You humans have a most interesting poem that we, Sangheili can only admire. It is the truth of life. It goes something along the lines of:
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.
God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear ...
But I've a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.
Blake watched as the Spartans tried to pacify the redhead. She must have been close with their commander. Blake's own heart was ripped apart when her own commander, no, friend, Ruby Rose was shot in the head by one of those infernal needle rifles To make things worse, her beloved sister, Yang, lost an arm trying to extract the needle.
This shouldn't have happened. They had energy shields. One needler does NOT go through an energy shield. What the hell could have done that? Blake didn't know, nor did she care.
Her blood boiled at this point. She already hated the Jiranhane, but now, she wanted to exterminate them. "Yang…" Blake whispered as she squeezed her only remaining hand. "Come on, Yang, stick with me. Ruby is going to need you."
The only response was a pained moan from the wounded blonde operative.
*THUD*
*THUD*
The Pelican landed with slight thud. The ramp lowered to see a contingent of Lost soldiers and a team of medics. The medics rushed on board and gingerly hoisted the sisters on gurneys.
"I've got no pulse." The medic who treated Ruby shouted. "Get her a charger!"
Yang was rushed out past what Blake could make out to be Yang and Ruby's parents. The shock on their faces was something Blake would never forget. Summer rushed on board the Pelican and pulled out her pistol on the three Spartans. "You are being detained. If you decide to resist, we'll activate gravity plates built on the ship, you will be completely immobilized. Come peacefully, and you'll have our protection.
The Asian man lifted his hands up, "We'll come quietly."
Summer nodded as the soldiers marched up the ramp, "Be respectful and show them the hospitality the Lost has to offer." She ordered the soldiers who saluted.
As soon as the Spartans were away, Blake found herself staring at the eyes impassive silver eyes of Summer Rose. Blake looked down to see her arm in the grasp of her mentor and even surrogate mother. She could feel the power behind the woman's little grasp. "What the hell happened."
"I… Ruby… there… Yang…." Blake found herself mumbling incoherently as Summer took hold Blake's shoulder
The grasp tightened cause Blake to wince in pain.. "Blake." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "I need to know."
"We were betrayed by those filthy apes." Weiss stood up from the crate she was sitting on. Her hands still wet with her partner's blood. "They knew about us the entire time."
Summer released Blake's arm as the woman stood up absentminded. The short commander slammed her gauntlet fist into the Perlican.
Over and
Over and
Over again.
Blake watched Weiss did her best to comfort the distraught commander and mother. Deciding to leave the two, Blake grabbed her helmet and walked down the ramp with somber footsteps.
Her amber eyes locked onto Raven's who let a single tear drop fall to the deck of the ship. She couldn't bear to look her in the eye. Once behind the safety of the hangar doors, the young spec ops soldier slammed her helmet into the wall. The pieces of the shattered visor reflected the girl's tears.
Dr. Ken Jackson was moving before the emergency report had even finished coming in. Ruby and Yang both severely wounded, though Yang was in a significantly better spot than Ruby. He listened to the paramedics communications via his earpiece, occasionally asking them for more details than they were providing each other, so that he could educate himself on the procedures he was about to undertake. Though, from what he was hearing Ruby's procedure would be long, and he'd need to have someone else see to Yang. If push came to shove he could correct any issues that arose at a later time.
As he went through the meticulous process of cleaning himself and getting suited up for surgery, he went through every theoretical procedures he knew to save Ruby's life, and only found one. With a sigh, he steeled himself to perform a high-risk procedure on the young girl and initiated a voice recording that would be sent to Gharst. The Sangheili was likely getting flooded with reports and other transmissions, so he wasn't going to try for an actual call.
"Dr. Jackson reporting.
Based upon the communications from the medics on the field I will have to leave Yang to someone else's care, though I will perform a thorough check afterward to ensure that everything is fine. She has a high chance of a full-recovery, physically at least, especially given the speed of the medical team," he paused for a handful of seconds, to allow those who would hear the report to absorb that bit of information before sighing.
"Ruby Rose, however, is highly unlikely to survive, let alone make a full-recovery, no matter who cares for her. Brain damage is a serious issue, and there's only one procedure I'm aware of, even with my history, that has a chance of giving her a full recovery. I will give her military grade brain augmentations, and given the reported damage to the nerves connected to her right eye, I will likely be forced to augment her eyes as well. I must report that this specific procedure hasn't been tried, at least not in this kind of situation, and the chance of success given her already rapidly deteriorating state is less than 5%. However, it is the best, and only, chance we have at saving the little one. So it is what must be done. End Report."
One single Seraph fighter docked with the UNSC ship. The ramp lowered as Gharst Omaliee in his battered, but proud, armor marched down the ramp with an escort of six Lost troops. Three humans and three sangheili. "We should contact Qrow and Taiyang." Veruk urged.
Gharst gave a slight nod, 'We should, but if we do, their missions could be compromised. I cannot allow that to happen, more lives could be in jeopardy. Did Dr. Jackson arrive?"
"Aye, he arrived a few hours ago. He's in the operating room. Yang Xiao-Long lost a lot of blood, but she's been stabilized. Ruby Rose is still in a dire condition."
"How bad?" Gharst asked as the Sangheili walked past an assembled group of saluting soldiers.
"Very limited neurological function." Veruk sighed lightly, "The likelihood of her surviving is about four percent."
Gharst shook his head as they made their way to the medical bay. There, waiting, were two of his earliest human commarades. "Raven. Summer." Gharst acknowledged as he walked past the two humans. "We have much to do."
*CLICK*
The honor guard snapped their guns at the human female as Veruk ignited his energy sword. Gharst wasn't surprised in the least bit as the massive elite turned around slowly with zero hesitation. Time to put on a show.
"Summer… think about what you're doing." Raven warned as she took a step closer to her friend
"Quiet. He did this." Summer murmured calmly.
"PUT THE GUN DOWN!" Veruk roared as his blade hovering deathly close to Summer's neck.
Gharst held his hand up causing the soldiers to lower their guns. "She has raised her hand against you!" Veruk protested.
"Rightfully so." Gharst stared at the woman. "I had a lapse in judgement. Team RWBY was far too inexperienced for a recon mission against Atriox. If Summer Rose wants to shoot me down, she may. None of you will harm her or her family." With methodical steps, he towered over the short woman.
The guards lowered their weapons as Veruk took several steps back.
"She's going to die. All because you thought she was ready." Summer narrowed her silver eyes, "Aren't you going to beg for your life? Or make any excuses? Anything?"
Gharst knelt down while he pursed his mandibles together to form an almost sincere human expression. "This is war, Summer Rose. We knew not what was to happen. Do you think if I did, I'd send your children in? If you think I deserve to die, then so be it. I won't resist. None of my men will harm you. In fact, you will lead the Lost Company."
There was only silence.
"There is a way to save your child." Gharst added.
"She was shot in the head with needler. There is no coming back from that."
"Dr. Jackson." Gharst countered.
Summer pushed the gun closer to his head. "There is no coming back from that kind of wound"
Gharst laughed, "True, but Dr. Jackson has a history of experimental neurological procedures. He thinks he can bring her back"
Raven narrowed her eyes, "What kind of experimental procedures?"
Gharst's gaze never shifted from Summer, "Military-grade medical cybernetics. The procedure has already started."
"And you didn't tell me?!" Summer hand started to shake.
Gharst simply shook his head, "No. No I didn't."
"WHY?!" Summer roared in anger as she jammed the gun into his mandibles.
"There is no guarantee of success. To be honest, I don't know if you'd want her to go through such a procedure. It will be painful to say the very least."
Summer lowered her gun as she started to shake. "She's my daughter…" She murmured, tears rolling down her face. "I'll do anything to have her back… Name it…. I'll do it."
Gharst smiled as he placed a massive hand on the small woman's shoulder. "Nothing. I want you to do nothing."
The Sangheili watched as the woman drops to her knees in a fit of sobs. "I… don't… understand… why?"
Gharst reached down and lifted the woman to her feet, "Because I chose to. Never forget that. Everything is about choice. You chose to join me in the past, and I choose to help you right now."
Gharst watched with interest as the doctor performed the surgery. If it worked… the possibilities… He would be able to prevent some of his best soldiers from dying on the battlefield. One day… he could prevent anyone from the Lost Company from dying.
He would be able to save the soldiers under his command. He'd be able to save them from this cruel cruel galaxy.
All at the cost of this one innocent soul.
The Sangheili watched with a slight pang of remorse as the sounds of buzzsaws could fill the room. "I don't think you realize what this means, Summer Rose. Your daughter may be our redemption."
The mother didn't say anything as her eyes were glued to the computer monitors.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bright light. Everything was bright, and loud. It sounded sounded like explosions as one silver eye popped open. Something was off. Horribly off. Everything had a slight reddish hue to it.
She wanted to scream but didn't have the ability. She felt her heart racing as she tried to suck in more air. Yet she realized she couldn't breathe. She had no control over her lungs.
The explosions got louder and louder as she struggled to lift herself up. That was until she realized she couldn't lift herself up at all. Her body refused to move.
The need to breathe became stronger and stronger.
"Give me 40 cc of Novadialopmine!" She heard a man's voice echoed out.
A tall white haired woman with blue eyes hung over her head. "Ruby… I need you to relax. Everything is going to be alright."
Suddenly things became darker and darker as the explosions became less and less intense. Time seemed to reach a crawl when her reality came crashing down. There was nothing but the sweet darkness of the void… and a clicking sound.
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
Mom… Dad… Yang? Raven? Tai? Where are…?
She tried to lift herself up only to hear the clicking again. It grew louder and louder. Nothing made sense. It felt like her mind was going thirty different ways at the same exact time. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't focus as the darkness came back stronger.
"Ruby… don't fight it." The female voice said again, "It'll only make things worse later."
What happened? She thought to herself. Where is she?
All she could remember was in an empty factory… with a bunch of angry Brutes… and then..
Molten Metal was poured into her left eye. Ruby tried to scream, tried to reach out and shield her face to no avail. NONONONONO She lamented. The molten metal continued to be poured until it felt like her body was being consumed.
"It's overpowering the sedation, she's waking up." A male's voice said, "We need to lower the output."
"On it, Doctor," the feminine voice responded urgently. "I'm sorry, Ruby, you'll be asleep again soon."
The clicking lessened in intensity and frequency. A soothing coolness returned to her as she started to drift away.
Blake wandered the halls of the ship towards the medical ward. It had been a day since Ruby's initial wake up. While Ruby was still recovering from her horrendous shot, it was Yang's first day fully awake.
Needless to say when Yang was up, Blake immediately dropped her lunch and headed straight over. The sliding door revealed a pristine white sanitized room. With Raven and Bantu arguing.
"I'm not leaving her." Raven stated as a matter of fact.
Bantu clicked his mandibles in annoyance. "You haven't slept in three days, Raven Branwen. You need sleep. What good can you be to your own flesh and blood if you can't take care of yourself?"
"I don't give a damn about myself, she's my daughter! I should have been there. I could have prevented this. All of this."
Blake gritted her teeth as she stormed in. "No. Raven, you couldn't have. It was a set up from the beginning. Atriox was aware since the beginning."
Raven turned to stare at the girl. "I would have killed that-"
Blake shoved the taller woman. Bitter amber eyes stared into shocked crimson red eyes. "I watched that Brute crush a Spartan with ease after he took down Ruby. You. Would. Have. Died. Then what? You want Yang to live with that?!" Blake shot back angrily, "We got lucky. Plain and simple. So count your damn blessings. Stop living with 'what ifs' and take care of yourself in order to take care of her."
The Branwen stared at Blake then at Bantu. "Fine…" The woman relented bitterly. She knew they were right, but it still stung. "I'll be back in a few hours."
"Good." Blake responded, her harsh tone evaporated to caring one.
"Most excellent decision." Bantu bowed his head in agreement.
With that, one of the highest ranking members of the Lost Company slowly walked out with sagging shoulders. "Did she even sleep?" Blake looked up to the Sangheili.
The Elite gave a slight shake to his head. "Not since Yang Xiao-Long came out of surgery.
Blake looked up to Bantu, "How is she?" She asked hesitantly.
The massive Elite let out a throaty sigh, "Physically, she'll be alright, her body needs to get adjusted to the cybernetics, just like young Ruby Rose, but emotionally, she's most certainly seen greener fields."
"Is she awake?" Blake asked in an almost fearful tone.
"Indeed." Bantu moved out of the way to Yang's room.
With that, Blake inhaled deeply and slowly released to calm her nerves. She pushed through the door to be given the sight of Yang. Immediately, Blake's eyes drifted to the cold metallic arm that supplanted her natural arm.
Moving slowly up, she found herself staring at an exhausted Yang. The life, the love, seemed to have left her stunning and formerly vibrant lilac eyes. "Hey Blake…" The blonde girl sighed with a twitch of the eye.
"Hey Yang… How are you?" Blake asked as she walked in. She took a chair and sat down beside her friend's bed.
The blonde shot a look at her metal arm before looking up at Blake, "I can't move my arm… how do you think I feel?" She snapped back.
"I… well…" Blake murmured to herself, "I didn't.. I'm sorry."
Yang sank into her bed with an exhausted sigh, "No…" The blonde girl closed her eyes, "I'm sorry… I just don't know… I feel I screwed up."
"Why?" Blake asked.
Yang shot up angrily, "I should have reacted faster. I should have pushed Ruby out of the way. I should have taken the shot."
Blake pushed the girl down, "and die in the process? Is it worth it?"
"Ruby is going to die regardless." Yang hissed back.
"She already woke up!" Blake shot back.
At the instant, Yang stopped struggling as the anger within faded away. "W-w-what?"
Blake eased up though her hand still rested upon the blonde girl's shoulder. "She woke up. Dr. Jackson had to put her under again, her body isn't used to the… implants. She went into shock."
"Impl-?" Yang questioned only to shake her head, "No… nevermind, but she's going to be alright? She's alive? Are you sure?"
Blake smiled warmly, "There's a good chance she'll be alright, so stop beating yourself up."
Yang sank into her bed with a comforting smile, "Where is Weiss? She doing alright? Mom?"
"Weiss is in the waiting room for Ruby with her mom. Your mom went to catch some sleep, she's been worried about you nonstop."
Blake noticed the girl's eyes get heavier and heavier. "I… I'm glad everything is working out…"
The ravennette nodded, "I as well, now catch some sleep."
Yang finally closed her eyes with a smile that warmed Blake's heart, "Yes, ma'am…."
Pyrrha world was utterly destroyed as she played and replayed what had happened to her partner, hell, even lover. She couldn't get the image of Jaune body's crumbling to the ground. The Brute's giant hand over Jaune's face, lifting him up…
"Pyrrha… come on… we need you." She heard a distant voice call out to her, "We need to get out of here."
"Jaune would want us to get away." Another distant voice, much masculine, added. "We have to honor his memory."
Honor? Two emerald eyes blinked, Honor his memory? "His honor got him killed." Pyrrha hissed with a closed fist. "His loyalty got him killed. I should have sacrificed myself…"
Heavy footsteps approached, then more followed. Pyrrha looked up to see a massive elite in battered gray and yellow field marshal armor who was followed by a woman with long black hair and a shorter woman with silver eyes.. "What do you want…" Pyrrha spat.
"Curious." The elite murmured. "I didn't expect us to capture Spartan Fours, let alone headhunters. A most joyous occasion this is."
"Come in here…" Nora stood up slowly as she cracked her knuckles with audible pops, "Let me show you why we're called headhunters."
The Elite pursed his mandibles togethers in a smile, "No doubt you'd be able to kill me. You Headhunters made a name for yourself even amongst your own Spartan kind. Especially team JNPR. Your head count is most impressive. Numerous Field Marshals and Fleet Admirals, you really put a dent in our campaign during the last years of the war."
"Let me show you much of a dent I can put into you." Nora jammed a finger right into the force field that separated the two of them.
Soon enough, her teammate, Ren, grabbed her by the wrist, "Nora… now is not the time."
"You should listen to your friend." The silver eyed woman said with a sympathetic tone, "I don't think you want to make threats while you're in your current position."
"She's right." The alien nodded with pursed mandibles, "You're not in the position to be making threats. I could easily have you all killed with the snap of my fingers."
Pyrrha finally stood up from the floor, brushing past her other two teammates. "So do it." She was done with all of this, "If you can do it, then do it. Your kind always saw as demons. Kill us be done with it, but don't waste our time with idle talk."
"Someone is eager to die, eh?" The black-haired woman crossed her arms.
The alien cocked his head as if he was pondering the proposition. "My talk is not idle, I reassure you. I've come to talk to you."
The red-haired spartan was not impressed, "Kill us or release us. I'm done with talking." Pyrrha started to turn around.
"What if there was a third option, join us?"
Pyrrha froze. "Why should we work for a bunch of split jaws and human traitors?" Nora countered.
"Traitors? It was the UNSC that betrayed you." The black-haired woman said with a frown.
The alien nodded in agreement. "Your leader, friend…" He sniffed the air then looked at the redhead, "and… mate was the one who was betrayed."
Pyrrha's froze with clenched fists, her heart pounding as the flashes of Jaune's death replayed over and over in her mind.
"Shut up! You don't know anything about Jaune!" Nora shouted in a futile attempt to intimidate the alien.
"It's true though." The alien continued, "Your commander was truly admirable. It is most unfortunate I never had the chance to meet him. He gave his life to save those under his command. There is no other stronger devotion. And now what? The UNSC will never acknowledge his sacrifice. People will not sing songs or write poems of Jaune Arc. He is dead to the UNSC. He was left behind and forgotten."
Pyrrha turned to face the split-jaw. "Why do you even care?"
The alien hummed slightly, "I know what it feels like to experience loss. I know what it means to offer one's life to a cause only to be forgotten. If you want to honor your commander, you will honor his sacrifice."
"By serving the UNSC" Ren countered.
"Foolish! Serve the very people who think so little of you," He turned to face the redhead, "used your mate as a mere tool! I am giving you a choice. Right here. Right now. Take control of your life. Honor your commander. Fight against those who would use you and set yourself free!"
Ren and Nora looked at each other questioningly.
"Take the deal." The black-haired woman said, "It's a one time offer."
Pyrrha's teammates looked at her questioningly. There was no hesitation in the least bit.
"We'll do it. Give us a gun and we'll kill them all."
Hey guys!
Been a super long time :O huh? Sorry about that. No excuses… just kinda fell off the band wagon. Sorry about that guys.
So, I want to pick up Lost again as well Forlorn Souls. My goal is to have at least two chapters each a month or two, we'll see if I can manage that. No promises though. Now that I feel things flowing again, hopefully, I can keep going.
Super big shout out to Shaded122 for all of his help!
Please leave a favorite, follow, review. Lemme know what you guys think of this chapter.
Thanks and cheers mates,
Lordxsauron!