Chapter 5: The Dark Zone

July 31st, 2552, makeshift base in the middle of a secluded forest, Eposz

It had been quite a while since Six had done anything productive. He had nothing to do after he was cleared from the doctor. All he did day in and out was work out, eat, and patrol the forest area. Noble team was in and out as they made errands for their next upcoming mission, that they still haven't properly figured out yet. Despite what Carter said, Six still ended up awake and wandering at 03:00, and he normally went to the clearing to see if Thaya came back around with some info. That, of course, was just wishful thinking. Right now, Six was out on another patrol, outfitted in his armor and all of his weapons. He had two new devices on his belt however. It was two little hand held devices that looked like smaller, more advanced radios.

As he walked with his DMR in hand, he would check his surroundings for just about anything. He would see footprints left by animals, some by some marines, and occasionally some left by a Spartan. Most likely himself due to his time, constantly spending his time outside training whenever he felt needed. One of the things he really started to do is he would go out in a clear area, and train with the sword. He had Kat check it for how it worked, and sure enough she found the ins and outs in no time. She found a way to charge the battery for him, so she went ahead and charged it up for him so he didn't have to worry about it dying on him, and even supplied him with a backup power source should he need it in a clutch situation.

"What is she doing right now?" He said out loud to himself, getting a bit worried as he made his way over to a very familiar trail. What he didn't know, was that up above him a couple light years away, Thaya was on her way to reach this very minute. She had some revelations to reveal to him that might help him for the mission Noble can't seem to figure out.

*Earlier*

Thaya made her way to the bridge, where the shipmaster as well as many elites and jackals were seen either sitting down in computers to check diagnostics or running to others to help out. The shipmaster of this CSO class supercarrier was none other than Field Marshal Iro 'Ronam.

As Thaya approached, Iro turned upon hearing the elegant footsteps behind him. Once they reached an appropriate distance, they saluted each other due to similar ranks and aspirations. "What can I Help you with, Sister Thaya 'Vadam?" He asked with a booming noble tone.

"I wish to know more about these 'Dark Zones' that you and others talk about. I have been far too busy planet side to keep touch with our current motives." She said as they both turned to look out the bridges main window.

"Hmm, indeed. You have been gone quite a lot. I hope you are accomplishing something in your endeavors. Any information important enough to share yet sister?" He tilted his head as he looked down upon her. She nodded in response, "One thing I know certain, is that the data chip recovered by the demons is located in an underground sanction of the base you attacked. You need to be more mindful Iro, what if you would have damaged the data module?" Iro snorted rather angrily.

"I know, it was a bold move. The prophets have scolded me enough for the choice I made. I do not wish for you to scold me too." He said, now more annoyed. Thaya shook her head. "It is not place nor do I care enough to scold you. Just be more careful, idiot." She finished off quietly. Iro scoffed at her insult, but merely shoved it aside. Unbeknownst to her, there was something that spiked in Iro everytime he was in her presence. It wasn't just a potential mate like she thinks it is, he actually cares for her.

"Located in 'Szurdok Ridge', these so called 'Dark Zones' Thaya, are a bunch of our communication blocker pylons that are stationed in specific chokepoints to change the flow of the battlefield. We are mainly using it to build up our forces so we can attack on command. Plus, its perfect protection for the spire, which will greatly please the prophets. The humans are sure send a big attack force at our spire, so we shall use our forces to flank them from behind, and demolish these so called demons right on the battlefield! I'll bring you back the head and helmet of the demon you fought." He said with generosity.

Iro couldn't see it, but her heart sank when he said something like that. She calmed herself down quickly and managed to not seem off. "I greatly appreciate the offer brother, but I wish to skewer him with my own blade." Iro seemed displeased, but ended up nodding to her anyway. "As you see fit Thaya."

"I thank you for letting me in on your war plans Iro. Might I add that it's a pretty smart one too. Let's hope that your plan becomes a fruitial victory in our effort to slay these rodents on reach. Once we are done with that, we shall have all the artifacts and the data left to us by the forerunners." She said, hoping it would get his spirits going.

It had him fired up; a successful little spiel. "Yes Thaya! I am glad you see it from my viewpoint. This is one of the reasons you are the rank of Marshal, your mind is that of an excellent tactician. Much like my own, I should add." Thaya sighed quietly to herself as she brought his inflated ego into it. "Thank you, you are indeed a brilliant warrior. I shall see myself off then. Bridge is yours Field Marshal Iro."

Iro and Thaya saluted each other yet again. Thaya turned around and set off while Iro returned to bark the plans at his men using his boisterous tone. Thaya shook her head as she left the bridge. 'Time to report to Six.' She said to herself.

*Few minutes after Six's patrol*

Six had made his way to the same clearing as always, entering his new stance using his sword in one hand and knife in another. He had come there to train of course, but he just really didn't know why it always had to be in this spot. Maybe because of the battle that took place there, as well as the friendship made in the very same spot.

He took off, slashing and stabbing into the air with his new combative style. The way he flowed was like that of an action movie, utilizing grapples and kicks to help him even further. He would practice anything, what would happen if they enemy were to grab his sword hand? He either kicks, stabs at the enemy with his left hand knife, or he sheathes his knife while dropping the sword. This confusement allows him to hook his whole arm over the enemy as he grabs the sword with his left hand and attacks yet again.

He did one final move as he swung his legs up and jumped in a spiral-esque movement. Landing one foot down, he swung his whole body as he carried his sword across the stomach of an invisible enemy, landing in a kneeling position. These moves are fast and mobile, meant to confuse the enemy while out manoeuvring them. Should he mess up, it could end up pretty bad for him.

"An impressive display Noble Six, your skill with the sword has increased greatly." A voice sprung out from behind him. He knew that voice all too well at this point. It held nobility and a strong sense of courage as it sung through reaches sun filled, crisp air. He got up and turned around, turning off his sword and sure enough, the crimson goddess of death revealed herself from her cloak.

"When you are forced to fight so many that wield a sword, you pick up on a thing or two. I guarantee you that if we were to spar now, we would be surprised by how our dances have changed. Perhaps we should dance another time, we are in broad daylight. It has barely touched two o'clock, yet you have come to me with the sun basking down on our meeting. Have you come with information?" Thaya picked up how he was changing the way he spoke, and she couldn't tell if it was to mimic their ways of speech or if it was to make her feel more comfortable with her English. That, she knows not.

"I do indeed. I have acquired some… Intel on a certain area known as the 'Dark Zone'. Are you aware of such a term?" She asked intently. Six nodded, "Yeah, Jun was mentioning it with Kat during our last meeting, but we didn't have enough Intel to run it. We also didn't have a follow up plan. Once we figure it out, we will tell our Colonel and we will set off; your information could be the deciding factor in this." Six put his sword on his belt as he waited for her response.

She understood what he meant and nodded. "Here is what I have. There is a covenant jammer pylon located somewhere in Szurdok Ridge. You'll know once you get close, it's like all your electronics go haywire. Iro is trying to impress the prophets by building an army in the dark zone so that if you attack the Spire, used to cloak and transport ships, you'll be flanked and outnumbered." She explained.

"Damn, that was the one mission we were probably going to do. We all could have been slaughtered were it not for this warning. At the meeting tonight I have to persuade them to look towards another mission." He said, steadily getting worried.

"I have given them some information of that data module I let you get away with, so be forewarned, this information came at a cost. Sword Base could become a target again at some point." She pointed out, but Six brushed it off.

"Not a problem, we already figured as much. No need to worry. Thank you for the heads up." He took a deep breath as he began to think. "Now, I probably shouldn't come out with all this information, as it will probably look fishy. I'll see if I can get them to investigate the dark zone. I know Jun will probably agree to it. I can work around it as needed. Okay, good. It might work." He said to himself out loud. He walked over to Thaya and grabbed her hand. "Thank you, you might have just saved all of our lives."

Thaya, once again, didn't really know how to react. "I'm… just doing what I think is right. Our ancestors were not as cruel as we are now, I feel as if they would be proud and realize that we are doing wrong." Six smiled as he gently squeezed her hand. "I trust you, you'll do what's right." He slowly let go of her hand, and she spoke up. "But, what if I am lying to you? What if I'm feeding this to the prophets and setting up ambushes every step you take? How can you trust an enemy? We have been your enemy your whole life?!" She shouted. Six shook his head. "Maybe so, but your people aren't like this. I know it had to be a forced hand. I will do whatever it takes to achieve peace among the races. I'll die for this cause. Count on it." He said with pride.

"Don't you hate us? How is it that you can't even feel repulsed being in the presence of my kind. You let two zealots die with honor, and showed them no ill will. You did the same for me after I ambushed you. How do you not feel such hatred… weren't we the reason your parents are dead?" She asked, her tone growing somber as she continued.

Six hesitated a bit to think on how he should word such a response. He eventually got the courage to let his heart spill, clutching a fist and letting his mind soar. "Maybe I do hate the them for what they did to me. Maybe I hate them because of the amount of pain they have caused for me and everyone else. People, young and old, have been butchered by the covenant all because of those fuckin' prophets and their lies! They will dispatch anyone that get in their way, even their own soldiers. Maybe I just hate everything about this life. The life I have grown accustomed to; having to kill other people because of the crimes they commited. Having to kill enemies that dare invade and attack us when we didn't throw the first blow. I hate having to be used as a weapon of mass destruction. I can hardly have a normal life knowing that my brothers and sisters next to me could die any moment, and I get scolded for trying to protect everyone. It's just not plausible. 'No more soloing the mission Six. Don't you dare put yourself in harm's way again. We are a team, we do it safe and by the books.' That's why I am a lone wolf at heart. It's where my functionality is at its highest. I have grown to love Noble team like family in such a short amount of time and I have to constantly think about what were to happen if I were to lose them. I don't want it to happen. I've seen enough death for a series of lifetimes. That's why I want peace through the universe, and it's so farfetched I can hardly believe I still clutch to it." As his emotions poured from him, Thaya felt a sense of fear in her. She felt as if the entire soul of the man was being casted in front if her. She is afraid to see what will happen when he finally loses it.

His fists clenched even tighter as he continued to preach on, "It's weak… I'm a Spartan. I'm a weapon made to have little to no emotion, and yet here I am. I worry for my teammates, I get angry and lose my mind at the drop of a hat. My CO did everything to rid me of such emotions, but alas, here I am. I suppose he did fix me… no matter how many I kill, I feel no sadness. No matter how many friends have fallen, I can't shed a tear. It's… inhumane. Worse than the monsters in your own military. These hands are scarred, and stained. My mind will forever be haunted with the people I have had to dispatch. I need peace in my life, either alive or dead. I just need it. If you really wish to betray me now, then do it." He got down on his knees and put his head down with his arms out.

"Do it now Thaya, do what you think needs to be done. In the end, you will see the truth. The prophets are the true heretics." He closed his eyes, and heard the sound of footsteps approaching him. He doesn't know why he did this, but there was so many things pent up from the past few days, that he just needed to say it. All of it. Surprisingly, he didn't feel anything afterwards. What he did feel however, was a hand on his shoulder. His arms slowly went back down to his side as he felt another hand lift his chin up to meet amber eyes, staring right into his black visor.

"You need not worry Noble Six. I do not wish to betray you… You just need to be wary of who you put your trust into. I do not wish for you to perish later on down the line due to this. Have faith that I am your ally, no matter what happens." Thaya said in a soothing voice. It sang in his eardrums, the way she elegantly carried herself was one to be envious of.

"We will make it through this, and I will do all I can to make sure we can save lives on both ends. You said so yourself, we must make some sacrifices in order to save many. I do not hate you for doing what you do. If they wished to meet their end, I feel happy knowing they met it by such an honorable, fearful, and skilled warrior like yourself."

She offered a hand, and Six took her hand once again to let himself up. "I thank you, for everything. I needed that. Here Thaya, take this." He grabbed one of the devices off his belt and hands it to her, which she takes diligently. "What is this for?" She asked very curiously. "It's a device that we can communicate if we can't make it to each other. If you ever need to tell me something, give me a shout. I'll respond. Just remember my name, you'll understand what I mean" He smiled under his visor, and she smiled just as warmly as he did. "Thank you Noble Six. I shall keep this close." Six chuckled. "I'm glad. Well, I shall head off and speak with my team during the meeting tonight. Hopefully we will get something done. What shall you do in all of this?"

Their hands parted as she pondered on what she should do. "I suppose what I'm supposed to. I will try to find information on some artifacts that will please them without having them on my case. If it puts anyone in danger, I am sorry." She bowed her head, but Six rubbed it off to the side. "No no, you have to do what you can in order to stay in the note worthy position. I thank you. Goodbye Thaya, until next time." They waved each other off as they headed their separate ways. They are on opposite ends, but are two sides of the same coin. Even on opposite ends of the world, it seemed like they were destined to bring things together. With that being said, they depart for their own respected objectives for the day.

*Much Later*

Noble had eaten their respected meals, and all formed around the table. There was a bunch of papers in the table with different pictures and data on respected points throughout the region. They all were looked like cultists, with them all being stripped to their nanosuits, a t-shirt, and shorts as they sat at the table to debate. They had been arguing for quite a while already.

"I say we just go ahead and go for the spire. Take out the bitch before it can really be used." Emile said leaning back in his chair, with Kat scoffing in annoyance. "Are you even listening!? They have to be expecting that! We would have to create some sort of diversion or some sort of panic in order to disrupt their flow. We would have to have lots of firepower too, otherwise it's just a pointless endeavor." Carter and Jun nodded, while Jun just sat with his arms crossed.

"We could always stealth op it. They might expect the attack yes, but if it's a well executed stealth op, they will never catch on." Jun suggested. Jorge chuckled a bit, "Not everyone is willing to role with such an option." He said as Jun sighed. "What about the Dark zone? We have to figure out what the hell that is." Carter said with Emile sucking his teeth. "Nah, man. Let's just stop over thinking this." Carter looked confused, "It's not over thinking if it's for the betterment of all. Don't be so lax." He said in a stern tone. He then dragged his eyes over to Six, who was always listening intently but not saying a word.

"Six, you have been attending these meetings and haven't said a damn thing. Come on, throw something out." Carter demanded. Six looked around and saw that all eyes were on him. He leaned forward on the table and cleared this throat. "Here is the only thing I've got, this dark zone we keep talking about." He grabbed the map showing the area of the suspected dark zone. "It's close by the spire from the likes if it. If I had to guess, that dark zone is really like a giant jammer. For all we know, they could have an army under that damn zone waiting for us to strike that spire, all to flank-"

"Flank us from behind. Of course! Why didn't I realize that from the start." Kat said with Six, nodding as he continued. "So, I'm thinking we do both. We can go stealth op ON the Dark Zone, gather some Intel and clear out the area. Once we do that, that day we will launch an all out assault on the spire. They will have nothing to block us out with, and no reinforcements from behind to flank. We will have them right where we want them." Once he finished up, he leaned back and waited for the debate to start up.

Nobody said a thing. Emile mouthed "wtf" to Jorge as Jun sat with arms crossed. "It could work. That's what we should do commander." Kat said after a bit of pondering. "What's the roles? Who goes and who stays behind?"

"I'm going in the stealth op obviously." Jun remarked. It earned a quick little chuckle out if Jorge, with him looking at him with a confused look. "Who would go with Jun? Would we need someone up that late?"

"I think Kat should be on Coms, feeding us Intel while we do the same for her. I'll record anything that we find. You, Jorge, and Emile would tuck in for the attack on the spire. I will accompany Jun on the stealth. I think we are the most capable when it comes to keeping things quiet." Jun had no arguments whatsoever. Emile threw his arms up. "What? You trying to say I can't cut a stealth mission? I can do stealth."

"Emile you are the loudest mofo in this room. Don't even play around like that." Six said, causing Noble to laugh as a unit. "Man whatever, didn't wanna do none of that anyway."

"I think it's settled. You should have spoke up sooner. I'll dial it in for command tomorrow. Everyone get some shut eye. I'll be sure to give you a debrief on when we move out. Six, Jun, Kat. Make sure you get some good sleep for the Night op. Don't need you sleeping in the middle of battlefield. Six, I need to talk to you so stay behind. Everyone else feel free to break off."

"Yes sir." They all said as they got up from their chairs and went off into their respective quarters. Carter and Six stayed at the table and waited for it to clear out. "What is it Sir? Something wrong?" Carter shook his head. "No, it's just your armor. We noticed that there was damage on certain parts where it could be a problem. The only one that seems fine enough to stay are your tac pad, helmet,and lower body. Your shoulder pieces and chest piece gotta go." Six was confused as to why he would have to do that, but he supposed he probably had been the person to wear his armor without upgrading or changing in the longest. "Suppose your right sir. What will I do?"

"Technicians will be over tomorrow to take your messed up pieces. You'll place an order in for your new pieces and they will match the colors for you. Take this," he handed him a pad with a list of armors on it. "Just in case you forgot." Six nodded as Carter got up from the table. "That will be all Six. You should get some sleep once you are done here."

"Yes sir. Thank you." He said as he walked off, but he stayed to look at the list, viewing what the armor would look like. "I've used that armor for so long now, I hadn't realized it was starting to get jacked." It took him quite a bit to figure out what he wanted, but he decided to get unique. He selected the same Tactical/Patrol body piece that Jun had, but took off the ghillie net, replacing it with his collar from the collar/breached piece. He decided it needed something more, so he decided to get a spot where he can attach anything he wanted. Whether it be a ammo pack, a clip, or a radio perhaps. It would look stock, until he gets it and puts something on it. Other than the collar and missing ghillie, it should look normal. For shoulders, he went with sniper left, to have a fun little way to store bullets. For his right, he was getting the security like Emile. It won't be as cool without the Kukri, but he felt like this would be an okay upgrade to his older armor. Even Jorge upgraded his armor, and Halsey didn't like that very much. Overall, his armor would be a lot more sleek and have a lot more mobility.

After that, Six headed straight to his room. He hoped he could get some sleep for once. He knows he will wake up early, but for once we would like to get some extra hours in. His communicator sat on a desk over near his bed, just incase anything ever came through. He walked over to his armor in the wall (from the machine), and upon a closer inspection, he did start noticing some ugly things. His shoulder pieces looked like they were scratched up by a cat, with dings bending them in and chips off their corners. How this happened he had no idea. It definitely wasn't by anything normal. His chest piece seemed fine, but if he were to turn it around or maybe look at internals, it would probably be a different story. "They better keep the color." He said staring into his helmet. "As long as I have armor, I think I'll be fine." He went over to his bed and laid down. He leaned over to the radio and stared at it for a few seconds before closing his eyes.

*Elsewhere*

Thaya had slipped out of her armor, and into her bed robes. She overheard that Iro was going to boast to the prophets about his little army in the dark zone, but it would take a few days for them to convene and listen to what their pride filled marshal would have to tell them. She sighed, stretching out and yawning as she went over to her bed and slowly descended onto the overwhelming softness that made up her bed. The device that Six had given to her was placed on a little stand of sorts next to her bed.

She wanted to fiddle around with it, so she rolled over to her side and grabbed it, rolling back onto her back and inspecting it in the dim light. It had a button in the middle, which would light up a green light when she pressed it. 'Must be the activation button' she said to herself as she inspected it even more. The light went off after a few seconds. There was another button on the side that when she pressed it, made a red light appear with a weird noise following. There were two dials on the other side, which was probably channel selection and volume.

She pressed down the button and held it once again, but it sounded like static. Lowering the volume a bit, she inspected the channel dial and saw the human numbers. "Noble Six… that must be this one." She turned the dial over to the number Six while still holding down the button. A noise came through like a beep on both hers, and another one. It no longer had static.

She jumped a bit when it made the beep noise, but what happened next surprised her even more. "Hello?" Came through, and it was in Sangheili. "H-Hello?" She responded. The voice on the device was a lot deeper and creepier sounding compared to any she has heard in her com devices.

"Thaya, it's me. Noble Six. What's wrong?" She was surprised it was Six due to the tone of his voice. "Oh Six, I didn't recognize you due to the tone of your voice through this device. It's astounding that it can reach me without any sort if static."

"They were made pretty well, it should be able to reach even farther, but let's not test that. Is something wrong?" He asked intently, still speaking in Sangheili.

"No, I am fine. I was just seeing how to use it and such and I may have woken you up due to my curiosity. I apologize." She stated sincerely.

"No, don't worry about it. I was trying to sleep but I haven't been successful as of late." He explained.

"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. Did things go well? What is your mission?"

"Quite a lot of arguing as usual. I managed to get them to agree on our plan to strike the Dark Zone and clear it out. Then as soon as the sun rises up, we will attack the Spire."

"The prophets will be very displeased at that. Iro worked hard on the Dark Zone as well. It could he a nice little blow on the private areas." She said, trying to use a more human type expression.

"A hit under the belt hopefully. Something could go very wrong, that's for sure. But, whatever. We will manage. Once my commander talks with the Colonel about it, we should be able to pull this thing off." He said filled with courage.

"I believe you'll make it through. Now that I know how to work this thing, I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Thank you Thaya. I'll leave you to rest. Make sure you don't turn this device off. Once its on, it regulates itself. It will turn on when I contact you and will turn off if remained idle for too long. So no worries. Alright, Goodnight now." He said, letting go of the button to talk. "Okay, roger that. Goodnight Six." She said back as they both turned in for the night.

The mission was a stretch, and many things could go wrong with the whole operation. But if successful, it could be a proper first step into showing the covenant that we are letting reach go. Sword Base should have been the first hint, but maybe this attack will be a bigger one.

Heyo! Sorry it's so short, but that's what it was supposed to be. Just a short little filler in between Sword base and Nightfall. I'll go ahead and start on nightfall, and fasten your seat belts. It will be longer than the rest. (It will make up for this filler.) I hope you guys are okay with an armor change. It was a story driven decision, not because I wish to change it lol. When you have had it for so long and haven't done much to it (plus Six gets into a lot of crazy situations), then you tend to get kinda roughed up and worn. You could skip this one if you'd like. Any who, thank you for the support everyone. I love ya,

~Red