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Running chapter four.
Posted By: Ordinary Kronos<metroidmanzero@roadrunner.com>
Date: 19 May 2007, 2:58 am
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CHAPTER FOUR: REASIGNMENT
Gone were the dark, dank depths of the swamps, left behind by the beetle-like craft which had navigated it self to the other end of the Holy Ring of Halo, to a large stretch of canyon and cliffs.
The dropship was entering the resting place of the Truth and Reconciliation, as marked by the squads of banshees flying nearby and attempting to hail the larger craft.
Several Symbols appeared on one of the screens on the Phantom's Holo-consol, which the pilot read over, and quickly responded, with a few symbols of his own.
More popped up, and he typed in a few more…then the screen flashed gold.
The Pilot turned around to face the three others and said.
"We have permission to land, and are heading for the hanger; we shall land in about two units."
'Vandumee nodded slowly, and closed his eyes, reclining in the uncomfortable crash chair.
'Zurree looked out the cockpit window, and could see that they were on approach to the colossal ship.
"Its home for now……But since that human with the special armor assaulted and entered it, it has never been as safe as it could be…"
It should be safe, considering that they blocked the canyon entrance off now, so no one gets in or out via ground side.
The Zealot had remained silent the whole trip, staring at the ceiling, most likely contemplating his fate at the hands of the Prophet of Sanctity…. He was not known for his mercy. He had executed an aristocrat of great power by the name of Soha 'Rolamee for his mistakes at the Silent Cartographer.
'Zurree wished he had been there, he would have surely killed the mere human, regardless of special armor.
But, he had one obstacle to cross; the authority of another field master, Noga 'Putumee. He thought he was so Great. Well, 'Zurree was positive he would bring the incompetent, arrogant and foolhardy elite to his knees.
The Phantom was on approach to the box canyon that held the mighty cruiser as it made repairs. The sun gleamed off the bulbous craft's silver hull, and the canyon added to the magnificent scene of the serene yet deadly cruiser became the only visible object from in the cockpit.
A massive door slowly slid open, revealing the large hanger with two spots for ships. The shield flickered and shut off, just for their entrance.
The Phantom decelerated, and was suddenly jerked around to back up into the cavernous and rather purple hanger.
The ship was totally inside, when a force from above caused the phantom to jerk.
"The tractor beam…..It always surprises me."
The pilot sighed, and set the engine to stall, and watched as the hatch to the outside was shut and the shield reactivated.
They were at the Truth and Reconciliation's mercy now.
The crew was escorted off the ship, and a few grunts boarded to empty the cargo….
'Kinomee stayed with the ship, to observe the removal of the cargo, while two ultra elites guided 'Zurree, 'Vandumee, and 'Onsomee to the Prophet's council chamber.
The halls were b-blam!- with major jackals, veteran grunts, and a few hierarch elites. There were also hundreds of those bothersome engineers amongst them, floating about on tier gas bladders.
"They lied about my helmet…"
'Zurree thought, his eyes burning hate at the blobs.
For a reason clear only to 'Onsomee, all of the beings in the halls cleared the way for the six. The reason was simple enough; they were condemned to die or be exiled from the holy Covenant for their transgressions.
They made their approach to the command deck, riding up a gravity lift, then approaching the security checkpoint consisting of six black clad elites.
The two escorting the 'fugitives' nodded, and went back down the gravity lift.
"Identification, please,"
The lead security officer warbled, extending his hand at 'Zurree.
'Zurree felt about his body until he came across the small slit in the armor in which he kept his identification disk, and placed it into the proffered hand of the officer.
The other elite placed the disk in a handheld reader. Data scrolled from right to left on the small screen.
"Place you hand in the scanner's slot."
The scanner was a black rectangular box, about five units high, with the slot being a small slit on the side. Green light poured out of the small slit, meaning it was ready to scan.
'Zurree obeyed, and felt a sudden stab of pain, as the machine took a sample of his tissue, to compare the DNA with that on his file.
He knew it was obviously not for impersonations, but for the recent murders….
"Confirmed," The guard said. "Your twenty units early 'Zurree, and you'll have to wait. I would advise you to stand over here," He gestured to a corner by the waiting room door, "while I check in your colleagues. Also, hand me any weaponry that you have, please."
'Zurree had only a few energy grenades, and his rifle, which he passed to the guard tout sweet.
A few minutes later, and all three were in the waiting room, surrounded by lower and higher ranking elites.
A few units past, and 'Zurree was half asleep when he was the first of the three ushered into the Chamber of Counsels.
At the center of a cobalt table, 'sat' the Prophet of Sanctity, bobbing with the breeze. He approached the podium he was supposed to stand on, and he bowed his head.
He wore a tall, ornate headpiece made of metal and set with amber panels. It had a serpentine neck, triangular skull, and two bright green eyes that glittered with malevolent intelligence. He wore a red over robe, a gold under robe, and underneath the fabrics and linen, an antigravity belt which served to keep him suspended one unit off the table.
"The council notes that a field master Zukka 'Zurree took half a regiment, along with another half a force to the yet to be explored swamps, in order to find new holy relics. He incidentally released the flood, and lost two thirds of his regiment to the parasite, one third being left behind, and a quarter of that never returned to it's drop point; we lost over eighty three soldiers, and one Spirit dropship because of your foolishness. What say you, Field master?"
'Zurree kept his head hung as he spoke, recapping about the communications failing, the drop, and the entrance into the forerunner structure.
He spoke of the opening of the hatch, the unleashing of the parasite, and the attempt made by the prone-to-panic 'Onsomee to seal them back off.
He also explained that, when he had warned 'Onsomee of the flood's impeding approach to their phantom, that they should pack it up, he refused to listen, and lost many soldiers.
He reasoned that simple miscommunication had been the cause of the downed Spirit, it's location still unknown.
"…That, Excellency, is all I have to say. If you can find the mercy in your heart exalted one, give me another chance; I give you my word I will not fail again."
The Sanctity stared, marveling at the tale. He placed a finger on his bony lips, clearly pondering the elite's fate.
A unit passed, when the prophet lifted his finger and said to the concluded Sangheili standing before him, "You are a competent commander, Field Master, and rest assured, the blame is not all yours. However, to determine the truth of your statement, we must interview the other officers, if you please?"
'Zurree nodded.
"Of course Excellency."
He bowed, turned, and exited into the waiting room. 'Onsomee was called in a few units later. 'Zurree was seated, when 'Onsomee returned back out, looking at he brink of insanity.
"How did it go, brother?"
'Zurree asked a hint of smugness in his voice. 'Onsomee didn't even respond, he just sat down, quivering like a jackal off meat for a week.
'Vandumee was called, then sent back out, looking calm and collected.
"What did they say, Stealth commander?"
'Zurree asked the Sangheili as he sat down. 'Vandumee clicked his lower mandibles-a shrug.
"The Holy One said that he would confer with the council, to decide our fate."
'Zurree nodded sagely, knowing all too well what would happen.
They find on culprit, and put the blame on him, then execute the perpetrator-scapegoat on the spot.
Then, after at least an hour, all three were escorted inside, all three seated at their proper pedestals, they bowed their heads in unison.
"The council has made a decision; Stealth commander Rtas 'Vandumee, You and your forces are hereby stationed on the crashed human vessel called The Pillar of Autumn. You shall be dispatched immediately, and you are dismissed."
'Vandumee brought his left hand up- a salute.
"Thank you Excellency."
He turned, and exited the room.
"…And then there was two.."
'Zurree thought; a strange phrase he had heard a human say before killing a pair of Unggoy…And one of them was going to be dead soon enough; 'Onsomee knew it was him.
" 'Zurree, your failure was minor, and therefore, you are needed at the following location; a field Master 'Putumee requested your assistance."
A screen flashed next to the prophet's head, quordinates flashing across it from left to right.
'Zurree's fists clenched and unclenched.
"HIM!"
A smile played on the prophets face as he watched 'Onsomee flinch, and 'Zurree's reaction.
"'Onsomee, regardless of your blessings, your failure is staggering, near heresy. Therefore, I sentence you to immediate execution. Hyma 'Ramotee, if you please?"
An Elite in cobalt armor materialized from the shadows, clearly using active camouflage. An glowing energy long sword gripped in his claws.
"Of course Excellency; the Prophet's will be done."
He said with a smirk. 'Onsomee turned, panic inducing him to run, but he was cut down
With a single slash, his torso still was being carried by the force of his steps. It slammed into the wall, and splattered it with purple blood.
Sanctity sighed, closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
"That was the fifth one today…..Thank you, 'Ramotee."
The other elite bowed, wiping the blood off the blade with his hands, he disappeared into the shadows again.
'That is why I hate active camouflage….'
"Let this be a warning to you, field master; tread lightly, for you now walk on thin ice; you are dismissed."
'Zurree bowed, and turned, stepping over the pieces of the corpse that was once 'Onsomee, he silently headed back to the launch bay, to take a Spirit to the Location; the human own area they called, 'Alpha Base'.
They felt a presence; it was that of food!
The five hiding in their dark container were itching with excitement.
"Me first!"
Cried the second one. The first one hissed at his brother.
" I have first rights!"
The oldest one yelled. The smallest remained silent, lest his brothers killed him.
"ENOUGH! We must wait, no fighting my brothers. We shall find a suitable meal, make no mistake…"
The other four nodded, and then felt themselves being moved.
Soon, then would have their chance to spread…so soon.
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