Honor and Friendship

Chapter Six

Aythai’Vadam just stared at where the hologram had stood, even after the message ended and the Arbiter disappeared. Everything he, and his squad, had done… All the honor he brought to both Clan and Ancestors… Every bit of it, had been destroyed by the Arbiter’s words. “I can’t believe this, everything I have lived for… It was all a lie? A means for the Prophets to cast aside, when the time came?” The Sangheili fell to both knees, and looked down at his hands. “It was all, for nothing…”

Applejack kept her hand on Aythai’Vadam’s shoulder, eyeing him. The farm mare could still sense every bit of pain within him, the rage that slowly built up. She had an idea of how he felt, but honestly could never feel exactly the same way. The Sangheili had just been told, by one he obviously respected above all others, that his service was all for nothing. Every last bit of devotion he’s given to this “Covenant Empire”, was for nothing but a pure lie.

Whoever these “Prophets” were, they just earned this mare’s ire. To lie to one pony is bad enough, but to an entire race, ad try to kill them all afterwards? No way their like will be welcomed at any of the Apple Family’s Farms. That, she will happily promise to whomever is listening.

Applejack lifted her other hand up, turning to face the Sangheili fully, and placed it on to the center of is chest. “Aythai?” When he moved his head, slightly, towards her, she smiled. “Don’t ya be worryin’ yerself about this, right now… Remember, we still have work ta do, and if ya need somepony ta talk ta later about all this?” She gave a nod to him. “Ah’m always up fer a chat, even during work, fer a friend who needs somepony.”

Aythai’Vadam slowly looked back at the communication array, staying silent for a few more moments. “Work… Yes, there is much to do.” With that, the Sangheili got up and walked over to another machine, away from Applejack. “Looks like your princess will be receiving the weapon she wished for.”

“W-What do ya mean, sugarcube?” She asked.

Aythai’Vadam looked back at her, slightly turning so that he could. “I cannot leave this world, and so I cannot vent my rage or avenge my brothers.” He turned back around, opening the machine’s control panel. “So, I will take my anger out on Equestria’s foes. Now…” He reactivated the plasma cutter. “Best leave me, to finish the work at hand. We’ll need a lot of this operational, before setting off on the Salvage Operation… Tomorrow.”

-Later That Night-

Applejack slowly walked into the Phantom’s troop hold, a red wool blanket in her arms. Aythai’Vadam never came back to the house, and wasn’t in the room they made for him. That told the mare he was still working in the ship, and it was really cold tonight. While his body suit and armor looked like it could keep him warm, she was still a bit concerned about him. Especially after how he was acting, after receiving that message.

When she peaked her head in, the mare saw who she was looking for, and smiled a bit. Aythai’Vadam was leaning against one of the machines, fast asleep and with the plasma cutter still in hand. “Big guy must have fallen asleep, while he was workin’.” Applejack whispered, walking up to the sleeping Sangheili, and unfolded the blanket. “Overworkin’ yerself, to help coop… Ah can understand that, sugarcube.”

Carefully, Applejack placed the blanket over Aytahi’Vadam’s larger body. They had large blankets, in case her and Applebloom were both on the couch, or for Big Macintosh to use. While some of the Sangheili was still visible, the blanket covered most of his body. With a nod, the mare turned around and started to leave, when she heard a whispered “Thanks” come from him.

This caused her to turn around, thinking she may have accidently work him up. However, she noticed that the Sangheili was still asleep. “Anytime, Aythai.” She said, with a smile, before walking out and back towards the house.

-Next Morning-

The Elements, and Spike, gathered around Aythai’Vadam and his communication array. The Snagheili was pressing away at certain keys, his helmet off and plugged into the array, with three devices plugged into it. “Alright, as you six already know, we’re pulling a salvage operation today.” He started, pressing a few keys, the devices lighting up while they were connected to his helmet. “According to your princess, she has the area secured and that there have been no reports of any activity within the wreckage.” He unplugged the helmet and three devices. “Despite this, I will be going in with three volunteers, while the other three remain here. Yes, little one, you cannot go. This is because we need your direction connection to the Princess here.” Spike was about to complain about him only referring about the mares going, but his response made him remain quiet.

“Well, ah’ll be one who’ll be goin’ with ya, pardner.” Applejack spoke up, walking up to the Sangheili, and took the device when he offered it to her. “Yer still mah responsibility.” She smirked.

Aythai’Vadam nodded, slightly smirking. “These three devices are comm-links, which are linked to my helmet and the communication array. This keeps all eight of us in contact with one another.” He held up another device, showing a red button. “See anything alive in there, or something dangerous, press this button and I will move to your position.”

Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared next to Aytahi’Vadam, with a comm-link already in her ear. “Ooooh! It makes my ear all buzzy!”

Aythai’Vadam raised an eyebrow, having to do a second take on her appearance, confused at how she was able to do this so fast. Shaking his head, the Sangheili continued. “I cannot tell you how dangerous this operation can be.” He looked around, noticing the mares were all giving him their attention, even more now. “Especially if a Brute somehow survived all this, and remained undetected.”

Twilight spoke up, an inquisitive look on her face. “What is a Brute, exactly?”

This Sangheili reached back, pressing a few more keys on the communication array. A hologram of some gorilla like creature, wielding a bladed weapon, appeared on it. “That thing looks so barbaric and disgusting!” Rarity said, placing a hand over her mouth. “I bet they don’t even bathe, just from how it looks.”

“You would be correct. These are some of the more savage creatures within the Covenant.” He looked at them, a serious look in the Sangheili’s eyes. “They were even known to eat those they have killed.” The mares suddenly went pale, at the new information, while Aythai’Vadam turned the hologram off. “They are what makes this mission dangerous, besides the possibility that the structure of the ship being highly unstable.”

“And if any of yer crew survived? How do we prevent them from getting’ the wrong idea about us bein’ there?” Applejack asked, the others nodding at the question.

“Hopefully, I will be around you, in case such an encounter occurs.” Aytahi’Vadam answered, placing a hand on to his lower mandibles. “But, if we are separated and you run into one of them… Then tell them you are with me, give them access to our comm system to prove it, by pressing the purple button.” He motioned to the comm-link, and to a small purple button. “That will allow them on our frequency.”

“Alright then!” Rainbow Dash blurted out, flying up and taking the last comm-link. “How about we get to it! Enough with this hanging about, and talk of danger.” She placed the comm-link into her ear, Applejack doing the same, Aythai’Vadam putting his helmet on.

Aythai’Vadam gave a nod, as he pressed something on the side of his helmet. “Agreed.” The three comm-links suddenly came online, and they could hear the Sangheili within that one ear. “Let us venture into the grave of my crew, and see what we can find.”

-Ghastly Gorge, Overlooking the Crash Site-

While Aythai’Vadam surveyed the crash site, the three mares met with the Royal Guard Officer in charge. While he wasn’t over there, their comm-links allowed the Sangheili to listen in on their reports. Far as things seem to be, there have been no signs of life within the wreckage. However, the fact that the assault carrier had not gone through a core meltdown yet, told him differently. This information leads the Sangheili to believe someone in there was still alive, and knew how to make proper repairs to Covenant Equipment.

“Hopefully it is a Huragok, an Engineer would be most useful to the operation… If not?” He spoke to himself, before gripping the needle rifle more. “I can live with doing my own repairs.”

“Hey, Aythai!” Applejack, called over, the three walking towards him, catching his attention. “The lieutenant said we’re all good ta go! Now…” The farm mare looked down the edge, seeing how far off a drop it was. “How are all four of us gonna get down there?”

“Yeah, I can only take one pony at a time… And I doubt I can carry you.” Rainbow Dash stated, eyeing the Sangheili’s much larger frame.

Aythai’Vadam attached the needle rifle on to his back. “Rainbow Dash, take Pinkie Pie, I’ll take Applejack.” He, practically, ordered while walking up to the farm mare.

“Whoa, wait, what are ya-… HEY!” Without warning, the Sangheili picked Applejack up and leapt off the edge. The mare actually started to scream, after they went over the ledge, clamping down on the Sangheili’s large body.

This freed up Aythai’Vadam’s hands, and allowed the Sangheili to scale the rocky wall. He jumped from stone grip to stone grip, trying to keep both grip and footing. Applejack kept both eyes closed, and pressing her body tightly against his armored body. Though, neither really paid attention to how she held on to him… Her arms around the Sangheili’s neck, and her legs tightly around his hips.

‘Hang on!” Aythai’Vadam yelled, his muscles starting to tense up, and his gaze looking behind himself.

Applejack’s hold got tighter, as her eyes refused to open. “W-What do ya think ah’m doin’!” She yelled out, before the Sangheili suddenly launched himself off the rocky wall, causing the mare to scream even more. Though, Aythai’Vadam suddenly clamped down on to a protruding piece of the ship’s broken haul, and then vault towards the inside of a torn open breaching within the haul itself.

Carefully, Aythai’Vadam helped Applejack down on to the metal floor, his eyes scanning for any threats that could be there. But, when the mare suddenly struck the side of his helmet with one heck of a punch, the Sangheili crashed against the metal wall. “Gah! What was that for!?” He roared, stepping back towards the mare.

“Warn a mare, when yer about ta sling her over yer shoulder and go off the side of a cliff!” She yelled, placing both hands on her hips, giving him an angered glare, and stepped towards the Sangheili.

Somehow, her display actually made him step back, holding both hands up defensively. “Well… Guess I have to agree, about the fact that I should have told you about what I was planning on doing… Though, my decision was rushed.” Aythai’Vadam answered, Applejack raising an eyebrow. “Someone is alive in here, and kept the carrier from self-destructing… Kept it from rupturing after it had crashed here.”

That caused Applejack’s jaw to drop, and go wide eyed. “B-But, the lieutenant said nothin’ has exited the wreckage, since they’ve been here.” She noted, as the Sangheili walked over to a Brute’s corpse, kneeling next to it and began to search for any surviving weapons. “Don’t they, ya know, need ta eat or somethin’?”

“This ship had enough supplies to sustain an invasion force for their initial attack and several months until the rest of our army arrives. Shall I tell you how easy it would be, just to access said supplies?” Aythai’Vadam informed, Applejack realizing his point, as he suddenly pulled up a Spiker Pistol and loaded it. “Here, take this.” The Sangheili walked over, and offered the mare said pistol.

Applejack took it, noticing the brutish weapon had decent weight to it, but she could wield it. “Ah’m guessin’ this if fer if ah run inta less friendly survivors?”

Aythai’Vadam gave a nod, and pointed to the dead Brute’s head. “They don’t have much armor protecting their heads, so aim there… Once the others get here, I’ll arm them too.” He went back to the corpse, trying to see what else he could possibly find. “Which reminds me.” The Sangheili reached up, and pressed a button on his helmet. “Dash, can you and Pie hear us alright?”

“Of course we can, ya freaking lunatic! Is AJ alright!?” The daredevil yelled back, making the two wince at how loud she was in their ears. “We already heard everything you just said, where did the two of you even go?”

Aythai’Vadam sighed, shaking his head a bit. “Applejack is safe and unharmed, and I’m alright too.” He looked around, searching for a deck number, but couldn’t find one anywhere. “We're already inside the carrier, I think deck seven.” He grabbed two more Spiker Pistols, and walked towards the opening within the ship’s haul. “I’ll be standing in a hole within the ship, I have weapons for the two of you.”

A rainbow streak became visible within the sky, before it made a sudden turn towards them. “I see ya! Pinkie and me are heading towards you now.”

This caused the Sangheili to nod, before activating his comm-link again. “Princess Sparkle, can you read us, back at the Phantom?”

“Loud, and clear, Aythai’Vadam.” She responded.

“Acknowledged. Once Dash and Pie link up with Applejack and myself, we will begin Salvage Operations.” Aythai’Vadam nodded again, before he had a thought. “And Princess? Just use the call sign ‘Sword’, when trying to contact me. Quicker to say.”

“Understood, call us if something comes up, ‘Sword’.” Twilight agreed. “Good luck out there, and stay safe.”

The statement made Aythai’Vadam grin a bit, this was starting to feel like another OP. “Acknowledged, Princess. Don’t worry, I will get them back home, safely. Sword, out.” He released the comm-link, as Rainbow Dash flew in with Pinkie Pie, allowing the Sangheili to hand them their Spiker Pistols.

Though, Applejack walked up next to him. “Um… Sugarcube, why didn't ya tell Twi about the possible survivor within here?” She asked.

Aythai’Vadam looked down at her and nodded. “Because I don’t know if they are still alive, or a threat. I rather not inform he Princess until I know for sure about them.” He answered, before looking at the two in front of him. “Alright, I already went over this with Applejack, and Rainbow Dash said you two heard the instructions.” They nodded, as he returned it. “Good, remember. Aim for their heads. Their bodies are too bulky, and will absorb the blow.” They three mares nodded, checking their weapons and allowing Aythai’Vadam show them how to use the Spikers.

Once they were familiar with the weapon, and had an understanding of how to us it, the three nodded and readied their pistols. “Alright, sugarcube… Where do we go from here?” Applejack asked.

“That’s simple, Applejack.” Aythai’Vadam activated his helmet’s search light. “We salvage what we can, save who we find, and kill what Brutes that had survived.” He drew his needle rifle, shouldering it, and started clearing the corridor… The three mares right behind him.