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 5 The Two Missions

Ninth Age of Reclaimation / October 2552

Sol System Earth

Everyone was in the hanger bay making preparations for the simultaneous missions. Commander R'tas looked at Simyaldee and said, "Are the Mirratord warriors ready for the assassination of the Prophet of Truth? With his death the Covenant will be in disarray."

Simyaldee replied as he checks his weapons, "Yes, Leader, they are ready. The one you chose to lead the team is a very competent warrior. As for my team, we are ready for what awaits us at the Ark. Do you think we will run into any pockets of Covenant in Carson City?"

Commander R'tas replies in a solemn tone, "I'm not going to say we won't but it doesn't hurt to be prepared."

The Sangheili and the Humans continued to make last minute preparations on the ships and weapons when the Arbiter and the Master Chief walked onto the hanger bay. Both seemed deep in conversation about the up coming mission. The Arbiter turns and walks up to Commander R'tas who is still discussing plans with Simyaldee. The Arbiter looks at Commander and says, "Pardon me, Brother. But the departure time is about half a unit. We need to get everyone into their drop ships."

Commander R'tas said loudly, "Listen up everyone. The time has come to board the drop ships. We will be departing for our respected missions in a half unit, that's thirty minutes in Human time. Make sure you get all your weapons you will need and enough extra ammunition and power cells. To victory."

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The five Pelicans and five Phantom drop ships departed the Cairo. Each carrying personnel and vehicles that will be used for the two missions. Each team going to the opposite ends of the Earth. One team made up of two Pelicans and two Phantoms are going to stop a great weapon. The other to stop an enemy. Both missions will stop the destruction of the universe.

The Arbiter gets on his com link and says to Commander Keyes, "Commander, our teams are ready. The Monitor is to show us the way to the Ark. Keep your eyes open."

Commander Keyes replies, "Yes, Arbiter, you do the same. Our landing zones are one click apart. You stay in the area where you land. Our team will come to you. Stay hid in the trees. If you see any Covenant let them have it."

Sergeant Johnson getting into the conversation says, "Arbiter, if you see any Elites let them know Humanity is on their side."

The Arbiter replied, "Will do. If your ground forces don't know about our alliance, now would be a good time to inform them."

The navigations officer, a red major, named Cjad Larkee, got on the com and said, "Mombassa team, there is a storm that is going to hit near the city. It will mask your approach. Land in the wooded area outside the city. It will give you some added cover. Good luck. Ark team out."

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Commander R'tas pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, started the speech he gives his troops at the start of every mission, "When we joined the Covenant we took an oath."

The group of Sangheili looked at Commander R'tas as if he just lost his mind then shouted, "According to our station! All without exception!"

Commander R'tas continues, "On the blood of our fathers, on the blood of our sons, we swore to uphold the Covenant."

The Sangheili even the Arbiter are wondering where he is going with this shouts, "Even to our dying breath!"

Commander R'tas looks straight at the troops and with a look of bloodlust in his green eyes calmly states, "The Covenant betrayed us all. They have shed our Brother's blood and caused us to shed our Brother Race's blood."

The troops responded by shouting, "And for that they must DIE!"

Commander R'tas continues as the group of Sangheili work themselves into a cheering frenzy, "We are the Forerunner. We shall overcome any obstacle. We shall be victorious. Death to the Covenant!"

The whole group Sangheili gave a war cry, "Wort! Wort! Wort!"

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The team going after Truth landed in a wooded area outside New Mombassa. They proceeded toward the ancient Forerunner ship that Truth came in. the group came upon a squad of Sangheili trying to hold off a band of Brutes. The leader of the Mirratord came up to a gold Zealot and said, "Don't fire upon the Humans. They are our allies now."

The Zealot named, Klein Darsadee, looked at the Mirratord leader and the band of troops behind him and said, "As you wish. I'm just glad to have reinforcements. Our numbers have been dwindling since the ship that had once been on our Holy City arrived. The Brutes have betrayed us brother."

The Mirratord leader replied calmly, "I know Brother. The Prophets also betrayed us. There is much you do not know. And we don't have time for me to explain it. But when we are through here I will take you to someone who can."

The team joined the Sangheili squad already there in the fight. The Brute's numbers started shrinking with all the plasma fire and bullets. Soon the pocket of Covenant were no more. They all started making their way to the ship.

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Truth, still on board the ancient Forerunner ship, was watching all this from his view screen. He turns to the Brute captain there and says, "Get your men back in the ship. We are going to have to abort the mission."

The brute captain replied, "Yes, noble hierarch. "

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The group of Humans and Sangheili watched as the Ancient Forerunner ship lifted off. The Sangheili gave a roar of disgust. The Mirratord leader got on his com link and said, "Commander R'tas, our mission is a failure. Truth knew we were coming. The scum went running. When we get back to the Cairo I'll turn myself over for punishment."

Commander R'tas replied, "Punishment is not necessary. You will have another chance. He will be back. Now escort the Humans back to the Cairo then I have a mission for your squad. Find the ones we once called Heretics. Tell them what is going on. Get their assistance. Bring them here. But tell them not to harm the Arbiter."

The Mirratord leader replied, "Yes, excellency."

The squads left Earth and went back to the Cairo. The Mirratord squad went to dock with a cloak enabled Frigate and made preparations to go to Threshold, the last location of the Heretics.

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Commander R'tas radioed the Cairo to let them know of Truth's escape, but the ancient ship went to slip space as soon as it left Earth's atmosphere. Truth was headed for High Charity. But when he got there he discovered both the ring and his city were gone. Truth screamed, "Damn the Sangheili! Their incompetent race has stalled our Great Journey. Set a slip space course for Tallus. I must speak with the Prophet High Council."

The trip through slip space was uneventful. Truth had his ship land near enough to the High Council chambers that he had to make little effort to get there. Once inside the atmosphere was tense. Truth looked at the Prophet High Council. Finally one of the council members spoke. It was a councilor not much older than Truth, named the Prophet of Fear, "I didn't think I'd see you so soon. Why have you come?"

'I'll tell you why," said a much older Prophet named Grace, "He allowed the Brother Races to get back together."

Truth who normally knew what to say was suddenly speechless. Grace continues, "Tell me Truth. How did you loose control of the Sangheili? We fought for so long to get them to destroy the Humans. They were never to leave the Covenant but you cut them loose."

Truth said nervously, "A hierarch was murdered. The Sangheili could not keep us safe."

Fear said angrily, "They weren't suppose to keep you safe. That is what the Brutes were secretly doing. You were to keep the Sangheili blind. If that meant feeding their egos then so be it."

Grace added, "Ages of planning has went down the drain because of your hatred of the Forerunner. Now we are going to have to destroy both races instead of just Humanity."

Fear looked at Truth in disgust then added, "You will go back. Humanity must be destroyed."

Truth said as he lowered his head, "But my city has been destroyed."

Grace said angrily, "So that is why you came here with your tail between your legs? We will give you another city. But Fear and I are going with you. You will go back to the Human home world. You will find the Ark of the Halos. Then you will plant the virus in it, as planned."

Fear added, "Then we will destroy Humanity. Only they have the means to find a way to stop our greatest weapon."

Truth looked at the High Council then said, "Shall I take the weapon with us? And unleash it on Earth."

The Prophet of Grace, whose actions are unlike his name, smiled then said, "I don't think that will be necessary. Especially if you do your job right. Which we will be there to see to. Our reign of the universe is almost at hand."

Truth smiled an evil smile then said, "Death to the Forerunner!"

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Back on Earth, the Ark team landed outside Carson City. The city was in disarray. Commander Keyes found the site where the Arbiter and the other Spec Op team landed. They had received some minor casualties from a sniper in a building twenty meters to the north, Commander R'tas and Simyaldee took them out.

The Monitor, true to it's word, led the group to the Ark. The site was the site of a large archaeological dig. The chief anthropologist walked up to the group and said, "You won't be able to get into the facility. The door won't open."

Sergeant Johnson stepped forward and said, "We just happen to have a key."

The Monitor floated to the anthropologist and said, "Reclaimer, it requires both brother races to open," then turned to the Arbiter and Commander Keyes and said, "Go to the control panel. Sangheili on the right Reclaimer on the left. Put your hand on the control pad."

The Arbiter and Commander Keyes done as the Monitor instructed. The control panel placed a silhouette of each race's hand on the wall. They placed their hand into the silhouette. The door opened. The group walked into a building that no one has been in, in over one hundred thousand years. They continued down a long corridor until they came to another door with the same silhouettes as before. The Arbiter and Commander Keyes placed their hands in the silhouettes as they did at the main door. The door silently opened. The group walked into the control room. Just then an advanced Human AI appeared wearing brown armor similar to the Sangheili armor. The Sangheili dropped to their knees as the AI began to speak.

The AI said, "Greetings, my name is Noah. This is… Excuse me for a moment," the AI turned as if looking for something or someone then said, "Mo'ab come our guests are here."

Just then an AI that looked like a Sangheili appeared. It was dressed in armor that looked exactly like the armor of the Arbiter. Not only the armor, but the Sangheili looked like the Arbiter. The AI that called itself Noah began to speak, "Now let's start this again. Greetings, my name is Noah. This is my brother Mo'ab. We are of the Forerunner society. Welcome to the Ark."

Mo'ab continued, "This facility will control the seven Halo rings. We are the creators of this facility. Well, we are the likeness of them. We have been waiting long for you to arrive."

The Arbiter rose from his kneeling position and said, "Noble ones, the rings are in stand by status. Can you help us to shut them down?"

Mo'ab looked at the Arbiter and said, "Young one. Yes we can. I take it that the firing sequence has been interrupted. Why were they activated?

The Master Chief spoke then, "They Covenant tried to activate them to go on a Great Journey."

Noah said, "Who is the Covenant?"

The Arbiter said in a solemn tone, "The Prophets…"

Before the Arbiter could continue Mo'ab turned to the Arbiter and said fearfully, "The Prophets! How did they find our facilities?"

The Arbiter was the one to explain, "Noble ones. The Prophets tricked us into helping them. We had lost all records of our past. We , the Sangheili, joined the Prophets Covenant. We were tricked into believing the Forerunner were gods. Our gods. They had us searching the universe for Forerunner relics. We were told that Halo that Halo would bring about salvation on a Great Journey. We were sent to war to destroy our brothers. Humanity. Then on Delta Halo everything changed. they activated Halo but it was stopped. Then 343 Guilty Spark opened our eyes."

Noah looked at the Arbiter and said, "With the lapse of time that is understood. We do not blame you or any Sangheili."

Mo'ab sail in a solemn tone, "The Prophets are masters of deceit. Now if you shut down Installation Five then you have the Index?"

Commander Keyes stepped up and said, "Yes. I have it."

Noah said, take it to the controls to your left. Place it into the flashing slot. I will do the rest."

Commander Keyes done as the AI said. Just then a new voice spoke., "Halos have now been placed into sleep status. They will remain so until the Index is placed into the core."

Noah, checking the panels asked, "What has happened to Installations Four and Five?"

The Master Chief said, "I can help with that. The Flood was released on Four and I blew it up. Installation Five along with High Charity was destroyed by the Elites. The Flood was present there also."

Mo'ab said in a questioning tone, "What are Elites?"

Sergeant Johnson was the one to answer that question, "Elites are what we called these guys,' he gestured to the Sangheili then continued, "We didn't know what to call them. By the time we learned what their name was we all were used to the name Elites. Not to mention we can't pronounce it."

Noah said, "We'll accept that. The threat of the Halos are no more. But the threat from the Prophets is still real. You must seal this facility. The Prophets can never find it. Do not destroy it. Place a guard outside the door, but never have both races present at the same time. The Prophets could use that to get in. When the threat from the Prophets is over. Return to learn your heritage."

Mo'ab said, "Only you can open the Ark. If you need us we are here. But for now we must say Goodbye."

With that said the two AIs disappeared. The group walked out the door, sealed the Ark, places guards in the area, then returned to their drop ships. The Arbiter said, "Let's return to the Cairo. Truth and his Covenant will be returning."

To Be Continued...