EliteCommander

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

Vael gave a glance down to the pit, but did not take much time at all to dwell on it. ”The dead matter no longer. Keep our focus on the mission ahead. The cannons still lie above us.”

Even for beings as agile as Sangheili or Spartans, the climb was not an easy one. While there were vines and some jagged rocks on the cliff to provide handholds, the stream flowing down from above made the climb precarious. Especially with the storm outside, there were few paths outside the path of the waterfall. Nevertheless, Vael did not intend to hesitate in pressing forward. Since Tar had been here before, he allowed her to take the lead and followed her path up, while the others kept an eye out for any signs of activity from the Tengmaa.

While it was not a quick climb, the first three up made steady progress to the top. Along the way, Vael used an energy dagger to make small cuts in the rock to mark his path for those behind him. Hopefully, it would make the task at least somewhat easier for his allies. After he, Ryker, and Tar made it to the top, Vael ordered the rest of the Humans to follow suit. It would be a more difficult task for the unaugmented Humans like Roy or Flint, but Vael had Aviza climb near them to give assistance if need be. Grik would have a harder time than the Spartans, but the oversized forearms of Unggoy did make them rather strong climbers.

At the end of the climb, making it to the top was ultimately not much of a relief, given that the storm was still raging at near the same strength as it had been when they found the cave. The terrain around them was rocky and uneven, the rain made it hard to see in much detail beyond a few meters, and the winds made it a challenge just to move around properly. Even just to communicate, they were dependent on their radios. ”Even in this storm, it should not take long to reach the cannon, and it will serve to mask our approach. It is vital that the Keep not learn of our presence, so we must either not be seen, or leave no survivors.”

The Cradle

Nirann was scanning even the smallest, involuntary twitches from Wallace, though everything about his body language still made him seem relaxed. The way he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, or the small movements he made as if he was trying to get more “comfortable” all felt natural and organic. Absolutely none of it was at all necessary, or even helpful, to his robotic form, but the way he flawlessly mimicked organic mannerisms could make one question whether he was actually doing it subconsciously. “Fair warning, depending on what your ‘source’ wants, you may need to find Rareth and talk with her. If it’s anything major, she will have to approve it. I know she’s not nearly as fun as I am, but she is one of the few people around here who actually seems to be able to accomplish something, as of late.”

“How could anyone but your people or ours have found another one?” Marae questioned, mostly thinking out loud. “We’re the only ones who should know about them right now, so either Outremer or Rothians should be the only ones to know to look for them. These Cradle beings have remained undetected eons longer than either of our civilizations have even existed, so the odds of someone just stumbling upon them by chance now, of all times, are infinitesimal. Unless…well, unless it made itself known.”

The Cradle

“Well, my plans for my team still hasn’t changed.” Marae answered. “We need to improve our understanding of them. The one we have found has been frustratingly resistant to study, but we have still improved our knowledge of its technology, its communication, its behavior. Perhaps with a larger sample size, with more of these beings to study, we will be able to gleam more insight into their history and motivations. Understanding, above anything, will help us make our decisions.”

The more subtle implications of Wallace’s tone did end up going over Marae’s head, but Nirann’s software could analyze her body language and vocal patterns in great detail. He had spent countless hours observing Human visitors to Threria, generally for the purpose of safeguarding the city. “Our study of the Cradle being has given us information to work with. We have some understanding of what they are, and we believe we know where to look for more of them. Especially now that we know their signal profiles. I expect that we will be able to find more in time…but if you were to already have a lead we could work with, I’m sure that would save us some time and help the cause.”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha readied her bow, though beyond the Daedra, she could see the fight between Hircine and Vile unfolding. Hircine was trying to push forward, but even weakened as he was, Vile’s power was still immense. His magic struck at Hircine’s very being and steadily eroded his strength. “We have to be quick. If Hircine is defeated before we reach him, it won’t matter what we do.” She said as she loosed an arrow.

Per Fendros’ orders, Kaleeth and Lorag moved to the front as Sabine and Ahnasha were weakening the enemy at range. Do’rhajul moved in just behind them, shield at the ready to watch for enemy spellfire, but Yerig soon moved between them. He seemed more exhausted than any of them, no matter how much he might have wanted to hide it, but he stepped up nevertheless. “I will give us an opening, just…be ready.” He said, moving up between Kaleeth and Lorag. Naturally, it was a shout he used; one that was simple and direct for the situation: FUS RO DAH

The pure, unstoppable force of Yerig’s shout sent everything in its path flying off of their feet, straight down the middle of the Daedra’s loose formation. Everything, from scamp to daedroth, was sent back, slamming into the ground and one another. Those on the flanks were unaffected, but one could not ask for a better opening.

Kaleeth charged forward first to be the pack’s spearhead. The Skaafin spearmen that had been at the front were still on the ground, and Kaleeth did not even make the effort to slow down to handle them. They found their deaths as the werecrocodile simply trampled over them, crushing one body after another under her weight. A clannfear just behind came close to getting to its feet, but Kaleeth’s jaws snapped around its neck to separate its head from its body. The first form of resistance she faced was a Xivilai. It had lost its weapon and had only managed to get back up on one knee, but that was enough for it to land a fireball straight to her torso. The heat was intense, but it was hard to tell how much she felt through the enchantments on her dragonbone armor. If it did harm her, she did not so much as show a sign of pain. She continued to charge and met the Xivilai head on. It grabbed a hold of her head, pulling down with all its might to try and at least get her off of her feet, but Kaleeth grabbed the Xivilai in return. Her claws dug deep into its flesh around its shoulders. She squeezed tightly to the sounds of cracking bones, then yanked both outwards in opposite directions, tearing its arms from its body at the shoulder.

Lorag had advanced in support of Kaleeth. While she was the spearhead, he tried to make sure she did not get overwhelmed. While she fought the Xivilai, he pounced upon a Dremora to her left who was going for the axe he had dropped in the shout. Lorag was quick and efficient, slicing the fallen Dremora’s throat with a claw in one clean motion before shifting to his next target. Some Daedra were starting to make it in from the flank, but Lorag’s presence kept them from being able to rush Kaleeth all at once. Ahnasha too acted quickly through their advance, reanimating any Daedric corpses Kaleeth left behind which were not too damaged to be of use. She directed them to their right flank to provide at least some buffer to prevent them from being surrounded and overwhelmed as they pushed ever forward.

The pack’s advance was chaotic and frenzied, as was the clash between the gods before them. But, even amid their struggle, Vile felt something that, for a moment, drew his sole attention. From across the battlefield, Clavicus Vile’s eyes fixed upon Fendros, and to his axe. There might have even been surprise in his gaze, though it was quickly replaced by rage. “Oh, I see…do you think you’re clever? Do you think this borrowed power still makes you any more than an INSECT!”

Vile cast forth another crimson cloud of Daedric magic, this time firing over the heads of his Daedra straight towards Fendros. Do’rhajul was already in position, and there was not a moment of hesitation from him to act. Placing himself in front of Fendros with Spellbreaker raised, its ward took the full power of the spell. The Daedric artifact had been tested many times against mortal magic without a hint of difficulty, but not Do’rhajul, nor anyone else present knew if it could resist a god. Against the power it was absorbing, Spellbreaker’s ward glowed more brightly than it ever had before, its structure fluctuated and warped in the air in front of the shield…but it did not break.

Hircine did not waste Vile’s divided attention. As soon as he made his attack towards Fendros, Hircine managed to thrust his spear through Vile’s shoulder from behind. Of course, a Daedric Prince did not take injury the same way as lesser beings, but Hircine was still a threat that could simply not be ignored. A pulse of power from Vile launched the Great Huntsman back, and a wave of his hand conjured up yet more portals to bring more Daedra into the fight. This time, the portals appeared behind the pack, leaving them surrounded on all sides.

Lorag let out an enraged roar as he fell back from his position at the front. “I’ll cover our flank. Just get that axe to Vile.” He growled as he moved back past Fendros. As fierce of a fighter as Lorag was, he would be greatly outnumbered, and there would be no way to tell in battle how he was faring…not without looking back.

The Cradle

Nirann tilted his head, looking slightly to the side For a moment, it seemed like his gaze could have been going up to the transparent ceiling to observe the aquatic life above them, but it was hard to tell exactly where he was looking. Strictly speaking, his optics did not have a singular point of focus, so he could simultaneously focus on everything within his field of view. “Hmm, I guess that’s one way of looking at it. A nice sentiment, could make for a good introduction in a book, but I doubt the Cradle is going to read it. It’s not going to wait on the bureaucracy. If we don’t take action and get to work, then these beings we don’t yet understand are going to be making all the decisions for us. At that point, we’ll just have to hope we agree with them.”

Marae turned towards Nirann, placing a hand on his metal shoulder. “I know you’re right, dear, but the issue with tribalism is that we don’t have one Human who can make all the decisions.” She turned her attention back to Wallace, taking just a short break for her tea. “I know you can’t just force your government to act, but I would suspect you do have your influence. So, how would you recommend getting our team to work again, peacefully?”

The Cradle

Nirann looked closely at Wallace as well for a few moments, or at least he appeared to be looking at her. Eventually, he gave a shrug as he answered. “If I could figure that out, I would be a hero. Well…even more of a hero.” He only tilted his head slightly, but it would be easy to imagine him grinning with his tone.

Marae’s sigh seemed expected at this point, but regardless of his approach, she did agree with the point Nirann had been making. “I think we all wish we could say more about them, but there are just too many unknowns. And, well, wild speculation is more dangerous than useful. My husband does have a point, though. The Rothian people could help accelerate every part of our efforts far more than we are right now. We could bring in more resources, more specialists, better computers. And we could help with all this other trouble too. Evacuations could go much faster with our help. We may not yet be sure what is or is not true about the Cradle, but the possibility of a major threat to us has made this project a priority for the Rahn’Saki. That much I do know. We could make a lot more progress with those kinds of resources, but we need to get through all of this…what is the phrase? Red tape.”

Halo: Aegis Team

UNSC AI SHI 1203-8 and Vael 'Virisusai

---

Aviza would hear Shih’s response in her head right away. ”I’m not getting any major alerts on anyone’s vitals. Nothing worth mentioning. As for the storm, though, the mountain we’re under is blocking most of the useful data from our sensors. Best I can tell you is probably the same thing you can hear from that opening up there: it is still going strong.”

Even after the bulb made its apparent retreat, Vael stood on guard for a few moments. He continued pointing his plasma rifle down the pit, watching for any signs of movement. It was only once Tar called their attention to the way out that Vael moved his gaze elsewhere. ”And it will be a dangerous climb. It is steep to start, and the rain from the storm will only make it more difficult.”

Vael walked up towards the wall, looking up at the exit above. ”But this approach shall allow us to reach our objective undetected. Tar, Ryker, and I will climb first. Grik and the Humans will go next.” He said, referring to the unaugmented Humans among them. ”The rest of you will watch for any more attacks from this beast, then climb up behind us.”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Following the flash of light, Barbas touched a paw curiously to the cage’s door. The magical seal had been what was containing him, so the cage had no physical lock. When he pressed his nose against it, the door opened right away. Clavicus Vile was still occupied with Hircine and did not notice right away, but as soon as Barbas stepped outside the cage, Vile made eye contact with him. In that moment, many brightly glowing streams of energy flowed through the air from Vile to Barbas. Some passed harmlessly around Fendros’ pack, but any who could feel them would glimpse the near incomprehensible power of a god.

“You…ungrateful, insufferable mutt! I’ll…” Vile began, but Barbas did not say a word. He looked past Fendros’ pack up at his master for just a moment before a blinding flash of light filled the area. It lasted just a brief second, and when it faded, Barbas had seemingly vanished.

While Vile was distracted, Hircine was finally given an opening. The Great Huntsman moved with unbelievable speed and managed to land a thrust with his spear to the right side of Vile’s chest. The weapon of a god, of course, could pierce the body of another, though it was not blood that flowed forth. The wound actually appeared to glow with a bright white light from Vile’s very essence, further fueling the Daedra’s rage. Still, even with all that had just happened, Vile still answered back with a pulse of magicka that radiated out in all directions around him, slamming Hircine once again to the ground. The barrier that Vile had created to keep back Fendros’ pack had fallen, but luckily, he did not yet direct most of his rage towards the pack. Hircine was still the one with his focus.

“So these insects actually found some small way to help you after all? How pathetic…and pointless. Even at half my strength, I am still far more powerful than you!” Clavicus Vile shouted. Just as Hircine pushed off the ground to dash forward towards him, he was stopped in his tracks as tendrils of Daedric magic extended forth from Vile’s hand to envelop the Huntman’s body to start corroding his very being. Despite all of the power Barbas had taken from him, he did not seem to be bluffing. “It is such a shame. I was going to enjoy forcing your ‘hounds’ to watch you fail before their eyes, but now I suppose I am just going to have to have them put down.”

Clavicus Vile slowly waved one hand in the direction of Fendros’ pack, and in its wake, dozens upon dozens of conjuration portals appeared between them and Vile, each one bringing forth another Daedra. Fortunately, Meesei’s sacrifice had destroyed many of Vile’s most powerful servants in the battle below for the moment, but there were still a few powerful Daedra among them, and the pack was heavily outnumbered.

The Cradle

“Hmm, it sounds like you may also want to speak to Rareth about some of this after we are done. She is technically the one who is ultimately in charge of the Rothian expedition, after all. Just be aware that she may not be as, um, sympathetic about the effects of all the chaos on Outremer as we are. She expects Outremer to honor its agreements with us promptly, regardless of who is in charge, and I don’t feel that she has as much patience for diplomacy. Most of us do understand, though, that with all this upheaval on Outremer, you need time.” Marae explained.

Nirann gave a glance towards the tea. It was hard to tell through the expressionless face of a droid, but his body language did make him seem somewhat annoyed that he could not join in. Regardless, it did not take long before he actually started to get down to business as well. “That’s all true, yeah, but no matter how blunt she might be, Rareth might actually have a point here. We can sit around this resort playing political games until the heat death of the universe, but the Navigator, the Cradle, every other being involved in this, they’re not going to wait on us. Whatever their ends are, they’re going to be pushing straight towards them regardless of what we do. I say it’s best that we get properly back to work sooner, rather than later.”

Halo: Aegis Team

Vael 'Virisusai

---

The damage that the fuel rod gun caused was immediate and pronounced. The sheer intensity of the heat was enough to penetrate deep into the bulb. The vines again reacted, but this time it did not seem to be a coordinated defensive response. Rather, they moved and spasmed seemingly at random for a few seconds. As the bulb served as the being’s “mind”, damaging it was like damaging an animal’s brain. Those who had been constricted by them would find it as an opening to act.

Vael and Ryker had only just managed to pull Tar from beyond the blast radius. Even still, Vael’s shields flared from the heat. However, this was an opening on which they had to act. Grik had created an opening to the creature’s core, so as soon as Vael could get up off the ground, he took aim with his plasma rifle and fired straight into the wound at the top of the bulb. The plasma could now hit straight to the core of the bulb where it was vulnerable, causing yet more random thrashing among its vines.