A/N: And so here is chapter 2 of Faith Of Agression. I may end up moving the rating to M, but not sure yet... Anyways, hope you enjoy reading as much as I am whilst writing. And I will have you know I'm using reference from various Halo materials... They never did state how politics actually run, so I'm just running it how it seems things would go, based on various information and ranks and social structure.
Any tips or advice, leave it in a review! Have a nice day! :3
"She is curious for her species." He began, looking around at each of this Brother's faces. " She is intrigued by landmasses and science, but also demonstrates some prowess in combat. I assure you all, my Brothers, that she is not a threat to any of us. I once sparred with her in sword combat, and she was...clumsy, at best." Thel explained, all eyes appearing to glow as they stared at him. He continued. "We may learn much about her species just as she may learn of us and our ways."
Few Kaidons nodded their heads. Others growled at his response. They still saw her as an enemy, refusing to forgive as easily as he had. "You are a poor pathetic Brother among us, 'Vadam! Have you lost complete sight of your honor? Or was that stripped away once more, so you no longer care for our way of life? Too long with the Humans, you've been, I think!" One spoke out, eyes glowing an eerie green. Some laughed at the response, mandibles clicking together.
"Kaidon Refum has made a point, Arbiter. Perhaps your vision has become clouded?" One of the Councilors asked, watching the room intently. "How can we be sure she is not here to collect intel, and then return to her people only to return here with a force large enough to challenge us?"
Thel's eyes glanced across the room, darting to Kaidon Vadum beside him, and Rtas. They would be no help now, his mind kept telling him. In a quick glance to his right, he could see Kaidon Chavam fidgeting with something small in his hands. Straining to see what it was, the object remained hidden, and his head snapped back to reality once he realized his name was being called out.
"Arbiter, speak!" They demanded.
"Forgive me Brothers, but the Humans and their Demon are who several of us fought beside during the Great War. They only fight if they must, and will not wage war pointlessly. Their numbers are small now, and they only wish to rebuild and explore. This I can assure you all."
Still chatting among themselves, the Councilors called for silence. "You once betrayed us for a cause that was of utmost importance. Only after time came the realization that the Covenant would call genocide among us. Brothers! Kaidons and guests of the council, please listen close. The Arbiter is named during a time of great chaos and strife. We chose to follow him after he revealed the Prophet's false claims... I call for dismissal of this convergence and grant the Human allowance here."
Voices rose in protest, and Thel couldn't help but feel as if he was on trial again. Two of the three Councilors did not agree with their fellow Councilor's ruling. "What you say is not reasonable, Brother. The Human has no right to be here, on our world."
"Councilors," Thel spoke, raising his voice above their own. "We went to them, waged war against their people on several different worlds, including their home. We destroyed their civilizations many times, and glassed the remnants. To deny one Human refuge here from her own people should not be so wrong!" He called, his voice carrying a certain strength none had seen in years. The room became silent and all eyes fell back on him. Glancing to Rtas out of the corner of his eye, the Shipmaster had bowed with his right fist over his heart. "Do not call me wrong on this; all here know this is true. She was cast away by her leaders. What right do we have in saying she should be killed rather than granted refuge?"
Chatter rose once more, low growls circulating around. "May I speak?" Rtas had stepped forward and into the light, his armor glistening. "This Human poses us no threat, as the Arbiter has said. I have seen so for myself. She is reserved and well-behaved for her kind. Grant her allowance, Councilors."
"You are not Kaidon, nor does your say matter, Shipmaster." Kaidon Chavam spat, rising from his place. "They slaughtered us without mercy, and you expect us to say forgiveness is given? How simple do you think us, Shipmaster of Vadum? Step Back." With his words came a warning, a darkness hidden behind the cover.
Rtas did as asked, bowing his head to Thel. Arbiter or not, with blessings or none, he would allow her to stay. Order was called again, putting an end to the jeers and insults made to 'Vadum's words.
"The Human is docile, Brothers... Even now, she allows her curiosity control her, as we see here." He spoke, bringing up a holographic image of the woman scaling the outer walls of Vadam Keep.
Hayden! I told you to stay inside! Thel heard his mind scream at him, his body lunging forward. Her limbs flailed as she lost grip when one of her handgrips gave way and crumbled to dust. His hands grabbed the rail that stood before him, and clamped down.
"See as the Arbiter fears for her. Interesting... She seems inquisitive, for sure. Perhaps you should save her from her death once the Convergence is complete, or leave her to the Heiloskrills. We will, however, allow her on Sangheilos. Any who wage war against the State of Vadam, or the human, for that matter, will be stripped of honor and placed on trial. If there are any objections, speak now, Brothers." The Councilors called out, scanning the room. With no response, they bowed their heads to the Kaidons and let their gaze wander as their voices rang out in unison. "This Convergence is complete. May the Gods be strong!"
Hayden couldn't help but grumble as she scaled up the mountainside. The rock was growing weaker the further she climbed, and the air was getting thinner. Accidentally looking down once was all it took to realize that there was no such option as letting herself down easy. Thankful for the grappling hook she packed, and a good deal of rope that she had brought, at least getting back down would be safer.
The suns had risen high above her, the heat starting to show signs that it was getting to her. It definitely felt hotter here now than it ever had been on Earth. In that same breath, Earth's poles had shifted and moon had drifted farther away, causing the temperatures to rise across the surface. Here was no different. Had she known it was going to be this warm, she would have dressed lighter.
Rock continued to crumble in her hands, but she was only two meters away from what appeared to be a ledge. That was her goal for the climb. Left hand reaching for a new hold, the old one broke apart and turned to dust as it fell. Her feet struggled to get grip, and her right hand met with the left as soon as she found traction once more. Hugging the stone wall with her body, Hayden continued to pull herself up, one limb at a time.
The ledge was sharp, she noticed, as he hands gripped the stone and pulled the rest of her body upwards. As she sung her legs over, the rock dug into her right shin, taking a tiny shred of flesh away from her. Gasping at the pain of the cut that had formed, she pulled her body up and sat, checking over the wound. Small, at best; it would heal quickly and barely bleed. But she had reached the ledge, and had moved to sit on it. She had a perfect view of the terrain and its surrounding.
"Gorgeous..." She whispered to herself, hugging her right leg close to her body. Hayden smiled as she watched around her, seeing several different bird-like creatures soaring above her. Coughing once, her eyes noticed the multiple peaks of the mountain, and how large the structure truly was. She figured that most of what she could see was the State of Vadam, and found it amusing for a reason even she didn't know.
"Find her!" A voice called in the distance, definitely Sangheili. Catching wind of this, the woman figured that Thel had found out about her expedition and was not a happy Elite. But she didn't care; the fresh air, albeit thin, was refreshing. And she had made it pretty damn close to the top of the peaks, which was enough for her.
"She would be near the top by now! Find her and bring her down!" The voices called again, and she then saw a Phantom soaring near. Hayden held her position, smiling as it approached her. Eyes closed, she smiled.
"I was wondering when you wou-" She paused, seeing the craft slow and pull beside her, a sniper not of Sangheili origin load his rifle and take aim. "Shit..." She mumbled, standing up and darting down into the craggy formations in an attempt to hide.
The ledge itself was thin, bearing only a small amount of leg room unless one wanted to take a tumble down the side of the cliffs. Several small openings became visible to her, and it was in one small cavern, with only a small opening just wide enough for her to enter, that she hid.
The engines of the Phantom could be heard hovering nearby, searching for hide or hair of the human female. "We'll continue later! His Excellency told us to not linger for long, 'less we wanted the Arbiter to track us! Let's leave, Brother!" A high-pitched voice hissed, the rifle clicking apart as the clip was ejected. And with that, the hovering of the engines began to fade.
Hayden peeked out to look around, not seeing the craft flying near, and she stepped out slowly as to watch her footing. "He wasn't kidding..." She mumbled to herself, making her way back up to the ledge she had perched herself upon earlier. She closed her eyes and breathed, only one handhold giving way as she ascended, sighing as she climbed back up and sat back down. She leaned against the natural wall and closed her eyes, hoping that whoever had just targeted her wouldn't make a return for some time.
Hayden...! A voice called. Hayden! ...and again? Her mind became confused. Was she talking to herself, or was the heat beating upon her making the voices return? "Hayden! Call out, please! Where are you!" A low voice cried. Her eyes shot open as something warm ran over the eyelids, and her ears caught the voice. Her hand went to her forehead, locating a trickling stream of blood. The voice calling out again.
"I'm up here!" She answered back, placing her palm against the absent cut she had earned during her climb. Removing her hand to look at the blood, she decided to just let the nick bleed. It stung less without something covering it. Hayden blinking a few times, shaking her hand as to dry the crimson fluid, and she then caught sight of a Phantom, darker hull than the last, carrying aboard it a very disgruntled Arbiter and two others, armed with carbines.
"I told you to stay within the Keep!" He growled, the craft drifting closer to the small ledge. His eyes caught sight of the blood that trailed her face and instantly became sympathetic, reaching out to her.
Hayden smiled and stood, dusting herself off and reaching for him, stepping aboard and grumbling. "I was bored... so I went climbing."
"What happened to you?" He asked as soon as she finished, looking the cut on her forehead, seeing the dirt within. "How did this happen?"
The woman chuckled and pulled her dark hair back, playing with a few strands. "Nothing, just broken rock chips that kept falling and hitting me as I moved up." She lied, hiding her own obliviousness as best she could.
Thel sighed and stared at her a moment, feeling off. He signaled to his pilot to return them home. "It is dangerous for you to be out here. The Council agrees with my action, and grants you safety, but many states do not offer that hospitality." He explained, moving close to her once more. "Please, do not place yourself in harm's way. We will have a doctor look at these cuts..."
Hayden could only smile at him. She seemed different from earlier; tired and reserved. Thel noticed this easily, and knew instantly that she was hiding something. Once we touch down, I will uncovered the truth he told himself, eyes becoming narrow as she sat down and propped herself against the wall opposite of the cockpit.