- soulguard
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- Exalted Mythic Member
The command deck door parted, and Eric walked onto the bridge in his full gear, minus his helmet. All eyes turned to him as the elites recognized the honored human. He slowly crossed the deck and approached the group as Siren smiled at him nervously.
“Oh, recclaimer, how wonderful of you to join us.” The Keeper cheered. “Please inform everyone that we must stick to protocols.”
Eric looked to Vornaldea, assured that he was the one he needed to address, “Elder. I know it seems awkward, but he is correct; in part. We must go to the Sol system.”
“You have taken our world, our home, and now you wish to threaten the lives of our females and young?” Vornaldea stated, gazing down at Eric.
“I understand your concern, but if the flood are not stopped…”
“No.” Vornaldea stated as he turned his back to Eric. “Helm, prepare to take us out of here. We’ll head to the grunt home world and …” A click rang across the bridge as Eric tripped the safety on his Magnum.
“Sergeant!” Monroe shouted as she looked at Eric in disbelief. At Eric’s side was his Magnum side arm, resting comfortably as he gazed at Vornaldea’s back.
“Siren, take us to Mars.” Eric sternly ordered. “I can’t guarantee the safety of your civilians, elder, but I can assure you that I am not going to sit back and do nothing. This ship is capable of repairing a fleet of nearly four hundred ships, and we need that sort of strength to win this battle.”
“Human… you dare threaten me?” Vornaldea growled. Everyone paid close attention that Vornaldea said nothing more. He simply gripped his energy swords hilt and held it firmly in his hand.
“They gave me explicit instructions, believing that whatever we found would be useful. This ship hasn’t any form of weapons, but that repair bay is good enough. Now, you help us, or I will take this ship by force.”
Siren softly mumbled, “Entering Slip space.” Vornaldea looked up to his helm officers, and they nodded, agreeing that they had indeed entered slip space. “ETA to Martian orbit, twenty seven hours. Sol Relative Time minus two days.”
Vornaldea looked to Timnaldee, noticing that the Supreme Commander had his energy sword ready, as well as the honor guards.
“Sergeant Raynord, we don’t stand a chance trying to take this ship by force!” Monroe screamed as she jumped between Eric and Vornaldea. “What are you thinking?”
The Keeper smiled happily, “Excellent. The reclaimer is most efficient. However, this boldness was most unexpected.”
“I’m thinking about the survival of my race, as well as he is.” Eric scuffed. “We have something here that can help our military rebuild its defenses, yet he is only concerned with his own race…”
Timnaldee roared, “Enough of this! I understand both sides, and what both of you are saying is the same; the need for us to protect our kin.” Timnaldee reattached his energy sword hilt to his side mount, and walked closer to Eric and Monroe. “We can not stop the constructs from moving the ship. Fighting them would be pointless. And the honored human is as stubborn as any of us. However, I agree, we must not jeopardize the safety of our kin.” Timnaldee looked to Vornaldea and released a heavy sigh, while Vornaldea looked on in confusion. “Sergeant Raynord, if we do this, my fleet will not be able to assist you in your battle. I will guard this ship and if any Covenant or flood infested ships come within range… we will leave immediately.”
Vornaldea scuffed, “Commander, are you certain of this?”
“High elder, you protect the civilians and I will protect this ship. The humans did save all of our lives this day, we owe them at least a safe harbor to make repairs to their fleet.”
“Thank god.” Monroe vented. She then sternly gazed at Eric. “Sergeant, a word.” They walked off the command deck and into the neighboring room.
“At no point did I authorize you to proceed with this stage of the mission.” Monroe fumed. “My orders were to gain access, and support. Not overthrow.”
“You hate them just as much as I do, Captain.” Eric mumbled. “Who gives a damn about their civilians when they didn’t give ours any consideration? Do you remember the things we’ve seen; the camps, the pits, the feedings? And now, we’re supposed to pretend that none of that happened?” Eric paced around the room in an angry rage, while Monroe simply agreed to what he was saying.
“But we aren’t like them, Eric. And things are different now. The Admiralty has agreed to an alliance…”
“What the hell do they know? They’ve been sitting in the Hive fighting a war through video displays and moving troops like game pieces on a chess board. Most the admiralty never experienced this war first hand! No, this war is going to be won by people like you, me, the Black Ops and the Spartans. We’ve gone through too much, seen too much to back down now.”
Siren’s image phased into view at Eric’s side, “Captain, may I speak with him.” Monroe nodded, but Siren gazed at her shyly. “In private, ma’am.” Monroe curiously gazed at Siren then at looked at Eric.
“We aren’t done yet, 19.” Captain Monroe turned and began to walk from the room. “I’m going to go apologize on your behalf, I recommend you do the same.”
“They don’t respect weakness, Captain.”
“Weakness isn’t my game, compassion is.” Monroe walked from the room as the door slid close behind her. Eric staggered forward, calming himself and not looking at Siren’s image.
“Is everything alright in the city?” Eric questioned.
“Mel handled everything, and the Chief is with her. Everything is fine…”
Eric laughed, “Don’t let 05 hear you call her that. It won’t go over very well.” He pulled his side arm out and reset the safety. He then turned and finally looked at Siren, but what he saw made him step back in shock. “What the hell…”
Standing in ODST fatigues and wearing a regulation hair cut, Siren’s image had changed and she now appeared as she did before she died, “There’s something we need to talk about.”
To be continued…
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Notes: I think this pulled things back on track. As I said there are a lot of things that needed to be repaired after the past few chapters, but none the less they will be taken care of in the post edit. I hope you liked this. Please... be cruel. *sniff*sniff*
.. but not too cruel. :(
-soulguard
[Edited on 11/4/2005]