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Writer's note: You can find the previous chapters here:

Previous chapter/continuation: http://halosn.bungie.org/fanfic/?story=Singh1004061543531.html
Chapter/original chunk before that (warning! Nearly novel-sized): http://halosn.bungie.org/fanfic/?story=Singh0923061859431.html


Sadhal smiled inwardly as the lift descended; uncaring of the fact that he had left the three the humans behind on the upper floor. If they wanted to continue with this mad…scheme of theirs, they were more than welcome to – but as far as Sadhal was concerned, though, they could go to hell and he'd be just as happy. He had little love for the humans save that they could have made good allies…but the sheer insanity of what they were trying had dissuaded him away from the thought.

Instead, he now focused on their destination: the Seraph fighter in hangar the decks below. He had programmed the lift to go all the way straight down. It was at this time that another problem presented itself as he glanced at the Hunter. Unless there was a drop ship, or at least something larger than a fighter, Sadhal would most likely have to leave the hunter behind. Realizing that letting the hunter know of such a thing probably wasn't a wise idea, Sadhal remained silent, considering the possibilities.

He would need a way to either get rid of, or dump the hunter somehow. He glanced at the large, hulking form next to him, and realized that it wouldn't be an easy task at all. However, this was only true if there was no drop ship…which Sadhal was pretty sure there should be. In either case, they would see – although the Hunters may be strong and powerful, they weren't all too bright.

The lift slowed, finally coming down to a stop. A pair of double doors opened in front of the pair, and Sadhal indicated the Hunter to go forwards. The Hunter only nodded and took a step forwards, while Sadhal kept a healthy distance behind it. The room beyond was much like the one they had left above; save that it had multiple exits and corridors going from it.

"Go left." Sadhal spoke to the hunter, remembering where the direction of the hangar was. He approached the Hunter from behind, keeping a sharp eye behind them as the doors to the elevator shaft closed slowly.

Sadhal looked back at the Hunter, following closely as the large beast turned into the corridor. He was about to say something; when instead a burst of pain from his arm cut him short. Sadhal looked down to see what it was, resisting the urge to gasp and shout in pain. Shock was added to this, however, as he saw the blisters begin to swell and grow on their own; straining against the armor on his arm.

By the prophets…what is happening to me? He quickly reached down and ripped the armor over the area off, to examine what exactly was happening. His entire arm had swelled up by now, and his fingers had gone completely numb. Yet, oddly, he could still move and wiggle them a bit. The pain suddenly stopped; but his arm remained swollen; sickening him by how it looked and felt. The Hunter turned back to him, giving a questioning glance. Sadhal just shook his head.

"It is nothing….just an injury. Keep going." He told the hunter, indicating him to move ahead.

That was when the entire corridor shook as an explosion could be heard from somewhere behind them. Sadhal looked back; but his mind didn't want to consider the possible source. Instead, he looked forward and nodded at the hunter.

"Faster."

With that word, both of them began to run down the corridor, and towards the Hangar. They passed a few empty corridors along the way, along with several intersections. It was at this intersection that something odd happened. As they were running through, time seemed to slow for Sadhal. The lights began to flicker once more; while a blast of static hit his radio. The intersection they were passing through had corridors to the right and left of them. Although he knew there would be little traffic amongst the corridors; he looked to either side anyway. The left was clear; only rubble and some ashes to the side.

Sadhal turned to look at the right, which was when his blood froze. The corridor stretched out from his right, ending only at another intersection almost six meters away. Their was nothing there…at least, till the light flickered off. It then came on less than a moment later, at which point he could hear soft giggle as Alma walked through the illuminated area, only to disappear less than a second later into a pile of ashes that slowly swept towards the floor.

That was when the Elite looked forward and increased his pace. His head turned to look towards the left hand turn of the next intersection. Time hadn't sped up yet, though. As the passed the next intersection, his managed to catch a glimpse of the corridor to their left – at which point, the lights and radio flickered once more. This time when they came back on though, Alma was not standing there. Instead, a large human male strode down the corridor towards them. His face was covered by the darkness, but the uniform was clearly blood-stained. As he walked, however, the figure spoke a single word that sent shivers down Sadhal's spine.

"Sadhal…"

It called out his name; the tone being slow and enticing – almost as if it were calling out to a lowly creature or companion, as it were. All the effect had was to make Sadhal push harder, and run even faster than before. He came pretty close to impaling himself onto the Hunter's spines ahead of him; and had to dodge a bit to the right. The hunter kept on running though – had it noticed Alma as well? Or indeed, the strange individual just now?

Sadhal just shrugged the thoughts from his mind and instead focused on the direction they were going. A full minute later, they reached the double doors that led into the hangar. Both of them slowed down as they approached the red marks on the door – which, fortunately, were more traditional ceremonial markings as opposed to blood or such. Neither door opened at their approach, however. Sadhal moved towards the console to the side, entering his access codes and unlocking the door. It gave a soft click before smoothly opening to the side, and revealing the hangar beyond.

Unlike most other Covenant craft, the hangar on the Forerunner vessel was limited to only a single level and three large, very spacious bays. The walls surrounding the bays were different from the corridors they had just come from; with it being more of a dark grey on black pattern. To one side of the hangar was another set of doors, leading to the small control room near the top of the bays. Just past each of the three bays as a large blue force field that held out the storm outside. Each one could easily fit a covenant drop ship or gunship for repairs and boarding. However, much to Sadhal's dismay, neither gunship nor dropship lay in any of the bays. Instead, in the central most one, right ahead of the door lay the small, tear-dropped shaped figure of a Seraph fighter.

It was not the fighter, however, that was the most eye-catching thing in the entire room. No. That right belonged to storm that raged outside the force field. Dark and almost fluidic in nature, it mesmerized Sadhal almost completely, as it did the hunter. The way the clouds and the lightning moved…it almost seemed as if the storm were alive – reacting their presence as well. For a long moment, Sadhal stared into it as the clouds formed, dissipated and formed again.

That was when he saw it. It had come and gone by so fast that for a moment, he thought his mind was playing tricks on him. But it had seemed too real for it to be an illusion. For the briefest of moments Sadhal had seen what he thought was a face in the clouds; one that had looked back at him straight in the eye. Sadhal look a step back, and gave a slight gulp. Such things weren't possible…but then, considering what he'd seen thus far…could it be? There was no way to be sure.

He shook himself, putting the thought aside for the moment. If there was something in the storm, it couldn't be as bad as staying here. Besides – if the Forerunner ship had survived with no problems thus far, then a Seraph would work just as well. Looking around, he decided it was a priority to get out of the storm as soon as possible. Glancing at the hunter, he realized that he'd need to stall the large beast somehow, otherwise he wouldn't get a chance to get onto the fighter, much less fly it out of here in one piece. Looking up towards the control room, an idea formed in his head. Nodding to himself, Sadhal turned towards the Hunter.

"Stay here and guard the door, I'll be right back."
The hunter only gave a slight nod in reply and moved off the door, bringing up the fuel rod gun towards it. Sadhal headed off towards the far-off door leading to the control room. As he approached, they opened, revealing a small lift much like the one they had just come from. Stepping onto the elevator pad, Sadhal pressed the controls to take him up and turned around towards the door. He smiled briefly as the elevator moved towards the top. This should be relatively easy, to say the least. There was a sentry gun that could be activated from the control room, if he remembered correctly – although not very powerful, it would probably be enough to kill the Hunter if applied properly.

This should be simple enough…worst comes to worst, I can shut down the force field and throw it out. It was a risky proposition; as the fighter could just very well be dragged out…but if it came down to it, at least Sadhal now had a plan 'B'. In either case, there was no other option but to get rid of the Hunter – such a large beast wouldn't fit in the fighter – at least, not with Sadhal inside.

The lift reached the top. Sadhal's smile just grew as he took a step forward; coming one step closer to getting off this ship. The doors opened to either side, revealing a section of the small control room. Unlike other areas, this one had but a single level, and a row of consoles towards the other side near where the windows were. There was little other furniture save for a few chairs.

Sadhal was about to step forward, when a sharp pain once more rung through his arm and shoulder. He staggered; nearly crying out as he leaned against the wall with his good arm. Looking at the previously swollen arm, he was alarmed and even somewhat disgusted to see the entire thing had become even more grossly swollen than before – worse; the swelling had now reached his shoulder, which bulged out horrendously underneath the armor. He carefully took off the armor as the skin there was sensitive to the touch.

What in the name of the prophets is happening to me? Sadhal asked himself. The arm had become like this ever since that accursed beast's blood had…

Oh God... his mind froze in it's tracks as he thought about it. Could it be? Had the thing's blood infected him? But how was it even possible? Sadhal kept asking himself that question as he cast aside the armor towards the floor. He looked at the skin on his shoulder and arm as best as he could. It had gotten a horribly ugly tinge of yellow all over; with several veins sticking out plainly.

Sahdal watched in horror, however, as the arm suddenly grew larger right in front of him! The swelling increased, and the flesh moved as if it had a life of it's own. A moment later, the pain hit him, causing him to stagger and go onto one knee as he gave a rather loud cry of pain. His eyes shut automatically as what felt like a red-hot flame crawled up his back, neck and then finally into his head. Sadhal could feel the blood pressure increase as it pumped up his neck and into his brain. His cry soon became a scream as the pressure increase; his entire head coming very close to feeling like it would explode. His arm similarly grew in size, the very skin feeling like it was constricting and holding back something.

Then it stopped.

The pain just stopped, suddenly, leaving him panting and heaving as the pressure died, his skin stopped crawling. Sadhal opened his eyes – only to end up becoming extremely disorientated as he saw not just in front of him…but oddly, himself as well. Sadhal blinked…but the odd sensation still didn't leave him…and the fact that he could still see himself. Frowning, he tried to move the arm to see if he could still feel it. It moved…as did the view of himself.

That was when Sadhal opened his eyes once more, and looked down at the swollen arm…only to see in shock and horror, as a large, lidless eye in the arm stare back at him. He could strangely see through the eye, but had absolutely no control over it.

Help…I need help. he thought to himself. This simply wasn't possible…this just couldn't be possible!

Yet, it was. Deciding not to let it get the better of him, or indeed, let it stop him, Sadhal moved forwards, trying to get used to the disorienting affect of having another viewpoint added to his own. The doors parted again as he stepped in front of them, and then into the corridor beyond. However, Sadhal heard a soft click from either side of him as he did stepped past the doorway.

"FREEZE"

A human voice shouted out from his right, and Sadhal did exactly that as no less than three shotguns pointed right at him from either side. Looking from the corner of all three eyes, Sadhal realized that there were humans in the room…humans!. They were dressed somewhat similarly to what the other human he had met earlier had been. As he looked on, Sadhal realized that they had barricaded themselves inside the room…almost as if they had been waiting for him, or indeed, someone to come this way.

"Drop your weapon and raise your hands!"


One of the Replicas spoke up – this time from his left. The carbine went clattering to the floor as raised his arms – including the swollen one. One of the Replicas came closer, and kicked it aside. The Replica on the left didn't lower his shotgun, however, and instead nodded.

"Move away from the lift compartment, turn to your right and move slowly towards the chair."

Sadhal could do little bit comply. He turned to his right and walked towards the wall. The Replicas in front gave way, but kept their shotguns up as he slowly walked towards the indicated chair. In the background, he could hear one of the Replicas as they spoke into the radio once more.

"Command, this is Tango three. We have apprehended target three; he appears to have been infected by the bio-agent, however. Please advise on new orders."

"Sit down." One of the Replicas ordered. Sadhal sat down, looking at the room while the Replicas took position to cover him. There was no way he could fight against these odds and come alive – probably not even with the Hunter's aid. A thought ran through his mind, though: where had these humans come from? Had the Demon brought them aboard? No, that couldn't be possible. If that machine he had seen earlier belonged to this force, which meant the Demon was probably against them as well. The weapons they held were unfamiliar as well, adding to the entire mystery. More importantly, however, was the question of why he apparently was a target for them. Confusion and fear went through Sadhal's mind as he looked at the Replicas, keeping an eye out for any opportunity to escape.

"Roger Tango three. The commander has engaged target two and will not be able to come to your location immediately. Keep watch over target three…if he mutates anymore…kill him."

Sadhal just stared at the Replica in fear and shock. If he mutates anymore? The memory of the pain still lingered on in his mind – Sadhal didn't want to go through that again – much less have it continue till his flesh was no more. He'd much rather be dead than let that happen again.

"Roger that Command. We'll keep a close watch. Tango three out."

The Replica that had been talking on the radio turned and looked at Sadhal, while the others simply fanned out and took watching positions. He didn't say anything however – none of them did. He couldn't make out their eyes beneath the visors, but Sadhal knew they were staring at him…whether be it in disgust or otherwise, he didn't know, though. Rather than find out, though, Sadhal bided his time. He would watch, and wait…just like he had when captured by the Brutes. His opportunity would come. Glancing at the arm once more, Sadhal gave a slight prayer that it would at least come soon, if nothing else.

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