Kig-Yar District – High Charity – Ninth Age of Reclamation
Thel felt his nose wrinkle with disgust as he stepped through the rotten district, following the T'vaoan Mercenary. He looked back to the others; Rtas and Ropa stood to either side of the San'Shyuum Minister, glaring at any Kig-Yar unfortunate enough to stop and stare as they pushed their way through the crowd. Tal Rel moved through, glancing cautiously back to Thel as she stepped forward. Thel found it hard to believe that this District was even a part of High Charity, to be honest. Despite the best efforts of the Huragok in the sector, it still looked and smelt far closer to a dank warzone than the centre of all Covenant Government and Religion. Plates of rusted metal were haphazardly welded over various windows, bodies of rival Kig-Yar were left strewn across the street, or even impaled on bloody spikes (Thel thought back to Prideful Sanctity, though these Spikes appeared to not be… changing these Kig-Yar). Though most Kig-Yar would find such a state quite comfortable, to the Sangheili, it was near unbearable, tolerated only due to the importance of his mission and his devotion to the Great Journey. As they continued through the crowd, they came up on a large chamber; filled with various species; mostly Kig-Yar, though Thel could pick out several Unggoy, Yonhet from the Fringe, Yan'me, and even several Sangheili, though wearing simplistic robes instead of the proud Combat Harnesses of a Soldier.
Thel looked to the T'vaoan, speaking.
"Mercenary. I said take us to the Yanme'e Burrows. Where are we?" Turning back, the Kig-Yar spoke, slightly less nervous this time.
"Oh, the Burrows are on the other side here. We just need to cut through the markets." She turned back around, continuing as she let out a chuckle. "I'd suggest not buying anything here, though. Unless you want an overpriced piece of crap that'll fall apart when you pull the trigger." Thel gave a nod, as they continued through. Diligently ignoring the market, the group moved down a set of staircases, as the light dimmed. Thel drew his Accelerator Carbine, taking aim while the T'vaoan drew a Pistol. As they moved downwards, a horrifying smell; far worse than the 'surface' of the District, met their noses. Retching with disgust, the Minister looked to the Shipmaster.
"I've been to Honest Tribunal, and even I've never smelt something that bad." Tal gave a laugh, explaining.
"Yeah. If you haven't noticed already, there's a lot of bodies up there. When it gets too much up there, they're thrown down here to feed the Yanme'e." The Ultra gave a frown, speaking.
"Do Yanme'e usually feed on bodies?" The T'vaoan gave a shrug, sniffing the air as she moved forward slowly.
"These ones do. Not sure about the others, though. These ones are a bit more… feral." The Minister gave a shudder, clutching her pistol tighter.
"You'd never see anything like this in the other districts." Rtas gave a nod, keeping his Plasma Repeater raised as he looked to Thel.
"Shipmaster. Shoot to kill on the Yanme'e?" Thel gave a nod, replying, looking back to the T'vaoan.
"Yes. Check your targets, however. We don't want to hit the Deacon – if he's still alive, that is." Thel's grip tightened around his Carbine, as distant chittering met his ears; similar to the Collectors back on Prideful Sanctity. Must have been the Yanme'e. Hearing this as well, Ropa quickly reached down to his Cuisses, unclipping his twin Plasma Rifles, quickly raising them. Tal backed up, quickly activating her Point-Defence Gauntlets, popping the Accelerator Pistol's Thermal Sink with a muted hiss. Biotics flared around the Minister as she quickly raised her own pistol. Glancing around, Rtas gave a quiet growl.
"Here they come…"
With that, dozens upon dozens of Yanme'e quickly swarmed out of the darkness, letting out horrible screeches as they lunged at the group. Unlike most Yanme'e Thel had seen, these ones had leathery, tight grey skin, instead of the healthy brown, and appeared to lack direction; coordination. His finger quickly squeezing around the trigger, Thel's Accelerator Carbine fired several rounds; felling a Drone with every shot. Quickly backpedalling, the Kig-Yar quickly squeezed the trigger of her Accelerator Pistol, before activating her OmniTool, quickly throwing a blast of Plasma at the swarm; incinerating a group of the bugs. Quickly firing his Plasma Rifles, 'Doramee fell more of the unarmoured Yanme'e swarming the group.
Quickly latching onto Thel's back, a Yanme'e blindsided him, tearing into his combat harness as he flailed around, trying to rip the creature off. His claws finally wrapping around one of the insect's thin arms, Thel's grip tightened, as he pulled; ripping the arm off. Screeching in pain, the creature let go of Thel as it fell to the ground, ichor pouring out of the wound. Thel turned around, slamming his heavy boot into the creature, splattering more ichor across the ground, killing it. Biotics glowed around the Minister as she threw several blasts; felling more of the feral Yanme'e, while the SpecOps Commander stood to her rear, firing his Plasma Repeater with reckless abandon.
More of the creatures kept coming, however, swarming the group. Suddenly, a large group of the Yanme'e were locked in a Biotic Stasis Field, struggling against the Mass Effect Fields, as several pink blamite crystals flew towards one of the creatures, embedding themselves into the Drone's flesh. The crystals began to glow, until they detonated, taking the entire group with them in a bright pink explosion. Thel looked to the swarm as a group of the Drones slammed into another Biotic Barrier.
Quickly rushing forward, Thel fired several more rounds from his Accelerator Carbine, as he saw the attacker. Wearing tattered white robes over a white Combat Harness, an exhausted Unggoy Deacon continued to pour rounds from his Needler; his biotics flaring up whenever one of the feral Yanme'e got close. As Yanme'e began to gain interest in the Unggoy, Thel quickly gunned them down, rushing to the Deacon's side, pouring more rounds from his Accelerator Carbine. Slowly, but surely, the swarm's numbers began to thin, as the Yanme'e turned to retreat, flying back into the holes and burrows, away from the group.
Thel exhaled deeply, as he looked to the Unggoy Deacon. Getting a better look at him, he wasn't merely just exhausted, his body was covered in wounds, and his Methane Tank looked to be close to empty, judging by the shallow breaths the Deacon was taking. Thel spoke, looking down to the Deacon.
"I assume you are the Deacon we're looking for, yes?" The Unggoy gave a nod, replying in a high-pitched, but obviously more educated voice.
"Yes. I'm Deacon Dadab, at your service." He gave a stutter, looking to Thel's group. "T-Thanks for the assist. Wasn't sure I'd survive another day down here."
Rtas gave a nod, replying. "Yes, these Yanme'e are far more savage than any I've seen. How did you survive?" The Deacon gave a laugh, replying slowly.
"Well, after the mean Kig-Yar dumped me here, I used my Biotics to escape the first swarm. While down here, I found a dead Kig-Yar with a Needler, so I took that. Been hiding out, waiting for rescue ever since." Thel gave a nod, speaking.
"You were left here because you were seeking a Huragok. Tell me everything." The Deacon gave a reply, nodding.
"You mean Lighter than Some? Yeah, I was trying to find him. Came to me one day saying that he found something on one of the terminals in the Kig-Yar Sector. Next day, he was missing. I went to the Sangheili Commander, but he just laughed me out." He looked back to the entrance, speaking. "So, I went digging myself." Tal stepped forward, giving a snort.
"And you obviously didn't get too far." The Deacon replied, obviously offended.
"No! I managed to actually find where he's being held: there's a back-room at Reth's Den that leads to a brig and an old Landing Pad. I think he's going to be moved soon." Thel gave a nod, replying.
"Then that might be where Captain Tartarus is being held as well. It's harder to underestimate a Jiralhanae than it is an Unggoy." The Deacon gave a nod, speaking.
"Before they dumped me here, I managed to get a good look at the Den. Aside from the Landing Pad, there's only one way in; the front entrance. It's guarded by a few T'vaoan Mercs, as well as a Mgalekgolo Pair. Going to be tough to break in." Thel gave a nod, looking back as he spoke.
"Will we need reinforcements?" Rtas shook his head, replying.
"No, Shipmaster. We should be able to break through with the right tactics. Calling for reinforcements will only eat valuable time." The Minister spoke up, replying.
"Like it or not, we need to break through those defences. Do you have any ideas?" Thel paused, closing his eyes in contemplation, before quickly opening them again, speaking.
"I have a plan. 'Vadumee, 'Doramee, you both have Active Camouflage, correct?" Both the Special Operations Sangheili nodded in response, as Thel looked to his Plasma Grenades. "We take out the Mgalekgolo before they know we are there. Give all of your Plasma Grenades to 'Doramee or 'Vadumee. They will plant them on the Mgalekgolo before we attack. Then, the Kig-Yar should be straightforward. Any questions?" None of the group spoke, instead choosing to ready their weapons, or hand Plasma Grenades to the two SpecOps Sangheili. Thel gave a chuckle, speaking.
"Good. Let's get ready to move."
Reth's Den – High Charity – Ninth Age of Reclamation
The entrance to the Den was minimalistic, barren. Something that would pass most individual's gaze, were it not for the Mgalekgolo Pair standing outside, flanked by a group of T'vaoan Soldiers, armed with Plasma Rifles and Accelerator Carbines. Two of the T'vaoans stood beside one-another, speaking.
"… All I'm saying is that I'm just not sure about these new Business Partners. I mean, sure, the pay's good, but Atriox was a lot more reliable." The other T'vaoan gave a snort, replying.
"Don't know, don't care. Like you said, the pay's good. Better than what Atriox had." The other rubbed the back of his head.
"Yeah, but, have you looked at their track record. A lot of their mercs have ended up dead. At least with Atriox, there's a guarantee you won't be silenced to cover his ass." The second one gave a sigh, replying.
"Look, just shut up. Do you really want Reth to hear you?" He gave a chuckle. "Maybe he could send you down to keep that stupid Unggoy 'Company'." The first one gave a sigh, replying.
"Fine, just don't be surprised if our new bosses have you all thrown out an airlock-" Suddenly, the T'vaoan stopped, his feathers standing on end, as a shimmer of the light passed by him. The second T'vaoan looked to him, replying.
"Something up?" The first one spoke back.
"Sorry, thought I felt something brush by me." The second one burst into laughter, replying.
"Maybe it was an 'evil spirit'!" Both of them burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity of it. No-one could make it past them. Then, the backs of the Mgalekgolo Pair exploded in a shower of Plasma and liquefied Lekgolo Worms. The T'vaoans began to squawk with panic as they began to raise their weapons. Suddenly, a shot rang out, as the brains of one of the T'vaoans painted the wall behind him.
Rushing out from behind their corner, Thel, the Minister, Dadab and Tal Rel sprinted forward, firing their weapons at the panicked Kig-Yar, felling another. As one of them took aim at the Minister's head, an Energy Sword suddenly impaled him from behind, before cleaving him in two. Shimmering into sight, Commander 'Vadumee quickly lunged at another Kig-Yar, before plunging his Sword into the Kig-Yar's abdomen, killing it instantly. Appearing from his Camouflage, Ropa quickly raised his twin Plasma Rifles, gunning down another Kig-Yar. Finally, they looked to the door, hearing sudden, panicked commotion from inside.
Quickly opening the door, Thel rushed in, as his Shields were pelted with Accelerator Fire. Quickly ducking into cover, he noticed a small army of Kig-Yar; Point Defence Gauntlets active, weapons drawn as they fired volleys at the team. Quickly firing back, Thel struck a Kig-Yar, killing it instantly, as the Minister and Dadab rushed up forward, their Biotics flaring, as they reached out, throwing a large kinetic blast towards the Kig-Yar, scattering them across the large chamber. Quickly firing back, Rel, 'Doramee and 'Vadumee poured shot after shot into the Kig-Yar, felling a number of the avian creatures. As the last Kig-Yar fell, Thel quickly holstered his weapon, drawing his Energy Sword, as he rushed for the back room.
"Keep him contained! We can- AAARGH!" Screams came from the back room, as Thel slammed his Sword into the door, and began to slice it open. As he continued, he heard several slams and more panic from the Kig-Yar, as well as an extremely angered roar. Finally kicking down the door, Thel watched as a Kig-Yar sped past, screaming before being pasted against the wall. Letting out a roar of anger, Captain Tartarus picked up another Kig-Yar in his massive fist, before slamming it against another wall, killing it. A Kig-Yar quickly drew an Energy Cutlass, rushing him from behind, as Thel quickly drew his Plasma Rifle in his opposite hand, firing several bolts at the Kig-Yar, killing him.
Turning around to face the group, Captain Tartarus let out a laugh, replying.
"Ah, joining the fight, Shipmaster?" Thel gave a nod, replying.
"We came here looking for you and the Huragok. Did you find it?" The Jiralhanae gave a nod.
"After I was subdued, I was taken to one of their cages. The Huragok was in the opposite cage. They removed him a few minutes ago. Something about him being moved." Thel gave a nod, replying.
"Then we have to move fast. Get to the Landing Pad!" Quickly grabbing the Spiker left on a table, Tartarus, Thel and the group rushed forward, trying desperately to reach the Pad in time. Finally opening the large hatch, Thel's eyes widened.
Standing on one side of the pad, a Kig-Yar clad in golden armour, flanked by several Kig-Yar Snipers, held onto the Huragok tightly. Not something they weren't expecting. On the other side, however, a Spirit Dropship unloaded two squads; led by a red-armoured Sangheili Major. The squad looked familiar. Thel quickly remembered back to the squad at the District Platform. They were working against the Covenant? The Major looked to Thel, before roaring at Reth.
"You said that the Prophets' Interlopers wouldn't interfere, Kig-Yar!" Reth's eyes widened as he attempted to salvage the situation.
"I… I didn't know they would send more that quickly!" The Major let out a yell, before raising his Plasma Rifle, firing at the group. Thel quickly fired back, as Tartarus fired his Spiker, striking several Unggoy dead, before turning his focus to one of the Sangheili Minors.
The Major quickly rushed forward, firing his Plasma Rifle, trying to engage Thel, as he reignited his Energy Sword, cutting down the Major. Rtas moved forward, firing his Plasma Repeater, striking one of the Kig-Yar Snipers dead. Reth panicked, trying to rush for the Spirit, dragging the Huragok with him. Noticing quickly, Dadab and the Minister latched onto the Spirit with their Biotics, before pulling it down. One of the prongs quickly smashing into the Pad, the Spirit drifted back up, pulling away as it fired its cannon back at the group.
Quickly cutting down the last Sangheili Minor, Thel looked over to Reth, who had now drawn his Accelerator Pistol, taking aim at the Huragok. The Kig-Yar screamed out.
"Nobody move, or I kill your evidence-" He never got to finish his sentence, before a spike slammed into his face, killing him instantly, sending his corpse tumbling to the ground. Tartarus gave a laugh.
"Idiots like that never learn how to properly make those threats." Dadab gave a sigh, stepping forward to the Huragok, speaking.
"See? I told you I'd get find you." The Huragok whistled in response. "Oh, don't say that. They weren't going to let them kill you." Thel stepped forward, speaking to the Deacon.
"Deacon. You said this Unggoy had evidence. We need to see it." The Deacon paused, before laughing.
"Oh, right, sorry. Uh, Lighter than Some? Mind playing back the evidence?" The Huragok seemed to give a nod, responding with cheerful whistling, before it activated the Deacon's OmniTool, playing audio through it. Thel heard a voice on the audio. A Jiralhanae's
"We failed the attack on Prideful Sanctity. We can confirm that Thel 'Vadamee knows about us." Another voice spoke up on the audio; one he had heard in the Council Chambers; the Arbiter's.
"It is of no concern. Our allies will ensure no-one heeds his warning. The Summoning will be naught but a farce. Be ready, Brother. With each passing victory, the Servants of the Abiding Truth draw closer to the return of our true Masters. Draw closer to ascension." Thel let out a growl. So the Arbiter had betrayed the Covenant. The Hierarchs needed to hear this. Another voice spoke up on the transmission. An unfamiliar one.
"Do not let your dogma blind you to what needs to be done, 'Moramee. We must still cleanse Sol once more. Do not let 'Vadamee prevent our return, your ascension." The group appeared confused. The Voice was charismatic, seemingly echoing through their minds. Finally, 'Moramee spoke again.
"Of course, Vanguard. Your will shall be done." The transmission ended, as Thel looked to the Captain, speaking.
"This message proves that our accusations were true. Arbiter 'Moramee was responsible for this treason! We must get this to the Council!" Tartarus gave a nod, replying.
"I'll summon a Phantom." Suddenly, Needler Rounds passed by the group, as they quickly dashed to cover. Appearing from thin air, Stealth Sangheili stepped forward, firing Needlers, remaining eerily silent as they attacked.
Thel fired back, felling one of the Stealth Sangheili, as more appeared from their Camouflage. Thel was confused. How did they blindside them so quickly? How did 'Moramee have so many Stealth Sangheili at his call on High Charity? Quickly firing back, Thel heard the tell-tale hum of a Phantom's Engines, as a violet-plated Phantom swung around, a Jiralhanae clutching the side Plasma Turret tightly as he began to fire on the Stealth Sangheili. The Phantom lowered, activating its Gravity Lift. The Deacon and Huragok moved first, quickly floating upwards, followed closely by the Minister and Captain. Finally, Thel, the SpecOps Sangheili, and the T'vaoan Mercenary quickly jumped onto the Gravity Lift, as the Stealth Elites continued to swarm the Landing Pad, firing on the Phantom.
The Pilot swerved away from the Platform, as the main cannon fired, killing several of the Sangheili Attackers. Finally pulling away, the Phantom quickly sped up, flying out of the Kig-Yar District, back towards the Capital City of High Charity, and the High Council Chambers. Thel let out a deep breath, sighing. They had made it, and recovered damning evidence. The Shipmaster let out a sigh as he looked to the occupants. Aside from the Jiralhanae Crew, the others were in a similar state of exhaustion. Lighter than Some was busy synthesizing and replenishing Dadab's Methane supply, while the Minister looked out to the sights. The T'vaoan looked to Thel, speaking.
"So… now that Reth's gone, I guess that means I get my pay now." Thel looked to her, scowling. If she expected Thel to pay her for working with the Banished… The T'vaoan continued. "That doesn't mean that I'm leaving, though. Actually had a lot of fun running around with you, and though this seems way over my head, I'll try to see this through." Thel gave a nod, replying.
"So you want to hunt down a rogue Arbiter?" She gave a nod, replying.
"Yeah. Hell, I'll quit my Merc job, join the Covenant Military if I have to. It just seems right; you know what I mean?" Thel gave a nod, replying.
"It might be fated by the Gods. I will allow it for now, but we should wait for the Hierarchs' decision on this matter." The T'vaoan gave a nod, speaking.
"Then, I'll try not to let you down." Thel gave a nod, looking out of the Phantom's side, as they flew past the arms of the massive superstation. He closed his eyes, letting himself drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Codex: Ripa 'Moramee
Ripa 'Moramee, the Seventeenth Arbiter in the immaculate line of succession, is a subject of much controversy within the Covenant; dividing members of each member species. In his life, he started as a brutal Warlord assigned to the Ministry of Preservation. It was at 'Moramee's hand that the Seventeenth Unggoy Disobedience was crushed, earning him a reputation for brutality, and the eyes of the Prophet of Regret. Through his life, Ripa 'Moramee continued to stamp out heresy after heresy, burning whole worlds for the glory of the Covenant.
During the campaigns against the Banished, Ripa 'Moramee's forces fought alongside a young Supreme Commander of the newly formed Fleet of Righteous Purpose; Xytan 'Jar Wattinree. Though the battle was a victory, 'Jar Wattinree's troops and ships were callously thrown against the enemy lines, nearly breaking the entire Fleet of Righteous Purpose. These actions reflected poorly on the future Arbiter, though his legend would only grow further from there. On world after world, 'Moramee gathered allies to his cause, building a force loyal to the Great Journey.
When a Kig-Yar Pirate Prince known as Kirth attempted to secede from the Covenant, it was 'Moramee and his forces that laid waste to Kirth's, killing thousands of the heretical Pirates, including Kirth. Soon after, he made a deal with the Kig-Yar of Kirth's Clan, sparing them from extinction, while inducting many of them into his forces. Truly, we questioned not his zeal for the Great Journey; that was guaranteed. Instead, we questioned his lust for power and glory. A lust that led him to his greatest feat, and potentially, his greatest shame yet.
At his home, the city-state of 'Moram, Ripa 'Moramee led a strike force to the castle, where he engaged Honour Guardsmen loyal to Kaidon 'Moram. Killing his way through them, 'Moramee engaged his Kaidon in battle; a battle which the Kaidon lost. Soon after this coup, Ripa 'Moramee rose to become Kaidon of the State of 'Moram. Many Sangheili opposed this turn of events. 'Moramee had been rather open with this strike; it was not kept secret to any. Concerned by this rapid grasp for power, the Prophet of Regret believed that he could control 'Moramee; and granted him the title of Arbiter. Though this move prevented 'Moramee from attempting any more coups, it also granted him the glory he wished, and angered many of 'Moramee's opponents.
Now, 'Moramee continues to serve the Covenant as the Fist of the Prophets; slaying any who would speak against the Great Journey. However, it is of great concern if 'Moramee's true loyalty lies with the Prophets, the Great Journey, or himself...
AN: Got another one finished! A bit of discussion, but not too much this time, given its short length.
Remember how I said last Chapter that I prefer to use Canon Characters if they can fit into a role? Well, Dadab and Lighter than Some from 'Contact Harvest' fit into the role a lot better than any other character I could have used.
As for making Dadab a Biotic? Well, I thought it would make him a bit more of a heavy hitter in the group. Also, feel free to get your 'Biotic God' jokes off your chest now.
On the subject of the Reaper's Name, Vanguard. I went through quite a few different names while in production: Apocalypse, Armageddon, Ruination, hell, even just 'Shepherd'. But, I decided that Vanguard both seemed to fit, and didn't sound like the name of a shitty Comic Book villain.
Also, if you want to know the 'Classes' of each of the characters?
Thel – Soldier (Because, given his play-style in the Halo Games, it fits well.)
Rtas – Soldier (Aside from his Active Camouflage, which all SpecOps Elites have, there's nothing that really differentiates him from Thel other than skill and weapon choice.)
Ropa – Soldier (Ditto.)
The Minister – Adept (Pure Biotic.)
Tartarus – Vanguard (He didn't get to really show off his Biotic Skill in this Chapter, but don't worry; he will…)
Tal Rel – Infiltrator (Actually fits the bill; uses a lot of tech abilities mixed with shooting.)
Dadab – Sentinel (Tech + Biotics. What can I say? Fits well.)
Lighter than Some – Engineer (Huragok are Engineering Masters. Why wouldn't LtS be an Engineer?)
Have fun reading, everyone. Don't forget to Review!
