A/N: Sixth Installment here. Not much else to say except when your done reading, review. I apologize if this chapter seems rushed. I wanted to get one last one out before my break. And a late happy Bungie 7th day.
Chapter 6: Reinforcements
"Arbiter, we'll arrive in the Sol system in 13 minutes." Cortana announced.
Everyone in their battle group approved the use of Human time over Covenant time because it is more accurate.
"OK, thank you construct." The Arbiter answered. He told all onboard personnel and everyone in the combined fleets to get ready for entry of the Human's home system.
"Please, call me Cortana. I'm not just an object you know..."
"Very well, Cortana." This construct certainly is more than I thought. If only our AIs were given personalities, it would at least make them interesting the Arbiter thought.
"Cortana, when we exit slip space, I want a channel open with Admiral Hood. After we finish talking I want to survey all of the damage that's been done." Miranda told the AI.
"Yes ma'am. Give me a minute after we get there."
10 minutes later, the ships exited the void of slip space, and appeared just before the asteroid belt that marked the kill zone of the defense platforms.
"Sir" Templar announced. "Sir, we have new contacts, 341 Covenant ships plus over 70 support frigates. Our repairs are almost done, but, we can't replace over 40 stations in a heartbeat."
"Damn. I knew they would return, just not this fast. Where are they now?" Hood questioned.
"They're just beyond the asteroid belt, out of the kill zone. Wait... They're sending out a message to us. It's on our own D-Band channel." The AI replied in a surprised tone.
"Put it up on the main screen." The admiral answered with an equally surprised voice.
The main screen, overlooking the entire bridge flickered on. But what the aging Admiral saw shocked him. It was Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Major Avery J. Johnson. He also saw a few Elites walking behind the two, raising even more questions for the Admiral.
"Mind telling what you two are doing there, Commander?"
"Yes sir. It seems that the Elites, Grunts, and Hunters have been exiled from the Covenant. They wish to seek out an alliance with us in order to help us out. They also purposed a technology exchange in order to make you trust them."
The statement shocked the entire bridge. Never had they captured any technology from the Covenant besides field weapons, and now they were receiving it as a gift for an alliance.
"Well... Let me speak to whoever is in charge there."
The Admiral saw an Elite in armor he had never seen before. He assumed that was their leader and started to talk.
"I'm wondering... Why do you want our help? For the past 30 plus years, all you've done is destroy our colonies, and kill civilians. What makes you think you can just waltz in here after 30 years' destruction, and become friends with us?"
"We want you're help because our fleets are equally destroyed. I assume that you lost a lot of ships, and have reinforcements coming in from any of you're planets that have not been 'glassed' as you call it."
"Yes we do." Hood replied with an exasperated sigh. "But still, you haven't answered the main question."
"Giving you our shield technology and specifications to our plasma cannons will fuel the want of an alliance because we will be able to push the false Prophets back to their own home world. We can destroy anyone who wishes to lengthen the war with new technology. And you're AI Cortana; she has provided us with data that makes the plasma cannons fire more powerful and precise shots."
"Cortana is with you? Let me speak to her."
"Very well. Please wait." Then Cortana appeared on the massive screen in front of the Admiral.
"Cortana, what is the meaning of giving the enemy better weaponry.?"
"Well they agreed whole-heartedly to an alliance after that, so with the benefit of them giving us the same technology that has made it nearly impossible to win a space battle with them, I would imagine that I could imply the data in our own plasma cannons. In fact, I have already designed and tested one plasma cannon of my own creation in the data world." Cortana replied.
"Well, I'll agree to an alliance, but what is their leader's name, and what do they call themselves?"
"His name is the Arbiter, and they call themselves The Reclaiming Glory. Anything else, Admiral?"
"Yes, tell this Arbiter, to gather 5 more of his kind, and send a drop ship over here containing them. No weapons allowed. You three can come along as well.
"Yes sir." Cortana said, and the screen went blank.
Master Chief walked for ten minutes before finding the doors to the armory. Because the Cairo was the commanding defense platform for his sector of Earth, it also had it's own training grounds in the armory. Complete with any and all weapons the UNSC manufactured, and even a fleet of Warthogs and Scorpions to test driving skills and for the tanks, coordination tactics for land battles.
He walked through the doors, and to his great surprise and happiness, he found what remained of the original Spartans IIs familiarizing themselves with the new weapons and remembering the feel of the ones they used to use.
Linda had her trusty customized S2AM Sniper Rifle, and slung the new one that he had seen when he got on board the Cairo on her back. Will had the new assault rifle and the trusty MA5B. He was trying out the new one to see how good it is. Fred was sticking to the basic weapons he was trained with; the MA5B, and the M6D.
The Chief nodded his head and put his two fingers up to where his mouth would be, signifying a smile. The other three returned the gesture, and returned to shooting holo-targets. He walked towards Fred and asked him what's been happening since he's been at Delta Halo.
Fred told him about the battle, out of 250 ships and 300 platforms, they lost 103 ships and 49 platforms, but they completely destroyed all of the enemy fleet. Which had over 200 ships of its own.
"But that didn't happen until you showed up" he said. "When that Forerunner ship broadcasted that you were on their ship, all of the others started to try and escape the kill zone. I don't know why. But it let our forces were able to pick them off one at a time because of the Hindenburg. It launched 3 of it's Shiva Nukes and each detonated in strategic parts of their fleet, causing all of their shields to go out and destroying a large portion of them." Fred finished.
The Chief thought this over for a minute. Then he went to take the two new weapons that were in the stores. The Chief went to the firing pit and noticed how the MA8B sounded. It had a built in silencer so it was like a hiss for every shot taken. It was more accurate then his old favorite, and with the addition of the Battle Rifle's type of scope, he was able to make 5 shots in quick succession in the shape of a pentagon. He looked on the bottom area of the barrel and saw that it also featured a laser scope.
He un slung the new sniper rifle and put down the new AR. He fired it twice, and even with a shorter barrel, it had the same degree of accuracy of the standard one. It packed more of a powerful kick to his shoulder plate due to the heavier round over the S2AM, but to the Spartan, it wasn't even noticeable. He picked up the two weapons, and placed them back on the shelves he found them on.
He told his fellow Spartans that he was going to the motor pool to see what this new tank he heard about was. They nodded and followed him over there to make sure he didn't damage too much equipment.
They found their leader climbing into one of the new Raptor tanks. Although usually requiring at least four personnel, incase of emergency situations, it was still operable by the driver incase of the gunner and the tank commander dieing. In which case it would just be a more powerful Scorpion because of only one occupant being able to drive it and shoot it.
They watched in mild interest as the Chief found out how to shoot the cannon, as they heard a resonated boom throughout the cavernous room. The techs in the room sighed. Now they had to repair a lot of wiring and replace plating after the Chief would finish his fun.
Master Chief drove the tank out of its parking space and drove through the vehicle training area. He wasn't used to using monitors bolted to the wall to be able to see out of a tank, but eventually he would. After shooting the cannon and putting the tank through its paces, he backed it back into its own spot. He climbed out from the hatch, and surveyed the damage he did.
Various sized holes covering every wall, somehow managing to get a few holes in the ceiling from orientation. Some spots of the room were dark because the shells had blown through a lot of wiring, which caused half of the lights to go out. MG bullets riddled the walls and floor. More than a few of the obstacles on the course were destroyed. The twenty or so techs that were in the room hurried to record the damage, and called the supply office for the necessary equipment.
Five minutes of waiting, and the arc welders, various cutting torches, and anything else they needed were delivered at the door. They went over and sorted through everything, and distributed what they needed. Master Chief and his fellow Spartans walked off to their ready room for sparring and whatever else their needs may be.
The Arbiter cut off the comm. link to the defense platform. He looked at the monitors to see what happened in the battle. Wrecked hulks of once proud vessels were floating about. Molten slag's of grey coupled with cleanly sliced off sections of Covenant ships from multiple MAC rounds crashed into each other, creating more debris to clean up.
Then he went to the intercom and said something in his native language. 5 minutes later, two other Sangheili walked into the room. Each wearing an armor type never exposed to the Humans. One was a councilor, and the other one was an Honor Guard Captain, wearing a blue tinged armor rather than red, for the regular honor guards.
He greeted each one by placing his right hand on their left shoulders. After telling Cortana to open a comm. channel to the fleet, he talked more in his native language.
A few more minutes passed, and in walked Baru 'Sotoramee and Dosu and Daso 'Furnumee. Famous for their tenacity in battle and loyalty to each other. They greeted, and them, the Humans, and the AI went for the docking bay.
The Sergeant took Cortana out of the pedestal and followed them. After a five minute Phantom trip, they got off, and found themselves surrounded by sniper teams, machine guns, and various riflemen. The same procedure for the Master Chief's Ex-Covenant forces applied here as well. The Sergeant, Miranda, and Cortana headed for the bridge, ready to tell the Admiral what happened.
The Arbiter and his companions followed the MPs to the brig after the other two Humans parted. When he got there, he recognized the two other Sangheili. He didn't remember their names, but he knew they used to be on the Rising Ascension. He nodded as he passed. He was led into one of the jail cells and was told to wait for the Admiral. He suddenly remembered, the Honor Guard Captain was named Viro 'Milunee. And the Councilor's name was Nola 'Klazumee.
The Admiral and all four Spartans were walking through the halls after he told Miranda and Johnson to go get some R & R. Soon he arrived at the detention block. The guards nodded in the direction of the Ex-Covenant, calling themselves, The Reclaiming Glory.
He opened the cells of the Elites and told them to follow him. They arrived at the tertiary conference room. Such a room was only used for major occurrences. It had four M249s, each one in a corner of the room, and operated by their own AI, but the AI was only an aiming enhancer. The Admiral stepped behind the table and sat down where the other high ranking personnel of the United Nations Space Command, Office of Naval Intellegence, and United Earth Government were.
The Elites stepped towards the chairs, and looked at them. To their relief, they were form fitting instead of shaped for just humans. All eight of them sat down. One of the ONI officials started the interrogation. The Spartans took up positions in front of the doorway.
"Names and ranks." The Admiral said.
The first Elite stood up, "I am Councilor Nola 'Klazumee, I am a member of the Elite High council."
He sat down and the Elite next to him got up. "I am Honor Guard Captain Viro 'Milunee. I used to protect the Prophet of Peace."
Then the Arbiter got up. "I am the Arbiter. I command The Reclaiming Glory's military forces. I the former commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice."
Then one with gold armor stood up. "I am Baru 'Sotoramee. I am the Fleet Master of the fleet The Fury of The Sangheili."
Another Elite got up. "I am Dosu 'Furnumee. I am the fleet Master of the fleet The Prophet's Destruction."
The next Elite got up. "I am Daso 'Furnumee. I command the fleet The Ultimate Vengeance. The names of the fleets we have named, except for the Arbiter's previous command, are what we named them after we found out the truth."
The 7th Elite stood. "I am Zamo 'Komaree. I am Special Operations Commander."
The last Elite stood up. "I am Maru 'Parumee. I am also a Special Operations Commander." He took his seat after he finished.
"Why have you come before us?"
"We wish to seek an alliance with you in order to defeat what is left of the Covenant. We seek revenge against the Prophet's misguidance." Answered the Arbiter
"Just what makes you think that we want you're help?" A man with the nametag Ackerson sneered.
"We will follow you're commands, and we will support you in any way possible. We will defend you're home world with a full fleet if necessary. We have dropped the ways of the Prophets, and we now will help fight for the right cause" Councilor 'Klazumee said.
A man in the UEG section said "Does that answer you're question, colonel? I advise you, you are only allowed in this meeting because you have certain... connections. Those of which are being tracked 24/7, I might add. If you have another outburst like that, you will be removed from this meeting."
Ackerson grumbled for a minute and went silent.
"Now that the interuptions have ceased, we can continue on. Arbiter, I heard that you offered us technology in order to seal the agreement?" The UEG man asked.
"Yes I did. I officially offer your forces our plasma cannon technology, and our shield technology. With them, we could crush the false Prophets and whoever may follow them."
"Very good. But, what made you see the error of you're ways, I wonder?"
"After thoroughly interrogating the Oracles... I am sorry, the Monitors of both ring worlds, it was enough for everyone who believed in the Great Journey. The Grunts only follow us because that's what they have done for the past 4 ages. And the Hunters, as you call them, just want a reason to fight something."
"How long exactly is four ages?" Colonel Ackerson pressed.
"By Human count, 400 years."
"Very well, let us all discuss this. You are dismissed for now."
The Elites got up. Two of the Spartans went out of the room and waited in front of the hallway. The other two waited at the door to cover the rear. After they parted, the Elites were led back to the detention cells.
"So what do you think of this alliance's chance, Arbiter?" 'Sotoramee questioned.
"I think it will hold out for quite awhile. Especially with how many defenses and fleets still exist in the Prophet's control."
"True, but was offering them our technology a wise choice?" 'Komaree wondered aloud.
"If we want this to hold out, we must make sacrifices. First and foremost with our technology. Other things we be revealed to the humans later, but that is not the thing we should talk about."
"Well than what about the High Council? Won't they object to this new alliance?"
"I certainly hope not. But, as a precaution, I've already talked with one of the Council members back on Sangheil. I cut the channel immedietly after I told him, so he would be able to talk it over with the other Councilors. It is a very good thing that Councilor 'Klazumee already approves of it But sadly, most of the other Councilors were executed where the consecration of the index was supposed to begin.."
A few of the Sangheili including 'Klazumee nodded in agreement. The guards that they once called Demons were now leading them out of the cell back towards the conference room. When they got there, one human stepped in front of the rest.
"We have discussed it, and decided, that you are welcome to call us allies." The man said with a trace of happieness in his voice.
"This is the first step to right our wrongs. From here on out, we can fight side by side, brothers in arms, and with monumental pride. We have wronged your race for far too long. Now we can repay our debt to you." The Councilor finished.
"Very well, dismissed."
The Arbiter and the other Sangheili were led out of the room, and towards the docking bay. Once on their Phantom, they rested themselves after what just happened. They had succeded. The alliance would hold out, hopefully. Three trips later, the Arbiter and the other two Sangheili that were already onboard the Cairo when they arrived walked out via the doors on the back of the drop ship. He sent a communique throughout the fleets containing what just happened while they were gone.
A/N: The alliance forms up, finnaly. Sorry for the lack of action, but I needed a transition for the start of things to come. Auf Weidersehen then.