Since I've been working on it for a while, here's two chapters for your enjoyment!
"They seem to have insufficient means to communicate, and furthermore, we have not seen what they look like," Thuul told the holograms of the three High Prophets of the pro-Sangheili council. Each were roughly the same age, all have been very supportive of the Sangheili, and were eager to wage war once the former Prophets of Truth and Mercy left to form the pro-Jiralhanae Order. The three San 'Shyuum looked at each other. The High Prophet of Regret, the leader of the pro-Sangheili Order spoke to the Arbiter.
"You request that we waste time talking with these newcomers rather than continue with the Holy War? Arbiter, I understand that you wish to ensure that all military focus is directed at the Jiralhanae, but this hardly seems, should we say, responsible of an Arbiter,"
"I understand Hierarch, but we just recently crushed a large group of the Jiralhanae, so I thought a little time to ensure we are not fighting two wars would be necessary,"
"Your point is noted and we will discuss the matter of sending the Oracle to assist in translations," the Prophet of Mercy told the Arbiter. Thuul bowed and the holograms flickered into nothing. An Unggoy approached the Arbiter slowly.
"What do you want, grunt?" Thuul asked.
"The Fleet Master wanted you to know that the attack forces are returning and that if the Hierarchs do not approve of your plan, a course for New High Charity will be imminent," the Unggoy began to cower. Thuul was amused at the foolishness of the Unggoy; they were never really that reliable on the frontlines.
"Very well. Tell the Fleet Master that I understand and have no objections to his decision," Thuul told the grunt. The Unggoy saluted and left, just as a transmission from New High Charity was established. Thuul bowed as the holograms of the High Prophets took form.
"The Council has accepted your request and the Oracle is on a course for your location. May the Ancients guide you, Arbiter," the projection of the Prophet of Regret said before dying out. Thuul stood up and began to return to the bridge.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Captain Picard observed the numerous vessels in front of him. Several were small and existed the scorching planet. Life signs were reaching the thousands among the small ships, and once the last ship left the planet, scanners read no life of any kind.
"What could possibly drive such devastation?" Will Riker asked out loud. Commander Deanna Troi answered,
"I'm feeling a lot of hate and anger from them, who ever they are,"
"Anything else?" Picard asked.
"There's quite a large amount, Captain," Troi replied. Picard turned to Worf.
"How many life forms are on the largest vessel, Mr. Worf?"
"The scanner stopped at eight hundred thousand, sir," Riker looked at Picard.
"Eight hundred thousand? That's the population of a country,"
"Captain, scanners are picking up a sub-space anomaly, similar to the others that brought us here," Data informed.
"On screen," Captain Picard ordered. What they saw was intriguing. A wormhole-like shape, with a small ship slowly emerging from it. The event lasted for a minute, but nevertheless was interesting.
"Scanners show one life form aboard, sir," Worf told Picard.
"But how did it get here? And why?" Picard asked quietly.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"Welcome, Oracle," Thuul said to the Monitor 049 Abject Testament. The monitor floated to the bridge, towards the communicator.
"Initiate contact with them," 049 Abject Testament ordered. Uzar growled softly; he was the one who gave the orders. A channel was opened and the Monitor looked at the Arbiter.
"The High Prophets were quite conflicted with this decision,"
"I would expect them to," the channel was accepted and the strange creatures spoke in their unusual language.
"Identifying language. This language is located within the Database. Database records state that the origin of the language was strictly observational and was discontinued shortly after. Language identified as ENGLISH. The language is native to the planet EARTH, along with other languages,"
"One planet with several languages? That must get confusing," a Kig-Yar said, out of place. The Fleet Master growled, startling the Skirmisher-ranked Kig-Yar.
"Is this their home planet, Oracle?" Uzar asked, looking at the Arbiter.
"Negative, the coordinates do not match the database,"
"Then there is no reason to stay,"
"Wait, Brother. We can gain from this encounter. Oracle, I want you to translate what they said," Thuul told Abject. Uzar growled, agitated.
"Very well. What was said was, quote, 'I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. I request to know who is in charge and what your purpose of being here is,' end quote," the Sangheili were puzzled.
"What is a…kap-tan?" Uzar asked, struggling to pronounce the word.
"Obviously a rank with authority. How much authority is the true question." Thuul said. "Oracle, I want you to translate a message,"
"One moment, I will identify myself as the translator." Abject Testament said before turning to the hologram projector. "Greetings, I am 049 Abject Testament, current translator to the Sangheili Holy Order. I shall interpret any and all communications,"
"This is a waste of time, Arbiter," Uzar told Thuul, only to be ignored. Uzar didn't take that lightly.
"Oracle, ask them if they are willing to come together to discuss –" Thuul began before being interrupted by Uzar.
"Tell them that they are in the presence of Sangheili Fleet Master Uzar 'Vadumee. Let them know that I have little time to distract myself from the Holy War. Inform them that if they do not leave this area by the time the first of my ships begins its departure, they will be obliterated," Abject nodded, to an extent, and translated Uzar's message.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"Greetings, I am 049 Abject Testament, current translator to the Sangheili Holy Order. I shall interpret any and all communications," was the first thing said that didn't sound like a series of growls and grunts. Picard stood up and looked at Riker.
"They got a translator," Riker said.
"And 'they' are called Sangheili, apparently" Picard replied.
"He also said 'Holy Order', meaning that they are probably here for religious purposes," Troi added.
"Which means that the planet was perhaps not entirely favored in their religion," Picard observed. More growls were heard, spoken sharply and with ferocity.
"I will translate a message from the one who is in command of this fleet, quote 'You are in the presence of Sangheili Fleet Master Uzar 'Vadumee. I have little time to distract myself from the Holy War. If you do not leave this area by the time I the first of my ships begins its departure, they will be obliterated,' end quote," the seemingly mechanical voice told the bridge of the Enterprise.
"We mean you no harm, please explain to us what it is that you are doing here and what you want. We only wish to know what happened to this planet," Picard said, trying to prevent an attack. A moment of silence left the bridge uneasy. The silence was broken by a roar and growl.
"Captain, I just felt a surge of anger in one individual," Deanna told Picard.
"The 'fleet master' I bet," Riker assumed.
"The Fleet Master is displeased at your inquiry of this recent battle. He is offering you a chance to take back your insult. He is sending the current Arbiter, Thuul 'Putumee as the one who will discuss the situation and he prays that you realize your mistake and begs for forgiveness. Have your hangar bay open for a transport. I will be accompanying the Arbiter. Farewell for now," the translator said, disconnecting the communications before Picard could say anything.
"Captain, should we comply with their demands?" Worf asked.
"This arbiter is coming to discuss the matter, but why?" Riker asked.
"Sir, if I may inquire, if we are dealing with a religious order, perhaps this arbiter is an figure of authority for their faith, rather than their military," Data suggested. Picard thought as he watched a small transport ship approach.
"If a mere question angers a ranked officer, I would rather not see what would happen if we refused their company. Open the hangar Mr. Worf. Counselor Troi, would you accompany me in meeting our guests?" Deanna nodded. "Number One, you have the bridge," Picard said, standing up and starting to leave.
