Me: Man, I'm so psyched! I'm using a youtube video of the Halo 3 walkthrough to base pieces of the rest of the story off of, since I don't own the game. But, it, is, AWESOME! The rest of this story will blow your minds!
Rtas: I do not think that is a good thing.
Master Chief: Depends on where you stand on the situation.
Thel: Since when are you two into calm debate?
Rtas and Master Chief: We're not.
Me: YAHOO! I don't own Halo!
Chapter Seventeen
Miranda Keyes stood outside one of the bunk rooms, inwardly debating whether or not to knock. The room was being occupied by a young boy, but he claimed to be Hyak 'Vadam, the Human Elite. At least, that was what she had learned around the base in East Africa.
She decided finally, and rapped on the door with her knuckles, sighing inwardly. On most circumstances, she wouldn't go to the bunk of anyone except herself. But, Hyak was different. He'd been raised by the elites, like the Arbiter, but was still human. That made him, not just special, but unique.
The commander could hear bed sheets rustle inside the room, and the door slid open. She'd been suspecting an averagely sized boy, but instead, a young man that was taller than herself stood in the doorway, crouching slightly. He eyed her suspiciously before stepping aside to allow her in.
"So who should I be thanking for coming to my room? You certainly don't look familiar," Hyak growled, bearing a faint accent that reminded her of the Arbiter and several of the other elites in the base.
"I am Commander Miranda Keyes. I believe that is equal to a ship master for the ranking system the elites have."
Miranda was caught off guard as Hyak crouched down and took a whiff of the air around her. His pupils narrowed to slits, and his icy irises tured venomous yellow as his body tensed visibly, even in the loose clothing he wore.
"You smell of my father. Does that mean he is here, Commander Miranda Keyes?" Th vemon in his eyes carried into his voice. Miranda blinked in confusion, but reminded herself that the over grown teen before her had been raised from a very young age by the Covenant. Obviously, someone had to act as a parent figure.
"He may be. A number of the elites are in the base at the moment." She couldn't help but feel disgusting, knowing the scent of the elites still lingered on her. She had cleaned herself several times in the past twenty four hours since her Pelican had landed.
Hyak nodded, and opened the door once more, crouching to pass through. Miranada stepped out behind him. He simply grunted and abandoned her, heading down the hall. Th commander watched as he left her, keeping an eye on him until he passed around a corner, and lost sight of him.
He certainly held himself like one of the elites.
Gilc laughed with two of the Sangheili that had arrived the previous day. A bottle of human liquor was in his hand, similar bottles in the hands of the others.
"And then, he cut the guy to pieces!" The elite, a former member of the Honor Guard, despite still wearing the glowing orange armor, banged a fist on the bar, laughing at his finished joke. Gilc snorted in laughter, taking a swig of the liquor as he did.
One of the Sangheili in red armor, who was apparently known as Cada 'Shoon, nudged Gilc with his elbow. "Hey, kid, you got anything to say? I heard you know that 'Vadam boy. The Human Elite." Cada howled in laughter. "Where do the insects get names like that? It's hysterical!"
"Yeah, I know him. But he actually deserves the title. He's still a Shipmaster, which is a higher rank than us both. First mission, he was with some of the Honor Guard to protect Regret."
"Lot of good that did," the former Honor Guard, N'Sao Be, grunted. "Some of the best were sent, and all got killed, including Regret. Though, I bet Regret did something to make the FOrerunners strike him through the demon." His sentence was slurred together, and he was wobbling in his seat. "My own blood brother was on that group. Honestly, I think he was a fool to leave and die in such a foolish fashion under a new Shipmaster's command."
It was at that moment that the Arbiter entered the large cafeteria, speaking in English with Admiral Hood. Gilc put a hand on both N'Sao and Cada's sholders, silencing them. Hyak had arrived about fifteen minutes before, and was luckily not looking, instead sitting and speaking with Rose in a far corner, alone but watched.
"I agree that this alliance is necessary," Hood said. "It'll give both the elites and we humans the edge to survive, and possibly win, this war."
"Then it is settled. My warriors will fight at the side of yours. I hope that luck is on our side."
Cada muttered something about alliances, and N'Sao looked ready to punch the younger Sangheili. Gilc ignored them, looking over to Hyak. The human elite had looked up and seen his father, and Rose was attempting to distract him. Thel 'Vadam looked over, and the eyes of father and son met once more. Gilc swallowed hard, remembering how Rose had told him that Hyak had kissed her.
In Sangheili culture, even after joining the Covenant, Sangheili were not to make any intimate notions, of any degree from simple touches to the highest degree of union, until they were of an adult age, seventeen. Hyak had several months to go, and had left the boundaries of Sangheili tradition. Gilc swallowed again, not wanting to think of the punishment.
Thel muttered a farewell to Hood and moved pass the bar where some of his warriors, including his former apprentice, Gilc, were sitting down with liquor. He had to sidestep several humans, but made his way to the back corner where Hyak and Rose were.
The Human Elite looked up at his father, and Thel sat beside him, fingers interlocked. Rose's eyes switched between the two in silent confusion.
"You are well, I take it," Hyak muttered.
"Yes, and I might say the same of you." The Arbiter rested a hand upon his adoptive son's shoulder, the slight weight causing Hyak to bend down. He winced visibly, and the hand was removed. "It seems not."
"The traitorous Orion attempted to kill me. I may not be well until he is gone." Thel nodded, understanding perfectly.
They stayed silent for several moments, listening to the chatter around them. Rose sighed, leaning forward.
"For all it's worth, I'll leave the two of you be." She got up and left the cafeteria, leaving the 'Vadam duo in an awkward silence. Hyak looked to his father, slightly concerned of something. He hid it well, but Thel knew something was coming.
He tilted back, his head tipping to the side in his usual questioning manner that had rubbed off onto Hyak. It was a wordless question, and Hyak took a deep breath, steadying his mind to form a sentence.
"Father, do you remember what you taught me of contact with another at, an emotional level?"
"You were young, but I do recall that. You can enter such situations in a few months." Hyak looked down with only his eyes, letting the silence stay for a few seconds before speaking again.
"I feel like I've broken such a code." Thel raised an eye ridge, jaws spreading slightly. "Father, what I did is called a kiss amongst the humans. I've seen several displays of the affection, and-"
"Who was it that you were with?" Hyak blinked in surprise, seeing as his father had gone straight to the point. As the new Arbiter, Thel had always been cryptic, and was evn more so.
"It was Rose..." Thel nodded, jaws shuting as he stood. He left the room the same way Rose had, and Hyak couldn't help but feel a pit in his stomache, sensing that the older male was far past dissappointment with him.
Me: Oh dear. This should be an interesting way for the next chapter to start.
Thel: ...
Rtas: Not how I would be taking it.
Master Chief: Sure, clover face.
Rtas: DO NOT INSULT ME, DEMON!