Covenant Destroyer Warrior's Oath
En route to Sigma Octanus
9th Age of Reclamation
The Elie on duty watched as the U-shaped dropship gracefully entered the hangar bay of the destroyer Warrior's Oath. A handful of Grunts and two Elites in blue armor jumped out and walked to the Major's station. One stepped ahead.
"Are you Minor Kalimee?"
"Yes, Excellency," the recruit replied swiftly.
"I have orders to escort you to the control room."
The walk to the control room, the heart and soul of the Warrior's Oath, lasted a few units and a couple corridors. Before retiring, the Major gestured young Kalimee into the familiar trench-and-platform room. Another Elite, this one in golden armor turned as the recruit walked up the ramp to the command consoles. The Ship Master lifted his right hand in greeting.
"Good evening Minor," he said. "I am Ship Master Ecktumee and welcome to the Warrior's Oath"
"Yes, Excellency."
I have heard great things of your performance in the Trials," the Ship Master said thoughtfully yet with all the bearing required of a senior Officer.
"Thank you, Excellency."
"I expect the same from you on the field of battle."
"Yes, Excellency."
"Good," Ecktumee paused. "You are assigned to Combat Team Six. You will be in command of six Unggoy, four orange and two red. Major Rostomee will show you your quarters.
"Yes, Excellency."
Bowing with all respect due a superior, Kalimee turned and walked back down the purple ramp where the Elite from the docking bay waited.
"Follow me."
It was a brief walk to a small room in the ship. In it was a small rectangular room with a hard, long bed, a small table, and a computer console to send and receive electronic messages, whether from home or a superior.
"Your squad's common chamber is the next door down," the Major said stoically. "I suggest you get acquainted with the Unggoy as soon as possible. Their loyalty can make or break your stay." With that he left.
The purple halls of the ship were silent and empty. After sticking his head out of his quarters, Kalimee stepped out and turned left to find another of his rank and race having practically run into him.
The other grunted. Kalimee raised a hand.
"We were never introduced on the transport," Kalimee said.
"Hakimee. Hogarth. I'm the next door down.
"Oh."
"So," Hakimee continued. "Have you heard? We will meet the Humans tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kalimee was taken aback.
"Yes, a Fight." Kalimee could only click his mandibles in acknowledgment.
"Good Evening." Hakimee entered his room.
After taking a few 'seconds' to think, Kalimee walked into his common chamber. Several Unggoy sat around a small table, about a unit high, drinking from their food nipples. A few looked up at their new Sangheili, others simply kept drinking.
Kalimee raised his head, and all the Unggoy promptly rose and stood by their nipples, facing their leader.
"Who is your highest?" Kalimee asked. One of the red Unggoy stepped forward.
"Me am, Excellency," he pipped. "Me Wiwik!" Kalimee nodded.
"We are going into battle soon. I want all needlers and plasma weaponry in your Unggoy hands by 7 Cycle. Upon hearing the word "combat," a few of the Unggoy briefly turned heads in fear or apprehension. Kalimee promptly left the room and his Unggoy went back to their nipples.
Hoke the Kig-Yar leaned on his glowing blue shield, letting the cold energy liven up the watch. Below him, the pink gas bags known to the Covenant as "Hunagok" and the contemptible gas-suckers. Hoke frowned. The Prophets should never have utilized the Unggoy; they should have been exterminated. Unfortunately the Prophets decreed the Unggoy cannon fodder which would have to do.
Hoke's commanding Kig-Yar, a gold-shielder named Tak walked up. Hoke turned around to acknowledge him. It was so much nicer being led by fellow Kig-Yar, the Sangheili stand up for the gas suckers.
"Minor Hoke."
"Tak."
"Battle."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"Yes Leader, nice day that will be."
"Yes." Tak was a Kig-Yar of few words. Triumph of the Species counts more than any talk of oneself or another. Lousy gas suckers...
"You are all needed in the hangar now. As of standard operating procedure, Ship Master Ecktumee's instructions are pistols for the Minors and needlers for the Majors.
After a brief walk Kalimee and the Unggoy climbed into dropship, attempting to sit. For the Unggoy it was easy-for Kalimee it took a little effort. Kalimee and his Unggoy were situated in the right side of the dropship while Hakimee's squad was in the left. The ship gracefully backed out of the Warrior's Oath, slowly turned and began its descent to the Human planet. The transport shook as the Warrior's Oath fired a pair of plasma torpedoes at the Human fleet, which was in orbit, an insult to the Forerunner artifacts on the planet's surface.
The two teams had orders to secure a small "Mareene" encampment four hundred kilometers from the artifacts. Once they were in possession, they were to hold position, fend off any attacks, and wait for a flight of Banshees to arrive and set up shop.
It was expected to be a relatively easy mission. Resistance was expected to be minimal, nothing the Covenant's warrior couldn't handle.
As the ship shook upon entering the planetary atmosphere, the Unggoy adjusted their life-support gear, weapons were stowed, and Kalimee could only mutter to himself.
"Thou in faith will keep us safe..."