Angel began to open her eyes. Her head still hurt from that last fight. She was lucky to be alive. She had her helmet removed. It was laid out next to her. She had brown hair that was worn long. This was coupled with green eyes. She took her Gungnir helmet and put it on. The shielding system began to kick in and the HUD activated. She looked around where she was. She was in some form of cave. There was a little bit of ringing in her ears which prevented her from noticing the strange sound nearby. Her SRS99-AM sniper was already loaded and had a few magazines scattered about. Some were fully loaded and the others were either almost finished or empty. Her magnum wasn't their however a new one was there to take its place.
The ringing began to subside and only now she noticed the strange sound coming from behind her. She grabbed the magnum and turned. Her eyes only saw through the sights of her gun.
She turned round a small wall that blocked her view of the main part of the cave. She saw three Jackals asleep. Their weapons resting on the ground. A noise of heavy footsteps came from outside. She hid round the wall and peeked out. A single Zealot stood there. He leaned against the cave entrance wall looking out. Angel didn't bother to fire. There was a reason she hadn't been killed yet but she didn't want to reveal herself now.
"Able." Said Xytan. Able turned to look at him from the cave wall he was leaning on.
"Yes?" He replied.
"The Covenant is beginning to glass the city's. Were going to have to get out of here quick." Xytan walked past Able into the cave. "Is the Demon awake?"
"No. She hasn't moved since we brought her in."
"Well then." Xytan looked at the cave and over to where angel was hiding.
Angel couldn't understand what they were saying but one of the Zealots looked over towards her. Her heart began to race as he walked over to her. She pulled out her knife to go for him when he was near. He stopped close to the wall. She noticed at her feet there was a large gap in the wall. He knew she was there. She thought he would draw his sword or wake the Jackals. But he simply stood their calmly.
"No use standing there Demon." Said the Zealot. Crap was all that Angel could think as he stepped closer. "I wish to speak. That is all." The Zealot said.
"No you don't." Replied Angel. Why did I do that? she thought.
"I do. If it wasn't for me you'd be dead. I believe that is worth your time to listen to me." Angel sighed. She was dead no matter what happened. She stepped out holding out her magnum. "Why raise a gun when I will not do the same." Angel hesitantly lowered her weapon.
"What do you want?" She asked attempting to remain calm.
"Me and my closest allies are no longer with the Covenant. We wish to assist you in escaping. We have been misguided by those in charge. And so we seek redemption. We will assist you if you assist us."
"How will I know if you're lying?" Angel asked.
"How indeed. To answer that tell me. Why would I kill my own brothers to save you?" Angel looked to one side trying to think of a reason why he would do that. "Oh and I forgot to introduce myself. I am Xytan 'Vadum. Traitor to the Covenant." Angel looked at him unsure what to say.
"Angel." She said. "I am Angel Barowstone." she looked him waiting for a sword to strike her. She now noticed the Jackals get up and stretch. Some took notice of her but began readying their gear. Xytan motioned for Able to gather everyone else. Able walked over to him the Kig-yar taking defensive positions outside the cave.
The rest of Siqtar walked in. They looked over to Angel but did not take any action towards her.
"Siqtar." Said Xytan looking at his squad. "We have a new ally. I suggest you introduce yourselves. Angel this is Able 'Lodam." Xytan motioned over to Able with his hand. He gave a quick bow of the head and went to preparing his Beam Rifle. "He is our marksman and my second in command. This is Relu 'Vadam." Xytan motioned over to Relu who said.
"Good to meet you." Angel was surprised to see a female Sangheili as all they fought were males.
"Relu is third in command and is our support." Continued Xytan. "Then we have Thel 'Refum." Thel stepped forward looking over to her then stepped back. "Thel is our close quarters specialist and finally we have Naridue 'Refum. Our engineer." Naridue stepped forward. He was holding a carbine and gave a nod to Angel before turning to the cave. "The Kig-yar are led captain Tór. Of course there is one more in our team. Our pilot. So Angel I take it your our sniper. You'll be with Able." She looked over to the one who'd introduced himself as Able who sat modifying the scope on his beam rifle.
"Welcome to Siqtar." Said Able looking up.
"Angel I suggest grabbing your equipment and getting ready. We're only a few miles away from where the covenant was searching for you. They'll be right on top of us if we don't hurry. There's a Human ship getting ready to leave barely up North. That is where we will take you." Xytan turned and picked up his needle rifle, plasma rifles and his two swords. Angel headed towards the back of the cave and grabbed her sniper. She picked up the spare magazines and put them in a pouch on her right leg. She moved to the door where only a single Jackal remained waiting for her. She stepped out with him and into the mountainous terrain around her.
They'd been travelling for hours now. She'd met the Jackal called Tór and she stayed close to the Zealot team. They began to climb up a steep bank and when she joined them she saw the ship they'd talked about. It was The Pillar Of Autumn. She had been assigned here once for security detail and she felt hope when she saw a MAC cannon begin firing towards the Phantoms approaching it. The mountains were too large to cross and she had to hope that they would make it in time. She looked up and noticed the Covenant cruiser moving to fire. She merely watched as the MAC aimed towards it and fired. The Covenant ship exploded and pieces of it began to rain down. The Pillar Of Autumn began to take off and it flew into the sky. Leaving her behind. Xytan sighed. He went to pull something out his pouch and pressed down on it. It flashed and made a slight beeping noise.
"I'm calling in Hareth. I pulled the location of a base of heretics out of the data system and deleted its existence. We may be able to hide out their for a while." Xytan said looking over to the smoking MAC cannon. "Angel. Im sorry we could not get you off your home world. We hoped to be able to get you to another system on that ship."
"Home world?" Asked Angel slightly confused. "This isn't my home world."
"Then there is still an ember." Said Xytan. "Putting out that beacon will make a lot of attention. Fortunately, I believe that Hareth is nearby." A phantom came into view nearby. It hovered near the beacon and opened up its gravity lift to left the Zealots and Spartan in. "Lets go. Angel will you come with us?"
"What choice do I have?" She asked.
"None" Replied Xytan. "If you stay you will die. If you wish to fight another day than you can come with us." Angel looked out towards Reach. The nearest city was smouldering and covered in glass.
"I'll go." Said Angel. "But I want answers on the way."
"I'll be happy to answer them." Said Xytan as he floated up into the phantom. Followed by the others. Angel went up last and when she got inside the hatch closed and the phantom set in motion. The Jackals sat down all six of them. She couldn't tell was who in the Zealot team yet. To her they all seemed the same.
"The human ship is fleeing." Said Hareth through the comms. "It's going to make it out of here. We can slip by. Im making the jump to slipspace now." The phantom seemed to grow lighter as it jumped into slipspace. It had barely even been ten minutes before they had completed their jump. "Were here. Xytan I suggest you talk to them. Their cruiser is moving to intercept." Xytan looked towards a terminal that was near the cockpit door as a communication link was established with the cruiser.
"Unknown vessel. Identify yourself." Came a voice.
"Xytan 'Vadum. I am Xytan 'Vadum, traitor to the Covenant."
"Xytan 'Vadum?" Came the voice. "If you're really no longer part of the Covenant then you can begin your descent towards the planet." The communication closed and the phantom descended towards the forested planet.
The phantom flew towards the base that was hidden in-between dense forest. The landing pad was located in a small clearing. It was barely big enough for a phantom to fit into it. The hatch opened and Xytan descended from the gravity lift. Two minors ran towards him. They had their plasma rifles raised in case Xytan made a move. An Ultra walked over to him. His armour had been painted orange with black detailing. A Heretic symbol had been applied onto his right shoulder.
"I never thought our paths would intertwine Major." Said the Ultra.
"Barev?" Said Xytan.
"And you remember me. It's always good to know that you my most loyal squad member hadn't forgotten me." Said Barev. Able jumped down from the phantom causing the two Minors to aim their rifles at him. "Yours, I presume?" Asked Barev.
"My whole squad and a pilot." Said Xytan.
"Why did you even come here?" asked Barev.
"To seek redemption for past deeds. The prophets lied to us. I know that now." Said Xytan looking down.
"Lower your weapons." Said Bareth. The Minors lowered their rifles and Thel dropped down from the phantom. Relu joined him and then Naridue came down last. He was holding his Carbine and Xytan's needle rifle. The Zealots stood behind Xytan and he turned round to them.
"Where's Angel?" He asked.
"In the phantom. I told Tór to keep an eye on her." Said Able.
"Get her down here. It's best we introduce her now."
"Two females in your squad?" Asked Barev.
"Now their is." Said Xytan as Thel went up the lift. "Do me a favour and tell your Minors to lower their weapons." Angel came down from the phantom. The Minors raised their rifles and prepared to fire before Barev stopped them.
"Why did you bring a human? I can understand your squad but humans are our enemies." Barev signalled to the minors to keep their weapons raised.
"Would it not be better to ally with the humans. They have fought against the impossible with courage and bravery. They are much more like us at times. There is no use in fighting the enemy of our enemy." Xytan merely walked past Barev towards the door. The Minors kept their weapons raised on Angel as she walked past. The Zealots followed in after her and they waited for Barev by the door.
Barev moved over towards them and the two minors watched Tór and Hareth exit the phantom. The walked behind them and Barev opened the door allowing them all to enter. Barev led them through the winding corridors and with each turn more Sangheili and Unngoy would stare at Angel. They would look at her until they disappeared from view. Barev led them up a large flight of stairs. He opened the door and ushered Xytan and his team in. He gave Angel a quick glance as she entered. He sealed the door behind them.
The room was large and rectangular. It had massive curved supports holding up its roof and much like a bridge of a ship it was manned at every point. Everyone in the room turned towards Angel. Some raised weapons but most stared at her. Only a few continued on their work. On a raised platform stood a General. His armour much like Barevs had been painted orange. The armour however had been adorned with multiple symbols that beared insults to the Covenant. He turned to the team. His main focus was Xytan but he couldn't help but note Angel.
"Xytan 'Vadumee." Said the general. "A Zealot turned Heretic. The most loyal and elite soldiers no longer on their side. Ironic. But tell me this. Why would one help our enemies. Why would one help a Human?" The General stood there waiting for a response. His green eyes watching them.
"An enemy of the Covenant is our friend. What more useful an ally is one that fights for the same reason you do?" Said Xytan.
"That may be true. But what does not stop her from betraying us?" Asked the General.
"She needs help. And former members of the Covenant make the best help. Would you not agree?"
"She may stay. But if she makes any hostile action you and your squad will die."
"Then I will make sure that does not happen. Tell your men to stand down. I do not wish to have to return fire." The General turned to a console and began to type a message. Xytan walked out of the command centre and proceeded towards the mess hall. Angel followed Able as he followed the signs to a shooting range.
"I guess your looking to train human?" Said Able as they stepped into a large hall. "Grab the spare beam rifle over there. It's a training version." Able sat down on a bench and flicked a switch on his beam rifle. Angel picked up the spare and aimed down the sights. It was heavy in her hand and until she fired it she wouldn't know what kind of recoil it would have. Able stood up and aimed down the hall. He he stood behind the barrier and he pressed the button. Multiple targets appeared. He shot them one by one as they went up and down. Some of them moved rapidly others didn't. He fired at a target and it bounced off of it and hit another. He fired at the last one and it fell down. He turned to Angel. "So human. Do you think you can beat that?" Angel looked at him and looked over to the targets.
"I think I could." She replied. Able let out a slight laugh as she readied her rifle. She fired and immediately took note of the recoil. It wasn't as strong as a sniper rifle but it still did have a kick. The targets popped up one by one and she took them down. She pulled the trigger on the last one and her rifle began to overheat.
"Impressive." Said Able. "Looks like I have a rival." Able reset the targets and prepared to do the range again.
Xytan sat down on a bunk. He was tired from hiding. Reach wasn't kind but he did what he had to. He began to remove his helmet and put it onto a side. He removed his gauntlets and got ready to sleep. His under armour was all that remained as he lay down. He couldn't help but close his eyes as he drifted into the void of sleep.
Xytan was walking down the hall of the covenant CAS carrier. He was flanked either side by two Ultras. The fleetmaster turned and looked at him.
"Zealot. Now is the time to cleanse this filth. Glass the planet." Xytan reached out to a terminal. He put his hand down on the button and a beam of plasma ravaged the planet. He watched as the rest of the fleet turned the planet charred black. Its surface becoming glass. He heard cheers from around the ship as the human planet fell.
Xytan woke up. The bunks around him contained the rest of his squad. Angel was at the far back with a bunk of her own. She had her helmet placed next to her. Xytan got up and carefully put his gear on. He walked out the door and walked over to a window. He looked outside into the darkness. He walked over to a door that led him out. He looked up at the sky. Its entrancing blue red colours lighting up the darkness. The moon was full and dimly lit the area. Xytan only noticed the lake in front of him. He looked into the still water. His reflection looked back at him. Relu stood behind him.
"Something wrong?" She said.
"Nothing. I just woke up is all." Xytan replied.
"No. There is something wrong. Waking up this often isn't normal. Somethings bothering you. What is it?" Relu stood beside as he looked into the water.
"I remember every evil deed I committed for the Covenant. I remembered the glassing I ordered. I wish I had known the truth before hand."
"Unfortunately you can't change the past. You have to keep your mind set on the present and future."
"I know that." Xytan sighed. "It's hard to forget the past when it haunts you in the present."
"Listen." Relu put her hand on his shoulder. "Try to think about what we now fight for. Those decisions are what shaped you." Relu turned back towards the door.
"Relu. Thank you." Was all Xytan said as she walked back to the bunks. Xytan looked back at the lake. There were strange bird like creatures sat calmly on the surface. When his mind was at ease he went back inside.
"It isn't like the food on High Charity but it'll do." Said Thel. Naridue was sat across the table from him. He began to slowly tear at the cooked meat. They used knives to cut them into small pieces that they could then fit in their mouths easily.
"At least its warm." Said Naridue. "For a bunch of rebels. They sure do know how to cook.
"How is the human anyway? Did they figure what they eat?" Asked Thel.
"I think so. She must've eat it quick though. She isn't here anymore."
"You were the one who I had to drag here." Said Thel mockingly. "I swear you haven't changed since we were children."
"I like to be fully rested."
"I like breakfast. Do try and get up on time next time."
"No promises." Said Naridue.
Angel was sitting in a common room. Elites and Grunts were playing games and talking with each other to keep themselves busy. A few gave her a quick glance but they paid her no mind. Relu walked in and sat down next to her.
"And how's the odd one out?" She asked.
"Doing fine. I was planning on hitting the range. See if I can break my record."
"I think Able has beat you there. last I checked he set the newest one."
"Damn. Is he usually this competitive?" Asked Angel.
"Not usually. But your closest anyone has come to beating him. You did beat him. He's considered you his rival and now he's stepping up the game." Angel sat their for a while. She turned to Relu and asked.
"How come your the only female here?" She asked.
"Males are expected to join the military. We have to sit back and make sure our keeps are running. We're trained together though. That way we have an effective home guard."
"So how did you join?" Angel asked. She wanted to know about the Elite's past.
"I was part of the homeguard of the Vadam keep. Xytan was able to pull a few strings to get me in. He saw potential in me. You could say he saw right." Angel sat there unsure what to say. A Grunt walked up to her.
"H. Hello. Human." It said nervously. "I was. Um. Told to find out what you, um. Eat." Angel looked over to him. The Grunt was shaking in fear and she answered him.
"Meat, fruits and vegetables." She said. The grunt turned and walked away quickly.
"The Unngoy are afraid of you." Said Relu.
"Are they always afraid?" Asked Angel.
"Yes. They are scared of just about anything."
"Huh." Angel looked around the room. Two Elites argued over a table and she stood up. "I'm going to the range." She said walking out.
Able was walking with Xytan through the courtyard. He had just been with him as the general explained their situation.
"The Covenant have found an actual Halo." Said Able.
"Indeed. But their battlenet was saying that they released something called the Flood." Xytan said. A loud sound was heard as a wraith drove in front of them.
"They say there is a human on that ring. They call him a Demon. He destroyed it. Did he not?"
"Yes. Hard to believe isn't it? Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadam is going to be put before the council. It will be shown here too." Able stopped for a moment and continued walking. Xytan turned to him. "Something wrong?"
"My record was beaten. She's better than she looks." Able said looking over to a terminal. Able hurried over to the shooting range. Xytan turned and carried on walking.
The entire based was cramped wherever a terminal was located. Thel 'Vadams trial had been swift and unjustly. Angel was stood next to Xytan and she watched as the Elite was bound by shackles. Electricity coursed through his armour causing him to roar in pain. Two Brutes ripped his armour off as another brute pulled a molten metal rod that raised from the floor.
"You've drawn quite a crowd." Said the Brute.
"If they came to hear me beg then they will be disappointed." Said Thel 'Vadam. The brute pointed the molten end of the metal at the Elite and branded him. When he pulled back there was a symbol. The same one painted onto some of the Elite's around the base armour. The terminal went blank as the signal cut. The Sangheili around the terminals went back to their previous duties. Angel looked over to Xytan who just crossed his arms and walked away. She heard footsteps approaching her from behind. She turned to see Able holding two Beam Rifles. He tossed one over to her and she caught it.
"I got permission to go hunting. Let's see if you can hit real targets." Able said smugly. They walked out and Relu stood next to Xytan as he watched them leave.
"They're becoming good friends." Said Relu.
"Able respects her. And to take her hunting, something I've only done once, shows that he has respect for her skill."
"When do you think we're leaving this base?"
"Soon." Said Xytan. Relu left him standing there as he looked out the window. He had a feeling that a new Arbiter had just been found.