[h2][b]Falul 'Taham, Eri 'Moram - The [i]Immaculate Aegis[/i][/b][/h2]

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The relocation had provided Falul with ample time to consider every facet of Eri's report. There were some decisions he had needed to make sooner rather than later, such as providing Unggoy to serve as labor aboard this new mobile shipyard they had been given. He had also sent his Artisan-Engineer, Narak, over to examine the vessel's mechanisms and determine if it could be made compatible with their design patterns, though Falul had now recalled him back to the [i]Aegis[/i] in preparation for the arrival of the other vessels' scientists and engineers. He had, after a few days' consideration, agreed to allow the others to aid in improving the [i]Aegis'[/i] faster-than-light capabilities. Technically, Falul had not yet outright stated that they would join in the effort against Anubis, but considering his willingness to cooperate, it seemed obvious by this point. 

Within the next few hours, Eri and her team were set to join in their first properly cooperative mission to meet with these Mandalorians, but there were a few other matters for her to tend to first. Most prominently, she had been called to meet with Falul in private. He started out as she expected, giving her orders and directives to her personally, as usual. However, even after she had her orders recorded on her datapad, she did not so much as make a motion to leave. She could tell there was something more. 

"Eri, it goes without saying that this is an exceptional situation for us." Falul began. He was turned away from her, observing a view screen currently showing their mobile shipyard and the other ships gathered around it. "Our duty is to Sanghelios, to protect it from all threats we may find on our patrol of our territory. I do not trust this 'Elizabeth' being, but I cannot deny the reality in front of me. There is too much to suggest that the enemy we are being forced to face may one day become a threat to our people as great or greater than the parasite. It can not be allowed to reach Sanghelios. Not all of my decisions will be popular among our warriors, but it is our responsibility to rise to meet any threat foolish enough to dare threaten the Swords of Sanghelios."

Eri gave a slow nod to Falul as he turned to face her. "I agree, Shipmaster. I stand by every word of my report, but you are correct that our warriors may not be quick to accept it. I have already heard the murmurs of discontent. Fighting a new enemy away from our home, and allying ourselves with these strangers...I worry that dissent may grow stronger once they learn you intend to allow them to examine our technology."

"I expect it will." Falul replied. "But, I do not care if these strangers learn from us. I do not care if they come to fully understand [i]all[/i] of our weapons and technology. They cannot threaten Sanghelios. Even should we defeat Anubis, they will be returned to their own universes, not ours. Whether they conquer their own universes with our technology, or destroy themselves with it, that is irrelevant to us. We stand to gain from understanding what they have to offer, and that is all that matters. We must stand firm, and lead our people by example, Eri 'Moram. There will be resistance, but they will come to see our resolve."

Falul took a moment to open up a datapad, connecting to the ship and its crew records. "To that end, we must both be willing and able to rise to our circumstances. As much as I resent being brought here, this ascended being chose wisely to select us. There are few who know war so intimately as the Sangheili. If we are to wage this war against Anubis, then we will be the ones to lead it, and you shall often find yourself as the tip of our spear. There too were those who doubted me when I gave you your rank, Eri, but I know your skill and your cunning. You have shown yourself as not only a capable warrior, but as a leader who can elevate those who serve beneath you. Understand that this may not last past our return to our universe, but I am granting you the rank of Special Operations Commander for the [i]Immaculate Aegis[/i]...and for this fleet, should any others agree to recognize your authority. We cannot command the obedience of the others, so it is up to you to earn that right."

Although Eri kept her reaction contained, she could not help but to feel somewhat overwhelmed. She had been a Special Operations Officer for the last two years aboard the [i]Aegis[/i], but her ambitions would always take her higher. The rank of Commander would give her authority over all Special Operations forces within an entire fleet, as opposed to just the [i]Aegis[/i] itself. Granted, there were no other ships in their fleet with a sworn loyalty to the Swords of Sanghelios, but she supposed she understood why Falul was doing this now. He had no intention of having the Sangheili take a passive, subservient role in their war against Anubis, and having the proper internal authority would give Eri greater standing to earn that authority among the members of the fleet. Despite all of these thoughts, however, her response was simple. She brought her fist up to her chest, saluting Falul. "I shall not fail you, Shipmaster." 

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[h3][b]Thaz - The [i]Resurgence[/i][/b][/h3]
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Regardless of her promotion, Eri's responsibilities, in the short term, had not changed. She and the majority of her team took a phantom to meet up with the others that were undertaking this mission to speak with the Mandalorians, with the exception of one. The sole Kig-Yar on Eri's team, Thaz, went aboard the [i]Resurgence[/i] to seek out either Samus, Jerus, or both. Although she was a Ruuhtian, her armor bore a resemblance to a T'vaoan commando's armor, but was fully environmentally sealed and had the black coloration of Eri's team. She had a beam rifle on her back, as well as being armed and equipped with a plasma pistol and a red (currently inactive) point-defense gauntlet. As per Eri's report, Falul recognized that they would have need of the currency used in this universe, but for now, would prefer to acquire it inconspicuously. As such, she was being sent to make an offer to the two bounty hunters. 

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[h3][b]Falul 'Taham - The [i]Immaculate Aegis[/i][/b][/h3]
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Returning to the bridge, Falul took his seat to begin with the next of the long list of matters he had to deal with. He opened up a communication channel, broadcast to every ship present in the fleet. Although, his words were first directed towards the [i]Daedalus[/i]. "This is Shipmaster Falul 'Taham. Colonel Caldwell, the [i]Immaculate Aegis[/i] is prepared to receive the assistance of any scientists or engineers you intend to provide. My own crew will cooperate with them willingly:  an offer which also applies to any others who desire to assist us. Or learn from us."