Despite receiving a small portion of Ailene's power, the Prophet of Truth still managed to escape and John was forced to jump ship using a piece of the Dreadnaught to shield himself from entry burn.
He knew this was an extremely bad idea, but regrouping back with the UNSC was his best course of action now. And the best way to regroup with his allies was to crash land on Earth without dying. With his soulmate's healing power and his makeshift barrier, John was confident he would survive the crash.
Thel stayed back as Johnson approached the prone form of the Demon, the Master Chief, and held back a chuckle as the armored human scarred his comrades by grabbing Johnson's wrist. Another human stepped up to the Spartan and recalibrated the armor just when Thel stumbled.
"Wait, Chief!" Thel heard Johnson yell right before the Spartan shoved a pistol in his mouth. "The Arbiter is with us! Come on now. We've got enough to worry about without you two trying to killing each other."
John reluctantly removed the gun and Thel remarked, "Were it so easy."
You could have said something, the big human said over the bond.
You were still disoriented, and to my knowledge you're still keeping your soul bond hidden from most of your comrades. "We must go! The Brutes have our scent."
"Then they must love the smell of green." Johnson remarked and handed the Master Chief a rifle.
It was now mid-winter on Sanghelios and nearly all of Vadam was blanketed in a light layer of snow. Ailene's husband had been gone for five months now, and she had been confined to the Keep for three months.
Ailene stayed still as her mentor held a small wand-like device against her round belly. She was sure she was at least twenty-four weeks pregnant now, despite looking like she was further along. S'Tar held a small pad in her other hand, showing her the sonogram image of a small Sangheili baby growing correctly and moving around.
"Your daughter is healthy and growing as she should," said the elder.
"Wait, she? How can you tell if it's a girl or a boy?" Ailene asked, curious and excited to know what she was having.
"Well, there's no sign of any male genital in between the legs," the elder quiped and then became serious. "Judging from the size and progression of growth, you may give birth sooner than your race normally does. Going on a guess, I'd say you're due after the beginning of the new year."
"Will her organs be developed enough by then?" This new information concerned the expecting mother greatly.
"We'll keep monitoring her progress once a week, my lady," S'Tar reassured her. "We do have equipment for little hatchlings that are born early and need some extra care, unlike a majority of other Keeps that would just let them die."
Ailene let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Sangheili culture was brutal, and she had fully expected to be on her own when it came time for her to give birth. It was also a relief to hear that she was having a girl and didn't have to worry about one major rule among the Sangheili.
Sons were not allowed to know their fathers, and vice versa. Daughters were the exception to the rule. Plus, how was she supposed to hide that information from any son she had with Thel? It was glaringly obvious who she was married to, and all of her children would have belly buttons unlike their cousins. Adding two and two together wouldn't be hard, and plenty of other children would point out the difference.
"Do try to relax, child," said S'Tar as she put away the equipment. "You are more than ready to welcome your child when she comes, and so will your two mates when they meet her." The elder chuckled at Ailene's surprised look. "You humans have the most entertaining expressions!"
"How long have you known?"
"Since you became my apprentice. You've done well to hide the additional name and I shall keep it secret until you and Kaidon are ready to reveal this."