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Subject: Halo: Heretic or Hero?----------------- An elite story

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

He looked to the heavens, as if it would give him and answer.

And, oddly enough, it did.

“Past your bedtimes, isn’t it boys?” he asked innocently. “Maybe it’s time we all go sleepy-bye.”

“What are you doing?” Cholahee argued, although Hunter could tell he was smiling (or clicking his mandibles—the Sangheili version of a smile).

“Lights OUT!” he yelled, then shot all seven lights out. The room that had been so dimly lit went pitch black in a matter of seconds. And just in time, too, as the Brutes had poured into the room. None of them noticed Hunter standing eight feet in front of them.


“What happened to the lights?” one asked miserably.

“Somebody, turn on your light. I smell them!” a Brute of obvious higher ranking sneered.

“Hey, you’re not so deodorized yourself!” Hunter retorted. All eight of the Brutes twisted and three eve fired into the darkness, threatening the ever long stretch of shadow.

“Shakin’ in my boots,” Hunter threw back from a different angle, confusing the unwise savages. He taunted them several more times, circling their general direction so that they’d lose their sense of location.

Finally, after giving up on blindly firing, one of them flicked on a light, casting it all around the room. As the light nearer the sewage pipe, Hunter smuggled a quick look at the two camouflaged Elites just about to enter the tunnel.

“Sangheili!” the Brute roared, catching sight of the slight shimmer of camo. Hunter groaned and buried his face in his hand, then charged forward on to the Brute with the flashlight on his forehead.

The Brute struggled and roared while Hunter slapped him hard in the face—just how Kate would have!—and ripped off the light on his head. He then proceeded to drag out his Magnum and pump a fresh bullet into the beasts’ skull.

But it was too late. Seven other helmets flashed on, nearly blinding Hunter as he toppled off of the Brute and onto the cold, hard ground. A Brute Ultra tried to pounce on him, but Hunter was too quick and rolled away from the blow before snapping back to his feet to avoid the vicious spikes and plasma being thrown at him.

One of the Covenant’s warriors took aim with his Carbine and fired two shots, taking the Elites out of active camo. They almost stumbled off of the planks, but somehow kept their balance and looked over to us, a sense of puzzlement that normally would have been humorous on their faces.

“Hell,” they said in unison.

“Hell,” Hunter agreed.

With the Elites on the far side of the room uncovered, the Brutes spread out, lights flashing ahead of them. Hunter continued to fire, but his rifle seemed useless against so many. One raised a Spiker and ran toward him, the blade glinting over his head. Hunter lunged forward at the last possible moment and sank into the Brute’s chest as the blade singed over him.

One of the wiser Brutes, ignoring the Marine and focusing on his escaping foes, cradled a Firebomb grenade in his right hand. His face was contorted in an evil grin that only war-driven madmen could harness.

He clicked the small button on the side of the orange glowing grenade and sent a fireball sailing through the air, igniting the cavern in its orange glow. All eyes turned.

The planks Cholahee and Sikanoy were standing on exploded into vicious flames.

The two Elites sank downward, where they’d fall to their agonizing death below.

************************************************************* ************************

Anderson took the lead shortly after that, directing us through narrow alleyways and empty roads. It seemed ages before we swung around one final corner. Anderson nodded thoughtfully, though his eyes never left the sight ahead of them.

“This is it. This is the city center.”

All of us could make sense of the intensity of his words. This was the battle that could decide the fate of this planet and the entire conflict.

Burns looked at me. He started “Ner—.”

“No!” I barked, and he stumbled away giggling at his joke.

I sucked in a deep breath and rounded the corner.

The city center was just what its name offered and more. Giant buildings surrounded a large, circular atrium. It had several balconies in which Plasma turrets were aimed viciously and Jackals stalked with their snipers. Four Wraiths slowly rounded the building, menacingly scouring for survivors of their invasion. Nine Banshees hung low in the sky, aimlessly circling the atrium. To make matters worse, endless hordes of Brutes patrolled the outskirts of the center.

“Let go of me!”

The human voice startled me and I leaned over Anderson’s shoulder to get a better look from the alleyway. A human—not at all involved with the military—struggled to free himself from a Brute’s one handed grasp.

“I’m not part of this war!” he whimpered to the savage alien. “Please…PLEASE….”

“Shut up, runt!” he growled. The human shook his head and continued whimpering. I saw fresh tears trickle down his cheeks and drop in puddles to the ground. I shook my head, seeing what pain the innocent person was in. He was alone, scared, and wanted nothing to do with any of us. We were all monsters to him.

“They’ve taken hostages,” I noted bleakly, keeping the rising anger out of my voice.

Civilian hostages,” Burns said acidly, feeling around for his rifle. “I could kill that Brute. If I could just get a better angle…”

“No,” Anderson countered. “We’ll risk losing one life if it means saving the lives of many.”

“That’s very wise of you,” Reth noted.

Anderson shrugged grimly. “It’s what we need to do.”

Burns, being the youngest, was more stubborn on the subject. “How can you say that? How can you just let that thing rip apart an innocent bystander?”

“I said we’d risk it,” Anderson said calmly. “I have no intention of watching that man die, nor will I stop myself from tearing Mr. Hairy Head limb from limb.”

Burns settled down after that, but still eyed the hostage cautiously, awaiting his motive to bring the Brute down.

“How will we take control of this entire facility with so many of them and only four of us?” I asked after a few minutes of reconnaissance about the area.

“Simple,” Reth said annoyingly. “We draw most of them to one side—the side without the door—then sneak in from the other.

“How will we draw them all to one side?” I prodded. “And there are bound to be defenses when we get in there.”

  • 02.04.2009 5:47 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Reth nodded calmly. “We’ll think of a distraction to bring them to one side. As for the interior of the building—,” He twirled his Energy Stave with two fingers. “—we fight our way through. We’ll disable the turrets on the outside.” He said that like we’d simply walk in, press a button and be on our merry way. “And then—…”

“—And then we bring the birds down on ‘em,” Anderson finished, a sly smile spreading across his lips. For a moment, I felt a surge of confidence at the simplicity of the plan. Getting inside didn’t seem so hard, and I had three excellent fighters to stand by my side once we got in. It seemed like a foolproof plan then.

If only I’d known.

************************************************************* ************************

On impulse, Hunter screamed and pushed past the group of Brutes toward his friends. Another firebomb was heaved toward them, this one making a blistering crackling sound as it completely disintegrated the planks.

Cholahee and Sikanoy were nowhere to be found.

“Nooooooo!” Hunter roared over the sharp cracks of the flames. The cavern that had been pitch black moments ago was now ablaze in a fiery orange color. Hunter ran to the edge of the pit and skidded to a halt, remembering how long the gap was.

It was over. He’d lost his entire squad. All that remained was a silent taken death, probably a spike through the heart or a cut to the throat. What more was there to fight for now that the bridge was destroyed? All hope was lost.

Or was it…

As the Lieutenant turned to face the Brutes again—who were laughing insanely, toying with him before they brought him to an end—a shimmer caught the corner of his eye.

There, hanging silently amidst the inferno, two Elites grasped on to the grimy bottom of the sewage pipe. Hunter concentrated hard to see Sikanoy pull himself into the tunnel, then stretch a hand down to retrieve Cholahee. Hunter stifled a silent chuckle of relief. He could have sworn he saw Sikanoy wink at him before the two stealthy warriors silently departed into the tunnel, only leaving behind vague traces of their footsteps slapping the dirty water.

Sighing gently and removing any trace of his smirk, Hunter turned to face death in the eyes. The Brutes were still cackling, but a feeling in his gut told him they were keeping one eye fixed upon him. He had no automatic weapon and couldn’t take them all out, therefore he posed no threat.

As a last strand of hope, Hunter viciously studied the ignited ceiling. It was mostly empty except for a large stone—almost boulder sized—suspended in the air by a rope. It seemed to be weighing whatever the rope was attached to down deliberately. There was also…

That was it! Hunter snapped his fingers, and nine angry eyes flashed at him, as if they’d completely forgotten about him in their triumphant laughter.

“Now, what to do with this one?” the Captain Major of the pack asked devilishly. Recommendations flew around.

“Let’s rip his legs off and leave him here!” one suggested.

“Throw him down the pit!” another yelled, pointing to hell’s passageway.

“Why don’t we eat him?”

“Aye! Eat him! Roast him over the fire!”

All eight of them greedily lunged forward, and that was when Hunter acted.

So many things could have gone wrong in that split second when he dove to the left and fired a single bullet from his pistol. The lead Brutes staggered backward, anticipating the attack, but their heads swiveled curiously as the bullet reared far over their head.

“You missed your shot,” the Captain snarled, grinning evilly.

“Look again,” Hunter snarled back with equal amusement.

The Captain lunged forward again, ignoring Hunter’s warning, and he along with two others were crushed by the falling boulder that Hunter had cut loose with a bullet.

It took a moment for the Brutes to register what had happened, then all havoc broke loose. Grenades were tossed blindly; plasma fire came by the volleys.

Hunter grinned and turned his back to his enemies. “Praying to god that this works!”

The Lieutenant set his feet, braced his shoulders and launched himself into the pit!

End Transmission

  • 02.04.2009 5:48 PM PDT

I'm in it 4 teh lulz.

A freaking mazing man

  • 02.04.2009 8:33 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

Much longer chapter this time, eh Murph.
Only one thing I can say...Great job, sir this was by far the best chapter I've read and kept me on tenterhooks all the way through.
Keep it up.

  • 02.05.2009 12:24 AM PDT
  • gamertag: clol7
  • user homepage:

C + lol + 7 = clol7

C O O L

  • 02.12.2009 11:39 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Chapter Sixteen

City Center

"Come in, Commander Keyes! Do youdo you read me?" a voice sobbed. He'd resorted to a private connection do to 'technical difficulties' on the main COM.

"Loud and clear, Corporal," Miranda Keyes, a short, brown haired woman replied. More intense sobs blew through her earpiece.

"They killed them!" the Corporal wept. "They cut them all to pieces!"

Miranda sighed and shook her head. "Back up, Corporal. What happened?"

After a minute of whimpering, a new voice took the microphone from the sobbing Corporal. "Ma'am, this is Private Anthony Jallis," a younger, more controlled voice explained.

"Yes, okay. Now can we please get down to business? What was your friend mumbling about?"

A pause, then, "Ma'am, we located a downed Pelican inside the city. Looked at the numbersaw whose squad it belonged toand radioed in on them."

There was another short silence, and when Miranda didn't respond, Jallis continued. "None responded, Ma'am. We checked inside the Pelican."

"And? Did you find them?"

"We found them all right," Jallis murmured in the gravest of tones. "All six of them. Slaughtered. Cut up."

"Sliced to pieces!" the crazed Corporal interrupted, arguing with Jallis for the microphone.

"Calm down, Marine!" Miranda boomed, now frustrated and annoyed. "Private Jallis, do you have any intel on the killer? How did it get into the Pelican with them?"

"That's the thing," Jallis said in almost a scream while he battled the Corporal for microphone control. "We traced bird 456-B's route. They were on the outskirts of the city, up in the mountains. We think that's where they picked up a straggler."

"But how did it get inside the Pelican?"

Jallis' breathing stopped, and although she couldn't see him, Miranda could imagine the grim look on his face as he uttered the final, mindblowing revelation. "We don't think the killer snuck on board," he said in a voice tinier than usual. "Ma'am, we think the killer was taken on purpose. He was on board with them. He was trusted; therefore they would have thought he posed no threat."

"What do you mean, 'trusted'?"

"Ma'am, the murderer wasn't a human. Those blows were taken from an energy blade." The whimpering of the Corporal in the near background grew louder until it was a full out wail into the sky. "He was a traitor, ma'am. He was an Elite."

************************************************************* ************************

Minutes later, we'd laid out our plan.

Burns was our distraction. He was not eager to act as bait, but we needed Anderson's pinpoint marksmanship and Reth and my own speed and agility. He reluctantly agreed to take to the empty rooftops built around the atrium. As he stealthily made his way up a ladder to the top, the three of us set up.

I listened closely at Reth's voice, although I can't even say I picked up on a single word. My thoughts were elsewhere, scattered about this insane life that I'd been branded with. There was Janerus and his evil yet prophetic offer; Truth's warning to keep me alive; finding the truth about who I really was and why the devil's glare was cast upon me; the burning pain in my cheek

"Are you ready?" Reth asked.

  • 02.18.2009 12:49 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

I jumped back into action, startled by the interruption. My eyes danced stupidly around the area, taking in the narrow alleyway and the entrance to the city center beckoning us forward in the near distance.

"Yes," I lied. "I'm ready."

I was definitely not ready.

The three of us crouched low and took a few steps forward and to the right so that we could get a narrow glimpse of the enemy, spread out around the complex, controlling both air and ground. I saw the doorway into the large atrium and considered suggesting we make a break for it, then noticed the Kig-Yar snipers pacing angrily upon the balconies, waiting to take out a human or Sangheili at first sight.

We waited in absolute silence for several minutes before we heard Burns' voice echoing around the entire complex.

"C'mon, men! We outnumber 'em! Take 'em all down, one by one!"

A quick fireball spat out of the earth as Burn's grenade detonated. Three unlucky Brutes were swallowed by the smoke and lay still when it disappeared.

Burns' distraction had been perfect. He'd sounded convincing enough that the Covenant would think they were under attack by waves of troops.

Anderson pumped his fist in the air as the Wraiths departed as well, swinging around the side of the building to join the commotion.

The Jackals took one last curious look around before turning and hobbling away around the balcony that ran around the perimeter of the building.

"Quickly, before they return!" Reth hissed, leaping forward into a sprint. Anderson and I nodded and followed, drawing closer and closer to the glass doors and the living hell that was lying in wait for me inside them.

************************************************************* ************************

Five Brutes stood frozen on the spot, too puzzled to move. Their enemy had purposely thrown himself into the darkness below. But why? His chances of victory had been higher than ever after he'd slain their Captain and two others.

"Is he dead?" one asked dumbly.

Another was about to answer when a strange grinding sound filled the cavern.

"What is that?" a Major cried, although he was muffled by the intense screech.

"It's coming from below!"

"Bring it down! Make sure the human doesn't make it."

It was too late. Within the blink of an eye a large rig made of rusted brown metal shot upward at ridiculous speed, throwing the Brutes aside with a whoosh of power. Standing in the center was a tall, broad man with a grizzled beard and the nose of a rifle pointed threateningly ahead.

The boulder had been weighing down the rig to keep it lower in the depths of the pit. When Hunter had snapped the rope, the rig had flown upward, free of weight.

"Can't get rid of me that easily," Hunter jeered the dazed Brutes.

"Kill him! Do not let him out of this cavern!" one squawked, struggling to regain himself. Several others grunted threats and rasped nasty words, but Hunter never heard them. By the time they'd recovered from the force of the blow, the Lieutenant had already used the rig as a makeshift bridge to the sewage pipe. His feet slapped in the dirty water, and he had to keep one hand on the slimy cave wall to find his way through the black tunnels.

When he was sure he'd lost the unwanted guests, Hunter propped himself up against the wall and slowly sank down into the sewage water. He closed his eyes and moaned silently. This wasn't going as planned. They'd come down here to investigate, not lose companions and become the hunted rather than the hunters. Splitting up had been a mistake. He needed to regroup with the others. All of the others. Something bad was going on beneath the city.

He sighed and clicked the earpiece Reth had given him. He waited for a moment for Anderson's voice to pour through, but there was only static. Stupid, mocking, useless static. Nobody was coming to help him.


Back in the cavern, the sharp crackling of the fire was coming to an end. Barely any Brutes remained, and it was apparent that none could chase down the human on foot.

It was only when the leader of the entire pack, the War Chieftain, came striding through the entrance did a final gasp of hope to stop the human from foiling their plot.

"Turn the water on," the highest ranked Brute present sneered, not even greeting his companions. "He'll be dead before he see's light again."

It took a moment for the evil words to set in, but one snickered in amusement and crept toward the bronze wheel on the wall.

Without thinking twice, he twisted the long-idle wheel as hard as he could, then yanked it out of the wall and cast it aside, falling to the floor with a sickening screech.

Soon the pipes would be alive.

And a certain Lieutenant Hunter would not be.

************************************************************* ************************

The run to that doorway seemed like ages. With each stress of my legs; each powerful stride, I felt the door was getting smaller and smaller. Without even looking, I knew Reth and Anderson were on either side of me, eyes whipping around for signs of danger.

It was all going so well. Everything always starts out well. And then, as sudden as it gets, all hell broke loose.

I heard the hiss of a fuel rod before anyone else. I easily recognized it from our run in with the Banshees when I'd first met Anderson and Burns.

On sheer instinct, my right and left hands whipped out and snagged both of my allies. I then reeled backward just as the deafening sound of the explosion met our ears. Chunks of earth spat in all directions; smoke and debris waved furiously around us.

"Cover!" Anderson commanded. He didn't have to tell us twice.

Another Banshee swept down at us with its nose dipped low. The three of us had to crouch in unison to keep our heads. Brutes roared from the opposite side of the building, realizing that they had been tricked and were already pouring back over to our side.

Anderson rolled behind the cover of a short concrete wall and motioned for us to follow. Reth and I quickly followed him and crouched low, breathing hard.

"We have...to call for evac," Anderson muttered.

"No!" Reth answered immediately. "Those turrets will rip your cavalry to bits. This is our fight. Let's make something of it."

"You're insane!" Anderson shouted, his jaw tightening. "We won't make it into the complex! Not with all those Brutes"

I thought hard for another route into the atrium, but none struck me. The main entrance was our only hope, and now that was demolished.

I shook my head and sighed gently as the human and Sangheili were in heated argument in front of me. "We'll fight."

Both of them stopped and turned to me, eyebrows raised. "Fight?" they said together.

I nodded slowly. "We have no choice."

"We'll die! We won't last a second!" Reth argued. Anderson nodded in agreement.

"Then we die," I said calmly. "We die on our feet with honor. We fight to our last breath and rest in peace afterward."

They thought for a moment, then Reth nodded darkly and Anderson grunted in approval.

"So be it," Reth murmured. "We fight our way into the city center."

We started to get up, all looking grim with our new plan in mind, when a Brute appeared in front of us. His eyes lit up and he immediately raised his Carbine to fire. He would have given us away if Reth hadn't been as steady and agile as he was. I watched him twist around and swat the Brute in the forehead with his stave; kick him square in the chest and stab him through the back before the savage warrior could even cry out.

"Move!" I yelled, sprinting over the lifeless body and back into the heat of the battle.

I'd never seen so many Brutes in one place my entire life. They stoodthey breathedas one. Each shared the same anger and hatred for us. It was an everlasting flow of madness in their eyes.

They didn't notice us at first, nor did anyone else for that matter. All eyes were fixed on our previous location when it should have been our current.

"Do not let them in!" someone shouted. Eleven Brutes hustled over to the entrance and stood guard. I turned to Anderson and Reth.

"Any ideas?"

"We could try stealth again," Anderson suggested.

"Because that worked cheeringly last time," Reth snorted.

"Well then, why don't you come up with something?" Anderson hissed. "Why am I always the idea department?"

Reth held up his hands for Anderson to calm down. We were all edgier than usual, and not just because two hundred Brutes were thirty feet away from us and hot on our trail.

"What weapons do we have handy?" Reth inquired.

I drew the black handle up from my belt and held it in front of me. "My Battle Blade."

"Shotgun," Anderson grunted. "Magnum and a frag."

  • 02.18.2009 12:49 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

"I have my only my stave and these two Plasma Grenades. Oh, and the Brute's Carbine," Reth said.

"That should do well for taking out the snipers," I added.

A Banshee swooped lower and we were forced to dive behind one of the few buildings to avoid detection.

"We've got to get moving before one of them stumbles upon us," I pointed out. "We live or we die, but we have to go now."

Anderson looked at me, and there was an odd curiousness in his eyes, as if he didn't know me. "You've changed." That's all he said, but I could tell there was something else hanging on the edge of his mind.

"I've learned from the best."

Reth motioned for us to come out from behind cover. He'd slung his stave behind his back and was now inching forward with his Carbine in hand.

I could feel the tension rising as Reth's finger rested on the trigger. If he missed, everything would go wrong. We'd be sighted and taken down without a second thought. He needed to be precise to take out the snipers before their enhanced avian eyes set on us.

Reth stalled for another few moments, and I could hear the Brute's setting out towards us. "Shoot!" I hissed.

I only briefly saw the sweat rolling down his face and the determination in his eyes before three thin green lines sailed out of the barrel of the purple rifle.

"Go, go, go!" I heard Anderson call from behind me. Three Jackalsthe ones that had been on the front balconytoppled over the railing with fresh holes in their heads.

I flitted across the battlefield with new speed and aggression, following close behind Reth and just in front of Anderson. The element of surprise seemed to be on our side, and we advanced quickly without a confrontation.

"Sol, left side!" Anderson shouted. I nodded in understanding and drew my Battle Blade. It came to life with a powerful crack. Taking into consideration the Brutes closing in on the left, I kept myself facing them while shuffling after Reth.

Once the Brutes were within range of us, every one of them let loose volleys of superheated plasma and razor sharp spikes. I was able to dodge the first batch with ease but one skimmed my left shouldermy free armand took a small chunk of flesh along with it. I cried out but continued forward, tenacious to make it through those doors.

"Banshees!" Reth gasped, stopping short to avoid the giant green explosion in front of him. As the aircraft retreated back to the skies for another attack, Reth ripped off one of his Plasma Grenades and lobbed it upward. The adhesive blue grenade caught the left wing of the Banshee, and the driver could only wait in horror before the detonation. Sparks flew; Banshee parts scattered in the explosion, but the main hull of the Banshee crashed down into the army of Brutes, crushing several.

Anderson looked around. The Banshees were taking back to the skies to regroup; the Brutesor at least those on the frontlineseemed to be struggling. "That should by us time," Anderson said, "but not nearly enough." He turned to me. His face was darkly lit and solemn. "You have to go in."

"Me? Why me?"

"You're the fastest. Reth and I can handle the Brutes, but we need you to deactivate those turrets."

I shook my head and locked gazes with him, anger rising. "I'm going to fight! I won't let you talk me out of this!"

"Sol!" He grasped my shoulders. "We need you to do this! This isn't a matter of our lives, this is a matter of the lives of everyone on this goddamn planet!"

He stared hard at me, letting his words sink in. When he'd finally calmed himself down, he looked away. "I know it, Sol. I don't know why, but there's something in my gut that's telling me it's you that needs to go in there, not us."

I gawked at him, jaw dropped. Was this where my destiny was set to unfold? Right there, through the double doors? And how would I forgive myself if I left them and they were killed? There was no way I would ever abandon them.

But there was sincerity in his voice and eyes that drew me in. He wasn't lying. Fate was taking place. It had been taking place ever since he'd found me, half buried in the snow weeks ago. I was meant to do this.

"Lead me in," I mumbled.

He grinned. "You got it."

No sooner that we'd started running again did the Wraiths swing around either side of the building. One launched an immediate mortar that would burn clean through any living creature. The glob of plasma landed short and rumbled the ground, almost shaking me off my feet. The door was only ten feet ahead, and the guards were scrambling towards us in an effort to defend their base.

The chaos seemed to pick up by the moment. The mini-army of Brutes was now pursuing us, firing their Spikers blindly due to lack of site in the intense explosions. Fuel Rods erupted from all sides, but none could find their target and we proceeded on through each bombardment from the ground and air.

When we arrived at the door amidst the smoke and fire, we were greeted by all eleven of the Brutes in one sitting. I swiped all the way across my body at the first, putting clean cut through his stomach. Before I could bring the sword around again three more were upon me, roaring taunts and wrestling me to the ground.

Anderson rushed to my aid and quickly picked off the Brutes with his Shotgun. I staggered to my feet and nodded in thanks before rushing over to help Reth, whoin all honestydidn't require help. He twisted out of each Brute's reach and stabbed or slashed them with his stave, making it look easier than it should have been. He even took on three at once, whirling the stave around rapidly and watching each Brute crumple. After a short slaughtering, eleven bodies lay dead at our feet.

"Go!" Reth boomed.

"We'll cover you," Anderson added, kneeing beside the door and raising his Shotgun. I hesitated for one more momentwhat if this was our last meeting? I could die in there or they could die out here. I was putting everything at stake here: my life, my friendsand Reth; and most importantly, the race that had looked after me when no one else hadhumanity.

I nodded and pushed through the doors, putting the battle behind me and leaving Anderson and Reth to fare for themselves. It was stupid. One of the stupidest decisions I've ever made. But I realized later why it had to be done.

There was no barricade of infantry or defense turrets in the main room. The room was lit well enough that I could make up the marble desk straight ahead and marble staircase running up to the second floor of the center. I walked slowly across the tile floor, alert as ever and ready to fight if Brutes swarmed down on me from above, but none did. There was something odd about this place, but I wasn't quite sure.

  • 02.18.2009 12:50 PM PDT
Subject: The Sangheili Chronicles------- Book II, Chapter 16 (UPDATED 2/18/09)

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Someone was watching me.

I whipped around, the red glare of my sword shining in front of me. I was sure I'd felt eyes on my back a moment ago. I was sure of it.

When no Brute turned up, I continued walking past the desk and up the stairs, but I was more cautious than ever not to take a wrong step.

Once up the stairs I found myself in a carpeted hallway with doors on either side of me. The lights were flickering curiously. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something else peculiar. One of the doors on my left was slightly ajar, while all others were closed and locked. Something wasn't right. It wasn't like the Covenant to make such sloppy mistakes. That door had been left open on purpose.

For me.

For reasons I can't explain, I was drawn toward that door. The sounds of the battle had been left behind, but it wasn't because of the walls of the center. I was trapped in my own world with me and the open door in front of me. I gulped and opened the door, then reeled backwards as it creaked loudly.

There didn't seem to be anything in the room. It was made with the same white marble as the desk downstairs, only there was a large black meeting table in the center. I knew I shouldn't be there. My mission was to deactivate the turrets so that we could get Pelicans in and take back this site, but I couldn't pull back. I was sucked into the room by overflowing curiousness.

It was the moment that I took a step into the room that the door slammed shut behind me. I nearly cut myself to pieces with my own weapon in my startled whirl. There was a figure leaning against the door!

"Who are you?" I screamed, pointing my sword at the shadowed figure as if I would throw it. It was tall enough to be a Brute, but no Brute plays with one's mind other than--Janerus? Was the figure Janerus?


"I never thought you'd forget," a voice croaked. He took a hobbled step closer to the dim light in the center of the room, and I started to make out his features. His disturbing features that I'd certainly never forget.

He was a Sangheili with pure silver armor, standing at least two feet taller than me. But that wasn't all. His left arm and right leg were not natural. They were robotic, complete with small flashing blue lights. There were stitches and patches all across his chest. The left side of his face was also mechanical with fake mandibles for him to speak with. His left eye, which he obviously wasn't in control of, as it was fixed on the walls to my right, glowed an evil red.

I could tell before anything that this was no ally of mine.

He took another step closer, using all of his artificial muscle with each grueling step. I didn't understandwhy had he set this trap? Wasn't he a brother of the Sangheili clan?


It was only when I caught sight of his one good eye that my breathing ceased. My heart stopped pumping. Everything went still. For a moment my eyes were fixed on his in silence, and I continued to tell myself I was delirious. This wasn't real. This was a fantasy I was having, or some kind of sick dream.

Suddenly, I was pulled back three weeks in time. I was fighting off dust and debris as it swirled and crashed around me; as the bomb was about to meet its final detonation. For a moment I was on my back at the mercy of my enemy. The next, I was piercing him through the chest with my blade. Finally, there was the last glare of my defeated enemy before he died.

The flashback ended and I returned to this hellish reality.

"It can't be," I insisted, nearly toppling backward over the table. I didn't care. I didn't try to get back up. "It can't be you!"

He laughed a monstrous laugha laugh I'd never thought I'd hear again.

The acidic gaze cast on me was undeniable. I'd come face to face with an already damned psychopath--Zens Kovalee!

End Transmission


[Edited on 03.11.2009 4:57 AM PDT]

  • 02.18.2009 12:51 PM PDT
Subject: The Sangheili Chronicles------- Book II, Chapter 15 (UPDATED 2/4/09)

Murph, I would read the second book, but I can't seem to find where Part one of it starts. Do you have a link to the right page?

  • 02.18.2009 2:35 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: Wolverfrog
Murph, I would read the second book, but I can't seem to find where Part one of it starts. Do you have a link to the right page?


Why, of course not! :D

Believe me when I say it's fifty times better than the first...

  • 02.19.2009 12:41 PM PDT

By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

My ban is finally over, great chapter Murph. Keep it up, I was partially expecting it to be Zens when I heard the Sangheili had a stitched up chest.

Maybe my Prophet of Candor and your Zens 'Kovalee are friends?

  • 02.19.2009 12:51 PM PDT
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never saw this coming.

  • 02.20.2009 9:19 PM PDT

"Oh, death was never enemy of ours!
We laughed, knowing that better men would come,
And greater wars: when each proud fighter brags
He wars on death, for lives: not men, for flags"

"The Next War"
http://www.blackwaterops.net/forums/index.php?referrerid=795

HOLY $@!%
I didn't expect that

  • 02.27.2009 12:49 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

this is an amzing story, but you need to do some editing on that last part, it has a fair few places where you missed a space.

  • 02.28.2009 5:10 AM PDT

Where's my -blam!- cheeseburger!?

New Zealand Gamers

ANZAC Group

Mythic Conquerer #12

I just spent the last few hours reading this. Needless to say, I love it!

  • 02.28.2009 8:41 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

^^ o hai kris, thanks for helping me on that HW level

  • 03.01.2009 2:40 AM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: random no337
this is an amzing story, but you need to do some editing on that last part, it has a fair few places where you missed a space.


Probably because I had to copy and paste it to a website to convert it to basic text. It erased some of my dashes and I haven't fixed it yet.

Thanks for the heads up, and for the comment :)

  • 03.01.2009 6:36 PM PDT

DIUTYAUSDPOI

340083 Coagulated Derelict

"Zombies.Gentlemen at times like these our capacity to retaliate must be and has to be massive,to deter all forms of aggression."-JFK

OMG i zombie!

  • 03.02.2009 7:00 AM PDT
Subject: The Sangheili Chronicles------- Book II, Chapter 16 (UPDATED 2/18/09)

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

Posted by: Sergeant Murph
Posted by: random no337
this is an amzing story, but you need to do some editing on that last part, it has a fair few places where you missed a space.


Probably because I had to copy and paste it to a website to convert it to basic text. It erased some of my dashes and I haven't fixed it yet.

Thanks for the heads up, and for the comment :)
No worries, anytime.

[Edited on 03.04.2009 3:18 AM PST]

  • 03.04.2009 3:15 AM PDT
Subject: The Sangheili Chronicles------- Book II, Chapter 15 (UPDATED 2/4/09)

Where's my -blam!- cheeseburger!?

New Zealand Gamers

ANZAC Group

Mythic Conquerer #12

Posted by: random no337
^^ o hai kris, thanks for helping me on that HW level


No problem. You finished HW's yet? So are you working on the next part SM? I hunger for more story :-)

  • 03.10.2009 5:17 PM PDT

Posted by: Dropship dude
No, acnboy. Spartain Ken 15 is a lesser being. Much like the bacteria that lives in your shi­t.
Posted by: mike120593
My shi­t bacteria takes offense to that comparison.

Don't make me lel. You won't like me when I lel.

Posted by: Kristov
Posted by: random no337
^^ o hai kris, thanks for helping me on that HW level


No problem. You finished HW's yet? So are you working on the next part SM? I hunger for more story :-)
actually im only on mission 14 right now. damn my parents for not letting me play on weekdays! oh well, i have too much homework to play right now.
oh yeh, on topic, i love this story, more plz?

  • 03.11.2009 4:27 AM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: Kristov
Posted by: random no337
^^ o hai kris, thanks for helping me on that HW level


No problem. You finished HW's yet? So are you working on the next part SM? I hunger for more story :-)


Thank you both of you for appreciating.

Next part out today...I hope.

  • 03.11.2009 4:54 AM PDT

Where's my -blam!- cheeseburger!?

New Zealand Gamers

ANZAC Group

Mythic Conquerer #12

Thank you for writing a decent story ^^ And I can't wait.

  • 03.11.2009 6:19 PM PDT
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I am waiting for the next chaptor to come out, but i got a kind of good idea i guess, we should make a halo 3 movie about this book, if you are intersted send a freind request the gamer tag FAKAWE.

  • 03.12.2009 12:55 PM PDT