AN: Well it's been a while and I think it's time for another chapter to our young warrior's story. I do not own Halo.

Our phantom made it's way slowly back to our ship. When we finally reached the hanger Recodo got out and stretched his arms to their fullest and looked at me, "A nice warm rinse cycle would do us good, don't you think?" I chuckled and was starting to follow him when Jeradoo caught my arm, "No rinse cycle for you just yet."

Confused, I let him drag me away in the opposite direction. We quickly found ourselves in the ship's command room. The shipmaster noticed us, "Jeradoo, it's not many times I see you here. What brings you here?" Jeradoo smiled and then went grim, "I have need to speak to the prophets." The shipmaster gasped, "Jeradoo has one of your squad already..." his voice trailed off as Jeradoo nodded.

The shipmaster turned and barked commands for a station to be cleared for "holy speech." After several minutes three holograms appeared and I nearly broke my mandibles in shock before throwing myself to the ground. The prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret themselves were going to listen to Jeradoo! Truth's eyes focused on Jeradoo as I looked up, "Ah, Commander Jeradoo, as I expected. Another fine pupil have you created commander?"

Jeradoo bowed his head, "Noble prophet of Truth, this is most unexpected, but yes, one of my squad has accomplished more than I imagined on his very first mission." The prophet's eyes flickered to me and I lowered my gaze. I heard the prophet chuckle, "So what makes you believe he is ready commander?" Jeradoo splayed his hands, "On our latest mission to the hideout of the Revealing Hand he slew ten heretic Stalkers, a Demon Guard, and the leader of the organization."

My eyes bulged, they were talking about me. So what was it I was "ready" for? The prophet nodded, "Indeed quite the resume commander, is this the lad then?" he gestured to me. Jeradoo nodded and beckoned me forward. When I was close enough Jeradoo continued, "This is Ferdu Ganailee, currently recruit rank, yours to consider for promotion."

I almost fainted except for the fact that the prophet's gaze now centered on me and kept me in place. I noticed the prophet of Regret going over my files. Truth noticed my gaze and turned to Regret, "What have you found?" he questioned. Regret fidgeted under Truth's stare and I felt a little better, "His records show he only just became a recruit and has yet to show his true ability, how can we be sure it wasn't a fluke?"

I stiffened. Truth focused on Mercy and asked, "And what do you think Mercy?" Mercy studied me for several seconds then sighed, "Upon him I see the symbol of one chosen by the gods to lead us to the Great Journey... or break the covenant forever." Truth became grim, "That we will discuss more fully in private," he looked at Jeradoo, "Would you and your pupil wait while we puzzle out his ability?"

Jeradoo nodded and the holograms winked out. I felt a shiver run down my spine and looked around. The entire crew stared at me, some with awe others with fear. The shipmaster himself looked like he wanted to throw me out the airlocks. Jeradoo just stood, waiting. After a long while the holograms winked back into existence.

Regret scowled, Mercy looked about to fall asleep, and Truth looked puzzled. Truth looked at Jeradoo, "We have decided that your young recruit will hereby be promoted to Slayer, effective immediately." Jeradoo bowed, "It will be as you say noble prophet." the holograms winked out once again. Jeradoo beamed at me.

I felt light-headed. I had just skipped a promotion. I had become a slayer without being a veteran. I was going wake any moment now.

The shipmaster snorted at the crew, "Well stop goggling at him and get the ship ready for the ceremony." a chorus of "yes shipmaster" came and then the crew was talking to the entire ship via their intercoms. Jeradoo motioned to me, "Let's get you ready."

We left and Jeradoo led me to his private quarters. He shoved me into the small rinse room and told me to clean myself, which I more than happily obliged. When I dried myself my armor was gone, replaced by a white shawl that I donned. The sounds of argument reached my ears and I walked out to find a Lekgolo arguing with Jeradoo.

When I walked in the lekgolo was shouting, "It is insanity! He loses his life-mate and now wants to guard one of yours!" Jeradoo smirked, "Well that's his decision, isn't it and we would do well to carry through with it." The Lekgolo "snorted," "Fine, but it is madness..." then he left.

Jeradoo turned to me shaking his head, "How you manage to defy so much in one day is beyond me. Oh, good the shawl is the right size." I looked questioningly at the door and Jeradoo laughed, "Your Lekgolo "friend" put in to be part of our squad when your promotion was announced." I stiffened, "The whole ship knows?"

Jeradoo burst into a fit of laughter, "If it wasn't the talk of the ship I'd be an unggoy." Picturing him as an Unggoy was rather hilarious, but I didn't feel like laughing right now. My mouth was dry. I should have expected this, but it still surprised me.

We left Jeradoo's quarters and made our way down strangely vacant corridors with Jeradoo chatting about what I should do and say in the ceremony. I didn't believe I could remember all of it. When he finished we had reached the chamber were the orientation had been held. The shipmaster's voice rang out from behind the door, "We here on The Dark Revelation are quite fortunate to have a warrior among us that the Hierarchs have already deemed worthy, and now I present him to you."

The door slid open and I walked forward. Sangheili filled the chairs and each one had their eyes on me. I focused my eyes on the pedestal where the shipmaster stood with his hand flung toward to me and continued forward. For what seemed an eternity I walked to the stand, but I finally reached it.

The shipmaster nodded and I let the shawl fall and bowed before him. I felt him place his hand on my head as he spoke, "Ferdu Ganailee, when you arrived here you were a recruit, but in recent battle you have proven yourself not only to your fellow warriors, but also to the hierarchs. They have deemed you worthy to be given the rank of Slayer." Sangheili gasped in the stands, but otherwise kept silent.

The shipmaster moved his hand from my head and grabbed a large goblet on the stand next to him, "Ferdu Ganailee, it is my pleasure," he tipped the goblet and a dark purple liquid poured onto my exposed head, "to shower you with the blood of ancient warriors long dead and name you Slayer Ferdu Ganailee." He smiled slightly.

Several Unggoy came forward with pieces of the gray armor and began to outfit me with them. I stayed still as they labored to don me with my new armor until it came that only my head was exposed. The shipmaster beckoned to me as he reached to the pedestal again. As I reached the stand he offered me the gray helmet.

I took it with a nod and he stepped down. I stepped into the middle of the stand and I knew the giant image of me stood behind me. I raised the helmet above my head and brought it slowly down to rest on my temples, then slid it on. When the helmet clicked into place I reached for my sword and swung it in an ark, activated it, and roared.

The entire complex burst into answering roars of approval as I stepped down and exited the room. Outside Jeradoo waited for me with a small group of Unggoy, who had my belongings on a hover cart. Before I could ask Jeradoo said, "I would have you take the vacant quarters next to mine as I seem to have a feeling you may need it for a while."

We made quick time to the quarters Jeradoo had mentioned. As we neared the door I noticed Ungolko standing guard. He gave a "roar" of what I can only guess was joy and said, "It is good you got this promotion, it made it easier to convince the nest master to allow me this position." I walked over to his hulking form, "Ungolko, my friend, it is good to see you, though how you knew I'd come here is beyond me." Ungolko merely pointed to Jeradoo, "He told me he would move you here, out of harms way, but still I feel you have need for guarding."

I nodded, then turned to Jeradoo, who stood gaping, "Wonders never cease," he said, "I've never seen anyone able to talk so freely to a Lekgolo. Well you'd better get in there before the Unggoy get it in their heads to take souvenirs." I ran into the room.

The Unggoy must have finished for they were getting ready to leave. As they left I watched to see if any had something they shouldn't, but they were smart enough not to take anything. Jeradoo walked in and looked at me, "That armor suits you, Slayer, and as such there is not much I can teach you. You are a wonder of wonders like I have never seen and the Prophet of Mercy seems to think you are worthwhile." he stopped and appeared to think.

He coughed and continued, "If you would allow, I would talk to you in private, complete private." he said with a glance at Ungolko. Ungolko looked at me and I nodded, but he hesitated to leave. I patted the inactive hilt at my hip and he took the hint and left, sealing the door behind him.

Jeradoo sighed and ages seemed to fall upon him as he removed his helmet. The room was small with a small bed, a rinse-cycle area, and a stool next to a mirror in the corner. Jeradoo took the stool and laid his helmet on his lap. He ran one hand over his long head.

For a time he just sat and finally looked at me, "I'm going to be quite open with you. Your father was once part of my squad, and a very good warrior. He and I got separated during a mission and our communications were... garbled at best, but I still remember hearing a few things. He found something and it told him something."

"He wouldn't tell me what exactly he had figured out, but he told me not to trust the prophets. I told him such talk was blasphemy and he laughed and told me that one day I must bring his son to him. After that I lost contact. I thought he was dead until he returned at the head of The Revealing Hand."

"I know he gave you something and I also know it may change your life, but I want you to know I trust your father even in death and whatever you choose to do I will help you as best I can. I have lived a good life and for some reason I feel as though helping you will be my last great victory."

He stood and replaced his helmet on his head and walked out as I gaped at his retreating back. When he left my thoughts wondered to Mercy's words. I would help bring the Great Journey or aid the destruction of the covenant... what did that mean. I reached to grab the small projector my father had given me from my sword. I held it up, took a deep breath, and pressed the "on" button.

AN: The cliffhanger prevails! I'm sorry for the cliffhanger and even more sorry for the wait, but I need some time to think on stuff OK? R&R