Author's Note: Thanks to Kalshion and SilentStrike'Scy' for being my proofreaders.
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.
To make up for the delays I've been having in keeping up posting, I have posted two chapters today. Enjoy!
Chapter 29: Delivery
It was a slow day in the shop, so Ella and the other workers were just sitting around chatting as they waited for customers. Mostly current gossip, such as the word that the human Ambassador had come to the planet to try to talk some sense into the Council, though they doubted he'd be successful. "So Ella, how are you and Rtas doing?" Rena asked, changing the subject to something more pleasant.
"He has practically moved in," Ella said with a chuckle, the other two women 'awing' and giggling. "He has even brought some of his belongings over."
"Sounds like you got him around your finger good Ella," Rena said teasingly.
"Yes, but he still moves my furniture around to practice," Ella said with a grunt. "Perhaps I should convert father's old room into a practice room, considering he does not sleep in there anymore."
The other two gasped. "You two are sharing a bed already!?" Rena said, her eyes wide. "You have not done the nasty yet have you?"
"Oh no, not yet," Ella said with a smile. "We are only sharing a bed so soon due to the results of a drunken rampage of his one night."
"'Vadum drunk…that must have been a sight to see…"
"Oh it was indeed…," Ella's grin broadened as she recalled Rtas' little streak fest that night, but she did promise him she would not tell anyone.
Before the others could ask any more prying questions, they heard the door to the shop open and someone walk in. Ella immediately stood up to address the customer and realized this man was not likely here for a pedicure as he was wearing his full suit of armor, SpecOps going by the coloration of said armor. She also thought he looked familiar. "Zeno is that you?" She asked, a slight smirk on her face. There weren't many SpecOps that were as tall as he was and wore black and purple armor.
"Indeed it is Madam 'Issal," The male replied with a slight bow. "How have things been for you?"
"Zeno, you know you can just call me 'Ella'," She said with a giggle. "Things have been up and down, though lately more on the upside. What can I help you with?"
"I got a hot tip that my Commander was hiding here," Zeno replied, a faint grin on his face.
"Ooo…well your tip proves to be correct, in regards that he is here, but not because he is 'hiding'."
"So it is true you finally bagged him?" Zeno inquired with another one of his grins.
"I have his heart firmly in both hands, though I do not have him in bed quite yet, at least not in the way you are thinking."
Zeno chuckled. "About time he considers settling down a bit. You do not know how hard it is for us to get him to go on some R and R."
"Oh I had a pretty good idea," Ella said, not about to let him in on the reason he did not want to get any R and R: while she knew Zeno had enough respect for his Commander not to make light of his 'former' condition, she did not want to take the chance. "I take it you want to see him? I hope you are not going to be taking him away for some mission that will last for months: I was just starting to get used to having him around."
"Fear not m'lady," Zeno said with an exaggerated bow. "I am only here to deliver something to him that he should have received a long time ago."
Ella narrowed her eyes slight, having a feeling what it was but decided to play ignorant. "Ah I see," She said. "He is upstairs, likely rearranging my furniture again so he can practice. The door is unlocked."
"Thank you Ella," Zeno said as he moved around the counter and started heading for the stairs. "I will be sure to give you some 'proper' business when I have a chance."
"You are gonna have to introduce me to him someday…," Rena said after he had disappeared upstairs. "He looks like he is hot under that armor."
"It would be a waste of both our times my dear," Ella said.
"Oh why is that?" Rena asked. "He cannot possibly be married, all Spec Ops being aristocrats and all…."
"Because women are not his type," Ella said in a whisper, repeating almost the exact words he told her himself one day when she asked him if he had a mate.
Rena blinked a couple times before she got it. "Dammit…," She grumbled and then added in a whisper. "Why do all the hot ones end up being gay?"
Rtas had been indeed moving furniture around again and once he was done, he started practicing. He was in the middle of one of the more complex forms when he heard someone come into the residence. Assuming it was just Ella needing to get something he did not pause in his stride.
"Even on your time off you cannot just seem to relax, can you Commander?" An entirely unexpected voice commented.
Rtas stopped in mid stride and turned around to face the speaker. "'Ribal," He said in surprise. "What are you doing here and not on Cairo Station?"
"Special request from Earth High Command," The SpecOps Officer replied. "To be Ambassador Johnson's escort."
"And why are you not with Johnson then?"
"He is with the Arbiter, so he is safe enough right now. Granted, I am certain I will have to tag along with him should he decide he wants a tour of the city and what not."
"Fair enough, but why are you here?" In response, Zeno walked over and pressed a data chip into his hand. "What is…."
"Something you should have gotten a long time ago, Commander," Zeno said softly.
If Zeno had said anything after that, Rtas did not hear it, for the realization of what this was hit him like a runaway Ghost. "Father…," He said quietly.
"I shall leave you be Commander," Zeno said.
"'Ribal, I do not know how I can…."
"Oh no Commander, it is not me you should thank," Zeno said. "It was Johnson that was able to recover it."
Zeno exited the same way he came, leaving Rtas alone with the data chip that contained his father's last words. For so long I wondered…, He thought. Now, finally, it is in my hands and I can hear what you wanted to tell me. But, why am I afraid to hear it? Rtas thought back to the last time he saw his father alive….
It was hard to run and put armor on at the same time, but somehow Rtas was managing it as he raced for the hanger bay. Why was I not told about this? He thought, nearly knocking over a surprised Minor as he went. Rtas stumbled from the collision, but recovered his footing just as he entered the hanger bay where he saw the Commander just about to step into a Phantom. "Father!" He called out as he skidded to a halt before him.
"Excuse me?" The Commander said, raising a brow.
"I...I mean Commander…," Rtas corrected himself, feeling himself blush in embarrassment. Whenever he was overly excited, he made that mistake.
"What is it 'Vadumee?" The Commander queried patiently.
"Why was I not told of this mission?" Rtas asked. "I want to come with you.…"
"And who told you I was leaving on a mission?"
"'Ribalee…."
The Commander blinked and then chuckled softly. "I should have known. That youth has talent, glad I convinced the Council to allow him to join our ranks, but he needs to learn when not to spread information around."
"Perhaps, but why did you not tell me about this," Rtas asked, his tone slightly accusing.
"This mission is especially dangerous," The Commander explained. "Only the best are coming for it."
"But you told me I was one of your best," Rtas countered.
"I also did not tell you because I did not want to risk losing you," The Commander said, his tone softer. "You are my only son, 'Vadumee, and if I was to lose you during this mission I doubt I would be able to recover from the loss."
"It would be an honor to die fighting by your side father," Rtas said, slightly confused . "You allowed me to come with you on other missions that were dangerous, what is so different about this one?"
"I do not know," His father confessed. "I just have a bad feeling."
Rtas felt a bit insulted. "You are not allowing me to come due to a feeling!?"
"You always listen to your instincts Rtas," His father scolded. "I want you to live, so you can pass on our family line to the next generation and because I love you."
He flinched slightly at the mention of starting a family of his own. His father did not know he was Gynophobic and thus could not start such a family no matter how much he wanted to. "Father…about that…I…," Rtas started, feeling the need to tell him now before it could be too late.
The Commander studied his face for a moment, concern in his eyes. Then he turned his head in the direction of the cockpit of the Phantom when someone called for him. "We will have to discuss it when I return son," He said regretfully. "I am already late in starting this mission."
"Al…alright father," Rtas said sadly. "Be careful…."
Rtas watched his father enter the Phantom and depart from the ship, not knowing then that would be the last time he would ever see his beloved sire.
He remembered how he felt when he got word of his father's death, how he felt the world around him just shattered. Rtas kept wondering at the time if his delaying of his father's departure is what resulted in his death. Later on, he learned that his sire died of wounds caused by a new breed of human warrior, Spartans. He developed a hatred of those warriors, the ones that took his father away, but he never got a chance to meet one in combat before his people allied with the humans. By then, his hatred had cooled, if not completely extinguished, as he learned of the human's motives. The humans were just trying to protect their homes and families, just as his father was trying to protect him.
"Are you going to listen to it?" A voice said, startling him out of his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Ella standing by the door, looking a bit concerned. "Or have you already?"
Rtas glanced at the time and realized to his shock that an hour had passed since Zeno had given him the chip. While he was deep in his own thoughts he had wandered into the bedroom and sat down on the bed without even realizing it. "Not yet…," He confessed. "I am a bit…worried…about what I may hear."
"Why?" She asked as she sat down beside him.
"I…remember the last time I spoke to him when he was alive, that I told him I needed to tell him something," Rtas said softly. "Who knows how he interpreted that…"
"You were wanting to tell him about your Gynophobia," She said.
"He could have interpreted it as me wanting to tell him I was gay…and I am certain he would have been…disappointed with that news since he wanted me to start a family of my own," Rtas said.
"So you think he would have been ok with you possibly being gay?"
"I do not think, I know," Rtas replied. "I know because he did not react negatively when one of the Minors in our squad came out."
"Hmm….Zeno?"
He blinked at her in surprise. "How did you…."
"He is a client and he told me in his own way once when I was just striking up a conversation," Ella explained. "Anyway, we are getting off topic. You going to play what is on the chip or not?"
Rtas sighed and stared at the chip for a bit longer. "I am here to support you Rtas, you do not have to do this alone," He heard Ella say softly.
"I know…," He said as he finally inserted the chip into the console….
