Vadam Legacies: The Rift



Plot
It is the year 2559. The Sangheili have long since split from the Covenant and allied with the humans prior to the end of the Human-Covenant War, finding victory soon after.

Not all Sangheili are in agreement to this truce. Many separated from the military for widespread protests of their actions. Conflict arises upon their homeworld, Sanghelios.

Many shocking surprises follow. Their leader is relative to one of the Sangheili's greatest warriors, and in one swift move, he has changed their history forever. And the consequences that come may mark the end of the Sangheili's hard-earned trust in the humans...

Covenant

 * Autel 'Vadam
 * Taszar 'Vadam
 * Cyla 'Cazal
 * Fira 'Demal
 * Sona 'Demal
 * Isto 'Vadum
 * Zehr'tul 'Sumai
 * Adra 'Vadam
 * Kysa 'Vadam
 * Vena 'Vadam

UNSC

 * SPARTAN-116
 * Ezekiel
 * Joey-G148
 * Sara-G134
 * Dennis-G102
 * Crystal-G072
 * Jack-G067
 * Aqil Hafsa
 * Raphael Esquival-Cortez
 * Gregory Montrose

Covenant

 * Thel 'Vadam
 * Rtas 'Vadum

UNSC

 * John-117
 * Frederic-104
 * Kelly-087
 * Linda-058
 * Jai-006
 * Adriana-111
 * Mike
 * Tom-B292
 * Lucy-B091
 * Ash-G099
 * Olivia
 * Mark
 * Cortana

Story


Chapter 1
'''TIME 16:22:37:09 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), TENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), STATE OF PYRON, SANGHELIOS

0800 HOURS, FEBRUARY 22ND, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

Sangheili Minor Taszar 'Vadam moved quickly, evading the energy bolts that flew past him. He retaliated by firing his Plasma Rifle at his opponent, taking a few shots on his shields. He closed in, punching the enemy had on the shoulder, breaking the bone. As the other Sangheili dropped his weapon and moved to retaliate with his working arm, the minor domo lashed out swiftly with his leg, causing his opponent to lose his balance. The separatist managed to remain standing, but looked up just in time to see the young Sangheili cracking his weapon over his head. The assailant fell back and crumpled.

Taszar made sure the enemy was dead, and paused for a moment to think. How much longer would this war drag on? For six years, this conflict had been spreading throughout Sanghelios and other nearby systems. Many Sangheili had objected openly to their truce with the humans after the defeat of the Covenant Loyalists and their treacherous leaders the San'Shyuum, and created a rebel group called "The Fallen". Their belief had been that they had fallen from honour by taking the side of the humans, and although they were no believers of the delusive Great Journey, circumstances turned what should have been a triumphant return from the war to a bitter disagreement. After months of tense political dispute and suspicious activities from the Fallen, war erupted on Sanghelios. The protesters were unusually well-organized, and friends turned unexpectedly on each other. The conflicts were long and bloody, and although the original Fallen leader, Atsu 'Hidal had been killed three years ago, it was rumoured there was another one operating in secrecy. And now, although he hated the war greatly from the day he joined the battles, the fighting itself did not bother Taszar unduly. Killing another Sangheili was the same as any other foe, if there was a good reason.

Taszar swore as he saw more Fallen charging him. Where were those reinforcements that were supposed to be here? He couldn't take them all on his own. Unfortunately, the Sangheili were spread thin trying to hold down the separatist forces, and soldiers were being sent to and fro to wherever was needed most. Anyone put in a squad were most likely to be in a heavy skirmish, and would be lucky to have a leader rallying them. It looked like was alone for the time being, and there was nothing for it but to take them all out.

Opening fire, the young Sangheili cut down one of the separatists with a sustained burst, grimacing as he noticed his own shields were depleted. There was no time to take cover. Drawing a plasma pistol, he melted the head of a second with an overcharged shot. Raising his rifle again, he fired rapidly on the last enemy, but didn't manage to take him down before the gun overheated too and vented blue steam.

Taszar dropped his weapons, preparing to deal with the separatist with his own hands. The assailant's mandibles parted in a nasty smile as he aimed at the young Sangheili, but didn't move more than two steps before he screamed and jerked upward. Two energy blades appeared in his chest. The Fallen fell (Taszar smiled grimly at the irony), and another Sangheili appeared out of the air. It was his friend, Zehr'tul 'Sumai.

"There are more enemies coming," the stealth soldier said, handing him his rifle back. "I managed to slow them down, but they seem to have something of importance in these facilities, because they keep sending soldiers to take this area back."

"Do you have a plan?" Taszar asked.

"Our reinforcements are almost here. They are coming by foot. Something shot their dropship down."

The Fallen were becoming increasingly resourceful, and their threat was heavier than ever. This war had to end soon.

"We should go," Zehr'tul said, turning around. "Tico 'Serul says he will hold the Fallen away from this area until he finds what they are trying to keep us away from. The Arbiter has a suspicion as to what it is. We are being ordered to destroy the hidden anti-aircraft cannons so that our Phantoms can make their way through here."

Tico 'Serul was one of the most renowned Special Operations Officers in the military. The fact that the Arbiter wanted a massive force placed here, a fairly large commando squad no less, meant that there was a good chance something of importance was around here.

"You should see how many units are being pulled over here," Zehr'tul said, reading his mind. "The battle here should be over soon."

Over? Taszar thought, following him down the street. Were it so easy.

Autel 'Vadam entered the Keep, carefully cradling a series of bundles in his arms. Usually the symbols and images engraved into the wall would interest him whenever he moved up or down the stairs, but today his mind was elsewhere. It had been for a while now. Upon reaching the fourth level, he easily found her room, and opened the door.

"Autel?" a voice called. "Is that you?"

"Yes, Cyla," he replied, entering. "I have returned." He handed the bundles over to her, and wiped the perspiration off his face.

Cyla sat up in bed, leaning against the wall. "Was there any trouble?" she asked, unwrapping the bundles, and looking at them.

"No. No one ventures here, and there is not much they would want from us." His calm demeanour tensed as he heard the sound of the main door opening and closing. Drawing a plasma pistol, he said, "Remain here."

The Vadam Keep was emptier than usual, because a lot of the soldiers were fighting the separatists, and the younglings and elderly were kept out of danger. He had long disapproved of the decision, although it had been ordered for everyone on Sanghelios. He himself felt there was little honour in abandoning one's Keep, which was not only a home but a representation of who any Sangheili was. But it was pointed out that the Fallen, despite their claims, did not always abide by their honour, and it wouldn't be put past them to slaughter those unable to defend themselves.

It could be a Vadam returning from the State, the albino Sangheili thought. But these days, it never hurt to be careful.

Autel silently padded down the stairs, pistol ready, but relaxed when he saw who it was. An exhausted-looking Sangheili was making his way towards the stairs. He wore a grey-coloured armour, with ancient symbols and patterns etched upon it. It was the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam.

"How was your day, father?" Autel asked.

"Not good," Thel replied wearily. "The Fallen are causing more trouble, and I am not sure we can keep them down much longer." Thel had taken a political position on Sanghelios, and was trying to negotiate terms with the separatists.

"What about their leader?" Autel said, as they made their way up the stairs.

"We still do not know who it is. He refuses to meet directly."

"We are certain there is a leader, then?"

"Yes, but we sense his intentions. He makes his moves very carefully." Thel looked slightly frustrated. "What have you discovered?"

"We have found more traitors among the families," Autel said. "Nadi 'Andal has also been recently discharged following suspicions of assisting the Fallen. He claims he was set up by the Vadum family."

Thel frowned. The young Sangheili knew he was thinking about Fleet Master Rtas 'Vadum, whose honour would never lead him to betray them to the Fallen. But perhaps his family was not necessarily the same way. However, the Arbiter's expression faded into a slight smile when they reached Cyla's room.

"Greetings, Arbiter," she said, gently laying the bundles on the bed. "Please, come in."

The two Sangheili entered, and as Autel sat down beside his father, Thel said, "Congratulations. How many?"

"Three," Cyla said, looking down fondly at the sleeping newborns. "Two males, one female."

"I had just returned from the mountaintop," Autel said. "I was about to take them to the temple for the final blessing."

Thel examined each of the baby Sangheili. "Their appearances seem to be normal," he observed. The newborns were slumbering peacefully, looking completely untroubled. The female shifted as she awoke, yawned, and opened her eyes. The Arbiter inhaled sharply. Her irises were the same colour as Autel's. White, with a hint of red in them. Naturally piercing.

"That will not be a problem," Autel said. "No one in the Keep will know." After newborns were blessed, the males were kept in the Keep, while the females were sent into the State, along with the mother.

The doctor entered the room, holding a container. "Cyla, I must administer to you one last dose of the strengthening solution." Thel stood up, placed his fingers to his chest in the "best of luck" gesture, and left the room.

Autel stood up too. "I will return soon," he said. Cyla nodded, and said, "I will prepare to leave." Sangheili females lost a lot of blood upon giving birth, and she had spent the last few units trying to recover it. They quickly embraced, and he picked up the newborns gently and left the room.

Taszar stepped over the body of the last member of the rebel squad. It had been a quiet affair, and despite the Fallen's larger numbers, he and Zehr'tul had taken them down one by one without raising the alarm. They were only detected once, but it was a single guard. The minor domo had silenced him quickly, locking blades with the guard and headbutting him, goring his foe's face in with the spikes on his helmet.

The metal on the headgear gleamed purple in the low light along with his orange eyes, giving him an eerie appearance. But if anything, Taszar remained as calm as ever. Zehr'tul's blade, its energy vapourized any blood that came into contact with it, was as pure in colour as ever. It was hard to tell that the stealthy Sangheili had scored in the past few subunits.

The Fallen hideout was ingeniously designed, hidden away into the face of a cliff. The separatists had been careful not to leave any traces, but thanks to Kei 'Oltem, who had a specialty for tracking, he identified the hidden entrance and gave an estimate as to the size of the structure inside. Taszar and Zehr'tul had entered surreptitiously, aware of the air patrols no doubt swooping hidden above them somewhere. They had to kill a few enemies, but by the time their bodies were found, the two Sangheili would be long gone.

The next room was brightly lit. Taszar and Zehr'tul took positions on either side of the doorway and peeked in. Many Sangheili, mostly Minors, loitered around. The room was quite obviously a dining hall, and the midday meal was in full swing. A few months ago, the young Sangheili had felt apprehensive at the thought of spilling the blood of his own race, but after several battles, he saw what they were up to, and his sympathy quickly vanished.

Their blood holds no honour, he thought. They have tainted themselves with self-deceit.

But their task right now was not to score kills. Taszar and Zehr'tul activated their camouflage and passed unnoticed on the catwalks above.

The adjacent rooms were all connected to a series of corridors leading out of the dining hall. Most likely dormitories. Leaving the long passageway behind, the next room was what they were really looking for: the armoury. The long-time friends nodded to each other and each moved to set the charges. Firearms were first to be rigged to explode, then the fuel cells and explosives. The room was guarded by four Sangheili, however.

"We should set them out of sight," Zehr'tul said quietly.

"We cannot take the chance that they will discover it," Taszar said. "The key points to set the explosives are behind those two anyway."

His friend shrugged, and held his Energy Sword in his hand. The former dropped a plasma grenade discreetly behind one of the guards. The Fallen turned their heads to see the glowing explosive. The stealth Sangheili quickly cut down the one farthest to the back.

The grenade exploded before the second guard could react, killing him. Zehr'tul managed to take down a second enemy. The last one, however, reached for an alarm strapped to his side.

Taszar shot him several times, dropping him. But the alarm had been raised. Swearing, he said, "We must set the charges to detonate immediately. It does not matter whether we make it out or not, this place must be destroyed." His friend nodded, and they hurriedly completed their task. Quickly activating their camouflage, the two Sangheili ran back the way they came, bypassing many units of Fallen that may or may not have spotted them.

They reached the catwalk again, and noticed that everything seemed to still be normal. But another Sangheili was coming their way. The catwalk being only wide enough for one Sangheili at once, the pair had no choice but to kill him.

Taszar held a fist up to Zehr'tul, who nodded. The two backed up into the first hallway again, which was now empty. When the guard entered, the stealth Sangheili deactivated his camouflage. The Fallen's mandibles went slack in surprise, and reached for his weapon.

Taszar stepped behind him, wrapping a purple garrote wire around the Sangheili's neck and wrenching it tight. Blood poured out of his neck and he crumpled to his knees, dropping his gun and grabbing at his throat instead. The separatist struggled with the wire for a moment, unable to make a sound.

"Be quick," Taszar said. "It will not be long before the next guard comes here."

The friends ran off silently, leaving the single enemy to writhe dying on the ground. Behind them, they heard the sound of the charges detonate. They managed to reach the exit in time to see Fallen aircraft coming in towards the structure. As they cleared the area, the rumbling echoed through the mountains as half the cliff face collapsed.

Autel walked down the steps of the keep carrying the three tiny bundles. He was a father. The thought had been in his mind all morning, but it still filled him with a great joy. He knew that the males would never know who he was when they became older, but he would be able to watch over them and ensure they became great warriors.

He remembered Thel's worried look when he saw Vena's eyes. He himself had been thinking about it more than once. It was one of the many signs that would mark her as different as she become older, no doubt. But perhaps it was also an indication of something special about her. He had seen Cyla's far-away look when she gazed on her daughter. He could never tell what she was feeling when she looked like that.

Autel's hooves clicked on the stone as he reached the bottom of the stairs. He spun as he heard a rustling, saw a flash of armour and ducked. Without giving time to pause, he left the newborns on the ground as he rose again, activating his Energy Sword. It was strange that there were intruders inside the Keep at this time, but long-time experience had taught him to remain alive during the moment of crisis and find the answers later.

Air whistled behind him, and he spun and blocked the energy staff. With a twist of his wrist he destroyed the weapon. Another twist, and his attacker's head flew off.

More of the Fallen rushed out of the other rooms, carrying bundles. With a horrible realization of what they were door, he looked down, and saw that the bundles no longer lay at his feet. In the doorway, a Sangheili was holding them. His children.

The separatists were running out of the keep, and Autel gave chase. He cut down as many of them as he could, but kept his eyes on the one holding his newborns. Leaping through the air, he drove his energy blades deep into his back.

The rest of the enemies were gone. Pulling his weapon out of the dead Sangheili, he looked down and realized that there were not three bundles, but two. They were not his children. Slowly and carefully, he headed back towards the Keep, picking up all the newborns he could find. Fortunately, none of them were hurt, but he felt hollow inside. His offspring were gone. Taken.

Cyla jerked up as she heard a mighty roar, and the sound of an Energy Sword activating. She knew something was wrong.

The doctor looked up. "Is there a problem, Excellency?"

Cyla twisted to look out the window, where many Sangheili were running down the path, with Autel running after them, cutting them down. "What has happened?"

She watched Autel disappear down the path for a moment, and headed back inside holding something. There was the sound of urgent conversation downstairs, and after several minutes, he entered the room, holding a deactivated Energy Sword. His normally pale eyes were a deep shade of crimson, and his mandibles were bared in anger.

His hands trembling, he placed the weapon back on his side. Breathing erratically, he looked at Cyla slowly and said softly, "They have taken them." His expression held great pain.

The doctor awkwardly left the room, and a moment later, Cyla felt tears running down her face. She cried out in despair and squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Autel's arms around her. She could almost feel his sadness. Cyla tried to stop her weeping, but could not, and wished that her hearts would stop beating.

Chapter 2
'''TIME 16:22:37:09 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), FOURTEENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), SLIPSPACE

1652 HOURS, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

Thel 'Vadam walked to the head of the bridge, next to Rtas 'Vadum.

"I just received a communique from Sanghelios, Arbiter."

"What is it?"

Rtas blinked and clicked his mandibles. "In your quarters. Autel wishes to speak with you."

Sensing something was wrong, he walked slightly faster back to his quarters.

Sealing the door, he activated the holo-table and opened a channel to Sanghelios, tuned to Autel's COM.

He responded a subunit later. "Father, thank you for answering quickly."

Thel was startled. Autel's armour was on, except his helmet, providing him a good view of Autel's face, white, with the two purple scars on his right cheek.

"What has transpired? You should still be travelling with your children!"

Autel hung his head. "The Fallen have committed an act of great disrepute." Quickly, he explained what happened.

"They have slaughtered several Vadams at the Keep, and attempted to leave with every newborn inside. I brought back about a dozen of them, but the rest have been taken...including my own."

Thel resisted the urge to break the door in. "We will return to Sanghelios at once!"

"No, we must find help! The Keep is losing hope, and our warriors are spread thin. I will personally be tracking down my children, but you must bring the help of the humans."

Thel was humbled by his son's calmness and strength. "Very well. How is your mate?"

It was Autel's turn to be humbled. "Not well, she has taken ill from grief and cannot travel. I have assured her all is well, but the physician says that retrieving the children is of utmost importance, for her and the Keep." He snorted. "Like I needed to be told that."

Thel nodded. "I should not keep you any longer. Go, and bring down the fury of Vadam onto the usurpers!"

Autel nodded and shut off the holotable.

"Katana, you are cleared for drop," said Lieutenant Hannah-201 over the COM. "Good hunting."

Matt-G132 replied: "Aye aye, prepping for drop."

The five Spartans of Katana team seated themselves in the drop pods and buckled up. A few minutes later the hatch slid shut in front of them, and darkness engulfed the inside of the pods. Lights flickered on, and a team com channel opened, as well as one to the STARS satellite. Joey watched as the mission parameters scrolled down in front of him:

'''//Stellar System: Zeta-9//

'''//Mission: Inspection of old UNSC emergency code//

//The following is a transcript of the emergency beacon://

This is ODST squad[static] of the 105th ODST division. We are stranded on planet Zeta-9, coor[static] Are running low on [static] and need assistance. Broadcast repeats.

//End transcript//

//Select this to hear the full transmission//

He switched off the message and checked the countdown. Thirty seconds. As the Helljumpers would put it: "Time to shove the cork in your ass."

Five... four... three... two... one...

A loud thump was heard, and he accelerated incredibly fast from the belly of the cruiser.

"Katana, we're predicting that you'll be split up by about two kilometres, and about one klick from your predicted landing site."

"Copy that, ma'am."

The pod began rumbling as they hit atmosphere.

"Thirty seconds to landing."

Joey braced himself.

"Deploying chute."

He jolted in his seat as the chute unravelled and slowed his downward velocity.

"Fifteen seconds."

Braced...

His pod hit the soft earth hard, and he felt his spine stress with the inertia of his body. He checked the external sensors for hostiles, then hit the eject button. The front of his pod shot away from him with a bang, and he leaped out on to the moist ground of Zeta-9. Syncing with the GPS from the STARS satellite, he took off to the RV point with the rest of Katana Team.

He was second there. Dennis was first, seated on a stump; cloaked, of course. The rest of the team got there within ten minutes, with Sara lagging behind the others. She ran up, explaining that her pod hatch had stuck shut. Thus reunited, Katana team activated their camouflage and set off in to the undergrowth, towards the source of the signal.

It was twenty-two klicks to the signal location. It was going to be a long walk...

Corporal Aqil Hafsa finished shaving and shook the shaving cream can. Almost empty. Damn.

He checked for any last stubble before washing his face and slinging his weapon over his back. Marching out of the makeshift latrine, he spotted Gunnery Sergeant O'Brien coming down off the ridge. When O'Brien saw him he pumped his arm, and Hafsa's blood ran cold.

Ever since they'd landed on this planet seven years ago they'd acted out guerrilla warfare on the Covenant troops stationed here. When they'd run out of bullets they'd hauled off Covenant weapons. Unfortunately the aliens, weather, and constant food shortages had whittled their numbers down from their original 36 to just 19 of them. Among the dead were Staff Sergeant Donald and Sergeant Major Anderson. Donald had been cut down by a Brute with a grenade launcher, literally blown to bits. Anderson had gone down under a slew of Jackals, who poured over him in an attempt to break the ODST line.

At first morale had been high, but as the years passed and boredom really set in, things were starting to look bad.

Now things couldn't be worse. Half the remaining men were close to mutiny, and now the Covenant were on their way once more to bring the fight to the Marines.

Hurrying from shelter to shelter, Hafsa roused the ODSTs and got ready to move out. They bundled up all the essentials, doused the fires, and packed the small tents. They left the more complicated shelters, like the lean-tos and the small caves. They'd been in this particular location for about three months, and had built more permanent shelters. Now they had to abandon them.

The company was ready to move within six minutes. By that time Hafsa had learned that the Covenant forces were only a couple minutes out. They had to move or get screwed to the wall. The nineteen remaining ODSTs double-timed it out of the depression and made for the heart of the woods. Hafsa took rearguard, watching for the enemies that would be pursuing them. The company travelled for two kilometers before bumping into another search party.

It wasn't as if Hafsa expected to get away clean, but it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. There were twenty or so Grunts and two Brutes, and the team immediately engaged. Despite the lack of hope that weighed down the ODSTs, they still took the initiative to take tactical positions and worked as a team. Grenades were thrown in lines, taking out masses of Grunts, and snipers hung back, trying to take down the Brutes. O'Brien didn't even have to issue orders, the troops knew what to do. Still, it was pretty simple: stay together or die.

One ODST took a spike through the leg, and stumbled towards a rock, ducking behind it as medic rushed to help him. They'd had to resort to using Covenant medical equipment, theirs having been used up years ago. A trio of Grunts rushed towards them, their sound of their footsteps easily heard padding across the ground. Without turning, the injured Marine poked his sidearm around the corner of the boulder and squeezed of a few shots. The bullets that hit took one Grunt in the chest twice, dropping the tiny alien. Hafsa quickly took aim and shot the other two in the head.

A few minutes later, the Brutes had been sniped down, the Grunts neutralized, and the area was clear for the time being. The medic finished treating the ODST, and helped him up. The team re-orientated themselves, and moved on.

Joey held up his hand and the team halted.

He cocked his head and listened hard. Sure enough, he heard Covenant weapons fire off in the distance.

"Let's check it out."

They followed the sounds and found themselves at the site of a small battle.

"Sara, where's the beacon now?"

"Half a klick due east, sir."

"Move out."

The ODSTs walked into the middle of another firefight. This time there were thirty Grunts, fifteen Jackals, ten Brutes, as well as a swarm of those Drones.

Hafsa gritted his teeth in frustration. They had hardly moved out for more than five minutes before they were tracked again. This time, the numbers were bigger.

One ODST screamed as he was picked up by a Drone. The alien flew twenty feet into the air, and dropped the Marine. The Corporal winced as he heard the sound of the soldier's bones breaking as his scream was sharply cut off.

"Take out the fliers, damn it!" O'Brien shouted. The Marines raised their guns and shot many of them out of the air. But this gave the Covenant ground forces a chance to rally and pour gunfire in from all sides.

The team was beginning to lose cohesion. Some fired wildly, others tried to run. More than one was cut down by the ruthless onslaught.

Hafsa heard O'Brien grunt behind him as he was hit by a flurry of spikes. The Corporal turned around, primed a plasma grenade, and paid the Brute back in kind by attaching the explosive to his armour. Without waiting for it to detonate, he fired in sustained bursts at the Jackals' unprotected hands, unwilling to let the Covenant get to his Sergeant.

Five green-armoured Spartans charged into the fray, pressing in from the opposite side and breaking the Covenant circle. They shot Jackals in the back, and took down the Drones with deadly accuracy. One of them killed three Brutes in a matter of seconds.

Immediately, the fight turned in favour of the humans. The ODSTs cheered themselves ragged, and fought with fresh vigour. In a few minutes it was once again over.

"We did it, Sarge," Hafsa said, grinning. His smile faded when he turned to see O'Brien lying on the ground, completely still.

Joey looked the Helljumpers over. There were thirteen left. Some of them were standing over the bodies of their fellow soldiers, others looking at the Spartan with interest. He realized that they were wearing old ODST armour.

He marched up to a young Marine. "Where's your CO, Private?"

The soldier looked up at him, ashen faced, and jerked his head towards two ODSTs, both with their helmets off. One was on the ground, dead.

Hafsa looked up from the body of O'Brien. "I'm in command now. What took you so long to get here?"

"We just picked up on your transmission a few hours ago. We got here as soon as we could. What's your division?"

"105th, assigned to the Pillar of Autumn."

Joey was shocked. From what John-117 had told him, the 105th had been wiped out on Alpha Halo, how could...unless...

Katana's COMs crackled and the voice of Commander Evelyn Feng filled their ears.

"Katana, we are extracting you on the double. A message just came from the Sangheili requesting assistance. SPARTAN-116 has requested we meet in-system, we're going to rendezvous at best speed and Commander Montrose is going to take you to Sanghelios. A Pelican is coming in to bring you back to the Aurora Borealis."

Katana looked at each other and then at the bedraggled ODSTs.

Joey clicked on to respond: "Yes, ma'am. By the way, we just found our objective. You're not going to believe this..."

Chapter 3
'1900 HOURS, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR), UNSC FRIGATE INDEPENDENT CRUSADER'', IN ORBIT ABOVE PLANET EARTH

Lieutenant Commander Felix Martel paced the floor back and forth, thinking. He was dimly aware that the Independent Crusader entered Slipspace, but he couldn't help but feel that it wasn't quick enough.

"Are you certain that the transmission reached Zeta-9?" he asked. Cortana's hologram flickered on at a nearby pedestal. She still seemed different after she had been modified by the Forerunner technicians. She had opted to remain without a physical form, but had a tinge of silver to her purple-blue image. But she didn't seem as obstructed by memory space anymore, which could only be an improvement.

"No, I'm not certain," Cortana replied. "Once a COM probe is sent through Slipspace it is impossible to track down. Even with our developing technology it'll still be decades before we figure out how. But I'm ninety-three point six four percent certain the transition was successful, and a ninety-one point two seven percent chance of exit without anomaly."

One thing never changed about her though. She was still as smart-mouthed as ever.

"Thank you," the Spartan officer said dryly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw John's helmet twitch slightly, behind which he was sure held a knowing smile. No doubt the Chief had received many of Cortana's cynical comments before. The senior Spartan decided to sit down instead.

Assembled around the room were the other Spartans. Blue and Grey Team of the SPARTAN-IIs, and Beta Company and Team Sabre of the SPARTAN-IIIs. If Ezekiel received the transmission, he would have gathered Team Katana to meet them at Zeta-9.

Felix thought back to the message. It seemed odd that the proud, honourable Sangheili would do something like wage wars upon themselves. He knew what caused it, and felt a slight twinge of guilt for the Sangheili. They still remained allies to the UNSC, even after the separatists threatened war.

"How long until we arrive?" he asked.

"You're rather jumpy," Cortana said, but decided to give an answer. "Including our first exit to pick up the others, we will reenter normal space at Sanghelios in fifteen hours."

The Spartan's hands tightened. Fifteen hours was such a long time. And he owed a favour to the species that had pulled him out of dead space and saved Earth, twice.

"Relax," the AI advised. "With our old engines it would have taken us days."

The Lieutenant Commander sighed. She was right. They were headed for Sanghelios at maximum speed, and there was nothing he could really do about it to get there faster. He had to accept that and put it out of his mind, like any other Spartan.

It was difficult, because he wasn't a Spartan. Not really. He hadn't been trained like everyone else, and only the Forerunner chemicals injected into his body kept him alive through the past three years. Still, he decided to distract himself by examining the upgraded weapons. Despite the newly claimed Forerunner weapons and intelligence, the UNSC had not wanted to overkill their tech with ultra-powerful weapons, as such objects could cause problems if there was ever trouble for humanity again (if the Insurrection were reformed, to say, or perhaps a greater threat). And seeing what had happened on Sanghelios, Felix didn't really blame them.

The senior Spartan surveyed the team. He had found and gathered the survivors of the supersoldiers in 2556, and they had been through a lot since then. The UNSC must have understood the urgency of the situation, because sending every Spartan they had was a bit much for most ops. Then again, it wasn't like they had anything to do at Earth anyway.

Blue Team were the most well-known SPARTAN-IIs alive. Lieutenant Frederic-104 was the leading officer, although he cared a bit too much about his subordinates. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John-117 was probably the most known of his team, after his accomplishments on Installations 04, 05, and the Ark (although Cortana often liked to call it "luck"). Although Fred outranked him, he held that air of leadership about him. Petty Officers Kelly-087 and Linda-058 were almost complete opposites. Kelly liked cracking jokes, preferred close range combat and worked well with anything that fired full automatic. Linda was often quiet, had a serious, almost cold personality, and posted as a sharpshooter unless ordered otherwise. However, to say that Linda was just a sniper was like saying a Warthog was just a car, or the UNSC was just a group of soldiers.

Grey Team were trained under the same class as Blue Team, but were more discreet. Petty Officers Jai-006 and Adriana-111 were a bit more on the loose side than most Spartans, and their pilot Mike perhaps a bit too much so. They had not seen as much action as most SPARTAN-IIs over the course of their career, but that was not to say they were incompetent. The Lieutenant Commander had found out just how much he could trust them in 2556.

Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091 were the senior SPARTAN-IIIs. Although their combat strategies were similar to one another, Felix had never heard Lucy say a word. He knew that she wasn't merely quiet. Not even Linda kept such a long stretch of silence in the three years he knew her. Something was obviously wrong with her ability to speak, but he didn't want to ask if she wasn't willing to tell. Then again, she never told anyone anything.

Ash, Olivia, and Mark were the Gamma Company SPARTAN-IIIs, under Team Sabre. They were a bit rough around the edges, but worked well as a team, and had proven their worth in combat. Team Katana was no different.

Ezekiel-254 was a Class II SPARTAN-II. He was given the rank of Lieutenant a few years ago, to train what was rumoured to be a fifth company of SPARTAN-IIIs, Delta Company. The Lieutenant Commander knew that Delta Company had never been trained, but there were a few hundred SPARTAN-IIIs from Gamma Company Missing in Action. No one could find them yet, but with the UNSC's new technology, it would not be long. He had also recently been regrouped with his teammate, Lieutenant Hannah-201.

Currently, the Spartans numbered to a score, which was good considering the fact that they were thought to be wiped out in 2553. Twenty Spartans could do a heck lot of damage on any enemy, and Felix was glad they were here. And pretty soon, so would the Sangheili.

Autel kept pace with the Fallen without difficulty, making not even the slightest noise from his hooves. He kept his eyes on the separatist, and knew that Fira was behind him. If he looked away for a moment, they could lose the enemy. It had taken them long enough to find him in the first place.

He knew that the Fallen would most likely notice the active camouflage he and Fira were using as well should he turn around, as all Sangheili were trained to enhance their already sharp vision. But for the moment, it kept them a bit less conspicuous.

Autel could make out the vague outline of a sack hefted over the Sangheili's back, and felt repulsed. Never had the Fallen resorted to such immoral methods of war. When they were formed during the first Age of Amendment, their leader Atsu 'Hidal was ruthless, but kept his faction within the bounds of honour and never declared war on the Sangheili. The new leader, whoever it was, didn't have a problem with going to any lengths to achieve his goals. The sight of seeing the younglings being kidnapped to provoke the families tempted him to free the newborns he was sure was inside. But if they waited, it was more likely they would find all of them.

After many subunits, the Fallen arrived at an aircraft factory, and slipped inside. Autel blinked. Hidden in plain sight. It wasn't even abandoned. Just how much control over Sanghelios did the separatists possess?

Autel unholstered a Plasma Rifle. Fira activated his Needle pistol. They entered before the doors closed, and—

Thick, white powder sprayed them. Alarms rang through the factory. Autel swore as he realized that they didn't even take the time to check for security. They must have tripped a scanner.

He hadn't been thinking straight since his newborns were kidnapped. Without telling anyone, he found Fira, who agreed to help him. Apparently several newborns from his family were stolen as well, although the latter currently had no offspring of his own.

After many units of searching, they had spotted a blur moving quickly down the street. Sometimes stealth made you an obvious target. After following it for all day through various states, the separatist never realized he was being followed. And after the painstaking trail, their chance at stealth was just squandered by the single mistake.

Fallen rushed in, firing at them. The powder had coated them completely, rendering the camouflage useless. Autel tried to take down as many as he could, but knew they would not last long. There was also no way around them. He and Fira started to back up, but more Fallen blocked the exits. They were trapped.

Autel clenched his fists. Everything had gone wrong. Now there was nothing for it but to fight to the death. He primed a plasma grenade and was about to throw it when an explosion tore the main door open. Dozens of Sangheili rushed in, firing at once. In a single heartbeat, the tables were turned, and soon the Fallen in the room were eliminated.

Autel wiped some of the powder off his face, and gaped in surprise. "How did they know we were here?"

Fira smiled. "I tend to think ahead, my friend. And I found many willing to help me."

Autel saw his step-brother approach them and hand them cleaning units. "You look even paler than usual," he teased. Autel returned the smile, grateful that they had been there.

Fira was conversing with a silver-armoured Sangheili. Autel knew that the Ultra was Fira's older cousin.

"This is where they have taken them?" he asked.

"I think so, Sona," Fira replied, activating the cleaning unit and watching it restore his armour back to its original crimson, "although there may also be other locations they hide in."

"Then we shall find the scum responsible for this and wring out their innards until they reveal the truth to us," the Ultra growled.

Autel was surprised. He knew that Sona 'Demal was a formidable warrior, but was also known for his lack of unnecessary aggression. He had never heard him speak with such venom in his voice. Then again, the Fallen had committed a great sin, and in addition abducted twenty-one newborns from the Demal line.

Autel checked that his armour was free of powder, and re-entered invisibility. Fira did the same. "We shall investigate," he said. "If you remain here, the Fallen may think they held you up." A moment later, another door opened, and more Fallen entered.

"Fire!" Sona ordered, and the Sangheili engaged the separatists. Autel and Fira moved through several empty rooms, and found a gravity lift in a parallel hallway, heading for the top floor. They stepped into it, and caught glimpses of the rooms they passed containing what looked like weapons and supplies clustered around magnetic containers and gravity belts. Autel heard a pipe explode below him as plasma melted a tube on the first level. He got a glimpse of fuel spilling all over the floor before they reached the top and were thrown out of the lift.

They were in a docking bay, where ships were launched after construction. The testing passages were removed, and a stealth corvette parked below the exit. Groups of Fallen were taking opaque sacks and loading them onto the corvette.

One of the sacks moved, and a separatist held up a can of tranquilizer. Facing away from the opening, he sprayed into the sack. The movements stopped.

Another Sangheili stood at the base of the corvette's gravity lift. He was obviously in command. "Hurry," he snapped. "It will not be long before they find us." He turned to one of the Fallen. "Have the reinforcements been sent?"

"Yes, Excellency," he replied.

"Then deactivate the gravity lifts," he said. The Fallen complied, and the lift dimmed and shut down.

There was something familiar about his voice. Autel realized who it was.

"Isto 'Vadum," he whispered. Isto was infamous for his brutality, and had a well-known rivalry with Fleet Master Rtas 'Vadum. Although he was widely suspected to be a part of the Fallen, nothing had ever been proven. Until now. It was possible he could even be the leader of the Fallen.

"What is our plan?" Fira asked. "Sona and his squad cannot reach us."

"We should enter the ship," Autel said. "Perhaps we can disable it. Then we will reactivate the gravity lifts and convince Isto to surrender."

"I do not think he will surrender," Fira remarked, but they moved for the ship. They would have to slip past Isto, but there was no other option.

A Fallen carried three sacks and approached the gravity lift. "These are the last ones," he said, "and the storage facilities are full."

"We shall carry them ourselves then," Isto said. He grabbed one of the sacks and moved for the gravity lift.

There was a thud as the sack swung around and hit Fira in the shoulder. Isto's eyes flashed. He dropped the sack, pulled a plasma rifle out, and fired.

Autel moved to help him, but his friend made a subtle gesture as he retaliated. It was their signal for "don't wait for me". He was obviously willing to give up his life for the newborns. Without allowing himself to hesitate, the former moved around them. He had to disable the ship. With any luck, the separatist would assume Fira was alone.

Autel ran for the lift, but the other Fallen fired at Fira. The bolts connected with Autel's armour, and his camouflage vanished.

Fira was returning fire, but Isto moved very quickly. He lashed out, catching Autel across the gullet with his rifle. He fell back, and plasma fire ripped around him. He accidentally let go of his gun, and saw it fall down the deactivated gravity lift.

"Get aboard the ship!" Isto shouted. "I shall deal with them." Fira's needle pistol clicked empty, and he grabbed the Fallen in a chokehold. Isto flipped him over his back and sent him sprawling to the ground. He activated an Energy Sword, and was about to finish him, when Autel ran forward and slide-tackled him. He grabbed for the Energy Sword, and Fira found Isto's rifle.

The Fallen leader stood up, backing towards the corvette's gravity lift. Autel lunged at him, but Isto ducked, knocking him on his front with a kick. Fira aimed the rifle at him.

Isto saw the sack he dropped lying a few feet away. He couldn't get to it now. Smiling maliciously, he activated a plasma grenade, and threw it at the sack.

Without hesitation, Fira stepped in front of the grenade. The explosive adhered to his chest, and he moved fast, away from the sack so the explosion would not harm the newborns. There was no fear in his eyes.

Autel turned away as he saw the blue-white explosion consume his friend, and saw Isto running for the gravity lift. With a roar of fury, he threw the Energy Sword at Isto. One of the blades stuck into the Fallen's side, and he flinched, but disappeared up the gravity lift. The corvette lifted up and flew out of the hangar, flying up and out of the atmosphere.

Autel ran to Fira, who was lying in a pool of his own blood. He looked around, feeling completely helpless, not knowing what to do. Then he stood up, and ran for the main controls. Autel reactivated the gravity lift, and Sangheili soldiers began rushing up. Sona approached him, and knelt beside his cousin. His eyes looked over the numerous open wounds upon Fira's body, and the remains of his armour stained purple. He was silent.

Taszar opened the sack, checking over the newborns inside. There were a dozen unconscious newborns, and he checked to make sure they were alright.

Autel turned back to Sona, who still did not speak. Finally, he said grimly, "He will live."

I cannot say the same for that traitor, he thought. He watched as Sona gingerly lifted Fira, and headed back down the lift. He followed the squad out of the factory.

Chapter 4
'0834 HOURS, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR), UNSC FRIGATE INDEPENDENT CRUSADER'', IN ORBIT ABOVE ZETA-9

The two Pelicans glided slowly into the hangar and nineteen ODSTs in antiquated armour jumped out. Katana Team was last out, with the body of Sergeant O'Brien wrapped in a blanket and carried on a stretcher.

Felix saluted the ODSTs and Katana, and walked up to Joey.

"How is this possible?"

"They were assigned to the Halcyon-class cruiser Pillar of Autumn. When they were ejected from it in their pods, they missed Halo and wound up on one of Threshold's moons. They were able to find heretic Sangheili and escape to this planet using a damaged Covenant ship, where they've been fighting to survive for seven years."

"Sounds like something a team of Spartans would do."

"Remember Grey Team, sir. They did it, too."

"But they didn't do it in constant threat of discovery. Go get cleaned up, Sanghelios is our next stop."

The Lieutenant Commander approached Ezekiel and Hannah, who upon seeing him, saluted. He returned the gesture. "What have you found out?"

"I did a little snooping, sir," Ezekiel said. "Hannah gave me some intel on some transmissions she's picked up around here. It's Covenant, but they look like they're here for more than just finding the Marines here."

That makes sense, the senior Spartan thought. It would be very odd for hundreds of Covenant to be at a planet to hunt down a team of ODSTs. And there was no doubt more of the bastards they didn't pick up on. "And?"

"I found a structure hidden in a valley. Looks like a refinery, and I took a few pictures. It caught Commander Feng's interest, and she says she'll send in some Marines off her ship to see what the Covenant are up to."

"Good work. We might come back later to see if they find anything. But for now, we need to get going to Sanghelios. Are those the survivors of the 105th?" He looked towards the ODSTs.

"Yes sir."

"Okay, you and Hannah should get prepped for our upcoming mission. I'll talk to the Marines."

A few Helljumpers looked his way with worried eyes. They had set themselves up on the floor of the hangar, and had torn their armour off. Several had tear tracks running down their faces. It was obvious they had been close to breaking. Felix didn't know if he had the heart to tell them what was happening next.

"Who's in command?"

And ODST with the double chevrons of a Corporal on his shoulders stood. "Aqil Hafsa, sir."

''Corporal? Things must have gone bad.'' Then again, it was a miracle these Marines survived for seven years on their own like this.

"Very well, I'm giving you a field promotion to Sergeant. I'm SPARTAN-116. Please come with me. We have a lot to discuss."

Felix strode back to the Spartans' quarters, where the others were getting ready.

"Hafsa is briefing the rest of the ODSTs on our mission, and advising that, for them, its strictly voluntary."

John looked over at him, his pale skin still not having darkened after being in his armour for so long.

"They'll all volunteer. They're tired, spent, and at their limit, but they're ODSTs."

"They're always in whenever there's a good fight," Kelly said. "And the Sangheili are going to need every soldier they can get."

The senior Spartan nodded.

"I've sent Grey Team to the Aurora Borealis to see what the Covenant are up to on Zeta-9. I have a feeling they'd be best at this kind of mission. The rest of us are proceeding en route to Sanghelios. Commander Montrose says we'll be there in about five hours."

'1356 HOURS, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR), UNSC FRIGATE INDEPENDENT CRUSADER'', IN ORBIT ABOVE SANGHELIOS

Space bent, stars formed, and the Independent Crusader forced its way back into reality.

From inside the Pelican dropship, Felix looked down on the red tinged planet through the hangar bay, punctuated by blue waters and backdropped by reddish-orange landmasses.

Linda was standing behind him, her sniper rifle attached to her back. "So that's the Sangheili home world."

Fred strode up from behind. "Almost like it's stained red from human blood."

The Lieutenant Commander understood the sentiment. For all the human blood they spilled over the years...

'''TIME 13:61:38:72 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), SIXTEENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), VADAM KEEP

1411 HOURS, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

Normally outsiders weren't willingly permitted into a Keep, but Autel didn't think anyone would care much. And at any rate, there was no one here apart from the elders at the moment. He entered Cyla's room, where Urei 'Cazal was speaking to his sister. She was still ill, and answered quietly. Hearing him enter, he squeezed her hand gently, and turned. "So this is what the Fallen's proclaimed honour has led them to, Autel 'Vadam."

"Isto preaches hypocrisy," Autel said. "He would feel no shame in killing newborns, and would have done so if there were no one of veneration to stop him. Long have I disagreed with the Fallen's motives, but they have always stood by their beliefs with the honour they say they hold."

"See the effect he has struck upon us. Our offspring hold no guilt, yet they are the victims; the mothers spilled no blood, and being deprived of their children they become haunted; and those in the military will have no intention of stepping down, they will vow revenge and try harder to overcome the Fallen. Isto is a fool, and one day he will see judgement."

Autel approached Cyla. "I must go now. The humans will be here soon, and I swear that I will find them, no matter how long it takes, I will bring our children back." He stood up, looked at Urei, and clenched his fist over his chest, which was returned. He quickly left the Keep and ran down the mountainside.

So much had happened over the last few days, and everything was becoming more turmoiled. Thel was still trying to negotiate with the Fallen, and was trying to hold down the fact that they were now at war. But soon everyone would know anyway, and at the moment, it was best for the Arbiter to feign ignorance as to what was really going on while the matters were attended to inconspicuously.

When he reached the Demal Keep, an elder allowed him to enter, and he headed for the medical facility. Sona was striding impatiently up and down the hall, while Zehr'tul and Taszar stood by a pillar, conversing quietly. The subject of their conversation was obviously Isto 'Vadum. Fira had been in surgery for hours now, and nothing had been heard.

Presently the door slid open, and a blood-soaked Sangheili and a Huragok floated out. As both approached Autel, Sona, Zehr'tul, and Taszar walked over to hear the discourse.

The Huragok started whistling and gibbering, and the Sangheili translated.

"Fira 'Demal has sustained major burns to most of his body, and almost half his organs are dead or failing. One of his hearts was destroyed. He will require a lot of blood and several transplants. He has a slim chance of survival, but he's in a coma, so he won't bleed quite as much from his reduced heart rate."

This was not necessarily bad news. His friend had a sliver of a chance to survive, but he had already survived the explosion of a plasma grenade. Maybe he could beat the odds twice.

"Thank you."

The Sangheili surgeon nodded, and the Huragok twittered, then both reentered the room to continue the work.

Autel slumped into a seat, drained of energy. He didn't know whether to return to fighting the Fallen or help track Isto's corvette to what it was right now. Perhaps everything would be sorted when the humans arrived.

Footsteps reached his ears, and everyone turned to stare down the hall.

Autel looked up, and saw three humans in luminescent green armour.

They approached him, and he stood.

The front most one spoke first. "You're Autel 'Vadam?"

Autel nodded, and the Spartan continued. "I'm SPARTAN-117. The Arbiter told us you were here. We're here to help you."

Ezekiel looked around at the Sangheili around them. They did not look distrusting as he had expected, but hopeful, and also desperate. And from what Felix told him, he couldn't blame them.

The Lieutenant glanced sideways slightly. Hannah was silently observing the Sangheili, just as he had. It was curious how they could sometimes read each others' minds. But it had proved handy during sticky situations in the occasions they were assigned together.

Tom and Lucy were standing absolutely still, no doubt also gazing at the aliens from behind their wide, curved visors. They had a lot more training than most SPARTAN-IIIs, and were ready for anything. At least he hoped so, for everyone's sake.

The grey-armoured Sangheili known as the Arbiter spoke. "We are glad you have come. We are in a rather dire situation."

"What do you need us to do?" the senior Spartan asked. He didn't waste time on small talk.

"The Fallen leader has left many of his legion behind. He thinks he will return successfully and rally them again. We are to track down the remaining Fallen, discover where the leader has gone, and stop him before he returns."

"We can handle it," Felix said. If the Sangheili don't get in our way, Ezekiel thought.

The Lieutenant Commander paused, and activated his COM. "Chief?" He listened intently for a few moments, and said, "Understood. Get the others ready to move out." He turned back to the Arbiter. "Autel told the Chief that he had found out who the leader was. Someone named Isto 'Vadum."

A silver-armoured Sangheili behind the Arbiter bared his mandibles in anger, his fists clenching. Ezekiel's fingers strayed towards his sidearm, but then realized that the alien wasn't mad at the Lieutenant Commander. This Isto 'Vadum must have been someone he knew.

The Arbiter was silent, then he said. "Thank you. We should get ready to find the Fallen. Please follow me."

Beta, Katana, and Sabre were fully aware that they were the first humans to ever enter a Sangheili Keep. They were not, however, the first to get stares from the Sangheili. They were obviously getting mixed reactions. Some seemed almost happy that humans were there, and some looked resigned.

The ten Spartans entered through the grand doors, and were amazed at the emptiness of the hall. They had expected a full hall of alien warriors. What they were greeted with were a few guards. Crystal approached one of the walls carved with art and writing.

"They're all out in battle. Where we should be."

An old Sangheili garbed in a large robe approached the two teams, and Ash noticed a greater abundance of guards step out of the shadows.

He approached the Councillor. "Councillor, it's a pleasure."

The Sangheili waved a three-fingered hand. "Please, spare me the pleasantries. We need to find the young ones. Go upstairs and meet with Cyla. She will want to speak with you. Just you and the other team leader, if you will."

Ash and Joey glanced at each other. "Alright."

"Then follow me. This way."

The bedroom was a large affair, but its details were like the entry hall. Not much in decorations, but an abundance of carvings on the wall, along with some of the Sangheili's poetic writing.

A small, hunched, emaciated Sangheili female stepped out from another room, the first any human had seen.

Joey was shocked. He had, naturally, studied the mission parameters, which had included descriptions of the key creatures he might be interacting with. Cyla had been a minor one, but now he saw that the mother of three Sangheili was probably the most affected by the turn of events. She had been described as a proud, straight-backed Sangheili. Now the loss of her children had reduced her once proud stature to something far less.

"My greetings to you, humans. What might I help you with?"

Ash was first to respond. "I'm not sure, ma'am. We thought you might know something about who we're going after."

She nodded, and sat down on a chair. "Would you like a seat?"

Still keeping the same manners and strength of will she was described with, Joey thought.

Ash spoke again. "I'm afraid we can't. The chairs would not likely support our armor."

"Very well. I assume you know who the Leader of the Fallen is?"

"Isto 'Vadum, ma'am."

"And you know who he is?"

"Only what few tidbits we can squeeze out of the Arbiter. Nothing solid."

"Do you know the Fleet Master of the Fleet of Homogeneous Clarity?"

"Of course."

"Isto is in his family."

This set both Spartans back on their heels. The fact that the leader of leader of the Fallen was in the same bloodline in the most famous Fleet Master of the Sangheili was obviously an insult to them and an indication of deepest shame.

Something of this showed in their body language, as Cyla's eyes flickered from one to the other, and she acknowledged their shock with an almost imperceptible nod.

"This is... most enlightening, ma'am."

She waved her hand. "Please, stop with the 'ma'am'. I'm not one of your human officers."

"It's a sign of respect in our culture. We will cease if you ask."

"Interesting. How do you plan on finding Isto?"

It was Joey's turn to speak.

"We're not sure yet. We need to learn as much as we can about him as possible."

"Well then, get comfortable. I will tell you all I know..."

Joey was perplexed. "Well, that was unexpected."

Ash nodded in reply, but didn't say anything.

The two Spartan teams were sitting stock upright on stone benches in the hall. On the approach of Ash and Joey, they stood and joined them.

Ash jerked his head, and they left.

Sara was being her usual curious self. "Well, what did you learn?"

"Can't tell you."

"Bull."

"Seriously, we can't. Its for the leaders ears only. I'll tell you if I can."

"Hmph."

Maria Esquival worried about her son. She couldn't help it. He worked for her former enemy, as a Marine on the now slightly clearer front lines. Every day she feared that today would be the day, and she'd open the door to find two Marines there, holding the UNSC flag.

She finished her shopping, paid for the groceries, and went home. Maria lived on a pension from years of work in civic sociology, occasionally contracting out for the UNSC to establish colonies. Under her guidance, colonies had flourished.

All for the UNSC.

Her car glided slowly in to her driveway, and she stepped out of the vehicle. Maria popped the trunk and took the bags out and carried them in to the house. Putting the groceries away, she closed the refrigerator door and the lights went out.

A gigantic hand clamped over her mouth, and she was lifted in the air, kicking and struggling, turned to face her attacker. An Elite had a hold on her. His armour, however, was very odd for the alien.

It seemed to be a throwback to the human middle aged eras. It had many overlapping black plates that were made to slide easily over each other, but it obviously had incredible technology behind it. She could almost feel the shield around the Elite's armour. His helmet covered his head, and a mask finished it off to cover his face. The eyepieces were slanted, made to inspire fear in his enemies. It was doing a pretty good job of it, too. An Energy Sword sprang to life, the light from it throwing shadows throughout her kitchen.

The Elite clicked its mandibles, and spoke through a translator.

"If you scream for help you, die, human!"

"What do you want?" Were the first words out of Maria's mouth when the Elites tore the gag out.

The leader, one who called himself Isto, stood on the other side of her table, his mask slung over his shoulder.

"I want you to remember what you used to fight for. Do you remember your time in the Rubble?"

She glared in to his eyes. "Of course, but I was younger then—"

He cut her off. "Your age has nothing to do with it now! We want your talents, in order to strike a blow to the UNSC and Separatists at once."

"I'm not sure—"

"Remember what you wanted? You wanted to work with the Covenant, you knew that we were the right ones, that the UNSC is the tyrannical regime!"

Maria's gaze faltered, then hardened again. "But those Jackals betrayed us! They were set to slit our throats!"

"The Kig-Yar can never be trusted! It is in their blood to be treacherous! But I, as a Sangheili of the Covenant, and a Fallen, give you my word and honor that I cannot betray you. Remember why you hated the UNSC. Where has your fire gone?"

"No!" Maria said. "It's been so many years, we're allies! I can't believe you would do this to your own species, and mine!"

Isto's grip tightened, and placed the Sword in front of her face. "If you do not do as I say, I will kill you."

There was steel in her eyes. "Then kill me. I won't help you do this."

He was surprised, and a bit impressed. This human had as much honour as any Sangheili.

Isto's mandibles parted in a nasty smile. "If you do not help me, I will kill your son."

Maria said nothing for a moment, then hung her head. "What do you want me to do?"

Isto 'Vadum smiled and thought to himself.

''A traitor helping a traitor. I'll have to watch her as she'll watch me.''

The ODSTs' backs were rigid as they marched through the streets of the elite city. After fighting the Elites for years on end, it went against every instinct they had to not shoot.

The Elites did not respect them as they respected the Spartans. As augmented humans in powered assault armour, the Spartans matched the Elites strength and were many times faster. The ODSTs did not have this advantage, being much weaker of muscle and not as fast.

The ODST armour had been repaired and improved upon, with basic shields having been added that were half as strong as MJOLNIR Mk. V armor. The armour plates had been reinforced, able to take much more punishment from high heat sources, such as plasma.

Sergeant Hafsa fingered with the trigger guard on his SMG as he saw some Elites slink off in to an alley. The ODSTs had split into two groups, eight in one, nine in the other, in order to travel faster.

It was too long for the Marines before they found five of the Spartans in a small courtyard with a fancy fountain in the center. The other team, Bravo, had found the other Spartans.

The Spartan team leader, one with G148 one his shoulder, stepped forward.

"Apparently the Fallen leaders and Sangheili newborn have left this planet. We'll be staying here to here to fight the Fallen."

Hafsa's hand reached for his SMG. "Well then, why are we just standing about?"

G148 nodded. "Follow me, then."

Better standing by some pretty fountain than sitting helpless behind some rock. Hafsa thought not half an hour later.

The ODSTs had hit a group of thirty Fallen from two sides, crushing five of them in seconds. Then the tables had turned to the side with greater numbers. Now twenty-five Elites had the seventeen Helljumpers pinned down.

Hafsa tilted his head up, then whipped it back. He had an idea. Tapping a Corporal's shoulder, he spun his fist around his wrist. The Corporal nodded and repeated the gesture to three others. They moved off.

Hafsa scooted over until he reached the edge of their barricade until he had a line of sight with Bravo team. He held his hand flat, fingers completely parallel and straight vertically, then waved.

A gloved hand appeared, fingers held horizontally, and twitched up and down. Hafsa turned back to the remaining three left on his team and pumped his arm, fist up. They nodded and primed four grenades.

Hafsa closed his exterior mic and opened the team channel. "Hit 'em now!"

The four stood and threw the grenades, then ducked back down. One ODST took a hit in the chest and dropped, but he waved the medic away and picked his MA5C back up.

The grenades detonated, and ten of the Elites' shields went down. Battle fire ripped in to them, cutting seven more down and wounding the other three.

Good, now— "Bravo, up and at 'em."

Bravo team stood, throwing plasma grenades. Elites dove left and right, scattering their forces. One grenade stuck, and the Elite roared before being consumed by blue fire, taking one other with him. Just nine were unharmed.

Now scattered, it was not hard for the experienced ODSTs to cut the rest down. Three were left alive, bound tightly, and marched up to the Vadam keep.

John was still there, talking with the elder Elite.

Hafsa and two other ODSTs hit the Elites in the back of their legs, forcing them in to a kneeling position. "Got a package for ya."

The elder stepped forward. "How many were there?"

Hafsa shrugged. "Twenty-five. These are all that's left of 'em."

The two Elite guards on either side of the doors shifted and glanced at each other, and the elder's eyes widened a bit.

"Truly, a skillfully fought battle. Were any of your number killed?"

The newly promoted Sergeant shook his head. "No, just a couple burns and a melted breastplate."

The elder nodded approvingly.

The two teams of SPARTAN-IIIs walked up, and the two team leaders stepped forward. G148 spoke first, then G099:

"Thirty five dead, no prisoners."

"Got forty here, two prisoners."

John nodded and walked away. It was progress, and there were more battles to be won later.

Corporal Raphael Esquival-Cortez entered the house. His mother Maria immediately walked into the hall.

"Raphael, you got another shore leave?" she asked, smiling.

"Not really, mom," he said, setting down his bag. "Sergeant Reynolds insisted I take a break before I kill myself."

"Well you do work too hard," she said, leading him into the hall. Raphael froze when he saw who was standing there.

A Sangheili was examining something on a portable Covenant database. His mandibles parted in a satisfied smile, and he closed it, turning to him.

"Raphael, this is Isto 'Vadum," Maria said. "He's a representative from Sanghelios, and will be staying with us in a while."

"Has he talked to the UNSC?" Raphael asked, warily gazing at him.

"Yes," she said. "And the brass has requested he remain here. It will be less...conspicuous."

There was something odd about the Sangheili. Raphael had worked with them before, and grown to trust them. But something wasn't right here. After a long, awkward silence, he said, "Welcome to Earth, Isto. I hope you will enjoy your stay."

"Thank you," Isto said tonelessly. "I have been here before, on a few...errands."

And what would those be? "You won't be seeing me a lot," Raphael said. "I'm mostly in active duty."

"I will have things to attend with your military," Isto said. "But there is also a lot to discuss with your mother."

"Well, I've got to change," the humans said. "I won't disturb you anymore." And he walked out of the room.

"He suspects something," Isto said as soon as Raphael left the room.

"He's just wary," Maria said, looking slightly uneasy.

"He seems tense," the Sangheili said. "We must be careful."

When he had told her what he was doing, she felt guilty. But she had no choice. No doubt Isto had a dozen Sangheili hiding inside the house and out, ready to attack her son should he give the word.

Raphael had not been popular in the Marine Corps when he joined, because of her. But he had brushed it aside and proved himself a good soldier. Reynolds had even recommended he joined the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Maria felt a slight twinge of guilt. Her son...

What would it do to Raphael if he knew what she was doing? He was so dedicated to the UNSC...

Maria sighed, and watched Isto walk out of the room as well.

Chapter 5
'''TIME 17:29:10:04 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), SIXTEENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), SANGHELIOS

2100 HOURS, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

Felix slammed his Battle Rifle into the Fallen's chest, taking down his shields, following up with a three-round burst, effectively killing the alien. A second one charged with an Energy Sword. He grabbed his wrist, pulled him in, and rammed him between the ribs with his shoulder, hearing the Fallen's bones breaking. He grabbed the sword, and threw it at a third separatist, decapitating him.

A purple beam hit him in the side, glancing off his shields. He spun to face his attacker, just as Ezekiel found the sniper and broke his spine.

"That's all of them," he said.

The Lieutenant Commander nodded. "All squads report in."

"Bravo team, clear," said Fred.

"Charlie team here. We're good," Hannah said.

"''Delta team, all hostiles eliminated," Ash said.

"Sir, I think we've got something!" Adriana called. The senior Spartan looked where she was. It seemed to be an opening, hidden among a rock cluster.

"All squads, move to our position," the senior Spartan said, watching the Sangheili moving around to check for more enemies. Taszar 'Vadam was speaking into his COM. Turning back, he continued, "tell the Arbiter he should—"

He froze. Turning around, he saw Taszar and the five other Sangheili pointing their weapons at them. "You are going back to the Keep," he said.

"What the hell is going on?" Mike asked.

"Give us your weapons," Taszar ordered. The Spartan was about to protest, when Felix complied. Slowly, the others did so as well.

The Sangheili pulled them into a Phantom, and flew off.

Felix saw that the other Spartans, as well as the Marines, were at the Vadam Keep as well. Twenty Sangheili were aiming weapons at them.

"Where is their frigate?" the elder was asking.

"We have sent soldiers aboard. They should be restrained soon," a Sangheili said.

"Why are they doing this?" the senior Spartan asked.

John looked at him. "They've tracked the Fallen's corvette...to Earth."

"As of now, you are suspected of giving aid to the Fallen," the elder said. "We can no longer trust you."

"So why would we come here?" Hafsa retorted.

"Perhaps they wish to steal more of our newborns!" a Sangheili cried.

"They are heretics!" another one shouted.

"Kill them! Shoot down their ship!"

"Silence!" shouted a voice. All heads to turn to see Cyla walking down the steps.

"I demand to know what it is you are doing," she said quietly, but her voice held a certain danger.

"The humans are helping the Fallen!" a Sangheili said.

"I believe no such thing," she said. "Where is your evidence?"

"Isto's ship is at Earth!" the elder said.

"And they, like us, have traitors," came a voice from the doorway. Autel 'Vadam had returned, and strode in slowly.

"I think these humans should be executed," the elder said, "like any Sangheili who has committed heresy."

"That would be unjust," Autel replied. "We should give them a chance to explain themselves. Perhaps a trial would be sufficient."

"Autel—" the elder began, but he cut across him.

"This matter," the soldier said, "is best left to the Arbiter. I think you were rather hasty when you pronounced these humans as heretics. These humans will stay at our Keep tonight, and if any harm befalls them, I will find those responsible. Do you understand me, elder?" Autel's eyes flashed dangerously.

After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Very well. Escort them back to their rooms."

Felix gave a nod of thanks, and walked out of the hall.

When it was empty, Autel turned to Taszar. "That was foolish."

"We must obey our elders," his stepbrother pointed out.

"I think," he said coldly, "that I know these humans more than you, Taszar. And especially more than the elders." And without another word, he strode out of the hall with Cyla.

Thel marched in to the detention center, and found the cell grouping he was looking for.

Checking his DNA with the guard at the entrance to the cells, and walked in after being searched for weapons or any other objects that could be used for a potential escape.

The nineteen Spartans and seventeen ODSTs were sitting calmly in their cells. With them was Commander Montrose of the human cruiser Independent Crusader. The Spartan looked disproportionate from the rest of the humans, their physical augmentations having increased their width and height by quite a bit.

Felix and John stepped forward, as did Commander Montrose and Sergeant Hafsa.

Montrose spoke first. "What is this about?"

Thel turned his head to look at him. "We have sufficient evidence to prove that you all have been aiding the Fallen in the kidnapping of Sangheili newborns."

Hafsa snorted. "Impossible. Not one has gone missing since we've arrived, and we've been doing nothing but kill and capture Fallen."

Thel shook his head sadly. "That is the crux of the problem. No matter how many bases you infiltrate, no matter how many Fallen you capture, we've come no closer to finding out what Isto's plan is. We know where he's gone, but not what he's doing. We know he's gone to Earth, and there has been no word from your command about Fallen attacks. This points out that the humans are working with them."

It John's turn to shake his head. "We've only gotten orders to come here and aid you, not to aid the Fallen in any way. How does killing them aid them?"

Thel agreed readily. "I know this, Spartan. But there are those that argue that command just wanted you out of the way."

"Then why throw us in here?" Hafsa spat indignantly.

"They also argue that you're loyal to your military that you'd turn on us and help them the instant you got back to Earth."

"You Sangheili are crazy. We're innocent until proven guilty." Another ODST spoke up angrily.

Thel sighed wearily. "I know this, human, which is why there will be a hearing held on the morrow in order to determine whether or not to proceed to a full trial. In the meantime, I'm afraid you'll have to remain in here. Autel and those whom believe you are searching for evidence to support you. I must warn you, the tribunal does not look kindly on logical deductions, but facts and evidence. Even then, the long hate between our races may sway my two colleagues to finding you guilty."

Master Chief nodded. "Thank you, Arbiter."

The door opened, and the guard leaned in. "Time's up, Excellency."

The Arbiter saluted them, fist over heart, and walked out.

'''TIME 09:30:00:00 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), SEVENTEENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), YERMO, SANGHELIOS

0930 HOURS, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

"This hearing of the humans are now in session."

Hafsa looked around. The humans had been given the chance to put forward four representatives to defend themselves, and they'd chosen Felix, John, Commander Montrose, and himself.

The hearing hall was large, with the four humans in their own cubicle, and the tribunal up in their own personal ones encased with an energy barrier, with the Arbiter on the highest, without the barrier. The witnesses were waiting in individual units. It looked more technologically advanced than a human court, and was spherical rather than cubical, and everyone else was below them in a single large unit.

Around all of this were large, arena-like stands, packed with angry Sangheili. He knew they'd been searched, but Hafsa reckoned that at least a few had weapons.

The elder that was convinced they were guilty was standing. "You are all suspected of the atrocity of aiding and abetting our sworn enemy, the Fallen, and for the kidnapping of Sangheili children. What is your statement?"

The Lieutenant Commander, who they'd elected to be the main spokesperson for them, stood. "Not guilty."

There was a slight rumble from the onlookers. Some Sangheili looked a bit puzzled by the words that were normal in any human court. The Arbiter stood. "We shall begin with the presentation of evidence against your claim."

The elder on the right, the wild card in this situation, rose. "Ipla 'Ihpor, come forward."

One of the Sangheili from the cluster of witnesses drifted his cubicle forward, and the tribunal began to question them.

The Arbiter started. "Start from the beginning, if you would."

The Sangheili, a lean specimen, nodded. "Yes. I got my first suspicions when I delivered you to Earth during our plea for help. I was there when we asked for help from the Spartans, and I observed the response of the human superiors. They were not happy to help, and at first hesitated to do so. When pressed, I noticed they sent the best of them to our planet, as if to get them out of the way. During this time I've seen these humans do naught but plan on how to fight the Fallen, and nothing on how to get our young ones back."

The wild card elder stood. "You described the reaction of the human superiors as 'hesitant'. Could you elaborate?"

The witness nodded again. "I have video and audio of them, and it does show them seeming to want to somehow shirk this plea."

The video was shown, and the humans were forced to agree The superiors were slow to give help."

Once it was done, The Arbiter gestured toward the humans. "And now to discuss with the accused."

John and Felix exchanged a glance, and the Spartan officer stood.

"Did you bother to think about what the humans are undergoing?"

Ipla shook his head. "I do not understand."

"You do know how many humans remain alive, do you not?"

"Of course, you tout it over our heads."

"And why not? Two hundred million humans from more than a hundred billion that we had a mere three decades ago. We are trying to rebuild, and our resources are spread thin. We are war weary as we have never been. Of course we'd be hesitant to help anyone, ally or not. We're having enough problems of our own trying to solve."

"Then why send you?"

"Because Spartans are not suited to rebuilding a nation. What we need are engineers, workers, scientists, not fighters. So this was the perfect place to put us, where we'd be doing nothing but fighting."

"Then how do you justify planning to only fight the Fallen, and not rescue our young ones?"

"Think strategy. The young ones are already gone to Earth, and the Fallen are all around you. Would your young ones have a home to come back to if you got overrun? We can't focus on one problem, we'll have to split our attention, which we were planning."

This set Ipla back a bit. Felix sat, and Ipla went back to the witness box.

And on it went, Sangheili standing and speaking their piece against the humans, all with similar stories. Each time the Spartan officer shot them down, the rumblings in the onlooking stands got louder.

Then, finally, it was time for them to defend themselves.

First was Sona 'Demal. He spoke his piece well, telling of how the humans had fought the Fallen on every possible front. He added a new element, that being that he knew they were keeping a close eye on information pertaining to the Fallen's plans for the young ones.

The elder on the left chuckled, and the enhanced hearing of the Spartans allowed him to hear the "hearsay". Felix and John looked at each other, smiling.

Several more Sangheili vouched for the humans and finally, it was Autel's turn.

The albino Sangheili stood as straight as his back's shape allowed him.

"When the humans were taken in to custody, I was sent to find out whether they were guilty or not, and I have found the following.

"One, the humans are most definitely innocent.

"Two, the Fallen have attempted contact with the humans on Earth, but it has little to do with their military.

"And three, there is absolutely no actual evidence to prove that these humans are guilty."

"Yes yes," the Elder on the left spat out. "Get to the point."

"The evidence of the first is shown by the following two," Autel continued, ignoring him. "So I'll prove those.

"The third point has been proven by our scanning of the human communications. All contact from the Fallen to the humans has been rebuffed, with no code being used. I have hours of audio to prove this, if you wish to hear it."

Only some was heard, but not much. The wild card elder stood.

"And your second point?"

"Is proven by more audio, but just from Fallen warriors to civilians, none at all to military."

More audio was played. It was all valid.

"And so you see, these humans, in fact no military humans, have opened contact or collaborated with the Fallen.

"The Fallen have sworn allegiance against us and against the humans for heresy. They swear allegiance to the Covenant, which slaughtered more than a hundred billion humans in twenty seven years and turned on us after a millenia of our blood was spent to them.  The Covenant burned human planets, killed their children, destroyed their civilization.  And you have the gall to accuse them of helping the Covenant, when they willingly move to help us? It is we who should be helping them, for we are the ones who burned them, who killed them, who tried to destroy their rightful existance.

"I am most ashamed to be a Sangheili this day."

The tribunal left to deliberate on what they'd heard. Autel's words had caused a great stir of guilt all around the chamber.

The humans had been returned to their holding cell to await the verdict.

Autel entered later, and the four human representatives stood forward. Felix spoke.

"That was quite a speech."

The albino shook his head. "Speeches mean nothing to us."

Montrose laughed. "They mean more than you think, whether your culture says they do or not!"

The Sangheili warrior smiled as the escorts entered. "Yes, I suppose they do." And he walked out.

"The tribunal has come to a verdict, Thel 'Vadam will make the announcement."

The Arbiter stood.

"After reviewing the evidence, we have come to the conclusion that there is no supporting evidence to prove the humans' supposed guilt. We find them innocent." ' The humans were allowed to walk out of the building, moving to collect their equipment.

Raphael Cortez rearranged his shoulder sling for his standard issue assault rifle to a more comfortable situation as he sat down near the front of the Pelican.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Joshua Reynolds sat in the back, near the hatch. The fourteen-man team jumbled into the dropship, with four left standing.

Raphael's mirrored visor kept the rest from seeing his grin. Sitting next to the hatch was not fun during an op, and standing was least desirable, as anti-aircraft fire tended to shake them around a bit.

The dropship lifted off the deck of the super carrier Advent and glided out of the hangar.

"Who's the CO of that ship?" a Private asked, checking the ammo in his sniper rifle.

"Captain Warren." Reynolds supplied.

"He's a dick." Lance Corporal Bail said bluntly, and the rest laughed alongside him. Reynolds was silent.

"So what's the scoop on this drop?" The Private spoke up again.

"You need to pay attention at the briefings, Jake! This is just a standard defencive action.  We take a hill and hold it." A PFC answered for him.

"Damned nice if they'd just have us take a planet, and not a hill." The Lance Corporal said.

Jake slapped his magazine in to the sniper rifle. "Have fun sending fourteen Marines to take a planet."

"The Spartans do." Raphael challenged.

The junior ODST snorted. "No one's heard about the Spartans in years. My guess is they're dead."

The Corporal didn't respond, as he knew Jake wasn't around when Reynolds' squad had witnessed the Forerunners' brief arrival at Earth three years ago. However, Bail answered for him.

"Spartans don't die, remember? None are listed as it."

"Well yeah? Then why'd they disappear from the news almost overnight?" Jake retorted.

"Damn straight!"

"Hey boys, we got a problem here." The pilot's voice crackled over the PA system.

They all got quiet, and Raphael hit the COM button. "What's up?"

"Port yaw controls are jerking up. See if you can find out what's up, sensors are showing nothing."

Raphael stood and scooted his way to the back. "I'll get it." He knew that another would grab his seat, but he didn't care. Unlike most people, he liked holding on by his hands and feet to a ship travelling over 40,000 meters above the ground.

He opened the hatch and activated the magnetic clamps in his gauntlets and boots. Folding his body double, he leaned out the port side of the Pelican and slapped his hands against the hull and pulled him head around to look. Sometimes Drones liked to fly up and clamp on the Pelicans for a fast ride. When they did this they usually shot the hell out of whatever systems they could reach.

But what Raphael found himself looking at was definitely not a Drone.

Pushing himself off the hull and back in to the troop hold, slamming the hatch shut.

"Bomb on the port wing! Brace!"

The pilot put the Pelican into a dive, and a second later the bomb exploded, shredding through the armour of the dropship like a hot knife through butter. The ship lurched as it was embroiled in fire, and began a steep ascent.

The pilot's voice crackled in their earpieces. "Yaw and pitch controls are offline, PA system is out, and my copilot's down! Brace for hard impact!"

The safety jets on the underside fired, slowing the Pelican's descent to the surface.

Raphael reached over and caught Jake as he fell from his seat, patting him as the fire spread across his body, attempting to put the flames out. The other ODSTs were buckling in tight, and Raphael grabbed the unconscious Marine and slammed him into a seat, strapping him in.

Reynolds roared orders. "All those able to stand and jump, grab drop chutes, we're going in hard! The rest of you buckle down and wait for us on the surface!"

Raphael grabbed a chute and hurriedly strapped it on, and jumped after the others. The Pelican shot away from him as he dropped, wind buffeting him left and right, up and down. At the proper height he hit the trigger and the body chute popped out and expanded. His rate of descent slowed, and he and the rest of the jumpers hit the ground a few seconds before the Pelican slammed nose first in to the hillside.

The Corporal hit another button and his chute detached, and he ran flat out for the Pelican.

One of the privates was first, and he and Raphael were able to pull the crushed hatch open as Reynolds rushed up.

"Get 'em all out!" And the ODSTs got down to the job of pulling the injured out. Only one in the Pelican had landed uninjured, and was the last out.

The uninjured Helljumper, who'd had his helmet torn off and his face dirtied by smoke, reported to Reynolds. "Lance Corporal Bail's KIA, sir. So is the pilot, he crashed the ship nose first to save us."

Raphael dragged Jake out of the wreckage and examined him. The private was covered in severe burns. "Sir, you might want to call for medevac!" Then the Corporal checked the injured Marine's vitals.

Shit. No heartbeat.

Raphael began CPR as Reynolds radioed for another dropship.

The Corporal who'd reported to Reynolds rushed over with a defibrillator, and they got Jake's heart going again as a Pelican appeared in the distance.

Chapter 6
'TIME 24:13:52:16 (ACCURACY 1/10 to that of Forerunner), SIXTEENTH SUNRISE SHIFT OF THE FIFTH MONTH (SANGHELIOS TIME UNIT), 4TH AGE OF AMENDMENT (COVENANT TIME UNIT, BASED ON FORERUNNER TIME UNIT), COVENANT CARRIER SHADOW OF INTENT'', IN ORBIT AROUND SANGHELIOS

0700 HOURS, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR)

"Are your Spartans on board yet?" Fleet Master Rtas 'Vadum said.

"They're on their way," Commander Montrose replied.

"Hurry," the Sangheili commander said impatiently. "''I want to end this quickly."

Montrose decided not to comment. Things were still tense between the humans and the Sangheili, and he'd already been locked up once today.

Sunsets truly were beautiful on Sanghelios. The multiples suns cast red streaks across the skies, and the surface mirrored that with its crimson volcanoes.

But there was no time to appreciate it. Everyone was on a tight schedule, and they couldn't risk being discovered.

Thel 'Vadam looked to the Spartans. "I am sorry about what has happened today. The elders were wrong to accuse you when you come only to help."

Felix nodded, waiting as the Marines were climbing aboard the two dropships.

"I must remain behind," the Arbiter continued. "The negotiations must continue, and if I leave, it will attract attention. And for the time being, it would be better if they think we have not caught on."

The Lieutenant Commander had asked that Grey Team and Team Katana stay at Sanghelios, as well as Commander Montrose and a few squads of Marines. It would fool the Fallen, and with any luck they would assume the UNSC presence was still here.

Linda lowered her Sniper Rifle and moved back to their position. "I've spotted sentries, sir. They're headed this way. They'll be at our position in five minutes.

The Lieutenant Commander nodded. "Then it's time to go."

Thel placed his hand over his chest in the "goodbye" gesture, and watched the two Spartans climbing aboard the Phantom. The others were spread through the area, taking off at a predesignated time. If they remained scattered, it would be harder to be discovered. The dropship engaged its camouflage, the green on its hull fading to a blur. Thel heard the engines activating and the two Phantoms vanished.

The Arbiter engaged his own camouflage, turned to the forest, and slipped into the group of fireproof trees.

Raphael entered the room, feeling not scared, but guilty. He had as good as killed the young Marine, Jake, and two Pelican pilots. Jake had died of his injuries not long ago while under intensive care.

The guards closed the doors behind him, the sound echoing in the quiet room. Raphael stood straight as he faced the three ODSTs sitting in front of him. There was Lieutenant Colonel Gauthier, the XO to the Orbital Shock Drop Troopers in the UNSC Marine Corps, Major Krueger, an officer who fought during the Battle of Antarctica in 2556, and Master Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds, Raphael's superior officer.

The Corporal waited in the silence. Finally, Krueger, who was holding a clipboard, said, "Please provide your name, rank, and serial number."

"Sir," Raphael said. "Raphael Esquival-Cortez, Corporal. Serial number 96817-23046-RC."

The Major scribbled down the information, and inquired, "Cortez? Are you related to Brigadier General Francisco Cortez?"

"Yes sir. He was my father, sir," he replied tensely. General Cortez was Killed in Action during the Second Battle of Earth seven years ago.

"I knew Francisco," Colonel Gauthier said thoughtfully, but then looked to Raphael. "But we're not here to discuss him, boy. We're here to discuss you."

"I was inside the Pelican, and didn't see much. Tell us what happened," Reynolds said neutrally. Raphael took a deep breath, and described what had happened on the dropship.

"So you saw a bomb on the Pelican's wing? A UNSC-made bomb?" Krueger asked. The Lance Corporal nodded.

"Then it was no accident," Gauthier said testily. "Why was it not found during a flight check?"

"We didn't find anything, sir," Raphael said. "It could have been planted during flight."

"Only a Spartan could have been capable of planting a bomb in space during flight," Krueger said.

"Or a Sangheili," Reynolds added.

"And neither of whom are at Earth," Gauthier said, "Which leads us to one possibility." He glared at Raphael suspiciously. "You seemed very eager to fix the problem, Corporal. I find that rather odd."

"He is a good soldier, and always takes the initiative," Reynolds cut in. "What is so odd about that, sir?"

"You could have dispatched anyone, Sergeant," the Lieutenant Colonel snapped.

"And Cortez was positioned in the innermost seats," the NCO said evenly. "If he was planning to bomb the Pelican, he would have chosen a more convenient spot. And what would his purpose be of killing his squadmates? I've had him watching my back for a few years, sir, and I'll tell you that he's been nothing but loyal and devoted to the UNSC. I'll also add, sir, that his record has been spotless."

"He's got history," Gauthier said. "His mother used to be an Innie—"

"ONI has already settled that matter, sir," Krueger pointed out. "And we've agreed not to become biased because of personal matters."

"Are you questioning me, Major?" Gauthier asked.

"No, sir, I am merely pointing out facts," Krueger replied fearlessly. "If you'd like, we can discuss it with Lord Hood."

Gauthier turned away. "That's hardly the issue. The problem is, four soldiers are dead, and whether we like it or not, evidence points to Cortez."

There was another pause. Krueger finally said, "Perhaps a temporary suspension would be ideal. Until we resolve this matter, perhaps he should settle down for a while."

Reynolds looked like he wanted to object, but the Major said, "It would be best if you re-oriented your squad. Inform Sergeant Major Stacker that his squad will be filling in for your mission. And for now, Cortez should stay out of our way—" he glanced briefly at Gauthier, "—for his own sake as well as ours."

Reynolds nodded reluctantly, and Krueger grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote something on it. "Colonel, Sergeant, if you would please sign this," they did so, and he turned back to Raphael. "Corporal Cortez, you are hereby suspended from active duty until further notice. You will gather your things and are to leave within three hours. If this suspension is permanent, we shall inform you. You may leave now."

Raphael brought his hand up to salute, feeling numb with shock. As he turned to leave, he realized something.

"Sir," he said, turning back to Gauthier. "I thought a group of Sangheili had established contact with the UNSC."

"I don't know what you're talking about, boy," the Colonel said. He still looked suspicious. Deciding not to argue now, Raphael walked towards the door, when Reynolds said, "Corporal, wait."

The former looked back. The Sergeant looked very disheartened. "If this is permanent...it's been a pleasure working with you."

Raphael nodded, unable to speak. Then he walked out of the room without another backwards glance.

When he finished telling Maria about what had happened, she said, "I'm sorry to hear about it, Raphael. It wasn't your fault."

He sighed. "I feel like I killed those soldiers, Mom. Two of them were in my squad. They were like my family to me."

"You didn't kill them," Maria said. "And I don't think you could have done anything. You've always been a great soldier, Sergeant Reynolds says so all the time. And it's no more your fault than mine—" She stopped. She had meant it as a casual remark, but suddenly it seemed so obvious.

Raphael stared at her, and she tried to keep the look of unease off her face. Finally, he asked, "Can I trust you, Mom?"

Maria didn't say anything. She wasn't sure she could answer.

"You had something to do with it," she said accusingly at Isto, as Raphael walked up the stairs.

"And why would I do that?" the Sangheili asked. "I would not risk losing your...cooperation."

"I've seen what you've done," she said. "You're holding these...newborns like common prisoners. They've done nothing wrong, and your actions are way below your Sangheili honour."

"Their families are blinded," Isto growled. "They side with the humans like they are equals."

"Kind of like you?" she asked. "If you hate them so much, why don't you fight them, instead of kidnapping their young?"

"They will come," he said ominously. "I have just decided to give your military's Spartans a bit more...trouble." And he walked out of the room.

Maria decided that she couldn't stand it anymore. Her son had worked hard to shake off the prejudice others had cast upon him because of her, and all she did was bring him shame. That was going to change. What Isto was doing wasn't right, and neither was she for going along with it. He had no doubt tried to kill Raphael with the Pelican incident, and she was going to end this.

Maria opened a drawer, and drew out an M7 Submachine gun and two fragmentation grenades. She quietly slipped out of the house, and down the streets. When she quietly walked down the dirt road that led to the abandoned laboratory, she saw the camouflaged guards outside the doors. Priming one of the fragmentation grenades, she threw it between them, and the explosion killed the invisible Sangheili. Quickly, Maria grabbed her gun and the other grenade, and hurried inside. It was not exactly a quiet entrance, and maybe there were more hanging around.

She didn't expect there would be a lot of Sangheili inside, as it would seem suspicious, but there were four more guards. She didn't think she would be able to bluff them, so she threw the other grenade at the two on the far side, dashed up to the first one, stuck the barrel in his back, and pulled the trigger.

Maria hadn't fired a weapon for years, and the SMG nearly slipped from her grasp as she fired. The other guard turned in alarm, and she emptied her clip into the Sangheili. Three plasma bolts whistled past her head and melted against the wall, and the guard fell, dead.

Her hands were shaking as she dropped the empty gun, and she walked up to the cells. In each was a group of Sangheili newborns sitting inside, still too young to walk. It repulsed her to see them treated like this. Picking up one of the guards' Plasma Rifles, she fired at the bars, careful not to shoot the newborns. They melted, and she moved to pry them open, when something slammed her to the ground.

The rifle fell with a clatter, and Maria looked up. Fading out of camouflage, standing over her with a look of hatred on his face, was Isto.

The Shadow of Intent came out of Slipspace over Earth. Immediately, Felix sent a broadcast to the stations in orbit. "Sir, this wouldn't be a good time to ask questions. We need to get something done, it needs to be done quick. We'll tell you the short and simple version once we're inside the station."

Reynolds listened as the Spartans told Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood about what happened. Major Krueger was also listening, along with Lieutenant Colonel Gauthier. When they finished, the Sergeant frowned. Walking up to Krueger, he said quietly, "Sir, did you remember Corporal Cortez mentioning that there was Sangheili present at Earth? This could be what he was talking about."

The Major looked perplexed, but also interested. "Go on."

"Then maybe..." Reynolds hesitated, hoping he wasn't going too far with the statement. "Maybe some things that have happened...aren't the fault of whom it appears to have been directed."

Krueger stared at him. The noncom threw caution to the winds, and added, "Sir, maybe Cortez can tell us what's going on. And maybe he's in danger."

The Major nodded. You're right, Sergeant. Go, find him," he half-glanced at Gauthier, who was speaking with Lord Hood. "And keep it quiet. I'm not sure everyone would be as ready to involve Cortez in this."

As the pilot landed, and dropped off the Warthog, Reynolds grabbed the extra gear and stowed it in the back of the vehicle. True, his orders didn't count for two ODST suits, a BR55HB SR, and two clips of ammo, but if these separatist Sangheili were really responsible for the recent incident with the Pelican, then technically Raphael wasn't suspended from active duty.

Reynolds forced himself to drive carefully as he entered the city, maneuvering the bulky LRV through the streets. When he arrived at Maria Esquival's house, he could see Raphael inside. Then something caught his attention.

A Sangheili, wearing armour that was different from their original, was standing on a roof across the street, holding a Beam Rifle, and aiming it through the window.

Reynolds moved fast, climbing onto the Warthog's turret, swiveled it to face the alien, and fired.

The sniper flinched and loosed off a single shot, shattering the window.

Raphael wondered where Maria had gone. She and the Sangheili, Isto, were both gone from the house. He moved to the door, and decided to find—

The sound of a Warthog turret firing shattered the silence. A moment later, a lance of purple energy shattered the window and destroyed a vase behind him. The shot had narrowly missed him.

Light footsteps were heard, a three round burst from a UNSC rifle, a deep howl of pain, and silence.

The Sangheili ducked behind the roof, and was no doubt aiming for another shot. Reynolds leaped off, grabbed the Battle Rifle, and ran towards the sniper. He aimed squarely at its elongated head, and fired a three round burst.

The Sangheili, its shields already down, screamed as the 9.5mm rounds penetrated its head and blew its brains out. The alien collapsed on the roof.

Raphael moved outside, and saw the neighbours coming out as well, looking alarmed at the commotion.

"Don't worry," a man was saying. "UNSC Marine Corps, private business. Return to your homes."

It was Reynolds! As the civilians departed, Raphael approached him. The Sergeant exhaled when he saw him.

"Good, you're alive, Cortez. I was worried that shot had killed you."

"Sir, what happened?"

"Well, let's just say that those Sangheili you were talking about turned out to be a group of hostile separatists who did something the others took offense to, and came to Earth to pin it on the Spartans. Get your suit on, we need to get back to the station for debriefing."

As Raphael put on his armour, Reynolds started up the Warthog, and he climbed into the passenger seat. "But sir," he said. "I thought I was suspended from active duty."

"That wasn't your fault, Corporal," the Sergeant said. "We'll sort things out later. Where's Maria?"

"She hasn't been in the house since—" Raphael froze, and realized something. "He took her. That's why they've both been missing."

"Then we'd better hurry," Reynolds said, flooring the Warthog, dodging between traffic. He passed the COM to him, holding onto the steering wheel with one hand and still driving quickly with ease. "Call my Pelican. I think you'll want to be part of this mission."

Maria looked out from her cell. Unlike the ones in the factory, this one had a plasma wall.

Isto walked into the brig and approached her. "You see, human, this could have worked out well. Unfortunately, you had to try and stop my plans, so I've decided to kill you once that carrier has glassed this planet. And you see, your actions were of no use whatsoever."

The newborns were moved to the other cells. She looked away from them, and said, "You're wrong. The UNSC will know what you're up to, and they'll come and stop you. Them and the Sangheili."

Isto laughed unpleasantly. "You fool. I have already ordered my sniper to assassinate your son, and he is no doubt dead by now. The only other witness will be silenced, and your pathetic military will be turned into glass and sand, along with your world."

The corvette shuddered as something hit it. Isto stumbled, nearly hitting the deadly plasma wall.

Maria gave a bitter smirk. "I'd say otherwise."

Chapter 7
'''1200 HOURS, MARCH 1ST, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR) COVENANT STEALTH CORVETTE, IN ORBIT AROUND EARTH

Raphael's Battle Rifle spat nine rounds in quick succession, and a Fallen Sangheili dropped, roaring as the 9.5mm bullets punched through his helmet.

The Elite called Sona waved to Raphael, and his voice came over the Special Operations COM. "Human, Raphael, come with Autel and I. We will get you to the brig."

The ODST stepped in line behind the albino and Sona, slapping a new mag onto his rifle.

Working their way down the hallway the makeshift Special Forces team moved towards the brig.

Raphael stopped, hearing something behind him. A click.

"Behind us!" He roared and threw himself in to a side hallway. Sona and Autel followed swiftly as a few dozen plasma bolts whizzed by.

Raphael plastered his back to the curved wall and peeked out. Five Fallen Sangheili had taken up positions behind them, and had them pinned.

He turned to look at Sona, carrying a carbine. "How well can you use that thing?"

Sona hefted it. "Fairly well, why do you ask?"

Raphael grabbed a fragmentation grenade. "Come here. When this goes off, pop out and hit as many as you can."

He primed the grenade, leaned out, and threw it.

Sona leaped out around the corner and fired five shots. One missed, but the other three struck unshielded heads, and the last hit one in the shoulder.

The Sangheili got back behind cover and turned to Autel. "Circle around behind them. We'll keep them distracted here."

Raphael backed up a few paces. "I'm going to the other side of the hallway, give me some cover."

Sona leaned out and fired, driving the three remaining Fallen Sangheili under cover.

Raphael ran forward, across the hallway, and ducked behind that corner. Now he and Sona could fire on the enemy position without being in each other's way.

One more went down before Autel was able to get behind them.

Raphael had just finished his magazine and went for a reload when Autel leapt out from a side hallway, driving an Energy Sword straight through one of the Fallen.

Lifting the body in front of him as a shield, Autel stepped forward, bringing a second Sword up and cutting the last Fallen Sangheili down.

Sona stepped out from cover. "Hurry."

The brig had only two guards, and they withered under the barrage of plasma bolts and Battle Rifle rounds.

Raphael went to the first cell. His mother lay there, holding a small bundle. He reached up and deactivated the plasma barrier.

Maria looked up, and Raphael saw that she was holding the smallest Elite he'd ever seen.He went to her and wrapped his arms around her.

The ODST turned his head to see the albino, Autel, looking in to the cell as Sona deactivated the rest of the plasma barriers, a strange look on his face as he stared at the two humans.

Then the look passed, and he moved to the next cell.

"I'm sorry, Raphael, I'm so sorry." Maria said. "It was me, he told me. I was afraid he was going to kill you."

"Mom, it's alright. Let's get out of here first."

Autel deactivated the last barrier, and saw three familiar bodies. He went to them and picked them up.

Sona was already radioing in more Sangheili warriors to come fetch the rest, but these small ones were for Autel to carry.

His children. His blood.

Ezekiel squeezed the trigger on his MA6, sending a sustained stream of 7.62 mm rounds in to the enemy group. Reynolds added to his fire with a burst of SMG rounds.

Their spread of fire in the the enclosed hallway caused devastation among the two Fallen, and they dropped quickly.

Ezekiel stepped out, a plasma bolt splashing against his shields, ramming a new magazine home and continuing the fire. Reynolds followed at a steady pace.

Behind them, Katana Team opened up, covering their six.

The bridge door opened as Ezekiel approached. He, Reynolds, and Katana were first there, so there was plenty of work to be done.

He primed and threw a plasma grenade. It attached to a Major's mask and detonated, spraying purple blood and gore everywhere. Two other Fallen were taken in the blast, and the Spartan and ODST opened fire on the rest.

The remaining Fallen Sangheili turned to fire, but were hit on all sides by the other teams entering the bridge from all directions.

Within seconds, the bridge was cleared. Ezekiel stowed his assault rifle away on his back, and went to the control interface.

The Sangheili Ship Master, Rtas 'Vadum, moved to join him.

Ezekiel tapped away at the console, tightening his parameters each time.

"Do you have him yet?" Rtas growled.

Ezekiel turned to stare at him. "If I did, then I would have told you." A ping emanated, and the Spartan zoomed it in.

"There he is."

Rtas turned and began walking away. "I'll take care of him."

Ezekiel jogged up beside him. "Isto isn't the only one there. You'll need my help. The others can finish up here."

"Very well," the Fleet Master scowled. "But leave Isto to me. This is personal."

Raphael marched out in front of Maria, making sure the hallway was clear. The two had left Sona and Autel and struck out for the control centre. He turned the corner and ran into Isto and a Fallen squad.

The ODST pushed his mother away, shouting, "Get out of here! Get back to the rest!"

Isto stepped forward, speaking to the other Fallen. "This one's mine."

Raphael fired his Battle Rifle, the bullets bouncing off Isto's shields.

The Fallen leader swung his energy sword horizontally, and the ODST leapt back, his gun sliced in two. Isto kept turning and stepping forward, smashing his left fist into Raphael's chest. The Corporal was thrown into the wall, the breath knocked out of him. He watched Isto's Energy Sword coming around for a stab, and threw himself to the right along the wall. The Energy Sword missed, slamming into the metal.

Raphael came up with his M6G pistol in hand, firing three rounds into Isto's chest. They bounced off his shields.

He stepped backwards, passing an intersection. Isto stepped forward going for a horizontal slash. Raphael knew he couldn't dodge this one, and it caught him in the chest, throwing the ODST to the floor.

A silver blur came from out of the intersection, and slammed into Isto.

Rtas slashed down at the Fallen leader, who blocked it and kicked the Ship Master, launching him backwards.

Down the hall, Ezekiel had engaged the Fallen squad. Raphael struggled with a grenade on his waist, feeling the energy washing from his limbs.

Isto stood as Rtas came back at him, and forced the Fallen backwards, in the direction of the Control Room.

Raphael got a hold on the grenade and chucked it towards the Fallen squad. "Frag out."

Ezekiel heard it, and heard the grenade land. He snatched a Fallen Elite up in front of him, the shrapnel riddling the body.

Raphael passed out. Ezekiel had to focus on his enemies now, and not protecting the ODST.

He dropped the body and brought his assault rifle around, emptying the last ten rounds in to another Fallen.

Rtas came in with a vertical high slash. Isto countered with a high horizontal guard, turning Rtas' blade aside and kicking out with his foot. The Ship Master twisted away from the kick, bringing him alongside Isto. A horizontal slash was countered with a straight stab.

Another twist, and this time Rtas was on the defence, countering several attacks as he was pushed backwards in to the Control Room. Spartans and Sangheili looked up as the two bashed their way in. Joey moved to intercede, but Felix waved him off.

Another stab, and Isto overextended. Rtas grabbed his wrist and pulled him in, headbutting the Fallen leader. He stumbled back, dazed, and Rtas stepped forward. The tip of his sword drove a hole into Isto's shoulder. The Fallen leader roared in pain, and struck a hammerblow to Rtas' head. Rtas dropped to his knees, his vision swimming, then felt the hot burning of an energy sword piercing his stomach.

The pain brought him back to reality.

He stood, grabbing the handle stuck inside him and twisting. The fire spread in his belly, but he wrenched the handle free of Isto's grasp and pulled it out. Isto stepped back as Rtas came at him. He didn't scream as the blade swung towards his neck.

Ezekiel stepped on to the bridge, carrying the unconscious Corporal Raphael over his shoulder.

He gestured to Reynolds, who ran over carrying a first aid kit. They started to work on the ODST, staunching the bleeding with biofoam and wrapping him up.

Joey and Dennis were rolling the headless body of Isto into the airlock, and Rtas had placed the two Energy Swords on his thigh plate. Jack kicked the head in after the body.

Felix was organizing hunting parties to clear the rest of the ship. It had been calculated that a little over half the Fallen forces had been neutralized. Now they just needed to finish the job. Sabre Team was holding the Engine Room, and Grey Team was working their way along the gunnery stations.

The senior Spartan called Ezekiel over, and the lone wolf marched up to him. "Sir?"

"You willing to go hunting?"

Ezekiel nodded. "Yes sir. Where do you want me?"

"Hallways. We don't know much about how these stealth corvettes work. Just get as many of the Fallen as you can."

The Lieutenant went to one of the supply cases they'd brought in and grabbed a shotgun and several boxes of buckshot. He held the weapon against his shoulder like an old western cowboy as he walked by. "See you in an hour."

It was about an hour until the ship was cleared, the UNSC engineers moved in, and the Special Forces moved out.

Felix met Ezekiel as he was preparing to leave. "Have to go so soon?"

The Lieutenant nodded. "Afraid so. Apparently you need training these days in order to train special forces."

"Understandable. I've heard things about this new batch."

"I know things about them, and I can tell you they're going to be something that even us old ones won't have seen."

"How many are you going to be training?"

"Somewhere along the lines of 3,000."

This set the Lieutenant Commander back on his heels. "How did the UNSC find the funding for that?"

Ezekiel shrugged. "No idea. But it's my job to train them, so train them I shall."

The senior Spartan held out his hand. "It's been good working with you, Ezekiel."

The Lieutenant took it. "Same with you, Lieutenant Commander." He saluted and marched onto the Pelican.

"He's quite a Spartan," Felix remarked.

"He likes to work alone," Hannah replied. "I used to think it was weird, but Ezekiel certain earned my respect these last few years."

"We all have our ways. I have a feeling we won't see him for a while."

"Oh, he'll be back," she said. "With 3,000 Spartans ready to kick ass. Then it'll be my turn to play DI." Hannah gave a mock grimace. "Until then, I guess I've been landed on this boat for a long time."

"Perhaps. Looks like we're in for another fight. I'm going to be glad you're with us."

Epilogue
'''2240 HOURS, MARCH 1ST, 2559 (UNSC MILITARY CALENDAR) INSIDE UNSC PELICAN DROPSHIP

Raphael woke up, and realized he was slumped in the cargo seat of a Pelican. He shifted, and realized his torso was bandaged.

"You're awake," Sergeant Reynolds said from next to him. "Your mother's very worried about you. I told her you'll be fine, but she wanted to see you anyway. She's waiting for you."

"Sir, where are we going?" Raphael asked.

"Back to the station to get a few things straightened out," Reynolds said. "Those separatists caused a lot of confusion, and we're talking to that Fleet Master now."

The Corporal felt uneasy. "Sir, maybe I shouldn't be coming with you."

The Sergeant laughed. "Don't worry, Cortez. Your suspension has been lifted, and you'll be back on active duty...as soon as you recover. We've got everything sorted."

The Pelican touched down on the station's landing pad, and Reynolds helped Raphael out of the Pelican. The Sergeant led him to a room where a group of Spartans and Sangheili were gathered. "C'mon," Reynolds said, pulling him forward. "They'll want to hear what that bastard's been up to in your house."

Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood was there, as well as Lieutenant Colonel Gauthier, Major Krueger, and Sergeant Major Pete Stacker. Raphael raised one hand to salute them, which was returned. "At ease," Lord Hood said. "Now, if that's all, Fleet Master, I daresay you'll want to bring your young ones home. And please tell Commander Montrose he can come back to Earth." 'Vadum nodded, and gestured for the Sangheili to leave. The Admiral turned to the Spartans, and said, "Good work. I'll bet your trip to Sanghelios was no less hassling, so please make yourselves comfortable." The Lieutenant Commander led the team out of the room as well, and there was silence.

"Now, Corporal," Hood said. "I realize these past few days have been...unusual. Not to say a bit hard-edged on the receiving end of all this trouble. I must ask you to tell us what has happened. We've got a pretty good idea from all the others, but I'll want to hear your story first-hand."

So Raphael told them what had been happening; how odd Maria was acting, the Sangheili's suspicious nature, the accident he retold, this time with more certainty. He finished with Sergeant Reynolds finding him and their assault on the corvette.

When he was done, the officers and Sergeants were silent, taking in his words. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Gauthier gave a chuckle and said, "I guess I read you wrong, Corporal. You are something after all. I daresay your old man would have been proud."

"Indeed," Hood added, "your actions have been noble. You will be awarded the Medal of Honour at a ceremony next week." The Admiral gave a slight smile. "Make sure you're there."

"Sir!" Raphael saluted.

"You are dismissed," Hood said. As the Corporal left the room with Reynolds, Maria was waiting outside. The Sergeant nodded to him and walked off.

Maria embraced him in a tight hug. "I'm sorry about everything, Raphael. I can't believe I let myself help that monster."

"It's okay, Mom," Raphael said quietly. "You cared about me, and that means a lot."

"But I lied to you," she said, "I didn't trust you."

"Let's forget all this. Then let's not keep any more secrets," he said. "Promise?"

Maria nodded, and finally let go of him.

"Promise."

Autel entered the Vadam Keep, and walked up to Cyla's room. He entered quietly, and saw that she was asleep. He gently laid the newborns down on the bedside, and was about to leave, when he heard her say, "You're back."

He turned back to her, and they embraced. Autel smiled for the first time in a long time, and when they let go, Cyla held the newborns as if she never wanted to let them go. She said, "We haven't named them yet."

Traditionally, the mother named the children, and she said, "I haven't decided on names yet, but I'll tell you when I have. In the meantime, I think you'll want to pay a visit to the Demal Keep."

Autel was silent. Did that mean what he thought it meant?

Cyla smiled. "Fira will be regaining consciousness in a few units. You may want to be there when he does."

Autel nodded, took one last look at the newborns, and left the Keep. He ran all the way to the Demal Keep.

Sona let him in, and took him to the third landing. A group of Sangheili were standing inside the medical room, Demal and outsiders alike. A doctor was examining some charts.

It was the first time Autel had seen his friend since he left him. Fira's wounds were sealed, but purple scars were seen all over his body, barely distinguishable from the dark of his skin. The holographic projectors showed his status currently in a wake-up state.

"He will regain consciousness within this subunit," the doctor said. "His body is doing checks to make sure he has healed sufficiently. He will be unable to move around for a while, but he will make a full recovery in time."

Autel stood beside Sona, waiting...waiting...

Something pulsed on the projector. Red lights flashed to yellow, and to green.

"He is waking up," the doctor said.

Fira's hand twitched. His eyes opened.

Autel felt an enormous sense of relief. He had known that his friend would make it, but he had a deep sense of fear that he would never wake up.

Fira slowly turned his head. He looked around at his friends and family, and gave a bare smile.

The Sangheili in the room began to talk at once, asking him how he felt and telling what had happened over the lapsed time. His eyes met Autel's, who said quietly, "We've brought them back. All of them."

The doctor stepped forward. "He requires medication. I must ask you to leave for now. You may visit him later."

As Autel left the Keep with Warra 'Mantakr, 'Tullum, 'Antinr, and the others, he felt a great sense of contentment. The Fallen were still out there, but they had been defeated for now. Everyone he cared about was alive, and that was all that mattered for now.