Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.
Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.
Chapter 14 Allies
"We ran as fast as we could sir." said Imca.
"Eventually, we made it back to the phantom." said Alster.
"I and Elst gave covering fire back at the brutes as the commander and Gideon ran towards us." said Rada.
"It was all going well." said Elst.
"Until Gideon got his ankle hit by a grapple." said Z'jo.
"For a reason beyond our reasoning…the Sub commander came back for him." said Imca.
"She managed to get to him." said Alster.
"But as she unhooked the grapple, the pirates surrounded her." said Rada.
"We had no choice. So we decided to leave them behind." said Elst.
"Even though we know the #1 rule." said Z'jo.
Rtas sighed at the 5 of them. They had just debriefed him of what had happened back at Jastalar. It turned out the distress signal was a dud. It was set up by the pirates to lure any passing vessel to check it out. And in turn they get to capture them and take their ships in the process. It almost worked like that except the team quickly got into slip space before the reinforcements of the pirates had arrived.
By the time they arrived the Shadow of Intent was long gone from the planets area. They were now currently drifting a few light years away from the said area. Not only that, they had just received the news that the pirates had managed to capture a councilor; Gideon's father, Zaphyr 'Keslom. Now the pirates have held three hostage. Two could be dead.
"Thank you for the…debriefing. Dismissed." said Rtas. Elst, Rada and Alster went ahead but Imca stayed. Z'jo was about to go but Rtas said,
"Z'jo, wait." Z'jo turned around.
"Yes sir?" he asked.
"You are hereby promoted to temporary Spec Ops as well as your friend in replacement for Gideon and Tera. Pass the message to your friend. I need the two of you since I'm short in hand." said Rtas.
Z'jo blinked at him and had his mandibles agape. He couldn't believe he had just been promoted to Spec Ops. After recovering he quickly replied,
"Th-Thank you sir!" he said. Rtas nodded to him and Z'jo quickly ran out to tell his friend that they had been promoted to Spec Ops, temporarily. Imca approached Rtas.
"Sir what are we to do now?" asked Imca. Rtas sighed.
"It would seem that the councilor was captured by the pirates at his home. Which translate to someone letting the pirates slip to security." said Rtas.
"Which means there a mole." said Imca.
"Exactly; this also means it could be any of the Councilors as well for they hold the power to let any person they approve to pass security with no question." said Rtas.
"So what do you plan?" asked Imca.
"We ask for help for this matter since we can do this on our own." said Rtas.
"From whom?" asked Imca. Rtas looked at him.
* * * * *
Lord Terrence Hood was on the bridge of Cairo Station, minding his own business when a monitor started beeping.
"Report!" he ordered.
"Sir, you have an incoming video call." said the technician.
"Put it on." said Hood standing in front of the video monitor.
The screen came to life which revealed a bridge of a ship. Standing in front of it was a white armored elite with half of its mandibles missing. Hood recognized him as their elite ally, Rtas 'Vadum.
"Commander, what is it?" asked Hood.
"Greetings Admiral…" Rtas then began explaining to him what had happened. He told them about the case of the pirates and the three people getting kidnapped. He also told him the importance of a councilor in there society. Hood scratched his chin afterward and said,
"So you need our help to deal with this matter?" he asked.
"Yes. Right now we have an undermining threat that one of the councilors is a mole. We can't risk asking for their help since the mole may warn the pirates of our tactics." said Rtas.
"Indeed. Send us your coordinates and we'll send a ship to help you." said Hood.
"Much appreciated." said Rtas then the screen died.
Lord Hood turned around and said to a tech.
"Get everyone together into the meeting hall." he ordered. The tech nodded and approached the PA microphone at the side,
* * * * *
"Attention all soldiers, Lord Hood requests your attendance at the meeting hall ASAP. I repeat this is an urgent matter so get your asses down there. That's all." said the speaker at the side.
Paul stopped in his tracks when he heard the message. He quickly processed what he had just heard started running towards the meeting hall. He entered the double doors and stood in line behind his squad. Lord Hood walked up to the podium he cleared his throat.
"I called you all here today since our elite allies…need our help." said Lord Hood. "Dustin Eckowes here would be piloting the Poker Face. It will be the ship that would be used to go to the Shadow of Intent. You can volunteer by approaching your squad leader. That is all." said Hood.
Paul started contemplating. The Shadow of Intent; wasn't it the ship where Gideon was stationed? The thought made him happy as if he were to volunteer. He would be able to see his friend again. Paul also felt happy as Gideon shared his secret with him. By far he was the only person that knew Gideon for who he really is. With a sigh, he approached his squad leader, Cole.
* * * * *
"Do you think they can really help?" asked Imca.
"With help is better than no help." stated Rtas. He approached the panel again and started typing in it.
"Who are you calling this time?" asked Imca.
"An old friend." answered Rtas as he pressed the 'call' button.
* * * * *
The Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, was lounging at his vacation house in Earth. He had bought a house on Earth since he needed a place to stay when he was on Earth doing ambassador things. He was actually the one chosen, to be the Sangheili ambassador for the humans. He sighed as he let warm sun soaked his skin.
He was lounging at the balcony of his house. He let out a sigh as he relaxed at the balcony. The wind blew occasionally making the chime on the ceiling chime respectively. He rolled his eyes as he heard the phone ring inside his house. With a snort he stood up and wrapped himself in his bathrobe.
At the third ring, he approached the phone. The button 'video call' blinked and he pressed it. A small screen dropped down at the side and it showed Rtas face smirking at him. He raised an eyebrow at him as he smiled.
"Sorry to bother your…relaxation, your Excellency." said Rtas in a playful tone. Thel rolled his eyes.
"What is it Rtas?" asked Thel.
"I need your help." he stated.
"In what?" asked Thel.
"It's about…" then Rtas began explaining to Thel the same way he did to Lord Hood. Thel was actually quite surprised about the fact that there was a mole amongst the council members.
"I see." said Thel thoughtfully.
"Can you help us?" asked Rtas.
"I will come go there. I will ask Lord Hood for transportation." said Thel.
"Then you'd better hurry up. We ask them first and they're already preparing to leave." said Rtas.
"Thanks for the tip. I'll see you later." said Thel as the call ended.
* * * * *
"I didn't know you were friends with the Arbiter!" exclaimed Imca.
"I actually fought alongside him during the war. Save his ass from time to time." said Rtas casually. Imca smiled at him, surprised at how he nonchalantly talked.
"Is that all the help we can get?" asked Imca.
"I'm afraid, so." said Rtas.
"I hope Gideon's ok." said Imca.
"He would be fine." assured Rtas. "But you know something. There's something different about him."
"What do you mean?" asked Imca.
"What I mean is, ever since his near-death experience he changed. Everything changed about him. He's like a totally different person." said Rtas.
"You're kind of right." said Imca and he yawned.
"Imca you should get some rest." said Rtas.
"Ok sir." he replied and headed out the room.
* * * * *
A few minutes of waiting and Paul looked out the window as the UNSC ship exited slip space. It had been a short slip space ride as it only took two hours. The ship actually had a special passenger mainly the Sangheili ambassador, which hitched a ride with them to join in the fight.
Paul couldn't help but feel slight giddy as he saw the Shadow of Intent slowly come up from the window. At the bridge, Thel and Dustin stood next to each other.
"Arby, you have the honor of calling them." said Dustin.
"My pleasure." he said a he pressed the call button.
* * * * *
"Sir! Incoming video call from one the UNSC ship that had just exited slip space." said an elite manning the computer.
"Put it on screen." said Rtas standing in front of the monitor.
The screen came to life to show a bridge of a ship. Standing in front of the screen was an elite wearing the 'Holy Warrior' armor. It was non-other than The Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam."
"Glad you could make it, my friend." greeted Rtas.
"Glad I could help." replied Thel.
"I suggest you get over here so we can discuss our strategy. Bring a few humans as well." said Rtas.
"Affirmative." said Thel then the screen died.
* * * * *
A few minutes later Rtas stood at the docking bay waiting for his allies to come. A longsword entered the ship and it docked itself. Rtas smiled as he saw his friend along with some humans walking towards him. They could finally to think of a strategy to counter the pirates.
Please take some time to R&R.