Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Halo they are Microsoft and Bungie's. The only thing I own is what I add to the Halo Universe and the characters I add.
The rating for this story is PG got violence and language.
A New Covenant
Chapter 2 The Great Journey to Earth
Ninth Age of Reclaimation/ October 2552
Delta Halo
A motley assortment of Ex-Covenant and Humans were outside the control room. A group of Grunts were running around a trio of Marines trying to get them to play tag. The irritated Marines were beginning to wonder if the Grunts were a group of school age kids playing in the rain rather than the cannon fodder of the Ex-Covenant. They all stop as a Phantom slowly descends to the platform close to the destroyed door of the control room. The Arbiter is the first to gracefully come out followed by the rest who survived the Brutes assault inside. The multitude begins to cheer. R'tas Vadumee quickly comes down the gravity lift to greet the Arbiter, and then sees how many that is in need of evac. Shaking the water from his head he quietly says, "Arbiter, it is indeed good to see you alive. We are going to need more Phantoms."
"Order as many Phantoms as needed. Are there any other Sangheili controlled cruisers in the area?" the Arbiter inquires hastily as they make their way to the waiting drop ship.
"Yes. There are about twenty-five cruisers in the area. However, the bulk of the other Sangheili cruisers are headed for our home world. In case of Brute invasion," answers R'tas, as he turns slowly to the Arbiter. The Arbiter starts thinking of his home world. He wonders if he would ever see the lush green plains, the beautiful blue oceans, and the thick green forests of Sangheil. Too long it has been. The war has kept him from his beautiful home. The Arbiter makes a vow to himself to return to his home world as soon as he can, which he hopes is as soon as he helps save Earth.
'Good," answers the Arbiter. Then quickly adds, "Get on the com and tell the cruisers to make preparations for a slip space jump to the Human home world, Earth. We will be going there to deal with Truth and the rest of his Covenant. Now, let's get off this blasted ring." R'tas orders the other Phantoms. The first of the Sangheili and Humans follow the Arbiter and R'tas up the gravity lift.
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The Sangheili and the Marines that are left at the evac site keep a close eye out for any Brute forces that could be hiding in the trees and the mountain cliff areas waiting to try something. The Humans and the Ex-Covenant start to mingle with each other. Mostly they are trying to ease the tension. All are trying not to get wet while they wait for their ride.
A red armored Sangheili walks up to a Marine and says, "Nice weapon. Do you know how to use it?"
The Marine looking at the carbine he got from a flood combat form says, "Yeah, but if you would like to show me that would be great." The Marine sensing the Elite was a little uncomfortable with small talk as he was. The Elite takes the carbine explaining the use of each button and how to properly aim the respected weapon. The other Marines and Elites see this going on and decide to join them. Both races who for so long have fought each other now take turn explaining the proper use of their weapons.
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On the Covenant cruiser, Seeker of Light, the Arbiter and Supreme Commander R'tas show Commander Keyes and Sergeant Johnson the bridge. R'tas looks around the computer filled room. Almost every terminal has a Sangheili posted there. Commander Keyes, astounded by the multitude of the bridge's size says, "I could send for some of my people to fill the empty terminals."
Commander Pharr turns to Commander Keyes and thoughtfully replies, "Thank you. That would be wonderful. Since the betrayal of my people we have been a little short handed. Oh, by the way, welcome aboard my ship. The Seeker of Light."
Supreme Commander R'tas, taking control of the matter at hand, says loudly to the radar specialist, "Report."
The crimson clad Sangheili major, Onno Rjosee, whose family has been in the Covenant military for many generations, says, "Sir a group of heavily armed Brutes are closing in from the east and a massive flood army closing in from the south. They will be there with in fifteen units."
R'tas slams his fist angrily on the desk in front of him and lets out a curse in his native tongue. Commander Keyes, a little nervous by the Elite's show of anger, says, "Our people are down there both yours and mine. They don't have enough ammo to fight such an army. They will be slaughtered."
R'tas replies by asking the communications officer, a young blue minor named Oyho Guasee, "How many are awaiting a Phantom?"
Minor Guasee, still a little uncomfortable with Humans being on the bridge says, "Enough for two Phantoms, Sir."
Commander R'tas, showing signs of fatigue, orders loudly, "I want two Phantoms down there getting every one off that damn ring and I want it five units ago!"
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The Arbiter and Sergeant Johnson look nervously at each other as they stand near the door to the bridge. Then Johnson says laughingly as he nudges the silver Elite, "Arbiter, looks like Half-Jaw has everything under control here. Where would one go on this boat to have a little R-N- R?"
The Arbiter looks at the dark skinned Human and says in a serious tone, "I wouldn't let Commander R'tas hear you call him that. He lost his mandibles to the Flood." Then adds with a hint of laughter in his voice, "But between the two of us the name suits him well. As far as RR, I don't know what you mean."
Sergeant Johnson says while trying to hide his laughter, "R-N-R, rest and relaxation. What do you Elites do for fun? That is when you're not kicking the shit out of us Humans.
The Arbiter thinks for a moment. He kneels down to Johnson's height and with much enthusiasm says, "Come with me."
The Arbiter takes Johnson down the purple and gray corridors of the cruiser. Every where Johnson looked there was work being done. Just then he looked up to see a giant glob floating over head. If was like it was gliding on the top of the wall. He turns quickly and says to the Arbiter, "Oh shit! What the hell is that?"
The Arbiter looks in the direction Johnson is pointing and sees an Engineer working on a broken light. He replies, "That is one of our many Engineers. They keep the ship working. They know every system and structure on board."
The Arbiter was just about to go into a little more detail when they were interrupted by a commotion behind them. They turn to see a Grunt running as fast as its little legs could carry it and a black armored Elite chasing it screaming, "Come back here cannon fodder when I get you I'll rip you into!"
The Grunt not slowing at all yells back in its squeaky voice, "You'll have to catch me first."
As they continue their walk down the long corridor the Arbiter shows Johnson where key points of the ship are. They come to a gravity lift, one similar to the one on the Phantom but a little smaller. The Arbiter looks at Johnson and says, "Get in."
They go up two levels and get out. They turn right and go to the end of another busy corridor. They come to a stop in front of two big doors. The Arbiter places his hand over the control panel on his right and the doors silently open. The Arbiter motions for Sergeant Johnson to come inside. When Johnson walks in he is astounded by the scenery of the room. The Arbiter looking slowly around the room says, "This is one of the Sangheili environmental chambers. It is made to look like one of the many plains from my home world of Sangheil. I brought you here, since we come from the same type environment."
Sergeant Johnson, trying to keep his cigar from falling, thoughtfully says, "Thank you."
Sergeant Johnson looks around the room. There are trees and green grass every where. In the far off horizon he sees beautiful majestic mountains. In the center of the room there is a beautiful lake with crystal clear blue water. The Arbiter motions for Johnson to come toward the lake. Both were breathing in the cool crisp air. They silently walk to the shore of the lake and have a seat on the grass at its shore and lean back on their elbows. Sergeant Johnson says in a relaxed voice, eyes never leaving the lake, "This is nice. It reminds me of a beautiful lake in Kentucky."
The Arbiter says in a questioning tone, "What is Kentucky?"
Johnson says slowly, "It's a state in the United States, on Earth," after taking in another breath of cool air, he thinks for a moment and looks at a very relaxed Arbiter and continues, "Arbiter, on the ring I said I don't like you. But I didn't know you. Well, I was wrong. I want to apologize. When I'm wrong I say I'm wrong. I think we could be really good friends."
The Arbiter, a little choked up, turns to Johnson and says, "I accept your apology. I would be honored to call you my friend."
Sergeant Johnson props himself up on one elbow and says tom the Arbiter, "When we get done dusting the Covenant's ass on Earth. I'll show you the lake in Kentucky I was telling you about. I'll even show you how to catch a fish."
The Arbiter replies, "I would be honored. And maybe one day I could show you my home world of Sangheil."
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Back on the bridge, Commander R'tas looked at Commander Keyes and in a tone that is all business says, "We need the coordinates for Earth."
Commander Keyes tells him the coordinates for the Sol System and to be exact Earth. R'tas turns to the communications officer and says, "Send the coordinates to the other ships. Every one is to jump at once," then he turns to the navigations officer and says, "Enter the coordinates for slip space on me mark."
The navigations officer, a young blue minor named Else Nadusee says, "Yes Sir."
Commander Keyes looked at the door as one of the Marines a young Lieutenant named Lee Cox entered the bridge and saluted. She salutes and then says, At ease Lieutenant. Are the Marine's accommodations satisfactory?"
Lee says quietly as he moves into the at ease position, "Yes ma'am, they are fine. But the mess hall is another story. For dinner they are trying to serve us worms."
Commander Pharr, having over heard the conversation between the two Humans clicking his mandibles in laughter turns to the two Humans and says, "If I may be of assistance, maybe you should try the dried meat and sweet bread. It may be more to your liking than the stew worms. There's also many varieties for fruit and vegetables we use for snacks in the mess hall also. Please take it easy when it comes to the Brute brandy, the only thing good to come from them, and the Sangheili beer. Both contain a high concentrate of alcohol."
Else Nadusee, the young navigations officer, nervously comes up to the trio and says to Commander Pharr, "Sir, my apologies, but the estimated time of arrival at Earth is fifty-four units. We will come out of slip space five hundred units from the Human home world. It should take another ten units to reach Earth's atmosphere for orbit. Should I call a yellow alert?"
Commander Pharr turns to the young Elite and in an authoritative tone says, "Your apology is noted. The Great Journey is on schedule then. Have Minor Guasee call a yellow alert ten unite before we leave slip space in case there are Covenant hiding there. Then have the alert go red when we leave slip space. Have him also communicate this order to the other ships."
Commander R'tas walks up to Commander Keyes looks at her with his blue green eyes, clicks his mandibles together and says, "When we leave slip space you will need to speak to whomever is in charge of your race. Let them know of our alliance, so we don't get attacked."
Commander Keyes looks at R'tas and smiles then says, "Commander have the ships come to a halt when we leave slip space. I will then get Lord Hood on the radio and tell him your race is now on our side. Personally I think he will be relieved to know he has a lot more back up in the coming battles with the Prophet of Truth and his Covenant. But you will also need to tell the Elites on Earth."
To Be Continued...