Vael had to hold himself back from responding to Spartan Aviza’s…decision with anything more than a low growl. Not only did this choice prevent them from delivering the remaining rebels their deserved punishment, but it was risky. Once they held no leverage over him, there would be nothing stopping him from taking his own life except his sense of honor, and perhaps fear.
Even so, Vael did not voice any dissent. He simply kept his carbine leveled on the rebel, trying to keep his aim right on the Human’s wrist. Even he could not guarantee he would be able to make such a shot, but that was the only option Vael would have to stop him from killing himself, should it come to that. Even if he did not agree with the plan, it was still better for a unit to have united support for a
single plan, rather than divided support for a better plan.
In any case, the impasse continued for as long as it took for the remainder of the rebels to make their escape. One after another, the pelicans lifted off and accelerated down the tunnel, with their former hostage boarding the last to make her escape. Soon enough, the complex was devoid of insurrectionists, save for the commander himself.
The rebel had remained alert to any movement for the entire wait, but once his soldiers were gone, he stared down Aviza.
“You have kept your word, Spartan…” He began, letting out a long sigh. In an instant, he squeezed the trigger…which was followed by nothing but a click. His weapon was out of ammunition; he must have held down the slide release lever after firing his final shot before.
”I hope you remember that integrity when they betray you too. Do as you will.” He remarked, tossing his empty pistol aside.
In leaving the Forerunner structure, there was no more resistance. Every rebel that had not been killed had evacuated, while the Brutes above ground had fought to the last. If there was one measure of respect Vael could give to the Jiralhanae, despite their savagery, it was that they would fight to a warrior’s death no matter the odds. Of course, even with the Brutes defeated, they still had to extract quickly once on the surface. The fighting had drawn the ire of the Forerunner defense systems in the area, so they had to evacuate under fire to return to the
Chorus of Thunder. Once all ground forces were aboard, the fleet as a whole jumped to slipspace to put some distance between themselves and Sarcophagus.
The debriefing for Aegis team came after the appropriate medical attention for those who were injured. For Spartans, medical checkups were standard after every mission, though Sangheili team members were at least
offered treatment as well. It was up to them whether or not they would accept it.
Overall, the mission was successful as per the objectives outlined to them from the start. Most of the rebel cell was destroyed, and their commander captured. The escape of so many insurrectionists was not ideal, but the damage dealt to the organization was considered sufficient, especially with the capture of their leader. It was a strong first showing for Aegis team, and it made a solid case for their usefulness of this experiment in cooperation.
As was true from the beginning, however, Aegis team was never fully about military effectiveness. It was a political experiment as much as it was a military one, so having good results was not an immediate guarantee of their future. The wait aboard the
Chorus turned from days to weeks as their superiors discussed the mission’s execution, its results, and its implications as they interrogated their captive. Ultimately, priorities began to shift among both governments as a result of events in the rest of the galaxy. The rebel cell they encountered was considered to have been removed as a threat, while other concerns moved closer to the forefront.
For the Swords of Sanghelios, the war against Jul ‘Mdama’s Covenant continued to draw more and more of their resources, while the UNSC was reluctant to draw themselves any further into the conflict than absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, the UNSC
Infinity’s mission to facilitate the study and decommission of the remaining Halo rings was among the UNSC’s highest priorities, and Spartan deployments to the
Infinity, and other locations in service of that goal, were considered more important. Ultimately, members of Aegis team on both sides were soon given “temporary” reassignments back among their own people while they awaited the results of discussions between their superiors.
The months that passed saw events that threatened to reshape the balance of power in the galaxy. The discovery of the shield world Requiem, followed by the Didact’s attack on Earth and the destruction of New Phoenix shook the peace that Earth had enjoyed since the end of the war. Despite his losses, and even without the Didact to lead them, the Requiem Campaign brought more power and influence to ‘Mdama’s faction. After the destruction of Requiem, Promethean warriors continued to serve as allies to the Covenant, which, to some, seemed to legitimize Jul ‘Mdama’s claim to leadership.
It was only near the end of the Requiem campaign that the talks over the future of Aegis team, which had been shelved months before, were put back on the table. Though still reluctant to join the war in earnest, the UNSC now had much more direct cause to act against ‘Mdama. Particularly for missions in or near Swords of Sanghelios territory, the need once again arose for a team like Aegis.
March 1st, 2558. Sydney, Australia
Vael was sat on the floor, resting on his knees and meditating in the quarters he had been given. He was out of his armor, which was no small show of trust for him on an alien world, even if the Humans likely did not understand it. Of course, his armor was close by and sealed in its storage container, and he rarely left these quarters without it.
Opening his eyes, Vael simply took a moment to look out across the bustling city outside his window. It was the place this idea of Aegis team first started, the city of Sydney on Earth. Vael and his team had been here over a week while they awaited other members of the team to be recalled to Earth. Their superiors had already been discussing, planning, and making agreements; it would simply be up to them to carry out the decisions that had been made for them.
In a way, Vael found his treatment here amusing. Unlike his previous visit to Earth, he had been given quarters as a guest near to, though not within the UNSC headquarters. Since he and his team had been required to stay for more than a short time, their hosts had at least made an appearance of not treating their allies like prisoners. He had been free to move of his own accord in the city, though of course, he was under no illusions that he was not being watched by ONI. No matter what appearances they wanted to give, they would not allow him to go anywhere they did not wish him to be.
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