The Halo Universe belongs to Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries. But these characters are my own creation and cannot be used without my permission. If you do use them without my permission, then Atar will blow up your head with a shotgun after disabling you by the knees and arms. Enjoy the show.
The Sangheili 800 Squad
Chapter 11: Taken
February, 2550 (Human Calender)
2441 Hours
Heretic Chasm
"So…" Buzzsaw sighed. "Got any aces?"
"No." Tank rumbled.
Buzzsaw picked up a card. "By the Gods, I'm bored. When is Iro gonna kidnap the Sangheili girl already?"
"Iro is waiting for perfect opportunity." Tank replied. "May take while. Do you have a six?"
Buzzsaw handed him a card with six squares on it. "Well, I realised that it would take him a while, but still, it's almost midnight. How long is it going to take him?"
Tank shrugged. "All we can do is wait."
"I've been doing that for the past few hours." Buzzsaw replied. "Do you have any threes?"
Tank handed him a card with three circles on it.
"I dunno, I just wonder sometimes…" Buzzsaw said, placing the card on a pile. "Do you think Iro just takes us for granted?"
"No." Tank said bluntly.
"You sure? 'Cause I don't remember the last time he thanked me for doing something. Oh, that's right, he never has."
"Iro respects me and Gears. Not you."
That just pissed Buzzsaw off. "Why? Because I'm a Grunt?"
"Yes. Do you have a knight?"
Buzzsaw handed him a card. "So what does he have against Grunts that makes my species inferior?"
"Grunts are cowards." Tank replied.
"Oh, come on!" Buzzsaw said angrily, throwing his arms into the air. "That's just a stereotype! If Grunts were just cowards and nothing else, then what was the Grunt Rebellion, huh?! We're brave! We're just not motivated!"
"You are motivated with being able to live."
"No, that's a threat! My species doesn't deserve threats! The Uggnoy are an ancient race of beings that are being denied the respect that we deserve! We should be the ones ruling the Covenant! Well, maybe not the Covenant, but we shouldn't be being pushed around!"
Tank loathed listening to Buzzsaw's rants. They were completely one-sided and repetitive. The words varied, but the general message never changed: the Grunts were victims that needed to be saved, the Sangheili and the Prophets were the bad guys who needed to be punished and everyone who didn't think like this was a monster.
It was almost as exhausting as intense physical exercise.
Getting his mind back to the card game, Tank asked, "Do you have an eight?"
"Now isn't the time for cards, now is the time for action!" Buzzsaw snapped. "No more shall my species…"
"Do you have an eight?" Tank snarled.
Buzzsaw quickly handed him a card.
Tracer was fiddling with the Wraith.
He knew that the journey ahead would take a while, so he was trying to figure out a way to conserve energy so that they could actually get to the artefact in time.
Unfortunately, he couldn't find a way to do so without lowering the speed of the Wraith. The only real option would be to put more power into the Wraith, but he didn't have any more electronite.
Which was really inconvenient. While electronite was much more reliable than plasma, plasma was still much more widely used. There was not a single race in the Covenant that used electronite. Tracer was literally the only one.
As if being a medic wasn't alienating enough. No matter how many times he told people, they always called him a doctor, not a medic. He had even explicitly explained that a medic and a doctor were different.
Added to that was the fact that he chose to be in the 800 Squad. Others wouldn't be able to understand why Tracer would want to be in the reject pile.
And Tracer couldn't explain his reason to them without offending them.
He heard something move to his right. He turned to see Miara walking up to him.
"Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Tracer asked.
"I could say the same to you." Miara replied. "Anyway, I'm finding it way too cold to go to sleep."
"Have you tried adjusting your armour's temperature?"
"Doesn't work."
"You're kidding me." Tracer groaned. "First the zoom and now the temperature?"
"Well, we don't really maintain our armour." Miara pointed out.
"Still… how many things must I repair in my career?"
"Quite a few, probably."
Tracer sighed, turning his attention back to the Wraith. "You should go to sleep. You'll need your energy for tomorrow."
Miara fiddled with her fingers, suddenly nervous. "Actually Tracer, um… I came out here to tell you something."
"What is it? Everything okay?"
"Well… it's about you, actually."
"Uh, huh."
"Um…" Miara felt really nervous. "Well, we've known each other for a long time, you know?"
"This sounds familiar."
"Yeah, well… during a long time like that, the feelings one has for another can change, gradually, over time and… well…"
Hoo boy. Tracer thought. I think she's finally going to say it.
"Well…" Miara continued, telling herself to just calm down. "My feelings for you have… changed… over time. When I first met you… I thought of you as a doctor…"
"And then you tried to hit me." Tracer said with amusement.
Miara chuckled. "Yeah… but… now, I think of you as a friend… no, more than a friend, actually…"
"Uh, huh."
"Tracer…" Miara inhaled deeply. "I… think I've fallen in love with you."
Miara immediately felt a weight disappear from her chest.
Tracer put down his tools and sighed. "Yeah… I know…"
"I know this is bit of a- wait, you know?!" Miara suddenly realised what he said. "How could you know?!"
Tracer gave her an amused look. "You're nicer to me than anyone else, you go out of your way to be in my presence and you've given me this talk about five dozen times. With all due respect, it's not exactly rocket science."
Miara scratched her head. "Oh… I guess it is a bit obvious, isn't it?"
"Only a bit."
"Right… so…" Miara came to the second part of the conversation. "Do you love me?"
Tracer was silent for a few seconds. Then he said heavily, "I… don't know."
Miara would've frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Miara… if I had been sure about my feelings about you, I would've just told you a long time ago. But…" Tracer shook his head. "My mind is split into two about this matter. On one side, I view you as a friend and co-worker. On the other, not only are you the only female I've ever been this close to, but you're…"
"I'm…?" Miara looked at him curiously.
Tracer was trying to find a way to call her beautiful without giving her false hope.
"Anyway…" Tracer continued. "I'm just really confused about my feelings for you at the moment. I'm not entirely sure which side of my brain to listen to. I… just need more time to think about it."
"Okay."
"…That's it?"
"Yup." Miara nodded. "I'll give you some time to think about it and you can tell me when you're ready. And if it's not the answer I like… then I'll just deal with it."
"Alright then." Tracer picked up his tools. "So… you should probably go to bed."
"Sure." Miara said.
Iro sighed. All he needed was for the female to be alone for just five minutes. Just five minutes.
But it seemed that she was always surrounded. When she slept, the others were nearby. And she never spent any alone time.
What he needed was to draw her away from the rest of the squad.
Right now, she was walking back to her makeshift bed. Iro had climbed one of the many trees in order to get a better view of the place. While this gave him a better vantage point, it also made him slightly easier to spot.
He silently climbed down, watching as the female sat down on her bed and sighed.
I need an attention grabber. Iro thought. I don't need much. A pebble will do.
He looked around and saw a medium-sized rock.
He shrugged. It'll do.
He picked up the rock and threw it at the female.
A medium-sized object hit Miara's arm.
"OW!"
She froze, looking around to see if she woke up the others. They were still asleep. Tracer probably didn't hear her. He was known for getting wrapped up in his work.
Miara rubbed her arm and looked at the projectile that had hit her. It was a rock. About the size needed to cause some major damage if it hit her head.
She looked around, suddenly paranoid. A rock like that didn't just fly out of nowhere. Someone would have to throw it.
She looked from where the rock had come from. The forest was particularly dark at this time of night. She needed some light and a working weapon, just in case this was a trap.
She looked at her flamethrower. No point in taking that thing. If she got into trouble, then she wouldn't be able to defend herself.
So she went over to Utarz and stole his plasma rifle.
She followed the trajectory of the rock, looking around for any sign of an ambush. The shadows seemed to dance and show things that weren't there. It was creeping her out.
Deciding it wasn't worth it, she started to back up and go back to the camp.
Another rock hit her in the stomach.
Miara gasped in pain, dropping the plasma rifle. She looked around for her attacker, but all she could see were trees and darkness.
Picking up Utarz's gun again, she proceeded forward, deciding that she would find this guy no matter what.
"Who's there?" She said angrily. "Show yourself!"
She cursed herself once she realised how cliché that was.
She walked forward cautiously, looking everywhere. She kept hearing noises but refrained herself from spinning around.
After about three minutes, Miara started to realise how stupid this really was. She had gone too far from the others and she still hadn't found her attacker. If she went any further, then the others wouldn't be able to find her if she got injured.
She turned around to go back.
A scarlet-clad figure blocked her.
"I apologize in advance for my actions." Iro said. "But you are really the only candidate for this."
Miara stared at him for a moment.
Then she shot at him.
Ignoring the plasma shots that got absorbed by his energy shield, Iro grabbed the plasma rifle and forced it upwards. Then, he punched her in the stomach, winding her. Finally, he swept out her legs from underneath, causing her to fall.
When she hit the ground, Iro pinned her down, stopping her from getting back up.
"You know," Iro said conversationally. "You are the only female warrior I've ever seen in my life. This truly is a milestone for me."
"Let me go, you dishonourable rat!" Miara snarled, struggling to get up.
"I am neither of those things." Iro said. "Although, I will not deny that I regret having to kidnap you."
With that, he pulled out his pistol and smashed the back of her head.
Buzzsaw sat up against the wall of the ravine.
Tank stood in the middle of it, like a silent guardian.
Neither of them had anything to do at the moment.
"You ever hit rock bottom boredom, Tank?" Buzzsaw asked. "Because this is it. This is rock bottom boredom. This is boredom's lowest depth."
Tank said nothing.
"No, in fact, it's worse." Buzzsaw sighed. "This is boredom incarnate. This is the physical representation of boredom. The place where one can be the most bored he will ever be in his life."
Tank ignored him, searching for Iro's shape in the darkness.
"I mean, I've been bored before, but this?" Buzzsaw continued. "This has got to be the most bored I've ever been in my life. Like, the only thing I have to think about is being bored. There is nothing else to occupy my mind."
"Tank would like to play something." Tank said.
Buzzsaw snorted. "Tank, we've exhausted all the card games we have, what could we possibly play now?"
"The quiet game."
"…Screw you."
Tank ignored him.
"Seriously. We've been waiting all day for him to take her! He should be done by now!"
Tank grunted.
Buzzsaw suddenly sat up straight. "Wait… what if he's been captured?"
"That is not likely." Tank pointed out.
"Yeah, I know, but still… what if?"
Tank looked at him. "Why do you care? You don't like Iro."
"Yeah, I know. I hate him. But he's the only guy capable of leading us." Buzzsaw explained. "I mean, think about it. Could you imagine what it'd be like if I was in charge?"
Tank thought about this. He could picture himself helping Buzzsaw lead a rebellion to free the Grunts.
"Yes." Tank said.
"Is it good?"
"No."
"Exactly!" Buzzsaw stood up. "Without Iro, there would be no 'us'. We should see if he's encountered any problems."
"That is not necessary." Tank said, pointing towards the top of the ravine.
Buzzsaw peered into the darkness. He couldn't see much, but he could make out a dark figure in the distance.
"About time." Buzzsaw grumbled.
When Iro had become more visible, Tank and Buzzsaw could see that Iro was holding something on his shoulder. When he reached them, the object was clearly the female Sangheili.
"Took you a while." Buzzsaw said drily.
"I was waiting for the perfect opportunity." Iro replied irritably, setting Miara down on the ground. "You're welcome, by the way."
"Whatever." Buzzsaw looked at the female. "So, what now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, how are we going to stop her from running off when she wakes up?" Buzzsaw asked.
"Simple." Iro replied. "Take off her armour."
Buzzsaw double blinked in alarm. "Wait, what?!"
"Her armour keeps her temperature regulated." Iro explained. "She may be slightly cold, but nothing fatal. However, if we take off her armour and hide it somewhere, she'd freeze to death if she tried to escape."
Tank nodded. "Good plan."
Still not convinced, Buzzsaw asked a different question. "And what's stopping her from taking our weapons and killing us?"
"We'll put our weapons under Tank." Iro said.
"This plan can work." Tank said. "Buzzsaw. Obey Iro."
"No way!" Buzzsaw stuttered, trying desperately to get out of this. "Iro, why don't you do it?!"
Iro's tiredness and frustration started to merge with embarrassment at this proposition.
"Because I've already kidnapped her and given her a lump on the head." Iro growled. "So you do it."
"But I don't wanna see her naked!" Buzzsaw complained.
"Oh, grow up." Iro said irritably. "Sangheili don't have external sex organs, remember?"
"Yeah, but…" Buzzsaw felt the heat rise to his face. "Her… you know… nipples."
Iro sighed in annoyance. "Sangheili don't have those, either."
This threw Buzzsaw completely off track. "Woah, wait. You don't?"
"No." Iro was starting to wish he had never embarked on any of this. "Sangheili can't suck or blow. It wouldn't make any sense for the females to excrete milk."
Buzzsaw considered this.
"That's weird." He said.
"It's the process of evolution." Iro replied.
"So, if you can't suck or blow…" Buzzsaw said, something occurring to him. "Then how do you sigh?"
Iro thought about this. "…Uh…I… don't know…?"
"We are off topic." Tank interrupted them.
"…Right." Iro said quickly, not wanting to discuss this any further. "Buzzsaw, strip her. Tank, make sure he does so."
Tank looked at Buzzsaw threateningly.
Buzzsaw sighed and started to look for the points where Miara's armour came off.
"Oh, and Tank?" Iro added. "I would recommend sitting near the female during the night so that she doesn't freeze to death."
Tank froze.
February, 2550 (Human Calender)
1034 Hours
800 Squad Camp
Once everyone had realised that Miara had officially disappeared, they had spent around two hours searching for her in the surrounding forest.
When they couldn't find her, Atar had tried contacting her via radio, but all that had been heard was static.
Finally, Repora had pointed out looking for her footprints in the snow, but the snowfall had covered any tracks she might have left.
Eventually, everyone gathered at the camp waiting for Atar to give a speech.
"Well, everyone." Atar said to the gathered group. "Miara has officially gone MIA."
"Wow!" Utarz said angrily. "Thanks for that breaking news, Captain State the Obvious!"
Atar shot at him.
Utarz yelled and dodged the round.
"As I was saying." Atar growled. "Miara has gone missing. This can lead us to three possible explanations."
"Three explanations?" Repora asked.
"One, she's been kidnapped by the Heretics in an attempt to slow us down." Atar explained. "Two, she's been killed by the Heretics in an attempt to disillusion us. And three, she's betrayed us and joined the Heretics."
"I don't think she's betrayed us, sir." Zen said.
"I agree." Atar nodded. "She left her flamethrower behind! She never goes anywhere without it, broken or not."
"So, she's either kidnapped, or dead." Repora said pleasantly. "Shame about the no betrayal thing, though. It would've made for an interesting plot twist. Think about it! Chasing down a rogue soldier, not knowing what twisted deal the enemy has made with her…"
"Shut up, Repora!" Tracer snapped.
Zen looked at Tracer. He seemed to be unusually agitated, distressed even. Zen owed it up to never losing a teammate before. That, or… something else.
"Well, how do we figure out which one it is?" Utarz asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Atar asked.
Utarz glared at him. "If she's been kidnapped, then we need to go rescue her. If she's dead, we need to go fuck up the guy who killed her."
Zen looked at Utarz. While Tracer just seemed to be scared, Utarz was downright furious. It was like someone had done him a great personal wrong.
"Why do you care?" Tracer asked bitterly.
"Oh, I don't know, because she's my fucking sister, maybe?!" Utarz shouted. "I wouldn't expect you to understand, because you're an only child!"
"Quiet! Both of you!" Atar yelled. "Before we started doing anything, we need some clues as to what might have happened."
"What kind of clues?" Repora asked.
"Oh, I don't know." Atar said. "Uh… who was the last person to see her?"
"…That's probably me." Tracer said quietly.
Everyone looked at him.
"She talked to me last night." Tracer explained. "About an hour before I fell asleep-"
Utarz suddenly spun around and grabbed Tracer by the throat.
"What happened to her?!" Utarz snarled, completely oblivious that everyone else had suddenly pointed their weapons at him.
"What?!" Tracer choked.
"Are you crazy?!" Zen shouted. "Let him go!"
"Utarz!" Atar roared. "Let him go, now!"
"Can I kill him now?" Repora asked politely.
"Answer me, asshole!" Utarz shook Tracer violently.
"I don't know what happened to her!" Tracer managed to spit out. "She went back to the camp after I fell asleep! Let me go!"
Taking matters into his own hands, Zen punched Utarz to the ground. He let go of Tracer as he fell, who stumbled a bit before getting his bearings.
Zen jammed his needle rifle into Utarz's chest. "Stay down!"
Utarz growled, but complied.
After staring at Utarz oddly for a moment, Atar cleared his throat. "Uh… continue, Tracer."
Tracer rubbed his neck. "Uh… she talked to me while I was making some modifications to the Wraith… and then she walked back to camp."
Atar snapped his fingers. "Of course! She must have been lured away from camp and kidnapped!"
"What makes you say she isn't dead?" Repora asked curiously.
"We'd see blood in the camp." Atar replied.
"So she's definitely been kidnapped?" Utarz asked from the ground.
"I'm positive." Atar confirmed.
"Then we need to go rescue her, right?" Zen asked, abandoning Utarz.
Atar hesitated. Then he said, "Miara… might have to save herself."
As he expected, this generated some general outrage among the others.
Utarz suddenly sprang up and shouted, "What?!"
Zen double blinked and said, "What?! But sir-!"
Tracer dropped his carbine in shock.
Repora chuckled in amusement at Utarz's reaction.
"The Heretics have clearly kidnapped her in order to try and make us slow down." Atar explained. "We cannot satisfy their desires."
"But she's one of us!" Zen cried.
"I know."
"Sir, with all due respect, we have to rescue Miara." Tracer said desperately. "If we didn't, then what kind of teammates are we?"
"Bad ones?" Repora suggested.
"Fine. Go ahead." Atar said. "Where do you propose we start looking?"
"All over the place!" Utarz yelled, standing up. "It's just one forest! It's shouldn't take too long to search the whole place!"
"That would take too long!" Atar snapped. "We need to get to that 'artefact' and destroy it before the Heretics get there first! Miara will have to wait."
"But-!"
"That's final!" Atar snarled. "I will not sacrifice this mission over one soldier! Half a squad, yes, but not one soldier!"
Everyone except Repora glared at him.
"I know that none of you like this decision." Atar sighed. "Trust me, neither do I. But this is the way it has to be. Now, let's get going."
"…I'll get the Wraith, sir." Tracer said despondently.
As the others walked off, Utarz stood there fuming for a moment before following suit.
Zen suddenly grabbed his shoulder. "Utarz, listen."
"Piss off." Utarz brushed his hand off.
Ignoring the last remark, Zen spun him around and snapped, "Listen, jackass! I understand that you're worried for Miara, but need to calm the fuck down, alright?"
Utarz glared at him. "I don't care if you're trying to comfort me or something, but let me tell you something." He leaned into his face. "You don't understand jack shit."
Utarz then stormed off.
Zen sighed, then looked at the camp. Miara's flamethrower was still lying there in the snow.
He walked over to it, picked it up and put it on his back.
Author's notes
And so, the drama begins.
Thank you all for waiting patiently.
Potato.