Chapter 11
The fire continued to flicker as Tz'eal finished recalling his tale. The orange glow illuminating the cave which echoed with the whistling wind from the raging storm outside. Drake had sat before him listening intently without interrupting, only breaking to eat or leave to relieve himself. Tz'eal was still unsure of this Human. He could be using his words as weapons to turn him against the Covenant, get information from him and then execute him. But something told Tz'eal this was not the case. Drake had said something Tz'eal had never considered asking himself before. Something that made sense to question. If he was true to his words then it was more of a surprise that more Sangheili had not questioned the Prophets.
"So what happened after you left the system?" Drake asked quietly as he glanced around the cave, noting the sudden silence.
"I traveled. Going from system to system trying to locate any Human settlements. I do not know how long it took, but after some time I was able to hear transmissions of your name. I honed in on that." Tz'eal explained as he glanced down to the flickering flames which were slowly dying.
"And how exactly did you manage to do that? As far as I'm aware our comms are encrypted to the point you shouldn't be able to crack them." Drake questioned sounding confused. Tz'eal tilted his head in confusion as he slowly removed his right gauntlet. The magnetized bindings releasing with a metallic clack. Opening the inner panel Tz'eal removed a small purple device, showing it to Drake.
"We have been listening to your communications for a very long time. We struggled to begin with. The Hurgok were not able to translate your language well to begin with. However, with time, we were able to learn and use it against you." Tz'eal explained as he passed the device over to Drake.
Drake looked it over, a small purple box with what looked to be antennae sticking out of the top. It didn't seem possible for something so small to be so vital to how they were getting their asses kicked.
"So with this you can listen in to any radio chatter by the UNSC?" Drake asked, sounding unconvinced.
"Correct. As I approached this cold planet I heard of Destiny. Reports of, Slipspace ruptures. And potential Covenant scouts in the system." Tz'eal replied as he recalled the information he had listened in to as he approached.
"And how did you hear of me?" Drake asked.
"There was mention of you. Completing a scout of the southern sector. Two days out." Tz'eal quoted as he watched Drake's expression change from uncertainty to shock as he continued to stare at the small device.
"So that's how you guys were able to find Reach. It's a good thing we don't talk about Earth that much then." Drake said, mostly to himself before realization sunk in. He slowly looked up to Tz'eal, who was still looking at him like a confused puppy, his head slightly tilted to its side.
"What is this 'Earth'?" Tz'eal asked.
"It's uh. Well, it's our home world." Drake explained. If ONI caught wind of this he was a dead man.
"Earth. An interesting name. Very simple." Tz'eal commented as his thoughts drifted back to his own home.
"What about you? What's your home world called?" Drake asked.
"Sanghelios. I do have to wonder why you are called Humans if you are from Earth." Tz'eal replied as he looked to Drake who began chuckling at the statement.
"Well that's the name of our species. You could call us Earthlings if that makes more sense." Drake replied as he shook his head with a smile.
"Human sounds more intimidating than that of Earthling." Tz'eal admitted with a shiver as the flames of the fire continued to calm, heading towards mere embers. Noticing this Drake quickly stoked the fire before adding the last bit of fuel he had to keep it lit.
"Might need to go grab some more fuel so we don't freeze to death in here." Drake commented as he glanced to the tunnel he had entered. There would be more fuel to use to keep the fire going in the back of the 'Hog if they needed it.
"Perhaps you could share with me what your plans are now that you have found me first." Tz'eal suggested as he leaned over onto his side. Drake paused as he glanced up to Tz'eal. He wanted to be honest with him. So there was no animosity between the two of them if Tz'eal was imprisoned the moment they arrived in the base.
"Well. Now that I've found you, I'll see about taking you back to Destiny. There my CO will probably imprison you for a short period of time so he can question you." Drake admitted. Tz'eal sat upright almost instantly.
"You expect me to be imprisoned so easily? Is this some kind of trick?!" Tz'eal demanded as he reached down to the floor, his hand scanning for anything he could use as a potential weapon.
"Honestly. No. I don't expect you to go quietly. But I would like you to." Drake admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. Watching calmly as Tz'eal looked for something to attack him with.
"Then why should I?" Tz'eal asked as his hand wrapped around a large rock. Something he could easily use to cave Drake's skull in if he needed to.
"Because it would show that you mean us no harm. That you really are here to help us. And that you trust me." Drake said quietly as he continued to look at Tz'eal. He had expected this kind of response.
"And if your superior does not think I was of my word?" Tz'eal asked, still on edge, fighting within himself to take Drake's life.
"Then I'll do whatever I can to get you out of there alive. Even at the cost of my own life." Drake admitted with a slight nod of his head as he glanced to the floor. He had just admitted to himself and Tz'eal that he was willing to die for the Elite. He couldn't help but smile to himself.
"And you expect me to believe that? You, a Human. Would give your life for me, a Sangheili?" Tz'eal asked, not believing the words leaving Drake's mouth. He should have known this was too good to be true. Perhaps the Gods simply did not believe the Sangheili worthy of their words. The San'Shyuum were the messengers. Why did he question them?
"No. I expect you to believe that I, Drake Taylor, would give my life for you, Tz'eal N'thanalmee. My friend." Drake replied as he looked to the rock Tz'eal had a grip of. He watched as Tz'eals expression changed rapidly from that of anger to shock as he let go of the rock he was holding. Tz'eal glanced down at his hand before looking to Drake, his mandibles hanging open as he struggled to find the words.
"I don't expect you to believe everything I've told you. I don't expect you to trust my people with your life as quickly as I have you with mine. But what other options do you have right now?" Drake asked quietly as Tz'eal looked down to the ground in shame.
"None. If I leave here I will either starve to death or be hunted down by the men whom I once called my brothers." Tz'eal admitted with a slight shake of his head.
"Besides I think you and my CO are going to become great friends." Drake said with a cheerful tone as he slowly got to his feet. He turned on the spot and began walking towards the cave entrance to get more fuel for the fire as Tz'eal spoke up.
"Why do you say that?" Tz'eal asked, sounding confused. Drake chuckled as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Because you have something to give him which will make you his new best friend." Drake said with a sly grin as he tossed the purple device over his shoulder back at Tz'eal. Catching the device Tz'eal quickly replaced it within his gauntlet and attached it back to his forearm. He opened his mandibles to say something to Drake as he glanced back up but the Human was gone.
Getting comfortable Tz'eal lay down on his side, staring into the soft glowing embers of the fire, wondering how he had managed to find the one Human who was able to change his life in an instant. With a single, simple question.
He did not know where things would take him but he did know he needed to learn to trust Drake. He would not go out of his way to be deceptive. The Human made his way out of the safety of his base to come find him. Drake had found and dragged Tz'eal to the safety and warmth of a fire, offering him his own food. Would any other Human do that? He did not know. He could only hope that when they returned to the Human base in the morning that everything went as Drake had planned. With the Gods help perhaps tomorrow would not be his last day.
Leaving the cave, the storm had settled slightly. The wind was not blowing as quickly as before and the snow had began to settle. It had set on the ground quite heavily however. There was at least a foot of snow burying the wheels of the 'Hog and a thick layer over the tarp Drake had set upon it. Brushing it off he managed to get into the back, pulling out a small silver canister which would be perfect to fuel the fire for the rest of the night.
Before returning to the cave Drake lifted the tarp to the front of the 'Hog and climbed into the covered Driver seat. Keying the ignition the 'Hog coughed to life for a few moments before cutting out. The engine not able to turn over with the extreme cold.
"So much for that plan." He muttered as he climbed back out, glancing over in the general direction of Destiny. He had hoped that, if the engine turned over and powered the radio he might get a message back to Shapiro. With a deep sigh Drake turned away from the 'Hog, making sure the tarp had covered it once again and returned into the cave.
As Drake returned to the campsite his heart sank. He dropped the canister and rushed over to Tz'eal who was slumped on his side, his eyes closed. He was about to grab and roll the Elite over before he heard a soft exhale of breath.
"Dammit don't do that to me." Drake said quietly to himself as he left out the breath he had been holding. Knowing Tz'eal had simply fallen asleep, Drake returned to the dropped canister and poured some of the contents into the fireplace. The dying embers igniting once again and bathing the cave in an orange glow and heating the immediate area. He didn't know how long Tz'eal had been out in the cold of Merentia but it must have been exhausting for him. Being alone on an unknown planet with threats from both sides out to get you.
He lay down beside the fire, rolling out a sleeping bag to get himself comfortable for a night's rest when he heard the shiver from Tz'eal. He sighed and smiled as he glanced at his reptilian friend.
"You're not going to make this night easy for me are you?" He rhetorically asked himself as he stood up and fully unzipped the bag. He picked it up and pulled it over to Tz'eal, draping it over the Elite's body to give him as much heat as possible in the damp, cold cave.
"Guess one of us should keep watch then. I can rest when we're both safe in Destiny." He said quietly not expecting any response as he picked up his BR55 and set up against a small rock. Perfect view of both entrances to the cave. Tomorrow, once they were back he'd get some sleep. Knowing his friend would be safe now and then would let him sleep better as he prepared himself for a long night of loneliness.