Warning: If you copy/plagiarize any part of my story, you will be prosecuted to the maximum legal extent. If I can't really do anything to you legally, I'll just flame you and/or report you, unless it was honestly a coincidence. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: None of the characters from Halo, Halo 2, or the Halo books are mine. Klasz Hakamamee (the name) belongs to Mr. Xiran and the character itself belongs to Bungie and Microsoft. Yes, he let me use the character, so don't flame me.

A/N Okay, I am VERY sorry for not getting this chapter up last week, I was really busy with school stuff, and couldn't even really get to my Computer --. Also, a warning that this chapter doesn't continue much action, sorry. I promise the following Chapters to have action in them. Anyway, Enjoy Half-Jaw goodness! P.S Didn't have much time to edit, rushed this one p

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Rtas' Vadumee: Rise of a Recruit

Chapter 4

Regret and Redemption

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The room was blurry, and Rtas could feel an excruciating head ache already starting in. He felt as though he was being carried, moreover his bones felt weak, too weak to lift his head even. The young Sangheili warrior forced his eyes to open fully, revealing to him that he was being carried by two Sangheili as well as revealing that he was in the medical room of the Prophecy.

"Ugh…" Rtas moaned again, and the two Sangheili carrying him turned their long elongated heads towards him.

"He is awaking, should we lie him down here?"

The Sangheili gestured with his head to a large table-like structure.

"Yes, alert the Ship Master that minor Rtas awakens. I will take care of his wounds."

With that, Rtas felt himself being placed on the large table, and heard the sliding noise of the door. With that, Rtas managed to turn his head at the medical Sangheili. Medics were rare in the Sangheili ranks, usually placed upon those who could not fight, but excelled in other subjects. They usually wore a greenish armor, sometimes lighter blue. This one had taken up the Tzoku of green, and it shined brilliantly.

Rtas noticed the dents and holes in his own dark blue armor, and the battle scars bestowed upon it.

"Medic…was the mission…a success?"

Rtas felt blood oozing from his wounds, and almost passed out again. The medic reverted her attention towards Rtas, and held a long needle like object.

"Stay still, your injury is far too sever for you to be moving."

Rtas agreed with the female medical Sangheili, he couldn't even move his arms and legs, and his neck felt sore.

"As for your mission, I am unsure. We received the holy artifact that you carried, and the other survivors are being held elsewhere, their wounds less brutal then your own."

Rtas remembered the shining crystal artifact he had held on to so dearly, but most else was a blur. He recalled the human ship exploding and its wreckage being flown everywhere, but could not follow what happened after that.

"Thank you, it is reliving to know that my comrades survived. I must see the Ship Master, for I am the highest ranking survivor."

That was correct; he had a glimpse in his memory of the other squad and Naku Malikzee. He felt pain in his chest for their deaths, but cast it aside and sought assurance in the holy verses. At least they had retrieved the holy artifact….

…Oh no. The human data!

Rtas shot up, pain echoing through his whole body. The medic seemed shocked and went beside Rtas, ushering him to lie back down. Rtas pulled energy from an unknown source and pushed the medic away with a light touch.

"Please Sangheili minor, you must rest."

"No, I need to speak with the Ship Master NOW."

Rtas got on his feet, and promptly fell down onto the hard blue floor. Rtas didn't even have time to think before he lost consciousness again. What a day.

The Ship Master of the Prophecy paced below his command station. He had just received news that his son Rtas had survived and brought with him the holy artifact, the shining crystal that he now hanged from his belt.

The Ship Master sighed, and walked up to his command station. He recounted the dead of the mission, and was distressed by the news.

Almost a full platoon gone, just for these sniveling aliens…

The Ship Master called up the holograms and proceeded to mark out the dead. It was heavily unfortunately that he had not only lost Naku Malikzee, but the other Veteran Sangheili as well. So many warriors and even a few ships taken out by the self destructing frigate.

He slammed his fist on the control systems in frustration, cursing in his own tongue at the misfortune. He instantly regained his composure and relaxed. They would all meet again on The Great Journey, and he didn't have the time to think of this. The mission had failed in many ways, and now he had to deal with it.

Sure the teams had managed to acquire the holy artifact, but it was only half the mission. The human data that would hopefully reveal the Ark to them was destroyed in the invasion by human fire, so the report said. Now their best opportunity was gone like the wind, and all they had to show for their sacrifice was the small shining rock…

Worst yet, Rtas now would have to bare the dishonor of failure on his shoulders. Sighing, the Master of the Ship went to controls and sent a well in scripted message to the Prophet of Truth, Mercy, and Regret in detail of the latest events and the actions taken on the human vermin.

Alzeke' Vaduamee also called in a messenger from the bridge of the ship. He needed to inform the minor Prophet aboard of the incident, as well as arrange the creature's safe return to the mother ship of the Covenant, High Charity….

Rtas awoke for the second time that day, and was relived to find that the unbearable head ache had passed along with the constant blood loss he seemed to be getting. The Sangheili soldier also noticed that his Tzoku blue battle armor had been removed, and was on a large metallic desk just off to the side of him.

Removing the blankets that had been laid on him, Rtas got back on his feet and suited himself back up. He had no idea how long he had slept, but it was best to get back in his gear and make an appearance with his father to get things straightened out. A slight stabbing pain echoed through the Sangheilis bones, but the warrior pushed it past him and put on his helmet.

Checking the room for any sign of life, Rtas moved out through the sliding doors and down the halls. He was familiar with the whole ship as standard protocol, and he knew he wasn't far from the Ship Masters station. It wasn't easy getting an appearance with such a holy warrior and in fact impossible unless one was a veteran of sorts or had some type of connection. Rtas was of course the latter.

After a brief walk past several on board soldiers Rtas had made it to the grav lift. Pressing in the command codes with his long alien fingers, Rtas could feel the strange vibrations that happened when the gravity lift began. Moving up, Rtas took the time to think.

What is to befall me? The human data was lost, and now their location will be kept silent until the next opportunity.

Rtas had seen what happened to a Sangheili who failed at a task, and it was not pretty. There would be great dishonor, followed by punishment which ranged from scars to death. It was rare that the Sangheili would get off without a hitch, if they got off at all.

Rtas didn't have any further time to ponder this as he reached the top of the gravity lift and was greeted by the familiar group of guards. A few peered at him and contemplated his situation before returning to their duty.

"I must speak with the Ship Master, it is urgent."

"No one is to see the Ship Master now; he is in communication with High charity. You will have to wait until called upon."

Rtas let his head go down slightly, but fully understood the situation. Moving back to the gravity lift, he decided to make his way to the station that was assigned to him before seeking nourishment. As his large hoofs hit the ground with a clacking sound, Rtas heard the door behind him slid open with a familiar beeping.

"Rtas, I was just about to get to you. Come."

Turning, Rtas saw the Golden armored Ship Master, standing tall. Rtas bowed his head deeply in respect to the nod of his father, and followed into the command center. The inside was empty, and the holographic images that were displayed normally had disappeared completely.

Turning swiftly, Alzeke Vaduamee addressed Rtas formally.

"Rtas, I am glad to see you survived the mission, though I wish I could say the same for your commanding officer and the others."

Rtas noted Regret in his fathers' voice, feeling the same pain for his soldiers.

"None the less, we must continue as usual. You managed to bring back one of the sacred artifacts left by the forerunners to us, and that the Covenant is grateful for."

There was a dramatic pause before continuing, and Rtas could feel a ping of suspense.

"But you failed to take the star charts that could lead us to the Ark, or other worlds containing these sanctified relics. Since you were not in control of the squads, you will be spared the maximum punishment. The retrieval of the artifact also lessens the blow, but you still have failed."

Rtas raised his head up to his superior, his green eyes filled with sadness.

"Forgive me, O' holy Ship Master. The death of my comrades' weighs down on me, and knowing I have failed the Covenant brings me down more. I am fully prepared for whatever the Covenant plans for me."

The Ship Master revealed no emotion, and just stared into the younger inexperienced soldiers eyes with a deep contempt. Alzeke Vaduamee felt his own shame, at the failure of the mission. He couldn't bare the loss of his soldiers, and failure did not lessen any of the hardship.

"Rtas, you are a good soldier, and equally a good son; but your failure on the human's ship has brought you to punishment."

Rtas could only imagine what would befall him; the Covenant was not soft on those who were priced with failure. The Artifact would indeed help, but without information to the whereabouts of the Ark, the Covenant was at loss. And since he was the only surviving commanding officer, he would be the one at blame. Perhaps the Ship Master would spare him and end his life there?

The golden armored Sangheili kept eye level with Rtas, eyes intent and fierce.

"I've decided to be lenient, however. You may yet get a chance to redeem yourself and continue your career."

Rtas' head went up further, and puzzlement was clearly seen on his face. Redemption? It was what all who failed surely sought, but rarely were rewarded.

"The artifact you returned may yet be the key to the puzzle, and in many ways you have spared yourself by taking it. The relic must be taken to the Prophet of Truth on High Charity, so the minor Prophet of this ship shall be escorted their whilst my soldiers continue to search this area of space for any more humans. You and the survivors shall be helping escort the minor Prophet to High Charity."

Rtas felt a glimmer of hope build inside of him. If he could assure safe passage for the artifact to Truth, the incident might be forgiven. The idea was thrilling.

"My holy commander, I will make sure that the sacred icon gets to the Prophet's of High Charity, no matter what the cost."

Alzeke Vaduamee was proud of his son, and grateful to the forerunners for blessing him with another chance. The minor prophet had argued about Rtas being given a second chance, but Alzeke had INSISTED that he and the other survivors were given the opportunity to redeem themselves.

"Good Rtas, see to it that the artifact gets to the Prophets with due haste. The reason that were sending you and the other survivors of the human ship is because the ship the minor Prophet is taken has little crew, most of which are Unggoy. They need as many Sangheili there as possible. Besides, you have gained vital combat experience from the encounter with the humans."

Rtas tried to keep from raising his head to high, letting the praise sink in a bit.

"The Minor Prophet is leaving in the next fifteen units, see that you make it to the docking stations and get on board. The others are already there, so I suggest you hurry."

Rtas got back on his feet and put his fist to his chest, an age old tradition for "promise" or "victory" in Sangheili culture. Rtas now understood, and he calmly strode to the Gravity lift and then raced to the docking bay, nearly smashing into several Engineers along the way.

The minor Prophet, also known as Emissary of light, hovered in his large floating chair otherwise known as the imperial dais. The rodent like creature was covered in long black robes, making only his hands and face visible. He wore no hat, only high Prophets could wear those. The Emissary allowed himself to relax as he was crowded by legions of Sangheili soldiers just below his ship, watching him leave.

Humph, pathetic fools. They no nothing of the Great Journey, there ignorance pains me. Oh well, they serve their purpose.

The minor Prophet was just about to get into his ship when he saw the familiar blue armored Sangheili. Normally, all Sangheili, and all the other races for that matter, looked exactly the same to him. This ones battle armor showed dents and scratches, and he bared a strong resemblance to the Ship Master of the Prophecy.

The Sangheili made his way to the docking system, many Sangheili and Unggoy allowing him to pass. Bowing on one knee, he addressed the Minor Prophet, causing the robed figure to turn and face him.

"Holy one, I have been sent here by the might Ship Master on orders to help escort you to High Charity. I am known as Rtas, and I shall now serve you."

Great, another Covenant Zealot Sangheili. Yes, this must be Rtas, son of the Ship Master. He was really just an annoyance, but no matter.

"Excellent, get on board Rtas. The Covenant thanks you for your hard work and sacrifice."

The Emissary held up the small glowing artifact, to which the Sangheili and Unggoy in the large docking bay cheered.

Rtas strode and straightened, going through the large ships sliding doors, and he was soon followed by the minor Prophet. The rooms inside were very similar to the Destroyers they were just in, perhaps more…elegant.

Rtas followed the Minor Prophet through many halls, and met up with the surviving Sangheili from the last mission.

"Rtas, I owe my life to you. Forgive me for not giving my name earlier, it is Dai', son of Kerian 'Qurzee."

"I am happy to hear that Dai', but your thanks is not needed. You serve the Covenant as I do, you surely would have done the same thing."

Dai's mandibles formed in what would be a smile, and he hit his chest. Rtas led the way further into the ship, eventually going into his command station. Here he could observe the ship, and its inhabitants. He noticed the lack of Sangheilis, in fact, ninety percent of the entire ship was comprised of Unggoy. Interesting.

Dai' stood behind Rtas, seeing him as the superior commanding officer there. Rtas could not see why he deserved such an honor; he had failed half of the mission. Allowing his thoughts to wonder, he began to wonder of the significance of the holy artifacts of the forerunners and what the humans were doing with them?

Perhaps the humans are in some way connected to the forerunners? What in the gods could this mean? And exactly what are these artifacts for?

Rtas pondered these thoughts for what seemed like hours, sub consciously checking on the ships crew. Passing by several Unggoy, they immediately straightened up and began to work harder and faster, not wishing to look lazy in front of the Sangheili.

Indeed, the crew seemed to respect him, perhaps not just because of being a Sangheili and son of Alzeke Vaduamee, but because of the battle damage on his armor and his newfound experience?

Rtas allowed these and more thoughts invade his weary mind. Soon the topic switched, and he regarded about the artifacts religious importance. To sacrifice so many lives just for a small shining jewel, was that not stupidity?

Rtas shook his head and found sanctuary in the Covenants bible, and its vast quotes and oaths. He remembered that he should not question the high arcs; under no law could he become like a heretic and question them and the forerunners.

The ship had gone into slip space, and would be arriving at High Charity soon. Kemeph waddled around with his fellow Unggoy, as they gossiped and asked him about the new freighting enemy, the Humans.

"They walk like the Sangheili, and wield large metallic weapons that shoot out red hot fire, faster then our own weapons. They wear large metal armor, and are absolutely ugly."

Kemeph tried to make his story sound as magical as possible, keeping the others interested.

"Tell us about the large "Warthog" again!" squeaked another nearby Unggoy in excitement.

"Very well. The Human vehicle was large, like a massive beast on four legs! It made incredibly loud droning noises, and the Humans sat in it and shot at us. The massive gun on the back riddled the Sangheili with bullets before it finally was destroyed by a grenade."

The Unggoy listening to Kemeph made loud "Ooohs" and "ahhhs", reliving Kemeph of boredom. He still felt a great loss, with his friend's death, but in the Covenant Unggoy's usually didn't live to be at the age of fifteen.

The Unggoy quieted down as soon as they were passed by the towering Sangheili in blue battle damaged armor, the dents and scratches in his Tzoku made him even more fierce and terrifying then he normally was. As scary as these disgusting humans were, Kemeph knew that he'd rather meet them in a dark ally then a Sangheili.

Rtas felt the ship coming of out slip space, and was satisfied to see High Charity and its brilliance, the massive mother-ship crowded by Banshees and other ships including Destroyers and Flag ships.

"We will be docking in ten minutes. Be ready to leave."

The loud Inter com wasn't too helpful to Rtas, but he figured that getting him and the other Sangheili ready to leave wasn't too bad of an idea.

To be continued……

A/N Again, sorry for this being rather late . As well as not having any action to boot! I suck when I don't get into action scenes -- Anyway, I promise that I will do my best to get the next chapter up and running A.S.A.P, hopefully ext Thursday/Friday. It will be leading up to some fierce action, and getting more involved with THE FALL OF REACH plot. Be sure to comment, it lets me know I have people who care for my Story p

Next Chapter-Thursday/Friday