By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
HALO
UNYIELDING
PROLOGUE
Covenant dig site, under New Mombasa
Superintendent-class A.I core
November 17th, 2552
9th Age of Reclamation
The colossal cavern was damp and murky, built around the Superintendent's core which was about a dozen miles underground. Several Huragok floated by, looking slightly sinister when in their silvery metallic armour. Ever since the Brutes had taken control of the Covenant military, they'd strapped bombs onto the gentle creatures and forced them into slavery. Some were hissing uncontrollably, knowing they had uncovered something immense.
They each turned when a new figure began to hover down a shaft.
The Prophet of Truth.
*
He descended from above, clad in his usual red robe, with a haunting and weary look on his face. He examined his elongated fingernails and scratched his beard thoughtfully, looking out over what the Covenant had uncovered.
It looked like a technological valley that stretched on for hundreds of miles, the machinery had woken up only a little while ago and the Covenant were being helped by a new ally.
A grim smile completed his evil expression, waving his hand as a sign for the Huragok hailing him to continue their work. Truth drifted off, his eyes bristling with hunger and malice...
"It's almost over," he said to himself.
Phantom dropships were now approaching the canyon's dig-site. A large crevice, created by several Assault Carriers, revealed a long stretch of Forerunner architecture. Was this the Portal that Truth was searching for? Was this something else?
*
"Noble Prophet," an Honour Guardsman knelt at the Hierarch's feet. "It's ready."
The Brute was rather fat, the beast had a long beard that travelled to his torso and looked slightly smaller than his brethren. He was wearing the ceremonial armour given to him during the Changing of the Guard, an event that had occurred after the death of the Prophet of Regret. The armour was crimson red with angular golden plates jutting out the side of the helmet and shoulder pads. To be in a position of protecting the Hierarchs was a thing of great honour.
Truth nodded and allowed the Jiralhanae to guide him through the cavern. On the way through, the Prophet noticed the hives of the Yanme'e which were built up almost a month ago. Truth thought he'd gotten a glimpse of the Hive Queen several times as her Drones brought her food and minerals.
The Honour Guard stopped at the end of a tunnel, a large Forerunner door slid open with a gentle hiss. The interior looked like a giant dome with about a thousand pea pods scattered in rows along the walls. Forerunner Glyphs were dotted around the place, showing the 'shield and sword' symbol which was glowing a vibrant blue.
Truth examined his surroundings, taking a deep breath of the holy air. He could hear the constant whirring of machinery which was waking up after a 100,000 year long slumber.
"Be gone," the Prophet commanded. He'd noticed the Brute was looking around, it would not bode well if the Jiralhanae discovered his true plan. The Honour Guard bowed awkwardly, trying to shift over his weight and hobbled out of the chamber.
In the centre of the dome was a rounded capsule, a group of Huragok were floating around it. Truth hovered over to the capsule and, for the first time, stepped out of his Gravity Throne.
It fell to the floor with a CLUNK as the Prophet shuffled across the floor, his bare feet felt frozen as they touched the metallic floor.
"Is it prepared?" Truth asked.
A Huragok glided over and opened the capsule, steam billowed out of the sides and made a motion for Truth to step inside it. He obliged, slipping inside the capsule and lying down.
The screen of the capsule polarised and the outside world became completely invisible. Truth was where he should be, hidden away in the darkness.
Suddenly, a voice echoed around Truth. The image of a Monitor with a blood-red eye swam into focus.
"Welcome, Meddler. I am Offensive Bias; this is an unexpected pleasure..."