Newcomer: Part Two

UNSC INFINITY: 2563

"There wasn't much of a warning. We haven't been able to track down the direction from where the attack came from." Captain Lasky pointed out on the 3D holographic map, showing the explosion of the lone Pelican ship that had been gliding over the tree tops of the incredibly vast jungle.

"From the crash footage we managed to salvage, I believe she...managed to jump out before it crashed, it was a fatal explosion and there were no survivors. But...I can't track her down. Her helmet may have either been broken or she's dead." his voice was thick, his brows furrowed together in a grim fashion. He looked to his companion who was watching the repeat of the crash. 

"Asylum is a planet unknown to us. We were hoping that this trip would give us a better understanding of the planet and its natives. We followed the distress signal of an old satellite but as far as I understand. We virtually know nothing about this planet. But knowing her...she'll be smart enough to search for the satellite." Lasky crossed his arms and studied his silent companion. "What are you going to do sir?" 

"I am going down there." a rusty voice replied...it sounded so much older, wearier. But there was a determined gleam in his eyes that was fueled by primal instinct. 

"It has almost been a year since the Events on Shangheilios. I believe that she is incredibly capable to survive. Thanks to you." Lasky let a small smile touch his features "Its nice to see you going after something that isn't in humanity's or UNSC's best interest." 

There was silence but he could see the emotion that flickered past his eyes. There was...worry, a dark streak of fear too. Lasky had been apart of the events of last year for only a little bit. His friend was one of the main factors of it. 

And so was their MIA. A young woman who meant the world to his friend in such a way that Lasky could not deny him his right to go looking for her. He was, after all, her father. 

"Are you worried that she might be dead?" Lasky asked. His eyes darkened slightly. 

There was a pause, his friend finally made eye contact with him. "Absolutely." 

~~~~~~

"Here." Shadia handed Reagan a sash of some sort. A brightly dyed fabric of turquoise, admiring it quickly before wrapping it around her hips. Her clothes were very much like a humans. A loose top that only wrapped around her neck and a long flowing brown dress that matched the bark of the trees. 

 She did a girlish twirl for Shadia with a smile "How do I look?" 

The female Shangheilian said nothing as she stomped away from Reagan, who frowned. Shrugging off Shadia's mistrustful attitude, she followed her from outside the tree house. Looking at her surroundings with awe. It was a tree top paradise! The Shanghuli walked from what she assumed were platformed areas of huts and homes that were built around trees. The bridges between areas were made of wood and rope and looked incredibly secure. Music, conversation, hoops and hollers echoed through the air. 

It was a simple...sophisticated life style. Incredibly appealing. 

The other two male Shanghuli were waiting outside, they turned when they heard them step out of Kalin's home. Stoic nodded "Feeling better?" 

"Yes, thank you." 

Kalin stared, something inside him stirred, his appeal to this woman was incredibly strange. It must of been the way the sunlight caught her hair, making it glow and incredible shade of red, almost like copper... 

Yeah, it was just the hair, nothing else. 

"So...now we must come straight to the point that I haven't even bothered to ask." Reagan spoke to the three, they listened intently. 

"I need to find the satellite that fell on this planet." she began. "There is some intel on it that is incredibly important." 

The three looked at each other, their sharp, angular eyes narrowed. "We will gladly take you to it. But...might I ask what information you seek that is so important." 

Reagan let out a heavy sigh "I don't know... all I know is that I was sent with a small team to retrieve it, there was a specialist on board the Pelican who knew about the information but he died in the crash." 

"Ah yes...we found their charred bodies in the wreckage, recovered what we could find and buried the bodies by one of the trees." Stoic again spoke, looking to Kalin and Shadia briefly. Reagan's face darkened but nodded in her appreciation. 

"Thank you... later I must retrieve them in order to make sure that their families know of their deaths." 

"Come." Stoic said gently "let us show you where the satellite is. It is not far of a trek."

Reagan nodded, following the proud warrior. Taking her place next to her savior and host, she looked up at him. He, like Stoic had three white claw marks that were painted onto his face. Unlike stoic, he was a darker indigo. In the shadows his skin almost appeared black. He wasn't as tall as Stoic but she could tell that he was strong.  

"What is with the face paint." Reagan asked, entering a crowded area what appeared to be a market of some kind. Shanghuli walked around, inspecting strange fruits and vegetables, children were playing. But Reagan would've been blind to not have noticed the curious or near excitement stares she received. 

"Our marks are a sign of our rank, profession and family. Like Stoic I am a guardsman, a protector of our village. But Stoic holds the high respect for our people. He wears the white heart. I symbol of wisdom and respect." Kalin easily explained. 

"Wow... how do you get one?" she asked, Kalin chuckled at her innocent curiosity. "He simply earned it through his actions." 

Shadia peeked over her shoulder as Kalin continued to give a cultural lesson to the young human. She drank in every word Kalin spoke, looking around and admiring the sights around her. Shadia, not letting her guard down, grunted as she clenched her hands slightly. 

"Easy tall one." Stoic murmured with a slight smirk "she is only a youngling." 

Not saying anything, she continued her slow stride to stay with the group. After passing through the market, they came upon a much larger tree house in the tallest tree in their cluster. A group of Shanghuli covered quietly amongst each other until took notice of them, soon they ceased their talk and all turned as the members of the village approached with Reagan.

"The human has lived through the night, excellent." A darker emerald and sapphire Shanghuli approached, he extended his longer arms to Reagan "welcome, I am Gerick, the tribes healer." 

Along his body was white stripes painted side by side. Reagan extended her own hand and they shook firmly. Slightly amazed how... well accustomed they were to human culture. "Call me Reagan." 

Gerick looked to her companions. "I was about to send a courier to you to bring Reagan forth to the Leader. but it seems I have no need for it. You must take her to him at once." 

Reagan looked over her shoulder at Kalin behind her, suddenly looking confused. Kalin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Stoic waved at her to follow and she did, though hesitantly. Stoic pushed back the close flaps for her as she stepped inside. The earthy smell of the tree and some kind of incense filled her nose and calmed her senses. Inside almost looked like a throne room made of wood. It was elegant and simple. In the walls were carving of what seemed to be great tales, or legends of some kind.  At the head of the room was a Shanghuli of dark markings, next to him was another, though slimmer and brighter wore a pale blue dress of some kind. From what Reagan gathered, Shanghuli resembled lizards and Paradise birds. However, she noticed that it was most likely the females that had brighter skin. Whom  she assumed was the leader was talking to another Guardsman. 

"My liege." Stoic announced. Everyone turned and stared, it suddenly seemed eerie with their yellow eyes. "I present the only human survivor, Reagan." 

"Welcome to my village Reagan, we are most honored to have a human here." he gestured with his hands. 

"Thank you." Reagan replied, feeling awkward about the whole thing. 

"She wishes to go to the great satellite." Stoic explained what he had been told earlier "something of dire importance resides in it." 

The leader nodded "she is welcome to search through its database. There is nothing in it that we have to hide from her and her species. They have given us a great gift of knowledge and culture. It is only reasonable that we, in return, retrieve what they need. You have my blessing on your journey." 

"Thank you." Stoic did a half bow, and the leader waved him off "tell Fujasi of your mission. he will let you pass through." 

As Stoic turned, Reagan turned to follow. Feeling all eyes on her as she exited the room. Outside, she was greeted by the sun, seeing Kalin and Shadia with another Shanghuli. Only this one was different... she was tall, her skin an array of beautiful colors of teal and sky blue. Her eyes flicked to Reagan, who felt in awed by the glow of her bright purple eyes. 

"Sulu." Stoic greeted in a cool tone. The one called Sulu turned her attention to Stoic, "You rescued the human?"

"No. Kalin did." Stoic gestured to him, Reagan felt the tension growing so fast that she could probably cut it with a knife. 

Sulu turned her gaze to Reagan, her harden expression softened as she stepped forward. "I am glad to see you are not injured during the crash."

"Yeah well...the poison...thing got me though." Reagan showed off her bandaged upper arms.

"Indeed." Sulu looked to the other three "with your permission, I would like to accompany you to your destination."

"You must talk with your father about that." Stoic replied curtly. "we are heading for the satellite." 

"I do not need permission from my father to go there." she replied, "I know of safer routes better than anyone. You have a human, they are not tree dwellers like we are and she could slow us down if we take the normal route." 

Reagan frowned. Kalin stepped in between the bantering ones. Placing a firm hand on their shoulders "You underestimate Reagan. But we must come up with a compromise in order to get her to the satellite safely."

"Its also my only chance to contact my ship." Reagan cut in "I am limited on time before a search team will come after me." 

Shadia felt her chest tighten. More humans? Though she had been silent throughout  this whole situation, she knew that Sulu was right. Taking the usual route to the satellite was dangerous. But she knew that she couldn't risk being caught by the UNSC again. That would only end badly...