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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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"Repeat your Vows"

January 29 2526 - Hour 1932

General Thela 'Vadamee

Mandelam, Kalliem, Planet of Biko

The bitterness of failure... it never tasted so awful as it was now.

Thela had grown complacent with her success. That much she could see through her own actions. Arrogance... to think she would have ended up blinded by it. That's how the elders saw it, that's how many others accepted as a reason for her 'disgrace'. Not an outright defeat, but one that put a severe issue before the High Council. Her fleet retreated right in time before it could have gotten destroyed, but the damage has been greater than just material loss. The Forerunner's treasure, now in the hand of the Humans. It had been perceived as an outrage. As something worthy of either a dishonored discharge or even an execution.

What saved Thela, in most part, was the gamble made by a few Sangheili politicians within that very council... and the Prophets being lenient on her reasoning. Despite the horrible failure, many couldn't blame her for the large part of that defeat. The humans had been prepared, they had been given time. Their defenses, as signed in her reports, doubled if not tripled to match a serious confrontation. They held because they had won once and knew how they operated. Something that resonated some reluctant agreement among her fellow generals and those that served as Shipmasters under her when the battle over Harvest resumed.

The Humans had been warned by the previous defeat, and they had stubbornly clung to that planet because they learned its worth. Now? Now the planet didn't have the same importance as before. A new battle to try and retake it was going to take a long time to even be contemplated. And Thela refused to even consider commanding a Fourth Battle for it.

No, Thela's attention was shifting elsewhere and not due to her own free decision. Despite the council eventually agreeing that her points were valid, the large majority claimed she was still tainted by the sins of allowing the old relics to be sullied by the humans. Redemption was to be achieved through a new mission that could easily risk her life... either she went through it or not. The fact she was given a 'minor role' within the operation she was part of, the fact she was just in charge of a single team meant to handle the conquest of a city on their own and with limited support? She knew this was either going to give her salvation or kill her one way or another. And despite her abrupt encounter with failure, Thela didn't feel fazed by it.

In fact, it opened her eyes on a couple of things.

The first element that got her attention was... the human himself. The man was wearing an armor unique compared to the others, except for a shorter individual. A subordinate from the way he handled the retreat. It was admirable in a way, he remained last during that hasty retreat to favor the survival of the rest of those in his team. Admirable, but also deadly due to how this helped him. Thela remembered rushing at him with her zealotry raging within her bones. The human was within reach and she tackled him with vigor. It was a fall meant to kill them, but between luck and stubbornness, the human managed to survive this demise meant for both of them.

Thela didn't falter even before these new odds. She fought back with everything she got. And yet the fight, limited to melee weapons, felt awfully matched. Not in weaponry or physical abilities, but due to ideals and convictions. The man fought hard, showing the same ferocity he first saw acting back when he was 'weaker' in the eyes of his own military. Just like Thela did when she ascended to her current rank. The same ferocity she held in her heart even now and... that she didn't feel as she thought of back then.

Her clear mind failed to understand why, but as she looked back at the fight, she felt oddly 'quiet' about it. Somehow her chest felt lighter and she felt the strangest at one particular moment. The human was struggling in one of their early stalemates, her vehemence was at her highest and then, he exclaimed something that made her stop and... feel shocked about.

"You are a girl?!"

Surprise. The human had presumed that she was a male Sangheili. A hint of pride crossed her twitching jaws, but that wasn't really awed her. It was what happened next. Would the human stop and lessen his blows? Would he demean her with arrogance and presumption of her skills? No, that wasn't how it unfolded. The human seemed only to get more intense in his pace. To match hers, to follow her steps and keep the fight on even grounds. Thela didn't know how much the difference between male and female felt to humans, not to the point of discouraging the strange sensation enveloping her inner self, but the fact the warrior she fought didn't falter. That this infamous creature took a stand even harsher than before to match her own actions and her own determination- it made her feel less disappointed in defeat.

For the challenge between ideals is but the greatest fight. One where even the loser can still perceive the glory of victory through acceptance of their own flaws.

Once again, the wise words of her teacher echoed in her mind. This defeat... It was a victory. But only if she knew how to turn it into one through her future actions. Hence why, despite the unpleasant note this operation was started with, Thela didn't accept hopelessness within her mind. No, she awaited success, like before, except with a more cynical eye to it. And as the lone dropship soared through the orbit and prepared to land her troops within her destination, she found herself drawn in an interesting exchange with one of her subordinates. Not many familiar faces, but this one stunned her for a few reasons. Starting with-

"General 'Vadamee. It's an honor to make your acquaintance, ma'am."

Thela frowned at that greeting, caught off-guard by a few details she spotted through these words. First, this Sangheili was female. An anomaly, just like she had been, except this one could be justified by legitimate skills. This troop bore the First Blade armor and she bore it proudly from the way she stood high. Incredible skills in close quarters and leadership, except limited to small-scale operations. The smile wasn't missed, but it stunned Thela due to how genuine it felt. None of those gestures meant to ridicule her, but rather a friendly approach.

"Present yourself to your commander," was the immediate response and the fellow female Sangheili complied with the order.

"First Blade Rtas 'Vadumee, your second-in-command in this mission."

The General narrowed her eyes, intrigue pooling by her orbs. "Truly. Then you should know that my reputation is hardly enough to produce honor to anyone."

The First Blade looked surprised, just briefly, and her giddiness persisted. "I'm afraid I have to disagree with that view, ma'am."

"How so?"

"The mission against the Humans' Fiend. I heard the elders, some grumble about your decision being right and driven by duty first and foremost."

"It didn't prevent my defeat," Thela argued and that rebuttal was matched with an equally intense one.

"But you managed to weaken the humans in a situation where you would have lost everything. Death or defeat- this isn't our way. Suicide without a fight of worth isn't one that our culture espouse."

It doesn't, but many didn't seem to realize this much about it. Much to her surprise, the rest of the Silent Shadow Infantry started to hum in agreement with some Grunts 'yelping' in acceptance to mimic the rest of the team. Good chemistry, this was going to be helpful during this operation. Yet, while she felt entitled to push back, something akin to amusement started to filter out of her composure. After all, she didn't expect to be exchanging a heated conversation with her second-in-command about defending the damage she suffered to her reputation.

It was baffling, and yet light-heartening due to how foolish it all sounded. In the end, she wisely kept quiet, almost irked by the brief aura of smugness emanated by Rtas and... her continuous friendliness during the landing. It remained even as they reached their destination, the landing spot designated after the orbital defense produced by the humans had been weakened well enough. This mission had to succeed at all costs. Humans were still suffering from rebels, and some of them were even worse than those she had encountered before. Negotiations? They expected their faction to just bless them with mercy? Cautious and moderate she might be, but Thela would prefer to perish than allow that thought to go forth. These humans were trying to bribe their survival through cowards' ways. That wouldn't do.

Biko would burn... but not before a message was sent to the humans.

The mission was simple... get into the city of Mandelam, kill the 'Insurrectionists', secure more landing zones and then proceed to destroy the feeble human leadership within the city. After this was secured, kill the Insurgents' leader in the area and prevent any disturbance for the Glassing of the planet. Nothing new, but Thela felt less stressed as the operation began. The ships above their head offered Plasma barrage over part of the border outside the city, weakening some of the AAs trying to shoot down their landships and fighters, and allowing for the infiltration to begin.

The battle raged, inferior humans, barely-trained soldiers, faced their professional troops and were quickly dealt with as their advance was slow but unstoppable. No matter the effort, the insane determination mustered by some foolish enemies between them and their goal failed to halt their advance. And it was through this warpath that Thela spotted something interesting about his closest subordinate. Rtas followed her commands religiously, further expanding the notion that this individual, this 'believer' of hers, was none other than someone that admired her as a figure of this war rather than an individual.

A hero to their people- no, a hero to her. How many would end up remembering Rtas' name? How many her deeds? How many would see her successes as a reason for change. Thela's own life was doing what the fellow female failed to accomplish due to the rank and the reason for her to be within the Covenant. She was there to serve, while her superior wanted to 'conquer' rather than submit to faith alone.

Ignoring these troublesome thoughts, Thela's mind was solidly aimed at the mission. Success was around the corner and... she sought to not lose it from her grasp. Once inside the command building, the squad's approach further slowed down much to the surprise of a few fellow elites. The skepticism was brief, especially when Thela had seen what humans could do if put on the corner. Explosions started to rang around the corner, most of which failed to leave any damage while the rest was absorbed by their shields. And soon, more explosions unfolded, this time caused by plasma grenades.

It felt oddly satisfying to return the favor to the humans, to tear a wall through their own bombs and gun them down before they had a chance to turn their weapons at them. Satisfying and relieving as it meant less surprises through the trip to the highest floor. An office, a single human, a handgun held in his arm, the other holding another device. A remote controller.

"My name is Commandant Erland Booth of the Biko Independent Army, I demand you to stand down or I shall detonate the nuke that we stole from the UNSC. Don't get any closer!"

The human snarled, holding what looked to be a detonator. Thela narrowed her eyes as she approached towards him, ignoring his words.

"D-Don't come any closer. I'm- I'm going to detonate the missile and-"

He didn't get the chance to finish, not when he made the threat too easy to handle. The General's energy sword rattled fast and sharply cut the hand holding the detonator and then curved to decapitate the talkative coward. His body slumped shortly after and Thela stared at the headless body for a few seconds.

"Amazing," Rtas muttered breathlessly, and that comment sent an unpleasant shiver down her spine.

Thela couldn't tell precisely why, but that compliment felt more than just that. And she didn't like it one bit. It felt different than friendliness and... worse than that. Nonetheless, the mission was over. The rest of the troops were quick to destroy the last pocket of resistance as they prepared to destroy the next stronghold. With Mandelam under their control, it was time to turn their attention to Durban before cementing their position and holding for new reinforcements. But as Thela silently gloated at her success, she felt Rtas' stare aimed at her and... it was unnerving at times.

She couldn't tell why but... she could tell this was but just the beginning of something creepy but overall restrained.

AN

Before anyone asks no, Rtas isn't a yandere, she doesn't 'love' Thela, but she has an unhealthy amount of hero-worship aimed at her. To the point of being rather creepy about it. And soon becoming quite the lovable minion in due time. The lovable but weird minion.

Still, Biko has 'fallen'. It will make sense in a few chapters from now.

P.S. To those confused why I said the previous could have been caused some ill reaction to the decision I took is more on how a few people that had the chance to read it beforehand felt. Not many were pleased by this concept as they are generally more into having the SI/OC-I keep their insertion a secret in all occasions.

REVIEW Q&A!

Zack24: Right now, not much.

Austin: It's rarer for Brutes to allow females in their group than it is for the Elites. They are more into the mindset that the females HAS to just be the female and never a warrior. Alba proved her worth before and that got her recruited despite the various disagreements between her society's hierarchy. Prophets themselves don't join battles until strictly necessary, with their species not being normally fit for combat. Normally. Also yes, Atriox will be in this story.