The Fight for Sanghelios

by SPARTAN-IV A061

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE On Sanghelios, an ancient Forerunner artifact activates. Almost simultaneously, a large Loyalist fleet exits slipspace above the planet. Due to the Sangheili's lack of an ability to defend themselves against such a threat, they request the UNSC's help. Only the Infinity can get there in a timely matter, however. But, with the soldiers on board, they may yet live.

Prologue

First Age of Recovery

Sangheili Assault Carrier Shadow of Intent

In orbit around Sanghelios

General Rtas 'Vadum let out a drawn out, well-earned breath.

Finally, after the events of the betrayal of the Prophets, the San Shy'uum he corrected himself, and the resulting Great Schism, not to mention the near victory of the Parasite, he was able to gain some true rest.

They had just brought the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, back to Sanghelios after attending a human memorial to the war.

Rtas gave an equivalent of a frown. He worried about the humans. If Sanghelios were to come under attack, for whatever reason, would they truly help? Were they to be trusted?

A communications officer, Uruo 'Losona, piped up. "Shipmaster, the Arbiter is hailing us!"

"Put him through," Rtas ordered.

Sure enough, the face of the Sangheili appeared on a screen. "I have arrived at the citadel brother, Usze and N'tho are with me. However I have lost track of-" To everyone's surprise, the transmission burst into static.

"'Losona!" Rtas barked. "What is going on?"

The Sangheili looked around at his station's controls, and shook his head. "Interference, I think. But it's not on our side, everything is working!"

"Shipmaster, the ship's sensors are picking up an energy signature in 'Ontom!" The navigations officer, simply called 'Veer, shouted.

"Of what nature?" Rtas inquired.

"Unknown," the Sangheili replied. Rtas tightened his grip, when there were unknowns like there were right now, it almost always meant trouble.

"'Losona I want you to attempt to-" Rtas was cut off, and for a moment felt enraged.

"Shipmaster, multiple slipspace ruptures!" 'Veer cried.

"Just how many?" Rtas demanded.

'Veer shook his head, "75 -no- 200... Shipmaster there are more and more occurring!"

"Give me a view now!" Rtas shouted, and the feed switched from the static to a view of the assault carrier's bow.

His hearts started sinking. There were more and more Covenant ships exiting slipspace, which he knew the Sangheili didn't have. That meant one thing, it was a Loyalist fleet.

"'Losona, attempt to bring up the humans!"

"Shipmaster?" 'Losona asked.

"Just do it!"

A minute later, the image of the human Fleet Master appeared.

"This is Lord Hood," the elderly human stated. "May I ask what this is about?"

"Fleet Master," Rtas hurried, not caring if it was his title. "There is a massive Loyalist fleet exiting out of slipspace! We need whatever ships you can spare, or Sanghelios will be destroyed!"

The human Fleet Master frowned, and seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.

"Look, Shipmaster, I currently can't have a fleet assembled in less than 48 hours," the human informed him.

"We need them now!" Rtas half-begged, not caring if he was lessening his Sangheili honor.

"Let me finish, Shipmaster," the human continued. "However, I can have the UNSC Infinity and her complement of ten ships there within two hours."

"Do it, Fleet Master." Rtas implored, and the human gave a smile, much to Rtas' discomfort.

"Don't worry, I've already sent the order. Hold out there, Shipmaster, we'll be there in a little while."

As the transmission ended, Rtas sat back down in his chair. He silently hoped that Sanghelios would brave this storm and live.