Chapter edited 10/29/2016
Hello all! I am back from a much needed vacation and I was flooded with reviews upon logging on again. My apologies for this chapter taking a while. Special thanks to creamofwheat2311 and My-Wunderwaffle-iz-missin for allowing usage of passage and help with descriptions of the 'Talam family estate. All his material is his but characters created by me are my own. Many thanks to the reviews and readers! Let's get started with a few!
noblenoisii, wellhaithar: Thanks for your input and reading :)
Themwafflez: well, I kinda need to finish this book before I tell you more. Yes, Del Rio is a pretty big antagonist he really just makes me mad. He may have been justified but still...
Pocketfullofsprs:
Less curb stomping granted
Guest:All right Holy cow. Chill. This will try to stick to cannon. More to Star Wars than Halo but it will eventually split.
Uhmmm.
I think I will try to incorporate some of the Clone War's plots. Like Darth Maul coming back, etc. As for Pre Vizla? Yes. Mandalorian's will make appearance more details to come in future.
I really am going to explore tensions between the two sides. This is a fantastic thing to explore. Your comment about 'Nam? Uhh... okay. I get where you're going at. Freelancers? Hmm. Haven't thought about that one. Thanks for the suggestions. My explanation for the force will come next chapter, the UNSC did it once before, it will have to figure out how to do it again.
And without further ado,
Chapter Six:
Slipspace:
Marathon Class Cruiser Istanbul, enroute to Joint Human/Sangheili Colony Eudemon:
November 4th, 2559 21:00 hours
"We're at war again. What else is new?" William grumped as he and Ripa walked through the stark gray corridors of the Istanbul headed for one of the hangars to take a Pelican down to the surface once they transitioned out of slipspace. "I get the logic
"Well there are many potential reasons. Avenging our lost brothers? Putting on a show for the other humans?"
"You know what I mean. The question was rhetorical Ripa." Will replied in Sangheili. "It's not like we don't have enough problems in our galaxy."
"We don't?" Ripa asked.
"Your sarcasm is noted. You need to stop reading Twain." Will said cracking a smile. "But seriously, consider the fact we're already in the middle of a conflict with Jul 'Mdama's forces, the insurrectionist movement has sprung up again, and other Covenant Splinter Factions are trying to vie for the position of top dog. How are we not spreading ourselves too thin?"
"We most likely are. But any choice our superiors make I would hope have some measure of logic to them. This is probably more a show of force than anything else to discourage the Confederacy from attacking us anymore. What's not to say that the Confederacy wouldn't set its sights on any of our worlds? I feel honored, actually, to be able to take part in this conflict against this Separatist faction. From my understanding, they've committed terrible crimes against other humans and species almost as heinous as what my race did to yours a few years ago when we were blinded by the Prophets."
"True. Ridding a galaxy of a tyrant wouldn't be terrible."
"Your words speak truth. By fighting we will end the existence and rule of a tyrant. What's wrong about-" He stopped and turned towards him. "Why are you so distracted?"
William had stopped walking and was contemplating. "There's something about this ship, the Istanbul--". He stopped.
Far ahead of him a group of ODST's turned the corner and stopped. Standing on the other side was an ODST with his helmet held loosely to the side. His hair was a lighter shade of brown than Will's.
"Family." Was all William whispered as the ODST's caught sight of the two of them. The majority of them stiffened when they saw the Elite but one ODST relaxed and snapped to a salute at the sight of the two warriors.
"Evening Spartan…Warrior…er Operative?" he said looked Ripa over.
"Brother would be appropriate." Ripa said casting a glance at Will and providing the ODST a term to use. "After all, are we not all on the same side?"
Some of the ODST's exchanged glances and exchanged a few mumbled comments among them. William had a good idea about what they were saying but he pretended like he didn't notice. A few of them still maintained an aura of quiet hostility but greeted William in Ripa in a similar manner like the first.
"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up soon." The first ODST said.
Their Sergeant gave a grunt and they moved on.
"Well…fancy seeing you two here." The ODST said. "I have seen you before…right?" he added unsure of his previous statement.
"Indeed you have."
"Well then I stand by my words. It is nice of you two to show up." The ODST finished.
"How are you doing Corporal Gunther?" William asked simply bailing out the ODST.
"I'm good Spartan. Angel as you can see is stationed on board right now, we're to be deployed with the rest of the fleet once we're gathered. How long has it been since we last met?"
"Too long." Was all William said beneath the helmet.
"You know, I still don't think I've given you a proper thank you for saving our lives the first dozen times we've ran into each other.
"It's just what we do. Nothing to thank us for."
He turned to Ripa and cocked his head to one side almost jokingly and said, "You and Ripa must be quite glad to be off that planet huh."
Ripa gave a quiet snarl in response.
"No," Ripa shook his head looking down at the ODST. "It was something I would never wish another to experience. That was a slaughter of terrible proportions. Those abominations were almost the death of the two of us."
The ODST immediately sobered up.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"It's fine Corporal. It made for one heck of a tale though." William said trying to diffuse the sudden tension. "Where are the Jedi right now?" he asked.
"If they aren't answering questions about their galaxy, they're probably sparring somewhere. the ODST answered after a second of thought.
"Sparring?"
"Probably using those swords that they all possess." said Will remembering their trademark blades in action. "Here's what's getting me, the Jedi, the one named Ahsoka, showed me some of the telekinetic powers that they all, the Jedi, possess. If you think about the other implications and things they could do with it, a Mal-practitioner or 'Sith' as they call them could easily wipe out a platoon without much effort. We really don't know how to fight it either. This almost seems unfair that Andromedians have this advantage."
Still. "It's kind of cool if you think about it." the ODST admitted.
"Cool or not it needs to be considered." replied Ripa.
"I'm heading to the Hangar. Corporal. You can join if you want. Although I'm sure your squad wouldn't want you 'fraternizing with the freakshow'" Will said turning away.
"Yeah. I'm sorry about that. They respect you and all for saving us, but old habits die hard you know. I'll see you around I guess.." the Corporal uttered a word of good-bye and left.
He turned and walked away. Ripa joined him from behind. As soon as they were out of earshot Ripa suddenly faced him.
"Why don't you tell your brother who you are?!" questioned the Elite angrily.
Will stopped and sighed.
"Are we really going to cover this again?" he asked.
Ripa's expression gave him that answer.
"You might as well...what do you humans say, give your spiel?" Ripa added after a moment. "I don't think you've ever told me the full tale."
"Fine then." William paused and then continued.
"I was separated from my family on a colonized world that was suddenly attacked by the Covenant. I was found by ONI agents, and the spooks at told me my family was dead. Trying to cross-reference who was actually dead and who was alive was an impossible task in the immediate aftermath, but I figured that if it was ONI, they might be telling the truth. Pretty naive of me. In hindsight it was a lie to get me into the program but it worked. I found out much later after I ran into Corporal Gunther on Reach that he and my other brother promised to each other after that day that so long as I was declared MIA from the roster of those civilians that were missing parents and family they wouldn't stop protecting the Earth and her colonies from threats like the Covenant. The armed services made them much better people than they were before. My going missing was a good thing."
"So what's stopping you from coming clear now?"
"I don't know how serious the repercussions would be among my family if I were suddenly revealed to be alive. If they knew the person I have been molded by the war to be I'm not sure they would accept me anymore. How could they accept the entire list of things I have had to do? There are way too many things that I've done that could easily turn my family against me, shatter that image they all had! And what then?"
The Elite crossed his arm and stared at the Spartan.
"But much could've changed other than that over time or they could accept you at face-value. I have no clue as well Demon." replied Ripa. William noticed how he had refrained from using the term brother.
Will sighed and turning to face him again and stopped. Ripa seemed to have a change of heart. His posture relaxed and he gave him a look that equated to sympathy.
"I'm sorry brother. I wish you could face up to that fear honorably." said Ripa neutrally. "Demon." Ripa said switching to his native Sangheili tongue. "This is the last I will say on the subject for now on the subject of your brother. You my brother are a skilled combatant, a terrific and terrifying warrior for any enemy to face, a bringer of Justice to the oppressed and most importantly to me, my friend. You have seen the worst our races have to offer and beaten that off. Yet…you can't bring upon yourself to confront your own issues and solve them? My goal is not to inflame you. Just… to make you see. You can't hide forever. Sooner or later those Ghosts will haunt you. It's better that you just get it over with, how and why is up to you. That is all I wish to say. Do you…understand?"
"I do. And when I feel comfortable, I will do so. Let's the change the subject." Will answered.
An awkward pause stiffled both of them from saying anything.
So, Eudemon huh?" William managed.
"Eudemon." Ripa repeated.
Eudemon was a satellite moon that orbited a massive blue gas giant. There were two other moons that shared the planet but neither were suitable for colonization and instead contained some small scale mining operations and prisons. Eudemon, the largest of the three, had required relatively little effort to terraform and colonize. It was considered a Border colony, not far enough out to be considered an Outer Colony but calling an Inner Colony was pushing it. During the Covenant's genocidal campaign, it had been detected by spies, but the Hierarch's decided that because it lacked any Forerunner artifacts and because it was relatively out of the way, it would be more worth the effort to bypass it and come back to glass it later. Fortunately for the colony, later never happened with the end of the war.
In the reconstruction immediately after Eudemon experienced a major economic boom as companies sought a place to put their Headquarters in a place that had relatively escaped harm. In the last five years it had attracted companies like BXR Mining Corporatiom, Acheron Security, and Chalybs Defense Solutions. The UNSC had begun taking a vested interest in the Colony last January and was starting to build up infrastructure to support a mid-sized garrison and a resupply station that could supply a fleet. That was their current destination.
It had also attracted the attention of the Sangheili, a point which almost caused a war last year. A few years ago after the war ended, the Governor of the planet had allowed some Sangheili settlers to settle in relatively unoccupied areas of the planet that were relatively close to a few human cities. There were currently five Sangheili states one of which was governed by Ripa's younger brother, Kaidon Akuo 'Talam. The human colonists with the war fresh in their mind had wanted no Sangheili. The colony as a result had its peace marred by several acts of violence and retaliation on both sides that rivaled events on Insurrectionist Colonies like Mamore.
Last year the violence came to a critical conjecture. Ash Covalus, leader of Covalus Security, a formerly major firm that specialized in electronic and cyber security, had nearly succeeded with a plan that would have destroyed the Sangheili from off the planet. At the same time the 'Vahkai, a radical Sangheili organization similar to the Knights Templar in human history, had been building up on the planet Imbel Alpha One with the goal of driving the humans from Eudemon.
Both sides had been stopped by the timely intervention of the Strike Blades, a Mercenary Special Forces group that had uncovered the plot and brought peace and stability to the planet. The planet was undergoing minor reconstruction as a result of a WMD attack but all things considered, life was pretty decent for most on the planet.
"It has been too long since I have seen my brother Akuo. I wonder how being the Kaidon is treating him. I've also been thinking about revisiting the forge and forging myself a new blade."
Will eyed Ripa's current weapon which was held on his right side by magnetic clamps. The crest of the 'Talam clan reflected underneath the bright halogen lights.
"Something wrong with your current weapon?"
"No, to the contrary, it performed admirably when we were stuck on that frozen rock. You will recall from your education on our ways that although our Clan holds less influence and territory than others, we are respected because of the quality of bladework and swordsman that leave our territory. The secrets with which we have forged have always been a closely kept secret and are entrusted to only a few. There are many including the Merchants of Qikost that have long sought after our secrets in the forges and the vault where many of our ancestors and their swords are buried."
"So why make a new one?"
All swordsmen are required before we leave our homes to fabricate a blade of our own that will set us apart from all others around us. It is tradition, although not required, to forge another blade that will share in all the experiences that the swordsmen will offer. Some of us reforge the blade, others craft a new one that replaces it entirely. I think I will make an additional blade just in case this one meets an early end. When I made this blade," he patted the sword, "I was slightly hasty and the finished product looks more like a Qikost blade than not. I kept though to remind myself never to be too hasty. You should see a true 'Talam blade though, it is something else."
"How long will it take?"
"If I remember the skills as well as I learned them, not too long. Certainly before we are ready to depart."
"Are you sure about me accompanying you to the banquet?"
"Yes. The Kaidon insisted you and your fellow sister come and dine with us as an honored guest. You are part of the family after all." He said gesturing to the Sangheili hands clutching the crossed energy swords on his shoulder plate.
"Then I suppose we'll both have to keep you out of trouble."
Ripa chuckled. "I've found that misfortune always has a way of making itself an intimate part of one's existence despite whatever preparations you may make."
The two of them walked into the hangar and were greeted with a large crowd.
"What's going on?" Will asked.
"A demonstration of lightsaber combat." Will turned to see Chelsea standing on a crate watching with an eagle eye. She greeted Ripa and continued watching.
"Oh. By the way, we've been invited to dinner."
"Where?
"'Talam Keep."
"Oh." Will could tell she wasn't too happy with that option.
Will and Ripa gradually pushed their way through to see Masters Kenobi and Skywalker engaged in a duel. Whether for sport or practice he didn't know.
Kenobi had his back to a stack of empty fuel barrels and was meeting Anakin's strikes evenly.
"Come on Master. You're getting yourself in way too many corners these days."
"Oh do you?"
With a sudden surge of invisible energy he ducked underneath a swing and jumped ten, twelve feet in the air, flipped, and threw out his hand sending Anakin into the barrels and flying beyond.
The crowd let out a collective cheer as Anakin picked himself and sheathed his lightsaber signaling the end of the match. There was the sound of credits being exchanged and voices clamoring for a rematch.
"It would appear you still have much to learn." Kenobi said with a trace of a grin.
"You win." Anakin said throwing up his hands. "Just don't send me into a barrel that hard again." He grunted massaging his head.
"Go on! Practice is dismissed!" Kenobi said as he put his arm over Skywalker.
The crowd began dispersing slowly in other directions.
"That jump was impressive." Will said breaking through and walking up.
"Oh, well I have the Force to thank for that." Kenobi said meekly dropping his arm. "Really, you ought to see Anakin sometimes or any one of the other Masters."
"Obi-Wan is being modest." Anakin interrupted.
"And you're forgetting your training. I don't think you would have appreciated Ahsoka seeing that one."
"Hey Skyguy."
They all turned to see Ahsoka walking towards them.
"Really?" Anakin asked annoyed.
"Your timing is impeccable Padawan." Obi-Wan cast a humorous smile at Anakin.
"Thanks. I made it a point of not being late like this guy. What were you saying Obi-Wan something about not seeing something?"
"Can we stop talking about me?" Anakin asked quickly.
"I would like to challenge you." Ripa put in before anybody could say something.
Anakin breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"I don't know. You want to take that one Anakin?" Obi-Wan quipped.
"Hey. I'm the one who got shoved in the barrels. I've had enough for a day."
"Alright. I crossed the line. We should probably pick up the mess we made."
They both turned and wave a gesture of their hands and the barrels were returned to their original place.
"I would like the honor of facing off against you." Ripa said turning to Obi-Wan.
"I suppose another sparring wouldn't hurt." Obi-Wan acquiesced after a moment of thought. "Rules?"
"No killing, maiming, scarring, or shoving into barrels." Ripa said with a grin.
"If you insist." Said Obi-Wan.
They all backed up a few paces and Ripa and Obi-Wan moved to a large red rectangle on the floor which normally would have contained a Pelican. The Pelican was currently hanging above them on a maintenance rack high above.
A couple people who hadn't yet left had reformed into the crowd and started taking on bets.
Master Kenobi unclipped his lightsaber and the lightsaber flared to life with a whoosh of blue plasma.
Ripa turned around from his end of the rectangle, drew the hilt of his own blade. With a snap-hiss two ghostly white blue bars of energy were ignited.
"Always looking to test himself huh?" Chelsea marching up to him from behind.
"Should be educational. I'm not quite sure what to expect."
"Your move?" Kenobi asked saluting with his blade.
Ripa nodded and moved forwards methodically. They exchanged one strike together testing the blades before the two of them backed up. Ripa took a step back and then was suddenly on top of Kenobi with a few huge strides. Their blades collided with a flair of heat and light creating a sound that rattled William's senses slightly as the ghostly hiss of the sword and the crackling of the saber mixed.
Kenobi feinted a strike and Ripa was put on the defensive for the moment as Kenobi's strike met against the blade. It was soon obvious that the differences in the blades were held gave Ripa an advantage in offensive combat while Kenobi's saber was more suited to a slightly more defensive role.
"Do all of his kind have swords?" Anakin asked curiously as he and Ahsoka joined the two Spartans.
"No, only the swordsmen are allowed to wield the blades." Will said.
He noticed Ahsoka's confusion.
"It's sort of like how only Jedi can wield the lightsaber I guess." He added.
They sprang back before Ripa launched a heated offensive striking at Kenobi from a variety of angles at various speeds designed to throw off the opponent. The Jedi leaped backwards before flipping again and bringing his sword down in a vertical cleave. Ripa was forced to disengage as the lightaber skittered dangerously close to him.
William noticed that Ripa had noticed something. Whether it was Obi-Wan himself or his blade, he had no idea.
As the two started becoming more and more engrossed in the battle, giving ground, taking ground, feinting, slashing, William noticed that Kenobi had a fighting style that seemed to be very oriented in economy of motion with the exception of the acrobatics he demonstrated just moments earlier. Kenobi seemed to begin to focus more on a defensive long term strategy moving his blade every second to counter Ripa's many attempts to breach his defense.
Ripa shifted and allowed Kenobi to venture out of his shell slightly and engage him. The two broke apart for a second, and then engaged the combat. For another minute it carried on on until Ripa suddenly rolled directly underneath Kenobi's blade forcing the Jedi Master to spring back. He was forced to meet Ripa's slash by raising his blade to counter.
In a brilliant move on Ripa's part he threw the blade up in the air, caught it with his other hand, and caught Kenobi's blade between the tines of his sword. With a twist of his wrist the lightsaber went skittering out of Kenobi's grasp. Kenobi tried pushing Anakin in a similar manner but Ripa was only shoved backwards slightly.
"Did his Force Push just fail?" asked Ahsoka.
Obi-Wan suddenly waved and a roar went up from behind them as a previously larger unobserved crowd of Marines cheered for the Sangheili.
Ripa deactivated his blade and nodded towards Kenobi.
"Thank you. I enjoyed that match. Your defensive technique is superb. I wouldn't mind learning it for myself one day."
"I'm afraid you'll need a mentor better than I." Kenobi give a wry grin. "After all you did just beat me."
"Only by utilizing the twin blades. I nearly lost trying to get you to repeat an upwards slice."
"I am interested in one thing. May I try something?"
"Go ahead."
Obi-Wan reached out and extended his arm and Ripa gradually began to lift a few inches off the ground.
He stopped and Ripa touched the metal deck of the ship again.
"Odd. Normally you would have been suspended a good four feet in the air."
"Interesting." Ripa murmured.
"Attention all hands, we are transitioning out of Slipspace in one minute. Please standby for transition." The ship's AI announced.
A moment later.
"Would the Jedi Masters please report to the Captain's Quarters?"
"Duty calls. I guess we're not done yet with your authorities." Anakin said after moment.
"Master Jedaiis." Ripa said pronouncing the word with some difficulty. "If you have a moment, would you like to accompany us plane tside? You should at least have a chance to see a human city and I'm sure my brother would appreciate hosting several more guests."
"If we have time we would be honored. What do you think Anakin?"
"Why not. Probably won't get a chance for a long time. Come on Snips."
"Just have this ship send a message to 'Talam Keep. We'll send a ship to pick you up."
They acknowledged and the three of them turned away and began walking away.
"Well," said Chelsea getting to her feet break. "It's been nice talking to you all but I really need to get into my armor."
"Oh no you don't." Will said rounding on her.
Chelsea froze. "Castle Lead, I'm just going to grab my armor…"
"For a trip planet side? Your bodysuit should protect you from most small caliber weapons and we're not going into a War Zone."
"But you never know when the keep could come under attack!"
"The Kaidon made a name for himself last year as a Diplomat when he brokered an alliance between all the Sangheili states. You have nothing to fear." Ripa added.
She frowned. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Ripa and Will exchanged a look. Will had a good idea he knew why Chelsea was so eager to not be surrounded by Sangheili.
"Alright Castle Four. If you really want to stay behind, then you can. I'd much prefer to have a teammate who I haven't seen in a while at my back but I'll understand."
Chelsea hesitated for a moment before she gave in.
"Alright, I'll go." She muttered finally. I take it I'm a guest of honor?" she asked.
"You are a sister in arms. I see no reason why you shouldn't."
"Are you excited to come home?" Chelsea asked.
"Excited is more of a human term. The phrase I would use would be at peace."
She nodded.
From above them an alarm blared before a Pelican started descending from the ceiling. They moved out of the way as the dropship descended.
"You guys looking for a ride?" a Pilot asked as he jumped out of the bloodtray.
"As long as you're offering." Will said.
"Then climb aboard. There's bound to be a few people looking for a ride down."
"Thanks Ripa." William said as they strapped themselves in."
"Hmm?"
"For talking to me about Dean. I guess you're the only individual besides...her... that I've told that too.
"You miss her terribly." it was a statement, not a question.
"She's alive. I know it. Her, the rest of the team, they're out there. Somewhere." he shook his head.
Ripa offered a hand on his shoulder.
'Talam Keep, Eudemon
The bloodtray of the Pelican was quiet as it descended to its destination of the 'Talam's "vacation" estate. They had two seats of power, one on Sangheilios, the other one sat farther away from them barely visible on the horizon. Their destination was one of the clan's smaller establishments that was situated in one of the few really verdant areas of the planet. A mid-size complex that was situated in the shadow of a large mountain surrounded by trees and a light snow pack. The runoff became a river that ran through the middle of the complex winding towards a series of falls.
Between the falls and the actual keep lay a series of small agricultural plots, vineyards, and orchards while the smaller style keep was built around and into the mountain hugging and burrowing into the craggy cliffs. It was easily defendable from any sort of attack but still maintained a very idyllic location for a leisure estate. As the Pelican descended a flight of Banshee's soared up to meet them and escorted them into one of the Estate's large hangars set into the mountain.
"I can't get over how breathtaking your home is." Will said as the Pelican made their final descent into the hangar.
"Wouldn't mind retiring and spending my life here." Chelsea added.
"You would always be welcome to join us." Ripa responded with a grin.
The Pelican landed and the three occupants inside got up and exited the craft while the ground crew prepped it for another trip back to the fleet in orbit.
The group came up to a duo of Guards wearing a new variation of armor deemed the Peacekeeper variant that had been put into service last year.
"The heavens smile upon you today Ripa 'Talam. Welcome home." The Guard greeted in their native tongue. "Welcome Demons. May your weapons always find their mark." The Sangheili said with a bow switching over to English.
William and Chelsea shared a similar bow and straightened.
"Is the Kaidon here?" asked Ripa?
"He has been overseeing final preparations for tonight's feast. If you will all follow me to the banquet hall." The Sangheili gestured with a large hand and the entered through a large door to a long corridor stretching its way throughout the complex.
The Guard behind shifted positions to guard the door and the door behind them shut.
The short hallway they were in passed through another doorway and suddenly they were on an elevated walkway hugging the side of the mountain. A waterfall roared down on their right side and the land stretched out to their left. Plasma lighted lamps lit their way as they descended into the mountain again.
They turned left at a junction, descended a few flights of stairs past several closed doors, and pushed their way through two tall and majestic wooden doors emblazoned with the 'Talam crest.
The Guard paused and whispered to a servant standing in front of the door with two more flanking it.
The servant nodded and pushed his way through. After a moment he remerged and beckoned with a glottal click.
Seated before the group was a large table set for a feast with a great many Sangheili servants bustling about with guards standing silently about the room. A fire fueled by an unknown source burned at one end of the hall and bathed the room in a soft yellow light while what appeared to be candles burned on the wall giving light to a stone carving that ran around the room. Pelts of an animal were interspersed with a variety of plasma based weaponry. The room looked like it was the Sangheili equivalent of a dining hall during the 12th Century.
They fell silent as they saw the approaching group.
"Kaidon 'Talam. Announcing the arrival of Ripa 'Talam and blood brother William with fellow Honorary sister Cheelsea." The servant proclaimed.
"They tried at least." She whispered to William.
A Sangheili wearing an ornate set of armor reserved for the office of Kaidon rose from his seat at the middle of the table and approached.
"By the Forerunners! It is you! Welcome brother Ripa!" he exclaimed as the two embraced in the human equivalent of a hug.
"It is good to be home at least Kaidon." said Ripa as they pulled apart.
"It has been years since we last saw each other. You were training at the academy. While I sneaked out to hunt on the fringes of our territory."
"And now look at you. Kaidon and all! The Elders have made their decision wisely." Ripa replied.
The Kaidon seemed to notice the two Spartan III's.
"But where are my manners! And you Blood Brother! Welcome." said the Kaidon. The Kaidon put out his hand and the two of them shook hands and William made a customary bow.
"Kaidon." Chelsea said neutrally extending her own hand.
The Kaidon shook it and regarded her for a second.
"I've heard many a story about Female Demons but I've not had the experience of meeting one until now. It seems the legends are indeed true. You bring much honor to your race."
"Thank you." Said Chelsea who Will could tell was slightly uncomfortable, even behind the neutral face she wore. "We're honored to be here."
"As well you should, my servants have been preparing a feast worthy of the gods for your arrival. Come all of you! Sit and rest! You've all had a long journey." The Kaidon said. He gestured to Ripa, "It is a shame, and you just missed your brother Vaal stopping in to consult with us not even half a day ago."
"He was here?" asked Ripa curiously "It has been sometime since we have met last."
"Vaal was here on some business with the Demon they call Aegis. Their ship left the system moments before you arrived."
"Very well. I will have to try to meet with him at a later date."
"Vaal is still with the Blades right?" asked William.
"He is. The Blades were just here on the planet gathering information for a mission. I mentioned you're arrival to Vaal and he wishes to send his apologies and best wishes." He turned to William. "He also mentioned that Trip recognized your name. You were once part of the Blades, no?"
"I'm afraid not. I was a potential candidate he interviewed but I don't work in the dark like some Spartans do. However legitimate Aegis and the Blades are, I don't see working as a Mercenary as a, if I may, honorable thing to do, even if their employer is the UNSC or ONI. Besides, I had a team of my own. I was perfectly content where I was before all but one disappeared." He said nodding towards Chelsea.
The Kaidon, having been satisfied with this answer, gestured from the table to the Table. They all sat down in a row at the head of the table.
"Pardon us for wearing part of our armor." Chelsea said suddenly.
"Do not be apologetic. One must always be on guard for potential trouble. I learned that lesson last year." Akuo nodded. He turned to a Sangheili which appeared to be his Chief Attendant. "Are the servants ready for the first course?"
"Yes Kaidon."
"Bring them out when the Elders get here. They should be here momentarily."
A few seconds later the doors opened again and a host of other Sangheili all clad in armor similar to the Kaidons but nowhere near as lustrous and ornate.
A round of greetings went up when they saw the three guests and introductions soon gave way to the first course of food. Platters of Sangheili fruit were passed along with some citrus from trees that currently resided in the orchards. A second round of food consisted of a hearty stew and a traditional bread which William generally enjoyed. He avoided the light wine that the Sangheili made and instead opted for water. He had always frowned upon the effect alcohol had on those who partook in heavy amounts. He wasn't concerned about becoming drunk (his heightened metabolism took care of that), rather he was more focused on having a clear head at all times.
"So what challenges do you face as Kaidon?" Ripa asked as he sipped from a goblet sized for Sangheili hands.
The Kaidon took a moment to finish his bread before answering finally.
"We have been fortunate, brother, to enjoy a peaceful existence between our State and the others, but we are ever wary of those within and out who are trying to escalate conflicts stemming from last year. Just last week, a Human group called Sapien Sunrise has begun raids on the outlying villages trying to provoke a Sangheili counterattack or otherwise frame us for crimes that we didn't commit and then there is the matter of those beasts, the Brutes. They've poked their head around the system a few times, always on our side of the planet, but they're there. It's only a matter of time before they become bold enough to raid." He shook his head. "As if they don't already have enough problems at home already."
"How have the other states reacted?"
"Oh there's a Kaidon and various elders who wouldn't mind seeing the SASE take a more hardline approach to the humans with demands that they prosecute and investigate their side more vigorously but they're just as concerned with Brutes prowling around. They're more angry with the Jiralhanae leadership among the Allied Species for not reigning in the raiders."
"We've had a similar problem with Brutes." Will nodded. "They tried seizing corporate profits by capturing a bunch of vessels loaded with glass that were going to be transformed into various other materials. The incident turned violent and they killed a lot of our leadership in the ensuing battle. It's part of the reason we're actually. One of their ships malfunctioned while trying to perform a slipspace jump and the ship and it created a rift in Slipspace that sucked us into the other galaxy."
The Kaidon nodded gravely with some of the Elders.
"I've heard rumors about what transpired. Would you mind telling us the story of what event."
"I see no problem." Will said after a moment before launching into the story of their exploits with Ripa and Chelsea filling at various moments. The gathered Sangheili listened intently while William told the story of the siege by the Confederacy and their rescue by the Republic. As expected, when William detailed specifically the soldier makeup in both armies most of the Elders reacted negatively calling the act "a weighty dishonor." And a "Coward's fight."
Cheslea detailed her brief role in the engagement and the story of how she briefly faced off against the General of the Separatist armies without recognizing it and gained a hearty roar of approval at the end which made her retreat in her chair slightly.
The conversation turned to the Elder's reflecting over Akuo and Ripa's progression from when they were very young. All the while still more courses of food were brought out and William had to start thinking tactically of how much he could afford to eat.
"What are they saying?" Chelsea asked as Akuo began reminiscing about their early days on Sangheilios.
"I'm pretty sure they're detailing their experiences on a hunting trip where they both intentionally wandered inside a rival clan's territory." Will said listening to the conversation.
A roar of laughter went up from the table as Akuo looked slightly embarrassed.
"And something about Akuo nearly being caught because he tried carrying too much." Will added.
Akuo in turn spat out a rapid retort and it was Ripa's turn to look ashamed.
"What was said this time?"
"I don't think there's a human equivalent. Something about when he was first learning the ways of the sword."
An hour more passed while the conversation gradually became more and more drunken. Several of the Elders seemed to be aware of this and excused themselves while other's gradually fell into a stupor and were carried away.
"We see who has honor and control and who doesn't." Ripa observed during a momentary quiet spell.
"Indeed."
"Kaidon, may I request access to the forges later?"
"I see no problem with it. I'm unsure how Master 'Gorok will take to having our honored guests witness the creation of a blade. His advanced age has carried with it a dislike of humans. I've ordered all who are here to at least respect your presence for the time but he's a stubborn as a Shrokai." Akuo said regretfully.
"It's fine." William said before anybody else could reply.
"If you would be okay with it I would like to give you a tour if you will. The last time you had the privilege of visiting you weren't able to stay long. Most of what is here you'll find in the other 'Talam Keeps. Afterwards you may choose to stay here or take your leave. "At some point I must take my leave and meet with the elder's left standing about our contribution to this war.
Dinner passed relatively quickly after that and when everybody was satisfied, Akuo gestured to his servants to begin cleaning them up and gestured to a pair of guards to leave them.
Another servant ran up to the Kaidon and greeted him formally before announcing that three more visitors had arrived.
They all proceeded to the hangar where William saw the three Jedi disembarking from a Phantom.
"Ah. You must be the Jedi I have heard tale of." Akuo said greeting them.
"Thank you for having us Kaidon." Obi-Wan said as he dismounted.
"I apologize that you have just missed our supper but the kitchen has more than enough. Have you eaten?"
"No, we haven't." Ahsoka said hesitantly.
"Then come. Join me." He pointed to a guard. "You, will show these three around. They've already seen the outer workings."
The guard nodded and stepped forward
The Kaidon showed them all the outer workings first before bringing them to a large set of engraved stone doors.
"Ah yes," said Ripa stepping into the same room with everybody else. "This is the meditation room and my favorite place.
The room was a massive cavernous spaces that stretched far out. A stream, one of the ones that fed into the waterfall, ran silently through the middle. A garden fed by the stream added a relaxing splash of color and added an aroma that was meant to ease one's mind.
On the wall directly in front of them, elegant carvings had been etched in stone, depicting the story of the family from its beginning. Pictured were scenes of great battle, of its rise and gradual decline. It spoke of a hope for the future and for the family to become great again. Placed around the room where several chairs where a couple Sangheili were meditating with eyes closed.
"What you see here is the original copy of our family's battle poem." The Kaidon said. "It took years of work and preparation to move the entire thing and replace the one at Sangheilios with a copy. A Sangheili's battle poem is a record of the Clan, the good, the bad, the honorable, the treacherous. It is required memorization for those learning at the academy and it is a source of honor for us.
"The last portion, it isn't new correct?" asked Anakin gesturing to some carvings near the bottom.
"That is correct. It is also my personal favorite part." Ripa said.
"Why would that be?" asked Obi-Wan intrigued.
"Because this part is about William and myself." The Sangheili said with a grin.
"That's amazing!" Ahsoka said examining it.
"Please do tell us." Said Obi-Wan.
"Fair enough, it begins like this." He walked over and pointed to what looked like a city.
"Some time ago fairly recently there was an incident on the Human Colony of Mamore that threatened war between the two races of Human and Sangheili. Several Xenophobic Terrorist groups in order to send a message kidnapped the Sangheili ambassador to that planet and held him, and several dozen civilians and Police officers hostage in the middle of an underground road tunnel." Being relatively new in my career as a Special Operations soldier I thought the job would be easy."
He turned to the rest of the group.
"I was put with a team the Humans had come up with. I met William for the first time there. However, I was arrogant and proud. Demon or not I was sure he was inferior. It was during this time that during this I was saved twice by him. An eye-opener for a Sangheili like me. When our plan went South he and I came up with an idea that saved the Ambassador and all other hostages. To thank him my family decided to official make him a member of the 'Talam family. It was the first time it had been done in recorded history. While we drew ire and resentment we also drew praise. It is this moment where both species cooperated so in sync that earned its place on our wall."
Will coughed. "I wouldn't say I was great, you saved me three times in turn that day. You must give yourself some credit.
"Another day." Ripa said.
"It is time that I show you your last stop. Your rooms for the night are this way." The Kaidon said.
He led the way out and the group followed.
Chelsea glanced at Anakin and saw that he was lagging behind her and Ahsoka as she turned to face her. "So you seem to be handling all of this pretty well."
"Um," said Ahsoka "Yeah. I mean, the Galaxy back at home is full of things that I've never personally experienced but I'm kinda used to it now." Ahsoka turned back to her.
"Yes?" Chelsea asked as the Female Jedi tried to formulate what to say.
"My apologies, but would you mind telling me the story of how you and William met?" she asked somewhat timidly.
The Spartan waited a moment before answering,
"I suppose I've pushed that off long enough, all right, I'll begin. Now, to understand that you need to know who Asher was."
"Who-"
"Just wait!" she laughed. "Okay, William lived and grew up on our home planet of Earth. When he was young he met Asher, a girl who lived next door to him. The two developed a friendship of sorts. They both applied to a local arts school later in their teenage years and became closer friends. One night after a series of events William took Asher and a few friends to the theater where they watched the program until it was interrupted by one of their classmates who in a fit of fury and rage shot many dead and critically wounded William and Asher. But not before William rose up and fought him." Ahsoka gasped and cupped her hands to her mouth, horrified.
"They grappled on a balcony and William accidentally knocked him off the balcony. He and Asher were both taken to a medical center where they both recovered. We have no idea where the classmate went after prison. We have never found anything. All we know is he is alive in some cell somewhere. They started a charity concert tour to benefit people who have lost loved ones to violence and that's were things fell apart."
"What happened?"
"You remember in your briefing about the Covenant?"
"The faction Ripa and the Shipmaster used to be a part of that declared a genocidal war on you?"
She nodded.
"They were touring when the Covenant suddenly and brutally attacked the planet they were on at the time, in the mass chaos they were separated from their families. They were picked by a couple of ONI agents who did the best thing and searched for their parents. Unable to because of a system problem it listed their families as dead. With no other course of action at that point they were conscripted into the Spartan III program where William and I first met.
"So how did you get involved with the Spartans?"
"I don't feel comfortable sharing that." Cheslea said after a moment.
"Oh. Okay." Ahsoka said nodding. That's fine, didn't mean to—"
"It's fine. I'll tell you the rest of the story if you want."
"Please do."
"Asher, William and I along with a ten others became a team that was efficient and effective. We were all good by ourselves and in pairs but William and Asher were something else."
"Wow." was all Ahsoka said.
"The two were the go-to pair."
"Were they—"
"No, they never became romantically involved. Too much at stake, too much at risk was their logic. But whenever you needed something done they were always called up. At any rate they were split from each other when their assignments came. Asher went to another team, Noble, where they participated in the Fall of that Colony while our team, Castle fought on the other side of the planet. She was critically injured by Sangheili and rescued by Will who had been operating with our team elsewhere. We found her surrounded by attackers, brought her back to a base and retreated in a Prowler on the skin of our teeth."
Ahsoka nodded gesturing for her to go on.
"It was one day years later that we were fighting with a splinter group of the Covenant. Everybody save Will and I, because of injury, was sent down to the surface of a Planet to retrieve intelligence. They had to make a blind jump to Slipspace and as they did so they were hit by weaponry that damaged their drive. Even so, they jumped and we never saw any of them again."
"Wow." That…must be hard for him." Ahsoka said sympathetically. For a moment she was reminded of her own feelings when she had made stupid decisions and the men entrusted to her care had perished. Not the best of comparisons, but they were friends.
"It was hard on him, still is." Chelsea shook her head. "He still believes they're out there. When we heard about a distress beacon he immediately thought it was their ship. He's been worried about it ever since."
"Poor guy." Ahsoka said.
Bridge, CSS Morning Light
Upper Atmosphere of Sangheilios. 3:00 hours UNSC STANDARD MILITARY TIME
Sesa 'Chevam sat in his gravity chair on the Morning Light, motionless, mediating. He was around 120 years old give or take. He had never known his official birthdate. Since Sangheili lived an average of 200 years, he was still technically in the prime of his youth... sort of. He was currently studying a copy of the recent intelligence releases. What he saw concerned him more and more; creating the deep state of motionlessness that he was in. He was tired but he shrugged it off doggedly as he took in every word and memorized it. Trying to divine the greater long term implications was not an easy task, but it paid off well in the end.
A hologram appeared in front of him. It was of a Sangheili wearing the golden armor of a Kaidon, but there was only one Sangheili who stood with as much dignity, grace, and wisdom as the one communicating with him "Arbiter," said Sesa "To what do I owe the honor?"
"Sesa 'Chevam," said Thel "I have much to speak to you about at the present time and I have little time to do it in. I'm finalizing my strategy to take care of the Covenant still corrupting Sangheilos' surface. Can I assume your philosophy regarding mercy still holds true?"
"I don't show mercy to my enemies," Sesa clacked his mandibles. "Mercy I grant to them is mercy I could, and should, be showing to my allies.
"I was not questioning your methods," the Arbiter said diplomatically. "I feel it prudent to mention that the Security Council did not completely agree with you. There were I had to silence a motion to remove you from your post."
"I acquired enough votes for my request to be passed." Sesa said indifferently. "If the rest disagreed, that is their decision. I do not think protracted engagement with an unknown enemy is a wise course of action. The sooner we achieve our objective, however vaguely defined that was today, the sooner we can turn our attention to more pressing matters. Have you heard the rumors of ships massing near the Ark?"
"Unfortunately I have. Whether they are rumors or not remains to be seen. I happened to be looking over your service record and I must say, it was quite extensive. You certainly have much to be proud of.
Sesa nodded. He wouldn't show it in front of the Arbiter, but he was deeply proud of his recent string of victories. Pride was unbecoming though in excess amounts. He would need to remedy that.
"It appears that you have been on the recommendation list for Fleetmaster ever since the Elders last convened. Are you aware of this?"
Sesa again nodded.
"The reason I contacted you was to inform you, that due to the lack of Fleetmasters in our ranks needed to fight a war of this magnitude,I would like to extend the promotion of Fleetmaster to you."
Sesa lowered his head "I am honored Arbiter. I accept this position and I'm humbled you would think of me."
"I'm sure that you are," the Sangheili said with a trace of a smile. "You will be given control of the Carrier 'Blinding Doubt'. Another will assume command of your your current post tomorrow. I'll have someone pass you on more details."
"Thank you Arbiter," said Sesa.
Thel frowned "Very well, just one question Sesa, this is the third war that you will participate in, how do you feel about that?"
Sesa looked at Thel as he uttered one word. "Ancient."
The Arbiter chuckled.
"When you get to be my age Fleetmaster you feel like you've lived a life time many times over."
The newly commissioned Fleetmaster stared at him for a second. The Sangheili opposite him looked tired and troubled as well. It had to be connected to the report he was analyzing.
"Arbiter, what troubles you?" he asked finally.
The Arbiter stared back at him for a moment.
"Since you ask Fleetmaster I might as well divulge."
"Continue." Said Sesa, his curiosity perked.
"What do you think of this so-called Force?" he said. It was a simple question on the surface but the Arbiter was known for his more philosophical thinking.
Sesa hesitated, he had been newly briefed on it but upon seeing it demonstrated by the Jedi, was left with more questions than answers.
"Honestly Arbiter, I do not know." He finally said unable to come up with an answer. "This Force, of which the Jedi are practioners of, is a doctrine I struggle to understand."
Thel chuckled again.
"You are much like Rtas' you know."
"I will take that as a compliment." He responded evenly.
It was true though, word of it had spread around like the parasite, and it had been extremely hard for Sesa to get his head around the concept. That there was some all-binding, invisible energy field that gave strength and power to those who could wield it was strange but he could understand that. The Forerunners had been able to manipulate things with their mind. The fact that it seemed possessed it by other species in this other galaxy, particularly humanity, a former enemy as well, left a bitter taste in Sesa's throat.
"What I am concerned with," the Arbiter said finally, "Is the matter of how to combat and fight this…Force. If what has been spoken of is true, what is to stop those possessing it to simply swipe away and those without it? What could our warriors do against such a power? And how, if anything, could they succeed? Going beyond that, I'm trying to figure out is the Humans. Since the Great Schism and the end of the Great War Humanity has been blessed in ways that have also troubled me."
"Are you referring to their advances in technology? If I may, the fleet you sent-"
"I am not talking about the ship I sent years ago to help in the reconstruction work. That was designed to enable the Humans to slowly increase their understanding of the universe. Call it if you will a gift of compassion, a trait many think I don't have. But no, what I refer to is how the Human race always has something hidden, a game changer, something to make us recalculate every possible thing we have ever imagined about them.
Consider for a moment their remarkable courage and strength when facing overwhelming odds, you are one who knows this first hand. Many a Sangheili would have turned coward and disgraced themselves had we not had our faith in the Prophets blindly leading us forward into battle. During the Great War we were still forced to reconsider our strategy numerous times, it was too bloody, too lacking in honor because of this ability to find and exploit game changers with a creativity that would make the Unngoy envious." He paused and contemplated it a few more seconds.
"The Humans are always quick to adapt, quicker us. They never had much in the way of technology but they made due and even improved greatly upon what they had and used it, much to our anger. And now this Force has threatened to change the tables again and we do not know how it will affect their race this time. Why in that galaxy were they were cut off by the Forerunner's and saved from this galaxy's fate of starting over."
"Wise words Arbiter." The Fleetmaster said comprehending the Arbiter's thoughts on the issue. "I do not know the answers to the question you ask, but I do know this. The Sangheili are a strong race, we would not submit ourselves or bow down so easily to those possessing the Force like we did with the Prophets. We have found a way to defeat the Parasite, how worse could this threat be? Let us not remember that while we are strong, when we stand with allies, we are all the stronger. I doubt our allies are comforted by this doctrine the Jedi ascribe to.
The Arbiter nodded.
"You are indeed wise; the Sangheili will always be strong as we always have been, no matter what circumstances we face. I know now that I was correct in promoting you to Fleetmaster. May you honor your title and ancestors with it."
"My thanks Arbiter." said Sesa as the Fleetmaster bowed his head.
The connection closed and the Fleetmaster sat in his chair again. Yes, this was deeply distressing and he didn't like it one bit. The whole issue stank like a bad Doarmirian fruit that was overripe. He knew somewhere down the long line, there would be dire consequences if they couldn't resolve questions like these quickly.
He sighed and went back to reading and pondered the future.
Well there you go! Another chapter! I apologize for the long wait. This story isn't dead though! We get to see a little more back story into William and Ripa! Many thanks to My Wunderwaffle iz missin for help with writing and usage of characters. I highly recommend you go read his work. There are some references tied in to this chapter. You don't need to be familiar with it, but it adds a layer of depth that it didn't have before. This was a filler chapter, but it gave me a chance to explore Ripa and William's dynamic as well as to give you some hints as to things to come. The Galaxy will experience the UNSC for the first and certainly brutal time.
As always, yours in writing
theotherpianist