A plumage of red fire skirted the large cracks and solemn burn marks on top of the metal wings of the UNSC Battle Cruiser 'Red Dusk', it had been pummelled senselessly by two covenant ships but luckily, had managed to survive the worst of its predicament. Due to the arrival of the UNSC fleet, the crew members of this worn and once majestic ship felt as if they could sleep tonight. Genesis II lay beneath the once proud ship, two Covenant Assault Carrier's had appeared over it quickly via slip-space jump; committing god knew what to the civilians down there.
"Lieutenant Drafter" An operator spoke to the ONI specialist, trying to get her input on the current situation. Not long ago, the massive nuclear explosion of the Lunar turret 'Shield had shocked them all; although her prized Spartan IV had survived, the loss of the base meant that Genesis II was completely unprotected.

Drafter tapped the side of her head franticly before standing up, "Head a course to the UNSC Fist of Judgement, I want reparations on this ship as soon as possible." She also planned to speak to the leading commander of the large ship; hoping she could bend the Admiral of the fleet to her whims and the needs of ONI.
"Affirmative ma'am, what do you want to do about the ongoing assault on Genesis II; they won't last long down their without support."

The Lieutenant breathed in slowly before replying, "Our current situation needs to be dealt with first, the threat of Thunder is too high for us to squander our support; Genesis II can wait."
Meanwhile

"The hospitality of these assigned forces seems to be an anomaly, not once in my data banks is the term 'covenant' ever mentioned, however they speak with the grace and weight of life long races, with the authority of the mighty forerunners themselves, or do I tread too far?" The dull hum slowly vibrated over the monitor's words, its golden light was shining brightly as it considered all these events; the beam reflecting of the purple walls along with the two large promethean knights that stood guard in front of the Recognisable Barrier of Testimony. They were on edge as they guarded their monitor, they knew something was different about 01 but were unclear what or how it affected the oracle. Ever since it had been transitioned inside the data pad of the covenant supreme carrier, it had been mumbling nonsense about the righteous path and the truth of the storm; it was almost as if it had been affected straight to the core.

The golden bulb continued to vibrate around the map room ominously, occasionally speaking up about how curious it was of the state of the current universe as well as the religious process and hierarchal supremacy of the covenant. Its voice started to become more and more strained as it commented on the 'Holy path', flickers of red light tampered with its regular monochromatic palate of gold and the regular hovering pattern was become disjointed and out of place.

All of this was watched by the nearby doorway and window, a massive black elite clad in ancient Arbiter armour stood at the hanger that led into the map room. It lowered its large fearsome head and peered inside to investigate the effects of placing a monitor inside the terminal and data pad unit of the covenant battle net.
The Harbinger snorted finally in disgust and left the delusional monitor to its never-ending loop of questions that would no doubt lead to insanity, the Sangheili official stomped down the hanger and made his way to the lead cockpit of the Supreme Carrier "Infamous Fury" where no doubt, his lord and Hierarch would be waiting for him.
As the black warrior entered the massive open cockpit of the ship he realised what was going on, all of the pilots and operators were preparing to charge and control the fleet in order to attack and demolish the opposing human force.

"Ahhh Harbinger, you finally come to see the fruit of your labours." The voice of the prophet called out to him, the San Shyuum himself was seated in his hovering throne at the head of the entire cockpit. A long spindly hand gestured the massive elite to come closer, it flickered to the seat on his left; indicating he was to sit, but as always the Harbinger preferred to stand.
"Hierarch, I see you are gathering the Thunder to mobilise, there seems to be nothing to report with the oracle; its involvement with the Storm data pad seems to have down permanent damage" He spoke slowly, his tough mandibles separating sharply and revealing the purple tissue of his mouth and the perfectly formed white teeth, the large elite ironically had nothing against standing over the prophet; contrasting to all other storm forces who immediately kneeled while in the Hierarch's presence.

"The remaining human forces are to be crushed, as is the will of the gods." Storm continued, scraping the flakes of hair that was starting to grow on his cracked chin, "However our mutual friend, the Shipmaster of Reconciliation of Lies does have something to report."
"Indeed, and who would he be." Harbinger snarled, not willing to play mind games with the prophet, or any games for that matter.
"He says that he has captured a demon within his own midst, and he actually intends to present it to me as a token of his servitude," The Hierarch completed, satisfied with his vessel's progress.

The Harbinger continued to act interested, this wasn't very concerning for him, "The gods indeed must have blessed him; to capture a demon is no small feat." The black elite knew this was to be true, as he had slaughtered and caught Spartans before and they were feisty warriors, he still remembered the blue soldier he had left alive in order to create a challenge for himself; the soldier who he had removed an arm from.

"No doubt" The Hierarch responded critically, watching the black elite's eyes for any hint or betrayal of conscious; as if he knew what the Harbinger was truly thinking in his head, but unfortunately was not able to capture it, "You are dismissed, prepare the Thunder for complete annihilation over the meagre forces of mankind."

The elite nodded, turning around to leave the room and feeling slightly sorry for the human forces, for the first time in his life.