April/30th/2006
Path of Hidden Chapters.
By Vile Deadboss
Notes: I thought someone was going to mention that, didn't expect it right off on the first review though. I'll save that for below. For now, Enjoy!
Chapter II: Unknown Path.
Hours seemed like minutes during the units of sleep. The crimson Elite opened his dark gaze of gold which blinked a few times before his head would lift, finding that the silver armored sangheili he rested against was still asleep himself but not only he but many others within the ship as well. However the ship he found was silent.
Which would mean they have landed to their destination..
But why would the pilot allow them to sleep this long? or perhaps they had just landed and that had awoken him? No matter, his question was answered when the doors of the ship began to hiss and than slowly open. Waking up everyone else soon after as the doors of violet came to a full open, bringing in the stench of humid air and rotting vegetation. a view of a heavy mist and the swamp with a watery floor was brought to everyone's view. Even the view of the Silver sangheili who yawned first before he would stare at what was presented.
"We are here."
Was what the first words were spoken which had all yawns cease and look at the swamp. a brief moment of staring, hesitating, before Grunts, Jackels and Elites alike would step out to the swamps of Halo. All but two, the crimson armored Sangheili and the Field Commander that would stare out at the swamp. Quite thoughtful of the unnatural air and enviroment.
"We shouldn't be here.."
"The High Commanding Zealot insists we should be.. I cannot argue anymore with him on that." Juen Unalee rose from his seat beside the other and stretched as to have his lithe body awaken more. However paused a small second before he would glance down to his former soldier whom remained to staring at the swamp, uncertain.
"Unalee.."
"You really don't want to be part of this mission, do you?" Unalee's features formed a frown to the other before his teal gaze would leave him and look at the swamp. "And why is your Elites not here yet?"
"They've taken a seperate ship.. They will be here soon." The crimson elite informed the other as he moved to stand, giving a small stretch himself before his golden gaze would fall to the swamp once more. "And it's not that I don't want to be part of it.." his gaze lowered to the violet colored floor, unsure of how to be open with that since he admited his feelings so much to the other, it felt odd. Just like when he used the other as a pillow in a way during resting. He has never did that since..
"Unalee.. Don't protect me this time." The crimson Elite spoke, perhaps out of his character to as he looked to the other whom turned his surprised gaze at him. Noticing the questioning look he had on his features. "It would.. Kill me if anything happened to you."
It was Unalee's turn to give the other a confused look but it lasted no more a moment before his eyes would widen, understanding. "Rukamee.. does this mean.. you..?"
"Exellency!" one of the grunts showed up with a squeak, also seeming out of breath. "They are waitng for you at the temple entrance." Addressing to the silver Elite who gave a growl to being interrupted. The grunt almost cowered away from the growl but remained in his place.
"Alright. I'll be over there."
The grunt nodded quickly then he would turn and head back to his previous post. When Unalee was sure no other eyes were about to see them, he approached the crimson Elite wordlessly. Making Rukamee blink his golden eyes wondering what the other was up to. His entire form tensed when Unalee slid his arms around him and pulled him in for a full body embrace, the armors clinking together as they did that. The silver one than nuzzled his cheek against Van Rukamee's in an affectionate manner that the crimson one found alien to him. though a long moment it seemed, Rukamee relaxed against the other and slid his arms around him as to return the hug, very much confused by his former commander's affection towards him.
Unalee's mandibles formed a pleased grin. Releasing the other from the embrace and hands lowered to take hold of the crimson Elite's hand. his teal eyes on Rukamee's confused golden one's. "I know you don't understand this, but my feelings for you go beyond than what our regular relationship is. And even he knows that too."
"He?"
"I'll have to tell you later, they are waiting for me." he released the hands he held and turned to leave but Van Rukamee growled and went to grab the silver one's arm, stopping him from leaving any further.
"Wait a second, you Owe me answers now. You promised me you would give them to me when we got here." Reminding him. Unalee didn't turn to look at him and lowered his gaze to the watery ground, yes, he did recall saying that.
"Well.. do you want to explain the others why I am late?" He finally turned to face Rukamee whom held a frown on his face still.
"I will if I have t-"
"Hey!" a black armored Elite slipped past some rather large leaves and found the silver Elite he was looking for. "The others are wondering what's taking you so long. They won't go in without you." He paused in his steps being a few feet from the two, however his brow raised to see the crimson Elite's hand on Unalee's arm. That hand soon left the arm it held onto. "..Is there a problem here?"
"Non whatsoever, it shall be dealt with after the mission." Unalee gave the crimson Elite a firm gaze before he would walk away from him and towards the Charcoal colored Elite. "What's the status so far?"
"Second ship will be here in a moment. So you should go meet with that ship and gather your Elites." The Spec Ops nodded his head to Rukamee as he spoke before his attention would return to the silver sangheili. "And group 34 and 38 are ready to head inside the temple along with you and Umos Zuralee. You two are the lucky ones." the split-mouth formed a grin which had the silver one growl lightly before he would walk past him.
"So in other words, we go in first.."
Van Rukamee held his a breath a moment on hearing that. No.. "Leader." he took a step forward and that had Unalee pause a moment and glance back to Rukamee. "...Please be careful." he spoke in a soft tone, not caring how it would seem to the black-armored Elite there, though the Spec Ops just glanced back and forth to the two confused with the situation between them. Unalee's mandibles formed a smile and gave a soft nod to Rukamee before he would resume onwards to the temple.
Disappearing through the leaves, and tropical type bushes to head for the temple, both Elites stood quietly for a moment. However the Spec Ops glanced back to the crimson Elite, much curious to ask him what that was all about. But before any words could be exchanged, both of them glanced up when they heard the second ship coming near and watch it flyby to another location for it to land, not far really.
"Well, that would be your Elites. Time to get our weapons settled in the complex." The Black-armored Sangheili turned to begin trekking towards the location of where the Bandit landed. Rukamee looked to the empty ship they came in. The pilot never came out yet but didn't expect him to join them as he was ordered to stay with the ship at all times. Most pilots would have too. He went to join the Spec Ops on the trek towards the second Bandit.
The Spec Ops known as Elos Zutamee. He knew that one shouldn't be here doing field work like the rest of the Elite soldiers here, but he was not an Ossoona or a spy either. So what was his purpose here for? "I don't understand why we have to move our weapons here. What if the humans are here already waiting to ambush us and take our weapons?" Rukamee decided to start a topic on the mission before he would begin questioning the Spec Ops presence here on Halo.
"Because since the humans had infilterated the Truth and Reconciliation. It was decided that we should plant a base here. Temporarly, also the Prophet believes there is something here that is part of Halo, that we could use against the Humans." Zutamee paused than. "Were you not you there at the Debriefing?"
"I was, but I still don't understand it. It sounds to unusual, even from the High Commander himself."
"The High Commander was just as confused by the command like you and I. This is the command from the Highest." Zutamee noted. Keeping his onyx gaze ahead on the path. "From The Prophet."
That was an order nobody questioned. But something else came to Rukamee's mind that he had to ask. "I wasn't there myself but I heard they had a special human leading the rest of them on the ship and out."
"And they took the prisoner we needed to find their homeworld location. Yes, it was a human in armor." Zutamee's features held a grim look to them. "I wasn't there myself but I was shown what the ship Moniters were able to catch. He is taller then the rest of them, bulkier and obviously stronger. He held his own against a dozen of Jackels, Grunts, and Elites. It seemed nobody was able to stop him."
Rukamee found that frightening to hear, but he found it hard to grasp as well. A human that strong? He heard there was more of them they had to be aware of but like many others, they were not shown anything of what these humans looked like. But knew they had to be exterminated immediately. Most humans have to be exterminated immediatly infact.
"We don't have to worry about him however." Zutamee continued. Noting the other's silence as either fear or confusion, could be both. "I've heard that Zuka Zamamee has been assigned to hunt him down and be rid of him."
Rukamee raised a brow, in wonder how the other would know this? infact hear of such a thing? Before he could ask, the black armored Elite turned his head to raise a single finger over his split mouth. mandibles shaped to a grin. "But.. you didn't hear that from me, infact, you didn't hear that at all. Can I trust you, Rukamee?"
The Crimson Elite was genuinely shocked at this but returned him back to his confused state. "Zutamee.." he sighed. "I heard nothing."
"Good." His attention went back to the path forward but not only that. To the ship as well who had a handful of Elites, Grunts, and Jackels helping unloading the weapons cargo into the temple. Purple boxes being hefted over to the A-shaped building as they worked but also communication towers. Zutamee went to watch what was going on with Rukamee, whom paused a moment. Another question in mind but he decided to save it, making his way over to see hear a report of what has been done so far.
"Rukamee."
The crimson Elite paused in his steps, sighed. He was tired of the other saying his name so easily. And with so many others about. He was wondering why the Spec Ops wouldn't address him by his Rank. He turned his attention towards Zutamee nonetheless.
"Two other ships are going to comeby with more hands and cargo. See about getting these there soon as possible and set up a communications tower immediately. Were going to need one to hear from Unalee soon."
"Right away." That was all Rukamee needed to hear before he would get an immediate report of the work done so far from one of his blue armored Minor Elites. That done, he would give them a hand on moving the cargo but also to have the group set up a communications tower right away, as well as to set another on the massive lift to take one below. Unsure of how deep this place could go, a communcations tower would be much useful right now, for their headsets could only go so far.
Elos Zutamee watched them a moment longer, moreso to Rukamee who gave commands in a heartbeat of where things should go and to what they should set up immediately. putting all of the members there to work, what caught his attention was to how they all did what was commanded and not one seemed to lag under the forceful command of Rukamee. Giving a nod of approval before he would step away to communicate with the pilot of the bandit they had left behind.
"H'los Ramalee, Patch me up to the private code I handed to you earlier." He commanded, glancing back to make sure the Elites, grunts and Jackals were all quite busy to see what he was doing, especially Rukamee. Despite how fond he grew of that Elite already, he found him a bit to nosy for his own good. It was subtle but it was there.
"Zutamee."
That cut him off from his thoughts immediately. So deep in them already that he didn't hear the click that usually confirmed he was connected with the private command. "Umos Zuralee, Group 34 and 38 have entered the temples now, Exellancy. We have yet to hear from them however."
"And Juen Unalee?"
The voice was cold but Zutamee could've sworn that he heard concern in that tone there somewhere. "He is with them as well."
"Inform me of their status when you next hear from them. Immediately if possible."
"Yes, Exellancy." He heard the click that he knew the other closed the connection. Deciding to contact the pilot to be sure of it. "Ramalee, did he?"
"Private code is disconnected sir, Just let me know when you want to patch into it again." the pilot answered. Not sure what the connection was for and was forbidden to listen to such conversations. The pilot and the bandit served as a communications tower for now.
"Not right now, but I will notify you when need to be."
"Yes, sir."
That job done with, he went to return to the group that was unloading the weapons cache and such. but also to help them prepare. Their intelligence assumed the humans would likely make their way over here but as to when was the question. Zutamee didn't like the place at all, it reeked, it was difficult to breathe but despite all that, there was something here that was unnatural. Nevermind all of Halo was unnatural. It was something he couldn't place his finger on, he felt eyes on him but they were not human, they were not anything like he felt before.
No.. these eyes made his spine shiver completely and he found he didn't like that feeling at all.
To Be Continued.
Notes: Okay! I've read her work and enjoyed it muchly! It would be nice for her to finish it but again, no rush, right? Anyways, I realized Van Rukamee wouldn't work cause Elites gave no jaws. But with the way they talk on the game and On the books, that never stopped them either. Hmm.. Oh well. On to the next chapter.