Author's Note: *beats into submission* 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.

Chapter 38: Reunion

When Rtas messaged him that they had found a Phantom and were bringing it in, he immediately donned his armor and went to the hanger bay. The Arbiter didn't know why he was so eager, knowing in his hearts the chances of Sari being on the vessel was slim to none. Perhaps he was hoping there were some juicy pirates inside it he could beat the crap out of for information, as well as something to vent his simmering frustration and despair on. Whatever the reason for it, that this was the first result of their search was a good thing regardless.

Upon entering the hanger bay, he was advised to hang back while the Phantom was checked over for signs of tampering: the chance this was an elaborate trap by Kesi was high. From his position, he could see the damage on the vessel, some of it old, but most of it was fresh, especially on the aft section: it looked like it had gotten into a minor rear end collision. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zeno walk up beside him, no doubt waiting for his chance to get into the Phantom's systems to get whatever intel he could.

The Phantom was apparently clear of traps, at least on the outside, so the crew started working on opening the ship. He watched as they attached an external power source to it, to give it enough power to open the aft hatch. However, the hatch was jammed, likely due to whatever had inflicted the damage to the aft section. After hearing some grumbling, the hanger crew determined where the jam was and set to it with cutting torches. A few moments later, the hatch finally opened.

Immediately, the hanger crew stepped back and drew their weapons, bracing themselves for the worse: the Arbiter himself felt his hand go to rest on the hilt of his energy sword as he brought himself closer. For a couple of tense moments, nothing emerged. Then, in the deepest parts of the ship, he thought he saw movement, the other's tensing as they saw it as well. Finally someone came into the light, hands up in a gesture of surrender, someone short and pale….

"Sari!?" The Arbiter cried, his hearts leaping in both shock and joy.

"Azu….," Sari replied, the Sangheili around her that were pointing their weapons at her now quickly lowering them.

For a very brief moment, they just stared at each other, both as if wondering if this was a dream. It was Sari that woke up first, exploding into a sprint that surprised the other Sangheili. Next thing the Arbiter knew, he was on the floor, Sari on top of him as they embraced each other tightly. He knew he was getting odd looks from this, but he didn't care. His precious Sari was back and that was all that mattered to him at this very moment. Finally, they let go of each other long enough to return to their feet. "Sari…," He said softly as he nuzzled her neck. "I feared I had lost you forever…."

"Not yet my love…," Sari replied as she did her best to nuzzle back: his armor was in the way. "Not yet…."

"How did you…."

His query was interrupted when a second figure emerged from the Phantom, the hanger crew quickly pointing their weapons at him. This individual was obviously rather timid, if not outright cowardly as he stumbled back and fell on his rump. The Arbiter noticed he was wearing the armor of a medic: figures. "It is ok!" Sari said, pulling away from him slightly. "He was a prisoner like I was."

"Th…thank you Sari…," the shaken man said as he got back onto his feet.

"Azu…this is Telo, he was the only medic onboard the Righteous Justice," Sari said, gesturing to him.

"Arbiter…," Telo said, blinking at him wide eyed. "Never thought I would get a chance to meet you."

"How did you wind up with a bunch of pirates?" The Arbiter asked. "You do not seem the type to go along with that crowd willingly."

"I…I was part of the original crew," Telo explained. "My brother, Tora, spared me when Kesi purged all those not loyal to him over two years ago. Since I was…easy to control…Kesi kept me around since he needed a medic…."

"As much as I would love to hear all the 'how did's' and 'why's'," Zeno cut in, coming forward. "I need to know if there is anyone else on that Phantom."

"There is no one else…sir," Telo replied.

"Oh goodie! Now to see what intel I can pull from it…"

"Actually that will not be necessary," Sari told him. "Telo…the module…."

Telo pulled the data module off his hip and handed it to the SpecOps. "This contains everything on Kesi's activities…," the medic said.

"How did you…," Zeno's eyes lit up, looking like a kid in a candy store." Nevermind…not important! I need to look through this!"

After the SpecOps ran off looking like a giddy child, the Arbiter said. "Let us get you back to my quarters Sari, I am certain you are exhausted from your ordeal…."

"With all due respect, Arbiter," Telo spoke up. "I would rather she head to the infirmary to ensure there was no lasting damage…."

The Arbiter felt Sari stiffen in his arms. "Why?" she asked. "I already know it is gone…."

"What is gone?" The Arbiter asked, concern edging into his voice.

Sari looked up at him, eyes filled with sorrow. "Our child…."

He took a step back in shock, feeling like he was just stabbed in the gut. "The moment he had her on board, Kesi forced me to check to see if she was pregnant," Telo explained, guilt in his voice. "I…I tried to lie about the results, but he saw through it. He struck her…."

"It was 'Mura that first made me suspect," Sari added, her voice quivering. "But I did not even get a chance to tell you that much…."

"He will pay for this…," The Arbiter growled. "And after he has paid his due we will try again. I promise. For now, let us make sure you are alright."

As he started to guide Sari out of the hanger, he heard Telo call out to him. "Excellency…."

"Yes Telo?" he replied, looking over his shoulder.

The medic looked toward the floor. "Wh…what should I do? My association with Kesi, not that me being a medic helps in the first place, has tainted me and I would like to regain what honor I had. I feel…a bit lost…however…on how to do that…."

The Arbiter thought a moment. "I cannot help you much due to your chosen profession, however if you are serious about making amends, this ship is short on medical personnel. With the upcoming battle that is sure to be soon, they will need the help. It would be good for you to be in a place where Zeno will easily find you anyway, as I am sure he will have questions."

"Th…thank you Arbiter."

The trip to the infirmary was quiet, the Arbiter surprisingly not asking about how they escaped. Sari surmised that he felt it was more important to ensure she was truly all right. Besides, she preferred just being close to him right now. Once at the infirmary, the medics there did a few tests, determining that she will be fine, and just needed time to heal completely. Telo made himself right at home, the medical staff grateful for the additional help.

On the way to the Arbiter's quarters, they met up with Rtas. "Ambassador Johnson is on his way here," he said. "I am certain he would want to know the fate of the humans aboard the Material Reserve if you know it."

Sari remembered the dog tags she had around her neck for the first time since putting them on, and she felt them with one hand, remembering what Captain Wilson requested of her. "I do," she said softly.

The Shipmaster nodded. "While we wait for him then, there is something I need to tell you," After a brief pause he added. "Both of you."

"What is that, Rtas?" The Arbiter asked.

"When we get to your quarters," Rtas said, waving a hand.

"Very well," The Arbiter sounded slightly annoyed, but curious as well. Sari herself was curious: what was so important that Rtas wanted to ensure some privacy first? They would not have to wait long, as they reached the Arbiter's quarters a moment later. "Alright, out with it." The Arbiter said after he and Sari took a seat on the bed, Rtas sitting on a chair.

"You remember that message Johnson found?" Rtas asked. "The one from my father?"

"I do. What was on it?"

"I found out I had another sibling," the SpecOps Commander said. "And that sibling is Sari."

Sari felt her hearts leap into her throat. "Are…are you sure about that?" she asked, though she really wanted it to be true."

The Shipmaster nodded. "Father did not know your name and could not remember your mother's full name due to the onset of death, but he revealed enough for me to do a search. A DNA comparison has confirmed your relationship to me."

"Th…then that means…that means…."

"Kesi is not your sire, but Anko 'Tidumee is."

She felt lightheaded and leaned against the Arbiter for support: it was a good thing she was sitting down, else she probably would have fainted. It was an odd thing; she had wished often that Kesi wasn't her father, yet now that her wish came true it was still a big shock.

"Do you know what this means brother?" The Arbiter said excitedly. "She can be rid of his name permanently! No longer will she have to bare his taint!"

Sari wanted to ask why her mother hadn't told her the truth, but in her heart's she knew the answer already. The only reason she was still alive, was because Kesi thought she was his. Such a burden you had to bare Mother…, she thought. You must have wanted to tell me the truth so badly…if only to heighten my spirits.

Rtas was nodding. "Yes and Hyso can no longer use her against you, Arbiter."

"And I cannot wait to shove that in his face!" Arbiter paused and blinked. "Wait…if Sari is your younger sister…then that means…."

There was a smirk on the Shipmaster's face as he replied. "Yes Arbiter, it means that technically you are my brother-in-law."

Johnson arrived a moment later and they met with him on the bridge. There Sari gave him the dog tags and explained what happened. "When this is over…I will ensure they get the highest honor." The Ambassador said solemnly.

"There is a chance some may still be alive," Sari pointed out. "I know four of them were still standing as I got into the Phantom."

"Miss, with these in my hand they consider themselves KIA," Johnson pointed out. "So in my opinion, the moment we lay eyes on that damn ship we can just blast it out of the sky."

"No you cannot!" Sari snapped, surprising him and a few others in the room. "My…my mother is still onboard that thing!"

"Your mother?" Rtas said, raising a brow slightly.

"Yes," Sari replied. "She is the one that arranged our escape and compiled the data your SpecOps is currently drooling over."

"Very juicy data…." Zeno confirmed without looking up from his console.

"How did she manage all that without Kesi catching her?" The Arbiter asked.

"I…I do not know," Sari replied honestly. "I guess Kesi does not view her as capable of doing anything like that. Who knows what she learned to do to mess up his plans over the years…."

"That settles it then," Rtas said, getting everyone's attention. "When we find the Righteous Justice, we will disable the ship and rescue any prisoners still alive. Personally, I would rather ensure Kesi meets his end personally myself. Do you not agree Arbiter?"

"Only if I can be there with you," The Arbiter replied with a faint snarl. "I owe him twice over…."

"Shipmaster!" one of the bridge crew announced. "I am picking up slipspace disruptions!"

"What?" Rtas said, surprised. "Who….?"

"Multiple ships…Sangheili," Tegs announced. "Shipmaster, it is the Eternal Truth and its fleet!"

Sari saw her brother pale slightly and mutter a few curses. Why he did so she had no clue, though she was about to find out. "It is hailing us," Zeno said, sounding slightly annoyed at being interrupted at his task.

It took a moment for Rtas to regain his composer. "Patch it through," he said and a moment later the Imperial Admiral's holographic representation appeared. "Let me guess your Excellence…," Rtas said calmly. "The Council sent you after us to force us to return home."

-On the contrary,- The Imperial Admiral replied. -We are here to assist in the hunt.-

"You must have appealed to the Council yourself and got the same answer," The Arbiter stated.

-Quite so Arbiter. I had some contacts that owed me favors do some digging and discovered what prompted you to do such a rash act.-

"Well that's fine and dandy, but how did you wind up here if you were doing your search?" Johnson asked.

-Meeting you here was actually coincidence Ambassador,- The Imperial Admiral admitted. -We were responding to the report from your probe. I am more surprised to see you are lingering here.-

"The Righteous Justice had been here Admiral," The Arbiter said. "But Sari and one other managed to escape before it departed. We found the Phantom they escaped in not long ago."

-I see,- The holographic vestige turned it's head to look at her and Sari subconsciously hid behind the Arbiter slightly, feeling a little intimidated. -You must be Sari.-

"Y…yes…your Excellence," she replied.

-Then this means we can blast him out of the sky the moment we find that ship.-

"Actually, that is incorrect your Excellence," Rtas said. "There is still at least one prisoner on board that ship that requires rescuing. Plus, the Arbiter and I would rather ensure Kesi's demise personally."

"But so you do not feel left out, your Excellence," Zeno piped in. "I have other intel you can act upon that is 'Kesi related'."

-Do tell.-

Zeno then started informing him about the colony Kesi had started up….