Finally I can update this...sorry for those of you waiting...I had college finals...and they SUCKED!!! But now on to the story!

Chapter 2- Battle of the Flood

Ship Masters log: Continued from entry 778-9

Ship Master ID#/Name: Uulecc Uunamee

Ninth cycle, 12 units (Sangheili Battle Calendar)

Aboard Carrier Luminous Voyage, Reached rendezvous point: 1549 Beta quadrant. Inside Sol system, Lunar perimeter.

As our five ships pulled out of slipspace, I noticed with grim distaste that the human home world of Earth had been almost completely occupied by the Jiralhanae

"Sir! 95 of the Jiralhanae occupation is centered around this continent on the surface of the planet."

My only reply was "Then that is where we strike! Take our ship out of orbit and prepare for glorious battle!"

Our five ships began our decent into the planets atmosphere, when we were stopped by another signal transmission: 'One escaped! Hunt and destroy at all cost! The PARASITE MUST BE TERMINATED-- Headed for rendezvous point 1549! IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!'

"Wait...those are our coordinates!" yelled Exxille Ratamee "Hold your positions! We will wait and see if this is another Jiralhanae trick or not!" I responded over the Sangheili Battle Network.

But thirty seconds later sure enough while we were holding orbit around the mysterious anomaly in the sky which looked much like the slipspace bubble mentioned in the (1)flight logs of the Ascendant Justice, a single Covenant cruiser exited Slipspace directly in front of our ships and crash landed in a nearby lake bed.

Although much of the ship was destroyed I knew that this fight had just become far worse then the Jiralhanae could ever be.

And now it was up us Sangheili to lead the charge against the parasite, and cleanse it's filth from the galaxy!

"Warriors move to the Phantoms! We must stop this before it can begin!" I shouted though the Battle Net. "Ship Master...you will never guess what we just found!" came over my personal comm. unit.

I replied "I hope this is worth the time you are wasting..." "Sir...it's the Arbiter...he's on the planet!" I immediately jumped up from my seat and shouted "THE ARBITER?! HERE?"

That of course drew the attention of all the Sangheili aboard as the Arbiter was the leader of our entire resistance movement!

Almost immediately and by sheer thought alone, all Sangheili onboard our ships let loose a triumphant roar!

"Sir, all phantoms are ready for departure!" I stood up at that moment and said "Good, warriors prepare for combat against the parasite, and show the parasite why we are noble fighters!"

Just as the phantoms were set to launch we received another message from the second strongest Sangheili in the known galaxy…Rtas 'Vadum! The once Spec Ops. Leader and now turned ship master of the Shadow of Intent sent the following message:

"…This is the carrier Shadow of Intent. Clear this sector while we deal with the Flood!"

I suddenly thought to myself "So, we aren't the only ones left here after all…" However my thoughts were interrupted when one of my subordinates called in and asked "Orders sir?"

For a moment I looked stunned as I shouted in reply… "WHAT? Are you still here…GO! LAUNCH NOW!" "Yes sir, on your word, Lets ride!"

I then turned to the tactical grid screen and checked the Arbiters progress. I then proceeded to alert the Phantom crews, where to go and how to strike!

"I want our two most fully loaded Phantoms to land in sections (2)A2 and A5 and defend against the parasite, and the Phantoms are to provide as much covering fire as possible!"

"Sir!" called out Exxille again "We are receiving a private message from Rtas himself!" "Onscreen!" I yelled and in a few short seconds The white armor clad Sangheili was staring me down.

For a moment neither of us spoke, as I'm sure he was sizing me up as a ship master...however in another moment he cleared his throat and said "This is a very dangerous time for all of us...as a last resort plan we are almost ready to glass this entire southern half of the contanet."

I bowed immediately and replied "Of course ship master we will have our plasma batteries fully charged on your word!"

By the time I was finished giving my sentence one of the other Sangheili called out "Sir, plasma batteries almost fully charged and ready to fire on command!"

Rtas 'Vadum nodded his head in acceptance and said "Very good it will only be a matter of time now...just wait for my orders."

And with that said the view screen shut off. I turned to the rest of my crew and said nothing...then again they didn't have to say a thing...I knew that they would follow my lead...and that took far more honor than I could ever give them.

Then the signal came through..."The Spartan has what he needs...ALL SHIPS OPEN FIRE...BURN THIS INFESTATION BACK TO THEIR FESTERING UNDERWORLD FORM WENCE THEY CAME!"

Almost all at once, our combined ships open fired, covering every square of the tactical grid, and burning anything down there alive, with no hope of escape.

"This time...it is finished." stated Exxille, however I just shook my head and said "No...this is only the beginning of a new mission, to stop the bastard Truth! Prepare to follow the Shadow of Intent through the portal." Exxille only nodded in response and plotted our next course.

As the rest of our ships began to travel into the slipspace bubble, my ship was one of the last ones through...for only honor and courage could await us on the other side...

Just for the record the quoted numbers seen during the reading actually mean something!

(1): If you've read Halo First Strike, then you'll obviously know where that comes from.

(2): That is a play off of the Master Cheif's number A1 and 2 5 7 so A2 and A5 117!