FAILURE
By Kool Killer
The Unyielding Triumph, Covenant cruiser 8/5/2540 2:07pm
Never ending screams could be heard, echoing through the halls of the Unyielding Triumph. The screams eventually turned into mighty roars. By now, almost all of the humans had undergone their transformations, all except two. One pilot and one corporal were all that remained of the humans.
Sael could see the two humans in their holding cell. One of the humans was feeling the plasma barrier; looking it over with his light brown eyes while scratching his black hair. The other human with sandy blond hair and blue eyes was sitting in the back of the cell, staring at the ground. Sael smiled and looked away from the security camera screen. Sael turned his attention to the two proud shipmasters that had helped him turn almost all of the humans, besides the two he had just been watching. Sael nodded to Rtas and Thel.
"I think it's time for the corporal and the pilot to join our ranks," Sael grinned at Thel and Rtas. Both of the shipmasters smiled wickedly back at Sael, their teeth were glistening with saliva.
"Yes, yes it is," Thel replied, with humor dancing off his words.
"It is cruel to keep the humans waiting Sael," Rtas chuckled and clicked his two mandibles together.
"Come then brothers, let us keep them waiting no longer," Sael stood up from his hover chair and left the bridge with Thel and Rtas following close behind.
James continued to feel the plasma barrier for any weaknesses, but deep down, he knew it was pointless. The only way they would be getting out would be if someone helped them from the other side. But James doubted that the two elite guards at the end of the hall would just stroll over and release them. James huffed and kicked the plasma barrier, after that he turned around. James looked at Blake for a couple seconds, then he took a deep breath and sighed.
"We got to get the fuck out of here man," James said his words casually.
"Yeah, but, what can we do?" Blake answered back, lifting his gaze from the ground to meet James' depressed eyes. The two buddies looked away from each other and pondered. James stared back at the cell entrance. Across from their cell was another that was once filled with service men and women, James shuddered. Even though the screams had stopped, James could still hear their wails of agony replying perfectly inside his mind.
"Fuck it," James cursed out loud. Then he walked over to Blake and sat down next to him.
"What do you think they did to the captain, and Gorden?" Blake asked, unable to look James in the eyes again. James thought about what he would say.
"Well that huge black shark of an elite said they would undergo a transformation, I didn't like the way he laughed about it," James paused and looked over at Blake before continuing. "Those goddamn elites better not have hurt Gorden, or our captain, because if they did, I'm going to kill every last fucking one of them," James breathed out through his nose. He knew his threats were empty. Whatever happened to Gorden and Dwain would soon happen to them too, unless?
James stood up suddenly and walked over to the cell entrance. James leaned to the left of the plasma barrier and made eye contact with both of the elite guards that were on the far side of the large hallway. Both of the guards sneered evilly at James. James slowly backed up and turned around to face Blake.
"What is it James?" Blake asked confused. James was silent for a little bit, then he grinned at Blake.
"I think I know how we can get out of here," James said as his grin turned into a big shit eating smile.
"How?" Blake asked, really confused now.
"Just follow my lead man," James ordered. Then he walked back over to the cell entrance. Blake got up and stayed close behind James. James once again leaned to the left of the plasma barrier and made eye contact with the elite guards at the end of the hallway. James waved at the elites to draw their attention his way. Then he smirked back at them. "How's it going you fucking baby killers?" James hollered their way with his hands near his mouth to amplify the effect. The elites did not respond. Instead, they turned their heads in annoyance. "HEY FUCK FACES! I'm talking to you two RETARDS! Both of the elites snapped their mandibles in frustration.
"SILENCE HUMAN!" the guard on the left shouted right back at James. The guard on the right spoke up too.
"You will hold your FITHLY tongue HUMAN, or we shall wrench it from your unholy mouth!" the elite on the right bellowed. James laughed back at the elites, trying their patients.
"I would like to see you two FAGS try to come over here and do that, YOU SHAMLESS FUCKS! James screamed his challenge at the two elite guards. Both of the elites cocked their heads sideways. Then they started to take large strides down the hall towards James and Blake's cell. The elites were moving more quickly than James would have liked them too.
"What have you done JAMES? Now they're going to kick our ASSES!" Blake voiced his concerns loudly. James looked back and placed a hand on Blake's shoulder.
"No man, it's okay, we can just run past those big fucks," James jerked his head to the cell entrance, signaling Blake to get ready to run. A moment later and the two large elites were standing in front of the cell the two trouble makers were in.
"We shall teach you two humans a stern lesson," One of the guards chuckled while he flexed his big muscles. The other guard was clenching and unclenching his claws.
"Indeed, it would seem your parents had no honor, otherwise they would have raised you better as younglings," The second elite laughed darkly as he started to enter a code into the control panel. A chirp was heard from the control panel, then the plasma barrier deactivated with a swoosh. In the blink of an eye, James and Blake darted out of their cell and sprinted down the hall to the brig exit. Both James and Blake were running as if they had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. The two elite guards roared and chased after the fleeing humans. It didn't take long for the two elite guards to catch up to the escapees.
James and Blake could hear two elites stomping their armored hooves directly behind them. But that was okay, since James and Blake had reached the brig exit. The doors to the brig opened quickly. James and Blake went flying out of the brig. Then they took a sharp right corner. Unfortunately, they were not paying attention to what was in front of them. But instead, they were looking back at the two elite guards that were still in pursuit, snapping their mandibles angrily. James and Blake slammed into a solid object, stopping them dead in their tracks.
They both stumbled backwards thinking they might have hit a wall in their carelessness, but that was not the case. James and Blake looked up in sheer surprise at shipmaster Sael Yersen'ee. Sael was just as surprised as the two little humans. Before they could attempt to run past Sael, he scooped up the two small humans in his massive arms. Sael then pressed the two humans against his muscular chest and shook them violently. Sael was shaking them the way a pit bull would shake a ragdoll. It only took a couple of seconds; James and Blake were incapacitated by Saels' might.
"Well well," Sael chuckled. "If I had known you humans would be so eager to join us," Sael lowered his head and smirked at James and Blake. "I would have come much sooner," Sael growled and gave them both a tight squeeze. James and Blake were both completely stunned and disoriented by Saels excessive force. Sael looked directly at the two sangheili guards that were supposed to keep the two humans in the cell block.
"It is my fault shipmaster, their tongues were wicked, I thought they needed to be punished," The first guard bowed his head in shame. Sael thought about scolding the young guards, but let it go.
"Worry not brothers, they will be punished, and now since there are no more humans to guard, you may retire for the day," Sael smiled at the two guards.
"My eternal thanks shipmaster, you are far too lenient," Both of the guards bowed their heads again then quickly walked away. Sael turned and faced Thel and Rtas with the two humans in hand.
"Let us proceed to the lab brothers, so we may finish what we have started," Sael walked past the two shipmasters, signaling them to follow.
The three shipmasters entered the medical bay with James and Blake. Sael was surprised to see a medical officer standing at attention. The sangheili had light brown skin and amber eyes. He wore standard medical clothes.
"Greetings shipmasters," The medical officer bowed his head respectfully. The three shipmasters bowed their heads as well.
"And who might you be?" Sael questioned the Sangheili.
"My name is Bura Riyane'ee," He gave the three sangheili a friendly smile.
"Yes, now I remember, the prophets sent you to assist us, yes," Sael said happily.
"Indeed brother, I have figured something out that you might be quite pleased with," Bura smiled smugly at the two humans.
"Oh, what have you figured out Bura," Sael asked dropping the humans down to their feet. James and Blake had been so stunned by Sael submissive move earlier that they collapsed on the ground, as their legs gave out. They both lied still, not daring to move a muscle. Bura chuckled at Blake and James before answering Sael's question.
"I have figure out a way to make the sangheili gene altering virus airborne," Bura's mandibles twitched.
"You are joking, are you not?" Sael asked, not believing his ears.
"Indeed I am not Sael, shall we see for ourselves," Bura frowned at the two humans.
"Yes, yes brother, of course!" Sael was getting rather excited. If what Bura says is true, turning humans into superior sangheili would be much more efficient, rather than injecting them one by one.
"Which human would like to try the gas on first?" Bura asked, eyeing both the humans up. Sael reached down and grabbed James by his shirt.
"This one," Sael narrowed his eyes at James.
"Alright Sael, let's get him into the gas chamber," Bura nodded to the decontamination chamber.
"But that is for exterminating viruses, not spreading them," Sael told Bura with a hint of confusion.
"This is true, but I have altered it to work differently, you will see," Bura sighed joyfully. Sael wasted no time; he walked into the chamber and set the corporal down. James tried to get up but he was weakened from Saels attack at the brig. Sael walked back out of the chamber. Bura closed the chamber right after Sael left. Sael moved over to Blake and picked him up, then walked him back to the chamber. Sael set Blake down on his knees and held his head up to the window of the gas chamber. Blake could see James in the chamber; his hands were pressed against the glass. A scared look was present on his face.
"Don't do this to him, it's not right!" Blake yelled at the Evil elites. Sael squeezed Blakes' shoulders then replied back.
"But it is right," Sael laughed deeply. Sael looked over to Bura and nodded. Bura smiled and activated the chamber. Vents opened on all sides and then a clear pink gas was seen filling the chamber. James barred his teeth and held his breath. James was able to hold his breath for a whole two minutes, but finally his body forced him to gasp for air. This was a mistake, James immediately hit the ground and started to convulse. He was on his hands and knees gaging on the gas.
"Get him out of there, Please!" Blake begged Sael as tears began to run down his cheeks.
"But we will miss the show," Sael laughed wickedly. Much to Saels disappointment, the chamber filled up with so much gas that he could no longer see the occupant inside. The screams from the inside of the chamber had ceased, and all was quiet. Sael released his grip on Blake and took a step back. Blake looked back at Sael with the how could you do this look. Sael looked down at Blake and gestured for him to get closer to the chamber. Blake slowly worked his way up to the chamber and tried to see through the gas. Suddenly, a large clawed hand slammed against the window. Blake gave a startled yelp and fell backwards. Then he quickly crawled away.
Bura turned off the gas and began to vent the gas from the chamber. As the gas cleared the figure became more visible. The figure inside the chamber was three times the size of his original form. Finally the all the gas was vented and the door to the chamber opened. What was left in the chamber was not a small human, but a huge sangheili.
"Success," Bura laughed loudly, as Sael, Rtas and Thel joined in. Blake was the only one who was not laughing; he only looked on in dismay. The four sangheili stopped laughing and turned their attention to Blake.
"Would you like to see your friend?" Sael asked Blake. Blake did not answer Sael, but he got up and slowly advanced over to James. Blake looked back at Sael. Sael smiled and gave Blake a waving motion, encouraging him to continue. Blake continued to walk to James. Now Blake stood at the entrance to the gas chamber. James was now a huge elite, his skin was still a light brown color though. James was on his hands and knees breathing heavily. Blake mustered up all the courage he had left and called out to his buddy.
"James?" Blake asked barely above a whisper. James snapped his head up in Blake's direction and stood up immediately. James inhaled deeply letting his chest expand. Then James gave Blake a bone chilling roar. Blake flinched and stepped back. "James, don't you remember me?" The huge elite sprang up to Blake in an instant. Blake was looking into James' bloodshot eyes. His irises still had the light brown color but there was also a hint of gold now. James looked like he was about ready to tear Blake into bloody pieces, until Blake called his name out again. "James," Blake said his name with sorrow. James snarled slightly but relaxed his posture so he was less threating. For just a moment, Blake could have swore that James knew what had happened to himself, but that soon passed. James leaned his snout down to Blake's neck and inhaled his scent. Then James' mandibles twitched and a feral look shot across his eyes. James roared again and pounced on Blake. James flared his mandibles and sunk his fangs into Blake's neck.
Sael flinched in shock and prepared to attack James but Bura stopped him.
"No Sael, do not interfere, He is not killing him," Bura said, smiling sinisterly. Sael looked back at James and was half expecting him to be tearing Blake's throat out, but he wasn't. Instead he was licking Blake's neck attentively, gently lapping up the remaining blood.
"What?" Sael questioned, in bewilderment.
"Humans that are turned by the gas can infect other humans with the virus," Bura finally fessed up to his secretive knowledge.
"Well, uhm, this is quite different from my previous experiments," Sael said as he turned his attention back to James and Blake.
Blake could not remember what exactly had happened. He felt a warm tongue carefully licking his neck. Blake knew this was all wrong, but it felt so good. His whole body was warm and his heart ached with joy, am I high, Blake thought to himself. Blake tried to get up but a large clawed hand held him down gently. Blake opened his eyes and he was met with James' reptilian gaze. With the way James was looking at him, Blake thought he must have been high too. James picked Blake up with caution and held him close in his strong arms. James then turned and looked at the three flabbergasted sangheili, Bura was not fazed though. Bura walked up to James and gave him a welcoming smile.
"Is this your brother, Hmm?" Bura asked James in a peaceful tone. James shook his head up and down, then he growled. His growl slowly turned into a purr. Sael, Rtas and Thel Stood there quietly with the WTF expressions on their faces. Bura knew just what to do. "Come now brother, and lay your friend on this comfortable bed," Bura patted the soft bed. James walked over and placed Blake down on the bed with ease. "And here's your bed," Bura placed his hand on another bed that was right next to Blake's. James nodded appreciatively and lied down too.
Within minutes, both James and Blake were fast asleep. Sael stared at them for the longest time before speaking.
"Bura, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but, why was the corporal so accepting of his transformation?" Sael asked with curiosity.
"Because it was instinctual," Bura replied.
"Hmm, are there any negative side effects when using this gas over injections," Sael clicked his mandibles together.
"The only down fall of using the gas is that the hosts will be more primitive, and less civilized," Bura responded, then continued. "But it is not a problem, with these ones, we can retrain them to pass as ordinary sangheili, but, they will be far from ordinary,"
"Will they require memory suppressants?" as soon as Sael had finished his question Bura shook his head.
"You will not need to use memory suppressants, since for them, it would seem normal, does this make sense?" Sael shook his head in utter confusion.
"No, I'm afraid I do not understand," Sael replied a little embarrassed.
"It is all right, we have all the time we need," Bura responded.
Sael looked back at Blake and he noticed the veins around his neck were starting to turn purple.
"So," Sael said walking up to Blake. "He will turn into a sangheili as well?"
"Yes, but it will take a while, however, these two will share an unbreakable bond," Bura gestured to James and Blake. "Wherever they go they will be able to communicate with each other, it's as you would say, telepathic," Bura smiled.
"We should take a break and continue this conversation tomorrow," Sael said as he yawned.
"Absolutely shipmaster, we are in no rush at all, the prophets are giving us all the time we need," Bura bowed his head then left the medical bay.
"Well shipmasters, I bid you a goodnight," Sael told Rtas and Thel, and then he bowed his head.
"As do we," Thel and Rtas replied, bowing back at Sael. Sael left the medical bay and began to walk to his room. As much excitement as this day had brought, he had still not forgotten about Gorden. Sael reached his room and entered his door code into the reader. Sael stepped inside his quarters and closed the door. Sael immediately went for his bedroom door and opened it. Gordens' massive form was lying on his bed resting peacefully. Sael walked over to him and used one of his large claws to trace Gordens' mandibles.
"You look tired brother, it is something we share in common as of now," Sael yawned again and left Gorden. Sael exited his bedroom and went straight into his living room. Sael walked over to his couch and dropped down on it. Sael didn't bother taking his amour off; he just closed his eyes, and succumbed to slumber.