The Book of Zar, Part 9

On this day our team was at rest, still recuperating from the heist operation on the Human planet days before. We were stationed on Klasa, a planet originally settled by the Jiralhanae just before the war with Humanity. Now it has evolved into a hub of Banished activity in this local star cluster, where our forces made regular raids against virtually anyone who did not align with us. Much treasure was secured, which fueled our growth. The military base my team and I found ourselves in was a wholly Banished construction, recently erected to somewhat segregate us from those who did not fight for us full-time. The rest of the people continued to live whatever lives they had in the towns and cities, and they gave us what we were owed. Most of the time it was not actual money, but food, fuel, weapons, munitions, or other supplies of that nature. Nobody called it “tithes” but that was the system, and I found it quite humorous. The tithe collectors change, but the tithes remain. What a wonderfully absurd universe we live in, no?
In any case, with Klasa being the center of local Banished activity, one could assume that newly-inducted warriors might find their way to here, to receive further assignments. As I discovered upon arriving, much to my displeasure, a stronghold in the base was set aside for a small team of Atriox’s Chosen, just in case. I caught one of them glaring at me once as I exited a warehouse after performing a task for my commander. The Chosen fellow had a death glare and was no doubt imagining himself tearing me in two with his bare hands. I wanted to turn his head into paste with my shotgun, but that would get me nothing except execution, so I declined to act, a most disgusting outcome.
But on this day, I had an encounter not with the Chosen, but with one of my own species.
There was word of a ship full of newly-recruited warriors was arriving to deposit them for reinforcements and to replenish certain depleted teams. However, as I proceeded to the assigned landing pad where they would come in on, I spotted Verth and Bronze Team approaching the pad from a different direction. I quickly moved to them as beings of all shapes and sizes clad in Banished armor moved to and fro, some carrying supplies, others not.
“Brother!” proclaimed Verth. We embraced heartily.
“Verth! How have you been?”
“Ah, I cannot complain,” responded my friend. “We continue to win victory for the Banished and ourselves. And I must confess a certain… a certain gratitude for the Banished. They have given me a second life, and it is a life I find most pleasurable. What of you, Zar? How goes your days?”
“They go by,” I responded neutrally. “Missions are to be completed, people are to be killed, treasure is to be secured, these such things.”
“Ah yes, of course, of course! All for the cause!” Verth wrapped his right arm around my shoulders.
“What are you doing here, anyway? The journey from Rintoc must have been long to come all the way to here on the other end of Banished space.” As I studied Bronze Team more closely I noted that one of the Sangheili from before, Garso I think his name was, was absent. “You are short one man,” I commented.
“Indeed we are,” Verth answered in a slightly solemn tone. “Garso was killed in battle against Ukhno mercenaries, the nefarious fungi. We had to leave his body behind.” His tone then became muted, almost melancholic. “I… I still dwell upon that moment.”
“Hmm.” I was about to say, “Now you know how I felt when Thon died.” But I stayed silent and only gave a nod. Then I gave a different answer. “He must have fought well.”
“Oh, of course!” Vitan responded enthusiastically. “He shot down a dozen of them before bleeding to death. How I was humbled by such greatness!”
“Died a glorious death then? What else can someone ask for in this line of work?”
“Indeed, indeed,” said Verth. “Are you doing fine? Is your commander abusing you?” I raised an eyebrow at my friend for this line of questioning, although he may have been attempting to direct the conversation away from Garso.
“I am fine, Verth, you need not concern yourself with me as if I were your childling,” I responded. I admit, I felt some… discomfort with Verth’s continued successes while I was proscribed for my failures. Here he was, in worn, battered red armor, signifying his experience and achievements, his fellows standing by his side as loyal sword-brothers. No doubt Verth won their genuine admiration, and would follow him into the depths of the void if he asked them to do so. Could I have ever commanded such respect, inspired such… such love?
“Oh, come now, brother,” said Verth with a remarkable patience. “I care for your wellbeing. You are my friend, my first and best one in all the Banished. I have never forgotten you in all this time. Come on, you should meet some new team members. Become known to them, and they to you, so that if our superiors change their minds and you do come back to lead Bronze Team, you will not be leading strangers.” As he said this, we started for the pad again. At this time several Phantoms entered the atmosphere and were on approach.
“That is them I presume,” I said, gesturing with my head to the incoming vessels.
“Correct!”
The Phantoms eventually reached the pads and its passengers dismounted via the lift. One particular Sangheili approached Verth and myself, one who I assumed was the replacement. I could not help but notice a certain familiarity with this man. He was young, slightly younger than me, but his face was very distinct. I could have sworn to have seen it somewhere before. Verth then left my side and moved to the recruit.
“This is Bronze Team, sir?” asked the new warrior.
“Indeed it is,” answered Verth. “Who are you?”
“Rak ‘Shathar.” answered the new man.
Verth was silenced, as was I. The man hailed from the ‘Shathar clan. The same one as Thon. I looked at Rak, and then memories of Thon returned to me, stinging me like a poisoned blade. Thon’s eyes were Rak’s eyes, his mandibles Thon’s mandibles. He sounded and acted differently of course, seeming to appear more guarded than Thon was, but this man was indeed a relative of his.
“Do…” uttered Verth with apprehension. “Do you have… any siblings?”
Rak simply stared at Verth. Then, he noticed me and his eyes quickly locked with mine. A vicious glare formed on his face, a glare only shared with that Chosen warrior who stared me down earlier. “Yes, I have… had… an older brother. He served on this team, so I asked to be transferred here.” Rak finally broke off his stare of me, and focused his attention on Verth.
“Right. Well… Thon was a good man. A very good man. No doubt you will equal him in due time. Come, let us get further acquainted with one another.”
“Sir, is that the man who led Thon?” asked Rak, gesturing to me.
“Yes, but he no longer leads men.”
“I wonder why,” Rak said sarcastically.
“Careful, young one,” said Verth with a heated tone. “That man is as much a friend to me as your brother was. You would do well to remember that.”
Rak looked at Verth with apparent frustration, but closed his eyes and sighed, opening them to a gaze of Verth’s feet. He nodded in submissive acceptance.
“Good,” said Verth. “Very good!” Then, almost as expected, the enthusiasm and positivity once again flowed into him, and he draped his right arm over Rak’s shoulder. Then, he led him away. “Now before we get started I must remind you that if you have any questions pertaining to fruits or vegetables, ask Vitan.
“Ah yes, I was wondering when the captain would bring this up,” uttered Vitan. Raucous laughter erupted from the group.
“But in all seriousness,” continued Verth, “your brother was indeed a good man. A great warrior. Which means you must work hard to reach his level. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Rak. As Bronze Team walked away, Rak stole one more spiteful glance at me.
“Leave it, young one!” admonished Verth, this time more aggressively. Rak dutifully obeyed as Bronze Team turned a corner and disappeared from my sight, with Vitan giving me one last look of sympathy, shrugging his shoulders.
I did not need this new development in my life.
Category:The Weekly