Chapter 19: Zealous Champion
"What did the Oracle say to you? Did it grant any knowledge about the sacred rings? Any holy commands?"
While I knew that the person in front of me could eventually become one of the prophet Heirarchs, at the moment he was acting like an excited child.
The entire walk back to the phantom, and the subsequent fly after, Mercy has been pressing me for answers about what happened when they were shut out. At first, the others were also interested, but I didn't exactly feel like my conversation with Mendicant was intended to be shared.
While the other three present were begrudgingly accepting of my excuse, Mercy wasn't.
Not that it mattered. I thankfully held off the pestering that the san'shyuum was putting me through by using patience and small words. At this point, I was simply thankful that I made it all the way back to the High Council chambers.
Sighing, I decided to answer him one last time with a shake of my head. Glancing up to the door to the council chamber, I take in a deep sigh before I begin to deflect again.
"My apologies, holy one… but I don't think I should share what we talked about."
The prophet grows a bit red in the face at being brushed off. He opens his mouth to continue, but is quickly interrupted by Tolerance clearing his throat.
"Perhaps if the gods deem it necessary, the Oracle will tell you personally. It is not our place to question them after all."
And with that, the door opened, revealing the council chamber.
Nothing seemed to have changed, as the two other prophet Heirarchs remained seated at the far end of the room. The echoing of debating opinions and angered growls from political leaders could be heard quieting down as everyone noticed our presence.
I spotted my commanders standing down below the sangheili side of the council, worry clear in their eyes. Standing behind them was the surprisingly still form of the Kaidon.
All eyes were on me as I made my way back up to the raised platform. I idly noted the thunderous footsteps next to me that signified that Maccabaeus was still beside me, prompting me to look over to him.
The massive jiralhanae was still an imposing sight, but his posture was different. I could tell that the upcoming rejection would hit him hard.
I hope I didn't accidentally cause a feud between the two of us.
Shaking off the feeling of guilt, I took another steadying breath as we reached the platform. Straightening my posture, I keep my back straight and lock eyes with Tolerance as he rejoins his fellow Hierarchs.
At this point, the entire chamber was deadly silent. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something, but no one wanted to break the anxious quietness.
"I suppose that this fiasco is over now correct?"
Looking up, I spotted the san'shyuum sitting in the front row that spoke up previously. Everyone turned their attention to the prophet, who didn't seem phased by the entire silent room focusing their eyes on him.
"I would like to file a motion to strip Ussa Solatee of his rank. It is obvious to everyone here that his judgement isn't sound."
I glanced behind me to find the honor guard, only to find him taking his helmet off. He examined the intricate helmet for a moment before he threw it violently onto the floor, the helmet sliding loudly over the metallic ground before slamming into the bottom of the san'shyuum's side of the council.
Gasps resounded through the room for a moment from all sides. I could easily tell that what he just did was considered outrageous, and not simply due to the reaction.
Becoming an honor guard was considered a great honor, being able to defend the prophets and the council was akin to watching over the closest things that the Covenant had to gods. Him disgracing the armor as such was definitely an affront.
"No, you need not strip me of my ranking, for I step down willingly!"
Walking forward, he stands directly under the unruly san'shyuum and stares directly into his bulbous amphibious eyes. Before anyone could speak on his actions, he decided to voice his thoughts.
"I have served as your personal bodyguard ever since you backstabbed your way to that seat, watching in silence as you greedily blackmailed and bribed your way to higher power. No longer!"
The prophet stood up, but seemed a bit frail. I watched as he struggled with an oddly shaped belt for a moment before he suddenly seemed to gain control over his body. Pointing angrily down to the sangheili, he shouts his objections.
"Blasphemy! What lies are these?"
The sangheili snarls before he strips his ornate glowing shoulder pads off and turns towards me.
"When I took this position, I thought I was serving the will of the gods, but it seems I was mistaken."
The entire room gasped, including me, as he placed his hand over his chest, and knelt down to one knee in front of me.
"I have not seen a more clear sign from the gods as to my path than what I have seen today. I have heard the voice of the gods, and will follow their will. I pledge my life and service to ship mistress Sohm 'Bir."
It took a second for the words to sink in, but after a moment of deathly silence, the entire crowd exploded into noise. Each side seems to somehow blame the other side, as opinions and emotions seemed to fly over my head.
Not that I was paying them any mind as I looked at the prostrating form of Ussa.
I didn't quite know how to feel as I shifted my weight in embarrassment. While I have spent my entire professional life forced into subservience to the higher caste species, now that I had someone else doing the same to me caused a feeling to well up within me.
Disgust.
Even as the council battled out their emotions using heated words, I stepped off of the platform and made my way over to the kneeling sangheili. Quickly gripping his muscled arm, I begin to pull him to his feet.
The sangheili seemed extremely surprised by my proximity to him, as he moved his hand to his plasma rifle. I could tell it was simply a battle tested reaction, so I simply waited for him to calm down. After a moment, he recognized me and tilted his head in confusion.
Giving him a bright smile, I nervously scratch the back of my head in embarrassment.
"Please don't kneel to me, I am not any different than you…"
The elite blinks for a moment, before he nods and slowly gets to his feet. I watched as he shifted his mandibles and gave me the odd sangheili version of a smile.
"Silence!"
Spinning around, the entire chamber became quiet as the high pitched voice resounded through the room.
"There will be order in this council! By the gods, do none of you have any shame?"
My eyes widened as I realized that the high pitched voice came from one of the Heirarchs. The high prophet slams her hand onto her throne, anger clear in her features.
A few grumbles came from the crowds as the politicians reluctantly settled down.
Tolerance shakes his head, amusement showing through. He gestured for me to return to my position on the platform.
Nodding, I made my way back next to Maccabaeus.
"Now that we are properly settled, noble Philoligist… will you please inform us as to what happened."
All eyes turned to Mercy at that point, who was completely unprepared for the attention.
"Oh… right."
A few laughs at the religious leader's expense rose up from his peers on the san'shyuum side of the room, but were quickly shushed.
"The Holy Oracle indeed spoke, stating that the kig yar was the gods favored candidate for the position."
Reactions were, yet again, explosive.
"What? Why would the gods speak up for one of the kig yar?"
"Surely you must be misinterpreting!"
"They are nothing but thieves!"
"Silence!"
Yet again, the chamber grew quiet at the female Hierarch's word. She appeared infuriated at this point, and pointed to the san'shyuum side of the council.
"The next one to speak out of turn will be thrown out of this room without the use of their gravity belt!"
This seemed to be enough to instantly quiet down the rowdy prophets, as they all returned to their chairs.
Satisfied that she did the job, she turned her attention to Tolerance who seemed a bit impressed with her ability to shut down the rowdy crowd.
"Am I to assume that you were also a witness to this event?"
The heirarch closed his eyes and bobbed his head up and down safely, looking as if remembering something grand.
"Indeed. It was quite the event, I assure you."
The High Prophetess didn't appear to be phased by the knowledge, as she spun around and focused her scathing look to me. I could tell that the anger in her amphibious eyes wasn't directly aimed at me, but more of the general frustration that the council has caused.
"Then the matter is out of our hands, now isn't it? The gods have spoken, and named Champion Sohm 'Bir as the new Shipmistress of the Rapid Conversion."
Though, it didn't appear as if the event was completely over as a sickly sweet voice rang out from the chamber.
"Formally requesting permission to speak, noble Heirarch."
Yet again, a ping of recognition came through in the back of my mind which forced me to pay close attention. Glancing up to one of the prophet council members, I looked up to see a prophet raising a frail hand upwards.
"The council recognizes the Minister of Fortitude."
I nearly snorted as I remembered that this was who my father stole his ship from. Holding in any reaction, I listened quietly.
The prophet stood up and nodded, gesturing down towards the platform that I was standing on.
"Thank you, noble Heirarch. I would just like to raise the issue of resource distribution yet again. If we are to grant Champion 'Bir command of the Rapid Conversion, than the initial reasoning of gifting the ship to Chieftain Maccabaeus would still exist."
Murmurs of agreement rose up from the council, but were quickly shut down with a scathing look by the female Heirarch.
"I am sure that another ship will free itself up soon enough minister, and when it does, the mighty chieftain will be the first to know."
The council member nodded, seemingly satisfied before returning to his seat.
"That is wonderful news, noble Hierarch. I yield the floor."
Hearing the shifting of armor behind me, I turned to see some of Maccabaeus's proud posture returning. It made me feel slightly better knowing that he at the very least could continue with his own journey, if only a bit delayed.
Shaking those thoughts off, I heard the sound of someone else speaking up. Oddly enough, I immediately recognized the tone, and spun around to see Bero raising his own hand.
His eyes were firmly on me as he gave me a bright smile and a nod.
"Formally requesting permission to speak, noble Heirarch."
Tolerance decided to take charge as he gestured toward my commander.
"The council recognizes…"
Bero doesn't seem offended that the Heirarch didn't recognize him, as he simply offers his name.
"Bero Kusovai, noble Heirarch. I simply wish to point out a small issue with the promotion of my subordinate to as high of a rank as Shipmistress."
The council seemed confused as to what he was talking about, but they remained quiet. I couldn't help but think about how serious a threat that removing those strange belts were to the san'shyuum.
"And what issue is it that you wish to bring up? I believe we already went over if she was qualified in mind and character in a previous session, no?"
Bero shook his head, gesturing towards me with his hand.
"The issue I can see arising is her ranking, not her personality, holy one. If she remains as she is, she will be subservient to any other shipmaster in the fleet, and will be forced under our own laws to obey the orders of another, even a low ranking sangheili in her own ship. She would still be a menial worker, even if the classification of her ship suggests otherwise."
Immediately, I could hear whispers of agreement coming from the sangheili side of the council.
Tilting my head, I examine Bero closely. I wasn't quite sure where he was going with this, as Champion was the highest rank I could…
Oh wait.
My mouth fell open as I realized exactly where my mentor was going with this. I saw the amusement come over his features as he continued.
"If you do not wish to make the gesture from the Oracle, nor the assignment of this cruiser a meaningless gesture, you must promote her to the rank of Zealot."
I couldn't quite believe what came out of his mouth, as I stared at him in numb bewilderment. Zealot was a pipe dream of any kig yar in the Covenant. A goal that no one really believed was possible. The last time anyone got the privilege was over four hundred solar cycles ago, and even then it was at a time of great upheaval in the Covenant.
Swiftly spinning my head around to look at the Heirarchs, I try to get a feel for my chances, only for my heart to stop in my chest.
The three Heirarchs seem to be discussing it for a moment before they seem to come to a resolution. Tolerance takes the floor once again and gestures towards Bero.
"Given the unprecedented nature of the divine influence, we find that your point has merit and we will proceed as such."
What!?
"Sohm 'Bir. Upon taking up the mantle of Shipmistress, you will be named the fifth Zealot of kig yar ancestry. The Rapid Conversion will be ready for you by midday tomorrow."
Even before it happened, I could tell that the decree was enough for the san'shyuum side of the council to begin their protests once again. Thankfully, the female Heirarch decided to intervene, graining the attention of all those present.
"Our decision is final. This grand meeting of the council is adjourned."
Watching as the platform the Heirarchs were on slowly descended into the floor, all protests were cut off and the session was over.
(\\\(*v*)/)
It has been a bit since I have left the council chamber, making my way to one of the balconies overlooking the city. After everything that just happened, I knew I needed some fresh air to clear my mind.
I sat there on my perch, staring out over the holy city below me. I looked out over the city, attempting to use my eagle-like vision to find which of the hanging garden platforms that my jiralhanae was on. I even used my optics to place a waypoint over the correct overhang, only to realize that I couldn't make out any details from this distance.
Sadly, I was simply too far away.
Looking down to the towering buildings that made up the Golden City, I study it a bit more closely than I normally do. This sight was something I was quite used to, though not at this angle. From here, I could see several buildings that I simply couldn't before.
Inevitably, my eyes are drawn back to the forerunner dreadnought, prompting me to think back to Oracle, Mendicant Bias. Nearly laughing to myself, I shake my head at my own previous irrational fear. The Oracle seemed rather confused, or even sad at times, and I felt like our little talk might help him out a bit.
"Yet again, I find your admiring a view from on top of something you probably shouldn't be on."
Glancing down, I spotted three sangheili all looking up to me from below. While Rtas and Bero were expected, the odd form of a gold armored Zealot behind them wasn't.
Blushing, I jump down from the ornamental spire I was sitting on and give a professional salute. Straightening my posture, I give my mentor a bright smile.
"Well, you know me. Always have the need to have a good vantage point."
The joke fell flat, as the odd sense of finality loomed overhead. The silence was broken after only a moment as Bero speaks up.
"We have been reassigned to another fleet. We are to report there immediately, but we did come to wish you a fond farewell, Zealot Sohm 'Bir."
Immediately a lump forms itself in my throat. I didn't want to part with them, but I knew it was coming. Forcing the emotions back, I give them a bright smile.
"Good… that's good."
Nodding, my two commanders gave me a salute before they turned around and began to leave.
I knew they would be safe out there. They were far too skilled as warriors to let anything happen to them, but I felt the need to address my worries anyway.
"Wait."
The two of them turn around, but by then I have already closed the distance. Giving my mentor a fond embrace, I voice the concerns that wouldn't leave my mind alone.
"You will stay safe out there, won't you?"
Feeling the tense muscles of the sangheili relax, he awkwardly returns the hug. We stay like that for a moment before we break the embrace, though he keeps a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"You need not worry about us, Sohm. We will be fine, and so will you. I could not have chosen a better apprentice if I tried, and I am truly sorry for whoever crosses blades with you in the future."
Nodding, I am glad for my optical helmet, as it was hiding the water that was gathering in my eyes.
Giving me a gentle squeeze, he removes his hand from my shoulder before he gives me another salute. Dipping his head in respect lower than I've ever seen anyone do to me, I feel my mouth fall open.
"Victory to clan and kin, Zealot."
Speechless, I watch in an odd sense of sadness and pride as they made their way back into the tower. I knew they were off to make their own way in the galaxy, though I was quite sad to see them leave.
Hearing the thump of a hand impacting metal, I turn around to see the odd sangheili zealot saluting me.
"Ussa 'Solatee, reporting in."
My eyes grew wide as I realized exactly who this was. Shaking the lingering emotions out of my mind, I addressed the elite fully.
"You really gave up your position as an honor guard to serve under a kig yar?"
The elite dropped his salute and laughed. The deep warbling bellow of his mirth echoed against the metal walls of the tower, causing a strange reverberating delay.
After a moment, the elite regains his breath as he addresses my question.
"My choices were to serve a self centered greedy worm, or one of my gods' chosen… I believe I have made the right choice."
My eyes grew wide as I fully comprehended his words. At this point in my life, I've only ever heard one other sangheili speak like that about a prophet, and it felt odd to hear.
"I have spent the last six solar cycles guarding that prophet as he lied, blackmailed, and whored any sense of honor I might have thought he had away… so no, I do not regret my decision. After all, the gods chose you, and I have no doubt you need someone to help you run your ship, no?"
Immediately, I thought back to the massive bridge on the Clandestine Devotion. All of the different officers and screens representing different parts of the ship…
Blinking, I just realized I have absolutely no idea how to pilot a cruiser. Looking over to the gold armored elite in front of me, I nervously shift my weight.
"You wouldn't happen to know how to fly a cruiser… would you?"
The elite lets out another laugh, as he nods.
"Indeed. Before I volunteered my services to the guard, I commanded a heavy corvette. I will gladly lend my expertise."
Nodding in relief, I begin to make my way towards the exit.
"It would definitely be nice to have a bit of help, that's for sure. After all of that, I just realized that the biggest ship I have ever piloted is a seraph."
The elite grunts behind me, deciding to voice his thoughts on the matter.
"Worry not, I am sure the gods chose you for a reason. Perhaps this is just another step in our path to glorious salvation."
Chuckling nervously, I made my way towards one of the gravity lifts that would take me back down to the surface. Stepping inside, I begin to float back down to the main level of the Holy City.
On my way down, I began to sort through the red flags that my mind has so kindly provided me about Ussa.
It looked like he was extremely religious, which could very much become an issue later, but as it looks now, I could use as much help as I could get.
Landing on the ground floor, I took the time to look around me. The ground floor lobby was rather empty, though I could spot a few agitated honor guards next to the door.
It only took me a few moments to realize why the room was so empty even though a council session just ended. The council was made out of the highest ranking out of the highest caste in the Covenant. Each of them would most likely have their own ships to ferry them from place to place, never needing to set foot in the slums of the city below.
Sighing, I glanced back to see Ussa gently pop out of the lift behind me. Deciding to continue the conversation, I try to divert the topic away from any religious thoughts even as we made our way to the exit.
"So, you have experience commanding a ship?"
Ussa grunts behind me before he begins to elaborate.
"The peace time following the unggoy rebellion so many cycles ago was not the greatest time for glory. My promotion came too late for battle, and I spent most of my time stuck doing training exercises. Nonetheless, my experience should prove useful to you."
Nodding, I finally made my way to the exit, opening it and stepping outside.
"Well that will definitely… be…"
What the…?
"There she is!"
An explosion of sound caused me to bring my hands up to my ears as I witnessed another massive group of t'vaoans clustered outside of the tower. A semicircle of honor guards were using the threat of energy spears to hold the group back.
"It's her!"
"Out of the way, let me see!"
"Stupid four jaws, move!"
At my arrival, the group seemed to literally come to life as I watched several of them begin to climb on top of each other. As I sat there completely dumbfounded, I tried to figure out what they were doing here, only to immediately bring my hand to my face.
They followed me here.
I heard the sound of a sangheili war cry as I looked back down to the semicircle of honor guards.
"Hey, stay back! I'm warning you!"
The mob seemed to be getting a bit more rowdy, which I knew would eventually trigger these guards to defend the tower.
Which would end terribly.
Wanting to end a bloodbath before it began, I spoke up.
"Hey!"
The strange sensation from earlier came by as the entire group began to shush each other. After only a moment, an entire group of thousands were all sitting silently, awaiting my next word.
I couldn't exactly explain why they listened to me like this, though I could easily sum it up in one feeling.
Creepy.
"Why are you all standing here?"
One of the Skirmishers in the front decided to answer.
"We wanted to see you!"
"Yeah!"
Blinking as the group all started shouting again, I raised a hand and watched in morbid fascination as they all grew quiet again.
That isn't normal, is it?
"I don't suppose you would be willing to let me through, would you?"
Reaching up, I begin to scratch at the feathers on the back of my head again. I idly recognized that it was a nervous tic of mine, but I could work on it later.
"You are agitating the guards here," I gesture to the slightly more relaxed honor guards, "Not to mention, having an entire crowd of people showing up every time I exit somewhere would make it extremely hard to get to where I'm going."
Hearing grumbles coming up from the crowd, I watched as they reluctantly began to disperse, though not in the way that I expected.
It looks like they simply made the crowd less dense by spreading out. I watched in awe as with little to no communication between them, they all made enough space for someone to walk.
Unsure as to how I was supposed to address this, I clear my throat before shouting out.
"Umm… thank you! I truly must be on my way now."
Slowly making my way into the crowd, I had the odd sensation of watching as the group in front of me parted as I passed by. Each one of the kig yar all looked like they wanted to reach out and touch me, which made me press my feathers in and tense my muscles.
I could hear the deep footsteps of Ussa behind me, though he remained thankfully quiet.
Now, at this point I had two options. I could either visit Timore and let him know the good news, or attempt to hide in my mother's apartment again.
Glancing behind me, I watch as the gap that I have made by walking has already enclosed itself behind me, causing me to realize I am completely surrounded.
I knew that if I left to gather up Timore, it might end poorly, due to the fact that my isolated friend would be swarmed by the same group that was following me.
They are not going to leave me alone, are they?
Seeing Ussa with his hand casually on his plasma rifle, expertly scanning the crowd for threats, I get an idea.
"Ussa?"
Watching as the sangheili turns his attention to me, I voice my idea.
"There is one other person I want to have as a part of my crew, but I don't think it would be a great idea for me to go and get them like this. Are you connected to the battle network?"
Hearing the elite hum in affirmation, I feel a plan begin to form itself in my mind.
"Good. I am opening a channel now."
Fiddling with my equipment for a moment, I open an unencrypted channel and set a waypoint at the hanging gardens where my friend is. Typing into the channel silently as to not give away Timore's position, I give him the last bit of information that he needs.
"There is a jiralhanae that will be at or near that location. Please inform him to meet me at the kig yar sector lift station with his belongings before midday tomorrow."
"Understood."
I watched as Ussa branched off, and I immediately felt a bit bad as I realized that my first order to him was to send him to the complete opposite end of the city.
Turning back to where I was going, I set a waypoint on my optics to the apartment. As much as I believed I could find my own way, I realized that it would be rather difficult to do while surrounded by other skirmishers.
Watching in front of me as people passed by, all with wide eyes and puffed out feathers, I began to realize exactly how much of an impact I had by killing Ripa. All of these people were just the ones that could make it to the Holy City.
It didn't take me long to realize that it would be an order of magnitude worse if I was actually on T'vao.
"Hi, nice lady!"
"Shush!"
Blinking, I realized I recognized those words. Stopping in my tracks and turning, I spotted three t'vaoans all huddled around each other. One mother, and two kids.
They were larger than I remember, though that was to be expected. It has been at least five years, and I wasn't quite sure it was the same family until I saw each of them holding a hand made brightly colored bag.
I watched for a moment as the mother did her best to calm her two children, only to let out a small squeak of fright as she noticed me looking at her. Giving a bright smile, I took the few steps separating us and started a conversation. Kneeling down to meet the eyes of the preteen, I give a soft wave.
"Hello again! You have gotten bigger haven't you?"
The statement was more than just me noticing their height. A casual examination of the family showed they looked a lot more healthy than when I saw them on Sangheilios.
The child gives her mother a smug look before she begins to shout out loudly.
"Mommy said you wouldn't recognize us, but you did!"
The mother growls for a moment, giving the chick a soft bop on the head.
"I didn't say that!"
Even through everything that has happened today and the massive crowd around us, I laughed. I was absolutely ecstatic to see the family was doing good.
"Of course I did! How could I forget the ones that gave me such delicious food?"
Immediately, I tried to show them that I still had the bag, only to realize it was stored in the storage compartment above my bed on the Clandestine Devotion.
The now burning husk of the Devotion, that is.
Giving the family a sad smile, I dip my head.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't keep the bag you gave me. My ship crashed, and I couldn't save it."
The two children looked horrified, the both of them bringing their hands to their muzzles.
"Oh no!"
"That's terrible! Are you okay?"
Smiling, I nod. Standing up, I take in a deep breath before I ready myself to leave. I knew that giving these people attention like this in a crowd was most likely a bad idea.
"Thank you for asking, but I'm fine. It has been nice to see you again though!"
Before I could turn away, the youngest t'vaoan slipped her own bag off her shoulder and shoved it towards me.
"Here! Take mine. I can always make another."
Blinking, I give the youngling one of the brightest smiles I have given in a while. Carefully grabbing the bag, I bow my head low.
"Thank you. I shall make sure to take better care of this one."
The youngling pointed at me accusingly, letting out a growl that I'm sure she thought was threatening.
"You better!"
Laughing, I nodded before I started to look around.
My mood soured as I saw the entire crowd was staring towards me with an odd hunger and puffed feathers. I watched as a few of what looks to be females of mated pairs begin to swat at their significant others.
Odd.
"Sadly, I must get going. Perhaps next time we meet, I can have some more of your delicious food?"
The mother smiles brightly, bowing her head low.
"It would be my pleasure."
Smiling, I turned and began my journey toward my apartment once again.
"Bye, nice lady!"
(\\\(*v*)/)
Eventually I finally made it back to the kig yar sector. I found out by simply walking that the mob actually had an end to it, though a quick glance behind me showed they were not going to leave me alone.
It was definitely surreal, knowing that all these people knew my name, but I didn't know theirs.
At this point, I was finally able to round the corner leading to the big blue apartment building, when I noticed something wasn't quite right.
There's more than one group?!
Sure enough, there is another mob still surrounding the apartment building. Sighing, I bravely navigate through the crowd and to the front door without incident.
Eventually, I closed the door behind me, thankful that none of them decided to try and push their way inside with me.
Glancing up from my spot near the exit, I saw several of the tenants all staring at me hatefully. All of them were standing near a window looking out over the entrance.
They didn't need to voice why they were angry. Throwing my hands up, I try to defend the indefensible.
"What? How was I supposed to know this would happen?!"
The grouping simply shook their heads before returning to their gawking.
Deciding to simply get some peace and quiet in my room, I quickly made my way up the lift. Making my way down the hall, I find the door to the apartment and make my way inside.
Closing the large metal door, I lock it before slumping against it. Closing my eyes, I take in a few calming breaths. After taking a moment to calm my nerves, I start to fiddle with my optics. After only a moment, I realized that I have only been awake for about six hours.
It feels like it has been days!
Shaking my head, I decided to try and get a bit of rest. I knew that while tomorrow was a big day, there was nothing that I could really do before I was officially given the ship.
Making my way towards my room, I slip inside and reach up to remove my helmet.
"Look at you now!"
"AAH!"
Thwack!
Pulling my arm back from its reflexive punch, I watch as a form in my room clatters to the floor in a heap. Taking a moment to examine the person, I immediately recognized the odd patchwork armor.
"Dad?!"
Sure enough, my father was now sprawled on the floor in a groaning heap. Feeling a mix of horrified self loathing, and furious anger at him for surprising me, I settle on simply waiting for an explanation.
Rolling over, my father decided he would rather stay down than try and get up.
"This is just like last time I was here. Ugh."
Pointing down at my sorry excuse of a father, I begin to yell.
"Have you tried not hiding in the bedroom?!"
I watched as his face contorted into confusion before he gestured toward the nests.
"Hiding? I wasn't hiding! I was sleeping, and got up to greet you when I heard you enter!"
Looking over, I saw that the previously unused nest that my mother used while we were here was disturbed. As if to emphasize his point, he took that moment to let out a loud yawn.
Sighing, I unceremoniously made my way over to my nest and flopped down into it. I didn't care about much of anything at that point. The entire day has been an emotional roller coaster for me, and I just wanted to sit and relax for a bit.
Sadly, there just so happens to be someone else in the room who was ruining my peace and quiet.
"Sohm… are you okay?"
Looking up, I could see that Moruun has pulled himself into a seating position leaning up against a wall.
Sighing, I close my eyes and just let my mouth wander.
"It's been… a very long day."
I was met with silence for a few moments as I realized that he was just going to let me talk.
"Council politics… Holy Oracles… massive crowds…"
I felt myself smile a bit as I thought back to the good that happened today. I thought about the small t'vaoan family, and how they were happy. I thought about my new ship and how after all these years, I could finally make a difference. I thought about how I managed to talk to a Heirarch about sending aid to my home that so desperately needed it.
"But it's been good too… I guess I'm just tired."
My father remains quiet for a moment before he decides to speak up.
"You are a hero now Sohm. A household name, even back home."
Opening my eyes, I look up to see my father staring at me with the most serious face I have ever seen from him.
"During the years that Ripa occupied T'vao, a lot of people tried to kill him… and yet it was you, my own daughter, that did it. I have never been more proud."
Feeling a deep warm feeling blossoming in my chest, I couldn't prevent the wide smile from gracing my face.
Moruun stood up, pulling something out from a previously unseen satchel and tossing it onto the floor next to me.
"Funnily enough, the reason I am here, is because I was hired by one of the pirate clans to deliver this to you, as a thanks for killing him."
Looking down to the oddly wrapped package, I look back up to my dad.
"What is it?"
Bashfulness comes over his features as he shrugged.
"Don't know. Let's find out together, eh?"
Blinking, it takes a moment before the realization comes over me.
"So… you're telling me that you are a courier of a package, sent by a pirate clan to a Covenant officer that just so happens to be your daughter… and you didn't check to see if it is a bomb."
He began to scratch the back of his feathers in embarrassment as he tried to defend himself.
"Hey, they seemed genuine enough! I'm an excellent judge of character."
Giving him a deadpan look, I decided to debunk that theory with extreme prejudice.
"Didn't you say you got shot because you forgot you owed someone money?"
"Ugh! You are acting just like your mother right now!"
Laughing, I scooped up the package. I knew it was unlikely that it was a bomb, simply due to who was actually delivering it. I didn't actually think that he would put me in any real danger, but it didn't hurt to mess with him a bit.
Opening it, the first thing I noticed was that it was a datapad. Tilting my head, I activated the screen only for a letter to scroll across the screen.
Dear Sohm 'Bir.
I truly hoped against hope that our paths never crossed, but it appears as if that is now up to you.
I am well aware of who you are and what you have done to my underground markets, but let it be known that even to those that did not hear the word I spoke, I still mean what I say, and follow my word to the letter.
A few solar cycles ago, I placed a bounty on Ripa 'Moramee in the form of one favor. Placed within this datapad is a drop location that one of my subordinates will check on a cycle by cycle basis. Place this datapad, along with the favor inside the largest crater on the asteroid marked, and if it is within my power to do, I shall.
-X
Blinking, I look back up to my father, who is fiddling with a piece of his armor. Holding the datapad up, I ask the obvious question.
"Who gave you this?"
He looks up, and shrugs noncommittally.
"Sorry Sohm, but I can't break confidentiality. I would be filled with holes if I did."
Looking back down to the datapad, I realized that this might actually be more valuable than I might expect.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Blinking, I looked back up to my father who looked as if he was preparing to leave.
"I visited your mother before I came here. I was actually with her when the news came."
My eyes widened, as I felt a bit nervous.
"Oh, is she alright? Her injury isn't troubling her too much, is it?"
My father grows angry, pointing to me accusingly.
"Oh, I get a punch in the face, but you are all worried about mom, eh?"
Rolling my eyes, I wait for him to continue which he thankfully does without further complaint.
"She is doing fine. She is helping in the reconstruction of the city you two used to live near. Things are actually starting to look up back home, and she just wanted to let you know that she loves you."
Yet again, another warm feeling sprouts up from within as I sit there speechless.
"Anyway, I must be off now. Places to be, things to do."
Shaking my head at his antics, I stand up and make my way over to my strange pirate of a father. Wrapping my arms around his armored form, I began to nuzzle him affectionately.
"I love you dad… I'm sorry for punching you in the face."
Feeling him return the hug, I nearly laugh at his response.
"I love you too Sohm, and please don't do it again. That really hurt. I'm starting to think that Syma cheated on me with a sangheili."
Breaking the hug, I pushed him playfully which only got a hearty laugh in return as he exaggeratedly fell backwards as if pushed by some great force. Landing on his backside, he points up to me accusingly.
"Woah! See! What did I tell you!"
Shaking my head, I made my way back over to my nest. Beginning to strip myself of my outer armor, I listened as he made his way to the door. I heard as he opened it, before calling out from the entranceway.
"Stay safe out there, my brave warrior princess."
Placing my armor beside me, I lay down and begin to relax.
"You too, dad… you too."
—Authors Note—
This isn't nearly as long as I wanted it to be, but that is only because this is essentially chapter 19-A
The original point by point scene breakdown of this chapter had it going for like 20k words. It got cut and condensed into like 15k ish, and then I realized that there needs to be a bit of a break in the info dump. Too much happening all at the same time.
Eh, whatever.
Basically, if this was a book series, this is the end of book 1. If I was gunna be weird about it, after I was done with this, I would make another fanfic which would be "book 2" or whatever, but I'm not gunna. Too much work. It's just gunna be more songbird after a time skip.
Anyway, expect another chapter pretty soon. I've already done the work of mapping it out, and the only real reason it's gunna be delayed is because of thanksgiving. A lot of work around turkey day, and then a lot of sitting and digesting. :)
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