Return of the Covenant

by Demon2222

It has been 20 years since the destruction of the Ark. Humanity as taken to the stars once again to reclaim what it has lost. Meanwhile, the remnants of the Covenant are being lead by a new religious figure. He claims to be the heir to the Covenant.

The sun of the Atgar system was indistinguishable from the rest of the white stars outside the view port. The assault carrier Twilight's Return sat in interstellar space, its crew scrambling to battle-ready status. "Chieftain," a grave and deep voice called from behind Shipmaster Jerominus. Jerominus turned to face the jiralhanae and gave him a hard look. There was a slight stutter to the young jiralhanae's walk, but he continued towards Jerominus looking nervous with his superior's disapproving gaze. "The fleet reads ready for battle," the dark-haired jiralhanae started, "and slip-space travel." He waited. "Shall we go forth with the plan now?" he insisted.

"We leave when the Prophet so chooses, major," the Chieftain snarled.

The major snorted in surprise by the anger in the white-haired jiralhanae's voice. "My apologies," he started. "I shall be patient for the Holy Prophet's decisions."

Jerominus turned his back to the major to stare through the view port. His anger at the major's impatience already starting to fade. It's been twenty years since the death of the Prophet of Truth. Twenty years since the most holy of artifacts, the Ark, had been defiled by primitives and heretics. Twenty long years of the collapse of the Covenant. After the destruction of the Ark and the Covenant's leadership, the varied species that made up the Covenant were either vying for power or attempting to break off from it and shun the gods. Now, there was a new hope for the Covenant, and the Great Journey.

A soft beep was heard behind Jerominus as the automatic doors opened for the creature passing through. The Chieftain turned to see the newcomer. Recognizing the visitor as a san 'shyuum, Jerominus along with the other jiralhanae on the bridge, bent down to one knee out of respect. He sat in a regal chair, suspended in mid-air by arcane technologies. The floating chair brought the san 'shyuum to the white haired jiralhanae. "Rise Chieftain," the Prophet of Revenge commanded, in his eloquent sing-song voice. "Is the fleet ready?"

"The fleet reports battle-ready, Holy One," Jerominus answered.

"Then we must leave at once, or risk all we have worked for."

"All ships," Jerominus said into the fleet channel, "prepare to enter slip-space and wreak havoc among our foes who dare threaten the Journey."

The other jiralhanae responded with a resounding war cry. They were indeed ready to fight for the gods. Jerominus heard the engines draw more power as the Twilight's Return entered slip-space.