Chapter 7
Hours passed as the intensity of the snow storm grew. Having to slow down to prevent the snow from blocking his line of sight Drake continued through the valley in his hunt for Tz'eal. The rolling hills outside of the base now glowing a brilliant white as the snow settled.
The sky was slowly getting darker and darker as Drake continued to survey the area. He had stopped several times at different cave systems which Tz'eal could have taken shelter in but every location he checked was empty. He didn't have much time left outside. He would have to return to the base or spend the night out in the freezing cold.
He was slowly approaching another cave entrance when there was static coming over the radio. He slowed to a stop by the entrance of the cave, behind a large rock formation, providing some cover from the storm which was slowly evolving into a full blizzard.
Reaching over he turned the dial on the built-in radio of the warthog, working to tune the frequency to get a clearer signal. Every few moments he would hear Shapiro talking through the static as he worked before finally, not the best signal but enough for him to get a message out, cleared up.
"Wayfinder one, this is Kilo actual. Come in." He heard Shapiro call through the small hits of static.
"Kilo actual this is Wayfinder one, send message over." Drake replied as he looked around. Above him dark storm clouds were slowly making their way overhead, the wind was slowly starting to pick up in intensity as the sound of whistling came through from the nearby trees.
"Wayfinder one, this storm is getting bad. I'm not sure how long we're going to be able to leave the base open for you." Shapiro said as Drake took a face full of snow as a blast of wind hit him. He looked around as the developing state around him, snow was steadily piling up around the wheels of the warthog and around the base of the rock.
"Roger that. I'm still looking for our target. How long before lockdown of the base?" Drake asked as he wiped his visor, tucking his hands under his arms to keep them warm.
"You've probably got another hour, maybe less. We don't know how long this is going to last." Shapiro replied through stints of static. The weather was starting to affect the radio frequency Drake wasn't sure how long he would be able to stay in contact with Destiny, if he would be able to stay in contact at all.
"Roger. Lock the base down. I highly doubt I'm making it back in time given how this storm is evolving. I've got the gear in the back of the 'Hog to keep me going until this blows over." Drake said with a shiver as the wind blasted him from the side. Looking towards the cave system he hoped it would curve in to another direction, enough for the wind to settle down and not freeze the inside of the cave completely.
"You're sure? It's looking choppy out there. And I can't guarantee it won't last a few days." Shapiro said through the static sounding concerned.
"This isn't the first time I've been caught out in the wilderness alone. Don't worry about me. Lock the base down and keep everyone else safe." Drake said confidently but with a shiver as the cold wind continued to batter him.
"Alright Wayfinder One. Destiny is going on Lockdown. If you find the target and can get them back here in time then do so. Otherwise hunker down and try to wait this storm out. Over." Shapiro said over the radio as Drake opened the back panel of the 'Hog. Inside was a set of camping and survival gear. Materials to create and maintain a fire along with the means to sterilise water so it could be drunk without the potential of becoming ill from pests.
"Roger that Kilo Actual. I'm stopped next to a large cave with no sign of the target so far. I'll camp out tonight and continue my search in the morning. Wayfinder One, out." Drake replied as he cut the radio link.
Gathering his gear Drake covered the 'Hog with the soft tarp in the back, keeping the interior safe from the weather and environment before he slowly made his way up towards the entrance of the cave.
The wind began to die down as Drake entered the cave system. Inside the ground slowly lowered deeper while curving to the left, the wind and snow being halted by the natural formation of the cave. Readying his BR55, Drake made his way deeper inside. The whistling of the wind slowly began to quieten down as he trekked farther in.
The formation of the cave was stunning. Stalactites and Stalagmites growing across the ground and ceiling. Fissures above caused little streams of light to flow in illuminating small pockets of the cave with the light reflecting off the scattered gems and rocks that were embedded into the walls.
Nodding Drake knew where he was going to set up his camp. He continued down, clearing out as much of the cave that he could access. Slowly the gradient of the floor began to change, elevating upwards while the whistling of the wind began to pick up. Drake concluded there was another entrance to the cave up ahead.
The wind grew in intensity as he neared the second entrance. It was a smaller entrance than the one he used but it didn't prevent the wind and snow from flowing freely inside as there were several piles of snow now settling on the ground. Satisfied he was clear he turned to make his way back down to his campsite when he heard a quiet, cold sigh.
Looking around there didn't seem to be anyone else here. He kneeled down by a small pile of snow and brushed it aside. The contact with the snow turning his hand bright red as he continued to dig. He eventually hit the floor with nothing being buried there. He turned to the second pile and began digging again, his hand making contact with something smooth almost instantly.
Smiling he slowly began to uncover what he thought would be his Ranger friend but grew more concerned as the expected blue combat harness was instead a dull maroon colour. The helmet was large and flat almost like a crown as he uncovered the Elite's head and face, this was a Zealot.
Shaking his head he continued to uncover the Elite, hoping this was Tz'eal, before examining its body. It was still breathing and, from his quick check the Elite looked to be healthy, no wounds on him at all, perhaps he was just suffering from hypothermia.
Once fully uncovered Drake rolled the Elite over onto its back before wrapping his arms under its shoulders. Lifting with a struggle he managed to slowly begin dragging the Elite back down from the entrance towards his camp site.
It took some time, the heavy body of the large alien, coupled with the heavy combat harness it was wearing forced Drake to slow down, he was strong but this was an Elite, much heavier than any human. Eventually he managed to set the Elite down on it's side. He was unsure of it but chose to begin making camp. Pulling out a collapsed metal frame, Drake built a fireplace, filling it with flammable materials from his pack before igniting it. The orange light from the flickering flames basking the area in a soft glow with a gentle heat.
Kneeling down beside the Elite it sounded like it was struggling to breathe. Drake hoped the heat from the fire would keep it going until it woke up, until then he picked out one of his rations and began to cook some food. Some dried steak and beans. Nothing amazing but enough to keep him going for the night.
He finished cooking the MRE and began eating when the Elite started to stir. Not wanting to cause an issue Drake slowly placed his meal aside and sat across from the Elite, simply watching it. The Elite opened its eyes and looked around seemingly confused before he looked to Drake. It sat upright and ignited the two energy daggers from its gauntlets before getting to its feet, growling at Drake.
"Your helmet. Remove it." The Elite growled as it glanced to the BR by Drake's side.
"Easy. Removing helmet, don't do anything stupid now." Drake said with his hands raised. He recognised the voice of Tz'eal. He reached up and removed his helmet, placing it down beside him before looking to Tz'eal. With a deep sigh and some light clicking of his mandibles Tz'eal extinguished the daggers before sitting back down.
"Drake Taylor." Tz'eal said, sounding almost happy.
"Tz'eal N'Thanalmee. It's good to see you again my friend." Drake replied with a smile as he looked over his companion.
"It is good to see you too. I do wish it was on better circumstances however." Tz'eal replied as he looked down to the fire, edging closer to it taking in as much heat as he could.
"Yeah. Things could be better, but at least you're here now." Drake said happily trying to brighten the mood but Tz'eal simply stared into the flames of the fire.
"I understand this must be hard for you. You've given a lot up to come here." Drake said softly, trying to console his friend.
"Not a lot. Everything. My brothers will all see me as a heretic. The Covenant will dishonour my family so long as they continue to honour my name. Which they will not. I have nothing now." Tz'eal explained as he glanced away from the flames of the fire.
"What happened when you got out of the city? You were a Ranger the last I saw you. You're a Zealot now." Drake enquired as he looked over Tz'eals form, the new armour suiting him.
"Much. I returned to my fleet and was spoken to by my superior. I was, rewarded, for my actions." Tz'eal explained.
"Feel like sharing?" Drake asked as he stoked the fire, while adding some more fuel to it.
"It is a long story. One which is of no importance." Tz'eal explained as he raised his arm, inspecting the smooth maroon gauntlet. Drake looked over Tz'eals shoulder to the entrance he first came in. Listening he could hear the billowing sound of the strong winds from the blizzard.
"Well. We're not going anywhere anytime soon. But if it bothers you then you don't need to." Drake said quietly. He wanted to press for more information but didn't want to make Tz'eal any more uncomfortable.
"Perhaps." Tz'eal began as his hands reached for his stomach.
"Hungry?" Drake asked with a chuckle as he watched Tz'eal look around.
"There was a small animal I chased into this cave. The cold slowed me down. I could not catch it." Tz'eal explained.
"It's fine. Here, have some of this." Drake said, offering Tz'eal the rest of his MRE. Tz'eal looked at the small metal bowl looking confused.
"What is this?" He asked Drake as he swirled the bowl around, the beans and steak moving with the red fluid.
"It's food. Human food." Drake explained while trying to suppress a laugh. Tz'eal continued to look at the bowl before picking up the metal device. It was thin with a small collapsed segment at the base.
"And this?" He asked as he picked the device up with his talons.
"That's a spoon." Drake replied before letting out a hearty laugh. Tz'eal looked confused from the spoon to Drake.
"Here, let me show you." Drake began as he gently took the spoon from Tz'eal. With it he scooped some of the sauce and beans from the bowl and ate it before Tz'eal.
"Our mouth structure is very different. We need these tools to help us eat." Drake explained as Tz'eal glanced up at Drake. Slowly he dipped one of his talons into the sauce before bringing it to his maw. He let the liquid drip into his mouth to taste it.
"It is very sweet. And hot. This is strange." Tz'eal mumbled as Drake watched.
"We lead two very different lives Tz'eal. I guess we're going to learn a lot from each other." Drake said with a nod.
"I look forward to learning about you and your kind. What I have been told. I can not trust any of it." Tz'eal said quietly as he offered the bowl back to Drake.
"Keep it. You need something to eat." Drake began as he pushed the bowl back to Tz'eal. "We've got a lot to learn from each other. And hopefully a lot of time to learn." Drake finished as Tz'eal took the bowl back.
Opening his mandibles Tz'eal raised the bowl to his maw and poured the fluid and meat into his mouth, swallowing it in two gulps. He lowered the bowl from his maw and sighed while clicking his lower mandibles together.
"I was able to find one of our patrols. They had, just finished eliminating a camp of humans." Tz'eal began as he looked to the floor in shame.
"We returned to our ship in orbit where I was questioned by my commander." Tz'eal finished quietly as his gaze returned to the flickering flames of the fireplace.