UNSC Ballista over Flint

August 16, 2558

Three days. Three long days had the Blades chasing the Fel's Imperial Fleet across Flint.

When they had finally started narrowing the pirate's main base somewhere in the remote areas of the colony, they were suddenly attacked in low orbit by several of their new pirate ships, courtesy of Metsker.

They risked running to the equatorial area where shipping traffic could be as notorious as Misrata's infamous gridlock. So instead to reach the mountain range, they crossed over the pole. However even ONI grade sensors would still screw up due to interference. That would seriously hinder any attempt to try and find Vasili, even if he was on Flint. His transmitter had been dark ever since he was on Victoria.

The more Aegis dwelled on him, the darker his fate seemed to be. He just wasn't ready to admit that Vasili could be dead.

"Thinking about your man?"

Trip angrily spun around to face whoever addressed him, the voice was completely right, but he didn't make it seem like it was true. It was more of an irritated face of being disturbed.

"Another time?" Meredith nearly jumped back. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't." He diverted his gaze out the window, watching as the remains of their newest pirate ship victim begin to slowly disintegrate and collect inside the atmosphere.

"Drew told me that you like these." She handed him a glass with a ruby red liquid inside. It was a good guess, Trip didn't particularly like cocktails, but given the things that he had experienced the past days was worthy of a drink. He turned back to Adrian; she probably just came out of the shower. Her hair was slicked back over the fluffy towel that covered her body. Her azure blue eyes were complimented by the fullness of her mouth. Despite him studying her for a full minute, she was more intrigued with his appearance than he was with hers.

When the saw had cut into his armor, he had substantial loss of blood from when the blade had cut through the crystalline layers of his MJOLNIR armor. The shards had caved inward, slicing into his skin. Remarkably, the leg biofoam injectors had managed to halt bleeding for nearly an hour, which helped him stay focused when they tried and failed at Bruce's rescue. At least Bruce was now well done steak and Trip was still alive.

Sofia had patched up his head injury with some medigel and sealed the cut in his leg. All had healed in a rather quick time and his reminder was a nasty long scar running vertically on his left calf.

"I'm sorry about the death glare I just gave." He tilted his head back for a mouthful of the cocktail, savoring the kick that the liquor gave. "I had been lost in my own realm."

"Is his name Vasili?"

"That's correct. One of my best. It's been my wrongdoing that I've been unable to show you my full band of fine humans and elites that serve alongside."

"Elites?"

"Yes, as far as I know we are the only group that operates both human and sangheili troops."

"The vast sophistication is just mind blowing, especially how you run your ship without a hint of stress."

Trip smiled, there was no way he would tell her that he could be stressed and not show it all the time. "So how was your cabin?" He leaned against the wall, "Did you enjoy it?"

Her pupils dilated, a sign that she was very happy. "Are you kidding? My cabin is twice the size of my apartment in Luna. Your food is like that of gods and the atmosphere is like I'm rather on a four star cruise than a war vessel. Don't be surprised if you find the guest cabin's mahogany coffee table or bathroom marble missing."

Both of them chuckled at the statement. Silence descended from both of them as they watched the Ballista power on her thrusters and Drew moved her to the next area for surveillance.

Meredith finally spoke, "So how did you start?"

"Start what?"

"Your Blades gang."

"Once the war against the Covenant had ended, I knew there were going to be increase of conflicts on both sides. The innies were more than happy to resume their bombing plots and refusal to repair ships and the Covenant were already outbreaking in their own civil war. So therefore I started this mercenary group, picking only what the best had to offer. As for the Ballista, we would need a mobile interplanetary headquarters with everything you see on her now."

"So you do this for the money?"

"There's a little bit of a capitalist side in me." Aegis agreed.

"You know your crew thinks the whole universe of you. From what they've told me is that you've turned down quite some enticing missions over the few years you started this group."

"I did." Trip found himself growing distant as he began remembering all the times where he had declined. "I accepted some too. It's satisfying enough about the money. What I'm really after is the pay for doing what's right. Now I'm not saying that everything we do is going to be that way. Over time, we've made some powerful adversaries. We're aware of that. You're only going to get the bigger rewards if you take the bigger risk."

"I see." She pursed her lips, unsure of where to continue.

Luckily he managed to save it, snagging a folder that he had brought with him earlier containing a stack of papers. Handing it over to Adrian, she opened it and looked back with a blank expression on her face.

"Friend of mine in the Flint government recovered a data chip from the remains of Bruce's car. That contains every ship that the pirates seized and transported back to Metsker for scrapping to build their own fleet. I imagine it can also crack a multitude of cases at your Natural Resources bureau. We've tracked some of their work to a private consultant and former insurrectionist squad leader Ryan Weld, who's also been involved in some of Bruce's shady dealings with Fel."

Suddenly Trip got a high of inspiration. He took another piece of paper and scanned through it.

"Mercury."

"Say what now?"

"Mercury." He reached for his comlink, opening a channel. By the time the waiting bar had reached its third rotation, Luke Riley answered. "Hey Riley it's the Commander."

"Hey Commander."

"What are you doing?"

"In my room trying to boost the maximum volume level of my speakers with Danny."

"I'm sure we'll be hearing it tonight. Do me a favor and tell me what metals are compatible with mercury."

"Hold on." Luke went off the line for about thirty seconds before returning. "Mercury can bond with zinc and gold most notably. The practice is frowned upon because of health concerns, but these pirates needing gold wouldn't sound farfetched because zinc's value right now is at its lowest in thirty years."

"Dwell some more on that. Thanks, you can go back to the speakers now."

"So this Weld is mining gold, using mercury and slave labor all provided by the oppression of Bruce's and Nex Fel's empire?"

Trip nodded, draining his drink. "From what I've seen yes."

Meredith's eyes seemed to dance with a slight anger, "So what?"

"With Karl Bruce out of the game and Nex Fel having been discovered, your end of the investigation as an agent is over. Therefore, you have no need to accompany us. I can arrange a shuttle to take you back to Misrata."

"You're joking right?" Meredith's expression changed to an all-out fury. "I've been spending nearly a year trying to track these bastards down. I had to pull many strings at the Rinzon Academy to be onboard and had many friends with me on the Hunter, some whom I've known for years. Don't think for even a moment that I will not be present to see this through. I am coming whether you like it or not. Do anything against me and the CRND will be coming after your ass no matter how good you try to hide. Make your next choice a wise one Mr. Commander of the motherfucking Blades."

For several long seconds their eyes locked, both of their faces inching closer to one another, neither one wanting to back down. Unfortunately, Trip was better trained at staring. He had seen her strength, resolve and now her passion to go through. Had he not been so attracted to her, he would have immediately asked her to join the Blades. Her towel suddenly began unwrapping itself from staying on her body for so long. Luckily for her, his reflexes had reached out, grabbing the end and wrapping it around her back.

"Just so you know." He whispered when their mouths were literally inches away. "I let you come with us. I can't assure your safety."

The Finale has been changed to a future update, most likely the next one.

Thanks for reading and reviewing everyone. You give my writing purpose.