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 Mirratord and the character Simyaldee is the sole property of Soulguard. I'd like to thank him for allowing me to use them. Cloaking technology is the property of CII. I'd like to thank her for allowing me to use it.

The rating for this story is T for violence and language.

A New Covenant

Chapter 4 The Forerunner

Ninth Age of Reclaimation/ October 2552

Cairo Station

The Arbiter was on the bridge of the Cairo talking with Lord Hood. The Arbiter turns to look out a window then says in a solemn voice, "Lord Hood, the Engineers have completed all repairs to the Cairo. Your MAC guns have had a plasma emitter added to them, they will now send a round of plasma following the MAC round. Also we have equipped the station with multiple plasma turrets. The station is now more lethal than before. Also the shields have been enhanced to give greater strength. The Engineers have become accustomed to the systems of this station they will remain. With your blessing we are sending a group of Engineers to do the same to the other stations."

Lord Hood replies, "Do as you wish."

Just then the Arbiter's com link came to life. On the other end was Onno Rjosee, the young radar specialist, saying, "Arbiter our long range scans have picked up multiple slip space ruptures five hundred units away. ETA six units."

The Arbiter looks up and relays the message to Lord Hood then says, "Time to see what she is made of. The other stations will be having repairs done as they are needed. The alterations will come later. Onward to victory. I shall return to the Seeker of Light and see to the destruction of the Covenant fleet."

Lord Hood looks at the Arbiter and says, "Arbiter, you are an important Elite. Your place is here on the Cairo by my side. Not out there where you could get killed."

The Arbiter looks at Lord Hood as he rubs the bandage covering the place where he once had the Mark of Shame, then turns to see Commander R'tas walking in and says, "My old friend it brings me great joy to see you. Are your prosthetic mandibles working fine?"

Commander R'tas replies, "They are fine. Brother are we going to join the others on the Seeker of Light?"

The Arbiter says in a commanding tone as he glances at Lord Hood, "No brother we are not. We are going to help defend this station," the Arbiter motions for Commander R'tas to walk with him, then turns to Lord Hood and says, "I will leave two Honor Guards posted with you. They will defend you in case we are boarded. They will die for you to live. But it would be hard for the boarders to kill them since they are the most skilled. I will take two Guards with me. Although I don't think I will need them since my armor has been upgraded. If you need me Commander R'tas and I will be in the armory."

Lord Hood replies as he looks at the view screen, "Thank you. But if this station is everything you say. I doubt it will be boarded. By the way, let your ships know we can distinguish between them and the enemy. The program we uploaded to them also makes any Covenant ship without Elites on them show up as enemy."

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As the two Sangheili walked out the door into the corridor they were met with a Grunt running at top speed with the same black armored Sangheili chasing it. Commander R'tas turns to the Arbiter laughs and then says, "Brother, if N'tas catches him. I feel for the poor Grunt. Maybe he can find a good place to hide."

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Everywhere on the massive battle station there were Humans and Sangheili working together. Most were doing fine, the thirty year war seemed to not matter. However, there were a few that still held grudges, Human and Sangheili alike. With that there were pockets of hatred for the Sangheili who were indeed heavy hearted for trying to destroy their new found brothers. As the Arbiter and Commander R'tas was walking toward the bridge from the armory they came upon the mess hall where a group of warriors standing in a circle shouting. In the center of the circle was a Human holding a knife and a Sangheili holding a bleeding cut on his arm and giving a war cry. Sergeant Johnson and Commander Keyes was walking up to them. The Arbiter and Sergeant Johnson went to the center of the group to investigate the commotion. Johnson starting to see red when he saw the marine's bloody knife, said, "What the Hell is going on here?!"

The Marine said, "This Covie filth.."

The blue Sangheili, still nursing his arm, said, "Who are you calling filth, you hairless Brute?"

The Marine turned to the Elite and said, "Why I'll…"

Just then Johnson grabbed the Marine and said, "What the Hell do you think you are doing? Now will someone tell me what the hell started this?"

As if on cue a short curly haired Marine, named Corporal William Wheeler walked out of the group and said, "Sir, I witnessed the whole thing. The Elites were trying to see what was in the vending machines. They wanted some fruit. When Private Marshall here and his buddies walked in and started saying 'scum can wait for food.' Then the Elites turned to walk out. That was when Marshall called the Elites 'chicken' the Elite turned and gave a cry that was when Marshall cut him."

Sergeant Johnson looked at the Elite and said, "My apologies some of our people don't know how to leave the past there," then he turned to Corporal Wheeler and said, "Could you show this honorable Elite to the sick bay so he could get his arm fixed."

Corporal Wheeler saluted and said, "Sir, yes sir," then said to the Elite, "Follow me."

Commander Keyes walked up and looked at Private Marshall and said, "For your conduct here today you and your group will be spending two days in the brig. If this happens again then the punishment will be more severe. These Elites are trying to make amends for what they have done they don't need the aggression you if this alliance is going to work. We need everyone Human and Elite alike working together not against one another."

Private Marshall couldn't believe he was being punished said, "But ma'am the Elites killed your father and you are taking up for them?"

Commander Keyes looked angrily at the Private and said, "I'll have you know it was the Flood not the Elites that killed my father. If you want you stay in the brig to only be two days then I suggest you keep your mouth shut," she looked at Johnson and said, "Take them to the brig."

Sergeant Johnson said, "Yes ma'am."

The Arbiter looked at Commander Keyes and said humbly, "Thank you for all you did."

Just then the intercom came to life saying, "All hands to battle stations. Prepare for battle."

The Arbiter turned to Commander R'tas and says, "Let's get to the bridge."

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On the bridge of the Seeker of Light, Commander Pharr looks at the radar specialist and says, "How many ships are there?"

Onno Rjosee replies, "It's a small fleet. About eighteen ships. Our twenty-six ships could take them on. Their greatest weapon is a plasma turret."

Commander Pharr says, "Get me the Arbiter," he turns to the view screen and says, "Arbiter, our fleet can and will destroy the enemy. You won't need to worry they will never break the perimeter."

The Arbiter replies, "Very good. I'll be watching from here. If any break the perimeter then the new MAC cannons on the Cairo will take them out."

Commander Pharr says with enthusiasm, "Seeker of Light out. We will let you know as soon as the battle is over."

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The Arbiter, Commander R'tas, and Lord Hood turned to watch the battle from an observation window in Lord Hood's ready room. But the battle was over before it even started. The Forerunners didn't fire the first shot. The small fleet of enemy ships appeared to blow up for no reason. Commander Pharr, on the Seeker of Light, was watching this in total shock. Suddenly five cloaked ships appeared behind where the small Covenant fleet once was. Commander R'tas went to the bridge and said almost yelling, "Hail those ships!"

Bridge officer Messer said, "Sir, on screen."

On the view screen was a Sangheili wearing black armor with purple stripes. Commander R'tas's mandibles dropped with shock. Simyaldee, the black armored Sangheili was the first to speak. He said, "Greetings Brother. I'm glad to see you alive. I'll bet you are wondering why I'm not firing on the Humans but instead destroyed the Covenant ships?"

Commander R'tas replied, "Yes and how did you know where we were? Were there any other Brothers to survive?"

Simyaldee smiled then said, "We have been monitoring the situation since Delta Halo. We know about the alliance and our beloved race being Forerunner. We tracked you from Delta Halo. We were cloaked. We stayed just outside the asteroid belt and waited to see if any Covenant were coming. Yes we were able to rescue many from High Charity. Not just military and High Council but civilians and many females."

Commander R'tas relieved to hear several survived added, "Simyaldee assemble a small party and take a Phantom to the Cairo. There is someone I want you to meet. We will fill you in on everything."

Commander R'tas turned and went looking for the Arbiter so the Mirratord could update them on the activities. Since both have been Mirratord for many cycles. He was trying to decide whether or not to tell Lord Hood about the Mirratord. Then decided to discuss it with his Mirratord Brothers. Commander R'tas thought the Arbiter needs to know that not as many as he thought perished.

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Simyaldee was on the Cairo in under a unit. Commander R'tas was at the docking bay to greet them. Commander R'tas placed his right hand on Simyaldee's left shoulder as a show of respect. Simyaldee did the same to Commander R'tas.

Commander R'tas said in a low tone, "It is great to see you Brother. It's been too long."

Simyaldee replied, "The feelings are mutual my Brother. Now who is this you want me to see."

Commander R'tas said in a tone that is all business, "Come. I'll show you. There is much we need to catch up on."

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The small group of Sangheili went to the Commander's private quarters. When the door Simyaldee was shocked by who the Sangheili was that was standing in the middle of the room. Simyaldee bowing his head in respect as he walked up to the Sangheili wearing the sacred armor of the Arbiter then dropped to one knee and said, "It's good to see you Supreme Commander Fulsamee. I thought you were dead."

The Arbiter said, "As Supreme Commander Fulsamee it is best that I stay dead for now. I'm the Arbiter."

Simyaldee replied, "To me you are Fulsamee. My old friend and brother. The Prophets were the ones who stripped you of your rank and name not the Sangheili. Now you are the leader of the Sangheili military, Arbiter Fulsamee," he then turned to Commander R'tas and said, "Commander, we rescued a Human Construct from High Charity. The construct calls itself Cortana. It helped us destroy High Charity and Halo when all the survivors were transported. The construct is driving my crew nuts. We downloaded her into this transport."

Commander R'tas turned and radioed the Master Chief. He said, "Master Chief we have your lost construct. Could you come to my quarters ASAP?"

The Master Chief replied, "I'm on my way."

While the Sangheili were waiting for the Master Chief, Commander R'tas and Simyaldee proceeded to fill the Arbiter in on the Mirratord. Like wise Commander R'tas and the Arbiter told the Mirratord about the death of Tartarus and how the Alliance was formed. Just then there was a knock at the door. Commander R'tas yelled, "Come in."

The Master Chief walked in and Simyaldee said as he drew his dual swords, "The Demon!"

Commander R'tas said hurriedly, "Stand down he is on our side. He is the owner of the construct."

The Master Chief said as he took the transport, "Thank you," immediately he plugged the transport disk into the back of his helmet then said, "Welcome back, Cortana."

Cortana replied, "Good to see you too, Chief."

The Master Chief turned to the Arbiter and said, "Lord Hood wants all of us in the ready room to make preparations for taking on Truth and the rest of the Covenant. The ship he is on has landed in New Mombassa."

The Sangheili and the Master Chief proceeded down the corridor to Lord Hood's ready room. Lord Hood said, "Come we have much to discuss."

343 Guilty Spark made his presence known by humming his annoying little tune. Then said, "Is everyone here?"

Lord Hood replied as he sat at the head of the oak table, "Yes, Monitor. Now could you tell us the location of this so called Ark?"

The Monitor replied in a patronizing tone, "Yes. It is outside Carson City, Nevada. On the North American continent. However it will take both brothers to enter it. That is it will take a Sangheili and a Human. Both must press the appropriate panels at the same time"

Simyaldee said, as he shifted in the form fitting chair, "Does Truth know that the Ark isn't in New Mombassa?"

Sergeant Johnson said as he moved next to the Arbiter, "If he doesn't. Then he will soon learn."

Commander Keyes looks at Sergeant Johnson and said, "We shall send two squads of Marines and one Special Forces unit to New Mombassa. We will send two Special Forces Units called RTU or Recon Tactical Units to Carson City. Along with myself, Johnson, and the Master Chief." then she adds, "Cortana, could you down load the exact location of the Ark to your data banks?"

Cortana replies, "Yes, ma'am."

Commander R'tas adds as he looks at the map on the ready room wall, "The Sangheili will send two units and one Spec Op unit with yours to New Mombassa. They will assist in any way. May I suggest the Spec Op and the Special Forces units have a side mission. The assassination of Truth."

Commander Keyes replied as she looked at the white armored Elite, "Mission accepted."

Commander R'tas turns back to the map and continues, "We will send two Spec Op units to Carson City. N'tas Mormesee will lead one with his best warriors. Simyaldee will lead the other along with myself and the Arbiter. Onward to victory," with that all the Sangheili gave a war cry that the Humans couldn't help but join in.

The Arbiter looked at them all and said, "Brothers, let's go. We must get to this Ark before Truth."

To Be Continued…