A Fortunate End, An Unorthodox Beginning ((Complete))

[edtosivaree]

     "Change heading, three-four-zero by zero-zero-zero! Roll zero-nine-zero! Bring Ventral Cannons to bear! Fire on my command!" Edto Xar'Sivaree commaneded, paying close attention to her monitors. It was just her luck to run into a rather well coordinated UNSC Taskforce. She had already lost two ships to the battle, both having gone dark. Her hope was that they were undergoing repairs, but she knew not to hold her breath.

     "Ship Mistress! Rising Resolves engine and weapon systems are down. They are dead in the water!" The Communications Master declaired.

     Edto swore to herself. That was her last heavy Corvette. She was left with a Frigate and her Heavy Destroyer now. "Advise Pious Salvation to cover Rising Resolve till they can get their weapon and engines back up! Weapons Master! Why have we not fired yet? Operations Master! Status Report!" She shot off.

     "Ship Mistress! Ventral will fire in less than one rook! Targeting the forward Frigate. Current fireing solution might hit two ships!" The Weapons Master called.

     "Sheilds are at 75% overall, port shields recharging. Starboard shields at 65%. Bow Shield 55% and Aft Shield full and ready Shp Mistress!" The Operations Master added.

     Edto nodded. "Keep me updated... This Human is skilled. Be prepared for anything!" She ordered as the battle raged on.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1640 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“Detecting a spike in energy levels along their ventral batteries. The Heavy Destroyer appears to be charging their main ventral cannons,” Commander Alice Qelar reported from the main tactical station. “The Sevenfold and the Archer are in the projected path,”

“Inform the Sevenfold and the Archer to divert some of their reactor’s output to their emergency thrusters, and to fire on my mark. The Sevenfold will divert to port above the formation at bearing two-niner-five by one-niner-zero and have the Archer divert to starboard of the formation at bearing zero-five-niner by zero-five-three to evade incoming fire. Have the Sevenfold and the Archer target that CAR frigate with their MLA turrets only, but to keep their main cannons charged,” Captain Matvey Danillovich Galina, the aging commander of the Marathon Class Cruiser Passchendaele, ordered from his position at the holographic projection table. The engagement had been a brief one, but out of the original ships that had been under his command of fourteen his force had been whittled down to roughly four ships with a fifth heavily damaged with the crew possibly about to evacuate while their opposition held only two operational ships out of an initial five.

“With that CAR frigate still operation it’s safe to assume the jammer to be operational, ARCHER Missiles will have a negative effect. Commander Qelar, Alice, concentrate defensive fire. Order the Devonshire to remain in formation with us, and have the Dallas to cover the Baltimore,” The aging officer had known dividing the formation had been a risky gamble, but he’d been in more than a few engagements against the Covenant to realize the smaller tonnage ships had presented a greater threat due to their greater movement and while the Passchendaele’s fire had been focused on the CPV Heavy Destroyer he’d opted to provide cover to the damaged Charon Class Light Frigate Baltimore by using the guns of the Paris Class Heavy Frigate Dallas. “Prepare to deploy Longswords,”

[edtosivaree]

Edto watched the screen and the battle hologram. She could see the ships start focusing their small arms fire onto her ship. What was their game? Just a few ticks later, space was lit up by the Ventral canon. The beam cut through space, but the two ships moved out of the way just in the nick of time. She couldn't tell if the beams did any damage. "Navigations Master. Bring Torpedo Launchers to bear on the human ships. I want those frigates gone. Tell the frigate to Run a slow charge on their Ventral, and try to keep the signature hidden" She commanded.

Both ships started to react accordingly, hers binging their Torpedo launchers to bear. "Ahead flank! We are going to play the distraction. I want to mae sure they don't have time to focus on the Poious Salvation. On my command, I want both Torpedos to fire at the Enemy Cruiser. Aim for their primary canon" She ordered, waiting for the perfect moment.

After a few ticks, she nodded. "Fire Torpedo's, Angle the ship to present the bow and starboard sheilds, Dump power into recharging the sheilds and the Torpedo tubes. I want us to look like a star on their sensor!" She continued. She hoped she could get this captain to overlook her frigate charging their Ventral.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1640 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“The Destroyer has altered course to match our own, and are fast approaching at flank speed,” Lieutenant Ellis Michaels, the Navigation’s Officer reported from his station.

“A massive power spike has been detected...torpedoes have been detected!” Commander Alice Qelar, from the tactical station reported.

“How many?” Matvey asked.

“I‘m detecting two plasma torpedoes launched from the CPV Heavy Destroyer,” Alice confirmed. “Judging from their current trajectory, I’d go so far as to say their targets are the main cannons,”

“Focus fire from the forward MLA turrets targeting each of the torpedoes. Set the ventral thrusters to fire, but keep them on standby. I want that Destroyer to think the rest of our MLA network‘s experiencing problems. Commander Qelar…Alice, work with Nadezhda to charge and to finalize a firing solution. Channel thirty-percent from Reactor One, and thirty percent from Reactor Two into the main cannons for an immediate recharge after the first two salvos have been fired. Let me know when we have a full recharge on both cannons,” Matvey ordered. “Helm, keep us on course with that Destroyer and in their line of fire until I give the word. Keep that Destroyer blind to our next move,” A chorus of acknowledge, of “aye, ayes” followed in response to his orders as the entire plan played out in the aging Captain’s mind.

“New contact! The scanners can‘t tell what tonnage it is, but it‘s bright. It‘s moving on an intercept course. Whatever it is, it’s big…not nearly as big as that Destroyer,” Commander Alice Qelar at the tactical station reported. “Energy spike detected. Their forward batteries are powering up, and they’re targeting us, Sir,”

“Damn,” Matvey swore in Russian. “What Frigates are in position to intercept?”

“The Archer and the Dallas. The Dallas is closest to intercept, but it will take the Archer nearly three minutes to enter optimal firing range,” Alice reported. “We can bring our own MLA batteries port-side to bear, but…”

“Our defensive fire won‘t be able to stop that incoming contact,” Matvey said, finishing Alice‘s thought. “Contact any and all Longswords nearby to intercept that incoming contact. If it’s what I think it is, their onboard ordinance won’t do anything and will strike off-target. Inform the Longsword crews to avoid broadsides, closing with the contact and to avoid the plasma batteries. We need them to harass the incoming contact while the Frigates move into position. Once the Longswords have made a pass or two, if possible, they must get clear and get to safety or to take care of any fighters or dropships that might have been deployed,”

Two of the four frigates assigned to the Passchendaele‘s Task Force altered course to intercept the incoming CAR Frigate to which the Passchendaele‘s own hull mounted cameras has been blinded to alongside at least several nearby Longsword squadrons arced into position, but as with Matvey‘s own orders kept their distance to harass the CAR Frigate. The Passchendaele remained on course as the two plasma torpedoes bridged the distance between the CPV Heavy Destroyer and the Marathon Cruiser with a cloud of MLA fire peppering the torpedoes. The aging Russian Captain held his patience knowing if they tipped their hand or moved too quickly the torpedoes would be able to hone in and the CPV parent Destroyer would be able to react with even more fire. The torpedoes advanced towards the bulky cruiser while Matvey held his patience, and only at the last moment the hull-mounted ventral thrusters primed to fire opened propelling the heavier cruiser above the arc of the torpedoes and the entire complement of MLA turrets -- forty-four in all -- pivoted and gained a lock on the torpedoes before opening fire. The full concentration of fifty-millimeter rounds slamming into the torpedoes, from double-barreled guns, did more than weaken the plasma fields before destroying the torpedoes fairly harmlessly.

[edtosivaree]

Edto watched as the torpedo's cut through space, destroying the cruiser. Three more ships remained. Her mandibles spread in a grin. "Poious Salvation! Open fire on the human frigate! Let's end this fight!" She commanded. A chorus of affirmation sounded, and a few ticks later the blackness of space was cut by the bright light of the overcharged Ventral cannon. She watched it hit the Paris Class, cutting through its midsection and go on to glance the Charion Class's engines.

She was about to order her remaining ships to clean up, but she was interrupted. "Ship Mistress! The Human Cruiser is still active! Our torpedo's were ineffective!" Her weapons master called, causing her to look back at the hologram. He was right! The Cruisers position had changed drastically. It had moved out of the way!

To say she was impressed, would be a horrendous understatement. She had never quite had a fight like this, even when against the three frigates. She was impressed, but there was no boarding party this time, and she wanted to ensure a challenge for the future. This Ship Master would give her a challenge in the future, and a part of her relished in that fact. "Communications Master... Order the remaining ships to power down all weapon systems. Send an isolated transmission to the Cruiser. Search the databanks for Sangheili to Human translations. Tell them to cease fire" She ordered.

She got a lot of odd looks from those on the crew, including Nadra. "Near every species within the Covenant at one point or another were seen as Heretics. Each one proved their merit in combat and were accepted into our ranks. What makes the Humans so Different? Send the transmission, and tag an invite for an isolated Video Transmission. I wish to see my contender" She ordered, sitting down.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1700 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“The Dallas is down, and the Archer‘s engines have been damaged. The crew from the Dallas are attempting an evacuation. I‘ll have several flights of Pelicans ready to pick up the survivors in the lifeboats, and redirect the Dallas‘ Pelicans to our own bays,” Commander Alice Qelar reported from her station.

“Good. Have the good Doctor have the Medical Bay prepared for incoming casualties, and wounded,” Matvey replied. “Direct some of the nearby Longswords to cover the Archer, and have the Sevenfold come about to provide cover and assistance. What is the Baltimore‘s condition?”

“Aye, Aye, Sir. I‘m sending orders to the Sevenfold, the nearby Longsword squadrons and the Medical Bay to prepare for incoming casualties and injured,” Lieutenant Denrae at the communication‘s station reported relaying the myriad of orders. “The Baltimore Commander reports the damage to several compartments, and one of their reactors has been shored. They should be able to accompany us back to a shipyard for repairs, but won‘t be able to exceed twenty-percent on one of their auxiliary reactors and sixty percent on their main reactor,”

“Sixty percent on their main reactor…we’ll have to keep pace with them,” Matvey muttered.

“The Covenant ships have ceased fire. All offensive capabilities have ceased, and I’m detecting they’re powering down their weapons systems,” Alice reported, surprised and having to take several takes at her own console readouts.

“What?! Are you certain?” Matvey asked, turning from the holographic situation table near the rear-most bulkhead of the bridge compartment.

“It’s confirmed. The Covenant have ceased fire,” Alice confirmed.

“Nadezhda, can you confirm?” the aging Captain asked, knowing Alice knew he hadn’t doubted her abilities or her expertise. Everyone knew the Covenant had created ruses before in creating scanner ghosts to make it appear their weapons had powered down, to having jumped out of the system to appear they had fallen back only to jump back behind a UNSC formation.

“I can confirm it. The Covenant do appear to have powered down their own weapon systems, and from the posturing of their remaining assets it does appear this is genuine,” the Passchendaele’s Second Generation “SMART” A.I. reported, having thoroughly checked her own scanners and her own findings compared to previous engagements with the Covenant on record.

“It can’t be that easy. Keep the MLA turrets online, with ARCHERS primed and…” Matvey began.

“Incoming transmission from the CPV Heavy Destroyer. It’s Covenant, Sir, and they’re utilizing an English translation program on one of our encrypted frequencies,” Lieutenant Denrae reported from her station.

“Rotate the encryption keys, and switch to a separate frequency for combat instructions to the remaining Task Force. If this turns out to be a ploy, I want to be able hull their ships,” Matvey ordered, his concern growing with the news the Covenant had been able to crack one of their encrypted frequencies. Thankfully, there were at least dozens more frequencies the UNSC utilized among their Fleet and forces. “Put it on screen, Lieutenant, with extra filters. If they need to see something, let them see me and nothing else. Dim the bridge lighting…no, darken the bridge. I don‘t want them to see what they don‘t have to,”

The Lieutenant at the Communication’s station followed through with her orders transferring the received Covenant transmission to one of the view-screens lining one of the bridge bulkheads. Matvey had grabbed his double-breasted frock-coat, or at least one of them lacking any emblem or standard or citation or rank of the UNSC and buttoned it over his own uniform to hide what lay beneath. The rest of the bridge did the same in hiding their uniforms, but not removing them and they donned frock coats of their own. The lighting on the bridge dimmed, and finally darkened down to the light indicators on the various consoles with even the holographic situational table powering down. Nadezhda had even withdrawn into one of the projection pedestals on the bridge sealing it. It went without saying, or even having an order issued that the transmission and exchange were to be recorded for future analysis.

[edtosivaree]

Edto had waited almost a rook, before the screen went live and she was met with a single human. His outfit was plain... Uncommon for UNSC. Usually they had odd exoskeletons on, and this one looked to just be wearing cloth. "Ship Master... I am Ship Mistress Edto Xar'Sivaree of the Covenant Navy... The Ship Mistress in Command of the Warband you just fought. Before I go on, I must say that you are startlingly similar in appearance to Captain John Ambrose... I had the pleasure to meet him before I had to end his life" She explained, seeming even a little remorseful over the comment.

"Now, unlike some of my more zealous comrades, I do not function off the desire to just mindlessly irradicate your race. I am a Sangheili who still remembers the meaning of honour. If I had my way this message would be an invitation to join the Covenant, but our Prophets don't share my sentiment" She continued, looking over her hands in an oddly Feminine way. "You are an impressive commander, and one that I admire in a small way. I have never seen a ship feign a plasma barrage and I had even fallen for it" She commented, before squaring off to the camera.

"To hopefully participate in a battle with a commander as capable as yourself in the future... I am willing to let you live to fight another day. I will order my ships to jump the system and maintain a cease-fire for that time once we are ready" She offered. "Of course... If that would be a blow to your pride and the honour of your troops, then we can continue hostilities. Just know that I would be disappointed to destroy you... Your two remaining ships, while powerful don't have enough firepower to stop me. Do you accept?" She asked.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1700 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“Shipmaster, I am Ship Mistress Edto Xar‘Sivaree of the Covenant Navy. This Ship Mistress in command of the Warband you just fought. Before I go on, I must say that you are startlingly similar in appearance to Captain John Ambrose. I had the pleasure to meet him before I had to end his life,” the Elite appearing on the view-screen greeted, in near perfect English provided in no small part from a translation program he‘d been certain. He‘d known the Covenant had shown disdain for even contemplating speaking in the human tongue, or a heretical tongue as the case may be without a need at least. Though, he noted the Elite female -- that he‘d been certain from the pitch of her voice and stature -- appeared to show some remorse from the death of the aforementioned Captain.

“Now, unlike some of my more zealous comrades, I do not function off the desire to just mindlessly eradicate your race. I am a Sangheili whom still remembers the meaning of honor. If I had my way, this message would be an invitation to join the Covenant but our Prophets don‘t share my sentiment,” the Elite…Sangheili female continued looking over her hands in a more feminine manner. “You are an impressive Commander, and one that I admire in a small way. I have never seen a ship feign a plasma barrage and I had even fallen for it,” He‘d noticed the Elite had turned her attention briefly off-screen, beyond the reach of her own viewer.

“To hopefully participate in a battle with a commander as capable as yourself in the future, I am willing to let you live to fight another day. I will order my ships to jump the system and maintain a cease-fire for that time once we are ready,” she offered. “Of course, if that would be a blow to your pride and honor of your troops, then we can continue the hostilities. Just know that would be disappointed to destroy you. Your two remaining ships while powerful don‘t have enough firepower to stop me. Do you accept?”

“Ship Mistress, let me convey my respect for your Augustine presence and your offer of a cease-fire to engage in this exchange. I am Matvey Danillovich Galina, Captain of this ship and all whom were present here,” Matvey replied, in that thick Russian accent of his homeland. Regardless of this Edto Xar‘Savaree‘s belonging to a current enemy species to the UNSC, Russian hospitality still took priority within reason. “You are a capable commander…Ship Mistress yourself, and you did surprise me with the blinding of my cameras and the increase of your on-board systems. I could say you‘re a worthy adversary, but we both know that. You wouldn‘t be communicating with us, if that weren‘t the case,”

“I am deeply honored by your decision, Ship Mistress, to order your ships to stand-down. I will admit, initially your efforts at communicating and command-wide gesture to stand-down was met with skepticism. I won‘t lie about that. Your command has taken casualties, and losses as mine has. There is a saying among my kinsmen, that once the scabbard is broken we cannot hide our swords. Our scabbard has been broken, and we cannot hide our swords. That does not mean to say I wish for hostilities to begin a new or our guns to keep firing until there are only rent hulls left. I feel gratitude towards your gesture, and I will respect it. For the fallen and for those living, I will honor it. You have not insulted my pride, or offended my sensibility. You have honored them and I will honor yours,”

“A sign of my gratitude, a custom among my kin, will you accept a gift? Afterwards, we will withdraw, ferrying our fallen aboard and will depart as you do. May we meet again,” he said.

[edtosivaree]

Edto had a hard time understanding the human. She could tell he was speaking the same language, but obviously, the Humans all had very different dialects. However she was able to understand enough of it. He was rather well spoken otherwise, even so inclined to return her compliments. He was aware that they were enemies, and she understood the message of his saying well. Swords hungered for blood, and their scabbards were indeed broke. Thousands of their own troops had died in this conflict alone. They were the face of their command, and they would be the deciders of their troops fate.

At the mention of a gift however, Edto was visibly shocked. "A gift?" She asked, sounding confused. "You wish to give me a gift?" She continued, looking about at Nadra. The substantially larger Sangheili just shrugged. This was an interesting implication. What would happen if they declined? A gift, especially to an enemy was always a conundrum. Would it be dangerous?Would declining the gift start up a conflict. She wanted to fight again, she wanted this human to have the chance to build himself up to fight again. "What is the gift, and how will I be receiving it?" She asked coolly, obviously as skeptical about the idea as Matvey was about her initial transmission. "I will not have time to scour space for an object Ship Master... What is your angle?"

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1700 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“A gift?” the Elite Edto Xar‘Savaree asked. “What is the gift, and how will I be receiving it? I will not have time to scour space for an object Sip Master. What is your angle?”

“My angle,…Ship Mistress, is to convey hospitality and gratitude. Nothing more. There is no ploy, no deception. In my country, it would be said you would be the guest. You opened communications with us, a cease-fire negotiated. As a guest, as my part as Host, it falls to me to repay the visit and honor the guest with a gift. Ordinarily, the gift would be a bottle from my family’s vineyards, but as we share the same profession it would be unwise and unworthy of me to give you a substitute for a blade. Aboard, I have such a gift in the form of a saber. It has had a history to it, dating back to the hands of warriors that slew many and earned their names. This, I give to you as a gift,” Matvey explained. “You will not have to scour space to find it, and it would be unwise for us to launch it as a weapon. Instead, I will deliver it in person. I do request that you do not open fire as we approach. One Pelican, with two Longswords for escort, if I have your permission?” He'd relayed an order to the rest of the remaining Task Force, the Longsword Pilots, the Pelican Pilots and the Escape pods from the downed ships to hold their fire and to wait for his command otherwise.

[edtosivaree]

The Ship Master was audacious, to say the least. To deliver a gift in person was a very bold move. He would have to enter the ship, and that was... nerve wracking. Security risks were huge, but she had dealt with a boarding party before. If this Ship Master was true to his word, and from her limited knowledge of human tech she could tell that it would be dangerous. Humans had been on Covenant ships before, she was a prime example of that. She could detect their Nukes well enough as well. She looked at Nadra and gave a slight nod. "Deploy the Seraph Fighters. As a precaution, I want to make sure this isn't a trick. After all... Our scabbards have been broken so to speak." She stated.

"You will be allowed your Pelecan. None of your escort will be allowed on my ship with a Helmet. We know of your camera's, and I am taking a security risk as it is. Your Longswords will not be permitted on our ship. Only the Pelecan. Understand that on my ship, there will be a zero tolerance. Any sign of aggression will be met with you and the survivors demise. There is enough firepower in my hangar to destroy a single pelican. You will be met by my Seraphs, and anyone who fires on you will experience a fate worse than death. I will bleed them dry on my deck. I will meet you in my hangar" She said, nodding before shutting down the COM and getting prepared. She went to her own cabin, before heading to the Hangar with her Security Lance to meet the Ship Master.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: UNSCS Task Force Gamma Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Bridge: Beta Watch: 1700 Hours Zulu Time: Condition: TAC Con Alpha Two]

“You will be allowed with your Pelican. None of your escort will be allowed on my ship with a helmet. We know of your cameras, and I am taking a security risk as it is. Your Longswords will not be permitted on our ship. Only the Pelican. Understand that on my ship, there will be a zero-tolerance. Any sign of aggression will be met with you and the survivors‘ demise. There is enough firepower in my hanger to destroy a single Pelican. You will be met by Seraphs and anyone who fires on you will experience a fate worse than death. I will bleed them dry on my deck. I will meet you in my hanger,” Edto relayed over the video transmission. Matvey had known such terms would be expected, and had known while Edto had initiated the gesture he had to be the one to conclude it. Though, before he‘d been able to give any response the channel closed from the Destroyer‘s end.

“You do know this is incredibly dangerous, and while I applaud your boldness it could result in your death,” Nadezhda said, airing her concerns.

“I know, and your concerns hold merit. I do not plan on going unarmed, since in their culture as in mine it would be considered a grave offense. If my life is to come to an end, it will come to an end. I hope it does not, but if I told you that I wasn‘t nervous or how do some of the marines say? Shitting a brick? I understand the risks, but I do not know what will come of it. I don‘t think anyone does,” Matvey explained before turning from the viewer. The bridge lights were raised with the indicators on the consoles, and the bridge crew removed their frock coats to reveal the uniforms beneath.

“If this doesn‘t work and they turn back on the deal, there won‘t be any way to save you, Matvey. I can‘t tell you how dangerous this is,” the Passchendaele‘s A.I. re-iterated.

“I didn‘t expect to go in alone, and I won‘t. A mixed squad of ODSTs and marines will be present aboard my pelican, but they will be under orders not to set foot from the pelican itself. If this Edto Xar‘Savaree had wished me ill or to turn her guns on us, we wouldn‘t have been able to finish the transmission. There is an old saying in my country,…if a bird strikes your car twice, it is good luck. A bird has struck our ship, and the others twice. I think that is a sign, but I‘m far from the superstitious type,” the aging Captain said reaching under the frock coat to check the belt, and the Cossack saber held in its scabbard that he‘d worn beneath the frock coat and as a rule in any engagement on the bridge.

Reaching up to check the chest holster with its M6D sidearm, a standard Naval Issued weapon, he drew it from its holster and checked for a chambered round in the barrel. Making sure the magazine had been full with a chambered round ready and a second magazine stored in one of the coat pockets, he nodded to Nadezhda and the rest of the bridge crew. “Commander Qelar, you have the bridge and ship while I’m over there. Keep a line open with the Longswords and the Pelican. If anything does happen, I want to be aboard that Pelican and back aboard. Inform the Longswords to only escort us as far as the Seraph fighters join us, and then to stand-by at a respectable distance. Send word to volunteers, both marine and ODSTs to join me in bay two and to be locked and loaded. Inform them I do not want them to be heroes, or cowboys, and get me a Pelican ready to launch in five minutes,” The aging Captain crossed the bridge, stepped into one of the lifts and submitted his destination into the lift’s computer before feeling the lift weave through the decks.

* * * * * *

[Launch Bay #2: UNSCS Passchendaele]
[Pelican Bravo-One-Three]

Reaching Launch Bay #2, Matvey took the time to look around after stopping by his quarters to retrieve one of the many Cossack sabers he‘d collected over the years and a special box for it lined with velvet on the inside for it. He‘d tucked that under his arm, and proceeded to Launch Bay #2. Along the way, thoughts ran through his mind about how a myriad of things could go wrong during the meeting on the Covenant ship or how things might turn for the better from the chance encounter. Either way, Matvey had committed to a massive gamble. One where he might either die or one where he’d have to attend a mandatory briefing with his superiors.

Stepping out of the lift, he’d taken the time to look around the massive bay -- one among many aboard the Marathon Cruiser and took in the activity around him. Most on the flight decks had been keeping quiet, preparing themselves for what might come and preparing their craft for additional combat or refueling or even having an abrupt meal from MREs. Thousands of eyes watched him and while he’d commanded untold millions over the years, those eyes still caught him by surprise. Though, he wasn’t nervous he certainly understood the uncertainty and anxiousness of those around him.

Approaching a Pelican with the call-sign Bravo One-Three painted on its hull, the aging Captain was met by a mixed squad of seven marines and six ODSTs including the flight crew. Exchanging a few words, more an abrupt briefing with the gathered personnel he’d informed them of the conditions and terms established by the Covenant Ship Mistress and that while the armed men and women would act as escort in the Pelican they were to remain aboard the Pelican once they had landed in the Destroyer’s hanger bay. There were eight other personnel garbed in flight suits, a mix of men and women, the flight crew assigned to the two Longswords that would fly escort to the Pelican Bravo One-Three. Matvey had conveyed the orders to the Longsword crews, that they would fly escort and once the Seraphs arrived would set off for a respectable distance.

* * * * * *

[Five minutes after Launch]
[Pelican Bravo One-Three]

The Pelican’s engines sounded equally through the hull, keeping a constant hum as the gathered men and women aboard the orbital and atmospheric dropship were oddly silent. Eighteen people divided between seven marines, six ODSTs, four of the Pelican’s flight crew and the aging Russian Captain had only to wait for confirmation from their Covenant counterparts. The two Longswords with their delta-wing configured hulls kept alongside the dropship providing a steady escort acted as an anchor of sanity to those aboard each of the three craft and had been a constant reminder they were representing the UNSC, but also that they were human.

[edtosivaree]

Four Banshee Fighters were waiting midway between the two ships, and skillfully looped around, surrounding the small formations. They weren't the Seraphs as specified, but they were still rather dangerous. They would lead the Pelican into the Hangar of the heavy destroyer. Tension was obviously high when the UNSC personel would exit their Pelican to be met with several Sangheili and a large group of JAckals and Grunts. Dominating the crowd though, was a stuningly large Sangheili in pale red armour. Next to him, was a comically short Sangheili wearing gold armour with purple cloth trim.

"Ship Master Matvey Galina... Welcome to the Shadow of Retribution. I am Ship Mistress Edto Xar'Sivaree. As agreed, you do not need to worry about any of my Warriors... So long as I do not need to worry about yours" She explained, looking over the Soldiers that followed the captain. "I appreciate you complying with my request for no helmets" She stated, obviously keeping track of the situation. "Shall we carry on?" She asked.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: CPV Class Heavy Destroyer: Shadow of Retribution: Hanger Bay: 1700 Hours Zulu Time: TAC Con Alpha Two]

Four near-dragonfly formed Banshee fighters had come about taking up positions around the Pelican while the two Longswords followed their orders and banked away to a respectable distance as the Pelican Bravo One-Three with its passengers maintained its course for the CPV Class Heavy Destroyer under escort from four menacing Banshee, which Matvey knew were under orders to hold their fire on pain of death by their Ship Mistress. The Pelican passed through the force fields of the bay before slowly setting down on the deck with its landing struts folding outward before settling down with the weight of the dropship behind them, and slowly the aft ramp lowered before connecting with the deck itself. Despite Matvey’s plans though he agreed with the military contact procedures and followed four of the marines out whom had set up a defense perimeter around the Pelican with their rifles hooked to their breastplates and their fingers resting on the triggers while not aiming the weapons at the aliens that had greeted them in the Hanger Bay. Matvey followed with the box carrying the saber tucked neatly under his arm, and was in turn followed by the remaining marines and ODSTs also with their rifles hooked to their breastplates rather than aimed at the aliens.

”Ship Master Matvey Galina, welcome to the Shadow of Retribution. I am Ship Mistress Edto Xar’Savaree. As agreed, you do not need to worry about any of my Warriors so long as I do not need to worry about yours,” the shorter Elite garbed in golden armor trimmed in purple cloth spoke in halting English though Matvey had been able to understand. The larger Elite standing next to her had been menacing, no doubt in part to his training and had as Matvey assumed been her Executive Officer or weapon’s officer and would no doubt brook no dissention. “I appreciate you complying with my request for no helmets. Shall we carry on?”

“Da…Yes. I am honored by your greeting, and am in awe of your ship and your crew, Ship Mistress Xar’Savaree,” Matvey greeted, and explained. “It was not easy to comply with your terms, but as we are in no position to do otherwise and with honor on the line it was best to be seen to. I do hope you do not mind my escort. I feel you would do the same if in my position? You have no need to worry yourselves. My men are under orders to observe, without helmet cameras, but to provide a presence. I could not have left my ship otherwise, but they mean no harm as I hope yours do not. Do not take that as an insult. It was not meant to be. I was only reciprocating the gesture,”

“I present a gift, as offered. You may inspect it if you wish,” Without bowing since that would have been seen more as a sign of weakness among the Elites, as far as he‘d been able to determine and would have undermined his own position, Matvey slowly produced the box from under his arm and held it out with both hands before slowly stepping forward towards the Ship Mistress. He‘d been careful not to make any sudden movements, or to appear belligerent. Inside, if Edto were to open it, lay an elegant and polished three to four foot steel slightly curved blade in the fashion of a Cossack saber with a rounded hard worn pommel of wood on a velvet cushion complete with a scabbard that lay next to it. Upon the gift’s receipt, Matvey slowly stepped back among his own people in such a way as to make the Cossack saber with its scabbard worn to be visible beneath the frock coat a sign from one warrior to another while it lay at his side.

[edtosivaree]

Edto tilted her head as the usual political stuff was went through. She was expecting warriors, she was expecting some lines being pushed, but the overall level of respect was held. She knew her requests would be seen as absurd, even in covenant standards. She would never leave the ship with Nadra and a Security detail, of course, hers would be smaller. When Matvey presented the gift, she indeed opened the case, looking the blade over. It was much different from the curve blades of her people, but she was thankful for her disability for once. Her hand fit nicely into the handle, admittedly much nicer than her energy sword.

She handed the case to Nadra, who took it and swung the blade around. It's weighting was impressive. Obviously focused on speed, and given the humans size it was also amazingly light. She barely felt the object as she swung it, the edge easy to lead. She wished she had something to test it on, and her wish would quickly come true. A loud, panicked, iconic squeal of a grunt was heard, and a slight commotion in the group garnered the attention. A Plasma pistol skittered across the ground as a Sangheili dragged a grunt through the crowd. The Sangheili spoke to the Ship Mistress, no translation given but it was clear Edto's hand tightened on the sword.

"It would seem this interaction has weeded out a cowad amongst my ranks... As promised" She said coolly. Right as she said that, she lifted the sword and brought it down on the grunt with an insane amount of speed. She seemed to have a slight amount of difficulty cutting through the armour, but the motion was smooth, and the grunt gave out a gurgling squeal before slumping to the floor. "Anyone who raised a weapon to you would be bled dry upon my deck. This is an impressive blade. Substantial, given that I was trained with some of the finest blades my Keep ever made. Given it's short work with that grunt, I would say it is a completely viable weapon. It has aged well. Thank you Ship Master" She said, placing it back into the box that Nadra held diligently.

"I was interested in your Gift idea, and given you have given me a weapon, I will give you one" She explained, waving another Sangheili forward who carried a bow. It was almost as tall as she was, and made out of a strikingly dark wood. It looked similar that to a Recurve. "I haven't much to give you, so I will give you this" She explained, taking it and holding the bow out. Around the handle, a set of human dogtags. "And I will return the Dog Tags of Captain John Ambrose. I will keep his armour however" She added.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: CPV Class Heavy Destroyer: Shadow of Retribution: Hanger Bay: 1740 Hours Zulu Time: TAC Con Alpha Two]

The loud almost out of place squeal characteristic of a Grunt filled the bay, and the volunteers with Matvey from the marines to the ODSTs with their fingers near the triggers slid their fingers easily and raised the weapons. Matvey knew his marines and ODSTs were extremely wound tight on this trip, and when the Grunt had been dealt with he firmly and steadily gestured with his hands to his volunteers to lower their weapons. In the bay of a Covenant ship hadn’t been the place where Matvey had wanted to die and he’d believed his volunteers hadn’t either, but as Edto had promised any belligerence from her crew had been dealt swiftly. While he hadn’t condoned the loss, the needless death of any crew, be they human or alien in this instance the Ship Mistress -- the Commander of the alien crew -- had given her word and Matvey hadn’t been about to violate it.

“As promised, you delivered. Do forgive my men, we are all high strung. This war has been ongoing, and our reflexes are honed. It is our nature, as it is yours. I would say that such a display was unnecessary, but this is your crew and you hold final word over them. I do thank you for insuring our lives were not forfeit,” Matvey said, calmly. “I am glad you approve of the gift. The saber fought many wars, those whom carried it earned their names in fields far from here. May it serve you well, Ship Mistress. A gift?” He asked, before another Elite stepped out of the line of his fellows and presented the bow carefully to Matvey and his group. The bow was massive, built more for the Elites to handle than those of his own species though the gesture itself had not gone unnoticed. “I thank you, Ship Mistress. Your gift has been well received,”

Unfortunately, while Matvey hadn’t been able to exactly carry the bow he’d been able to hold it for a time. Four of his volunteer group -- one ODST and one marine -- stepped forward to carefully take the wooden recurve bow after Matvey had carefully run his hand above the bowstring yet followed it or at least attempted to. He’d been familiar with bows from his childhood, but an Elite's bow itself had been a creature in its own right. It was taller than a man, not truly heavy, but awkward and as he'd assumed correctly had a greater draw weight. He made sure his hosts had been able to tell he hadn’t intended or been close to testing the bow out on their ship, but had been only attempting to see how much of a draw weight there had been and how it sighted.

“Oh, that…is impressive. I thank you, generous Hosts,” he’d say before the two volunteers carefully carried the bow into the Pelican bay and stored it. Noticing the pair of metallic Dog-tags slung around one end of the bow before the two volunteers stored the bow inside the Pelican, Matvey reached out to carefully take them in hand and held them as carefully. His eyes passed over the name of the late Captain, the branch, the serial number, the blood-type, his unit and more. "I will present these to the late Captain's family, if he has any. I do appreciate this gesture,"

[edtosivaree]

Edto nodded as the gift was taken. She showed no reaction to the actions of his escort, having known full well that humans were quick. She was glad they didn't open fire though. They could identify a true threat, which was fortunate. When Matvey mentioned John Ambrose's family, she nodded. "Inform them he died well. I give my word he was not mistreated before death. Our talk was long, and my blade swung true. His death was a painless one" She explained, turning around. "You will be allowed to leave. I trust you do not need an escort for that. Return to your ship, we will be leaving shortly" She explained. "Until next time Ship Master... Maybe we will meet under less... Strenuous terms" She finished, leaving the Captain to leave.

As Edto walked, Nadra walked next to her, silent for a time. "That was a risky move Ship Mistress... If the Hierarchs were to find out, then they could have your head" He stated, looking down on the toy Sangheili. "To let the humans leave? It could easily be seen as an act of Heresy" He added.

Edto shook her head. "It was the more tactically sound option. That commander is as skilled as I said he was Nadra... Our weapons would have taken time to charge, and Cruisers have always given our forces a hard time. We had two ships on them, but those ships were ready to fire. We would have taken fire for several rook after that attack, and in the shape we were in, we would have died. I saved the lives of three ships, and made it look like a mercy. No honour was lost today but my own. Of course, when have I ever cared about that?" She asked, continuing her walk.

"The gift exchange was an unexpected turn, but I see it as a learning experience. Humans can be spoken with, and they can be civil, even amongst enemies. The Humans leave thinking it was a mercy. One good experience can soften their hearts in the hopes that they will be spared, giving our fleets the edge in battle. Regardless of what their Ship Master says, they will see us sparing them, and stories will spread through the human ranks like wildfire" She smiled. "Of course, that could be thinking too optimistically" She added.

When they arrived at her quarters, she had Nadra lay the box down on her desk. "Oversee the repairs. Once all ships are capable, jump to Covenant controlled territory. We will rest and resupply. Hopefully, our warband will be reinstated and our ships lost will be replaced. That is another 12 ships on our service record. No small feat in the slightest" She finished, dismissing the Bridge Master and sitting down at the desk. She never truly got a chance to admire the blade fully. She would spend a time familiarizing herself with it, understanding it, and hopefully mastering it. Another human object to add to her growing collection. She thought about trying to learn the language. The Shipmaster certainly had an endearing way of speaking to no less.

[Cabel]

[Outer Colonies: Covenant Held Territory: Task Force Seven: UNSCS Passchendaele: Hanger Bay #2: 1800 Hours Zulu Time: TAC Con Alpha Two: TAC Con Alpha Two, Situation Easing]

The departure from the Shadow of Retribution had been a bit of a relief, though still nerve-wracking although less so than their approach to the CPV Class Heavy Destroyer and the four Banshee that had been the previous escort formed up around the Pelican. The Banshee turned back around on the Destroyer once the Pelican met up with the two Longswords, and maintained a course back to the UNSC line and the Passchendaele. Matvey’s mind echoed with the Ship Mistress’ words, in that perhaps at another time either before the end of the War or after if the War had an end without the eradication of his entire species they could meet and under less harrowing circumstances. The wooden bow given to him by Edto Xar’Savaree, his generous Host, had been stored carefully in the netting above the seats lining the bulkheads of the Pelican bay and Matvey knew ONI would sooner than later enjoy getting their hands on it or divulging the information from him. That would be a matter for another day, but for now he had to see about gathering their fallen and charting multiple random vectors from the system and eventually back to UNSC territory.

Once back aboard the Passchendaele along with their full complement of Longswords with additional Longswords and Pelicans, Matvey set foot onto the deck of the landing bay followed by the gift from the Ship Mistress and the volunteer force. Requesting the deck-officer to allow him use of his radio, Matvey contacted the bridge to inform them they’d returned unharmed and were to set course on random vectors out of the system along with the remaining ships of the Task Force. It wasn’t long until he had crossed through the decks, with two marines carrying the bow behind him and unlocked the door to his quarters. He directed the two marines where to set the bow, and how to set it before thanking them as they left. He’d set the bow carefully against the bulkhead in the next compartment with the rest of his collection, though he’d only been able to shift it into position rather than carrying it. Placing hooks around it to keep it from sliding, he’d softly smile and looked around his quarters briefly before heading for the bridge. Stepping into one of the lifts, he’d felt it weave through the decks before stepping out onto the deck of the bridge.

“Welcome back, Captain,” Nadezhda said, greeting him as did Commander Qelar and the others.

“Is everyone aboard? And has everything been secured?” Matvey asked.

“Everyone’s back aboard, and the survivors from the Dallas and the Baltimore have been brought aboard. The Medical Bay’s had to expand into several other compartments to deal with the influx,” Commander Alice Qelar reported.

“Good. What about the Dallas and Baltimore?” he asked.

“Both the Dallas and the Baltimore’s reactors went critical after the evacuation, and both have been destroyed. There isn’t anything of value, tactical, strategic, or intelligence wise in either of them. The Archer and the Sevenfold have come up along starboard and are ready to jump,” Alice explained.

“The multiple vectors have been charted, and the courses laid in, Sir,” Lieutenant Michael Ellis at the Navigation’s Station reported.

“Prepare for immediate jump on the first random vector,” Matvey ordered and heard from Commander Kantle the slipstream drive had been fully operational. “Activate slipstream reactor, and get us out of this system,” Within moments, the Passchendaele with the two remaining frigates jumped out of the system on a random outbound vector.