FAILURE
By Kool Killer
The Unyielding Triumph, Covenant cruiser 8/4/2540 4:43pm
Sael smiled from his ship as he watched the SilverSides explode into a million pieces. The mission was a complete success. All the humans had been wrenched from their inferior ship. There were no deaths or injuries on either side, except for that one sangheilian warrior that was knocked unconscious by the human lieutenant named, Gorden. Sael could not understand why Gorden would stay and fight while he let his brothers flee. If anyone should have stayed behind, it should have been the captain of the ship! Sael was roused from his thoughts when Thel and Rtas entered the bridge. The two shipmasters strode up to Sael with enormous grins on their faces.
"Sael, the humans are ready to begin their journey and join our ranks," Rtas had excitement in his voice.
"How many humans have we acquired?" Sael asked, looking over at Thel.
"Three hundred and forty three humans have been seized," Thel replied in a gratified tone.
"Excellent, let's not keep them waiting," Sael chuckled and stood up from his hover chair. Sael left the bridge with Thel and Rtas. The three shipmasters walked in silence down to the holding cells where the humans were being kept. Sael, Rtas and Thel entered the brig and began to walk down the spacious hallway. Large holding cells were on both sides of the hallway. The cells held many humans, both male and female. All the humans looked like they would make suitable hosts, but, where was Gorden? Sael questioned himself while he scanned the cells. Many of the humans had awakened from the sleeping gas. The humans stared back at Sael with uncertainty and sorrow; they knew they could not escape. Sael smirked at the humans and decided to break the silence. "Why the long faces humans, you should be glad you are alive," Sael words were sarcastic. One human with black hair and light brown eyes stood up and stared back at Sael in defiance.
"Why would you waste your time on us, and since when, has the covenant decided to take human prisoners, Hmm? The human questioned Sael in an annoyed tone. Sael lowered his head and simply smiled at the human.
"You will find out soon enough why we have decided to spare your lives, but I won't ruin the surprise," Sael turned away from the human and looked at Thel and Rats. "This can't be all the humans, where is the lieutenant and the captain? Sael asked, glancing back around at the cells.
"The captain and the lieutenant are in the medical bay," Rtas replied.
"Since they are the highest in rank, we thought that they could be the first ones to join us," Thel added.
"Yes, they shall be the first ones to undergo their transformations, we have to start somewhere," Sael laughed loudly. Most of the humans had heard what Sael had said and looked at each other with worried expressions. The three shipmasters started to walk towards the brig exit. Before they left, they greeted the guards that were standing on either side of the brig doors. Rtas, Thel and Sael left the brig and started to walk to the medical bay. As before, the three shipmasters walked in silence, with the only sound being the echoes of their armored footsteps.
The three sangheili entered the medical bay and closed the door behind themselves. Sael smiled and looked around the medical bay. In the center of the room were two unconscious humans restrained by plasma rings. Both Gorden and Dwain were facing each other, so they would see one another when they woke up. Sael walked over to Gorden and brought his mouth down to Gorden's neck. Sael inhaled deeply, examining Gordens' scent. To Sael, Gorden's scent was pungent and sour, but not for long as he would adopt a new scent, a sangheilian scent.
Sael leaned in close to the sleeping humans and spoke quietly to them. "Humans, it's time to wake up," Both Dwain and Gorden were deaf to Saels' soft words, so he tried something else. Sael lowered his head right next to Gordens and let loose a bellowing roar. Not only did this wake Dwain and Gorden up, it startled an unsuspecting Thel and Rtas as well. Gorden snapped out of his sleep and shouted.
"Whoa! What the fuck was tha…" Gorden stopped in his sentence when he saw Sael grinning two inches from his face. Gorden stared into Saels' green eyes with dread. Gorden looked down at his arms and legs, plasma rings held his limbs tightly. His gear had also been taken and now he was left with only his olive green pants and his black undershirt. Sael placed his right hand over Gordens' right shoulder and spoke into his left ear.
"I hope these restraints are not too tight, don't worry though, they will adjust as your body grows," Sael squeezed Gordens' shoulder, emphasizing his words.
"What?" Gorden questioned, very unnerved by Saels words. Sael chuckled quietly and stood back to his full height.
"I will show you what I am speaking of," Sael left Gordens side and moved over to Dwain. "Greetings, captain Doguard," Sael smirked at Dwain, purposely pronouncing his last name wrong.
"WELL, Shit," Dwain responded, trying to break free from his bindings.
"You are not going to escape these restraints, besides, we have much use for your body," Sael reached for a syringe that was lying on the supply table. Sael held the syringe up to Dwain and showed him its contents. Dwain laughed and shook his head. "What is so funny, captain?" Sael growled in annoyance, growing tired of Dwain's smug attitude.
"What the fuck is that supposed to be, pink food dye?" Dwain's voice was sarcastic as always. Sael smiled wickedly and prepared to plunge the syringe into Dwain's neck, but Thel stopped him.
"Wait Sael!" Thel reached up and placed a hand on Saels shoulder,"
"Yes," Sael answered, looking down at Thel.
"Should we not give him a pain reliever?" Thel questioned.
"THIS ONE!" Sael hissed while he jabbed Dwain in the chest with one of his claws, "Does not get a relief of pain,"
"Are you quite sure?" Thel asked, taking his hand off Saels' shoulder.
"He has disgraced the prophets, so then, he must SUFFER! Sael readied his syringe and plunged it into Dwain's' neck. Dwain flinched as the virus was injected into his jugular. Sael removed the syringe and stood back to watch the show. The virus began to spread through Dwain's veins like a wildfire. Dwain struggled and grunted as the virus continued to spread. Gorden could tell from where he was that Dwain was in a lot of pain. But Dwain refused to scream, he wouldn't give Sael that satisfaction.
"What the HELL was in that SYRINGE!" Gorden yelled at Sael. Sael turned and shot Gorden a ghastly smile, exposing all of his razor sharp fangs.
"You will see, GORDEN," Sael replied menacingly. Gorden looked back at Dwain with concern. Dwain made eye contact with Gorden and he shook his head.
"Oh Gorden, I don't feel so good, I..." Dwain stopped dead in his sentence. His eyes snapped open and he tensed up. Dwain threw his head back and forced out a blood curdling scream. Gorden struggled violently to break free of his restraints to help Dwain.
"Captain! What's wrong?" Gorden yelled, still trying to get out of his restraints. Sael started to laugh at Dwain, his sinister laugh was louder than Dwain's cries of pain. "STOP laughing you SICK FUCK!" Gorden shouted at Sael. Sael whipped his head towards Gorden and walked up to him with haste.
"Can you not see why I am laughing, LOOK AT YOUR FRIEND!" Sael ordered, grabbing Gordens head and forcing him to look at Dwain. Gorden's eyes widened with terror when he saw his captain again. Dwain's body started to change. Dwain's arms grew longer and his pinky fused with his ring finger, giving him a second thumb. Claws ripped out of Dwain's finger tips and his arms started to grow new muscles. Next Dwain's chest started to grow and his shoulders became much broader, tearing his uniform as they grew. The change crept down Dwain's spine and started to rearrange his legs. Dwain's feet changed with his legs forming two towed hooves on both of his feet. Gorden desperately tried to look away from Dwain, but Sael held Gordens head steady with his large hands. Gorden watched the change crawl up to Dwain's mortified face. Gorden closed his eyes when Dwain screamed again, he didn't even sound human anymore. Then, Gorden realized in horror what was happening to Dwain, HE was turning into an ELITE!
It seemed to last forever, Dwain's screams became louder and deeper in tone. Finally, Dwain cried out one last time, his cry sounded more like a roar. Suddenly, Dwain went limp and his head fell down on his big chest. Dwain gasped as his new lungs forced air in and out. A steady stream of saliva trickled down from his mandibles. Dwain's uniform was completely shredded by all of his new large muscles. When Dwain had finished catching his breath, he called out in despair and anguish. Dwain's ominous cry echoed throughout the medical bay, it tore right into Gordens heart and he started to cry as well.
"You bastards, Look what you've DONE!" Sael let go of Gorden's head and stared at the former human captain. Dwain's sorrowful cries no longer made Sael laugh. Sael had wanted to hear a human suffer, not one of his own. Sael reached down and grabbed a syringe that held the pain reliever. He quickly walked up to Dwain and prepared the syringe. Sael gently pushed the syringe into Dwain's thick neck and administered the pain reliever. Sael carefully removed the syringe and set it on the supply table. Dwain's cries died down to whimpers, and soon after he sighed as the drugs took full effect.
Sael carefully lifted Dwain's head and held it up for Gorden to see.
"Gorden," Sael spoke softly. Gorden looked up and stared into Dwains' unaware eyes. Dwains' eye color was now a bright silver compared to the dull color he had when he was still human. His skin had changed also and was now a grayish color. Sael lowered his head and smiled at Dwain. Dwain gazed back at Sael with his eyes half asleep. Sael grabbed Dwain's shoulders and released the bindings that held him. Sael called over to Thel and Rtas. "Shipmasters, won't you take our new brother to the recovery wing," Sael nodded to Dwain.
"Of course," Both Thel and Rtas replied together. They walked up to Sael and took Dwain in their arms. Sael reached down to the supply table and grabbed a syringe that contained the memory suppressant.
"Be sure to give our new warrior this while he sleeps tonight," Sael handed Rtas the syringe filled with the violet liquid.
"It will be done," Thel and Rtas replied as they carried Dwain out of the medical bay. The doors slowly started to close and Gorden watched mournfully as the two elites carried Dwain out, leaving him with Sael. Sael turned and looked at Gorden, who was still crying bitterly.
"Don't feel sad for your friend, he is stronger now," Sael tried to calm Gorden down, it had little effect to help ease his nerves. Gorden looked up at Sael in utter disbelieve.
"Wha.. wh… what did you give him?" Gorden asked solemnly. Sael walked over to Gorden and used one of his large claws to wipe the tears out from under his eyes.
"I," Sael began, but stopped to find the right words, "I gave him a gift, a gift, not even the forerunners could have given him," Saels' words were sincere. Gorden wanted to scream at Sael but he could no longer find his voice so he lowered his head and closed his eyes. Sael stood by Gorden for a couple moments, and then he walked over to the supply table. "Do not worry Gorden, it will only hurt for a little while," Sael said as he grabbed another syringe filled with the clear pink virus. Gorden's head snapped up and his eyes flew open. Gorden watched Sael open the syringe and smirk his way. Sael cut his finger with one of his large claws and let a single drop of purple blood fall into the opening on the syringe. Sael then closed the syringe and shook it lightly, letting his blood mix with the virus. After that, Sael grabbed a syringe that held the pain reliever and walked up to Gorden. Sael put both of the syringes down on the supply table. Sael turned and faced Gorden, eyeing his body up. Sael crossed his arms and smiled as odd thoughts crossed his mind. "Gorden, you are very special, do you know this?" Sael asked while he kneeled, so he would be at Gordens' height. Gorden looked away from Sael in disgust. "You have so much potential, and with my help, you will become our most feared warrior," Sael leaned in closer to Gorden and pondered. Sael ran his claws through Gorden's golden brown hair.
"Don't Touch ME you BEAST!" Gorden shrieked at Sael, which made him retract his hand in surprise.
"Beast?" Sael laughed, "Oh Gorden, soon you will be a BEAST too," Sael grabbed Gorden's left hand and removed his wedding ring.
"HEY!" Gorden shouted, his eyes lit up with fire.
"Oh, is this, special to you," Sael mocked as he put the ring on the supply table next to the syringes. Sael lowered his head and looked Gorden in the eyes. "You have the same eye color as me," Sael stated, admiring Gorden bright green eyes. "Green is a good color," Sael complemented Gorden and looked down at the supply table. Sael grabbed the syringe that contained the pain reliever and brushed it across Gordens' firm neck, this made him shiver. Sael carefully pushed the syringe into Gorden's neck and injected the pain reliever. Gorden tensed up and waited in terror for the transformation to start. Sael laughed when he saw Gordens facial expression. "That was the relief of pain," Saels laugh died down to a chuckle. "This," Sael held the other syringe up to Gordens' face, "Is the virus," Sael squeezed Gorden's right arm and prepared to inject the powerful virus into him.
"WAIT!Wait!wait!" Gorden's pleas made Sael stop, the syringe was just inches away from his arm. Sael looked down at Gorden and asked.
"Why are you afraid of this? It will only make you stronger," Gorden stared at the syringe in fear. Sael once again brought the syringe down to Gorden's arm. "AND NOW, I GIVE YOU MY HONOR!" Sael said his words proudly. Gorden closed his eyes and turned his head. Sael pushed the syringe into Gordens arm and dispensed the virus. Gorden cringed, he could feel a burning pain slowly crawl up his arm. The virus slithered through his chest and crept into his heart. Gordens' heart began to beat irregularly, quickly pumping the virus all throughout his body. Gorden twitched and bared his teeth, it felt like his blood was on fire. Gorden groaned as his insides started to change. It felt as if someone was groping his organs. Gorden continued to struggle and moan in pain as the time flew by, but he still retained his human body. Sael looked at his clock, it had been five units, Gorden should have turned three units ago. Sael walked around Gorden and came up behind him. Sael reached down and squeezed Gordens' abdomen, earning a gasp from him. "Can you feel it, stirring inside of you, it wants to take over, why are you fighting it?" Sael asked in a seductive voice as he wrapped his other hand around Gorden's jaw. Gorden fought the virus for as long as he could, but eventually, it consumed him. Gorden started to scream in anguish. The pain grew worse and worse, almost causing him to throw up. Gorden could feel his bones crunching and growing forming the sangheilian bone structure. Gordens body started to pack on muscle as his transformation continued. Gordens under shirt stretched and tore as his chest and shoulder muscles bulged. Every second seem like an hour for Gorden. By now, Gordens lower body had been replaced with an elite's body and the change was creeping up his neck.
"Noooooooooooooooo!" Gorden shirked, his voice had already taken on a deep tone. Many thoughts raced through Gordens mind as the final changes rearranged his head and face. But one horrid thought keep replying in Gordens mind.
Gorden kicked the door in to his house and walked inside with his plasma sword drawn. He sniffed the air and he could smell fear. Gorden followed the sent down the hall to his bedroom. Gorden could smell the pungent odor of a human on the other side of his bedroom door. Gorden used his strong legs to kick the door in with ease. There standing before him was Samantha, armed with a handgun. However, she only got a few rounds off before Gorden plunged his plasma sword into her gut. She looked up at the monstrous black elite and stared into his green eyes. Samantha let out a soft cry when she realized who the elite was.
"Gorden," Samantha uttered his name before sliding off his plasma sword and falling to the ground in a bloody heap. Gorden laughed darkly at Samantha before he started to look for Austin. Gorden left his bedroom and walked down the hall to Austin's door. Gorden grabbed the door handle to Austin's bedroom and tore it off. Gorden slowly opened the door with one of his large claws. Gorden smiled wickedly when he saw Austin sitting on his bed waiting patiently for his Father. Gorden deactivated his plasma sword and walked up to his son menacingly. Austin looked up at his Father with an innocent smile. Gorden eyes went black as slowly wrapped his hand around his son's neck. Gorden Started to squeeze the life out of Austin slowly. Austin's eyes began to tear up and his smile faded to a terrified frown. Austin started to struggle as he panicked to receive air.
"Dad," Austin called out his Father's name in an attempt to get him to stop. However, this only excited Gorden and he squeezed even harder until he heard Austin's neck snap. Gorden smiled and watched the life leave Austin's eyes as blood started to drip from his mouth. Gorden threw Austin's lifeless body across the room and he landed on the other side of his Bed with a crunch as his delicate little bones shattered. Then all of a sudden, Gorden realized what he had just done. He had just murdered his own flesh and blood, his only son! Gorden snapped out of his horrible thoughts and Guilt flooded his heart.
With one last breath, Gorden forced out his sons' name in a loud cry of torment and misery.
"AUSTIN!" Gorden looked up at the ceiling when he yelled, His eyes were blood shot.
This made Sael wince as he felt a pang of guilt in his hearts not knowing who Austin was to Gorden. After Gorden cried out, his body fell limp while he gasped for air. Tears were streaming down his face and dripping off his mandibles. Gordens skin color had changed from peach to a black color. His muscles had tripled in size, his biceps, shoulders and chest muscles were enormous. As Gorden listened closely he could hear the rhythm of two hearts beating within his chest. Every time Gorden's hearts beat, it sent a throbbing pain throughout his body. But soon, the pain reliever kicked in and quelled Gorden's suffering. Gorden stayed still with his head hung low whining and whimpering quietly in despair.
Sael moved out from behind Gorden and slowly walked in front of him. Sael looked at Gorden with pride and amazement. Gorden looked almost exactly like Sael, except Sael was just a little bit taller and his muscles were more toned. But besides those minor differences, they looked like blood brothers. Sael could not believe the results, he stood still Staring at his new brother. Sael looked around the medical bay to make sure Rtas and Thel had not returned. Then Sael moved closer to Gorden and lifted his head up.
Gorden was still weeping quietly, with his eyes half open. Sael inhaled Gorden's sent again. Now he no longer had the sour pungent smell of a human, but rather, the bold musky sent, that of a sangheili. Sael then did something Gorden did not expect, he leaned in and nuzzled him with affection.
'Hush now, it is over," Saels soft words comforted Gorden and stopped his sorrowful cries. Sael looked into Gorden's bright green eyes and he started to shed tears of joy. Sael compassionately pressed his head against Gorden's and spoke gently to him. "Welcome, to your new family, Brother,"