Stage 15: Walk the walk, Talk the talk
Elite Cruiser: Life and Sacrifice
12:00 October 25, 2552
Rose sat motionless on the floor and pondered everything going on around her. She had been threatened three times in the past four days, and she wasn't happy about it. First Wesley threatened to kill her for touching the crystal artifact, then the UNSC brass wanted to execute her for treason, and now she had been threatened by the mind of a jealous AI. She hadn't spoken in nearly two hours, but Siren would occasionally check in every few minutes to see if she was alright. So frequent were her attempts to talk to her that Rose had figured out the exact amount of time between each attempt; five minutes.
"Rose, would you like to know the status of the trials?" Siren stated softly, but on schedule. With a huff Rose stood to her feet and walked to the oddly shaped bed.
"You don't have to continue trying to talk to me, Siren." Rose voiced as she stretched across the bed. "I'm fine."
"You say that, but your tone of voice suggests otherwise."
"Fine." Rose snapped. "You want to talk? Let's talk, but unfortunately the only thing I want to know is the extent of your relationship with Eric." Rose stood up and folded her arms. She wanted to look into Siren's face so that she could have someplace to direct her aggression, but instead she simply gazed at random points on the ceiling of the room.
As if acknowledging Rose's mental plea for a face to look at, one of the video monitors in the room powered up and Siren's image displayed on the screen.
"I cared for him, nothing more." Siren's virtual eyes trailed to the ground so that she would not look Rose directly in the eyes. "Military protocol prohibits dating within the same branch of service."
"Damn that. You threatened to kill me based on memories from your past. I'm an engineer, I know system structure, and I know that you would not have had that emotional outburst if you only cared for him." Rose stood from the bed and walked away from the display, planting her hands on her hips. With a deep sigh she closed her eyes and calmed herself.
"He's an amazing man, he always has been, and I know how the girls in school wanted him. Being popular has its drawbacks, so don't tell me that you merely cared for him if there was more to it. Tell me everything Siren, I deserve to know."
"Based on what? You met him in your freshman year, you knew him for less then a year and you never went out with him. I served with him, watched our comrades die with him, shed blood with him, and fought beside him. He pursued you back then and you turned him down…"
"I had my reasons." Rose mumbled
"… but you think you have the right to know everything about him? Speaking of emotional, you need to do your own self evaluation. You, Rose, deserve to know nothing about him. Three weeks working together in that ONI lab does not justify learning his entire history. I may not have full control of my emotional sub-routines but I am at least willing to admit my limits. Have you ever told Eric why you couldn't be with him?" Siren's tone was once again fluctuating as she struggle to maintain control of her emotional stability.
"I had my reasons, and they were my own." Rose sensed the hostility in Siren's voice, but she wasn't going to back down again.
"Considering that we are in a war, don't you think it would be wise to tell him now?" Siren continued to question. "He may not live long enough for you to tell him later."
"I was recruited heavily by every major collegiate athletic department on Earth. My grade point average was perfect, and I come from a political family."
"Right. Your father was a UEG representative, Patrick Santos."
"My father was determined for me not to go to war. When the draft was initiated, the only thing keeping me out of the military was his political power and my performance on the field. Sports were viewed as a major civilian distraction from the war, and the UEG wanted all collegiate athletes to put on a performance. But then my father got involved with something and was killed, a year after I graduated from college."
"The speculation on your father was that he was supplying Governor Jacob Jiles, of the rebel faction, with weapons and ships. Your father was murdered outside the UNSC High Command courthouse facility after he agreed to testify against the rebels. He was shot by a man believed to be a rebel supporter."
Rose paced around the room and folded her arms tightly across her chest. The memories of the past rushed back into her mind and she detested recalling the torment she lived with because of her father's decisions.
"He wasn't murdered, he was assassinated. Needless to say that while I was in school every eye in the world was on me and I couldn't let myself be distracted. Eric was a distraction. He wanted a serious commitment, I just wanted him. You know? I never stayed with any one guy for more than a night."
"If memory serves me correctly, the rumors were that you were rather easy." Siren bluntly stated.
"I never lacked for attention, if that's what you mean. I wasn't easy." Rose huffed at the statement.
"Rose, would you like for me to pull up your collegiate clinical visits, procedures, and results?"
Rose gazed intently at Siren's image and stated, "No. I remember the checkups. I went because I wanted to make sure that I didn't catch anything. Better safe then sorry."
"I think we called you a whore." Siren continued to giggle.
"Funny. But that's exactly why Eric and I never got together. I liked men. I liked them a lot. Eric was different. He wanted me exclusively. I was a stupid kid having way too much fun. I cared for him and I didn't want to hurt him. I knew that I wasn't worth his time, but he kept pursuing me."
"And then he left for the war. Your performance that season set world records. You were a star, but you also had several encounters with the law."
Rose sat down on her cot and stared at Siren's image from the corner of her eye.
"I didn't care. My dad was able to get the charges dropped no matter how much trouble I was in. I was such a spoiled brat. But now that I've told you, how about you tell me what went on with you and Eric."
"I wish I could say, but in all honesty I only cared for him. I wanted him, but he wanted you. The funny thing was that he always said you weren't his type, yet he chased after you so blindly sometimes that he would ignore any and all other women."
"He really is an idiot sometimes." Rose added with smile.
- - - - - -
Dorenth
Elite Inner Sanctum
12:25 October 25, 2552
Deep beneath the surface of the elite capital city, four elites walked a dimly lit path toward a massive door leading into the outer caves of the Inner Sanctum. Behind them hovered a large steel cage, however the darkness hid its contents, but every elite knew what it was. Its eyes seemed to glow from the limited light of the cavern. It slowly moved in the tight confines of the cage and it shifted. The sudden movement startled the four elites at its side and they quickly took aim with their carbines. They approached the entrance to the inner sanctum and a lone guard stepped forward from his post.
"What is the meaning of this, watchmen? This female Dabdough should not be here."
The steel and brick walls of the cavern echoed with the roars of the monstrous beast as the elites pulled the cage closer to the doors of the inner sanctum.
"Brother, would you be willing to ignore what you are seeing?" One of the watchmen questioned toward the guard. "We are merely giving these two prospects a fair challenge."
The elite guard blocked the path toward the door, stopping the group from approaching.
"This is unacceptable. Only males are to be used for the trials, this is how it has always been. The council will not allow for change. And using a female will guarantee the death of the Prospects."
"Brother, would you have yourself continue to call a grunt your superior? I shall not serve a creature that is beneath me. Stand aside and act as though you have not seen any of this transpire."
"I understand, but your actions go against everything the council stands for. A female Dabdough running free in the Inner Sanctum would be a threat to the councilors as well as the Prospects." The guard pleaded to the watchman to not go through with this plan.
"I have faith in the honored warriors, they will be able to handle this beast, but the human and grunt will surely parish. This cage will not hold it much longer. Let us pass." The mighty female Dabdough shrieked from within its cage sending the guards scattering about.
"If the council is injured, I could not forgive myself. No, I will not let you pass…" The hiss of an energy sword split the air and the guard was impaled in the chest. The guard gasped, but the watchman gripped his throat, preventing him from screaming in pain. The watchman then grabbed the corpse of the elite guard and pulled him to the side. He cautiously looked around to be sure that none of the other guards witnessed the act. With a simple head nod he motioned for the other watchman to continue pushing the large cage through the door of the Inner Sanctum and into the training grounds.
"Did you have to kill him?" Another of the watchman stated.
"What I have done is for the glory of our future."
Spanning nearly two miles underground and as large as a city, the Inner Sanctum was a forerunner city built hundreds of thousands of years ago. Towers and roads crisscrossed the massive cavern, while a single light illuminated the top of the cave. This source of light was a combination of technology and geology. It was a massive rock that could burn with the intensity of the sun but did not produced heat. The walls of the cavern were not of rock and stone, but of advanced metals similar to those used on Halo. The architecture of the buildings and roads were similar to the layout of Halo as well. With strewn vegetation, and local wildlife added to remind the elites of the surface of their world.
For hundreds of years the elites have studied the Inner Sanctum and in times of crises they have used it for safety. It has always protected them in moments of great dread. It was a discovery that prompted great improvements in technology and the eventual alliance with the prophets. Only the families of the honored were allowed to live in the Inner Sanctum, but during the time of the trials the streets were emptied and buildings were closed so that the Procession of the Prospects could begin their trials within the Inner Sanctum.
Two doors marked the only entrances into the Inner Sanctum and each was guarded heavily, but because of the devastation above ground the guard's patrol was thinned. The doors were massive in design and engineering, easily able to fit the largest vehicles. The northern door opened and a white Tram sped down on an angled track from above. It had taken nearly ten minutes to traverse the path to the Inner Sanctum, but the prospects had finally arrived.
Eric and Palab gazed out the window and took in the view. The city was ancient, well preserved, and beautiful to the eyes. Trees dotted the city, grass plains lined the edges of massive lakes, and birds flew majestically throughout the enclosed sky. It was a world of wonder unlike anything Eric had ever seen.
Simyaldee stepped to the window beside Eric and Palab, "We have nurtured this environment for hundreds of years. When the prophets ended their studies we began to rejuvenate this land. Deep beneath the ground and protected by the honored warriors who live here, this is our heart. Since ancient times we have held the trials here, so that every warrior will see its beauty. It is the dream of every young elite to become an honored warrior, because the reward would be to live in this paradise." The tram came to a stop at the base of the city and more honored elders stepped forward to great the prospects. Palab and Eric stepped off the tram fallowed by their procession.
Melanie was speechless from the moment the tram entered the Inner Sanctum. She had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. She walked closer to Eric and gripped his arm tightly.
"It's beautiful." She whispered. Eric simply shook his head in agreement.
The head of the elite high council stepped forward to address the group. Elder Vornaldea looked shockingly ferocious in his armor and helmet as he gazed over the Procession of the Prospects.
"Newest amongst the honored, is the seasoned warrior Belmaeda. Your linage has always been proud and strong, and I am sure that you and your mate shall bring many more worthy warriors into our future. You have fought bravely against countless foes and earned your place amongst the honored. Please, lead the prospects to their trial." Belmaeda nodded deeply to the other elders as he stepped to the front of the procession.
The families of the honored had long since cleared the streets and now watched from the windows of their homes. Eric looked around and could see the countless elite faces looking back at him from the windows of the buildings. He naturally assumed that they were the females and young of the elites, and his eyes were probably the first human eyes to ever see the elite civilians.
Belmaeda lead the Procession of the Prospects to the edge of the city, across a tiny field and then to the mouth of a cave. Darkness lay ahead and he stopped just at the entrance.
"From here, you will begin your trials." Belmaeda voiced with a commanding thunder. "You will be judged according to how you complete each obstacle, but be warned, though you will not see us, we will see you." With those words the twenty honored elders sprinted into the cave ahead of Palab and Eric, each of them activating their camouflage as they crossed the threshold of the cave. "When you enter this path the trails will begin. You may choose to go separately or together, but you will be judged individually. The procession will wait for you at the end." Belmeada turned on his heels and sprinted into the cave, vanishing before the group's eyes.
"Eric, I have bad feeling about this." Melanie stated. Four honored elites remained behind to accompany the procession to the end of the trail and Eric looked at Melanie with a soft smile.
"So do I." Eric laughed. "I guess that's why I'm so excited about this. Okay Sergeant, you want to stick together or go it alone?"
"We stay together as long as can." Palab barked through his methane mask. "If we separate, me wish you luck. But we stay close as long as can."
"Agreed. See you all on the other side."
"Good luck to you Sergeant Raynord." Domadree stated. Gridolee nodded his head in agreement.
Palab turned to the others grunts in his procession and stated in his own tongue, "For the honor of the Mirratord."
"Good luck you two!" Melanie cheered to Eric and Palab. With that, Eric dashed into the cave.
"Raynord, your Trials have begun!" Boomed the massive voice of an elite from inside the cave.
Palab began to waddle forward, looking as though he would have trouble keeping up with Eric but he suddenly dropped to all fours, sprinting like an animal and showing the speed and grace of the King of the Grunts. He crossed the threshold of the cave and vanished from site.
"Palab, your trials have begun." The voice stated.
Only silence followed. The group peered into the darkness of the cave waiting for some form of acknowledgement that everything would be okay, but all they could do now was to wait.
"Procession, if you will all follow us, we shall proceed to the end of the path." One of the elites stated. The group followed and they all boarded a nearby Phantom.
The cave was not as dark as Eric and Palab had first thought, but they still ran with caution. Palab slowed his pace so that he wouldn't outrun Eric and together they maintained an even pace through the cave. The sound of running water caught Eric's ears and he realized that it was getting louder.
"Me smell water." Palab barked suddenly. The sound of water was getting louder and soon became almost thunderous.
"It must be a waterfall nearby." Eric practically screamed. But without warning Eric and Palab began to feel the wind of compressed air being blown from behind them. The wind was misty and heavily saturated.
"$hit!" Eric cursed as he looked behind him. Palab had also realized what it was. The cave behind them was quickly filling with water and it was snapping at their heels. Eric sprinted ahead, dodging stalactites and boulders as he went. He was concerned about Palab and he quickly looked over his shoulder. In the quick moment that he had looked back he saw the incredible agility of the little grunt at his side.
Palab was rebounding from boulder to boulder and wall to wall with the nimbleness of a squirrel. His quickness was unthinkable. On all fours Palab quickly began to sprint, jump, and leap ahead of Eric.
"Hurry!" Palab grunted. "Me see light ahead!" The two of them could see even more clearly as more light began to pour into the cave. Eric extended his stride, ducked a low hanging rock, leapt a small boulder and dashed toward the light. The cave became narrower and Palab sat waiting at what looked like a dead end. Eric approached and they both looked up. There escape was in the form of a small tunnel that went upward nearly forty feet.
"Go!" Eric stated. "You'er faster then me, I'll slow you down." Palab grumbled something in grunt language as he was obviously too stressed to say it in covenant tongue, and then quickly jumped upward, grabbing a cave stone. He then navigated the stones one by one using his hands and feet. Eric jumped and grabbed the first stone, pulling himself upward to the next outcropping and planted his foot in the wall. Water quickly filled the cave beneath him and he could feel water soaking into his combat boots. He cleared his mind of the impending doom and focused on the tiny stones over head. He climbed step by step without hesitation. He could feel the water come upward toward him as he continued to navigate the tunnel rocks. Water rushed up to his knees and he pulled himself upward again. As he paused to grab the next stone water rushed up to his waist. He pulled upward in a sense of panic. Once again he had to pause to grip another stone and water raced up to his arm pits. This time he could only pull himself up from the water, but it still reached his knees.
Eric knew that his next pull wouldn't be enough. He looked up and suddenly realized he had reached the top. The water carried him the remaining foot to the surface. He rolled onto the top of the tunnel and exhaled heavily.
"You okay?" Palab questioned.
"Yeah, thank god. What the hell, are they trying to kill us?" Eric frantically inquired to himself, not expecting an answer.
"Simyaldee say trials hard. They not take it easy on us. We in new cave now." Eric looked around and realized that they were now in much larger cave. The water in the hole began to stop rising and eventually began to recede. The new cave expanded in two directions and high above them were thousands of tiny stones, similar to the one large stone in the inner sanctum. The stones illuminated the tunnel in both directions and Palab realized that they had a decision to make. "Which way we go?"
"Each direction looks the same." Eric looked at the ground, trying to find a clue as to which direction to go. "There aren't any tracks from the other elites, just sand. If there were any tracks the water just washed them away. Damn it, if we go the wrong way we could loose and hour or more from our time." Palab lifted his nose to the air, sniffing aggressively. He smelled something, something he didn't like. He faced one end of the corridor and the odor became stronger. It soon began to intensify and he spotted something approaching from the distance.
"Dabdough!" Palab shouted. He recalled that part of the trial would be to kill a native underground creature. However, something wasn't right. Without warning three of the honored elites appeared at Palab and Eric's side. Their active camouflage faded away as if they had been standing there the entire time.
"Damn it! A female Dabdough. What is it doing here?"
Another of the elites turned and faced Eric and Palab, "None the less the creature is here, brother. This creature will need to be killed before it can find its way into the Inner Sanctum. Hundreds may die if that happens.
The elite then spoke into his communicator, "Elder Vornaldea, the Dabdough in the cavern is a female, a breeder. We will hold it here as long as we can, but we will need assistance…"
"The creature approaches!" As the Dabdough raced toward the group, Eric could finally grasp why the elites had revealed themselves. The creature was monstrous in size, standing nearly thirty feet tall, and ran on four legs. Its skin was covered in armor like scales and horns. With a serpent like head and neck, Eric could only compare the creature to a mythical dragon of ancient Earth lore. It was longer then it was tall and its tail stretched nearly twice the length of its body. This Dabdough was a terrifying sight, not in appearance, but in shear size and speed.
"Prospects, flee this place. Without the proper preparations you would only be in our way."
The temptation to run was strong, but Eric wouldn't dream of letting the Elites face this creature alone, "I'm not going anywhere."
"Me no run, me hunt." Palab barked.
Eric looked at the tiny grunt at his side and could see the aggression in his eyes. Palab was hunched over on all fours, ready to spring forward in an instant. His elbow spikes extended from his arm and he began to snarl with anticipation. The title of grunt king was justified in Eric's eyes. He had never seen a grunt become so aggressive, and as the Dabdough approached the group Palab's feverish behavior seemed to intensify. He began to snarl loudly, scratching at the soul beneath his claws, and barking feverishly at the massive beast. Eric gripped one of the twin blades from his pocket and turned it on. The hiss of the blade registered with the three elites at his side and they all followed suit.
The Dabdough shook the ground with each step it made and roared as it watched the group in front of it. As it came closer Eric could see that its head was well protected by dozens of long horns, and its eye lids protruded slightly for added protection. Attacking the head would be unwise. It roared again as it stopped several feet away from the group. The creature had two dagger like fangs that extended beyond its jaw on each side, and several jagged teeth lined the gum; it was clearly a carnivore.
The elite roared, "This is no place for you, beast. We shall slay you and end your threat." Together the three elites charged. One of the elites ran directly toward the creature's head while the other two attacked from the sides. The Dabdough's elongated neck quickly snapped backwards as it watched the elites charge. It then looked at each of the elites with little concern.
The first elite approached, with a normal energy sword in its hand, and swung wildly at the creature's neck. The Dabdough responded by quickly swiping its front claws at the elite. With a massive cry of pain the elite was flung to the side of the cave. Its shields had instantly faded and the massive gash on his chest showed his gory fate. Death would come easily for anything that came to close to the creature's claws, but the other two elites attacked without concern. One of them scored a direct stab into the Dabdough's side, but the energy sword was not strong enough to pierce the creature's armored hide. The Dabdough retreated away from the sparking energy sword but quickly slammed its tail onto the elites head. With a flash, the elites shields faded and he dropped his energy swords from the stun of being hit. The Dabdough lashed out with its mouth, ready to snap the elite within its jaw, but Palab crashed into the Dabdough's head with his left elbow spike and sent the creature into a confused stagger.
Palab grabbed the creature's horn as it roared in pain and realized that its head armor was not as thick as the rest of its body. Using the numerous horns on its head, Palab slowly crawled closer to the eye, but with a whip like action the Dabdough snapped its head into the air and sent Palab tumbling across the cave.
Eric raced forward along with the last elite. Eric carried his single energy blade as did the elite at his side, indicating that he was a member of the Mirratord. Together they charged the creature and jointly ducked as a claw scrapped across their heads. They slid beneath the creature's body and stabbed upward toward the only unarmored section on its body; its underside. Instinctively the Dabdough leapt into the air, avoiding the stab. As it approached the cave ceiling, it rotated in the air and jammed its claws into the stone surface, leaving the elite and Eric gazing oddly at its amazingly fast reaction. The Dabdough arched its neck and roared at them in protest, but it didn't see the mighty grunt racing on all fours along the wall. Palab sprinted up the rounded cave wall at full speed and once he could no longer maintain his grip on the wall he leapt toward the Dabdough, grabbing its tail. The Dabdough turned its head and looked at Palab; squinting its eyes furiously. Palab dug his claws between the creature's armored scales and used them to hold on to it. He then began the slow process of crawling toward the center of its body.
The Dabdough hissed as it quickly began to crawl down the side of the cave wall, scratching at Palab as if he were a large irritation upon its skin. It then began to rub its belly along the ground, stopping Palab from getting too close to its unguarded area. Palab had to stop his forward progress or he would have been crushed by the creature's weight. The moment of hesitation was time enough for the Dabdough to catch Palab with its hind leg. Palab tumbled off of the monster's side and rolled across the ground as the Dabdough snapped at him with its teeth. Palab dodged with acrobatic style as its monstrous fangs came within inches of gripping him. The Dabdough hissed in frustration but suddenly roared in pain as it jumped away from the area. Eric and the honored Mirratord councilor pierced its skin with their single blades. The creature quickly looked at its wound and roared in objection. It then looked down the corridor as it heard something coming toward it. The wound in its side was not severe, but still the Dabdough turned and ran from the area.
"Damn that thing is fast!" Eric cursed. The elite at his side nodded as he pondered what made the creature flee. It then dawned on him as the ghostly image of several elites began to appear.
"Ah, brothers, it would appear that we now have a hunting party." He stated as several more elites deactivated their active camouflage. One of the elites quickly ran over and inspected the body of the wounded and dead elders, as Palab waddled toward the group with an exhausted disposition.
"We hunt creature. Me smell it, it not go far."
"What has happened here, Belmaeda?" Elder Vornaldea barked. "A female is never to be used for the trials. Only the smaller males are to be sacrificed for our sport."
"Yes, this I am aware of. We will need to speak with the watchmen when we have slain this beast. But I must warn you, this Dabdough is a breeder. She is quite old, and lethal. I have never seen one this big before, she is clearly quite aggressive."
One of the elders then stepped forward, "You have been off world for quite sometime Elder Belmaeda. This is perhaps the breeder we caught several years ago. A hunting party came across a nest in the east. They took the hatchlings to be raised for our sport, but of course we needed the mother in order to ensure that the hatchlings did not die. We have kept this breeder for many years and she has grown rather large. Perhaps it escaped."
"That can not be possible. The watchmen would have informed us if it had escaped. Perhaps another female wondered into the caves?" Belmaeda replied.
Elder Vornaldea rubbed his mandibles as he looked toward Palab. His mind raced with possibilities and he dreaded that this was perhaps not would it appeared to be.
"Dabdough are very territorial creatures. Another female would not come this close to our breeding grounds. If it did, the watchmen would have informed us. Contact the guards and tell them to hold the watchman until we have dealt with this beast. This Dabdough being here was not an accident."
Palab quickly jumped to the head of the group letting his nose guide him down the massive tunnel. Belmaeda followed closely and looked back as the others followed him.
"Let us make haste. Once the creature is slain we must still conclude the trials and make plans to deal with the brutes." The group of elites sprinted behind Palab as they pursued the massive female Dabdough deeper into the interconnecting system of caves.
- - - - - -
Chiroptera cruiser
13:10 October 25, 2552
Sangheili Solar System
The bridge alarms beeped wildly as Kelly and Catherine frantically prepared the weapons of the tiny Chiroptera cruiser. They new that there was little chance for the old and beaten up ship to survive any form of combat, but they had to be prepared just in case. The old ship had lasted the past month without encountering any covenant cruisers, and even its slip drive engine was barely holding together, but things changed as they made their approach toward the elite home world.
"I know I hate to admit that I was wrong, but I am starting to think that this was bad idea."
"Oh really, Doc, you think?"
"Seven more Covenant cruisers on approach from our stern."
"Counting the four ships dead ahead, that's a total of eleven. I really hope they're in a talking mood. One shot from those plasma torpedoes and we're fried."
"I hope this works."
"You hope? Please tell me you're kidding? I thought you said this plan was fool proof?"
"Truthfully, I think it is, but we don't honestly know how important forerunner technology is to the elites. I'm willing to share that information with them, but they may not care about the information I have. And besides that, we don't know if the elites were able to defeat the Brutes."
"The covenant battle net encryption changed, right?"
"Correct."
"I don't think the brutes would have taken the time to change their encryptions, doc. Only the elites would think things out that clearly."
"Unless the prophets are running the show, and from what I have uncovered about them they are just as smart and cleaver as the elites."
"Damn it. Oh well, better send out that transmission. I'm tired of waiting."
"… odd."
"What?"
"Look at this, Kelly."
Kelly leaned closer to her terminal and what she saw simply amazed her, "That's a UNSC encrypted transmission. I'm tracking it now. I'll be damned. It's coming from three thousand kilometers off our starboard side."
"Kelly, there's nothing there. I just made a second scan."
"I'm decrypting the message. It says; Stay calm Doctor Halsey, you are not alone. Red Squad has negotiated a temporary alliance with the elites here. You will need to speak to Sergeant Eric Raynord of Red Squad or Ship Master Domadree of the elite cruiser Life and Sacrifice. Do not, however, reveal that you received a transmission from us. Do as the elites instruct and you will be fine. Captain Monroe, out." Kelly fumbled with the controls in attempt to lock onto the source of the transmission but cursed in frustration. "I lost the signal completely."
"I've never heard of a Captain Monroe." Catherine fumbled with her glasses as she pondered the name.
"Where's the ship?"
"To late to worry about that now, we're being hailed."
Through the bridge intercom came the deep voice of an elite commander, "Human vessel, please lower your weapons and prepare to be escorted into orbit. Your ship will need to be boarded before you can be allowed to approach Dorenth. Private Wesley Williams of Red Squad is the only human officer available to meet you. Do you understand?"
"We… understand." Catherine began to deactivate the ships weapon systems and looked into Kelly's furious eyes. "We are ready to receive your boarding party."
"Excellent. We will perform a routine inspection and you will then meet with the Private." The transmission ended and Kelly continued to fume.
"I know you don't like this but we have no choice, we're out gunned, out numbered and apparently working towards an alliance, Kelly."
"To hell with that! How can we trust them? How can we be working with them? What the hell has happened since we left?"
"I am just as dumbfounded as you are Kelly. But if we want to get on to the surface of the Elite home world, this is a much easier way. My original plan would never have worked this well. At least now we don't have to worry about being killed once we're done."
"Still, peace with the covenant, or the elites, I don't like it. And what was the deal with that transmission from that UNSC ship? They knew who we were."
"One problem at a time, Kelly, our new friends just landed in the hanger."
- - - - - -
Elite Inner Sanctum
Outside the cave of the Prospects
"Sir, we have just received a communication from our orbital patrols. A human ship has been detected." The elite approached Simyaldee with a deep huff after running from the city.
Simyaldee turned and looked at the elite with a puzzled glare, "Assistance sent by the Arbiter?"
"Unsure sir. There were only two humans on board, and one of them is capable of wearing the demon's armor."
"A Spartan?" Melanie questioned loudly. Simyaldee looked at Melanie and patiently waited for her to say more. "I don't know who it might be, but I hope it's the Doc and Spartan 087. We were actually hopping to find them before all the distractions began."
"They have made a request to land and speak only with Sergeant Raynord."
Simyaldee folded his arms and looked to the honored elders at his side.
"Interrupting the trials is not possible. Is it not better for them to speak with the Private we left aboard the Life and Sacrifice?"
"Wesley?" Melanie questioned with a doubtful slur. "I guess so, but it would be best if they were brought down to us."
"I suppose you are right. Notify for them to be brought to the Inner Sanctum. Gridolee, go to the surface and meet them."
Gridolee nodded his head and followed the elite back to the tram station in the city. Melanie could only watch as the elites walked off. She felt somewhat concerned that Gridolee was sent to meet the Spartan. His attitude seemed calmer but she still could not fully trust him.
In orbit several marines boarded the tiny Chiroptera cruiser, and as quickly as they could, began to lock down Kelly's MJOLNIR Mark V armor. While the elites watched in confusion.
"Thank you Private. At least now I know that those elites won't get to my suit without a fight." Kelly smirked as she inspected the BR-55 battle rifle. Her eyes gazed down the barrel as she fondled the scope and trimmed the trigger. She had yet to see the new rifle and was equally pleased at it, but she still wanted to shoot it to get an accurate feel.
"Not a problem, sir." Wesley replied from the back of the pelican. "However, I think I'd be a lot happier if you were in the armor. But I guess you have your reasons."
Wesley's eyes quickly scaled the massive women in front of him and he felt himself shiver. Even without her armor on, the Spartan demanded respect with her sheer size. Her marine fatigues could barely conceal the bulges in her arms and legs, and Wesley felt a slight sense of shame when he realized that Kelly had a much more defined shoulder line then he did. Kelly slapped a magazine into the battle riffle and quickly pulled the hammer. Before the hammer could snap back into its ready station, Kelly had already whipped the gun up to her shoulder and was looking down the barrel at an elite at the end of the hanger. The elite squinted and quickly snapped up his plasma rifle.
"Calm down, Kelly." Catherine stated as she placed her hand on the riffle. She pulled the gun down from Kelly's line of sight and stepped on to the pelican's rear ramp with Wesley.
"Sorry ma'am. Instincts I guess." Kelly's statement was received with a strong huff from the elite.
From the front of the Pelican, Juggernaut turned and shouted to the group, "Sirs, I have orders to return Private Williams to the Life and Sacrifice, but they want Doctor Halsey and the Spartan planet side."
"Okay, Juggernaut. Prep us and let's get going, I don't want to keep them waiting." Wesley stated. He then turned and looked out of the pelican at the marines in the hanger. "Put the ship in orbit and do any repairs that you can. Also, guard the Spartan's armor with a standard rotation of marines. Never leave it unguarded."
The marine's in hanger quickly snapped a solute as they exited the hanger with their elite aids. The hanger door closed and pelican's rear hatched sealed. A red light began to flash in the hanger deck as the main hatch slowly opened to reveal the deepness of space. Juggernaut pulled down his visor and pulled back on the controls.
"This is Eagle-109, clearing the hanger deck and on approach to Life and Sacrifice. Marine escorts to the hanger deck to receive third in command and refuel. Second trip is to elite capital city. Juggernaut out."
The trip went smoothly and very little words were said between the passengers. Kelly watched as Wesley exited the pelican and noticed that he was quickly approached by several grunts. They were all eager to see him and happily walked at his side. The site didn't bother her any, grunts weren't a problem to her. However, the elites that approached Wesley showed him little concern. They smirked at his presence and arched the heads upward, as to appear looking down at him. Kelly fumed silently in her seat as she observed the hanger deck of the Life and Sacrifice. Humans were peacefully chattering amongst the grunts, but the elites and humans maintained a respectable distance between each other. They worked together, but rarely shared words.
"How can we have peace with creatures that don't give a damn about us? We're no better then the grunts to them." Kelly turned her eyes back into the cabin and folded her arms sternly.
Catherine Halsey could see the anger clearly in Kelly's eyes. She was struggling with the idea of peace and Catherine could understand why. The elites were the sole reason most of her family was dead; her family of Spartans. The idea of working together with them was not sitting well with her. Before Catherine could say anything, Juggernaut signed in on the pelican's intercom.
"We are fully loaded and ready to descend. Also, I heard your statement sir, about having peace. Sergeant Raynord is on the surface doing some kind of elite ceremony, in order to earn the elites respect. If it goes well, then maybe the elites will have second thoughts about us."
Kelly simply huffed to herself and closed her eyes, trying to get as much rest as possible. Catherine, however, took more interest in Juggernaut's statement.
"What kind of ceremony?"
Nearly three hours had passed since the hunt began, and every encounter ended the same way; they would fight the Dabdough and it would flee. Eric was growing increasingly exhausted and Palab was struggling to stay on his feet, but that was understandable because Palab had been doing most of the work. His agility was also the reason why the Dabdough ran off each time, the massive beast couldn't keep up with Palab's quickness. Eric reached another junction in the cave and saw the creature around the corner. He quickly held up his hand, instinctively using hand gestures to communicate, but the elites didn't understand. He sighed in frustration and walked back toward them. They were all tired and some were wounded, but the creature had to be slain.
"I got an idea." Eric walked closer to Palab and sat on a rock beside him. "Each time we've charged this thing it holds its ground. We can't get close enough to stop it, but Palab can. This time, Palab, you stay behind. We'll get its attention and then you sneak behind it and attack. When we it turns to face you it'll expose itself, but only for a short amount of time. That's when we attack."
"A cunning plan, but be mindful Sergeant Palab, the creature is swift. You must have your wits about you at all times." Belmaeda softly stated.
"Me understand."
The group of elites quickly turned the corner and charged the massive beast for the fifth time. Eric was close on their heels, wishing that he brought a sidearm of some kind, but the elites would not let anyone enter the cave with any form of projectile weapons. Even in the eye of death they would not disgrace one of their oldest pastimes. They swung wildly at the creature but their energy blades simply sparked against its armored hide. They darted past the Dabdough and forced it to chase them, exposing its back to Palab's location. Everything was going well so far. The Dabdough lunged at Eric and Eric stumbled backwards as its snarling teeth fell toward him.
Belmaeda slammed his blade against the side of the creatures head, a lucky blow, and the creature roared in pain. The sizzle of flesh quickly went through Belmaeda's ears and he countered with his other blade. The stroke slashed across the creature's eye and it stumbled backward, shielding its eye from the fight. It then roared furiously and charged again. Eric sprang to his feet just as a claw slammed into the ground, missing him by a few feet. He slashed across the creature's foot, but he only hit the armored scales.
Palab darted from the corner and ran beneath the Dabdough's tail. He was exhausted but he had to fight. He sprinted on all fours as quickly and as quietly as he could, and when he neared the belly he leapt into the air. His explosive jumping ability carried him upward and he performed a half spin, thrusting his extended elbow spike into the Dabdough's belly. A wail of pain echoed throughout the cave and the Dabdough turned and hopped away from Palab; exposing its side to the four elites that it had just attacked. In unison, the four warriors stabbed the creature in its unguarded soft spot. The wail intensified as it staggered away from the pain, but as it turned its neck to see what had happened Eric swiped his single energy blade across the base of the Dabdough's throat. The scale like armor only extended down to the base of its long serpent like neck, and Eric had seen the opening he needed. His blade ripped deep into the creature's neck and with such a massive cut, not even the heat from the energy blade could stop its bluish blood from pouring. Eric stepped away as the creature crumbled to its side. It continued to fret but with pain coursing through its body it would only be a matter of time before it perished. Palab climbed to the back of the creatures head and swiftly stabbed his extended elbow spike into the center creature's head; piercing the brain and ending its misery. It gasped as it tried to scream but only a wheeze of air escaped its jaws. Finally its head slowly feel back as it twitched violently.
Eric powered down his energy blade and fell to the ground, exhausted. Palab leapt to the ground, walked to Eric's side and joined him as they gazed at the creature's lifeless corpse. The other elites encircled the monstrous body and fell to their knees with hung heads, in silence.
"What they do?" Palab questioned. Suddenly two of the honored elites appeared at their sides, as their active camouflage faded. Two more then appeared, and then more.
"There were more of them? Why didn't they help us?" Eric questioned with a since of confusion.
"Because, this was your trial." Another elder stated as he approached Eric and Palab from behind. Palab and Eric turned quickly and looked to Elder Vornaldea as he nodded toward them. "Generally we only allow two assistants per Dabdough, but since it was a female we thought it best to let other assist. Any further assistance and you would have failed, however, you handled this well. We did lose two of our brothers, but their sacrifices were honorable. Now, you must swear not to reveal how you defeated the Dabdough or that we assisted you."
"Wait, the trial is still going?" Eric questioned.
"Yes. As we told you, the trials began once you entered the cave of the prospects. Nothing has changed."
"Fine. I swear not to reveal the details of my trial."
"Me swear not to tell what happen here at trial." Palab stated as best he could. Elder Vornaldea nodded with an awkward grin across his mandibles and walked toward the group of elites as they stood. They all turned and looked at Eric and Palab.
"Then let the time stand in history: four and seventeen units." Elder Vornaldea stated to the group.
"Wait, what about Perception, the last part of the trial?" Eric asked with a confused tone. Palab was also curious as it seemed that part of the trial had not been completed.
"In perception, you where to realize that together you would be much stronger then separate. And also, when given the chance to flee from battle you chose to remain and fight alongside us, your brothers in arm. You passed the hardest part of the trial at the very beginning." Belmaeda acknowledged as he was quite pleased with Palab's actions during the trials. His excitement showed clearly as he approached the exhausted grunt.
"Come, this Dabdough shall be honored for her sacrifice today. We shall offer it up to our ancestors and feast tonight."
The group began their long walk to the exit of the cave and within an hour they arrived at the cave exterior. It overlooked the entire cavern of the Inner Sanctum and everyone took in its beauty.
"When the prospects exit the cave, this is what their eyes see. The Inner Sanctum is every warrior's ultimate goal and this maybe the last time they get to see it." Vornaldea's voice carried down the small hill to the phantom landing zone and the group waiting for them looked up with glee.
"Ah they have arrived." Simyaldee stated as he began to climb the hill. Melanie noticed Eric's exhausted demeanor and quickly ran to him as she quickly pulled a flask of water from her belt.
"How was it sir?" Melanie questioned as Eric aggressive downed the small flask of water. He coughed from the sudden wetness at the back of his throat and handed the flask back to Melanie.
"It went well. We passed."
Melanie smiled happily as she helped Eric take a seat on a nearby rock. She then noticed that even the elites seemed exhausted, clearly whatever had happened in the cave was also hard on them. As she looked at the others she watched as the grunts quickly ran up to Palab and began to replace his methane tank. They quickly swapped out the old one and replaced it while Palab held his breath. After securing it they all barked and howled at each other in excitement; Palab merely sat quietly and relaxed.
"Sorry to be a kill joy, sir, but we've got company." Melanie looked back down the small sloping hill and Eric followed her gaze. At the base of the hill, standing beside the Phantom, was a tall pale white woman that he had never seen before, but then he saw the elderly woman at her side.
"Doctor Halsey." Eric smirked happily at seeing her as he realized that the mission was finally on track. "Elder Vornaldea, you will have to excuse me and Private Peters from the feast tonight. Something has come up."
"This feast is in honor of you and Sergeant Palab, what can be so important that you would not attend?"
"Saving humanity." Eric stood and began to walk down the hill toward the group at the phantom. As he approached he quickly glanced at the massive woman standing beside the Doctor Halsey. The realization that she must be the missing Spartan was the easiest solution he could gather.
With a quick and clean solute, "Sergeant Eric Raynord. Red Squad Platoon Charley out of Old Mombasa."
"Sergeant." Kelly-087 returned with a solute. "We heard that you were the man to talk to around here."
"Damn right. We've established a relation with the elites and it's… stable, but we're making progress." Eric then turned to Doctor Halsey and nodded softly. "Ma'am, we've been looking for you. However our search hadn't begun. You coming to us must have been fate."
Catherine Halsey folded her arms tightly across her chest and sighed inwardly, "I'm a doctor, fate is beyond me. Let's chalk it up to well placed timing." She stepped forward, closing the distance between herself and Eric. She then reached out and grabbed his arm, lifting his sleeves. "Spartan III research project number 019. You kept the scars as memento."
"What the?" Melanie nervously questioned. Eric was also taken back by Catherine's in-depth knowledge.
"There isn't much that Ackerson can do that I don't know about; at least not before I left. I am sorry that they did this to you."
"Don't be, ma'am. These enhancements have kept me alive throughout this war, same as Private Peters here."
Melanie smiled coyly.
"We can discuss this later, Doc." Kelly 087 interrupted. She turned and looked at the massive elite standing next to her, and then quickly looked away with frown upon her face. "Time is short."
"You are right, Kelly. Sergeant is there anyway you think we can get the elites to let me take a look around? I need to find the forerunner database of this instillation."
Gridolee stepped forward and brushed against Kelly's shoulder. She fumed softly but maintained her silence.
"For what reason do you need access to the instruments of the forerunners?" The massive elite asked. There was a feeling of resentment in his voice that Eric and Melanie didn't like. Eric quickly stepped forward, taking Gridolee's attention away from the doctor and onto himself.
"Doctor Halsey has been collecting data for the past month. The forerunner data stored here may reveal something to help us stop the Prophets from activating the Halos."
Eric gazed into Gridolee's eyes and could see the boiling confusion. Eric understood Gridolee's doubt about having humans without honor roaming around the Inner Sanctum. This was their sacred dwelling, and only the elites with the highest respect were permitted to be here. To him, Catherine's request was absurd, but Eric knew that Gridolee would have to let go of his pride.
Simyaldee stepped forward, "What you ask for is most difficult, Sergeant. The Inner Sanctum is the most sacred of our grounds." Elder Vornaldea overheard this discussion and he also involved himself.
"What is that you seek, Doctor Halsey?" The elder seemed very curious about the human's quest.
"And you are?" Catherine inquired.
"Forgive me, I am High Elder Vornaldea, head of the High Council."
Catherine glinted and eyebrow, "Then I assume that Elder Barremee has stepped down, or worse?"
With a confused expression, Vornaldea looked to Simyaldee. They were both astonished that she was aware of the deceased former head of the council.
"He was killed by the brutes during the initial attacks. But how…"
"That is very unfortunate." Catherine sighed as she thumbed her chin in deep thought. "According to the Prophets research, he was the last generation of the…"
"Say no more." Vornaldea quickly cut in. "I will take you, and only you, to the sacred Hall. There you will find the data you seek. The rest of you remain here, this will take some time. I beg you sergeant, enjoy the feast, it is in honor of our bond. Let not the worries of tomorrow spoil the festivities of tonight."
"Yea, Sarge." Melanie giggled. "A break would be greatly appreciated by the platoon."
"Alright. Radio the Life and Justice, tell the flyboys to starting dropping the marines off in the Capital; side arms only. No heavy weapons. With too many of us wondering around, I don't want anyone to get jumpy."
"Great! It's been awhile since we cut loose." Melanie cheered. The group wasn't paying much attention as Elder Vornaldea and Doctor Halsey began to quietly slip away from them. As they approached a Phantom Kelly sprinted up from behind.
"You're not leaving me behind."
"Doctor Halsey, it is against our traditions to allow even you to enter the sacred Hall. I am binding the rules by letting you enter, but please, your guard must remain behind. I assure you will be safe."
Catherine turned and faced Kelly with an awkward smile, "It looks like it is my turn to go solo, Kelly. You go and ensure that the Marines and Elites play nice together. I'll report back as soon as I can."
"Yes ma'am." Kelly sighed. "But if she doesn't come back, I am holding you personally responsible… elder."
Vornaldea could see the seriousness in Kelly's eyes. However, he was not intimidated by the large human female. But if he had known her true identity he would have taken her threat more seriously. He simply nodded and walked toward the gravity lift. Together elder Vornaldea and Catherine were raised into the belly of the phantom and sped off toward the glowing light of the rocks high above the Inner Sanctum. Kelly inhaled deeply as the group began to board another phantom. She turned and walked toward the festive group as Eric waved her toward them. Melanie happily talked with Palab as he and the other Mirratord grunts gleefully pilled into the Phantom. Once everyone was aboard, they quickly departed toward the city and the tram station.
The Elder and Catherine arrived at the top of the Inner Sanctum. After climbing above the massive glowing rock, everything seemed to change. Gravity began to twist and the phantom began to slowly rollover, adjusting to the inverted gravity. The ceiling was no longer above, it was beneath. The massive glowing rock was now sitting upon a single cylinder shaped building with only one entrance.
The phantom landed softly on what was the ceiling and Catherine was eager to exit. Together they were lowered to the ground and gazed up the city far above their heads. Catherine felt a little disoriented but it quickly passed. As they approached the door to the building the ground beneath began to take on a pattern, a pattern that Catherine found instantly familiar.
"The mountain cave." Catherine mumbled. A stairway suddenly appeared before them and two honored elites stepped from within the door. With massive staffs in their hands and the coloring of the elite honor guards, they bowed as the elder approached. They entered the building and Catherine was quickly overwhelmed by the gigantic vaulted ceiling above.
"Stand here." Vornaldea motioned as they both walked to the center of the room. As quickly as Catherine stepped to the center, a large circular platform began to lift her and the elder to the top of the building. The floor of the upper chamber began to close and quickly attached to the circular platform that she and the elder stood, within the center of the massive glowing rock. The light was greatly dimmed on the inside, by rows and rows of forerunner terminals.
"It has been many years since I have been within the sacred Hall." Vonrnaldea smiled.
"Well, this is highly elaborate. I haven't seen a forerunner setup quiet as lavish as this." A holographic terminal appeared in front of Catherine, simply floating in thin air. She reached out instinctively and the terminal glowed and shifted. Catherine seemed to anticipate this action and suddenly everything became clearer. "Good, just like the other terminals this one has adjusted according to my DNA."
"Yes, we have found that every species seems to be recognized by the forerunner terminals." The elder added as he continued to observe Catherine's terminal strokes.
"Have the Grunts been allowed in here?"
"No, and I must comment that Sergeant Palab and his grunts are the first to ever grace the grounds of the Inner Sanctum. The only other species to use this terminal have been the Prophets."
"This is different." Catherine commented at yellow light that appeared to be flashing before her eyes. The yellow light was always a signal on other forerunner terminals for information, so she quickly pressed it having little concern over its action.
The walls of the sacred Hall closed and no longer was there any light being shined into the massive room. The only light source appeared from the terminal at Catherine's finger tips. But without warning a massive face appeared to completely fill the hall. The image was unlike anything Catherine had ever seen. It was clearly a hologram, but the quality and detail was amazing. Its size was awe-inspiring and Catherine stepped back, bumping into the elder.
"Have you ever seen…"
With a quivering hand he gripped Catherine and gazed up at that mammoth figure, "No, Doctor Halsey, I have not."
The face turned to gaze upon its spectators and then smiled softly through alien lips, "Hello Reclaimer. Welcome to Seed Installation 012."
To be continued…