Part One - Discovery
Encumbered By Little dug one of its many tentacles into the pile of human technology, grabbed an object, the tossed it behind him in an unsatisfactory motion. The object colided with the head of an Unggoy Deacon, Yadup.
"Oof!" he grunted, rubbing his skull. The Hurogak turned to him with its small, snout like head, blinking its six eyes in realization.
My apologies. it stated, then went back to its digging. Yadup sighed, then stuck out his spiny forearm, signing the Hurogak his response.
It's, fine, He struggled with the words-- for most species of Covenant, learning a Hurogak's language was near to impossible. Yet, the Deacon was a very talented and bright one.
Ah! Here it is! the Hurogak exclaimed, chirping in glee.
What, you, find? Yadup asked, pulling beside Encumbered By Little. The Hurogak extened its tentacle, and Yadup observed it intentivley.
What, is, it? he asked. The device was a black helmet-looking one, complimented by a silver-mirrored visor. On the side was the insignia of a skull, enveloped by fire.
One of the Human's special task forces helmets, Encumbered By Little replied.
Why, we, need? The Deacon asked, perplexing his fingers to fit his words.
Obeservation! Discovery! the Hurogak replied, chirping once more, then bristling in anxiety. Come, let us return to the ship,
And with that, Yadup hunkered along with the Hurogak back to the Phantom which would take them to the Divine Incompetence. By the Forerunners, Yadup thought. Why must I always get the boring missions? Truth be told, the Deacon was actually happy to be with the Hurogak. It was better than being on the lines, that's for certain.
- - -
Z'yat watched as the Hurogak came chirping into the corridor, object grasped around its tentacle.
"What is this?" Z'yat asked, eyeing the Deacon.
"Just an object the Hurogak picked up, your Excellency," Though only a Major, it was common law that Unggoy refer to the higher ranks of the Covenant with their utmost respect.
"This I know, Deacon. I mean, what does it do?" the Major asked, annoyed.
"Oh, of course, your Excellency, I apologize. Truth be told, it is just a helmet worn by the humans, there is nothing of vitle importan-" Yadup was interrupted by a very loud chirp, one which came from Encumbered By Little.
The Hurogak was holding a data unit, which it had claimed from the helmet's cameras.
"What is that? A video log?" Z'yat asked. The Hurogak cave a curt nod, then sped past the Sangheili. Yadup waddled along, giving his respects to the Sangeili as he passed. Z'yat decided to follow the pair, more out of curiousity than anything else.
The Hurogak finally stopped once it came into a room filled with pedestals, holograms, and projectors. Without a word from the other two, he popped the video into one of the many projectors, and it started to play.
- - -
Two hours earlier...
"Man," ODST Captain Jason Lancer commented as he wiped the sweat away from his brow.
"Sir?" One of his men asked; Jeromy.
"Nothing, casualty report?" Jason asked, letting out a sigh. He had been grazed by plasma, but showed no signs of serious injury.
"We lost Rothchild and Gunny. Other than that, we're green, sir." Jeromy replied. The Captain, nodded, staring into the mirrored visor of his helmet. Grime and scars covered his face, his brown hair starting to break regulations. A screeching sound broke through the wind, and the three ODSTs who resided in the foxhole tried to make sense of the noise. Finally, they knew: banshees.
"Damn, get down!" Jason said, hitting the dirt. Jeromy and David dove to the floor as banshees sweeped by, carpeting the area with plasma. Luckily, no one was injured. "Move!" Jason ordered, dropping his helmet in the midst of the confusion. Undoubtedly the banshees would be back, so the ODSTs had to run while they still had the chance.
Ahead, the three spotted a cave. Iit was their only hope of survival, and they were willing to take it; no matter where it lead. "Both of you, inside!" the ODST Captain commanded, peering behind his shoulder. In the distance, the banshees flew towards them. Jason pulled inside, right as the mouth of the cave was enveloped by a green explosion. The blast sent him sprawling, slamming into the side of the rock-hard walls.
"Sir? Aee you okay?" David asked, as he flickered his weapons flashlight on to shed some light. Jeromy did the same.
"Yeah... I'm fine..." Jason coughed, nodding his head.
"Uh... guys..?" Jeormy asked, in a mesmerized voice. The other two looked at him in confusion. Jeromy pointed ahead of him, and their gazes were shifted once more. Along the walls were odd runes and glyphs, never before seen by human eyes.
"What are they?" David asked, astounded.
"Hell if I know, the better question is how has nobody come across these before?" Jeromy replied.
"Well, Harvest is an unexplored Planet, for the most part." Jason said, getting to his feet. "Let's find out."
- - -
Z'yat growled in frustration. The video had been a colossal waste of time-- the only thing it had revealed was a human with a scared face. Encumbered By Little let out a sad chirp as Z'yat began to leave the room. The Deacon was neither bored, nor entertained. Before Z'yat exited, the Hurogak chirped again, this time more happily.
Soon enough, another video log projected on screen. Apparently, the helmet cam was connected to the two other humans who had been with the scar faced one. Z'yat drew in a sharp breath as he focused on the screen once more. What he saw shook his very soul.
There, the humans stood in a cave. And inside, Forerunner writing covered the walls.