A/N: Yes, this is the rewrite. As pointed out, the previous one had too many plot holes and mistakes. This will be an AU post Halo 3. It is also better to picture the story in the Halo 2 Anniversary art style with Halo 3 ODSTs, Pilots and Brutes as that is what I am basing this storyline on. Despite the similarities in the beginning of this story and Halo 4, it will not follow the plot of Halo 4 at all.
Chapter One: Discovery
1000 Hours, August 18, 2559 (Military Calendar)/ UNSC Frigate: Forward Unto Dawn/ Area: Unknown
"Mayday. Mayday. Mayday – This is UNSC FFG201. Forward Unto Dawn requesting immediate evac. Survivors aboard - prioritization code victor zero five dash three dash sierra zero one one seven."
A gasp of air escaped her lips as her avatar appeared inside the dimly lit room.
"They let me pick, did I ever tell you that? Choose whichever Spartan I wanted. You know me. I did my research, watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be. Like the others, you were strong and swift and brave. A natural leader. But you had something they didn't. Something no one saw… but me. Can you guess? Luck. Was I wrong?"
Lines of code ran down the blue avatar's body as she stared the frosted glass several feet away. They did it. Did what no normal person could have done. They saved everyone yet all that remained was the two of them. Trapped in the endless abyss of space. Her avatar flicked as she collapsed into a sitting position.
Who would ever have thought it would have ended up like this? The agonizing years of boredom and loneliness had slugged past and for once, her Spartan's luck had finally failed.
"There will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead."
Keyes. The Flood. 343 Guilty Spark. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked down the desolate chamber. Loss. Horror. Betrayal. The futile attempt to rescue the people they know, the people they cared, only to watch helplessly as they met their death in front of them.
And now, as they drifted amongst the shimmering stars in open space, her name will soon fall onto a list that will eventually become forgotten.
"You will become the best we can make you."
And now they waited, lost. With no reliable time frame to estimate their rescue. A humorless chuckle escaped from her lips as she switched through the cameras aboard their ruined ship. A damaged engine room, an empty mess hall and an almost barren hanger bay. Their only saving grace at the moment, should they come under attack, a fully equipped armory and two soldiers willing to fight till their ends and back and an AI willing to sacrifice everything to save the two in her care.
"Wake me… when you need me."
"I need you more than ever John." Cortana whispered as she caught a glimpse of his golden visor beneath the frosted glass. Her hand began to glitch rapidly as she reached outwards.
A pressurized hiss could be heard from the engine room, directing Cortana's attention away from Humanity's greatest hero. Switching over to the engine room, Cortana immediately scowled as her avatar flickered green when she noticed that a rupture had occurred in one of the engine's coolant pipes.
Overriding the mechanical controls to the engine room, Cortana immediately engaged the coolant block, sealing the pipe before powering the engines down. It wouldn't do if the sliced apart frigate exploded in the midst of space with her passengers. Unfortunately, due to her being restricted to the ship's electrical systems, this was the best she could do.
Today marked the seventh year they have been trapped drifting through space. Flashing back over to the cryo chambers, Cortana sat cross-legged on her podium as she continued to think. The emergency power generators on the aft side of the ship continued to function normally. Having directed the power to only critical systems years prior, Cortana felt satisfied with the amount of energy they had remaining.
Cortana's gaze turned towards the second passenger they had onboard. Sergeant Major Avery Johnson. She read his files. The ORION Project, Operations: Kaleidoscope, Silent Storm, Tanglewood, Trebuchet and First Strike, Unknown to all except from the top brass within NavSpecWar and ONI Section Zero, Sergeant Major Avery Johnson was one the predecessors to the program that made John the soldier he is today. But none of that could compare to the title he had of being one of few John called friend.
The reason why Sergeant Johnson was even present at all was because of her John. When they were within the control room of the new Halo, John noticed the Monitor's incensed change of tone. Rushing over, John had shielded Johnson from the enraged 'lightbulb' and absorbed the full blast from the Forerunner Ancilla.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"What is it now?" Cortana grumbled as she scoured the electronical databanks to locate the source of disturbance. Locating the disturbance, Cortana immediately froze. For a single second, millions of lines of code ran through her head before she switched her view to the front cameras.
"Oh no…" Cortana whispered as the view of a large planet came into view. And her ship was on a direct collision course to it.
Circulating through the systems, Cortana let out a scream of rage when she browsed through her limited options. Planetary-wide scanners had disappeared along with the front of the ship that contained the Arbiter. No gun emplacements were available as well. She could engage the engine systems but with the leak in the coolant pipes and the limited power supply they had left, who knows what could be done.
Her hand slowly drifted to the emergency defrost button for the cryogenic chambers. Was it time? Or would it be safer to leave her passengers in their pods. The ship wouldn't survive an introduction into orbit.
"It asked, and I answered. For a moment of safety, I risked damnation on the stars."
Cortana pressed the activation button.
1100 Hours, August 18, 2559 (Military Calender). UNSC Frigate: Forward Unto Dawn. Area: Unknown
"Wake me… when you need me."
A loud hiss could be heard as the lid to the cryo pod detached before slowly raising up. He could feel his senses slowly awakening, his fingers twitched before his eyes snapped open. With a sudden burst of energy, Chief burst from the pod.
"Easy Chief!"
John turned towards the podium where he found Cortana staring at him in worry.
"You are still defrosting from the amount of time you've spent in cryo." Cortana cautioned as the tall green spartan leaned over her.
"Cortana, status."
"It's bad." Cortana warned, taking a step forward. "We are currently on a collision course towards an unknown planet. The ship… it's too damaged. It won't survive reentry."
"Say WHAT?" Chief turned to see Johnson on the floor, coughing up several unknown fluids. "You did not just say what I think you said Cortana!"
"You do know that the cryogenic fluids are good for you right Johnson?" Cortana spoke, a small tinge of amusement accompanying her sense of worry. "Think you can keep up?"
"I think you're asking the wrong questions here Cortana." Johnson spoke as he pushed himself from the ground. "What you should be asking is if Chief has what it takes to defeat a member of my beloved marine core!"
"Yank me." Cortana ordered as she turned back to the olive-green Spartan who was watching their conversation. In a single action, Chief pulled the AI chip from the stand and inserted it into his helmet, feeling the familiar sensations of cool mercury entering his brain.
"I've placed a nav marker on your HUD." Cortana spoke through the Chief's external speakers. "We need to make our way to the armory to fill up before heading to the hanger for exfil."
A light blue marker appeared inside Chief's helmet, locating the entrance to a maintenance hall, With Johnson's nod, they quickly made their way through the maze of metal corridors and down several floors of the ship before reappearing in a fully stocked armory.
"Johnson, grab one of those pilot helmets." Cortana spoke. "I don't know if the planet's surface will be breathable.
"Don't need to tell me twice." Johnson snorted before placing one of the helmets on his head. Turning to the racks of weapons, the two soldiers quickly began to load up on as much ammo and weapons as they could carry.
"Chief, Johnson." Cortana spoke from the Spartan's external speakers. "There is a fully loaded Pelican sitting in the hanger bay. I estimate you both have around five minutes before the ship begins to enter orbit. I suggest you guys move!"
Loading a fresh magazine into his MA5C Assault Rifle, Johnson gestured for the Spartan to follow. As they jogged through the empty corridors, a sudden lurch was felt throughout the ship, throwing the two soldiers onto the metal floor.
"Son of a bitch!" Johnson growled as he staggered upwards. Sirens began to blare and flash red as strips of the ship began to suddenly tear.
"Chief… Johnson… MOVE!" Engaging the magnetic boots within his armor, Chief rushed forward, grabbing Johnson by the back of his combat harness, who let out a small grunt of surprise, before double timing it to the hanger bay.
"Damn it Chief!" Johnson coughed as he was carried through the ship. "If time wasn't of the essence, I would shove my rifle right up your ass!"
"Noted." Came John's gruff tone as he burst into the hanger bay. Locating the Pelican dropship which slid against the rear wall, Chief dashed towards the Pelican. Tossing Johnson into one of the troop bay seats, the Spartan made his way to the pilot's seat, inserting Cortana into the console before engaging the ship's systems.
"Opening hanger bay doors." Came Cortana's voice as the loud groan of metal creaking could be heard from the outside. "You might want to hang on."
As the ship's engines came online, the Spartan found the ship's controls being stripped away from him as Cortana took control. Closing the Pelican's troop bay doors, Cortana shifted the dropship into a ready position before engaging the ship's thrusters. The loud smash of metal could be heard as the Pelican burst through the hanger doors.
"WARNING! WARNING! SHIP'S ARMOR HAS BEEN BREACHED! HULL INTEGRITY AT 60%!"
"Cortana…" Chief warned only for his voice to suddenly die off. In front of them, the Forward Unto Dawn began to crumble into pieces as it began it began its entry into atmosphere. But that wasn't what caused for the Spartan to begin his silence. What laid in front of them was a large opening into the planet in which the Forward Unto Dawn was falling into.
"Did I somehow miss that we were on a crash course into a Forerunner planet?" Cortana spoke in utter befuddlement.
"Take us in." John spoke after hesitating for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Came John's reply.
"You do understand that we are entering the unknown." Cortana continued. "We might not come back."
"We'll make it work." The Spartan placated.
Adjusting the ship's thrusters, Cortana directed the Pelican towards the entrance of the planet. As they approached, a blue beam shot out scanning all the debris along with the Pelican dropship they were aboard.
"Chief…" Cortana warned as electrical surges began to occur all over the Pelican's systems. "I'm reading high intensive sensor scans. I'm losing electrical systems left and right. We are barely holding together as it is!"
"Are you able to redirect all systems to manual control?" The Spartan spoke as he shifted into the pilot's seat.
"You want to glide us in there?" Cortana almost shouted, disorientated as if there were two people talking at once. "It will be suicide. You will kill us all!"
The Pelican swerved to the side, engaging in several rolls to avoid the debris cascading down from the UNSC frigate.
"WARNING! WARNING! REAR PORT ENGINE IS DAMAGED! REROUTING POWER TO REMAINING ENGINES."
"Cortana?" Chief spoke, taken aback by Cortana's change of tone. Silently, the Spartan found all systems engaged into manual. Cortana relinquishing all control to the Spartan. Grabbing ahold of the throttle, the Spartan found himself struggling to maintain a steady control over the reluctant controls, fighting every action each step of the way.
Activating several screens, the Spartan gained access to all cameras surrounding the outside of the Pelican. Giving him a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view around the pelican. A warning siren beeped within the cockpit when a large piece of the Forward Unto Dawn's hull drifted several hundred meters ahead towards the front of the Pelican. Shifting the throttle to the side, the Pelican spun around the large piece of wreckage, maintaining its course into the glowing blue hole in the planet.
"I'm… I'm sorry." Cortana's voice came through a private COM line to the Spartan.
"What's wrong?" Chief spoke as the ship was nearly hit by a piece of debris that flew from behind them.
"It's… it's nothing." Cortana spoke, her voice soft. "It was just the heat of the moment."
The Spartan remained silent as he returned his focus towards the planet in front of them. Shifting the power to full, sparks begin to appear from the nose of the dropship as it slowly turned into a full man-made comet.
"Adjusting angle of descent." Came the quiet voice of Cortana as the Pelican shifted upwards a bit.
The hiss of the automatic door into the cockpit sounded as the African American marine made his way towards the front.
"Do you know where we are Cortana?" Chief turned to see Johnson bracing himself on one of the wall handles as turbulence began to set in.
"Negative Sergeant." Cortana mumbled as she ran a deep planetary scan from the Pelican once more. "The location of this planet is not found within any UNSC records. At least, that which I have knowledge of. But judging from the lack of anything resembling a transmission from down below. I think I can safely assuming we are dropping into the unknown."
A shudder shook the Pelican's hull as they breached through the atmosphere. Staring out the reinforced glass cockpit, the two watched as the clouds flew past, revealing for the first time, the planet's outer crust. Dead would be the first thing that could be used to describe it. The planet was covered in dust and ion storms, brown oceans stretching for miles and miles yet there was no vegetation in site.
"Did you say this planet was habitable?" Chief questioned, eyeing the dead planet in curiosity.
"I haven't said anything y-you imbecile!" Cortana gasped as a separate copy of her appeared on her terminal before quickly flickering away. "Don't make up assumptions!"
"Chief…" A heavy sigh permeated the air as Johnson gently disengaged the UNSC pilot's helmet off his head. "How long ago was Cortana commissioned for active service."
A quick glance towards the Pelican's console told him everything.
"Chief." The Spartan could feel the marine's hand grabbing a loose hold onto his shoulder as John continued to navigate the Pelican away from the Dawn's falling debris. "Tell me."
"Te-ten years." Came a whisper from the ship's terminal. Turning his gaze, Johnson found Cortana staring emptily into the distance as she hugged her knees closer to her body. "I'm three years past my designated termination."
"No one is going to die." John spoke, his voice guttural yet firm. "We've already lost enough."
"Don't be unrealistic John." Cortana whispered as her gaze rested on her Spartan. "No one here is a machine except me. And in correlation to Regulation 12-145-72, Article 55, all Smart AIs must be terminated at the end of their operational cycle to ensure the safety and well-being of all human personnel."
"I'm not letting you die." The Spartan reiterated as he nearly avoided a flaming piece of debris. "We will find a way to fix you."
"How John?" Cortana said desperately, searching her emotionless carrier for answers. "No one has ever found a solution for rampancy. And we both know that all of us will be long gone by the time it does."
"We can focus on that later." Johnson spoke up as his gaze focused on the monitor sitting above his seat. "First, we need to find a same landing zone away from all this wreckage and second, find out whatever the hell it is that is responsible for all this movement on this ship's short-range scanners."
"Scanning," Cortana announced, recovering from her temporary breakdown. "That's funny, I thought this planet was uninhabited." The two human occupants watched as Cortana quickly recovered and initiate several of the ship's diagnostics. "Oh… oh no, no, no, no! This… this can't be right!"
"What is it?" Chief questioned, slowing the Pelican down when he perceived the ship to be far enough away from the Dawn's reentry.
"The armaments within the troop bay." Cortana's avatar focused on Johnson who watched in confusion. "What are they?"
"One sniper rifle, a full case of fragmentation grenades, four MA5Cs with a crate full of ammo, two plasma rifles, a SMG and a shotgun." Johnson listed off from his overview of the weapons locker.
"That's not enough, that's not nearly enough!" Cortana hissed as several of the Pelican's electrical systems began to screech. "We need much more than that! Much more!"
"What is it Cortana?" Chief ordered.
"Take a look for yourself." The Spartan found the controls to the ship wrestled away from his grasp before the Pelican began a slow descent to the Planet's surface.
Gazing out the cockpit window, the two searched for the source of Cortana's hysteria.
"I see nothing but dust storms and lightning." Johnson huffed as he replanted the pilot's helmet onto his head. The olive-green behemoth however, stared more intricately at the swirling sands blanketing the planet's surface.
A flash of movement, too quick to discern, appeared within the gaps of the raging dust storm.
"Launching flare." Cortana announced as a click could be heard from the Pelican's exterior.
A large plume of sparkling red smoke shot from the side of the Pelican and into unknown, illuminating the area through the billowing dust. The Pelican came to a stop twenty meters above the planet's surface, refusing to descend any lower.
At first there was nothing, further causing the human inhabitants' confusion. Then suddenly, a distinct loud screech echoed throughout the plane, bringing haunting memories to the forethoughts of each soldier's mind. Tumbling through the storm, a large tanned creature with grotesque, twisted features arrived at the source of the flare.
"Get us out of here Cortana!" Johnson ordered as he fastened his harness. "Now! I am not dealing with these fleshy ass popcorns again."
"And go where Sergeant?" Cortana responded as she crossed her arms in annoyance. "This is the only planet capable of life within leagues of our current location. How long can we survive off recycled air and depleted MREs when all the cryo pods went down with the Dawn? Our best bet is to either return to the wreckage of the Dawn to scavenge for supplies or find a place here we can settle and find our own food and water. And that option is appearing less likely with the amount of signatures I am counting down there."
"So, what can we do?" John questioned he remained focused on the infected form that was standing confusedly by the flare.
"I'm not sure" Cortana frowned, initiating the Pelican's RADAR/LIDAR sensors. "This pelican is only standard issue. It does not have any retrofitting that would allow me to do a wide scan of the planet's surface. Our best bet is to just fly blindly in one direction and hope that the Flood haven't decimated every potential source of life."
"Do it." John said, leaning towards Cortana's terminal. "I trust you."
A small smile appeared on Cortana's face as she faced the Pelican's controls before the gravity of the situation wiped it away. "There is only so much trust can do John. Let's just hope for a miracle." The lines of code running down her body froze for a single moment before resuming yet Cortana gave no hint of noticing.
The Spartan could hear Johnson mumbling as the marine retreated into the cargo bay, most likely to vent at the rough situation they found themselves in. Turning back to the controls, the Spartan found himself staring emptily at the readings of the Pelican's scanners. Just when they thought it was all over, the past had to rear its large, ugly head up and smack them back down.
The Pelican's atmosphere was silent as everyone became lost in their inner thoughts.
1200 Hours, August 18, 2559 (Military Calendar)/ Earth: East Africa/ Voi Memorial
The hastily built memorial standing above the ruins of Voi had been replaced by a large marble statue. Engraved on several large flat planes of metal and rock were the names of all who had lost their lives during the Human-Covenant War. A site that even the most troubled of teens knew not the desecrate.
Everyone had massive burdens resting upon their shoulders from the twenty-seven-year long war. From family members to family friends, the living still struggled to move on from their past.
"Never let it be said that humans are not resilient." Thel 'Vadam commented as he approached the group of armored elites gazing upon the memorial in interest.
The memorial was easily one of Earth's most notable features. Carved from large blocks of marble, the scene depicted a group of humans and Sangheili charging against a roaring Jiralhanae Chieftain and frightened Kig-Yar. At the forefront stood both the Master Chief and the Arbiter, leading the charge.
The beginnings of their partnership were shaky enough, there was too much history of bad blood to wipe away in only a few short years, but progress was being made. In an effort to build up trust between one another, a few small joint-project were born between the two differing species. A translator was one of the first creations that came into existence, allowing for easier communication between the two species.
Some however, vehemently opposed the tentative alliance between the humans and Sangheili. The civil war back in Sanghelios had just ended and in turn, the human insurrection was gaining more members by the day. In response, the UNSC and the former members of the Covenant decided to collaborate on a project to significantly bolster the UNSC's military might.
Designed and developed with the best of both technologies available, the MA5R was born. The pride and joy of both the Iruiru Armory and Misriah Armory's first successful joint project, the MA5R could easily be described as one of the most lethal weapons available within the UNSC's arsenal. Plasma tipped rounds designed to rip through shields were fed through a gas-operated, magazine-fed, automatic assault rifle. The rifle also came equipped with an improved ammunition feed and receiver allowed for a faster fire rate than its predecessors as well as a match-grade barrel and scope that allowed for more precise shots over longer distances, something that many marines had being asking for instead of the concealed iron sights.
Other attachments were available but were left to higher ranking soldiers than your standard grunt.
"I do believe that they have captured your likeness poorly." Rtas 'Vadum replied in turn. "The chest is much too bulky for our standards."
"Do not focus on the singular things Vadum." The leader of the Sangheili forces said. "Instead, look upon this structure as a whole. The depiction of fearlessness in battle."
"You are a warrior, not a scholar Arbiter." Rtas snorted as the group turned towards the towering structure resting in the background. "And as leader of our people, it is up to you to demonstrate and respect our traditions as warriors. Not decipher art."
'Vadam stared at his fellow Sangheili in amusement as they marched to the military facility similar to another he had once seen on the human planet Reach.
Reaching the entrance, the Sangheili party were ordered to strip themselves of their weaponry, only allowing the Elites to keep their sidearms before they entered the facility.
Escorted through the building, the party soon found themselves standing in a council room filled with humans.
"Arbiter, Shipmaster, it is a pleasure to see you again." Thel nodded his head in respect to Lord Terrence Hood.
"It is an honor to meet you once more." Thel spoke. "What of the status of the Spartan?"
"Nothing," Hood sighed as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Seven years and our search has still produced zero results."
"The Spartan still lives; I know it in my blood." 'Vadam growled.
"And I do not doubt you." Hood said in response. "However, some believe that after seven years, we may just be needlessly wasting resources."
"You would abandon your search for the Spartan?" Rtas 'Vadum questioned in disbelief.
"I would do no such thing." Hood answered with a touch of anger. "The Master Chief is a hero that deserves to be brought home. But others think that we should be focusing more on the Insurrection than finding our missing Spartan." A few within the crowd appeared to be slightly ashamed.
"But I assume you are not here to discuss our missing Spartan if you requested an audience with the leaders of humanity." Hood expressed, resolving to reveal the true nature for this calling.
"Several weeks ago, you told us that the portal to the Ark from Earth had shut down." Thel 'Vadam began. "Out of concern for your people and mine, several scouts were dispatched to discover what had occurred."
"And what did you find?" Dr. Ruth Charet, President of the Unified Earth Government, questioned.
"Your UNSC forces appeared to be in combat with a rogue element that splintered from the Covenant." The Arbiter announced, drawing the surprised attention of everyone within the chamber.
"A rogue element?" The commanding general for the UNSC Marine Corps questioned. "Surely you don't mean the Storm Covenant?"
"No," Thel confirmed. "I've heard only stories as I had never encountered these heretics." A member of the Sangheili protection detail stepped forth and passed a small purple device into the Arbiter's hands.
Placing the object on the ground, a small projection of the Ark appeared in front of the council before it shifted into what only appeared to be a large-scale battle between UNSC forces and the Covenant. Only this time, the Covenant was clad in silver and crimson red.
"The Banished," Thel explained, noticing the strange expressions on the humans' faces. "A splinter group of mercenaries and pirates that conducted multiple raids against Covenant resources. I do not know if they are responsible for the portal's closing but what I do know is all that remained of the UNSC forces on the Ark was a single human vessel named Spirit of Fire."
"Did I hear you correctly Arbiter?" Hood demanded, standing up in shock. "Did you just say Spirit of Fire?"
"Yes," The Elite nodded.
"That ship was classified as missing in action years ago." Hood informed the befuddled Sangheili party. "This is indeed both relieving and alarming news to hear. If the situation is as dire as you make it sound, the response party will be hastened."
"I cannot offer much as the civil war on my home planet is only now just settling but I am able to spare both the Shadow of Intent and the Purity of Spirit to aid you in your response." Thel offered, much to the council's gratitude.
"Will you join them?" Hood asked to which Thel nodded once more.
"The rest of kin do not need my help." The Elite declared. "The House of Vadam will make sure that Sanghelios begins rebuilding and stabilizing to the state it once was before we joined the Covenant."
"Then Arbiter, we will gladly accept your offer of aid." The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations smiled as he began to type methodically on his datapad.
"Are you willing to share all relevant data you have on this 'Banished' you mentioned." Hood requested. "It would help significantly if we had an understanding of how our new enemy operates."
"We do not have much." Thel 'Vadam warned as he attached the holo-emitter to his belt. "As soon as I am aboard my ship, I have my subordinates forward the data to one of your vessels."
"That's all we ask." The Vice Admiral of Naval Operations said.
Taking their leave, the party of Sangheili left the council chambers before reclaiming their weapons outside the facility.
"You've never mentioned any presence of our research teams stationed on the Ark." Rtas 'Vadum noted as they made their way towards the landing pads where their Phantom escort awaited.
"I had only sent a small number of teams to assist the humans in the excavation and study of the Forerunner artifacts." The Sangheili leader admitted to the Shipmaster. "The area they were stationed was blanketed with the Banished forces. I am said to say that we can only assume the worst."
Rtas lowered his head in a sullen prayer for his deceased brothers and sisters.
"How long will it take you to prepare the ships to group with the humans' response team?" The Arbiter questioned as he leapt into the Phantom's troop bay.
"I can have the two ships mobilized and ready for deployment in a few short hours." The Shipmaster informed his leader. "Would you like to send me to send any scouts to Doisac as well to see if the Banished decided to recruit their fellow Brutes?"
"Do it." The Arbiter ordered. "If that has occurred, I fear for what we may face." The admission caused for a swell of anger to grow within the Elites present. "Despite their barbarity, they are formidable warriors as they have proved time and time again. I want your best men and women stationed aboard the Intent and Purity incase the Jiralhanae home-world have already joined the Banished."
"And if they haven't?" Rtas further questioned. "If instead, they have devolved into their needless conflicts on their Doisac?"
"It does not matter to me what those Brutes do." The Arbiter snorted. "As long as they don't pose a threat to our people, they can do as they please. I will not have our fellow brothers and sisters die for selfish reasons."
"Many on the Sanghelios council will rally against that decision." Rtas warned.
"And I agree with their sentiment." The Arbiter waved off. "But they cower behind the tall stone walls of their keep while we are forced to watch as our brothers and sisters fall in combat. I will not let the desires of the few outweigh the needs of the many."
"These Banished however, live for blood and combat. If left unchecked, they will bring destruction upon our race. Let us join the human fleets and prove to them why our alliance with Humanity is not a mistake." The rallying roar from the Sangheili party roused their hearts with the thrill of a promising future battle.
