question came from Rydl, and 'Rymeristee froze. Avelyn could see him quaking with anger.
"Recovering," the AI said before 'Rymeristee could interject. "Her wound was critical, but not fatal."
"What!" Oris shrieked, the knowledge shocking him out of his stunned state, chest heaving, whirling to the hologram. "She's dead! I killed her myself!" A fleeting expression of surprise crossed his face as he realized what he had said.
"Traitor!" the white armored elite shouted, striding forward to confront 'Rymeristee, snarling in anger. "You are the heretic, not her!" he accused.
'Rymeristee abruptly exploded into movement, whirling and kicking a foot into the commander's chest, flinging him into the air and across the corridor to slam into the curving wall and crumple at the bottom, where 'Leetomvenee limply remained, face twisted in pain, struggling to breathe. The rest of the ship master's elites had drawn weapons, training them expertly on Rydl, 'Leetomvenee, and 'Kattrinee, who stood still, though he shook and his hands had formed fists.
"It hardly matters," the ship master said, demeanor suddenly calm, dusting imaginary filth off his armor. "I am in complete control of the situation. My voice shall be the only one that speaks of what happened here." He straightened his shoulders and turned back to Rydl. "Any more questions?" Rydl eyed the armed warriors and shook his head, giving a short bow.
"No, Ship Master."
With a growl, Oris shot out a hand and seized the front of Avelyn's uniform, dragging her stumbling over to the controls with him. "Now, then, Keeper. Back to what the entire reason we are here."
"Put her on her feet gently, Ship Master. This Reclaimer appears to be delicate," the hologram instructed, moving closer. 'Rymeristee snorted disgustedly but did so, slightly rougher than Avelyn would have liked, but better than being flung. Keeper's hologram flickered then, and dissolved, the blue coming together again to form a hologram of a human male about six feet tall, with a standard UNSC uniform on. "Now then," he said, speaking English. He stepped up beside the expansive keyboard and gestured for her to join him, which she did. "Extend your hand, Reclaimer, and the code will reveal itself."
Avelyn slowly reached out, then stopped. She was assisting the ship master in reaching his goal, she realized, doing what was required of her. She turned to look at Keeper, a familiar face even if translucent, drawing strength. "It doesn't work," she said loudly, amazed at how strong she sounded as she straightened and drew her hand back.
"Of course it does!" 'Rymeristee cried, stepping right behind her. He grabbed her arm, his grip painfully tight, drawing a gasp from her, and dragged her hand over the keypad, slamming it down when five of the spheres lit up simultaneously. With a grinding moan, the hatch began to open.
Avelyn found herself thrown aside as the ship master rushed forward, slipping between the slowly parting entrance. She scrambled out of the way of the pressing Elites, huddling against the wall as they flooded past to avoid being trampled. She jumped as a hand suddenly gripped her bad shoulder, hissing in pain as the injury throbbed anew, and whirled to her new captor, expecting Rydl, but the elite remained inside his cloaking. Avelyn huddled beside the invisible form, her fingers working to loosen the death grip that her shoulder was loudly protesting against. The hand did indeed loosen, but remained where it was until most of the passing warriors had filed into the Vault. The air wavered then, parting, to her surprise, to expose the white armored commander. He started away, dragging her with him.
"Come on," he said to Rydl, climbing to his feet and heaving Avelyn up with him, shoving her towards the major. "Before Oris comes back." He started to head back down the corridor.
"There's a faster way," Katerra, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, suddenly said. "A secret hanger."
"Wait," Avelyn called as Rydl reached her, stopping the commander in his tracks. "There's another way, a faster one."
The white armored Elite glanced at Rydl, who shrugged. "We must help the others and stop Oris," the commander said. "We cannot waste time."
Keeper's hologram, still human, blinked into existence. "My scans reveal that there are indeed two human transports waiting in the Forerunner hanger," he reported. "I can guide you quickly there."
"No moreso than I can," Katerra muttered.
Lekl nodded once. "Lead on, computer." As Keeper started off--muttering "Artificial intelligence" under his breath--Rydl bent down beside Avelyn, picking her up as he had before, and they fell into line behind the blue hologram.
"Are you alright?" Rydl rumbled quietly, turing his face slightly so she could see one eye.
"No," she answered honestly, tone heavy with resignation. "But I'll hold out awhile longer. The painkillers are still working. Kind of." She paused. "What happens to me when this is over?" He gave no further acknowledgement than a growl.
Keeper flickered then. "Oris has noticed your--and my--absence," he informed them, sliding to a stop in front of another door. Six buttons on the keypad flashed in rapid succession, then flashed green and the door opened. "I will do what I can to slow him down, but the rest is up to you." He winked out of existence. Rydl lowered Avelyn to the ground as they stepped through the door, and she spotted the nearest Pelican and immediately dashed towards it, hurrying onboard. Rydl was on her heels, the commander and twins behind him as she sat down on the seat and looked at the controls, hands hovering over them uncertainly. She didn't actually know how to fly a Pelican...
"Yank me," Katerra ordered, and Avelyn gladly bent over the computer terminal, uploading the AI. Her purple hologram immediately sprang up on the small pedestal, the engines starting. Avelyn heard the door close, and Rydl's grunt as the drop ship began its' ascent. The major had followed her and was standing behind the seat.
"Get us back to the first hanger bay," the commander said, filling the doorway behind Rydl. "That's where they're holding the others." It took Katerra several minutes to lift the Pelican out of the vertical exit, demonstrating the depth of the hanger below the surface, but eventually a huge circular hatch opened above them and they broke the surface, dazzling white blinding them all. Snow swirled about, falling in a thick, cascading sheet that heralded the arrival of another blizzard. The AI deftly guided the dropship through the blustering winds, rotating the nose to point in the direction of the hanger bay.
"What--?" the AI's hologram started. "A massive power surge just went through the complex," she said. "I cannot pinpoint the location."
"No need," Keeper's voice suddenly came over the radio with a crackle of static, causing them all to jump. "There is a teleportation grid throughout the facility. Oris has utilized it to transport himself and the Flood back to the surface hanger."
"We need to get down there now," the commander exclaimed, a fist denting the bulkhead. "Where's 'Rolomee?"
"On her way," Keeper reported. "I can do little else now that Oris has left the complex. It is up to you."
"What about the failsafe protocol?" Rydl queried.
"I require the Reclaimer for that task," Keeper said, voice almost wistful.
XXXXX
Rtas could not help testing his bonds, a part of him rebelling to being held captive, fighting the three hulking minors dragging him across the floor. Rotn only had two, and they easily subdued the older warrior, but he could see from the commander's gnarled face that he liked it less than he. Rtas left off, only hitching his broad shoulders once more, as Oris stopped in front of them, a bemused expression on his face.
"Comfortable?" he asked, not quite mockingly but quite close.
Rtas forced himself into calmness as he answered. "Quite."
'Rymeristees' grin only widened, and he chuckled, pulling Rtas' blade from his hip, purposefully drawing the commander's glance to other ones hanging beside it, and examined it. Rtas schooled his expression to an unreadable one, but the question burned inside him anyway. Where had Oris gotten 'Rolomee's hilt?
"Why don't you order them to release me so we may talk on equal ground," Rtas said in his best diplomatic voice. 'Rymeristee laughed out loud, quite amused.
"Ah, but we're not, are we? Never have been."
"What are you planning, Oris?" Rotn demanded, shifting his bound hands.
"I've already had this conversation once today, but I'm quite happy to oblige you," the gold armored Sangheili said, stepping closer and turning before draping an arm around each of their shoulders in an annoyingly camaraderie way. "Quite glad you asked, actually. Saves me the breath of steering the conversation in that direction."
Yet you waste time with these meaningless words, trying to taunt us, Rtas mused.
"Have you noticed what my men are doing?" he asked, pulling them slightly to direct their gazes, and for the first time Rtas looked around the garage, all three of his hearts stopping cold as he took in the pile of containers neatly placed in the middle of the room.
"Are those...?" Rotn started, glancing nervously at Rtas, whose two remaining mandibles were hanging agape.
"No," the commander said, barely above a whisper. "No, Oris...You can't mean...That's Flood!"
"Why, so it is! Really, your face is quite priceless at the moment. You didn't actually expect to find any, did you? Not after knowing that the vermin were here."
Rtas was listening with only half an ear, too shocked for anything else. He turned to look Oris in the eye, a tumult of emotions waging war inside him. "What are you doing with the Flood?" he asked, voice blank of emotion.
"So glad you asked!" He finally released them both, striding ahead a few steps, gesturing grandly as he spoke. "The Flood will be our salvation! A way to completely eradicate the humans and allow us to finally burn a path into the divine beyond! With this power, we can make ourselves more powerful, enhance our skills, become faster, stronger, better fighters! I have labored so long," he concluded, reaching the pile, "for this moment. All I must do is release this blessing from the gods." He very gently picked up one of the smaller containers, hefting it to eye level, gazing affectionately at the murk inside. "Yes, such a precious, precious gift, and we overlooked it, made it a plague to be eradicated." He glared at Rtas. "Or you did. A parasite, you called it, and burned it, and the rest of the Covenant believed you. But not I! I have discovered the truth! And the glory for that will be mine!"
Rtas, dread building in him as he came to realize what the ship master was talking about doing, shook with indignation. The Flood is a parasite! What has clouded his judgment so? Then he saw the crazy gleam in Oris' eyes. Is it possible...that it no longer exists? Suddenly the entire situation snapped into a new, dangerous perspective, and that broke him out of his stupor.
"Don't you know what the Flood will do?!?" he shouted, surprising his captors and managing two steps forward before they stopped him. "It is a parasite! A disease! It will kill us all!"
"Lies! You do not know!" Suddenly a different look came over Oris, one that Rtas did not like one bit. "But I will show you," he said in a barest whisper, turning to them, delicately cradling the container close to him. The ship master slowly walked back to them, and Rtas could feel the sudden uneasy shifting of his guards. 'Rymeristee stopped in front of them, lifting the container to eye level again. "It will be worth the sacrifice," he declared firmly to no one in particular, and raised the glass over his head.
Rtas wrenched on his bonds, struggling as hard as he could, throwing himself forward, then back into his guards with amazing speed, knocking them off balance, but not quite freeing himself as the three instinctively tightened their holds on him, dragging him down with them into an unruly pile. Rtas looked up hopelessly as Oris braced to slam the container down with all his might, watching as a blur of movement slammed into the distracted ship master, sending him flying off to the side, to be replaced with a much more welcome visage.
"Commander 'Rolomee."
