Chapter 28: Xenoarchaeology
Stepping off of the phantom, I felt good for the first time in a long time. Things with the humans went surprisingly well, and my mood was lifted after spending a few fleeting moments with all of my friends.
Taking in a deep breath, the scent of burned metal caught my attention. Looking over, I spotted several kig-yar maintenance workers working on a banshee. Several unggoy walked around them, happily supplying power cells and other equipment as they worked together peacefully, showing the hard work I put into reducing discrimination on the ship.
I knew I needed to begin picking candidates among my crew for the competition with the humans, but this scene was oddly relaxing. My ship was orderly, organized, and had more cooperation among races than any other place I'd ever seen. My work over several years has finally paid off, and even with all the work I had yet to do, I was happy.
"Hey, watch it!"
Hearing the sound of a kig-yar yelling, I turn to see Timore thundering down the passageway, sending a poor group of menial workers tumbling to the side to avoid him. In the moment he seems entirely focused on getting back to his quarters, eyes ahead and unaware of all those he almost trampled.
The out of character behavior was strange considering he was right there with us on the phantom, laughing with the rest of us as we shared our moments of friendship. Yet now, his mood had seemingly flipped completely.
I will need to visit him soon to see what is wrong. He's been acting very strange recently.
Nonetheless, the moment was otherwise peaceful. Sadly, it wasn't long before my duties interrupted it.
"Shipmistress, here is your report for the daily cycle…"
Looking over, I spotted my kig-yar assistant giving his usual monotone and emotionless delivery, holding out another datapad for me to examine. Quickly snatching the handheld computer, I nodded and smiled thankfully to the worker.
"Thank you, you may go."
A grunt of annoyance was all I received as he immediately took off his optical display and depressingly trudged his way toward the kig-yar sleeping quarters.
Poor guy was probably waiting in here for hours for me to get back…
Glancing down to my datapad, I began quickly glancing over each of the things my crew believed deserved my attention.
"First Wing squadron is ready for combat deployment in case of hostile movements by the locals…"
Snorting, I shook my head. First Wing was always ready for deployment! Literally the whole reason they existed was as a fast response air support division!
Knowing that First Wing's commander was an overzealous glory hog, I knew exactly who snuck this message into my brief. I was positive that it was only here as a way of reminding me to use them in case anything went wrong so he could gain personal honor for himself.
Maybe I should assign him to second wing, that might teach him a lesson or two of patience and humility.
Scrolling past that one, I stood there reading even as the rest of my friends began to exit the phantom.
"The unggoy deacon in the brig is becoming belligerent, heckling workers as we pass his cell with nonsensical claims. Recommend ration deprivation or heavy punishment…"
Blinking, I reread the text even as my friends filed out past me. I knew I needed to deal with the situation now, along with a few other issues involving Yar's former crew.
Hearing as the rest of my friends exit the phantom, an idea hatches within my mind. Switching my mannerisms away from their friendly companion to the leader I now needed to be, I schooled my emotions and spoke with authority.
"Dimyap, Floats, and Nath, please stay behind for a moment. I need to discuss a few things with you."
Dimyap and Floats were professional about the situation, but Nath very obviously wasn't taking the situation too seriously. Thankfully his task would be something he would find enjoyable, so I wasn't overly concerned about agitating the melon-crazed ruuhtian.
"Yes shipmistress?"
"Bewwooo?"
"Yesh?"
Gesturing towards the unggoy, I start off with an apologetic tone.
"Dimyap, I'm sorry that I need to postpone your study of the artifact sites for a bit longer, but there's something I need you to do first."
Tilting his head, he speaks up.
"And what would that be shipmistress?"
Poking my datapad for a moment, I sent him a small list of conditions for the release of the deacon over the ship's network. It wasn't long before he got a notification and looked down to his wrist.
"Our two prisoners have been locked up for a bit too long for my liking, as they haven't committed any crimes as far as I'm aware. I need you to interrogate the deacon we picked up and find out if he can be released."
Watching as the unggoy reads the message, I wait a moment before I continue.
"I need to know if, given the sensitive nature of this situation, he won't go making any rash decisions that might jeopardize the safety of our crew or the planet we are on."
Looking over to my excitable engineer friend, I nod toward him.
"Same goes for you and the huragok. If you need the full set of demands, download them from the network."
Watching as the huragok's head bobbed up and down, I felt confident that the two would do a good job.
Smiling to my friends, I look back down to my datapad and return to my task list. Multitasking, I continue to give them orders as I do so.
"I'm leaving the decision about their release entirely up to you two. I trust you two to exercise good judgement and report back to me your decisions."
"Yes, shipmistress!"
"Bwooouuu!
Smiling, I step aside and allow them to leave. Keeping my eyes down on my datapad, I begin to read the next point on my list.
"Several watches have gone unstaffed since we landed. Upon further investigation, we have found that no less than five kig-yar have been found asleep tanning their hides on the beaches of the world below. Recommending demotion along with a cut in pay for those involved. -Major 'Salaree.
Snorting, I began to make a note in my pad before looking up. Seeing an impatient looking Nath standing there chewing on his last melon, I lower the pad to address him.
"Nath, what I need you for is a bit less urgent, but nonetheless important… Not to mention, unlike what we just went through," I gestured toward the phantom we just exited, "I think you will enjoy this one."
Tilting his head, he chewed on the bit of fruit he had in his mouth, watery juice spilling out from his muzzle onto the floor. After a few moments of this, he swallowed before finally answering.
"What do you need, boss?"
I looked over to see the stationary form of the missionary ship we captured.
"Chur'R Yar was a pirate, no doubt about it. I need you to comb through the navigation data we got from her ship and see if you can spot any irregularities. Hidden black markets, unmarked ports, anything of the like. Report your findings back to me if anything looks out of the ordinary."
His face lit up at the suggestion. Despite his nonchalant attitude, the ruuhtian definitely had a knack for mathematics and navigating slipspace. The idea he could discover hidden pirate dens was shown clearly on his face. Before she could even continue, he began to make his way to the bridge with his half eaten melon over his head.
"Don't you worry your pretty feathers about it boss, I'll have that data cracked open in no time."
Shaking my head in fond amusement, I thought about my current situation. Surprisingly, it was rather good all things considered. The humans conceded that the area below our ship was ours to defend for the time of our stay, my crew were getting along well, and the governor of the planet was preparing a friendly competition between us.
Knowing I needed to pick a good group of warriors to compete, I quickly realized that any group I picked would be immediately biased towards my own friends rather than the most qualified individuals. Sure, I knew my crew and their warriors well enough at this point, but I couldn't help but think I would be overlooking something important if I was the only one making the entirety of the decision.
Knowing what I needed to do, I began to make my way to the armory. There was one person I knew who was well aware of all of my warrior's skills, as he had been present and observing all of their skills from the sidelines for years.
Quartermaster 'Atenee will know who to pick.
One thing I've learned during my tenure of managing this ship was that I certainly didn't know everything. I was always learning, and actually listening to my subordinates was a skill that apparently most shipmasters didn't have.
Sangheili can be really stupid sometimes, always going for personal glory.
Deciding to continue my multitasking as I made my way through my ship, I brought my datapad back up and began to read the next point on my list.
"Several of the unknown aliens have been spotted approaching our perimeter. Closer scans and recon shows that they are smaller than the others we have seen. Possibly younglings. I ordered several scouts with camouflage to tail them until they leave, but as per your orders they are not to engage unless fired upon. -Sar 'Laak T'vaoan Murmillo."
Blinking, I almost threw my datapad at a wall.
Now there are human kids trying to infiltrate our perimeter? What's next, several unggoy try to initiate a kamikaze attack on a baby?
Blinking, I made sure to take a note to not allow any unggoy to carry grenades while we are on Harvest.
Knowing this situation couldn't wait, I sent out my orders out over the battle network.
"Give the aliens space and don't harm any curious local younglings under any circumstances. Capture them if need be, but be sure to release them back out once the threat has been dealt with."
Thankfully an affirmative acknowledgement from the Murmillo came back quickly, and the small amount of stress that was building was released.
Before I knew it, I looked up and saw the large doors leading into the main ship's armory. Upon my approach, the door humed open and I immediately began to look around.
The organization in this room was night and day better than the stacked piles of weapon crates I found when I first entered it two years ago. It was just another sign that my choice to pick management staff for specific parts of the ship was a good one.
Before, the clutter of the ship's supplies weren't even secured to anything. The previous shipmaster didn't even seem to care that his supplies bounced around the compartment each time they went to slipspace, and it didn't take a genius to figure out why the ship was taken from him and put under new management.
Quickly finding quartermaster 'Atenee servicing a few beam rifles, I remember the first time I met the borderline obsessive compulsive sangheili.
Opening the door, I am forced to back up as several weapons crates fail into the passageway. Several grenades rolled out onto the floor, bumping against the bulkhead as they went.
The four warriors that I assigned as an escort for our group all quickly sprang into action as they all began to gather up the explosives.
Looking out over the armory with an open maw, I was left speechless. This place was an absolute disaster!
"Shipmistress," Ussa's voice sounded from beside me, seeming just in as much shock as I was. "I will assign a contingent of unggoy workers to-"
"No."
The elite stopped, seemingly confused by my interruption, but that doesn't matter. Opening up my communications, I set it to broadcast to the entire ship.
"Surprise room inspections! All those that are off duty will be required to open their doors and stand beside them until further notice!"
Smiling like an idiot at my idea, I turn to my second in command.
"Send several sangheili to the unggoy and kig-yar sleeping quarters. Make sure to have them looking for both the most organized people along with any contraband like infusion. Have them lower the candidates for top organization down to four."
"And what about the sangheili quarters?"
Beginning my own walk towards the sangheili quarters, I knew I couldn't leave inspections up to their own as that might lead to skewed results due to favoritism.
"Leave that to me."
In the end, there really wasn't a contest. The once lowly minor sangheili's room was immaculate, the elite taking absolute pride in his organizational skills. After that little surprise inspection, he was given the task of both ship quartermaster, but also lead training instructor.
He took to his new post like a fish to water, and the crew respected him for it.
Getting all the excess infusion off my ship was just a bonus!
"Shipmistress! What brings you here?"
Smiling to the elite, I make my way over to one of the many unoccupied work tables. Sure enough, each maintenance tool was carefully organized and placed exactly where it was supposed to be.
Deciding to fully service my sword while I chat with my subordinate, I set the weapon on the nearest work table and began to examine it for any wear and tear. Finding a few scratches on the metallic basket, I reach for some of the metal polish.
"Sadly, I'm here on business."
The elite tilted his head before reaching under his desk and retrieving a datapad.
"Oh? What is it you require?"
Removing the power source from the hilt of my weapon, I watch as the orange glowing lights faded from Destiny. Taking a clean rag, I began to polish the scratched metal.
"I need fourteen carbines and beam rifles fully serviced and ready for use in two days' time."
The tonal shift of the elite's voice betrayed his thoughts of sadness.
"I… see."
Turning around, I looked into his eyes even as he typed away on his datapad. The emotional change wasn't something I was expecting, causing me to grow a bit confused.
"Is something wrong?"
The quartermaster met my eyes before schooling his emotions and shaking his head. Making his way to a weapon crate slid against the wall, he opened the hatch and pulled out two beam rifles.
"Nothing at all, shipmistress."
Still confused, I returned my attention to my disassembled sword. I noticed that the entire room seemed to grow quiet after our short conversation, confusing me a bit more.
Why is everyone so tense?
Walking over to a plasma battery stationed nearby, I attach my sword's power supply to it. Watching calmly as the charge increased, I heard as the elite spoke up again.
"I take it that negotiations with the locals went poorly then. Shame. I would have liked to learn about these new people…"
Blinking, I finally just realized what ordering an entire lance's worth of beam rifles directly after getting back from my meeting looked like to everyone else. Nearly smacking myself in the face, I began to laugh at my own situation.
"Oh, the negotiations went surprisingly well actually!"
The entire room seemed to lose its tension at those words, even if it was quickly replaced with confusion. Several different warriors all seemed to take in a sigh of relief before returning to the work they were doing.
Detaching my sword's core from the plasma battery once it was fully charged, I began to make my way back to the worktable I claimed earlier.
"Actually as odd as it sounds, these rifles are a part of our diplomacy efforts. The locals are putting together a marksmanship contest of sorts that will double as a cultural exchange. Fourteen of my warriors will be allowed to compete, and I would like your honest suggestions as to who I should recommend, as I can think of no one else that would give as unbiased an opinion as you."
The room seemed to go quiet once again, the warriors present being the first outside my diplomatic party to hear of what happened. I almost giggled when I realized that most of these highly competitive warriors would jump at the chance to recommend themselves, but it would seem rude and dishonorable to interrupt their leader.
I wonder how long I can keep them in suspense before one of them breaks down and starts showboating around me…
"I am flattered that you would think so highly of my opinion shipmistress, though I don't think your praises are warranted. I am just the quartermaster-"
Waving a hand over my shoulder even as I continue to study my weapon for flaws, I cut the elite off of his self deprecation.
"You are the one that most closely monitors the training periods and supplies my warriors from the sidelines. You know better than me who knows how to shoot accurately, and I value your opinion because of it."
Returning my full attention to my sword, I examined everything from the gas release valve to the electromagnetic systems that formed the sword. At this point, I knew exactly what everything should look like and I began to tinker with it accordingly.
After another moment of silence, the quartermaster began to speak up.
"Well… If I had to pick based on marksmanship alone, then minor 'Rossanee is certainly a good pick."
It took me a moment to think of exactly who the elite was talking about. After a few seconds of thinking, I remembered the sangheili in question. He was a bit lanky and skinny for his kind, leading him to getting trounced in close combat drills more often than not.
Then again, I've never seen him shoot…
"I can also think of several more of my kin that would make excellent additions to such a group… Though knowing you, you would wish to keep this group as diverse as possible."
Snorting, I took a look behind me as I paused my work for a moment.
"While I certainly have tried my best to integrate companionship between our member species, I will always try to choose those with the best skill for a task if it has importance. You of all people should know this. Merit should never take a sideline to personal preference."
The elite shifted his mandibles into a bright smile as he nodded vigorously.
"In that case, most of the higher ranks of Champion 'Ter's clan would also make the running as well, though the clan leader herself not so much."
That caused me to snort loudly. While Aris was an excellent gunslinger and close range fighter, her sniper skills were definitely something to be desired.
"Most of the rangers onboard would also be an excellent choice, and I will send you a full list of those I would choose from them over the network… However, there is one that I believe would be a far better choice than anyone else onboard, one I don't think you would even think of including even though you very much should."
Satisfied that my sword was fully serviced, I began to reattach all of the components. Idly listening in, I go through the motions as I respond.
"Oh? Who might that be?"
Clipping the tube-like power source back into the hilt, I smile as the orange lights signaling full activation shine through the gas release valve. I clip my sword back to my hilt before turning around. Finding my subordinate holding a freshly polished beam rifle towards me.
"Yourself."
It took a moment for what he said to go through my mind for a moment before I shook my head. Thoughts of what the Governor or even the local humans would think of me if I were to show up, shoving my crew aside like some kind of officer pulling rank just to participate.
"Me? Wouldn't it seem a bit… arrogant to participate myself?"
The elite shook, fully handing the beam rifle over which I grabbed reluctantly. Studying the weapon closely, I heard as the quartermaster continued.
"There is no doubt in my mind that you will be one of the best candidates on the field. You value diplomacy, are an excellent shot, and represent the best qualities of your people well. Not having you participate would be a mistake, I think."
Grunts of approval and nods from the nearby warriors returned a bit of my confidence to me, though not enough to fully convince me. I opened my mouth to object once more, but the elite cut me off before I could even begin.
"Do not doubt your own skills and quality, my leader, as you have earned your respect and station through your actions. My recommendation for you comes solely because you deserve it… after all, it is as you said before. Merit should never take a sideline to preference, and your record and actions speak volumes."
Placing a large four-fingered hand on my shoulder, I look up to the sangheili. The soft but strange mandibled smile removed any more doubts from my mind as he spoke his peace one last time.
"There is no one else I would rather recommend for such a task."
Smiling up to the elite as I placed the sniper on my back, I nodded.
"I did say I value your opinion, now didn't I? So be it."
The elite nodded before returning to his previous task, pulling two more beam rifles from a weapons crate.
"Good. Now as for the others, I will have the list you requested of me by the end of the daily cycle. Is there anything more you wish from me shipmistress?"
Thinking for only a moment, I shook my head. Reaching for my datapad once again as this task was complete, I began to make my way towards the door.
"No, I believe that is all. Thank you, my friend."
Another quick moment of silence came and went before he responded just before I reached the door.
"It is my pleasure to aid you, shipmistress."
Hearing the sound of the door hissing shut behind me, I began my way towards the bridge. Looking down, I began to read the next message that required my attention. Surprisingly enough, it was the report of his findings with the imprisoned deacon.
"Report of my mission thus far. - Dimyap, Ship's Deacon.
After initial evaluation of my deacon colleague, I have come to the conclusion that he is absolutely convinced that this ship is, in fact, under the control of a manipulative pirate queen who is using the situation to sell the 'relics' for personal gain. I will continue to attempt to convince him to see reason over the next few cycles, but as of now my recommendation is to keep him under close watch as he-"
"Shipmistress! Shipmistress! It's a disasters!"
Jolting up from the report, I see two unggoy minors sporting the signature yellow methane tank panting violently in front of me. I could tell they were just sprinting and were out of breath, telling me that whatever it was could be urgent.
"What is it? Report!"
A few seconds came and went before I got anything intelligible out of them.
"The engines! Rakip saw it! The reports on the screens!"
Immediately, red flags began going off in my mind. Unggoy minors like this were not supposed to be in engineering, so I squinted as I continued to listen.
"The kig-yars didn't want to say anything, but I's know betters! The engines only has twenty percent powers! It's a disasters!"
The other unggoy decided to make his own thoughts on the situation clear as he sunk down to his little knobby knees and held his hands over his head dramatically.
"We won't never be going home! Not enough power!"
Going over the information in my mind, I quickly deduced what was going on. I was well aware of exactly how much fuel we had, and I knew for a fact that we resupplied when we docked at Malurok not too long ago.
They must have seen the current power output and panicked…
Plastering a strained and clearly annoyed smile on my face, I felt an eye twitch as I began to respond.
"The reactor… is operating at twenty percent power… because we are stationary on a habitable planet with the only major systems active right now being our shields and the gravity lift!"
My tone was slowly getting louder, as the anger for being interrupted by such a stupid thing fully hit me.
"Not to mention, unggoy minors like you aren't even supposed to be in engineering for good reason! This reason! Both of you are now assigned to waste management for the next monthly cycle!"
The panic on their faces quickly turned to dread as the idea of dealing with and unclogging the waste of the entire ships' crew replaced their previous irrational fear.
"Report to your new post, and get out of my sight!"
Watching as the unggoy sprinted away from me, I unclenched my unconsciously balled fists and sighed. Continuing on my way to the bridge with my good mood now ruined, I returned my gaze to my datapad to finish off Dimyap's report.
-watch as he seems to not fully be aware of the situation, and might do something rash."
It still never ceases to amaze me how intelligence and common sense among unggoy differ so vastly among their population. It almost seemed like a gap so large that it was hard to even equate the two.
Nonetheless, I couldn't help but to think of something my old shipmaster said that seems like a lifetime ago. I could barely remember the context of why he said the phrase now, but somehow I found myself mumbling it to myself as I made my way to the bridge.
"The woes of leadership continue on…"
(\\\(*v*)/)
"I'm sorry, could you say that again?"
The AI's voice rang through the speakers of my hover throne, seemingly echoing through the bridge as more than just I listened in.
"It seems as if the upcoming event between our two peoples needs to be delayed. We are experiencing a few planning issues that need to be resolved before governor Thune is satisfied that the event will go smoothly. We would like to extend his sincerest apologies, and truly hope that we haven't caused any offense in doing so."
A delay?
I could see that several of my sangheili officers were definitely offended, even if I wasn't. Sure, I was looking forward to the event, but something like this couldn't be put together immediately without something going wrong.
The first contact meeting showed us both that after all…
Thinking for only a moment, I thought of a way that I could turn this to my advantage. Not even an hour ago, Dimyap gave me a full translation of what the Luminary scan projected.
All across the fertile parts of the continent, there were the symbols that represented the humans, but there was one spot that was definitely not the humans.
"See this here? This is a forerunner complex, I'm sure of it! I can't fully translate the text, but exploring the complex should be of paramount importance, as I have a hunch this planet is no small discovery even if we ignored the artifact-aliens."
Shifting in my seat, I held off on answering Sif for a moment as I debated my options.
The governor delayed the event agreed on between us. Surely I can press for an exploratory lance to try and catalog the complex? At the very least I need to know what it is…
Sensing an opening in the figurative political stalemate between the humans and us, I decided to press my advantage.
"Since we are to wait for an undetermined period of time, I would like to send a survey group towards…"
Looking at the map my deacon gave me, I spun the globe around until I came to one of the polar regions where the site was.
"Your northern polar region. Our scans indicate that there is a site that is of religious importance there, and we wish to examine it."
The AI did not respond immediately, taking a moment to most likely discuss it with the human leaders. Tapping my talons on my armrest, I waited for my response. Thankfully, it didn't take long.
"Under the condition that you must take a human observer with you, we have found this agreeable."
Blinking, I sat up a bit in my seat in response. I wasn't expecting them to give in to my request so easily, though the observers were equally unsurprising and annoying.
That means I need to go and act as a moderator between them to make sure nothing goes wrong… great.
"So long as those you send do not interfere, I would be glad to have them along. Perhaps we might learn a bit more about each other's cultures in the process, no?"
The voice of Sif seemed unchanged and emotionless as ever when she responded.
"Indeed."
Blinking, I shifted a bit in my seat as I made my own plans.
"We will be setting out by the rise of the sun tomorrow. Send your observers to the clearing below to our ship to link up with our scout group. We shall include them in our group and set out as soon as you arrive."
Immediately upon ending my sentence, Sif responded.
"We are making our plans already, and will be sending two of our own before sunrise. Thank you for your understanding and patience, and truly hope we haven't offended you in any way in the delay of our competition."
I wave my hand away nonchalantly even as a frown reaches my face.
"It is understandable, and please know that I am not offended. If it is not too much of an inconvenience, please inform the governor that we are ready for the competition at a moment's notice and that several of my crew are excited to compete."
Including me!
When Sif's response came, it was as monotone as ever.
"I will relay your message immediately. Once again, Harvest thanks you for your patience and we will contact you when the observer aircraft enters your immediate airspace."
And with that, the connection was cut.
Delayed due to scheduling conflicts and staffing?
Something immediately smelled off. After all, how many people needed to be staffed in order to do a simple live fire sniper exercise? For our own training, I only assigned a single warrior to oversee operations and a few unggoy workers to haul the equipment. Surely it wouldn't be too different for them?
No, something else was going on. Sadly, I couldn't tell if it was hostile or peaceful. Trying to go over all the information I had, I quickly came to the conclusion that this wasn't about the competition at all.
They are probably stalling for time… But why?
Knowing I needed to hope for the best but plan for the worst, I went over all the options I could think of.
They most likely have already contacted their military even despite the governor's objections. They would be idiots if they haven't already due to the warning I gave them. Either they are going to send a proper diplomatic envoy or a response fleet…
Even if I got something out of the situation, which I most certainly just did, I couldn't help but shake the feeling that I was missing something. Unnerved, I spin my hover throne around to meet my top officer's eyes. All around me, the bridge staff were quiet as they awaited any orders I might give.
"Begin to scan for any incoming ships. If anything more than the size of a phantom enters the system, I want to know about it."
"Yes shipmistress!"
Nodding at the sensory officer, I spun back to look out the observation window. Even from here I could see the massive ringed structure leading into the atmosphere.
"Expecting trouble?"
Looking down to Ussa, I met his reptilian eyes. It still felt strange to look down upon sangheili like this, but in the end I grew to like my chair.
"Not anything that I can define, but I would be a fool to assume everything will go well without having contingencies."
Seeing the elite's head nod once, I returned my attention to the structure in the distance.
Humanity is so… foreign to me now! What do they do in their day to day lives I wonder? Do they enjoy fighting and gambling like my people do, or something different all together?
Over the course of the last few days on this planet, I've become more and more fascinated by the culture that I used to call my own. So close, yet almost forbidden for me to touch so as not to cause a diplomatic incident.
Adventure was calling me, singing in my blood and veins as I thought of that strange alien concrete jungle. Humanity, despite all I could remember, was something new to me, something unexplored and strange. These massive agricultural machines and spacecraft were not what I remembered, and I couldn't help but want to see it all!
If everything went well here, I might even be able to visit Earth! See the undestroyed streets that seem to be burned into my memory of New Mombasa. Walk through the old jungles of their worlds and compare them to my own home…
Chuckling as I shake my head, I couldn't help but think my father was right once again. Here I was, the commander of a battlecruiser wanting to leave my responsibilities as I explored the new and unknown.
It wasn't long before logic and rationality returned to my mind.
Now is not the time, if ever. Getting caught disregarding the agreement we made with the humans now would be a massive misstep, no matter how much I want to.
Sighing, I pull my eyes away from the human city as I turn my hover throne back towards the holographic display. Exploring the human city could wait, after all.
I have forerunner ruins to explore now.
(\\\(*v*)/)
Watching as the human aircraft flew down toward the sandy beach in front of me, I found myself once again thankful that my optics hid my eyes. Several unggoy workers all needed to shield their faces as sand flew around us from the engines, leading to the situation where I was one of the few that did not need to look away.
After only a few moments, the aircraft touched down on the sandy beach and two humans stepped out. Examining the delegation that the humans decided to send, I studied them for only a moment before the tension I didn't quite know was there relaxed as I saw who arrived.
Both were immediately recognizable, as the forms of Jilian Al-Cygni and Avery depart from the ship and step onto the sandy beach. I watch as they glance around the area, taking in their surroundings. Both of their gazes inevitably moved upward to take a quick look at my cruiser looming overhead, the metallic purple hull creating a strange light as the morning sunrise reflected off the hull. I could see the muscles in Johnson's jaw tighten slightly before relaxing, focusing on me for the first time.
Johnson was a welcome sight, as I knew what to expect from him. He was wearing a similar outfit to when I first met him, albeit with a bit more armor plating and cold weather padding. Thankfully, he seemed mostly relaxed in our presence at this point, looking around the area instead of the tense combat ready stance from when we first met.
This opportunity might be a chance for the two of us to gain more trust and friendship even before the contest, and that made me smile.
The woman on the other hand?
At least she appears to be unarmed. I don't see anything for their AI to talk through though…
Trying to be as optimistic as I could, I strode over with a smile on my face. Gaining their attention from my approach, I stop and place my balled hand on my chest.
"Greetings humans. I'm happy you have decided to come along with us on our expedition."
Strangely enough, the two humans copied my motion and placed their hands on their chest before dipping their heads low. The motion looked strange, though the sentiment was definitely there.
I bet they are trying to imitate us to prevent another 'handshake' incident.
"Greetings Shipmistress Sohm 'Bir." Sif's voice rang out from some unseen speaker. "Our two observers are ready to leave when you are."
Blinking owlishly, it took me only a moment before I regained my bearings. I should have expected that they would have brought their translator, but the lack of any visual indication that the holographic woman was present was a bit off putting.
Nodding, I gestured toward my phantom with a wave of my hand.
"Very good. You can ride with my retinue, or follow behind in your own aircraft if you so wish. It will be quite a long flight, and from what I can tell from our scans of the polar regions of this planet, finding two landing zones near the artifact might be a bit problematic…"
It was true after all. The northern poles of this planet appeared to be covered in icy mountains jutting like spikes into the skies. It appeared to be altogether impractical to traverse on foot, but we needed to know what was there.
I am a Covenant Zealot after all…
I didn't expect them to take me up on my offer, so I was caught off guard when the two took a moment to actually discuss it.
"~You are going with them.~"
Well, maybe discuss isn't the right word…
"~Ma'am?~"
The woman doesn't exactly leave room for any argument as she continues as if Johnson didn't speak.
"~Observe and record everything. We need to know everything about their religion and people, and you are the only one friendly with the shipmistress.~"
Johnson nods slightly before stepping forward towards me.
"~Yes, ma'am.~"
Looking back toward the grouping of elite and kig-yar rangers along with several unggoy workers behind me, I snort in amusement. All of them were looking at the human who continued on his way towards our side of the beach with undisguised curiosity. Information about the newly discovered race was shared among the ship, but the information was limited. Everyone wanted to know who they were, and seeing one up close again was a novel experience for them it seems.
Well this will certainly be interesting.
(\\\(*v*)/)
Why didn't I order two phantoms?
Crates of supplies were shifted to the side, as everything from tracking beacons to communications terminals were shoved into the phantom. Everything needed to set up a secondary research camp was in here, ready to be deployed when necessary.
Due to this, I found myself becoming the small barrier between my human guest and the rest of my warriors, awkwardly twiddling two of my thumbs as we silently made our way through the air in a phantom. I knew that nothing would happen to him, but the journey remains a bit awkward as it was.
My warriors were giving the strange new race a wide berth, still unsure of how to react. These people weren't the ones I brought with me to the meeting not too long ago, and it showed in their reaction to the lone hunan onboard.
It was quite silly all things considered, watching as several hardened warriors were thrown off as something they didn't expect and don't know how to react to was introduced to their strict mindsets.
The Covenant government as a whole was usually the leading authority on how and where people stood when it came to class and caste structure. Stereotypes long since solidified were ingrained within the society…
A bit of turbulence hits the phantom, jostling the people within. I watch from my seated spot on the floor as several sangheili rangers widen their stance, dramatically over correcting their responses in order not to fall towards the human. Johnson definitely noticed, but did his best not to react to it.
The humans are an anomaly to them. Something new, untainted by historical stereotypes and bigoted thoughts of superiority and caste.
I knew from experience on attempting to usher in good relations between species on my own ship that understanding something unknown was the best solution to any stereotypes. I needed to get them to see who these people actually are, not have them draw their own strange incorrect conclusions about them.
Standing up, I closed the short figurative distance in the ship between Johnson and myself in order to show that I wasn't actively avoiding him. To my relief, he actually smiled slightly at my approach.
Smiling brightly in return, I stood next to the human warrior. Examining him a bit closer, I saw him giving me a similar examining look from inside of a depolarized helmet.
A few moments came and went before he said something under his breath that caused me to pause my own thoughts for a moment.
"~Like what you see? I'm told I'm quite the catch…~"
While the joke was definitely something that the sergeant Johnson from my old memories would have said, the stoic Avery I have come to expect wouldn't say something like that. The sheer unexpected nature of the comment, along with the improper and joking tone forced a snort of amusement out of me.
The sergeant stiffened almost violently at that, his eyes examining me closely. He appeared to almost be in a panic, and it took me only a moment to realize why.
By reacting like that to his comment, I proved clearly that I understood him.
"~You can understand me, can't you?~"
Knowing full well that whatever plausible deniability I had was gone, I needed to come up with some kind of excuse as to why I, an alien that has known his species exists for officially for only a week or so, knows his language.
Or do I?
Something in the back of my mind seemed to offer up another solution to my dilemma. Something cunning and deceitful and… and…
Exactly what a kig yar would do.
Smiling brightly, I nudged him nonchalantly with my elbow.
"~Mayebee…~"
It was a stupid idea all things considered, but after watching his floundering face behind his helmet, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. After a few moments, I shake my head clear of any mirth and school my emotions back into check.
"~How?~"
Smiling, I respond with a simple, "You didn't think we would rely on your translator alone, did you? Communication is key in moments like this, and one way communications benefit the translator alone."
It was a bold faced lie, but one that is fairly believable. Not to mention it was the only thing I could come up with on the spot like that.
The two of us then began a staring contest of sorts, the human examining me closely with stoic professionalism, and me returning the gesture with stereotypical kig-yar nonchalance.
"~You could have withheld that information from us, and that would have given you the upper hand. Why didn't you?~"
Finally breaking from my dishonesty, I went with the truth.
"I did withhold it, didn't I? You only found out because you made me laugh." I said, shaking my head. "Perhaps I should have told you sooner. It wasn't my intention to cause mistrust between us."
Feeling the ship turn a bit, the warriors in the cabin adjusted for a moment before we leveled out. The short moment allowed me to organize my thoughts before I continued.
"I would much rather be honest… Nothing good ever comes from misinformation. It's part of the reason I'm being so cautious. I know next to nothing about your people. Political machinations… Society type… Even yourself!" I said, gesturing towards him with my hand.
"All I really know about you is that you are an alien warrior named Avery."
Pausing for a moment, I became immensely proud of myself that I pronounced his name correctly. Mentally giving myself a high five, I was a bit surprised when Avery took the lead in our conversation.
"~Likewise. We… humanity I mean, has always had some crazy ideas of what an alien society might look like. Everything from man eating parasites to magical laser sword wielding cyborgs.~"
Immediately thinking of a flood spore infected elite in a combat harness wielding an energy sword, I stood there dumbfounded.
"I wouldn't say your view is too unbelievable-"
Sadly, we aren't able to continue our conversation as the pilot yells from the cockpit.
"Shipmistress, we have arrived at the approximate location of the lumination. There isn't a good landing zone in sight, so I will put us down where I can. Signal for extraction when you locate the artifact so we can pick you up."
Turning my head in the direction of my pilot, I responded to him with a quick, "Understood."
(\\\(*v*)/)
It still took quite a bit of time to find a good landing zone, and once we did we were still forced to trudge through icy paths and mountainous terrain to reach the artifact site. The unforgiving nature of this land was definitely at odds with the peaceful agricultural climate we were previously on mere moments before, causing me to feel like we are on a separate planet all together.
We were walking on an icy path cut into the side of a mountain, the windy frigid air nipping at the exposed parts of my armor. Swearing as I dug the claws of my feet deep into the ice to prevent myself from falling, I swore under my breath even as we turned a corner and finally arrived at our destination.
Woah…
When we set off, I fully expected this to be another ancient and run down stone settlement similar enough to the ancient ruins I have seen before. I thought this task would be a quick scan of some cold ancient concrete buildings etched into the icy mountains, using the time to settle my Deacon's curiosity and show the humans a bit of our religion in the process.
Looking down to the stunned looking unggoy, watch his eyes go from casual observation to looking absolutely massive as he stares up in awe at what we actually found. Angrily growling under my breath so as not to draw too much attention to myself, I nudge the unggoy.
"You couldn't have given me a heads up about this?" I say, gesturing up to the form of an absolutely massive glowing metallic Forerunner door that was practically humming with power.
Dimyap began to scratch at the back of his head even as he looked down to a snowflake covered datapad.
"Well shipmistress, I wasn't exactly sure what it was we would find here. We knew it would be a forerunner structure, but this? This I could not have predicted…"
Snorting, I dig my claws a bit deeper into the ice to retain my footing on the path we were on.
"Obviously…"
Examining the door more closely, I realized that it was still mostly encased in ice. The good news was, I didn't see any sort of active defenses for an installation like this, but the bad news was I also didn't see a way to open it without thawing out a figurative glacier.
Thankfully, the mountain seemed to flatten out near it, giving us an area to set up a base of operations here.
Gesturing towards a sangheili major, I point toward the door.
"Set up an encampment on this platform and use what you can to melt a decent landing zone. We need to clear a way for a proper excavation crew."
"Yes, shipmistress!"
Watching as the elite begins to fulfill my orders, I begin to walk towards the exposed portion of the door. Tracing a talon across the polished glowing metallic surface, I am reminded of that artifact I found years ago. Despite the freezing conditions of the local climate and the fact that this door was over a millennium old, the door appeared brand new. Either the Forerunners knew how to build things to last through an excessive amount of erosion or…
Something is still here providing maintenance.
"Major!"
Watching as the elite returns his attention to me, I give him the most serious look I could through my optics.
"Do not open the door."
Hesitation came for only a moment before a salute followed.
"As you command."
Hearing the sound of claws scraping ice behind me, I turn towards the glacier-wall to see Dimyap idly tracing a talon on the wall.
"The gods truly did some amazing things… I've always wondered if we could craft the same sorts of wonders that they did…"
Immediately, my mind supplied me with an image of a Halo. The galactic sized super weapon array capable of wiping out all sentient life in the galaxy.
"Do we deserve to?"
The unggoy turned to me, shocked. Even though he had a rebreather on, I could tell his mouth was opening and closing as he tried to figure out what to say. Deciding to complete my thought, I turn towards the rest of the exploratory lance. I saw several elites watching casually as unggoy and kig-yar workers began to melt the ice with their weaponry.
I knew what the Covenant's religion said. I've been living in their society long enough to know, even if I didn't study it as much as Dimyap has.
"The Covenant has been searching for the rings for uncountable cycles now… Bent on finding them at all costs, but has anyone ever stopped to wonder why we haven't found them yet?"
Dimyap seems to regain his bearings at that, speaking up again.
"Many have pondered the question over the ages. You say you have an answer?"
I knew the rings themselves were just objects and could be found just like any other planet, but my opinion on if the Covenant deserved to find them was unchanged by that.
"If the rings ascend those who use them to godhood, perhaps the reason we haven't found them is because we aren't truly worthy of inheriting that which they left behind."
Silence came and went between us, the wind dusting us with loose snowfall as the two of us stared upward towards the doorway.
"Is that what the Oracle told you?"
The question took me off guard for a moment, causing me to sit there for a moment in silence. This was the first time since the incident with Mendicant that anyone actually asked me about it, causing me to tilt my head in confusion.
"How did you know I spoke to the Oracle?"
At this point, I didn't think that information was common knowledge. No one spoke of it, and no one asked me about the conversations either.
The unggoy just returns my gesture, tilting his head a bit more to the side. I was sure the two of us looked foolish with both of our heads cocked to the side, causing me to straighten up.
"Everyone knows, shipmistress. Has no one spoken with you about it?"
Snorting, I shook my head.
"No…" I said, trailing off when I realized we had two eavesdroppers.
The two humans were almost violently attempting to appear focused on anything else except our conversation. The two of them were even faced the other way, leaning towards each other in an attempt to look like they were in a conversation, but my keen ears caught no words.
"… A conversation for another time perhaps. Try to see if you can discern anything from the markings on the doorway. I will talk with our tag-alongs."
Dimyap followed my gaze and dipped his head low.
"By your word, shipmistress."
Sighing, I began to walk toward the two humans. Almost immediately, they turn around and dip their heads low in respect. Idly, I noticed Al-Cygni did a better job of imitating the obviously alien gesture.
"~I am told you can fully understand us.~"
Waiting for Sif's translation, I heard nothing come through the speaker attached to their armor. Smirking at the attempt at full confirmation, I nodded.
"Indeed. I'm sure you have a few questions…" I said, gesturing behind me to the massive forerunner door.
Glancing toward Avery, I waited for a reaction but he stoically remained quiet. It was obvious he was letting his superior take charge, leading me to fully turn my attention to her.
She shifted a bit in the cold, as her garb was not entirely suited for this climate. Her thirst for information was clearly showing however, as she jumped at the chance to ask her questions.
"~Plenty, but let's start with the obvious. What is this place?~"
Sighing, I walk over to the edge of the cliff side we are standing on. Plopping down, I dangle my legs off the sheer cliff and relax a bit. Hearing the two following behind me, I wasn't overly surprised that only Johnson sat down with me.
"It is a relic left behind by our gods from a time long past… as for what's inside?"
I looked over my shoulder, fixing the woman with a serious gaze.
"I have no idea."
Johnson snorted, but the black garbed woman was already preparing her next question.
"~Who are your gods exactly?~"
This was it. This was the thing that I needed to get across to humanity. I knew I needed to fully explain everything involving the Covenant's religion to them, as that religion's beliefs was the original basis for the war that almost obliterated them.
I just hope they believe me.
"Our gods are known as the Forerunners." I say, picking up a stone and idly throwing it down the cliff side. "They were an ancient race of highly advanced people, capable of feats that even our own society hasn't even been able to scratch the surface of. The Covenant believes that they became so advanced, they found the way to ascend into godhood, and that studying the ancient devices they left behind is a way to do so ourselves."
There was a long heavy pause as I waited for Sif to fully translate my own words. It wasn't long before the next question came.
"~All of your people believe in the same religion? How many species are a part of this… Covenant?~"
I watched as a phantom rounded a nearby cliffside, flying into view. Someone obviously called in the exact coordinates of this place, leading our pilot to it.
"There are eight species that make up the bulk of the Covenant, and we do all believe in the Forerunners, though to varying degrees."
It was true after all. My people weren't exactly the most religious of the bunch, just using the Covenant as a means to provide for themselves. That didn't mean there weren't any religious kig-yar, just as I was sure there were agnostic sangheili out there.
Standing up, I close the short distance to become face to face with the human female. Lowering my voice so only she could hear me, I gave my warning.
"Be warned. My society's religious fanaticism should not be underestimated."
Hearing the telltale hum of the phantom's engines, I replace my serious demeanor with a happier one.
"It will take quite some time for them to get the door clear. I don't know about you, but I would much rather spend that time somewhere warm instead of this frozen wasteland."
The signature blue foggy light of the ship's gravity lift shone from above the clearing, lowering a few supplies onto the clearing. Once all the supplies were properly secured and being utilized, I caught the attention of my highest ranking officer.
"Major! I am departing. Inform me when the artifact is fully excavated!"
"Yes, shipmistress!"
Al-Cygni's voice came from behind me, catching my attention. Turning, I saw her looking towards the Forerunner doorway.
"~You will inform us before opening whatever that is, correct?~"
Turning back to the human, I nodded.
"You have my word. Now, do you wish for a ride back to your aircraft, or do you want to hike back?"
Johnson spoke up, his tone suggesting he was a lot more relaxed in this situation than his superior officer was.
"~I thought you'd never ask.~"
Smiling at his confidence, a devious plan enters my mind. I knew for a fact that these humans have never used a gravity lift before, making a vicious smile cover my face.
Stepping into the beam, I retained my balance perfectly as the feeling of weightlessness I was all too familiar with overtook me. Landing softly in the warm compartment, I look down through the lift as the sergeant carefully steps into the light.
Oh no.
Practically already bursting at the seams from laughter, I hear as he begins to yell, unexpectedly flailing around in the air. Thankfully, the lift kept him mostly upright, preventing him from fully spinning upside down in his lift.
I am immediately reminded of the time I flopped onto the deck of my father's ship what seems like a lifetime ago. Snickering, I watch as the flailing Johnson floats his way into the drop-ship
Landing in a soft heap on the floor in front of me, I decided to take a page out of my father's book. Nudging the sergeant with my foot, I lean over and infuse my next words with as much condescension as I could.
"Having fun down there?"
It wasn't long before the ONI agent entered, having a much more graceful, but still wobbly entrance.
"~Johnson?~"
Still on the floor, the sergeant spins around onto his back.
"~Yes, ma'am?~"
"~Get off the floor. That's an order.~"
-Author's Note-
Hello everyone!
Rant incoming.
Ima make this as clear as possible right now because it's bugging me how often this is coming up.
This is not a romance story. It does not have a romance tag. It is rated T. There won't be smut, and it is already 28 chapters in with only tiny hints at romance so far with most of them being in the last 5-6.
That does NOT mean that Sohm won't have a love interest. She will. But it will not repeat NOT be the main focus of the story! As many of you are guessing she is getting with x spartan here or Y elite there honestly baffles me.
I mean crap! One of you even fully TOLD me that she needed to love Noble six. (not asked, but said "you need to have her fall for")
Six, as a beta company spartan 3, was 24 at MOST by the time reach came along. The war was 27 years long, and hasn't even started yet. That would mean Sohm, assuming nothing changes at that point, would be dating someone 30 years her younger.
Heck! Even the spartan 2s are 13-14 right now!
No. I'm not writing cougar birb. Not doing it. Not only is it bad writing and a stupid idea, but it's kinda morally questionable anyway.
So while it frustrates me that this is happening, ima pour a tiny tiny amount of fuel on the fire in hopes that it will burn out whatever is here.
Oh, and I'm not going the cradle robbing elite route either.
Sohm at this point is 25. Spartans are 14. Bero and Ussa are both around 70, and Rtas is 62. Where in there is the room for anything besides mentor/friend? If Sohm is going to fall for anyone, it's going to be someone around her age. (And no it isn't a de-aged from cryo Johnson or Timore either.)
I know exactly who her love interest will be, and you guys will just need to wait and find out. Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure it will be ironically one of the most unique pairings, all things considered, even though it is rather obvious. (to me at least)
Rant over.
I feel like sometimes all I do is set up stuff for later. You have no idea how badly I just wanted to be like "oh, yeah sure humans. You can delay for a while" and just cut straight to the contest, but that felt dumb. I needed to draw a bit of attention to the artifact at the pole (which you should remember from halo wars 1) as it will be important later… but still.
I also wrote like 3000 words of Sohm taking active camo and exploring Utgard under cover of night. Got a whole deleted scene of Sohm hopping from the tops of busses to running as fast as traffic just to explore around… all in my now 15k word deleted scene pile.
Oh well.
TLDR: I have a love hate relationship with this chapter.
:)
As always, read and review, and if you like it, consider giving me a follow and a favorite