Ch. 14 Wedding of the Century
Yep it's that time of the story you all have been waiting for. I hope I can deliver like I have been promising but I'll let you all be the judge of that. I am very proud of how this story has turned out and that is all thanks to all the fans out there so let's keep it going.
Edit: Changed the time from a century to 2000 years due to my error of of not remembering the time of the Covenant formation. Credit Imoneoldfart for pointing it out.
On another note, I have just released an Inheritance Cycle one-shot so if you love that series then check it out and let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters are copyright of Bungie and 343.
"They know about your dealings." Selmon said calmly as Maru 'Mulamaa snarled from his seat.
"You didn't think to keep the chip on you?! Are you that stupid human?!" Maru screeched as Selmon held his gaze.
"They haven't told anyone yet or else you would have multiple Keeps tearing down your walls right now. They will hold the information until you do anything against them but that doesn't mean that our own plans can still be put into play." Selmon said as Maru looked at him.
"And how do you propose we do that. They are on high alert for you and we wouldn't dare make a move because your stupidity."Maru said as Selmon grinned.
"Simple, we pay a group of outcasts and convince them that the Hierarchy wants them to eliminate the human diplomacy party and in return they will be welcomed into the fold again and while they have the guards occupied I'll go in and grab the chip." Selmon said as Maru narrowed his eyes.
"And why do you think you'll know it is there?" Maru said as Selmon kept grinning.
"The Spartan will have it on him at all times; why would you risk a normal human having it and being taken down?" Selmon asked as Maru snorted.
"Just get the chip away from them or else you will be going down with us." Maru said as Selmon walked out with a grin.
-Scene Change-
On Sanghelios, there was a great temple that was the staging area for many events of great importance. Most days it was a place of worship for the gods but when the Arbiter of the Sangheili was announcing her marriage ceremony the temple custodians had to work throughout the night and part of the next morning to ensure the temple was as glorious as if it was newly built; of course the big payday they were receiving for last minute announcements didn't hurt either.
Various banners depicting the many Keeps hung from the walls while the gardens and walkways were littered with flowers and decorative pennants showcasing many different runes and depictions of past Sangheili warriors. The walls of the temple were a bright white with silver streaks and the top was made of solid bronze beset with many carvings in the Sangheili language and the interior was just as stunning with the walls painted a deep green with many temple banners hanging from the rafters above and the dome was a large mural depicting the gods of Sangheili worship. The windows were stained glass with depictions of various heroics and deeds that lent to the history of Sanghelios.
Cortana whistled at the sight of it. "Chief, you have to be the luckiest human alive. The last time this temple was used for ceremony was the founding of the Covenant nearly 2000 years ago."
The Chief rolled his eyes. "I just want this day over with."
Stacker smirked. "You're just mad that you couldn't wear your armor Chief." The Chief grimaced as Dubbo gave a short laugh.
"Do I need to remind you both that I had to drag your drunk asses back to the Keep?" The Chief asked with a scathing glare as Dubbo and Stacker began to laugh.
"Chief for this one day, try to relax and have fun." Cortana said as the Chief tensed. "Listen John, this day is suppose to be a happy one with no enemies or rivals. Just for this once, try and be a normal human and not a Spartan. Everything will work out fine, I promise."
"I don't know Cortana...I have a bad feeling and you know that something always happens when I have one." The Chief replied warily.
"Then stay alert but try and have fun as well, it's not every day you attend a wedding like this." Cortana replied as the Chief sighed.
"Chief, I know what your feeling because I'm feeling it as well. We have the entire area covered and the entrance being watched to the point that a bug isn't getting in without being seen." Stacker said as the Chief nodded but still grimaced.
"Relax Chief, I think the Arbiter will go ape shit on anyone who disturbs this day." Dubbo said as the group went quiet.
"God help the one who is going too." Cortana said after a moment of silence.
-Scene Change-
"It's almost time Thela." Kela said as the Arbiter grunted.
The Arbiter wore a full set of black and silver armor complete with intricate designs and gold runes etched into the gauntlets and chest piece and a gold sash around her waist, attached to her sash was her Energy Sword and a Plasma Rifle. (Think of her regular armor just a different color and more ceremonial as opposed to war ready)
"I have a bad feeling that someone is going to ruin this." The Arbiter said as she clenched her fists.
"Oh relax and think positive." Kela said as she wore a black and gold robe. "Besides you are getting the strongest warrior the humans have and you're complaining."
"I just want everything to be perfect and some jackass is going to ruin it." The Arbiter growled lowly, already knowing just who or whom are going to interrupt it.
"Oh stop worrying, we have many contingency plans in case things go wrong and you are walking into a place with guests that are armed to the teeth and are ready for anything." Kela said as the Arbiter shook her head.
"Have them leave their weapons behind when the reception as the humans call it begins, we don't need a drunk shootout happening." The Arbiter said as Kela nodded.
"Already done, you just worry about not tripping over yourself on your way to the Altar." Kela said as the Arbiter tried to hit her but missed. "You missed and on that note, it's time." Kela finished with a smirk as the Arbiter huffed as they heard a loud ringing sound from the temple tower.
-With Selmon-
Selmon heard the sound and grinned. "Show time, sorry Hood but your peace talks aren't going anywhere." he said as he moved towards the temple
-With the Chief-
"And that will be the sound of the beginning of your life of servitude." Dubbo said with a grin as the human party actually snickered from their spots.
"Shut it Private." the Chief replied as he grimaced as the doors of the temple opened. "Let's just get this over with."
The loud ring subsided after one final note and a small band began to play a ritual song as the Arbiter appeared in the doorway and began her walk through the hall. Her head was held high and she moved with confidence and pride in every step as she kept her eyes firmly ahead of her. The Chief had to admit, she did look pretty stunning in the armor and the way she carried herself did make him smile a little.
'Maybe this won't be so bad...' The Chief thought as the Arbiter reached the altar.
"Say something Chief and it has to be nice." Cortana whispered as he gave a slight twitch.
"I can't believe I'm about to say this," he muttered under his breath. "You look...nice."
The Arbiter snorted but did have a small shade of purple on her face. "My mother had it designed for me when I was a youngling."
"So how does this work?" The Chief asked lowly.
"We affirm our loyalty to each other and recite our vows as you humans call them and then we..." she trailed off but the Chief could fill in the blanks and he didn't like it.
"In front of everyone?" he almost said aloud but managed to keep himself quiet.
The Arbiter chuckled a little bit. "No, there are private rooms in the temple but since you are human then we can skip that and go the human version of a feast."
The Chief visibly deflated at that. "So...how does this work again?"
The Arbiter shook her head as a priest approached them. "Just do what I do and you will be fine." she replied as the ceremony began.
-Outside-
"Unknown personnel approaching the entrance, confirm sightings." A Spartan said as his partner looked through a sniper scope.
"At least two squads confirmed with another three hiding behind two buildings across the street." Another team radioed from across the courtyard.
"We see them." A gruff voice said as two Sangheili readied their weapons in front of the gate.
"Spartan team Gold to ground forces, five squads approaching with possible hostile intentions." Another Spartan said as the Sangheili in the courtyard tensed.
"Affirmative, we're ready for them." Just in time as the Sangheili at the gate came under fire.
"Hostiles at the gate, all units fire at will!" The Spartan leader said as various sounds of gunfire reverberated through the courtyard.
The two guards at the gate were eventually forced back as the intruders entered the courtyard and three hidden squads came out and rushed the temple.
"These hostiles are well-armed and organized." A defender said as he clashed with a mercenary.
"More coming over the eastern wall!" Another defender said as another two squads came over a wall and trapped the defenders in a pincer.
"Two down." A Spartan said as he dropped another mercenary. "They are well-armed alright."
"Fall back to the temple doors and barricade them." Another ordered as the defenders fell back to the temple and slammed the doors shut. "Do what you can Spartans."
"Roger that, be advised they are bringing out explosive ordinance. Get all VIP's to a safe location." The Spartan leader replied as his team continued to fire.
Selmon saw the retreating defenders and infiltrated through a shot-out window.
-Inside the temple-
"Do I have to say that?" The Chief asked as the human party started to laugh at how much he was sweating.
"It is customary." The Priest replied as the Arbiter snickered.
The Chief let out a heavy sigh and went to seal his fate. "I-" he started but the temple was rocked as an explosion shook the walls.
"They've breached the doors, all units prepare for a defensive battle and evacuate any VIP's." A squad leader said as chaos erupted when the sounds of gunfire were heard from the entrance.
"I told you so!" The Chief said as he took out an SMG and took cover behind an overturned bench. Those guests who were armed had done the same while those who were unarmed were huddled behind any cover they could find.
"I guess you were correct after all." Hood said as Dava nodded from behind a bench.
"To be honest, I was skeptical as well." Dava replied as Plasma sailed over their heads.
"Marines, suppressive fire," Hood ordered as two squads of Marines started firing. "The rest of you get any unarmed civilians to safety."
"Daughter what are you doing?!" Dava said as the Arbiter still stood at the altar with a slow growing look of rage on her face.
The Arbiter stood still as she slowly clenched her fists and began to tremble in rage as plasma fire whistled around her. She knew that something would happen but she still had hope that maybe she could have one day where she could be happy and carefree without some conflict interfering or conspiring to take it away.
She joined the Covenant military at the top of her class but was passed over for promotion because of the sexist environment.
She finally received her promotion to Zealot but lost her mother the same day.
She was awarded her first command of a fleet but a single human ship evaded her entire fleet and escaped Reach.
She finally had the humans cornered and trapped on Halo but the flood were released and the ring destroyed by the same human she was now marrying,
She became the Arbiter but was subsequently betrayed by the Prophets and her race slaughtered by the Brutes on their orders.
She finally had been able to have established some measure of peace but now a group of traitors were interrupting and ruining what should have been a happy occasion for her after many trials of disappointment.
No more would she let this happen! Her entire being was shaking with rage as a deep growl emitted from her throat and a fierce look appeared in her eyes focused solely on those who had appeared uninvited to her ceremony.
Kela saw the look in her friends eyes and knew what was about to happen. "Pay attention Spartan and learn what happens when she can't control her rage anymore. That is going to be one of your biggest tasks in this marriage, to keep her happy so she doesn't lose control."
The Chief looked at Kela with a confused expression as he loaded another magazine into the SMG. "What are you talking about?" he asked as Kela pointed at the Arbiter in response. He turned his attention to the Arbiter who spoke up in a very angry and very deadly tone that had the entire temple go silent.
"You filthy scum, you dare to interrupt what should have been a joyous occasion by bringing death and destruction into one of our most holy places and you dare to interrupt my marriage ceremony!" The Arbiter should as she seethed in anger and the mercenaries froze.
"Marriage ceremony? He didn't say anything about a marriage ceremony." One of them whispered to another.
"We've been tricked!" Another said as the Arbiter grabbed her sword from her sash and ignited it.
"Die!" Was all she said as the slaughter began.
And cue another dreaded cliffie muahahahahahaha.
The Arbiter had her day ruined and we got a first hand look at her psyche as the weight of everything that happened to her finally reached the boiling point. Also, for those who will be confused by the Spartan-IV's actions during the chapter that will be explained next chapter.
Nothing else to say except read and review and we are two chapters away from the end so here's to a great ending.