Dinner
February 15th, 2558
Kal'Shayar woke up sore all over, lying on his side in a fairly comfortable bed. The injuries he had received from the fight earlier ached, his head being the worst culprit as the pain up there was enough to cause him to groan out loud as he put a hand to his face. His gaze went to the room around him, finding it to be fairly bland in terms of decoration, mostly grey and beige in colour. There was a desk in the corner and a doorway that lead into a small adjoining bathroom, with a wardrobe against the wall near the foot of the bed. A drink dispenser was on the opposite wall. The whole room was very much like his quarters on the Vanguard, right down to the same colour scheme. He realized then that he was on board a ship, as his sensitive hearing was able to detect the quiet hum of the engines as it travelled through space. They were in transit to somewhere, as for where he had no idea. Who had brought him here? His son? If so, why? He had gotten the impression that Lev'Kanar had wanted him dead. They had almost killed each other back in the compound on Earth, after all.
He became aware of someone else in the room with him. Rolling onto his back, he saw that Elise was standing by the bed, a concerned look on her face. He sat up slowly and she put a hand to his shoulder, leaning towards him. She was in a clean unmarked uniform while Kal'Shayar found that he had been stripped to his undergarments, his wounds having been tended to. Elise took up a grey jacket and leggings from the end of the bed, much like what Lev'Kanar had been wearing, and then handed them to the Skirmisher.
"Where are we?" Kal'Shayar climbed out of the bed, his head throbbing dully.
"A UNSC destroyer, the Saratoga," Elise replied. "You might want to take it easy, you were pretty beaten up." She had a small bandage over a gash on her forehead but was otherwise no worse for wear.
Kal'Shayar slipped into the supplied outfit, noticing that he looked remarkably like his son in terms of the way he dressed. He wondered what had become of Lev'Kanar, as it was likely he was responsible for why he was here now. Elise watched him carefully, trying to determine just how well he was feeling. He appreciated her concern but he had been more seriously wounded in the past. He felt fine, despite the soreness.
"You need not worry too much," he said, moving his gaze towards her. "I will be fine. What about you?"
"I got knocked on the head, but that's about it." Elise paused while Kal'Shayar closed the distance between them, putting a hand to her cheek. He moved his fingers over the small bandage that was covering up the gash on her forehead, able to see that it was nothing serious.
He looked around, trying to determine what to do next. His gaze went to the door but Elise noticed this and shook her head.
"It's locked," she said. "Trust me, I've tried it already."
They were prisoners, then. Did that mean Lev'Kanar was on board? Maybe even General Caine? It was certainly likely. How long would they have to wait before someone came by? There would have been a good reason for why Lev'Kanar was keeping them alive. Caine would no doubt want them both dead, as they were threats to his plans. Maybe Lev'Kanar had changed his mind about killing his father? Kal'Shayar knew that even he had difficulty working up the courage to kill his own son.
"What do we do?" Elise asked.
"We wait." Kal'Shayar sat himself back down on the bed. He noticed the rather annoyed look that crossed Elise's face momentarily and smiled, though he was unsure whether she would see it as such. "What would you suggest we do? There is nowhere for us to go. Even if we somehow escape from this room, there will be most likely many guards outside. We are on a ship, one that could very well be in transit through slip-space. There would be nowhere for us to go if we managed to get out of here."
"I don't like sitting around, waiting for something to happen," Elise said.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Two hours."
Kal'Shayar could understand Elise's frustration. Their lives were in the hands of others. They could march in here and gun them both down if they so chose and there would be little either of them could do about it. Elise sat down next to him and he put an arm around her, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. She clearly appreciated the close comfort, despite their physical differences. He wondered what might become of this relationship they had, if they survived their current circumstances. He had told her he would stay with her, regardless of what happened, but it was unlikely they would be able to get by on any human world. Even if they got rid of Caine, they may still be listed as fugitives. They would need to expose what the man had been planning somehow in order to clear their names. There was a good chance the Kig-Yar government on Sauem would take them both under protection, but this would require a great deal of strings being pulled and favours being called in. Elise would never fit in on a Kig-Yar world anyway. He did not want to force her into such a situation.
They sat together for a few minutes, saying little. Kal'Shayar was quick to rise when he saw and heard the door slide open, surprised to see a female Skirmisher standing in the doorway. Elise remained sitting while Kal'Shayar took a few steps towards the door, only for two black uniformed human soldiers to appear behind the female. He remained still, unsure of what to make of the female.
"Kal'Shayar, it is a pleasure to finally meet you," the female said. She was a few inches shorter than him, dressed in a set of bluish-grey robes that denoted her as a Shipmistress. This was more or less the equivalent to the human rank of 'Captain'. Most Skirmisher females lacked plumage and instead had an array of pointed spines along the top and back of their heads which could be moved about in a variety of different manners. These movements would in turn tell others what they were feeling at the moment. Kal'Shayar did admit to himself that he did find her attractive, seeing that she was young but very well-built for a female, with sinewy muscles and striking blue eyes. However, his heart was with Elise, as odd as it may have seemed.
"Who are you?" Kal'Shayar asked. The female smiled, giving a slight bow in response.
"My name is Lir'Vak," she answered. "I work with your son."
Kal'Shayar nodded. Elise had made her way over, having stopped to his left. She regarded the female Skirmisher with a discerning gaze, a bit confused as to why someone like her would be here.
"By 'work', do you mean you help him with his terrorist activities?" Kal'Shayar narrowed his eyes at her. There was a flash of annoyance on her face but it was quickly replaced with a friendlier expression, as if she was under orders to be as welcoming as possible to the pair.
"He hasn't told you, has he?" Lir'Vak gave the Skirmisher version of a grin, showing the sharp teeth that were towards the end of her snout. "Lev'Kanar has grand ambitions for the future and wishes to protect our race. Surely you don't consider that 'criminal'?"
"The end does not justify the means."
"If you must kill a thousand to save a million, surely you would see that it does indeed justify it?"
Kal'Shayar said nothing to this. He did not wish to debate such things with this woman and much preferred to find out just why he and Elise were being kept here. Lir'Vak's gaze had gone towards Elise and Kal'Shayar could detect a hint of disgust in her voice as she spoke, although her expression was one of warmth (though this was clearly just for show).
"Is this the human female that has stolen Kal's heart?" She sounded unimpressed. "Lev'Kanar told me all about you, right down to your obvious tryst with his father. You may not be able to sense it, but his scent is all over you."
"I haven't had much of a chance to shower," Elise said as she frowned at her.
Lir'Vak returned her gaze to Kal'Shayar.
"You could do a lot better than a human," she said, a somewhat more seductive tone to her voice. "Your bloodline is a strong one. There are probably many Kig-Yar females willing to mate with you."
"Is that why I detect my son's scent all over you, Lir'Vak?"
There was a flash of annoyance across her face at the comment but it was gone quickly. Instead, she motioned to the two guards behind her and they stepped forwards, one grabbing Kal'Shayar and the other going for Elise. They were escorted out into the corridor, followed by the female Skirmisher. Both remained silent as they were taken through the ship, being pushed up a flight of stairs that took them to the next deck. It was here they found their intended destination which lay behind a set of metal double doors marked 'OFFICER'S HALL'.
One thing Kal'Shayar noticed was the amount of black-uniformed soldiers, all part of General Caine's private force. There were a few standard ship personnel scattered about, but otherwise the actual contingent of soldiers on board were all comprised of Caine's people. This made it all the more likely that the General was on board.
The Officer's Hall was just that: a fairly large room with a long rectangular table in the centre, vinyl covered chairs linings it sides. There were a few paintings on the walls of the room, along with a UNSC flag suspended from the ceiling at the far end. A pair of armed guards stood at either end of while Lev'Kanar, dressed in his usual grey jacket outfit, sat in a chair on one side of the table's end. That part of the table had three other places set, complete with very human plates and cutlery. Most of the food currently laid out along the table's middle was Kig-Yar, mingled with some human cuisine.
Lev'Kanar looked towards his father, a smile crossing his snout as he gestured to the chairs across the table from him.
"Father, Commander McGillon, please, sit down."
Kal'Shayar did not know what to make of this and so treaded carefully, gradually making his way to a seat across the table from his son. He sat down in the well-padded chair while Elise seated herself to his left. Lir'Vak sat down on Lev'Kanar's right and immediately set to work on the food on offer, shovelling a great chunk of a meat from a native animal of Eayn onto her plate. Kal'Shayar regarded the food laid out in front of them and was reminded of how he had had nothing to eat since the day before. He knew he was taking a chance, eating food offered by the enemy, but if he was going to try and escape he would need the energy. Besides, it was clear his son did not intend to kill him just yet. He might even want to explain a few things and information was one thing Kal'Shayar wanted in regards to his son and Caine.
Elise looked at some of the alien food with uncertainty and opted for a helping of the decidedly human Caesar salad, shovelling a reasonable helping of it onto her plate.
"General Caine did not wish to join us for dinner," Lev'Kanar said, almost remorsefully. "He said that it was best we kill the both of you, but I persuaded him otherwise. You could help us, father. I even kept your human playmate alive for you, if only to show you I am not as heartless as you think I am." He smiled as he said this and Elise felt the urge to lunge forwards in an attempt to punch the living daylights out of the younger Skirmisher. Kal'Shayar stayed her hand with one of his own, putting it on her thigh under the table and squeezing it gently to let her know that any physical altercations here would probably end badly.
Kal'Shayar then took for himself a helping of one of the meats on offer. He used the human cutlery by his plate to cut it up before shovelling a few of the pieces into his mouth.
"I have a few of my own people on board who were able to help prepare this dinner," Lev'Kanar continued. "I understand that neither of you have eaten anything for some time? That is no surprise, considering what the both of you have been through. Part of me even feels sorry for putting both of you through all of that, almost killing you on more than one occasion."
"You can end this," Kal'Shayar said. It was worth a try to talk some sense into his son, especially since it was clear that he wanted to listen. "Kill the General and we can all go home. Put this life of terrorism behind you. We can make amends, maybe-"
"Maybe what?" Lev'Kanar scoffed. "I have made up my mind, father. I have only the interests of our species at heart. You want to make amends now, after everything that has happened? You made me who I am. You always used to tell me that it was our duty, as warriors, to protect our people. That is what I am doing."
"By killing innocents?"
"No one is innocent."
"That is not true. You are helping a madman start war..."
"That will benefit our race," Lev'Kanar interrupted.
"That will destroy two others," Kal'Shayar added.
"Both of which are a threat to our own."
"You would incite a conflict that could kill millions, all through some misguided belief that it would benefit us?"
"It will benefit us. You wait and see, father."
Kal'Shayar fell silent. It appeared that there was no getting through to him. Then why was he here? Why was he still alive? It was likely Caine would order him and Elise killed if Lev'Kanar did not win him over. It was sorely unlikely that anything his son could say would make him change his mind about him. The two of them were completely rigid in their beliefs, with neither willing to pay attention to what the other was saying. It was an impasse, of sorts. Lir'Vak sat listening to the whole exchange with noticeable interest. Lev'Kanar was still calm and composed while Kal'Shayar could feel a growing feeling of frustration building within him.
"I could have saved Jeril," Lev'Kanar said. "Your stubbornness killed her. I want to show you what I mean, father. There is a place I found, on a Sangheili colony world, a place left behind by the ancient Forerunners. It contained technology capable of altering one's DNA, the very building blocks for life."
"What are you talking about?" Kal'Shayar frowned, realizing that he might finally be getting some straight answers. "You found a Forerunner ruin?"
"Not a ruin. A whole functioning facility. The Sangheili on the world had stumbled across it but have done little with it, as now that world is a combat ground for a war between Covenant loyalists and the so-called 'reformists'. I claimed it for myself and utilized the technology within to enhance the abilities of some of my followers."
Kal'Shayar said nothing and simply kept listening. Perhaps, if Lev'Kanar had told him about this when he had offered to save Jeril, something may have been done.
"Most of those enhanced are now in cryogenic stasis," Lev'Kanar said. "The process they were put through did enhance them but it also destroyed their minds."
"And you would have put your sister through this process?"
"It would have been better than leaving her to die to an accursed disease."
Kal'Shayar shook his head. It was clear to him that his son was completely misguided. First there was his willingness to kill innocents and then there was his apparent loyalty to their species and determination to see them to a better future, a commendable line of thinking for sure, but Lev'Kanar's methods in achieving his ends were certainly morally questionable. Now there was this business about the Forerunner technology 'enhancing' people. It was almost too much to take in and for a moment Kal'Shayar thought that his son might have been lying or was simply insane.
"It would have left her without a mind, according to what you have told me," Kal'Shayar said. "Death is the better option."
"Not all those who go through the process are destroyed by it." Lev'Kanar smiled again and it took Kal'Shayar a moment to realize what his son was implying. "I went through it myself, if only partially. My physical abilities were not changed much, but I have been blessed with somewhat heightened mental abilities. I can sense what you're feeling quite clearly."
"I can sense your indecision from in here, father." Kal'Shayar remembered this, hearing it from his son while he had been in the cell underneath the UNSC headquarters in Sydney. It had been an odd statement to make at the time but now it made sense. He wondered just to what extent this 'process' had altered his son's mind, as it was clear he was not quite himself. Lev'Kanar had always been rebellious but now he seemed more than that. He seemed unhinged.
"Such abilities are not as helpful as you might think. I only went through a small part of the process, so I did not receive the full benefit of what the Forerunners had to offer. If I had, I would have most likely ended up like the others, with my mind effectively destroyed. I could have saved Jeril by putting her through a similar process, maybe even prevent the side effects. Now we will never know." Lev'Kanar sounded genuinely remorseful. Kal'Shayar did not appreciate this, as he had always felt that his son had not cared enough about their family to even feel remorse about them. It was all a show his son was playing and one that the elder Skirmisher remained unconvinced by.
"You left the family years ago," Kal'Shayar said. "You may be my son, but that does not mean I need to like you. The things you have done, no matter how you justify them, are still wrong. What of these Kig-Yar you have in cryogenic suspension? What does this have to do with General Caine?"
"Caine wishes to utilize the Forerunner technology for his own soldiers. It may in fact work, as the process seems more receptive to a human body than a Kig-Yar one. However, between you and me, father, I intend to be rid of the General soon enough." Lev'Kanar smiled at the thought. "He is a dangerous man, with much ambition. Get rid of him and with the UNSC Security Council destroyed, the humans will be disorganized for some time. The Sangheili will certainly engage them in open conflict. As for who will win the ensuing war, that is very much open for debate. The humans have a distinct edge over the Sangheili, and us for that matter. They have been studying Forerunner and Covenant technology for years. They have not been afraid to reverse-engineer it for their own ends, unlike the laws imposed upon us by the Prophets that forbade any sort of manipulation of Forerunner technology. It was a poor decision by them and one that has put us behind the humans in terms of technology. This very vessel we are on, the Saratoga, named for the place where a series of decisive battles in a long ago conflict in human history occurred, is fitted with shields and energy weapons derived from Forerunner technology. It is a match for any Covenant vessel. It even has a slip-space drive capable of travelling as fast as any Covenant ship. The humans have achieved all of this in the space of only a few years. And what of the Sangheili? Of the Kig-Yar?" Lev'Kanar paused and shook his head. "We are stuck with technology we know not how to maintain. Only the Prophets and their selected ministers knew these things and they are gone. Given time, and the technology we have relied upon for centuries will fall into disrepair. We have stagnated, father. That is not a good thing, especially when the humans continue to advance beyond us."
Kal'Shayar listened carefully but otherwise kept silent. His son did make a few valid points about technology, but that did not justify the murders he had committed. Elise was now prodding at her food with a fork, apparently not all that interested in eating it anymore. Kal'Shayar took a few more pieces of meat into his mouth, chewing slowly while he pondered what had been said. It may have been possible to save his daughter, but whatever pain he felt for not taking the chance was overshadowed by his distrust of his son and the determination he felt in trying to stop him. Lev'Kanar was dangerous, this much had been proven, but Kal'Shayar found himself in no position to stop him. Not like this, on a ship full of enemy soldiers. They still had to deal with Caine as well.
"What does your friend think?" Kal'Shayar asked, nodding towards Lir'Vak. She had been quiet during the meal and looked surprised when Kal'Shayar mentioned her. "Does she follow the same beliefs you do? About ensuring a 'future' for our species? I suppose this Forerunner technology you have is supposed to benefit us?"
"Lir'Vak is an associate of mine," Lev'Kanar replied, turning his head to look at the female. They exchanged smiles and it was obvious to Kal'Shayar the extent of their actual relationship. Apparently Lev'Kanar had gotten over the detah of his family some time ago. "She has been the one who helped me gain loyal followers, often recruiting those who share the same outlook on the galaxy as I do. She used to be a Shipmistress, with her own privateering vessel, but it was destroyed in a Sangheili raid."
"You appear to have gotten over the loss of your previous mate and children," Kal'Shayar asked. "I thought that may have been part of why you hated humans?"
"I do not hate humans," Lev'Kanar said. "The death of my mate and children was the result of a group of humans simply following orders. It is the people who were giving those orders I have a problem with. The Security Council has already been taken care of, and as for Sergeant Nevas..." He paused, thinking about this for a moment. "I do not know what has become of her. She was freed by the Spartan back on Earth. As much as I would have liked to kill her, I feel that would not have given me as much satisfaction as I believed it would. When the war begins and humanity begins to fall apart, I suppose I will gain some satisfaction leaving her to watch it all happen." He paused, eyeing his father carefully. "I still wish to know, father. What compelled you to take a human as a mate?"
It was a question straight out of left-field that caught Kal'Shayar off-guard. It did make him think, if only for a moment, why he had found himself falling for Elise. However, these things were not easily explained. He felt for her and she returned those feelings. It was simple as that.
"Is it really any of your concern?" Kal'Shayar asked.
"Do you care for her? I thought you might have. If not, I can order her killed..."
"You're a sick bastard," Elise snapped, interrupting the younger Skirmisher. "It's like you get a kick out of fucking with your dad. What the hell is wrong with you?" She had been keeping her anger contained fairly well until now. She was giving Lev'Kanar a death glare, as if she wanted to reach over and break his neck. She probably would have attempted to do just this were it not for the armed guards and the fact that Kal'Shayar had put a hand to her shoulder, staying her hand once again.
Lev'Kanar frowned at her and then slowly shook his head.
"I would be nothing without my father," he said calmly. "We would I wish to torment him? I am not that spiteful, Elise. You do not mind if I call you Elise, do you?"
"This might be entertaining for you and all, but we'll stop you. This much I'll make sure of."
Lev'Kanar returned his gaze towards his father.
"I do not wish to kill you," he said. "I gave it some thought, after our fight. I thought that it might be better if you were to see things my way. I told you all you need to know. We will be arriving at the Sangheili colony world in about two weeks time, perhaps a bit sooner on the advanced slip-space engine. I will keep you both alive, for now, despite Caine's reservations. He would prefer it if you were both dead."
"I'm not surprised," Elise interjected.
"Regardless, enjoy your dinner. You will be free to roam the unrestricted areas of the ship, including this deck and the one where your quarters are located. Do not think of yourselves as 'prisoners'. Instead, you are 'guests'."
"We're still stuck aboard this ship with the likes of you," Elise said dryly.
"There is an airlock a few rooms away, if you wish to leave," Lev'Kanar replied, partially showing his sharp teeth in a Skirmisher grin. Lir'Vak seemed to find his little joke amusing and chuckled.
"I wish to show you what I have been talking about, father," Lev'Kanar said. "That is all. Maybe win your approval, though I know that would be next to impossible with you. I never could impress you, could I, father?" He sounded annoyed. The elder Skirmisher thought of replying to this, to tell his son why he had been such a hard father but he decided not to. It was the sort of thing that had been talked to death between him and his son, even before Lev'Kanar had left home.
Kal'Shayar was not looking forward to the next two weeks, but there was some comfort to be found in the fact that he would have Elise with him. She appeared to be thinking the same thing, judging from the way she had turned to face him, a somewhat concerned expression on her face. He put a hand under the table finding one of her own where it rested on her thigh. They clasped hands covertly, even if the extent of their relationship was known by the two people sitting across from them.
Two weeks gave them plenty of time to plan an escape, if that would even be possible from on board this ship. If Lev'Kanar wanted to show them what he was trying to do with this Forerunner technology they would not interfere. It would give Kal'Shayar and Elise an opportunity to work out a means of stopping him and Caine.
Leon did not like being on board Covenant ships. They brought back many memories, none of them very good. He had taken part in raids on Covenant ships and ground depots and had become somewhat familiar with the purple-blue metallic architecture such places had. He had lost friends on those missions, often having watched the deaths occur. As such, he was wary as he was escorted down the corridor by a pair of crimson-armoured Sangheili soldiers. It was not in a hostile manner, they were simply there to ensure he got to where he needed to be. He was still reeling from the death of Valerie and had already sworn to himself that he would kill Caine for what had happened, and this was on top of his intended revenge against Lev'Kanar for crippling him months ago. This thirst for vengeance was really the only reason he chose to work with these Sangheili at all.
Rel Valum awaited him in a briefing room of sorts, one that was large with several metal chairs (ones large enough to fit a Sangheili on) lined up in rows. There were blue holographic displays along the far wall and the sides while Rel Valum himself, outfitted in purple-blue Field Marshall armour, sat in a chair by the main screen. There was a table in front of him, one where Jerashar Wittron occupied a chair across from the Field Marshall. Both Sangheili looked up as Leon was escorted into the room though the Spartan did little to return their gazes.
The ship they were on was a Covenant-built stealth vessel, very small in size (even smaller than a typical UNSC destroyer). It was fitted with camouflaging systems that, while not perfect, had allowed it to get close enough to Earth to launch the raid on the compound where Valerie had been held captive. Leon had been told about the ship by one of the Sangheili Majors he had met upon arriving. It was the only one of its kind and the camouflaging technology was sophisticated, yet unreliable, which meant that it was unlikely the same technology would be applied to any larger vessels. They had entered slip-space several hours ago and Leon had chosen to remain aboard, hoping to convince Rel Valum that pursuing Caine and Lev'Kanar would be worthwhile. The Field Marshall had not needed much convincing.
"Lieutenant," Rel said as Leon approached. The Spartan sat down in a vacant chair across from the Field Marshall. The two Sangheili who had been escorting him walked to the back of the room and stood guard by the door. "The Major and I were just discussing how best to approach the problem that is General Caine. If he intends to ignite war between our two species, he has very much succeeded. It will take some doing, but I believe that if we can find him and evidence of the treachery against your government he has committed, we will be able to clear up the matter. However, it will not be easy."
Leon had little to add. As Valerie had helped him to open up, her death had closed him right down again. The pain in his back was worse than it had been for a while and his right hand would sometimes involuntarily shake, a problem that he had thought he had been rid of judging from the lack of it for the past week or so. He felt like how he had been during his stay in that hospital on Reach, wasting away with only Valerie as decent company. Now she was gone, so he did not even have that luxury. Still, if what he had heard was true than both Elise and Kal'Shayar had been taken captive by Caine and Lev'Kanar. He felt that it was his obligation to save them. They were his friends, after all. Being friends with a Skirmisher was something he had not thought possible until recently.
"General Caine's vessel is ahead of us by several hours and is capable of slightly faster slip-space speeds," Rel continued. "It is near impossible to judge where they are going until they near their destination. We will keep in pursuit, but we will need a plan if we are to catch up to them."
"Isn't it obvious?" Leon looked towards the Field Marshall as he said this, his gaze set in stone. "Disable the ship and board it. I'll find Caine and Lev'Kanar and I'll deal with the two of them accordingly."
"That ship you are referring to is far larger and more heavily armed than this stealth vessel," Rel countered. "Disabling it could get us destroyed. Reinforcements could take days, if not weeks, to intercept with us. Your government is not willing to help, as they see you as a fugitive. Our options are limited, and as much as I would like to prevent unnecessary war between our species, that war is almost inevitable unless we can act quickly."
"It could be weeks before they arrive at their destination." Leon rose out of the chair, annoyed at the indecision. "We should remain in pursuit. Instead of trying to come up with some plan now, why don't we just wait and see where they go?"
"They could detect us if the stealth systems malfunction, which is likely," Rel said. He did not sound particularly faithful towards the success of the pursuit. "What would you have us do then? We could be very easily destroyed."
"You were able to get by Earth's defences..."
"We were there because we wished to keep track of the Major," Rel said. "The fact that the stealth systems lasted as long as they did is almost miraculous. Now you are bringing us into a fight we have little chance of winning."
Leon considered their options. All he wanted to do was get after that ship and get the General and Lev'Kanar, but he was stuck on this ship with these very doubtful Sangheili and it looked like it would remain that way for a while.
"Like I said, we should just keep in pursuit."
"That we will. If they arrive somewhere, I may be able to organize a proper strike-force but they could take weeks to arrive. You will have to be patient, Lieutenant."
Leon had no interest in being patient. Once they found out where Caine's ship was going, he would make sure to get straight after it regardless of whether the Sangheili would help him or not.