Brothers in Spirit by Arbiter
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Brothers in Spirit
Date: 4 October 2007, 10:29 pm
Brothers in Spirit
Ninth age of Reclaimation
UNSC calendar November 25, 2552
Sangheili cruiser Blessed Redemption
"What are you doing here?" Aron asked abruptly.
"The Elite that was with you showed me here. I wanted a good workout," Rick replied.
Aron gave a grunt of disgust. Then proceeded to go about his own workout. Rick looked at the Elite and said, "What have I done to you to make you so mad?"
Aron looked at the Human with utter distaste and said, "What kind of powers do you have? I know the Demon has the ability to cheat death. But what do you have?"
Rick replied in shock, "I'm not sure what you mean. I don't have any special powers."
"Lies," interrupted Aron, "Since I was a small child you have invaded my dreams."
"That's it! My sleep," Rick said loudly nearly causing the already nervous Elite to nearly jump out of his skin. He continues, "Ever since I saw you step off the Phantom, I have wondered where I have seen you. It's my sleep. I have dreamed about you too."
Aron looked at the Human, his expression softening and said, "Let's go get some cefa'. We need to talk."
Rick said, "Ok, but what is cefa'?"
Aron replied, "I'll show you."
They walked in silence to the mess hall. Rick found a table while Aron went to get their cefa' and a plate of sweet flat bread. Aron walked up to the table and took a seat. "Cefa' is a drink made from the cefa' plant. Some drink it plain. But it is very bitter that way. It is best with sweet cubes and sweetened molta'," explained Aron.
Rick cautiously took a sip of the alien drink. Shocked Rick looked up and said, "This tastes like coffee. And the way I like it by the way."
Aron said, after taking a drink of his own cefa', "You said that you had dreams of me. Can you elaborate on that? When you are finished I'll tell you my story."
Rick taking another sip of his cefa' said, "It all started when I was four. I had a fever that lasted for days. The fever came on all of a sudden. The doctors couldn't explain it. Then just as mysteriously as it came, the fever went. That's when you appeared. I was the only one who could see you." Rick took another breath and looked around the room. He continued, "You were in my dreams and you eventually became my imaginary friend. At least that is what my mom called you. But you were as real as you are now. When you didn't go away after childhood I thought I was crazy. But I never told anyone else about you. You were like watching over me. More that once you saved my life on the battlefield." He takes another sip of his cefa' and thinks for a moment. Then says, "I never got your name. I don't want you to tell me because I think I already know it. Your name is Aaron right?"
"No, its Aron. You always… got… it…wrong," the Elite said slowly, his mandibles agape as the shock of what he just said hit him. Then he composed himself and said, "Those weren't dreams. Look when I was four cycles old I had Knarde's Syndrome. I almost died. It was then I started dreaming of you. I knew even then not to tell anyone. You are the first and only person who knows."
Aron rose from his seat and said, "Stay here, Human."
"Rick. Call me Rick," Rick said interrupting.
"Very well. Stay here Rick. I'm going to grab us some lunch," Aron replied.
Aron returned with a tray and on the tray were two plates with what looked like two hamburgers. Also on the tray were a variety of condiments. He gave one plate to Rick and kept the other one for himself. "Eat," Aron said, "This is flame cooked meat on plain bread. I got you my favorite condiments for it," he clicked his mandibles into a grin then took a bite.
Aron and Rick continued to talk as they had their lunch. They learned they were identical.
Aron clicked his mandibles in what would be equal to a laugh then said, "Come, my brother. I know who we need to talk to."
They rose from the table and proceeded down the corridor to a decorated door. Aron said, "This is where the High Scholar Nastar Rijosee presides. He will be able to explain how this happened."
Aron pushed a button on the door. A voice from inside said, "Come."
Aron and Rick walked into the quarters of the High Scholar. Aron bowed in respect. Nastar said, "What can I do for you?"
Aron proceeded to tell Nastar about how he and Rick are alike, and how they knew one another before they met. When he was finished Aron looked at Nastar and said, "Nobel Scholar, how can this be?"
Nastar bowed to the two standing before him. Aron not understanding the actions said, "Nobel Scholar, why are you bowing to me?"
Nastar replied as he straightened up, "I shall always bow before the Abochrith."
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