Prologue: The Extermination Begins
Covenant Holy City of High Charity
6th Cycle of the 5th Division of the 3rd Stage of the 9th Age of Reclamation (Covenant Holy Calendar)
1830 hours, October 25, 2552 (UNSC Military Calendar)
The dim light in the corridor reflected off the purple metal in a strange way as the Brute walked towards the Sanctum of the Hierarchs. He knew something was up. He sensed it. Why else would the High Prophets of Truth and Mercy have called him to their private sanctum? The Brute couldn't help wondering if it had something to do with the Sangheili. Yes, that had to be it.
The large doors opened and the Brute stood there in the doorway. A noble voice sounded from across the chamber.
"You may enter, Tartarus."
The Brute walked in towards the figure floating in the air. When he was close, he lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head. "Noble Prophet of Truth, what is the reason for your request of my presence?"
"We have a special task for you, Tartarus. We have discovered that the Sangheili are starting to doubt the Great Journey. Because of this they are becoming weaker, and they cannot be trusted anymore."
A door opened on the other side of the chamber and the Prophet of Mercy floated in on his throne. "The Sangheili have escorted us and kept the Covenant together for countless cycles. But now it is time for a change. The Sangheili are starting to fail, but we now have a race to replace them."
Truth turned to welcome the other Hierarch who floated up next to him, "Yes, Brother Mercy. The Jiralhanae are strong and faithful. I am starting to trust them more than the Sangheili." Truth turned back to Tartarus, "Our plan is to first send several groups of elite Sangheili warriors to the ring's Quarantine Zone. They will think that they are being sent there to capture the building holding the Sacred Icon. We know this is impossible, but they do not. We are going to send you with the Arbiter to claim the Icon. You are to drop the Arbiter at the Sentinel Wall so he may deactivate the shield surrounding the Quarantine Zone. Then we may send in the other Sangheili to their deaths. You must help the Arbiter reach the Icon in whatever way you feel necessary."
Mercy added, "If the Arbiter fails, you must continue to retrieve the Sacred Icon. We suggest that you make it easier on yourself and make sure the Arbiter gets to the Icon alive."
"Once the Icon is claimed, you are to take it and dispose of the Arbiter," Truth continued. " With the Arbiter dead, we will commence with the extermination of the Sangheili. We no longer need the Sangheili and they are becoming a threat to the Covenant. They must be eradicated."
Tartarus rose to his feet. "Gladly," he said with a grin.
"Good. You may leave and prepare a Phantom for departure. Your assignment will begin as soon as possible."
"My faith is strong and my hammer swift. I will not fail you, Holy Ones," Tartarus said with his head high. He turned and walked out of the chamber with a sense of great pride. He would finally be able to get rid of that nuisance, the Arbiter, and the rest of his bungling race.