Disclaimer: Halo belongs to Bungie and Microsoft. I prefer to think I own
the characters I make up in this story but if you really want them, don't
sue me, I love my books.
'Zakamee had found out that the enemy that had slaughtered his entire file was known as the Flood. A little while after he had returned to the temporary command center 'Zakamee was sent off with a small fleet of drop ships to hold a vital area.
His team was overrun within hours.
Retreating with the remains of his command he found a group of Humans in similar straits. The two forces actually covered each other's backs until that catastrophic nerve gas attack. When the Flood came from behind 'Zakamee had known that the Human's had fallen, perhaps to the same weapon.
Snapping out of his deep thoughts he again took a brief survey of the damage to the hanger and how much could be salvaged. Grgra approached 'Zakamee and asked for orders.
"We will search for any survivors. Surely those Humans couldn't have killed every warrior on the ship." Stated 'Zakamee.
Grgra agreed with this plan and the two set out, not towards the bridge, where the enemy would surely be, but to the Grunt barracks. And they left not a moment too soon, as three Human's walked into the hanger to salvage supplies, and a certain Sergeant called up the Master Chief with some surprising news.
* * * * * *
As the two Covenant traversed the corridors, 'Zakamee was not sure that his earlier estimation was correct. The hallways had just enough air and pressure to enable breathing, but the numerous Covenant, dead from asphyxiation, said that the pressure had been dropped quite recently. Staggering down the last hallway to the Grunt barracks, 'Zakamee turned a corner and found himself face-to-barrel with a large number of plasma pistols and needlers.
'Zakamee, exhausted and light-headed, dropped all pretense of being civil. In his best I-Will-Kill-You-If-You-Twitch-The-Wrong-Way voice 'Zakamee began bellowing orders. At least, as good as you can bellow with barely the amount of air needed to live, let alone speak.
"What are you doing turning your weapons on a superior officer!" 'Zakamee's voice was hoarse and weak, but it was enough to get the accused Grunts panicking and cowering, "Cease your blubbering and listen up! Our glorious ship and the great Ship Master Huga 'Rolamee have been captured and killed by Human scum! It is your objective to spread throughout the ship and find any and all survivors! Am I making myself clear!?!"
"Yes sir, your Excellency!" piped up one Grunt from the front. 'Zakamee looked at him closely.
"What's your name Grunt?" growled the Elite.
"Cacar sir!" replied the Grunt, not intimidated in the least.
"Good," 'Zakamee gestured Grgra out from behind him, "This is your commanding officer, Grgra. Cacar here is the new second-in-command. You will follow his orders to the letter, unless you require a demonstration of what will happen if you don't?"
It was a tried and true method that Grunt's will do anything with the proper incentive. And the evil lilt in 'Zakamee's voice highlighted which incentive it would be. With the Grunts properly cowed 'Zakamee turned to Grgra.
"I believe you can handle this bunch," whispered 'Zakamee to Grgra, "I don't like those motivational tactics much but we're in a hurry. If you have any questions, ask Cacar, he seems trustworthy. I must make my way to the Elite quarters and see if any are still there. Good luck." With that said, 'Zakamee straightened up and made ready to head off.
"Good luck sir." Squeaked Grgra before he was swept up in the tide of Grunts looking for something to do. 'Zakamee counted only twenty, but that would have to do for now. As 'Zakamee walked away he heard the Grunts all waddling away to some point in the ship and as he thought he was out of sight he relaxed his ridged posture and stumped off.
As he traveled down a corridor, a hidden camera tracked his every move and relayed what just happened to its controller. Someone giggled a very demented giggle indeed.
* * * * * *
It took 'Zakamee the better part of a unit to traverse the winding corridors to the Elite barracks. As he approached the well-marked entryway, his heart sank. Strewn about the door and the adjacent hallways were the bodies of some one or two dozen Elite's. His hopes rallied, however, when he saw that some bodies had been moved form the door and piled in a corner. That alone signified somebody was alive in this ghost ship.
'Zakamee went inside and almost immediately pulled out his weapons. Almost, because a plasma sword was suddenly very close to his face, so close he had to squint his eyes to keep them from drying out.
"Now who do we have here?" said the Black Elite holding 'Zakamee at sword point, "Some kind of traitor? I see that Human weapon on your hip and I think maybe this is why our ship fell so easily."
"I was assigned to the Halo construct. I fought the Humans there and took this weapon as a prize." Replied 'Zakamee.
"That's good enough 'Jasakee," spoke another Elite out of 'Zakamee's field of vision, "I heard the Ship Master talking about a survivor and after what he went through do you not think he deserves a little leeway?"
With a growl, 'Jasakee powered off the sword and stalked away. As the spots left his vision 'Zakamee made out several other Elite's in the room. As 'Zakamee pulled himself together a blue armored Elite strode forward.
"You should forgive 'Jasakee. Tensions have been high since we woke to find the ship taken. We are all glad the Humans did not find the sleep chamber controls." Said the Elite, "My name is Acha 'Somamakee, Emissary of the Prophets."
Unlike Humans, who sleep on things called beds, Elite's could go for two full cycles without sleep. When they did finally become too tired for duty, they retired to sleep chambers that doubled as cryopods. A few hours of sleep in those pods rendered an Elite ready for more duties afterward. Also being an Emissary of the Prophets was a rank almost revered as high as the Prophets themselves. 'Zakamee immediately saluted.
"At ease," said 'Somamakee, "The real reason 'Jasakee was so mad is because we have done nothing to retake the ship as of yet. I hoped to find a more experienced commander before trying anything. As you can see we do not have much in the way of veterans here."
'Zakamee looked at the Elite's clustered around the two, there were ten total, including 'Zakamee and 'Jasakee. Seven of them, including 'Somamakee, wore the blue armor of a Minor. The remaining two wore white armor, but 'Jasakee wore the Elite Guard's uniform.
"Why not 'Jasakee? He is a higher rank than anyone here." Queried 'Zakamee.
"That actually is a fluke, only I know, but he is part of an experiment that I am here to supervise. I can tell you no more, other than that 'Jasakee would not make a good leader." Replied the Emissary.
'Zakamee was a little worried about this but what could he do to change the will of the God's? Not much, as he knew from experience. Gathering his small group together, he outlined a hasty plan. After everyone knew what he was to accomplish, the various Elite's set off. Some in pairs but most by themselves, leaving 'Zakamee to stand, slightly discombobulated, in their wake. Recovering his wits, yet again, 'Zakamee headed for the training deck, where Grgra had decided to put up his command post.
Zen Lon - I have changed the problem area's, but remember, 'Zakamee is supposed to be different form the other Elite's. Nevertheless, thanks for your support.
Pandabear63 - Please don't use my story as a message board. If you disagree about someone's opinion just e-mail him or her. Not that I don't appreciate the review itself, I just prefer reviews that talk about my story.
Helljumper419 - Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I completely forgot that 'Zakamee needs to find ammo for his gun somehow. For now, let's just say that he salvaged a bit from dead Flood and has a small stockpile in the tank provided he can find it that is. : )
Bob the Builder Mafia Man - No offense, but where did you come up with that name? It's kind of creepy. I hope I updated soon enough to keep your Mafia off of me. 0.0
Everybody Else - Thanks for reviewing. I hope the changes I made to the existing chapters were to your liking and that you stick with me as I unravel 'Zakamee's tale.
'Zakamee had found out that the enemy that had slaughtered his entire file was known as the Flood. A little while after he had returned to the temporary command center 'Zakamee was sent off with a small fleet of drop ships to hold a vital area.
His team was overrun within hours.
Retreating with the remains of his command he found a group of Humans in similar straits. The two forces actually covered each other's backs until that catastrophic nerve gas attack. When the Flood came from behind 'Zakamee had known that the Human's had fallen, perhaps to the same weapon.
Snapping out of his deep thoughts he again took a brief survey of the damage to the hanger and how much could be salvaged. Grgra approached 'Zakamee and asked for orders.
"We will search for any survivors. Surely those Humans couldn't have killed every warrior on the ship." Stated 'Zakamee.
Grgra agreed with this plan and the two set out, not towards the bridge, where the enemy would surely be, but to the Grunt barracks. And they left not a moment too soon, as three Human's walked into the hanger to salvage supplies, and a certain Sergeant called up the Master Chief with some surprising news.
* * * * * *
As the two Covenant traversed the corridors, 'Zakamee was not sure that his earlier estimation was correct. The hallways had just enough air and pressure to enable breathing, but the numerous Covenant, dead from asphyxiation, said that the pressure had been dropped quite recently. Staggering down the last hallway to the Grunt barracks, 'Zakamee turned a corner and found himself face-to-barrel with a large number of plasma pistols and needlers.
'Zakamee, exhausted and light-headed, dropped all pretense of being civil. In his best I-Will-Kill-You-If-You-Twitch-The-Wrong-Way voice 'Zakamee began bellowing orders. At least, as good as you can bellow with barely the amount of air needed to live, let alone speak.
"What are you doing turning your weapons on a superior officer!" 'Zakamee's voice was hoarse and weak, but it was enough to get the accused Grunts panicking and cowering, "Cease your blubbering and listen up! Our glorious ship and the great Ship Master Huga 'Rolamee have been captured and killed by Human scum! It is your objective to spread throughout the ship and find any and all survivors! Am I making myself clear!?!"
"Yes sir, your Excellency!" piped up one Grunt from the front. 'Zakamee looked at him closely.
"What's your name Grunt?" growled the Elite.
"Cacar sir!" replied the Grunt, not intimidated in the least.
"Good," 'Zakamee gestured Grgra out from behind him, "This is your commanding officer, Grgra. Cacar here is the new second-in-command. You will follow his orders to the letter, unless you require a demonstration of what will happen if you don't?"
It was a tried and true method that Grunt's will do anything with the proper incentive. And the evil lilt in 'Zakamee's voice highlighted which incentive it would be. With the Grunts properly cowed 'Zakamee turned to Grgra.
"I believe you can handle this bunch," whispered 'Zakamee to Grgra, "I don't like those motivational tactics much but we're in a hurry. If you have any questions, ask Cacar, he seems trustworthy. I must make my way to the Elite quarters and see if any are still there. Good luck." With that said, 'Zakamee straightened up and made ready to head off.
"Good luck sir." Squeaked Grgra before he was swept up in the tide of Grunts looking for something to do. 'Zakamee counted only twenty, but that would have to do for now. As 'Zakamee walked away he heard the Grunts all waddling away to some point in the ship and as he thought he was out of sight he relaxed his ridged posture and stumped off.
As he traveled down a corridor, a hidden camera tracked his every move and relayed what just happened to its controller. Someone giggled a very demented giggle indeed.
* * * * * *
It took 'Zakamee the better part of a unit to traverse the winding corridors to the Elite barracks. As he approached the well-marked entryway, his heart sank. Strewn about the door and the adjacent hallways were the bodies of some one or two dozen Elite's. His hopes rallied, however, when he saw that some bodies had been moved form the door and piled in a corner. That alone signified somebody was alive in this ghost ship.
'Zakamee went inside and almost immediately pulled out his weapons. Almost, because a plasma sword was suddenly very close to his face, so close he had to squint his eyes to keep them from drying out.
"Now who do we have here?" said the Black Elite holding 'Zakamee at sword point, "Some kind of traitor? I see that Human weapon on your hip and I think maybe this is why our ship fell so easily."
"I was assigned to the Halo construct. I fought the Humans there and took this weapon as a prize." Replied 'Zakamee.
"That's good enough 'Jasakee," spoke another Elite out of 'Zakamee's field of vision, "I heard the Ship Master talking about a survivor and after what he went through do you not think he deserves a little leeway?"
With a growl, 'Jasakee powered off the sword and stalked away. As the spots left his vision 'Zakamee made out several other Elite's in the room. As 'Zakamee pulled himself together a blue armored Elite strode forward.
"You should forgive 'Jasakee. Tensions have been high since we woke to find the ship taken. We are all glad the Humans did not find the sleep chamber controls." Said the Elite, "My name is Acha 'Somamakee, Emissary of the Prophets."
Unlike Humans, who sleep on things called beds, Elite's could go for two full cycles without sleep. When they did finally become too tired for duty, they retired to sleep chambers that doubled as cryopods. A few hours of sleep in those pods rendered an Elite ready for more duties afterward. Also being an Emissary of the Prophets was a rank almost revered as high as the Prophets themselves. 'Zakamee immediately saluted.
"At ease," said 'Somamakee, "The real reason 'Jasakee was so mad is because we have done nothing to retake the ship as of yet. I hoped to find a more experienced commander before trying anything. As you can see we do not have much in the way of veterans here."
'Zakamee looked at the Elite's clustered around the two, there were ten total, including 'Zakamee and 'Jasakee. Seven of them, including 'Somamakee, wore the blue armor of a Minor. The remaining two wore white armor, but 'Jasakee wore the Elite Guard's uniform.
"Why not 'Jasakee? He is a higher rank than anyone here." Queried 'Zakamee.
"That actually is a fluke, only I know, but he is part of an experiment that I am here to supervise. I can tell you no more, other than that 'Jasakee would not make a good leader." Replied the Emissary.
'Zakamee was a little worried about this but what could he do to change the will of the God's? Not much, as he knew from experience. Gathering his small group together, he outlined a hasty plan. After everyone knew what he was to accomplish, the various Elite's set off. Some in pairs but most by themselves, leaving 'Zakamee to stand, slightly discombobulated, in their wake. Recovering his wits, yet again, 'Zakamee headed for the training deck, where Grgra had decided to put up his command post.
Zen Lon - I have changed the problem area's, but remember, 'Zakamee is supposed to be different form the other Elite's. Nevertheless, thanks for your support.
Pandabear63 - Please don't use my story as a message board. If you disagree about someone's opinion just e-mail him or her. Not that I don't appreciate the review itself, I just prefer reviews that talk about my story.
Helljumper419 - Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I completely forgot that 'Zakamee needs to find ammo for his gun somehow. For now, let's just say that he salvaged a bit from dead Flood and has a small stockpile in the tank provided he can find it that is. : )
Bob the Builder Mafia Man - No offense, but where did you come up with that name? It's kind of creepy. I hope I updated soon enough to keep your Mafia off of me. 0.0
Everybody Else - Thanks for reviewing. I hope the changes I made to the existing chapters were to your liking and that you stick with me as I unravel 'Zakamee's tale.