Ch. 18 Siege of the Keep

It's time for everyone's favorite couple! What might happen as they storm the Keep of their adversaries? You will just have to read and find out.

This story is still barely hanging on to 3rd in the favorite story poll so if you love it then show it some support. Yes, it's a shameless self-promotion XD.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters are copyright of 343 and Bungie.

The Arbiter stood near the front of her side with a look of determination and confidence as she stared at the foreboding stone walls of the Keep in front of her. As she stared the walls down she remembered that this was the same place the killed her mother and those were the very doors that she walked through to get to this cesspool of a Keep. The mere thought of it infuriated her to no end.

"We are in position Arbiter, by your orders." Rtas 'Vadumee responded into her comm. "Let's wipe this Keep off the face of Sangheilios."

"Gladly brother." The Arbiter replied he spit at the Keep. "When you hear the explosions then you may commence your attack."

"Acknowledged." she heard before the comm went silent. "Are the humans in position?"

"Ready and waiting Arbiter." A technician replied as he broadcast an all clear signal. "Charges set."

"Bring these eye sores down." Was all she said before explosions filled the air and the sound of gunfire echoed around the area. The humans had engaged their end and Kela and Rtas had down the same but now it was her turn. With a loud roar she commanded her troops forward as the walls crumbled and plasma fire scorched the ground at her feet. 'For our future, we will win this.'

-With Kela-

"I want those turrets off that wall!" Falo shouted as his soldiers took up the Fuel Rod Cannons and began to fire. Those Plasma turrets had become a nuisance to him and he wanted nothing more than to see them burned.

"Father, I could've handled this...you didn't have to be here." Kela said as Falo snorted.

"And miss out on the fun? I think not." Falo replied as he watched in glee when the turrets exploded in a flash of green light. "Being here gets the old blood pumping again."

"Father, you haven't been on a battle field in 3 decades." Kela explained to no avail.

"What better time to refresh one's skill then." Falo responded cheerfully as he strolled into the Keep with his sword at the ready and his White armor gleaming in the sun. It wasn't long before he was engaged by a defender that swiftly lost his head as Falo moved with the speed and skill of an elite Spec Ops leader. "Face me if you dare but know that it was the Assassin of Phalanx that took you to your death!" he bellowed out as he rushed forward.

"If he's like this then why did he suddenly quit the Covenant?" Kela questioned as she watched her father cut loose.

"He butted heads with the Prophets on more than one occasion. The official reason was he retired but the actual reason was the Prophets told him in no easy way to leave the Covenant." She was told by one of her fathers war buddies. "Most of the warriors you see here are ones that followed him when he was leaving."

"You were more loyal to him than the Covenant?" Kela asked curiously as she dodged a plasma bolt and fired back, striking a defender in the head.

"Yes we were and we do not regret it." She was told as she looked back as her father had quite a few bodies around him and his white armor was stained with purple blood.

"Is that why he became outspoken about Humanity?" she asked as she fired at another defender.

"One of the reasons but yes." She was told as she sighed before charging into the fray.

-With The Chief-

The last of the defender on the training grounds fell as the UNSC soldiers poured into the grounds. Only a few defenders surrendered and the rest chose to fight until they dead but no humans died. "They weren't prepared for this kind of attack." The Chief remarked as the soldiers began to set up a defense point.

"The Arbiter's forces have broken through the front and the Vadumee are slowly but surely pushing in from the rear. The Mesumaa report no casualties and the enemy is fleeing into the Keep." A Tech Sergeant reported as the Chief stared at the fortress-like Keep. Somewhere in it's depths was Selmon but getting to him is going to be difficult.

"Can you track the bug?" he asked calmly as the Tech Sergeant stared back at the pad in his hand.

"It's near the center of the Keep but I don't know if it's still on him or not. If the Intel on him is good then he should've discovered it a while ago." The Tech Sergeant replied as the Chief returned his gaze to the Keep.

"Alright, Chief take Bravo and get our "friend", we'll hold this area as an exfil point when you find him." Hood ordered as the Chief gave a curt nod before motioning for Bravo to follow him.

"Working with a legend then huh?" A Spartan asked curiously as the Chief shrugged.

"I don't deal in legends." The Chief replied as he led the team into the building.

"So are we gong to find your wife?" Another asked with a bit of humor.

"We are here to complete our objective, nothing more." The Chief replied dismissively but he honestly wouldn't mind fighting beside the Arbiter in this. Who else could match up to him blow for blow and kill by kill?

-With The Arbiter-

"Where is our quarry?" The Arbiter asked calmly as she walked through the halls with her footsteps echoing. "I grow tired of this goose chase." she finished as she effortlessly cut through another ambusher.

"They lie in the inner most chamber. No doubt surrounded by the hardest fighters they have and we know who that includes." One of her Lieutenants replied as she snarled.

"I relish the chance to end that waste of life." she said angrily as she continued through the maze of hallways. "The humans have set up a defense point to the West in the training yard, send part of our forces to assist them. When the fireworks start, that is where we want them to be pushed."

"By your will Arbiter." Was the reply before he walked back to relay her orders.

"The rest of you, fan out in teams of four and capture any who oppose you if they refuse then kill them." she ordered as the rest hurried to follow her orders. As she was about to enter another room she heard the sound of gunfire down the hall and gave a very happy growl before she took off down the hall.

-With the Chief-

"Ambush left, Bravo 2 and 4 flank right and cut them off!" The Chief ordered as he ducked behind a wall. The Chief expected some resistance but apparently they had been building up their forces in the last few days. They had hired more mercs than was previously thought and the ones outside were just the first wave and when they stepped into the main hall they were ambushed by a large platoon.

"Chief more above!" Cortana said as more Sangheili came in from upper level.

"Suppressive fire, give 2 and 4 cover!" The Chief ordered as his split team fired back while covering their own. They were being overwhelmed before one of the mercs suddenly found a sword in their gut and another found the same thing.

"Where's-" Another started before they were cut down and the confusion gave way to the Arbiter uncloaking from her place.

"What happened to the fearless warrior that I married? Did you lose your edge?" she asked curiously as the Chief bristled. "Couldn't even handle a few fighters, I'm shocked."

"I got sidetracked by wondering if you were going to be able to handle this." he shot back and it was the Arbiter's turn to bristle.

"Are you calling me weak?" she asked in a dangerously low voice.

"Uh Chief...you might want to stop." Cortana warned but the Chief smirked behind his helmet.

"I guess I am." he replied calmly as she shook in anger.

"I'LL SHOW YOU WEAK!" she shouted before rushing at the nearest enemy.

"You did that on purpose didn't you." Cortana accused as the Chief gave a small chuckle.

"It was totally worth it." he replied as he watched her go into the same frenzy she displayed the previous day at her wedding.

Maybe this life wouldn't be so bad after all.

And we will end the chapter here due to time constraints. Sorry but I was in Clearwater the whole weekend for mother's day. My sis and I got her a weekend vacation and the good news is I'm not sun burnt but they are XD.

I know that there wasn't a whole lot of action here but that's for the next chapter when the two newlyweds confront their respective enemies and yes they will be back-to-back in it so stay tuned!

Read and review and I will see you all next time!