SGTLEGENDKILLEЯ
Fate Continuum
Act VI
"Appeal to Reason"
Chapter IV
"And the Dirt Shall Whisper"
H.D.
November 1st, 2552
M'riana stood before the holographic table that she spent so much time at since her arrival to the station. She already had been having an issue with the amount of rest she was getting, but since their message to the Covenant fell short to the isolated ears of the Hierarchs, she would get less rest.
She had spent the last two days relentlessly running situation after situation of what was to come for all of the faction. She knew that the Hierarchs would send a hefty show of force; there was no disputing this. The legions that would breach their security measures would be fierce and absolutely hell-bent on their end, and so she was doing her best to plan whatever strategy would be.
"Are you sure that is what you would like us to do, miss?" The Sangheili Major on the other end of her Commlink asked.
She rolled her eyes heavily. "Yes. Why would you not place Plasma Cannons on each side of the room?"
"Because I feel as if it is overkill for what we are doing here."
"You are not here to think, Major." She snapped viciously at him. "Do as I have ordered or I will personally come down there and break your neck for you insubordination."
The Major straightened up tense. "As you wish, ma'am." He quickly ended the call to avoid further confrontation.
She sighed heavily once the room was silent. She rubbed her eyes and shook her head and let her tired gaze look down onto the table edge between her hands. She let her mind briefly go blank as she rubbed her wedding ring with her thumb. Soon she regained her composure and looked up at the table to switch over to the viewing screen of several cameras from around the station. After glancing through several of them her eyes would focus on the section of cameras that were of the lower sectors of the stations; the screens were of the watching view of the dormant parasite held sealed within the bowels of the station.
She expanded on of the cameras and viewed the squid-like forms that had been stuck in the same enclosed cells that they had been found in. They were something Yuta had failed to tell her about until days after her arrival. She knew hardly anything about the Flood, but from what she had seen bouncing around the Covenant Battlenet and from what the 'Oracle' had told them, she had no interest in such a hellish thing. Yuta on the other hand, held quite the heavy interest in them.
"Aren't they magnificent?" Yuta asked her from the other side of the room; she had not noticed his entry.
"No." She grew somewhat stern. "They are not. They should be destroyed."
"Nonsense…" Yuta grinned as he moved closer to the table, hands clasped behind his back. "They are a marvel that has lasted many era… Did you know that they might even predate the Forerunners?"
"I do not care. I have seen what they are capable of."
"Regardless…" He spat back in spite. "My research and study of them and their history is quite intriguing."
M'riana grimaced angrily as she lifted up her hand to him. "Yuta. We have much more important things to worry about."
"M'riana. My stuff is important too." Yuta argued.
"I do not want to hear it!"
Yuta grew a bit defensive at this. "You need to come down and see for yourself. Please."
"Very well." M'riana rolled her eyes. "Only if it will cease your begging."
"Yes." He said. "It will."
With now a fully staffed Lance, D'rok had ordered them all to spend the last two days heavily in the training rooms. He was testing what each of their strengths and weaknesses were. Currently D'rok was watching Minor Sojum'ee going through a mockup Sword duel with Major 'Nulkamee.
"You see, Noma? That is how you really judge the skills of a swordsman… Whether he can protect his legs or not." D'rok pointed out to Noma.
Noma nodded slightly. "They do seem to know how to adapt their defense quickly."
"Indeed…" D'rok sighed as the two continue to watch the sparring match.
While 'Nulkamee was older and more experienced, Sojum'ee was exceptionally trained in the art of the blade. It would not be much longer before 'Nulkamee would become less hesitant in his strikes, leading to Sojum'ee only dodging each attack before striking 'Nulkamee across the torso.
"Well done, Minor!" D'rok praised. "Major. You must learn to be forever patient… You must remain methodical to the greatest extent."
"Yes sir!" Major 'Nulkamee saluted after regaining his lost composure from the fight.
"Now… all of you." D'rok spoke loudly so that the entire lance could hear him. "Take a few moments. Drink; Rest… Be at ease. For Officer Vallumee and I have been training you all harshly for the last two days. I know not when the Covenant will need us, but we shall be prepared."
"Yes Sub-Commander!" They all chimed back.
As the Lance turned to do whatever it was they wished for the time being. "So. Noma… How do you like being an Officer?" He asked Noma, turning towards him.
"It is honestly a lot like you had said it would be: more paperwork." Noma shrugged and gave a chuckle. "Though I am not one to complain"
"See? I told you it was not so bad. I was a bit skeptical when I was first promoted too. I am just glad R'tas could get it through without any stupendous ceremonial fanfare."
"That makes two of us. I would rather not go before the councilors…"
D'rok hummed for a moment in thought. "Of the group as of now... Who do you favor in terms of skill? Any notions you have seen? Thoughts?" He asked; he was quizzing Noma.
"I see that Dravumee going far as far as I have seen he is competent, his aim is true, and his ambition will aid him well." Noma answered.
"Anything else?"
Noma was about to answer when the two were interrupted by the sudden sounds of a swiftly moving Phantom transport overhead. The transport slowed to a harsh stop above before lowering quickly over the training field. As soon as the craft was low enough, its gravity lift activated as it steadied out.
"Sub-Commander Tallaham! You are needed immediately; Hierarch's orders." The speaker on the craft spoke. "Board with haste."
D'rok shifted his mandibles curiously. "Alright. Come along, Noma." He said as he started for the Phantom. "Major Daphakee! You are in charge for the meantime!"
Noma gave a quick nod to D'rok before following. As the two entered the grav lift to board the Phantom, Noma rubbed his mandibles. "What do you think the Hierarchs summoned you for? I cannot think of anything. I gather it is nothing bad however?"
As the two entered the troop bay, there were already several Sub-Commander and their first Officers with them.
"Sub-Commander Tallaham! Officer Vadumee… How nice of you two to join us." One of the nearby and older Sub-Commanders greeted.
"Thank you." D'rok nodded as he gained his footing. "What is going on? Why the haste?"
"We have not been told yet, but we have all been ordered to meet Commander Vadumee at one of the briefing chambers near the council auditoriums." The Sub-Commander informed them.
"Then I guess we will wait and see then, Noma." D'rok shrugged and took a seat along the interior of the Phantom.
It wouldn't be long before the Phantom would arrive. Judging by the speed that the craft was pulling and the pilot's demands from the Prophets, D'rok imagined that their purpose held great importance. He was uncertain now, but sure that the confusion would be cleared up soon.
The Phantom came to a swift halt above one of the main landing pads that connected to the Council Auditoriums. Just as swiftly as they had all boarded, the passengers exited the craft and were immediately instructed to head down a level where R'tas was waiting for them. He was standing before a large briefing Holo-table.
"Welcome, Sub Commanders! Thank you for joining me on such haste. Gather around." R'tas waved them closer.
That being said, the warriors all drew in around the table opposite of R'tas.
"We have just been given a monumental task by the Hierarchs." R'tas started as he leaned against the table. "There was a recent broadcast from a heretical group that snuck their way onto the planet near the sacred ring."
There was a slight stillness in the room as R'tas paused.
"We only know so much about their motives, but we do have a decent amount of information of what we will be facing." As R'tas spoke, he began to put a grid of names up for them to view. "The Hierarchs have provided a roster of who had joined the Heretics as well as an equipment report of what they have stolen from the Covenant. Of course none of this matters… Before they were our brothers, but now they trample upon the Great Journey, and so we must silence them."
R'tas brought up a map of some sort of station facility. "From what we can tell, the two hundred of them or so have done their best to squeeze them, a wing of Banshees, and several Seraph fighters in this facility. According to the scans provided by the Hierarchy, this structure has significance to the gods, hence why we are being sent to purge it." R'tas paused. "We are going to take a trio of Phantoms there; I will lead a Lance inwards from one side of the facility and another will land on the opposite side. Hopefully this will give enough confusion to the Heretics so that they will be hindered in their response time."
"Brilliant." One of the other Sub-Commanders nodded. "So who is in charge of these Heretics?"
"The Hierarchs aren't entirely sure… But they have several names of who is in charge, but the three we keep on seeing over and over again are Sesa 'Refumee, Yuta Telakee, and M'riana Tallaham."
The room grew silent once again as everyone's gaze moved to D'rok; looks of concern and slight distrust.
"This will be of no hindrance to the mission." D'rok spoke. "I want that woman dead just as much as I do the rest of them."
"Question not his judgment or faith, Sub-Commanders. I have watched D'rok serve the Covenant unyieldingly for decades. It is merely coincidence that his wife betray him. Isn't that right, Tallaham?"
"Yes sir."
"Now, I want all but the Sub-Commanders to leave. Everyone else may return to your barracks." R'tas instructed.
D'rok gave a nod to Noma as all of the rest of the Officers left the briefing room. Once they had all left, R'tas changed the screen to show an extensive diagram of the facility the Heretics were. He sighed and looked back to the four Sub-Commanders in the room.
"Sub-Commanders… I know we have our own barracks at each of your disposal, but I wish that each of you work closely together to ensure that we work well together even each of you will run your warriors differently." He paused for a second. "Mantonee and Vohomee will go with me to one side; Gytoinee and Tallaham... you two will be going to the other side."
With a plan set, R'tas dismissed the rest of them to return to their warriors. D'rok made his way back to the barracks as soon as he could.
D'rok walked into the barracks just in time to see W'aht throwing a hefty right hook into Noma's cheek. It would have seemed that the two had gotten into another argument about their point of views and position and it had clearly escalated.
Noma had taken the blow decently, yet it had caused him to shuffle back only to be gripped by Vora Dravumee and Semie Sojum'ee. As W'aht went to wind up another strike, Dakan 'Nulkamee and Xal Gogramee frantically grabbed him and pulled the two from each other.
"What in the name of the Gods is going on?!" D'rok demanded as he stormed between the Noma and W'aht.
"Where do I start-?" Noma began to explain.
"Silence, Vallum!" D'rok halted Noma's talking.
Noma jerked slightly. "Sir?"
"Vallumee and Daphakee. My quarters, now!"
The others in the Lance let Noma and W'aht go. There was a moment of pause as everyone looked around to see if the two would follow D'rok's orders. With a sense of nervousness, Noma quickly stepped his way into D'rok's quarters, and W'aht grumbled with anger before following Noma. D'rok exhaled harshly before going to his quarters.
"Sit down!" D'rok demanded as he entered his office. "The both of you!"
The two slowly obliged and sat in the two seats before D'rok's desk.
"Who started the fight?" D'rok asked sharply.
Noma glanced at W'aht and received a glare that could kill. After a tense pause, W'aht answered "I did."
"Oh?" D'rok gave a tense look at W'aht. "And why would you do this?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"It is because I do not believe that he is capable of his position." W'aht explained.
"Is it your duty to worry about that?"
W'aht grew quiet and didn't answer.
"Leave, Vallumee." D'rok ordered.
Noma quickly did so without a word. After he left D'rok quickly shut and locked the doors to his Office.
"I would like for you to tell me why you feel it necessary to undermine the chain of command within my Lance?" D'rok asked as he went to his chair on the other side of his desk.
"I do because Noma is not as experienced as I am with leadership." W'aht replied.
"Again I will ask: Is it your duty to worry about that?"
"It is not. However-" W'aht was only cut off halfway through his sentence.
"'However,' what?" D'rok raised an agitated eyebrow at W'aht. "What have you to say about Noma and your actions that have not been said already?"
W'aht gawked upset. "Sir! Noma is a complete simpleton without extended officer experience!"
"Major Daphakee. When has your opinion ever been the driving fundamentals of this Lance? It was not your duty while under Kusovai and it sure by the Gods isn't since I have taken the mantle of this group."
W'aht paused briefly. "It hasn't…"
"Then why test the limits of my patience?"
W'aht growled slightly as he stood from the chair distraught. "Because I think the way that this lance is being run is childish!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.
D'rok closed his eyes for a second as he shook his head. "Major…" He looked back up at the angry warrior before him. "This is exactly the reason I demoted you."
"...Excuse me?"
"Listen to yourself. You are reacting like an upset child without his favored toy."
"My position is being defiled!"
"How?" D'rok reasoned. "If you had been defiled you would have been ejected from the Military or executed for your outbursts. Would you have not?"
W'aht looked down slightly in thought.
"Had anyone else been in my position they most likely had not had been as level headed and done so." D'rok sighed, keeping his voice calm but assertive in tone.
W'aht sighed in conflict. "Then why haven't you?"
"It is because I know where your anger and broken nerves come from. We both tried and nearly fell by the hands of the parasite; I know you, with a level head and your calm wits, would be quite the Officer. But now you are showing as much patience as a newly enlisted cadet. Do you not notice this now? Think on it, Daphakee."
The Major looked down at the floor in thought, his mandibles became tense.
"Do you see what I speak of?" D'rok asked.
"I do."
"I will not be what Kusovai was; I refuse to use my pride or my swordsmanship or history of combat to dictate how I treat my underlines. I know what we have seen in the last month and it surely would and has tested the strength of many warriors of the Covenant, but Major my patience is running thin."
W'aht looked back up at D'rok in silence.
"I am going to give you one last chance. I feel that I will need your leadership down the road for the Lance, but for now, let Noma have his time to learn. And when you prove yourself, I shall make you an Officer again so that you two will be equaled."
"Are you sure that would be wise?" W'aht questioned. "There usually isn't two Officers to follow the Lance Commanders."
"Do I seem like one for strict conventionalism?"
"Well… No."
"Then let me worry about the paperwork… that is my role. And all that I ask is that you fulfill yours. Can you do that?"
"I do hope so…" W'aht sighed, the sting of regret lingered in his voice. "You have shown me mercy sir, so I wish to try to push my feelings aside to continue fighting."
"Thank you. That is all that I want from you… Now." D'rok stood up from his chair. "Take the evening off. Have some leave time to straighten your head. Be back by early morning, for Commander Vadumee has given us an important mission to attend to for tomorrow."
"Very well, Sir." W'aht nodded as he gave a salute.
D'rok nodded back and unlocked the door for him to leave.
The next day, D'rok had received orders from R'tas of which hangar the four Lances were to report too. W'aht had returned in the middle of the night and was calm minded enough to join the rest of D'rok's Lance. After a short transport ride, D'rok was leading them to the hangar were two other Lances had reported. R'tas, who had gotten their first informed everyone to wait for the last group to arrive before they would prepare. D'rok was left leaning against one of the storage crates in the hangar with Noma watching the rest of his Lance wait.
"How is your mouth?" D'rok asks, referring to that final strike he had watched W'aht land as he returned to them the day before.
Noma sighed and flexed his jaws. "Functional it would seem…" He hummed. "W'aht has a good arm."
D'rok crossed his arms in front of him. "I have seen far worse… but yes… It was a good throw."
"Most unfortunate it came to throws, however. I tried to just walk away when he got confrontational."
"It happens sometimes…" He admitted. "Do you know what I would have done?"
"What is that?"
"Personally, if I was getting confrontational, you are going for the most facial damage. So what you need to do is hit with your first so that your thumb is level with the floor and somewhat back towards you." He explained.
"What does that do?" Noma asked, raising his eyebrow.
"If you hit them right where their mandibles meet with their head it jolts those mandibles out of socket." D'rok nodded. "I have seen it done many times…"
"I think you also speak from experience. That must be what he did as well." Noma said, rubbing his jaws where W'aht hit him.
"No… If he would have done it you would have had to have gone to the infirmary to get them reset…"
"Ah. Perhaps that will come in handy if we are to pursue and eliminate the Heretics."
"Unlikely… I would suggest staying with your gun… Hitting someone like that is something for tavern disputes." D'rok chuckled before sighing. "Before I joined the military I was involved in some crime related incidents near the equator long ago."
Noma straightened up, suddenly interested. "Ooh, tell me more. I do love a good drinking story."
"Do you remember the material company, Win'Rok?"
"I've heard of them, they supplied some of the materials to the shipyards on Glyke." Noma answered.
"Do you remember anything about the Win'Rok riots from about 25 or so years ago?"
"That was about 4 years before I started in the shipyards, I remember when things finally settled down after hearing about them." Noma thought. "I remember shipments of alloy were very intermittent because of it, but I never really kept up to date with the news back then."
D'rok sighed with a chuckle. "Legally I shouldn't say anything, but I may or may not have been in the heart of that whole ordeal."
"Oh Gods…" Noma placed his face in the palm of his hands. "It was quite a cluster-fuck. How did you manage it?"
"As I said… I legally should not say anything." D'rok smirked just as he noticed the last Lance was arriving. "Maybe later, Noma… Drinking stories should stay for the drinks."
"Aye, fair enough, and I may have a few of my own, though none as grand as that!" Noma exclaimed as he stood from the crate.
By this point, now that everyone was in the hangar, R'tas ordered all of the Lances to start loading up the Phantoms and checking over their weapons. It all was going to plan; the Phantoms were being loaded and no one was having issues with their gear. This was all until a Sangheili in polished silver armor entered the hanger as the last of the Phantoms were prepped.
"We have little to worry on this mission, Warriors!" R'tas started. "For the Hierarchs have deemed us the privilege of The Arbiter to fight alongside us."