"Hey there. Rise and shine." Samantha spoke, nudging the sleeping Covenant's shoulder.
He was shaking his head slowly, a slight sneer on his face as he frowned. The dreams, those nightmares, once again begun to haunt him. Samantha frowned a bit, realizing what he must be going through, and despite all of her training and degrees, she couldn't diagnose the problem, and none of his memories were coming to the surface. She only wished to see what he was seeing. She just stayed near him, rubbing his shoulder, and took the time to dance her fingers along the interesting texture of the creature before her. Strong muscle covered in a hint of chitin. A hidden power that could break any man, yet his touch was so gentle. She took the moments to look over his naked body. He was comfortable without such garments, and there wasn't any kind of clothing for him to wear. The ideas of him wearing what was akin to a robe was quickly dismissed. He was adamant about not wearing anything resembling the Elders. It was highly against his religion. As much as Samantha was worried about his obedience to their religion, he was quick to explain that he believed in his Gods, not the Elders, and would continue to follow his religion, and until recently, it had always been in private. He had long given up his armor, retiring it to the Captain's quarters, and not once had he contemplated wearing it again.
When Halo woke, Sam was almost asleep on his shoulder. She lifted her head with a startled look to her face, and watched as the Covenant blinked a few times, focusing on his surroundings, then gazed to Samantha, who was very close. He sat up, tilting his head in confusion.
"What is... wrong?" he asked in his deep, gravelly voice.
"Huh? Oh... nothing. You were having your dreams again, and I couldn't help but feel concerned." she spoke shyly.
He nodded slowly, then yawned, his mandibles stretching out wide, before he frowned and rubbed his head. It had come to the point where he could carrying on a conversation without the need of a translator near by, having become more accustomed to speaking English. It was difficult, but definitely not impossible. Language consisted of imitating different sounds, and Halo had proved that a Covenant could speak the Human's primary language when given enough practice.
"Bad sleet," he barely pronounced, closing his eyes and taking in a long breath.
"Oh, well... maybe this will help cheer you up?" she asked, presenting him with a box, "the Captain requests that you join her on the bridge."
He raised his eye ridges a bit, "Me? Walk... through ship... like this?" he asked, shaking his head a bit. The Captain was beginning to accept him on her ship, but he was sure the rest of the crew would erupt in panic if they saw a Covenant stroll down the halls.
"Just open it. Major's orders," she spoke, leaning against him as he fiddled with the box.
He removed the lid, sliding a bit of tissue paper out of the way, and stared at a wrist watch... that didn't tell time. Which was good, because he still had trouble making sense of the numbers for the moment. He took it out of the box, inspecting it left and right, and immediately Samantha placed it around his left wrist.
"There you go," she said happily.
He didn't trust this part of her... the hyper active part that she's been known for when good things happen... or when she had too much to drink. Something almost always exploded in the form of a practical joke. She did say something about Christmas also. Was this the day? If it was... he didn't get her anything. That was Human tradition, well, for most of their cultures, at least. He didn't have anything like that back home. Giving and receiving gifts wasn't a custom they were used to celebrating every year like the Humans had.
"What is... thing?" he asked, frowning a bit more as he tried to contemplate it.
"This, is a hologram generator. What it does, it takes advantage of our your stealth camo, and inserts the image of a Human male where you are. It's a very ingenious method, something the Tec's came up with for impersonating Covenants. I asked them if it could be reversed. So, there you have it. Human in a box," she said gleefully, "you can walk all around the ship with the Captain's approval with this on."
"But... with... escort?"
"Well, hanging out with me isn't so bad, is it?"
Halo didn't know what to think. He knew the Humans were quite adept at technological feats, but he didn't dream that they could reverse engineer Covenant weapons. He removed it, looking over it this way and that, then turned it over. He was surprised to see some Covenant metal on the underside as well. He turned to Sam and frowned in curiosity.
"Oh, we used some of your own stealth parts to make this. That way it is guaranteed to work." she spoke, watching him put the watch back on, "going to try it out?"
"Y-yesss." he replied, trying to get rid of that hiss sound in his words, then slowly stood.
Sam marched him over to a mirror, and she showed him where to press. He tilted his head a bit, moving a hand closer, then pressed the button. He looked into the mirror and did a double take. In the mirror, wasn't the eight foot killing machine known as a Covenant. Instead, there rested a six foot tall human, dressed in uniform. His features were fair, elegant. His hair wasn't quite so long as Samantha's, but it was a nice black and combed back. As far as he could tell, he looked medium in build, like every other marine aboard the ship. He should be able to blend in perfectly. After giving himself a very scrutinizing look, he looked to Sam and nodded gently.
"So, you like?" she asked, walking behind him.
Again he nodded.
"Come on. The Captain is dying to meet you," she spoke, then grabbed his hand, tugging him along.
He looked uncertain, stumbling around, or at least that's what it looked like with the hologram. He'd have to work on moving more human like soon, or risk blowing his cover. He couldn't help but think though... what if the Covenant got hold of this technology?
"Sssam. How many know... about this?" he pointed to the watch.
"Well, the Techs, the Captain. We, after some test data from you, might approach the UNSC about manufacturing this for our troops. That'll give us the edge we need."
Halo frowned a bit, then shook his head.
"Don't understand... if Covenant gets technology..."
Sam slowed to stop, letting go of Halo's hand before she lowered her gaze, "I didn't even think about that," she admitted, shaking her head as she thought about the consequences. Covenant impersonating Humans, boarding ships, discovering the location of Earth, "maybe it's best that we don't use this technology where it can fall into the wrong hands... for our own sake. It'll just be another gadget that could have turned the tables but was a risk to us."
"I understand. Human can not pass as Covenant... not by scent."
She huffed softly, though nodded her head very slowly, "I... suppose you'd be the expert about that. Why don't you talk with the Techs? Maybe try to figure out something that could save lives?"
"Human lives?"
"Well... yes," she replied, confused at the sudden concern for other Covenant.
Halo thought about what he said, then closed his eyes briefly. He was searching for the words, noting Sam's confusion about his attitude now, then looked to her.
"I'm done combat," he simply spoke, looking back down the hall, and at everyone walking around, maintaining the ship, calculating strategies, or just basically doing their jobs, "I feel... I have helped you enough to kill my people. I am a traitor... and my religion... I went against it by aiding in the killing of my people. No more killing... for me."
Sam blinked a bit, though slowly nodded and patted his back, "I know it is hard, but... thank you for everything that you've done. If only I had more friends like you."
Halo smiled slightly at that, then nodded and motioned her to lead the way. Samantha had to take a Covenant smile with a grain of salt. He did try, but to her it looked more like a grimace than anything. It was the thought that counted. She continued on her way, greeting and saluting others when she had the chance, and Halo soon noticed to do the same. He had the badges of a Sergeant on, and according to their military, you had to salute just about everyone... at least that's what he came to understand. Samantha informed him that he didn't have to salute anyone unless a higher ranking officer saluted him first. Boarding a lift and many footsteps later, Halo stopped and looked around, like he was suddenly spooked.
"What's wrong?" she asked, watching him look over his shoulder.
"Wrong...." his deep voice spoke, trying to be just above a whisper, when suddenly the ship shook a bit.
'Attention, the Sword of Damocles has boarded successfully. Personnel assigned to boarding are required to take their stations.'
Halo looked up to the ceiling, tilting his head at the alert. He had heard the voice several times in the past, during his stay here, but he never really known who spoke. Perhaps he would meet what sounded like a her at the bridge.
"Oh, that. Don't worry about that, Halo. We were expecting to dock with the Damocles today," she checked her watch, "hmmm, thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Glad to see they cleaned up with the Covenant fighters rather quickly. We could still make the bridge before the Captain needs to greet the Colonel."
He nodded slowly, running over thoughts in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling of paranoia over him. But then again, aside from his level, he really didn't know what was going on above deck either. The Damocles, he forced himself to believe, was here on routine. His paranoia was acceptable, however. Betraying the Elders, and billions of followers who promptly killed any would be traitors, did have that effect. In many cases, he felt as though it was just him against all of his people. He was right.
The two walked through the doors into the bridge, Major Kidman saluting the Captain, while Halo fidgeted a bit, quickly saluting as well. The Captain chuckled softly, returning the gesture.
"At ease. Both of you," she spoke, motioning them into her private quarters.
Halo stepped inside shortly after Sam, remaining at attention, and couldn't help but look around. Most of the walls were lit up with star charts, and diagnostic programs of the ship. Behind the Captains desk was a large screen, like the one he always looked at in the recreation room, and finally off to the side, was a bedroom specifically for the Captain. She needed to always be available in case of an emergency.
Captain Anderson took her seat in the large leather chair behind the desk, then offered the two to sit down.
"So, Halo. I'm glad to see the technology is working well. How are you finding it?" she asked, pouring three glasses of something called Scotch.
"Seems... to.. be working... Ca... Cap- tiennn." he frowned as he struggled with the language once again. Sam was going to bring up the disadvantages of letting the Covenant discover this technology at a later time.
She merely smiled, offering him a glass, "That is good. And I must say, that I am rather impressed by your grasp of the language. Some more practice and you should be able to carry on a conversation with no real trouble. Though I'll have my Techs look into taking that growl out of your voice.," she spoke, watching Halo take the glass and nod a bit. He hoped he wouldn't have to do anything involving going under the knife to help his growl.
He lifted it to his mouth, then took a sip. It was a humorous sight. Lifting the glass well above the Human images head, the liquid seemingly disappearing into thin air. When he was done, he tried not to cough, never having drank anything so... vile or potent in his life, and felt like he was going to be sick. Sam grinned a bit, sipping her drink, while the Captain leaned back in her chair, staring at Halo coughing ever so slightly. It was hard for her to believe, that a Covenant could act so innocent, and survive under the care of Humans. She thought it was the right move not treating him like a prisoner, but instead like a member of her crew. His efforts in strategy helped countless other battleships to victory. His surrender of many bodily fluids, mostly his blood though, gave a better understanding of the physiology of a Covenant, and then there was the capability for intelligence. Halo learned and used many new skills aboard the Raven's Night. English would have to have been the biggest accomplishment. But she also found that he had a knack for repairing things, which she put to good use.
"Oh, Halo. My Chief Engineer says that your assistance has been very appreciated. How do you like working with Chief Enzo?" she sipped her drink.
Halo thought about that, making kind of a face, "He's... obnoxious, Cap... tien. But otherwise... good."
"Do you like working in Engineering?"
"Yes... and no. I do not wish to gain... advanced knowledge of Human... engines. I wish... no one to see me as... a threat."
Sam nodded slowly, understanding that perfectly, and the Captain gave her a knowing nod. She placed her empty glass on the desk, refilling hers and Halo's glass, then went back to sipping it gently.
"Like always, you never cease to impress me, Halo. I'm sure we can find some part of the ship to keep you busy on, when you are not in logistics."
"About that, Captain. Halo has recently told me that he no longer desires to participate in killing. He will do what he can, but doesn't want to be tied to combat any longer." Sam spoke up, just finishing her drink.
The Captain nodded slowly, her gaze traveling back to Halo, "Is that true?"
"Y-yes."
The Captain again nodded, finishing her drink before placing the glass to the side. She thought about the options, and what she could do so Halo felt more at home here. She was about to say something, when the intercom came alive, requesting the Captain's appearance in the docking bay. She stood and straightened out her uniform.
"Looks like that is all for today," she spoke, watching them both stand, and all at once they saluted each other.
Sam and Halo exited the Captain's room, Halo catching a glance out of the large bay windows, before he saw a purple entity, seemingly floating in space, almost glaring at him? He returned the gaze as well, frowning a bit and wondering why the A.I. was looking like she wanted to kill him, and Sam stepped forward.
"Katrina, that's enough," she spoke, the AI looking to Sam and turning away.
"Very well," she spoke, going back to processing commands for the ship.
Halo then understood about the voice. The A.I. that many of the Covenant have tried and failed to retrieve, and the sudden importance about it. From what he understood, capturing the A.I. was among the highest priorities when boarding a Human class ship. It would lead them directly back to their home world, and because of this, the Cole Protocol was established. No ship would lead them back to Earth, even inadvertently. No ship would allow the Covenant to capture the A.I. which would lead them back to Earth. In short, the entire ship and crew was expendable if it meant the protection of the Earth. The A.I. also, was top priority in guarding. It housed strategy, ship coordinates, number of planets inhabited, and the location of Earth. If the Covenant were to acquire this information, they could kill every last Human Being in the universe. The price of letting the A.I. be captured... was extinction. It was also probably why Katrina hated him. Her sensors made it able to see past the admittedly low-tech illusion of the hologram surrounding Halo, but Sam had explained before that Katrina had been programmed to accept the existence of just one Covenant on this ship, and would keep that information classified from anyone but the Captain.
Halo simply headed back down the hall with Sam. He wasn't going to meet with the Colonel, he was sure that he would find him eventually, and Sam's priority was being with Halo, so she couldn't meet the Colonel either. Instead, they just went to the gym for some exercise. Sam wanted to knock the block off of a punching dummy, and Halo wanted to brush up on his reading and writing skills.
Sam was giving it all she got against the dummy, weaving and keeping her skills up, and Halo managed to sneak in a few peeks of her working out. He was tempted to do the same, but felt his mind needed the exercise the most. Occasionally he did stop Sam to ask about a few words he was reading on the tablet, and she gladly helped him with meaning, pronunciation, and writing. His hand writing was a mess, but it could still be read, it was the pronunciation that he had trouble with. Words with definite ways of pronouncing, other than complicated vowels and structure, gave him hard times. The complex words were easy, considering his language was very complex, but the simple words had to be pronounced quite exact. Sam even tried to get a few lessons from Halo in the Covenant language, but she quickly gave up on the idea. Trying to pronounce something in Covenant was hurting her throat. She was more than happy to learn about certain manners, however.
"Oh, Halo. I forgot to mention, we're on leave again for about a week. We get to go topside to the crew's habitat." she spoke and smiled happily, wiping her forehead of sweat.
"Crew.. habitat-at?" he asked, lifting his gaze from the tablet as he tilted his head at her.
"Yup. It's the top most level. Super strong glass dome, a pool, a wonderful villa. You'll love it."
"I'm sure... I... will." he spoke, reaching for some water as he took a sip, "when?"
"In a few days." she spoke and smiled happily, going back to beat on the poor dummy.
Halo rumbled gently, setting the tablet down as he contemplated that. Kind of like a vacation. As close to Earth as a Covenant could ever hope to be. It was an honor, to be invited to that kind of peace, if only for a week. And it was Christmas, he had found out through the days reports. Everyone had something special planned today, and the Colonel visiting, he was sure it was his duty to attend a party. Speaking of which, there was a large party scheduled for later, though absence of Sam's squad kept him in concern. It was a cleansing mission, rescuing a Human civilization, and he had heard it was a success. Sam and him were simply waiting for them to return.
The days passed on, eagerly awaiting to head to the Crew's Habitat. Something didn't sit well with Halo, however. The Colonel. The two had met briefly before they had to part, and it left him with a sour taste. He tried to tell Sam about this, but she accounted his overly straightforwardness to stress. He had a lot of ships to visit during the Christmas week, and it must have been getting to him. But for right now, it was the Crew's Habitat. A big gift for crew members that have contributed so much to their Captain. Naturally, Samantha and Halo, were perfect candidates. The two of them were a good team, the Captain thought, and decided the both of them earned some good R & R.
Samantha was so excited, she had never been there before. Halo didn't know what to think. He simply dismissed it as Human hyper activity Syndrome. Something he made up when trying to describe Sam to his superiors. But alas, the day had come. Sam collected her clothes, packed them into a duffle bag, and set up the lifts with Halo. It lifted them to the top, and Sam hopped to the door, placing the card in the slot, causing the doors to slide open. She stepped in, and was immediately hit with warmth. The artificial sun shone brightly on her face, and she looked around. Halo noticed it too. It was huge. Grass, some trees, lots of water, and a moderately sized villa. He expected this room to take up the entire level, but quickly realized that there were several of these themed rooms. Every good battle ship had some place for pleasure, and this particular battleship, gave the illusion of home. It wasn't that different from some places on his own home world, though he'd be damned if he could remember what his home world looked like. It was the one piece of critical information that Halo simply did not have. The Captain and Colonel were disappointed, but it only added to his concern of his lost memory.