Chapter 2- Interrogation
The Shipmaster's Assault Carrier and the now-captured Kig-yar privateer ship hovered in Kholo's atmosphere. Multiple Banshees and Phantoms secured the area in order to make sure there were no surviving enemies. Veer walked down the corridor of the privateer ship. The Sangheili troops were throwing aside the bodies of several Kig-yar to the walls to make room. Veer walked back to his boarding craft. The Sangheili Ultras had the Kig-yar shipmaster restrained. Veer was followed by the Huragok who paid no attention towards the dead bodies of the Kig-yar. Veer approached the Sangheili Ultras who waited patiently at the entrance of the boarding craft. The Sangheili Ultras were surprised to see a Huragok. The Kig-yar Shipmaster began to hiss in anger.
"Silence you wretch!" One of the Sangheili Ultras yelled at the Kig-yar.
The Kig-yar Shipmaster obeyed, supposedly terrified that the Sangheili would kill him if he did not silence himself.
"All forces evacuate this vessel, we have what we require." Veer said over the BattleNet.
"Let us leave." Veer said as he, his troops, the Huragok, and the captive Kig-yar Shipmaster left aboard the boarding craft. Veer looked out the boarding craft, the rest of the Sangheili forces were evacuating the privateer ship in their boarding crafts as well and were returning to the Assault Carrier.
"Shipmaster, what are we to do with the privateer ship?" Veer asked over the BattleNet.
"This." The Shipmaster said.
Veer was confused until he saw a plasma torpedo fire from the Assault Carrier. The light blue plasma torpedo struck the ship's hull and caused a massive explosion which destroyed most of the ship. The small remaining section of the ship was in flames as it crashed down to the surface.
"Such an amazing sight." One of the Elite Ultras said looking at the bright red flames that engulfed the remains of the privateer ship.
"Yes, and a similar fate awaits the Jiralhanae." Veer said.
All of the boarding crafts returned to the Assault Carrier. Veer, his Ultra Elites, the Huragok, and the Kig-yar shipmaster, who was restrained by the Ultra Elites, exited the boarding craft. As other Elites exited their boarding crafts they began to roar in victory, greeting each other, and discussing how the battle was simple.
"Take the Kig-yar shipmaster to the brig, he will be interrogated after I bring the Huragok to our shipmaster." Veer said.
"Yes, your Excellency." The Ultra Elites said before they took the Kig-yar shipmaster away.
Veer led the Huragok to the bridge of the Assault Carrier, as they were walking through the ship, most, if not all of the soldiers aboard gazed in awe at the sight of the Huragok. Finally, they reached the brig where the shipmaster patiently awaited their return.
"Shipmaster, as you requested, I have brought the Huragok." Veer said kneeling down in respect.
"Well done Veer, this discovery will ensure your honor. But, perhaps there is still more to this victory. Veer, how would you like to assist me in renewing our faith?" The Shipmaster said.
Veer raised his head in confusion. The Huragok floated aimlessly around the bridge before an Elite took it so its data could be extracted.
"Renewing our faith?" Veer asked, confused.
"To renew our peoples' faith in the Forerunners, without faith, we face extinction; we must bring faith to our people, to show them that the Forerunners are still our gods even though the Great Journey is false. So, will you aid me in my quest for faith?" The Shipmaster asked.
"Of course sir, I shall follow your lead in your quest." Veer said.
"Good, now I shall go talk to the human." The Shipmaster said.
"Shall I accompany you?" Veer asked.
"If you wish." The Shipmaster said as he descended from his command chair and left the bridge to go to the medical bay, followed by Veer.
At The Medical Bay
The Shipmaster and Veer entered the medical bay. The Elite medic accompanied the human, who was impatiently awaiting an explanation. The Shipmaster approached the human. The Shipmaster knew the human was getting impatient as he stood there with his arms crossed, yelling at the Elite medic for answers.
"Where am I?" The human yelled.
"Silence yourself! The Shipmaster will explain everything to you as soon as he arrives." The Elite medic said irritated by the human's child-like behavior.
"Well, I'm sure as hell getting tired waiting." The human said.
The Shipmaster approached the human as Veer followed behind. The Elite medic knelt in respect.
"Is this your Shipmaster?" The human asked.
"Indeed, I am." The Shipmaster said.
"I guess I could finally get an explanation."
"My apologies Shipmaster, it seems that this human lacks discipline." The Elite medic said as he stood up.
"It is alright. Now human tell me, what were you excavating on Kholo?" The Shipmaster asked.
"Wait, were still on Kholo, aren't we?"
"Yes human."
"Well, I guess since you saved me, I owe you. My name is Zachary Williams, leader of the UNSC science team Zeta. My team and I were ordered to excavate an area on Kholo that contained Forerunner artifacts."
"What Forerunner artifacts?" The Shipmaster asked.
"We don't know for sure, we believe it's some sort of Forerunner facility that contains a monitor."
"An Oracle." Veer said in amazement.
"Such an amazing discovery. But, we must discuss with our leaders before we take any actions." The Shipmaster said.
"Should we establish a connection with Sanghelios?" Veer asked.
"Yes."
"So, what do I do?" Zachary asked as Veer left to establish a conference with the separatists' leaders.
"Well, I suppose we will call upon your human forces to bring you back to your planet." The Shipmaster said.
"No way."
"What?" The Shipmaster asked surprisingly.
"You saved my life, and for that you have my thanks. But, I owe you a lot and I'll help you by coming along and telling you all I know."
"Well, it seems you do have some discipline inside of you. But, we cannot afford to have someone dragging us down."
"Don't worry, I'm from the Corps, give me a gun and I could handle myself."
"Very well, you may assist me in my mission." The Shipmaster said before Veer entered the Medical Bay.
"Your Excellency, our leadership awaits your arrival in the bridge." Veer said.
"Good, now I shall return in a moment." The Shipmaster said before he left to the bridge.
At The Bridge
The Shipmaster began to talk to the holograms of Thel 'Vadam (The Arbiter) and Rtas 'Vadum about his new discovery.
"Noble Thel 'Vadam and Rtas 'Vadum, I have promising news." The Shipmaster said.
"What is it?" Rtas 'Vadum asked.
"With the human's assistance, I have discovered that the humans were excavating a Forerunner facility located on the planet Kholo. My troops have also captured a Huragok that the Kig-Yar pirates had captive."
"Promising news indeed." Rtas 'Vadum said.
"Noble leaders, I ask for your permission to infiltrate the Forerunner Facility and then to infiltrate the Forerunner shield world."
"No, if the either of the Forerunner structures would contain the parasite, we would be risking the chance of another Flood outbreak." Rtas 'Vadum said.
"But, your Excellency, surely you understand that this is a very successful discovery. This is a chance to renew our faith in the Forerunners and to use these newly discovered structures against the Jiralhanae."
"He is correct." Thel 'Vadam said.
"But, what about the parasite?" Rtas 'Vadum asked.
"Surely Shipmaster you would need someone who is experienced with the parasite to assist you. So, I will send Rtas 'Vadum to aid you. I will also contact the humans to receive their survivor." Thel 'Vadam said.
"Noble Arbiter, the human has requested that he accompany me on my mission."
"Well, if he desires, he may come with you on your mission. But, I will tell the human leader, if he allows it, then the human may accompany you."
"As you wish." The Shipmaster said.
"Now, farewell my brothers, and good luck." Thel 'Vadam said before his hologram vanished.
"Now, Shipmaster I will gather the fleets and travel to Kholo at once. Then, we will discuss our actions." Rtas' Vadum said.
"Very well."
"Good, farewell." Rtas 'Vadum said before his hologram vanished.
The Shipmaster left, leaving his Elite guards to protect the bridge.
Meanwhile in orbit over Sanghelios
Many fleets were in orbit over the planet Sanghelios, the homeworld of the Sangheili and a capital of the Covenant Separatists, protecting it from any dangers, such as the Covenant Loyalists. The Fleet of Retribution, which consisted of the Assault Carrier Shadow of Intent, twelve CCS-class battlecruisers, and twenty agricultural support ships began to depart from Sanghelios along with the Fleet of Righteous Purpose which consisted of one Assault Carrier, nineteen CCS-class battlecruisers, and twenty five agricultural support ships.
In the cargo bay of the Assault Carrier Shadow of Intent
Usze 'Taham, in his dark crimson Assault Harness, and N'tho 'Sraom, in his blue Combat Harness, were helping other troops prepare for the departure. Several Sangheili were going to their stations, preparing just in case they encountered any conflicts on their mission. Many Separatist Unggoy and Mgalekgolo were doing the same.
"All personnel prepare for departure to Kholo in exactly ten minutes." Rtas 'Vadum said over the intercom.
After Usze 'Taham and N'tho 'Sraom finished loading supply cases with weapons they began to converse.
"Well, it seems this war will end soon, with this new discovery and the Jiralhanae fighting against each other, it is only a matter of time before we eradicate those who are loyal to the Covenant Empire." Usze 'Taham said.
"The faster this war ends the better. I would finally like to put an end to the Jiralhanae's nonsense." N'tho 'Sraom said.
"All personnel prepare for departure in exactly five minutes." Rtas 'Vadum said over the intercom.
"We should help the others prepare instead of conversing." Usze 'Taham said.
"As you wish." N'tho 'Sraom said as he followed Usze 'Taham to help the other soldiers prepare.
Five minutes passed and the two fleets made a slipspace jump to Kholo.
Well this is the end to this chapter. Sorry for the long time it took to finish this chapter. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review on my story. Thank you for reading.