Chapter 2
A Faith Forged
Elsewhere in another universe, an alien empire wages war on an inferior human opponent. This empire is much like the T'au in that it is an alliance of various species but are joined through religion not philosophy. They are the Covenant led by the San'Shyuum or Prophets they have cut a bloody swath across the galaxy to further their "Great Journey" and will crush anyone who gets in their way.
XXX
Capital of the Covenant Empire, High Charity
9th Age of Reclamation (Year 2552, Human Standard Time)
The cramp compartment of a Phantom did little on the mind of the Arbiter. He had fulfilled his mission in killing the heretic leader and silencing his heresy and yet it troubled him that an oracle of all things could be in his position and still he insisted that the Great Journey was a lie. Not only that but he even said that it was the oracle itself that had him conclude to the path of such heresy. Even if he was right it did him little good, he was dead, and the oracle was now with Tartarus headed right now towards the Hierarchs.
"You seem tense, Arbiter. Why is that?" Arbiter looked over to see Rtas 'Vadamee above him, his distinct missing jawline gave away. He was harsh on him last they spoke, and he deserved it his branding on his chest stained his body forbidding him from entering the Great Journey, thus his is the Arbiter, the Fist of the Prophets a position of shame and disgrace.
"It is nothing, come we are here." He was not looking forwards to this as it would be his first public appurtenance as the Arbiter and not as Thel 'Vadamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice before he could walk these halls with pride, now he dose so only in shame. As the doors towards the hanger bay, the being once known as Thel 'Vadumee could feel the daggers of other's eyes pierce into him, he knew they whispered words of insult and mockery he just wanted to get up to the Hierarchs to receive his next mission and the next after that until he died such was the fate of all Arbiters what he got was not such.
"Fellow followers of the Path, It pains me to report that my fellow Hierarch, Bold Regret, has been slain by the humans while he was setting forth to begin the Great Journey." The Prophet of Truth told the denizens of High Charity. Thel was shocked by this, A Hierarch, slain by human hands had he only been there he could have prevented it thought it was not Regrets' death that disturbed him the most, it was Truth's speech. His words spoke with grief, but his tone said none, it was no secret that Regret had always been at odds with Truth and Mercy but at least he did try and look remorseful about this.
"Let us take this moment to reflect upon his life and know that his actions has led us towards another Halo ring and that the Great Journey is soon upon us all. Rejoice for salvation is nigh and the humans will be left to die like the heretics that they are." All around people shouted in glee of anticipation of the final push towards godhood, their vigor made the halls echo with zealous cries and joyful weeping while the Arbiter just kept moving.
XXX
Atop the grand spire of the Hierarchs, Arbiter moved in to see Jiralhanae or more commonly, Brutes taking the armour of the Honor Guard, those Sangheili who have reached a place of respect and are the guardians of the Prophets. And here they stand now being stripped of the honor by Brutes. As he walked, the Brutes displayed just why they where unworthy of safeguarding the Prophets and why they were called Brutes: he saw Brutes ripping off armour and using it was a blunt weapon to beat off a fellow brute trying to go for the same gear as him, snarling and dishonorable conduct and many more as he walked in to see Rtas arguing with the Hierarchs.
"This is unprecedented, unacceptable." Rtas said to the two Prophets his tone conveyed the attitude that every Elite in the room felt: Anger, betrayal and resentment.
" A Hierarch is dead, Commander." The Prophet of Truth told to him
"His murderer was within our grasp, if you had not withdrawn our Phantoms, we could have…" was all Rtas could get out of this split faced jaws before Truth cut him off.
" Are you questioning my decision?"
"No, Holy One I only wish to express my concern that the Brutes…" again Rtas was cut off by Truth.
"Recommissioning the Guard was a radical step, but recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no long guarantee our safety." Rtas looked on in frustration at this decision.
" I will relay your decision to the council." With that Rtas and his bodyguards left the room, giving an eyeing glance towards the Arbiter. As he walked up to the Hierarchs, he could see the stress of politics had caught up to the noble Prophet of Truth.
"Politics, how tiresome. Do you know, Arbiter that the Elites have threated to resign, to quit the high council because of this 'exchange of hands'?"
"We have always been your protectors, holy one." The Arbiter told to the Prophet, here he stands before the being who gave him new purpose and he was arguing with him.
"These are trying times, for all of us." It was here that the wisely old Prophet of Mercy decided to chime in his throughs.
"Even as the humans are annihilated in front of us and fill us with satisfaction the loss of one of the sacred rings wracked our hearts with grief." Truth moved his hand towards Mercy, for he was always the most zealous of the three.
"Putting aside our sorrow, we renewed our faith in the prophecy that there would be other rings to be found and during his last hours, the Prophet of Regret had told us that he had found another ring and was embarking towards it. He failed to transmit the location to us before his death but, even from the grave, Regret still aided the path forwards as the Elite Minor that reported his death also gave his location."
"Not soon after we sent a message toward the home planets of all the peoples of the Covenant, that ships would be arriving soon to pick them up. We are to meet here to all join up at this new Halo ring" Mercy said, his words extreme to say the least.
"Is that wise, holy one? Surly with the humans still there, it would pose a threat to the safety of the pilgrims as well as yourselves." Arbiter could not believe what he was hearing, first the Elites are replaced with the Brutes and the honor guard and now the Hierarchs are dispatching war ships away from campaigns to ferry pilgrims across the stars to meet here and all journey together towards this new Halo ring.
"You are beginning to sound like Commander Rtas, Arbiter but worry not, remember this shall be the entire Covenant fleet, over a thousand ships, all carrying those who are willing to die for the Great Journey, the humans would be wise to flee before the end." Mercy was one thing, but Truth was another story altogether he was always seen as the voice of reason among the three but perhaps Regrets' death had shaken his person in a way to force this action, either way. It didn't look good.
XXX
It was a full three days before every last ship in the Covenant fleet had arrived, and another three more days due to the ships not having enough room so Phantoms from home fleet and to be docked in full and shuffled in and out until every last one of them and been made full. By this time the humans had mopped up what ever was left of Regrets' forces on the Halo ring and yet, nether Mercy nor Truth and sent any ships towards the Halo to scout en force to have the humans leave and odd move but most translated this to that the wouldn't need to when the whole of the fleet arrives and to Regret's death and how Truth and Mercy didn't want to rush in as he had done as to share in his fate.
As the last cruiser came into the fleet, the intercoms of every ship in the fleet ringed with the voice of The Prophet of Mercy.
"My fellow followers of the path, this is our moment of triumph, we are but hours away from beginning the Great Journey and achieving our goal of Ascension and Godhood, it is unfortunate that my fellow Hierarch, The Prophet of Regret could not live long enough to see this day, but through his actions we shall destroy the humans and reach salvation. For ages we had searched for a being who could activate the rings, an oracle, and, due to the actions of the Arbiter we have at last found one." For those who could see it, the Prophet moved aside to reveal the oracle that Arbiter had recovered from the destroyed Halo ring.
"With appropriate humility we pried the oracle with questions and it, with clarity and grace, has shone us the key." Everyone around gasped or awed at the vision of the key. Mercy gave way for Truth to speak.
"It shall be the Arbiter that leads the mission to find this key, while we wait for his return and with this key, we shale fulfill our promise." Arbiter then moved forwards towards the dais to show reveal himself to the whole of the Covenant.
"Salvation for all."
"And begin the Great Journey." The echoing of the crowds was nauseating for one such as him, maybe because it remained him of when he was shamed in front of this same people. Now the praise his presents and cheer his name, though they do not know it is he or rather was that very same Elite. The Prophet of Truth then turned to him and waved him over.
"Go Arbiter, gather your troops and make ready for your final mission. We shall soon be leaving."
XXX
Surface of Planet Valorous Prime
Year 999. M41
Abagail could not wait to get this over with, though she did suppose it was better than sitting around and performing drills all day and it did feel better with Canoness Varmine standing before them. An imposing person, the canoness was an aged woman but that did take away from her imposing presents upon the field of battle nor did it hinder her command of the sisterhood. The Order of the Fiery Cloak was a younger order compared to others such as the Order of Our Martyred Lady or the Order of the Ebon Chalice but were still given the respect of any Sisters of Battle order would receive. Being derived from the Order of the Bloody Rose, their fervor towards the enemies of the God-Emperor of Mankind was absolute, however it did seem like overkill to have them here when the Angels of Aggression chapter of the Adeptus Astartes had a chapter keep here on the planet. Abagail looked on as her sisters went off to glorious battle while she and the rest of her squad stayed behind with the deacon and PDF troops.
"Emperor guide your victory, sisters. We shall show these xenos scum what the fury of the Emperor looks like." Canoness Varmine preached towards the armoured column she then looked down towards the ten sisters left behind here. "As for you, Sister Superior. You and your squad shall be meeting with a man named Major Kuiler and you will provide escort for his relief supplies column, their-after you shall guard over the deacon's headquarters until further notice." The Canoness was as stern as she ever was, one did not become a Sister of Battle by being weak-willed, let alone a canoness. A few minutes passed before an Imperial Guard issued Chimera personal transport was seen crossing the hills and with it, others soon followed.
"They're sure in a rush, probably wanting to go back to their base and wait out the attack, the cowards." Sister Greta said, her heavy flamer clutched in her hands, ready to burn away anything she viewed as heresy.
"Well if they're in such a rush, it will only make this mission go by faster." Megara said.
"Quiet, the both of you or you'll see nothing but the repenta cells for a month." Sister Superior Sabrina said, her power sword glowed even when not in use as she spoke. The Chimera came to a halt just in front of the chapel and a man wearing the uniform of an Imperial Guardsman officer came out thought he looked distressed.
"Greetings Guardsman, I am Sister Superior Sabrina Ventus of the Order of the Fiery Cloak, my sisters and I and to escort to wherever you are heading for your supply drop." The words, as if made out of paper towards a hurricane, blew right over the man. The sister superior did not take to being ignored by. "Guardsman, I demined to speak to your major right now." Again the guardsman did nothing but pace back and forth as if he had something else on his mind. Finally, Sister Ariel came up to the guardsman and shoved her meltagun right into his face.
"Unless you want to end up looking a lot worse than when you arrived, I suggest you start providing some answers." It was then that a hand came out of the second Chimera waving about. Out of the turret came another Guardsman Officer only this one looked much more refined than the person they had all been talking towards until now.
"And who, by the God-Emperor, are you?" Abagail said, she moved forward as to get a better look at the man. He was older than the other and gave off a vibe of wisdom that the other man lacked.
"I apologise for my subordinate's actions but I'm afraid we have come with terrible news in our minds, news we have to share with you now." His words did little to help the situation, but it at least changed the subject matter to something less likely to end up in a friendly firefight.
"Well then, spit it out then man. What's the news?" Sabrina asked judging by her mood it had better be something horrible.
"The Despoiler strikes again, his 13th Black Crusade races towards Cadia and he means to take it. They say it is the largest force of the Great Enemy since the days of The Horus Heresy. All forces available are heading to the Cadian Gate now." Every sister in the squad had their hearts both sink and burn. Abaddon the Despoiler may his name be cursed forever more, heir to the arch traitor, Horus Lupacal, he was the Warmaster of Chaos and Lord of the Black Legion. His so called 'Black Crusades' had always been a problem, causing millions to die and whole planets to be lost yet every time the Imperium of Man has pushed him back but still it was never an easy thing when he rolled his disgusting being from the Eye of Terror.
"This is grim news, but we mustn't lose fate in the Emperor, he shall protect us from the Despoiler's wrath. Come we have our own mission to think about, Major." The mans face looked off, as if he was shocked or something.
"My apologies again sister but how did you know I was the major?" he asked, twirling his mustache around.
"You just had this air of seniority around you now come along, me and my sisters will leave all in the dust if you don't keep up." The major quickly agreed thought not verbally to this and jumped back into his Chimera.
"Come on now Winston, you hear the lass, no time to worry about Cadia when we've got our own problems to deal with here." The officer from before finally broke out of his stupor and acknowledged the major's words and climbed back into the lead Chimera.
XXX
In the Warp, onboard the battle barge Fury of the Lion.
Year 999. M41
As Reclusiarch, Lucifer's first duty now was to induct the new appointee to the Chaplaincy, Veteran Sergeant Solomon as a chaplain of the chapter, he would be assigned to the 9th company as all new chaplains did this would have him get used to the hard and gruelling work of being a Spiritual leader of Astartes as well as having the luxury of not being forced to break down new recruits as other chaplains did. As he entered the room, he reflected back on the time when he was recruited into the Chaplaincy by Raquiel and now his role in this had changed. Sergeant Solomon waiting for him by the looks of things and even had his armour cleaned for his presentation.
"You look like you're going out onto your first mission, Sergeant. Tell me why?" Lucifer asked. He hadn't informed the sergeant about his new position, yet he had gotten his armour all cleaned.
"Spare me the small talk Chaplain, I can only guess as to why you are here so let us be done with it and move on." The sergeant's tone did not do him any favors, he was beginning to doubt Nathaniel's choice in new appointee of the role of Chaplain, but he never let him nor the chapter astray yet, so he gave way to his superior wisdom and let the sergeant along towards the holy chambers of the chapter. In that room, faith and shadows was all, and the presences of the Emperor of Mankind was ever strong.
"Why are we here? If this is to see if I am a heretic, I can tell you right now that my faith in the God-Emperor is unwavering and my loyalty towards the chapter is unflinching." The sergeant spoke as if the eyes of the Inquisition were on him.
"Relax Solomon, we know you are no heretic, in fact quite the opposite, your faith to the Emperor, fury on the battlefield, and leadership of your brothers has earned you a position in the Chaplaincy." The look of relief upon the sergeant's face was greater than anything he could have imagined.
"I-I am not worthy of such an honor, Chaplain Lucifer and besides, only the reclusiarch can make a chaplain you have no such power."
"Actually he does, seeing as he is the Reclusiarch now, making his appointment of you to the chaplaincy fully recognised." A familiar voice echoed out. "As does my own recommendation for you towards that role, Sergeant." Both the sergeant and chaplain turned to see the chapter master standing right outside of either of their sight.
"Do not look so surprised to see me, Solomon. As chapter master, I oversee most of ceremonies conducted in the chapter that involve new officers being appointed." He turned back towards Lucifer. "Now Lucifer, it is time for his anointment."
"Right, now then sergeant, kneel before me and the visage of the Emperor." The sergeant did so, Lucifer then came up to him, crozius arcanum in hand and tapped him on the left shoulder once.
"In the name of the chapter, I charge you with the protection of our brother's souls." He moved over to the right shoulder and did it again. "In the name of the Primarch, I trust in your fury to carry the battle towards victory." He moved over to his left again and tapped it once more. "In the name of the Emperor, I name you chaplain of the Angels of Aggression chapter." Lucifer stepped back and spoke once again. "Now rise, Chaplain Solomon of the 9th company." The now chaplain rose and received from Lucifer his own crozius arcanum, his skull faced helmet and his black armour, all badges of the position of a chaplain of the Adeptus Astartes.
"Good now we should be entering the Valorous system soon. You will then be able to meet Captain Guriel once we leave the warp." Nathaniel said as left the room.
"Good thing too, our astropaths, those that are still alive at least, have been having a hell of a time getting or receiving an messages in this, pray to the Emperor that we haven't gotten caught in a warp storm." Solomon commented on; it was clear that he would have to take time to get adjusted to begin a chaplain.
Soon enough, the fleet left the contains of the immaterial plain for the comfort of real space. The astropaths could now get messages through, what the heard was not good, the news of the thirteenth Black Crusade upon Cadia was disheartening but it only further hasten the chapter's resolve to collect the new scouts as soon as possible to hurry back to the fight.
"Brothers, the Despoiler marches onwards for the thirteenth time, now upon Cadia that most important planet. It is our duty as sons of the Lion to make haste to battle the Black Legion and it allies. Make ready your weapons, for as soon as the new recruits are safely aboard the ships, we march to war once again. This time, the Despoiler will fall, and the galaxy will be a safer place for mankind because of it." The Vox message said overhead.
XXX
In Slipspace, onboard the Covenant Carrier Castellan's Hand
9th Age of Reclamation (2552 Human Standard Time.)
The Arbiter could feel a weight now grow over his heart, as soon all his brethren would be heading off into the Divine Beyond while he would be left behind it was almost enough to make him walk away and never look back but that would only bring more shame upon him. His should have been on his up and coming mission, the last mission of the covenant. This was too important to make any mistakes so only to most competent and zealous warriors would accompanying him for this mission. 200 in all, each one good enough to be in the honor guard but chose not to instead becoming respected commanders in their own right, thought technique not able to lead them, Rtas as SpecOps Commander would be the official head of this operation it would be him that ultimately be in command.
"Brothers, our time is now, the Great Journey is upon us and we have been selected to retrieve the sacred icon. We go now with the entirety of the Covenant at out backs and the Great Journey ahead, by tomorrow, we shall be gods." Rtas' speech was a good one, short but good. The Arbiter could feel the Slipspace drives of every ship in the fleet charge up and being making route calculations.
"The fleet is ready Arbiter, we need only your word." a minor said to him.
"Then let us not waste anymore time, all ships move out." No sooner did he say that did the reality around the fleet break into holes and the ships, all one thousand of them, surged through towards divinity.
"To think, you were this close to being able to walk with the gods, but you probably already knew that didn't you?" a gruff voice came from behind the Arbiter. It was Tartarus, the chieftain of the Jiralhanae, taunting him with poisoned words.
" I know my actions have led to the position I am now in, but I am now leading the Great Journey to its apex while you scurry around the Heirarchs for favor and power, Tartarus." The Brute did take kindly to those words.
"Watch you mouth, heretic. Soon it shall be the Brutes, not the Elites that rule by the Prophets side and when that day comes, I will personally knock you split faced jaw out of your mouth with my own two hands." When a threat came from a Brute, it meant he was going to do it, but it mattered not. Thel needed only be alive for long enough to start the Great Journey.
Suddenly a shockwave coursed through the ship, it felt as thought the very walls of Slipspace were being ripped apart.
" Report, wait is happening out there, Navigator." Rtas bellowed out in the midst of being shaken to the floor from the bombardment of quaking through out the ship.
"I'm not sure, it appears to some sort of anomaly inside Slipspace itself, we cannot do anything about it, and it appears to be affecting the whole of the fleet not just us." The navigator told him as the comms system was overflowing with the screams of shipmasters trying to co-ordinated a plan of action.
"Then brace for impact and tell the crew to prepare an emergency exit of Slipspace, relay this to whole fleet, we'll try and re-enter again when we've figured out the problem." The Arbiter said. As the ship try to exit from the pocket dimension, the whole of reality felt like it was being flipped over, the logical became illogical and vice versa.
"We aren't going to make it." The navigator said as he looked like he was going to have a mental breakdown any second.
"Oh yes we will, we just need a little more effort." Rtas said, and sure enough, they had pulled through to wherever they where.
"I want a full report now." Rtas commanded, it was one thing for a ship to have problems with its slipspace drive but for the entirety of Slipspace to destabilize for a whole fleet, it was unheard of, perhaps it was one final test from the gods to see if the were truly worthy of walking the divine path, but still it was one rather odd and rather dangerous test to pass, even more so to fail.
"All ships are accounted for Shipmaster, no deaths but there are many with injuries, some quite severe."
"Thank the Forerunners for that, not a single ship lost from that mess, such luck wouldn't you say Shipmaster." The Navigator said looking towards his commander and the Arbiter beside him.
"I wouldn't count on that staying true for very long, Major." The Arbiter said as he looked across the starry sky to see what looked like the very whole of reality suffer from a wound of a kind and bleed out ships that bore an eight pointed star upon them.
"We trade one problem for another."
And that people is how the Covenant comes to the 40k setting: the Cicatrix Maledictum opening up and, due to the nature of the warp being it so it affects other realities as well as its own, and how the concept of Slipspace is in the Haloverse. When the Great Rift opened it coincided with the whole of the Covenant going into Slipspace which when that much warp energy is slipping across the whole of a galaxy and you're in an unstable pocket dimension, need I say more.
Anyways this took longer to get due to IRL problems but hopefully I'll be able to continue the crusade from now on.
