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Heretic Hero (Revised)
Posted By: Arbiter
Date: 1 September 2005, 11:45 pm
Read/Post Comments
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Heretic Hero
Prologue
Galla 'Gammamee stood in the center of the mining facility, the map of the station lit in front of him. The Heretic Leader was preaching on a podium next to the map, the entire band of the Heretics were before the Leader, each were examining smuggled weapons and adjusting the bronze armor.
"When the Covenant bond was forged, and the Sangheili promised security for the Prophets we were lured into a doomed fate" The Heretic Leader said. "Are we going to stand and let the Prophets corrupt our brothers?" 'Gammamee let out a loud growl carried out by dozens of cries. "It is our time, our insight, and our revolution!" The Heretic Leader finished jumping down the podium. The group filtered to the elevators where they would continue patrolling. 'Gammamee had strong beliefs against the Covenant; he had faith that this leader of their own blood would lead them to their own promise.
The Heretic Leader approached 'Gammamee. "Our legion, brother, is efficient and capable, thanks to the Oracle we have a limited amount of our lord's defenses" The Heretic Leader uttered. "What of the Flood, in the several laboratories?" 'Gammamee inquired. The Sangheili looked at the map, there were several chambers within the abode of the facility that contained the parasite as indicated by flashing red. "They will be locked and contained, I do not want to see any more deaths of our brethren to the Flood" The Heretic Leader stated. "Yes, leader" 'Gammamee expressed. All of a sudden, their battle array shattered, they heard roars from Sangheili in the assembly chamber. 'Gammamee turned around, he saw a bright blue light followed by indistinct humming. The Oracle hovered down; his Sentinels, who silently floated next to their counterparts, accompanied him. A rigid blast erupted their array. A loud voice with the stagnant blare. "Covenant invading-scrambled our battle net, through storm-repelling, they must learn to see truth…" The net was filled with scattered voices, the sound of projectiles firing from carbines and explosions blocked the voices. 'Gammamee reacted, the Covenant was sent to suppress them from this station to silence them.
'Gammamee was a Heretic warrior and he would to his best to make sure the virtue was kept alive. "Leader, the maelstorm has disrupted our communications, what do we do?" 'Gammamee asked willing to do whatever the Heretic Leader assigned him to do. The Heretic Leader walked to the map, pacing. "We will use what warriors we have, if all else fails we will use the Flood to extinguish our blind invaders" The Heretic Leader said. "Command your squad, and meet me at the Hanger Bay."
'Gammamee and his squad were outside the Hanger where three Banshees were docked. The Heretic Leader filed out of the door as they heard the Sentinels beams puncturing shields. From what the Heretic Leader and several Unggoy reported, a new Arbiter was breaching their defenses; the Heretic Leader glided to a Banshee with his jetpack. "Deal with him my brothers, I will defend the Oracle!" The Heretic Leader jumped into the Banshee and took off for the Laboratories. 'Gammamee adjusted his Covenant Carbine, and lead his squad of Unggoy and Sangheili inside the portal way. "The truth must not be silenced!" 'Gammamee roared. When he went through the doorway he was greeted by plasma, his shields were pierced and he didn't get one shot. He tucked behind the portal, as his shields glowed purple with his bronze armor. He crouched behind a shadowy figure. He was not seen, he saw one of his Unggoy fly sideways as a Energy Sword slashed one of his Sangheili down. He got up ignoring his pain. 'Gammamee growled as he saw the Arbiter climb into the second Banshee and take off meeting a Phantom. He looked down and saw the maelstorm getting worse. 'Gammamee got in the remaining Banshee and took off to the Laboratory.
'Gammamee was in the hallway fighting the Flood; he placed three rounds into what was left of the Sangheili head as it fell to the floor. Abruptly the station shook, and the lighting was gone, an eerie red light filled the ramps. The station rumbled, he stepped out of the hallway and saw parts of the station ripping apart. "To the hanger, we must assist our leader!" 'Gammamee shouted. The Unggoy got in front and the Sangheili in back, as the Sentinels overhead scanned the area for enemies. 'Gammamee typed a few buttons on the holographic terminal as the elevator ascended.
'Gammamee reflected on the battles, he was injured with minor wounds from Energy Sword severing. He gripped his torso, as the elevator stopped. They saw light flashing everywhere, the Sentinels were deep in combat with the Flood, and they stood in the dark hallway. Then a buzzing broke their communications array again this was intercepted by a Covenant transmission. "The Heretic Leader has been eliminated, everyone retreat to the Phantoms" It took a moment for the message to reach everyone in the group. This was grieving, the Unggoy threw down their weapons and the Sangheili stood confused. "What do we do?!" One of the Unggoy screeched. The Sangheili gave war cries still standing their ground.
No more heresy, no more freedom, no more revolution. 'Gammamee held his torso as it subsided bleeding. He had to be strong for the Heretic Race, he was the leader now. "We will commandeer the Seraph fighter docked in the hanger, there we will make for Burial Mounds." 'Gammamee growled. "Go!" The Sangheili said. As he led his squad, through the Flooded center of the facility. He jumped as a Infection Form grasped one of his Unggoy head, he rolled over and died as a tide of Infection Forms gripped the bodies. Each of his warriors was bonded with the fleshy bulbs of Infections. His entire squad was dropping before him; a Sangheili fell as the Flood devoured him. Gammamee gasped while he shot down every Infection with precise aim. Roars and cries confirmed that the Flood consumed his squad.
'Gammamee jumped from the ramp, and landed and made for the elevator as the surge of Combat Forms was making for him. 'Gammamee ignited a plasma grenade and threw it as the door closed, the explosion blasted through the corpses as he entered the elevator. 'Gammamee was truly fortunate, he blamed fate for his advantage. The elevator stopped and the Elite immediately ran for the door, it hissed as he looked at the hanger bay.
The hanger doors were wide open, he watched as a Phantom turned and flew skyward. 'Gammamee looked at the foot of the Seraph and saw a small group of Combat Forms swirling the area. 'Gammamee looked down and saw a damaged plasma turret on the assembly line. He picked it up and quietly constructed the turret when he was done he mounted it, looking at each Combat Form before firing. He shot blares of plasma at the Flood. His shields were once again ruptured as plasma whipped his shoulders. The Flood fell before the plasma, and 'Gammamee checked himself for bleeding, when he discovered his shields got most of the damage he found himself in front of a live Combat Form, it whipped him as he fell. 'Gammamee shot it as it came for another round, he growled as it fell. He then made sure it was dead, by burning the body. 'Gammamee then got in the Seraph as the vehicle shot out of the hanger.
'Gammamee was the only survivor, he was in the makeshift Heretic camp, Burial Mounds. He was in heavy dressing as he reminisced the invasion of the Covenant, if they were prepared they could have evaded them with everything they got. He also thought about the Oracle, when he concluded the only explanation about the Oracle's absence was that he was taken captive by the Covenant. Gammamee decided he would continue to spread the truth, he was now the only Sangheili to know the reality and intent of the Prophet's false Great Journey.
Ninth Age of Reclamation
Renewal
The Heretic was blasted by a profound mauve light; it hissed and ate away his bronze armor, he shrieked in pain as the agony subsided. The Sangheili stepped down from the podium as the plasma rays moved to another stand. Galla 'Gammamee's armor pierced his flesh with sparks, the once bronze garments, were replaced with smoking black, and the flashing stings that maintained the personal shield were burnt to gray. 'Gammamee removed his plates, and dropped them into cylinder holes, that gave an exuberant blue haze as he dropped his armor into the holes.
The Sangheili Heretic walked past the foyer, where his fellow Sangheili were examining guns and talking with higher ranks. It was the ninth age of Reclamation, and the commencement of the Covenant Civil War. 'Gammamee ruminated the agonizing past, he was discriminated for being a Heretic, for following Heresy. And when they were overpowered on their base in Threshold's atmosphere by Covenant Special Operations units he angrily quivered at the thought that they assented Heresy was to be silenced. The actual truth was ignored in the most desperate age of time. 'Gammamee hid on the tentative base of Burial Mounds. As he intended to continue what he was taught he heard a nearby distress calling all Sangheili to a Covenant vessel known as the, Marauder. The Sangheili mastered ship was one of the hundreds of Capitol ships rebelling against the Covenant. The Sangheili were allying themselves with the humans, their resolute purpose was to stop the 'truth' which was the Great Journey.
The Prophet Hierarch Truth, with the Jiralhanae, Yanme'e, and Kig-Yar, were devastating Earth. They were linking up with the Human faction known as the 'UNSC' where they would assist their allies. Now 'Gammamee was conscious of the war and decided to wipe his rank and his identity, he wanted to start a new legacy where betrayal was not tolerated.
'Gammamee gave himself the designation, Hydra. 'Gammamee was the Hydra, created by treachery and deception and is the element of a Heretic race, he vowed to follow the Prophets and not be faltered to be a Heretic. Hydra was obligated and consumed to deceive the Covenant where he would murder every Jiralhanae he came across, not only for being traitors to his blood but for following a false eternity. Hydra approached a bright corridor, illuminated by holographic sermons, written in diverse ages by the Hierarchs. 'Gammamee scowled at them, he read the plaque on the opposite hall: "Every race united in our Covenant, will once again walk upon the sacred rings where we will dedicate our might to the Great Journey!" The Prophet of Truth, whom Hydra despised, spoke these lies. 'Gammamee pressed the terminal, and imprinted his palm in the light, it shown a brilliant blue color and flashed, and the door split open. Before him was an arsenal, crates littered the shadows and ahead was a machine, it crackled inside with glittering light. Another holographic terminal was on the armor module, with buttons lighting up as he approached. Hydra reached inside and pushed the coherent emblem, and a door opened.
'Gammamee stepped inside a confided space; all around him were tiers of words explaining how the module worked. He chose a diverse set of uniform, when a giant claw above, locked in his body mold, he felt a stab in his flesh, as the shields were once again embedded in his body. Sparks once again ensued his structure, and he stepped out clutching a helmet, which slid from a silver slide. He attached it to his head, and clicked his mandibles in a grimace. Hydra's new appearance was flawless; he was in bright crimson and black armor, although it was completely different than the occasional red armored Sangheili veteran. Slanted plates with Covenant inscriptions were devised into scarlet bulbs across his chest, his legs into dark red foils, and his curved crimson mask revealed his four mandibles.
Hydra walked from the corridor past a methane tank where an Unggoy inserted fresh methane. The Unggoy shivered as Hydra walked past him. 'Gammamee ignored him and continued to the weapons container. The Heretic neared the arsenal where he picked up a Covenant Carbine his favored weapon, and packed a projectile clip inside. The steam hissed out of the nose and he replaced it with the clip. 'Gammamee was ceaselessly armed in this time of war. Hydra walked outside the arsenal and up to the bridge where the Sangheili Councilors waited beside a map of Halo, they called him because he was the only surviving Heretic from the purge.
'Gammamee looked up at the Councilors lined in the hovering dais they were each looking at him with either remorseful or incensed expressions as he approached. There was an ostentatious pause as Hydra stood. "Do you perceive you're calling here, Heretic?" One of the Councilors asked through gritted teeth. "Please, holy one, my new designation" Hydra said hostility. The Sangheili whispered to another councilor, and they took turns sputtering to each other, then the Councilor looked up. "Very well…Hydra, Do you understand your summon here?" Hydra looked at them all, by the situation they looked sympathetic and angry at the same time. In the stands some were examining Energy Swords and looking at Hydra and back at the sword. "Yes I am confident that a apology for apprehending the truth is in my hearing…" He looked up at them where some were looking uneasy but were willing to listen. "Yes, we on behalf of the New Covenant are contrite" The high Councilor growled. "We realize you were the rest of your kind, Hydra. We want to recognize you and organize a Major rank again… If you accept?" He finished with a low bellow.
Hydra was redeemed, right now he didn't feel betrayed but forgiven, a feeling he expected not to feel. Hydra thought they would make a victim of trial. Instead he was endowed with battle. "Thank you, loyal Councilors. What is it you wish me to do?" Hydra uttered. The Councilors looked as if they wanted to convert what they just done but the high Sangheili spoke clearly. "There are Jiralhanae Encampments throughout the gorges below, through this Civil War we are the only ship to maintain organization, we observed that this will not remain long before a attack is issued on the Marauder. We want you to lead troops to dispatch ground troops. And we want you to capture a Jiralhanae, a Kig-Yar, and a Yanme'e. We want a Chief Jiralhanae as well as high-ranking Kig-Yar scouts and Yanme'e assassins. We wish to engage methods of…tribulation and interrogation as to where the other Councilors are being held captive"
Ninth Age of Reclamation
The Precursor
The Phantom flew past, a series of mountains, and the pair of Dropships circled a peak where a towering edifice controlled a waterfall. The sprawling rainforest was covered in mist where the encampment was. The Pelican rose above the Phantom and fired sprays of bullets at the bastion where a series of Covenant Shade turrets were waiting. They broke apart and shattered into a blue fire, reacting to each other the bastion fell. The two Dropships hovered over the wall and dropped a squad of Sangheili, Unggoy, and Marines.
Hydra stepped over a Jiralhanae giving it a unsparing jolt, as blood sprayed the rampart. His task was simple, go through the webbing ruins through the relics beyond them and infiltrate the Jiralhanae encampments to capture the highest ranking of the Loyalists. Hydra had four Sangheili and six Unggoy each looking at him for orders. The Marines were there to assist them, which Hydra thought very pitiful. The Covenant was waging war on the humans for ages and the thought and validity that they were helping them was very inapt. Hydra looked at a human Marine and scowled, then the human sneered and said, "Hey you aren't exactly beautiful to me either" The Sangheili turned his back on him.
For the certitude that the humans managed to withstand ages of slaughtering and still stood was a matter he respected entirely. Hydra pointed to the sealed doorway on a wall where a Forerunner etched creek of water poured under the brick. "There!" Hydra yelled at the Unggoy. The Unggoy nervously walked to the doorway, and positioned themselves in an attack stance. The Sangheili spitefully kneeled in attack stance. The Human Sergeant standing next to him was fiddling with his Battle Rifle while Hydra arrayed his squadron.
Hydra heard the human's language and he uttered in a hoarse growl, "Go' aheed" The Sergeant then stepped forward and addressed his Marines. Hydra felt uncomfortable on the other side, listening to the Marines battle strategy. The Sergeant reviewed the mission, which an AI translator told him. Hydra was astounded at the tactics they used. For desecrating foes they were brilliant on warfare. Hydra then tucked away his Carbine and withdrew a Plasma Rifle. The door was locked tight, he sprayed the entrance with blue plasma, and it left a small hole, where the plasma continued to hiss. The Marines were encouraging each other behind him, and the Heretics stood and curiously watched their allies. Hydra turned around and faced his squadron. "Beyond our sanctuary of Halo, the traitors that led us will fall under our onslaught! The Prophets have realized what civility exchange has done to their Covenant; they are vulnerable, unorganized, and deceitful in their conquest for a false salvation! Prepare, warriors for retaliation!" Hydra snarled. He took his Carbine out as he pointed at his Sangheili. The blue armored Sangheili brandished his Plasma Rifle and inserted it into the plasma hole.
The door sizzled, as they backed up. Then Hydra pulled him out, and quickly ignited a Plasma Grenade. Hydra backed away as the door blew in the daze; they were greeted by red plasma fire, from a Jiralhanae Plasma Rifle. Hydra inquired his squad to back up; the Marines were on the side awaiting their Sergeants orders. Hydra confirmed to his squad, and he showed the Human Sergeant in rough representation. The Sergeant understood and saluted his Marines. All of the Marines including the Heretics revealed grenades. The Sergeant put up three fingers, he put all three down and Hydra ignored the rain of continuous fire, and tossed a grenade in the room. He heard an explosion of a dozen grenades where he heard a Kig-Yar shriek. Hydra placed his hand up in a stop indication; many Marines were hesitating but stood their ground. They heard a Brute Chief clamor, "Hold! Hold!" Then Hydra pointed in the room where the fog of the grenades was still lingering. They met them in battle. Hydra pinned a Jiralhanae down and placed three radioactive projectile in its head.
A green burst of plasma brushed his shoulder, he looked up and saw a Yanme'e sticking out of a blue cupola, in the wall. Hydra shot it down, and saw one of his Grunts falls dead. The Jiralhanae Chief had tossed his Jiralhanae Shot and was in frenzy. The Jiralhanae was on all fours, in the dense room. Another Unggoy was caught by the chief, and was heaved into an energy splint running in the middle of the room. "This one" Hydra said. No more enemies remained except this Jiralhanae. The Sergeant walked behind Hydra, with singeing armor. "We have this one" He insisted. The Sangheili gestured ahead, as the Jiralhanae continued to run.
All of the Heretics and Marines were secured behind massive slants. Hydra and the Marine Sergeant were the only ones in range. Hydra raised his Carbine at the Jiralhanae, and shot non-lethal crossfire at the Jiralhanae's shoulders to get his attention. The Jiralhanae then angrily ran at Hydra, but the Sangheili stood his ground. The Sergeant then stepped forward raising his wrist, from an armlet a net caught the Jiralhanae and contained him. The Jiralhanae angrily fought the mesh of wire. The Marine then pushed a button on his armlet, and through the wire, sparks trickled the mesh and surged the Jiralhanae. The Chief screamed then lay motionless, still growling. "You weaklings! You'll never take me!" The Sergeant unclipped the wire from his armlet and handed it to the Sangheili next to him. "Take him to the Pelican" Hydra said. The Sangheili nodded and heaved the Jiralhanae to the deck.
Hydra was so distracted from the battle that he had not yet taken the surroundings of the room. The Forerunner chamber was a huge, broad cupola with blue energy filled the dome shaped ceiling. The wall was ancient with foliage growing from the blue energy. A dais was in front layered in blue ray beams for lighting. "Hydra we will continue pressing on the encampments." The Human Sergeant said. Hydra nodded and they entered the next room. It was a field of fire; they were welcomed with plasma, on a balcony above was an assembly of Shades with grass growing out if the once derelict ground. A naïve Marine was caught in the fire and dropped dead in a scream. Hydra threw a grenade at one of the turrets and watched it explode. He shot a Jiralhanae behind the Shade with a headshot. Just then a stray plasma bolt pierced his shields. Hydra was vulnerable; he hid behind a stack of crates and waited for the recharge.
As soon as they started restarting he traced the bolt to a Kig-Yar. The Kig-Yar watched Hydra and hissed peeking his head for a shot at the Heretic. Hydra then reacted as the Kig-Yar's shields dissolved and it fell to the ground in blood. The Heretic's crimson armor was encrusted in black where plasma hit and his limbs stung from tackling the Jiralhanae. Hydra hit the turret with a few more clips as it clashed in a heap of smoke. As did the Jiralhanae who was behind it. Hydra saw one Marine fall under a blast of plasma, Hydra found his body and took his belt that had Fragmentation Grenades on them he took one with one hand. He walked to the ramp as he was shot with a grit of dirt in the ancient soil. Hydra crepe up the ramp he looked sideways and saw the back of at least a dozen Jiralhanae distraught by the battle. Hydra took his index finger and sliced through the pins, he hurdled the belt at the squad of Jiralhanae. Hydra had less than a second he dove in a aerial flip, and landed as the explosion tossed the Jiralhanae high. Hydra turned around as a Jiralhanae corpse landed right next to him. The Sangheili got up and studied the scene over the open platforms he saw Yanme'e and Kig-Yar shooting at the advancing squad of Marines and Heretics. In a flash he saw a purple beam of light strike his torso demolishing his shields…a sniper. Hydra bounded behind the source of the Sniper. He saw the Sergeant sniping a few Yanme'e, as their insect like bodies littered the area. He looked upward as the Sergeant shot the Sniper. The room was clear, when Hydra shot down the last Jiralhanae he headed for the wounded. They were a force now, UNSC and Heretic allies were together and are ending the Covenant.
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