9th age of reclamation.

ORS class heavy cruiser: Forgotten Fear.

Above the planet: Tranquillity.

The halls of the cruiser were filled with special forces from the Covenant. As they ran down the halls a single Zealot followed behind them. He wore the standard issue Zealot armour and had amber eyes. Another group of special forces quickly ran past him towards the hangars. The Zealot continued moving through the corridors as more and more troops moved past him.

He came up to a door that opened revealing a large room with a suspended platform in the middle. He was on the bridge of the ship to receive his orders from the council. As he made his way through the bridge he came to a gravity lift which sent him up to the top. There were some Unngoy and Sangheili tending to some terminals but one stood out from the rest.

He was wearing golden armour and was issuing orders to others nearby. As the Zealot walked up to him he turned and said to him. "Zealot." He stepped forward and stopped in mid step to get a better look at him. "I thought you would look different, are you here for your orders?" Asked the shipmaster.

The Zealot nodded and the shipmaster turned and picked up a device off a table. "The prophets must trust you if their giving you orders directly." Said the shipmaster. The Zealot just took the device turned and walked away. As he walked past yet more troops on their way to dropships. He couldn't help but look at the planet out of the hangar bay door. It seemed to be a planet with only one continent surrounded by multiple islands. The centre was mostly desert and the areas above and below it were rainforest. Everywhere else was just green forest most likely or just green plains either way he was going down there.

He began walking down the winding corridors before he finally came to a door which led to where his squad was. As the purple door opened there were 4 Zealots already armed and ready to go. Two of them were sat down on benches talking to each other while one was leaning on the wall. The final one was looking out the window most likely trying to see any orbital defences.

"Listen up." Said the Zealot loudly as the door closed behind him. "We're getting orders from a councillor themselves." The Zealots quickly gathered round the table and he put the device on to the table and pressed the blue light on it which opened a port to a hologram. As the light slowly manifested before them a figure of a high ranking Sangheili councillor appeared.

"Siqtar squad." Said the voice. "On this planet called tranquillity there is an important amount of data being held here. Your orders are to descend down onto the planet and retrieve the information. The area around this position however is guarded by Heretics who are trying to spread their lies, their filth, to our brothers. This cannot be allowed. When the deed is done report back to your shipmaster and give him the data."

The device closed the light port and the Zealot turned to the rest of his squad.

"The Heretics think that they can defile our gods creations and spread their lies!" Shouted the Zealot. "All of you get to the insertion pods. The special forces can be on clean up duty." The other Zealots quickly grabbed any weapons left in the room and began running down the purple corridors.

As the Zealots reached the insertion pods alarms were beginning to sound. They sounded metallic in nature but they did their job of informing everyone they were going to drop from orbit. The doors to 5 pods opened and all 5 of the zealots jumped into a single pod each.

"Able." Said the Zealot.

"Yes Xytan?" Replied a Zealot with green eyes over a communication panel.

"I want you to take Naridue and guard the outside of the structure once we gain control of its doors."

"Yes sir." Said Able. As the alarms cut the insertion pods began their descent onto the planets surface. As the pods began to enter the atmosphere the bottom of the pods slowly began to set on fire. As they were falling onto the idyllic Cliffside near the base covenant triple A began to fire on them.

"Were coming in hot. Everyone brace for impact!" Shouted Able as the pods were about smash into the Cliffside onto the only area where living things could sit. The lead pod ,which contained Relu, smashed into a covenant emplacement killing anything that happened to be nearby. After Relu crashed the other pods smashed into various locations on the cliff and ,in an almost canonical sequence, all the pod's doors blew open and the Zealots rushed out with weapons in hands.

"Relu!" Shouted Xytan towards the Zealot ahead of all 4 of them. Fall back and flank round the right with Thel." Relu turned round and quickly jumped effortlessly onto an area below the raised plateau she was stood on. Only for that area to be bombarded in plasma. "Naridue, Able over here!" Shouted Xytan once again and Able and Naridue, whom where taking cover behind a boulder of decent size, quickly darted towards where Xytan was taking cover. "Able, Naridue and I will provide a distraction I want you to get on that bank over there and provide fire support with your Beam rifle."

"Got it." Said Able as he pulled a beam rifle off his back and got ready to dash.

"Naridue on me." Said Xytan as he rolled into the line of sight of the enemy only to narrowly doge a torrent of plasma that came from further uphill. He was able to get to cover behind a bank and waved Naridue over. Naridue turned to see if Able was ready and as he did so he caught just a small glimpse of him before he became completely see through. He ran towards Xytan pulling two plasma rifles off their holsters on his legs. He slid into cover to once again avoid the hailstorm of enemy fire. He looked to his left to see Xytan pull a needle rifle off his back and start firing at the hostiles. Above Xytan and to his left up on another raised plateau was Thel and Relu. Relu was pulling a carbine off her back and Thel was already suppressing the enemy with his carbine as well. Naridue turned and looked around the bank only for a large amount of dirt and debris to fly past his face. It took a few seconds to settle and when it did he saw the shade turret that was sending plasma towards them suddenly become silent as its occupant fell out of the door dead. And as another Sangheili ran over to the turret to get on his shields fell as a blue beam pierced it. He quickly fell dead as a needle hit him in the side of the head.

Naridue raised his plasma rifles and began firing in small bursts at a Sangheili taking cover. It wasn't long before the unseen sniper sent him to the ground. Naridue looked to where the shots were coming from to see Able crouched out of his camouflage and holding his beam rifle steady.

"Go Go Go!" Shouted Xytan as he vaulted over a small boulder he had moved up to and as he charged inside the marble building with Relu and Thel while Naridue covered their backs.

"Clear." Shouted Xytan.

"Clear." Shouted Relu. Plasma shots were quickly heard followed by screaming and then silence.

"Clear!" Shouted Thel. The Zealot team lowered their weapons in the marble structure and then Xytan broke the silence.

"This is Xytan 'Vadum to 3rd squad. The landing zone is clear bring in a dropship." The Zealot moved around awaiting the first dropship to arrive. While within walking distance to their objective the enemy would not of heard their gunshots. After 2 maybe 3 minutes a phantom came to the side of the cliff and the Zealot team were standing on a balcony that allowed them to see it arrive.

The Phantom came into view and its right side door swung open onto the cliff allowing 2 large teams of special forces to jump onto the Cliffside. Xytan turned and looked out towards the opening of the cliff that allowed them to move on. A cold breeze blew into the building and carried with it were large snowflakes that melted in the warmth of the air as they hit the window.

"Snow is coming down from the mountains." Said Able. "That means a blizzard will be up ahead, perfect camouflage." A special forces leader entered the structure to greet the Zealots.

"Zealots." Said the special forces leader. "An honour to meet you. Especially Xytan 'Vadum. The deadly assassin." Xytan turned to the commander and said.

"I do not wish to be known for my deeds, as far as anyone needs to know I was just another Zealot in the covenant." The commander stood there for a few seconds waiting for his orders. "Listen up!" Shouted Xytan. "The Heretics we're about to face are not just lowly minors who are trying to spread their lies to gain power. These Heretics were the deadliest platoon of Infantry throughout their time in the covenant. However their history is not what matters but what matters now is killing their leader." Xytan pulled a small purple cylindrical object out of a metal pouch on his right leg and proceeded to put it on the ground activating a hologram.

As the hologram quickly materialised it showed a Sangheili in a general class combat harness.

"This is General Varin 'Lodamee." Explained Xytan. "He was one of the most distinguished generals in the Covenant military. Before he became a Heretic he was going to become the Supreme Commander of High Charity's forces. He won't be a simple target for sure." Xytan turned to the special forces captain. "What's your name captain?" He asked.

"Zare 'Refumee." He replied.

"Zare you and your men will assist in the assault of the walls as a diversion group and when the last enemy falls you are to regroup by the main door. Understood."

"Yes Xytan." Replied Zare.

"Alright Siqtar stay with me and wait for Zare's signal. When you hear enemy fire we shall activate our active camouflage, kill any and all Heretics that get in our way and move on Varin " said Xytan.

The Zealots ran out of the building moving to the Cliffside and began to make their way onto the top of it. They moved over the flat surface and headed towards a circular area surrounded by mountains. The Heretics would move on them soon after they found out that their patrol wasn't reporting in.

As the team came up to where cliffs ended they could see the heretics base. It was forerunner and heavily guarded. Xytan let out a small burst of three strange static sounds over the local communications. He got a reply of two beeps over the comms."

Zare is in position." Said Xytan quietly. "We can move along the mountain side and hit them on their own walls. Zare will keep them busy for now. But I doubt that they will be able to hold for long. They're heavily outnumbered." Xytan used his HUD to zoom in on the Heretic defences. "They only have two snipers. The bulk of the force is made up of Unngoy. There's only two squads of Kig-yar up there and the remaining forces consist of only Sangheili. Twelve Sangheili. To be exact." Xytan zoomed out and began hugging the edge of the cliff. "Zare has the enemies in his sights too. I sent the markers to him. Able stay close but don't put yourself in danger. Eliminate the snipers only when Zare and his teams strike the facility." Said Xytan as he continued along the cliff with the others in tow.

"Affirmative." Replied Able. "They wont know what them." He added. The Zealots had finally reached their destination and Able signalled Zare by catching the light and gleaming it towards them with his beam rifle. Shortly afterwards the sound of carbines and needle rifles could be heard coming from the chasm before the forerunner base. Able raised his beam rifle and pointed it towards one of the snipers. He raised it to catch the snipers head and he pulled the trigger without hesitating. By the time the other sniper had noticed Able was there he already had Able's sights on him. Another beam pierced the skull of the second sniper dropping him to the ground.

Xytan lead the charge along the wall firing his plasma rifles at the enemy Sangheili and Unngoy. He pulled out his sword as a Sangheili charged him with his sword. Xytan merely pushed the Sangheili's sword aside before piercing his torso. With his sword and pulling it out. He raised his plasma rifles and killed a Sangheili with a carbine. Relu joined Xytan and they quickly cleared the top of the wall together, using both sword and rifle to quickly dispatch any foes remaining.

Thel and Naridue were fighting below them clearing the lower wall at a slower pace with the extra manpower on the wall. Xytan pushed the final Sangheili of the top of the wall attaching a plasma grenade to his face, causing two Sangheili and five Unngoy to perish. Able moved his scope towards multiple Sangheili and Unngoy running for the door to the installation. He honed his sight on the leading Sangheili and pulled the trigger, causing the Minor to fall to the ground. He did so again firing at the three remaining Sangheili. With each pull of the trigger they fell to the ground. Purple staining the white snow.

The wall was now clear of all hostiles and Able moved down to regroup with the rest of his team. Naridue opened the gates for the special forces team allowing them to enter the inner courtyard. The special forces quickly set up positions both along the wall, and around the main door. Xytan turned to Zare who was dragging a wounded Sangheili to cover.

"Zare." Said Xytan. "Scans of this facility show that this underground network is massive. Me and my team won't be able to search it all. I need to take two extra Sangheili and a few Unngoy. I've already called down two phantoms to reinforce your squads." Zare turned to some Sangheili who were setting up a shield generator on the wall.

"Karo, Taurin!" Shouted Zare, and the two special forces ran towards them. "Gather some Unngoy you're going with the Zealots to assist in their search. Tell one of the Unngoy to bring a fuel rod it may prove useful."

"Yes captain." Replied the Sangheili.

"Xytan." Said Zare turning around to face him. "What kind of evidence do you think Varin used to turn an entire division?"

"Lies." Said Xytan. "I doubt that all of his division defected. The Minors and Majors will be the most likely to become Heretics and listen to lies. Ultras will be the least." Xytan turned to his squad. "Varin is most likely in the control room of the installation. From scans we can see that there are multiple large caves throughout the area. That will be our main way of moving around. Until we reach the main doors to the caves we will be in close quarters. Keep an eye on your motion sensors as our camouflage won't last indefinitely." Xytan activated the Forerunner terminal for the base and opened the door. A phantom flew into the courtyard and Xytan turned hus head to check if they were freindly. They were covenant for sure but the troops that jumped out weren't. He knew them well, and was glad to see them.

Multiple Kig-yar jumped out into the courtyard, one of them stood out from the others as he wore a shoulder plate on his right shoulder that was larger than left. He also donned a tactical headpiece. It was really more of an over glorified HUD that displayed more information on friendly troop movements. Xytan shouted out towards him.

"Captain Tór!" Tór looked out towards and walked over to him.

"Xytan." He replied. "I was sent here to assist you in your mission. Never thought that we would hunt down a Covenant general." Tór walked towards the door with four Kig-yar beside him. "The rest of my men will cover the door and wall. Where we headed?"

"Tór." Said Xytan. "Activate your camoflauge when we do and follow us until I tell you to go." The now large group of special forces moved into the facility, the winding halls of grey metal and blue lights their only guidance through the facility.

"Xytan." Said Able.

"Yes?" Replied Xytan.

"We haven't found a single Heretic in a long while. Where are they?"

"This facility is massive." Said Xytan as he started to open a door. "You could hide a whole division down here and you would have enough room for more divisions. Unfortunately we're going to have to blow this entire facility to stop the lies being broadcasted." The door opened out into a large cavern that seemed to go on for miles.

"Karo, Taurin." Said Xytan. "Take the Unngoy and move through this cave. Captain Tór, send with them two Kig-yar." The two spec ops Sangheili went though the door followed by five Unngoy and two Kig-yar in camouflage. "The rest of you with me." Said Xytan walking down the corridor.

As the group descended down further through the tunnels, signs of occupation began to appear. There were crates holding weapons scattered about and plenty of supplies stored neatly at the sides of the corridors. They could hear shouting coming down from a split in the corridor. The Zealots shifted along the wall and Xytan looked around the corner. There were two Sangheili Ultras banging on a door yelling for the person inside to open it.

"You're sorrunded! Open the door!" Shouted one of the Ultras. Xytan activated his camoflauge and carefully approached them. When he was behind them he stopped and de-cloaked. He reached for his sword and drew it its sound alerting the Ultras who only had time to turn around and scream. Their bodies collapsed to the floor lying on the ground. Xytan stepped towards the door and said.

"Who's is in their? I am Xytan 'Vadum of the Covenant." Said Xytan. A few moments later the door opened revealing a room with a few terminals inside it and a Sangheili minor came round the corner.

"Zealot." Said the minor. "General Varin betrayed us, many joined but a few of us still fight against him." Said the Minor.

"Where are the rest of your freinds?" asked Xytan signalling his squad over.

"They fought to the last. I wish I could have joined them in death. The last thing I heard from them was... Run. Get help and send these Heretics to the grave." The minor turned and looked into the room he hid in. "I took this room as it allowed access to the main building through some form of maintenance tunnel. You can use it to get to Varin."

"Get yourself above ground minor. There is a special forces team up there with need of a few extra hands." Said Xytan.

"Very well." Said the minor as he began walking towards the exit.

"Siqtar." Said Xytan. "Today the Heretics are no more. We move on Varin and take his life for the lies he has sown." Xytan and the rest of his team entered the room and just as the minor said there was a tunnel that lead all the way to the inner structure. Xytan took a step in and looked forward. The tunnel was incredibly long and would take easily at least 30 minutes to go to the end. He took a step in to the tunnel and it was just big enough for them to crouch through. If they walked in to any Heretics at the end they would not be able to escape or draw their weapons quickly.

The further they proceeded down the tunnel the darker it became around them. The only thing they could see ahead of them was the shadowy outlines of the Sangheili in front of them with a small glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Minutes passed by and eventually they made it to the end of the tunnel. The exit had no way down and would've been designed only for sentinels. Xytan looked around the exit. The corridor was large at least 50 meters tall and wide. The area below was covered in blood and plasma burns. Fighting happened recently, it may even have been a few hours since the battle ended judging by how fresh the mix of purple and blue blood was. Xytan jumped down making a large amount of noise on the 10 meter drop. He waved his hand to signal the squad over. Relu landed by his side followed by Able then Naridue and Thel. Naridue walked over to the console by the door and began to open it. Xytan walked in as the smallest crack between the doors opened. He raised his fist as he moved into the masive spherical room. In the center of it was a massive beam of energy that hummed loudly. Around the room there were multiple spheres and pyramids, each with their own console carrying out specific tasks. Around the energy beam there were trapezium terminals on raised semi circular platforms with dtairs leading up to them. Xytan slowly began walking forward his needle rifle held up pointing to various objects in the room tentatively. He heard Relu scream his name and he turned his head as the door closed behind him. He turned back to the console ahead of him and a Sangheili general turned around to look at him. Revealing his distinctive scars.

"General Varin." Said Xytan keeping his gun fixed on Varin. "You have committed heresy of the highest order. How do you plea?" Asked Xytan cautiously walking towards him.

"What is your name, Zealot." Said Varin crossing his arms while looking towards Xytan.

"I, I am Xytan 'Vadum. Zealot of the Covenant, and you... You are Varin Lodam. A heretic." Replied Xytan who had now stopped at least 10 meters from Varin.

"Xytan 'Vadum. I knew the liars wouldn't just send a normal Zealot team. Im honoured."

"That's the prophets to you Heretic!" Shouted Xytan.

"You're fooled easily." Replied Varin. "Or it's just the Prophets lies spread deep into our very culture... Perhaps a fight will cool your blood." Varin reached for his sword on his leg and pulled it off activating its blade. The sword was turquoise in colour and in seeing that the fight was with swords Xytan unsheathed his own. It had no custom blade colours but it did seem to glow brighter than normal.

Xytan and Varin circled each other for a while both observing each others form and then almost as if they knew when the other was going to strike they lunged at each other. Their swords smashed into each other causing them both to slide back a little. Varin slashed from the right and Xytan caught the swords blow with his own, sliding it of to the left and shoulder barging Varin causing him to stagger back. Xytan swept his sword from the bottom right to his to his top left and Varin was just able to catch his blow and recover. Xytan knew that by the time he was able to hit Varin they'd both be exhausted. Xytan pulled his sword back and quickly hopped backwards before Varin's sword almost caught him.

Xytan raised his sword high into the air and slammed it down, Varin saw his opportunity and caught Xytans blade between the middle of his and twisted. Xytan let go of his sword as Varin tossed it to one side. Varin was laughing as he lunged only to show an expression of shock as Xytan activated the blades located in his gauntlets and pushed Varins sword away. Xytan headbutted Varin causing him to stagger. He then brought his left gauntlet up to Varins sword and began to start hitting Varin with his right fist until he easily slid Varins blade from his hand. Varin knocked Xytan's fist out of the way and just before he threw a punch he felt his leg be hit by Xytans left leg, Forcing him to fall onto his stomach. Xytan grabbed the back of his armor catching the neck area and threw Varin onto his back. Xytan threw his foot onto Varins chest knocking the air out of his lungs. He raised Varin's own sword towards him and stood there silent.

"In all my years..." Said Varin panting trying to catch some air. "I have never seen anyone use their gauntlets in a sword duel. I bet you would like to know why I became a Heretic." Varin pulled out a covenant data chip from his right sword holster. "On this is what the prophets don't want you to know." He said. "Take it." Varin held out his right hand and Xytan took the chip with his left.

He immediately knew Varin had lied about the chip. It was a holographic emitter which produced a hologram showing a large amount of forerunner documents. It opened one labelled as... 'Halo' it showed an image of one of the holy rings however it appeared to fire some sort of beam and the forerunner data showed it to be a weapon against something called... The Flood. Xytan studied the hologram further to be sure it had not been tampered with. It hadn't. Xytan turned to Varin his foot still on his chest and he turned off the hologram.

"I now see." Said Xytan. "But on the honour of my ancestors I will uphold my mission."

"I understand." said Varin nodding his head. He knew he was going to die but he showed no signs of emotion, no fear in the slight. He didn't even flinch as Xytan thrust Varin's sword into his chest and left it there. Varin looked at him as the world turned black. He closed his eyes and his body went limp. He was able to mutter 'Find the truth.' Before he died.

Xytan pulled Varin's sword out and sheathed it. Strapping it to his left leg. He retrived his own sword that lay by the door. He picked it up and opened the door from his side. Able was the first to run through and Naridue was the last. They were checking around the room until they noticed Varin's corpse. They lowered their weapons waiting for Xytans response.

Xytan walked past all of them. Looking toward the ground. He know knew what caused the entire division to become Heretics.

"Xytan?" Asked thel worryingly. "Are you alright?" Xytan stopped midstep and turned to face his squad. He gestured for them to follow and they did so. They travelled towards the tunnel they came out of and Xytan stopped them. He pulled out the hologram emitter and began to play it.