Book 1: To Defy the Establishment...
Chapter one – Leave
The Spirit Dropship flew down towards the surface of Sangheilios. Onboard was a group of Konuelo Sangheili, along with Korajyra, an honorary Konuelo who was not actually Sangheili. He was of a species known as a Yanme'e, an insectlike species that had been inducted into the Covenant as scouts and servants. Korajyra had been a lucky soldier to have been saved by Erpa 'Lytamee, thus inspiring the sangheili to allow the Covenant military to integrate the Yanme'e into the infiltrator's team.
The dropship was heading down towards the surface for a break from the fighting while their Konuelo ship was refit. They had had few encounters with humanity recently, as they still as of yet didn't know where the next planet was. 'Lytamee, 'Meramee, Korajyra, and the other Konuelos would be waiting on Dorenth while the Hierarchs scoured the Sacred Scripture and determined the next location of a Forerunner artifact or a Human colony. Many of them were going to visit their families, but 'Lytamee had no such obligation. His mother had moved away, and his father had been killed in combat.
"So, what're you going to do tomorrow when we have found lodging?" 'Meramee asked his friend.
"Me? Well, I didn't really think about that." 'Lytamee replied.
"Why don't we go see Kyassk? We haven't been there is a long time!" 'Meramee offered.
"Great idea! Korajyra, you coming?" 'Lytamee replied enthusiastically.
"Sure." The yanme'e replied.
The Spirit swooped through the atmosphere towards the capital city of the sangheili homeworld. It lowered to a landing pad not too far off from the location where the Truth and Reconciliation's grav lift was setting down. 'Lytamee looked back at the lowering grav lift. He knew that the other soldiers would be coming down as well, and they would be going into the city.
"How about we pick up a few other Sangheili and have them come along? We really should meet some of the other soldiers so we know who's on the ship with us." 'Lytamee pointed out.
"Okay." 'Meramee agreed. Outnumbered, Korajyra silently complied.
The three of them reentered the spirit and asked the pilot to take them to take them to the bottom of the grav lift. He reluctantly agreed and they flew to where everyone else was touching down.
'Lytamee spotted a group of five Sangheili in black armor heading into the city.
"Touchdown there. Let's go with them." He ordered the pilot.
The Spirit touched down, and 'Meramee and Korajyra leapt out. 'Lytamee paid the pilot and dismounted with them.
"Hello brothers. I see you too were on the Truth and Reconciliation." 'Lytamee approached the Sangheili. "Are you also off to Kyassk for leave?"
The 'lead' Sangheili looked at 'Lytamee and said, "Yes brother, we came off the ship to get some food and then return to it."
"Atwa speaks the truth, we were getting food." Another Sangheili said.
"Sorry, forgot to introduce myself, Atwa 'Nugaree, at your service." Atwa said.
'Lytamee inclined his head in respect to the sungheisa, despite the fact that he outranked him. "I am Erpa 'Lytamee Konuelo. This is Huro 'Meramee Konuelo and Korajyra Konuelo." 'Lytamee introduced them all. "Let's go together. I would like to meet some of the other Sangheili on the ship."
"You need not honor me so. Only such respect is due to those who deserve it." Atwa replied.
"Agreed. Let us go now for food, before the Kig-Yar take our shares." A Sangheili spoke up.
"Good idea." 'Lytamee turned with the rest of the now-large group to go get some food.
"I see you carry a Sacred Blade, an energy sword. You are a lucky one, the humans probably run like unggoy when they see it." Atwa replied. The group of Sungheisa and Konuelo went into the busy city.
The group of soldiers, all still in their armor, were surprised at the sheer number of non-Sangheili people in the city. They understood that it was because they were members of this most holy Covenant, but they still found it odd that the Sangheili homeworld had so many other species living on it.
They entered a restaurant, ready to eat a delicious meal of fresh food they had not been able to eat in a long time.
Atwa led the group to a table. As they sat down a holopad appeared asking some questions, like what they wanted to eat or drink.
Each Sangheili picked what foods they wanted. They all had similar interests – pick whichever would be tastiest and most savory, for they probably wouldn't be able to eat fresh food again for a while. As their food arrived, 'Lytamee decided to start up conversation.
"So I understand you're all Sungheisa." 'Lytamee said. "Any of you have interesting stories of how you got your rank?"
"I," Atwa spoke, "had earned it through valor and fearlessness against a human-fortified position when I was a Vuthi. I earned it by charging the humans and drawing their fire. Meanwhile the actual Sungheisa team moved in and delivered a crushing blow to the human forces."
"My rank was earned by a blessing by the Hierarchs for my heritage, my family had been dishonored once, which prevented me from becoming a Sangtai, but the Hierarchs were willing to at least give me Sungheisa," another Sangheili spoke.
"How I got mine was when I was wounded, I still managed to command a team of Sungheisa Unggoy when their leader was killed." The second Sangheili said.
"I was not so fancy and over time only proved my courage." The oldest one replied.
"And I earned it by saving my commander from a human tank, which I boarded and proceeded to use against the humans." The fourth and final Sangheili said.
"So, how did you earn Konuelo?" Atwa asked.
'Lytamee mused. "How did I earn Konuelo? In short, I guess I didn't really earn the rank of Konuelo. I was recruited for the First Stage Konuelo, as was 'Meramee. We were all picked. We were thrust through vigorous training and we've been a very successful infiltrator team."
'Lytamee turned to look at Korajyra. "And as for Korajyra, well, he has an interesting story. I found him dying on one of the Jericho Moons, when we were called in to break through a surprisingly strong human defense. I pulled him out of the danger zone and brought him back to a medic, while leaving my team to finish the mission. It was a huge risk because none of us have personal energy shields."
The Sungheisa looked slightly baffled.
"What, are you amazed they let Korajyra become a Konuelo?" 'Lytamee asked.
"No." one of the other sangheili replied. "None of us knew the Konuelo were picked."
"Oh. Well, honestly, neither did we. I don't know how they picked who they did, but we feel incredibly lucky for being allowed to be infiltrators." 'Lytamee said.
The food was good, as Atwa and his squad ate. Atwa stopped eating and asked, "What of the humans? Do they know of this? If they do it would be a disaster..."
"What, you mean about us?" 'Lytamee asked, finishing his food. "Oh, I think they know of us. We've wreaked enough havoc among them. But we surely aren't known by more than those who have seen us or those people's friends."
"Good, I wanted to ensure that you were still unknown to the humans for the most part. The last thing I want is to be on a boarding party and have them expecting Konuelo, and then having to abandon a stealth mission." Atwa replied.
'Lytamee leaned back. "So tell me, if I am not too bold, anything interesting in your personal life? I feel we're running out of conversation topics."
"My life? Well I did manage to get one of those 'M6D's from the humans. This weapon is interesting, though crude it seems really effective against them. I enjoy using its so called 'scope' to make accurate shots. Take a look if you want." Atwa replied while setting the human pistol on the table.
"A human pistol?" 'Lytamee picked up the weapon, investigating it. "Interesting." He put his eye to the scope and zoomed in. It was mildly amusing, seeing the Sungheisa's face jump in and out. "Very cool."
"As for my actual life, I live as a Spec-Ops Commando, slaughtering the foolish apes when ever I get a chance in battle." Atwa continued.
"Indeed, the humans, are the only main thing in life, their destruction is required no matter what." Another Sungheisa spoke.
"Oh come, why base your life solely around annihilating the humans? Check out other options!" 'Lytamee smiled. "At least you should get yourself a girl. If you only live to take out the human species, then what will you do when the god's will is fulfilled?"
"I never said I did not have my sites on a female. But I must serve my duties first." Atwa replied with a slight laugh.
"We've eaten." 'Lytamee, 'Meramee, and Korajyra rose. "Is there somewhere in the city you would like to go? I suppose if you really wish we could return to the ship and play a game of Jaheijagaj." 'Lytamee pulled out a few coins to pay for his meal and placed them on the table.
"Well, since the ship is leaving soon, we should return to it." Atwa said.
"Indeed, let us get ready to move out." One of Atwa's Sangheili replied. The group of Covenant paid, then with proper manners they left the restaurant and the company of the Konuelo.
The Konuelo continued to explore the city, finally able to be tourists in their home city. They hadn't been here for a long time, and the new buildings were interesting. They went through the city as civilians, not in their armor, but 'Meramee kept an open channel so they could head back to the ship when the time would come...
After a few restful and exciting days in the city, the Konuelo were alerted to a new mission. "We're going to High Charity. Re-board the ship. We leave in one hundred units."
The sangheili on the planet boarded the ship and blasted off to High Charity.