2.
orbit of holy ring/ rendezvous with Elite capital ship Sheltering Innocence/ first age of reformation
The Arbiter sat
pondering what to do about the three humans who sat opposite of him,
talking amidst the hum of the phantom's engines. 'Why would the
Prophets lie of something of this magnitude?' he thought to himself,
'If the Oracle spoke truth, than why have we slaughtered so
many?'
"Makes you wonder where all there strength comes from,
doesn't it Arbiter?" the spec-ops commander, Wasampalee said
walking from the cockpit, his speech perfect despite half his jaw was
missing.
"They have much to fight for, much to die for. The
female there seems to be a decorated warrior," he replied
pointing to Miranda who still held the Index in her hands.
"So
it seems," Wasampalee replied standing next to where the Arbiter
sat.
"What should be done with them?" Arbiter asked
looking at his commander.
"You are the Arbiter, It is for you
to decide," he replied standing up. "But do not forget the
atrocities dealt to their kind. They may never be forgiven," he
added before heading back into the cockpit.
The Arbiter watched
the humans as the continued to talk between themselves. 'Such ugly
creatures,' he thought to himself as he stood up and walked their
way. Miranda, Johnson, and Corporal Adams, ceased talking and watched
the giant elite come forward. There was a long, awkward silence as
man and elite stared upon each other.
"You are great
warriors," Arbiter said breaking the uncomfortable silence,"
and have restored honor to my fallen brethren. I thank you."
Miranda
stood up, only as tall as the Elites neck, "It was our
pleasure," she said holding out her hand for a hand shake. The
Arbiter looked down at her, locked eye to eye.
"We shall
return you to your people," he said turning around and starting
to walk away. Miranda couldn't help but feel insulted with the
neglect of a chance for peace. She sat back down and watched the
Arbiter walk into the cockpit.
The Arbiter entered noticing Guilty
Spark face to face with Wasampalee, both flustered as they continued
to argue, not noticing the Arbiters presence.
"Why do you
always speak in riddles Oracle?" Wasampalee said wishing to tear
the light bulb apart with his bare hands.
"Why do you insist
upon using inaccurate nomenclature?" Guilty Spark shot
back.
"Don't make me turn this phantom around," the
pilot said annoyed with ensuing argument behind him as he tried to
concentrate on entering the cruisers hangar bay.
"Arbiter,"
Wasampalee said turning to the Arbiter as he walked into the cockpit,
"The Oracle tells lies of these humans we have among us,"
he said still angered at Guilty Spark as he continued to hum and
float around the room, apparently no longer bothered by the
elite.
"Do not worry commander, all will be explained in
time," the Arbiter said as the phantom finally docked with the
capital ship, "For now we must think of the task ahead of us,"
he added as the docking ramp opened down to the floor of the cruiser.
"Come we have much to do in little time," Arbiter said as
they left the cockpit for the back of the phantom where the ramp was
located where they were met by hundreds of elites. The Arbiter
watched as two elites, still wearing the armor of the Honor Guard
came to escort him through the army of elites that stood in the
hangar. The Arbiter stepped out of the phantom and was met with the
sound of clapping and cheering. He looked up seeing the floors above
him crowded wtih the grunts as they continued to cheer and chant his
name as he stood and watched the rebels. His army. Arbiter turned to
Wasampalee as he watched smiling, "Assemble a strike team. Only
honored warriors, those who have battled the Flood before, and only
volunteers," he said, his face serious amongst the celebration,
"I do not want to send anyone back who does not wish to
go."
"The Flood are a fearsome foe. I do not know anyone
here who would decline the chance for this battle," Wasampalee
replied turning to head to the bridge to assemble the strike
teams.
"Wasampalee, use haste. We can not leave our brothers
to suffer such a horrid fate," the Arbiter said as he watched
High Charity through the force fields over the hangar
doors.
