EliteCommander

The Cradle

“The potential danger posed by these machines far exceeds the economic benefit of a plant. I frankly am not interested in playing these pointless political games.” Rareth responded. Her gaze moved around the room across the meeting’s various participants. The kinds of debates this Committee invited were tedious and frustrating, but if there was one advantage here, it was that not all of them were in agreement. Certainly, some favored action, and if Rareth could deliver a reasonable path to taking that action, she could gain support.

Rareth took in a short, deep breath, followed by a light sigh. “These machines could threaten the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh just as much as they could for us. If they are threatened as well, then the Rahn’Saki will want to inform them of the risk. They have a right to be able to defend themselves, and we certainly would not mind having the support of as many species as possible in a united defense against this threat. I believe you may be…overthinking your approach to this political situation. We can simply explain our involvement with the truth. We are being guided to Psi-Helios in pursuit of a potential threat to our galaxy’s safety. Our intrusion into this interspecies spat over a plant is pure coincidence. We will be taking no sides, and they need not know in what ways you may or may not have already been watching them. If you are still so concerned about political fallout, then let us take the lead. You can present yourselves as merely being dragged along our warpath in the interest of mutual defense, and my people can deal with the politics later.”

The Cradle

Rareth gave little in her reaction for the others to observe. After Marae and agent Vreta had alerted her to Wallace’s tip, she had received her own report on the situation from the Rahn’Masser. Unfortunately, even they lacked recent information on how the system’s situation had developed. Its location was far from Rothian territory and overall sphere of influence. The only reason they had justification to be involved at all was the presence of the primitives in the system. Pre-FTL civilizations were protected by international treaties from outside interference, even within sovereign territory. Of course, the amount of exceptions and conditions written into those treaties could fill out the space of entire novels. For the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh, having any presence within the system skirted the edge of the law, but as of yet they had not provably violated it in any meaningful way. On occasion, the Rothian military could send stealth corvettes to carefully observe the situation from far outside any other species’ effective sensor range. They could determine if there were any signs of uncharacteristically advanced technology in too close of proximity to the planet, but their last observation was months ago.

“Bear in mind, we are the ones who would be substantiating the Plenipotentiary’s claim. If we had other, more likely leads, then I would suggest following them. But, as it stands, waiting around here debating on what to do next, as we have been for weeks, will end only with us doing nothing. The forces that may be arrayed against us will keep marching their plans forward regardless of whether or not we do anything to challenge them. I do not know many of you, nor what you value, but I prefer to have some say in my own fate.” She said, pausing a moment as her gaze moved slowly around the virtual room. “Again, I intend to authorize a division of corvettes to scout the system from outside sensor range ahead of our arrival to identify any potential points of danger. They will not be detected by the Tindrel, Qualian-Vosh, nor the natives.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

In the aftermath of the battle, the cannon was left sufficiently destroyed for their purposes. Certainly, it could not fire in its present condition, and while it could be sabotaged further, there was always the possibility that it could be repaired when the Keep was retaken. Shih was confident that she had been able to jam any attempt at communications during the attack, so the way had been cleared for the assault on the Keep. Following Tar’s guidance, they took an alternative path back down the mountain to their vehicles. While it would have been unusable during the storm, the worst of it had already passed. All that remained was comparatively light rain. Even on spectres, it took hours to get to a safe distance, but they were eventually able to extract back to the ship.

---

Vael spoke little to the others in the time before the assault was set to begin, apart from what was necessary. He did spend some time going over the plan for the assault itself. In short, their one and only goal for their attack was to reach the Kaidon himself. There was enough support for the Swords of Sanghelios among the Keep’s population, but they were honor-bound to follow their Kaidon. If he could be deposed and Tar claim the position of Scion, that would grant the citizens an excuse to stand down that would still satisfy their honor. Perhaps there might still be some Covenant zealots that would oppose them, but the battle would essentially be over as soon as the Kaidon fell, so as long as Tar survived. For that reason, their plan was to make a powerful, direct push straight to the Keep itself. They would cut through anything in their way, but they aimed not to fight any more than necessary. The less damage they did and the fewer casualties they inflicted, the stronger the city would be as an ally. Certainly, the plan was risky. If they did not properly secure and defend the territory they captured, then they opened themselves up to be surrounded once they were in the Keep. Should their plan fail and they were unable to depose the Kaidon, they could end up being trapped.

Standing before a wraith in the hangar, Vael observed as a pair of technicians gave it a last check before the battle, as others were with the rest of their vehicles. It would be more than Aegis team participating in this assault, but as Aegis was the spearhead, they had the full choice of how they wanted to proceed in the attack. They would have the choice of Human vehicles that had been brought aboard the Blockade Runner, or of its own stock of vehicles. Any class, from light to heavy armor, was available if they chose.

The Cradle

Rareth’Jharn was aboard the Barbarossa, though she had not yet interacted with the science team. She trusted they would be able to re-establish themselves in the new facilities, and she had much of her own to do in the meantime. Her purpose in negotiating for a Rothian security detail on the Barbarossa was mostly to maintain a strong Rothian presence in the project at all levels, but that did not mean she would not take her new role seriously. She intended to fully-integrate her team with the Barbarossa’s own security forces. Void Company was mostly autonomous in how they chose to operate, but the rest she directed to maintain, as close as possible, a standard of security that would be acceptable on a Rothian ship. Patrols were easy enough to keep constant with robotic security, so it was in surveillance and screening that she placed most of her personal attention. Her first day on the ship, and she had already spent hours speaking with the captain about her requests, which she expected she would need to do many more times during this mission.

Early the next morning, Rareth had taken for herself one of the officers’ briefing rooms. She had just sent a request to the captain for background checks on all of the ship’s crew, and was going straight into a meeting with the Committee. Naturally, its other members were not all aboard the Barbarossa, but the briefing room had access to a full holographic communications interface. Ignoring the chairs that were entirely too small for her, she stood as the sensors scanned her body and projected a holographic version of herself in their digital meeting room.

There was a short wait for all of the relevant members of the committee to join the meeting, but once they had, Rareth wasted no time. “Apologies for cutting short the formalities, but there is much to do today. The science team is in the process of setting up on the Barbarossa. No meaningful difficulties at the moment, so I expect we will keep to our minimum timetable. We need to be ready to depart as soon as possible. To that end, I can approve the deployment of a corvette division from Rothia to reconnoiter the system ahead of our arrival.”

The Cradle

Vreta nodded. “If Rareth agreed to this, then it must be important. The Faultless Spear will still be close at hand, but be sure we have everything we need regardless.”

“Is a vault really worth giving up the facilities we have here? We’re not going to be able to be as productive as we are here.” One of the Rothian scientists commented.

“It is specialized equipment.” Vreta answered. “Regardless of the technological limitations, these Cradle objects are unique, and the Outremans do have experience with the unique ways of dealing with them.”

There was a brief huff from the scientist. “Give us a week and we could fabricate a vault of our own.”

“Well we may not have a week to wait around. We know the potential threat we face, and we have our orders. Just remember, there is no one more qualified to meet this challenge than all of us, and we will see it through to the end.” Vreta replied; a firm answer to remind them of the stakes. Ultimately, the Rothians would follow their orders. A Datius was an extension of the Rahn’Saki’s will, and Rareth was clear on what she wanted them to do. Right away, the Rothian team members started packing whatever equipment they could think of that they would need. Or, more accurately, ordering some of the ship’s automated labor force to move what they needed to the hangar while they supervised.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Yerig gave a soft chuckle, which was interrupted by a cough. “I’m an old man who probably should have quit a few years ago as it is. There isn’t always another chapter to write. Sometimes, a story has to find its end. It’s the natural way of things, and I believe that nature is a beautiful thing. What I will do today is…rest. Tomorrow, I will start my way back to the place Do’rhajul found me those years ago, and let my Voice turn to the heavens once again.”

---

Upon their return, the camp felt strangely more “lively” than it had been before they left. The wounded, by this point, had largely been brought to the healers, and if they had not perished, were in the process of being treated. For the rest, many had the pain of loss fresh on their minds, but also the relief and joy that came with a long-fought victory. What would be easy to notice was that not all of those wandering the camp were among the living. The dead from the battle behind them had still not yet reformed themselves in the Hunting Grounds; these were spirits who had been dead for some time.

It was not long after the pack’s return that Fendros was finally called to a meeting among their clan’s ranking members. Those who were able to attend, at least. In many of their meetings, it had usually been Meesei or Ri’vashi who would take the initiative to get them started, so their absence was particularly pronounced. This time, it was a tired-looking Saras who spoke up first. “I think it would be best for all of us to…keep this brief. I am told that the healers have a handle on the wounded for now. They are working hard, but they have enough resources to handle what they have. We are going to be focusing our efforts on moving those who have been treated and are stable back through the portal to Tamriel. I believe, Champion, that now may be the time to…deliver the news to our clans. The mood around camp has improved, somewhat, now that it has calmed down, but word still hasn’t gotten around about what happened at the tower. Obviously we are victorious, but I believe the clans need to hear from their Champion…if you think you know what you intend to say to them.”

The Cradle

“We’ll have that united front. I will approve a strike group from the Rothian navy to assist.” Rareth answered. “If these machines continue to refuse dialogue, then we will stop them there, or else determine their capabilities. Speaking of, we should get our scans from the last battle to the science team to see if there are any recognizable features from known Cradle-objects.”

Rareth turned her attention back towards the others on the Faultless Spear. She paused, briefly referring to some information on a holographic screen off to her side. “You are to follow your orders to deploy to the Barbarossa. Though I am reading that there are medical items of concern. Continue to follow the instructions of medical personnel on the Faultless Spear, then move to the Barbarossa once the relevant patients have been cleared for duty.”

Rareth’s gaze fell onto the other hologram present. “Ensure that both ships keep to our timetable for the next assignment, but see that you heed the instructions of our medical personnel.”

The Cradle

Vreta gave a light sigh. He might not have been able to hear what this Human’s avatar was saying, but Freyr was not hiding what she was saying. He could already tell this was going to require a bit of extra help. Clearly this person, whoever they represented, was intending to order the team away, based on Freyr’s side of the conversation. Vreta sent along a priority message to Rareth’Jharn informing her of the situation and requesting her immediate attention.

As long as Rareth was in range of the ship, it was easy for her to make her presence quickly known wherever she might be needed. Much like the Human’s avatar, Rareth’s avatar was soon projected in front of Vreta. Even in holographic form, it was hard for Rareth to be anything but imposing. Not just for her towering size, but her avatar carried every bit of the intensity of her gaze down towards the new Outreman representative. “Could you have bothered to involve me with informing the team?” She said as she turned her gaze to the rest of the science team. “Allow me to get you all caught up with what has been happening. In short, a mobile version of the Vault underneath Babylon has been installed on the Barbarossa. Given its specialized capabilities, we have come to an agreement to use the Barbarossa for the project. However, given previous security failures, a Rothian security detachment under my command is also being stationed aboard the Barbarossa for as long as it is being used for the project. Needless to say, the Faultless Spear will also be staying close at hand in case it is required.”

The Cradle

“If we want to keep the team safe, I wouldn’t suggest moving us anywhere else.” Marae suggested to Freyr. “I mean this with as little offense as possible to your military, but they have repeatedly failed to keep us safe on or around Outremer. There were bombings in orbit, a terrorist’s avatar walked right up to you on a landing pad, and then of course the attack on the arcology. Being on the Faultless Spear is the first time we’ve actually been safe since we got here. Not to mention, the facilities here are much more advanced; we’ll be able to get more work done.”

Even if he hadn’t been messaged himself, listening to Marae gave Vreta enough context to understand what was happening. He too sent Freyr a message privately. “It’s ultimately your choice if you want to follow that order, but you don’t have to let them bully you into anything. If you want some help ‘negotiating’, I can shoot a message to Rareth, and you can have her at your side.”

The Cradle

“If you care for your families, then you will want to do what you can to protect them. Leave now, and you will be leaving their fates up to us alone, without your input.” Marae argued, though her gaze went to this new person approaching just like the rest. Whoever this avatar represented, she did not recognize them.

Vreta stepped up alongside Freyr, glancing down briefly at her. She did not seem to be acting like she recognized this avatar either, but if it was here, then it had to be with approval. Perhaps someone from Outremer’s new government? In any case, he acknowledged their new guest and waited to hear what they had to say.