. . . "\u201CJul \u2018Mdama\u2019s forces have stood down completely,\u201D Tuka reported. The young warrior stood respectfully at attention even though he towered over Stray. It was strange to have anyone address him so observantly. Simon\u2014no, no, it was Stray now, now and forever\u2014couldn\u2019t recall anyone standing at attention for him, ever. Ro\u2019nin lurked a few paces behind Tuka looking decidedly less formal\u2014though that was to be expected. \u201CWhatever you told him worked. All Kru\u2019desh ships are being ordered to fall into formation with the main fleet.\u201D \u201CI doubt this is a trap,\u201D Ro\u2019nin put in. \u201CMy associates aboard \u2018Mdama\u2019s flagship tell me he has already begun concocting explanations as to why a human now leads the raiding detachment.\u201D Stray waited a moment before answering. He turned his face out at the viewport, watching the stars mingle with the glowing engines from the Covenant warships. An entire armada stretched out before him, power far greater than anything he had ever known. And now he wielded a part of that power. A part, for now. And before long, more than just a part. The thought sent shivers coursing down his still-aching body. His fingers twitched and tapped against the helmet at his side. \u201CWell, that\u2019s that then,\u201D he said aloud, face twisting into a painful smile. \u201COur little coup worked. Congratulations, we\u2019re not all going to get fried. Not today, anyway.\u201D \u201CI expect our fortunes will improve under the new management,\u201D Ro\u2019nin remarked. \u201CYour predecessor was a decent commander, in his own way, but he lacked a certain business sense. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll bring a little more of that into our operation here.\u201D \u201CDon\u2019t worry.\u201D Stray waved a hand\u2014his new prosthetic. It still felt bizarre to be moving with the metallic appendage. He felt a strange tingling sensation sweep down the limb. \u201CI\u2019ll keep you guys well fed.\u201D \u201CThat\u2019s all I\u2019ve ever asked.\u201D Ro\u2019nin dipped his head in a mocking bow. \u201CI do hope we\u2019ll be able to put all the past unpleasantness behind us.\u201D The agony of scalpels etching into his bare flesh. The stench of his own burning skin filling his nostrils. That look of pleasant serenity on Ro\u2019nin\u2019s face as he stared down at the operating table. Stray\u2019s smile widened. \u201COf course. I\u2019ll turn the page if you can.\u201D \u201CYou are too kind.\u201D Tuka stepped forward, rummaging for something at his side. \u201CI almost forgot. I have something for you, Simon.\u201D The voice issuing forth from Tuka\u2019s mandibles was suddenly not his own but Diana\u2019s. The name stung in his ears, dripping with mockery and humiliation. Stray fought the urge to recoil. \u201CDon\u2019t call me that. Never again.\u201D Tuka inclined his head. \u201COf course. My apologies, Commander.\u201D He produced a ragged scrap of purple cloth and offered it to Stray. \u201CI took this from the\u2026 previous commander.\u201D The previous commander. The rush of power as he wrapped his hands around the Sangheili\u2019s neck. The thrill as he grew still and cold beneath him. Oh right. I killed him, too. He looked down at the cloth and remembered seeing ones like it hanging from the shoulders of other Covenant leaders. As his prosthetic fingers brushed against the cloth he realized that this was it. The moment Diana had brought him to. The moment he chose for himself. I put this on and I\u2019m part of the Covenant. The very enemy he\u2019d been raised to kill. The enemy that had killed so many. But they weren\u2019t my enemy. They never were. He lowered his hand and turned away from Tuka without taking the cloth. \u201CWell? What are you waiting for?\u201D he asked, his voice steady and commanding. Not Simon\u2019s voice at all. Someone else entirely. \u201CWell,\u201D Diana murmured in his earpiece as Tuka draped the cloth over his shoulder. \u201CHere you are at last. Beautiful, isn\u2019t it? Now do you see why I did what I did? You could never have come this far as Simon. You have the power. Now all you have to do is keep it. Keep it, and take more and more.\u201D Stray nodded as Tuka stepped away. \u201CGo on, both of you. Get the warriors ready to move out. We have work to do.\u201D Tuka saluted and left without a word. Ro\u2019nin hesitated by the door. \u201CFeed me well,\u201D he said and then he, too, was gone. Stray was alone. Alone. Yes, I\u2019m alone now. His fingers tightened against his helmet. Alone, and with all the power he\u2019d ever wanted. This is what I want. This is what I want. He squeezed his eyes closed, shutting out the stars. For a moment he saw it all again, everything Diana\u2019s probes had revealed. Venter dead at his feet. Colonies ablaze before him. Gavin\u2019s neck snapping in his hands. Cassandra lying on the bed beneath him, helpless, vulnerable\u2026 Another shudder coursed through his body. I have met the monster. And he is me. The faces, the friends, the family of the past all burned away and rose up like ashes behind him. It was gone. All gone. All that remained was the future he would carve for himself. He opened his eyes and felt something hot and damp on his cheeks. He reached up and brushed his face with the prosthetic hand, finding tears quivering upon its metallic fingers. He stared at the tears for a moment, uncomprehending. Then the hand became a cold, iron fist. Yes. The time for regrets was over. Simon was dead and Stray was more alive than ever. These are the last tears I will ever shed. He turned from the viewport and strode from the room, donning his helmet and sealing himself away once again. His warriors were waiting for him. There was work to be done."@en . "\u201CJul \u2018Mdama\u2019s forces have stood down completely,\u201D Tuka reported. The young warrior stood respectfully at attention even though he towered over Stray. It was strange to have anyone address him so observantly. Simon\u2014no, no, it was Stray now, now and forever\u2014couldn\u2019t recall anyone standing at attention for him, ever. Ro\u2019nin lurked a few paces behind Tuka looking decidedly less formal\u2014though that was to be expected. \u201CWhatever you told him worked. All Kru\u2019desh ships are being ordered to fall into formation with the main fleet.\u201D \u201CYou are too kind.\u201D"@en . . "The Last Tears"@en . . .