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  • Subject: [Story] Halo: True Sangheili (Part Seven is up 6th September!)
Subject: [Story] Halo: True Sangheili (Part Seven is up 6th September!)
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Bungie.net member Since 2001

"A hero need not speak. When he is gone, the world will speak for him"
"You are the last of your kind: bred for combat, built for war. You're the master of any weapon, pilot of any vehicle, and fear no enemy"

OMG! Great job!

  • 03.15.2011 7:27 PM PDT

No new games, catching up with the world, and filling it with the name of SpazDragon, the dragon with a spas-12.

My hopes have filled every part of my body: My brain, my heart, and things I should not go into detail.

When this war is over, I will dance on Truth's grave...

<.<

>.>

...Savara will be involved in a Tango with me...

...there will be lots of blood from the brutes...

...while it gets annoying that I keep typing this...






*stairs at all female Sangheili*

...wort.

  • 03.15.2011 8:47 PM PDT

Why hello there.

Microwave ovens are quite large.

WORT, WORT,WORT!

-NUMS!

Just hope he doesn't get a 3DS, that will be the end of this.

  • 03.20.2011 11:10 PM PDT

What a waste....

Yeah, really...


WORT WORT WORT!

  • 03.21.2011 7:23 AM PDT

Sorry about the delay, I've been away from the internet for a few days. So without any more ado, here's chapter twenty-seven.

Part 27 - Shrouded heresy

The doors of the lift opening alerted the attention of a nearby guard, who walked slowly towards it with a raised rifle and wary eyes.

A few short moments later, and he was lying still in a small puddle of blood, rapidly descending down the river styx with the metal ferrier. The murdering haze of heat stepped out from the small corridor, gently treading into the large expanse of the Everest's command bridge.

It was a whirlwind of activity, far more manic than the constained, cool command centres which adorned Covenant ships. Earpieces were lifted and placed back by the score, papers flew about the room, people were holding onto metallic rails for dear life as the ship rocked with the impact of Covenant vessels.

Only one man stood, immovable, on a slightly raised pedestal, arms folded neatly behind his rigid back as he faced the windows defiantly, one with the Everest as it swayed and booked. He would bark orders; sharply, yet paced and perfectly in control.

Admiral Cole, I presume, Ahkrin thought to himself, keeping in the dark acloves afforded by the walls of the room. He was completely invisible to the naked eye, and would only be noticed if a human was actively searching for him. A Kig-Yar would be able to spot him instantly on the ultraviolet spectrum, but thankfully humans lacked that particular ability... or at least, he was almost sure they did.

"Belay that last order; adjust ARCHER trajectory 32, 64 and fire on my mark... Mark!" Cole bellowed crisply, and sure enough the Everest kicked back as a volley of missiles was fired from the aft weapon ports. They flew through the night, pushing past Seraphs and Banshees before impacting into the straining shields of a Covenant Destroyer unfortunate to find itself positioned between two of Cole's ships; how he had managed to move them into such a position as to trap a Covenant vessel was beyond Ahkrin.

I could kill him now, Ahkrin thought to himself, with a sudden realisation. In a second fell swoop I could kill the scourge of all Covenant kind.

But that would lead to his discovery and death. As well as Zharn's... and at the end of the day, Ahkrin placed their lives above those of people he knew not. Besides, with the ship rocking from side to side so violently anything he tried could fail, and it would all be for nothing.

No, best to stick with the original plan and get his brother out safely and unnoticed. The steamy haze sidled further, towards the door at the top of the stairs he was at. Above the door was a plaque reading 'Admiral's quarters.' Cole had said something earlier about Zharn being in his quarters. With any luck, he would be there still.

He moved within inches of a female marine, who seemed otherwise preoccupied with trying to remain on her feet. Even so, Ahkrin adjusted the weight he was exerting by use of a small anti-gravity system, making his footsteps as soft as a child's.

"Admiral, shields are down. Your orders?" an unplaceable voice asked from within the almost solid crowd of subordinates hastily relaying orders. Cole looked to the left for a second, before nodding without the slightest trace of doubt.

"Fire MAC rounds beta, gamma and omega; on my mark... Mark!"

A tremendous shaking hit the ship as the heavy Mass Accelerator Cannons on the underside of the large vessel fired up, before ejecting the massive chunks of titanium MAC rounds were comprised of. The boulders of metal sped towards the Covenant Destroyer faster than the speed of sound, striking with the force of a toppling mountain. A mixture of crimson and sapphire fire played about the gaping wound in the hull of the Covenant ship, and hundreds of small Covenant bodies flew out of the rupture into the unforgiving reaches of the infinite vacuum. And then, the ship finally exploded, firing out pieces of debris and dying flames in all directions.

Cheering swept over the bridge, and Ahkrin grieved for those who had been onboard. But there was more to worry about.

No one noticed him as he reached the door to the Admiral's quarters, and slowly turned the brass door-knob with nonexistential hands. It swung open silently well oiled --, and Ahkrin slid inside, closing it behind him just as gently.

The Sangheili took a preliminary scan of the room, and smiled. A familiar shape was chained to the desk in the centre of Cole's office, facing the wall dully.

"I was wondering when you'd get here," Zharn spoke, still facing the wall. Ahkrin wasn't surprised in the slightest as he temporarily lowered the active camouflage effect, walking swiftly to his friend.

"How do you always know?" he demanded with mock irriation, looking his brother in the face. The left side was swollen, bloodied and raw, and he looked as if he hadn't slept in days.

"If I told you I wouldn't be able to do it anymore," Zharn chuckled. "Worry not, it isn't obvious. I know it only because I have been with you so long. You are well?"

"A few broken bones and bruises here and there, and my feelings were a little hurt by the humans who tried to lynch me. Other than that, I'm quite alright," Ahkrin bantered, drawing a small burning cyan knife from his belt and using it to deftly slice Zharn's restraints. "You look like sh­it, though, to coin a human phrase."

"Thanks," Zharn replied with typical dryness, rising to his feet with no small degree of stiffness. "We need to get out of here and save our warriors, my friend. I'll need a weapon, my armour, and--"

"No," Ahkrin cut in. Zharn blinked slowly, giving his friend a strange look.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no," Ahkrin affirmed, inspecting Zharn's injuries as he spoke, unable to meet the other Sangheili's eyes. "There's not enough time. We get out of here."

"Ahkrin!" Zharn uttered with shock, outraged. Ahkrin was thankful that the door to the Admiral's quarters seemed to be soundproof. Nevertheless he placed a hand over Zharn's mouth out of instict, hushing him.

"Cole's ships are still in disarray after the arrival of our ships, brother. We must find a means of escape whilst they are otherwise occupied, and flee."

"And abandon our warriors? By the gods, Ahkrin. That's heresy!"

"Heresy none shall know of," Ahkrin murmurred. "If anyone asks we tell them that there was no way to reach our warriors."

"... lie to the council?" Zharn asked, livid. Ahkrin nodded.

"I have done so many times in the past, Zharn. The fact that you know none of it is testiment to how skilled at weaving deception I can be. Now come, there is not much time. Orpheus awaits for us in the docking bay with two Unggoy... those two must die, I am afraid."

"No, Ahkrin," Zharn cautioned, shaking his head. Ahkrin simply shrugged, already extending his active camouflage around his friend.

"None can know of what has truly transpired here, Zharn. It is, as you say, heresy to abandon those under one's command. But to do otherwise now would be worse than foolish; it would be suicide. Kill the Unggoy or leave them here; they cannot be trusted to keep quiet as Orpheus will."

"We'd never get away with it," Zharn breathed, knowing he was unfit to command as he found himself seriously considering Ahkrin's proposal. But it was wrong.

"We would," Ahkrin insisted. "But we must go now!"

There was an uncomfortable silence, pervaded only by the occassional violent shuddering of the ship as the battle between levithans raged on in the darkness outside. Finally, Zharn spoke with heavy heart.

"I cannot do it, Ahkrin. They are my warriors, and I will either free them or die with them. You must leave, but I will stay."

"Zharn" Ahkrin began to protest, a grim shadow seeping under his eyes.

"No, Ahkrin. I have made my decision, and I am sorry. Take me out from here, and go. We shall meet again on the Journey," Zharn told him. He couldn't bear to look in his friend's eyes, and turned away.

And so he didn't see Ahkrin raise the plasma rifle over his head, and--

Smack!

Silently, Zharn dropped to the ground. Ahkrin bent down and picked up the unconscious Sangheili, manipulating his considerable dead weight with an anti-gravity system, before loading him onto his aching shoulders. Invisibility wove a fine web around them, covering both head to toe.

"Sorry, brother," the haze of heat spoke to the unconscious lump resting on his shoulders, with a tinge of regret. "But I won't let you foolishly throw your life away as he did."

* * *

"... a pity an honour guard was killed, but that is sometimes the way of things. You have gained their trust, I presume?"

"Of course, holy one."

"Excellent. You know what is is you must do, when the time comes."

  • 03.22.2011 1:46 AM PDT

* * *

The sight of High Charity, with its vast size, beautiful archtecture and aura of radiance was a familiar sight to Savara. The Immortal Repentance had docked there many times in the past, for practical and religious reasons.

This time was the first she would actually have something meaningful to do when visiting, though, other than see the monuments and vistas of the holy city and pray.

The Reptence was a very large ship, but even it was dwarfed by High Charity. The Repetence was commanded by Thel Vadam'ee, the youngest of one of the oldest and most respected Sangheilian families; their bloodline could be traced back to the signing of the writ. From what she could understood, he had once been Kaidon of his family's state on Sangheilios, but the stars had called out to him and now he was rapidly ascending through the Covenant hierarchy some said he would reach Supreme Commander someday.

A Sangheili like he will never do anything considered blasphemous. Why could my Sorran have not been the same? Savara asked herself, standing in the departure area along with thousands of pilgrams-to-be. Convalescence stood beside her, arm linked with hers for support. She had beseeched him many times to use a gravity chair as most Prophets even younger than he did, but he wouldn't hear of it.

Sorran had admired that, she remembered.

An eerie silence blanketed the thousands of people as they waited. The lack of noise was surreal in such a large crowd; not even the Unggoy spoke a word as everyone knelt in collective prayer, a position they would remain in until the doors to the holy city opened.

Only one did not kneel, a lone Kig-Yar stood a small distance away from the masses and leaning darkly against the wall, staring down at the ground wearing a brooding look under a darkened hood. His lack of conformity had attracted some attention.

All this was forgotten however, when the great door of the departure zone opened, and the artificial light of High Charity flooded the dim room, illuminating it in religious glory. Synonymously, thousands lifted their heads in exaltation, a content expression of innocence gracing each and every face.

"Come, my dear," Convalescence beckoned her finally, as people began to rise to their feet and exit the Repentence, stepping into the gargantuan dock of the holy city. Even now Savara could already hear the gentle hum of the Forerunner Dreadnought, positioned on a seat of reverence in the heart of the city.

She nodded, standing up and walking towards the incorporeal stairs, comrpised of anti-gravity belts. The female Sangheili stole a final look at where the Kig-Yar had stood.

Gone.

Most probably some space-faring wanderer who had been picked up by the Repentence; Vadam'ee refused no Covenant hospitality on his ship. Some of the Kig-Yar on the border ridges of the empire weren't as enthused by the divinity of the holy Forerunners as most.

"When will we visit his grave?" Savara asked the frail Prophet as the shuffled through the crowd, under the watchful high of the constabulary and minder drones which hovered above. She'd almost forgotten how controlled High Charity was, unless you had money or power.

"Tomorrow, my dear," Convalescence intoned wearily. "If you do not mind the little wait. I feel it would be best to familiarise ourselves with our quarters, first."

Savara was about to protest when she noticed how dark the Minister's eyes were. He's tired, he's just too proud to admit it directly. Sorran's body is not going anywhere.

"Of course, Minister. I am a little tired, actually," she lied, saving Convalescence face. He smiled knowingly, but said nothing.

It was still hard to believe Sorran was dead. Perhaps seeing his grave would give her some closure on the surreality.

From a distance, a hooded figure watched the two closely. And when they began to move, he followed.

* * *

"What happened?" Orpheus asked as Ahkrin approached, Zharn still slung over his back unconscious. With no hesistation or shift in tone, Ahkrin answered swiftly.

"The humans were keeping him drugged. He's still alive, don't worry... surely that's not our escape?"

His finger was pointed limply at the human fighter behind them. It looked like a wreck; doubtlessly a veteran of many battles. Its flesh was scarred with deep cuts, and its joints seemed as if they threatened to pop out.

"Well, apparently this is engineering..." Orpheus answered abashedly, shaggy hand nervously stroking the back of his broad neck as Ahkrin glared at him coldly. "The humans had shut off access to the docking bay!"

Ahkrin cursed, punching a wall violently. His still-recovering arm protested, but he told it to shut up forcefully.

"The humans bring their ships in here through a hanger door. We'll just have to take that wreck of a ship and hope the engineers had already started repairing it."

"That's an awfully big risk," Orpheus cautioned, offering to take Zharn from Ahkrin. The Sangheili shook his head, turning away.

"We either die on the ship or die at the hands of the humans pursuing us. At least the former option holds some small measure of hope."

"Gods, Ahkrin. I'm starting to wish I'd just let the rioters shoot me," Orpheus chuckled, his joke alluding to acceptance. Ahkrin would have smiled, but a grave matter presented himself. He lay Zharn down on the floor before the two Unggoy, and grabbed Orpheus' shoulder, moving him aside out of the Unggoys' earshot and into the shadow cast by a support pillar.

"We need to decide what to do with them," Ahkrin murmurred darkly, his voice reluctant yet resolute. He felt Orpheus stiffen against his shoulder.

"What do you mean?" he asked, knowing full well what Ahkrin meant.

"You know," Ahkrin snapped back quietly. "What we're doing here abandoning our fellows in need would get us killed if the council knew of it. I can weave the lie, and you and Zharn can adhere to it... but Unggoy would not. Their blind subservience would get us all executed, Jiralhanae. You understand me, do you not?"

"So, what, you're suggesting we kill them?" Orpheus asked, outrage tinting his voice. Ahkrin shrugged.

"Or leave them here. If Cole's men find them, they'll have a chance. If the humans intent on killing us all do... well, so be it."

"Forerunner above, Ahkrin! What you suggest isn't just heresy, it's wrong!" Orpheus hissed, looking over the Sangheili's shoulder at the innocent, docile Unggoy as they watched the exits of the engineering room nervously.

"I'd rather be guilty than dead, Orpheus. How about you?" Ahkrin demanded, hating himself but knowing there was no other way.

The Jiralhanae knew too.

"If we do this... I'll never be able to live with myself," Orpheus bemoaned, dropping his head into his hand.

"You have no choice, Jiralhanae," Ahkrin told him. "I would kill you in an instant if you tried to stop me; I appreciate what you have done but the ties between Zharn and I run strong in all but blood. And I will do whatever it takes to keep he and I alive."

"I don't doubt it," Orpheus conceeded, knowing all the while that Ahkrin was simply trying to exonerate him of blame. "... thanks. How are we going to do this, then?"

"Leave it to me," Ahkrin replied with heavy-heart. "All I ask of you is to take Zharn aboard and ready that husk of a ship for departure."

"I foresee many sleepless nights for us," Orpheus uttered despondently. Akrin laughed with mirth.

"I am accustomed to them. Go, now. The humans are not far behind us."

  • 03.22.2011 1:46 AM PDT

The tide is turning, brothers! Let us take our kingdom back!

Awesome chapter, man. The phrase "Good cannot be accomplished by evil means" keeps coming to mind as I read Ahkrin's words.

  • 03.22.2011 5:34 AM PDT
Subject: [Novel] True Sangheili (Part 27 available!) ~ 22nd March

Ahkrin is so heartless :(

Great work!

[Edited on 03.22.2011 9:21 AM PDT]

  • 03.22.2011 9:21 AM PDT

Posted by: vI RaGeZ Iv
Ahkrin is so heartless :(


Not heartless, just cold and calculating. He spent his life training to be a merciless assassin, remember. He left that life to join the Covenant army with Zharn, but old habits die hard.

The characters were becoming too similar, with all of them being soft and overly-sympathetic. Sorran will always be like that, but it should not be so with Zharn, Ahkrin or even Orpheus.

Sure, there has been character development since the beginning, but they all need to be distinct enough with unique traits. Zharn is the honourable leader who puts others before himself, Ahkrin is the cold, ruthless killer who does the things Zharn cannot, Sorran is the naive young Sangheili who has had the weight of the world thrown on his shoulders. The supporting characters like Orpheus, Savara, Restraint should all be very distinct too.

I felt I lost that in recent chapters. So I'm trying to go back with it. I think I'll also be delving into the history of the characters more too.

And yes, there is still a centralised story, don't worry. I'm not just throwing words onto a page. Expect some good revelations soon.

Thanks for reading.

  • 03.22.2011 1:08 PM PDT

its odd not seeing sorran
but its sorta good at the same time
its keeping us in the shadows making us wonder
what is he doing
good as always

  • 03.22.2011 2:33 PM PDT

What a waste....

A hooded Jackal, you say?

DUN DUN DUN!!!

  • 03.22.2011 9:27 PM PDT

Wonder what Bungie have in store for use after Reach?

Haven't seen anything like this on the Bungie.net forums before, or I'm just blind :P Keep up the creative writing, they're good :) you should consider publishing seeing as though the Halo universe is becoming a breading ground for novelists.

I'm no novelist, but I like creating stories, I am currently writing something in rough. Will just have to get enough time to get it finished and typed up :P

  • 03.23.2011 1:49 PM PDT
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"If something is easy, broken, cheap or can be abused, majority of the population will support it as a legit and or skilled concept/idea. Whatever people like and or love, they will thrive on it because no matter how broken it maybe, they do not like change."

Very Engaging.

  • 03.23.2011 3:11 PM PDT

Posted by: AssaultCommand
I see you got a nice arc going on with savarra. Finally.
Took long enough.


I've been wondering for a while where to go with the plot; I felt the original plan I had when I started True Sangheili was a little mundane. And that just wouldn't do for me; my stories have to be absurdly over-the-top with cliffhangers every chapter.

Reading Halo: Cryptum (good book by the way) helped me re-imagine my plan.

  • 03.24.2011 9:53 AM PDT

No new games, catching up with the world, and filling it with the name of SpazDragon, the dragon with a spas-12.

THIS LINK IS SO FREAKING RELEVANT!!!

Wait, never mind. Do you know how bored I am now? I'm just going around, Elite Trolling everyone. :P

Anyway, great story man! Dude? Thing? Wort? Ugh...

  • 03.24.2011 7:43 PM PDT
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Posted by: chotato
smart, interesting, seems out of place.


Official fan of Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, (Problem with that?) Halo, and Bungie, also a total gaming junkie.


Posted by: SpazDragon1397
THIS LINK IS SO FREAKING RELEVANT!!!

Wait, never mind. Do you know how bored I am now? I'm just going around, Elite Trolling everyone. :P

Anyway, great story man! Dude? Thing? Wort? Ugh...


Everybody just report this idiot.

  • 03.26.2011 11:21 AM PDT

Let's be honest, it could be a lot worse.

Best story ever, and I feel this is only like half way. Now every time I play Reach and kill an Elite I'm like, "oh now what if that was Sorran?"

  • 03.29.2011 4:25 PM PDT


Posted by: Fly Boy 2113
Best story ever, and I feel this is only like half way. Now every time I play Reach and kill an Elite I'm like, "oh now what if that was Sorran?"
Everytime I see an ultra on Reach whilst playing LASO. I'm like; "Fug off Zharn!" everytime he sticks me with a plasma.

[Edited on 03.29.2011 7:01 PM PDT]

  • 03.29.2011 7:00 PM PDT

EDIT: Sorry, I posted this in the wrong thread.

[Edited on 04.01.2011 8:25 AM PDT]

  • 04.01.2011 8:25 AM PDT

No new games, catching up with the world, and filling it with the name of SpazDragon, the dragon with a spas-12.


Posted by: Ktan Dantaktee

Posted by: SpazDragon1397
THIS LINK IS SO FREAKING RELEVANT!!!

Wait, never mind. Do you know how bored I am now? I'm just going around, Elite Trolling everyone. :P

Anyway, great story man! Dude? Thing? Wort? Ugh...


Everybody just report this idiot.


I have a problem with sugar...

Sorry.

  • 04.01.2011 7:27 PM PDT

Let's be honest, it could be a lot worse.

This early part of the story with Sorran kind of reminds me of Sledge in the Pacific WWII mini series.

  • 04.02.2011 4:05 PM PDT

Right, the plot is finally back on track. Quite a lot of dialogue this chapter, but I think there's been enough action over the previous few to justify it. I'm going to start tying some things together now, it should be good. Although, my final exams are very soon and they always take precedence, so I might not be writing too much.

I'll do my best, though. Because I love you all that much. Thanks for reading.


Part 28 -- Signs and Portents

The sky was aflame. And from his lofty pedestal in the skies, Sorran could see the stars go out one by one, blocked by a sheer multitude -- what seemed like millions -- of vaguely familiar ships hanging in space above, forming a solid wall.

Silence, for a few moments.

Then, comets fell. Except they weren't comets... they were the wrecked remains of ships, shot down in a cluster and allowing thin beams of light from the sun to gleam through the red and orange skies, casting a dangerous glow on the burning cities in the distance, impossibly huge cascading platforms of structures half-remembered.

Sorran tried to find his feet, but was immobile, trapped by the clouds and helpless as he heard the screams come from the cities below. And the burning comets still fell, smashing into the ground of the blazing planet with the fury of forsaken angels, come to bring judgement reining down.

Through the gap in the wall of ships, silhouettes basked in the terrible burning of the sun. Twelve lines, in perfect formation, moving swiftly closer. Ships broke off from the wall to engage, but they too swiftly fell down like falling stars.

The lines stopped, some breaking off. One broke in two, drifting slowly away. Four remained, and slowly began to turn.

The lines became rings. Four rings, the only sight visible outside the wall of ships shrouding the world in darkness. Sorran knew these rings. The sacred rings.

Halo.

And suddenly the light of the sun was drowned out in an even brighter glare, the silhouettes blanketed by the glow. A terrible sound, as if the world itself was tearing in two sounded, and suddenly all went black. The screams stopped, stifled.

The world ended.

Not with a whimper, but with a bang. This... this is what I have done, a melodic voiced muttered bitterly, laughing with mocking scorn.

Sorran awoke with a start, drenched in cold sweat. The light of the system's sun struggled to penetrate through the darkness of the room, managing only to throw a few thin streaks on the unforgiving walls.

The Sangheili looked around for a few seconds, relaxing when he realised he was in his room. It had all been a dream... a nightmare, rather. And disturbingly lucid.

I need to stop worrying so much about the secret I hold, Sorran thought, knowing in all probability that his sometimes overly-imaginative mind had been playing up on him. I'll take a walk and clear my head.

* * *

The Longsword cut its way deftly through space, weaving its way artfully through the debris and fighting between the battling ships some miles away. Drawing ever further away from the human ships. A few Banshees had broken off to intercept the human fighter but Ahkrin had forwarded them the appropriate codes, and they had promptly left to rejoin the battle.

"You're as soft as a Huragok beneath that gruff exterior, aren't you Ahkrin?" Orpheus mused, looking at the Unggoy sat down in the aft portion of the small human ship. Ahkrin was sat in a chair opposite the unconscious Zharn, arms folded in a surly fashion and staring down at the ground with a brooding expression.

"The humans would have been on us any second. I didn't have the time to kill them," he murmured hastily, a scowl playing across his tender face. The Jiralhanae nodded in mock understanding.

"Of course, of course. Don't worry Ahkrin, if anyone asks I'll them them there were ten before you killed most of them," he laughed, staring out at the raging battle still ensuing between Cole's forces and the Fleet of Indolent Adulation.

Cole was losing, just. And it was only through sheer force of strength that the Covenant forces were prevailing; Cole was outmanoeuvring them strategically at every turn. Orpheus stared at the great blocks of metal that were human ships in awe as they executed complex naval manoeuvres that would put even the most skilled Kig-Yar shipmaster to shame.

"Imagine if they had the technology we have," Orpheus uttered grimly, shaking his head as yet another Covenant ship was destroyed by a human ship which knew its death was at hand, and instead of fleeing through the void it had flown into the Covenant vessel at ramming speed. "If they reverse-engineer our technology, the war will be over swiftly."

"That's blasphemy," Ahkrin chimed in a sing-song voice, smiling. "Their worlds will be burnt to ashes before they can so much as discover energy shielding. The only way they would win this war would be if the Forerunners themselves intervened. And they care not for the heretical humans."

"I don't know, Ahkrin. Their determination frightens me; I think that if I challenged one half my size to a duel to the death, it would accept if the duel would allow a few of its fellows to escape. Sometimes they seem even more prideful than your kind."

"Don't let Zharn hear that, he would see it as an insult to the Sangheili and make it his personal mission to challenge every single human in existence to a duel," Ahkrin answered, quite sincere. He looked across at his friend, who looked almost tranquil, aside from the large bump on his head where Ahkrin's rifle had struck.

"What did you do, Sangheili?" Orpheus asked suspiciously, cutting straight to the point.

"I saved us from certain death," Ahkrin answered just as bluntly, shaking his head. "Zharn is a far better person than I. And that betterment would have killed him."

"It might kill you, now," Orpheus told Ahkrin with the faintest hint of a weary smile. Ahkrin shrugged.

"Well, when he does try to kill me you'll restrain him."

"Oh, really?"

"That's the only reason for me not leaving you behind on the Everest," Ahkrin chuckled, and Orpheus joined in with the laughter, before adopting a more sombre expression.

"Your disposition towards me has changed considerably recently, Ahkrin, but not too long ago you hated me. Why was this?"

"... I didn't hate you," Ahkrin muttered with embarrassment and turned to look out of the window at the terrifyingly beautiful battle raging outside.

"Sangheili, I would sleep at night in our camp with my shielding activated for fear you would drive a blade into my sleeping body. You hated me. What did I do wrong?"

Ahkrin pounded the table they were sat around angrily, sending a few rickety rivets falling to the floor. He stared angrily into the dirty depths of the steel.

"You were born a Jiralhanae, Orpheus."

"... you have a vendetta against us?" Orpheus asked, surprisingly not angered by a statement Ahkrin would have considered offensive if directed at his own kind. The Sangheili, still not able to meet the Brute's eyes, let his shoulders rise and fall heavily, looking up to the right as he reminisced.

"I was six, still in my family's household. My father's brother was the Field Marshal at Jagren."

"Oh," Orpheus realised, falling heavily back into his chair. The two Unggoy too were listening in, and Ahkrin didn't even have the heart to tell them to mind his own business. They wouldn't understand most of it anyway. He sighed.

"It was his fault the Jiralhanae uprising began. He panicked when a mob of your kind were outside the outpost, angered at some trivial matter; I think a Sangheili had struck a Jiralhanae for touching his blade. My uncle... he'd been born into the position of Field Marshal, and whilst he was legendary at training warriors, in the field he would panic. When an angered Jiralhanae pounded the door of the outpost, he thought they'd opened fire, and ordered that the fire be returned."

"Ahkrin--" Orpheus began sympathetically, his eyes morose. Ahkrin shook his head.

"Of course, the Jiralhanae had done no such thing, and were massacred. That's how the uprising on Jagren began, and thousands died before the Covenant was able to put a stop to the fighting. The Hierarchs at the time had no other way to end the conflict than punish the Field Marshal and his family... and satisfy the rage of the Jiralhanae. I watched as everyone in my family; my mother, my sister, my older brothers, my mother's sister - everyone was executed save me. I was left alive on account of my age, and was thrown out onto the streets."

"... what happened then?" Orpheus asked softly. Ahkrin shook his head.

"Zharn's house took me in as one of their own; our two houses had long been friends. I was always a source of embarrassment for them though; they'd never admit it but I knew. My very existence was shameful, and Zharn's house lost a lot of standing as a result of my adoption by them. When I was of age I left to save them further shame and joined special operations; they don't care about your past, as long as you can kill without mercy. I didn't have a whole lot of mercy in me back then, Orpheus."

"And Zharn joined with you?" Orpheus questioned.

"No. It would be another eight years before I saw Zharn again. And a good thing I recognised him too, or he'd be dead. That... that is a story for another time, though. You know now why I hate your kind; they cost me everything."

"I'm sorry I made you relive that, Ahkrin. It must have been terrible."

"It was. But you weren't even alive then, and it would be petty for me to be hostile towards you as a result of ancient history. So forgive me if I am ever horrible towards you, Orpheus. I do not mean it."

[Edited on 04.09.2011 4:30 AM PDT]

  • 04.09.2011 4:27 AM PDT

"I--" Orpheus began, before he was violently interrupted by the sudden eruption of sound from one of the Longsword's radios.

"--the March of Righteousness. Do you receive? a Sangheilian voice questioned, accentuated by a cascading wave of static. One of the Unggoy lunged for the transceiver, and brought it up to his mouth.

"Receiving," he squeaked in a weary voice. There was a delay for a few seconds, before the voice replied.

"Who is aboard your... vessel? the Sangheili questioned suspiciously, and Ahkrin took this opportunity to take the archaic radio from the Unggoy and speak himself.

"Operative Ahkrin, of the house Descol'ee," Ahkrin rasped over the radio with a voice worn out by weeks of hardship. A longer pause, this time.

"... Descol'ee. I didn't know there were any of you left."

"You'll know soon enough when I wrap my hand around your throat unless you clear us for docking, communications officer," Ahkrin threatened, and he heard a light chuckle on the other end of the frequency.

"That's sub-commander, actually. I would advise against wrapping your hand around my throat, operative," the Sangheili answered, and Ahkrin felt his heart constrict. Orpheus was making a small strangled noise.

"Forgive me, noble one. I thought you were a communications--"

"I know. Worry not, I have made the same mistake in the past. I shall send two Seraphs to safely escort you to this ship, although I must warn you that you will be met by an armed lance of warriors just in case. Once you're properly aboard, they'll take you to me for debriefing.

"... Of course. Again, I'm sorry for the mistake."

"It is forgotten. I will see you soon, operative."

The radio connection terminated, and Ahkrin softly placed it on the ground. He looked at Orpheus, who had been holding a large breath which he gradually exhaled.

"Is there a single person in the Covenant you haven't issued a death threat, Ahkrin?"

"Of course... on some distant border planet, probably. Do not hold me to that, though."

* * *

"You're a long way from home, Sorran," Hem spoke as he found Sorran staring down at the planet High Charity was currently draining resources from, from one of the many ridges of the station. The emptiness of space surrounded him, his only protection from the vacuum a thin shield blanketing High Charity. Streams of plasma jetted from the underside of the stations, slamming through the thin atmosphere of the lifeless rock and tearing the ground asunder. Mining Scarabs sailed down from the colossal holy station to collect the resources thrown up by the digging.

"I needed to clear my head," he answered, looking out at the universe. It made him feel better. Compared to that infinite space, he was nothing. Nothing in this galaxy was. Where once this thought may have depressed him, now it imbued him a little. Once again his mind turned to the dream he'd had last night.

"You've been doing that a lot lately," Hem interrupted his train of thought, leaning on the hard-light balcony adjacent to Sorran. The older Sangheili had begun wearing a lighter variant of the honour guard's attire, due to his age. "You're not happy."

"I'm dead," Sorran answered with a biting laugh, kicking his foot against the bottom rung of the balcony. The hard-light shimmered and contorted around the impact, like ripples in a still pond. "Everyone who cared about me thinks I'm dead."

"It must be hard," Hem agreed sympathetically. He looked at Sorran. "Did you have a mate prior to your 'death'?"

Sorran shrugged, turning away.

"Not as such. I had met someone, though. Her name's Savara, and she's perfect. And for some reason she liked me. I can't think why, I was never a great warrior or anything special. Just a Sangheili minor who got caught up in events beyond his control, and now look. I'm plagued by a secret I wish I never knew. Why did Restraint tell me?"

"Because he's dying," Hem interjected sharply, and Sorran felt his hearts skip a beat. He stared at the older Sangheili.

"What?" he asked unnecessarily, because he'd heard perfectly. Hem was looking at him grimly.

"The Minister's health has always been precarious. He came from a flawed gene pool, and whilst his mind is amazing, his body has always been faulty. The physicians say in his body, a group of abnormal cells are multiplying uncontrollably. It's rare, but can occur."

"Why did he not tell me?"

"He didn't want you worrying on his behalf. He's a very selfless man," Hem answered with admiration.

"Can it not be cured?" Sorran asked, his stomach sinking. Hem shook his head.

"Not by us. The humans know how to; they call it cancer. Ironic, isn't it? That despite all our advanced technology and knowledge, the humans probably know more than us with regards to how the universe works."

"So why not just capture a human physician and have him cure the Minister?" Sorran questioned.

"The Minister is too far along for that. We only found out a few months ago that the humans had a cure for 'cancer,' and this cure is ineffectual at the stage Restraint is at. I too am old, and do not have many years left. That is why the Minister needed someone to pass the truth of Halo along to."

"Me," Sorran realised, and the weight of the world came crashing down upon him. "How long does Restraint have?"

"A bit less than a year, maybe," Hem answered despondently, glancing around. A kig-yar walked past them at a distance with aloof grace, seemingly unperturbed by the two Sangheili honour guards. His face was shrouded by a hood. Hem waited until he positive the kig-yar was out of ear-shot, and then continued. "It could be decades before the right time to reveal this secret comes. And he and I will be long-gone by then. It will all be on you, Sorran."

"I can't. You'll have to find someone else. I'm just--"

"It has to be you, Sorran. The fewer who know about Halo for now the better. Restraint and I exhausted ourselves and a considerable amount of wealth doing an extensive background check into you. You're not an honour-obsessed warrior, and you have an open and intellectual mind; few Sangheili are like that, and fewer are trustworthy as you are."

"I only ended up here because I was conscripted into the army by Truth's edict. I'd still be in the library otherwise," Sorran protested, and Hem laughed.

"Fitting that his edict will bring about his doom. Sometimes, to change the world, all it takes is the right person in the right place at the right time. It looks like you're that person, Sorran. My apologies."

"This isn't fair," Sorran still argued weakly. Hem shrugged.

"That's life. Worry not, Sorran. Restraint still has some time left and will tell you more. And I will train you to defend yourself and the secret you carry even after he has gone. You will be prepared."

The plasma stream stopped, and silence was left in its wake. Sorran gripped the hard-light balcony tightly.

"I came up here to escape all this. And now you're piling even more on me. You are terrible at cheering others up, Hem."

"You are not the first to say so," Hem laughed, patting Sorran on the back affectionately. "Come, let us draw away from these melancholy thoughts and have ourselves a drink. I would like to get to know you better, if you are to be my pupil in the years to come."

  • 04.09.2011 4:29 AM PDT