Ship Masters log: Continued from entry 778-9

Ship Master ID#/Name: Uulecc Uunamee

Thirteenth cycle, 01 units (Sangheili Battle Calendar)

Aboard Carrier Luminous Voyage, above unknown Forerunner artifact (Dubbed Installation 00 a.k.a The Ark)

Ship Master Rtas' ship was the first to appear out of the Slipspace bubble, and the rest of our ships followed. For a moment all was silent as our ships cruised over this new and foreign structure.

But then after a few more moments of silence we received our orders: "All cruisers fire at will...BURN their mongrel hides!"

After that brief transmission Rtas' personally appeared on the view screen on my bridge and stated "You Uulecc are to oversee the protection of the human vessel at all cost...and if you need be...take as many of those filthy, disgusting beasts with you as you can!"

I nodded my approval and even before I replied my ship was moving into a flanking position behind the Forward unto Dawn as I said in reply "Your will be done!"

I watched for a moment as the human dropships descended to the surface and watching in dismay as one of the seven was suddenly struck from behind by a passing Seraph fighter and exploded.

"Sir, our lateral and dorsal guns are fully charged and ready for imminent discharge...awaiting your orders!" called Exxille

I stood up from my command chair no longer seeing the need to sit while we were fighting against our enemy, I stated "FIRE! FIRE UNTIL THEY ARE NO MORE!"

The other Sangheili on board roared their approval and those manning the weapons control did as they were told and open fired upon the Brute cruisers. The two closest Jiralhanae cruisers shields flared in the darkness of space and I thinking quickly opened a com. channel with Forward Unto Dawn and I spoke with the commander of the vessel.

"We are on your port flank, we have been issued orders to cover you until you initiate and find a landing zone to set down." I immediately got a reply as she responded "Thank you, just keep those three heavy cruisers off my back if you can."

I bowed my head and replied "Of course, for these stinking apes are fools to challenge us!"

We continued to open fire on the Jiralhanae ships as the commander of the Dawn stated "Fire pods 1-12 Archers away!"

I decisively ordered our ship to use its point to point lasers to target the Seraph fighters harassing our ships. But the commander then stated "New contacts at .238!"

I was about to move to intercept those oncoming ships when Rtas' commanded: "No, don't move...I'll handle those myself!"

My crew was getting anxious as the Jiralhanae were being picked off one ship at a time...but the Dawn was still under a lot of fire, and our shields were beginning to buckle.

However just as our ship was about to fire a second Brute vessel appeared behind us and open fired, depleting our shields and blasted a hole through our hull.

The Ship deck shuddered as the vibrations rocked the ship, but I remained standing as I heard Rtas' command through the ship wide com. system: "Let your cannons roar!"

This statement was quickly followed by several shots being fired from the Shadow of Intent and bisected the enemy vessel from stem to stern.

I smiled as I noticed another Jiralhanae ship moving into attack position almost completely on our starboard side, which was primed and ready to fire...and in a moment I stated over the Com. network by accident "Broadside? What fools to face our guns!"

As our ships open fired at point blank range of each other I frowned as we intercepted a coded transmission from one of the surviving Alpha Jiralhanae pack leaders ships: "Keep them off the sacred ground! Drive the heretics back through the portal!"

But to be honest...inside I was smiling as both our ship, and the Dawn open fired with everything we had at the ship parallel to us and was glorified to see it start to mushroom outwards as fire and plasma engulfed the entire ship.

As I watched the ship burn with glee, the Dawn's commander stated over the Sangheili Battle-Net: "We've found an adequate LZ...we're moving in for a closer look...good luck to you."

I nodded and replied "Good luck to you as well...may your spirit carry you forward!"

As Forward unto Dawn breached Installation 00's atmosphere, I finally sat down...the feeling of battle having worn me out considerably. Our ships fell into alignment and as we did...another voice message played across our Com. system: "Uulecc...I request your presence onboard my ship. Make haste...our decent is imminent!"

I responded quickly as I said "Of course Ship Master...I will join your crew shortly." After the brief comm. transmission was ended, I turned to Exxille and said "Ready a Phantom for a swift departure! Tell them I'm on my way down and not to waste time asking questions!"

As I stepped thought the doorway to the hanger bay several corridors later, the Phantom was already in the air...however...it was spinning in circles with the gravity lift active.

I openly sighed and asked "Who let the Unggoy get to the Phantoms control system...AGAIN?!"

Apparently the Unggoy heard my voice through the ship board headset and it stopped the ship and squealed "Me sorry...me get bored so me wanna fly. Please no hurt me!"

In spite of the Unggoy's lack of a spine I was still smiling as I felt the pull of the lift and said "Just get us to the Shadow of Intent in one piece, and you'll be well rewarded I promise."

The little methane breather sounded genuinely happy as he asked "What kinda surprise, huh??"

I then replied "If you get me there now, I'll quadruple the rations." And even before the soles of my boots could magnetize to the deck of the dropship I was flung backwards into the nearest wall as the Unggoy took off at top speed towards the Shadow of Intent.

Several cycles later...

I was happy to be off that Phantom and away from the Unggoy, who's name I would later learn was Yumum, I kept my promise and gave the little one four massive tanks of Benzene. As I stepped though the corridor taking me to the bridge I could still hear him screaming and squealing with joy over his gift and praising the Sangheili.

As I stepped inside the Command deck I stood before Rtas' and bowed to show my respect for the highly honored Sangheili.

He waved his hand dismissively and said "Please rise fellow brother we have very little time."

I stood and replied "Of course, what am I being called here for honorable one?"

"I've called you here to personally congratulate you on becoming my newest personal Honor Guard."

I was personally taken back by the request and couldn't speak, until Rtas' said aloud, "If that is too much I can always…"

However I did not allow him to finish as I spoke up immediately.

"No!" I then bowed down to Rtas 'Vadum and replied, "I am your Honor Guard…and I will defend your life with my own…on the blood of my father and my son!"

Rtas smiled at my words as they were part of the Sangheili passage, and spoke once more.

"Very well then. Uulecc Uunamee prepare to accompany me down to the surface. We shall show the bastard Truth who truly has the power!"