Halo: The Dunes of 2560

Chapter 5: Hot Pot in the Flood Zone

Pilot had explained to Vixon that there is not much known about what happened during the Massacre of Number 19, even the intentions. He told him the most he knows is that the Covenant branch on Number 19 had spoken to other branches of what experiments were being conducted on the allusive planet, which was inhabited by Sangheili. Underground on the planet, the SFA had built many facilities that would cause quakes, rumblings, loud booms, and even ignite horrific storms and light up the night sky for no real reason. The Sangheili government of the world had investigated and the whole planet became a Police State, under Martial Law when the non-Militaristic government was overthrown by Covert forces made up of Spartans, ODST's, and allegedly, fellow Sangheili. Pilot also explained that the experiments were theoretical experiments on genetic augmentations, which are quite familiar, but the experiments happening on Number 19 may have been something different. Vixon sighed, "So, a Police State was initialized, why did they kill so much of the population before the Flood arrived only a year later?" Pilot asked, "When did you leave Number 19?" "I was about 9 years old, I was real young, after my family was killed, I stuck myself on a Covenant Vessel, to Reach, where I had climbed into a pod and landed on Reach in some very remote region." Pilot shook his head, "Wait, what? That makes no sense, if any Covenent was found on Reach, it would've been all out war." David explained for Vixon, "Not if they're seeking refuge. He escaped and landed there, and so they accepted him into our world." Pilot nodded, "Explains why I never heard of it. Makes sense the UNSC would keep secrets from the SFA and Naval Intelligence Groups, since they keep many secrets, even from each other, or even their own!" Vixon sighs, "I'm hungry, I'm sick of this conversation about the genocide. What is there to eat?" Pilot shrugged, "Go to the cafeteria, find whatever and eat it. Should I set course somewhere?" Vixon nods, sniffling, "Number 19." Pilot shot him down, "Nope! Not happening! We're not going to the Flood Zone! Did I mention that the Covenant abandoned the planet, for the Flood to just take? Because they knew the Flood was the only thing that could damage of the SFA." David gets close to Pilot, "Set course for Number 19. That is an order." Pilot scoffs, "You? Ordering me!?" David shrugs, "Well, yeah, I'm a Platoon Commander, I have a higher status of jurisdiction than a Field Martial. I could Field Martial you not just from your position, but from even being here. I could have you arrested by the UNSC, or the SFA, whichever you prefer." Pilot thought for a long few seconds, his digital eyes on his visor close, "You drive a hard bargain Spartan." David turns away, "Ok fellas, to the Cafeteria!"

As they enter the Cafeteria, Vixon enters last but he feels a tap on his back, he turns and it's Pilot, who whispers, "I need to ask you something." Vixon puts his helmet on the close to the door, and closes it, they stand outside the Cafeteria, Pilot continues, "Why are you Sangheili so friendly to humans?" Vixon was caught off guard by this, before he could respond, Pilot drones on, "You Sangheili are full of honor, religion, and are extremely brutally defiant against logic. How come you, Red, and that other one, Crystal, are so different?" Vixon rolls his eyes, "Me and Crystal were not raised by Covenant idealism. Red was however, and he hasn't gotten over those ideals, if he took a needler to the belly, and was brought to a medic tent, he'd end his own life from the shame of not dying on a battlefield. Me and Crystal? We'd do anything to keep ourselves, and our friends safe. Red does too, but he will not do himself any good because he doesn't believe he is worth the sacrifice. Over time, he will change and be more logical, and more self caring." Pilot chuckled slightly, "I realized just now how good your English is. You definitely speak better than most." He nods and crosses his arms, "Why are you interrogating me?" He shrugs, "I'm just curious, is all." He walks away. Vixon watches Pilot, who holds his hands behind his back, he realizes his back is strangely thin. Vixon enters the Cafeteria and yells over to David, "Hey!" waving him over. David places his helmet down on the table next to Vixon's, David leans on the table, "What's up boyo?" Vixon sits down in a chair, "That Pilot guy, he's weird. Too weird." David nods, "I think he's not human." "What? I mean, I just thought he was a human who was raised and conditioned in a controlled facility, like some Spartans like Candy, you know what I mean?" David rubs his chin, "I don't want to offend you, but, he acts like a Sangheili." Vixon gives him a wide eyed look, speechless. Vixon covers his face, "But... His legs, are human. A Sangheili's head can't fit in those Spartan helmets because of our neck and bone structures. It's not... no, it is impossible Chronovil." David snaps at Vixon, "Sh! Don't mention my last name boy!" Vixon slaps his hand on his helmet, "I checked out Pilot too, I had to look and see, his back is weird looking. Strangely inhuman, his body just doesn't check out to be human. Is he a robot?" David shrugs, "Could be. I guess only one way to know..." "How?" David smiles, "Make some hot pot and invite him to eat with us!" Vixon perks up, as David starts toward the kitchen, Vixon following behind joyously.