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  • Subject: Halo Fanfic: The End of a War
Subject: Halo Fanfic: The End of a War
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Posted by: Havoc208
One reason I think 343 is tricking people: In the heretic base the leader says, the prophets are wrong or something a long those lines, and then arbiter asks who told you this, and 343 floats down.


I think the floating down is coincedence.

Yes! 900th reply.

[Edited on 3/18/2005 12:47:41 PM]

  • 03.18.2005 12:47 PM PDT
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Imagine how hard it must be for Mr. Clark and other fanfic wrighters to make since of all these theories and choose one to continue with. Especially in the halo games you can miss a lot the first couple times through since they can just be little dilaoge during play that tell you more that can be easy to miss and for me i have had times when someoe could be saying something important and i'am to busy trying to take care of 2 brutes charging at me.

  • 03.18.2005 1:21 PM PDT
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i'm just wondering when is the next chapter is comin out? i havn't been on here in awile

  • 03.18.2005 2:25 PM PDT
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Chapter 13 should be out late late late Saturday night. I've got a few things to do that day, so it will take me a long time to get around back to my laptop. Then there's the PM's as well.

So, for those that live in North American, you should wake up Sunday morning with a PM from yours truly and a link to the chapter.

  • 03.18.2005 3:31 PM PDT
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Great Story. I love it. And i love you in a totally not -blam!- way.

  • 03.18.2005 4:04 PM PDT
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lol and dont say this is a waste of space

  • 03.18.2005 11:12 PM PDT
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Yes! Chapter 13 is going to be here soon!
I'm so happy *sniff*

  • 03.19.2005 2:09 AM PDT

I shall cut into 343 Industries Headquarters, retrieve the Halo Bible and burn any 343 Industries employee that stands in my way.

Grand Hierarch of the Covenant Elite Community!

Saturday night? That's at least 10 hours from now. I don't know if i can make it!

  • 03.19.2005 2:12 AM PDT
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Posted by: Master Lucky NL
Saturday night? That's at least 10 hours from now. I don't know if i can make it!


We will just have to be strong.... lol.

  • 03.19.2005 2:13 AM PDT
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lets do the kirby dance while were waiting


<(' ' <) <(' ' <) ^( ' ' )^ ^( ' ' )^ v( ' ' )v v( ' ' )v (> ' ')> (> ' ')>

wait a mo dose that mean that those of us in uk won't recive it till about midday sunday god that sucks

oh well at least ill have it up for my group members awakening

[Edited on 3/19/2005 4:05:10 AM]

  • 03.19.2005 3:58 AM PDT
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yeah when will us in blighty recevive it? i suppose it dependes on what part of america mr_clark lives in. oh well Chapter 13 very very very soon. yay

  • 03.19.2005 5:19 AM PDT
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Posted by: highland brute
lets do the kirby dance while were waiting


<(' ' <) <(' ' <) ^( ' ' )^ ^( ' ' )^ v( ' ' )v v( ' ' )v (> ' ')> (> ' ')>

wait a mo dose that mean that those of us in uk won't recive it till about midday sunday god that sucks

oh well at least ill have it up for my group members awakening


Highland Brute: no offense but what is it with you and that weird Kirby Dance?

  • 03.19.2005 5:42 AM PDT
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i dunno i just think its soo funny

and mr c lives in canada not the us so we should get it about 8 hours from the bungie time that he says he will release it from so if he says 8 am Bt we get it at 2pm local time

[Edited on 3/19/2005 7:52:51 AM]

  • 03.19.2005 6:40 AM PDT
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I live in Holland.
That's +9 hours.
If it's up on Bungie around 11:00 PM , then I would have to look on a Sunday morning at 8:00 AM.

  • 03.19.2005 8:10 AM PDT
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Mr Clark lives in Edmonton Alberta thats in Canada >.>

  • 03.19.2005 8:38 AM PDT
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i know i said that

  • 03.19.2005 10:54 AM PDT
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can't wait till 2pm bt or 10pm gmt

[Edited on 3/19/2005 1:50:11 PM]

  • 03.19.2005 12:42 PM PDT
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You should put this in the fan fic section at halo babies

  • 03.19.2005 1:50 PM PDT
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Chapter 13 is here, the PM's have been sent, and I found some time on my hands so I'm posting it a wee bit early.

The rant at the start of the chapter was directed at those on fanfiction.net so you guys shouldn't worry, its not a remark to you.

[Edited on 3/19/2005 1:59:10 PM]

  • 03.19.2005 1:56 PM PDT
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Hey Mr_Clark apparently you (and afew others here) read alot of Clancy books.
I just finished reading Exit Wounds by J.A. Jance and I'm thinking about getting a new clancy book.
Do you have any reccomendations?
I want something suspenseful but not to suspenseful and something with action but not a blind shootout of death with no emotion.
In other words something worthwhile.
There was a book I saw at hastings about terrorists who held up a Catholic church in Africa.
I beleive it was part of the Op Force series.

  • 03.19.2005 1:57 PM PDT
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.....

[Edited on 3/19/2005 2:15:01 PM]

  • 03.19.2005 1:58 PM PDT
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Author’s Notes: *sigh* I was pleased to see so many people enjoyed my look into the Covenant’s past, but unfortunately I received several e-mails asking me just what the hell was going on in that chapter. I’ve attributed this to people not reading the large, bolded author’s notes I put at the top of the chapter, and I suppose I’m pissing in the wind to think that if they skipped that author’s note, they’ll most likely skip this one and be thoroughly confused once more.

I will reiterate then, if you are indeed one of the people that reviewed or e-mailed me about a lack of understanding then please READ THIS! You will all remember that at the end of Chapter 11, the Arbiter agrees to explain how the Covenant was created. What we’ve got here is a look into the Covenant’s past, without me having to make a big long boring couple of chapters with just the Arbiter talking. By doing things differently, I now can also add in foreshadowing to later plot developments that will become very important later on in the story, and give us all a look into certain events that not even the Arbiter knows about.

There are seven Covenant Time periods, called Ages. Within each Age, there are more time periods broken up. For example, in Halo 2, we’re in the 9th Age of Reclamation. The previous chapter, Chapter 12, was the Second Age of Abandonment, describing the war that occurred between the Prophets and Elites before the formation of the Covenant.

Therefore, Chapter 12 occurred WAY before Halo. Were talking amazingly far in the past. Didn’t you wonder why the Elites were using spears and daggers?

End of long rant.



The End of a War

Chapter 13

Fifth Age of Discovery

Fascinating. The collapsible frame allows the weapon to be discretely concealed whether strapped to an arm, or hidden within a suit of armor. It would be useless outside of arms reach, and the creators must have realized this, as they have made it capable of concealment, where the lack of a weapon would lull the enemy into a false sense of security.

The weapon in question sat upon a metal table, its surface a dull gray. Various tools were littered about, many of which appeared to have been cut in half. The Sangheili studying the device suddenly hefted it into his hands and activated a hidden switch by gripping the handle. With an exaggerated flourish, an intense energy spurted forth from the hilt where the Sangheili had a hold on it. The energy stopped its forward momentum half a foot away from the hilt.

Ido Naslum watched with unkempt rapture as the solid energy continued to exist in its state. The Sangheili, with emphasized care, moved from his perch before the table and walked to the far end of the room where a series of rocks sat on a table. Picking up one of the rocks, Naslum tossed it into the air and as it began to descend, swung the energy dagger swiftly. The rock continued to fall as if nothing had happened to it. Once it hit the ground, the stone split in two, the severed sides a perfect mirror sheen of each other.

“I see you have figured out what the new weapon is capable of,” a voice spoke from behind Naslum. Turning, Naslum saw Field Marshal Romsunee handling one of the instruments he had sliced in two with the energy blade. Fumbling, he hit the release and the concentrated energy emerging from the hilt disappeared with a low hum.

“Marshal Romsunee, I didn’t hear you come in,” Naslum said by way of greeting. He was wary of military personnel. They all seemed to look down upon him simply because he did not hold an actual rank.

“Enraptured with your work were you?” Romsunee asked wryly. He cast his eyes about, studying the room as if he expected Naslum to be holding some kind of contraband.

“Well, once you see what this new devise can do, I’m sure you’ll understand why I may appear somewhat scattered at the moment.”

Field Marshall Romsunee watched idly as Naslum activated the weapon, his eyes widening as he saw the concentrated energy spring to life. He followed Naslum’s motions with the energy blade, enraptured. When Naslum activated the release, its was as if he had woken from a dream. The Sangheili officer shook his head slightly, forcing the cobwebs from his mind.

“Quite interesting,” Romsunee said absently. “I have come however, for another task.”

Naslum set the weapon on the table as he turned to look at the officer in anticipation.

“The Holy Prophet of Law has announced that work is nearing completion on the first line of carriers, modeled after the grand ships of the Forerunner.”

“Excellent news,” Naslum said, trying to keep the boredom from his voice. He wasn’t very interested in the expanse of the military, but to show anything aside from complete devotion would be noted by Romsunee, and most likely passed on to the Lower Prophet that controlled their unit.

“Indeed,” Romsunee nodded stiffly. “Since the fleet is almost ready for deployment, it has been decided that they will be deployed to the next likely planet that houses Forerunner technology.”

That bit of news was somewhat puzzling to Naslum. The fleet had just been finished, and typically, that would mean a series of tests needed to be carried out to confirm that they would function properly. During the Lekgolo Taming, several uneasy battles had nearly been lost when the first prototype ships had torn themselves apart after repeated firing of the main plasma cannon. Naslum himself had observed some of the wreckages of the old prototypes.

“So soon? Has any preliminary tests been done?” Naslum asked. Romsunee shrugged his shoulders and turned to walk out of the lab.

“Your presence will be needed on one of the ships. The Prophet of Infinitude has ordered that as many scholars and scientists that we can spare to join the fleet.”

“But my research…” Naslum trailed off, seeing the intense gaze that Marshal Romsunee threw over his shoulder. “I will gather my things and report to the holy Prophet at once.”

Romsunee continued exited the lab, throwing a parting comment of, “See that you do.”

Military dog, Naslum fumed to himself. Instead of analyzing Forerunner artifacts, they will have me go on a foolish search, with no direction aside from a senile Prophet who believes he can speak to the Gods. To think at one time the Sangheili had lived upon a planet rich in culture. Now we have been reduced to the Prophet’s caretakers. Where are the great warriors of old? Is it because of my ancestry that I have been delegated to this degrading position?

Gathering some of the still intact tools inside the lab, Naslum turned to leave. His gaze however, slipped back to the small devise he had been fiddling with before. A quick glance about reassured him that no one else was around and the Sangheili moved back into the room, depositing the weapon into his robes.

With my luck, the Prophets will have found a new race they wish to assimilate into the Covenant, or maybe even more ruins they wish to worship.

----------------------------------

Ebusa Logi Forru watched contemptuously as the platoons of Unggoy and Kig-yar began boarding the flagship, Conviction of Fealty. Ogada Logi Iobu, his bond brother, was behind Forru and he could feel the contempt his bond brother felt for the pathetic creatures. The two Lekgolo had been assigned to the Conviction of Fealty, as the ship was the craft that several high ranking Prophets and Sangheili would be traveling aboard. Forru and Iobu had fought the Covenant during the period they had come to refer to as the 'Red Sun'. When the sky had ceased being the source of wonder and life, and had turned into a sea of fire.

Forru had killed many Sangheili during that time, and he had earned the right to bear his Line's name. Such an honor had been tainted however, when the Lekgolo had been forced into submission by the Covenant fleet. Ground combat was what the Lekgolo excelled at, but orbital bombardments from their capital ships could not be defended against. Forru did not bear the Sangheili or the Prophets any ill will; in fact he was pleased over their decision to assimilate the Lekgolo into the Covenant. The Sangheili were worthy enemies, and the Prophets were messengers from the Gods that the Lekgolo had never known existed. The Forerunner had left behind a piece of their legacy on Forru's home world, and because of that they accepted the Prophet's offer to join their Holy cause. It was what came with the acceptance into the Covenant that Forru found troubling.

The caste system inside the Covenant was made of stone, an unbreakable agreement struck amongst all of the members. The Prophets served as the voice of the Gods, while the Sangheili were the body. The Lekgolo, Unggoy, and Kig-yar were simply tools, forced into conformity. The promise of a greater existence lightened the humiliation that the Lekgolo faced by being forced to fight alongside the pathetic beings.

  • 03.19.2005 1:59 PM PDT
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The last group of Sangheili came aboard the craft, Forru and Iobu close behind them. The Sangheili warriors nodded respectfully at the two Lekgolo before moving on deeper into the ship. Forru motioned for Iobu to stop, as he had noticed two final Sangheili approaching. One of them Forru recognized, he was one of the many Sangheili that had been given the title of experimenting with Forerunner technology, and then implementing it into the Covenant recreations. Normally only the Hunagok were granted permission to handle objects left behind by the Forerunner, but Sangheili that have the ability are given titles that allow them access. This Sangheili that Forru recognized had personally outfitted his armor with the weapon he now bore on his right flank.

For a Sangheili technician to be joining this fleet it must mean that we are heading to another planet that houses the Gods legacy. Would that I am able to see the glory of the Forerunner's power, I would be content. My bond brother and I are but tools however, and we will be used as such. The honor of seeing such a holy structure does not fall upon me, but the Sangheili and the Prophets.

-----------------------------------

Conviction of Fealty broke free of Slip Space, the small split in space the ship created crackled angrily for a moment before closing. Ido Naslum shook slightly from the feeling of coming out of such a forceful tear. Everyone aboard had been forced into the lower holds once the ship had entered Slip Space. This was the first time a Covenant created vessel had ever attempted such a move, and despite the assurances by the Prophets that the ship was their gift from the Gods, there were feelings of apprehension amongst the crew.

Field Marshal Romsunee had instructed Naslum on his duties aboard the ship, then departed, leaving the Sangheili to ponder just what could be so important that the High Council would order the immediate departure of the first line of capital ships. Even the Grand Holy Prophet of Law had joined with the fleet, in the Forerunner ship, Forgotten Legacy. Such an action was highly unheard of, as the Grand Prophet of Law was the oldest and wisest amongst the Prophets. It was said that when he was but a Lower Prophet on the home world of the holy Prophets, that he had discovered the Forerunner legacy. Even one such as Naslum, who had doubts over the origins of the Forerunner could not disagree that the Grand Prophet of Law was a holy symbol of all that the Covenant stood for.

Whatever our destination may be, I fear that battle and war will be necessary before the Prophet's true intentions are made clear, Naslum thought to himself. His eyes moved back and forth over the rows of Sangheili who, now that the ship had exited Slip Space, were beginning to prepare their armor and weapons. Naslum found the plasma weapons to be distasteful, and didn't bother stepping forward to retrieve any. Ever since he had been young, Naslum had known he would never be a soldier; the whole prospect of fighting and dying for the Prophet's holy cause was not appealing to him. Many of those he had grown up and trained in the tribunals with had not shared that opinion and shunned Naslum for voicing them.

Shaking off the disorientation that seemed to befall him when Conviction of Fealty had exited Slip Space, Naslum moved out from the lower holds. Working his way through the many decks inside the ship, he eventually found his way to the bridge. It was with slight apprehension that the Sangheili scientist entered through the port side, and stopped just inside the doors. The bridge was a flurry of activity, Sangheili worked frantically at halo-panels and tablets with a language Naslum recognized as the Forerunner's dialect scrolling across them. He was about to leave silently when a voice spoke up from the center of the bridge.

"It is a pleasure to see that the transition from Slip Space did not cause you any harm Naslum."

The Lower Prophet that had spoken to him was looking out at the many transmitters that showed what appeared to be some kind of orbital station in orbit around a planet. Naslum would not have thought that the Prophet had spoken to him if it weren't for the many cross glares the other Sangheili shot at him. For a Prophet to address a lower species by their given name was a grand honor, and one that was typically only bestowed upon those that participated in the High Council.

"I thank you for your concern, your holiness, this unworthy one does not deserve such treatment," Naslum replied, bowing his head slightly. His views on the Covenant and the Forerunner may have no followed those of the High Council, but he was still humbled by the Prophet's concern.

The Prophet seemed content with Naslum's response, and turned slightly, his hand motioning for Naslum to join him. The Prophet stood high on the bridge, it's hands molded to the bars fastened to the ledge. Aware of the hostile eyes upon him, Naslum climbed to where the Prophet stood and moved in beside him.

"Do you know what that is Sangheili?" the Prophet asked Naslum, pointing out towards the orbital station.

"This unworthy one does not, excellency," Naslum admitted humbly.

"I will enlighten you then," the Lower Prophet said. "When we found the Kig-yar home planet, the Forerunner installation upon their planet spoke to the High Prophet of Law, informing him that during our holy search we have come closer to discovering the true secrets of the Forerunner. The divine secrets of our ancestors informed him that there were a series of sacred ring worlds that would give us the answers to our inquiries. This installation," he indicated the orbital station, 'may give us the answers to where we will find the sacred ring worlds."

"If you may grant this unworthy one to speak I must ask why is it that my brethren are preparing for battle in the lower holds. Has the installation been taken over by another species?"

The question may have seemed innocent to Naslum, but the Prophet turned and stared hard at him for a long moment. Finally he laughed lightly and turned back to the displays.

"The Gods must test those that seek the answers of time, Naslum, and we have seen in the past that many infidels have defiled the holy structures with their presence."

Why do I feel that remark was more aimed towards the Sangheili? Naslum asked himself, even as he nodded along with the Prophets words. His gaze returned to the orbital station, and as the ship grew closer he realized just how large it was. There were several docking stations that he could make out, and it looked as if the Prophet intended to fit the Conviction of Fealty into one.

“You may return to the lower holds Naslum,” the Prophet said. “Strike teams will disembark first, and I wish for you to be in the second wave. Any piece of the Forerunner technology you see you will record and make a document of. If it is possible retrieve a sample.”

“At once, your holiness,” Naslum said, bowing low once more before exiting the bridge and returning to the lower decks.

There is something inside of that station, and the Prophets know what it is.

----------------------------------

It was not often that Forru and his bond brother Iobu had ever felt fear. They had each faced thousands of battles before, and fought against implausible odds, always coming away the victor. There had not ever been reason to pause in battle for the two Lekgolo, not until the Sangheili and the Prophets had made the sky turn red, and let fire reign upon their planet. The emotion that had come from that battle shamed Forru and Iobu, and the two made a silent pack that they would never show pause when faced with an enemy.

That oath appeared to have broken however, for once they debarked from the ship into the docking station aboard the orbital structure, raw fear had lanced down through their bodies.

There was no enemy for them to fight though, and that angered the two bond brothers more than their shameful display did. The docking station itself reeked of old blood, and the platforms were stained a deep red, with patches of yellow. It appeared as if a battle had taken place not too long ago, but the Prophets had informed them that nothing had set foot in the station for thousands of years.

Attempting to rid himself of the fear that accosted him, Forru began to lumber forward with Iobu moving up beside him. One of the Sangheili commanders called out for them to cease their actions, but Forru ignored him and entered through an access way that lay near the end of the docking station. The corridors were wide enough to accommodate the Lekgolo pair, and they moved through with no hindrance.

From what little I have learned about these space stations, the scholars have said that by conserving oxygen throughout the station, chemicals and bio forms are preserved in their natural state. Perhaps this is why the blood does not look too old, and why the reintroduction of oxygen has brought with it the odor of death, Forru contemplated to himself. The corridor the two Lekgolo walked down ended with another sliding door that led into some kind of enclosure.

The architecture of the room was expertly designed. Asymmetrically built, hardened support columns and capsules with strange liquid inside filled the room. Forru moved forward, towards one of the capsules. Gazing intently at the strange liquid, he noticed there were objects swimming inside. He had moved closer to the glass when Iobu grunted. Rising back up and turning, Forru followed Iobu’s gestures at one of the support columns.

  • 03.19.2005 2:02 PM PDT
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Forru approached what Iobu had indicated, and then he heard what must have cause Iobu’s attention. A high pitched squishing noise was being omitted from behind the column. With a quick glance Forru began priming the weapon attached to his armor, as Iobu did the same. Forru kept his pacing slow and even, Iobu moved off to the other side of the column, prepared to flank whatever was waiting for the two Lekgolo.

When they had finally moved close enough to see what awaited them, both warriors paused. The creature was small, barely larger than Forru’s head; and it was yellow. It’s appearance seemed almost parasitic in nature.

As if noticing the two for the first time, the small parasitic form turned towards Forru and leapt at him. Reacting on his instinct, he raised his left arm and batted the creature away. Rather than bounce off the large shield Forru had used, the creature exploded with an audible popping noise. Yellow liquid splashed across Forru, and spores that appeared to have been inside the creature fell to the ground.

Forru and Iobu glanced at one another in confusion, just as more of the high squeaking noise was emitted. The two Lekgolo had only enough time to glance up at the ceiling before the parasitic forms were upon them.

----------------------------------

Ido Naslum was quite worried after departing from the Conviction of Fealty. The strike teams had gone ahead the moment the ship touched down inside the hanger, and the reports that were being sent back did very little to set the Sangheili’s mind at ease.

Blood staining the walls and deck. No bodies accounting for the massive amounts of old blood, and a mysterious liquid that coated the decks and controls. It appears the Prophet was right. Some infidels did attempt to take over this station, but something inside murdered them. Who’s to say we won’t suffer the same fate?

As his feet hit the cool deck, Naslum noticed a pair of Lekgolo move off down one of the passage ways leading away from the docking station. One of the strike team commanders bellowed at them but for all appearances the Lekgolo seemed to have not heard him.

Hopefully whatever’s lurking in this orbital station will attack the Lekgolo first. I’d rather have a little warning before some kind of demon attacks me.

“Come along Naslum, the Prophet gave you a task to complete, and you shall do so.”

A sigh nearly escaped Naslum when he heard Romsunee speak from behind him.

“The strike teams have not cleared the station,” Naslum pointed out, though he knew such a detail would not register with the Field Marshal.

“This station has been abandoned for thousands of years,” Romsunee said absently, moving off the docking bay and towards one of the access ways. “The Prophets have put their faith in us, and I will not let them be disappointed.”

How did our race go from such a proud civilization to the role of a tool for lesser beings? Naslum asked himself rhetorically as he followed Romsunee deeper into the station.

----------------------------------

A cry of rage escaped Forru as he swung the massive shield molded to his left arm. Twenty of the parasitic creatures exploded, which set off a chain reaction. Hundreds of them popped and splashed the putrid liquid and spores around the room. The air was thick with the spores that the parasite were filled with, and Forru was certain he had breathed some of them in.

The parasites did not pose much a threat to the two Lekgolo. Their main form of attack was to simply jump at them, and try to attach themselves to the Lekgolo’s neck. Several times the creatures had succeeded in their form of attack, but all they did was stab a long thing needle like plunger down, and then explode. Forru had barely felt the resulting damage, and quickly concluded that the parasite posed little threat to them.

What they lacked in strength however, they made up for in numbers. After only an hour of battle the Lekgolo had destroyed countless parasites. Forru was certain his armor would be forever stained the thick yellow that it was now drenched in.

A heavy blast from the side confirmed that Iobu had just fired his weapon, and the ensuing destruction of the hundreds of parasites sounded next. Forru had misjudged however, and he breathed in a large quantity of the spores released after Iobu’s attack.

Curse these parasites. My body is beginning to slow. It must be something to do with those spores.

Turning himself around, Forru nodded at Iobu and motioned to the door, signaling for them to retreat. Iobu seemed surprised for a moment, before he saw the labored breaths his bond brother was taking. With one final shot at the parasite he joined Forru in leaving through the passage they had taken to get there.

After running for only a short time, Forru’s body felt as if it were on fire; his insides burned angrily with each step he took. By the time they reached the hanger his vision was blurred, and he could barely make out the ship sitting in the bay. The sudden wave of plasma that slammed into him however, he did notice.

A shout of outrage came from Iobu as Forru fell to the deck floor. His bond brother fired his weapon at the creatures that had opened fire, and a volley of plasma shots were fired at him in return. Forru heard Iobu fall beside him and he used his last bit of strength to crane his neck, so that his final vision would be of his bond brother.

-----------------------------------

I have seen many Forerunner structures in the past, but this one is different. It appears to be some kind of laboratory. What were the Forerunner studying? Another organism?

Naslum found it hard to keep up with Field Marshall Romsunee’s pace, as he kept stopping and staring in wonder at the many different devices and structures that were present in each room. As always, the station had a kind of perfect asymmetrical design, something Romsunee had come to expect from every Forerunner installation they came across.

With each step that took the two Sangheili deeper into the orbital station, they were encountering more and more of the laboratory styled rooms. Glass tubes filled with a strange liquid were abundant, and on closer inspection Naslum saw that some kind of organism was inside.

To have survived so many years without any kind of attendance, what kind of species could do such a thing?

His wonderings were interrupted when Romsunee spoke harshly for Naslum to hurry up. The scientist merely glanced back in irritation as he cast one final glance at the organisms. Romsunee had begun to get on his nerves with his incessant urgings.

The next set of doors took them into a much larger room, with hieroglyphic writings on the walls. Naslum ran his hands briefly across the symbols, his hand coming away in surprise when he felt a pulse of warmth come from them. A gentle throng of machinery moving echoed through the room and in the center of the room light sprang forth, and was molded into an image.

It was a moment before Naslum could make out the image, as the sudden influx of light had momentarily blinded him. When it did become clear however, he felt his body freeze, his heart nearly stopping from the shock. Romsunee was barely anymore coherent, but he had the state of mind to drop down onto his knees and bow low to the ground.

The image had molded itself into the figure of a creature. It’s body was swathed in robes, and it was impossible for Naslum to make out what it looked like. There was little doubt however, that the figure he was staring at was a Forerunner.

Naslum took a hesitant step forward, and paused with surprise as the Forerunner’s gaze seemed to follow him. Romsunee snarled out for Naslum to bow before the holy figure, but he couldn’t.

“Holy one, you are indeed a Forerunner?” Romsunee asked, still bowed low to the ground, not even looking at the image. The Forerunner turned and looked at Romsunee and spoke. The words that came from it were incomprehensible to the two Sangheili, and the Forerunner seemed to notice that, as it paused. There was a moment of indecision between the Sangheili as they waited for the Forerunner to do something once more.

“Your language is styled after ours,” the Forerunner commented, now speaking the language of the Covenant. Naslum and Romsunee were taken aback for a moment.

Adaptive software must be inside this station. To only hear the limited amounts of speech between the strike teams, and yet be able to formulate the remainder of our language is truly remarkable. What power they possessed, Naslum thought to himself.

“Have the Flood been contained?” the Forerunner asked, his tone hard.

“The Flood, Holy one?” Romsunee responded in confusion. The Forerunner seemed to gaze inwards for a moment.

“You must flee this installation. Destroy it with your ships. There is an evil here that must not be released.”

The response that been ready inside Romsunee’s throat died when something fell from the ceiling and latched onto his neck. A shout of surprise came from the Sangheili warrior before he collapsed on the ground.

Naslum watched with horror as the creature plunged something into Romsunee’s neck, and after a moment began to crush itself into the tiny hole it had made.

“Leave this place,” the Forerunner said to Naslum, it’s tone a direct contrast to what the Sangheili was staring at. “You have brought this upon yourselves, leave now or you will surely die.”

  • 03.19.2005 2:06 PM PDT