Well hello there! It's almost been a year now hasn't it? It's not much, but I present to you a new Chapter to ODST: Surviving the Drop!
It was silent. Silent as could be. The Seeker of Intent, a Brigantine class heavy carrier, has slowly made its way through space towards its destination, and everything seemed to be going as planned. The Arbiter watched the scanners religiously and everyone else was at their stations, making sure everything went off without a hitch.
"We're approaching the southern hemisphere of the planet," a navigation officer announced smoothly.
The Arbiter's eyes narrowed, the hologram of Oba Diah in front of him.
"The planet's defenses are insignificant," the Arbiter observed as he read several readouts that appeared next to the planet.
"Minimal air defense systems around their headquarters, forty light fighter craft, and only five-hundred soldiers in and around the headquarters," Arbiter said with bewilderment.
"This is the Pyke syndicate? Even with all their forces, we could crush them with a single CAS assault carrier," Rtas said with disbelief.
"Their strength is in backrooms and drug dens, nowhere else." Arbiter said with distaste.
"If only we could crush them now." Rtas said with a scorn
"It would be preferable, but their absence in the back rooms would be noticeable to almost all in the galaxy."
"How annoying."
The Arbiter nodded but continued to watch silently as a thousand more relevant and irrelevant statistics about this dung infested world popped up on the hologram, but it was all inconsequential. The only thing that mattered was the advisor, and he was currently in a prison cell several stories below ground under the Pyke syndicate main headquarters.
"Are the human's ready?"
"They're awaiting your orders Arbiter, but I still don't understand why we don't do this ourselves," Rtas said in disagreement.
The Arbiter glanced up at Rtas, his peripheral picking up the heads of several others looking this way, he thought of his answer carefully.
"Do you not understand our standing in the universe? Compared to the Republic or the Separatists, we are a small force. Mighty, but small. We must build up our strength unseen for as long as possible before we are to face them out in the open, and since humans are so eager to stick their necks out, we will use it to gain the advantage." the Arbiter said plainly.
"How so?"
"The amount of technology and information my special operation units have obtained in this galaxy is beyond worth, and has already been put to good use of Sanghelios."
"Then haven't the humans done the same? They are filled with tenacity."
"Most likely, but they are so eager to put themselves forward, and I would have them fall first if war breaks out."
"A front?"
"The UNSC fears war more than anything else, and they will do everything they can to prevent one from reaching their space again. So, why not let them do the dirty work?"
Rtas looked at the Arbiter, several thoughts and feelings going through his mind.
"In another age, such an act would be cowardly," Rtas said lowly
The Arbiter's head shot up instantly, a glare forming on his features as several officers looked at the two.
"Is it cowardly now?"
Rtas didn't falter under his gaze, and after all the years they served together he would never really think of the Arbiter as cowardly, such a thought was blasphemy. The Arbiter is the reason that Sanghelios is prosperous and strong after all, and it must remain that way.
"With what we all know, our plans with the UNSC is our best route forward Arbiter. We must destroy this threat completely beforehand if we are to be victorious," Rtas said as he looked back at the holograms, watching the readouts as they appeared.
The Arbiter kept his glare on Rtas for a few more seconds before he let it subsided, looking back at the holograms as well. Rtas was his brother, a member of his clan, and probably the second most qualified Sangheili beside himself to lead Sanghelios, and due to that, his insight is always welcomed. However, that question did unsettle him. 'Is this cowardly?' he wondered 'Why hide behind the curtain when we have the advantage of surprise?' Questions like that have been flowing through his mind recently, but he suppressed them. Those thoughts deemed nothing more than the remnants of his youthful grandeur from his days in the Covenant, because despite their advantage back in those times, despite how unstoppable they seemed to be, the humans pulled through to the end despite the odds.
The galaxy we live in is much larger than it used to be, and with this 'force' being revealed to us, there are too many possibilities and still too many unknowns for his liking.
"Even if the humans are the ones sticking their neck out, why do you think we are here now?" the Arbiter asked
"Because sometimes… " Rtas started, "things are just that important."
"Exactly. And with Hood's reluctance to place his demons on the playing field, it gives us the ability to test our ships and equipment," the Arbiter said as he swiped through a few holograms, bringing up a live feed of the cell the advisor was held in.
"What are you aiming for, Arbiter?"
"The same objective as Lord Hood. The destruction of our enemies without firing a single shot in the open."
Rtas looked at the Arbiter with narrowed eyes, seeing something he's only now begun to realize. He walked up next to the Arbiter so he wouldn't broadcast his words to the bridge crew.
"The humans have influenced you Thel," he said quietly.
Arbiter looked at his brother "They may have fragile bodies, Rtas, but I've never encountered more shrewd minds."
"They've survived the war by the skin of their teeth, and we should never forget that. That trait, that tenacity, is something I studied thoroughly and we must put it to use ourselves less we are to be destroyed by overconfidence," he said firmly as he looked back at the holograms in front of them.
"Humans are resilient creatures Thel, but that's just the UNSC," Rtas said in a somewhat dismissive tone.
"And the ones here are not?" Thel asked.
"I've read the reports Thel, and despite their almost overwhelming numbers, the Republic and Separatist Alliance are weak. A millennia of peace has left the Republic but a shell of its former shelf and two hastily erected prop armies will not change that."
Thel raised a brow at Rtas assessment of the situation, and since he hasn't heard it yet, he waited for the rest.
"Even if both armies were loyal to their respective governments, an army of clones and machines fight in the place of people." Rtas said with disgust.
Thel nodded in agreement.
"That's the difference between us and the rest of the universe. The Republic and the CIS refuse to raise their own hands in defense of their interests and ideals, and because of that, they are nothing but dry grass in the wind waiting to be cut down. What's the point of democracy or independence if no one fights for it, and since no one fights for it, how strong are they really?" Rtas said firmly, his opinion on the matter seemingly settled.
Thel thought over Rtas' words, and he slowly realized that he never thought of it through that angle. He had mostly focused on ship totals and troop counts up to this point, but take away the manipulation, the Sith, the Jedi, and what's left? Weak and divided people, slime governing from institutions built by the devoted dead, addicts to be preyed upon, slaves to be bought and sold, despots and scum vying for control that will never last, and some mystical force that keeps it all running.
"Demons and millions of devoted humans protect the UNSC, and all I see here are a few wizards and a galaxy full of decay," Rtas said with disdain.
Thel couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at his words, the truth in them undeniable.
"How pathetic they are brother," Thel said with the shake of his head.
"Yes, and to think I'd ever praise the UNSC," Rtas said with disbelief.
"It is strange coming from you," Thel said with disbelief of his own.
They stood there in silence for a few seconds, the countdown to drop getting closer, so the Arbiter decided to end this conversation for now.
"However, despite their weaknesses, they still have an army and underestimating them is suicide."
"The UNSC has taught us that much."
The holograms in front of them started flashing red as an alarm echoed through the bridge, their mission beginning.
"Send them in."
"Yes, Arbiter." Rtas said with a nod before mentioning to a communications officer.
"Alpha Nine, you are clear to drop." Rtas started "We're jamming all sensors… and I do hope you know how to use the active camouflage units."
"We've trained for it shipmaster," said the voice of Captain Veronica Dare, an older but experienced human.
"You elites gotta give us more credit," said a gruff voice, of one of the other 3 humans.
"Can it Dutch." she ordered swiftly "We're launching now shipmaster."
"Well have extraction waiting in sector 37B, comms going dark," Rtas said plainly into the comms.
"See you when we get back," she said before comms were cut off.
The Arbiter watched the hologram in front of him, zooming in on the four drop pods as they shot out of the ship and flew down towards the planet at breakneck speeds. He hoped that this extraction mission would go off without too much of a hassle, but we'll see, news from Coruscant has arrived yet.
_Oba Diah_
The corridor was silent as the four soldiers advanced, the bleak white lights above them glistening off the visors of their odst helmets and making the puke green walls seem even more disgusting than they already were. They successfully made it past security and into their headquarters, and a dumb ai was currently running everything in a loop to ensure they weren't detected by any system they may have. However, the lack of armed security was concerning. They haven't run into a single guard or wandering addict since they crashed down in their pods, and the advisor was in the next corridor.
"I don't like this," Mickey said with a frown as he kept his rifle leveled at the next door.
"For once I agree with you," Dutch said cautiously, keeping his eye on the hallway behind them.
"The advisor should be in a cell in the next corridor, be ready for anything," Veronica ordered as she checked her rifle.
"I really hope there's not a bunch of guys behind this door," Romeo wished silently to himself as he punched in the code to the door, his rifle to his side.
They all carried experimental M7S's that shot blaster bolts instead of bullets, a few thermal detonators, some other goodies, and since this galaxy lacked any kind of ballistic armor to protect themselves, they also carried standard MD6's.
"We haven't seen a single guard since we've arrived, so if this is a trap I'll contact the shipmaster," Veronica said cooly as she waited for the door to open.
They stood and crouched in silence before the door slid open with an almost silent his, revealing an empty dark grey corridor. They all rushed through the door and proceeded to check everything. The advisor was to the right down the corridor, and thankfully there was still no one in sight.
"The Advisor is down the corridor to the right, move," Veronica ordered sternly as she pushed forward, her rifle up and at the ready.
Turning right down the corridor, and the door to the Advisors cell was in front of them. While the others watched the hall, Romeo proceeded to type in the door code as the green hue of the lights seemingly deepened around them..
"Be ready," Veronica said.
"Yes ma'am," Dutch said gruffly as he watched the corridor.
"Alright, 3, 2, 1… " the door slid open.
"Ah, it seems our guests have arrived," a smooth voice said from inside the cell.
Five Pyke's were in the cell. Four armed with blasters of some kind aimed at them, while the Pyke in the middle held a blaster to the Advisor's head.
"Release the advisor," Veronica said sternly as she walked in a few steps while Romeo stayed in the door.
"I don't think so… you see, words travel quickly to my ears. It would be a shame if the Republic were to know of your presence here," the lead Pyke threatened.
Veronica immediately broke radio silence and broadcasted our conversation live to the ship, this is too delicate just for her to negotiate.
"What do you want?" she asked carefully, more than glad her personal shield generator was on.
"What my organization thrives on, information," he said cooly.
"And why do you think we'll give it to you?" she asked.
"Because the Chancellor is dead, and we know you killed him."
Veronica's eyes widened under the helmet, but she was careful not to move. The operation to kill the Sith was top secret, and beyond that, it only would have happened a few hours ago. She hoped Buck made it out alive.
"Do not reveal it, commander," Rtas spoke into her ear sharply, an order she didn't mind following.
"We didn't kill anyone Pyke," she said sharply.
"Deny it all you want human, but we know, and we also know you want Silman, his former advisor." the Pyke said as he pressed the barrel of his blaster pistol into Silman's head.
"He has been my best bargaining chip when dealing with the powers in this universe and he will continue to be," the Pyke said lowly,
"His name is Lom Pyke, the prime minister."
"Then what stops us from leading the Republic or Separatists to you? Despite your drug trade, it's not like you have an army,"
"And you do?"
"We have enough firepower to destroy your entire headquarters Lom," Veronica threatened.
Lom didn't falter "And I have your prize."
"We've taken control of their entire network, and we're activating cell neutralization protocols in the cell. Get out now," Rtas ordered.
Veronica slowly lowered her rifle and Lom smiled triumphantly as though he had won. She suddenly shot backwards out of the room as sparks started appearing on the floor in the room.
"What-" Lom started to say when he was suddenly cut off.
They all seized up as electricity coursed through their bodies, their gargled screams and twitching bodies making Dutch laugh. It seemed the Pykes built electric panels into the floor, and I don't think they expected it to be turned against them. The electric current was eventually cut off after a few more seconds, their unconscious bodies and weapons falling to the floor with a few thuds and grunts.
"Should we kill them?" Mikey asked.
"No. Grab the advisor and let's get out of here. The AI will wipe any data they have on us." Veronica ordered as she tapped Romeo's shoulder.
"Yes ma'am," Romeo said as he walked up to the already tied and gagged advisor.
She was about to turn away from the room but her eyes landed on the unconscious body of Lom, her eye's narrowing.
"What should we do with Lom? Depending on what he knows we'll have one big loose end." Veronica asked through the comm.
Rtas didn't respond at first "...leave him. With the Advisor in our possession, it strengthens our position greatly, and even if this slime was to go to either side, he wouldn't lead them anywhere."
"Yes shipmaster, we're heading to the extraction point."
"Going dark,"
_Raxus Secundus_
Finally, after his speech and many conversations with Senators, he was free to return to his office for the time being. Finally able to think, to contemplate this monumental shift in the situation. Shaking his head in his chair, Count Dooku looked out the window in resignation, a weight lifted off of his chest.
His masters well thought out plans were in tatters. His armies still stood, the Jedi are not purged, the Sith have been weakened once again, and all the manipulation and backroom deals to create an Empire were all for nothing. Without Sidious or any of the other assets that have been removed, taking over the Republic from the inside would be next to impossible now. Trillions of credits, millions of lives, a thousand conversations and assassinations, all pointless in the end. However, this did provide a great opportunity, an opportunity he's been hoping for for years. The Confederacy has been secretly holding back the entirety of the war to manipulate the Republic into the right position for a transition of government, but now… now they could fight at full strength.
With Sidious out of the picture, he was free, and the actual leader of the Confederacy. It was something he was still coming to terms with.
A cautious thought entered his mind, an appropriate thought given Sidious' true goal that he only ever spoke about once. If his master did have some sort of plan to come back to life, he was unaware of it, and he hasn't sensed him since he died on Coruscant hours ago. So, that left him with an army and government that he now controlled completely. So what would he do now?
"Free to do as I please… " he muttered out to himself, the room quiet around him.
Well, when it comes to how long its been since i've updated this story, I really have no excuse for you. Life has its motions and this story of mine fell on the backburner. I knew it was there, went on it now and again, but it hasn't been a priority of mine for a while now. Which isn't a good thing on this site considering everyone here likes quick updates.
Well see if I'm any quicker when it comes to the next update.
I do hope you enjoyed it though, and with that, I hope you have a good day!