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Posted by: cB4d93
Posted by: Silent Eli
you are a good translatorIdiot can be a hard language to learn, but once you get it down, everything becomes so clear! The whole world will make sense to you.
8th Age Of Reclaimation
Human Colony Designation A-567c
Xor'Voramee
"..And in sector nineteen, five of fifty-seven patrols in the area have not reported back. Of the other seventeen that came under attack, roughly two-thirds of them lost about half their servile compliments. Jiralhanae kill-teams have reported reoccupation of three previously cleared strongholds on the Supercord in sectors twelve and fourteen.."
Xor'Voramee listened to the Ultra as he continued to report the events of the day. It was bad, it was always bad, and it always left the same frustrating impression feeling of hopelessness. He kept his mandibles tight and eyes stoic, lest Khar see his distress.
"That is all currently, sire." Khar'Mantee finished, closing his datapad.
"Thank You, Ultra Khar." Voramee replied
They saluted one another, and Mantee departed the quarter of authority, leaving Voramee and several of his subordinate Zealots to the holographic display of the south-most continent. It was almost entirely glassed, not deemed important enough to allow humans a chance to fight over the land. However, one area was most notably omitted from the fate of the rest of the planet, six thousand kilometers long, twenty-one kilometers wide, running almost down the middle half of the continent. This is where all the human resistance remains, where virtually all the Covenant's casualties were taken, and the ultimate objective of this entire campaign. Beneath this area, lies a leviathan series of tunnels the humans make use of to base their attacks, collectively termed the Undercord, against of Covenant ground-forces. Normally a widespread orbital bombardment of the area would pacify the squabbling, but no such action could be taken. For there was an important caveat, the tunnels were Forerunner.
The existence and location of the tunnels had been discovered several years ago in a Forerunner database on some sacked human colony, but little else. Whatever the case, Voramee had long since come to curse whoever unearthed the information. The humans used the tunnels to great effect against the Covenant, they allowed them to move without notice, attack from virtually anywhere, and disappear. Even when the well hidden access ports were found, it was impossible to get into them, and large scale demolition to blast through them was forbidden. The best they could do was lay a few mines near the ports, but they had no idea if it did anything, as they were almost everywhere, and Covenant mines had a habit of being often among many of the traps the humans laid for them..
"Sire, if we intend to retake clear strongholds, we will need to begin preparations for a coordinated assault." Stated Zealot Thal.
"Err, yes, begin the drafts for the attack. Avoid using the plans of our previous assault." Voramee replied.
"Yes sire."
"Excellent, I shall go out on an inspection of the base, and I shall return with you before sundown." Voramee said.
One of the most key things Voramee lacked was a layout of the tunnels, and for sometime early into the campaign, his forces would had to venture on haphazardly over the Supercord, hunting for Human guerillas. Eventually, they encountered enough that when the locations of the all the ambushes and attacks were ran through an Associated Intelligence, a rough sketch of the tunnels could be made. It was always being amended however, as the humans rarely attacked from the same place twice.
Voramee began to stroll out of the Quarter of Authority, and began upon his daily 'inspection'. To him, it served less as a time to inspect the workings of the operation, and more a time to remove himself from the pressures of command for a few minutes, but that is not to say he did not keep out a keen eye. Walking around the glittering purple structures, he went through the various Soldier Halls, vehicle depots, arial summit, and finally the Temple. He had found nothing wrong on his inspection, even the Unggoy were unusually attentive, perhaps they were warned of my presence while he was fitting the oxygen mask, he thought. Entering the Temple, he moved toward the center amidst several others were kneeling in prayer. In the center of the temple, a large blue holographic cloud filled with passages of the Holy Scripture was being projected, while speakers around the played the recorded voice of a Prophet narrating the text with ceremonial chanting in the background. He kneeled and began to offer praise and prayer towards the gods for the afternoon service. After it concluded, he began to head toward the Cafeteria for a warm bowl of..
"Sire!' Thal'Rethtai, his second in command, suddenly shouted over the com link.
Voramee groaned, no pureed squandra for him. "Yes, what is it Thal?"
"Fleet Master Eoe'Zonraee is calling for you." He stated.
"Yes, understood."
Voramee grew tense, what could they want? Was he issuing him a reprimand? Surely he was still in understanding of the progress as he last explained. These thoughts shot off in his mind as he rushed to the Quarter of Authority to take the call. Entering into the chamber, he could see the holograph of the Fleet-Master, waiting for him.
Saluting as he approached, Mantee began. "I apologize, I was in prayer and-"
"I am very busy, so I will be quick; your request for additional personnel has gone through. The destroyer, Persistant Doubt is enroute to provide personnel and act as support. It is under the direct command of Ship-Master Latt'Noratee. Further details will be provided to you upon his arrival."
A single destroyer; was he so heartless? He could not fight any battle; much less this one if this is the only resupply they were willing to give. He was a bit frightened to contradict his superior, but this was unacceptable.
"I am grateful Fleet-Master, but, my request detailed a contingent far exceeding that which a simple destroyer could provide. Is there not anything else that can be spared?" He inquired, trying to mask his nervousness.
To this, the Fleet-Master smirked. "I am certain you will find the destroyer's crew, more than satisfactory, Fleet-master out."
Mantee cursed to himself under his breath.
---------
As the Persistent Doubt cut through the absolute darkness of slip-space it's captain, Latt'Noratee, leaned against the command console, silently enjoying a bowl Kordia Glider bits. Finishing, he wiped off his mandibles and hands with a disposable cloth, and motioned for one of the grunt servitors to take it away. Checking over the displays once more, he noticed nothing of alarm or interest, and so, he continued once more on his monthly report. It was another dull day.
He was not a few minutes into it, he heard the chime of the automatic door ring, and slide open. Turning his head, he saw the dark-gray and red-maroon armor of one of the new Op's soldiers. Their helmet was not like that Noratee had ever seen before: large, ornamental, and enclosed, trimmed with silver Forerunner runes. He had met their commander briefly before they boarded, but they all appeared the same.
"Please, announce your presence." stated the ship-master.
"I apologize, I am Reva'Siramee, I believe we talked shortly before we departed." Replied the man.
"Oh yes, I remember. You're the commander that new legion aboard. May I inquire as to why you've come to my bridge?" Noratee asked.
"Drills and Prayer have ended for the cycle, I have merely come to talk, it is my understanding that we shall be working closely together for some time." He said, voice a monotone.
"Really now?"
"Evidently."
"Well, perhaps it would be appropriate for me to ask then, what exactly are you? If it is true that our mutual cooperation will continue than I will.."
"You're curiosity is understood, but you shall come to learn in due time the nature of our service." Said Siramee
"Well, at least give a hint, something, I cannot see how I can aid you if I know little of you."
To this, Siramee paused for a moment, bowing his head down in thought.
"Zealot, have you read the Script of Voramai?" Siramee asked.
"Of course, it was chapter among the the Prophet of Apathy's Book of Discord"
"Excellent. Well, as the hero Voramai travels across the desert of the Ramiellis, he comes across a small hut belonging to the child Norzan. As he asked to drink from his spring to sate his thirst, the child attacked him knife in hand. Though the mighty Voramai could have easily slain the child, he saw good in his eyes, pushing him aside and departing to the desert. At night, while he tried to sleep thirst wrenched, when Forerunner Gods graced him with the gift of Compassion with reason.
Osies, appeared before him and told him that his evil sister whispered wicked lies to him, and that she was the source of his sins. So that night, he crawled into Norzans hut, and killed his sister in her sleep. The next day, he approached Norzan once more, telling him of what happened to his sister, and why. Seeing the truth in his words, he allowed Voramai to drink from his spring, and he would follow Voramai on his travels, becoming his closest companion."
"Yes, I believe that is how it goes, but what do you mean by such?" Pondered Noratee.
"Well I feel it is my time to leave. I shall you see you at another time." Said Siramee as he began to depart
Noratee was bewildered, what could he mean? He understood the value of example and metaphor, but if he could not understand it's meaning, what was the use? But, he could not bring himself to speak another word.