The Shadows In The Dark

Chapter Six

Opening his eyes with a start, Victor jolted awake to the sound of his cell door hissing open. Looking over at Vex, he wasn't surprised to see the large Sangheili already standing by his bed. Two figures walked into the room, and Victor heard a growl from his companion.

The captain, Domin Khai, walked in with a smile on his face, hands clasped behind his back. Following him was the woman who had captured them, though there were some obvious differences about her. Her hair was a deep purple, and most of the moles that were on her face were gone. Her dark glasses rested on her face, as rigid and unmoving as she was. She wore a serious look, and stared straight at Vex as the captain started to speak. He did notice that the arm in which he had shot her was bandaged, as he could see some of the gauze poking out over her wrist.

"Well, I must apologize for keeping you two locked up in here for so long. I've been quite busy with some other, er, special tasks. Though now that I'm free for awhile, I thought it was time for me to come down and answer any questions you two might have. So, anything I can help you with?"

Victor looked at the man incredulously, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Vex managed to growl out a response faster than his friend could. "Of course we have questions, starting with how you think you're going to get us to join your little group."

The captain continued to smile, speaking in a happy tone. "Well, the UNSC isn't really a 'little group'. And I think that all I have to do to get you to join is offer you a chance to speak to somebody."

Vex and Victor shared a confused look. Turning to the captain, Victor asked, "And who would that person be?"

"One Denver Huff."

Victors eyes widened as he let out a small choked noise. Vex stared at the captain in suspicion, waiting for more to be said.

"After reading through a few previously classified files on the Huff family, I stumbled across the story of a tragic kidnapping that you're probably so well acquainted with. I then found information about when you joined the UNSC, at a rather young age I might add, and your quick self-dismissal."

Victor managed to collect himself, reigning in the wild mix of emotions he was feeling. Whether or not this man could actually get him in contact with his father, he had no idea if he planned on following through with his offer. Nor did he know what he was being drafted for.

"Why do you want us to join again? I'm sure that whatever you want us for could be accomplished faster and more efficiently by plenty of UNSC troops. Some ODSTs or something."

The upbeat man nodded his head and gave a low chuckle. "Well you're right, it could. The only problem is that I think they might be a little preoccupied right now."

"All of them?", Victor spoke up in an unbelieving tone.

"All of the ones that I would know of. In fact, I should be busy as well. I just don't like to follow the rules. Gets in the way of my research."

Vex decided to speak up again. "I don't trust you human. Nor any of your allies. But if you can guarantee a talk with Victor's father, as well as give us back our freedom and clear our names after your mission, we might be able to arrange something."

"Perfect. Now, the mission I'll need you for won't be up for a few months, so in the meantime, we need to get you back in shape!"

"You still haven't explained this mission to us. And I'm not going to wait months to have my freedom back." Vex prepared to step forward, but quickly stopped himself when he noticed the woman standing behind Domin change position. She continued to stare Vex in the eyes, almost challenging him to step closer.