Sorry for the long delay as I just took on a short course programme to help me get better at find jobs and what to be expected. I've juts been focused on finding a career to earn some cash so I can get somewhere for my future. But hope you all had a nice summer and now autumn will come. As such I took some thought on introducing the Cabal leader and give some links to their origins to the galaxy and relations between their ancestors and the Protheans. Now that Destiny 2 is out, I will hopefully get some ideas from it.
Giving the full report on the current situation of the Cabal Incursion, captain K'rrel contacted his superiors in Starfleet of the full details of the state the galaxy is in. The Cabal somehow found their way in the Halo galaxy and were possibly planning an invasion by knowing about the native species, the same way as they did when they invaded the Delta and Beta Quadrants.
But some how had just been busy waging a war against a species called Batarians who gravely underestimated their power, further research about them gave disgust to them upon learning that these Batarians were slavers and paid a heavy price for the downfall of their Hegemony. Uncertain how many lives were lost but can imagine being the extreme.
With them out of the way, they launched their shall number of ships on multiple random targets throughout the Citadel territories, giving them an advantage over the civilizations that have no FTL-Drives but these relays they depend on for space travel. This at first showed some casualties on both sides but heavily on the Citadel until the balance slowly tipped upon learning much about the invaders.
These tactics and plans seem puzzling at first until K'rrel revealed that it was all to weaken their forces and plan for the main assault of destroying the capital of the galactic community which is some sort of space station.
Some back on Gaia, the High ranking officers of the military took some thought in this, despite the Dilgar War they saw the Cabal as a threat and only a moment of time that their old enemies would show up again but least this time they returned the gesture of surprising the Rhinos and the majority of the Commonwealth members have agreed to send a fleet to the Halo Galaxy to defend the Frontier worlds and aide a new possible ally to pacify the threat.
What they had not expect was the origin of the Cabal's ancestors came from the very galaxy itself, for reasons yet unknown they were forced to flee and waited until the descendants of their race were strong enough by forming a nomadic militaristic empire to return, perhaps they were testing their strength against powerful foes or to 'recruit' potential species to like the Tau Empire being a member of the Federation, Klingon Empire, Romulans, the Covenant and perhaps the Dominion before they fight a powerful foe.
Whoever or whatever this threat might be, made the members of Starfleet very unease. But with a possible alliance with this other galactic community could help end this war sooner before it gets worst. Accepting to take orders from Arbiter Kaia 'Vadam who now has reached the Halo galaxy and ready to take action to bring the assault upon the Cabal before they get the chance to to do another strike.
"With all that your report concludes, this troubles us very with this news. Normally the Council would've wanted to stay clear of another war to avoid interference but with the results of the Cabal as one of the major, you have made a wise choice to aide the alien colonists. " The Tau Admiral Shas'Ui Mu'gulath Man'bur commends the Caitian for his actions, having read the details of how it happened and wouldn't hold it against him or anyone in his position.
A middle-aged Female Romulan named Ceham took her turn to speak. "There are some concerns about this alliance, the ones referred to themselves as the Citadel Council with majority of their laws we have looked into are considered illegal compared to ours. Especially the prohibited use of Artificial Intelligence, limiting the number of ships and dreadnaughts as our Commonwealth has hundreds, if not thousands of military ships from all member states." Giving her statement as the government leaders and allies would strongly disagree with all that has happened in the centuries, even the possibility of weakening their hold on the planets they colonised and those placed under protection from hostile invaders and pirates.
Another concern about this collective of alien species were their dependence on a single source of material resources for their technology which are a century behind to some and almost like the species that relied on Forerunner Technology during the time of the Covenant.
"What is the situation in the home galaxy?" K'rrel thought as no doubt many systems would be in a state of panic or uproar for going into war in another galaxy, others may stay out of it for most reasons.
"Things have been a little hectic with the fear of another war, fortunately the footages from the battle by the flotilla under your command have giving more morals. It was more surprising to find out that the Lucian Alliance has agreed to send most of their available ships to join as a gesture of friendship and to put aside the rivalry between them and some of the nations of the Commonwealth, especially the Federation." This surprised the Caitian as he only saw the news channel from the senate voting to send their available ships to the Halo galaxy now that they have the numbers and experience from the last war with the Cabal to use as an advantage.
"This must've been serious then I thought. What has the Federation had to say?"
"They going on high alert, they are sending some of their best. Including the Tau Empire and the Swords of Sanghelios have volunteered to fight alongside us." Shas'Ui explained.
With your permission I would like send the officers under my command to Eden Prime or one of our outposts to recover from the battle, we took some serious hits but fortunate to have many.
"Granted. We would like to recommend you to remain with these people you contacted until the fleet arrives to your position and in hopes of forging some alliance with them to start on a major attack on the Cabal before they reach the capital of their community. Wish you the best of luck captain." Closing off the communication as Talia was beside him while listening to the conversation between the officers. She noticed her captain was thinking of something.
"Something bothering you, captain?"
K'rrel sighed and turned to his commander. "Apart of me should feel relieved and pleased we stopped an invasion and feel we have a chance of ending the Cabal threat. But, something isn't right. We learnt they are planning to attack the Council's capital but doesn't make sense. What is it they know?" He had been pondering since the Vanguard named Silvi revealed of their plans and something else the Legionnaire had mentioned, truly unsettling of what was really going on.
Halo Galaxy, Zetear Tucanae Sector, Centauri Prime
Centauri Prime, the home planet and centre of the Centauri civilization that has existed for over a thousand years since the first Centauri Empire was built known for their pride and power over their enemies and rivals. The planet was once inhabited by two separate species: the Centauri and the extinct species known as the Xon from the continent of Xonos, exterminated in the fight for supremacy over the planet and the Centauri won to give rise to their powerful empire.
The Centuari Republic had slowly expanded to the stars since the failed invasion by the Shoggren, until beyond the outer edge of their solar system, they discovered and reversed engineered an ancient jump gate, opened a new pathway for the Centauri to take the galaxy and conquer whole systems and civilizations as they proclaimed themselves the 'Lions of the galaxy'. The latest conquest were the Narns whom they justified and still do so today after a hundred year occupation over their ruined homeworld were 'barbaric' and 'savages' who knew little of their planet and thought to 'uplift' them in a way but were later rebelled and thus begun the slow decay of the Centauri Republic as alien species beginning to expand their territories and advance their technology to compete with others.
With the arrival of the Interstellar Commonwealth, a vast galactic coalition of civilizations from another galaxy carving up a charter in what is called the Frontier Region, the Dilgar Empire was entirely crushed by their superior force due to their arrogance and pride as a Dilgar and the unexpected turn of event when their own sun went supernova and wiped out their whole civilization.
With the Republic believing they can rest easy, it was short lived after nearly two decades after news of a war-like race much worse then the Dilgar could potentially pose a threat to the Centauri, so the Emperor and the majority of the Centaurum had decided to allow Commonwealth officers and Vanguards with skills and military understanding to enter their borders freely to train the soldiers for the future combat against the Cabal.
Prime Minister Malachi stood within the corridors of the Royal Palace to await the arrival of the officers of the Commonwealth who were head of the training programme to prepare the Republic's military for battle before they were to meet emperor in person. Like all Centauri he had the crest made by his long hair by status and wore expensive clothing for being a member of a powerful noble House. Stood beside two royal guards to protect the emperor.
"Prime Minister, Commander O'Neill has arrived, along side Vanguards Zavala and Cayde-06." Turned to the officer and nodded.
Straightens himself to show a proper introduction upon the visitors and make a good impression upon them. "Thank you, show them." Awaiting for them to arrive he meets three individuals. One was a human wearing the standard military uniform, but according to the ambassadors there are a variety of humans calling themselves by different names and genetics due to colonising vast number of planets for long periods of time. The second was a tall and strong built humanoid, fully armored with silver and red linings and a large red shoulder pad on his left. Wearing a helmet that concealed his face, unable to tell what he or it looks like from under the armor. The third individual, if you can call it was very unusual. It was a mechanical being with similar traits to a human and Centauri but entire artificial and wearing a hood over it's head with a 'horn' sticking out of it's forehead.
The three stopped just a few feet before him and greeted formally to him. "On behalf of the Commonwealth, we are privileged to be on your homeworld for the first time to meet the Emperor."
"I am Prime Minister Malachi of the Centauri Republic, I welcome you and behalf of his majesty, Emperor Turhan." Giving the formal Centauri greeting
I'm Commander John O'Neill, the two with me are the high ranking Vanguards of the High Foundation. Zavala, Titan-Class Master."
The armored giant gave a simple nod. "A pleasure Prime Minister." Spoke in a deep tone as if he were a soldier.
"And Cayde-6, an EXO Hunter-class master." Gesturing to the mechanical biped, simply waving his hand to him.
"Good to see ya, Prime Minister. Nice place you have here for royalty such as the Emperor to afford." Spoke in a clear organic tone and almost as if he was an equal to their status. The two merely looked at him with a frown on the Commander's face, clearly annoyed by his choice of words. Looks at them and seemed confused. "What? Can't give a compliment to their taste?" They were least relieved that he did not make any comments about their hairstyle in case he might cultural offend them.
Wanting to get down to business then standing around. "His majesty is eager to welcome you to his palace and discuss about the current affairs." The doors behind him opened for them to enter the throne room, greeted by members of the royal court, those who were supportive or others for their own reasons. Sat on the royal throne was the Centauri Emperor Turhan, wearing finely embroidered all-white attire and a golden seal of the Centauri around his neck accompanied by four females in silk gowns that hung over them, each of them are a powerful telepath. Cayde would've been tempting to whistle upon the Emperor's choice of women until Zavala prevented such comment, they were psionics who were all assigned to watch and protect the Emperor during the meeting, ignoring some of the looks from the Centuair giving curious glances at the EXO as they never seen an AI that walks and behaves like them. It would be fair considering both Vanguards were highly trained and elites of their order.
He looked like an aging ruler but still healthy despite the few winkles and balding which would've made him look human without the crest like all the Centauri nobles have. Surrounded by guards to ensure his safety
Turhan gave a warm smile upon the guests and nods his head. "On Behalf of my people, I welcome you as guests of honour to the Republic and future relations between our peoples continue to prosper into the future."
"And we also thank you for allowing us to enter your palace and be treated well. If only the situation was not so dire of situation in this part of the galaxy." John referred to the crisis of the Cabal present in the Halo galaxy and many of the governments of the League and the Commonwealth were in a state of worry and panic of another war.
Turhan nods his head and received the grave news from his representatives, observed the footage of the battle and feared for the lives of countless Centauri under his protection. "Indeed, it is terribly. Which is why I asked for your help considering that you have a history with these… Cabal as you call them?" Asked them if he heard the name right from his Prime Minister from the report.
"That's what they call themselves yes. We don't know their actual name or where they came from. But we will make certain they wont take notice of your presence but can't risk leaving others defenceless if they are under attack." It was grateful of the Emperor to accept their proposal of training his soldiers to know what they will be expecting and how to fight against such a powerful foe. "The Milky Way galaxy will be sending reinforcements to build up our forces and give you and other races time to prepare." O'Neill reassured him as they vowed to help their allies in the galaxy to avoid the similar painful struggles they endured during the Iconian War.
"We are pleased to hear this from the Commonwealth. However, I may regret to inform you that not many of the Centaurum fully agree with the idea despite the reports about them." Malachi said. "Even our Emperor's suggestion for a membership of your community when we are ready for… political reasons. "
"Same thing about offering the Narns a seat after offering them terraformers." Cayde muttered, remembering the time after he heard from some snobbish nobles of the great houses try to 'warn' them of the dangers of given such advance technology to their long time enemies and could use it against them. But all they have done was focused on restoring their world to it's natural state before the occupation and have shown nothing but gratitude given similar histories of some Commonwealth members endured in their histories.
"We understand your people not trusting others you hardly know. But believe me, your majesty, we are the only ones who know more about them then anyone else and they are far worse then the Dilgar." Zavala said. "We are offering to share our resources and work alongside your soldiers to lend our strengths."
This was reasonable and could provide support and morale to the Centauri. "Acceptable, I see no other reasons to deny your requests provided we be given the data on these invaders and anything recent upon your conflicts with them."
John nods his head in response. "That is fair, we are already receiving data from the recent conflict from captain K'rrel. But I fear time may be limited for whatever it is they are up to."
"Oh, just one other thing we also needed to ask." Cayde called for the Emperor's attention. "Something as a Hunter like myself like to know something to receive intel for Starfleet."
"And what exactly does your military wish to know?" The Prime Minister spoke on his behalf and unsure what it is they wanted.
"Oh, nothing from any classified stuff you have but something that we had recent problems with over the past few months." Giving Malachi a simple response and turned to Zavala who seems to understand what he was on about.
"Since your civilization is one of the few who have been a space faring species for a thousand years we were hoping you could provide information on some certain species. Uncertain whether he is being spoken to about this but we hope you know of this." Pulled out a device and displayed a holographic images showing attacks of military soldiers and Vanguards fighting against a horde of four armed aliens.
"We have no knowledge of who or what they are, but so far they are capable of taken on some of our best soldiers and powerful Vanguards. All we know is they are split into several groups." Zavala explains about them. "They appear more organised then any mercenaries or pirates."
"Damn right, about a year ago I was just leading a new bunch of trainees of being a Vanguard then all of a sudden. BANG. BANG. BANG." Giving the impression of a gun shooter, much to the annoyance of the Titan for his behaviour. "They showed up and attacked the colony of Mindoir, a lot of casualties on the colony. They came out of nowhere, no jump gate to enter or slipspace, even hyperspace. Must be a species that lives beyond the frontier."
Taking a hard look and make certain the Emperor knew what they were saying, he had heard the tragic of the loss and gave a personal message of his deepest condolences to the families for their loses. Now recognised the creatures for what they were and could be of some use to prevent such tragedies if ever occurred to his people. "Did they wore same colours or different, such as being in groups?"
Taking a moment of thought, the Exo stroked his metal chin. "Yeah, now you mention it. The ones who invaded Mindoir wore red, others from other planets we encountered wore yellow and blue."
"So, it is as I thought. You are correct, Vanguard. We know of them but little. They are called the Fallen. We know nothing of their true name or their origins, but they appear to be divided into a House system, much like ours but of a faction then families." Turhan explained to the representatives as they listen. "In the final days of the Centauri Republic's great era, we were attacked from by these groups. My grandfather assumed they were pirates or mercenaries hired by our enemies, but we knew nothing about them and their technology was far more advance then ours. One of them, known as the House of Kings attacked our forces and some made a pact with the Narns after assisting them in driving our forces from their planet."
"And because of them, the Narns have been a thorn to our sides and made our republic a shadow of its former glory!"
"Savages they are."
There were those who muttered in agreement of such creatures that attacked them and wounded their prides.
"So the Narns and these Fallen are allies?" This made John intrigued by the revelation, they never knew there were relations of the two, especially if G'Kar knew anything about this.
"Not all of them. We know of a fact that the Fallen usually fight among themselves, possibly a dying civilization and would lead to fight for supremacy." The prime minister responded. "If it were, one of the members of the Kahri, G'Kar may know of them. That is all we know, I am however sorry that we could not provide more information about them."
"We already have agents who are questioning the members of the League if they know about them, they will likely speak to the Narn's representatives." O'Neill confirmed. "Thank you for this, and we will sent officers to oversee the training and preparations, your majesty. We will leave you to your own business for the time being."
"The guards will lead you to the guest rooms until we have come to a decision but won't take very long." They accepted the offer and led by the royal guards to leave the throne room.
"So, you think they will accept our offer. Some of them seem to be against it despite what we said." Cayde asked.
"The Emperor was convinced and hopefully the others would, the members of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds are still recovering from their losses and may not have the strength to take on another war without our help. Only the Narns and the Centauri are the only major powers we could afford for aide."
"Zavala is correct, but we may not need to if it happens as we just might have a common ally who are at war with the Cabal. Just need to help them and hopefully form an alliance with them to stop a galactic-scaled war in the Halo galaxy."
"Yeah, just gotta make a call Lyta and see how the expedition is going on as we might need her very soon."
"I will contact Master Rey for updates on the current situation and the amiable Vanguards. Cayde, you will resume your mission with your teams."
Cayde nodded his head and gave a military salute to the Titan. "You got it! I'll see myself out." Walks away from the two to head out.
Antono Refa could not believe this was happening, to think the aging Emperor of their beloved Republic would seek out help of aliens such as the Commonwealth to train their soldiers to defend themselves against a race of savage brutes they call the Cabal. What nonsense! The Centauri can take the challenge against anyone who stands in the way.
It was bad enough to allow the Narns an offer to join them, but the Emperor was considering the same idea for his people! If they sign a membership, all that the Centauri have worked for a thousand years will be thrown aside. Fortunately for him there were others who agreed with his thoughts and feel that Turhan will need to be 'replaced', but to do that they need to deal with his son who is the first in line for the throne.
This will take time and money to get the plan in motion, he could count on his good friend Londo to help him as he also wishes to bring the Centauri back to the age of glory. He will have to get in touch with him on Eden Prime but need to be cautious of saying anything relating to his planes if the channel hasn't been monitored. While trying to think of the situation and how to make his plan fruitful, a drink would calm his nerves and pour a glass of the finest drinks on the planet.
"A little early to be drinking isn't it?"
Almost jumped out of his skin and dropped the glass on the table, spun around to find an intruder standing in the shadows with a black cloak. Calming his two hearts from beating so fast before glaring at the intruder. "Who are you?! How did you get in! I will have you executed for this!" Pulls out a small weapon to use against the intruder, perhaps an assassin hired by one of his rivals and enemies to get rid of him. But the intruder remained unfazed by his threats and stood where he was.
The shadowy figure just chuckled. "You would have nothing to fear, Lord Refa." Gently waved a gloved hand and the gun flew righto out of the shocked Centauri's hand, threw it across the room. "My apologies, but I prefer a civilized conversation and it be wise to avoid calling the guards at this point. If I were an assassin, I would have killed you before you uttered the first word."
This has earned Refa's curiosity about the stranger, it was true that the so-called assassin would have taken his life but didn't, surprised to have his personal weapon flown out of his grasp as if by magic, maybe a Technomage which could explain a lot. Perhaps a telepath maybe, uncertain but inquired to know. "Are you a Technomage?" There was a possibility of that as he heard such stories about an order that uses such advanced technology that could be mistaken for magic.
The woman gave a charming smile but something about that smile was something he did not like. "Not exactly, true our abilities are similar but different. And we prefer to stay away from them, especially Vanguards whom I'm certain you just met." Taking a few steps with her hands out in front of her as she continues to speak of what her reasons for here.
"Very well, you have my full attention. Speak and I shall consider this… offer you speak of miss..." Accepting her presence and offered a chair which she kindly declined before he sat down.
"You may call me Sarahn." Introducing herself to Refa. "I am but a member of an order who shares the ideals of control over chaos and order. Where the Strong control over the weak by our gifts" The hooded being stood out and allowed the Centauri to see his-or her full appearance which surprised him that she was almost Centauri but much like the Tau'ri, clearly armed and wearing light armour. Waving her hand and illuminated a dim energy that made him felt uneasy and such raw power coming from this woman. "Like the Interstellar Commonwealth, our order is from the same galaxy but we hide ourselves in the shadows to remain hidden. We were once like them but realised that before the grand alliance formed, there were so much corruption and disorder. We felt those we once served held us back out of fear. Now, found ourselves in this new galaxy, we feel we could do so much better to help those who share our belief and offer those the same power."
Uninterested in her history but intrigued by the offer of true power and a chance to obtain it, he would've called her a fool had she not demonstrated the powers she had and inclined to know more that they took interest in him. "So you seek allies, including me?"
"Simple, your race in this corner of the galaxy is one of the strongest and gained many experience in warfare and power. At some point we did become allies with the Dilgar, but they proven unworthy for our ideals when they overstepped their limits against the Commonwealth despite our cautious advice not to invade their territories." Speaking about them without a care in her voice.
This came at a surprise as he heard that about the Dilgar being wiped out by their sun that went supernova, utterly defeated by this new power that he and others saw as a political rival. Coming to the realisation that the organization she works with wish to make some sort of deal with him, after observing her ability to infiltrate the palace and easily disarmed him with a power of her mind, much greater then any known telepath. Perhaps he should hear her out on the offer. "Your offer is tempting, I'll admit you have such talent of your abilities. But, I need more then words to convince me. If you are able to, perhaps remove certain… problems as it were, then perhaps I shall lend you the resources you require. And in return I need something of a favour from you to sure we are in an agreement."
Nodding her head in accepting his requests. "Of course, we are very patient our plans are not for a few years. But if you need us, we will come to you." Sarahn explained before taking another step for something else to say. "But before I leave, this conversation never happened. You never saw me or heard of me, or any of us. Is that clear?" Giving a small device to him before she vanished in a bright yellow light.
Alone with his thoughts of what the woman said, a chance to take him to higher places and new allies to achieve it. If he can take out a few political rivals, and maybe, perhaps the Royal Family and replace it with a puppet to pull the strings by his influence, until he can truly ascend to the throne himself.
Perhaps they could be the key to his plans, with such power and technology from another galaxy he would be very convinced. The doors opened and a few guards to come in, immediately hid the device in his pocket before they began searching his room.
"Yes? What is it you fool?"
One of the guards stood before him and spoke. "Apologies, m'lord, we just lost communications with our guards for the moment and needed to inspect anything was well."
"Well, obviously I am still breathing so perhaps check once more and see it wasn't an attempt by some low life thief." Giving the order to his imperial guards to do so. Now realised how they never realised his 'guest' was here and silenced their calls. "Any casualties?"
"Nothing too serious, only a few unconscious." Least it saves him the trouble of hiring more guards to cover up the embarrassing moment if someone was trying to make a fool of him to the Royal Houses.
"Just clean up any mess and see to it no one hears about it." They obeyed and left the room. Refa would've told them of the encounter, but didn't and this opportunity was something he could truly gain.
Perhaps he can bring Londo into his plan, they had been allies for many years. All he needed was patience and wait for the right moment to bring the Republic back to where they once stood. "Truly, the galaxy will learn to fear the Centauri once more."
Legends from the old ages spoke of a mysterious entity, visited many worlds and uplifted them with gifts of knowledge that are beyond their grasps and late moved on. Some say it was a god, others see it as a saviour of the light to civilizations in need. It could have been one of the First Ones but little is known about this… Traveller.
The objective was to find it, capture and extract every source of power it has and knowledge to lift them thousands of years ahead of any known civilization in the cosmos.
But while the Cabal were living as nomads building their legions by conquering planets and species to serve them for the coming war, others such as Ghaul were convinced that the Traveller was real and had found evidence of some species. Spread his scouts to several locations in the Milky Way
There were beliefs that the Protoss could've been one of them but were created by another race and were unable to defeat them no matter the firepower they throw at them, especially the ferocious creatures known as the Zerg.
Some records about a collective intelligence located in the Delta Quadrant, there were not much to know about them but were some sort of 'creatures' that swarmed across the quadrant and assimilated many species for so-called 'perfection'. They were powerful and could adapt to anything, until sometime about centuries ago when the Replicators invaded the galaxy and preyed upon them, grew in greater numbers and could've proved to be a greater threat to the galaxy if they absorbed their abilities and evolved, other factions like the outsiders of Fluidic Space were stronger and wiped them out.
Such a shame if they knew anything about the prize.
The Tau are a young species yet somehow accelerated their intelligence a thousand years ahead by a group who brought their tribes together known as the Ethereals who gave them knowledge and guided them to build a highly advance civilization. As for why they chose them because he believed they were with holding information about the Traveller's location, but unfortunately there was none and if these Ethereals knew of it, they wouldn't speak which made them stubborn and foolish creatures to the Cabal.
Then the manipulative San'Sanhyuum who only knew little of Forerunner technology, would've been a secondary objective but were unable to operate them but the less advance versions the Covenant used.
But the Tau'ri, a species with unique talents and capability to adapt and overcome the impossible like so few in the galaxy and were perhaps one of the species uplifted by the Traveller, theories of their warriors with powers proved to be the same substance as the energy the Traveller uses gave them the power as given the knowledge by the Iconians from their vast knowledge. The Cabal abandoned their plans for Tau space and launched an invasion into Federation space to find the location of the Traveller's hiding place, but were unable to reach it with others fighting for control of the galaxy: The Dominion, Iconians, the Vaadwaur and the Undine all participated in one of the greatest wars in the galaxy and the Cabal considered it a great honor to have witnessed it but pity they never succeeded.
Unable to find it, but believed to have moved on once more and they have gained the technology of the Forerunners and other ancient vaults from long forgotten worlds. A new source of its possible whereabouts may lie in the very galaxy their ancestors came from; the halo Galaxy.
With growing concerns of their old enemy in the Halo galaxy, all that the Cabal Empire have done and prepared for thousands of years was in jeopardy, they were this close to obtaining conquest over the galaxy and force the races into submission to servitude for the coming storm. With their forces spread thin and their enemies confused it was the moment to strike where their true target: The Citadel.
Once they have succeeded in conquest, the true Cabal Empire can finally established after thousands of years since the downfall of their ancestral civilization. Receiving news of the latest defeat of one of his warriors by a band of weakling creature, and by those who have the power that should, by right belong to him.
Standing upon the bridge of his flagship, stood beside his imperial guards was the greatest of all soldiers of the Empire. Dominus Ghaul, Emperor of the Cabal. 'I command Legions. Conqoured worlds. Waged war across the galaxy to prove my worth. I alone am worthy of the greatest power known to existence. The Traveller's Light.' Staring at the hologram of the galaxy and the red points being the representations of his Legions in most areas in the known charted space from Council data files.
"Report."
"Most of our legions have returned from their previous battles but appears the species of the Council are slowly becoming bolder. The Turians are becoming cleverer and our Kig-Yar scouts have confirmed there are more of the Milky Way species, now calling themselves the Intersteller Commonwealth. They have proved to be more stronger then the last time we fought them."
"It doesn't matter, once our ships are ready we continue the plan. We must take the station, or destroy it either way before the Great Enemy comes through."
"True, with their forces spread thin. We will now begin the invasion. Order the Legions to commence on the attack, the time has come to begin the new ear of the Cabal." Obeying their emperor without question, they would proceed to spread the word for the moment all have been waiting for since they came into the galaxy.
Taking a few steps forward, taking a glance of a barren planet they recently discovered out of the Relay routes, decided to be the perfect base of operations and know what can provide his army. Scouts sent to the planet surface report unique and advance technology that has been left untouched for untold eons, uncertain what became of the original inhabitants but possibly a colony or an outpost with no other signs of artificial structures elsewhere. Decided to claim this planet under their control and search for anything of value to their cause. But with the enemies from the Milky Way here, he will have limited time until they learn of their current whereabouts. But it hardly mattered, the so-called Light-Bearers and their "Mantle" makes them strong.
He will prove to them, how wrong they are. The Red Legion shall claim what is theirs by right.
Codex Entry:
Vanguard:
Warriors and peacekeepers of the High Foundation, tasked with defending and preserving the peace to not only the Federation but the galaxy as well, many of them are gifted by psionic abilities which we refer as the Light, a powerful energy of which all living things possess and part of the soul. Trained to utilize and understand the nature of their gifts.
Throughout the galaxy and history, they are often known as "Guardians", "The Chosen", or "Light Bearers", but all give the same meaning as a symbol of hope and fear to the enemies of peace and justice. Before the time of the Noah's Ark Event, historians, researchers and sceptics on Erde-Tyrene had long theorised that throughout history there had been possible presence of psionics through myths and legends that go back to first known records of the human civilizations. Many believe some of their ancestors' DNA had been tampered with by the Forerunners who visited Earth's ancient past or by another civilization with evidence of other races who have the 'Light' like Humans for reasons that are yet to be explained. But some consider them to be a sign of the next stage of evolution. They helped gave rise to the Federation and later the Commonwealth, swore a blood oath to ensure they stand by the light and face the darkness.
All Vanguards are trained in the arts of combat, knowledge and balance of mind and body to control their gifts. With the growing number of Vanguards, they formed fire teams and minor orders that became independent to expand the Foundation's influence to preserve the peace in the galaxy. They have a council formed by the order, each member who is a highest ranked veteran from years of experience and training is in charge of overseeing the activities of the Vanguards who report back to them and wait for orders.
There are three known classes: first are the Titans, warriors of armor and guns to stand and fight for the name of justice and peace for the future generations. The Warlocks who spend their time understanding the light and where it comes from like all scholars, but tap into it beyond the safer of the shield and discover new possibilities to master the power they willed. Then, there are the Hunters, stealthy and silent warriors who rely on long range tactics and become survivors when venturing into the unknown.
The events on the Iconian War was and still is a touchy subject among the veterans of the war, or as they refer it as the "War of Darkness" and not wish to discuss it as do the rest of the Foundation.
Due to taking research on star systems and locations I had to slightly change the name of the star systems being in the Halo galaxy like Zeta Tucanae which is a real star constellation in the Milky Way galaxy and wanting to avoid confusing anyway. I didn't want to do the full length information about the Vanguards as I wanted to safe some for later and as for why Zavala is wearing a helmet, well that's for you to find out, hehe. ^^