Chapter 235: "Awooo!! Cuobala (Looking for death)!!"

Inside the bridge of the CCS-class battlecruiser:

"Captain! That group of unidentified armed forces has already taken over the valve chamber and is currently heading toward the bridge!"

"Wait, Captain! Sergeant Garol is actually guiding them!"

The bridge was filled with the reports of the elites speaking in their native language.

The golden-armored captain had long since left his designated seat and now stood next to the central control platform, watching the surveillance footage with a grim expression.

Lehman, along with four fully capable Thunder Warriors and a red-armored elite forced to act as a guide, had entered the CCS-class ship using the gravity elevator.

Due to more than 90% of the combat forces being deployed to the ground, the internal defenses of the flagship were extremely weak at the moment. But that wasn't the main point.

The key issue was that, despite being outnumbered, the combat ability and physical strength of the giants far exceeded that of the elites and the dishonorable Brutes. With only half their forces lost, they had managed to break through a defensive line guarded by an entire battalion.

"Awooo!"

The golden-armored captain let out a low growl.

He stared at Lehman on the holographic screen, along with the red-armored elite walking in front of Lehman—Garol, one of his own kind, who seemed deep in thought.

After all, he had commanded this Covenant fleet for more than six Earth years and had promoted many of his kin, with Garol being one of the juniors he had been grooming, intending to develop him into an officer capable of commanding troops independently.

The Covenant's military hierarchy wasn't too different from Earth's feudal era.

For example, blue-armored elites who commanded combat squads were often impulsive young warriors, fresh out of their home planet Sanghelios, with little real combat experience. Their rank was "sergeant."

Garol, who was leading Lehman and his team, was a higher-ranking sergeant, so his red-armored power armor appeared somewhat dull.

As for the golden-armored captain, he was a general, but sometimes referred to as the "Supreme Commander" by Grunts and Jackals, because in their eyes, he held absolute authority over the fleet.

Apart from the Brutes, who would sometimes disobey orders, all personnel were required to follow his commands.

Thus, the golden-armored captain knew each of the subordinates he had personally promoted. The fact that Garol was willingly guiding Lehman indicated that Lehman had subdued him with overwhelming martial skill.

"Interesting."

The golden-armored captain muttered to himself, and his gaze revealed a certain... "fervor"?

It seemed that, as a member of a warrior race, he hoped to face Lehman in combat.

After a brief silence, the golden-armored captain ordered, "Notify the guards to accompany me to the connector area. The rest will remain on the bridge. Also, send a few combat squads to the engine room to protect Engineer Halak."

"Yes, Captain."

After giving all the commands, the golden-armored captain turned and walked out of the bridge.

Swoosh—

As the automatic doors opened and closed, the "Supreme Commander," whose physique and height far exceeded that of ordinary elites by about 30 centimeters, left the bridge.

Meanwhile, the twenty elite guards waiting outside began to move toward the nearby, more spacious connector area.

These twenty guards were also among the best in the elite ranks, both in size and strength.

They were equipped with more advanced power armor, painted in a bright orange hue close to gold, and wielded long spear-like energy lances.

The blades and tips of their lances emitted a faint blue energy glow, accompanied by a slight humming sound.

While they appeared as "energy blades," they were actually high-temperature, high-energy plasma, confined by a magnetic field.

Atlas had similar technology, but had not yet managed to miniaturize it for individual use, and it was currently only employed in the "Titan" project, which involved giant mech weapons.

Not long after, the golden-armored captain led his personal guard to the connector area, which linked various sections of the ship and had several deck corridors.

The walls here were coated in a light purple paint, and the area was about the size of six basketball courts.

They waited patiently for a moment.

Swoosh—

Soon, one of the automatic doors opened.

Thud, thud!

The heavy footsteps of magnetic boots, worn by those in Mithril power armor and Titan armor, echoed through the connector area.

Lehman, the four Thunder Warriors, and the "guide" Garol appeared before the golden-armored captain and the elite guards.

"Waiting for us? Well, well, saves us a lot of time."

Lehman casually quipped, then looked down at Garol and said:

"Buddy, go explain to your commander."

"Awooo."

Garol sighed helplessly, stepping out of the group and moving to the center of the connector area. Using their native Sangheili language, he began to explain:

"Commander, I... please forgive me for guiding them."

"Who are they?" The golden-armored captain asked directly, not dwelling on why Garol had done what he did.

"I don't know either. They appeared in the forest using a miraculous teleportation system.

Afterward, they only targeted the Brutes, showing mercy toward our kind. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing before you now.

Additionally..."

Garol proceeded to report everything he had witnessed to the golden-armored captain.

From Lehman's perspective, all he heard was a series of "Awo?" "Awo," and "Awo!"

A few minutes later.

Garol solemnly said, "Commander, I believe they already knew some of our information and intelligence before formally contacting us.

Moreover, they understand the Brutes are scum, which is why they chose to kill them without hesitation while showing care toward us Sangheili."

"Hmm," the golden-armored captain nodded slightly. "It seems they may have something to ask of us, or perhaps they hope to form an alliance with us, but!"

As he spoke, the captain gripped two sword-hilt-like objects and, with a flick of each hand—

Buzz! Buzz!

Two dazzling blue plasma blades extended instantly from the hilts, taking shape.

The golden-armored captain stared directly at Lehman, whose helmet's visor emitted a red glow, and said in a heavier tone:

"But I need to personally verify whether they are worthy of forming an alliance with the Sangheili."

"..."

Hearing this, Garol wisely stepped aside.

Lehman, seeing the situation, also understood that the golden-armored captain wanted to duel him.

Courageous indeed.

Without a word, he slowly stepped forward and mimicked the captain's movements. Drawing his Frost Sword with his right hand, he gave it a powerful flick.

Crackle—Boom!

Bright blue psionic lightning crackled along the gleaming blade.

Then, Lehman raised his left hand and waved it at the captain, a gesture full of provocation.

"Awooo!! Cuobala (Looking for death)!!"

The golden-armored captain naturally understood the intent behind the gesture. Immediately, he charged toward Lehman.

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