Xytan ran through the corridors of the base. The Covenant followed a ship that was sent out and now they were on the doorstep. Angel was behind him with her sniper. Able was waiting by the door with the rest of Siqtar. Xytan ran up to them and stopped.
"We are to fight them in the forest. Cut off their reinforcements before they arrive." A Banshee flew overhead towards the forest. Ghosts rushed past to move up to other positions and Spectres ferried troops out the base.
"Hareth is coming in with his phantom. He'll drop us off behind the front. After that we're on our own."
"What about Tór?" Asked Thel.
"He'll try and hold the line here." Xytan replied. A phantom hovered above them and they ascended into the gravity lift. They flew for twelve minutes before a side door opened. Xytan jumped followed by Able, Relu, Thel, Naridue and finally Angel.
"Angel." Said Able. "Count how many you take out. Then we will see who is best." Angel just pulled back the bolt on her sniper and followed Xytan as he moved forward. Xytan raised his fist as a Covenant wraith drove by. He moved his hand towards it and Naridue jumped on its back. He slammed a grenade into it and the resulting explosion destroyed the Wraith. Able began to climb up a rock and he could see where Covenant forces were. Angel followed Relu as she sat on the edge of the clearing.
"Up." Said Relu pointing to the rock wall. Angel nodded and climbed up. The view was impressive. She looked through her scopes at the Elites running around on the ground. She aimed at a Minor ready to fire. She heard a fuel rod fire and she looked over to the explosions. Naridue ran out into a large clearing firing rods at a wraith. It turned and went to ram him. He slipped out the way and latched on. He attached a grenade to the inside of the drivers canopy. He jumped off as the Wraith exploded. Angel looked back at the Minor she was watching. He lay on the floor with a pink needle stuck inside his head. Xytan ran with Relu next to him. He pushed an Ultra to the floor and drew a Turquoise sword and stabbed it into the Ultra's chest. Relu slammed into a Ranger who tried to fight back but she put her gauntlet into his face. He staggered back as she let the blades in her gauntlet go into his neck. Thel got on top of the other Ranger and slammed his head into the ground. A beam flash sent one of the Rangers tumbling.
"One." Said Able over the comms. Angel took aim at the last Ranger and in just a second he fell as a high velocity round sent him flying. Xytan turned on his camouflage and became almost invisible. Relu and Thel did the same and they disappeared. "Look right Angel." Said Able. Angel swung her sniper to the right as a line of wraiths exploded in blue light. Infantry ran forward in the confusion and Angel fired. Able also engaged and soon the twelve plus infantry squad dropped before they could escape. Another wave of infantry ran through. Xytan uncloaked as he swept one of their legs from under them. He stabbed his sword into him. He turned pulling it out and lunged into a General. He pulled out his sword and Relu cut off the head of a Minor next to him. Brutes ran out of the forest now and Xytan turned to them. He sheathed the sword and fired his Needle rifle into them. The first Brute exploded in a pink mist and he fired on another. Two others were engulfed in green energy as they were sent falling into the ground. Naridue reloaded the fuel rod he held and Thel pushed away a Brute. He raised his plasma rifles and shot him multiple times. The brute fell over as it ran at him.
The battle was like this. A new infantry wave would rush out and Xytan and his squad would take them out. Eventually troops stopped arriving at their position. Angel aimed in with her sniper and just as she fired at a lone brute she heard a click from her gun. She reached down for another magazine but found that there were none.
She heard a beam fire and looked at Able through her scope. He put his beam rifle onto his back and pulled out a carbine that hung from his side. He began his descent down from the cliff he was dug into. Angel began her climb down. When she reached the floor she picked up a carbine lying conveniently on the floor. She walked up to Xytan who sat concealed in tall grass.
"Either the base has fallen or the Covenant is giving up. I do not know the answer." Said Xytan as Angel approached. "We're going to one of their forward camps to find out what's happening. Your armour is compatible with Active Camouflage I assume?" Xytan reached into his pouch and pulled out a curved Covenant device. He gave it to Angel and it attached to her armour like any UNSC made armour ability. She became almost invisible as it began to calibrate to her size and shape. Xytan activated his and began to whisper into the comms. "Everyone. On me."
Xytan got to a line of dense shrubbery that he could hide in. He and Angel looked out and they could see a small Covenant outpost. There was something off however. Bodies of Sangheili and Brutes were strewn across the ground. An Ultra was fighting off a Brute with his fists. The Brute went to deliver and upper cut but the Sangheili side stepped and punched the Brute in the face. The Brute staggered backwards and wiped the blood from his mouth. He ran at the Sangheili and threw him to the side. The Brute pulled out a plasma rifle on him and fired. The Ultras shields collapsed and the firing stopped. The Ultra looked over to the Brute as he was pulled over to one side. Xytan had his gauntlet in his neck and let him drop to the floor.
"Thank you Zealot." Said the Ultra. "These Brutes tried to betray us. Said it was the prophets orders. I was asleep when they struck."
"Seems we've all been betrayed one way or another." Said Xytan looking over to the corpses. "First Thel 'Vadam branded a Heretic and then the Honour Guards replaced. Now this."
"It isn't enough that we're fighting Heretics but now Brutes. The Unngoy and Lekgolo joined us but we're still up against the rest."
"What is your name Ultra?" Asked Xytan.
"Sariv 'Wattinree." Replied the Ultra picking up a Needle Rifle. "You?" He asked.
"Xytan 'Vadum. A name now vilified and hated." The Ultra looked at him in surprise.
"Hated? Why would you be? You're a hero to many." Said the Ultra walking over to him.
"I am no hero. I work with the Heretics you came to kill. I know secrets about the rings that would get me killed." Xytan began to walk back to the base. The Ultra followed behind.
"Where are you going?" Asked the Ultra.
"Back to base. You may join me. But I do not know of your safety." Able un cloaked next to him. He followed next to Xytan and Relu uncloaked behind the Ultra. As they broke the tree line they could see many Sangheili walking into the base. Some were carried in, others limped in but not one was going to fight each other anymore.
Angel only now uncloaked behind Xytan. The Ultra turned and quickly raised his weapon at her. Thel calmly pushed it down and the Ultra looked at her.
"Why is their a Human here?" Asked the Ultra.
"She is here because I wanted her to be. If you have a problem. Well try and shoot her. You'll have us to worry about." Xytan said walking through the main gate. The Ultra stopped for a small second and continued to walk.
Xytan was stood next to the Heretic leader Reethar 'Mdama. The Reethar wore Covenant General armour and was talking to other generals in the room. There were also Shipmasters that bickered over the table.
"Why should we have to listen to these Heretics!" Shouted a Shipmaster
"They were kind enough to offer us shelter here. Would you rather be with the Brutes?" Said another.
"The Covenant betrayed us all in one way or another. Do you think the Covenant will let you go back? They'll kill all of us." Said Reethar. The Shipmaster merely glared at him and retreated from the argument. "We need to combine our forces. We have a few Corvettes we can use."
"And my fleet has enough ships to carry all of our troops and vehicles." Said a fleetmaster. "However some would refuse to fight for us on both sides. We need a strong leader someone everyone looks up to and respects." The table of Shipmasters and Reethar followed the fleetmasters stare over to Xytan.
"I am no hero." Said Xytan. "But I feel that I am not worthy of leading a fleet. War has already taken a toll on me." Said Xytan.
"Why do you always shame yourself? You didn't even wear the 'ee' on the end of your name. How come?" Asked Reethar.
"I do not feel myself worthy of such a title." Replied Xytan.
"Unfortunately Xytan you are the only one who everyone here would fight for. I'd die under your command. For your lance carries much honour." Xytan sighed. He looked around the table and saw the expectation in everyone's eyes. He lowered his head and sighed.
"I will take command. But you must be able to take command while I am gone." Said Xytan walking to the door.
A voice resounded through the base, various speakers carried it into the furthest reaches and corners.
"All forces. There has been a change in command." Said the fleetmaster. "I Lorkor 'Moramee am stepping down. In my place Zealot Xytan 'Vadumee will be in command of all forces. We are departing immediately. The wounded will be left with a ship in orbit and a small contingent of forces. All squads report to your officers for your new stations and assignments." The base became loud and crowded. Squads of Sangheili moved through the corridors with purpose. Phantoms began to lift troops up to the small fleet above. Xytan was the first to inspect his new ship. The CCS class was called Unfathomable Silence. Xytan was looking out to all of the monitors on the ship. They had been listening in on the Covenant battle net. Brutes were killing every Sangheili they found. And High Charity was a slaughter house for all. A new ring had been found but a Human known as 'The Demon' was on it.
Xytan had waited for the signal that all Sangheili were at their stations. He was sat in a large chair eager to jump. And take the fight to the Covenant.
A Minor walked in and pressed a button on a nearby terminal. The bridge lit up and various Sangheili and Unngoy began to man all the areas. Lorkor walked in. He gave his command to Xytan but the Sangheili still gave him a bow of respect as he past.
"All troops are ready to depart." Said Lorkor.
"Then send word to the fleet." Said Xytan as a holographic image of where his ships were appeared. "Get the destroyers at the back of the formation. Frigates up front. Make sure they put full power to shields. Destroyers will use them as cover while they put all their power to weapons." Lorkor began to yell out the order and the ships began to reform. All fighters had been docked and the formation was complete.
Four CAR Frigates sat at the front. Two SDV Class Heavy Corvettes guarded the flanks and Five RPV class light destroyers sat at the rear. Three CCS class battlecruisers made up the centre and multiple ORS class heavy cruisers filled up the gaps. Xytan leaned forward carefully inspecting the formation. Once he was happy with it he leaned back and ordered the jump to slipspace.
The Unfathomable Silence jumped in supported by its small fleet. There was multiple Covenant ships firing on each other near high charity. A communication opened up with a fleet master.
"Zealot. We need assistance. The Arbiter is on the ring and we need to send reinforcements. Are you available?" Asked the fleet master."
"I will lend any assistance I can." Replied Xytan.
"Reethar your in charge. Alert Siqtar. I'm heading down." Xytan walked out the bridge and Reethar sent down a signal to Siqtar. A voice rang out through the ship.
"All ground forces prepare for deployment. All ships fire at will. The brutes will pay in their blood." Said Reethar.
Xytan was in the hangar as a phantom left. Troops ran to dropships as fast as they could. Relu ran next to Xytan as Able and Thel began to enter their phantom. Xytan entered the phantom to see everyone else ready to go. Xytan watched Relu enter and as the hatch closed the phantom flew out the hangar.
High Charity's defence fleet was firing on itself. Ships were destroying over the betrayal and the phantom was now flying towards Halo. Xytan had only gotten a small look at it but he knew that it massive.
"Xytan." Said Hareth. "Were closing in on the Arbiters position. He appears to be in a spot of trouble. From what I've gathered Brutes are closing in on his position. Make sure that few survive." Xytan merely gave a nod and everyone got ready to jump out the door. Angel had plasma rifles securely strapped to her upper leg and a carbine hanging off her back. She held a beam rifle and was ready to jump. Able had the same and Relu, Able and Naridue carried a range of weapons. Naridue had a fuel rod, carbine and twin plasma rifles with a sword on his thigh. Relu held a Carbine and carried a needler on lower back a carbine and a sword. Thel held a needle rifle and was similarly as well armed as Naridue, excluding the fuel rod cannon.
The side door opened and the team jumped out the Phantom. A pair of brutes turned to face them but were gunned down by the Phantom. Xytan ran to the door of the Forerunner building. The rest of his team followed him in and Hareth flew off with a pair of Banshees in pursuit.
Xytan slammed into a Brute and drew his sword. He swung into the Brutes chest and caused him to topple over. A hail of pink needles flew past him and caused a Brute captain to explode in a pink mist. Thel fired on a Brute who ran round a corner and he was sent flying as the plasma burned his hide. Able joined Xytan drawing his sword.
"There's going to be many of them." Said Able.
"Then lets send them all to their deaths." Replied Xytan running forward. He slowed and carefully looked around a corner. Four Brutes were walking towards the inner doors and Xytan pulled the needle rifle off his back. He opened fire and as the Brute he fired at turned he exploded in a pink mist. Able slid round the corner and fired his Carbine. A Brutes hat went flying and the Brute fell backwards as another round made impact with his skull.
"There coming from multiple angles." Said Able reloading.
"Angel, Able you take this entrance. Relu with me we'll take the second. Thel, Naridue take the third." Ordered Xytan running down a hall with Relu in tow.
Thel ran behind Naridue as his sword cut into a Brute. Naridue fired his needle rifle at a rapidly approaching Brute. The brute was pulled to the side by Thel who stuck a plasma grenade to the Brutes right cheek and kicked him towards three other brutes. Blue light blinded them as a loud bang rang throughout their heads.
"Just like old times right Thel?" Yelled Naridue as he shot down a Brute.
"Feels like it." Grunted Thel as he swept a Brutes leg and stabbed into his chest. A Brute charged towards him and Naridue caused him explode in pink. An explosive hit Naridue and caused him to slide back. He turned over to the brute captain who laughed. Only to be replaced by shock when plasma burned the left side of his face. The Brute turned as Thel punched him in the face with a devastating upper cut that knocked off his helmet and Naridue landed a shot between his eyes.
"I wonder how the others are doing." Said Naridue looking over to the next wave.
Angel rolled out of the way of a Brute that tried to slam into her. She jumped onto his back drew her knife and stabbed it into his neck. He threw her off and tried to pull the knife out but ended up and the floor dead. Able tossed a plasma grenade onto a Brute who ran into his friends in front of him in blind rage and blew up in a spectacular explosion.
Able fired a quick shot from his beam rifle which hit a Brute running forward and caused him to fall down. Angel fired her beam rifle causing a Brute a good distance away to lose his helmet. She fired again and the round went through him and bounced off of a wall and hit another Brute square in the head.
"Look out!" Shouted Able as a Brute threw a grenade directly at Angel. She barely evaded it moving her entire body to the left of it to stop it from sticking. The Brute slammed into Angel and began to slam his hands into her. She felt the first blow and a sharp pain jolted through her spine. Able drew his sword and thrust it into the Brute. He pulled the Brutes corpse off of her and helped her up.
"You good?" Said Able.
"Yeah." Said Angel reaching for the beam rifle on the floor. She looked down the corridor at the many bodies of Brutes that lay on the ground. Able stood next to her. The area was calm and quiet.
"Did they give up?" Asked Angel looking down the dark corridor.
"Brutes rarely ever give up." Said Able in reply. He pulled a Carbine holstered on his side and tensed himself for a massive rush that never came. The comms were static for a while and they heard Relu over the comms.
"Tartarus is dead. The Arbiter is getting ready to leave. Rendezvous at the exit were at."
"Sounds like we won. I think." Said Able turning around the corridor and walking down. Angel followed close behind watching behind for anymore Brutes.
Xytan walked up to the Arbiter with a limp. He was clutching his arm from where a brute shot almost snapped it. The corridor here was covered in the most bodies. Relu fared no better than Xytan. Her arm while not broken was in pain and her right leg was almost snapped in half.
"Arbiter." Said Xytan giving a bow of respect. "It is an honour to meet you." Xytan looked over him as two humans emerged from the door behind the Arbiter with an Oracle in tow. They looked at him and Xytan turned back to the Arbiter.
"What are our orders?" Asked Xytan as blood dripped from his arm.
"Get to the ships and prepare for departure to Earth. The human home world." Replied the Arbiter who noticed the purple blood fall onto the floor. The Arbiter noticed the large amount of dead Brutes on the floor and said. "But you Zealot. You are to recover from your injuries." The Arbiter walked past him and Xytan gave a low nod as the humans walked past. He saw Thel arrive round the corner with Naridue and they helped Xytan and Relu slowly limp towards the exit.
Angel and Able caught up to them quickly and they followed closely.
"Angel." Said Xytan. "We're going to Earth. The Arbiter is heading there. You can go home." Angel looked at him and listened carefully for anything else he had to say. "But, there is still a place for you here in Siqtar if you wish to serve with us still." Angel continued walking until a phantom came into view in front of them. There was a Marine and a Naval Officer stood next to an Elite in chrome plated armour. She looked behind her as Xytan and Relu were carefully taken up the grav lift. As much as she wanted to greet her own kind Able looked at her. The sadness in his eyes that he would no longer have her as a rival made her walk over towards him.
"No need to stay with us you know." Said Able. "Go to your brothers and sisters in arms. Siqtar lance will survive... We always have." Said Able pausing at a thought.
"It's been fun with you." Said Angel looking at him through her Gungnir helm. "To be honest I don't think I've met anyone with a personality like yours. You're calm, competitive but caring. I think im going to hang around. I'll need to be quick or they'll notice me." Angel went up the lift leaving Able to his thoughts. She's interesting I'll give her that. He thought to himself. He looked over to where the Arbiter was. Sangheili, Human, Unngoy and Lekgolo. All fighting together. It'll be a war for the ages. He thought as he entered the phantom.