**Chapter 6: A Friend?**
**Shress La' Vdamee POV**
It continued like that for nearly a whole moon shift. She would meet with the human and would try to exchange information that wasn't too critical. She could tell he was trying to get her to reveal some form of her military structure as well. She knew because it was exactly what she was doing. She supposed they were still enemies, but she was actually enjoying the experience.
The Covenant always assumed that the demons were lacking intelligence, like the Jiralhanae race, good fighters but dumb. That was not the case with the human Michael. He was quick of wit, knew what subjects to avoid and always answers her questions without revealing too much information. There weren't that many smart witted beings in the Covenant, only a few Sangheilians possess such passion and fewer still were available to talk to.
Though she isn't learning as much as she hoped to. She has learned some minor things of the human race. They enjoy listening to music, have scientists and researchers, and are living in what Michael calls a "democratic" government. She is still trying to learn the meaning of the word. They are living in a life style that mirrors the Sangheili culture, in a primitive sort of way.
She was taken aback when she learns it was through the human science that the creatures her race calls demons were born. It was one of the few things that Michael accidently let slip, a small stutter of a mistake that has occupied her mind for days. How could a race not as advance as her people be able to develop a method to transform a normal being into the ultimate warrior? She tried prying the information from Michael but soon came to believe him when he claims he doesn't know how this serum was made; he certainly looks nothing like a scientist.
She was disappointed not to learn the secret of the demon making process, but was still intrigue by the other things she has learned. He started training her mouth to mimic the human jaw structure to create human vocal sounds. She has learn some human words such as "Hello," and "Good bye", along with the name of some objects such as trees, rocks, and dirt. She was proud to be able to speak a different language, however she was still wondering what it was that Michael meant when he said she sounded as if she had a New Harmony accent.
Aside from the language training, he taught her the human "alphabet" system, promising that if she masters the system, she will master the ability to read his writing. Learning the strange human figures and knowing their individual sounds were hard to grasp, even now she struggles to make the 'wa' sound in the W and the 'err' sound in R. She extracted some revenge though when she began teaching the human her people's hieroglyphs, he wasn't even able to tell the difference between the glyphs for boy and girl.
Shress sighs as she remembers her secret tutoring as she thought about the lies she told herself. There was nothing in the Covenant laws that can justify her actions. To be in possession of a human object is consider heresy; to be learning from a human is an undeniable death sentence. She wonders what her parents will think if she was to be executed under the crime of rebellion. Her mother would cry knowing that her daughter has died for a foolish venture while her father would rage around the house, insulted by her very memory. Her family name would be disgrace, and will be order not to produce any more children because the Covenant won't want to risk them having another defect child that's similar to Shress. Thinking of the risks she was taking just for her own understandings makes her feel sick to her stomach.
Shress continues twirling the human necklace around her clawed fingers as she ponders her situation. She pauses only to look at the necklace and challenges her mind to decipher the strange markings. The letters on top said, 'Michael', followed by some more figures that she could not understand, but she recognize some letters such as H, P, and L. She had to admit this was an ingenious method of keeping track of active soldiers, should the terminals on board a Covenant ship gets hit, all data, including the name of the troopers, would be lost.
Shress smiles and imagines how the human would react when he finds his necklace gone. Shress prided herself on silent movement and graceful hands, skills that her people believe only a thief should poses, not an honorable warrior like a Zealot.
An angry snort alerts her of another presence and she turns to see who has entered the storage room she was sitting in. Standing at the door was Dinjit. One of the Rangers who have accompanied her on the assault on the human base. He had his mask off and was unarmed, revealing his dark skin that matches Shress's. His dark hate filled eyes were poised on the human necklace she was holding in her hand.
Shress puts the necklace away in the pocket on her belt, wondering what the Sangheili was planning to do next. Dinjit was still glowing from the sight of a Zealot in possession of a human object. A crime among the government. He walks in and stood a little away from her before asking in a forced calm voice. "What are you doing with that?" He spat.
Shress answered in a level voice. "Just a trinket I found. I never seen one before and was just curious at what it was."
Dinjit's face was still set in a scowl, but she was still a Zealot. To push her any farther could result with his name being shame. Shress could see his mandibles were rigid. He was frustrated about something.
Finally the Ranger calmed down before he said. "I was just coming in to see if you are alright." He said in a strange voice. A cross between gentleness and agitation.
Shress was now well on guard, believing she now knew what the Sangheili was meaning to say. She was dreading what he would say next when another shadow appears in the door way and both Sangheilians turns to see an Unggoy.
The lowly servant waddles in and began searching among the boxes, obviously working on a chore. Dinjit fails miserably in hiding his annoyance, but within Shress she lets out a breath of relief for the interruption. Maybe when the Unggoy leaves she could think of a reason to leave as well.
The Unggoy lifts a large box, but was unprepared for its weight. It barks a warning when it topples backwards, hitting the box where Shress was sitting. She remains seated on the container, but her helmet that she removed earlier fell and made a loud pang noise on the floor.
The Unggoy sequels in fear as it shuffles forward and picks to the Zealots helmet with shaking limbs. "A thousand apologies mistress." It said in a small voice, wondering if its life was at an end.
Shress gently took the helmet and places it on her head before saying. "It's alright, thank you-" Her voice suddenly died as she realizes what she just said.
Higher level warriors, especially Zealots, don't show etiquette to the ones below them, especially the Sangheilis. The Unggoy and Dinjit's face also shows astonishment at Shress's words.
'When did I suddenly care for the well-being of other species?' She then realizes she had acted the same way towards Michael. It must have become a habit without her knowing it.
"Uh, Mistress?" The lowly soldier asked. Never before being thank by anyone as high of rank as a Zealot.
"Nothing." She said in what she hoped were a stern voice. "Go back to work."
The Unggoy left with haste, quickly picking up the container and left, slightly cursing the weight of the box.
Dinjit turns to Shress. She could tell what he was going to ask, so she quickly stands and said. "I need to go." Which was true. It was almost time for her to meet with Michael.
She is almost to the door when Dinjit calls out. "Shress La' Vdamee. Are you being pursued at the moment?"
Shress lets out a frustrated yet pained breath. Even here in the military, her fate of being a house woman still haunts her. She was silent before she said a low. "No".
Dinjit walks up next to her before placing a hand on her shoulder. It took all her self-control not to take her sword and slice the arm off. "Could we meet sometime later tomorrow?"
"Yes." Shress said before shoved Dinjit's hand away and left the room while she thought. 'Is this all I was meant to be?'
**Six POV**
Emile walks into Six's room only to find the place totally demolish while Six was digging around behind his cot.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I… uh, lost my dog tags." Six replied in an embarrassed tone.
"What?" Emile asked while he begins to chuckle. "How could you lose something that's around your neck?"
"That's what I'm asking myself." Six replied as he looked under the cot one last time. He had just now realized his tags were missing, but where could they have gone? He never takes them off. He only noticed when he removed his armor and saw its chain no longer around his neck.
Suddenly, Six's helmet beeped. He checks the time before standing. "I've got to get going if I'm to make it back from the mountain before it gets dark." He told Emile as he shoulders his bag.
Emile gave him an odd look. "My, my, why do you look so eager to go sweat and bleed on top of a bloody mountain?"
Six paused. Did he really look eager? Or was Emile he just playing with him? Either way he didn't want to risk being late and suffering from Shress's wrath.
"I just like being outdoors. See you later, Four." He said as he left the room.
"Peace," was Emile's reply as he walks in the opposite direction to his room.
Both Spartans walks away from each other, unaware of the new secret camera that recorded their movements, but mostly Six's.
Sweat was pouring down in rivers and the air was barely moving through his narrow throat as Six forced himself to lift his body weight off the ground, over the branch and lowers back to the ground in a rapid persuasion. He counts the number of pull ups before coming to a halt. Hanging from the huge tree limb he was on.
It was then did he look towards the Sangheilian sitting on the overturn log, not moving or speaking at all. Shress, as always, was the first one to meet him at the top of the mountain. They exchange greetings, but instead of talking of what they discussed the other day, she just remained quiet and remote. Thinking he offended her somehow, he just started doing his PT. He thought she would speak to him later. Now nearly an hour has passed and she hasn't even move an inch. It concerning the Spartan.
'Why am I worried about her?' He thought to himself. 'It's not like we're friends, or are we?' Now that he thought about it. He starts to wonder if he could count on Shress being an ally. Having an Elite on their side could be a huge advantage in the war, but it could also mean his safety was secured. Sure he may get life in prison for all the lying and deception he pulled, but maybe gaining the favor of an Elite could help shorten it, or maybe avoid punishment all together.
'No.' A voice suddenly said from somewhere within his body. 'Don't use her, you idiot. Help her.'
As if his human self was returning, Six suddenly felt guilty and ashamed of thinking only of himself when his friend was sulking away. 'There, I thought it, she's a friend. I don't know how but she is and right now she needs help.'
With great care like he was maneuvering around a motion sensing bomb that may explode, Six moves around Shress and sat right next to her on the log. Six was a bit nervous as he realizes this was the closest he's ever been to the alien. He always kept his distance out of caution that she could kill him, and vice versa, but if he's calling her a friend now, that means he can trust her… right?
However Shress didn't even look at him; Six was starting to wonder if it was healthy for someone to think as much as she does.
"Shress." He said gently. He did not want to scare her, but she continues staring into space. Six spoke a little louder. "Shress!" That did the trick. She stirs and blinks a bit as if she couldn't remember where she was.
He waits until she looks at him and asks. "Is there something wrong?"
"Wrong?" asks Shress looking surprise. "What makes you think something is wrong?"
"Well I just did two hundred chins up and between here and there and you haven't spoken a single word, which was a first."
"Oh." She said, and Six could have sworn he saw what could have past for bashfulness pass on her face. "Sorry, I was just thinking."
Six was silent as he thought of how he was going to do this. He never really had talk to anyone before. Among the Spartans they either tell what's bothering them or they say nothing at all and locks it up inside. For Shress however, Six realizes she needs to talk, cause she is certainly not locking the problem inside. The question now is how do you engage in a conversation with an alien who was leading a genocide against your own people?
"Do you want to tell me what you're thinking?" Six asked awkwardly. He never thought he would be in such a situation before.
Shress was silent as she switches between looking into Six's face plate and looking into the abyss of the mountain tops. Thinking it would help make things more comfortable, Six removes his helmet and set it on his lap. In his past experience to show your enemy your head was a death sentence, but for some odd reason, Shress was always curious about his appearance.
This proves true as her eyes lock onto Six's, staring into his green eyes once more. Seeing an opening in the silence, Six asks, "Why do you look at me like that?"
Shress broke eye contact and asks, "Like what?"
"Every time I remove my helmet you always stare at my eyes to the point I feel like your about ready to gouge them out." 'Ouch.' Six thought to himself. That could have been too graphic, but he never done this before so who could blame him?
Shress looks embarrass at the assumption as she explains. "It's just I never seen a human before, up close and alive I mean." She said a little awkwardly. "On Sanghelios, there has never been an Sanghelian who bore green eyes before, so just seeing your eyes is like looking at well, an alien."
Six nods along as he desperately search for something else to say when it struck him. "You know," he said to Shress. "I never seen your eyes before." Despite Six removing his helmet on a daily basis now, Shress has never removed her helmet, and Six was curios how a Sangheili female will look without it.
Shress was still for what felt like a minute before reaching up, casting occasional glances at Six, and removes the helmet. Six was expecting her to look like the Elites on the battlefield; he wasn't expecting to see this. She looks like a regular Sanghelian, but her head had a rough angular beauty, The dark skin color offers a lovely form that made up for the lack of hair. He already seen her mandibles before, but now he could see into her mouth and the large dagger like teeth in the back, yet they didn't look too threatening to Six.
Out of all this however it was her eyes that caught his interest. Her iris was dark slits that reminded him of the reptiles he has seen on some foreign planets, but the sclera around the iris was the color silver. Not the regular silver from metal he sees every day, but a type of silver that sparkles when it makes contact with sun rays.
Ironically, it was Six's turn to lose himself in the alien's eye, as he stares at a color no human is bless with it.
He heard a voice say, "Wow." With horror Six realize it was his voice that said it.
Shress cocks her head to the side, "Wow what?"
"Um." Six looks away, mentally kicking himself. What is wrong with him. Never in his whole Spartan career has he ever said anything among those lines.
"I uh, just never seen an eye color like that before, it's very unique." Six finishes trying to sound convincing.
"Oh." Shress said as she looks away too, her eyes avoiding his.
'Great.' Six thought. 'I just made things worse. Maybe it's a good thing Spartans don't interact with other people.'
Finally Shress sighs. "Actually, there is something wrong."
She pauses hesitantly, obviously trying to decide whether to confide in Six or not.
Hoping to help, Six said, "You know we're alone, and I promise I won't tell anybody whatever you're going to say." If he ever tells anyone any of this he's looking at life imprisonment.
Shress was still looking between Six and the mountains before finally speaking. "At my camp, one of the soldiers ,Dinjit, is now pursuing me as a suitor." She finishes in bitter tone.
"Ahh." Six said. "I think I see wants going on. You're nervous about messing things up between you and this guy, right?"
"No!" Shress literally snaps at Six with her open mandibles, causing him to flinch.
'Man, I'm really not cut out for all this talking nonsense.'
Shress fumes on for a bit before calming down and speaking again, "I'm sorry Michael, my problem is the complete opposite of what you just said. You see Dinjit, he's a, a." She couldn't finish her sentence as she lets out a growl, and Six was glad it wasn't directed at him this time.
"An idiot?" Six offered, hoping to earn her confidence again.
She snarls. "Idiot is a too kind a word for the likes of Dinjit. He's arrogant, obnoxious, so set in his ways." She snarls again, unable to contain her anger.
"So he's a jerk." Six concludes.
"What's a jerk?" Shress asks, and for some odd reason, Six was happy to see her face lose its hate filled features as it took on one that was fill with curiosity.
'There's the Shress we all love.' Six slaps his mental self, wishing more than anything to attack his own brain. 'What is wrong with my head.' He demands but receives no answer.
Putting that aside he responds to Shress. "A jerk is the very thing you just describes: obnoxious, idiotic, hot headed." Shress begins to growl as he talks. Tactical thinking suggests to Six he should change the topic and fast. "If this guy is bothering you so much, can't you just say you don't want him to pursue you?"
Shress stood and starts to pace in at a furious speed as she snarls. "It's not that easy, as a male and a highly rank warrior, Dinjit can lay claim on any female he wants." She snarls as she finishes. "And because of my disgraceful lack of suitors while I'm in my youth, I have no choice but to accept him."
Six grunts, which earns a curious glance from Shress, as he says "In our society, a woman can choose who her suitor is and can reject him as well."
"Doesn't matter." Shress said sullenly. "To reject him would be a disgrace to my honor, and thus a disgrace upon my family." She stops walking and her eyes fell to the ground below her. "So far I've been nothing but a disgrace, my ambitions, my actions, even now I am fighting for my people but they will still condemn me because I am not walking the path of a female." She sighs and finishes in a hurtful voice. "I've been nothing but a failure from the start, and no matter what I do, I am destined to be a house mistress mated to someone who probably won't even speak to me aside from having children." She finishes in a small fragile voice.
Like any other Spartan, Six would have paid anything to see an Elite cry, but now seeing Shress hurting, it made Six feel sick to see someone in so much pain. Six wasn't use to this at all, he wanted to comfort Shress but at the same time he didn't want to out of fear of offending her.
'Just imagine you're talking to a Spartan.' He thought. 'Imagine it's someone from Noble team who's having these problems.'
Six took a deep breath, steel himself for the worst before saying, "Shress," but she refuses to look up at him. He remembers that in Sangheili culture to reveal your emotions, especially a woman, was considered a disgrace. He needed to let her know it was alright with him.
'I can't believe I'm doing this, then again a Spartan never leaves his buddies hanging.' Six rose, walks to Shress and very slowly took her hand in his. He was surprise to find it warm, he could actually feel the heat radiating from her hand and seeping into his armor shielded body.
Shress jerked violently and wrench her hand away from Six, a look of shock and confusion plaster on her face. Six raises his hands and said. "Wait, wait, I was just trying to get your attention, what I did doesn't mean anything, well it does, but not in the way you are thinking."
Shress remains silent before picking up her helmet and said, "I think I should go." She said rather awkwardly.
She was already walking away when Six cried. "Wait Shress, I didn't mean anything like that it was just-" He stops as Shress started walking down the trail back into the mountain.
Six continues to stand in place, watching her go when something explodes in his ear like the voice of God. "Get after her you lunatic!"
Six snaps into action, he runs after Shress, for some reason putting all of his energy in his legs, not wanting to let her get away. Shress turns at the sound of pounding feet and takes out her energy sword. Six saw the danger but could not stop his momentum. He tried to dig his feet into the dirt but he was moving too fast. Shress activates her sword but before she could take a slice at the Spartan, he crashes into her and they tumble down the rocky slope. Finally they roll to a halt on a small grassy meadow growing in the light of the setting sun.
Both of them were daze, but Six forces himself to his feet while he held his side, hoping he didn't break his ribs. Shress saw Six stand and rises as well, hissing in pain as they stood facing each other.
Six blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "Man that hurts...," Moaned Six while he clutches his side. Then he remembers the whole reason he gave chase so he hurriedly explain. "Shress, I didn't grab your hand out of affection, but because I wanted to let you know I am here for you. It's a sign of assurance among humans, no matter what happens, I'm there for you."
The Elite didn't say anything, surprise by Six's allegiance, so he continues. "I know you are under a lot of pressure, the walls are closing in on you and you are growing more and more in despair, but never, don't you dare, ever think that you are a disgrace. Among humans to stand out, to make a change is met with open hostility, something that you are facing, but believe in me, you might start a revolution. Right now there are probably hundreds of Sangehili females on your planet looking up to you, admiring you, and looking at what you've done. You became the first female Zealot. You were hand chosen by the prophets themselves." Six hated holding up the leaders of the Covenant, but this was for Shress, not them. "And you got in a fist fight with a Spartan and came out alive, not many people can survive that, I should know. People will treat you like nothing for now, but I bet you anything that your people will hail you as a hero, and you'll be destine to live on as a legend before you know it…"
Six took a deep breath while his mental state ponders, 'where did that speech come from?' But that didn't matter; he was just hoping it helped Shress. The alien was silent as she looks down at the grass before looking up at him, her helmet preventing him from seeing her expression.
"Thank you Michael." she finally said in a grateful tone. "No one has ever said that to me, not even my own parents." She confessed.
Michael just smiles and replied with a "Your welcome, that's what friends are for, right?"
Shress was silent before saying, "Yes, friends."
They were silent, but this silence was a good one as they were comforted by each other's presence. The setting sun caught Shress's eyes and she hisses. "We need to go now Michael."
He nods as he started up the hill, needing to retrieve his gear, but stops and says, "I'll see you later Shress, my friend," in a confident voice.
She turns towards him and her mandibles came closer together, perhaps that was the Sangheili's way of smiling. "Farewell Michael, my friend."
They grin at each other before Six turns and starts up the mountain, feeling better all of a sudden.
**Shress La' Vdamee POV**
Shress enters Holy Retribution, happily smiling at anything and everything, her mind still on the human Michael.
She has never been given such complements before. She never thought her disgraceful acts could make her a hero. Those words were exactly what she needed at the moment. Her parents were so set in their ways they wouldn't have dare thought of telling their daughter such things. To fill her head with fantasies when they were trying to squash it. Yet at the moment she didn't care what her parents thought, she was just happy knowing that she now had a friend. Someone she could talk to without fear that he may tell anyone her secrets.
She was walking to her quarters when a shadowy figure steps in front of her. Her good mood and smile disappears as she instantly knew who the person was.
Dinjit steps out of the shadow and asks, "Where were you?"
Shress just shrugs and said. "Out taking a walk, is that a crime?" before he could reply, she slips behind him and was walking away when he grabs her upper arm. She turns and snarls at him, causing him to let go. They might be the same height, but she was still a superior.
Dinjit growls in defense and said. "Ruan was looking for you earlier." Shress felt her mind goes blank with dread. "I'll escort you there." Dinjit finish as if thinking Shress wanted his company.
They walk through the camp as Dinjit tried four times to start a conversation, but Shress remains silent as horrible thoughts sped through her mind.
'What could Ruan want? Has he discovered my secret meetings with Michael? Am I about to be executed? Or is my father here to visit?'
"Shress!" a loud voice booms. She shook herself and found that they have stop in front of Ruan's command tent. Dinjit asks, "Do you want me to wait here for you?"
"No." she spoke quickly but added, "thank you," at the end. Dinjit gave his court-mate an odd look before walking away, leaving Shress alone in front of the tent. She calms her nerves the best she could before entering.
Inside the tent was nice and orderly, medals and awards, accommodated one side of the wall while opposite was a bed. Spread across the floor was an elegant rug, the best kind that could be made by delicate fingers. In the middle of the tent sat her commander, her CO as Michael would say, kneeling in front of a short table that was holding a data meter and a goblet of some simmering drink.
The aging warrior waved at the opposite side of the table and said, "Zealot, please sit."
Shress gulps before walking forward and kneels at the table, her hands resting on her knees as she waited for Ruan to speak.
The Zealot was an unnerving sight. He was reaching his eightieth summer and yet he still retains the body of a well brought up warrior. His skin bore the scars of past wars, some past, some present. He was eight feet tall when he stands and was the only male that Shress knows who has large rippling muscles. He has survived on seven human worlds and has been rumored to have killed more humans than anyone else in the entire fleet. As Shress observes her commander, she wonders if he's been "working out" as Michael has been doing, building his muscles.
The old Sanghelian drinks from the goblet, sets it down, looks at Shress, and spoke in an old leathery voice. "Zealot, I have grand news for you."
Grand news? Shress felt herself relax, she wasn't in trouble after all, Ruan just wanted to tell her something.
Ruan picks up the data meter on the table ad said. "Thanks to your successful raid on the human base, we have discovered the location of the greatest of the gods instruments, The Navigator." He sighs at this as if the excitement was too much for the veteran warrior's heart. "It is to you we must thank, you and your team of Rangers, soon you may even have my rank as Zealot Commander."
Zealot Commander? This was grand news! This could be the very thing she needs. She could return home as a hero, and this will wipe away the shame and present her with more glory, enough to keep Dinjit and the other fools away from her. She grins at this idea, but then it faded as she begins to wonder the commander's words.
"Begging your pardon commander, but why do you think I'll be promoted soon?" she asks.
"Because since you and I are the only Zealots left, should I fall in battle, then it will be you Shress La' Vdamee who can take my place." He said this without the slightest hint of fear of dying.
Shress was stunned, due to his advancing summers, Ruan hasn't taken part in any attacks and so far the humans are unaware of their location.
Seeing her confused face, Ruan elaborates. "Because this is such an amazing find, the prophet of Regret himself, now leads a fleet here, at this very moment." The Zealots pride was not amiss as he finishes. "With the fleet of Righteous Quality, we will cleanse this land of the human parasite, with me and the other commanders leading the way." He ended with the slightest hint of glee. "Leaving you as the commander should I fall here on this planet."
Shress caught the raging excitement in the tent. The high Prophet Regret himself was coming here; it will be the greatest of honor to fight under him, a tale that will delight her parents greatly, not to mention the fact that she might actually be promoted to a commander. Finally she could sustain her blood lust, avenge Nodam and Kluan. She can finally destroy all the humans, destroy all the demons and… destroy Michael?
Her thrill of total victory died suddenly in her chest like a flower being step on. Michael was a human, she should have seen this coming, and what was she thinking? She knew this day was coming yet she didn't think much about it, she didn't think she would become friends with the human, and now knowing he was going to die made her feel sick. When the high prophet gets here, it's all over, Michael and his comrades will be killed unless they leave the planet.
Ruan tilts his head slightly. "Zealot? Is there something wrong?" he asks, noticing how her excitement seems to have evaporated.
"Um, nothing commander." Shress replies hurriedly. "Can I please be excused to bed, I'm really tired,"
"Of course." The words barely left the senior Zealot before Shress stood place a fist over her heart and gave a small bow before turning and walking out of the tent. Once outside she let out a held breath and began thinking of her options.
She could do nothing and face the facts; she's a Zealot, part of the holy Covenant army, raging war against unclean creatures. But were they? All of her conversations with Michael has startled her. Both their species almost have the same common interests, world peace, making new discoveries and determined to protect their way of life. They were the complete opposite of the unholy beings that the prophets made them out to be. She couldn't save them, not all of them, but maybe she could save one of them, her friend.
She knew what she was going to do. She activated her camouflage and left the camp, running as fast as she could back to her and Michael's usual meeting spot.
**Six POV**
'Where the heck is she.' Six wonders as he watch the sun beginning to set.
He has been waiting all day for her. He finishes his PT hours ago and was growing restless and semi worried. Shress was never late before, he hope she was alright, he felt his heart sink a bit as he thought what might happen to her if the Covenant discover their secret meetings. Shress never voice them, but he was sure the Covenant punishment against conspiracy is more severe than the humans.
He checks his watch in his HUD for the hundredth time and saw it was five hundred hours. He needed to leave if he was going to make it back to Sword Base before it gets dark. He sighs before hefting his bag, but pauses as he hears footsteps behind him.
Thinking it was Shress in her active camouflage, he turns and said. "Well it's about t-" His voice trails off as he recognize the person before him.
He couldn't believe his eyes, but standing before him was none other than Doctor Halsey. She seems to be out of breath, had scraps on her hands and her face was a slight red color. Standing by her side were two military MP's, both looking as tired as Halsey.
'Oh man, this is it, I'm a goner now.' Six thought.
Halsey finally composes herself before demanding in a rather flustered tone. "Lieutenant, what are you doing up here?"
"Are you going to court martial me if I don't answer." He replies smoothly, but at the moment his mind was abuzz as he tries to think of a good excuse.
"Yes, I will lieutenant," she said in a confident voice, "Unless you tell me who it is you are meeting."
Six sighs. "Halsey I told you, if you want to know ask Admiral Hood-"
"I already did," she says calmly, "and he is unaware of any secret meetings between you and a senior officer, and I see no one else around, no common soldier." She stress the words common soldier, "Either, so are you willing to tell me the truth now lieutenant." she asks as she folds her arms.
Six literally felt as if his world was crumbling at the moment. She actually talked to Hood? He was the busiest person in the whole galaxy, how could she have gotten clearance to talk to him, more so, where did she get the courage to talk to the Admiral? Well she was talking to a Spartan completely unafraid so that could be part of it.
What really hit his core was that comment about meeting a common soldier. The only person he lied to about that was Emile. 'Emile may have a large mouth but he wouldn't rat me out to Halsey, I doubt he could even be in the same room with her without attempting to strangle her.'
With that in mind there left only one possible conclusion; Halsey has been spying on him. He felt enrage at this, yet this wasn't the first time she's done something to agitate him, there was the fact she refuses to call him a Spartan, but the lying and spying was most hurtful to him at the moment.
Halsey clears her throat, gaining Six's attention, "Well lieutenant, since you are unwillingly to speak the truth, I will just have to place you under arm guard until you speak the truth." She turns to the marines. "Soldiers, please escort the lieutenant, out of here."
The Marines eyes shows fear as they gaze at the Spartan who stood tall and loosens his muscles. A Spartan never goes down without a fight. Six made to charge but stops, these were his fellow soldiers, brothers in arms, he couldn't, and he wouldn't hurt them.
Halsey notices his hesitation and says. "Take him." again, but before the Marines could move, another voice interrupted.
"That won't be necessary boys."
Six felt his gut twist as he looks behind the startle Marines. Standing behind them, having crept up with the silence of a mouse was Carter, fully armored and weapon in hand.
Six now really wishes he was anywhere but here, before he could speak, Carter continues, "Sorry I'm late Six, I got held up back at the base."
Six was thankful his helmet hid his puzzled face, unsure what Carter was doing.
Halsey turns, looking furious as she asks, "Commander, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to have a secret meeting with Six, something you already know. "He looks up at Six and gestures him to follow. "Come on Six, let's find a more confidential place to talk."
Six gratefully follows, passing Halsey who looks angry enough to spit poison. "Commander, you have not been meeting with Noble Six in the past few days, now you expect me to believe you're his secret contact?"
"Yes I am." Carter replies, as he led Six away without another word, leaving an angry Doctor and two confused Marines.
They walk for almost twenty minutes when Six says, "Sir I-"
"Save it Six." Carter growls, coming to a halt just a few meters down the mountain and turns to face Six.
"What were you doing up here Noble? And I want the truth." Carter demands.
Six took a breath before saying, "I was doing PT-"
"Just like how you were meeting a common soldier up here?" Carter demanded, causing Six to look down in shame. He didn't blame Emile for telling Carter the lie, Carter he trusts, not the control freak doctor.
Carter breaths loudly before saying. "I followed Halsey up here because I heard there was going to be trouble. Looks like the rumors are true, now I have to do something with you to make it look like I'm setting you up for some special mission."
"Like what, sir?" Six asks.
Carter thought before answering, "I was planning on having Emile and Jun go scout out the far ridge of the mountains, but now I guess you'll just have to switch out with Emile, understood Spartan?"
"Yes sir." Six says, eyes still downcast.
Carter grunts before leaning in and asking. "What are you really doing up here lieutenant? Speak truthfully."
"I wasn't lying sir." Six replies. "I am, or was meeting somebody up here."
"Who?" Carter asks.
"I rather not say at the moment sir." Six felt small talking to his officer like this, but he got no choice, as an "honorable warrior" as Shress calls him, he has to keep his promises, which included not telling his CO of his new comrade.
Carter sighs. "I trust your judgment Six." Here he leans in. "But don't think I will not throw you under the bus if you do something no other Spartan will do, got me?"
Six nods while he though. 'Too late for that Carter, guess you have to throw me under the bus after all.'
"Keep up Six," Jun says as he hops over the boulders with the agility of a goat."
Six follows close behind, lugging his sniper rifle with him, trying to keep up with Jun. So far the recon mission they were on has gone on smoothly, no engagements or other kind of contact at all. The blue and green Spartans blends in almost perfectly with the shadowy landscape as they climb over the mountain tops, searching for anything alien. They've been at this for hours, yet so far, there has been no action, no joy.
"Well this is a pretty sight." Jun commented, looking down at something from the ridge he was resting on.
Six caught up to him and look at what he was staring at, it made his heart ache for some reason. It was the small ledge where he and Shress fell the other day, the place where he comforted Shress and they confirm that their acquaintance stage had passed into the stage of friendship. He hopes his new and only non-Spartan friend was ok wherever she was.
"Well, let's move Six." Jun says as he starts to move to the north. Six was about to follow when he notice something, there was something shining in the meadow, the rays of Reach's planet like moon reveals an object under a rock.
Six made sure Jun wasn't far away before he jumps, and skids on the rocky wall of the stone as he slides down to the meadow. The grass was flatten as he walks by, the large blue armored human, disturbing the chant of the night as insects and other night prowlers went silent as Six walks by.
He came to the rock and flips it over. He was stun to find human dog tags, but as he examines them, he was even more astonish to see it was his own dog tags. How did they get there? They've been missing before he and Shress fell in the meadow, so how did they appear here of all places? That was when he notices the markings on the ground.
They were gouge into the dirt with a blade, at first he thought it was all gibberish, but as he gets down on one knee, he realizes it was actually the human alphabet system mix with the Sangheili ruins. It was Shress, he realizes as he looks at his dog tags, she took his tags and left this message, but why and where was she?
'Maybe the weird writing holds the answers.' He thought as he leans in and tries to read the weird markings. There was the human H and Y, while there was a weird letter that looks like a K with squiggly lines originating from it in between the two human letters. Next to that was an O with what looks like a person who was bowing with his hands up in the middle. The last image was clear, it was a warning, a X within a circle that looks like it was shooting out lightning bolts, Shress told him this was use to warn others of her race of a fast moving threat.
Was this message meant for him, or was it Shress writing a distress signal. It didn't matter, he needed to make sure she was alright, and there was only one way to do that.
"Hey Six." He hears, Six looks up to see Jun looking down at him from the ridge. Six hid his tags behind his back while his foot conveniently landed on the symbols on the ground, disorientating the images. Jun held up his arms and asks. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing." Six answers before pointing south, the direction where Shress usually comes from. "Why don't we go investigate a bit that way?"
"Why?" Jun asks as he slid down next to Six. "Scans show that area is clean."
"Well it's easy to break machines." Six said, quoting their old lieutenant commander. "I just got a funny feeling, besides there's a chance of excitement down that way." which was true.
Jun thought for a moment before saying. "Alright, let's go."
They haven't gone more than a few meters when they both duck down when they saw a Phantom. They watch the lavender ship as it scans the mountain side with a search light before moving back down farther south.
Jun turns to Six and says, "I guess you're right about that whole excitement thing," he says as both Spartans begins to trace the phantom back to where it came from.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Thank you all for reading this story. I can not believe how popular this story has gotten. It feels good to be back in the saddle, so to speak. I am thinking about updating tomorrow as well. It just depends on how far I get in rewriting the next chapter.
I also have good news. I am getting a 360 with all the halo games so when I do get it I can start writing a new chapter for this story.
Jtf0012 signing off.
