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 7 The Fight for Peace and a Few Other Things

Ninth Age of Reclaimation / October 2552

Sol System Earth

Lord Hood looked at the Arbiter and said, "In the up coming battle the Brutes will know where to strike on your ships. They will know the weak spots."

The Arbiter replied, "Yes, and us theirs. That is why we will have to hit them hard and hit them quick."

Lord Hood said as he turned to a computer screen, "No. if we combine our shielding technology to yours. It would enhance your shields seventy-five percent like it did with ours."

The Arbiter looking at the data Lord Hood was speaking of finally said, "That would work. But can it be done in the six units we have before the Covenant arrives? I don't want the shielding down when they arrive."

Lord Hood said, "Cortana, how long would it take for the combining of shields on the Ex-Covenant ships?"

Cortana appears on a pedestal and said, "It would take two hours or two units in Sangheili time. But I would add some of our turrets to the ships also."

The Arbiter asks, "Would it take any longer?"

Cortana turns puts her hand on her hip and said, "No."

The Arbiter looks at Lord Hood and said, "Do it. But also add some plasma technology to your cruisers. With all of our combined technology it should turn the battle in our favor."

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Three hours later the Humans and Sangheili were in Lord Hood's ready room discussing battle tactics when Commander Pharr broke in on the com and said, "Arbiter, long range scans have picked up multiple slip space ruptures near the asteroid belt. they will be within the kill zone in three units."

Commander R'tas said, "I suggest we send Simyaldee in the Shadow of Ascension to check to see if it is the Brutes, since it is a cloak enabled cruiser."

Lord Hood said, "I agree."

Simyaldee stood accepted his mission then said, "I'll take the four cloaked frigates along. We will come from behind as they strike," then he turned to face Commander R'tas then said, "If we fly in formation our cloaking field expands. We could cloak another twenty-seven frigates within our formation without breaking cloak. I would suggest thirteen Sangheili and fourteen Human all with support craft within. The Covenant wouldn't know what hit them."

Commander R'tas clocked his mandibles into a smile and said, "I like it. Make it so. However, I want the Solemn Justice as part of the attack fleet."

Simyaldee saluted and said, "For the Honor of the Forerunner."

Commander R'tas and the Arbiter stood and said, "For the Honor of the Forerunner."

Simyaldee walked out of the ready room. His mandibles clicking into a smile at the thought of killing the Covenant scum.

Lord Hood said, "Now, we have three hundred MAC super cannon platforms, a fleet of Human and Elite ships that number greater than two thousand five hundred all with support craft. This should be a short battle."

The Master Chief said, "Yes and if we are lucky we will kill a Prophet."

The Arbiter replied as he clicked his mandibles into a smile, "Yes, my brother, killing a Prophet would make for a great day."

Sergeant Johnson said loudly, "Hey, no taking all the fun you two."

Commander R'tas looked at Lord Hood and said seriously, "With the combined shields and weaponry the Covenant will fall."

Just then the radar specialist, Major Kerry Judd, came on the intercom and said, "Sirs, we have multiple hostile contacts closing in fast. ETA forty-five minutes."

Lord Hood said, "Now is the moment of truth," then he gets on the com with all the ships and said, "Go to formation as planned. Everyone has a copy of the battle plan. Have ant boarding parties ready. Have all support craft fly in a tight formation, let nothing come through. Let's send a Prophet a message. We will not be exterminated."

Commander R'tas and the Arbiter both said, "To victory."

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Everyone went to their posts. Outside there were Longswords and Seraphs flying in formation around an array of super cruisers, super carriers, and battle cruisers, all awaiting communication from Simyaldee's battle cruiser, Forsaken Promise. The tension on the bridge of the Cairo was so thick one could cut it with a knife. There was a crack on the com link, Bridge Officer Messer answered with a start, "This is the Cairo," then said, "Lord Hood and Commander R'tas the signal is from the Forsaken Promise."

Commander R'tas said, "Put it on screen."

Simyaldee said, "Commander, I have a report on the ships that have exited slip space. They are indeed hostile. There are about seven hundred fifty ships total. That is with support craft. Our fleet can destroy them. We will hang back and attack from the rear while you attack from the front."

Commander R'tas said, "Very good. We will meet you in the middle."

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Unknown to the cloaked vessels the new Covenant planetoid was hanging just in slip space awaiting the fleet to attack. The Prophet of Truth said to the other two Prophets, Fear and Grace, "We shall wait here. Our ships should destroy the Humans and Sangheili ships in no time. Then we can go to the Ark and destroy it with our virus. The universe will then be ours."

The trio of Prophets commenced to laugh. Then the Prophet of Truth said to one of the Brute captains, "Show the battle on the view screen. I want to bask in the glory of this victory."

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The hostile cruisers were almost in firing range. The Seraph fighters were given the word to proceed with their attack. They were told to take out all support craft. The Longswords were told to maneuver to a position to take out any support craft that manage to get through. Lord Hood said, "Seraphs and Longswords do not engage the cruisers leave them to our battle cruisers and our MAC stations. Victory shall be ours."

The voice of Shade' Koepkee commander of the Sangheili super cruiser Solemn Justice came over the com link, "All cruisers engage enemy. Let none live for they have taken our Brother's lives."

Multiple com links opened with the Sangheili giving their war cry. The Humans couldn't help joining in cheering. All were ready for battle. The Brutes were the first to fire the first shot. However, the new shields that all the Forerunners had were holding. Cortana took control of the new MAC guns. The upgrades were effective. The first blast knocked out the Brutes' shields then the plasma blast destroyed the ship.

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The three Prophets sat and watched as their fleet was being destroyed. The Prophet of Truth said, "Captain Tantus launch a boarding party on their main station. That is where the Arbiter is. Destroy him and the Sangheili will have no leader."

Tantus replied, "Yes, Nobel Hierarch."

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On the Seeker of Light the radar specialist, Onno Rjosee, said, "Commander Pharr, the Covenant has sent out a boarding party. It is headed for the Cairo."

Oyho Guasee, the communications specialist, was monitoring the Covenant battle net added, "Commander, they are going to try to assassinate the Arbiter. The boarding party has orders from Truth to kill the Arbiter. We must do something."

Commander Pharr slams his fist on the railing and said, "Damn the Covenant scum. Those honorless beasts will pay. Get me the Cairo. Now!"

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The Arbiter and Commander R'tas were on the bridge of the Cairo when the communications officer said, "Sir, we are being hailed by the Seeker of Light."

The Arbiter says, "On screen."

Commander Pharr's face comes on the view screen and said, "Arbiter, your life is in danger. The Prophet of Truth has launched a boarding party and their target is you. Truth has ordered your death."

Commander R'tas said, "I want a squad of Seraph fighters and a squad of Longsword fighters on that boarding craft and I want it now!" then he looks at the Arbiter and continues, "It will not be your blood that is spilled today, my Brother."

Lord Hood gets on the intercom and said, "Antiboarding parties be on alert. Boarding craft inbound."

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The Prophet of Fear said, "Truth recall your ships. We will wait to see if Captain Tantus is successful before going any further."

The Prophet of Truth done as Fear had said. The Brute ships, rather what was left of them considering they had lost six hundred fifty ships to the Forerunner assault, were recalled into slip space.

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On the UNSC Marathon class cruiser the Armageddon the tactical officer looked at the Captain and said, "Sir, they are retreating. Thanks to the help from the Elites we've won."

The Captain looked at the view screen and said, "Get me Admiral Hood."

Lord Hood went to the communications room to receive his secure message, he said, "Yes Captain."

The Captain said, "The Covenant have retreated."

Lord Hood said, "I don't trust it. The Covenant has launched a boarding party to try and assassinate the Arbiter. We need to destroy that boarding craft."

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Just then an array of Seraphs and Longswords came barreling down upon the single boarding craft. The hull on the boarding craft began to buckle under the assault of plasma and small MAC rounds. Finally the craft exploded killing all who were on board. The pilots of the Longswords and the Seraphs cheered.

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Truth was watching as Tantus failed to board the Human's main station. "Damn the Forerunners," he said, "WE shall regroup at the last known coordinates of High Charity. We are going to need more reinforcements if we are going to take down the Forerunner blockade. We must reach the Ark."

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Marlie' disengaged his active camouflage when the all clear was issued. He had to find Shae. He didn't quote understand why but he needed to know if she was alright. He went to the hanger to see if he could see her when she got off the Longsword she was stationed upon. It bothered him when he learned she was one of the three gunners upon the Longsword. He kept saying, to himself, "I hope she is alright."

The report that came over the intercom was some causalities were suffered but no fatalities. Marlie' was relieved when he saw Shae exit her Longsword. The Sangheili warrior walked up to Shae and said, "Could you join me in the Mess Hall after you give report," then looked at her arm and said, "You're hurt!"

Shae told the Elite, who was now almost beside himself, "I'll be fine. It's just a minor burn. I'm going to have it taken care of when I'm done here. And yes we could have some coffee."

Marlie' said, as he was calming himself, "What is coffee?"

Shae smiled as she looked at the worried Elite then said, "I'll show you. I'll be there in fifteen minutes or a quarter unit in your time."

Marlie' said , still trying to calm his nerves and not quite understanding why they were in knots, "I'll meet you there."

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Shae was relieved to see Marlie' was unharmed. She thought to herself, she didn't know what she would have done if he had been hurt or worse. Then she remembered the worried look and his tone when he saw her burn. "Could he have feelings for me?" she asked herself. Although she wasn't sure but the thought made her smile.

Shae gave her report then went to the medical bay to have her burn checked. When she was done she proceeded to go to the Mess Hall. Marlie' was already there at the table they sat at for lunch. She grabbed a tray and put two cups of coffee on it with packets of cream and sugar. She also grabbed two glazed donuts and two chocolate chip cookies. Then went to the table where Marlie' sat.

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Marlie' stood and pulled a chair out for Shae to sit. Then he took his seat. Marlie' was the first to speak. He said, "How is your wound?"

Shae said, "It doesn't hurt. But the medic wants me to wear this dressing for a few days." Shae thought for a moment then added, "Marlie' I was worried that it would be you that would get hurt. I didn't want those Brutes getting on the Cairo. I didn't want them getting to you. Marlie' I know we just met a few days ago. But that doesn't matter. I feel I've known you longer. I'm starting to have feelings for you. Let's finish our coffee and go somewhere a little more private so we can really talk."

Marlie' ate the rest of his sweet delicate bread, the Humans call a donut, and downed the rest of his coffee. They walked to Shae's private quarters.

Once inside Shae told Marlie' to have a seat. She said, "I want to talk," she sat beside him and continued, "Marlie' I know we are from two different species. Now I want to finish before you speak I just hope you don't find me silly."

Marlie' unable to resist speaking said, "I would never think you silly."

Shae continued as if Marlie' had never said a word, "Marlie' I have feelings for you. We come from two different worlds. I know we could never be together physically but I don't want that. I haven't stopped thinking of you since you left here today. All I could think of was when I'd see you again. I know I wouldn't be able to go on if something ever happened to you," tears were swelling in her eyes as she continued, "To me love is sacred it is to be given as well as returned. I just hope you will return it. Marlie' I love you."

Marlie' was shocked at the beauty of Shae as she sat beside him. So venerable. Could he be feeling the most sacred of Sangheili feelings, love, for this Human? Marlie' could feel it no matter how much he tried to deny it. He tried to speak but began to stutter. He said to himself, "Get it together. She just told you her feelings. Now is the time to tell her yours."

Marlie' said softly, "Shae, I know we could never mate. But I believe a Mate is more than just the physical act. There is a bond. The most sacred feelings for a Sangheili is love. Some go their whole life without feeling it for another. They take a mate but it is a loveless existence. And I when I was younger I'd never bond without love. My parents were some of the few to find love. My father when he was with my mother hummed a tune he called his 'love tune'. I find myself humming the same tune now."

Shae looked at the Elite as she moved closer to him on the sofa and took his hand in hers. Marlie' continued, "Shae, I love you. When I heard you were out there on a Longsword my heart sank. I didn't want to loose you now that I have found you. When a Sangheili loves it's for life. You will be my only love until I take my last breath."

Shae stood and took Marlie' by the hand. She closed her eyes and kissed Marlie' on the forehead. Marlie' stood then asked, "What did you do?"

Shae replied, "A kiss. We do that to say I love you."

Marlie' bent down and wiggled his mandibles on the back of her neck. Shae squirmed and said, "What is that you are doing?"

"That is what we do to show and say I love you," Marlie' whispered in her ear.

Shae and Marlie' spent the evening talking and expressing their love for each other.

Marlie' said, "In my culture the female chooses their life mate. How do you do it?"

Shae smiled and kissed the Elite on the head then said, "Why break a good tradition. Will you be my life mate?"

Marlie' looked at Shae, picked her up, and said, "Yes, I would be honored."

Marlie' wiggled his mandibles on Shae's neck once more, sat her down then turned to the door and said, "Shae, my love, we must speak with the Arbiter."

To Be Continued …