1149, September 10, 2560 (Military Time)\Cairo Station
They walked through the line of screens and steel lit by bright white florescent lamps. Kedzuel walked out in front with Megellan and Liara behind him. To his sides were his Honor Guards led by Zhane Holinau. They were dressed in their polished armor while Kedzuel was dressed in his finest robes, and Megellan only wearing his science uniform and brown jacket with the various badges adorning his sleeves. Hanging off his belt were the various contraptions that Megellan did not wish to go into much detail about their complexities. Liara had gotten back dressed in her science uniform as well, colored in drab gray and white.
Beyond in the windowed chamber, looking out over the planet Earth were the ones he was about to meet. Kedzuel turned to the planet as it rolled over to night, showing off the Oceania islands and Australia. The window had a great view of Hawaii and glowing dully orange dots were its world famous volcanoes still fuming. An old Halcyon cruiser slowly passed across the window followed by several newer Corvettes. Down below there stretched out like a slick metallic, dark mass of tiny lights was the Sangheili Assault Carrier known as the Shadow of Intent. Kedzuel recognized Admiral Hackett immediately, a rather tall human with graying hair and stubby beard. He stood at ease, his hands behind his back. And right beside him was Kiryuu Knight, the rather famous biomechanical dinosaur, and one of the only remaining Earth Technomancy Masters. He was dressed in gray slacks and a gray blazer with a black turtle neck sweater. His armored, silvery tail swayed slowly behind him. Kiryuu's green, fleshy dreadlocks were pulled back in a ponytail, a few loose locks hung about his face and shoulders. Kiryuu walked out, holding his metallic claw to Kedzuel. The Emperor returned the greeting. Then, the dinosaur placed his claw upon the Blitzardi's shoulder to show him towards the two Sangheili.
Kedzuel only had the chance to meet a Sangheili once already when he met Dorva on Alan's ship. But dealing with their leaders was another matter all-together.
These Sangheili were dressed differently than Dorva, their armor polished and of a better quality than his black armor. One Sangheili was dressed in the most elaborate armor Kedzuel had seen outside his own people, with strange archaic runes and patterns adorning the layers of steely silver. His dark bodysuit was striped with grayish blue lines, looking similar to some sort of tribal tattoo. The other Sangheili was dressed in a pearly white colored armor with a large spade shape crest upon his helm. A long white cloak draped his shoulders. The one feature that struck out to Kedzuel even more than the Sangheili's rather striking green eyes–were the missing pair of mandibles on Rtas' right side.
"Your Highness," began Hackett. "I'm sorry to pull you over on such short notice. Our Sangheili allies rushed here–with little notification."
"I am afraid we could not inform many of our trip," said the Sangheili with the decorative armor. "Because of our Civil War, I could not risk our plans to be foiled by the enemy."
"I understand," said Kedzuel as he slowly approached them.
"Your Highness," began Kiryuu. "This is Otto 'Gamam, the Arbiter. And his companion is Councilor Rtas 'Vadum. He is also the shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent." He leaned away to watch Kedzuel shake both Otto and Rtas' hands. "The ship that brought the Arbiter here to meet you. The Shadow of Intent is the flagship of the other half of Vice-Admiral Telek Nar 'Heros's fleet. And they flew here by the skin of their teeth to meet you. The Neru Pe 'Odosima caught wind of their plans and attacked them on route to Earth."
"The scorch marks on our ship tell the story," said Otto.
"I can understand why you could not meet with me," began Kedzuel. "Alan told me about this civil war."
"It is unfortunate," said Rtas. "It is what happened when our people found out they were lied to by their gods." His only working pair of mandibles snapped with an air of discontent. "There are still many who call us deluded fools being fed lies by the Prophets we once served in the Covenant. And many men still question whether or not our gods were right about ordering the Prophets to begin the genocide of the human species."
"Your gods," began Kedzuel. "The Forerunners?"
"Yes," said Otto.
The Emperor turned back to Megellan and wagged his head in dismay.
"You were right when you told me these guys worshiped them."
"We did," said Otto. "Most of us don't anymore–most of us are rather accepting of not having any divine hand to guide us–Telek mostly. However–some of us still feel lost."
"Your Prophets, who are they?" Kedzuel asked.
"You mean who were they..." said Kiryuu. "They're dead, for one..."
"The San'Shyuum," said Rtas.
"The San'Shyuum?" Megellan asked. "But they were allies to the People of Erde Tyrene–"
Kedzuel raised a claw, silencing him before he could say more.
"Allies?" asked Otto, his honey-colored eyes widening with shock. Admiral Hackett could only reply with a shrug.
"You have to forgive my science commissioner," began Kedzuel. "He spent the last 50 thousand years as a prisoner of the Forerunners. I'm afraid he is still a little behind the times. This alliance happened before the Forerunners fired the Halos. I am afraid that the San'Shyuum you know of now as your Prophets were a completely different species that arose when the Forerunners saved your genetic code. They were brilliant at recreating life, but they could not recreate the cultures that came with that life. One of the reasons why the humans are much different now as well compared to what they looked like thousands of years ago. The humans I remembered were a bit taller than they are today–a little darker skinned, and all having dreaded up long hair and tribal markings. And these were the powerful space fairing ones we taught Technomancy to."
"They even had a different language as well," said Kiryuu. "I told Telek about this two years ago back when I was still the Ambassador of Earth in the Citadel. I'm surprised he didn't share this with you, Arbiter."
"He probably questioned whether or not I would believed him," said Otto, crossing his arms with a scowl upon his mandibles. He took in a deep breath and turned back to Kedzuel, looking into his glowing cyan blue eyes. "If there is one truth I know now is that you are who you say you are."
"Telek told us you had returned," said Rtas. "Which is why we are here. If you need resources, we are willing to provide you with them, however–"
"The war," said Otto. "I was hoping your presence and telling the council the truth of the Forerunners and their lies might finally put to rest any doubts in these upstarts' minds. So long as we remain divided, we cannot hope to help our human allies when the Reapers come." He snorted. "They even believe the Reapers are some lie Telek told to try to garner even further support of his 'hearsay' as they are calling it." He bowed his head. "I once believed Telek was a heretic–and I remind myself every day how wrong I was. I could have allowed my own species to die because of a lie if I hadn't listened to Telek. It won't happen again."
"I can tell you now that the Reapers are real," said Kedzuel. "That's why we're here. And what you just told me about these Prophets–the Covenant–the Forerunners–it reminds me that we've made a big mistake in leaving. It never would have happened if we stayed." He looked back at Kiryuu. "Where is Telek? All the stories I've heard about him–I'd love to meet him face to face."
"He's dealing with the insurrectionists," said Kiryuu. He crossed his arms and sighed in frustration.
"The UNSCn has personnel with Telek and his Elites," said Hackett. "We are trying to assist in stopping this war."
"And we are grateful for the UNSC in their assistance," said Otto. "It's more than we could ever ask for–especially all we've done as the Covenant. We've never wanted this war to happen, but discontent bred violence. It first started with just a few preaching in open squares about how I and Telek were the liars and that the gods never left. Then, it escalated with violent bombings of political structures. The ones leading these insurrectionists is named Jul 'Mdama. He took his followers off world, but he did not leave peacefully. We would have left them alone, however–Jul had many follows even in the Council. And they were allowed to continue their violent acts without punishment. More joined him and now here we are–fighting each other when we should be preparing for the Reapers. 'Mdama continued to preach that the Reapers were nothing more than a fabrication of Telek's maddened mind, that he truly forgot what it means to be Sangheili."
"We never realized how many still did not believe him," said Rtas. "It is a long story. Telek was branded a heretic back during the Covenant days and he was supposed to be sentenced to death. But, his second in command Cujo 'Mentatl saved him along with the rest who backed him up. Tulsa 'Yurom, Tulsa 'Durosh, and Mitsu 'Kimam."
"Mitsu unfortunately was killed by Sovereign," said Kiryuu. "Along with Wago 'Tawun, the Shipmaster of the assault carrier Regret and Reconciliation. If anyone would question whether or not Telek was telling the truth about the Reapers–would have to be reminded of all Telek lost facing Sovereign–and realizing just who Sovereign was. He was able to help me figure out that the Reapers were more than just King Ghidorah's creations, they were another form of King Ghidorah."
Kedzuel took in a deep breath, nodding as he listened: "I really need to meet this guy."
"He's also faced the Flood, the creation of the Forerunners when they experimented on King Ghidorah's cells," said Kiryuu. "One of the few who seems to be immune to them, mostly due to King Ghidorah not liking what heavy alcohol does to one's nervous system."
"Really?" Megellan asked. He looked to Kedzuel. "Something new to learn about the Hydra. Fascinating."
"I'm afraid most of what we've encountered about King Ghidorah were his Reaper form," said Kedzuel. "He's rarely shown himself in the others, but we do know of those forms. One especially–the three headed, gold dragon."
"Our people have braved him in that form as well, long ago," said Rtas. "But as for Telek, we sent him out on a reconnaissance mission to infiltrate the Neru Pe 'Odosima."
"The Neru Pe 'Odosima," began Kedzuel. "What does that mean?"
"Servants of Abiding Truth," said Otto. "It is an ancient religious order, a couple thousands of years old. They were the ones who forbade the tampering of Forerunner artifacts for convenience, calling it the ultimate sin. Before we fought as the Covenant's military might–we fought against the San'Shyuum and their belief of studying the artifacts and bettering their lives with it. It was a bloody war."
"So full of hate were our eyes that we could not see," began Rtas. "Our war would yield countless dead but never victory."
"The Writ of Union," said Kiryuu. "The San'Shyuum attacked the Sangheili during that war with a Forerunner Key Ship–the Dreadnaught and devastated their forces. Afterwards, they joined together, forming the Covenant and around the Forerunner ship, built a gigantic, mobile holy city called High Charity. Both vessels have been destroyed during the last days of the Human/Covenant War."
"Now because of Telek figuring out the truth of the Covenant and the lies we've been told," began Rtas. "The Servants of Abiding Truth are furious, they label him the Devil, and us–his demons. It's more than just a war–as you can see. They honestly believe that those of us who have seen the real truth will bring down Sanghelios–creating as humans call it–Ragnarök?"
"Armageddon–or the battle of–" said Kiryuu. "And they don't particularly like me. But–of course they don't. Not many like me."
"I like you," said Kedzuel.
"I am grateful."
Kedzuel wagged his head, his wings and tail twitching: "Wow. And you guys want me to stop this–'Ragnarök' before it gets too out of hand, huh? Yikes. We're gone for a few ten thousand years and all Gehenna breaks loose."
Zhane huffed, pulling his metallic helm from his face. He passed to Kedzuel's side with a smooth, fluid step, his eyes narrowing.
"You can't possibly think that we should get involved in such matters," he began. "We're beyond their petty squabbles."
"Zhane, are you my bodyguard, or my advisor?" Kedzuel asked, taking note of Otto's cold expression on the Blitzardi's sudden opinion.
"Your bodyguard, Emperor."
"Then keep your mouth shut and guard my body!" Kedzuel returned his attention to the Arbiter. "I'm terribly sorry: He's an idiot. Too pumped full of Blitzardi pride and arrogance and not a drop of humility when it comes to helping those who would in return help us in our time of need." He wagged his head, the golden ornaments twisting around a few of his dreaded locks clinking against the golden leaves about his shoulders. "Apparently, my Honor Guard has forgotten an important guideline of diplomacy. If we want the Sangheili to scratch our backs, we have to be willing to scratch theirs, and do it with true Blitzardi gusto."
"Is there any other type?" Megellan asked, smirking.
"If there comes a time when there is one better than Blitzardi gusto, I'd love to see it," said Kedzuel. "I will do my best to be of some assistance to you. But–because of certain limitations–I can only do so much. We need to repair the other ships as soon as we can and hopefully before the Reapers come. And as you've may have heard–we've got gigantic ships."
"And some of ours are nearly as big," said Rtas. "We would be the ones you should go to for such assistance. We're used to working on gigantic ships."
"And their technology is based on the Forerunners," said Kiryuu. "Which means that it is compatible with Technomancy, whether or not they use it. Because of the religious importance to the Covenant of keeping what they built from reverse engineering Forerunner tech–they've included much of what they did not know about in the design."
"I can vouch for that," said Megellan. "After spending some time with a Hurogok named Swifty–Telek's main engineer officer–I was allowed to tour Telek's ship. The only thing they lack is our space-fold technology. The Forerunners could never figure that out–along with our ability to create tiny pocket dimensions within our ships. But they were very astute on Slipspace storage. They just could not figure out the Holtzmann Effect nor how to utilize it."
"Holtzmann Effect," said Kiryuu.
"It is the secret to how we are able to fold space," said Megellan. "Traveling without moving. Why there is one pilot for each ship–there can be only one who is capable of seeing the pathways through the dimensions and guide the ship safely. Kedzuel and many other ship pilots use a very limited form of prescience–so that the ship arrives within the time it left without dilation and then tells the ship to that spot in space–while still occupying the same time."
"And then the ship brings that space to it," said Kedzuel. "It's like grabbing a piece of table cloth on the far end and dragging it to you–but at the same time, pushing the end closest to you away. The ship does not move, but the space does. The ship stays still, only having the space move around it."
"Traveling without moving," said Kiryuu. "Now I understand."
The biomecha looked to Liara who was very silent during the meeting. However, he could see the lights sparking in her eyes as she began to work out how the mechanics of the Precursor technology on space traveling worked. Kiryuu grinned.
"The Forerunners never learned this technology," said Otto.
"Because we never gave it to them," said Kedzuel. "But we did give it to the humans–which is why they proved to be rather formidable against the Forerunners because their ships were capable of instantaneous travel. Where it would take a Forerunner ship to cross the whole disk of the galaxy within one month in Slipspace travel, we can do it in two seconds so longs as we are able to see a clear path. That is why I need visual coordinates to fold space. However, since what the Forerunners did 50 thousand years ago, the technology we taught our allies has been lost."
"The Forerunners were sore losers about it," said Megellan. "They devolved humanity when they found out we chose them to take over the Mantle of Protection for this galaxy."
"You never taught the Forerunners anything?" asked Rtas.
"No," said Megellan. "They stole every bit of it. None of what they were capable of doing was earned."
"Well, you've heard it from the horse's mouth, as it were," said Hackett. He looked back at the Sangheili, seeing them turning to look at each other–speaking in their strange, growling, guttural language. Then, Otto returned his gaze to Kedzuel.
"My friend and student, Telek 'Heros must hear of this as well," he said. "But since he is handling the Servants of Truth–oh how I wish he was here right now. We hope to bring you back to Sanghelios and you tell the Council what you've told us. Perhaps hearing it from you will stop this war, Emperor Kedzuel."
Kedzuel wagged his head: "Unfortunately it won't stop your war. I've seen this before, even with the truth right in front of them, people like this Jul 'Mdama will only hear what they want to hear. And I don't want to be seen as a bully, kicking around the weak. He bowed his head. "I'm sorry–I honestly don't know how to help without showing force. And my Council will not allow me to deploy troops unless it is for the purpose of fighting Reapers."
"I still have many in the Council who support the Arbiter and Telek," said Rtas. "I'll see if I can soften the blow if force is necessary."
Megellan touched Kedzuel's arm: "I hate for us to lose very valuable allies, Kedzuel. After all, they would know more than the others on how to assist in the repairs of the Shi-Class ships."
"You can't be considering this," said Zhane.
Kedzuel sighed heavily.
"I–I cannot speak for all my people, but I can speak for myself," he began. "And I am in control of my ship." He huffed, crossing his arms. A spark of plasma ignited between his curved horns, running along inside of the curves. "Yes, Zhane, I'm considering this."
"I cannot allow–"
"Shut up," said Kedzuel. "The Reapers will be here in two or three months. I'm out of time. And I've got three ships built, with so many corners cut that I don't know if they'll pass Pluto without throwing a bolt."
"Yes, sir," said Zhane.
"Arbiter, I will try my best to help tell the truth to your people," said Kedzuel. "They deserve to hear it right from those of us who were there."
The Arbiter nodded, silently speaking with Rtas again. Kedzuel turned to Liara, who only shrugged as the two Sangheili spoke with each other in their strange language. Then, the silence broke with a grunt from Kiryuu. He leaned over, holding his head as his golden eyes started glowing cyan–the same color as Kedzuel's and the other Precursors. Three stripes appeared on his cheeks, and a glowing, ghostly bundle of streamers–cords–grew out from the back of his head.
"The pirate is in trouble!"
Kedzuel held his breath when he heard the sound of that commanding, disembodied voice. Kiryuu leaned back, his eyes wide as he took in a virtual breath, his processors skipping a beat at the sound of that voice. He gathered himself, shaking from the shock.
"Did anyone hear that?" Kiryuu asked. Hackett, the Arbiter, and Rtas shook their heads. However, Kedzuel, Megellan and the other Precursors nodded. Liara stood there, confused.
"Who's the pirate?" asked Zhane.
Just as Kiryuu was about to reply, he leaned down and held his head again. Green dreads fell into his eyes. Kiryuu smoothed them back away from his face and a sneer crawled up his lips.
"I have recieved a distress call from Captain Jimenez," he said. "He is the current captain of the Silent Wrath, a Super Carrier under Telek's command. He, Telek, Cujo, and Tulsa are being pursued by the Neru Pe 'Odosima. Tom's informed me that they've all attempted to scatter, but somehow, the Servants of Abiding Truth have seen through their cloaks."
"By the gods how?" asked Rtas.
"Tom doesn't know," said Kiryuu.
"We specifically upgraded the Shadow of Darkness with more efficient heat sinks and a tougher cloak just for the purpose of keeping an eye on the Servants of Abiding Truth and their leader. No one can catch Telek! Not even the Prophet of Truth." His expression soften as he lowered his head. "Not even I could catch him." A smile spread across his mandibles. "I taught him well."
"There must be a device they are using to sniff Admiral Telek out," said Megellan. "Has his Technomancers detected anything coming from the ships?"
"Red dots," said Kiryuu, feeling the energy feeding directly to him from Tom's own connection to the Array. "They don't know what they are. And they're still not trained well enough to even understand the information that she is feeding them."
"She?" asked Liara.
"Uh–long story," said Kiryuu.
"Did you say red dots?" asked Kedzuel.
"Yes," said Kiryuu. "What do they mean?"
"Strange Energy," said Megellan. "Far Realm contamination."
"More specifically King Ghidorah," said Kedzuel.
"What?" Otto asked, his mandibles spreading, the brown color of his skin fading. "The Parasite is on those ships?"
"Parasite," began Megellan. "Yes, that is a fitting name for the Hydra."
Kiryuu closed his eyes as the glow of his cords intensified. The information flowing from the back of his head, down the cords disappeared into nothing at the tips. Kedzuel reached out to Otto, placing his coppery golden claw upon the Arbiter's shoulder.
"I might be able to help," he said. "My ship can be there in a matter of seconds."
"I was about to suggest that," said Kiryuu.
"Thank you, Kedzuel," said Otto.
Kedzuel nodded and shifted his gaze back to Kiryuu: "Where are they?"
"They were spying on a planet called Laqil," said Otto, looking at Hackett. "It's called New Llanelli by the UNSC. It was a human colony that was glassed by the Covenant Navy."
"One man survived the glassing," said Hackett. "But so far, the colony was abandoned. After Telek informed the Arbiter, he then reported back to the Office of Naval Intelligence to find out what it was on that planet that Mdama was interested in." His eyes narrowed at Kiryuu. "Cerberus had a base there–though they also abandoned it when it was glassed."
"Cerberus," said Kiryuu. "Damn it. And somehow these rogue Sangheili have figured out how to see through Telek's cloak. I want to know how!"
"No one wants that more than me, Mr. Knight," said Otto. "If you can save Telek, it'll help us find out what they're up to. Surely, Telek's discovered something before he was attacked. It'll help put an end to this war."
"And using Element Zero is outlawed with the Sangheili as well," said Kiryuu.
"Yes, it is," said Rtas. "It'll ruin Mdama's and his follows faces if the Council catches wind of this travesty."
"Potentially using Strange Energy, I think that will keep Serina quiet," said Kedzuel.
"Do you have Telek's position, Mr. Knight?" asked Hackett, bracing his hands against his love handles.
"He is in slipspace transit," said Kiryuu, his eyes becoming unfocused as he gathered the information. "Does that matter, Your Majesty?"
"My ship can find him," said Kedzuel. "I just need those visual coordinates."
"How?" asked Kiryuu. "Slipspace is black, featureless. There are no electromagnetic frequencies equal to that of visible light to see anything."
"Tell Tom and any Technomancers serving under Telek to create a ripple through the Array," said Kedzuel. "I'll pick up on the signature and find them. Then, I'll be able to properly phase into real space get them out of danger."
"You're not engaging the enemy?" asked Rtas.
"The Shi'lithra space worthy, but not combat ready," said Kedzuel. "We have yet to properly test the weapon systems. However, she does have shields and I like to see these cultists tear through them. There is one thing I need to know, how big is Telek's ship–or the other ships that are with him?"
"It is nearly 30 kilometers in length," said Otto. "And 4 kilometers in height."
"Telek has two super carriers and one Reverence-class battle cruiser and one super cruiser. The Shadow of Darkness, the Silent Wrath, the Divine Journey, and the Righteous Fury."
"And two of those ships are over a quarter of the Shi'lithra's length," said Kedzuel, running a claw through his medium auburn brown hair. "I'm gonna need a bigger ship!" He looked back at the Lengodo, his brow arching with cold worry. "Uh, Mel, how are we going to do this?"
"We'd have to dump some of the levels," said Megellan. "Then, you'll have to combine the two pocket dimensions into one in order to fit both super carriers side by side. The other ships can sit either above or below the two super carriers."
"Good gracious," said Kedzuel. "I'm gonna have a headache after this."
Kiryuu disconnected and sighed: "Do what you need to do. I've informed everyone in the fleet what to do to help you catch up to them."
"Thirty minutes," said Kedzuel. "We'll be there in thirty minutes. And we'll just dump those sections along the way."
"But if you dump the sections, can you get them back?" asked Liara.
"Yes," said Kedzuel. "We can."
Kiryuu walked toward Liara and placed a silvery claw upon her shoulder.
"Dr. T'Soni, I need you for something while Kedzuel saves Telek," he said.
"What?" Liara asked.
"It is a personal science project of mine," said the biomecha. "When Kedzuel comes back from dealing with the Servants of Abiding Truth–he will need to test the weapon used to defeat the Reapers with on something. I need your help to prepare it."
Liara smiled at Kiryuu: "I'd love to help you, Kiryuu."
"I do appreciate it, I need your expertise in this."
"I hope you don't mind, Your Majesty," said Liara.
"Oh, no," said Kedzuel. "I'll save Telek, talk to the Sangheili Council and be back before you know it." He turned back to Otto. "Don't worry, he's in good hands."
"Thank you," said Otto.
Kedzuel bowed and then he and Megellan and his Honor Guards vanished in a flash of cyan and golden electrical sparks. Hackett crossed to the Otto 'Gamam and held out a hand.
"I can see what I can do to allow both of you and your crew to stay here until it's safe for you to return, Arbiter," he said.
"We would appreciate it," said Otto.
"Yes," said Rtas.
"Arbiter, Councilor Rtas," began Kiryuu. "You are guests at my estate. I can think of no safer place than my summer home in the quiet country side of northern California. You can relax there. Besides, it's the least I can do for an old friend."
He held out his claw and Otto took it. Liara tilted her head, her blue eyes sparkled with a soft smile spreading across her lips. She turned to Hackett, taking in a deep breath.
"It's hard to believe that they were once enemies," she said.
"President Knight–and Supreme Commander Otto 'Gaman?" asked Hackett. "Yes, hard to believe, though they've never met each other when they were. Just two people on opposite sides of the war–the only connection they had was Telek. Otto kicked him out of his fleet only for Kiryuu to offer Telek a job with the UNSC Navy."
Admiral Hackett looked on when he felt the windows begin to vibrate. The dark specks of starlight was obstructed by a massive, angular shape and flashes of blue electricity racing up and down its sides. Then, the mass vanished and the space around it wobbled just for a little bit to indicate that it was still there before returning to normal. Kedzuel had left upon his ship, already heading out without a clearance from Space Command. His ship did not need any clearance–when it left–it left and not a trace of it ever being there was seen.