April/19th/2007

Path of Hidden Chapters.

By Vile Deadboss

Notes: Chapter four. Enjoy!

Chapter IV: Silence before the Storm.

After watching the Spec Ops Commander, and the handful of Elites, Grunts and Jackals disappear below. Juen Unalee nodded before he would look over to the only Major Elite in the area. "More minor Sangheili are going to be on their way here, I'll need your help with this." He would notify to Van Rukamee whom turned his attention over to his Elites in command that were allowed to stay with him. His Elites..

"Yes, sir." Rukamee would reply, slow to the response but his attention returning to the Silver armored Elite. "But.. He left all command to you? Mind if I ask what is going o-" Unalee spoke before Rukamee could finish.

"The humans are on their way here. We must prepare."

Upon saying that. The rest of the covenant all paused their work and glanced up. Grunts with worry and Elites giving a bit of a snarl to the Mention of humans. The Field Commander would growl at all that paused. "I said we must Prepare. Set up two of the Shades outside this temple Now."

By habit, Rukamee turned to go help his Elites do that but he stopped as he remembered his position. "Kig-yar, I want you all outside to be on guard and lookout." The few Jackals both squeaked and squaked to the command as they would all head out to do that. The grunts were rushing about helping the Elites carry the shades outside. By doing that, the temple almost seemed bare except for one Elite and a grunt that was left to pay attention to the control tower, and still putting it together it seems.

Van Rukamee was ready to head outside until Juen Unalee grabbed him by the arm and tugged him behind a piller. Away from all eyes. With this chance, the Silver Elite would wrap his arms around Rukamee from behind and give a tender but a quiet murr that only the crimson Elite heard it. Rukamee was confused by this but leaned against his former leader, relaxing somewhat despite the confusion. The other Elite and Grunt were busy and the others would be outside for a good moment.

"When are you going to answer my questions, Unalee?" Rukemee would ask in a quiet tone, thankful that the walls were to thick for any sound to bounce about. Unalee would lean forward to nuzzle upon the side of Rukamee's face, giving a bit of a disappointed growl from the armor being in the way.

"Who is he?" Rukamee had to ask. Which made Unalee pause. Pondering to share that there and now.

"He is the one who was opposed to this mission."

The crimson Elite frowned to the answer. Well that he figured out himself especially when knowing the Silver one had argued with him about this mission. Nobody wants to do it, but the Prophet said they had to. And he wouldn't doubt that is why a Special Operations Commander was here. Rukamee paused on that.

"...Is he a...ShipMaster?"

The question made Unalee's breath pause. A small moment of silence before they heard approaching steps, thus Unalee removed his arms from around Rukamee quickly enough. Making the crimson Elite confused til his eyes went to another Elite Major that came in with Two other blue Elites behind him.

"Commander Juen Unalee?" He would speak to the silver armored one whom would step past Rukamee. "H'sn Urakaa here to assist." the new major would report. Handing him a flat board filled with the Covenant language to name the Elites that came with the two Bandits.

"I didn't even hear the ships come in. That was fast." Juen Unalee looked over the board before he would hand it back to the new Elite. "The Special Operations Commander is below right now, if you can spare a couple of Elites down there to assist him.."

"Right away, Commander." The Major spoke before the other could finish. Turning to glance to the two Elites with him now and nodded to the Lift. Both were ready to go but when they turned the Lift has not yet come up. That's when Unalee would clear his throat.

"...When the lift returns up, they are probably still unloading the weapons supplies down there. We are expecting to see the humans soon."

"About that.." Urakaa turned his attention back to the silver Elite and the other crimson one. "I've been informed that the Human ships were seen going to the west temple. I think this one would be ignored but I assume they would need assistence."

"Assume." Unalee said. "Until they need assistence, we have orders to maintain here until than. If they need back-up, you are welcome to join them but right now you are needed here."

"Yes, Commander."

"Place the Kig-yar, and Unggoy on alert, have them on Patrol while the Sangheili set up the shades, we'll need them up before the Humans get here."

"Right away, Commander." At that, the crimson Elite turned to leave the other Elite Major and the Commander alone once more. The other two blue ones seen no reason to stay and wait, thus went to follow their leader outside to see what they can do until the lift comes up.

When alone, Unalee didn't miss the chance to return his arms around Rukamee, catching him offguard again as he would give a small gasp. "Commander!" Rukamee would hiss in a low tone. "We shouldn't.." He was silenced when one hand slipped from around him and was brought up to stroke the side of his lips. Over the armor that shielded his mouth but without the shield in the way he was sensitive to the touch, thus shivered the slightest. Unalee's split mouth would shape to a grin to how quickly that silenced Rukamee.

"Only for a moment. Do you dare resist, Rukamee?" Unalee would give that soft purring once again that he allowed only the red major to hear. Rukamee, in his mind, declared this situation wrong. Very wrong. But his body leaned against the silver Sangheili's own, wanting to melt against him and succomb to the touches. Perhaps for this moment, it wouldn't hurt.

"I don't, Unalee.."

A zap and crackle of energy heard with a cursing following that was in a Sangheili language. The blue-armored Elite would pull his hand away and shook it to ease the pain that was given to him by the Tower. "Piece of..." before he could insult the Covenant machine, it lit up finally. Activated with the all sensors running and scanning. The grunt that was assisting him jumped into view from behind the tower with a pair of tools in his hands.

"Leader! I did it! I fixed the broken panel as you asked me to!" The grunt said gleefully. The Elite mearly snarled and began to check the tower over to see if it was properly working now.

"I see that. But we have to see if it fully operates before-" he paused as he studied the readings on the screen. Again snarling as the systems worked fine, very fine. It would mean he would have to praise the grunt for it. "Good job, RuRin."

The grunt gave a happy squeal as he would now gather up the tools that were not used and dropped aside. putting them together in the container that they were in. The Elite studied the readings further, ready to test the communications until his eyes paused on the readings on the screen. Narrowing his gaze at this, he definately got the communications going. "RuRin." The grunt stopped what he was doing and glanced up to the Elite. "Inform the Commander we have communications up but there is something here he needs to see. Go."

It sounded urgent. Thus the grunt dropped the tools and ran to go and do that. "Right away, Exellancy!" RuRin was ready to sprint outside but he realized he didn't need to go far as he stopped in his tracks. Finding the Commander already hiding behind a piller but he was in a odd embrace with one of the Majors. And their mouths were near one another that the grunt recognized as the Sangheili's form of kissing.

And he knew it was death to interrupt that. Thus he took a few steps back carefully as he didn't want either of them to notice he was right there and he happened to peek on them! when he was behind one piller, he coughed slightly. "Commander!" he yelled, making the blue Elite jump at the sudden shout and turned to look at the grunt still near. "Where aaaarrreee yooouu?"

"Blasted Unggoy! I told you to get the Commander!" The blue Elite snapped.

However behind the piller, the two stopped what they were doing. The silver Commander released Rukamee than and glanced around to make sure No one saw them. Rukamee shivered as he would lean against the piller and he to made sure no one saw them. However he relaxed when he saw nobody. Realizing that he was needed, Juen Unalee raised a hand in a silent order for Rukamee to stay there. The major nodded his head and remained. Stepping away from the crimson Elite and the piller they were hiding behind, Unalee made himself known.

The grunt took this chance to sprint again. "Exellancy! Oh! there you are Exellency! You are needed to see the tower!" The grunt paused as to allow the Elite to meet him halfways. Unalee nodded to the grunt as he would make his way over to the tower. Despite the mask over his face, the grunt beamed happily as he was having a good day so far. He did good by fixing the tower and got a praise from an Elite, which was a very rare thing. And he didn't get killed for catching two Elites kissing! but.. curious as he was, he tipped his form somewhat to see if the Red Major was still there?

Van Rukamee lifted his hand to touch his mouth, upon the sides where he felt the commander's mouth on his own. Licking, sucking. But just as he glanced to the path Unalee left to, he noticed the grunt was looking his way. Narrowing his eyes at the grunt, whom squeaked and pulled away from looking immediately. Infact the grunt began to hum to himself.

He has seen us!

Angry with this thought, Rukamee pulled away from the piller and began to head towards the grunt. RuRin was glancing this way, and that nonchalantly until he noticed the Major approaching him. "AIK!!" The grunt squaked and was ready to run off until the major grabbed the Grunt's gas pack at his back. Forcing RuRin back to him, while Rukamee lowered to the grunt's level, hissing but spoke in a low voice.

"What did you See, Unggoy?"

"I s-saw nothing, exellancy!" The grunt whimpered. Rukamee hissed once again.

"And let's keep it that way if you value your life." He would release the grunt's pack, and move to stand to his full height. Thankful that the Elite had released him, RuRin quickly scrambled away from the Major and towards the other two Elites who seemed Alot safer at the moment than the angry Red Major.

"Hmm.." Unalee looked grim as he studied the readings on the monitor of the tower but the Blue Elite who was listening to the communications hissed lightly. "There seems to be trouble below.. Kuvana Minor is requesting back-up."

"Back-up? How? the Lift has not yet risen-" Before Unalee could finish, the hum of the lift was heard. All covenant in the area turned their attention to the lift but found it covered with blood. Elite blood. "...By the Prophets.."

Van Rukamee didn't waste time as he would rush over to the lift and scanned over it quickly. Finding nothing but again, the blood. "Is it the humans?"

The Minor Elite shook his head as he tried to understand the communications from below better. "No.. Not humans."

"Try to contact Umos Zuralee or Elos Zutamee. I'll get the Major and his group down below to assist." Juen Unalee began to leave. "Rukamee, Unggoy, Guard the lift and make sure it goes Nowhere." The Silver Commander would say before he rushed out.

"Yes, Exellancy!" the Grunt answered for both he and Rukamee, The Elite's attention was on the blood upon the glass lift.

"They just left below.. How could they be attacked so quickly if the humans only went to the west temple?" The Red Major made his way over to the blood. lowering down to touch the blood with his two fingers, bringing that hand up in wonder of who's blood was it?

"Maybe that special human in armor is down there, Exellancy? I heard he was a clever one and fast too!" RuRin assumed. As he had no idea what other dangers there could be. That sounded good to Rukamee as he would clench his hand with the blood on it and gave a low growl.

"If it is him. Powerful or not, I Will kill him."

Standing and soon stepping away from the blood and off the lift. It wasn't long until he saw three blue armored Elites, two jackals and four grunts rushing inside the complex. Unalee and the other Major, H'sn Urakaa, following. "Now we have a problem." Unalee grumbled while the other covenant rushed on the platform, ready to head below.

"Commander?" Rukamee tipped his head curious.

"There are two of the enemy's aircraft making their way here. Your group and my own are going to have to deal with them." Unalee informed the Major as he walked past him. Sounding not only disappointed but angry. Angry he could understand but the disappointment left him wondering. The Field Commander turned his attention to the other Major. "Urakaa, When you are below, I am expecting to hear immediately What is going on down there. Now go."

"I'll do my best to do that as soon as possible, Commander." The Elite would turn his attention to one of the blue armored Elites and nodded his head. The command sent, the Minor would activate the lift to have them descend. The two Elites and the grunt would watch them leave until they could hear the lift no more. Rukamee would soon turn his attention back to Unalee.

"How soon?"

"Very, the pilot just informed me before I had sent him away for safety. But he is close enough when we need him to retreat." Unalee would snort lightly as he reached for a certain weapon handle that was clipped to his armored back. "And let's hope we don't need to do that."

"With my group.. Retreat is not needed, but victory." Van Rukamee clicked his mandibles in anticipation as he would now rush outside of the complex to join his Elites. The grunt somewhat fidgeted as he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Unalee noticed this.

"Unggoy, you are not part of my group and Rukamee has non on his. Are you with Umos Zuralee?"

The grunt was quick to attention. "Yes, Exellancy! RuRin follows Commander Umos Zuralee! but the Commander instructed me to stay and help Qutamee with the tower."

"Than you shall continue to stay and protect Qutamee, I need him at the Tower at all times."

"Yes, Exellancy!"

Unalee would turn his attention to the Blue Elite who kept focused on the communications. "Anything?"

"Nothing yet Commander But.." The blue Elite would frown, not Liking what he was hearing at all. "..I hear the battle but nothing of Humans at all."

"I shall be outside than. Contact me immediately if there is anything." The Silver Commander would head out than. Leaving the Elite and the Grunt alone in the complex.

"Yes, Commander." The Blue minor didn't turn once but he couldn't if he were to stay and listen. As well as watch what the readings could give. The Grunt returned to fidgeting but with his weapon this time. Left behind to Protect the Elite? He would expect the Sangheili to be offended by now but he was so focused on the tower. RuRin could only take a deep breath and hope for the best. He was alone to protect the Elite. Feeling some Honor in this, the Grunt would walk over to the Lift's piller nearest to the door and stayed somewhat behind it. Watching and waiting. If he was lucky, no human would come as far as to enter the complex.

But his worry was also on the lift, if it were to rise with the Human in armor on it, He and Qutamee would not survive at all.

To Be Continued.

More Notes: Hmm, Halo 3 is totally awesome... in Multiplayer mode. -pets MC Helmet.- I made a point of waiting infront of the store and get the Legendary set. However, I own no 360 and I was broke after buying the Legendary set And the guidebook with it. (to stare, and hug. ya know..) So, this either makes me a hardcore Halo fan to buy the game only and own no 360. Or one stupid idiot. I have to go visit my nephew to play the game but in Multi-player mode where he could kick my ass over and over. At least he let me create a character just for me. I like playing them Elites. But I was surprised to see they had female ones too. I will play the campaign someday, really. On to Chapter five now.