"What?" Maccabeus growled unaware of how his tone sent a tinge of fear down Ahsoka's spine.

"We have multiple Vong life forms detected in the spartan bay unfortunately they have already disabled the cameras so I can't show them to you." Roland answered.

"How many?"

"Sensors indicate at least four of them. Your armor is still in the captain's quarters if you like I can seal off the bay and pump out the air…"

"NO." Maccabeus interrupted. "These beasts came into my home, I will DEAL with them. Ready my armor."

Ahsoka went to speak but before she could Maccabeus handed one of his pistols. "I need you to stay here and protect Rex, I can handle four Vong but please." his worry was undisguised and she relented taking the gun and checking if the safety was off.

With a smile Maccabeus headed for his old room. Inside the accommodations were fittingly spartan, With the exception of his personal armors station. just as he orded the old mark nine armor that Maccabeus wore was there and in less than three minutes he was suited up and running to the spartan bay. He was going to make an entrance

Leading with his shoulder he smashed through the door like it was made of paper. Once inside he saw an old male Vong too old to be a breeding male which meant that he was the leader and most powerful of the group.

He was unarmed but so was the Vong and if he had been unarmored then it would have been a fair fight. As it stood this was an execution. Not a battle. The old Vong had started turning to face him when Maccabeus crashed into him slamming him into the wall.

Maccabeus' fist froze less than an inch from the old Vong's face when he heard something. He titled his head thirty degrees and looked around. The old Vong was trying to attack him but Maccabeus had a hand around the beasts' armor and there was no way for the Vong to even reach him as a result.

The sound led him to a closed Vong spacecraft. He ripped the door open to find thirteen assorted Vong children inside all of them terrified.

"Please," the old Vong begged. "Have mercy," his words rang back into Maccabeus' mind. To the final battle against the Vong Empire. He had begged for mercy then and he didn't give it.

The Vong was speaking a language similar to sangheili so Maccabeus asked him. "Why? Your people destroyed my race and I destroyed yours', now you are here invading my home why shouldn't I do it again."

His words made understanding radiate from the old Vong. "you are the Angel of Death, sent by the creator to punish those who refused his will eons ago,"

Maccabeus didn't answer but his confusion was clear and his grip was loosening. " My people were once part of a great empire but we were led astray by the great deceiver. Many of us went down a dark path and a small sect of us went into exile. When the creator's wrath was loosed upon them we were protected by our exile."

"You were outside the radius of the array?" Maccabeus asked/stated.

In all of his years. All seven and a half of them Maccabeus learned many things and one of them was that God had little allowance for accidents. He had wiped an entire race from the galaxy once would he really start again and carry on from here. No he needed to let go of his pain and forgive.

Forgiveness may not yet come but letting go was somewhat easier. Dropping the Vong he turned away growling. "Get off my ship."

as he made his way to the medical bay Roland appeared at his right."tell Ahsoka she can rest now"

"I already did" he responded "I saw what you did back there. I don't know if it was the smart thing but I think it may have been the right thing. They left in the craft you found them in."

As he rounded the doorway into the room he saw Ahsoka asleep in the bed While Roland also stood to the left of the child delicately stroking his holographic index finger against Rex's face singing slow and soft. "What child is this who came to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels great while anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping."

Looking up to make eye contact with Maccabeus. "This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud the babe the son of Mary."

Pulling back his finger he continued. "You know who one of the most famous shepherds was Maccabeus. A young man named David, he was known for caring for his flock. He was also known for killing several lions and bears to protect his flock. Then he personally killed at least several dozen of his people's enemies. And I repeat that is the conservative number. Other estimates put it as more akin to several hundred."

"Sound familiar." Roland held his hand to gesture at the baby, "there is enough genetic diversity between the three of you and the DNA codes that I have on file that I can create a functioning species, Maccabeus we finally have the chance to right our wrongs. This child is the first of a new race. Half human, half not, the genetic codes are close enough to cross. We can save humanity even if only in an altered form. This child is the savior."

Moving his hand to his own chest. "I'm the angel,"

Now motioning to Maccabeus. "You are the shepherd."

Maccabeus nodded in agreement. "You knew." he said knowing that Offensive was listening

"Yes," he answered. "I calculated the odds as being nearly eighty three percent. But I wanted you to decide. Your people's fate, not me."

"No," Maccabeus said sitting back down in his chair reaching out and gently taking Ahsoka's sleeping hand. "WE will decide."

Thank you all for reading and I wish you all a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. sincerely Noruas Bombadil.