Ch. 1
Caba was twisting around as the dream reached its usual apex. He heard explosions and plasma fire.
"We found one!” screamed a strange voice.
"Is he alive?"
"I think so... lets kill the little ***"
"No, he may know something."
Then he awoke, drenched in sweat. It had happened twenty years ago yet the dream kept occurring. They had found him after a surprise attack that had left Caba with a projectile in his left hoof and he still wondered if their letting him live was a curse or a wish come true. After all it was lonely as a grunt on Earth... He sat up and went into his living room. He still marvelled at the fact that the UNSC had kept him alive, had even given him a home. He lived in the area he had learned was called Texas when the Earth had been separated. Not that it mattered to him. Some days he felt a deep home sickness for the Covenant, but strangely he felt right at home. There were no freezing storms here as was common on his home-world.
He shook himself from his day dreams and turned on the T.V. "Oh great," he snarled as he saw yet another cartoon depicting the Covenant as blood thirsty heathens. The war had ended some twelve years ago but many still felt Covenant were the root of all evil. He was stared at and cursed at as he went out. No one ever saw him as a living thing. Just another God damned Covenant. At first he had tried to distance himself from the Covies but there was little that he could do. No surgery could help him and he still needed his methane tank wherever he went. Eventually he became immune to the curses and disrespect others gave him.
He turned off the T.V and walked to his methane closet. The government had made his house liveable by pumping it with quality methane. But he still could not leave the house without his tank. He went on his usual route to get his "favourite" human food, chicken. It was one of the few human foods he could swallow without emptying his gullet. I never have privacy anymore he mused to himself as he felt squeezed by the bodyguards who kept people from blowing up his methane filled home. He still had a limp from the wound he had received on that night. His mind slowed as he went back to that fateful night...
Ch.2
He awoke in a small cell. At first he couldn't remember a thing. The voices and the horrible pain in his...His hoof! He quickly said a prayer to the prophet that his hoof was still there. He looked down to not only see it but see it was healing nicely. Strange, he thought. A brute would have simply killed him or left him for dead.
Yet these people, these humans, helped him when he was in pain. How strange these Humans were. A human walked into the room. He automatically flinched away with the enemy. He had heard stories of how the "troops from the skies"(ODST's) would cook Grunt flesh with plasma and eat it off their hooves. But this one didn't look like it had been raised by brutes. He looked nervous. "Why should he be nervous?" Caba asked himself. Perhaps he thinks I am terrifying he mused. He did a little chuckle that made the marine jump. Wow, he marvelled. They’re scared of me. A small grunt locked in a cell that has no weapon and is wounded. He began to laugh with the sad humour that was thick enough to eat.
All of a sudden he felt his gullet wail. He couldn’t get up so he simply emptied his gut in front of him, then a human soldier walked in. He dropped a plate of what Caba could only describe as dafrago for him to eat. It looked as if it was alive but upon dining it he couldn't help but devour it. Funny, I ate worse at camp. It began to dawn on him that his life in the covenant hadn't been a happy one. The blue death, the lack of any respect, the utter humiliation he faced every day. And, a couple days before capture he had found his brother, Dabab, had died in battle on the installation above a Human settlement called Harvest.
He awoke in a daze. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep. He looked around to find himself in the same cell. He sniffed. The smell of meat met his nostrils with a tight embrace. He looked at the door and saw that someone had given him a piece of meat. He lunged at it and stuffed it into his mouth. It tasted almost like his favourite meal from home, only less salty and less cold. He shivered at the thought of his home planet.
He heard a bang and looked to the door on his left. In came a soldier with a very colourful uniform. Perhaps he can tell me what’s going on, he thought to himself. As he had fought he had picked up traces of the human dialect. "Where am I?" he asked. The soldier, upon hearing this levelled his small arm at him. "I mean you no harm; I have no weapon while you do. Now, where are we?" He spoke with confidence as he saw the human gaze horrified at him. That an alien spoke his language shocked him. He stammered "Well, you were found on a raid into the covie, ahem, Covenant camp just roughly 20 miles south of our base. We picked you up and now you’re on a cruiser headed to Earth."
Ch.3
Caba realized that he was almost at the store. Many thought he was a funny little creature for having a cane and as time wore on he had almost not noticed the need for a cane. But as he walked he soon tired of hearing the snickers and jokes of passer byes. "If only I had a Needler" He mused under his breath .He had seen many soldiers do interesting things to humans with a Needler. He didn't really hate humans he just felt as if he wasn't a part of the scene, instead an outsider.
As he entered the store, he immediately noticed a change in the environment. He walked down the aisle and picked up the usual chickens and fish and other little things. "You'd think he'd be bigger with all he eats." snickered a bodyguard. Technically, Caba was the Humans superior but if he tried to report the man he would not be doing anything except make the guards angry at him.
He walked up into the checkout line. There was one human however that did treat him as an equal, a friend, and a citizen. Suzan the manager of the store always treated him respectfully and sometimes even came over. It was interesting that in his house, she was the one who had to where a suit. But he always made sure that she would be safe. He felt an over bearing affection for her. Humans called it love. When he learned about what followed love he bust out in laughter. Me!? A grunt prisoner?! Doing that to a Human! Christ, why would I do that? Strangely Christianity had seemed actually much better than the Covenant. He felt affection for her but he didn't feel it in that way. He once again looked back on his days after his capture.
Ch.4
Caba, after being on the cruiser long enough, soon became more familiar with the crew. He was allowed to walk around the ship after it was seen he was no danger. Many of the crew regarded him with cold stares. But there were a few who were friendly to him and helped him when they could. He would ask them about Earth and what it was like. They told him it was a civilized place full of cities and good times. Being adventurous, he was interested in Earth. He would explore the ship and try to learn how humans worked.
After a month upon the ship he had gained the trust of almost every marine upon the ship. He learned how to play cards and soon became close to the crew and his Human vocabulary flourished. He soon believed that being captured was one of the best things that had ever happened to him.
He was content until one day when he was in the mess hall. He was eating his now favourite food chicken when he heard a bit of conversation between a marine and an ODST. "That little alien shouldn't be alive, he's the enemy! We should be stickin him with a grenade and leaving him. But we're feedin him and even being his friend!" "I know. It’s wrong but the brass said we needed to make him feel safe even like a family. What are you gunna do? Back talk the Admiral?" "The ODST looked hatred into the marine’s eyes but did not dare say he would go against orders.
The conversation crushed Caba's faith in the Humans. He never quite looked at them the same. When a Marine offered him a seat the next day he screamed in fury "What was that an order to!?!? Go stick your seat up your grytarew!" The human didn't understand what he had said. He giggled inside at his stupidity. He blurted the ugliest curses he new and not one marine understood. He was content and then walked to get some fried chicken.
Ch.5
As Caba payed for the chicken, he saw Suzan in the corner speaking into a cell phone. Maybe I should invite her over, he thought to himself. As he walked over to her she saw him coming and gave him a smile and told him to wait for a moment. As he waited his eyes were drawn to a man who seemed very calm, as if he had not a care in the world. He looked at Suzan then walked over to the man. As he got closer he thought he saw a small devise of some sort, he suddenly felt very uncomfortable. These humans were covered in gadgets but this seemed strangely different. He walked back to Suzan and motioned for her to come outside with him. She looked questioningly at him then finally hung up. He walked her outside, and as they turned the corner to discuss the strange man, an explosion rocked the ground.
Being of a short height he hardly ever fell or tripped and propped up Suzan as she stumbled. He walked back to see what had happened. The store, the exact store he and his only friend had been in not two minutes ago was awash in smoke and flame. He stood there in shock and couldn't move. After a few moments he realized someone was pulling at his shoulder and he looked up to see a dazed Suzan. She murmured something but he didn't quite catch it. She said it again even louder and with a voice full of rage."URF!!! Those God damned mother *** sons of ***!!!!!" In all of his years that he had known Suzan he had never heard her speak with such utter anger and vehemence. Caba asked in true curiosity
"Who are the URF?" Her eyes changed and she realized that Caba was next to her."The URF are the people from the outer colonies who rose against Earth when they felt mistreated." Caba felt strange.... almost numb. He heard Suzan and everything around him but time seemed to slow..."Are you all right?" Caba jerked awake to find himself in a white room with cabinets and a man all in white."Are you all right?"He asked again. Caba looked down to see that he was swaddled in blankets and then it finally registered. I'm in a hospital he thought with relief. He relaxed on the bed and noticed someone outside his door. "Who is that he asked the Doctor?" ”Oh, she's the lady who brought you in after the market was bombed." So it wasn't a dream." "Nope, you were lucky you hadn't been in there when it occurred. Your lady friend said you asked her to leave before the explosion, so you two are very lucky."With that he slowly fell asleep...
Ch.6
He awoke to the feeling of loneliness. After hearing that conversation between the Marine and ODST yesterday he realized just how different he and the Humans were. He had no friends left in this world. I will not ever trust a Human again he vowed. As a Human walked in he sneered and turned around in his bunk to put his back to the soldier. As the soldier passed, Caba for the first time since capture wondered how it would feel to massacre the little loptrew. It wouldn't be hard... Just run up and kick in his knee and tear out his little puny throat. But after a moment he stifled the urge. It would do nothing except make him die sooner. He slowly hobbled to the cafeteria to get his food.
As he walked in he was aware of the stares that were being aimed at him. He laughed on the inside. They hadn’t known what I said but it scared the iteraw out of them. As he walked to the slow moving line he indulged himself a small favour. As he had seen most of the time, these soldiers never kept their arms. He ran up to a Marine about his height and screamed "I LIKE YOU!!!!" in Unggoynese. He nearly voided himself right there But Caba soon found out, this was something marines did not let slide.
He felt a piercing pain in his stomach and looked down to see his stomach was pushed in about a foot along with the Marines hand. He fell to the ground in a heap. Marines from all over ran up and began kicking him. He started to lose consciousness when he heard a sharp "Attention!" The blows stopped falling and he rolled over to see who had saved him. A man in all white walked up and gave him a big kick in the stomach. "Get up,” the man yelled. Caba struggled up and stood swaying. The man kicked him over and said “If you ever *** with a marine again you won't live to regret it” Caba got up slowly. Well, he said to himself, I got away with it. Even though his body hurt his heart sang a small song.
Another man in white walked up and carried him to the Sick Bay. He spent the rest of the trip in sick bay humming the song of the grunt revolution. Soon he thought, I'll be the first and only grunt on Earth, and then he began to weep the sorrow of a grunt without a friend.
CH.7
...Caba slowly opened his eyes to see a white sterile room. Oh right, he said to himself, I’m in the hospital. He sat up to see Suzan sleeping in a chair with a magazine on the floor. He still wondered why she always protected him and helped him without even Caba's asking. Perhaps she did love him but of course it could never be, but it seemed that it was the truth. Why else had she helped him get started on Earth? As well as always defend him.
He struggled out of the bed and by their time he got down she was stirring. He walked over to her and said "Hellooooooooo, is anyone home?” She nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked down at him and gave him a big hug which was quite difficult as she tried to put her arms around his methane tank. "I'm so glad you’re alright!" She said in delight."What about the store?" Caba asked. She said nothing and just started to cry. She rarely did this with Caba around. He did what so many hours of T.V said you should do. He hugged her and said "It's alright. You’re safe. Hush, it’s alright.” As he said this he began to cackle loud enough for Suzan to look up to see Caba on the floor laughing."What are you laughing at? She said with a small trace of fury. "I used to be a soldier who killed off humans in waves and now I'm here, comforting a female human." As he said this he realized she might dislike his bringing up the military past. To his astonishment she laughed and said it was a little funny she supposed.
As she was about to say something, the doctor walked in. "Well,” he said looking at Caba, it seems like you’re well enough to go, now if you would just sign out..."As Caba walked out he asked the Doctor "I have been here before but didn't ask, why is it that you don't show some dislike towards me?” The Doctor looked at him and said. "Well... We have a law in medicine. It says that whoever is in need of medical attention, no matter what race, stature or in your case, species, deserves that attention. We feel all are the same in a hospital. "Caba turned this over in his mind and felt it was an interesting and fair way to work. He thanked the Doctor and went outside with Suzan.
It was sunny and still day outside. He heard sirens in the distance and he realized it was still the same day as the explosion caused by the group called "URF". He looked up to see smoke. "So the fire still rages?" he asked. Suzan looked down at him and said "Yes it does. How is it that you knew and how could you have known it was unsafe to stay in the store?" He looked up at the column of smoke and said almost to himself. "While I was waiting for you, I walked around and noticed a man with a strange device. All humans it seems to me anyway, have a technical advice. But this one was... different. It seemed familiar... as if I had used it before. "As Suzan heard this she felt confused by it but, he had answered his question. Caba looked up at her and asked "Would you like to come over?" She thought it over and shook her head. "I think I'm just gonna go home, get a nice long nap, maybe some tea. Bye." Suzan walked off leaving Caba alone in front of the hospital.
He began walking home towards 15720, 15721, 15722 Fox Springs Drive. He still wondered where humans got these strange names for roads as covenant roads just said, road 1-100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Oh well. Humans were just more eccentric. He entered his home then grabbed a drink and went to dream the dream of his first day on Earth.
Ch.8
Caba woke up to find the movement of the ship to have changed. It was as if... The atmosphere! They must be landing! He struggled up from his bed. He was still in pretty bad shape from the beating but he got down from the bed and slowly hobbled to the door. He could hear humans running outside the room with their boots clacking on the floor with a sense of urgency, just as he was about to exit a Medic entered with a strange chair. It was like a normal chair plus a pair of tires. The Medic told him "Get onto the wheelchair. We're about to land and the Captain wants you to be the first off."
The Captain, thought Caba, could kiss his esra for all Caba cared. He hopped up onto the 'wheelchair' and was moved to the unloading area. Well, Earth, here I am... The bay opened up to show a ocean of people all screaming for their returning troops. As soon as Caba was off the ship, an awed silence filled the air. He felt awed at the size of the crowd. "Hello?" He said with little more than a whisper. The crowd broke the silence. Bottles blocks, shoes, anything that could be thrown were. He was given a berth of 20 ft as he was wheeled through the crowd. He was still hurt fairly badly by the time he and the medic got to the building he was to take refuge in.
Once they entered Caba immediately noticed a man in grey behind a desk because he had a face as still as stone and didn't even flinch at Caba's appearance. The man stared at him with hatred. "Why were you captured?” “Why? Why? I got shot in my hoof!" Caba couldn't believe the stupidity of this. Who wanted to be captured? The officer looked at him and said calmly. "If you raise your voice in here one more time you'll have wished you stayed outside.” Caba shut his snout and answered each question without resistance. "Why were you stationed in the area?" "I was needed there because there was a lack of grunts." "Why do you need a wheelchair?" Caba wondered if he should lie but knew if the officer wanted to know he would find out eventually. "I screamed at a marine, so then I was pummelled by surrounding soldiers.” The officer looked at him with disgust. "You are now property of the UNSC and therefore we will not tolerate any bullshit. If need be we will put a bullet in that tank of yours and see how you fare." Caba had heard stories of how grunts whose tanks got shot didn't die instantly but rather died from burning to death or suffocation. "You will receive a small quarters in a neighbourhood. You will have bodyguards. We will know your every movement."
As Caba took this all in, he realized that capture really was bad. That his life was not better merely not worse,"Dismissed." A soldier walked Caba out into the diminishing mob.
Ch.9
Caba awoke with a start. He still had that dream once a week. He got up and went to the bar. At his first try he had wondered why humans drank alcohol. It tasted like yulters and made you sick if you had too much. But, after some time of experimenting he had learned it was great for getting rid of a bad memory for a couple of hours. As he took out the bourbon and ice he wondered what the point was. It always ended the same. He would get one drink, then another, then one more. He would be in his happy place until he fell unconscious. He would wake up and feel like he should be dead. He would drink more and more. He would waste a week being hung over and drinking away his sadness.
As he was going to start this cycle he heard a buzz. He sprang up from his chair. Suzan, this would brighten his day! He looked through the peep hole and saw her with all her gear needed to enter his abode. She ran in and he quickly closed the door. No point to letting out all the methane. He looked over at her and quickly gave her all his attention. She looked afraid, scared, panicked. "What's wrong?" She looked at him in utter sadness. "They think it was you." "What are you talkin' about?" he asked. "They think you planned the explosion...” She stared off into space. “A man walked into my house and asked if I knew you. I said, Of course, he's a friend. He looked at me like I was something he found under his boot.” “We believe he assisted in the attack yesterday. Have you noticed anything strange Ms. Hamilton?” “I told him no and to leave my house.” Caba was sweating. “This can't be! Noooo! I didn't do it!" His blood was turning to ice. He looked up to Suzan. "What should I do?"
Ch.10
Caba looked down the dirty alley. He was still wondering why he had come. "Because you have no other choice.” he muttered to himself. It had been two days ago since he had left his home. One day since he had seen Suzan drive away from the Bus station. He had ridden that monstrosity all the way to San Antonio. Once he had gotten there he checked into a hotel. It was disgusting how these people kept it. He went out to get food and came back to find a note on his bed. You have problems. We have solutions. Come see us at the alley behind Stovers. He had been afraid. How had someone got into his room? He had laughed, suddenly full of dark humour. This place is so full of holes anything short of a ship could get in. He took the note and walked out the door. Why be afraid? I'm running from an entire government so why not give it a shot?
He started walking into the alley and heard a garbage can fall over. He pulled out his small knife, the only thing the UNSC thought him harmless with. He had gotten it from Suzan, who had thought he would be hurt. These thoughts of Suzan made Caba feel full of sorrow. She had helped him so much in his stay on Earth. Now he would probably never see her again. He got to the end of the alley and waited. As Caba began to wonder if he should have stayed home he heard shuffling. "Hello?" "We have solutions." "And I have problems?" A man walked up to him carrying a knife of his own."Indeed you do my friend. "He put away the knife and shook caba's claw. Come with me.
They walked until they got to a small bar. The large man talked to the bar-keep, mentioning something about business. He gave the man a folded bill and walked Caba to the back of the bar and pulled a switch. A small panel popped out of the wall. The man typed in some code and a seam Caba hadn't before noticed appeared in the wall. They went through and pulled the door in behind them. Caba was led to a small room with another man across a table. He felt a vague feeling of fear and apprehension, why am I nervous? And then he remembered this was similar to his meeting with that damned officer. The man offered his hand "Welcome to the Friends of the Friends."
Ch.11
Caba woke up from his horrible nightmare, the dream of his capture. He looked up to the ceiling. Wait. Where am I? He looked over to his side and saw a wall. His memory woke up. The landing, the officer, the new house... A house! He got up and looked around. It was a large room. He had a feeling of wonder. My own house! He thought. He took a tour and found he had a house of his own. He felt lighter than air. Hr felt faster less bulky... why was that? He felt his back to find... NOTHING! Where was his pack! He could... not... breathe? Caba took a deep breath and noticed the bluish look of methane. How wonderful! Perhaps capture wasn't bad.
He walked around and explored the house. He found the methane tanks and put one on to go outside. He gingerly stepped outside and saw a small group of body guards. They looked over at him and asked "Where do you wanna go?" He didn't know where but he knew he was hungry, "To a cafeteria?" He asked meekly as he remembered his still sore limbs. "Sure. What ya want?"Chicken please." "All right goons let's get his Majesty some chicken.”The men got up to leave and Caba was about to go with them but the leader named Jennen, said it would be much safer for him to stay home.
So he waited for them. He looked at some of the famous T.V. and found that what he did understand was crude and the rest ridiculous, the Covenant as cowards and evil? What kind of ertyuth had humans gotten a hold of? The Covenant was fearless and pure. He finally went to sleep and was rudely awoken by a ringing sound. He wondered what it was till he saw his "goons" outside. He ate his chicken and wondered what his life could be like as the only grunt on Earth.
Ch.12
Caba felt safe with this man. He had a large, imposing figure. The man was walking him to "the boss.” Whoever this man was, he was a beloved man it seemed. He asked the man why he liked the boss."I was 17, "the man said slowly as he recalled the reason.”I was a kid and a punk. I was with a crowd that was bad for me and my family. I was out one night drunk when a man walked up to me. "Wait. I need to talk to ya." "I slowed down and told him to *** off. Then the guy belted me. I fell back and passed out. I awoke to some interesting news. It seems that, at the meeting my group, there had been a drive bye. I had wondered why I was alive. Then my mind whirred back to last night. That guy had told me to stop... "He stopped walking and looked down to Caba.”The boss saved me that night. He got someone to hold me up so I would live. He allowed me into The Friends of the Friends. I owe him my life. I owe him my soul. "The man was shivering. A tear slid down his cheek. "He has kept my family safe. That is why I like, no, love the boss. I would do anything to keep him safe! "He slammed his fist into a wall. He stood silent then looked down with a crooked grin. "Hope I didn't scare ya friend." Caba followed in silence. "What is your name?" he asked as they neared a door. The man stopped and looked down at Caba. "I'll tell you when you leave this room."
He shooed Caba into the sparsely decorated room. There was a large man who looked at Caba with the jeweller’s eye as he sat in the chair. Picking out every possible flaw that Caba may hide."My friend let me be clear. If you enter the Friends of the Friends, there is but one way you'll ever leave... through death. My ancestors had a saying, you come in kicking and you go out dead, and that will stay true. We are your shield. If we cast you out, you have a day, two at most until you are dead... But if you should stay with us you will work with us. Do you accept us as Family and as loved ones?" "Yes. I feel as if we are a family." "Then my brother, welcome to the Friends of the Friends.”Caba was overwhelmed. He felt safe. He felt secure. These men would keep him safe! Caba walked around the table and bowed before his protector. "I lay my life at your feet. Sir,” the man looked down at him and smiled a cool smile. "Very good, now go out and meet your Family."
Caba walked outside into a large group of men lead by the man who had lead Caba here. "Welcome to the Friends!!!!” A cheer rang out and the group surged towards Caba. Men picked him up and gave him bear hugs and slipped bills into his pockets. He felt a wild euphoria of love, a feeling of belonging that he had lost the day he heard the ODST on the ship. After the group dispersed Caba's friend walked over. "My name is Bineto Hondurez but call me HB." Caba ran at Bineto and rapped his arms around him, "Thank you." Caba finally belonged.
Ch.13
Caba had been on Earth for a year. He hated Earth for people; whenever he left his home he was abused. He learned just what liquor truly was for. He drank more than he ate. He only left the house when necessary. He had no friends but only goons. Why not die? It would be quick, easy and be less of a hassle than living.
But one day, while outside on a necessary errand, a group confronted him. Why did I tell those ylugfdigs to stay home? He thought in fear. He was 4 ft and he had a scarred hoof. He wasn’t going anywhere. The group surrounded him. He saw a knife a tire bar and a crowbar. So this is it? I'm gonna die by the hands of some angry bastards? He looked around and thought Oh well. He lunged at the closest man and tore at his face with his claws; the others started screaming and ran at him. He jumped off and ran through the broken circle. He went through alleys and streets without thought. He ran into a woman as he ran out of an alley. "Help ME!!!!!" He screamed. She looked afraid but nodded then she grabbed him and ran to her car. She threw him in and then drove off.
Caba stayed low and shivered as he took account of what just happened. He had gotten away... He had gotten away from 10 armed humans. He'd even left his "mark". He slowly started laughing until he was bellowing with glee. "Those stupid ***, they didn't get me!" He looked up to see the person who had saved him. She was a tall female with blonde hair and white skin. By human standards, she was gorgeous. He touched her arm and she jerked. She turned her head and asked, "What did I just do?” "You just saved my life!" They drove on in silence. "Could you take me home?" Caba asked. "Where do you live?" "15722 Fox Springs" "Alright, but who did I just save? You’re a grunt so you’re not hard to kiss but what’s your name?" "Caba. Caba Sengyl, and yours?" "Suzan Harvey. I work at that grocery store. Actually I believe you go there once a week. "He nodded and got out of the car as they neared his home.”Bye" Suzan said. She furrowed her brow and asked "Can I come in? I would love to see how a grunt lives." "Well... OK. Wait here."
Caba went inside past the questioning guards and rummaged in a closet. Aha! He held up the Oxygen suit. This was so his guards could live in his house. His body guards lived in the houses to the other sides and hung out around his house usually. He brought back the oxygen suit and told Suzan to put it on. She quickly put on the suit consisting of a helmet encompassing down to her shoulders. She quickly walked into the house with Caba in hot pursuit. They walked around the house, Caba showing her his entire house. After a few minutes they had seen the whole house.
She looked down at him and asked "What is it like to be a grunt?" "What is it like to be a human? I am proud to be an Unggoy. You humans hate me but then again I don't care much for you all either." She stared at him. "And me?" Caba was surprised. "You... You saved my life and haven't threatened me. You are a friend, my only friend. "He started to cry. This was, since nearly two years ago, was his only friend. His only good friend, now he had one, someone to rely on. He showed her the door and went over to the sofa then he got drunk that night. Celebration is a thing best served with a spirit or two.
Ch.14
Caba, upon being allowed into the Family was moved into the Family mall. He had his own house. It was quite luxurious. He had waiters who waited on him hand and foot. He had become a close friend of both the Don and HB who Caba had found out not long ago, was the Don's now adopted son. His only quarrel was the fact that he had to wear his suit. The Don felt it was accident prone to have a house full of methane and said that it wouldn't really work. But methane was still attainable for Caba's tank. In other words, he had a near perfect life.
A knock came at his door as he began sipping his bourbon. He sat it down and opened the door. Caba knew this man well. He saw him at his little acceptance party and he had been an enthusiastic person. Ban Hammerson that was his name! "Time to earn our keep,” he said. There was no happiness in his face. It was sallow but eager. "What do you mean?" "We have to have someone clipped." "Clipped? Murdered, Oh" Caba was shocked. "Well?" Caba nodded and followed Ban to the small warehouse. Thoughts raced through his head. A human! A human was to die tonight! He heard clicks and clangs from deep in the warehouse.
They walked in and walked to the small man cleaning a gun. "Hey Hunter, you got the piece ready?" "Of course you little pandejo," they both grinned and exchanged knowing glances, “this yer first job?" asked Hunter. Caba nodded and pointed at the lupara. Is that the 'piece' I'm gonna be using?" "Yes sir for this here is a lupara, sawed off shotgun. Five feet away and there ain't a thing left of yuh," Caba looked at it. He had never shot a human gun before and so he voiced his concern. "Don't worry, just get real close and BAM, give em a hole the size of my head!" Caba snickered. This might be fun he thought. "Now first off, you understand there'll be a kick right? A recoil?" "Of course.” “Good luck." Caba and Ban walked outside and got into the car out front.
After a couple minutes Caba asked, "Who's gonna be clipped?" "Little fucker who won't leave us well enough alone. He insulted the Boss and made fun of our Family. The Boss sent him a warning, if I catch you again doing these things, I'll expand your mind across the wall. So everything is quiet right…. Until yesterday for that little fucker spit on the Boss's shoes, what impotence! So here we are. His name is Max Riley but most people call him Playboy."
Ch.15
The car came to a stop outside an alley way. "He's here?" Caba questioned. "Yeah, the son of a *** is a fuckin bum. He tries to act big but he ain't got a claim to fame." Caba looked down the alley but couldn't see anything through the downpour. Caba picked up the lupara and said "Well... we gonna do this or no?" Ban looked at him and grinned, "Eager aren't we? Let’s go.
They walked down the alley, now I'm soaked Caba thought to himself. They came upon a man sleeping under a crawl space. Ban got down and took a close look at him. "It’s him alright," He fished into his pocket and came out with a piece of metal across his knuckles. "Wake up sweetie for we got some warm breakfast for yah." The man slowly rose up in a haze. Ban nailed him in the jaw with his knuckles. "Get up." The man struggled and got up with anger in his eyes. "Who do you think you are? A big guy? *** off! I'm Playboy and I ain't gotta take this ***!" Ban gave a low blow to Playboys gut. Playboy crumbled into a heap. "Yeah, you are Playboy and your a little disrespectful ***! Say it!" "No" whispered Playboy. Ban kicked Playboy in the nose. Caba heard a loud crack and saw Playboys head snap back. "Caba, you wanna say anything?" Caba swallowed and shook his head. "Then finish the *** off."
Ban walked away leaving Playboy and Caba alone. Caba walked up to Playboy and said "Good bye Playboy. He pulled the trigger and took the kick with ease. Nothing like what I used to shoot he thought later. But things went into slow motion. He saw the bullet penetrate Playboys head. Saw the gore slowly float to the ground and saw it wash away. Ban walked yup behind him. "Good Job. You’re a true member of the Family now." Caba's head spun. He was powerful, almighty. He could do anything! But as soon as he felt the euphoria it drained away. He trembled from the cold rain. "Lets go home Brother." Caba nodded his head and headed to his towards the car. He was feeling slow, encumbered with unseen weight. He hopped into the car and turned to Ban. "Well let’s head home."
They got home to a darkened mansion. They walked in and turned on the lights. The Boss sat in the middle of the room and stared at Caba with cold eyes. "Was it done?" "Yes boss, this guy is a natural," Caba bowed to the Boss and murmured "it was nothing for the Boss. My loyalty is with you." The Boss stood up and walked over to Caba. Ban walked outside. "Stand," He ordered Caba. Caba obeyed with speed. "You have proven yourself... to an extent. If you wish to no longer take part in our 'business' say the word and you'll be free of blood and will help in other ways." Caba studied on this. He looked up at The Boss and whispered. "I shall serve your enemies to you Boss?" The Boss's lips flashed a smile and he patted Caba affectionately. "Good night Caba," Caba felt woozy. He fell over and slept on the floor. The murder became his prominent dream.
Ch.16
Caba woke up in surprise then he remembered what happened last night. He got up and walked outside. A beautiful day, he walked over to HB's house to talk and play what he called Videogames. They were as addictive as sloter. He couldn't wait to play HB's new game. He walked up to the door and knocked. "It's Open!" cried someone from within. He entered to the fresh smell of coffee. At first Caba had disliked coffee but if he added some sugar and creamer he found it very acceptable. HB's wife walked over and asked if he wanted anything, "oh… just a cup of coffee with sugar and creamer please." "Sure," she said and hustled into the kitchen. Caba walked into the main room of HB's house to see him in his morning uniform, a pair of boxers and a wife beater. Caba couldn't help but give out a yipping laugh. HB looked over his shoulder and just stared in mock anger. Caba walked over and sat on the adjoining bean bag. HB tilted his green alcohol, a margarita. Caba had tried one and found that with enough salt they can lead you to a great place, whether others knew it or not.
HB got up and walked over to the PX26 unit and put in a small chip. A title flashed across the screen. Left Behind, Interesting Caba thought to himself. It looked like lots of fun. He sooned learned controls and really got into it until he noticed something. Those demons... they resembled Elites alarmingly well and those scary little creatures... Caba gulped down a gasp. Grunts! They looked just like grunts. He silently kept playing and noticed more and more resemblances to his Covenant origins. After he had played to level 3 he was outraged. He sat down the controller and started to leave.
"What's wrong?" asked HB with true concern. "You wouldn't notice it but those ‘evil demons’ are modelled after covenant. HB looked at the game and looked back at Caba. "I'm sorry? I hate it? Is that what you want me to say? Well I am sorry that Covenant are all portrayed as Demons and all that is evil but what can I do?" He got up and walked over to Caba. "It can't be helped Caba." Caba wouldn't listen; he didn't care at this point. He walked out the door and over to his house where he slammed the door. He had seen movies where rich men destroyed their houses in anger. Now it made perfect sense. He smashed the mirror in his hallway. He kicked in the wall and he destroyed everything he could get his hands on. He took out his knife to... his knife. The knife Suzan had given him those many years ago. He sat down on the floor and sobbed. He hadn't thought of her for so long. What had he become? He never used to act like this. He usually kept his emotions in check. He pondered on this as he drank his fifth margarita and hummed a little tune. Just wastin away, in Margarita Ville...
Ch.17
HB walked up to Caba's door. He sighed deeply and knocked. No answer. He tried the door and found it unlocked. He pushed it open and walked in. What a mess. HB smelled liquor, strong and thick. It had been 3 days since Caba's scene at his house. He walked down the hallway. A broken mirror, torn painting and wall full of holes. HB shook his head in disgust. He couldn't believe that Caba was this upset over a game.
He walked into the living room and kicked something. He looked down to see a bottle and another, yet another. HB cursed under his breath. This is un-*** believable. He walked through the house to Caba's bedroom. He heard a rambling murmur and a loud obnoxious song. He opened up the door and saw Caba on the floor swaddled in covers, screeching out the lines to Margarita Ville. HB walked over to the stereo and turned it off. Weird, he put his hand on it. "Mutherfucker!" that thing had been playing all night. He walked over to Caba and kicked him, not to lightly. "Get up." Caba blinked repeatedly as if coming out of a trance. "Spluzan..." he tried again, "Suzlan." "What are you babbling about?" "Suzan." Caba just sat there and repeated it. "Suzan." HB saw a tear slide down his face. "Suzan." he let out with a high pitched cry. “Suhuhuhuhuzan!!!! I need to see Suzan!" HB frowned.
Who is he talking a... Suzan. He had heard that name before... the Boss had said something about a Suzan and getting Caba here... he'd have to ask about that later. "Caba get up and get sober." Caba struggled up into a wobbly stand. "Yes sir!" He gave off a weak mock salute. HB hated it but it had to be done. He gave Caba a hard smack on the head. "Caba, you can't do this anymore. You have to stay sober. You can't break apart at the seams like this at every turn! If you do, you can leave here and get in a 6ft hole." This sobered Caba... to a point. He looked up at HB. "I'm sorry; I don't know what happened to me." He got up and sat on his bed. He just stared down at the floor.
"I'll keep strait, I'll keep strong, and I pledge to The Boss, I shall steel myself for the Family." He looked up at HB. "Brother?" HB walked over and slapped his back. "I'll tell Boss. Now get up and clean yourself up. You got a small job to do."
Ch.18
Caba got up and staggered to his bathroom. He cleaned up and sobered himself up with cup of coffee and a handful of aspirin. He walked outside to a blazingly bright where his head started to pound. He walked behind HB towards the old warehouse. "So it's that kind of job?" HB looked over his shoulder and nodded.
They walked in and saw Hunter speaking with Ban. They both turned to HB and Caba and waved. "Caba, how are yah? Heard you did the job up right," Hunter hollered across the warehouse. "He did it better than some, he handled it well." said Ban. Caba barely took all this in as his head was ready to fall off. This was why he hardly let himself do that. He looked up bleakly to Hunter. "Yep, but my head hurts more than Playboy's ever will. Hunter chuckled and said, "Gotta take it easy on the sauce Caba. It'll get you killed and Boss has always disliked a slush." Caba was still too hung-over to realize this was a warning.
Ban looked at Caba "Anyway, we got us a wise guy, so we're gonna need to use you as bait Caba..." Caba stiffened. He broke into a cold sweat. "What!?" "Calm down, your as safe as anyone of us. What we're gonna need from you is to be pitiful. We are going to put a small bug on you to find where a certain friend of ours is." Caba's head bounced on his shoulders, his pulse was racing.
He calmed himself. I have to do this. "When and where?" Ban grinned. "I knew you'd handle it. Well you’re gonna do it at a park on the west side of town, Fauntry Park in two days.” Suddenly Caba heard footsteps. He turned around to see The Boss. "I have a gift Caba. Guess who you get to meet?”
Ch.19
It was late at night and Caba couldn't sleep. He would see Suzan tomorrow. He hadn't seen her in 3 months; he still couldn't believe she was the contact. That she was the one who had had him set up to join The Friends. He was to go to the park and be arrested. He would then be taken to a high class security complex. He had faith in The Boss that he would get out alive... but he still couldn't sleep. He got out of bed and walked outside. What a beautiful night. He took a small walk around the gazebo and past the pond, and then behind the... what was that?
He heard a faint whispering. "We can't tell him." "I know but we have to tell him, he'll find out eventually." "Well, what do we tell him?" Caba walked slowly against the wall and saw HB and Ban talking. "He'll be a wreck, remember what happened when he thought of her? This is a little worse." Ban shook his head. "I know... I suppose you need to tell him tomorrow but for now just let him down easy. "Caba started to step backwards and stepped on a branch, "Who's there!?" Both yell in unison. Caba slowly walked out into the light of a flood light. "Me." HB shook his head in disbelief. "Well, what did you here?" “Not much." "Well... I'm sorry but... Suzan was killed tonight.
Caba shuddered, he felt numb. "Suzan?" He bearly muttered. "Yes." HB looked over at Ban. "She was shot in her home while sleeping. I'm sorry" Caba couldn't feel anything anymore. He felt nauseous. He started to sway side to side and then it hit him. Someone had killed her, his friend, his first true friend. He started to shake. "Caba?" "THOSE GODAMN FUCKIN COCKSUCKERS!!! MUTHERFUCKER!!! SHE DIDN"T DESERVE IT! WHO DID IT!! I'll slit their fuckin throat." Anger pulsed through Caba's veins; his claws trembled at his sides. He searched HB's then Ban's face for anything he could find. HB looked nervous, Ban seemed like nothing was out of place. "Tell me!" He was quivering at this point. Ban looked down at Caba. "We believe it was the URF, Apparently she saw something that was too sensitive for civilians to know."
Caba's features slackened them again. I hadn't been enough to merely destroy her store. Instead they had killed her. "Where might I find them?" Caba said coolly. His anger was subsiding to a cold rage. "We don't know. Bide yourself Caba, don't do anything I wouldn't" HB warned. "Oh no, I have a brain. I’m a smart Grunt." Caba walked away to his house. He rummaged through a drawer and found his knife or Suzan's knife. He put it into a pocket and walked outside. What a beautiful night for such terrible news. He walked to the warehouse and found Hunter fiddling with an SMG. "Hunter, could I ask you a question? What do you know about knives?" Hunter grinned and picked up a box. He opened it and showed Caba his whetstone and oil and all the tools. Caba thanked him and brought it home. He did nothing that night except sharpen Suzan’s knife.
CH.20
Caba woke up that morning with a true feeling of purpose. He was no longer merely floating on the wind but was anchored by a task. He slowly got out of bed and sharpened his knife once more. He had sharpened it for hours last night but he had had some impulse to sharpen it again. He finished up and put the knife in his pocket then walked out of his house.
"Caba!" Caba turned around to see HB waving. Caba walked up to him and asked, "So where are they?" HB stared down at Caba. "We have found the man who committed this atrocity." Caba was losing his patience. "Where?" "He lives on 45639 Portomer St" Caba cackled a little laugh. "Let's pay them a visit shall we?" HB's facial expressions changed from nervous to relaxed but Caba payed no mind to it." Alright, you got your weapon? I don't see it." "No worries friend, I have it." HB walked off to get his old 2240 Chevy. What a beautiful day to do what Caba wished. Caba barely heard as the truck rumbled up, even if it was old HB still kept it in great condition.
Caba jumped in and turned on the radio. Blues, the music of remorse... Caba switched the station to metal. No remorse today. They lurched out the compound gate and onto the highway. Caba thought about what he was to do. Before he could get too far into thought HB stopped the car. "We're here." Caba looked around at what kind of place he was at, a small ratty neighbourhood. The house they were near was the closest thing to attractive around. "Wait here." Caba hopped out of the car without a second thought. He walked up to the door and pounded on it. "Who is it?" hollered an old voice. Hold on... Yes?" Caba was face to face with a middle aged man around sixty, if Caba was any judge.
Caba walked in and sat down on a piece of furniture. This took the old man by surprise, he closed the door and stared at Caba, "what you want ya little Yapper?" Perfect, Caba raced up to the fool and stabbed him in the thigh. The man fell on his side and screamed but Caba lunged on top of him and started to beat him with his own hands. "This *smack*is what you get *smack* for killing *smack* Suzan!!!!!" His face was beginning to lose form. Caba took out the knife and implanted it into his throat as the man began to say "who?" Caba got up and cleaned himself of the best he could.
He walked outside and jumped into the car. HB said not a word as they drove back to the compound.
CH.21
Caba hopped out of the car with a jump. That's what the *** got. Caba paid his dues in full. He decided with it being only twelve that he'd go visit Hunter.
Caba had learned that Hunter actually lived in his little gun shop, using a pull down cot in back. Caba walked in to see him cleaning the Lupara .Caba felt a close relation to the gun, it was full of history. Hunter sat down the gun and looked up. "What do I owe the honour of your visit?" He mock bowed and laughed. Caba gave a chuckle and walked up to the man. "How ya been Hunt?" "Good... Good," his eyes lit up. "Oh, I got ya something, bet you'll love it." He went into the back of the shop and opened up a crate then quickly slid whatever it was into his coat pocket. He walked back up to Caba. "Guess what it is?" "A grenade?" "Nope." “A rifle?" "Closer." Caba looked up at Hunter. No way is a rifle that small. I've seen the size of Human rifles and they are at least three feet long." Hunter grinned a mischievous smile. "That's where your wrong buddy boy. This ain't Human." Caba was confused. "Then what the hell is it?" "Close your eyes and I'll give it to you." Caba liked Hunter but this was getting annoying. He closed his eyes and heard rustling as Hunter took out the rifle. "Open your eyes" He sounded excited; Caba opened his eyes and was awash in awe.
A Plasma Rifle! He held it in his claw and felt the weight of the rifle. He had never held one before; brutes never let him near one. He held it gingerly as though it may break at a tap of the claw. He looked up to Hunter and found he was speechless. "Where... Where did you get this?" Hunter looked pleased with himself. "Well, let’s just say that I had to call in a couple favours for yah." Caba was overjoyed, he wanted to shoot it but he new that if he shot it too much it would empty and be nearly useless. "Oh and I got one more surprise." He took out a small device that looked like a Human banana. "It is a recharger for that thing. Technology has come a long way since you seen one of these." Caba was amazed, a recharger. He always saw these strewn throughout a battlefield because they were out of juice. "All you have to do is every time you use it to put this charger onto the back and let it charge for two days. It will be full every time." Hunter looked like a mother hen preening over her chick. "This is wonderful!" Caba was ecstatic. "Soooo... can I shoot it here? Hunter's grin slipped but then it returned. "No, but I do know a great place to shoot. But not today, it's too late and it takes a while to get out there."
Ch.22
Caba was overjoyed with his new gift. He couldn't wait to shoot it tomorrow. He had it put up over his fire place and kept looking up at it every time afraid it may disappear. He had had a Margarita and his spirits were still rising. "What the hell, I'll shoot it right now. It will look great out at night. He walked outside with only a minor stagger. He did have a couple Margaritas. He walked until he got to the most reclusive spot on the property where he was about to open up with the rifle and then he heard another sound, like a light groaning of wood.
A door was opening but where? It was so secluded. A hatch began to slowly rise out of the ground and a cellar door from the looks of it. Caba was surprised and his instincts begged him to hide. He crawled to a small shrub and hid. "-that he doesn't know?" It sounded like HB but Caba was unsure. "Of course not, he thinks some old guy did it." Caba was sure that was The Boss. "But what if he does know? He has a very bad temper and I wish he could be kept alive." HB said with worry. "No disrespect but it’s very plain and simple. Caba does not know that we killed Suzan. Is it plain enough? I mean no disrespect but I'm sure that he has no Earthly idea that we were responsible, so calm down son. Enjoy life."
Caba swallowed, his head began to swim. He was going numb. A rage filled his veins, his vision was blurring. Those dirty bastards! They had misled him and they had told him that someone else had killed Suzan. He felt a recurring feeling, one of cold rage… a rage that was patient. He hid there until HB and Boss walked away still discussing Suzan's death. He slowly got up and walked to the warehouse. All of the lights were off and Caba sneaked in. He walked into the back to find Hunter asleep with the T.V. on; Caba slowly got beside Hunter and put the rifle to his head. "Wake up." Caba whispered. Hunter said nothing, "GET UP!" Hunter jumped out of his bed and stared at Caba in horror. What the *** are you doing?" "Who killed Suzan? Who? Don't *** with me pal. Who did it?" Hunter was afraid. He had no idea who Suzan was. Caba slowed down and thought. He was an outside member of the Family. He might not know about it. "Hunter, you have been a friend to me. Now I need an answer. Do you know who killed a very close friend of mine, Suzan." Hunter was starting to understand the situation. "Caba, I did not know anything of this." Caba sighed and got up from Hunter's chair. "I was hoping for an answer."
Hunter felt like a father to Caba, being fairly old and his giving Caba help where it was needed. "Caba, what do you want me to do? There ain't much I can do." Caba thought out and figured that his only option was this. "Grab the lupara, and follow me." Hunter obeyed and followed Caba. Caba slid into the mansion of The Boss. Hunter followed while Caba walked throughout the house and found The Boss asleep in his bed. Caba walked over and slowly got onto the bed. "The lupara," Caba whispered. Hunter nodded and handed Caba the gun. Caba poked The Boss in the head with the muzzle until he was awake. "Caba? What is going-" "Don't worry, Caba has no earthly idea that we are responsible for Suzan's death." The Boss went pale. "Like you said boss, you come in kickin-" Caba fired both barrels of the lupara into The Boss's head "-and you come out dead." Hunter was astonished. The Boss was dead. He was stuck, he was quite committed now.
Caba looked over to Hunter. "Call the police and tell them that the Don is dead." Caba waited in the room until HB ran in. "What... dad?" HB looked at Caba with pure animal hatred. "I trusted you, I helped you. We gave you shelter." Caba thought back to the happy days he had had with Suzan. "But what else did you do? You took my love." He raised the rifle and fired. Beautiful bolts flew as they exited the barrel in flames. HB crumpled into a smouldering heap, "Goodnight my friends." He sat there until he heard the sirens. Caba turned to Hunter. "My journey is finally over."
Ch.23
...It was a horrible night. The men that were standing around Caba looked at him in awe. Thay had just heard of what Caba had been through. Caba held a small session every year. Caba was bemused at their astonishment and he had learned after being released from an undisclosed area that it had been Ban that had killed his closest friend. He still didn't know the reason that caused her death, but time healed his wounds. He lived just as he had before the bombing. He was provided for by the government after being released of all accusations. He had guards that he took with him wherever he went. He got up from his seat and began to exit the room. "Caba! Mr. Caba!" Caba turned around to see a familiar looking man. He walked over to the man. "What do you need?" The man pulled a pistol out of his pocket. "The Don sends his regards." Caba heard a report and fell to the ground. He never heard the screaming civilians. He never heard the police and he never heard that warning from Hunter that he had left on Caba's phone.
The Great WarCh.5 is up
Caba's JourneyDone
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