Authors note: Hey everyone, I'm back with the second chapter to Halo:An Odd Relationship. This chapter doesn't contain action but the content hopefully fulfills your expectations.
Once again, feel free to leave a review, if you have an account I will certainly respond too you.
Now enjoy the read and I'll catch you all later!
Location: UNSC Infinty
Date: 20th February 2558
time: 2100 hours
Spec Ops Commander Reesha and the Captain of the UNSC Infinity stood around a large rectangular holographic table. Reesha had been sent on a mission by the Arbiter to discuss the possibility that the Humans could aid them in the war against the Covenant. After discussing the proposition for two hours and a quick conversation between Captain Lasky and HIGHCOMM they had reached a conclusion that the Infinity would send an extremely experienced fireteam of ODST's and a company of marines commanded by a Captain to aid in the war against the Covenant.
Reesha watched carefully as men and women filed into the bridge. Most of the humans had patches on their shoulders which signified a rank of some standing or another, all well below her own and Lasky's. Among the officers were three human; two males and one female. These humans wore different clothing to the officers' formal uniform that had the words ODST: Orbital Drop Shock Trooper on the left chest-side of their uniform in bold, white, script. The last human male entered the bridge and moved to stand by the table. This human wore the same formal ODST uniform as the other three humans but didn't stand with them. It took her a second but she realised that she was looking at the same human that she saw in the hanger, the same well-rounded face, short spiky hair and the same intriguing green eyes.
The Captain of the ship began to talk but she continued to observe the human with wonderful green eyes for a second longer. "For a human, he does look appealing." She surprised herself before she quickly shrugged the thought off.
"Welcome people, you have been called upon to assist in a new mission." Captain Lasky wasn't one to dance around the point but instead got straight to it, "This is going to be a hard choice for all of you because we have only finished a war and I am asking for you all to go back and join a new one." A few of the officers tilted their heads confusingly and a few actually took steps back. A low mumble began to spread across the group of assembled humans
Reesha decided that it was her turn to step in. She stepped forward and the group before her went silent. "It is true that this decision will be difficult for you, we know you have only finished a war against us and now it is our species that is requesting assistance in our own fight against the Covenant." She knew that most of these humans must feel hatred towards her and the Sangheili and she wanted to press on but a voice broke in and stopped her.
"Why should we go and help these squid faced freaks fight their own war when they nearly killed all of us?" An officer announced in an agitated voice and received a few mumbles of agreement. The female Sangheili was partially annoyed at the intrusion but Reesha knew that the human was right, what right did she or the Arbiter have to ask for help from the race they almost annihilated, so she took a different approach.
"The Arbiter and the Spartan you call Master Chief formed an alliance after the Great Schism and even now, the Arbiter speaks highly of the Spartan. We can do the same, as two races, we can come together and form a proper alliance and live together in harmony." The mention of the famous Spartan that almost single handedly saved the human race changed the expressions on many of the officers.
Seeing that her speech was getting through to the humans she pushed on. "If you help us defeat the Covenant once and for all then we will all be free from war, your families and your friends will all live freely and without fear of death and destruction. This will be your final fight." She finished calmly and confidently. She could see that her words had a massive effect on the gathered humans and even gained the attention of humans working at different stations on the bridge. She took a glimpse at the green eyed male and saw that her words clearly had an insurmountable impact. She could see the emotions playing openly on his face, his eyes changing from hurt to anger and finally resolve. "What has this human gone through for him to show such emotion so openly?" The human's emerald eyes suddenly locked with hers and she quickly averted her gaze to the other officers.
Mayne had walked onto the bridge with no idea what was going to happen. He certainly didn't expect to be included in a meeting with officers, the Captain and a rather unique Sangheili. Jason saw the Sangheili first as it stood out from the crowd. The first thing he noticed was the armour, which was reflective black, like it had been polished over and over again until all grime and wear had been removed. Mayne almost smiled as he thought how well it matched the armour worn by the advanced ODST's. The second thing he noticed was that this Sangheili was not at large as others and had a more elegant build with hips that were more curved than the average elite.
"A female elite? What is she doing here?" Mayne thought curiously, he had never encountered a female Sangheili before and if he had he didn't pay attention to their gender as he fired at them with whatever weapon he had in his arsenal. He didn't get time to think more about this new Elite as Captain Lasky stepped forward and began the meeting. When Captain Lasky made the statement of supporting the Sangheili, Mayne too stepped back a pace and his eyes narrowed in hatred towards those words that left the Captain's mouth.
"But why? Why would we want to help them after what the hinge heads did to our species. And what about my team, they were murdered by the bastards!" Mayne almost spoke up before someone else beat him to the punch, speaking almost the same words in his mind.
Before he could act any further the female elite stepped forward and spoke. The words that came from her mouth seemed to turn Mayne's anger away from the Captain's words and to an old foe. "I will fight the Covenant again and I will not do it for these hinge heads. I will fight for them, my team. I will avenge their deaths and set things right." Coming to a final resolution, Mayne sensed a gaze upon him and looked up to catch the bright blue eyes of the female elite which were quickly averted, making Mayne raise an eyebrow curiously. Mayne hoped that the elite didn't see his lack of control of his emotions and fortunately she showed no evidence that she did. What Mayne didn't know what that his emotional outbreak did not escape the three certain ODST soldiers that were observing him.
Lasky took the stage once again. "Ok people now that you know the basics you may head back to your company and you will receive orders from your Captain afterwards." Then once Mayne began to turn and leave Lasky added in an extra word, "Captain Hendricks and ODST's stay behind if you will."
With the room vacated with an exception of the Captain, female elite, Captain Hendricks, the ODST's and himself, the Captain gestured for them to come around the holographic table. Mayne took a glimpse at the other ODST's and saw them looking back at him with unkind eyes. He didn't like what he thought was going to happen. Captain Hendricks stood beside Mayne and offered his hand to him. Mayne took his hand in a strong grasp.
"Captain James Hendricks, Commander of 24th Infantry Company." Captain Hendricks said.
"Corporal Mayne Alexander, Sir, ODST." Mayne responded. Captain Hendricks's face showed confusion as to why Mayne hadn't stated his company. Such a thing was normal in an introduction within the UNSC.
"Do you have company or platoon?" He questioned.
"I'm not attached to one Sir." When Hendricks made to question the ODST more Captain Lasky stepped in.
"That's true Captain, Corporal Alexander is not in a fireteam, platoon or company. He refuses to be attached to a new team. Even when threatened with court martial he refuses but due to his skill set we have still had use for him, so he runs lone missions."
This is when one of the other ODSTs stepped forward, his expression one of annoyance,
"Then why, can I ask, are we here Sir?" He asked in a frustrated tone. He was a big man, standing well over Mayne's height, his skin a strong tanned colour and he looked stronger than a hunter. The female ODST stepped forward and cut him off. She was close to six feet tall, a little smaller than Mayne but with her dark hazel eyes and jet-black hair she looked good enough to kill without hesitation. "Ajax, stow it." She growled and instead took a more presentable lead.
"Captain, why do you require us to attend?"
Mayne was guessing she already had a slight idea as did he. He didn't like it one bit and it was clear that she didn't either. Captain Lasky knew there would be a disagreement but pushed on while Reesha stood to the side, not taking part in the greetings for the moment.
"Corporal Alexander, from this moment on until the Swords of Sangheilios no longer require our aid you will be assigned to Fireteam Phoenix and Sergeant Catherine Myers will be your fireteam Commander, is that understood?" Already before the Captain had finished what he was saying Mayne was shaking his head.
"No can do, Captain. I'm not being assigned to another fireteam after what happened before." Mayne replied evenly and Captain Lasky shook his head in return,
"Corporal Alexander, Fireteam Phoenix is one of the best ODST fireteams and few other ODSTs can match their skill abilities and none of them are in the area, except you. I will not send Fireteam Phoenix into this operation with a member down."
The third ODST finally made a statement. This ODST had the body features like Mayne, not too tall but was well built with a sharp face and a buzz cut. "We don't want a new member, we can work better without him." He stated with an angry glare and once again Catherine had to intervene.
"Gabriel, that's enough!" The snarled before facing the Captain and Mayne.
"Sir, my team is like a well-oiled machine, we have worked together on mission for years and even if we have to work was a man down I am willing to take that risk. Assigning a new member to my team will slow things down and possibly get another one of my friends killed." Mayne automatically had taken an instant dislike to the two men but found that Catherine could be at least tolerated.
Captain Lasky was having none of it. "Sergeant, this is not up for discussion, Corporal, like it or not you are now attached to Fireteam Phoenix and you will learn to work together for your own sake." The captain's glare to both Mayne and Catherine was enough to shut them up.
"Yes Sir" Mayne and Catherine acknowledged before Catherine gestured for Mayne to come over to their side of the table as Captain Lasky briefed Captain Hendricks on his mission.
Once Mayne joined his new team Catherine began introductions
"Mayne, This is Corporal Gabriel Handson; Phoenix 2. Corporal Ajax Cutter; Phoenix 3 and I am Sergeant Catherine Myers; Phoenix 1. You are Phoenix 4. I'll just put it out there, none of us are happy about this arrangement but we have to work it out. Gabe and Jax, cut the shit with the new guy, we're all going to die if we don't work together." Mayne nodded as did the other two ODSTs without objection, all ODSTs were rulebreakers, cocky and generally a pain in the ass for officers but they did follow commands from respected leaders.
Reesha decided that it was time to greet the special forces soldiers as they had their own special role in this operation. When she approached the ODSTs took an involuntary step back, habits were hard to break. Taking a breath she hoped to the Gods that this went well.
"I am Reesha Moram, Special Operations Commander. You are O.D. ?" She had trouble trying to pronounce every individual letter in the abbreviation. A small chuckle emitted from the four human soldiers brought a purple tinge to her cheeks.
"Yeah, we're ODSTs." The female soldier stated. Reesha pushed her embarrassment to the back of her mind and launched into her plan.
"On this mission the Arbiter has requested that a small force of better trained soldiers be assigned to his personal guard along with myself and my team. The attempts of assassination on the Arbiter have grown in the past months and we need more soldiers to help defend him as well as be ready to assist in battles. Your Captain was unable to supply Spartans but you are the next best thing." She could see a small lift in the ODST's shoulders with the praise. She glanced across the soldiers pausing slightly on the greened eyed soldier. She felt something in her chest flicker,but it was gone as fast as it came. This human definitely was arousing her curiosity.
Mayne saw that her gaze lingered on himself a little more than the others and wondered what it was she was looking at, doing a quick inspection of his uniform he saw nothing out of place and so he shrugged it off. Nothing to worry about. He did though take a moment to observe the female Sangheili and tried to describe her, what was she? The only word he could put out there was attractive which surprised him greatly. He moved his gaze down her body and eventually gazed at the more prominent area behind her hips. "Hard habits are hard to break but she's an elite for God's sake!" Mayne smacked himself on the forehead mentally and shook his head to clear the odd thoughts.
Captain Lasky shook the hand of Captain Hendricks and walked over to the other group.
"Commander Reesha, I assume you've informed the ODSTs on their role in this operation?" He asked and Reesha nodded.
"I've informed them that they are being assigned to the Arbiter's personal guard along with my team." She stated and the Captain nodded his approval.
"Fireteam Phoenix, are you clear on your mission?" A round of "Sir's!" from the soldiers gave Captain Lasky hope that this team might work out after all.
"Remember to work together Phoenix, the operation starts in Hanger five at 0600, go get some sleep."
Reesha watched as the four ODSTs left the bridge before turning to the Captain.
"Captain Lasky, I have a question about Corporal Alexander." She asked cautiously.
Captain Lasky smiled slightly.
"Ahhh, Mayne, what would you like to know about him?" He said and Reesha continued.
"It's about why he wants to work alone." The smiled instantly faded for the Captain face and Reesha felt she had made a mistake in asking. Captain Lasky scratched behind his neck uncomfortably.
"Hmmm…" Lasky sighed. "I understand your curiosity. But I'm afraid that's what we humans call personal business. It won't affect the mission, I assure you. He's strong enough to put it behind him."
Reesha nodded thoughtfully said her farewell and made her way back to her own vessel where all the other Sangheili would be. "Whatever happened to this human; Mayne, I will find out." She thought. She couldn't pinpoint the reason why she wanted to know, but now her curiosity was peaked, she would find out.
General Ruko 'Zutamee sat upon his throne-like chair on the bridge of the CSO-class Supercarrier Dominating Ascent, The main Covenant corvette in the remaining Covenant fleet. Ruko was a huge Sangheili in gold armour that almost matched the height of the mighty Jul 'Mdama and had the reputation for being brutal and unforgiving. Ruko was sitting comfortably on his throne until a Sangheili came running onto the bridge.
"General 'Zutamee!" The Sangheili messenger called as he quickly knelt before the looming figure.
"Stand Messenger." Ruko snarled and the soldier rose quickly to his full height, a whole head and half below Ruko.
"Reports have come in from Jul 'Mdama's corvette, they say that he is dead! He was killed by a Demon!" Ruko felt his eyes light up and an evil grin appeared on his face. Jul 'Mdama was his leader but he certainly was not a friend, in fact the Sangheili leader was merely an obstacle for Ruko in his desire to rule the Covenant. He turned to the elite working the communications,
"Open a channel to the other corvettes." The Sangheili nodded and a series of beeps signalled the other Shipmasters accepting communication.
"Shipmasters, I speak to you now to bring truly unfortunate news. Our leader Jul 'Mdama has been slain in battle against Demons." Ruko could hear the uproar of the Sangheili on the other end of the comms and continued, "With the Covenant now leaderless I suggest that I; General Ruko 'Zutamee take control of the leadership of the Covenant. I promise that I will bring death to the Arbiter and his heretic followers!" He finished triumphantly. A voice came through the comms.
"I concur, General Ruko 'Zutamee should lead us. For the Covenant!" The voice stated, the statement followed by roars of approval. Ruko smiled broadly and was about to thank the other Shipmasters for this honour but another voice cut in.
"As Shipmaster of the Ruthless Plunder I reject your proposition and I vote that we hold a proper council meeting to decide who will lead the glorious Covenant." Ruko stopped smiling and a cold fury began to build towards the opposing Shipmaster.
"Weapons operator." He seethed.
"Yes General?" The weapons operator responded nervously. No one wanted to get on the bad side of the General, many have and thus met their untimely demise.
"Target all weapons towards the Ruthless Plunder and launch a plasma barrage." Ruko ordered. The operator shrank back in his seat,
"General, you cannot order me to target our own corvette, I won't kill my fellow brethren." He resisted. The General stood up and paced towards the operator, the silence on the bridge was deafening. Ruko suddenly became deathly calm.
"Then I will find someone who will." He stated calmly before he unclipped the energy blade on his thigh and activated the emerald green blade and in one smooth motion, severed the head from the body of the poor elite, the head impacted the group with a plonk and rolled a few feet before stopping. The now lifeless corpse crumpled to the floor and a torrent of blood began to gush along the purple deck.
"Someone get on the weapons and target the Ruthless Plunder, NOW!" Ruko raored the last word and a Sangheili launched into action, jumping onto the seat and ignoring the blood he quickly tapped in the order. A few seconds past and then the elite spoke.
"Salvo away, General." He said just above a whisper. Ruko pulled up a camera view of the Ruthless Plunder just to see the plasma barrage hit and the corvette detonate in a ball of purple flame.
The Comms came alive.
"General, why in the God's name did you destroy the Reckless Plunder?!" A shipmaster yelled franticly into the comms. A venomous smile came to Ruko's mandibles.
"I'm just doing my job, executing those who would weaken the glorious Covenant!"
Now that Ruko was in charge, there would be no stopping the Covenant from rising back to its former power. The Swords of Sanghelios will fall and the humans will be next.