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  • Subject: "Path of Reclamation" Level 15 posted 7/18 --p88-
Subject: "Path of Reclamation" Level 15 posted 7/18 --p88-
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Sweet! looking forward to it!

  • 07.29.2007 6:49 PM PDT

Phoenix is dead, long live Phoenix!
Is it?

I've tried speculating but come up with nothing except a sharquoi, or possibly the elite that turned into a gravemind and destroyed the elite homeworld. so I'll leave specualtion to others who dont have 12000 words due in on friday.

  • 07.29.2007 8:55 PM PDT
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the only enemy that i can think of is the flood, or a brute... i dont think that its a brute too stupid not a prophet too weak, flood mmmm not sure maybe
what about a reclaimer?? if one were to appear then it would try and activate the ark. the one thing that everyone is fighting to stop, so if one was still somewhere and tried to maintain protocools then what?? would it be an enemy??

i too have a few thousand words due on tuesday thou so ill go now

  • 07.29.2007 11:49 PM PDT
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T minus 24 hrs or so and counting!!!!

  • 07.31.2007 10:33 AM PDT

TWP - Assistant Director
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Yeah, it'll probably be ready, but unedited, around noon bungie time tomorrow, or at least that 's the plan.

It's coming along, but I'm reworking something as it just didn't come out right. The flow is ... off .. again. And nothing personal, but all the random Halo 3 news popping up around the net lately is staring to pi$$ me off. Halo Halo Halo Halo Halo.... Halo... it's like it's the only video game coming out this fall. I mean... I love Halo... I can't wait for Halo 3. I dream of playing it. I think it will be the ultimate conclusion to the trilogy, but what in the world is up with EVERY game news source milking the franchise like it was a giant cow spewing the perfectly preserved milk?

So, anyway, sorry. Had to vent. But am I the only one that thinks that Halo 3 press coverage is getting a little... ridiculous? Poor Frankie can't take a fart without someone asking him if that was the sound of the Elephant. I know it's the biggest release of the fall, but with Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Haze... all these other great franchise whistling on the wind, I sense a looming storm of protest saying "Halo 3 is overhyped... again!" and "Halo 3 was all talk, fun, but all talk" and I hate that. Ugh... sorry, it is the "let your work speak for you" side of me that is talking. I just feel like they should wait until the game is out before they do all of these magazine articles and promotional and such. The ARG was an okay idea, but with the media flopping over everything... sigh. I'll stop.Sorry to get off topic. I'm jeopardizing my thread with such ... heresy.

Stay tuned, new chapter tomorrow. If I'm not too depressed.

~soulguard

  • 07.31.2007 11:54 AM PDT
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those are awesome dude if you keep it up man i'll try to read 'em

  • 07.31.2007 11:58 AM PDT
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~soulguard

Vent my friend, vent. I agree, that is why I am not listening to the news or reading it. I can't wait for it to come out and play, I think I had a dream about it last night.

Posted by: blood4ever
those are awesome dude if you keep it up man i'll try to read 'em


WTF are you talking about? Soul has like 500 pages of work to read, it is well worth it to. If you are able to read all of it and I bet you will be, you will become a faithful follower of Soul's FanFic

  • 07.31.2007 12:52 PM PDT

|| Terminal Discussion.|| Where is Master Chief?|| Avatars and User Skins||

I hide my Gamertag because I don't want to play with you :).

"With great mustache, comes great responsibility"

Posted by: SPARTAN 1O4FRED
~soulguard

Vent my friend, vent. I agree, that is why I am not listening to the news or reading it. I can't wait for it to come out and play, I think I had a dream about it last night.

Posted by: blood4ever
those are awesome dude if you keep it up man i'll try to read 'em


WTF are you talking about? Soul has like 500 pages of work to read, it is well worth it to. If you are able to read all of it and I bet you will be, you will become a faithful follower of Soul's FanFic

Agreed, if you want to understand what is going in presently, then you must read the begginning.

  • 07.31.2007 6:50 PM PDT
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I am a Sangheili Bard.
Tomes of the History of the Mirratord
For the honor of the Mirratord!

Meditate.

~Aardvark

  • 07.31.2007 8:47 PM PDT

|| Terminal Discussion.|| Where is Master Chief?|| Avatars and User Skins||

I hide my Gamertag because I don't want to play with you :).

"With great mustache, comes great responsibility"

Either way you go Soulguard, we are behind you 110%. All the way! To tell you the truth souguard you are one of my inspirations that started getting me to write FanFics.

  • 07.31.2007 9:04 PM PDT
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Posted by: fastrigger117
Either way you go Soulguard, we are behind you 110%. All the way! To tell you the truth souguard you are one of my inspirations that started getting me to write FanFics.


I have so many ideas, but then I realize I am too hard on myself and because of that I do not write. I sit back and enjoy Soul's work!!!

  • 08.01.2007 7:42 AM PDT

|| Terminal Discussion.|| Where is Master Chief?|| Avatars and User Skins||

I hide my Gamertag because I don't want to play with you :).

"With great mustache, comes great responsibility"

Posted by: SPARTAN 1O4FRED
Posted by: fastrigger117
Either way you go Soulguard, we are behind you 110%. All the way! To tell you the truth souguard you are one of my inspirations that started getting me to write FanFics.


I have so many ideas, but then I realize I am too hard on myself and because of that I do not write. I sit back and enjoy Soul's work!!!

Amen to that

  • 08.01.2007 8:05 AM PDT
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T minus 3 hrs and counting.

I am excited. My whole reason for excitement is the next installment!!!!

  • 08.01.2007 8:28 AM PDT
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I rather enjoy writing fanfics, although I am not in the same league as Soulguard is. I try not to be too serious about it, but rather let it be a creative outlet to have fun with. Back in school you could never have convinced me I would enjoy writing.. LOL

  • 08.01.2007 8:38 AM PDT

|| Terminal Discussion.|| Where is Master Chief?|| Avatars and User Skins||

I hide my Gamertag because I don't want to play with you :).

"With great mustache, comes great responsibility"

Yes, one of the reasons i write is because i want them to have a sense of imagination and inspiration

  • 08.01.2007 10:53 AM PDT

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Level 16: Seek the Path

ONI Facility: The Box
Lower Quarantine segment of Camp Eden
November 9, 2552

To: Doctor Catherine Halsey
From: Second Generation Smart AI \Virus Form Infiltration Program
Code Name: Siren
Time: 0103 hours
Subject: = =Time Stamp November 15, 2552= =

Doctor I have noted the time stamp for your inquiry into this matter. My internal time stamp shows that the date is November 9, 2552 at 0103 local time. Yet star charts and the Covenant ships time shows that the accurate time is November 15, 2552 at 0103 local time. There is a six day gap in Camp Eden’s data base time calculations.

I thought that you may want to look into this. I am currently to preoccupied to deal with this, possibly, minor flaw in my database.

End of file…


Catherine sat the data pad upon her thigh and deleted the transmission. She pulled her glasses from her face and placed her hands to her eyes; attempting to rub the exhaustion from her face. It was several minutes past one in the morning, and she was operating with only a few hours of sleep. She wanted to sleep more then anything, but that was a luxury she couldn’t afford at the moment.

“Ma’am.” A soft voice stated. Catherine looked up into the eyes of a young female scientist assigned to her team only a few hours ago. “You looked like you could use this.” The young woman gave Catherine a cup of dark coffee. The aroma was heavenly, it was freshly brewed with filtered water and fresh ground coffee beans; the ONI brass spared no expense.

“Thank you.” Catherine replied as she took the warm mug. “You read my mind.” The young woman smiled.

Catherine took a sip and stood, placing the deleted data pad on a nearby table. “How goes the analysis?”

The young woman looked back into the cave area of the Box. “Siren left us a great deal of data before she went to assist the Black Ops. The Ark Data Node can be copied, but we currently don’t have enough memory allocated to store it all. Even small samples of data are taxing more memory then we currently have available.”

“Get more.”

“That’s the problem, ma’am.” The young woman folded her arms across her chest. “We currently don’t have a storage medium that large. This thing has millions upon millions of tonnage of data… and we simply can’t download it. But what we do have is the more relevant data. The information Siren was able to access and store for us. We have nearly everything about the ancient Reclaimers, the last war against the Flood, and the rebirth of humanity.”

“What about the Path of Reclamation?” Catherine sipped her coffee.

“That information, you should probably examine yourself.” The young woman looked toward the servers where two other scientists had been working.

“What happened?” Catherine began to walk back into the cave with the young woman following closely behind. There was a group at the station, but now it was empty.

“The files marked the ‘Path of Reclamation’ seem to be very troubling to anyone who reads it. The two staff members that have attempted to understand it … left.”

Catherine stopped and looked at the young woman. “Left?”

“Yes ma’am. They both grabbed their things and left; walked out without an explanation.”

“Why wasn’t I notified?” Catherine demanded. “They could be a risk. Bring them back! Get the MPs to find them, now!”

The young woman stepped back in shock. “Sorry, ma’am. We didn’t think… I’ll handle this personally!” She turned and raced to the elevator as the rest of the science team watched in shock.

Catherine looked toward the server terminals and thought for a moment. She then accessed the file storage and reactivated Gibson.

“Good morning Doctor Halsey, how can I be of use?” Gibson replied over the cave intercom. The rest of the team looked curiously as Doctor Halsey sat down at the terminal and began to access the ‘Path of Reclamation’ files.

“I want you to examine these files for any abnormal readings. Particularly any form of hypnotic command or sub conscious suggestions.”

“Scanning. No such indications are present. I also scanned for subliminal messaging. Nothing in the files seems harmful. These are merely data files written by someone from the … interesting. A Forerunner.”

“Yes Gibson, the files are Forerunner but they were transferred to Earth by the Reclaimers. Run an analysis.”

“Scanning.” Gibson spoke, and was silent for several moments. The rest of the team circled around Catherine and the terminal, eager to learn what the ‘Path of Reclamation” was.

“Scanning complete, Doctor Halsey. Would you like to know my findings now?”

Catherine sat back in her chair and took a quick sip of her coffee. “Shoot.”

Gibson began to read the main file aloud. “The main text of the Path of Reclamation is as follows…

Reclaimers must become the head of the New Empire.
Reclaimers must rebuild their military might.
Reclaimers must reclaim the lost tools of the Forerunners.
The war is not over. The Flood are not dead.
Reclaimers, rebuild, reequip, retake what was once lost.
The Empire rests on your shoulders, Reclaimers.
Only you can save the Universe from the outbreak.
We shall build you a weapon… a weapon of last resort.
It will be hidden, safe from the eyes of the universe.
But if you need it, you will find it, the Ark will find it.
We must reclaim what we once lost. We must correct the mistakes of the past.
Reclaimers, it is with you that we leave this task.
When the Empire has returned, and the threat destroyed, we will return… we shall regain our glory.


“That is all that is contained in the main file.” Gibson finally added.

One of the scientists spoke up. “That is interesting, but that wouldn’t have driven the others out like that.” He was speaking of the other two scientists that left immediately after reading the file.

“You are right.” Catherine added. “Gibson, read back the files that have been recently accessed.”

“The files accessed by Doctors Kim and Smith are visual recordings.”

“They aren’t documents?”

“No. I will scan them for your safety. Scanning. Quite interesting. I can see why this would have disturbed the young scientists. Doctor, I recommend preparing yourself. Also, if there is anyone in the room whom has not had any interaction with the Flood, it is advised that they do not watch.” Gibson was speaking casually, well beyond the ability of an older AI. It was nothing to worry about as some dumb AI usually have spouts of wisdom.

“The Flood?” Catherine turned to the rest of the scientists. “That would be none of you. All of you back to your duties.” Catherine then turned the terminal away from the group so that only she could see it. She adjusted her glasses, and took along sip of her slowly cooling coffee. “Play it.”

The screen flashed with an opening statement. “Seek the Path… or there will no longer be a future.” An image of the flood spore began to appear on the screen followed by many other forms of bacteria. The spore absorbed the mass of thousands of bacteria and microorganisms until it became a cold lump of flesh. It began to brood, pulsing with mass until finally it gestated into a Flood infection form.

Catherine mumbled to herself, “A spore life cycle, tell me something I don’t already know.”

The image shifted to the form of an elite undergoing an experiment, the elite was injected with a small portion of spores, numbers raced across the screen as the elite was given several physical tests of speed, agility and strength. The test showed that the elite had acquired almost super human strength.

“Wait… what?” Catherine questioned aloud.

The display then showed another injection into the elite, and he quickly began to mutate, his body convulsing into a familiar form. The elite had changed into a Flood combat form. Several elites burst into the room and killed it with weapons Catherine had never seen before.

“Oh no…” Catherine sat back in shock. Something was beginning to register in the back of her mind.

The screen then displayed a legion of elites, all being injected with the first Flood sample; the first army of the Forerunners. The image then shifted to other creatures receiving the injections, creatures that she knew of and creatures she had never seen. They all became stronger and more agile. Then she was shown the image of humanity. Several of the humans were being injected with the vile of Flood spores.

The image then showed the difference of two spores, one that looked nearly identical to the other, but one of them began to attack the nearby bacteria and microorganisms, consuming them, while the other began a homogenous relationship with the other cells.

Catherine sat back in shock. “They did it… they injected us all... we are the carriers of the Flood gene. The spores aren’t the carriers of the trait … we are. Dear God, what did they do to us?” Catherine stood, her hands shacking nervously. “They found a way to link the Flood spore into our DNA. Why… for what purpose?”

“Doctor, there is still ten minutes of archived video.” Gibson added.

“Turn it off!” Catherine demanded, her eyes frightfully opening as her heart sped up uncontrollably. The video powered off and Catherine looked around the room in a lost daze. “I need a minute… I need to think. I don’t… know why they would do that to everyone.”


“Doctor Halsey?” A scientist questioned as he watched her stagger about. “Oh no, not again! Contain her!” Two of the male scientists quickly grabbed her as she struggled to get free.

Catherine shouted in protest. “No! You don’t understand!”

“This is worse then Kim was!” Another doctor shouted. “Doctor please, what happened?”

“The spores don’t create the flood! It activates it! The Flood, we are the Flood!”


  • 08.01.2007 11:42 AM PDT
Subject: "Path of Reclamation" Level 16

TWP - Assistant Director
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No one understood the exact reason, but they instantly recognized the meaning. Since the first findings of the Flood it had been assumed that the Flood spread their spores in order to infect the host. This theory was correct, but the theory was slightly off.

Catherine calmed herself and spoke to the group. “The Flood that we know of, the creatures that spring out of our bodies, are already inside of us. It is a strand that makes up an essential code within our DNA. I was stupid… I was so wrong. I can’t cure this. I can’t kill what is already in us.” Catherine sat in a chair and folded upon the table, coursing her hands through her hair. She didn’t cry, she didn’t fret, she simply became silent. She understood more about the Flood then the rest of the team, and she had been given the one final peace of the puzzle that she had been seeking; the source of the Flood.

She knew that it was now officially hopeless to win.

This explained why her cure was only temporary. Palab, the grunt king, was infected several days ago, but the infection became dormant when it interacted with her cure, however, it merely made the Flood spores dormant just like the images in the Forerunner video. She had only repeated the exact formula that the Forerunners had already achieved. But suddenly Catherine realized that Palab did not fully mutate. The Flood spores began to spread, but they quickly became dormant. The same thing happened to Kelly and Sergeant Johnson. Was her cure only an additive, a similar product just like Borren’s Syndrome?

Gibson stated into the room. “Doctor, once you compose yourself, I feel that you should finish watching the images. There is something that may lead to a better understanding of the Path of Reclamation.”

One of the male scientists patted Catherine on the shoulder, softly calming her. Catherine wished she didn’t know anything about the Flood, the way that the other scientist did, but she understood it too thoroughly. The Forerunners destroyed all sentient life because that was the only way to effectively kill the Flood. To starve them by not letting them grow from the inside out. This process would let the spores live, but without a without a host, a body, the Flood would effectively starve.

Catherine raised her head. “Gibson, upload the rest of the images to my data pad and lock it with my private sector number.” Catherine stood, and composed herself. Though the future was bleak, she still had her life to live. The Flood within her, and all of them, had not been awakened; yet. Something so destructive was a part of their genetic makeup, dormant and ignored, and if an active Flood spore interacted with it the body would instantly mutate. Until that day came, she would continue to understand what the Forerunners wanted. “We have to destroy the source of the spores. We must seek the Path.”

Catherine turned to the group and smacked her cheeks softly; a small attempt at trying to forget their fate. “The Path of Reclamation says that the Forerunners created a weapon, built it for us and the Ark will show us where it is. But why would they build a weapon to help us fight the Flood, why not use it themselves. Hypothesize?”

The group pondered the question and one of them spoke up. “Perhaps it works similar to the Halo’s, but on a smaller scale.”

“A good theory.” Catherine smirked. “If Earth and its surrounding populace are dead, then the Ark is protected… and the circle of life will repeat itself. The Seed ship will restock the galaxy and the Ark will recreate humanity. Basically, we start over and another generation will be left to solve the puzzle of destroying the Flood.”

“But why build another weapon on Earth, if Earth is within the reaches of the nearest Halo?” Another scientist questioned. “It seems like such a wasted resource.”

“You’re right as well.” Catherine agreed. “But what if there was something else that they were afraid of?”

An older Asian woman spoke up. “What if we aren’t taking this literally enough? We are talking about a race that was technologically superior to anything we can fathom at this stage of our development. What if this weapon isn’t like the Halo? I mean, what if it is simply a bomb?”

A middle aged black man from the back of the room added. “I think she has a point, but not a bomb, something much more powerful. We all heard what Gibson said, it is ‘a weapon of last resort.’ Last time, we got a second chance. This time, we don’t. Perhaps if this generation can’t figure out the puzzle to stopping the Flood, then there is not choice but to destroy … everything.”

Everyone sat in shock at the news. Catherine voiced her thoughts aloud. “A galactic super bomb. Kill off everything, and protect the universe from the Flood, if they survive.”

The intercom echoed as Gibson spoke. “Doctor Halsey, there is an incoming transmission from Section III.”

“I’m in no mood to yell at Ackerson right now.” Catherine sighed.

“No Doctor, it is Private Wesley Williams of Section III Security.”

“Wesley?” Catherine questioned to herself. It had been a few days since she last saw the young Private. She looked at the rest of her team. “Keep thinking about this, I’ll be right back.”

Catherine walked away from her team of scientists as they continued to debate the idea of the weapon and the Flood. She neared her desk and looked at her data pad, the files that Gibson uploaded to it were most likely awaiting her access. She pocketed the pad and attempted to put the thought out of her mind.

“Patch it through, Gibson.” Catherine sighed. “This is Doctor Halsey.”

“Doctor, it has been some time. Is Eden still holding up?” Wesley questioned.

“What do you care? I seem to recall you leaving with the majority of the brass in order to … how shall I put this? … see to the defense of humanity. If that were true, I think you would be more up to date then I am about the situation here at Eden.”

“I had no choice in the matter ma’am. And I can understand your anger…”

“Wait!” Catherine suddenly remarked. “How are you able to transmit? I thought Truth was jamming communications?”

“He is. Luckily, the world never terminated all of its hard lines that run around the world. Good old twenty second century technology still has its functions. Eden was connected to the world data line in 2431, so we can still communicate, until Truth cuts the hard line.”

“Interesting. So what do you want, Private?”

“Doctor Santos needs your help.”

“Rose? What has she gotten herself into? She kidnapped my Spartan.”

“I’ll call that ‘irony’.” Wesley laughed.

“I don’t have time for you to make jokes, Private. I’m aware of my previous actions.”

“Yes ma’am.” Wesley coughed. “She’s onto a theory about the Reclaimer Armor and Kelly’s uniqueness as one of the Pure Blooded Reclaimers. She needs your assistance in understanding the Spartan’s biology in conjecture to the Armor.”

“She’s good.” Catherine smirked. “Damn good. She figured out the Armor. I don’t know if I can get there, Wesley. There is a battalion of Brutes hovering over the Camp. Sergeant Raynord is dealing with the situation as we speak.”

“Sergeant? I thought the Black Ops were reactivated?” Wesley questioned. “No matter. I’ll let Doctor Santos know the details. Contact me once you have more information.”

“Wesley, where on Earth are you? Where did the brass end up?”

“Most of the brass are still holding up in HIGHCom, but most of Section III is here, the one place Truth would never expect us to be; right under his nose.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No ma’am, it’s the Mombasa observatory. Once the Black Ops have cleaned things up around Eden, I’ll relay the coordinates to you.”

“Let’s hope they can, Private.” The channel faded and Catherine examined her thoughts. “One thing is confusing me, however, and that is that the Flood use sentient beings as their Food. Once the Flood form mutates inside the body, the body begins a continues rate of decomposition. The Flood destroy themselves. Yet at the same time, they continue to spread. I understand why killing off all potential hosts was necessary, but there has to be more.” Catherine stood and rubbed the data pad in her pocket, hoping that the answer would be there, but for now she could not fathom reviewing it. And there was also the strange time difference that Siren reported. She ignored it for now and returned to the group. “Are there any other ideas?”

- - - - - - - -

Northern Camp Eden
Brute occupied territory
November 9, 2552

“Chief, you may begin operations.” Siren’s voice echoed in the COM. Eric knew that now it was his turn. Palab and Siren had successfully take control of the ship and kept the rest of its troops from descending to the ground.

He opened his team channel. “You know the drill, low and fast. Go! Go! Go!”

Several humans and elite Mirratord dashed out from cover, lined up their shots, and began to fire into the camps, while Eric, Mathew and Gridolee sprinted forward. The Brutes began to hunker down as weapons fired split the air around them. Jackal snipers quickly took position at the side of several grunts and strained to look beyond the camp at the incoming fire.

The confusion of fire then began to stop as dozens of human and elite troops began to spring into the camp. The brutes stood and roared their battle cry, ordering the grunts to attack.

But the grunts didn’t charge.

  • 08.01.2007 11:43 AM PDT

TWP - Assistant Director
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Jackals began to shriek as they were double and triple teamed by their grunt support. The brutes watched in confusion as grunts turned their guns on them. The brutes, jackals and drones had been betrayed.

Eric pulled his assault rifle taught to his shoulder and fired as he sprinted forward. Two brutes were mowed down as he took cover and began to reload. Mathew and Gridolee were close by but there was no sign of Simyaldee. Eric lowered his shoulder and turned a corner, took aim and fired on the first brute that came into sight.

At the rear of the charge, Simyaldee appeared from the darkness. Plasma, needler and human weapons crisscrossed the battlefield, but Simyaldee had another objective. His prior battles against the brutes had shown him how they had changed. They no longer followed the leadership of one central Chieftain. Tartarus was dead, and now they were split. The various tribes of the brute race had formed into command structures. Each tribe had their own Chieftain who answered directly to the hierarchs.

These were not the same brutes that he fought on Delta Halo, these were not the brutes that ravaged the Sangheili home of Dorenth; this was the second wave. Truth had planned this from the start; thin out the elites and then bring in the brute reinforcements. They were highly armored, more organized, and more skilled then the mere vagabonds that Tartarus had under his immediate command.

Simyaldee peered into the camp. He needed to find the one Brute who could possibly be leading this charge. He slowly walked forward, letting his shields take the poundage of the stray weapons fire; he was unfazed and focused.

Then, in the corner of his eye, on the furthest end of the camp, he witnessed a blue flash. Six grunts went tumbling into the air as a gravity hammer swung beneath them. The sound echoed across the camp and the groups began to turn their attention to the massive brute in gold.

A fully decorated chieftain had arrived.

Unlike the lowly brutes whom had taken command of stray battalions and dubbed themselves ‘Chieftains’, this brute was older, stronger, and had served for many generations under Tartarus’ rule. Simyaldee did not imagine it would be one with such recognition.

“Grimleon.” Simyaldee whispered.

Eric barked orders. “Gridolee, we’re are going after the Chieftain!” Eric stood and charged toward the far end of the camp. The Mirratord provided cover, running at his side and cutting down any of the Brutes that approached. Griodlee quickly dashed ahead, growling with anticipation as his twin blades glowed in his wake.

Simyaldee slowly followed their path. Studying Grimleon’s every move.

Grimleon pounded his chest in anticipation of the approaching elites and the pathetic human. “The famed Mirratord. At last I will see what your true merit is.” Simyaldee clicked his mandibles at his words. The Mirratord’s legend had gone further then he had thought.

Gridolee roared as he leapt forward. “I’ll add your head to my collection, Brute!” Grimleon swung his hammer, and Gridolee dodged it, countering with his blade, but the mighty chieftain lowered his hilt and blocked the weapon to Gridolee’s shock. He then jabbed the hilt into Gridolee’s chest, tossing him backwards. Grimleon was strong and Gridolee felt it throughout his body. His shields pulsed, dropping to twenty percent.

Gridolee regained his balance and footing. He lowered his posture and snarled. Beating this Chieftain was not going to be as easy as the other he killed on the Prophet’s ship.

The constant fire of Eric’s assault rifle rattled at the brute chieftain’s rear. The brute’s dense armor guarded most and he dodged the rest. Grimleon spun his gravity hammer backwards, smashing the ground behind him, sending dust into the air. Eric paused in the dust storm and watched as the blip on his radar darted toward him. He had never seen a brute move this fast. The hammer stabbed through the dust, scattering it as the gravity hammer pulsed. Eric dodged, his gun blown from his hands as the gravity hammer’s wave scattered toward him. He crossed his arms and was propelled clear. He rolled to his feet, pulled up his side arm and fired. But the Brute merely chuckled at the firepower from the small pistol.

Even with his augmented strength, Eric was no match for this particular brute Chieftain. He was agile, strong, and skilled unlike any prior brute he had encountered.

“Do not mock me with that tiny weapon, human. Be thankful you are still alive.” He laughed. Gridolee, noticing that Grimleon had exposed his back, took advantage of the opening and charged at the brute.

Simyaldee shouted into his COM. “Wait!” But it was too late.

Gridolee lunged, the brute spun and dipped his hammer’s hilt into Gridolee’s path, forcing him to change routes. The moment Gridolee maneuvered, the Chieftain stabbed his hilt outward tripping Gridolee. He then followed through with a massive low swing with the hammer’s end. Gridolee managed to cross his blades in a defensive stance, only to have them smashed by the hammer’s force.

The twin blades of the Mirratord were not designed to withstand a blow of such force. The power cells overloaded, and each of the hilts powered off as smoke escaped the sides. Gridolee was forced into the ground by the remaining force of the hammer. His shields popped with a static wash and dirt filled his mandibles.

Gridolee twisted his hips, and tried to roll clear but the brute slammed his foot upon his chest just as he rolled over. Eric dived onto the brute’s back, put his gun between its armor and fired two rounds. The Chieftain barely flinched. He gripped Eric’s arm and slung him to the side. Eric felt like his arm had been ripped off, but thankfully, it was still attached. He hit the ground and rolled to his knees. He quickly pulled out his combat knife, a futile gesture against this monster, but it was all he had left.

“Is this the best that the legendary Mirratord has to offer?” The Chieftain laughed at the futile efforts of Gridolee attempting to get free.

Simyaldee walked up behind Eric and placed a hand on his shoulder. “He is but one of my youngest warriors.” The comment cut into the Chieftain’s gloat.

The Brute glared at Simyaldee. “Are you the leader?”

“No, I am the Second.” Simyaldee walked forward and powered on his twin blades. “Release him.”

The Chieftain huffed. “Hardly.” He raised his hammer and quickly brought it down upon Gridolee. Simyaldee quickly dashed forward, rolled his blade beneath the Chieftain’s hammer and angled it so that the brute’s power and force would slide harmfully to the side. The hammer smashed into the soil. Simyaldee rolled his back toward the brute and elbowed him in the abdomen. Grimleon shifted his weight, causing Simyaldee to stagger as his elbow slid off of his armor. The Chieftain then gripped his arm and spun Simyaldee about, and kicked outward. His kicked missed completely as Simyaldee twisted his arm free and cut downward, across the brute’s leg. Grimleon yelled a curse and backed off. He gripped his hammer in both hands and held it high over his right shoulder. Grimleon snarled at the cut in his armor and then glared at Simyaldee.

Simyaldee stood over Gridolee. “Get back and assist the others.”

Gridolee humbly stood as another Mirratord gave him a standard energy sword. He watched as Simyaldee tensed up for a moment, almost grunting in pain. Gridolee examined Simyaldee closely, his breathing was erratic… he was in pain. Something was wrong.

Simyaldee placed one hoof forward, crossed his chest with one arm and sword, while the other was behind him. He was standing in a sprinters pose, ready and waiting for the moment to charge. Try as he might, he could not shake the pain coursing through his side. He had overexerted himself when he first blocked the Chieftain’s hammer, and reopened his early wound, and pulling a muscle in his side. He knew he wasn’t fully healed, but he didn’t think that he was this frail. After five days of rest, he felt that he was still slowly recovering, but at the same time he felt that he could easily fight off anything the brutes could throw his way, however he didn’t plan on encountering a warrior of this skill.

The chieftain roared. “That stance, I have seen it before. Do I know you?”

“No.” Simyaldee stated as he glared forward. “But it is my duty to know the name of every clan’s tribal chief, Grimleon.”

“It would seem you have me at a disadvantage. We do not know much of you cowardly Mirratord. Tell me your name.”

“Rin Sim’yald, eldest of the House of Yal and second in command of all Mirratord Warriors.”

“The House of Yal?” Grimleon chuckled. “The first of the Honor Guards. That explains your skill. To bad your traitorous father could not maintain his duties. A pity what happened to him.”

Simyaldee smiled. “You know nothing of my Father!”

Grimleon huffed. “Believe what you will. But I know that your House was in command of training the Honor Guards, but mysteriously your father went missing, or perhaps he was simply a coward, born of cowardice and an unskilled house.”

Simyaldee smile quickly faded as his Mandibles became taught with anger. “You have been well versed in the lies of the Covenant. But my knowledge of you is from my own investigation. It is a shame that you allowed Tartarus to be the leader of the unified clans. A smarter ‘brute’ would have realized how the system was flawed and you were all being used.”

  • 08.01.2007 11:44 AM PDT

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Grimleon slowly stalked to his left, edging closer to Simyaldee. “Listen to yourself. You think I care if the Prophets are right or wrong? I’m a warrior, not a leader. I could have taken the Chieftain’s house had I chose, but the path that Truth and Tartarus was leading us towards made it easier for me to find skillful pray. That is all I care for.” More brutes trotted into the area as the last of the Mirratord formed up behind Eric and Gridolee. The camp had been completely taken over and the remaining brutes stood at Grimleon’s wake. “Tartarus and his house chose to follow the Great Journey, but I came to find combat. Your father understood this.”

“You will tell me what you know! I will rip the information from your dieing tongue!” Simyaldee spat.

“Do not take me for a fool, Sim’yald. I do not order my soldiers to die needlessly. And I have noticed your breathing, and the muscle spasm on your side. You started this fight at only half your agility.” Grimleon smiled from behind his helmet. “My forces are outnumbered and I am eager to continue this discussion, but perhaps at another time.”

A sniper round split the air and Grimleon easily blocked it with a wave from his gravity hammer. Much like Tartarus’s shield unit, he too wore an over shield generator. Simyaldee glared questioningly. Grimleon did not use the shield against him, if he had Simyaldee easily would have been beaten.

Grimleon smirked. “Dishonorable humans! We shall continue this Sim’yald. For now, this area is yours. But we are far from done.” An armored vehicle with a claw shaped wheel on the front began to roll toward the group. It was followed by several more and thusly began to cut into gap between the brutes and Mirratord. The Chieftain boarded one of the brute choppers and sped away while the others attacked Simyaldee’s forces until the Chieftain was clear.

Simyaldee and his team took cover as the brute choppers plowed their claw like wheels into anything in their paths. Human weapons fired sporadically at the monstrous single passenger vehicles until they quickly sped away; a clever retreat.

Eric, holding his dislocated shoulder, walked over to his teams. “Fan out and clear the camp. 08, radio the rest of the defense and let them know that northern Eden is clear. Gridolee, get Simyaldee back to the med tent.” His voice was stern, filled with anger.

“I am fine…” Simyaldee began.

Eric quickly cut him off. “I don’t think so. You obviously have an internal injury that needs medical treatment. That type of injury will not heal properly on its own.”

“I have had worse.” Simyaldee grunted as he held the pulled muscles.

“I’m sure. But if you plan on fighting that Chieftain, Grimleon, then you need to be up to speed.” Eric was quick with his words. He was speaking as if he was irritated, annoyed and angry. Ever word he spoke seemed to be snarled through gritted teeth. He opened his COM. “Siren, status.”

“Palab is effectively dividing up his forces to hunt down the last remnants of brutes. Also, I’m tracking a pack of brutes exiting the area by vehicles. They’re retreating from your area. A phantom is inbound to retrieve them. I have a target lock.”

Eric looked toward Simyaldee and then thought for a moment. “Negative, Siren. Hold your fire.”

“19? What do you mean? I have visual confirmation of enemy units leaving the camp area. One shot from this ships turrets can…”

“I said let them go.” Eric added sternly. “Forget that you saw them.”

“Alright… 19. If that’s your order. Can I ask you why?”

“No. You can’t.” Eric turned and walked past Simyaldee. Simyaldee was silent and simply nodded. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“You will not, Chief Raynord. I will stake my life upon it. I am in your debt.”

“19, incoming transmission from Halsey.” Siren stated on the Black Ops closed channel. “She needs a ride south, if you have the time.”


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Hall of the Gods
Covenant controlled segment of The Ark’s upper level
Eastern Coast of Mombasa Crater Site
November 9, 2552

Truth floated into a magnificent chamber, glowing with dozens of terminals. His brute honor guards dispersed throughout and began to examine every entrance into the room. Truth, now alone, began to scan the terminals around the room. His private communications channel opened and he eagerly accessed it.

“Do you have good news, my mighty Warhammer?” Truth stated into the channel. The video feed opened and before him stood the image of Grimleon, holding his helmet at his side. Grimleon bowed respectfully and then returned his gaze to Truth.

“Why was I not informed that the House of Yal still stood?”

“You know as well as I that if the House of Yal still stood it would be of no consequence. Therefore telling you was not a topic worth sharing.”

“Forgive me, noble Hierarch, but that is merely your opinion on the matter. My clan’s honor demands the death of the House of Yal.”

“If you are aware that the House of Yal stands, then I can only assume you found the one that got away.” Truth sighed as he rested his head upon his hands. “My mighty Warhammer, I have never stopped your insane quests, and I will not interfere this time. But be warned, the Mirratord are not as weak as the other descendants of Yal were. Do what you wish, but when the time comes for the Great Journey, be sure you are in your place.”

Grimleon huffed. “Save your speeches for the afterlife, noble Truth. I never bowed to your Gods before, and I will not bow to them now. My Clan will now pursue the last of the House of Yal. If I am successful, I will rejoin the armada.”

“Be thankful, Warhammer. Your past deeds strengthen my patience on your tone. Just be certain that the humans are not aware of the Path of Reclamation. Destroy the Ark Data node before they can fully comprehend it.”

“You may want to send another attack wave to deal with that matter. If I was properly informed that the House of Yal still stood, then perhaps I would have been able to deal with this situation better. We failed in breaking through the human defenses. My excavation teams are still digging into the underground layer, but it will take several days. For now, I will transfer this duty to another clan.”

“Warhammer!” Truth shouted. “I gave you the order to fulfill this task. Not another.”

“My name is Grimleon! Chieftain of the Red Line Clan! You will no longer address me as your Warhammer! And until the pact of my Clan is complete, I will answer to you no longer!”

The channel closed, and Truth sat bewildered. He glared into the space of the room, and fumbled with his thoughts. “The humans must not learn of the Path. Damn you Grimleon, you are risking everything to pursue this nonsense.”

To be continued….

**********************************************
Notes: Still needs a spelling a grammar check, but this is the typical unedited form. The cleaned-up version will be posted on FF.net by friday.
The next level will begin the saga of the House of Yal. Thanks for reading.

~soulguard

  • 08.01.2007 11:46 AM PDT

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I hide my Gamertag because I don't want to play with you :).

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Soulguard! One of the most excellent installments! I cannot wait for the excerpt on the House of Yal!

  • 08.01.2007 12:20 PM PDT
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Have to agree. I really like the intrigue you are building between Grimleon and the House of Yal. Surely there is some history there.. :) Not quite sure what Eric is so mad about though? hmmm

Nice spin on the forerunner's "experiments". Not too many errors either..

  • 08.01.2007 12:40 PM PDT
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Posted by: bbender
Have to agree. I really like the intrigue you are building between Grimleon and the House of Yal. Surely there is some history there.. :) Not quite sure what Eric is so mad about though? hmmm

Nice spin on the forerunner's "experiments". Not too many errors either..


Totally agree that this was a great level. It had filler stuff, but the action was insane. I almost though that Gridolyee was gonna die to Grimleon. Thank goodness he didn't. I think Eric is mad b/c of Mel and any type he encounters a Brute of higher rank he will be mad until he has had his revenge. Just a thought.

Soulguard
I must have caught this as you were posting b/c I was only up to I think the third post when you just switched to Eric and Simyaldee. I was like WTF where is the rest. Then I hit F5 to refresh and that is when the two wks of anticipation paid off. Great level.

  • 08.01.2007 1:43 PM PDT
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holy crap dude you just stepped it up a very big notch

  • 08.01.2007 1:55 PM PDT

I agree with everything else that has been said about this Level.

I look with utmost anticipation for the next Level, and to see what will happen now that we know of the Path.

  • 08.01.2007 2:47 PM PDT
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mmmmm is the brute "formerly known as the warhammer" one of the two that everyone will follow?? i remember it saying that one of the two would be someone who was a enemy...

so the House of Yal trained the Honour Guards that is very interesting indeed, so now the question that has been bugging me since The Mirratord is why was Sim's father killed? i understand now why the first told the elder not to speak the name of his house during his induction if he is that last of that house, which we now is rebuilt... well nearly

  • 08.01.2007 4:11 PM PDT