Chapter 3: Crashed
The doors to the hierarchs private quarters opened and in walked 2 Honor Guards, ushering a Sangheili in Binders, followed by 2 Unggoy.
The 3 were pushed to the floor in front of Truth and Mercy.
"Hierarchs, these are the engine operator's you asked to see"
There was silence for a moment
"What you have allowed to happen is entirely unacceptable, Zealot. You allowed our Holy City to crash into an unknown planet, and have destroyed much Covenant property, and killed many!"
"Yes noble prophets, I claim total responsibility for this action, and accept whatever punishment is to be enacted upon me. What is your name?"
"Zealot N'thiko 'Sattinee-"
"Not anymore." Truth interrupted "You are now Ultra N'thiko 'Sattinee"
The elite closed his eyes and hung his head, visibly disappointed with his demotion. To be demoted was one of the biggest disgraces a Sangheili warrior could face, almost worse than death itself.
Truth rubbed his chin
Mercy entered the conversation
"Were it not for your rank, and past service, we would have you and your subordinates executed for this failure! But, we have a better idea."
Truth pressed a button on his gravity throne, and a basic hologram of the surrounding continent appeared.
"We have crashed on this unknown planet. It is your doing, and you rightly bear the blame. As we see it, you and your squadmates shall be the ones who will be sent out first to learn about this new world. Whatever horrors you face, whatever you encounter, you will deal with and report to us. You may thank Mercy for sparing you from the Council, I can assure you they would be more condemning."
"Thank you… holy prophets." N'thiko 'Sattinee said.
"Your ship is waiting in the nearby hanger bay. Leave at once before we reconsider."
N'thiko 'Sattinee and his 2 Unggoy stood up and left the room, the 2 Unggoy hurrying along with their waddle out of fear of further punishment."
N'thiko 'Sattinee felt a mix of both anger and regret as he walked down the hall. He was angry at the 2 Unggoy for their failure, but also regretful of allowing it to happen. He would ensure they faced their proper blame.
After several minutes of walking to the armory, re equipping himself and further walking, he entered one of the Hanger Bays. It was a mess like many other areas of High Charity, as many crates and vehicles had been thrown around as if they were mere toys. A single banged up Phantom hovered in the center, with an Unggoy Major and a Kig-Yar Sniper underneath, who appeared to be arguing, as well as his 2 Unggoy Minors from earlier.
N'thiko 'Sattinee walked up, wearing his new white ultra armor, and all of them stood to attention.
He pointed to the Unggoy Major and the Kig-yar Sniper.
"What are your titles"
"Major Wulum your excellency" the Unggoy spoke, clearly nervous.
"Sniper Jik reporting" the Kig-yar screeched
"Get in the Phantom" he said angrily "we have tasks to do".
All of them did as ordered, followed by himself.
Today had been a terrible day for Wulum. His CO and other squadmates had been killed when High Charity crashed, with the only surviving one being Jik the Kig-yar, but he couldn't care any less about him. Jik was always cruel towards him and other Unggoy, viewing them as annoying, invasive idiots.
Wulum sat down on the floor of the Phantom near the other 2 Unggoy as it took off. He figured he might as well get to know his new squadmates.
"Um… hi?" He started
"Hi!" One said back
"Erm… what's your name?"
"Zapaw, and thats Tilm, What's yours?"
"Wulum"
"So… how you end up here?"
"Unlucky enough to be the only one available for assignment, but lucky enough to survive my squads death."
"Oh… what happened to them?"
"They didn't survive the crash. Except Jik over there, but he's a jerk!"
"I heard that gas sucker!" Jik screeched
There was an awkward pause in the conversation.
"What do you think is out in this world?"
"I don't know, probably something big and scary with sharp teeth" Tilm said
"Speaking of big scary things, your lucky you weren't on the holy ring!"
Tilm and Yapaw looked intrigued.
"You lying!" Tilm accused"
"No! Really! We got recalled when we found the Flood thingys!"
Tilm and Yapaw rubbed their chins under the gas masks.
"Did you see the demon?"
"No, and he's lucky! I would have kicked his ass!"
Tilm and Yapaw laughed
"Really? I don't believe that, hes killed hundreds of Unggoy!" Yapaw protested
"Yeah, but I'm smarter!"
"How so?"
"I can speak 3 different human languages, and Im trained in hand to hand combat!"
"So you were gonna out fight the demon with words and your fists?"
"No, with my gun!" He said laughing
There was another pause
"So… Ive been wondering… how are we gonna breathe here? Our methane tanks will need refilled." Zapaw asked
"We bought a few reserve tanks until we figure that out, it should be enough for a few days" Wulum said, gesturing to a few canisters which had a transparent midsection, displaying the blue-green gas that was vital to them.
"Oh, okay!" Yapaw said, before the one of the Phantoms pilots stepped out of the cockpit door.
"We are nearing our destination, prepare for deployment.
Wulum checked his gas meter, he had a nearly full tank, which would last him a good day or so. He then checked his plasma pistol, which had an 88% charge, before holstering it.
Jik walked over, retrieving his Type-50 Beam Rifle from his back and activating his optic sniping eyepiece, which glowed a bright purple.
"You gas suckers ready? I bet you'll run for the hills at the first sign of trouble!" He bullied.
"Shut up Jik! Unggoy are good fighters too!"
Jik laughed
"We'll see about that"
The phantoms bottom hatch opened and they all jumped down, into a dark forest. It was late at night, likely around 12:30 or so.
"There is a settlement to the north. Good luck" the Pilot said through the comms before the Phantom flew away.
N'thiko 'Sattinee examined his surroundings through his helmet.
"You heard the order, head north" he ordered to his troops.
