A/N - Henlo everyone. It's been a very, VERY long time since I've posted an update to this. To explain, back in the beginning of December I was going through a rough period of my life. Everything seemed to be going wrong and I was not in a good place mentally. So I made the decision to step back from a lot of things I had going on at the time. D&D games, writing, playing a lot of video games, etc. I needed to make sure I was happy and safe. And now, after a few months I will admit I'm still not 100%. I doubt I ever will be, but I'm feeling a lot better than how I did before. Hopefully I will be back to writing on a "Regular" basis. Probably not weekly as I have said before, but I will keep going with this. I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and new year (Even if we're almost 3 months into said year.) and I hope you continue to enjoy the story. - Fangzy

Chapter 20

"Kara. This is Drake, do you read me?" Drake called out over the radio as the Mongoose flew over a small hill. Rogue, grasping to his backpack to remain seated while they drove back to Destiny.

"I hear you Drake. I've got Destiny open for you like you asked." Kara replied quickly over the radio.

"Have I got a clear route to the brig like I asked?" Drake questioned as he began to slow the Mongoose down, if the Elites were made aware of their hasty return they might figure something was wrong. He needed to maintain the illusion that the base was not aware of their presence.

"Yeah. The Engineering halls are open for you, Castle said they don't know what you're planning but they want you to know you owe them one." Kara replied as the base slowly came into view ahead of the pair.

"Has Shapiro's situation changed at all?" Drake asked as he slowly let off of the throttle, slowing the Mongoose down as he approached the base, his intention to not appear hasty in his return to the base, to keep the Elites as unaware as possible.

"I don't think so. The PA is still on and as far as I can translate the two Elites are talking about an exit plan. I think they might try to use the Commander as a shield to secure they're way out." Kara replied after a burst of static. Drake shook his head slowly, knowing that would go to hell real quick.

"Alright. We're like 2 minutes out. Call Talon and get a medic down to the garage, I've got wounded. Then get onto the comms to Shapiro, let him know Wayfinder has returned from our patrol, there was an accident and one of us is hurt but there's nothing else from our report. I'll be up in the next half hour to debrief. That'll let the Elites know they have time still." Drake explained as the metal shell of Destiny closed in. Turning the Mongoose he slowly drove up the ramp leading into the belly of the base, rolling up to his drop off point he climbed off the Mongoose before turning to assist Rogue. Pulling him off the back slowly and resting him against a nearby pillar.

"Medic! Someone get me a damned medic!" Drake called out as he glanced up to Shapiro's office, overlooking the garage before it. The windows were one-way so Drake wasn't sure if the Elite's were looking down upon him. He looked away as one of the Medics from Talon ran over.

"Corporal Allen reporting. What's happened?" Allen asked as he kneeled down next to Rogue, placing a pack of medical equipment down and opening it.

"An accident while out on patrol. Just get him back in shape." Drake said quickly as he stood up giving Rogue a pat on the shoulder.

"An Accident? 'Accidents' don't come with plasma burns, Sergeant." Allen explained with a suspicious tone of voice.

"Keep your fucking voice down. You know what's going on. You want them to figure out we know they're here?" Drake replied with a growl as he turned on the spot and glanced over to the Engineering halls.

"Got it Sergeant. I'll get him to the Med wing and get him patched up. Come on guys." Allen said as he gestured to the rest of his team who helped Rogue onto a stretcher and led him away from Drake.

"I'll be back in business soon Drake. Count on it." Rogue said as he was taken away. Drake nodded before rushing to the Engineering halls, putting the first step of his plan into action. Entering the dimly lit halls Drake worked his way through the winding halls, taking several wrong turns as he exited in locations he didn't need to go. After what seemed like an age he finally made it to his destination, the Armory. He needed something bigger than a BR55 to deal with his targets.

Inside the cage of the Armory was a tall but heavy set man, greying brown hair with a matching beard who turned to face Drake as he approached, chuckling and shaking his head.

"Should have known you'd be here sooner rather than later Taylor. What'll it be today?"

"Someone needs to do something Frank. I need an M45." Drake replied quickly as he locked eyes with Frank. The aging armor master was always calm and collected, knowing what a soldier needed for any given situation.

"One M45 coming right up. Buckshot or slugs?" Franks asked as he turned around and tapped the display on a nearby console, the racks of weapons slowly rotating before a collection of M45 and M90 shotguns were on display.

"I've got two Elites holding the Commander hostage, with plans to go in after a discreet distraction and blow them away. What would you suggest?" Drake asked as Frank returned to the desk, an M45 in one hand and two small boxes in the other, one green, one orange.

"Will the distraction be killing one of the split lips? Or will you need to take them both out?" Frank asked as he slid the Shotgun over to Drake who quickly picked the weapon up.

"Hopefully taking one out." Drake replied.

"Then in my opinion, take the buckshot. You'll be getting close, so you don't need the range to take out the second. But you'd better be careful Drake. I know what you're like." Frank warned as he passed over the green box. Drake popped it open and began loading shells into the weapon before pumping the action, loading one shell into the chamber.

"I know the stakes, I'll be careful. Besides, I've got backup." Drake said with a grin as he clipped some spare shells to the shoulder piece of his armor as a backup and slid the box back to Frank.

"I hope this backup is as good as you expect them to be." Frank said as Drake quickly turned around and began running down the main hall, knowing his way to the brig faster then taking the engineering halls.

Tz'eal did not know how much time had passed since Commander Shapiro began broadcasting over the base's internal PA system. He had began pacing the room since he heard the sound of one of his old comrades talking their mother tongue. They were here for him. They knew he was on the planet, it was even possible for them to know he was located within the Human Base. He wanted to call out, to get the attention of someone. But as he considered the thought he knew it was suicide.

He could surrender his life for the Commander, announce where he was and let himself be returned and executed as a heretic. But everything he had said and done up to the point would be rendered moot. Sighing with regret he returned to his cot and sat down, hoping someone would do something.

More time passed as he listened to his old comrades before the door to the brig opened suddenly. He sat upright and glanced over as Drake strode over to the door, tapping his fingers on the display.

"You are here?" He asked, sounding surprised and angry as the shield door disabled.

"I'm not long back. I know what's going on and I need your help. On your feet, let's go." Drake replied as he turned out of the cell and out of the brig itself. Tz'eal stood up slowly and stepped out of the cell, glancing at the open door. Slowly he stepped out into the hallway where Drake was waiting for him.

"Any time now, we've got to move." Drake said with a wave of his hand as he turned on the spot and began jogging away.

"I do not understand. What are you planning?" Tz'eal asked as he began slowly walking in the same direction but not keeping pace.

"I'm planning on saving Shapiro. And you're going to help me do it." Drake said as his pace slowed.

"What do you expect me to do? I am unarmed. I can not enter the room and demand they release their hostage and leave without harming any of your people. I would be executed." Tz'eal said quietly.

"You're a Zealot. You outrank them I'm sure. Go in and say some religious crap to get them to think about what they've done. I just need a few seconds to get into position before we then kill them." Drake replied as he began walking back towards Tz'eal who had stopped moving in the middle of the hallway leading out of the brig to Shapiro's office.

"You want me to kill one of them?" Tz'eal asked quietly without making eye contact with Drake, his shame clear in his voice.

"Tz'eal this is what you signed up for. You knew this was going to be a thing, fighting for us means fighting your own kind." Drake replied with a growl. His anger building as they had this conversation in the middle of an exposed hallway where anyone could find them.

"I understand. But, I did not expect it to happen so soon." Tz'eal replied quietly as he glanced away. Letting out a sigh Drake walked over to Tz'eal and placed a hand on his shoulder, causing Tz'eal to glance down and make eye contact.

"I know what you're going through. Killing one of your own isn't easy and it won't get any easier in future. But if you want to fight for us like you said you did, then this is something you have to do." Drake said in an understanding tone. He had killed humans before. The Insurrectionists were still fighting regardless of the Covenant.

"You killed that youngling in the tunnel. I remember." Tz'eal said quietly, his thoughts drifting to their first encounter.

"The only thing you can do is not let what's about to happen affect you. Remember why you do what you do and move on. That's all anyone can do." Drake said as he let Tz'eal go and took a step back.

"I understand. But I still do not know what we should do to save the Commander." Tz'eal said with a growl as he pondered the situation.

"You could go use your rank against them like Drake suggested." A female voice said from the darkness. Drake and Tz'eal both turned to the voice, Tz'eal igniting the daggers in his gauntlets while Drake leveled his shotgun at them. Slowly, Kara stepped out from the darkness with her hands raised.

"Kara? Damnit what are you doing here?" Drake asked, anger clear in his voice as he lowered the shotgun and waved his hand at Tz'eal who extinguished the daggers, stepping behind Drake while letting out a low growl at the female, 'Kara'.

"I knew there was more going on when the Commander came down to Comms and gave me the 'asset'. You mentioned the Brig on your way back so I came to see what was going on." Kara explained as she slowly approached the odd pair.

"What did you mean by 'using my rank'." Tz'eal asked as he slowly relaxed as Kara approached.

"You're all religious aren't you?" Kara asked, Tz'eal letting out a low growl again in response as Drake cleared his throat to get their attention.

"He isn't any more. He's a defector. We can get into this later, Shapiro's life is on the line. Explain." Drake said glancing between the two before landing on Kara whose face flushed red in embarrassment as she began rubbing the back of her neck.

"Well I just thought that if you were to use their religion against them. Say something that they would believe like this was all a test, or part of their gods plan. Something they might believe while Drake moves in behind and...you know. Kills them." Kara explained quietly without looking up at Tz'eal.

"Deception is not our way." Tz'eal said quietly as he considered her words.

"Your life has changed ever since you chose to come here. You can't do things your way anymore." Kara replied as she glanced over to Tz'eal who sighed and nodded his head.

"Alright so we've got a plan. You go in, get their attention by spouting some religious crap for long enough for me to get close to one. I kill one, you get the other and we all walk away happy as Larry with Shapiro." Drake listed off.

"Understood." Tz'eal said with a nod as Drake turned on the spot and continued to jog off, heading to Shapiro's office. Tz'eal took a single step in the same direction before stopping. He turned his head towards Kara. She looked up at him and smiled softly. Tz'eal opened his mandibles to say something but thought better of it. He nodded to her before running down the hall, chasing after Drake.

The hallway leading into Shapiro's office was dark and quiet as the pair slowed their pace upon approach. Drake half-cocked the action of his shotgun back, checking the chamber and ensured a shell was loaded. Everything was set to begin as he reached up for the door controls.

Tz'eal stood up to his full height and adjusted his posture as he glanced down at Drake. Nodding Drake keyed the door which hissed open slowly. He quickly moved back out of sight as Tz'eal began to step inside the room. Two needle Rifles leveled towards his head as he entered.

"Zealot?! You are here? Alive?" One of the Rangers asked, speaking Sangheili.

"I am. I have been here for a long time. Watching you." Tz'eal replied as he slowly walked into the middle of the room glancing between the two Rangers. One was close to the door, the other was adjacent to the Commanders seating position. It would be safer for Drake to engage the Sangheili by the door so he slowly approached the Commander who was sitting at the desk. Shapiro looked confused and angry at Tz'eal but remained quiet as he approached.

"You have been watching us? We were informed of your heresy! You are to return to High Charity with us and face the Judgement of the Council!" The closest Ranger said angrily.

"The Council knows I am here. They sent me here. To test you." Tz'eal explained as he leaned over, placing his hands on Shapiro's desk and looked over the displays before him. It was difficult to make out what was on the displays while they were the wrong way up for him, but after a few moments he spotted the external camera.

"You know of our recent losses. We need more capable warriors. I was tasked with leaving, to feign heresy in order to convince you of your task." Tz'eal began as he tapped one of his fingers on the display slowly to not draw attention. Shapiro's eyes slowly glanced down and widened slightly as he noticed what Tz'eal was showing him. His eyebrows furrowed, his mouth tightened as he glared at the three Sangheili.

"You have both completed your task. The others, were not as worthy." Tz'eal continued as he turned to the closer Sangheili. Confusion was clear on both of their faces as he glanced between the two. Their attention was fully on him. Drake would make his move any moment.

"So we were deceived by the Prophets? By the Supreme Commander?" The Ranger asked quietly as Tz'eal stepped before him.

"You were. But the deception was necessary Brother." Tz'eal replied as he placed his hand on the Rangers chest piece.

"Deception is not our way." The Ranger said quietly as he lowered his head.

"Deception has been our way for generations. Even if we did not know it." Tz'eal explained reverting to English which caught the attention of everyone in the room. There was a soft ripple of energy from Tz'eal. The Ranger before him began to spasm and let out a low gurgle as the Needle Rifle he was holding dropped to the floor with a loud clatter.

The Ranger by the door took a step forward to investigate what had happened before something caught his attention.

"Oi Suzy!" Drake said from his crouched position.

He had slowly made his way into the room, making sure his movements would not be picked up by the Elite's motion trackers. As the Elite raised his weapon Drake fired the first shell from his M45. The pellets of the shells impacting the Elite with enough force to overcharge its shields instantly. While the Elite tried to regain his footing Drake racked the pump action of the shotgun quickly and fired a second shell. Purple ichor and small giblets of flesh and bone splattered the wall behind the Elite as a small hole punched through his combat harness. The Elite dropped to the floor, his hand grasping at the hole in his chest for a few moments before his head fell back, hand dropped to the floor and eventually he stopped moving altogether.

Looking over to Tz'eal he was still standing by the other Ranger, the Rangers arms still moving in light spasms while emitting a soft gurgling sound as Drake approached. Tz'eal had placed his hand on the Rangers chest, in a position where his energy dagger would pierce the Elite's throat once engaged. Tz'eal continued to hold onto the Ranger while speaking quickly in their mother tongue.

"We have been deceived all our lives Brother. The Great Journey is a lie. You die now, returning to our fallen Brothers. But know this. I will avenge you all." Tz'eal said quietly before disengaging his dagger, catching the Ranger as he fell. Gently he lowered his fallen Brother to the floor and sighed.

"Commander? Are you alright?" Drake asked as he left Tz'eal alone to his thoughts.

"I am thanks to both of you. I should have known you'd do something stupid like this Drake." Shapiro replied while shaking his head, his expression gone from anger to a calm happiness.

"Of course. But like I say, if it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid." Drake replied with a chuckle.

"It's still stupid. It just worked." Shapiro replied with a chuckle of his own as he stood up from his chair finally and approached the kneeling Tz'eal.

"I know this must have been difficult for you Tz'eal. How are you?" Shapiro asked as he gently placed a hand on Tz'eals shoulder.

"I will be fine Commander. I did what needed to be done." Tz'eal replied after taking a deep breath.

"If you need time, or someone to talk to. You are free to call upon me at any time. Okay?" Shapiro said in a gentle tone of voice as he stepped back from Tz'eal who turned to face him, a look of surprise on his face.

"What does this mean Commander?" Tz'eal asked as Shapiro leaned over and tapped a display on his desk a few times. The Windows lightened slightly as Shapiro walked over to them, looking out at the visage before him.

"I never turned off the PA, Tz'eal. Everything that has happened in here has still been broadcast to the entire base. Even this conversation." Shapiro said as Drake and Tz'eal joined him, flanking both sides as they looked down into the garage. Many members of Destiny were looking up at them, pointing at Tz'eal and talking silently amongst themselves through the glass.

"You've proved yourself to me that you are a man of your word before. And now, hopefully you've proved yourself to the men and women of Destiny." Shapiro began as he turned to Tz'eal who glanced over to him with a look of confusion and shock on his face.

"What does this mean Commander?" Tz'eal asked again as Shapiro looked up to him with a smile on his face. He extended a hand out to Tz'eal and left it there from him to take for a moment.

"Welcome to the UNSC. Tz'eal N'Thanalm. I look forward to working with you and, hopefully in the future, the rest of your people." Shapiro said confidently as Tz'eal took his hand and shook it.

"It is an honour to fight for you, and your people, Commander."