Here we go! My first go at a Halo story that involves TD entering as a mysterious Elite in the ranks of the Covenant. Please enjoy!
I decided to do most (if not all) of this story from the Covenant's side of the war. It made things simpler and gave me less to deal with. Also, much of this is done from the POV of the Arbiter and Covenant Intelligence himself.
Edit/disclaimer: I don't own Halo. It goes to proper owners.
A single Elite in yellow colored armor stood before the Council of the Covenant in the city of High Charity. He was a commander in the Covenant, on trial for having failed to prevent Halo's destruction at the hands of the Master Chief.
"There was only one ship," the Elite said to the three Prophets in front of him, one of which was a holographic image.
"One? Are you sure?" the center Prophet inquired.
"Yes. They called it 'The Pillar of Autumn'."
Murmuring was heard among the members of the Council.
"Why was it not destroyed with the rest of their fleet?!" the oldest of the Prophets demanded.
"It fled as we set fire to their planet. But I followed with all the ships in my command."
"When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by its majesty?" the holographic Prophet asked.
"Blinded?"
"Paralyzed? Dumbstruck?"
"No."
"Yet the humans were able to evade your ships, land on the sacred Ring, and desecrate it with their filthy footsteps!"
"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the Parasite attacked-"
The Elite was interrupted by the angry mutterings and shouts from the Council.
"There will be order in this Council!" the older Prophet, the Prophet of Mercy, shouted angrily as he slammed his fist down on his chair. The center Prophet, the Prophet of Truth, raised a hand for silence.
"You were right to focus your attention on the Flood. But this demon, this Master Chief?"
"By the time I learned the demon's intent, there was nothing I could do."
More angry shouts from the Council.
"He's a traitor!" someone shouted.
A Brute Chieftain in the room simply smiled and chuckled at the Elite's predicament. The holographic image of the third Prophet, the Prophet of Regret, turned slightly to Truth.
"Noble Prophet of Truth," he said soft enough not to be overheard, "this has gone on long enough. Make an example of this bundler! The Counsel demands it!"
Just then, a hush fell upon the Council as a new figure walked into the room. At first, there was silence, then someone said, "It's the Hierarch's Son."
The figure in question walked up towards the platform until he was standing in front of the Prophets, revealing himself to be another Elite. However, he was different from other Elites. His armor was golden and his helmet and shoulder design was a replica of the headpiece worn by the Prophets. No one knew his name, not even the Elites themselves, for his past was shrouded in mystery. The humans called him "Covenant Intelligence", but among the ranks of the Covenant, he was called "Son of the Hierarchs" or "The Hierarch's Son". His rank amongst the Covenant was not entirely clear, for while he was submissive to the Prophets, he challenged and at times surpassed the command of all other officers. The Prophet of Mercy looked to him and his expression softened a little. Truth nodded slightly to acknowledge his presence and spoke to the Elite Commander.
"You are one of our most treasured instruments. Long have you lead your fleet with honor and distinction, but your inability to safeguard Halo was a colossal failure."
"Nay! It was heresy!" a Council member shouted. The rest of the Council soon joined in his cries, condemning the Commander. At this, Covenant Intelligence (CI) looked to Truth and Truth nodded slightly. CI raised a hand and the entire Counsel was silent. "Members of the Counsel," he said aloud. His voice sounded closer to a human than an Elite, but it was not deemed unusual to them. He had often used this to his advantage in battle.
"Members of the Council," he said again, "I have fought by the Commander's side often in battle. I have seen his dedication to our Covenant and while Halo's destruction may rightly be his fault, never would I condemn him as a heretic. I know that I cannot change any verdict that you place upon his head; I only ask that you reconsider his acts for this Covenant before you act."
The only response was shouts of disagreement from the majority of the Council. The Commander looked back to the Prophets and said, "I will continue my campaign against the humans!"
"No, you will not," Truth replied. He motioned to the Brute chieftain, who turned towards two other Brutes and barked an order. The Brutes walked beside the Commander and escorted him out of the room. As they left, Truth stated, "Soon the Great Journey shall begin. But when it does, the weight of your heresy will stay your feet, and you shall be left behind."
Later, at the trial...
CI watched as the Commander was strapped to a pair of electric restraints in front of the entire public of High Charity. He had gotten a front row seat, so to speak, but not close enough to hear what the Commander might say. He knew that the Commander wouldn't beg as many would expect him to. No, he was too tough for that. Nevertheless, this was going to hurt him a lot.
The restraints released several bursts of electricity into the Commander and a cry of pain slowly escaped his lips. Afterwards, Tartarus, the Brute Chieftain, addressed the crowd.
"There can be no greater heresy! Let him be an example to all who would break our Covenant!"
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" CI muttered as the Brutes on the platform tore the armor off the Commander. Then Tartarus brought forth a hot brand and walked over to the now armorless Elite. CI looked away as the brand seared into the Commander's flesh and a cry rang out from the once proud Elite. Anger swelled in the Hierarch's Son. One day, he would exact revenge upon Tartarus and all who thought the Commander a heretic. But for now, he would remain a loyal follower of the Covenant.
Waiting for the right moment to strike...
Well, that's the first chapter! Let me know what you thought!
Thanks for reading! Hope y'all enjoyed!