The Pelican gently set down back in Destiny with a soft thud, the engineering crews rushing around gathering long refueling pipes and wheeling crates of ammunition to reload the aircraft. Slowly, as the rear ramp of the Pelican lowered, Drake and Tz'eal made their way down and out while breathing a sigh of relief, finally being back on solid, friendly ground.
"Home sweet home. I don't know about you but I'm fucking hungry. Want to get something to eat?" Drake asked nonchalantly as he raised his arms high above his head, groaning as he stretched out.
"Yes. Food does sound enticing right now." Tz'eal agreed with a nod as he looked around at the other Humans in the hangar. Everyone was running around while glancing over at him and Drake, large smiles on their faces. It would seem like news of their mission had gotten around.
"Alright let's go. We're probably going to be very popular when we get there so keep your wits about you." Drake replied as he waved them forward, leading Tz'eal towards the mess hall.
On their way there were several marines who tried to stop Drake and ask him several questions but he simply waved them away, informing them that he would explain in the Mess. Tz'eal could not help but notice that not a single Marine tried to speak to him. He did not care that they were not paying him attention, they had never done so before but it did hurt his pride slightly that he was the one to kill Harrison alongside Drake however they were acting like he was not present nor a contributing factor to the mission.
Slowly the pair became a crowd as more and more Marines flocked to them. Drake eventually led them all into the mess where he simply turned on the spot and addressed them all.
"Listen I know you're looking for the details but we're just in the door. Let us get something to eat and sit down for 5 minutes before you bombard us with questions." He said loudly which was met with groans and huffs of disapproval.
Reluctantly the crowd began to disperse within the large mess hall, each either joining a line to get something to eat or returning to their abandoned meal. Shaking his head while glancing to Tz'eal, Drake nodded slowly before joining the back of the line to get something to eat himself. The line slowly advanced second by second as the Marines rushed to get Drake's attention.
"Look who's finally back. Glad to see you both here in one piece." Welborn called out as Drake made his way to the front.
"Yep. Mission complete and now we're starving. What's good for today?" Drake asked as he looked into the refrigerated counter at the collection of meats and salads.
"Rotisserie chicken if it tickles your fancy." Welborn replied as he reached down and picked out a large pile of chicken strips using rubber tipped tongs.
"You know, chicken sounds good right about now." Drake replied as he looked at the meat, dripping with juice.
"Well pick your poison. You're going to need to get something that is good hot or cold since you're probably not going to be eating it too quickly. Given that you're going to be answering questions for the next hour or two at this rate." Welborn replied as he picked up a large tray and began placing the chicken upon it. He then gestured to the selection of veggies for salad which Drake picked out.
Once satisfied Drake gathered the tray and slowly walked over to a nearby table and sat down, glancing over his shoulder to Tz'eal, waiting for him to join at the table.
"And what about yourself Tz'eal? What will you try today?" Welborn asked, his tone going slightly higher, seemingly happier to see the Sangheili.
"That meat that Drake took, the shredded one. How would you describe it?" Tz'eal asked as he looked down at the metal container.
"Sweet, rich and filling. Something that I would highly recommend." Welborn replied with a smile and a nod toward the container. Looking at the other meats, it was the most enticing. There were slices of different meats, shredded dark meat, chunks of while meat and a strange looking orange meat. He had tried most of it but struggled to remember what most of it was called.
"I will take that too. Given that it is already shredded I will not need to work on it myself." Tz'eal replied with a nod as he considered how he would eat normally. Given how their mouths were structured Sangheili would use their top Jaw to hold their meat then use their mandible to shred it themselves before eating. There was no need to pre-shred the meat or use 'utensils'.
Nodding and smiling, Welborn passed over a tray with a large helping of the chicken with a small selection of salad to provide a little colour to the tray, regardless if Tz'eal would eat it or not.
Picking up the tray Tz'eal turned toward where Drake was sitting. Every seat at the table had been taken, swarmed with Marines who were pestering him with questions. Letting out a long sigh he looked to a nearby vacant table and took a seat across from two Marines who hadn't left to speak to Drake. As he sat down however they both abruptly stood up with their food and walked away, leaving him alone.
He slowly glanced over to Drake one final time who was looking his way. Drake shrugged his shoulder and shook his head as he waved his hands to everyone who had joined him, not leaving a seat for Tz'eal. Tz'eal simply nodded slowly in response and returned to his food. Letting Drake explain what happened in their mission, waiting for if or when Drake directs them to him.
"So you were inserted into their station with a cover story that was compromised. Then what happened?" one of the Marines asked, drawing Drake's attention back to the large group.
"Like I said before I was told to go with the large group of armed guards as they escorted me up to Harrisons room. On the way there I was able to inspect the halls for a way out and any defenses or weaknesses I could exploit." Drake continued to explain as he finally looked away from Tz'eal.
"When I joined Harrison he closed the door and made sure we were alone. There he explained that my cover was garbage and he knew it instantly. He basically then went on to do the typical bad guy monologue about what he planned to do to me and how my death was going to be painful and shit." Drake continued as he thought back.
"I guess we're going to have to speak to our intel gathering team and make sure they're doing their job properly. That could have got you killed." Another Marine suggested.
"I don't think they even knew Scott and Harrison knew each other. It's possible their friendship was never public just in case something like that ever happened to them." Drake suggested which received some muttering in response.
"But anyway, as I was sitting down across from him he asked me about Scott, whether he was alive or not. I couldn't tell him so I didn't. I did tell him I would find out if he let me go but his response was that wasn't going to happen." Drake continued as he glanced over to Tz'eals table. Two figures had approached and sat down beside him which made Drake smile.
"So he sat you down and knew who you weren't. What happened next? You managed to draw your weapon and kill him?" A Marine asked.
"Not quite. His assistant came into the room with some sort of report which caused him to stand up and walk around while speaking to her. Asked her to leave us alone because he didn't want her to witness someone getting their head blown off." Drake continued as he shook his head.
"Next thing I knew she was out the door and Harrison was behind me, Magnum in hand, barrel basically on the back of my head." Drake finished as he looked down at his tray of food and scooped up a small pile of chicken.
"And then what? He basically had you dead to rights. How did you manage to get out of that to kill him?" Another Marine asked as he looked at Drake impatiently. Drake looked back at the marine with a grin as he munched down on his food, making him wait even longer.
"Come on man, you can't keep us waiting like this." Another marine protested as Drake finally put his fork down on the table and looked around at them.
"I don't know what to tell you. You're assuming that I was the one to kill him." Drake replied calmly as he then glanced over to Tz'eal who was mid conversation with his new companions.
"Well we're glad to see you both back in one piece. Means you managed to get the job done at least." Jay commented as he sat down on Tz'eals' right.
"Yeah, we were worried something might happen but since you're a Zealot and Drake's an ODST we figured everything would be alright in the end." Kara added as she sat down on Tz'eals left. He glanced between them, stammering as he struggled to find any words.
"Rendering an Elite speechless. I'm not sure if that's some kind of accomplishment." Jay commented as he leaned over to look over to Kara.
"In his defense I don't think he was expecting anyone to come sit with him let alone speak to him." Kara replied with a grin as Tz'eal looked at her.
"My apologies. As you say I was not expecting something like this to happen." Tz'eal replied with a nod, finally able to find his words.
"Don't apologize. You've got nothing to be sorry for. You're one of us now right?" Jay said happily as he leaned forward.
"It does not feel like that. I have been here for a long time but every moment I feel as though I am simply not wanted. That feeling is amplified by the fact that they have no idea what happened out there, yet already believe Drake to have done everything." Tz'eal explained as he finally opened up.
"He's not that kind of person." Kara replied quietly as he looked over her shoulder towards him.
"You are sure of this?" Tz'eal asked.
"I've known him most of my life. He's not the sort of person to take the credit for something someone else has done." Kara replied with a smile.
"Yeah I can second that. He's more likely to take the fall for something you've done than take the credit. I can tell you he's taken the fall for me more times than I can count and I can't count that high." Jay added with a chuckle which resulted in Tz'eal clicking his mandible several times.
"They'll come around and see that you're not here to harm us." Kara began as she looked over her shoulder, noticing how quiet things had gotten.
"Sooner than you expected." She finished as she tapped Tz'eal on the shoulder. He glanced at her then followed her gaze. Turning on his chair he looked over at Drake and his group who had all stopped talking and were staring at him.
"Wait hold the fuck up. You're telling me you let it take your kill?" A Marine said loudly.
"I didn't let him to shit. He saved my life." Drake replied angrily to the Marine who scoffed and shook his head.
"So what did it do? How did it kill Harrison?" Another asked.
"Don't ask me. Ask him. He is sitting right there." Drake replied as he pointed towards Tz'eal. The Marine looked over to Tz'eal who crossed his arms and waited. The Marine took a deep breath to steady himself before opening his mouth.
"How did you kill Harrison? Drake's told us the rest of the story." He asked, the fear in his voice clear.
"I entered the room after the female, using my camouflage to conceal my movements. Upon seeing Harrison with a weapon ready to execute Drake I grabbed him." Tz'eal began before Drake abruptly stood up.
"Show them. Use me as an example, just don't, you know. Kill me." Drake suggested as he walked before Tz'eal who also stood up.
"I grabbed him like this." Tz'eal continued as he gently placed his hand on Drake's head.
"I offered him the chance to surrender and preserve his life. However, he swung to attack me." Tz'eal continued as Drake followed along by throwing a slow punch. Just as he had done with Harrison Tz'eal gently caught the punch and held onto Drake's fist.
"At this point I explained that he had made the wrong choice. I simply pulled. He died." Tz'eal explained as he gently pulled Drake's arm, twisting his body slightly, enough to make the Marines understand but not enough to cause harm.
"You guys didn't want to see it. Seriously. His head was facing the wrong direction. It was not pretty." Drake explained as Tz'eal let him go.
"Wait so you are strong enough to almost rip someone's head off?" A Marine asked, sounding surprised and scared at the same time.
"I am. However that is not something I will do to you. Unless you anger me." Tz'eal replied honestly as he turned back to his chair and food, sitting back down.
"As I've been telling you all over and over again. He's here to help us." Drake began as he stood next to Tz'eal.
"In all the wars Humanity has fought over the last few hundred years against ourselves, Defection has happened. It's not an alien concept to us. Just because he isn't Human doesn't mean he can't do the same thing." Drake finished as he looked over the hall to an approaching figure.
"Officer on deck!" He called out as he spotted Shapiro approaching. All of the Marines stood to attention as he joined them.
"At ease. I see you're settling back in, you two. Once you've finished your food I need you both and Kara to join me in my office for debrief and a new briefing. I need your input Tz'eal." Shapiro explained before turning around without another word, leaving towards his office.
Both Drake and Tz'eal looked at each other before turning to Kara who nodded slowly before standing up, following Shapiro's path towards his office.
"Story time's over. Tz'eal lets go." Drake said quietly as he watched Kara leave. Without a word Tz'eal was on his feet and leading the way out, the Marines slowly stepping aside and letting him pass with smiles on their faces giving him nods as he passed. Perhaps now things were going to change.
Walking only for a few minutes the pair made their way into Shapiro's office, the windows had already been darkened and the lights dimmed as he and Kara stood around his desk which was glowing a light blue colour.
"Welcome you two. Please, something's come up." Shapiro said as he gestured for them to join him at the table. Quickly they strode over.
"What's going on, Shap?" Drake asked as he looked around in the darkness, expecting someone to step out and scare him.
"Before you left Kara here was able to use the device Tz'eal gave us to intercept a transmission from the Covenant." Shapiro started as he pressed a button on the desk. Holographic projections of the data Kara had received and translated were displayed above them.
"There was talk about a holy site found and someone by the name of 'Regret' directing a small fleet of ships to locate the site and recover anything for the Covenant." Kara continued as Shapiro nodded to her.
"Regret? He is one of the holy Prophets. A voice of the Covenant." Tz'eal explained.
"Well he's gathered a small fleet and is planning on attacking a planet they had discovered. A planet named 'Erdetirine'." Kara continued as she tapped on the console before her. The holographic display changed to a depiction of Earth.
"Wait…" Drake began as he glanced at Kara who was slowly nodding.
"Erdetirine is Earth." She replied quietly.
"Earth. This is your home world." Tz'eal commented quietly as he looked up at the revolving hologram of the planet.
"It is. And now we're needing your input on this Tz'eal." Shapiro replied as he tapped his console, the projection turning off and the lights of his office slowly brightening.
"We need to warn ONI and the UEG about an incoming threat. Given that you were one of them once. How many ships would you guess would be sent to get to this site and would it be possible to defend ourselves from such an attack?" Shapiro asked as Tz'eal looked down at the table quietly.
"Do not tell them." He replied bluntly. All three, Drake, Kara and Shapiro took a step back in shock at his words.
"You're telling us not to warn our home world of an incoming attack?!" Drake asked, getting loud as he leaned in closer towards Tz'eal.
"Yes. I am." Tz'eal replied quietly as he looked up and over towards Shapiro.
"The Covenant are on our doorstep and you're suggesting we sit here and do nothing? We'd be condemning the people of Earth to death." Shapiro argued calmly as he raised his hand towards Drake, trying to keep him calm and quiet.
"They have called this planet Erdetirine. As far as the Covenant are aware there should be no Human presence on this planet. They should not know of their current prize." Tz'eal began as he slowly walked toward Shapiro's side of the table.
"However you must realize that the device I gave you is still being used by our enemy. If you broadcast that the Covenant has found Earth, they will intercept your transmission and you will be telling them that they have found your home world." Tz'eal continued as he looked away from Shapiro at the table.
"Watson, please bring up all of the planets which contained Human colonies that the Covenant have glassed." He asked as the Englishman appeared on a nearby plinth.
"Of course. Why do you need this information?" Watson asked as before the group several planets were projected, the details of how many lives were lost beside them when they were glassed.
"If you warn your people, your home world will be added to this statistic. They will realize their prize and attack with every ship they have. Your home world will be burned until it's surface is but glass and you will be the one to blame." Tz'eal finished coldly as he glanced at Shapiro who had gone white as he had listened to Tz'eal.
"He's right." Kara said quietly, finally finding her voice as she slowly nodded.
"If we tell them we will be the ones who kill all the people on Earth. All the people on the MAC platforms trying to defend her. All the ships in drydock or in orbit. We'll be responsible for all of them if we say something." Kara finished quietly with a sigh as she looked to Tz'eal and nodded.
"We're about to willingly let the Covenant attack our home. And we're all okay with this?" Drake asked quietly as he looked over to Shapiro and Kara.
"No we are not." Tz'eal replied before the others could speak as he looked at Drake and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"But we have no other choice."