The Songbird

by PyreElegy

The 23rd age of doubt began thirty eight years ago, and while the discovery of the brutish race, the Jiralhanae, recently shook the Covenant, not much has changed for the Theocracy. However on the asteroid T’vao, a young Skirmisher is born and her story will shake the Covenant to its core. SI OC Skirmisher, starts 25 years before Harvest.

25. A Day at the Beach

Chapter 25: A Day at the Beach

Striding confidently through the large passageway that leads to the main hangar bay, I watch as the door hissed open in front of me. Taking a few steps out, I found myself looking out over the largest open room in my ship.

The main hangar bay was filled to the brim with several hundred warriors, all looking up to me from my chosen position up high. The hangar itself was empty of military equipment as most of the important shipments of supplies were bound for the gravity lift room.

I could hear several warriors shushing their neighbors as they noticed me.

Sighing, I realized it was time.

"Warriors!"

After a moment, the entire crowd grew quiet. Everyone's attention was firmly on me, causing me to take a moment to reorganize my thoughts before I began to address the reason I gathered them all.

"As I am sure you are all well aware by now, we have made contact with a previously unknown alien species…"

Pausing for the inevitable murmured whispers, I wait for them to get it over with before I begin again.

"As of right now, we are the only official representatives of the Covenant anywhere nearby. Our actions in the coming days are of the utmost importance, as if any of you studied history as much as I did, you know full well that the Covenant has never met a species that it didn't go to war with…"

The images of the bombing of my own homeworld resurfaced in my mind's eye for a moment before I shook it off. It was sad that I didn't need to dredge up memories from a different life lived so long ago to know the devastation that could be wrought from a ship like mine.

One quick look at the rather large grouping of t'vaoans showed that I wasn't the only one that knew the gravity of the situation.

"It is for this reason that I have decided to give my next few general orders in person, directly to you."

Taking another quick moment to glance over my crewmen below, I settle my gaze on the unggoy for a bit longer before I continue.

"No one shall initiate hostile contact unless provoked. Talk means nothing unless they attack you, so your honor is less important than war."

Grumbles from the sangheili, but they would need to deal with it. This was my ship, my mission, my rules.

"Order two, defensive equipment will be required to be active or at the ready if you leave the ship. Energy shields… point defense gauntlets… doesn't matter. Just because they aren't hostile now doesn't mean they won't be."

I would be a fool to not take into account unforeseen threats. I wasn't too naïve to think that humanity was filled with only saints and scholars.

"Lastly, we are to defend our ship from all threats inside and out. Under no circumstances are any of the aliens allowed to enter the ship, and the energy shields will remain active for the duration we are here. I will soon personally take the two guests back to their people, but once they are gone we are to defend our ship inside and out with whatever means necessary. Clear?"

The sound of a thousand fists impacting chests ran through the room as a chorus of "Yes, Shipmistress!" resounded through the room.

I knew I could have just made all of those general orders over the battle network, but I knew it was a bit different seeing your leader directly speaking to you rather than words spoken over a comms array. I didn't do this often, but the crew definitely knew I meant every word.

Good.

"Dismissed."

(\\\(*v*)/)

Reading the newfound inscription that Timore carved into the human computer one more time, I shake my head in fond exasperation as I think of my friends.

Hearing a beep coming from the terminal, I realize my hand slipped a bit in my distraction, causing the ship to take a slight nosedive. Quickly stabilizing the phantom, I switch my attention to look over the vast landscape in front of me.

Off in the distance outlined in the blue morning sky, I could spot a massive ringed structure that seemed to stretch out into the atmosphere with a sprawling city beneath it. Farmlands tended by massive machines seemed to be tending endless farmlands in the immediate area around my phantom, tilling as far as my admittedly sharp eyes could see. Several different unmanned aircraft seemed to be spraying different pesticides across the crops, and every once and a while I could spot a human holding their hands up to their eyes to shield their sight from the sun as we passed by, attempting to glance at the odd spectacle that my bright purple glowing phantom had to be to them.

All in all, not what I expected.

Glancing to the side, I made sure I didn't drop the modified human computer in my carelessness, thankfully finding it harmlessly sitting in the otherwise empty copilot chair. Apparently after I left Floats alone with it for safekeeping, he had taken it back to the workshop where the dynamic duo had the bright idea to etch a message into the top of it, also leaving obvious signs that it had been tampered with. It now had a slight metallic purple tone to the etched markings which simply read, "Let this be the first gesture of friendship between our peoples."

I thought it was a bit too close to "we come in peace" for my taste, but I didn't have anything better so I shrugged and turned my attention behind me to the compartment that held the two humans.

Sitting stiffly on the floor with his bag in his lap was Byrne. Thankfully his leg seemed to have healed well enough for him to sit in that awkward cross legged way that the humans seemed to prefer.

Not that I particularly doubted Float's capabilities, but it was still nice to see he was fine.

Standing nearby was Avery, seemingly wanting to pace around the area if it wasn't for the Lance of kig yar and sangheili eyeing them both sternly. The two of them appeared extremely tense, but thankfully they wouldn't be in my care soon anyway.

Spinning back to the viewport, I realized that a few of the strange unmanned drones were now following my ship. I could spot several lenses that could only be cameras mounted on them, aiming towards my ship. I could even spot a few of them tailing behind me by looking into the rear facing monitors.

With the city rapidly approaching, I knew for a fact that simply bringing a phantom into their spaceport for a quick landing wouldn't bode well, so I began to look for a place to set them down.

Ideally, I wouldn't leave them out in the middle of nowhere on their own, so I was forced to try and find a good spot where they could be picked up by some of their own.

"~So, what kind of planet do you think they are taking us to?~"

I could hear the soft clanking of armor as the lance that was tasked to defend me in case of attack all shifted their attention back to the humans. A moment of silence came and went before Avery's voice answered his friend.

"~I just hope they give us better food than these MREs.~"

I felt myself smile in amusement and a bit of anticipation as I spotted an absolutely fantastic place to set them down. Down below the phantom seemed to be a well enough traveled road, with several cars rushing in one direction or another, and while it seemed absolutely fascinating that the simple wheeled vehicles seemed so foreign to me now, that wasn't what caught my eye.

There was an odd branch of the road that led to an open lot with a large building. I focused a bit closer and my sharp eyesight could pick up what seemed to be a hand painted sign that said "Fresh Fruit" in bright red letters with the outline of some alien fruits around it. There were several cars parked, but the lot was mostly empty. I could only assume it was too early in the day for it to be too crowded.

Which means that they could definitely contact someone and catch a ride somewhere, if not now then certainly later.

Bringing in the phantom for a landing, I call back to my lance.

"Prepare yourselves. It seems that we will be landing in an area with non-combatants."

The shuffling of feet and grunts of affirmation came from behind me as I slowly inched the ship to the ground. Eventually, the ship became stable enough on its own, the wide tail fin and front mounted gun folding on itself to properly touchdown on the ground.

Probably isn't the best idea to try and shove them down the gravity lift twenty feet in the air if they don't know how it works. Probably would think I'm throwing them on some deserted planet.

Shaking that dumb thought away, I stand up and grab the former navigation computer and sling it under my arm before making my way towards the back. The moment I passed the small hatchway, the group of sangheili and kig yar all saluted, to which I smiled in return.

The humans both turned to me, and I watched as Byrne got up off the floor and retrieved his bag.

The two humans seemed preoccupied with their preparations that they didn't seem to notice the device I was holding.

Oh well, they will know soon enough.

Admittedly, I was a bit anxious to see their reaction to my inexplicably having their navigation computer, but that was neither here nor there. Reaching up to a small display panel on the bulkhead of the phantom, I trigger the side hatches to open.

"Well, it looks like it's showtime."

A rush of humid but comfortably warm air rushed into the phantom as the walls slowly lowered to the ground and formed into makeshift ramps. The bright and sunny day contrasted greatly to the darkened interior of the phantom, causing everyone to squint their eyes as the light blinded us.

Thankfully, my optics dimmed the light for me. Taking the initiative, I stepped past the two humans and made my way down the ramp to the paved ground below.

Glancing up, it seems as if we already had a bit of a crowd. Several humans in different shapes and sizes all were staring at me in disbelief as some even took out strange devices out of their pockets and pointed them at me. At first I thought they were weapons, but the rectangular nature and hushed whispers were all I needed to know to categorize it firmly as harmless.

"~What is that?~"

"~Is this really happening right now?~"

"~Mommy, it's a dinosaur! Can I pet it?~"

Hearing the child's words, I snort in amusement. The innocent behavior was honestly adorable if it wasn't for the fact that I carefully groomed my feathers before I left.

Touch any of the feathers on my crest and I will bite your hand off, youngling or not. These are such a pain to align properly after squeezing them into an EVA suit!

"~That's the Tiara… We're back on Harvest?~"

Hearing Avery behind me, I turned my head back around to see the two humans casually making their way off the phantom with Byrne taking his helmet off and placing it under his arm. The two of them seemed relaxed for only a moment before they both stiffened significantly and placed their hands on their weapons.

"~Seems like it… Kinda' wish it picked a better spot to land though…~"

Confused as to the sudden hostility, I turn my head back around. Scanning the small crowd once again, I didn't spot anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't until I looked behind them that I saw it.

Standing in the doorway of the odd fruit stand, I saw three men all armed with strange rifles. They didn't seem to be taking any further action against us, but the simple fact they were armed and the humans under my care didn't sound pleased to meet them made me want to rethink my landing zone.

Before I could try and usher the humans back onto my ship and attempt whatever might be considered to be an apology, Avery took a deliberate step around me, end up within my line of sight and took his helmet off.

"~Thank you for bringing us home.~"

I looked around the human, seeing the three humans ushered hurriedly back into the building by a strangely dressed female human. The three looked a bit stunned, but quickly went back inside.

"~Yeah,~" Byrne's voice came from beside me as he made his way back into solid ground, waving his hand over his head as he made his way into the crowd. "~No hard feelings big bird… Hey, anyone have a chatter I can borrow?~"

Shaking off the confusion that the odd human brought, I look back to Avery who was similarly turning away. Not wanting him to leave without our gift, I called after him.

"~Avaree.~"

The human seemed a bit stunned at my word, but not quite as much as I was. It kinda just slipped out, and I cringed at the absolute butchering of his name, though thankfully it wasn't as bad as last time.

The human turned back to me confused, but I simply offered up the odd computer and smiled.

Blinking, the human reached out tensely, grabbing and examining the device for only a moment before he glanced back up to me in shock.

A moment came and went before he reached into an odd unseen pocket, pulling out something I immediately recognized as the communications device I gave him. He offered me the device in return, but I simply shook my head and took a step away.

The human thankfully understood the gesture, and quickly pocketed the device before he began to attempt to read the Covenant runes in the computer before looking back up to me. A short but relaxed nod quickly followed before he took a step back, looking as if he was questioning if he was free to go.

Dipping my head in respect, I realized my job here was done. After a moment of silence, I turned back towards my phantom before quickly making my way inside.

Seeing the warriors all focusing their attention on the crowd, ready to defend me if necessary, I take a few steps towards the console that controls the hatches. Pressing the command button to shut the doors, I took one last look outside and could see Avery making his way over to Byrne, giving him a hard punch in the back before holding up the computer.

Sadly, I was unable to hear the resulting argument as the hatch closed with a soft thump.

Step one complete… Now we just need to wait for a response.

(\\\(*v*)/)

I took in a deep breath, smelling the salty ocean air as the sound of softly crashing waves filled the void of my mind. Peace and serenity filled me for the first time in a long while as I simply took in the warm alien sunlight.

Well, it isn't the waterfall back home, but it has its own beauty I suppose.

The peaceful situation pulled a yawn from me as I shook off the exhaustion I felt. I have recently returned from my small expedition to return the humans to their own kind, only to realize that I haven't gotten much sleep at all recently.

My stress has mostly prevented me from getting the rest I needed, but it all seems to be catching up to me now.

I only need to wait for the progress report for the perimeter, then I can sleep.

The calm was broken as I heard the loud crashing of a crate tipping over behind me. Spinning around, I spotted the platform that we set up for the gravity lift. The soft purple beam was active as several pieces of equipment were being offloaded onto the open grassy field behind me.

After only a moment of examination, I spotted an unggoy attempting to flip a supply crate upright. The crate obviously managed to slide off the platform and onto the ground, but he obviously didn't have enough strength to do it alone.

Feeling sorry for the poor worker, I walk over and lend my assistance.

"Here, let me help."

After a moment, the two of us righted the crate. I could hear the soft painting of the worker as he turned to me. A second of stunned disbelief came and went before he gave me an extremely rushed salute.

"Thank you, shipmistress!"

Smiling down at the worker, I simply wave him off.

"It was nothing. Carry on."

A few furious nods later and the unggoy was back to doing his job.

"When I said you needed to relax on the beach, helping menial workers with hard labor wasn't what I meant."

Turning to see Aris striding around the lift platform with a datapad in her hands, I shake my head.

"Oh what? Am I supposed to simply watch them from the sidelines as they carry out my orders? Why should they follow me if I am not willing to do what I tell them to?"

I turn back to my crew, carrying off a few pieces of heavy shielding equipment that will be used to guard several outposts that we planned on setting up.

A few of the sangheili eavesdroppers were impressed with what I said, though if you weren't looking for it you wouldn't have been able to tell.

Thinking back to all the times I was a part of Rtas's lance, my mind's eye was filled with all the times my two commanders stooped lower than their station to lead our soldiers personally. All the times Bero taught me on the field, and all the risky chances Rtas took on me, a kig yar.

If they did it for me, why should I do anything less? That was leadership, and I will do everything I can to try to live up to that example.

A moment of tense quietness came and went as Aris seemed to be thinking about what I said. It didn't take long for her to shake off her thoughts, as she ended up quickly saluting me before voicing why she was here. Poking her datapad a few times, she seems to organize her thoughts before she speaks up.

"The portable sniper outposts are set up. Several different diverse groups have been posted on watch with kig yar on over watch, sangheili on patrol and unggoy posted behind them both. They are looking for any sort of intruders around the immediate landing zone, though so far all is quiet."

Nodding in approval, I begin to make my way around the fledgling camp. I could see the start of a few fortifications around the lift being made, though none of them looked lethal. More of a way to stop anyone from accessing the ship without being noticed.

"Anything spotted in the immediate airspace? Are the aliens sending scouts yet?"

My friend shook her head, gesturing to the still visible ringed structures so far away.

"No, it looks like the aliens are waiting for the moment. A few things have shown up here and there but nothing even remotely close to threatening. Mostly local birds and the like."

Smiling, I turn and give my direct attention back to my friend.

"Keep an eye out. After that message we sent, it should only be a matter of time before they send their own in return. Until then, continue to set up camp here."

Turning to look at the blue waves crashing into the shore once again, I simile.

"Perhaps if you get everything done quickly enough, we could relax on the beach like you wanted to."

I could see her stand straighter, looking excited as she nodded her head.

"Yes, shipmistress!"

"Good. Keep me posted." I said, stepping onto the raised platform, several workers making room for me as everyone prepared for the return back to the ship. Glancing around for only a moment, I had a random thought as I remembered a green armored spartan standing on a similar platform, and how much damage they could cause if they wanted to. "Oh, and make sure there is a kill switch for the gravity lift."

My friend tilted her head. "Why?"

Snorting, I felt the gravity switch directions as several workers were lifted into the air around me.

"Call it paranoia."

(\\\(*v*)/)

"How could they?"

The voice was unfamiliar to me, but yet the booming voice somehow made me relax. The feelings invoked by this voice were similar to how my mother made me feel, which immediately caused me to tense back up in anxiety.

"I don't know, but if we don't do something, they will kill us all."

The soft whistle of wind could be heard as some dried shrubs protested the movement of the air. Looking up I saw the blurry forms of two absolutely massive forms. One looked like a winged lizard, and the other an odd six legged wolf and both of them had to be at least forty feet tall.

It wasn't until I noticed them did I realize that their voices were so unbelievably loud that it shook the sand below me.

"There is nothing we can do. It is too late to stop them. We can only hide now."

One of the forms growled in anger, stomping his massive paw-like foot to the ground, encasing me in a blanket of sand. Trying to shake the sand off, I hear as an eerie vibration fills the area around me, causing me to renew my efforts to break free.

Eventually, it feels almost as if there wasn't any sand at all. Opening my eyes, I expect to see the vast desert, but instead surrounding me was a vast forest that I did not recognize. Trees the size of skyscrapers towered all around me as several leaves the size of cars fell from the foliage around me.

Glancing down, I realized I was in a large woven nest in a branch of one of the massive trees. One quick glance over the side showed me that it was a long fall down.

What is going on?

Before I could react to anything else, a shining light coming from the sky caught my attention. Several white tendrils of light came down from above, crashing into the forest around me causing the trees to all topple to the ground.

Unable to do anything but scream, I heard a melodic trill come from my mouth that definitely wasn't my normal voice. Sadly, I didn't have much time to think about that before the ground came up to meet me. Shutting my eyes as I was unable to watch my death unfold before me, the sound of snapping logs, rustling branches, and explosions was replaced by silence.

Instead of smashing against the ground, the earth shattered into glass as I passed through it. The brown mossy forest floor making way for an inky black void.

Looking around, I spotted nothing as I simply hung in the air silently.

Spinning myself around, I try to spot anything. Anything at all. It was only when I raised my hand that I saw a golden glowing wing. The odd sound of metallic feathers resounding again each other sounding like a wind chime caused me to tilt my head in confusion.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a strange light and a feeling overtook me. The overwhelming urge to leave this dark and empty place, no matter what it took. Determination filled every part of my being, almost without my consent as my confusion was replaced with an extremely strong desire to fly toward the light.

Taking flight, the sound of wings flapping in the wind despite the void around me. The light became closer as I attempted to put the void behind me.

The light became slowly brighter before it became near blinding. Despite the fact that I could no longer see, I continued to fly forward though I didn't quite know why.

"S-hm… -~ond."

Blinking, I try to look for who said that, but I found myself flying over a human city. One that I vaguely remember from my memories.

"Sohm 'B~... Pl-~spond."

The voice seemed rather insistent, though I couldn't quite tell how I was hearing it. I turned my attention downward and spotted an odd sight of three human children on a playground. Two of them on a swing as another plays an odd handheld game.

Something about the scene was eerily familiar to me, but it was about that time that the child on the game looked straight up to me. My sharp eyesight picks up the form of a golden glowing bird reflected in the eyes of the child. The light slowly infused itself into the child's eyes, before my own sight faded into nothingness.

"Sohm 'Bir, please respond…"

Slowly opening my eyes, I try to focus as I spot my helmet sitting in a cushion next to me. I was confused for only a moment before I shook off the lingering memories from the surprisingly vivid dream.

I really need to stop putting sleep off for work… That dream was too weird.

An unfamiliar voice was talking through the device, causing a small bit of confusion to run through me.

"Sohm 'Bir, please respond…"

Sighing, I place the helmet over my head. Ready for yet another status report, I slowly began the process of waking myself up.

"Who is this?"

"Is this Sohm 'Bir?"

My still tired mind only got frustrated, as I responded a bit snappily. After all, who on my ship didn't recognize my voice by now?

"Yes, and who might this be?"

A moment of silence came and went, and I could hear the sound of muffled voices in the background talking about something in the intermittent silence. I could hear the odd voice talking with someone before the confusing banter quieted down.

"Greetings, Sohm 'Bir. I am called Sif, a human artificial construct in service of the planet Harvest where you now reside. I have been assigned a temporary role now to act as a messenger of sorts to your vessel."

That woke me up.

Now that I was focused on it, I could tell that the voice definitely had an accent that didn't fit any of my previous encounters. It sounded as if it was attempting to be overly proper, and yet with the gruff language of sangheili common it came off more odd than anything else.

Sitting up from my spot, I tried to organize my chaotic thoughts before I decided short and sweet would be better.

"Greetings Sif. It is good to see the repurposed computer did it's job well enough. Since you previously introduced yourself as a messenger, I assume you are on my network to deliver a message?"

Not even a heartbeat came and went before the muffled sounds of people talking could be heard. I could hear Sif talking to a few people, most assuredly translating what I said before a response came.

"Indeed. The Governor, along with several officials of this planet, would like to meet with an official delegation of your shipmaster's choice midday tomorrow for a talk of peace between our peoples. We will be setting up an official neutral meeting ground for the meeting, and will gladly escort any retinue there."

Snorting, I gesture toward myself for no one in particular as I explain to the oddly accented disembodied voice.

"These terms are agreeable. I will make preparations."

The monotone voice seemed to show some emotion for the first time, as she signed off.

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We will send an aircraft to your airspace tomorrow for the escort. We look forward to further peaceful communications with your people."

And with that, the connection was cut and I was left in silence.

Getting off my nest, I began to make my way over to my armor stand, stopping halfway over before I groaned out loud. Thinking back over the conversation, one thing stood out over the rest that seriously bothered me more than it should have.

Even the humans immediately assumed I wasn't the shipmistress.

Shaking my head, I knew I would need to correct that when we meet. Reaching up to grab the undersuit of my armor, I began to dress myself as I focused on who exactly I wanted to bring on my retinue.

The first and most obvious was Ussa. That was a simple order and switch of command for the time being.

While I was a bit hesitant at first to consider leaving my ship in the care of someone else, I trusted my command crew with my life. Once I reminded myself of that, I didn't feel too much worse.

Strapping the last piece of my armor on, I made my way out towards the bridge, intent on talking to my second in command for what feels like too many times in the last few weeks.

Before I could leave the room, my hand hovering over the activation rune for the door, I turned my head back toward my disturbed nest. Vaguely, I could still make out the outline of the golden bird I was in my dreams as an afterimage, the feelings I felt in that dream still carrying over to me even now.

Shaking my head, I turn and press the button. After all I shouldn't work myself up over it, as it was all simply a dream.

(\\\(*v*)/)

Who else should I bring?

The first thing I learned long ago as a kig yar was that in order to stop any fear and open a productive dialogue with anyone, the first step was understanding. I still remember all the times on my old lance, when sangheili would misjudge me or underestimate my skills simply because they didn't know who I was. Over the years, they all eventually understood that I wasn't to be treated as lesser and most of them began to talk, understanding breaking through the stereotypes they already formed in their minds.

It didn't take a genius to see that the humans would make assumptions about us. A well armed and highly advanced society intruding on their home and setting up a camp without permission? Claiming territory on their planet with no attempt to ask?

Assuming I'm not the shipmistress…

Ignoring the slight pang of annoyance at that last one, I shove it down as I walk out into the galley. Several different races mingled together on this ship in a way that I didn't ever see on any other. My efforts to break the manufactured divide between everyone showing clearly as a few unggoy chatted with kig yar mercenaries and even a sangheili minor who was listening intently to a story.

Smiling, I realized that this was all I really wanted. If I could somehow incorporate humans into this amalgamation of different peoples peacefully, or at least leave them to their own devices if they do wished, then that is what I would do.

I needed a diverse group. One that showed all the races of the known Covenant that I could bring, letting the humans know exactly who they are dealing with. It wouldn't do to simply let them be surprised later, as it might lead them to assume I was hiding something.

Timore and Floats were obvious choices. Timore because he was the only representative of his race onboard the ship and Floats simply because I don't know the new engineer in my brig enough to trust him with this.

Which reminds me to interrogate the two prisoners when I get the time. I can't just leave them in there…

Shaking the thought off, I returned my focus to the task at hand.

Ussa was also a dead giveaway for representing his own race, and thankfully he accepted my request and didn't argue. If he had, I would have definitely found another as I didn't want someone who didn't actually wish to be there to attend a peaceful meeting of this nature. The honorable religious warrior fit the stereotype for his own race almost perfectly, and his willingness to attend worked definitely in my favor so far.

Sadly, I couldn't bring any lekgolo colonies, a prophet, or a yanme'e due to the fact that there weren't any onboard my ship. That only left unggoy and kig yar.

After only a few moments, Dimyap came to mind. Sure, he had a bit of a higher status than most other unggoy below him, but he worked very hard for it. Over the years, he did absolutely everything he could to make himself helpful to the ship, and I was honestly thankful for it. His attitude and overall demeanor wasn't all too different than his peers, so he was another obvious pick as well.

That left my species, the kig yar.

Sure, I was going to be there, but I wasn't foolish enough to think that I represented my race correctly. I didn't act anything like anyone else I've met over the years, and that led me to think about who else I could bring. Aris made sense, but she didn't exactly fit the typical kig yar either.

Glancing around the galley, I spotted a specific ruuhtian sitting in the middle of a large group, smiling like the bandit he was.

"Fifty gekz says I can make this throw."

"You're on kig yar!" An unggoy responds, bringing out his datapad. "If you make that, it would be worth the money!"

My navigation officer's smile somehow got brighter as he cocked his hand back and threw a small stone. It sailed over the crowd before landing squarely in a sangheili minor's bowl. A small splash ensued where the sangheili simply sat in shock for a moment before he shot up out of his seat.

"Who threw that?!" He roared, the galley drawing silent as several unggoy all immediately ratted their friend out and pointed to him.

Nath, for his part, was simply tapping away on his datapad. He didn't seem to care at all of the disturbance he caused as he simply hummed an odd tune while typing away,

The sangheili began to barrel his way to the ruuhtian, who didn't seem to be overly bothered by the threatening elite now standing directly over him, a deep threatening growl resounding through the compartment.

I was about ready to step in before the growl was cut off, my friend opening his mouth to speak for the first time since he threw the rock.

"Thank you for your business. Any other time you want to pay me to throw rocks at sangheili, don't hesitate to ask." He said, a cheshire grin on his face as he hands the datapad back to a stunned unggoy.

Before anyone could react, the sangheili had a death grip around the unggoy's throat as he was lifted into the air.

"You dare? The dishonor!"

The ensuing struggle, if it could even be called that, was something to behold. Thankfully, I knew that any of the injuries to the poor unggoy weren't anything that Floats wouldn't be able to heal.

Nath noticed me standing in the doorway as he tried to make his way out swiftly and stealthy. I could tell he was actively avoiding my look as he tried to scoot by me without saying anything, as this wouldn't be the first time I would have punished him for actions like this, but another idea crossed my mind.

Over time, I've gotten to know my navigations officer a lot better than I ever did back during basic training. We each shared our stories, and honestly I wasn't too surprised to learn he was a street rat growing up. His story of struggle against nearly impossible odds was something far too common in our society.

Making him a far better representation of the typical kig yar than Aris or I could ever be.

"Nath."

The ruuhtian swore under his breath, stopping just before he passed me.

"Yes, shipmistress?"

I could hear the hesitation in his voice, and the thought that I inspired fear in him solely based on proximity to his habits let me know that he wouldn't learn his lesson based on normal punishments alone. However, another solution quickly presented itself to me and I smiled.

I turned to my subordinate, who had his head dipped low in a showing of submission. He knew I caught him in yet another act of discordant behavior, but this time I had a much more interesting punishment.

"How long has it been since you left the ship?"

I watched as he took an audible gulp of fear and looked up to me for the first time since he noticed me. The resignation in his eyes was easy to see as he fully expected me to throw him on manual labor or something similar.

And for some reason, that made me smile all the brighter.

(\\\(*v*)/)

It's been a full day since I received the message, and I have already informed everyone that I have been assigned to the delegation to report in. Most of them have arrived promptly, and were calmly awaiting departure.

Most of them.

Surprising enough, the one holding us up was Timore, as the nine and a half foot tall jiralhanae was nowhere to be seen.

Leaning against a supply crate in my hangar, a phantom humming close by awaiting departure, I look out over the people I assigned for this peace talk.

Ussa and Nath were having a strained but otherwise polite conversation about the terrain of the planet we have found ourselves on. I knew he was simply trying to get tactical data as to where we were going, but Nath didn't seem to care all too much about it as he made an idle comment about thick forests and rolling plains.

Turning to the left, I saw Floats idly fixing a piece of equipment, seemingly lost to the world as he did so. Dimyap, wearing his signature red robe-like garb over his methane tank idly tried to see what the engineer was doing, only to give up moments later and plop down onto the floor.

At that point, Nath decided to make his frustration known.

"What are we waiting for anyway? Let's get this over with… If I am going to be shot by a bunch of primitive aliens, we might as well make it quick."

Ussa responded, though I could tell he was frustrated with the situation as well.

"We are waiting for the jiralhanae."

Nath seemed to grow a bit more impatient as he walked over to the open shield door and peers upwards to the open sky. Grunting, he made his way back before taking out his plasma pistol and began to service the weapon.

"We are supposed to meet the aliens at midday no? If he takes any longer we will be late."

Grumbles of agreement rang through the area, but sadly enough I agreed. First impressions were important, and I would much rather be early than late.

Sighing, I stood up fully and began making my way to the door that lead to the rear engines.

"I will go get-"

I didn't get to finish my sentence as before I could reach the door, Timore arrived, silencing the entire room as everyone turned their attention to him.

The first thing worthy of attention was the absolutely massive gravity hammer strapped to his back. The massive weapon looked about as custom made as my own energy sword did, as there were black leather straps wrapped around the handle carefully, obviously intended for better grip.

The next thing that drew my eyes was the intricate and high tech black armor he had adorned. Just from a quick examination, I could spot several gadgets that I recognized from his lab over the years. Everything from energy shield splitters, to active camouflage, to even that odd sentry turret that almost cut us all in half was strapped to his back.

Glancing up, I tried to meet his gaze, but his eyes were actually covered in some sort of odd visor. It glowed a deep red, adding to the ominous black of the entire armor.

All in all, he looked absolutely terrifying. The exact wrong thing when trying to project peaceful intentions.

"Umm… Timore?"

"Yes?" Came the deep but friendly tone of the jiralhanae.

"This is supposed to be a peaceful mission."

The brute stared down at me silently for only a moment before he got down onto one knee in front of me. It didn't surprise me to realize that I still needed to crane my neck a bit upward even now as I saw the bottom half of his visible face giving me a toothy smile,

"There are very few people I consider to be family anymore Sohm," he started, a surprising amount of emotion in his voice as he placed a massive hand on my shoulder. "And both of them will be on this phantom… If these aliens want to take my pack from me, they will need to go through me first."

Reaching up, I grip my friend's wrist and squeeze it gently.

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that."

"Yeah yeah yeah, this is all very emotional but in case it isn't clear, we will be late if we don't hurry up."

Feeling my eye twitch under my optics, I turn to see Nath already making his way into the phantom with the rest of my retinue following him. Steeling my nerves, I realize it was time.

Another gentle squeeze came from my jiralhanae friend's hand before he let go and made his way onto the aircraft, his large armored feet making loud clunks every time he took a step.

Sighing, I straightened my posture and followed closely behind.

Alright humanity, ready or not… here we come.

——Authors Note——

Hello everyone!

I really don't have much to say right now except that I hope y'all liked the chapter.

Not going to lie, I giggled when I had Sohm remember to put a kill switch on the gravity lift. She is definitely the kinda person to learn from other's security mistakes. :3

I am going to need to study up on my copy of Contact Harvest pretty dang closely for the next chapter. If you haven't read the book, then there will definitely be some characters you won't recognize showing up soon. And maybe a few that you might? Who knows.

I wonder, can any of you guess where this might be going? I have the entire plot outlined, but I want to see if y'all can get close.

Remember to read and review, and if you like it, consider giving me a follow and a favorite!