Chapter 13- The Arbiter, Part 2
Author's Notes- We're halfway done with the Arbiter's final mission, which is ironic that it occurs on such an unlucky chapter. Anywho, as always Rate, Review, and post on the forum. That's what I started it for. I'll probably finish up the H2 section before school starts, but after that, expect updates only about once a week. Sorry. Enjoy the sort of novelization of Quarantine Zone.
The Arbiter walked toward R'tas Vadumee, the Commander of the Sangheli forces here. "In the center of this zone is a Sacred Icon critical to the Great Journey. I must find it." "Then we shall cut into the heart of this Infestation," Het turned and addressed all the Sangheli around him. "Retrieve the Icon, and burn any Flood that stand in our way!" The Sangheli roared in agreement. R'tas turned to Thel. "The Parasite is not to be trifled with. I hope you know what you are doing."
R'tas addressed the Sangheli as Thel moved out. "Go, warriors! And fear not pain or death! Go Arbiter, I'll follow when our reinforcements arrive." Thel jumped into a Spectre that was nearby, and raced away. He entered a giant space that hosted 4 Enforcers, Sentinels, and a cluster-fuck of Flood. The Arbiter blazed through these, intent on recovering the Icon.
Thel journeyed on, moving closer to the Icon. He came across numerous Enforcers and Sentinels, as well as ungodly amounts of Flood, but kept moving on. He reached an area where the Flood were, ironically, on the defensive, he punched through the center of these forces, and made his way to a gondola-like structure that would take him to the Library. He noticed that R'tas was not far behind him. They heard more screams, and R'tas activated his Sword. "Go, Arbiter. I'll keep the Parasite at bay!" He ran off toward the screams, and Thel activated the gondola. He noticed another on the far side. "Humans! They must be after the Icon as well!" Tartarus' Phantom flew in beside the gondola. "I see that coward didn't join you. I'll try to keep the Flood off your back."
Another Phantom dropped more Sangheli. One of them ventured to the front of the platform. "The Parasite gathers for another assault! Hold your ground!" They fought off the Flood until the gondola reached the other side. "Go, Arbiter! Retrieve the Sacred Icon before the Humans do!" Thel raced off toward the center of the Library, where he knew the Icon to be. He ignored all Flood Forms as he raced on.
When he reached the center, he immediately took cover because there were two humans in there with him. One of them grabbed a vine of some sort, and lowered itself toward the Icon. It grabbed it, and Thel winced. The vine gave way, and the other human caught it. "You know, your father never asked me for help either." "The Index is secure. The two humans moved away from the hole, and one activated his radio. "Mickey, Perez, how's our exit? Mickey, Perez, come in." It turned to its companion. "We've got trouble." The one with the Index brandished two of what they called "SMGs", while the other held a "Battle Rifle". Thel cloaked and moved intent on capturing the Icon without being seen.
He vaulted over the pipe he had been using for cover and moved closer. The one with the Battle Rifle saw him, yelled, "Damnit!" and opened fire on Thel. The shots deactivated his camo, but he was already close enough to slap the Rifle out of its hands. It looked at him. "How you doing?" Thel head-butted it, and it went down. The other saw Thel and opened fire. "Johnson, you okay? Johnson?" Thel closed the distance between it and him, and slapped the SMGs out of its hands.
A gravity field appeared around the human, and it was pulled aside. Thel turned and found Tartarus had taken the Icon from the human. "Well done, Arbiter. The hierarchs will be pleased. "The Icon is my responsibility." Was your responsibility. Now it's mine. You and the rest of you disgusting race shall die. And I, Tartarus, Chieftain of the Brutes, shall be the one to kill you, Arbiter!" "When the hierarchs learn of this, they will take your head!" "'When they learn', fool, they ordered it." And with that, Tartarus slapped the Arbiter with his hammer, and Thel fell into the hole that the Icon had hovered above.
