'Sup peeps! Here's the next chapter, where there will finally be some of those good ol' Halo shootouts people seem to like. Perhaps a bit of a twist in here that not many people would expect. Please r&r, it's always appreciated, whether good or bad (well maybe not bad :P) It's just good to know that I've got readers that are actually taking the time to review and point out any issues that they may have. I always want to find out how to improve my writing.

The Arbiter's Tale

Chapter 3

Hunting Heretics

Rtas 'Vadumee's voice came in through Thel's helmet microphone. It was laced through with static and very grainy, no doubt due to the gas giant's atmospheric conditions, but Thel could understand what was being said.

"We are the arm of the Prophets, Arbiter, and you are the blade. Be silent and swift, and we shall quell this heresy without incident."

The new Arbiter followed his soldiers across the platform, and then down a ramp. They approached a closed portal leading in the wall. 'Vadumee spoke again,

"The storm has masked our approach, and it should have their local Battle-net in disarray. We have the element of surprise... for now."

There was a control panel nearby, and one of the Sangheili moved to activate it while the other's stood ready to deal with any attackers. Thel knew who the two Sangheili were, as they were acquainted shortly before on the Phantom. Officer Dru 'Gelamee was, excepting Thel, the commander of the lance.

'Gelamee was an accomplished sniper, and he clutched a Type-50 'beam rifle' in his four fingered hands. Although he was primarily a sniper, 'Gelamee knew how to fight in close quarters if the need arose. The other Sangheili was Trooper Ika 'Naskaree. 'Naskaree was relatively new to the Special Operations Division, but he proved to be an aggressive and skilled warrior, as he had displayed in the training ring.

'Naskaree also had a natural talent for working with technology and computer systems, and at the moment he was easily hacking his way through the door's security protocols. It cycled open, and the Unggoy filed in, followed by the Sangheili, and finally Thel. As soon as he was in the doors slammed shut and Thel experienced vertigo as the small room they were in, apparently an elevator began to descend.

Thel was unsure of how much opposition they could expect from the heretics – they had not been fired at when approaching on the Phantom, so the heretics either did not know that there was a Special Operations team here, or they were getting ready to fight a brutal close quarter's war. The former seemed more likely, as the storm had almost certainly stalled their communications. As the elevator silently moved down through the station, Dru 'Gelamee addressed his team,

"Engage active camouflage. Reveal yourselves only after the Arbiter has joined battle with the enemy." Upon these words, the entire Special Operation's team faded into the background, so that all Thel could see was four slight blurs. The Special Operations Commander was the next to speak. His voice crackled in Thel's helmet,

"You may wish to do the same, Arbiter. But take heed: your armor's system is not as...new as ours. Your camouflage will not last forever." Thel was well aware of this, and he knew that he had to be careful not to expose himself to the enemy. The elevator stopped, and Thel ducked around the corner as the door opened. For a moment there was silence, and then Thel heard voices, Sangheili voices.

"Any word on our missing brothers yet?" The first voice was followed by a second; the Sangheili were clearly in the middle of a conversation, as they had not noticed the open door.

"Still nothing. Given what we have learned, I fear they are lost." Thel knew not what the heretics were talking about, but Thel was not interested: these heretics had sinned by speaking against the Prophets, and for that, they were going to die. The first Sangheili continued,

"Maybe the Oracle will protect us…" At these words, Thel perked up, his hearts beating a little faster. A Holy Oracle, here? Was this Sangheili speaking the truth? Holy Oracles were Forerunner constructs, and were possibly the only ones left, so they all but the voice of the Forerunners. The Oracles conveyed the Forerunners will, and were dedicated to aiding the Covenant in achieving the 'Great Journey.' How could the heretics have come into the possession of one? Thel could not allow the heretics to corrupt the Oracle with their lies. The other Sangheili replied to the first,

"Perhaps. But his Sentinels are too few. Better we protect ourselves!" Thel than heard footsteps; one of the Sangheili was moving off. Thel peered around the corner to take a peek. The room was mainly empty, with odd protrusions coming out of the floor at random intervals.

There was a walkway opposite the door the Special Operations team was waiting in, with a Sangheili walking up the ramp onto it. The Sangheili was donned in the armor of the deep-space artefact retrieval teams, similar to that of the hologram of 'Refumee that Thel had seen back on High Charity.

The armor was a dull brown color, with luminous purple lights running throughout it. The armor plates on the Sangheili's back had four fins protruding from them. The heretic did not wear a helmet, but instead had a breathing apparatus that supplied oxygen directly to his lungs, and goggles over his eyes.

The Sangheili had a Type-51 carbine slung over his back and a plasma pistol attached to his leg armor by magnetic clips. There was also two Unggoy dozing in the corner, also wearing different armor to the Covenant Unggoy, brown colored with two tubes of chilled methane instead of the standard methane tanks of the Covenant.

The Unggoy had followed their Sangheili masters out of fear, as their species were notoriously cowardly.

There was another heretic Sangheili directly ahead of Thel, fiddling with his own carbine. Thel beckoned to his two Sangheili, and then at the Sangheili on the catwalk and the sleeping Unggoy. He was going to silence the one near the door. Thel activated his active camouflage and immediately its ten second counter started, so he would have to move quickly.

Thel moved up behind the heretic Sangheili with his energy sword drawn. The Sangheili looked up just as Thel leapt at him, wrapping his hand over the heretic's mouth while simultaneously ramming his blade through his back. The Sangheili jerked in surprise, trying to get out of Thel's grasp, already knowing he was doomed.

Thel moved the sword up; burning through the heretic's multiple hearts, killing him instantly. Thel set the corpse onto the ground and looked around. Two Unggoy and another Sangheili lay dead on the ground, seeping pale blue and purple blood respectively.

Thel beckoned to 'Gelamee who moved cautiously up the catwalk, active camouflage activated to scout the next area. The team held position for a moment, until 'Gelamee came back down the catwalk to address the team,

"There is several Unggoy patrolling the next area, Arbiter. There is also two Sangheili. My brother, I do not know how you feel killing our own brethren, but I despise it. How could they have strayed this far from the Great Journey?"

Thel paused. He was wondering the same thing. An Oracle, if Thel had interpreted the Sangheili he had killed correctly, was in the heretic's possession. Thel had many questions for the heretic leader 'Refumee, his old friend, and many more for the Oracle. And as 'Gelamee had said, Thel despised having to kill his own species, former soldiers of the Covenant. Still, they had sinned, spoken out against the prophets, and there was no greater treachery, so they had to pay, each and every one of them,

"I do not know, brother, but we will find out why soon enough. But for now, we continue the mission. 'Gelamee, train your rifle on those Sangheili. The remainder of the team will move as close as we can to the rest of the heretics. When we are ready, fire and with any luck neutralize them before they can muster a response. Their deaths should send the Unggoy into disarray.

"The vermin will panic and try to flee, and this is when the rest of us will attack. You!" Thel barked at one of the Special Operations Unggoy who was carrying a portable plasma cannon over its shoulder. "Set that plasma cannon up on the catwalk overlooking the next area, and when the first shot is fired you unleash a rain of fire on the heretics. And Unggoy, do try not to hit any of us with any stray bolts, or the consequences will be most dire."

Thel clicked his communications device off, and deactivated his energy sword. He watched as the blade dissipated in a blue mist and then attached the hilt to his thigh plate. He then drew his plasma rifle, ensured that it was fully charged and brought it to bear. He led the way up the catwalk, activated his camouflage, jumped down into the heretic controlled area, and ducked behind a nearby pillar. He chanced a look.

The room was spacious with a high roof, and it had many protrusions jutting out of the floor. Three plasma-based conveyor belts ran the length of the room, slowly carrying large tanks of methane gas to a pit at the far end. Thel could see several patrolling Unggoy, as well as the two Sangheili 'Gelamee had mentioned standing near the far end, conversing with one another.

Thel checked to see that 'Gelamee was in position, his sights trained on the distant Sangheili, and waited for the Unggoy to set up its plasma cannon. He ensured his team was behind similar cover to him. Silently he counted to three, and then sent a burst of static through his communications device to 'Gelamee. One second passed, and then a beam of bluish-purple light flashed across the room from the catwalk across the room, striking one of the heretic Sangheili in the side of the head. The shot completely bypassed his personal energy shield, drilling straight through his head and out of the other side, sending blood and brain matter across the floor. Steam whistled out of the neat hole punched through the Sangheili's head, and he crumpled to the floor before he knew what had hit him. His associate jumped backwards as the second shot was fired, which missed but the Sangheili had made a fatal error – he had jumped into the pit at the end of the room. He screamed as he fell, and his voice carried across the room. Thel crouched around the box, plasma rifle ready to fire when the plasma cannon started.

A murderous barrage of plasma bolts tore down the room, sweeping left and right. The Unggoy who had stood stunned as their masters were killed were now brought back into terrifying reality, and scattered as their fellows were cut down.

Thel wondered what the turret operator was thinking as he mowed down his former comrades. Thel noticed one heretic Unggoy creeping up behind another barricade, trying to get close enough to fire. Thel let loose several shots from his plasma rifle, the white hot bolts of plasma burning through the Unggoy's armor and then his hardened skin, riddling his scrawny torso and neck. He dropped with a gurgling cough, blue blood smearing the floor.

Gradually the noise subsided, than stopped completely. Thel surveyed the carnage. There was a whole group of torn up Unggoy corpses, some with missing limbs, others with no heads and still more shredded up completely, their bodies unrecognizable as the things they once were. The Unggoy on the plasma cannon waited for the weapon to cool down, before dismantling it and stowing it on his back. He drew a plasma pistol and rejoined Thel.

'Gelamee jumped down, clutching his still steaming beam rifle, his face impassive. Thel searched the mass of bodies, searching for survivors. He only found one, whimpering as it clutched the stump of its arm, which had been shot off at the elbow. Thel lowered his plasma rifle and fired a bolt directly into the Unggoy's head, vaporizing it and killing the Unggoy. He then turned to the Special Operations team,

"Good work, brothers, but this is only the beginning." Thel rumbled, "We have no way of knowing how many more of these heretics are befouling this place. We will root them all out, and bring them to justice. Are we agreed?"

The rest of the team raised their fists to their chests and shouted in acknowledgment. Thel turned and signaled for the rest of the team to follow. They proceeded to the end of the room and down a ramp, staying alert at all times.

At the bottom Thel heard snuffling and the groan of an incoming elevator so he held back and signaled for his team to engage active camouflage. He moved behind a pillar, and surely enough several heretic Unggoy moved around the corner, warily sweeping the area in front of them with Needlers. Their Sangheili commander stood behind them, aiming his carbine down the corridor Thel lurked in.

As the heretics approached his hiding place Thel activated his own camouflage. The Unggoy moved past him, but the Sangheili lingered for a moment, and moved up to the pillar. As his carbine protruded, Thel grabbed it and gave it a swift tug, dragging its owner into view. Before the surprised Sangheili could react, Thel had brought his plasma rifle crashing down on the heretics head, smashing his skull. The Sangheili fell to the floor heavily. Meanwhile the heretic Unggoy had been taken by surprise and quickly cut down by Thel's troops. Thel ordered his team forward. They came upon an elevator leading further into the facility, and Thel signaled his team to take position inside it. Once everyone was in Thel hit a holographic symbol on the wall and the elevator slowly, silently took them deeper into the heretic's base.

Sesa 'Refumee heard the sounds of weapon fire behind him, and he made haste into the next corridor. As he had suspected, his broadcasts had drawn the Covenant's attention on, and a strike team had been sent to the mine to silence him.

'Refumee was determined not to let this happen, as the truth about the Halo rings had to be made known to everyone. Indeed, he had not expected a Covenant assault so soon. His forces had been caught off guard and the Covenant was cutting through them without breaking stride.

He had received reports that the attackers were Special Operations, which didn't surprise him but the thing that had caught him off-guard was the fact that they appeared to be led by an Arbiter. The ceremonious armor was easily identifiable. 'Refumee wondered if his uprising was the cause of this Arbiters creation. Perhaps he was a bigger threat to the Covenant than he had previously thought.

He had sounded a full scale alert, and all of his followers throughout the station were readying themselves to meet the attackers.

'Refumee had to keep distance between himself and his pursuers, and he was intending to locate a Banshee fighter and travel to another wing of the station. This was the labs where the vile Flood parasite was being kept contained. If the situation became desperate, 'Refumee would release the Flood to halt the Covenant assault.

'I am willing to do anything in order to preserve the truth' mused 'Refumee.

He hoped to get to the Banshee docks before any substantial Covenant air power came within the vicinity of the station. 'Refumee's own air force was ready to defend against such threats, however. He had multiple squadrons of Banshee fighters on station.

While they may not be able to best a large armada of heavily armed ships, such as Seraph fighters, they would be able to hold off a smaller amount with their sheer numbers. Armed with a pair of rapid fire Plasma Cannons and a Type 2 Fuel Rod Cannon, they were formidable weapons of war if utilized correctly by a skilled pilot.

'Refumee watched as a group of his loyalists lurked in the shadows, weapons ready to unleash a barrage into any attackers who went by. Confident that ambushes of this type would wear down the invaders and leave them more vulnerable, 'Refumee moved on through the maze of corridors, anticipating his next meeting with the Oracle.

Thel warily checked his plasma rifle's charge. Just over a quarter remained. He glanced at Officer Dru 'Gelamee, who looked back at him with a haunted look in his eye. During their descent into the heretic's lair, they had killed countless of the non-believers, but at the price of both Unggoy and Trooper Ika 'Naskaree.

'Naskaree had been the point man of the team and as they had turned a corner, the heretics, who had by then been well aware of the intruder's presence, had laid a trap. 'Naskaree had been opened fire upon by several Needlers, and as those weapons had exploding projectiles, he had been blown apart by the ensuing explosion. The heretics were fighting like cowards, staging ambushes from dark corners and side passages.

The warrior had died dishonorably, killed before even being able to retaliate. Thel had made sure that the guilty was punished, though. But the question remained: How much further did they have to go to capture the heretic leader?

Thel moved through another door and was suddenly struck by a searing beam of energy. An Aggressor Sentinel hovered above and in front of him, rapidly draining his energy shield with its beam weapon. The mechanical drones were, for some reason hostile to the Covenant team, and were in fact aiding the heretics, so Thel had no choice but to destroy them.

Thel ducked into the previous corridor as 'Gelamee fired a shot from his beam rifle at close range, impacting the Sentinel in its lower surface. It exploded in a vibrant burst of energy which blinded the sniper and lowered his shield.

'Gelamee turned, and came under fire from above. Two heretic Sangheili had appeared and peppered 'Gelamee with their carbines. 'Gelamee fell as Thel roared in fury and threw a plasma grenade with all his might. It flew straight onto one of their attacker's arms. The stuck Sangheili roared with surprise, dropping his carbine and pulling at the explosive attached to his arm. This was one of the Covenant explosive's useful properties. A moment later it exploded in a bright blue flash. The Sangheili was blown apart and his comrade was thrown of the platform. Even before he hit the ground Thel was upon him, his energy sword flashing.

"Die, you traitorous dog!" he roared, spearing the downed heretic straight through the neck before he could rise. Purple blood sprayed as Thel flicked his wrist, decapitating the Sangheili. His blood spurted across the floor and his head rolled away, severed cleanly from the body.

Thel went over to 'Gelamee, who was still alive by some miracle. He had been hit four times. The first shot had knocked his shoulder armor plate off, but otherwise had not caused any harm. The second and third shots had both penetrated the Sangheili's gut. Carbine rounds were radioactive, and Thel was sure his internal organs had been baked in radiation. His purple blood trickled from the wounds, and Thel could understand the pain his comrade must feel. The fourth round has taken a chunk out of his left knee, rendering that limb unusable.

Thel understood that for a Sangheili, losing one's lifeblood was a great source of shame. 'Gelamee was shaking with fury. As long as he was still mobile, he would take down as many foes as he could before expiration. Thel felt that he did not have long anyway, and the Sangheili was determined to punish many more heretics before they could take his life.

With an angry roar, 'Gelamee pushed himself to his feet and retrieved his beam rifle from the floor with a shaking hand. He steadied himself against the wall and faced Thel.

"So, Arbiter. It seems that I have failed you." The Sangheili inhaled sharply. Blood was still trickling out of the neat holes punched in his abdomen, but his gaze met Thel's unflinchingly.

"No brother, you have failed no-one." There was once a time Thel would have regarded this as a severe loss of honor, but he no longer necessarily felt this way. Since his humiliation in front of the masses of the Covenant, he had begun to sense that the Sangheili's honor code had perhaps been twisted slightly by the San 'Shyuum.

Dru 'Gelamee had fought bravely at Thel's side, and had killed a significant portion of the non-believers that they had encountered. He had defended Thel, who could well have ended up being the one perforated with Carbine rounds. As far as Thel was concerned, 'Gelamee was a more-than-worthy comrade who was undeserving of this fate.

"Please, Arbiter. The error was mine; I was too hasty in shooting that Sentinel when it was so close to me. It was foreseeable, and could have been avoided. I shall bear this weight, and I will continue my fight alongside you for as long as I last." 'Gelamee, with obvious difficulty, brought his Beam Rifle to bear and sighted the next corridor.

Thel knew that there would be no point of arguing. If he was in 'Gelamee's position, he would be similarly determined. He moved forward, plasma rifle scanning the shadows.

Sesa 'Refumee stood in front of the massive windows that showed the exterior of the station, and the ever-nearing maelstrom. He knew where he was going. He was going to unleash the Flood in the labs in the opposite arm of the station if his ambush somehow failed. If the attackers would not be stopped, then this was his last measure.

Before he left, however, he wished to have a look at this 'Arbiter' that was coming for him. He was judging whether this Sangheili would have what it took to stop him. He checked that his team was in position; five loyal Sangheili waited in the shadows, four with carbines and one wielding a heavier weapon: the feared fuel rod gun. The attackers were getting close, and 'Refumee was determined that this was where they would meet their end.

This Arbiter would not break through. He raised his dual plasma rifles and levelled them at the only door into the room

The Arbiter sensed that the heretic was very close now. They had broken through another line of increasingly desperate heretics. Resistance was waning now; it was now mainly a clean-up job. 'Gelamee had consistently proved his worth, despite his worsening condition. He had lost a lot of blood, and his strength was truly sapped. He still wished to take the lead, and nothing Thel could say would change his mind.

Thel nodded to 'Gelamee, who inhaled deeply and charged through the next door. The whining sound of multiple plasma rifles firing roared through the corridor. Thel heard 'Gelamee roar in pain, but only seconds later he was quiet. The smell of burnt Sangheili flesh met Thel's nostrils and he recoiled.

Not intending to suffer the same fate as 'Gelamee, Thel crept slowly up to the door. He tried to peer around but came under fire immediately. Boiling plasma hit the wall near the door, sending fragments of heated metal everywhere and several bolts flew past his head. He quickly withdrew, but it was then he heard the voice.

"Come, Arbiter. Let us see what you are made of. Surely you will put up a more worthy fight than your comrade!"

That was Sesa 'Refumee. Thel knew the voice as it had been one he had known for the vast majority of his life. He sounded very much the same as he had done when they had last spoke, aboard the Seeker of Truth. Thel pondered what to say, but instead of threatening his former comrade he tried something different,

"Please, brother. Do you really wish to kill me?"

At this, there was silence, and Thel judged it necessary to show himself. Slowly he rounded the doorframe. The first thing he noticed was the body of Dru 'Gelamee, lying on its back near the door. His chest and stomach had been completely burned away, and his corpse was blackened. Charred bone was visible in the Sangheili's tattered chest. His eyes were wide open and seemed to be staring intently at Thel.

When Thel looked up, it was into the face of a friend he knew very well.

Sesa 'Refumee was stopped dead by the voice on the other side of the door. It couldn't be…

When the Sangheili rounded the corner, adorned in the ancient Arbiter armor, he couldn't immediately discern who it was, but when the Sangheili looked up into 'Refumee's eyes, he felt slightly weak.

"Thel?" he said quietly.

"It is indeed me, brother" said the voice he knew so well.

"How…" Said 'Refumee, aware that his voice was cracking.

Your soldiers are inept fighters, brother. They were only able to inflict casualties was when they were able to ambush us with greater numbers. I am, however intrigued at how you managed to muster such a number of willing followers. I trust that you will be able to answer me this."

'Refumee was slightly unnerved by this. He answered in a neutral tone, however.

"The truth is indeed a powerful thing, far more so than any lies that can be fabricated to try and cover it.

"Once our eyes are open to the truth, we would of course hasten to grant others that knowledge. The truth I speak of is made more important as it has been spoken by a messenger of the Forerunner."

"What 'truth' do you speak of?" Questioned Thel.

"Why, the truth" replied 'Refumee. "The truth about the Great Journey, about the Covenant.

"When I landed on this mine with my team, we did so with the task of locating artifacts of value to the Covenant, as had been ordered by the Prophet of Stewardship.

Upon further investigation of the facility, we located a Forerunner Oracle, perhaps one of the last remaining messengers of the Forerunners. It claimed to be the monitor of the nearby Halo Ring, which of course has been destroyed by the Demon only recently.

When we questioned the Oracle about the Sacred Ring, what we were told was most unsettling to hear by a member of the Covenant.

"Brother, there is no 'Great Journey.' It is a lie fabricated by the Prophets who believe that they will achieve godhood. These rings are not our destiny. They are weapons, built by the Forerunner to starve the Flood parasite, by means of eliminating all lifeforms of sufficient biomass to be used as a food source for the Flood.

If the Prophets activate the rings, all they will achieve is the destruction of every organism in this universe.

"I have broadcast on any military channels that I could. Mainly passing patrols were coming to the station. Those who were willing to hear the truth came to the mine for refuge. Once they came to hear the Oracles words for themselves, they, much like began to understand how they had been used by the Prophets.

In time, I have amassed a large number of followers. And already, most lie dead by your hand. Why? They merely had their eyes opened. Their deaths were not necessary.

"Please, Thel. Heed my words. There is no Great Journey. Trust the true messengers and not these false prophets. Do you see? The Covenant is leading itself on a path of self-destruction. There is no Journey. It is a lie!"

Even as 'Refumee finished talking, he noticed that Thel had raised his plasma rifle and had it pointed at him. He gasped inwardly; surely he wouldn't still kill him after hearing the truth.

"Brother, I am sorry. I have been sent here by the High Prophets with the mission of eliminating the heretic who is spreading propaganda meant to destabilize the Covenant. I cannot and will not believe this tale.

As much as it pains me, the heretic is you, Sesa. I am sorry. We have been through so much together. I do not want to do this, brother. But I have no choice. It is the Prophet's will."

"No, you do have a choice, Thel. The Prophets are manipulating you. They are sowing the seeds for our destruction. Do not think that they regard us as anything more than pawns. You have a choice. You can stand with us, and together we will be able to bring about the destruction of the false Covenant."

To this, Thel laughed. "Brother, I have yet to meet this 'Oracle' that has filled your head with this nonsense; The Covenant has been in formation eons longer than either of us has been alive. What you speak of goes against all of our teachings. The Covenants history is cemented in the holy texts. One Sangheili's word cannot compare. This is indeed a tale, and I, the Arbiter of the Covenant, am no heretic.

I have been accused of being one after the Sacred Ring fell, and I am determined to deny the Covenant any further reason to continue doing so. For as long as I live, I will do all that is in my power to uphold the Covenant, and will not allow anything try to sway me. You were my friend, Sesa, but now I am afraid that you are my enemy. I am truly sorry."

Sesa 'Refumee straightened up. "No, you are not. I would have thought that you would have more sense than this, after everything we have done together, everything I have told you. Know that I do speak the truth, and your Covenant shall find this out very soon." He turned,

"Kill him!"

Thel 'Vadamee, Arbiter of the Covenant leapt into cover behind a nearby pillar as a deadly crossfire of carbine shots crisscrossed the room, leaving brilliant green contrails in the air. The pillar Thel stood behind began to crumble from the weapons fire. Thel heard the familiar sound of a fuel rod gun firing, and rolled away from the column.

A moment later, a massive explosion shook the room. The pillar Thel had just vacated exploded in a mist of irradiated metal shards. As Thel came out of his roll, he saw at least four Sangheili were moving slowly into the room, taking cover and firing potshots at him. He fired a stream of plasma at one of them, but the wily Sangheili evaded into cover, leaving the shots to splash harmlessly on the wall behind him.

Thel moved behind cover himself and once he was hidden from view he checked his plasma rifle's charge. The gun was almost drained. He certainly wouldn't be able to take out all of the present Sangheili. He looked back at 'Gelamee's body. The Sangheili's beam rifle was lying a short distance away. Thel used the last of his plasma rifles shots to keep his foes behind cover before discarding the weapon and diving for the beam rifle.

Thel grabbed the rifle just before coming under fire again but he made it back to cover. The rifle had four shots left, so they had to count. Thel did not have much time – the maelstrom was closing in and soon the whole station would be engulfed so he needed to act quickly. He threw a grenade towards his foes and relocated to another pillar.

The thump of another fuel rod blast shook Thel to the bone. The heavy weapon operator was Thel's priority target, as he posed the largest threat. Thankfully, the Sangheili was not behind cover, undoubtedly confident of his Fuel Rod Gun's dominance in combat. He was scanning the area for Thel but he never found him as a brilliant beam of purpled light flashed through his head. The Sangheili fell, his finger squeezing the trigger. The fuel rod slammed straight into one of his comrades, completely disintegrating him and knocking two nearby Sangheili off their feet. Thel tracked one to the ground and as he hit, another Beam Rifle shot brained him. The other downed Sangheili suffered the same fate a moment later. The last Sangheili roared, an energy sword flashing to life in his hands. He made a beeline for Thel.

Thel was ready, however. The Sangheili lunged at Thel, who dodged to the side. The Sangheili stumbled, not expecting the maneuver and Thel lashed out with his boot, connecting with the Sangheili's sword hand. The blow shattered the Sangheili's hand and he dropped the sword which upon impact with the ground, dissipated.

The Sangheili lashed out with the other hand, connecting with Thel's helmet, but the underpowered blow did not faze him. In the corner of his eye, Thel could see Sesa 'Refumee taking to the air with his thruster pack. Thel smacked the Sangheili with the beam rifle, stunning him, and then quickly grabbed him as the heretic leader opened fire. Thel spun the dazed Sangheili in front of him, holding him as a shield.

The heretic leader's plasma fire burned through the Sangheili, missing Thel. He grabbed the plasma pistol on the dead heretic's thigh plate, activated it and held the trigger down, building up an overcharged bolt.

Sesa 'Refumee realized what was happening a moment too late, as the overcharged bolt of plasma sent him flying backwards and onto the floor, his shield completely depleted and his thruster pack's power temporarily cut. He shouted in surprise, picking himself up of the floor as regular plasma pistol bolts impacted around him.

'Refumee panicked, making a dash for the door leading to the stations exterior. He kept 'Vadamee pinned down with his plasma rifles before bolting down the corridor. Two final loyal Sangheili had landed and were readying their weapons on the exterior platform. 'Refumee ran up to them.

"Deal with the Arbiter, brothers. I will protect the Oracle. Its truth must not be silenced. He knew his comrades were likely going to die, but if 'Vadamee could be held back long enough than 'Refumee could carry out his final desperate action to halt him. He climbed into a nearby Banshee, its interior conforming to his physique, and activated it, before boosting off the platform towards the laboratories in the opposite wing of the station.

The winds were picking up, and 'Refumee could see the massive swirling maelstrom below the station. Within another two or three units the station would be swallowed by the storm. In this way, the Flood parasite would be destroyed, so even if they were released now it wouldn't matter.

'Refumee checked that his air force was present in the surrounding atmosphere, and then set down near the entryway leading to the laboratories. The guards moved aside and he entered.

Moving through the corridors quickly, he leapt down into the first lab, ordered his subordinates to release the containment locks keeping the flood dormant. They did not question him. The chambers in the walls exploded and hundreds of small bulbous creatures poured forth from the green depths. Held aloft by clusters of small tentacles, they scurried towards 'Refumee and his team. They stood stunned for a moment before the 'infection forms' were upon them.

Upon contact with personal energy shields, the little beasts exploded in a puff of spores. Each explosion caused some damage however, and the sheer numbers of them overwhelmed his team's shields. The forms latched onto the Sangheili and forced their razor-sharp penetrators through their necks. The Sangheili writhed in pain as the infection forms fought over them. One Sangheili turned and an infection form landed on his back, forcing its penetrator into him.

Blood sprayed as the hideous creatures wormed their way into their Sangheili hosts. Roars of pain echoed through the room as tumors and fleshy growths appeared across the Sangheili's bodies. 'Refumee watched as a cluster of tentacles snapped out from the Sangheili's left wrist, breaking the hand and then a sickening snap as the infection form's sensory stalks appeared, breaking the Sangheili's neck.

'Refumee quickly backed away, his dual plasma rifle's screaming, tearing through his former comrade. He quickly killed the other Sangheili, who were by now warped into similar monstrosities. He backed into the open door nearby and hit the lock. The door slammed shut, separating him from the carnage in the other room. 'Refumee knew that the Flood would now likely spread through the rest of the station, so he had to move quickly.

Even as the heretic leader ran out through the door, Thel was already grabbing another weapon, a discarded carbine and searching for spare ammunition. He found some and he turned to see his quarry on the other side of the large windows, conversing with two more Sangheili before taking off in a Banshee. The heretic Sangheili moved into the adjoining corridor.

Thel was ready. As the first one rounded the corner, Thel stuck a plasma grenade point blank to his chest and kicked him back down the corridor. A flash of blue light and a spray of blood and Thel was on the platform. Feeling the winds picking up, he wasted no time in taking the other Banshee.

Thel had flown the fighters many times before; the heretics had desecrated the Covenant design, stripping off its purple paint in some places, leaving the golden framework exposed. Thel felt disgusted that he was to operate such a heretical machine, but there was no other choice. At that moment Commander Rtas 'Vadumee's voice crackled in Thel's communications device.

"The Heretics are mobilizing their air forces, Arbiter. Get after their leader, but watch your back. I'm sending one of our Phantoms to support you." The winds outside the station were gaining strength, and the relatively small Banshee was proving slightly difficult to handle. Thel looked through his viewfinders, and saw the bulky figure of the Phantom dropship coming into sight. Its trio of Heavy Plasma Turrets roared into action, sending multiple bolts of large, red superheated plasma across the sky and into a heretic Banshee. The plasma burned through the Banshee's light armor, setting the engine on fire and killing its operator. The Banshee exploded in a vibrant explosion, but there was many more coming in, and Thel knew it was going to be a long and arduous search for the heretic leader.

Thel set his Banshee down roughly on the platform. The Banshee's left canard had been destroyed, and its fuel rod cannon was out of action. The main armor plate still smoldered from several plasma blasts. The search had not been easy: Over thirty heretic Banshees had been neutralized, along with more mounted Shade turrets and fuel rod emplacements. The support Phantom had taken a beating, but had survived and was in the process of dropping of another Special Operations team, along with Commander Rtas Vadumee himself to support Thel as he proceeded deeper into the station.

They had had little success in locating the heretic leader, but they had eventually tracked him to this part of the station: one of the long supporting 'arms' of the structure. The heretic had fled further into the station and with the winds of the brewing maelstrom beneath the station gaining strength, was seemingly willing to die for his cause. Still, this was Thel's fate, to die for the glory of the Covenant in redemption for his sins. Thel was going to prove his worth, even in death. He greeted 'Vadamee by the door, beckoned the Unggoy to move in first, and then moved steadily in, deeper into the station.

A/N: Another chapter. As I'm sure you have noticed, this is not a carbon copy of the events of Halo 2's'Arbiter' level, as that may be boring to some. I have tried to add new interactions and new scenarios to spice up the story. I am trying to convey a (somewhat) emotional underpinning to the relationships to the character, in order to flesh them out and make them easier to sympathize with, as opposed to the (somewhat) blank slates they are in the games, all respect due. I said 'somewhat' twice in that paragraph :P