Chapter 16
Several hours had passed since Tz'eal began to recall his side of events leading up to him being locked in the Brig of Destiny. Shapiro had sat quietly listening to the tale, only pausing Tz'eal so he had a chance to update his console with more information. Everything Tz'eal had said had corroborated with Drake's story. Minus a few details that Drake couldn't have possibly known, how Tz'eal was feeling and his thoughts during the events, everything matched up. Tz'eal was slowly concluding his recollection of what had happened to him with Drake before mentioning The Covenants means of intercepting Human communications.
Shapiro nodded slowly while he listened, glancing down to his side where the small communications device was placed. Tz'eal had revealed the device when he mentioned showing it to Drake while they were isolated in the cave Drake had found him in. Shapiro wasn't sure how he was going to use it to benefit the UNSC but Tz'eal was sure it would work. He had to try.
Slowly Shapiro leaned back on the cot, resting against the back wall as Tz'eal recounted his encounter with the Engineer as Drake escorted him through the engineering halls. Even though he knew Tz'eal was telling the truth, something seemed off, seemed missing. But he wasn't sure what exactly it could be.
"And now, here we are. The rest of the tale you know as you were present during the interactions." Tz'eal concluded as he glanced to his side at Shapiro. Shapiro nodded in response as he continued to think what could be missing from the tale as Tz'eal stood from the cot and examined Shapiro's expression.
"There is something wrong?" Tz'eal asked.
"I don't know. I believe everything you've said. But there's something off." Shapiro explained as he sat upright once again trying to figure out what was bothering him. Tz'eal had gone into detail of his assignment on Reach, the fight with the Brute, Sustyrus. He described with a lot of detail how he and Drake navigated the tunnels of New Alexandria before coming across the wounded Marine. Everything he had described until he and Drake parted ways matched what Drake had reported. So it had to be something after that point in time.
"So this device. It's designed to intercept our radio frequencies and translate them so that your own systems can understand them. So you know what we plan to do so far in advance that you can coordinate a counter plan?" Shapiro asked as he picked the small device up once again and began studying it. Maybe if he thought of something else he would figure out what was bothering him.
"Yes. The Huragok were tasked with creating something that would let us listen to you. We would use it on our Super Carriers to locate planets you called home. So that they could be...cleansed." Tz'eal explained quietly as he looked away. Shapiro nodded knowingly. Most of the planets the Covenant had found were promptly glassed. It was clear to him Tz'eal didn't enjoy bringing these kinds of memories to the surface.
"And that's how you were able to find where Drake was right?" Shapiro asked as he glanced up to Tz'eal who nodded slowly in response.
"Yes. I plugged the device into the Seraph I was using to escape, listening for any sign of him. I surveyed several planets with confirmed Human settlements waiting for a sign of him. If there was not I left. Until I came here." Tz'eal explained as he recalled his journey to Merentia once again.
"And once you were sure he was here you set down on the surface and began looking?" Shapiro asked.
"Yes. I knew you were here but I did not know the location of this base. I spent several units trying to locate you." Tz'eal replied as he thought back to where he set his Seraph down.
"And what if The Covenant knows where you are?" Shapiro asked as Tz'eal looked back at him with a look of confusion on his face.
"I do not understand. How would they know I am here?" Tz'eal asked as Shapiro slowly got to his feet and began pacing around the cell in thought.
"We have trackers in every one of our vehicles. That way none of our men can take a Warthog for a joyride without getting caught doing it." Shapiro explained. If the UNSC tracked their own vehicles he was sure The Covenant would do the same.
"You believe they were able to track the Seraph I took to get here?" Tz'eal asked quietly. Shapiro slowly nodded in response.
"Where did you land your fighter?" Shapiro asked as he began tapping the display of his console, bringing up a global map of the planet.
"Near the lower plane of the Planet. It was extremely cold with several large mountains close by." Tz'eal recalled as he watched Shapiro tap away on the display. Shapiro brought up the southern hemisphere of the planet and tried narrowing down the region as he paced the room. Once he was confident he walked over to Tz'eal and showed him the display. Several large snow-topped mountains were on the display which Tz'eal recognized.
"Is this roughly where you landed?" Shapiro asked.
"I recognize the mountains. It will not be exactly where I landed but it is close. Why do you ask?" Tz'eal asked as Shapiro nodded and turned the display of his console off.
"What are the protocols for tracking down a Zealot that has lost contact with The Covenant?" Shapiro asked quietly as he slowly approached the door.
"If High Charity loses contact with a Zealot then they will send a 4 Sangheili team to locate them. The team will consist of two Ranger Class and Two Ultra Class. Or, if the situation calls for it, a team of Zealots." Tz'eal explained as he thought back to his own tasking to locate a Zealot.
"And how far away is this 'High Charity'?" Shapiro asked as realization slowly sunk in.
"Several Units of travel. However they would likely stop at every potential location. Where they last had contact with the Zealot until he is found." Tz'eal concluded as he looked at Shapiro. Worry was clear in his face as Shapiro began planning their next steps. If a team of highly trained Elites were on the planet they could easily infiltrate the base. The Marines needed to go on high alert. Someone needed to be sent out to track and eliminate the threat. ODSTs should be enough for them.
"Commander? If you wish for someone to go and eliminate this threat I will do so for you." Tz'eal suggested. Shapiro opened his mouth to reply before stopping himself. This would be the chance Tz'eal needed to prove himself, but if this was all a ruse, he would be returning to his fellow Elites with inside knowledge of this base. Everyone would be at risk.
"No. I'm going to keep you here. No offence but I don't trust you that much. Not yet. I'm going to keep you here for a little while longer. If they see you fighting them and manage to report it you're going to be in a lot more danger now than ever. Plus it would put a target on our heads. This base and planet would be targeted next to be, 'cleansed'." Shapiro replied calmly as he considered his options.
"Of course Commander. But may I ask: when will you be ready to determine if I am worthy of assisting you in combat?" Tz'eal asked as Shapiro stepped out of the cell and activated the shield door once again.
"In time. I believe once this threat has been dealt with I'll be able to make up my mind about letting you fight or not. But for now sit tight. You'll know in the next few days." Shapiro concluded as he strode towards the brig door intending to return to his office.
"Before you leave Commander." Tz'eal began as Shapiro stopped in the doorway, turning to face the Tz'eal.
"The Seraph was destroyed, there is a chance the Sangheili will leave with the thought I perished in the crash. However if they do not, once I am free, there is a cache of weapons I have stored away which you may use however you see fit." Tz'eal said with a nod.
"I'm not sure what you think we'll get out of it but I'll use whatever help I can get." Shapiro replied as he opened his console once again and noted down the location.
"If your men have never used them there are several weapons with which they can train." Tz'eal explained as Shapiro looked up from the console.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for your time Tz'eal." Shapiro said with a smile and a nod as he left the Brig, the door hissing shut behind him as he made his way back to his office.
Watson was there waiting for Shapiro to return, an expectant look on his face as Shapiro placed the device down on his desk and slumped into his seat, letting out a large sigh of relief. He never thought he'd accept it but he was slowly beginning to trust Tz'eal and his intentions. The surrender of a vital piece of tech for the UNSC to use against The Covenant. His quick suggestion of sending him out to kill his former comrades. Offering the location of a weapon cache. Everything Tz'eal had done was screaming defection. He just needed something else. Something personal to Tz'eal to make his decision to let him fight or let him leave.
"You look stressed, Commander. Would you like me to make you a brew?" Watson asked as a panel to the side of Shapiro's desk opened and a small kettle rose from the opening. Shapiro chuckled at how stereotypical Watson was as he looked to the orange Englishman.
"Sure. Perhaps some good old caffeine will help me focus and make my damned mind up." Shapiro replied with a smile as he turned on his desk displays once again. There were several notifications on one which had been dealt with by Watson in his absence. Most of which seemed to be requests from Drake to speak with him.
"He's anxious to know what you have decided to do with the Elite it seems." Watson said as steam slowly began rising from the spout of the kettle.
"He's going to have to focus, there's something I need him to do here soon. According to Tz'eal-" Shapiro began before Watson cut over him.
"There is a team of 4 Elites, probably on the planet, trying to locate him. I am aware." Watson said confidently as they both watched Tz'eal lay down on the cot, his mandibles moving in silence.
"You were listening?" Shapiro asked as he grabbed the kettle and poured the boiling water into a cup which had risen out of another opening on the desk.
"Yes. The Elite tends to mumble to himself. I do not know the Sangheili language so have not been able to translate but I do find it interesting. Their voices are very...relaxing...to listen to." Watson replied with a nod as he snapped his fingers. From the display there was a sudden crackle of static as the microphone of the camera activated. Shapiro slowly began shoveling sugar into the mix of his cup as the signal settled down, Tz'eal voice clearly coming through the display. Shapiro didn't know the language either but there was something about what was being said.
"Get me a recording of it. It might be useful. Who knows?" Shapiro said as he took a sip of his tea, before adding yet another scoop of sugar to it.
"Audio download and sent to your console. Would you like me to notify comms that you will be on your way down to have it analyzed?" Watson asked as Shapiro took another sip and sighed with a smile.
"That's good. Yeah please do Watson. I'm going to have this 'Brew' then make my way down. This is something that I'm interested in the most." He replied as he picked up the device Tz'eal gave him.
"Something the Elite gave you?" Watson asked.
"Yeah. This small thing is designed to intercept our radio traffic. So I'm wondering if we can use it in reverse. Perhaps tap into Covenant comms." Shapiro suggested.
"I will notify them. Is there anything else you would like me to do before you continue with this investigation?" Watson asked as Shapiro slowly finished his Tea, setting the cup down and letting out another satisfied sigh.
"Yeah. Notify Drake that I'm going to need him. Wayfinder One is going hunting." Shapiro said with a nod as he picked up the device and stood up, brushing down his uniform and turning off the displays of his desk before making his way to the door once again. Leaving his office to make his way to his communications site in order to figure the strange device Tz'eal had given him out.