Chapter 2- Remnant from the Past
Though years had passed from that day at Cote Azur, Snaglins memories of his brother's deaths remained deeply engraved within his mind. He had vowed to bring their murderer to justice, and he would honor his promise.
After his defeat at Sigma IV Snaglin had been transferred into a new unit within the Covenant military. Though the process had been slow and arduous he had risen through the ranks to be promoted to Supreme Ship Master of the Twenty Seventh Covenant flotilla. His ship The Flames of Truth served as his flagship. Snaglins armada of one Carrier, three Destroyers and five Frigates were the Hierarch Prophet's right hand, the instrument of their will. Snaglins fleet had been assigned to search an ancient planet for Forerunner relics. Within the depths of his flagship Snaglin was engaged in sword combat with another Elite, his Second in command Commander Kasovi.
Snaglin brought his sword down onto his opponent with powerful force. Kosavi dodged the attack with lightening reflexes, slashing his sword at his opponents open torso. Kasovi's sword came forward as Snaglin grabbed his arm and brought the sword back at his opponent. Kasovi used his free hand to attempt to break Snaglins grip on his weapon. Snaglin grabbed his Kosavi's wrist and flung him over his head onto his back. But Kasovi tightened his grip on Snaglins arm and brought him down on top of him. Snaglin raised his weapon over Kasovi's throat, Kasovi raised his sword to his opponents back. Snaglin had a killing blow before him, but he stayed his hand.
He peered over to the spectating crowd of Elites who stood with ghost like silence. "What did Lieutenant Kasovi do wrong?" Snaglin questioned the group.
"Nothing Supreme Commander" One of the spectators spoke up. "He can end your life with one movement of his sword. But if he finished you your weight would have brought your sword down on him, ending his life as well"
"Correct. Though my life may have ended my threat has not ceased. Kasovi is a far more skilled warrior than I; I would have little chance of overpowering him in a direct attack. I therefore had to think of alternate strategy. This strategy may only be used once, but it still remains a valid one"
Snaglin stared down into the eyes of his opponent, even on the brink of death his eyes still flared with fiery passion "This training session is over" Snaglin bellowed to the crowd. He stepped off of his opponent.
As Kasovi rose to his feet he noticed the deep cut on his superiors shoulder. "Commander, you are wounded. My apologies, in the future I shall handle my blade with greater skill" Kasovi pleaded. An accidental injury inflicted on a superior during training was a great dishonor in Shangheili culture. Snaglin looked down at the cut
"It is a mortal wound, it will heal. It also serves as an excellent reminder of the price of failure" Snaglin spoke.
Snaglin and Kasovi left the training room. In the corridor outside they were approached by a low ranking Unnogy Deacon, shuffling forward from the elevator to greet him. The Grunt waddled to Snaglins side holding a small data pad in his stubby hand. "Ship Master. We have received a communication from the Prophet hierarchy; he requires your presence on the Bridge"
"Very well. Dismissed" Snaglin replied. The Deacon bowed respectively, shuffling away to another of his menial tasks.
"The Prophet Hierarch, this is a matter of great importance" Kasovi looked over at Snaglin as they strode towards the gravity lift.
"Yes, it is a great honor to be addressed by the Prophet" They stepped onto the large floating disc; the lift wavered lightly with the sudden weight. Snaglin tapped the controls, the lift slowly rose through the decks towards the Bridge.
Snaglin and Kasovi strode onto the ships bridge, the blissful purple glow of Covenant machinery bombarded their eyes. They walked onto the suspended platform in the centre of the room, surrounded by Unnogy technicians hanging over their consoles. The bridges main view screen crackled to life. The black sheet covering the screen was suddenly replaced by the frail form of the Leader of the Covenant- the Prophet of Truth. His flowing red robe draped across his frail form, his grand golden headdress sat snuggly upon the crown of his head. Truth brought his frail fingers together as he addressed Snaglin. "Supreme Ship Master Snaglin. Your fleet has been redirected to assist in our cleansing of the human planet of Reach. Ensure that you make best speed for the system and contact the Prophet Councilor aboard the Cruiser 'Bloodied Spirit'. May the Forerunners shine upon you"
The screen snapped off. Snaglin turned to address his crew. "Very well. We have heard the voice of the Prophet. Now we must be their sword, and deliver their judgment to the unbelievers. Charge slipspace capacitors, ready our jump to Reach. Inform the Ship masters and arrange a rendezvous point on the edge of the system". Snaglin turned to face the view screen, a video feed from the ships exterior camera showed his fleet as broke off from their previous assignments and began entering slipspace. A circle of blazing white light appeared on the nose of each craft, growing larger by the second as it consumed ever more of the ship until it blinked out of existence. The screen flared white as a slipspace rupture enveloped his own ship and he followed suit to lead the charge.
Snaglins fleet grouped around the Flames of Truth. Snaglin stared out at the ferocious space battle which waged before them. The grand Covenant Armada was devastating the human ships, though victory was not yet assured. The humans orbital Mass Accelerator Cannons were tearing through the Covenant ships one by one. Snaglin turned to his Communications officer. "Contact the Bloodied Spirit and alert them to our arrival so that we may enact the will of the Prophets".
The Unnogy attending the communication station tapped the commands into the holographic keyboard, the icons flashed on the view screen in response. "Transmission has been sent Ship Master"
Snaglin looked out at the pitiful human fleet, his orders were to hold position at the edge of the system until they had contacted the Prophet Councilor. The dread of waiting was quickly beginning to degrade him. "Flames of Truth, we have received your transmission. Our fleet is being harassed by those human cannons. I request that you drop your ship into low orbit over the planets surface and lead a ground force to destroy the human generators powering the guns. But beware- this planet was once the origin point of the human's demon 'Spartans'. Even now some of their taint may remain. Once those humans' guns have been removed I shall lead our glorious armada to victory"
"Acknowledged Prophet Councilor. We shall remove the threat of the human weapons" Snaglin replied. The view screen snapped off.
A sense of blissful anticipation ran through Snaglin's entire body. The home of the demons was where the will of the Prophet's had leaded him. Here lay the information he had sought for so many years- the location and identity of the Spartan demon who had murdered his brothers so many years during the operation on Cote Azur.
Snaglin turned to Kasovi. "Inform the Ship Masters, and prepare all ground forces aboard the Flames of Truth for a planetary assault. I will lead our troops personally in this assault. I request for you to fight by my side."
"It would be an honor to assist you purging this human scourge". Kasovi saluted his Ship Master, bringing his fist hard against his chest. Kasovi stepped off of the raised platform, leaving the bridge, ready to prepare himself and the troops for the assault. Snaglin tapped a key on his gauntlet.
A hologram of a squad of Covenant Shangheili sprung to life, the seven of them each standing proudly in their finely polished armour. "Your souls, my brothers, may sleep soundly tonight for I will be exacting revenge for your deaths. After all these years you shall have retribution" he whispered to himself as much to his brothers. He closed the hologram as he stared over the planet he where he was about to exact his revenge. For the first time since he had allowed his brothers death, he felt his honor return.